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VOL 13 ISSUE 06 ● NEW YORK / DALLAS ● FEBRUARY 08 - 14, 2019 ● ENQUIRIES: 646-247-9458 www.theindianpanorama.news Trump Speaks of conciliation and conflict in the same breath in the SOTU Address Reiterates resolve to build the wall "If there is going to be peace and legislation," he said, "there cannot be war and investigation. It just doesn't work that way." WASHINGTON, DC. (TIP): Speaking words of bipartisanship, U.S. President Indian Students' Future in Donald Trump delivered a State of the Union Jeopardy despite "Weight of (SOTU) address, February 5, that suggested he would continue to pursue policies that India government behind them" have most deeply divided the country. Standing in front of Nancy Pelosi, the NEW YORK House Speaker, Mr. Trump delivered an hour- (TIP): The future and-twenty-minute speech that exposed, in of 129 Indian parts, a chasm between his words and the students, who reality of his governance. were among "Millions of our fellow citizens are those detained watching us now, gathered in this great Jan. 30 by the chamber, hoping that we will govern not as U.S. immigration two parties but as one nation," he said, A website picture of students in a class authorities in adding, "…we must reject the politics of Photo / http:// connection with revenge, resistance and retribution - and President Donald Trump delivered the State of the Union address, with Vice President Mike Pence and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, at the Capitol in universityoffarmington.edu/about.html enrollment at the embrace the boundless potential of Washington, DC on February 5, 2019. Photo / Reuters fake University of Farmington, is uncertain as the US is contd on Page 32 contd on Page 32 House Launches New India-US Economic Ties Focus of Ambassador Investigation into President Harsh Vardhan Shringla's Visit to New York Trump's Foreign Financial NEW YORK (TIP): Ambassador of India to the United Interests and Russia Ties States Mr. Harsh Vardhan Shringla visited New York on his first official visit after taking up his new WASHINGTON (TIP): The House intelligence committee responsibilities last month. It may be recalled that Amb. will launch a broad new investigation looking at Russian Shringla assumed charge of Ambassador on January 9, interference in the 2016 election and President Donald 2019 and on January 11 he presented credentials to Mr. Trump's foreign financial interests, Chairman Adam Schiff Donald Trump, President of the United States. During his announced Wednesday, February 6, moving ahead with the day-long visit Amb. Shringla had a hectic schedule aggressive oversight that Democrats have promised now interacting with contd on Page 13 that they are in the majority. contd on Page 32

SONG AND LAUGHTER Ambassador Harsh Vardhan Shringla speaking at the Indian Consulate, New York Feb 6. Consul General On Valentine’s Day at NJPAC Page 16 Sandeep Chakravorty is seen seated left. THE INDIAN PANORAMA 2 ADVERTISEMENT FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2019 THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2019 PICNEWS 3 Town of Hempstead celebrates India's Republic Day

The Indian National Flag was raised at Town of Hempstead. It was the 16th Flag raising celebration for the Town

n January 25, Friday morning, Laura Gillen, Hempstead Town Clerk Silvia Cabana, Lighting of the Lamp with Hempstead Town Supervisor Gillen and Town Clerk Sylvia Cabana Councilwoman Erin King Sweeney,Councilman Mr Dennis Dunn, Councilman Bruce A OBlakeman, Edward A Ambrosino, New York State Senators Kevin Thomas and Anna On January 30, The Board of trustees and, members of Indian American Forum, India Kaplan, Nassau County Executive Laura Curran, Indu Jaiswal Chairperson of Indian Association of Long Island and IDPUSA, organized Sixteenth India Republic Day Celebration American Forum, Lalit Aery President India Association of Long island, Jasbir Jay Singh, at The Historical Old Village Hall, in Hempstead Town Hall. Honorable Supervisor Laura president IDPUSA, and several community leaders joined in raising the Flag outside the town Gillen hosted the Republic Day Celebrations. The town Hall was decorated with Tricolors from Hall followed with Indian national anthem. Ms. Silvia Caban, Hempstead town clerk hosted Indian flag and patriotic songs were being played all over. Supervisor Gillen was joined with special breakfast in her office. Town Clerk Sivia Cabana and New York State Senator Kevin Thomas, and several elected officers, judges and dignitaries were present and enjoyed this unique evening of celebrations. Supervisor Gillen welcomed everyone and praised the efforts of Indian Americans Community in USA. New York State Senator Kevin Thomas presented Citations from the New York State to Honorees and Keynote speaker. Indu Jaiswal, Chairperson of IAF, welcomed everyone and acknowledged the presence of all community leaders and support of President IALI Lalit Aery and President Jasbir Singh IDPUSA. And various organizations present and participated in the program.

Honorees and keynote speaker with guests and organizers

India Republic Day Awards were presented to Dalip Malik, Jaspreet S Mayall, and Dr. Raj Narayan who was the keynote speaker. Expression of patriotism in dance form IALI Women’s Forum Celebrates Valentine's Day IALI Women's Forum celebrated Valentine day on Feb 1. It was a fun filled event with a lot of singing and dancing.

Women's Forum Chair Veena Lamba with Committee Members Anu Thapar,Anju Sharma,Event IALI elected four Officers . From left: Amita Choudhry, Rajiv Choudhry Treasurer, Lalit Aery Advisor Jyoti Gupta,Chair Wonens Forum Veena Lamba,Cultural Chair Indu Gajwani,Dr Jag President, Saroj Aery, Shashi Malik Vice President, Hargovind Gupta Secretary, Jyoti Gupta Event Kalra,Kiran Arora,Kiran Gupta,Renu Kapoor,Rizwana Malik,Sanju Sharna,Sonia Anand,Sujata Seth Advisor THE INDIAN PANORAMA 4 INDIANS ABROAD FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2019 Indian American Author Wins Asian American Indian American Researchers Develop Literature Award Model for Safer Self-Driving Cars

BOSTON (TIP): A group of Indian closely monitors the system's actions as it American researchers from MIT and acts in the real world, providing feedback Microsoft developed a novel model that when the system made, or was about to make, identifies instances in which autonomous any mistakes. The researchers then combine systems have "learned" from training the training data with the human feedback examples that don't match what's actually data and use machine-learning techniques to happening in the real world. Engineers could produce a model that pinpoints situations use this model to improve the safety of where the system most likely needs more artificial intelligence systems, such as information about how to act correctly. driverless vehicles and autonomous robots. "The model helps autonomous systems The first author is Ramya Ramakrishnan, a better know what they don't know," says first graduate student in the Computer Science author Ramya Ramakrishnan. "Many times, and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory. Co- Model identifies instances when autonomous when these systems are deployed, their systems have learned from examples that authors on both papers are: Julie Shah, an trained simulations don't match the real- may cause dangerous errors in the real world associate professor in the Department of world setting [and] they could make mistakes, Sharmila Sen is executive editor-at-large Aeronautics and Astronautics and head of training "blind spots." such as getting into accidents. The idea is to at Harvard University Press the CSAIL's Interactive Robotics Group; and The AI systems powering driverless cars, use humans to bridge that gap between Ece Kamar, Debadeepta Dey, and Eric for example, are trained extensively in simulation and the real world, in a safe way, NEW YORK (TIP): Indian American Horvitz, all from Microsoft Research. virtual simulations to prepare the vehicle for so we can reduce some of those errors." author Sharmila Sen has won a 2019 Besmira Nushi is an additional co-author on nearly every event on the road. But The researchers validated their method Asian/Pacific American Award for the upcoming paper. sometimes the car makes an unexpected using video games, with a simulated human Literature for her book Not Quite Not In a pair of papers - presented at last year's error in the real world because an event correcting the learned path of an on-screen White: Losing and Finding Race in America Autonomous Agents and Multiagent Systems occurs that should, but doesn't, alter the car's character. But the next step is to incorporate in Adult Non-Fiction category. conference and the upcoming Association for behaviour. the model with traditional training and The Asian/Pacific American Librarians the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence As with traditional approaches, the testing approaches for autonomous cars and Association (APALA), an affiliate of the conference - the researchers describe a model researchers put an AI system through robots with human feedback. American Library Association, on Jan 28 that uses human input to uncover these simulation training. But then, a human (Source: MIT News Office) announced the winners of the 2019 Asian/Pacific American Awards for Literature (APAAL). The awards promote Indian-Origin Billionaire Creates Sensation for Asian/Pacific American culture and heritage and are awarded to titles published from October 2017 to September 2018 based Spending Rs. 50 Crore to Buy Rolls-Royce Cars on their literary and artistic merit. At once a deeply personal memoir and a LONDON (TIP): London-based primer on race in America from the entrepreneur of Indian origin Reuben Singh perspective of an Indian immigrant, Sen's has emerged as an Internet sensation for Not Quite Not White offers a richly literary buying six more Rolls Royce cars in ruby, examination of the various systems of sapphire and emerald colours thatcost him class, race, religion, and culture that just Rs 50 crore. He is calling his new defined who she is, drawing on her familial additions his very own 'Jewel Collection' and educational backgrounds in Hindu which includes the most expensive Rolls mythology, Indian politics, British and Royce sedan-Phantom and the only SUV American literature, Bollywood, American produced by British luxury car marker - television, and more. Even as she makes her Cullinan.And the Rolls Royce CEO Torsten way into narratives of success as whiteness Muller-Otvos himself personally delivered in America, Sen challenges this yearning those cars at Mr Singh's doorstep, according for whiteness and searches instead for a to media reports. messy but fuller embrace of all races in "The Jewels Collection. Rubies, Sapphires & America. Emeralds. It's ok to be a little obsessed with Sharmila Sen grew up in Calcutta, India, jewellery as jewellery is like ice cream "there and immigrated to the United States when is always a little room for more", he wrote on she was twelve. She was educated in the his social media account. public schools of Cambridge, Mass., received The Sikh entrepreneur is the chief The car enthusiast now owns 20 Rolls Royce in his garage her A.B. from Harvard and her Ph.D. from executive of contact centre company alldayPA Yale in English literature. As an assistant and private equity firm Isher Bugatti Veyron, Porche 918 Spyder, Pagani F12 Berlinetta limited edition. The car professor at Harvard she taught courses on Capital.Famously known as the Bill Gates of Huayara, and Lamborghini Huracan enthusiast now owns 20 Rolls Royce in his literatures from Africa, Asia, and the Britain, Mr Singh is also the proud owner of a alongside the only one in the world Ferrari garage. Caribbean for seven years. Currently, she is executive editor-at-large at Harvard University Press. Sharmila has lived and Indian National Pleads Guilty in Indian Origin Man Jailed for worked in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. She has lectured around the world on Two-and-a-Half Years in UK postcolonial literature and culture and Human Smuggling Conspiracy for Drug Smuggling published essays on racism and immigration. NEW YORK (TIP): An Indian national pleaded guilty last month for his role in a LONDON (TIP): An Indian-origin man has been Indian American complex, transnational conspiracy to smuggle aliens from India to the Unites States for sentenced to two-and-a-half-years in jail for his part profit, which claimed at least one life and endangered many others. Yadvinder Singh in an illegal drug trafficking network in the UK, Charged with Visa and Bhamba, 60, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy and 15 counts of smuggling reports The Eastern Eye. According to reports, aliens to the United States for profit before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sivia Carreño-Coll of Bhavin Patel, 27, was sentenced at Harrow Crown Naturalization Fraud the District of Puerto Rico. Court in London on Jan 31 along with an accomplice, NEWARK, NJ(TIP): An Indian origin According to admissions in Bhamba's plea agreement, since 2013, Bhamba had a 25-year-old Lawrence Amoah, who was jailed for five man, resident of Middlesex County, New leadership role in a human smuggling conspiracy operating out of the Dominican years and seven months after the duo pleaded guilty Jersey, was arrested Feb 5 morning for Republic, Haiti, Puerto Rico, India and elsewhere. As part of the conspiracy, Bhamba to the offence of supplying Class 'A' drugs. allegedly submitting 11 fraudulent H-1B personally assisted around 400 aliens to unlawfully enter the United States between 2013 The case dates back to October last year, when visa applications as well as fraudulently and 2015. He also oversaw and directed co-conspirators operating out of the Caribbean. Scotland Yard officers on patrol came across a black procuring his own citizenship, U.S. Bhamba and other members of the conspiracy made flight arrangements for aliens to BMW X5 parked up on Cambridge Road in Harrow, Attorney Craig Carpenito announced. travel from India through other countries - including Thailand, the United Arab north London. Neeraj Sharma, 43, of Piscataway, New Emirates, Argentina, Iran, Panama, Venezuela, Belize, and Haiti - to the Dominican Officers approached the car and noticed Patel, who Jersey, is charged in complaint with one Republic. The Dominican Republic was used as a staging area, where aliens were was sitting in the driver's seat, and Amoah, in the count of visa fraud and one count of housed before being transported to the United States. The organization brought groups passenger's seat, were pretending to be asleep. naturalization fraud. of aliens from the Dominican Republic to Puerto Rico or Florida by boat. (Read full story on (Read full story on www.theindianpanorama.news) www.theindianpanorama.news) (Read full story on www.theindianpanorama.news) THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2019 ADVERTISEMENT 5 THE INDIAN PANORAMA 6 NY/ NJ/CT FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2019 Elected Officials decry inadequate and inequitable State Education Budget WHITESTONE, NY (TIP): Senator John Liu and state John Bowne High School elected officials condemned the executive education budget for Francis Lewis High School failing New York City schools, after budget hearing on The Queens College School for Math, Science and education in Albany on February 6. Technology The Governor's proposed budget increases education budget Townsend Harris High School by only $956 million when the state's Department of Education I.S. 025 Adrien Block and the Board of Regents recommended $2.1 billion. What's P.S. 032 State Street more, of the $956 million, only $338 million is an increase in P.S. 041 Crocheron Foundation Aid. This means the state is still short the $4 J.H.S. 067 Louis Pasteur billion it was court-ordered to pay its public schools through P.S. 079 Francis Lewis the Campaign for Fiscal Equity. P.S. 094 David D. Porter Furthermore, the Governor has essentially prescribed P.S. 098 The Douglaston School amounts for each individual school rather than allocating the P.S. 107 Thomas A Dooley $338 million to school districts and allowing the districts P.S. 130, P.S. 159 themselves to determine the allocation of the funds. This is an P.S. 169 Bay Terrace unnecessary and imprudent override of each local school P.S. 184 Flushing Manor districts' autonomy to decide what their own schools need. "Our children are our future and their education is our P.S. 193 Alfred J. Kennedy responsibility", said John Liu, NY State Senator NYC DOE is caught in the crossfire of this inequitable J.H.S. 194 William Carr proposal resulting in no additional funding for most New York Eagle Academy for Young Men III P.S. 209 Clearview Gardens City schools, including Northeastern Queens. (Schools list The Queens School for Leadership and Excellence P.S. 221 The North Hills School below.) M.S. 358, P.S. 054 Hillside World Journalism Preparatory: A College Board School "Our children are our future and their education is our P.S. 099 Kew Gardens Bell Academy responsibility. In fact, education is the foremost responsibility North Queens Community High School Bayside High School of state and city governments, requiring the lion's share of P.S. 154 Queens P.S. 203 Oakland Gardens annual budgets." Said Senator John Liu. "The executive budget I.S. 250 The Robert F. Kennedy Community Middle School Benjamin N. Cardozo High School is woefully inadequate according to the state education Queens School of Inquiry, The P.S. 164 Queens Valley commissioner herself and is wholly unacceptable to me and Robert F. Kennedy Community High School P.S. 196 Grand Central Parkway many other legislators. Moreover, the stipulations attached to P.S. 034 John Harvard Forest Hills High School the paltry additions are unwise interference in school district Jean Nuzzi Intermediate School P.S. 054 Hillside operations and must be removed." P.S. 118 Lorraine Hansberry P.S. 099 Kew Gardens "In 2006, the New York State's highest court rules that each P.S. 134 Hollis North Queens Community High School child is entitled to receive a 'sound, basic education.' Twelve The Bellaire School P.S. 129 Patricia Larkin years later, the state is still not in compliance with that P.S. 136 Roy Wilkins J.H.S. 157 Stephen A. Halsey decision and owes the schools $4.1 billion in aid." Said Senator P.S./M.S. 147 Ronald McNair P.S. 165 Edith K. Bergtraum Toby Ann Stavisky. "In 2017, Queens County was owed over P.S. 176 Cambria Heights P.S. 175 The Lynn Gross Discovery School $400 million in foundation aid and my district was denied $72 I.S. 192 The Linden P.S./M.S. 200 - The Pomonok School & STAR Academy million in funding. As a former New York City High School Institute for Health Professions at Cambria Heights P.S. 201 The Discovery School for Inquiry and Research teacher, I understand how important it is that teachers and Pathways College Preparatory School: A College Board I.S. 025 Adrien Block schools receive these resources so they can provide the best School P.S. 032 State Street education possible for our children." P.S./I.S. 295, Benjamin Franklin High School for Finance & P.S. 041 Crocheron "We should be doing all that we can to empower educators Information Technology J.H.S. 067 Louis Pasteur and students so that our youth can reach their highest P.S. 360, Mathematics, Science Research and Technology P.S. 079 Francis Lewis potential." Said Senator Leroy Comrie. "That begins with fully Magnet High School P.S. 094 David D. Porter funding our schools in a manner that provides true equity, Humanities & Arts Magnet High School P.S. 098 The Douglaston School which in turn, ensures a better future for our state. I echo P.S. 082 Hammond P.S. 107 Thomas A Dooley Senator Liu's and my colleagues' concerns and stand with P.S. Q086, P.S. 117 J. Keld / Briarwood School P.S. 130, P.S. 159 them in support of parents, educators and our students in J.H.S. 217 Robert A. Van Wyck P.S. 169 Bay Terrace Queens and across New York State." Queens Collegiate: A College Board School P.S. 184 Flushing Manor "Education is the most important investment we can make Business Technology Early College High School P.S. 193 Alfred J. Kennedy in our states future and it needs to be fully funded." Said Hillside Arts & Letters Academy J.H.S. 194 William Carr Assemblyman David I. Weprin. "As legislators, it is our High School for Community Leadership P.S. 209 Clearview Gardens responsibility to ensure that our schools do not get Jamaica Gateway to the Sciences P.S. 221 The North Hills School shortchanged so that our children can get the high-quality Martin Van Buren High School World Journalism Preparatory: A College Board School education they deserve. I thank Senator John Liu for his Hillcrest High School Bell Academy advocacy on behalf of Queens students and for bringing much P.S. 102 Bayview Bayside High School needed attention to this inequitable proposal." P.S. 206 The Horace Harding School I.S. 238 - Susan B. Anthony Academy "Investing in our children is crucial to our success." Said P.S. 220 Edward Mandel P.S. 021 Edward Hart Assemblymember Daniel Rosenthal. "The current proposal Newtown High School J.H.S. 185 Edward Bleeker does not reflect these values and encroaches on the High School for Arts and Business P.S. 214 Cadwallader Colden independence of our school system. I will work with my Benjamin N. Cardozo High School P.S. 242 Leonard P. Stavisky Early Childhood School colleagues to ensure that the enacted budget fully funds our I.S. 5 - The Walter Crowley Intermediate School P.S. 129 Patricia Larkin schools and respects local autonomy." P.S. 152 Gwendoline N. Alleyne School P.S. 026 Rufus King J.H.S. 008 Richard S. Grossley P.S. 139 Rego Park P.S. 031 Bayside P.S. 140 Edward K Ellington J.H.S. 190 Russell Sage M.S. 158 Marie Curie York Early College Academy J.H.S. 189 Daniel Carter Beard P.S. 162 John Golden Queens Satellite High School for Opportunity Veritas Academy P.S. 376, P.S. 018 Winchester Queens High School for the Sciences at York College Queens High School for Language Studies P.S. 033 Edward M. Funk High School for Law Enforcement and Public Safety Flushing High School P.S. 133 Queens P.S. 015 Jackie Robinson Queens Academy High School P.S. 191 Mayflower P.S. 035 Nathaniel Woodhull M.S. 379, J.H.S. 157 Stephen A. Halsey The James J. Ambrose School P.S. 036 Saint Albans School P.S. 165 Edith K. Bergtraum P.S. 131 Abigail Adams P.S. 038 Rosedale P.S. 175 The Lynn Gross Discovery School Irwin Altman Middle School 172 I.S. 059 Springfield Gardens P.S./M.S. 200 - The Pomonok School & STAR Academy P.S./ IS 178 Holliswood P.S. 095 Eastwood P.S. 201 The Discovery School for Inquiry and Research P.S. 186 Castlewood P.S. 132 Ralph Bunche P.S. 024 Andrew Jackson P.S. 188 Kingsbury P.S. 156 Laurelton P.S. 046 Alley Pond P.S. 205 Alexander Graham Bell Queens Preparatory Academy J.H.S. 074 Nathaniel Hawthorne P.S./I.S. 208, P.S./I.S. 266 Excelsior Preparatory High School P.S. 120 Queens Queens High School of Teaching, Liberal Arts and the P.S./I.S. 268, The Gordon Parks School P.S. 173 Fresh Meadows Sciences George Washington Carver High School for the Sciences P.S. 213 The Carl Ullman School Thomas A. Edison Career and Technical Education High Preparatory Academy for Writers: A College Board School J.H.S. 216 George J. Ryan School Queens United Middle School P.S. 219 Paul Klapper Queens Gateway to Health Sciences Secondary School Cambria Heights Academy I.S. 237, East-West School of International Studies Young Women's Leadership School, Queens THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2019 NY/NJ/CT 7 NYC's $92.2 billion Hope Foundation USA/Ireland to big budget It's larger than all but two raise funds, promote protection of states, but still feeling the pinch of Wall Street volatility. slum and street children in Kolkata

NEW YORK, NY (TIP): A Taste of The Hope Foundation founder and Hope," an evening to raise funds for director Maureen Forrest will be the HOPE Foundation will take place traveling from Ireland to speak about at the American Irish Historical the programs the HOPE Foundation Society in Manhattan on Feb 27. This offers, she launched the organization event will be a mixture of Irish and in 1999 to raise funds for one girl's Indian cultures and entertainment home, The Hope Foundation evolved and cuisine. into an organization which works The Hope Foundation is dedicated with some of the most disadvantaged Mayor Bill de Blasio presents the 2019- to promoting the protection of street children in the world today. 2020 preliminary budget. | Ed and slum children in Kolkata and the In the past decade, The Foundation's Reed/Mayoral Photography Office. most underprivileged in India. HOPE efforts have been critical in securing works to effect immediate and lasting the rights for the underprivileged NEW YORK CITY (TIP): New York City change in their lives. sections of Indian society, especially Mayor Bill de Blasio's five years in office By extending support to children with the street and slum children of have been marked by a thriving economy and their communities via 60 on the Kolkata India. Now a registered Irish locally and nationally. New York City is ground projects, HOPE provides charity with offices in Ireland, India, expected to bring in $92.2 billion in revenue sustainable holistic solutions to the UK, Germany and now in the US, next year - up about $14 billion from de protection and development. By headquartered here in NYC. Blasio's first budget, enacted in 2014. But providing healthcare, counselling and From founder Forrest's humble the mayor once again played the role of education, HOPE ensures children in West Cork beginnings, she and her cautious fiscal steward in his preliminary its care enter adulthood equipped with organization touched the lives and budget presentation Thursday, February 7 the tools and support they need to live hearts of many, both in Ireland and in afternoon, saying that the city's finances healthy and happy lives. To date HOPE countries across the globe that benefit face an "unusual level of uncertainty" due has helped over 2.7 million people. from her hard work. This selflessness has allowed thousands of to a number of outside threats. Here are The special guests at the event include Meera Gandhi, Richie children to have a chance at a future they otherwise wouldn't have had. five things to know about the budget. McCarthy and Michael Sheldrick. In order to reinforce this altruism, Forrest performs her role as the The budget continues to grow Meera Gandhi was born in Mumbai, India to an Irish mother and an director on a completely voluntary basis, receiving no salary for her Indian father. At the age of 16, she met Mother Teresa and worked with work, with her satisfaction coming from the impact of the New York City expects to raise $92.2 her helping children at Asha Dan, Mumbai. Inspired, Meera Gandhi, Foundation's aid has had on the lives of so many. billion in fiscal year 2020. Since the city founded the Giving Back Offices with projects in India, NY, Hong Kong, Tickets for the event are $250 and are limited due to space funds legally must have a balanced budget, that Turkey and the UK. Meera lives in NYC and runs The Giving Back raised from the event will benefit the street children of Kolkata, India. gives de Blasio's government $92.2 billion to Foundation. The tax-deductible amount is $200. spend. That top line number is up $3 billion Richie McCarthy a full back for the Limerick senior hurling team, If you cannot attend, please consider sponsoring a child's education from the $89.2 billion budget passed last will talk about how his team captured the first All-Ireland hurling title for one year at the cost of $300. To book online June (and makes it larger than any state's in 45 years. https://hopefoundationusa.com/product/a-taste-of-hope/ budget except for California and New York). Michael Sheldrick, Vice President, Global Policy & Government Sponsorship opportunities are available (tickets included) $10,000 But things aren't peachy Affairs for Global Citizen. Gave a TED talk two years ago and hails (event sponsor), $5,000, $2,500 and $1,000 levels offered. from Australia but is based in NYC. For more information on the event and sponsorship opportunities or De Blasio laid out the threats to New York The evening entertainment will be performed by recording artist to book a ticket please contact Mary Reed Development Officer Hope City's revenue, including the fear of an Julie Feeney from Galway, Ireland. Indian dancer for the evening is Foundation USA/Ireland [email protected] 516-467- upcoming economic recession and current Radhika Vyas. 6030. stock market volatility, which recently Individual Tickets are $250 and $200 is tax deductible. A quote by Gandhi can best sum up the success of the foundation. "A caused New York City to overestimate To purchase tickets please go to small body of determined spirits fired by an unquenchable faith in personal income tax revenues by nearly https://hopefoundationusa.com/product/a-taste-of-hope/ their mission can alter the course of history." $300 million. Overall, the city expects to take in nearly $1 billion less in income taxes this year than last. Still, the city is taking in more money than ever thanks to rising Legislators Drucker and Lafazan Celebrate Lunar property tax revenues - expected to be up nearly $2 billion next year. New Year with the Chinese Association of Jericho De Blasio also pointed the finger at Albany,saying this year's state budget shifts responsibility for $600 million dollars in JERICO, NY (TIP): Nassau County spending onto the city's shoulders, much of Legislators Arnold W.Drucker (D - Plainview) it in new education funding. Meanwhile, and Joshua Lafazan (Woodbury) heralded the the city absorbs new costs, including a $1 arrival of the Lunar New Year with the billion increase in labor costs, and it is Chinese Association of Jericho on Saturday, paying off more than $350 million in debt Feb. 2. The not-for-profit organization hosted service this year. the celebration at Jericho High School, where There will be cuts they rang in the Year of the Pig with a program of traditional and cultural De Blasio need to find another $750 performances. million in savings to balance the books "It is always a pleasure to experience the before his executive budget is due in April. rich diversity that makes Nassau County such He's planning to do so by extending the a unique place to live, work and raise a city's partial hiring freeze (though the city family," Legislator Drucker said. "The worker headcount is already at an all-time Chinese Association of Jericho always stages high) and by giving every agency a tailored a beautiful and meaningful ceremony, and I dollar amount they need to cut from their thank co-presidents Jennie Yang and Kwan budget. De Blasio wouldn't give specifics Cheung for all they do to bring the community but said "the bar will be set high" and together for this Lunar New Year threatened that his Budget Director, celebration." Melanie Hartzog, would make her own "Lunar New Year puts Chinese culture and decisions for agencies that don't cut to the history in the spotlight, and the Chinese mayor's liking. Even the politically Association of Jericho shared that heritage powerful police department, which with onlookers through their exuberant and frequently is spared budget cuts, would be captivating presentation," Legislator Lafazan included. (Read full story on said. "I was honored to participate in this joyous celebration and wish everyone a happy and healthy Lunar New Year." ww.theindianpanroama.news THE INDIAN PANORAMA 8 EDITORIAL FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2019 AS I SEE IT General Election in India likely to result in a hung parliament : Modi may not form government The January 2019 MOTN predicts that if an election were held now, the NDA tally would drop by 100 seats from the 336 seats it got in the 2014 election. The BJP would be the single largest loser in the alliance with the number of seats dropping as much as 80 from 282 in 2014 to 202 now.

By Ven Parameswaran computers to suit the goals of BJP and other irregular methods. The public has lost confidence in Modi government in wrote on December 19, 2018 that the next running a fair and just election. general election in India may result in a The Achilles' heel of Modi and the NDA, Ihung parliament. As things stand today,one though, lies in the widespread farmer unrest, can predict no party will be able to win a rural distress and the perceptible lack of jobs. majority. A hung Parliament looks imminent The UPA and the other opposition partners, as both the ruling NDA and challenger UPA fail especially BSP (Mayavati) are bound to push the to reach the majority mark of 272 by a distance. knife deeper in o these three big issues. Large The NDA remains the biggest political alliance, sections of people have been pushed to the with the BJP emerging as the single largest margins by a series of blows dealt to the economy, party. This is the stunning conclusion of the including demonetization and GST. This will India Today Group-Karvy Insights biannual determine the course of the coming election. Mood of the Nation (MOTN) survey conducted If Rahul Gandhi and his party have surged between December 28, 2018, and January 8, 2019. ahead in the ratings, it is because he has This MOTN is significant as it comes barely successfully mobilized public opinion on these four months before the general election. issues. The recent wins of Congress in the It must be pointed out that it is the first time Hindi heartland states of Rajasthan, Madhya since Modi came to power in May 2014 that an Pradesh and Chhattisgarh are an indication of Theduo of Modi and Amit Shah have reasons to worry MOTN poll is predicting that the NDA will not the traction Rahul has been able to get. But the cross the majority mark. It confirms the THE SINGLE BIGGEST FAILURE OF MODI IS unhappy , giving a great political Congress President will not be able to win by declining trend in its fortunes that these HIS INABILITY TO CREATE ADEQUATE opportunity to the leader of BSP,Mayavati. just running down Modi's performance. He will surveys have recorded in the past two years Killing of cows and serving beef in also need to come out with a convincing enough with the NDA and the BJP progressively losing NUMBER OF JOBS. restaurants were banned, but India is the vision of how he plans to put the nation on a ground. Lack of jobs rank 34%; Rising prices 20%; largest exporter of beef meat in the world high grown path, apart from maintaining peace The January 2019 MOTN predicts that if an Demonetization 14%; Farm Subsidies 7%; to the tune of $5billion. and harmony. election were held now, the NDA tally would Ineffective Implementation of GST 7%; 3. The Demonetization created severe U.P. being the largest State with 80 drop by 100 seats from the 336 seats it got in the Agrarian distress 5%; and Crisis in the CBI 2%. hardships to the vast majority of Indians parliamentary seats, is surely more important 2014 election. The BJP would be the single THE VOTERS WILL BE ASKING: "Is India living from hand to mouth with cash than other States. Mayavati has already formed largest loser in the alliance with the number of economy. coalition with Samajwadi Party. Thus, this seats dropping as much as 80 from 282 in 2014 to better off today than 5 years ago?" 4. Modi failed to privatize public sector coalition should be able to challenge Modi's 202 now. In such an eventuality,the NDA would 1. Failure of Prime Minister Modi to create 10 corporations. He has failed even to sell the B.J.P. The Congress and the Muslims are also have to scout for other partners to garner a million new jobs per year has changed the most inefficient Air India which is running challenging Modi. The result may be shocking majority and there could also be doubts about public opinion against his government. at a heavy loss. on for . BJP which may have to to accept a very Modi emerging as the consensus candidate to Modi could have done what the Congress 5. On his inauguration, Modi invited the small number of seats from U.P. head the coalition government. failed to do, that is to emulate China. Modi heads of all neighbors, signaling I am getting the impression that almost all While the opposition may rejoice at having failed to liberalize India's economy to attract development of better relations. That was parties are opposed to Modi except BJP ruled put the NDA and Modi on the mat, the survey sizeable foreign private investment. Modi just a photo opportunity. His foreign policy states. West Bengal with the leadership of also reveals that neither the Congress-led UPA could have built modern infrastructure and towards India's neighbors failed miserably. Mamata Banerjee; Tamil Nadu; Karnataka; norany other Opposition alliance will be in a built large scale factories to produce China capitalized on the opportunity. Kerala; Andhra Pradesh and other States could position to form the government on their own. consumer and industrial goods for export. China has almost taken over Nepal, and its mount a formidable opposition to Modi. The UPA is likely to multiply its tally by three President Trump, after winning the election influence in Sri Lanka, Maldives, In a hung Parliament, the President will be times, according to this survey, from 59 in 2014 offered India "closest ally" status on a par Bangladesh, Sikkim, and Bhutan is a huge forced to accept any leader who can attract to 166. That is still 106 shy of a majority. And with the U.K. India has a comparative setback for India. Modi also failed to deal enough coalitions to create a majority. the rest of the opposition, that includes the advantage over China and if India had the with Pakistan, which has refused to mete Although Modi may try, he has severe Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party, the capability and the capacity to produce out justice to the terror organizations competition from Mayavati and other non- AIDMK (Tamil Nadu) and dozen others, will get consumer goods, the US was ready to Lashkar-e-Taiba and its leaders. Though Congress leaders. The big question between the remaining. replace China. Failure of Modi to embrace President Trump requested India to now and the general election is : can Modi do For many voters, such a fractured mandate President Trump's offer may cost him in the influence and help Afghanistan, Modi has anything to turnaround the precarious and the political uncertainty it spells is a coming election. nothing new to show. situation he is in? disconcerting scenario. That is why Modi and 2. Modi by overemphasizing Hindutva and 6. Today, the public opinion is against Modi's (The author is a Senior Adviser to Imaagindia the BJP have been hammering home the need not being fair to the minorities, has invited government on the administration of Institute, a think tank in New Delhi. He lives in for voters to give them a full majority or, as they severe opposition of Christians, Muslims, coming elections. There have been reports Scarsdale, New York. He can be reached at warn, the country could be plunged into chaos. Sikhs. In addition, 300 million Dalits are of computer tampering, manipulating [email protected])

now that they have been detained, and about illegal stay and , of course, illegal entry. Britain can make a suggestion to India to lift reports suggest ICE is looking for around 600 it is not a humanitarian issue like we had the "ban"? COMMENT students for similar offence, the issue has in Middle East when we evacuated Indians In this election year, Modi government will Prof I.S.Saluja drawn the attention of the Indian Americans from South Sudan or from Kuwait. It is purely not like to be criticized for not taking care of here and of government of India. an internal law and order issue of America. Indian citizens abroad. They will not like the Whatever the government of India is doing India, or for that matter, any country, cannot opposition to make it an issue in elections, is appreciable. Contacting students in even make a suggestion to a sovereign nation howsoever little the issue may be. So, there Better not defend what detention, contacting their parents back on this issue. Clearly,law of the land has been may be an extra effort on the part of the home to pledge government's support are all knowingly violated by our Indian brethren . government of India to play up its efforts to is indefensible - On part of the job of the Indian diplomats here , Nobody can defend what they have done. It is seek relief for the students facing the difficult and of the EAM mandarins in New Delhi. better not to try to defend what is situation. detention of Indian But, can anyone ask a sovereign indefensible. India had better not . America is not India, where a Prime government to bend rules for a chosen few? If Let me say here. India has denied consular Minister , or a lesser person, too can bend Students in the US your answer is "NO", you know what is going services, passports and visas to a number of rules. India is still living in a feudal order. I to happen. Particularly now that the Trump Sikhs from Punjab branding them as will rather have my Indian brethren suffer for t is really sad that scores of Indian administration has taken a stand that Khalistanis and separatists, hand in glove whatever they did, wittingly or unwittingly, students studying in the US have been America will not welcome "illegals". See the with Pakistan and other interest groups rather than imagine America following Idetained by ICE on charges of violating stand of Trump administration on against India, bent upon wrecking the Indian Indian style of governance. Visa laws. One wished it did not happen. But DREAMERS. More recently, pronouncements nation. Do you think America or Canada, or THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2019 PERSPECTIVE 9 Congress Mukt Bharat vs BJP Mukt India If the entire opposition, without Congress , comes together, forms a cohesive group, and ensures only one candidate from their group in each constituency, it will win hands down against BJP. Congress party may be a spoil sport in some seats for both the BJP and the Opposition, but it will not hurt much the opposition "mahagatbandhan. In the end, a welded third front can trounce By I S Saluja both the Congress and the BJP. Ultimately, it may lead to a Congress mukt Bharat and a BJP mukt India". he other day, after Prime Minister Narendra Modi had used all weapons in This armory to denounce the opposition during his speech in the Parliament, a friend suggested that India should be BJP Mukt if there is to be peace and prosperity in the nation. I laughed at his mad fancy. What has BJP done to evoke this kind of reaction? I can understand when BJP accuses Congress of having done nothing positive and good for the nation in 70 years, except promoting corruption, and calls for a Congress Mukt Bharat. But what has BJP done that my friend who I know to be a sane guy felt provoked to make a suggestion for a BJP Mukt Bharat. My friend seemed to be looking far, and without turning to me, said, "I am unhappy that unemployment has touched the highest level in 45 years. This government kept claiming during the last more than 4 years that it had created record employment. And here we are with a record unemployment. Opposition leaders in Kolkata on Saturday, January 19 vowed to oust Modi government Lies, lies, lies. What a joke with countrymen!" I was thinking what a poor Narendra Modi I was wondering how I could calm him. He cities, streets, and monuments? Can you erase By now I was quite bored with his longish could do in just 4 years when there was so seemed to be in terrible agony. history by doing so? Modi government has outbursts. However, I still did not want to much to do and so little time to do. Congress I did not utter a word fearing I will provoke been busy doing it. And, then, this provoke him which might have meant another had 70 years and yet it could not provide him. He appeared to be too filled with lava of government has been in a hurry to impose a angry outburst. employment to all. Here was a Narendra Modi annoyance with the BJP government of Bhai particular brand of culture on all. They were I put my hand on his shoulder and said who at least claimed his government had Narendra Modi. He exploded again. more busy rewriting text books carrying their cajolingly, "Why not have an India which is created record jobs, what if he could not What a great secular country India has brand of culture for school children than in free of both the Congress and the BJP?". control the skyrocketing unemployment. been. And you have a government here which planning for providing good education to the He looked at me in disbelief, and quipped, My chain of thought was broken when I has assiduously worked to create divisions in poorest of the poor who have remained "What a brilliant idea! But how is it possible? heard my friend say," And look at the report of the name of religion, culture and history. deprived of it. Congress did not do anything Tell me." Reserve Bank on demonetization which says Today, one comes across an atmosphere of in 70 years. Here they are, the agents of I was not prepared for an answer. But they India made huge losses as a result of fear because of the terrible communal tension change. And, in order that they can achieve say necessity is the mother of invention. So, I demonetization, debunking all tall claims this the policies of this government have created. their goals effectively, there has to be no thought hard and blurted out: "Well, you government has been making over the years While the job of the good government is to Congress. It has to be a Congress Mukt remember the big gathering in Kolkata. If the that demonetization had broken the back of promote amity and peace, you have a Bharat. Congress, it must be understood, is a entire opposition, without Congress , comes black money and had done immense good to government here which makes people synonym for opposition. The other opposition together, forms a cohesive group, and ensures the economic health of the country. Data suspicious of each other, and all this in the parties can be dealt with without any only one candidate from their group in each released by the RBI in its annual report stated name of religion, culture and history. While a problem. Some will merge in to the BJP. Some constituency, it will win hands down against that out of Rs 15.44 lakh crore worth of good government should be ridding its people will join the BJP led government. All will be BJP. Congress party may be a spoil sport in currency notes that were taken out of of fear of all kinds, here is a government BJP-may.And BJP will have the satisfaction of some seats for both the BJP and the circulation, Rs 15.28 lakh crore have returned filling them with fear. Many of the best sons having Vipaksha mukt Bharat (India without Opposition, but it will not hurt much the to the banking system and around Rs 16,000 and daughters of India have shown exemplary opposition). A fertile situation for a Hindu opposition "mahagatbandhan. In the end, a crore is yet to be deposited back to banks. courage to express their fears. But this Rashtra , and a presidential form of welded third front can trounce both the Liars. The nation suffered such huge losses government must term them as traitors. Do government. It could even be the revival of the Congress and the BJP. Ultimately, it may lead and people underwent so much suffering for you do any good to the people, do you solve Chakravarti Samrat Rajya which may be to a Congress mukt Bharat and a BJP mukt the mad fancies of a maverick leader." their problems by changing the name of the named, possibly, Ram Rajya". India".

SECOND YOUTH: Not to worry. Yogi concept of renunciation itself. How much more Adityanathji has conferred a great boon on all renunciational can you get? us jobless guys. All we have to do is enroll FIRST YOUTH: Sounds cool. So how much is ourselves as practicing sadhus and we'll be this sarkari pension anyway? assured a sarkari pension for life. SECOND YOUTH: It's 500 bucks a month. By Jug Suraiya FIRST YOUTH: Enroll ourselves as sadhus? FIRST YOUTH: 500 bucks a month? That's But in order to qualify as a genuine, bona fide not very much of a renunciation to renounce. sadhu, don't you have to do some sort of course SECOND YOUTH: Not to worry. Akhilesh in sadhuism, and pass an exam? Like there are Yadavji has already raised the ante by pooh- Perks of being a Sadhu all these IITs, and IIMs, is there also an ISI, an poohing Yogi Adityanathji's 500-buck pension as Indian Sadhu Institute that trains would-be being peanuts and has said that it should be The Uttar Pradesh Government sadhus? raised to at least Rs 20,000 a month. Illustration / Sandeep Joshi announces pension scheme for SECOND YOUTH: There is an ISI. But it's FIRST YOUTH: Rs 20,000 a month? That's sadhus and seers: News report. not in India, but in Pakistan, and the people it more like it. I could do with renouncing the How do we do that? trains aren't exactly sadhus. But don't worry renunciation of 20,000 bucks a month. SECOND YOUTH: Simple. When we spot a Two unemployed youth in UP discussing about training, and passing exams, and SECOND YOUTH: And that needn't be the prosperous-looking sethji we tell him we're his career prospects. qualifications. Because the great thing about end of it. Thanks to the politics of what might gurus and ask for gurudakshina. FIRST YOUTH: I'm really at my wit's end being a sadhu is that you don't need all that be called competitive pensionism, Behenji is FIRST YOUTH: But suppose he doesn't want and don't know what to do. Yesterday I applied stuff. You don't even need a Class VII-Failed quite likely to enter the fray and further raise to give us any gurudakshina, what then? for the post of a third-division government babu certificate. Anyone can become a sadhu, and the stakes for sadhus, and maybe make the SECOND YOUTH: Then we motivate him to but was turned down. then get a sarkari pension for life, thanks to Yogi pension Rs 50,000 a month. do. SECOND YOUTH: Turned down? Why? Adityanathji. FIRST YOUTH: Wow! Rs 50,000 is even better FIRST YOUTH: How do we motivate him? Because you didn't have enough educational FIRST YOUTH: That's great. But how can to renounce the renunciation . By showing him the sharpness of our intellect? qualifications required for the job? sadhus get a pension, sarkari or otherwise, if SECOND YOUTH: And on top of that, SECOND YOUTH: No - by showing him the FIRST YOUTH: No, because with my triple sadhus are meant to practice renunciation? there's always the gurudakshina that we as sharpness of the trishul we'll carry as sadhus. PhD in astrophysics, bio-engineering and rocket SECOND YOUTH: The new-age sadhus that sadhus can go around collecting from all and Arm in arm, the two head off to sign up as science they said I had too many qualifications Yogi Adityanathji's sarkar is enrolling do sundry. sadhus, striding along to the tune of 'When the for the job. practice renunciation - by renouncing the FIRST YOUTH: Collecting gurudakshina? sants go marching in.' THE INDIAN PANORAMA 10 SOUTH ASIA FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2019

Prachanda’s Venezuela remarks Pakistan turns to ally China trigger rift within Nepal ruling party for $2.5 b Loan KATHMANDU (TIP): Comments ISLAMABAD (TIP): Pakistan's financial regarding Venezuela by the Nepal woes are far from over despite support from Communist Party’s co-chairman Pushpa Saudi Arabia and the UAE, forcing Islamabad Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, and an to turn to its all-weather ally China for a loan apparent reprimand of the remarks by his of $2.5 billion (nearly Rs 18,000 crore). fellow party leader, and Prime Minister, K China has agreed to provide the money to P Sharma Oli appear set to snowball into a help Pakistan boost its official foreign major feud within the Nepal’s ruling party. exchange reserves, which are not sufficient to On Feb 6 evening, Oli told government- provide cover for even two months of imports controlled Nepal Television that there was despite receiving $4 billion of loans from no urgency for Prachanda to make such a Saudi Arabia and the UAE, ET has learnt. statement when “I was abroad, and going China has emerged as Pakistan’s largest to return within hours”. “Such a saviour in times of economic crisis in the past statement would not have come if I were five years. With the latest tranche, China’s here,” he added. support to Pakistan in this fiscal year alone On January 25, Prachanda had issued a would surge to $4.5 billion. Last July, China statement saying the “intrusion” into the had lent $2 billion to the State Bank of internal affairs of Venezuela by the Pakistan, which is that country’s central “imperialist US” were not acceptable. bank. Within hours, the US made its objection to In the last fiscal year (2017-18), Pakistan had the comments clear, forcing Nepal’s obtained $2.2 billion from three Chinese billion financial assistance package, which Pakistan has also borrowed heavily from Ministry of Foreign Affairs to distance commercial banks — China Development includes $3 billion in short-term loans at an China for various projects under the China- itself from what Prachanda, one of the two Bank, ICBC China and Bank of China — apart interest rate of 3.18%. The UAE has agreed to Pak-Economic Corridor (CPEC), the flagship chairpersons of the ruling party, said. The from getting $1.8 billion from Beijing on a provide $3 billion at an interest rate of around project under BRI. ministry said Nepal was in favour of the bilateral basis. 3% and has already disbursed $1 billion. A China has become the biggest lender to internal affairs of Venezuela being sorted The Chinese money is coming as part of the $3.2 billion of oil facility on deferred payment Pakistan after surpassing Japan. Pakistan out by the people of the country without government’s strategy to have support till the is also being awaited. owes $19 billion (a fifth of its total debt) to outside interference. After returning to time its macroeconomic situation stabilises, But despite $4 billion inflows from Riyadh China. The CPEC loans will add $14 billion to Nepal, Oli purportedly told US people tracking the financing deals told ET. and the UAE in past two months, the gross Pakistan’s total public debt, raising it to $90 Ambassador Randy Berry that After coming into power, Prime Minister official foreign currency reserves stayed at billion by June 2019, abating its economic Prachanda’s remarks were a “slip of Imran Khan had visited China, Saudi Arabia only $8.12 billion as of December 25, ability to service huge amount of debt, said tongue”. However, Prachanda responded and the UAE to arrange emergency loans to according the State Bank of Pakistan. This is experts. to the PM’s remarks, saying that what one avoid a default. Pakistan has secured $14.5 sufficient to cover just seven weeks of imports According to experts’ calculation, Pakistan person says after the party had collectively billion of commitments from these three and is below the minimum level that the will have to payback $100 billion to China by responded to the Venezuela situation in countries that have largely helped bridge its International Monetary Fund and World Bank 2024 of total investment of $18.5 billion, which one voice carried no meaning. (PTI) external financing gap in the ongoing fiscal prescribe. Due to this, the World Bank and the China has provided as bank loans for 19 early- year. Asian Development Bank are not providing harvest projects, mostly relating to the energy Former Maldives Saudi Arabia has agreed to provide a $6- loans for budget financing. sector under the CPEC. (ET) president to be charged with money laundering Bangladesh seals off border with MALDIVES (TIP): Police in the Maldives have asked the country’s prosecutor general to charge a former president with money laundering and his Myanmar amid fresh influx of refugees former Cabinet minister with aiding him. A police statement says investigators DHAKA (TIP): Bangladesh has sealed off have found grounds to charge Yameen its border with Myanmar amid fresh influx of Abdul Gayoom and his former Legal refugees fleeing troubled Rakhine state Affairs Minister Azima Shakoor. following reported military clampdown, this The case stems from an allegedly shady time against the ethnic majority Buddhists deal to lease islands for tourist resort and Hindus being the victims, Foreign development and the discovery of USD 1 Minister A K Abdul Momen said Wednesday. million in Yameen’s bank account. Over 700,000 Rohingya Muslims have taken Police also say they asked the refuge in Bangladesh after fleeing from prosecutor general to charge Yameen and Rakhine state in neighbouring Myanmar to Shakoor with providing false information evade atrocities, which the UN called “a to investigators. Yameen lost the textbook example of ethnic cleansing”, presidential election last year after a five- following the action by the military in August year strongman rule. (AP) 2017. “We can’t take any more of them (Myanmar Indonesia finds 193 refugees). The border with Myanmar is almost sealed off,” he told reporters before Bangladeshis locked departing for New Delhi. Momen is visiting India on his maiden up in shop house overseas tour since Prime Minster Sheikh MEDAN,INDONESIA (TIP): Hasina formed the government for the third “We have sent a detachment to Ruma take refuge in Bangladesh and India. Indonesian police found 193 Bangladeshis consecutive terms after winning the frontiers to enforce a stringent vigil against Acknowledging the report, the foreign locked up in a shop house after human December 30 general elections. fresh influx. The borders with Myanmar minister said, “We have heard that different traffickers had lured them with the He said that Bangladesh has opened its remained sealed off while only legal ethnic and religious groups including promise of getting them to Malaysia, an border and allowed enough of the influx of movement is underway through the Ukhia Buddhists and Hindus, this time apart from immigration official said on Feburary 7. refugees opening the border “now it is better and Teknaf frontiers,” BGB’s region (Rohingya) Muslims, are trying to enter The men entered Indonesia as tourists if others (other countries) open their commander Brigadier General Ainul Bangladesh amid fresh violence in Myanmar.” via Bali and the city of Yogyakarta with frontiers for them (refugees)”. Morshed Khan said. Earlier in the day, Momen met with special the intention of going to Malaysia for Meanwhile, paramilitary Border Guard Police chief of the bordering Bandarban UN envoy on Myanmar Christine Schraner work, North Sumatra’s immigration Bangladesh (BGB) said they sent a district Mohammad Kamruzzaman said 38, Burgener and Hollywood superstar and a chief said. “They are victims of human detachment to enforce a vigil in its remote mostly Buddhist, families sneaked into special UNHCR envoy Angelina Jolie who trafficking and were lured here,” Fery frontiers with Myanmar in bordering Bangladesh overnight in view of the “internal spent as a special UNHCR envoy two days in Monang Sihite said by telephone, adding Bandndarban’s Ruma area. conflict” in Myanmar’s Rakhine state. Bangladesh’s southeastern Cox’s Bazar where that the men had been locked up in Police said about 150 Myanmar nationals, Reports suggest fighting between the over a million Rohingya Muslims have been Medan on the island of Sumatra. including 38 Buddhist families, crossed the Myanmar military and the rebel Arakan taking refuge after fleeing a brutal military (Reuters) border. Army forced hundreds to flee their home to crackdown at their homeland. (PTI) THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2019 ADVERTISEMENT 11 THE INDIAN PANORAMA 12 US FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2019 AAPI to Organize 9-City Jai Ho Musical Dhamaka in May 2019 Bollywood Singer Sukhwinder Singh and Amruta Fadnavis will rock CHICAGO (TIP): After mesmerizing musical lovers all across the world with his enchanting voice, Sukhwinder Singh, a top Bollywood singer, accompanied by the first lady of Maharashtra, Ms. Amruta Fadnavis, is now on AAPI's Nine-City Jai Ho Musical Dhamaka this spring, performing in Nine Cities around the United States. Organized by the American Association of Physicians of Indian origin (AAPI), the spectacular musical program combined with educational and networking opportunities for AAPI members, supporters and sponsors, is being organized with the objective of bringing CME and non-CME sponsored medical lectures, exhibits, Gala Dinner, community outreach :Bollywood Singer Sukhwinder Singh and Amruta Fadnavis will rock 9 Cities in the US in May 2019 talks and lively musical nite in each of the 9 cities across the country. says, "We are now poised to take our Charitable Foundation." all doctors of Indian origin, all south Asians to "Following the past successes of multi-city commitment to newer heights, the 9 City AAPI has established itself as the most rally and support this amazing opportunity of musical tours organized by AAPI, I am inspired Musical Tour by world renowned Bollywood successful and premiere ethnic medical the 9-city musical tour to promote awareness by the concept and how such events have helped artist Sukwinder accompanied by an icon of organization in the United States. AAPI- and raise funds for supporting programs to in strengthening the relationship between the women leadership, the first lady of Charitable Foundation, the crest jewel of AAPI, address the rapidly growing problem of AAPI Chapters and national office, in addition Maharashtra, Ms. Amruta Fadnavis, a very is committed to serve the poorest of the poor in cardiovascular diseases in south Asians and to help raise funds for the many noble programs well know personality, a great singer and remote areas of India and USA. minorities living in the United States and for AAPI and the local Chapters" says Dr. amazing community leader that continues to Since 1992, the Foundation has been Lymphoma & Leukemia in India.' Naresh Parikh, President of AAPI. pursue her career with her spouse being in the providing an infrastructure support system for Ms. Amruta Fadnavis was born, as Amruta Dr.Hemant Dhingra, Entertainment Chair of most powerful office in Maharashtra, a true needy patients in India with two main goals: Ranade on 9 April 1979 in Nagpur,Maharashtra, AAPI provided a detailed description of the demonstration of great leadership." Coupled enabling AAPI members to commit their time to Dr. Sharad Ranade, an Ophthalmologist and planned 9-City Tour by popular Bollywood star, with three honorable causes addressing and resources to support the clinics for the Dr. Charulata Ranade, a Gynaecologist. She Sukhvinder, which is a way to raise funds for cardiovascular disease, lymphoma and indigent; and to monitor effectively the clinics' grew up in a household where education and AAPI and its many local Chapters. Dr. Dhingra, leukemia, this is truly a worthy and honorable progress and be accountable for the overall independence for women was essential. She who has close relationship with the effort that enhances AAPI's commitment to success of the project. initially studied at St. Joseph Convent School, Entertainment Industry, worked with major health issues and its strong support to The Seminars, CMEs, and workshops will be Nagpur. She graduated from G.S. College of Sukhwinder Singh and team to put together the eradicate them. "Entertainment was only just led by accomplished faculty of leading Commerce and Economics. Later she pursued mega event. one component of the entire program," Dr. Physicians, Industry Leaders, Cardiologists, MBA in finance and studied taxation laws from The 9-city musical and educational tour is Parikh adds. "The idea is to put together mini Cardiovascular Surgeons and Psychiatrists. Symbiosis Law School, Pune. Along with being launched on Friday, May 10 Columbus, seminars, networking and strengthening the Each of the nine medical educational programs studies she also participated in sports and an Ohio and will be followed by Atlanta on May relationship between members and the national is expected to have an audience of 250-400 excellent sports person. She was a state level 11th and in Washington DC on May 12th. office. "Due to popular demand from several Physicians, which will be followed by an annual under 16 tennis player. Sukhvinder and his team will perform in physicians on the need for enhancing scientific gala event and entertainment with an expected Dr. Parikh promises to "make this event both Charlotte, NC on May 17th, in New Jersey on component at AAPI meetings and allowing 2,500+ audience at each location. transparent and successful, and we hope it May 18th and in Dallas, TX on May 19th. In the greater number of members to participate, Sukhwinder Singh, an internationally becomes an annual event. Many of our industry final weekend, the popular artist will begin his AAPI is now organizing the 13-city programs to recognized Bollywood playback artist, best partners have also shown great interest in this tour in Milwaukee, WI on May 24th, in San Jose, make it easy for physicians to participate known for singing "Chaiyya," for which he won concept, where they can receive prime time CA on May 25th and the grand finale will be in locally avoiding extensive travel and time away the Best Male Playback Award at the 1999 with a few hundred doctors for product Hollywood City,Los Angeles on May 26th. from practice," he explains. Filmfare Awards, in association with composer promotion, theater, non-CME lectures, exhibits "A major objective of this program is to bring "Many of our industry partners liked this A.R. Rahman has resulted in numerous hit and booths. Because of this, we hope to have a together various local Chapters, says Dr. concept where they could get prime time with a songs. The list includes Chaiyya from Dil Se, significant number of national sponsors for Parikh. "National coordinators of the program, few hundred doctors in each location for Ramta Jogi, Ni Main Samajh Gayee, Taal Se this program." Drs. Narendra Kumar. Hemant Dhingra, Raj product promotion/theater, non-CME lectures, Taal Mila and Nahin Samne from Taal, Ruth Aa This extensive Musical/Educational Tour Bhayani. Amit Chkrabarty, Anjana Samadder, exhibits, booths," Dr. Narendra Kumar, national Gayee Re, Raat Ki Daldal Hain and Yeh Jo program put together by Dr. Parikh and his and Gautam Samaddar,as well as and the entire coordinator of the event, says. "These multi-city Zindagi Hain from Earth, Jaane Tu Mera Kya Team is a step towards reaching the message of AAPI team and leadership enthusiastically mini-seminars are a novel concept for Hai from Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na, Aayo Re AAPI across the globe and help AAPI realize its received this idea and the net result of our education and recreation that will raise funds Sakhi, Bhangari Morori and Piya Ho from noble mission. "I am calling on all AAPI collaboration and dialogue is the 9-city grand for the local chapters of AAPI, the national Water, Chinnamma Chilakkamma from members, all doctors of Indian origin, all South mega concert." AAPI and the AAPI Charitable Foundation." Meenaxi, Thok De Killi from Raavan and the Asians to rally and support an amazing Senior leadership and several past Describing the process leading to the Tour, most popular Jai Ho from Slumdog Millionaire. opportunity of the 9-city musical tour to Presidents and leaders of AAPI have extended Dr. Suresh Reddy, President-Elect of AAPI, The song "Jai Ho", sung by Singh, composed promote awareness and raise funds for their whole-hearted support in organizing this recalls, "Realizing that it takes a lot of by A.R. Rahman and written by Gulzar, was supporting essential programs to address the mega event across the nation, Dr.Parikh says. "I coordination and tremendous effort, we were nominated as a Critics' Choice Award for Best rapidly growing problem of cardiovascular am sincerely grateful to Dr. Narendra Kumar, successful in involving dozens of AAPI office- Song and won an Oscar Academy Award for diseases in South Asians and minorities living Dr. Sanku Rao, Dr. Vinod Shah, Dr. Ravi bearers of various Chapters and Executive Best Original Song. It also won the Grammy in the United States and Lymphoma & Jahagirdar,Dr.Ajay Lodha, Dr.Jayesh Shah, Dr. Committee members. Each of them is Award for Best Song Written for a Motion Leukemia in India." For more details on the Vijay Koli, Mr. Anwar Feroz Siddiqi and all past committed to work hard, coordinate with the Picture, Television or Other Visual Media in Musical Tour and for sponsorship Presidents of AAPI for their senior advisory local leadership, while committing to have the 2010. opportunities, please visit: role in making this mega event a grand funds raised would be given to AAPI, the local Proceeds from the 9-city tour will support http://www.aapiusa.org/ success." Chapters, and the many philanthropic some of the noble initiatives of AAPI, says, Dr. https://www.aapievents.com/ Anwar Feroz Siddiqi, Chief Strategy Adviser endeavors organized by AAPI and its Parikh. "We are requesting all AAPI members, (Press Release issued by Ajay Ghosh) Lawmakers call for humane signatories - Thomas R. Suozzi, Brenda Lawrence in people-to-people exchanges. "In the spirit of and Rob Woodall. "The Indian-American community continuing cooperation on educational exchange treatment of Indian detainees and Indian Consulate have expressed concerns programs, which benefit both countries regarding the treatment of these detained foreign economically and culturally, we ask that you ensure WASHINGTON (TIP): A group of Congressmen, nationals," they write. "We urge DHS and ICE to the students involved in this case are treated fairly, including Indian American Raja Krishmamoorthi, ensure the detained students are treated properly humanely, and in accordance with due process," the have written to the U.S. authorities, asking that the and afforded all rights provided to them under the letter says. Indian students arrested in the University of law, including access to an attorney and release on The lawmakers have requested that "full details Farmington sting operation be "treated properly". bond, if they are eligible," the letter says. and regular updates" be shared with Indian officials The letter, sent to the heads of the Department of The Members of Congress highlight the numbers and that the DHS and ICE facilitate consular access Raja Krishnamoorthi, Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and on Indian students in the U.S. - 17.3% of all to the detainees. Their own offices have also among those who have Customs Enforcement (ICE), has three other international students or over 1,86,000 - and their role requested an update. written the letter THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2019 US 13 India-US Economic Ties Focus of Harris Joins Colleagues to Ambassador Harsh Vardhan Reintroduce Bill Shringla's Visit to New York to Prevent CONTD FROM PAGE 1 a cross section of business leaders, Distorting professionals and think tank community. He participated in a Forum with business leaders including Mr. Ajay Banga, CEO, Mastercard; Census Count Mr. Purna Saggurti, Chairman of Global Commercial & Investment Banking, Bank of America Merrill Lynch; Mr. Charles R. Kaye, with Citizenship Co-Chief Executive Officer, Warburg Pincus; Darlene J. Rosenkoetter, Global Head, Government Affairs and Public Policy, S&P Question Global; Mr. Nik Deogun, CEO of the Americas and U.S. Senior Partner, Brunswick Group; Mr. Nalin Miglani, Executive Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer, Exl Service Holdings; Mr. Harit Talwar, Head of Digital Finance, Goldman Sachs Bank USA; Mr. Mike Narula, Founder, President and CEO of Ambassador Harsh V Shringla (4th from left) at a meeting with CEOs of Mastercard, Bank of Reliance Communications LLC and Mr. America, Squire Patton Boggs, Warburg Pincus, S&P Global, Brunswick Group, HARMAN, EXL Service, Goldman Sachs, Reliance Communications, Amneal Pharmaceuticals Chintu Patel, Co-Chairman, Amneal Pharmaceuticals. In his interactions with the business leaders Ambassador Shringla spoke about growth in bilateral trade between India and the U.S. He also noted that new items including oil, gas and agricultural products Sen Kamala Harris has joined colleagues had been added to the trade basket. He noted for dropping citizenship question in the with satisfaction that India-US defense Census partnership is moving in the right direction. He invited business leaders to fully utilize the WASHINGTON (TIP): On Jan 29, investment opportunities available in India. Indian American Senator Kamala Harris President and CEO of US India Strategic joined her colleagues to reintroduce Partnership Forum (USISPF), Dr. Mukesh Every Person Counts Act, legislation that Aghi called on the Ambassador and briefed prohibits the Secretary of Commerce himabout the activities of USISPF. from including any question regarding Ambassador Shringla also met Mr. Stephen one's citizenship or immigration status Schwarzman, Chairman of Blackstone, whose on the U.S. census. The act also amends firm has significant investments in India. Title 13 of the United States Code, During his visit to the NYC Tech Hub of clarifying that each decennial census MasterCard, Ambassador Shringla was EROS International CFO and President , North America Prem Parameswaran said it was shall tabulate the total number of persons briefed about initiatives of MasterCard to stimulating to be at the Indian Professionals and Investors (PIN) meet . Seen in the picture, in each state. promote financial inclusion. from L to R: Prem Parameswaran, Ambassador Shringla, and Consul General Sandeep On January 15th, a U.S. District Judge Chakravorty With Mr. Fareed Zakaria, noted journalist ordered the administration to abort its and author, Amb. Shringla exchanged views Ambassador Shringla spoke about the strong strong pillar of India-US bilateral plans to add a citizenship question to the on global affairs, recent developments in fundamentals of Indian economy and large relationship. He also interacted with 2020 Census. However, with a June India and India-US ties. He also met Richard canvas of mutuality of interests, both economic representatives of State Bank of India, Bank deadline to print the final census Haass, President of Council on Foreign and geo-political, between India and the U.S. of Baroda, Air India and other Indian questionnaire, the administration is now Relations. At Consulate General of India, New York, companies. pressuring the Supreme Court to review Ambassador Frank Wisner, former Ambassador Shringla met with members of EROS International CFO and President this case, in hopes of still including a Ambassador of the US to India, hosted the Indian Professionals and Investors North America Prem Parameswaran question about citizenship on next year's Ambassador Shringla for an interaction with Network (iPIN). He commended the Tweeted: "was stimulating to meet & census survey. members of the New York business and dynamism shown by the Indian Business interact with members of #iPin (INDIAN "The United States begins each decade investment community. At this interaction, community in the U.S. and called them a Professionals & Investors Network),". with a census to ensure that every single person-without exception-is accounted for," said Harris. "This Administration's proposed citizenship question is nothing TAX SEASON SCAMS: IRS WARNS AGAINST more than an attempt to intimidate immigrant communities, distorting the 'GHOST' TAX RETURN PREPARERS count and shifting essential health, public safety, and infrastructure resources away WASHINGTON(TIP): Towards the end of to make a fast buck by promising a big refund make sure both the routing and bank account from the cities and states with significant the second full week of the 2019 tax filing or charging fees based on a percentage of the number on the completed tax return are immigrant populations. It also would season, on February 7 , the Internal Revenue refund. These scammers hurt honest correct. undermine proportional representation Service warned taxpayers to avoid unethical taxpayers who are simply trying to do the The IRS offers tips to help taxpayers choose in Congress. This legislation would tax return preparers, known as ghost right thing and file a legitimate tax return. a tax return preparer wisely. The Choosing a protect the integrity of the Census and preparers. Tax Professional page has information about ensure that it is conducted in a fair and By law, anyone who is paid to prepare or Ghost tax return preparers tax preparer credentials and qualifications. inclusive manner." assist in preparing federal tax returns must may also: The IRS Directory of Federal Tax Return The bill is also co-sponsored by Sens. have a valid 2019 Preparer Tax Identification Require payment in cash only and not Preparers with Credentials and Select Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Mazie Hirono Number, or PTIN. Paid preparers must sign provide a receipt. Qualifications can help identify many (D-HI), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Chuck the return and include their PTIN.. Invent income to erroneously qualify their preparers by type of credential or Schumer (D-NY), Michael Bennet (D- But 'ghost' preparers do not sign the return. clients for tax credits or claim fake deductions qualification. Colo.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Instead, they print the return and tell the to boost their refunds. Taxpayers can report abusive tax preparers Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Kirsten taxpayer to sign and mail it to the IRS. Or, for Direct refunds into their own bank account to the IRS. Use Form 14157, Complaint: Tax Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Patty Murray (D- e-filed returns, they prepare but refuse to rather than the taxpayer's account. Return Preparer. If a taxpayer suspects a tax Wash.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Tina Smith (D- digitally sign it as the paid preparer. The IRS urges taxpayers to review their tax preparer filed or changed their tax return Minn.) Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), According to the IRS, similar to other tax return carefully before signing and ask without their consent, they should file Form Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Sheldon preparation schemes, dishonest and questions if something is not clear. And for 14157-A, Tax Return Preparer Fraud or Whitehouse (D-R.I.). unscrupulous ghost tax return preparers look any direct deposit refund, taxpayers should Misconduct Affidavit. THE INDIAN PANORAMA 14 INDIA FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2019

Govt set to penalise top cops seen at Didi sit-in Modi tears into Cong, warns against ‘adulterated’ govt

Speaking on Feb 7 in what could be his last speech in the 16th Lok Sabha, the PM accused the Congress of bullying the judiciary, compromising with the national interest and humiliating the army NEW DELHI (TIP): Sharply drawing the battlelines for the Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi slammed the NEW DELHI (TIP): The Centre is likely Congress party, framing his government’s 55 to take punitive action against five senior months against its 55 years in power, and police officers of West Bengal, including warned against a “mahamilavat” (highly DGP Virendra Kumar, for taking part in the adulterated) government if his party wasn’t dharna of Chief Minister Mamata voted back. Banerjee. This may include stripping them Speaking Thursday in what could be his last of meritorious awards and removal from speech in the 16th Lok Sabha, Modi accused seniority list. A similar action is likely the Congress of bullying the judiciary, against Kolkata Police Commissioner compromising with the national interest and Rajeev Kumar, who will now be quizzed by humiliating the Army. the CBI on February 9 at Shillong in He also presented a report card of his connection with the Saradha case, for government trying to rebut the criticism on sitting at the CM’s dharna. his government on job creation and measures The four other officers under the radar for farmers. Replying to the debate on the are ADG-Security Vineet Kumar Goyal, motion of thanks to President’s address in ADG-Law and Order Anuj Sharma, Lok Sabha, the Prime Minister turned to the Commissioner of Police (Bidhan Nagar) BC, AD nomenclature to take a swipe at the Gyanwant Singh and Additional Congress and the Gandhi family: “BC stands Commissioner of Kolkata Police Supratim for Before Congress, AD for After Dynasty.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the Lok Sabha during the Budget Session of Sarkar. Source: The Tribune “I am making a serious charge against the Parliament in New Delhi on Feb 7, 2019. Congress,” he said in his 100-minute-long In UP, Rs 600 cr for speech. “Congress party does not want the but they say Modi is destroying institutions. It against BJP, Modi said the voters, who had Indian Air Force to be strong. Why do you creates stories that Army is doing a coup but seen 30 years of coalition governments, would stray cattle, gaushalas want the Rafale deal to be cancelled? Who is Modi is destroying institutions,” he said. see the danger of a multi-party government. going to benefit out of it? For which company The Prime Minister said the Opposition had “In 2014, for the first time in 30 years, the LUCKNOW (TIP): The Yogi Adityanath you are playing this? You played this kind of apprehensions over EVMs because they were people gave India its first full majority government will spend over Rs 600 crore on game with the Army? Why?,” he said. “scared.” The Congress, he said, questioned government. Now the Mahamilawat is about cattle welfare and construction and Congress president Rahul Gandhi his the Election Commission and Electronic to come.” maintenance of gaushalas in 2019-20. The target, he went on: “History is witness to the Voting Machines but is accusing him of As the Opposition benches started announcement comes amid reports of (fact) that Congress and its power hungry destroying institutions. “Congress bullies the protesting, Modi warned: The public knows farmers in several districts locking up stray allies have never done anything without judiciary but they say Modi is destroying what happens when there is a milawat ki cattle in schools and public health centres middlemen? I used to wonder how can he institutions. Congress calls Planning sarkar (adulterated government)”. Then, after suffering damage to their crops. (Rahul Gandhi) say lies with such confidence Commission a bunch of jokers… but Modi is gesturing to the Treasury benches, he said, An amount of Rs 247.60 crore has been over Rafale? When I started looking into the destroying institutions,” Modi said. “Don’t worry, the Grand Adulteration people proposed for maintenance and construction details, I realised that in the last 55 years, in He also said Indira Gandhi dismissed won’t come here…The voters understand how of gaushalas in rural areas, state Finance the saga of power-hungry rule, no deal was elected governments “over 50 times”, charged a maha milavat government can be harmful Minister Rajesh Agarwal said in his Budget done without middlemen.” Congress with making defence deals with for the country… When the government has speech. For “Kanha Gaushala” and cattle To the charge that he and his Government “Chachas and Mamas”, and with having majority, the performance is undoubtedly shelter scheme in urban areas, Rs 200 crore are undermining institutions, Modi said: “benami properties” abroad, an apparent different,” he said. Then he added specifically, has been earmarked. A special cess has “Ulta chor chowkidaar ko dantte hain”. He reference to the ED’s allegations against “The voters do not want a Mahamilavat been imposed on liquor sales in the state. Of said: “Congress imposed Emergency but they Robert Vadra. government of those who assembled in the total cess collected, around Rs 165 crore say Modi is destroying institutions. Congress Taking potshots at the Opposition’s Kolkata,” referring to the coming together of will be used on maintenance of stray cattle. insults Army, calls the Army chief a ‘goonda’ attempts to cobble up a Mahagathbandan 23 parties in Kolkata. A provision of Rs 64 crore has been made to set up 10,000 units under the Pandit Deen MONETARY POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING Dayal Upadhyay Small Dairy Scheme. An amount of Rs 56 crore has been set aside for establishment of a new dairy in Mathura. RBI governor, his deputy differ on rate cut decision ‘India, Bangla relations NEW DELHI (TIP): Reserve Bank of India While Shaktikanta Das wanted a 25 bps cut, Viral Acharya opted for status quo on upward trajectory’ Governor Shaktikanta Das and Deputy Governor Viral Acharya differed on the issue of NEW DELHI (TIP): Prime Minister cutting Repo rate in the bi-monthly monetary Narendra Modi on Thursday met visiting policy statement for 2018-19, the first time that Bangladesh Foreign Affairs Minister A.K. the central bank head and his deputy in-charge Abdul Momen and said that relations of monetary policy, are on either side of a between the two neighbouring countries decision on policy rates since the Monetary have been on an upward trajectory and New Policy Committee (MPC) was formed. Delhi will work to build on this momentum. While Governor Das wanted a 25 basis points Modi congratulated Momen on his reduction, Acharya, who heads the Monetary appointment as Foreign Minister and Policy Department of the RBI, opted for status appreciated his gesture of selecting India as quo. The rate cut was decided in a 4:2 majority Shaktikanta Das the destination for his first international decision by the RBI’s MPC, which finalises the Viral Acharya visit. According to an official statement, policy rates and the inflation targets. members will be known only when the RBI Bank. “If one more member of the MPC had Momen briefed Modi on recent Of the six members in the MPC, three releases the minutes of the MPC meeting later. opposed a rate cut, there would have been a developments in the bilateral relationship. members are from the RBI and the remaining “While the MPC was unanimous in voting tie. In such a scenario, the Governor can "The Prime Minister said that India- three are external members. Apart from Das for the shift in monetary policy stance, there exercise his casting vote and the rate cut Bangladesh relations have been on an and Acharya, the third member from the RBI is was divergence in the voting pattern. A 4-2 would have been implemented,” said a upward trajectory in the last few years. He Michael D Patra who also sought a cut in Repo voting outcome is the first in the history of banking source. reaffirmed India's commitment to work rate. Ravindra H Dholakia and Pami Dua also RBI’s MPC. The emerging difference in On Thursday, while Das did most of the with Bangladesh to build on this sought a reduction in Repo rate while Chetan opinion is likely to be evaluated closely by talking at the press conference to unveil the momentum during the new term in office of Ghate sided with Acharya for status quo on market participants to assess future policy policy statement, Acharya was asked by the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina," it said. rates. A clear picture on which issues Acharya cues,” said Shubhada Rao, chief economist Governor to explain the errors in inflation differed from Governor and other MPC and Vivek Kumar, senior economist, Yes calculation. THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2019 INDIA 15

Kartarpur: Pak team to Don’t expect a ‘miracle’ from visit India on March 13 Priyanka in 2 months: Rahul NEW DELHI (TIP): In her first official meeting, the Congress’s newly appointed general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday told her party colleagues she had vowed to fight the ideology of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The Congress general secretary for Uttar NEW DELHI (TIP): In the first set of Pradesh east was attending a meeting of bilateral meetings on activating the general secretaries and state incharges at the Kartarpur corridor, a Pakistani party headquarters at 24, Akbar Road. delegation will visit India on March 13 to In her first intervention at the meeting, she discuss the modalities for the cross- said the “ideology and thought process” of the border pilgrimage. Pakistan has also RSS-BJP combine needed to be countered, proposed a reciprocal visit by an Indian according to three functionaries present at the delegation 15 days later to “finalise the meeting. Priyanka Gandhi, 47, also said she is draft agreement”.The meetings will be new and inexperienced but asserted that she held to facilitate the travel of Sikh will give her best. pilgrims to Darbar Sahib Kartarpur Congress president Rahul Gandhi, for his All India Congress Committee general secretaries Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Jyotiraditya Gurudwara in Narowal, nearly 4 km from part, said he did not expect a “miracle” from Scindia during a meeting at Congress headquarters in New Delhi on February 7. the Gurdaspur border. Priyanka Gandhi and Jyotiraditya Scindia, “In a spirit of constructive engagement party general secretary incharge of Uttar wherever necessary. All our general interact with Congress leaders and workers of #Pakistan has proposed to India that the Pradesh west, in two months, and that they secretaries and incharges have given their Uttar Pradesh from February 12 at the party Pakistan delegation may visit #India on should not feel any pressure. views about their respective states. Finally,we office in Lucknow,” he added. 13 March followed by the return visit of However, he asked them to lay the structure have given an ultimatum that selection of Rahul Gandhi said the party should not give the Indian delegation to Pakistan on 28 for a Congress revival and make it fighting fit candidates should be completed this month tickets to sitting Rajya Sabha members and March to finalise the draft agreement for for the 2022 assembly elections in the state. itself,” he told reporters. legislators unless unavoidable. In response to the #kartarpur corridor,” Pakistan Congress general secretary incharge of the Venugopal said the Congress president met a question from Scindia, the Congress Foreign Ministry spokesperson organisation KC Venugopal said Rahul Priyanka Gandhi and Scindia on Thursday president also told the leaders to avoid giving Mohammad Faisal posted on Twitter. Gandhi gave a clear direction to general morning, when it was decided that the three tickets to those who have lost elections more Ministry of External Affairs official secretaries and state incharges about the will go to Lucknow on February 11 and stay than once. Jharkhand incharge RPN Singh spokesperson Raveesh Kumar posted on preparedness for the 2019 general elections. there till February 14. “They will go in a said the party should make realistic promises, Twitter: “We welcome the visit of “We discussed the process of selection of procession from the airport to the party office rather than “jumlas and false dreams as sold #Pakistan team to discuss and finalise candidates, campaign strategy and alliances, in Lucknow. The general secretaries will by the BJP”. Source: HT modalities for facilitating visit of pilgrims through #Kartarpur Sahib Corridor on 13 March 2019 to India. Follow up meeting can be held in Sabarimala board does a U-turn in SC, supports entry of women into temple Pakistan, as required.” NEW DELHI (TIP): The Travancore saying that the celibate character of Lord Devaswom Board (TDB), which runs the Ayyappa at Sabarimala temple was a unique SIT to probe anti-Sikh historic Sabarimala temple in Kerala, took a religious feature which was protected under U-turn in the Supreme Court on Wednesday the constitution. riots in Kanpur by supporting its verdict which had allowed “Women cannot be excluded from any walk women of all age groups to enter the shrine. of life on biological attributes… equality is KANPUR (TIP): The Uttar Pradesh The board, which also comprise the state the dominant theme of the constitution”, said government has constituted a four- government nominees, told a five-judge Dwivedi adding that people should gracefully member Special Investigation Team (SIT) constitution bench headed by Chief Justice accept the apex court verdict. to probe the circumstances that led to Ranjan Gogoi that it is high time that a The apex court is hearing a batch of riots in Kanpur in 1984 following the particular class not be discriminated on the verdict. “Article 25 (1) equally entitles all petitions seeking review of the verdict assassination of then prime minister ground of “biological attributes”. persons to practice religion,” senior advocate allowing the entry of women of all ages into Indira Gandhi. The board said its decision was not due to Rakesh Dwivedi, appearing for TDB, told the the Sabarimala shrine. The SIT, to be headed by retired UP any pressure. bench which also comprise Justices R.F. On September 28, a five-judge constitution Director General of Police Atul, has been In the forenoon, the Kerala government Nariman, A.M. Khanwilkar, D.Y. bench, headed by the then CJI Dipak Misra, in asked to submit its report within six took the stand that it was in agreement with Chandrachud and Indu Malhotra. a 4:1 verdict had paved the way for entry of months of tenure. the September 28 verdict and had urged The board had earlier vehemently opposed women of all ages into the shrine, saying the Other members of the SIT include dismissal of petitions seeking review of the the PIL by Indian Young Lawyers Association ban amounted to gender discrimination. retired District Judge Subhash Chandra Agarwal and retired Additional Director (Prosecution) Yogeshwar Krishna Srivastava. SC holds ex-CBI interim chief guilty of contempt The SIT will examine the FIRs lodged during the riots in which the district NEW DELHI (TIP): Nageswara Rao, the three-judge bench after the recent retirement police had submitted a final report. The former interim chief of the Central Bureau of of Justice Madan Lokur. His first hearing of team will also examine the cases in which Investigation, faced the wrath of the Supreme the case left him upset when the advocate the accused had got relief from court. Court today for the transfer of an officer representing the state government had no supervising a sensitive case involving the satisfactory answer to his queries. Hailstorm: Delhi-NCR sexual abuse of children at Bihar's Finding out that Sharma, the CBI's joint government-run shelter homes. Rao, the top director in charge of the anti-corruption streets turn white court said, was in contempt, since he was department, has been transferred, the Chief responsible for the transfer despite directions Justice said, "How can he be transferred by the to the contrary. Centre when the Supreme Court said he must AK Sharma -- the officer supervising the not be shifted?" sensitive case -- was shifted out as part of the The agency was asked to inform the court in overnight mass transfer that followed the writing whether the panel which transfers public feud between the agency's former chief Nageswara Rao officers, was aware of the "embargo" by 2 pm. Alok Verma and his deputy Rakesh Asthana. Later, the court said it appears that its order The court, which wanted the officer to stay Remarking that Rao and Bhasuran, the not to transfer Mr Sharma was not passed onto in charge of the case, held Mr Rao responsible. prosecution in-charge, have committed the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet. Pointing out that the transfer was made contempt, Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi Mr Sharma was transferred along with five Heavy rain and hailstorms lashed despite its "embargo", the court questioned said, "You have played with our orders. God others, who were investigating six cases several parts of Delhi and NCR on whether its directions were passed on to the help you". against Rakesh Asthana, days after the two top Thursday, covering roads and parks in a appropriate authorities in charge of transfers. The Chief Justice had stepped into the bosses of the agency were sent on leave. white shroud. THE INDIAN PANORAMA 16 THEATER FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2019 SONG AND LAUGHTER On Valentine’s Day at NJPAC By Mabel Pais PATTI LABELLE with Special Guest Freddie Jackson

t the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), Awards, NAACP Image Awards, New York Times bestsellers, Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Lopez Tonight, Jimmy Kimmel spend a soulful, romantic Valentine's weekend with and the 2016 Marian Anderson Award. Live, The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson and on HBO, AGRAMMY-winning diva Patti LaBelle, an undisputed After 4 decades in the music industry, Freddie Jackson CNN, MTV,BBC, Showtime and Comedy Central. Peters 2010 queen of rock, pop and soul, along with her special guest, continues to uphold the voice of "Grown and Sexy" by memoir, Call Me Russell, was a Globe and Mail number one longtime R&B hitmaker Freddie Jackson on February 15, singing some of the world's most memorable music. Whether bestseller in Canada. 2019 at 8 p.m. it was time to dance or time for romance, Freddie Jackson Peters is an active philanthropist having donated more earned the title as one of R&B soul's most valuable than a million dollars over the past several years to various contributors. It all started with Freddie's debut album, Rock charities from the Brampton Civic Hospital, Gilda's Club, the Me Tonight which stormed the R&B charts, spending six MS Society of Canada and a scholarship at his old high- weeks at number one. This instantly sky rocketed Freddie's school: The Russell Peters North Peel Scholarship, which career in becoming the new sensation on urban sends a deserving student to college. The scholarship is now contemporary radio! His single, "You Are My Lady" gave in its ninth year. Freddie a second straight R&B chart-topper, and also proved For more information, visit www.russellpeters.com to be his highest-charting single on the Billboard Hot 100. Twitter @therealrussellp Freddie's long list of hits include "He'll Never Love You (Like Facebook: RussellPeters / Instagram: russellpeters / I Do)," "Love Is Just a Touch Away," "Tasty Love," "Have You YouTube: RussellPeters Ever Loved Somebody," and "Jam Tonight." To learn more on Patti LaBelle visit pattilabelle.com. TOM PAPA To learn more on Freddie Jackson visit freddiejackson.net. RUSSELL PETERS: DEPORTED WORLD TOUR

Patti LaBelle Photo / Courtesy, NJPAC Legendary Rhythm and Blues singer Patti LaBelle came of age when the term "diva" wasn't used loosely - as a tireless performer and industry veteran, she earned her diva distinction with hard work and pure, raw talent, fiery live performances and sassy wit. See Patti perform her electrifying multi-platinum classics "Lady Marmalade," "New Attitude," "If Only You Knew" and more. An unparalleled force in the entertainment industry, LaBelle's name has become synonymous with grace, style, and class. Her effortless ability to belt out classic rhythm and blues renditions, pop standards, and spiritual sonnets has created the unique platform of versatility for which she is Russell Peters Photo / Courtesy, NJPAC celebrated. Patti Labelle created her first hit in 1962 as the lead singer of THE BLUEBELLS, before going on to receive worldwide Global comedy superstar Russell Peters is thrilled to acclaim with the trailblazing, genre-bending all-female trio, announce his return to NJPAC bringing his brand new LaBelle. After going solo in 1970, LaBelle has created Deported World Tour on February 16, 2019 at 8 P.M. The Tom Papa Photo / Courtesy, NJPAC timeless songs, fortifying herself as an icon in the music Emmy®, Gemini® and Peabody® award winning comic will industry. perform a limited eleven market arena tour bringing his In addition to her prestigious music career, LaBelle has unique and sometimes controversial brand of humor home NJPAC presents a hysterical stand-up with New Jersey's written five best-selling books, created a successful line of once again. Peters' new show features all new material own Tom Papa, currently the head writer and a regular food products, and has starred in her own highly rated including plenty of Russell's signature audience performer on "Live From Here," on February 23, 2019. cooking specials on the Cooking Channel and Food Network. interactions. A regular guest on both Conan and The Late Show with Her impressive and diverse achievements as an entertainer, Russell Peters returns to live touring after taking time off Stephen Colbert, Papa's most recent hour-long stand-up businesswoman, and author has garnered her numerous to film his smash hit CTV/Netflix series "The Indian special, Human Mule, premiered on Epix as an "Epix honors including Grammy® Awards, American Music Detective." "The Indian Detective" also stars Anupam Kher Original" production. As an actor and voice artist, he has (The Big Sick, Silver Linings Playbook), William Shatner also lent his singular style to big-screen projects like "Bee (Star Trek), Christina Cole (Suits, Casino Royale) and Movie," "The Informant" and "Analyze That," and to a variety Mishqah Parthiephal (Keeping Up with the Kandasamys). of television projects including "Behind the Candelabra" and Peters can also be seen in the films, The Clapper with Ed Steven Soderbergh's Cinemax series, "The Knick." Helms, Amanda Seyfried and Tracy Morgan as well as Papa recently released his first book, "Your Dad Stole My Supercon with Ryan Kwanten and John Malkovich, and Rake: And Other Adventures in Public School with Judy Greer. Family Dilemmas." The Deported World Tour kicked off in Australia and New To learn more, visit tompapa.com. Zealand in February 2018 and has already travelled to over 29 Tickets to see Patti Labelle and Freddie Jackson, cities in 20 countries and been seen by over 100,00 fans Russell Peters or Tom Papa can be purchased by worldwide. The tour will continue well into 2019 and Peters visiting NJPAC.org or the NJPAC Box Office or will then take an extended break from live touring to focus calling 888.GO.NJPAC (888.466.5722). on other ventures and spend more time at home with his Get Social! Follow NJPAC Online: daughter. Website: http://www.njpac.org/ Listed on the Forbes List as one of the top ten Highest Twitter: @NJPAC Earning Comics in the U.S. since 2009, Peters has spent the Hashtag: #NJPAC last 29 years building a career to become one of the biggest Facebook: facebook.com/NJPAC comics in the world. Thanks to YouTube and his global following, Peters has sold-out arenas from Madison Square YouTube: NJPACtv Garden to the Sydney Opera House. Peters has also Mabel Pais writes on The Arts & Entertainment, Social Issues, performed for the troops in Afghanistan, Iraq and on the USS Spirituality, and Health & Wellness. Eisenhower and the HMCS Winnipeg, and appeared on The Freddie Jackson Photo / Courtesy, NJPAC THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2019 ADVERTISEMENT 17 THE INDIAN PANORAMA 18 BOLLYWOOD FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2019 MY CONTEMPORARIES DO NOT SUPPORT MY WORK, SAYS KANGANA RANAUT ctor Kangana Ranaut has said that Bollywood does not stand up for her, Acalling it a ‘racket’. The Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi actor said in a recent interview that when it comes to promoting their own films, several people would call her ‘shamelessly’ but they would ‘not come’ to support her work. Kangana told Pinkvilla, “In 2014, I don’t think all the accolades were for me, it was for Phantom who was coming up and there were having screenings after screenings for people of Vikas and Anurag Kashyap. They had a lot of friends, so they used to come. I have always been absolutely ignored. After Tanu Weds Manu also I have had so many trials, they would just not come. But when it comes to them, they call me shamelessly, I even sort of cancel my shoots and make sure I attend them. Now, I have stopped because it’s getting too much.” KAREENA KAPOOR By trials, Kangana is referring to preview screenings held for industry members LIKELY TO STAR IN ahead of a film’s release. She gave the example of how after the ‘DABANGG 3’ release of Raazi, she spoke to Alia Bhatt and Meghna Gulzar ‘for half-an-hour’. Kangana areena Kapoor Khan who was last seen said that Alia had even sent her the trailer in 'Veere Di Wedding' has given hit of the film. “These girls send me their Kdance numbers in the past. 'Fevicol Se' trailers like Alia (Bhatt) sent me the trailer from 'Dabangg 2', 'Chammak Challo' from 'Ra- of Raazi and said, ‘Please watch it’. For me, One' and 'Mera Naam Mary' from 'Brothers' are it was not a Karan Johar film or Alia film, the recent examples. for me, it was a film on Sehmat Khan, the Now, it is being reported that the actress has girl who has given her everything to the been approached for another dance number. country,”Kangana said, adding that when it or I would praise everyone. I never shied don’t come for my trials’. She said that she Reportedly, Arbaaz Khan who will be directing was their turn, ‘there was no response from away from going to Deepika’s Piku trial. doesn’t expect any of them to write about Salman Khan's 'Dabangg 3' is in talks with anyone.’ Everyone I have praised in my capacity. her ‘two-three films’ that are coming up. Bebo for a special song sequence. And, we hear Kangana has spoken about this incident Sonakshi’s Lootera I saw and the whole year Manikarnika has received positive that Kareena has given her nod for the same. before. In that interview, she also mentioned I praised her. I don’t get threatened,” she reviews, and has made Rs 76 crore at the According to the reports, the previous two Deepika Padukone, Anushka Sharma and told News18. domestic box office. Kangana will next be installments of the film had a chartbuster Sonakshi Sinha. “I don’t feel so threatened The Queen star also said that she went all seen opposite Rajkummar Rao in Mental dance number in each and to keep the trend by anyone around. You know like you see I the way to the Ambanis’ house to talk to Hai Kya, and then in director Ashwiny Iyer alive, it was important to include in the third will praise Alia or I would praise Anushka Aamir Khan about doing Dangal, but ‘they Tiwary’s next. installment. Sidharth on his relationships with Jacqueline Fernandez, Kiara Advani

idharth Malhotra’s appearance on the now dating Ranbir Kapoor: “We haven’t met most recent episode of Koffee with after it. Our relationship is civil... I don’t SKaran was all about his rumoured think it’s bitter. It’s been a while. I have known relationships. Not only did host Karan Johar her for much longer even before we dated. I extract information about Sidharth’s ex, Alia gave my first ever shot with her in SOTY so Bhatt, but he also got him to talk about there is so much history.” Jacqueline Fernandez and Kiara Advani, the When she appeared on Koffee with Karan, two actors he’s been rumoured to have dated. Karan asked Alia which actor she’d like to set Sidharth starred with Jacqueline in the box Sidharth up with, and she replied, ‘Kiara’. office flop, A Gentleman. About their When she was asked whom she’d want to set rumoured relationship, the actor told Karan, Jacqueline up with, Alia said, ‘Sid, if the one “Jacqueline is wonderful. I always have fun with Kiara doesn’t work out.’ when I am hanging out with her. Jackie and I It has been rumoured that Sidharth and really bonded when we were doing A Kiara hit it off at a party thrown by Karan. Gentleman. But we were never dating. We just When he asked Sidharth about his equation enjoy being friends and hanging out. we have with Kiara, Sidharth said, “The amount of lots in common. She’s crazy, she’s always rumours I have had in the tabloids, I’m having happy.” lesser fun in real life. I wish they were true. It was rumoured that the growing closeness Kiara is lovely. We are going to work together between the two actors was what led to his and in future. But I’m single.” Alia’s breakup. Sidharth dated Alia for about Sidharth will next be seen in Jabariya Jodi, a year after making their Bollywood debuts in with Parineeti Chopra. Alia will star in Student of the Year, and starring in Kapoor & Ranveer Singh’s Gully Boy. Kiara will be seen Sons. in Good News, opposite Akshay Kumar and He said about his equation with Alia, who is Kareena Kapoor Khan. THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2019 HOLLYWOOD 19 BRAD PITT, ANGELINA JOLIE SPOTTED TOGETHER FOR FIRST TIME SINCE DIVORCE rad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, who separated in 2016, were spotted Btogether for the first time since then recently.The former couple met on multiple BRITNEY SPEARS TO occasions last week to iron out custody details around their children. Pictures of MAKE CAMEO IN Brad and Angelina were snapped by the paparazzi, and have since been shared ‘CORPORATE ANIMALS’ online. op star Britney Spears is returning to the A source told US Weekly about the big screen one more time with a cameo in meeting, “They’ve had other meetings in Phorror comedy 'Corporate Animals'. person; this is not the first. This is part of According to source, the singer will feature as their ongoing process to work through herself in the film, featuring Demi Moore and things regarding the kids and the divorce.” Ed Helms. Jolie filed for divorce from Pitt in The film's director Patrick Brice made the September 2016 after two years of marriage revelation at the 2019 Film Festival on Monday. and a total of 12 years together. The "One of our characters Calum Worthy's separation was widely publicised for its character, Aidan is obsessed with Britney animosity, which saw Pitt being Spears, and there's a runner of him as he's going investigated and subsequently cleared of crazy thinking that he is hearing Britney child abuse. They have been involved in a speaking to him from the walls. custody dispute over their six children - "Through a series of connections we were Maddox, 17, Pax, 15, Zahara, 14, Shiloh, 12, conditions of the agreement, including the with Angelina.” able to get 10 minutes of her time to record this, and twins Knox and Vivienne, 10 - since number of hours the children would have In August 2018, Jolie claimed in court that which was so awesome," Brice said. then. It was recently reported that the two with Pitt. A source told People.com that Pitt Pitt had neglected to provide sufficient The film premiered at the festival on Tuesday. had arrived at mutually agreeable terms. A is “hopeful that at the conclusion, he’ll have child support, a claim which his Previously, Spears has made a series of detailed custody plan was obtained by joint custody of the children. All Brad representatives denied, adding that he had cameos in films such as 'Fahrenheit 9/11' and several outlets, which specified the wants is to be a present dad and coparent loaned her $8 million. 'Austin Powers in Goldmember'.

‘Alita: Battle Angel’ to Lily James wants to shed her release in India before US

ne of the most acclaimed and celebrated Hollywood filmmakers of all time, James Cameron has always Cinderella image Ocreated world-class action and sci-fi movies like ‘The Terminator’, ‘Aliens’ and ‘Avatar’. His latest offering as ctress Lily James loved the producer, ‘Alita: Battle Angel’, based on Yukito Kishiro’s experience of portraying classic manga series, is slated to hit screens in India on ACinderella in the live action February 8, a week before its worldwide release. version of the Disney film, but now wants The story of a young female cyborg discovered and rebuilt to shed that image. by the scientist who becomes her father figure is set in an In an interview, the actress said that she unique and futuristic world. Cameron spent years wants to shed the image of herself as a developing the technology to be able to bring the film’s 'blonde, sweet thing', because it is 'so not complicated visuals to life. her', as reported. Director Robert Rodriguez says, “We designed a set that She admitted that she is "actively could work as the entire city, but by connecting some streets seeking" different characters as she looks and being clever on how you shoot with angles, we could forward to turning 30 in April. make it look much bigger. When I did ‘El Mariachi’, I only James said: "Cinderella was a gift, and I had two streets, and everybody would be running in circles! will treasure it for the rest of my life. But I I had a lot more to work with here. But I never thought I wore a dress for the 'Mamma Mia!' would see something with that detail and scale in Texas. I am premiere that was blue and white, and sure that this is the biggest set that we’ve ever had.” when I got out on the red carpet, all anyone said was 'Oh it's Cinderella!' "It's a happy association, but also something that you want to shed at some point The blonde, sweet thing is so not me. I'm actively seeking characters from now on that are different, who don't rely on charm or the qualities that I think I've explored quite a lot." The actress has enchanted viewers with her performances in 'Cinderella', 'Downton Abbey', 'Baby Driver' and 'Mamma Mia!'. James, who is in a relationship with Matt Smith since 2014, also opened up about turning 30 later this year. She said: "It is a real turning point. My twenties have been so chaotic, and I've always looked forward to 30 as being an anchor point. You stop caring so much about what other people think, and become more secure in your own life. THE INDIAN PANORAMA 20 FEATURE FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2019

VALENTINE’S DAY alentine’s Day is a time when people show feelings of love, affection and Vfriendship. It is celebrated in many ways worldwide and falls on February 14 each year. What Do People Do? Many people around the world celebrate Valentine’s Day by showing appreciation for the people they love or adore. Some people take their loved ones for a romantic dinner at a restaurant while others may choose this day to propose or get married. Many people give greeting cards, chocolates, jewelry or flowers, particularly roses, to their partners or admirers on Valentine’s Day. It is also a time to appreciate friends in some social circles and cultures. For example, Valentine's Day in Finland refers to “Friend's day”, which is more about remembering all friends rather than focusing solely on romance. Valentine's Day in Guatemala is known as Day of Love and Friendship). It is similar to Valentine’s Day WHY DOES VALENTINE’S DAY customs and traditions countries such as the United States but it is also a time for ATTRACT HATE IN INDIA? many to show their appreciation for their friends. very year as February 14 approaches, there’s a lot of excitement in India, not just among loved-up couples, but also amid right-wing groups like Bajrang Dal, Public Life EShiv Sena and Hindu Mahasabha. For these self-proclaimed guardians of Indian society, it’s time to get together and come up with a gameplan to protect the country Valentine’s Day is not a public holiday in against a western invasion. many countries, including Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the So far, they’ve threatened to solemnise the marriage of couples in full public view at United States. However, restaurants, hotels the exact spot where they’re caught. If any pair refuses to do so, they’re handed over photos of Hindu gods and goddesses to remind the offending couple about their real and shopping centers may be busy around heritage. In the past, men and women seen dating have been blatantly assaulted by this time of the year. Hindu vigilantes. Some have even roughed up brothers and sisters, mistaking them for a couple. If the boy and girl happen to be of different religions, the radical groups Background have made it known that they’d go so far as to conduct a purification ceremony for The origins of Valentine's Day are not the couple. In a bizarre statement some years ago, a leader of a Hindu outfit, claimed clear but many sources believe that it stems that celebration of Valentine’s Day leads to rape, as sales of contraceptives rise on from the story of St Valentine, a Roman this day in cities. Vandalism is a scare tactic the rightist groups in India seem to priest who was martyred on or around enjoy using without restraint. It’s the same with Valentine’s Day. Any shop selling February 14 in the year 270 CE. How he greeting cards, flowers and gifts are always at risk. So are restaurants and cafes, where couples are found dating. became the patron saint of lovers remains a mystery but one theory is that the church used the day of St Valentine’s martyrdom was an increase in interest in Valentine's he become associated with this ancient to Christianize the old Roman Lupercalia, a Day, first in the United States and then in rite? pagan festival held around the middle of Canada, in the mid-19th century. Early The Catholic Church recognizes at least February. The ancient ceremony included versions of Valentine cards fashioned of three different saints named Valentine or putting girls’ names in a box and letting the satin and lace and ornamented with Valentinus, all of whom were martyred. boys draw them out. Couples would then be flowers, ribbons, and images of cupids or One legend contends that Valentine was a paired off until the following year. The birds appeared in England in the 1880s. priest who served during the third century Christian church substituted saints’ names in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II for girls’ names in hope that the participant The Legend of St. Valentine decided that single men made better would model his life after the saint whose The history of Valentine’s Day–and the soldiers than those with wives and name he drew. However, it was once again story of its patron saint–is shrouded in families, he outlawed marriage for young girls’ names that ended up in the box by the mystery. We do know that February has men. Valentine, realizing the injustice of 16th century. long been celebrated as a month of the decree, defied Claudius and continued Eventually the custom of sending romance, and that St. Valentine’s Day, as to perform marriages for young lovers in anonymous cards or messages to those we know it today,contains vestiges of both secret. When Valentine’s actions were whom one admired became the accepted Christian and ancient Roman tradition. discovered, Claudius ordered that he be way of celebrating Valentine’s Day. There But who was Saint Valentine, and how did put to death. THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2019 ADVERTISEMENT 21 THE INDIAN PANORAMA 22 WORLD FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2019 Booming Edinburgh will be first UK city to United Nations urges Japan to let introduce a tourist tax LONDON (TIP): Scotland’s capital children be children Edinburgh is to become the first British city to introduce a tourist tax to try to GENEVA (TIP): The UN Committee on the better manage the impact of swelling Rights of the Child on Thursday urged Japan visitor numbers and booming hotel to do more to let children be children, free of occupancy, its council said on February 7. excessive pressures or corporal punishment One of Britain’s most picturesque cities, in school or at home. The human rights Edinburgh had 1.75 million foreign watchdog also urged Japanese authorities to visitors on average annually between 2015 look into the root causes of rising adolescent and 2017, making it the second most- suicide rates, now at a 30-year high. visited in Britain after London. A total of 250 children took their own lives Hotel occupancy was the highest among in the year to last March, according to all UK cities in 2017, at an average of 83.7 authorities, while overall suicide numbers are percent. in steady decline. The council said it would use funds “We urged (Japan) to take measures to raised by the 2-pound ($2.60) per room per ensure that children enjoy their childhood, night tax “to improve facilities and better without their childhood and development manage the city”, as other European cities being harmed by the competitive nature of such as Barcelona and Rome have done. society,” Kirsten Sandberg, one of a panel of The tourist tax has been unpopular with 18 independent experts, told a briefing. some businesses, however. A survey Japanese law prohibits corporal conducted by the council found only a punishment in schools but the ban is “not narrow 51 per cent of accommodation- effectively implemented”, while many the minimum age for criminal punishment aimed to establish a robust social system in providers supported the idea, which needs children also endure it at home, the UN panel from 16 to 14 years, and said children were which all generations could enjoy peace of a final sign-off by Scotland’s devolved said. often removed from families and placed in mind. parliament. Japan was shocked last March by the death institutions without a court order for being In July, the Japanese government promised “This isn’t the right time for a new tax of 5-year-old Yua Funato, who left “likely to commit a crime”. emergency steps to boost the number of child and more bureaucracy for small handwritten notes seeking forgiveness from Masato Ohtaka, of Japan’s foreign ministry, welfare workers by 60 percent within five businesses,” Garry Clark, the head of the her abusive parents. The UN panel said told the panel that Japanese children faced years. The Committee carries out a two-day Federation of Small Businesses, said on children should have access to a 24/7 helpline. challenges such as bullying, abuse, sexual review of countries’ records every five years. Twitter. Hotel associations have also It also criticised Japan for having lowered exploitation and poverty, and that Japan (reuters) expressed concerns about an extra tax on tourists at an economically sensitive time. Edinburgh is a craggy World Heritage site with a city-centre castle perched on a Zimbabwe churches try to broker dialogue dormant volcano. A city of half a million inhabitants, it hosts a 60-year old international arts festival in August which after opposition snubs Mnangagwa talks attracts a huge number of visitors. (Reuters) HARARE (TIP): Zimbabwe’s churches on February 7 sought to broker talks between the Death toll rises to six government and its opponents over a political and economic crisis they said had left the at South Africa coal country “angry and traumatised”, after the main opposition snubbed a meeting with the mine gas explosion president. MPUMALANGA (TIP): The number of The southern African nation had hoped to people killed by a gas explosion in an shake off its divided past after a 2017 coup unused coal mine in South Africa’s forced long time leader Robert Mugabe from eastern province of Mpumalanga has power, but last year’s disputed election won by risen to six, and several others remain President Emmerson Mnangagwa only trapped, an official at the mine said on deepened political rifts. Thursday. A security crackdown on post-election The representative of the creditor bloodshed in August and another one last protection team at the mine, Michael month against violent protests has critics Elliot, said more than 20 people were still saying that under Mnangagwa, Zimbabwe is stuck underground at the mine in revisiting the authoritarianism that was the Middelburg and are presumed dead. hallmark of Mugabe’s regime. “As I’ve been informed, there are six Mnangagwa skipped Thursday’s meeting deceased people in this point in time that after initially indicating he would attend. He Opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Nelson Chamisa attends a media have been taken to the mortuary,” Elliot was represented by Defence Minister Oppah briefing in Harare, Zimbabwe, January 29, 2019. (Reuters) told Reuters over the phone. Rescue efforts Muchinguri-Kashiri. were hampered by dangerously high levels Main opposition leader Nelson Chamisa, Church leaders said they had would not be fixed until the issue of of toxic gas underground, Elliot said. politicians from smaller parties, diplomats, stepped forward to mediate Mnangagwa’s legitimacy was resolved. He “We first have to restore power to the business leaders and several cabinet and reconcile political parties, backed the church initiative, saying the clergy mine and we have to restore the ministers attended Thursday’s meeting, the were independent mediators. ventilation to make it safe and once it’s first such gathering since Mnangagwa first which would lay the basis for Chamisa said any dialogue that did not safe… then we will go and recover these came to power in November 2017. the recovery of an economy involve Mnangagwa and himself would not people that are missing,” he said. Church leaders said they had stepped battling a severe dollar succeed. He repeated demands for the removal The mine is owned by Tegeta Resources forward to mediate and reconcile political shortage that has sapped of the military from the streets and release of and Exploration, which is undergoing parties, which would lay the basis for the hundreds of people jailed during the mid- creditor protection after its owners, the recovery of an economy battling a severe supplies of fuel and January protests. Gupta brothers, found it difficult to dollar shortage that has sapped supplies of medicines. “We can’t have dialogue while other people continue doing business in South Africa fuel and medicines. are in prison on account of politics. As I come following corruption allegations against “Zimbabwe is clearly hurting, angry and Some ruling party officials have accused to you I am a leader to members of parliament them. traumatised nation,” Bishop Ambrose Moyo, Chamisa and his Movement for Democratic who cannot even sleep in their houses on Several people had entered the mine on who heads the Ecumenical Church Leaders Change (MDC) of only seeking talks to be account of politics, on account of Wednesday afternoon to steal copper wires Forum, said during a prayer meeting with accommodated in government, which the accusations,” said Chamisa. that supply electricity for lighting and politicians. opposition denies. Chamisa, who sat with two cabinet ventilation when a gas pipe exploded, “Such a dialogue as initiated by the The last time the MDC held talks with the ministers, snubbed Wednesday’s talks with police spokesman Leonard Hlati said. churches will help us to do some serious ruling ZANU-PF in 2008 resulted in the Mnangagwa, saying the dialogue must be “The mine is wired with copper. They were introspection as we speak to one another. We formation of a unity government that ushered brokered by an independent outside mediator. going for copper,” Hlati said. Copper is stand committed to this process, set up by the a period of political and economic stability. In a speech read for him by Muchinguri- often stolen from disused mines in South united church to build peace, unity and Striking a defiant tone, Chamisa said Kashiri, Mnangagwa said his doors would Africa and sold for scrap. (Reuters) prosperity.” Zimbabwe’s political and economic problems remain open for dialogue. (Reuters) THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2019 WORLD 23 Russia: we would be French, German farmers destroy crops open to US proposals for new nuclear pact after GMOs found in Bayer seeds MOSCOW (TIP): Russia would be prepared to consider new proposals from PARIS (TIP): Bayer said on February 6 the United States to replace a suspended that farmers in France and Germany were Cold War-era nuclear pact with a broader digging up thousands of hectares of rapeseed treaty that includes more countries, fields after traces of genetically modified Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov organisms (GMOs) banned for cultivation said on February 7. were found in seeds sold by the company. Russia suspended the Intermediate- GMO crops are widely grown across the range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty at the world, but they remain controversial in weekend after Washington announced it Europe, where very few varieties are would withdraw in six months unless authorised for growing and some countries Russia ends what it says are violations of like France have completely outlawed their the pact, allegations rejected by Moscow. cultivation, citing environmental risks. The 1987 treaty eliminated the medium- Checks by the French authorities during range missile arsenals of the world’s two the autumn showed minute quantities of biggest nuclear powers, but leaves other GMO seeds, estimated at less than 0.005 countries free to produce and deploy them. percent of the volume, in three batches of US President Donald Trump said last rapeseed seeds sold under the Dekalb brand, week he would like to hold talks aimed at Catherine Lamboley, Bayer’s chief operating creating a new arms control treaty. officer for France, said. “We, of course, saw the reference in Dekalb was previously a Monsanto brand president Trump’s statement to the before the U.S. company was taken over by Lamboley said. “We decided to immediately rapeseed fields this season and the fact possibility of a new treaty that could be Bayer last year. The GMO found, which is a stop all rapeseed seed production in farmers would not be able to grow the crop signed in a beautiful room and that this rapeseed variety grown in Canada, is not Argentina,” she told Reuters in a phone next either as a precaution to avoid re- treaty should also include other countries authorised for cultivation in Europe, although interview. Bayer’s Argentine rapeseed seeds emergence of the GMO strain, Lamboley as its participants,” Ryabkov said. it is allowed in imports destined for food and were destined for the European market and added. “We look forward to this proposal being animal feed, Lamboley said. represent 12 percent of its rapeseed supply for The order to destroy some crops is another made concrete and put on paper or by Bayer issued a product recall but some of France, the company added. blow for European rapeseed growers who had other means…” Ryabkov said at a news the seed had already been sown, representing Bayer declined to estimate the overall cost already cut sowings sharply due to dry conference in Moscow. about 8,000 hectares in France and 2,500-3,000 of the GMO contamination but said it will weather. However, the area is small compared Ryabkov said the United States had not hectares in Germany,which are in the process offer compensation of 2,000 euros ($2,277.80) to the total French winter rapeseed area, sent Moscow any concrete proposals for a of being dug up, Bayer said. per hectare to affected farmers, suggesting a which the farm ministry in December new pact. (reuters) It was not yet known what caused the payout of around 20 million euros in France forecast at 1.23 million hectares. The contamination of the rapeseed seeds, and Germany. corresponding German crop area is seen at Bank of England set to produced in Argentina in a GMO-free area, The compensation reflected the loss of close to 1 million hectares. (Reuters) hold rates as it seeks Brexit clarity LONDON (TIP): With 50 days to go Venezuela’s Guaido asks Italy’s until Britain leaves the European Union, the Bank of England is awaiting clarity over Brexit before deciding what to do next leaders to meet his envoys on interest rates. On February 7, the bank is expected to ROME (TIP): Venezuela’s opposition announce that its nine-member rate- leader Juan Guaido has asked Italy’s ruling setting body has kept its main interest rate coalition leaders to meet with representatives unchanged at 0.75 percent. as he seeks their explicit backing as interim Whether the next move is up or down president alongside almost all other European hinges on Brexit. countries. The hard-right League has Should the country crash out of the bloc expressed strong support for Guaido, but with no deal on future relations, many coalition partner the 5-Star Movement has economists think the bank could slash its not, making Italy the only major European main rate to zero as it deals with the Union nation not to recognise him as economic fallout. Venezuela’s temporary head of state. By contrast, a smooth Brexit could see In a Feb. 5 letter distributed by League the bank raise interest rates as it responds leader and deputy prime minister Matteo to rising wages. The views of Governor Salvini’s office on February 6, Guaido asks if Mark Carney will be of interest after the he can send a delegation “to illustrate the plan rate decision. (AP) of action to renew democracy in Venezuela” through fair elections. China says tests on “The current humanitarian crisis is hitting all Venezuelans, including the more than plasma products 100,000 Italians who live in Venezuela,” it said. A 5-Star government source said its leader Alessandro Di Battista, a prominent 5-Star southern Europe was in economic doldrums negative for HIV Luigi Di Maio had received a similar letter. figure, has said overt support for Guaido from the two World Wars, are a large and Beijing (TIP): Chinese investigators “Maduro is a criminal, Maduro is an would be meddling and could open the way for influential group in the South American said Thursday tests on a batch of a plasma outlaw, Maduro is an abusive, fallen and military intervention. country. product feared to have been contaminated expired president,” Salvini said on Tuesday. Italy on February 3 blocked a joint EU Italian President Sergio Mattarella, who with HIV have turned up negative for the “There is an illegal president who is position to recognise Guaido as interim plays a mainly ceremonial role and usually virus that causes AIDS. torturing, arresting, starving and massacring president, diplomatic sources said. stays out of day-to-day politics, urged the The result appears to have headed off (people) and there is a community that has the Venezuelans of Italian origin, many arriving government to overcome differences and back the possibility of yet another scandal right to vote freely.” in the first half of the 20th century when Guaido. (reuters) involving medical products in the country. Incidents include the falsifying of for a second time on charges of corruption sentence of 12 years and 11 months after being production records for rabies vaccines Former Brazilian and money laundering and sentenced to 12 convicted on the same charges involving that prompted a nationwide crackdown on president Da Silva years in prison. renovations at a beach-front apartment also the industry and the injecting of other Judge Gabriela Hardt said she agreed with allegedly paid for by construction companies. faulty vaccines. convicted in second prosecutors that a country house was Prosecutors argued that both cases involved Public outrage over such scandals has renovated for da Silva by construction the companies giving benefits to da Silva in alarmed the leadership of the ruling corruption case companies involved in the mammoth return for political favors. Communist Party, moving it to respond corruption scandal centered on Brazil’s state- Da Silva has denied guilt in both cases and more quickly and firmly than in the past, SAO PAULO (TIP): Former President Luiz run oil company, Petrobras. is expected to appeal the latest sentence, as he including bringing criminal charges and Inacio Lula da Silva was convicted Wednesday Last April, da Silva began serving a did the first. (AP) billion dollar fines. (AP) THE INDIAN PANORAMA 24 WOMEN FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2019 NATURAL EXFOLIANTS FOOD CORNER IN YOUR KITCHEN kincare is a major component to looking and feeling wonderful, so if Syou want healthy skin, exfoliants are a great place to start. Old, dead skin cells can migrate from the deep layers of our skin to the epidermis, the skin’s top layer. While our skin typically sheds dead skin cells, a new skin cell remains part of our skin before being removed. Unfortunately, if it doesn’t naturally remove itself, what remains on our skin can make our complexion dull and rough — and in some cases, can interfere with oil secretion from our pores, which can cause unwanted blemishes. Read on to discover the top natural exfoliants in your very own kitchen. HONEY. A healthy and sweet addition Chhola Bhatura to your skin care routine, unprocessed honey is a superb antiseptic. This is Ingredients because it has anti-bacterial, anti- fungal and anti-viral benefits. Loaded 1 cup Chola with antioxidants, honey helps in Salt to taste protecting and repairing the skin, by 1 packet Tea leaves reducing skin inflammation too. Mix it 1/2 tsp Zeera in your hydrating facial scrub and it 2 piece Kadi Patta acts as a great moisturiser too. 1 Onion (1/2 thinly slized and 1/2 to make paste) YOGURT. An excellent staple food in 1/8 piece of Ginger, 3 cloves of Garlic (add more or less your kitchen and healthy diet regimen, to your taste, mince them) yogurt is full of lactic acid, which However, do note that the amount of ingredients. Infact, make a puree of the 1 tsp Garam Masala contains alpha hydroxyl acid (an acid baking soda you should be using on nuts, almonds and readily available 1/2 big size Tomato and present in prescription skin care your skin should be quite moderate, as fruit seeds and then apply them to your 2 tbsp Tomato Puree (or, 3/4 tomato) treatments). Combine it with milk, and sensitive or mature skin can suffer skin for a softer, smoother skin. 1/4 tsp each Haldi, Mirchi, Dhaniya powder yogurt works as an excellent skin- from its harsh effects. Best would be to SEA SALT. If you are looking for a 1 tsp Chola Masala (if not doesn't matter) smoothening exfoliant. All you have to add a pinch of it to your facial cleanser facial scrub that really helps in do is apply yogurt on any part of your in the morning and enjoy a spa-worthy opening your pores, then mixing sea For Onion Paste body, let it stay for 20 minutes and then treatment at home. salt with water is a great idea. rinse. GROUND FRUIT SEEDS AND NUTS. Scrubbing your face with it in the 1/2 Onion Baking soda. A must-use in baking Go for blackberry seeds or raspberry or morning is a great homemade 2 Red Chillies and odor control procedures, baking ground almonds mixture and exfoliate exfoliation procedure. An inexpensive Small piece of Cinnamon soda is used extensively in high-end spa your skin with these easily available and quite popular body treatment at 3/4 piece Cloves treatments. Now they may not leak it to ingredients. These ingredients help in spas, sea salt scrubs help in 2 piece Elaichi you, but baking soda is used extensively removing dead cells, when massaged detoxifying the body by stimulating in microdermabrasion treatments, onto the skin in a smooth, circular blood circulation through vasodilation Method which contains sodium bicarbonate. motion. Avoid using sharp edged of blood capillaries inside the skin. Let chola soak in water overnight. Next day pressure cook with salt to taste and 1 packet of tea or put little tea leaves, we get in India and wrap Keratin hair treatments: What to expect it in a cloth. This will change the color of chola to black. In a pan, onging for smoother, straighter in little oil, add Zeera, Kadi Patta. hair? Keratin hair-straightening Then add 1/2 thinly slized onion. Ltreatments are a popular option at Fry till golden brown. salons. Then add minced garlic and ginger paste. Then add If you're thinking about trying it, you onion paste. should know this: Fry till oil comes out. Then add tomato and tomato What Is Keratin? It's a protein puree. Add haldi, mirchi, dhaniya and chola masala. that's naturally in your hair. When masala is done, add chola and little water. Check How It Works: A stylist applies a salt. keratin hair-straightening product to Let cook for few minutes. your hair and then uses the heat of a flat Garnish with chopped onion. iron to seal it in. The process takes about For Batura 90 minutes or longer, depending on your hair's length. Salon keratin products 1 cup Maida include Keratin Complex Smoothing 1/4 cup Atta Therapy by Coppola, Global Keratin Salt to taste (1/4 tsp) Complex, the La-Brasiliana treatment, 2 tsp Oil Brazilian Keratin Treatment, the 3 tbs Curd Brazilian Blowout, and Brazilian Hair Method Straightening. Time-Saving Tresses Add maida and atta. Add salt and the add oil. Mix with hand, till you can make balls from atta. Mix If you usually style your hair straight, treatment. "You could walk out in moist Upkeep dahi. Mix very well. a keratin hair-straightening treatment or light rain and your hair won’t After you get a keratin hair treatment, Add enough water to make atta dough. could shorten your blow-dry time by change," Borday says. and after the don't-wash waiting period, Put the dough in a plastic bag. 40% to 60%, says hair stylist Henri Wait Before You Wash you should use sodium-sulfate-free Roll the bag to remove any air and tie it. Borday of New York's Mizu salon and shampoo to help maintain the treatment. Let stand atleast for 6 hours.(You can do it when you corporate educator for Global Keratin. You shouldn't wash your hair for three How Long It Lasts put chola in water, previous night). Farewell Frizz or four days after getting the treatment. Heat the oil and make big size poories (batura). That's because the solution takes time to Expect the results to last two to 2 1/2 Eat with chola. Enjoy with Imli Chutney. You can forget about frizzy hair after work, he says. months. THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2019 HEALTH 25 MAINTAIN THE SAME BODY WEIGHT AFTER QUITTING SMOKING

aining weight after quitting smoking is a serious concern for Gsome people. While most people do put on some weight when they quit, it is usually only a modest amount. The average amount of weight that EXERCISING MAY IMPROVE people gain after stopping smoking is about four to five kilograms over five YOUR EATING HABITS years. Most of the weight gain occurs in the year after quitting, particularly in xercising regularly may not only keep you in shape, the first three months. but also improve your eating habits, a study has found. People who quit smoking can have E very different experiences with weight The study, published in the International Journal of change, ranging from those who lose Obesity,looked at 2,680 young adults who were not exercising weight to a minority of people who gain regularly or dieting. over ten kilograms. Research shows that Scientists found that after exercising for several weeks, in the long term, the average body formerly sedentary study participants were more likely to weight of people who have quit smoking choose foods like lean meats, fruits and vegetables, while is similar to people who have never preferences for fried foods, sodas and other unhealthy smoked. If weight gain due to smoking options decreased. cessation is something you fear, use the Participants were instructed not to change their diets in tips below to help you control your any significant way, but it happened anyway. weight: Although this study did not examine the mechanism at Drink plenty of fluids including amounts of vegetables, whole As a result, you could end up going work behind the changes, previous research has found that raw vegetable juices. It helps pulses, nuts and lean meats back for seconds or raiding the snack moderate exercise can reduce a preference for high-fat foods provide antioxidants to reduce free (chicken) while having small and cupboard between meals. in animals through changes in dopamine levels. radical irritation during the detox fibre-dense foods at regular Nicotine has effect on metabolism Several studies also have shown a relationship between the period. Basil juice is beneficial for intervals. This will prevent hunger intensity of exercise and the amount of appetite-regulating lung health. Also, keep sipping on pangs, provide consistent energy, Nicotine raises resting metabolic rate hormones in the body. warm water throughout the day. and maintain metabolism. by up to around 10%, meaning smokers “The process of becoming physically active can influence Follow a regular physical activity Set a regular meal pattern and burn calories at a slightly faster rate dietary behaviour,” said Molly Bray,of University of Texas at routine to boost your metabolism, avoid skipping meals. Feeling than non-smokers (unfair, I know). Don’t Austin in the US. burn calories and release the feel hungry may make you feel like panic though, once your body adjusts to “One of the reasons that we need to promote exercise is for good hormone, dopamine. Exercise reaching for a cigarette, but if you your smoke-free lifestyle, your metabolic the healthy habits it can create in other areas. That also breaks down fats, releasing it stick to a healthy pattern of three rate will begin to stabilise. combination is very powerful,” said Bray. into the blood stream. Besides meals and two or three small Cigarettes mess with your senses What drives food-preference changes when people exercise walking, other common aerobic snacks, you can avoid that feeling. would probably be consistent across a wide span of ages. exercises include cycling, Smoking is an appetite suppressant You may not realise it but smoking The study examined people between the ages of 18 and 35, swimming, playing squash, tennis, can dull your taste buds. Once you kick a period of young adulthood critical for forming healthy climbing stairs, spot marching, etc. When you quit you may notice that, the habit, your food might taste so damn habits. Switch to complex carbs from after a meal, you’re not as full as you good that you’re tempted to load your Previous studies have found that considerable weight gain refined and processed ones (maida would have been had you lit up plate in order to make the most of your occurs during the college years and that being mildly to and products). Include adequate afterwards. new-found flavour-sensing skills. moderately overweight at age 20-22 increases the risk of obesity later in life. “Many people in the study didn’t know they had this active, healthy person inside them,” Bray said. Anti-depressants raise risk of “Some of them thought their size was inevitable. For many of these young people, they are choosing what to eat and when to exercise for the first time in their lives,” she said. Participants who said they exercised less than 30 minutes intestinal bleeding a week at the beginning of the study started 30-minute aerobic workouts three times a week for 15 weeks, with hose who are on anti-depressant instructions not to change their diet in any significant way. pills to treat anxiety, obsessive- The exercise sessions consisted of 30 minutes of aerobic Tcompulsive disorders and post- exercise at 65-85 per cent of the person’s age- and gender- traumatic stress disorder, could be at a specific maximum heart rate, along with a 5-minute warmup risk of intestinal bleeding, ranging from and a 5-minute cool down. mild to severe, which can be fatal. Gastrointestinal bleeding or haemorrhage is all forms of bleeding in PAGE SPONSORED BY the gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to the rectum. DR. SATISH AND GITANJLI ANAND Patients taking anti-depressant drugs classified as selective serotonin DR. SATISH ANAND reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are 40 per Former Chairman, Board of cent more likely to develop severe Trustees, AAPI National gastrointestinal bleeding, according to a E-Mail: study in the Journal of the American [email protected] Osteopathic Association. The SSRIs are interactions occur with non-steroidal counter NSAIDs. The expert most frequently prescribed as they are anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), recommended doctors to monitor relatively low-cost, effective and safe, but including ibuprofen and naproxen, anti- patients closely for symptoms of GITANJLI ANAND they carry risks for gastrointestinal and coagulants like warfarin or anti-platelet gastrointestinal bleeding during the Former President, India intracranial bleeding — particularly drugs such as aspirin and clopidogrel, first 30 days of SSRI therapy, especially Association of Long Island when patients also use common over- the study said. An expert recommended if patients are taking concurrent (IALI) the-counter pain relievers. doctors to ask about all medications medications that may increase bleeding E-mail: The most common and concerning their patients take, including over-the- risk. [email protected] THE INDIAN PANORAMA 26 SCIENCE AND TECH FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2019 MILKY WAY GALAXY IS ‘WARPED, TWISTED’ NOT FLAT, SAYS STUDY he Milky Way's disk of stars is not stable or flat but instead becomes WHATSAPP ENABLES TOUCH Tincreasingly "warped" and twisted far away from the galaxy's ID AND FACE ID FOR IPHONES centre, according to astronomers. "We usually think of spiral galaxies as iming to keep its messages on iPhones safe from being quite flat, like Andromeda which prying eyes, Facebook-owned messaging app you can easily see through a telescope," AWhatsApp on Tuesday introduced Touch ID and Face said Professor Richard de Grijs from ID functionality on the devices. Macquarie University in Australia. "At WhatsApp, we care deeply about private messaging To understand, the team used 1,339 and today,we're excited to introduce Touch ID and Face ID on "standard" stars, each up to 100,000 iPhone to help prevent someone from taking your phone and brighter than our sun, to map the real reading your messages," the company said in a statement. shape of our home galaxy. To enable the feature in WhatsApp, iPhone users need to The new 3D map of our galaxy showed go to the settings, account, privacy and then screen lock and that the warped Milky Way disc also turn on Touch ID or Face ID. contains young stars and confirmed that You have the option to select the amount of time before the warped spiral pattern is caused by Touch ID or Face ID is prompted after WhatsApp is closed, torque from the spinning of the Milky the company added. Way's massive inner disc of stars, The privacy feature has been rolled out for users of iPhone according to the study published in the But the pull of gravity becomes without having a clear idea of what that 5s and later models and on iOS 9 OS and above. Source: IANS Nature Astronomy journal. weaker far away from the Milky Way's disc actually looks like," said Xiaodian From a great distance, our galaxy inner regions. In the galaxy's far outer Chen from the Chinese Academy of NOW STREAM LIVE TOGETHER would look like a thin disk of stars that disk, the hydrogen atoms making up Sciences in Beijing. orbit once every few hundred million most of the Milky Way's gas disk are no "This research provides a crucial ON TWITTER'S PERISCOPE years around its central region, where longer confined to a thin plane, but they updated map for studies of our galaxy's hundreds of billions of stars, together give the disk an S-like warped stellar motions and the origins of the icro-blogging site Twitter on Tuesday globally rolled with a huge mass of dark matter, appearance. "It is notoriously difficult to Milky Way's disk," added Licai Deng, out the "Go Live Together" feature to its live- provide the gravitational "glue" to hold it determine distances from the Sun to also from the Chinese Academy of Mstreaming app, Periscope, allowing users to go live all together. parts of the Milky Way's outer gas disc Sciences. Source: IANS and even add people from the audiences to the chat. The chosen guests could be heard by everyone and can drop off at any time and broadcasters would be able to read Hubble finds dwarf and respond to chats, the company said in a statement. Take control of your data to "With this launch, we're enabling richer conversations by allowing viewers to call in, like a talk show, and join with galaxy in our cosmic their voice. stay safe online: Google "This makes live conversations even more fluid, and neighbourhood allows for new possibilities and ways people can have sing the Hubble Space conversations," said Kayvon Beykpour, Head of Product, Telescope, astronomers have Twitter. The feature is available for both, iOS and Android Udiscovered a dwarf galaxy in a users. The micro-blogging site has been testing several new globular cluster which is only 30 features including putting news stories top on the timeline. million light-years away. Source: IANS The team used the NASA/ESA (European Space Agency) telescope to Mozilla Firefox 66 will block study white dwarf stars within the globular cluster NGC 6752. auto-play videos on desktop The aim of their observations was to use these stars to measure the age ozilla, the maker of the Open Source browser of the globular cluster, but in the Firefox, is adding a new “auto-play blocking” process they made an unexpected Mfeature to the search engine for desktop and Android discovery, according to the study users to block audible audio and video playbacks by default. published in the journal Monthly The feature would come as part of “Firefox 66” which is Notices of the Royal Astronomical scheduled for general release on March 19. ecuring the phone screen with a access to third-party sites or apps, but it’s Society: Letters. “Any playback that happens before the user has interacted unique password and keeping a tab really important for you to understand the In the outer fringes of the area with a page via a mouse click, printable key press, or touch Son the permissions given to apps are information that you share with these observed with Hubble's camera, a event, is deemed to be autoplay and will be blocked if it is some steps smartphone users can take to apps or sites,” Mohanty said in a blog. compact collection of stars was potentially audible,” Chris Pearce, Engineer, Mozilla wrote in keep themselves safe online, tech giant She explained that it is important that visible.After a careful analysis of a blog post on Monday. Google said on Monday. users also conduct a health checkup of their brightnesses and temperatures, However, Firefox would allow users to opt-in for the These recommendations are part of their Google Account to ensure safety of the astronomers concluded that these “autoplay sound” permission from the default setting of Google’s latest campaign their data. stars did not belong to the cluster— “Block” to “Allow” for certain websites where users prefer ‘#SecurityCheckKiya’ that urges users to “Overall there is growing interest which is part of the Milky Way—but the audible autoplay of audio and video to be allowed. take control of their data. The campaign among users to understand how they can rather they are millions of light- is being initiated ahead of Safer Internet make their online experience safer... while years more distant. Day on February 5. this is good, we believe there is still a need “As technology continues to change the to improve user awareness, on how to stay way we live, work, and play, users want to safe online and protect their data,” she know how best to ensure their safety on said. the web. Helping people manage their Mohanty said providing simple privacy and security is integral to actionable steps work best with users -- everything we do,” Google India Director, especially young and those coming online Trust and Safety Sunita Mohanty said. for the first time. She said Google builds products with “This year, we will continue to educate strong security protections at their core to users on the safety they can do, so they continuously and automatically detect can take more control of their online and protect users’ data. security and privacy,” she added. “...we notify you when you’ve granted Source: PTI THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2019 BIZ AND FINANCE 27

NEW E-COMMERCE RULES Headache for Flipkart, Amazon; mixed bag for customers

NEW DELHI (TIP): While the government’s tighter FDI rules for selling products online may help domestic retailers at the cost of Walmart and Amazon’s India e-commerce ambitions, eventually,customers may be MICROSOFT INVESTS IN in for some benefit and some loss. The government announced new rules late ‘BORING AI’ STARTUP VALUED in December 2018, acting upon complaints from domestic retailers that AT $2.75 BILLION e-tailers such as Flipkart and Amazon were eating up their market. atabricks, which says it makes software to help While the Confederation of All India companies satisfy their “boring AI” needs, raised a Traders (CAIT) welcomed the move, Dnew round of funding that values the business at $2.75 industry bodies US India Chambers of billion. Microsoft was among the investors in the $250 million Commerce (USAIC) and US India financing, the company said on Tuesday.Venture capital firm Strategic and Partnership Forum change, the company is still free to Amarchand Mangaldas, said to FE Andreessen Horowitz led the deal, with contributions from (USISPF) said that it will adversely wholesale, and its products will Online. Coatue Management and New Enterprise Associates. The affect FDI in India. The move might be a continue to come into the Indian market Given that this space is still growing investment brings Databricks’ total fundraising haul to big headache to foreign companies in through this route, Badri Narayanan and even traditional retailers are almost $500 million since the company was founded in 2013. India as this would necessitate a said. entering the online space, the ultimate Databricks sells tools that pool a company’s databases and restructuring of operations by Amazon In-house brands consumer could even benefit, she said. apply a form of artificial intelligence to search for India and Flipkart, experts said. Also, cashback services, which were meaningful information. The San Francisco-based startup Walmart hit The new rules effectively seek to make once exclusive to certain vendors will notched $100 million in annual recurring revenue last year products available to a wider customer now have to be rendered to all the and said its subscription sales tripled last quarter from a year The new rules may mean a setback to base on equal terms, rather than on a vendors in a non- discriminatory way, earlier. Viacom Inc., HP Inc. and Cisco Systems Inc. are Walmart, which just put in $16 billion particular platform on preferential according to the new rules. among more than 2,000 customers of the service. Microsoft into acquiring Flipkart, ostensibly to basis. Under the new rules, Amazon’s However, Daizy Chawla of Singh & promotes a version of the software as part of its cloud leverage Flipkart’s huge online presence and Flipkart’s own vendors Cloudtail Associates disagrees. “The major loss for product, Azure. to sell its products, L. Badri Narayanan, and Retailnet will not be allowed to sell the customers will be the non availability Ali Ghodsi, chief executive officer of Databricks, said he Partner, Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan their products on their respective discounts/cash back/exclusivity the e- plans to use the new capital to hire, open new offices and Attorneys, said to FE Online. This would marketplace at all, the Kotak note said. retailers were offering with regard to make headway into other industries, such as media, retail leave the Flipkart acquisition as only a This would mean that such sellers will particular vendor’s’ product as the press and government. Part of his pitch: Databricks “satisfies the strategic investment for Walmart to have to make their products available on note provides for ‘fair and non- needs of big enterprise customers that want to do boring AI counter the dominance of Amazon and other platforms too, on an arm’s length discriminatory’ selling,” she said. use cases.” others in this space, Narayanan added. basis, eventually offering more choice to What this means for FDI in India Further, “the investors will either consumers. E-commerce giants use own Apple Augmented-Reality have to restructure themselves or will platforms to push their in-house USAIC and USISPF have flagged the not be able to use the platform of such e- products such as Amazon Echo and new policy saying that it is quite headset exec leaves company commerce entity for their inventory,” Solimo, often over other brands, with restrictive. However, Daizy Chawla of Daizy Chawla, Senior Partner, Singh & better placement, exclusive deals, and Singh & Associates said she doesn’t think vi Bar-Zeev, a manager on Apple’s secret augmented- Associates, told FE Online, without push notifications. Now, no product can the new rules will curb the influence of reality headset team, said on Monday that he left the specifically referring to Walmart’s be Amazon or Flipkart exclusive. foreign retailers/ corporations in the Acompany. acquisition of Flipkart. Big companies Customers: Win some, lose some Indian market. “The press note no-where Bar-Zeev joined the company in 2016 as Apple ramped up made huge investments in Indian e- restricts the entry of foreign its hiring to build an AR headset and served as a senior commerce in the absence of clarity The impact of this policy may not be as retailers/corporations and have only manager on the team, Bloomberg News reported last year. On about the definition of ‘control’ over the much on the ultimate customers as long defined the extent of the involvement/ his LinkedIn profile, which disclosed his departure, Bar-Zeev vendor, Daizy Chawla said, adding that as the retail platform continues to ensure participation of e-commerce entity in said he led ‘experience prototyping for a new effort’ and now the clarification have put these the quality and choice of products from any B2B e commerce activities performed ‘developed key prototypes to rapidly prove concepts.’ companies in a fix. independent suppliers that they will now by the Vendor registered with such e The former Google, Amazon.com and Microsoft manager However, since Walmart’s cash and need to source more from, Reeba Chacko, commerce platform,” she said. said on Twitter that he ‘had the best exit one can imagine’ carry business is not affected by this Partner & Head, Corporate, Cyril Source: Financial Express and ‘won’t comment on any specific product plans.’ Former Dolby executive Mike Rockwell runs Apple’s AR team as vice president of augmented and virtual reality. Apple has been working on a headset that would handle Telecom trouble: Moody’s downgrades some iPhone functions, including messaging, calling, watching video and maps navigation, Bloomberg News has reported. Bharti to junk Ba1 Reliance Communications oody’s Investors Service on profitability,cash flow situation and debt Tuesday cut the country’s levels can improve sustainably and goes to bankruptcy court Msecond largest telecom materially, given the competitive company by subscribers from Baa3 to dynamics in the Indian telecom market,” eliance Communications Ltd (RCom) on Friday said it junk Ba1, the lowest investment-grade, Annalisa DiChiara, Moody’s vice will seek fast track resolution through National after placing its credit ratings of review president and senior credit officer, said. RCompany Law Tribunal, the court that deals with for downgrade in November 2018. Bharti reported Ebitda of Rs 26,500 crore bankruptcy cases, to resolve its debt position. This is for the first time that Bharti’s for the 12 months ending December 31, The company said lenders had not received any proceeds credit rating has been downgraded to representing a 15.5% year-over-year from its asset monetization plans, and that its overall debt below investment grade by an contraction. Moreover, the profitability resolution process had not made any progress. Over twelve international agency. This means that if of its core Indian mobile segment — months, talks with forty lenders to reach a consensus has Bharti chooses to raise funds overseas it which contributes around 37% of Ebitda been impossible and has driven them to the bankruptcy will have to pay more. The downgrade is — remained low, generating just Rs 9,800 court, the debt-laden telecom company said. also a commentary on the country’s crore over the same period. RCom, controlled by businessman Anil Ambani, owed telecom sector and incumbent operators, “A significant recovery in cash flow banks $7 billion as of March 2017 when it last made public its including Bharti Airtel which are faced from the core Indian mobile segment is debt level, and more to vendors. with declining tariffs leading to lower needed to strengthen the company’s The company has struggled under heavy debt and reported realisations as they fight a tariff war credit quality and support greater a string of losses during a price war, triggered by the market with Reliance Jio. financial flexibility,” DiChiara, who’s entry of Reliance Industries’ telecoms venture Jio Infocomm, “The downgrade reflects uncertainty also Moody’s lead analyst for Bharti, owned by Mukesh Ambani - Asia’s richest person and Anil as to whether or not the company’s added. Ambani’s older brother. THE INDIAN PANORAMA 28 ASTROLOGY FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2019

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 Bejan Daruwalla is available for astrological (London) Times of India(Delhi, Mumbai, consultations. He can be reached at Kolkata, Chennai) and The IndianPanorama ( [email protected] and on phone New York and Texas). Bejan's predictionshave mostly been correct and 011-91-8141234275 people the world overrely on his predictions. www.bejandaruwalla.com WEEKLY HOROSCOPE FEBRUARY 11 - FEBRUARY 17, 2019 Aries: Leo: Sagittarius: Ganesha says with the special insights of You're in a mood to solve problems, People and people and people. That's how last period, you will examine all your extend help, support commitment. important they will be for you. As I said relationships almost under a microscope. These problems could be global or last period, even rivals and competitors. You will also seek to put them into world - related, or closer to home. Your You are now confident, full of energy, perspective. You redefine your own role to attitude will be equally sincere and daring, enterprise, ready to take on all- your parents, your children, your spouse or caring towards both. Also while comers. You are loving, warm, caring - and lover or mate. In all, you will seek to fulfil dealing with financial matters like busy. You will be popular, successful, very the expectations they have of you. These generating capital, dealing with loans, much in demand at social gatherings, expectations will not be voiced by them but trusts, endowments, you take equally functions, ceremonies. perceive by you, your psyche, yourself. good care of your dependents, children, subordinates, servants. Capricorn: Taurus: Virgo: Ganesha gives you many rewards - success, The pressure of your work never really power, recognition and prestige, perks and goes away from you. In addition you will If Ganesha gave you no spare time, He benefits. These are the tangibles. In feel the pressure, pulls, demands. It is still must be fair and give you the energy, additions, His gifts are - greater intuition a time for success and achievements, will-power, strength to cope. And and perceptiveness, therefore much more though not as spectacular as the first half that's just what you experience now. kindness, tolerance, warmth, sincere of the period. That is the way it was for you Love and money angles will be caring and affection. Your spiritual and past period, too. And like last material / particularly energized. Health will be psychological gains are truly spectacular worldly success and the second half, as better. You'll also take better care of and much more valuable. spiritual and emotional growth. Family, yourself physically. You want to be money issues, love and passion, travel and fighting fit, in appearance and Aquarius: spirituality - many things are happening to turnout too. you simultaneously. You will not seek to exhibit or show off Libra: your personal values, idealism, even Gemini: convictions. Perhaps you are afraid it will Realizing that you cannot live in all get dissipated or frittered away.Perhaps The tensions, worries, fears and anxieties splendid isolation, as you were it is too intensely personal to be displayed. of the past period will fade away now. Ease tempted to do in the previous period, However, you will be concerned about how and comfort in living, peace and calm of you now brush up communication others see you, about the image you mind are experienced. Work / business / skills, and public relations. New project. You will have the desire and the career / will find you greatly successful. In places will attract you. New friends confidence to try to excel in new fields; new fact, you have been successful right enthuse and excite you. There is a challenges will be faced, fresh skills through, but the satisfaction quotient will glorious exchange of ideas, opinions, acquired. be much higher now. It is not just hopes and plans for the future. Your experienced professionally. You get the enthusiasm, energy, joi de vivre all Pisces: same aura of success in family life, in love, register without gains! in friendship. Perhaps you feel that where you're Scorpio: happiest, where things go best for you in Cancer: terms of satisfaction is at home. Whatever You got so much out of social the reason, the end of this period finds you Fun, family, entertaining and finance - interaction and friendship that you looking at domestic life as your special once again, they are all there but on a will now raise it to the level of a fine world. You will seek to address disputes, much larger scale now. Therefore, heavier art! This is no exaggeration. New contentions regarding family / joint expenses are bound to happen, too. friends and old, and even your rivals, property; perhaps there could be family Finances, too, will not mean family or competitors, enemies - you interact funds or even a divorce to be negotiated. domestic budgeting alone. There could be with them all. Only the ways you will What you realize now is that that is where international transactions and transfers of vary! Your performance at interviews, you're needed the most. funds, joint - finances, deals, abroad, also meetings, presentations, debates will collaborations, mergers, tie-ups. be dazzling. THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2019 SPIRITUALITY 29

asant Panchami is an important Indian festival celebrated every year in Vthe month of Magh according to the Hindu calendar. Celebrated on the fifth day of Magh, the day falls somewhere in the months of February or March according to the VASANT PANCHAMI Gregorian calendar. The significance of the day lies in the worship of Goddess Saraswati, Saraswati. Along with these rituals, another symbol of wisdom and also the onset of spring THE FESTIVAL THIS YEAR FALLS ON SATURDAY, 9TH FEB important part of this festival is introducing season. children to the world of knowledge, hence According to the popular belief, the origins marking a beginning to their learning phase. of this festival lie in Aryan period. Aryans Floral designs are made in front porch of came and settled in India through Khyber houses to signify the arrival of spring. Pass, crossing the Saraswati River among Colorful kites are arranged by children and many others. Being a primitive civilization, the sky gets filled with numerous kites on this most of their development took place along auspicious day. the banks of the River Saraswati. Thus, River Saraswati began to be associated with fertility Kite Festival and knowledge. It is then that the day began to The festival of Vasant Panchami is celebrated be celebrated. to welcome the season of spring, a season when Also known as Saraswati Puja, it is the earth replenishes itself. Spring also denotes considered to be the birthday of goddess pleasant weather, during which calm wind Saraswati. She is the deity of wisdom and whistles in your ear and caresses your face with learning. Along with goddess Parvati and its light cool touch. It is the season when the Laxmi, she is one of the three most important weather is neither hot nor cold, when the wind deities in Hindu culture. She represents all has a cooling effect but not the kind to chill your kinds of knowledge including science, arts, bones. This kind of weather reminds you of a crafts and other skills. Known for her number of things including Basant Panchami, calmness and serenity, she is often shown the primary festival of this season. It is one of seated on a white lotus with four hands and the most colorful and wonderful festivals of this wearing a pure silk white sari. effervescent nation. The festival brings in a The four hands of the deity symbolize the number of colors in the form of colorful attires. different sides of human personality in Being the color of spring, yellow gets into vogue learning. When seated on a peacock, she as it also denotes prosperity,happiness, intellect signifies that wisdom suppresses ego. On this and energy. day people observe various kinds of religious Flying kites is a sport much popular in India. activities and large numbers of Hindus visit In a clear and pleasant weather, you will see temples. Goddess Saraswati is dressed in plenty of kites in the sky.Being a part of Vasant yellow garments, yellow being the symbol of Panchami, kite flying competitions take place spiritual knowledge. People also dress up in during this festival. Fighter kites were designed yellow clothes and offer yellow flowers to in India and Pakistan for decades. Ferozepur, a deities in the temples. At homes people small town in Punjab, is famous for this sport prepare yellow sweets and dishes such as and a number of children including both girls Kesar Halwa and distribute among relatives and boys purchase kites and fly them. Popular and friends. Being an auspicious occasion, among adults too, they get on to their building's children are taught their first words, hence, terrace along with the children, play songs at marking the beginning of their learning high volume and dance with the rhythm while period. Schools and colleges organize special flying kites. pujas to worship goddess Saraswati. Students The event of kite flying is filled with a lot of place their books at the deity's feet and seek enthusiasm and thrill. Both skilled and her blessing for better learning. Other unskilled participants bring in their fancy religious activities of the day include feeding colorful kites and the joy they receive when they Brahmans and performing the traditional cut their opponent's kite is a sight to cherish. ritual of ancestral worshipping known as With pomp and show the kites are flown and Pitr-Tarpan. On this day, people also perform interesting kite fights take place thereafter. pujas to worship the God of Love, Kamadeva. Children learn to fly kites from their elders, who Children fly kites on this day and a famous themselves like flying them a lot. kite festival is observed in Ferozepur, Punjab. Kite fighting being the main attraction, Basant Panchami symbolizes the beginning of people from around the world come to this place spring, denoted by flowering and blooming of to experience the fun involved with this colorful trees and crops. Signs of new and fresh life on festival. The kites are flown with the help of a trees and crops indicate the end of winter and string called 'Manjha'. There are a number of beginning of happiness and joy. such competitions which are organized during The festival of Basant Panchami is a widely the festival. The competition is always there to celebrated festival which marks the end of the rule the sky and one has to keep his kite flying winter season and the beginning of spring. till the end to be the winner. There are judges Goddess Saraswati, the goddess of arts and too, some of whom decides which the most knowledge, is the presiding deity of the beautiful kite is while others decide which is the festival. biggest. The festival brings with it colors in The festival falls on the fifth day of the form of greenery and colorful kites. Indian month of Magh and in the months of January-February according to the Gregorian Ganges. Then they clad themselves in yellow, PAGE SPONSORED BY calendar. The color which denotes the as it signifies spirituality and prosperity. The celebration of this festival is yellow and color yellow also signifies the color of the ARISH K. SAHANI during the entire season, the whole ripened spring crop. Festive sweets are atmosphere is filled with this vibrant color. prepared at home using saffron, as it helps in Serving Since 1972 People wear yellow clothes and prepare yellow deriving the color yellow. The goddess is Please Call or Write for Your Insurance Needs sweets which are distributed among their dressed in yellow and the deity is worshipped loved ones. The goddess of knowledge is by the worshippers who are dressed in yellow Arish K Sahani (Father) worshipped especially by students and too. Later, swings are tied to the trees and academicians. Though it is celebrated women have fun singing traditional folk songs Shiv Sahani (Son) primarily by the Hindus, Jains and Buddhists to greet the beautiful season of spring. After worship her too as she is the benefactor of all these rituals, sweets are distributed among Priya Sahani Sood (Daughter) written and performed arts. the loved ones. The traditional sweet which goes along with the spirit of the festival is 7 1 8 - 2 7 1 - 1 9 0 6 Rituals & Tradition 'Kesar Halwa' and 'Sweet Rice' which are [email protected] The festival is celebrated with great pomp prepared with saffron to add yellow color to and show in all parts of India. On this the preparation. “If Hindus don’t maintain Hinduism, who shall save it?” auspicious day, the Hindus get up early in the Schools and other teaching institutions morning and worship the Sun God after organize cultural programs on this day, “If India’s own children don't cling to their faith, who shall guard it?” taking bath, if possible, in the sacred river including the worshipping of goddess “Indians alone can save India, and India and Hinduism are one.” THE INDIAN PANORAMA 30 ADVERTISEMENT FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2019 THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2019 CLASSIFIEDS 31

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President: David Ramsawmy (Elvis) Anyone who would like to work with us part time and on the basis of revenue sharing may email to PH# 718-925-0100 [email protected] or contact at 646-247-9458. THE INDIAN PANORAMA 32 TURN PAGE FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2019 contd from Page 1 potentially millions of people killed," Mr. Trump said. On country has identified a nodal officer who could be contacted for Afghanistan, Mr. Trump said of U.S. negotiations with any issue in this situation. We have been given instructions from Trump Speaks of conciliation... stakeholders including the Taliban, "We do not know whether we the foreign secretary that this should be handled with the highest will achieve an agreement…the hour has come to at least try for priority,to be proactive in helping our students and we have been cooperation, compromise, and the common good." However, he peace." doing that. The students can be assured that they are not alone, quickly swiveled to the migrant caravan - a concept Mr. Trump Mr. Trump's speech dwelt on military themes both at the start the weight of the Government of India is behind them." has often used to fire up his voter base and back his claims for a and as it wound down. He introduced among his guests, a former As on Feb 5, Indian Embassy and Consulates have obtained wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. American soldier, Herman Zeitchik, who had helped liberate the consular access to the 117 of them, by proactively visiting 36 "The lawless state of our southern border is a threat to the Dachau concentration camp and sitting next to Mr. Zeitchik, different detention sites through the length and breadth of the safety, security, and financial well-being of all America," Mr. Joshua Kaufman, who had been a child inmate of Dachau at the country. Consular access to the remaining students, estimated at Trump said. This is a statement not substantiated by the facts of time of the liberation. about a dozen, are continuing. The MEA said that they remain in immigration and crime at the border. Talking of the sacrifices Americans had made in this past, touch with the U.S. authorities, both at the federal and local level, Mr. Trump called on his audience to "defend our very towards the end of his speech, Mr Trump said, "I am asking you to 'to ensure and satisfy ourselves about humane and dignified dangerous southern border" and portrayed the issue in class choose greatness." treatment of the Indian students and custom-sensitive dietary and terms. "No issue better illustrated the divide between America's President Trump was originally scheduled to deliver the SOTU living arrangement for them during the period of their detention.' working class and America's political class than illegal on January 25, but Speaker Nancy Pelosi withdrew invitation to Though Government of India continues to attach high priority immigration." the President, saying it could not take place while the government to the well being of the detained students, a sense of fear is Among the guests at Tuesday's show were the family of a couple is shut down. It was only after the reopening of the government already well spread among other Indian students here. who had been killed allegedly by an "illegal alien". that Nancy Pelosi relented and the SOTU was scheduled for THE FALLOUT : According to a report by The Hindustan Mr. Trump has frequently demonized illegal migrants to get February 5. (With inputs from agencies) Times, many Indian students from Farmington have been leaving support for his hardline on illegal immigration and his demand the country."The number of those who have left the United States for a border wall, this despite data showing that more crimes are Indian Students' Future in... on their own could not be immediately ascertained but Indian committed by native-born citizens than by undocumented officials monitoring the situation said they have heard credibly migrants in the U.S. not ready to give them clean chit for taking part in the 'Pay to from the Indian American community that students not in SMART BARRIER: Of the border wall, Mr Trump said: "I'll Stay' scheme despite India's demand that they "may have been custody have been leaving, sometimes in groups", says the report. get it built". His demand for a wall and the Democrats' refusal to duped " and to release them "at the earliest." An annual survey by the Institute of International Education allow a physical structure across the 2,000-mile border had shut The Department of Homeland Security set up the fake showed last year that China, India and South Korea together sent the government down for a record 35 days over December and university in Farmington Hills, Michigan to target foreign 56.1 percent of all international students in the United States in January.The President and Congressional Republicans - not all of students who wanted to stay in the U.S. without proper 2017-18. There is an apprehension that this incident could impact whom support his wall idea - will have to come up with a deal by authorization. In a separate criminal case, eight people of Indian future enrollment of aspiring Indians of fulfilling their American February 15 when key parts of the federal government will run origin, almost all of them from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, dream. (TIP Bureau / Bidisha Roy) out of budgetary authorization again. were charged with being recruiters, taking kickbacks and cash in "This is a smart, strategic see-through steel barrier... deployed exchange for referring students to the University of Farmington. House Launches New... in the areas... having the greatest need," Mr. Trump said of his HOW WERE STUDENTS LURED?: The fake university was proposal, suggesting that there may be scope for an agreement set up in 2015 to try to catch foreign nationals who had initially Schiff said the investigation will include "the scope and scale" with Democrats who have showed a willingness to consider a travelled to the US on student visas and wanted to stay in the of Russian intervention in the 2016 presidential election, the "smart wall" and increased money for border security. country,US media reported. "extent of any links and/or coordination" between Russians and In what appeared to be a thinly veiled threat to the ongoing A website for the University of Farmington showed pictures of Trump's associates, whether foreign actors have sought to hold Mueller investigation and Democrats who now chair powerful students in classes and libraries or relaxing around a grassy leverage over Trump or his family and associates, and whether House oversight committees, Mr Trump said: "An economic campus. The website used stock images of students working. anyone has sought to obstruct any of the relevant investigations. miracle is taking place in the United States - and the only thing It advertised tuition for undergraduates at $8,500 (£6,500) a year The announcement came one day after Trump criticized that can stop it are foolish wars, politics or ridiculous partisan and $11,000 a year for graduate students. It also had a fake "ridiculous partisan investigations" in his State of the Union investigations." Facebook page with a calendar of events. speech. Schiff dismissed those comments Wednesday. "If there is going to be peace and legislation, there cannot be But court papers released last week showed that the employees "We're going to do our jobs and the president needs to do his," war and investigation," he added. of the University of Farmington were undercover agents for the Schiff said. "Our job involves making sure that the policy of the At least one part of Mr Trump's speech had unintended Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE). The United States is being driven by the national interest, not by any consequences for him. Taking credit for the economy, the "campus" was an office at a business park in a Detroit suburb. financial entanglement, financial leverage or other form of President said: "No one has benefited more from our thriving GOVERNMENT OF INDIA PLEA: Government of India has compromise." The California Democrat also announced a delay in economy than women, who have filled 58% of the newly created continued to closely monitor and take proactive measures to deal an upcoming closed-door interview with Trump's former fixer jobs last year," a comment that resulted in a standing ovation, with the detention. A demarche was made to the Embassy of the and personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, "in the interests of the which was joined by Democratic women dressed in white for the United States in New Delhi by the Ministry of External Affairs, investigation." The interview was originally scheduled for Friday. evening to mark 100 years of the women's right to vote. They were expressing concern over the dignity and well being of the It will now be held on Feb. 28, Schiff said. elected to the House after November's midterms, a reaction to Mr. detained students. "We underlined that students, who may have Schiff said he could not speak about the reason for the delay. Trump's first two years in office. been duped into enrolling in the 'University' should be treated Hours after the meeting was pushed back, a document was filed The guests for the evening included two individuals, both differently from those recruiters who have duped them. We have under seal in the criminal case against Cohen brought by special African Americans - one a first-time non-violent drug offender urged the U.S. side to share full details and regular updates of the counsel Robert Mueller's office. The court's docket did not contain pardoned by Mr. Trump and the other, the first person to be students with the Government, to release them from detention at any details about the nature of the document. released by the First Step Act, a criminal reform Bill passed in the earliest and not to resort to deportation against their will", the Special counsel spokesman Peter Carr declined comment, as 2018 with bipartisan support. MEA said in a statement. Once deported under court orders, the did Lanny Davis, an attorney for Cohen. The intelligence BIPARTISAN THEMES: In terms of other bipartisan themes, students may be banned from reentry to the U.S. committee also voted Wednesday to send Mueller the transcripts Mr. Trump offered to work together on infrastructure, push to DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY STAND: But from the panel's earlier Russia investigation. Republicans ended lower prescription drug prices, increase paid parental leave and the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) says that the that probe in March, concluding there was no evidence of said he would increase funding for childhood cancer research. students were aware of their crime to fraudulently remain in the conspiracy or collusion between Russia and Trump's presidential The President also said he would ask Democrats and country."All participants in this scheme knew that the University campaign. Democrats strongly objected at the time, saying the Republicans for more funding for the eradication of HIV in of Farmington had no instructors or classes and were aware they move was premature. America within a decade. were committing a crime in an attempt to fraudulently remain in Since then, both Cohen and Trump's longtime adviser Roger LATE-TERM ABORTION: Mr Trump - in a policy that will the United States", a State Department spokesperson said in a Stone have been charged with lying to the panel. Cohen pleaded particularly hold special appeal to his evangelical base - said he statement on February 4. However, US immigration and customs guilty in November to lying to the House and Senate intelligence would ask Congress to prohibit the late-term abortion of children. enforcement (ICE) has said that the students are not in custody - it committees about his role in a Trump business proposal in In terms of foreign policy, there were no major surprises or is an "administrative arrest" - and whohave not been served with Moscow. He acknowledged that he misled lawmakers by saying he deviations from his themes: China and trade, Iran being the "Notice to Appear" before an immigration court do not have court had abandoned the project in January 2016 when he actually leading sponsor of terror and condemnation of the Maduro proceedings. continued pursuing it for months after that. regime in Venezuela. EMBASSY OF INDIA REACHES OUT TO STUDENTS IN Stone pleaded not guilty to charges last month that he lied to the In terms of foreign policy, there were no major surprises or DETENTION: Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy in Washington House panel about his discussions during the 2016 election about deviations from his themes: China and trade and Iran being the has made all efforts to reach out to those students and is providing WikiLeaks, the anti-secrecy group that released thousands of leading sponsor of terror. The U.S. President announced that he them with legal help. The Embassy has opened a 24/7 hotline to emails stolen from Democrats. Stone is also charged with would meet North Korean leader Kim Jung-un at the end of assist the students. Indian Ambassador to the US, Harsh Vardhan obstructing the House probe by encouraging one of his associates, February in Vietnam. Shringla, assured that the embassy officials have been travelling New York radio host Randy Credico, to refuse to testify before the "If I had not been elected President of the U.S., we would right across the US and meeting students at the detention centres. House panel in an effort to conceal Stone's false statements. now, in my opinion, be in a major war with North Korea with Speaking to ANIthe envoy said, "Each of our five Consulates in the (Read full story on www.theindianpanorama.news) THE INDIAN PANORAMA PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER: Prof. Indrajit S. Saluja Mohammad Shahzad, Zia Khan DELHI BUREAU CHIEF: Ashishpal Singh Bureau Chief Phone: 972-330-3139 VICE PRESIDENT: Chitagam Saluja Nisha Rani CHANDIGARH: Manjit Sidhu E-mail [email protected]; Phone: 646-247-9458 CHIEF EDITOR: Prof Indrajit S. Saluja Vaaho Photographers LUDHIANA: A.S. Arora, R.P.Sharma www.theindianpanorama.news ASSISTANT EDITOR: Bidisha Roy Vijay Shah -Photo Journalist. Published by Prof. Indrajit Saluja GRAPHICS DIRECTOR: Om Parkash Malik DISTRIBUTOR : Sukhwinder Singh The Indian Panorama DIRECTOR ADMINISTRATION: Gauri Beri CORRESPONDENTS : P.O. Box No. 190067, South Richmond Hill, NY 11419, DISCLAIMER CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS: SACRAMENTO: Parminder S. Aujla Tel: 646-247-9458 The Indian Panorama assumes no responsibility for the Baldev Singh / BJ Videos NEW YORK : Chitagam Email: [email protected] claims made in advertisements. We only sell space. Views published in the newspaper are those of the authors and do Gunjesh Desai / Masala Junction FRESNO: Tarlochan Singh DALLAS EDITION not necessarily reflect the views of the newspaper. All rights Jay Mandal, DALLAS: Harjit Dhesi, Amarjit Dhillon P.O. BOX 121695, ARLINGTON, TX 76012 are reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without Mohammad Jaffer/ SnapsIndia OVERSEAS CORRESPONDENTS Lovllien Kaurr, VP & Bureau Chief permission in writing from The Indian Panorama is prohibited. THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2019 TRAVEL 33 THE ASTONISHING AND ALLURING ANDAMANS

he most classical crystal clear blue glassy waters that you have ever seen, defines TAndamans. Andamans can easily be described as “Man’s own heaven of blue.” The reef is popularly rated by the locals and Andaman admirers to be the third most beautiful and populated coral reef in the world. The temperature and the ocean currents along with various other geographical factors have over centuries built this beautiful and secret underwater world. Why Andamans? The famed beauty of Andamans will keep you awestruck and speechless. It is proven that Andamans is much more magnificent and alluring than what we watch in movies or television, or in discovery channel programs and tourism videos. The feel, the touch, the variety of flora and fauna in Havelock is truly incomparable. The matchless beauty has been ardently guarded and ferociously protected for ages. The Indian archipelago consist of more than 300 Islands in Andaman alone and the remaining 272 Islands constitute the Nicobar Islands. The Indigenous tribes have been living in some parts of these Islands since 2000 years. The travellers are restricted to visit these places from a culture preservation point of ELEPHANT BEACH view, but you can learn a lot about them at the One of the most coveted and isolated sandy Samudrika Marine Museum. The museum also spots, Elephant beach is a pit stop for hosts many exotic marine species and skeleton snorkellers. You’ll need to take a boat to get of the blue whale. If you want to go on a budget here, but once you arrive, expect pristine water exotic tropical holiday,Andaman is the place to and untouched white sand. There is a bit of be. infrastructure here too, so carry food and water With its sparkling blue water, colourful coral if you are planning on spending the day. Boats reefs and white sand beaches, you get the best of are available from Havelock Island. views. Water sports is something you cannot miss on these Islands. North Bay Island is the LONG ISLAND BEACH best spot for snorkelling, deep diving and An unspoiled magical island in the underwater sea-walking. A common Andamans, Long Island beach is strictly for the misconception amongst people is that they intrepid. A couple of restaurants and a paltry should have prior swimming or diving local population make this island less touristy, experience for them to enjoy these water sports which is good news if you’re looking for some which is far from the truth. isolated spots to yourself. Long island is 82 km If still, you are not confident enough to try from Port Blair, and a boat service to and fro the mentioned water sports, you can try the runs only four times a week. Banana Boat, which is thrilling and much safer. For kids and older adults, there is glass bottom ROSS AND SMITH ISLAND boat ride, and Cellular Jail light show is a must A boat ride of 25 minutes off Diglipur gets for all ages. you to the serene twin islands called Ross and Smith. The beaches here promise uncluttered CORBYN'S COVE BEACH vistas and soft waves sweep up along the shore. Corbyn’s cove doesn’t really qualify as a lazy The islands are actually separated by a narrow enticing beach amidst the many that you will stretch of sand, technically making it a single find in the Andamans, but it does offer a beach. welcome relief from Port Blair’s city life. If you have a day’s stop in Port Blair, this could be a WANDOOR BEACH small induction into the sandy stretches that Wandoor is one of the closest beaches with await you on your trip. tourist access, since it lies in Port Blair. Expect a splash of colour during high season, with RADHANAGAR BEACH tourists dotting the pale sand. Boats to Jolly Radhanagar beach is one of the most Buoy Island leave from here. romantic destinations that cater to couple who come for their honeymoon. It is a well-known MAYABUNDER picnic spot where families also visit to enjoy Avis and Karmatung beaches in Mayabunder their vacations. Nature and adventure lovers are situated in the north part of Middle visit this island to enjoy the pristine landcape. Andaman. Relatively quiet, you will not find the In recent time, this island has encouraged buzz of Havelock here—which is a blessing if tourist to visit in large numbers. you want to avoid the tourist clutter. It is surrounded by pristine water where you can find turtles, large fishes and dolphins. At CASURINA BEACH the first glance, from about 500 meters from the Diglipur is the main base camp for those who beach, all one can see is a hint of water and want to hike up to Saddle Peak in the Andaman towering trees all around the shoreline. As you Islands. An added advantage of this long trip get closer to it, the stretch of the Radhanagar from Port Blair (300 km by road), is that you can beach takes your breath away and leaves you in relax by the Casurina beach here. It can be total awe! hours before you will bump into anyone. THE INDIAN PANORAMA 34 SPORTS FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2019

2ND WOMEN'S T20I New Zealand beat India in last-ball thriller AUCKLAND (TIP): It could have gone either way, but New Zealand made the most of a few Indian lapses on the field and held their nerve just a shade better than their opponents to clinch a last-ball win in the second T20I. The four-wicket win, achieved with a quick single, gave New Zealand a 2-0 lead in the three-match series, after they had won the first convincingly by 23 runs. RICKY PONTING NAMED Batting first after losing the toss, India put up 135 for six, lower than they AUSTRALIA’S ASSISTANT had within their range when Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues COACH FOR WORLD CUP were stroking the ball freely early on. After pulling things back nicely, New MELBOURNE (TIP): Former captain Ricky Ponting has Zealand had Suzie Bates leading a strong been appointed as an assistant coach of Australia’s men’s top-order show before a clutch of team for the 50-over World Cup in England later this year, wickets brought India back into the the country’s cricket board said on Friday. match. But a series of misses on the Suzie Bates led the New Zealand batting effort. The 44-year-old Ponting will work with Australia’s field, especially from wicketkeeper batsmen for the May 30-July 14 tournament, with current Taniya Bhatia, allowed New Zealand to Reddy - including the scalp of Bates, for with Rodrigues to put together 63 batting coach Graeme Hick focussing on preparing the side stay in the hunt, keeping the target a 52-ball 62 - changed the script quick runs in just over seven overs. for the Ashes tour in England, starting in August. within their grasp, and pull off victory completely. When she fell, becoming Rosemary Ponting’s appointment is the second major shakeup in despite a good last over from Mansi It came down to 15 needed from two Mair's first victim of the day, India Australia’s backroom staff in as many days, with bowling Joshi. overs and, then, nine from six balls, were at a solid 71 for two in the tenth coach David Saker resigning “effective immediately” on Chasing 136, the old firm of Bates and which became five from five after over. Thursday. Saker has been replaced temporarily by Troy Sophie Devine gave New Zealand a 33- Katey Martin smashed Joshi's first But with no batter giving Rodrigues Cooley. run opening-wicket stand in just 4.4 ball through the covers for four. But the support she needed - none of the Australia won their fifth World Cup title on home soil four overs before Devine was sent back by Joshi hit Martin's stumps with the others got into double figures - India years ago and head coach Justin Langer said that Ponting’s Radha Yadav, bowled off her inside edge. very next ball, and then there was a couldn't quite build on the platform experience in leading the team to two of those victories Caitlin Gurrey fell soon after, but Bates lot of scrambling, an overthrow, shies Mandhana and Rodrigues had would be invaluable in England. and captain Amy Satterthwaite put the at the stumps that just went wide, and provided. Rodrigues, on 31 when “Ricky knows what’s required to win World Cups, and I chase back on the rails with a stroke- Hannah Rowe finished it off with a Mandhana fell, went on to score her know he will be a valuable mentor to not just the batting filled 61-run stand for the third wicket. quick single after playing the last ball fifth T20I half-century and batted till group, but the broader squad as we focus our attention on Both of them found the boundary to the backward point region. the penultimate over, ending with 72 defending our World Cup title,” Langer said. often enough, and with the 100 of the The first half of the match in 53 balls, with six fours and a six. “Ricky and I have worked together with the Australian innings coming up in 11.2 overs, it belonged to Rodrigues and, to a lesser But with just 63 runs coming after men’s team in the past, he is an extremely driven coach who looked like a stroll to the finish line for extent, Mandhana. New opening bat the halfway mark compared to 72 in is fully invested in the players development and improving New Zealand. But Poonam Yadav first Priya Punia had another the first ten overs, India might have Australian cricket. Source: Reuters accounted for Satterthwaite, and a disappointing outing, but Mandhana, finished around ten runs short, which double-wicket over from Arundhati in the form of her life, got together made the difference in the end. Chris Gayle back in West Indies team for England ODI series

Hardik Pandya a match-winner, happy to pening batsman Chris Gayle has been Orecalled to the West see him back soon: Ravi Shastri Indies one-day international (ODI) squad for the first two ndia chief coach Ravi Shastri is known as much for his cricketing games of this month’s five- skills as he is for being one of the best man managers in world match series against Icricket at the moment. And with Hardik Pandya under the England. scanner after the recent controversy in the chat show Koffee With Gayle has not played for Karan, there was no better person than the chief coach to guide the West Indies since he scored 73 all-rounder and show him the way forward. After all, Shastri is in an 18-run ODI defeat someone who is known to play hard and party harder, but within against Bangladesh last July limits. and opted out of the tour to Speaking to Cricbuzz, Shastri said that he did have a chat with the India and Bangladesh in talented all-rounder and is happy to see him back on the field rather October and November. than spending time off it due to the suspension that he was handed The 39-year-old, who has scored 9,727 runs and racked up by the BCCI. 23 centuries in 284 ODIs, was recalled by the West Indies “He is a match-winner. As a coach, I was just happy to see him back cricket board as it fine-tunes the squad ahead of the World as soon as possible after the suspension was lifted. The whole team Cup in England next May. was happy to see him back rather than farting around in India and Gayle was West Indies’ highest run scorer in the previous waiting for things to happen. I am glad things were fast tracked and World Cup in 2015, making 340 runs at an average of 56.66. he is back where he belongs on the cricket field,” he said. Spin bowler Ashley Nurse has returned from injury while Asked about his chat with the all-rounder, Shastri said: “I have told 23-year-old wicketkeeper Nicholas Pooran earns his first him brush it off (the repercussions following his comments on the call-up to the national side. chat show ‘Koffee with Karan’). Consider it a rap on the knuckles, a “He (Pooran) is clearly a young player with undoubted hard rap on the knuckles, and now move on. I have told him, ‘You are talent and we believe he can add value to our middle order,” born for better stuff ’. chairman of selectors Courtney Browne said in a statement. “Who doesn’t make mistakes? He has not made a mistake where “As we continue our Cricket World Cup preparations, the you can book him for anything. I think the BCCI handled it well with upcoming series against the top-ranked ODI side is a great a proper rap on his knuckles (for whatever was said). I don’t want to opportunity to gauge where we are as a team.” comment on the BCCI process, though. Only, that they brought him The one-day international series begins in Barbados on back to where he belongs. I am happy to see him where he belongs, on Feb. 20 with the first two matches to be played at the the cricket field.” Kensington Oval in Bridgetown. Pandya joined the team during the ODI series against New Zealand West Indies are 2-0 up in the test series, with the third and and has been a constant contributor since with both bat and ball. final test starting on Saturday in St Lucia. THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2019 ADVERTISEMENT 35 THE INDIAN PANORAMA 36 ADVERTISEMENT FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2019