NEW YORK • WASHINGTON D.C. • CHICAGO • ATLANTA • CALIFORNIA VOL 26, No. 1370 January 8, 2021 50¢ Periodical Postage US SNUBS CHINA Bipartisan Congressional provision condemning China's aggression towards India becomes law

India takes its place on UN Security Council

Details on page 6 Sikhs Serve Christmas Lunch Bill to terminate at Salvation Army Pakistan as major Details on page 17 non-NATO ally PM: Vaccination Details on page 5 program set to IND-AM begin in India nominated Details on page 8 Associate Judge Raja Krishnamoorthi Details on page 6 CONTENTS WASHINGTON: A bipartisan Congressional provi- President Trump on December 23 vetoed the Bollywood ------28 sion condemning China's aggression towards India NDAA, which had bipartisan support, arguing it had Classifieds ------29 has become a law as the US Congress overrode Presi- provisions that would damage national security. Community Post ------17-22 Edit Page ------31 dent Donald Trump's veto on the USD 740 billion de- As Congress dealt a humiliating blow to Trump in Horoscope ------23 This week’s question fense policy bill which among other things included his last days in office, Indian-American Congressman Immigration Post ------10-11 Will US be able to vaccinate the calling out the Chinese government for its actions Raja Krishnamoorthi said: Through today's New Year's Life Style ------14-15 entire country in 6 months? along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Day vote in the Senate, Congress has made the Na- Philosophy/Perspective ------30 Last week’s result The National DefenseAuthorization Act (NDAA) tional DefenseAuthorization Act into law, including Info/Highlights ------4 Is Chinese Government nervous 2021, which became a law on 01 January 2021 after elements of my resolution calling on China to end its Real Estate ------26-27 that the citizen journalist will TechBiz Post ------12-13 expose Wuhan Virus? Congress overrode Trump's veto, included a resolu- military aggression towards India and others in the Travel & Hospitality Post ------16 YES 89% NO 11% tion urging the Chinese government to end its mili- broader Indo-Pacific region. Wellness Post ------24-25 tary aggression towards India along the LAC. Details on page 5 2 India Post January 8, 2021 www.indiapost.com January 8, 2021 India Post 3 www.indiapost.com 4 India Post January 8, 2021 www.indiapost.com

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SAN FRANCISCO & Sonakshi on 2021 Gal - Wonder Woman SILICON VALLEY Vidya Sethuraman Bureau Chief Sonakshi Sinha welcomed 2021 with an Gal Gadot says there were not many Vijay Thapar CPRO & Advertising open heart, "Happy New Year everyone! references to how a female superhero Kiran Pandey Director, WellnessPost Lets be grateful to 2020 for the lessons should fight, as usually men are pro- Vinita Thapar Marketing Deepak Chhabra Promotions it taught us …" tagonists in the superhero genre. Ritu Maheshwari Director Promotions 28 14 Sudesh Kumari Correspondent

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CHICAGO US SNUBS CHINA Card data on Dark Web Ramesh Soparawala Resident Editor The NDA Act 2021 became a law after Independent cyber security researcher A Q Siddiqui Correspondent Congress overrode Trump's veto, includes Rajahariaclaims data of nearly 10 crore ST. LOUIS resolution urging the Chinese govt to credit and debit card holders in India is Ashwin Patel Correspondent end military aggression towards India. 5 being sold for an undisclosed amount 12 NEW YORK & NEW JERSEY Pinky Kaur Bureau Chief Srirekha N. Chakravarty Correspondent Sukhvinder Saini Circulation Community: Travel:

BOSTON Sikhs Serve Christmas Lunch Jaisalmer Gope Gidwani Bureau Chief Under the aegis of Sikh Religious Soci- Jaisalmer nicknamed Golden City; its CANADA ety of Chicago, Sikh youth served food Gold Fort, the ornate temples, palaces Paras Nehra Correspondent to needy families on Christmas at the and sand dunes are specimens of the NEW DELHI Salvation Army Center. 17 extravaganza of medieval Rajasthan. 16 Lakshay Sharma Web Developer

MUMBAI Nidhi Soparawala Correspondent Immigration: Wellness: Frank Fernandes Correspondent Freeze on H-1B visas WHO approves vaccine VADODARA, GUJARAT Vaidehi Patel Correspondent President Donald Trump extended the WHO granted use of Pfizer-BioNTech Priyanka Shah Correspondent freeze on the most sought-after H-1B vi- Covid-19 vaccine for countries to expe- PUNJAB sas by Indian IT professionals, along with dite their own regulatory processes to Raman Nehra Bureau Chief other types of foreign work visas. 10 import and administer the vaccine. 24 Jaswant Singh Gandam Correspondent INFO-CENTER Business Partner India: CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS PHOENIX DUO MATRIX 1860 Mowry Ave # 200 Fremont, CA 94538 COMMUNICATIONS Tel: 510-396-9140 • Fax: 510-790-2806 • e-mail: [email protected] PRIVATE LIMITED S-1/A, 3rd Floor, Arjun Nagar, E-SUBSCRIPTION& EDITORIAL: Vidya Sethuraman: Tel: 510-491-4867 • e-mail: [email protected] Safdarjung Enclave Extension, ADVERTISEMENT: Naresh Sodhi: Tel: 510-938-8667 • e-mail: [email protected] I Graphics Inquiry: E-mail: [email protected] New Delhi -110029, INDIA T: +91 11 46068685, +91 11 41006051 INDIA CORPORATE OFFICE • E: [email protected] • W: www.phoenixduomatrix.com 230-A, 3rd Floor, Jin Kushal Suri Complex (Opp NDSE Part-II) New Delhi - 110049 • Tel: 11-26257769 • E-mail:[email protected] For advertisement rates call the office nearest to you: India Sales Offices: India Post Copyright©1994 RJ Media Inc, ISSN 1084-3868, is published weekly for SAN FRANCISCO & SILICON VALLEY NEW DELHI PUNJAB $30 for 52 issues yearly by India Post, 1860 1860 Mowry Ave # 200 Fremont, CA 94538 Chandrika Malikarya Amardeep Singh Mowry Ave Ste 200, Fremont, CA 94538- Naresh Sodhi: 510-938-8667 • e-mail: [email protected] Sr. Manager - Sales & Business Development Manager - Business Development 1730. Application to mail at Periodicals M: +91 8373929895 M: +91 8527456807 postage prices is pending at Fremont, Vidya Sethuraman: 510-491-4867 • e-mail: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] California and additional mailing offices. LOS ANGELES CHICAGO BANGALORE POSTMASTER: Send address changes to 16224 Alpine Pl. La Mirada, CA 90638 2543 W Devon Ave Chicago IL 60659 Gowtham Sivanandam Advertorials & Event Team India: India Post, 1860 Mowry Ave Ste 200, Tel: 562-441-5511, Tel: 773-973-7394; Fax: 773-973-7396; Sr. Manager Business Development Fremont, CA 94538-1730. [email protected] Email: [email protected] M: +91 9880535664 Deepti Dogra E: [email protected] Assistant Manager DISCLAIMER NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY India Post Editorial and Content Support assumes all advertisers to be Tel: 510-938-8667 • e-mail: [email protected] MUMBAI/AHMEDABAD [email protected] reliable and responsible for all liability M: +91 9560750802 for their claimers For editorial, contact: [email protected] January 8, 2021 Cover/Top Stories India Post 5 www.indiapost.com

US SNUBS CHINA Bipartisan Congressional provision condemning China's aggression towards India becomes law

WASHINGTON: A bipartisan Congres- wards India and others in the broader tries to resolve the standoff have not resentatives, reflects the American sional provision condemning China's Indo-Pacific region. yielded any concrete outcome. government's strong support for its al- aggression towards India has become a The US House of Representatives Krishnamoorthi said: The Chinese lies and partners like India in the Indo- law as the US Congress overrode Presi- and the Senate on December 15 passed military's violent aggression along the Pacific region and beyond. dent Donald Trump's veto on the USD the USD 740 billion NDAA, which in- Line of Actual Control with India and Expressing "significant concern" over 740 billion defense policy bill which cluded key components of elsewhere is unacceptable, and the the continued military aggression by among other things included calling China along the border out the Chinese government for its ac- Through today's New Year's with India, the NDAA says tions along the Line of Actual Control that China "should work (LAC). Day vote in the Senate, with" India toward de-es- The National DefenseAuthorization Congress has made the calating the situation Act (NDAA) 2021, which became a law National Defense Authoriza- along the LAC through on 01 January 2021 after Congress existing diplomatic overrode Trump's veto, included a reso- tion Act into law, including mechanisms and refrain lution urging the Chinese government elements of my resolution from attempting to to end its military aggression towards calling on China to end its settle disputes through India along the LAC. coercion or force. President Trump on December 23 military aggression towards Attempts by China to vetoed the NDAA, which had bipartisan India and others in the advance baseless territo- support, arguing it had provisions that broader Indo-Pacific region rial claims, including would damage national security. Raja Krishnamoorthi those in the South China As Congress dealt a humiliating blow Sea, the East China Sea, to Trump in his last days in office, Indian- Krishnamoorthi's resolution language passage into law of this legislation and with respect to Bhutan, are desta- American Congressman Raja urging the Chinese government to end sends a clear message of support and bilizing and inconsistent with interna- Krishnamoorthi said: Through today's its military aggression against India solidarity to India and our other part- tional law, says the bill. New Year's Day vote in the Senate, Con- along the LAC. ners across the world as we enter the China is also engaged in hotly con- gress has made the National Defense China and India have been locked in New Year. tested territorial disputes in both the Authorization Act into law, including el- a military standoff along the LAC in east- The inclusion of this provision, which South China Sea and the East China Sea. ements of my resolution calling on ern Ladakh since May this year. Several Krishnamoorthi led as an amendment China claims sovereignty over all of the China to end its military aggression to- rounds of talks between the two coun- when the bill passed the House of Rep- South China Sea. Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Brunei and Taiwan have counter claims. US Congressman introduces bill to terminate Pakistan as major non-NATO ally Beijing has built up and militarized many of the islands and reefs it controls WASHINGTON D.C.: On the first day development projects. "On the first day kistan continues to conduct military in the region. Both areas are stated to of the 117th Congress, a Republican of the 117th Congress, my staff and I operations that are contributing to Congressman introduced a bill in the have hit the ground running, working significantly disrupting the safe ha- be rich in minerals, oil and other natural United States House of Representa- hard for the great people of #AZ05. To- ven and freedom of movement of the resources and are also vital to global tives to terminate the designation of day, I reintroduced 28 bills that keep Haqqani network in Pakistan. trade. Pakistan as a major non-NATO ally. the promises I've made to my constitu- The bill noted that Pakistan has taken "The Chinese military's violent ag- Congressman Andy Biggs intro- ents and help to reduce the size and steps to demonstrate its commitment gression along the Line of Actual Con- duced the bill to remove the desig- scope of the federal government." to preventing the Haqqani network trol with India and elsewhere is unac- nation of Pakistan as a major non- Biggs wrote in a tweet (of 4 Jan). from using any Pakistani territory as a ceptable, and the passage into law of NATO ally, a status that allows for vari- According to the bill, the US Presi- safe haven and that the Pakistan gov- this legislation sends a clear message ous benefits such as access to excess dent cannot issue a separate designa- ernment actively coordinates with the of support and solidarity to India and US defense supplies and participation tion of Pakistan as a major NATO ally un- Afghanistan government to restrict the our other partners across the world as in cooperative defense research and less a presidential certification that Pa- movement of militants. ANI we enter the New Year." he observed. Wilson Baldwin and PTI 6 India Post Top Stories January 8, 2021 www.indiapost.com India takes its place on UN Security Council pledging 'human-centric' agenda

UNITED NATIONS: With a pledge to "bring human-centric and inclusive so- lutions" to world problems, India has taken its place on the UN Security Coun- cil, the organization's highest decision- making body. India's membership was celebrated on Monday 5 January, at a flag cer- emony when its banner went up out- side the Council chamber after the first session of the year. Speaking at the ceremony, India's Permanent Representative T.S. Tirumurti pledged that India would "not shy away from raising our voice against the common enemies of humanity like terrorism." "We will use our tenure to bring hu- man-centric and inclusive solutions to matters of international peace and se- curity. India will be a voice for the de- veloping world," he said. Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations TS Trimurti (2nd Right) during the flag installation ceremony for incoming UNSC Members in New York on January 4. Picture courtesy ANI At the Council, where China has re- peatedly tried in recent years to bring of democracy, pluralism and commit- started on the Council on January 1, but members "sterling contributors" to the up the Kashmir issue and questioning ment to fundamental rights," he said, today was the first session because of UN and said they are entering the India's integrity along with Pakistan, while pointing out that the nation with the holidays. The other newly elected Council at a crucial time for the world Tirumurti pointedly made a reference one-sixth the world's population is the countries are, along with Ireland, Kenya, body. to the union territory and its unity with largest democracy. Mexico and Norway. The 15-member Council has ten non- India. Elected last June to its eighth two- Kazhakstan's Permanent Representa- permanent elected members and five "From Kashmir to Kanyakumari, we year tenure on the Council with 184 of tive Magzhan Ilyassov, who presided permanent members, who have veto stand united as one, bound by our ethos the 192 votes polled, India officially over the flag ceremony, called the new powers. The year's first session of the Council was held virtually before the flag cer- emony and was on planning the agenda for the month during which Tunisia will Trump nominates Indian-American hold the rotating presidency. "Peace-keeping, peace-building, advocate for Associate Judge maritime security, women and youth, especially in conflict situations, and WASHINGTON: US President Deputy Chief of the Appellate Sec- technology with a human face, will re- Donald Trump has nominated In- tion. ceive our attention while on the Coun- dian-American advocate Vijay Before joining the Department cil," Tirumurti said. Shanker for the position of Associ- of Justice in 2012, Shanker was in "We look forward to our collective ate Judge of the District of Colum- private practice with the Washing- pursuit for an ideal where the World is bia Court of Appeals. ton, DC, offices of Mayer Brown, LLC One Family -- 'Vasudhaiva In a communiqué to the Senate and Covington and Burling, LLP. Kutumbakam'," he said. In the context of the global disrup- on Sunday (3 Dec.), Trump said the Upon graduation from law tion by the Covid-19 pandemic, he nomination of Shanker is for a pe- school, Shanker served as a law quoted Swami Vivekananda: "Each na- riod of 15 years. clerk to Judge Chester J Straub on tion must give, in order to live. When If confirmed by the Senate, the United States Court of Appeals you give life, you will have life; when Shanker will replace John R Fisher, for the Second Circuit. you receive, you must pay for it by giv- who has now retired. The District of Shanker completed his bach- ing to all others." Columbia Court of Appeals is the elors, cum laude, from Duke Uni- While India serves on the Council as a highest court for Washington DC. versity and his Juris Doctor from non-permanent member, it will con- Trump had first announced the University of Virginia School of tinue its quest for permanent seat in a Shaker's nomination last June. Cur- Law, where he served as a Notes reformed UN. rently, he serves as Senior Litiga- Editor for the Virginia Law Review Tirumurti reiterated India's "strong tion Counsel in the Department of and was inducted into the Order of commitment to reformed Justice, Criminal Division, and as Vijay Shanker the Coif. PTI multilateralism" and to an "equitable international system". IANS January 8, 2021 Top Stories India Post 7 www.indiapost.com

Kamala Harris slams Trump's phone call with Georgia official, calls it 'voice of desperation'

WASHINGTON: US Vice President-elect Kamala Harris has said President Donald Trump's phone call with Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger showed a 'voice of desperation' from the incumbent president, reported The Hill. According to The Washington Post, Trump urged fellow Republican Brad Raffensperger, the Georgia secretary of state, to "find" enough votes to overturn his defeat in an extraordinary one- hour phone call. Addressing the crowd at a cam- paign event for Georgia Democratic Senate can- didates, Harris said: "Have y'all heard about that recorded conversation?...Well, it was yes certainly the voice of desperation, most certainly that... It was a bald-faced, bold abuse of power by the president of the United States." In her speech, the Vice Presi- dent-elect also slammed the president for call- Nancy Pelosi re-elected as Speaker ing the Georgia runoffs 'illegal' and 'invalid', say- of US House of Representatives ing that he was suggesting that WASHINGTON: Veteran Democratic Congress- continue to be defeating the coronavirus - and defeat the people of woman Nancy Pelosi has been narrowly re-elected as it, we will!" Pelosi said. Georgia were the Speaker of the US House of Representatives for a "We owe it to the American people to Build Back committing a fourth time, as a new Congress took office amidst rag- Better in a way that advances justice throughout our crime, reported ing coronavirus crisis and political uncertainty. country," she said. The Hill. Kamala Harris Pelosi, 80, secured 216 votes in a tight contest After serving for 17 years in charge of the House "And I raise all against Republican Kevin McCarthy, who got support Democrats, Pelosi ran unopposed in her election. She this to remind us to ask a question always when from 209 Congressmen, after Democrats lost 11 seats is the first woman to be the Speaker, leading the we see these powerful people that are trying to in the November elections to command a narrower House from 2006 to 2011, and since the Democrats make it difficult, trying to make it confusing, try- 222-212 majority. took back the House in 2018. ing to invalidate our voice," she added. According to the House Clerk, a total of 427 votes "It gives (me) great pride to serve as speaker of the In a recording obtained by The Post, Trump "al- were cast. One vote went to Senator Tammy most diverse House of Representatives in the history ternately berated" Raffensperger, tried to flatter Duckworth and one to Congressman of our country," she said. him, begged him to act and threatened him with Hakeem Jeffries. Notably, six Pelosi received two more votes vague criminal consequences if the secretary of "I am honored to be nominated by Democratic lawmakers than the 2014 votes, which is the ma- state refused to pursue his false claims, at one point my colleagues to serve as the did not vote for Pelosi, jority of members who participated warning that Raffensperger was taking "a big risk." Speaker of the House for the 117th in the election by voting for someone while all the 209 "The people of Georgia are angry, the people in Congress," Pelosi said in a tweet. by name, soon thereafter announced the country are angry... And there's nothing wrong Notably, six Democratic lawmak- Republicans stood by that this is her last term as the House with saying, you know, um, that you've recalcu- ers did not vote for Pelosi, while all McCarthy, who is now Speaker. lated," Trump said in the recording, to which the 209 Republicans stood by the House Minority Pelosi has led the House Demo- Raffensperger responded, "Well, Mr. President, McCarthy, who is now the House Mi- crats since 2003. In 2007, she created Leader. The Democratic the challenge that you have is, the data you have nority Leader. The Democratic Party history by becoming the first women is wrong." The Georgia Secretary of State de- has 222 seats in the House. Party has 222 seats in speaker of the House. She was re- bunked the conspiracy theories by Trump and Following the election of the the House elected in 2009. She served as the said President-elect Joe Biden's 11,779-vote vic- House Speaker, Pelosi administered House Minority Leader from 2011 to tory in Georgia was fair and accurate. the oath to the rest of the members of the House start- 2019, when she was elected as the Speaker after "There's no way I lost Georgia... There's no way. ing with the first-time members elect. The US House Democratic Party gained control of the House. We won by hundreds of thousands of votes," of Representatives has strength of 435 voting mem- "Jill and I extend our warmest congratulations to Trump claimed. bers and six non-voting members. Speaker Pelosi on her well-deserved reelection today Trump further told the Georgia Secretary of "Our work for the people continues, even in the as Speaker of the House of Representatives. A State that failure to act by Tuesday (5 Jan.) would face of this unprecedented national crisis. Tune in as I trailblazing leader - and one of the most effective and jeopardize the political fortunes of David Perdue swear in Members of the 117th Congress. As we are accomplished legislators in our nation's history - I have and Kelly Loeffler, Georgia's two Republican sena- sworn in today, we accept a responsibility as daunting no doubt that Speaker Pelosi will continue to lead the tors whose fate in that day's runoff elections will and demanding as any that previous generations of House with dignity, principle, and patriotic resolve," determine control of the US Senate. ANI leadership have faced. Our most urgent priority will President-elect Biden said in a statement. PTI 8 India Post Top Stories January 8, 2021 www.indiapost.com

India's S-400 deal with Russia may trigger ‘India-US trade ties hit US sanctions: Congressional report by tariff policies under WASHINGTON: India's multi-billion dollar deal to may trigger US sanctions on India under the Coun- Trump administration’ purchase the Russian-made S-400 air defense system tering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act." may trigger US sanctions on New Delhi, a US Congres- The CRS' reports are neither an official report of WASHINGTON: Under the Trump administration, sional report has warned. the US Congress nor reflect the view of Congress- US-India tensions have increased over each side's The Congressional Research Service (CRS) - an inde- men. They are prepared by independent experts for tariff policies, a Congressional report has said, pendent and bipartisan research wing of US Congress the lawmakers to take informed decisions. noting that the two sides have also held con- In October 2018, India had certed negotiations to address these trade fric- signed a USD 5 billion deal tions. with Russia to buy five units of The bipartisan Congressional Research Service the S-400 air defense missile (CRS), in its latest report, pointed out that India's systems, despite a warning recent tariff hikes on cell phones and other tele- from the Trump administra- communication goods went up from zero percent tion that going ahead with the to 15-20 per cent in the last few years. contract may invite US sanc- "Under the Trump administration, bilateral ten- tions. sions increased over each side's tariff policies. In In 2019, India made the first general, India has relatively high average tariff tranche of payment of around rates, especially in agriculture. It can raise its ap- USD 800 million to Russia for plied rates to bound rates without violating its the missile systems. commitments under the WTO (World Trade Orga- The S-400 is known as nization), causing uncertainty for US exporters," Russia's most advanced long- said the CRS report, which is prepared for the range surface-to-air missile members of Congress ahead of trade decisions. defense system. The United States and several other countries Last month, Russia had said have requested to join various WTO dispute con- that implementation of its on- sultations against India, related to its technology going defense deals with In- tariffs, also questioning its compliance with the - in its latest report to Congress, said India is "eager dia including the supply of a batch of S-400 missile WTO Information Technology Agreement (ITA). for more technology-sharing and co-production initia- systems is advancing well notwithstanding the "India opposes the 25 per cent steel and 10 tives, while the United States urges more reforms in threat of US sanctions. per cent aluminum national security-based 'Sec- India's defense offsets policy and higher Foreign Di- At a press conference in New Delhi last month, tion 232' tariffs that the Trump Administration im- rect Investment caps in its defense sector." Russian ambassador to India Nikolay Kudashev ap- Prepared for the members of the Congress for peared to criticize the US sanctions on Turkey for pro- posed in 2018. India repeatedly delayed applying them to take informed decisions, the report went on curing the S-400 missile systems under a USD 2.5 bil- planned retaliatory tariffs against the United to warn that "India's multi-billion dollar deal to pur- lion deal, saying Moscow does not recognize such uni- States in hopes of resolving the issues bilaterally," chase the Russian-made S-400 air defense system lateral actions. PTI it said. After India lost its eligibility for the US Trade Preference Program, India imposed higher tariffs of 10 per cent to 25 per cent, affecting about USD World's biggest COVID-19 vaccination program 1.32 billion of US exports, such as nuts, apples, chemicals, and steel, the report stated, adding set to begin in India: PM that the two sides are challenging each other's tariffs in the WTO. NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said India' products not only have global demand but also "Under the Trump administration, the United the world's biggest inoculation drive against global acceptance. States and India held concerted negotiations to coronavirus is set to begin in the country, a day after "Quality is as much important as quantity, our stan- address trade frictions. A potential trade deal the drugs regulator approved two vaccines for re- dards should rise with our scale in our quest for could include partial restoration by the United stricted emergency use. Aatmanirbhar Bharat," he said. States of India's GSP (Generalised System of Pref- Lauding the scientists and technicians for the 'Made The prime minister said in any progressive soci- erence) benefits in exchange for certain market in India' vaccines, he said the country is proud of ety, research is key and effective and its effects are access commitments according to press ac- them. commercial and social. They also help widen ap- counts," CRS said. "World's biggest COVID-19 vaccination program proach and thinking. Yet, the long expected limited trade deal has set to begin in India. For this, the country is proud of "Past teaches us that more a country concentrates not materialized to date, the report said. the contributions of its scientists and technicians," on science, the more its technology gets strength- Negotiations under prior administrations on a Modi said. ened. This technology in turn helps new industries Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) are stalled due to India's drugs regulator has approved Oxford and promotes research. This cycle takes the country differences on approaches on investor protection. COVID-19 vaccine Covishield, manufactured by the ahead," he said. On the government-to-government trade Serum Institute, and indigenously developed "We do not want to fill the world with Indian prod- policy, the CRS listed a set of key issues. Main Covaxin of Bharat Biotech for restricted emergency ucts, but we must win the hearts of every customer among them was what aspects of bilateral trade use in the country, paving the way for a massive in- of Indian products in every corner of the world," he relations would change or remain the same un- oculation drive. said. Quality of services in our country and products, der a President-elect Joe Biden-led administra- Addressing scientists at the National Metrology both public or private sector, will determine India's tion. PTI Conclave, Modi said it must be ensured that 'Made in strength in the world, he stressed. PTI January 8, 2021 India Post 9 www.indiapost.com

New York AIRWING TRAVELS INC. New Jersey (Hicksville) (Iselin) Est. 1991 Tel: (516) 931 4600 Toll Free: (866) 532 3413 Tel: (732) 658 5450 Lowest Fares / Confirmed Seats to INDIA & Other Destinations Worldwide Save upto 40% on First and Business Class OPEN 7 DAYS -CCall or Email : [email protected] In Brief Hours before the freeze was set to expire on China sentences 10 December 31, Trump seeking to flee Hong Kong to prison terms Immigration issued another procla- mation on Thursday (31 BEIJING: A Chinese court on Wednesday sentenced 10 pro- Dec.) to extend it democracy activists who sought until March 31 to flee Hong Kong by speedboat 10 India Post www.indiapost.com January 8, 2021 to between seven months and three years in prison, in a case with major political overtones for the territory. Trump extends freeze on H-1B visas; The Yantian District Court in the southern city of Shenzhen gave the harshest sentence to one of the two accused orga- Indian IT professionals to be hit nizers of the ill-fated Aug 23 attempt to reach self-ruled Tai- WASHINGTON: US President ministration since its first days cies are cruel. They would now have to wan. Relatives said all defen- Donald Trump has extended when it issued the travel ban The H-1B visa is a non-immi- wait at least till the end of dants pleaded guilty, a move the freeze on the most sought- on seven Muslim-majority grant visa that allows US com- March before approaching the apparently aimed at receiving after H-1B visas by Indian IT countries, and it has continued panies to employ foreign US diplomatic missions to get lighter sentences. professionals, along with other into Trump's final year in office workers in specialty occupa- stamping. It would also impact The defendants are be- types of foreign work visas and a large number of Indian IT pro- lieved to have feared they green cards through March 31 fessionals who are seeking re- would be prosecuted for their to protect American workers, newal of their H-1B visas. activities in support of Hong saying that the reasons for President Trump said that Kong's pro-democracy move- which he had imposed such the effects of COVID-19 on the ment. Hong Kong media re- restrictions amidst the pan- US labor market and the health ports said at least one may demic has not changed. of American communities is a have had a warrant out for his The freeze on various cat- matter of ongoing national arrest under a tough new na- egories of work visas was or- concern, and the consider- tional security law imposed on dered by Trump through two ations present in the two pre- the semi-autonomous territory proclamations on April 22 and vious proclamations have not by Beijing in June. June 22 last year. been eliminated. The court said it had held a Hours before the freeze was The 2019 Novel Coronavirus private hearing for two under- set to expire on December 31, (COVID-19) continues to signifi- age suspects and would not Trump issued another procla- cantly disrupt Americans' liveli- charge them for illegally cross- mation on Thursday (31 Dec.) hoods. While the November ing the border even though to extend it until March 31. US President Donald Trump overall unemployment rate in they pleaded guilty. He said that the reasons for the United States of 6.7 per cent Another organizer was which he had issued such a re- as the White House uses the tions that require theoretical reflects a marked decline from given two years while other striction has not changed. coronavirus pandemic as or technical expertise. The its April high, there were still participants were given seven The continuation of the re- cover. technology companies de- 9,834,000 fewer seasonally ad- months in prison. strictions, which comes with US President-elect Joe pend on it to hire tens of thou- justed nonfarm jobs in Novem- Relatives of the accused just 20 days left in the Republi- Biden has promised to lift the sands of employees each year ber than in February of 2020, said they were prevented from can President's term, are the suspension on H-1B visas, say- from countries like India and Trump said in his proclamation. hiring their own lawyers and latest effort to bar the entry of ing Trump's immigration poli- China. The current number of new that the charges are politically immigrants to the US. daily cases worldwide re- motivated. AP Restricting immigration has ported by the World Health Or- been a focus of the Trump ad- Woman hailed as model for ganization (WHO), for example, is higher than the comparable refugee integration slain in Italy number present during June, and while therapeutics and PRADEEP ROY-SINGH MILAN: Police in northern Italy has arrested an ex-employee vaccines are recently available of an agricultural business in the recent slaying of his former B.A. LL.B. M.B.A. J.D. for an increasing number of boss, an Ethiopian refugee who had been hailed as a model of Attorney-at-Law Americans, their effect on the integration for building a successful goat farming operation Former Assistant State’s Attorney labor market and community after she arrived in Italy 10 years ago. health has not yet been fully The 32-year-old suspect from Ghana confessed to killing 1 Civil & Criminal Litigation realized, he said. Agitu Ideo Gudeta, 42, telling police the two had argued over 1 Felonies, Misdemeanors, Inc DUI Moreover, actions such as 1 unpaid work, Italian news agency LaPresse reported. Personal Injury, Business, Divorce etc. States' continued imposition of 1 Property Tax for Commercial Properties Gudeta died from blows to the head with a hammer and restrictions on businesses still was raped in her home in the northern Italian province of affect the number of workers Trento, according to LaPresse. http://www.proy-singh.com that can be hired as compared Neighbors who checked in after she failed to show up for with February of 2020, Trump an appointment found her body. 2335 W. Devon Ave., Suite 204, said, adding that his latest Gudeta studied sociology at the University of Trento and Chicago, IL 60659 Tel: 773-381-1820 proclamation may be ex- returned home to Ethiopia after receiving her degree. AP tended if necessary. PTI January 8, 2021 Immigration Post India Post 11 www.indiapost.com

Bangladesh sends 2nd group of Rohingya to isolated island

DHAKA: Officials in Bangladesh sent a second group of Rohingya refugees to an isolated island in the Bay of Bengal despite calls by human rights groups for a halt to the process. More than 30 buses carrying about 1,500 refu- gees left their camps in Cox's Bazar district on the way to the island, a government official involved with the process said. The official, who spoke on condition of anonym- ity because he was not authorized to talk to the Plea for emergency travel as India extends media, said the refugees will stay overnight in a temporary shelter in the southeastern city of UK travel ban over mutant virus Chattogram and are expected to reach Bhasan Char Island on naval vessels by next day. LONDON: Indian student groups in the UK have efit from this concession if they enter the UK on or The Prime Minister's Office said in a statement urged the Indian government to consider emergency before April 6, 2021 and complete the final semester that more than 1,500 Rohingya refugees left Cox's travel options in extremely exceptional cases during of their studies in the UK," it adds. Bazar voluntarily under government manage- the current suspension of air travel imposed to try and While a majority of Indian students had managed ment. block out a fast-spreading mutant strain of to fly out of the UK for what is a customary Christmas Authorities say the refugees were selected for coronavirus detected in Britain. and New Year holiday period, a handful of them were relocation based on their willingness, and that no As the Union Civil Aviation ministry announced that caught out by the cancellation of the India-UK air pressure was applied on them. But several human the suspension will be extended by another week bubble arrangement from December 22 after England rights and activist groups say some refugees have until January 7, the groups sought some emergency recorded a worrying spike in coronavirus cases as a been forced to go to the island, located 21 miles intervention after being contacted by individuals des- result of a new highly-transmissible variant of the (34 kilometers) from the mainland. perate to get to India due to a family crisis or bereave- deadly virus. ment. "As per our analysis, around 70-78 per cent of stu- "I hope this time emergency travel arrangements dents who had planned to go to India for Christmas can be made for Indian travellers with a family mem- break had already left for India before December 22. ber critically ill or just passed away. I've seen first-hand The remaining students, till date, are not reporting any the plight of those unable to travel due to bans an- serious concerns due to the travel ban or a possible other just last week," said Sanam Arora, Chair of the extension," said Prerit Souda, spokesperson for the National Indian Students and Alumni Union UK (NISAU- Indian National Students Association (INSA) UK. UK), a representative group for Indian students in the "Students who were planning to return to the UK UK. for January intake or "I'm in desperate ‘As per our analysis, around 70-78 per cent next-session start are need of help for fly- taking a wait and ing to India from the of students who had planned to go to India watch approach with The island surfaced only 20 years ago and was UK. My mom is very for Christmas break had already left possible travel by not previously inhabited. It was regularly sub- critical and it is im- mid or late January if merged by monsoon rains but now has flood pro- perative for me to for India before December 22’ the travel ban is re- tection embankments, houses, hospitals and (be) able to fly to Ban- moved. There have mosques built at a cost of more than USD 112 mil- galore," said Netal, one of those affected, in a Twitter been two cases that have come to our attention lion by the Bangladesh navy. plea to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and other wherein a family crisis had created a need for emer- The island's facilities are designed to accommo- senior Indian ministers. gency travel. We have passed on these cases to rel- date 100,000 people, just a fraction of the million "Urging MEA India to please help!!! There have to evant authorities," he said. Rohingya Muslims who fled waves of violent per- (be) exceptions to the rule," she said. The Indian High Commission in London said that it secution in their native Myanmar and are currently NISAU-UK has also issued an advisory for Indian stu- is on standby for any "emergency visa" requirements. living in crowded, squalid refugee camps in Cox's dents hoping to start an academic term in the New However, organizing flights during a travel ban will Bazar district. Year and confirmed that under UK Home Office rules, prove a challenge for anyone desperate to travel to Authorities sent a first group of 1,642 Rohingya their applicability for the new Graduate or post-study India. to the island on Dec. 4 despite calls for a halt by work visa will not be impacted adversely. Meanwhile, the UK Home Office updated its visa human rights groups. "If students are required to either continue their advisory on December 23 to confirm that anyone con- International aid agencies and the U.N. have op- current studies or commence a new course by dis- cerned about overstaying their UK visa during the cur- posed the relocation since it was first proposed in tance or blended learning due to COVID-19, they will rent air travel suspension can apply for an "excep- 2015, expressing fear that a big storm could over- whelm the island and endanger thousands of lives. still be eligible to switch into the Graduate route on a tional assurance" by email. The United Nations also voiced concern that concessionary basis if they spent some time studying "If you intend to leave the UK but have not been refugees be allowed to make a free and informed outside the UK," the advisory notes. able to do so and you have a visa or leave that expires decision about whether to relocate. Amnesty In- "Students who are completing their course in sum- between December 1, 2020 and January 31, 2021 you ternational and Human Rights Watch have urged mer 2021, including those who commenced a one- may request additional time to stay, known as excep- the government to cancel the plan. AP year Masters program in September 2020, will ben- tional assurance'," the Home Office said. PTI Tech News Soma Mondal becomes SAIL's first woman head ‘Today's Indian NEW DELHI: Soma Mondal has taken start-ups are over as first-ever woman head of Steel tomorrow's MNCs’ Authority of India Limited (SAIL). TechBiz She succeeds Anil Kumar Chaudhary, who superannuated on 31 SAMBALPUR (Odisha): The December 2020. Mondal has the dis- Indian start-ups of today are tinction of not only being the first the Multinational Corporations woman functional director of SAIL but of tomorrow that can go a long 12 India Post www.indiapost.com January 8, 2021 also the first woman chairperson. ANI way in achieving the goal of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat', Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday. 10 crore Indians' card data selling The last few decades saw Multinational Corporations from abroad do business and on Dark Web: Researcher prosper in India but this de- cade will belong to the Indian MNCs, he said, after laying the NEW DELHI: Independent dentials or transaction data However, Rajaharia claimed followed by Juspay in storing foundation stone for the per- cyber security researcher were compromised," a com- that the data was being sold users' card information. manent campus of IIM- Rajshekhar Rajaharia has pany spokesperson said in a on the Dark Web for an undis- "However, if the hackers can Sambalpur in Odisha through claimed that data of nearly 10 statement. closed amount via crypto-cur- find out the Hash algorithm video conference. crore credit and debit card "Some data records contain- rency Bitcoin. used to generate the card fin- "Today's start-ups can be- holders in the country is being ing non-anonymised, plain-text "For this data, hackers are gerprint, they will be able to come tomorrow's MNCs as In- sold for an undisclosed amount email and phone numbers also contacting via Telegram," decrypt the masked card num- dia seeks to make its start-up on the Dark Web. ber. In this condition, all 10 ecosystem inclusive to ensure According to Rajaharia, the crore cardholders are at risk," speedy development," he said. massive data dump on the Rajaharia noted. Noting that start-ups are Dark Web has been leaked The company admitted that mostly coming up in Tier-II and from a compromised server of the hacker gained access to Tier-III cities in the country, Bengaluru-based digital pay- one of Juspay's developer keys Modi said, they need profes- ments gateway Juspay. and was spawning new com- sional managers, and the youth JusPay told IANS that no putation servers in the devel- require to be prepared for the card numbers or financial infor- oper account, trying to gain massive opportunities that lie mation were compromised access to any accessible data. ahead. during the cyber-attack and Juspay, however, said the "In this new decade, we all the actual number is much masked card numbers that have are accountable to give a new lower than the 10 crore-figure been leaked are not considered image to brand India globally," being reported. sensitive as per compliance. he said, asking young manag- "On August 18, 2020, an un- Only "few" phone numbers ers to align their career goals authorized attempt on our were compromised, which he told IANS. and email addresses have been to the aspirations of the coun- servers was detected and ter- form a fraction of the 10 crore According to him, PCI DSS leaked which have dummy val- try. PTI minated when in progress. No data records," the spokesper- (Payment Card Industry Data ues, the spokesperson said, card numbers, financial cre- son added. Security Standard) have been adding that it had intimated its merchant partners about the data leak the very same day. "No card numbers (like 16- Amazon signs deal to acquire podcast startup Wondery digit card number and other fi- nancial credentials) were ac- WASHINGTON: Tech com- including 'Dirty John,' 'Dr. Death,' so via different providers. How- merce giant to boost its cessed, as it is stored in a com- pany Amazon recently re- 'Business Wars,' and "The Shrink ever, Wondery will be providing Amazon Music expansion by pletely different isolated sys- vealed that it has signed a Next Door. 'These will now be in- more high-quality content on offering a lot more services tem. No transaction or order deal to acquire podcast pro- cluded in Amazon Music. Amazon Music. beyond music. information was compro- duction firm Wondery. "Our commitment to mised," the company spokes- According to Mashable, podcasts, our focus on high- person informed. the move is aimed towards quality audio with the Ama- "We are making long-term expanding its efforts to pro- zon Music HD tier, and our re- investments for strengthening vide more offerings to users cent partnership with Twitch security and data governance from its music platform Ama- to bring live streaming into with industry experts," the zon Music. Amazon an- the app makes Amazon Mu- company said. nounced the details about the sic a premiere destination for Founded in 2012, Juspay last detail on its blog post, stating creators," states the blog. year raised $21.6 million in its that the deal hasn't closed Amazon said that it hopes Series B funding round. yet. It further stated that to bring more customers to The round was led by Wondery is a hit podcast pub- streaming with its new ex- Sweden's Vostok Emerging Fi- lisher known for producing Also, the deal does not affect As per Mashable, the blog pansion and that it will en- nance (VEF), which invested top-rated podcasts that en- the way users access Wondery states that this new deal is a sure it's a platform for $13 million in the technology tertain and educate listeners, podcasts and they will be to do pivotal moment for the e-com- people "to find, discover. ANI firm, marking its first invest- ment in the country. IANS January 8, 2021 TechBiz Post India Post 13 www.indiapost.com Jack Ma 'disappears' after Tech Briefs T-Mobile customers' phone conflict with Chinese govt numbers, call records exposed BEIJING/NEW DELHI: Tech billion initial public offering of to a schedule conflict Mr. Ma SAN FRANCISCO: US tele- network information (CPNI) billionaire and Alibaba founder his company Ant Group was could no longer be part of the communications giant T-Mo- as defined by the Federal Jack Ma has "disappeared" suspended. He has not been finale judge panel of Africa's bile has suffered a security Communications Commis- from public life and has not seen in public since," the re- Business Heroes earlier this breach that may have ex- sion (FCC) rules was ac- been spotted for at least two posed call records and phone cessed," the company said in months amid the conflict with numbers for some of its cus- a security update. the Chinese regulators. tomers. "The CPNI accessed may The Financial Times re- According to T-Mobile, the have included phone num- ported that Ma was recently data breach did not expose ber, number of lines sub- replaced as a judge in the final account hold- scribed to on of TV show 'Africa's Business ers' names, your account Heroes'. physical ad- and, in some "His photograph was re- dresses, email cases, call-re- moved from the judging addresses, fi- lated informa- webpage, and he was con- nancial data, tion collected spicuously left out of a promo- credit card in- as part of the tional video," the report formation, so- normal opera- claimed. cial security tion of your The final took place in No- numbers, tax IDs, passwords wireless service", it added. vember, shortly after Ma or PINs. Earlier breaches at T-Mo- "made a candid speech criticiz- Jack Ma First reported by Bleeping bile exposed customers' in- ing China's regulators and its Computer, T-Mobile said the formation in 2018, prepaid state-owned banks". port further said. year (2020)". breach-exposed customers' customers' information in "Ma was dressed down by A spokesperson for Alibaba Last month, as China's top proprietary network informa- 2019 and exposed customer officials in Beijing and the $37 was quoted as saying that "due market watchdog began in- tion (CPNI), including phone and financial data in March vestigation into alleged anti- numbers and call records. last year, the report men- competition practices by the "Customer proprietary tioned. IANS Boris Johnson celebrates amazing e-commerce giant Alibaba, the country also laid out "rectifica- moment' of UK's exit from the EU tion plan" for Ma's fintech ven- ture Ant Group. Bitcoin turns 12, crosses LONDON: Prime Minister 2016. But it stuck to the EU's According to a report in Boris Johnson hailed the trading rules for 11 months TechCrunch, the People's Bank "amazing moment" of the UK's while the two sides intensively of China, the country's central $34K for first time formal exit from the European negotiated their future eco- bank, "summoned Ant Group NEW DELHI: The world's cent, with an almost 50 per Union on Friday 1 January nomic partnership. for regulatory talks on Decem- most well known crypto-cur- cent gain in December alone. 2021, and in his New Year mes- A landmark treaty was finally ber 26th, announcing a rency Bitcoin smashed "Bitcoin price is being sage voiced his government's agreed on Christmas Eve, and sweeping plan for the fintech through $34,000 for the first driven by institutional ability to do things "differ- became law in the UK on firm to 'rectify' its regulatory time ever in its entire history money and there is not ently" and "better" after violations". of 12 years on Sunday. enough supply. The number leaving the 27-member The banking authority laid Once the price of the lead- of family offices asking to in- economic bloc following out a five-point compliance ing crypto-cur- vest in our ETP is arduous negotiations. agenda for Ant Group. rency crossed just staggering. Despite technically The agenda is that Ant the $30,000 I've never seen leaving the European Group should return to its roots mark for the first this before. In Union on January 31, in payments and bring more time -- some- 2017 it was just 2020, the UK remained transparency to transactions. thing it had retail knocking tied to the economic Ant Group said it has estab- struggled to do at the door now bloc's rules as a member lished an internal "rectifica- for the last it's only institu- of the single market and tion workforce" to work on all couple of days -- tional," the re- Boris Johnson Customs Union, which the regulatory requirements. it exploded up- port quoted ended at 11 pm on Xinhua news agency had wards reaching a new all- Laurent Kssis, Managing Di- 31stnight as the UK and EU be- Wednesday (30 Dec). first reported that The time high of $33,136.92 and rector at 21Shares as saying. gan a brand-new trading part- The end of the Brexit transi- People's Bank of China, China then continuing the push, Buyers are aggressively nership under the terms of a tion period concludes Britain's Banking and Insurance Regu- breaching $34,000 hours accumulating more and new free trade agreement membership of the economic latory Commission, China Se- later, reports CoinDesk. more Bitcoin (BTC). This is the (FTA). bloc on the basis of the last- curities Regulatory Commis- The latest gains come two driving factor that has pro- The UK officially left the EU, minute FTA, raced through Par- sion, and State Administration days after Bitcoin closed out a pelled the price growth of three and half years after the liament to become law after of Foreign Exchange will "inter- year in which the crypto-cur- BTC towards this new all- UK public voted to leave in the the Queen's Royal Assent ear- view Ant Group in the near fu- rency rose more than 300 per time high value. IANS Brexit referendum held in lier this week. PTI ture". IANS ctress Gal Gadot says there were not many cinematic Areferences as to how a female superhero should fight, as usually men are protagonists of films in the superhero genre. The actress added that it was a lengthy process to find the right style of fighting, for her on-screen superhero ava- tar of Wonder Woman. "For years (director) Patty (Jenkins) and I have been talk- ing about finding the right fighting style for Wonder Woman, because usually when you go to superhero mov- 14 India Post January 8, 2021 ies the protagonist is a man. And men fight like men. We all know how it looks, because you have WWA and WWF and all those things," Gadot said. "For women, you have some examples as well, but you don't get to see so much, so it's not like it was completely clear, and Patty and I wanted to make sure that Wonder Woman looks and fights like Wonder Woman should," she added. The actress continued: "So, before we even started prepping for the movie Patty and I went to see Cirque du Soleil, and we saw this piece where I was in tears, it was so beautiful and powerful. And Patty felt it was a great inspi- ration to how one woman should fight. So when we started prepping, we had this idea of how I needed to move and how should every- thing look."

"We had to build things that were essentially never built be- fore because it was never done that way before. We had huge wire rigs that took months to build, but I think that what we managed to gain from it was a way for those fights to look so origi- nal and so powerful and at the same time so graceful and elegant," she added. Gadot has reprised her role of Diana Prince and her superhero alter ego Wonder Woman in "Wonder Woman 1984", sequel to the Patty Jenkins-di- Kerala to hold iconic film fest in Feb rected 2017 DC hit, "Wonder Woman". The film also stars Robin Wright as Antiope and Connie THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The International Film fes- fee is reduced to Rs 750. Nielsen as Hippolyta. The Warner Bros. Pictures project re- tival of Kerala (IFFK) will be held from February 10 on- The festival will be inaugurated at leased in India on December 24 in English, Hindi, Tamil and wards in four places. This is the silver jubilee of the Thiruvananthapuram on February 10 and will Telugu. IANS film festival. conclude at Palakkad on March 5. The festi- The festival will be held at Thiruvananthapuram, val will be inaugurated on February 10 at Ernakulam,Palakkad and Thalassery. Thiruvananthapuram and will be conducted here from cultural festivals as part of the film festival are can- Covid negative certificates are mandatory for February 10 to 14, at Ernakulam from February 17 to celled owing to the Covid pandemic. Meet the Direc- people to participate in the festival and the delegate 21, From February 23 to 27 at Thalassery and from tor, Press meet, Master class and discussion with for- March 1 to 5 at Palakkad. eign guests will be conducted online". This was announced by the state minister for culture The minister also said that IFFK will have competi- AK Balan here. The minister said that the film festival, tion section films, Malayalam cinema today, Indian cin- which was generally held in December each year, will ema now, Kaleidoscope, Retrospective and Homage be postponed to February 10 owing to the Covid pan- sections. Four films will be screened in a theatre a day. demic. The minister said that 14,000 delegates used to The Kerala State Chalachithra Academy who are the attend the festival each year but owing to Covid this is hosts of the festival will have antigen testing facilities not possible and hence the film festival is to be con- at the venues in association with the state health min- ducted at four venues. He said that movies will be istry. Delegates are expected to mandatorily produce screened at five theatres at each district. Covid negative certificate taken forty-eight hours be- While speaking to mediapersons Balan said: "All the fore the festival. IANS January 8, 2021 India Post 15

www.indiapost.com Artists from around the world exhibit works on 'mothers'

NEW DELHI: An online exhibition on artists from different countries the theme of mothers and sentiments including India, Germany, associated with them, springs from the Canada, Japan and South Korea. loss of curator Anu Jindal's mother a Titled "Urmila -- Enchanted year ago. Jindal has brought together Mother", the virtual exhibition of works runs from Janu- ary 4-17 on the website of India Inter- national Centre. Adversity encour- ages innovation; pain draws out hitherto un- tapped emotions. Hu- manity today is in the stranglehold of the Covid-19 pandemic. Physi- of ten artists from around the globe are Himmat Shah, follows his maxim "do cally forced into insular lives, in varied genre and media," states or die" in a fiery, unquenched quest. virtual connections have in- Jindal. Wondrous as a child's birth, creations tensified. Thus struck, creativ- German artist Nils-Udo's site specific originate from humble clay -- his ulti- ity continues unabated don- installations celebrate nature by "draw- mate material. Rameshwar Broota's ma- ning new avatars, writes the ing with flowers, painting with clouds, gna canvases hide and reveal mysteries curator. writing with water". In urban spaces or of life. In recent experiments with glass "This exhibition's theme deep womb of forests, he conjures up a and resin, interplay of altering light con- sprung from the loss of my wishful habitat, unblemished by hu- veys musings on birth, growth, and the mother a year ago, artworks mans. cycle of life. Canada's Hildegard Westerkamp's soundscape composi- tions weave a magical world -- a stimu- lating sound-sensorial experience. Experts forecast 2021 trends in the art world South Korean artist Chang-Hoon Woo's profound paintings delve into the NEW DELHI: As tumultuous 2020 was entertainment and arts sector will find ence that the digital space has helped tech-driven tableau of contemporary for the art industry, forcing galleries and it difficult to survive the twin onslaught build will continue to expand with 2021 living. Kavas Kapadia's delightful cam- museums to close and driving collec- of the pandemic and its consequent also having a hybrid model of virtual eos of everyday life, rendered in water- tors to digital platforms, a significant economic downturn. What is rarely un- and physical for exhibitions, art fairs and colors, display spontaneity and refresh- part of both viewing art and buying it derstood is that the Creative Economy auctions." IANSlife ing candor. has changed. Experts from the world of Ramakrishna Vedala's poetic por- art predict that the virtual is here to trayal of his mother draws out the spiri- stay and 2021 will continue to present tuality and gentleness of her essence opportunities for all stakeholders to en- through moist, pigment soaked gage as a community. brushstrokes. According to Sanjoy K Roy, Managing Prabir Purkyastha's visions are phan- Director, Teamwork Arts, Covid-19 has tasmagorical journeys to a utopia, certainly put a spotlight on virtual arts which surprisingly is very much our and the entertainment sector. He said: own planet. Japan's Naoyuki Ishiga "'Intimate and focused' could well be translates his fascination with nature the new mantra to replace 'bigger and into highly intricate, gossamer, lace-like brighter'. Solo performances could kiri-e or paper-cuts. IANSlife bring talent and excellence back to the fore. Innovation in social and cultural celebrations and incorporation of the is a necessity and not a luxury and will arts to provide a sense of place, iden- lead to job and wealth creation. With- tity and tradition, are the need of today out the arts, you will have neither inno- and tomorrow. Artificial Intelligence (AI) vation nor creativity!" and virtual reality could help traverse Roshini Vadehra, Director, Vadehra Art the world instead of the flatbed or the Gallery told IANSlife: "2021 will have the cramped seat. Hosting a virtual perfor- Indian art world slowly come back to mance requires the same care and at- the physical space. Galleries like ours tention as a live event." are now holding physical exhibitions at He added: "The sad reality is that our gallery spaces. The digital initiatives without policy intervention and strong in 2020 have drawn in a new crop of state support as we have seen across collectors with several young people Europe and the developed world, the starting to build collections. The audi- 16 India Post www.indiapost.com January 8, 2021

ries back by Rawal Jaisal of the Yadav community. The name Jaisalmer to Delhi tours are Jaisalmer means the hill fort of available. Jaisal. Acclaimed all over the aisalmer, world as world's most beauti- TOURIST ATTRACTIONS nicknamed ful golden sand desert, passion Jas Golden filled romantic desert sand Desert Culture Centre and City by Rajput dunes and the breathtaking Museum: Desert Culture Cen- clans, is the most picnic spot with majestic fort, tre and Museum is a knowl- attractive tourist Jaisalmer is the favorite loca- edge bank of rich cultural spot in Rajasthan, In- tion for advertising fraternity. heritage, craftsmanship and dia. It is a vibrant tourist loca- This medieval city has artistic talents of Jaisalmer. tion with number of mind- grown into fame as a roman- The museum displays varied blowing attractions such as tic gateway for exotic enjoy- collections of traditional in- Sonar Kila, Jaisalmer Fort, ments and breathtaking struments, rich collections of havelis, temples and sand views. Magnificent palaces, ancient and medieval coins, dunes. The ornate temples Golden fort, ancient imposing praiseworthy textiles and and many buildings are temples and havelis provide some invaluable fossils specimens of the sculptural this wonderful place a perma- mined in Jaisalmer. Many extravaganza of medieval nent spot in the tourist map of kinds of utensils and other Rajasthan. The annual desert India. This city boasts of many artifacts are displayed in this fair celebrated with festivi- medieval period Jain temples museum. It organizes many ties, camel shows and adven- as well. It is enriched by ex- special displays for tourists turous rides is a real attrac- quisite collections of arts, tex- here. tion for tourists. For detailed story visit tiles and crafts. The majority of www.indiapost.com Jaisalmer is strategically the inhabitants are Rajputs, located and was the main renowned as great warriors. trade route between India The city is well connected and other Asian countries. with Delhi and various Jaisalmer resisted the inva- sion from many foreign in- vaders and was one of the last royal places to come under the rule of the British. Jaisalmer was the princely state of British Raj until In- dian Independence and was ruled by King Bhati of Rajput Clan. This fantastic city, forming a part of the Great Indian Desert, was founded centu- Desi News Bringing smiles on the faces of Corona COMMUNITY Warriors India Post News Service NEW YORK: During these dif- ficult times of COVID-19, many ACROSS AMERICA California firm to remove virtual events with popular and Deity briefs entertaining celebrities were Details on page 19 organized by AAPI- American January 8, 2021 www.indiapost.com India Post 17 Association of Physicians of In- dian Origin. Bharat Goradia, President, V International Inc., coordinated these events as a Chicago Sikhs Serve Christmas token of appreciation and a kind gesture of paying respect to the doctors of AAPI for their selfless services and kind con- Lunch at Salvation Army tribution to the community by RAJINDER SINGH MAGO risking their lives and working day and night for others.

Details on page 18

Bharatiya Seniors host New Year Dhamaka JAYANTI OZA CHICAGO: "New Year Dhamaka" program was orga- nized for Indian senior citizensbyBharatiya Senior Citizens (BSC) in association with "Man Pasand", on the eve of December 31 2020 Thursday until midnight. Chicago Sikh Volunteers serving food The New Year's Eve was done live with rendering of CHICAGO: In the Sikh spirit In addition to the traditional lies enabling them to cel- with and serve those who are Indian songs, music and of "Langar" the Sikh youth of Christmas lunch, cookies, bagels, ebrate Christmas. Sikh Com- going through tough times dances. Greetings all, the BSC Chicago area, under the aegis cakes and toys for the kids were munity has been actively asso- during ChristmasSikh Commu- President Shri of Sikh Religious Society of also distributed to those who ciated in this service since nity members also opened up Haribhaibriefed all about the Chicago, served food to the needed to take those home. Due 1992. A.D. Singh Chawla, his their pockets, pooled money organization and informed needy families on Christmas to pandemic and social distanc- family and friends donated a and handed over $1201 to that the membership fee for day December 25, 2020 at ing, it was not a usual sit down skid load of canned food and Captain Nathan Welch and Cap- 2021 remains unchanged. the Salvation Army Center in meal but only to take home. essential items both during tain Jennifer Clanton of the Sal- Chicago. Food was packed Though it was a Christian cel- Thanksgiving Day, and also on vation Army Center. Details on page 19 and distributed by the Sikh ebration but people of many this Christmas day. Major Nancy Powers of Sal- volunteers to the families and faiths contribute money and vol- The coordinator Sarwan vation Army thanked the mem- individuals, who came to Sal- unteer for this event to help the Singh said, "As Sikhs it gives us bers of Sikh Community for NAINA board's vation Army needing help. homeless and the needy fami- a lot of satisfaction to share their contributions and said plan for the that Salvation Army has over the years developed a very new term friendly relationship with the India Post News Service Sikh Community. NEW JERSEY: The new gov- Sikh Religious Society erning boardNational Associa- thanks all, who contributed tion of Indian Nurses of their time and hard-earned America (NAINA) isconsisting money for this noble cause. of 39-member and is headed May Waheguru bless all for by Dr. Lydia Albuquerque from their contribution. Salvation New Jersey. Army also provides drug de- AccammaKallel from Hous- addiction, trains homeless for ton has been named NAINA's regular jobs and ultimately Executive Vice President. home ownership. They are located at 825 Details on page20 Christiana Ave in Chicago, Illi- Chicago Salvation Army Christmas lunch nois, USA. 18 India Post Community Across America January 8, 2021 www.indiapost.com AAPI Initiatives in India Bringing smiles on the Benefiting Needy faces of Corona Warriors India Post News Service AAPI intends to work in four key ar- India Post News Service For more information contact Mr. Bharat CHICAGO: With the objective of help- eas: identifying sponsors; collaborating NEW YORK: During these difficult Goradia at + 1 (917) 355 4247 or ing to provide clean drinking water to with various prestigious professional times of COVID-19, many millions of people in India, a Memoran- groups including medical societies, virtual events with popu- dum of Understanding (MOU) under the academic institutions, hospital systems lar and entertaining ce- leadership of Dr. Jagan Ailinani has been and NGOs (both in the US and India); le- lebrities were organized signed between Community Pure Water veraging the annual Global Healthcare by AAPI- American Asso- Foundation, Inc. (CPW) and the American Summit to educate and promote the ciation of Physicians of In- Association of Physicians of Indian Origin key area related to this MOU; and en- dian Origin. Bharat (AAPI) in order to sustain this alliance gaging the AAPI supported 14 free Goradia, President, V In- between the two organizations. (charitable) clinics in India to dissemi- ternational Inc., coordi- AAPI and CPW will collaborate to ad- nate awareness on the health benefit of nated these events as a dress health challenges in India, focusing using safe clean water. token of appreciation and primarily on providing clean drinking wa- Several decades ago, Dr. Ailinani a kind gesture of paying ter services, and related programs such adopted his native village and estab- respect to the doctors of as water for hand washing and sanitation. lished safe drinking water, trash disposal AAPI for their selfless ser- "The overall objective is to improve and built a funeral shelter with showers vices and kind contribu- health of rural Indian communities that are and toilets at the cremation site, con- tion to the community by impacted by waterborne diseases, by struction of a primary health center, risking their lives and partnering to provision water purification maintaining proper hygiene and land- working day and night for plants in affected regions and thus to stem scaping and provided education to kids others. There is no bigger the spread of waterborne diseases," said and offered training camps to farmers. gift than the gift of Life. Celebrities at AAPI events coordinated by V International, Inc. Dr. Jagan Ailinani, past President of AAPI For more information, visit: These events have put a who had initiated this project. www.aapiusa.org smile on the faces of Corona Warriors. [email protected] January 8, 2021 Community Across America India Post 19 www.indiapost.com Bharatiya Seniors host New Year Dhamaka JAYANTI OZA

CHICAGO: "New Year gard. BSC charges $ 100 a terruption. There was a Covid thing will be fine. fixed costs like that for the Dhamaka" program was orga- year, and hosts 15 to 18 pro- test with dinner and distribu- $ 30 payment can be sent hall. In addition, during the nized for Indian senior grams with dinners. tion of Mohan Thal to every- by mail. There is no time limit year, a total of $ 18000 plus citizensbyBharatiya Senior But this year, due to cir- one. It was decided to give 70 at present. The ID of the year was been donated by BSC to Citizens (BSC) in association credits to every- 2021andconfirmation of pay- various needy organizations with "Man Pasand", on the one, and charge ment will be sent by mail ac- in India like Manav Sadhana, eve of December 31 2020 $ 30 only as fee, cordingly. $30 Membership Ahmedabad, Manthan, Kalol, Thursday until midnight. and do 12+ pro- Fee is for members in 2020. Ahmedabad, Mangal Mandir The New Year's Eve was grams during No new members are cur- Manav Seva Trust, Bagodra, done live with rendering of the year. rently considered for 2021. Bavala, Ekal Vidyalaya and In- Indian songs, music and If the situa- For the year2020, the pro- dian Artists Group. Besides, dances. Greetings all, the BSC tion improves, grams till the month of July four needy persons were President Shri BSC will do two were booked with payment, paid a small amount for food, Haribhaibriefed all about the programs every but due to circumstances, the groceries, and medical treat- organization and informed month. Hope- programs could not take ment. that the membership fee for NewYear Dhamaka by seniors fully in the year place. For more information on 2021 remains unchanged. A 2021, every- However, there are a few organization, call 630 205 7404 meeting of the executive cumstances during the first 6 members was held in this re- months there was a small in-

California firm to remove Deity briefs

India Post News Service highly insensitive. CALIFORNIA: Los Gatos (Cali- Lord Shiva and Lord Ganesh fornia) based ecommerce firm are highly revered in Hinduism Whimzy Tees promised to re- meant to be worshipped in move "swim briefs" carrying temples or home shrines and images of Hindu deities - Lord not to adorn one's legs, thighs, Shiva and Lord Ganesha - after groin, genitals and pelvis. Inap- Indian protest. propriate usage of sacred Anita Smahi (Davenport), Hindu deities or concepts or Founder and CEO of Whimzy symbols or icons for commer-

Briefs with Lord Images

Tees, in an email to Rajan Zed, cial or other agenda was not who spearheaded the protest, okay as it hurt the devotees. indicted that: …We apologize Description of these objec- if you or those in the Hindu tionable swim briefs at Whimzy community found the item of- Tees, priced at $34.50 each, fensive. It was definitely not claimed that these "compression our intention…It was inadvert- mini-shorts" "hug in all the right ent misuse… Rajani in turn places". Whimzy Tees, whose thanked Whimzy Tees and tagline is "bringing art to fashion", Smahi for understanding the sells "tees, sweatshirts, concerns of the community rashguards and more". "Slip on since placing images of gods something from Whimzy Tees on "swim briefs" was deemed and start turning heads", it states. 20 India Post Community Across America January 8, 2021 www.indiapost.com NAINA board's plan for the new term

India Post News Service NEW JERSEY: The new gov- erning boardNational Associa- tion of Indian Nurses of America (NAINA) isconsisting of 39-member and is headed by Dr. Lydia Albuquerque from New Jersey. AccammaKallel from Hous- ton has been named NAINA's Executive Vice President. Dr. Bobby Varghese is the Vice President The Secretary for 2021-22 is Suja Thomas, from Albany, New York Tara Shajan is the newly elected Treasurer During its term the Board of NAINA will focus on communica- tion, advocacy, research, educa- tion, and storytelling (C.A.R.E.S). As globalization and recent pan- demic have changed the business of non-profit organizations, NAINA's short-term goal is to in- crease visibility and membership through innovative and improved Members of state chapters and bers of the Advisory Board. Dr. Advance Practice, Dr. Nancy George- New York, Kasturi analytics and management NAINA virtual members in Rachel Zachariah chairs the by- Fernandes Membership, Sivakumar- Albany New York, Dr. Albuquerque said other state, receive tuition fee law committee, Vidya Sandra Emmanuel, Professional Missam Merchant- San Antonio "NAINA will move ahead with concessions ranging from 10 to Kanakaraj chairs Award and Development and Education, Texas, Dr. Anumol Thomas- the mindset of making a differ- 30 percent for higher studies Scholarship, Dr. George Peter, and Pauline Alookaran chairs Houston Texas, Renee John- ence and advocating for others the Election Committee. Dallas North Texas, Anne through education and re- During its term the Board of NAINA will The presidents of the state- Zachariah- Oklahoma, Shiji search". Members will be en- focus on communication, advocacy, research, level associations are also Alex- Chicago Illinois, Dr. couraged to tell their stories of members of the NAINA Gov- AmpiliUmayamma- Arizona, how they developed resilience education, and storytelling (C.A.R.E.S). As global- erning Board. Asha Suresh- Santhosh Sunny -Philadelphia, as nurses during the pandemic ization and recent pandemic have changed the Austin Texas Chapter, Bobby Pennsylvania, Dr. Harkarit Bal - through the creation of a cof- Thomas- New Jersey 1, Uma California, Dr. Vijaya fee table book at the end of business of non-profit organizations Venugopal- New Jersey 2, Ramakrishna- Maryland, Anna their term. Nargita Arora-South Florida, Cherian- Connecticut, K.C In addition, discussions initi- at Walden, Chamberlain, and Editorial and Journal, Dr. Anne Sally Kulangara- Central Johnson- Michigan, and Dr. ated to form a NAINA Leader- Grand Canyon Universities. Luckose, Research and Grant, Florida, DeepthyVerghese- At- SujayaDevarayasamudram - ship Academy to develop lead- Former NAINA President Dr. Dr. PressennaParackal, Com- lanta Georgia, Mercy Roy- North Carolina are the chapter ership skills in Indian nurses. Agnes Therady is the new Ad- munications, Dr. Anna George, South Carolina, Dr. Anna presidents of NAINA. NAINA is currently the continu- visory Board Chairperson and ing education provider for the Dr. Jackie Michael, Sarah American Nurses Gabriel, Dr. Solymole Kuruvilla, Credentialing Center (ANCC). and Dr. Omana Simon are mem- January 8, 2021 Community Across America India Post 21 www.indiapost.com Federal partnership will provide no-cost Pfizer vaccines to residents and staff in long-term care facilities

India Post News Service will start with nursing homes, which will we can effectively deploy vaccines to vulnerable Californians where we are SACRAMENTO - Governor Gavin take an estimated 3-4 weeks, and then residents and staff at our long-term seeing the most outbreaks, hospital- Newsom announced that California has vaccinate staff and residents in assisted care facilities, which are at higher risk izations, and deaths," said Dr. Erica Pan, opted in to the federal COVID-19 Phar- living, residential care and other long- of Covid transmission - and do it at no Interim State Public Health Officer. macy Partnership. At no cost to the term care facilities. cost to the state or local government." "The partnership also allows us to con- state or local government, CVS and "Vaccinating those most vulnerable The program will enable counties to tinue to vaccinate other high priority Walgreens will administer the Pfizer among us is critical to fighting this vi- leverage CVS and Walgreens pharmacy individuals such as our front-line health vaccine to residents and staff in long- rus," said Governor Newsom. "By lever- staff to administer the vaccine more care workers who are critical to our term care facilities. CVS and Walgreens aging CVS and Walgreens resources, broadly with pharmacy staff going di- ongoing response to a surge of cases." rectly to care facilities. Skilled Nursing Specifically, the program: Facilities will receive vaccine from staff Schedules and coordinates on-site How to get Happy & a Blissful from CVS and Walgreens. Approxi- vaccine clinic dates directly with each mately 499 New Year 2021! nursing The program will enable counties to leverage homes will be CVS and Walgreens pharmacy staff to administer SHIV JHAWAR provided vac- the vaccine more broadly with pharmacy elebrate the New Year 2021! You moment of this glorious New Year 2021. cine by CVS Cmight wonder how you can cel- Have fun but along with that have the and 357 by staff going directly to care facilities ebrate amid the suffering caused by experience of the everlasting bliss Walgreens. this pandemic. Despite the challenges within. The vaccines you might be facing, celebrate because Have a BLISSFUL New Year 2021! will be administered by pharmacists, facility. Pharmacy staff will visit each bliss is inherent in your consciousness. Shiv R. Jhawar MAS, CA, EA, founder of pharmacy technicians and nurses. facility several times to ensure that all Happiness is a state of mind and has Noble World Foundation (nobleworld.org), Pharmacy technicians are participating residents and employees who wish to an external cause. It is a law of nature has been practicing meditation since his under a recent waiver by the Board of be vaccinated get the vaccine. that anything that has an external cause dramatic kundalini awakening experience Pharmacy that requires appropriate Orders vaccines and associated cannot be everlasting. In contrast, bliss in 1974. He holds a master's degree in Ac- supervision under California law and supplies (e.g. syringes, needles, per- belongs to your own inner being and is counting Science from the University of Il- specialized training. sonal protective equipment). your true nature. Rather than seeking linois at Urbana-Champaign. A tax practi- "This partnership is an opportunity Ensures cold storage for the vaccine. temporary happiness, why not seek ev- tioner by profession, he is an IRS licensed to augment other vaccination efforts Provides on-site administration of erlasting bliss? Enrolled Agent (EA). at the local level to prioritize our most the vaccine to all residents and staff. Once you connect to your innermost bliss, you will be able to witness your happiness as well as unhappi- ness. Although ev- Shiv Jhawar eryone has the bliss of consciousness twenty-four hours aday, not everyone can be blissful with- out tuning intotranscendentalawareness called Turiya. Turiya is beyond the three states of mind: waking (visva), dreaming (taijasa), and deep sleep (prajna). Whether you are awake, dreaming, or asleep, turiya is ever-present. Just as butter pervades milk, so also bliss pervades every moment, under- neath all three states of mind. Just as you have to churn milk to bring out the hid- den butter, you have to meditate to ex- perience the hidden bliss. As you medi- tate, you become established in the ever-blissful turiya. In turiya, you exist but you are not a man or a woman, Hindu or Muslim, Jew or Christian, black or white - all distinctions disappear. Remember, every day is a gift from God. So, be grateful. Celebrate every 22 India Post Community Across America January 8, 2021 www.indiapost.com L.A. County, City of L.A., Curative, partner to vaccinate residents and staff at nursing homes

India Post News Service County, or City staff for assis- a coordinated vaccine deploy- of Public Health. "The partner- free testing to our communi- os Angeles County today tance. This public-private part- ment effort to all skilled nurs- ship with Curative and the City ties and now to support the ef- announced the launch of nership will ensure that ap- ing facilities. Given the com- of Los Angeles will allow us to fort to vaccinate Angelenos." La partnership with the proximately 69,000 vaccines plex vaccination process, many vaccinate SNF residents and "Los Angeles has been one City of Los Angeles and public will be deployed to staff and SNFs will now be able to more staff quicker and with the flex- of the hardest hit areas during health service startup Curative residents in 339 SNFs by the efficiently vaccinate staff and ibility needed to reach the 339 the pandemic, and as the place to deliver and administer the end of the calendar year. This residents as a result of this skilled nursing facilities in Los where Curative was originally COVID-19 Moderna vaccines to vaccine program is critical, as partnership, which will include Angeles County." founded, it's an honor to lead staff and residents of Skilled nursing facilities account for additional staff who support "Our City's number one re- vaccination delivery in the Nursing Facilities (SNFs) in Los only 5% of the state's COVID-19 vaccine education, registra- sponsibility is to preserve the community. This is a significant Angeles County. This partner- cases, but 35% of the deaths. tion, and delivery. This collabo- health and safety of our resi- moment in history, and we are ship is the first of additional This public-private partner- ration brings public health ex- dents - especially the most vul- ready to bring these life-saving partnerships that the County is ship is just one part of the pertise, local leadership, and nerable - and with the arrival of vaccines to the people who establishing to facilitate the County's COVID-19 vaccination the private sector together to these vaccines, our first prior- need them most," said Isaac vaccine rollout to SNFs. Al- Turner, CIO and co-founder of though the majority of SNFs in The first Moderna vaccines were delivered to 59 nursing home facilities Curative. "Curative has dis- Los Angeles County indicated rupted the traditional that they were capable of re- across Los Angeles already. Additional SNFs indicating that the need assis- healthcare delivery system by ceiving and administering vac- tance with vaccination has been assigned to Curative, the rapidly scaling COVID-19 test- cines to their staff and resi- ing at thousands of sites across dents, the Los Angeles County County, or City staff for assistance the country in a matter of Department of Public Health in months and administering the partnership with the City and strategy, and builds on rela- build capacity in the SNFs to ity must be protecting the flu vaccine - now, we are eager Curative have activated mobile tionships and service provision continue to do this, and to folks hardest hit by this pan- to put our proven model to teams to support SNFs with models that have delivered safely speed up the vaccina- demic, from healthcare work- work for the COVID-19 vaccine. vaccination assistance. millions of Los Angeles County tion process for some of the ers to the staff and residents of As we enter this new phase of The first Moderna vaccines residents free COVID-19 test- County's most vulnerable resi- skilled nursing facilities," said the pandemic, we're building were delivered to 59 nursing ing at numerous locations dents and care professionals. Los Angeles Mayor Eric on everything we learned over home facilities across the Los across the County. "Skilled Nursing Facilities Garcetti. "True progress is the last year at Curative and we Angeles already. Additional Working closely with the have been hit hard by COVID- made through partnerships, look forward to making SNFs indicating that the need City of L.A. and Curative, the 19, accounting for close to and the City is proud to work healthcare more accessible to assistance with vaccination has Los Angeles County Depart- 3,000 deaths," said Barbara alongside the County, Curative, all: both now and in the future been assigned to Curative, the ment of Public Health will lead Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director CORE and LAFD to first bring as we evolve as a company." By working with Curative and the City, Los Angeles County will create the opera- tional flexibility to better ad- dress SNFs' needs. The County will also speed up the process of scaling vaccinations so that Los Angeles can build immu- nity in residents more quickly. Curative will deploy a full suite of vaccine services to Skilled Nursing Facilities in L.A. County needing a high level of sup- port, including registration, lo- gistics, and administration. Similarly, the City of Los Ange- les, led by the Mayor's Office and the Los Angeles Fire De- partment, will provide world- renowned logistics support, registration, and vaccine ad- ministration support to Skilled Nursing Facilities within the City of Los Angeles. Expert teams from Public Health are providing logistics and admin- istration support across the county. January 8, 2021 Horoscope India Post 23 www.indiapost.com Your Weekly Future by VANEET SHARMA JAN 8TH to JAN 14TH 2021

MAR 21 to APRIL 20 JUN 21 to JULY 22 SEP 23 to OCT 22 DEC 22 to JAN 19

he planetary tran- he beginning of n the beginning of n the beginning of T sit is highly fa- T the week shall I the week you are I the week you vorable in this week. mark lot of activity on likely to visit a tourist shall face the prob- Your social life, relation social front because of place or else you shall lems of ups and with friends and rela- which any type of visit a place of down downs in your married tives and social influence shall be at negativity won't affect you much. The trodden, poor, patients, handicapped or life and health however from the mid of its peak from the beginning of the day of 10th and 11th January shall mark otherwise suffering people to help them the week the situation shall improve and week. In the mid of the week you domestic happiness whereas the next in best possible way. You shall be short you might go on a long journey or a place shall be very happy in your married two days are good for you in all respects. of funds however even then you shall ex- of pilgrimage along with your spouse. life. You shall do well in competition Your opinions shall be appreciated. You shall tend one or other type of help. In your The week end is indicating progress and and any type of tension won't be do well educationally. Your children shall own work you shall keep generating the achievement in work area but through- coming on the way of your destiny also give happiness to you. Last two days required gains and your personnel and out the week you shall go on travelling development. appear to be average for your happiness. social influence is likely to increase. and spending extensively.

APRIL 21 to MAY 20 JULY 23 to AUG 22 OCT 23 to NOV 22 JAN 20 to FEB 19

ou shall be feeling eginning of the he beginning of his week shall Y very low and Bweek indicates finan- T the week shall T prove to be lethargic in the begin- cial gains and some be wonderful for excellent for all areas ning of the week. The mental tensions which your progress at of life. You can expect second day of the are likely to increase by work with rise in good results in mat- week shall also not be better however the mid of the week and after that also your position eventually resulting in ters related to harmony with spouse, you shall be craving for brightness. there won't be a big relief from the an increase in the inflow of money. On and inflow of money but the begin- Health conditions and energy level shall stress and tensions till the morning of 9th, 10th & 11th January you are likely ning of the week is bad for health. not improve by the middle of the week. 13th January however, after that this to go on a journey with your family From 2nd January the issues related The latter half of the week shall be bad week shall go perfectly alright till its end members. The expenses shall in- to mood swings shall get rectified. for getting support of family and friends. as the tremendous support of family crease. You might have to go on some This week your confidence level The marital bliss shall also get affected. members shall certainly help you come work related journey too. The last two shall increase and in the end of the The working efficiency and confidence out of it. Financial issues are not indi- days of the week shall be average for week a long journey is also indi- level shall also be low. cated in this week. your work area. cated.

MAY 21 to JUN 20 AUG 23 to SEP 22 NOV 23 to DEC 21 FEB 20 to MAR 20

he planetary tran- ou shall remain in ou shall be feeling he beginning of T sit indicates all Y very jovial Y light and ten- T the week is sorts of happiness, mood in the begin- sion free in this week. best time for your betterment and de- ning of the week. Your You shall be inclined emotional relations velopments in matters health shall also be towards religious ac- and marital bliss. The related to your business, love life and perfect. You shall be spending money on tivities and would go on journeys too. health related troubles or other ob- children. Your artistic talent shall be get- yourself, your family and also on journeys There shall be sudden increase in your stacles shall be less in this week. Do not ting lot of appreciation. If you are full in this week. In the first half of the week income in this week. The source of in- take any decision related to relationship time public figure then this time can be you shall be focusing mainly on your fam- come shall get strengthened. Your good in a hurry. In professional life there won't utilized to gear up yourself for those ily whereas in the latter half of the week planning, systematic approach and be any issue. The latter half of the week preparations which shall prove benefi- you would be concentrating more on micromanagement shall help you earn is giving indications of your inclination cial to enhance your popularity graph. your social life and work area. Your all ac- more recognition and gains in this week. towards research work or writing work. Your abilities in creating effective mar- tivities related to you, your family, friends You shall go on a long journey in last two The last two days of the week are aver- keting strategies shall also help you a lot. and work shall keep you happy and lively. days of the week. age for your happiness.

Kindly read the predictions from your ascendant sign. If you do not know your ascendant sign then read the VANEET same from Moon sign. If Moon sign is also not known then read it from the Zodiac sign. The ascendant sign which is SHARMA calculated from the birth details viz. date, month, year, time & place of birth gives 85 % accurate predictions. The 510-648-4899 accuracy of predictions from Moon sign get limited to only 50 %. The predictions from Zodiac sign are only 25 % “Felicitated and accurate. In nutshell the predictions from ascendant sign are most accurate. In getting personality analysis the traits honored by then President of India Shri given by ascendant sign are 100 % accurate and that is the essence of Vedic Astrology. Pranab Mukherjee" Health Line

One can be said to be perfectly healthy in body and mind only if no part of the body or mind makes itself felt. A part makes itself felt only when there is something wrong with it. You know that you have a head only when it aches. Sri Atmananda (1883 - 1959) 24 India Post www.indiapost.com January 8, 2021

Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Modi for caution WHO approves Pfizer Covid-19 even after vaccination vaccine for emergency use

AHMEDABAD: Prime Minis- GENEVA: The World Health This is the first time WHO has eral for Access to Medicines For that reason, WHO is ter Narendra Modi said new Organization (WHO) has granted emergency validation and Health Products, said in a working to support countries coronavirus cases are on the granted emergency use valida- to a Covid-19 vaccine since the statement. in assessing their delivery decline in the country but tion for the Pfizer-BioNTech outbreak began a year ago. The WHO noted that the plans and preparing for use people should not let their Covid-19 vaccine, opening the "This is a very positive step vaccine requires storage using where possible. guard down and continue ad- door for countries to expedite towards ensuring global ac- an ultra-cold chain -- it needs "WHO and our partners are hering to COVID-19 norms their own regulatory approval cess to Covid-19 vaccines. But I to be stored at minus 60 de- working night and day to even after vaccination. processes to import and ad- want to emphasize the need gree C to minus 90 degree C. evaluate other vaccines that Speaking after laying the minister the vaccine. have reached safety and effi- foundation stone of the All India While many countries rely cacy standards. We encourage Institute of Medical Sciences in on their own regulatory sys- even more developers to Rajkot through video tems for vaccine approvals, come forward for review and conferencing, he exuded confi- some countries with weak sys- assessment." dence that India is ready to roll tem depend on WHO's nod to Regulatory experts con- out the world's biggest vaccina- a great extent for rolling out vened by WHO from around tion drive against coronavirus. their national vaccination pro- the world and WHO's own "I used to say 'jab tak davai grams. teams reviewed the data on nahi dhilai nahi' but now our The WHO's emergency vali- the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine's mantra for 2021 should be: dation also enables Unicef and safety, efficacy and quality as Davai bhi, kadaai bhi (yes to the Pan-American Health Orga- part of a risk-versus-benefit medicine and yes to caution)," nization to procure the vaccine analysis. Modi said. for distribution to countries in The review found that the People should not believe in need, the UN health agency for an even greater global ef- This requirement makes the vaccine met the must-have cri- rumors and unfounded claims announced. fort to achieve enough vaccine vaccine more challenging to teria for safety and efficacy set regarding the vaccine, Modi Several countries including supply to meet the needs of deploy in settings where ultra- out by WHO, and that the ben- said and claimed that some the US and the UK have already priority populations every- cold chain equipment may not efits of using the vaccine to persons have already started approved the Pfizer-BioNTech where," Mariangela Simao, be available or reliably acces- address Covid-19 offset poten- spreading such lies. PTI Covid-19 vaccine. WHO Assistant-Director Gen- sible. tial risks. IANS

Coronavirus vaccines could have potential allergic reactions

BOSTON: A team of re- raised public concern. A team that individuals with a history tions, however, the FDA recom- lergists' perspectives, searchers from Massachu- of experts led by allergists at of anaphylaxis to medicine or mended that the vaccines be Aleena Banerji, MD, clinical setts General Hospital reas- Massachusetts General Hospi- food should avoid COVID-19 withheld only from individuals director of the Allergy and sures potential allergic reac- tal (MGH) has now examined vaccination. with a history of severe allergic Clinical Immunology Unit at tions to new COVID-19 vac- all relevant information to offer After closer review of the reactions to any component of MGH and associate profes- cines and stresses that reassurance that the vaccines data related to allergic reac- the COVID-19 vaccine, and the sor at Harvard Medical people with food or medica- can be administered safely Centers for Disease Control School, and her colleagues tion allergies can safely be even to people with food or Examined all relevant and Prevention advised that all have summarized what's vaccinated. medication allergies. The study information to offer patients be observed for 15 currently known about aller- Reports of possible aller- published in the Journal of Al- minutes post-vaccination by gic reactions to vaccines like gic reactions to the COVID- lergy and Clinical Immunology, reassurance that the staff who can identify and man- those developed against 19 vaccines produced by in response to accounts of po- vaccines can be admin- age such reactions. The U.S. COVID-19, and they have Pfizer-BioNTech and tential allergic reactions in istered safely even to agencies do not recommend proposed detailed advice so Moderna, both recently ap- some people following COVID- that people with food or medi- that individuals with differ- proved for emergency use 19 vaccination in the United people with food or cation allergies avoid vaccina- ent allergy histories can by the U.S. Food and Drug Kingdom, that country's medi- medication allergies tion. safely receive their first Administration (FDA), have cal regulatory agency advised To provide insights from al- COVID-19 vaccine. ANI January 8, 2021 Wellness Post India Post 25 www.indiapost.com

Here's what you need to know about Higher red blood cell transfusions level may cause high risk to Oxford Covid-19 vaccine premature babies

NEW DELHI: With the UK giving the green light to the tains the genetic material of the SARS-CoV-2 virus VIRGINIA: A randomized clinical trial lead by re- Covid-19 vaccine developed by Oxford University and spike protein. searchers of George Mason University has exam- drug maker AstraZeneca, India is also expected to follow After vaccination, the surface spike protein is pro- ined the blood transfusions in premature babies suit soon as a meeting of the decision-making body was duced, priming the immune system to attack the and their long-term impacts. held recently, giving new hope of beginning the end of SARS-CoV-2 virus if it later infects the body. The study appears in 'The New England Journal the pandemic as the New Year ushers in. As announced on November 23, the primary effi- of Medicine' and is the largest study to-date to The authorization in the UK cacy endpoint based on a compare thresholds recommended two doses ad- pooled analysis showed that for blood transfusions ministered with an interval of the vaccine was 70.4 per cent in premature infants. between four and 12 weeks. effective at preventing symp- Very low birth weight This regimen was shown tomatic Covid-19 occurring infants are at high risk in clinical trials to be safe and more than 14 days after receiv- for anemia and often effective at preventing ing two doses of the vaccine. need blood transfu- symptomatic Covid-19, with A secondary efficacy end- sions to survive. Some no severe cases and no hos- point of prevention of severe doctors use a higher pitalizations more than 14 disease demonstrated no cases level and some use a days after the second dose, of severe infections or hospital- lower level of red according to AstraZeneca. izations in the vaccine group. In blood cells to order a Now known as Covid-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca, it was addition to the program led by Oxford University, transfusion. A National formerly called AZD1222. AstraZeneca is conducting a large trial in the US and Institutes of Health-funded study suggests that AZD1222 was co-invented by the University of Ox- globally. providing a higher threshold of red cells within ford and its spinout company, Vaccitech. It uses a rep- Serum Institute of India (SII), the world's largest clinically accepted limits (i.e., using a higher level lication-deficient chimpanzee viral vector based on a vaccine manufacturer by volume, is manufacturing a of red blood cells when ordering a transfusion) of- weakened version of a common cold virus (adenovi- version of the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine fers no advantage in survival or reduction in neu- rus) that causes infections in chimpanzees and con- "Covishield" in India. IANS rological impairment over a lower threshold. ANI Realty Tidbits Real estate agent's death investigated as homicide US home contract signings at record OMAHA, Neb.: A suspect has been arrested in the Real Estate shooting death of a real estate agent who was show- levels in November ing a home he owned in west Omaha, The Douglas County Sheriff's Office announced. SILVER SPRING, Md.: The Ross S. Lorello, 43, of La Vista was booked into the number of Americans who Douglas County Jail 30 December afternoon on sus- signed contracts to buy homes picion of criminal homicide and use of a firearm to declined last month, but was commit a felony, authorities said. AP 26 India Post www.indiapost.com January 8, 2021 still a record high for Novem- ber when a seasonal slowdown traditionally seeps into the real estate market. The National Association of Cities helping renters get right to Realtors announced that its in- dex of pending sales fell 2.6% to 125.7 in November, down lawyers in housing court from October's revised read- ing of 129.1. An index of 100 represents the level of con- WASHINGTON: As the eco- tion ``is going to be one of the demic, fell behind on rent and the case. tract activity in 2001. It was the nomic effects of the most important things that received a notice in October ``I just kind of acquiesce to third straight monthly decline. coronavirus pandemic stretch groups around the country can to vacate his one-bedroom whatever they wanted,'' said Contract signings are a ba- into 2021, millions of U.S. rent- be pushing for.'' apartment in the Dallas sub- Kettering, 33, who is now rais- rometer of finalized purchases ers are bracing for the possibil- AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File ing money online. ``It's like over the next two months, so ity of having to show up in you're playing a game, and one the latest report may preview housing court to avoid getting of the people involved doesn't what could be a strong winter evicted. But unlike their land- know the rules of the game. for the housing market. lords, only a small fraction of And that game is a very high them will do so flanked by an stakes, to the point where, like, attorney. you will be homeless if you Fewer than 10 cities and don't play the game.'' counties nationwide guaran- The federal relief bill also in- tee tenants the right to a law- cludes $20 million for legal as- yer in housing-related dis- sistance for renters. putes, and for people strug- In Baltimore, only 1% of ten- gling to make ends meet, an ants have legal representation attorney is beyond their in eviction cases, compared means, leaving many to skip with 96% of landlords. But this Contract signings are still their court hearings or walk in month, Maryland's largest city 16.4% ahead of where they knowing they have little Many people owe months of urb of McKinney. became the latest U.S. jurisdic- were last year, thanks to a big chance. Unlike criminal cases, back rent, having lost their jobs But he fell victim to a ca- tion to grant renters a right to summer rebound that fol- an attorney won't be assigned or faced mounting medical veat that housing attorneys counsel in those cases. A Stout lowed a spring washout due to if someone can't afford one. bills during the health crisis. By have warned about: The order report estimated that 92% of the coronavirus outbreak. Con- Legal aid organizations and January, renters will owe as from the Centers for Disease tenants represented by law- tract signings in all four regions pro bono lawyers represent much as $34 billion, according Control and Prevention is not a yers in Baltimore would avoid _ the Northeast, South, Mid- many renters every year, but to estimates by the global in- blanket moratorium; tenants having to leave their homes. west and West _ declined from the need outpaces what they vestment bank and advisory must sign a declaration and The new ordinance requires October to November but are can handle. firm Stout. An estimated 23 give a copy to their landlord. the city's Department of Hous- up double-digits year-over- While housing advocates million people are at risk of By early December, Kettering, ing and Community Develop- year through last month. have primarily pushed for rent getting evicted. a disabled veteran, owed ment to hire nonprofit legal or- Historically low interest relief from the government, The federal COVID-19 relief $6,900 in rent and a constable ganizations and calls for fund- rates are drawing prospective experts also expect more cities package includes $25 billion knocked on his door with an ing to help spread the word buyers into the market, but to join the movement to give and educate tenants. It gives home prices have risen signifi- tenants the right to an attor- While housing advocates have primarily the city four years to fully cantly the past year as supply ney. pushed for rent relief from the government, implement the requirements. remains near all-time lows. ``The push for right to coun- Attorney Matthew Hill with U.S. home prices jumped sel preceded the pandemic, experts also expect more cities to join the the Public Justice Center, 7.9% in October, the most June but it's particularly acute and movement to give tenants the right which advocated for the new 2014, according to S&P particularly urgent in light of ordinance, said Baltimore CoreLogic Case-Shiller 20-city the pandemic, given just the to an attorney could draw from general home price index released overall precarity that renters funds and federal money to Tuesday 29 December. are facing,'' said Gretchen for rental assistance and an eviction notice. cover the program's costs. He Mortgage finance giant Purser, an associate professor extension of an eviction mora- A friend loaned him the said a measure proposing a Freddie Mac reported last of sociology at Syracuse Uni- torium through January. money to cover his debt, and right to counsel also will be in- week that the average rate on versity who specializes in hous- The moratorium is what he agreed to sign a document troduced in the Maryland Leg- the 30-year fixed-rate home ing, homelessness and urban Zachary Kettering thought from his landlord saying he islature, potentially making loan remained at a record low poverty. would protect him when he won't renew his lease in Febru- state funds available for 2.66%. AP She said legal representa- lost two jobs during the pan- ary in exchange for dropping Baltimore's effort. AP January 8, 2021 Real Estate Post India Post 27 www.indiapost.com PM lays foundation stone of Will 2021 be a turning point for India's real Light House Projects estate sector? SUNITA MISHRA s the sector gears up to enter another phase in 2021 with the arrival of the A Coronavirus vaccine, it will have to realign itself with buyers' new expectations India's reality might not have been what math- ematical statistician Nassim Nicholas Taleb terms as a 'black swan-robust society'. The Indian economy started to show signs of crumbling, in the aftermath of the unprecedented challenges caused by the Coronavirus pandemic in early 2020. The COVID-19 virus outbreak had a shattering im- pact on India's economy in general and its real es- tate sector, in particular - an area of work that re- quires human contact inherently. However, to overcome the overwhelming ef- fects of the pandemic, all stakeholders in India's realty sector, which happens to be the biggest employment-generating sector in India after agri- culture, came together to try and restore nor- malcy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi lays the foundation stone of the Light House projects (LHPs) across six states, 2020: When Indian real estate changed for the through video conference, in New Delhi on January 1 better NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Fri- visit these projects. While 2020 will be remembered for the day 01 January, laid the foundation stone of Light The prime minister also announced winners under Coronavirus and the subsequent lockdowns, India's House Projects under the Global Housing Technology the Affordable Sustainable Housing Accelerators - In- real estate sector, especially that of the Mumbai Challenge-India (GHTC-India) at six sites across six dia (ASHA-India) and gave out annual awards for ex- Metropolitan Region (MMR), will remember it for states, a program that seeks to build over 1,000 cellence in implementation of the Pradhan Mantri the economic turnaround and demand revival, houses each in these cities in 12 months. Awas Yojana - Urban (PMAY-U) Mission. says Kaushal Agarwal, chairman, The Guardians Speaking at the event organized virtually, Modi said During the event, he also released a certificate Real Estate Advisory. housing for the poor and the middle class has been a course on innovative construction technologies "After the announcement of the nationwide priority for his government. named 'NAVARITIH' (New, Affordable, Validated, Re- lockdown, it was extensively predicted that this He said various measures taken by his government search Innovation Technologies for Indian Housing) will be the year of real estate's greatest fall. The in the last six years has restored the confidence of the and a compendium of 54 innovative housing construc- outcome was quite the opposite, with November common man that he can own a house. tion technologies identified through GHTC-India. 2020 recording the highest number of residential Earlier, he said, people's dream of having a house of Besides the prime minister, the housing and urban registrations in almost a decade (In Maharashtra)," their own was shaken as despite spending money affairs minister, chief ministers of Tripura, Jharkhand, says Agarwal, adding that such an unprecedented they would often Uttar Pradesh, and unimaginable recovery was possible, owing to not get the prom- Construction sector acts as a force multiplier Madhya Pradesh, Reserve Bank of India's (RBI's) decision to reduce ised home in time Gujarat, Tamil Nadu the repo rates and state governments reducing and were not sure for the economy, he noted and added that and Andhra the stamp duty. of legal support, if his government has taken a number of steps Pradesh were According to Mohit Goel, CEO, Omaxe, the posi- needed. High inter- present on the oc- tives that have emerged from the COVID-19 crisis will to boost the real estate sector and will form the cornerstone of growth in the realty sector est rate was also a continue to do so casion. dampener, he The Light House and overall Indian economy in the coming decades. added. Projects (LHPs) "While 2020 has been an unprecedented year Construction sector acts as a force multiplier for the showcase the best of new-age alternative global tech- globally, it has been able to create certain unique economy, he noted and added that his government nologies, materials and processes in the construction opportunities for the realty sector that are likely to has taken a number of steps to boost the real estate sector for the first time in the country at such a large usher in a new era of innovation and digital trans- sector and will continue to do so. scale, the government has said. formation. As we continue to learn to live in this Speaking of the Light House Projects, he said they They are being constructed under GHTC-India COVID era, 2021 would require us to reimagine the are driven by modern technology and innovative pro- which envisages to provide an ecosystem for adop- way we have operated so far," says Anshuman cess. tion of innovative technologies in the housing con- Magazine, chairman and CEO, India, South East Asia, Houses being built under it will take less time to struction sector in a holistic manner. Middle East & Africa, CBRE. According to Magazine, build and will be resilient, affordable and comfortable, The LHPs are being constructed at Indore (Madhya the realty sector has not remained untouched from he said, noting that modern construction practices Pradesh), Rajkot (Gujarat), Chennai (Tamil Nadu), the recalibration but has shown remarkable resil- from countries like France, Germany and Canada will Ranchi (Jharkhand), Agartala (Tripura) and Lucknow ience in the face of the pandemic. be put into practice. (Uttar Pradesh). www.housing.com They will serve as incubation centers, he said, urg- They comprise about 1,000 houses at each location For detailed story visit www.indiapost.com ing architects, planners, engineers and students to along with allied infrastructure facilities. PTI TOP TEN HINDI FILM SONGS

1 Taaron Ke Shehar: Taaron Ke Shehar Naach Meri Rani 28 India Post www.indiapost.com January 8, 2021 2 Naach Meri Rani: 3 Teri Aankhon Mein: Teri Aankhon Mein ctor Sonakshi Sinha has welcomed 4 BurjKhalifa: Laxmii 2021 with an open heart while be 5 Care Ni Karda: Chhalaang ing grateful to the year gone by. A 6 Baby Girl: Baby Girl "Happy New Year everyone! Lets be Dil Chahte Ho grateful to 2020 for the lessons it taught us, 7 Dil Chahte Ho: Laxmii and move on to 2021 with an open heart and 8 BamBholle: the will to be better! Here's to coming out 9 Aabaad Barbaad : Ludo stronger! Lots of love," she posted on Inte- 10 Ae Mere Dil: Ae Mere Dil gra along with her photo, in which she is surrounded by balloons. She also took to Insta Stories to post vid- eos of firecrackers and to wish everyone a happy new year. On December 31, she bid goodbye to 2020 with a photo where she gazes at a river. Sonakshi will soon be seen ctor Katrina Kaif in "Bhuj: The Pride Of India". treated her fans with The war action film is set dur- A some refreshing pic- ing the Indo-Pak war of 1971. tures of herself as she She also has Reema Kagti's web series "Fallen" coming spent the first day of up. the year with her sis- ter Isabelle Kaif. The 'Tiger Zinda Hai' ac- tor took to Instagram to share three pic- tures of herself and her sister. The pictures see the sister t a time when the Covid pandemic has paralysed the Aworld, Bollywood action star Tiger Shroff wants the duo new year to be a healing force for the planet. laughing their "The shadow of 2021 is among us. Wish you all the best heart out as they of health and happiness. May this year be a year of healing welcome the for our planet. Lets do what we can to help speed that up," New Year. Tiger shared on his verified Instagram account on the first Kaif went on day of the year. to wish a year On the work front, Tiger will next be seen in the action full of happi- drama Ganapath. The film is set in a post-pandemic ness to all her dystopian era. Shooting for the project will begin fans in the cap- this year. He will also be seen in the second install- tion. ment of his debut film Heropanti, released in "365 days of 2014. To be directed by Ahmed Khan, it will co- happiness to every- star Tara Sutaria, who made her Bollywood debut op- one #2021," she posite Tiger in the 2019 release, Student Of The Year wrote. 2. IANSTiger wants 2021 to heal IANS Several Bollywood celebri- ties also extended New Year wishes to all their fans. ANI January 8, 2021 Classifieds India Post 29 www.indiapost.com CHANGE OF NAME

This is to state solemnly that I the undersigned, changed my name from Kunjalben Subhashbhai Patel to KUNJAL KUSH PATEL with immediate effect Pl take note My address is Smt K K PATEL 145 soldiers colony rd Canton MS 39046

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www.indiapost.com 30 India Post OP-ED January 8, 2021 www.indiapost.com Philosophy COVID-19 battle revitalized SAARC in PARAMHANSA YOGANANDA inaccessible. Kriya Yoga is mentioned twice by the ancient sage Patanjali, foremost 2020; momentum should not be lost riya Yoga is a simple, psychophysi- exponent of yoga, who wrote: "Kriya Yoga HARSH MAHASETH & SAUMYA PANDEY Kological method by which the hu- consists of body discipline, mental control, man blood is decarbonized and recharged and meditating on Aum." Patanjali speaks of he coronavirus pandemic has Pakistan, moreover, have derailed coop- with oxygen. The atoms of this extra oxy- God as the actual Cosmic Sound of Aum made a social, political, and eco eration for a long time. Since the incep- gen are transmuted into life current to reju- heard in meditation. Aum is the Creative T nomic impact in the SAARC na- tion of SAARC, the India and Pakistan ri- venate the brain and spinal centers. Word, the sound of the Vibratory Motor. tions. South Asian countries had to re- valry has continued to fester, and other By stopping the accumulation of Even the yoga-beginner soon inwardly sort to full lockdown, arrests of violators, nations are paying a huge price for this. venous blood, the yogi is able to lessen or hears the wondrous sound of Aum. Receiv- sealing of borders, and disciplined social For the first time in the history of prevent the decay of tissues; the advanced ing this blissful spiritual encouragement, distancing, resulting in an extensive in- SAARC, it witnessed coordinated efforts yogi transmutes his cells into pure energy. the devotee becomes assured that he is in ternal migration since the pandemic by its member states. As the pandemic Elijah, Jesus, Kabir and other prophets were actual touch with divine realms. started to unveil in the region. began and started impacting the re- past masters in the use of Kriya or a similar Patanjali refers a second time to the life- The region comprises over 21 per- gion, India made sure to extend its help technique, by which they caused their bod- control or Kriya technique thus: "Libera- cent of the world's population, which to its neighboring South Asian countries ies to dematerialize at will. tion can be accomplished by that remains vulnerable to COVID-19. The and spearheaded efforts to empower Kriya is an ancient science. Lahiri pranayama which is attained by disjoining member states have reported SAARC - which includes Afghanistan, Mahasaya received it from his guru, Babaji, the course of inspiration and expiration." 88,56,017 cases, a total of 1,33,969 Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, who rediscovered and clarified the tech- St. Paul knew Kriya Yoga, or a technique deaths in the region, and 79,23,759 re- Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka - to coor- nique after it had been lost in the Dark Ages. very similar to it, by which he could switch covered cases till the third week of De- dinate regional response and pool "The Kriya Yoga which I am giving to the life currents to and from the senses. He was cember. funds to set up an emergency fund to world through you in this nineteenth cen- therefore able to say: "Verily, I protest by our fight COVID. tury," Babaji told Lahiri Mahasaya, "is a re- rejoicing which I have in Christ, I die daily." COVID 19: SAARC's biggest challenge However, the constant tussle be- vival of the same science which Krishna By daily withdrawing his bodily life The pandemic has become SAARC tween India and Pakistan is obstructing (the South Asian Association for Regional the member nations from utilizing the Cooperation) Kriya Yoga revives biggest chal- The lack of consensus has been a major lenge at the impediment in the working of the eight-mem- science of Krishna moment, as it impacts not ber SAARC. Pakistan was not on board with the Babaji rediscovered and clarified the only public recent SAARC initiatives. Security issues technique of Kriya Yoga after it had health but between India and Pakistan, moreover, have also the na- derailed cooperation for a long time Paramhansa Yogananda been lost in the Dark Ages tional econo- mies of mem- ber states. According to the World fund. It has been reported that due to gave, millenniums ago, to Arjuna, and force, he united it by yoga union with the Bank's South Asia Economic Focus, the their current disagreement over the which was later known to Patanjali, and to rejoicing (eternal bliss) of the Christ con- region will experience the worst eco- disbursement of the fund, Nepal's re- Christ, St. John, St. Paul, and other disciples." sciousness. In that felicitous state, he was nomic performance in 40 years. quest for laboratory and medical equip- Kriya Yoga is referred to by Krishna, consciously aware of being dead to the The report also warns that the disrup- ment has been delayed. India's greatest prophet, in a stanza of the delusive sensory world of maya. tion of supply chains will adversely af- Bhagavad Gita: "Offering inhaling breath In the initial states of God-contact fect food security and reinforce in- Mutual distrust among SAARC into the outgoing breath, and offering the (sabikalpa samadhi) the devotee's con- equalities. While South Asia appears to countries outgoing breath into the inhaling breath, sciousness merges with the Cosmic Spirit; be taking charge of the situation shoul- The nationalist outlook prevails over the yogi neutralizes both these breaths; he his life force is withdrawn from the body, der-to-shoulder, a calibrated approach the international outlook among the thus releases the life force from the heart which appears "dead," or motionless and is missing. Logistics in all countries will South Asian states. Excessive national- and brings it under his control." rigid. The yogi is fully aware of his bodily be majorly affected, and there is no so- ism among members is one of the ma- The interpretation is: "The yogi arrests condition of suspended animation. lution in that direction yet. Given the di- jor obstacles in SAARC's slow progress. decay in the body by an addition of life Excerpted from 'Autobiography of a vergent economic capabilities and infra- It has been observed in the course of force, and arrests the mutations of growth in Yogi.'The 127th birth anniversary of structure across the region, some mem- time that the creators of SAARC focused the body by apan (eliminating current). Thus Paramhansa Yogananda is observed on bers will need greater assistance over on expanding mutual cooperation in the neutralizing decay and growth, by quieting January 5 others. socio-economic and cultural fields, ex- the heart, the yogi learns life control." There are no provisions or workable cluding political issues. Krishna also relates that it was he, in a modules for the industry to produce But even with such an apolitical per- 50 SPIRITUAL APPETIZERS former incarnation, who communicated amidst public health emergency situa- spective, there are political differences Vinod Dhawan the indestructible yoga to an ancient tions and hence it has severely dis- between South Asian countries, and at- illuminato, Vivasvat, who gave it to Manu, “It’s a lovely book. It feels en- rupted the production lines, including tempts to expand cooperation in the the great legislator. ergetically clear and light. It’s that of essential supplies, too. non-political field have not been mate- He, in turn, instructed Ikshwaku, the fa- easy to read, dip in and out and The lack of consensus has been a ma- rialized, especially given the current ther of India's solar warrior dynasty. Pass- most importantly it offers infor- jor impediment in the working of the political turmoil. South Asia Monitor ing thus from one to another, the royal mation without fluff! Blessings eight-member SAARC. Pakistan was not yoga was guarded by the rishis until the on this project.” For detailed story visit Jac O’Keeffe on board with the recent SAARC initia- www.indiapost.com coming of the materialistic ages. Then, due Spirituality teacher based in tives. Security issues between India and to priestly secrecy and man's indifference, USA. the sacred knowledge gradually became Available on AMAZON, FLIPKART Disclaimer: Views expressed are personal to the author January 8, 2021 OP-ED India Post 31 www.indiapost.com Kashmir's local polls only half a step forward towards normality AMULYA GANGULI

rime Minister Narendra plauded in Jammu for pre- journey remains incomplete. Modi is only partially cisely the same reason. It is known that successive Pright in claiming that the It will be erroneous to inter- governments, of both the CIRCA 2020 recent District Development pret the elections, therefore, Congress and of the BJP under Council (DDC) elections in as an example of the strength Vajpayee, had been trying to n the annals of history, 2020 will be remembered as one of the Jammu and Kashmir have dem- of Indian democracy since the take all the people of Hindu Imost traumatic recent years for the world. Major climate change onstrated the strength of In- contest appears to have rein- Jammu, Muslim Kashmir and disasters as the bush and forest fires across the world, majorly in dian democracy. forced the existing communal Buddhist Ladakh towards the Australia and California. Devastating floods in several parts of the Considering that democ- divide. As long as there are no goal of togetherness. (Ladakh globe including India, China, Philippines and Japan. In US we saw racy was snuffed out on Au- signs that this divide is being has now been hived off from the worst demonstrationssince the LA riots or the civil unrest in gust 5, 2019, with the station- bridged, democracy cannot Jammu and Kashmir and made the sixties, against the killing of George Floyd by a police officer ing of half a million troops, the be said to have won in Jammu into a separate Union Terri- in Minneapolis. The anger and frustration of Black Americans in arrest of political leaders and and Kashmir. tory). US further ignited racial unrest throughout the world. the curtailment of telecom- The present ruling dispen- Global power shifts in Middle East saw changing postures vis- munication services in the Winning the hearts of the sation in New Delhi also took a à-vis Israel and the other countries, after US recognized Israel and Kashmir valley, it will take people conciliatory path when it ap- launched its embassy in Tel Aviv. Turkey, a key US ally and an im- more than one round of local It was to emphasize the pointed former intelligence portant member of NATO, trying to assert and join up with coun- elections to revive the demo- idea of the commonality of the officer Dineshwar Sharma to tries not working in the interest of US. Major wars in Yemen and cratic way of life in its entirety two regions and the two com- mediate between the various Azerbaijan. And China posturing to be the major power in the in the militancy-hit region. munities that former prime groups, including separatists, Pacific and fuelling tensions at India's borders. minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, to find a solution to the Kash- To say the least on the Wuhan Virus, believed to have origi- Deep polarization nated in China that spread across the world taking millions of The fact that the Muslim- This lofty ideal cannot be achieved merely via lives. Worse was China kept the world in the dark by not sharing dominated Kashmir region re- elections even if these constitute an important relevant data, which was crucial to contain the spread of virus. corded a voting percentage Because of which the world economies came to a grinding halt of 31.5 against 68.5 in Hindu- part of the democratic system. Along with and many corporations and small businesses disappeared. Mil- majority Jammu shows that them, there is the need to win the hearts and lions of people lost jobs and sources of livelihood. Barring China the resentment against the minds of all the people of the Union Territory and a few other countries, most nations will take several years to Modi government for ending recover from this economic downturn. People all over the world Jammu and Kashmir's special and not of only one region as at present have changed their workspace to WFH, adapting and adjusting status by abrogating Articles to changing times. Schools and Colleges remain closed with most 370 and 35A of the constitu- who was seen as a moderate mir 'problem' which was be- classes and instructionsbeing conducted via the World-wide- tion hasn't subsided. in the BJP, laid stress on the lieved to be behind the sense web. Luckily the Internet played a major role during lockdowns In contrast, the much propagation of insaniyat (hu- of alienation among the becoming a saviour. higher participation of the manism), jamhooriyat (egali- people and persuaded a sec- In US especially, due to mishandling of the pandemic and cal- electorate in Jammu under- tarianism) and Kashmiriyat tion of youths to join the Paki- lousness of Trump's Administration, the death toll crossed 300 lines the approval of the (Kashmir's innate identity of stan-inspired insurgent thousand as of last week. Starting with shortages of PPEs and lack people there for the peremp- amity). These were the param- groups. of hospital space, many US cities lagged behind woefully to con- tory obliteration of the state's eters under which he wanted Time will show whether by tain the virus. autonomy and its conversion the Kashmir issue to be tack- abandoning the path of nego- In India, Modi government tried its best to stop the spread of into a Union Territory. led. tiations and imposing what virus with lockdowns without much preparation leading to exo- Moreover, the differences This lofty ideal cannot be was perceived as draconian dus of migrant workers across the length and breadth of the coun- in the vote share between the achieved merely via elections measures in 2019, the govern- try. However, due to his positive posture and rapid initiatives two regions are an indication even if these constitute an im- ment has succeeded in bring- many lives were saved. On the other side the government imple- of the continuing Hindu-Mus- portant part of the democratic ing the valley closer to the rest mented several key issues, which nopolitical party was willing to, lim polarization, which is seen system. Along with them, of the country, as it claims, or as the bold stands taken by Modi. Abrogation of Article 370, CAA by the Bharatiya Janata Party's there is the need to win the pushed it further away. and recently the new farm laws are case in point. Considered to (BJP) critics as being at the hearts and minds of all the If the latest electoral out- be game changers for India's quest in development, while some root of the party's overall people of the Union Territory come is considered, it may believe these were delivered without proper consultation with policy. and not of only one region as have done the latter because other political parties. Only time will tell if the decisions have It is obvious, therefore, that at present. those who have been calling been right or wrong. while the gutting of Articles Unless demonstrable for the restoration of Kashmir's We hope 2021 will bring new life with delivery of the vaccine 370 and 35A is seen in the progress is made towards special status has won a ma- across the globe. President-elect Joe Biden will have to deal with Kashmir valley as an 'assault' achieving such an overall jority of the councils by win- several issues facing the nation and hopefully the system set up by a right-wing Hindu nation- unity, only one step forward ning 112 seats against the BJP's by the founding fathers of America will prevail. And President alist regime on the Union can be said to have been 75. South Asia Monitor Trump will gracefully recede to President-elect Biden. Territory's distinctive Muslim taken via the district council For detailed stories visit Globally, many have found reasons toadopt changed lifestyles identity, the step is ap- elections while the rest of the www.indiapost.com and mode of work. Likewise, Nations will take affirmative action Disclaimer: Views expressed are personal to the author in climate change andminimizeuse of fossil fuels. 32 India Post January 8, 2021 www.indiapost.com January 8, 2021 India Post 33 www.indiapost.com