THEINDIANPANORAMA FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017

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Sasikala's new identity: Qaidi Modi's war on civil KAREENA KAPOOR Number 9234 in Bengaluru society; Minority NGOs I WANT PEOPLE TO Central Prison 9 are specially targeted 18 ACCEPT ME IN 8 EVERY PHASE Car blast kills 51 in Iraq, Trump rails at media for its reporting, repeating scores wounded Islamic State claims responsibility umpteenth time CNN is ‘fake media’ The leaks are real. But the news about them is fake. The White House is a fine-tuned machine. Russia is a ruse. WASHINGTON (TIP) t was a 90 minute show of bravado by a super performer. Trump bullied reporters, dismissed Ifacts and then cracked a few caustic jokes - a combination that once made the candidate irresistible cable TV fodder. Now in office, he went even further, The blast site blaming the media for all but sinking his not-yet- launched attempt to "make a deal" with Moscow. BAGHDAD (TIP): A car packed with For its stunning moments and memorable one- explosives blew up on Thursday,February 16, in liners, Donald Trump's first solo news conference as southern Baghdad, killing at least 51 people and president has no rivals in recent memory. For all the wounding 55, security and medical sources trappings of the White House and traditions of the said, in the deadliest such attack in Iraq this forum, his performance was one of a swaggering, year, says a Reuters report. Islamic State, which blustery campaigner, armed with grievances and is on the defensive after losing control of primed to unload on his favorite targets. eastern Mosul to a US-backed Iraqi military contd on page 32 contd on page 32 Vikas Swarup is India's Sasikala's pick Palaniswami takes over as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister A long-time confidante of former AIADMK supremo and chief minister J new envoy to Canada Jayalalithaa, Sasikala's hopes to become the CM were dashed when the Supreme Court sent her to prison for four years in a two-decade-old corruption case, prompting her to name Palaniswami as her successor and brought two nephews into the party who were expelled by Jayalalithaa. CHENNAI (TIP): The political potboiler in oath of office to the chief minister and his 30- Tamil Nadu ended on February 16 with the member council at a function in which Sasikala's swearing-in of jailed AIADMK general secretary family members took the front row, leaving no VK Sasikala's proxy, Edappadi K Palaniswami, as room for guesswork as to where the party leaders Tamil Nadu chief minister Edappadi the chief minister. draw their strength from. The governor invited Vikas Swarup who has been MEA spokesman K Palaniswami after taking the oath Palaniswami retained almost all the ministers Palaniswami to form the government after he since 2015 is now heading to Canada as India's of secrecy administered by in the O Panneerselvam government, barring the presented a list of 124 AIADMK lawmakers envoy Photo courtesy PTI governor Vidyasagar Rao during ousted chief minister as well as education supporting him. The new chief minister will have NEW DELHI (TIP): The Ministry of External the swearing-in ceremony at Raj minister MF Pandiarajan who have rebelled to take a floor test in the assembly in a fortnight Affairs is all set to get a new public face with its Bhavan in Chennai on February 16. against Sasikala. to prove that he enjoys support of the majority of Photo courtesy PTI current spokesperson Vikas Swarup headed to Governor C Vidyasagar Rao administered the legislators. contd on Page 32 Canada as the High Commissioner. Gopal Baglay, Joint Secretary in charge of Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan Division in the US, Russia agree to ministry, is likely to succeed Swarup. Baglay earlier served as Deputy High Commissioner in boost military talks Pakistan and as Director in MEA's External WASHINGTON (TIP): The US and Publicity Division. Russian militaries agreed to "enhance Swarup, a 1986-batch Indian Foreign Service communications" after a meeting officer, had replaced Syed Akbaruddin as the between their top commanders in MEA spokesperson in 2015. He shot to fame when Azerbaijan today (February16), the his novel Q&A was made into a Hollywood Pentagon said. Chairman of the US Joint movie, 'Slumdog Millionaire', which won eight Chiefs of Staff Joe Dunford and his Oscars. He is expected to take up his new Russian counterpart Valery Gerasimov assignment shortly. contd on page 32

104-02, 120th Street, S. Richmond Hill, NY 11419 THEINDIANPANORAMA 2 NEW YORK FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017 Making an Environmental Impact through Fashion: Premal Badiani showcases clothes made from wood pulp

NEW YORK CITY (TIP)

he strongly believes that every individual has a social responsibility Sand they can make an impact in the society in any field they belong to. And India-born US-based designer Premal Badiani is trying to make global awareness on the human impact on environment through fashion. On February 15Premal Badiani's "Root Cause" collection - clothes made from wood pulp - was showcased at the Indian Consulate in New York City. Indiaspopup.com, a premier online destination for luxury designer wear which promotes talented Indian designers by showcasing their work on an international level organized the event. "We are very proud of the craftsmanship Premal Badiani's "Root Cause" collection - and creativity of our Indian Designers and clothes made from wood pulp - was showcased at the Indian Consulate in New hope to make a major dent in the global Premal Badiani poses with Consul General Riva Ganguly Das York City Photos/ Jay Mandal on assignment fashion market," said Dr. Shweta Reddy, fashion as a lifestyle choice. Being eco- hands with NGO Hearts@Work foundation Founder of Indiaspopup.com. friendly is a lifetime choice. I want to led by the successful entrepreneur Viral S. stressed on the need of Indian Branding. Premal in her speech explained why she promote 360 degree sustainability through Desai who has been persistently making "Indian designers are doing extremely well. named her collection 'Root Cause.' "It has two fashion globally. It's a small initiative but I tremendous efforts with his various But we need to do a little more to promote reasons. First, I am proud of my Indian am trying to make a difference in the initiatives in the field of environmental our(Indian) fabric. There is an issue with the heritage. So, it ties me back to my roots. industry I belong to." awareness to bring in the 360-degree branding. With every brand, association Second, it's part of green initiative. The Badiani said that by using eco-friendly sustainability in the society. The brand is with India is needed", she said. inspiration behind this collection is to bring fabric, extracted from the outer bark of a also associated itself with the 'Clean India, The event was held at the consulate as part awareness of the human impact on the special palm tree in South India without Green India' initiative. of the New York Fashion week and helped environment and to promote social harming the tree, she is eyeing to promote Consul General Ambassador Riva open an avenue for an entire community of responsibility by adopting sustainable plantation of more trees. She has also joined Ganguly Das in her welcome address Indian Textile makers. Mac Duggal makes an emphatic statement with his designs at ITV Gold hosts appreciation event for New York Fashion Week 'Insight Tonight with Ashok Vyas' NEW YORK (TIP): Starting with designer NEW YORK (TIP) Mac Duggal, sought n afternoon of appreciation was after for his pageant organized here to mark three and prom dress line, it Ayears of 'Insight Tonight with was his first showing Ashok Vyas' and celebrate four decades at NYFW Feb. 11, of the popular Indian channel ITV Gold. featuring glamorous, The luncheon event at Heritage of India gorgeous gowns with in Queens dwelled on intellectually bling and an eye- stimulating themes for the select popping wow factor, audience with the help of speakers as noted PRNewswire. well as a satirical play performed by the In addition to the NJ based theater group named 'Prayaas'. expected gowns with 'Insight Tonight with Ashok Vyas' is a lots of shimmer and unique, interactive live show with panel bejeweled discussions on contemporary social, adornments, there political, cultural and philosophical was the unexpected. issues every Monday and Tuesday on This collection from ITV Gold. Mac Duggal featured The event emceed by Ashok Vyas floor-length capes, began auspiciously with Vedic mantras unconventional chanted by Shastri Jagdish Tripathi. slacks, shorts and even body suits. CEO of ITV Gold Deepak Viswanath An Indian American designer who resides in Chicago, thanked all program hosts and program Mac Duggal's enthusiasm for women's couture fashion began producers of his channel. Seen in the picture, from L to R: Dr. Hetal Gor, George Maragos, Michael Phulwani, with the merging of the vibrant designs of his homeland's Author and motivational speaker Mrs. Sathya Viswanath, Ashok Vyas royal history and opulent traditions with a sophisticated and Sunil Robert Vuppula spoke on the Dhana Shri, Dhananjay, Himanshu Joshi also mentioned Ashok's skill of asking contemporary design aesthetic. 'Importance of dialogue' and and Deepak received generous applause pointed questions in polite but firm Arriving in the United States in 1983 at the age of 23, emphasized the need to be open to listen from the audience. manner. He also urged Indian Duggal began his road to success with his first collection, to others. Corporate coach and President of ITV Mrs Sathya Americans to take active role in the "Creative Creations," a line of dazzling gowns blending consultant Vibhuti Jha focused on the Viswanath gave away token of political process of their adopted Indian beauty and elegance with Western styling. need of integrity and honesty for a TV appreciation to artists and panelists of country. Maragos presented citations The Mac Duggal brand further elevated itself with the news and conversation to be credible. the show as well as guests. She had co- from his office to Mrs Sathya Viswanath, introduction of designer couture gowns and pageant wear. It 'How media is playing its role in founded ITV with her husband, Dr attorney Michael Phulwani, Dr Hetal was his high fashion prom dresses that put him at the stimulating relevant dialogue' was Banad Viswanath who left his mortal Gor and Ashok Vyas. forefront of the emerging designer prom dress market, and elaborated by Fellow of World Policy frame two years ago. Leaders of the Indian community won him such awards as the 1998 Diva Fashion Award for Institute Swadesh Rana. This was also an afternoon of love and present on the occasion included senior Designer of the Year in the Prom/Pageant category. How politicians, religious leaders and memories and inspirations. Dr Shashi advisor to Comptroller Maragos, Dilip Expanding his collection to 12 distinct social occasion media often exploit the plight of victims to Shah appreciated the role of ITV for the Chauhan, Publisher of The South Asian lines, the Mac Duggal brand has transformed into a highly their advantage -- this thread ran through community and touched upon the Times Kamlesh Mehta, Dr Narinder sought after label courted by A list celebrities including a small skit titled 'Aaj Ka Gaddha', which versatility as well as interviewing skills Kukar, CPA Rajeev Kaul, Prof A D Amar, Shakira, Carrie Underwood, Gwenyth Paltrow, Khloe generated peals of laughter. The skit's of Ashok Vyas. In his speech, Nassau Prof Maya Chaddha, Rashmin Master Kardashian, Eva Longoria, Paris Hilton and many more. director Ameeya Mehta and performers County Comptroller George Maragos and Dr Rakesh Sharma. THEINDIANPANORAMA FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017 NEW YORK 3

Mayor de Blasio Announces Consulate General of India, New York Interactive 'NYC Love your Local' hosts International Food Festival Initiative to Celebrate Independent, Neighborhood Businesses and Offer $1.8 Million in Grant Funding New Yorkers can share their favorite neighborhood businesses to put them 'On the Map,' an interactive city- wide map showing the diverse local businesses New Yorkers love

NEW YORK CITY (TIP): Mayor Bill de Blasio and Department of Small Business Services Commissioner Gregg Bishop has announced the launch of 'NYC Love Your Local,' a new initiative to celebrate and promote the diverse, independent, small businesses that enrich neighborhoods across New York City.The program encourages New Yorkers to share their favorite independent, non-franchise businesses, Consul General Riva Ganguly Das with dignitaries NEW YORK CITY (TIP) which will add them to an interactive map that is now available he Society of Foreign online at nyc.gov/loveyourlocal. Shared businesses may also Consuls (SOFC), New apply for a share of $1.8 million in grant funding and expert TYork, in association advice to help them better meet competitive pressure. New with the Consulate General Yorkers may share why they love their favorite local business of India, New York, on social media by using the hashtag #LoveYourLocalNYC. organized the International "New York City thrives on the energy, culture and diversity Food Festival on February 09, of small businesses," said Mayor Bill de Blasio. "The NYC Love 2017 at the Consulate Your Local program gives New Yorkers a chance to support premises. their favorite businesses by bringing the local establishments More than 25 countries they love into the limelight and giving them the chance to showcased their rich cuisine cultivate business through a nomination to win a $1.8 million and culture during the event. grant." A large number of people "Independent, small businesses are the backbone of our including Manhattan neighborhoods, and the NYC Love Your Local initiative Borough President Ms. Gale recognizes and supports their vital role in the fabric of New Brewer, Brooklyn Borough York City," said Gregg Bishop, Commissioner of the Deputy President, Ms. Diana Department of Small Business Services. "New York City is full Reyna and members of the of unique neighborhoods that are given character by local Diplomatic Corps attended merchants and entrepreneurs. New Yorkers should share their the festival. favorite neighborhood business and be sure to show their Consul General Riva love." Ganguly Das welcomed the This new initiative will tap into New Yorkers' love for the guests while President of neighborhood staples they frequent to spread the word about SOFC and Consul General of shopping local. Small businesses face unique challenges but Columbia, María Isabel have an important place in the fabric of New York City. Nieto Jaramillo made the The New York City Economic Development Corporation is a opening remarks. Cultural funding partner for the business grants. troupes from various About the Department of Small Business Services participating countries (SBS) : SBS helps unlock economic potential and create enthralled the audience who economic security for all New Yorkers by connecting New got to taste the delectable Yorkers to good jobs, creating stronger businesses, and flavors from around the building a fairer economy in neighborhoods across the five world. boroughs. For more information on all SBS services, go to More than 25 countries showcased their rich cuisine and culture during the event nyc.gov/sbs or call 311. Centennial of Abolition of Indian Indentureship commemoration at Consulate of India in New York Date: March 3, 2017

NEW YORK CITY (TIP): Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry. Suriname, Jamaica, South Africa and other March 2017, including a 2-day conference in The history and consequences of Indian countries presently reside in the region. New Delhi on April 22-23. he Indian Diaspora Council (IDC) will Indenturedship are deeply embedded with The March 3 program includes remarks by This New York event precedes the Indian hold its New York, USA tremendous significance, meaningful history consul generals of India and other countries Diaspora World Convention 2017, the grand Tcommemoration of Abolition of Indian and sometimes painful reflections to millions impacted by Indian indentureship, followed global commemoration on March 17-20, 2017 Indentureshipat the Consulate of India at 3 of descendants living in many countries by prominent historians and speakers on: to be held in Trinidad & Tobago: Grand East 64th Street in New York starting at which were the recipients of Indian History of Indian Indenturedship; Impacted opening ceremonies, conferences, panel 6:30pm on March 3, 2017. The theme of the Indentured laborers seeking better countries & second migration; Perspectives sessions, workshops, resolutions, action event is: "Centennial of Abolition of Indian livelihoods: Mauritius, Fiji, S. Africa, on the end of an era; Challenges, items team, future projects, cultural Indenturedship: Challenges, Achievements Trinidad, Suriname, Guyana, Belize, Unparalleled Progress and Achievement; presentations and receptions. Several Indian and Charting New Frontiers". Guadeloupe and other countries of the Evolution of economic and political standing; officials as well as officials, civic and Year 2017 marks the 100th anniversary of Caribbean; as well as second migration to Descendants of Indian Indenturedship and community leaders from neighboring the official abolition of Indian USA, Canada, UK, Netherlands, France and the PIOs experience. After an audience Caribbean countries would be engaged in Indenturedship, an era spanning 1834-1917. other countries. interactive Q/A, there would be presentation discussions on engagements and Indian Indentureship was an intense and The upcoming New York event is of music, dance and poetry on Indian collaboration. harrowing period of Indian migration from commemorating the centennial of abolition migration, followed by an assortment of foods For more information, please contact several Indian states to far way lands of then of Indian Indenturedship in the NY-NJ-CT- from the Caribbean and other PIO countries. Ashook Ramsaran @ British colonies throughout the world: Pacific, PA-MA region where a significant population Similar commemoration events are being [email protected] Atlantic and Caribbean regions. The majority of PIOs and NRIs reside: Over 200,000 PIOs held by Indian Diaspora Council (IDC) and its Indian Diaspora Council (IDC) is an of those laborers came from Uttar Pradesh, descendants of Indian Indentured affiliates in several countries impacted by international non-profit organization of Bihar, West Bengal, Jharkand, Madhya immigrants from Guyana, Trinidad, Indian indentureship during the month of shared heritage, aspirations and interests. THEINDIANPANORAMA 4 INDIAN ABROAD FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017

Indian American Congressman Ami Bera named ranking Two Indian American Princeton member of House space Students selected as 2017 Scholars in subcommittee WASHINGTON (TIP): Nation's Service Initiative House Democrats have named Rep. Ami Bera (D-Calif.) as the NEW YORK (TIP) new ranking member of the space subcommittee as they he Woodrow Wilson School of finalized the roster of Public and International Affairs members who will serve on Tat Princeton University has that subcommittee. selected 10 students, including two Bera, entering his third Indians, for the 2017 cohort of the Bera, entering his third term in the House, succeeds Scholars in the Nation's Service term in the House, Donna Edwards, a Maryland succeeds Donna Edwards Initiative (SINSI). Kishan Bhatt and Democrat who previous Nabil Shaikh were among 10 Princeton served as the top Democrat on the subcommittee. Edwards University students. chose not to run for reelection to the House in 2016, Established in 2006, SINSI is designed unsuccessfully running for the Senate instead. to encourage, support and prepare the "As a kid who grew up during the height of the space race nation's top students to pursue careers dreaming of what lay beyond us, it's an honor to be selected in the U.S. federal government, in to serve as the ranking member for the subcommittee on international and domestic agencies. space," Bera, 51, said in a Feb. 14 statement about his Through rigorous academic training Kishan Bhatt and Nabil Shaikh were among 10 Princeton University students named selection as subcommittee ranking member. His district, integrated with work experience, the 2017 Scholars in the Nation's Service Initiative which covers part of the Sacramento area, includes a major goal of the highly competitive Aerojet Rocketdyne facility. scholarship program is to provide bioterrorism strategy at the Federation Princeton broadening his students with the language and of American Scientists, publishing a understanding of how various actors Indian American State workplace skills needed to succeed in report for federal officials on the legal and policies shape health and wellness the public policy arena. and biological tools to deter and detect in society. During summer 2016, Shaikh Representative Niraj Antani Kishan Bhatt, a senior from Edison, potential disease threats. Bhatt has spent two months as a Princeton Global New Jersey, is a Wilson School studied abroad in Spain and directed an Health Scholar in Hyderabad, India, Named AMVETS 2016 concentrator and a certificate candidate international exchange program where he performed thesis research in global health and health policy and connecting 80 high school students from surveying more than 100 terminally ill 'Legislator of the Year' American studies. A U.S. health policy Japan and the United States. He serves cancer patients on their experiences scholar at Princeton's Center for Health as a four-year senator for the with accessing end-of-life care. He then and Wellbeing, he cares deeply about Undergraduate Student Government, a spent time in Trenton, New Jersey, as a policies that encourage medical peer career adviser, an Orange Key tour policy research intern at the New Jersey innovation, disease prevention and guide and a fellow with the Human Department of Health, focusing on value-based health care delivery. During Values Forum. minority and multicultural health. summer 2016, Bhatt analyzed clinical Nabil Shaikh, a senior from Reading, Shaikh is active in the activities of the cost and outcomes data for Remedy Pennsylvania, is apolitics major and a Muslim Life Program, Muslim Partners, a technology start-up that certificate candidate in global health Advocates for Social Justice and the serves 1,300 hospitals participating in and health policy and in values and Office of Religious Life. He has served as Medicare's $12 billion Bundled Payment public life. Shaikh, who cares deeply treasurer for the Pace Council for Civic for Care Improvement program. about global access to health care and Values and as a freshman trip leader for Previously, he researched counter- health disparities, has spent his time at Community Action. Antani is the second Indian-American state elected official in Ohio history and the first Indian-American Republican Indian American NASA Scientist Detained at U.S. Border COLUMBUS (TIP): State Representative Niraj Antani (R - Miami Township) has received the 2016 Legislator of the WASHINGTON (TIP): A U.S.-born I initially refused since it's a JPL-issued Year award by American Veterans (AMVETS) Department of Indian American NASA scientist was phone and I must protect access." Ohio. detained by U.S. Customs and Border He added, "Just to be clear - I'm a U.S.- "I am very thankful to AMVETS for this award, but I am Patrol officials and was not permitted to born citizen and NASA engineer, more thankful for all the veterans they serve who protected enter the country unless he unlocked traveling with a valid U.S. visa." our nation while in the military," Antani said. "I will his PIN-protected work phone. Bikkannavar said he was eventually continue to fight for our veterans at the Statehouse. The post Sidd Bikkannavar, who works in released. His employers gave him a new 9/11 veteran unemployment rate in Ohio is abysmal. Our NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, was phone. veterans deserve better when they return home, and I will detained Jan. 30 upon returning to the According to the Verge, Bikkannavar fight for them." U.S. from Santiago, Chile, the Verge was yet to receive an explanation for Each year, AMVETS Department of Ohio recognizes reported. why he was stopped at Houston's George legislators who have shown continued support of veterans Bikkannavar said he was pressured to Bush Intercontinental Airport. issues and demonstrated the ideals and goals of the give the CBP agents his phone and He had traveled to South America for AMVETS Department of Ohio. Antani accepted this award access PIN. Since the phone was issued personal reasons, pursuing his hobby of on Saturday, February 11th, 2017 in Columbus. by NASA, it may have contained Sidd Bikkannavar, 35, was held with racing solar-powered cars. He had Antani is serving his second term in the Ohio House. He sensitive material that wasn't supposed others who were stranded under the ban recently joined a Chilean team. represents the 42nd District, which covers most of southern to be shared. on entry of Muslims from seven countries "It was not that they were concerned Montgomery County. Having been elected age 23, now 25, he Bikkannavar's phone was returned to and controversial executive order on with me bringing something dangerous is the youngest currently serving member of the House. In him after it was searched by CBP,but he travel into the country. The travel ban in, because they didn't even touch the addition, he is the second Indian-American state elected doesn't know exactly what information caused chaos at airports across the U.S., bags," he said. "They had no way of official in Ohio history, and the first Indian-American officials might have taken from the as people with visas and green cards knowing I could have had something in Republican. device. found themselves detained, or facing there. You can say, 'Okay well maybe it's Antani was named to Forbes Magazine's list of the top "30 Bikkannavar is a natural-born U.S. deportation. about making sure I'm not a dangerous Under 30" people in the United States for Law & Politics in citizen enrolled in CBP's Global Entry Within days of its signing, the travel person,' but they have all the 2015. In 2016, the conservative media organization Newsmax program, which allowed participants order was stayed, but not before more information to verify that." named him the 2nd most influential Republican in the nation who have undergone a background than 60,000 visas were revoked, Earlier this week, Homeland Security under age 30. In addition, in 2013 he was named to the "Top check to speed up their entry into the according to the U.S. State Department. Secretary John Kelly said in a statement 30 Conservatives Under Age 30 in the United States" list by U.S. "Sorry for my absence. On my way that people visiting the U.S. may be Red Alert Politics and the Montgomery County Republican He had not visited any of the back home to the U.S. last weekend, I asked to give up passwords to their Party named him the "Republican Man of the Year." countries mentioned in Donald Trump's was detained by Homeland Security and social media accounts. 'Muslim' travel ban, but Bikkannavar held with others who were stranded "We want to get on their social media, told the Verge that agents may have under the Muslim ban," he wrote on with passwords. What do you do? What become suspicious about his family Facebook. do you say?" Kelly told the House Lookout for more news, views and reviews name, which is southern Indian. "CBP officers seized my phone and Homeland Security Committee. "If they log on to www.theindianpanorama.com The JPL scientist returned to the U.S. wouldn't release me until I gave them don't want to cooperate, then you don't four days after the signing of a sweeping my access PIN for them to copy the data. come in." THEINDIANPANORAMA FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017 ADVERTISEMENT 5 THEINDIANPANORAMA 6 NY/NJ/CT FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017 Indian American convicted for Chancellor Fariña Announces $3 Million H-1B visa fraud Indian American woman, Investment in Classroom Libraries Hiral Patel, is the latest in the federal net to admit visa fraud. through Universal Literacy Initiative NEWARK, NJ (TIP): The 34-year-old Patel pleaded guilty Through Universal Literacy, 103 reading coaches are strengthening literacy before US District Judge Kevin McNulty in Newark federal instruction at all 107 elementary schools in Districts 9, 10, 17, and 32 court. Patel worked to fraudulently obtain visas for foreign workers visas. She recruited workers through two Information NEW YORK CITY (TIP): students to read proficiently by the end Technology (IT) firms in New Jersey. However, these workers of 2nd grade, with the target of 100 were not employed full time or paid according to federal rules, chools Chancellor Carmen percent of all 2nd-graders reading at PTI reported. Fariña announced that the 107 grade level by 2026. By the 2018-19 Patel, who is from Jersey City, was the human resource Selementary schools participating school year, this initiative will expand manager of the IT companies SCM Data Inc and MMC Systems in the Universal Literacy initiative to all 32 New York City school districts. Inc. The companies offered consultants to clients in need of IT this year are receiving $3.05 million to Principals will work with their support, and recruited foreign nationals, often student visa build classroom libraries for Universal Literacy reading coaches to holders or fresh graduates. Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grades. purchase classroom library books as She admitted her involvement in preparing false leave slips Chancellor Fariña made the well as collections of texts for small for the foreign workers on behalf of the companies in February announcement at PS 375 in Brooklyn, group instruction in the three target and March 2015. Patel's conspirators represented that the where she celebrated World Read grades. "Big books" may also be foreign workers they recruited had full-time positions and were Aloud Day with a 2nd-grade class. purchased. In schools with large paid an annual salary. They showed compliance with the visa "We are laser-focused on building a English Language Learner requirements as laid by the US Department of Homeland stronger early foundation for New York populations, new books will reflect all Security, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), City's students, and that's reflected in of the languages spoken in the school. the news agency reported. our investment in Pre-K for All, The allocation is $105.61 per student; In reality, however, the conspirators violated the H-1B Universal Literacy, and Algebra for schools will receive a share of the $3.05 program rules and paid the foreign workers only when they All," said Schools Chancellor Carmen million based on their number of were place at a third-party client who entered into a contract Fariña. "This $3 million investment students in the three target grades. with SCM Data and MMC Systems. will help strengthen our students' early Individual schools' allocations range They also asked foreign workers, who were not currently learning by increasing access to from about $7,000 to $77,000. This is the working, to come up with what their gross wage would be in quality, age-appropriate books and first allocation of its kind; allocations cash and give it to companies in order to maintain their H-1B building a love of reading. I am also agenda - is being implemented in all for classroom library and book visa status. They also made the workers submit bogus payroll excited to celebrate and foster a love of 107 elementary schools in Districts 9 purchases will be part of the Universal checks to USCIS as proof that they were working as full-time reading through World Read Aloud and 10 in the Bronx, and Districts 17 Literacy initiative as it expands to employees. The fraud was discovered by the US Department of Day." and 32 in Brooklyn. There are 103 additional districts next year and in Labor in an audit at SCM data and MMC Systems. This year, the Universal Literacy Universal Literacy reading coaches 2018-19. The conspiracy to commit visa fraud charge carries a initiative - one of the initiatives in supporting these 107 elementary Contact: Chancellor's Press maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Mayor de Blasio and Chancellor schools. The goal of the initiative is for, Office (212) 374-5141 Patel faces sentence in June, 2017. Fariña's Equity and Excellence for All within six years, at least two-thirds of APARTMENT Progressive Caucus TO RENT condemns arrest of Dreamer Daniel Ramirez NEWLY renovated NEW YORK CITY (TIP): The New York spreads fear in marginalized immigrant City Council Progressive Caucus condemned communities, and does not make our country the Trump administration's continual affront any safer. The NYCC Progressive Caucus TWO Bedroom apartment to immigrant communities, most recently recognizes the wide contributions of with the arrest of DACA recipient and immigrants to our city and to our nation, and DREAMer Daniel Ramierez Medina, who was the Caucus has long advocated for rights and arrested by ICE agents in the Seattle area and protections of New Yorkers who are in Briarwood, Queens stripped of his DACA protections. vulnerable due to documentation status. We The statement reads "We are alarmed and urge ICE to free Daniel Ramirez Medina, and outraged at the President's erratic and urge the Trump administration to cease its NEW S/S Appliances immoral approach to immigration which attack on immigrant communities". $1800.00 a month. Air India to get 4 more Dreamliners this year NEW YORK (TIP): Air India is scheduled to take delivery of the four remaining dreamliners - Boeing 787-8 1 Month Rent & 1 Month Security planes - this year with the last one to be delivered in October. The airline has acquired 23 dreamliners from September CREDIT/ REF Check 2012 to January 9, 2017, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha told the Lok Sabha, acknowledging the aircraft 'have experienced technical reliability issues' since induction. Terminals at 4 ports for cruise tourism: foreign vessels to call without licence from Call Owner the Director General of Shipping, To boost cruise tourism, the government Parliament was informed . Also, a new has developed terminals at four major cruise terminal is under development at ports - Mumbai, Mormugao, New Chennai Port and scheduled to be at 917-309-0050 Mangalore and Cochin - and also allowed completed by February. THEINDIANPANORAMA FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017 ADVERTISEMENT 7 THEINDIANPANORAMA 8 EDITORIAL FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017

GUEST COMMENT AS I SEE IT Sasikala's new identity: Qaidi Number Early setback for Mr. Trump 9234 in Bengaluru Central Prison resident Donald Trump suffered a big political blow on Monday, barely a month into office, when his National PSecurity Adviser, Michael Flynn, resigned over his We have the family format now firmly consecrated. Russia contacts. Mr. Flynn, a close aide of Mr. Trump, The Chautalas, the Badals, the Muftis, the admitted that he had "inadvertently" briefed Vice-President Abdullahs, the Gandhis, the Deve Gowdas, the Mike Pence with "incomplete information" about his phone Karunanidhis,“ the Lalu Yadavs, and many other conversation with the Russian ambassador in Washington, By Harish Khare Sergey Kislyak. The allegation is that Mr. Flynn discussed aberrations have mocked our democratic pretensions. American sanctions on Russia with Mr. Kislyak in the waning Yet there was something so blatant, so ignominious in days of the Obama presidency and told him that Russia should amil Nadu has a new chief the Sasikala's chief ministerial push that it disturbed our wait till Mr. Trump's inauguration. He later denied speaking minister. And the new chief collective equanimity", says the author of the sanctions, and based on his brief, Mr. Pence publicly Tminister's name is not VK defended him. But after the media reported that they had Sasikala. Even if the new man, sources vouching that Mr. Flynn had discussed the sanctions Edappadi K Palaniswami happens to be with the envoy, it became impossible for the White House to a Sasikala proxy, the Indian democracy defend him. Technically, Mr. Flynn's calls with the Russian has something to celebrate. A judicial ambassador before he became part of the government are a intervention has stopped a power grab breach of an 18th century law, the Logan Act, that makes it in its tracks. Instead of lording over the illegal for private individuals to conduct foreign policy. The secretariat at Chennai, Ms Sasikala now context is grave for the Trump administration. There are has to do with the crowded quarters in already allegations that Moscow interfered in the presidential cell number 9234 in Bengaluru Central elections in favor of Mr. Trump and that the Russians have Prison. Why this sense of relief ? some compromising personal information about Mr. Trump. Over the decades the Indian Sasikala - yesterday and today Photos courtesy PTI The resignation, however, is unlikely to contain the scandal. democracy has indeed become inured to It raises even more questions about administration officials' many aberrations and absurdities. After stench could be smelled all the way up prime minister need be elevated beyond dealings with Russia and the way the government functions. all, we have had the spectacle of a Rabri in New Delhi. The DMK's first family the democratic mortal ordinariness. Mr. Flynn, for example, already faces allegations that he acted Devi presiding over Bihar, in can claim the dubious honor of blue- Nor does a victory in an election give to with the knowledge of others in Mr. Trump's transition team, circumstances somewhat similar to printing this family control and anyone a mandate to subvert the and his past Russian links are being probed. If the scandal what prevailed after Jayalalithaa's command model. The only redeeming established procedures of decision- widens, it could derail Mr. Trump's Russia reset plans. He death. We have the family format now aspect of the Karunanidhi clan was that making and lawful conduct of authority. could have avoided this early embarrassment had he paid firmly consecrated. The Chautalas, the its major honchos got themselves Tamil Nadu is a good example of more heed to those who questioned his picks for top jobs in the Badals, the Muftis, the Abdullahs, the sanctified and certified in the electoral governing arrangements being reduced administration. Mr. Flynn, who was fired by President Barack Gandhis, the Deve Gowdas, the arena. to rogue operations. It is no consolation Obama in 2014 as head of the Defense Intelligence Agency,was Karunanidhis, the Lalu Yadavs, and Despite this familiarity was the that the DMK and the AIADMK could particularly unpopular in Washington. Mr. Trump's other many other aberrations have mocked family nexus, there was something take turns in allowing their leaders, picks, be it Attorney General Jeff Sessions who faces our democratic pretensions. Yet there deeply disagreeable about Sasikala's cadres and activists to inflict allegations of racism, or Education Secretary Betsy DeVos was something so blatant, so hijacking of the AIADMK leadership. It unhappiness on the citizens. Time has who needed the Vice-President to cast a tie-breaking vote in ignominious in the Sasikala's chief is bad enough that political parties come to note that such delinquencies go the Senate for confirmation, are other cases in point. Such ministerial push that it disturbed our stand reduced to family heirlooms, but a unchallenged only because the decisions cannot be unmade now. But Mr. Trump could learn collective equanimity. Rabri Devi was profound transformation was inflicted bureaucracy becomes an enabling some lessons from the Flynn episode. He could use better 1997; 20 years later, we do not feel we in converting a political outfit into a agent. Had the Sasikala chief judgment when he chooses his next NSA. He should set his need to countenance 'a chief minister household arrangement. And it was her ministerial gambit come to pass, she house in order and formulate a cohesive approach towards Sasikala'. Have we not evolved as a chief ministerial putsch that got our would have not had any difficulty in domestic and foreign policy issues, including stating clearly polity? Has our democracy not deepened democratic goat. As has been pointed securing the requisite acquiescence of a what his Russia policy is. If not, his administration could well these last two decades? Why was the out by every sensitive observer, Ms handful of IAS and IPS officers and be trapped in crisis mode. (The Hindu) sense of a cheapening of our democracy Sasikala has had no experience of their state-level counterparts. This felt so acutely, not just in Tamil Nadu public or political life. As part of the nexus has to be smashed, not just in but across the land? Jayalalithaa household she may have Tamil Nadu but all over India and in THE INDIAN PANORAMA Maybe we were offended because Ms domain knowledge of the AIADMK's New Delhi as well. PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER: DALLAS: Harjit Dhesi, Amarjit Dhillon Sasikala sought to extend the principle internal affairs but these limited No one can foresee whether the new Prof. Indrajit S. Saluja OVERSEAS CORRESPONDENTS of 'family' to 'household' control. Her encounters in intrigue and conspiracy chief minister of Tamil Nadu would VICE PRESIDENT: Chitagam Saluja DELHI BUREAU CHIEF: only claim to the AIADMK leadership could not make up even remotely for her allow himself to be dictated to by the CHIEF EDITOR: Prof Indrajit S. Saluja Ashishpal Singh was/is that she was a trusted aide and a total unfamiliarity with the rites and Sasikala-aligned mafia. But it must be CHANDIGARH: Manjit Sidhu devoutly hoped by one and all that ASSISTANT EDITOR: Bidisha Roy confidante of "Amma" and, therefore, obligations of public office. Whatever LUDHIANA: A.S. Arora, R.P.Sharma was best equipped to carry forward the trust or confidence Jayalalithaa reposed trappings and pomp of the office would GRAPHICS DIRECTOR: PATRON : Dr. Navin Mehta revolutionary leader's legacy. Suddenly, in this domestic impresario could not be make the worm turn, sooner than later. Om Parkash Malik The Indian Panorama we felt our democratic sensibilities deemed as certificates of competence Any attempt to govern decently and DIRECTOR ADMINISTRATION: P.O. Box No. 190067, South Richmond violated. Irrespective of whatever help for a chief ministerial innings. reasonably would garner its own public Gauri Beri Hill, NY 11419, Tel: 646-247-9458 and assistance and comfort she This narrow escape should also make goodwill and support - two basic Email: DIRECTOR MARKETING: Karan Beri provided to Jayalalithaa in the privacy us re-state the meaning and purpose of ingredients in good governance. Civil [email protected] CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS: DALLAS EDITION of the Poes Garden, this companionship an electoral 'mandate.' In this time and society has found its voice and it must Vijay Shah -Photo Journalist. P.O. BOX 121695, did not qualify her for a public role. age of democratic discontent no leader not allow itself to be shut down by the ARLINGTON, TX 76012 Gunjesh Desai/ Masala Junction What the country witnessed was how an or a political party can claim that a new goons. Lovllien Kaurr, VP & Bureau Chief certain number of seats in the Vidhan Perhaps it is possible to suggest that Mohammad Jaffer/ SnapsIndia E-mail [email protected] established political party, with a Baldev Singh / BJ Videos Phone: 646-595-5026 sizeable presence in the two Houses of Sabha/Lok Sabha bestows a license for we are entering an inflection phase in Karan Beri our national political life. In a changing Vaaho Photographers Parliament, had got reduced to a den of experiments in authoritarianism. E-mail intrigue and conspiracy.All of a sudden Political parties in India are beyond the India we seem ready to demand that Mohammad Shahzad, Zia Khan [email protected] we understood that why our political reach of most institutional political arrangements justify DISTRIBUTOR : Sukhwinder Singh Phone: 646-431-4064 www.theindianpanorama.com parties have become so devoid of arrangements of accountability. themselves in terms larger and nobler CORRESPONDENTS : Published by Prof. IndrajitSaluja legitimacy and respectability. Sasikala could come so close to a total than just a will of the 'leader' or the SACRAMENTO: Parminder S. Aujla NY edition printed at Five Star Admittedly, Tamil Nadu is no usurpation of the chief ministerial 'demand of the cadres' or the 'internal NEW YORK : Chitagam Printers, Queens Dallas edition printed at Midway stranger to this household syndrome. gaddi because as a political party the affairs' of a party. It is inevitable that FRESNO: Tarlochan Singh Printing Press, Irving. Not long ago, the Karunanidhi AIADMK is beyond public scrutiny. sooner or later our democratic energy household had produced its own script Henceforth, this immunity would need and vibrancy would demand that the DISCLAIMER of warring sons, greedy cousins, to be justified and located in public political parties become an institution The Indian Panorama assumes no responsibility for rapacious daughters, formal and good. of popular aspiration rather than a the claims made in advertisements. We only sell informal wives, each more wayward And, it also follows that just because a handmaiden of private control and space. Views published in the newspaper are those of than the other, each extracting 'leader' is successful in leading a command. This Tamil Nadu spasm has the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views corrosive rent from the formal structure political party to victory at the hustings painful lessons way above the Deccan of government. That type of family does not necessarily mean that he or she plateau. of the newspaper. All rights are reserved. control and its collateral benefits were be granted god/goddess-like reverence Reproduction in whole or in part without permission (The author is the editor-in-chief of deemed 'normal' and acceptable. But the and obeisance. No chief minister or in writing from The Indian Panorama is prohibited. Tribune group of newspapers) THEINDIANPANORAMA FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017 PERSPECTIVE 9 Modi's war on civil society; Minority NGOs are specially targeted Indian law stipulates that non-governmental groups register under the Foreign Contributions Regulation Act (FCRA) to operate while receiving foreign By George Abraham “donations. Increasingly this provision is being used by this government as a political tool to stifle dissenting opinions and to undermine the constitutional rights of its citizens", says the author.

uring the recent confirmation hearing finally on full display when a Compassion for the job as the U.S. Secretary of State, official was subjected to a 'dressing down' at the DRex Tillerson was urged by Cory Ministry of External Affairs thereby dashing Gardner, the Senator from Colorado to take up any hope for a positive outcome. the issue of 'Compassion International,' a These moves appear to be consistent with Christian Charity that operates 580 centers in the Hindutva philosophy that the Modi India for destitute children, with authorities in government has embraced to advance the India. saffron agenda that challenges the very idea of 'Since 2014, Compassion (International) has India as a multi-cultural and pluralistic society. been the target of multiple coordinated Modi appears to pay lip service to Gandhiji's governmental attacks because of its idea of India upon his visits abroad but unapologetically Christian belief, but it has remains silent when Institutions that are been delivering humanitarian services to supposed to promote those principles come hundreds of thousands of Indian Children. But under attack back at home. due to restrictions by the Indian Government, While the BJP government is hard at work they have been unable to fund its India restricting Christian NGOs from receiving operations since February 2016, despite having funds from abroad, no such limitations are broken no laws. I believe the State Department placed on the Sangh Parivar organizations that should take notice that this ill treatment of collect millions of dollars from Western Compassion International should stop, and it is Democracies. A recently released report from a broader pattern by the Government of India, the United States Commission for where other NGOs have seen similar forbidden to receive foreign donations, thereby by the Hindutva activists led by RSS. International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) problems', Senator Gardner said at the hearing. essentially killing their operations. Many of Almost eighty percent of the Charity work states that "While the Indian government Mr. Tillerson responded by saying that he these NGOs solely depends on the foreign among the poorest of the poor is delivered by continues to use the FCRA to limit foreign appreciated the Senator bringing this issue funding as Corporations or other entities in Christian NGOs in India often on difficult funding for some NGOs, Hindutva supported during the hearing and assured that he would India are reluctant to fund them often terrains and under trying conditions. organizations have never come under the work with the Senator on the matter once he is characterizing them as either politically 'Compassion' began operating in 1968 in India, scrutiny of the FCRA. With the new confirmed. The Chairman of the Foreign charged or a risk due to fear of reprisals from where today its Indian-staffed development amendment to the FCRA, these foreign-based Relations Committee Mr. Bob Corker who was the power centers. It should also be noted that centers care for more than 145,000 children. radical Hindu organizations will be able send said to be actively engaged with the Indian with all the wealth creation that occurred in 'Compassion sends about $50 million per year funds to India, without restriction, to support Government over this issue for a year now the last three decades or so, the Indian attitude in humanitarian aid to India. That makes it the hate campaigns. Under the new definition of followed up the exchange with a comment of towards charitable giving is still much to be single largest contributor of aid for children FCRA, so long as the foreign company's his own saying that he was grateful for Senator desired! living in extreme poverty' said Tim Glen, the ownership of an Indian entity is within the Gardner for raising this issue and further It is estimated that FCRA licenses of 20,000 US communication director for the foreign investment limits prescribed by the stating that the Chairman Ed Royce of the NGOs have been canceled. Some of these organization. government for that sector, the company will House International Committee also cares organizations have come together and issued a Why Modi government is shutting down be treated as "Indian" for the purposes of deeply about this matter. joint statement accusing Modi government of 'Compassion' and denying vital services to this FCRA." The latest report on the constitutional The broad pattern that was referenced by the using FCRA as a tool of repression. 'Prima- vulnerable part of the society may be and legal challenges faced by religious Senator on Non-Governmental Organizations facie it appears FCRA license non-renewal is debatable considering that this particular minorities in India comes after the controversy in India appears to be real and disconcerting to neither legal nor objective and thereby organization or similar entities rarely get last March when Indian government denied freedom loving people everywhere. What is impinging on the rights of the human rights involved in policy debates to the discomfiture USCIRF the visas to visit the country. The unraveling in Modi's India today is the defenders in access to funding, including of the establishment! However, one thing is powerful US religious freedom body that systematic banishment of those organizations foreign funding," the apex human rights certain, the politicians and bureaucrats who exercises considerable influence on the US that do not share his sectarian or watchdog in the country said in a notice. are formulating these disastrous policies are Senate and Administration had at that point environmental vision. Apart from the sound and fury created by unaffected in their own bubble and do not described the situation in India as Indian law stipulates that non-governmental these exchanges between some of the world seem to give a hoot about the well-being or the "worrisome". groups register under the Foreign renowned NGOs such as Green Peace and future of these children. "In Compassion's It is also common knowledge that Christian Contributions Regulation Act (FCRA) to Amnesty International and the government, case, Prime Minister Modi's Government has church leaders from the United States have a operate while receiving foreign donations. there is also a secret war being waged against since April blocked $3.5 million in aid to harder time obtaining a visa to visit their Increasingly this provision is being used by Christian NGOs that are engaged in welfare India's most vulnerable children, as far as we fellow faithful in India or attend a conference this government as a political tool to stifle work for the very poor in rural India. Caritas can tell, no other reason than that Compassion while no such restrictions are placed on dissenting opinions and to undermine the International that works with 350 NGOs across is founded on and demonstrates Christian Indians based on religious affiliations. It is constitutional rights of its citizens. India that boasts a force of 25000 volunteers is values" wrote Compassion president and CEO indeed hypocritical to deny a religious Civil rights activist Teesta Setalvad, who has another victim to Government's authoritarian Santiago Mellado in an article for the conference visa to an American citizen while fought hard for justice for the 2002 riot victims agenda and being accused of indulging in anti- 'Hill'.'The Ministry of Home Affairs views crying foul about H1B visa program that could of Gujarat and accused the Modi Government India activity. Christian values as a threat to the 'national take jobs away from American workers! of allegedly overseeing the violence now Undoubtedly, there appears to be an interest', particularly if those values are More than 100 million children in India live stands accused of defrauding funds from 'Unity unprecedented, deliberate and systematic taught to the poor' said Charity's lead Attorney without access to proper nutrition or other for Peace & Justice and Sabrang International,' effort to dislodge various Christian NGOs from Stephen Oakley. basic needs. The government does not have an organization she headed and subsequently India that may have nothing to do with their In December 2016, House Foreign Affairs well established anti-poverty programs to lost the FCRA license. Green Peace India's performance or violations of any rules. A joint Committee Chairman Ed Royce convened a address this critical issue and relies primarily Priya Pillai was removed from a flight en route statement from Amnesty International and hearing to discuss Compassion International's on foreign aid groups for humanitarian relief. to London to attend a conference on the Human Rights Watch said the government was work in India. The hearing was entitled It would not only be irresponsible on the part of charges that she would have damaged India's using the FCRA to muzzle NGOs. "The law's use "American Compassion in India: Government the government but immoral to let these 'national interest' and further yanking out its of broad and vague terms such as 'public Obstacles". As the Chairman of the India children fall through the cracks for the sake of FCRA privilege. Even NGOs who were engaged interest' and 'national interest' have left it open Caucus and champion of the US-India civil political expediency orin the name of religious in Rights-based advocacy work such as to abuse", read the statement. The 'national nuclear agreement on the House floor, Mr. bigotry. Amnesty International were not spared. interest' government invokes in these cases Royce was well placed in mediating a (The author is a former Chief Technology Cancellation of these FCRA licenses would seems to be an excuse for strengthening the resolution to the standoff but to no avail. The Officer of the United Nations and Chairman of mean that henceforth these organizations are Hindu identity of the country and is egged on belligerence from the administration was the Indian National Overseas Congress, USA) THEINDIANPANORAMA 10 SOUTH ASIA FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017 Islamic State suicide bombing at Pakistan shrine kills 75

KARACHI (TIP) n Islamic State suicide bomber struck inside a famed shrine in Asouthern Pakistan on Thursday, killing at least 75 people in the deadliest attack in the country in more than two years. The bomber entered the main hall of Resetting ties: Pakistan may the shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar in Sehwan and detonated his payload amid appoint new India envoy dozens of worshippers, according to three security officials, who said at least NEW DELHI (TIP): India and Pakistan are likely to press 20 women and nine children were among the reset button in bilateral relations with Islamabad the dead. looking to appoint a new high commissioner to India, top The officials spoke on condition of diplomatic sources said. anonymity because they were not Pakistan's high commissioner to India Abdul Basit will authorized to brief reporters. Fazal complete three years here next month and he has been Palejo, a senior health official in Sindh recalled in yet another sign that Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif province, confirmed the toll. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif vowed militant strongholds in the tribal is in complete control of foreign policy. The Islamic State group claimed the that security forces would track down regions along the border with "Pakistan will announce the name of the new high attack in a statement circulated by its the perpetrators of the attack, according Afghanistan, but insurgents have commissioner in a few days," said a diplomatic source on Aamaq news agency, saying it had to Pakistani state TV. continued to carry out attacks elsewhere condition of anonymity. targeted a "Shiite gathering." The Sunni "Each drop of the nation's blood shall in the country. One of the names being considered is that of Sohail extremist group views Shiites as be avenged, and avenged immediately," The Islamic State group has been Mahmood, a career diplomat of 1985 batch. He has earlier apostates and has targeted Pakistan's Pakistan's army chief, Gen. Qamar expanding its presence in Pakistan in served in Washington, New York and Ankara. Basit was said Shiite minority in the past. It views Sufi Javed Bajwa, said in a statement. "No recent years and has claimed a number to be a certainty for the position of Pakistan's foreign shrines like the one targeted Thursday more restraint for anyone.'' of deadly attacks, including a suicide secretary but was pipped by Tehmina Janjua, Pakistan's as a form of idolatry. The US State Department condemned bombing at another shrine in November permanent representative to the UN in Geneva. Raja Somro, who witnessed the attack, the attack and offered its support to 2016 that killed more than 50 people. Janjua is said to be the choice of Pakistan PM Nawaz told a local TV network that hundreds of Pakistan in bringing the perpetrators to The government has downplayed the Sharif. The fact that Basit was seen as taking a hawkish people were performing a spiritual justice. "We stand with the people of IS affiliate, insisting that only a small position on most contentious issues with India is said to have dance known as the Dhamal when the Pakistan in their fight against terrorism number of militants have pledged gone against him in Islamabad's choice of foreign secretary. bomber struck. and remain committed to the security of allegiance to the group. Sharif in the past few months, or more specifically since "I saw bodies everywhere. I saw bodies the South Asia region,'' said a statement Afghanistan and Pakistan have long the retirement of former army chief Raheel Sharif, has been of women and children,'' he said. by acting State Department spokesman accused each other of failing to crack keen to reach out to India. This has reflected in some of the Local TV showed graphic footage of Mark Toner. down on militants who operate along the steps taken by his government, including the release of the aftermath of the blast, with wounded Thursday's attack was the deadliest in porous border. Indian fishermen in December on his birthday and later also worshippers crying out for help and the Pakistan since December 16, 2014, when The army spokesman, Maj. Gen. Asif in the release again of an Indian soldier who was said to floors covered with shoes, blood and militants assaulted an army-run school Ghafoor, said acts of terrorism were have "inadvertently" crossed over into Pakistan territory the body parts. Women cried and beat their in Peshawar, killing 154 people, mostly being carried out "from hostile powers day India carried out its surgical strikes across LoC. chests in grief. schoolchildren. and from sanctuaries in Afghanistan,'' While the house arrest of JuD chief Hafiz Saeed probably Ghazanfar Shah, the custodian of the Pakistan has been at war with the without elaborating. Pakistan closed the has more to do with the change in US administration, the site, said security was lax at the shrine, Taliban and other extremist groups for main Torkham border crossing with timing has only lent credence to the perception that Sharif is which is entered through two gold-plated more than a decade. In recent years it Afghanistan shortly after the attack. serious about improving ties with India. As has been doors. has launched major offensives against (AP) reported earlier by this newspaper from Islamabad, the fact that Sharif could conveniently ignore Basit's claim to the foreign secretary's post only shows his growing clout after the departure of Raheel Sharif. (PTI) China 'Silk Road' project in Sri Lanka delayed

Indonesia launches anti- COLOMBO (TIP) hina will delay a planned $1.1 Valentine's Day condom raids billion investment in a port on its Cmodern-day "Silk Road" until Sri MAKASSAR (TIP): Indonesian authorities raided Lanka clears legal and political convenience stores and seized condoms in a major city to obstacles+ to a related project, sources stop teenagers having casual sex on Valentine's Day, an familiar with the talks said, piling more official said, the latest crackdown on the holiday in the pressure on the island nation. Muslim-majority nation. The mayor of Makassar, a Heavily indebted Sri Lanka needs the conservative city on central Sulawesi island, led public order money,but payment for China's interests officers in the raids late Monday on the eve of the in Hambantota port could be delayed by celebration. several weeks or months, the sources Mayor Mohammad Ramdhan Pomanto said he was not added. against the sale of condoms but that outlets needed to be After signing an agreement last careful about whom they were sold to. Valentine's Day is December, state-run China Merchants often misused by teenagers to have casual sex, this can Port Holdings had been expected to buy court. "If we just have the port and no destroy the morality of the nation," he was quoted as saying an 80 per cent stake in the southern port Now Beijing has linked the signing of industrial zone, what is the use of the in local media. Iman Hud -- head of the local public officers, before an initial target date of January the port deal with an agreement to port? So you must have the port and you similar to police but with fewer powers -- told AFP that 7. develop the industrial zone, saying it must have the industrial zone," he said. convenience stores had been failing to check teenagers' IDs Beijing also has a separate would hold off on both until Colombo A source familiar with China's to see whether they were at least 18 years old, the age of understanding with Colombo to develop resolved domestic issues, officials on thinking said it may wait until May, consent, before selling them condoms. a 15,000-acre industrial zone in the same both sides of the talks said. when Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil "We are doing this to prevent promiscuity," he said,adding area, a deal that Sri Lanka was hoping to "China has said that when they start Wickremesinghe visits Beijing, to sign that hundreds of condoms were seized in the raids in the city finalize later. the port, they want the land also," Sri both deals. The Chinese foreign ministry of 1.3 million. It was the latest expression of anger at But Colombo's plans to sell the stake Lankan Finance Minister Ravi did not respond to a request for Valentine's Day in the world's most populous Muslim- and acquire land for the industrial zone Karunanayake said, although he added comment. The previously unreported majority country, where Islamic clerics and some pious have run into stiff domestic opposition, that China had not made it a setback for Sri Lanka suggests Beijing is Muslims use the occasion to criticise what they see as backed by trade unions and former precondition. digging in its heels as it negotiates its Western decadence. On Monday teenage pupils, including President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Yi Xianliang, Chinese ambassador to global "One Belt, One Road" initiative to girls in headscarves, staged a protest outside a school in the A legislator close to Rajapaksa is also Sri Lanka, said the two deals were open up new land and sea routes for city of Surabaya, chanting: (AFP) challenging the government's plans in related. Chinese goods. (Reuters) THEINDIANPANORAMA FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017 ADVERTISEMENT 11 THEINDIANPANORAMA 12 US FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017 USCIRF Report on India's Trump campaign aides had repeated Deteriorating Religious Freedom INOC USA expresses concern, HAF questions Credibility contacts with Russian intelligence': Sources NEW YORK (TIP): Indian National Overseas Congress, USA expressed serious concern over the recently issued WASHINGTON (TIP) Russian intelligence officers, and I have annual report by the United States Commission on never been involved with anything to do International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), a powerful hone records and intercepted calls with the Russian government or the freedom body that exercises considerable influence on the show that members of Donald (Vladimir) Putin administration or any US Senate and Administration, which cited that religious PTrump's 2016 presidential other issues under investigation today," tolerance has deteriorated and religious freedom violations campaign and his other associates had he said. have increased in India under Prime Minister Narendra repeated contacts with senior Russian Manafort, who has held business ties Modi's regime. intelligence officials in the year prior to with Russian and Ukrainian On the other hand, The Hindu American Foundation the election, officials said. individuals, also emphasized that his (HAF) slammed the report saying that "US Religious President-elect Trump and then- work for the Yanukovich government in Freedom Commission Outsourced Its Credibility with President Barack Obama were both Ukraine should not be interpreted as closeness to the Russians. Attack on Hinduism and India." briefed on details of the extensive Michael Flynn's resignation as Trump's "It is unfortunate that the last two years have witnessed a communications between suspected National Security Advisor has kicked The intercepted calls are different steady deterioration of religious freedom and human rights Russian operatives and people more dust than settled. There is an from the wiretapped conversations in in India especially that of the minorities and the current associated with the Trump campaign outcry for a thorough investigation in to 2016 between Trump's former National administration cannot shirk their responsibility in that and the Trump business, US officials Trump campaign's links with Russia. Security Adviser Michael T. Flynn and regard," said George Abraham, Chairman of the Indian familiar with the matter told CNN. Sergey I. Kislyak, Russia's Ambassador National Overseas Congress, USA. The communications were declined to identify.On the Russian side, to the US. According to the recently released report, India faces intercepted during routine intelligence the contacts also included members of In those calls, which led to Flynn's serious challenges to both its pluralistic traditions and its collection targeting Russian officials the government outside of the resignation on Monday night, the two religious minorities. Christians, Sikhs, and Jains generally and other Russian nationals known to intelligence services, they said. men discussed sanctions that the Obama are fearful of what the future portends. Dalits also are US intelligence, the report said on The call logs and intercepted administration imposed on Russia in increasingly being attacked and harassed. Wednesday. communications were part of a larger December. But HAF feels the report by Iqtidar Cheema, a Pakistan- Among several senior Trump advisers trove of information that the Federal On Tuesday, top Republican origin author known for his anti-India stand and director for regularly communicating with Russian Bureau of Investigation (FBI) was lawmakers said Flynn should be one Institute for Leadership and Community Development, in nationals were then-campaign chairman sifting through as part of an focus of the investigation, and that he Birmingham, England, is completely biased. In a blog post, Paul Manafort and then-adviser Michael investigation on the links between should be called to testify before HAF executive director Suhag Shukla wrote, "Cheema's Flynn. Trump's associates and the Russian Congress. Senator Mark Warner of work provides cover to Pakistan's long-standing support of a Adding to US investigators' concerns government, as well as the hacking of Virginia, the top Democrat on the bloody proxy war to separate the Indian state of Jammu and were intercepted communications the Democratic National Committee Intelligence Committee, said Flynn's Kashmir from India. Not surprisingly then, this report fails between Russian officials before and computers, according to federal law resignation would not stop the to mention the plight of over 300,000 Kashmiri Hindu after the US elections discussing their enforcement officials. committee "from continuing to Pandits cleansed from their ancestral homeland in the belief that they had special access to Manafort denied that he was in investigate General Flynn, or any other Valley at the hands of Islamist radicals. Previous Trump, said two US law enforcement contact with Russians known to US campaign official who may have had commission reports have ignored the same." officials. The intercepted intelligence. "This is absurd," he said. inappropriate and improper contacts She also feels that USCIRF has lost its credibility. "How communications also included other "I have no idea what this is referring with Russian officials prior to the could USCIRF outsource a report harshly critical of India, associates of Trump, whom the officials to. I have never knowingly spoken to election". (Source: IANS) one of the most important democratic allies of the United States, to an activist with a history of supporting separatist causes against India that too often employ terrorism against innocent civilians? How can USCIRF give its imprimatur to H 1B visas help American firms remain a report citing debunked sources and smearing the Hindu religion?" In the report, USCIRF urged the Indian government to competitive, says Indian envoy Navtej Sarna immediately lift its sanctions against non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that are working for the welfare of the WASHINGTON (TIP): hurt American interests. minorities in India. It also pointed out that FCRA (Foreign In an op-ed piece in 'Fortune' Contribution Regulation Act) is increasingly being used as a 1-B visas, sought-after by magazine Senator Chuck Grassley, tool to shut down foreign-funded minority NGOs. Indian IT professionals, help argued that the flaws in H1B program In an unusually sharp criticism of the Modi Hmake US firms competitive hurt American workers, American Administration, the USCIRF wants the US administration to globally and contribute to generating innovation, and even H1B workers, identify and act against "Hindutva groups that raise funds jobs locally, India's envoy has said who are in many cases "benched" from US citizens and support hate campaigns in India", amid reports the Trump without work or pay for long periods. adding "such groups should be banned from operating in the administration plans to cut down the Grassley is Chairman of the Senate US if they are found to spread hatred against religious scheme. Judiciary Committee and co-author of minorities in India." "The H1B scheme has been crucial H1-B and L1 Visa Reform Act of 2017. INOC, USA urged the growing Indian community in the in making US companies competitive Earlier this year, he introduced the United States to refrain from funding these organizations globally in increasing their client bipartisan legislation with Senator that promote hatred and bigotry against the minorities in base, in increasing their innovation. Dick Durbin to tackle these problems India. And it is the Indian tech industry, and return the program to its original which has actually been creating jobs intent: filling gaps in America's 'No work...no school': Dallas here (in the US)," Ambassador to the "The H1B scheme has been crucial in skilled labor market. US Navtej Sarna told a news channel. making US companies competitive Schumer said his bill explicitly among U.S. cities targeted for "There are reports and analysis by globally in increasing their client base, prohibits companies from replacing very respected houses, which say that in increasing their innovation. And it is qualified American workers with H1- 'Day Without Immigrants' protests over 400,000 jobs have been directly the Indian tech industry, which has B workers. It also requires companies and indirectly supported in the US," actually been creating jobs here (in the to post job openings and make good US)," Ambassador to the US Navtej DALLAS (TIP): Organizers in cities across the U.S. are he said, adding that Indian tech faith efforts to hire qualified Sarna told a news channel. telling immigrants to miss class, miss work and not shop on companies had invested USD 2 billion American workers before seeking H1- Thursday as a way to show the country how important they in four years and paid USD 20 billion B visas. are to America's economy and way of life. in taxes. "This is a relationship which is "Companies would also be "A Day Without Immigrants" actions are planned in cities H1-B visa is a non-immigrant visa symbiotic and which has a potential of prohibited from laying off American including Dallas, Austin, Philadelphia, Washington and that allows American firms to employ becoming even stronger for both the workers 180 days prior to and Boston. The protest comes in response to President Donald foreign workers in speciality countries," he added. following the hiring of an H1-B Trump and his 1-month-old administration. The Republican occupations that require theoretical India is one of the top sources for worker. These provisions ensure that president has pledged to increase deportation of immi- or technical expertise. The tech international workers in the qualified American workers are grants living in the country illegally, build a wall along the companies depend on it to hire American tech industry, accounting considered for jobs first," he said. Mexican border, and ban people from certain majority- thousands of employees each year. for a major chunk of all H1-B visas. "To ensure that limited number of Muslim countries from coming into the U.S. He also has "Out of every 100, H-1B visas have And any move by Trump, who has annual H1-B visas go to the best and blamed high unemployment on immigration. resulted in support to 183 jobs in the vowed to put an "America First" brightest workers, our bill prioritizes In Dallas-Fort Worth, activists encouraged immigrant US. This is very important because policy, will have an adverse impact in petitions, starting with foreign parents to pull their children out of school as a show of soli- nine out of the 15 top tech companies India. nationals who received advance darity. in India are American companies," However, those demanding a science and engineering degrees right Read full story www.theindianpanorama.com Sarna said. revision of the policy say the program here in the US," he said. THEINDIANPANORAMA FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017 US 13

Indian Ambassador hosts Sikh Gurdwarasin Aid of Congressional Reception on Capitol Hill Evacuees Fleeing Possible Dam Break in North California SACRAMENTO (TIP): More than 200,000 people - including Indian American farmers and laborers - were evacuated from the Yuba/Sutter counties in Northern California Feb. 12 when state officials detected a hole in an auxiliary spillway for the Oroville Dam, the largest dam in North America. "There's three and a half million acre feet of water behind the Oroville Dam. If that dam were to breach, we would lose everything," Indian American farmer Karm Bains told India-West. Bains is the son of Didar Singh Bains, the legendary "peach king of California," who owns an estimated 1,600 acres of land in the region. The Yuba and Sutter County region has been home to Punjabi American farmers for more than a century. Indian Americans here own an estimated 50,000 acres of land worth approximately $1.3 billion, and grow almost the entire crop of the nation's canned peaches, and almost two-thirds of its walnuts, almonds, pistachios and plums. As many as 27 US lawmakers will be visiting India this month in what Indian Ambassador Navtej Sarna regards as "a very Following the mandatory evacuation order, gurdwaras important milestone" that is demonstrative of the high degree of American interest in India and the strong bipartisan support for in neighboring Sacramento, West Sacramento, Rio Linda, the India-US relationship. and Stockton immediately opened their doors to shelter WASHINGTON (TIP) He emphasized the significance of the reputation for peacefulness and the link temporarily-homeless people, who - at press time Feb. 14 - port of Houston for energy exports. between the non-violent movement for had no timeline for returning to their homes. mbassador of India Navtej Sarna Congressman Dana Rohrabacher, civil rights led by Dr. Martin Luther Punjabis and non-Punjabis have been going to take hosted a Congressional Chairman of House Foreign Affairs Sub- King and the teachings of Mahatma shelter in gurudwaras. The West Sacramento gurdwara - AReception at the Capitol "to committee on Europe, Eurasia and Gandhi and looked forward to his the largest in the state - is currently providing shelter, celebrate India's engagement with the Emerging Threats emphasized the forthcoming visit to India. food, and medical care to about 200 people, and has a 115th US Congress" on February 14. importance of US-India cooperation in Other Members of Congress present capacity of 400 in its worship hall and auxiliary area, Addressing an impressive gathering addressing the threat arising from included Senator Jeff Flake, sources said. of members of Congress, prominent extremist radical terrorism. He also Congressman Bob Goodlatte- Chairman "Our doors are open to everyone - white, brown, black. Indian-Americans, congressional spoke of the potential of US companies of House Judiciary committee, This is about humanity in the Sikh tradition," he said. staffers, business representatives and contributing in the economic Congressman Andy Harris, The gurdwara has been providing three meals a day of media, Ambassador described the transformation of India. Congressman Congressman Ted Poe- Chairman House Punjabi food. A gurdwara manager said everyone - upcoming visit of 27 distinguished Ami Bera, Democratic Chair of the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on including non-Indians - are enjoying the vegetarian members of Congress as a very House India Caucus said that the Terrorism, Non- proliferation and Trade meals. He noted that the kitchen is equipped to feed 3,000 important milestone and demonstrative increase in number of elected Indian- and Congressman Joe Kennedy. people. of the high degree of interest in India, Americans currently in Congress is a Two distinguished Congressional The temple is currently in need of donations of and the strong bipartisan support for the testimony to the remarkable strides that delegations shall be visiting India in blankets, pillows and other bedding, said Singh, adding India-US relationship, based on shared the Indian-American community has the week of 19th February. One that baby food and snacks for children were also needed. democratic values and converging made and the growing closeness delegation travelling under the Extra clothing, diapers and toiletries would also be strategic interests. He looked forward to between the two countries that is based auspices of the Aspen Institute and useful, said the manager, noting that most people quickly a more robust economic and commercial on shared values. He noted that the India comprising 19 senior Congressmen evacuated once the order was announced, taking little cooperation as India retains its spot as Caucus is the largest one on the Hill and shall be visiting Delhi, Hyderabad and with them. the fastest growing major economy. his firm belief that the US-India the other led by Chairman of the House Regular religious services have been held at the temple Congressman Steny Hoyer, House relationship will be a defining one for Judiciary Committee, Chairman Bob since the evacuation. Democratic Whip echoed the bipartisan the 21st century. Congressman George Goodlatte, and comprising 8 Gurdwaras in Roseville, Rio Linda, Sacramento, support for the India relationship and Holding, Republican Chair of House distinguished Congressmen has Delhi Manteca, and Tracy have also opened their doors to emphasized cooperation on security India Caucus spoke of the importance of and Bangalore on its itinerary. They anyone needing emergency shelter. issues between the two largest building the economic cooperation would have the opportunity to engage Hospitals, assisted living facilities, and even jails had democracies. Congressman Pete Olson alongside the political relationship and with Indian Ministers, decision to be evacuated under the order, said Bains. "Everything spoke glowingly of the positive looked forward to his upcoming visit to makers, thinkers, business has come to a standstill here. It is a very stressful contributions of the Indian-American India. Congressman Hank Johnson representatives and partake of the rich situation." community in the way of life of Texans. noted India's millennial old history and Indian cultural palette. Indian Americans raise pitch against 'travel ban'

SACRAMENTO (TIP): against the so-called travel ban. Recently, the BANNING MUSLIMS from countries where towards several refugees who are just trying Center deputed Harjinder Singh Sandhawalia he has ZERO business interest! Well done to escape war and for several students and ccording to a study at California State for a roundtable discussion of all faith USA' reads one of his tweets. working people who want to earn money for a University San Bernardino's Center leaders of the Seattle held in the Redmond With more American Indian communities good life in the USA. Aaj unko ban Kiya toh Afor Study for Hate and Extremism, the city mosque. This meeting was hosted by the joining the protests, the anti-Trump voices kal hume bhi kar sakte Hai (today they have anti-Muslim hate crimes in the US rose Muslim community of the area. It was in this are now being amplified collectively across banned them, tomorrow it could be us)." sharply in 2015 to the highest levels since the meeting that Congresswoman Suzan DelBene the country. A Punjabi community calling While on ground, protests gain aftermath of the September 11 terror attacks. said she had introduced a bill (HR 489) in the itself Punjabi Aunties took to streets holding momentum, social networking sites, FB The study also suggested that President Congress to stop the order registering placards written in Hindi and Punjabi. pages being run by Indian communities Trump's anti-Muslim rhetoric could have Muslims in the country. Sandhawalia was Swaroop Kaur, homemaker from Seattle, has staying in America are also garnering contributed to this backlash against present in the discussion and called for been running a Vegan store for 22 years now. support from non-Indian communities: 'Stop American Muslims. protecting religious freedom of minority Swaroop finds this decision demeaning and Donald Trump', 'Stand Againist Trump', And recently we saw the President going as communities. hurting. "22 years in Seattle, will you Mr 'Trump O Bar', 'Hindi Hai Hum' are some of far as severely restricting the entry of Members of other Sikh communities have Trump, still call me an immigrant?" she the pages that have been rallying support nationals of seven majority Muslim also joined hands in the protest marches questions. against the President's order. countries, causing a rash of protests across being organized across the country. Ravinder On the other hand, Jamie Quinn consultant Anita Vohra, a Google employee in San the country with various Indian communities Singh, CEO of the Khalsa Aid Foundation physiotherapist at Swasthya Kendra Clinic, Francisco led a silent protest in her vicinity taking part in it. who has been involved in humanitarian work vehemently opposes the decision on the with other Google employees joining her. The Sikh Center of Seattle is one such at the Syria border, has also condemned the Internet. She writes, "It's not about who is (Source:Tribune) religious organization raising its voice decision in his tweets. 'Donald #Trump only banned and who isn't. This is a **** move THEINDIANPANORAMA 14 INDIA FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017

CONSTITUTION BENCH TO DECIDE PETITIONS ON TRIPLE ‘Indian economy is resilient TALAQ: SUPREME COURT NEW DELHI (TIP): A five-judge constitution bench to global headwinds’: would be set up by the Supreme Court to hear and decide on a batch of petitions relating to the practice of triple talaq, 'nikah halala' and polygamy among Muslims. A bench headed by Chief Justice J S Khehar took on Dr. Raghavan Seetharaman record three sets of issues framed by parties with regard to the cases and said the questions for consideration of the constitution bench would be decided on March 30. Prakash M Swamy The bench, also comprising Justices N V Ramana and D CHENNAI (TIP); The US ruling on V Chandrachud, said "the issues are very important. These cancellation of H-1B visa rules poses issues cannot be scuttled". risk towards IT companies immigrants Referring to the legal issues framed by the Centre, it said and offshore projects, expectation is that all of them relate to the constitutional issues and needed to costs may escalate for these companies be dealt by a larger bench. operating in US. Global growth is The bench asked the parties concerned to file their challenging, however Indian economy is respective written submissions, running not beyond 15 resilient to global headwinds on account pages, by the next date of hearing, besides the common of the strong domestic fundamentals, paper book of case laws to be relied upon by them during said Dr Raghavan Seetharaman, CEO of the hearing to avoid duplicity. Doha Bank in Qatar. When a woman lawyer referred to the fate of the apex The recent budget had given thrust on court judgement in the famous Shah Bano case, the bench infrastructure, agriculture and aims to said "there are always two sides in a case. We have been revive the growth of Indian economy. deciding cases for last 40 years. We have to go by the law and India exported $6 billion worth of drugs we would not go beyond the law." to the US in 2015 and restrictions on The bench also made it clear that it is willing to sit on pharmaceutical imports and Saturdays and Sundays to decide on the issue as it was very manufacturing abroad could impact the important. industry in India, he said. During the last hearing, the apex court had said it would The Indian government has Seen in the picture from L to R: Poet Vaira Muthu, Justice PN Prakash, decide the issues pertaining to 'legal' aspects of the encouraged global investors to Justice Dr Lakshmanan, Dr Seetharaman and Lt Gen Ahluwalia. practices of triple talaq, 'nikah halala' and polygamy among participate through FDI. The recent Muslims but not deal with the question whether divorce budget has stated that foreign with UK encompassing goods, services India can look beyond the buyer-seller under Muslim law needs to be supervised by courts as it fell investment promotion board will be and technology. relationship to include joint ventures, under the legislative domain. abolished, which will improve ease of For UK, India is an attractive trade joint research and development and joint 'Nikah halala' means a man cannot remarry a woman doing business. partner, given its high proportion of exploration. Indian can invest in the port after triple talaq unless she has already consummated her IMF has pegged India growth at 7.2 skilled working-age population and high sector of Qatar. Indian companies can marriage with another man and then her new husband dies percent in 2017.India's Current Account growth rate. This strengthens the participate in Qatar's infrastructure or divorces her. Deficit decreased from about 1 percent of possibility of an FTA between UK and development pertaining to FIF World The bench headed by the CJI had said "You (lawyers for GDP last year to 0.3 percent of GDP in India and presents a significant Cup 2022.Qatar and India will enhance parties) sit together and finalise the issues to be deliberated first half of 2016-17. India has pegged opportunity for India's financial and bilateral cooperation in the field of cyber upon by us." fiscal deficit for 2017-18 at 3.2 percent and small and medium-sized enterprises security, including prevention of the use its Forex Reserves at $361 billion offer a (SME) sectors. European Union (EU) of cyberspace in support of terrorism VIKAS SWARUP APPOINTED comfortable cover for 12 months of hopes to soon re-engage with India on and extremism." imports thanks to better financial negotiations regarding the proposed The Institute of Directors hosted a CANADA ENVOY management by Narendra Modi Free Trade Agreement (FTA), he said. Felicitation Function of Doha Bank government, he said. Dr. R. Seetharaman said" India should CEO, Dr. R. Seetharaman on being NEW DELHI (TIP): Ministry of external affairs Contentious issues are coming also continue to strengthen bilateral recognized by the Government of India spokesperson Vikas Swarup will be the next Indian high between developed and developing world relationships with GCC in trade and in with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman commissioner to Canada, the government said on Thursday. on global trade and investment. The lack other segments. GCC - India Bilateral Award, the Highest Honor Conferred on Swarup, whose novel 'Q & A' was made into the Oscar- of convergence between politics and trade is close to $100bn in 2015-16. In Feb Overseas Indians. The felicitation was winning movie 'Slumdog Millionaire', had been at the helm economics could impact global growth. 2016 India and the United Arab Emirates held on Feb 10 at Hotel The Residency of the MEA office since April 2015. He is credited with We're entering a new stage of (UAE) signed a wide-ranging set of Tower Town Hall, Chennai, India. expanding MEA's social media outreach. Swarup is international global relations where seven agreements, including on cyber Justice Dr AR Lakshmanan, former currently an additional secretary in the MEA. Gopal Baglay, national policies could shape how security, infrastructure investment and Judge of Indian Supreme Court and joint secretary in the Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan division globalization eventually develops, he insurance. former Chairman of Law Commission of in MEA, will succeed Swarup. said. GCC Sovereign Wealth funds can look India released a book on Dr Seetharaman Dr. R. Seetharaman highlighted the forward to participate in India's titled "In search of truth" a biography on opportunities for India arising from infrastructure development. UAE and him in Tamil and first copies were global developments. "After Brexit India have agreed to collaborate closely received by Poet Laureate Vairamuthu, better trading opportunities with India to identify bottlenecks to trade and new Judge of Madras High Court Justice PN than is possible as part of a 28-member areas of trade with the aim of increasing Prakash and Lt.Gen JS Ahluwalia, EU. India has had a trade surplus with two way trade by 60 per cent in five years President of Institute of Directors. The UK in the recent years. It is thus crucial while significantly boosting investment. authors of the book- Prof Aranga for India to have a first mover advantage The new goal set by both sides is to boost Nedumaran and NC Mohandas of by executing a bilateral trade agreement trade by 60 per cent by 2020.Qatar and Kuwait -were also honored. Isro creates world record with 104 satellites launch NEW DELHI (TIP): Isro successfully company was using Isro’s PSLV for the launcher of small satellites (weighing less placing a record 104 satellites—101 foreign second-time. In all, 96 of the 101 foreign than 500 kg). satellites and three Indian ones—in orbit in satellites were from the US—the largest According to a projection by Space Works a single launch cements India’s position as a spender on space technology—while the rest Enterprise Inc, a research firm, roughly global leader in space technology. But, more were from Israel, Kazakhstan, the United 5,000 “micro” (10-100 kg) and “nano” important, it also underlines the fact that Arab Emirates (UAE), The Netherlands and satellites (1-10 kg) need to be hurled into the space agency has made innovation in Switzerland. While UAE, whose own space space in 2020—compared with just 92 low-cost space technology somewhat of a agency was created only in 2014, plans to set launched in 2013. Over 60% of these habit, and that could pay rich dividends in up a human colony on Mars by 2117, Israel is satellites will be from the commercial the coming years. In the present instance, a major spender on defence and agriculture, sector—viz. companies with play in there were 103 small satellites—apart from both of which require cutting-edge satellites communication, weather-tracking, remote- the main satellite, India’s Cartosat-2, that in orbit to transmit critical intelligence. All sensing, providing high-speed internet in formed the bulk of the launcher’s payload— this should throw into sharp relief the remote areas, etc. Softbank-funded OneWeb 88 of which were from Planet Labs, an opportunity Isro—or rather, its commercial alone is looking to launch 648 small Amercian company that acquired Google’s arm, Antrix—has in building up a satellites, as per a Business Standard satellite imaging subsidiary recently; the reputation as a low-cost, high-efficiency article. THEINDIANPANORAMA FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017 INDIA 15 Assembly Elections 2017 SUPREME COURT GETS FIVE NEW JUDGES New Delhi, February 17 65% voter turnout in The Supreme Court on Friday got five new judges, taking its strength to 28, which is still three short of its sanctioned strength of 31. The new judges were administered oath of office by Chief Justice of India JS Khehar at 10.30 am. UP, 68% in Uttarakhand Those elevated to the Supreme Court are Madras High Court Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Rajasthan High LUCKNOW (TIP): A voter turnout of Court Chief Justice Naveen Sinha, Kerala High Court Chief 66% was recorded in Uttar Pradesh as 69 Justice Mohan M Shantanagouder, Chhattisgarh High constituencies went to the polls in the Court Chief Justice Dipak Gupta and Karnataka High second phase of Assembly elections. In Court Judge S Abdul Nazeer. the first phase of polls in the state, 63% The top court–which has almost 60,000 cases pending–had of the electorate voted. In Uttarakhand, been functioning with only 23 judges. The appointments where elections to 69 seats were being were stuck due to differences in the collegium as Justice J held, 68% of the electorate came out to Chelameswar raised the issue of lack of transparency in its vote till 5 pm. functioning. Voting began at 7 am in both states on President Pranab Mukherjee had signed the Warrants of Wednesday.In Uttar Pradesh, there were Appointment for the five judges earlier this week. Four of reports of glitches at some electronic the judges elevated to the top court were chief justices of voting machines. state high courts while one was a high court senior judge. Polling in Uttarakhand’s Chief Justice of India JS Khehar, Justice Pinaki Chandra Karnaprayag seat was postponed to Ghose and Justice Prafulla Chandra Pant are due to retire March 9 on as Bahujan Samaj Party later this year. candidate Kuldeep Singh Kanwasi’s died in a road accident on Sunday. Chargesheets in just four 1984 Around 74.2 lakh voters will elect the Janata Party, on the other hand, hopes spread across 11 districts. The ruling next government in Uttarakhand. As to gain from this. Recently, Prime Samajwadi Party had won 34 of these riot cases, SIT had taken up many as 628 candidates are in the fray. Minister Narendra Modi had accused seats in the last Assembly election. The ruling Congress party, headed by the Congress of turning the “dev However, the BJP and the BSP have 59 cases for reprobe Chief Minister Harish Rawat, is bhoomi” into “loot bhoomi”. upped the stakes this time, combating anti-incumbency as well as In Uttar Pradesh, the 67 highlighting the state’s poor law-and- NEW DELHI (TIP): The Centre-appointed Special corruption charges. The Bharatiya constituencies that are voting today are order situation. Investigation Team (SIT) has filed chargesheets in only four of the 59 anti-Sikh riot cases taken up for further probe. Almost 3,000 people were killed, most of them in Delhi, in the riots that broke out after the assassination of then PM Indira Gandhi on October 31, 1984. I’m UP’s adopted son, won’t In a status report filed in the Supreme Court, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has said while 38 cases have been closed, 17 are under investigation. “It is being ensured that the investigation is carried out expeditiously betray, says PM Modi and thoroughly,” the report, filed on the directions of the apex court, says. The MHA, which extended the SIT tenure HARDOI (TIP): Calling himself the till August 11 this year, has written to the Delhi Government “adopted son” of UP, Prime Minister and the Delhi High Court for designating a single court to Narendra Modi today said the future of hear the cases. The SIT has been notified as a police station the state cannot be ensured without with jurisdiction over the entire Delhi. ridding it of the SP, BSP and Congress. Also, of the 293 cases taken up for scrutiny,199 have been Invoking Lord Krishna at an election closed with preliminary enquiries (PEs) held in 35 cases. “A meeting here to suggest a strong connect large number of representations related to these cases were between Gujarat and UP, Modi, who received from the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management represents Varanasi Lok Sabha Committee and private persons/bodies, which are being constituency, said the state was his ‘mai- examined by the SIT,” says the report. The SIT has recorded baap’ (parents) and he would not desert statements of more than 1,000 witnesses, including one it. from New York. Source: The Tribune “Lord Krishna was born in UP and made Gujarat his ‘karam bhoomi’ (land 24% MPS, MLAS ARE ‘TOO of work). I was born in Gujarat and UP has adopted me...Uttar Pradesh is my POOR’ TO PAY TAX ‘mai-baap’. I am not the son who would betray his ‘mai-baap’. You have adopted NEW DELHI (TIP): In tax returns filed a year before me and it is my duty to work for you,” he SP-Cong alliance to continue for LS poll they were elected, 72 pc BJP and Congress MPs and MLAs said in an emotional speech at a poll Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad on Thursday said the SP-Congress claimed they earn less than Rs 10 lakh, according to an rally here. alliance will continue for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and that other secular parties analysis of affidavits of 4,848 (of 4,910) lawmakers. “Vote for a full majority to the BJP would also be part of this coalition About 75 pc of MPs and MLAs nationwide declared government. I promise to show you the When asked whether BSP will be part of this grand alliance, Azad said they were annual income less than Rs 10 lakh. Around 35 pc of ways of all problems you are facing asking all secular parties to come together and fight the saffron party lawmakers said their annual income is less than Rs 2.5 lakh within five years,” he said, telling the while 40 pc declared income between Rs 2.5 lakh and Rs 10 “The secular parties suffered a loss during the 2014 elections and BJP gained from crowd that all pollsters have predicted this and that is why they were able to win 73 seats in UP. However, if Congress, SP lakh. BJP getting massive support in the first and RLD fight the 2019 Lok Sabha elections together, BJP will only be able to get 10- As many as 1,141 (24 pc) MPs and MLAs claimed two phases of polling. 15 seats in the state,” Azad said exemption from income tax or have no income at all. Highlighting the problems faced by the If the annual incomes of family (incomes of spouse and state and its national importance, Modi ‘Inexperience’ barb: Akhilesh hits back dependents, as declared in their respective tax returns) are said poverty would be removed from the CM Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday made light of the PM’s ‘inexperience’ barb at him, added to the incomes of MPs and MLAs, 62 pc legislators' country only when it is eradicated from saying he has learnt to cycle fast so that neither BSP’s elephant nor BJP’s lotus can households have an income less than Rs 10 lakh. UP. “This is the land of Ganga and come anywhere near the SP Of 1,843 MPs and MLAs with family incomes of more Yamuna where the land is most fertile A day after the PM questioned as to how the SP chief could form a coalition with than Rs 10 lakh, 106 declared household assets of less than with crores of labourers but poverty still ‘those who tried to murder’ his father, Akhilesh said Modi’s advisers could have Rs 1 crore. Only 25 pc (1,236 of 4,848) of MPs and MLAs exists here...why is this so? There is done better by telling him to cite a more recent example of Firozabad declared in tax returns that their annual incomes were nothing wrong with the people here or “Modiji said in Kannauj that by entering into an alliance with Congress, I have shown more than Rs 10 lakh; 35 pc (1,676 of 4,848) declared income their capabilities or shortage of inexperience...we have done this so as to remove all doubts about government less than Rs 2.5 lakh. resources,” he said. “It is the problem of formation,” he said While 63 pc Lok Sabha MPs declared annual income of the government’s lack of intention less than Rs 10 lakh, only 13 pc Rajya Sabha MPs declared (which is responsible for it). SP, BSP and had been at the helm have only worked to cannot be changed till it is freed of SP, annual incomes of less than Rs 10 lakh. Among states, over Congress have not thought as to how the safeguard their vote bank, help them in BSP and Congress,” he said. 80 pc of MLAs in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and state should be developed...all those who whichever way possible...the future of UP Source: PTI Odisha declared annual incomes less than Rs 10 lakh. THEINDIANPANORAMA 16 PERSONALITY FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017 AVI DANDIYA: A Crusader for environmentally and socially clean India

A votary of love among people, he has taken upon himself to spread the message of one humanity across the world

He is also part of another initiative - Hand for Uttarakhand Victims. In its endeavor to work for the betterment of the society, Helping India initiated a project Walk the Talk Cause with the intention to work for Rehabilitation of Victims of Natural Calamity in Uttarakhand, with support of people. Dandiya raised over 5,500 dollars on a crowd funding website and went there with2 tons relief material in the form of clothes and utensils etc.collected from his friends in the US. Avi also organized 40 events in just one year to promote communal harmony and gathered people from across the globe. He got along some people without whom the initiative would not have been possible - Rafique Ahmad, Shuaib Khan, Faizan Ahamad, Anjum Singh, Shalani Khan, Shakeel Ansari, Manjit Singh, Ramniet Mukherjee, Shikha Kaul, Arman Khan, Papu Khan Warsi, and Pintun Shah. They launched an online community connect program - Mohabbat Ke Dange (Riots of Love) - to create bond between different religious communities. "In India hatred between Hindus and Muslims went extreme Inspired by Shikha Kaul. Avi is planning to have a film made on due to political motivation. I want to stop clashes between her book Riots of Love, with Nana Patekar in the lead and as them. I am working on it through social media and other director events." They also published a book 'Riots of Love.' Now Avi wants to make a film on it with Nana Patekar as Director and India. "You need money to do things. If 10 million NRIs donate 1 lead actor. dollar per month for PM's fund then it becomes 10 million dollar He wants to keep himself miles away from politics, as he a month. There should be an umbrella organization for that and feels that "Politicians don't want to solve any serious issue, like all Indian associations should come under the umbrella drugs. Their focus is only the vote bank. All political parties in organization. NRIs should support social reform issues." India invited me to join. But I told them my only party is India Screams Of Soul is another initiative by Avi Dandiya along and symbol is the national flag." with Ramniet S Mukherjee (Founder HI - Helping India, For eradicating drugs in India Avi has a specific solution. He Gurgaon),Harsh Taneja (Kumaun Bureau Chief, Crime Story has a special 'Kit' with which parents can easily detect whether Newspaper, UK) Kundan Srivastava (Founder Be In Humanity their kids are taking drugs. Then they can take specific actions. Foundation) in collaboration with all fellow Indians to be the And he is ready to distribute it in any numbers. "The problem voice and back-end support of all the victimized women of in India is that people do not understand the difference between India. The founding members started this initiative, for they Avi Dandiya is a restless person who desires to bring about political and social issues. Politicians take full advantage of took it as their responsibility to strengthen the children's certain fundamental changes in human society, in India, in that", feels Avi. morals and make the society safe for daughters, mothers and particular, and elsewhere, in general. He is a terrific social Avi strongly believes that NRIs should and must do more for sisters in India. change script writer, with having been noted by no less a person than the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi for his initiatives, particularly the one dealing with environmental cleanliness.

vi Dandiya, the Dallas-based designer who originally hails from Jaipur, has taken many 'Clean India' initiatives back home to create an environmentally and socially clean India. He Acame to US in 2000. He lived in New York for a few years then moved to Dallas in 2009. Aviis Founder of Team Clean Jaipur (TCJ), Founder of ScreamsOfSoul.Org and Chief Patron of Be in Humanity Foundation. Team Clean Jaipur - An initiative launched in December 2012 by Avi, 47,now has more than 44 schools and more than 2 Lakh children as members and growing each day to save environment and Nature. Nobody has taken such initiative before Avi. "You need to teach younger generation how to save environment and Nature from the very early age. Our initiative has changed Jaipur in the last 3 years", claims Avi. Avi does not have any NGO; he only has ideas. He has also worked actively on rape issues. He challenged Supreme Court for its verdict that a rape victim cannot be named or cannot make public appearance. In 2013, he held a dharna at Jantar Mantar in Delhi with 50 rape victims including an eleven year old. "People should meet them (rape victims) to know their problems. Many of them lost their jobs." The message of Mohabbat ke Dange THEINDIANPANORAMA FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017 ADVERTISEMENT 17 THEINDIANPANORAMA 18 BOLLYWOOD FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017

MOVIE REVIEW Jolly LLB 2 ILEANA D’CRUZ DOES THE ‘MACARENA’ DANCE WITH FRIEND ctress Ileana D'Cruz says she couldn't find a 'corny' Aphotograph for Valentine's Day and instead ended up doing the 'Macarena' dance with her best friend. Ileana shared a black and white video of herself along with her friend on Instagram on Tuesday. The two can be seen sporting unicorn onsies. "I tried to find a corny photo of me holding a heart up or something, but I didn't have any so I decided on this video instead, of my bestie and I dancing to the 'Macarena' in onesies, of course. She's gonna kill me after she sees this Happy Valentine's Day to you!" Ileana captioned the video. On the work front, Ileana will be seen in Anees Bazmee's upcoming film 'Mubarakan'. The film also stars Anil Kapoor, Arjun Kapoor and Athiya Shetty. The film is set to hit the screens on July 28. Source: IANS

CAST: Akshay Kumar, Huma Qureshi, Anu Kapoor, Saurabh Shukla DIRECTION: Subhash Kapoor GENRE: Comedy KAREENA KAPOOR: I WANT DURATION: 2 hours 19 minutes STORY: Jagdishwar Mishra aka Jolly (Akshay) starts out as a prominent lawyer’s sidekick in Kanpur. Driven PEOPLE TO ACCEPT ME IN by ambition, he hoodwinks a pregnant widow, Hina Siddique (Sayani Gupta) on the lookout for justice. He lands the murder case of her husband, but when she realises he is a fraud, she kills herself. Leaving Jolly with EVERY PHASE guilt on his conscience and an unresolved case in his hands. Now, he wants justice more than ever. ctress Kareena Kapoor Khan has revealed that though she REVIEW: On the face of it, apna Jolly is a novice Awas wary about her post indulging in petty crimes because he knows the pregnancy look, she wants her fans to loopholes in the law. At home, he is the hen-pecked accept her in all phases. husband of lush, Pushpa Panday(Huma) who loves "I did not know what's in store for me whisky, Gucci dresses and her chubby son in that order. post pregnancy.I did not know what this But these are just asides and not the main premise of phase would be like. I am lot more courtroom drama, which in many ways follows the energetic, happy and content. I work I template of the 2013 prequel, Jolly LLB. am multitasking I enjoy everyday," Writer-director Subhash Kapoor who has studied Kareena said during a 'Facebook chat' India’s burgeoning legal system of `I-will-see-you-in- last evening with celebrity dietitian court’, definitely knows as much about the Indian Penal Rujuta Diwekar. Code as most legal sharks because of his deep study of "Everything has been changing the subject. While the last instalment dealt with a hit-n- around in the nine months and it takes run case, this one deals with the case of mistaken time to get back (in shape). I remember identity of a J & K terrorist. The plot has enough laugh- telling Rujuta that let's get back to out-loud situations and emotional outbursts to keep you 'Tashan' diet (referring to her 'size zero' invested especially in the razor-sharp first half. The film look) and she told me we can't do it and also provides the right dose of action inside and outside we need to do it in progression," the 36- the courtroom. With cops playing villains and terrorists year-old star said. changing religions, legal greenhorn Jolly finds himself Actresses are often under scanner for dodging bullets in Kanpur, Lucknow and their weight gain post pregnancy and Manali(doubling up for Kashmir.) Kareena too was talked about on the Post interval though, the film hits a pause button at social media and called overweight post times. The maker tries to pack in too much legal diatribe delivery of her son in December last between Jolly and his adversary, the topnotch, Pramod year. Mathur(Annu Kapoor), in Judge Tripathy’s (Saurabh "How can somebody say I am Shukla, delightful as always) Lucknow courtroom. Their overweight? We are monitored always. I weighty arguments do educate and entertain to some want people to accept me in every degree. But there are portions that seem contrived. phase," she said. full of milk, yogurt. I have bajra roti is the best form of an exercise. Akshay changes shades from crooked to straight, like a According to Rujuta, Kareena's diet with ghee, jaggery, rice twice a day - "I do walk. At my house if I sit with chameleon. In top-form, he puts up a perfect display of a has been sustainable and she is glowing morning and night or khichdi. It's my son in my arms he cries and so I street-smart lawyer who hasn’t read legal tomes but who and looking good. about eating right kind of food and in walk around the house. He wants me to has instead picked up tips from courtroom corridors to "I have heard one should not have right proportion, quantity." walk. He is keeping me on my toes. He is become Jolly LLB. Huma and Annu are also compelling dairy products but Rujuta thinks Beside following the diet, Kareena preparing me for the future, for the days enough. It is the fine display of histrionics by all these otherwise. I have been having a glass said she walks, which according to her to come," she said. Source: PTI refined actors, which makes the movie, worth seeing. THEINDIANPANORAMA FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017 HOLLYWOOD 19

MOVIE REVIEW SOFIA VERGARA CALLS RINGS HUSBAND JOE HER ‘HINDU MONK’

odern Family' star Sofia Vergara has Mrevealed that she calls husband Joe Manganiello her 'Hindu monk'. The 44-year-old actress has shared in an interview her significant other has helped her become a calmer person. "Joe is very spiritual and deals with everything very well. I call him my Hindu monk. I'm all, 'Aaaaaaaaahhhhh' and he's like ... nothing," Sofia said. The star added that she is grateful to Manganiello for teaching her the art of meditation and he is 'never in a bad mood'. "Thank goodness he showed me how to meditate... Finding Joe has brought me a lot of peace. A very profound calm," she added. Source: PTI BEING A WORKING MOM AN

CAST: Matilda Anna Ingrid Lutz, Alex Roe, Johnny Galecki INCREDIBLE CHALLENGE: DIRECTION: F. Javier Gutiérrez GENRE: Horror DURATION: 1 hour 47 minutes SCARLETT JOHANSSON STORY: In order to save her boyfriend, a woman called Julia watches the ‘cursed videotape’ that kills its viewer within the next seven days. As per the tape’s rule, Julia gets ollywood star Scarlett Johansson says a phone call soon after warning the same. Turns out, what being a working parent is both incredibly Julia sees is a never-seen-before extended version of the Hchallenging and yet, a gift. And she feels footage. What’s the twist? she's "barely holding it together". "I don't profess to know anything about REVIEW: The third instalment of the The Ring horror parenting, anything more than anybody else, franchise, based on the famous Japanese films is less of a (but) being a working mom is an incredible sequel and more of a remake. The ghostly girl (Samara) challenge, (and) it's an incredible gift," Johansson with long dark hair, who crawls out of the television, is not told etonline.com. scary anymore. You want to shave her head and tell her that "I think you always feel a little bit of guilt... If Phoebe’s artwork in ‘Friends’ (read Gladys) was more you're at work, you feel like you're missing out on terrifying. Nothing about Samara intrigues you so it’s time those special moments with your kid. If you're the makers let her evil character rest in peace. You’d rather with your kid, you feel like you're not giving see her hilarious parody in the Scary Movies. enough to your job. It's a balance. I have a lot of What makes this outing the worse among its series so far huge admiration for working moms. I'm barely, is its imitation of the ‘Final Destination’ death pace and barely holding it together," she added. sensibility. People die in various ways before you bother to The actress' marriage has been rumoured to be care and the uninspiring investigation that follows fails to in trouble, and she brought her mother, Melanie arouse interest. At least the 2002 Naomi Watts film kept the Sloan, along as her date to the amfAR Gala here mystery alive till the end, involving you in its story.Its eerie on Wednesday. The 32-year-old star couldn't have silence and unhurried proceedings allowed fear to creep in. thought of anyone "better" to take along to the The 2005 sequel was tolerable too if not as effective but event. She said: "I really couldn't think of the latest film is a total damp squib. The lead actors meet anybody else that I'd rather (have) with me here obscure characters, who help decode Julia’s signs as people tonight. (She's) been incredibly inspiring for me die. The plot is clichéd and unnecessarily complicated. By in many, many ways, but certainly as a young the time the protagonists solve the puzzle, you lose interest girl. "She never shielded us from what was going in their existence or consecutive death. There seems to be a on in the zeitgeist in culture. She always made us serious dearth of scares as not a single scene manages to aware, you know, socially aware. She always leave you shaken. encouraged us to be politically and socially If you love horror as a genre, skip this one and revisit the active, so I couldn't imagine a better date 2002 film instead or perhaps, watch Gurmeet Ram Rahim tonight." Source: IANS Singh’s latest MSG film. That’s bound to give you the creeps. THEINDIANPANORAMA 20 ADVERTISEMENT FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017 THEINDIANPANORAMA FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017 ADVERTISEMENT 21

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Send resume to [email protected] 516-884-5899 THEINDIANPANORAMA 22 WORLD FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017 Buckingham Palace offers £30,000- a-year to run Queen's Twitter

LONDON (TIP) uckingham Palace is offering a 30,000 pounds annual package for Ba job to run Queen Elizabeth's personal Twitter account, having 2.77 million followers. A job advertisement has been placed on the Queen's official website seeking 150-yr-old wedding dress a new 'digital communications officer' to join a "fast-paced" and "dynamic" team. found after social media appeal The full-time role will involve LONDON (TIP): A 150-year-old hand-made antique managing the Queen's Twitter account wedding gown has been retrieved following a social media and letting the world know about her plea by a distressed bride in Scotland, months after it was work and the Royal Family's public role. lost. Tasks will include writing posts on The dress was a family heirloom from the 1870s, which the Queen's social media accounts had belonged to the great-great grandmother of Tess including Facebook and YouTube as Newall from the town of Morham in the East Lothian well as documenting state visits, award region of Scotland. It went missing when Kleen Cleaners ceremonies and Royal engagements, in Edinburgh closed down permanently as a result of The Sun newspaper reported. bankruptcy last year. The 29-year-old wore the antique lace The Royal job comes with a Royal Household exceptional," it said. profile, and so reputation and impact gown when she married husband Alfred Newall, 30, in "comprehensive benefits package" and According to the advertisement, the will be at the forefront of all you do". June 2016 and gave it in for dry-cleaning later that year. the perks include 15 per cent employer right candidate must be university The Queen also personally tweeted A recent Facebook post about the loss of her dress was contribution pension scheme as well as educated with an "eye to the future" and on her 90th birthday in June last year. shared more than 200,000 times across social media. She training and "personal development". experience of managing websites. She posted: "I am most grateful for posted an update this week saying the dress was found "in The online advert reads: "It's They also need to be "innovative and the many digital messages of goodwill I a crumpled heap" at the closed shop. "My parents received knowing your content will be viewed by with creative flair" and have good have received and would like to thank a phone call this afternoon from the landlord of the millions. It's finding new ways to photography and video skills. you all for your kindness. Elizabeth R." property where the dry cleaners is, whose nephew had maintain The Queen's presence in the The advertisement, which is posting The monarch has 2.77 million read about the dress," she told BBC. public eye and on the world stage". a maternity cover role, reads: "The followers on Twitter, as well her own "He really searched and he found a pile of old lace which "This is what makes working for the reaction to our work is always high- website and Youtube channel. (PTI) he realised was what he thought was the dress. My parents went straight there and were just overjoyed and couldn't believe it was the dress, not cleaned, and still with its ticket," Newall added. Hitler lookalike arrested in Austria She said she still planned to have the dress cleaned, but probably at a lace specialist in London. She added: VIENNA (TIP) on Braunau, a town of 17,000 on the "Somewhere where we can't let it out of our sight". (PTI) German border which has repeatedly ustrian police arrested an Adolf made headlines because of its historical Greece evacuates 75,000 to Hitler lookalike on Monday after ties to Hitler. Ahe was spotted wandering Most recently it drew attention after defuse WW II bomb around the Nazi dictator's hometown the government in December sporting his infamous moustache and expropriated the dilapidated building THESSALONIKI (TIP): A massive evacuation has side parting, a spokesman said. where Hitler came into the world. begun in the northern Greek city of Thessaloniki so The 25-year-old Austrian national was The move followed years of bitter experts can defuse a 500-pound unexploded World War II detained in his flat in the quaint wrangling with owner Gerlinde Pommer bomb. northern town of Braunau am Inn actual birth house, a large yellow corner who had been renting the premises to An estimated 75,000 people are being evacuated in a where the Fuehrer was born on April 20, house in the town's historic centre. the interior ministry since the 1970s and nearly 2-kilometer radius today.The bomb, dropped during 1889. Other snaps showed him standing in a refused to sell or carry out essential an air raid in the 1940s, was found this month during work The man, who reportedly called Braunau pub dressed in traditional garb renovation works. to expand storage tanks under a gas station. himself "Harald Hitler", was arrested including a loden jacket and lederhosen. The government said the seizure had A state of emergency has been declared in the three under a 1947 Austrian law which made it According to local media reports, the been necessary to stop the building from municipalities involved and about 1,000 police and 300 illegal to promote Nazi ideology. copycat introduced himself to patrons as becoming a pilgrimage site for Nazi volunteers helping out. Trains have been halted and "It was obvious that he glorified "Harald Hitler" and insisted on being sympathisers. church services cancelled. Thessaloniki's Deputy Hitler," police spokesman David Furtner served "Austrian mineral water". In response, Pommer launched Governor Voula Patoulidou told The Associated Press "it's told AFP. The suspect who offered no resistance proceedings against the expropriation the first time something like this is happening in Greece." Authorities became aware of his during his arrest had moved to Braunau last month, arguing it was Residents are being bused to schools, sports halls and existence after photos emerged on social in mid-January, police said. unconstitutional. The court is yet to rule cultural centers during the operation. (AP) media of the man posing outside Hitler's The case once again puts the spotlight on the case. (AP) China warns US against fresh naval patrols in South China Sea

BEIJING (TIP) urged foreign nations including the US to the command and control functions of the US hina's Foreign Ministry on Wednesday respect this. 3rd Fleet," he said. warned Washington against "We urge the US not to take any actions that "US Navy aircraft carrier strike groups have Cchallenging its sovereignty, responding challenge China's sovereignty and security," patrolled the Indo-Asia-Pacific regularly and to reports the United States was planning fresh Geng told a regular news briefing on routinely for more than 70 years," he said. naval Wednesday. China lays claim to almost all of the patrols in the disputed South China Sea. The United States last conducted a freedom resource-rich South China Sea, through which On Sunday,the Navy Times reported that US of navigation operation in the area in October, about $5 trillion worth of trade passes each Navy and Pacific Command leaders were when it sailed the guided-missile destroyer year. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, considering freedom of navigation patrols in USS Decatur near the Paracel Islands and Taiwan and Vietnam also claim parts of the the busy waterway by the San Diego-based within waters claimed by China. waters that command strategic sea lanes and Carl Vinson carrier strike group, citing Dave Bennett, a spokesman for Carrier have rich fishing grounds, along with oil and unnamed defence officials. Strike Group One, said it did not discuss gas deposits. The United States has criticised Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng future operations of its units. "The Carl Beijing's construction of man-made islands Shuang said tension in the South China Sea Vinson Strike Group is on a regularly and build-up of military facilities in the sea, had stabilised due to the hard work between scheduled Western Pacific deployment as part and expressed concern they could be used to China and Southeast Asia countries, and of the US Pacific Fleet-led initiative to extend restrict free movement. (AP) THEINDIANPANORAMA FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017 WORLD 23 Samsung chief Lee arrested as South Kabul endorses US general's call for additional troops Korean corruption probe deepens KABUL (TIP): Kabul on Feb 17 endorsed US general John Nicholson's call for thousands of additional troops in Afghanistan to stave off a resurgent Taliban, ahead of CAIRO (TIP) what is expected to be another intense fighting season. gypt has sworn in nine new Afghan forces, beset by record casualties, desertions ministers to the cabinet of Prime and "ghost soldiers" who do not exist on the pay rolls, EMinister Sherif Ismail. have been struggling to rein in the Taliban since US-led The new ministers, sworn in on Nato troops ended their combat mission in December Thursday by President Abdel-Fattah el- 2014. Sissi, will oversee agriculture, Thousands of extra coalition troops were needed to parliamentary affairs, investment and break the war out of a stalemate, Nicholson, the top US international cooperation, trade, local commander in Afghanistan, told the US Congress on development, planning, education, Thursday, in what could be President Donald Trump's higher education and transport. first major test of military strategy. The shuffle included the merging of "We welcome the proposal of deploying thousands of several portfolios and comes as Egypt additional troops to Afghanistan to effectively train and experiences an economic crisis brought advise Afghan forces," Dawlat Waziri, the defence about by years of turmoil following a ministry spokesman in Kabul, told AFP. 2011 popular uprising. "The war in Afghanistan is a war against terrorism A package of economic reforms and we want this war to reach a successful end. In that introduced last year to secure a $12 regard we think this is a positive step." billion IMF loan has sparked a steep rise There are currently more than 13,000 Nato troops -- in the price of basic commodities as well including 8,400 US forces -- deployed to Afghanistan for as services, with the Egyptian pound training and counter-terrorism purposes, down from a losing half of its value against the USD. peak of about 140,000 in 2011. Trump would seek the advice of Defense Secretary James Mattis before deciding on Nicholson's request for Two journalists shot dead reinforcements, White House press secretary Sean Iranian morality police Spicer told reporters. during live news broadcast Trump had suggested in a recent call to Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani that he would consider sending in Dominican Republic beat and detain 14- more soldiers, according to media reports. The White House said the pair spoke again on DOMINICAN (TIP): Two radio journalists were Thursday to "discuss opportunities to strengthen the shot dead in the Dominican Republic while one of year-old girl ‘for bilateral relationship in areas such as security, them was reading the news on a Facebook Live counterterrorism cooperation". (AFP) broadcast. Police said three men have been detained following the shooting in San Pedro de Macoris, east wearing ripped jeans’ 32 dead in Taiwan bus crash: of the capital of Santo Domingo. Gunfire interrupts the Facebook Live video, Fire department before a woman is heard shouting "shots, shots, IRAN (TIP): A 14-year-old girl shots." The transmission then cuts off. The victims alleges that she has been beaten and TAIPE (TIP)I: A Taiwan bus reported to have been were identified as producer and director Leo detained for wearing ripped jeans in taking local tourists home from visiting seasonal cherry Martinez and announcer Luis Manuel Medina at Iran, in the latest report of police blossoms careered off a highway Monday night leaving radio station 103.5 HICC. Mr Medina was also the brutality against women and girls. 32 dead, the national fire agency said. official announcer for the Estrellas Orientales Zahra (not her real name for fear Local media said the passengers had been returning baseball team. she may suffer reprisals), was from a trip to a farm in central Taichung when the bus The journalists had previously spoken out against celebrating her birthday with friends came off the road in eastern Taipei. pollution in Laguna Mallen, a protected area in San last week when a patrol of "morality The national fire agency said 32 people had been Pedro. Police said a secretary was also injured and is police" pulled up. The teenager said killed, with 13 still being treated in hospital, most with undergoing surgery. The arrested men have not yet officers tried to force her and her serious injuries. been charged and police said they have yet to friends into their car in the city of "The passengers are all Taiwanese and mostly older uncover a motive for the killings. In 2015, two US Shiraz, beating them when they people," said Chen Chih-min from Taipei City fire journalists were killed during a live TV broadcast in resisted. department, which confirmed the crashed vehicle was a Virginia, before the gunman shot himself. "There were two women and two men in a huge van and they pushed sightseeing tour bus. us into it with the force of their beatings," she recalled. "Their objection The bus carrying 45 people was left flipped over on the Kim's family must provide was to the ripped jeans that we were wearing. There were really no other side of the road. issues concerning my friends and I." Reports said the top of the vehicle was torn open and DNA sample before body Zahra and the other girls were released after being made to sign some of the passengers tossed out. written pledges that they would not wear the trousers again and adhere Around 100 rescuers rushed to the scene. released to Iran's strict interpretation of "modest" dress codes in the future. "I Police are investigating whether the bus was speeding still carry the bruises sustained from their beatings on my face," she at the time, according to local media. KUALA LUMPUR (TIP)_: Malaysia will not said. "I still feel their pressure on my arm and my ribs still hurt." Victims were laid out at the scene covered in white release the body of the half-brother of North Korea's In an exclusive interview with The Independent, her mother cloths, an AFP reporter at the crash site said. leader until his family has provided a DNA sample, described the ordeal as "the worst day of my life, as if the world has A cabinet statement said the island's premier Lin despite Pyongyang's request that it be returned, ended for me". Chuan "expresses his condolences to people killed in the Selangor state police chief told AFP Friday. "I know my daughter feels the same," she added, recalling how she accident and instructs the health ministry... to make all "So far no family member or next of kin has come helplessly followed the morality police car to the station. efforts to save the injured". to identify or claim the body.We need a DNA sample Zahra's mother, who suffers from multiple sclerosis, said male officers An emergency response centre has been set up to deal of a family member to match the profile of the dead had threatened the girls with pepper spray to get them into the car, while with the aftermath. person," Abdul Samah Mat said. female officers hit them and pulled their hair. According to reports, the bus was 19 years old and "North Korea has submitted a request to claim the "It was unbelievable," she added. "When I entered the room, they were belonged to an agency that runs tours across Taiwan. body, but before we release the body we have to saying that these girls are not children any more and should wear proper It comes after another bus crash outside Taipei in July identify who the body belongs to," he added. clothes. Signs of bruises are still visible all over her body. My daughter last year killed 25 Chinese tourists on board. Malaysia's deputy prime minister on Thursday and her friends were wearing ordinary clothes, it was just that they were Investigators said the driver of that bus intentionally confirmed that the man who was killed at a Kuala wearing ripped jeans." set fire to it in a suicide bid before it veered into a crash Lumpur airport on Monday was Kim Jong-Nam, the Masih Alinejad, who runs the My Stealthy Freedom rights campaign barrier. estranged sibling of Kim Jong-Un, referring to the for Iranian women, said many others had gone through similar Su Ming-cheng, who was driving the group to the passports carried by the man. experiences. "In the 21st century it is shameful to hear that a airport, was drunk when he poured petrol over the Ahmad Zahid Hamidi also said Malaysia would be government makes decisions on how women should dress," she added. driver's seat and on the floor near the exit before willing to accommodate a request from Pyongyang "There are many women sharing stories showing that they got lashes sparking the fire with a lighter, investigators said in to return the body. just because of attending a mixed party with men or dancing with men September. Jong-Nam, 45, was believed to have been in at a birthday party." The incident prompted Chinese authorities to demand Malaysia on a passport bearing the name Kim Chol, Ms Alinejad, who left Iran in 2009 and now works as a journalist in the island take measures to improve safety for mainland a known alias, according to South Korean media. New York, called on female politicians in her home country to fight visitors. (AFP) (AFP) "discriminatory laws" on Islamic dress codes. (AFP) THEINDIANPANORAMA 24 WOMEN FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017 FATE OF YOUR RELATIONSHIP RESTS ON HOME DÉCOR? e wants minimalism. She wants luxe' glam. He wants ACNE-CAUSING HABITS Hparties, she wants a quiet home. And never the twain shall meet. Newsflash: the fate of your YOU SHOULD STOP relationship can rest on your home ot washing your face properly : It is important to use decor. According to a study by Lindsay good medicated cleansers twice a day, but hard Graham, a psychology graduate Ncleansers and washing too frequently can make the student in the College of Liberal Arts, acne worse and face drier. a couple's house reveals a surprising Using dairy products on a daily basis : Dairy products have amount of information about the state abundance of hormone IGF 1 (Insulin-like growth factor 1) of their relationship. In her study she which is specially found in milk. It can cause inflammation in says: "Home environments are very humans. Milk causes insulin spike in humans that makes the important to people, meeting both liver produce IGF 1. This can cause excess sebum production their practical and psychological causing more clogged pores and thus, the acne. Try to reduce needs. One common challenge that dairy product consumption. many new couples face is deciding Using smartphones too much : Smartphones are one of the how to integrate their individual common causes of breakouts. This is because when your possessions and preferences into a phone is placed on skin while talking to someone, you press shared space where they can both feel bacteria into your pores and ultimately, get pimples. So, use at home." ear phones to keep a check on breakouts. Get some love in Applying body cream on face : Many body care products can give you acne on your face. Some people apply body products Home is where a couple meets their We're no longer decorating and living or design material, have dim lights on their face to get some more beauty benefits. But it is better psychological, emotional and physical for just ourselves, me is now we and and candles, create an ambience for not to use body products on face. Feel free to use face cream on needs - a place where they make love this is reflected in the way we live." closeness," she explains. Her advice: dry patch of body, but using a body lotion on your face could and go to war. Coffee-tables, kitchen Sharing spaces Keep the kids' room separate from cause acne. corners, lounge sofas become more yours. This could specifically be the case if your skin is sensitive than decor items and transform into From the time you move in, there Love nest 101 and the facial lotion you generally use is oil and fragrance- relationship builders. Relationship are practical concerns like sharing free, and then you reach for a scented and thicker body lotion expert Nisha Khanna says, "How you cupboards and negotiating wardrobe Get a coffee table. Let this be the in the hope to achieve the same hydrating results. do up your space as a couple is also an space. Then there's the stuff like space where you cosy up with Diet issue : Sweet food items may not always be good for important milestone of your deciding where the art print goes. your cuppa. skin. Diet rich in sugar or food with high glycemic index can relationship. The biggest tip for Papadopoulos says, "Each decision is Dim the lights. Install dimmer be a cause for acne. Avoid sugar, carbohydrate-rich food and creating love in the bedroom is to leave evidence of what you share, how you lights - it sets the mood for love. starch for acne-free skin. Eat small meals with diet rich in your smartphone out of the bedroom." compromise and what you hope to Get rid of clutter. Clutter fruits and vegetables. According to Professor Jay Lebow, build together." distracts partners from dealing marital therapist and researcher at Interior designer-turned-sexologist with real relationship issues. Here's how you can choose Northwestern University in Chicago, Dawn Michael suggests turning the Think neutral colours. Colour on things like fighting over lamps and lights down, playing some soothing walls should be neutral as it your night cream smartly rugs can make one person feel less music, and painting your room deep makes you more romantic. adequate. Psychologist Dr Linda and dark. Why? "Love is a mood. You Get a red couch. And get on it for ight time is when one's skin gets the maximum rest, Papadopoulos says, "A couple's home can change your mood with some couple couch therapy. repair and time to rejuvenate. So always remember to becomes a place of shared identity. decorating it right. Use sexy products Source: TOI Nwash and deep cleanse your face before you apply your night time moisturiser for the best results. But how do you decide what constitutes a good moisturiser? Divya Mehta, co- founder of skincare brand Epique, shares tips to keep in mind FOOD when deciding on a good night cream: It doesn't need to have the word 'night' to describe it : The difference between a night cream and any other is that it FISH BIRYANI doesn't have UV protection or any sunscreen ingredients in it. Hence you don't necessarily need to use a cream that uses the INGREDIENTS word 'night' to define it. So long as the cream does not contain 1 kilograms fish fillets, 1 cup ghee, 4 teaspoon powdered, sunscreen, works well with your skin type and is rich in active turmeric, 5 chopped onion, 2 teaspoon coriander powder, 6 ingredients, you are good to go! cloves, 1 cup beaten yoghurt (curd), 2 tablespoon sultanas, 5 High concentration of active ingredients : Look for cup basmati rice, 1 teaspoon salt, 5 tablespoon cashews, 4 components such as boswellia serrata, coffee bean extract, teaspoon Red chilli powder, 2 inches cinnamon, 5 chopped centella asiatica, andrographis, liquorice, coleus forskolin, tomato, 3 litre water horse chestnut, oils, vitamins like E and C and other For Marination antioxidants to name a few (in your night creme). In addition to these, actives need to be highly concentrated to address 1 teaspoon powdered turmeric specific mature skin issues. 2 ml lemon juice Deep penetrating and light weight in texture : Ensure the cream texture is light, penetrates deeply and is comfortable METHOD for your skin. Try avoiding creams that sit on the skin's Mix the marinade ingredients, lemon juice and turmeric and teaspoon of water and the whole spices. Mix well. surface and don't get absorbed well, causing the skin to feel rub into fish fillets. Keep aside for about 30 to 45 minutes. Fry for about 3 to 4 minutes, stirring all the time. Add the fish oily. Choose a night cream that is compatible with your skin type Heat 2 tablespoon ghee in a pan. Saute rice for about 10 to 15 pieces along with 2 teaspoon salt and saute for about 5 to 8 minutes. Add 2 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon turmeric powder minutes. Pour 1 cup of water and bring it to a boil. Add : This step may require some trial and error. Whether your and 3 litres of warm water. Mix gently and bring to a boil. tomatoes and curd. Reduce heat and cook till gravy thickens. skin is oily, dry or combination, there is a perfect solution for Grease a heavy bottomed pan with 1 tablespoon ghee. Spread you out there. Find a moisturizer that is compatible with your Lower the flame and cover pan with a lid and cook till water is the fish pieces, rice and reserved sultanas and cashewnuts in specific skin type. Try testing the cream on the back of your absorbed. Heat 1 cup of ghee. Fry the sultanasa and remove. layers. Repeat until the topmost layer is rice garnished with Add cashewnuts and fry till golden brown. Fry onions in the hand before you buy it. The product should sink into your sultanas and cashewnuts. Cover pan and cook over low heat skin easily and leave a dewy look. That is a good sign that this same pan till golden brown. Add chilli powder, coriander for 5 to 8 minutes. Remove and serve hot, garnish with fried cream may work well for you. powder and 3 teaspoon turmeric powder. Add 8 to 10 onions or spring onions. THEINDIANPANORAMA FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017 HEALTH & FITNESS 25 SODA, PIZZA AND EXERCISE IN PREGNANCY SALTY FOOD UP LIVER DISEASE IN KIDS: STUDY hildren who regularly intake fructose present in soda, sweetened beverages, MAY HELP OBESE WOMEN Cpizza and salty food, biscuits, yogurt may be be prone to liver disease, researchers warn. According to a study, led by researchers from Bambino Gesu Hospital in Italy,dietary fructose AVOID COMPLICATIONS increases serum uric acid concentrations. Both uric acid concentration and fructose xercise may be an efficient way for consumption may be high in individuals with obese pregnant women to lower their non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) -- a Erisk of diabetes, dangerously high condition where extra fat is accumulated in blood pressure and other complications, liver cells in people who drink little or no research suggests. alcohol. "The study suggests that a prenatal It is estimated to affect up to 30 per cent of the exercise-based intervention leads to both general population in Western countries and up decreased costs and improved outcomes in to 9.6 per cent of all children and 38 per cent of obese women," said Leah Savitsky, a obese children across a spectrum of liver medical student at Oregon Health and disease, including NASH (defined as steatosis, Science University in Portland who led the hepatocyte ballooning and inflammation). study. Although NASH is a less aggressive form of As reported at the 37th annual meeting of NAFLD, it can progress to severe fibrosis and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine in cirrhosis, with development of hepatocellular San Diego, California, Savitsky and her carcinoma in adults. team analyzed previously published The findings suggested that fructose research on the effect of exercise on consumption was independently associated pregnant women with a body mass index with high uric acid, which occurred more (BMI) of at least 30. exercisers, according to their calculations. and found similar improvements in frequently in patients with NASH than in not- The normal range for BMI - a ratio of Likewise, they estimated, for every outcomes among those who exercise, NASH patients. weight to height - is 18.5 to 24.9; a BMI of 30 million obese pregnant women the preterm although the cost-effectiveness thresholds "It is plausible that dietary fructose intake or more indicates obesity. (A BMI birth rate would drop from 105,059 to 90,923 were lower. and uric acid concentrations are potential risk calculator is here, on the website of the U.S. with exercise, the maternal death rate "With the obesity epidemic looming in factors for liver disease progression in NAFLD," Centers for Disease Control and would fall from 90 to 70 and the neonatal our society, perhaps we should be turning said Valerio Nobili from Bambino Gesu Hospital Prevention. Based on their analyses of death rate would drop from 1,932 to 1,795. our attention to prevention of disease. It in Italy. those earlier studies, the researchers Based on a cost-effectiveness threshold of does not seem to be too late even for obese estimated the benefit of exercise for women $100,000 per quality-adjusted life year, an pregnant women to engage in lifestyle EAT LESS TO LIVE who are obese at the start of their exercise intervention could save money as change that may substantially reduce pregnancy. long as expenses are held to just under health care costs," Mottola told Reuters MORE, FINDS STUDY They calculated that for every one $3,000. The effects of exercise may be even Health by email. million such women, there would be 38,176 more beneficial than the study suggests, The current study was not designed to inally, an answer to the question 'How to cases of a dangerous pregnancy-related Savitsky said. "This study did not consider develop specific exercise guidelines for live a long life?' has been found. At least, blood pressure problem known as additional downstream benefits on control obese pregnant women; these women Fthat's what it seems from a recent preeclampsia among those who exercised, of weight beyond pregnancy as well as the should consult their obstetricians for research. compared to 113,000 cases among those who downstream potential benefits on guidance. In the meantime, the American There's a multi-billion-dollar industry didn't exercise. hypertension and diabetes," she told College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists devoted to products that fight signs of ageing, Exercise would also be linked to a Reuters Health by email. advises obese pregnant women to "start but moisturizers only go skin deep. Ageing decrease in so-called gestational diabetes, Women who are not obese may benefit as with low-intensity, short periods of occurs deeper, at a cellular level, and scientists with a rate of 195,520 per million among well. The researchers applied their model exercise and gradually increase as able." have found that eating less can slow this cellular exercisers compared to 305,500 among non- to women with a normal BMI of 18.5 - 24.9 Source: Reuters process. Recent research published in Molecular and Cellular Proteomics offers a glimpse into how cutting calories impacts ageing inside a cell. Brain unable to form new memories The researchers found that when ribosomes, the cell's protein makers, slow down, the ageing process slows too. The decreased speed lowers when you’re sleep deprived production but gives ribosomes extra time to repair themselves. "The ribosome is a very complex machine, lert! Your memories are in danger of experiments in animals have shown that the sort of like your car, and it periodically needs being lost if you are sleep derived, synapses on the receiving neuron can be maintenance to replace the parts that wear out Asuggests a study. toggled by adding or removing receptor the fastest," said Brigham Young University Studying mice, scientists at Johns proteins, thereby strengthening or biochemistry professor and senior author John Hopkins have fortified evidence that a key weakening them and allowing the receiving Price. "When tyres wear out, you don't throw the purpose of sleep is to recalibrate the brain neuron to receive more or less input from whole car away and buy new ones. It's cheaper to cells responsible for learning and memory nearby signaling neurons. replace the tyres." so the animals can "solidify" lessons learned Scientists believe memories are encoded So what causes ribosome production to slow and use them when they awaken -- in the through these synaptic changes. But there's down in the first place? At least for mice: case of nocturnal mice, the next evening. a hitch in this thinking, Diering says, reduced calorie consumption. A summary of their study appears online because while mice and other mammals are Price and his fellow researchers observed two in the journal Science. awake, the synapses throughout its brain groups of mice. One group had unlimited access The researchers, all of the Johns Hopkins tend to be strengthened, not weakened, to food while the other was restricted to University School of Medicine, also report Diering explains that current scientific pushing the system toward its maximum consume 35 percent fewer calories, though still they have discovered several important understanding of learning suggests that load. When neurons are "maxed out" and receiving all the necessary nutrients for molecules that govern the recalibration information is "contained" in synapses, the constantly firing, they lose their capacity to survival. process, as well as evidence that sleep connections among neurons through which convey information, stymying learning and "When you restrict calorie consumption, deprivation, sleep disorders and sleeping they communicate. memory. One possible reason that neurons there's almost a linear increase in lifespan," pills can interfere with the process. "Our On the "sending side" of a synapse, don't usually max out in a process that has Price said. "We inferred that the restriction findings solidly advance the idea that the signaling molecules called been well-studied in lab-grown neurons but caused real biochemical changes that slowed mouse and presumably the human brain neurotransmitters are released by a brain not in living animals, asleep or awake. down the rate of ageing." can only store so much information before cell as it "fires"; on the "receiving side," Known as homeostatic scaling down, it is a Price's team isn't the first to make the it needs to recalibrate," says Graham those molecules are captured by receptor process that uniformly weakens synapses in connection between cut calories and lifespan, Diering, Ph.D., the postdoctoral fellow who proteins, which pass the "message" along. If a neural network by a small percentage, but they were the first to show that general led the study. "Without sleep and the a cell receives enough input through its leaving their relative strengths intact and protein synthesis slows down and to recognize recalibration that goes on during sleep, synapses, it fires off its own allowing learning and memory formation to the ribosome's role in facilitating those youth- memories are in danger of being lost." neurotransmitters. More specifically, continue. Source: ANI extending biochemical changes. THEINDIANPANORAMA 26 SCIENCE & TECH FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017 SOUND WAVES COULD TAKE A TSUNAMI DOWN A FEW NOTCHES WHATSAPP TO SOON ROLL Acoustic-gravity waves would exchange energy with destructive water wave OUT SNAPCHAT LIKE tsunami’s immense wall of water may not be stoppable. But STORIES FEATURE IN IOS Athere may be a way to take the ferocious force of nature down a few acebook-owned WhatsApp might be planning to notches, using a pair of counterwaves. soon add a new feature that might be very similar to If released at the right moment, a FSnapchar’s Stories feature. type of sound wave known as an However, the feature will come to iOS (for iPhones) first acoustic-gravity wave could subdue a and then later might be rolled out to Android. This means tsunami, applied mathematician Usama that iPhone users will be able to put forth photos and Kadri of Cardiff University in Wales videos in their Status with their contacts if the latest reports January 23 in Heliyon. These leaked image is believed to be true. The feature is similar acoustic-gravity waves, which reach to Snapchat Stories, which will disappear after 24 hours. deep below the ocean’s surface, can WABetaInfo tweeted an alleged image of the upcoming stretch tens or hundreds of kilometers feature on iOS along with the text that read, “Status and easily travel long distances at high introduction text updated in WhatsApp beta for iOS speeds. 2.17.4+.” The feature has been on the cards since November In Kadri’s plan, two acoustic-gravity 2016. waves would be launched through the WAVE GOODBYE Firing a pair of sound waves at a tsunami, like this one that hit The image that was leaked also shows that the new water at the earthquake-triggered ocean Japan in 2011, could weaken the wall of water and decrease its height, a feature will come with privacy settings as well and there is surge. The waves would be tuned to researcher proposes. a high possibility that the update will be soon rolled out. exchange energy with the tsunami as Facebook has been emulating Snapchat features and the they speed past, spreading the tsunami — scientists don’t yet have a way to by almost 30 percent. Such a reduction new speculative feature comes as no surprise. Earlier out by redistributing its energy and create the high-energy waves needed. translates to a five-meter decrease in the reports also indicate that WhatsApp will soon allow users thereby decreasing its maximum But Kadri suggests his approach could height the water reached above sea to track friends and follow them. Another new feature is height. have shrunk the amplitude of the level, enough to potentially save lives also on cards which will notify users once their contacts The tsunami sapper is still theoretical devastating 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and property. Source: Sceincenews change their status. Users will also be able to comment on the new status. Other reports also indicate that the company might be working on a feature that helps users edit sent messages or revoke them altogether. New desalination tech could Facebook introduces ‘security key’ to protect data help quench global thirst

o minimise data breach, Facebook has added a new he world is on the verge of a water crisis. Rainfall shifts login option with ‘security keys’ that requires a user caused by climate change plus the escalating water Tto enter a special security code from their phone in Tdemands of a growing world population threaten addition to the password when they login from a new society’s ability to meet its mounting needs. By 2025, the browser. United Nations predicts, 2.4 billion people will live in regions According to a Facebook blog post, though most people of intense water scarcity, which may force as many as 700 get security code for login approvals from a text message million people from their homes in search of water by 2030. (SMS) or by Facebook app to generate the code directly on Those water woes have people thirstily eyeing the more than their phones, SMS is not always reliable and having a one sextillion liters of water in Earth’s oceans and some phone back-up may not work well for them. underground aquifers with high salt content. For drinking or “You can register a physical security key to your irrigation, the salt must come out of all those liters. And while account so that the next time you log in after enabling desalination has been implemented in some areas — such as login approvals, you will simply tap a small hardware Israel and drought-stricken California — for much of the device that goes in the USB drive of your computer,” said world, salt-removal is a prohibitively expensive energy drain. Brad Hill, security engineer at Facebook. Scientists and engineers, however, aren’t giving up on the Security keys can be purchased through companies like quest for desalination solutions. The technology underlying Yubico, a key manufacturing firm, and the keys support modern desalination has been around for decades, “but we the open Universal 2nd Factor (U2F) -- an authentication have not driven it in such a way as to be ubiquitous,” says technology initially developed by Google -- standard hosted UCLA chemical engineer Yoram Cohen. “That’s what we need by the ‘Fast IDentity Online’ (FIDO) Alliance. to figure out: how to make desalination better, cheaper and FIDO Alliance is a group of big corporations that more accessible.” collaborate on ways to make sign-ins safer and easier Recent innovations could bring costs down and make the online. technology more accessible. A new wonder material may make differs from these earlier efforts. Instead of evaporating water, According to a report in Fortune, “a security key desalination plants more efficient. Solar-powered disks could pumps force pressurized saltwater from the ocean or salty ensures that only the person in possession of it (and also serve up freshwater with no need for electricity. Once underground aquifers through special sheets. These password) can access accounts so protected,” the report freshwater is on tap, coastal floating farms could supply food membranes contain molecule-sized holes that act like club noted. to Earth’s most parched places, one scientist proposes. bouncers, allowing water to pass through while blocking salt Users can set up a security key to protect their account Watering holes and other contaminants. by buying one online at an e-commerce shop and then go to The membranes are rolled like rugs and stuffed into meter- the Facebook ‘settings’. Taking the salt out of water is hardly a new idea. In the long tubes with additional layers that direct water flow and Click on ‘security’, where they can see an option for fourth century B.C., Aristotle noted that Greek sailors would provide structural support. A large desalination plant uses ‘security keys’. evaporate impure water, leaving the salt behind, and then tens of thousands of membranes that fill a warehouse. This Simply select ‘add key’ and the account is secured. To condense the vapor to make drinkable water. In the 1800s, the process is known as reverse osmosis and the result is salt-free add a security key from computer, users need to use the advent of steam-powered travel and the subsequent need for water plus a salty brine waste product that is typically pumped latest versions of Chrome or Opera browser. However, water without corrosive salt for boilers prompted the first underground or diluted with seawater and released back into security keys have their own limitations currently. desalination patent, in England. the ocean. It takes about 2.5 liters of seawater to make 1 liter of Most modern desalination plants use a technique that freshwater. THEINDIANPANORAMA FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017 BIZ & FINANCE 27

21-YEAR-OLD DELHI STUDENT Demonetisation had a GETS RS 1.25-CRORE JOB OFFER FROM UBER significant impact on India DELHI (TIP): A student of Delhi Technological University (DTU) has received a job offer with an annual business in Q4: Indra Nooyi salary of Rs.1.25 crore from United States-based cab- NEW DELHI (TIP): PepsiCo India Food and beverage makers are facing hailing company Uber may emerge from the setback caused by pressure from consumers, health Technologies. demonetisation only by the April-June activists and governments to make This is the second-highest quarter, global chief executive officer their products healthier in order to rein offer received by a student at Indra Nooyi said, the seventh leader in obesity and diseases such as DTU ever. In 2015, software among consumer companies to voice diabetes. giant Google hired a student Sidharth concerns over the note ban’s significant Measures to reduce sugar include for an annual salary of Rs.1.27 impact on sales. replacing it with natural and artificial crore. “Our hope is that by the time Q2 rolls sweeteners and making smaller packs Sidharth, a computer science engineering student, has by, we would be through the bulk of the of beverages and snacks. In India, while been offered the position of a software engineer at the San demonetisation challenges,” Nooyi told PepsiCo is using plantbased sweetener Francisco office of Uber, and the salary includes basic pay investors on a call after the US beverage stevia in 7UP, leading to a cut of 30% in and other benefits. Sidharth’s basic pay package is Rs 71 and snacks maker announced its fourth- sugar content, it is selling colas in lakh, which goes up to Rs 1.25 crore with other benefits. quarter results on Wednesday. “The new smaller 150 ml cans. “It was a delight to have received the job offer and I am currency and the digital currency will Demonetisation announced on now looking forward to move to San Francisco,” said be back in circulation and we’ll be back PepsiCo’s global beverage sales rose November 8 by Prime Minister Sidharth. An alumnus of Delhi Public School, Vasant Kunj, to retail activity coming back to normal. 1% in the fourth quarter and sales of Narendra Modi led to slowing down of the 21-year-old said he was looking to travel around the I’m not sure we are totally out of the food and snacks went up 3%. sales across consumer goods, with world with the money from his new job. woods.” India’s carbonated drinks sales are global heads of companies ranging He described the recruitment process as grilling, where Nooyi said scrapping of the high- estimated at over Rs 14,000 crore. from Coca-Cola to Unilever and Colgate- he had to solve problems on the spot. denomination rupee notes in November Volume growth has been in the low Palmolive stating that the currency “I had actually done a seven-week internship with Uber was a massive change because 80% of single digits for at least four quarters as curbs had significantly impacted their earlier. So this is a pre-placement offer that I have received. the currency was taken out of consumers in urban markets India numbers. Along with me, I think there is someone from one of the circulation and the implementation of increasingly prefer healthier drinks, drinks packed with grains, fruits and IITs,” he said. the measure had its share of challenges. while in the rural areas, they’ve been vegetables. Food and beverage makers The eldest son in the family,Sidharth had scored 95.4% in “Demonetisation had a significant scaling down on discretionary spending. are facing pressure from consumers, his Class 12 board examinations, with 98 out of 100 in impact on our India business in Q4. It hit Nooyi told analysts the company was health activists and governments to computer science and mathematics. He says his percentage individual retailers significantly. And making “significant progress in make their products healthier in order dipped because of a low score in English. there’s still some lingering effects. India transforming its portfolio.” to rein in obesity and diseases such as He later cleared the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) is a big country,” she said. The maker of Pepsi and Mountain diabetes. Measures to reduce sugar Main and landed a seat at DTU-- formerly known as Delhi While New York-based Pepsi-Co did Dew fizzy drinks and Lay’s chips said include replacing it with natural and College of Engineering. not specify India numbers, it said the last year it would reduce the sugar artificial sweeteners and making “From the beginning, I wanted to do computer science Asia, Middle East and North Africa content in juices and carbonated drinks smaller packs of beverages and snacks. engineering and with my score I was not getting the subject (AMENA) region was negatively across markets including India by 2025. In India, while PepsiCo is using at any of the IITs. Moreover, I love Delhi and did not want to affected by issues such as operating cost Nooyi said the company had a ‘pipeline plantbased sweetener stevia in 7UP, move from here,” he said. inflation and higher raw material costs. of innovations’ such as Tropicana leading to a cut of 30% in sugar content, He is the first engineer of the family. His father is a Net income fell 18% to $1.4 billion in the Essentials functional juices and Quaker it is selling colas in smaller 150 ml cans. planning consultant and mother a freelance transcriber. He fourth quarter, while net revenue foods, which she said were helping to Demonetisation announced on has a younger brother who also studies at DPS Vasant Kunj. increased 5% to $19.5 billion from a year fuel sales in developed markets such as November 8 by Prime Minister earlier. the US. Narendra Modi led to slowing down of Samsung chief Lee arrested On the outlook for the first quarter of Globally, the Pepsi cola trademark sales across consumer goods, with 2017, Nooyi said: “At this stage of the contributes 12% of net revenue, while global heads of companies ranging as South Korean corruption quarter, we expect organic sales to 25% comes from everyday nutrition from Coca-Cola to Unilever and Colgate- decline at our AMENA division, driven products such as bottled water and Palmolive stating that the currency probe deepens by increased levels of volatility foods and drinks packed with grains, curbs had significantly impacted their throughout the region.” fruits and vegetables. India numbers. SEOUL (TIP): Samsung Group chief Jay Y. Lee was arrested early on Friday over his alleged role in a corruption scandal rocking the highest levels of power in H-1B visas help American firms remain competitive: Navtej Sarna South Korea, dealing a fresh blow to the world's biggest maker of smartphones and memory chips. WASHINGTON (TIP): H-1B visas, Trump+ , who has vowed to put an " The 48-year-old Lee, scion of the country's richest family, sought-after by Indian IT professionals, America First+ " policy, will have an was taken into custody at the Seoul Detention Centre after help make US firms competitive globally adverse impact in India. waiting there overnight for the decision. He was being held and contribute to generating jobs locally, However,those demanding a revision of in a single cell with a TV and desk, a jail official said. India's envoy here has said amid reports the policy say the programme hurt Lee is a suspect in the influence-peddling scandal that led the Trump administration plans to cut American interests. parliament to impeach President Park Geun-hye in down the scheme. In an op-ed piece in 'Fortune' magazine December, a decision that if upheld by the Constitutional "The H-1B scheme has been crucial in Senator Chuck Grassley, argued that the Court would make her the country's first democratically making US companies competitive flaws in H-1B programme hurt American elected leader forced from office. globally in increasing their client base, in workers, American innovation, and even Shares in flagship Samsung Electronics Co Ltd opened increasing their innovation. And it is the H-1B workers, who are in many cases down 1.2 percent+ , while shares in Samsung C&T Corp , the Indian tech industry, which has actually "benched" without work or pay for long de facto holding company of Samsung Group, opened down been creating jobs here (in the US)," periods. Grassley is Chairman of the 3.2 percent compared with the wider market's drop of 0.45 ambassador to the US Navtej Sarna told Senate Judiciary Committee and co- percent. Prosecutors have up to 10 days to indict Lee, CNN. "Out of every 100, H-1B visas have author of H-1B and L1 Visa Reform Act of Samsung's third-generation leader, although they can seek "There are reports and analysis by very resulted in support to 183 jobs in the US... 2017. Earlier this year, he introduced the an extension. After indictment, a court would be required to respected houses, which say that over This is very important because the US bipartisan legislation with Senator Dick make a ruling within three months. 400,000 jobs have been directly and companies - nine out of the 15 top tech Durbin to tackle these problems and No decision had been made on whether Lee's arrest would indirectly supported in the US," he said, companies in India are American return the programme to its original be contested or whether bail would be sought, a adding that Indian tech companies have companies," Sarna said. intent: filling gaps in America's skilled spokeswoman for Samsung Group said. invested $2 billion in four years and paid "This is a relationship which is labour market. Schumer said his bill Samsung and Lee have denied wrongdoing in the case. $20 billion in taxes. symbiotic and which has a potential of explicitly prohibits companies from "We will do our best to ensure that the truth is revealed in H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that becoming even stronger for both replacing qualified American workers future court proceedings," the Samsung Group said in a allows American firms to employ foreign countries," he added. with H-1B workers. It also requires brief statement after Lee's arrest. workers in speciality occupations that India is one of the top sources for companies to post job openings and make The same court had rejected a request last month to arrest require theoretical or technical expertise. international workers in the American good faith efforts to hire qualified Lee, but prosecutors on Tuesday brought additional The tech companies depend on it to hire tech industry, accounting for a major American workers before seeking H-1B accusations against Lee, seeking his arrest on bribery and tens of thousands of employees each year. chunk of all H-1B visas. And any move by visas. Source: PTI other charges. Source: Reuters THEINDIANPANORAMA 28 ASTROLOGY FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017

BEJAN DARUWALLA Email- [email protected] Phone : +91-9825470377 Predictions for the month of FEBRUARY, 2017 Aries Leo Sagittarius Ganesha says recreation, wining and dining, being entertained, extending No one can ever be in doubt of the fact that Something will transpire to make you take a hospitality - having a rare o'l time is what I you approach to work is so committed that very different line, a new modus operandi. It see you doing now. Joy that is boundless and it's almost perfect! Your work angle is in will be mental shift, not an action that makes deep comes to you in the love / marriage angle. There focus now, and the results of your own willing, you withdraw. What is hidden, mysterious, could be both love and marriage happening now, too. determined efforts. Your publicity will be so good that unrevealed will appeal to you. Parapsychology, Sometimes love preoccupies a person so that you might not believe in it. You will be genuinely metaphysics, little known sciences, exploration and friendship gets excluded helpful, sharing, sincere with your co-workers and archaeology, exploration of the mind, of genes, of colleagues, efficient with bosses, humane and fair cosmic truths - all or any of these could be drawing and Taurus with employees, even enemies / rivals beckoning you now. Capricorn You may not want to, but you'll still have to Virgo focus very strongly on the finances now. If you analytical, you look back on the You have to make some bold moves and Your expenses will be something else - success and glory of the past period, you decisions, the right choices according to they're so high. You've spent generously on will feel thankful, of course, but will also your own conviction of where money and security all fronts; in fact money was burning a hole seek to analyze, search for reasons for it. lie. It won't be a time for boldness, though, on the in your pockets. Now you have the money You will realize now that you get your power, family scene. There could be disputes and problems to make sure that you don't let anyone strength, motives - all of them - from your joy in to sort out, feelings of real or imagined neglect to down, or renege on promises, deals, payments. If you family, domesticity, the bonds of matrimony, love, soothe, some gestures of conciliation to be made. have the income to cope - and you do; Ganesha kindship. You will renew your faith in them this ensures it - you're willing to spend some more. period and give not only of yourself but also seek to Gemini repay them for all that they give you Libra Aquarius You will consciously slow down the pace at which you're living and make an effort to You will be relaxed, comfortable, at ease, take things easy. Maybe the allegations of easygoing. All this is especially good Power: one word sums up the heightened neglect have rankled, even if they are not considering that you're now hobnobbing awareness and activity of this phase in your true. In fact, I should have said specially if they're not with the rich and the famous, rubbing shoulders with sign. Many benefits in store for you now. You true. You bring a sense of style and lots of flair to your the top brass, with people of distinction. You have the may have a wish - fulfilment, the realization of a dream. handling of people you're close to, sparing no effort. confidence to hold your own. It also makes it easier to Relationships and ties, bonds and tie - ups are what Even though it's done with restraint, there's no holding continue with your devotion to family and loved ones, matter most from the personal bonds of love and back. to older people and to those who depend on you. matrimony to the profession partnerships, collaborations that lea to future gain. Cancer Scorpio Pisces Now that your personal equations are ticking over so smoothly - to the mutual Skill, efficiency, single - minded All the power - plays of last period will show satisfaction of all concerned, I must add - concentration and of course, efficiency - some fast, and glorious results. Rewards, your public persona has to live up to the gloss these are what you get now. They're all recognition, all the parameters of success are and glamour. Let me assure you that it does. You are directed to your work at which you're truly yours once more. When I say all, though, I gracious, warm, humane yet so brilliant and impressive brilliant without being self - centered. It is another mean all. More money,more perks, more benefits add up that people are floored by it! Like Tendulkar attacking a matter entirely that you are equally brilliant at fun, to a fine financial angle, too. I must also enumerate (a) bowler and hoisting the ball right into the stands, you socializing, pleasurable activities. You aim to please - your own confidence and self - esteem and (b) the may just be making people stand up and applaud! in both work and pleasure. perception that others have of you in terms of being an achiever, success at whatever you do

Bejan Daruwalla is available for astrological consultations. He can be reached at [email protected] and on phone 011-91-9825470377 THEINDIANPANORAMA FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017 SPIRITUALITY 29 FOUR DENOMINATIONS OF HINDUISM A SPLENDROUS LOTUS WITH FOUR SUPERB PETALS For over 200 years, Western scholars have struggled to understand Hinduism, a faith whose followers seemed (to outsiders) to arbitrarily worship any one of a dozen Gods as the Supreme, a religion vastly diverse in its beliefs, practices and ways of worship. Some Indologists labeled the Hinduism they encountered polytheistic; others even coined new terms, like henotheism, to describe this baffling array of spiritual traditions. Few, however, have realized, and fewer still have written, that India's Sanatana Dharma, or "eternal faith, " known today as Hinduism and comprising nearly a billion followers, is a family of religions with four principal denominations Saivism, Shaktism, Vaishnavism and Smartism. This single perception is essential for understanding Hinduisim and explaining it accurately to others. Contrary to prevailing misconceptions, Hindus all worship a one Supreme Being, though by different names. For Vaishnavites, Lord Vishnu is God. For Saivites, God is Siva. For Shaktas, Goddess Shakti is supreme. For Smartas, liberal Hindus, the choice of Deity is left to the devotee. Each has a multitude of guru lineages, religious leaders, priesthoods, sacred literature, monastic communities, schools, pilgrimage centers and tens of thousands of temples. They possess a wealth of art and architecture, philosophy and scholarship. These four sects hold such divergent beliefs that each is a complete and independent religion. Yet, they share a vast heritage of culture and belief karma, dharma, reincarnation, all-pervasive Divinity, temple worship, sacraments, manifold Deities, the guru-shishya tradition and the Vedas as scriptural authority. In this eight-page Insight, drawn from Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami's Dancing with Siva, we offer a synopsis of these four denominations, followed by a point-by-point comparison. Each of Hinduism's philosophies, schools and lineages shares a common purpose: to further the soul's unfoldment to its divine destiny. Nowhere is this process better represented than in the growth of the renowned lotus, which, seeking the sun, arises from Scholars trace the roots of Siva worship back more than 8,000 complete identity with the Unmanifest, Siva. Central scriptures the mud to become a magnificent flower. Its blossom is a promise years to the advanced Indus Valley civilization. But sacred are the Vedas, Shakta Agamas and Puranas. The Devi Gita extols, of purity and perfection. writings tell us there never was a time when Saivism did not exist. "We bow down to the universal soul of all. Above and below and in Saivism Modern history records six main schools: Saiva Siddhanta, all four directions, Mother of the universe, we bow." Aum Pashupatism, Kashmir Saivism, Vira Saivism, Siddha Siddhanta Chandikayai Namah. Saivite Hindus worship the Supreme God as Siva, the and Siva Advaita. Saivism's grandeur and beauty are found in a DEVOTIONAL VAISHNAVA SECT? Compassionate One. Saivites esteem self discipline and practical culture, an enlightened view of man's place in the philosophy and follow a satguru. They worship in the temple and universe and a profound system of temple mysticism and siddha Vaishnavism is an ancient Hindu sect centering on the worship practice yoga, striving to be one with Siva within. yoga. It provides knowledge of man's evolution from God and back of Lord Vishnu and His incarnations, especially Krishna and Shaktism to God, of the soul's unfoldment and awakening guided by Rama. Largely dualistic, profoundly devotional, it is rich in saints, enlightened sages. Like all the sects, its majority are devout temples and scriptures. Aum. Vishnu is the infinite ocean from Shaktas worship the Supreme as the Divine Mother, Shakti or families, headed by hundreds of orders of swamis and sadhus which the world emerges. He stands on waves, surrounded by the Devi. She has many forms. Some are gentle, some are fierce. who follow the fiery,world-renouncing path to moksha. The Vedas many-headed Seshanaga, who represents agelessness and is Shaktas use chants, real magic, holy diagrams, yoga and rituals to state, "By knowing Siva, the Auspicious One who is hidden in all regarded as an extension of divine energy and an incarnation of call forth cosmic forces and awaken the great kundalini power things, exceedingly fine, like film arising from clarified butter, the Balarama, Lord Krishna's brother. The worship of Vishnu, within the spine. One embracer of the universe by realizing God, one is released meaning "pervader, " dates back to Vedic times. The Pancharatra Vaishnavism from all fetters." Aum Namah Sivaya. and Bhagavata sects were popular prior to 300 bce. Today's five MAGIC AND POWER OF SHAKTISM? Vaishnava schools emerged in the middle ages, founded by Vaishnavites worship the Supreme as Lord Vishnu and His Ramanuja, Madhva, Nimbarka, Vallabha and Chaitanya. incarnations, especially Krishna and Rama. Vaishnavites are Shaktism reveres the Supreme as the Divine Mother, Shakti or Vaishnavism stresses prapatti, single-pointed surrender to mainly dualistic. They are deeply devotional. Their religion is Devi, in Her many forms, both gentle and fierce. Shaktas use Vishnu, or His ten or more incarnations, called avataras. Japa is a rich in saints, temples and scriptures. mantra, tantra, yantra, yoga and puja to invoke cosmic forces and key devotional sadhana, as is ecstatic chanting and dancing, Smartism awaken the kundalini power. Aum. called kirtana. Temple worship and festivals are elaborately Shakti, depicted in Her green form, radiates beauty, energy, observed. Philosophically, Vaishnavism ranges from Madhva's Smartas worship the Supreme in one of six forms: Ganesha, compassion and protection for followers. Wearing the tilaka of the pure dualism to Ramanuja's qualified nondualism to Vallabha's Siva, Sakti, Vishnu, Surya and Skanda. Because they accept all the Shakta sect on Her forehead, She blesses devotees, who shower nearly monistic vision. major Hindu Gods, they are known as liberal or nonsectarian. rosewater, hold an umbrella and prostrate at Her feet. They follow a philosophical, meditative path, emphasizing man's While worship of the divine mother extends beyond the pale of Page sponsored by oneness with God through understanding. history, Shakta Hinduism arose as an organized sect in India ARISH K. SAHANI DEEPLY MYSTICAL SAIVA SECT? around the fifth century.Today it has four expressions devotional, folk-shamanic, yogic and universalist all invoking the fierce Serving Since 1972 Saivism is the world's oldest religion. Worshiping God Siva, the power of Kali or Durga, or the benign grace of Parvati or Ambika. Please Call or Write for Your Insurance compassionate One, it stresses potent disciplines, high philosophy, Shakta devotionalists use puja rites, especially to the Shri Chakra Needs the guru's centrality and bhakti-raja-siddha yoga leading to yantra, to establish intimacy with the Goddess. Shamanic oneness with Siva within. Aum.Seated on Nandi, his bull mount, Shaktism employs magic, trance mediumship, firewalking and Arish, Shiv, Priya the perfect devotee, Lord Siva holds japa beads and the trident, animal sacrifice for healing, fertility,prophecy and power. Shakta 7 1 8 - 2 7 1 - 1 9 0 6 symbol of love-wisdom-action, and offers blessings of protection yogis seek to awaken the sleeping Goddess Kundalini and unite [email protected] and fearlessness. Mount Kailas, His sacred Himalayan abode, her with Siva in the sahasrara chakra. Shakta universalists follow “If Hindus don’t maintain Hinduism, who shall save it? If India’s represents the pinnacle of consciousness. the reformed Vedantic tradition exemplified by Sri Ramakrishna. own children don’t cling to their faith, who shall guard it?Indian Saivism is ancient, truly ageless, for it has no beginning. It is "Left-hand " tantric rites transcend traditional ethical codes. alone can save India, and India and the precursor of the many-faceted religion now termed Hinduism. Shaktism is chiefly advaitic, defining the soul's destiny as Hinduism are one.” THEINDIANPANORAMA 30 IMMIGRATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017 IMMIGRATION UNDER TRUMP ADMINISTRATION: EXECUTIVE ORDERS UNDER REVIEW

"designated" countries - Iran, Iraq, Libya, this EO with some changes in it. immigrants. The local police will transform Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen, suspended Nevertheless, this EO created climate of in to Immigration and Custom Enforcement the US Refugee Admission Program for 120 chaos and confusion and clearly showcased (ICE) officers. The "enforcement priority" days (for Syrian refugees, the ban was discrimination based on religion. We hope will effectively include all the unauthorized indefinite), suspended visa interview waiver this stays on hold permanently. immigrants in the United States, irrespective By Pallavi Ahluwalia, Esq. program and extensive review by Department Enhancing Public Safety in the Interior of of their criminal record. An instance of this of Homeland Security of any individual, the United States: This EO directs the was witnessed on February 14, 2017, when from their country to determine their visa, Executive departments and its agencies to ICE agents near Seattle, WA, detained and n less than a month in the Oval Office, admission or other immigration benefit and employ all lawful means, to enforce the threatened to deport a 23 years old immigrant President Trump has issued few that they are not threat to security or public immigration laws of the United States. It sets who is currently under the DACA program IExecutive Orders (EO), each of which has safety. aliens on priority who have criminal with no criminal background. This arrest potential to stir extreme vetting, racial Current Impact: The impact of this EO is backgrounds, committed crimes, abused appears to be arbitrary and denial of profiling and deportations. We briefly discuss currently neutered. The US District Judge public taxpayer benefits or are a national administrative and constitutional rights. The some of the EO below and their immediate James Robart granted Temporary security concern. Federal grants will not be past week also observed raids by ICE agents impact. Restraining Order on a "nationwide basis" given to sanctuary cities. The Department of throughout the country and detaining people Protecting the Nation from Foreign and the Ninth Circuit unanimously refused to Homeland Security will deputize state and with criminal background. Terrorist Entry Into The United States: This reinstate EO. If Supreme Court takes up the local law enforcement officers to perform We are hopeful checks and balances are EO placed a 90-day ban on the issuance of US case, it will be a split decision and Ninth functions of federal immigration agents. placed on the President's power and the visas and to entry into the United States of Circuit's decision would stand. But is believed Current Impact: This EO may cause Government policies adhere to the American any one who is a national of one of the seven the Trump administration may reintroduce greatest danger to the unauthorized values! Trump's H-1B Visa Bill spooks India's IT companies It may not be a good time to be a non-American in Trump's America.

NEW YORK (TIP): for software and services companies, was not H-1B visas in the world. The US issued more thereby bring additional business for other ndia, the largest exporter of IT workforce pleased with the development. "The bill does than a million visas to Indians in 2016, which industries like real estate, banking, to the US, could be jolted if the H-1B Visa not treat all IT service companies with H-1B accounted for 70% of all H1B visas issued hospitality to name a few. The effects of this IBill, which was tabled in the House of visa holders equally, and the provisions are worldwide, according to news reports. announcement will impact the GDP and the Representatives, becomes a law. biased against H-1B dependent companies," it IT analysts reckon that the new law, if and overall business economy and growth of US," The country's biggest IT companies, TCS, said in a statement. when it passes, will have far-reaching says Sanchit Vir Gogia, chief analyst at Infosys, Wipro and others, that enjoy "The bill does nothing to address the implications not only on Indian companies Greyhound Research significant cost advantages by sending Indian underlying shortage of STEM-skilled but on the US economy as well since most US- While the final outcome of the Bill is yet to engineers to the US, are likely to be hit if the workers, which has led all companies to have based Fortune 500 organizations are "deeply be known, NASSCOM said it will continue to minimum salary cap for H-1B visas is raised a calibrated strategy of hiring locally and invested and dependent" on Indian IT services engage with the US administration and to $130,000 from its current $60,000. bridging the skills gap by bringing skilled providers. legislators both directly and through the In anticipation of the eventuality, India's workers on non-immigrant visas including H- "Skilled foreign workers who come to work Government of India. The focus would be on top four IT company stocks plunged on the 1Bs," it added. in the US by the route of H1-B visas don't just highlighting the value contribution of India's Bombay Stock Exchange today. Mashable The US issued more than a million visas directly supplement the US IT industry with IT sector as a "net creator" of jobs in the US. India reached out to these companies but they to Indians in 2016, which accounted for 70% of specialized skillsets, they also contribute FUN FACT: The CEOs of both Microsoft declined comment. all H1B visas issued worldwide. indirectly to other industries in the US. Often and Google are of Indian origin. Meanwhile, NASSCOM, the industry body India happens to be the largest receiver of H1-B workers bring their families along and THEINDIANPANORAMA FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017 US 31 Indians in the United States of America: Significant Achievers Dr. Zafar Iqbal describes here the immense talent of Indian Americans who have made their mark in different fields and have made significant achievements which make them By Zafar Iqbal, PhD outstanding and an embellishment to the US; at the same time, doing India proud.

ndia gained independence from British raj on August 15,1947 and adapted a Iconstitution becoming a Republic on 26th January 1950. On this occasion of 68th Republic Day, we can very proudly say that Indians have been contributing significantly in the building and progress of their homeland and adapted land-USA.With a population of about 3.8million (either born in India or reported Indian ancestry or race), Amartya sen Ami Bera Faried Zakaria Indra Nooyi they are among the wealthiest communities in the US, with a median annual household income of $88,000 compared with the national median of $49,800. They are among the most highly educated racial or ethnic groups in the U.S. According to the data from the American Community Survey, 40.6% of Indian Americans 25 and older have graduate or professional degrees, and 32.3% have bachelor's degrees; an additional 10.4% have some college education. constitute ten percent of all medical students in America. Satya Nadela Indian migrants began arriving in the nikki-haley Preet Bharara United States in the beginning of 19th century. Indian Americans today are on top in various fields, be it medicine, economics, technology, public life or any other field. They are everywhere In 1813, a group of daring Indians established and kissing eminence. a Ghadar Party with dedicated patriots like Lala Har Dayal, Sohan Singh Bhakna, Kartar of The King's College, New York), Anjli Jain South Asian Languages & Civilizations at the (Hollywood director), Mira Nair (director and Singh Sarabha, Abdul Hafiz Mohamed (Executive Director of CampusEAI University of Chicago), Akhil Amar (Professor producer), Kal Penn (actor), Omi Vaidya Barakatullah, and Rashbehari Bose. They Consortium, Dipak C. Jain (former Dean of of Law at Yale Law School). (actor), Sheetal Sheth (actress),Waris started a weekly Urdu newspaper "Ghadar" the Kellogg School of Management at Indra Nooyi (Chairman and Chief Ahluwalia (fashion designer), Aziz Ansari, launching Ghadar Movement seeking India's Northwestern University), Vistasp Karbhari Executive Officer of PepsiCo), Satya Nadella Russell Peters, Aman Ali, Russell Peters,Rajiv independence from Britain. Many members of (President of the University of Texas at (CEO of Microsoft), Sundar Pichai (CEO of Satyal, Anish Shah, Azhar Usman ((actors and this Party were later executed by the British Arlington), Pramod P. Khargonekar (Vice Google), Ajay Banga (President and CEO of comedians). Norah Jones (singer and winner Sarkar on their visit to India. The Chancellor of Research, University of MasterCard), Rono Dutta (former President of of multiple Grammy Awards). Washington Chapter of the Global California, Irvine), Renu KhatorChancellor of United Airlines; Chairman of Air Sahara), Fareed Zakaria (columnist for Time Organization of People of Indian Origin the University of Houston System and Rajiv Gupta (General Manager of Hewlett magazine and host of Fareed Zakaria GPS on (GOPIO) launched centenary celebration of President of the University of Houston), Packard), Anshu Jain (former co-CEO of CNN), Zubin Mehta (former conductor, New the Ghadar Movement that was followed up by Pradeep Khosla (Chancellor of the University Deutsche Bank), Sanjay Jha (CEO of Global York Philharmonic Orchestra; receiver of a multiple events at different parts of the USA. of California, San Diego), Vijay Kumar Foundries and former CEO of Motorola star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame), Zarin I had the great honor and privilege to be the (Associate Dean of School of Engineering and Mobile Devices), Vyomesh Joshi (Executive Mehta (executive director of the New York president of GOPIO at that time. Applied Science at the University of Vice President of Imaging and Printing Philharmonic Orchestra), Nicki Minaj (pop Indian Americans are becoming Pennsylvania), Geeta Menon (Dean of the Group, Hewlett-Packard Company), Thomas singer and rapper), Nina Davuluri (crowned increasingly visible in US politics, Undergraduate College at New York Kurian (President of Product Development at Miss America 2014). journalism, academia, or business.In the field University Stern School of Business), Nitin Oracle Corporation), Victor Menezes Kiran Desai (winner of the 2006 Man of science and technology, Indians have Nohria (Dean of Harvard Business School), (Chairman of Clearing House Association; Booker Prize), Siddhartha Mukherjee become back bone of recent inventions. Two Sethuraman Panchanathan (Executive Vice former Chairman and CEO of Citibank), (physician and 2011 winner of the Pulitzer Indians have been awarded Nobel Prize for President and Chief Research and Innovation Satya Nadella (CEO of Microsoft), Ranji H. Prize for General Non-Fiction), Anita Desai their contributions to science and medicine. Officer at Arizona State University), Michael Nagaswami (Chief Investment Officer for (novelist; shortlisted for the Booker prize They are: Hargovind Khorana Nobel Prize for Rao (President of Virginia Commonwealth AllianceBernstein Fund Investors), Shantanu three times), Vikram Seth (poet, novelist, Physiology & Medicine in 1968, and S. University), Beheruz Sethna (President of the Narayen (CEO of Adobe Systems), Dinesh travel writer), Uday Singh Taunque (first Chandrashekar Nobel Prize for Physics in University of West Georgia), Dr. Paul Paliwal (Chairman and CEO of Harman Indian American to die in Operation Iraqi 1983. Shrivastava ( Distinguished Professor and International), Arati Prabhakar (Director of Freedom; posthumously awarded Bronze Star Indian doctors, numbering more than Director, David O'Brien Centre for DARPA), Rajeev Suri (CEO of Nokia), and Purple Heart gallantry awards), 35,000, constitute over five percent of all Sustainable Enterprise, Concordia Padmasree Warrior (CTO of Cisco Systems), Indians have started making their mark in physicians in USA and about 36% of scientists University), Molly Easo Smith (President of Rakesh Gangwal (former CEO and Chairman political and administration both at local and at NASA are Indians. Manhattanville College), Kumble R. of US Airways Group), Rajat Gupta (former national level. Notables include: Kamala Indians with significant achievements as Subbaswamy (Chancellor of the University of Managing Director of McKinsey & Company), Harris (United States Senator from academicians, inventors, and high-level Massachusetts Amherst), Subra Suresh Vikram Pandit (former CEO of Citigroup), California), Nikki Haley (former Governor of administrators include: Vinod Khosla (co- (President of Carnegie Mellon University), Kanwal Rekhi (former EVP and CTO of South Carolina and now US Ambassador to founder of Sun Microsystems), Vinod Dham Satish K. Tripathi (President of University at Novell), Deven Sharma (former president of the UN), Kumar P. Barve (majority leader (creator of the Pentium chip), Sabeer Bhatia Buffalo). Standard & Poor's), Salman 'Sal' Khan Maryland House of Delegates), Mervyn M. (founder and creator of Hotmail), Arun Other academicians of international fame (founder of Khan Academy, a free online Dymally (41st Lieutenant Governor of Netravalli (president of AT & T-Bell Labs), are: Manjul Bhargava (Professor of education platform), Amar Bose (founder and California, (1975-1979); member of the U.S. Rajiv Gupta (GM of Hewlett Packard), Sanjay mathematics at Princeton University and chairman of Bose Corporation), Bharat Desai House of Representatives (1981-1993), Tejwrika (Microsoft Testing Director of winner of Fields Medal, 2014), Abhijit (co-founder and chairman of Syntel), Sant Kashmir Gill (mayor of Yuba City, California, Windows 2000, Victor Menezes, Rajat Gupta, Banerjee (Ford Foundation International Singh Chatwal owner of the Bombay Palace Faz Husain (first native of India to win elected and Rana Talwar (Chief Executives of Professor of Economics at MIT), Kaushik chain of restaurants and Hampshire Hotels & office in Michigan), Bobby Jindal (former CitiBank, Mckensey & Stanchart), Rakesh Basu (Chief Economist of the World Bank), Resorts), Vinod Khosla (founder of Khosla Governor of Louisiana; Vice Chairman of the Khurana (Dean of Harvard College), Jamshed Jagdish Natwarlal Bhagwati (Professor of Ventures; co-founder of SUN Microsystems), Republican Governors Association), Aruna Bharucha, (President Emeritus of Cooper Economics at Columbia University), Vinod Dham (designed the Intel Pentium Chip Miller (member of the Maryland House of Union previously Dean of Arts & Sciences at Raghuram Rajan, Professor University of Processor). Delegates), Ami Bera (U.S. Representative for Dartmouth College and Provost at Tufts Chicago and former Governor of Reserve Indians are being recognized in the field of California's 7th congressional district), Raja University), Vijay K. Dhir (Dean of the UCLA Bank of India), (Salman Akhtar, Distinguished arts and entertainment. Some of the recent Krishnamoorthi (U.S. Representative for Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Professor at the Jefferson Medical College), successes include:Nina Davuluri, Miss contd on page 32 Applied Science), Dinesh D'Souza (President Muzaffar Alam and C. M. Nain (Professors in America 2014; M. Night Shyamalan THEINDIANPANORAMA 32 TURN PAGE FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017 contd from page 1 appointment was ostensibly the reason for the news The lawmakers would prefer to complete their term, rather conference - and said he asked his staff to make sure the men than going for fresh elections without their charismatic leader, Trump rails at media for... weren't related. Jayalalithaa, and with the burden of an ugly power spat. The He chided a Jewish reporter wearing a kippah for asking a fear of facing the ballot will bind the AIADMK legislators, That matters, Trump said in one of his many question about anti-Semitism. He asked an African-American political analysts said. (Source: HT) improvisational asides, because he'd been briefed and "I can reporter whether she could help set up a meeting with the tell you ... nuclear holocaust would be like no other." Congressional Black Caucus. He displayed a rare moment of US, Russia agree to boost... This was his and his aides' attempt to get the boss his groove introspection when he discussed his love for kids amid his back. Trump used the event to try to claw his young "very, very hard" decision whether to potentially deport young discussed military relations between the two countries as administration back from the brink after a defeat in court and immigrants who came to the United States illegally as well as security in Europe, the Middle East and elsewhere the forced resignation of his top national security adviser. children. during their meeting in the capital Baku. He taunted reporters and waved away their attempts to fact- But mostly it was Trump's bravado on display, as when he The two sides "have undertaken efforts to improve check him in real time. He (incorrectly) touted his Electoral incorrectly asserted that his Electoral College victory had operational safety of military activities in order to decrease College total and repeatedly blasted his November opponent - been the largest of any president since Ronald Reagan - and the prospects for crisis and avoid the risk of unintended somehow mentioning Hillary Clinton more than anyone else then simply dismissed a reporter's attempt to correct him. incidents," the Pentagon said in a statement. "The leaders in his defense of his administration's early days. He bragged "Well, I don't know, I was given that information," said further agreed to enhance communications on such stabilizing that his White House is "a fine-tuned machine" and claimed Trump. "But it was a very substantial victory, do you agree measures." "there has never been a presidency that has done so much in with that?" The United States and Russia already maintain a permanent such a short period of time." military communications line over their air operations in If only the news media would give him credit. Over and over, Car blast kills 51 in Iraq, scores... Syria to avoid incidents between their aircraft. The last face-to- he accused the political press of being dishonest and suggested face meeting between the two highest US and Russian military that any negative coverage of his administration was "fake offensive, claimed responsibility for the bombing in an officers took place in January 2014 between Gerasimov and news." He unloaded a torrent of grievances while positioning online statement. Dunford's predecessor Martin Dempsey. The Baku meeting himself as the stand-in for the everyman, who, he declared, As it cedes territory captured in a 2014 offensive across comes amid widespread speculation about the future of US- hates and distrusts reporters as much as he does. northern and western Iraq, the ultra-hardline group has Russian relations following US President Donald Trump's "The press - the public doesn't believe you people anymore. stepped up insurgent strikes on government areas, election. Now, maybe I had something to do with that. I don't know. But particularly in Baghdad. Security sources said the vehicle they don't believe you," Trump charged. "But you've got to be at which blew up on Thursday was parked in a crowded street full contd from page 13 least a little bit fair, and that's why the public sees it. They see of garages and used car dealers, in Hayy al-Shurta, a Shi'ite it. They see it's not fair. You take a look at some of your shows district in the southwest of the city. Indians in the United States of... and you see the bias and the hatred." The death toll could climb further as many of the wounded It was a far cry from the "buck stops here" mantra are in critical condition, a doctor said. Illinois's 8th congressional district), Ro Khanna (U.S. popularized by Harry Truman and other presidents who The bombing is the second to hit car markets this week, Representative for California's 17th congressional district), believed that the ultimate responsibility for any White House suggesting the group has found it easier to leave vehicles laden Pramila Jayapal (U.S. Representative for Washington's 7th struggles lay with the president himself. Trump was eager to with explosives in places where hundreds of other vehicles are congressional district), and Dalip Singh Saund (first Asian- assign blame elsewhere, ignoring the nation's healthy parked. (Reuters) American member of the U.S. House of Representatives from economy and relative peace when he took office to say "to be California). honest, I inherited a mess, a mess, at home and abroad, a Sasikala's pick Palaniswami... Preet Bharara (United States Attorney for the Southern mess." District of New York), Cathy Bissoon (judge for the United He mostly blamed the media for his woes, rebuffing The AIADMK posted on its twitter handle that the trust vote States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania), suggestions that he was undermining confidence in the press will be held on Saturday. Nisha Desai Biswal (Assistant Secretary of State for South and or threatening the First Amendment by trying to convince the Senior party leaders said the leadership wanted to get it Central Asian Affairs), Joy Cherian (first Asian head of the nation that "the press honestly is out of control." done without delay - lest some of the legislators changed their Equal Employment Opportunity Commission), Huma Abedin "The press has become so dishonest that if we don't talk mind and crossed over to the Panneerselvam camp that has (aide to United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton), Arif about it, we are doing a tremendous disservice to the vowed to fight the "wrongdoing". Alikhan (former Assistant Secretary for Policy Development at American people," he said. "Tremendous disservice." Until then the MLAs would remain at Golden Bay resort at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security; former Deputy Never before has a president stood in the White House and Kuvathur, 80km from Chennai, where they have been staying Mayor for Homeland Security and Public Safety for the City of so publicly maligned the press or attacked reporters by name, since Sasikala corralled them there last Wednesday night to Los Angeles), Preeta D. Bansal (member and past chair of the according to presidential historians. Not even Richard Nixon stop them from switching loyalties. United States Commission on International Religious Freedom; in the days of Watergate. Panneerselvam backers were confident about several former Solicitor General of New York), Aneesh Chopra But for Trump, it continued a defining theme and amplified legislators joining their side. (Federal Chief Technology Officer of the US), Rashad Hussain his chief strategist Stephen Bannon's decree that the media "During the floor test, even if seven MLAs switch sides, the (U.S. Special Envoy to the Organization of Islamic are "the opposition party." government will be in a minority.Wait and see what happens," Cooperation), Neel Kashkari (former interim Assistant Trump had put claims of press prejudice at the center of his former education minister Pandiarajan said. Secretary of the Treasury for Financial Stability in the United campaign in an unprecedented way and earlier this month The Panneerselvam camp requested the election States Department of the Treasury), Neal Katyal (Solicitor falsely accused the media of refusing to cover terrorist attacks commission to nullify the election of Sasikala as the AIADMK General of the United States), Gopal Khanna (Chief across the world. Though Thursday's news conference was a general secretary, alleging that the process violated the party Information Officer of Minnesota), Narayana Kocherlakota messy, fact-challenged affair, it may well have been cheered by constitution. (President of Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis), Kris Trump supporters across the country who had packed arenas "Freeing the party from the control of Sasikala is the larger Kolluri (New Jersey Commissioner of Transportation), Vivek last year to jeer reporters and chant "tell the truth" at the press battle and this is a step in that direction," said Rajya Sabha Kundra (Federal Chief Information Officer of the US), Farah pen. member V Maitreyan, who went to poll panel with the request Pandith (Special Representative to Muslim Communities for An Associated Press-GfK poll taken on the eve of the in New Delhi. the United States Department of State), Rachel Paulose (former election revealed that 87 percent of Trump's supporters saw The 61-year-old Sasikala - a long-time confidante of former United States Attorney for the District of Minnesota), Anant the media as biased against him. AIADMK supremo and chief minister J Jayalalithaa - had Raut (counsel to the U.S. House Judiciary Committee), Rajiv Trump retains support among Republicans, and solid been anointed as the late leader's successor by the ruling party Shah (formerUnder Secretary of Agriculture for Research, majorities of Americans say he is following through on his and was due to be sworn in last week. Education, and Economics; current Administrator of USAID), promises and is viewed as a strong leader, according to a But she was pulled into a bruising power struggle by Ambassador Islam A. Siddiqui (Chief Agricultural Negotiator Gallup survey. But his overall job approval rating is much Panneerselvam, who alleged he was forced to resign. Since in the Office of the United States Trade Representative), Rajen lower than those of past presidents at the same point in their then, he has been backed by several MPs and MLAs who have Anand (Executive Director, USDA Center for Nutrition Policy administrations. According to a Pew Research Center survey, switched sides but a majority of the party lawmakers is said to and Promotion), Sabita Singh (first judge of Indian descent in 39 percent of Americans approve of his job performance while be behind Sasikala. Massachusetts history), Subra Suresh (Director of National 56 percent disapprove. Her hopes were dashed when the Supreme Court sent her to Science Foundation), Vinai Thummalapally (served as U.S. But he also made a point of complimenting a softball prison for four years in a two-decade-old corruption case, Ambassador to Belize), Richard Verma (Assistant Secretary for inquiry about the first lady as "a very nice question." He teased prompting her to name Palaniswami as her successor and Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs, at the Department CNN reporter Jim Acosta for having the same last name as his brought two nephews into the party who were expelled by of State), Vince Girdhari Chhabria (judge of the United States new pick for labor secretary - Alexander Acosta, whose Jayalalithaa. District Court for the Northern District of California), Manish The conviction disqualifies her from holding a public office S. Shah (judge of the United States District Court for the and contesting elections for the next 10 years. She is now Northern District of Illinois), Srikanth Srinivasan (judge of NOTICE lodged in Bengaluru central jail as prisoner number 9324, but the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia political analysts said she would wield the remote control with Circuit), Kalpana Chawla (NASA space shuttle astronaut, who a proxy heading the government. died in space shuttle blast), Sunita Williams (NASA astronaut), NAME CHANGE Panneerselvam, also known as OPS, vowed to free the state Vivek Murthy (Surgeon General of U.S.; former Vice Admiral from the clutches of Sasikala and her family. of U.S. Health Corps), Sanjay Gupta (neurosurgeon; CNN chief I, Manveer Singh Reehal, son of Sukhdev Singh Reehal, holder "We will defeat them in the assembly," he told his supporters medical correspondent; declined offer by President Barack of Indian Passport # G8096556, issued at New York on April 8, outside his home in Chennai. But for now, the initiative Obama to be nominated U.S. Surgeon General) Our young 2008, permanent resident of Village Garhi Ajit, Jalandhar, Punjab appears lost in the rebel camp. Sasikala supporter and senior generation is making us proud. About 73% of National Spelling minister OS Manian was confident that the government would Bee winners since 1999 have been Indian Americans. Indian 144002, India and presently residing at 81 Patton Boulevard, complete its term, a little more than four years to the next Americans Account for Nearly One-Third of Science Talent New Hyde Park, NY 11040, USA, have changed my name from assembly elections. "Most of the MLAs with OPS will return to Search Finalists. us. You wait and see," he said, hinting that the cabinet would Manveer Singh to Manveer Singh Reehal. All concerned may (The author can be reached at 1509 Coat Ridge Road, Herndon, please note. be expanded after trust vote. VA 20170; [email protected]) THEINDIANPANORAMA FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017 CLASSIFIEDS 33

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NEW DELHI (TIP) Ishant Sharma he 2017 IPL players auction in Bangalore on Monday Mitchell Johnson ICC should know what happens if has created a buzz ahead of the tenth season of the T20 Pat Cummins league. Here's a rundown on the big event. they try to kill Indian cricket, the T Five potential jackpot winners (overseas) Player for sale golden goose: Shastri From an original pool of 799, there will be 351 cricketers up for auction; of these, 226 are Indian and the rest overseas NEW DELHI (TIP): Indian cricket has rarely been in the players. The list of 351 includes 122 capped, 223 uncapped and pink of health, on the field, as it is now. The team, under the six Associates players. A total of 76 players can be purchased, unified captaincy of Virat Kohli across formats, has begun to however. produce results consistently and Anil Kumble has put in place practices in the background that are ensuring steady growth. Franchise purses Off the field, however, turmoil has been the order of the day, Kings XI Punjab - Rs 23.35 crore with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), at large, Delhi Daredevils - Rs 21.5 crore and certain administrators in particular, coming to grips with Sunrisers Hyderabad - Rs 20.9 crore the sweeping changes laid down via the courts Kolkata Knight Riders - Rs 19.75 crore Because of the string of performances overseas, about two Rising Pune Supergiants - Rs 19.1 crore years of playing in different conditions, the team developed at Gujarat Lions - Rs 14.35 crore pace. The turning point was the tour of Australia, where they Royal Challengers Bangalore - Rs 12.825 cror held their own and then beat Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka to become Mumbai Indians - Rs 11.555 crore the No. 1 side in the world. To become the No. 1 side even before the long season at home was an achievement. Beating The most expensive players (base price South Africa 3-0, and then the home season helped stretch the INR 2 crore) lead at the top to a strong position. The run of Tests at home helped balance the side, which will help them overseas as well. The challenge now will be Australia at home. With due respect to England and New Zealand, Australia will be the toughest of India's home assignments. To beat Australia, India will have to Jason Roy play their best game (recent T20 form: 157 runs @ 31.40, SR 135) The turning point from the batting aspect was quite clear - Ben Stokes KL Rahul got a hundred, [Ajinkya] Rahane made a strong century, Virat got four centuries. Then, having a very good (recent T20 form: 46 runs @ 23, SR 117.94, 2 wickets @ 45, World Cup gave the fast bowlers the confidence, the feeling Econ 8.18) that they could make teams hop, when [Mohammed] Shami, Mitchell Santner Umesh Yadav were on fire. It was very exciting. What is especially heartening to see is that all the good work the team (recent T20 form: 3 wickets @ 23.66, Econ 6.45, SR 23.66) put in behind the scenes has not gone to waste. The results are Mohammad Nabi coming now. Their last two visits to India, in their minds, are probably (recent T20 form: 83 runs @ 41.50, SR 123.88, 9 wickets @ best forgotten. The one thing is that they will come out and 19.88, Econ 7.35) play hard. Most of their players would've learnt a lot of Indian Evin Lewis (recent T20 form: 131 runs @ 43.66, SR 179.45) conditions and (there are also) players from the IPL: there will be caution and aggression. With the likes of [Steve] Smith and Five uncapped Indians to watch for Warner in the ranks, and [Mitchell] Starc, [Nathan] Lyon and [Josh] Hazlewood in the bowling, makes for a very interesting Umar Nazir series. It is the committee appointed by the courts that is in Angelo Mathews Puneet Datey charge now. When transparency in administration and the Ben Stokes Tanmay Agarwal electoral process are in place, BCCI, the institution, will be Chris Woakes Ankit Bawne back to where it should be. (PTI) Eoin Morgan Vishnu Vinod THEINDIANPANORAMA FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017 ADVERTISEMENT 35 THEINDIANPANORAMA 36 ADVERTISEMENT FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017