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Vol.5 No. 49 March 30-April 5, 2013 60 Cents New York Edition Follow us on TheSouthAsianTimes.info Summit delivers a BRICS Holi celebrated with development bank fun, frolic in India By Arvind Padmanabhan Indian Americans too enjoy Holi events, which will Durban: In a clear signal of their ascendance in the continue for couple of weeks more. geopolitical space, the lead- ers of Brazil, Russia, India, China and Wednesday gave their go- ahead to a BRICS bank, rivaling the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), to address the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other BRICS development challenges of leaders during the summit in South Africa. Continued on page 4 (Full story on page 34) North Korea ratifies plan for rocket

strike on US and S. Korea Film luminaries Shabana Azmi and Javed BJP stalwart L.K. Advani and Kamla Advani Akhtar doused in the Holi spirit celebrating Holi at their home. Pyongyang: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has rati- fied a strike plan by the Strategic Rocket Force as US B-2 stealth bombers flew over the Korean Peninsula, the KCNA news agency reported Friday. "The time has come to set- tle accounts with the US imperialists in view of the prevailing situation," Xinhua quoted Kim Jong Un as say- ing after an urgent meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong Un with the army generals. Continued on page 4 Holi in Beawer, Rajasthan, is a different hue altogether.

New Delhi/New York: The festival of colours 'Holi Mubarak'. Holi was celebrated Wednesday across India Many visited temples and prayed to Lord Sri Sri’s non-violence movement to launch in NYC with enthusiasm and bonhomie. In the nation- . al capital, revelers were soaked in a riot of In Mumbai, the city and suburbs erupted in New York: To counteract all the violence we colors as they smeared 'gulal' (colored pow- colors as thousands poured out of their houses have witnessed in the US recently, Sri Sri der) on each other, distributed sweets and and building complexes since morning to play Ravi Shankar has launched ‘: danced to loud music. Rang Panchami (Holi). No Higher Calling’ movement. After events While youngsters armed with 'pichkaris' Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, Mumbai on the West Coast and Chicago, the rave and (water guns) and balloons filled with colored Police and film and television stars urged peo- wave powered by the Art of Living water sprayed each other as well as passersby, ple to play a safe Holi. Foundation comes to New York on March 30 elders preferred to smear one another with In the tristate area, most big Holi events are afternoon when Sri Sri will launch it at the gulal as they hugged each other and wished this weekend. (see event listings on page 22). Dag Hammarskjold Plaza (47th St and 2nd Ave). “Nonviolence: No Higher Calling seeks to Sri Sri Ravi Shankar at the NonVio Entering the pulsating pulse of life Continued on page 4 event in Los Angeles early this week. Special Holi section pages 12-29.

Diplomacy 7 Health 30 Fashion 35 Spiritual Awareness 38 excellence in journalism TheSouthAsianTimes.info March 30-April 5, 2013 TheSouthAsianTimes.info TRISTATE COMMUNITY March 30-April 5, 2013 3 Rajaratnam's brother pleads not guilty Protesters march against Wharton snub to Modi

Washington, DC: About 200 Indian- to insider trading charges in US court Americans marched in protest against the controversial withdrawal of an invitation New York: Rengan Rajaratnam, younger to Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi brother of jailed hedgefund manager Raj to speak at the Wharton India Economic Rajaratnam on Monday pleaded not guilty Forum. before a New York court to charges of con- Marching under the banner of a group spiring in an insider trading scheme to called Americans for Free Speech, they cheat on Wall Street and earn nearly $1.2 chanted: "We want Modi!" as the Forum million illegally. held its conference Saturday afternoon at Rengam Rajaratnam, 42 was produced the University of Pennsylvania Museum before the court a day after his arrest at the of Archaeology and Anthropology in John F Kennedy Airport on arrival from Philadelphia. Brazil. The march, followed by a series of 200 protestors from across the US gathered for the march Rajaratnam, was indicted last week by Rengan Rajaratnam speeches from guest speakers, was held the Federal Bureau of Investigation and US The indictments alleged that Rajaratnam across the street from the conference to the event, was quoted as saying. Securities and Exchange Commission conspired with his brother, Galleon founder which members of the press were denied Protesters held up signs that read "First (SEC) on charges of insider trading. Raj Rajaratnam, to trade on the basis of entrance, the Daily Pennsylvanian they came for the Hindus", "End A former portfolio manager at the hedge material, non-public information concern- reported. McCarthyism against Hindus", and "Stop fund management firm Galleon Group ing Clearwire Corp and Advanced Micro About 200 protesters from across the Academic Jihad", among others. Rengan Rajaratnam, voluntarily surren- Devices Inc (AMD) in 2008, earning nearly US gathered for the march with two buses One organizer shouted to the crowd that dered after returning from Brazil on $1.2 million in profits in the aggregate. from New Jersey and one from Queens, the march was as important as that of Sunday to clear his name, said his lawyer. In a separate complaint, SEC alleged that New York bringing people to the protest. Mahatma and Martin Luther "After reading about his indictment, Mr from 2006 to 2008, Rengan Rajaratnam During the march, a sign was posted King, Jr, the newspaper reported. Rajaratnam immediately volunteered to repeatedly received inside information outside the conference hall by the protest- People on stilts and a jazz band marched return from Brazil, where he had been liv- from his brother and reaped more than $3 ers that read: "In memory of Free Speech with the protesters to "push the excite- ing and working for the past year, in order million in illicit gains for himself and 1776-2013. Killed at Wharton by the ment", said musician Devon Taylor. to defend himself," the attorneys, David hedge funds that he managed at Galleon English Department." Bystanders watched as the crowd of pro- Tobin and Vinoo Varghese, said in the and Sedna Capital Management, a hedge The march is "carrying the funeral of testers slowly moved their way to statement. fund advisory firm that he co-founded. free speech", Narain Kataria, a speaker at Franklin Field. US lawmakers want hate crimes First UN International Day of Happiness celebrated Audio book of spiritual guru Sri Chinmoy against Sikhs, Hindus tracked released on the occasion quarters here on the eve of the first less truths full of encouragement, love Washington, DC: Over 100 member These included massacre at the Sikh UN International Day of Happiness. and goodness," Nobel Peace Laureate, of the US House of Representatives temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin and The Audio Book "The Jewels of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, said in a have asked the Federal Bureau of the murder of Hindu Senando Sen on Happiness" contains chapters read by video message. A special message Investigation (FBI) to track hate the New York City subway along with Nobel Peace Laureate Archbishop from peace activist Ela Gandhi, grand- crimes against Sikhs, Hindus, and attacks across the US - underscore the Desmond Tutu, singer Roberta Flack, daughter of , and for- Arab-Americans as it does for other severity of the issue. Olympic champion Carl Lewis, musi- mer Member of Parliament in South communities. In fact, according to community sur- cian Michael Walden, actress Judith Africa, was also read out. The call came in a letter to FBI veys in New York City and the San Light and musician Boris The audio book is available on Advisory Policy Board signed among Francisco Bay Area, approximately 10 Grebenshikov. iTunes and audible.com and its pro- others by Joe Crowley, vice chair of percent of Sikh-Americans felt they The event was opened by Anwarul ceeds will go to charities for children the Democratic caucus, Ami Bera, the had already been a victim of a hate Sri Chinmoy Chowdhury, Special Advisor and worldwide: lone Indian American member of the crime. United Nations: An audio book con- Ambassador of Bangladesh to the Childrens Fund, Philani Nutrition and House and Tulsi Gabbard, the first Attacks on persons or property in taining poems and prose by Indian United Nations for many years. Development Project in South Africa Hindu American in the Congress. Michigan and elsewhere add urgency spiritual guru Sri Chinmoy was "These sweet gems of wisdom by and Mother Teresa's Missionaries of The board is expected to meet soon to these concerns, the lawmakers said. released at the United Nations head- my dear friend Sri Chinmoy are time- Charity. to review whether these categories The move is backed by the should be added to hate crimes forms American Jewish Committee, Anti- used by the FBI and department of Defamation League, Hindu American Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan to perform at Nassau Coliseum justice. "These groups have all too Foundation, Indian American Forum often been the victim of violent and for Political Education, Sikh New York, NY: The Grand Finale Mega Concert of Ustad America and the Caribbean. Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan will deadly attacks, and many are targeted Coalition, and South Asian Americans Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s 2013 World Tour will be held at commemorate 100 years of Bollywood for this one night with violence for reasons attackers Leading Together (SAALT) among Nassau Coliseum, Long Island, NY on Saturday, June 15th. “Mega Event” and also celebrate his contribution to chillingly claim are related to hatred," other leading national organizations Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan is the glorious voice behind hit Bollywood for the past10 years. He will be performing many the lawmakers said. Thanking the lawmakers, the Sikh songs such as ‘Tere Mast Mast Do Nain’, ‘Sajda’, ‘Dil To of his famous hits at the Grand Finale concert in New York. "Unfortunately, anecdotal and non- Coalition said: "We believe that accu- Baccha Hai’, ‘Teri Ore’ and many others. Ustad Rahat Fateh The production along with the performance of the maestro government data indicate that the rately tracking these crimes will Ali Khan is the nephew of the legendary Ustad Nusrat Fateh will be something which the audiences have never experi- commission of hate crimes against strengthen diagnostic and deterrence Ali Khan and mentored under him since birth. enced before globally. Sikhs, Hindus and Arab-Americans efforts and help law enforcement offi- Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s 2013 North America tour “This is going to be one of the largest concerts of a solo has become a deadly problem," they cials proactively address these chal- commences in Dallas on April 19 and will have the grand artist with an Indian/Pakistani background that has been ever said citing several cases. lenges." finale in New York after performing throughout North held in New York. 4 March 30-April 5, 2013 TURN PAGE TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Durban Summit delivera BRICS Letter to the Editor development Bank story 'I am Malala' to fetch Continued from page 1 poor and emerging economies. Prohibitive cost of calling India The leaders, who met for the 5th BRICS Summit here -- where the Indian delegation decade ago, the weekend on – Allvoi, Unovon, Ooma, to was led by Prime Minister Manmohan would be a virtual get name a few. It certainly was truly Pak teen £2m Singh -- also endorsed a $100-billion con- Atogether because Indians UNLIMITED calling. tingency reserve arrangement that will be would call their family and Today it seems we are again deployed when any of the five member- friends from the US and speak to looking at the dark pre-2006 era. London: The life story nations faces a crisis. everybody at home. This would With all the telecom carriers of a 15-year Pakistani happen only once a week -- increasing call rates to India by a girl who was shot by North Korea story because the calling rates were whopping 150% in March, every the Taliban will be pub- Continued from page 1 exorbitant. Later, the rates VoIP provider of services would lished later this year, in with top military officials early Friday. dropped and then came the VoIP be forced to increase their month- a deal reported to be He ratified a plan of the Strategic Rocket technology. Vonage was the first ly charges and offload this burden worth around £2m. Force for firepower strike on the US and to offer unlimited calling to India to their valuable customers. "I am Malala" will be South Korea if they "make a reckless provo- and other countries. Indians in the This would be felt by the entire published in the cation", said the KCNA. US rushed to sign up. Indian community when they see autumn and will tell the Kim said the latest US move is "not a sim- The rates were low and every- their monstrous bills in about a story of Malala ple demonstration of forces" but "an ultima- body was calling home -- even month’s time. Else the VoIP Yousafzai, who was Malala Yousafzai tum that will ignite a nuclear war at any cost the lady who joined her husband would have to force the customer shot by Taliban gunmen on the Korean Peninsula". here after marriage would call up to limit their calling, thereby after she became an world, is the latest stage of Two B-2 Spirit bombers were sent to the her parents and talk for hours bringing an end to the era of advocate for woman's educa- Yousafzai's public life which Korean Peninsula Thursday for a firing drill about the lack of domestic help to “Unlimited Calling”. tion in the Swat Valley. She almost ended in tragedy. but US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel the tattooed couple next door who now attends a school in Yousafzai began writing a denied that flying the bombers to the penin- were not married but had kids. Karan Thapar Birmingham. blog on the BBC Urdu serv- sula would aggravate the situation in the Others jumped on the bandwag- Collings Lakes, NJ Yousafzai said: "I hope this ice under a pseudonym about region. book will reach people life in the Swat Valley in Tensions have been running high on the around the world, so they 2009. The Taliban were Korean Peninsula since North Korea con- realize how difficult it is for expanding their influence and ducted its third nuclear test Feb 12 as a some children to get access to at times banned girls from countermeasure against the joint military education. going to school and the drills of the US and South Korea. "I want to tell my story, but Pakistani army fought to re- North Korea also threatened to launch a it will also be the story of establish control. pre-emptive nuclear strike for self-defense 61m children who can't get In October last year, gun- and unilaterally nullified the 1953 armistice education. I want it to be part men boarded her school bus that suspended the Korean War. of the campaign to give every and shot her in the head. boy and girl the right to go to Yousafzai was flown to Sri Sri non violance movement story school. It is their basic right." England where she was treat- Continued from page 1 The book, which will be ed. Last month she had an make the voice of nonviolence louder than published by Weidenfeld & operation to rebuild her skull violence; for every acts of violence we com- Nicholson in the UK and and restore her hearing. mit to 100 acts of nonviolence. Together we Commonwealth and by Little, Earlier this month Yousafzai will reach one billion acts of nonviolence! Brown in the rest of the went back to school. By re-glorifying non-violence and re-instill- ing our pride in peace, we can address vio- lence in our communities, our homes, our (Left) The Hindu Temple of India Cultural Society, Wayne, NJ, celebrated Holi on March 27. The program schools, and the media,” said a press started with Satya Narayan Puja followed by maha release. Aarti and Holi Pragatya. Shastri Arvind explained the At every venue, Sri Sri, joined by celebri- significance of Holi. Rangotsav will be celebrated on ties and activists, leads guided meditation March 30th at 2:00 PM outside the temple. with thousands of participants to help create a stress-free mindset. Website: nonvio.org

VP - Strategy and Marketing: Art and Design: Vladimir Tomovski Namit Narain Bhagwati Creations, Rahul Sahota Printed Every Saturday by Managing Editor: Parveen Chopra C: 516.303.2075 Forsythe Media Group, LLC C : 516.710.0508 [email protected] Web Editor: B.B.Chopra ISSN 1941-9333 [email protected] 76 N Broadway, Suite 2004, Consultant – Business Process: News Service: HT Media Ltd. Hicksville, NY 11801 Associate Editors Roopsi Narula IANS Newswire Services P: 516.390.7847 Hiral Dholakia-Dave, P: 516-303-4002 Website: TheSouthAsianTimes.info Meenakshi Iyer [email protected] Printing: Five Star Printing, NY Updated Daily Richner Publications Contributing Editors: Melvin Durai, Marketing & PR (Washington DC) Chairman and Co-Founder Dr Prem Kumar Sharma, Chander Gambhir, P: 703.717.1667 Contacts Kamlesh C. Mehta Harry Aurora, Ashok Vyas, Jinal Shah, [email protected] Dr Akshat Jain, Nupur Joshi Jaipur (India) Bureau [email protected] Co-Founder: Saroosh Gull Prakash Bhandari West Coast Correspondent [email protected] Advertisements President: Arjit Mehta Pooja Jain, [email protected] [email protected] Photographs: Gunjesh Desai/ P : 516.390.7847 Board Advisors (Honorary) masalajunction.com. F : 516.465.1343 Ajay Lodha, MD, New Delhi Bureau Xitij Joshi/xitijphoto.com Lakhpat B. Mehta, Esq. Meenakshi Iyer Website: Rajasthan High Court & Supreme Court [email protected] Photo Journalist: Parveen/Bhanu Seth www.TheSouthAsianTimes.info Notice: The South Asian Times is published weekly by The Forsythe Media Group, LLC. POSTMASTER: Send all address notices, subscription orders/payments and other inquiries to The South Asian Times, 76 N Broadway, Suite 2004, Hicksville, NY 11801, USA. Copyright and all other rights reserved. No material herein or portions thereof may be reprinted without the consent of the publisher. The views expressed on the opinion pages and in the letters to the editor pages are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect those of The South Asian Times. The editor/publisher does not warrant accuracy and cannot be held responsible for the content of the advertisements placed in the publication and/or inaccurate claims, if any, made by the advertisers. Advertisements of business or facilities included in this publication do not imply connection or endorsement of these businesses. All rights reserved. TheSouthAsianTimes.info NATIONAL COMMUNITY March 30-April 5, 2013 5 Eight US governors, city mayors Rep Meng vows support plan to visit India in 2013 to Indian community

Washington, DC: Reflecting the concerted added. Blake said businesses and citizens on effort on the part of the US to tap the huge both sides are recognizing the benefits of investment and business climate that India increased partnership. offers, as many as eight American governors A 2012 report by the industry body CII and mayors are planning to visit the country noted that Indian companies in America had this year. "This year, at least eight American invested more than $820 million in US-based governors and city mayors plan to visit India facilities, had collectively conducted 72 merg- The newly elected Congresswoman from New York with trade and investment delegations, which ers and acquisitions in the US since 2005, and Freida Pinto in a Naeem Khan outfit Grace Meng , at a reception arranged by the Indian the State Department is pleased to help had projected research and development at Lakme Fashion Week, Mumbai. National Overseas Congress (I), committed her close Khan, whose brand has been a arrange," assistant secretary of state for south investments estimated to be over $190 million cooperation to push US India ties and support to favorite with personalities like First and central asia, Robert Blake, told students in 2012 alone.Indian companies operating in Indo-US Community. The issue of family reunification of the Berkeley Institute of International the US are adding tremendous value to the Lady Michelle Obama, Beyonce and Sonam Kapoor, has said that he is clause in the upcoming Immigration Reform Bill was Studies in California on Thursday. local economies in which they operate, the looking to open a store in Mumbai also raised. Seen in the photo, Grace Meng with The California Governor, Jerry Brown, too most tangible effects of which are felt at the and to work with Bollywood celebs. prominent INOC (I) leaders. is planning a India visit, he said. state and county levels. "During these visits, state officials and pri- "That's why one of our top priorities in vate sector representatives explore opportuni- building the partnership with India is to Indian space scientist honored in the US ties for job creation and investments by expand state-and local-level engagement," he American companies in India and Indian com- said. Referring to the substantial jump in Bangalore: Top Indian space scientist U.R. development of Indian space technology and panies in America," he said. India-US trade, Blake said the booming trade Rao has been inducted into the Satellite its application to communications and "Our state officials increasingly understand relationship already is delivering substantial Hall of Fame in Washington DC by the remote sensing of natural resources since Society of Satellite Professionals the 1960s. that as the fastest-growing market for US benefits to the American people. International, in the US. "Rao was responsible for the creation exports, India provides significant opportuni- Over the past decade, our bilateral trade has "Rao is the first Indian space scientist of India's space and satellite capabilities ties to drive US job growth and bring econom- nearly quadrupled, reaching nearly $100 bil- to be inducted into the Satellite Hall of and their application to the nation's devel- ic opportunity to the American workforce," he lion last year. Fame and joins the select group of about 50 opment. As ISRO chairman (1984- members, including Arthur C. Clarke, Van 1994), he established satellite technolo- Allen, Harold Rosen, Peter Jackson gy in India," the citation said at a and Robert Berry, among others," function held March 19. Rao also Democratic Party gives key role to Ami Bera for polls UR Rao, Indian Space Research Organisation accelerated the development of ex ISRO chief Washington, DC: Indian- Americans, critical parts of looks like," Israel said. (ISRO) said here Thursday. Indian rocket technology, result- American Congressman the rising American elec- "Thanks to our diversity Rao, chairman of the Physical Research ing in the launch of ASLV rocket in 1992 and the Ami Bera has been given a torate that is crucial to and commitment to the Laboratory in Ahmedabad, has contributed to the operational PSLV launch vehicle. key responsibility in the Democrats' success in 2014, middle class, we won more Democratic party to reach Democratic Congressional votes than Republicans in out to the immigrant com- Campaign Committee 2012, and looking ahead to munity in the run-up to the (DCCC) Chairman Steve 2014, the leaders of our 2014 Congressional elec- Israel said in a statement. Tribal Council, New tions. He also announced lead- Americas Council, LGBT 48-year-old Bera, a physi- ership team with the Tribal Council, Labor Council, cian by profession, has been Council, LGBT Council, Defense Council, Latino made one of the two chairs Labor Council and Defense Council and Women LEAD of the New America Council for the 2013-2014 will continue to broaden our Council along with cycle. "The men and appeal to all Americans," he Congressman Keith Ellison. women in our leadership said. Within a few months New Americas Council represent every corner of of being sworn in as a law- Chairs will lead outreach this great country, and we're maker, Bera has impressed efforts to immigrant com- so proud that our caucus his party leaders with his munities and other new truly reflects what America performances. Sexual harassment lawsuit against Bikram Yoga founder

New York: Bikram Choudhury, founder of “Should we make this a relationship?” Bikram Yoga and creator of the famed Choudhury is quoted as saying the law- “Hot Yoga” program popular with A-list suit. “I know you from a past life and Hollywood celebrities, is being sued by I have this feeling about you. In your a former student who claims the 67- culture, you call it love; I can’t love, year-old yoga instructor repeatedly you know but that is how I feel made sexual advances to her, and about you. I have never, never felt denied her employment when like this about anyone. Only you.” she spurned him. “We have a connection. It is According to the complaint, amazing. So what should we do Sarah Baughn – who was 20 about this?” Choudhury reportedly when she first began taking asked the young Baughn, who Bikram Yoga classes – alleged Bikram Choudhury said she was “frozen” by her that Choudhury, over a period instructor’s comments, but man- of four years, had made repeated sexual aged to say she had a boyfriend. Choudhury advances, publicly humiliated her in front of dismissed her statement, saying he had a wife. other students and denied her employment In later discussions, Choudhury allegedly when she spurned his advances. called his wife a “bitch,” according to the suit. The harassment allegedly began in the In the lawsuit, Baughn alleges that she has spring of 2005, when Baughn attended a been prevented from teaching classes and teacher training course taught by Choudhury attending advanced seminars. She is seeking himself. On the fifth night of the course, the an unnamed amount of compensatory dam- suit says, Choudhury singled out Baughn and ages from the Choudhurys for economic and told her he had known her from a past life. emotional relief. 6 March 30-April 5, 2013 NATIONAL COMMUNITY TheSouthAsianTimes.info Faced no racism: ‘Turbanator’ Gurpreet Singh Sarin

New York: 'Turbanator' Gurpreet 'Turbanator' moniker thanks to the Ryan Seacrest do the bhangra on the Singh Sarin happens to be luckier colorful turbans he sported on show, which airs on channel BIG than Bollywood actress Shilpa "American Idol." CBS LOVE. A trained classical Shetty. The young man of Indian This is quite unlike what Shilpa singer, the 22-year-old belongs to a origin, who made it to the top 40 on Shetty faced in Britain when she family with an inclination for instru- the "American Idol" reality show, was a part of "Celebrity Big ments like the tabla, sitar and flute. says he didn't face any racial dis- Brother" in 2007. She was bullied Through the music platform, crimination on his journey to by the other contestants and the Gurpreet wanted to show how the American Idol contestant Gurpreet Singh achieving a fusion of Indian classi- racist attacks attracted a furore from two worlds - Indian and western - Bollywood in mind too. However, medium. cal music and western music. several quarters. Ultimately, Shilpa can be brought together. his influences include artists like "I would get messages from my "I am very thankful I did not face won the competition. "One reason why I wanted to be tabla maestro , sarod fans saying that being an Indian, I anything like that (racism) from the But even while Gurpreet is now on the show was to show everyone expert Amjad Ali Khan and late sitar am encouraging them and I am their judges or any other people," said out of the show, he is happy he has how I can incorporate Indian classi- maestro Ravi Shankar, who expand- role model. For me that was a won- Gurpreet. been "able to educate people about cal music into American music. ed India's presence on the world derful opportunity. I wasn't even "I was conscious that there must myself through my passion and There have been artists like Norah map with their talent. conscious how large a role model I be people who might be ignorant dream, and that has been a bless- Jones who have incorporated Indian Gurpreet admits that as a contest- had become," Gurpreet said. and racist and did not understand ing." classical influences and I got an ant on "American Idol", he served as He, however, wants to finish his where I come from, but I was just He left the judges, global celebri- opportunity to do the same," he said. an inspiration and encouragement studies first before giving himself focused on my singing, and moving ties like Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj A student of Computers and for other Indian-origin youngsters in completely to the music world and on to the next level of competition," and Keith Urban, with his talent and Information Science at a university the US. He says he received is thankful about the exposure he added the singer, earned the even made "American Idol" host in New York, Gurpreet has immense support through the online got through "American Idol". Indian-Americans welcome launch of PIO student goes missing in Providence, FBI joins search

Washington: The FBI has joined the search for him. electronic postal order search for 22-year-old Indian-American "Sunil is a kind, gentle and shy young Sunil Tripathi, an undergraduate Brown man. All we want is for him to return safe Washington, DC: Indians living from pillar to post both at the Indian University student who went missing on and well," the family said. abroad, especially those in the US have missions in the United States and with March 16. Tripathi, a philosophy major, was on welcomed the launch of the electronic government agencies back home seek- The police of Providence, Rhode Island approved leave from the University. postal order, which they say would go a ing information under RTI. has launched a massive search operation to Tripathi's sister Sangeeta said her brother long way for them seeking information However, the inability to pay in find Tripathi, while his friends have not had "no exceptional plans" that weekend from the Indian Government and other Indian currency from overseas was only been doing their own search, putting and that it was "completely atypical" of him state governments under the Right to coming a major hindrance in their up posters across the city but also have to disappear without contacting anyone. Information Act. move. "It has been seven long years launched a Facebook page to find him. "Between family and friends, we are in A number of Indians living in the US since we started this campaign for our Lead investigator detective Mark Sacco constant contact with him," 30-year-old said that RTI has now become accessi- right to information. It has been a diffi- said "no solid leads" have been found Sangeeta said. ble to the Indian citizens living abroad cult journey and during this time we so far. "We became worried when he didn't Sunil Tripathi after the Postal Department last week have had to depend on friends in India Tripathi's cellphone, credit card, ID and respond to many missed calls." launched Indian postal order in elec- to file RTIs on our behalf," said Arun other personal things were found in his room. The search has focused in the past week on hospitals, tronic format (eIPO). Gopalan, a volunteer with Association FBI declined to comment on the investigation, except stores, parks and other public spaces where Tripathi could "With eIPO, I now have the ability to for India's Development, Greater for saying that it is assisting the local police in search of be but authorities have found no signs of him. discern conflicting information about Washington Metro area chapter. the missing student. The search, which has been spearheaded by the governance in India in the news by "Their non-availability meant a According to the Facebook Page set up by family, Providence Police Department and the Brown University going directly to the source - the gov- missed opportunity. That will no longer Tripathi who went missing from his Angell Street resi- Department of Public Safety, has now expanded to ernment," said Vishal Kudchadkar, a be the case with this new eIPO. dence since Saturday morning is 6'0, 130 pounds, with Boston, Connecticut, New York and Philadelphia, accord- volunteer with the non-profit It would be ideal if the list of email id brown eyes and short brown hair. ing to a statement from the school. Association for India's Development of PIOs is also available on this portal He left wearing blue jeans, a Philadelphia Eagles "(It's) on the small hope he just decided to go some- (AID) at Los Angeles. and the information exchange is com- beanie, and a black sweatshirt. He is essentially off the where and is OK. People have been posting fliers and vis- "In the last seven years, we have tried pletely digitized, but we will take this grid since he does not have his ID, wallet, or cell phone. iting places a young person without an ID or money all possible workarounds to exercise for now," Gopalan said. "Sunil has been struggling with depression since he would go," she said. our right to know. Now, our participa- Balaji Janakiraman Iyer said the took a leave of absence from Brown last year. A note sug- "We're a very, very close family and when we heard (he tion in nation building has become tad launch of eIPO would make the Right gestive of suicidal intent left behind in his apartment has was missing), we were trying to frantically look for pho- easier!" For the past several years, the to Information more accessible to all his family extremely worried," the family said, adding tos. We had trouble finding a photo (where) we all weren't volunteers of AID have been running Indian citizens living abroad. that they are currently in Providence, helping the police so physically close in the image," she said. IALI holds free health Ranee Ramaswamy nominated to National Council of Arts

camp in Hicksville Washington, DC : Ranee Campaneria, term expired," it Ranee has worked with celebrated artists Hicksville, NY: IALI (India Ramaswamy founded the said. The National Council on such as poet Robert Bly, jazz musician Howard Association of Long Island)’s Ragamala Music and Dance the Arts advises the Chairman of Levy and legendary composer/ violinist L President Kishore Kuncham coordi- Theatre in Minneapolis, Minnesota the National Endowment for the Subramaniam. nated a free health camp, together in 1992 and has been popularizing Arts, who also chairs the Among her many grants and fellowships are with AAPI-Queens Long Island this classical Indian dance form in Council, on agency policies and 13 McKnight Artist Fellowships, a Bush chapter and other community organ- America. programs. It reviews and makes Fellowship, and an Artist Exploration Fund izations, at Asamai Hindu Temple The White House said Obama has recommendations to the grant from Arts International. Her work is sup- here on March 24. Over 80 people sent her nomination, along with Chairman on applications for ported by the National Endowment for the took advantage of the free consulta- others, to the Senate for its grants, funding guidelines, and Arts, the National Dance Project, and the Japan tive services of 18 volunteer doctors approval. leadership initiatives. According Foundation. In 2011, she was chosen as the and availed free sugar check, mam- "Ranee Ramaswamy, of to her bio posted on her website, McKnight Foundation Distinguished Artist. Minnesota, to be a Member of the since 1984, Ramaswamy has Ranee and co-Artistic Director Aparna mograms, weight loss and nutrition Ranee Ramaswamy advice, and advice on laughter yoga, National Council on the Arts for a been a disciple of , Ramaswamy were named the 2011 'Artist of breathing techniques and ayurveda. term expiring September 3, 2018, vice Miguel one of India's greatest living masters. the Year' by the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Diplomacy March 30-April 5, 2013 7

resident Barack Obama visited Israel for the first time In his acceptance speech, Obama portrayed himself as a in office and used the opportunity to reassure Israelis friend of Israelis “who is deeply concerned and committed Pthat he is on their side while posing as an arbitrator of to your future.” The second key line in the speech called on peace between them and Palestinians. Peace Pilgrim Israelis to recognize the Palestinian “right to justice,” not as an Obama’s strained relations with Prime Minister Benjamin abstraction but in a personal way. “Put yourself in their shoes. Netanyahu (who had favored Mitt Romney as President in US President Obama visited the Middle Look at the world through their eyes,” Obama said. This need- 2012 election) and criticism of his government’s building East last week with a message of peace and ed some guts to say to Israeli leaders in Jerusalem. of housing settlements in the West Bank left many Israelis reconciliation between the feuding sides Then, prodded by President Obama, Israel and Turkey feeling estranged. During preparations for the current trip, agreed to end a 3-year rift caused by a deadly Israeli com- White House aides said a top priority would be to reverse mando raid on a Turkish ship bound for Gaza. Israeli Prime that sentiment. Minister Benjamin Netanyahu phoned his Turkish counter- part Recep Tayyip Erdogan to apologize for the deaths of nine activists aboard the Turkish ship and promised to reach an agreement on compensation to their families.

Wearing a white skullcap, President Obama pauses after adjusting a wreath placed in the Hall of Remembrance during his visit to the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem, March 22. President Obama visits the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, West Bank, March 22.

President Obama visits the Hall of Names during his visit to the Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Shimon Peres are also seen. President Obama’s visit began with an inspection of the Iron Dome Battery defense system in Tel Aviv. The Iron Dome is a short range rocket and mortar defense system, which was President Obama poses with children waving developed by Israel and produced with US assistance and is the Palestinian and US flags during a visit to the part of a multi-tier missile defense developed to counter the Church of the Nativity with Palestinian President rocket threat against Israel’s civilian population. Mahmoud Abbas on March 22. The Iron Dome was mentioned in conferring the Presi- Israeli President Shimon Peres shakes hand with dential medal of distinction, Israel’s highest civilian honor, President Barack Obama after presenting him on Obama, which Israeli President Shimon Peres presented the Presidential medal of distinction, Israel’s to Obama at an official function on March 21. The country highest civilian honor, March 21. is celebrating 65th anniversary of its formation.

A Jordanian soldier stands watch at Nabataeb Am- phitheater as President Obama and his guide walk through the ancient city of Petra, Jordan, March 23.

Palestinian protesters denouncing US support to President Obama tours the crypt containing the birthplace of Jesus Israel during a demonstration against President during his visit to the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, West Bank, March 22. Obama’s visit to the region on March 20. 8 March 30-April 5, 2013 US AFFAIRS TheSouthAsianTimes.info Supreme Court questions ban on same-sex marriage

has since the November presiden- asked Justice Sonia Sotomayor. who married Thea Clara Spyer in tial election become a major social The potential swing vote, Justice 2007. After Spyer's death in 2009, issue with a bearing on electoral Anthony Kennedy, also questioned Windsor was denied an exemption politics - the right of gay and les- the reach of DOMA, saying it pres- of federal estate taxes. bian couples to wed and receive the ents a "real risk of running into tra- President Obama who last May full benefits of law provided to het- ditional state police power to regu- came out in support of same-sex erosexual couples. late marriage." marriage had earlier in February Those supporting and opposing same sex marriage demonstrating Under DOMA, Social Security, On the other side, Chief Justice 2011 told the US Congress that the in Washington as the apex court deliberated on the vexing issue pension and bankruptcy benefits, John Roberts repeatedly asked Department of Justice would no affecting many aspects of life in the country. Incidentally, mar- along with family medical leave whether it would step on state longer defend DOMA in federal riage between whites and blacks was illegal not too long ago. protections and other federal provi- power to do the opposite of DOMA court. By Arun Kumar Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) sions, do not apply to gay and les- - pass a law providing full federal However, the Republican con- defines marriage for federal pur- bian couples legally married in benefits to any legally married trolled House is defending DOMA Washington: As the US Supreme poses as only between one man and states that recognize such unions. same-sex couple. in court at a cost of $3 million. Court concluded its historic hear- one woman. Going by the comments from the Roberts and Justice Antonin An ABC News/Washington Post ing on the legality of same-sex The top court is expected to give bench split equally between liber- Scalia also suggested DOMA could poll, taken March 7-10, showed 58 marriage, a majority of its nine its verdict by mid June on DOMA als and conservatives, the court still remain in place as a valid percent of respondents in support judges raised questions about a signed into law in 1996 by then appeared divided about whether extension of congressional authori- of gay marriage, while 36 percent federal law denying some benefits President Bill Clinton as also DOMA is discriminatory and steps ty, as 41 states do not allow same- opposed it. That's nearly the oppo- to gay couples. California's Proposition 8 that bans on state marriage laws for gays and sex marriage. site of public opinion on gay mar- While nine of America's 50 states same-sex marriage. lesbians. The DOMA challenge was riage in 2003, when ABC/Post allow same-sex marriage and nine The court heard arguments "What gives the federal govern- brought by Edie Windsor, an 83- polling showed 37 percent support others permit civil partnerships, the Tuesday and Wednesday on what ment the right to define marriage?" year-old woman from New York and 55 percent opposition. T-Mobile announces aggressive Fannie, Freddie to simplify mortgage rules

Washington: US mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie an easy way to lower their monthly payments and modify phone pricing sans contracts Mac will offer a new and simplified loan modification ini- their mortgage without requiring financial or hardship doc- tiative to help troubled borrowers avoid foreclosure and umentation, reported Xinhua. New York: T-Mobile sages and 500 megabytes stay in their homes, authorities said. "This streamline modification initiative will cut through said on Tuesday the of data; they can pay an The new streamlined modification program, which will the paperwork and simplify the process of securing a per- Apple iPhone 5 would extra $20 for unlimited begin this July and expire in August 2015, is only available manent mortgage modification for struggling borrowers," be available starting data. Over two years, the to borrowers who are at least 90 days delinquent on their Leslie Peeler, senior vice president of Fannie Mae, said in a April 12 for $100 effective price for a smart- mortgage owned or guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie statement Wednesday. Since 2008, Fannie Mae and Freddie upfront, with customers phone and phone service Mac, the US Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) said. Mac have completed 2.7 million foreclosure prevention paying an additional would be hundreds of dol- The mortgage giants will offer these eligible borrowers transactions, including 1.3 million loan modifications. $20 a month for 24 lars less than it would on months for the handset. AT&T or Verizon Other new smartphones, like the Wireless. At $580, it would also be American healthcare prices are super high office-visit-800x57 Samsung Galaxy S IV and the cheaper than buying a $649 unlocked BlackBerry Z10, will be available phone directly from Apple. his chart shows price charged for a routine doc- with similar payment plans. At those two carriers, the most pop- tor's office visit in the United States versus Although there would be no con- ular phone plans cost upwards of $100 other countries. This is from the International tract binding customers to T-Mobile, a month with a two-year contract for T the No. 4 American mobile carrier by limited data. The iPhone 5 costs at Federation of Health Plans, and they have similar market share, customers would have least $199 on their networks with a price charts for other health care services—and they to pay off the balance they owe on two-year contract. all look the same. their phone to end service before the The simplified phone plans are part The high prices make private health care extraordi- two years are up. of T-Mobile’s new campaign to be the narily expensive to patients and employers in Also Tuesday, T-Mobile formally “un-carrier.” By moving to contract- America, and the same high prices make it difficult for replaced its old phone contracts with free plans, it says it is doing away the government to cover everything through public- new plans that do not require signing a with charging customers fees for sur- sector insurance. Canada, where the prices are lower, contract. For $50 a month, customers passing their data limits or terminating manages to have a more robust welfare state without can get unlimited minutes, text mes- their service early. higher taxes for precisely this reason. Obama sure immigration reform coming soon States adding new dimension to

Washington: President Barack Obama And he told Univision: "My sense is that is confident that immigration reform to they are close". "My expectation is we'll see India-US ties: Nirupama Rao resolve the problem of 11 million illegal a bill on the floor of the Senate next immigrants, including some 260,000 month." Washington: A new dimension is first legislature set up in the United Indians, is coming soon. The President is "confident we can get it being added to the India-US global States, predating the Capitol in A group of lawmakers is close to done certainly before the end of the sum- partnership with growing ties between Washington DC. She also met the working out the details of their proposal, mer." the states of the two countries, accord- Speaker of the House of Delegates, he told Wednesday two of America's CNN citing a source familiar with the ing to the Indian ambassador to the Michael Busch. US, Nirupama Rao. State governor Martin O'Malley's largest Spanish-language TV networks, immigration reform proposal negotiations Maryland state surrounding the US six-day visit to India in November Telemundo and Univision. reported last week that a bipartisan group of capital on three sides "has been one of 2011 produced significant results with "I'm actually very optimistic that when eight senators had tentatively agreed to the pioneers in this regard and we nearly $60 million in business deals they return in early April we will see a bill ready to some of the stickiest issues, like a path to citizenship for admire and are completely supportive for Maryland companies, Rao move through the process," he told Telemundo. undocumented immigrants and metrics for securing the of the initiatives you have taken in this recalled. This, she said citing the gov- "The most important thing is that we are seeing a border. But there was a key issue before the "gang of regard," she said in an address to the ernor sent "a strong message to India's strong compromise to resolve the problem," he said. eight" - four Democrats and four Republicans - that had state assembly in Annapolis Tuesday. top business organizations and compa- "I've got my own legislation, I'm prepared to step in, but yet to be resolved: how to construct a guest worker pro- Rao addressed both the chambers of nies that Maryland is the gateway to I don't think that's going to be necessary." gram for the future. the Maryland General Assembly, the doing business in the US." TheSouthAsianTimes.info INDIA March 30-April 5, 2013 9 Durban delivered India's N-plant now on track: PM to Putin

Durban: Indian Prime Minister referring to the sanction granted by BRICS demands: PM Manmohan Singh has assured the meeting of the cabinet commit- Russian President Vladimir Putin tee on security, which he chairs. The projects, as listed that the first phase of the atomic The prime minister, officials said, by the prime minister, power project in Kudankulam in also told the Russian president that are: Tamil Nadu, that has seen a series of India's National Security Adviser -Nod for a BRICS anti-nuclear protests, will be up and Shiv Shankar Menon has been asked Development Bank on running by next month. to keep in touch with his Russian the lines of the World "I am pleased to inform you Mr. Kudankulam nuclear plant counterpart Nikolai Patrushev and Bank to address the President that Kudankulam Unit I in Tamil Nadu follow up on the progress in all development needs of will become operational, in particu- gy company Atomstroyexport. strategic Indo-Russian joint pro- emerging and poor lar, the very next month," the prime The prime minister also assured grams. economies minister told the Russian president the Russian president, in what was These cover areas such as defense Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the 5th -A contingent reserve when they met at a bilateral meeting their second meeting in four civil nuclear energy, space and BRICS Summit in Durban arrangement with a on the margins of the 5th BRICS months, about the substantive counter-terrorism. The two sides are On Board Air India One: Prime $100 billion commitment from Summit late Wednesday. progress being made on the other also committed to raising their bilat- Minister Manmohan Singh Brazil, Russia, India, China and The first unit has the capacity of remaining phases of the joint eral trade to $20 billion by 2014 expressed satisfaction that the 5th South Africa for deployment when 1,000 mega watt. It is being imple- nuclear energy program between from around $9 billion now. BRICS Summit delivered on sug- any of these nations are in distress mented in the southern Tamil Nadu India and Russia. During their 30-minute meeting, gestions made by India at the previ- -The setting up of the BRICS town, near Tirunelveli, by the state- "As far as Unit III and IV are con- the two leaders also discussed other ous conclave in New Delhi, notably Business Council run Nuclear Power Corporation of cerned, we have secured our internal issues such as the situation in on a development bank. -The setting up of a mechanism India and the Russian nuclear ener- approvals," the prime minister said, Afghanistan and Syria. "As you would have seen from the for a BRICS consortium of think BRICS Declaration, a number of tanks. "For us, BRICS is a very important steps have been taken," important forum. It represents 27 the prime minister said an interac- percent of the global GDP, about 40 Italian marines matter sub judice: PM tion with the accompanying media percent of the world population and, delegation on the way back from as such, there is a growing compli- On Board Air India One: Prime concerned), accused of killing looked at it and a Special Court Durban. mentarity," the prime minister said. Minister Manmohan Singh two Indian fishermen, this is now has been set up. I sincerely "I am particularly glad some proj- "I certainly value this opportunity declined to be drawn into the a story which is a part of the judi- believe, that's where the matter ects, which were either conceived at annually to review the strength of issue of perceptions over slow cial process," the prime minister should be left," he said. the New Delhi Summit of BRICS in the global economy, the events that progress in trying the Italian told journalists on his way back "It would be much too pre- March last year or piloted by India are taking place in various regions marines who allegedly killed two from Durban after attending the sumptuous on my part to com- during its just-concluded chairman- of the world and events which have Indian fishermen. two-day BRICS Summit. ment on an issue that is sub- ship of BRICS, have registered obviously implications for our own "As far as the two marines (are "The Supreme Court has judice." important progress," he added. growth and prosperity." 10 March 30-April 5, 2013 INDIA TheSouthAsianTimes.info US team meets Modi, praises Gujarat

withdrawn when students and fac- warmed to Modi in recent times. resenting Wyoming, and Cathy M. ulty of the University of Aaron Schock, a Republican Rodgers, Republican Pennsylvania protested Modi's representing Illinois in the House Congresswoman from inclusion in the event. of Representatives, is leading the Washington state, are among the The delegation. prominent faces in the delegation. (BJP) has maintained that Modi Ron Somers, president of the "I spoke to the US delegation has never sought a visa, in the US-India Business Council about how Gujarat has adopted a first place. (USIBC), Cynthia Lummis, faster, inclusive and environment- US businesses, however, have Republican Congresswoman rep- friendly process of development," Narendra Modi said in a comment on Twitter. Rajnath, US envoy discuss FDI "Am thankful to the members of US Congress and business per- sons for their kind words on New Delhi: US Ambassador rity scenario in the south Asian Gujarat's development," he said. The delegation invited Gujarat Chief Minister to visit US Nancy J. Powell met BJP presi- region in the wake of the with- Modi has emerged as a possible dent and dis- drawal of NATO forces from Ahmedabad: A delegation from The meeting assumes signifi- prime ministerial candidate of the cussed wide range of issues Afghanistan in 2014. the US, including members of the cance as the US has been denying BJP for the 2014 general elec- including FDI in retail and secu- They said that the issue of for- House of Representatives and Modi a visa for his alleged role in tions. rity scenario in the region. eign direct investment in multi- business leaders, met Gujarat the 2002 Gujarat riots. Talking to the media later, BJP Informed sources said the brand retail also figured in the Chief Minister Narendra Modi Only recently, an invitation to leader Vijay Jolly said the dele- Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) discussions that lasted nearly and lauded the economic develop- speak at the Wharton India gates invited Modi to the US, and president touched upon the secu- an hour. ment in the state under his watch. Economic Forum in the US was he has accepted the invitation. Prayers and on Good Friday Will Congress, SP divorce?

New Delhi: With fasts and daylong prayer services keeping with tradition. in churches, Christians in the national capital and The 40-day period of Lent sees devout Christians elsewhere in India observed Good Friday, which abstaining from all meats and alcohol. marks the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Lent refers to the period of 40 days of fasting that Many people fasted and prayed silently to mark Christ observed in the desert before returning to the day. The period of mourning ends Sunday when Jerusalem where he was welcomed as the king of Christians celebrate Easter, marking the resurrec- the Jews. Fearing his popularity, the rulers of the tion of Christ. Some members of the community kingdom plotted his death with the help of his disci- start fasting around 40 days before Good Friday, in ple Judas.

Can Congress overcome infighting COMING OUT OF SHADOW: Samajwadi party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav with Manmohan Singh Lucknow: From calling BJP leader Pradesh minister said: "The SP is L.K. Advani honest to billing now in for corrective measures to in Karnataka? Congress leaders "cheats" and save its political space." "conspirators", the Samajwadi He added that the SP wanted Party (SP) is steadily upping the early parliamentary elections, by New Delhi: Hopeful of a comeback ante against the Congress. October this year, to ward off any in Karnataka, the Congress has to And on Holi, Samajwadi party anti-incumbency in the state. overcome factionalism and select chief Mulayam Singh Yadav's Ram Asrey Kushwaha, general the right candidates if it has to renewed attack appeared to hint secretary of the SP, echoed return to power in the state in May that his party's love-hate relation- Mulayam Singh's hard line vis-a- after seven years. ship with the Congress could snap vis the Congress. "Curbing infighting and selecting sooner than later. "Everyone knows the Congress the right candidates would be cru- SP sources say Uttar Pradesh's ditches everyone," he said. "It is cial for our victory," a senior ruling party is making a calculated loud and clear that the Congress Congress leader who did not wish move after a series of meetings of has lost public support and is now to be named said. its strategy makers. The Congress crippled by the withdrawal of sup- Karnataka will vote for a 224 has become dependent on the SP port by allies like the Trinamool member house (one nominated and the Bahujan Samaj Party and the DMK." Anglo-Indian member makes it (BSP) in the Lok Sabha following Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, 225) on May 5. The result will be withdrawal of the DMK and the who had so far pitched for "cordial out May 8. A win in Karnataka Trinamool Congress from the ties" with the central government, could boost the Congress morale in Karnataka will vote for a 224-member house on May 5 United Progressive Alliance has suddenly turned ballistic. southern India, especially after the Dharam Singh as chief minister. the remaining 20 months of the (UPA). "The political situation (in New exit of the DMK from the The coalition collapsed in 2006 as assembly. Many in the SP view the Delhi) is fluid, the UPA govern- Congress-led United Progressive JD-S leader H. D. Kumaraswamy, But Kumaraswamy did not keep Congress as a sinking ship and feel ment is anti-people and the Alliance over the Sri Lankan issue. son of former prime minister and his word and the BJP-JD-S coali- that any further bon homie with it Samajwadi Party will take a deci- The May 5 ballot is also signifi- JD-S president H D Deve Gowda, tion collapsed forcing early assem- could prove suicidal. sion on withdrawing its support (to cant as the Congress will be con- tied up with BJP to form a govern- bly elections in 2008, instead of A senior SP leader said it was UPA) soon," he said. testing a big state after Rahul ment. Kumaraswamy became the 2009. just a matter of time before the two The Congress has started hitting Gandhi became the party's vice chief minister and BJP's B. S. The Congress, which has been out parties go in for a political divorce, back. In the last one month, Uttar president in January. Earlier, Yeddyurappa was his deputy. of power in Karnataka for seven with the SP snapping its support to Pradesh leaders of the party have Congress failed to retain power in The arrangement was years, lost the state to the Bharatiya Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. cornered the Akhilesh Yadav gov- 2004 assembly polls, won 64 seats Kumaraswamy will vacate his chair Janata Party in 2008 primarily due Asked why he was so confident ernment in the assembly. The party and formed a coalition government after 20 months paving way for to infighting and wrong selection of as the SP had bailed out the has also launched public protests with Janata Dal-Secular with N. Yeddyurappa as chief minister for candidates, say party insiders. Congress in the past, a senior Uttar against the government. TheSouthAsianTimes.info March 30-April 5, 2013

Happy Holi Holi Pages Coverage 12-29 Coverage Pages Holi

Entering the pulsating pulse of life The South Asian Times Special Supplement

Holi day. Children till date play pranks and hurl abuses at the time of Holika Dahan. Cultural Significance

elebrated in the month of Phalguna Holi gives us a wonderful Celebration of the various legends associ- (March), Holi originated in North- chance to indulge in this. For, the festival ated with Holi reassures people of the power Cern India to indicate a change of sea- reminds us that the time is perfect to renew of the truth as the moral of all these legends son from winter to spring, the festival has love and recharge your vitality. All in sync is the ultimate victory of good over evil. assumed a pan-India color over the ages. with nature and its many hues. The legend of Hiranyakashyap and Prahl- Coming into its own, the Indian diaspora ad also points to the fact that extreme devo- too now enjoy the spirit of Holi, particular- Mythological Significance tion to God pays as God always takes his true ly in countries with large Indic populations Holi also celebrates the devotee in his shelter. All these legends help following , such as Suriname, Holi gets us close to our mythology as it legend of Radha and Krish- the people to follow a good conduct in their Malaysia, Guyana, South Africa, Trinidad, is linked to various legends. Foremost is the na, which describes the extreme delight lives and believe in the virtue of being truth- UK, US, Mauritius, and Fiji. In some states legend of Prahlad and Hiranyakshyap. Krishna took in applying color on Radha ful. This is extremely important in the mod- of India such as West Bengal and Orissa, There once lived a powerful demon king, and other gopis. This prank of Krishna later ern day society where so many people resort it is known as Doul Jatra or Basanta-Utsav Hiranyakshyap, who considered himself became a trend and a part of the Holi festiv- to evil practices for small gains and victim- (spring festival). The most celebrated Holi God and wanted everybody to worship him. ities. Mythology also states that Holi is the ize one who is honest. Besides, the festival is in the Braj region, in locations connect- To his great ire, his own son, Prahlad, be- celebration of death of Ogress Pootana who is celebrated at a time of the year when the ed to Lord Krishna: Mathura, Vrindavan, gan to worship Lord Vishnu. To get rid of tried to kill infant Krishna by breastfeeding fields are in full bloom and people are ex- Nandgaon, and Barsana. These places have his son, Hiranyakshyap asked his sister, him poisonous milk. pecting a good harvest. This gives people become tourist destinations during the fes- Holika to enter a blazing fire with Prahlad In South India, a popular legend of Holi is a good reason to rejoice, make merry and tive season of Holi. in her lap, as she had a boon to enter fire that of Lord Shiva and Kaamadeva. People submerge themselves in the spirit of Holi. Celebration with colors symbolizes the unscathed. there celebrate the sacrifice of Lord of Pas- energy, the vivid and passionate pulse of life Prahlad, however, was saved for his ex- sion, Kaamadeva, who risked his life (got in- Social Significance signifying vitality. The spirit of celebration treme devotion for the lord and Holika paid cinerated in the process) to force Shiva out is to showcase the shifting panorama of life, a price for her sinister act. Meanwhile, Lord of his samadhi and save the world. Holi helps to bring the society together of sights and movement of feelings. The hu- Vishnu incarnated as Narsimha (half-man Also popular is the legend of Ogress and strengthen the secular fabric of our man heart beating in us all too feels the urge and half-lion) and vanquished the evil de- Dhundhi who used to trouble children in country. For, the festival is celebrated by to be recharged with the new colors of spring mon. The tradition of burning Holika or ‘Ho- the kingdom of Raghu and was ultimately non-Hindus also as everybody likes to be a and catch on the verdant mood outside. lika Dahan’ comes mainly from this legend. chased away by the pranks of children on part of such a colorful and joyous festival. 13

Holi get us close to our mythology as it is linked to various legends. Also, in the spirit of Holi even enemies turn friends on Holi and banish hard feel- The legend of ings. Aptly, many social gatherings and Hiranyakashyap and events on the day are called Holi Milan. In the evening, people visit friends and rela- Prahlad points to tives and exchange gifts, sweets and greet- ings. This helps in revitalizing relation- the fact that devo- ships and strengthening emotional bonds tion to God pays between people. One of Holi’s biggest customs is the as He always takes loosening strictness of social structures, which normally include those of age, sex, his true devotee status, and caste. Together, the rich and in his shelter. poor, women and men enjoy each other’s presence on this joyous day. Holi lowers the strictness of social norms. No one ex- pects polite behavior; as a result, theatmo- sphere is filled with excitement and joy. Biological Significance It is interesting to note that the festival of Holi is significant for our lives and body in many other ways than just providing joy and fun. We also need to thank our forefathers who started the trend of celebrating Holi at such a scientifically accurate time and for in- corporating so much fun in the festival. Holi comes at a time of the year when people have a tendency to feel sleepy and lazy. It is but natural for the body to ex- periences some tardiness due to the change from the cold to the heat in the atmosphere.

To counteract this tardiness of the body, people sing loudly or even speak loudly. Their movements are brisk and their music is loud. All of this helps to rejuvenate the sys- tem of the human body. Besides, the colors when sprayed on the body have a great im- pact on it. Biologists believe the liquid dye or Abeer penetrates the body and enters into the pores. It has the effect of strength- ening the ions in the body and adds health and beauty to it. There is yet another scientific reason for celebrating Holi – this, however, pertains to the tradition of Holika Dahan. The mu- tation period of winter and spring induces the growth of bacteria in the atmosphere as well as in the body. One of Holi’s When Holika is burnt, temperature rises to about 145 degrees Fahrenheit. When biggest customs people perform Parikrima (circumambula- tion) around the fire, the heat from the fire kills the bacteria in the body and outside. is the loosening In the south, the day after the burning of Holika, people put ash (Vibhuti) on their strictness of social forehead and mix Chandan (sandalpaste) with the young leaves and flowers of the structures, which mango tree and consume it to promote good health. People also spring clean their normally include houses on Holi, clearing up the dust and mess in the house and get rid of mosqui- those of age, sex, toes and others pests. A clean house gen- erally makes the residents feel good and status, and caste. generate positive energies. same canvas, 14 different strokes

ndia’s two major festivals, Diwali and Holi At the elephant festival, there is a prize for the though based on the same theme of good de- best decorated elephant and its mahout. The el- Ifeating evil, could not be more different in ephants participate in races, tug-of-war and also the form the celebrations take. play Holi. The highlight of the festival is the Where Diwali is a sober and to an extent se- game of elephant polo, a variation on the polo rious festival invoking gods for well being and played on horseback. prosperity, Holi is a festival of gaiety, exuber- The boisterous Holi of Beawar, 55 km from ance, dancing and with passage of time has ac- Ajmer, is a different story altogether. The cel- quired rowdy overtones. Holi itself is celebrated ebrations here happen at a scale involving the in different ways in different regions of India. entire town. The prototype of ‘Koda mar Holi’ Based on narrations and religious facts, Holi is of course the one in Barsana, UP. Thus in Holi is associated with Lord Krishna, so aptly, for the predominant theme is of male-female inter- Mathura-Vrindvan, the land of Krishna’s birth action with playfulness. Permissive relationships and youth, it is the biggest festival which has are explicitly demonstrated. The female acquires become a tourist attraction. Mathura-Vrindavan an aggressive role in shooing away her partner temples come alive for the 16 days of the festival with wooden staff (lathi). with special puja and Krishna worship. In West Bengal, Holi is known by the name of In Barsana, said to be Radha’s village, the fa- ‘Dol Jatra’, or Basant Utsav. On the Dol Purnima mous Lath mar Holi is played in the sprawling day in the early morning, the students dress up in compound of the Radha Rani temple. Thousands saffron-colored or white clothes and wear gar- gather to witness women beat up men with sticks lands of fragrant flowers. They sing and dance to as those on the sidelines become hysterical, sing the accompaniment of musical instruments like Holi Songs and shout Sri Radhey or Sri Krishna. ektara, dubri, veena. The festival is celebrated in In the colorful desert state of Rajasthan, Holi a dignified manner by placing the icons of Krish- holds a lot of significance and is played in many na and Radha on a picturesquely decorated palan- different ways. As early as a fortnight before the quin which is then taken round the main streets actual festival, one can hear the drum beating as of the city or the village. The devotees take turns revelers in towns and villages come out sing- to swing them while women dance around the ing and dancing in celebration. A bonfire marks swing and sing devotional songs. During these the beginning ofHoli. On the second day, called activities, the men keep spraying colored water Dhulandi, colored powder is applied on one an- and colored powder, abir, at them. In Shantini- Mathura-Vrindavan temples come alive for the 16 days of the festival other. Thandai or Bhaang is also consumed. ketan, founded by Rabindra Nath Tagore, Holi with special puja and Krishna worship. Holi here has become a tourist During the feudal era, the royals used to don a has a special musical flavor. attraction. (inset) A highlight of Holi in Jaipur is the elephant festival, where well decorated elephants participate in races, tug-of-war and festive spirit and mingle with the commoners. Ra- In Punjab, Hola Mahalla follows a day after also play Holi. The unique feature of the elephant festival is the game jput warriors used to show off their equestrian skills Holi. But the word Hola is not derived from Holi, of elephant polo, a variation on polo played on horseback. during thefestival. Even today, Rajput men would its root is halla (a military charge) and the term ride their steeds through the white and pink clouds mohalla stands for an organized procession or an of color, throwing color powder on each other. army column. Hola Mohalla is a Sikh Olympics In Bharatpur, the eve of Holi comes alive event that lasts a week, and consists of camp- with the sound of folk melodies. Raslila Dances ing out and enjoying various displays of fighting depicting the immortal love story of Krishna prowess and bravery, followed by kirtan, music, and Radha can be enjoyed at various locations. and poetry. The event was originated by Guru The elephant festival in Jaipur is organized a Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru. The tradition day before Holi, to coincide with Holika Dahan has since spread from the town of Anandpur Sa- (bonfire), and has a become a major tourist attrac- hib in Punjab to nearby Kiratpur Sahib and the tion. Pachyderms arepainted and groomed in all foothills of the Shivaliks, and to other Gurdwaras finery by their loving mahouts. around the world.

Students of Rabindra Bharati University performing during spring festival (called Basant Utsav) in Kolkata on march 22, 2013.

Women beating men with sticks in Beaver, Rajasthan’s Koda Starting a day after Holi, Hola Mohalla is a Sikh Olympics event that stages displays maar Holi, where this public spectacle is a festival staple. of fighting prowess and bravery, followed by kirtan, music and poetry. TheSouthAsianTimes.info March 30-April 5, 2013 16 Vrindavan widows break barrier for Holi

Vrindavan (Uttar Pradesh): Centuries-old social barriers came crashing down here when scores of Vrindavan widows took part in Holi celebrations with social Holi celebrated activists. "Cutting the umbilical cord from the past is no easy task, and you can't do that without raising eye- with fun, frolic brows," said social commentator Paras Nath Choudhary. "It is reflection of changing times that instead of opposition, people came forward to support the social reform movement," he said. At the five widows' homes in Vrindavan, the ambiance was infectious, the fervor and an air of victory was felt by all Holi revel- Devotees throwing gulal inside Sriji temple in Barsana ers. a monthly allowance of Rs.2,000 to will also participate in cultural pro- "This was no routine Holi cele- every registered widow. grams," said Pathak. bration, it had a purpose, The effort This initiative, at the suggestion The widows also shared food to draw these women into the of the Supreme Court, has funda- with some of the outsiders and for- mainstream was widely appreciat- mentally changed the lives and eigners. ed," said Kumar Singh of mindsets of the inmates of the shel- This too is an unusual practice Braj Mandal Heritage ter homes, Iyer said. for widows. As part of Holi cele- Conservation Society who came The Holi celebrations shall con- brations. Right from the morning, from Agra to join the "cultural rev- tinue for four days. More than 800 the 100-year-old Meera Sahbhagini The BJP president Rajnath Singh celebrating olution". widows will be part of the new ini- Ashram, an abode for 350 odd wid- Holi at his residence in New Delhi Said social activist Padmini Iyer: tiative. ows, began to throb with life. The New Delhi: The festival of colors ed in colors as thousands poured out "This is a clear departure from tra- "In an effort to help widows in ashram is one the five government- was celebrated across India with of their houses and building com- dition. Who would have thought their social assimilation, we have run centers for widows. enthusiasm and bonhomie. In the plexes since morning to play Rang till a few years ago that hundreds organized several events," Sulabh Among the widows are many national capital, revelers were Panchami (Holi). of widows would be able to sprin- International founder Bindeshwar who lost their husbands at a tender soaked in a riot of colors as they Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, kle colourful flowers and petals on Pathak said. age of 16 or 17 and have since smeared 'gulal' (colored powder) on Mumbai Police and film and televi- one another to play Holi?" "The Vrindavan Holi is an effort lived an obscure life, abandoned by each other, distributed sweets and sion stars urged people to play a Sulabh International recently to free the widows from the shack- their families and awaiting 'mok- danced to loud music. safe Holi. launched a programme to provide les of age-old tradition. Not only sha' -- as the feeling goes -- by While youngsters armed with In southern state Andhra Pradesh, medical facilities, job training and will the widows play Holi, they serving the Lord. 'pichkaris' (water guns) and balloons Holi was celebrated with traditional filled with colored water sprayed fanfare and gaiety. Governor E.S.L. Widows playing Holi for the each other as well as passersby, eld- Narasimhan and Chief Minister N. first time in Vrindavan. ers preferred to smear one another Kiran Kumar Reddy led the celebra- with gulal as they hugged each other tions. and wished 'Holi Mubarak'. In West Bengal capital Kolkata, "My brother and me were up till 'Dol Yatra' as Holi is called there, late last night and filled over 100 was celebrated with traditional fer- balloons with colored water. Since vour with songs, dances and morning, we have been targeting prayers. people with them," said 15-year-old Thousands including overseas Astha Sharma from Patel Nagar in Indians assembled at Santiniketan, west Delhi. about 165 km from the state capital, Bands of youngsters drenched in where Nobel laureate Rabindranath blue, green, pink, red and yellow Tagore re-introduced Holi as could be seen roaming Delhi streets 'Vasanta Utsav' (Spring fest) in his with colors, balloons and pichkaris Visva-Bharati university. as they searched for unwary people. In Bihar, Chief Minister Nitish Many visited temples and prayed Kumar played Holi with Janata Dal- to Lord Krishna. United workers and the public and In the country's business hub took pot-shots at Rashtriya Janata Mumbai, the city and suburbs erupt- Dal leader Lalu Prasad. President, vice president greet people on Holi

New Delhi: President Pranab Mukherjee, try's diversity and multi-cultural heritage. all," he added. piness for all," he said. Vice President Hamid Ansari, Lok Sabha "This festival which marks the advent of Ansari said Holi reinforces the message "Holi has a special significance in our Speaker Meira Kumar and Congress chief spring, is a harbinger of joy, hope and ful- of unity in diversity and of equality of all centuries-old cultural heritage which pro- Sonia Gandhi greeted people across the fillment for all. The myriad colors of Holi human beings. motes social harmony and brotherhood," country on the occasion of Holi and hoped are a reflection of our diversity and multi- "Holi, which is celebrated with gaiety and said Gandhi in her message. the festival will further strengthen unity and cultural heritage," Mukherjee said. enthusiasm throughout the country, rein- Noting that "the colors of Holi represents harmony. "May this festival of colors strengthen forces the message of our unity in diversity the diversity of India", Meira Kumar said: In his message, the president said the col- faith in our cherished national values, and and of equality of all human beings. May "It should be used to promote social ors of Holi were a reflection of the coun- promote oneness, harmony and the good of the festival bring peace, prosperity and hap- equality." 17 Holi draws foreign tourists to India

New Delhi: A penchant for life in technicolor with a dash of herbal colors, crunchy gujias, chilled Hindus and Muslims thandais and soulful ghazals: the heady cocktail is proving to be an irresistible draw for foreign tourists to celebrate Holi in India, say come together in UP tourism industry experts. Despite the relatively subdued scenario owing to incidents like the Delhi gang-rape, and rising air- fares, north Indian cities like Mathura, Varanasi and Jaipur have managed to attract foreigners like a moth to a flame. "The situation is a bit subdued this year due to the rape incident Foreign tourists playing Holi at Hotel Khasa Kothi in Jaipur and increasing airfares. Yet foreign according to pink tour operator well," Singla said. tourists are opting to celebrate Holi Rajat Singla of Pink Vibgyor, is the Besides the shower of colors and with locals in cities like Mathura, cultural connect. sprinkling of multi-hued water, the Vrindavan and Varanasi," Gour "They like to explore the festive Elephant Festival of Jaipur on Holi Kanjilal, executive director of culture. We direct our tours to eve is another spectacular aspect Indian Association of Tour cities like Jaipur so that they can that foreign travelers love, says Operators (IATO), said. get a first-hand experience of the IATO's Kanjilal. "They find the atmosphere here celebrations aided by a guide. They "North India is the center for charming during Holi. The food come from places in Europe and Holi celebrations. In Jaipur, in People from Hindu and Muslim community celebrate Holi like gujias, drinks like thandais and the US," Singla said. western India, Elephant festival ghazal music, draws them despite "They are very eager to partici- (cavalcade of brightly painted ele- Lucknow: For a state that saw 34 Ever since, Khan junior says, gen- safety concerns," Kanjilal said. pate and so we provide them with phants) is very popular among for- small and big communal riots in the erations of people in the locality What fascinates them the most, white kurtas and herbal colors as eigners," he said. last one year, Hindus and Muslims have played Holi together. came together in this Uttar Pradesh Adding to the festivities is the capital to celebrate Holi. 'flower decoration' competition that The octogenarian Mohd Ahmad began in 1978 and has since become Khan, residing in Lucknow's old a craze for youngsters. city, is a glaring example of how Dinesh Ahuja, one of the organis- religion holds no bar for celebrating ers of the competition, said that not Thousands converge the happiness and traditions of oth- only was it a symbol of love and ers. affection for every one's traditions, Khan not only partakes in the Holi it also "made the society close knit festivities as the head of the in today's testing times". Aminabad Holi Mahotsava Sangh Omar, a middle-aged trader at for Hola Mohalla but also lights up the traditional Akbari Gate, is equally ecstatic Holika or holy fire in Aminabad, a about the festival of colors. Chandigarh: It was a virtual sea of humanity at the Singh, baptized five men and founded the Khalsa Panth, busy thoroughfare in the capital. His participation, his friends say, Hola Mohalla celebrations at the Sikh shrine of which is the modern day Sikh religion. The ageing Khan recalled how is unparalleled. He not only enjoys Keshgarh Sahib in the Sikh holy town of Anandpur The ruling Shiromani Akali Dal organised its political this tradition of a Holi "celebrated the festival "to the hilt" but also Sahib. conference during the celebrations. It was addressed by by all" came into being at the start showers everyone passing through The three-day Hola Mohalla festival coincides with Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Akali Dal pres- of the 20th century, thanks mainly to the historic gate with water, color the Hindu festival of colors Holi. ident and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal. his freedom fighter father Basheer and flower petals. People offered prayers and participated in the Hola Elsewhere in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh, Holi Khan. At the 'holi mandap' in front of the Mohalla celebrations at the shrine. Takht Keshgarh was celebrated with enthusiasm Wednesday. Khan senior asked the traders and Haji Baraji mosque in Udaiganj, Sahib - 80 km from here - is the second-most important In Chandigarh, heavy police deployment could be his neighbors to enjoy the festival in Muslim pontiffs also take part in Sikh shrine after Harmandar Sahib, popularly known as seen at various places even as youth in cars and jeeps the spirit of communal harmony. Holi festival. Golden Temple, in Amritsar. made rounds of various parts of the city, throwing It was here in 1699 that the tenth master, Guru Gobind colours on each other.

Holi celebration in Beawar, Rajasthan, is special. The day after Holi, the whole town indulges in celebrating the Badshah with dry colors, mainly with the traditional Abeer-Gulal. Seen is the photo Badshah Celebration 2013.

A Pakistani Hindu girl plays Holi in Lahore on March 27. My most 18 colorful H O L I Our readers relate experiences of the Indian festival that delights the youths Evoking romance tinged with fear Fond memories of Holi back home By Bhaswati Bhattachayra By Roopsi Narula s one of four girls, half-unwanted, But in my 20’s, I re-engaged with being ack home as a kid in India, Holi was would leave the house beaming, armed with and brought up in a very conserva- Indian and had a Bengali lover who is a clas- one festival that I keenly looked for- packets of gulaal and pichkari. Ative Bengali Brahmin family, Holi sical musician. He once brought me an enve- Bward to celebrating. As rowdy kids, we would smear each other is a holiday that instills both romance and lope of colored powder. I, unaware, looked Alas! Every year, Holi clashed with the with color amidst much excitement. All the fear in my young heart. at him inquiringly and asked if it was medi- final exams in school! I used to pray for a kids would then be in a big group and visit We learned some rules about Holi in child- cine or a drug. I only remember the look of Holi-friendly annual examination schedule; practically each house in the locality. There hood. First, we were not to throw color at surprise and disparagement on his face! He for mom would allow celebrating Holi only was a friend in every house and no one was elders: it still embarrasses me to see people stumbled, trying to explain about Krishna if there was no important exam the day after to be spared on Holi! We also applied col- disrespectfully attack elders with color. We and Radha, and I remember asking him why the festival. ors on the faces of elders and wished Happy approached elders with reverence always. someone would want to ruin someone else’s The changing weather during Holi and Holi, but in a much well-behaved manner. It We were allowed to place color anywhere, as clothes and face, instead of showing love excessive playing with water also made all was quite a challenge to recognize people as long as it was below the calves on our elders’ more tenderly. A decade later, it occurred the kids susceptible to cough, cold and fe- everyone had colored faces. feet! It was more a custom and duty to be to me that his envelope was one of the most ver. Thus parents used to stay vigilant while Even going around the whole locality for done on the holiday than a sense of fun. tender gestures he tried to convey. Too late. the kids played Holi. hours did not tire us. After that we used to Holi was a very special day. It was a go to somebody’s terrace and throw wa- school holiday so there was no rush to get up ter balloons on random people on the road early. One could hear the radio or television while shouting Holi Hai. playing Rang barse bheege chunar waali or On coming back home after hours, it was some such Holi song. My day began with a challenge to get rid of all the color! waking up late and peeping outside the win- In later years, Holi away from home was dows to catch the action in the street, if any. much more rowdy and less supervised! A By that time, some children would have al- large group of friends joined together in ready begun playing Holi. There would be frenzy.Gujiya became an integral part of my colors splashed on the sidewalks. Holi. Occasionally, there used to be bhaang- I still remember the instructions from filled gujiyas and other sweets as well. mom before going out with friends: to ap- Another fad during Holi was to go around ply cold cream on the skin and oil the hair the city in cars and two-wheelers, hooting, to protect from colors, dress appropriately shouting and throwing color. This indeed to assure less exposure to colors, wear sun- got scary at times and the cops remained glasses to protect the eyes, and most impor- alert to check hooliganism. The nights were tantly to behave like a good girl! fun with Holi-themed parties in clubs. My friends in the neighborhood would As I write this, I wonder what Holi in New start ringing the doorbell asking me to come York has in store for me but what would I out and play. After a hurried breakfast, I not give away to be in India for Holi again! Roopsi is a Consultant for The South Asian Times.

Bhaswati Bhattacharya She can be reached at [email protected]

Since Mother gave us birth and was the My grandfather was more scientific: he source of the earth in our bodies, we touched explained to the family that Abir powder our Maa’s feet with respect first thing in the was a ritual in the very hot month of Vai- morning, coloring her with a choice of several sakhi when smallpox was rampant, because colors. Then we would run around and catch it contains medicine that was good for pox. our Babi’s feet with color and giggle with de- True Abir contains medicinal flower extracts light. During a few years of my childhood, we from aparajita, marigold, hibiscus and do- were allowed to go with our servants to the pati and mica powder which contains miner- bazaar and there people would put colors on als. Spreading it over the skin was preven- our clothes and allow us to play for a bit. tive medicine. It was then washed off with But, as we grew older, my parents instilled Hamam soap, which has Neem, Tulsi and a strong sense of fear about the disrespect Aloe Vera to nourish the skin. that boys could create on a woman’s body, When I asked gurus about Holi, they ex- and therefore we were forbidden to go out- plained that the colors that Krishna spread on side, forbidden to be touched. Many young Radha were symbolic of the colors that we see women are molested on Holi: I have seen it afresh when we are in love; they are also the but few talk about it. To this day, I avoid Holi colors that play on us as we live life, teaching and hate to be touched on that day with the us that all these emotions are all illusion and unbridled lust and disrespect that many peo- that we allow ourselves to be trapped in illu- ple use to engage in Holi. After some years, sions when we fall too deeply into any emo- we were in the USA, so there was no celebra- tion. The powder is a reminder that the world tion. By the time I entered college, I had lost filled with color is illusion in which we often many senses of Indian culture. do, but should not, lose ourSelves. Bhaswati Bhattacharya, MD, HHC, Ayurvedic practitioner, Director, The DINacharya Institute and Fulbright Scholar 2013-2014, India. Roopsi Narula (first from right) with friends on a Holi some years ago My love affair with colors! By Tanvi Shah oli in Mumbai is an intense affair. For those who haven’t experienced it, expect to be dunked in color by 19 H gallivanting children and even adults. Imag- ine entire streets, neighborhoods drenched in color. Imagine people so immersed in red, purple, green and yellow powders that you can’t distinguish one from the other; and now imagine me with my stained teeth and murky hair! Yes, this is what Holi does to me every year and boy I love it! Traditionally, people celebrate with natu-

Compiled by Jinal Shah Compiled and Parveen Chopra ral colors and traditional music, sometimes even including ritualistic effigy burnings. Now add a western twist to it - DJ, rain dance and just roll with it, and you will end Creating a Holi event up celebrating the festival of colors in the 21st century style. Despite the additions, some things still in the Big Apple By Megha Kalia remain the same like waking up as early as five in the morning to fill up water balloons and then going back to sleep (or just pre- tending to sleep) till your B wing neighbor (whom you haven’t seen for months) shows Tanvi Shah with her niece up from nowhere and threatens to douse you So this year we decided to experiment with in your house itself. colors. Me and a bunch of friends decided to The best part about Holi is scheming and make our own colors! So we went grocery plotting, scheming who would be your next- shopping - bought beetroot and turmeric. target to throw balloons that you have so We mixed turmeric with besan for a bright meticulously filled up all morning. And this, yellow and boiled beetroot for a ravishing despite all the miscalculations, is super fun. red color. (One beetroot is enough to make a But what’s even more fascinating is the hue bucket full of red colour). Holi for us began of colors you are painted with. I love the way a day early as our hands turned pink crush- colors blend when mixed in water. ing beetroot and mixing it with water. What But commercially sold colors end up started as an experiment - one bucket full leaving bitter memories of the festival as of color - soon became a rage; people from the industrial dyes of synthetic holi colors other society buildings joined us. It became develop skin allergies. like a mass movement. Sure, the organic colors are sold outside under various brand Tanvi is a student in Mumbai. names but it misses the personal touch.

Megha Kalia at her Holi event in NYC doing a Bhangra, the dance form she also teaches. got the idea to celebrate Holi in New friends over to help us fill lots of water bal- York City in an outdoor area because I loons. This was in preparation for the bal- I grew up celebrating Holi in our co-op loon fights with friends and neighbors. playground and garden back in India. The The morning of the actual Holi day, our reason I chose NYC is because I’ve been friends, who also lived in our apartment living here since 2006. My love and strongly building, would rush through our main door rooted emotions for Indian culture made me and chase me and twin-sister around the decide to create an outdoor, free admission apartment to throw fistful colors in our face. Holi event where everybody gets a chance Mom and Dad accepted this with a smile, to have fun with the colors. Being an artist, while we girls would hide inside our bath- I also wanted to provide other artists a plat- room to escape ‘the Holi Devils’. The fear form to showcase their art form, thus keep- of being colored black and blue made me ing in line with my mission of ‘spreading joy run for miles around the block, completely and awareness through dance’. This festival out of breath, looking for help and rescue. eliminates all racial and cultural boundaries At the end of the day I was completely col- and brings people together, bonding them in ored in green-red-blue! colors & joy. I think it is very important for My mission to spread joy and aware- many professionals who live a stressful life ness of Indian culture has also taken me in NYC to experience a rich culture and an to Bhangra, to which I was introduced in amazing festival. I like to be that drop in the 2002 and started showcasing the boisterous ocean that is behind the scenes for making dance form to the students/local communi- this possible here. ties around the Greater Lafayette area in In- I am from Mumbai and my childhood diana. I received training from my Ustaad at memories are from the weeks before the Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar and actual day of Holi. Walking down streets of my Guru Mr. Kalehri from Kalehri Arts in suburban Mumbai (Andheri, where I lived) Mansa, Punjab. the Holi celebration was a huge craze for After I moved to NYC, I restarted my everybody in the neighborhood. Adults and dance quest and started teaching Bhangra kids would blast water-balloons from 4-8 as a volunteer to the communities around floor high rises weeks before the day of Holi. NYC and then formed a Bhangra school My mom bought water guns and packets of and company in 2007 called NYC Bhangra. water balloons for both my sister and I. We We train kids and adults of all age groups spent hours filling buckets preparing to have in the neighborhoods of Manhattan, Jersey water-balloon-fights with our friends the City and Edison. I am also studying modern next day. The night before Holi, we invited dance at Martha Graham Dance School. Megha runs NYC Bhangra based out of Jersey City, NJ.

22 Spring into Holi

Best events in tristate for you to enjoy and get into the spirit of the festival

he festival of colors is a far there has been no effect on the Where: Hudson River Park's Plaza, 167 East 47th Street, New Holi Ke Rang Naye Dosto harbinger of spring, but online sales." Pier 40 , 353 West St, New York, York, NY 10017 Ke Sang - Holi Hai Twinter has been taking long The festival will be celebrated NY 10014 When: Sunday, March 31 2013. Where: Guru Palace, 2215 U.S. to bid adieu. Overcast skies and over a month in various pockets When: Saturday, March 30. 12:00PM 1, North Brunswick, NJ 08902 winter chills played a damper on of New York and New Jersey. And 12:00AM While Easter Sunday, March 31, When: Sunday, March 31 2013. festivities (At least on prior reser- if you are still undecided on Dubbed as Tristate area’s will include the traditional egg 12:00AM vations). where to go and unleash the child biggest Holi bash, IN group’s hunts and feasts, this year will be Thandai, Gujjias, Dahi Bhalla, Unlike 2012, many Holi parties in you, SATimes has a hefty list of Rang Barse is back and in its sixth extra special as people can Kheer, Malpua and much more to have been moved indoors or can- events happening across Tristate year. In keeping with the tradition, immerse themselves in colors and eat, lots of colors, DJ music, dhol celled. area. Rang Barse will once again be celebrate the kick-off of spring dhamaka at the holi party organ- However, organizers are hopeful held on a cruise that will set sail with Holi. Whatever your faith, ized by Guru Palace. Prior regis- that temperatures will rise as we IN Group's Rang Barse in from Pier 40. enjoying Bhangra music and tration suggested. Phone: 732- inch closer to the event dates. “We New York City Enjoy the Indian festival of col- dancing with NYC Bhangra 398-9022 are still 10 days away from the ors in style with food, drinks, and Dance Company free of charge event, we are hopeful that weather the amazing beats of DJ Ashu Rai. will make this occasion a festive Holi Hai !! will show some improvement. Prior reservations needed. Phone: one. Play Holi by smearing folks Where: Akbar Restaurant, 21 Besides, if it rains we will move 646 450 3230. with color, eating laddoos and Cortlandt Street, Edison, NJ the event indoors,” said one of the enjoying performances at the day- 08820 organizers with IN Group that Holi Hai in NYC by NYC long celebration. In its fourth When: Sunday, Apr 07 2013. holds a Rang Barse cruise every Bhangra year, NYC Bhangra has teamed 11:00AM Holi on the Hudson, adding, "So Where: Dag Hammarskjold up with Time Warner Cable, to Celebrate holi with friends and host the event which has also been family with natural colors, music supported by India tourism in the and food. Hosted by Rainbow past. Phone: 212 372 8001. Events. Phone: 732-277-1228

Holi Festival IALI’s Holi Celebration Where: Lincoln Park, 176 Park Where: Akbar Restaurant, 2 Ave, Rutherford, NJ 07070 South Street, Garden City, NY When: Sunday, April 7. When: Sunday, March 31, 2013. 12:00PM 12-4PM This could probably be your last The India Association of Long chance to enjoy Holi this year. Island (IALI) is organizing its You don’t want to miss out on this annual event with Holi songs, one. Hosted by Roshni. Phone: Holi tikka, dance, thandai, and 973-713-1075 more. For info and tickets, Kishore Kuncham, president, Rang Tarang 2013 IALI, 516-849 5330 b Where: Deewan Banquet , 560 Stelton Road, Piscataway, NJ Hasya Kavi Sammelan 08854 and Rajasthan Divas When: Saturday, March 30 Where: Hindu Temple 2013. 11:00AM Auditorium, Flushing, NY Central Jersey Expat Indians When: Saturday, March 30. 4- (CJEI) presents Rang Tarang 11 pm. 2013. Dance till you drop with RANA (Rajasthan Association live dhol and DJ, dance perform- of North America) to celebrate ances, delicious full course menu, Holi with cultural program and organic holi colors. Prior reserva- dinner followed by Hasya Kavi tions required. Phone: Sammelan. Phone for tickets 516 6093548080 286 1774. www.ranausa.org. Surati’s Holi Hai! biggest HOLI event in the area

Where: 1 McWilliams Pl, Jersey ances, color playing (organic col- City, NJ 07302 ors), educational workshops, When: Saturday, March 30 2013. Bhangra and dhol, DJ, dancing, cash 12:00AM – 5:00 PM bar, food, rangoli, henna, thandai, Hosted by Rimli Roy, Surati per- family fun and festivities. Phone: forming arts and education, this 201-360-1553 Holi event will have live perform- Compiled by Jinal Shah TheSouthAsianTimes.info Happy Holi March 30-April 5, 2013 24 Hrithik skips Holi celebrations for a cause New Delhi: Actor Hrithik Roshan decided to stay away from Holi celebrations in view of the prevail- ing water shortage in Maharashtra. The 39-year-old did not waste water by being part Nitish beats Narendra of the Holi celebrations. "Hrithik won't be celebrating Holi as a mark of sol- idarity with those who are suffering from acute water shortage in Maharashtra. Instead, he will only use Modi in 'pichkari' battle only a small amount of gulaal to apply a shagun tika as part of the traditional ritual," a source said. Patna: It was a con- The actor is also said to have decided not to play test between Bihar with too much of dry gulaal, as washing it off Chief Minister requires a lot of water. Nitish Kumar and "Like Hrithik, even the other members of the his Gujarat counter- Roshan family kept the celebrations low-key. They part Narendra Modi took part in the morning puja and then spent some -- and the former quiet time together," the source said. was ahead. "Pichkaris (color sprinklers)" with pictures of the two leaders did brisk Actor assaulted on Holi for business in the mar- kets here ahead of trying to stop water wastage Holi. Pichkaris bearing the photos of pichkaris came with pictures of the two were more popular than Nitish Kumar and Narendra Modi. Mumbai: Veteran actor Sadashiv like "Sadak", "Mohra", "Ishq" and those with Rashtriya Janata Dal In fact, pichkaris with Modi's pic- Amrapurkar was assaulted by a group "Hum Saath Saath Hain", also report- (RJD) chief and former chief min- tures is a new thing but had a of drunk men when he tried to stop ed the matter to a TV channel. ister Lalu Prasad. good demand. Pichkaris named them from wasting water on Holi day. When the TV crew came, "these "Demand for pichkaris with pic- after cricketers and Bollywood The actor says that he has filed a com- people tried to take their cameras and tures of Nitish was high among stars were common earlier," ven- plaint. The incident took place other stuff," said the 57-year-old. Wednesday during Holi celebrations Amprapurkar has lodged a com- girls, youth and children," shop- dor Mohammad Aftab said. in a housing society in Versova. plaint with the Versova police station keeper Maheshwar Singh said on Upbeat over the high demands "They were wasting water and were and said: "I have already filed a police the eve of Holi. for Nitish Kumar pichkaris, lead- drunk. This had been going on since case against them." He wants to take ers of his Janata Dal-United said Pichkaris with pictures of 10 in the morning. When I tried to up the matter with the secretary of his Bollywood stars also sold more their stand was vindicated. stop them, they started abusing me. society and other societies to formu- than those with cricketers, who "Nitish Kumar is more popular Even girls were there. They were late a set of regulations. "There should remained a favorite with youth in than Narendra Modi. It was again doing all this in the middle of the soci- be some rules by which senior citizens the past. reflected in the pichkaris market," Model Poonam Pandey ety," the actor said. should not be affected. We must do "Unlike last year, this time said party leader Sanjay Singh. promotes waterless Holi. Amrapurkar, who was seen in films something about this," he said. Holi celebrated with gusto in Mumbai Bihar celebrates Holi Thursday Mumbai: Mumbai city and suburbs erupt- people in Thane moved to the coastal areas Patna: It was Holi in Bihar Thursday, a day when Bihar played Holi a day after the rest ed in colors as thousands poured out of and played holi on beaches. after the rest of the country celebrated the of the country. houses and building complexes from early Film and television stars also appealed to spring festival of color, fun and amity. "The gap between the Holika Dahan Wednesday to play Rang Panchami. people to celebrate a safe holi without With a ritualistic dab of 'gulal' or with full (when the fire is burnt the night before the Excited youngsters grabbed an early start using dangerous colors. on partying with splashes of color, 'pichkaris', festival) and Holi is due to astrological rea- in the celebrations, followed by youths and Police had warned that anybody caught water balloons and special food, millions sons. According to the 'panchang' (Hindu the elders who joined in later. throwing liquid filled balloons would be across the state celebrated the festival. astrological calendar) of Mithila and Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan and jailed for 15 days. Priests and astrologers had deferred Holi Benares, water colours come out on the Mumai Police urged people to play a safe The BrihanMumbai Municipal celebrations here by a day due to astrologi- occasion of 'Pratipada', the day after full holi. Keeping in mind concerns over water Corporation threatened one year jail for cal reasons. This was so last year as well moon," Nilesh Mishra, a Hindu priest, said. wastage, large crowds of Mumbaikars and those cutting trees to make bonfires. Holi celebrated across Andhra with fanfare Hyderabad: Holi was celebrated across Congress. A group of tribal women added in cities, towns and villages. In Hyderabad, The houses of some MPs in Telangana wit- Andhra Pradesh with traditional fanfare and color to the celebrations with their traditional Muslims joined celebrations organized by var- nessed grand celebrations. Warangal MP gaiety. dance. ious organizations. Sircilla Rajaih actively participated in the cel- Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan and Chief 'Holi Hai' rent the air as groups of enthusi- In Telangana (which comprises 10 districts ebrations with his friends and followers by Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy led the cele- asts on motorbikes zoomed on the streets of including Hyderabad), where Holi is a major beating the drum. brations. The governor and his wife Vimla Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam and other cities. festival, scenes of communal harmony were Karimnagar MP Ponnam Prabhakar danced Narasimhan played Holi with those who Dancing in gay abandon to popular num- witnessed. with revelers. called on them at Raj Bhavan. bers, youngsters sprinkled water colors on The festivities began Tuesday night with Police in Hyderabad imposed prohibitory Eminent personalities from various walks of each other. There were celebrations in the bonfires lit at various places. People in neigh- orders to prevent any untoward incident. life and children were among those who greet- neighborhoods and on the streets with men, borhoods came together to burn the wood in a Police commissioner Anurag Sharma issued ed the governor at his official residence by women and children drenched in colors. Many ceremony called 'kamadahanam'. orders prohibiting throwing color or colored applying color. The governor reciprocated. armed with 'pichkaris' and balloons filled with The revelry began early Wednesday with water on unknown persons, places and vehi- The chief minister played Holi with cabinet color water were seen chasing each other. 'Dhulandi' as people threw colored powder cles. Police also banned movement of people colleagues, legislators and leaders of his The celebrations began early in the morning and colored water on each other. in groups on bikes and cars. Scrumptious 25 HOLi Delights Planning to have a grand Holi party? Here are recipes for top 5 must-haves on the menu for this festival... Gujiya Phirni Thandai Papdi Sabudana Ingedients Ingredients Ingredients Chaat Kheer

FOR COVERING Rice, soaked - 5 tbs Green cardamoms, seeds only - 10 Ingredients Ingredients Milk - 1 litre Fennel seeds - 1 1/2 teaspoons Refined flour (maida) - 2 cups Saffron (kesar) - a generous pinch Black peppercorns - 1/2 teaspoon Papdi Crisp - 24 Tapioca - 1/2 cup Ghee - 3 tbs + to deep fry Sugar - 3/4 cup Coriander seeds - 1/2 teaspoon Yogurt,whisked - 1 1/2 cups Water - 1/4 cup Green cardamom powder - 1/2 tbs Melon/sunflower seeds - 1 tbs Salt - to taste Milk - 3 cups (whole) FILLING Pistachios, blanched, peeled Skinned almonds - 50 gm Sugar - 1 tablespoon Sugar - 1/4 cup and sliced - 10 to 15 Sugar - 5 tbs Potatoes, boiled and chopped - Cardamom - 1/4 teaspoon Khoya / mawa, grated and Rose petals - 3 tbs 2 medium (shelled and ground) lightly roasted - 2 1/2 cups Rose water - 2 tbs Sprouted Green gram, blanched - Desiccated coconut - 3 1/4 tbs Method Milk - 750 ml 1/2 cup For garnish Cashewnuts, chopped - 15 Red chilli-garlic chutney - 1/4 cup Almonds, blanched and chopped - 15 Drain and grind the rice to a Green chutney - 1/4 cup Raw pistachio, Raisins - 20 coarse paste. Bring milk to a boil. Method Sweet tamarind chutney - 1/4 cup finely chopped - 1 tbs Nutmeg powder - a pinch Add rice paste dissolved in a little Roasted cumin powder - 1 teaspoon Green cardamom powder - 1/4 tbs water or cold milk. Cook till rice Roast spices lightly on a tawa. Chaat masala - 1/2 teaspoon Powdered sugar - 2 1/2 cups is completely cooked, stirring con- Soak all ingredients except milk Red chilli powder - 1/2 teaspoon Method Chocolate,grated - 1/2 cup stantly. Add saffron and mix well. in enough water to cover. Set Fresh coriander leaves - 2 tbs Add sugar and cardamom powder aside for 2 hours. Grind into a fine Sev - as required Rinse tapioca 2 to 3 times and and cook till sugar is completely paste. Mix with milk. Strain liq- Pomegranate (anar), peeled - 2 tbs let it soak in 1/4 cup of water for Method dissolved. Pour into earthenware uid through muslin. Decorate with two hours in a covered pan. (The or china bowls and garnish with rose petals and serve chilled. water should get absorbed in the For preparing the covering, sieve pistachios. Chill in a refrigerator Method process). Boil milk over medium flour and rub in three tablespoons for an hour before serving. high heat, stirring occasionally to of ghee. Add cold water and knead Add salt and sugar to yogurt prevent scorching of sauce pan at into a stiff dough. Cover it with a and whisk till smooth. Keep it in the bottom. Turn heat to medium moist cloth and keep aside. Place the refrigerator till use. Arrange low and let milk boil for another khoya in a bowl and add desiccat- the papdis on a plate. Place some 10 minutes. Add tapioca, stir and ed coconut, cashewnuts, almonds, potatoes on each papdi. Over that cook for 6-7 minutes until tapioca raisins, nutmeg powder and green put some boiled sprouted moong. turns translucent, continuing to stir cardamom powder and mix well. Drizzle a little red chilli-garlic occasionally. Add sugar and car- Add powdered sugar and grated chutney, green chutney and sweet damom, stir and cook for another chocolate and mix properly. With tamarind chutney. Sprinkle cumin 2 minutes. Garnish with chopped oiled hands divide dough into small powder, chaat masala, a little red pistachio. Serve hot or cold. balls. Grease the gujia mould. Roll chilli powder and salt. Top it all up out dough balls into small puris, put with chilled yogurt. Drizzle some it on the mould and press lightly. more of the sweet tamarind chut- Place the stuffing in the hollow por- ney, red chilli-garlic chutney, cori- tion. Apply a little water on the edg- ander leaves, sev and pomegranate es, close mould and press firmly. pearls. Serve immediately. Open mould and remove extra dough. Keep gujias covered with a damp cloth. Similarly use up all the dough and stuffing. If you do not have a mould, gujias can still be prepared. Roll out puris, cut with a katori to get a proper round shape. Place stuffing on one half, lightly dampen edges and fold the other half over the stuffing and press edges firmly using a fork. Heat sufficient ghee in a kadai and deep fry gujias on medium heat till golden brown. Drain and place on an absorbent paper. Let it cool slightly before serving, as the stuffing inside may be very hot. Gathjor – Bringing Rajput community 26 together through weddings

he story of India, some say, In the past, Tripti has been is really the story of involved with other social causes. TRajasthan. From events She single-handedly ran a drive to that inspired mythological beliefs help a widow who was marrying to battles that defined the course her two daughters and raised a of history, from cultural riches substantial sum of money from an that became symbolic of the entire online campaign. “It was all due nation to traditions that spawned a to the support of sons and daugh- hundred others – this was where it ters of Rajasthan who are based all started; and spread to other all over the world and could iden- Significance of regions like rivers silently flowing tify with the cause immediately”, below the earth’s surface. she says. The story of Rajasthan, in turn, Grapevine Dedicated to Rajput Is Gathjor planned to be a is inconceivable without the story Weddings. money-making venture? of Rajputs – the ones who lived Tripti is a trained tourism and “Absolutely not,” says Tripti. “We colors in India by simple principles held dearly, are very clear that there can never hospitality professional who who were often as servile as they moved to Gurgaon about 10 years be any commercial consideration were noble, and who took or gave back. After working as a place- related to a cause like this. That’s away lives for matters of honor ment consultant for a few years, what separates us from run-of-the- yet were not a primal people. she is now a full time mother and mill marriage bureaus. The match- Their history is rife with imagina- currently lives in USA. es we suggest are based purely on tion-defying tales of valor, loyalty, So what is Gathjor all about? our assessment of the boy or girl’s integrity and personal sacrifice. Gathjor is a group dedicated to the emotional and social compatibili- And yet, it isn’t just the past that undying sense of bonhomie and ty. Nor do we expect to use our defines the Rajputs of today. It is revelry that can only be experi- members’ contact information for also the customs and social graces enced at a Rajput wedding. It can any promotional activity.” that have evolved with time - the sometimes take years of thought While continuing to uphold tra- rituals steeped in tradition, the and preparation – but on the day ditions that our heritage stems music, and colors that defy the of the event the foot is always in from, Gathjor strongly opposes plainness of the terrain. step with the music, the turbans discriminatory and exploitative It’s hard to define what the true starched and the dresses resplen- practices such as dowry. “One of essence of being a Rajput is, but dent, and the emotions always the first questions we ask parents you know if you’ve felt it. And true, and the cup does not run dry. of a prospective groom is whether never is this feeling stronger than “It’s much more than a marriage they have any specific expectation at a wedding. bureau or a match-making site”, around monetary gifts or dowry, As the Dholi stands up to deliv- says Tripti. “One day, I was think- and we let them know that the olors are symbolic in groom apply haldi on their body. er a spirited Shubraj – a paean ing about how so many of our process will stop right there if nature. Everything on Haldi helps in lightening the skin dedicated to their clan, family weddings used to happen through they do. We don’t endorse dowry, Cearth is colorful and tone and also heals the skin of members start to hear the whis- word-of-mouth, just the plain period.” uncovers a treasure of symbolism. infections. Yellow in India is also pers of their ancestors in their kindness or concern of strangers – So where does she expect the In India, where the festival of Holi symbolic of holiness. blood. With the opening notes of not driven by any motive other Gathjor journey to go? “In the long is celebrated with complete zest Blue the song that follows, the revelry than wishing a young couple term, I do hope to link this to the and fervor, colors hold great sig- Blue stands for power and life. of senses starts to unfold – elabo- well.” That’s when she realized education of underprivileged girls nificance. Use of colors is nothing Though water is transparent, the rate meals are cooked and shared, that this is a tradition that could in Rajasthan. But that’s just a but an expression of faith and color blue is widely believed to be Manwars are offered, good times potentially be revived using social thought and we’ll develop it at a belief. And for a country that is its color. The vast horizon that remembered and family ties media, and Gathjor was born. later time.” For now, this team of known for its spiritual conscious- acts as a roof gives a perception forged. Gathjor started as a Facebook professionals or homemakers from ness, almost everything and any- that water bodies on earth are blue People of Rajasthan have spread group in September 2012. It’s still diverse backgrounds is just focused thing has profound meaning. And in color. Water sustains life on all over the globe. They have a small community but growing on weddings. They don’t have to understand it better, here’s talk- earth hence color blue also repre- learned, prospered, and grown in rapidly. “I am deeply attached to physical presence in the form of an ing a look at the significance of sents dynamism. Moreover, Lord foreign lands but continued to be Bikaner and my roots in Rajasthan office and only exist as a Facebook some commonly used colors that Krishna who taught mankind the in touch with their cultural ori- and Gathjor is a platform to meet group at this time. There is a web- will awaken your realization: right way to lead life had a blue gins. One such daughter is Tripti and interact with like-minded peo- site planned in the near future. Red skin tone, representative of power. Singh, who hails from a promi- ple and help them find suitable Their resources may be limited, but The westerners believe that red Green nent family of Bikaner and is the matches for themselves or family their dreams are not. (Contact: is the color of passion and In a country steeped in religious co-founder of Gathjor – a members,” Tripti says. [email protected]) romance. But in India, it holds a beliefs, the origin of most colors greater significance. Goddess lies in the powers and mythical Durga is often associated with the lives of its gods. The color blue, color red. She is seen draped in for instance, is associated with blood-red saree. On the one hand Lord Krishna, perhaps one of the red incites fear while on the other; most favored gods in India. And, it stands for purity and hence as is obvious for any agricultural brides are often in red attires on economy, green symbolizes a new their wedding day. The vermilion beginning, harvest, and happiness. or Sindoor that is red in color, is Green symbolizes nature and symbolic of her marital union therefore is a manifestation of with her husband. In a larger con- God himself. text, the color represents fertility White and opulence. White stands for serenity. It is Yellow pure and soothes the eye and The color yellow has healing hence spreads the message of power. Turmeric, which is yellow peace. In India, white is com- in color, is widely used in India as monly used while attending cre- a spice and even as a beauty mation ceremonies to bid a peace- enhancing product. Turmeric acts ful farewell to the departing soul. as an antiseptic ingredient and Earlier widows used to wear only which is why it is used in most white colored clothes, and the food items prepared pan India. same is symbolic of complete dis- Even during marriage, family connection with the materialistic members of the bride and the world. Tripti Singh, co-founder, Gathjor - A grapevine dedicated to Rajput weddings

What Bollywood did this Holi 28 or some it's work and no play, shooting in Simultala in Bihar for while others like Shabana Buddhadeb Dasgupta's film. So Holi FAzmi and Shankar ke pehle, Holi mein aur Holi ke Mahadevan looked forward to cele- baad shooting only. brate Holi with organic dry colors. Malaika Arora: It's a working Holi Actors Anupam Kher and Hema day for me. I'm shooting for an ad. Malini plan to unwind. Anupam Kher: No plans for Here is what the film fraternity Holi. I've been travelling so much planned to do on the occasion: that I haven't allowed myself to feel Shabana Azmi: At my parental jetlagged. Maybe now I will for home in Janki Kutir, playing Holi is Holi. a tradition started by my father (Kaifi Jackie Shroff: I'll be at home Azmi) and now followed by my with my family or in the hills alone, brother Baba. We play with organic depending on my mood. dry colours. There will be family and Shankar Mahadevan: A full gath- friends from theater and cinema. ering of family and close friends. No Lots of naach-gaana and khaana. water. Just music. Super food, bhang, Irrfan Khan: This Holi I am far masti with the kids and a dedicated away from the madding crowd in session of cards. Then I've to quickly the forests of Uttarakhand. pack and leave for Doha. Honey Singh: This Holi I perform Govinda: This year again I am in Dubai for a crowd of 20,000 peo- not celebrating Holi. ple. For the concert of mine, the Hema Malini: I am in Chennai. gates are being flung open for fami- Holi is not much played here. So lies and children as well. Through there's a relaxed atmosphere. this festival of colours and happi- Kalki Koechlin: I am shooting ness, I want my fans to know my for a film in Delhi for Holi. music is for everyone and for all Aditi Rao Hydari: I'll be in occasions. Thailand shooting "Boss". Pooja Bhatt: I will be in Shiamak Davar: No Holi plans. I (above) Musician Bhappi Lahiri plays Holi with Rajasthan scouting for locations. I'll am directing and choreographing for play it by the ear. an international awards event. So it's son and daughter-in-law Shaan: We're all off to a friend's farm- all work and no play for me. (top right) Actor Shabana Azmi with writer-husband house in Mandwa to celebrate Holi. Urmila Matondkar: I am in the Zaved Akhtar play Holi with organic colors Mahie Gill: I've no plans for Holi. UK. So no Holi for me. (right) Actor Nandita Das with family on the I'll be at home away from the noise Aftab Shivdasani: I am not sure festival of colors. and colours. if I'll be playing Holi. If I do, I will Nawazuddin Siddiqui: I am try to keep it a dry Holi. Not seeking pardon, says 29 emotional Sanju ctor Sanjay Dutt, who has been convicted under the Arms Act for his role in the 1993 Mumbai Abombings, said that he would "surrender" when (right) Actor the time comes and would not be seeking "pardon". Speaking out for the first time since the Supreme Rahul Bose Court verdict last week, Sanjay appealed to the media is seen playing for privacy. The 53-year-old also said there were many Holi and (below) others who deserved a pardon more than him. Zoom channel He said: "I will surrender in the given time of organised a Holi Supreme Court. I have not applied for any pardon. I bash for actors want to tell the media and the citizens of our country, when I am not going for a pardon, then there is no and foreign debate about it." guests in An emotional Sanjay, who broke down while address- Mumbai ing the media, said he had the highest respect for the court. "I am a shattered man, my family is shattered. I want to thank whoever has supported us. I have a lot of work to finish and now I want to spend my time with my fam- ily. It's tough time for me and my family. With folded hands, I want to tell you just let me be in peace till the time I go in," said the actor, who is married to Manyata and has twins with her. On March 21, the Supreme Court upheld Sanjay's conviction under the Arms Act in the 1993 Mumbai seri- Several members of film fraternity and some al blasts case and sentenced him to five years in jail. politicians are in Sanjay Dutt's support He was asked to surrender in four weeks to serve his before going in. remaining term of about three-and-a-half year. He was accompanied at the press conference by his An estimated Rs.100 crore is riding on the Bollywood sister and Congress MP Priya Dutt. Several members of star who is part of upcoming projects "Zanjeer" remake, film fraternity and some politicians spoke in Sanjay's "Policegiri", "Munna Bhai 3" and "P.K.". support. Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh and actor- The actor has about three weeks' time to surrender and turned politician Jaya Prada met Maharashtra Governor he said he would be completing his work commitments K. Sankaranarayanan. 30 March 30-April 5, 2013 HEALTH Integrating ayurveda and nature cure Kayakalp in Himachal Pradesh is a holistic health option and very affordable for NRIs.

By Parveen Chopra

nce having run a holistic health-cum-spiritual mag- azine, I presumed I was an authority on all such Oinstitutions in India. So it came as a surprise when I needed some rejuvenation myself and was referred to Kay- akalp in Palampur, Himachal Pradesh. The combination of nature cure and ayurveda there was also new to me. Taking a train to Pathankot and then a 100-km taxi ride I landed at the sprawling hospital campus in the picturesque Kangra valley abutting snow-clad peaks. Speaking to people there I came to know that it had only been started in 2005 (inaugu- rated by Swami Ramdev) and took off around 2009 and now witnesses full occupancy in summers. Kayakalp (officially, Himalayan Research Institute for Yoga and Naturopathy) is the vision of Shanta Kumar, twice Himachal chief minister and currently Rajya Sabha MP. Kayakalp, with accommodation for 86 people in four resi- dential blocks including a dormitory, may look more like a resort than a hospital, but the busy daily routine will leave no doubt: wake up at 5 am, yoga and cleansing kriyas at 6, breakfast at 8, doctors consultation and treatment 9-12 noon, lunch till 1 pm, treatment again between 2-4 pm, meditation 5-6, dinner at 6.30, and doctor lectures 7.30 pm. Kayakalp may look more like a resort, but the busy daily routine and treatments twice daily there will leave no doubt on what it is. (photos: Parveen Chopra) Kayakalp does employ many gadgets – like whirlpool and jetspray bath -- and machines to facilitate treatment level was within safe limits. Right above where the pan- The director/administrative head of Kayakalp is Sudar- but is not in the same league as the famed (more expensive creas is, they made a diya like wall of dough and poured shan Kumar Sharma, retired army officer and elder brother too) Jindal’s yoga and naturopathy center in Bangalore. warm til oil repeatedly to stimulate the organ whose func- of Shanta Kumar. When asked about criticism in the media But Kayakalp does offer the comparatively new colon hy- tion it is to produce insulin optimally to maintain constant about the state government allotting so much land for a drotherapy, which I took for the first time in my life. glucose levels in the body. ‘hospital for the elite’, Sharma pointed to Shanta Kumar’s Dr R.S. Rathore, naturopath and seniormost doctor in the squeaky clean image and clarified that originally an allopa- facility, impressed on me that multi-discipline Kayakalp thy hospital was also set up under the common Vivekanand also incorporates physiotherapy (boasts an ultramodern Medical Research Trust, but that is now managed separate- unit), and acupressure, etc. Patients of diabetes, asthma, ly. Kayakalp is not-for-profit (main donor being industrial- arthritis, depression and of course obesity besides prob- ist KK Birla) and in fact caters to a daily stream of locals lems of the digestive system benefit in particular. too. Besides, there are discounts for the economically defi- Dr Malvika Badyal, panchkarma physician, clarified cient, senior citizens and long term stay patients, etc. Wary that panchkarma does not mean giving all five treatments of the spa label, he said they want to keep Kayakalp as a to a patient – rather specific ones are chosen as needed. I hospital where people come to get well as well as also to was also prescribed a certain kind of massage and hot and rejuvenate. Some people do realize the importance of regu- Kayakalp is the vision of former Himachal cold compress, and nasal treatment which blew away my lar rejuvenation. Said the owner of a hotel in Manali, “I Pradesh CM Shanta Kumar (left); his elder brother cold and cough. Dr Badyal emphasized on strictly follow- tell myself, 355 days in a year are for business and family, Sudarshan Kumar Sharma is the director. ing the prescribed diet – instructions are sent to the dining but 10 days are for myself when I come to Kayakalp.” Unlike enema, which washes merely the lower tract of hall -- during one’s stay at the institute, because diet itself The best part for me proved to be settling the bill - just the intestine, here the water thrust by a machine reaches is used as a therapy there. Though no medicines are used Rs 12,000 for six days’ treatment and stay in the twin-shar- the entire large intestine, removing putrefied feces lining during treatment, certain things are prescribed to the de- ing cottage! Because from November to February, the lean the intestinal walls, thus optimizing health. parting patient. A surprise for me was Castrol oil—to be period, Kayakalp offers 50% discount. At Kayakalp, I also noted an innovative way to treat taken with milk at bed time 3-4 days consecutively in a high sugar levels, which I underwent though my sugar month for better bowel movement. Kayakalp website: www.KayakalpPalampur.com

(left) Physiotherapist Dr Manjul Kaith, naturopath Dr R.S. Rathore, ayurveda docs Dr Ashutosh Sharma Guleri and Dr Malvika Badyal posing in front of the treatment block at Kayakalp. (right) Yoga therapists Roop Lal and Ruchita Chauhan giving acupressure. TheSouthAsianTimes.info FINANCE March 30-April 5, 2013 31 IRS releases tax scams list for 2013

Phoenix: The Internal Revenue mate site to lure in potential victims eign trusts, employee-leasing of the IRS to help the victims file Service (IRS) has issued its annual and prompt them to provide valuable schemes, private annuities or insur- casualty loss claims and get tax "Dirty Dozen" list of tax scams, personal and financial information. ance plans for the same purpose. refunds. reminding taxpayers to use caution Armed with this information, a crimi- The IRS uses information gained They may attempt to get personal during tax season to protect them- nal can commit identity theft or finan- from its investigations to pursue tax- financial information or Social selves against a wide range of cial theft. payers with undeclared accounts, as Security numbers that can be used to schemes ranging from identity theft to If you receive an unsolicited email well as the banks and bankers suspect- steal the victims' identities or financial return preparer fraud. Many of these that appears to be from either the IRS ed of helping clients hide their assets resources. Bogus websites may solicit dubious schemes peak during filing or an organization closely linked to overseas. The IRS works closely with funds for disaster victims. As in the Income Tax Credit could have serious season. the IRS, such as the Electronic Federal the Department of Justice (DOJ) to case of Hurricane Sandy, the IRS cau- repercussions. This could result in Illegal scams can lead to significant Tax Payment System (EFTPS), report prosecute tax evasion cases. tions both victims of natural disasters repaying the erroneous refunds, penalties and interest and possible it by sending it to [email protected]. At the beginning of 2012, the IRS and people wishing to make charitable including interest and penalties, and in criminal prosecution. It is important to keep in mind the reopened the Offshore Voluntary donations to avoid scam artists by fol- some cases, even prosecution. From the dirty dozen, the scams that IRS does not initiate contact with tax- Disclosure Program (OVDP) follow- lowing these tips: Additionally, some taxpayers are fil- can affect a common person are listed payers by email to request personal or ing continued strong interest from tax- * To help disaster victims, donate to ing excessive claims for the fuel tax below: financial information. payers and tax practitioners after the recognized charities. credit. Farmers and other taxpayers Identity Theft Return Preparer Fraud closure of the 2011 and 2009 pro- * Be wary of charities with names who use fuel for off-highway business Identity theft occurs when someone Some unscrupulous tax preparers grams. The IRS has collected $5.5 bil- that are similar to familiar or national- purposes may be eligible for the fuel uses your personal information such prey on unsuspecting taxpayers, and lion so far from people who participat- ly known organizations. tax credit. Fraud involving the fuel tax as your name, Social Security number the result can be refund fraud or iden- ed in offshore voluntary disclosure * Don't give out personal financial credit is considered a frivolous tax (SSN) or other identifying informa- tity theft. programs since 2009. information to anyone who solicits a claim and can result in a penalty of tion, to commit fraud or other crimes. The IRS wants you to use only pre- Impersonation of Charitable contribution from you. $5,000. In many cases, an identity thief uses a parers who sign the returns and enter Organizations * Don't give or send cash. For secu- Disguised Corporate Ownership legitimate taxpayer's identity to fraud- their IRS Preparer Tax Identification Another long-standing type of abuse rity and tax record purposes, con- Third parties are improperly used to ulently file a tax return and claim a Numbers (PTINs). or fraud is scams that occur in the tribute by check or credit card or request employer identification num- refund. Remember: Taxpayers are legally wake of significant natural disasters. another way that provides documenta- bers and form corporations that The IRS has a comprehensive and responsible for what's on their tax Following major disasters, it's com- tion of the gift. obscure the true ownership of the aggressive strategy focusing on fraud return even if it is prepared by some- mon for scam artists to impersonate False/Inflated Income and business. prevention, early detection and victim one else. charities to get money or private infor- Expenses These entities can be used to under- assistance. During 2012, the IRS Hiding Income Offshore mation from well-intentioned taxpay- Including income that was never report income, claim fictitious deduc- stopped $20 billion of fraudulent Over the years, numerous individu- ers. Scam artists can use a variety of earned, either as wages or as self- tions, avoid filing tax returns, partici- refunds, including those related to als have been identified as evading tactics. Some scammers operating employment income in order to maxi- pate in listed transactions and facili- identity theft. U.S. taxes by hiding income in off- bogus charities may contact people by mize refundable credits, is another tate money laundering, and financial Phishing shore banks, brokerage accounts or telephone or email to solicit money or popular scam. Claiming income you crimes. The IRS is working with state Phishing is a scam typically carried nominee entities, using debit cards, financial information. They may even did not earn or expenses you did not authorities to identify these entities out with the help of unsolicited email credit cards or wire transfers to access directly contact disaster victims and pay in order to secure larger refund- and bring the owners into compliance or a fake website that poses as a legiti- the funds. Others have employed for- claim to be working for or on behalf able credits such as the Earned 32 March 30-April 5, 2013 DIASPORA TheSouthAsianTimes.info Hindujas emerge as the richest Asians in Britain

London: Leading NRI business- worth 845 million, up 170 million have always made a big effort men Srichand Hinduja and Gopi pounds from last year. with their philanthropic work and Hinduja, Chairman and Co- According to the list, "While in building up a close relationship Chairman of the Hinduja Group, other organizations have been cut- between Britain and India, not have emerged as the richest ting costs at a time of recession, only in business but also in the Asians in Britain in 2013. the Hindujas splashed out $1.1 cultural and educational fields." After playing second fiddle for billion (725 million pounds) on Anil Agarwal, Chairman of years to steel tycoon Lakshmi buying Houghton, the US lubri- Vedanta, is listed number 3 in the Mittal, the London-based Hinduja cant and specialized chemicals list with a fortune worth 3 billion, brothers have come out top this group that has been a market down 200 million pounds from year with net wealth assessed at leader in its field. last year. 12.5 billion pounds - up 3 billion It has 12 manufacturing facili- Naresh Goyal, Chief of Jet pounds on the 2012 figure. ties in 10 countries from the Airlines, is 12th in the list with a The falling demand for steel in United States to China and South fortune worth 440 million, up 165 Europe and elsewhere has reduced Korea and sales in 80 countries. million pounds over last year. the wealth of Mittal, the Chairman Its European headquarters is in Rami Ranger, winner of four and CEO of ArcelorMittal, from Manchester. consecutive Queen's Awards for 13.5 billion pounds in 2012 to 11 It reported an operating profit of enterprise in international trade billion pounds this year. USD 132 million in the year to between 2009 and 2012, is 42nd Leading NRI industrialist Swraj Hindujas toppled steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal for the top spot September 30,2012, on sales of in the list with a fortune worth Paul is listed as 95th in the 'Asian Eastern Eye Newspaper, a publi- Group headed by Ramniklal USD 858 million." 125 million, up 32 million pounds Rich List' brought out by the cation of the Garavi Gujarat Solanki. Lord Paul has wealth The report said, "The Hindujas over last year. Indian professionals to be exempted Kartar Lalvani wins 2013 Healthcare Business Award London: NRI entrepreneur Kartar Lalvani has the Swordfish group of companies and son-in-law from paying social security in Portugal been conferred with the Healthcare Businessman of steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal, was declared the of the Year Award 2013 at the Asian Business Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2013. New Delhi: Thousands of Indian Indians working in the country," Awards ceremony here. The Lifetime Achievement Award 2013 went to professionals working in Portugal said Ravi. The founder-chairman of Vitabiotics, UK's Indian-origin entrepreneur Sudhir Choudhrie. will soon be exempted from making Portas said both the countries are largest supplier of minerals and vitamin supple- Speaking on the occasion, the British Home social security contribution in the holding negotiations on number of ments to the retail trade, received the honor from Secretary said Indian students were welcome to European country if they make such pacts to further enhance cooperation UK's Home Secretary Theresa May. Kartar Lalvani, study in the UK. payments in India. in diverse areas. "We are interested The Asian Business Awards, commended founder-chairman, Blaming the previous Labor Government for The benefit will be available in further enhancing economic Lalvani, a chemist by training, for "creating Vitabiotics, UK immigration system "mess," May said that "the under the social security pact India cooperation with India." Vitabiotics in the 1970s and overseeing the com- bright and best students from India are welcome pany's remarkable growth to become the UK's largest suppli- to study in the UK." In a message, the British Prime Minister inked with Portugal today which As per the pact, Indian workers er of minerals and vitamin supplements to the retail trade." David Cameron hailed the work done by Asian businessmen will also provide for cooperation in will be entitled to "export" of their "The company is at the forefront of scientific developments in the UK, adding that awards "will be an opportunity to cele- area of labor market expansion with social security benefits if they relo- in key sectors, including nutrition and women's health, and brate the enormous contribution that the Asian community that country where over around cate to India after completion of exports to over 100 countries," it added. Amit Bhatia, chief of makes to the UK economy." 75,000 Indian professionals are their service in Portugal. working currently. According to Indian labor laws, The agreement was signed here by all employees and employers falling Overseas Indian Affairs Minister under the purview of the Employees Raj K Aggarwal commissioned as first Indian diplomat in Wales Vayalar Ravi and Minister of State Provident Fund Act, 1952, are for Foreign Affairs Paulo Sacadura required to make mandatory contri- London: Raj K Aggarwal, an Anglo-Indian affection for good food, drink and Cabral Portas. bution towards provident fund. A pharmacist and businessman, has been com- music....Talents like (poet) Dylan Under the agreement, India work- mandatory contribution fund is missioned as the first Indian diplomat in Wales Thomas/Tom Jones...Ravi Shankar, ers on short-term contracts of up to known by different names in differ- at a special ceremony. Mohammad Rafi and Lata Mangeshker," five years will not be required to ent countries, such as social security India's High Commissioner to the UK, Dr Aggarwal said. make any social security contribu- in the US. Jaimini Bhagwati presented the Commission He observed that "India is a great, very tion in Portugal provided they con- Though professionals posted in of Appointment as Honorary Consul of India impressive and diverse super power but Wales tinue to make social security pay- foreign countries continue to make in Wales at a function held at the India House though small has its own charms. The coast- ments India. such payments in India, they are last evening. line, beaches, mountains, farm houses, Aggarwal, who was appointed to the High Commissioner Dr. J. pubs, castles, temples and the welsh hospi- The relief will be available to compelled to pay social security tax post in September last year, was officially Bhagwati (center) presenting tality are unbeatable." Indian workers even if an Indian in the host countries too leading to commissioned in the presence of the First the Commission of Appointment "Wales is so special. Cardiff is one of company sends its employees to double contribution. Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones, Wales to Mr. Raj Aggarwal OBE DL the most dynamic and enterprising interna- Portugal from a third country. India has already signed similar Police Commissioner Alun Michael and (right) in the presence of The tional cities," Aggarwal said. Officials said similar relaxation will agreements with Austria, Belgium, distinguished guests including Lord Bikhu First Minister of Wales, Rt. Hon. Describing First Minister Carwyn Jones' be provided to Portuguese citizens Germany, France, Switzerland, The Parikh and Labor MP Virendra Sharma. Carwyn Jones (left) at India visit to Delhi and Mumbai last April as working in India. Netherlands, Luxembourg, Hungary, Speaking on the occasion, 63-year-old House on 21 March 2013. memorable, he said, "the exposure Wales "Portugal is a great friend of India Denmark, Czech Republic, South Aggarwal pledged to uphold, defend and promote the interests got during your 3-day short visit was massive. I know you and I am very happy to sign the Korea, Norway, Finland, Canada of both countries. "India and Wales are my pride and joy. The have made India a special focus with trade missions and spe- agreement which will benefit the and Japan. citizens of India and Wales have strong ties and share the same cialist teams. This is all good news." TheSouthAsianTimes.info SUBCONTINENT & INTERNATIONAL March 30-April 5, 2013 33 Mush returns home after 4-year exile 'Probe into LTTE crimes should start with Karuna' New York: Sri Lanka should Islamabad: Former president act on the call by a deputy Pervez Musharraf returned to minister to investigate war Pakistan after a self-exile for crimes by examining his over four years to take part in own role in serious abuses, the May parliamentary elec- Human Rights Watch said. tions. Deputy Minister V. A plane carrying Musharraf, Muralitharan, known as Col. leaders of his party and media Karuna, called for war persons from Dubai landed crimes investigations into soon after noon at the port city the Tamil National Alliance, of Karachi where supporters an opposition coalition of accorded him a warm wel- Tamil political parties, pre- Karuna was effectively the second-in-command of the LTTE come. The authorities in sumably because some of its Karachi canceled permission Former Pak president Pervez Musharraf members had links with the the worst crimes of Sri were bound, gagged and for a Musharraf rally at the court had issued arrest warrant in a military operation in Liberation Tigers of Tamil Lanka's 26-year-long armed beaten. mausoleum of the founder of in 2011 for Musharraf in con- August 2006. Eelam (LTTE). conflict, which ended in The LTTE then executed the nation over security con- nection with the murder of for- Musharraf, who ruled Karuna was effectively the May 2009, Human Rights the Sinhalese and Muslim cerns. Musharraf had been liv- mer prime minister Benazir Pakistan from 1999 to 2008, second-in-command of the Watch said. police officers among them. ing in exile in Britain and the Bhutto. In October, a court also has also been charged with LTTE and the head of its In June 1990, 400 to 600 Karuna has admitted that United Arab Emirates since he issued a warrant for his arrest ordering a military raid on the eastern province forces until police officers who had sur- the LTTE committed these resigned from his post in over the killing of Baloch Taliban-linked Red Mosque in he split from its leader V. rendered to LTTE forces, killings in an interview with August 2008. nationalist leader Akbar Bugti Islamabad during his term. Prabhakaran in March 2004. many of whom may have the BBC, but claims he was Musharraf, 69, had previous- "Karuna's call for war been under Karuna's control, not at the scene. ly announced on several occa- crimes investigations should sions that he would return Court extends Musharraf's bail not allow him to airbrush out home, but he had postponed his own role in atrocities," TN advocates Tamil Eelam in Lanka Islamabad: Former president Pervez Musharraf's bail was the plan. said Brad Adams, Asia direc- extended for 15 days by a Pakistani court, a media report Chennai: The Tamil Nadu assembly urged India to intro- A court in Pakistan granted tor at Human Rights Watch. said. Musharraf arrived at the Sindh High Court seeking to duce a resolution in the UN Security Council seeking a ref- protective bail to Musharraf, "His LTTE forces were extend his period of bail in a series of cases, including the erendum in Sri Lanka to carve out an independent Tamil who had been facing arrest in implicated in some of Sri 2007 assassination of former prime minister Benazir Eelam state. several cases. Lanka's most horrific abuses, Bhutto, reported Geo News. A resolution moved by the AIADMK-controlled house The 14-day-long protective so the government's long- Musharraf returned to Pakistan after four years in self- said Tamils living in Sri Lanka as well as Tamils of Sri bail was granted in response to stalled war crimes investiga- imposed exile, spending time in London and Dubai. Lankan origin in other countries should take part in the ref- a constitutional petition sub- tions might as well begin Judge Sajjad Ali Shah posted bail at 300,000 rupees erendum. The resolution also urged India to stop describing mitted to the court by with him." ($3,000) over the 2007 assassination of Benazir Bhutto, the Sri Lanka as a friendly nation and sought an international Musharraf's daughter Ayla LTTE forces under 2007 illegal sacking of judges and the 2006 death of Akbar probe on war crimes during the war against the Tamil Tigers Raza Musharraf on behalf of Karuna's command were Bugti, a Baloch rebel leader in Balochistan. that left thousands dead. her father. An anti-terrorism directly involved in some of International ‘Mystery meat’ in UK’s Indian takeaways Pope washes women's feet

Rome: In his most significant break with tradition yet, Pope Francis washed and kissed the feet of two young women at a juvenile detention center a surprising depar- ture from church rules that restrict the Holy Thursday ritual to men. No Pope has ever washed the feet of a woman before, and Francis' gesture sparked a debate among some conservatives and liturgical purists, who lamented he had set a "questionable example." Hindu groups in the UK have called for stricter norms Liberals welcomed the move as a sign of greater inclusiveness in the London: Europe's horsemeat scan- been used. Pope Francis washed and kissed the feet of two young women dal took a new turn when a mystery "At this moment, the lab is unable church. meat was found in some Indian to identify exactly which animal this Speaking to the young offenders, the eve of his crucifixion in a ges- your service," Francis told the takeaway dishes here, which could meat came from," a spokesman for including Muslims and orthodox ture of love and service. group, aged 14 to 21, at the Casal be even of 'dog or cat'. the show said. Christians, Francis said that Jesus "This is a symbol, it is a sign. del Marmo detention facility in 'Horsemeat Banquet', a BBC doc- Other tests revealed that so-called washed the feet of his disciples on Washing your feet means I am at Rome. umentary revealed that even scien- "beef" in some popular Chinese tists were baffled after tests on an dishes was actually made entirely Indian lamb curry showed no trace from chicken blood and a little Elite in China face austerity of lamb, chicken, pork, mutton, beef chicken. Indian and Chinese meals or even horsemeat. are the most popular takeaway dish- It was, however, ruled out as es in Britain and the latest discovery Beijing: Life for the almighty free-spending civil servants, mili- elite remains unchallenged, the being human flesh. Experts exam- led to renewed calls for rigorous Chinese government official has tary brass and provincial party boss- symbols of that power are slipping ined a range of takeaway meals in tests on various meat being served come to this: car pools, domestical- es. Warning that graft and gluttony from view. Gone, for now, are the London as part of the documentary. across the country. ly made wristwatches and self-serve threaten to bring down the ruling freshly cut flowers and red-carpet When the presenter, Rick Edwards Hindu groups in the UK have lunch buffets. Communists, Mr Xi has ordered an ceremonies that used to greet visit- suggested that the unknown meat called for stricter norms after it In the four months since he was end to boozy, taxpayer-financed ing dignitaries. This month, military found in Indian dishes could be of emerged this month that over a third anointed China's paramount leader banquets and the bribery that often officers who arrived here for the cat or dog, nutritionist Surinder of curry restaurants in Scotland and tastemaker-in-chief, President takes the form of a gift-wrapped annual National People's Congress Phull said that "any animal with were serving a much cheaper beef in Xi Jinping has imposed a form of Louis Vuitton bag. were instructed to share hotel rooms flesh similar to lamb" could have place of lamb. austerity on the nation's famously While the power of the nation's and bring their own toiletries. 34 March 30-April 5, 2013 BUSINESS & SPORTS TheSouthAsianTimes.info Soon, a BRICS development bank 'US should incentivize India to open economy' Washington: Saying that managing China's rise," he energy supplies and mem- Durban: In a clear signal of strengthening Indo-US trade wrote noting "Already, bership in the Asia-Pacific their ascendancy in the ties makes abundant econom- Washington and New Delhi Economic Cooperation geopolitical space, the leaders ic sense, a US expert says the have developed a far-reach- forum (APEC)," he said. of Brazil, Russia, India, US can help India's growth ing strategic partnership cen- According to Twining the China and South Africa by incentivizing New Delhi tred on defense cooperation." "best way to elevate Indo- Wednesday gave their go- to open up its economy. "In contrast, Indo-US eco- US relations above feuding ahead to a BRICS bank, rival- "Within a generation, India nomic relations remain bureaucracies is for top ing the World Bank and the will likely become one of the underdeveloped, stymied by political leaders to set out a International Monetary Fund United States' most vital a lack of ision and Indian compelling aspirational goal (IMF), to address the devel- diplomatic partners," said skittishness toward liberaliza- and empower government opment challenges of poor Daniel Twining, senior fel- tion," Twining said suggest- institutions to deliver on it." and emerging economies. low for Asia at the German ing, "A new trade and energy "Strengthening Indo-US The leaders, who met for Marshall Fund of the United partnership could make up trade ties makes abundant the 5th BRICS Summit here - States in an opinion piece in for lost time." economic sense," he said cit- - where the Indian delegation the Wall Street Journal. "To cement its burgeoning ing the US National was led by Prime Minister "As the US pivots toward alliance with New Delhi, Intelligence Council fore- Manmohan Singh -- also Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other Asia, India will prove more and to help India reform and casts that India will become endorsed a $100-billion con- BRICS leaders pose during the BRICS Leaders-Africa capable than any existing US grow, the US should offer the world's biggest driver of tingency reserve arrangement Dialogue Forum in Durban, South Africa. ally in advancing interests the triple incentive of a free- middle-class growth by that will be deployed when of the proposed bank, its when India hosted the previ- from defeating terrorism to trade agreement, assured 2030. any of the five member- domicile and the governance ous BRICS Summit in New nations faces a crisis. structure. Delhi. This was to counter the "We (the finance ministers "We should have a nearly influence of other global of the five countries) gave a complete document when the institutions like the World UK heads for recession big idea and that idea has leaders meet again in Brazil Bank that are more tuned to now become a reality -- that next March," he added. pursuing the policies as dic- London: Britain looks headed for recession pounds ($21.3 billion) in the fourth quarter, is the BRICS development As regards the contingency tated by the West. and its current account deficit last year was overshooting forecasts. bank," Indian Finance reserve arrangement, The five-member BRICS the worst since 1989, data showed on For the full year, the gap between what Minister P. Chidambaram Chidambaram said the bulk bloc collectively accounts for Wednesday, dimming government hopes of Britain earns from trade and foreign invest- told journalists here, soon of the money, that is $41 bil- 40 percent of the world's pop- a growth boost from exports and investment. ment and money flowing out of the country after the conclusion of the lion, will be pledged by ulation, 30 percent of the The Office for National Statistics con- almost tripled to a shortfall of 57.679 billion plenary session on the second China, $18 billion each will world's land mass, 20 percent firmed that gross domestic product dropped pounds or 3.7 percent of GDP - the highest day of the two-day summit. come from India, Brazil and of the gross domestic product 0.3 percent in the October-December period share of output since 1989. The pound He said the finance minis- Russia, while South Africa in real terms and 26 percent compared with the previous quarter, dragged slipped against the dollar after the two ters and officials of the two has agreed to $5 billion. The of purchasing power. They down by sharp falls in industrial production releases. countries have been given a proposal for the BRICS bank also together have foreign and exports. An economic contraction in the first quar- 12-month time-frame to work and a contingency reserve exchange reserves of $4.3 Separate data showed Britain's current ter of 2013 would tip Britain into its third out modalities like the capital arrangement was mooted trillion. account deficit came in at 14.037 billion recession in less than five years. Sports Cricketing world Lankan cricketers to skip IPL 6 Chennai-leg

New Delhi: The Governing Council of the Indian Premier congratulates India League (IPL) decided to keep Sri Lanka cricketers out of Chennai in view of the opposition from Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa. This decision will make the players from the island-nation skip the matches to be held in Chennai in view of the security concerns in Tamil Nadu over the atrocities carried out against eth- nic Tamils in Sri Lanka during the war against Tamil Tigers that ended in May 2009. "The Governing Council decid- ed that Sri Lankan players will not participate in the Pepsi IPL travel advisory that its citizens matches were not to be shifted 2013 League matches in Chennai should exercise caution when out of Chennai. This was the first time India whitewashed a series 4-0 and will advise the nine franchis- travelling to Tamil Nadu. Jayalalithaa, in her letter to New Delhi: After a thumping 4-0 have a lot of work to do before the es accordingly. The Governing Today, the Honorable Chief Prime Minister Manmohan triumph over Australia in the Ashes. Congratulations India." Council met this afternoon to dis- Minister of Tamil Nadu has writ- Singh, had stated that the state Border-Gavaskar Trophy, India was One of the greatest spinners of all cuss the issue. The security of all ten to the Prime Minister of government will permit IPL congratulated on the social network- time, Shane Warne also applauded involved in the IPL, whether India stating that she will not matches only if the organizers ing site Twitter by several crick- India's performance. players, spectators or those permit the participation of Sri promise that no Sri Lankan play- eters. "Congrats boys, well done. "Congrats to India on the series working in the stadiums, is of Lankan players or umpires in er, umpire, official or support Njoy it big time, a well-deserved win and the way their young players paramount importance to the matches in Chennai during Pepsi staff will participate. whitewash," tweeted opening bats- have played..." Former India bats- BCCI," said IPL chairman IPL 2013." Street protests had taken place man Gautam Gambhir, who is cur- man Sanjay Manjrekar said: Rajeev Shukla in a press state- Earlier, Shukla, also the union in Tamil Nadu to denounce the rently out of the team due to jaun- "Winning 4-0 is no mean feat... and ment. minister of state for parliamen- Sri Lankan government for the dice. Legendary Australian pace that is how this series win has to be "This is with reference to news tary affairs, had said that the killings of Tamil civilians in the bowler Glenn Mcgrath said: "A very looked at... Well done India !!" reports last week that the govern- local administration's advice can- war against the Tamil Tigers in convincing win to India. India total- This was the first time India ment of Sri Lanka has issued a not be ignored but the IPL the emerald nation. ly dominated the series. Aussies whitewashed a series 4-0. Fashion March 30-April 5, 2013 35 Six yard splendor at LFW Summer-Resort The five-day fashion week also focused a lot on gold accessories, making the collections attractive. If fashion, style and glamor dominated the event, social causes too found strong foot hold.

Mumbai: The sheer elegance of six yard presented in innovative modern styles, high on grace and femininity, was the high point of the just concluded Lakme Fashion Week (LFW) Summer-Resort 2013, which also saw glitter of gold on the ramp. Other unique concepts brought on the ramp also made the five-day event a memorable experience for all and sundry. If Indian designers presented spectacular collection of six yards, especially in net, international designer Naeem Khan, who made his India debut at the LFW, too introduced a new version of sari called “Ball gown sari”. Specifically designed for the Indian audience, Khan’s sari draping style is unique, making it like a ball gown. It was received well when displayed on the ramp. “The ball gown sari has been specially designed for India. It is one piece of fabric without any stitches and just needs to be draped,” Khan said explaining his unique costume. Draping a sari is no longer tedious for women, thanks to designers for introducing new range of six yards, which were light, yet elegant. Ace designer Rehane’s Indian look was also appreciated greatly at the event. Her clothes, though very desi, had an ex- tremely modern and trendy touch making them appealing. “My line was about a summer bride and what she would Fashion designer Anupama Dayal on the opening day of the LFW in Mumbai wear. I have displayed net saris, which are glamorous but also look very fragile. Such outfits will make women look innovative blouses. Other than that, the fashion week focused a lot on gold divine,” she said. Payal Singhal, for whom gorgeous Aditi Rao Hydari walked accessories, making the collections attractive. Even Bhairavi Jaikishan focused on net saris. Titled “Par- the ramp, presented and interesting range of innovative blouse Masaba, who showcased a line called “Postcards of Be- adise Island”, her collection offered net saris with heavy em- designs with her saris. For instance, she presented a spectacu- naras”, used a lot of gold jewelery. broideries, salwaar-kameez and embroidered lehengas. lar range of buttery mul-saris with free flowing kurtas. “I used traditional Benaras jewelery. The whole idea was “My collection was for destination weddings. The clothes Not only were the audience impressed with the beautiful to create a fusion. The idea was to make it look jarring. It are very wearable. You can wear these clothes at different saris, but so were the celebrities. was an Indian fusion line,” she said. places It is a light weight collection,” she said. Legendary singer Asha Bhosle, who was invited on to LFW ended on March 26 with a fabulous grand finale The other designers who showcased a wide variety of sa- the ramp to walk at Manish Malhotra’s show, was thor- by Namrata Joshipura and actress Kareena Kapoor hit the ris were Manish Malhotra, Vikram Phadnis, Masaba, Soumi- oughly impressed with the sari she was wearing. runway looking completely mesmerizing in orange-pink tra Mondal, Farah and Firdos, Payal Singhal among others. “Today, I am wearing Manish Malhotra’s sari and thanks blingy palazzos teamed up with fitting top with a pink Not only were the saris different, they were teamed up with for giving me this opportunity,” she had said after her walk. semi-formal jacket. LFW celebrates rural Saif likes me in every India with Phadnis round 70 people including 30 celebrities walked the ramp as color: Kareena designer Vikram Phadnis showcased his fashion line at Lakme ollywood actress Ka- AFashion Week (LFW) Summer-Resort 2013 on the theme of reena Kapoor, who celebration of rural India. Ashutosh Gowariker, Anurag Basu, Vaibhavi Blooked fabulous in Merchant, Ekta Kapoor, Ram Kapoor, Sakshi Tanwar, Kunal Kapoor, a pinkish-orange outfit de- Neha Dhupia, Poonam Sinha, Vaibhavi Merchant, Arbaaz Khan and signed by Namrata Joshipura Malaika Arora Khan, Farah Khan, Rohit Bal, Dia Mirza, Jitendra, Su- at the Lakme Fashion Week shant Singh Rajput, Juhi Chawla among others walked the ramp sup- (LFW) Summer - Resort porting the noble cause. Phadnis also made it a point to include various 2013, says her husband Saif common people from Swades foundation who walked with the celebri- Ali Khan likes her in all colors. ties. Phadnis partnered with Swades Foundation, an NGO working for The collection had a range the empowerment of rural India, for his fashion show. He dedicated his of vibrant colors. Asked line to this cause. The designer besides focusing on his clothing also which color her husband Saif had the hall decorated with lanterns hanging from the ceiling. The title Ali Khan likes to see her in, track of “Swades” playing as the background score added to the look the actress promptly replied and feel of the evening. Going by the theme of the fashion line “A Cel- that he likes her in all colors. ebration Of Rural India”, his collection had rural touch to all the gar- “Saif likes to see me in ev- ments that included cotton sarees with embroideries, salwar kameez, ery color. He has no choice,” kurtas, sherwanis for men and subtle yet graceful lehengas. she told the media. Saif was not present to cheer the ac- tress at the show, but she took it sportingly. “We are not missing Saif... let him work. He sees me walk the ramp every day at home,” she said in good humor. Asked about her personal styling, the actress said she loved pajamas and a T-shirt. “I love pajamas and a T-shirt. I wish I could walk the ramp like that,” she said. After a Bollywood celebrities walk the ramp for designer long courtship, Saif and Kar- Vikram Phadnis as part of ‘Celebration of Rural India’ Kareena Kapoor walks the ramp for Indian designer Namrata Joshipura eena tied the knot last year. 36 March 30-April 5, 2013 HUMOR TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Humor with Melvin Durai Old people need jobs — and not just at the Vatican

ope Francis, the new leader of the who’ll help you find one of the young worldwide Catholic Church, is 76 guys in the back. Pyears old. Some people think he’s The older I get, the more I support too old to be assuming such a demand- some form of age-based affirmative ing position. They wonder how long action – or positive discrimination, as he’ll be able to serve as Pope, consider- they call it in Britain. We need to create ing that his predecessor, Pope Benedict special jobs for senior citizens, so they XVI, was 78 when elected to the Papacy can stay active and keep contributing to and lasted only as long as three Charlie society. Here are just three job ads that I Sheen marriages. would like see: But I don’t see anything wrong with a 1. Receptionist. Male Potency Clinic 76-year-old Pope. Just think how much seeks receptionist to answer phone calls experience Pope Francis brings to the and schedule patients for consultations job. He has witnessed so many life- with Dr. C. Ellis. Preference will be changing events during his time on given to candidates who have trouble Earth: the abolition of slavery, the dis- remembering names and faces. Young covery of penicillin, the invention of the people need not apply. padded bra. 2. Living History Guide. Senior citi- Okay, perhaps he’s not quite that old, A century-old Loren Wade working in Walmart zens needed to visit schools and talk but he does have a wealth of experience their résumés. never seen him in such movies as “The about their childhoods, as part of a 20th to bring to the job, and that’s a good In some countries, people are forced to Graduates of Malibu High,” “Frozen century history lesson. Students are thing. I love to see an older person get- retire from certain occupations while Stupid” and “Real Men Don’t Eat eager to hear your amazing stories, ting such a high-profile job. In fact, if I they’re in their late 50s! That seems Gummi Bears.” whether you had to walk 10 miles to get had my way, nobody would be consid- patently unfair to me. Just imagine if Okay, bad example. But you get the to school or grew up in a single TV ered for the position of Pope until they Oscar-winning actor Ernest Borgnine point. People in their late 50s still have a household. Please bring your photo had as many lines on their foreheads as had retired in his 50s. We would have lot to contribute – perhaps even more albums along, as many of our students than they contributed before. Laura are eager to find out what a “photo Ingalls Wilder published her first “Little album” is. House on the Prairie” book when she 3. FCC Reporters. Citizens aged 65 was 64. Claude Monet, the great French and above are encouraged to apply for artist, completed many of his master- the newly created position of Federal pieces after age 60. And Betty White Communications Commission (FCC) was almost 90 when she got tackled in a reporter. As an FCC reporter, your job is Snickers commercial. to watch TV full-time and report any At age 100, Loren Wade of Winfield, inappropriate language that makes you Kansas, is America’s oldest worker. feel like using inappropriate language. While other centenarians have been You might be an ideal candidate if: (1) retired for 40 years, Wade works 30 you often complain about “all the filth” hours a week at Wal-Mart, usually in the on TV; (2) your grandchildren accuse pet supplies department. If you’re hav- you of being a prude; (3) you’ve written ing trouble lifting a 50-lb bag of dog a letter to Joel Osteen asking him to stop food into your cart, Wade is the guy saying “gosh, darn it.”

Laughter is the Best Medicine

by Mahendra Shah Mahendra Shah is an architect by education, entrepreneur by profession, artist and humorist, cartoonist and writer by hobby. He has been recording the plight of the immigrant Indians for the past many years in his cartoons. Hailing from Gujarat, he lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. TheSouthAsianTimes.info ASTROLOGY March 30-April 5, 2013 37

By Dr Prem Kumar Sharma Chandigarh, India: +91-172- 256 2832, 257 2874; Delhi, India: +91-11- 2644 9898, 2648 9899; [email protected]; www.premastrologer.com Stars Foretell: March 30-April 5, 2013

ARIES: To bring a bloom in professional life you TAURUS: Don’t forget to take the help of subordi- GEMINI: Dedication and sincerity at work will be of CANCER: A promising week to start a new venture will have to formulate new strate- nates by involving them in decision- little value on failing to translate ideas in partnership. All are likely to be ben- gies. A week when you should not making process. To avoid conflicts into reality. You achieve success in efited. Misunderstandings with near force your opinion on others in the give an ear to family members. personal work with the timely help & ones in the family will get cleared. family. If possible take independ- Investment should be handled with support provided by family members. You succeed in making some extra ent decisions when it comes to extreme care and avoid being lured Hard work of previous days brings cash on playing your cards well. making fresh investments. You are by dubious money ventures. Beware as good fortune enabling to fulfill mone- Sudden romantic encounter is foreseen someone might flatter you with his/her wit & charm tary promises. Love and romantic encounter will keep likely find comfort in the arms of romantic part- this week. Mental alertness would enable to solve a to enjoy your company. Control your negative emo- you in a cheerful state. With a positive outlook & con- ner. Creative hobbies are likely to keep you tricky problem. Small picnic organized by your tions to save your health. It’s high time to visit a rela- fidence, you succeed in impressing people around you. relaxed. Travel plan with a colleague might lead tives place otherwise relationships can be ruined. Traveling regularly might be injurious for your well – company is good to change your mood. Your to a new relationship. Your plan to buy a plot, Plan your budget first, and then try for a property. being. A deal regarding residential property can start investment plans are not up to the mark, you will be may lead to bankruptcy. You are likely to face High time to have some principles and follow them moving on its right path. You will be successful in in trouble. Raising controversial issues without facts some confrontation with higher authorities. methodically to succeed. developing some social contacts for personal use. will only weaken your position/point.

LEO: This week you will fail to explore the full VIRGO: To reverse sagging business fortunes, you LIBRA: To get maximum support from subordi- SCORPIO: You are likely to realise that inter- potential of software/hardware skills. will have to take some calculated risks nates, better to delegate the responsibili- viewing is not an easy job. You are Some of you will be torn among to tackle the situation. Domestic con- ties. Children would do their best to likely to be benefited as family many demands at family front. An cerns will require your immediate keep you happy. Investment on members positively respond. Be auspicious week to invest money attention. Avoid being volunteer to long-term plans would pave the way careful with whom you deal finan- on items that would grow in value. overspend otherwise you will have to for earning financial gains. Romance cially during this week. One-sided A promising week for romance when come home empty pocket. Partner rules heart & mind this week. Although affair fails to materialise thus bringing brings immense romantic pleasure even if work pres- sore throat would not come in the way of routine your innovation infuses a new spirit in it. A cheer- disappointment. Selfish behaviour of a sure occupies your mind Good time to divert attention schedule, even then you must take some herbal treat- ful state of mind brings mental peace. The idea of friend/acquaintance could disturb mental peace. to spirituality to enhance mental toughness. Official ments to get immediate relief. Fly away with your a holiday seems to be tired and rushed. Discussing journeys prove to be more fruitful for you. Planning a dreams, new business horizons are ready to explore. Looking for an adventurous holiday, unpleasant it property matters with parents can help for better property might explore new horizons for you and Your friends and family will be of great support if you would be. Too much of buying and selling of innovations. Be original in conversation, as put- your family. This week by sticking to your beliefs & are trying for an office. The good news for you is that property is a danger to your bank balance. Relying ting up an act would only harm you. faith, you succeed in achieving many personal favors. you would objectively evaluate yourself. on others help would only delay your plans.

SAGITTARIUS: Be very careful while recruit- CAPRICORN: Make sure you don’t hire for the AQUARIUS: Lack of communication skills will PISCES: Your technical expertise gives a decisive ing professionals. Relatives bring sake of hiring. Take independent deci- force to suffer at workplace. Family edge over competitors at work. you unexpected gifts but also sions and do not allow family mem- members are likely to create a Parents and friends will do their expect some kind of help from bers to decide: what to do or not. mountain out of a molehill this best to keep you happy. you. Avoid overspending on Make sure you do not overspend on week. Unwise investment could Improvement in finances makes it entertainment and luxuries this household luxuries. You will have to block the money. An erratic behav- convenient in clearing long pending week. Love life would blossom pro- make extra efforts to meet romantic ior could create differences with dues & bills. Do things that would vided you pay heed to it. A pleasure trip gives the partner. Cutting down the number of parties and beloved/lover. A beneficial week to work on invest in your romantic relations. Your confidence much-needed tonic to health. Being too choosy pleasure jaunts would help in keeping in good things that will improve your health. An ideal and energy will be high in this week. A fun- filled for a romantic destination might irritate your part- mood. Luxuries are not what you need in a vaca- holiday is that which is planned. Purchasing offi- holiday at an amusement and theme park with your ner. Consider a friend of yours when you plan to tion, its peace and companionship. It’s time to make cial accessories can lead to improve growth of family is there. Inheriting property from your rela- buy an office. You need to carefully listen & fol- some property investments for your kids. You keep your office. You will be able to shift your tives seems to be ahead. You are likely to make a low friend’s advice to pass testing times. a vigilant eye at what’s happening around you. focus/attention from personal to social life. commitment without knowing how to honour it.

bilities at work. This would put you in good books of gence, but you need to control your tendency to be ex- Annual Predictions: For those born in this week your employer and go a long way in bringing you re- travagant, reckless and moody at times. This year you March 30: tion. New romance most likely for some. Health defi- wards. You would work on new ideas, which would would find yourself changing plans more than usual Governed by number 3 and the planet Jupiter, you are nitely would need more attention. Regular exercise and help you increase your income. Spouse expected to and decision on certain fronts would not be easy. Some bold, ambitious, dignified, courageous and intelligent meditation would immensely help you this year. The bring in some thrilling news later this year. Distant changes in friendship also seem to take place later this person. You are hard working and always appreciated months of March, April, May, August and October will journeys, maybe overseas for some would be highly year. Frequent and fruitful journeys would be under- for your commitment and efforts, but you need to con- prove to be significant and result oriented. pleasurable and rewarding. The months of July, Au- taken. A property transaction or acquiring a new vehi- trol your tendency to behave erratic, stubborn and lazy April 01: gust, September, October and December seem to be cle during this period seems likely. Visit to a religious at times. Financially this promises to be a highly lu- Governed by number 1, and the Sun, you are original, highly beneficial. place or blessings from a spiritual person would be crative year. New contract or partnership will take active, responsible, trustworthy and a very simple per- April 03: high on your agenda. Your outgoing nature will work shape, lifting your moral and confidence. Investment in son. You are highly talented and fond of accepting Governed by number 3 and the planet Jupiter. You are a to your advantage as you gain favours and benefits stocks and real estate recommended. Businessmen challenges, but you need to control your tendency to practical, energetic, religious, brilliant, sober and an op- from important people. The months of June, August, dealing in trading and export will benefit. Students will dominate, overspend and behave destructive at times. timistic person. You are always looking for a change October and January will bring prosperity. find this period highly exciting, adventurous and full of This year you should plan things well in advance to and you adapt to new technologies quickly than others. April 05: good opportunities. Religious feeling will arise making reap benefits. Efforts that you put during this period You are efficient and sincere, but you need to check Ruled by number 5 and the planet Mercury. You are you go for a pilgrimage later in the year. Nuptial knots will bring desired results in the long run. Favourable your tendency to behave jealous and stubborn at times. highly intelligent, diplomatic, highly business orient- for few lovebirds. Chronic patients need to take pre- period for property investment. Romance will be on This year sharing personal and secretive information ed, accommodating, dashing and kindhearted individ- ventive medication. Drive carefully, especially during top of your list. There seem to be chances too of a new would not be in your best interest. The atmosphere at ual. You are a very social person and your family and the night. The months of May, July, September, Octo- arrival as well. Your financial condition will improve office would be competitive and would require you to friends have a priority in your life, but you need to curb ber and January seem to be important and significant. as you pickup job involving higher responsibility and handle important jobs with more responsibility. You can your tendencies to behave reckless, vindictive and March 31: position. Some exhilarating news from distant relations look forward to new friendships and even a romantic al- moody at times. Influenced by number 4 and the planet Uranus. You are will boost up the spirits of the entire family. Travel and liance through work related projects. You need to con- This year you should try to focus your energy into pro- energetic, practical, enthusiastic, authoritative and trust- journey will be pleasurable. The months of April, June, trol your mood and erratic behaviour; otherwise you are fessional endeavors. It would be a period of success worthy person. You are intelligent and can do wonders August & November will be significant for you. likely to disappoint many people around you. Distant and happiness, as you would make major gains. You with your ability to put in your maximum, but you need April 02: journeys, maybe overseas for some would fetch favor- would easily outsmart your competitors because of you to control your tendencies to behave reckless, stubborn Influenced by number 2 and the Moon. You are active, able returns. The months of May, July, September, No- better skills and aptitude. Investments during this peri- and impatient at times. This is a period of recognition smart, energetic, responsible, systematic and a friend- vember and April will prove to be significant. od would also yield handsome gains. New proposals and rewards. Efforts put in the past will yield returns ly person. You always aim high and you are not satis- April 04: for joint venture would be alluring, but a partnership is this year. Your investments will multiply and yield good fied until you achieve your goals. You are helpful and Ruled by number 4 and the planet Uranus. You are gen- definitely not on your cards this year. You would make profits. Unexpected gains from speculation or real es- loyal to your friends but you need to check your ten- erous, peace loving, dashing, systematic, disciplined, new friends through old ones. The months of July, Au- tate may not be ruled out. Children may cause some dis- dency to behave stubborn and fickle-minded at times. and creative in nature. You are very hardworking and gust, October, December and March would be highly satisfaction and spouse will need more of your atten- This year you are asked to handle additional responsi- possess an ability to impress others with your intelli- significant. 38 March 30-April 5, 2013 SPIRITUAL AWARENESS TheSouthAsianTimes.info The empowered soul

Chapter excerpt from the book: Empowering Your Soul through Meditation

gotten. The mind, the senses, the souls have come and gone but have it? What are its characteristics and From the outset, we should body, and the pulls of the physical left behind no records because they qualities? This book provides a define certain terminology to world have placed the soul in a did not found a religion or leave way for us to accomplish two ensure that there is no confusion in state of forgetfulness from which behind any scriptures. tasks: the theoretical understand- how words are being used through- we must awaken. When we Some of them we know of ing of our true selves as soul; and out the book. The term “soul” is empower our soul, its wisdom, through references by other people the practical technique for the real- defined as our true essence or spir- immortality, love, fearlessness, who wrote about them. One thing ization of our soul and the empow- itual side—the part of us that lives By Sant Rajinder Singh connectedness, and bliss add a new is clear: these realized souls have ering of it to guide our lives. beyond the death of our physical Ji Maharaj dimension to our life. the ability to teach us how to real- Some of us may spend our lives body. The soul exists whether it Many people live and die with- ize ourselves. If we find such a searching for knowledge in the has a body or mind. When it enters ithin us are riches out ever realizing the full power being, we can learn how we, too, world outside. this world, it is given a body and greater than any we can and potential of their soul. At some can discover our soul and its attrib- Little do we know that the source mind. As human beings, we are Wever accumulate on time in their life, they may begin to utes. True knowledge comes from of all answers, the universal wis- thus “embodied souls” or souls earth. We have inside us a source wonder about the soul, about God, seeing and experiencing on our dom, lies within us. Some of us with a body and mind. of knowledge from which all other and about the purpose of their exis- own. We may read what others may find that at times our life is The terms “we” or “us” refer to knowledge flows. tence. This search for meaning and write or listen to what others say, thwarted by fear and anxiety, us as human beings or embodied

A love far greater and fulfilling purpose—the spiritual quest—is but we cannot be fully satisfied hopelessness and depression, yet souls. The process of finding the than any we can know in the outer one that people pursue in individ- until we experience it for our- we have a source of fearlessness soul is referred to as “tapping into” world is waiting to embrace us ual ways. Some seek answers in selves. within us that can help us over- or “discovering our soul within with open arms within. At our core scripture while others search in This book touches on the two come any inner turmoil. We fear us.” When we finally do discover is a strength and power that can places of worship. Some go aspects of spiritual knowledge that our own death and the passing our soul and identify with it as enable us to overcome any fear. beyond” their own religion to find can help us realize our soul: the away of our loved ones. We are being our true nature, then the soul Underlying our separateness as the answers offered in other faiths. theoretical knowledge, and the per- petrified of the unknown and what is referred to as the “empowered individuals is a connectedness and Whichever method one adopts, the sonal or practical knowledge. The awaits us beyond this life. But we soul,” a soul that has recognized oneness to all life. Awaiting us direction one follows to find the theoretical side consists of what do not realize that immortality is itself and is aware that it is the inside is a bliss and joy so fulfill- essence of who we really are, that ing that we need no other outer it is the guiding power behind the intoxicants to make us happy. All Once we learn to tap into our body and mind. these gifts lie within us in the True joy is not as elusive as we empowered soul. inner resources, we can experience a think. We can find lasting happi- The soul is a source of tremen- ness if we only look in the right dous wisdom, love, and power, yet profound transformation that can place. Within us lies the unlimited we remain ignorant of its treasures power and energy of the empow- when we allow it to be overpow- enrich all areas of our life— ered soul. Its rich qualities include ered by the mind, the senses, and wisdom, fearlessness, immortality, the physical body. When the mind personal relations; physical, mental, unconditional love, connectedness, and body assert power over the and bliss. Tapping into the soul and soul, the soul forgets itself. But the and emotional health; professional its power can enrich and transform empowered soul is our true nature, our life. and it is time we reclaim the soul work; spiritual growth; and the We remain ignorant of these so that its gifts can enrich our life. inner gifts because blockages keep There are two ways through attainments of our life’s goals. us from tapping into them. How which to view ourselves with can we remove these blockages? regard to the soul. What process do we need to The first is to view ourselves pri- answers to life’s questions is other realized people have said ours. We crave love and seek it employ to discover all that we marily as a body and mind. When known as the spiritual path. It is about the soul (such as what are many places. But there is an seek? we see ourselves in this manner, the spiritualm path that leads us to some of the qualities—wisdom,” unconditional love that is ours There are simple techniques for we say that we are a mind and the realization of our inner self, to immortality, fearlessness, love, awaiting us with open arms. We accessing the riches of our soul. body that “have a soul.” the soul. connectedness, and bliss). The per- need only turn in the right direc- We need not search the four cor- The second is to see ourselves Many people pass through life sonal or practica side consists of a tion to find it. We feel alone and ners of the earth. We need not trav- primarily as a soul. When we never realizing who they are and technique that I learned from a unconnected in this world. But el into outer space. change perspective and identify never certain about the purpose of fully realized being. I wish t share there is a place of unity and con- These techniques can be prac- with the soul, we say that we are a their existence. In times of trouble this technique to help others real- nectedness within us. If we could ticed in the comfort of our home. soul who “has or wears a mind and or in the face of death, they may ize their soul on their own. but only tap it we would find the Once we learn to tap into our body.” To assess how we look at raise these questions but may not On the theoretical side, a basic richness of relationships with oth- inner resources, we can experience ourselves is one of our goals in follow them through to a fulfilling agreement among enlightened ers, with nature, and with all life. a profound transformation that can Empowering Your Soul through conclusion or else may abandon souls is that we are not just a phys- Exploration within will help us enrich all areas of our life—per- Meditation. If we think we are a the process when the bad times ical body, but we are also the soul discover our own potential. Once sonal relations; physical, mental, mind and body, then ours is a jour- pass. But those who have a burn- or spirit behind the body. It is the we learn to tap into our inner and emotional health; professional ney to find the soul. If we realize ing desire to find the answers to soul that that gives us life. When resources, we experience a pro- work; spiritual growth; and the that we are the soul, which has the mysteries of life can find them. the soul is in the body, we are found transformation that will attainments of our life’s goals. This been given a mind and body to Fortunately, there are people in physically alive. When the soul enrich all areas of our life—from transformation cannot only bring maneuver through the physical the world who have found spiritual leaves the body at the time of personal relations, to physical, peace and joy to our lives, but can world, then our goal is to further fulfillment and can guide us. If we death, the body ceases to exist. The mental and emotional health, to also contribute to a peaceful, lov- empower the soul. By empowering look through history we find that body may perish, but the soul that our work, to our spiritual growth, ing world. the soul we recover its natural con- in every generation there have inhabits it is immortal. and the attainment of our life’s The aim of the book is to provide trol over the mind and senses. been people who have realized The soul continues to exist after goals. a means by which we can re-iden- The aim of Empowering Your themselves as soul and have real- our physical death. This transformation can bring tify with the soul, (i.e. realize that Soul through Meditation is to help ized God. Some of their wisdom We are aware of our physical peace and joy into our lives and the mind and body are merely our reacquaint us with the qualities of and experiences have been record- body because we can look at it, can contribute to a peaceful, loving soul’s outer coverings through the soul and provide direction for ed in history and, in some cases, a feel it, and listen to sounds coming world. The Empowered Soul is a which it can live and work in this its empowerment. religion has been created from from it. However, where and what manual for daily living and person- physical world) and to empower The soul’s power has been for- their teachings. Other realized is the soul? How can we recognize al discovery. the soul to guide our life. TheSouthAsianTimes.info HAPPY HOLI March 30-April 5, 2013

INTRODUCING OUR NEW LOOK

To commemorate 30 years of service to the community, Habib American Bank is rebranding to new and fresher look … “HAB BANK”.

We will continue to focus on our key priorities: customer relationships, products and services. The Bank is committed as ever to deliver outstanding personal and commercial banking services that you have come to expect. Our core products are Commercial Real Estate Mortgages, International Trade Services, US Small Business Loans and well-designed commercial banking products and services for small to medium sized businesses. We offer a wide range of consumer products and services including personal checking, savings, CDs, and full-service online banking.

Your business is important to us and we look forward to continuing a long and mutually successful partnership with you as… HAB BANK.

HAB Bank 99 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016 t: (212) 532 4444 f: (212) 532 7136 www.habbank.com HAB BANK is a registered Service Mark of Habib American Bank.