www.Asia Times.US Chicago Edition Email: [email protected]

January 2016 Vol 7, Issue 1 HAPPY NEW YEAR 2016 January 2016 www.Asia Times . US PAGE 2 Hyderabadi Film Stars in Chicago

“Hyderabad is Known Globally for Its Hilarious Comedy Films, Not Merely for Biryani”-Mast Ali, Aziz Naser, and Other Hyderabad Film Stars of Hyderabad Film Industry in a Industry is cur- Press Conference in Chicago rently undergoing a metamorphosis; it is no longer con- Asian Media USA © fining itself to mak- Chicago IL: “The Hyderabad Film In- ing small budget dustry, even though only about 10 years films for its niche old, has churned out a series of comedy market. Instead, blockbusters and gained popularity not it is focusing on only in Andhra Pradesh and different producing typical parts of India but also among the large Bollywood films, Diaspora in the Middle-East and the US, which are rich in thanks to the Internet and DVDs”, said terms of exquisite Mast Ali, a. k. a. Saleem Pheku, the king quality, pan-India of comedy, who acted in over 20 high appeal, and high- impact making films in different lan- end technology”, guages and brought laurels to Hyderabad, said Aziz Naser, at a Press Conference held on December a. k. a. Jahangeer, 23, 2015,: 5.30 PM at Mysore Woodlands, another equally Devon Ave, Chicago. The Press Confer- popular and pow- ence was attended by a huge number of erful star. representatives from the Print, Electronic, culture of Hyderabad, focus mainly on trailer of the upcoming Hyderabadi and Internet Media. “It is a moment of pride that Dawat- delivering authentic entertainment for the film, ‘Dawat-e-Ishque’, produced by an e-Ishque’, a landmark Bollywood-type entire family”, he added. Australian-based duo, Samiullah Fayyaz “Our films entertained their audiences movie of the Hyderabad Film Industry, is and Syed Waseem Yaba, which features thoroughly, irrespective of their linguistic being released by Rajshree Productions The Ensuing Hilarious Comedy Show Mast Ali, Aziz Naser, and Adanan Sajid backgrounds, as the Hyderabadi Urdu, under its banner, with a big bang”, said “The stars of Hyderabad Film Industry Khan a. k. a. Gullu Dada, and three the lingua franca of the streets of Hy- Syed Hussain, Director of the film. will present a 90-minute Comedy Show, beautiful leading ladies, Kavya, Madhavi, derabad, which is a unique mix of Urdu, a charity-oriented event, on December and Manisha, will be released”, said Syed Hindi, Telugu, and some Marathi, is “The release of our film by Rajshree Pro- 29th, 2015, 8:00 PM onwards at North- Hussain, Director of the film. widely understood across the Indian Sub- ductions, which has produced a number shore Banquet Hall, Devon, Chicago. The continent, including in Pakistan”, added of blockbusters in India, will take the Show, comprising a unique combination Mast Ali, Aziz Naser, Syed Hussain, Mast Ali. Hyderabadi cinema up a notch like never of funny gags, mimicry, stand-ups, etc. Farhan Khan, and their team, including before and catapult it into the higher ech- will be laced with typical Hyderabadi- Layeeque Ahmed, Shoukat, and Keerthi Mast Ali said that the Hyderabad Film elons of film appreciation, added Hussain, style comedy”, said Mast Ali and Aziz thanked Iftekhar Shareef, a prominent Industry is currently in the growth mode with a sense of accomplishment. Naser. Businessman and Community leader, and, hence, there is a great demand for for sponsoring the Comedy Show and story writers, lyricists, singers, etc. “Cur- Feroz Khan, who has essayed a nega- “The Show will be our tribute to the helping them out in a variety of ways in rently, we are caught up in all the depart- tive role in “Dawat-e-Ishque” said that worth-emulating success of people of Hy- Chicago as well as in Hyderabad. ments of film making. Once the demand Hyderabadi cinema has come to attain derabad in the US. Hyderabad has been for different professionals is met, we can the status of a genre unto itself, not just the capital of comedy for decades and we Iftekhar Shareef requested all the Indian focus on our core job of acting and on considering the typical lingo of the City hope that the Show will be instrumental Americans belonging to the Indian Sub- producing high-quality films according to of Pearls, but even given the culture and in further improving the relations among continent in general and Telengana State the felt needs of our audience, across the traditions of the Deccan. the people of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, in particular to attend the Comedy Show, globe”, he added. and Sri Lanka”, they added. in large numbers. “Our films, which deliberately shun “It is a matter of gratification that the vulgarity and item songs, considering the “On the occasion of the Show, the January 2016 www.Asia Times . US PAGE 3 Asia Times US Congress could have averted ISSN 2159-9645

Publisher/ 2014 debacle if Pranab had Editor-in-Chief Azeem A. Quadeer, P.E. 219-588-1538 become PM: Salman Khurshid EditorAsiaTimes @gmail.com

Midwest Bureau Engr. Mujeeb A. Osman mamujeebbs@yahoo. com

New York Bureau Hk. Mohammad Hussain [email protected]

Indianapolis Bureau Syed Firasath Ali [email protected]

Contributing writers

Dr Azher Quader Chicago

M. A. Waheed New York

Engr. Faiz-Al-Najdi, Riyadh

Advertisements EditorAsiaTimes@gmail. New Delhi: Manmohan Singh’s selection over vanquished and repudiated warriors. com Pranab Mukherjee in 2004 to head the UPA “As external affairs minister, I had a pretty free government came as a surprise not only to run on most matters, with the prime minister “We were the past and it only remained to Asia Times US is the Congress but also to outsiders and many taking special interest in the neighbourhood, become ‘shadows of the past’. Such was the published monthly argue the party might have averted the 2014 our rediscovery of America, the millennium sombre mood in the Congress then,” he says. Copyright 2016 Lok Sabha drubbing if the choice had been conversation with China and the excitement All rights reserved as to otherwise, says former Union minister Salman of keeping pace with Japan. He also feels Congress is in the midst of a very the entire content Khurshid. serious existential crisis. “I recall just once when Dr Singh gently Asia Times US does not “It’s always easy to be wise after the worst chastised me for a press comment indicat- “Some people label it as ‘leadership in crisis’; necessarily has happened. We must not forget the whole ing we could not provide lethal weapons to others believe it is about political content that endorse views nation had applauded Dr Manmohan Singh Afghanistan. It came in the wake of repeated the country has outgrown; and yet others have expressed by the authors as the game-changer finance minister during prodding by (Afghan) President Hamid Kar- the stock explanation of being out of touch in the their articles the Narasimha Rao regime (June 1991 to May zai, although he never did make an issue of it,” with the grassroots.” 1996). Khurshid says. According to Khurshid, both Sonia and Rahul “But when Dr Singh contested the 1999 Lok Khurshid felt there was “no harm in being Gandhi are, however, popularly endorsed and Sabha polls from what was thought to be the candid about our principled position from elected leaders of the Congress and there is safest seat in the country for him, South Delhi, which there was no likelihood of departure. no one even remotely equipped to provide he was defeated by a candidate whose name This was despite the fact that military person- alternative leadership. He says through his many would scarce recall (It was Professor nel had told me we had innumerable tanks in book, he would like to set the record straight Vijay Kumar Malhotra of the BJP),” writes reserve that were unlikely to be used by the because the truth must prevail over the Khurshid in his new book “The Other Side of army again, which could be refurbished with- widespread falsehood spread over the past few the Mountain” and describes it as a concise out great expense”. years. biography not of one person but of the many who were part of the UPA. “The soft-spoken prime minister advised me: Allegations of scams like the 2G spectrum, the ‘President Karzai is a suspicious man. You 2010 Commonwealth Games and Coalgate However, the former External Affairs Minister have to be careful as the foreign minister’. considerably tainted the UPA’s image. says that after some initial reluctance, not only I mumbled and left the matter there, quite was Sonia Gandhi’s decision to choose him to certain some busybody had carried the tale to “But in all the charges that were made and lead the UPA-I widely welcomed but was “also the prime minister and he felt obliged to flag investigated by various law-enforcement proved correct by the electoral verdict five it,” writes Khurshid. agencies, there was not a whisper of money years later, when we were returned to power exchanging hands or any disproportionate with a greater majority”. The book began to take shape soon after the assets found in the possession of the accused results of the 2014 Lok Sabha elections were politician or the civil servant accused of mis- US Times Asia Khurshid, who had served as external affairs announced on 16 May and “we - the ministers demeanour or a similar offence. minister in UPA-II, says he was lucky to have in the UPA - returned to New Delhi from the the confidence of the incumbent prime minis- electoral battlefields spread across the coun- “Simply because a decision was wrong or

[email protected] ter though Singh once “gently chastised” him try as though we were phantoms in a twilight would have been taken differently by another

for FREE Subscription Email to: Email to: FREE Subscription for for a comment made before the media indicat- z o n e”.

person was enough to trigger a presumption ing India could not provide lethal weapons to of illegality and corruption,” he says. Afghanistan. He says the then ministers were in substance,

January 2016 www.Asia Times . US PAGE 4

New Year Greetings to all by Sher Mohammed Rajput

Mr. Sher Mohammed Rajput, Trustee of East-West University Chicago receiving President of India Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam on his first visit to Chicago, IL USA in April 2011 January 2016 www.Asia Times . US PAGE 5 Chennai Flood Disaster Fundraiser, “Ek Shaam Chennai Ke Naam”, Held in Chicago

Asian Media USA © Chicago IL: Top 20 organiza- tions from all over Chicago, including Desi Junction Radio, FIA, Jeen Varghese, and Chicago for Chennai Group, organized a phenom- enal Chennai Flood Disaster Fundraiser on December 20th, 2015, between 2:00 PM and 6:00 PM at the Waterford Banquet Hall in Elmhurst, IL. Over 800 persons, belonging to dif- ferent regions and religions, attended the event to show their support and solidarity to the people of Chennai.

Jassi Parmar, CEO of Desi Junction Radio said that bringing all the communities of India together under one roof for a noble cause was not only a historical initia- tive, no one has ever done before, but also gave a great sense of achievement to the organizers. He added that “The print, electronic, and social media in Chicago, which An Electrifying Entertainment Program: fifty plus volunteers, vendors, performers, sponsors, and gave sufficient attention to the Chennai floods, became A high-voltage entertainment program that followed donors contributed in a big way to the stupendous success the agent of mobilization and resulted in a huge crowed at the fundraising process was the biggest highlight of the of the event. the event today,” Chandrakant Modi, President of Asian event. The singers presented a large numbers of hit tracks

Media USA pointed out. “Social Media is flooded with from Bollywood and uplifted the mood of the audience. Jeen Varghese, Community Leader said that Chennai and heart touching comments about the Chennai’s plight in The dancers not only showcased their ability to perform surrounding areas in the State of Tamil Nadu have been general and the Fund Raising Event for it in particular”, he different genres of dances but also conveyed a gamut of devastated by the torrential rains and massive flooding. added. emotions. “Damage has been enormous - 250 lives lost, 2 million people displaced, $ 3 Billion impact on the economy, and Neetu Chandra- The Star Attraction: The artists belonging to Yeh Cheez Group, Desi Junction, $ 15 Billion in infrastructure damages”, she added and Neetu Chandra, the highly sought-after Global actress and Comedy Junction and a large number of profession- made a fervent appeal to people to contribute to the relief from India, who graced the event as Guest of Honor, als, including Rinki Talati, Nisha Saraswat, Rashik, Megha operations. without any cost to it, at the invitation of Desi Junction, Mathur, Maegha Saraf, Sawpna Balakrishnan, Sharanya

said that natural calamities like floods are the litmus test Gururajan, Chandrakala Vijay, Ravi Shankar Subraman- Within no time, a whopping $ 45,000 was raised at the for the communities to show to the world that they can yan, Noman Khan, Nisima Patel, Suman Sharma, Ruby event, which will be donated to Association for India’s De- come together in times of great crises and can help each Saraf, etc. participated in the entertainment program and velopment in order to enable it to take up relief-oriented other. captured the hearts of the audience. initiatives in Chennai. The donors were not confined to

India alone; a significant number of non-Indians too con- “The acts of bravery demonstrated by Chennaites to The event commenced with one minute silence to pay tributed to the cause. Following were the top 10 donors: rescue people caught in the floods by forming chains and tribute to those who perished in Chennai disaster, which Senthil Kumar Soundarapandian, Shobashalini Chok- multifarious instances of love, kindness, and resilience was followed by “Vande Mataram” sung by Sharanya, kalingam, Nirup Krishnamurthy, Shyam Krishnamurthy, have become a source of inspiration to people, across the Ravi Subramaniam, Chandini Duvvuri, and Suman, and Balaji Padmanabhan, Durai Ramachandran, Sri Rajini globe, in grappling with the natural calamities”, Neetu “Ganesh Vandana”, performed by Megha Saraf. The event Sabarathy, Anand Srinivasan, and Suganya Prathap. Chandra said. “On account of the innumerable tales of concluded by singing of the National Anthems of India.

humanity that emerged from rain-battered Chennai, Raja Krishnamoorthi, an Eminent Community Leader, Chennaites have occupied a special place in my heart”, she The event was professionally managed by Jassi Parmar, based in Illinois, said that the floods in Chennai have added. Jeen Varghese, Ravi Rawat, Ravi Subramaniam, Senthil touched a chord among the Indian Diaspora in the U.S. Kumar, Murugesh Kasilingam, Sharmila Varadarajan, Neil “The Indian-Americans, even though thousands of miles The instantaneous offer of Neetu Chandra to dance with Khot, Shyamala, Nirup Krishnamurthy, Sri Lala, Pritesh away from India, are comrades-in-arms, and are ever everyone who donates $ 500 was not only a pleasant sur- Gandhi, Surender Mathur, Ranga Rajan, Vandana Walia, ready to reach out to their fellow-Indians, whenever prise for the audience but also turned out to be an instant Chandini Duvvuri, and 50 plus volunteers from various required”, he added. hit. And many of them grabbed this once-in-a-lifetime organizations.

opportunity without even batting an eyelid. This was fol- Krishnamoorthi underlined the need for achieving the lowed by a dance riot on the stage by Neetu Chandra and A large number of Chicago-based eminent organizations, long-term solution to the problem of recurrent floods in her hardcore fans, a stream of donations, and, naturally, a including Desi Junction Worldwide Radio, Jeen Varghese, different parts of India by following the environmental big smile on faces of the organizers. Happiness Junction, India House, Waterford Banquet and norms of construction and a more efficient urban plan- Conference Centre, The Art of Living, Sai Saffron Chat ning with stringent implementation. “Prime Minister Jassi Parmar, Ravi Rawat, Neil Khot from FIA, Surender House, TV Asia, TANA, Arya Sounds, Wintrust Com- Narendra Modi’s Smart City Mission is an opportunity Mathur, Neela Patel, and Jeen Varghese jointly presented mercial Banking, GLO, Massage and Spa, Asian Media, to revisit the potential impact of haphazard development an Award to Neetu Chandra in recognition of her contri- Mysore Woodland, Deccan and Spice, etc. sponsored the that is happening in the urban centers in India”, he added. bution to the Indian films. event.

“What we did today was only a humble beginning; we are “Neetu Chandra is blessed with a golden heart; her pres- Ten restaurants, namely, India House, Indian Harvest, committed to engage in the long-term process of rebuild- ence at today’s event, despite her multifarious professional Vishnu Vilas, Cuisine of India, Sai Saffron, Curry Bowl/ ing of the communities once the relief agencies address appointments, proves this beyond any doubt”, said Raj Mysore Woodland, Dakshin, Hyderabad Biryani, Deccan their immediate priorities”, said Ravi Rawat from Bombay Sharma, Promoter for Neetu Chandra. “She will be happy and Spice, and Vishnu villas, generously sponsored sump- Chopsticks and Perl Banquet, with a sense of enthusiasm. to associate herself to similar events in future, aimed at tuous dinner for all the attendees, which was relished by “We have taken a pledge that our efforts will not end until the amelioration of the lot of poorer sections of society”, one and all. the affected people back home get a new beginning”, he he added. added. January 2016 www.Asia Times . US PAGE 6 January 2016 www.Asia Times . US PAGE 7 FIA Chicago Elects New Team of Office Bearers for 2016-‘17

Asian Cremation USA © participated in the process, others. reposing trust in him and protect, and defend the order to ensure that the Chicago IL: The Federa- elected Minhaj Akhtar as his team and assured them integrity and credibility of cultural flag of India flies tion of Indian Associations President, Kanti N. Patel as The new team steps into of the democratic and FIA Chicago. He strongly high in the US. “We will (FIA), Chicago held its An- Executive Vice President, the shoes of the outgoing transparent functioning underlined FIA’s commit- continue to acknowledge nual General Body Meet- Dr Sanhita Agnihotri as office bearers, led by Dr. of the FIA Chicago. “Even ment to the twin-objectives the services of prominent ing to elect the new team Secretary, Girish Patel, Inderjit Patel, who oversaw as we pledge to contribute of not only empowering Indian-Americans in of its office bearers for the Sathisan Nair, and Sher a vibrant period of growth our optimum best for the the Indian-American to different walks of life”, he year 2016-’17 on Sunday, Muhammad Rajput as Vice at the FIA. welfare of the Indian- realize their American added. December 13th, 2015 at Presidents, Vijay Ranjan as Americans in Chicagoland, dream but also preserv- North Shore Banquet, Joint Secretary, Ajit Singh Minhaj Akhtar, who has we seek their wholehearted ing their unique culture All the office bearers urged Devon Avenue, Chicago. as Treasurer, and Hemant been serving the FIA, Chi- and continued support”, he and heritage. “We are the Indian-Americans to Trivedi as Joint Treasurer. cago, for a very long time, added. determined to uphold FIA’s come forward to contact The elections were care- in different capacities, is preeminent place in the FIA Chicago, on phone fully supervised by the The newly elected body one of the eminent persons “FIA Chicago is a 30-year- Chicagoland and to enrich numbers of Mr Minhaj Trustees and professionally had the support and bless- who have been associated old umbrella organization its brand value for the Akhtar 773 552 2000 / conducted by the Elec- ings of a large number of with a number of organiza- led by many a doyen. I pay common good of one and Mr. Kanti N Patel 847 571 tion Committee in order prominent FIA Trustees, tions in the Chicagoland. rich tributes to them for all”, he added. 5781, in order to enable to ensure that the election such as Babu Patel, Kanti Other office bearers too putting their best foot for- it to achieve its cherished procedures were consistent S Patel, Sunny Gabhawala, have got an excellent re- ward for bringing laurels Kanti N. Patel announced goals. with the FIA’s by-laws and Hina Trivedi, Sohan Joshi, cord of community service. to the Indian-Americans that the ensuing Republic the entire proceedings and Bhailal Patel, Anil Pillai, in the US”, said Minhaj Day Celebrations will take Photographs and Press processes were transparent Sitaram Patel, Ajai Agni- Minhaj Akhtar extended Akhtar. place on January 23rd, release by: FIA Chicago and fair. hotri, Keerthi Ravoori, the a deep sense of gratitude 2016 at Meadows Club. He existing Executive Direc- to all the FIA Association- Minhaj Akhtar said that added that FIA Chicago More than 25 FIA Asso- tor, Syed Hussaini, Devon Members, Trustees, and the top priority of his team will celebrate all events of ciation-Members, who Avenue Merchants, and the community at large for would be to preserve, national importance in January 2016 www.Asia Times . US PAGE 8 HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM AZEEM ABDUL-QUADEER Publisher Asia Times US

Former January 2016 www.Asia Times . US PAGE 9 URDU ADAB DALLAS - MONTHLY GET TOGETHER

Left to right: Sameer Siddiqi, Habib Qadri, Abdul Rehman, Muhammad Raziuddin, Arif uddin Syed, Azeem Abdul Quadeer, Mohammed Siddiqui Taqui, Saleem Qadri, Mirza Perwaiz Baig, Riaz Qureshi, Azhar Bukhari, Anzar Lateef, Aroz Lateef and Iftaqar Bukhari.

2016 by Saaz aur Awaz Karaoke & DJ For all occasions Award Recepient Shahid Lateef Cell: 630-400-1549 January 2016 www.Asia Times . US PAGE 10 January 2016 www.Asia Times . US PAGE 11 Mufti Akmal Qadri visited Austin and Dallas

Zia ul Quran, Arlington, TX

Austin, TX Mufti Muhammad Akmal Qadri Madani of QTV fame addressed several Milad gatherings in Greater Dallas and Austin areas. He spoke about the importance of Milad and answered questions. Mufti Muhammad Akmal Madani is a Islamic scholar from Pakistan. He is a mufti and currently he is working as the director of Al Furqan Scholars’ Academy, Karachi which he estab- lished in 2006. He also presents TV series. Ahkam-e- Shariyat, a Fiqh based TV Programme. He was born on 5 May 1968 in Karachi, Pakistan. He received contem- porary education in Karachi and completed Chemical Engineering. In the beginning of his religious career he served in the preaching activities with Dawat-e-Islami. In beginning he got Islamic education from Mufti Ilyaas Razawi, Principal Nadra-tul- Uloom. Then he went to Lahore where he got enrolled in the Sunni Madarsa Jamia Nizamia Razawiyya, Lahore for seven years in acquiring traditional Islamic education. He appeared on TV for the first time in Ramadan 2004 in Sahri Time, a TV program on Pakistan based TV Channel ARY Qtv.Ahkam-e-Shariyat, Tadabur-e-Quran, Al Hadi and Sharah Sahih Bukhari are some of his TV series on ARY He also comes on UK based Ummah Channel with a program ‘Your Questions Answered’.

Michael Noland for Congress Mujeeb Osman Elgin, IL - Michael Noland for Congress campaign an- tion Division (formerly United Transportation Union), nounced that the Teamsters Joint Council 25 has en- Fox Valley Building Trades, Elgin Trades Council, IFT dorsed their campaign for Congress. Local 1211 (Northwest Suburban Teachers Union), Oper- ating Engineers Local 399, and Painters District Council “Mike Noland has developed a strong relationship with 30. Noland’s campaign has also announced that over 75 the Teamsters union over the years. As a state Senator, he elected officials have endorsed his campaign including is a strong voice for working families and I am confident Senate President John J. Cullerton and former Senate he will do the same in Congress,” said Teamsters Joint President Emil Jones Jr. Council President John Coli. Noland is leading in the polls. A recent poll conducted “I’m proud to have earned the support of the Teamsters by one of Noland’s opponents showed him with a seven- in this race and I’m honored to have their members join- point lead over his nearest opponent. After voters are pro- ing our ever growing campaign,” said Mike Noland. The vided more information about the candidates, Noland’s Teamsters represent some of the hardest working people lead expands even more. in America. We are united in standing up to the Bruce Rauner Turnaround Agenda and we will continue to Noland is a 30-year plus resident of Elgin, a veteran of the stand arm in arm to fight for the Middle Class.” US Navy and was elected to the Illinois Senate in 2006. While serving in the Senate he has been one of its most The Teamsters are the latest member of organized labor progressive members and has been a strong advocate to endorse Noland’s campaign. They join the American for working families throughout his time in the Illinois Postal Workers Union Local 3140’s executive board, General Assembly. Bricklayers Administrative District Council of Illinois, Sheet Metal Workers State Council, SMART Transporta- January 2016 www.Asia Times . US PAGE 12

We wish all the readers of Asia Times Season’s Greetings , and may the New Year 2016 bring you joy and peace.

We are going through some tough times, but I am sure with persistence and endurance we will all come out on top.

May the perseverance prevail. We are thankful to Janab Azeem Pervaiz Baig Quadeer Sahab for his commend- Founder / Moderator able job in bringing news to the Charminar Connection expatriates and to the south Asian diaspora. We wish him great success not only in the coming year but for the years to come. January 2016 www.Asia Times . US PAGE 13 “Pakistan Renews its Commitment to End Terrorism on the First Anniversary of Peshawar School Massacre”-Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, Consul General of Pakistan in the US Asian Media USA © mentation of the National seminaries, building the dimensional policy of Chicago IL: Pakistan Action Plan, the acts of walls and extra defenses by using selective force and marked the first anniversa- terror and serious crimes all schools, and tightening initiating development in ry of the deadliest terrorist have fallen by sixty about security systems at schools areas most affected by ter- attack on the Army Public percent”, said Faisal Niaz added a great punch to the rorism will be fruitful. The School in the northwest- Tirmizi, Consul General campaign. “Today, par- economic transformation, ern city of Peshawar, of Pakistan, with a sense of ents feel safe to send their trade promotion, employ- termed a “Mini-9/11 for satisfaction. “The anniver- children to schools, which ment generation, and Pakistan”, in which over sary is also an occasion to suggest that the civilian educational development 150 people, most of them renew our resolve to con- and military leadership was would be of great help children, were gunned tinue the campaign, with successful in keeping their in maintaining sustain- down by Taliban militants the hardened resolve, till promises of a secure envi- able peace in the region”, on December 16th, 2014. we permanently uproot the ronment for the students”, Tirmizi stated. Glowing tributes were menace of terrorism from he added. paid to the martyrs of the the soil of Pakistan and Tirmizi welcomed the School and strong soli- make it a place of eternal Tirmizi said that a bal- collective and concerted darity was displayed with peace and vibrant prosper- anced fusion of army approach towards tackling the US, was an important a song glorifying the role them. In another display of ity”, he added. crackdowns and educa- terror by a large number of step in this direction. He of education in grappling solidarity with the victims tional campaigns would countries, from across the called upon all the regional with terrorism: “Mujhe of the attack, vehicular traf- Tirmizi paid rich tributes be an enduring solution to globe, in view of the fact countries too to join hands dushman ke bachon ko fic remained halted for two to the Pakistan’s top civil- the longstanding problem that it is not the problem of to make a collective and parhana hai (I want to minutes beginning 10: AM ian and military leader- of militancy in Pakistan. Pakistan alone. He added comprehensive effort, educate the children of in Lahore, and one-minute ship, which demonstrated “Declaring December 16th that the successful hosting involving further strength- my enemies) and “Mujhe silence was observed to exemplary courage in step- as the “Day of National of Heart of Asia Confer- ening of the economic, ma us se badla layne jana mark the tragic incident in ping up the action-packed Resolve to Promote Educa- ence in Islamabad on commercial, sporting, and ha (Mother, I have to go different cities. interventions, called Op- tion” by Prime Minister December 9th, 2015, which people-to-people linkages take revenge)”. “Education eration Zarb-e-Azb, aimed Nawaz Sharif would be a was attended by President with a view to successfully as revenge seems a fitting “The first anniversary of at checking the domestic right step in the direction Ashraf Ghani of Afghani- eliminating terrorism from response to one of the most this massacre is an occa- terrorism like never before of defeating the heinous stan and Foreign Ministers the region. shocking terrorist attacks sion to pause and take note with an iron hand. He said designs of the extrem- of seven countries includ- on Pakistani soil, Tirmizi that consequent upon the that lifting of moratorium ists to put off the flame of ing that of China, India, Tirmizi wholeheartedly added. military-led crackdown in on the death penalty, trying knowledge and education”, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey welcomed the release of the North Waziristan tribal alleged militant extremists he added. and Latvia, besides senior a video by the Pakistani Photographs and Press re- region along the Afghan in military courts, regulat- representatives of 29 coun- Army commemorating the lease by: Asian Media USA border and the imple- ing the country’s religious “The Government’s two- tries, including those of victims of the massacre, which shows kids singing Celebration of Constitution Day The first Constitution Day was solemnly celebrated at the premises of the Consulate General of India in Chicago on 27th November, 2015 (26th November being a closed holiday on account of Thanksgiving Day). The celebration was part of the decision taken by the National Committee set up under the Chairman- ship of Prime Minister of India for the celebration of 125th Birth Anniversary (14 April 2016) of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. The Constitution of India was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 26th November, 1949, the Committee decided to observe 26th November as “Constitution Day” every year.

The programme commenced by observing one minute of silence as a homage to the victims of the dastardly terrorist attacks in Mumbai, marking the 7th Anniver- sary of 26/11 attacks.

The opening remarks were delivered by Dr Ausaf Sayeed, Consul General. Consul General addressed the gathering and recalled the mammoth work done by the Drafting Committee of the Constituent Assembly under April 2016). the Chairmanship of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in drafting During the programme, two documentaries, ‘Taana the Constitution of India. He mentioned that as the The Consul General emphasized that the Constitu- Baana: The Warp & Weft of India’ and ‘India-: The Constitution of India was adopted by the Constitu- tion of India does not discriminate anyone on the basis Spirit of Freedom’, highlighting the salient and empow- ent Assembly on 26th November, 1949, this day is of of religion, creed, sex or any other ground. It is the ering features of the Constitution were also screened. considerable significance to modern India and aptly the duty of every citizen of India, therefore, to uphold the The celebration was attended by a cross-section of GOI decided to celebrate this day annually as the ‘Con- Constitution both in its letter and spirit. The Consul prominent Indian-Americans residing in Chicagoland. stitution Day’ starting from this year, which also marks General also read out the Preamble of the Constitution Mr OP Meena, Consul, proposed a vote of thanks. the 125th birth anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar (14 of India. January 2016 www.Asia Times . US PAGE 14 Akhilesh removes Ompal Nehra after he made an appeal to Muslims to support construction of temple in Ayodhya 68-year-old Ompal Nehra, who was appointed as advi- formed about his removal. sor to Uttar Pradesh Entertainment Tax Department Clarifying his statement, Nehra said, “The dispute over with status of a minister just two months back. He was construction of temple could not be solved through removed from the post by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister mutual understanding, even court procedure is becom- Akhilesh Yadav. The action on Nehra, who hails from Bi- ing lengthy so I suggested this third option. BJP has been jnore district of Uttar Pradesh and claims to be associated making it a political issue since 1992 and try to take with SP Chief Mulayam Singh Yadav “for long”, came two benefit of it before every election, so for the benefit of days after he had made an appeal to Muslims to support the country and its people, I said that instead of fight- construction of temple in Ayodhya and Mathura. ing it out, secular and intellectual Muslims should come Nehra claims that he was informed about his removal and forward and support construction of temple in Ayodhya about all his facilities being withdrawn by Bijnore District as well as Mathura” Magistrate. Speaking to the press Nehra said that he had Nehra further said, “I even suggested that our muslim no regrets about what he had said and strongly believes in brothers can be given place for mosque to offer Namaz at the “third option” provided by him as a solution to resolve a distance of about 2-3 km so that they are not disturbed the ongoing disputes. by the loud sound of rituals that are performed in the temple and Hindus can come forward to support the Nehra had given this statement during an official program construction of the mosque instead,” of Agriculture Department to mark Kisan Diwas on De- In 1991 Lok Sabha elections, Nehra had unsuccessfully cember 23 i.e. the birth anniversary of Chaudhary Charan contested against Ajit Singh from Baghpat Parliamentary Singh in Bijnore District of Uttar Pradesh. Uttar Pradesh Constituency as Samajwadi Janta Party candidate. His Government was celebrating the day as Kisan Diwas. statement comes at a time when Vishwa Hindu Parisad Secretary Alok Ranjan said, “Chief Minister has ordered “Chief Minister gave me the minister status two months movement to bring stones to Ayodhya for construction of removal of Nehra, so all the concerned officers have back and took it back today. It is his decision but I stand temple at the disputed site is going on. been informed. No official reason has been cited for his by my statement and feel that I have not said anything Confirming the decision of the Chief Minister Akhilesh removal.” wrong” Nehra told The Indian Express after being in- Yadav to remove Nehra from his charge of advisor, Chief Sockalingam appointed Nawaz Sharif wears pink as Secretatry of TBPE turban gifted by PM Modi

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif attended the Walima ceremony of the wore the pink turban gifted to him by his couple. Some VVIP guests had also come Indian counterpart Narendra Modi for his from Saudi Arabia for the occasion. granddaughter’s wedding. Both the groom and the bride have stud- A source at Sharif’s Jati Umrah residence ied at the London School of Economics. told PTI that Sharif had donned the “In- Top Comment dian Rajasthani pink turban” gifted to him by Modi during the Indian premier’s visit ISI and Pak Military won’t be happy. on Friday. Expect some firefight in kashmir soon. “Wearing the gifted turban of Mr Modi Friendship can never last long till Pak itself shows that Mr Sharif’s sincere inten- govt. is serious about this. tion towards the neighbouring country. The source said that Walima ceremonies Besides, it also demonstrates that Mr Shar- will also be held in UAE and the UK next An Indian-American has been appointed and to regulate the practice of professional if values the gift of Mr Modi,” the PML-N month because many friends of the Sharifs as the Secretary of the Texas Board of engineering in Texas. source said. could not make it to Lahore. Professional Engineers that licenses quali- Mehrun Nisa, daughter of Maryam Though all the wedding ceremonies are fied engineers and regulates the practice Kannappan is a mechanical engineering Nawaz, married Raheel Munir, son of well being kept a close family affair away from of professional engineering in the US state. graduate of Annamalai University in Tamil known industrialist Chaudhry Munir, who the public eye, selected footage is released Nadu and received his MS in mechanical was the first to shake hands with Modi to the media like during the marriage Sockalingam “Sam” Kannappan, a profes- engineering at the University of Texas in when he got off the car at Jati Umrah out- of Sharif’s elder son Husain back in the sional engineer and senior design engi- Austin. side Lahore on Friday evening. 1990s. neer for SNC-Lavalin Hydrocarbons and Modi had congratulated Sharif on the The locals as well as British tailors have Chemicals, has been appointed as the Previously, Kannappan also served as wedding of his granddaughter and also reportedly been hired to prepare dresses of secretary of the Texas Board of Profes- a member of the American Society of presented him gifts. the bride and her relatives. sional Engineers (TBPE) in Austin. Mechanical Engineers Gas Pipeline Safety On Sunday evening, around 2,000 guests Research Committee, which defends Houston-based Kannappan also serves as Houston against bio-terrorism. a board member of the Society of Piping Engineers and Designers and an advisory Additionally, from 2006 to 2011, he was board member of the Asia Society’s Texas on the Texas On-Site Wastewater Treat- centre. ment Research Council.

The Indian-American engineer will be Throughout his career, Kannappan has signing all newly-issued licenses, TBPE received a number of honours and awards, said in a statement. including an award from Crystal Dynam- ics group of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight The board issues, monitors and renews Center in Maryland for improving laser roughly 57,000 licenses for engineers. measurement accuracy.

The board’s role in the protection of the public is to license qualified engineers, en- force the Texas Engineering Practice Act January 2016 www.Asia Times . US PAGE 15 Indian Students denied US entry at Abu Dhabi Airport A number of Indian students who landed at the Abu determination concerning my admissibility”. Dhabi airport for their US pre-clearance (immigration) Students claimed that they were “forced” to sign the were publicly shamed, locked up like criminals for 16 declaration. hours, hit by a volley of irrelevant questions and eventu- ally unceremoniously deported on December 22. “It is a matter of extreme embarrassment for us and our The students possessed admission letters from two Cal- families. Now that my visa has been cancelled, I do not ifornia-based institutions (Silicon Valley University, San even know if I’ll ever be issued a fresh US visa ever again. Jose and Northwestern Polytechnic University, Fremont) Studying there has always been my dream. But I am as well as valid visas. doubtful whether that’ll happen now,” said a Silicon Valley University-bound student, trying hard to hold back his Here’s why Indian students are being deported from US tears. Did you have a drink in the last 24 hours? How much did If overseas education advisors are to be believed, getting a you drink? What was the air-hostess wearing? -- were new visa might indeed be impossible for these students. some of the many uncomfortable questions allegedly Top Comment thrown at these travellers by officials of the US Customs day. He, along with 16 others, was dumped on a flight and Border Protection. This is really shameful for US. Please be little humane in back to Hyderabad and his visa was cancelled. For some students, the ‘interrogation’ took a different dealing with students atleast. They are the building blocks colour altogether. “I was shocked when one of the officers o... Read More “Strangely, the US authorities offered us no reason for asked me what the airhostess on the flight that I was chris cancelling our visas. In fact, they forced us to sign a docu- travelling by was wearing. He even wanted to know the ment which stated that we were voluntarily giving up colour of her dress,” said a harried student, requesting Meanwhile, the US Consulate in Hyderabad on Thursday our offer of admission from the US varsity,” said another anonymity. issued a communication stating: “We remind the public distressed student, A Yashwant. Incidentally, these questions did not figure on the printed that even travellers with a visa can be denied entry if the The document (a copy of which is with TOI) stated: “I un- questionnaires that the students were asked to read and immigration officer finds reason to question the legiti- derstand that my admissibility is questioned for the above sign thereafter. “They asked us several questions that were macy of their travel documents or finds that the traveller reasons (no reasons cited), which I have read or have been off-the-record. When we asked why the immigration cannot adequately answer questions about the purpose of read out to me in the English language. I request that I be authorities wanted to know such details, they dismissed his or her travel to the United States.” permitted to withdraw my application for admission and us outright,” said Mohammad Asharaf, whose dream of return abroad. I understand that my voluntary withdrawal pursuing a Masters in Computer Science from the North- of my application for admission is in lieu of a formal western Polytechnic University (NPU) was cut short that British MP says US stopped Muslim family from flying to Disneyland

Prime Minister David Cameron’s office says he will investigate a lawmaker’s claim that US officials prevented a British Muslim family from flying to Disneyland for a planned holiday.

Stella Creasy, a member of the opposition Labour Party, says US officials gave no explanation for refusing to allow her constituents to board a flight from Gatwick Airport on December 15. She told The Guardian newspaper this is part of a larger pattern affecting British Muslims, and that a lack of information from US officials is sparking resent- ment among Muslims who feel discriminated against.

The issue is sensitive in part because US presidential con- tender Donald Trump has called for a temporary ban on Muslims visiting the US due to concerns about extremist attacks.

Creasy’s office told The Associated Press Wednesday that she had written to Cameron seeking his intervention. She complained that US officials who kept the family from boarding provided no information and complained she had hit “a brick wall” seeking information about the case.

Creasy told the prime minister there is “growing fear” among British Muslims that aspects of Trump’s plans are coming into practice even though they have been widely condemned. January 2016 www.Asia Times . US PAGE 16 Mother Teresa to Be Sainted After 2nd Miracle Declared: Vatican ROME — Mother Teresa, who dedi- “The patient’s wife continuously sought the cated her life to helping India’s poor, will intercession of the Blessed Mother Teresa be made a saint in the Roman Catholic for her husband,” he said in a statement Church, the Vatican said. explaining the event.

She will likely be canonized in September The unidentified man was in a coma and to coincide with the 19th anniversary of about to undergo an emergency opera- her death and Pope Francis’ Holy Year of tion when a neurosurgeon “returned to Mercy, according to an Italian Catholic the operating room and found the patient newspaper report. inexplicably awake and without pain,” the statement said. The pontiff marked his 79th birthday on Thursday by approving a decree that the The patient made an immediate and nun had performed a second miracle 11 full recovery. Despite tests showing that years after her death, the Vatican con- prolonged drug treatment had made him firmed in a statement. sterile, he went on to have two children, Kolodiejchiuk said. She was beatified in 2003 as Blessed Teresa of Calcutta for healing an Indian woman’s Born Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu in Skopje, tumor through divine intervention, but Macedonia, Mother Teresa died on Sept. 5, full sainthood requires the declaration of 1997, aged 87. two miracles. Despite winning global acclaim for her life Her Missionaries of Charity helped the in helping the poor, some have criticized poor on the streets of the city, now known the health care provided by her mission as Kolkata. She won the Nobel Peace Prize and raised questions over her conservative in 1979. approach to contraception and medicine.

“We are all absolutely delighted about the Francis created six new saints in 2014 — news,” Sister Ita of the Missionaries of two Indians and four Italians — praising Charity told NBC News from its head- their “creative” commitment to helping the quarters in the center of the city. “We are poor. very happy to hear about the canoniza- tion and we look forward to hearing more When Mother Teresa is be canonized, no details in due course.” fewer than four countries will celebrate her as their own saint. She was born in what The miracle needed for her canonization is now the the Former Yugoslav Republic involved the curing of a man in Santos, of Macedonia, to ethnic Albanians from Brazil, with a serious viral brain infection, Kosovo, and she lived most of her life in according to Father Brian Kolodiejchiuk, India, where she died and was buried. national public holiday. statue of her. a Missionaries of Charity Father who worked closely with Mother Teresa for 20 Albania, which still claims her remains, Macedonia has opened a museum con- Kosovo, meanwhile, named the main years and spearheaded the cause of her named the airport, a square and a hos- taining relics and memories from her early street in its capital Pristina in her honor. sainthood. pital in the capital Tirana after her, has in Skopje, where she lived until she was made Oct. 19, the day she was beatified, a 18, and built a several-meters high bronze FBI arrests Pharma CEO Shkreli who hiked prices of HIV drugs New York: Martin Shkreli, a lightning rod headed. Management and CEO of biopharmaceu- for growing outrage over soaring prescrip- The securities fraud probe of Shkreli, who tical company Retrophin Inc, a person Ads by ZINC tion drug prices, was arrested by the FBI is now chief executive officer of Turing familiar with the matter said. on Thursday after a federal investigation Pharmaceuticals and KaloBios Phar- Turing sparked controversy earlier this involving his former hedge fund and a maceuticals Inc, stems from his time as Reuters witnessed the arrest at the Murray year after news reports that it had raised pharmaceutical company he previously manager of hedge fund MSMB Capital Hill Tower Apartments in midtown Man- the price of Daraprim, a 62-year-old treat- hattan. Law enforce- ment for a dangerous parasitic infection, ment including Federal to $750 a tablet from $13.50 after acquir- Bureau of Investigation ing it. agents could be seen escorting Shkreli, who Shkreli, 32, was expected to be charged was wearing a hoodie, on Thursday for illegally using Retrophin into a car. assets to pay off debts after MSMB lost millions of dollars, the source said. FBI spokeswoman Kelly Langmesser con- The probe, by federal prosecutors in firmed Shkreli’s arrest. Brooklyn, dates back to at least January Shares of KaloBios fell when Retrophin said it received a subpoe- about 50% to $11.75 na from prosecutors seeking information in premarket trading. about its relationship with Shkreli. Lawyers for Retrophin and Shkreli did not That subpoena also sought information immediately respond to about individuals or entities that had a request for comment. invested in funds previously managed by Turing and KaloBios Shkreli, Retrophin said in a regulatory declined to comment. filing. January 2016 www.Asia Times . US PAGE 17 Artist Hema Upadhyay murder: Prime suspect arrested, three others detained Lucknow/Mumbai: Mum- provided by the trio, the police officer said. “As per bai police detained a key police detained Sadhu, who our probe their bodies (in suspect from Varanasi in is suspected to have played boxes) were transported Uttar Pradesh in con- a key role in the murder of in a tempo from suburban nection with the double the artist and her lawyer, Juhu to Kandivali (W),” murder case of well-known police said. DCP (Detection) Dhanan- installation artist Hema jay Kulkarni said. Upadhyaya and her lawyer Three detained from Harish Bhambhani on Mumbai are in the busi- Police have also quizzed the basis of information ness of manufacturing and the driver of the vehicle provided by three already selling fibre glass, which who dumped the boxes under detention. was used by Hema and her in the drain thinking they estranged husband Chintan contained broken antiques. The suspect, identified as Upadhyaya, also an artist, Shivkumar Rajbhar alias for their installations, said The statement of the trans- Sadhu, was tracked down an officer privy to details of porter has been recorded, and detained by a Mumbai the probe. Those detained police said. their matrimonial home Anita, Bhambhani had left involving Hema, who was police team which had had known Chintan for the in Mumbai to harass her. his King Circle home in suspected to have been rushed to the temple town last few years. Earlier, the police had on Bhambani had represented Matunga to meet Hema at strangled with Bhambhani yesterday following inputs One among them had Saturday recorded the Hema in the case. around 6.30 pm on Friday. by the perpetrators of the that the culprits might have called up Hema on her statement of the watch- crime. fled to Uttar Pradesh. mobile phone before her man at Hema’s apartment According to police, Investigators said Bhamb- murder, police said. on Juhu Tara Road and Hema’s domestic help had hani met Hema at her art Additional Commissioner “We haven not arrested her domestic servant Lalit filed a missing complaint at studio in Andheri around of Police (North Region) but detained Shivkumar The bodies of Hema (43) Mandal. Santacruz police station on 8.30 PM on Friday be- Fatehsingh Patil claimed Rajbhar alias Sadhu in and Bhambhani (65), their Saturday after she did not fore talking to his wife his team was “very close” to Varanasi,” Mumbai Joint hands and feet tied with Hema’s husband Chintan, return home whole of Fri- on phone. Thereafter the cracking the case. Commissioner of Police ropes, were recovered who was in Delhi and ar- day. Bhambhani’s younger Bhambhani family could (Law and Order) Deven stuffed in cardboard boxes rived in the city yesterday, daughter Anita had also not establish any contact Police said Bhambhani’s Bharti said. from a drain in suburban was also questioned by the filed a similar complaint at with him despite calling car, in which he had left for Kandivali on Saturday fol- Crime Branch. The Baroda- Matunga police station the him several times. the meeting, is still to be Police had on Sunday lowing which police were born artist, who was locked same day. traced. detained Azad Rajbhar, called in. in bitter divorce proceed- Police suspect that an Pradeep Rajbhar and Vijay ings with her husband, Hema was last seen by the unidentified person known Rajbhar in Mumbai in con- Their body samples have had in 2013 filed a case watchman of her apart- to the duo had called the nection with the sensa- been sent for chemical against Chintan, alleging ment building at 11 am lawyer to give fresh evi- tional twin-murder. analysis and autopsy re- he painted obscene pictures on Friday. According to dence in a property dispute Based on information ports are awaited, a senior of women on the walls of Black holes could grow as large as 50 billion Suns: study London: Black holes at the heart of gal- super massive black holes at the centre prone to crumbling into stars. King cal- it falls in,” King said. axies could swell to 50 billion times the of galaxies, around which are regions of culated how big a black hole would have mass of the Sun before losing the discs space where gas settles into an orbiting to be for its outer edge to keep a disc “The mass limit means that this pro- of gas they rely on to sustain themselves, disc. from forming, coming up with the figure cedure should not turn up any masses according to a new study. of 50 billion solar masses. much bigger than those we know, This gas can lose energy and fall in- because there would not be a luminous Professor Andrew King from the Uni- wards, feeding the black hole. But these The study suggests that without a disc, disc,” he said. versity of Leicester in the UK explored discs are known to be unstable and the black hole would stop growing; meaning 50 bil- “Bigger black hole masses are in prin- lion Suns would ciple possible—for example, a hole near roughly be the the maximum mass could merge with upper limit. The another black hole, and the result would only way it could be bigger still. But no light would be get larger is if a produced in this merger, and the bigger star happened to merged black hole could not have a disc fall straight in or of gas that would make light,” said King. another black hole merged with it. “One might nevertheless detect it in other ways, for example as it bent light rays passing very close to it (gravitation- “The significance al lensing) or perhaps in future from the of this discovery is gravitational waves that Einstein’s Gen- that astronomers eral Theory of Relativity predicts would have found black be emitted as it merged,” he added. holes of almost the maximum mass, The study was published in the journal by observing the Monthly Notices Letters of the Royal huge amount of Astronomical Society. radiation given off by the gas disc as January 2016 www.Asia Times . US PAGE 18 Modi calls for end to terrorism, opens new Afghan parliament

Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for an end to cross path to this building and this hall”. border terrorism while inaugurating a new parliament The Indian prime minister said that Afghanistan’s success The Mi-25 choppers India is giving to Afghanistan were building in Afghanistan. would require the cooperation and support of each of its also mentioned in the statement, and both sides agreed Without naming Pakistan, Modi said in an address to the neighbours. to expand training opportunities for Afghan security parliament here: “Afghanistan will succeed only when ter- “And, all of us in the region – India, Pakistan, Iran and and defence forces. The two leaders pointed out that the rorism no longer flows across the border; when nurseries others – must unite, in trust and cooperation, behind this Mi-25 helicopters provided by the Indian government to and sanctuaries of terrorism are shut and their patrons are common purpose and in recognition of our common Afghanistan and their maintenance facility would address no longer in business. destiny,” he said. an important requirement. Modi also expressed the hope that Pakistan would “be- Modi also thanked Afghan authorities for ensuring the “Terror and violence cannot be the instrument to shape come a bridge between South Asia and Afghanistan and safety of the Indian embassy in Kabul, the four consulates Afghanistan’s future or dictate the choices Afghans make,” b e y o n d ”. in Jalalabad, Kandahar, Herat and Mazar-e-Sharif, and he said. Indian nationals in Afghanistan, including those working Modi reached Kabul in the wee hours of Friday while on Stating that nothing was more important for a nation than on various development projects. his way back from a two-day visit to Russia. its human resources, he announced 500 Indian scholar- Earlier, after Modi reached Kabul, Ghani tweeted: “India He, along with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, inaugu- ships for children of security personnel who have died. and Afghanistan enjoy a friendship that dates back to rated the new Afghan parliament building that has been A joint statement issued after a meeting between Modi antiquity. We have stood by each other in the best and constructed with Indian assistance of $90 million. One and Ghani said that Afghanistan needed to eliminate ter- worst of times.” block of the building has been named after former Indian rorism perpetrated from “sanctuaries and safe havens” for The two leaders had delegation-level discussions over prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. peace while identifying terrorism, narcotics and extrem- breakfast. “Bahut dhanyavaad India for giving us a new house of ism as “serious challenges”. After his address to Parliament, Modi met Afghanistan’s democracy. Its a testimony to our unyielding friendship,” “Strongly condemning the barbaric incidents of terrorism Chief Executive Officer Abdullah Abdullah and former Ghani stated in a tweet. in Afghanistan in recent months, the two leaders reiter- president Hamid Karzai. In his address, Modi said that there were “some who did ated that peace in Afghanistan required elimination of He also interacted with Indian aid workers in Afghani- not want us to be here”. terrorism perpetrated and supported from sanctuaries stan, personnel of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), “There were those who saw sinister designs in our and safe havens,” the statement said. and embassy officials. presence here. There are others who were uneasy at the Modi, meanwhile “reiterated India’s full support to Af- He left for Lahore where he will meet Pakistan Prime strength of our partnership. Some even tried to discour- ghanistan for strengthening its defensive capabilities for Minister Nawaz Sharif during a brief stopover. age us.” preserving Afghanistan’s unity and territorial integrity He said that “those waging war from outside must seek a and ensuring security”. January 2016 www.Asia Times . US PAGE 19 See if your vehicle is in re-call Your vehicle may be involved in a safety recall and may NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V740 NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V748 create a safety risk for you or your passengers. Safety Manufacturer : PACCAR Incorporated Manufacturer : Goshen Coach defects must be repaired by a dealer at no cost to you. Make / Model Years : PETERBILT / 2009-2016 Make / Model Years : GOSHEN / 2006-2015 However, if left unrepaired, a potential safety defect in Subject : Trucks can Exceed Speed Rating of Subject : Wheel Chair Lift Link Arm Pivot Holes your vehicle could lead to injury or even death. Read this Front Tires entire email to find out more and learn what you should NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V749 do next. NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V741 Manufacturer : Winnebago Industries, Inc Manufacturer : Forest River, Inc. Make / Model Years : WINNEBAGO / What is a recall? Make / Model Years : FOREST RIVER / 2010-2016 2008,2010,2012 When a manufacturer or the National Highway Traffic Subject : Incorrect Tire Size on Federal Placard/ Subject : Wheel Chair Lift Link Arm Pivot Holes Safety Administration (NHTSA) determines that a car or Part 567 item of motor vehicle equipment creates an unreasonable NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V752 risk to safety or fails to meet minimum safety standards, NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V742 Manufacturer : Newmar Corporation the manufacturer is required to fix that car or equipment Manufacturer : Forest River, Inc. Make / Model Years : NEWMAR / 2004-2008 at no cost to the consumer. That can be done by repairing Make / Model Years : COACHMEN / 2016 Subject : Engine Cooling Fan May Separate from it, replacing it, offering a refund (for equipment) or, in Subject : Parking Brake may not Function Prop- Fan Drive rare cases, repurchasing the car. erly NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V757 Manufacturer : Champion Bus, Inc. Make / Model Years : CHAMPION / 2006-2015 Subject : Wheel Chair Lift Link Arm Pivot Holes

NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V777 Manufacturer : Polaris Industries, Inc. Make / Model Years : POLARIS / 2015-2016 Subject : Headlights May Shut Off While Riding

NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V780 Manufacturer : Tesla Motors, Inc. Make / Model Years : TESLA / 2012-2015 Subject : Front Seat Belts may be Incorrectly Secured

NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V793 The following recall may apply to one or more of your ve- NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V744 Manufacturer : Ford Motor Company hicles if your vehicle is listed below. Click on the NHTSA Manufacturer : Maserati North America, Inc. Make / Model Years : FORD / 2010-2011 Campaign ID number below to read more about the Make / Model Years : MASERATI / 2016 MERCURY / 2010-2011 safety issue and the reason for the recall. Subject : Passenger Side Door Latch Not Heat Subject : Fuel Tank May Crack Treated To find out if your vehicle is included in the recall, use NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V797 our VIN Look-up Tool. NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V745 Manufacturer : Newmar Corporation Manufacturer : Thor Motor Coach Make / Model Years : NEWMAR / 2016 NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V729 Make / Model Years : DAMON / 2008-2012 Subject : Egress Window Not Installed Over Manufacturer : Mobility Works (WMK Inc.) FOUR WINDS / 2009-2011 DINETTE Make / Model Years : FORD / 2006-2014 THOR / 2011-2016 Subject : Wheel Chair Lift Link Arm Pivot Holes THOR MOTOR COACH / 2011-2016 NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V800 Subject : Electric Entry Steps may be Unstable Manufacturer : Chrysler (FCA US LLC) NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V738 Make / Model Years : DODGE / 2013-2014 Manufacturer : BMW of North America, LLC NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V746 Subject : Power Brake Booster Contamination Make / Model Years : BMW / 2013-2015 Manufacturer : Spartan Motors USA Subject : Brake Hose May Kink may cause Brake Make / Model Years : SPARTAN / 2014-2015 Fluid Leak Subject : Driveshaft may Disconnect What should I do if my vehicle is included in this recall? NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V739 NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V747 If your vehicle is included in this recall, it is very impor- Manufacturer : BMW of North America, LLC Manufacturer : Newmar Corporation tant that you get it fixed as soon as possible given the Make / Model Years : MINI / 2014-2015 Make / Model Years : NEWMAR / 2014-2016 potential danger to you and your passengers if it is not Subject : Replacement Passenger Seat Cushions/ Subject : Water Heater May Scald Operator addressed. You should receive a separate letter in the mail Air Bag Coding from the vehicle manufacturer, notifying you of the recall and explaining when the remedy will be available, whom to contact to repair your vehicle or equipment, and to remind you that the repair will be done at no charge to you. If you believe your vehicle is included in the recall, but you do not receive a letter in the mail from the vehicle manufacturer, please call NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 or contact your vehicle manufacturer or dealership.

Thank you for your attention to this important safety matter and for your commitment to helping save lives on America’s roadways.

Frank S. Borris II Director Office of Defects Investigation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration U.S. Department of Transportation January 2016 www.Asia Times . US PAGE 20 Actress Sadhna passed away One of the most prominent actresses of late 60’s and 70’s, Sadhana Shivdasani, popularly known as Sadhana, passed away today morning at Hinduja hospital. She was 74 years old. The actress was previously in news for suffering from a tumour last year. She reportedly had a small lesion in her mouth that was cancerous and underwent a successful surgery for the same. The cremation will take place from her Santacruz resi- dence.

Known for films like ‘Mera Saaya’, ‘Wo Kaun Thi’ and ‘Waqt’, the legendary actress made the fringe hairstyle, in- spired from Hollywood icon Audrey Hepburn, a popular look for a long time. Born in a Sindhi family in Karachi, British India, Sadhana was named after her father’s favourite actress-dancer Sadhana Bose. Her father was the brother of actor Hari Shivdasani, father of actress Babita. The family fled from Karachi during the post-Partition riots and settled in Mumbai.

Sadhana aspired to be an actress since childhood. Her father helped her enter films. In 1955 she played a chorus girl in the song ‘Mur mur ke na dekh mur mur ke’ in Raj Kapoor’s ‘Shree 420’. When she was 15 years old, she was in which she had a supporting role, she asked the film’s familiar to the public. One shouldn’t see them too often. approached by some producers who had seen her act in star, Sheila Ramani for an autograph. Ramani scribbled, The charisma grows in that way, and that’s what’s called a college play. They cast her in India’s first Sindhi film “One day, I’ll come and ask you for your autograph.” star-power.” titled Abaana (1958), where she played the role of Sheila Sadhana had health issues due to her thyroid, which she She retired from acting in late 70’s as she did not want to Ramani’s younger sister. got treated at a hospital in Boston. After returning from be cast as a side-actress or do character roles. Later, she Known for her expressive and captivating eyes and strong the US, she starred in the successful movies ‘Intaquam’, and her husband formed a production company. She also acting, Sadhana played her remarkable double role in ‘Ek Phool Do Mali’, and ‘Geeta Mera Naam’, which she directed a movie starring Dimple Kapadia in 1989. the first of the suspense-thriller trilogy, Woh Kaun Thi?. also directed. The cremation will take place tomorrow from her Santa- This white-sari-clad performance opposite Manoj Kumar The actress kept a low profile all her life. She always cruz residence. earned her first Filmfare nomination as Best Actress. believed that an artiste should maintain a certain mys- With Sadhana, an era of Bollywood comes to an end. On the set of her first film, the Sindhi film ‘Abana’ (1958), tique. According to her, “ An artist shouldn’t become too A number of veteran Bollywood stars were photographed drop- ping by her residence to pay the family their condolences. One of them included long time friend, actress Waheeda Rehman.

Speaking of Sadhana’s sudden passing, she said, “She spoke to me two days ago. I had just seen ‘Bajirao Mastani’ and she wanted to know all the details. And now she’s gone. She’s the second dear friend I’ve lost this year after Nanda. And the strangest thing is, Nanda passed away on 25 March. Sadhana too died on the 25th. That is scary. I guess one goes when one has to.”

Waheeda added, “Sad- hana was a very dear friend. Like Nanda, Sadhana was a recluse. We could speak our minds and hearts to each other without fear. She was a fighter and spent most of her life strug- gling against odds. only did one film together. We shared a friendship far removed from the Waheeda at the residence of late Sadhana to pay her last respects profession. I will miss h e r.” January 2016 www.Asia Times . US PAGE 21 January 2016 www.Asia Times . US PAGE 22 Ban affected Dilwale’s collection, not ‘Bajirao Mastani’: Rohit Shetty

Director Rohit Shetty feels the initial ban on his latest come of “misunderstanding” and if dealt with patience the film,” he said. film “Dilwale”, starring Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol in the things can be settled out easily. “Bans do harm the busi- lead, has affected the opening collection of the action- ness, but when you go and talk to the people opposing the Brining back the iconic pair of SRK-Kajol after five years comedy. The 41-year-old director said he was always pre- film, it all gets sorted. I have come to the conclusion that can look like a tough task, but Rohit said it was a cake pared for the face off with Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s “Bajirao all this happens due to misunderstanding. And the issue walk as the “Fanna” actress gave quick nod to the film. Mastani”. easily gets resolved if you go and talk to them nicely,” he “Bringing Shah Rukh and Kajol together was not planned. said. “Dilwale”, released last Friday, stars Varun Dhawan, I narrated the script to Shah Rukh, he heard the character “We all were aware that ‘Dilwale’ and ‘Bajirao Mastani’ are Kriti Sanon, Johnny Lever, Varun Sharma among others I had written for the girl and suggested why not take Kajol coming together, so, I was prepared for that competition in prominent roles. as it is an important role. Then we narrated the script and and the harm we will give each other. But I think what the moment it got over she promptly said yes. It was very affected the Friday and Saturday collections were the ban The film has bagged thunderous response overseas and easy to bring her on board,” he said. in Rajasthan and MP. Almost 40 per cent of the theaters that has left Rohit surprised. “With ‘Star Wars’ releasing Rohit, who had been away from the promotions, said were not showing the film and we resumed on Sunday at the same time this kind of response overseas is great. he was busy in the post production of the movie till a morning... It’s all mathematics, how many theaters we are I never really thought this kind of response will come week before its release. “I was busy finishing the film. We running in we will get the collections according to that,” from international circuit as I always knew ‘Star Wars’ was have completed the film n five months. June 21st the film Rohit told PTI. coming. I think Shah Rukh is very popular overseas or started. We were shooting and editing and working round The “Chennai Express” helmer thinks bans are the out- may be the SRK-Kajol chemistry is working in favour of the clock and were able to finish the film on Saturday for Friday release. I said I am not coming anywhere otherwise the film will not re l e a s e .”

Rohit is also planning to watch “Bajirao Mastani” as soon as he gets free from his own film. “Currently I am busy with ‘Dilwale’ only, once I am through with it will definitely see the film sometime early next year. I have heard great things about Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh. They are friends and will surely see the film.” January 2016 www.Asia Times . US PAGE 23 Dilip Kumar receives Padma Vibhushan

Ailing legendary actor Dilip Kumar, State Governor C Vidyasagar Rao, Chief Saira said, “Even known as the “tragedy king of Bol- Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Mumbai when Dilip ji lywood”, turned emotional today (De- BJP chief Ashish Shelar were also present used to give a cember 13) when he was presented with at the occasion. shot, he used to Padma Vibhushan by Union Home When asked about Kumar’s reaction at re- keep quiet while Minister Rajnath Singh at his residence in ceiving the award, Saira later told report- others used to suburban Bandra for his contribution to ers that, “He has always been quiet about praise him. We, Hindi cinema spanning over six decades. himself. He is happy, he smiled and there as his co-stars, were tears in his eyes. He is an emotional used to expect Health did not allow me to travel to Delhi and sensitive person. For him material that he would to receive the award from the President. things do not matter. He is a simple man, praise us for a Tearful moment when the award was in down to earth.” shot, but he used my hands. How happy and proud my While Saira feels proud of the honour to just say ‘good’ family was. Indeed Allah’s mercy and bestowed her on husband, she says the and nothing blessing. biggest award is the love of audience. else. Every artist “I am very proud with the honour that improves his The 93-year-old veteran, who shot to the government has given him. I was craft of acting fame with “Naya Daur”, “Jugnu”, “Andaz” emotional. I am the proudest wife. Apart by working with wishers sending him flowers and gifts. and “Devdas” and went on to give sterling from the award people always love and him,” she said. “Mr Amitabh Bachchan had sent flow- performances in over 60 Hindi films, was respect him, that matters the most. This is “I have never seen him praising him- ers and a note on his birthday. He is a given the second-highest civilian award the biggest award,” she said. self or talk ill about anyone. I try to do great admirer of him, he wishes long and comprising a medal, certificate and shawl She also appreciated the gesture of Home mischief with him…by talking ill about healthy life for him,” she added. in the presence of the actor’s 71-year-old Minister, Maharashtra Governor and someone, but he would rather say good Bachchan told reporters here, “I have wife Saira Bano. Chief Minister to come to their residence things about the person,” she said. been a huge fan of Dilip Kumar since Kumar, in a black suit, could barely open to present the award. The Government of India honoured him many years. It’s a very proud, happy mo- his eyes and was helped by Saira when the The announcement to honour Bollywood with the Padma Bhushan award in 1991, ment for all of us… When the history of national honour was conferred on him. veterans Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1994 and Indian cinema will be written, it will be He felt happy and got emotional at the a few others with the prestigious Padma the Padma Vibhushan earlier this year, for before Dilip sahab and after Dilip sahab.” recognition, Saira said. Vibhushan award was made by the gov- his exceptional and distinguished contri- Born as Muhammad Yousuf Khan in After presenting the award to the actor, ernment on the eve of Republic Day on bution to the Indian cinema. Peshawar(Pakistan). Kumar made his Singh said, “The Prime Minister asked January 25, 2015. However, the actor is yet to receive the debut as an actor in the film “Jwar Bhata” me to go and personally present him with However, Kumar, due to ill-health, could Bharat Ratna. To this, Saira said, “These produced by Bombay Talkies in 1944 . the Padma Vibhushan Award in Mumbai. not attend the special function held at awards are welcome, but are material- He starred in films of a variety of genres When Padma Vibhushan was presented the Rashtrapati Bhavan in April when istic things. He has never expressed his such as the swashbuckling “Aan” (1952), in Delhi, Dilip ji couldn’t make it due to other Padma awardees were honoured by desire to get so and so award. But the love the comical “Azaad” (1955), the historical health concerns.” President Pranab Mukherjee. is what matters. I think cinema will be “Mughal-e-Azam” (1960) and the social “Dilip Kumar ji has contributed a lot to “It was kind of Rajnath ji to come here written as before and after Dilip Kumar. “Ganga Jamuna” (1961). film industry. Considering that, we’ve personally and honour him. He could Acting should be such that it shouldn’t He also did films like “Ram Aur Shyam” presented him with Padma Vibhushan,” have sent anyone, but he came. When this look like one is acting. He is a master in (1967), “Kranti” (1981), “Shakti” (1982), the Home Minister said. function happened Kumar was not well. acting.” “Karma” (1986) and “Saudagar” (1991) Veteran actor Dilip Kumar conferred with We couldn’t go there. It’s a great honour,” On December 11, Kumar celebrated his and others. His last film was “Qila” Padma Vibhushan, see pics Saira said. 93rd birthday with several of his well (1998). January 2016 www.Asia Times . US PAGE 24 Sher-e-Mysore by M.A. Waheed

“It is far better to live like the British forces at bay for has it that Tipu was hunt- a lion for a day then to live a long time. His passion ing with a French friend like a jackal for a hundred for freedom from colonial when he came face to face years” said a bold, brave rule is a well documented with a tiger……..the tiger and brilliant son of Mysore stanza of India’s playbook pounced on him. His gun in India known as Tipu on emancipation. Eminent failed to work but he killed Sultan. Girish Karnad historians have recognized the tiger with his dagger a noted stage and film Tipu Sultan as an enlight- thus earning the title of, authority hailing from the ened ruler in war and “the Tiger of Mysore”. Em- same State as Tipu Sultan peace. He always led from phasizing the importance recently opined that if the front and any number of communication and Tipu Sultan was a Hindu, of his bravery anecdotes connections, he introduced he would have bestowed generously inflate and infu- the postal runners. He the same aura and mantle riate tempers even to this pioneered road building. as Shivaji in Maharash- day. As a Muslim king in a Constructed a dam over tra. Born on November majority Hindu state, Tipu Cauvery, developed agri- 20, 1750 in Devanahalli practiced communal unity. culture, established trade (present day Bengaluru), Only 10 percent of his of- routes overseas, supported Tipu hailed as “The Tiger ficials were Muslim and the horticulture, nurtured of Mysore” will always rest were from the Hindu sandalwood, collected and be remembered as one of majority. His currency car- treasured arts and crafts. the most powerful rulers ried images of Hindu gods, The personal sword of Tipu India ever had. Fascinated like Shiva, Parvati, Sharada Sultan was bought back by Tipu’s heroics in my and Krishna. He popular- from British collectors by high school history class, ized “tiger” as the motif of Vijay Mallya the indus- I undertook a visit to his his kingdom aligning the trialist from Tipu’s state. summer palace in Sriran- mascot to goddess Durga. Another showman Sajay gapatnam. An amazing Khan from Tipu’s state scholar and a remarkably There have been very few launched a magnificient ambitious king his hero- examples of a soldier and TV serial based on Tipu. I ics are written all over the scholar in one person. Tipu had the good fortune of in- kingdom. As in life and is known to excel with teracting with Sanjay Khan after death, Tipu is draped both qualities of brain and while I worked with Lintas in viewpoints that converge brawn. Dignity, compas- the ad agency in Bombay and diverge depending sion and humanity are on marketing of the serial, on one’s political prism or traits documented by histo- “The sword of Tipu”. mental prison. Collaborat- rians in subjective frames. ing with the French, Tipu As a leading international While there were rumours the actor from starring in fought valiantly against magazine once mentioned, of filmstar Rajinikanth, this role. Trumping against M.A. Waheed is a freelance the British rule and was “one man’s terrorist is doing Tipu’s role in a a a secular philosophy is a journalist based in Upstate a thorn in their imperial another man’s freedom biopic, Hindu Munani fashionable statement in NY and can be reached at advances. Using rockets fighter”………so is the case leader Rama Gopalan has today’s politics……..and [email protected]. and naval power he kept with Tipu Sultan. Legend expressed his request to this disease plagues the East and the West. The Saffron Rainbow by M.A. Waheed When did you last see a rainbow? Radiant, of visa denials the Prime Minister, now the intolerance issue, Salman Khan says, ing to be tapped by eager multination- multicolor, glowing, pleasing, soothing, equipped with a “passport on steroids” is “We are all humans and we should live in als. Will they come to a country plagued sending a wave of happiness, ripples in away from his corporate headquarters ful- harmony.” He further adds, my mother by social ills and impractical political your heart. Enthused, you did call your filling a mission of a traveling salesman’s is Susheela Charak and father is Salim wills”. Dialogue, dissent and dreams are beloved to share this visionary experi- aspirations adopting “mounrat” on critical Khan. I am reminded of my own experi- indispensable ingredients for a healthy ence, a Naani ‘s heart flapped and she issues affecting a common man’s life. No ence during the Bombay riots in the 80’s, nation. Reserve Bank of India Governor calls her nawasis to bask in this glorious deedar on Dadri. Conducting a “Diversity while I was working with that secular and Raghuram Rajan has called for “tolerance sight. Onlookers dyed their worries in this Workshop” at NYU recently, I was boast- creative genius Alyque Padamsee at Lintas and mutual respect”. He reiterated that In- bliss for a few seconds and morphed into ing our practice of the art and science we published an ad in all languages with dia would be “crazy to lose” its biggest ad- a flashback of their naadaan-bachpan. of multiculturalism in India. Centuries headline, “Mazhab Nahin Sikhaata Aapas vantage and emphasized the “need to keep Fast-forward to the horizon in today’s of amalgamation and assimilation are a mein bair rakhna……..accompanied by a an open society” and “resist all attempts Bharat…….is the rainbow dissolving into tribute to our social fabric. Languages, faithful colleague from the Hindu com- at closing it down”. Thought leaders and a single color, may be saffron? The cultural customs, religions, complexions, cuisines munity, I roamed curfew ridden lanes the community must work together for a divide, the distorted lens on political cam- have flourished in the deserts and dunes of interacting with Gautam Rajadhyksha and legacy that we will be proud to leave and eras, quotations from a singular text book India. Now the irony is,” if you are not my Balwant Tandon to get this communica- the millenials will be happy to inherit. now converge on an illogical showcase of clone, then you are not my own”. tion executed. The evil communal snake Should we not help create a “hub of happi- “intolerance”. In some quarters it has become fashion- constantly raises its head again and again! ness” for our children, grandchildren and Scientists, writers, actors, sportsmen are in able to question the patriotism of our Just imagine a cricket team of eleven bowl- great grandchildren. Every citizen in the a social turmoil desperately extinguishing people. Is Prachi a super-judge to brand ers only, then who would score runs? Who country or an overseas citizen is a stake- flames of hostility, wasting their talents in Sharukh Khan as an agent of Pakistan and would field? And most importantly does holder in India and deserves a dividend of the domains of futility. Having ascended banish him to the other side of the border? such a team stand even a slim chance of happiness by birth in India. the Delhi throne with a massive man- Such unpatriotic sentiments pollute and winning a single game. We need to har- Let us then see a rainbow of happiness in date and high expectations of inserting corrupt our creativity and sanity. Ghulam ness the multi-talents of our society and all its colors. “change” the ruling party has lost its GPS Ali recently echoed on the ban to perform make a winning nation, before we “make M.A. Waheed is a freelance journalist wandering in the lanes and by-lanes of in Mumbai as, “aise haalat se awam ka in India”. There is a $13 trillion middle based in Upstate NY and can be reached at rituals, rites and restraints. After years soor badal jaata hai”. When quizzed on class market potential in rural India wait- [email protected]. January 2016 www.Asia Times . US PAGE 25 On the lighter side.... One day, a cowboy rode into a Wild, Wild same store on noise to scare it away”. Jack says “that won’t West town. The people in the town love to three successive “I don’t work, we need to play dead”. They both ask play jokes on visitors. After tying his horse nights?” ”Yes, know.... I don’t Gary “what do we do?” There is no reply. to the pole outside a bar, the cowboy went your honor.” see a bridge, Turning around they see Gary far down in. “A cup of milk please.” he said to the and their aint the trail behind them. bartender. After drinking, he went out, “And why was no boat, and I only to find his horse missing. Knowing that?” “Because don’t swim to ------that the villagers did it, he went back into my wife wanted well” the bar and said to everybody,” I am going a dress.” A businessman dragged himself home to have another drink and when I finish Guy number and barely made it to his chair before he it, I want to see my horse outside! Or else, The judge check one picks up dropped exhausted. I will have to do what I did in Texas - with his records, his flashlight, HERE!” The people were very frightened. “But it says here you broke in three nights turns it on, and replies, “ Why don’t you His sympathetic wife was right there with When he finished his drink, he went out- in a row!” walk across this here beam off light?” a tall cool drink and a comforting word. side and saw his horse. The villagers had “My, you look tired,” she said. “You must put it back. Curious, the bartender asked “Yes sir. She made me exchange it two Guy number two was outraged and replied have had a hard day today. What hap- the cowboy,” What did you do in Texas?” times.” “do you think am stupid? When I get half pened to make you so exhausted?” ------way you’ll turn it off!!!” The Cowboy replied,” Well, I had to walk “It was terrible,” her husband said. “The home Little Johnny’s kindergarten class was on a ------computer broke down and all of us had to ------field trip to their local police station where do our own thinking.” they saw pictures tacked to a bulletin The factory foreman inspected the ship- Teacher to a student: “Can you think of a board of the 10 most wanted criminals. ment of crystal vases leaving the plant, and ------solution to end unemployment?” One of the youngsters pointed to a picture approached his new packer. He put his A city slicker moves to the country and and asked if it really was the photo of a arm around the man’s shoulder and said, decides he’s going to take up farming. “Yes, sir! I’d put all the men on one island wanted person. ‘Yes,’ said the policeman. and the women on another.” ‘The detectives want very badly to capture “Well, Ole, I see you did what I asked. He heads to the local co-op and tells the him. Stamped the top of each box, ‘This Side man, “Give me a hundred baby chickens.” “And what would they be doing then?” Up, ‘Little Johnny asked, ‘Why didn’t you keep The co-op man complies. A week later “Building boats!” him when you took his picture?’ Handle With Care.’” the man returns and says, “Give me two ------hundred baby chickens.” The co-op man ------“Yes sir,” the worker replied. “And just to complies. A man is complaining to a friend: “I had make sure, I stamped it on the bottom it all, money, a beautiful house, a nice car, Two guys were fishing down by the Ohio t o o.” Again, a week later the man returns. This a great motorcycle, the love of a beautiful River on different sides of the riverbank time he says, “Give me five-hundred baby woman. Then it was all gone!” at night. Guy number one was catching a ------chickens.” “Wow! The co-op man replies whole bunch of fish for his family, but guy “You must really be doing well!” “What happened?” asks the friend. number two hadn’t caught any and was Mike, Jack, and Gary go for a hike in the frustrated and called out to guy number woods. They are out about an hour enjoy- “Naw,” said the man with a sigh. “I’m “My wife found out!” replied the man. one “How come you’ve been catching all ing the sights when they come around a either planting them too deep or too far them there fish and I ain’t caught a single sharp bend in the trail and spot a bear just apart!” ------one?” in front of them feeding off some vegeta- tion next to the trail. The bear lets out a The judge frowned at the tired robber and Guy number one replied, “ I don’t know.... menacing growl when it notices the hikers. ------said, “then you admit breaking into the why don’t ya come on over here?” Mike says “jump up and down, make some

Ali Baba Market And Restaurant Full line of Middle Eastern Food & Grocery Fresh Meat and vegetables 2562 45th St. Highland, IN 46322

Priyanka Chopra, has been signed on as brand ambassador for a leading toothpaste brand. The actress who usually charges Phone: 219-924-3660 1 crore for brand endorsements, has cut down her fee to 75 lakhs, to bag this endorsement. January 2016 www.Asia Times . US PAGE 26 Khomeini grandson registers for Iran Assembly election A grandson of Iran’s Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini registered for February’s elec- tion of the Assembly of Experts, the cleri- cal body that chooses the supreme leader, state broadcaster IRIB reported.

Hassan Khomeini, 43, a politically mod- erate cleric, will be the first member of the family of Iran’s revolutionary founder to test his popularity at the ballot box.

In a conditional endorsement of the move, incumbent Supreme Leader Aya- tollah Ali Khamenei told Khomeini last week he should be careful not to bring his grandfather’s name into disrepute, a source close to Khomeini said.

Hardliners close to Khamenei have voiced concerns about Hassan Khomei- ni’s candidacy, warning of the risk of a reformist alliance emerging at the top of Iran’s political establishment.

› Iran’s military chief attacks idea of council to replace supreme leader Khomeini is close to centrist President like-minded politicians win a majority in the assem- its members are only elected every eight years. Hassan Rouhani, whose popularity has risen since bly and in a parliamentary election that will be held his government struck a deal on Iran’s nuclear pro- on the same day. (Reporting by Bozorgmehr Sharafedin; Editing by gram with world powers in July. Yara Bayoumy and John Stonestreet) Khamenei is 76, so the new assembly is expected to Rouhani is hoping to cash in on that support to help play a significant role in choosing his successor since