www.theindianpanorama.news VOL 11 ISSUE 50 ● NEW YORK/ DALLAS ● DECEMBER 15 - 21, 2017 ● ENQUIRIES: 646-247-9458

‘Absurd’ is the new Looking for Sikh Religious Society Organizes The Wishes ‘normal’ balance in power Two-day Conference in Chicago to Nutcracker Anushka-Virat Happy 8 9 13 Implement Mool 16 at NJPAC 18 Married Life Diwali Foundation USA’s ‘POWER OF ONE’ will bring out a special fully illustrated New Inaugural Award Bestowed on 6 Diplomats Year Issue on December 29, 2017. The New Year Special edition offers a great UN Women's Lakshmi Puri only woman recipient of the Honor opportunity to grow business through advertising. Please book space for (TIP): Diwali Foundation advertising by December 21. USA's Inaugural "Power of Email to [email protected] or One "Awards were presented here on December 11, 2017. call 646-247-9458 to book space and for Belarus, Georgia and India any information related to publication. joined with Diwali Foundation USA, to bestow Articles for publication in the "Power of One" Awards - special issue may please be essentially the "Oscars of Diplomacy" - upon six submitted by December 21 to exceptional diplomats: Amb. [email protected]. Maged Abdelaziz, Amb. Ion Please email with the article, Botnaru, Amb. Lakshmi Puri, Amb. Matthew Rycroft, a photograph and a brief bio. Amb. Nawaf Salam, and Amb. Yuriy Sergeyev. Visit www.theindianpanorama.news The event was co- sponsored by Algeria, Deputy Executive Director of UN Women Lakshmi Puri receives her award. Seen in the picture, Call 646-247-9458 contd on Page 4 from L to R: Lakshmi Puri, Amb. Akbaruddin (3rd from left), Ranju Batra (2nd from right) and Ravi Batra (extreme right). Photo/ Mohammed Jaffer-SnapsIndia U.S. Federal Exit polls predict clear majority for A Sikh American to be next top prosecutor in NJ Communications Commission scraps BJP in Gujarat TRENTON, NJ (TIP): On December 12, a net neutrality rules Sikh Indian-American Gurbir S. Grewal, was The BJP is projected to win between 99 and 117 seats and nominated by NJ Governor-elect Phil Murphy the Congress between 64 and 82. as New Jersey's next attorney general. Grewal, a Democrat, on confirmation by state Senate, NEW DELHI (TIP): Exit will become New Jersey's top law enforcement polls on December 14 predicted official. He will be the first South Asian a victory for the ruling BJP in attorney general in New Jersey and the first Gujarat, giving it a clear Sikh to hold the position in any state. majority in the keenly- contd on Page 32 contested Assembly polls in Governor -elect Phil Murphy announced Bergen New York Attorney General the State, a PTI report said on County Prosecutor Gurbir S. Grewal as his pick Eric T. Schneiderman has December 14. for state attorney general on Tuesday, Dec 12 announced that he will lead a multistate lawsuit to stop the Soon after voting ended in rollback of net neutrality. the second and final phase of the election, an exit poll gave WASHINGTON (TIP): the BJP 115 of the total 182 The U.S. Federal seats and the Congress 65. Communications Another exit poll gave the Commission voted along ruling dispensation 108 seats party lines on December 14 to and 74 to the opposition repeal Obama era landmark Congress. rules aimed at ensuring a The Times Now-VMR exit Prime Minister Narendra free and open internet, poll predicted 115 seats for the Modi shows his ink-marked setting up a court fight over a BJP, 64 for the Congress, and finger after voting during the move that could recast the last phase of Gujarat the remaining for other digital landscape. New York Assembly elections, in parties. The Republic-C Voter Attorney General Eric T. Ahmedabad on December 14, exit poll gave the BJP 108 seats contd on Page 32 2017. Photo/ courtesy PTI contd on Page 32

104-02, 120th Street, S. Richmond Hill, NY 11419 THE INDIAN PANORAMA 2 ADVERTISEMENT FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017 THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017 PICNEWS 3 Sangam Foundation Honors Consul Gujarati movie Love Ni Bhavai Screened ohana Samaj USA & General Sandeep Chakraborty Gujarati Movies in US Lpresented 'Love Ni Bhavai' First Show in USA on Dec 11th, 2017 @ Big Cinemas in Edison, NJ

A scene from the movie

onsul General of India in New York Sandeep Chakraborty was honored by Hindi Sangam Foundation as its Patron on December 6, 2018. Mr. Chakraborty (third from left) is seen A group of spectators at the theater Cwith (from left) Ashok Ojha, president, HSF, Prof. Indrajit Saluja, Editor, The Indian Panorama, Mrs. Hema Ojha, Prof. Gabriela Nik Ilieva, NYU and Head of Chancery Jaideep Photo/ Gunjesh Desai A CHRISTMAS PARTY IN EDISON NOSTALGIA FOR KAPOORS ndian Culture Society of Indian Cultural Society Presented 2017 Annual Gala - 'The New Jersey Inc organized Kapoor Kaleidoscope' on December 10th, 2017 at North IChristmas Party on Dec Brunswick High School in North Brunswick NJ' 9th, 2017 at Akbar Restaurant in Edison NJ

Santa moves around distributing joy An attractive performance

Photos/ Gunjesh Desai

Santa obliges by posing for a photograph with a section of the gathering Photos / Gunjesh Desai IAGS ANNUAL EVENT ORGANIZED

ndia Association of Garden State (IAGS) Ipresented 41st Annual Day Event on Dec 9th, 2017 at Royal Albert's Palace, Edison NJ PBA Students present an evening of dances BA students presented Bhangra, Giddha, PMalawi Giddha (Performances by all ages) at "SABHYACHARAK MELA 2017" on Saturday, December 9, 2017 at Bordentown A captivating dance performance by children Regional High School, Bordentown NJ'

Young students give a bhangra performance

A bhangra performance by children

The young display their talent Photos / Gunjesh Desai THE INDIAN PANORAMA 4 NEW YORK FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017 Diwali Foundation USA’s ‘POWER OF ONE’ Inaugural Award Bestowed on 6 Diplomats , Azerbaijan, Botswana, Cyprus, , Honduras, about change. Buddha said, "Be Bold - who saw Diwali as the Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Malta, Morocco, Republic of Korea, a light unto yourself; nobody embodiment of the highest Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tunisia, can give this light to you." ideals of the United Nations, , United Kingdom, United States of America, The inaugural "power of and took it Global. It was Permanent Observer State of Palestine, and International one" awardees are all living Minister Valentin Rybakov Atomic Energy Agency-NY. examples of that important who characterized Ranju's message." peaceful 7yr Journey, Diwali Foundation USA respectful of all religions, use Chair Ranju Batra thanked inclusive-based perseverance Amb. Valentin Rybakov "for a to get the Diwali Stamp: as the warm introduction", and "Power of One." That Ambassadors Ruzicka, Diwali Foundation USA Chair Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin Ranju Batra: "I was Akbaruddin, Imnadze, of India, home of Diwali, determined to succeed in my Boukadoum, Umarov and allowed another nation to take goal to get the USPS to issue Yelchenko for their "national a Diwali Stamp". the Lead speaks of his quiet and personal support and confidence in humanity & kindness" diplomacy. That Ambassador Kaha Imnadze of Georgia - who She said, "As you know, I was played host to the birth of last year's event, and now is a co- determined to succeed in my organizer is the very definition of both History made, and goal to get the USPS to issue a History corrected. Diwali Stamp, despite knowing "I must acknowledge the Co-Sponsors, and the Speakers many others had tried and from their midst. The Sponsorship is a principled statement by Diwali Foundation USA Chair All the awardees, with organizers and ambassadors given up. I spent nearly 7 years Ranju Batra: "I was these nations that Humanity & Religious mooring ought not be chasing it peacefully,and using determined to succeed in my banned, but rather, cherished - if Good, Light, Knowledge & Amb. Rybakov who was Master of Ceremonies invited only inclusive and respectful goal to get the USPS to issue Hope - are to be given to our kids and grandkids so they can Georgia's Amb. Kaha Imnadze, India's Amb. Syed Akbaruddin, means. Along the way, I got a a Diwali Stamp have a "more perfect" world. So, I thank each nation, each PR, Diwali Foundation's chair Ranju Batra, National Advisory lot of help from a lot of people. and all Ambassadors present as well as Ambassador Sabri Council South Asian Affairs Chair Ravi Batra along with Amb. Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney accepted my invitation and Boukadoum, Ambassador Kairat Umarov, now-Minister Frantisek Ruzicka, Chef de Cabinet to President of the 72nd provided national political leadership. I was happy that there Kairat Abdrakhmanov, and Ambassador Volodymyr General Assembly, H.E. Miroslav Lajcak, to light the Diya. were stamps for Hanukkah, Christmas, Eid, and Kwanza; but I Yelchenko for their support and embrace. As a die-hard He expressed gratitude to all nations who agreed to Co- also wanted one for Diwali. In October 2016, we won and got American, who claims intellectual ancestry to Thomas Sponsor the Award Ceremony, and named each of them. He our Forever Diwali Stamp. I personally sold over 170,000 Jefferson, I especially thank Amb. Nikki Haley for America's said, stamps to make the Diwali Stamp the USPS' #1 Bestseller for Co-Sponsorship. "Having Diwali event held already second year in a row is Day One in its over 200-year existence. Among many who were Turning to our Honorees, I note the irony: that "It takes a hopefully becoming a regular tradition here in the United of great support were Shiv Dass, now a Director of Diwali village to raise a child," but with the "Power of One" you can Nations. Being a symbol of charity,kindness and peace, Diwali Foundation USA, Neeta Jain, Surinder Kathuria, Neeta save the world: Be it Brahma, Jehovah, Jesus, or Allah. But, is in lockstep with the goals and ideals of the United Nations. Bhasin, Air India's Vandana Sharma, Amb. Dnyaneshwar that of course, is the Divine Power of One, even as we celebrate After a very successful launch of the Diwali stamp in 2016, Mulay, and each of you who signed our petitions - which great mortals today. this is now transformed into the "the power of one" awards included many in the UN family - such as Palestine's These Diwali Foundation USA's "Power of One Awards" are acknowledging the role a person can play in the International Ambassador's daughter Reem Mansour. Aside from my essentially the "Oscars of Diplomacy" for helping "Good" beat community. Grassroot efforts, I also secured support from India's Prime Evil and Suffering. They are like Clint Eastwood - our We all hope that the "power of one" award will illuminate the Minister Modi and America's President Obama. Honorees - as "Harry Callahan" in "Dirty Harry" or as "Luther way forward towards a more peaceful, safe and secure world in "Days after the Official Dedication, we attended a dinner Whitney" in "Absolute Power" - or better yet, like the the United Nations and beyond." hosted by Georgia's Ambassador Imnadze, and I told my story. "Magnificent Seven" - with Yul Brynner, Steve McQueen and Others who spoke on the occasion included CDC to PGA, Next day, Belarus' Ambassador Dapkiunas called Ravi to tell James Coburn. Amb. Frantisek Ruzicka, Georgia's Amb. Imnadze, India's him that he had booked this historic Chamber to celebrate the Ultimately, the "Power of One" Awards - to paraphrase our Amb. Syed Akbaruddin, Algeria's Amb. Boukadoum, and Diwali Stamp and honor my journey at the UN. exceptional Constitution - is "to help form a more perfect" Kazakhstan's Amb. Umarov. "At that celebration last year, Minister Rybakov spoke of my world. Even Thomas Becket and the Barons in 1215 at determined efforts as "The Power of One," and now-Minister Runnymede who got the Magna Carta could not imagine what Dapkiunas spoke of the Diwali Stamp's journey being occurred in Philadelphia in 1789; and we are most grateful to consistent with the highest ideals of the UN Charter, and that England because we stand on these wonderful shoulders. And Diwali was Global. That event, like a seed, with added thank you for the Common Law, as one of our Honorees will be prompting, grew this year into the Diwali Foundation USA. In gracing the International Court of Justice. turn, that resulted in today's inauguration of the "Power of One" Awards being bestowed upon globally exceptional people - who have toiled selflessly "to help form a more perfect," peaceful and secure world for all of us. "Today, we are privileged to celebrate and recognize the unique contributions of our Honorees: Amb. Maged Abdelaziz, Amb. Ion Botnaru,Amb. Lakshmi Puri, Amb. Matthew Rycroft,Amb. Nawaf Salam, and Amb. Yuriy Sergeyev. "This slate of Honorees has set the bar quite high for all future honorees. Whatever the UN Charter dreams of, the Traditional lamp lighting. Seen from L to R: Amb. Rybakov, Diwali Foundation's "Power of One" Honorees have helped to Amb. Akbaruddin (3rd from left), Ranju Batra (4th from left), make it a reality! Ravi Batra (extreme right). "Finally, I thank Belarus, Georgia and India for being Co- Organizers. I also thank every Co-Sponsor of today's event, as National Advisory Council South Asian Affairs Chair Ravi Batra Ambassador Akbaruddin said, "The message of Diwali has well as the ambassadors, who by their presence, are said, "When all nations agree to cosponsor these awards, we been repeatedly stated to be the triumph of good over evil, supporting these Awards. The Co-Sponsors are: Algeria, may have arrived at a near-perfect world". light over darkness. It is also the reaffirmation of the Armenia, Azerbaijan, Botswana, Cyprus, France, Honduras, Photos/Mohammed Jaffer-SnapsIndia foundational principles of the United Nations, which stand for Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Malta, Morocco, Republic of Korea, universal good. Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tunisia, When all nations agree to cosponsor these awards, we may "Today's event, the "power of one" is to celebrate the Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States of America, have arrived at a near-perfect world. outstanding contributions of those who are champions of the Permanent Observer State of Palestine, and International Ambassador Lakshmi Puri in her award acceptance speech United Nations Charter and promoters of universal good. Atomic Energy Agency-NY. said she was honored to receive the Power of One Award from Each of them embodies in diverse ways what we all aspire for "At the core of our purpose, is the concept of harmonious the Diwali Foundation USA and would like to thank and here in the UN. I am indeed humbled and grateful to be in the inclusion. Respect of all peoples and all cultures, serves as the congratulate the founder, inspiration and personification of presence of all these outstanding champions, and would like to only proven path to a peaceful and just society. Diwali Stamp this concept. Ranju Batra and her equal half Ravi Batra. congratulate them for all their work they have put in over the proves it. May God bless each nation, so every person is blessed "As an Indian and a UN diplomat my vision has always been years - which has made us all join in paying tribute to them. too. That will make Diwali, Global." that of Vasudhaiva kutumbakam - the whole world is an "As Mahatma Gandhi once said, "Be the change you want to National Advisory Council South Asian Affairs Chair Ravi interdependent family and our destinies are connected each to see in the world." The "the power of one" award gives us the Batra said, "All of you have just heard Ranju talk about how each and across all borders and spaces. opportunity to honor those who have successfully brought "Today" - was born. Last year, it was Andrei Dapkiunas the contd on Page 32 THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017 ADVERTISEMENT 5 THE INDIAN PANORAMA 6 NEW YORK FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017 India-America Chamber of Commerce Welcomes Ambassador Sandeep Chakraborty, new Consul General of India in New York

NEW YORK CITY (TIP): The India-America Chamber of Commerce (IACC) warmly welcomed the new Consul General, Ambassador Sandeep Chakraborty on Tuesday, October 17. The evening reception was hosted by Rajiv Khanna, President of IACC and Partner at the leading law firm of BakerHostetler. The event was attended by members of the Chamber, high profile business leaders and government officials. In his welcoming remarks, Rajiv Khanna stated: "Despite some friction on the outsourcing front, the relationship between the United States and India has been moving from strength to strength. President Trump recently confirmed India's strategic importance in the war against terror in Afghanistan. According to the numbers released by the United States' Trade Representative, India was the US's 9th largest trading partner last year. The two-way trade between India and the United States was $67.7 billion last year. It is Rajiv Khanna answers a question. Seen in the picture, from L Leading businessmen gathered to welcome Ambassador Chakraborty expected to reach $500 billion in the near future primarily to R: Consul L. Krishnamurthy, Rajiv Khanna, Ambassador Sandeep Chakraborty from expansion in the defense and aerospace sector. everyone for the warm welcome and emphasizing that the India's economy is also moving from strength to strength. relationships and prompting economic events in New York consulate is available to solve any hurdles and opened the Epidemic corruption has been significantly reduced due to City. Ambassador Chakraborty mentioned to the audience floor for Q&A. the Indian government's recent anti-corruption measures that the consulate is at your door steps and I welcome you all About India-America Chamber of Commerce: and crack down on the parallel cash economy. India is to come forward to discuss your issues. He stated clearly,"We sticking to its fiscal deficit reduction targets and inflation is are here to help you and work on the issues together." He The India-America Chamber of Commerce works to under reasonable control. touched upon the following points with the audience: promotes business-to-business dialog between the business At this critical juncture, New Delhi has sent two of its o Consulate office available at your door steps; available to and policy leaders of India and the U.S. - the two largest brightest diplomats to strengthen the economic and help 24/7 democracies in the free world. The Chamber serves as a commercial ties between the world's largest democracy and o Consulate at your disposal for any visa issues platform for open and spirited interaction among U.S. and the world's greatest democracy. We are honored today to o Focus on supporting education, charities, and cultural Indian business leaders from the private and public sectors. welcome our chief guest Ambassador Sandeep Chakraborty, exchange The Chambers' monthly meetings include keynote the new Consul General of India." Ambassador Sandeep o Create dynamic relationships amongst the business presentations by visiting cabinet ministers, ambassadors Chakraborty welcomed the audience and expressed his community and other prominent business leaders from the U.S. as well gratitude towards Rajiv Khanna for hosting the event and o India brings positive influence on the world as India. India-America Chamber of Commerce was formed telling a story to the chamber members on how he learned o India and US are becoming close allies and we continue in 1932 and has since then, tirelessly worked to promote about Rajiv from the finance minister of India when he was to build stronger relationships trade and investment between India and the United States. moving to New York for his new role. He appreciated Rajiv's o Issue of trade and balance; proposal for more oil and gas The Chamber is now accepting new members and forming a involvement and support towards India." transactions new board of influential members. He mentioned that his role will focus on building Ambassador Chakraborty concluded by thanking (Based on a press release) Festivities Galore at Madam Sonia Gandhi's Birthday celebration by INOC, USA

NEW YORK (TIP): The scene was one of Overseas Congress in USA. celebration and jubilation where over 100 These appointments were welcomed by the officers, members and supporters of INOC, audience with a standing ovation and with an USA converged at its annual meet in New arousing and a thunderous applause and York on Dec 9, 2017, over the pronouncements expressions of great satisfaction. Mr. George and road map chartered out by Mr. Sam Abraham thanked everyone for their Pitroda, Chairman of the Indian Overseas dedication to the values and principles of the Department of All India Congress Committee Congress Party and their perseverance to on Dec.2, 2017 in New York. safeguard them often through difficult times. Mr. Pitroda also gave official recognition He also called on everyone to work together to INOC, USA and established an umbrella and hoped transparency, accountability, and Board which would consist of Mr. Sam fairness would prevail in working with the Pitroda as Chairman and Mr. George other group. He also cheered the imminent Abraham as Vice Chairman and Dr. appointment of Shri Rahul Gandhi as Surinder Singh Malhotra as a member. Mr. President of AICC. It may be recalled that the Mohinder Singh Gilzian was endorsed to Congress party in the USA has hitherto been continue as the President of INOC, USA served by two splinter organizations one of until the next Lok Sabha elections in about which was headed by Mr. George Abraham 15 ' time after which, elections will (INOC, USA) and the other by Shudh Parkash take place for the single Indian Overseas Singh INOC (I). Mr. Mohinder Singh Gilzian Congress entity that will be established and appealed everyone to work together and make recognized as such. Also celebrated was the the organization a strong one. He said the nomination of Mr. Harbachan Singh, record of the Congress party was glorious and Secretary-General of INOC, USA as Chair of holds good hope for the future. a 3-member group to revise and update the Read full story www.theindianpanorama.news By-laws of the single entity of the Indian THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017 ADVERTISEMENT 7 THE INDIAN PANORAMA 8 EDITORIAL FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017

GUEST COMMENT AS I SEE IT ‘Absurd’ is the new ‘normal’ Starting over: On Rahul's elevation We now have a new level of normal. ahul Gandhi spent so many years stepping Murders are being justified by the Rup to become president of the Congress By Apoorvanand keepers of law and order party that once he was elected unopposed, the biggest surprise remained ome well-meaning people have Let us not delude ourselves by extracting the timing: in the middle of Rahul Gandhi's task as Congress been appealing to the Prime an Assembly election chief is more challenging than SMinister to condemn the ongoing a condemnation which the media would campaign in Gujarat, Prime that of his predecessors killings of Muslims in different states of Minister Narendra Modi's India on different pretexts. This begging present after each killing as a consolation home turf. Indeed, after the devastating blow to the Congress in must stop. One knows that it is not the “ the 2014 Lok Sabha election, and other electoral reverses since person but the office of the Prime to the Muslims. After all, how many times the then, it was a bold decision - a signal that he is in for the long haul Minister one is looking up to. One takes and that he is going to be undeterred by an election result that this seat with the solemn oath to be a poor PM is expected to issue statements? pundits, at least in the early days, had all but given to the Samdarshi: protecting the rights of all Bharatiya Janata Party. No matter which way the result goes on human beings of the nation. December 18, Mr. Gandhi has made it clear that the Unfortunately,this has not been the case Nor is this about the BJP or the RSS. We responsibility of the party's success rests on his shoulders and with the present Prime Minister. that there is no one but himself to blame for any missteps. That His aversion for Muslims is well know well that that anti-Muslim and anti- he would take over as president was clear since his mother Sonia known to the Muslims of Gujarat. They Gandhi's gradual retreat, but with a mere 18 months to go before are not surprised that he is scaring the Christian hatred is their raison d'être. So, we the next general election, Mr. Gandhi doesn't have the luxury of Hindus by saying that Pakistan wants to a great deal of time in reversing the party's political fortunes. make Ahmed Patel the chief minister of should not have any expectation from them", Given the personality cult that attaches itself to the Gandhis in Gujarat. the party, with every appointment and gesture read to see who's A friend of mine, Hindu by religion, says the author in and who's out, Mr. Gandhi will send the first signal about his shivers while recollecting a meeting the leadership qualities by the speed and professionalism with then Chief Minister of Gujarat which he constitutes his A-team. His swiftness in suspending addressed in 2002 in Ahmedabad. The India will live or not. After the first unsound mind. No normal human being family loyalist Mani Shankar Aiyar was an early indication of blood on the streets had not dried. He phase of shock and revulsion over the would do it. We know that as well. But decisiveness and drawing a red line for party persons. was in a Muslim-dominated are. brutal and unrepentant manner in we also know that the definition of the Leadership is vital for the Congress to address its three big Windows opened with curious women which the murder was committed and word normal has changed altogether. challenges: reviving the party organization; firming up and men looking down to hear their CM. recorded will come its rationalization. Would a normal man, with his senses alliances; and formulating a cohesive program as the main He theatrically swayed his hands with We'll start psycho-analyzing the intact, ever argue that Ram was born at opposition party that is looking for another chance to govern fingers pointed upwards and his first murderer. The family of the accused has the spot where He was claimed to be India. Historically,once the Congress is edged out of a two-party sentence was that he was there to make advanced a theory of 'love jihad'. This born? Was it not a former Home contest in a State, its local organization tends to fray. With the Mullahs of Pakistan to better hear what time, fortunately, the police have not Minister who led a whole mass of party ruling in half-a-dozen States and running at third or lower he had to say. Faces withdrew connived with them. There would be an Hindus to Ayodhya with this belief to place in big States such as Uttar Pradesh and smaller terrains immediately, and the windows started economic reason: the murderer was demolish the mosque standing at the like Delhi, the challenge is obvious. Alliance- formation has getting shuttered. Such was the power of jobless and, so, jealous of the laborer- spot he wanted them to reclaim for Ram? remained reactive since 2014 and Mr. Gandhi will have to forge violence in his language. But this is not turned-contractor. Was he in a normal frame of mind? Or decisions on pacts with regional parties, somewhat similar to about him. We know him well. He is in As time passes, we would be asked to will he plead that an abnormal passion what Ms. Gandhi did painstakingly before the 2004 election. A Gujarat again, creating a fear in Hindus understand that Hindus have a justified had overpowered him? transitional moment such as the leadership change also gives the of Muslims. Uttering absurd and white fear against Muslims. Even the Supreme We now have a new level of normal. Congress an opportunity to bring its offshoots, such as the lies; that Pakistan has asked Mani Court and the High Court of Kerala have Murders are being justified by the Trinamool Congress, into an understanding. All of this will be Shankar Aiyar to get him killed. been persuaded that there could be an keepers of law and order. Our children easier achieved if the Congress can articulate its outlook and People of Gujarat know that this is organized drive to convert Hindu girls to are being taught that God Shiva had agenda. It needs to spell out where it stands on the economy, not about Pakistan. Hindus know that he Islam by marrying them. Why blame performed the first organ transplant. social inclusion, minority rights, foreign policy, welfare. Simply is stoking a prejudice sleeping under this half-literate man then? Could he not Teachers are being made to chant reacting to the Modi government or being un-Modi will not their skin. He is using Pakistan and be genuinely under the impression that collectively talaq to China. Children and suffice. (The Hindu) Ahmed Patel metaphorically. This time, the targeted man was after Hindu teachers alike are being told to believe they are forcing themselves not to be women? And he took a step to protect that all Muslims rulers were plunderers swayed. them? and outsiders. The independence and THE INDIAN PANORAMA Muslims of Gujarat now hear all this This was the Supreme Court's autonomy of an adult woman is taken PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER: NEW YORK : Chitagam with indifference. So, to ask a man who argument when the quantum of from her by the courts. Prof. Indrajit S. Saluja FRESNO: Tarlochan Singh is so full of venom against Muslims to punishment for the crime of the murder All this might sound absurd to those VICE PRESIDENT: Chitagam Saluja DALLAS: Harjit Dhesi, Amarjit condemn the killing of Afrazul is to of Graham Staines and his sons was who think themselves as normal. But all CHIEF EDITOR: Prof Indrajit S. Dhillon insult him. Let us not do that. Let us not being decided. It awarded a lighter this is normal now. It has moved from Saluja OVERSEAS CORRESPONDENTS delude ourselves by extracting a punishment to Bajrang Dal leader Dara streets to our textbooks, to our ASSISTANT EDITOR: Bidisha Roy DELHI BUREAU CHIEF: condemnation which the media would Singh, arguing that his anger against classrooms, to our public and political GRAPHICS DIRECTOR: Ashishpal Singh present after each killing as a Staines had to be understood as he was discourse, to our courts. The murder of CHANDIGARH: Manjit Sidhu Om Parkash Malik consolation to the Muslims. After all, upset with the activity of conversion Afrazul would not have been possible LUDHIANA: A.S. Arora, R.P.Sharma DIRECTOR ADMINISTRATION: how many times the poor PM is expected done by the Christian missionaries. without this normality that India has Gauri Beri The Indian Panorama to issue statements? Nor is this about the Thus, the blame for making the achieved. If we want no more murders CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS: P.O. Box No. 190067, South BJP or the RSS. We know well that that murderer a murderer is put on the like this, we would need to reverse all Baldev Singh / BJ Videos Richmond Hill, NY 11419, anti-Muslim and anti-Christian hatred victim; otherwise good Hindus like Dara this. If we do not do it urgently, it would is their raison d'être. So, we should not Singh would not have turned into be difficult to pull ourselves out from the Gunjesh Desai / Masala Junction Tel: 646-247-9458 have any expectation from them. murderers. This is how we seek to morass which is pulling us in. Jay Mandal, Email: [email protected] This murder is about us. Our response justify such killings. Mohammad Jaffer/ SnapsIndia (The author is a professor of Hindi at DALLAS EDITION to this murder and our reflection on the A Rajasthan Government minister Mohammad Shahzad, Zia Khan Delhi University) P.O. BOX 121695, earlier murders would decide whether has suggested that the killer was of Nisha Rani ARLINGTON, TX 76012 Vaaho Photographers Lovllien Kaurr, VP & Bureau Chief Vijay Shah -Photo Journalist. E-mail [email protected] DISTRIBUTOR : Sukhwinder Singh Phone: 646-247-9458 CORRESPONDENTS : www.theindianpanorama.com SACRAMENTO: Parminder S. Aujla Published by Prof. Indrajit Saluja DISCLAIMER The Indian Panorama assumes no responsibility for the claims made in advertisements. We only sell space. Views published in the newspaper are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the newspaper. All rights are reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission in writing from The Indian Panorama is prohibited. THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017 PERSPECTIVE 9 LOOKING FOR BALANCE IN POWER An arrangement that had started with an attempt to manage American unipolarity is now being affected fundamentally by Chinese resurgence. Both By Harsh V Pant “ and India are having to deal with the externalities being generated by China's rise. While Russia is getting closer to China, India is trying to leverage its partnership with other like-minded states in the wider Indo-Pacific region. As a multipolar world order takes shape, India will have to engage with multiple partners so as to limit bilateral divergences", says the author.

after India was part of the considerations, as it was still far from 'Quad' discussion on the sidelines of becoming a global power of any reckoning. Athe East Asia Summit in Manila India saw in the trilateral a mechanism to involving Japan, Australia and the U.S., New bring greater balance in the global order as Delhi hosted foreign ministers of Russia and it believed that a unipolar U.S.-dominated China this week. The Russia-India-China world was not in the best interests of weaker trilateral held its 15th meeting in what can states like itself, even as strategic be construed as New Delhi's attempt to get a convergence deepened between Washington semblance of balance in its ties with Moscow and Delhi. Moreover, all three countries and Beijing. realized the enormous potential in the Scope of talks economic, political, military and cultural realms if bilateral relationships among The broader discussions, according to a them were adequately strengthened. joint communique of the 15th meeting, "took As a consequence, the trilateral did not place in the backdrop of the political lead to consequences of any great import. It scenario in West Asia and North Africa, merely resulted in declarations which were numerous challenges in putting the world often critical of the West, and of the U.S. Yet economy back on the growth track, concerns this was also a period which saw significant relating to terrorism, transnational shifts in Indo-U.S. ties as bilateral relations organized crime, illicit drug trafficking, food expanded while Russian and Chinese links security, and climate change." with the U.S. have witnessed a downward But what was perhaps interesting was shift. Russia and China's continued attempts to The joint declaration of the recent frame global and regional politics through a trilateral meeting said: "Those committing, similar lens, and the growing divergences organizing, inciting or supporting terrorist between India and them. Russian Foreign acts" must be held accountable and brought Minister Sergei Lavrov made it clear that he to justice under international law, including believes that India can benefit by joining the principle of "extradite or prosecute." It China's Belt and Road Initiative. "I know stopped short of naming Pakistan-based India has problems, we discussed it today, terror groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba and with the concept of One Belt, One Road, but Jaish-e-Mohammed, something that India the specific problem in this regard should would have liked in line with the most recent not make everything else conditional to BRICS declaration. resolving political issues," Mr. Lavrov said. An arrangement that had started with an Targeting India's participation in the 'Quad', attempt to manage American unipolarity is he also underlined that a sustainable now being affected fundamentally by security architecture cannot be achieved in Chinese resurgence. Both Russia and India the Asia-Pacific region with "closed bloc are having to deal with the externalities arrangements." Chinese foreign minister being generated by China's rise. While Wang Yi also cautioned against "spheres of Russia is getting closer to China, India is influence" and "cliques" by arguing that trying to leverage its partnership with China opposed "hegemony and power The Russia-India-China trilateral meet is New Delhi's attempt to overcome challenges in ties other like-minded states in the wider Indo- with Moscow and Beijing politics and disagree with the sphere of Pacific region. As a multipolar world order influence and cliques and promote the Beijing-Delhi 'strategic triangle' had influence on the world scene was a major takes shape, India will have to engage with democratization of international relations." originally come from former Russian Prime cause of concern for its leadership. There multiple partners so as to limit bilateral China, meanwhile, continued to take an Minister Yevgeny Primakov during his visit was a growing and pervasive feeling in divergences. aggressive posture on Doklam and its to India in 1998, when he argued that such an Russia that it surrendered its once-powerful The Russia-India-China template comes aftermath. Mr. Wang said in a speech before arrangement would represent a force for position on the world stage for a position of with its own set of challenges. China's his Delhi visit: "We have handled the issue of greater regional and international stability. little international influence and respect. It Global Times, commenting on the recent cross-border incursions by the Indian border This did not elicit as enthusiastic a response is against this backdrop that Russia tried to trilateral, suggested that "the leaders of the troops into China's Donglang (Doklam) area from China and India as Russia had perhaps establish itself as the hub of two bilateral three only meet with each other on through diplomatic measures." Though he hoped for. Thereafter, the three countries security partnerships that could be used to international occasions," adding, "this suggested that "China and India have far continued to focus on improving the nature counteract U.S. power and influence in areas indicates it does not have high status in greater shared strategic interests than of their bilateral relationships, maintaining of mutual concern. While Russia witnessed diplomacy and cannot bear more differences, and far greater needs for a safe distance from the Primakov proposal. a downward slide in its status as a functions." While this may be true, New cooperation than partial friction," he But, this idea of a 'strategic triangle' took a superpower since the end of the Cold War, Delhi's continued engagement with the duo maintained that "through diplomatic means, tangible form when former Foreign China emerged as a rising power that saw suggests that India is today confident of the Indian side withdrew its equipment and Ministers of Russia, China, and India - Igor the U.S. as the greatest obstacle, if it was to setting its own agenda in various personnel which reflected the value and Ivanov, Tang Jiaxuan and Yashwant Sinha - achieve a pre-eminent position in the global platforms. Just as China engages with the importance of China-India relations and met on the margins of the UN General political hierarchy. As a consequence, China U.S. on the one hand and with Russia on the demonstrated sincerity and responsibility of Assembly in New York in September 2002. recognized the importance of cooperating other, a rising India is quite capable of maintaining regional peace and stability." Despite the fact that nothing concrete with Russia to check U.S. expansionism in managing its ties with Washington, Beijing Tension in the air emerged out of that meeting, it represented the world, even if only for the short term. In and Moscow simultaneously. It will not the first major attempt by the three nations fact, American policies towards Russia and always be easy, but in an age when the The tensions in the trilateral framework to deliberate on world affairs, and since then China moved the two states closer to each certitudes of the past are fast vanishing, are inevitable given the changes in the global has become a regular feature of interactions other, leading to the formation of a new diplomacy will have to tread a complex geopolitical environment. The original among the three states. balance of power against the U.S. path. conception of this framework was a The three nations had very different India's stance (The author is Professor at King's College, response to a very different global expectations from this trilateral. Russia's London and Head of Strategic Studies at the environment. The proposal for a Moscow- role was key as its loss of power and India, on the other hand, had different Observer Research Foundation, New Delhi) THE INDIAN PANORAMA 10 SOUTH ASIA FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017 Pakistan asks 21 foreign aid groups to close shop, leave Locals oppose construction of dams in ISLAMABAD (TIP): Two senior Pakistani security officials say that authorities have asked 21 foreign aid groups PoK's Muzaffarabad to wrap up their activities and prepare to leave Pakistan after they failed to re-register under a regulation introduced two MUZAFFARABAD (TIP): Local years ago. residents of Muzaffarabad have strongly The officials say the international non-government opposed the construction of dams and organizations in question were told about the decision this hydro-electric projects in the region and week. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they are accused Islamabad of looting the not authorizes to speak to reporters. resources from the Pakistan occupied Pakistan unveiled tough registration rules in 2015 amid Kashmir (PoK). widespread suspicion that employees of aidgroups engaged in "Pakistan government with the help of spying. other countries has been stopping the There was no immediate comment from the aid groups. flow of the rivers and altering their Islamabad had been closely monitoring aid groups after routes to meet the needs of the people of arresting a Pakistani doctor, Shakil Afridi, who ran a fake Islamabad. Regional government was vaccination campaign in Abbottabad as a front for a CIA-led not even considered, while taking such effort to find al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden. (AP) decisions due to which the locals are suffering," said Ishtiaq Mir, leader of the Pak blocks 937 web addresses to United Kashmir People's National Party (UKPNP). curb terrorist activities Earlier in November, the UKPNP held a series of demonstrations and ISLAMABAD (TIP): Pakistan has blocked 937 web convention against the kidnapping of addresses and 10 websites run by banned organisations as part political activists from the PoK. of measures to prevent the use of internet and social media The residents of the PoK have been security forces kidnapped and tortured Minister and a President, but is ruled for terrorist activities. facing numerous issues as they allege the political activists, especially the from Islamabad. The ministry of information technology took action under they are treated as second-class citizens youth, who raised a voice against the The Prime Minister of Pakistan is the the National Action Plan (NAP) adopted in early 2015 to under the Pakistani occupation since Pakistani occupation and exploitation of chairman and chief executive of the eliminate militancy from the country after the 2014 Peshawar 1947. their natural resources. Azad Jammu and Kashmir Council that school attack in which nearly 150 people, mostly school In recent days, several incidents have The Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, also manages all affairs related to the PoK. children, were killed. been reported where the Pakistani known as 'Azad Kashmir', has a Prime (ANI) Dawn newspaper reported that it carried out research across the country in the month of April 2017 which revealed that 41 of Pakistan's 64 banned outfits were present on Facebook in the form of hundreds of pages, groups and Left will lead Nepal in line with individual user profiles. Their network, both interconnected and public, is a mix of Sunni and Shia sectarian or terror outfits, global terror organisations operating in Pakistan, and separatists in Constitution, says Prachanda Balochistan and Sindh. However, there appears to have been very little overall KATHMANDU: Communist Party of progress in the NAP in the last three months, as figures of the Nepal-Maoist Chairman Prachanda implementation report released in September are only slightly lashed out at the Nepali Congress different than the latest report, the paper said. leaders on Thursday for dubbing the Left The interior ministry's report showed that apart from alliance as "authoritarian" and said that blocking of Uniform Resource Identifiers (URLs), the his coalition will lead the nation in line government registered 1,351 cases, arrested 2,525 people and with the Constitution. sealed 70 shops in an effort to counter hate speech and The CPN-Maoist led by former extremist material. premier Prachanda and CPN-UML led The government also blocked a total of 98.3 million SIMs to by former premier K P Oli had forged curb use of mobile phones in militant activities. It also electoral alliance for both the provincial introduced biometric verification system to issue SIMS cards. and parliamentary elections. It dismantled communication networks of terrorists. The Left alliance bagged 116 seats out To curb the misuse of loudspeakers by clerics, the of a total 165 under the first-past-the- government registered 17,616 cases, arrested 18,308 suspects post (FPTP) system in parliamentary and seized 7,942 pieces of equipment. (PTI) polls. "I don't want to say anything to those Bangladesh arrests cleric over friends who spread rumour and wrong publicity," Prachanda said, adding that fatwa against women farming the allegations against the Left coalition after the victory of Left alliance," aspirations of people and thus fulfill the will be proved wrong in the near future. Prachanda told journalists in Chitawan commitments it made during the DHAKA (TIP): A Muslim cleric accused of issuing a fatwa "We will not move against the district. Prachanda has been elected as a election campaign. banning women from working on farms has been arrested in sentiment of federal democratic member of the House of Representatives The CPN-UML won 80 seats, which is Bangladesh, police said Wednesday. The imam and five republic constitution and we will lead from Chitawan district constituency No. close to 50 per cent of the total 165 seats mosque officials face charges after their announcement the nation in line with the Constitution," 3. under the direct voting system. The prompted locals in the western town of Kumarkhali to try and he added. He said that the Left alliance is the CPN-Maoist and the Nepali Congress prevent women from going to work in the fields. During the recently concluded pro-people group. have won 36 and 23 seats respectively. "They took the decision after prayers on Friday, banning elections, there were charges levelled by The Left alliance was formed with key The Left alliance would form a women from going out of their homes," local police chief the Nepali Congress leaders that the agenda of bringing political stability, government at the centre. CPN-UML Abdul Khaleque told AFP. Maoists would impose autocratic system economic development and prosperity in chairman Oli is likely to lead the new "They used the mosque's loudspeakers that evening to through Constitutional amendment if the country and the huge mandate it government. spread the news." they get two-third majority in the garnered in the election implies that the In the provincial assembly, out of a Muslim-majority Bangladesh is officially secular, but elections. people endorsed the agenda, he added. total 330 seats, the CPN-UML secured Muslim clerics are hugely influential, particularly in the more "It was wrongly publicised that the He assured Nepalese people that the highest number of 168 seats followed by socially conservative rural areas of the country. country will head towards uncertainty Left alliance would work as per the the Maoist Centre with 73 seats. (PTI) Fatwas were banned in 2001, but the nation's highest court in 2011 ruled that they could be issued on personal and religious matters if they did not impose physical punishment. 21 Rohingya women has been sweeping and methodical, The soldiers raped any Rohingya women. Rights groups have criticised that ruling, saying villages far Associated Press found in interviews Here are the accounts as told by 21 from Bangladesh's secular courts use fatwas to issue sentences recount rape by with 29 Rohingya Muslim women and women and girls. They agreed to be that go against the nation's laws. girls now in Bangladesh. identified in this story by their first Women were once largely confined to the home in rural They were interviewed separately, initial only, out of fear the military will Bangladesh, but a labour shortage has meant millions now Myanmar armed come from a variety of villages in kill them or their families. work in the fields during harvest or crop sowing season. Myanmar and now live spread across She is only 13, but R had already Women also account for some 80 percent of four million forces several refugee camps in Bangladesh. learned to fear the military men. Last workers in the country's 4,500 textile plants -- the mainstay of UKHIA (BANGLADESH) (TIP):The Yet their stories were hauntingly year, she says, soldiers stabbed her the impoverished nation's economy. (AFP) use of rape by Myanmar's armed forces similar. The military has denied its father to death. (AP) THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017 ADVERTISEMENT 11 THE INDIAN PANORAMA 12 US FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017 Hindus urge India Govt. to mandate listing of gelatin source Democrat wins US Senate seat in on food, which many times is beef Alabama in setback for Trump NEVADA (TIP): Hindus are urging India Government and Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to MONTGOMERY (TIP): In a stunning mandate food manufacturers to mention the source of gelatin, victory aided by scandal, Democrat Doug if used in the product, on its "Ingredients" label. Jones won Alabama's special Senate When the source of gelatin is not listed and if it is beef, it is election on Dec 12, beating back history, a serious non-disclosure affecting the Hindu devotees and an embattled Republican opponent and would severely hurt their feelings when they would come to President Donald Trump, who urgently know that they were inadvertently consuming beef-laced endorsed GOP rebel Roy Moore despite a popular food products, distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan litany of sexual misconduct allegations. Zed stresses. It was the first Democratic Senate Consumption of beef was highly conflicting to Hindu victory in a quarter-century in Alabama, beliefs. Cow, the seat of many deities, was sacred and had long one of the reddest of red states, and been venerated in Hinduism; Zed, who is President of proved anew that party loyalty is Universal Society of Hinduism, pointed out in a statement in anything but sure in the age of Trump. Nevada (USA) today. The Republican loss was a major "…there is no requirement to declare the source of gelatin embarrassment for the president and a on the product label under our regulations", P. Karthikeyan, fresh wound for the nation's already FSSAI Assistant Director, wrote responding to an email query divided GOP. from Rajan Zed. "We have shown not just around the It would be shocking for the Hindu community to learn that state of Alabama, but we have shown the "Tonight's results are clear — the Republicans. some of the popular food products, which they might had been country the way — that we can be people of Alabama deemed Roy Moore He had his strongest support across unknowingly eating for years, might contain beef as part of unified," Jones declared as supporters in unfit to serve in the US Senate," said Alabama's "black belt," named for the the gelatin while beef was not explicitly mentioned under the a Birmingham ballroom cheered, danced Colorado Sen. Cory Gardner, who leads color of its soil, and in the larger urban ingredients listed on the boxes/packages to caution them, Zed and cried tears of joy. Still in shock, the the national GOP's Senate campaign arm areas, including Montgomery, indicated. Democrat struggled for words: "I think and called on Moore to quit the race Birmingham, Mobile, Tuscaloosa and Rajan Zed further said that it was hard to comprehend that that I have been waiting all my life, and weeks ago. Huntsville. Turnout in those areas, why corporations, both domestic and international, many now I just don't know what the hell to say." A number of Republicans declined to which features a large African-American times were not transparent enough to mention beef explicitly Moore, meanwhile, refused to concede support him, including Alabama's long- population, also ran higher than in some under the ingredients on the box/package when, being and raised the possibility of a recount serving Sen. Richard Shelby. But Trump of the more heavily Republican parts of constituent of gelatin, it was part of the product inside, so that during a brief appearance at a somber lent his name and the national GOP's the state. an ordinary consumer could make right and appropriate campaign party in Montgomery. resources to Moore's campaign in recent At his election night headquarters, choices. "It's not over," Moore said. He added, days. stunned supporters erupted in Dutch-British transnational consumer goods company "We know that God is still in control." Had Moore won, the GOP would have celebration as news of his victory was Unilever, which "has been in business since the 1880s" and From the White House, Trump tweeted been saddled with a colleague accused of announced. Many danced to the song which claims to have "developed a clear and global approach to his congratulations to Jones "on a hard- sordid conduct as Republicans "Happy." Some cried. nutrition labeling", in a response to Zed, noted: Gelatin "is fought victory" — but added pointedly nationwide struggle with Trump's "I honestly did not know that this was used in some of our products to provide a lower fat, lower that "the Republicans will have another historically low popularity. Senate even an option. I didn't think that we calorie product with a pleasing texture and consistency…We shot at this seat in a very short period of leaders had promised that Moore would could elect a Democrat," said 26-year-old cannot guarantee if the gelatin is derived from beef or pork". time. It never ends!" have faced an immediate ethics campaign volunteer Jess Eddington, her Many products of Wrigley, said to be the largest Jones takes over the seat previously investigation. eyes red from tears of joy. "I am so proud manufacturer and marketer of chewing gum in the world, held by Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Republicans on Capitol Hill have we did." contain gelatin that is sourced from beef. Gelatin derived from The term expires in January of 2021. expressed hopes of scheduling a vote on Moore, who largely avoided public beef is found in the many products of multinational Kellogg's, The victory by Jones, a former US their tax legislation before Jones is sworn events in the final weeks of the race and which claims to be "world's leading cereal company". attorney best known for prosecuting two in, but lawmakers are still struggling to spent far less money on advertising than Gelatin/gelatine is procured from various animal body Ku Klux Klansmen responsible for devise a compromise bill to bridge the his opponent, bet big — and lost — on the parts and is usually used as a gelling agent in food. It can be Birmingham's infamous 1963 church divide between the House and Senate state's traditional Republican leanings from cows, pigs, fish, chicken, etc.; but there are animal-free bombing, narrows the GOP advantage in legislation that can win majority support and the strength of his passionate and plant-based alternatives to gelatin like seaweed extracts. the US Senate to 51-49. That imperils in both chambers. evangelical Christian supporters. Gelatin is an ingredient in some cereals, ice creams, candies, already-uncertain Republican tax, budget The Republican loss also gives He sidestepped questions about sexual yogurts, desserts, marshmallows, aspic, trifles, dips, fruit and health proposals and injects Democrats a clearer path to a Senate misconduct as he arrived at his polling snacks, sour cream, margarine, frosting, confections, gums, tremendous energy into the Democratic majority in 2018 — albeit a narrow one — place on horseback earlier in the day. Chinese soup dumplings, puddings, nondairy creamers, cakes, Party's early push to reclaim House and in an election cycle where Democrats are Alabama state law calls for a recount if cream cheese, lozenges, etc. It is also used for clarification of Senate majorities in 2018. far more optimistic about seizing control the margin of victory is less than one- vinegar, juices and wine. Still, many Washington Republicans of the House of Representatives. half of one percentage point. With all FSSAI, headquartered in New Delhi, "has been created for viewed the defeat of Moore as perhaps Ultimately, Tuesday's contest came precincts reporting, Jones led by 1.5 laying down science based standards for articles of food and to the best outcome for the party nationally down to which side better motivated its points — three times that margin. regulate their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and despite the short-term sting. The fiery supporters to vote. Alabama Secretary of If the secretary of state determines import to ensure availability of safe and wholesome food for Christian conservative's positions have State John Merrill said turnout likely there were more write-in votes than the human consumption". Ashish Bahuguna and Pawan Kumar alienated women, racial minorities, gays would not exceed 25 percent of registered difference between Jones and Moore, the Agarwal are Chairperson and CEO respectively of FSSAI, and Muslims — in addition to the voters. state's counties would be required to tally whose tagline is "Inspiring Trust, Assuring Safe & Nutritious multiple allegations that he was guilty of Jones successfully fought to cobble those votes. It's not clear how that would Food". sexual misconduct with teens, one only together an unlikely coalition of African- help Moore, who ended the night trailing Putin, Trump discuss North Korea 14, when he was in his 30s. Americans, liberal whites and moderate Jones by more than 20,000 votes. (AP) in phone call US House, Senate leaders reach deal on taxes WASHINGTON (TIP): Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump WASHINGTON (TIP): Confident cuts grow smaller and weaker, and the percent, slash the corporate income tax discussed the crisis over North Korea's nuclear program in a congressional Republicans forged an American people grow stronger," Trump rate from 35 percent to 21 percent and phone call Thursday, in which the US president took the agreement Dec 13 on a major overhaul of said at the White House. "This is for allow homeowners to deduct interest unusual step of thanking his Russian counterpart for praising the nation's tax laws that would provide people of middle income, this is for only on the first $750,000 of a new America's economy. generous tax cuts for corporations and companies that are going to create jobs. mortgage. The two heads of state discussed "the situation in several the wealthiest Americans — Donald This is for very, very special people, the The top tax rate currently applies to crisis zones, with a focus on solving the nuclear issue on the Trump among them — and deliver the great people of America." income above $470,000 for married Korean peninsula," the Kremlin said in a statement, without first major legislative accomplishment The business tax cuts would be couples, though lawmakers are elaborating. The White House said the two "discussed working to the GOP president. permanent, but reductions for reworking the tax brackets. The together to resolve the very dangerous situation in North Middle- and low-income families individuals would expire after a decade standard deduction would be nearly Korea." But Trump's thanks to Putin took top billing in the US would get smaller tax cuts, though — saving money to comply with Senate doubled, to $24,000 for married couples. statement. "President Trump thanked President Putin for Trump and GOP leaders have billed the budget rules. In all, the bill would cut Details of the agreement were acknowledging America's strong economic performance in his package as a huge benefit for the middle taxes by about $1.5 trillion over the next described by Republican senators and annual press conference," it said. Earlier in the day, Putin told class. The measure would scrap a major 10 years, adding billions to the nation's congressional aides. his press conference: "Look at how the markets are reacting, tax requirement of Barack Obama's mounting debt. "It's not my vision of the perfect, but they are growing. This shows confidence in the American Affordable Care Act, a step toward the The legislation, which is still being again, this is definitely going to be a economy. With all due respect to (Trump's) opponents, these ultimate GOP goal of unraveling the law. finalized, would cut the top tax rate for strong pro-growth tax package," said are objective facts." (AFP) "The cynical voices that opposed tax the wealthy from 39.6 percent to 37 Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis. (AP) THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017 US 13 Sikh Religious Society Organizes Two-day Conference in Chicago to Implement Mool Nanakshahi Calendar “It takes a Village to raise a child; it takes a nation to raise a Sikh. Midwest conference turns out international conference with delegates and speakers from Canada, Australia, India and other U.S. states"

CHICAGO, IL (TIP): Sikh Religious Society hosted a two-day Mool Nanakshahi Calendar Implementation Conferenceat 1280 Winnetka St, Palatine, IL 60067, IL. The conference kicked off with a welcome dinner attended by the distinguished speakers at the conference as well as guests from various Sikh organizations in the US, Canada, India, and Australia. The welcome dinner, managed by S. Amardev Singh, featured a brief snapshot of what issues the speakers will cover during the conference. The focus of the conference was how to preserve the unique Sikh heritage and Attendees of the conference Honorees with organizers prepare the Panth for the next millennia. The expert speakers explained the history and Harkirat Singh Ajnoha (Australia). entailed that, in 1999, the Sikh scholars and B. Bandee Chhorrd Divas on February and importance of the Mool Nanakshahi The speakers stressed upon the role of SGPC (Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak 12th (1-) Calendar. Sardar Pal Singh Purewal, the overseas Sikh community in accomplishing Committee) introduced the Mool C. Holla Muhalla on March 14th (1-), brain behind the Mool Nanakshahi this mission. The conference featured a Nanakshahi Calendar, a tropical calendar; Mool Nanakshahi New Year Day Calendar talked about the efforts he has presentation explaining how the Mool on 300th anniversary of Khalsa's Saajna In the end of the conference, all the made to create awareness about the Nanakshahi Calendar works and helps conforming to Gurbani. speakers unanimously requested all social, practicality of the calendar and emphasized maintain the consistency of the Sikh Whereas, many Sikh organizations have cultural, and religious (Panthak) how important it is for next generations to observations like Gurpurabs, Vaisakhi and already been following Nanakshahi organizations to unify to cherish the unique adopt it. so on. Accurate recurrence of these Sikh Calendar for many years, except for the and blessed heritage ignited by Baba Bibi Jasbir Kaur (Ohio) threw light on historical dates and preservation of three dates ofGuru Nanak's Gurpurab, Nanak; and forever preserve it, by making the need of passing the heritage on to the Gurbani's relevance has profound Bandee Chhorrd Divas, and Holla-Muhalla. every attempt to fully adopt and implement next generation in order to secure Sikh implication for Sikh generations to come. So, the Chicago conference emphasized to the Mool Nanakshahi calendar. identity. She talked about how important it According to the speakers, the Mool fully adopt and forever follow The Mool Heeding the call of the conference, many is for kids to understand Gurbani, and Nanakshahi Calendar forever fixed drifting Nanakshahi Calendar and its methodology Midwest gurdwaras also adopted these apply it in their day to day life. Other Sikh historical Bikrami dates and to observe Sikh historical events on resolutions simultaneously. speakers at the conference were S. Sarabjit synchronized these dates with the Common following fixed annual dates. (Photographs and Press release/ Asian Singh (Sacramento), Prof. Niranjan Singh Era (CE) tropical calendar. A. Guru Nanak's Parkaash purab on Media USA) Dhesi, S. Surinder Singh (Talking Punjab) The resolutions passed in conference April 14th (1-Vaisaakh), Vaisaakhi NY Indian Consulate to host International Hindi Conference in 2018

NEW YORK CITY, NY (TIP): The the resolutions adopted by previous Consulate General of India in New York will conferences held in NY and NJ for host the Fifth International Hindi Conference establishment of a Hindi Center in New York in September 2018.This was announced by Metro area. Consul General Sandeep Chakraborty during Professor Indrajit Saluja, editor, The Indian a recent meeting he held with a delegation of Panorama, supported the idea of establishing Hindi Sangam Foundation, a New Jersey a network of Hindi professionals and based educational and cultural organization. members of other cultural organizations in The proposed Hindi Conference is part of a the USA. series of initiatives undertaken by the The Hindi Sangam Foundation delegation Consulate for promotion of Hindi language in led by its president Ashok Ojha met with the coming year. Consul General Chakraborty. Other Consul General also accepted the honorary participants included Professor Gabriela Nik title of "Patron" of the foundation, which has Ilieva, New York University professor of so far organized four International Hindi Hindi who was recently honored by the Conferences in USA and India. A delegation of Hindi Sangam called on Consul General Sandeep Chakraborty to apprise him of President of India as a promoter of Hindi the activities being undertaken by the organization. Seen in the picture, from L to R: Professor He announced a number of initiatives language outside of India, Professor Indrajit Gabriela Nik Ilieva, Ashok Ojha, Ambassador Sandeep Chakraborty, and Jaideep, Head of Chancery aimed at promoting Hindi teaching at the Saluja, Editor, The Indian Panorama, Col. consulate premises. He said that the organizations in various parts of USA. We University,NJ to organize the first and second Virendra Tavathia, a New Jersey community Consulate will celebrate Hindi Day on want them to share their accomplishments International Hindi Conferences at the leader and executive members of the Saturday, January 13, 2018. The event will be with each other so all of them could be respective university campuses. foundation. attended by well-known language experts benefited", said the Consul General. He also "The outcome of previous three Professor Ilieva emphasized the need for Janis Jensen of Kean University and Jennifer said that a scholar of Hindi and Sanskrit, who conferences was outstanding", said Ashok cooperation and collaboration among Eddy of Queens College, as the main speakers. is expected to take charge of his office soon at Ojha, president of Hindi Sangam foundation educational institutions in USA and India. "Such events are very useful for promoting the consulate, will conduct Hindi classes at who has been coordinator of the Hindi She urged educational leaders associated with Hindi in various sections of the society. We the consulate soon. conferences. "The fourth International Hindi universities in India and USA to develop a want Indian-American community to be In the past years Consulate General of India Conference was held in January 2017 at training system for Hindi teachers in the aware of academic work done by experts of hosted a number of Hindi conferences, GITAM University, Vishakhapatnam, AP, Indian Diaspora. She said that teaching of non-Indian origin", said Ojha, "Very few notably the third International Hindi which was a grand success. We were able to Hindi in 21st century was as important as people know that Professor Jensen is Conference held in May 2016, which was build a network of Hindi professionals in non- teaching any other subject about South Asia. directing a Master's program in Hindi attended by dozens of language experts Hindi speaking states of India and abroad", he "Hindi teaching relates directly with India Pedagogy at Kean University for future associated with various US universities added. where teachers should frequently upgrade teachers", he added. including Columbia, NYU, UCLA and UT Ojha said that his organization was their teaching skills by attending workshops "The purpose of Hindi Diwas event and Austin. In 2014 and 2015 the consulate engaged in promoting Hindi as a symbol of and conferences for Hindi teaching", she said. future conference is to establish a working collaborated with Hindi Sangam Foundation identity for all people of Indian origin. He (Based on input provided by Ashok Ojha) relation among community and cultural and the New York University and Rutgers urged the Consul General to help implement THE INDIAN PANORAMA 14 INDIA FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017 PARLIAMENT’S WINTER SESSION: OPPN PLANS Cong brands EC Modi’s ‘puppet’, OFFENSIVE AGAINST GOVT files complaint against PM’s ‘roadshow’ after voting

NEW DELHI (TIP): The Congress on Dec 14 (Thursday) launched a scathing NEW DELHI (TIP): The Congress-led opposition is likely attack on the Election Commission (EC), to attack the government on key economic and corruption saying the “sinking ship of Prime issues when the winter session of Parliament begins on Dec Minister Narendra Modi’s campaign is 15, Friday. being saved by the poll panel”. The ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will be In Ahmedabad, the party also filed a bolstered by Thursday’s exit poll results that gave clear complaint with the EC against Modi for mandates to the BJP in both Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat, allegedly violating the model code of the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. conduct by holding a “roadshow” even Sources in both camps indicated that the impact of the as voting in the second phase of Gujarat Gujarat results is likely to be felt in the House. elections was underway. “Even if the Congress is unable to get majority but Later in the day, Congress workers increases its tally in the Gujarat assembly, we will certainly marched to the Election Commission to see a more aggressive face of the principal opposition party,” protest against Modi’s roadshow. They said a senior party strategist. were stopped by the police outside The session’s first full day will be on Monday – when Sardar Patel Bhawan near Patel Chowk assembly election results will be declared – as the first day is in Delhi and many were detained. likely to be adjourned after obituary references to three “The Election Commission of India former parliamentarians. has set different standards for the BJP The government pushed back the session from its usual and the Congress. What is the reason for Prime Minister Narendra Modi shows his ink-marked finger after casting his vote schedule to ensure that it doesn’t clash with the Gujarat poll the poll panel to behave like a frontal outside a polling station during the last phase of Gujarat assembly election in campaign. The BJP, however, faced flak from the opposition organisation of BJP,” asked Congress Ahmedabad on Dec 14, Thursday. parties who accused the government for trying to curtail the spokesperson Randeep Surjewala at a length of the winter session. press conference in New Delhi. The EC, on Wednesday, also filed FIRs four public rallies on December 9, the The government has listed nine new bills, including one to “It is a great shame that PM Narendra against TV channels that aired the polling day for the first phase of criminalise instant triple talaq, for the short session. Modi has turned all constitutional interviews, saying rules prohibit display elections in Gujarat. It also intends to pass 24 bills which are stuck in either of institutions into his puppets, the of any “election matter” within 48 hours “PM Modi’s roadshow after casting the two houses. Election Commission of India being one of the start of polling. vote is a clear case of violation of the The Congress, along with other opposition parties such as of them,” added Surjewala. The Congress, however, accused the model code of conduct. The Election the Left, Trinamool Congress and DMK, had often stalled the Achal Kumar Joti, the target of the poll panel of favouritism and questioned Commission, it seems, is working under government’s bills in Rajya Sabha and disrupted Congress’ diatribe, took over as chief why it has not taken similar action pressure from the PM and the PMO,” proceedings in the Lower House, where the BJP-led NDA election commissioner in July. A 1975- against Modi who allegedly made said Ashok Gehlot, Congress’ Gujarat in- enjoys a brute majority. batch IAS officer, Joti was the chief political statements at a business charge, at the press meet. Rajya Sabha chairman M Venkaiah Naidu, who spoke secretary of Gujarat when Modi was meeting on Wednesday when he targeted In Ahmedabad, Modi, while leaving about tough measures against disruptions, told Rajya Sabha chief minister. He was also a secretary the previous UPA government. the polling booth at Ranip locality after TV on Thursday that the Opposition must have ways to in the industry, revenue and water “The Election Commission of India casting his vote, held up his inked finger express their views. supply departments in the state. filed an FIR on TV channels based on a and greeted the crowd. He also stood on The Congress’ attack comes a day complaint by BJP member within 30 the side-step of his SUV, which moved Man gets death penalty in after the Election Commission sought an minutes. Unfortunately,the Commission slowly through the street for some explanation from party president-elect has denigrated the Constitution of distance, which the Congress says is Dalit student rape case Rahul Gandhi for appearing in TV India. This shows how the institution akin to a “political roadshow”. interviews ahead of the second phase of has become a captive puppet of the BJP,” Gujarat chief electoral officer BB THIRUVANANTHAPURAM (TIP): A court in voting in Gujarat, which it said was a said Surjewala. Swain said the panel will look into the Ernakulam on Thursday sentenced to death Ameerul Islam, violation of the model code of conduct. The party said Modi also addressed complaint. Source: HT a migrant worker from Assam, who was convicted of rape and murder of Jisha - a 30-year-old Dalit law student from Perumbavoor. The Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court pronounced the sentence two days after it convicted Ameerul for the crime China on mind, India to host all committed on April 28, 2016. Judge N Anilkumar had found Ameerul guilty on charges under sections 302 (murder), 376 (rape), 376A (inflicting injury causing death or a persistent vegetative state), 342 ASEAN heads at R-Day parade (wrongful confinement) and 449 (trespassing) of the Indian Penal Code. It also sentenced Ameerul to a life NEW DELHI (TIP): Riding a mix of 25 yrs of relationship Cambodia, Laos, Brunei — form fourth imprisonment, 10 years rigorous imprisonment, seven years' religion, commerce and a growing largest trading partner of India at $70 imprisonment and a one-year imprisonment under sections challenge of China, India will be hosting India will host all heads of state of billion. 376A, 376, 449 and 342 respectively,and awarded a total fine of all heads of state of the 10-member the 10-member Association of South India is also looking at providing the East Asian Nations to mark 25 years of Rs 1 lakh. The sentences will run concurrently. Association of South East Asian Nations much needed stability in the South the relationship Ameerul's lawyer B A Aloor said his client would appeal (ASEAN) for an India-ASEAN summit to China Sea. Some of the ASEAN against the verdict before the High Court. Jisha's mother mark 25 years of the relationship. Commerce, Culture and Connectivity countries are locked in territorial Rajeswari thanked the court for its verdict. All 10 leaders will be chief guests at are the three 'Cs' of the India-ASEAN dispute with China in the hydro-carbon relationship The gruesome rape and murder had left Jisha's body the Republic Day parade down the rich sea. New Delhi has a stated goal that mutilated with 38 injuries including deep stab wounds. Rajpath in New Delhi on January 26. The focus will be on maritime freedom of navigation and over flight Investigating the case in which there were no eye-witnesses, Commerce, Culture and Connectivity connectivity and strategic ties as India over the South China Sea is crucial. the police built its case on scientific and circumstantial are the three ‘Cs’ of the India-ASEAN and companies held by private China unilaterally claims large parts of individuals are investing in various evidences. relationship. Various people-to-people the sea. “A peaceful, stable and free Asia infrastructure projects Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the verdict was a connects will be marked by the high- is very important,” a source said. judicial endorsement of the government's stand that there profile India-ASEAN commemorative India will focus on the youth and host would be no compromise on women's safety. summit in New Delhi on January 25 and The maritime connectivity will be an 500 children, exposing them to the Indian Jisha was found dead in her single-room home by her followed by the festive fanfare of the important route for our relationship, a way of life. At the religious-cultural mother on April 28, 2016. In May, the investigating team military-cultural parade the next day. source said. Another focus will be on level, India has invited all 10 ASEAN managed to collect the suspect's DNA sample. The Left This is the second time that an India- strategic ties as India and companies countries to send in their ‘Ramayana’ Democratic Front government formed a new investigation ASEAN summit is being held, the held by private individuals are investing troupes to perform in India. Variations of team under ADGP B Sandhya and in June 2016, Ameerul was previous one being organised five years in various infrastructure projects. the Hindu epic are narrated in various detained at Kancheepuram in Tamil Nadu. The police ago to mark 20 years of the relationship. ASEAN — Thailand, Vietnam, forms in these countries. “Ramayana is submitted the chargesheet in September 2016. The trial ASEAN has conducted such summits Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, an important link,” a source said. commenced in April this year. with the US, Russia, China and Korea. Singapore, Myanmar (Burma), Source: The Tribune THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017 INDIA 15 CRIMINAL CASES AGAINST LAWMAKERS Death penalty SALUTARY BENEFITS FROM to Kulbhushan DEMONETISATION IN INDIA: IMF SC wants 12 special Jadhav through farcical courts by March 2018 process: India NEW DELHI (TIP): The Supreme Court on Dec 14, Thursday, ordered that the 12 special NEW DELHI (TIP): India courts proposed to fast-track criminal cases on Thursday reiterated that against lawmakers should start functioning by Pakistan had awarded death March next year, giving a nod to a scheme sentence to former Indian WASHINGTON (TIP): The International Monetary Fund framed by the Centre. Navy officer Kulbhushan (IMF) sees benefits in the medium-term from the A bench of justices Ranjan Gogoi and Navin Jadhav through a "farcical demonetisation exercise which India carried out about a year Sinha told additional solicitor general ANS process" and on "concocted" ago. Nadkarni the funds earmarked for the courts charges. "We see salutary benefits from the demonetisation that took should be allocated proportionately to the based on certain calculations and perceptions Islamabad had conveyed place a year ago. And there are potential benefits going states where the courts are planned to be on the time courts will take to dispose 1581 to the International Court of forward," William Murray of the IMF told reporters at the located. cases.” Justice based in The Hague fortnightly IMF news conference. “Immediately after the allocation, the state The SC directed the high court concerned to that it would not grant New Murray said the demonetisation did cause some temporary governments in consultation with the mark the matters before the special court after Delhi consular access to disruptions in economic activity, primarily, private respective chief justice of the high court will tracing it out from the records. Jadhav. In response, New consumption and small businesses due to cash shortages. set up the court so that it starts functioning by The bench also brushed aside the Delhi on Thursday "(But) the effects are dissipating," he said in response to a March 1, 2018,” the bench said. apprehensions raised that a dozen courts were reiterated that India had question. In 2014, as many as 1,581 lawmakers—both too less to decide 1581 cases. “A judge in his life moved the ICJ against "In the medium term, demonetisation could have possible members of parliament (MPs) and members of time is able to decide just about 45 to 50 cases,” Pakistan because the effects, including through greater formalisation of and the legislative assemblies (MLAs)--were facing petitioner’s lawyer told the court. It was neighbouring country's information on economic activities and a more efficient prosecution in 13,500 cases. pointed out that several states did not have any government was violating payment system with a greater use of the banking system and The Centre in an affidavit told the top court special courts. the Vienna Convention on digital payments," Murry said. on Tuesday that Rs 7.8 crore was earmarked for “Let these 12 courts start. To get the work Consular Relations by The IMF is slated to come out with an update of its the scheme after taking into account the started is difficult. This is not the end of it. turning down requests for projections of India's growth rate along with the rest of the revised pay scales of judges in accordance with They (Centre) have arrived at the figure consular access to Jadhav. world in January. Source: PTI the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay through some calculations. Cases pending in "We have repeatedly Commission. According to an estimate, Rs 65 states where there are no courts can be referred requested for consular access SC extends last date for linking lakh will be spent on each court, which will be to other courts,” the bench said. in respect of Jadhav and able to dispose 165 cases. The scheme would be The court clarified its direction is tentative many other Indian nationals Aadhaar till March 31, 2018 subject to minor changes after consultation and has been done with a view to get the courts who are incarcerated in with states, Centre said. operational. If necessary changes are required Pakistani prisons. This is as NEW DELHI (TIP): The Supreme Court on Friday As per the calculations arrived at, each judge in future or any amendments are to be made in per the Vienna conventions. extended the last date for the linking of Aadhaar with various will get to hear 165 cases. These courts will have the order, the same shall be done at an We have appealed at the ICJ schemes and welfare measures up to March 31. a year to complete the trial. appropriate stage. in May because we thought The deadline of February 6 for linking Aadhaar with The affidavit was filed in response to the SC’s The case would be heard again on March 7 that the Vienna Convention mobile services also stood extended up to March 31, the apex November 2 order that asked the government to when the court will take stock of the progress was being violated," said the court said. draw a road map for special courts to expedite made in accordance with its order. official spokesperson of the The Supreme Court said the new bank accounts could be trial of lawmakers facing criminal charges. Since the government was unable to gather Ministry of External Affais, opened without Aadhaar but the applicant needed to submit The court is hearing a public interest information on the status of 1581 cases, the Raveesh Kumar. proof that he had applied for the card. Source: PTI litigation (PIL) by advocate Ashwini court gave it two more months to collect it. "We do reiterate our Upadhyaya, who has sought a life ban on Nadkarni submitted the Centre had written position that Jadhav Indian jails overcrowded with convicted politicians from contesting elections, to the state chief secretaries and also all HCs to remains in Pakistan and is a plea the government has opposed. know how many cases had been disposed and facing death sentence poor hygiene: Mallya’s defence After perusing the affidavit the court said: how many are still awaiting a final decision. awarded through a farcical “On setting up of special courts a scheme has There was no government agency to maintain process and on concocted LONDON (TIP): Vijay been framed, though rudimentary, which is such a data, he said. Source: HT charges," he said. Mallya's defence on Thursday fielded a UK- based prison service expert to claim that jails in INS Kalvari, India’s first Scorpene India are overcrowded with poor hygiene as they sought to counter Indian government assurances on submarine, commissioned how he would be treated on being extradited to face NEW DELHI (TIP): Prime Minister Narendra Modi fraud and money commissioned India’s first Scorpene submarine, the INS laundering charges. Kalvari, in Mumbai on Dec 14, Thursday. A Scorpene Mallya's barrister, Clare submarine is a class of diesel-electric attack submarines Montgomery, deposed Dr Alan Mitchell before the designed by French naval defence and energy company DCNS Westminster Magistrates' Court in London where the liquor and are being manufactured by Mazagon Dock Ltd in Mumbai. baron is facing an extradition trial. The submarine can undertake multiple missions, including The trial seeks to prove that there are no "bars to anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, intelligence extradition" and that Mallya is assured a fair trial in India gathering, mine laying and area surveillance. over his now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines' alleged default of The submarine is designed to ensure interoperability in the over Rs 9,000-crore in loans from Indian banks. Navy,said Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL), which built The defence today made an attempt to highlight that the submarine. conditions in Barrack 12 of Mumbai Central Prison on The submarine is fitted out with state-of-the-art technology Arthur Road, where the 61-year-old flamboyant businessman including superior stealth features such as advanced acoustic is to be held, were "far from satisfactory". silencing techniques, low radiated noise levels, hydro- Dr Mitchell, former head of healthcare at the Scottish dynamically optimized shape and the ability to launch a Prison Service and an elected member of the European crippling attack on the enemy using precision guided Council's European Committee for the Prevention of Torture, weapons, according to a statement by MDL. said the assurances given by the Indian government were Attacks can be launched with both torpedoes and tube- Modi also lauded the navy’s efforts. "general in nature" to state that jail conditions would be launched anti-ship missiles, while underwater or on surface. “I call it SAGAR—security and growth for all in the region,” "adequate" for Mallya. The stealth of this potent platform is enhanced by the special Modi said, referring to navy efforts, from disaster "But adequate in the eyes of whom," Mitchell questioned. attention given to various signatures. These stealth features management to combating piracy. His evidence relied heavily upon his past inspection visit to give it invulnerability, unmatched by most submarines. Rakesh Anand, chairman and managing director of MDL, Alipore Jail in Kolkata and also on an account of the prison “Peace in Indian Ocean, which is the lifeline of global trade said the induction of Kalvari into the Indian Navy would be a conditions in Puzhal Jail in Chennai, from six former British is better off with INS Kalvari and her follow on submarines,” game changer in the field of underwater warfare due to its soldiers – referred to as the Chennai Six – who have recently defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman said. superiority in all operational aspects. been released. Source: PTI THE INDIAN PANORAMA 16 THEATER FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017 The Nutcracker at NJPAC The Nutcracker is the perennial favorite of generations of children and "children at heart," Igor Levin “[NJPAC] has a great stage. It really is a beautiful theater. Shows always come out looking nice in that space," Igor Levin The State Ballet Theater of Russia's crystalline clarity is hard to match. The dancing is vivacious, secure and diamond sharp," San Diego Union Tribune. [The State Ballet Theater of Russia's] The Nutcracker is sure to make some magical memories this holiday season!

BY MABEL PAIS choreography that is performed in Moscow by the famous Bolshoi Ballet he Nutcracker, the 3rd and set to Tchaikovsky's beloved and last ballet of Russian music, including "Waltz of the composer Pyotr Tchaikovsky,was Flowers", "Dance of the Sugar Plum completed a year before his death Fairy", and "Waltz of the Snowflakes," in 1893. the entire family will love this The ballet ingeniously combines magical experience filled with the straightforward open-hearted joy spectacular sets and beautiful of a child with the deep philosophical costumes. reflection of the composer on life and The incomparable State Ballet death, beauty of the jest in the name Theater of Russia presents the of love and happiness. The libretto or beloved classic, The Nutcracker, book for The Nutcracker comes from featuring traditional choreography Marius Petipa based on the literary and sparkling imagery. material of the fairy tale by the Internationally renowned, The State German romanticist Hoffman. Ballet Theater of Russia brings The Nutcracker to life through graceful costumes, enchanting sets and astonishingly beautiful dances set to Tchaikovsky's musical score. The company is dedicated to maintaining a solid tradition of superior Russian classical dance. With a company over 55 superb dancers, they have drawn critical acclaim in performances throughout Europe, as well as the United States. In this production, the captivating story involves the family-feud of the A Scene from The Nutcracker. Montagues and Capulets brought to Photo / courtesy Hollywood Stars International Management, Inc life thanks to the talent of the acclaimed Bolshoi Theatre Ballet accommodating and very friendly. I ballet." Choreographer Mikhail Lavrovsky always enjoy working with them." The State Ballet Theater of Russia's who is also the show's producer. Not only are the people a main The Nutcracker is sure to make some The State Ballet Theatre of Russia factor as to why Levin chooses NJPAC magical memories this holiday A Scene from The was founded by Maya Plisetskaya, a as a stop to the ballet tours, but the season! Nutcracker. Tchaikovsky created a symphonic legendary dancer and former venue is also a selling point. The Nutcracker will be performed principal dancer of The Bolshoi "[NJPAC] has a great stage," he at NJPAC on Saturday,December 16 at Photo / courtesy Hollywood poem about a young innocent girl, Stars International Masha, standing at the threshold of Theatre Ballet. said. "It really is a beautiful theater. 3 p.m. Management, Inc the great world out there, dreaming For 17 years, Levin, President and Shows always come out looking nice For additional information on The about happiness and defeating evil. CEO of Hollywood Stars in that space." Nutcracker and NJPAC, please visit The music paints a vivid picture of International Management, Inc., has "There is family history, but this www.njpac.org. the children's world, their joyful been coordinating and organizing production is much more modern," (Mabel Pais is a freelance writer. She games, Masha's magical dreams, Russian ballet tours in the States to Levin said alluding to the writes on The Arts and Entertainment, which are sometimes quite uneasy great success. choreography. "It is modern, but it is Social Issues, Health and Wellness, and sometimes full of happiness. Levin spends almost half the year rooted in the basics of traditional and Spirituality) preparing all aspects necessary to bring to the United States a full production ballet company. "When the company finishes a tour in February,I start on a new one right away - around mid-February," he said, adding that the lengthy process includes choosing amongst a number of ballet companies, organizing the costumes and sets, bringing all necessary items over to the states, scheduling, booking travel and hotel arrangements, as well as obtaining visas for all the dancers and workers associated with the ballet company. One of the frequent venues Levin likes to set up as part of the tours he organizes is NJPAC - mostly due to A Scene from The The treasured holiday adventure the welcoming nature of all who work Nutcracker. follows Masha's journey through a there. fantasy world of fairies, princes, toy "They are great," Levin said. "They Photo / courtesy Hollywood soldiers, and an army of mice. A are willing to work with those from A Scene from The Nutcracker. Stars International thrill to the same authentic Russian another country and are very Management, Inc. Photo / courtesy Hollywood Stars International management, Inc THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017 ADVERTISEMENT 17 THE INDIAN PANORAMA 18 BOLLYWOOD FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017 BOLLYWOOD WISHES ANUSHKA-VIRAT HAPPY MARRIED LIFE Vidya Balan: ‘Tumhari Sulu’ proved married actresses can score a hit

idya Balan said with back-to-back box office disappointments post her Vwedding, she gave into the thinking that married female actors cannot deliver a hit, but the success of 'Tumhari Sulu' has proved the theory wrong. Vidya said for someone like her, who considers acting as important as personal life, the praise the movie is receiving is a major confidence booster. In an interview, Vidya said, "There was a point I started believing that may be a married actress can't score a hit. But the love 'Tumhari Sulu' is getting has proved it wrong." "The films, I did before this, were probably not successful in building the connect with the audience. It is a personal movement of glory for me. The actor part of me is as precious to me as a married woman part of me." The 38-year-old actor said the lesson she has learned from her past failures is 'keep trying until you succeed'. "Success and failures are a part of life. Every day is not a Sunday.The only thing as an artiste I host of Bollywood celebrities wished them and their loved ones the best years Actor Neha Dhupia wrote, "What a catch can do is keep moving forward, keep working actor Anushka and Indian cricket ahead..." @imVkohli ...and what a shot hard and keep growing. The joy is in learning. Acaptain Virat Kohli a happy married Actor took to @AnushkaSharma ... happiness , always!" Failures help me rise." Vidya recently received life as the duo tied the knot in Italy today. and said, "Many congratulations to Sharma and Kohli, who were married with the best actress award for her performance as In one of the most-awaited weddings in @AnushkaSharma and @imVkohli on their Hindu wedding rituals, will host a reception in 'Sulochana' in the film. tinsel town and the playing fields, the two got wedding. God bless and welcome to the club!" New Delhi on December 21 followed by She said awards are always a big motivation for married in a private event, attended by close Actor Sridevi tweeted, "Congratulations, another bash in Mumbai for their industry her and she never shies away from accepting that family members and friends, at a resort in may this partnership last forever... God Bless friends and cricketers on December 26. she enjoys winning. "Awards matter to me. And I Tuscany,Italy. @anushkasharma @viratkohli The celebrity couple, who had been dating have always been joking about it that 'if you win, Filmmaker Karan Johar, who directed #VirushkaWEDDING" for four years, were tight-lipped about their awards do matter to you'. I love when people Sharma in his last directorial "Ae Dil Hai "" star Richa Chadha said, "Congrats wedding plans despite the hype in the media. appreciate my hard work and dedication. With Mushkil", tweeted, "Huge congratulations and guys. Wish you marital bliss, peace and may In October, a newspaper reported that an 'Tumhari Sulu' the appreciation I am getting tons of love to @AnushkaSharma and you continue to smash goals in the face, like Italian wedding may be on the cards for the matters more. Recognition and acknowledge is @imVkohli ....beautiful couple and I wish @imVkohli smashes tidy 6s. Love." couple. Source: PTI always special for me." Source: PTI MOVIE REVIEW imagine things in this one. With his help, the team sets the stage for a little golden heist. Where they lead to facing what obstructions FUKREY is what the remaining story is about. Fukrey was loved for its earthiness & the salient hero of this movie – Vipul Vig (Writer) RETURNS has maintained the same charm in this one too. Yes, the script has few flaws here and CAST: PULKIT SAMRAT, VARUN SHARMA, there but it has enough rofl-worthy moments , , RICHA CHADHA, to divert your attention away from them. PRIYA ANAND, , PANKAJ TRIPATHI It starts with an amazing flashback song describing the story of the first part, so even DIRECTION: MRIGHDEEP SINGH LAMBA if you haven’t seen the first one you can , unlike most of the other easily enjoy this. Though, the personal sequels, carry forward the story where the recommendation will be to not miss the first gang left in the prequel. Bholi Punjaban gem. Bollywood has no major releases for a (Richa Chadha) is in jail, the fukra gang couple of weeks until Tiger Zinda Hai, which consisting Hunny (Pulkit Samrat), Choocha is why Fukrey Returns could work well at the (Varun Sharma), Lali (Manjot Singh) & Zafar box office. (Ali Fazal) are happy living their lives selling Vipul has written some amazing dialogues Choocha’s dreams (As shown in the prequel). but a better explanation of events and As they weren’t issue-less in the first rehashing some in the story would have instalment, there are many twists and turns helped this to touch the magic of it’s waiting for them in this one too. predecessor. The buildup of numerous events Starting with Bholi Punjaban getting the makes you believe something tacky is about jail-free card with the help of an infamous seeking a revenge from the gang & how her of story revolves around. Choocha, who was a to come your way but thankfully captain politician Babulal Bhatia. Bholi is out plan puts everyone in trouble is what the rest dream seller in the first one starts to pre- leads the ship well. THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017 HOLLYWOOD 19 I FELL INTO ACTING TO HELP MY MOTHER, SAYS ANGELINA JOLIE

ollywood heavyweight Angelina Jolie has confessed that she Hturned to acting to help her late mother pay bills. In an interview, the 42- year-old actress shared that she fell into acting and despite tasting success in her career she has never truly felt at home in front of the camera. Jolie said, "There's a lot that's not in my nature to be an actor. I'm very happy that I was able to be one - I'm very lucky and very fortunate - but I realised how much it was for my mother when she passed away, because I felt very Hilary Duff’s new tattoo a differently about it as soon as she was gone." tribute to Bette Davis Adding, "I think, when I started ctress-singer Hilary Duff has got a new acting, it was a good means to an end. It tattoo, which is a tribute to the late was a job, and I wanted to help my mom Aactress Bette Davis. with bills. It was a creative job, Her new tattoo was created by Dr. Woo, who something where you get to explore shared the photograph on his on different times in history, different Thursday. The design was in a simple and people, different sides of yourself, learn elegant script which read: 'Take fountain', different skills, so it's a wonderful job to reports people.com. have as you grow and as you learn as a Davis famously uttered the line when the late person. But you also are not those show host Johnny Carson asked her for the best people. way an actress starting out could get into The 'Maleficent' actress also shared Hollywood. She said: 'Take fountain.' that there were times when she has The advice is useful to those stuck in Los struggled to cope with the pressures of Angeles traffic as Fountain Avenue is in fame during her time in Hollywood. She Hollywood, , and serves as a quicker also noted that when she entered the route than using the congested parallel Santa industry, she was too inexperienced in Monica and Sunset Boulevards. life to deal with the scrutiny she faced. "Just a super tiny reminder on Hilary Duff, "You're young and you don't know one of the best tips when you are driving in Los exactly who you are, yet you also get a Angeles via Bette Davis," Woo captioned the microphone in front of your face, and image. you're 17, 18, and people are asking you Duff shared a Boomerang of herself sitting your opinions, and you haven't formed as Woo designed the tattoo. them yet," noted Jolie. Source: ANI In 2015, she said that she had 12 tattoos. Source: IANS MOVIE REVIEW vulnerability seems well calibrated to connect with the fan base. : THE Still, the eagerly awaited arrival of Luke () - - with his promised tutelage of Rey (Daisy Ridley), and past role in the dark descent of Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) -- doesn't ignite as anticipated. LAST JEDI While "Force Awakens" did an admirable job of engineering a baton pass by establishing the new cast (the CAST: MARK HAMILL, CARRIE FISHER, DAISY RIDLEY, , , GWENDOLINE CHRISTIE, other key members being John Boyega as and Oscar , ADAM DRIVER, BENICIO DEL TORO Isaac as Poe), "Last Jedi" bogs down in the middle and, the cooler parts notwithstanding, doesn't rally enough at the DIRECTION: RIAN JOHNSON finish to offset that. Running more than 2 ½ hours, the eighth "Star Wars" Granted, "Star Wars" has weathered past movie built around the Skywalker clan is the longest under disappointments -- including the clunkier qualities of that banner and showcases an abundance of action. But George Lucas' second trilogy -- without damaging the despite the enormous scope and visual spectacle, too many franchise, and the emotional investment fans have in a key components of the film -- including those that have kept property that's passed from parents to their kids can't be die-hard fans guessing and debating -- prove unsatisfying. overstated. To be fair, writer-director Rian Johnson delivers some Like those movies, though, which produced standout genuine surprises, and has dotted the movie with its share moments, "The Last Jedi" feels like less than the sum of its of pleasurable moments, from disarming humor to the first parts. And where "Force Awakens" director J.J. Abrams space battle to callbacks to earlier films -- practically nicely set the table for this sequel, this film leaves Abrams flashing a sign to ensure opening-night audiences will have (who will reprise that role on Episode IX) with his work cut opportunities to whoop and holler. out for him. The flaws also invite second-guessing about "The Last Jedi" also adds a number of new characters, Lucasfilm's pre-release vote of confidence by anointing most of whom feel pretty disposable with the exception of Johnson as the force behind a separate trilogy set in that Rose (Kelly Marie Tran), a plucky rebel whose far-away galaxy. THE INDIAN PANORAMA 20 ADVERTISEMENT FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017 THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017 ADVERTISEMENT 21 THE INDIAN PANORAMA 22 WORLD FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017

Theresa May 'disappointed' by UK vote but 'on course to deliver New Polish PM debuts at summit, Brexit' seeks better ties with EU BRUSSELS (TIP): British Prime Minister Theresa May BRUSSELS (TIP): 's new said on Thursday that she was "disappointed" after she lost a prime minister was making his debut key parliamentary vote on Brexit but insisted it had not on Dec 16 at a European Union summit, derailed negotiations on the terms for leaving the European a first test of whether the Western- Union. educated former banker can bridge a "I'm disappointed with the amendment but actually the EU deepening rift between his right-wing Withdrawal bill is making good progress through the House government and Brussels. of Commons and we're on course to deliver on Brexit," May Mateusz Morawiecki, 49, was tapped said as she arrived for an EU summit. last week by the leader of the ruling Hours before the summit May's own Conservative MPs Law and Justice party, Jaroslaw rebelled on a vote on an amendment to the flagship bill that Kaczynski, to replace Beata Szydlo. Her would give parliament the final say on a Brexit deal with two years as prime minister were Brussels. marked by bitter conflicts with the EU May however pointed to the interim agreement on divorce over migrants, the environment and terms sealed with European Commission chief Jean-Claude the state of Poland's democracy. Juncker last Friday, which paves the way for the opening of Poland's current isolation marks a the second phase of talks on a future EU-UK relationship. sharp reversal for a country that has "I'm looking forward to discussing that deep and special seen massive economic development partnership for the future," May said. since joining the EU in 2004, which said that if the EU court rules that the channel, TVN24, is the country's key "We're on course to deliver Brexit, we're on course to brought it an infusion of EU subsidies logging must stop, it will. source of independent television news. deliver on the vote of the British people." and foreign investment and which until But he also made clear he was Lawmakers last week also passed two Britain voted to leave the EU in a referendum in June 2016 2015 was an increasingly influential sticking to his predecessor's staunch new laws regulating the Supreme Court and talks on its departure began a year later. (AFP) voice in European affairs. That refusal to accept any refugees as part of and the National Council of the growing clout was reflected in the an EU resettlement plan. Judiciary, a body that appoints judges, Man arrested trying to climb wall election in 2014 of the Polish prime "I am glad that our approach on giving the ruling party control over minister at the time, Donald Tusk, to refugees is becoming more and more both institutions. At the Supreme at UK's Buckingham Palace lead the European Council. understood in the European Union,'' Court, the retirement age for judges Tusk leads the two-day EU summit Morawiecki said, following a statement was lowered from 70 to 65, which will LONDON (TIP): British police on Monday said they had that begins Thursday where leaders are by Tusk earlier this week that the EU's force the immediate retirement of arrested a man who tried to climb a wall at Queen Elizabeth's to focus on Brexit, migration and mandatary refugee quota system has some 40 per cent of more than 80 judges Buckingham Palace home in central London, but said that defense. been divisive and ineffective. He said allowing the president, a party ally, to the incident was not terrorism-related. While Kaczynski has not explained his government supports an earlier name their replacements. The 24-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of trespass his reasons for switching prime policy of giving aid to refugees who Law and Justice says it is seeking to on Sunday evening, three minutes after he stepped over a low ministers, party members have stay closer to their homes. purge the justice system of old outer perimeter fence near the palace, the Metropolitan suggested one aim was to improve the "We want to help people affected by communist holdovers and corrupt Police said. country's international standing. the war on the spot,'' he said to judges out of touch with regular "The man was not found in possession of any offensive As a communicator, Morawiecki reporters in Brussels. "This support is people. Europe's top human rights body, weapons and the incident is not being treated as terrorist certainly seems better fitted to the task. more effective.'' the Council of Europe, disagrees, and related," police said in a statement. He is fluent in English and German, Yet recent developments in Warsaw said aspects of the laws bear He has been released on conditional bail and has studied at universities in the United will make it hard for Morawiecki to similarities to the Soviet judicial undergone a mental health assessment. States and Germany, and for several persuade his European counterparts to system. British police are on high alert after five attacks blamed years headed the Polish branch of a drop their concerns over the rule of Morawiecki says he fully backs the on terrorism this year. In August, a man wielding a sword Spanish bank, Santander experiences law in Poland. changes. A former anti-communist outside the palace was charged under terrorism laws. Three that give him a more cosmopolitan air In a case that US State Department dissident, he said recently some judges police officers suffered minor injuries detaining him. than many in his conservative party. says raises concerns about media still working had passed judgments on A number of people have tried to get into the palace Speaking to reporters, Morawiecki freedom, Poland's media regulator on his fellow activists in the 1980s. grounds in recent years. A woman was arrested in October appeared conciliatory on Poland's Monday fined a private news channel In Brussels, he said, "Europe should for attempting to scale the gates of the palace. extensive logging in the protected nearly 1.5 million zlotys ($420,000) for be a Europe of sovereign states who In May 2016, a man with a conviction for murder climbed Bialowieza forest, a point of contention what it alleged was unfair reporting should have the right to reform their over the wall and walked for about 10 minutes around the between Warsaw and EU officials. He during a political crisis last year. The justice systems.'' (AP) grounds of the palace before being arrested. He was jailed for four months. Four years ago, a man armed with a knife tried to enter through a gate and was later jailed for 16 months. A month China fumes over potential US earlier, two men were arrested following a break-in at the palace. One of the biggest security breaches at Buckingham Palace happened in 1982 when an intruder, Michael Fagan, navy visits to Taiwan climbed a wall and wandered into a room where the queen was in bed. (AFP) BEIJING (TIP): China said it lodged an official protest with the United States Snow wreaks havoc on travellers after President Donald Trump signed a defence budget that opens the possibility in Britain, schools closed for US warships to visit self-ruled Taiwan on Thursday. LONDON (TIP): Snow and wintry weather are still Foreign Ministry Spokesman Lu Kang wreaking havoc on travellers in Britain, with flights charged that the legislation, while non- cancelled, roads sheathed in ice and rail travel disrupted binding, violates the One-China policy Monday.With temperatures predicted to drop overnight to as and "constitutes an interference in low as minus 12 Celsius (11 degrees Fahrenheit), transport China's domestic affairs". officials worked on cleanup. Hundreds of schools were closed "We firmly oppose any form of official and airports struggled under the weight of flight delays. exchanges or military links between "The worst of the snowfall is behind us," said Grahame Taiwan and the US, as well as US arms Madge of the Met Office. "It's now more about dealing with sales to Taiwan," Lu told a regular news Taiwan navy". Chinese media reported Trump mended ties by vowing to the weather we've had." briefing. last week that a diplomat from the uphold the One-China policy shortly Europe's largest airport, Heathrow, warned that hundreds "We hope that the US can fully grasp Chinese embassy in the United States before Chinese President Xi Jinping's of flights would be cancelled as it cleared the backlog of the damaging nature" of the legislation's had warned that Beijing would take visit to his Florida Mar-a-Lago resort, flights delayed by Sunday's snowfall. Taiwan clause, he said. Taiwan back by force the day that a US but infuriated Beijing again this In the world of interconnected air travel, any extended Trump on Tuesday signed the budget, warship enters a Taiwanese port. summer by approving a USD 1.3 billion disruption quickly leaves planes and flight crews out of which includes a clause saying the The island has been a thorny issue in arms sale to Taiwan. position, knocking them out of the rotation for their next United States should "consider the China-US relations, as Trump began his China and Taiwan split after a civil assignments. Airlines are also responsible for de-icing their advisability and feasibility of re- transition into office by taking a war in 1949, and while Taiwan sees itself aircraft, and some have more capacity than others to do so. establishing port of call exchanges precedent-breaking phone call from as a sovereign nation, it has never (AP) between the United States navy and the Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen. formally declared independence. (AFP) THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017 WORLD 23 At least 4 killed after train collides China, South Korea leaders to with bus in southwest France PARIS (TIP): Four children were killed after a train and a discuss North Korea nukes school bus collided outside the town of Perpignan in southwestern France on Dec 14, the interior ministry said. BEIJING (TIP): South Korean Transport Minister Elisabeth Borne described the crash as President Moon Jae-In will meet with a "terrible accident" and said on Twitter that she was heading his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in immediately to the scene, more than 850 km (530 miles) from Beijing on amid mixed US signals about Paris. potential talks to resolve the North "All emergency services have been mobilised and a crisis Korean nuclear crisis. coordination unit set up," an official at the local Millas Relations between Beijing and Seoul townhall told Reuters. have encountered their own rough The interior ministry said seven people were seriously patch over the US military's injured among the 19. deployment of a powerful anti-missile Video images showed a long line of ambulance and defence system in the South to counter emergency service vehicles near the crossing where the the North's threats. collision occurred. (Reuters) Moon hopes to "normalise" ties during the visit, his office has said, Russia shuts its embassy in after Beijing imposed economic measures against South Korean Yemen, evacuates diplomats companies, a move seen as retaliation to the installation of the THAAD MOSCOW (TIP): Russia said it has temporarily shut its (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) embassy in Yemen and evacuated all of its diplomats. system. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova China sees the deployment as a threat said in Dec 10 statement that the ambassador and other to its own security. diplomats will fulfill their duties from the Saudi capital, Moving past the disagreement has Seoul. for the possibility of the North's Riyadh. become increasingly important amid "It is a very uncertain period," Zhu collapse. Zakharova said the decision to close the embassy, in the growing concern that bellicose rhetoric said. "The two sides need high-level Tillerson said Tuesday that US and rebel-held capital, Sanaa, was related to the security situation between Washington and Pyongyang dialogues and dialogues between Chinese officials have discussed in the country, without elaborating. could spark war on the Korean militaries. These dialogues cannot scenarios in case the North Korean A Saudi-led coalition has been at war with Iran-backed peninsula. really start without the normalisation regime falls, including steps to deal Shiite rebels known as Houthis, who control much of the "The highlights to watch of the visit of the bilateral relations." with refugees crossing the border, and north, since 2015. The stalemated war has killed 10,000 people, would be whether the two sides (Seoul Moon's visit comes after US Secretary how to secure Pyongyang's nuclear displaced three million and pushed the country to the brink of and Beijing) can start a dialogue and of State Rex Tillerson said Washington weapons. Washington's top diplomat famine. Tensions have escalated recently after Houthis killed cooperation mechanism on the DPRK was ready to talk to North Korea said these discussions involved him, the their top ally, former President Ali Abdullah Saleh. (AP) (North Korea) nuclear issue," said Zhu "without preconditions", though it US defence secretary and military Feng, international studies professor at remains determined to force chief, and senior Chinese officials. Iraq hangs 38 members of Peking University. Pyongyang to give up its nuclear Such discussions were unthinkable China has long refused to arsenal. China and Russia responded just a few months ago. But China's Islamic State, Qaida for 'terrorism' countenance the possibility that the positively to Tillerson's remarks, even priority has been to convince the North's Communist regime could after the White House appeared to put United States and North Korea to hold NASIRIYAH (TIP): Iraq hanged 38 jihadists belonging to collapse. his proposal in question by saying talks. Beijing has also urged the US, the Islamic State (IS) group or al-Qaida for terrorism offences But a series of nuclear and missile Trump's "views on North Korea have Japan and South Korea to suspend joint on Dec 14 in the southern city of Nasiriyah, provincial tests combined with pressure from US not changed." military drills in the region in return authorities said. President Donald Trump has pushed Beijing has pressed for talks to for North Korea to halt its nuclear It was the largest number of executions in a single day since Beijing to reconsider its position and peacefully resolve the crisis, but there activities -- an idea consistently rejected September 25 when 42 people were put to death in the same prioritise improving relations with are signals that it has begun to prepare by Washington and Seoul. (AFP) prison. "The prison administration executed on Thursday in the presence of Justice Minister Haidar al-Zameli, in Nasiriyah prison, 38 death row prisoners belonging to al-Qaida or Daesh China summons Australian envoy over (IS) accused of terrorist activities," said Dakhel Kazem, a senior official in the provincial council. They were all Iraqis but one also had Swedish citizenship, a political meddling allegations prison source said. Amnesty International has voiced repeated concerns about the use of the death penalty in Iraq, which it ranks as one of SYDNEY: China summoned the world's top executioners behind China, Iran and Saudi Australia's ambassador to lodge a Arabia. complaint last week over Canberra's Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on Saturday declared allegation that Beijing had sought to victory against IS after a three-year campaign by government interfere in Australian politics, a source forces backed by a US-led coalition to retake territory seized familiar with the diplomatic action told by the jihadists. (AFP) Reuters on Thursday. Relations between Australia and Suicide bomber kills 18 at China became strained in recent weeks after Canberra said it would ban foreign Somalia police academy political donations as part of a crackdown aimed at preventing external MOGADISHU (SOMALIA) (TIP): An Islamic extremist influence in domestic politics, suicide bomber disguised as a police officer killed at least 18 sharpening the focus on China's soft people at a police academy in Somalia's capital on Dec 14, power. authorities said. The Somalia-based al-Shabab extremist Australian Prime Minister Malcolm group claimed responsibility. Turnbull singled out China as he said clear about China's position on the billion ($70 billion) worth of Australian Another 20 officers were wounded, some of them seriously, foreign powers were making relevant issue," Lu told a daily news goods and services last year. Australia's Col. Mohamud Aden said. "unprecedented and increasingly briefing, without elaborating. unshakeable security relationship with The bomber, with explosives strapped around his waist and sophisticated attempts to influence the China's Foreign Ministry said last the United States, however, has limited torso, infiltrated Gen. Kahiye Police Academy and targeted political process" in Australia. week Turnbull's allegations were full of how cosy it gets with China. officers rehearsing for Somalia's Police Day celebrations In response, China summoned prejudice against China, were baseless Turnbull denied indulging in anti- scheduled for December 20, Capt. Mohamed Hussein said. Ambassador Jan Adams to a meeting at and poisoned the atmosphere of China- Chinese rhetoric, insisting Labour was The bomber walked into the academy undetected and joined the Chinese Ministry for Foreign Affairs Australia relations. using the issue to win favour with a a line of officers before he detonated the explosives under his on December 8 to lodge a complaint, the Turnbull's allegations have been large voter block ahead of a make-or- sportswear, Hussein said. source said. criticised by Australia's opposition break by-election on Saturday that "He detonated his bomb vest having realized that his Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Labor Party as showing an "anti-China" analysts said will determine his political presence had drawn suspicion among officers in the queue,'' he Lu Kang confirmed the ministry had an bias that could jeopardise bilateral future. said. "important discussion" with the trade. "I am disappointed they have tried to Officer Farah Omar, who was at the scene at the time of the Australian ambassador. China, which is easily Australia's turn Australians against each other," blast, said the bomber targeted a spot where dozens of soldiers "The Australian side should be very biggest trading partner, bought A$93 Turnbull told reporters in Sydney. (AP) had gathered. (AP) THE INDIAN PANORAMA 24 WOMEN FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017 SHED INHIBITIONS AND COME OUT OF SEXUAL SHELL f all the disservices that we women do to ourselves, the most common is that we do not consider ourselves Osexual creatures. Blame it on the conditioning we've been slapped with all through our growing years and add to it the Madonna-whore dichotomy that the patriarchy imposes on us. The fear of being judged for being sexual creatures makes most women play down their sexual selves and desires. If this is you, and you find yourself always holding back when it comes to all matters carnal, perhaps these tips could help. Tell yourself you deserve better sex The only person holding you back is you yourself. If you don't make your sexual welfare a priority, no one else will. Lying back and thinking about England might have been sound advice for a generation with no handy birth control but there's no reason why you should be prised up from the frozen earth, unless there are medical issues or you do find intercourse painful, in which case a generous application of lube, stern instructions to the partner to ensure you are raring to go, and if all this fails, a consultation with a sexologist is in order.Self pleasure is your best teacher Experimenting with what works for you, what gets you going, what does not is what will make you understand your body and reactions to various stimuli. Knowing how you can make yourself reach an orgasm makes it easier to get there, given that the path to the female orgasm is slippery and peppered with many traps. Make friends with your body overdrive, so can getting a good massage. You're not going to be tripping down the pathway to the Big O Initiate sex if the internal monologue in your head is running on a loop about your droopy butt or the Michelin Man tyres around your waist. Female sex drives are more responsive when compared with Every morning when you go in for your shower, look at yourself men who are spontaneous, and we have variable arousal in the mirror naked and focus on one part of your body to love. patterns. Sometimes being the one to initiate sex can be a Don't shy away from porn sudden aphrodisiac. Also, libido and sex arethe classic chicken and egg syndrome, the more you have of it, the more you will Is it any wonder the major demographic that helped boost E want of it. L James trilogy straight to the top of all the bestselling charts Ask for what you want were adult women, most of them married? Never mind the debate we could have about Anastasia's quivering inner You need a gentle massage to get you in the mood, while your goddess needing a stern talking to, in a red room of pain if partner thinks reaching out and tapping your shoulder is the required, the fact remains that erotica is a vital tool best foreplay ever. The only way to get the gap between recommended by most therapists. expectation and reality bridged is to state your wants and needs Embrace sensual textures clearly. If it is fantasising that gets you going, whisper what you're imagining into your partner's ears. If you want to try out Learning to embrace one's sexuality also includes learning to something a trifle risque, suggest it. There's an entire universe enjoy non-sexual touching and textures. Wearing sensual of sexual exploration out there if you only go beyond your textures of silk and satin can make your nerve endings go on comfort zone. Source: India Today FOOD CORNER WORKING MOMS, DON’T BE TOO HARD ON YOURSELF eing too hard on yourself about how you are faring as a ALOO KEEMA parent can negatively impact your happiness, say Bscientists who unveiled the factors behind the well being INGREDIENTS of such women. Working mother’s sense of well-being drops 2 medium onions, chopped, 450 g beef or 450 g ground when she feels inadequate, under pressure, and is alienated from chicken, 1 teaspoon gingerroot, minced, 1 teaspoon garlic, her social circle by her efforts work and be a good parent all at minced, 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon coriander powder, once, according to a study published in the Journal of 1 teaspoon turmeric powder, 1 teaspoon salt, 2 tablespoons Happiness Studies. yogurt, 2 -3 tomatoes, chopped, 300 g potatoes, peeled and diced, The study also found that her own baby’s temperament has 1 teaspoon garam masala, 2 green chilies, chopped, 3 little influence on her sense of well-being, but having a more tablespoons coriander leaves, chopped. extrovert child does help some women to feel more positive about motherhood, and to be less hard on themselves. Method “Our findings point to a complex interplay between parent Fry onions in a heavy based pan over medium heat. and child characteristics in the prediction of maternal when onions are soft but not brown, add meat, garlic and wellbeing,” said Katrijn Brenning, from the University of Ghent ginger and cook over medium heat about 3-5 mins or in Belgium. The research team analysed five days of diary until all the moisture has dried from the minced meat. entries made by 126 mothers after their maternity leave ended Add spices + 3 tbsp water and stirring constantly, cook and they had to leave their babies at a day-care facility for the another 2 minutes. first time. Add chopped tomatoes and yogurt and cook for about 10 This tends to be a particularly stressful episode in the life of mins, stirring constantly. working mothers because it is often the first time that they are Add potatoes, mix well. separated from their children. With maternity leave over, they Add 1 cup of water, cover andcook 30 mins over low heat serving. also need to learn how to balance their work and family lives or until potatoes are tender. Mix well. effectively. Although the temperament of their children did not Add garam masala , chillies and coriander right before Serve hot with naan,chapati or rice. have much influence on the mothers’ sense of well-being, THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017 HEALTH & FITNESS 25 THIS NEW BLOOD TEST CAN DIAGNOSE TWO TYPES OF CANCER cientists have developed a blood test using infrared spectroscopy BIRTH CONTROL PILLS Sthat may diagnose two types of cancer, lymphoma and melanoma. The MAY UP BREAST findings, published in the journal Scientific Reports, suggest infrared spectroscopy can detect biochemical CANCER RISK: STUDY changes induced by non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a solid tumorous condition LONDON (TIP): Women who use hormonal of the immune system, and contraceptives, including birth control pills, are at an subcutaneous melanoma, a deadly form increased risk of breast cancer, a study warns. of skin cancer. The findings, published in The New England Journal of The technique has diagnostic Medicine, are based on a study that followed 1.8 million potential as a screening technique for women between 15 and 49 years of age for more than 10 years. these cancers, according to researchers, Researchers from the University of Copenhagen in including those from Georgia State said the risk of breast cancer was higher among University in the US. They used mid- women who recently used contemporary hormonal infrared spectroscopy to analyse blood contraceptives than among women who had never used serum derived from experimental mice hormonal contraceptives. However, absolute increases in and differentiate mice with non- risk were small. Hodgkin’s lymphoma and subcutaneous After discontinuation of hormonal contraception, the risk melanoma from healthy mice and also of breast cancer was still higher among the women who had between these two tumorous used hormonal contraceptives for five years or more than conditions. among women who had not used hormonal contraceptives. The mid-infrared spectral region of Women who currently or recently used the progestin-only the electromagnetic spectrum is intrauterine system also had a higher risk of breast cancer frequently used to characterise than women who had never used hormonal contraceptives. biological samples at the molecular The overall absolute increase in breast cancers diagnosed level. Studies have found the incidence among current and recent users of any hormonal rates of cutaneous melanoma have contraceptive was 13 per 100,000 people, or about one extra increased in many regions and It can detect biochemical changes induced by non- breast cancer for every 7,690 women using hormonal populations over the last decade, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a solid tumorous condition of the contraception for one year. Source: PTI specifically three to seven per cent per immune system, and subcutaneous melanoma, a deadly year among fair-skinned populations, form of skin cancer COMMON PAINKILLERS MAY researchers said. The available diagnostic regimen for both cancers, DOUBLE OBESITY RISK which includes tissue examination and diagnosis and treatment of these spectroscopy. It has attracted scientists’ biopsy, is time-consuming, invasive and malignancies improve the patients’ attention for its rapid and reliable LONDON (TIP): Regular use of commonly prescribed costly, resulting in small compliance chances of survival. Fourier Transform detection of various health conditions painkillers may double the risk of developing obesity and cause rates of eligible populations for cancer Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy in using body fluid samples. “Our final sleep deprivation, a study has warned. prescreening. Attenuated Total Reflection (ATR) goal is to say we can use this infrared Over the past 10 years, there has been a large increase in the Developing a rapid and reliable sampling mode provides high-quality technique to identify various diseases,” prescription of medications such as opioids and some prescreening strategy for melanoma results with better reproducibility said Unil Perera, Professor at Georgia antidepressants for chronic pain management. and lymphoma is critical because early compared to other vibrational State. Source: PTI Researchers from the Newcastle University in the UK unveiled the serious impact of these medications and highlights the need to reduce their use. The findings, published in the journal PLOS ONE, show that Less meat,exercise may cause medications commonly used to treat pain, like gabapentinoids such as gabapentin, pregabilin and opiates, doubled the risk of obesity and were associated with poor sleep. Scientists assessed the cardio-metabolic health – the inter-relationship between mental distress in young adults metabolic and cardiovascular disease - in more than 133,000 participants from the UK Biobank. oung adults who eat meat less than three times a week Body Mass Index (BMI), waist circumference and blood and exercise less may be at an increased risk of mental pressure were compared between those taking painkillers for Ydistress, a study claims. chronic, non-cancer pain and cardio-metabolic drugs, compared However, the mental health of a mature adult(aged over 30 to those prescribed cardio-metabolic treatment only. years) seems to be more sensitive to regular consumption of coffee and carbohydrates. Researchers found that mood in young adults (18-29) seems to be dependent on food that PAGE SPONSORED BY increases availability of neurotransmitter precursors and concentrations in the brain (meat). DR. SATISH AND GITANJLI ANAND “Young adult mood appears to be sensitive to build-up of brain chemicals,” said Lina Begdache, from the Binghamton DR. SATISH ANAND University in the US. “Regular consumption of meat leads to Former Chairman, Board of build-up of two brain chemicals (serotonin and dopamine) Trustees, AAPI National known to promote mood. Regular exercise leads to build-up of E-Mail: these and other neurotransmitters as well,” Begdache said. [email protected] “In other words, young adults who ate meat (red or white) less than three times a week and exercised less than three times week showed a significant mental distress,” she said. The findings were published in the journal Nutritional GITANJLI ANAND However, mood in mature adults may be more reliant on Neuroscience. “Mature adult mood seems to be more sensitive Former President, India food that increases availability of antioxidants (fruits) and to regular consumption of sources of antioxidants and Association of Long Island abstinence of food that inappropriately activates the abstinence of food that inappropriately activates the innate (IALI) sympathetic nervous system (coffee, high glycemic index and fight-or-flight response (commonly known as the stress E-mail: skipping breakfast). response),” Begdache added. Source: PTI [email protected] THE INDIAN PANORAMA 26 SCIENCE & TECH FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017 POKEMON GO MAY HELP PEOPLE WHO STRUGGLE MARS ATMOSPHERE IS SOCIALLY: STUDY WELL PROTECTED FROM SOLAR WIND LONDON (TIP): The Martian atmosphere is well protected from the effects of the solar wind, despite the absence of an Earth-like magnetic dipole, a study has found. Present-day Mars is a cold and dry TORONTO (TIP): Pokemon Go may help people who planet with less than one per of Earth's struggle socially, according to a study which found that the atmospheric pressure at the surface. popular augmented reality game has a lot of social aspects However many geological features and requires players to have good social competence. indicate the planet had an active Researchers from the University of British Columbia hydrological cycle about 3-4 billion years (UBC) in Canada recruited 101 Pokemon Go players between ago. the ages of 18 and 28 to take part in the study published in the An active hydrological cycle would journal Personality and Individual Differences. have required a warmer climate in the After completing questionnaires about their personality, planet's early history and therefore a social anxiety and social competence, participants played the thicker atmosphere, one capable of game for 20 minutes. creating a strong greenhouse effect. Through observing players’ performance in the game, the A common hypothesis maintains that researchers found that extroverted participants caught more the solar wind over time has eroded the Pokemon, visited more PokeStops and travelled greater early Martian atmosphere, causing the distances than players who described themselves as socially greenhouse effect, and thus the introverted. hydrological cycle, to collapse. The researchers are now looking at ways for modern video Unlike Earth, Mars has no global games to be designed in a way that helps people who struggle magnetic dipole, but the solar wind socially. “In the beginning, players might only need to instead induces currents in the ionised communicate with a person through text, but as the game upper atmosphere, creating an induced reaches a higher level, they may have to actually be magnetosphere. physically close to other players to collaborate and win,” said "It has long been thought that this Adri Khalis from UBC. induced magnetosphere is insufficient of ionising solar radiation, so-called "Even our upper estimate, 0.01 bar, is “The game provides a context in which interacting with to protect the Martian atmosphere," said extreme ultraviolet (EUV) radiation. an insignificant amount in comparison others might be easier than walking up to a stranger and Robin Ramstad from Umea University in The results show that the solar wind to the atmosphere required to maintain striking up a conversation from the get-go,” Khalis said. . has a comparatively small effect on the a sufficiently strong greenhouse effect, As modern video games become more popular, it’s "However our measurements show ion escape rate, which instead mainly about one bar or more according to important to understand how individual personality traits something different," Ramstad said. depends on the EUV radiation. climate models," he said. influence behaviour, said Amori Mikami from UBC. Researchers using measurements This has a large effect on estimations The findings show that a stronger Source: PTI from the Swedish particle instrument of the total amount of atmosphere that solar wind mainly accelerates particles ASPERA-3 on the Mars Express has escaped to space. already escaping the planet's gravity,but Shatter-proof smartphone spacecraft. "Despite stronger solar wind and EUV- does not increase the ion escape rate. The spacecraft has been measuring radiation levels under the early Sun, ion Contrary to previous assumptions, screens in the offing the ion escape from Mars since 2004. escape can not explain more than 0.006 the induced magnetosphere is also Researchers combined and compared bar of atmospheric pressure lost over shown to protect the bulk of the Martian measurements of the ion escape under the course of 3.9 billion years," said ionosphere from solar wind energy varying solar wind conditions and levels Ramstad. transfer. Source: PTI Facebook to help Indian students learn, build Virtual Reality products MELBOURNE (TIP): Scientists have found a novel way to alter the structure of glass to improve its to acebook has teamed up with Bangalore-based startup fractures, an advance that may lead to the development of SV.CO to help Indian college students learn and build shatter-proof smartphone screens. Fproducts for the emerging technologies such as Virtual "Everyone knows how frustrating it is when you drop your Reality.The partnership is aimed to help Indian students build mobile device and get a large crack in the screen," said Charles their ideas into globally marketable products and services. Le Losq from Australian National University (ANU). The new VR programme under SV.CO’s School of He said that glass appeared to be structured randomly,but it Innovation will provide a platform for nearly four million was actually quite ordered at the microscopic level of a few engineering students across 3,300 colleges to learn how to atoms. The researchers worked on a type of glass called build innovative products while they are in college and get alumino-silicate, which is used in the screens of mobile polished under the guidance of the industry experts. devices. “India is host to one of the largest community of developers "The glasses we analysed are mostly composed of and is also one of the fastest growing regions for start-ups. The aluminium and silicon oxides, and can also contain various School of Innovation programme is our investment into skill elements such as sodium, potassium, calcium or magnesium - for tomorrow. We want to make sure, that we have invested in each element influences the flexibility and resistance of the not only helping the communities in building products today, glass," said Le Losq, who led the study published in the journal but also in building a world for tomorrow,” Satyajeet Singh, selected to build a next generation VR product idea they have. Scientific Reports. Le Losq said the findings also shed light on Head of Platform Partnerships, Facebook India and South The selected teams will be on-board the SV.CO Online the crucial role that lava oceans and volcanoes played in the Asia, told reporters here. Learning Platform for a six-month programme that includes geological evolution of Earth. “The new programme is a step forward, in realising our online and in-person learning to progress their idea, build a The researchers measured the viscosity of molten glass at vision of building an ecosystem that inspires innovation and low and high-fidelity prototype and finally launch to more than 1,000 degrees Celsius and the density of the glass empowers young talent to build products using emerging customers. when cooled and formed. technologies such as VR that will shape the future of The successful teams will be selected and given an "Our research findings allow better modelling of present businesses,” Singh added. opportunity to represent their product in front of a leadership volcanic activity,as well as of the lavas involved in the original As part of the new VR-based programme, top 10 student panel on demo day, to be organised at Facebook India office in formation of Earth and its surface," Le Losq said. teams from across 3,300 engineering colleges in India will be January 2019. Source: IANS THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017 BIZ & FINANCE 27 WHOLESALE PRICE BASED NEED TO CONTINUE INFLATION RISES TO 3.93 PER MOMENTUM ON BUILDING CENT IN NOVEMBER INFRASTRUCTURE: JAITLEY NEW DELHI (TIP): Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has emphasised the need to continue the momentum on infrastructure creation and expedite investment in railways to propel the Indian economy. Addressing industry association FICCI's annual general meeting here, he said India has had one of the highest infrastructure spendings in the world but the momentum needs to be sustained. NEW DELHI (TIP): Inflation based on wholesale price There is a need to "hurry up" on index (WPI) accelerated further to 3.93 per cent in November investment in railway infrastructure, due to a sharp rise in onion prices and costlier seasonal including on stations and super fast and vegetables, government data showed on December 14. bullet trains, he said. It was 3.59 per cent in October this year, and 1.82 per cent Explaining the rationale for massive in November last year. Onion, a kitchen staple, witnessed a capital infusion plan in public sector whopping 178.19 per cent rise in inflation last month on banks, Jaitley said that lending capacity annual basis. of banks was constrained due to capital For seasonal vegetables too the rate of price rise inadequacy. accelerated to 59.80 per cent, as against 36.61 per cent in Improving lending capacity of banks Union finance minister Arun Jaitley addresses during the 90th Annual General October. will be government's priority for the Meeting of the FICCI in New Delhi on December 14. Protein rich eggs, meat and fish as a category, however, next year, he said. grew at a slower pace of 4.73 per cent during the month, India, he said, has realised the Arun Jaitley. India rolled out the goods and services against 5.76 in preceding month. importance of structural changes It will also continue to push through tax (GST), brought in changes to the WPI inflation of food articles increased to 6.06 per cent last despite global slowdown. The country structural reforms, Jaitley said on insolvency and bankruptcy code to make month, as against 4.30 per cent in October, as per the data saw more structural changes in 2017 Thursday at the annual meeting of lobby it more effective and initiated the released by the Commerce Ministry. than the recent past. group Federation of Indian Chambers of process of capitalising state-run banks For manufactured goods, it was at 2.61 per cent during the Jaitley said next year's agenda for the Commerce and Industry. over the past few months. month, almost static against 2.62 in preceding month. government is funding banks and The finance minister’s comments Highlighting the steps taken to Retail inflation, based on Consumer Price Index, hit a 15- completing unfinished tasks of come weeks before the Union budget will resolve the issues in the banking sector, month high of 4.88 per cent in November, as per the data strengthening state-owned banks. be presented on February 1, the last full including the ?2.11 lakh crore released last week. The government has appointed budget by the NDA?government before capitalisation plan for state-run banks, advisors for sale of Air India and will general elections in 2019. Jaitley said it remains an important Electricity, petroleum, realty soon come out with the next step, he said On Wednesday, Prime Minister unfinished item on the government’s without elaborating. Narendra Modi also reiterated the agenda. likely to come under GST net He exuded confidence of exceeding government’s commitment to pushing “Completing the unfinished task of the disinvestment target this fiscal, the through more reforms. strengthening state-run banks and NEW DELHI (TIP): first time ever. “In 2017, India has seen more resolving the bad debt problem is The GST Council in the FLAGS INFRA SECTOR, BANK structural changes taking place than unquestionably one of the most coming months would any time in the recent past. The changes important agendas on the table today. aim to reduce the CLEAN-UP AS PRIORITIES in 1991 were more out of compulsion, Lending capacity of banks is depleted number of GST slabs The government will boost spending while the changes in 2017 more out of because of NPAs (non-performing and bring items like on building infrastructure next year conviction,” Jaitley said, adding that assets). Banks have a lot of liquidity on electricity, petroleum even as it continues to strengthen state- there may be some short-term adverse account of low-cost deposits but they are and real estate under run banks, widen the tax base and consequences of the structural reforms not able to lend because of capital the GST ambit, Bihar rationalise taxes, said finance minister undertaken by the government. adequacy issues,” said Jaitley. Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Modi said today. Addressing the Ficci APPLE INVESTS $390MN IN SOUTH KOREA BANS ITS BANKS AGM, the Bihar Deputy CM who also FROM DEALING IN BITCOIN heads the Group of US-MADE IPHONE LASERS Ministers (GoM) set up SAN FRANCISCO (TIP): As SEOUL (TIP): to look at the IT part of its $1 billion Advanced South Korea has challenges being faced under the GST, said electricity, real Manufacturing Fund to support banned its estate and petroleum products can be brought under the GST innovation and job creation by financial ambit once the revenue collection under the new regime American manufacturers, Apple institutions from stabilises. has invested $390 million in dealing in Electricity,real estate, stamp duty and petroleum products optical communication virtual should become part of GST. This would be our (GST Council) component manufacturer currencies such endeavour,” he said. Finisar whose technology has as Bitcoin, as the He said it would be difficult to specify any timeline for this made the iPhone's Face ID cryptocurrency to happen. Inclusion of these can happen without amending feature viable. soars in a bubble the Constitution, he said. The fund was awarded to fuelled by retail If petroleum products are brought under the GST regime, increase the production of speculators, he said, it will attract the highest tax slab prevalent at that vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs), which power many of them from the country. time and states would be at liberty to levy cess on it in order Apple's new features such as Portrait mode selfies and Animoji, The hyper-wired country has emerged as a hotbed for to protect their revenues. Both states and the Centre earn the company wrote in a blog. The 700,000-square-foot cryptocurrency trading, accounting for some 20% of global 40% of their revenue from petroleum products at present. He manufacturing plant in Sherman, Texas, that was closed in 2012, Bitcoin transactions — about 10 times its share of the world also hinted at the reduction of tax slabs going forward after is expected to begin shipping its products in the second half of economy. tax collection stabilises. The current GST regime has five tax 2018 and its output will make Sherman the VCSEL capital of the About one million South Koreans, many of them small-time slabs — 0%, 5%, 12%, 18% and 28%. An additional GST cess US. Finisar will soon start hiring 500 highly skilled workers and investors, are estimated to own Bitcoins, and demand is so is also levied on certain products. Though final decision Bruce Armstrong, the caretaker who was born and raised there, high that prices for the unit are around 20% higher than in the would be taken by the Council, he said, “The possible is busy getting the building ready. "It will be great to see people US, its biggest market. scenario could be that the current highest tax slab of 28% come back through the door. This means a lot for the Sherman Bitcoin prices have surged globally this year, soaring from could be brought down to 25% and two tax slabs of 12% and area," Armstrong said. less than $1,000 in January to over $17,000. Source: AFP 18% could be merged into one.” THE INDIAN PANORAMA 28 ASTROLOGY FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017

Shree Ganeshaya Namah

Horoscope Forecast for DECEMBER 2017 BY BEJAN DARUWALLA Email: [email protected] / Phone: +91-8141234275 / www.bejandaruwalla.com Ganesha says in digital terms speed + space + spirituality + showmanship = Sagittarius. Add to it the great divide between illusion / reality, evolution / revolution, freedom / captivity, knowledge / wisdom. The archer pierces the eye of the Sun and hits infinity. Finally, Sagittarius is all about freedom. Sagittarius is both fast and furious.

Aries: Leo: Sagittarius: The body and physicality means much to Time to sing, make merry and also marry. "Seaweeds, sawdust, skeletons, skulls" Aries. Therefore, December is a good time In other words, hobbies, the fine arts, were never meant for you. You are meant to do away with "Old habits, patterns and exhibitions, romance, children, crash into for space travel, research, knowledge of deep-seated memories from the your life. Throw a party and also join a your own self and most certainly you have subconscious, claw our being backwards." satsang, a Christian Mass, a Parsee the power to break with a mighty jerk all You have a great opportunity to be new and Navjote. Be both busy and happy.Nietzsche the chains that bind you. Osho the shining clean from December onwards. Go asks, "Is man one of God's blunders, or is Sagittarian could well be the Master you for it. Pilgrimages and pious deeds are God one of man's blunders?" What say may follow. Your choice. fated. you? Capricorn: Taurus: Virgo: The dead world sleeps / The living world Tantra and mantra, prayers and hymns House, home and property will figure very cares not is what most of us believe. But for should give an extra boost to life and living prominently in your scheme of things. It you Capricornians the dead world can come this month. At the same time health will interest health conscious Virgos to alive now and the living world could dare precautions are absolutely essential. Life know that "The advent of massive human and care for one and all. This is the special is a concoction of concord and conflict. genome databases is enabling researches significance of Jupiter and Saturn for you This truth will be seen and felt by you in to look for possible connections between in December. Hidden secret and mighty December. The last week finds you calm of mental illnesses and the environmental powerful forces will help you with or mind as pressures ease. and societal conditions that drive their without your knowledge. Ganesha smiles. development." Gemini: Aquarius: Psychologists tell us again and again that Libra: Shri Shri Anandamurti speaks of today life is all about RELATIONSHIPS. I Libra is all about beauty, poise, harmony Surrendering to the Universal Rhythm and agree totally with it now because the Sun and spirituality. Therefore, Volcanic hair this applies very specially to you cosmos in your seventh angle is mainly about from lava of volcano stretches 6 feet long embracing Aquarians in the month of meeting people. But relationships can also could excite you. Use all media of December when the Sun, the power planet, be with Nature and with your own self. transport and publicity to get what you is in your eleventh angle. Connecting to Travel with a stop-over is more than desire. Preachers, pundits, priests, tv the universal rhythm is to me very possible. Reach out to people and you will anchors, politicians, professors will spiritual, extremely important and also find God. succeed in impinging on the minds of the very natural and our destiny. entire world. Cancer: Pisces: Most Cancerians are emotional, intuitive Scorpio: Aristotle said, "The energy of the mind is and can link up with God naturally and Scorpio many times stands for trusts, the essence of life." To this I add power, easily. But in December hard work, public money, banking and helping out position, prestige, promotion and a big sustained labor and intense concentration others with money and active support as round of profit and pleasure. Sounds will result in awards and rewards. You well as secret co-operation. Scorpio Bill interesting, doesn't it? The only snag is do jolly well deserve the grace of God as well Gates is the best example of it. By your not be overly aggressive, sly and greedy. as promotion and perks. However, you oratory and charm you can change the After all nobody is perfect. It is our must learn to take excellent care of your world. Great praise this but well deserved. imperfection which makes us so very health and wellness. A mix of honey and money. special. You may or may not agree with it.

Bejan Daruwalla is world's most famous astrologertoday. journals andnewspapers in many parts of the world which Bejan Daruwalla is available for astrological He appears regularly on world wide TV shows.Bejan who includeBerkley Communications (London) Times of consultations. He can be reached at has been a professor in English, hasauthored a number of India(Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai) and The books on astrology. India'sPrime Minister Narendra Modi IndianPanorama ( New York and Texas). Bejan's [email protected] , on March 29, 2012,lunched one of Bejan's books, '2012- predictionshave mostly been correct and people the and on phone 011-91-8141234275 End of theWorld? Bejan contributes to a number of world overrely on his predictions. www.bejandaruwalla.com THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017 SPIRITUALITY 29 DEITIES ASSOCIATED WITH ORGANS IN HUMAN BODY he most common word used to refer to tainted by one's actions. the body in Sanskrit is deha or deham. The body is a vehicle TDe means to protect and aham means the Self. Deham, thus, means that which This analogy is the same as the chariot. protects the individual Self (Atman). The However in Hinduism, a vehicle (vahana) is physical body not only protects the Self but not merely a mechanical contraption or a also assists it in various ways during its means of conveyance only. It is much more continuation upon earth as a bound soul than that and represents an aspect of the lord (baddha). The alternative word in Sanskrit for of the vehicle. It symbolizes the powers and the body is sarira, which is probably coined the qualities over which the owner or the lord from the root word, sarah, meaning five, to of the vehicle has mastery and transformative denote the presence of five elements in its control. Thus, each divinity has a vehicle formation. However, sarira is used to refer to upon which he or she rides. For the Self, who the bodies of both animate and inanimate is the Lord (Isvara) of the body,the body is His objects since the five elements are present in vehicle. It carriers Him from place to place both. Another word associated with deha is and facilitates His journey upon earth. daha, which means to burn. Dahanam, the However, even though it is the Lord, the Vedic ritual of burning a corpse in a proper individual Self does not actively control the manner to the accompaniment of Vedic body or its organs. The body cannot sustain chants, is the last rite (antyeshti) in life (prana) without Him. But He does not Hinduism. regulate it. He remains in the background as a The human body is described variously in silent occupant, a mute witness, seated within Hinduism. The scriptures view it as a the heart, untouched by the impurities of the necessary but troublesome companion to the body and its activities, enjoying the sense Self with which it has to live until its objects. In a feudal society, from which this liberation. The two have an inconvenient but analogy was derived, a master or a king does significant relationship, which extends all the not have to do any work other than sitting in way to the highest Brahman and His dynamic his house and enjoying life, while his servants energy, in which eventually the body has to have to do all the work and bear the burden of sacrifice its desires and attachment to assist keeping him happy! the soul in finding its way to its original The body is a battle field source, which is the Abode of Brahman located in the sun. Depending upon the also often described as sambhuti (manifested) and the charioteer who drives it to God The body is not only a field (ksehtra) of actions of each individual, the body may act and asambhuti (unmanifested) respectively. Himself. This is the symbolism we find in the Nature in which modifications arise and as a friend or an enemy to the Self. It is a The body is Nature narrative of the Bhagavadgita and with some subside like seasons upon earth, but also a friend to those who live piously in the service variations in other scriptures. The Katha battlefield where good and the evil forces of God and an enemy to those who pursue The Manifested Brahman has a dual aspect, Upanishad (1.3.3), for example, compares the wage a relentless war under the influence of their own desires and subject themselves to the Supreme Self and the Primal Energy, body to a chariot. However, it describes the the gunas. The body supports the bodily ignorance and delusion. The scriptures symbolized in the Puranas, as Siva and Shakti Self as the lord of the chariot, the intellect as organs, who are the manifestation of various caution against forming attachment to the or Father God and Mother Goddess. They are the charioteer and the mind as the reins. deities (devas) in the microcosm of a being. body. One should not live solely to fulfill its also described as Purusha and Prakrit. The body is a field Fire, Air, Indra, Soma, earth, water have their every whim. That is the philosophy of the Prakriti is God's material body. In the counterparts in the body in the form of materialists (carvakas or lokayatas) who Bhagavadgita, Lord Krishna states that seated The body is described in the Bhagavadgita organs. They perform various actions and in believe that the body is made up of only four in Prakriti, He manifests the worlds and as a field (ksetra) and the Self as its owner or return for their services receive offerings elements and an individual entity perishes beings. He is the seed and Nature is the womb. enjoyer (kshetrajna). The body is compared to from the bearer of the body in the form of with death. One should rather live to liberate At the individual level, the body houses the a field, because like the body, a field has food. It is said that when these organs are used the soul that is held inside the body, using the individual Self as part of Her eternal dharma. boundaries, requires nurturing and care, in the service of God or for promoting and body as the means to accomplish that difficult It is made up of several individual realities owned by someone, subject to birth and decay, preserving Dharma, they become but austere goal. The body lives for itself. That (tattvas), which keep the Self bound to the has seasons, bears crops, and serves the increasingly divine, gather strength and act is its natural tendency.We must recognize our mortal world. The Purusha and Prakriti are divinities by generating food and sustains life. like true divinities (devas), but when they are spiritual identity and learn to live for the Self the male and female components of creation, The body is subject to modifications, such as used for selfish and destructive purposes they that exists within us. represented symbolically in the aging and death, and the dualities such as heat gather negative energy, become evil and act The body is the physical universe anthromorphic form of Lord Siva as and cold, happiness and sorrow, and purity like demons (asuras). Thus in the body the Ardhanarisvara. and impurity. One is therefore advised to good and evil forces wage a relentless battle In the hymns of creation in the Rig-Veda The body is a city cultivate detachment from the body, stabilize for supremacy and the body becomes a heaven and verses associated with Brahman, the the mind, and perform actions solely as a or a hell depending upon how each being lives Creator, the material universe is described as The body is described in the Upanishads, service or an offering to God so that one is not upon earth and how he uses it. the body of Purusha, the Cosmic Self, who such as Katha Upanishad, as the city of eleven used it in a great sacrifice as an offering to gates. They correspond to the eleven openings PAGE SPONSORED BY produce from his own organs the worlds and in the body, namely, two eyes, two ears, two beings. The dualistic schools derive nostrils, mouth, anus, sexual organ, the navel ARISH K. SAHANI inspiration from these and view the entire and the aperture in the top portion of the universe as the body of, Brahman, the head. The Upanishad suggested that whoever Serving Since 1972 Supreme Self. rules this city is freed from grief. In other Please Call or Write for Your Insurance Needs The body is creation itself words, whoever lacks control over the body suffers from sorrow and whoever has control Arish K Sahani (Father) The scriptures also describe the body as is ripe for liberation. Shiv Sahani (Son) creation itself. The splendors of Brahman The body is a chariot listed in the Bhagavadgita are manifestation of God only. He appears in the worlds both as The body is also compared to a chariot Priya Sahani Sood (Daughter) the Creator and the created. He pervades them which is on its course towards some as well as envelops them. Whatever that destination as determined by the decisions 7 1 8 - 2 7 1 - 1 9 0 6 issued forth from Brahman, first as a golden and actions of its owner (adhyatma), actions [email protected] germ (Hiranyagarbha) or as a cosmic egg of others and circumstances (adhibhautika), (brahmanda) or as the manifested world and acts of God (adhidaiva). The horses yoked ‘If Hindus don’t maintain Hinduism, who shall save it? If India’s own (viraj), constitute Brahman's bodies (murtam) to the chariot are compared to the senses, the children don’t cling to their faith, who shall guard it? Indian alone can only.The forms (bodies) of Brahman emerged wheels to dharma, the reins to intellect, the from His formless state (amurtham). They are occupant of the chariot to the individual Self, save India, and India and Hinduism are one.’ THE INDIAN PANORAMA 30 TRAVELOGUE FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017 ’s Capital Still Has an Old-World Charm

CONTED FROM PREVIOUS ISSUE another one the harmonium. All of them surveillance equipment on its spire. BY M. P. PRABHAKARAN chanted: Another important landmark in Old Town Hare Rama, hare Rama, Rama Rama, hare is St. Nicholas Church. It was built by The square is also famous for its summer hare; German settlers around 1230. The interior of fairs. We did pass by something that could Hare Krishna, hare Krishna, Krishna this sturdy structure-"designed to double as a pass for a fair: Estonians who had fallen on Krishna, hare hare. fortress" before the Germans built a wall hard times were out there selling things, most They came out of one alley, crossed the around their new settlements-was almost of them made by themselves-children's square, and went into another alley. We destroyed in World War II Soviet bombings. clothes and toys, paintings, photographs, watched them until they disappeared from The restored structure is now used more as a picture frames, etc. We walked past all of our sight. museum and music hall than as a place of them, but we couldn't help stopping at a table "Do you have them in your town?" I asked worship. It houses the Niguliste Art Museum with a variety of chocolates spread on it. the Russian. of Estonia. The most popular piece of art in It was not the chocolates that made us stop, "No," he said. "I have heard about them. the museum is Danse Macabre (The Dance of though. Nor was the beauty of the two girls This is the first time I am seeing them in Death), painted by BerntNotke at the end of selling them that did it. When they said that person." the 15th century. The music hall is much those chocolates were homemade and that "They are there in all big cities of the sought-after by concert organizers. they were selling them partly to pay for their world," I said. "I didn't expect them in Tallinn. We had only a couple of hours left before college, I felt obligated to buy some. When I This is America's contribution to Hinduism." heading back to Riga. So we decided to go up Author in Estonia tried to take a picture of them, my Russian We continued our exploration of the Old the hill, to the part of the town called friend-by now we had become friends-grabbed Town area. We passed by several churches- . leave Toompea before taking in the my camera and insisted that I pose between most of them small, blending well with other Toompea is derived from the German word spectacular view of Tallinn from its top. The the two girls. They happily let me do it. buildings. St. Olaf's Church, named after the Domberg, meaning the Cathedral Hill. The view of Old Town-with its medieval red Standing between them, I said, "This is my Norwegian king Olaf Haraldsson, was an cathedral from which the hill gets its name is rooftops juxtaposed with the modern city souvenir from Estonia." exception. It dwarfed all other buildings in the the Aleksandr Nevsky Cathedral. Famous for center-was spectacular. The distant coastline "You are welcome, Sir," one of the girls said. area. its golden-onion rooftops and luxurious added to the beauty. We continued our walk. When I heard some The original structure, built by Danish interiors, this biggest Greek Orthodox church Looking at my watch, I told the Russian: musicmusic wafting in from a distance, it settlers as a place for socializing and in Tallinn is another important landmark in "All good things come to an end abruptly." aroused my curiosity. It was not any music. It worshiping, needed renovating and the city. There was a time when it was The bus for Riga we were booked on would was Indian music. I was not expecting it in a rebuilding a few times. It had burned down mandatory for women to cover their hair be leaving in a few minutes, at 7:00 p.m. We small Baltic town where, other than a three times, and its steeple was hit by while entering the cathedral. Not anymore. hurriedly climbed down the hill and walked restaurant owner, I had not seen a single lightning ten times. When the steeple was Toompea is also the seat of the government fast. Destination: TallinnaBussijaam. Indian. Pointing to an alley out of which the raised to a height of 159 metres, around the of Estonia. The , originally (Published on December 6, 2017. This is a music was coming, I told my friend, "Let's go year 1500, it became the tallest structure in the built, in 1227, by the German Knights of the slightly edited version of Chapter 17 from the and take a look." world. Since then, needless to say, many other Sword, now houses Estonia's parliament. A author's book, An Indian Goes Around the As we approached the alley, we saw a bunch structures have come up around the world, few yards away is the . Named World - II: What I Learned from My Thirty-Day of Hare Krishna followers emerging from it. surpassing it in height. It still dominates the after Count Jakob Pontus Stenbock, a European Odyssey. The book is available All of them were men in their late twenties or Tallinn skyline, though. From 1945 to 1991, descendant of a Swedish noble family who online at amazon.com and xlibris.com, and early thirties. And all were clad in dhoti and when Estonia was part of the , completed most of its construction in 1787, it can be ordered through any Barnes and Noble kurta, some saffron-colored and some white. A the tower of St. Olaf's Church came in handy is now the office of the prime minister. It was store. The India edition of the book is available few of them banged cymbals, one played the for its security apparatus, the KGB. The KGB originally meant to be a courthouse. at amazon.in, Flipkart and Pothi.com) tabla (the Indian percussion instrument), and used it as a radio tower and installed We had been strongly recommended not to THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017 CLASSIFIEDS 31

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They can't deliberately speed up or Even though BJP gets majority to form a slow down traffic from specific websites or apps, Diwali Foundation... contd from Page 1 government in Gujarat, Congress seems to be on nor can they put their own content at an way to recovery in Gujarat. advantage over rivals. To me the significance of Diwali and the A Sikh American to be... To take a classic example, this means Comcast United Nations projects for humanity which I U.S. Federal.. can't just choose to slow down a service like have been proud to serve for 43 years in different Attorney general is the most powerful Netflix (NFLX) to make its own streaming video capacities are closely linked. I have envisioned position in New Jersey government. He leads a Schneiderman has already announced that he service more competitive, nor can it try to my mission as one meant - to dispel the darkness number of departments including Law and will lead a multistate lawsuit to stop the rollback squeeze Netflix to pay more money to be part of of poverty,deprivation and despair everywhere Public Safety, civil rights, consumer affairs and of net neutrality. Schneiderman released a a so-called internet fast lane. As Michael Cheah, ● To end the evil of violence and injustice police. Grewal was twice nominated by the statement which read, "The FCC's vote to rip general counsel at video site Vimeo, previously especially against women and girls current governor, Republican Chris Christie, to apart net neutrality is a blow to New York told CNNMoney: the point of the rules is ● to light the lamp of prosperity and equity, be prosecutor in Bergen County, New Jersey's consumers, and to everyone who cares about a "allowing consumers to pick the winners and sustainable development,peace andsecurity, most populous county. free and open internet. The FCC just gave Big losers and not [having] the cable companies human rights and humanitarian action and Grewal left private law practice 14 years ago to Telecom an early Christmas present, by giving make those decisions for them." resilience building for all, enter public service. "I wanted to give back to a internet service providers yet another way to WHY IS NET NEUTRALITY SUCH A BIG ● To secure an International Compact for the country that has given us, and other immigrant put corporate profits over consumers. Today's DEAL? If there's one thing that both sides can triumph of the global public Good of gender families like us so much," Grewal, the Bergen rollback will give ISPs new ways to control what agree on, it's that the internet is increasingly equality,women's empowerment and human County prosecutor, recalled, "I experienced hate we see, what we do, and what we say online. central to our lives. Any change to how it's rights and intolerance firsthand That's a threat to the free exchange of ideas regulated is a hot button issue. (Remember the And yes, I do believe in the power of one, in He said after the nomination: "The American that's made the Internet a valuable asset in our uproar over repealing internet privacy each of us being a lamp to illuminate and dream is alive and well in New Jersey." democratic process. protections earlier this year?) "Everyone uses transform the world through the power of ideas According to media sources Governor-elect Today's new rule would enable ISPs to charge the internet, and everyone uses these tech and knowledge, advocacy and movement Murphy,commented that he wanted an attorney consumers more to access sites like Facebook platforms," Michelle Connolly, a former FCC building, setting of global standards and values general who would "stand up" to Trump and his and Twitter and give them the leverage to official who supports Pai, previously told to realize the ideals of the United Nations and fellow Republicans who control Congress. degrade high quality of video streaming until CNNMoney."So, issues that are coming up right the Perfect World we all dream of, want and and unless somebody pays them more money. now, people are seeing from a very personal deserve. Exit polls predict clear... Even worse, today's vote would enable ISPs to perspective." The power of one is about passion, favor certain viewpoints over others. New SO HOW WILL INTERNET PROVIDERS commitment and indomitable courage and and the Congress 74. A poll on NDTV said the Yorkers deserve the right to a free and open BE REGULATED? The FCC is doing away with keeping faith with the causes we serve no matter BJP would get 112 seats and the Congress 70. The Internet. That's why we will sue to stop the FCC's rules barring internet providers from blocking the difficulties and setbacks. It's about not giving ABP-CSDS survey by ABP News predicted a BJP illegal rollback of net neutrality. or slowing down access to online content. The up ever. And though I leave the United Nations victory in 117 seats as against the Congress' 64. Today's vote also follows a public comment FCC would also eliminate some rule barring shortly to go back to India to be with my A survey by India Today's Aaj Tak news process that was deeply corrupted, including providers from prioritizing their own content. In soulmate I am not done with the UN. Just as you channel also predicted that the BJP, which has two million comments that stole the identities of the absence of a firm ban on these actions, can take an Indian out of India but can't take been ruling Gujarat for almost 20 years, would real people. This is a crime under New York law providers will be required to publicly disclose India out of her, you can take me out of the UN retain power in the State. It said the BJP would - and the FCC's decision to go ahead with the vote any instance of blocking, throttling or paid but cannot take the UN out of me! So, I will emerge as the winner in 99-113 Assembly makes a mockery of government integrity and prioritization. It will then be evaluated based on power on believing in the infinite possibility of segments in the State, while the Congress could rewards the very perpetrators who scammed the whether or not the activity is anti-competitive. all of us to achieve our infinite potential for win 68-82 seats. A party has to win 92 seats or system to advance their own agenda. This is not As part of this shift, oversight of internet good! Igniting that power of one, that godliness more to form a government in the State. In the just an attack on the future of our internet. It's protections will shift from the FCC to the Federal in each and every one of us is what the UN is 2012 Assembly polls in Gujarat, the BJP had won an attack on all New Yorkers, and on the Trade Commission. Maureen K. Ohlhausen, the integrity of every American's voice in acting head of the FTC, said in a statement government - and we will fight back." Monday that the agency is "committed to The approval of FCC Chairman Ajit Pai's ensuring that Internet service providers live up proposal marks a victory for internet service to the promises they make to consumers." providers like AT&T, Comcast and Verizon But consumer advocacy groups are less than Communications and hands them power over optimistic. "Not only is the FCC eliminating basic what content consumers can access. Democrats, net neutrality rules, but it's joining forces with Hollywood and companies like Google parent the FTC to say it will only act when a broadband Alphabet and Facebook had urged Mr. Pai, a provider is deceiving the public," Chris Lewis, Republican appointed by U.S. President Donald VP at Public Knowledge, a nonprofit that focuses Trump, to keep the Obama-era rules barring on the open internet, said in a statement this service providers from blocking, slowing access week. "This gives free reign to broadband to or charging more for certain content. providers to block or throttle your broadband Consumer advocates and trade groups service as long as they inform you of it." representing content providers have planned a AND HOW WILL REPEALING NET legal challenge aimed at preserving those rules. NEUTRALITY AFFECT ME? First, it's The meeting was evacuated before the vote for important to say what won't happen: Billion- about 10 minutes due to an unspecified security dollar services like Netflix are not going to threat, and resumed after sniffer dogs checked disappear overnight without net neutrality. the room. FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn, They have large enough audiences and bank a Democrat, said in the run-up to the vote that accounts to survive in a changing regulatory Republicans were handing the keys to the landscape. Instead, net neutrality advocates Internet to a handful of multi-billion-dollar worry how repeal will impact the next Netflix. corporations. Mr. Pai has argued that the 2015 Upstart companies may struggle to strike deals rules were heavy handed and stifled competition with providers and pay up to have their content and innovation among service providers. "The delivered faster. That could fundamentally alter internet wasn't broken in 2015. We weren't living the future internet landscape. The repeal could in a digital dystopia. To the contrary,the internet change how customers are billed for services, is perhaps the one thing in American society we both for good and bad. T-Mobile, for example, can all agree has been a stunning success," he was criticized by net neutrality supporters for said on December 14. effectively making it cheaper for customers to The FCC voted 3-2 to repeal the rules. stream videos from Netflix and HBO, putting Consumers are unlikely to see immediate other video services at a disadvantage. changes resulting from the rule change, but Without net neutrality, internet providers smaller startups worry the lack of restrictions may pursue similar offers more aggressively, could drive up costs or lead to their content which would likely be viewed as a positive by being blocked. Internet service providers say consumers looking to save money on their they will not block or throttle legal content but streaming media. Yet, some fear it's also possible that they may engage in paid prioritization. internet providers will one day begin charging They say consumers will see no change and customers more to access services like Netflix argue that the largely unregulated internet that are currently included as part of your functioned well in the two decades before the monthly bill. 2015 order. SO, IS THIS A DONE DEAL? Not quite. It's WHAT EXACTLY IS NET NEUTRALITY? very like this issue could end up being decided in The net neutrality rules were approved by the court, or perhaps even by legislation in Congress. FCC in 2015 amid an outpouring of online "Whenever we do anything big and major, people support. The intention was to keep the internet go to court," a senior FCC official said last month. open and fair. Under the rules, internet service "I certainly would not rule that out." providers are required to treat all online content (Source: CNN Money) THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017 TRAVEL 33

urrounded by verdant forests and perched at an altitude of 4000 feet, SRajasthan's only hill station is an oasis of respite from the scorching heat. The charming hill town is an eclectic mix of MOUNT ABU: RAJASTHAN’S experiences that you do not expect in a state which is mostly known for its arid desertscapes. Watered by the serene Nakki Lake and close to the famous Dilwara temples and centuries-old forts, the hill station has ONLY HILL STATION enough to keep visitors busy for two to three days. Mount Abu’s beautiful landscape, quaint heritage hotels, bustling street markets, restaurants and cafes make it one of the most popular getaways in western India. SUNSET POINT One of the most well-known spots in Mount Abu, Sunset Point is located to the south-west of Nakki Lake. Best visited at dusk, this picturesque point commands magnificent views of the Aravali ranges. Thronged by travellers throughout the year, it is surrounded by numerous food stalls and souvenir shops. To get to Sunset Point, grab your camera and walk up the cobblestone pathways along the Nakki Lake for about a km. Those who do not wish to take a walk can also opt for pony rides. DILWARA TEMPLES The five marble temples of Dilwara are a sacred pilgrimage place for the Jain community, and rank among India’s finest temple architecture. Located in the northern part of the hill-station, these Jain temples are about two-and-a-half-kms away from the bustling town of Mount Abu. They comprise of five temples—Vimal Vasahi, Luna Vasahi, Pithalhar, Parshvanath, Mahavir Swami— each of which is dedicated to a revered Jain guru. Built in 11th and 13th centuries, the temples boast of opulent entrances, minutely- carved ceilings, doorways, pillars and panels and intricately-designed domes. Mahavir Jayanti, the most important festival of Jains, is celebrated with full vigour here and many Jain pilgrims visit the temples during the festival each year. NAKKI LAKE Believed to be have been dug out by a god using his nails, the sacred Nakki Lake is one of the landmarks of the hill town of Mount Fort offers interesting glimpses of Mewar station from the top, the temple is constructed is also believed that goddess’s image hangs in Abu. About half a mile long, the lake is deeper architecture. Built in the year 1452 by the out of a large rock, and visitors have to stoop the mid air. Besides, the temple has a number towards the dam on the west. Carry your famous Rajput ruler of Mewar, Rana Kumbha, and crawl to enter the inner shrine. Located 3 of gorgeous statues that you can admire and picnic hamper, a book and camera and spend the fort is situated 11 kms to the north of km away from Mount Abu, the temple is looking at those arts will make you praise the a peaceful afternoon on the banks of the lake. Mount Abu. Various viewpoints from the fort dedicated to Goddess Durga and is considered artists from the bygone era. And the view of Boat riding is another activity that interests offer scenic lookouts onto the hill town, the as one of the prominent religious spots in the mountains and forests you get to see after visitors here. A pleasant stroll around the Aravali ranges and the picturesque sunset hill town. The temple is visited by hordes of climbing those hundreds of stairs will make lake will lead you to Toad Rock, a boulder that views. Hindu pilgrims during Navratri, a nine-day you forget all the tiredness and fatigue. It is looks just like a toad about to hop into the Hindu festival that is celebrated with full recommended you wear proper and lake. The 14th-century Raghunath Temple ADHAR DEVI TEMPLE gusto. comfortable clothes and footwear because the stands near the lake’s southern shore. Situated atop a cliff in a cave, a visit to the Adhar Devi Temple is quite old and legend climb uphill is really tiring. Adhar Devi Temple, also known as Arbuda has it that ‘Adhar’ of the Goddess fell here. It ACHALGARH FORT Devi Temple requires you to climb 365 steep Bordered by massive walls that enclose a steps, but the strenuous journey is worth the few beautiful temples inside, the Achalgarh effort. Offering a bird-eye-view of the hill- THE INDIAN PANORAMA 34 SPORTS FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017 RUTHLESS ROHIT DOUBLE LEADS INDIA TO SERIES-LEVELLING WIN MOHALI (TIP): Skipper Rohit Sharma rose to the occasion when it mattered most as his record breaking third double hundred guided India to a series-levelling 141-run win against Sri Lanka in the second ODI on Wednesday. Rohit smashed an unbeaten 208 off 153 balls to fire India to a mammoth 392 for four, a total that proved to be too much for Sri Lanka as the visitors ended way behind at 251 for 8 with Angelo Mathews' unbeaten 111 going in-vain. While Rohit stole the show with another sensational knock, Shikhar Dhawan (68 off 67) and rookie Shreyas Iyer (88 off 70) played the supporting role to perfection. India virtually batted Sri Lanka out of the game by posting the highest-total at this ground, surpassing the 351 for five South Africa made against Netherlands in 2011. It was not the only record that was shattered on a day when India were under pressure to perform after the debacle in Dharamsala. Rohit, captaining the side in his first full series, singlehandedly won the game for India with an innings that comprised as many as a dozen sixes and 13 fours. After completing his first 100 runs off 115 Rohit Sharma hits a maximum during his double ton against Sri Lanka cricket team in the second ODI?in at the PCA Stadium in Mohali . balls, the stylish opener was simply lead pacer Suranga Lakmal who had an off alongside Rohit and came up with the big the park. Lakmal tormented the Indian unstoppable, blasting the next 100 runs off 36 day leaking 71 runs in eight overs. shots just when his team needed to step on batsmen two days ago but today he bowled balls to complete a famous double ton in the The other pacers, captain Thisara Perera the accelerator. too full or too short. 50th over of the innings. (3/80) and Nuwan Pradeep (0/106), too were It was cold and overcast over the past two Most of his low full-tosses were sent His last double hundred, 264 at the Eden guilty of bowling too many low full tosses days but the sun came out just before the sailing over midwicket by Rohit, who batted Gardens three years ago, had also come and half trackers, making the job easier for start of the game, sucking the moisture out like a six hitting machine in the last 10 against Sri Lanka while the maiden one (209) Rohit and Co. Though Rohit ran amok in the of the pitch to make batting easier. overs. was recorded against Australia at Bengaluru death overs, he took time early on. It was Sri Lanka had no hesitation in bowling One such instance was the 43rd over when in 2013. Dhawan who attacked the opposition first, just like they did in Dharamsala, but Rohit smashed Lakmal for four sixes off Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, bowlers initially before the dangerous the conditions changed quickly to the favour four legal balls in an over that went for 26 Chris Gayle and Martin Guptill are the opening duo completed their 12th century of the hosts. runs. It was raining runs in the last 10 overs others who have breached the 200-run mark stand to lay the foundation for a big total. Unlike the first ODI, there was not enough where India added as many as 147 for the in 50-over cricket. However, the Rohit En route to his double hundred, Rohit swing early on to trouble the Indian loss of three wickets. In response to India's special came on a batting beauty, two days crossed the 100-run mark in ODIs for the batsmen, who exploited the conditions to huge total, Sri Lanka were never in the after Indian batsmen failed miserably 16th time in his career, sixth this year and good effect. Rohit and Dhawan got the game despite a fighting effort from against the moving ball in Dharamsala. first ever as captain. measure of the pitch in the first Powerplay, Mathews. Sri Lanka pacers were on the money in Another record shattered was of the where they made just 33, and started playing India bowled well with the cushion of the series opener but they put up a highest individual score here with Rohit their strokes thereafter to take India to 108 mountain of runs. It was a memorable day performance they would like to forget surpassing the 154 Virat Kohli made against for no loss in 20 overs. for 18-year-old Washington Sundar, who sooner than later. New Zealand last year. Rohit and Iyer then got together to picked the wicket of Lahiru Thirimanne on They offered too many freebies including After Dhawan departed, Iyer batted well hammer the Sri Lankan bowlers all around his India debut. Source: PTI Fixing claims rock Ashes , ICC, CA say no evidence

PERTH (TIP): Cricket chiefs voiced “grave concern” but allegations were serious, but he was confident, based on the said there was no evidence that the third Ashes Test between dossier handed to ICC, there was no reason “to suspect that Australia and England has been corrupted after a match-fixing this Test match or indeed the Ashes series as a whole is subject bombshell rocked the series. British newspaper The Sun to corrupt activities”. alleged two bookmakers, both Indians, one called “Mr Big”, He added that all players were educated on a regular basis had offered to sell it details of the rigged periods of play in the about the risks of corruption. The England Cricket Board Perth Test, which could be bet on to win huge sums. pledged to work closely with ICC, while also insisting “there is One of them claimed to have worked on the scam with no suggestion that any of the England team is involved in any former and current internationals, including a World Cup- way”. winning all-rounder. They said they liaised with a fixer in Australian cricket known as “The Silent Man”. No Australia or Follow scripts England players were named as being involved. The tabloid The Indian pair — secretly filmed at hotels in and said their undercover reporters were asked for up to £140,000 Delhi during the paper’s four-month investigation — claimed ($187,000) to “spot fix” markets such as the exact amount of the corrupt players would signal the fix was on by making a runs scored in an over. “I will tell you this over, this runs and subtle gesture on the field, such as changing their gloves. then you have to put all the bets on that over,” one of the Spotters in the crowd would then tell bookies, who put millions bookmakers was quoted as saying. Asked if it was a good of bets into the illegal Indian betting market. source, he said: “Absolutely correct information.” Dawid Malan hit his maiden Test match century as England The Indian fixers claimed they could get players to follow made a strong start to the crucial third Ashes Test in Perth, “scripts” — such how many runs would be scored in a session, closing on 305-4. ICC says no evidence or an innings, when a wicket would fall and what a team would The International Cricket Council (ICC) said the revelations suggest the current Test match has been corrupted,” said ICC’s do if it won the toss, The Sun said. “I will give you work in an were of “grave concern” and an investigation had been anti-corruption chief Alex Marshall. Ashes Test. Session runs, maybe day one, two, three. We have launched, but it did not believe the match had been tainted. “At this stage of the investigation, there is no indication that two session work, one session costs Rs 60 lakh rupees (£69,000), “From my initial assessment of the material, there is no any players in this Test have been in contact with the alleged two sessions 120 lakh rupees (£138,000),” it cited one of the men evidence, either from The Sun or via our own intelligence, to fixers.” Cricket Australia chief James Sutherland said the as saying. Source: AFP THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017 ADVERTISEMENT 35 THE INDIAN PANORAMA 36 ADVERTISEMENT FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017