VOL 11 ISSUE 52 ● NEW YORK/ DALLAS ● DECEMBER 29, 2017 - JANUARY 04, 2018 ● ENQUIRIES: 646-247-9458 www.theindianpanorama.news 12 Reported Dead in Bronx Fire BRONX, NY (TIP): At least 12 41 dead in attack on Shia people, including a child, were killed in a fire Thursday, December 28 night,at an apartment building in the Cultural Center in Kabul Bronx, officials said. The cause of the blaze is under investigation. KABUL (TIP): At least 41 Mayor Bill de Blasio called it the persons were killed when an "worst fire tragedy in this city in at Islamic State suicide bomber struck least a quarter century." He said there a Shiite cultural center in Kabul, were 12 fatalities so far, and that "we December 28. may lose others as well." An AFP report says that the Four people had been "critically New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio attack may have targeted the pro- injured," the mayor said, and others addressing a press conference on Iran Afghan Voice news agency were hurt. Some more were reported December 28 housed in the two-story building. injured. At least 12 were rescued, The Sunni extremists of IS view Mayor said. The fire has been put out, he said. Shiite Muslims as apostates and have repeatedly attacked US votes Obama as 'most admired' man Afghanistan's Shiite minority and targets linked to neighboring Iran. The attack wounded more than 80 persons, many of whom suffered severe burns. The center was marking the anniversary of the 1979 Soviet invasion with a seminar An injured Afghan man is transferred from an ambulance to a hospital contd on Page 32 following blasts at a Shia cultural center in Kabul -Photo / Courtesy Tribune

For the 10th year in a row, Americans have voted former President Barack Indian American Punjabi Girl's Suspected Killer Arrested, Arraigned Obama and Hillary Clinton as the most admired man and woman How many more have to die this way WASHINGTON (TIP): For the 10th year in a row, Americans have named before the Legislature will act? - former US president Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton as the man and Nassau County District Attorney woman they admire most, according to a recent Gallup poll published on Madeline Singas Thursday, December 28. Obama edged out President Donald Trump, 17 per cent to 14 per cent, while former secretary of state Clinton moved past I.S. Saluja Michelle Obama, 9 per cent to 7 per cent and First Lady Melania Trump MINEOLA, NY (TIP): Nassau scored one per cent, the poll said. Obama wins over Trump, who is suffering County Police announced December 23 Taranjit Parmar's father Ranjit Parmar speaking at the press conference at brutally low approval ratings as he is about to complete his first year in the that thesuspected killer of Taranjit Nassau County Police Headquarters, December 24. Also seen are Taranjit's White House, came in second place followed by Pope Kaur Parmar had been arrested and mother Kulvinder Kaur (second from left). Nassau County District Attorney Francis. (Source: PTI) contd on Page 6 Madeline Singas (7th from left). Others present included Nassau County Acting Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder and Detective Fitzpatrick We thank our loyal readers, contributors, advertisers, associates and well-wishers for their patronage in 2017 and look forward to THANK YOU another rocking year ahead.. HAPPY NEW YEAR Roy Moore Fails to Stop Doug Jones'Certification as Alabama's first Democratic Senator in 25 years

WASHINGTON (TIP): An Alabama circuit judge on Thursday, December 28, rejected Republican Roy Moore's request to halt the certification, arguing the court did not have jurisdiction. Meanwhile, officials from the secretary of state's office dismissed accounts of voter fraud provided by Moore's attorneys. "There have not been any issues at this time that have been reported and determined to be verified as fraud," Republican Roy Moore failed to stop said John Bennett, Merrill's deputy chief of staff. certification of Democrat Doug Jones as the next U.S. senator from Still, Moore, 70, the defiant former chief justice of the Alabama despite his last-minute Alabama Supreme Court, refused to concede. legal maneuvering contd on Page 32

104-02, 120th Street, S. Richmond Hill, NY 11419 THE INDIAN PANORAMA 2 ADVERTISEMENT FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2017 THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2017 NEW YORK 3 TV Asia, FIA and Indian Consulate host community outreach event EDISON, NJ (TIP):TV Asia, the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) of NY-NJ-CT and the Indian Consulate in New York, hosted a community outreach program at the TV Asia auditorium in Edison, NJ on Dec 20. Sandeep Chakravorty, India's Consul General in New York, patiently answered questions by members of the community. The "Ask Your Consul General" event was broadcast live on TV Asia's Facebook page and was recorded as well on multiple-cameras, to be telecast on TV Asiafor extended benefit of the community in the US, A section of the audience at the event Photo / Gunjesh Desai Canada and worldwide. H R Shah, chairman and CEO of TV Asia, introduced Consul General Consul General Sandeep Chakravorty (right) atthe community outreach Chakravorty, recounting his recent program, hosted by TV Asia, the FIA and the Indian Consulate at the TV Asia interactions with Ambassador auditorium, December 20 Photo / Gunjesh Desai Chakravorty and how he came away impressed with the "remarkable and moderated questions from the the world," Chakravorty said brilliant young man." audience. responding to a question. Other officials from the Consulate Consul General Chakravorty More than 200 guests attended the included Consul for Passport & Visa explained that the Indian Consulate outreach event, asking the Consul Mr. L. Krishnamurthy and Head of was organizing outreach programs General a variety of questions Chancery Jaideep. Vandana for the Indian community in ranging from OCI applications and Sharma, Air India's Regional- different US cities since 2015 on one-way travel documents to delays Manager for Americas, officials of consular, economic, cultural, in visa issuance and the customer CKGS Application Support Center; banking and tourism matters. The service at CKCG Application Ramesh Patel, FIA chairman; Andy outreach program, he added, support center for the Indian Bhatia, FIA president, Srujal provided a platform to the Consulate. Parikh, FIA president-elect, and The community about the activities of Consul General Chakravorty, 47, Indian Panorama editor Prof. the Consulate as well as interact on who assumed charge in New York in Releasing the FIA Brochure. Seen, from L to R: Andy Bhatia, Ramesh Patel, Indrajit S Saluja were among those issues directly relevant to them. August 2017, was previously India's Padma Shri H.R. Shah, Alok Kumar, Srujal Parikh, Haresh Shah, Daxa Amin, Honorable Consul General Ambassador Sandeep Chakravorty, Vandana present. "In our jurisdiction of 10 states, Ambassador to Peru. The 1996 Sharma. Photo / Gunjesh Desai After introductions and remarks, we have more than 2 million Indian Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer the question-answer format Americans, and therefore, our replaced Riva Ganguly Das as overseas. Speakers at the event also and the willingness to extend help followed in a town-hall style Consulate in New York is the largest Consul General in one of the busiest lauded the Consul General's on all matters of concern to the interaction, where a TV Asia host and the busiest Indian Consulate in Indian diplomatic missions pleasing demeanor and humility Indian American community. IALI Elections Held: Gunjan Rastogi SEEMA JAGTIANI IS ELECTED elected President: Oathtaking on Jan 9 LONG ISLAND, NY (TIP): SAACO PRESIDENT FOR 2018 India Association of Long Island EDISON, NJ (TIP): Seema VP position she attained various held elections for the new Jagtiani, a well known Indian awards and certificates for her executive for 2018. Gunjan Rastogi American was recently elected superior performance in financial was elected President. President of SAACO (South Asian sales. Her next post was Sr. VP with In an interview to The Indian American Community Outreach), an Amogh Associates LLC., as a partner Panorama, Mrs. Rastogi said, organization which works towards to Col. Virendra Tavathia Seema "Today I am humbled and uniting and promoting individuals continued to guide and advice people honored to be elected as the and businesses originating from the in Individual and Commercial President IALI 2018, I have served seven SAARC countries.The mission financial and insurance fields. India Association of Long Island is to help the individuals in guiding Excelling in various financial (IALI) selflessly for many years them towards providing peaceful and planning stages of their lives, be it and I want to take a moment to compliant solutions towards the college, retirement or estate thank all the IALI members and various challenges faced by them in planning. all its past presidents for their their day to day life in our Homeland. In June of 2013, Seema stepped up unwavering support and trust - SAACO believes strongly in a Peaceful United as a President of Amogh Agency, acquiring Farmers for voting for me with thumping Teamwork keeping in mind our values and diverse Insurance Retail Agency, a very successful insurance majority for last several years, cultures towards a strong united future for our future company from the west coast to the Northeast. Winning since I started running for generations. the prestigious Blue Vase award in her first year and elections in various capacities - Mrs. Gunjan Rastogi has been elected Originating from New Delhi, India, Seema Jagtiani achieving the Toppers Club Award every year thereafter starting from member at large, President of IALI for 2018 completed High School in New Delhi, India. She then she continues to do what she is best at, providing Treasurer(2014 and 2015) , Vice moved to Spain where she completed her higher college Financial and Insurance solutions in a very creative President (2016 and 2017) and now as President for 2018 - I am requesting education in Finance and Computer Sciences. She and cost efficient manner. your support once again to help me in taking IALI to new heights by managed a wholesale and retail business in Perfume Seema has held a very important role in the participating in our programs. With my technical background - I want to industry for over 5 years in Spain. community, mentoring college interns who have ended integrate technology for dissemination of information and get the She moved to the United States in 1996 and joined up procuring high value jobs in the Finance industry. members involved in our programs, I will also try to engage younger Bank of America (Fleet Bank) as a customer service She is well known for her mentoring and guidance generation to be part of the organization and collaborate with other Indian rep. for individual banking department and steadily towards women empowerment and takes very active and American non-profit organizations to be able to serve our members moved up to the position of AVP as a Premier Client part in various organizations. She has been a director and community better". Manager with her hard work and ability to adapt and on the Edison Chamber of Commerce board since the The new Executive Committee will be sworn in on January 9. The enhance her knowledge and expertise in the finance last 4 years. Seema is one of the Founding members of following were elected. industry.She won various prestigious awards year after Shraddha Foundation, an organization created to help PRESIDENT: Gunjan Rastogi; VICE- PRESIDENT: Lalit Aery; year in the million dollar club. She then joined the children and widows of Fallen Soldiers of Indian SECRETARY: Shashi Malik; TREASURER: Hargovind Gupta. Wachovia Bank as a Platform banker, helping Defense Forces of below Hawaldar level. Their goal is to MEMBERS-AT -LARGE: Kuljeet Ahluwalia; Rajeev Chaudhary; Ekta individual and commercial customers with their provide education to the children up to the age of 18 and Singh Dass; SushilKhanna; Surin Manaktala; Sujata Seth; Mohinder banking, lending and investment needs. Moving up to a give career counselling to the widows. Singh; Pradeep Tandon THE INDIAN PANORAMA 4 INDIANS ABROAD FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2017 Indian Kashmiri Chilli Indian-American Emerges as Key Figure in Chicken Filled Samosa wins contest In S Africa Donald Trump’s Deregulation Efforts

WASHINGTON (TIP): Indian-American assumed her current position as the head of the Neomi Jehangir Rao emerged as a key figure White House's Office of Information and behind US President Donald Trump's Regulatory Affairs on July 18, 2017. deregulation scheme. In an interaction with the White House Delivering on his presidential campaign reporters, Ms. Rao said many commentators promise, Mr. Trump had, early in his presidency, have suggested there is a link between these put out an order which said that for every one reform efforts and economic growth. new regulation, two old regulations must be "I think one of the advantages of what is eliminated. happening now is that individuals and In the first year, the Trump administration businesses aren't fearing the constant has eliminated 22 regulations for each new one, perpetuation of new regulatory burdens without Popular Indian snack samosa with Kashmiri which should result in savings of USD 8.1 billion any notice or due process," she said. chilli chicken fillings has beaten chocolate, in present value. "From my perspective, a lot of this is linked to cashew nuts and other exotic entries in a In recognition of her contribution, Mr. Trump individual freedom," she argued, adding when Indian-American Neomi Jehangir Rao first such contest in South Africa. handed to Ms Rao a pair of gold scissors which assumed charge as head of the White the government is interfering less in people's the president used to cut the red tape between House's Office of Information and lives, they have a greater opportunity to pursue JOHANNESBURG (TIP): Popular two stacks of paper, one representing Regulatory Affairs on July 18, 2017. their goals. Ms. Rao had recently accompanied Indian snack samosa with Kashmiri chilli regulations of today (about 6'3'') and other those Donald Trump's daughter and White House chicken fillings has beaten chocolate, of the '60s (shin high) during a program in the Roosevelt Room of the White House. She Advisor Ivanka Trump on her India trip. cashew nuts and other exotic entries in a first such contest in South Africa. The contest was organized by the largest national newspaper for the Indian Indian American plan Bench Dedication community in South Africa. Among the various entries in the competition were samosas that featured almonds and cashews drizzled with chocolate; Ceremony for Sherin in US chocolate covered in edible glitter; Margherita pizza filling and chicken DALLAS (TIP): Community members in director for Restland said he's happy to be a jalapeno. Dallas have planned a bench dedication part of this dedication process. The South African Indian specialty ceremony and memorial service for the "People haven't had that chance or samosa (also referred to as samosa) is a Indian toddler Sherin Mathews who was opportunity to get together and start that deep-fried flat version of the traditional found dead in a culvert in mysterious process to begin to come to terms and move Punjabi snack, filled with a variety of circumstances in October. toward healing," he said. savory or sweet treats in a crispy pastry. The dedication ceremony for 3-year-old On October 7, Wesley called police and Salma Agjee won the contest organized by will be held on December 30 at the Restland reported Sherin missing. He had initially the weekly Post, after her daughter Funeral Home in Dallas, Texas. told police that Sherin disappeared submitted her recipe. "I love cooking and Following the memorial service, a bench overnight after he ordered her to stand always believe in taking a recipe a step dedication and dove release will take place, outside at about 3 am for not drinking her further by adding a twist to it," Agjee was WFAA television station reported. milk. When he returned, Wesley said she quoted as saying by the newspaper. The space has been landscaped and had disappeared and that her location was "My filling was my own invention based provided by Restland as a place for the unknown. on what I had initially made as a chicken community to reflect and honor Sherin, Wesley later changed his tune, saying The dedication ceremony for 3-year-old will sandwich for my children. The chicken adopted by Indian-American couple Wesley Sherin choked to death after he "physically Sherin be held on December 30 was cooked with Kashmiri chilli powder, Mathews and Sini Mathews. assisted" her as she drank her milk. then I added two types of cheese, On October 7, an Amber Alert was issued Sherin's story and knew he had to do Wesley was arrested and charged with mozzarella and gouda, and mayonnaise," for Sherin after her adoptive father, Wesley something to help with the bench felony injury to a child, which carries a she said. Mathews, called police and alerted them of dedication. sentence of up to life in prison. There were also two other sections of her disappearance. Turnblad met a man named Gene met Wesley's bond is set at USD 1 million and the competition, which was held at a At that time, Wesley told police he took through the Nextdoor app. Gene had the faces up to life imprisonment if convicted public fair in Durban. Grandmother his daughter, Sherin, outside at 3 AM on bench but needed a place to put it. of the first-degree felony. Sini's bond is set Roxana Naseem, 63, who has been Saturday to discipline her for not drinking "The thing that I really like is that at USD 100,000 and faces up to two years in running a samosa-making business for her milk. According an affidavit, he told Richland Park is a very diverse a state jail if convicted of child several decades, showed her skill to beat her to stand near a large tree in the neighborhood, and this crosses all the abandonment or endangerment. others by filling 10 samosas in less than 60 backyard. When he went outside 15 minutes religious cultural lines, they've all A judge has also denied access to both seconds in a neat stack. later, his daughter was gone. disappeared," Turnblad said. "It's about the Wesley and Sini to their biological In the third section of the contest, Sherin's body was found a few weeks community." daughter, now living with relatives in Ebrahim Bux, 18, bagged the title of the later in a culvert nearby the Mathews' Turnblad said it's not about money, it's Houston, saying they were not fit to be 'fastest samosa eater' when he wolfed home. about recognizing the impact that this has parents due to what happened to their down 10 samosas in a minute. David Turnblad, a family service had on so many people's lives. adopted daughter, Sherin. (Source: PTI) counselor at Restland said he was impacted Mike Wilfong, the community outreach (Source PTI) Indian American Mandeep Yadav set to become bext Head Tennis Coach SILVER CITY, NM(TIP): Mandeep Yadav, earned the Great Lakes Valley Conference women's squad that went 13-12 in 2014-15 and a former Division I tennis player and head Council of Presidents' Academic Excellence nearly claimed another winning record in coach at McKendree University, has accepted Award for outstanding performance on and off 2015-16 at 10-11. Before his time at McKendree, the position of Head Tennis Coach at Western the court. They also claimed the Brother Yadav served as a tennis pro at Weston Tennis New Mexico University. James Gaffney Distinguished Scholar Award Center in Weston, Fla., for one year. While at "I am excited to announce our new head for perfect GPA. Weston, he served as the academy director, the men's and women's tennis coach, Mandeep "I am really happy and excited to be a part of camps director and tournament director. Yadav," Director of Athletics Mark Coleman the Mustangs' family," Yadav said. "I would He had previous experience as an assistant said. "He will be a great addition to the like to thank Dr. Shepard and Mr. Coleman for coach as he got his start at Lynchburg College department and we look forward to him giving me this great opportunity. I'm looking as an assistant coach and also was a volunteer carrying on the successful tradition of the forward to helping the student-athletes at assistant coach at Liberty University,his alma tennis programs." WNMU to achieve their goals and take the mater. During his time as a player at Liberty, Yadav spent the previous three years with tennis programs to greater heights." he went 18-12 in singles and 21-9 in doubles McKendree, with the last year serving as head McKendree went 11-10 last season, after from 2010-12 and was an All-Conference coach of the men's team. He helped the team going 13-12 in 2015-16 when he was a graduate honoree at No. 5 singles. finish fourth in the conference, along with assistant. During the start of his coaching A native of Chandigarh, India, Yadav had posting consecutive winning seasons and the career, the Bearcats went 16-8 in 2014-15. In previously earned a top-20 ranking in India fourth straight postseason berth into the addition to helping the men's team as a and was ranked 495th in the ITF junior Indian American Mandeep Yadav will be the conference tournament. His student-athletes graduate assistant, he helped with the rankings. (News Released by WNMU) Head Tennis Coach at Western New Mexico University THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2017 ADVERTISEMENT 5 THE INDIAN PANORAMA 6 NEW YORK FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2017 Indian American Punjabi Girl's Suspected Killer Arrested, Arraigned CONTD FROM PAGE 1 Evidence, and Reckless Endangerment 2nd degree. that he will be arraigned on Coppolo faces up to 26 years in December 24. On December 24, prison if convicted of the charges, Nassau County Police held a press Coppolo was arraigned, December conference to announce the arrest 24 in the court of Judge Eileen J and the arraignment of Daniel Goggin. Coppolo pleaded not guilty Coppolo, 31 of Kinsella Street, Deer to the charges. Park, New York. Judge Eileen Goggin set bail at $1 D/Lt. Fitzpatrick of Homicide million bond or $600,000 cash, more Squad recounted that Taranjit K than the prosecutors had asked for, Parmar, 18 of Levittown was on citing previous contacts with police November 9, operating a 2018 Jeep and the seriousness of the charges. traveling eastbound on Hempstead Coppolo's attorney, Lawrence V. Turnpike when she was struck by a Carrà of Mineola, told Goggin his red pickup truck, traveling client had been on psychiatric northbound, attempting to turn The suspected killer Daniel Coppolo is led by detectives at the Nassau medical leave from the New York eastbound on Hempstead Turnpike County Police Headquarters on December 24. City Fire Department for three in the vicinity of Gardiners Lane. through witness testimony, video tirelessly to piece together the case months. Carrà said Coppolo suffers After the minor collision- a fender from nearby cameras, and tips from which led to arrest of the suspect. from manic depression and does not bender - both operators immediately the public. They also scoured motor "It makes us feel good that so many always take his medication. Carrà pulled off the roadway at 3300 vehicle records for a red late-model people were involved in this asked for bail to be set at $25,000 and Hempstead Turnpike. While the pickup truck, Fitzpatrick said. investigation," Ranjit Parmar said. for mental health treatment for his victim was out of her vehicle, the Detectives identified Coppolo's red Later, he told The Indian Panorama client. suspect fled the scene striking 2013 Toyota Tacoma pickup by that he was satisfied with the But Parmar's attorney Brian R. Taranjit and running her over. decals and lights on the vehicle, and investigation. Gunn of Garden City said the bail Fitzpatrick also spoke about how obtained a court order to impound Speaking on the occasion, Nassau was appropriate "given the serious Coppolo was arrested. He said," and search the truck on Nov. 16. County District Attorney Madeline nature of the charges as well as the Investigators did not have far to look Nassau County Acting Police Singas, apart from giving details of relatively young defendant's past once they determined Coppolo was Commissioner Patrick Ryder the case and the story of criminal history." their suspect: He was being held in saidthe investigators received 50 investigation done exhorted the Cuppolo has a criminal record. He the Nassau County jail on an tips about the crime and did a great Legislature to come up with was arrested for DWI in 2016 and, in unrelated robbery charge. job to identify the suspect. measures to prevent loss of life in another case, was charged with "On Dec. 23, Daniel was released Speaking at the press conference, such cases. She said, "How many attempted robbery at a Target Store. from the jail. We were there to Ranjit Parmar, father of Taranjit more have to die this way before The victim: Taranjit Kaur Parmar A criminal charge is an arrest him," Fitzpatrick said. Kaur appreciated the Homicide legislature acts?" accusation. A defendant is Detectives determined Coppolo department of Nassau County Coppolo was charged with the Scene of an Accident with presumed innocent until and unless was a suspect in Parmar's death Police who, he said, hadworked Manslaughter 2nd degree, Leaving Death, Tampering with Physical proven guilty. COUNCILMAN PETER KOO JOINED THE GLOW FOUNDATION TO SUPPORT America Tamil Sangam HURRICANE RELIEF EFFORTS honors educationist FLUSHING, NY (TIP): Council Member Peter Koo, on December NEW YORK (TIP): America 28, joined the Glow Foundation to Tamil Sangam honored an eminent present an $8000 check to The educationist of South India Mrs. Hispanic Federation. All BKK Pillai for her five decades of donations will be used for Puerto service to the cause of promoting Rico relief efforts and victim Indian education and instilling support services. moral values in the minds of Councilman Koo stated, "It is children. always better to give than receive. Council Member Peter Koo joined the At a function held in Queens We all know that people in Puerto Glow Foundation to present an $8000 yesterday, Bagalakumari Rico are still suffering after check to The Hispanic Federation. Kumarasamy Pillai (BKK Pillai) Hurricane Maria, and that there is still much more work to be done. Homes affectionately called by her students and infrastructure still need to be rebuilt, and much needed supplies still and parents as 'aunty" was felicitated need to be delivered. Thank you to the Glow Foundation for their generous by the Sangam and presented with a donation and to the Hispanic Federation for their leadership in the recovery Professional Excellence Award in efforts. I encourage everyone in our community to follow their lead." recognition of her tireless service to The Hispanic Federation is the nation's premier Latino non-profit education. Mrs. Pillai, Chairperson membership organization. Founded in 1990, the Hispanic Federation seeks and Correspondent of Shrine :(L-R) Taran Kaur and John Joseph present the award to Mrs. Pillai while Manasa Pillai and John Kingsly look on. to support Hispanic families, and strengthen Latino institutions through Vailankanni Group of Schools in work in the areas of education, health, immigration, civic engagement, Chennai, a fifth generation teacher was also organized to welcome John in the heart of the city is on a 15,000 economic empowerment, and the environment. In response to the has been educating children for the Kingsly, a Tamil IAS officer of square feet campus with the state of devastating effects of Hurricane Maria, a coalition of New York City civic past 50 years. Madhya Pradesh cadre, who took the art 32 air-conditioned digital leaders joined the Hispanic Federation and its partnering community based She is the daughter of founders over as Regional Director of Marine classrooms, international standard organizations to launch "UNIDOS" (United), a hurricane relief fund to help Panickers and has been working in Products Export Development play area, and auditorium. those impacted. the school along with her parents Authority (MPEDA) - Ministry of Languages offered include Korean, Tai Wang, Co-Founder and President of the Glow Foundation stated, "The from the beginning. A Commerce, Government of India - French, Spanish, Hindi, and Tamil. Glow Foundation was created to empower under-served communities and Bharatanatyam dancer, she has and posted in New York last month. This school caters to not just the people in need. In the past few years, we have donated to Hurricane Harvey served as a member of the Tamil Kingsly who also served as Joint cream of the society but to Koreans, relief efforts and to victims of the Sichuan earthquake to help victims Nadu Matriculation Board. Known Director of Enforcement Directorate Japanese, British, and Americans rebuild their homes. We will continue supporting efforts to help Puerto for her philanthropic work, she is was awarded President of India's who are employed in the city, she Rico to recover after this deadly storm." also the founder of Vailankanni award for procurement reforms that said. John Joseph, Chairman of the Frankie Miranda, Senior Vice President of Hispanic Federation stated, schools in Valasarawakkam and has been a case study at Lal Bahadur Sangam praised the services of two "After Hurricane Maria, Hispanic Federation sent emergency response Anna Nagar in Chennai, Tiruchi, Shastri National Academy of distinguished guests and honored personnel and materials to towns in Puerto Rico. However, we need more and Pondicherry. The school never Administration in Missouri. them with a traditional shawl as a support to keep rebuilding Puerto Rico as half of the island in Puerto Rico collects any capitation fee for Manasa T. Pillai, Principal of symbol of respect. Taran Kaur, still has no electricity and no water supply. It is rewarding to see all admission but imparts free education Shrine Vailankanni Global School in Secretary of the Sangam welcomed communities caring about us." to deserving students. The function Chennai, said the only global school the guests. THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2017 ADVERTISEMENT 7 THE INDIAN PANORAMA 8 EDITORIAL FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2017

GUEST COMMENT AS I SEE IT On the Road to Bankruptcy Bloodshed on the border: A militaristic policy has its limits Countries 'benefiting' from China's 'largesse' will end in a debt burden akistan can be counted upon to provide New Delhi with Unable to repay its debts to China, Sri Lanka has been ample opportunities to divert attention from other forced to convert Chinese investments into equity in Pchallenges and embarrassments as well as reinforce its Hambantota, giving the Chinese partial ownership of the muscular nationalist credentials. Three days after a cross-border “port. Following discreet Indian expressions of concern, Sri Lanka strike killed four Indian soldiers, Army commandoes evened the By G Parthasarathy score by crossing into Pakistan; this claim of surgical strike Lite, has retained operational control of the port, ensuring that although made by anonymous Army officials, has to be taken at Chinese submarines and warships do not freely berth there. face value. This approach, in effect, suggests the government will hina's much-touted "Silk Roads" Some pre-emptive action has also been taken to ensure that the henceforth bank on strong armed means to bring Pakistan to heel and "Maritime Silk Routes" trace eastern port of Trincomalee does not become the next port of or the negotiating table. The hand of the partisan crowd in South Ctheir origin historically to its Block would have been strengthened by their weak hand in the trade across Central Asia and the Indian interest for Chinese strategic ambitions", says the author. Jadhav case. Ocean. Interestingly, silk constituted a The catch: Sri Lanka has been The government's spin masters have performed wonderfully in relatively small portion of Chinese trade, forced to give China partial turning a tactical blunder in the Jadhav case around into one of though it gave an exotic content to what ownership of Hambantota. wounded national pride: Pakistan had set an impossibly short was primarily commercial activity, in deadline for New Delhi to decide whether it would allow Jadhav's which China was the principal mother and wife to meet him in Islamabad; once the duo was in beneficiary. The Maritime Silk Route Pakistan, its authorities controlled the narrative for the benefit of across the Indian Ocean was first set its domestic audience as well as show up India as an abettor of during the course of seven expeditions terrorism. Islamabad can be depended upon to extract the between 1404 and 1433 by a Chinese naval maximum mileage from the jailed Indian as well as keep the fleet headed by Admiral Zheng He, a border hot. New Delhi will have to fall back on the only option left Mongolian Muslim eunuch, appointed by in its quiver - match each Pakistani military misadventure with Ming emperor Yongle. During the course one of its own. This strategy will keep the hawks in India of these expeditions to Indonesia, contented - just like the verbal skirmishing over Jadhav's Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Calicut, Zheng mulakat activated their counterparts in Pakistan - but is hardly brought back kings and princes to an end in itself. "kowtow" (genuflect) before the Ming On the other hand, this all-consuming entanglement with the emperor. projects located in President Rajapakse's reasons, because of Beijing's insatiable neighbor is not raising India's profile. The lesson from the Indonesia has ensured that it responds own constituency, Hambantota, have quest for environmentally damaging Doklam standoff with China is salutary: no neighbor was awed cautiously to Chinese inducements and imposed an unsustainable debt burden on energy projects and its yearning for by India's military "resolve"; in fact, some exhibit a more avoids getting closely drawn into a Sri Lanka. Given Western aversion for his access to precious metals and stones. independent streak since then. They will be less impressed by Chinese embrace. Beijing, however, regime and Indian doubts about the Myanmar may, however, find it difficult India's inability to manage its ties with Pakistan. The seems to have drawn Sri Lanka into its project's viability, President Rajapakse to resist Chinese pressures on such lopsidedness in India's strategic outlook needs urgent correction: spiders' web, taking advantage of the welcomed Chinese "assistance" to develop projects unless India, Japan, South a much-sought ally by the big powers for its market and military island's economic vulnerabilities. One his constituency. He sought and obtained Korea, the US, the EU and neighboring potential but with an overbearing image of a schoolyard bully in has to recall what Admiral Zheng did to Chinese "support" to heavily finance ASEAN countries make a coordinated the immediate neighborhood (Tribune India) the hapless island-nation after a visit to projects ranging from the Hambantota effort to strengthen economic relations Calicut in 1406, to "get the Buddha's tooth Port to a power plant, an airport, an with it. A similar approach would be relic". He returned to Sri Lanka in 1411 industrial park, a cricket stadium and a needed to China's approach to THE INDIAN PANORAMA with a large army to take revenge for an sports complex. All these investments construction projects in Nepal and PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER: NEW YORK : Chitagam earlier perceived insult. Parts of the have proved uneconomical. Hardly any Bangladesh. Prof. Indrajit S. Saluja FRESNO: Tarlochan Singh island were plundered and the Sri ships visit Hambantota Port, barely one China's "all-weather friend" Pakistan VICE PRESIDENT: Chitagam Saluja DALLAS: Harjit Dhesi, Amarjit Lankan king, Vira Alakeswara, taken aircraft lands at the airport daily and the is also facing problems in implementing CHIEF EDITOR: Prof Indrajit S. Dhillon back to Nanjing to kowtow before the sports facilities remain unutilized, even the much-touted CPEC. Despite high- Saluja OVERSEAS CORRESPONDENTS emperor, together with the holy relic. The as local opinion was outraged by the level meetings, important projects like ASSISTANT EDITOR: Bidisha Roy DELHI BUREAU CHIEF: king was replaced by a "malleable" ruler. proposed construction of an industrial the Diamer-Bhasha Dam located in GRAPHICS DIRECTOR: Ashishpal Singh While the humiliated king was returned park. Sri Lanka has been spending 90 per Gilgit-Baltistan, in POK, are stalled CHANDIGARH: Manjit Sidhu Om Parkash Malik to his people a few years later, the relic cent of government revenues to service because of disagreements on financial LUDHIANA: A.S. Arora, R.P.Sharma DIRECTOR ADMINISTRATION: was returned six centuries later in 1960, debts. terms set by the Chinese. There are also by PM Chou en Lai, as a gesture of Unable to repay its debts to China, Sri differences on implementing the railway Gauri Beri The Indian Panorama "goodwill", Chinese style. Chinese trade Lanka has been forced to convert Chinese projects based out of Peshawar and CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS: P.O. Box No. 190067, South was historically as exploitative as trade investments into equity in Hambantota, Karachi, apart from a series of road Baldev Singh / BJ Videos Richmond Hill, NY 11419, by the British East India Company! giving the Chinese partial ownership of projects. Moreover, there is very little Gunjesh Desai / Masala Junction Tel: 646-247-9458 Colombo is, nowadays, full of the port. Following discreet Indian transfer of technology and knowhow, and Jay Mandal, Email: [email protected] hoardings of China's "magnanimity", expressions of concern, Sri Lanka has minimal local participation in Chinese Mohammad Jaffer/ SnapsIndia DALLAS EDITION manifested in its "assistance" in retained operational control of the port, construction projects. Beijing has, after Mohammad Shahzad, Zia Khan P.O. BOX 121695, infrastructure, industrial and ensuring that Chinese submarines and all, to utilize its vast surplus labor force Nisha Rani ARLINGTON, TX 76012 construction projects. Beyond the Galle warships do not freely berth there. Some and construction machinery and Vaaho Photographers Lovllien Kaurr, VP & Bureau Chief Main Road in Colombo is the $1.4 billion pre-emptive action has also been taken to materials, abroad as its unprecedented Vijay Shah -Photo Journalist. E-mail [email protected] Port City Project to be filled with Chinese ensure that the eastern port of domestic construction projects at home DISTRIBUTOR : Sukhwinder Singh Phone: 646-247-9458 built, owned, or managed, luxury Trincomalee does not become the next are completed. CORRESPONDENTS : www.theindianpanorama.com apartments, golf course, theme park, port of interest for Chinese strategic Questions are now being raised in SACRAMENTO: Parminder S. Aujla Published by Prof. Indrajit Saluja hotels and office buildings. All these ambitions, thanks to a timely initiative of Pakistan about where resources will come projects will soon become part of Sri Petroleum Minister Dharmendra from to repay the over $50 billion debt that DISCLAIMER Lanka's mounting official debt burdens Pradhan. The Indian Oil Corporation has will accrue from CPEC projects, where The Indian Panorama assumes no responsibility for the claims made in and accentuate the already unbearable established a business presence in Sri local participation is minimal. Moreover, advertisements. We only sell space. Views published in the newspaper debt burden Colombo has accumulated, Lanka for progressive involvement in the Pakistan will soon be unable to credibly are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the from earlier Chinese "aid". The main use of Trincomalee for import and claim that it exercises its sovereignty in newspaper. All rights are reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part instruments of this aid and plunder of processing of petroleum products. It is places like the Gwadar Port, which is all without permission in writing from The Indian Panorama is prohibited. natural resources are the China imperative to build on this by set to become a Chinese-run military base, Communications Construction Company constructing a modern petroleum close to the strategic Straits of Hormuz. and its subsidiary, the China Harbour refinery on equitable terms in Writing in the respected Dawn newspaper, Engineering Company. World Bank has Trincomalee. columnist Khurram Hussein perceptively blacklisted both these companies across China's Belt and Road Initiative in observes: "In reality, the China-Pakistan the world because of their corrupt Myanmar is primarily concentrated on Economic Corridor is about allowing practices, including bribery. The only developing the Bay of Bengal port of Chinese enterprises to assume dominant well executed and profitable Chinese- Kyaukpyu and connecting it to its positions in all dynamic sectors of built project in Sri Lanka is the neighboring Yunnan province by oil and Pakistan's economy, as well as a 'strategic' Container Terminal in Colombo. gas pipelines and road and rail networks. direction that is often hinted at, but never Apart from the crushing debt burden of But, Myanmar is wary of fleshed out." the Colombo Port City Project, Chinese overdependence on China, among other (The author is an Indian career diplomat) THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2017 PERSPECTIVE 9 SHAME, YET AGAIN, ON THE U.S. JUSTICE SYSTEM Guyanese American's 30-year unlawful imprisonment a systemic evil

"I was made, by the law, a criminal, not because of what I had done, but because of what I stood for, because of what I thought, because of my conscience." (Statement during trial, 1962) - Nelson Mandela

By Albert Baldeo dollar prison complex is one of the fastest-growing public private he evil and injustice that industries, with Wall Street plague our judicial investors, having its own trade system have been exhibitions, conventions, websites, painfully confirmed-yet and mail-order and internet catalogs. T again. Mark Denny, a 47 95% of people charged with crimes year old Guyanese national who plead guilty in the US, an came to achieve the American inexhaustible supply source, and a dream, was dealt an excruciating tragic reality of how justice is blow by the perverse inequities dispensed in America. inherent in the USA's justice system. Prosecutors and law enforcement He was freed from a U.S. prison budgets are rewarded for where he spent nearly 30 years for a convictions, but they are never asked crime he never committed, and now to account for their perverse Mark Denny, a Guyanese American who came to the USA for a better life, endured a nightmare instead, when he was contribution to the prison budget, faces the legal challenge of fighting unlawfully convicted and imprisoned for 30 years, an all too frequent abomination of justice-an unpardonable sin and to remain in the United States where chilling expose of the US justice system. Daily News photo increases in welfare and Medicaid he has lived since the age of five. dependence on the nation, and the He spent the past three decades blood draws at DUI checkpoints, destruction of innocent lives behind bars for a brutal rape and mosquito drones, Tasers, privatized wantonly wrought with immunity robbery he didn't commit, yet he prisons, GPS tracking devices, zero and impunity, on their way to higher waxed magnanimously after his "An unjust law is no law at tolerance policies, over "The rights of every man are offices. release, stating that he was all…Injustice anywhere is a criminalization, free speech zones- diminished when the rights of Most Americans have suffered the "overwhelmed thinking of what I'll threat to justice everywhere." these are all symptomatic of our one man are threatened." brunt of injustice, discrimination do next to get my life back on track." police state in America. and oppression at every level, from Denny continued that, he has "no - Martin Luther King Jr. In their revealing book, One - John F. Kennedy top to bottom. Immigration raids on ill feelings towards the victim. Going Nation Under Arrest: How Crazy homes and businesses, livelihoods to prison was a traumatic experience Laws, Rogue Prosecutors, and disrupted, and families torn apart, mentally. There's a lot of people in the DACA rescission, undocumented my position. I appreciate everyone obstruction while merely trying to the world's prison population with children taken out of schools, state for all they have done for me." comply with a mandated Campaign 25% of that total! Worse yet, the US and federal agencies harassing He is the 24th person to have his Finance Board Audit-a civil, "Therefore, send not to know… incarcerates a disproportionate ratio residents, the attack on Obamacare conviction vacated by the Conviction administrative matter. This of minorities-1 in every 15 African and the FBI overreaching minor Review Unit of Brooklyn District abomination exemplifies how the For whom the bell tolls…It tolls American men and 1 in every 36 infractions to major crimes, have all Attorney, Eric Gonzalez, who said government can indiscriminately for thee. Hispanic men are incarcerated in put us under siege. his review team examined evidence expand legal boundaries, invent a -John Donne comparison to 1 in every 106 white America is losing its soul through and interviewed witnesses as well as federal crime, and then selectively men. The Bureau of Justice over criminalization, making and Denny's co-defendants in the case, a charge you over thousands of Statistics reveals that 1 in every 3 enforcing far too many stereotypes legacy of his predecessor, the candidates for "committing, black men go to prison in their and criminal laws that are making legendary Ken Thompson. conspiring and/or obstructing" it. Activist Judges Threaten Your lifetime, making our justice system criminals out of those who are As if that injustice was not The jury acquitted me of all Liberty, Paul Rosenzwieg and Brian one big cesspool of brazen injustices, respectable, law-abiding citizens. enough, the Daily News reported predicate mail and wire fraud W. Walsh highlight the over unashamed bullyism and The abuse of the criminal law and that Denny has new legal hurdles. He charges, yet were coerced to convict criminalization- the skyrocketing transparent contradictions. practice over the past few decades came to the US as a child from me for obstructing a non-existent trend at both the state and federal In 2008, two judges, President by the government have raised Guyana as a lawful permanent crime by the use of an overreaching levels of criminalizing conduct that Judge Mark Ciavarella and Senior troubling questions about the resident, and was ordered to be Allen charge, despite their deadlock! could be regulated through civil law Judge Michael Conahan, were fairness of our criminal justice deported due to his conviction. See, e.g., or administrative action, or should convicted of accepting money from system as it affects all of us. We Indeed, the collateral consequences http://www.nydailynews.com/opini not even be regulated at all. Many Robert Mericle, the builder of two must fight back and realize the of a conviction are devastating, and on/errol-louis-nyc-campaign- other treatises expose our emerging, private, for-profit youth centers for dream of making democracy, equal perpetuate a vicious cycle. finance-tangle-article-1.2403316. chilling, Orwellian police state. In the detention of juveniles, in return justice and the rule of law a priority Trust me, I suffered American Inhumane and barbaric injustice Three Felonies a Day, Harvey A. for contracting with the facilities for all! injustice first hand. Many legal is all too common in America. Silverglate reveals how federal and imposing harsh adjudications Remember what Edward R. experts are still at a loss to fathom Indeed, you, a law-abiding citizen, criminal laws have become on juveniles brought before their Murrow cautioned, "A nation of how I could have logically obstructed could be made the next "criminal" of dangerously disconnected and how courts to increase the number of sheep will beget a government of a bogus federal crime, when my the USA. We are the prison capital of prosecutors can overreach and pin residents in the centers. wolves." Don't be a sheep! Enough is campaign contributions did not the world. Thousands of laws exist dubious federal crimes on any one Appropriately, it was dubbed the enough! contravene the NY City Campaign that most people are not aware of, of us, for even the most seemingly "kids for cash" scandal for the (The author is a civil rights activist Finance Act. Others reason that my and which penalize conduct that few innocuous behavior. Government judicial kickbacks. Unfortunately, and community advocate, and his attempts to buck the system and run would even imagine was criminal. employment in criminal justice has the Constitution has been sadly political battles placed previously for public office was the real crime, Daily, ordinary Americans are grown by 1 million employees since transformed to, "One Nation under ignored minority communities like noting that more connected prosecuted and even jailed for 1980, as noted by Michelle Arrest, With Liberty and Justice for Richmond Hill and Ozone Park firmly politicians have done worse than routine activities that somehow Alexander in The New Jim Crow. Some!" on the political and economic map. what was alleged against me, yet contravene the multitude of statutes Our so called "Department of This catastrophic reality is As the President of the Baldeo suffered no consequences-from and regulations that can be used by Justice" is accountable for the further exacerbated by the fact that Foundation and Queens Justice Presidents to Governors to Mayors. governments to trap the unwary. outrageous reality that the USA has America, the land of the free and the Center, he has continued to fight for equal rights, dignity and inclusion in Others condemn how our laws can Surveillance cameras, immigration the highest per capita incarceration home of the brave, has led the world the decision- making process. He can in the world. Although we have only in making incarceration a leading be manipulated by vile prosecutors raids, drug-sniffing dogs, SWAT be contacted at the Baldeo to convict a candidate for federal team raids, roadside strip searches, 5% of the world's population, we top industry by itself. Our multimillion- Foundation: (718) 529-2300). THE INDIAN PANORAMA 10 SOUTH ASIA FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2017 Indian Fishermen Released By Pak as Pakistan defends security procedures Goodwill Gesture during Kulbhushan Jadhav family visit KARACHI (TIP): Pakistan freed 145 Indian fishermen, held for allegedly fishing ISLAMABAD (TIP): Pakistan on Dec 28 in its territorial waters, as a goodwill gesture again defended imposing harsh security amidst a war of words between Islamabad procedures during the meeting of death row and New Delhi on the circumstances in prisoner Kulbhushan Jadhav with his wife which a recent meeting between Kulbhushan and mother, which it claimed had been Jadhav and his family took place. bilaterally agreed with India. They were released following last week's Foreign minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif announcement by Foreign Office spokesman rejected Indian allegations and stated that the Dr Mohammad Faisal that 291 Indian meeting of Jadhav with his wife and mother fishermen would be released in two phases on December 25 was permitted on till January 8. humanitarian grounds. The fishermen were freed from the Malir He said the meeting was initially scheduled jail and taken amid tight security to Karachi for 30 minutes but was extended to 40 minutes Cantonment Railway Station, from where on request and claimed Jadhav's mother had they will be sent to Lahore, a police official thanked Pakistan after the visit. said. Pakistani authorities had sent the shoes "They will be handed over to Indian worn by Jadhav's wife for forensic officials at Wagah border crossing examination to determine the nature of the tomorrow," the official said. suspected presence of a foreign object, media The remaining 146 fishermen are expected reports here said on Wednesday. to be released and repatriated on January 8. Pakistan's Foreign Office (FO) transparent throughout the meeting, offered Those released were also given gifts and spokesperson Mohammad Faisal was quoted in good faith. cash prizes by Edhi Foundation charity, as saying that authorities had to ascertain Foreign minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif "We do not wish to indulge in fallacious which traditionally helps in repatriation of whether the "metallic object" in the shoes was accusations and blame game and should focus Indian fishermen. a camera or a recording chip. rejected Indian allegations and stated that on the bigger positive outcome that the Fishermen from Pakistan and India are The foreign minister said Pakistan's the meeting of Jadhav with his wife and meeting happened, despite immense frequently detained for illegally fishing in "humanitarian gesture" did not obviate the mother on December 25 was permitted on challenges and impediments, instead of each other's territorial waters since the fact that "Jadhav is a serving Indian naval distortion of facts and baseless propaganda, Arabian Sea does not have a clearly defined officer and a convicted Indian terrorist and humanitarian grounds. which vitiates the atmosphere and is counter- marine border and the wooden boats lack the spy". productive," he said. technology to avoid being drifting away. He said a comprehensive security check During the December 25 meeting, whose Since the last five weeks, the Pakistan was therefore essential. This was agreed they did not clear the security check because a pictures were released by Pakistan, Jadhav Maritime Security personnel have arrested between both countries, in advance, through "metal chip" was found in one of the shoes, was seen sitting behind a glass screen while around 168 Indian fishermen with the last diplomatic channels, adding that Jadhav's which is being analysed. his mother and wife sat on the other side. contingent of 28 being arrested earlier this family members were treated with "respect India on Wednesday accused Pakistan of They spoke through an intercom and the week from the Arabian sea. and dignity" and the change of clothes and disregarding cultural and religious entire 40-minute proceedings appeared to have removal of jewellery and ornaments was sensibilities of Jadhav's family members on been recorded on video. At least 40 killed, 30 purely for security reasons. the pretext of security, pointing to the Jadhav, 47, who was captured in March last He said the visitors changed into their own "removal of mangal sutra, bangles and bindi, year, was sentenced to death by a Pakistani wounded in Afghanistan clothes after the meeting and all their as well as a change in attire not warranted by military court for alleged spying, an belongings were returned to them before they security". accusation that India has dismissed as blast: Interior ministry left, though the wife's shoes were retained as Khawaja said Pakistan has been open and concocted. (PTI)

KABUL (TIP): At least 40 people were killed and dozens 30 others got wounded in multiple blasts at a Shiite cultural centre in Indian Couple involved in Everest Summit Kabul on Dec 28, officials said, in the latest deadly violence to hit the Afghan capital. There was no immediate claim of Fraud under investigation by Nepal responsibility but the Taliban was quick to deny involvement in the assault near the KATHMANDU (TIP): Nepal has reopened As per the minister-level decision taken in Afghan Voice Agency, a media outlet which a probe after an Indian couple, banned from August, the couple had faced a decade-long earlier reports had suggested could have mountaineering for a decade for allegedly mountaineering ban in Nepal, getting their been the target. Deputy interior ministry faking their Everest expedition by morphing certificates rescinded. spokesman Nasrat Rahimi told AFP the photos, filed an application seeking the re- After a month-long investigation, the blasts were in fact aimed at the Shiite issuance of their summit certificates, a media government panel had also concluded that the Tabayan cultural centre. report said. photographs submitted to the DoT by the "A ceremony was being held to mark the Police constable couple Dinesh and Maharashtra police couple as evidence of 38th anniversary of Soviet invasion in Tarkeshwari Rathod had been dismissed from their Everest summit were doctored. Afghanistan when the explosion went off," he Pune police in August after they falsely The Rathods had obtained certificates from said. "We have 40 killed, 30 wounded, but this claimed to have summited Mount Everest in the DoT on June 10 last year by submitting is not the final toll. It might go up." May last year. earliest, the report said. morphed pictures that showed themselves on Rahimi said the main blast was followed by The action was taken after an inquiry After receiving the Indian couple's the top of Mount Everest on May 23, 2016 with two smaller bomb explosions that did not conducted by a fact-finding committee, set up application, Minister Jitendra Narayan Dev Liaison Officer Ganesh Prasad Timsina and cause casualties. Kabul has become one of by the Maharashtra police, found that their issued a written order in the name of the Makalu Adventure approving their claims, the the deadliest places in war-torn Afghanistan claims were misleading and bogus, and it was Department of Tourism for the reopening of report said. for civilians in recent months, as the Taliban confirmed that they had faked about the an investigation into the case, a Joint The Sherpa guides, on the other hand, had step up their attacks and the Islamic State ascent. Secretary in the ministry said. remained out of contact at the time the group (IS) seeks to expand its presence in the The Nepal government last year banned Dinesh Bhattarai, Director General at the couple's claims were questioned. country. Dinesh and Tarkeshwari from Department of Tourism (DoT), confirmed that The photos submitted by the Rathod couple Friday's assault comes days after a suicide mountaineering for 10 years. the ministry set up a three- member were found faked after Satyarup Siddhanta, an bomber killed six civilians in an attack near The Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil committee under his leadership to reopen the Indian climber from Bangalore, accused the an Afghan intelligence agency compound in Aviation has reopened investigation into an case. An under-secretary each from the couple of doctoring his May 21 photographs, the city,which was claimed by IS. The Middle Indian couple who were slapped ministry and the DoT has been named as the report said. Eastern jihadist group has gained ground in mountaineering ban in Nepal for a decade, members of the committee, he said. The couple are now in Kathmandu to meet Afghanistan since it first appeared in the getting their summit certificates rescinded for "The panel will submit its report to the government authorities for getting their region in 2015 and has scaled up its attacks in presenting morphed photographs to show Minster by early next week," Bhattarai said. summit certificates back, an official said, the Kabul, including on security installations themselves on the top of Mount Everest, the The panel was studying the decisions and report said. and the country's Shiite minority. A hospital world's highest peak at 8,848 meters, The actions taken earlier by the government Makalu Adventure, the trekking agency official told local TV that 18 wounded had Himalayan Times reported. authorities, he said. which ran the Everest expedition for the been brought to his facility. "Five of the The ministry has decided to reopen the case It was also summoning the Rathod couple, Rathod Couple, had also been fined USD 4,000 wounded are in critical condition and our after Dinesh and his wife Tarkeshwari filed an respective DoT officials, liaison officer, for helping them obtain summit certificates by doctors are working to save their lives," Sabir application in the ministry seeking for the re- expedition handling agency and others submitting all fake claims to the DoT, it added. Nasib, head of Istiqlal hospital, said. (AFP) issuance of their summit certificates at the concerned officials, Bhattarai said. (Source: Daily Pioneer) THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2017 ADVERTISEMENT 11 THE INDIAN PANORAMA 12 US FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2017 US sanctions North Korean missile Trump ‘disappointed’ over China experts, Russia offers to mediate allowing oil into North Korea WASHINGTON/MOSCOW WASHINGTON (TIP): US President Donald (TIP): The United States announced Trump on Dec 28 said he was "very disappointed sanctions on two of North Korea's that China is allowing oil to go into North Korea" most prominent officials behind its and that such moves would prevent "a friendly ballistic missile program on Dec 22, solution" to the crisis over Pyongyang's nuclear while Russia reiterated an offer to program. mediate to ease tension between "Caught RED HANDED - very disappointed that Washington and Pyongyang. China is allowing oil to go into North Korea. There The new US steps were the latest will never be a friendly solution to the North in a campaign aimed at forcing Korea problem if this continues to happen!" North Korea - which has defied years China earlier on Thursday said there had been of multilateral and bilateral no UN sanction-breaking oil sales by Chinese sanctions - to abandon a weapons ships to North Korea after a South Korea program aimed at developing newspaper said Chinese and North Korean vessels nuclear-tipped missiles capable of had been illicitly linking up at sea to get oil to hitting the United States. North Korea. "Treasury is targeting leaders of The Trump administration has led a drive to North Korea's ballistic missile step up global sanctions on North Korea in programs, as part of our maximum response to Pyongyang's efforts to develop nuclear- pressure campaign to isolate (North tipped missiles capable of hitting the United Korea) and achieve a fully States.Washington says the full cooperation of denuclearized Korean Peninsula," China, North Korea's neighbor and main trading Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin partner, is vital to the success of this effort, while conducting ship-to-ship transfers of refined quoted South Korean government sources as said in a statement. warning that all options are on the table, including petroleum products to North Korean vessels or saying that spy satellites had detected 30 instances The move followed new United military ones, in dealing with North Korea. transporting North Korean coal. of ship-to-ship transfers to North Korean vessels Nations sanctions announced last The UN Security Council last week China and Russia subsequently asked for more since October.A US State Department official Friday in response to North Korea's unanimously imposed new sanctions on North time to consider the proposal. suggested on Wednesday that such transfers could Nov. 29 test of an ICBM that Korea for a recent intercontinental ballistic In September, the Security Council put a cap of still be going on."Ship-to-ship transfers ... remain a Pyongyang said put all of the U.S. missile test, seeking to further limit its access to 2 million barrels a year on refined petroleum concern as part of North Korea's sanctions mainland within range of its nuclear refined petroleum products and crude oil. products exports to North Korea. evasions activities," the official said, while weapons. Those sanctions sought to The UN resolution seeks to ban nearly 90 China has repeatedly said it is fully enforcing declining to provide details. further limit North Korea's access to percent of refined petroleum exports to North all resolutions against North Korea, despite A State Department spokesman, Michael Cavey, refined petroleum products and Korea by capping them at 500,000 barrels a year. suspicion in Washington, Seoul and Tokyo that reiterated on Wednesday that the United States crude oil and its earnings from The US-drafted resolution also caps crude oil loopholes still exist.Asked at a regular briefing had called on all countries to cut economic ties workers abroad. supplies to North Korea at 4 million barrels a year whether Chinese ships were illegally providing oil with North Korea."We urge China to end all North Korea declared the UN steps and commits the Council to further reductions if to North Korean ships, Chinese Defence Ministry economic ties with the DPRK, including tourism, to be an act of war and tantamount North Korea were to conduct another nuclear test spokesman Ren Guoqiang reiterated that China, and the provision of any oil or petroleum to a complete economic blockade. or launch another ICBM. including the military, strictly enforced UN products, and expel all DPRK workers," he said, The standoff between the United Documents seen by Reuters this month showed resolutions."The situation you have mentioned using the acronym for North Korea's official name, States and North Korea has raised Washington called on the Security Council to absolutely does not exist," he said. the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. fears of a new conflict on the Korean blacklist 10 ships for circumventing sanctions by South Korea's Chosun Ilbo newspaper this week (Reuters) peninsula, which has remained in a technical state of war since the 1950- 53 Korean War ended in an armistice, not a peace treaty. MQM Urges United States to Intervene to The United States has said that all options, including military ones, are on the table in dealing with North Korea. It says it prefers a diplomatic Stop Oppression & Genocide upon Mohajirs solution, but that North Korea has given no indication it is willing to Demonstration held in front of White House against State Atrocities & Persecution of Mohajirs in Pakistan discuss denuclearization. LEADING EXPERTS: The U.S. WASHINGTON (TIP): | Workers Treasury named the targeted and supporters of Muttahida officials as Kim Jong Sik and Ri Quami Movement (MQM), the 4th Pyong Chol. It said Kim was largest political party in Pakistan, reportedly a major figure in North gathered at White House, December Korea's efforts to switch its missile 16, on the second day of ongoing program from liquid to solid fuel, series of demonstrations, to protest while Ri was reported to be a key against state atrocities upon official in its intercontinental Mohajirs. ballistic missile (ICBM) The demonstration was attended development. by MQM's Coordination Committee The largely symbolic steps block Members, Shahid Mustafa and any property or interests the two Rukunuddin Taj, along with might have within U.S. jurisdiction Central Organizer of MQM USA, and prohibit any dealings by US Rehan Ibadat, Joint Organizers, citizens with them. members of Central Organizing With their ruling Workers Party, Committee (COC), office bearers, stability and security of the South continues, and the nation does not The demonstrators held banners military and scientific credentials, workers from 22 chapters across Asia region, and unconditional become a safe haven for terror and and placards urging the State of the men are two of three top experts United States, along with large support U.S. foreign policy in banded outfits. Pakistan to uphold the basic considered indispensable to North numbers of supporters including combatting extremism and In addressing the attendees, Joint principles of Freedom of Speech, Korea's rapidly developing weapons ladies, elders and youth. terrorism in the region. Organizer Adnan Naqvi went on to and to allow citizens to live their programs. Photographs and Speaking to the local and Furthermore, he added that state that Pakistan's notorious spy lives as per there free will. television footage show that the men international media, Central Pakistan's financial hub, Karachi agency, Inter-Service Intelligence Furthermore, they shed light on are clearly among North Korean Organizer Rehan Ibadat said that has been surrounded by Taliban's (ISI) has been a key factor in one of the worst forms of human leader Kim Jong Un's favourites. state of Pakistan has failed to and could fall into the hands of destabilizing the region by rights violations, enforced Their behaviour with him is sharply uphold and provide justice to 70 extremist forces. We urge U.S. State promoting extremism and disappearances, extra judicial at variance with the obsequiousness million Mohajirs residing in Department and elected officials to terrorism. Mohajirs are looking killings, inhumane torture, ban on of other senior aides, most of whom Karachi and urban Sindh, as well as come forward and address the forward to strategic support and political and social activities of bow and hold their hands over their failed in its commitment to global grievances of Muhajir Nation, in help of International Community MQM, media blackout of MQM's mouths when speaking to the young peace. He went on to iterate that ensuring that democracy in the to safeguard nation's economic, founder and leader Mr. Altaf leader. (Reuters) Mohajirs are the key to peace, light of political stability political and social interests. Hussain. THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2017 US 13 Southern EXTRAVAGANZA CHRISTMAS California wildfire CELEBRATION IN CHICAGO BY UTCC largest on record LOS ANGELES (TIP):The wildfire, which has razed 273,400 acres in southern California so far, has become the largest wildfire in the state since records began. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said that the Thomas fire, which began on December 4, had surpassed the fire Cedar, which had burned 273,246 acres in San Diego county in October 2003, reports Efe news. Records of the area destroyed by wildfires have been kept by the Carol singing by UTCC Children Garba Dance by Indian Christian Federation of Mid-West-Gujrathi organisation since 1932. Thomas has destroyed 1,063 CHICAGO, IL (TIP): In the buildings and killed two, compared momentous soul of solidarity,United to the 2,820 destroyed by Cedar and Telugu Christian Community 15 deaths caused. (UTCC), celebrated its Annual 2017 Although during the first few Christmas Carols by candlelight in days Thomas was difficult to collaboration with the Indian control and spread rapidly through Christian Federation of Midwest, Santa Barbara and Ventura Indo-Pak Christian Community with counties, in the last few days carols, dance performances, and emergency services have managed dinner on Saturday December 9th, to practically stop the wildfire's 2017 at Croatian Cultural Banquet progress and have contained 65 per here. cent of the flames. This Christmas occasion pulled in This year is turning out to be chapel individuals from different California's worst year for Telugu churches in the Chicago area wildfires on record, mainly who met up in incredible quality of because of massive fires in solidarity to unitedly praise the October in several counties in the Christmas season. The vital host northern part of the state, which coordinators of the event include Mr. ravaged many wineries in Napa Community Service Award recipients along with committee members Vijender Doma, Mr. Johnson Sukka, and Sonoma counties. Mr. Thomas Polepaka, Mr. Babu paving the way to the introduction of Silverstein and Alderwoman Debra included, a team of young girls from Those fires claimed the lives of Varma, Mr, Sohail Bakshi and local our ruler, Jesus Christ. Silverstein were felicitated and Mount Prospect Dancing School 44 people and destroyed close to pastors from North and South India After the message, the UTCC youth honored with shawls presented by performing a beautiful dance 8,900 houses and structures, of different denomination churches group started by singing popular Ruth Varma, and Gulshan Bakshi, followed by a Gujarati group, led by according to the final estimates of who participated in this successful English Christmas carols with music Joce Doma and Mahala Sukka. Babu Verma, sang a Qawali song and the authorities. (IANS) Annual 2017 UTCC celebrations, by Jestin Katari and Joshua Mallela. Congressman Raja presented the the women presented a Garba Dance which was attended by more than 600 Followed by the UTCC Telugu choir, Award of Appreciation to the and a finale of 'Silent Night' which US jet goes off people. They have worked Gujarati group, Pakistani group, following outstanding people of the was effortlessly sung while the enthusiastically to guarantee the Tamil group, and many other Indian and Pakistan Christian glimmer of the flame lights shone the taxiway after occasion had every one of the different local church groups. Community. Award of Appreciation congregation premises introducing components of festivities. Coordinators Mr. Vijender Doma, were given to Mrs. Thara Chandran the euphoric soul of Christmas. blizzard The night's program started with a Mr. Babu Varma, Mr. Johnson Sukka and Mrs. Suguna Vallabdas for their Vijender Doma later called on supplication offered by Rev. Thomas and Mr. Sohail Bakshi along with great dedicated services contributed UTCC core group, Johnson Sukka, NEW YORK (TIP): A JetBlue Polepaka, Pastor of Shekinah Keerthi Ravoori, prominent Indian to Indian Christian Community for Thomas Polepaka, Prem Mitra, flight went off the taxiway after Evangelical Church, who welcomed Christian and FIA leader introduced over 4 decades in the Chicago land. Edward Jenner, Ramesh Goneh, landing in Boston, the airline said all attendees for the evening of the the distinguished guests for the More appreciation awards were Shyam Sunder, Raj Paul Maddela, on Dec 23, as frigid conditions and UTCC celebrations. The opening event. Guests of Honor: given to Mr. Babu Varma, prominent Arun Paul Gorre, Augustine snow hit the northeastern United prayer was offered by Rev. Swaraj Congressman Raja Krishnamurthy, Gujarati Christian Leader and FIA, Gaddam, Enoch Raju, Myrtle States. Perumalla, Pastor of M.B. Israel Senator Ira Silverstein, Alderwoman to Rev. Thomas Polepaka for his Agepog, Shirley Kalvakota, Enoch No injuries were reported after House of Prayer. Rev. Thomas Debra Silverstein, Mr. D. B. Bhatti. dedicated service to the Indian Raju, David Thokkudubiyapu, the flight from Savannah, Georgia, Polepaka, Mrs. Mahala Sukka, and Consul, Consulate General of India, Telugu Christian Community, to Ebinizer Mangalshetty and other "went off of a taxiway shortly after Mrs. Joyce Doma emceed the Chicago, Iftekhar Sharif, FIA, Asad Sohail Bakshi for his dedicated Coordinators Babu Varma & Sohail landing at approximately 7:15 pm" proceedings of the event. Azharuddin, a rising cricketer of service to the Pakistan Christian Bakshi to come on to the stage and on Monday, Christmas Day, a Exceptional Christmas carols were India, Congressman Danny Davis, Community, to Mrs. Subhadra J expressed a vote of thanks. JetBlue statement said. displayed by choirs from different MEATF representatives Mrs. Vipparthi for her church and Benediction was offered by "Buses transported customers churches who sang sweet melodies. Nazeema Chand, Dr. Zenoiba Sowell, women's ministry among Telugu Archbishop Jayakumar Jacob from the aircraft to the terminal." The novel feature of the night's Mr. Nagender Ravi Sripada, and Christians, and finally to Dr. Regi Agepogu and Rev. Timothy Rathod, Earlier in the day, Boston's festivals was all pastors, elders, and other distinguished personalities Paul for his children's ministry to the Senior Gujarati Pastor, led all the Logan International Airport had lady leaders who joined and lit also have graced the event. Indian Christian community. participants with the Lord's Prayer temporarily stopped flights from candles for the UTCC celebrations. Congressman Raja Krishnamurthy 2017 Community Awards were and prayed for the food. After dinner arriving or departing because of The message was conveyed by Rev. commended the hard work of the sponsored by Mr. Johnny Peddapati everyone on the dance floor enjoyed weather conditions, The Boston Dr. John Reynolds Ambati, guest coordinators. in memory of his wife Late Deena Garba Raas. Globe reported on its website after speaker from Michigan State, who Congressman Raja Peddapati. (Photographs and Press release by: a blizzard hit the area. (AFP) delivered a few huge components Krishnamurthy, Senator Ira Highlights of the evening Asian Media USA)

people from some mostly Muslim government to process certain Director of National Intelligence the United States' national security Judge partially lifts countries from reuniting with refugee applications but said his Daniel Coats sent a memo to Trump and foreign policy interests." family living legally in the United directive did not apply to people saying certain refugees must be Robart said his order restores Trump States. without a "bona fide relationship" to banned unless additional security refugee procedures in programs to US District Judge James Robart a person or entity in the United measures are implemented. what they were before the memo and administration ban heard arguments Thursday in States. It applies to the spouses and noted that this already includes very lawsuits from the American Civil President Donald Trump minor children of refugees who thorough vetting of individuals. The on refugees Liberties Union and Jewish Family restarted the refugee program in have already settled in the US and ACLU argued the memo provided no Service, which say the ban causes October "with enhanced vetting suspends the refugee program for evidence for why additional security SEATTLE (TIP): A federal judge irreparable harm and puts some capabilities." people coming from 11 countries, was needed and didn't specify a in Seattle on Dec 24 partially lifted a people at risk. Government lawyers The day before his executive nine of which are mostly Muslim. timeframe for implementing the Trump administration ban on argued that the ban is needed to order, Secretary of State Rex In his decision, Robart wrote that changes. The groups say the process certain refugees after two groups protect national security. Tillerson, Acting Homeland "former officials detailed concretely for imposing the policy violated a argued that the policy prevented Robart ordered the federal Security Secretary Elaine Duke and how the Agency Memo will harm federal law. (Reuters) THEINDIANPANORAMA 14 INDIA FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2017 AT LEAST 15 DEAD AFTER FIRE RIPS THROUGH Bill passed to criminalise Triple Talaq NEW DELHI (TIP): The Lok Sabha RESTAURANT IN MUMBAI today passed the contentious bill making instant triple illegal with up to three years in jail for the husband, a development hailed by the government as "historic". The bill was passed after the House rejected a string of amendments moved by various opposition members. MPs from the RJD, AIMIM, BJD, AIADMK and All India Muslim League opposed the bill, calling it arbitrary in nature and a faulty proposal. The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill would only be applicable on instant triple talaq or 'talaq-e- biddat'. It gives power to the victim to approach a magistrate seeking "subsistence allowance" for herself and MUMBAI (TIP): A birthday bash at a pub in a central minor children. A victim can also seek Mumbai building ended in a tragedy as 15 people, including the custody of her minor children from 11 women, were killed after a blaze broke out shortly after the magistrate. men, leaving no room for The collective Opposition questioned midnight, an official said on Friday. Under the law, instant triple talaq in reconciliation”. The Bill deals only with the need for a criminal provision Most of the victims died of suffocation. any form -- spoken, in writing or by instant talaq. prescribing imprisonment. Some Twenty-one people were injured in the fire, which broke electronic means such as email, SMS In the case of Shayara Bano vs Union among the Congress wanted the clause out at the hotel terrace on the third floor of the commercial and WhatsApp -- would be illegal and of India in August, the Supreme Court removed, but amendments moved to complex at Lower Parel area, the official said. void. had set aside talaq-e-biddat. remove the criminal part were negated “The incident occurred after 12.30 am at One Above pub, The bill will now be sent to the Rajya Union Minister for Law and Justice by a voice vote. located on the third floor of the Trade House Building in Sabha for passage before it is forwarded Ravi Shankar Prasad said this was for Minister of State for External Affairs Kamala Mills compound on Senapati Bapat Marg, a to the President for signing it into law. gender justice and equality for Muslim MJ Akbar questioned the Muslim commercial hub of the city,” a police official said. The bill is likely to sail through the women. Terming it a “historic day”, he Personal Law Board, saying, “Who Teams of fire brigade and police rushed to the spot and a Rajya Sabha, where the government said the practice of instant triple talaq chose them to be the community’s rescue operation was launched to pull out the people trapped lacks majority, given the Congress's had continued despite the SC order representatives?” He added, “This inside the pub, the official added. stated support to the legislation. terming it void. slogan ‘Islam khatre mein hai’ was used “The fire brigade rescued at least 35 injured people, who The Bill states reasons for bringing in The Congress supported the Bill but before Independence to divide India and were trapped inside the hotel. They were shifted to a the law as “a boost to liberate Indian had issues with its criminality part. MP is now being used to divide society.” hospital,” he said. Muslim women from the age-old from Silchar Sushmita Dev said, “If the AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi said “During treatment, 14 people, including 11 women, were practice of capricious and whimsical husband goes to jail, who will give the criminal provision was just to put declared dead. Most of the victims died of suffocation,” he method of divorce, by some Muslim maintenance?” more Muslim men in jail. said adding that 21 others sustained serious burns. Police have booked Hratesh Sanghvi, Jigar Sanghvi and Abhijeet Manka of C Grade Hospitality, which manages the LOK SABHA SLAMS ILL-TREATMENT INDIA SUCCESSFULLY pub, along with others, under Sections 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 337 (causing hurt by act BY PAK TO KULBHUSHAN JADHAV KIN TEST-FIRES SUPERSONIC endangering life or personal safety of others) and 338 (causing grievous hurt by act endangering life or personal NEW DELHI (TIP): Both Houses INTERCEPTOR MISSILE safety of others) of the IPC. on Dec 29 jointly endorsed Foreign They had been booked by NM Joshi Marg Police Station Minister Sushma Swaraj’s BALASORE (TIP): India on Thursday and two of them had been detained, the official said. statement on the Kulbhushan successfully test-fired its indigenously Further investigation is on. Source: PTI Jadhav matter and condemned developed Advanced Air Defence (AAD) strongly Pakistan’s “obnoxious” supersonic interceptor missile, capable of BJP MPS IGNORING MY behaviour. destroying any incoming ballistic missile in low Apprising Parliament of the altitude, from a test range in Odisha. MESSAGES, SAYS MODI meeting between Jadhav and his This was the third supersonic interceptor test wife and mother in Islamabad on carried out this year in which an incoming NEW DELHI December 25, Swaraj dismissed ballistic missile target was successfully (TIP): Prime Pakistan’s claims of it being a intercepted, within 30 km altitude of the earth's Minister Narendra humanitarian gesture. “The truth is atmosphere by an interceptor. Modi on Thursday that both humanity and compassion "It was a direct hit and grand success," told BJP MPs that were missing during the meeting defence sources said after the test launch. they were that was arranged on humanitarian The earlier two tests were conducted on "ignoring" his text and compassionate grounds. There March 1 and February 11, as part of efforts to messages and asked was a serious and gross violation Kulbhushan Jadhav’s mother and wife have a full-fledged multi-layer ballistic missile them to start of human rights of the family leave after meeting him at the ministry defence system. following the members of Shri Jadhav and an of foreign affairs in Islamabad. "Today's (Thursday) test was conducted to Narendra Modi app intimidating atmosphere was validate various parameters of the interceptor regularly. created for them during this meeting,” the minister said amid thumping of in flight mode and it was all success," the "No one ever desks. sources said. wishes me good Swaraj recalled the manner in which Jadhav’s family was treated by The target missile- a Prithvi missile - was morning," Modi said Pakistani authorities and harassed by an abusive local media despite a prior launched from launch complex 3 of the at the weekly understanding not to allow access to press. Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur near meeting of the BJP parliamentary party, before the start of She said India sent a note verbale to Islamabad on Wednesday to register its here. Parliament. "I send good morning messages but apart from diplomatic protests against its ill-treatment of the family.“While the meeting After getting signals by tracking radars, the five or six MPs, no one responds," BJP officials quoted him could have been a step forward, it is a matter of great concern that there was interceptor AAD missile, positioned at Abdul as saying. Modi said he often sends important messages departure from the agreed understandings between the two countries in the Kalam Island in the Bay of Bengal, roared with his morning greetings but these were missed too. conduct of this meeting. The emotional moment between a mother and her through its trajectory to destroy the hostile The BJP MPs were asked to make use of a new feature on son, and a wife and her husband after a period of 22 months was misused by target missile in mid-air in an endo-atmospheric the official app of the PM which facilitates direct connect Pakistan as an instrument to further its propaganda,” said Swaraj. altitude, defence sources said. with him. The app enables the MPs to apprise Modi of the India had issued a battery of charges a day after the meeting, which the The interceptor is a 7.5-meter long single work done in their states and constituencies. Pakistani foreign ministry dismissed as baseless and false. stage solid rocket propelled guided missile Jitendra Singh, Union minister of state in the Prime “The family members were taken for the meeting through a separate door equipped with a navigation system, a hi-tech Minister's Office, made a presentation about the new without informing the Deputy High Commissioner of India, who had computer and an electro-mechanical activator, feature on the app. "There is a new mechanism, New India accompanied the family members for this meeting. Consequently,he could not the sources said.The state-of-the-art interceptor Connect, in the NaMo app which entails direct connect see that the family members were being taken for the meeting after changing missile has its own mobile launcher, secure data with the PM. Union minister Jitendra Singh apprised their attire and removing their bindi, bangles and mangal sutra. Otherwise, link for interception, independent tracking and about it," Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar he would have objected then and there,” stressed Sushma. homing capabilities and sophisticated radars. told reporters. Source: The Tribune Source: PTI THEINDIANPANORAMA FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2017 INDIA 15 MEHBOOBA'S BROTHER Minister Hegde apologises for his INDUCTED INTO J&K CABINET

SRINAGAR (TIP): Tassaduq Mufti, the younger remarks on Constitution brother of Jammu & NEW DELHI (TIP): Union Minister the matter with Rajya Sabha chairman Kashmir Chief Minister Anant Hegde apologised for his remarks M Venkaiah Naidu and claimed that the Mehbooba Mufti, on on the Constitution, that had led to government has sought time till Thursday took an oath of protests by the opposition and uproar in tomorrow to respond on their demands. office and secrecy as a the parliament, leading to adjournments "Opposition parties are of the opinion minister during a swearing- several times. that any minister who does not believe in ceremony at the Raj "Regarding the deadlock in Lok Sabha in the Constitution of India, should have Bhavan in Jammu. & Rajya Sabha due to my statement, I no place in the council of ministers, in Tassaduq, an alumnus of want to assure my friends that the Government of India, it is for the the American Film Institute, constitution is supreme to me, prime minister now (to take a call on was nominated to the State Parliament is supreme to me," he said him)," Azad told reporters. Legislative Council last week today, adding that he deeply respects "Either Hegde should apologise in against a vacancy caused by Tassaduq Mufti Baba Saheb Ambedkar and 'as a citizen,' both Houses and to the nation or the the resignation of Yuvraj 'can never go against it (Constitution).' prime minister should take a decision Vikramaditya Singh, who His clarification comes after the on whether such people should had resigned from the Upper House of the State Legislature Congress, headed by party president continue," he said. and the ruling People's Democratic Party. Rahul Gandhi protested in front of Anant Hegde "The Government has asked us to give The swearing-in ceremony, in which besides Tasaduq, Gandhi status inside Parliament time till tomorrow. So, we have agreed. another PDP legislator Javeed Mustafa Mir were premises today. Let the Government decide," he added. administered an oath of office and secrecy by Governor N N At a function in Karnataka on Sunday, statements I tender an apology.' Azad said the Congress and other Vohra, was attended by Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, her Hegde had reportedly said people should Opposition parties took strong opposition parties have sought an council of ministers and other high- profile leaders from the identify themselves by their religion and objection to Hegde's remarks on apology from the minister concerned ruling PDP and the BJP. "those who, without knowing about their amending the Constitution and said who has uttered these words. The This was the second expansion in the council of ministers parental blood, call themselves secular, such a person should have no place in apology should not be to that earlier this year saw the induction of PDP heavyweight they don't have their own identity...They the council of ministers. Parliamentarians but to the entire Syed Altaf Bukhari. don't know about their parentage." Hegde should either apologise or nation, he said. With the joining of Tassaduq and Javaid, the number of He had also said "we are here to Prime Minister Narendra Modi should "This Constitution is applicable to ministers in the PDP-BJP coalition government has reached change the Constitution and we'll take a call on whether such a person each and every citizen of India to 25-the maximum permissible limit in the council of change it." should continue as minister, Leader of irrespective of caste, religion. The ministers. Congress' Mallikarjun Kharge Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam prime minister should take a decision, As per the J&K Constitution, the strength of council of objected to Ananth Kumar Hegde's Nabi Azad told reporters outside whether such people should continue in ministers should not exceed 20% of the total the strength of clarification, following which Hegde Parliament on Wednesday. the Government or not," he said. the state legislature-89 MLAs and 36 MLCs. said, 'If anyone was hurt by my He said opposition parties had raised Source: Agencies Tasaduq, the youngest of the four siblings, had stayed away from politics before his father's death in January 2016. ARMY GENERALS TO GET LONGER TENURES As Rahul takes charge, Sonia NEW DELHI (TIP): The Indian in turn shortens the tenures to just 12 officers will have longer tenures of cycles during vacation in Goa Army has changed its promotion months at the level of the Divisional some 18 months and also that relatively policy allowing Generals to serve Commander, who is a Major General younger people will be promoted while longer tenures and officers to get and has some 15,000-18,000 troops others get sidelined. promoted at a younger age to the ranks under his command. The same is the In the Army, the rank of Major of Major General and Lieutenant issue with the rank of Corps General is achieved by the age of 53 or General. Commander, who is a Lieutenant 54, while the rank of Lieutenant The Army has also changed the General and gets only a 12-month General is on an average achieved by rather stringent requirement of tenure. This means too many changes. the age of 56. The target is to reduce two-year residual service for selection With the change of policy,the annual this age profile by at least one year, as Army Commander. There are number of vacancies of promotion ensuring longer tenures in top posts just seven such posts, including Vice from Brigadier to Major General will and continuity in policy-making. Chief. be curtailed to 33, instead of the The policy of having a minimum of The new policy announced on existing 44. In case of promotion from three years of residual service to December 23 indicates that the Army Major General to Lieutenant General, become a Corps Commander shall has changed the sluggish promotion the vacancies will be curtailed from 12 remain unchanged. formula that dodges senior ranks. This to nine per annum. This will mean Source: The Tribune

MALEGAON BLAST CASE PANAJI (TIP): Days after relinquishing Congress affairs MCOCA CHARGES DROPPED AGAINST PRAGYA, PUROHIT to her son, former party chief Sonia Gandhi is on a "de-stress" vacation in Goa, and an image of her cycling at a resort here MUMBAI (TIP): Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, Lt Col has created waves on the social media. Prasad Purohit and six others will face trial under an anti- Sonia Gandhi, who arrived here after Christmas, is likely terror law in the 2008 Malegaon bomb blast case as the special to stay here till early January, after ringing in the New Year. NIA court dismissed their applications for discharge here on This is her third vacation in Goa this year. Wednesday. The 71-year-old leader -- who guided the destiny of the The court has, however, dropped provisions under the Indian National Congress for 19 years - took time off to enjoy stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act riding a bicycle on the seafacing lawns of five-star resort- (MCOCA) against all the accused. hotel, The Leela Goa, in Varca, a sleepy village in south Goa, It discharged three accused — Shyam Sahu, Shivnarayan surprising the hotel's guests, staffers and outsiders. Kalsangra and Praveen Takalki — from the case. Attired in a long white kurta and dark leggings, she smiled The court said the accused persons will face trial under warmly as some guests requested her for pictures and others sections 16 (committing a terror act) and 18 (criminal Lt Col Prasad Purohit and Sadhvi Pragya Singh. posed for selfies beside her, and chatted with locals and conspiracy) of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), Ramesh Upadhyay, Sameer Kulkarni, Sudhakar Chaturvedi foreigners. and sections 120(b) (punishment of criminal conspiracy), 302 and Ajay Rahirkar. Though some reports speculate that Sonia Gandhi has (murder), 307 (attempt to murder) and 326 (intentionally Two accused — Jagdish Mhatre and Rakesh Dhawde — will come with some close friends, this could not be officially causing harm to others) of the IPC. face trial only under the Arms Act, the court said. confirmed from either the party in Goa or New Delhi. “The UAPA sections 17 (raising funds for a terrorist The court has asked all the accused persons to appear before "Some pictures make you happy. This is one of them," said organisation or a terrorist attack), 20 (being part of a terrorist it on January 15 for the formal framing of charges against Bollywood actor-producer Riteish Deshmukh, who uploaded a organisation) and 23 (aiding somebody who is part of a them. On September 29, 2008, there was a bomb explosion near picture on his Facebook account of Sonia cycling and wished terrorist organisation) have been dropped against all Bhiku Chowk at Malegaon in Nashik district, killing six her "happiness and best of health".Many on social media even accused,” special NIA judge S D Tekale said. persons and injuring several others. commented that for a change, it was Sonia and not Rahul Apart from Sadhvi and Purohit, the accused, who will now The blast took place by an improvised explosive device (IED) whose vacation is in the limelight and while most "liked" it, face trial in the case, are Sudhakar Dwivedi, retired Major fitted upon an LML Freedom motorcycle. Source: PTI some also smirked at her pictures. THE INDIAN PANORAMA 16 THEATER FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2017 Theater in New York: Broadway & Off-Broadway BY MABEL PAIS

everything! …the fact that it's iconic American manufacturing happened so quickly…it's happened company, changing the rules as he in my lifetime. I think the country goes. With his brilliance matched has undergone a sea change…about only by his swagger, Merkin sets in what constitutes wealth" bemoans motion nothing less than a financial Tony winning director Doug civil war, pitting magnates against Hughes (Doubt). workers, lawyers against Although his drama is set a journalists, and everyone against quarter-century ago, JUNK speaks themselves. to the present day. Mr. Akhtar Steven Pasquale (The Bridges of The Stock Ticker. believes that all the sound and fury Madison County and TV's Rescue Photos/T. Charles Erickson and political chaos of the Trump- Me) leads an impeccable cast, in this era America covers for even greater portrait of the dark side of the economically, and it asks the shifts of money and power to the American Dream. audience to really think about it" upper classes - and that we are explains Steven Pasquale. He plays looking in the wrong direction and the lead among a cast of 23 actors: have been for quite some time. "The Ito Aghayere, Philip James new landed gentry are those who Brannon, Tony Carlin, manufacture money, who have Demosthenes Chrysan, Jenelle Chu, Company of Actors in JUNK access to massive amounts of Caroline Hewitt, Rick Holmes, Tec capital," says Akhtar. "That's the Koch, Ian Lasiter, Teresa Avia Lim, yad Akhtar, the Pulitzer read The Wall Street Journal, every strand the play is really following." Adam Ludwig, Sean McIntyre, Nate Prize-winning playwright of day. He helped support himself by Identity politics on both sides, he Miller, Steven Pasquale, Ethan ADisgraced, has now returned trading stocks, using as seed money believes, has the nation "consumed Phillips, Matthew Rauche, Matthew to Broadway with his play JUNK. annual stipends of $12,000 or so sent and distracted from the real story." Saldivar, Charlie Semine, Michael He had long wanted to write "a by his parents. "Money," he says, "is what's Silberry, Miriam Silverman, Joey very big play about finance" he JUNK is set in the 1980s, in the happening." Slotnick, Henry Stram, and confesses. He is not going to be high-flying, risk-seeking, teetering In the play, financier Robert Stephanie Umoh. solely defined as an ethnic financial world and inspired by the Merkin (played by Steven Pasquale JUNK has sets by John Lee Beatty, playwright. Having been a decoder real junk bond kings of the day.This as a Michael Milken-like junk bond costumes by Catherine Zuber, of a strain of Muslim-American life fictionalized, riveting story shows king), the resident genius of the lighting by Ben Stanton, and - middle-class, educated, us from the inside how money upstart firm Sackler Lowell, has original music and sound by Mark assimilated, though less became the only thing that just landed on the cover of Time Bennett. comfortably so after 2001 - he has, mattered. Magazine. Hailed as "America's Junk had its world premiere for now, moved on. "The play strives, frankly, to Alchemist," his proclamation that Steven Pasquale, plays the season production at La Jolla lead in JUNK His interest in finance is implicate us ALL: the culture that debt is an asset has propelled him to Playhouse, La Jolla, CA in 2016, longstanding. When Akhtar set off seems driven by money, "the dizzying heights. Zealously "It is not a judgment or an For tickets or more information, call for New York to become a writer, his financialization of everything." "It's promoting his belief in the near- indictment about how we do things Telecharge at 212 239 6200, visit Muslim-American father who about the forces that are secretly or sacred infallibility of markets, he is on Wall Street, but it is an lct.org org or the box office at The founded a cardiology practice in not-so-secretly running our lives: trying to re-shape the world. He will examination of where we are as a Vivian Beaumont Theater, 150 West Wisconsin, made him promise to it's the "financialization" of stop at nothing to take over an country in terms of how we live 65th Street, New York. Twelfth Night, or What You Will? A Shakespeare Comedy

lassic Stage Company (CSC) is celebrating its 50th brother Sebastian are separated, Anniversary season. CSC is committed to re-imagining each fearing the other lost to the sea. Cclassic stories for contemporary audiences. Viola disguises herself as a boy and wades into a complex romantic triangle with Duke Orsino and the Countess Olivia. New York's innovative Fiasco Theater brings their hallmark style and expansive imagination to one of Shakespeare's most popular comedies. "One of the primary realms of interest in Twelfth Night relies equally on prose as well as verse," say Noah Brody and Ben Steinfeld, directors of Fiasco's production of Twelfth Night. Being heavily influenced by the works of Cicely The Full Company Photos / Joan Marcus Berry and Andrew Wade, and having developed the tools of purpose, structure, and rhythm of prose indulging his own musical passions." The joy of making "music since 2010, the directors were excited to put them to use in together, flows into the acting." "It's important," says Steinfeld, Twelfth Night. for him and the ensemble "that the actors make that music live "Fiasco was born out of the crucible of (their) shared on stage." graduate training at the Brown/Trinity MFA acting program," Directed by Noah Brody and Ben Steinfeld, the cast of Twelfth they said. Night, Or What You Will features Jessie Austrian (Olivia), Noah In spite of presenting work by other playwrights, they have Brody (Orsino), Tina Chilip (Maria), Paul L. Coffey (Malvolio), consistently returned to the work of Shakespeare mainly for the Andy Grotelueschen (Sir Toby Belch), Javier Ignacio Emily Young Noah Brody language, the stories, the wilderness, the boldness, the honesty, (Sebastian), David Samuel (Antonio), Ben Steinfeld (Feste), Paco the surprise, the rhythms, the specificity,the depth, the silliness. Tolson (Sir Andrew Aguecheek) and Emily Young (Viola). Classic Stage Company,as part of its 50th anniversary season, Shakespeare was uniquely capable of breathing the full Scenic design is by John Doyle, costume design by Emily presents Fiasco Theater's Twelfth Night, Or What You Will by richness of universal human experience into the language of his Rebholz and lighting design by Ben Stanton. William Shakespeare. "Twelfth Night is a fitting companion characters: love and hate; honor and sin; the mortal thoughts For tickets or more information, call (212) 352 3101 or (866) 811 piece to As You Like It (that initiated the season earlier in Fall that drive us; humor and wit …are all realized. 4111, visit classicstage.org or the box office at 136 East 13th 2017)," both among Shakespeare's most popular comedies, "in Act Ben Steinfeld, serving as musical director for Fiasco's Street, New York. I of (the) 50th anniversary season," explains John Doyle, Artistic Shakespeare productions considers it "a gift" "to help figure out (Mabel Pais is a freelance writer. She writes on The Arts and Director of Classic Stage Company. how to serve the production, while simultaneously giving the Entertainment, Social Issues, Health and Wellness, and Shipwrecked on the island of Illyria, Viola and her twin ensemble a chance to explore their musical identities and Spirituality) THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2017 ADVERTISEMENT 17 THEINDIANPANORAMA 18 BOLLYWOOD FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2017 PADMAVATI ROW: HISTORIANS TO WATCH THE FILM

WILL HICHKI BE THE PERFECT COMEBACK FILM FOR RANI MUKERJI?

hat is life without a few hiccups” - - the tagline of the upcoming film “WHichki resonates with the ideology of the film’s lead actor Rani Mukerji. Hichki, meaning a hiccup, is about Naina who suffers from a speech difficulty. It is about turning disadvantages into opportunities and staring down at challenges and ultimately winning over them. Asked if she has faced any hiccups in her two-decade career, Rani said, “Yes, of course. I think hiccup is a normal process for any actor, for any person in their life. Sometimes you have a hiccup in your personal life and sometimes in your professional life. The beauty of a hiccup is that you can get over it as well. It’s not like that you have a hiccup and you keep hiccuping all your life... There have been times professionally and personally I have been through hiccups.” Without elucidating on the hurdles she has faced, Rani said hiccups can be a learning he Censor Board has sought the Agrawal College. share the historical facts to the best of experience. “We can learn how do we get out of opinion of two veteran historians Speaking to the media, Khangarot said knowledge and will not be backing any it and how do we come out stronger.” Tfrom Jaipur on film Padmavati by the entire tussle related to the movie is not political party,” he added. The actor is making her comeback to the inviting them to view the film. These between the Karni Sena and Sanjay Leela The age-old custom of jauhar (mass silver screen after four years with the Siddharth historians include Professor B.L. Gupta and Bhansali, director-producer of Padmavati, immolation) should be shown effectively in P Malhotra directorial, which is produced by Prof R.S. Khangarot. but between Bhasali and history and hence the film or else it can have adverse effects on Maneesh Sharma for Yash Raj Films (YRF), and “once we watch the film, it will be clear if the audience, he said, adding that it should is releasing on February 23. This is not the first While Gupta is professor of history in history has been tampered with or not”. not be romanticised in the film as well. time Rani will be playing a character with a Rajasthan Vishwavidhyala and has written Gupta said he was all for artistic freedom According to sources, a four-member disability. In 2005, she portrayed Michelle numerous books on India during the but then it should not happen at the cost of panel has been formed to review the film McNally, a visually and hearing impaired medieval period, Khangarot is principal of history. “It should be very clear that we will next month. Source: IANS woman in Black. Source: IANS MOVIE REVIEW 161-minute long and a slow pace could have completely ruined the film. There is just one song, a good development by YRF’s TIGER ZINDA HAI standards, and Tom Struthers’ action has novelty. I won’t be CAST: SALMAN KHAN, KATRINA KAIF, SAJJAD DELAFROZ surprised if Bhai fans will go berserk after seeing him wielding a bazooka. DIRECTOR: ALI ABBAS ZADAR Where is Katrina Kaif in all this? Well, she delivers her part Tiger is blessed with dry humour, but director Zafar fails to with aplomb. In a film totally dependent on Tiger’s charisma capitalise on that front. That would have added depth to the and combat skills, Katrina’s Zoya steals the show in a mostly lonely agent we have seen in the original film, Ek Tha prolonged action scene inside the City Council building of Tiger (2012). Ikrit. Her body double plays a substantial role in it, still it’s a The writers have tried to add motive and back story to Abu sequence you can cheer for. Usman, which is mostly on the predictable lines. He plays the A hindrance in Indian spy films is the mandatory ‘insaniyat America-educated, unethically tortured man, but it works, ka mahjab’ and ‘saare gods hamare dil me baste hain’ kind of because Delafroz takes right pauses. Of course, he is also sequences. Now, after watching such scenes for the thousandth waiting to meet Tiger at some point. time, nobody in the hall even murmurs, “sahi baat hai.” These Such villains are weirdly funny in their own ways. They are scenes could have been trimmed for a sleeker product. Didn’t otherwise very sharp, astute and terrifying, but they falter the first film tell us these things in as many words? right when their skills are needed the most. They call you from Salman Khan, of course, is back in his zone and seems to be behind just when you think you’re out of their clutches. Or, enjoying the slow motion and close-up shots. He delivers what they kill the lead’s best friend. And all this happens when the is expected of him. It comes at the cost of the others though. hero is giving proper vibes of being the real player. You know Angad Bedi is forced to carry a constant fretful look, like looking directly into the eyes or chewing dialogues. something he has been stuck with since Inside Edge. Tiger Zinda Hai does everything you thought it would. From There are a couple of surprise elements and they work too. establishing India-Pakistan friendship to proving the secular Actually, Tiger Zinda Hai is exactly the movie you wanted to credentials of our daredevil agent, you witness everything. associate Salman Khan with, so no disappointments on that The good thing is everything happens fast. Tiger Zinda Hai is front. THEINDIANPANORAMA FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2017 HOLLYWOOD 19 SARAH PAULSON WANTS TO PLAY CHEETAH IN 'WONDER WOMAN 2’

ctor Sarah Paulson has shown interest in playing the Acharacter of Cheetah in the sequel to DC's "Wonder Woman". Actor Gal Gadot portrayed the titular role in the Patty Jenkins-directed superhero film. Actors Danny Huston and David Thewlis played her nemesis in the film, which also featured Chris Pine, Connie Nielsen and Robin Wright. A fan on Twitter suggested to Jenkins that Paulson or actor Charlize Theron are prefect fit for Wonder Woman's nemesis Cheetah. "Hey Patty Jenkins, Giving that WonderWoman's rogues gallery is small, will you use her most famous villain 'Cheetah' in the sequel? "I also think that Sarah Paulson or Charlize Theron would be perfect for this character if you did use her?" the LINDSAY LOHAN OWES fan aske To this, Paulson replied in MORE THAN $100,000 affirmative. "Yes please Patty Jenkins," wrote IN TAXES Paulson. ctor Lindsay Lohan reportedly owes Gadot will be back in "Wonder over $100,000 in unpaid taxes. According Woman" sequel, which will have her Ato a tax lien, the Mean Girls star owes facing off against the Soviet Union $100,710.55 in taxes from the years 2010, 2014 and during the 1980s. Jenkins will also be 2015, reports people.com. back to helm the project. Source: PTI During that time, she had a role in the Danny Trejo action movie Machete and a cameo on an episode of 2 Broke Girls. She also appeared in the reality series Lindsay. The actor has been living between London and Dubai. “She’s blonde and happy and she looks good,” a friend said earlier this month when Lohan resurfaced in a rare public appearance with her mother Dina. Source: IANS MOVIE REVIEW sprawling, alternative world that could be revisited in sequel after sequel, but that world’s mythology is BRIGHT downright confusing. The title describes people who can wield magic wands, but the hows and whys of that are DIRECTOR - DAVID AYER never clearly explained. CAST - WILL SMITH, JOEL EDGERTON, NOOMI RAPACE, There’s talk of a shadowy,big bad figure on the horizon, EDGAR RAMIREZ though he’s clearly just being set up for an appearance in Bright is a high-concept feature, and writer Max some hoped-for sequel. Rapace’s Leilah is an incredible Landis (American Ultra, Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective fighter, and excels at strutting around like someone who’s Agency) injects some timely, potentially resonant themes watched the Underworld films one too many times, but into his script. Early on, the movie attempts to address there’s little sense of emotional connection. Bright is a racism and the social caste system, with elves taking on series of disconnected action vignettes that work as the roles of the elite, and the orcs filling in for the racially standalone sequences, but don’t hang together in any kind profiled minorities and the lower classes. of meaningful way. It’s impossible to not think of Suicide There’s an inherent tension between humans and orcs Squad’s similar failings as Bright barrels from one dark, due to a long-ago war, and the two rarely mix and mingle. noisy scene to the next. Someone like Jakoby, however, is stuck in the middle. The true bright spot is Edgerton’s performance as the Edgerton plays him like the happiest, most naive police orc cop Jakoby. While he’s hopelessly clueless when it officer in the history of film, and while he’s estranged comes to reading a room and realizing how despised he is, from other orcs, he also can’t fit in with the rest of the a youthful sense of hope and innocence about the cops who resent his presence in the LAPD as part of a character breaks through, which is even more diversity program. None of this is particularly subtle, but impressive, given Edgerton’s layers of prosthetic the basic dynamics echo our world cleanly enough to makeup. Ward and Jakoby’s banter isn’t anything offer up some real ground to explore. And then the movie spectacular — it’s mostly Smith insulting the orc to his abandons its attempts at allegory altogether. face — but the pair do wade through their expected When the hunt for the magic wand kicks in, the real journey toward grudging admiration, and eventual problems start. Bright is clearly intended to set up a acceptance, in a satisfying way. THE INDIAN PANORAMA 20 ADVERTISEMENT FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2017 THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2017 ADVERTISEMENT 21 THE INDIAN PANORAMA 22 WORLD FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2017 China's visa waiver for 53 German union steps up fight for countries ‘modern’ 28-hour week NEW YORK (TIP): The FRANKFURT: Germany's largest IG Metall, which represents the Chinese cities of Beijing, union is bracing for a combative powerful car and machine Tianjin and Hebei will allow start to the new year as it presses manufacturing sectors so crucial to visitors from 53 countries to demands for a 28-hour working Germany's economic success, led visit the region, without having week, warning employers to expect the campaign for a 35-hour week in to obtain a visa, for a six-day mass strikes in the battle for a the 1990s. stay.The measure will be applied better work-life balance. But this time, it is pushing for a to visitors from 53 countries The mighty IG Metall union, radical rethink on part-time work. including the Schengen area which represents some 3.9 million "The time has come for workers member states, the US, Brazil, workers in the metal and electrical to demand more self-determination Mexico, Chile and Argentina. industries, says it is ready to flex its to adapt working hours to their muscles after initial negotiations personal situation," Hofmann told with employers made little reporters in October. headway. He said the trend for more PUTIN SAYS ST An agreed no-strike period ends flexible working hours in recent on December 31, and IG Metall chief years had mainly benefitted bosses PETERSBURG Joerg Hofmann has told employers for a two-year period -- with limited Foundation think tank told the who got staff to work longer days. to expect brief "warning strikes" impact on wages. Nordwest Zeitung daily. The Gesamtmetall employers' from January 8, and he said more That demand has been met with He said it would inevitably lead federation has slammed IG Metall's SUPERMARKE widespread action could follow. fierce resistance from company to higher costs that would hurt the demand for less work at roughly the "If by the end of January the bosses, and stirred wider debate bottom line, but could also be a way same pay as "too costly" and T BOMBING employers have not changed their about quality of life and the future for firms to hold onto their best "unfair". stance, we will consider resorting to of work in booming Germany. workers. It says employees already have WAS 24-hour strikes or calling a vote for In certain circumstances, IG "In future, well-qualified the option of working part-time if a general strike," Hofmann told Metall says reduced working hours employees will select those they wish, with a pay packet to DPA news agency this week. must not go hand-in-hand with a companies that offer flexible hours match. TERRORISM Seeing its bargaining power drastic salary cut -- for instance that suit their lives at that time," he "Our rule is: if you work more, strengthened at a time of bulging when staff are caring for young predicted. you earn more. If you work less, you MOSCOW (TIP): Russian order books and record-low children or ailing relatives. But Holger Schmieding, chief earn less," Gesamtmetall chief President Vladimir Putin said a employment in Europe's top In those cases, the union wants economist at Berenberg bank, said Rainer Dulger said in a recent bomb blast in a St Petersburg economy, the union is pushing for a employers to top up workers' a shorter week would mainly hurt interview with regional media. supermarket on Wednesday was six-percent wage increase. salaries to help make up for the small and medium-sized companies He added that the proposed an act of terrorism, and that The Gesamtmetall employers' shortfall that comes with clocking who could struggle to meet measure could lead to a shortage of security forces whose lives were federation has so far offered two up fewer hours. production targets. skilled workers in sectors crucial to threatened by terrorist suspects percent, setting the stage for both It also wants employees to be "If it would be replicated the country's economy. should shoot to kill if necessary. sides to meet somewhere in the guaranteed a return to a 35-hour throughout the economy,it could do IG Metall has hit back at the Putin was speaking on middle. week after two years. serious damage," he said, in a nod to criticism, saying firms were losing Thursday at an awards ceremony Far more controversial is IG "I think IG Metall's proposal is IG Metall's track record of paving out on skilled workers by not in the Kremlin for Russian Metall's call for employees to be very modern," professor Gustav the way for major changes to the meeting their needs, particularly personnel who served in Syria. allowed to switch to a 28-hour week Horn of the Hans-Boeckler work environment. among the female workforce. (AFP) "You know that yesterday in St Petersburg a terrorist act was carried out," Putin told the Get used to drills, China tells Taiwan; Bomb kills 6, including army colonel, in audience, referring to the explosion that injured 13 shoppers Taipei says it seeks peace Egypt's Sinai in a branch of the Perekrestok supermarket chain. BEIJING/TAIPEI (TIP): Taiwan will gradually get used to Chinese air EL-ARISH (TIP): A roadside bomb planted by Islamic terrorists in Investigators have opened a force drills that encircle the island, China said on Dec 25, while Taiwan's Egypt's Sinai Peninsula hit a military vehicle on Thursday, killing six criminal case into Wednesday premier reiterated the self-ruled island's desire for peaceful relations with people, including a senior army officer, security and hospital officials said. evening's blast, which they said its giant neighbour. They said the bomb struck a military convoy that was patrolling an area was caused by a homemade bomb China considers democratic Taiwan to be its sacred territory and has just outside the town of Bir al-Abd in northern Sinai, killing a colonel who packed with pieces of metal. never renounced the use of force to bring what it views as a wayward was the town's military commander, a second officer and four soldiers. Russian media reports said the province under Chinese control. Three more soldiers were wounded in the attack, they said. bomb was hidden in a locker It has taken an increasingly hostile stance towards Taiwan since Tsai Bir al-Abd was the scene of the deadliest terrorist attack against civilians where shoppers leave their Ing-wen, from the island's pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party, in Egypt's modern history, when militants killed 311 worshippers in a belongings. won presidential elections last year and has stepped up its rhetoric and mosque on Nov. 24. Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi has since Putin said the FSB security military exercises. vowed to use ``brute force'' to crush the long-running insurgency in service had recently prevented Beijing suspects her of pushing for the island's formal independence, a northern Sinai and given the military and police three months to restore "another attempted terrorist act." red line for China. Tsai says she wants peace with China, but also that she "security and stability" there. In a separate attack, a rocket-propelled He gave no details, but the will defend Taiwan's security and way of life. grenade hit a police armored vehicle in central el-Arish, a coastal city in Kremlin said earlier this month Chinese state media has given broad coverage to "island encirclement" northern Sinai, killing one conscript. A firefight later erupted between the that a U.S. tip-off had helped exercises near Taiwan this month, including showing pictures of Chinese police and militants, and a civilian driving in the area was caught in the thwart a planned attack on St. bomber aircraft with what they said was Taiwan's highest peak, Yushan, crossfire and killed, said the officials. Three militants were killed in the gun Petersburg's Kazansky Cathedral. visible in the background. battle, they added. Egyptian security forces have been battling militants in Putin also told the ceremony Asked about the continuing drills and the footage released by the air Sinai for years, but the insurgency picked up steam following the ouster in that the security situation in force, China's policy-making Taiwan Affairs Office said it and the defence 2013 of an elected Islamist president whose one year in office proved Russia would be much worse if ministry had repeatedly described the exercises as routine. divisive. The insurgency is led by a local affiliate of the extremist Islamic thousands of Russian citizens "Everyone will slowly get used it," spokesman An Fengshan told a routine State group. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they who fought with Islamic State in news briefing, without elaborating. were not authorized to brief the media. (AP) Syria had been allowed to return China's air force has carried out 16 rounds of exercises close to Taiwan home. in the past year or so, Taiwan's defence ministry said in a white paper this Gunmen kill three at cafe south of Egypt Putin said security forces week. China's military threat was growing by the day, it warned. should take no chances with their Proudly democratic Taiwan has shown no interest in being run by capital own lives if confronted by autocratic China, and Taiwan's government has accused Beijing of not terrorist suspects. understanding democracy when it criticises Taipei. CAIRO (TIP): Masked gunmen opened fire on a cafe south of the "I yesterday ordered the FSB Taiwan Premier William Lai told a year-end news conference in Taipei Egyptian capital, killing three people, security officials said Sunday. The director to act within the that the United States, Japan and South Korea were all paying close attack, which took place overnight in the village of al-Ayat about 50 framework of the law when attention to the activities of China's air force. kilometres (31 miles) from Cairo, left at least five others wounded, they said. detaining these bandits of course, Lai said his government would take its lead from the president, who was While the motivation was unclear officials suspect it was a criminal but if there is a threat to the life in charge of relations across the Taiwan Strait. incident rather than terrorism. State-run newspaper Akhbar al-Youm, and well-being of our employees "Under the president's leadership the Executive Yuan pushes forward citing witnesses, said two attackers arrived on a motorcycle and opened fire ...to act decisively, not take any government affairs, stabilising cross-strait relations towards peaceful on people in the cafe before fleeing. Security officials arrived at the scene prisoners, and liquidate the development," Lai said, using the formal name for Taiwan's cabinet. and also interviewed injured people in hospital to try to identify and arrest bandits on the spot." (Reuters) (Reuters) the attackers, the newspaper reported. (AFP) THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2017 WORLD 23 Obama warns of social media dangers in Queen Elizabeth praises interview with Prince Harry terror-hit London, Manchester in Christmas message was born. You weren't expected to be around that long," she added. "Even Prince Philip has decided it's time to slow down a little, having, as he economically put it, 'done his bit'." Flanked by pictures of great- grandchildren George and Charlotte in her Buckingham Palace home, the Queen said that "home" was the theme of this year's message. "We think of our homes as places of warmth, familiarity and love... there is a timeless simplicity to the pull of home," LONDON (TIP): Former US President Barack Obama told Britain's she said. Prince Harry he was concerned social media was "corroding civil Prince Harry's bride-to-be discourse", in what he said was his first interview since leaving the White Meghan Markle is the first House, aired on Dec 25. fiancee to spend Christmas with "One of the dangers of the internet is that people can have entirely the British royal family -- a move different realities," he told the prince, who was guest editing BBC Radio 4's hailed as a sea change in the Today programme. monarchy's traditionalist "They can be cocooned in information that reinforces their current LONDON (TIP): Britain's teenagers - were killed in a attitude. biases. Things aren't as simple as they've been portrayed in whatever chat Queen Elizabeth II praised the suicide bombing at Manchester The US actress joined the room you've been in," he added. response of London and Arena where US singer Ariana royals at Sandringham, the "The question has to do with how do we harness this technology in a way Manchester to horrific terror Grande had been performing. Queen's private estate in Norfolk, that allows a multiplicity of voices, allows a diversity of views, but doesn't attacks this year, during her The Queen described a hospital eastern England, where the lead to a Balkanisation of society and allows ways of finding common annual Christmas message on visit immediately after the royals traditionally spend their ground." Dec 23. Manchester attack as "a privilege winter break. The interview was recorded in Toronto, Canada, in September on the She also paid a personal tribute because the patients I met were Wearing a brown coat and hat, sidelines of the Invictus Games, the athletic tournament created by Harry to the "support and unique sense an example to us all, showing boots and bag, Markle walked for wounded former soldiers. of humour" of her husband extraordinary bravery and with future husband Harry, his Despite admitting concern over the future of the US, Obama, who did not Prince Philip, who retired from resilience." brother Prince William and his mention his successor Donald Trump by name, said he felt a sense of solo public duties in 2017. The world's longest serving wife Kate on their way to St Mary "serenity" on leaving the White House. "This Christmas, I think of monarch also praised her 96-year- Magdalene Church for a "There was a sense that we had run a good race," he added. London and Manchester, whose old husband, saying: "I know his Christmas morning service. On his new routine, Obama told the prince: "I wake up later, it's powerful identities shone support and unique sense of Hundreds of wellwishers had wonderful to be able to control your day." through over the past twelve humour will remain strong as gathered for their arrival. The prince opened the discussion by saying: "This is the first interview months in the face of appalling ever as we enjoy spending It is understood that Harry and you've said 'yes' to doing since you handed over the reins", to which Obama attacks," the 91-year-old monarch Christmas with our family, and his fiancee are staying with replied: "that's true". said in the pre-recorded televised look forward to welcoming new Prince William and the Duchess Harry is due to marry his US actress girlfriend Megan Markle on May 19 message. members into it next year. of Cambridge Kate at Anmer at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle near London. London suffered two deadly "I don't know that anyone had Hall, their home in the According to British press reports, civil servants are concerned that a attacks, while 22 people - invented the term 'platinum' for a Sandringham grounds, rather wedding invite from the couple to Obama could cause a further rift between including many children and 70th wedding anniversary when I than in the main house. (AFP) Britain and Trump following a series of high-profile spats. (AFP) China Plans to Break Petro dollar Strangle hold

NEW YORK (TIP): Petrodollars The Shanghai Futures Exchange summit in Xiamen earlier this year. upgrading of Gwadar port in considering issuing so-called Panda have dominated the global energy and its subsidiary, the Shanghai Diplomats confirmed that to Asia Pakistan. bonds, with close ally, the United Arab markets for more than 40 years. But International Energy Exchange, Times. HSBC has estimated that the Emirates, taking the lead in the Middle now, China is looking to change that have already run four simulations Venezuela is also on board. It is expansive Belt and Road program East for Chinese interbank bonds. by replacing the word dollars for for crude futures. It was expected to crucial to remember that Russia is will generate no less than an Embracing the Yuan yuan. be rolled out by the end of this year, number two and Venezuela is additional, game-changing $2.5 Nations, of course, have tried this but that looks unlikely to happen. number seven among the world's top trillion worth of new trade a year. In the end, it will be China which before since the system was set up by But when it does get off the ground 10 oil producers. Beijing already has It is important to remember that will dictate future terms. That may former US secretary of state Henry in 2018, the fundamentals will be close economic ties with Moscow, the "belt" in BRI is a series of include extra pressure for Beijing's Kissinger in tandem with the House clear-this triple oil-yuan-gold route while it is distinctly possible that corridors connecting Eastern China participation in Aramco's IPO. In of Saud back in 1974, ATimes will bypass the mighty green back. other producers will join the club. with oil-gas rich regions in Central parallel, Washington would see reported. The Era of Petroyuan BRI Program Asia and the Middle East. The high- Riyadh embracing the petroyuan as Vast populations across the speed rail networks, or new "Silk the ultimate red line. Middle East and Northern Africa Still, there are questions on how An extensive report by DBS in Roads", will simply traverse regions An independent European report quickly felt the consequences when Beijing will technically set up a rival Singapore also hits most of the right filled with, what else, un-mined gold. pointed to what might be Beijing's Iraq's Saddam Hussein decided to futures market in crude oil to Brent notes, linking the But a key to the future of the trump card- "an authorization to sell oil in euros. Then there was and WTI, and how China's capital internationalization of the yuan petroyuan will revolve around the issue treasury bills in yuan by Saudi Libya's Muammar Gaddafi's pan- controls will influence it. with the expansion of the grandiose House of Saud, and what it will do. Arabia" as well as the creation of a African gold dinar blueprint, which Bejing has been quite discreet on Belt and Road Initiative. Next year, Should the Crown Prince, Saudi investment fund and a 5% failed to create a splash in an oil this. The petroyuan was not even six major BRI projects will be on the Mohammad bin Salman bin share of Aramco. barrel. mentioned in the National table. Abdulaziz Al Saud, also known as Nations hit hard by US sanctions, Fast forward 25 years and China is Development and Reform Mega infrastructure MBS, follow Russia's lead? If it did, such as Russia, Iran and Venezuela, making a move to break the United Commission documents following developments will include the this would be one of the paradigm will be among the first to embrace States petrodollar stranglehold. The the 19th National Congress of the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed shifts of the century. the petroyuan. Smaller producers, plan is to set up oil-futures trading in Communist Party last October. railway, the China-Laos railway and Yet there are signs of what could such as Angola and Nigeria, are the yuan, which will be fully What is certain is that the BRICS, the Addis Ababa-Djibouti railway. happen. Yuan-denominated gold already selling oil and gas to the convertible into gold on the the acronym for Brazil, Russia, The other key projects will be the contracts will be traded not only in world's second largest economy in Shanghai and Hong Kong foreign India, China and South Africa, did Hungary-Serbia railway, the Melaka Shanghai and Hong Kong but also in Chinese currency. exchange markets. support the petroyuan move at their Gateway project in Malaysia and the Dubai. Saudi Arabia is also (Source: Financial Tribune) THEINDIANPANORAMA 24 WOMEN FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2017 ADD SPARKLE TO YOUR PARTY OUTFIT WITH RIGHT ORNAMENTS

s you get ready to party hard and ring in 2018 in your most fashionable outfit, don’t forget to team it up with Athe right jewellery.

A cocktail ring is always a good idea: Cocktail ring is an appealing accessory option for any party or get together. If you are dressing up for New Year’s Eve, a bling statement ring will be a perfect accessory.You can always add colours by experimenting with colourful cocktail rings. Underscore your neck: A choker with diamonds or coloured stones or any other simplistic necklace designs work well to ring the New Year in. Remember, classic is best .A string of marquise or princess diamonds also looks stunning, without any effort! Animal collection or coloured-stone earrings: Make this New Year’s Eve extraordinary and memorable by adding sparkle and shine to your outfit with animal collection or coloured-stone earrings. These will give you a stylish, yet unique look. Statement necklace: Layered diamond statement necklaces of different lengths will dazzle as they catch the lamp or candlelight. These are perfect for New Year eve bash. Chandelier earrings: You can make a statement with chandelier earrings. No matter what design or gemstone, this earring style will perfectly accessorise any type of attire, be it a dress or playsuit. Trendy tassel earrings: Multi-layer tassel earrings will add the right amount of drama to your outfit and will grab the attention of almost everyone. Pairing a Necklace with your Neckline If you’re wearing a dress or top with a simple, rounded neckline, a long or chunky necklace would be an elegant addition. You want to try to ensure that the length of the necklace is either shorter or longer than your neckline because nothing says “oops” like having to pull your necklace out of your shirt all evening. If you choose a shorter necklace, it will draw more attention to your face and away from your chest. If you’re wearing a low scoop-neck, try to avoid a necklace length that could drape into your cleavage. That looks sloppy,and it’s being there will distract from the piece’s beauty. necklace length is so that it lies on your decolletage, not on The best way to wear a long, dangling necklace is with a your clothes. A choker or short pendant or chain would be the crew cut, boat cut or other high-necked top. A great statement perfect complement to a dramatic neckline. Especially if jewelry piece will add dimension to a simple top that might not you’re wearing a cowl neck, anything longer than the neckline have enough pizzazz on its own. would get lost and be either an annoyance or simply unhelpful If you’re heading out in a V-neck or cowl neck top, the ideal in creating a stunning outfit. FOOD CORNER PAPRIKA ROAST CHICKEN METHI CHICKEN MASALA Ingredients Ingredients 1 whole chicken (with skin), 1/2 4 Pieces Boneless Chicken, 1/2 tsp Lemon juice, 1/2 tsp Red cup sour cream, chilli powder, 1/2 tsp Salt, 1/2 tsp Ginger garlic paste, 1/2 tsp 1/4 th cup butter, Curd, 1/2 tsp Red chilli powder, 1/4 tsp Salt, 1 tsp Coriander 1 tsp paprika, 3-4 powder, 2 Tbsp Oil, 2 Nos Onion, sliced, 1 tsp Oil, 1 Bay leaf, 2 Tbsp lemon juice, Nos Green cardamom, 1 Black cardamom, 1/2 Sticks Cinnamon, Salt, to taste. 1 tsp Ginger garlic paste, 2 Nos Tomato, 1 1/2 tsp Kasoori Methi, soaked, 1 Green chilli, 1 Cup Water. Method Method In a bowl mix butter, paprika, Take chicken pieces in a deep bowl salt and a little Add lemon juice, red chilli powder, salt and ginger garlic lemon juice. paste. Mix them thoroughly with bare hands cinnamon in a hot il pan and saute for a while. Rub it over and Keep aside for 20 minutes to marinate. Add ginger garlic paste, saute some more and put under the chicken skin. Take curd in a bowl, add red chilli powder, salt, coriander chopped tomato, kasoori methi and the prepared curd Leave it for about an hour in a roasting tin. powder. Whisk it thoroughly. mix. Mix them well and add the onion paste. Mix thoroughly.Now add the fried chicken and mix it with the Bake the chicken at 220 degrees C for 1 hour. Now in a pan of hot oil, put onion and saute till golden gravy till the pieces are completely coated. Baste it from time to time with its juices. brown. Grind it to make a paste. Add green chilli and water, mix well. Bring to simmer. Put Remove the chicken from the tin. In the same pan, in some oil put marinated chicken and kasoori methi over and cover the pan to cook for a while. pan fry it till golden brown and a bit crisp. Mix the residue juices in the roasting tin with the sour cream. Open the pan when the curry starts to simmer a bit and Now put bay leaf, green cardamom, black cardamom, the excess water is evaporated. Mix a little and serve hot. Pour over the chicken. Serve. THEINDIANPANORAMA FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2017 HEALTH & FITNESS 25 HYBRID SPERMS USED TO TARGET CERVICAL CANCER CELLS BERLIN (TIP): Scientists have developed hybrid sperms that can deliver a cancer drug directly to a cervical tumours, an approach that could help treat the deadly disease with minimum side effects. Creating an effective way to target cancer cells with drugs is challenging on multiple fronts. For example, the drugs do not always travel deeply enough through tissues, and they can get diluted in body fluids or sidetracked and taken up by healthy organs. SAY YES TO YOGURT, To get around these issues, scientists have turned in some cases to loading pharmaceuticals into bacteria, which BANANAS, CHEESE can effectively contain drug compounds esides keeping your gut healthy,consuming a diet rich in and propel themselves. probiotics -- also called as “good” or “helpful” bacteria -- The microbes can also be guided by a Bmay help protect against depression, finds a mice study. magnetic field or other mechanism to Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that are good for health, reach a specific target. especially the digestive However, the body's immune system system. Probiotics are live bacteria can attack the microbes and destroy The findings showed and yeasts that are good for them before they reach their target. Using a magnetic field, a sperm- per cent of a cancerous ball while that rats which lived solely Looking for another self-propelled hybrid motor was guided to a lab-grown leaking very little of their payload en on the fatty diet were found health, especially the cell as an alternative drug carrier to tumour of cervical cancer cells. When route. to develop behaviour digestive system. But the bacteria, researchers at the Leibniz the harness arms pressed against the Further work is needed to ensure the similar to depression, benefits extend beyond Institute for Solid State and Materials tumour, the arms opened up, releasing system could work in animals and while the rats receiving the Research-Dresden (IFW Dresden) in the sperm. eventually humans, but researchers probiotics-enriched physical fitness Germany turned to sperm. The sperm then swam into the said the sperm motors have the drinking water remained The researchers packaged a common tumour, fused its membrane with that of potential to one day treat cancer and neutral in their behaviour. cancer drug, doxorubicin, into bovine a cancer cell, and released the drug. other diseases in the female Further, the rats that did not receive probiotics had an sperm cells and outfitted them with tiny When unleashed by the thousands, reproductive tract. increased number of white blood cells in their brain tissue, magnetic harnesses. drug-loaded sperm killed more than 80 Source: PTI which can be a sign of chronic inflammation, and is also seen in the fatty tissues and livers of overweight people and diabetics. Conversely, these cells were found decreased in the brains of the rats with probiotics in their drinking water. “This may Consuming fish weekly guarantee indicate that one of the things the probiotics do is work to reprogramme the immune system. In this study, the rats offset the consequences of the fatty diet with the help of probiotics, so for better sleep, higher IQ that they were on par with their peers in the control group,” Anders Abildgaard, researcher at the Aarhus University in Denmark. “This is a fascinating discovery that supports the WASHINGTON (TIP): Children who conclusion that probiotics, which primarily work in the eat fish at least once a week sleep better intestines, also affect the brain. That makes the result and have better IQ, a study has found. interesting for the treatment of depression,” Abildgaard added. A University of Pennsylvania study In the study, published in the journal Brain, Behavior, and has found that on an average the IQ level Immunity, the rats were divided into groups and were fed an was four points higher for those extra fatty and fibreless diet, while the other group drank water consuming fish in comparison to those with probiotics. After 12 weeks, the researchers observed that eating less frequently or not at all. the rats on the fatty compound feed without probiotics behaved Lead author Jianghong Liu said that more depressively when they were given a swimming test. they are looking at Omega-3s coming Although it is difficult to say whether the results can be from food instead of from supplements. transferred to people with depression, it is possible to imagine The team analysed 541 children aged some of the people who suffer from depression benefiting from nine to 11 in China. probiotics, Abildgaard said. About 54 per cent boys and 46 per cent Source: IANS girls completed a questionnaire about how often they consumed fish in a month, with options ranging from PAGE SPONSORED BY "never" to "at least once per week". They also took an IQ test, which examines DR. SATISH AND GITANJLI ANAND verbal and non-verbal skills such as vocabulary and coding. DR. SATISH ANAND Later, their parents answered Former Chairman, Board of questions about sleep quality using the Trustees, AAPI National standardised Children Sleep Habits E-Mail: Questionnaire. sleep is associated with antisocial heavily advertised and promoted. [email protected] The findings indicated that children behaviour; poor cognition is associated For the moment, the researchers who reported eating fish weekly scored with anti-social behaviour. recommend incrementally 4.8 points higher on the IQ exams than They explained that Omega-3 incorporating additional fish into a diet; GITANJLI ANAND those who said they "seldom" or "never" supplements reduce antisocial behavior consumption even once a week moves a Former President, India consumed fish. and it's not surprising that fish is behind family into the "high" fish-eating group Association of Long Island Those whose meals sometimes this. Pinto-Martin stated that fish as defined in the study. (IALI) included fish scored 3.3 points higher. consumption has really positive health The research appears in the Scientific E-mail: Adrian Raine explained that lack of benefits and should be something more Reports journal. Source: ANI [email protected] THEINDIANPANORAMA 26 SCIENCE & TECH FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2017 'SMOKE RINGS' SPOTTED IN THE OCEAN FROM SPACE NEW SYSTEM CAN HELP MACHINES THINK LIKE HUMANS

WASHINGTON (TIP): Scientists have developed a new type of neural network chip that can dramatically improve the efficiency of teaching machines to think like humans. LONDON (TIP): Scientists have discovered the equivalent The network, called a reservoir of smoke-rings in the Tasman Sea which may 'suck-up' small computing system, could predict words marine creatures and carry them at high speed and for long before they are said during distances across the ocean. conversation, and help predict future The rings were spotted by analysing sea level outcomes based on the present. measurements taken from satellites together with sea Reservoir computing systems, which surface temperature images from the same time and place. improve on a typical neural network's "My thinking is that these linked, fast moving eddies could capacity and reduce the required 'suck-up' small marine creatures and carry them at high training time, have been created in the speed and for long distances across the ocean," said Chris past with larger optical components. Hughes, professor at the University of Liverpool in the UK. Researchers from University of The ocean is full of eddies, swirling motions some tens to Michigan in the US created their system hundreds of kilometres across, which mix the water and using memristors, which require less carry it across the average currents. space and can be integrated more easily The 'smoke-rings' are a pair of linked eddies spinning in into existing silicon-based electronics. opposite directions that travel up to ten times the speed of Memristors are a special type of 'normal' eddies and were spotted in the Tasman Sea, off the resistive device that can both perform The network, called a reservoir computing system, could predict words before they southwest of Australia and in the South Atlantic, west of logic and store data. are said during conversation, and help predict future outcomes based on the South Africa. This contrasts with typical computer present. The rings in the ocean are cut in half by the sea surface, so systems, where processors perform logic we see the two ends of the half ring at the surface, separate from memory modules. months to train a network. It is very capability to remember. researchers said. For the study published in the journal expensive," said Wei Lu, professor at This is because the most critical "What we found was a pair of eddies spinning in opposite Nature Communications, researchers University of Michigan. component of the system — the directions and linked to each other so that they travel used a special memristor that Image recognition is also a relatively reservoir — does not require training. together all the way across the Tasman Sea, taking six memorises events only in the near simple problem, as it does not require When a set of data is inputted into the months to do it," said Hughes, lead author of the study history. Inspired by brains, neural any information apart from a static reservoir, the reservoir identifies published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters. networks are composed of neurons, or image. important time-related features of the "Ocean eddies almost always head to the west, but by nodes, and synapses, the connections More complex tasks, such as speech data, and hands it off in a simpler pairing up they can move to the east and travel ten times as between nodes. recognition, can depend highly on format to a second network. fast as a normal eddy, so they carry water in unusual To train a neural network for a task, a context and require neural networks to This second network then only needs directions across the ocean," said Hughes. neural network takes in a large set of have knowledge of what has just training like simpler neural networks, "The smoke rings require an area of calm water to 'puff' questions and the answers to those occurred or what has just been said. changing weights of the features and out through, which itself is quite unusual. I have looked at questions. "When transcribing speech to text or outputs that the first network passed on other areas of other oceans but I have only seen them in the In this process of what's called translating languages, a word's meaning until it achieves an acceptable level of oceans around Australia, plus one in the South Atlantic," he supervised learning, the connections and even pronunciation will differ error. added. Source: PTI between nodes are weighted more depending on the previous syllables," Lu "The beauty of reservoir computing is heavily or lightly to minimise the said. that while we design it, we don't have to Check if WhatsApp will work amount of error in achieving the correct This requires a recurrent neural train it," Lu said. answer. network, which incorporates loops The team proved the reservoir on your phone from Dec 31 Once trained, a neural network can within the network that give the network computing concept using a test of then be tested without knowing the a memory effect. However, training handwriting recognition, a common answer. For example, a system can these recurrent neural networks is benchmark among neural networks. process a new photo and correctly especially expensive, Lu said. Using only 88 memristors, compared identify a human face, because it has Reservoir computing systems built to a conventional network that would learned the features of human faces with memristors, however, can skip require thousands for the task, the from other photos in its training set. most of the expensive training process reservoir achieved 91 per cent accuracy. "A lot of times, it takes days or and still provide the network the Source: PTI Hubble spots ‘holiday SAN FRANCISCO (TIP): Facebook-owned mobile messaging app WhatsApp will stop working on a number of platforms from December 31, the company has confirmed. The messaging app will drop support for 'BlackBerry OS', ornament in space’: NASA 'BlackBerry 10', 'Windows Phone 8.0' and older platforms, from December 31, 2017, according to an express.co.uk report WASHINGTON (TIP): Scientists at Planetary nebulae are one of the main published on Monday. NASA using the Hubble Space Telescope ways in which elements heavier than "We will no longer actively develop for these platforms, have spotted a what looks like a colourful hydrogen and helium are dispersed into some features may stop functioning at any time," WhatsApp holiday ornament in space — a planetary space after their creation in the hearts of said. nebula with glowing wisps of outpouring stars. Eventually some of this out-flung "These platforms don't offer the kind of capabilities we gas that are lit up by a central star material may form new stars and need to expand our app's features in the future. If you use one nearing the end of its life. planets. of these affected mobile devices, we recommend upgrading When a star ages and the red giant The picture was created from images to a newer OS version, or to a newer Android running OS phase of its life comes to an end, it starts taken using the Hubble Space Telescope's 4.0+, iPhone running iOS 7+, or Windows Phone 8.1+ so that to eject layers of gas from its surface Wide Field Planetary Camera 2. The you can continue using WhatsApp," the company added. leaving behind a hot and compact white much less structured. vivid blue and red hues come from WhatsApp said that it will not work on 'Nokia S40' after dwarf. This object is located in the material including ionised oxygen and December 2018. Also, the app will stop functioning correctly Sometimes this ejection results in constellation of Ara, the Altar, about hydrogen glowing under the action of on Android OS version 2.3.7 and older, after February 1, 2020. elegantly symmetric patterns of glowing 11,000 light-years from Earth, according the fierce ultraviolet radiation from the Source: IANS gas, but the nebula named NGC 6326 is to NASA. still hot central star. Source: PTI THEINDIANPANORAMA FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2017 BIZ & FINANCE 27 Sebi unveils reforms for bourses, RJIO TO ACQUIRE RCOM ASSETS FPIs; to act on leaks at firms

MUMBAI (TIP): In a slew of reforms, regulator Sebi on Thursday announced easier access norms for foreign investors, approved integration of stocks and commodities trading on a single exchange and capped cross- holdings in rating agencies as well as mutual funds to safeguard investors' interest. Sebi also issued a stern warning to insiders at listed firms against leakage NEW DELHI (TIP): Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Jio will of key financial details and said it is acquire mobile business assets, including spectrum, mobile probing a number of companies and towers and optical fibre network of Reliance other entities and no one, including Communications — owned by his younger brother Anil auditors, would be spared for such Ambani. wrongdoings and the insider trading "Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited, a subsidiary of Reliance norms would be strengthened if Industries Limited, today announced signing of definitive required. agreement for the acquisition of specified assets of Reliance Besides, the Securities and Exchange Communications and its affiliates," Reliance Jio said in a Board of India (Sebi) allowed listing and statement. trading of security receipts issued by The deal is slated to bring relief to RCom which is reeling ARCs (Asset Reconstruction Companies) overhaul of corporate governance bourses will be able to provide trading in under debt of around Rs 45,000 crore. to enhance capital flows and help deal norms as per suggestions of a panel all permitted products from October 1, Reliance Jio or its nominees will acquire assets under four with bad loans in banking industry,even headed by eminent banker Uday Kotak, 2018 -- three years after the merger of categories — Towers, Optic Fiber Cable Network (OFC), as it deferred a decision on making it Tyagi said it would be taken up at the erstwhile commodities regulator FMC Spectrum and Media Convergence Nodes (MCN) from RCom mandatory for listed firms to next board meeting as the regulator does with Sebi. and its affiliates. immediately inform investors about any not want to take a decision in a hurry. Welcoming the Sebi decision, BSE's "These assets are strategic in nature and are expected to loan defaults. The decision to allow all exchanges CEO Ashishkumar Chauhan said this contribute significantly to the large scale rollout of wireless Sebi also relaxed its regulations for trading facility in stocks as well as will help participants in various and Fiber-to-Home and Enterprise services by RJIL," the real estate and infra investment trusts, commodities was welcomed by the markets get a a highly regulated, safer, statement said. besides providing more avenues for market participants, even as those from more transparent trading, clearing and Reliance Jio will acquire all assets without any previous listed firms to meet minimum 25 per the banking industry and the companies settlement framework when liabilities attached to them. cent public shareholding. in financial distress heaved a sigh of implemented fully. "The acquisition is subject to receipt of requisite Sebi also said it will float a new relief from deferment of decision on "BSE has geared up itself for long to approvals from governmental and regulatory authorities, consultation paper for changes in rules immediate loan default disclosure. provide these facilities to its more than consents from all lenders, release of all encumbrances on the for investment advisors, requiring clear Without divulging what transpired in 3.71 crore registered investors," he said. said assets and other conditions precedent. The segregation between two activities of an the board meeting, where a revised Angel Broking's Amar Singh said the consideration is payable at completion and is subject to entity -- that is providing investment proposal was presented with some convergence will permit exchanges to adjustments as specified in the agreement," the statement advice and distribution of products. relaxations on disclosure about certain cross-list products, allowing NSE and said. Announcing the decisions discussed kinds of loans, Tyagi said, "There was BSE to list commodities while MCX and Reliance Jio said process to acquire assets of RCom is and approved by its board here today, discussion on this subject." NCDEX will be allowed to list equities supervised by an independent group of distinguished Sebi chairman Ajay Tyagi said further "In August 2017 when we issued it (the and equity derivatives. industry experts and it emerged as the successful bidder in discussions are needed on the loan first proposal), it was on our own "This will reduce the KYC burden for the two- stage bidding process. default disclosure norms, which were volition. No one really asked us to issue brokers and customers. Further, the "An asset monetisation process for RCom assets was originally to come in force in October it. This issue was discussed at length but move is expected to broaden the markets mandated by the lenders of RCom, who appointed SBI but had to be deferred amid reservations it requires further discussion so it has and this key reform will go a long way in Capital Markets Limited to run the process," the statement on some clauses from banks and from been deferred by the board," he said. developing the Indian financial markets said. some other quarters. On convergence of stock and in years to come," he said. The parties are bound by confidentiality obligations and On another long-awaited proposal for commodity exchanges, Tyagi said all Source: PTI will make further disclosures at the appropriate time. RJIL is being advised by Goldman Sachs, Citigroup Global Markets, JM Financial Private Limited, Davis Polk & Mercedes-Benz to launch new Maybach S 650 at Auto Expo 2018 Wardwell LLP, Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, Khaitan & Co and Ernst & Young on this transaction, the statement said. NEW DELHI (TIP): German luxury car maker Mercedes- Source: PTI Benz will launch its Maybach S 650 and showcase Concept EQ, a forerunner of the company's new product brand for electric INDIA’S FIRST BITCOIN mobility, at the upcoming auto expo in February. The company is seeking to strengthen its leadership TRADING APP LAUNCHED position in the Indian luxury car market with over 10 new products during 2018. "Mercedes-Benz's participation in the NEW DELHI (TIP): At a time when bitcoins are in focus 14th Auto Expo is a reiteration of our commitment to our also for the wrong reasons, cryptocurrency dealer Pluto customers, to the market, and also a manifestation of our Exchange on Thursday announced the launch of India's first support to the government's vision of 'Make in India'," mobile application for transacting in virtual currencies. Mercedes-Benz India Managing Director and CEO Roland At a press conference here, Pluto Exchange founder and Folger said in a statement. chief executive Bharat Verma said his company is set to He further said, "We are confident of leading the market as launch the country's first app-based wallet that enables the No. 1 luxury car maker in India and our Auto Expo 2018 bitcoin transactions using a mobile number. display will firmly underline this fact." Last year, Mercedes- "The Pluto Exchange mobile app offers a solution to the Benz India sold 13,231 units to continue its leadership position coordination problem between payment processors, financial for the second successive year. In January-September this year, Indian market," he added. gateways and banks," Verma said. it sold 11,869 units, a growth of 19.6 percent from the year-ago Folger further said, "The Mercedes-Benz S 650 will debut at "All other apps already in the market do transactions using period. the motor show and will kick off our product offensive bitcoin addresses, which are long and prone to error while The company, which had 12 new launches this year, expects towards sustained leadership in the Indian market for 2018." copying. Pluto Exchange will change this scenario by a similar number of product introductions in 2018. The company will also launch an artificial intelligence (AI) enabling transactions using mobile numbers only, which are On the company's showcase plans for the auto expo, which based Chatbot, which uses AI to answer customer questions on just 10 digits," he said. will be held on February 9-14, Folger said that apart from the Mercedes-Benz products. By using a four-digit personal identification number (PIN), display AMG and other luxury sedans and SUVs, there would "It will also have an artificial reality-based function, which users can now buy,sell, store and spend bitcoins via a mobile be "specific products underlining attributes of luxury, will further enhance customer interactivity with the Bot," he number, Verma added. versatility and future mobility". "The Mercedes-Maybach S said. Mercedes-Benz F1 car, AMG SLC 43, E-Class All-Terrain, Elaborating, he said the app would permit a range of 650, the E-Class All-Terrain and the Concept EQ represent C-Class Cabriolet, new E 350d sedan and SUV GLS 350 d are transactions, including payments, remittances, business-to- these attributes effortlessly and will present the most among many products that will be on display at the company's business commerce, supply chain finance, asset management overwhelming product offensive from Mercedes-Benz for the pavilion. Source: PTI and trading. Source: IANS THE INDIAN PANORAMA 28 ASTROLOGY FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2017

Shree Ganeshaya Namah

Bejan Daruwalla is world's most famous astrologertoday. He appears regularly on world wide TV shows. Bejan who has been a professor in English, hasauthored a number of books on astrology. India'sPrime Minister Narendra Modi , on March 29, 2012,lunched one of Bejan's books, '2012- End of theWorld? Bejan contributes to a number of journals andnewspapers in many parts of the world which includeBerkley Communications (London) Times of India(Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai) and Bejan Daruwalla is available for The IndianPanorama ( New York and astrological consultations. He can be Texas). Bejan's predictionshave mostly reached at [email protected] been correct and people the world overrely and on phone 011-91-8141234275 on his predictions. www.bejandaruwalla.com Horoscope for January 01 - 07, 2018 Ganesha says in digital terms speed + space + spirituality + showmanship = Sagittarius. Add to it the great divide between illusion / reality, evolution / revolution, freedom / captivity, knowledge / wisdom. The archer pierces the eye of the Sun and hits infinity. Finally, Sagittarius is all about freedom. Sagittarius is both fast and furious.

Aries: Leo: Sagittarius: Ganesha says a lot is on your mind and they will The stage is being set for expansion and You will become a stickler for the fine points all not be happy thoughts. You are confused, and recognition. Your self-worth and image are at work and examine the minutest details will be working and thinking at cross purposes. crucial to you and your confidence is surging. with a magnifying glass. There is a lot of Your income and finances are on the upswing Your new career / work avenues are also balancing to do - with family, friends and despite your lack of interest in work-related rewarding despite all the hiccups and expenses. work. There are demands on your time from activities, thanks to some inheritance issue that But remember - 'nothing ventured, nothing parents and siblings, as also increasing work has been decided in your favor. There are gained'. The investments made now will bear pressures which invariably accompany all domestic pressures too and you are at your wits' fruit in the long run. You do spectacularly well expansion activity. This phase is a valuable end wondering what to do. Your mind is like a yo- in a venture involving overseas business or learning experience. You learn to micro- yo and you just can't focus on anything in trade. manage time and all the demands on you very particular. efficiently. Virgo: Taurus: You settle down into a regular groove as the Capricorn: You try hard to get back on firm ground. Luck is period progresses. You are more balanced and The period is moving towards its final period with you and so you haven't lost out on new look at new ideas and new achievements. On and this period in your own sign, which is opportunities. You are back to solid work with the fun side, there will be also social outings usually beneficial for all signs. You will rise new ventures / projects in place, or in the with loved ones and collaborations of all kinds, in the company echelons or, if self-employed, pipeline but there is a hard slog ahead and you both personal and professional. You are making make enormous waves. You travel a lot and are not sure if you'll be able to cope. You like the rapid progress and making good money too. You strike lucrative deals. There could be good life and spend a lot on luxuries. At one level, will lead the team well and enjoy the full business collaborations. There is a you are slipping and losing ground. But, at support of colleagues. You mean business and tremendous rise in your position, popularity another level, this could be the platform to launch will come up with startling and innovative and authority. yourself in a big way when the time comes. ideas. Aquarius: Gemini: Libra: You are riding the crest wave. Your efforts The tide is thankfully turning slowly in y our You are brimming with new ideas and there is are crowned by success and recognition at favor. You are now brimming with energy, zeal rapid and genuine progress which will not be the work place. There is also joy, satisfaction and direction and firing away on all cylinders. short-lived; all your plans are directed for the and true pleasure at home. You are happy You will be up to your neck in various activities long haul. You are a sympathetic leader and, as with all that is happening, and you radiate and just about managing to breathe. You are we all know by now, nothing succeeds like good feelings which are picked up by those swimming hard though it's against the tide. There success. So, all your earlier innovative ideas around you. You are deeply loved, is hard work, many new career and work and plans, which may have been misunderstood appreciated, understood and cherished and openings, love and romance, expenses and or criticized in certain quarters and have now if, in a new romance, you live a dream. You investments. You will be perhaps pushed into come up trumps co-operation, win applause and are a charmer even when the tide is not in corners, but you cope well and come out trumps. approval. your favor. Cancer: Scorpio: Pisces: This is a favorable period and you manage to You work hard and with tact and diplomacy You ride the wave in style. Nothing stops you handle your life well. There is harmony in your alongside and climb several peaks. You have a now. The latter half of the period is dealings and disturbing affairs are easily settled. genial attitude about you, and an easy way of fortunate. You are flexible and easygoing and Legal issues come to the fore and require your making friends. You are popular at work and don't lose your cool. There is deep, inner joy attention. Health may also need some care. But on are often the soul of the party with your which works its magic in all areas of your the plus side, all these challenges are making you easygoing manner and genuine charm. You love life. There will be travel, collaborations and 'match fit' and ready to take on bigger challenges the demands make on you and are happy to meetings at all levels. If in the media, you do in the future. You also being to look at the money fulfill all your responsibilities. Money is not a wonderfully well and get renown for your angle more seriously and think of cutting down problem and the family is well settled too. creative genius. You come up with ideas that on extravagances. baffle your peers and win acclaim. THEINDIANPANORAMA FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2017 SPIRITUALITY 29

t is customary nowadays to address some babas, yogis and spiritual gurus as IBhagavan, making it sound like an exalted and distinguishing title. In a general sense, Bhagavan means God. In Hindu tradition, MEANING & DEFINITION people address saintly persons and spiritual masters as Bhagavan, as a mark of honor and out of profound respect. Some people believe it is wrong to address a human being as God or treat him as one. OF BHAGAVAN Acharya Rajneesh was addressed by his devoted followers as Bhagavan. Several journalists and reporters made it an issue and wrote about it and against it. On the one hand they were unhappy that the master taught an ancient form of tantric vidya, which permitted the use of sex in spiritual practices. On the other, they were unhappy about him being called Bhagavan. They were wrong on both fronts, because they had no knowledge of the esoteric Hinduism and they had no faith in the one who taught it. It may be wrong or blasphemy in western religions to address someone as God, but it is perfectly normal in Hindu tradition. Treating a guru or even one's own father as God is a very ancient Hindu tradition. It is permitted by the Vedas. In most of the Upanishads we notice that it was customary for a student to address his teacher or seer who had the knowledge of Brahman as Bhagavan only. Even in the conversation between Uddalaka Aruni and his son Svetaketu, the latter addressed his father as Bhagavan only instead of as father. The same tradition was followed in the Bhagavadgita also, even though Lord Krishna was a close friend and relation of Arjuna. Addressing an enlightened teacher, father or relation thus is a mark of respect. Just as it is customary in the modern world to address a President, a Prime Minister or even a Dictator as His Excellency (whether they sole inhabitant and pervader of the terms without some reference to terms and God himself. In other words, Hinduism was have any excellence in them or not), it is manifested creation. For it is what Bhagavan objects we are familiar with. We have founded by none other than God himself who customary in our religious tradition to actually means. Bhagavan (bhaga + van) therefore this word Bhagavan, which is known in Hinduism as Brahman or Isvara. address our spiritual gurus, who are means occupant or lord of bhaga. One of the describes briefly the relative and positive The divine knowledge of eternal duties which enlightened, as Bhagavan. meanings of bhaga is female sexual organ. attributes of God for our understanding, are enshrined in the Vedas and other sacred A disciple has every right to call his guru From this perspective, Bhagavan represents appreciation, contemplation and emulation. texts arises from God only. Since he is the God or Bhagavan and treat him so. Others do the union between Purusha and Prakriti as Having affirmed the fact that God is all and source of Hinduism, he is also responsible for not have to do that. Therefore, if the follower symbolized in case of a Sivalingam. exists in all, our scriptures continue to its preservation and continuation, which he of a spiritual teacher addresses him as However, bhaga has any or all the following declare God as the possessor of all the worldly does either directly or indirectly through Bhagavan, it is not wrong. However, if a meanings: one of the twelve forms of Aditya virtues, qualities, merits and energies and various means. An incarnation is one of journalist or a reporter calls him or writes or Sun god, the moon god, a form of Siva, the thereby remind us that to attain immortal life them. In the following discussion we will about him referring to him as Bhagavan in a divine enjoyer within, wealth, affluence, we have to stay on the positive side of life, discuss the meaning and significance of the derogatory sense, without faith in him or prosperity and fortune, happiness, dignity, reflect upon the virtues of the Immanent God incarnation of God in Hinduism. respect for him, it is totally wrong. It is distinction, love and affection, pleasure, pure and cultivate them to the extent possible to Avatar in Sanskrit means appearance, understandable if western reporters felt it bliss, marital bliss, female genital organ, radiate the light within us. manifestation, descent, materialization, or appalling when they heard Rajaneesh being virtue, morality, religious merit and so Ideally, for all the worldly people Bhagavan outgrowth. An associated word is addressed as Bhagavan. But it was equally on."Van" means resident, owner or occupant. should be the goal because He represents the avataranam, which means descent or appalling to notice that Indian reporters fell Bhagavan therefore means He who resides most desirable qualities in creation, namely descending into water for bathing, coming in line and joined the chorus. Obviously they or abides in Nature or in the things and strength, fame, wealth, knowledge, beauty and down, crossing, translation or were not familiar with the Hindu tradition qualities mentioned above. In simple terms detachment.The nature of Samsara is such metamorphosis. It is also a reference to a holy and its ethos. And many do not know that even Bhagavan is God united with His creation. In that people will worship anyone who has these place, or a place where God or an aspect of today. To them my advise, please read the symbolic terms Bhagavan is represented by qualities, whether they call him Bhagavan or him is manifested. A short prayer or Upanishads. many objects and forms, famous being not. invocation which is addressed to God or a Bhagavan is the right word to denote God or "salagrama" and "sivalingam". Avatar, Reincarnation of God Upon Earth deity and which causes him to descend upon anyone who possesses divine qualities or who According to traditional interpretation, earth is known as avataranika. The has realized the inner Self. To consider God Bhagavan is the possessor of six primary The concept of Avatar is unique to introduction, preface of a text or a book is and you as one is knowledge. To look upon abundances or qualities: Hinduism. It is closely linked to the idea that avatarani. Figuratively speaking, avatar both as different and separate is duality and 1. Strength the source of Hinduism, which is otherwise means a shooting star or the descent of a star ignorance. This is what we learn from our 2. Fame, known as Sanatana Dharma (Eternal Duty), is (ava + tara) into the earth atmosphere. scriptures. Is it not better to follow the 3. Wealth footsteps of God or God like person and feel 4. Knowledge PAGE SPONSORED BY oneness with him rather than following a role 5. Beauty and model such as a singer or an actor or a 6. Detachment ARISH K. SAHANI politician who lacks virtue or represents the These qualities manifest in the vibhutis or opposite of Him? glories of God as enumerated in the tenth Serving Since 1972 In Hinduism, we accept the divine nature of chapter of the Bhagavadgita as God's Please Call or Write for Your Insurance Needs creation. We acknowledge that the whole opulence and mystic powers. God represents world is permeated with God and enveloped the best in creation, while He pervades all. For Arish K Sahani (Father) by Him. We are His many faces, hands and those who want to attain liberation, these feet. Through us He enjoys the things of the qualities represent the ideals, which they Shiv Sahani (Son) world. We all have the mark of God in us in the should pursue to cultivate purity and express form of the eternal soul or Atman. So when divinity. Priya Sahani Sood (Daughter) we are in the presence of someone who has God is omnipresent. It is therefore incorrect realized God and become one with him, we are to say that He resides only in particular things 7 1 8 - 2 7 1 - 1 9 0 6 in the presence of God himself. Strictly or qualities. If He is truly omnipresent, He [email protected] speaking each unrealized being on earth is a must be everywhere and in everything. He Bhagavan in a state of ignorance and cannot be just this side or that side but on all ‘If Hindus don’t maintain Hinduism, who shall save it? If India’s own delusion. sides and everywhere. But human mind children don’t cling to their faith, who shall guard it? Indian alone can The word Bhagavan truly represents the cannot conceptualize an omnipotent, essential nature of God or Brahman as the omniscient and omnipresent God in absolute save India, and India and Hinduism are one.’ THE INDIAN PANORAMA 30 NEW YORK FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2017 AAPI's 11th Annual Global Healthcare Summit Begins in Kolkata with Research/Poster Contest, First Responders Training, Inaugural Gala KOLKATA, INDIA (TIP): The 11th edition Founded in 1984, the American Association of the annual Global Healthcare Summit of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) organized by the American Association of represents one of the largest health care Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI), USA forum in the United States with the goal to began here at the historic City of Kolkata in facilitate and enable Indian American West Bengal, India on December 28th at the Physicians to excel in patient care, teaching famous JW Marriott with international and research and to pursue their aspirations poster/research competition, first responders in professional and community affairs. AAPI- training, and the inaugural gala. Charitable Foundation is committed to serve "This GHS promises to be one with the the poorest of the poor in remote areas of greatest impact and significant contributions India and USA. AAPI has always been present towards harnessing the power of when calamities strike whether it is international Indian diaspora to bring the hurricane Harvey, Tsunami, Katrina, or most innovative, efficient, cost effective earthquakes of Gujarat and Maharashtra. healthcare solutions to India," described Dr. AAPI has hosted ten Indo-US/Global Gautam Samadder, President of AAPI. Healthcare Summits and developed strategic GHS 2017 isattended by the over 1000 alliances with various organizations both in leading experts from several countries, and the US as well as in India. These summits are focusses on sharing best practices, developing aimed at sharing of expertise towards efficient and cost-effective solutions for India. improvement of healthcare in the US as well The Honorable Shri Venkiah Naidu, the Vice as in India. President of India, will be the Chief Guest at AAPI has been strategically engaged in the Closing Ceremony of the Summit on working with the Union and State December 30th, 2017, and at the gala and Governments of India for the past ten years awards ceremony on 29th, West Bengal's and has collaborated with more than 35 Finance Minister, Dr. Amit Mitra will be the A section of the audience at the inaugural gala Photo & Text by Ajay Ghosh professional medical associations, keynote speaker. pharmaceutical and medical device The Conference is being organized in medical professional at the KPC Medical themes that imparts education on various companies to address the health care partnership with the ministry of overseas College and Hospital, Kolkata as part of the social topics. challenges of a rapidly developing India. "It is Indian affairs and ministry of health and GHS. Jonathan watt from the American the passion, willingness and staunch loyalty family welfare, along with collaboration with The trainings are aimed at decreasing the Consulate in Kolkata shared with the towards the former motherland that draws over 15 professional associations from all over number of deaths, especially from road audience a bout the importance of Kolkata. several AAPI members to join this effort & by the world. accidents by enabling the first responders to The first ever American Consulate un the working with experts in India, AAPI is able to The GHS 2017 features some of the biggest provide life support to victims of accidents. Asian region was established in 1782 in bring solutions that are India centric & takes names in the healthcare industry,especially at The training, which includes CPI and other Kolkata by an order by the US President us closer to our lofty vision of making quality the 6th annual CEO leadership forum with medical services are being provided by George Washington, by appointing Benjamine healthcare affordable & accessible to all leaders from across the globe. GHS 2017 is professional trainers from the US and is Joy at the Consulate. "Everyone of you is a people of India," said Dr. Gautam Samadder. being attended by over 100 opinion leaders offered to personnel from Kolkata Police, West personal ambassador helping build bilateral Earlier, as part of the GHS, AAPI delegates and expert speakers from many countries Bengal Police, Kolkata Traffic Police, Police relationship between India and the US," he had a memorable visit from December 24-27, across the globe to present cutting edge Training School, and Criminal Investigation told the AAPI delegates, to the city of Dubai and the kingdom of Abu scientific findings as these relate to clinical Department, West Bengal. Dr. Chandan K Sen, Chairman, AAPI Global Dhabi, where they were greeted by the local practice, representing major Centers of "EMTC has become an official National Healthcare Summit - Kolkata, said, "It has high-ranking officials, who have expressed Excellence, Institutions, and Professional Association of Emergency been a privilege to serve you as the Chairman interest in collaborating with the physicians Associations are represented by the invited MedicalTechnicians (NAEMT) Training of this XI AAPI Global Healthcare Summit. of Indian origin in the Middle East. The chairs and speakers. Center, bringing it to the forefront of both Americans with Indian heritage are uniquely delegates, apart from visiting the city and its The theme chosen for the GHS this year is international and national discussions positioned to enrich the United States as well major tourists attractions, had a fruitful visit Healthcare, Career and Commerce, with the andinitiatives that have a significant impact as India through collaborative efforts utilizing to the famous NMC Hospital, Abu Dhabi and focus on Women's Healthcare, including high on the EMS profession," said Neal Simon, the strengths unique to each of the two meeting with the founder and chairman, Mr. priority areas such as Cardiology, Maternal & President of AUA. AAPI Advisor Anwar Feroz countries. I welcome participants of this Shetty. The pre-summit tour to Dubai Child Health, Diabetes, Oncology, Surgery, said, he hopes the EMTCcan set up training Summit to follow their passion in advancing provided the AAPI delegates with a unique Mental Health, HIT, Allergy, Immunology & centers for basic CPR and BLS throughout and developing such collaborative projects. I Christmas Dinner Cruise, City tour to Palm Lung Health, Gastroenterology, Transplant India. welcome you to Kolkata, where intellectual Island, Khalifa Tower, Burj Hotel, Dubai mall, and impact of comorbidities. The GHS Young Innovators Research curiosity is woven deep into the fabric of its Dubai Museum, etc. Desert Safari including Offering trainings to First Responders, a Competition at the famous Calcutta Medical society." camel ride and belly dancing shows. CEO Forum by a galaxy of CEOs from around Collegehelped facilitate dissemination and According to Dr. Naresh Parikh, President- The Post GHS TOUR to the heavenly the world, inauguration of AAPI-sponsored exchange of best practices among the Elect of AAPI, who had proposed the vote of Bhutan from January 1-4, 2018, will take clinic, CMEs, cultural events, Dinner Cruise upcoming young physicians of Indian origin thanks, the scientific program of GHS 2017 delegates to the world renowned and ancient on the Ganges, interactive roundtables, from around the world. Dr. Gopal Batra, chair was developed by leading experts with the Takshang Monastery, Hike in Tiger's Nest, clinical practice workshops, scientific of the research contest, said, the program contributions of a stellar Scientific Advisory Buddha Dordenma, National Heritage poster/research session and meet-the-expert invited applicants from all Medical Students, Board and International Scientific museum & Dochula. For those who want to sessions, Women's Forum by internally Residents, Young faculty up to 10 years after Committee, while the event featuring plenary enjoy the beautiful Assam, can tour this acclaimed successful worm from India, a PG, Research Associates, Research Scientists, sessions, interactive round-tables, clinical beautiful state of Assam from January 4-8, special session on Public-Private Partnership PhD Students, Hospital and Healthcare practice workshops, and meet the expert 2018, touring Kaziranga National Park featuring AAPI Healthcare Charitable Management Students, AYUSH Professionals, sessions. including Rhino Park, Nehru Stadium, Assam showcase & innovation, and Town Hall Young Innovators etc. of India origin to The day long events came to a close with a Rajyik State Museum, Guwahati Market, sessions resulting in a White Paper on helping submit articles/abstract based on Original sumptuous dinner and a live music concert by Kamakhya Temple and dinner at the create policies benefitting the people of India, Research done by him/her and that it has not popular Bollywood singer, Alka Yagnik. Governor's Mansion. The Summit will also are only some of the major highlights of the been presented, published or submitted Indian Americans comprise of 4 million offer everyday Guided Tours and Evening Healthcare Summit, Dr. Samadder said. anywhere else. The winners of the Research people, representing around 1.25% of the U.S. Entertainments to the delegates, and will Among the many initiatives, the Summit Paper Competition conducted under various population as of 2015. Indians contributed conclude with a special New Year's Eve gala will result in the inauguration of the first ever categories, were awarded with a citation, cash 17% of total earnings in the US from foreign party, welcoming the New Year 2018 with free AAPI sponsored health clinic in the state award and trophy at the inaugural gala this students totaling $6.5 billion last year. An family, fun and entertainment. of West Bengal, serving thousands of people evening. estimated 10% of all physicians and surgeons "With the changing trends and statistics in from the north-eastern region of India. A special unique to the GHS 2017wais a in the US are of Indian origin. An estimated healthcare, both in India and US, we are In collaboration with the American session on the Impact of Cinema on Public 100,000 physicians and fellows of Indian refocusing our mission and vision, AAPI University of Antigua (AUA) College of Health and awareness with a live conversation origin currently serve in the US. In biological would like to make a positive meaningful Medicine, and the American Heart with Bollywood stars and producers, and biomedical sciences studies workforce, impact on the healthcare delivery system both Association, AAPI is organizing a 3-day including Dr. Kapasi, Shekar das, Dipankar data from 2015 show that people of Indian in the US and in India," Dr. Samadder said. For workshop/training (EMTC) training over 150 Banerjee, who shared their personal origin in the US account for 14.6% of the total more information on Global Health Summit, first responders, including police, para- experiences of making movies on social workforce holding 72000 jobs. please visit www.aapiusa.org. THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2017 CLASSIFIEDS 31

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ASTROLOGY GROCERY Indian Visa Center Astrologer Kunjvihari Pathak NEW YORK J & P GUYANA W.I. GROCERY INC. VISA / OCI PIO / PASSPORT Get Astrological Guidance and Remedies for ● Education ● Job ● Business ● Marriage We carry a wide range of West Indian APPLICATION ASSISTANCE CENTER ● Health ● Prosperity ● Protection Grocery at low prices 349 S. Broadway, Hicksville, NY 11801 Contact Internationally well - known 113-17 Liberty Avenue Astrologer Kunjvihari Pathak DEEPAK BANSAL Richmond Hill, NY 11419 President: David Ramsawmy (Elvis) Email: [email protected] Tel. (732) 500-7453 Cell: 516.304.8808 Fax: 516.218.8009 Email: [email protected] PH# 718-925-0100 THE INDIAN PANORAMA 32 MISCELLANY FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2017 contd rom page 1 Samskrita Bharati NY Atty. Gen. Steve Marshall and Secretary of has found no evidence of voter fraud. Last State John Merrill - certified Jones as the week, he issued a statement noting that his 41 dead in attack on... victor of the closely watched Dec. 12 special office had discounted one widely publicized chapter to launch election. report of potential voter fraud - a viral video about the event's impact on the country. "I've had to fight not only the Democrats in which a male voter claimed in a local news Balakendram Local Shiite leader Abdul Hussain but also the Republican Senate Leadership broadcast that he and others had come "all NEW YORK (TIP): The New York chapter of Ramazandada said the bomber slipped into Fund and over $50 million in opposition the way from different parts of the country" Samskrita Bharati USA, a non-profit an academic seminar at the center and blew spending from the Washington to vote and canvass for Jones. organization engaged in promoting the Sanskrit himself up among the participants. More establishment," he said in a statement after "The Alabama Secretary of State's Office language, will launch a Balakendram in New bombs went off just outside the center as Republican state leaders certified Jones' was able to identify the young man who was York to assist the learning of Samskritam people fled. win. "I have stood for the truth about God anonymously featured on the news (Sanskrit) for children as well as adults. The IS-linked Aamaq news agency said and the Constitution for the people of broadcast," Merrill said in a statement. The classes will emphasize initially four bombs were used in the assault, one Alabama" "After additional research was conducted, it conversational Sanskrit and the instructions strapped to the suicide attacker. It said the "I have no regrets," he added. "To God be was determined that this young man has will be held through fun-filled interactive center was funded by Iran and used to the glory." lived and worked in Alabama for more than sessions. The classes are scheduled to begin on propagate Shiite beliefs. In the 80-page complaint filed in state one year and is currently a registered voter January 6, and will be held on Saturdays from Ali Reza Ahmadi, a journalist with court, Moore's attorneys asked that state in this state." 4pm through 6pm. The venue is Vaishnav Afghan Voice, said he leaped from the officials be ordered to preserve election- Yet Moore's campaign states in the Temple, 100 Lakeville Rd, New Hyde Park, NY window of his second-floor office after the related documents and data, block the complaint that Merrill never conducted a 11040. first bomb went off and saw flames pouring certification, and direct state officials to set a "meaningful, in-depth investigation of voter Trained and experienced personnel will teach from the basement. new special election. fraud." the language with a well-designed syllabus for "I jumped from the roof toward the On Thursday, an attorney for Jones filed a They also list a series of election ease of instruction and learning. The classes are basement, yelling at people to get water to motion to dismiss Moore's complaint on the "anomalies," claiming there were an unusual open to all. For further information on classes put out the fire," he said. At nearby Istiqlal grounds that "there is a lack of subject number of out-of-state drivers' licenses and and Samskrita Bharati, please call Suresh (917- Hospital, Director Mohammed Sabir Nasib matter jurisdiction; [the complaint] fails to suggesting that Democrats attempted to 971-0871) or Mala (516-238-6255). said the emergency room was overwhelmed. state a claim upon which relief can be intimidate voters, with a Democratic super Samskrita Bharati is primarily dedicated to Additional doctors and nurses were called in granted; and/or [it] has no basis in the law." PAC running "fraudulent, false and the mission of popularizing the use of Sanskrit to help. At the height of the crisis, more than In a statement, a spokesman for the Jones misleading advertisements" against Moore. via the spoken medium. Moving beyond the 50 medics were working to save the wounded. transition team urged Moore to bow out of "I am looking forward to going to work for admiration of Sanskrit as a classical language, By late afternoon, Health Ministry the race. the people of Alabama in the new year," Samskrita Bharati seeks to make Samskritam a spokesman Wahid Mujro said 41 people were "This desperate attempt by Roy Moore to Jones said in a statement. "As I said on contemporary language as well as for every-day dead and 84 others wounded. The IS affiliate subvert the will of the people will not election night, our victory marks a new use. This goal is gradually being realized with in Afghanistan, which emerged in 2014 at succeed," Sam Coleman said. "The election is chapter for our state and the nation. I will be anincreasing number of Sanskrit-speaking around the same time the group declared a over, it's time to move on." an independent voice and work to find population globally and by a rising number of caliphate in large parts of Syria and Iraq, In the complaint, Moore's attorneys common ground with my colleagues on both Sanskrit-speaking families in the United States. has vowed to target Shiites. (Source: The maintain that he will "suffer irreparable sides of the aisle to get Washington back on Samskrita Bharati India is headquartered in Tribune) harm" if the election results are certified track and fight to make our country a better New Delhi and the US organization was "without preserving and investigating all the place for all." established in 1995. Samskrita Bharati USA Roy Moore Fails to... evidence of potential fraud." He would be Official totals indicated Jones won by currently has more than 40 centers in the United denied "his full right as a candidate to a fair 21,924 votes, his margin of victory up to 1.6 States working to promote the language. The three Republicans who make up election," they argue. percentage points from the previous Alabama's canvassing board - Gov. Kay Ivey, Merrill, a Republican, maintains his office unofficial total of 1.5 points. THEINDIANPANORAMA FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2017 TRAVEL 33 PUNE: A CITY THAT BLENDS THE OLD WITH THE NEW here’s no dearth of places to visit in SHANIVAR WADA Pune, which will fill up your Pune Titinerary. Lying at the confluence of Take a walk through the ruins of the the Mutha and Mula rivers, the city of Pune Maratha Empire and the historic tales of is home to the well-known spiritual hub, the Peshwa rulers at Shanivar Wada, located on Osho International Meditation Centre. While Bajorao Road in Pune. Bordered by five Koregaon Park is peppered with eateries, humongous entrance gates (Dilli Darwaja, entertainment venues and malls, the Bund Mastani Darwaja, Khidki Darwaja, Ganesh Park on the other hand is a quiet oasis away Darwaja and Jambhul Darwaja or Narayan from the city hustle. Climb up a flight of 108 Darwaja) and massive walls, the sprawling stairs at Parvati Hills to catch panoramic fort-palace was built in the 18th century and views of the city. For the movie buffs a visit was considered to be an important centre for to the Prabhat Museum will unveil a Indian politics. Destroyed by a fierce fire in memorabilia of Indian films. 1828, Shanivar Wada is now a landmark tourist attraction that comprises of huge SHANIWARWADA courtyards, a lotus-shaped fountain and lush History comes alive when you walk into gardens. The sound and light show held the gate of Shaniwarwada. every evening (conducted in English and Situated in Shaniwar Peth, the wada was Marathi) is also one of the major crowd- built in the year 1732 by Peshwa Bajirao I. pullers. Known to be a testimony to the rise and fall of the Maratha Empire, the place is a rich PATALESHWAR TEMPLE cultural heritage. One of the oldest monuments in Pune, The wada has five gates - Narayan, Ganesh, Pataleshwar Temple is an exquisite rock-cut Window, Mastani and Dilli, out of which only cave temple located in Shivaji Nagar. Made of the Dilli gate is operational and open to the basalt rock, the temple premises comprise of public. When you enter the wada, on your left a magnificent porch with massive square you will find the ticket counter. Ticket price pillars, an umbrella shaped canopy, large is ' 5 and entry below 14 years is free. The courtyards, a beautifully-carved Nandi wada opens to a big garden, where you can shrine and a Shiva linga. Carved out in the chill and enjoy with your family. 8th century, the temple was left incomplete The famous spots you can explore are because of risks in sculpting the caves any Chimanbaug, Varandha, Nagar Khana, further. The Shiva linga pooja is one of the Pushkarni fountain, Aatla chowk and Hajari most important festivals celebrated here. Karanje. For those visiting the first time, we Hidden in the heart of the city, the temple is suggest you read about the wada before or a must-visit for travellers who want to buy the book available at the heritage shop in explore the historical side of the Pune. the premises, because hunting for a guide is difficult. In the evenings between 7:30-8:30 KOREGAON PARK pm, the wada organises a light and fountain Take a stroll down Koregaon Park, a plush show, and the cost is Rs 25 per head. The neighbourhood in Pune that’s also home to show is hosted six days a week except the famous Osho International Meditation Tuesdays. resort. Styled to resemble a Japanese Zen garden, the Osho Teerath Park is an expanse AGA KHAN PALACE of about five-hectares of picturesque One of the most significant landmarks of surroundings and waterfalls. As you walk the Indian freedom movement, Pune’s Aga down the lush paths, it’s not uncommon to Khan Palace is an elegant mansion built in find Oshoites, dressed in their trademark 1892 by Sultan Aga Khan III. A must-visit for maroon robes, meditating in the park. history-buffs, the palace’s interiors display photographs, personal objects, and PUNE UNIVERSITY possessions of Mahatama Gandhi. It served Considered to be one of India’s premiere as a prison for Mahatama Gandhi and institutes, the Pune University was Sarojini Naidu during the British rule in originally built in 1864 as the governor’s 1942-43, and also houses a mausoleum of mansion. The lush green lawns adorned with Kasturba Gandhi (Mahatama Gandhi’s wife). majestic fountains are a constant source of Listed as a monument of national attraction for the people of Pune. From importance by Archaeological Survey of filmmakers to musicians, everyone heads to India in 2003, it is surrounded by expansive, the grounds of the university for a much well-kept gardens. Located about two km needed stroll during evenings. The building away from Bund Garden in Yerwada, it is is now considered a Grade-I Heritage site. easily accessible from all parts of the city. PARVATI HILL RAJGAD FORT Climb a steep flight of 108 steps and you If you can brave a strenuous trek in the are greeted with sweeping views of Pune. Sahaydris, then a trip to Rajgad Fort is a Located in the heart of the city, the Parvati great way of combining heritage and Hill is home to five Hindu temples of which adventure. Located at a distance of about 50 the Devdeveshwar temple is the most km from Pune, the fort can be reached prominent. Adjacent to the temple is a through a series of steps, verdant valleys and museum displaying historical records and meandering pathways. Totally worth the artefacts of the Peshwa rulers, and the effort, it is one of the best vantage points to samadhi of Nanasaheb Peshwa who is admire gorgeous sunsets and the cityscape. believed to have taken his last breath here. Surrounded by imposing ramparts, Rajgad The hillock rises to 2,100 feet (640 m) above Fort is also known as the longest residence of sea level. Atop the hillock is the Parvati Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. A popular Temple, one of the most scenic locations in getaway close to the city’s boundaries, Pune. For visitors, Parvati hill is also an Rajgad Fort delights adventure-enthusiasts observation point that offers a panoramic and history-lovers in equal measure. view of Pune. Source: HappyTrips THEINDIANPANORAMA 34 SPORTS FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2017

MUMBAI (TIP): India will need mental toughness as much as consistent performances with bat and ball if they are to record their first Test series victory in South Can’t escape conditions in South Africa, Africa, Virat Kohli said in the pre-departure press conference here today. Kohli, who was rested during India’s T20I series win against Sri Lanka earlier this have to embrace them: Virat Kohli month, urged his team to embrace the testing conditions they will experience on tour, which are traditionally more suited to the fast bowlers. “You need to play good cricket for long period of time to win abroad,” said Kohli. “The hunger this time is the same. We want to do what we couldn’t the last time around. “Cricket is played with bat and ball and if you are there mentally, every condition seems like a home condition. You have to embrace the local culture to be able to do well there. The excitement is very important to be able to do well.” India have retained their No. 1 spot in the Test rankings on the back of a formidable home record, but Kohli reckons his team have the opportunity to improve further during trips to South Africa, England, Australia and New Zealand over the next 18 months. “You need to take up the challenges while travelling to places like South Africa, England and Australia because you go there once and then you won’t travel there for a long time because of the way scheduling is done,” the 29-year-old added. “The conditions would be testing but this one and a half year will define this Indian team and the whole team is aware of this.” India have played 17 Tests against the Proteas in South Africa, winning two and losing on eight occasions. Seven Tests ended in draws. India will play three Tests beginning on January 5 in Newlands, Cape Town. They also face South Africa in six ODIs and three T20 matches. Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli and coach Ravi Shastri address a pre-tour press conference in Mumbai on Wednesday. Next 18 months will define team: Shastri Australia. The coach reckons that the Shastri said. “With the tours of South for their batsmen as well.” The head coach After dishing out dominating nucleus of the team has remained the same Africa, Australia and England coming up, all urged the players to embrace the challenges performances at home, the Indian players in the last few years and that will help the I can say is, this will be a better team after with aplomb and insisted that the team’s are set to be challenged in overseas players embrace the challenges. “They have those 18 months.” preparation had been good. “It’s going to be a conditions in 2018. Head coach Ravi Shastri been together for the last four-five years, that The ability of the Indian batsmen on the challenge. We all know how tough a tour of feels the next 18 months will define “this experience will stand them in good stead, pitches offering pace and bounce comes South Africa is, but that’s the beauty of this Indian cricket team”. Shastri said the team that’s for sure. The conditions will be under the scanner every time they embark profession. Wanting challenges and is aware of what lies ahead for them on the testing, but like I have said before, this one- on an overseas tour. “If it is going to be tough embracing them, that’s what we are looking tours of South Africa, England and and-half-years will define this Indian team,” for our batsmen, our job is to make it tough for.” Source: PTI and Reuters Cook’s record double ton puts England in control Babar Azam scores 26-ball ton

MELBOURNE (TIP): Alastair Cook slips on Wednesday,put down the former reeled off a record-breaking double England skipper for the second time on century to put England in full command 153 in a sharp right-handed chance at of the fourth Ashes Test with a square leg. formidable 164-run innings lead in The tourists lost seven wickets for 299 Melbourne, here on Thursday. on the third day with captain Joe Root The stoic opener emphatically again failing to convert a half-century bounced back after a lean run of scores into three figures when he top-edged a to finish the day unconquered on 244 off hook shot off Cummins to Lyon at deep 409 balls. At the close, England were 491 square leg. for nine. Root reached his third half-century of Along the way, Cook surpassed the the series but was clearly furious with highest score by a visiting batsman in a himself when he holed out on 61 in the Test match at the famous Melbourne morning session. Cricket Ground, bettering the 208 by Dawid Malan, a century-maker in the West Indian great Viv Richards in 1984. third Test in Perth, was out leg before He earlier bettered Wally Hammond’s wicket with Josh Hazlewood’s second 200 set back in 1928 as the highest Test delivery of the second new ball for 14. score at the MCG by an Englishman. Malan conferred with Cook before t is not every day that a bowler gets hit for six sixes in an Cook’s fifth double-century in 151 Test deciding not to review, yet replays over, and makes a comeback by slamming century in just 26 matches also catapulted him above West showed a distinct ‘Hot Spot’ nick on his Iballs. Pakistani cricketer Babar Azam did just that. Indian Brian Lara to become the sixth tourists beyond 450 on a lifeless pitch. bat which would have kept him at the In a charity T10 match organised by the Shahid Afridi highest run-getter in Test cricket with It needed multiple replays before crease if he had challenged the decision. Foundation on Sunday, 24 December, Azam hit the record 11,956. Broad was finally given out for 56 off 63 It follows James Vince’s similar century. He was however, hit for six sixes in an over by former Australia, who already have won back balls to a diving outfield catch by Usman dismissal on Wednesday to Hazlewood Pakistani cricket captain Shoaib Malik in the previous innings. the Ashes with an unassailable 3-0 lead, Khawaja off Pat Cummins, ending a for 17, when he also did not seek a review In the seventh over, Malik pulled a Yuvraj Singh, slamming looked unable to stop the flow of runs in demoralising 100-run stand off 110 balls despite ‘Hot Spot’ showing a mark on his Azam and helping his team reach a target of 201 in 10 overs. the final session as Stuart Broad with Cook. bat. Azam leading the retaliation attack for his team, tore into the supported Cook to take the game away Cook cashed in on two dropped England lost two wickets in the opposition’s bowling attack, securing a 9-wicket win. from the hosts. catches by Australia skipper Steve middle session with Jonny Bairstow In the 2007 inaugural World T20 star Indian batsman Yuvraj Broad, who survived a series of hair- Smith along the way to continue the caught behind off Lyon for 22 and Moeen Singh had hit six sixes in an over, off England’s Stuart Broad. raising short-pitched balls, thrived in misery for the home side. Ali lashing out for 20 off 14 balls. Yuvraj entered the record books as the first batsman to score a his partnership with Cook, pushing the Smith, who dropped Cook on 66 in the Source: AFP perfect six in six in a T20 game. THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2017 ADVERTISEMENT 35 THE INDIAN PANORAMA 36 ADVERTISEMENT FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2017