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Vol.5 No. 23 September 22-28, 2012 60 Cents Follow us on TheSouthAsianTimes.info

In the age of online Kiran makes a Ranbir starrer Suu Kyi receives shopping, it’s splash with ‘Barfi’ wins hearts US Congressional Amazon vs Google ‘ChoKolate’ single with great content Gold Medal

US Affairs, The Arts, Bollywood, Subcontinent, Page 10 Page 15 Page 16 Page 21 Romney tries to sidestep remark disparaging 47% Americans amid eroding support By Parveen Chopra who is fighting to retain his seat) have College majority, given that Romney is lag- expressed disagreement with Romney’s ging behind in two of the largest battle- New York: For Mitt Romney, September view of Americans or the world. New polls grounds, Ohio and Virginia. has caught the October chill. Usually, a suggesting that there was a narrow path to Given the challenges when Romney presidential candidate is felled by a mis-step victory for the former Massachusetts gov- should have been out campaigning vigor- or scandal breaking out in October. For the ernor is all the more unfortunate for the ously and refocusing on federal spending Republican nominee 2012, this month may party which had a good shot at presidency and slow economic recovery, he was yet put paid to his long cherished dream to in a year when economic uncertainly and embroiled this week trying to explain away enter the White House. high unemployment persisted. his 47% remark or state it more elegantly. A Romney’s remarks dismissing 47% of The point is lost on nobody that President poll released Wednesday indicated that the Americans as parasites dependent on gov- Barack Obama has opened an eight percent- video’s release Monday has had a moderate- ernment in a surreptitiously recorded video age-point lead in Iowa and maintains a five- ly negative effect on registered voters. The from a May fundraiser have not gone down point edge in Colorado and Wisconsin, poll, taken Tuesday, showed 36% of regis- well with anybody. Add to that his foreign according to Wall Street Journal/NBC tered voters indicating they would be less policy gaffes on Israel-Palestine peace or News/Marist Poll surveys of the three presi- likely to vote for Romney after the tapes On Thursday the blogosphere was abuzz US ambassador’s killing in Libya and the dential battlegrounds released Thursday. were released by Mother Jones magazine. with speculation that Mitt Romney dyed inevitable political fallout had begun. The results are significant because the Twenty percent said they were more likely his face brown for his appearance on Some of Romney’s own party leaders Romney campaign considers these three to vote for Romney, and 43% said the tapes Spanish language TV network Univision (like Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown states as steppingstones to an Electoral made no difference. Continued on page 4 Wednesday to appeal to Latino voters. India allows FDI in multi-brand retail amid opposition Trinamool pullout threatens UPA govt; Congress unfazed New Delhi: On a day when parts government says are vital for the Left and the Bharatiya Janata of India shut down in response to economy. Party (BJP) and its allies barring an opposition-sponsored strike It capped a day of nationwide the Shiv Sena. against economic reforms, a deter- protests against FDI in multi- In Tamil Nadu, even Congress mined government Thursday night brand retail, a hike in diesel prices, ally DMK joined the show. announced it was operationalizing and cap on cooking gas cylinders In West Bengal, where the ruling FDI in multi-brand trade. that evoked a mixed response Trinamool Congress opposed the "The government today notified across the country. strike, the shutdown called by the the cabinet/CCEA decisions on The general strike crippled nor- Left and BJP virtually paralyzed FDI in single brand retail, multi mal life in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, life. brand retail, civil aviation, broad- West Bengal, Odisha, Karnataka, Against the backdrop of wide- casting sector and power Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, spread uproar over decision on exchanges," an official statement Chhattisgarh, Assam and Tripura. FDI, Prime Minister Manmohan said. Shops and businesses in these Singh is likely to explain to the The unexpected announcement states were universally shut. Rail nation on Friday the reason behind came a day before the Trinamool and road transport was also badly the step and the benefits it would Congress was set to quit the hit, inconveniencing millions. entail. An activist shouted slogans in Allahabad Thursday during a daylong Congress-led UPA in protest Thursday's protest was spon- The thrust of the Prime strike in India to protest rising diesel prices and allowing foreign against economic measures the sored by the Samajwadi Party, the Continued on page 4 capital in multibrand retail. TheSouthAsianTimes.info September 22-28, 2012 Real College- Real close to Home.

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TheSouthAsianTimes.info September 22-28, 2012 Carnatic-Hindustani Indian American named Newsweek/Daily jugalbandi for a cause Beast's CEO By Jinal Shah New York: Baba Shetty has been New York: It is rare to see two world renowned classical named Newsweek/Daily Beast's new musicians performing together. However, on Saturday a CEO. Currently the chief of strategy fundraiser organized by Vidya Daanam, an organization and media at the advertising agency focused on educating underprivileged students especial- Hill Holliday, he starts his new role ly girls in southern India, featured violinists Lalgudi Vi- in October. The company made the jayalakshmi and Kala Ramnath together. The Hindus- announcement Wednesday. tani-Carnatic jugalbandi titled Raaga Rendezvous had ac- "We collaborated on our very suc- companists Bangalore Praveen and Abhijit Banerjee on cessful Newsweek Mad Men issue mridangam and tabla respectively. Attended by classical together and forged a terrific creative music enthusiasts, it was held in Merkin Concert Hall at relationship," editor-in-chief Tina Kaufman Center in New York. Brown said in a statement. "He is ex- Lalgudi Vijayalakshmi (Carnatic) and Started seven years ago, Vidya Daanam is supporting tremely gifted at brand and digital Kala Ramnath (Hindustani) at the concert to scores of underprivileged children, especially in southern strategy, is a strong leader, and is the raise funds for Vidya Daanam. India - Chikmagalur, Coimbatore and Tondavali - through perfect partner for the next phase of its supplementary education program. “Some of the pro- centers to support them,” said Chitra Bhaskar, director of The Newsweek Daily Beast Compa- The India-born’s full name is Baba grams and initiatives engineered and supported by Vidya Vidya Daanam. ny and our expanding live events Shivaram Shetty Daanam include non-formal education centers for over Chitra added, “Vidya Daanam also gives special atten- business." Harman family, which previously 35 Tsunami affected villages in Nagapattinam and tion to girl child, educating and helping in issues includ- Shetty will take over from Stephen owned a 50 percent stake in the two Vedaranyam districts in Tamil Nadu. We support children ing hygiene. We are trying to lower number of girls drop- Colvin, who was president of the publications, withdrew much of its with nutrition and stable residential environment. Along ping out of schools and give them special coaching, es- Daily Beast and later became CEO funding earlier this year. Shetty’s ca- with partner Bharat Heritage Foundation, we have pecially during 10th and 12th grade exams.” when the site merged with reer has included a stint at BMW as adopted panchayats and trained teachers to give extra Swami Dayananda Saraswati is the guiding force be- Newsweek. Newsweek/Daily Beast manager, marketing communications coaching to children. We have also set up six computer hind Vidya Daanam. is trying to chart a new course. The (1993-2000). Mukherjee NOT to MTA could not stop this address GIBM via satellite anti-Jihad ad from running New York: After months of court Pamela Geller, the executive di- battles, a heavily debated anti-Ji- rector for the AFDI, sued on the had ad, sponsored by The Ameri- grounds that the rejection violated can Freedom Defense Initiative the first amendment rights of the (AFDI) is scheduled to run in 10 organization -- and prevailed. subway stations throughout the Geller’s views are highly regard- New York City Metro Area start- ed by the Indian American Intel- ing next week. lectuals Forum President Narain The ad is emblazoned with the Kataria. Ayn Rand quote: "In any war be- The timing of the ad release tween the civilized man and the could not be worse—the violence savage, support the civilized in the Arab world inspired by the man." Bad timing for the controversial US produced anti-Islam film is The ad was initially rejected by ad to run soon on subway trains just about dying down. A screen shot of the GIBM website Thursday before President Pranab the Metropolitan Transportation defamatory and violated MTA's Aaron Donovan, a spokesperson Mukherjee’s name was taken down. Authority (MTA) in July based on advertising standards. for the MTA, said "our hands are New York: Till Thursday noon, till press time. “We are still trying”, the MTA's claim that it was But, fiery anti-Islam blogger tied." President Pranab Mukherjee was a GIBM spokesperson told listed as confirmed to address the SATimes when contacted. Global Indian Business Meet GIBM organizers had initially Sale of large sugary drinks banned in city (GIBM) via satellite on the website flaunted names of quite a few other New York: Thirsty for a huge bottle of soda? Then skip ban is supposed to go into effect mid-March. of the conference being held in New Indian ministers and business ty- New York City. The ban will apply in fast-food joints, movie houses York starting Friday. Canceled. Gu- coons like Mukesh Ambani and The city's Board of Health last week passed a rule ban- and Broadway theaters, workplace cafeterias, and most jarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi Lakshmi Mittal as well. No show ning sale of big sodas and other sugary drinks at restau- other places selling prepared food.It doesn't cover bever- to address the meet also through again. "It is our first conference," rants, concession stands, and other eateries. ages sold in supermarkets or most convenience stores. video conferencing? Indian federal justified the spokesperson. Smacks The regulation, which was proposed in the spring by The rule wouldn't apply to lower-calorie drinks, such as minister Subodh Kant Sahay com- of a ploy to hoodwink the public Mayor Michael Bloomberg and approved by panel of water or diet soda, or to alcoholic beverages or drinks that ing down? Canceled too most like- and stakeholders. Name dropping to health experts after several months of review, puts a 16- are more than half milk or 70 percent juice. Enforcement ly. No matter that their names enroll gettable speakers and secure ounce size limit on cups and bottles of non-diet soda, would be conducted by an existing corps of city restau- stayed ‘confirmed’ on the website sponsors? sweetened teas, and other calorie-packed beverages. The rant inspectors. A violation would lead to a $200 fine. 4 Turn Page

September 22-28, 2012 TheSouthAsianTimes.info Indus American Bank reaches Lohan arrested over hit and out to the community run in Manhattan

Iselin, NJ: Indus American Bank New York: Actress Lindsay Lohan was has embarked on a major out-reach arrested and then released for allegedly program into the community. It clipping a pedestrian with her car and recently unveiled a “Community fleeing the scene. Rewards Program”, which reflects The 26-year-old was detained by the Bank’s philosophy to reinvest in police officers after the low-speed acci- the communities in which it oper- dent in the wee hours of Wednesday ates. morning, reports contactmusic.com. This program is designed to sup- Lohan was pulling her Porsche port 501 (C) 3 non-profit organiza- Cayenne into a parking space in down- tions to raise more funds. This is town Manhattan when she collided with accomplished by Indus American a man standing nearby, hitting his knee, Bank making quarterly contribu- reports tmz.com. tions to such an organization based The bank’s Iselin branch personnel Renu As a passenger in the car checked the Gandhi, Rekha Sarathy and Jitendra Rathod on the number of its members and damage, Lohan is alleged to have supporters banking with Indus at the booth in Sai Mandir, Edison. walked to her nearby hotel, prompting a American Bank. “This is a great way partnered with the Sai Mandir in Edison, witness to call cops. for our Bank and employees to make a NJ by bringing its services to the temple’s difference in the community,” said Anil Officers arrived at the location and worshippers. More such events are arrested Lohan outside the hotel, and she Bansal, Executive Chairman of the Bank. planned for both New York and New was later booked for leaving the scene of Actress Lindsay Lohan has had many As part of this effort, the Bank recently Jersey. an accident. brushes with law

Romney story "People want a hand up not a hand- After the Cabinet decision on page. nomic move, saying it was for the Continued from page 1 out. Are there people who abuse September 14, Singh had said the On their part, the Confederation common man. Here is Romney’s controversial the system? Yes, both at the bottom step was intended to "bolster eco- of All India Traders (CAIT) said Law Minister Salman Khurshid remark repeated ad nauseam by the and the top. Because there are a nomic growth and make India a the strike was "very successful" said: "We have done the reforms pro-Obama media: “There are 47% whole bunch of millionaires who more attractive destination" for for- and that an estimated 50 million with a humane face. This is an 'aam of the people who will vote for the aren't paying taxes at all either." eign investment. shopkeepers across India took part. aadmi' reform." president no matter what. There are Conservative blogger and Wall Showing resolve for reforms, the In the heart of the capital, leaders Union Information and 47% who are with him, who are Street Journal columnist Peggy government on Thursday notified of traders' bodies joined hands with Broadcasting Minister Ambika dependent on government, who Noonan, who had earlier this week its decision to allow global retail political veterans to denounce the Soni said: "There was no other way believe that, that they are victims, called Romney campaign 'incom- giants like Walmart to open stores FDI in retail trade which they say than this decision to keep the econ- who believe that government has petent,' and needing 'intervention', in India. With this notification, will ruin India's mammoth retail omy on track." She also claimed the responsibility to care for them. agrees that the pendulum has multinational retailers can invest sector. the government had the support of Who believe that they are entitled swung toward Obama. Now, she up to 51 per cent to open stores in Attacking the government, BJP over 300 MPs. to health care, to food, to housing." says, for Romney, the debates are 10 states and UTs which, till date, leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said: Khurshid denied the government When asked about Romney’s critical. If Romney clearly wins the have agreed to implement the deci- "This is not a UPA government could topple because of the exit of remark, Obama said, "When you first debate Oct. 3, he has a good sion (implementation happens to anymore. It is a Congress govern- the Trinamool Congress, which has express an attitude that half the chance of reversing the trajectory be the states’ prerogative). Also, ment only." 19 MPs in the 545-seat Lok Sabha country considers itself victims, of the last three weeks. 49% FDI by foreign airlines in the Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam and is the second largest con- that somehow they want to be domestic carriers will be allowed. Singh Yadav courted arrest in stituent in the ruling UPA. dependent on government, my India allows FDI story Meanwhile, the Confederation of Delhi along with Left leaders A.B. He said the UPA has "enough thinking is that maybe you haven't Continued from page 1 Indian Industry (CII) estimated that Bardhan, Prakash Karat and support from MPs and friendly par- gotten around a lot." Minister's message is expected to the Indian economy lost Rs.12,500 Sitaram Yechury, and TDP chief N. ties." Finance Minister P. "We have gone through a chal- be that the step was taken in crore ($2.25 billion) Thursday Chandrababu Naidu. Chidambaram echoed the theme lenging time," Obama said. national interest. because of pan-India work stop- The government backed its eco-

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TheSouthAsianTimes.info September 22-28, 2012 FBI asked to track anti-Sikh hate crimes

Washington, DC: A Federal of Domestic Extremism" before the "I came here today to ask the gov- Bureau of Investigation (FBI) panel Senate Judiciary Committee's ernment to give my mother the dig- will look into demands to track hate Subcommittee on the Constitution, nity of being a statistic," he said. crimes against Sikhs motivated by Civil Rights and Human Rights. "We cannot solve a problem we religious bias in the wake of the Aug The hearing was convened by the refuse to recognize." 5 shooting at a Wisconsin gurdwara. subcommittee's Democratic chair- As many as 81 members of The FBI's Advisory Policy Board man, Senator Dick Durbin in Congress have also introduced a res- will be asked to look into expansion response to the Oak Creek gurdwara olution asking the FBI to track anti- of current hate crime reporting cate- shooting at the request of more than Sikh hate crimes. gories to include hate crimes moti- 150 organizations, led by the Sikh Michael A. Clancy, a counterter- vated by anti-Sikh bias, Deputy Coalition. rorism official at the FBI, testified Attorney General James M Cole "I just had my first day of college, that while the agency was aware that told a Senate panel Wednesday. and my mother wasn't there to send the Wisconsin shooter Wade The official made the announce- me off," Saini said. "She won't be Michael Page was a white suprema- ment as Harpreet Singh Saini, there at my graduation or my wed- cist, the FBI "never had any infor- whose mother was one of six killed ding day. mation that he posed a threat to any by a white supremacist in the attack I want to tell the gunman you may group, particularly the Sikhs." on the Oak Creek temple in August be full of hate but my mother was Herb Kohl, a Democratic senator Son of a Wisconsin gurdwara shooting victim, Harpreet Saini gave and several other witnesses asked full of love." from Wisconsin, who is not a mem- testimony in the US Senate. (Photo: Russell Brammer/Sikh Coalition) the panel to urge the FBI to track Saini pointed out that the FBI ber of the committee, told the panel: hate crimes against Sikhs. does not count the number of hate "August 5th was a tragic day not with harassment and violence." ment officers who were killed or More than 400 people packed crimes against Sikhs specifically, only for Sikh Americans but for all Earlier, in his opening remarks, injured at Oak Creek, made a plea to Wednesday's nearly two-hour hear- instead lumping those attacks in the Americans, as is any day extremist Durbin with moving words about stand together against hate as hate ing on "Hate Crimes and The Threat anti-Muslim hate-crime category. hate groups target people of faith the Sikh victims and law enforce- crimes affect all communities. AAHOA hosts Congressional Day and Capitol Hill reception

Atlanta: The Asian American Hotel years to come.” by our legislative priorities,” said Owners Association (AAHOA), one “Organizations with the size and AAHOA President Fred Schwartz. of the leading forces in the hospital- reach of AAHOA have a responsi- “Our leaders and members stepped ity industry, hosted its annual bility to speak up for the thousands up and presented a unified front that Congressional Day & Capitol Hill of businesses across the country that will impact policymakers on Capitol Reception on Wednesday, will be affected by issues addressed Hill.” September 12, 2012. The AAHOA delegation to Washington, D.C., Law student’s suit against which included more than 175 AAHOA leaders from throughout Bharara dismissed the United States, met with 135 Congressional offices to promote New York: A U.S. court here has saying she could get it back only AAHOA legislative initiatives. dismissed a lawsuit filed by an after she had answered all their ques- The first legislative priority that Indian American law student against tions. The marshals also attempted to the AAHOA delegates presented to Manhattan's federal prosecutor Preet take her picture with a mobile phone. members of Congress involved Bharara and the Justice Department Bensam also alleged that her phone reauthorizing and modernizing SBA for unlawfully questioning her and had been tampered with by the court loan programs, including reauthoriz- seizing her cell phone during Rajat security. ing the temporary SBA 504 refi- AAHOA members outside the Capitol Hill Gupta's insider trading trial. In the lawsuit, Bensam had alleged nancing and FMLP programs that The Capitol Hill Reception held Farrell, senior director and execu- Benula Bensam, 24, had filed a she was subject to "unreasonable are set to expire September 27, later that evening at the United Way tive vice president, US India lawsuit against Bharara, federal search and seizure for unlawful stop, 2012. Second, the delegates promot- Worldwide facility in Alexandria, Business Council (USIBC), and prosecutors Reed Brodsky, Richard detention, interrogation, seizure of Tarlowe and the U.S. Marshals property, search of property, search ed the “Jobs Originated through the Va., included keynote speaker Roger Roma Bose, Director of Service in U.S. District Court in July. of communications and demand for Launching of Travel” (JOLT) Act. Dow, President and CEO of the U.S. Organizational Development for U.S. District Judge Andrew Carter, identification." This program, among other things, Travel Association; special guest United Way Worldwide. however, dismissed the claims She is representing herself. would reform visa processing stan- speakers U.S. Representative Mick “As the voice of hotel owners in Bensam had filed "for failure to state Carter said Bensam's only allega- dards and expand the Visa Waiver Mulvaney (R-SC), U.S. this country, our members each have a claim on which relief can be grant- tions against Brodsky and Tarlow are Program to increase international Representative Joe Wilson (R-SC), a unique story to tell when it comes ed." The law student had got into that they "knew of the letters [she] tourism to the United States. Finally, Jim Bridenstine, a Republican can- to informing members of Congress trouble during the Gupta trial in June had written to Judge Rakoff" and the delegates supported the pro- didate for Congress from Oklahoma, about how certain legislation affects after she sent three letters to presid- "may have instigated the involve- posed “Pool Safety and and Tulsi Gabbard, a Democratic our industry and small business ing Judge Jed Rakoff on the case. ment of the U.S. Marshals." Accessibility for Everyone” (Pool candidate from Hawaii running for a owners in general,” said AAHOA During one of the court proceed- Similarly, Bensam's allegations SAFE) Act. This legislation current- seat in the U.S. House of Chairman Alkesh Patel. ings in the trial, Bensam was escort- that Bharara "may have instigated ly has versions proposed in both the Representatives who has been “When we arrive on the Hill with ed out of the courtroom by U.S. the involvement of the U.S. House and Senate that would help reported by some to be a virtual lock such a strong showing of AAHOA Marshals and questioned over the Marshals," and "has advocated the hotel owners reasonably comply to win; as well as guest speakers leaders, our message is clearly letters she had sent to the judge. use of intrusive surveillance" fail to with mandates arising from the Sherrie Brach, Executive Vice heard, and we create long-lasting She said in the lawsuit that the state a claim that he failed to do any- Americans with Disabilities Act President of Investor Relations for relationships with elected officials marshals questioned her at length thing that violated Bensam's rights, (ADA) for swimming pool lifts. United Way Worldwide, Diane that will benefit the industry for and refused to return her cell phone, the judge ruled. 6 Tristate Community

September 22-28, 2012 TheSouthAsianTimes.info

IN BRIEF Swami Bodhananda to give ZEE TV says ‘kem chho’ to discourse on Gita Gujaratis in its own style he Saibaba temple, Flush- California. After that visit the ee TV HD joined hands with the Chaa- ing, Queens is organizing swami and his disciples incorpo- lo Gujarat event at Raritan Center, NJ Tthis weekend a program rated The Sabodh Society, a non- Zon Aug 31, Sep 1 and Sep 2. The 3 day on the Bhagavad-Gita. Swami profit and religious, charitable event saw a turnout of close to 35,000 atten- Bodhananda Saraswati, the spiri- organization to teach meditation dees. After the successful launch announce- tual founder-director of the Sam- and vedanta to Indian-Ameri- ment of Zee TV HD at the India Day Parade, both Society, which is incorpo- cans and Americans at large. HD seemed to be a hit among the attendees of rated in the US, will give a dis- Since that first visit to the US, Chaalo Gujarat as well. Zee TV HD created course on Gita and answer the swami has visited the coun- a major buzz and attracted 1000s to the booth queries of devotees with his en- try every year. Aside from his each day. Raffle gifts such as Apple iPads, Ex- gaging conversation laced with teachings to the public, the swa- clusive gifts from SAHIL Exclusive boutique, dinner coupons from legendary Moti Mahal lively humor. He will also talk Swami Bodhananda mi taught himself about the cul- about applying the age-old tenets ture and traditions of different Delux and one year subscription to ZEE TV in the holy book to the modern-day context. peoples of the New World through reading HD were given out to attendees. Raffle win- The swami is popular both in the US and and observing. ner Varsha D Shah said “Zee TV programs are India, and wrote commentaries and spiritual The year 2000 was a turning point when great! My family is really excited with the work focusing on the Gita and other holy the swami made his most extensive tour of new iPad, thank you Zee!” People thronged Zee TV booth texts. He was born in Mattatur, Kerala, about the US and Canada visiting devotees in more Dr.Pankaj Naram, host of ‘Yoga for You’ on at Chaalo Gujarat event 50 kilometers from Kalady village, the birth- than 25 cities. In November a 32-acre parcel Zee TV shared his expertise at the Zee TV HD with the attendees who flocked to him place of Adi Sankaracharya—the great Indi- of land near Kalamazoo, Michigan, was booth through all three days and interacted for advice. an philosopher of the Eighth Century and the bought on which the swami's first center and best-known exponent of the Advaita philos- headquarter in the US was set up. Mindy Kaling on cover of ophy. The swami has been spiritually in- Swami gave discourses not only in Hindu clined since his childhood and decided to temples but also in Christian churches. Li- New York magazine lead a life of sanyasi in later years. He earned braries, homes, workplaces and educational ndian-American actress, comedian, his bachelor's degree in economics from institutions have also played host to his spir- writer and producer Mindy Kaling Christ College, Irinjalkuda, Kerala. It was itual talks, which generally focus on the Gita Igraced the cover of the Sept. 17 issue of during the time when he was studying for his and the Upanishads. New York magazine. master's, the swami decided to take the spir- The program at the Saibaba temple in The 33-year-old spoke about her new se- itual plunge. Flushing is scheduled for Saturday, Septem- ries “The Mindy Project,” which airs on The swami began his spiritual journey to ber 22 in the afternoon/evening. The two- Fox beginning Sept. 25. the US in 1997. New York was one of his session program begins at 4:30PM with a Kaling plays Dr. Mindy Lahiri, a compe- first stops, along with Michigan, Illinois and half-hour break at 6:30PM. tent OB/GYN, disastrous but still hopeful at love. The debut this month will make Dr. Anita Bist’s book “Masala for Kaling one of the only women of color to Retirement” released be both the face of and the creative force behind a network TV show, the magazine r. Anita Bist announced the release said. of her book “Masala for Retirement: “Every detail of this set, not to mention DHow to Add ZEST to the Rest of every word of every script, has had to pass Your Life”. The author uses the Indian word through Kaling’s brain and reflect her “masala” which means spices, as a colorful unique worldview as a self-described metaphor for all the important life areas that ‘chubby’ 33-year-old Indian-American fe- make up a successful retirement lifestyle. migrant herself. “They have nostalgic mem- male comic by way of Cambridge, Massa- years as both a writer and a cast member on “There are over 30 million Indians living ories of their younger days and seek to re- chusetts; Dartmouth College; and eight NBC’s “The Office,” the magazine said. abroad according to Census Bureaus world- capture those feelings in the land of their Indian American director's thriller wide,” says author Dr. Anita Bist. “In the birth during their older age.” United States alone, there are approximate- Her book Masala for Retirement speaks of wins another US award ly 3 million NRIs. Also, there are over 1 mil- the “where to retire?” conflict NRIs face lion NRIs each in Canada, Great Britain, when planning their retirement as well as 9 Eleven", a Bollywood-style thriller (WMIFF) in Washington, is set for its West South Africa and the Middle East according other important issues such as filling your by Indian American director Manan coast premiere Sep 22. to their statistics agencies.” retirement time, staying healthy, supple- "Singh Katohara, has won the Best Nar- Written and directed by Katohora, who “Indians living abroad have always faced menting your retirement income and finding rative Feature Award at the 2012 Third also won the 2012 Rising Star Award for East-West conflicts when adjusting to a new a sense of purpose. The author shares client World Independent Film Festival (TWIFF). the film at Canada International Film Fes- life in a different culture. In most cases, stories, self-assessments and practical steps The San Francisco festival celebrates es- tival, the fast paced thriller with undertones these immigrants arrived looking for eco- to plan your successful and meaningful re- tablished and emerging filmmakers from of terrorism, poses the question how does nomic opportunity but when it is time for re- tirement. third world countries and filmmakers from one survive collectively in meeting the tirement, many of them are torn between A retirement life consultant, naturopath, developed countries whose topics deal with growing phenomenon of terrorism head on. wanting to return to their native land or to spiritual teacher and entrepreneur, she has a issues of the developing world. Earlier "9 Eleven" won the Best Feature continue staying in their adopted countries Ph.D. in Natural Health, an MBA degree in The film, which earlier won the Best Fea- Film award at the Peoples Film Festival with their children and grandchildren,” con- Marketing and Certifications in Retirement ture and Best Director awards at the 2012 (TPFF) in New York showcasing extraor- tinues Dr. Anita Bist, a first-generation im- Coaching. World Music & Independent Film Festival dinary films using different media formats. National Community 7

TheSouthAsianTimes.info September 22-28, 2012 Five Indian Americans Indiana doctor sentenced among Forbes 400 richest for health care fraud Washington, DC: Five Indian-Americans fig- billion. Landing in the US with only a few Bloomington: An Indian shared the same office ure in the Forbes magazine's annual list of the dollars in his pocket, he developed business American anesthesiologist suite. richest people in America with Microsoft software firm Aspect Development. Today his from Bloomington, Indiana He had a federal Drug Corp chairman Bill Gates retaining his top portfolio includes more than 10 different was sentenced September Enforcement spot with $66 billion, up $7 billion from 2011. enterprise software companies. 18, to 42 months in prison Administration license to He is followed by Berkshire Hathaway Third on the Indian-American list is by a judge in Indianapolis, prescribe controlled sub- Inc.'s Warren Buffett (No. 2) with $46 billion, Kavitark Ram Shriram (No. 298), Managing Indiana. stances and in the late also up $7 billion from last year and Oracle Partner, Sherpalo Ventures, with a net worth Dr. Kamal Tiwari, 60, was 1990s, he began to focus Corp's Larry Ellison (No. 3) with $41 billion, of $1.6 billion. He was one of the first people sentenced by District Court his medical practice in up $8 billion - and the biggest dollar gainer to write a check to Google cofounders Sergey Judge Sarah Evans Barker to “interventional pain man- this year. Brin and Larry Page in 1998. three and a half years in fed- agement,” a specialty of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg has Next comes Indian-born Manoj Bhargava eral prison, and ordered to medicine which includes a been pushed down in the rankings to the no. (No. 311) with a net worth of $1.5 billion. His pay close to $1.3 million, wide variety of therapies, the amount he made from often involving combina- 36 spot with his estimated net worth falling by two-ounce caffeine and vitamin elixir, 5-Hour Dr.Kamal Tiwari about $8 billion to $9.4 billion since Facebook Energy, promises to keep users alert without prescribing unnecessary tions of injection proce- went public in May. crashing -- and claims a 90 percent-plus mar- procedures and drugs, the U.S. Attorney for dures and opioids, the release said. The Indian-Americans' list is topped by ket share in the energy shot sector the Southern District of Indiana announced From January 2007 through December Bharat Desai and family with a net worth of Last on the Indian-American list is Venture in a press release. This March, Tiwari 2007, Dr. Tiwari admitted he engaged in a $2 billion in the 239th place. Kenya-born capitalist Vinod Khosla (No. 328) with a net pleaded guilty to charges of health care scheme to defraud Medicaid, Medicare, Bharat Desai started as a programmer for Tata worth of $1.4 billion. With a firm belief that fraud and unlawful drug distribution. and Anthem to increase revenues, by per- Consultancy Services, only to leave the com- the future lies in developing cleaner energy Prosecutors wanted a stiffer sentence forming numerous medical procedures on pany four years later to start Syntel with his sources, the Khosla Ventures founder was a U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Hogsett indicated. patients that were not medically necessary, wife. Next comes Romesh T. Wadhwani (No. big backer of biofuel producers Kior and “While we argued this morning in favor of including such injection procedures as facet 250), Founder and Chairman, Symphony Gevo, both of which went public in 2011, a sentence that we believe was befitting of blocks, epidurals, and radiofrequency abla- Technology Group, with a net worth of $1.9 according to Forbes. the crimes committed, we respect the Judge tions. The doctor also admitted to providing Barker’s decision and will continue to work certain patients opioid prescriptions that with our law enforcement partners to make exceeded any legitimate purpose. These Sunita Williams takes over whole the victims of Mr. Tiwari’s actions,” prescriptions included such drugs as Hogsett is quoted saying in the release. Percocet, Oxycontin, oxycodone, and Tiwari specialized in anesthesiology and methadone. These drugs, along with the space station command ran two clinics in the Bloomington area, excess steroids from the unnecessary pro- Pain Management and Surgery Center of cedures, caused some patients serious bodi- Washington, DC: Indian- Southern Indiana, Inc. Both businesses ly injury, the release said. American astronaut Sunita Williams has taken over com- mand of the International Space Station (ISS), yet another feather in her cap as she already holds three records for female space trav- elers. Expedition 32 Commander Gennady Padalka ceremoni- ally handed over control of NASA astronaut Sunita Williams (front left) takes com- the space station to mand of the International Space Station from cosmonaut Expedition 33 Commander Gennady Padalka (front right) during a ceremony marking Sunita Williams in the the start of the Expedition 33 increment aboard the space Destiny laboratory Saturday station on Sept. 15, 2012. (Credit: NASA TV) afternoon during the tradi- tive spacewalk time by a power to the International tional Change-of-Command female astronaut with her Space Station. Ceremony, NASA reported. sixth space walk to repair a The spacewalk lasted 6 NASA astronaut Williams, faulty power distribution unit. hours 28 minutes. Williams Russian cosmonaut Yury Williams surpassed Peggy has now worked outside the Malenchenko and Japan's Whitson's record during her station for a total of 44 hours Akihiko Hoshide remain on excursion as she and her and 2 minutes, overtaking the ISS, reported RIA Japanese counterpart Akihiko Whitson who worked outside Novosti. Hoshide used a toothbrush for 39 hours and 46 minutes On Sep 6, Williams set the and a wire brush fashioned over the course of six space- new record for total cumula- out of a spare cable to restore walks. TCS opens new center in Minneapolis New Delhi: Tata Consultancy Services Director. has opened a new facility in Minnesota, “Over the past few years, Minnesota has which will serve as a hub for delivering put an emphasis on technological innova- technology services to customers in the tion that aligns with TCS’ breadth of region. industry expertise, innovative engineering The 50,000-square foot facility will strength and commitment to providing house roughly 300 employees. cutting-edge solutions, and will only “The decision to open a new TCS facili- enhance the scope and scale of our cus- ty in the Minneapolis region is part of our tomer offerings in North America,” he company’s on-going commitment to grow added. our presence in each and every market we TCS, which had set up operations in serve,” said N. Chandrasekaran, TCS’ New York City in 1979, now has 18 Chief Executive Officer and Managing offices in the US. 8 National Community

September 22-28, 2012 TheSouthAsianTimes.info Author Siddhartha Deb wins Anil Revri's ‘Wall for Peace’ PEN Award installed at Dulles airport Washington, DC: A com- New York: Indian pelling art installation at American writer Dulles International Airport Siddhartha Deb was named in Washington, D.C., urges the winner of the presti- visitors to consider messages gious PEN Open Book of peace. Award Aug. 28. Created by Indian The award carries a American artist Anil Revri, $5,000 prize and honors the “Wall for Peace” is a “an exceptional work of lit- seven-foot-tall and six-foot- erature by a writer of color long block decorated by a published in 2011,” said a ticker-tape-like stream of press release from PEN, an LED messages of peace The artist and his creation international professional taken from the holy books of and racial prejudices.” renunciation from all six reli- writers’ association based Christianity, Islam, The Wall for Peace will gions to visually illustrate in New York City. Buddhism, Hinduism, remain on the airport’s how similar values have been Deb took the prize for his Author Siddhartha Deb and his book that won the award Jainism and Sikhism. It was Concourse A/B until next interpreted by peoples of dif- nonfiction book “The presented to the public Aug. March, after which Revri ferent faiths in the course of Return’ and ‘An Outline of flung places. The Guardian Beautiful and the Damned: 23. hopes to take it to sites that history,” he said. the Republic,’” he states in praised “The Beautiful and A Portrait of the New According to Art News, the have seen violent episodes, Revri’s works are included his official biography on the Damned” and Deb for India” (Faber & Faber). artwork was procured by including the Taj or Oberoi in in the art collections of Air the website of The New evoking an “extraordinary Born in Meghalaya and Dulles Airport in the wake of Mumbai, where the 26/11 India, Corcoran Gallery of School’s Eugene Lang feeling for the texture of brought up in Shillong, the shootings at the Sikh terror attacks unfolded. Art and the Library of College for Liberal Arts, lower middle-class life, as Deb has witnessed the Temple in Wisconsin Aug. 5, The Wall for Peace, he Congress in Washington, where he serves as an assis- well as his unerring sensi- growing unrest in which highlighted America’s said, “can bring about inter- D.C. tant professor. tivity to the way a country Northeastern India and need for ethnic and religious faith dialogue by clearly stat- New Delhi native Revri “It has also given me a yet again transforms itself.” focuses on the tumult there tolerance. ing to those who come from holds a degree in interior certain nomadic tendency, PEN was founded in in his writings. “Rays of light emanating [the six] religions that it is design from the Sir J. J. so that in spite of living in 1921 in direct response to “This is an obscure and from the unit are projected on their own religions that talk School of Art, Mumbai, and a cities for the last two the ethnic and national turbulent area, and it has to the viewers as they walk about peace.” bachelor of fine arts degree decades — in Calcutta, divisions that contributed informed much of my around the work,” Revri said “I have incorporated in graphic design from the Delhi, and New York — I to the First World War, said work, including my two in a statement, “in a symbolic themes related to peace, Corcoran College of Art + continue to travel to far- a spokesperson. novels, ‘The Point of act of cleansing of religious desire, lust and greed, and Design in Washington, D.C. US Elections 9

TheSouthAsianTimes.info September 22-28, 2012 Romney blooper has Republicans scrambling for damage control

Washington: As Democrats pounced on a Mitt Romney bloop- er suggesting that nearly half the Americans were "moochers" or dependants, Republicans went into damage control mode, but their presidential contender him- self stood by his gaffe. In the controversial secretly recorded video from a May fund- raiser published by the liberal- leaning ‘Mother Jones’, Romney is heard describing "47 percent of the people who will vote (for Obama) no matter what" as being Damaging to Romney campaign, the ‘47% video' was shot on dependent on government. a cellphone at a fundraiser in May and released Monday by Republican nominee for President, Mitt Romney clarifying Commenting on the video, Mother Jones magazine. his ‘47%’ remark Tuesday. President Barack Obama Tuesday Americans who rely on govern- Romney's insinuation that 47 per- government for their care," said band Vince McMahon struggled suggested that Romney was "writ- ment-funded programs. cent of Americans believe they are Linda McMahon of Connecticut financially when they were ing off a big chunk of the coun- His running mate Paul Ryan too victims who must depend on the recounting how she and her hus- younger. try." In an interview taped for The suggested that "He (Romney) was Letterman Show, he said, "One of obviously inarticulate in making the things I learned as president is this point." Romney campaign trying to fix you represent the entire country. If But the point the Republicans you want to be president, you are making is that, under the lack of specifics have to work for everyone." Obama economy, government Amid the political furor, dependency is up and economic By Vikas Girdhar seven weeks before the of Romney’s campaign has Romney acknowledged that his stagnation is up. November 6 election, Romney focused more on criticizing the remarks were "not elegantly stat- Meanwhile, two Republican New York: Ed Gillespie, a top still finds himself behind on the way Obama has handled the ed" but asserted "This is a mes- Senate candidates locked in tight strategist and veteran Republican count. Gillespie believes that the nation in its economic crisis and sage I'm carrying day and day out election battles in Democrat lean- operative for presidential candi- people’s concerns about the less on his own plans. Many of and will carry over the coming ing states sought to distance them- date Mitt Romney, has conceded economy, energy and foreign Romney’s aides have been bank- months." selves from Romney's controver- that their campaign has so far policy have not been addressed. ing on winning over voters who "This is a decision about the sial remarks. been short on specifics. He “We are not rolling out new are dissatisfied enough with course of America, where we're "That's not the way I view the believes that Romney’s claims policy so much as we are making Obama to vote for a fresh going to head. We've seen the world," said Senator Scott Brown have not exactly detailed impor- sure people understand that when change. The recent polls that president's policies play out over of Massachusetts. "As someone tant plans for improving the con- we say we can do these things, indicated Obama ahead of the last four years," he said on who grew up in tough circum- dition of the nation and that lack here’s how we are going to get Romney reflect the theory that pro-Republican Fox News. stances, I know that being on pub- of communication has left him them done and these are the voters are now tuning into the Romney said he was making a lic assistance is not a spot that short of reaching many voters. specifics,” said Gillespie. campaign much more and are political analysis in the remarks, anyone wants to be in." In this crucial stretch of the last For the past few months, much eager to hear details. not a broader assessment of "I disagree with Governor Obama leads Romney nationally: Poll Obama plays China card against Romney Washington: Amid a political row caused by Mitt Washington: With just weeks to go for about trade practices, but before the Romney's controversial remarks that 47 percent of what is expected to be a close presiden- election are taking advantage of unfair Americans looked themselves as victims, a new poll tial race, President Barack Obama trading practices," Obama says. showed President Obama leading his Republican chal- played the China card against his In the new Obama ad, following a clip lenger nationally by 5 points. Republican challenger Mitt Romney of Mitt Romney promising to crack While a NBC/WSJ survey released Tuesday showed with another outsourcing jab. down on China's trade policies, the ad's Obama leading Romney by 50 percent to 45 percent "I like to walk the walk, not just talk narrator says, "Tough on China? Not among Americans judged "likely" to vote nationally, a the talk," said Obama Monday at a cam- Mitt Romney." Washington Post poll indicated he had an eight point lead paign event in Cincinnati, Ohio, a crucial Then citing a 2009 US International over Romney in the crucial battleground state of Virginia. swing state, announcing his administra- Trade Commission Federal Register According to the latest NBC/WSJ poll, fuelled by tion's new trade enforcement case Notice, the ad narrator says, "When a increased optimism about the economy and nation's against China in the World Trade flood of Chinese tires threatened a thou- direction, Obama now sees his job-approval rating reach- Reacting to Romney remarks on the secret video, Organization. sand American jobs it was President ing the 50 percent threshold for the first time since Barack Obama said on the Letterman Show that “as Obama's re-election campaign also Obama who stood up to China and pro- March. Among a wider sample of registered voters, the president you represent the entire country”. released a new television ad criticizing tected American workers." president's lead is 6 points, 50 percent to 44 percent - up shows 38 percent believing the country is better off than Romney for opposing his tough stance Pointing to media reports about from Obama's 4-point edge last month, 48 percent to 44 it was when Obama became president, which is a 7-point on China while renewing Obama's Obama imposing stiff tariffs on Chinese- percent. increase from August. charge that as head of investment firm made tires to protect America jobs, he "It's clear to me that Barack Obama has moved a step But a plurality of voters - 41 percent - maintain that the Bain Capital, Romney was an "outsourc- continues: "Mitt Romney attacked ahead," Democratic pollster Peter D. Hart, who conduct- country is worse off; 21 percent say it's in the same place. ing pioneer" who shipped American jobs Obama's decision. He said standing up to ed this survey with Republican pollster Bill McInturff, Obama's eight point lead among likely voters in to countries like India and China. China was 'bad for the nation and our was quoted as saying by NBC. Virginia in the Washington Post survey compares to a "You can't stand up to China when all workers'." For his part, McInturff added that the presidential race five point advantage he held over Romney in an NBC you've done is sent them our jobs. You The ad concludes by questioning may very well have seen an inflection point. "The presi- News/Wall Street Journal/Marist survey in Virginia that can talk a good game, but I like to walk whose side Romney is on pointing to an dent is in a stronger position than he was before the con- was released last week. the walk, not just talk the talk," Obama excerpt from Romney's book "No vention." Then Sen. Obama won Virginia by two percentage said. Apologies" where he criticizes the trade But noting similarities between the current numbers points in the 2008 election, becoming the first Democrat "And my experience has been waking case filed on behalf of US tire manufac- and those from the 2004 George W. Bush vs. John Kerry to carry the state in a presidential contest since 1964. up every single day and doing every- turers saying it could spark a trade war. race, he suggested that this contest could be just as com- Both Obama and Romney have made eight swings thing I can to make sure American work- The Romney camp earlier dismissed petitive. "If you look at '04 as a model, '04 was really through the crucial battleground state with their cam- ers get a fair shot in the global econo- Obama's latest trade challenge to China close. And that's how we should continue to think about paigns flooding the state's airwaves with campaign com- my.""We don't need folks who during as "politically motivated" and "too little, the campaign." The NBC News/Wall Street poll also mercials. election time suddenly are worrying too late". 10 US Affairs

September 22-28, 2012 TheSouthAsianTimes.info In the age of online shopping, it’s Amazon vs Google

By Vikas Girdhar engine and made it foray into Google now do not include Mart or Best Buy are going to think online shopping business. Amazon, Amazon, as the latter has made twice about forking over money to New York: These days, it seems as on the other hand, was a shopping sure not to include itself. Take, for be included in search results. Many if Google is involved with anything site all its own until more and more example, the former Amazon- small retailers are echoing the same and everything: search engine, people started using it to search for exclusive product popularized by sentiments: doing everything by the maps, phones, e-mail server and products. the popular site, Kindle. Search book before could guarantee a list- now, shopping. Google has taken it a step further ‘Kindle’ on Google Shopping and ing, but now that the fee is in place, That’s right. Google Shopping by requiring the e-commerce com- Best Buy will come up, along with doing everything by the book has been created and taken the panies that list their products in a couple of other smaller sites, but means nothing without a budget. gigantic online mall known as Google Shopping to pay for it. from e-commerce sites to Google is not Amazon. Google is pushing the envelope Amazon by the horns. But it’s Google justifies the requirement by lucrative for the latter, there is still Experts are predicting the lines of from several seams. With the fee, it much more complicated than that. saying that such companies will be the issue of keeping shoppers from Amazon versus Google to be drawn risks driving people not only to Behind the scenes, there are a myri- posting up-to-date products going to Amazon instead. Google’s much bolder because of the inclu- Amazon but away from Google ad of factors in play here, namely, because they are paying. Basically, responsibility here is to improve sion fee implemented by Google. Shopping because what seems the selective inclusion of products product listings have become ads product listings for shoppers. The reason? Small businesses, or “listing” on the surface is ads. They on both respective mega sites. but there is a curveball in all of Of course, the war has reached rather those that do not have the may be right. Google was predominantly a search this; while the payment of services personal levels as well. Listings on budget of megastores such as Wal- But for now, the battle continues. Streamlined visa process Back to school in Chicago as draws more tourists to US teachers' strike ends Chicago: Chicago students return to Lewis, the outspoken former high school on Wednesday after a teach- school chemistry teacher who heads ers' strike ended, thrilling parents the union. Lewis led the teachers out who had to stay home from work to of the classroom over Emanuel care for their kids, pay for alterna- Rahm's demand for sweeping edu- tive childcare or leave them with cation reforms that the union friends and relatives for more than a believed were misguided. week. While the strike ended, some of Representatives of the 29,000 the issues that spawned it remain. striking Chicago public school Most Chicago public schools are teachers and support staff voted on struggling academically, the high Tuesday to suspend their strike and school graduation rate lags the accept a compromise agreement on national average substantially and The problem remains that most Washington: Mexico, China and As of June, the US mission in Brazil a new three-year contract with the school district is in dire financial Chicago public schools are Brazil, along with other countries, are has boosted processing capacity by 40 Mayor Rahm Emanuel. straits. struggling academically contributing more to the US tourism percent as directed by Obama, while Some 350,000 kindergarten, ele- The teacher evaluation system industry thanks to a streamlined visa the goal will be met in China by mentary and high school students that Chicago teachers had walked was a key demand of Emanuel, process and reduced wait time, the December, the State Department said. returned to classes after missing off the job and nearly everyone in along with a longer school day. But White House said Wednesday. The agency said it will open a new seven school days in the third- the city seemed relieved that it was the union won partial guarantees of The White House released a consulate building in China's largest US school district after New over. job security and fought off progress report saying the Guangzhou in the 2013 fiscal year and York and Los Angeles. "All our members are glad to be Emanuel's attempt to link pay to Departments of State and Homeland a consular section in Wuhan in the It was the first time since 1987 back with their kids," said Karen merit. Security were surpassing the goals set 2014 fiscal year, as part of the ongo- by President Obama in January in ing efforts to upgrade and expand its terms of visa interview time and visa existing consular facilities and build 14 censured in ‘Fast and Furious’ processing capacity to boost the new consulates. tourism industry in the country. "These investments in infrastructure operation probe The report said 88 percent of non- will increase visa processing capacity immigrant visa applicants worldwide in Brazil by 140 percent and in China Washington: The US Justice Department's inspector The botched investigation was designed to expose are interviewed within three weeks of by 120 percent over 2011 levels," the general found 14 employees of the Bureau of Alcohol, the illicit networks responsible for illegal gunrunning submitting their applications, as report said. Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the to Mexico. The ATF launched the Fast and Furious against the goal of 80 percent envi- In addition, US consular officers Justice Department responsible for management fail- program in Arizona to track weapons purchases, but sioned by Obama, reported Xinhua. have waived in-person interviews for ures in the botched "Fast and Furious" gun-trafficking lost track of nearly 2,000 firearms, two of which turned "In key markets such as China, con- more than 120,000 low-risk visa operation, according to a up in the 2010 killing of U.S. Border Patrol agent sular officers are keeping interview applicants under a pilot program in 28 The inspector general's report referred the 14 for pos- Brian Terry.Moments after the report was released, the wait times to an average of five days countries. sible disciplinary action, but did not recommend crimi- Justice Department announced the departure of two in 2012 while managing a year-on- According to the US Department of nal sanctions. employees who were faulted in the report. year 37 percent increase in visa Commerce, international travel result- The report found that Attorney General Eric Holder ATF acting head B. Todd Jones said in a statement demand," the report said. ed in $153 billion in US exports in was not informed of the controversial ATF operation that his agency accepted the report's findings and that Like Mexico and Brazil, China has 2011, up 8.1 percent over the previous until 2011, after the death of a Border Patrol agent ATF would determine what disciplinary action may by passed the 1-million-visa milestone, year, becoming the country's largest the report noted. service export industry. ratcheted up the political ramifications of the program. handed down. Richest Americans' net worth jumps to $1.7 trln: Forbes New York: The net worth of the percent from a year ago, while the Zuckerberg, was the year's biggest including Groupon Inc Chairman of one-eighth of the entire U.S. richest Americans grew by 13 per- lowest net worth came in at $1.1 bil- dollar loser: his net worth fell by Eric Lefkofsky, No. 293 on last economy, which stood at $13.56 tril- cent in the past year to $1.7 trillion, lion versus $1.05 billion last year, nearly half to $9.4 billion from year's list, and Zynga Inc Chairman lion in real terms according to the Forbes magazine said on the magazine said. Seven in ten of $17.5 billion. He also slid to the No. and CEO Mark Pincus, No. 212 on latest government data. But the 13 Wednesday, and a familiar cast pop- the list's members made their for- 36 slot from No. 14 a year ago, the 2011 list. "The gap between the percent growth in the wealth of the ulated the top of the annual list, tunes from scratch. Forbes said. very rich and merely rich increased richest Americans far outpaced that including Bill Gates, Warren It was a bad year, however, for Facebook shares have fallen 40 and helped drive up the average net of the economy overall, helping Buffett, Larry Ellison and the Koch social media moguls, whose net percent from their IPO price of $38 worth of The Forbes 400 members widen the chasm between rich and brothers. worth fell by a combined $11 bil- a share in May. to an all-time record $4.2 billion," poor. Forbes attributed the growth in The average net worth of the 400 lion. On the heels of Facebook Inc's Dismal performances by other said Forbes Senior Wealth Editor net worth in part to the performance wealthiest Americans rose to a rocky IPO in May, the No. 1 social social media stocks dropped some Luisa Kroll. Collectively, this of the stock market and a recovering record $4.2 billion, up more than 10 network's chief executive, Mark executives from the list altogether, group's net worth is the equivalent real estate market. India 11

TheSouthAsianTimes.info September 22-28, 2012

Mamata quits UPA, UPA still has substantial Congress unfazed majority: Congress New Delhi: The Congress said eration… They stand," Finance that the UPA had "substantial Minister P. Chidambaram said. majority" in the Lok Sabha Commerce and Industry Minister despite the Trinamool Anand Sharma echoed the view. Congress deciding to withdraw "We are not going to go back on the support, but hoped that the decision as we do not believe in the party "will see reason in word 'rollback', and this decision national interest" and not pull was taken after consultation with out. each and every state," he said in "If 19 (Trinamool Congress Ahmedabad. Along with party colleagues MPs in the Lok Sabha) go Samajwadi party chief Ambika Soni and Digvijay Singh, away, we still have substantial Mulayam Singh Yadav can play he expressed confidence that the majority. No cause of worry on an important role UPA government will last its full that count," Congress general term -- till 2014. Ambika Soni said: secretary Digvijay Singh told ters of support to the UPA "The UPA government is not in any NDTV. whose strength stood around danger." Digvijay Singh told NDTV: The Congress leader said that 324, well above the half-way "(We) will carry on till 2014." a number of political parties in mark in the majority in the With both sides declining to relent, a UPA-Trinamool divorce Congress sources admitted that its the Lok Sabha had given let- 545-seat house. set for September 21 was expected to go ahead emissaries were in touch with New Delhi/Kolkata: The Congress- called by the opposition Thursday. Samajwadi chief Mulayam Singh led government has refused to roll Even the DMK, a UPA ally, has Yadav and BSP supremo Mayawati, Left, Right come back its big ticket economic thrown its weight behind the strike. who command 22 and 21 MPs reforms, even as a belligerent Trinamool Congress leader and respectively and give legislative Trinamool Congress remained West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata support to the government. together against FDI adamant on quitting the ruling UPA. Banerjee said in Kolkata that her The Samajwadi Party is bitterly With both sides declining to party was firm on leaving the UPA. opposed to FDI in multi-brand New Delhi: In a rare show of Singh) has begun to worship the relent, a UPA-Trinamool divorce set "We will not budge from our stand retail. The Left asked the govern- unity, Communist and Bharatiya US," Communist Party of India- for September 21 was expected to no matter what," she said at ment to roll back its economic deci- Janata Party (BJP) leaders came Marxist leader Sitaram Yechury go ahead. All Trinamool ministers in Writers's Building. Minus her sions -- or quit. together on September 20 to said to loud cheers. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's party's 19 MPs, the Congress-led "FDI in multi-brand retail trade is denounce the decision to allow "This is only the beginning, our government will resign that evening. government has been reduced to a opposed by the majority in parlia- FDI in multi-brand retail trade. struggle will continue till the deci- Amid political fireworks, India working minority in the 545-seat ment," Communist Party of India- At a protest rally organized by sion is reversed," added BJP pres- Inc told the government not to take Lok Sabha, increasing its depend- Marxist leader Prakash Karat said in traders in the heart of the capital, ident Nitin Gadkari. back its decisions to hike diesel ence on the Samajwadi Party and New Delhi. BJP and Communist veterans Among others who gathered at prices, allow FDI in multi-brand Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). "So the government should not lashed out at the government for the Jantar Mantar protest venue retail trade and cap the supply of Despite Banerjee's unyielding proceed with (these measures). If what they said was a policy that were BJP's Murli Manohar Joshi, subsidized cooking gas cylinders. stance, the Congress remained the government does not roll back would ruin India's mammoth retail Communist Party of India's A.B. The government was, meanwhile, unfazed. "These decisions were these measures, it has no right to sector. "The tragedy is that our Bardhan and Janata Dal-United bracing for a nationwide shutdown taken after the most careful consid- continue in office," he added. prime minister (Manmohan leader Sharad Yadav. Mixed response to nationwide shutdown

New Delhi: A shutdown called the central government's decision NDA ally Shiv Sena and against the government's economic to allow FDI in retail sector, hike Maharashtra Navnirman Sena did measures Thursday evoked a diesel prices and cap the number of not join the protest due to the 10- mixed response nationwide, with cooking gas cylinders to families. day Ganeshotsav. life badly hit in Uttar Pradesh, In the capital, a major demonstra- In Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, the West Bengal, Bihar, Gujarat and tion against the FDI policy called protests crippled normal life. SP Karnataka. by traders saw leaders of the Left activists hit the streets in Uttar A majority of traders across the and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Pradesh even as BJP workers country downed shutters against share the same stage. enforced the strike across the coun- try's most populous state. Rail and road traffic were badly Strike hurting economy: hit across Bihar, with thousands of ruling JD-U and BJP activists tak- Chidambaram ing to the streets. Slogan-shouting JD-U activists forcibly stopped New Delhi: Finance Minister P. ers, were hit hard by the strike and trains. Chidambaram said the nation-wide the opposition to the economic A majority of traders across the country downed shutters against the Life came to a virtual standstill in strike has caused a huge damage to policies should not take such a decision to allow FDI in retail sector West Bengal, though the ruling the Indian economy and the com- form that hits the economic activi- "The tragedy is that our prime traders opened their shops while Trinamool Congress opposed the mon people. ties. "Wage earners can't earn their minister (Manmohan Singh) has public transport and Metro rail strike, as the Left parties sponsored "In a democracy you have the wages...in some factories wages begun to worship the US," services were normal. the shutdown and so did the BJP. right to protest against the govern- have to be paid but there is no pro- Communist Party of India-Marxist Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam In Tamil Nadu, where the UPA ment's policies. But it's rather iron- duction," the finance minister said. leader Sitaram Yechury said to Singh Yadav courted arrest along ally DMK joined the strike call, the ic that the form of protests you are In a rare show of unity, leaders loud cheers. with Left leaders along with hun- protest was partial as the ruling doing will cause great economic of the Communist parties and the "This is only the beginning, our dreds of supporters. AIADMK did not back the shut- losses," Chidambaram told Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came struggle will continue till the deci- In Mumbai, the strike had a par- down. reporters here, referring to the together to denounce the govern- sion is reversed," added BJP presi- tial response. But traders in other In Punjab, Haryana and strike supported by a broad spec- ment's decision to hike diesel dent Nitin Gadkari. parts of Maharashtra overwhelm- Chandigarh, the shutdown was par- trum of political parties. prices and allow foreign direct However, the response to the ingly joined the shutdown. tial, though there were reports of Chidambaram said the common investments (FDI) in multi-brand strike call in markets and on the Mumbai suburban trains, BEST NDA volunteers forcing shopkeep- people, especially daily wage earn- retail trade. streets was partial in Delhi. Some buses and flights were normal as ers to shut down. 12 India

September 22-28, 2012 TheSouthAsianTimes.info Team Anna separated, officially

New Delhi: Anti-corruption activist Anna said: "My best wishes are my death," he said.Anna Hazare Anna Hazare has confirmed his with them (activist thinking to form said he did not support the idea of "separation" from his former team political party). There is no harm in anti-corruption movement taking a and from key associate Arvind it. If they think that they can get political plunge and told Arvind Kejriwal on the issue of forming a majority in parliament, it is good. Kejriwal that he should not expect political party and directed that his The paths have been separated. Both his support for all his candidates. photographs or name should not be of us have chosen our separate "He (Kejriwal) will go his way used for political campaigning. paths." and I will go mine. I have always Formalizing a split with his team Kiran Bedi supported Anna's deci- stated that I don't want to form a and opposing the movement taking sion and tweeted: "Anna finally dis- political party and contest elections. a political plunge, Anna said: "I will tances himself from political option. My path is different," Hazare has not go with any political party or Moves to strengthen the movement. said Tuesday in Pune. form any political party." May bring together anti-corruption The social activist's declaration "It is unfortunate that Team Anna movements." that he would neither contest elec- has separated," Anna said after a Hazare refused to accept the sur- tions nor form a political party meeting with other social activists vey done by IAC for forming politi- effectively threw cold water on a who were members of erstwhile cal party and said he does not agree "referendum" by IAC, the results of Team Anna to decide future course Anna Hazare refused to accept the survey by India Against with the exercise done through which were released Monday. of action. Corruption for forming political party social networking sites. According to IAC, its week-long Anna told social activists: "Do not "The meeting was attended by Kumar Vishwas and a few other Anna said that he will lead his war survey attracted 737,041 respon- use my photo or name for any politi- Anna Hazare, Arvind Kejriwal, prominent social activists, Aswathi for Lokpal bill till election 2014. dents, of whom 561,701 (76 per- cal campaigning. Do whatever you Kiran Bedi, Prashant Bhushan, Muralidharan, India Against "Now it is that the government has cent) favoured a political party can on your own basis." Santosh Hegde, Manish Sisodia, Corruption media coordinator, said. to decide whether bring Lokpal or while the rest were against the idea.

Hazare's decision BJP mulls quitting JPC on 2G scam

shocking: Kejriwal New Delhi: BJP members of a Sinha said. parliamentary panel probing the "There is no point in continu- New Delhi: Arvind Kejriwal 2G spectrum allocation walked ing in the JPC. The way it is described Anna Hazare's decision out of a meeting, accusing its functioning, it is quite clear JPC to snap ties with the pro-politics chairman of "dictatorial attitude" is not any more an instrument for group in the anti-corruption move- for refusing their request for uncovering truth but for putting a ment as "shocking and unbeliev- fresh witnesses, including Prime cover on the (2G allocation) able" but said the veteran activist's Minister Manmohan Singh, and scam," he said. principles will be the foundation are now mulling quitting the "Immediately after Bharat of their party. panel. Bandh (nationwide shutdown), "We respect Anna Hazare, he is However, this move of the we will decide on future course our guru and father. Yesterday's Bharatiya Janata Party came of action; whether we have to developments came as a complete under attack from Joint continue in the committee or surprise. It was shocking, unbe- Parliamentary Committee (JPC) leave," Sinha said. lievable, unfortunate and sad," chairman and Congress MP P.C. The JPC, which is probing the Kejriwal told reporters after a Chacko, who said its demand for contentious 2G spectrum alloca- meeting with some of the support- an immediate decision on the tion, was formed on the opposi- ers to chalk out the next course of fresh witnesses list was "totally tion's insistence after the entire action. unreasonable". winter session of parliament in "Anna's photograph and name BJP's Yashwant Sinha, who led 2010 was lost to protests The JPC is probing the contentious 2G spectrum allocation are printed in our hearts. We will the walk-out from the meeting, demanding a JPC. continue to take his blessings and events. repeatedly asked if the issue will told a press conference later that Sinha said the BJP members touch his feet. Anna's five princi- The JPC was to question for- be taken up later, but the chair- there was no point in his party were not allowed to speak at ples will become foundation of mer finance secretary and pres- man did not allow them to speak members continuing in the JPC, Tuesday's meet of the panel, and our party," Kejriwal said. ent Reserve Bank of India at all. as they were not allowed to even accused Chacko of having a "dic- Claiming that there is a sense of Governor D. Subbarao in the 2G "He behaved in a totally dicta- speak "one sentence" on the tatorial attitude". urgency to change the system, he spectrum allocation. torial manner, reminiscent of the chair's refusal to discuss the "As soon as the meeting began, said the country was on "sale and "(BJP member) Ravishankar Emergency. We are sorry to say, demand for a fresh witnesses list. the chairman said, 'I have everything is being sold out. We Prasad then raised his hand, and he did not behave like the impar- A final decision on whether to received a letter from Yashwant have challenges as well as oppor- Chacko said if it is about the list tial chairman of the committee continue in or quit the committee Sinha and have sent a reply... Let tunities. In our view both of witnesses, he will not allow but acted like spokesperson of will be taken after the BJP-called us call the witnesses now'," Congress and BJP are the same." any discussion," Sinha said, the Congress. So, we walked out India shutdown Sept 20 is over, Sinha said giving an account of adding that their members of the committee," he said. Traders look at Lord Ganesha against FDI in retail

Lucknow: Even as political par- began at the Chaupatia Shubh the organisers. A team of women ties oppose the UPA government's Sanskar Samiti pandaal before a has been roped in for the special decision to allow 51 percent for- "FDI Ganesha" that has been made puja. eign direct investment (FDI) in on special order. The 4.5-foot Lord Banwari Lal Kanchal, a leader of multi-brand retail, a group of Ganesha would be offered tradi- the traders, said that people in dis- traders here has decided to knock tional sweets and then propitiated tress often knocked on the doors of at the doors of Lord Ganesha, the to intercede on behalf of the god. "We have learnt that when in god of success. traders so that retail giants "do not trouble, seek the intervention of A massive puja pandal in the city step into the Hindi heartland", said god. If someone is doing that, it is celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi an organizer. very normal," he said. would pray to Lord Ganesha, seek- "We will be holding special Naresh Gupta, another trader, ing his "blessings" to stop the cen- prayers with specific mantras seek- said that only the gods can stop the tral government from "imposing" ing the mercy of the almighty and "modern-day East India Company its decision on them, the local the removal of the UPA regime, from coming into India", alluding traders union said. which has taken these decisions," to the entry of foreign retail The 10-day Ganesh festival said Riddhi Kishore Gaur, one of The 10-day Ganesh festival began on September 19 brands. India 13

TheSouthAsianTimes.info September 22-28, 2012 Ban anti-Islam film immediately: India committed to Akhilesh Yadav nuclear safety: AEC chief Mumbai: India is committed to Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Eidgah, Maulana Khalid Rashid nuclear safety and will implement Minister Akhilesh Yadav has asked Firangi Mahali met the chief minis- the International Atomic Energy the Congress-led UPA government ter and demanded that the state gov- Agency's (IAEA) "Action Plan on to ban the controversial film " ernment should request the Centre Nuclear Safety", a top nuclear expert Innocence of Muslims". to block film. The chief minister has said. Addressing the 56th IAEA General In a letter to the prime minister while assuring members of the dele- Conference in Vienna, Atomic Manmohan Singh, Yadav has gation said the state government Energy Commission (AEC) chair- requested to take steps towards will take every possible step in this man R.K. Sinha said Indian experts blocking the films content on you regard. The controversial film has Next month, India and IAEA Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister would continue to assist IAEA in its tube and other websites as the film been widely criticized for its content endeavour to enhance nuclear safety will host an international Akhilesh Yadav hurts the sentiments of the Muslim and various protests have been through its measures involving all workshop on nuclear safety community and has caused wide- Earlier, a delegation of the Islamic staged by the Muslim community stakeholders. grid in five countries while many spread resentment. Centre of India led by the Imam of demanding that the film be banned. Preparations are underway to invite newcomer countries have decided to IAEA's Integrated Regulatory continue with the nuclear power pro- No solution to Cauvery water row Review Service for peer review of grammes. the country's regulatory system, "Many countries, including India, New Delhi: The meeting of the Cauvery River vent any state from moving court. Sinha said.Next month, India and have continued with their pro- Authority failed to produce a solution with both After hearing both sides, Singh ruled that IAEA will host an international gramme for expansion of nuclear Karnataka and Tamil Nadu rejecting Prime Minister Karnataka release 9000 cusecs of water each day for workshop on Safety of Multi-Unit power while simultaneously placing Manmohan Singh's award of 9000 cusecs of water to 25 days from tomorrow to October 15 after it refused Nuclear Power Plant Sites Against additional emphasis on nuclear safe- External Natural Hazards. It will fol- ty," Sinha said. save standing crops in the delta region. to accept Tamil Nadu's demand for 2 tmcft water for low a working group meeting of the Here, he highlighted the latest In protest against the award, Karnataka chief min- 24 days or 1 tmcft for 30 days. IAEA Project on Seismic Safety of IAEA projections which predict con- ister Jagdish Shettar staged a walkout, saying the "Karnataka was not agreeable to both these Nuclear Power Plants, Sinha said. tinued growth for nuclear power in state was not ready to give "even a drop of water" to demands and said it would not release even a drop of Terming the global response to the the world in coming decades. Tamil Nadu. water to Tamil Nadu in these circumstances. The Fukushima accident as by and large Sinha said India continues to forge Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa spoke in bare minimum water sought by Tamil Nadu was also "very mature", Sinha pointed out that with its three-stage nuclear power the same vein calling the meeting a "totally disap- not accepted," Jayalalithaa told reporters after the while committing to learn lessons to programme strategized on adopting a pointed" affair and declared that the state would meeting. enhance nuclear safety, the growth closed nuclear fuel cycle to extract move the Supreme Court. She said Tamil Nadu was "totally disappointed" prospects of nuclear power continues maximum energy from limited urani- On its part, the Centre said the Prime Minister's with the meeting and added that the state had no to be driven by concerns of energy um resources, ensure sustainable decision was taken keeping in mind the survival of option but to knock at the doors of the Supreme security. Post-Fukushima, seven new nuclear waste management and crops of both the states and maintained it cannot pre- Court to seek justice and to save the standing crops. reactors have been connected to the achieve long-term energy security. 14 Op Ed

September 22-28, 2012 TheSouthAsianTimes.info FDI, price hike: bad politics, good economics

By Gautam Chikermane With a high fiscal deficit that keeps illustrate, Indian farmers and busi- inflation high, there is no way the nesses get affected by WTO negoti- ommunication has never Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will ations, Indian workers by ILO reg- been a strong point of the cut interest rates. Even though most ulations, Indian fiscal policy by Chubris-infested UPA gov- of the inflationary expectations are G20 communiqués, Indian markets ernment. Too busy sunning in iner- coming from goods outside India's by QE3. What’s left is Indian poli- tia, it has given the impression that control — crude oil imports, a tics. So, we will have the this is a government less interested falling rupee, and globally-rising Opposition and UPA allies hitting in ‘governing’, more in ‘ruling’. food and commodity prices — the street to build political capital. So, even when it does the right RBI’s stance has been to keep poli- The government will cut excise thing and raises diesel prices, it is cy rates high so that households cut duties on diesel and ask state gov- unable to deliver a coherent argu- down on discretionary spends. In ernment to cut state taxes to control ment justifying the increase. Can’t the process, home loan EMIs have diesel prices. The end result for blame UPA — the interrelation- been rising and along with inflation consumers would be a final hike of Any other option that does not bring the fiscal deficit under control ships between subsidies, fiscal on one side, scissoring household R2-3 per litre. But this would be a would potentially mean India moving to a junk rating status deficits, inflation, growth and poli- budgets. good time for UPA spokespersons tics are complex and do not fall the government’s first priority, as food prices, this will hurt, no doubt. Complexifying matters further is to get off their high-horses and start neatly into the cynical rhetoric former finance minister Yashwant Part of this increase can be neu- the fact that today the sovereign has engaging with people, explaining that’s vintage UPA. Sinha said. Raising diesel prices by tralised, by cutting excise duties on very little control over its finances. that a little pain now would be an Any government that runs up a 14% such that the subsidy bill on the fuel, for instance. But for suc- Like it or not, India cannot and will investment into the future. huge fiscal deficit has to, at some the fuel falls, will help bring this cessive governments that have been not grow at 9% if rest of the world Any other option that does not point, finance that deficit by creat- deficit under control. To put that unable to curb spending on vote- is contracting, thereby closing busi- bring the fiscal deficit under con- ing money through borrowings. issue in perspective, at Rs. 47,800 buying schemes — some of them ness opportunities — there, the trol would potentially mean India When the government does that, crore oil subsidies for the first quar- crucial — or on an inflated and UPA government is right. “The moving to a junk rating status. At there’s more money chasing the ter of the current financial year unproductive bureaucracy, the political power of the sovereign which point, most investors will not same number of goods and services have already exceeded the full other option is to increase taxes and goes down with every move be able to buy into the India story in the economy. The result is a hike year’s budgeted figure of Rs. return to the sky-high tax rates of towards globalisation,” Kaushik (they can only buy investment- in prices, or inflation. At 5.1% 43,850 crore. the coercive 1970s, a regime that is Basu said. “Economics has become grade securities and countries) and India’s fiscal deficit is dangerously For consumers already reeling best behind us. “Which brings us to an instrument of global political the rupee will hit 70-75 to the dol- high, controlling which should be under a double-digit onslaught of the next issue: economic growth. and even military strategy.” To lar. After that: economic chaos. Three Badal government ministers resign in six months

By Jaideep Sarin Before Ranike, agriculture min- ground". ister Tota Singh had to quit in "Ranike urged the chief minis- ts second consecutive innings May after a vigilance court in ter to accept his resignation in power was a politically his- Mohali town convicted him of immediately to uphold the highest Itoric event. But just six misusing official machinery, sen- moral ethics in politics as well to months later, the Parkash Singh tenced him to one year's rigorous maintain the dignity of the office Badal-led Shiromani Akali Dal- imprisonment and fined him held by him," a spokesman of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Rs.30,000. Tota Singh is at pres- chief minister's office said. alliance government in the state is ent out on bail. "The chief minister highly facing politically trying times In March, Jagir Kaur was forced appreciated the moral courage with three ministers having been to resign after a Central Bureau of shown by Mr. Ranike in submit- forced to quit their jobs following Investigation (CBI) special court ting his resignation on his own. controversies. in Patiala town convicted her. Making a firm resolve, Mr. Badal The latest is Gulzar Singh Jagir Kaur, who was rural water said that the law of the land will Ranike, who Sunday quit as ani- supply and sanitation and defence takes its own course and made it mal husbandry, fisheries and services minister, was sentenced crystal clear that the vigilance dairy development minister fol- to five years' rigorous imprison- enquiry ordered by him in the lowing serious allegations of Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal (right) ment for forcible abortion, case was in line with the SAD- embezzlement of discretionary wrongful confinement, abduction BJP's government policy to funds by his close aide. months and three months ago. is deputy chief minister, son-in- and criminal conspiracy in the ensure clean, transparent and cor- In the 18-member ministry, The third one fell vacant Monday. law Adesh Pratap Singh Kairon, mysterious death of her daughter, ruption free governance," the including the chief minister, three The vacancies are being ques- Sukhbir's brother-in-law Bikram Harpreet Kaur, in April 2000. She spokesman said. ministerial slots are now lying tioned within the ruling Akali Dal Majithia and another relative, is now in Kapurthala jail. The "high moral ground" of the vacant. itself. Janmeja Singh Sekhon. Alliance For the record though, while all ministers who quit and the Akali Badal, 84, who is chief minister In the present 15-member cabi- partner BJP has four ministerial three cabinet ministers had to quit Dal government's "zero tolerance of Punjab for a record fifth term, net, five slots are occupied by berths. This leaves the rest of the in the midst of controversies, their to corruption" is now being ques- has kept vacant two of the minis- Badal and his close relatives, Akali leaders with just six cabinet resignations were submitted to tioned by the opposition terial slots, which fell vacant five including son Sukhbir Badal, who berths. Badal on the "high moral Congress. The views expressed in Op Eds are not necessarily those of The South Asian Times. The Arts 15

TheSouthAsianTimes.info September 22-28, 2012

By Vikas Girdhar You seem to have a very dis- tinctive look in your video; is A mainstream songstress from there anyone you have looked to Canada, ‘K’, as Kiran is more pop- for inspiration or modeled your ularly known as, was recently style after? signed to a Canadian label (Hi- There's nobody specific I ever try Bias Records) and has danced to emulate exactly because I’m alongside Justin Timberlake and pretty selective on what I wear. I Snoop Dogg before. She has also like to create my own style, but I appeared on television to interview have always been inspired by punk rappers such as T.I. and has danced rock couture, Indian fashion, high in Bollywood films with Priyanka end street fashion and even no Chopra and Sonu Nigam. She just name brands. It all depends how released the video for her first sin- creative you are when you put gle, “ChoKolate Soda”, which can things together and how it makes be viewed on YouTube. It will be you feel. available for purchase on iTunes How did the idea for Sept 25. In an exclusive interview “ChoKolate Soda” come about? with The South Asian Times, Kiran ChoKolate Soda initially was opened up about her career and written for fun. I realized it was a creativity. Excerpts: unique way to introduce myself to the world. The title of the song was How did you get your first big made up by my producer when cre- break to become a mainstream ating the melody. ChoKolate Soda artist? is basically about me: it describes Working with my producer J2 my personality, my aura. Chocolate was a blessing. With him, I devel- and soda both can be addicting, sat- oped my own sound, which caught isfying, craved, and sweet, or it can reographed it, so working with her stronger and better and now things My advice would be to learn the attention of my label, and they be anything you want it to be, was a dream come true. Working are starting to fall into place. about the business side, not just the signed me! Also, just being a which is also what I’m about: free- with Saroj Khan on a Bollywood A lot of artists come and go creative side. In some cases it is dancer in LA, working with the top dom of thought and opinions. I like film was another highlight. quickly as “one hit wonders”; who you know, but more impor- people in the business also led me to play with my words. It makes it What was your biggest chal- what do you feel is important to tantly it's what you know. I think to make great friends who happen more relatable to each audience. lenge in getting your name out do to avoid that? knowledge is key, so ask a lot of to be super talented. The support Some people think it’s about sex, there or at least noticed by people I think if you stay spiritually questions and take a lot of thought and love that has been created liv- whereas some think it’s a drink. It's who matter enough to sign you? grounded, make music you love, before you make any big decisions. ing here has been my big break so pretty fun hearing all the different I think the biggest challenge in all have some type of inspirational For women especially, don't believe far. interpretations I get from people. It of this was truly believing in message, do something to con- the hype about having to sacrifice gives me insight on how people myself, let alone the business itself. tribute to the world, listen to your certain morals you might possess in think. If you don't believe in yourself, gut and keep it real, you'll always order to get further because it’s To date, what has been your nobody else will. And I had to real- keep it moving. absolutely not true. As a female, most memorable gig? ly work hard to stay confident in Did you ever consider other especially being a minority female I think one of my favorite per- my talents when it can be difficult career paths or was becoming in this business, you have to be that formances was for Robin Thicke to maintain that positive feeling in part of the entertainment indus- much tougher and stronger to han- for the Soul Train Awards. I a tough business. It's taken time to try what you always wanted to dle situations and know it’s your remember seeing the audience in truly understand what loving your- do? brain and talents that will take you the first couple of rows, and they self really means and at the same I had a lot of ideas and have to bigger and better places. Most were all artists I grew up listening time being your own worst enemy. worked a lot of different jobs, but I importantly, learn to love every- to, including Diana Ross, Stevie I think I wouldn't have had it any think I always knew that this was thing about yourself, even your Wonder, and LL Cool J. It was other way because without struggle what I truly wanted to do. flaws, because you have to be able pretty nerve-wracking seeing them there would've been no true Any advice for those who want to handle all the criticism you will The cover of Kiran’s new single so close up. Plus, Tina Landon cho- progress and it ultimately made me to follow in your footsteps? receive undoubtedly. Indian bureaucrat’s painting to go to Louvre By Prakash Bhandari

iran Soni Gupta, a senior bureaucrat from Rajasthan who is a versatile Kartist, has achieved a distinction in her art career. She is the first artist from Rajasthan who will get the honor to showcase her work at the world’s most coveted platform -- Le Louvre. Louvre is one of the world's largest museums, the most visited art museum in the world and a landmark of Paris, France. Her painting titled "Pooja Time" has been selected for display at the Louvre. Societe Nationale Des Beaux-Arts (SNBA) has selected her artwork for a prestigious exposi- tion to run from Dec 13 to 16, 2012 under the patronage of François Hollande, President of France. Kiran says ‘Pooja Time’ depicts a group of women going to the temple on a religious fes- tival day. As an artist, Kiran has received many hon- ors such as "Kala Samridhi Award 2010", ‘Pooja Time’ selected for a show at Louvre in Paris in December, and IAS officer Kiran Soni Gupta. “Artist of the Year 2009" and “Kala women and children in India won the cities in India and in foreign venues including IAS officer posted in Jaipur and an alumna of Shiromani Award" in 2008. One of her paint- National Award in 2003. The artist has held New York, Boston, Los Angeles, Seattle, The Kennedy School of Government at ings on ‘Famine’ depicting its impact on more than two dozen solo art shows in major Chicago, Toronto, and Tehran. Kiran is an Harvard. 16 Ultimate Bollywood

September 22-28, 2012 TheSouthAsianTimes.info Kissing missing from 'Ishkq Sridevi, Big B to be seen In Paris': Preity together again

fter sharing screen space with Amitabh Bachchan Ain her comeback movie 'English Vinglish', actress Sridevi is set to sit on the hot seat of the megastar's game show Kaun Banega Crorepati 6 (KBC). Sridevi, 49, will shoot for KBC in Mumbai. She will be on the show as part of a promotional stint for English Vinglish, in which Big B has played a cameo. Big B and Sridevi have earlier shared the frame in movies like Aakhree Raasta, Inquilab and Salman Khan with Preity Zinta in 'Ishkq In Paris' Khuda Gawah. After shooting his Ishkq In Paris" is a fresh and The actress spoke at the glitzy cameo for English Vinglish, young romantic film, but minus music launch of the movie. The event Amitabh had tweeted Sridevi is "any kissing scene, says actress was also attended by Salman Khan, "still the same... effervescent, Preity Zinta, who has turned producer who shot a special song titled "Kudiye spontaneous, delightful". with the movie. di kurti" for the film."Salman has Directed by debutante director "Kissing is missing in the film. been the inspiration for the music and Gauri Shinde, wife of Paa direc- Kissing is not necessary to show the has helped me a lot," said Preity, tor R Balki, English Vinglish is romance in the film. Romance is in thanking the actor for his constant the heart. It's a rom-com and a family support. The music of "Ishkq In Actress Sridevi in 'English Vinglish' set to release Oct 5. entertainer," Preity said. Paris", is composed by Sajid-Wajid. . 'Barfi!' wins hearts for great content anbir Kapoor's endearing the weekend, making it Ranbir's inception, and it gives us a tremen- portrayal of a deaf and mute highest grosser overseas, ahead of dous sense of satisfaction to have Rboy in Anurag Basu's "Raajneeti" and "Rockstar". our creative instincts backed by the "Barfi!" has left the viewers, critics Producer Siddharth Roy Kapur audience," said Kapur. and the box office wearing a big says the response to 'Barfi!' has been "Barfi!" had a tremendous buzz smile. The movie, appreciated for its "completely overwhelming". around it since the beginning, and picturesque cinematography, has "These are the moments that film- with innovative promotions, the collected Rs.34.6 crore in its open- makers, artists, technicians and pro- team had the audience waiting for it ing weekend. ducers live for. The love and appre- eagerly. The romantic comedy also fea- ciation that is being showered on the Anant Verma, director and busi- tures actress Priyanka Chopra and film from audiences and critics in ness head, DT Cinemas, reveals the Ileana D'Cruz, who have delivered India and around the world is film had a rush for advance book- excellent performances as an autis- unprecedented," said Kapur, manag- ings from Sep 12. tic girl, and a rich Bengali girl, ing director, Studios, Disney UTV. "The response to the film has been respectively. The movie has been widely appre- excellent. It had advance bookings The film, made at a budget of ciated by the film fraternity too. from Wednesday and also had many Rs.30 crore, talks about love beyond In the overseas market, "Barfi!" crossed the Rs.2 million-mark over Karan Johar has gone to the extent corporate bookings. There was a language and disability. With this the weekend, making it Ranbir's highest grosser overseas of saying that Basu's "genius" tremendous increase in footfall after theme, it managed to mint Rs.9.20 ness. The film gathered steam with pared to the biggies. Occupancy at makes him feel "talentless". Friday, and it is word-of-mouth pub- crore on its opening day, Rs.11.50 each passing day, rising to the maxi- multiplexes was fantastic," tweeted "It's a big moment for Anurag, the licity that worked in favour of the crore on the second day and Rs.13.5 mum on Saturday and Sunday. It film critic Taran Adarsh. cast, the crew, and for all of us at film," Verma said. Verma expects crore Sunday. was released in less than 700 cinema In the overseas market, "Barfi!" Disney UTV. This is a film we have weekdays to have decent occupancy "'Barfi' has done remarkable busi- halls in India, a tiny release as com- crossed the Rs.2 million-mark over supported and nurtured from its very too. I can play all three Khans together: Salman Fashion Soha, Zarine, Sarah steam up bridal show ollywood divas, Soha Ali Khan, Zarine Khan and BSarah Jane Dias sashayed down the ramp for renowned fashion designers, showcasing exquisite wedding attire at the Bridal Fashion Week in Mumbai. The designers added a dash of glamour and the mod- ollywood superstar Salman aren’t many stories available that can els showcased bridal attires with Khan who is all set to play absorb three distinct superstars like great composure and elegance at Bhost of 'Bigg Boss Season 6' these.” Salman rebuts back, “First you the extravaganza. again, responds to Karan Johar’s have to tell me, which three Khans are Bollywood actor, Soha Ali recent statement that working with all you speaking about? Bolne mein kya Khan walked the ramp in a the Khans together could be life- jaata hai! Anyway, I can play all the threatening. Said the filmmaker, “If I three Khans together!” He added, “I beautiful red and blue bridal make such a film, I’ll end up in a hos- will don Shah Rukh’s RA.One look, ‘lehenga’, an ensemble with a pital (laughs). We can’t make an Amar my Dabangg look and Aamir’s heavily embellished long skirt, Akbar Anthony out of them. There Ghajini look.” top and stole. Soha Ali Khan at the Bridal Fashion Week 2012 Ultimate Bollywood 17

Thesouthasiantimes.info September 22-28, 2012 Actress shows middle Kareena's wedding dress Isabelle came after finger in 'Dare You' to have old world charm doing her home-

he first poster of Deepak fter Sharmila Tagore, work: Prem Raj Tijori's new directorial Manish Malhotra has rench actress Isabelle Adjani T"Dare You" is daring, with Aspilled the beans is set to make her Bollywood leading lady Alisha showing her regarding Saif Ali Khan and Fdebut with "Ishkq In Paris", middle finger and reinforcing the Kareena Kapoor's wedding. The and the film's director Prem Raj idea of the film, the current gener- fashion designer, who has con- says she came fully prepared, ation's attitude of "my life, my firmed that he is designing the despite not knowing the Hindi lan- rules". actress' attire, says he will stick guage. Alisha is a newcomer, and plays to the bride's simple, yet elegant "The biggest thing for her the protagonist, Rani Dewan in taste. (Adjani) was to learn Hindi. I was the movie. Asked if he is designing amazed. She came after doing her "'Dare You' is a journey of a girl Kareena's wedding dress, homework. She just said that if 'I who comes from Kashmir for her Manish confirmed it, saying: mess up the accent, then handle education in Pune. It's a revolu- "That's right! You ask her the that because I don't know that'," tionary film that reflects the cul- details. But yes, it's mid- said Raj. The director says this ture and attitude of youngsters October, everyone knows this dedication is the reason why actors today," Tijori said here. now." command respect. Posters are going dare bare in "There is a very small func- "There is a lot of buzz in France. Bollywood with films like "Hate tion which is (with) family and It is necessary that we should have Story" and "Jism 2", and "Dare friends. Then there is a reception the premiere there. It is a big step The first poster of Deepak Tijori's Saif and Kareena have been You" takes it a step forward. "For in Delhi, so (I am designing) for for Isabelle. She is coming in a new directorial 'Dare You' dating each other since 2007 the first time perhaps in the histo- both the occasions," the 47-year- Hindi film for the first time and is ry of Indian cinema, you will have "Fox". old said here Friday at the HT However, neither Saif nor speaking Hindi. Her role is very a heroine showing her middle fin- A confident Alisha defends her Brunch Dialogues. Kareena, have confirmed it. big and it's not a cameo," he said. ger in the poster," added Tijori, pose, and says the censor board Saif's mother, veteran actress Malhotra says the preparations Adjani, 57, is a two time Academy who has earlier directed films shouldn't have a problem with Sharmila has so far maintained are on in full swing, and Kareena Award nominated actress. including "Oops", "Fareb" and their movie. that the D-day is Oct 16. wants to keep it simple. Deepa Mehta's inputs were invaluable: Ritu Kumar ashion designer Ritu Kumar known for her wedding couture says filmmaker Deepa lines, this is not her first movie FMehta's inputs for costume work. designs for wedding sequences in She has earlier designed for 'Midnight's Children' came to her films like "Love Breakups aid in a big way. Zindagi" and styled Freida Pinto "Deepa has helped in the cos- for few of her scenes in "Slumdog tume department and provided Millionaire". inputs on how the designs should "Midnight's Children" recently be. Deepa and I sat to discuss premiered at the Toronto about costumes where she gave International Film Festival (TIFF) her invaluable inputs which were and will premiere at the greatly helpful," said the veteran Vancouver Film Festival on A scene from 'Midnight's Children' designer. Though Kumar is September 27. French actress Isabelle Adjani Indian cinema going through Basu plans film on Bihar's 'Super 30' magical phase: Big B ollywood director Anurag egastar Amitabh Bachchan Priyanka Chopra in lead roles, with Basu is now said to be set says Anurag Basu's "Barfi!", southern actress Ileana D'Cruz making Bto helm an issue-based Mwhich tackles a sensitive her Bollywood debut in a key part. film on Bihar's innovative educa- love story of a deaf and mute boy and Big B can't stop praising the entire tional coaching institute 'Super an autistic girl, says the movie is a cast. "Ranbir Kapoor a masterful bril- 30', and its founder Anand beacon of change in Indian cinema. liant performance... Priyanka, simply Kumar. "Indian Cinema, its films, directors, unbelievable, and Anurag Basu's For the last 10 years, Kumar actors, technicians going through a extraordinary making... In 'Barfi', the has been grooming talented stu- magical phase of a change over ... lovely Ileana d'Cruz in her debut for dents from underprivileged fami- such exciting times," tweeted the 69- Hindi film... such a mature and bal- lies for the highly competitive year-old veteran. anced performance, many congratula- Indian Institute of Technology- "Barfi!" has Ranbir Kapoor and tions," he added. Joint Entrance Examination (IIT- JEE). The film "will make a great story of how students from poor families turn a new leaf with just the right opportunity - something even reservation and other incen- tives have not been able to do", sources close to Basu said. Bihar's innovative coaching institute 'Super 30' Basu has met Anand Kumar and its founder Anand Kumar and talked to him. According to "Both Basu and Ranbir Kapoor style of teaching," they said. sources, if it comes through, have quietly been researching the Basu had also visited Patna to Ranbir, who has essayed a deaf life of Anand Kumar, how he has spend time with Anand Kumar to and mute boy in Basu's "Barfi!", been keeping 30 students every understand how he works and the A scene could be playing the lead role of year and grooming them at his extent of the man's reach in the from Anand Kumar in this venture. own cost for over a decade, his field of mathematics. 'Barfi!' 18 Fashion

September 22-28, 2012 TheSouthAsianTimes.info Saif attends Burberry show in London Femina Miss India New Delhi: Bollywood actor and Pataudi royal Saif Ali pageant enters 50th year Khan took a seat on the front Mumbai: The Femina Miss India Vanya Mishra said: "It was my row at the London Fashion beauty pageant Tuesday kick- childhood dream to wear the Week during a showcase of the started the celebrations of its 50 Miss India crown, I always want- Burberry spring-summer 2013 years. ed to be a Miss India. This is like collection. The first Miss India Meher a dream come true. Very few Saif looked dapper in an ele- Castellino, who was joined by women have actually got an gant black tuxedo teamed with other former Miss India beauties opportunity to wear this crown." at a function here, said that even Singer Shibani Kashyap sang a a polka-dotted neck-tie. He though 50 years had passed, she song which celebrated the true sported a beard at the show, felt like it was just yesterday essence of being a woman. held at West Albert Lawns in when she won the crown. Rochelle Maria Rao, who is Kensington Garden Monday. "It feels like just yesterday, I Miss India International 2012, Others on the front row won the contest. But I have been said that being a part of the Miss included "Slumdog watching all the contests and India family is like being a part of Millionaire" star Dev Patel, every time I try and guess who a sisterhood. Saif Ali Khan at the Burberry Prorsum Womenswear actresses Alice Eve and the winner will be and 80 percent "It is like being part of a sister- Spring-Summer 2013 Show. Actor Dev Patel is also seen. Gabriella Wilde, TV personali- of the time I get them right," she hood which has lasted 50 years. ty Giorgia Surina, socialite Pendleton, said a statement. sented the collection with a told at an event celebrating the 50 We have shown the world that Olivia Palermo and British Christopher Bailey, chief of bold theme marked by a rich years of Femina Miss India here. Indian women can make changes track cyclist Victoria the iconic luxury brand, pre- and extensive color palette. Current Miss India World wherever they go," she said. Akshay to endorse Designers capture Lord Ganesha's spirit footwear brand with strings, clothes New Delhi: Ahead of the auspicious occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi, apparel and accessory designer brands have launched exclusive Ganesha collections in an attempt to capture festive spirit. From traditional outfits preserving the cultural essence and mood of the season to jewelry inspired by Lord Ganesha, there are varied options for all the fashionistas who want to spruce up in traditional wear. Designer Indira Ghosh Baikerikar has launched her latest line of traditional outfits, in which she has used Rangoli colours in a creative fusion. Her designs include lot of batik crack prints on pure silk with metal disc work on the neckline, and she has teamed such kurtas with net leggings and beautiful dupattas. Colors like cream, red and orange rule her palette. "The theme of the collection is ruled by crack prints and stripes, giving it a very edgy texture. The 'Relaxo' signs Akshay Kumar as brand ambassador main inspiration is creative use of Rangoli colors for its sporty brand 'Sparx' for retaining essence of Ganapati festival. The col- New Delhi: Bollywood star in a statement. lection is meant for all the ladies who are looking Akshay Kumar has been roped The 45-year-old actor has out for something exclusive and timeless. Fabrics used are rich in quality, giving it femininely royal in as the brand ambassador for been the face of brands like Apala’s Ganesha look," said Baikerikar. Indian footwear brand Relaxo Thums Up, Levis and X-Box inspired jewelry to promote their sporty brand 360. The collection, priced Rs.10,000 and above, is Sparx. Akshay will endorse the He was chosen for Sparx as available at the designer's store. personality. Another Mumbai-based accessory designer, "The accessories are very fresh and quirky. They brand in a 40-second TV com- he "exudes energy, has an ath- Sannam Chopra has created simple pendant neck- are mainly designed for youngsters between the age mercial shot in Kuala Lumpur letic body, is making a come- laces with Ganesha motifs. group of 15 to 25 years. The simple and elegant city, Malaysia. back as an action hero, depicts "The whole idea behind bringing this accessory looking crystals accentuated on Lord Ganesha- "Relaxo is doing extremely attitude and style and, last but line is to provide the youth a piece of jewelry that inspired metal pendant preserves the festive mood well among the masses and it's not the least, adds 'sparx' to his can be worn every day and doesn't cost a fortune - a and youth factor at the same time," she said. great to be doing this commer- life in everything he does," says neck-piece which is affordable and yet has a stylish Chopra's collection starts at Rs.1,200 and is avail- cial because not only does the Gaurav Dua, executive director, look. Drawing the attention to detailing of the able at her store. product carry an astonishing Relaxo Footwears Ltd. designs, it will come across as very young and Apala Innovative Jewelry, AS Motiwala Fine style appeal, also the way this "We are sure this new associ- vibrant," said Chopra. Jewelry and Mahesh Notandass are also some of the ad has been shot is pretty ation will fortify the connect The designer says the collection is meant for all jewelry brands which have paid a tribute to Lord unconventional," Akshay said with people," added Dua. the youngsters who want to add ethnicity to their Ganesha through their collections. Op Ed 19

TheSouthAsianTimes.info September 22-28, 2012 Clash of fundamentalisms

By Sreeram Chaulia We need

he assaults on American moderate diplomatic missions in TEgypt and Libya by fren- voices to zied mobs of Islamists, on the anniversary of the September 11th counter rising terrorist attacks, have rekindled the unwholesome spirit of what bigotry at the intellectual Tariq Ali dubbed as a "clash of fundamentalisms." opposite ends Groups of angry youth mobilized of religious by proponents of Salafism (a par- ticularly conservative ideology and racial that is known for spreading reli- gious hatred) and by an offshoot spectrum of al-Qaida known as Ansar-al- Sharia (literally supporters of almost identical to Egyptian has delineated a strategy aimed at after the incidents in Libya and dom of expression" has been a Islamic law) went on the rampage Salafists in its modus operandi. corralling votes of the "white Egypt. The Republican Party does tested strategy of the fundamen- in Cairo and Benghazi in seem- After the overthrow of the former working class". His camp was not believe that the Sam Baciles talist Right in the US. ingly coordinated fashion, target- dictator, Muammar Gaddafi, quick to denounce the Obama and Terry Jones have committed ing US diplomatic compounds Ansar has risen to menacing pro- administration's condemnation of any wrong. The writer is a professor and and claiming the lives of four portions in the transitional period "misguided individuals" (a refer- Supporting hate speech and dean of the Jindal School of Americans, including the ambas- where public space has been ence to the now infamous Bacile) incitement to violence as "free- International Affairs in India. sador to Libya. carved out by heavily armed mili- The motive was the airing of tias. The inability of the recently excerpts of an offensive film deni- elected moderate Libyan govern- grating Prophet Muhammad, titled ment to curb the Ansar's razing of 'Innocence of Muslims', which Sufi shrines has created a lawless was made by an Israeli based in air in which fundamentalists are California, Sam Bacile. This thriving. movie was financed by rich The fact that several dozens of donors holding ultra-conservative the Ansar's vandals deployed Islamophobic persuasions. The rocket-propelled grenade launch- auteur is also associated with the ers in the storming of the US con- maverick Christian fundamental- sulate in Benghazi and engaged ist pastor from Florida, Terry government security forces in Jones, who became notorious for pitched battles, demonstrates how 'Quran burnings' and preaching in disorderliness is at its peak. crusading language. Uneasy questions about what The organisers of the acts of would replace Mubarak and arson and violence in Egypt and Gaddafi are now being answered Libya have shown themselves to by the Salafists' viciousness. be at the opposite end of the spec- The author Robin Wright has trum from the Jewish and argued that a "new Salafi Christian right wing in the West. Crescent, radiating from the The Salafists' al-Nour party Persian Gulf sheikdoms into the bagged a surprisingly high num- Levant and North Africa" is being ber of seats (25 percent) in funded by the Sunni Wahhabi Egypt's parliamentary elections in establishments as a counter to January 2012, and they are at the Iran's 'Shia Crescent'. It is ironic forefront in driving a chauvinistic that Western discourse on the Gulf agenda in Egyptian society and monarchies is couched in terms of politics. Their intolerant actions, "moderate states", when they are which came into the limelight destroying the inter-sectarian when 16 Egyptian army personnel mosaic of the region with were killed in a raid by hard line vengeance. While the presence of Islamists in the Sinai peninsula in Salafis and foreign fighters wed- August, pose a huge challenge to ded to jihadist fundamentalism in the relatively more moderate the Syrian war is troubling, their Muslim Brotherhood, which holds wild reaction to a cranky hate- the reins of power in a post-revo- spewing film is an omen of lutionary society. extremism overtaking the Middle By laying siege to churches and East. spreading baseless rumors that In the United States itself, Egyptian Coptic Christians notwithstanding the calming pres- bankrolled Bacile's incendiary ence of President Barack Obama film, Salafis in Egypt have done as a countervailing force to reli- what all dangerous communalists gious and racial bigotry, the activ- do, i.e. lumping all the stereotypi- ities of ultra-radical fringe groups cal hate categories of Zionists, such as the congregation of pastor apostates and blasphemers into a Terry Jones are flourishing under single basket of 'enemies of the canopy of electoral politics. Islam'. The Republican challenger to The Ansar-al-Sharia in Libya is President Obama, Mitt Romney,

The views expressed in Op Eds are not necessarily those of The South Asian Times. 20 Diaspora

September 22-28, 2012 TheSouthAsianTimes.info Fast-track lanes at Heathrow New visa rules may deter Indians seeking jobs in Dubai for rich Indians? Dubai: Indian workers may now face restrictions over getting entry in Dubai London: After facing embarrass- for employment opportunities, as the ment over long delays at immigra- Middle East city has reportedly adopt- tion at Heathrow before the ed stricter rules for tourist, visit and Olympics, Britain is working on conference visas to curb the influx of plans for fast-track passport lanes foreign workers from certain labor for high-value individuals from exporting countries. A senior official said the move was India and other countries to con- Move meant to curb influx of prompted by the recent arrests of vey the message that London is scores of foreigners on tourist, visit blue-collar workers "open for business." and conference visas, who were either especially from traditional labor Brian Moore, the head of UK engaged in organized crimes, human exporting countries to the UAE, and Border Force, told the Home trafficking or were found unemployed set a university degree as a prerequi- Affairs Select Committee that his and looking for jobs or begging in the site for obtaining a visa, plus other officials were working on the streets, or near hospitals, mosques and requirements, the official said. plans for high-value business indi- malls. Other countries such as Bangladesh, viduals not only from the old Heathrow is one of the largest airports in the world "The Federal Residency Sri Lanka and Philippines, are some of Commonwealth countries such as Department, which oversees residency the largest countries exporting labor to Australia, but from all countries. idea that is being pursued." Moore preferred to call them departments across the country, has the UAE. Categories banned from He told senior Labor Keith Vaz, As Indian companies increas- 'high-value' business individuals. decided to adopt stricter regimes for obtaining tourist, visit or conference chairman of the committee: "It is ingly set up offices in the UK or Moore said such fast-track lanes tourist, visit and conference visas to visas include electricians, pipe fitters, an idea that officials are dis- takeover British companies, top were already in operation in sev- curb the influx of blue-collar workers masons, farmers, drivers, tailors and cussing with port operators. It will business executives from the eral countries, and having them at from many labor exporting countries cleaners, the report said. then go back to ministers for them country travel to London on a reg- Heathrow would help convey the into the country," the official told Gulf The source stressed the UAE contin- to consider whether and how it is ular basis. Vaz termed such indi- message that Britain was open for News on the condition of anonymity. ues to welcome genuine visitors. going to be progressed. It is an viduals as "the super rich" but business. "This would help significantly "These visa requirements will give reduce the risk that individuals authorities a greater ability to manage engaged in organized crime or the the flow of visitors into the country trafficking of persons could gain entry and allow residency departments to the country," the source added. across the country to screen more The new regime would see bans on travelers for security risks prior to visit visas for some foreign workers, their arrival in the UAE," he said. Rise in complaints against Indian doctors in UK London: There has been a record official said. rise in complaints by patients against As of 2011, there were 25,592 doc- doctors during 2011, including a rise tors on GMC's register who gained of nearly 19 per cent in complaints medical qualifications in India. The against Indian doctors working in the complaint figures for 2010 (667) and National Health Service, according to 2011 (793) relate to doctors who qual- Britain's medical regulator. ified in India and not to doctors of Releasing latest figures, the General Indian origin who qualified in the UK. Medical Council (GMC), which over- According to a GMC report titled sees doctors practicing medicine in the 'The State of Medical Education and UK, said overall the complaints Practice in the UK', there has been a increased by 23 per cent from 7,153 in drop in the number of Indian doctors 2010 to 8,781 in 2011. coming here to train and work, reflect- According to a GMC official the ing tighter immigration controls and figure for 2011 includes 793 com- better career choices in India. plaints against doctors who gained But the report says that India contin- their primary medical qualification in ued to provide the largest number of India and then moved to Britain to overseas doctors but the number has train and work. reduced considerably from a peak of In 2010, the number of complaints 3,641 in 2004 to current levels of against Indian doctors was 667, the around 500 a year. Concert in London in memory of Anuj Bidve London: Stars from the entertainment industry in Maharashtra Sept 16 came together for an eight-hour extravagan- za here to raise funds for the family of Indian student Anuj Bidve, who was shot dead in Manchester last year. The murdered student's parents attended the concert at the O2, earlier known as the Millennium Dome. Tickets for the concert were sold out, organizers said, and added that Anuj Bidve the Bidve family will be presented consultant gynaecologist Mahesh with a check of Rs 10 lakh by senior Patwardhan and noted director-pro- Labour MP Keith Vaz to repay the ducer Mahesh Manjrekar. The loan they had taken to send Anuj to London-based Maharashtra Mandal Lancaster University to pursue a post- played a key role in the event. graduate qualification in microelec- Recorded video clips of Prime tronics. Prominent artistes who per- Minister David Cameron and others formed at the event include Sonali were shown at the event. Kulkarni, Suresh Wadkar, Bela Led by Patwardhan, a foundation in Monika Bhatia Dentistry Indu’s Creations Jeena’s Boutique Media Sponsor Shende, Hariharan, Avdhut Gupte, memory of Anuj Bidve has been set (Hicksville) 631-647-5728 516-496-8877 Ajay-Atul and Swapnil Bandodkar. up to help students from Maharashtra Key organizers who put together the coming to the UK to study, organizers concert include the London-based said. Subcontinent 21

TheSouthAsianTimes.info September 22-28, 2012 Suu Kyi meets Obama, receives Congressional Gold Medal

Washington: President Barack Gold Medal, America's highest an easing of its ban on imports Obama Wednesday met congressional honor, at the Capitol from Myanmar when its President, Myanmar's opposition leader and Hill earlier in the day. Thein Sein, visits for the annual parliamentarian Aung San Suu On Tuesday, US Secretary of gathering of world leaders at the Kyi at the White House. State Hillary Clinton met Suu Kyi, UN General Assembly in New Obama expressed his admiration who also spoke at the US Institute York next week. for "her courage, determination of Peace. Thein Sein has eased draconian and personal sacrifice in champi- The Nobel laureate's 20-day US restrictions on the press and oning democracy and human tour, her first in 24 years, was at allowed Suu Kyi and her party to rights over the years", reported the invitation of Clinton. contest special elections in April. Xinhua citing a White House Afterward, Suu Kyi said she Despite bitter political divisions, statement. would support the US easing its both parties in US Congress have Reaffirming his commitment to remaining economic sanctions on broadly supported the administra- support reforms in Myanmar, Myanmar — a step the Obama tion's steps to reward Myanmar for Obama believed that the reconcili- administration is considering. its shift from five decades of mili- ation and reform will offer the Clinton voiced concern over tary rule. Suu Kyi's National people of Myanmar an opportuni- continued detention of political League for Democracy (NLD) ty to "take charge of their destiny Myanmar democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi receives the Congressional prisoners and ethnic violence in overwhelmingly won the April 1 and to shape a more peaceful, free Gold Medal from Speaker of the House John Boehner, in Washington on Myanmar and its military contacts by-elections, taking 43 out of 45 and prosperous future", the state- Wednesday. Hillary Clinton and Nancy Pelosi are also seen. with North Korea. open parliamentary seats, of which ment added. ing lasted for about half an hour in The meeting came after Suu Kyi But speculation is growing that 37 with the House of The deliberately low-key meet- the Oval Office. was awarded the Congressional the administration could announce Representatives or lower house. Blow to Zardari, corruption Pakistan blocks Khar to visit US cases may reopen over 700 anti- Islamabad: Prime Minister Raja next week Pervez Ashraf told the Supreme Islam links Court that the government has Islamabad: Pakistan has blocked over 700 links decided to withdraw a letter sent to an anti-Islam film on YouTube that has trig- out during Pervez Musharraf's gered anti-US protests across the Muslim world, tenure to close graft cases against including Pakistan, officials said. President Asif Ali Zardari, a move The decision was taken after the Supreme Court that may lead to reopening of the issued orders to the state-owned Pakistan corruption cases. Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to block The court gave the prime minis- links to the movie, reported Xinhua. ter time till September 25 to write Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry to Swiss authorities to reopen the Pakistan's President directed the PTA to take down all sacrilegious corruption cases. Asif Ali Zardari material that disrespects Islam or Prophet A five-judge bench of the apex Ashraf said he has directed Law Mohammad in any way. He asked the PTA chief to court, headed by Justice Asif Minister Farooq H. Naek to with- submit a report about the action he will take fol- Saeed Khosa, heard the show- draw the letter written to Swiss lowing the directives. cause notice for contempt of court authorities asking for closing of The PTA director general told the apex court that almost 100 new clips of the anti-Islam film prolif- against Ashraf over the NRO all the cases against Zardari, erated on YouTube every day. implementation case. reported Geo News. He said that the PTA had written a letter to Ashraf, who stepped into the The cases that had been closed YouTube, requesting the removal of such clips, but shoes of Yousuf Raza Gilani, who by Malik Qayyum's letter can now the video-sharing website replied that it does not Pakistani Foreign Minister was disqualified for contempt be reopened by the Swiss authori- have any such agreement with the government of Hina Rabbani Khar when he refused to accept the ties if they choose, the media Pakistan. court's orders, said the govern- report said. The government earlier had claimed that the Islamabad: Pakistani Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani ment has decided to withdraw ex- The court granted the prime PTA and the information technology ministry had Khar will pay an official visit to the US from Sept 18-22, attorney general Malik Qayyum's minister exemption from appear- blocked 122 anti-Islamic websites over the past the foreign ministry said. letter that was written to the Swiss ing for the upcoming hearing. few days. In Washington, Khar will hold bilateral meetings with authorities during then president Accused of graft, Zardari was The authorities had also told the public that any Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, National Security Pervez Musharraf's tenure. granted amnesty under the blasphemous material that comes to their attention Advisor Tom Donilon and Trade Representative The prime minister Tuesday National Reconciliation must be reported immediately to the PTA through Ambassador Ron Kirk among others, Xinhua reported. appeared before the Supreme Ordinance (NRO) in 2007 by then phone or email. She will also meet several representatives of the US Court, which had last month given president Pervez Musharraf to The government clarified that it was not block- Congress, academics and members of think tanks, a min- him three-weeks' time to write to facilitate his return home from ing popular websites YouTube and Facebook, but istry statement said. Swiss authorities on reopening exile, and primarily that of his only anti-Islamic material would be blocked. Khar will later travel to New York to join a delegation corruption cases against President wife, former prime minister Officials say that obscene material will be blocked led by President Asif Ali Zardari for the forthcoming UN on case-to-case basis. Zardari. Benazir Bhutto. General Assembly session. Harassed in Pakistan, homeless in India

Jodhpur: "We would much rather swelled, it was impossible for of the migrants. group working for refugees in them. We have also urged the cen- die than go back to Pakistan," said them to continue to stay in the The Pakistani Hindus said that Rajasthan, over 1,10,000 Hindu tral government to introduce a a Hindu migrant echoing the sen- premises. They have since vacat- girls were being kidnapped and migrants from Pakistan have been proper policy and law for the timents of many migrants who ed, and now live in tents. forced into marriage and conver- living in Rajasthan since 1971. refugees," said Hindu Singh have come here in the last few "We are happy to be here, but sion to Islam. Besides, torture of Over 13,000 of them were Sodha, social activist and head of days from Pakistan. we had been staying in just two Hindu families is also reported. granted citizenship by 2005-06; SLS, which has been arranging The exodus of Pakistani Hindus rooms at the Dali Bai temple here. On Sept 10, over 200 people had SLS says more than 7,000 others food for the migrants in their is on the rise. In the last fortnight It is becoming impossible for 200 come to Jodhpur by the Thar have now applied for long-term camps. alone, a fresh batch of 350 people to sleep in such a small Express train. Sources said that visas (LTV). Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok migrants, including 150 children space. We were asked to vacate, about 150 others have also arrived "The largest number of Hindu Gehlot has assured the migrants of and 90 women, have arrived here. and then had just the sky for a here in small groups since then. migrants comes to Rajasthan. We all help, and has met the people They were initially lodged in a roof. Some locals have erected According to rough estimates by have asked the state government who have recently moved into the local temple, but as the numbers tents for us," said Ramadas, one Seemant Lok Sangathan (SLS), a to frame a rehabilitation policy for state from Pakistan. 22 International

September 22-28, 2012 TheSouthAsianTimes.info Al Qaeda calls death of US envoy a 'gift'

Washington: The Al Qaeda's tives or to expel them to cleanse was a fallout from a low-budget, affiliate in North Africa urged our land from their wickedness," amateurish 14-minute clip posted Muslims in the region to kill US said a statement from the Al on YouTube that allegedly insults government representatives and Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb. Islam. The video prompted angry called the death of ambassador to The group said the killing of rioters to breach the US consulate Libya Chris Stevens a "gift". Stevens, the US ambassador to in Benghazi, Libya's second "We encourage all Muslims to Libya, was "the best gift you give largest city, killing Stevens and continue to demonstrate and esca- to his arrogant and unjust admin- three other Americans. late their protests... and to kill istration". Washington has made it clear it Washington has made it clear it did not sanction the anti-Islam film their ambassadors and representa- The outfit said the envoy's death did not sanction the film. that sparked protests in the Middle East Egypt to try US Copts over anti-Islam film Rushdie dismisses latest US sides with death threat China's opponents, New York: Salman Rushdie is says daily dismissing the latest threat against Beijing: The US directly or indi- his life as just talk. The author of rectly sides with China's oppo- the novel The Satanic Verses says nents in disputes China has with the threat "was essentially one its neighbors, said a state-run priest in Iran looking for a head- Chinese daily. line." An article in the Op-Ed section Rushdie spoke before about 400 of Global Times said that people at a New York Barnes & Author Salman Rushdie Washington's "attitude still Noble store about his newly pub- Hassan Saneii has raised the remains vague" on the dispute lished memoir, Joseph Anton. bounty for Rushdie from $2.8 mil- between China and Japan over The memoir tells of his years in lion to $3.3 million after recent Diaoyu islands. The film is believed to have been produced by a small group hiding after Iran's Ayatollah protests against an anti-Islamic "But it is obvious that of extremist Christian Americans Ruhollah Khomeini in 1989 film that helped lead to riots Washington is not so impartial Cairo: Egypt's public prosecutor Prophet Mohammed as immoral and declared The Satanic Verses blas- around the Middle East. between China and Japan. has ordered that seven US-based violent, while touching on themes of phemous and called for his death. But Rushdie says Saneii has "In other disputes China has Egyptian Copts be tried over their homosexuality and paedophilia. A semiofficial Iranian religious long offered a bounty and few with its neighbors, the US directly role in an anti-Islam film that Several cast members say they foundation headed by Ayatollah people have taken him seriously. or indirectly sides with China's sparked violent clashes around the were duped into acting in the ama- opponents. The question is how world, his office said. teurish film, which has been linked Syrian regime plans to use much weight the US will put The seven — Adel Riad, Morris to a non-profit group called Media behind Japan," it said. Sadek, Nabil Bissada, Esmat for Christ, and was apparently pro- chemical weapons: report The daily said that until now Zaklama, Elia Bassily, Ihab Yaacoub duced by a convicted fraudster. Washington has been reluctant in and Jack Atallah — were accused of Egyptian forces were slow to react London: The Syrian regime plans - such as if the regime lost control openly supporting Japan's claim. to deploy chemical weapons against of an important area such as "insulting the Islamic religion, when demonstrators attacked the US "Moreover, the US has to take its own people "as a last resort", the Aleppo." insulting the Prophet (Mohammed) embassy compound last Tuesday, into consideration the Sino-US former head of Syria's chemical Speaking from Turkey, General relationship. It doesn't want to and inciting sectarian strife." scaling the walls, tearing down the arsenal told a newspaper in an inter- Sillu said that he was certain The prosecution said they were American flag and hoisting a black face a strategic dilemma whether view. Major-General Adnan Sillu President Bashar al-Assad's regime to intervene if a war breaks out involved in either the production or Islamist flag in its place. said he defected from the Syrian would eventually use chemical between China and Japan," it the distribution of the film titled US President Barack Obama army three months ago after being weapons against civilians, adding said. Innocence of Muslims. called his newly elected Egyptian party to top-levels talks about the that the discussion had been "the No trial date has been set yet. The counterpart Mohamed Morsi to use of chemical weapons on both last straw" which triggered his Admitting that it was "impossi- film, believed to have been pro- express concern about the incursion rebel fighters and civilians. defection. ble for China to persuade duced by a small group of extremist and told an interviewer that Egypt's "We were in a serious discussion His comments come after German Washington to take a neutral posi- Christian Americans, has sparked a new government was neither an ally about the use of chemical weapons, press reported on Tuesday that the tion", Global Times noted: "The week of furious protests outside the nor an enemy. including how we would use them Syrian army had tested a chemical hope of such is purely an illusion, US embassies and other American Egyptian security forces later and in what areas," he told the weapons delivery system. though China can urge the US to symbols in at least 20 countries, moved in, clashing with some newspaper, referring to a meeting The Safira research center in move toward a neutral position including Egypt. demonstrators for several days but held at Syria's chemical weapons question is regarded as Syria's through concrete actions that The crude low-budget production keeping them away from the centre south of Damascus. largest testing site for chemical show doing so is more in line mocks Islam and portrays the embassy. "We discussed this as a last resort weapons. with US interests." Panetta in talks with Chinese leader-in-waiting

Beijing: US defense secretary expanded US military presence. America, charging that the Leon Panetta met with Chinese In repeated statements this increased US activity in the region leader-in-waiting Xi Jingping, week, Panetta has stressed that the has emboldened Japan and other who just days ago reappeared after new focus on Asia is not aimed at countries to challenge China in a puzzling two-week disappear- China. But the US has had persist- such disputes. ance. The meeting was part of ent concerns about China's grow- Coming against that backdrop, Panetta's weeklong trip through ing economic and trade domi- Panetta's meeting with Xi carried the Asia Pacific, in a campaign to nance in the region. even greater significance, giving pursue the US military's increased Panetta's visit, however, comes him a larger stage on which to lay focus on the region. as violent protests raged around out the United States' intentions in The US and China have long the country, over a territorial dis- the region. had a tumultuous relationship, pute between China and Japan. But the session was also notable fueled by America's distrust of Chinese officials say they want the because the Chinese leader recent- Beijing's military buildup and US defense secretary Leon Panetta with Chinese US to remain neutral in the matter. ly reappeared after having not China's concerns about the leader-in-waiting Xi Jingping But protesters slammed been seen since Sept 1. Business 23

TheSouthAsianTimes.info September 22-28, 2012 Apple delays iPhone 5 delivery time

California: Apple's stock closed product cycle." gigabyte model), $299 (32 GB) or above $700 for the first time, the Wu estimates that Apple will $399 (64 GB). day after it announced that orders likely ship 27 million iPhones in The iPhone 5 represents the first for its iPhone 5 topped 2 million in the current quarter. That's up from major revision of the iPhone's the first 24 hours. his earlier estimate of 26 million. screen size since the first model Orders during the first 24 hours Apple said that while most orders was introduced in 2007. The new more than doubled what Apple had will be delivered this Friday, when iPhone has an elongated screen, at for its predecessor, the iPhone 4S, the phone goes on sale in stores in 4 inches measured diagonally. That over the same period last October. the US and eight other countries, allows room for another row of "This was despite somewhat demand for the iPhone 5 exceeds icons and lets widescreen movies lukewarm reviews and some claim- the initial supply. That means some fit better. Earlier models had 3.5- ing it had 'lack of a wow factor,' of the devices will be delivered in inch screens. The new phone is Sterne Agee analyst Shaw Wu said October. also thinner and weighs less than in a note to investors. "We continue Buyers who have a two-year previous versions. It can operate on to believe many underestimate service agreement with AT&T, LTE cellular networks and sports a iPhone 5 in that it is a significant Sprint or Verizon Wireless are able new processor and updated update and will drive a powerful to order the phone for $199 (16 Apple will likely ship 27 million iPhones in the current quarter software. US welcomes economic India needs big ticket reforms: USIBC reforms in India: Envoy Washington: The U.S.-India current state of affairs in India and massive youth population, and give Business Council (USIBC) has the recently announced "big bang" India's economy a much needed encouraged leaders of the Indian reforms, including the opening of boost. The investment in the critical political parties to work together multi-brand retail to 51% foreign backend infrastructure will directly and not allow politics to hamper the direct investment. benefit the farmers and ultimately implementation of the progressive "Now is the time for cooperation the Indian consumer, who will enjoy reforms. and action," said USIBC President improved quality and lower prices," The USIBC hosted Manish Ron Somers. he added. Tewari and Rudy were Tewari, Congress Spokesperson and "The big ticket reforms will help joined by Sunjoy Joshi, Director, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, BJP spokesper- the government in tackling inflation, Observer Research Foundation son for a lively discussion on the create millions of jobs for India's (ORF). Dubai's food, rental prices

US Ambassador to India Nancy Powell among world's highest New Delhi: US Ambassador to cial deals," she said. Dubai: Housing and food prices in Dubai is similar income taxes, became the Middle East's most expen- India Nancy Powell said the recent Bilateral trade between India and to some of the world's costliest cities like New York sive city also due to its growing bureaucracy and a economic reforms announced by the the US has gone up 40 percent in the and Zurich, a Swiss study revealed. number of "hidden taxes". Indian government have been wide- last three years and is set to exceed The average monthly rental prices in these cities In the past two years, thousands of once-for-free ly welcomed in the US and hoped $100 billion this year. are up to 100 percent above the global average, parking spaces were transformed into paid parking for greater trade and investment Last week, the Manmohan Singh Xinhua quoted a study by Swiss bank UBS as say- zones. In addition, bachelors are not allowed to share between the two countries. The eco- government unleashed a spate of ing. The lender said together with Norway's Oslo and apartments in order to reduce rental costs. Transport nomic reforms have been widely big-ticket economic reforms, includ- Switzerland's Geneva, Dubai also has the priciest costs and traffic fines were also massively increased. welcomed in the US, Powell said. ing allowing foreign supermarkets food in the world. In regard to combined costs of living, Dubai ranks "American companies are looking to open shop in India with majority A three-course menu in a stylish restaurant in these globally the 22nd, according to the UBS study, while closely at the fine print. They are ownership and letting foreign air- cities costs about $95. Dubai, officially free of Oslo is the priciest place to live for foreigners. looking forward to doing commer- lines to invest in Indian carriers. Why foreign airlines avoiding stakes in India?

New Delhi: Despite the govern- said that the foreign carriers are not were needed for a turnaround in the ment's decision to open the Indian short-time investors. "No one will sector. These include rationaliza- skies, foreign airlines are not too announce any plans until all the tion of taxes imposed on air turbine keen to take the plunge and hold modalities are fulfilled." fuel (ATF) and maintenance, repair stakes in domestic carriers right Other industry watchers said the and overhaul (MRO) facilities. now. What exactly is holding them current downturn is an opportunity Jet fuel prices in India on an back? as the Indian aviation market is one average are 40-50 percent higher Several overseas carriers and avi- of the fastest growing in the world, than that sold globally due to added ation watchers cited high jet fuel despite the recent fall in traffic. state sales tax. cost, an extremely price-sensitive Last year it expanded by 20 per- Indian carriers are losing around market, huge debt of the carriers cent. Rs.2,500 crore per year due to high and contracting domestic passenger The downturn also has made val- fuel prices with a combined debt of traffic as the reasons. uations attractive. "Some global about Rs.48,000 crore. The government has allowed for- carriers may decide to enter now India also lacks MRO facilities eign airlines to invest up to 49 per- when airline valuations are attrac- with many airlines flying their air- cent in private domestic carriers. The Indian government has allowed foreign airlines to invest tive," Amber Dubey, partner and craft abroad for maintenance, as The foreign carriers have so far not up to 49 percent in private domestic carriers head-aviation at global consultancy stocking of spare parts is very been allowed to directly invest in long-term investments. moment and will focus on existing KPMG, said. expensive due to high taxes. Indian carriers for security reasons, International airline companies businesses. "Others may decide to wait and According to International Air although 49 percent FDI by non- welcomed the move, but said there Etihad Airways, which has enter at a higher price later." Transport Association (IATA) esti- airline players was allowed. are no immediate plans of invest- investments in AirBerlin, Air Dubey said the foreign carriers mates, the Indian aviation sector Analysts say that the foreign ing in India. Seychelles and Aer Lingus, said it may invest in new low-cost airlines would require $140 billion in the partner will focus on bringing in Virgin Atlantic and Lufthansa, will wait for all the modalities of as a start-up or as a non-scheduled next 20 years to keep pace with the best practices like route planning, which are aggressively shoring up the new reforms to be clear. operator. "The strategic options are growing demand. Other estimates technology, operational and finan- market share, said they are not Sharan Lillaney, aviation analyst plenty." have placed the current fund needs cial management to realise their keen on investing in India at the at broking firm Angel Broking, Meanwhile, he said, bold steps of the sector at $2.5 billion. 24 Sports

September 22-28, 2012 TheSouthAsianTimes.info Bhupathi, tennis body trade barbs

Mumbai/New Delhi: Star tennis "explore legal options" against the Chatterjee told IANS over phone player Mahesh Bhupathi and the AITA. from Kolkata. All India Tennis Association Bhupathi in his scathing attack Chatterjee said Bhupathi "wants (AITA) traded charges, with the on the AITA said its administra- to be a selector, player and an player threatening to take legal tion is detrimental to growth of administrator at the same time." action against the association for sport in the country and he has no "He selects himself and then sidelining him and Rohan choice but to accept the two-year decides with whom to play. If he Bopanna from representing India ban slapped on him by the "dicta- has to do everything then what is till June 2014. torial" body. the selection committee there for. Bhupathi, at a fiery press con- Hiranmoy Chatterjee, senior We have sent out a strong signal ference in Mumbai, criticized executive committee member of that indiscipline will not be toler- AITA's decision of imposing a the AITA, said that the association ated," said Chatterjee. two-year ban on him and was justified in sidelining "Mahesh is now saying he does- Bopanna. Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna n't know where to complain. But Bhupathi and Bopanna had from playing in the national team he was well aware where to voice defied AITA's decision of asking till June 2014. is displeasure when he was asked them to play with Leander Paes "The AITA is not perturbed by to play with Paes during the Mahesh Bhupathi criticized AITA's decision of imposing for the 2012 London Games. They Bhupathi's threat of a legal action. Games," he added. a two-year ban on him and Rohan Bopanna refused to play with Paes to play We have gone by the rule book. The 37-year-old claimed that together at the Games. Bhupathi was free to take legal dent Anil Khanna of taking the The decision was taken by the AITA was jealous of the fact that The AITA was quick to react recourse against the association. advantage of his rift with Paes. ethics committee according to rule he has been able to do more for against the charges, saying Bhupathi accused AITA presi- Bhupathi also said that he would 36 (A2) of our constitution," the sport. T20: Team combination will test Dhoni's skills Jeev seeks to overcome potent bowling attacks tend to do better. The other prob- injury setback lem with playing four frontline bowlers is that none of the regular bowlers can have an off-day. Considering that Zaheer hasn't enjoyed much success in T20, Balaji is coming back after a long hiatus and Irfan isn't the best option in the death overs, there is a strong case to reconsider the strategy of playing an extra batsman at No 7. If Dhoni decides to play an extra bowler, he will either have to tinker with the opening combination and allow Virat to open the innings with Gambhir, or choose between Yuvraj and Rohit. Going by current form, Yuvraj or Sehwag seem to be the most likely players to be benched. Yuvraj hasn't bat- MS Dhoni faces one such examination at the World T20 ting enough in the last 10 months and Sehwag has New Delhi: In the last five years, skipper Dhoni has scored only one half century in his last 11 T20 passed quite a few stern tests. He faces one such exami- Internationals. If you play Yuvraj, you've got to treat Jeev Milkha Singh nation at the World T20. Here are a few questions that him as the match-winner of old. Hyogo (Japan): Asian Tour stal- sanctioned by the Asian Tour and will be asked of him in the next three weeks. Dhoni's If you're going to play Sehwag, he must start batting warts Jeev Milkha Singh of India Japan Golf Tour. Thongchai and method in limited-overs cricket has been to play seven deep into the innings more regularly. Or else, it's better and Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee Singh will make up a total of five batsmen and four bowlers. While this formula has to open with Virat. are upbeat about winning the Asian Tour Order of Merit win- worked in ODIs, it tends to backfire in T20 cricket. In case Dhoni continues with the same team combina- Asia-Pacific Panasonic Open ners this week, who include Juvic Every over in a T20 game is worth 5% of the bowling tion, which he's most likely to do, the team must assume despite struggling with injuries. Pagunsan of the Philippines, innings as opposed to 2% in an ODI. This gives the side the responsibility of scoring 30 runs above par when Jeev has an injured trigger fin- Liang Wen-chong of China and time to bounce back from a couple of expensive overs, they bat first, and be prepared to chase 30 more than ger and Thongchai twisted his Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand, but there's no such luxury in T20 cricket. Even in T20s' what is par for the course. right ankle earlier but they will who have a combined total of short life span, a pattern has emerged, where teams with (Aakash Chopra in Hindustan Times) play at the US $1.9 million event eight Order of Merit crowns. Afghan girls dare to play soccer

New Delhi: Afghan girls have left tioned to play and, that too, in a behind years of strife and torment corner. There was no one to under the Taliban rule. They feel encourage the girls. In fact, they liberated to even play soccer out were told that football was not for in the open unmindful of the women. repercussions. The women got the NATO field The Under-17 girls of Kabul's to practice only after President Rabia Balkhi High School came Hamid Karzai got it for them after to Delhi to play in the Subroto he was impressed by their spirited Cup football tournament, breaking showing against Pakistan in a all barriers, risking parental disap- friendly game. Now, of course, proval and ostracization. Captain Zrafchan with teammates and coach Faiz Mohammad Nazari the national team has started The girls are aware of the house. But now we have democra- sonally, I just love the sport." lack of infrastructure, gear and going overseas to train and com- volatile ground realities back cy and there is police. The players Asked how their parents look at basic facilities like grounds have pete. Things are happening, even home, but they are not scared of in this team are not scared any their pursuit of playing football, not helped their cause. There are if in a slow motion. dealing with the situation. more. We believe in our police; she said:" First it was a straight three cities in the country where Things are changing for the bet- Zrafchan Nimiy, a ninth class they have assured us that they no, but thankfully the coach came girls play sports -- Herath, Kabul ter for the Afghan women. student, who also doubles as the wouldn't let anything happen to and spoke to them and they and Mazar-i-Sharif. With no prop- Whether these girls would go on team's spokesperson, said that she us," Nimiy said. agreed. People who earlier used to er facilities for the girls they have to make it big in the sport is a dif- and her team mates are not scared "Football for us is a way to for- shun any activity of this nature are to make do with what they have. ferent matter. But they have cer- of the Taliban. get the nightmarish happenings today wishing us well." It all started in a small way tainly opened the door for the "When I was a kid I used to be not long ago and also what is still However, the Taliban is not the when the girls found a ground future generation of sports very scared to even step out of my happening around us. For me per- only problem for these girls. The where NATO forces were sta- women. TheSouthAsianTimes.info September 22-28, 2012 26 Health

September 22-28, 2012 TheSouthAsianTimes.info Single kids likely to be obese? single child has a more than journal Nutrition and Diabetes difference, adds Hunsberger, 50 percent higher risk of reported. according to a Gothenburg state- Abeing overweight or obese The study shows that only chil- ment. The fact that only children than those with siblings, as borne dren play outside less often, live in are more susceptible to obesity may out by a study of 12,700 children in households with lower levels of be due to differences in individual eight European countries, including education more often, and are more family environment and family Sweden. likely to have televisions in their structure that we were not able to The study was conducted under bedrooms, said study co-author measure in sufficient detail, said the framework of the European Monica Hunsberger, researcher at Lauren Lissner, researcher at the research project Identification and the Sahlgrenska Academy, Sahlgrenska. prevention of dietary and lifestyle- University of Gothenburg, Sweden. Over 22 million children in induced health effects in children But even when we take these fac- Europe are estimated to be over- and infants (IDEFICS), focusing on tors into account, the correlation weight. The study shows that obesi- diet, lifestyle and obesity and their between singleton status and over- ty among children in general is effects on children aged two to nine weight is strong. Being an only three times more common in south- years. child appears to be a risk factor for ern countries such as Italy, Spain The children's BMI (body mass questionnaire that included ques- ing habits, TV viewing habits and overweight independent of the fac- and Cyprus than in Sweden and index) was linked to a parental tions relating to the children's eat- amount of outdoor play time, the tors we thought might explain the other northern countries. Free-drink culture is out in Chandigarh Abstinence, exercise helps omplimentary drinks for women, buy one-get one offers and other freebies in reclaim bone loss CChandigarh's drinking circle could be a thing of the past with the city's administration to lcoholism is known statement. issue an advisory to bars, hotels, restaurants, to cause osteoporo- "This study contributes to night-clubs and discotheques to refrain from Asis, which increas- our understanding of vari- such practices. es risk of fractures, but it ous deteriorating effects of The move by the Chandigarh administration's can be undone by eight long-term consumption of excise and taxation department to issue the advi- weeks of abstinence and high amounts of alcohol on sory follows recent complaints and incidents that some exercise, suggests a the human body," said free drinks were being offered by such places to new research. Sergei Mechtcheriakov, lure customers. Promos on social networking Osteoporosis, or reduced associate professor of psy- websites and in local publications here in recent bone mineral density chiatry at the Innsbruck. months have been trying to attract customers, (BMD), is defined by an "We can see that even especially women, with offers of free drinks. is a violation of the Excise Act. We are issuing absolute decrease in total bone tissue which is often - At some of these outlets, special days have an advisory to these establishments that this bone mass, caused mostly and wrongly - perceived as been reserved for a 'ladies night' with free drinks could invite action under the law in future," a by an imbalance between inert, can be affected by on offer. senior excise and taxation officer said. loss of bone mass and bone alcoholism. It would seem "The offer of free drinks for women is an "We don't want to do moral policing but peo- formation. Reduced BMD that a combination of direct attractive one. When the ladies come, men will ple should not violate the law," the officer added. often co-occurs with alco- toxic effects of alcohol and follow. This gives us good business," the in- But the city's party-goers say that the move is holism. its metabolites on bone tis- charge of a leading eatery-cum-bar in Sector 17 unwarranted. A study of the passage of sue turnover as well as told IANS. "The government babus are only out to spoil bone formation and loss in abstinent alcoholics lifestyle factors, such as low physical activity, A recent party by a leading international beer the fun that the city's social life is offering. One has found that eight weeks of abstinence may be may play a significant role," added brand at the city's Lake Club premises got really incident should not be used to put curbs on social enough to initiate a healthier balance between Merchtcheriakov. 'high and wild' after a few boys and girls jumped life," Aman Sekhon, a university student, told the two, the journal Alcoholism: Clinical & Malik and his colleagues examined BMD in 53 into the club's pool and created a ruckus. IANS. Experimental Research reports. male abstinent patients, aged between 21 and 50 The administration has started taking the com- "Those who have to create a ruckus will do it "There are many reasons why alcoholics may years. Blood work was drawn for various meas- plaints of free drinks' offers rather seriously. At anyway even if the drinks are not free," Simran develop reduced BMD: Lack of physical activity, ures at baseline and after eight weeks of treat- the Lake Club party too, the beer company was Ahluwalia, a student of a girls' college, said. liver disease, and a suspected direct toxic effect ment. offering free drinks far in excess of what it was Chandigarh's excise rules do not allow the of alcohol on bone-building cells," said study co- "We found that BMD is reduced in alcoholic allowed to. The city's excise and taxation depart- establishments to serve alcohol 24x7. They can author Peter Malik, senior scientist and physician men without liver disease," said Malik. ment, following this embarrassing incident, car- serve it till midnight on weekdays and till 1 a.m. at the Medical University Innsbruck, Austria. "This means that an increased fracture risk ried out a survey of the complimentary and buy on weekends. "A reduced BMD carries an increased risk of could be reduced during abstinence if no mani- one-get one offers being offered by establish- "Some restriction has to be enforced. The bars fractures with all the consequences; osteoporotic fest osteoporosis is already present. In addition, ments here, particularly to women. and other joints cannot be allowed to have a free fractures also put an enormous financial burden regular physical exercise seems to be 'bone-pro- "The survey revealed that such offers were run. The free drinks culture should, however, not on health care systems due to high rehabilitation tective' in alcoholic patients," said being made regularly, especially to women. This be encouraged," Amit Soni, a businessman, said. costs," added Malik, according to an Innsbruck Mechtcheriakov. Extreme heat, cold can trigger fatal heart attacks xtremes of temperatures dur- research, the journal Circulation: tures," Huang said. CVD, researchers said. Risk of pre- ing heat waves or cold spells Cardiovascular Quality and Researchers collected data on mature CVD death rose more when Ecould trigger premature Outcomes reports. daily temperatures in Brisbane, extreme heat was sustained for two deaths from heart attacks, according The study is the first in which Australia, between 1996 and 2004 or more days, researchers found. to a new study by Australian researchers examined the link and compared them to documented "This might be because people researchers. between daily average temperature cardiovascular-related deaths for the become exhausted due to the sus- The findings are important and "years of life lost" due to car- same period. tained strain on their cardiovascular because of how the body responds diovascular disease (CVD). Brisbane has hot, humid summers systems without relief, or health to temperate extremes, the growing Years of life lost measures prema- and mild, dry winters. systems become overstretched and obesity trend and the Earth's climate ture death by estimating years of life The average daily mean tempera- ambulances take longer to reach changes, said Cunrui Huang, who lost according to average life ture was 68.9 degrees Fahrenheit emergency cases," said Adrian G. led the study as doctoral scholar at expectancy, according to a QUT (20.5 degrees Celsius), with the Barnett, study co-author and associ- the School of Public Health, statement. coldest one percent of days (11.7 ate professor of biostatistics at QUT. Queensland University of "With increasing rates of obesity degree Celsius) characterized as "We suspect that people take bet- Technology (QUT), Brisbane. and related conditions, including cold spells and the hottest one per- ter protective actions during pro- Exposure to extreme temperatures diabetes, more people will be vul- cent (29.2 degree Celsius) heat longed cold weather, which might can trigger changes in blood pres- nerable to extreme temperatures and waves. be why we did not find as great a temperate environment can help sure, blood thickness, cholesterol that could increase the future dis- Per one million people, 72 years risk of CVD during cold spells." reduce heat- and cold-related ill- and heart rate, according to previous ease burden of extreme tempera- of life were lost per day due to Spending a few hours daily in a nesses and deaths, Barnett said. TheSouthAsianTimes.info Septembe 22-28, 2012 28 Humor

September 22-28, 2012 TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Funny Bone by Nury Vittachi A column of beauty is OMG totally PHAT for ever

By Nury Vittachi say: l8tr dude." they feed the Loch Ness Monster?" Abraham Lincoln: "You can fool some of the 4) A tourist at Niagara Falls asked:"What time EE Hee Hee. My children were snigger- noobs all the time, and all of the noobs some of do they turn the water off?" ing over a text message. My brother-in- the time, but you cannot fool every noob six 5) A tourist in Sri Lanka asked: "Is this tea Tlaw had ended it with "LOL", thinking it ways from Sunday." freshly picked?" My friend replied: "Yes, I keep stood for "lots of love" rather than "laugh out Shakespeare: "Shall I compare thee to a sum- a bush in the kitchen." loud". I told them that British premier David mer's day? Thou art more buff and more mega Thomas Cook and the Association of British Cameron made the same error. The kids were hot, dudette." Travel Agents revealed the dumbest comments stunned that a person could even graduate from *-* they had received: kindergarten, let alone get to be a world leader The very funny Hong Kong comedian 5) From beachgoers: "The beach was too without knowing the most important Facts of Anthony Solimini made me laugh with this note sandy." Life, i.e., how to write text messages. last week: "From my study, if I wait until 9 p.m., 4) From visitors to India: "I was disgusted to Judging by the tales going around, I reckon the tracked down his man in Africa in 1871, he prob- stand on a chair and lean to the right with a mir- find that almost every restaurant served curry." following text conversation happens somewhere ably didn't say: "Dr Livingstone, I presume?" ror, I can see my neighbor undressing! Why 3) From tourists at a coastal resort: "No one in the world about once a week. MOM: but, "Doctor Livingstone, sup dude?" ("Sup?" is should I have to put up with this? It's disgust- told us there would be fish in the sea." "Grandpa passed away this morning. He died in short for "What's up?") ing." 2) From a British visitor to Spain: "There are his sleep. LOL." CHILD: "Mom! LOL means Here are other examples of famous quotations *-* too many Spanish people." Laugh Out Loud." MOM: "Oh no! I sent the in their pre-edited slang-containing state: I resent the fact that Asian business people are 1) From a young couple: "My fiance and I booked message to 2,643 people! How do I get it back?" John Keats: "A thing of beauty is OMG totally always portrayed as being evil crooks. The 99 a twin-bedded room but we were placed in a double- CHILD: "You can't." PHAT forever." percent are giving the rest a bad name. bedded room. We now hold you responsible for the Modern-seeming words have actually been Mahatma Gandhi: "An eye for an eye makes *-* fact that I find myself pregnant." around a long time. Researchers recently found the whole world krunk." A rescuer searched for a missing tourist most *-* "OMG" used as an exclamation in 1915. Other John F. Kennedy: "Ask not what your homies of the night before realizing she was looking for Observation from a person who has been an researchers said "What's up?" was used in the can do for you. Ask what you can do for your herself. employer for a long time: "People can get an 1860s and "computer" in the 1640s. homies." She was part of a tourist group which stopped amazing amount of work done, providing it is On the radio I heard a professor say that peo- Chairman Mao: "Shawties hold up half the at an Icelandic volcano one afternoon last month. not the work they are supposed to be doing." ple in history used "just as much slang as we do sky." After looking around, she decided to "freshen Wise words indeed. today", but it would have been "edited out" for Winston Churchill: "We shall fight the haters up" in the toilet, according to a report on C- *-* official printed versions. Amazing. In that case, on the beaches, we shall fight the haters on the News, forwarded by Amy Sin. On an unrelated topic, befuddled actor Clint we can probably recreate the original PRE- landing grounds, we shall never surrender but Now to your average male, freshening up is a Eastwood recently yelled at a chair, apparently EDITED versions of famous speeches. ROFL at them." 0.5 of a second glance in the mirror. But this girl under the impression that it was running the For example, after reporter Henry Stanley Alexander Pope: "Fools rush in where angels decided to change her make-up and adjust her United States. This is actually not a bad idea. clothing. She went back to the coach, but it didn't Planet Earth has a long history of inanimate move off because the other tourists were waiting objects doing well in politics. for the original "her", who was declared missing. In 1967, a tin of foot powder was elected I can imagine the conversation: A: "What did mayor of Picoaza, Ecuador. In 1997, a puppet she look like?" B: "A lot like you but with differ- called Dustin the Turkey received thousands of ent lipstick and no scarf." A: (Taking off her lip- votes in a presidential election in Ireland. A rural stick and scarf.) "Like this?" B: "Yeah, exactly part of New Zealand has had many non-human like that. Have you seen her?" A: "Nope." leaders, including Billy Gumboot the Goat They searched all afternoon and well into the (1999), Tai the Poodle (2003) and Murtle the night. At 3 a.m., just as a rescue helicopter was Turtle (2005 to present day). Last year, a sock about to join them, the tourist clicked that the called Ed the Sock ran during the Canadian fed- woman who looked exactly like her was her. eral election. Case cracked, and it only took them 10 or 12 Here in Asia, Ed the Sock would have WAY hours. Tourists must be getting smarter. more personality than ANY of our leaders. Here are the Five Stupidest Tourist Questions. *-* 1) A tourist asked staff at the Greater Miami A reporter phoned me last week to ask me Convention and Visitors Bureau: "Can you tell what I thought about the bestseller 50 SHADES me which beach is closest to the ocean?" OF GREY. I replied: "It's filled with people hav- 2) A tourist in Hong Kong asked a friend of ing guilty thoughts and giving each other smol- mine: "What time do they fire the Noon Day dering looks, but there's not much actual sex. It Gun?" reminded me of my teen years. And twenties. 3) A tourist in Scotland asked: "What time do And married life, come to that." Photo of the week

Muslims protest against a U.S.-made anti-Islam film on Tuesday, September 18, near the U.S. Consulate in Chennai. About 5,000 people gathered in front of the building. Google India has already blocked access to the film, which the government has condemned as "offensive." Astrology 29

TheSouthAsianTimes.info September 22-28, 2012

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

Stars Foretell: Septmeber 22-28, 2012 Annual Predictions: For those born in this week Aries: This week you would put in some and acquaintances. If you must stay in, distract September: 22 and traditions. You hate orthodox views and will not extra working hours finalizing the creative yourself from your thoughts with a book or a You are governed by the number 4 and the planet be tied down with old fashioned views. You have the ideas, which are on your mind. Work quietly movie. Religious feelings will arise making you Uranus. You are quick in your actions and excel in ability to handle those who are in trouble and are de- towards your goals and avoid discussing your proj- spend more time on religious and spiritual activi- business. The coming year, could bring unexpected pressed. They will find solace and peace in your ect until you have results. Sudden changes regard- ties. happenings in your life. But with your determination company. October 2012 and April, June, August of ing your domestic scene are certain. You will use Scorpio: This week take advantage of the and confidence, you will be able to overcome any 2013 will be highly eventful. your charms and intelligence to gain popularity, but new opportunities that present themselves to obstacle that comes your way. With careful planning September: 26 you need to relax and go for a little recreation later you. You would move with new confidence and and logical thinking, you will achieve success in Governed by the number 8, you are also ruled by the in the week. Yoga and meditation will bring would have an urge to learn new skills and tech- your professional front. You will also spend a lot of planet Saturn. Interior decoration and buying jewel- remarkable results. Overseas transactions will niques. You will gather knowledge through books, time for the betterment of human kind on the whole. ry will be your passion, in the year ahead of you. You ensure good monetary gains. Internet and the discussions that you have with Social service and service for the community on the are house proud and will spend a lot of time and your Taurus: Dealing with family members and experienced people. Your views and thoughts will whole, will draw your attention. Your methodical ap- money in keeping your house beautiful. Beauty in issues would be the focus this week. You impress people around you and you will establish proach to whatever you undertake, will earn laurels any form, gives you a sense of satisfaction and pleas- would be on the verge of breaking down emotional- important contacts. Losses are likely if you leave for you. You will enhance your career prospects, and ure. You will be able to execute big plans and proj- ly, but do not loose heart. You will not be the cause financial decisions in the hands of others. Minor gain new ideas with travel. Travel for work and ects in your professional front, in the year ahead of of the problem, but you could certainly bring about health problems could also trouble you. pleasure is foreseen, in the year ahead of you. Fi- you. Luck will be on your side and with enthusiasm some valuable solutions. An unexpected support Sagittarius: This week you might need to nancially too, it will be a good year. You can expect and endless energy you will gain success in whatev- from some near ones raises your spirits. Try to spend more time on your job than you gen- to sign big business transactions. The months of er you undertake with dedication and hard work. In avoid inappropriate outburst of anger, as it would erally do, and the hardest part of the next few days March, May, and August of 2013 will be significant matters of love, you may have to face a few prob- do no good. Blessing from a holy man provides would be in getting along with seniors at work. for you. lems. You must be sure of a positive response in mental peace. Some of you would be travelling. You would meet September: 23 love, before you make the first move. You will trav- Gemini: Your energy would be at all time new and interesting people while en route. You are governed by the number 5 and the planet el both for business and for pleasure, in the coming high and you would look forward to some Opportunities for growth will develop through new Mercury has a strong influence on you. Your com- year. This will enhance your career prospects. De- highly exciting and entertaining time in the next contacts. Sportsmen, writers and marketing profes- munication skills and your personality will be your cember 2012 and April, June, August of 2013 will be few days. You won’t have any trouble completing sionals can look forward to recognition and rewards assets in the year ahead of you. With your shrewd ap- highly significant. your work and also take out time for your hobbies. for their recent efforts. A new romantic alliance proach to life and with your methodical way of September: 27 You would feel active, confident, and strong to might also develop for some. working, those of you, in business can expect to Governed by the number 9, you are also dominated accept any challenges. Everything would look Capricorn: Hectic social activities would achieve success in a big way in your plans and ac- by the planets Mars. You have a strong will power beautiful to you and your positive attitude will turn be on your agenda this week. You would be tions. Although, you are shrewd and business mind- and you will use this trait to overcome any obstacle things to your favour. Few unexpected things will in the limelight wherever you go and would easily ed, you have another side to your character too. You that may come in your way to achieve success. De- happen for the good, and you will be pleased with attract people with your charms, intelligence and are often generous and will do whatever you can for termination will help you to achieve success in your the outcome. wit. Financial gains are certain during this period, those who need your help. You are full of respect for respective field of work, in the year ahead of you. Cancer: This week you may be recipient but avoid speculation or risky financial schemes. your elders and your loved ones. This will make you You tend to get moody at times and your moves and of some false information, which might Friends are likely to disappoint you if you expect popular and wanted amongst your friends and col- actions then become unpredictable. Try to give up create little trouble with loved ones. Your spirits too much from them. Property related disputes leagues. The coming year will be a good one finan- these traits and you will see wonders happening to would be low and you would lack confidence. would settle to your satisfaction. cially and you will earn a lot of money, but spend it you. Worrying over trivial matters will only lead to Sensitive issues might be touched at home which Aquarius: This week travel, although too. Your desire to splurge on expensive clothes and stress and strain. Your warm nature is such that you will play havoc with your mental peace. Emotional enticing, would cost you more than what jewelry will be fulfilled. Subjects like philosophy are ready to make sacrifices for your friends and re- situation like these will make you stubborn and irri- you might expect. Although you would enjoy your and religion, will attract you. The months of No- lations, but you are often misunderstood and this fi- tated. You will have two options to either go on exposure to new cultures, people and places, but vember 2012 and January, May, July of 2013 will be nally leads to your becoming mentally upset and your own or to bend down to others whims, but be excessive spending could send your budget on a significant for you. hurt. But you will fight for justice and what is right. extra careful not to say the wrong thing at the spin. September: 24 February, July and August of 2013 and will be high- wrong time. Arguments with spouse seem inevitable if you do You are governed by the number 6 and the planet Ve- ly important. Leo: This week jealousy could come in the not avoid interference of friends and family mem- nus. You will gain honour and self respect, in the September: 28 way of good relationship. Be sure you have bers into your personal life. A spiritual person year ahead of you. Friends and a good social life, is You are governed by the number 1 and the Sun. Se- all the facts before you speak anything. Even if you might be an important source of inspiration in your what is predicted for most of you. You will be able rious and an introvert by nature, you are often mis- think you are being funny, others may not see it that life during these days. to draw the attention of the opposite sex, with your understood by your friends and loved ones. You are way. Thoughtless remarks and comments could put Pisces:This week financial gains are cer- impressive personality. Some of you may even make unable to express your feeling and emotions to those you in an embarrassing situation. An older family tain, but avoid putting too much money into a special relationship. Those of you who are to be around you. This often leads to misunderstandings. member may be of significant help to you provided any financial schemes just on the advice of others. married, this year, can expect to see happiness and Your warmth nature will draw you to towards those you are willing to give him the chance to speak his Sudden good news later in the week brings happi- good luck in your married life. Proximity to a water in trouble. In the year, ahead of you, you will be do- mind. By focussing on your goals, you will send a ness and cheers for the entire family. Your business body is likely to benefit most of you. You should opt ing a lot of charity work for institutes and organiza- signal of your commitment and dedication to your sense would be upbeat and new ideas will bring you for a transfer, which could take you to a city or town tions, associated with the handicapped. This will seniors. fresh gains. Residential moves will be beneficial. If by a river side or seashore. This will enhance your give you ultimate satisfaction. A word of advice, for Virgo: Financial gains are certain, but there you need to take a break then a pleasure trip with career prospects. You are peaceful by nature and will the coming year – do not trust your friends blindly. would be lot of planning you need to do. loved one will be both relaxing and rewarding. go out of your way to abide by the law. September, If you are lending money, be sure to get it back. You Make a budget for yourself and stick to it to avoid December of 2012 and February, August of 2013 could incur losses, if you trust others blindly. Your financial constraint. There could be a sensitive situ- will be highly eventful. independent nature, will allow you to take important ation at work, which might add lot of pressure to Before you consult... September: 25 decisions on your own and you will not like the in- your mind. Ultimately the outcome will depend on i) Accurate Data: Please make sure Date, You are governed by the planet Neptune and you are terference of others in your work. March, May, June how you handle people around you. Expanding Time and Place of birth is accurate. also influenced by the number 7. You are honest and and August of 2013 will be highly significant. your knowledge and signing for new courses will faithful. Your sincerity and hard work will be re- be beneficial. Someone at home will try to induce ii) Careful: Did you check background of the warded by your seniors, in the year ahead of you. Free Consultation new confidence into you. Investment during this astrologer before disclosing your secrets. You have knowledge of various subjects and this is period will bring long-term gains. coupled with a strong memory. But, sometimes you Learn about the fair value of iii) Fee: Discuss the charges before, don’t feel diamonds & precious stones. Libra: This week some disturbing news shy. It’s his business. tend to be fickle minded. You are inconsistent and makes you worried about relatives who live those around you find it difficult to understand you. from a Gems Expert at distant places. Although you might be much iv) Expectation: Expect the best, if the out- Those of you, in the field of writing and radio talk, For appointment, please call 516-390-7847 tensed, but in reality things would not be that bad. come is not as desired, never give up. will see many opportunities coming your way. You or email [email protected] Avoid travelling unless absolutely necessary. Try to v) Consult: Take second opinion before should do your best, to make the best of these op- A special offer for the readers of go out of the house and mix around with friends spending thousands on cure/remedies. portunities. You will not be bound by social customs The South Asian Times 30 Spiritual Awareness

September 22-28, 2012 TheSouthAsianTimes.info Illumine your self with love

his coming was to enjoy the heart- from a culture in which long hair the trials of life. Once we realize To be truly happy in life, we to-heart and soul-to-soul meeting. or tresses was the style. Whether that time and problems are keeping want to be filled with a love that is This story is not saying that the their hair flows out upon their us away from those blissful lasting. The only permanent love service that Martha was doing was shoulders with their silken, glim- moments between Master and dis- is the love of God, which is divine not good, but it is talking about mering strands that capture the ciple without, and the disciple or spiritual love. Why? When we how worried and upset she was. heart of their disciples or whether meeting the radiant form of the love others in this physical world, She was not lost in love, but their hair is tied up in a bun under Master within, then we will attain we focus on the outer form of the caught up in the trials and troubles a turban, when the turban is the goal of love. person, and forget the inner love of of life. removed the disciples can enjoy It is true that we have some the Divine that connects us. The Yes, service is there, but Martha those lovely tresses. Those tresses responsibilities in life to earn our real love we experience is the was only focused on the tasks at symbolize the love and protection livelihood, take care of our family, heart-to-heart and soul-to-soul hand and criticizing what others of a Master. and perform our duties to our soci- love. The outer form is but a vehi- were doing, without being lost in In this verse by Sant Darshan ety. But within positive mysticism cle or outer packaging that shrouds the love that we need to be lost in Singh Ji Maharaj, the lover wants and performing our duties, we also that true love that is at the core of while doing service and while to be with the Beloved and have need to snatch away as much time that person. looking to find God. That is why those tresses flowing out freely for as possible to devote to spiritual Suppose you had some cereal to By Sant Rajinder Singh Jesus told Martha that Mary had the lover to enjoy. The lover wants love. We need to realize that divine eat. The cereal can be wrapped in a Ji Maharaj made the better choice and that her to look at them and be intoxicated love is the highest pastime of all. plastic baggie, or it can be in a choice to love was not going to be by them. This symbolizes the We need to make time for that box. It is not the bag or the box taken away from her. It is talking ecstasy the disciple experiences every day. Masters have given us that we want to eat, but the cereal f we were to sum up the mes- about Martha who, while doing when in the presence of the the minimum time by which we within them. Similarly, when we sage in all the talks and verses service, was not engaged in love, Master. The verse is saying that can successfully connect with say "I love you" to a person, we Iwritten by the great poet-saint, but instead was distracted, trou- those moments are the most com- love, and that is ten percent of our are directing that love to the Sant Darshan Singh Ji Maharaj, we would find one theme perme- Everyone seeks to love and be loved. Love ates them all. That theme is divine love. is a universal need. From being newborn Just as the atom permeates all babies to our last dying breath, we seek matter, so does divine love perme- love. Children want the love of their par- ate all life. The purpose of all exis- tence is divine love. Divine love ents, family, and friends. As adults we means the love between the soul seek the love of our partner, spouses, and God. This love moved God to family, friends, and children. Listen to create all creation, including each of us, and this love is what draws most people on their deathbed, and they each back to the Creator. have only three words to say to those If we are to commit our life to around their bedside, and that is "I love the highest purpose it would be to illumine ourselves with love. Who you," and those are the last three words should we love? We should love they want to hear from others. God. When we love God, we also love all God’s creation, including bled, upset, and critical of others. forting and blissful times we can time, or two and a half hours a day essence of that person. The outer all humanity and all creatures of That is not how seva with love and have in this life. minimum. That time can be spent wrapper or physical form is not the earth. selflessness is to be performed. Unfortunately, the never-ending in meditation where we contact who we are really loving; we are There is a beautiful story in the This story points to the fact that problems, stresses, and tasks of that love within us. really loving the person’s essence Bible that tells how Jesus and his the highest of all pastimes in this life are pulling the disciple away Everyone seeks to love and be within that form. How do we know disciples were traveling. They world is love. Love can be having from these blissful times. The dis- loved. Love is a universal need. this? Look at how many changes a came to a village where a woman darshan and enjoying the physical ciple always wants to be in the From being newborn babies to our person goes through in life. They named Martha opened her home to presence of the Master and it can moments of bliss that come from last dying breath, we seek love. morph from a tiny infant, to a tod- him. She had a sister named Mary, be performing seva, but only that the presence of the Master. But life Children want the love of their dler, to a school-age child, to a who sat at Jesus’s feet listening to seva which keeps love at the fore- is pulling the disciple and Master parents, family, and friends. As teenager, to an adult, to an adult in what he said. But Martha was dis- front. apart from each other. There is adults we seek the love of our part- his or her thirties, forties, fifties, tracted by all the preparations that Love is the fabric of life. It is the always one excuse after another ner, spouses, family, friends, and sixties, seventies, eighties, had to be made for his visit. most important goal and occupa- that keeps them apart. One day it children. Listen to most people on nineties, and over a hundred. We Martha was annoyed that Mary tion we can have, for it is the only may be that the disciple has to their deathbed, and they have only can love someone through that was only sitting at Jesus’s feet way back to God. If we wish to watch the World Cup competition three words to say to those around entire span of time, although the basking in his love while Martha continue in separation from God, of a favorite team. Another day it their bedside, and that is "I love outer packaging is growing and had to do all the work. Martha then let us only engage in the mil- may be that we have to shop for you," and those are the last three aging. It is the person within that went to Jesus and asked, "Lord, lions of tasks this world has to this thing or that thing. Another words they want to hear from oth- outer form who we love. don’t you care that my sister has offer that take us away from God. day we are growing our business. ers. The secret is that when we tap left me to do the work by myself? If we wish to go back to God, then Another day we are tied up with We feel our life is filled with into loving the essence of that per- Tell her to help me!" Jesus replied, let us engage in the work of this petty problem or another. beauty, warmth, and happiness son, we are tapping into that per- "Martha, Martha, you are worried love.Sant Darshan Singh Ji There is no end to the reasons we when adorned by love. When son’s true nature, and that nature is and upset about many things, but Maharaj has beautifully said in a are pulled away from the moments bereft of love, we feel life is empty love itself. That love is like the only one thing is needed. Mary has verse: of love. and not worth living. genetic code for all life. chosen what is better, and this will Sant Darshan Singh Ji Maharaj not be taken away from her." I could have rested in the is saying that if we wait for some There are different degrees of (To be continued...) This story has caused many to comforting shade of your tresses, time and we complete this task or love we can experience. Most wonder about its meaning. But But there is no time from the that task, resolve this problem or loves of this world, such as Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj those who understand the true never-ending problems of life. that problem, take care of this per- between parent and child, lovers is an internationally recognized meaning of this story realize that son or that person, time will pass and beloveds, spouses, family, and spiritual leader and Master of the heart of the story is love. It is Sant Darshan Singh Ji Maharaj us by. We will never get to the friends are reflections of a higher Jyoti Meditation who affirms the describing that the highest of all in is emphasizing the sad truth that moments of love that are the most love. They are love on a miniature transcendent oneness at the heart life is to love. Mary was lost in we are so caught up in the never- important pastimes in life. Love is scale. They are physical reflections of all religions and mystic tradi- love with her Master, Jesus. She ending problems of life that we the ingredient that makes this life of a love that exists at the level of tions, emphasizing ethical living was enraptured by his glance and never rest in the comforting shade beautiful and worth living. It beau- spirit. These loves of this world and meditation as building blocks by his presence, and she melted of the tresses of the Master. The tifies everything. It fills us with the are but reflections of the love of for achieving inner and outer into ecstasy. The true purpose of Masters have traditionally come nectar of bliss to propel us through God, or divine love. peace. www.sos.org. TheSouthAsianTimes.info September 22-28, 2012

Mr. Kamlesh C. Mehta Mr. Haridas Kotahwala Mr. Ravi Chopra Mr. Gurdev Singh Dr. Tanveer Mir Dr. Parag H. Mehta Mr. Gurdip Singh Narula Mr. Sudhir Vaishnav

718-347-0434 TheSouthAsianTimes.info September 22-28, 2012

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