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Vol.7 No. 34 December 20-26, 2014 60 Cents New York Edition Follow us on TheSouthAsianTimes.info World condemns Peshawar school carnage, looks to Pak to combat terror New Delhi/Peshawar: World leaders from Unfortunately, a day later, Lashkar-e-Taiba's UN chief to President Obama, from Russian commander Zaki-ur Rahman Lakhvi, master- President Putin to Indian Prime Minister mind of the 2008 Mumbai terror attack, was Narendra Modi have strongly condemned the let out on bail. Inevitably, a shocked India barbaric and senseless massacre of over 140 shot back: “Bail to Lakhvi is a mockery of students and teachers at the army school in Pakistan's commitment to fight terror”. Peshawar by Pakistan Taliban on Tuesday. However, a Pakistani government prosecutor For Pakistan it is a national tragedy and said on Friday that the court order granting signs are seen of a new resolve and consen- bail to Lakhvi will be challenged. sus emerging to finally take terrorism head- General Raheel Sharif and the head of ISI on. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said no agency, Rizwan Akhtar flew to Afghanistan more distinguishing between ‘good Taliban’ on Wednesday to seek help in battling the ter- (used tactically to counter Indian influence in rorists behind the Peshawar carnage. "The Afghanistan) and ‘bad Taliban’. The coun- time has arrived for Afghanistan and Pakistan try’s army chief, Gen Raheel Sharif tweeted to act together against terrorism and extrem- on Wednesday, "Asked PM Nawaz Sharif to ism with honesty Continued on page 4 hang all terrorists. More than 3,000 terrorists should be hanged in next 48 hours." The The heartbreaking scene of the army said they have killed many militants in funeral of one of the victims Related stories on fresh strikes since Peshawar attack. of the carnage in Peshawar. page >> 20-21 Sant Chatwal is Dr Murthy makes history as first Indian Four honored at spared jail term in AAPI-QLI gala American to become Surgeon General straw donors case Washington: Dr Vivek Hallegere Murthy has made history as the New York: Indian-American hotelier Sant Singh youngest US Surgeon General Chatwal on Thursday avoided jail time and was and the first of Indian descent sentenced to three with his Senate confirmation in years probation and a the teeth of strong opposition of $500,000 fine on powerful gun lobby. charges of illegally The Democratic controlled donating thousands Senate voted Monday 51-43 to of dollars to political confirm Murthy, 37, as campaigns. Chatwal, 'America's doctor' more than a 70, awarded Padma year after his nomination with the Bhushan in India, Republicans dead set against him and a major fundrais- because of his support for gun er for Hillary control and President Obama's Obama’s pick for US Surgeon Clinton, had pleaded Hotelier Sant Chatwal signature healthcare law. General, Dr Vivek H. Murthy Dr J. Ganesh Bhat (left, seen with his wife guilty in April this has been closely Born in England, Murthy has been confirmed by and Dr Ajay Lodha, AAPI-QLI President), was year to violating the associated with moved with his Indian parents to the US Senate. one of the four prominent physicians recog- Federal Election the Clintons Miami when he was three. nized for their achievements and contribu- Campaign Act by He would become the leading Commissioned Corps, one of the tions at the 19th annual convention of making more than $180,000 in campaign dona- US spokesperson on matters of seven uniformed services includ- American Association of Physicians of tions to three candidates through straw donors and public health. ing army, navy, air force and Indian Origin (AAPI)’s Queens and Long to witness tampering. He was sentenced on He will also be the operational marines. Island chapter in Melville last Saturday. Thursday by US District Judge I Leo Glasser in head of the 6,500-strong US Murthy, a bachelor, has said he Detailed story on page >> 3. the Eastern District of Continued on page 4 Public Health Service Continued on page 4

BOLLYWOOD 18 SUBCONTINENT 20 RELIGION 26 SPIRITUAL AWARENESS 30 excellence in journalism TheSouthAsianTimes.info December 20-26, 2014 TheSouthAsianTimes.info TRISTATE COMMUNITY December 20-26, 2014 3 AAPI-QLI honors 4 distinguished physicians at annual convention

(L to R) Judy Bosworth - Hempstead Town Supervisor; Mrs. Linda Honorees (from left): Dr Samin K. Sharma, Dr Ashok Shaha, and Dr Uma Mysorekar. Mangano, Dr Ravi Jahagirdar - President National AAPI; Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano, Amb. Dnyaneshwar M. Mulay; Dr an overview of AAPIQLI and its ers, they make decisions about year AAPI-QLI participated in the Ajay Lodha - President AAPI-QLI; Dr Shashi Shah, Chair, AAPI growth over the past 19 years to medical and pharma products, Childhood Obesity Awareness Board of Trustees, Dr Madhu Korrapati - President Elect AAPIQLI. become one of the most powerful devices and equipment and prac- Program - generated by national ethnic physicians organizations in tice related services at multiple AAPI. We visited local schools to Melville, NY: Nearly 700 people Huntington. Entertainment, CME the country. AAPIQLI represents levels in hospitals, medical educate the children directly about from across the country came lectures, Singles Speed Dating more than 750 physicians serving schools, etc. obesity and its long-term effects,” together Dec 13 to celebrate the event, Exhibition, Business the community of New York and AAPI-QLI has been actively Lodha said. contributions, achievements and Forums, recognition of four distin- its Counties. Dr. Lodha added that involved in many charitable activi- From the four honored by AAPI- growth of the American guished physicians, etc made the these practicing physicians provide ties, Dr. Lodha said. “With the QLI at the gala, Dr. Ganesh Bhat is Association of Physicians of convention successful. highest quality of care to their cooperation of Nassau County, we currently serving as director on Indian Origin (AAPI) of Queens In his address, Dr. Ajay Lodha, patients and many are serving in are in the process of opening a Kidney Care Council, a and Long Island at the 19th annual President of AAPI-QLI and Vice prominent positions at medical Charitable Health Clinic,” he Washington D.C. based industry convention here at the Hilton President of national AAPI, gave institutions they work for. As lead- announced to loud applause. “This Continued on page 4 NJ residents fear more IALI Home becoming a reality soon robberies despite the arrests Hicksville, NY: The Annual Gener- al Body Meeting of IALI (India As- By SATimes Team more vigilant.” Last month, the IBA organized sociation of Long Island) has en- a seminar titled “Securing Your Neighbor- dorsed the decision of the Execu- New Jersey: Residents of Old Bridge, Edison hoods and Homes” in light of the burglaries tive Council to buy a property for and Plainfield townships in New Jersey are featuring Middlesex County Prosecutor An- IALI Home / India Community still living in fear despite the arrests in con- drew Carey and police chiefs from Edison, Center. The contract to buy the nection with five home invasions of Indian Old Bridge and Plainfield. “There were two property has been signed and clos- families. panels - Law enforcement panel that discussed ing is set to take place next week, All four suspects - Chaka Castro, 39, Juan the investigation and future course of action according to a press release. Olaya, 34, Octavius Scott, 22, and Johnisha and an experts’ panel of officials from bank, As the elections were avoided Williams, 19 - were arrested by Texas police. security and home insurance companies who this year, most of the executive They (two of them being women) were taken discussed safe deposit boxes, security meas- council members remain the same into custody Dec. 7-Dec. 11 according to law ures and liability issues and claims,” said going into 2015. President remains enforcement in two of the Dallas suburbs Poondi. Satnam Singh Parhar; Vice Presi- where too similar crimes allegedly occurred. “The seminar laid out five point agenda -- dent: Bina Sabapathy; Secretary: The Middlesex County home invasions date support the victims, support crime stoppers Rekha Valliappan; and Treasurer: Satnam Singh Parhar, IALI President for from Oct. 20 to Nov. 29: 3 in Old Bridge, one program, organize continued education semi- Gunjan Rastogi. They all took the second term, speaking at the AGM. each in Edison and South Plainfield. nars and encourage neighborhood watch pro- oath of office at the meeting attend- Despite the arrests, the residents of these gram, push for more South Asians in law and ed by about 200 members at Cotillion dent IALI and Chairperson of IALI Home / townships fear more robberies. Said Old order,” he added. restaurant in Jericho on Dec 14. India Community Center, gave a detailed Bridge resident Smita Shah (name changed, Peter Kothari, a community activist based in Mr Parhar in his speech stated that 2014 presentation about the property (92 East Old “We are still vulnerable as South Asians are Woodbridge, said he's grateful for law en- turned out to be a good year for IALI, de- Country Road), along with Prasad Kamb- believed to have large amounts of cash and forcement, but wants the prosecutor's office to spite the tragedy in his family of untimely hampathy (finance chair). Besides office, jewelry at home. I have small children and I release more information about the case. "I death of his son Dr. Romeo. He thanked his the place can also be used to host small pro- am constantly worried about their safety.” don't think the case is closed," Kothari said. executive council for their hard work for the grams like Senior Forum, Sangeet Forum. Since the burglary in her area she has installed "It's just the beginning." Among the most success of IALI programs such as Holi, Youth Forum, Yoga classes, Hindi classes additional doors for added safety, removed all pressing questions: In which state will the sus- Asian American Festival, Gala Fundraiser for children, English and computer classes. Indian decorations in front of her townhouse. pects be tried? Should they be tried on hate Lunch, and Diwali. Mr. Munjal appealed to IALI members to “There is a big sigh of relief,” said Satish crimes charges? And will an additional suspect Parhar justified the idea of buying a small give generously towards the IALI Home. Poondi, the legal adviser for the Iselin-based be charged in connection with the incidents in property for IALI Home to start with “to fit The Treasurer, Ms. Gunjan Rastogi an- Indian Business Association (IBA). He how- New Jersey? Those are all questions that even our budget in terms of price and its mainte- nounced that IALI has $350,000 as of ever added, “This is not the end. We need to be the authorities are not prepared to answer. nance.” he said. Gobind Munjal, past presi- Nov 2014. 4 December 20-26, 2014 TURN PAGE TheSouthAsianTimes.info

World condemns Peshawar.. wrote the letters of support included Dr Murthy makes history as... he is an Indian-American doctor, complication rate, was honored for Continued from page 1 former Indian Prime Minister Dr Continued from page 1 while ethnically satisfying to some, his excellence in the medical field. and effectiveness," Afghan Manmohan Singh, Deepak Chopra, will focus on preventing chronic is really irrelevant except for one Dr. Ashok Shaha, an attending President Ashraf Ghani said in a former Csul Feneral in New York, diseases, efforts to curb smoking, issue: proof positive of America's surgeon on the Head and Neck statement. Pakistan said it had Prabhu Dayal). After the sentencing and programs to improve diets and merit-based generous soul that is at Service at Memorial Sloan- shared intelligence with Ghani. Chatwal told PTI that he is very combat obesity. its core color-blind even as every- Kettering Cancer Center, is current- Pakistan-Afghanistan relations happy with the verdict. "The judicial Applauding the Senate for con- one's blood is red. Vivek will be ly serving as the Jatin P. Shah Chair have been tense for years, each system in this country is very fair," firming Murthy, Obama said "as judged not for his tan, height or in Head and Neck Surgery, and accusing the other of backing anti- he said adding that he has worked to 'America's Doctor,' Vivek will hit plentiful hair - but can he make Professor of Surgery at Cornell government militants. strengthen India-US relations and the ground running to make sure America healthier and drive down University. Meanwhile, experts now assert people-to-people contact and will every American has the information systemic health care costs driven by Dr. Ravi Jahagirdar, President of that America will have to get more continue to do so. Ahead of the sen- they need to keep themselves and bad behavior and bad food; as health national AAPI, in his address high- embroiled in Pakistan’s war on ter- tencing, Chatwal's lawyers had sub- their families safe." care costs are crippling our econo- lighted AAPI’s role in shaping legis- ror, a country which, ironically, has mitted a memorandum seeking "He'll bring his lifetime of experi- my and we need to get in shape to lation in complex challenges con- been supporting America’s war on leniency, urging the court to weigh ence promoting public health to bear compete with the three mandate-rich fronting the healthcare system and terror. Meanwhile, Islamic militancy Chatwal's age and "lifetime of con- on priorities ranging from stopping countries: China, India and now the initiatives AAPI leadership took keeps heaping horror over horror on tribution" to others and the impact new diseases to helping our kids Japan." with key Senators to have Dr. Vivek the world. imprisonment would have on his grow up healthy and strong," Murthy’s confirmation as the next In Iraq, the Islamic State (also family and community in sentencing Obama said in a statement. AAPI-QLI honors 4... US Surgeon General. known as ISIS) group conducted a him. They asked the court to recog- "Vivek will also help us build on Continued from page 3 Amb Dnyaneshwar M. Mulay, mass execution of women in nize that he is a "good man, albeit the progress we've made combating group working with the government Indian Consul General in New York, Fallujah, according to a statement one who erred, whose life has been Ebola, both in our country and at its to improve quality of care for dialy- lauded the contributions of AAPI, issued by the Iraqi government. A distinguished by a devotion to this source," Obama said. sis patients. He is also Chancellor of urging it to have an “upgraded man identified as Abu Anas al-Libi country — his adopted home — and A physician with the Brigham and Xavier University School of role.” Nassau County Executive, killed more than 150 women and a commitment to protecting and Women's Hospital in Boston and an Medicine, Aruba and has served on Edward P. Mangano, in his felicita- girls, some of whom were pregnant, uplifting others". instructor at Harvard Medical the prestigious New York State tion address, said, “Indian American because they refused to accept the Prosecutors however asked the School, Dr Murthy co-founded an Public Health Council. physicians have earned the admira- jihad al-nikah [sexual jihad] that court to reject Chatwal's plea for advocacy group in 2008 called Dr. Uma Mysorekar, a retired tion and respect of those in their ISIS is enforcing in Fallujah." Some leniency saying that he should be Doctors for Obama, a national obstetrician/gynecologist serving as community, working diligently to reports said these women were of sentenced to 46-57 months as set organization of 16,000 doctors and the President of the Hindu Temple provide vital programs and services Yezdi tribe who have been the ISIS forth in the plea agreement he medical students. It later became Society of North America in that contribute to the quality of life target. On Thursday reports came entered with the government, saying Doctors for America and promoted Flushing, NY, was honored for her in Queens, Nassau and Suffolk that armed men suspected to be that he knowingly sought to "under- the Affordable Care Act nicknamed dedication to the Indian American counties in New York.” members of the deadly Boko Haram mine" the American government's Obamacare. community. The event came to a close with group have killed 32 people and transparent electoral system and the Murthy has also founded two Dr. Samin K. Sharma, who per- sumptuous dinner and a live musical abducted 185 others in Gumsuri vil- criminal justice system. other organizations. Visions forms over 1,500 complex coronary performance by Bappi Lahiri and lage in northeast Nigeria's Borno While the charges carried a maxi- Worldwide focuses on rural health interventions annually with minimal his team. state. Among those abducted were mum prison sentence of 25 years, a in India and on HIV/AIDS educa- married women, girls and boys. plea deal with the government tion in India and the US, while ensured Chatwal's prison term TrialNetworks is a software compa- Dalai Lama concedes he may be the last Sant Chatwal is spared jail.. would be less than five years. He ny focused on making drug develop- Rome: Exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama has said he real- Continued from page 1 had also agreed to forfeit US $1 mil- ment and clinical trials more effi- izes that he may be the last to hold the title. But he told the BBC it New York federal court here. lion to the US government. cient. would be better that the centuries-old tradition ceased "at the time of a Chatwal was accompanied by his According to court filings, from Joseph Crowley, Democratic Co- popular Dalai Lama".Appearing on the BBC's Newsnight program dur- wife and son Vikram along with 2007 to 2011, Chatwal used his Chair of Congressional Caucus on ing a visit to Rome for the 14th World Summit of Nobel Laureates, the several friends and family members. employees, business associates and India and Indian-Americans, said 79-year-old spiritual leader conceded that he may not have a successor. He repeatedly apologized to the contractors who performed work on "the confirmation of the first sur- Whether another Dalai Lama came after him would depend on the judge for his mistakes and said he his hotels to solicit campaign contri- geon general of Indian descent is a circumstances after his death and was "up to the Tibetan people", he had been humbled by the experi- butions on Chatwal's behalf in sup- victory for the entire Indian- said. He pointed out that the role no longer included political responsi- ence. The judge said Chatwal should port of various candidates for feder- American community, whose young bilities; in 2011 the Dalai Lama handed these to an elected leader of the also continue doing the community al office and political action com- children will grow up knowing that Tibetan government in exile, Lobsang Sangay. The move was seen by service that his friends and family mittees, collect these contributions, anything is within their reach." many as a way the Dalai Lama could ensure the Tibetan community have detailed in nearly 300 letters of and pay reimbursements for these Dr Ravi Batra, eminent New York would have an elected leader in place outside the control of China. support to the court (those who contributions. attorney, said in a statement, “That China has said repeatedly that it will choose the next Dalai Lama.

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The editor/publisher does not warrant accuracy and cannot be held responsible for the content of the advertisements placed in the publication and/or inaccurate claims, if any, made by the advertisers. Advertisements of business or facilities included in this publication do not imply connection or endorsement of these businesses. All rights reserved. TheSouthAsianTimes.info TRISTATE COMMUNITY December 20-26, 2014 5 The undocumented flock to workshops for deportation relief By Jinal Shah Times that they have been distrib- by 25-30 people each time. The tion sessions and expert panels to floating around now, like people uting flyers on streets and holding numbers are low compared to the discuss implications of the new charging exorbitant fees to fill out New York: Eager to see if they information sessions to inform un- number of undocumented immi- policy. applications for deportation relief. qualify for deportation relief, un- documented immigrants. “We have grants in the area. However, Fahd “The expert panel will look at the “As we see this plan come into documented immigrants are flock- two components to our outreach said it will rise once the full plan is policy debate, the history of South action, we want to make sure that ing to amnesty workshops held by program – information sessions rolled out. Asian immigration, and the legal all consumers know their rights community organizations, reli- and community defence,” he said “The other component to our pro- implication of the President’s exec- and give people ability to find qual- gious centers and legal associa- adding, “The flyers were given to gram is community defense; it is utive action,” said Dhiren Amin, ified lawyers to help with their le- tions. The President’s recent an- cab drivers, women working in sa- for those among seven million ille- president of IBA. “The discussion gitimate claims. Sometimes these nouncement promising work per- ree shops, restaurant workers and gal immigrants who will not quali- is about its implications for the folks are intimidated by the thought mits and protection from deporta- other South Asian dominated pock- fy for Obama’s executive amnesty community,” he added. Mahesh of going to a lawyer or fear great tion made a splash but lawyers and ets in Jackson Heights, Queens and may run a high risk of deporta- Shah, an IBA trustee pointed out expense but there are certainly af- immigration advocates say the ses- area. The flyers simply state the tion. We are encouraging them to that the President’s announcement fordable legal services which are sions are crucial to dispel rumors historical context of the informa- register with us so that we can raise will also impact many students. safe and secure and we will be about eligibility, ward off fraud and tion, status of the executive order, a collective voice.” “Many have come here for ad- working round the clock to make help immigrants determine what information on who qualifies and Religious organizations such as vanced studies and entered into sure people know these are avail- they might need to apply. who doesn’t, and where people can the Islamic Center in New York various graduate programs.” able,” said Neena Dutta, chair of Fahd Ahmad, executive director get legal advice.” and business associations such as Immigration advocates are also the New York Chapter of American of Desis Rising Up and Moving So far DRUM has organized two Indian Business Association in warning the undocumented to Immigration Lawyers Association (DRUM) told The South Asian such information sessions attended New Jersey are holding informa- avoid various fraudulent schemes (AILA). Roshni Media Group announces How the kids who swam to school in Gujarat were helped New York: Ratna Bhalla had set Leadership Awards Gala aside her annual vacation from her job at Nassau County, NY, where she serves as Deputy Director of Emer- gency Housing, for a family trip to Disney World in Florida. Instead, she ended up in Sajanpura, a remote tribal village in Gujarat. A few weeks prior to that, her hus- band, Varinder Bhalla, a mechanical The Bhallas (left) carried a motor boat from New York to give engineer, came across a news report and help the students. about children from several tribal villages in the Chhota Udepur dis- by similarly helping others in need. done their homework,” says Kantib- trict swimming across the Hiran Riv- “Crossing the river with the help of hai Baria, Principal of the Sri Mas- er to reach school in Utavadi village; a brass pot was fearful and it would tram Vinay Vidya Mandir, the school some of them holding a big brass pot take almost 45 minutes and then attended by the village kids. to stay afloat. Contacting the vil- many of us sat in class in drenched In this project, the Bhallas were lagers and the school authorities he clothes,” Piyush Kumar Kanubhai joined by volunteers of Bhagwan discussed possible solutions to the recounts the experience of over 100 Shree Lakshmi Narayan Dham, a (L to R): New York Consul General Dnyaneshwar Mulay wel- students’ daily travail, finally settling teens from 16 tribal villages such as charitable and spiritual organization, comes the guests; Shalley Pathak, Dr. Rashmee Sharma, for “transporting the students across Sajanpura, Chamarwada, Angadi, which donated a battery for the mo- designer Bibhu Mohapatra and Mani Kamboj. by an inflatable motor boat, we car- Kukreli, Nandpur, Sitaphali and tor boat as it could not be carried ried from New York with life jackets Dharmapura. “Now with the motor from New York on the aircraft. Then, New York, NY: Roshni Media 5. "Over the past 10 years, we've and accessories”, says Mr. Bhalla. boat, we cross the river easily in a Inphynyt, India’s leading manufac- Group, a multi-media platform honored and interviewed so many The Bhallas trained the village eld- couple of minutes. We reach the turer of automotive and industrial known for its award-winning cof- incredible and inspirational people ers to safely navigate the boat. The school on time and can better con- batteries, donated a costly marine fee table books profiling accom- who serve as role models to the day the boat was launched, the kids’ centrate on our studies.” battery. plished global leaders from various younger generation. We want to excitement knew no bounds. The vil- Narpat Singh Chauhan, an elder On why the Gujarat government fields and industries, announced recognize them publicly for their lagers too heaved a sigh of relief as from the Sewada village, is grateful could not remedy the situation, Mr. this week that the organization will achievements and contributions, as they welcomed the Bhalla couple to the Bhallas for helping “our Bhalla says, “No government in the be hosting its first-ever "Roshni part of our mission to create global with garlands. “For me and my wife, teenage kids who for years were go- world should be expected to solve all Media Awards Gala" in May of diversity awareness," said Sharma. it was one of the most fulfilling days ing through a life threatening ordeal problems of the society. We need to 2015 at the iconic Taj Pierre Hotel Some elite New Yorkers who at- of our lives,” says Mr. Bhalla. “It to reach school.” inculcate the spirit of volunteerism in New York City. tended the cocktail reception in- was as good as going to Disney Besides the motor boat, the Bhal- in India so that people blessed with Dr. Rashmee Sharma, founder of cluded: Bibhu Mohapatra, Nandita World,” chips in Ratna Bhalla. las also gifted life jackets and rain- success and financial resources Roshni Media, along with Part- Bakhshi, H.R. Shah, Kamesh Na- The kids are dedicated to their coats for the boat journey and bicy- come forward and solve such ner/President Mani Kamboj, made garajan, Aroon Shivdasani, Farooq studies and determined to succeed. cles for those who had to walk to problems.” the announcement at a curtain rais- Kathwari, Dr. Chitranjan Ranawat, They consider the gift of boat from school after crossing the river. The Bhallas are back in New York er event hosted by New York Con- Martin Jeiven, Pooja Kumar Math- the Bhallas’ AWB Food Bank chari- “Thanks to the boat donation by but keep in touch with the villagers sul General Dnyaneshwar Mulay at ur, Poorva Bedi and Sheetal Sheth, ty as a loan and are committed to re- the NRIs, kids are now reaching and the children they helped in the Indian Consulate on December to name a few. turn this debt when successful in life school in time, in dry clothes, having Gujarat. 6 December 20-26, 2014 NATIONAL COMMUNITY TheSouthAsianTimes.info

IN BRIEF Upset Hindus urge withdrawal of Pranathy Gangaraju crowned Kali mural from Brooklyn Museum Miss India USA 2014 indus are upset over “inappropri- ate” portrayal of Hindu goddess HKali in a mural at Brooklyn Mu- seum. This 60-foot mixed-media goddess Kali wall mural is part of recently opened “Eyes of Time” exhibition at Brooklyn Museum which is scheduled till July 12. It shows Kali with three legs, three breasts and six arms. Its face is a clock with no actual time. Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a press statement said that goddess Kali was highly revered in Hinduism and was meant to worshiped in temples or home shrines and not to be thrown around loosely in reimagined versions for dra- Lehman to tender a formal public apolo- matic effects on museum walls. Such ab- gy. Rajan Zed stressed that Hindus were surd depiction of goddess Kali with no for free speech as much as anybody else if scriptural backing was hurtful to the devo- not more. But faith was something sacred Chairman and founder of IFC Dharmatma Saran with the winners tees. and attempts at belittling it hurt the devo- Such trivialization of goddess Kali was tees. Museums should be more sensitive n a glittering function organized on mita Dodwadkar of Massachuseets was disturbing to the devotees world over, while handling faith related subjects, Zed December 14 at the Royal Albert’s also crowned the First Ever Mrs. India Zed, who is President of Universal Socie- added. Goddess Kali, who personifies IPalace, Fords, New Jersey, Pranathy USA in the same pageant. ty of Hinduism, stated and urged Brook- Shakti or divine energy and considered Gangaraju of Georgia was crowned Miss Pranathy, 19, is a student majoring in lyn Museum to withdraw it. Zed also the goddess of time and change, is widely India USA 2014. Miss India USA is the Film Acting and Production. She will rep- asked Museum’s Director Arnold L. worshiped in Hinduism. oldest running Indian pageant outside of resent USA in the Twenty Fourth Annual India. Miss India Worldwide Pageant, also or- The thirty third annual pageant was or- ganized by IFC, to be held in Goa, India ganized by the New York-based IFC, in June of 2016. headed by Dharmatma Saran, Founder The First Ever Mrs. India USA Namita Honors student Rwanda-bound and the Chief Organizer of the Pageant. Dodwadkar, 28, is a Senior Scientist at Riya Kaur from New Jersey was Novartis and holds a Ph. D. in Pharma- to study genocide aftermath crowned Miss Teen India USA and Na- ceutical Sciences.

wenty years af- vant to what I want to ter the genocide do.” Tthere claimed Through workshops, Former TOI editor Gautam Adhikari more than 800,000 site visits, advocacy lives, Suprita Datta, a meetings and volunteer City College of New service with joins CAP as Senior Fellow York undergraduate grassroots NGOs, the ormer Times of India Executive Edi- Adhikari joins CAP’s India: 2020 project, travels to Rwanda De- GYC delegation will tor Gautam Adhikari will join Center an initiative focused on elevating the foreign cember 26 to study how learn and act on numer- Ffor American Progress’s National Se- policy debates in South Asia by looking at post-conflict societies ous key human rights is- curity and International Policy team as a the short- and long-term U.S. policy priori- develop. sues in Rwanda. Senior Fellow. He will work with other re- ties and analyzing the gap that exists be- A junior in the In addition, Datta, a searchers and policy experts to provide ex- tween the current realities and hopes for the Macaulay Honors Col- Colin Powell Fellow, will pert insight into U.S.-India relations and U.S.-India relationship. He is the founding lege at CCNY majoring also examine the roots of CAP’s work with progressives around the editor of Mumbai’s Daily News & Analysis, in international studies, the 1994 Rwandan geno- world. or DNA, and has held several academic and Datta is one of five stu- Suprita Datta cide, and see how its “Gautam has been a strong voice for pro- public policy fellowships, including serving dents and professionals legacy has impacted the gressive policies and values and a strong ad- as a resident fellow and adjunct lecturer in from the United States selected by Glob- country and its people, particularly vocate of the U.S.-India relationship since public policy at the Shorenstein Center on al Youth Connect (GYC) for the two- Rwandan youth. Last spring, Datta re- the 1990s,” said CAP Vice President for Na- Media, Politics and Public Policy at Harvard week trip. “This gives me a chance to do ceived a William R. Kenan Scholarship tional Security and International Policy University, a J.B. and Maurice C. Shapiro what I want to do outside the classroom,” from the Macaulay Honors College for Vikram Singh. “We could not be more fellow at George Washington University and said Ms. Datta, whose concentration is demonstrated commitment to service and pleased to have Gautam contributing to our senior resident fellow at the International conflict stabilization. “This is really rele- civic engagement. India: 2020 program and our Global Forum for Democratic Studies at the Na- Progress initiative.” tional Endowment for Democracy.

and prosecutors said victims of the travel Muhammad Asif and Rana Muhammad scam included a woman who was seven- Tariq of Pakistan, Zubair Dar, Sarfraz 10 indicted in $1 M India travel scam months-pregnant and was unable to com- Khan and Manjeet Singh of Queens and plete a leg of her scheduled trip, family Muhammad Arif of Brooklyn. our Pakistani citizens were among credit card information obtained illegally, members who were not able to attend a According to the indictment, between the 10 travel agents indicted for run- were able to steal more than a million dol- relative's wedding and an individual who June 2012 and November 2014, the agents Fning a fraudulent business and steal- lars from the 200 victims. was prevented from visiting a sick father operated a business involving multiple in- ing over a million dollar from nearly 200 The defendants placed advertisements in in India. The defendants, four of whom corporated travel agencies--including India-bound travelers, who were left Indian-American publications throughout live in Pakistan, are each charged in an in- Bombay Travel and Tours, Raj Travel, stranded in the US. the US that offered competitively priced dictment in New York State Supreme Gandhi Travel, Patel Travel and Maha Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus tickets to and from popular destinations in Court on varying counts of grand larceny, Guru Travel--and several bank accounts Vance announced the indictment of the 10 India. identity theft and scheme to defraud. that were fraudulently opened in the name individuals connected to a commercial The fraudulent activity disrupted many The agents indicted are Sadaqat Ali of of the travel agencies, using falsified pass- travel scam in which the agents, using victims' long- planned international travel Bronx, Sumit Chawla, Shah Nawaz Kiani, ports and licenses. TheSouthAsianTimes.info NATIONAL COMMUNITY December 20-26, 2014 7 Ami Bera, George Holding are new Vivek Murthy’s appointment co-chairs of India caucus is a huge victory for us: AAPI Washington, DC: On Tuesday, their local Senators, sent letters Washington, DC: Ami Bera, economic and strategic rela- Vivek Murthy was confirmed as and emails, but the entire AAPI the lone Indian-American US tionship between our coun- the Surgeon General of America Executive Committee was on the House member, a Democrat, tries and to advocate for the by US Senate. Feeling proud in Capitol Hill repeatedly in the and Republican George Indian American community." this victory is the American past several months educating Holding will serve as the new "As Republican Chair of the Association of Physicians of Senators of the need to appoint a co-chairs of the Congressional India Caucus, George will Indian Origin (AAPI). The "top doc" to lead the nation, and Caucus on India and Indian focus in on growing the rela- Senate confirmation of Vivek to confirm the nomination of Americans in the new tionship between our two Murthy as Surgeon General is a Murthy, he said. "Our role was Congress. democracies, emphasizing our "huge victory" for the Indian- educational and advocacy. Their appointment was nations' shared interests from American doctors as it reaffirmed During the Ebola crisis you could announced Thursday by the global security to trade and that a man of impeccable creden- see that the health department outgoing co-chairs Democrat international prosperity," said tials cannot be kept down for too had no direction and was a sorry Joseph Crowley and Roskam. long, community members and spectacle." Jahagirdar said. Even Republican Peter Roskam, The US-India bilateral rela- US lawmakers have said. on Monday, the day of voting, ahead of the first session of tionship "can be one of the "It is a huge victory for the citi- AAPI ran television ads urging the Congress starting January defining partnerships of this zens of USA, physicians and as Indian Americans to call their Indian Americans" an elated Senators to support Murthy. 6. Bera's "passion for the Dr Ami Bera century," Holding said. issues is impressive, and there He too looked to advancing president of American The appointment only reaf- is no question the Caucus will Congress," Bera said he was the efforts of the Caucus as Association of Physicians of firmed the old American adage be in excellent hands," Crowley "excited to take on this new role "With a shifting geopolitical sit- Indian Origin (AAPI) Ravi "you cannot keep a good man said. at a critical time for the partner- uation in Asia, unwavering Jahagirdar said on Monday. down"! he said. Senator Dianne "The Indian-American com- ship between the US and India." cooperation between the US and He said for the past several Feinstein said the Senate put munity has a wonderful partner Building on Prime Minister India is essential to promoting months AAPI leadership had public health over special inter- in Ami Bera, and I look forward Narendra Modi's visit to the US peace and stability." taken it as a challenge to seek ests by voting to confirm Vivek to working with him, and the in September and President Formed in 1993, the 180 justice denied for over a year to a Murthy to be the next surgeon entire India Caucus, as we con- Barack Obama's upcoming trip member India Caucus is a bipar- doctor with impeccable creden- general. "The United States faces tinue our efforts to strengthen to India, he looked forward to tisan group of members dedicat- tials. Jahagirdar said AAPI mem- serious public health challenges relations between the US and working with the Caucus mem- ed to championing strong ties bers got active from the grass and we need a top doctor on the India," he said. "As the only bers "to continue to grow the between the US and India and roots level all the way to the top job to help address them," Indian American serving in supporting the Indian-American leadership. They not only called she said. Rajiv Shah to step down as USAID Administrator in Feb 2015 Washington, DC: Indian- "Raj has been an outstanding American Rajiv Shah, a trained Administrator, a creative innova- medical doctor and health econo- tor, and a dynamic leader. After mist, Wednesday announced his five years, he absolutely deserves decision to step down as this transition, and he leaves Administrator of the United States USAID after making a dramatic Agency for International mark — transforming this insti- Development (USAID) in mid- tution into one that's more entre- February 2015 after serving in the preneurial, more modern, and high-profile assignment for a little more nimble, while promoting over five years. Rajiv Shah to step resilient democracies and bat- US President Barack Obama down after serving tling extreme poverty across the had appointed Dr Shah to the in the high-profile globe," Mr Kerry said in a state- position on November 10, 2009. assignment for a ment. "... for these last two years Dr Shah was serving as Under little over five years as Secretary of State, I’ve Secretary for Research, Education enjoyed the chance to work with and Economics and Chief Scientist at the US Raj daily, and I’ve been impressed by his Department of Agriculture (USDA). fresh thinking and his ability to come inside "I want to thank President Obama for the government and remain a change agent, par- honor of serving our country these past five ticularly in driving a paradigm shift towards a years as Administrator of the U.S. Agency for new model of innovation, investment, and International Development. Thanks to his partnerships," he said. leadership and the extraordinary commitment "Raj will be known not just as USAID’s of our nation’s development experts, America 16th Administrator, but as the Administrator is the unquestioned leader in eliminating the who reached up, and reached out, bringing a scourges of extreme poverty, hunger, and whole new set of stakeholders to the table, child death worldwide," he said. enlisting the help of non-governmental differ- Dr Shah said that it was with mixed emo- ence makers including corporations, founda- tions that he had informed Mr Obama and tions, advocacy groups, and faith-based com- Secretary of State John Kerry today that he munities. would step down as Administrator in mid- "Those partnerships are essential to creating February 2015. the kind of sustainable change that builds He dwelt at length on the achievements of from generation to generation, ending cycles the agency across the world in the past five of poverty and bringing societies to new lev- years and said it was today better positioned els of social and economic development. And than at any other time in its 53-year history to those are the partnerships that Raj built. What solve the greatest challenges facing humanity. a legacy," he added. 8 December 20-26, 2014 NATIONAL COMMUNITY TheSouthAsianTimes.info US firm replicates India model to create IT jobs for women Washington, DC: An information Up America program has already are the largest and fastest-growing technology services company is us- graduated over 200 women in six career sectors worldwide, especial- ing a program developed in India to different cities and all are currently ly in the US, he said. create jobs worldwide and train and employed by UST Global, said Pil- Yet the number of trained people place minority women in high- lai, co-founder of Softek Systems required to fill technology jobs al- quality IT jobs in ten cities across in India. New York was the latest ways falls short. America. city to join the program. The grand Along with this talent gap, the After its "impressive work" in In- vision of the program is to create technology industry's biggest chal- dia and Mexico, the Aliso Viejo, 5000 new jobs for minority women lenge is severe under-representa- Calif.-based UST Global is plan- to enter tech careers by 2020, Pillai tion of women and minorities in the ning to launch additional programs said. Asked how the model has fields of STEM. in Africa in 2015, according to its been adapted for the U.S., he said: Some 27 percent of the U.S. Indian American CEO Sajan Pillai. "After seeing the success and how workforce is made up of minorities "UST Global has successfully societies transformed in Mexico, and women; yet only three percent trained over 20,000 college gradu- India, and other parts of the world, of STEM jobs are held by minori- ates throughout the world, includ- there was no doubt we would be ties, Pillai noted. ing approximately 15,000 in India able to do the same thing in the "We aim to move the needle of alone," and is currently deploying US." this issue through our nationwide in Spain, Malaysia and the Philip- To refine the material for the Step initiative, Step IT Up America," he UST Global CEO Sajan Pillai welcomes Vice President Joe Biden pines, among others, says Pillai. IT Up America students, UST said, "as we continue our launches at its STEM Initiative Step IT Up in Detroit For over 14 years, UST Global Global is working in conjunction in other cities in the U.S." has refined its training program to ence and engineering graduate 30,000 students," he said. Ten thou- with Mentor Global, an internation- So far, the majority of SIUA's equip associates with the necessary from the College of Engineering at sand of these will be employed by al technology training company. students have been of African skills required to be successful in Thiruvananthapuram in India. UST Global, Pillai said. As of Oc- "These formulas are different, but American and Latina ethnicities, providing technology services, he "In large part due to our reputa- tober this year over 900 Mexican the end goal is always the same. We said Pillai, who was recently cho- said. tion and success in India, the gov- university graduates have complet- aim to transform lives through sen as one of the elite 100 CEO "We aim for this to be a global oc- ernment of Mexico invited UST ed the training program and about technology," Pillai said. Informa- leaders in STEM by STEMConnec- currence where we continue to cre- Global to establish a Center of Ex- 600 are now working for UST tion technology and other Science, tor. But the program remains open ate jobs for people and countries in cellence, in partnership with former Global. Technology, Engineering, and to all minority women residing in need," said Pillai, a computer sci- president Vicente Fox, to train In the U.S., UST Global's Step IT Mathematics (STEM) occupations ten cities across the U.S., he said. Sikh Float to make history Akshaya Patra raises $247,000 with Rose Parade debut The Indus Entrepreneurs at SF Bay Area Gala California: In celebration of its 125- honors three Indian-Americans year history, the Sikh American com- munity will have its own float in the Milpitas, CA: Akshaya Patra, was amazed at how much of an Washington, DC: Three Indian-American entrepreneurs 2015 Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif. the world’s largest NGO serving impact a meal can make in help- have been felicitated by The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE) with on New Year’s Day, marking the first daily midday meals to children ing kids pursue their dreams.” its annual legend awards in recognition of their risk-taking, time the Indian American community in India, raised over $247,000 at Gururaj “Desh” Deshpande, mentoring of young entrepreneurs, philanthropy and years of will be represented in the annual parade their annual Food for Education Indian American philanthropist, dedication to the local community. The awards were present- of flowers, music and sports. Benefit Gala on Dec. 6 at the entrepreneur, and chairman of ed to Ken Bajaj, Frank Islam and Sharad Tak at the annual With the theme “A Sikh American India Community Center, India Akshaya Patra USA, noted the gala of TiE DC attended by top Indian-American entrepre- Journey,” the historic float will focus on West reported. organization’s goals to feed five neurs from Maryland, Virgina and Washington DC. the values of Sikh Americans and their A crowd of more than 250 phi- million children daily by 2020 Bajaj founded AppNet, a Web design and e-commerce inte- contributions to American society. The lanthropists, business, and gov- and welcomed all event atten- gration firm, which grew to be the fourth largest interactive float, which is currently under construc- ernment leaders was welcomed dees. media services company in the US. tion, will chronicle the history of Sikhs by the foundation. The event also featured AppNet was sold to Commerce One in 2000 for $2 billion. in America, from their early pioneering Barbara Kinney, award-win- Infosys CEO Vishal Sikka as the Islam founded IT company, the QSS Group in 1994, and days in the late 1800s to the present day, ning photojournalist and White guest of honor, who spoke about built it to 2,000 employees before selling it to Perot Systems where they hold important roles in all House photographer to President the importance of meeting the in 2007. He is known for his philanthropist activities. walks of life. The Rose Parade float is Bill Clinton, was the evening’s primal need for food to prepare Tak is an entrepreneur in the fields of computer systems, the brainchild of United Sikh Mission keynote speaker. She spoke for the world of tomorrow. telecommunications, broadcasting, and power plant develop- president and chairman Rashpal Singh about her travels and showed The CEO of Akshaya Patra ment. Dhindsa. He began spearheading the pictures of the Bill Clinton USA, Emily Rosenbaum, told In his remarks, Islam urged young entrepreneurs not to movement for participation in the Foundation’s trip to Akshaya personal anecdotes about her waste time in trying to emulate someone else's business. parade in early 2010 and after a series Patra schools and kitchens last travels to India, and talked about "Don't be a 'me too business'. Don't be a clone. Find your of meetings and presentations, secured July in Jaipur and Lucknow. Akshaya Patra’s impact on erad- inner entrepreneur. Create a mission, vision and set of values the float for the 2015 parade. Funds for “Visiting the kitchens was a icating poverty and malnourish- that are unique to your enterprise. Be the best you can be. the float have been raised within the very eye-opening experience,” ment in ten states, 24 kitchens, Make it your journey. Stay true to you," Islam said. Sikh American community. Visit Kinney told India-West. “I loved and 10,601 schools throughout Addressing young Indian-Americans, Tak told them that sikhfloat.com for more information. seeing the smiling kids and India. entrepreneurship is in their genes. TheSouthAsianTimes.info US AFFAIRS December 20-26, 2014 9 Race to 2016 Effort to draft Warren Third Bush getting ready to run for 2016 kicks off Washington: The effort draft Warren, presumably Washington: Jeb Bush’s announcement to draft Massachusetts to run against likely Dem- Tuesday that he is actively exploring a 2016 Democratic Sen. Eliza- ocratic frontrunner presidential run scrambles the large Republi- beth Warren into the 2016 Hillary Clinton. The can field, thrusting him to the front of the pack presidential race official- group said it is is going and locking up a huge swath of longtime par- ly kicked off Wednesday “all in” on the Warren ef- ty fundraisers being wooed by other candi- evening in a Des Moines, fort, and committed dates, reports Washington Post. Iowa coffee shop, and the $250,000 to the campaign Bush, the 61-year-old son of one president campaign is at least a Wednesday. and the brother of another, declared in a Face- quarter-million dollars Move On pledged $1 book post Tuesday that he intends to set up a richer than it was just a million last week. “Our leadership PAC in January to “discuss the few hours earlier. Three job is to make the grass- most critical challenges facing our exception- liberal groups involved in roots Run Warren Run al nation.” the effort to push Warren movement so loud His potential candidacy raises the prospect to run joined together for that…she feels the need that the upcoming White House race will be a Jeb Bush, who favors immigration the launch event in the to answer her nation’s call dynastic match between Bush and former reform and common core, is seen as a key presidential state, in- to serve. And that’s exact- Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, centrist in the GOP. cluding MoveOn.org, ly what we’re going to do who is the heavy favorite for the Democratic which threw its support Left leaning Dems are salivating together,” said Annie nomination if she chooses to run. Bush’s declared interest also punctures the behind the effort last at the prospect of a presidential Weinberg, Democracy for But first, Bush would have to get through rationale for a candidacy by Mitt Romney, the week; the super PAC run by Senator Elizabeth Warren, America’s electoral direc- the GOP primaries, where his conservative 2012 GOP nominee who occupies a similar Ready for Warren; and which will, at the minimum, shake tor. The groups will work credentials are likely to be challenged by ac- space within the party establishment. Democracy for America up the ‘inevitable’ candidate together to open offices in tivists on the right who scorn his support for A Washington Post-ABC News poll re- (DFA), which grew out of Hillary Clinton. key states like Iowa and immigration and education reform. leased Tuesday found Bush with a narrow Howard Dean’s 2004 New Hampshire, recruit For now, the early move by the former edge over a crowded field of potential GOP presidential campaign, reports NPR. volunteers, find small-dollar donors and create Florida governor is expected to severely un- contenders if Romney were not in the race. DFA said last week that it intended to join ads to promote the draft campaign. Dean is dercut the financial backing for other possible Bush garners 15 percent support among Re- the pro-Warren campaign, but wanted ap- supporting Clinton in the 2016 race, even 2016 contenders — especially New Jersey publicans and GOP-leaning independents, proval from its members first. The members though the organization built from his cam- Gov. Chris Christie, Texas Gov. Rick Perry with Sen. Rand Paul (Ky.) and Rep. Paul Ryan have now spoken, and a whopping 87.6% said paign – and run by his brother – supports and Sen. Marco Rubio (Fla.). (Wis.) each netting 11 percent. the group should move ahead with the plan to Warren. Fed confident on growth, opens Cuomo to ban fracking door wider to rate hike Washington: The Federal Reserve on of meetings," meaning April of next year at in upstate NY Wednesday offered a strong signal that it the earliest. was on track to raise interest rates some- U.S. stock markets and bond yields rose New York: Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said Wednesday time next year, altering a pledge to keep as investors digested a statement that he will block drilling for natural gas using a technique rates near zero for a "considerable time" in evinced faith in the economy while still called horizontal hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, which environmentalists have warned is a threat to a show of confidence in the U.S. economy. projecting a slow-going approach to rate public health, but upstate New York residents saw as Closing out a two-day meeting against a hikes. The dollar rallied broadly against a much-needed boost to the economy. backdrop of solid domestic growth but major currencies. State officials concluded that fracking, as the trouble overseas, the U.S. central bank said After some initial volatility, futures mar- method is known, could contaminate the air and wa- it would take a "patient" approach in de- kets continued to point to a rate rise in Sep- ter and pose inestimable dangers to public health. ciding when to bump borrowing costs tember, while 13 of 19 big Wall Street That conclusion was delivered during a year-end higher. firms polled by Reuters said they expected cabinet meeting convened by Cuomo in Albany. It Fed Chair Janet Yellen told a news con- an increase by June, in line with results came amid increased calls by environmentalists to ban ference that "patient" meant the policy-set- from a November survey. fracking, which uses water and chemicals to release ting Federal Open Market Committee was The Fed has held benchmark overnight natural gas trapped in deeply buried shale deposits. unlikely to hike rates for "at least a couple rates near zero since December 2008. Even the Obamas have faced racism Washington: President and zine. On one occasion, she said, The first lady also described Michelle Obama personally her husband “was wearing a being mistreated at a Target identify with everyday experi- tuxedo at a black-tie dinner, and store in suburban Washington, Michelle ences of racial bias in America somebody asked him to get cof- during a shopping trip she took Obama was that have underpinned recent fee.” President Obama said he's in 2011. mistreated protests across the country, they even been mistakenly treated as "Even as the first lady," she at a Target told People magazine in an in- a valet. told the magazine, "during the store in terview released this week. “There’s no black male my wonderfully publicized trip I suburban “Barack Obama was a black age, who’s a professional, who took to Target, not highly dis- Washington man that lived on the South Side hasn’t come out of a restaurant guised, the only person who in 2011. of Chicago, who had his share of and is waiting for their car and came up to me in the store was a troubles catching cabs," somebody didn’t hand them woman who asked me to help Michelle Obama told the maga- their car keys," he said. her take something off a shelf." 10 December 20-26, 2014 INDIA TheSouthAsianTimes.info Conversion row stalls Upper House Don't cross 'Lakshman rekha', Modi tells party MPs New Delhi: Prime Minister in parliament should reach peo- Narendra Modi again warned ple. "Our party agenda is devel- BJP MPs against crossing the opment and good governance "Lakshman Rekha" (limits) by and we should not dither from it. making controversial statements, We will not allow dilution or party sources said. deviation from our commit- In his speech at the BJP parlia- ment," he said. mentary party meeting, Modi The sources said that the ruling said that the party will not allow party feels that controversial any deviation from government's comments were "derailing the development and good gover- Minister Sadhvi development agenda" of the gov- nance agenda. Niranjan Jyoti ernment and is uniting the oppo- On party membership, he said sition against it. This is the sec- Saffron organizations in the past few days have intensified their the “home coming” that every booth in the country should have at ond time the prime minister has warned MPs program in states after Agra, Uttar Pradesh. least 10 primary members and party activities against making communal remarks in the New Delhi: The uproar over reported reli- Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs should be given utmost priority. meeting of parliamentary party, held every gious conversion and comments by members Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi called the comment According to sources, Modi also said that Tuesday. from the ruling BJP continued to rock the "unacceptable". development work undertaken by the party's Earlier, following controversial comments Rajya Sabha this week, forcing several Congress leader Digvijaya Singh said: MPs must be "visible and not just on paper" by minister Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti, Modi had adjournments and stalling proceedings. "When the prime minister is in parliament, and the government's work and performance cautioned MPs to avoid such comments. The government, however, managed to why not accept the opposition's demand and introduce in the house a bill to make stringent come to the house?" laws on hijacking, even as opposition mem- The house saw repeated adjournments and bers raised slogans. angry exchanges, as both the ruling and the VHP to organise 'ghar wapasi' in The upper house, where the government is opposition parties blamed each other for the in minority, earlier lost nearly five days of disruptions. government business over a row on minister Chairman Hamid Ansari suspended Sonia Gandhi's constituency Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti's comments, and is lag- Congress member V. Hanumantha Rao for the ging far behind the Lok Sabha in transacting day as he went up to his podium and raised Lucknow: The Vishwa Hindu Parishad and its affiliates. government business. slogans. (VHP) announced its plan to organize a 'Ghar The VHP leader said the group plans to con- The session had just four working days left. Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) Wapasi' (home coming) program in Rae duct "ghar wapasi" of about 100 families and Congress leader Anand Sharma made it leader Sitaram Yechury also raised the issue, Bareli, Congress president Sonia Gandhi's as soon as this target is met, a date would be clear that the party will not let the house func- saying he wanted to raise a "point of disor- parliamentary constituency. announced for the re-conversion to Hinduism. tion unless Prime Minister Narendra Modi der". Anand Sharma complained that the VHP's Rae Bareli district unit chief Harish The district administration, however, said comes. opposition members were not being allowed Chandra Sharma said the saffron group has the state government has made it clear that The opposition was also upset that the prime to speak. identified 60 families who were ready for such events cannot be allowed. "So far, we are minister made a comment on the issue at a As opposition members raised the pitch 'home coming'. There was no allurement or not aware of any such move, in case some- meeting of the BJP's parliamentary board, but demanding Modi's presence, treasury benches coercion in the process, Sharma added. thing comes to our notice, we will act," a dis- did not come to the house. members too added to the din. He also said some "pseudo-secular" parties trict official told IANS.Saffron organizations "Does the prime minister need a visa to Outside the house as well, the government and politicians were trying to give "ghar in the past few days have intensified their the come to this house?" asked Trinamool and the opposition blamed each other for the wapasi" a communal colour though it was a "home coming" program, specially after a suc- Congress member Derek O'Brien. disruptions. simple and consistent work done by the VHP cessful mass conversion in Agra. The oldest press printing Hindu religious books shuts shop

Lucknow: India'a most authentic, "Information about the dismissal ent editions has sold nearly 115 biggest, trusted and sustained con- of these employees and of the million copies, Shri nect for the Hindu devout with its indefinite closure has been com- Ramcharitamanas and other works rich past of religious literature is municated to the district adminis- by Goswami Tulsidas 92.2 mil- faced with a strike and indefinite tration, the police and the state's lion, Puranas, Upanishads and closure. Headquartered in eastern labour department" the official ancient scriptures 22.7 million, Uttar Pradesh and publishing reli- further informed. small books especially for women gious works since 1923, the Gita Over the years, the institution and children 105.5 million and Press has shut down indefinitely has made available more than 370 books on Bhakta-Gathas (biogra- owing to labor unrest. million copies of the Gita, phies of saints) and Bhajans The indefinite closure comes at a Ramayan, Bhagvat, Durga (devotional songs) 124.4 million. time when Prime Minister Saptashati, Puranas, Upanishads, Overall, 582.5 million copies of Narendra Modi has been gifting Bhakta-Gathas and other charac- Gita Press publications have so far the Gita to foreign leaders and ter-building books in Sanskrit, come out. External Affairs Minister Sushma Hindi, English, Gujarati, Tamil, An employee leader, while Swaraj has pitched for declaring it Marathi, Bangla, Oriya, Telugu, pointing out that to go on strike a "national scripture". Kannada, and other Indian region- was a painful decision, accused Gita Press, a unit of Gobind The Gita Press has shut down indefinitely owing to labor unrest. al languages at low cost. the management of being autocrat- Bhawan Karyalaya registered "Kalyan" in Hindi, with 300,000 ic and indifferent to their under the Societies Registration Upanishads, Puranas, discourses Ruing the decision to close subscribers and "Kalyana- demands. Act of 1860 (presently governed of eminent Saints and other char- down the press, located in Kalpataru" in English, the monthly "We demanded a 10 percent hike by the West Bengal Societies Act, acter-building books and maga- Gorakhpur district, the official publications of the institution, are in our wages every year, 30 days 1960) began as an initiative to zines and marketing them at high- said three employees - Virendra counted among the country's most of paid leave and 20 percent house "promote and spread the principles ly subsidized prices," a member of Singh, Ram Jeevan Sharma and subscribed religious magazines rent allowance," the leader said, of Sanatana Dharma, the Hindu the management told IANS, Munivar Mishra - have also been and are preserved for their rich adding that the workers had struck religion among the general public speaking on condition of dismissed for instigating fellow content. work in 1982 and the standoff con- by publishing the Gita, Ramayana, anonymity. employees. Shrimad Bhagvad Gita in differ- tinued for 44 days. TheSouthAsianTimes.info INDIA December 20-26, 2014 11 Supreme Court extends Pak court grants bail to Jayalalithaa's bail India's most wanted New Delhi: The Supreme Court extended Islamabad: India is Agency) prosecutor the bail of former Tamil Nadu chief minister working with its mis- disagreed with the bail J. Jayalalithaa by another four months as it sion in Pakistan to pre- request, however, asked the Karnataka high court to decide on pare a strong response advocate Rizwan her appeal challenging her conviction in dis- against granting of bail Abbasi, the lawyer rep- proportionate assets case within three to LeT commander resenting Lakhvi stood months. Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, before the court as the Noting that Jayalalithaa had complied with one of the masterminds bail was approved, the its Oct 17 order of filing her appeal in the of the 2008 terror Dawn reported. high court along with all the documents, an attack. The seven accused apex court bench headed by Chief Justice Within hours of an — Lakhvi, Abdul H.L. Dattu asked the chief justice of the Anti-Terrorism Court in Wajid, Mazhar Iqbal, Karnataka high court to constitute a special Rawalpindi granting Hamad Amin Sadiq, bench that will hear the appeal on a day-to- bail to Lakhvi, one the Shahid Jameel Riaz, day basis and complete the hearing within Former Tamil Nadu chief minister seven Pakistani nation- Jamil Ahmed and three months from Thursday. J. Jayalalithaa als accused of planning Younis Anjum — are Jayalalithaa has challenged her conviction with all other accompanying documents and abetting the facing trial at the in the case along with three others by a before the high court on or before Dec 18. Mumbai terror attacks, Adiala Jail in Bangalore court. Appearing for Jayalalithaa, senior counsel LeT commander Zakiur sources said the govern- Rawalpindi. The apex court had granted bail to K.T.S. Tulsi told the court that all the papers Rehman Lakhvi is one of the ment here started work- Lakhvi, who was the Jayalalithaa and the three others Oct 17 on running into 177 volumes have alrady been masterminds of the ing along with its mis- operational head of the the condition that she file her appeal along- filed before the high court. 26/11 terror attack. sion in Islamabad on a banned Laskhar-e- strong response against the court verdict. Taiba, was one of the key planners of the Lakhvi and six others had filed bail Mumbai attack that killed 166 people. Government pushing bills without following norms: Congress applications even as lawyers were His release from jail comes a day after New Delhi: The Congress accused the government of pushing through bills without follow- observing a strike to condemn the terror- Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif ing established norms. ist attack on an army-run school in pledged to announce a "national plan" to Leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said the government was Peshawar that left 148 people, mostly tackle terrorism within a week, saying bringing in bills without discussing them in the business advisory committee. children, dead. "this entire region" should be cleansed The committee is headed by the speaker. "We have no issues with their passage but they The FIA (Federal Investigation of terrorism. should have been discussed," he said. He said the government is bulldozing the bills on the strength of its majority in the Lok Sabha it but should be respectful of procedures. Kharge was supported by Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav and Trinamool Congress' Saugata Roy. This prompted Speaker Sumitra Mahajan to assure the leaders that she would look into the issue. Bird flu: Chandigarh's Sukhna Lake cordoned off Chandigarh: The famous Sukhna Lake was cordoned off after a sample from a dead duck tested positive for the H5N1 (avian or bird flu) virus. Police and paramilitary personnel with masks on their faces were stationed at the lake complex since early Thursday to cordon off the entire area. Scores of morning walkers who throng to the lake every day and other visitors were kept away from the lake complex. Police officials at the lake told IANS that Chandigarh's Sukhna Lake the complex would remain out of bounds for all visitors for at least two to three days. Chandigarh. The situation is, however, being Wildlife and animal husbandry department very closely monitored," a spokesman of the officials are likely to start culling of the ducks Chandigarh Administration said. and geese at the lake to curb an outbreak of While claiming that there was "no alarm or bird flu in the city. alert issued for the general public", the author- Over 30 ducks and geese at the lake had ities ordered the lake area where the ducks and died under mysterious circumstances in recent geese reside to be fenced. days. The Sukhna lake has nearly 250 ducks "The movement of the ducks and geese has and geese which are a star attraction for visi- been restricted," the spokesman said. tors. The presence of the H5N1 virus was con- "The public are requested not to panic and firmed in a sample from one dead duck by the cooperate with the administration," the Bhopal-based National Institute of High spokesman added. Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) The Sukhna Lake is in an upscale, high- Wednesday. security area of Chandigarh - the joint capital Ducks and geese have been dying for the of Punjab and Haryana and a union territory. past 10 days and officials initially thought the The residences of the Haryana and Punjab Corporate Office: 385 Seneca Avenue, Ridgewood NY 11385 Governors, senior officers and other influen- deaths could be due to food poisoning or over- 718.821.3182, www.AtlanticDialysis.Com feeding. "At present, there is no assessment tial people are located close to the lake regarding any outbreak of bird flu in complex. 12 December 20-26, 2014 INDIA TheSouthAsianTimes.info India successfully test fires its heaviest rocket

Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh): India moved forward in rocket technology with the suc- cessful flight testing of its heaviest next gen- President, PM eration rocket and the crew module on December 18. The 630 tonne Geosynchronous Satellite congratulate Launch Vehicle-Mark III (GSLV-Mark III) standing 43.43 metre tall freed itself from the second launch pad and with a reverberating ISRO scientists deep throated roar, rose into the sky. With a thick orange flame at its tail, the New Delhi: President Pranab Mukherjee expendable rocket ascended towards the heav- and Prime Minister Narendra Modi con- ens with one way ticket as its design life span gratulated ISRO on the successful launch is just around five minutes. of its heaviest rocket, GSLV-Mark III. The Rs.155 crore mission has twin purpos- In a message to K. Radhakrishnan, chair- es. The main purpose is to test the rocket's man, Indian Space Research Organization atmospheric flight stability with around four (ISRO), Mukherjee said: "Please accept tonne luggage. my heartiest congratulations to your team The second and incidental objective is to and you at the Indian Space Research study the re-entry characteristics of the crew Organization for the successful launch of module-called Crew Module Atmospheric Re- India's latest generation rocket- entry Experiment - its aero braking and vali- The GSLV-Mark III can lift off 630 tonnes. Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle dation of its end-to-end parachute system. (GSLV-Mark III), carrying the 'Crew According to an Indian Space Research deployed. flight. Module Atmospheric Re-entry Experiment Organisation (ISRO) official, it will be of the The module soft crashed in Bay of Bengal S. Somanath, project director of GSLV (CARE)'." size of a small bedroom and can accommo- near Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Mark III, said: "India now has a new launch He said the launch of GSLV-Mark III is date two to three people. From here, the crew modules multi-modal vehicle. The payload capability of the Indian an "important landmark in our space pro- Just over five minutes into the flight, the and multi-state transport journey would begin. rocket has been enhanced significantly." gram and demonstrates, yet again, India's rocket spat out the giant cup cake shaped 3.7- A naval ship tracking the signals from the The mission success is sweet for the Indian growing capabilities in space launch tech- tonne crew module at an altitude of 126 km. module will pick up the module and deliver it space fraternity as it comes after successful nology". The crew module then descended towards at the Ennore Port near Chennai in Tamil launch of Mars Orbiter last year and older ver- "Kindly convey my greetings to the Earth at a high speed. The speed was moderat- Nadu. From there it will be brought to sion of GSLV rocket powered by its own members of your team of scientists, engi- ed remotely manipulating its on-board motors Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh and then it will cryogenic engine early this year. neers, technologists and all others till 80 km above the earth. be taken to the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, A cryogenic engine is more efficient as it involved in this mission. I wish your From here the ballistic re-entry into the Thiruvanthapuram in Kerala. provides more thrust for every kilogram of future endeavors continued success," he atmosphere began while the on-board At the mission control centre there was no propellant burnt. added. thrusters were shut down. control on ISRO's scientists happiness at the This was the second mission of GSLV rock- Congratulating the scientists, Modi in a The crew module's heat shield was expected success. et during the last four years after two such statement said: "Successful launch of to experience a heat of around 1,600 degrees Speaking about the mission, ISRO's rockets failed in 2010. GSLV Mk-III is yet another triumph of centigrade. Chairman K. Radhakrishan said: "India start- The GSLV-Mark III is designed to be a three brilliance and hardwork of our scientists. At an altitude of around 15 km, the module's ed development of the rocket a decade ago stage/engine rocket with a lift off weight of Congrats to them for the efforts." apex cover separated and the parachutes were and today completed the first experimental 630 tonnes. Two Rajasthan sites India, US experts meet on chosen to counter enemy operationalization civil n-deal New Delhi: An India-US contact group on civil nuclear cooperation that met here held detailed talks missiles on a range of issues towards implementation of the civil nuclear accord, including on liability, technical By Prakash Bhandari counter-attack missiles to shoot issues and licensing to facilitate setting up of US- down enemy missiles both with- designed nuclear power plants in India. The meeting of the contact group comes ahead of Jaipur: Two sites in Rajasthan in the earth’s atmosphere (endo- the visit to India next month of US President Barack have been selected by the atmospheric) and outside (exo- Obama to attend the Republic Day parade. Ministry of Defence’s research atmospheric). The shield, devel- The India-US nuclear deal of 2008 has been stuck arm Defence Research and oped by DRDO, has undergone a due to India's liability laws. Design Organisation (DRDO) series of successful tests. It can "The contact group was established pursuant to the for installing radars to track destroy an incoming ballistic decision of the Indian prime minister and the US enemy missiles and storing missile with the range of up to president as articulated in the joint statement of Sep counter-attack projectiles. 2,000 km. 30, 2014 during Prime Minister Modi's visit to the The two locations will have The DRDO has chosen Khoa US, with a view to advance the implementation of adequate stealth feature and pro- in Alwar district and Roopnagar the India-US civil nuclear cooperation," said a state- tection against enemy sabotage. in Pali district of Rajasthan for ment. Mumbai is one of the vital installing radars that will protect "As mandated by the two leaders, the contact metros in the country apart the two metros -Mumbai and group, which comprised relevant experts from both from New Delhi that has been Delhi. sides, held detailed discussions on a range of imple- chosen by the DRDO Ballistic The BMD system will require mentation issues, including administrative issues, Missile Defence (BMD) System minimum human intervention liability, technical issues and licensing to facilitate that can be put in place at short due to the complete automation the establishment of US-designed nuclear power notice. of tracking devices and counter- plants in India. To ensure maximum protection measures. Human intervention "The discussions were positive and forward-look- against air-borne threats, the will be required only to abort the Corporation of India (NPCIL) from the Indian side ing and included representatives of nuclear indus- DRDO will put up a mix of mission, the sources said. and Westinghouse and GE-Hitachi from the US tries from both sides - the Nuclear Power side," it said.. TheSouthAsianTimes.info OP-ED December 20-26, 2014 13 Is BJP turning to polarization to serve its political ends?

By Sitaram Yechury one body.” And, this body is India of. Every Indian irrespective of today. Four of the six major reli- caste, creed or sex has the freedom he current Rajya Sabha gious faiths of our people, apart to choose his/her religious faith. impasse is a reflection of the from Christianity and Islam — Any forcible attempt to infringe Tfurious unfolding of the Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, upon this right is a crime punish- Modi government’s ‘lethal cock- Jainism, not to speak of the multi- able under law. tail’ — selling grandiose illusions ple animistic religions and atheism Are we to allow these forces to of ‘prosperity’ through ‘develop- (as old as Hinduism itself, ie char- destroy the grandness of India’s ment’ while unleashing rabid com- vaka) — originated in these lands. civilisational evolution or pursue munal polarization. The balloons of Hence emerged the collective wis- Swami Vivekananda’s dictum with development released with great dom that as different rivers through which he concluded his famous fanfare, however, have been punc- different courses reach the oceans, address to the World Parliament of tured by the ground reality of so do individuals live their faiths. Religions, Chicago, on September falling GDP; negative industrial Even the Bhagawat Gita, which 11, 1893: “If the Parliament of and manufacturing growth; agrari- the minister of external affairs Religions has shown anything to an distress, resulting in declining wants to be declared as our national the world it is this: … that every cultivated land, and the RBI gover- scripture, says: “Whatever celestial system has produced men and nor’s prognosis that no economic form a devotee seeks to worship women of the most exalted charac- turnaround would be possible with- with faith, I stabilize the faith of ter. In the face of this evidence, if out expanding the purchasing Declaring Christmas as the day of ‘good governance’ is target- that particular devotee in that par- anybody dreams of the exclusive power of our own people — our ing the Christian minority when the Jharkhand elections are on. ticular form” [(Chapter VII (21)]. survival of his own religion and the domestic demand. Such collective wisdom is reflect- destruction of the others, I pity him Inversely proportional to the tions are on, in the way ‘love jihad’ the basis of what happened in the ed in our Constitution (Articles 25 from the bottom of my heart, and deteriorating livelihood conditions was used against Muslims in Uttar past. Distorting history to establish & 26), which provides “freedom of point out to him that upon the ban- of our people is the exponential Pradesh — the worst form of vote- the ‘wrongs of the past’ is the conscience and free profession, ner of every religion will soon be growth of frenzied communal bank politics. essential prerequisite for justifying practice and propagation of reli- written, in spite of resistance: Help polarization, expressing itself in Central to the success of such the ‘undoing’ of what happened in gion” and “freedom to manage reli- and not Fight, Assimilation and not myriad forms and attempting to diabolic campaigns yielding politi- the past. Among many who docu- gious affairs”. Further, the Indian Destruction, Harmony and Peace divert growing people’s discontent. cal results is the need to rewrite mented this rich history, hear what Penal Code (Section 153 A) classi- and not Dissension.” The latest are the campaigns of reli- Indian history. Such rewriting is Rabindranath Tagore had to say: fies forcible attempts in the name This is the essence of the current gious conversion. Declaring indispensable for the RSS/BJP not “Aryans and non-Aryans, of religion as a criminal offense. battle in the Rajya Sabha, and in the Christmas as the day of ‘good gov- to know how and from where our Dravidians and Chinese, Scythians, Hence, there is no need for any new country, today. Is there a choice? ernance’ is targeting the Christian current civilization arrived but to Huns, Pathans and Moghuls, all law for religious conversions that (The views expressed by the minority when the Jharkhand elec- justify such current campaigns on have merged and lost themselves in the Modi government today speaks author are personal) ShamiWitness Mehdi's arrest raises questions on online laws

N Madhavan speech activists - which targets those who use The 24-year- information that is "grossly offensive or has a nyone who's been to Twitter or old Mehdi menacing character" or causing hatred. From Facebook knows that you can find any Masroor early reports, this provision is not being Atype of people there: political Biswas was invoked for Biswas. activists, entrepreneurs, social workers, femi- arrested in The more forceful provision being invoked nists, education evangelists and religious Bangalore. is of Section 39 of The Unlawful Activities fanatics. The notable thing: some of them are (Prevention) Act, 1967 which cracks down on anonymous and merrily flout some laws - support given to a terrorist organisation. including some they may not even know Twitter has dozens of Indian handles spew exists or others that are controversial. venom and hate. They make allegations and The arrest of 24-year-old Mehdi Masroor use abusive language on well-known Indian Biswas in Bangalore, an alleged online figures and also India's Constitution. Can they activist of the Islamic State who anonymously be tracked down the way Biswas was tracked? used the handle @shamiwitness, throws up What will be the consequences? How does new questions: Can Indian laws be convinc- that tally with even elected lawmakers in India ingly invoked in a grey area where an Indian who question aspects of the republic or advo- citizen cheers a form of extremism without cate violence or India having diplomatic rela- actually being a physical participant in it? tions with governments that it says harbours Biswas was an ITC group employee by day the coming days, but two points are relevant. governs cyber terrorism, mainly through hack- terrorists? and an IS activist by night - a Digital Age case One, legal provisions under which Biswas is ing or similar acts. Amid such a maze of questions, it is clear of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, if you will. Was his being charged (as per media reports) look con- From current indications, Biswas did not that India needs to be proactive about a new support for IS just a hobby of sorts for troversial: One involves waging a war against hack into any computer or network. online global culture and evolve a new legal Biswas? How does it affect Indian interests an Asiatic "ally" and the other under Section It is not clear if authorities are invoking framework that guards free speech while and security? These issues will be debated in 66F of the Information Technology Act that Section 66A of the same Act - opposed by free ensuring security and responsibility. The views expressed in Op Eds are not necessarily those of The South Asian Times. 14 December 20-26, 2014 DIASPORA TheSouthAsianTimes.info Anerood Jugnauth named Hindujas acquire Churchill's Mauritius prime minister iconic Old War Office Port Louis: Former President and leader of the Alliance Lepep Mumbai: The Hinduja Group has party, Anerood Jugnauth, who is acquired a significant chunk of of Indian origin, has been offi- world history -- the Old War Office cially appointed Mauritius' new Building in London, once the hub prime minister, officials said of British war time prime minister Monday. Winston Churchill, the group said The appointment came one Monday. day after the resignation of for- The acquisition of the heritage mer prime minister Navin structure was made by Hinduja Ramgoolam who lost in the Group chairman S.P. Hinduja and polls, Xinhua reported. co-chairman G.P. Hinduja, in part- Ramgoolam was serving his nership with a Obrascon Huarte third term as the prime minister Lain Desarrollos (OHLD), a since 2005. Spanish industrial company. According to official data, of The landmark building, at 57 Whitehall in central London, will the total of 62 parliamentary Anerood Jugnauth The Old War Office Building was once the hub of British war now be restored and redeveloped seats, Lepep won 29, whereas time PM Winston Churchill Ramgoolam's Labour Party 2003. About one million into a five-star hotel, residential (PTR) won only 10. Mauritians went to the polls apartments with several private OHLD. public," S.P. Hinduja and his broth- Jugnauth was received at the conducted last Wednesday. function rooms, a spa and fitness The property, spread across er G.P. Hinduja said of the presti- State House Sunday and was People of Indian origin com- facility. 580,000 square feet, has been sold gious deal. handed the official letter from prise around 68 percent of The new buyers have made a on a 250-year lease to Hinduja "We will forge a new future for President Kailash Purryag to Mauritius's total population of commitment to grant access to the Group-OHLD for an undisclosed the site, creating a vibrant and sus- form his government. over 1.3 million. building with an outdoor public amount following a competitive tainable destination that retains and Jugnauth, 84, served as the Most of them are descendants space as part of the redevelopment bidding process, the ministry said. enhances the historical importance president from 2003 to 2012, of laborers who were brought in plans. "We will make every effort to of the building," they said. "We are and previously he was the prime the 19th century to the early Hinduja Group said the British honor the heritage and restoration proud to be playing such a crucial minister of Mauritius from 1982 20th century to work in the sug- defence ministry had confirmed of this national monument, elevate role in this new chapter for the Old to 1995 and again from 2000 to arcane plantations here. the deal, in partnership with its status and reconnect it with the War Office." Shriti Vadera picked to chair Santander UK GOPIO and NISU (UK) collaborate for London: Shriti Vadera, an treasury advisor before Indian-origin minister in becoming a Labor peer, former British Prime the report said. Indian diaspora students Minister Gordon Brown's Vadera will be the first London: The Global Organization of interacting with members, in line with government, has been woman to chair a big bank People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) and the NISU’s 2014-15 strategy of establishing named by the Spanish in Britain and one among National Indian Students Union UK productive and progressive personal rela- banking group Santander a small number of female (NISU) have signed a Memorandum of tionships with its members to further to chair its British busi- chairpersons in large Understanding to further the objectives of strengthen its reach and engagement with ness. British businesses. Just GOPIO and NISU for the interests of stu- the young Indian diaspora in UK. Vadera was a minister in three of the FTSE 100 dents of the Indian diaspora, utilizing the GOPIO and NISU recognize that there the British government firms have women as their outreach and strengths of GOPIO and its are considerable scope and opportunities during the days of the chair. Youth Council in collaboration with the ini- for mutual cooperation to further their col- global financial crisis. She was dubbed tiatives and advocacy of NISU. laborative objectives and mandates. With She will replace Terence "Gordon Brown's repre- GOPIO, established in 1989 with head- the intention of facilitating greater aware- Burns in March, who had Shriti Vadera sentative on Earth" for her quarters in the United States, is a global ness of issues related to students and youth announced his plan to affinity with the then prime non-profit advocacy organization in the in the Indian diaspora, their respective leave the board of the company in January. minister's politics. However, she left the gov- service of over 30 million Non Resident countries of domicile and India, as well as Vadera was made a life peer in the British ernment in 2009 to take up a job with the Indians (NRIs) and Persons of Indian to increase engagement of Non-Resident House of Lords in July 2007 when Gordon G20. Origin (PIOs) living outside of India. Indian (NRI) and Persons of Indian Origin Brown became the country's prime minister, She had also taken up non-executive roles NISU, with its headquarters in UK, is an (PIO) students of the Indian diaspora, two months before the collapse of Lehman at BHP Billiton and AstraZeneca. umbrella organization representing United GOPIO and NISU seek to collaborate on Brothers, which unleashed global financial "We're proud and excited to welcome Shriti Kingdom (UK) university students and student and youth engagement and out- turmoil, The Telegraph reported Friday. Vadera to Santander," said Ana Botin, chair- alumni of Indian heritage. NISU has pan- reach to further these shared objectives of She was moved subsequently from the person of the Santander Group, adding, UK presence, and its affiliate societies are mutual interests. department for international development to "(Vadera's) deep expertise in Britain and spread throughout the UK, including a business-focused cabinet post in 2008. global economies as well as her banking Scotland and Wales. Since its inception in For more information contact GOPIO Vadera had spent 14 years at the Swiss experience add to her credentials as a strong, 2011, NISU has grown to establish excel- International at +1-818-708-3885, Email: investment bank UBS and eight years as a independent non-executive chairperson." lent connections, visiting universities and [email protected]. TheSouthAsianTimes.info December 20-26, 2014

JAN. 2015

18 December 20-26, 2014 ULTIMATE BOLLYWOOD TheSouthAsianTimes.info Aishwarya felicitated at 'Miss World 2014'

Aishwarya Rai was felicitated by the Miss World Organization at the 64th edition of the international beauty pageant in London for her commitment to "beauty with a purpose" since winning the crown two decades ago. Described as embodiment of beauty with purpose, Aishwarya is also seen as the most successful Miss World so far, a title that she won in 1994. "I stand here overwhelmed by this honour. I thank Miss World Organization for such an incredible honor that I have received..." she said in her acceptance speech. "To have the opportunity to hold the title, to wear the crown with pride... that was my one time to go out there and experience beauty with a purpose...," said the actress looking gorgeous in shimmery gown. The 41-year-old was accompanied by her mother Vrinda, husband and actor Abhishek Bachchan and three-year-old daughter Aaradhya on the stage. Having starred in movies like "Devdas" and "Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam", she is now a regular at the prestigious Cannes film festival. Meanwhile, Koyal Rana, India’s representative at the Miss World this year, could only make it to the top 10. The crown Aishwarya Rai with husband-actor Abhishek Bachchan and went to Miss South Africa. daughter Aaradhya at 'Miss World 2014'. Aamir was first choice for 'PK', not for '3 Idiots': Hirani Aamir Khan and Anushka Sharma in a Aamir Khan with Rajkumar Hirani and Vidhu Vinod Chopra scene from the film 'PK.' at the poster launch of film 'PK.'

ilmmaker Rajkumar Hirani tor has worked with actors as cele- Sushant has a cameo in the says while Aamir Khan was brated as Aamir, Sanjay Dutt, movie. Talking about him, Hirani 'PK' best film by Fnot the first choice for their Vidya Balan and Kareena Kapoor. said: "We wanted a known face superhit film "3 Idiots", he had not Asked why he always works with for it, but no one was able to give thought of any other name apart stars, he said: "I wanted to work 15 days for it. We thought of cast- from Aamir for their forthcoming with newcomers in '3 Idiots' and I ing a newcomer for this small role Aamir: Sachin entertainer "PK". had even found three people. But and went searching for one, but "For '3 Idiots', Aamir wasn't the while each was good in isolation, didn't find anyone. "My casting first choice, but for 'PK' he was. I together they lacked chemistry. director asked me to see Sushant. ricket icon Sachin formance," he added. had made Aamir listen to the basic Then Aamir called and said, 'I can We liked his audition and signed Tendulkar is floored by Directed by Rajkumar Hirani and idea of this film during '3 Idiots' play the character' and we him. That's when he told me that CAamir Khan's performance co-produced by Hirani and Vidhu itself," Hirani said. The ace direc- changed the casting." he was also doing 'Kai Po Che'." in the film "PK" and says it's the Vinod Chopra, "PK" will see best film that he has ever seen. Aamir as an astronaut and nil Kapoor, who had earlier successfully Sachin was present at a special speaking Bhojpuri. starred in and adapted the western television screening of the film hosted by Further, the master Anil Asitcom "24" for the Indian audience will soon Aamir for him. blaster praised be adapting yet another American show "Modern "The film is superb. I have prom- Anushka's per- Family", media reports said.The Emmy-winning ised Aamir so I won't disclose formance as well Kapoor to American sitcom which is currently in its sixth sea- much about the story. But I would and added: son in the US revolves around three different but like to say that all of you please go "Aamir and adapt US related families. Kapoor confirmed the news to and watch this film as it is com- Anushka's pair the media, saying negotiations are currently on for pletely different. For me it's the was amazing. adaptation after which the final call on the talent best film and best performance of It's a must show 'Modern will be taken. Further talking about the adapta- Aamir that I have ever seen," watch". tion and on the chances of him featuring in the Sachin said. "PK" also fea- same, Kapoor added that while he would love to be "His role in the film is complete- tures Sanjay Dutt, Family' for part of the show's Indian version his previous com- ly different. It is completely out-of- Sushant Singh mitment may cause date issues. Kapoor will soon be the box film with a very strong Rajput and Saurabh seen in Anees Bazmee's "Welcome Back" and Zoya message. It is a must watch film. Shukla. It will hit the India Akhtar's "Dil Dhadakne Do." Without any doubt it is his best per- screens this Friday. Anil Kapoor TheSouthAsianTimes.info ULTIMATE BOLLYWOOD December 20-26, 2014 19 Would like to play iconic role of Mogambo: Kher

ctor Anupam Kher, who anybody on-screen again because has played diverse roles I think the roles I have played so Ain his over three-decade- far were perfect, according to the long career, doesn't like stepping situation and the career that time. into someone else's shoes on- "But if I get a chance and if screen, but he would love to play 'Mr. India' is made again, then I iconic villain Mogambo, if given would like to do Mogambo's a chance. role." "Mr. India", directed by The actor is not new to negative Shekhar Kapur, was not only a roles - in the beginning of his hit but also had numerous hit A scene from 'Badlapur Boys' career he sent shivers down the one-liners. This film is best audience's spine as Dr. Dang in remembered for Amrish Puri's "Karma". portrayal of Mogambo and his 'Badlapur Boys' - sincere When asked which of the icon- famous one liner - "Mogambo ic roles in Bollywood he would khush hua". depiction of a kabaddi like to portray, he said: "I am not Actor Anupam Kher in favour of doing any role of team's journey Review hey are a bunch of losers. played the same role earlier in And the film doesn't hesi- the Tamil and Telugu versions of Big B awarded International Ttate in portraying the los- the story, is set in an annual vil- ers in the most unflattering light. lage mela where they see each The charm lies not in the sophis- other, fall in love without tication of presentation(of which exchanging words and then sepa- Icon of the Year there is nil), but in the way the rate without exchanging names, people in this small-village big- let alone numbers. hearted film respond to their rural Does the phone even exist in mitabh Bachchan was honored with environment. When the villagers' this archaic world? "Badlapur International Icon of the Year at the plea for a water dam falls on deaf Boys" takes us to a rural setting ASansui COLORS Stardust Awards here. ears, the hero's father immolates that barely exists any more. But Veteran actress Asha Parekh, on the other hand, himself, leaving behind a son exist, it does, though I don't see walked away with Lifetime Achievement award. Vijay (newcomer Nishan) who audience identifying with the The star-studded award ceremony was co-host- would henceforth be called 'paa- characters and their uncomplicat- ed by filmmaker Karan Johar and actor Riteish gal baap ka beta'. ed personal and social needs -- Deshmukh along with “Cocktail” star Saif Ali Remember that other towering water in the village, victory in a Khan. Vijay in "Deewaar" seething and kabaddi match and another meet- “Queen” and “Highway” dominated the win- simmering with that tattoo 'mera ing with the girl that the hero ners’ list of searchlight awards (small budget, big baap chor hai'? sees at the 'mela'. concept). “Queen” received best actress (Kangana This Vijay is far milder, almost The last, never happens. The Ranaut), best film, and Vikas Bahl shared best a lamb. The film reveals a film comes to a rather unexpect- director award with Imtiaz Ali, who helmed remarkably gentle and guileless ed finale. Like a good match of “Highway”. soul. Vijay and his kabaddi-play- kabaddi, the plot stays a step or Ali’s movie also won the best actor - male ing friends seem to stuck in a two ahead of us. There's never a award for Randeep Hooda, while his co-star Alia time-warp in their village in Uttar dull moment here. Bhatt got the superstar of tomorrow - female tro- Pradesh. They live, talk and "Badlapur Boys" mixes the phy. Under the achievers of the year (rulers of box respond to the changes in the out- newly-revived thrill of the game office 2014) category, the film of the year went to side world with a disarming dis- of kabaddi with an old fashioned “Happy New Year”. Its director Farah Khan won regard for progress. melodramatic plot. The authentic the dream director award, while the movie’s star Interestingly, the romance that locations and a deep affinity with Shah Rukh Khan was honored with best actor - Actor Amitabh Bachchan with the trophy. grows between Vijay and Sapna the grassroot level add to the thriller/action trophy. (Saranya Mohan), who has rugged sporting spirit. Black day for humanity: Celebrities on Pak school attack

aliban gunmen attacked an army- are killed by Talibans In Peshawar. A school. 21 kids lose their lives and many please pray for whats happening in run school in north-west Pakistan black day for humanity. injured. When will this stuff stop? Peshawar. Tkilling as many as 126 people, Priyanka Chopra: Appalling! What Vivek Oberoi: Killing innocent Reema Kagti: The attack on school most of them children, and celebrities kind of wimps hurt kids! I send out a unarmed school children? This is not kids is just horrific. Sad sad day. RIP from India and across the border con- prayer. Please god...in whichever form war, this is not jihad, this is not Islam! innocent children let down by a sense- demned the killings saying it's a "sick" and whatever name. Pls teach your chil- This is purely inhuman! -PeshawarAttack less, violent world. and "black" day for the human race. dren to value human life. I pray for Rahul Bose: Everyday reveals a new Shafqat Amanat Ali: Lady Reading Numbed and horrified by the assault, peace. Peshawar face of evil. Courage, caring, hope, jus- Hospital in Peshawar appealing for blood celebrities from India and Pakistan took Karan Johar: The Peshawar killing is tice & love are never to be lost. We need donation. Extreme shortage reported. to Twittter to condemn the gruesome just heartbreaking...the death of humani- them now more than ever. Peshawar. Friends in Peshawar please respond to attack: ty on every level....helplessness is the Sonu Nigam: Shocked to know what's this call. Akshay Kumar: Feeling numb hear- only feeling. happened in Peshawar.. Gosh.. No access Veena Malik Khan: I strongly con- ing about d terrorist attack on innocent Farhan Akhtar: My heart has broken. to TV. Came on Twitter for d promised demned horrific attack of utter barbarism children in Peshawar! May God give The world failed those children in chat for The Music Room. on innocent school children...shocked strength to the victims families. RIP Peshawar ... It's a sad sad day. Sonakshi Sinha: Oh god! What's hap- and Heartbroken! humanity Salim Merchant: Very disturbed about pening in this world. Times like these Ali Zafar: This is sad. Real sad! Javed Akhtar: 104 innocent children the terrorist attack in Peshawar army make you question humanity. Everyone Children: 20 September 20-26 2014 SUBCONTINENT TheSouthAsianTimes.info Taliban slaughtered kids in Peshawar school, world mourns

In one of the worst acts of human savagery ever per- petrated, the Pakistani Taliban senselessly slaugh- tered 141 people, 132 of them children, in a brazen terror attack launched by its heavily armed gunmen and suicide bombers on an army-run school in Pakistan's Peshawar city in retaliation to the army's operation against extrem- ists in North Waziristan.

Peshawar: The horrifying attack on a Peshawar School that left 141 India stands firmly with Pakistan in fight against terror, The heartless attackers shot schoolchildren in the head and people, mostly schoolchildren Narendra Modi told Nawaz Sharif. chest from point blank range. dead, was carried out by a group of paramilitary uniform-wearing ter- rorists who stormed the Army Ready to provide all Public School complex in Obama condemns school attack Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Washington: US President Barack Obama has condemned in the Pakhtunkhwa province bordering strongest possible terms the attack on the Army Public School in Afghanistan, Pakistani media said. assistance: Modi to Sharif Peshawar, Pakistan, that claimed scores of lives, mostly those of chil- The heartless attackers went on a dren. "Our hearts and prayers go out to the victims, their families, and rampage, massacring the school New Delhi: Prime Minister statement during his talk with loved ones," he said in a statement Tuesday. children, with many being shot in Narendra Modi spoke with his Sharif, which said Modi con- "By targeting students and teachers in this heinous attack, terrorists the head and chest from point Pakistani counterpart Nawaz demned in the strongest terms have once again shown their depravity," he said. "We stand with the blank range. The vicious terror Sharif over phone and offered the brutal terrorist attack in people of Pakistan, and reiterate the commitment of the US to support strike left 141 people, including his deepest condolences for the Peshawar. the government of Pakistan in its efforts to combat terrorism and 132 students, dead and more than dastardly terror attack on a Modi said the "savage killing extremism and to promote peace and stability in the region." 124 injured, Geo News reported. school in Peshawar. He said of innocent children, who are India was ready to provide all the epitome of the finest human The attack brought to mind Taliban, who had shot at Malala not brought to an end in Pakistan, assistance during this hour of values, in a temple of learning Russia's Beslan school tragedy in Yousufzai who went on to share this kind of terror act will continue grief. was not only an attack against which nearly 400 people were the Nobel Peace Prize with India's to happen. Army chief General The prime minister spoke to Pakistan, but an assault against killed in 2004 by Chechen extrem- Kailash Satyarthi, claimed respon- Raheel Sharif canceled his Quetta Sharif after the latter returned the entire humanity". ists. Television footage showed the sibility for the attack that left trip and reached Peshawar. Many from a visit to the school where "At a time when the world is surviving school children shocked Pakistan and the world numb with of the children were sons and around 141 people, mostly chil- getting disturbingly accustomed and in tears. Some of them had grief. daughters of army personnel. dren, were slaughtered by to acts of terror, this terrible blood on their faces. One of the The terror group called it a The students were initially under Taliban gunmen. tragedy has shaken the con- students was carried away on a "revenge attack" for army opera- the impression that it was yet "India stands firmly with science of the world," he said. stretcher while another leaned onto tions in North Waziristan. another army drill and the horror Pakistan in fight against terror. Modi said the people of India a security personnel who helped The wounded and bloodied were sank in only after they saw school- Told PM Sharif we are ready to shared the heart rending pain him away. taken away to hospitals, that later mates being felled by bullets. provide all assistance during and sorrow of the bereaved Frightened and traumatized chil- faced blood shortage, while anx- Some were able to flee soon after this hour of grief," he tweeted. families and the people of dren recalled the horror. "We were ious parents waited for news out- the attack began at noon, while a External affairs spokesperson Pakistan and stood with them in in the auditorium. Suddenly firing side. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, few others were taken to safety by Syed Akbaruddin in a tweet solidarity in this hour of started and our teacher asked us to who flew down from Islamabad to the security personnel who posted the prime minister's immeasurable grief. lie down. After one hour, the army Peshawar, said that till terrorism is responded promptly. came for our rescue," a visibly shaken student rasped. A teacher said the firing started The central from the back door of the auditori- Security beefed up in India's schools govern- um. Soon after the terrorists struck, New Delhi: Security was beefed up in schools was beefed up in many states in India. ment a suicide bomber blew himself up across India, especially in the national capital, Police armed with automatic weapons were issued an outside the school auditorium. and in shopping malls and other crowded deployed at schools and the school administra- advisory Another young student said: "It places, a day after a terror attack in a school in tions were instructed on how to protect chil- asking was the fourth period. We were in Pakistan's Peshawar city left at least 148 peo- dren in case of an attack. states to our classes. They (the terrorists) ple, mostly children, dead. The central govern- Some schools also held security drills to cre- beef up were carrying guns in their hands." ment issued an advisory asking states to beef ate awareness among the students. security. "Our principal told our teacher up security, especially at educational institu- The advisory said that in view of the terror that the students have to be evacu- tions, following the terror attack, Home attack on the Pakistani school, and a terror ated. Suddenly we saw army per- Minister Rajnath Singh said. "I just want to say incident in Sydney and "heightened possibility and installations. This includes public places sonnel arriving," he added. that all state governments have been issued an of a terrorist attack" in India in the light of the with high footfall, public transport, including The injured students writhed in advisory by the home ministry," he told upcoming visit of US President Barack Obama, railways, and schools in particular," the adviso- pain, with their white shirts and reporters outside parliament on being asked all states and other authorities concerned have ry said. green sweaters stained with blood. whether steps have been taken by the govern- been told to remain alert. "The law enforce- It also alerted against the Students Islamic A child who was swathed in band- ment to secure educational institutions. ment agencies should take all measures Movement of India (SIMI), Lashkar-e-Taiba ages was in tears as he narrated the Following the advisory, security in schools towards target hardening of vulnerable places (LeT) and the Islamic State (IS). terror attack. The Pakistani TheSouthAsianTimes.info SUBCONTINENT December 20-26, 2014 21 Pak to lift ban on execution in terror cases Peshawar: After a horrendous attack by the Taliban on an army- run school left Pakistan numb Pakistan prepares to execute 55 death row inmates with grief, political parties cut- Islamabad: Pakistan is preparing to execute 55 terrorist inmates on ting across all sections expressed death row after the country ended the moratorium on the extreme their resolve to stay united in the penalty in terror-related cases. There are at least 522 criminals sen- fight against terrorism even as tenced to death in terror and other cases related to serious crimes in Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said the country, including 11 who were convicted by a military court, the that the moratorium on death sen- News International reported. tence will be lifted in terrorism Punjab province has the highest number of death row convicts with cases. 465, followed by Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa with 30, Sindh with 14 and As cries of grief rent the air and Balochistan with 13. funeral prayers were offered in Mercy appeals of 55 death row inmates have been dismissed by the the country, leaders of various Supreme Court and President Mamnoon Hussain. Pakistan ended its political parties gathered in moratorium on the death penalty in terror-related cases Wednesday. Peshawar for an all-party meet. The decision to lift the ban was made following the savage Taliban "It's a sad day in the history of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif talks to a attack on the Army Public School in Peshawar, which left nearly 150 Pakistan," Sharif said. "We Peshawar school attack victim. people dead. should not let the sacrifice of our children go in vain. We will keep eye-opener. We are fighting ter- executed. "Earlier, all-party meet- all those pictures that came out of rorism through operation Zarb-e- ings were futile exercises, but this Following the all-party meet- present the national plan of action the Peshawar siege in our mind Azb. We have been successful time we need to act by taking ing, Sharif said that there would before the nation after consulta- so that we remain upbeat to fight and we have to cover very little some harsh steps against terror- be no distinction between good tions with the military leadership. terrorism. Talks with Taliban ground now to counter this men- ism," the prime minister said. and bad Taliban and expressed Sharif said military operation have yielded no results," he said. ace," he added. Sharif also said The horrific terror attack took his resolve to continue the war Zarb-e-Azb, launched in June, "Pakistan has been fighting ter- that the ban on capital punish- place Tuesday at the Army Public against terrorism till the elimina- was against all the terrorists with- rorism since a long time which ment in terrorism cases would be School in Peshawar, capital of tion of the last terrorist from the out discrimination, adding that it has affected our economy as well. lifted, following which the terror- Pakistan's Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa countryÂ’s soil. The prime minis- had dented the terrorists' network Tuesday's tragic incident was an ists facing death penalty could be province. ter said the government would and destroyed their hideouts. Terrorists using Afghan soil UN chief strongly condemns against us: Pak army chief Pakistan school attack United Nations: UN Council meeting Tuesday. unknown number of students Secretary-General Ban Ki- "The hearts of the world go and staff were held hostage by moon has strongly condemned out to the parents and families the militants. the "bloodcurdling attack" on who have lost loved ones in Addressing the Council, Ban a school in Peshawar, the horrific attack," he said. extended his deepest condo- Pakistan, in which 148 people, The Pakistani Taliban have lences to the people, govern- including 132 students, were claimed responsibility for the ment and particularly those killed. attack earlier in the day, in touched by Tuesday's tragedy, "No cause can justify such which gunmen wearing army according to Xinhua. brutality. No grievance can uniforms stormed into the "Schools must be safe and excuse such horror. It is an act army-run school in downtown secure learning spaces. of horror and rank cowardice Peshawar and exchanged fire Getting an education is every to attack defenseless children with the security forces. child's right. Going to school while they learn," Ban said at At least 245 others were should not have to be an act of the beginning of a Security injured in the attack and an bravery," he noted.

Pakistani army chief General Raheel Sharif.

Kabul/Islamabad: Pakistani army chief General Raheel Afghan President Sharif said terrorists were using Ashraf Ghani said Tulsi Gabbard, Rajnath discuss Afghan soil to carry out attacks Afghanistan stood with in Pakistan. The army chief shared classi- the people of Pakistan fied intelligence details with the in their hour of grief. terrorism, cyber security Afghan officials. He also briefed the Afghan leadership mander General Joseph that the mastermind behind the Dunford. Dunford condemned New Delhi: Tulsi Gabbard, the ty," the minister tweeted. school children in Peshawar," Peshawar attack had been giv- the attack on the Army Public first Hindu American in the US According to a home ministry the statement said. ing directives to the perpetrators School in Peshawar and assured Congress, called on Home statement, "The sole Hindu Gabbard informed Rajnath of the attack from Afghanistan. General Raheel of complete Minister Rajnath Singh, with member of the US Congress and Singh about the positive envi- Afghan President Ashraf cooperation in countering ter- whom she discussed various a Democrat from Hawaii dis- ronment in the US for the new Ghani said Afghanistan stood rorism and security related mat- issues including terrorism and cussed broad range of issues government in India and men- with the people of Pakistan in ters. The army chief also reiter- cyber security. with the union home minister, tioned that the two countries their hour of grief. ated Pakistan's demand to Kabul "Met US Congress member including terrorism and cyber have a "greater potential for The army chief also met to hand over Tehreek-i-Taliban @TulsiGabbard today. We dis- security." mutual cooperation in the field International Security Pakistan (TTP) chief Mullah cussed a range of issues includ- "The two leaders jointly con- of security", the statement Assistance Force (ISAF) com- Fazlullah. ing terrorism and cyber securi- demned the brutal killing of added. 22 December 20-26, 2014 INTERNATIONAL TheSouthAsianTimes.info Obama announces new Cuba policy to normalize relations

Washington: US President Barack Obama has announced a historical, Republicans slam Obama for Cuba decision new policy toward Cuba, in a move to normalize relations and end more Washington: The leading Republican in the US House of than five decades of estrangement Representatives slammed President Barack Obama's decision to between the two countries. resume full diplomatic ties with Communist-ruled Cuba as a "mind- "We will end an outdated less" concession to a dictatorship. Obama's decision to launch talks approach that for decades has failed aimed at restoring full relations that were severed in 1961 has sparked to advance our interests," Obama outrage from House Speaker John Boehner and other Republican said in an address at the White members of Congress, which will be entirely GOP-controlled in House. "Instead we will begin to January. "Relations with the Castro regime should not be revisited, let normalize relations between our alone normalised, until the Cuban people enjoy freedom -- and not two countries." one second sooner," Boehner said in a statement issued after Obama Obama said he had instructed announced the policy shift in an address Wednesday. "There is no Secretary of State John Kerry to 'new course' here, only another in a long line of mindless concessions initiate talks with Cuba on restoring to a dictatorship that brutalises its people and schemes with our ene- diplomatic relations with the island mies," Boehner said. country, and to review Cuba's des- ignation as a state sponsor of terror- Earlier, Cuba released Alan Gross, In the address, Obama admitted ism. He added that the US will an American subcontractor it had that more than 50 years of isolation reestablish an embassy in Havana, held in captivity in five years on policy on Cuba "has not worked," the Cuban capital, and high-ranking humanitarian grounds. Obama said saying that "it's time for a new officials will visit Cuba. Gross's imprisonment had been the approach". The US is also taking steps to obstacle for the US to make major "Today, America chooses to cut increase travel, commerce and the policy changes toward Cuba. loose the shackles of the past so as flow of information to and from Gross's release was the result of to reach for a better future," he Cuba, said Obama, adding that he months' discussion between the two added. Cuban President Raul also looked forward to engaging governments, said Obama, adding Castro said the two countries have Congress in discussion about lifting President Barak Obama meets Cuban President Raul Castro. that Pope Francis issued a personal agreed to the "re-establishment of the embargo the US has imposed on appeal urging leaders of the two diplomatic relations," which were Cuba. These changes will "begin a that took place before most of us leader Raul Castro by telephone countries to resolve the case. Cuba broken in 1961, and have made a new chapter among the nations of were born," the US president said. Tuesday, the first direct contact also released an important US intel- commitment to "take mutual meas- the Americas," and move beyond "a Wednesday's announcement came between the leaders of the two ligence agent who has been impris- ures to improve the bilateral cli- rigid policy that is rooted in events after Obama spoke with Cuban nations in more than 50 years. oned for 20 years. mate," EFE reported. Sydney hostage crisis ends, both Indians escape Rouble in free fall, Apple Sydney: A 16-hour hostage crisis -- the first terror attack in Australia -- ended after police stormed a cafe in suspends sales in Russia the heart of Sydney where an Iran- born cleric took some 30 people hostage and made several demands, sending shockwaves across the country. As police stormed Lindt Chocolate Cafe using flash grenades and firing dozens of gunshots, sev- eral hostages -- panic writ large on their faces -- fled with their hands raised past advancing heavily armed An Iran-born cleric took some 30 people hostage at Lindt policemen. Chocolate Cafe in the heart of the city. One of them was Ankireddy the police operation, and one of evacuated. Also located in the vicin- Vishwakant, an employee of soft- them could be the hostage taker, ity are the offices of India Tourism, ware major Infosys who hailed from Man Haron Monis, a 50-year-old State Bank of India, Bank of Baroda Guntur in Andhra Pradesh and was who had been granted asylum in and New India Insurance. The anx- recently granted Australian citizen- Australia in 1996. ious hostages were earlier seen ship. TV clips showed him as a bearded standing with their hands raised at "Thank God! This is a big relief man with a white headgear who had the expansive French windows of London: US technology giant one dollar for 68 roubles. for us," said Ankireddy's father been previously charged with sexu- Lindt Chocolate Cafe at Martin Apple has said it has stopped Earlier, the currency saw an Ishwar Reddy at his house in Guntur ally attacking seven women and try- Place. A black and white apparently selling its products in Russia all-time low with one dollar buy- town, about 300 km from ing to kill his former wife. The chill- jihadi flag was held up in one win- online due to volatility in the ing as many as 79 roubles. Hyderabad. Media reports identified ing incident took place in Sydney's dow. Five hostages fled in the early value of the rouble. Apple last month increased its the second Indian as Pushpendu central business district and barely part of the saga, and their desperate The company has stopped prices in Russia by 20 percent Ghosh. The Australian media said 400 meters from the Indian dash to freedom was caught live on sales of iPhones, iPads and other after the weakening rouble left two people may have been killed in products in the country after its products in the country cheaper Consulate, which was promptly camera. currency fell more than 20 per- than in the rest of Europe. cent this week, BBC reported. Russia had spent almost $2 bil- Terror: UN secretary general calls for mobilization The rouble has lost more than lion intervening in the currency 20 percent this week, despite the market Monday, the country's United Nations: UN Secretary his year-end press conference here of those countries affected to Russian government decision to central bank said. General Ban Ki-moon has called for Wednesday about the attack, Ban address this extremism and terror- raise interest rates from 10.5 per- It has spent around $80 billion “mobilizing all resources and politi- said that terrorism was a problem ism", he said. "The international cent to 17 percent to contain the trying to prop up its rouble this cal will” to fight terrorism in the spreading to several countries and community has been troubled by all free fall of the currency. year, but despite that the curren- wake of the massacre of 132 school those affected by it needed help. this spread [of] terrorism and After the government interven- cy has lost more than half its children in Pakistan and said he will It was "most important" that "the extremism," he said. "We have seen tion, the value of the rouble in value against the dollar since consider measures to help that coun- international community must so many such things, in Pakistan, in exchange market was flat with January. try combat extremism. mobilize all resources and political Afghanistan and Nigeria and Answering a reporter's question at will and help the capacity-building Somalia and elsewhere." TheSouthAsianTimes.info BUSINESS December 20-26, 2014 23 First grounded, SpiceJet's flights to resume Reliance Capital to sell Big Cinemas New Delhi: Offering respite to hundreds of SpiceJet passengers stranded across India, the compa- The ny's management said it will Reliance resume operations as an under- Group standing was reached with the oil has some companies over the supply of jet 250 Big fuel to its aircraft. Cinemas "Flights will depart. We apolo- screens gize again for the disruptions," across said Sanjiv Kapoor, chief operat- India. ing officer of SpiceJet. "Spicejet apologizes for disrup- tion and pain caused to passengers Mumbai: Anil Ambani-led the real estate owned by Reliance due to stoppage of fuelling for our Reliance Capital said it is selling MediaWorks at various locations flights by the oil companies. We its multiplex business to the hos- and the group intends to leverage are working to resolve the issue." pitality-to-realty major Carnival them separately to monetise them Kapoor's assurance comes after The operations were grounded after oil marketing companies Cinemas in a transaction that will at an approximate value of a re-run of a Kingfisher-type fias- refused to provide SpiceJet with credit to buy jet fuel. reduce its overall debt by around Rs.200 crore, the statement co which resulted in passengers Rs.700 crore. added. being stranded across the country has to make spot payments for make spot payments for buying The deal will also catapult "The transaction is in further- as all SpiceJet flight operations buying fuel. fuel. The daily fuel cost of the air- Carnival Cinemas, which has ance of Reliance Capital's stated were grounded. Sources in the airline said the line is about Rs.5 crore, while it more than 50 screens with plans objective of focusing purely on The operations were grounded order by the civil aviation ministry has dues totalling Rs.14 crore for 75 more in the country in the its core financial services busi- after oil marketing companies giving it interim relief in terms of pending with the OMCs. next two months, as the third top nesses, significantly reducing (OMCs) refused to provide payment of dues is being studied The ministry had said that banks multiplex player in the country, a exposures to non-core invest- SpiceJet with credit to buy jet fuel by the OMCs and that they might may also be approached to give statement by Reliance Capital ments in media and entertain- over the issue of non-payment of restart supply by the afternoon. some working capital as loans. said. The Reliance Group, which ment sector," CEO Sam Ghosh dues. On Tuesday, SpiceJet was given "Based on the assurances by the has some 250 "Big Cinemas" said. Carnival Group chairman The company currently has an interim relief, even as its pro- promoters, the financial institu- screens across India under its Shrikant Bhasi, a first-generation around 250 departures per day moters were told to infuse fresh tions would be requested to lend entertainment arm Reliance entrepreneur based out of this with maximum operations being equity. The ministry had said that up to Rs.600 crore. This should be MediaWorks, has the option to commercial and entertainment carried out from Delhi and it will request OMCs to give credit paid immediately after securing acquire a minority stake in capital of India, said his group Mumbai. to the airline for 15 more days. the long-term investment which Carnival Cinemas at a discount, was targeting some 1,000 screens The OMCs had placed the budg- The airline is current under cash- will take around eight weeks to prior to an initial public offer by by 2017 and will work with et airline in the cash-and-carry and-carry mode with OMCs, consummate," the ministry said in the company. The deal excludes Reliance Group in this regard. mode under which the company which mandates that it has to a statement. Asia to become world's largest e-commerce market: Report 'Alibaba founder Jack Ma biggest billionaire gainer of 2014' Beijing: Asia is set to surpass North New Delhi: Alibaba founder and executive include, Mark Zuckerberg, America to become the world's largest e- chairman Jack Ma is this year's biggest finan- ranked fourth on the list as his commerce market this year, according to cial gainer as the billionaire entrepreneur's fortune rose by USD 8.4 bil- the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). fortune has swelled by a whopping USD 18.5 lion to USD 33.1 billion, fol- According to a report in Beijing by the billion this year to USD 29.2 billion, a report lowed by telecommunications EIU, an advisory company under the says. According to private wealth consultan- company Altice's founder Economist magazine group, it is estimated cy, Wealth-X, the former English teacher- Patrick Drahi whose fortune that retail sales in Asia will grow by an turned billionaire entrepreneur is the biggest increased by USD 5.1 billion average 4.6 per cent on a volume basis to gainer of this year as his fortune increased to USD 12.9 billion. USD 7.6 trillion, compared with 2.5 per 173 per cent, largely due to Alibaba's block- The individual who lost the cent in North America and 0.8 per cent in buster IPO in September and the subsequent most money this year is Europe in 2015. Report editor Laurel West strong performance of the company's stock. Russian energy tycoon Leonid said the Asian consumer market was Legendary investor Warren Buffett stood at Mikhelson. Mikhelson's for- largely driven by the rising independence second place on the Wealth-X list of this tune now stands at USD 10 and economic power of Asia's women, year's top gainers. billion, Wealth-X said. and female consumers in Asia are showing The Berkshire Hathaway chairman raked in The biggest shareholder of Alibaba founder and executive chairman Jack Ma. an unprecedented enthusiasm for online USD 13.5 billion in 2014, a 23 per cent natural gas producer Novatek shopping, the state-run Xinhua news increase from last year, to push his fortune to lost USD 7 billion, or 41 per cent of his billion this year, followed by Lui Chee Woo agency reported. The report comes in the USD 72.6 billion. wealth, in 2014, due to the plummeting who suffered a loss of USD 5.5 billion in his backdrop of huge demand for e-commerce Meanwhile, the world's richest man, Bill Russian currency, weak oil prices and eco- fortune which stood at USD 14.1 billion in generated in China by platforms like Gates, saw his net worth grow by USD 10.5 nomic sanctions imposed by the West over the 2014. Amazon's Jeff Bezos' fortune eroded by Alibaba which is picking up at a rapid billion in 2014 to reach USD 83.1 billion, Russia-Ukraine conflict. USD 5.5 billion to USD 28.9 billion in 2014, pace in India. earning him third place on the Wealth-X rank- The top five losers of 2014 include while Sheldon Adelson lost USD 5.2 billion The two countries together account for ing of this year's biggest gainers. Masayoshi Son (CEO, Softbank) whose net of his wealth which now stands at USD 30.1 about three billion people. The top five biggest gainers of this year also worth eroded by USD 5.9 billion to USD 13.2 billion, Wealth-X said. 24 December 20-26, 2014 SPORTS TheSouthAsianTimes.info Boxer Sarita Devi banned for a Australia Test: India year, India seeks review bowled out for 408 New Delhi: Indian female boxer Brisbane: A fifer for debu- L. Sarita Devi was banned for tant pacer Josh Hazlewood one year and fined Swiss francs helped Australia bowl out 1,000 by the AIBA for refusing India for 408 at lunch on to accept her 2014 Asiad bronze day two of the second Test medal, a verdict that evoked an at the Gabba here. immediate concern from the India, who were in the Indian government, who had driver's seat at stumps on supported the troubled pugilist's day one, added 97 runs plea of leniency. more runs to their The International Boxing overnight score but lost six Association (AIBA) also handed wickets in the process. down two-year bans, ending Oct The visitors were put on 1, 2016, to the 29-year-old the back foot almost imme- boxer's husband Thoiba Singh diately with Ajinkya and coach B.I. Fernandez, and Rahane (81) being dis- barred her coach Lenin Meitei missed in the third over of for one year ending Oct 1, 2015. the day. His overnight part- Fernandez was also fined Swiss The duration provides her an opportunity to represent the ner Rohit Sharma (32) did- francs 2,000 and Meitei Swiss country in the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. n't survive much longer francs 1,000. either and was sent packing The AIBA, however, relieved no additional rulings have been release: "I am hugely relieved six overs later. Indian boxing chief coach G.S. rendered against her." and would like to thank the box- After adding just 17 runs, Sandhu from all charges of mis- Speculation was rife that the ing fraternity and Boxing India India had lost both their demeanor. "The Disciplinary AIBA will impose a ban for life for helping me sail through these overnight batsmen and had Commission Chair rules that on the former world champion. difficult times." relinquished their strong Laishram Sarita Devi is sus- The Indian government had, ear- "I will now be able to partici- position. lier, earnestly appealed for con- pate in the Games and will work pended from any activity at the A 57-run partnership for Murali Vijay made a stylish 144. National, Confederation and sideration of her humble back- harder to bring laurels to the the seventh wicket between International levels for a period ground and controversy-free nation." The Indian government, captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni keeper Brad Haddin while trying of one year starting from the image to spare her a career-end- however, was not amused by the (33) and Ravichandran Ashwin to leave the ball. India's tail failed 2014 Asian Games medal cere- ing ban. decision. (35) stabilised the situation for to put up a fight and fell without mony (Oct 1)," an AIBA state- The duration of the ban pro- Sports Minister Sarbananda India. But Ashwin's wicket once much trouble for the Australian ment said. vides her an opportunity to rep- Sonowal, in a statement, said again opened the floodgates as bowlers. Hazlewood bowled "Devi shall pay a fine of Swiss resent the country in the 2016 that the ban aroused a feeling of the visitors surrendered rather quite beautifully to finish with a francs 1,000. Devi's suspension Rio Olympic Games. concern in the sporting commu- meekly in the end. Dhoni looked five-for, and he looked like taking shall end Oct 1, 2015, provided Expressing her views on the nity, a move that would demor- good for a while but edged a wickets whenever he hit the right that all fines have been paid and verdict, Sarita Devi said in a alize the boxer. Hazlewood delivery to wicket- length. ECB proposes Lord's as venue USA to bid for SC reserves verdict on 2024 Olympic, for 2019 world cup final Paralympic Games Srinivasan's ouster from BCCI New Delhi: The Supreme London: Lord's Cricket Ground in ICC. Lord's staged the first three New York: The United States Court reserved its verdict on London has been proposed as the ICC Cricket World Cup finals in Olympic Committee (USOC) has the plea for barring N. venue for the ICC Cricket World 1975, 1979 and 1983. decided to bid for the 2024 Srinivasan from seeking re- Cup final when the tournament is The West Indies won the first Olympic and Paralympic Games, election the Indian cricket staged in England and Wales in two finals - their only World Cup choosing the host city from board president and for termi- 2019. successes - while India recorded either Boston, Los Angeles, San nating IPL franchisee The venue will also host the ICC the first of their two World Cup Francisco or Washington. Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Women's World Cup final in 2017. triumphs in 1983. The International Olympic owned by his company India The England and Wales Cricket In 1999, Australia won the first Committee's deadline for appli- Cements Limited, on the Board (ECB) will also recommend of their three consecutive World cants is September 15, 2015, grounds of conflict of inter- to the ICC that the semi-finals in Cups in the fourth final to be with a decision due in 2017. est. the 2019 World Cup should be staged at Lord's. ECB head of "An entire generation of The petitioner Cricket allocated to Old Trafford, global events Steve Elworthy said: Americans has not had the Association of Bihar (CAB) Manchester and Warwickshire's "The format of the tournament is opportunity to witness the amaz- sought the ouster of home of Edgbaston, with the open- also widely considered to be the ing spectacle of an Olympic and Srinivasan from the Board of ing game being staged at The most exciting with all teams play- Paralympic Games on home Control for Cricket in India Oval. ing each other in a 10-team group soil," USOC CEO Scott (BCCI) on the grounds that The tournament should also see which will be followed by two Blackmun was quoted as saying he was placed in a "conflict N. Srinivasan Taunton host international men's semi-finals and a final at the iconic by the BBC. of interest" situation on cricket in 2019 for the first time Lord's ground. "We believe it's important to account of his duties as the head of indictment of Srinivasan's son-in- since the 1999 World Cup, when "It is also fitting that Lord's bring the Games back to the the apex cricketing body of the law and team official Gurunath two matches were played at the should be proposed to host the United States to ensure the last- country and his interest as owner of Meiyappan for betting in the IPL County Ground, an ECB release ICC Women's World Cup final in ing strength of the movements." CSK. 2013. said Wednesday. 2017." Lord's staged a Women's The US is the third country Srinivasan is the vice-chairman The CAB had also challenged the There will also be proposed World Cup final in 1993 when after Germany and Italy to offi- and managing director of India amendment to the BCCI Rule 6.2.4 group matches for Durham, Leeds, England beat New Zealand by 67 cially launch a bidding process. Cements Limited that owns IPL that permitted Srinivasan to have Nottingham, Cardiff, Bristol and runs but this was before the tour- The last time the USA hosted a franchisee Chennai Super Kings. IPL franchisee CSK without attract- Southampton. All venue alloca- nament came under the auspices of summer Olympics was in Atlanta The petitioner has also sought the ing the provision of "conflict of tions are subject to approval by the the ICC. in 1996. termination of CSK following the interest". TheSouthAsianTimes.info HEALTH December 20-26, 2014 25 Love of yoga fuels a $27 bn industry across America

Washington, DC: From tired yoga to "schools, military bases, powder skiing, the Morning News housewives to stressed executives, parks, low-income communities, said. Hollywood stars to US First Lady homeless shelters, children's hos- The 2012 ‘Yoga in America’ Michelle Obama, they all do it, pitals and many other locations study released by San Francisco's with yoga studios mushrooming in where people don't have access to Yoga Journal indicates that some every large city from San the practice, or can't afford it." 20 million people practice yoga, Francisco to New York and capital Meanwhile, according to a compared to 15.8 million from a Washington. report in The Dallas Morning 2008 study, an increase of 29 per- With the world recognizing the News Anne Anderson, a ski cent. health benefits of yoga, the ancient instructor and Kripalu yoga The growth in the yoga market Indian art of keeping fit is going teacher at the Connecticut ski is reflected in the growth of the places fueling a $27 billion indus- resort Mohawk Mountain Journal itself. Founded in 1975, it try in America where some 20 mil- launched a snow sports-yoga now has 10 international editions. lion people practice it. hybrid called ‘Snowga’ in 2012. Sat Jivan Singh Khalsa, a lawyer Yoga sessions have become a She is planning to launch this turned Kundalini yoga teacher part of Michelle Obama’s Let's "revolutionary concept in snow who set up a yoga studio in Move! campaign to end childhood sports education" in Colorado's Brooklyn's Boerum Hill in 1971, obesity in the US and a regular Rocky Mountains this winter. has seen yoga in America evolve Yoga at Times Square as a part of summer solstice feature of the traditional White Sunshine Village, a restorative from a niche activity to part of the House Easter Egg Roll, the largest water and yoga. Yoga studios worldwide is set to mountain yoga retreat near Banff, cultural mainstream. annual public event at the White There are yoga clubs, yoga mag- open a new 5,000-square-foot stu- Alberta, and Fernie Alpine Resort, Dozens of yoga variations can House. azines and yoga sites all over dio in Austin, Texas, its ninth in in Fernie, British Columbia, in be found within a one-mile radius And when a fasting Indian North America. "Yoga is arguably the US, on Jan 1, according to Canada also have outdoor winter of his studio in Manhattan's Prime Minister Narendra Modi the most widespread and influen- Austin Business Journal. The yoga programs. Flatiron District, from Equinox came calling last September after tial Eastern spiritual practice to American College of Sports Heli-skiing companies, such as power yoga to yogalates to "zen urging the UN to declare June 21 spread outside the Indian subcon- Medicine supports the integration Canadian Mountain Holidays and bootcamp," he told The as International Day of Yoga, tinent," as the Huffington Post of yoga into the exercise regimens Island Lake Lodge, have used Huffington Post last year. As President Barack Obama too won- noted in a recent article. of healthy individuals. yoga postures in their warm-ups Khalsa told the newspaper, "The dered how his guest kept such a A Toronto based international And ‘Yoga Across America’ is and after-ski stretching programs love of yoga is out there and the rigorous schedule on just warm yoga chain which has 64 Modo embarked on a mission to bring to combat the extreme exertion of time is right for yoga." UN Yoga Day result of Indian World hails UN's move on International diplomatic efforts: Sushma Swaraj Yoga Day, praises PM Modi New Delhi: Yoga experts around teachers registered by Yoga Alliance, problems. Change in society starts New Delhi: The adoption of June India -- its birthplace -- Friday hailed USA. "Any initiative taken to pro- with transforming ourselves from 21 as the International Yoga Day the UN decision to declare June 21 mote yoga is a very big step. Better within. Yoga shows the way." by the United Nations signifies as the International Yoga Day, saying late than never," she added. It is a point Modi too made after the support that recent diplomatic it would greatly boost the ancient Keshava Taylor of Ananda Sangha, 175 out of 193 members of the UN endeavors of the government Indian science. a Canadian who has taught Kriya agreed Wednesday to declare the have evoked on the world stage, Several experts and yoga practi- Yoga in India since 2003, says: International Yoga Day, saying prac- India's External Affairs Minister tioners also praised Prime Minister "With the science of yoga and self- ticing yoga would benefit people's Sushma Swaraj said Monday. Narendra Modi for taking the initia- realization, India has made the great- health. An elated Modi said: "This "In the history of the United tive to persuade the international est contribution to mankind's evolu- will inspire many more people Nations, this is the highest num- body to embrace yoga. tion. It is indeed gratifying to see towards yoga. Yoga has the power to ber of co-sponsors ever for any "We are very excited and happy. It such widespread acknowledgement bring the entire humankind together. resolution of this nature," Sushma will help in the promotion of yoga of her gift. "In the practice of yoga, It beautifully combines Gyan Swaraj said in a suo motu state- India's External Affairs within India in a big way," said and especially meditation, lie the (knowledge), Karm (work) and ment on the issue in the Lok Minister Sushma Swaraj Pratibha Agarwal, one of India's few solutions to our world's greatest Bhakti (devotion)." Sabha. The United Nations last week adopted June 21 as the sheer number of supporters as International Yoga Day. well as the smooth adoption also The proposal was made by symbolizes the strong internation- Let's spread yoga from classrooms: Ravi Shankar Prime Minister Narendra Modi al support that the recent diplo- New Delhi: Spiritual guru Ravi during his address to the United matic endeavors of our govern- "India is the land where yoga was born and Shankar Friday hailed Prime Nations General Assembly in ment have evoked on the world (it) must finally take the responsibility to Minister Narendra Modi after the September. stage," she added. spread it everywhere, starting from UN declared June 21 the Sushma Swaraj said: "While on "I would term these as a critical classrooms. This will help young people to International Yoga Day, and said the one hand, we consistently advo- part of a new India's break- move away from gun culture and violence." cate a proactive and innovative through diplomacy. From Make time had come to take yoga to approach for making India and in India to Swachh Bharat and school classrooms. "I congratulate move away from gun culture and the greater South Asian region now International Yoga Day they Modi... It is very difficult for any violence." He said yoga was a more prosperous, at the same are all small steps in our journey philosophy, religion or culture to lifestyle and should not be mistaken time, we are thinking and acting to ensure a vibrant, happy and survive without state patronage. only as 'asanas'. "A disease-free the reasons why we called our pro- on new measures to project prosperous India, whose imprint Yoga has existed so far almost like body, quiver-free breath, stress-free gram The Art of Living, a generic India's soft power- the unparal- and influence are felt far beyond an orphan," the Art of Living mind, inhibition-free intellect, term that people could relate to leled cultural richness, diversity our own shores," the external founder said. "Now, official recog- obsession-free memory, ego that across race, religion and culture.” and uniqueness of India and its affairs minister said. nition by the UN would further includes all, and soul which is free "It was Paramhansa Yogananda people." Prior to this, United Nations, in spread the benefit of yoga to the from sorrow are the signs of a per- and then Maharishi Mahesh Yogi She said an unprecedented 177 2007, had adopted India's resolu- entire world." Ravi Shankar added: fect yogi." Ravi Shankar said when who brought respectability to yoga out of the total 193 member states tion to observe Oct 2, the birth- "India is the land where yoga was The Art of Living program started in in the West." He said in the last of the United Nations co-spon- day of Mahatma Gandhi as the born and (it) must finally take the the early 80s, yoga was seen as three decades, the Art of Living had sored a resolution on International Day of Non- responsibility to spread it every- being practiced by freaks and taken yoga to 152 countries and had International Yoga Day. "The Violence. where, starting from classrooms. Himalayan yogis standing upside This will help young people to down or on one leg. "That is one of 26,000 yoga teachers worldwide. 26 December 20-26, 2014 RELIGION TheSouthAsianTimes.info

THE MESSAGE OF CHRISTMAS Humility and peace to humanity Though Christianity is presumed to be western now, Jesus Christ was born in the East and He is a product of the East! The Christmas images, symbols, and the simple ways of living are all common to the people of the East. By Rev. Wilson Jose exercise all my powers to provide with some reason. If you had come to Christ and asked hristianity is presumed as a Western is there any God? He would have said yes. If religion in modern times. Christmas you have said is there any proof, He would Cwith all its celebration with snow have replied "behold your Lord". flakes, trees and bells makes it seem as if it Christmas conveys the messages of humil- happened two thousand years ago in some ity and peace to humanity. Concerning the corner of Western Europe. But the fact of the truth of Christmas St. Paul writes, "Have this matter is that Jesus Christ was born in the attitude in yourselves which was also in East and He is a product of the East! The Christ Jesus, who although He existed in the Christmas images, symbols, and the simple form of God, did not regard equality with ways of living are all common to the people God a thing to be grasped, but emptied of the East. The nativity scenes with the Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, manger, the shepherds in open fields and the and being made in the likeness of men, and wise men guided by the stars are clearly being found in appearance as a man, He tion with those with whom we are in con- to God in the highest and on earth peace more eastern in nature than western. Even humbled Himself by becoming obedient to flict. In "Christmas" we see God humbling among men with whom He is pleased " though Christmas has its origin in the East, the point of death, even death on a cross" Himself by becoming a human being to rec- become a reality! its appeal is universal! (Philippians 2:5-8). oncile the hostile estranged humanity back to In "Christmas" we see the infinite becom- Jesus Christ is the embodiment of humili- Himself! So in Christ we can experience Rev. Wilson ing the finite, the God of all creation becom- ty! Pride is the opposite of humility. The rea- "peace with God" which will lead us to the Jose, a native of ing human, the heavenly becoming the earth- son for all personal, national and internation- "peace of God". May the "spirit of Christ" India, has been ly, the most highest becoming the lowest and al conflict is basically "pride". If the "spirit prevail within us during this Christmas sea- pastor of Grace the infinitely rich becoming the poorest! of Christ" which is the "spirit of humility" son and in the New Year that our world International This truth is embodied in the words of the takes a hold on humanity all personal, which is steeply immersed in chaos, con- Assembly of celebrated Indian sage Swami Vivekananda. national and international conflicts will flicts, wars, hatred and terrorism shall expe- God in He said, "If you ask me, is there a God? and come to an end! There will be peace! rience true peace, love and harmony! May Mineola, New I say yes, you immediately will ask my Humility is the prelude to peace. True the proclamation of the angels from the York, for 30 grounds for saying so and poor me has to humility makes us eager to bring reconcilia- heavenly places at the birth of Christ "Glory years. Hanukkah – Jewish festival of lights Gift your loved ones a anukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, is cele- Hbrated for eight days, start- 3D Christmas tree ing with Dec 16 this year. Hanukkah, or Chanukah, com- sing an algorithm for such as a tree branch, extra memorates the rededication of the automatically decom- material has to be printed Second Temple in Jerusalem in the Uposing a three dimen- beneath it as support. second century B.C.E. during the sional object into what are This extra plastic is a waste Maccabean revolt against oppres- called pyramidal parts, material and must be removed, sive Greek rulers. Jews celebrate the researchers have revealed how which can be time consuming holiday by lighting a nine-branch to print a 3D Christmas tree and difficult. candelabrum, commonly called a efficiently and with zero Removing waste material that menorah. (Technically, the cande- material waste. supports an object's hollow labrum for Hanukkah is called a A pyramidal part has a interior or tiny fragile parts, hanukkiah to distinguish itself from flat base with the remain- like the star atop a the seven-branch menorah used in der of the shape forming Christmas tree can be the Temple and described in Exodus upwards over the base almost impossible with- 25.) with no overhangs, out causing breakage. The story of Hanukkah is one of much like a pyramid. The new algorithm revolution and miracles: Greek "Coming up with partitions the object influence over the Jews in the Land a practical algo- into a small number of Israel had become an affront to rithm to decom- of nearly pyramidal Jewish culture and ritual. Antiochus, pose 3D objects parts that can be the Greek ruler, forbade Jewish reli- Jews celebrate the holiday by lighting a nine-branch cande- into the smallest 3D-printed with labrum, commonly called a menorah. gious practice, so a small group of possible number little or no mate- Jews, the Maccabees, revolted. light menorahs on each night of practice on Hanukkah, and it is of pyramidal rial waste. These Jews eventually prevailed Hanukkah. Traditionally, one candle therefore a beloved time for many parts was quite These printed and, as a first order of business, or flame is lit for each night until the Jewish children. Fried potato pan- a challenge," parts can then restored the Holy Temple, which eighth night, when all eight lights cakes (latkes) and doughnuts (suf- said Richard be glued togeth- had been desecrated. The menorah shine together. The menorah has a ganiyot) are traditional fare, and a Zhang, pro- er to form the fin- in the Temple needed to be re-lit ninth "helper" flame -- known as the spinning top (dreidel) with four fessor at ished object. The because, according to tradition, it shamash -- used to light the other Hebrew letters has become synony- Simon Fraser University in Christmas tree, for exam- should burn continuously. The candles. This is necessary because mous with the holiday. The letters -- Canada. ple, is divided in half for fabri- Temple liberators found one vial of in Jewish law the Hanukkah lights' nun, gimel, hei, shin -- form an In 3D printing, the printer cation and then glued together. olive oil, enough for one day of only purpose is to visually proclaim acronym for the message of deposits melted plastic layer by The study was published in light. Miraculously, the oil lasted for the miracle of the holiday. Hanukkah: A great miracle hap- layer in a bottom-up fashion. If the journal ACM Transaction on eight days. Today, Jews everywhere Gift giving is now a common pened there. the shape has an overhang, Graphics. TheSouthAsianTimes.info SELF HELP December 20-26, 2014 27 Food and wine pairing tips Tips to update your for the holiday season home’s technology ne of the most important aspects of holiday entertaining is sometimes Ooverlooked -- proper pairing of the hen thinking food and wine. Even if you have a bottle of about home top quality wine and an amazing chef- Wupdates, our inspired dish, without considering how the attention so often turns to food and drink combine, you can ruin the a fresh coat of paint or taste of both, say experts. new décor, but some of One commonly mismatched wine is the most practical, mean- Cabernet Sauvignon. ingful changes you can “I have a simple goal with food and wine make to your home will pairings: don’t mess with the taste of the truly modernize the way wine,” says Dean Busquaert, a wine educator you live. Here are a few at Sequoia Grove Winery, a pioneering key tech updates to fully Cabernet Sauvignon producer in the heart of bring your home into the Rutherford in Napa Valley. 21st century. Bold, full-flavored reds like Cabernet Modernize Your Sauvignon will overpower light dishes, but Landline are excellent when served with rich meats like As our mobile phones’ a roast, making them perfect for the holidays. functionality expands with each generation, sync with your devices so you can enjoy Busquaert, who often shares his pairing wis- don’t leave your home phone in the dark music wirelessly or access an external or dom at the Sequoia Grove tasting room, offers ages. You can now link your mobile phone network drive for media content. Don’t for- some invaluable pairing tips for home cooks calls to your home phone. For example, with get the surround sound, as well as a lighting a Panasonic Link2Cell handset, you can link scheme that optimizes your audiovisual planning to serve a Cabernet Sauvignon at dish can smooth out a big and structured their festivities. up to two smartphones to make and receive experience. Cabernet Sauvignon. calls, as well as receive talking ID alerts so Programmable Thermostat The number one thing to avoid pairing  Don’t be fooled by conventional wisdom. Going green and being comfortable can with Cabernet Sauvignon is sugar, which will you never miss a text. You don’t even need a Some rules do not apply across the board. now go hand in hand. Improve your home’s throw off the tannin balance of the wine and separate landline to use these features. “Most people think red wine always goes energy efficiency and well-being at the same make it seem astringent and bitter. For exam- Other technology highlights include with red meat, only to discover a dish like time by investing in a programmable ther- ple, many people think chocolates pair well Enhanced Noise Reduction that allows you beef teriyaki, which contains sugar, can make mostat. Look for a user-friendly, intuitive with red wine. However, they don`t -- unless to suppress background noise around callers a beautiful Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon thermostat that automatically turns itself it is a port which has residual sugar. while simultaneously enhancing their voic- seem undrinkable,” says Busquaert. es, and a powerful battery back-up system down when you are not home and that can Sugar content, whether it comes from fruits  Use salt liberally to bring out the full fla- also be programmed remotely from a laptop, like grapes or apples, or honey and chocolate, that keeps you connected when the power vor in foods, without throwing off the flavors tablet or smartphone. is simply not a good choice for Cabernet goes out. of your wine. Even if you have all the latest mobile Sauvignon. Home Theater Food pairings are an essential ingredient to Bring the theater experience home by giv- gadgets, there’s no guarantee your home life To make a Cabernet Sauvignon taste a successful holiday party. Don’t overlook matches your techy on-the-go lifestyle. Take more velvety, pair it to dishes high in acidity. ing your living room or den a tech this important element when planning your makeover. A smart home theater system will steps to bring your home up to speed. For example, adding a splash of lemon to a menu. Move from STEM to STEAM, adding A as in arts How to dress for success in the New Year TEM (Science, apps, including hand-picked hen it no longer fit, are worn Technology, Android learning games and comes to out, faded or out of SEngineering and age-appropriate learning soft- Wprofessional style. Donate these Math) has been the buzz ware and content through success, the way you clothes and make phrase for educators for VTech’s Learning Lodge, as present yourself in the room for new ones. some time. But, with many well as creative onboard apps workplace should Rocking the basics school districts eliminating such as Movie Maker and Art complement the quali- can make a great art, music and other humani- Studio. The apps feature a ty of your work. impression at meet- ties classes, there has been a wide curriculum of language Whether you’re look- ings, conventions and recent push by educators to arts and reading, math, sci- ing to advance your other professional change the focus from ence, social studies, problem career or simply make events. Show employ- STEM to STEAM, and add solving and creativity, that a great impression, a ers, colleagues and arts back into the mix for a daily opportunities for creativity to have been reviewed by a useful New Year’s res- clients organization is more well-rounded education. flourish, but you can turn the play- panel of education and child devel- olution is to refine important to you by “Many experts agree that STEAM room at home into an artists’ studio. opment experts. your office look and style -- take carrying a planner and business education is a great way to engage Keep on hand arts and crafts sup- Music everything into account, your notebook. Take ownership of your children of all ages in creative play, plies such as glue, construction Participation in music education wardrobe, your accessories and your workspace. Your desk, cubicle or discovery and learning,” says Dr. paper, glitter, scissors, string and has been proven to improve grades workspace. office is visible round-the-clock, Eric Klopfer, Platform Learning paint. Take a trip to a museum or in STEM subjects. Not only that, You may not have the top job yet, even when you are off-the-clock, so Expert and member of the Expert gallery and learn about different it’s a ton of fun.If your school offers but the old adage holds true -- dress make sure it makes a great impres- Panel at VTech, a world leader in artists and styles to get kids opportunities such as band or cho- for the job you want, not the one sion. A few personal items are wel- age-appropriate and developmental inspired. rus, encourage your kids to get you have. If budget is an issue, come in most workplaces. Just be stage-based electronic learning New Technologies involved. If arts programs are don’t sweat it. Online coupons can sure any personal photos of friends products for children. Handing over your expensive, scarce, invest in a keyboard or gui- help you score great deals at mass and family that you display are Whatever the present academic breakable mobile technology to tar for the home. Even if private market retailers. Additionally, dis- tasteful and appropriate. focus of your local school district your young children may not sound music lessons are out of the budget, count department stores often sell Lastly, display a stylish wall cal- is, you can help support a more ideal for on-the-go learning, but there are plenty of online tutorials designer labels at a fraction of the endar on your cubicle or office wall comprehensive education for your there are durable tablets built for that can help with the basics. While cost. Be sure to iron your clothes to keep important dates in view. Or children at home, while making it children that support learning apps there’s no doubt that math and sci- even if your office is business casu- if you prefer, a desk pad calendar fun. Here’s how to incorporate combining STEM subjects with the ence comprehension are critical, al. Invest in an iron and give your- gives you the same view of your STEAM learning into your chil- arts. For example, InnoTab MAX, education experts advise parents to self a few extra minutes in the busy month ahead. You want col- dren’s playtime: VTech’s most powerful and versa- support an interdisciplinary morning to ensure clothes are wrin- leagues to know that not only do Art Time tile 7-inch tablet, features access to approach to learning that incorpo- kle-free. Every season, go through you have a full plate, you know The school day may not offer more than 650 educator-supported rates the arts as well. StatePoint your closet and set aside clothes that what’s on it. 28 December 20-26, 2014 HUMOR TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Funny Side by Nury Vittachi How typos get people into serious trouble

Y MOST HATED computer error I mention these matters in preface to shar- message is: “Warning: Keyboard ing an important news item: A long-running Mnot found. Press enter to contin- Facebook puzzle has just been solved. ue.” Seeing this causes me to give a visual For years, thousands of people around the lesson to my workmates on the true defini- world have been getting messages signed: tion of the word “Hardware”: “The parts of “Grandpa and Grandmaster Flash.” a computer which can be kicked, thumped, It was a puzzle. Why were so many screamed at and jumped on.” grandfathers sending out joint announce- But computers are EVEN MORE mad- ments with a 1980s hip-hop star? dening when they dare to edit what we, Techies found Facebook computers were their Lords and Masters, are writing. automatically “correcting” “Grandma” to Professional journalists still shudder at “Grandmaster Flash” and disabled the func- the memory of the infamous Reuters article tion. in which a computer “corrected” a feature Of course, this is probably causing great on Pakistan's Muttahida Qaumi Movement annoyance to elderly men who DO want to to be about the “Muttonhead Quail send out joint messages with the aging hip- Movement.” Wars have started for less. hopper. That same news agency's spell-check also *** changed “the Queen” into “Queen do that to an innocent banana and a carton This same trick is particularly amusing of Elizabeth”, causing a 2006 feature on bee- Regarding old music, a reader sent me a of whipped cream? you do it on computers used for live sub- keeping to tell the world: report from Foreign Policy magazine about *** titling of TV news broadcasts. “Queen Elizabeth has 10 times the lifes- intelligence experts who recently found a Prime Minister: “You can rely on the pan of workers and lays up to 2,000 eggs a Dell laptop in a Syrian safe house used by What should the agents do with the lap- promises your party makes.” day.” top terrorist gang ISIS. top? Subtitles: “Thou canst rely on ye oldde Her Majesty fortunately chose to take it They found the computer contained a Whenever I am placed in possession of a promises thy party maketh.” as a compliment. recipe for banana mousse and a Celine friend's computer, I call up the auto-correct *** In days of yore, whenever those were, Dion song collection. This is not a joke. dictionary and add new commands. Change that would have been a head- lopping, for Man, I thought terrorists were evil before, "you" to "thou," "the" to "ye oldde," "okay" In the meantime, be aware that autocor- sure. but now I know that they are truly subhu- to "verily," all "-n" endings to "-nst," etc. rect can cause you to declare that you have *** man. I mean, banana mousse: Who would Then I give it back. Your friend will find committed major crimes. himself/herself writing perfect Such as the young lady called Lauren Shakespearian English. It’s like a miracle. who was waiting for the bar to open and I strongly recommend doing this when he wrote to her friends: or she is up against a tight deadline to pro- “We are around the corner killing Tim.” duce a piece of extremely important work. *** Oh, how your friend will laugh! *** Laughter is the Best Medicine

by Mahendra Shah

Mahendra Shah is an architect by education, entrepreneur by profession, artist and humorist, cartoonist and writer by hobby. He has been recording the plight of the immigrant Indians for the past many years in his cartoons. Hailing from Gujarat, he lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. TheSouthAsianTimes.info ASTROLOGY December 20-26, 2014 29

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 December 20-26, 2014 Annual Predictions: For those born in this week

ARIES: Journey undertaken for busi- path of progress would keep stagnation away. 20th December, 2014 of your health. ness purpose might fail to bring expect- LIBRA: Calculated risks would Ruled planet: Moon Ruled by no: 2 Finance this year: You will earn a lot of money from your Traits in you: As you are influenced by the Moon, you are past investment this year. However, you should invest your ed results. Friends and family members enables to complete the project on confident, emotional, imaginative, simple, creative, courte- money after going through the market thoroughly. Do not would lend a helping hand. Your brilliant ideas time. Avoid sharing family secrets with ous, and warm hearted. You can easily make friends be- lend or money this year. You may spend a lot of money on would help in bringing financial gains. casual acquaintances. Certain important plans cause of your nature so you enjoy enormous respect buying comfort and luxury for your family members. amongst your friends. You should control your mood Career this year: You will gain a lot of professional knowl- Proposing might benefit, as chances of suc- will be executed, bringing fresh financial gains. swings and you should not be lazy. edge this year. You may think for a job change this year. You ceeding in love are high. Inexhaustible energy Romantic opportunity comes your way as your Health this year: As far as your health is concerned this may not get the job satisfaction in the organization you cur- enables to participate in outdoor activities. sparkling sunshine smile injures a lively & ten- year, you may frequently fall sick. You need to undergo reg- rently work for. You may not get the expected appraisal, ular medical checkups and take your prescribed medicines which would urge you to switch to another company. Vacation full of beauty and history as well as der heart. You are likely to maintain good on time. Join a gym and try practicing meditation to retain Romance this year: You should avoid any kind of conflict exciting is waiting for you. Purchasing official health that would also give you success. your fitness. with your beloved. Plan a long holiday with your spouse to accessories can lead to improve growth of your Planning a vacation, keep an eye on your Finance this year: You would not be able to save any mon- make your relationship stronger. If you are unmarried, you ey for future this year as your earnings will be spent for should not get to a marital relationship this year as the office. Failures are likely to be stepping stones expenditure before you travel. Dealings for something or the other. You may face unexpected expenses, movement of your stars is not favorable for marriage. for success. older properties can be in process. You are like- which would make you a bit financially weak. You may go Lucky month: April, June and August. TAURUS: It would require some ly to spellbind others by wit & repartee. for new business ventures but need not get involved in any partnerships. 24th December, 2014 urgent & quick decisions to turn the tide SCORPIO: A firm commitment will Career this year: You will be given more responsibility Ruled planet: Venus Ruled by no :6 in your favour at professional front. An not only enable to achieve professional this year as you have proved yourself to be an efficient re- Traits in you: Your ruling planet Venus makes optimistic, source for your employer. You may expect a promotion or ambitious, caring, aspiring, and determined. You are very unexpected message from a distant relative targets but also to realise your dreams. A salary hike later this year. You should guide your ordinates social and love to make new friends and get into new rela- brings happy news for the entire family. A new outlook will be the source of laughter at to perform better and bring unexpected results for your or- tionships. You are a huge follower of intelligence and edu- promising week to earn profits in real estate family front in this week. Speculations are like- ganization. cation. Romance this year: Your marital relationship will move Health this year: You need to focus on your health a little and financial transactions. You need to make a ly to bring monetary profits. Romance touches forward with lot of mutual love, care, respect and admira- more as you may fall sick frequently this year. You should proper planning before embarking on love new heights, as partner positively responds. A tion. You should not get into any kind of argument with your go for regular medical checkups to maintain a healthy life. journey. You attain a bloom in health on shar- continuous positive thinking gets rewarded as spouse as it may disturb your peaceful personal life. You Your parents may fall sick towards the end of the year and should get married this year if you are yet to marry. it will put you in immense pressure. ing happiness with others. Traveling on your you succeed in whatever you do in this week. Lucky month: April, August and November Finance this year: Your innovative ideas to earn money own, with a friend or with the whole family Pack your bags as a happy, fun-filled holiweek may not meet your expectations. However, you need to will be exciting and comfortable too. Inheriting is looking forward. Your possession for acquir- 21st December, 2014 keep trying until you succeed. You will find it tough to Ruled planet: Jupiter Ruled by no: 3 make money this year. You may go for investments in var- property from your relatives seems to be ahead. ing a plot might be achieved. Others are likely Traits in you: As you are ruled by the Jupiter, you are en- ious sectors like shares, gold, land and so on. You will devote time to improve behaviour and to feel the fragrance of your personality. ergetic, ambitious, dignified, realistic, optimistic, reliable, Career this year: You will get enough opportunities in your learn new things. SAGITTARIUS: Cooperative nature and very kindhearted. You have the skills of a good listener professional life to prove yourself. You will create a better so you can perform well in any field. You should learn han- impression on your seniors or higher management, which GEMINI: Colleagues and subordinates brings desired results at professional dling tough situations calmly and efficiently. may result in promotion. You should work efficiently to will lend a helping hand enabling to front. Enjoying a picnic with family Health this year: You will enjoy a moderate health this maintain your respect at your workspace. complete the work on time. Relatives will not only bring joy but also help in clearing year. You need to take preventive medicines for weather Romance this year: You will share a blissful romantic re- changes as it may hamper your health conditions. Do not lationship with your spouse or partner. Your marriage is on are likely to give some valuable advice regard- misunderstandings. Monetary position is likely neglect your health if you feel uneasy. Consult doctor reg- cards if you are yet to marry. You will find your partner sup- ing personal life. An improvement in monetary to improve later in the week. You are likely to ularly and practice Yoga for better results. portive enough in every crucial situation. Finance this year: You will be in huge monetary benefits Lucky month: February, May and July. position makes it convenient to purchase essen- find someone with whom you will enjoy the this year as you are going to get many contracts if you are tial items. Avoid raising controversial issues in ecstasies of love. Creative hobbies are likely to in business. You may travel abroad to for business purpose 25th December, 2014 love rather enjoy the company. A cheerful state keep you relaxed. Your travel plans are smooth, and that would be very successful in establishing your busi- Ruled planet: 7 Ruled by no :Neptune ness. You need to create new contacts to get more business. Traits in you: By nature you are sober, courteous, unique, of mind would allow enjoying the perfect but the toughest part is that your partner does- You should not invest in share market this time though you honest and courageous as you are ruled by the powerful health. Travel in comfort with kids to an adven- n’t have time. If you invest on smaller proper- may go for real estate. planet Neptune. Your charming nature attracts people to- turous place might be possible. Your income ties then it can be beneficiary for future invest- Career this year: You will be highly appreciated by your wards you. You love to face challenges and you fight them employer for your excellent performance. With the in- pretty well by executing perfection. You need to check for can be doubled by renting your house or a part ments. You are likely to start a new construc- creased workload, you may also be offered an increased your impatience, rudeness, and frequent mood swings. of your house. Planning to visit a pilgrimage is tion work during this week. salary. You should learn to handle pressure situations from Health this year: You will enjoy a better health this year as on the cards. CAPRICORN: For some change of job your seniors. You may go for a job change later this year. compared to last year. However, the health of an aged fam- Romance this year: You may go through minor personal ily member may deteriorate and that will make you both- CANCER: Success in completing dif- would bring mental satisfaction. disturbances and these could be solved by talking more to ered. You may end up spending lot of money for the health ficult assignments brings a lot of lau- Charming nature and pleasant personal- your partner. Do not let the distance grow. Get some time to issues of your family members. rels at work. You receive care and ity would make you the attraction of family talk to your spouse. You may plan a long trip with your part- Finance this year: This year may bring you huge financial ner to strengthen your relationship. benefits. You will enjoy the returns of your investments. If affection from family members. Long-term function. Hard work of previous days brings Lucky month: June, September and October. you want to gain financial profits, you have to work hard. investment would enable to make substantial good fortune enabling to fulfill monetary prom- You may invest in various profitable businesses. However, gains. Search for a true romantic friend might ises. Love comes your way as friendship turns 22nd December, 2014 you should not start new partnerships or trust new friends. Ruled planet: Uranus Ruled by no :4 Career this year: This year you will reach to the peak of end in this week. Divine knowledge from a into romance. With a positive outlook & confi- Traits in you: The influence of your ruling planet Uranus your professional career and it will offer you huge financial saintly person provides solace & comfort. A dence, you succeed in impressing people makes you active, practical, enthusiastic, courageous, am- benefits. This year will be pretty rewarding for female em- bitious, and highly philosophical. You are very proud of ployees. You may get a better performance appraisal as well trip that stimulates and gives opportunity for around you. An enriching vacation full of fun is your traditions, culture and rituals. You are highly religious as salary hike as compared to your expectations. work is coming ahead. It would be beneficial if what you need. Your plan to own a house is and have a very sharp mind. However, you need to work on Romance this year: The emotional attachment with your you plan to buy a small property. You are likely ought to be in the right way. Long pending legal your impatient and stubborn behavior. spouse or partner may blossom this year with lot of love, Health this year: You will enjoy a pretty good health this care, and concern. If you are not married, then you may go to learn the benefit of being enthusiastic. battle is likely to settle to your satisfaction. year though you may go through few minor diseases. Go for for a romantic relationship. You will enjoy a very blissful LEO: Self-confident would enable to AQUARIUS: Your inner values cou- regular medical checkups to retain your good health. Take time with your beloved. convey your point of view with ease a pled with a positive attitude will bring care of the health of your family members. Do not ignore Lucky month: July, August and December any health related issue as it may lead to further distur- workplace. Matrimonial alliance for eli- success at work. Family members bances. 26th December, 2014 gible bachelor in family brings joy to all. You appreciate the changes made in & around the Finance this year: You will be able to earn more money. Ruled planet: Saturn Ruled by no: 8 will make good money in this week, but dont house. You succeed in making some extra cash However, you may end up spending a lot of money on lux- Traits in you: Your ruling planet Saturn makes you hum- ury and comfort. You may go for new business or invest- ble, honest, focused, practical, realistic and enthusiastic. let it slip through your fingers. Blossoming on playing your cards well. Make sure you dont ments this year as the movement of planets ensures you You are blessed with enormous talent and imagination. love life brings happiness. Meditation and yoga surrender yourself under physical passions to good monetary benefits. Along with the positive characters in you, there are some prove beneficial for spiritual as well as physi- save romantic bond. Mental alertness would Career this year: You will get new heights in your profes- negative aspects in your nature. You need to work on your sion because of your excellent communication skills. Your nature of being envious, unreliable, and indiscipline. cal gains. A luxurious getaway type vacation enable to solve a tricky problem. Time to make employer would be very impressed and will admire you. Health this year: Though you would not face any major with your spouse waiting for you. Real estate is your vacation a dream come true. Plan to invest You may get few extra responsibilities and salary will also health related issues, you should take extra care of your one thing on which you can rely on to invest. If in cafeteria or a bakery shop; it might create increase. You will get expert in your domain and you must health. Do not take unwanted risk of putting your health in go for learning new things in your profession. stake. Go for regular medical checkups. possible, avoid compromising with principles new opportunities for you. Decent manners and Romance this year: If you are yet to be in a relationship, Finance this year: As far as your financial condition is con- and values of life at any cost. intellectual talk would catch others attention. this year is the ideal time to find a partner. You will get am- sidered, you will enjoy a better status as compared to the ple support from your spouse in any critical decision you last year. You will get enough benefits from your previous VIRGO: Mental clarity gives a decisive PISCES:Responding positively & have to take. You should show your love to your partner as investments. You may plan for new investments. You may edge over all competitors at profession- quickly to new ideas in business will go it strengthens your relationship. go for partnerships to start new ventures. Domestic as well al front. Do not share personal matters in your favour. You need to be patient Lucky month: January, March and November. as overseas ventures will be successful this year. You need to create new contacts for the growth in your business as it with casual acquaintances otherwise it will dis- with children because they are less experienced 23rd December, 2014 will earn you more projects and money. appoint family members. Financial hassles will than you. Put your extra money at a safer place Ruled planet: Mercury Ruled by no :5 Career this year: Professionally you will enjoy a smooth be eased out with the help of your friends. promising to return you on time. You are likely Traits in you: As you are influenced by your ruling planet life. You may get recognition in your professional circuit as Mercury, you are intelligent, unique, sensible, business ori- a result of your hard work and dedication. Your promotion Romance is likely to intensify through recre- find comfort in the arms of romantic partner. A ented, dignified, optimistic and charismatic. You are also is on cards. You should take help of your seniors to learn ational activities & entertainment. A very cheerful state of mind brings mental peace. pretty warmhearted and friendly. However, you need not be quickly and perform exceptionally well as it would help you healthy week when your cheerfulness gives the Affordable luxury vacation will explore your restless and impatient always to get your things done. grow professionally. Health this year: Your health will remain good throughout Romance this year: Your relationship with your spouse or desired tonic and confidence. Thrilling experi- desires. Being an opportunity seeker is not the year. You need to take utmost care of your health to partner will blossom this year. If you are not married, you ence is on your way, as your trip is full of good for you, as you want be getting the cor- maintain it and remain fit. The health of your family mem- may have to wait for few more years though you are eligi- excitement Investment on construction busi- rect value for your property. You are likely to bers might be a concern for you this year. Try and avoid ble for marriage. your bad habits and start practicing yoga for the betterment Lucky month: January, May and October ness would flourish your income. Efforts on the join a humanitarian group to enjoy peace. 30 December 20-26, 2014 SPIRITUAL AWARENESS TheSouthAsianTimes.info Jyoti Meditation Instructions: An Introductory Meditation Technique

heard were borne out to third eye, single eye, what appears. You may see inner be true. At some point, shiv netra, divya chak- vistas such as an inner sky, clouds, those describing the shu, ajna or aggya char- stars, a moon, or a sun. experience report ka, tenth door, or daswan While gazing into the middle of going through a dark dwar (located between what appears, you may notice that tunnel to emerge in a and behind the two eye- your mind distracts you with By Sant Rajinder Singh world of light. There, brows). thoughts. You may find that the Ji Maharaj they met a being of Close your eyes, gen- thoughts distract you from gazing Light who embraced tly, as you do when we within. You may find that you can- yoti Meditation (light medita- them with more love go to sleep, but remain not silence your mind to continue tion) is an introductory prac- than any they ever wide awake. Closing meditating. To help keep your Jtice used in Science of experienced in their your eyes keeps you mind from distracting you, you Spirituality—Sawan Kirpal physical life. The joy from being distracted by can mentally and silently repeat Ruhani Mission that anyone of they felt in this world the outer sights of the any Name of God with which you any age can try on your own. The of light was so tremen- physical world. With feel comfortable. This repetition full meditation technique used in dous many did not closed eyes, focus your should go on mentally, and not Science of Spirituality, which want to return to life. attention in front of you. aloud, as you continue to gaze. leads to inner experiences of spiri- During this time, they Do not put pressure on This silent repetition gives the tual realms of light within, is no longer felt any pain. your eyes. Also, do not mind something to do so that it called Shabd Meditation or Surat The light was bright raise your eyes upwards does not send thoughts to you that Shabd Yoga as is practiced by peo- and intense but not any time we want through medita- towards the direction of can distract you from meditating. ple all over the world. scorching. This experience was so tion. When we tap into this place the eyebrows as that puts pressure As your attention converges at the A good analogy to understand loving it transformed their lives of peace and calm, we naturally on your eyes and forehead and can third or single eye, you may then the joy of meditation can be found and they realized how important it are beyond the reaches of stress result in a headache. Rather, keep see inner lights. These lights are a in the reports of those having a is to be loving. They returned to and anger. We are in a place of joy your eyes focused gently in front reflection of the lights of the inner near-death experience, or NDE. In their body as it was not their time and bliss that lasts with us even of you and look into the middle of realms. By gazing deeper into the such experiences, someone who to die, but they were transformed when we come out of meditation. what appears within. Keep gazing middle of that light, you can tap underwent a physical trauma or by the experience. They no longer To get started with the Jyoti horizontally, focusing about eight into the spiritual treasures within accident may have undergone clin- feared death and knew that there Meditation practice, which anyone to ten inches in front of you with and enjoy the profound peace, joy, ical death. As doctors and medical was more to life than their physi- can try on your own at home or closed eyes. bliss, and happiness unlike any practitioners worked on their cal body. They knew they could anywhere you like, sit in a com- Look lovingly into the middle of found in this world. Those who body, the patients experienced exist beyond this body. fortable pose, most convenient to what appears in front of you. At meditate are permeated with a floating above their body and According to a Gallup Poll, over you, in which you can sit still for first, you may see either darkness divine love that engulfs and ful- watching the procedure being thirteen million people reported the longest possible time. While or light, sparks of light, pinpoints fills them. The beauty of medita- done on them. Some floated this near-death experience. The meditating, it is not necessary to of light, flashes of light, circles of tion is that this joy can remain through walls to witness friends good news is that people can expe- hold hands or touch anyone else, light, or light of any color, such as with you even after you resume and relatives in other rooms, what rience the realms of inner light as any movement brings your red, orange, yellow, blue, green, your daily activities. they were doing, wearing, or say- through mediation without the attention back down into the body, purple, violet, white, or golden May you find this meditation ing, and later, when the patient trauma of a near-death experience. distracting from concentration at color. No matter what you see, helpful in improving the health of was revived, what they saw and This bliss and love can be ours the seat of the soul, also called the continue to gaze into the middle of your body, mind, and soul. Is Spirituality in your Daily Budget?

our breaths go into activities rele- by we invert our attention to find the chart of how much time we need to vant to our physical survival. We Divine within us. Do we budget spend in the various activities neces- have to spend time taking care of enough time for this? sary for our life to survive in this the body, such as in eating, bathing, Caring for the soul physical world and how much time dressing, sleeping, and other bodily Meditation takes practice, where- we need to put into our spiritual activities. We also need to spend by we can connect with the divine practices. Mostly, we allocate every- time earning a living to pay for the Light and Sound within and soar on thing on our to-do list first and then necessities of life. We have to go to it to explore realms beyond. The put in the time for meditation last. school or college or get training for practice of concentrating within This year, we can try allocating our our jobs as well. If we have a fami- takes repetition to become adept at time for meditation first, and then fit Those on the spiritual path have set self-knowledge and ly, we need to take care of them. We it. As in all tasks in life, daily prac- in all the other responsibilities we also want to be a contributing mem- tice will help us achieve success. In have. In this way, we can ensure that realization of the Divine as a goal within this very lifetime. ber of our community and be of planning our spiritual budget—the our meditation is not an after- the capital of our life’s breaths given service to others. Beyond this, we capital of our life’s breaths to thought, but as important a part of By Sant Rajinder Singh to us as a gift of the Divine? are left with time we can spend any achieve the goal of union with the our day as our other duties. Ji Maharaj This is a good time to analyze way we like. How can we budget Divine—we need to allocate some Some people find that meditating how we have been spending our pre- that time to make the best use of it? time daily for meditation. Just as we in the beginning of the day, right s people around the world cious breaths and time, and whether Those on the spiritual path have want a balanced financial budget, after we awaken, ensures that we focus on the economy and we can make better use of them. Are set self-knowledge and realization we also want a balanced budget of always get that meditation time in Ain budgeting their finances we spending our time haphazardly of the Divine as a goal within this our time. Balancing our time means and do not leave it for last, when to make ends meet, there is another and wastefully, or are we spending it very lifetime. Saints and spiritual spending time developing our physi- other responsibilities may take so budget that each of us can consider. with purpose? Masters teach that we do not have to cal, mental, and spiritual side of life. long we never get to our spiritual Besides what we amass in this phys- How can we make best use of our wait until this life ends to discover While attending to our responsibili- practices. If we make meditation an ical world, we also are given a cer- time? what lies beyond. We can witness ties of taking care of our body and essential part of the day, we will tain number of breaths by God to We have twenty-four hours in the the realms beyond in this lifetime by mind, we also need to care for our find it becomes a habit. We will be use in our physical existence. We day to budget to our life’s purpose. sitting in silence, focusing our atten- soul. making the best use of our time and analyze how we are budgeting the Just as some of our finances go to tion within, and exploring the inner As we look ahead to 2013, let us find that the spiritual gains we use of our finances, but how often the necessities of life such as food, spiritual treasures. This involves spend time analyzing how we want achieve will enrich all aspects of our do we look at how we are budgeting clothing, and shelter, so do some of spending time in meditation where- to budget our time. We can make a lives. TheSouthAsianTimes.info December 20-26 , 2014 TheSouthAsianTimes.info December 20-26, 2014