Religion 15 Bollywood 19 London Olympics 24 Spiritual Awareness 30

NEW YORK EDITION

Vol.5 No. 16 August 4-10, 2012 60 Cents Follow us on TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Tulsi Gabbard: First Arizona don named Immersion in Sahara Group Hindu in race for US dean of Pace another culture: buys NY's Plaza House University School China diary Hotel for $570 M National Community, Travel, Business, Page 8 Page 16 Page 23 Olympics: Saina in semis, Community excited over 1st Paes-Sania in quarters, Day Parade on Long Island By Parveen Chopra

Vijender in boxing quarters Hicksville, NY: The Inaugural India Day Parade of Long Island on August 11 now has Gagan Narang with bronze lone medalist so far. a Grand Marshall in Bollywood superstar Vinod Khanna even as it continues to garner endorsements from officials and has lined up big-ticket sponsors. The Indian community is united and excit- ed about the parade to celebrate India's 66th Independence Day in style in Hicksville with the theme "Celebrating Democracy and Unity." The parade has full support from the office of County Executive Ed Mangano and Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Jon Venditto, the town in which the parade venue falls. Shuttler Saina Nehwal and (left) shooter The Grand Marshall Vinod Khanna will be Gagan Narang joined at the parade by Ambassador Prabhu Dayal, Hon. Mangano, Supervisor Venditto Bollywood superstar Vinod Khanna London: Champion shuttler Saina Uzbek Abbos Atoev in the round of last and Grand Sponsor Harry Singh of Bolla will be the Grand Marshall. Nehwal rewrote history by becoming eight Monday. Oil. Many other prominent officials, political with the Parade on August 11 starting at 1.00 the first Indian to cruise into the Inspired by Saina's performance, leaders and judges will also march in the p.m. from Patel Brothers Plaza as thousands Olympics semi-final while played his heart out parade. More than 30 community organiza- walk one mile north on Broadway displaying the crack mixed doubles tennis combi- against top seed Lee Chong Wei of tions are participating. colorful banners and waving Indian and nation of Leander Paes and Sania Mirza Malaysia but in the end lost the men's The 3-day celebratory event commences American flags. Continued on page 4 stormed into the quarter finals at the singles quarter final 19-21 and 11-21. London Games here Thursday. However, before Saina took to the So, India’s medal hopes are alive after court, India's date with the Olympics Team Anna calls off fast, Gagan Narang opened the country’s began with a double heartbreak account with a bronze in the men's 10- Thursday as highly-rated double trap meter air rifle event. marksman Ronjan Singh Sodhi failed to to enter politics The fourth seeded Saina won 21-15, make the final while pugilist Jai New Delhi: Social activist 22-20 over former World No.1 Dane Bhagwan fell by the wayside in the pre- Anna Hazare and his team Tine Baun at the Wembley Arena, quarterfinals. have announced they would before Leander-Sania blazed past the Saina would now face reigning call off their indefinite fast formidable Serbian pair of Nenad World Champion and top seed Wang against corruption and pro- posed forming a "political Zimonjic and Ana Ivanovic, 6-2, 6-4 at Yihan for a place in the final. The alternative" as an answer to Wimbledon court. Chinese has a 5-0 record against the an "unresponsive" govern- Vijender Singh entered the quarterfi- Indian, but Saina's superb form in the ment. nal of the men's boxing 75 kg category competition is encouraging. If she Making the announcement with a close 16-15 points victory over loses in the semis, Saina would go for to thousands of flag-waving his US opponent Terrel Gausha. A bronze medal play-off and bring the cheering supporters, Hazare bronze medalist in the Beijing Asian country its first Olympic medal from said he and Team Anna, as Games four years ago, he will take on the . Continued on page 4 Continued on page 4 Anna Hazare and Arvind Kejriwal on fast Flying toto IstanbulIstIIsIstanbulIstIsssttanaannnbunnbubbulull

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TheSouthAsianTimes.info August 4-10, 2012 SBI to sponsor fireworks at AIA’s Diwali mela By Jinal Shah Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, and New York State Senator Ruth New York: The Association of Indi- Hassell Thompson. ans in America (AIA- NY chapter) AIA NY has also recently announced Sunday new sponsor for launched a campaign to educate their famous fireworks for the annu- children especially in elementary al Diwali festival at South Street and middle schools about Indian Seaport. And it is none other than culture and traditions. “We involve 206-year-old State Bank of India. kids and educate them about our cul- Thus, Air India has ended its long ture and traditions through perform- standing association with AIA’s Di- ances, henna tattoos, etc. A lot of wali fireworks and passed the baton racial problems occur due to lack of to another Government of India un- knowledge about our customs and dertaking. traditions and hence it is imperative “For 24 years, Air India sponsored to teach children at a very young age the magnificent Diwali fireworks about our values and customs,” said show since the inception of the Di- Batra. Batra, along with Congress- wali mela, now SBI will be the main AIA-NY President Ranju Batra (middle) with India’s Ambassador to the UN, Hardeep Singh Puri and US woman Maloney, is also lobbying sponsor. This year, on October 7th, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney at the event announcing the new sponsor. SBI was represented by (to her hard to get approval for a Diwali it will be particularly special as we right) Country Head Shankaran Chandramouli and Sujit Kumar Varma, CEO, NY. (Photo: Vijay Shah) stamp issued by the USPS. “We are celebrate the silver anniversary of We look forward to sponsor it for at sor of the Diwali mela. ered to watch the fireworks (next trying to get an appointment with our Diwali festival,” said AIA-NY least another 25 years.” The bank “The mela that stretches to five only to Macy’s in grandeur and pop- the post master general. We also President, Ranju Batra at a pre-event has over 10,000 customers in US for blocks and Pier 16 and 17 is the ularity),” added Batra. need support from the society, espe- party. over 40 years and expects to launch biggest Diwali celebration in New Also present at the event were In- cially . Diwali is Said Sujit Kumar Varma, CEO of their internet banking facility. York with Bollywood shows, kids dia's Permanent Representative to an important festival as it gives a SBI, New York, “It is a great oppor- Air India, due to budget cuts, were zone, food and other stalls and much the UN, Ambassador Hardeep Singh new hope, new life and a new be- tunity to demonstrate to the commu- unable to support the fireworks, but more. Last year, according to esti- Puri, assistant secretary general of ginning,” added Maloney about the nity and also connect emotionally. they will remain the corporate spon- mates, over 2,00,000 people gath- UN women’s body, Lakshmi Puri, stamp project. NDTV sues Nielsen in NY Rajasthan government to launch court over ratings data 'Jano Apna Rajasthan' Mumbai: NDTV, a leading Indian television network, has sued the Nielsen Company, accus- A scheme for second generation NRI Rajasthanis to visit the state. ing its Indian joint venture of providing “false, fabricated and manipulated data” on TV ratings By Jinal Shah for almost a decade that cost it nearly a billion New York: Come Independence Day, and Rajasthan government dollars in ad will unfold a new scheme ‘Jano apna Rajasthan’ to familiarize sec- revenue. The ond generation nonresident Rajasthanis with the state and its cul- suit is seek- ture. The announcement was made at a felicitation program ing several arranged by Rajasthan Association of (RANA). billion dollars in damages, reported New York The reception organized by RANA & New York chapter of Ra- Times. The company, founded by Prannoy Roy, jasthan Foundation at Bombay Palace was attended by over 60 psephologist-turned mediaman, filed the suit prominent Rajsathanis including RANA founders and Past Presi- late last week in New York State Supreme Court dents Naveen Shah of Navika Group, KK Mehta CPA and Chair against Nielsen, its Indian joint venture, TAM Rajasthan Foundation, Kamlesh Mehta, and famous jeweler Media Research, and Kantar Media Research, Pukhraj Lunia, AAPI National Treasurer Dr. Ajay Lodha, Ra- Rajiv Arora, vice-chairman (minister of state) of Rajasthan 50 percent partner in TAM. jasthani Bhasha activist Prem Bhandari, as well as Sushama Ko- Foundation, was felicitated by RANA. Seen in the picture are NDTV, which runs 24/7, an English-language tahwala and Sushil Goyal. (from left) Dr Narendra Hadpawat, RANA President Haridas news channel, has accused TAM of manipulat- Rajasthan Foundation was set up in 2001 by Chief Minister Kotahwala, Rajiv Arora, KK Mehta, and Sushil Goyal. ing ratings in exchange for kickbacks from ri- Ashok Gehlot, strengthens bonds with nonresident Rajasthanis for val TV networks. It further says that the execu- outside investment, to work in social sector, education, health sec- Based on their applications, 20 youths between the ages of 18-28 tives of accused firms ignored to address the is- tor and tourism. It will soon open doors for next generation of Ra- will be selected for a trip to Rajasthan in December- January every sue when NDTV presented “evidence of cor- jasthanis living abroad not just to witness the culture and traditions year. “The Rajasthan government will bear the cost that includes ruption and manipulation” to them earlier this but also the progress made by the state in Infrastructure and Tech- economic class airfare, visa charges, lodging in government guest houses, food and out of pocket expenses for up to Rs 300. The idea year. nology, transportation etc, in an all-expenses paid trip. “CM Gehlot emphasized on the need of next generation of over- is to show them both the old Rajasthan, famous for its forts and NDTV, which competes with more than a seas Indians to be brought to the country and their native villages temples, as well as new metro, social institutions such as Akshaya dozen news channels, lost $4.7 million in the and exposing them to our rich culture and traditions. It was an- Patra (mid-day meal scheme).” three months that ended June 30, more than it nounced by the chief minister on Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) in RANA felicitated Minister Arora for his contributions towards lost in the same period a year earlier. The com- Jaipur but on August 15 it will be formally launched,” said Rajiv building ties with NRI Rajasthanis. “We fully support the Rajasthan pany’s stock closed at Rs 53.20 on Tuesday, Arora, vice –chairman (minister of state) of Rajasthan Foundation. Foundation in this noble cause,” said Haridas Kotahwala, President down from a record high of Rs 499 in early Arora emphasized to RANA members that the next generation chil- RANA. A citation, jointly from RANA & Rajasthan Foundation, 2008. dren be frequently brought to their homeland. was presented to Arora. Dr Hadpawat and KK Mehta also spoke. 4 Turn Page

August 4-10, 2012 TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Olympics: Saina in semi-finals The parade has also given opportunity to many new Gavaskar visiting US as Continued from page 1 leaders to come forward such as Suchita Chaddha, On Friday, Indian track and field competitors begin Ashok Varshney, Mala Bakshi, Nagendra Gupta, Ambassador for ICC World their hunt for an Olympic medal, as the showpiece dis- Satbir Singh Kuchcha, Ajay Batra, Salil Zaveri, Rajan cipline of the Games gets going. Experts are consider- Nabe, Zinda Singh, Sunita Sadhnani and Suhag T20 sponsor MoneyGram ing the two discus throwers - Vikas Gowda in men and Mehta. Krishna Poonia in the women's competition - as For booths, sponsorship and souvenir, contact Mala Dallas, TX: MoneyGram, a lead- India's best bet for medals. Bakshi at 718-640-6785. ing global money transfer compa- ny, has announced that legendary Community excited over 1st India day parade Team Anna calls off fast player Sunil Gavaskar will Continued from page 1 Continued from page 1 serve as ambassador for the com- The review stand will be mid block on East Barclay members of his civil society followers are known, pany as part of its multi-year agree- Street. Formal stage, booths, and cultural programs were calling off their fast on Friday 5 p.m. The condi- ment with the International Cricket will be in the public parking lot opposite Asa Mai tion of three of the team, Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Council (ICC). Hindu Temple. Popular youth performers include Sisodia and Gopal Rai, who have been on fast for the MoneyGram is serving as the Arvind Batra, Nikhil Sadhnani, Nipun Marwaha and past nine days has worsened, causing concern among official sponsor through 2015, after Sahil Batra. supporters and the authorities. Hazare had begun his fast sponsoring the 2010 ICC World On August 15, there will be an Indian Flag Hoisting on Sunday. Twenty20 tournament in the West Legendary Indian cricketer Ceremony at the Nassau County Legislative Offices in Hazare's announcement of a political alternative got Indies. Sunil Gavaskar Mineola, which will be decorated in the tri-colors of an immediate response on social networking sites, with MoneyGram zeroed inon the Indian national flag. A Gala Dinner on August 17 most welcoming the move while some wondered how Gavaskar because many of its cus- score 1,000 runs in a calendar year, at SUNY Campus in Old Westbury will conclude the the apolitical movement was suddenly changing colors. tomers in the US moved here from and the first player to score 10,000 celebrations. India's next general elections are due in 2014 and politi- – or have relatives living in – coun- runs in Tests. Under his leader- The Indian community spread over Long Island is cal maneuvering has begun keeping the polls in mind. tries where cricket is hugely popu- ship, the India team won the Asia coming together for the first time to make this an But the government was quick to react, with Congress lar. Said Juan Agualimpia, execu- Cup, Benson & Hedges World event to remember and become an annual fixture in minister Ambika Soni saying "we had always held that tive vice president and chief mar- Cup, and the ICC Cricket World the area’s calendar. The honor to host the parade has Team Anna was goaded by politics, and it is a good keting officer, MoneyGram, Cup. An author of four cricket fallen on Hicksville – Long Island’s Little India with thing that they have come out in the open with their “Gavaskar is a legend in cricket, bookst, Gavaskar today serves as a many stores, businesses and eateries with a desi falvor. intention". who is very well known around the TV commentator and columnist. All available floats are already sold out. There will Hazare and his team are demanding the government world. We’re excited about the In NY-NJ, from Aug. 12-14, be floats from Rajasthan Association of North pass their Jan Lokpal bill for creating an ombudsman to value he’ll bring to MoneyGram by Gavaskar will visit the Edison America (RANA), TLC (Telugu Community), Vedic probe graft in the system, and begin a probe against sen- connecting with our customers Cricket Club, followed by visits Heritage, Divya Jyoti Jagrati Sansthan, etc. ior members of the cabinet for corruption. Of the 15 through events we’re planning in with MoneyGram agents. On Aug. The organizers have already lined up many major names they had given, Pranab Mukherjee is now the various markets.” 13, he will attend an Iftar at sponsors: Patel Brothers & Bolla Oil (Grand president of India. Gavaskar, nicknamed “Sunny”, Courtyard New York LaGuardia Sponsors), MetLife & Virsa Punjabi The government has dismissed their allegations of played for the India, Mumbai, and Airport with the Pakistani, Indian (Platinum), Air India and Kingfisher Airlines corruption against the ministers, and said the Lokpal Somerset teams throughout the and Bangladeshi community. On (Corporate), Bolly Arts (Diamond), Habib American bill, which has been passed by the Lok Sabha, is now 1970s and 1980s. Known for his Aug 14, at the Manhattan Bank, Doshi Family Foundation and BP gas (Gold). with a select committee of parliament which will come near-perfect technique as opening Penthouse, MoneyGram will host a Navika Capital Group, Darshan Singh Bagga, Kala out with a final draft. batsman, he is the only player to press conference with him. Zaveri, Friends for Good Health, Singh Hospitality, Hazare, addressing a gathering of a few thousands at Rajan Nabe, and Indus American Bank are also on the Jantar Mantar in the heart of the capital, said, "If we Jain Studies Fellowship announced board. don't send our own people to parliament, things will not Media sponsors include TV Asia, ITV, Sahara One, change." in Florida International University Jus Broadcasting, IVS TV, The South Asian Times, He added: "There is no harm in giving a political Indian Express, The Indian Panorama, and The South alternative, but only those people should go to parlia- Miami, FL: Rajiv and Latika Studies with a concentration on Asian Insider. ment who love the country and have a clean back- Jain Fellowship for graduate Jain studies. The Fellowship will Strategic approach and action by community leaders ground." studies on Jainism has been cover tuition and stipend for two such as Animesh Goenka, Bobby Kumar, Kamlesh However, Hazare, who the government has alleged announced at the Florida years. Study or research in India Mehta, Gobind Munjal, Lal Motwani, Dr Parveen was covertly backed by the opposition Bharatiya Janata International University. It is a is possible. The fellowship is ten- Chopra, Darshan Bagga, and other committee chairs Party (BJP), said he will "not join the system but will two year program of Religious able from August 2013. has turned the very first parade into a massive event. support it from outside".

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TheSouthAsianTimes.info August 4-10, 2012 Indian-American law student sues Preet Bharara New York: A second-year Indian-American the US District Court in Manhattan and need to to notice of the marshals, according to the com- cating with him, because it might seem as if she law student has filed a lawsuit against leave their electronic devices with the security plaint of Bensam, the marshals told court secu- were trying to influence the outcome of the Manhattan's famed Indian-American US district when entering the building, the legal news jour- rity to seize her cell phone and keep it case. attorney Preet Bharara and the US Marshals nal said. overnight, the Journal said. However, Bensam maintains that the US Service for seizing her phone illegally. The event happened after Bensam started The lawsuit mentioned that Bensam's phone Marshal's Service illegally seized her phone, The lawsuit filed July 10 by Benula Bensam writing letters to Judge Jed Rakoff during had been returned the next day, but there was a and "the US Marshals are to be held responsible accuses Bharara of instigating involvement of Gupta's trial. probability that it had been turned on and for actions taken by court security officers for the US Marshals leading to the illegal seizure of Bensam claims she was attending the Gupta searched. their role in the seizure of my phone". her cell phone during the high-profile insider trial as a law student "to understand the process Undeterred by the event of having her cell The lawsuit accused concerned officers of trading trial of former Goldman Sachs director of litigation", but to understand things better phone seized overnight June 4, the law student "unreasonable search and seizure." It also Rajat Gupta, according to JD Journal. she began writing letters to the judge.When the tried June 6 to deliver a fourth letter to Rakoff. claimed "it is not a crime for a disinterested According to court rules, members of the fact of the law student trying to communicate On that day, the judge called her before the party to write letters to a judge on the subject of public are not allowed to bring cell phones into with the judge in the high-profile matter came bench and asked her to refrain from communi- a trial." Bappi Lahiri live in Authorities seize stolen statues from Indian art dealer New York: US authorities have Other seized items include a investigation of the potential smuggling of concert in NY, NJ seized several stolen sandstone sandstone statue depicting Kubera, Indian antiquities into New York. New York: and bronze statues and other chief of the Yakshas, from the The Indian consulate advised HSI that an Celebrated cultural artefacts with an esti- Indian Gupta period; a grey schist import and export company was expecting the Bollywood music mated value of more than $20 statue depicting Herkules- arrival of a shipment containing seven crates director and singer million from a storage facility Vajrapani from the Kandahran manifested as "Marble Garden Table Sets." Bappi Lahiri, popu- allegedly belonging to an Kushan period; and a sculpture The consulate believed these crates con- larly known as Indian art dealer. depicting Shakyamuni Buddham tained stolen Indian antiquities. This merchan- Bappida, will be The Manhattan District from the Indian Chola period. dize was allegedly imported by Kapoor. By the Attorney's Office has also Some of the seized stolen arte- end of January 2012, HSI special agents had performing live in Subhash Kapoor issued an arrest warrant for facts have been displayed in seized dozens of antiquities with an estimated concert Saturday, Subhash Kapoor, the owner of Art of the Past major international museums worldwide. value of nearly $10 million. August 4th from Bappi Lahiri Gallery for alleged possession of stolen prop- Other pieces that match those listed as stolen These included one five foot tall head of a 9.30 pm at Theatre erty, the US Immigration and Customs are still openly on display in some museums, Buddha weighing about 1,600 pounds; and at Westbury, 960 Brush Hollow Road, Westbury, NY Enforcement's (ICE) said in a statement. HSI said. one life sized stone figure weighing about 500 and Sunday, August 12 at North Brunswick HS Among the artefacts seized by Homeland "The statues and sculptures recovered today pounds, seized from a storage unit allegedly Auditorium, 98 Raider Road, New Brunswick, NJ. Security Investigations (HSI) special agents are worth millions in the antiquities business, leased by Kapoor in New York. Bappida was the pioneer of disco beats in India and were three Chola period bronzes, depicting but they are priceless to the nations that they Kapoor, who was the subject of an Interpol his refreshing, vibrant, and rhythmic music had the Uma Parvati, Sivagami Amman; and were robbed from," said James T. Hayes Jr., Red Notice, was arrested in late 2011 at entire nation dancing for decades. He is widely known Murugan, which are suspected of having been special agent in charge of HSI New York. Frankfurt International Airport. On July 14, as the "Disco King" in India, even today with a number stolen directly from temples in India's Tamil HSI said in February 2007, the Indian con- 2012, Kapoor was extradited to India, where of hit songs to his credit. Nadu state. sulate contacted it requesting assistance in the he faced criminal charges. Hindus urged to get politically united New York: “The Hindutva (Hindu-ness) is an antidote to the widespread corruption in India.” “Hindus must become a formidable force on the global level for Vedic Dharma.” “The DNA tests conducted in many universi- ties in USA have conclusively established that all Indians from the North to the South have the same dominant DNA composition.” “India is a secular country because Hindus are a majority in India.” The above assertive statements were made by Dr. Subramanian Swamy, the Keynote Keynote speaker Speaker at the 18th Annual Hindu Sangathan Dr.Swamy with prominent The jampacked auditorium Dr.Subramanian Swamy Divas (Hindu Unity Day) celebration in New Indian community members York. The topic of his speech was for the cause. to listen to Dr. Swamy warned that Hindus Indian refugee camps. “Globalization of Hindu Unity.” The Hindu Unity Day celebration by now should guard against the mischievous Aryan The other distinguished speakers were: Dr. The high profile annual event organized has become a tradition for Hindus of the tri- and Dravidian theory propagated by our ene- Uma Mysorekar, President, Hindu Temple jointly by the Hindu Temple Society of North state area. “This extremely successful and mies for the sole purpose of creating a rift Society of North America; Dr. Narinder America and Indian American Intellectuals ever popular event has boosted the morale of within the Hindu society. “The DNA tests Kukar, Director of Diabetes and Forum was enthusiastically supported by Hindus in America and created a sense of con- conducted in many universities in USA have Endocrinology in a major teaching hospital in many highly placed Hindus, several Hindu fidence in them that they are second to none. conclusively established that all Indians from New York; Pt. Jagdish Tripathi, disciple of associations and temple managements in the That they are a power to reckon with,” said the North to the South have the same domi- Maharishi Mahesh Yogi; Pt. Swasti Narayan area. Narain Kataria, president, Indian American nant DNA composition,” asserted Dr. Swamy. Dubey, President and Priest of the Maha Hindus from India, Bangladesh, Intellectuals Forum. Expressing pain and anguish at the plight of Lakshmi Mandir; Ms. Sheetal Shah, Senior Afghanistan, , Nepal, , Addressing the large congregation of Hindu refugees from Kashmir, Dr. Swamy Director for the of Hindu American Trinidad, Guyana and different states of India Hindus, some of whom traveled by cars over said that half a million Hindus driven by Foundation (HAF); and Badri Hiriyur, an attended the event expressing their solidarity 100 miles and flew from Chicago and Canada Kashmiri Muslims are still languishing in engineer by profession. 6 Tristate Community

August 4-10, 2012 TheSouthAsianTimes.info Mangal Gupta, 82, IALI IndiaFest on Aug 12 founder of NJ Dushahra he India Association of Long Festival passes away Island will host IndiaFest, its Tannual festival celebrating angal Gupta, founder and the culture and traditions of India, at chairman of Indo- the Hyatt Regency in Hauppauge, MAmerican Festivals Inc. N.Y., on Aug. 12. Cultural per- and Sankat Mochan Hanuman formances, a fashion show and arts Mandir, passed away in New Jersey, and crafts vendors will be part of July 31. He was 82. He is survived the festival. by his wife Chanchal Gupta, his Highlights include an Indian children Jay and Mark Gupta, and bazaar featuring ethnic designer and his grandchildren Anakin and haute couture clothing, precious and Kenley Gupta. semiprecious gemstones and jewel- According to a press release from ry, handbags and pashmina shawls, the Indo-American Festivals Inc., a a press release from the organizers funeral will be held on Friday, Aug. said. Restaurants from the area will 4 at Franklin Memorial Park in New Mangal Gupta offer cuisine selections. Rides and Jersey, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. the last 13 years, the release said. activities for children, as well as a and a memorial will be held Gupta was also been instrumental in fashion show by Rose Boutique will Aug.10. acquiring land and was working be organized. Under Guta’s leadership, the towards building a Sankat Mochan Actor Manu Narayan of “Bombay Dushahra Festival grew by leaps Hanuman Mandir in Old Dreams” fame is scheduled to be and bounds for Bridge, N.J. special guest. IALI members with County Executive Ed Mangano Documentary on plight of Hindu Hindu Jewish Forum of refugees from Pakistan screened USA formed verseas Friends of BJP (OFBJP) – USA hosted an number of intellectuals left in India, mostly in Mumbai and event to highlight the heart churning plight of Hindu from the Jewish and Hindu Thane, whereas about 70,000 are refugees from Pakistan at the local Ramada Inn, O communities have come settled in Israel. North Brunswick, New Jersey on Tuesday July 24, 2012. A together to form The Hindu Jewish A similar organization does exist Over 200 Indian Americans attended this social educational event on a week day evening, to support the cause of these Forum of USA with the objective of in England whereas in Mumbai, Hindu refugees who seek immigration to India. During this further strengthening the ties they are in the process of registra- event, a much critically acclaimed documentary film “The between the two communities. tion. The committee consists of: human boundaries” made by an Indian filmmaker Rahul Riji The ties date back 2,000 years President: Dr. Richard Benkin; Nair, was screened. The film depicts the systematic vio- ago, when Jews fled the Holy Land Chairman: Dr. Babu Suseelan; Vice lence, rampant religious discrimination and widespread and settled on the coast of Naugaon, Presidents: Prof. Nathan Katz and Documentary ‘The human boundaries’ is made by restrictions on religious freedom perpetuated in Pakistan on in Maharashtra, India, where the Dr. Anilkumar Bhate; and the minority Hindus leading to their large scale exodus to filmmaker Rahul Riji Nair local Hindu population treated them Secretaries: Dr. Yashwant Pathak seek refuge in India for the past few years and their emotion- scintillating speech demanded the government of India to well. There are barely 5,000 Jews and John Perry. al appeal to stay in India. grant immigration status to the Hindu refugees from Jayesh Patel, OFBJP President, welcomed the guests and Pakistan and vowed to fight for this humane cause. introduced the community leaders. He especially introduced Virender Labroo, a Kashmiri forum leader from the Tri-State the film maker, Shri Rahul Riji Nair and briefly talked about area gave several examples of the plight of Kashmiri Hindu the film. Gaurang Vaishnav, VHP-A Vice President, in his refugees who have been in a similar situation. He revealed that the Hindu population in Islamic Bangladesh dropped Artificial Heart Surgeon Dr Mukesh from 33% to 8% and in Pakistan from 22% to 3% since Hariawala to be honored at Pharma summit India’s division in 1947. Umesh Shukla, a leader of Ekal Vidyalay fervently appealed for the help to these Hindu ioneering Angiogenesis India Born Boston based NRI refugees.Shri Rakshpal Sood, a senior HSS leader and a sen- PSurgeon who shot to fame for his cutting edge innova- ior advisory councilor of OFBJP-USA, warned that an esti- tions Titanium VAD (Ventricular Assist Devices), which mated 30 million Bangladeshi intruders are living in India as functions as an "Artificial Heart” will deliver keynote part of their well planed demographic terrorism and cited the address at 5th Annual Pharmaceutical Leadership Summit recent clashes in Assam between the Bodo tribes and 2012 in Mumbai, India. Bangladeshi intruders in India as a preview to the much The Annual Affair will bring some of the finest brains worse situations in the future.The Hindu American of the world in a single platform. Announcing the name of Foundation (HAF) took lead in announcing plans for the Dr Mukesh Hariawala as the proud recipient of such an nationwide film tour with Nair, whose film was inspired by honor , Satya Brahma, Chairman of Summit & Business Hindu spiritual leader and Art of Living Founder, Sri Sri Leadership Awards 2012 said “ Dr Mukesh symbolizes Ravi Shankar. The documentary is scheduled to be show- Bhagwan Shree Lakshmi Narayan Dham, New Jersey is organizing a innovations in best practices & is very down –to-earth, cased at several community events throughout the U.S. from gala event in Garden State Exhibit center, Somerset, New Jersey on someone who has spent nearly two and half decades in July 12 - August 5, 2012, and will include stops in New August 11, 2012. His Holiness Brahmrishi Shree Kumar Swamiji, an healthcare practice and has catapulted to the limelight York City, Boston, Atlanta, Houston, Chicago, Detroit, and internationally acclaimed spiritual Guru, is visiting from India for this after he operated the first Surgery to the present Indian the San Francisco Bay Area. Nair's film will also be event to give his blessing to his followers. His message of interfaith har- Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh.” screened on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. mony is simple, precise and focused on welfare of the whole humanity. National Community 7

TheSouthAsianTimes.info August 4-10, 2012 Jindal pilloried for Tulsi Gabbard: First Hindu promoting creationism in race for US House New York: While Mitt Romney is getting opted to run for the US senate this year. ready to announce his vice presidential pick Ahead of the Democratic primary elec- any day, Bobby Jindal, governor of Louisiana tion in Hawaii's second congressional dis- and one of the contenders for that job, is fac- trict on August 11, Tulsi, a Honolulu city ing public scrutiny. His public record on sci- council woman, now holds a five-point ence has been pilloried by Kenneth R. Miller, lead over Hannemann, former Honolulu professor of Biology at Brown University, in mayor — 37% for Tulsi and 32% from a critique on Slate web newsmagazine. Hannemann, said the Mellman Group. Miller, the author of ‘Only a Theory: Evo- "This represents a sea change in the race lution and the Battle for America’s Soul’, re- since our previous poll, conducted in calls that Jindal was a biology major at Brown April, where Hannemann led Tulsi by 26 University and a Rhodes scholar. “But in his points. Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal rise to prominence in Louisiana, he made a Indeed, Tulsi's share of the vote has bargain with the religious right and compro- Louisiana Science Education Act (LSEA), increased 21 points, while Hannemann has mised science and science education for the which allows “supplemental textbooks and actually shed 10 points in the last three children of his state. other instructional materials” to be brought months," the group said. In fact, Jindal’s actions at one point per- into classrooms to support the “open and ob- A confident Tulsi says she is on her way suaded leading scientific organizations, in- jective discussion” of certain “scientific theo- Tulsi Gabbard to victory, though she conceded that it cluding the Society for Integrative and Com- ries,” including, of course, evolution. As edu- Washington, DC: Tulsi Gabbard, who would be a close race. Proud of her Hindu parative Biology, to cross New Orleans off cators who have heard such coded language trailed behind her nearest rival by over 40 religion, she is not Indian nor of Indian their list of future meeting sites.” before quickly realized, the act was intended points a few months ago in the race for the heritage. Her father Mike Gabbard is cur- Miller singles out the law Jindal signed, the to promote creationism as science. Congressional seat from Honolulu, has rently Hawaii state senator and mother now taken a narrow but crucial lead of five Carol Porter Gabbard is an educator and points in the latest polls, brightening business owner. USF launches Undergraduate prospects for the first Hindu to be elected Currently a Company Commander with to the US House of Representatives. the Hawaii Army National Guard, who has Certificate in India Studies In a dramatic turnaround, 31-year-old volunteered to serve on two deployments Tulsi has eclipsed Mufi Hannemann and is to the Middle East, Tulsi was Hawaii's now the frontrunner in the race to succeed youngest state representative in 2002 and Representatives Mazie Hirono in House, is the youngest woman in the USA to be said the prestigious Mellman Group, elected to such a position. The turnaround releasing its latest round of opinion polls. has raised prospects of her being elected to The seat became vacant as Hirono has the House.

USF's World Center for India Studies to offer broad curriculum focusing on India Tampa, Florida: The University of South Academic Programs Dr. Roger Brindley Florida’s World Center for India Studies is thinks it’s important to add an academic com- introducing an undergraduate certificate in ponent to a culture that is otherwise well-rec- India Studies this fall (beginning end August). ognized on campus. “The purpose of the cer- Offering a broad curriculum that focuses on tificate is to bring academic recognition to the history, geography, society, politics, language, rich heritage of the Indian culture, adding an culture, philosophy and religion in India, the academic emphasis to the world’s largest certificate is designed to give students an democracy and a critical partner of the United informative introduction to Indian society. States. We expect this certificate will intrigue One of the highlights of the certificate is a USF students and will be a transformative study abroad component. Students can choose experience,” he said. Incidentally, the to substitute coursework with one of many University’s College of Business already has study abroad programs to India for six credits. an India-focused study abroad program for its Dr. Gurleen Grewal, Director of the Center MIS (Management Information Systems) stu- for India Studies, says American students are dents who study at the Infosys campus in already showing an interest in the program. Mysore for about three weeks every summer. “We want students to come away with a really Requirements and details about the under- strong foundation on what makes contempo- graduate certificate in India Studies can be rary India what it is today,” she adds. found at http://global.usf.edu/indiastudies/cer- Associate Vice President for Global tificate.php

Nine-time Olympic gold medallist Carl Lewis (left) and other olympians came together to unveil the “World Peace Dream- er” statue in London, a bronze sculpture depict- ing Sri Chinmoy, who was based in New York and dedicated his life to spreading India’s spiritu- al message of peace and universal brotherhood around the world. 8 National Community

August 4-10, 2012 TheSouthAsianTimes.info

IN BRIEF ZEE Cinema launches on 25000 expected to attend Rogers & Telus in Canada Chicago Veggie Fest ollywood En- Agent Vinod, Don 2, tertainment Desi Boyz etc. along eggie Fest 2012 expects over 25,000 peo- ty," says Veggie Fest Art Show coordinator, Debbie BChannel, ZEE with all time hits ple to come with their appetites the week- Purdy. Cinema will announce such as Taare Za- Vend of August 11 and 12. Held on the New to the Veggie Fest music stage this year is its launch on Rogers meen Par, Rock On, grounds of the Science of Spirituality Meditation Live Wire, a kids rock and roll band with a vege- and Telus at the PIFAA Jab We Met and clas- Center, 4S 175 Naperville, Rd., Naperville, IL tarian nine-year-old behind the drums. Marisa Festival in Toronto, sics such as Awara, 60653 from 11am to 8pm each day, it’s one of the Buchheit will be another new voice on the main Ontario Aug 3-6. This Sholay, Bobby and largest vegetarian food festivals in the country. stage. new development al- Padosan among oth- Chicago favorites Soul Veg and Connie’s Pizza will An aspiring professional opera singer and native lows the South Asian ers. be back to dish out their best vegetarian goodies Chicagoan, she was recently crowned Miss Chica- audience in Canada to ZEE CEO Suresh and Auntie Hanna’s Caribbean Kitchen, a Veggie go. Buchheit is the first vegan to win the title of enjoy the magic of Bollywood Bala said, “PIFAA is a great plat- Fest favorite, will return to share the veggie chick- Miss Chicago. She'll also be volunteering in the movies on their favorite plat- form to celebrate the best in Pun- en dishes people line up for every year. Nada Moo, Children's Tent. forms. jabi cinema and honor the work new to the Veggie Fest food court, will be serving Returning to the Veggie Fest attractions is the ZEE Cinema is part of the ZEE of those who make these great up scoops of their delicious coconut-based ice popular Vegetarian Challenge, an initiative started Family which is well known for films. cream and Café Indigo is returning with plenty of last year to encourage people to eat a vegetarian bringing the best in South Asian This is the perfect opportunity their eggless baked treats. diet for a week. Over 2,000, some of whom contin- entertainment to viewers’ for us to announce the launch of Admission and parking are free. Topping the list ued eating vegetarian long past the Challenge, doorsteps. ZEE Cinema is ZEE’s ZEE Cinema, the #1 Bollywood of new additions is the first annual Veggie Fest Art pledged to put down their meat, fish, chicken, and top rated Bollywood Entertain- Entertainment Channel.” Show. eggs in exchange for a plant-based way of eating. ment channel. Its library features “We are delighted to partner Inspired by a local college art student and featur- Coupon books will again give discounts worth over 5000 hours of movies. ZEE with the Zee TV Group for the ing original paintings and drawings celebrating the thousands of dollars that can be redeemed at local Cinema brings viewers top launch of Zee Cinema in Canada. themes of Veggie Fest, vegetarianism, love toward businesses in the Chicagoland area. The Family movies including classics and Bollywood today is a global, phe- animals, and meditation, the Art Show will display Meditation Tent also makes a return so parents and fresh new releases. nomenon” added Slava Levin, submissions in an onsite booth. "We're thrilled to children can get out of the sun and learn how to still Viewers can watch their fa- Co-Founder and CEO of Ethnic provide an outlet for creative people of all ages to the body and still the mind while sitting in silent vorite movies such as Agneepath, Channels Group. express their love of vegetarianism and spirituali- meditation.

ATA condoles demise of Arizona professor named dean of Kuchipudi legend Sri Pace University School Vempati Chinna Satyam garu Washington, DC: University of entrepreneurship. He was also the United Nations Development Pro- Arizona Professor Amar Gupta has founder of the Nexus of Entrepre- gram and the United Nations In- been appointed dean of the Sei- neurship and Technology Initia- dustrial Development Organiza- denberg School of Computer Sci- tive. tion. ence and Information Systems at At MIT, he managed and secured Born in Nadiad in Gujarat, Gup- Pace University, effective Aug. 15. funding for major research proj- ta received his undergraduate de- "I want to work with these ects. He served as the founding co- gree in 1974 in electrical engineer- schools so that the students who director of the Productivity from ing from the Indian Institute of graduate from them have all the Information Technology Initiative Technology, Kanpur, according to Sri Vempati Chinna Satyam garu knowledge they need to use infor- at the Sloan School of Manage- his bio data on the university web- merican Telugu Association mation technology," Gupta was ment. He also directed the research site. In 1980, he received a gradu- has condoled the demised of quoted as saying in a statement re- program on communications poli- ate degree from the Sloan School Alegendary Kuchipudi guru Sri leased by the university. cy and acted as associate director at MIT. That same year, he also re- Vempati Chinna Satyam garu. ATA "A distinguished scholar and Prof Amar Gupta of MIT's International Financial ceived a doctorate focusing on the had recognize him during ATA con- vention on July 7th, 2012 at Atlanta practitioner, Dr. Gupta will pro- lege of Management at the Uni- Services Research Center, where discipline of Decision Support (USA) with "ATA Lifetime Achieve- vide vital expertise to the entire versity of Arizona in Tucson and a he developed a patented approach Systems for research con- ducted ment Award" for his contribution to Pace community while leading the visiting scientist at the Massachu- for highly accurate readings of at IIT, Delhi, and MIT. He worked the Kuchipudi Nritya art and for keep- Seidenberg School in new direc- setts Institute of Technology. At hand- written information on bank at MIT for 25 years on diverse ed- ing alive an old art which is now tions," Stephen J. Friedman, presi- Eller, he had been initiating and checks. ucational endeavors and created passed on to a new generation of dent of Pace University, said in the nurturing new research, collabora- Gupta has served as an adviser to the pioneering course in global Americans of Telugu origin. He was statement. tive teaching methods and other the World Bank, IBM and outsourcing. Last year, he was vot- felicitated in Chennai during the prime Gupta is the Thomas R. Brown interdisciplinary programs that en- Citibank, as well as to United Na- ed outstanding faculty member of time with a live telecast with $5000 Endowed Professor of Manage- abled students to receive two grad- tions organizations such as the the year by his Eller College stu- cash award. ment and Technology at Eller Col- uate degrees and a certificate in World Health Organization, the dents. This was the first time in ATA has given this type of prestigious life time achievement award along with cash ‘Big In Bollywood’ declared Best Aftab Shivdasani to lead Chicago India Day award and he was pleased with it. Sri Vempati Chinna Satyam garu Foreign Film at Las Vegas Fest Parade on August 18 was born in Kuchipudi, Andhra Los Angeles: Actor Omi Vaidya's documentary "BigIn Bol- Chicago: Actor Aftab Shiv- tle India,” in the North-westsub- Pradesh, India, the place of origin of famous Kuchipudi dance form. He re- lywood" was declared the best foreign feature at the re- dasani will lead the India Day- urb of Chicago. The parade fined he art form, bringing it com- centlyconcluded Las Vegas Film Festival. "My documen- Parade in Chicago on Aug 18, moves through more than 10 pletely within the boundaries of Natya tary Big in A Bollywood wins Best Foreign Film at the Las 2012. Shivdasani has been in- blocks and is usuallyattended by Shastra and gave it a whole new per- VegasFilm Festival. Jackpot," the 27-year-old Indian- vited to be the grandmarshal at thousands of curious onlookers. spective. Dr. Vempati started the American actor tweeted onJuly 28. the parade to celebrate India’s “I am proudly looking forward kuchipudi Art Academy at Madras in The documentary chronicles Vaidya's struggling days as 66th Independence Day. to leading the paradein Chicago,” the year 1963. He received several an actor in Los Angelesand his landing the plum role of The grand parade is organ- Shivdasani said in a statement. awards in India and abroad. Chatur Ramalingam in the super hit "3Idiots." It has been ized annually by theFederation “Nothing is more satisfying He was honored with a Doctorate Aftab Shivdasani directed by Bill Bowles.Vaidya won the star debut of the of Indian Associations (FIA) of thancelebrating India’s Inde- degree by Andhra University. He was year and best performance in a comic roleawards at the Chicago. Shivdasani will lead theparade pendence Day in America with Indian also awarded the Padma Bhushan by 2010 International Indian Film Academy function. down Devon Avenue, the epicenter of “Lit- Americans.” the Government of India. India-US 9

TheSouthAsianTimes.info August 4-10, 2012 No reversal of economic US keen to boost defence reform tide in India: trade with India Nirupama Rao Washington, DC: In a bid to Department's Bureau of Political- efit from linking defence sales Washington, DC: Asserting that the interests are often unheard in the boost defence sales to India, the Military Affairs told the Defence with broader strategic goals," he 'India Story' is definitely not over, audio stream of voices from the US US is touting the "technical and Trade Advisory Group. said. "That's why we specifically Indian Ambassador Nirupama Rao side who are constantly urging India political advantages" of its Outlining US efforts to expand articulated the technical and polit- has assured American businesses to 'do more' on the reform front." Foreign Military Sales (FMS) pro- US defence trade, Shapiro who ical advantages that FMS offers." that there is no question of the tide "In this crescendo from the gram of government-to-govern- was in India in spring for the first One of the major goals of the of economic reform in India being American side, is the political econ- ment transfer without competitive political-military talks in six years political-military talks in Delhi reversed. omy and anthropology of India bidding. said they "sought to better famil- was to make progress in advanc- "Look at the history of reform in understood sufficiently?" she asked "We have reached out to new iarize the Indian government with ing the defence trade, he said not- India from 1991 onwards. and emphatically stated: "There is partners and emerging markets our system and to address any ing cumulative defence sales to Successive governments have come no question of the tide of economic where we see the defence trade concerns they may have." India have grown from virtually and gone, but the direction of reform in India being reversed.” growing," Andrew J. Shapiro, "We think the US-India defence zero to more than $8 billion since reform has not been reversed, ever," Referring to "questions or doubts" assistant secretary in the State and trade relationship would ben- 2008. she said Thursday at the Asia being raised in the US about India's Society. pace of reforms or opening up, she Speaking on the topic of "The said: "The logic of an open econo- US defends rant against outsourcing United States and India: my and its benefits have still to be Implementing a Deeper Strategic understood fully." jobs to India Partnership" Rao said the menu of "On our part, we realize the need Washington, DC: The US sees no contradiction in I think can be beneficial to both countries," said future cooperation emerging from to revitalize business and investor President Barack Obama's election year rhetoric Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Mike Hammer. the recent India-US Strategic sentiments and remove supply side against outsourcing of jobs to India and its efforts to "And the key here is to lower barriers, to ensure Dialogue is "unprecedented and bottlenecks," Rao said noting, forge a stronger strategic partnership with New that there's a free and fair and level playing field so covers almost every field of human "Government is continuing with its Delhi. "It's very important for America to get our that, again, both countries can compete and look to endeavor." efforts to bring in further reforms in economy on track. And we're always looking for see how best to promote sort of economic growth and Questioning critics' suggestion key sectors of economy, including opportunities to promote American business and business opportunities," Hammer said. that India-US relations are 'oversold' FDI in multi-brand retail, insurance, American jobs," a senior State Department official "And that's the focus of our effort," he said. "So I or 'adrift', Rao said, "The partner- power sectors." told the foreign media Friday. don't see a contradiction in that." ship is yielding dividends, which are "I would like to assure US "As a way of promoting American business and "Again, the efforts are focused on creating eco- tangible and affect the lives of our investors that the Indian economy American jobs, we're always looking to advance free nomic growth, and that provides opportunity because two peoples in a positive manner." has the capacity to respond dynami- trade opportunities and to develop the kind of impor- when there's growth in India, that creates markets for But Rao lamented that the "voices cally to the current situation tant trade relationships like the one with India, which American products," Hammer suggested. of Indian companies and business facing it." 10 US Affairs

August 4-10, 2012 TheSouthAsianTimes.info Mayor from Texas first Latino LA Mayor another rising Dems star to give DNC keynote Los Angeles: When Los Angeles Democratic Party's presidential Washington: Mayor Julian Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa gavels nomination, much less the presiden- Castro of San Antonio will deliver the 2012 Democratic National cy, due to his rocky (and public) the keynote address at the Convention into session in personal life, lack of a developed Democratic National Convention Charlotte, N.C., this September, his national fundraising base and occa- in September, the party role as prominent cheerleader for sional conflicts with portions of his announced on Tuesday, the first President Barack Obama will be political base. time a Latino has taken the high- clear. But recall that Bill Clinton made it profile slot. Now talk has started whether he to the Oval Office with the personal The move illustrates the central will run for President himself in baggage of infidelity and Barack role of the Latino vote to the 2016. Obama became the first nonwhite Obama campaign, the Washington Despite running the country's sec- candidate to achieve the highest Post notes. In 2008, 67 percent of ond largest city (after New York) office in the land—you can begin to Hispanic voters supported the and coming from the fastest grow- see how Villaraigosa's interest in a president; turn out rates in San Antonio Mayor ing voting demographic in America, 2016 run may yet develop. November could be make or Julian Castro the mayor himself is quick to wave Villaraigosa recently wrapped up break for Obama in closely con- Convention to make a forceful off talk of a presidential run. a one-year tenure as the head of the Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa tested states like Florida, Nevada, defense of Obama's economic "The answer is no," Villaraigosa U.S. Conference of Mayors, where may become first Latino to run for and Colorado. policies at a time when the nation- replied when asked by Yahoo News he wrangled more than 200 mayors President in 2016. At 37, Castro is the youngest al unemployment rate is hovering if he wanted to be president one day. to support his successful push for on behalf of the Obama campaign, mayor of a major US city. Being around 8 percent. Obama has per- "I want to finish this job with a "America Fast Forward," a federal for which he has done no fewer than named as the keynote speaker sonally asked Clinton to speak bang. I want to go out with my head loan program for transportation 20 either official or campaign relat- marks him as a rising star in the and to place Obama's name in up high. I want to say to this city, 'I infrastructure projects that will ed events over the last year at vari- party, according to the Associated nomination. put everything into this job,'" he allow cities to leverage federal dol- ous state party gatherings, fundrais- Press. In 2004, then-Illinois State Elizabeth Warren is also slated added. lars over an extended period of time. ers, constituency group conferences Senator Barack Obama filled the for a high-profile slot on Sept. 5. "The job I've said to people I Obama signed the expanded pro- and official policy events. The same role at the convention in Michelle Obama will speak on the would like is I would like to be gov- gram into law as part of the larger potential benefits of circling the Boston. opening day and Obama and Vice ernor of the state of California," he transportation bill earlier this month country to meet party activists and Significantly, President Bill President Joe Biden will take the said. at the White House with elected officials in key states includ- Clinton will be given a key, stage at prime time on the final It's easy to dismiss Villaraigosa's Villaraigosa by his side. ing Florida, Nevada and New prime-time slot during the night. likelihood of capturing the Now the mayor's travel is mostly Mexico is lost on no one. Romney's foreign jaunt was gaffe-filled Washington: It is still too early to In Warsaw he gave a rousing 9 physicists receive say whether Mitt Romney’s first for- speech lauding Poland as a model eign tour as presumptive GOP nomi- for other nations seeking democracy a physics prize nee will hurt his presidential run. and a market economy, and took a But no question that Romney has swipe at its former communist mas- lurched from one blunder to the next ter Moscow, saying: "In Russia, worth $3M each during his first venture on the global once-promising advances toward a New York: This new $3 million stage, offending the British by ques- free and open society have faltered." prize is pricier than the $1.2 tioning their readiness to host the But the previous day, Romney's London’s Sun called him "Mitt million that comes with the Olympics, then infuriating meeting with Lech Walesa suffered the Twit" after his gaffe about how Nobel prize. Now, nine scien- Palestinians by saying Jerusalem is an awkward moment when the ready British are for the Olympic tists have become the first recip- Israel's capital and that Israeli "cul- Solidarity union which the anti- Games. Mitt Romney says the ients of the Fundamental ture" helps them succeed economi- communist hero headed in the 1980s media is blowing up his overseas Physics Prize, established by cally. said it had nothing to do with invit- missteps to protect Obama. Yuri Milner, a Russian physics And on Tuesday in Romney's final ing Romney, and supports unionised student who dropped out of stop Poland, a campaign aide lost US workers widely disparaged by "With the pro-Israeli community... graduate school in 1989 and his cool, telling reporters to "shove the White House contender and his it probably helped him," said Miller, later earned billions investing in it" and "kiss my ass" as they shouted party. a Middle East specialist at the Internet companies like questions in vain at the Republican But that could matter less than the Woodrow Wilson International Facebook and Groupon. Ashoke Sen, a string theorist flagbearer. effort to shore up support among the Center for Scholars. “It knocked me off my feet,” at Harish-Chandra Research Romney, struggling to overcome millions of pro-Israel evangelical "But with respect to demonstrat- said Alan H. Guth, a professor Institute in Allahabad, became criticism about his business record Christians back home, many of ing his foreign policy acumen, of physics at the MIT who was one of the instant millionaires. and refusal to release more than two whom remain suspicious of demonstrating his agility to respond among the winners. He came up basic particles and forces of the years of tax returns, was hoping his Romney, and wean Jewish voters cleverly and substantively, let alone with the idea of cosmic infla- universe, particularly with a sojourn would set him apart from away from Democrat Obama, who wisely, I think he dropped the ball," tion, that there was a period of mathematical machinery known President Obama on a few key won that key demographic in 2008. he told AFP. extremely rapid expansion in the as string theory. fronts, namely that he could be a Aaron Miller, a former advisor to With just 98 days to go before the first instant of the universe. The other winners are Andrei better friend to Britain, Israel and Republican and Democratic secre- election, Romney's campaign was Among the awardees is Linde, a physicist at Stanford Poland and stand up more forcefully taries of state, scored Romney's trip seeking a more favorable outcome Ashoke Sen, a string theorist at who also worked on cosmic against Iran and Russia. at four out of 10. from his trip than the headlines in Harish-Chandra Research inflation; Alexei Kitaev, a pro- Britain ("Mitt the Twit" was one) Institute in Allahabad, India. fessor of physics at the and the disbelief in Palestinian quar- Milner said that he wanted to California Institute of Newsweek to close its ters over his comments in Israel. recognize advances in delving Technology who works on The White House jumped on the into the deepest mysteries of quantum computers; and Maxim print edition gaffes as examples that show physics and the universe. “This Kontsevich, a mathematician at New York: The once No. 2 digital will be announced in Romney is not ready for his presi- intellectual quest to understand the Institute of Advanced newsweekly in the world after September or October. Meanwhile, dential close-up, and Obama aides the universe really defines us as Scientific Studies outside Paris Time, Newsweek is set to shutter sister concern The Daily Beast highlighted the low points of the human beings,” he said. whose abstract mathematical its print edition. Barry Diller, the news website may also feel the heat challenger's trip. Four of the awarded physicists findings proved useful to physi- chairman of IAC/InterActiveCorp as the Harman family has "He's been fumbling the foreign work at the Institute for cists unraveling string theory. which recently acquired sole con- announced that it will cease further policy from country to Advanced Study in Princeton, Milner personally selected the trol of the 79-year-old magazine investment in the venture following country," Obama campaign spokes- N.J.: Nima Arkani-Hamed, Juan inaugural group, but future with Tina Brown as current editor, the death of Sidney Harman, who woman Jen Psaki said Monday. Maldacena, Nathan Seiberg and recipients of the annual said that the end may come as soon was actively involved in the "This raises some questions about Edward Witten. They work on Fundamental Physics Prize will as this fall. A plan to transition to Newsweek Daily Beast business. his preparedness." theories trying to tie together the be decided by previous winners. India 11

TheSouthAsianTimes.info August 4-10, 2012 Pune blasts a planned, coordinated act: govt New Delhi/Pune: The Centre has Patil said investigating agencies being probed and it will not be described the near simultaneous were probing all angles to deter- proper to comment at this stage." explosions in Pune as a planned mine whether any terror outfit was He said the person injured in and coordinated act. behind the low intensity serial one of the blasts-- near Bal Union home secretary R K bomb blasts that rocked the city Gandharva theatre -- was being Singh said forensic experts were last night. treated for minor injuries. examining the two unexploded "Whether it was a terrorist act or The injured person-- Dayanand IEDs and nature of the four blasts. not will be determined only after Patil, who hails from a nearby vil- "Since the blasts have taken proper investigations are carried lage of Uruli Kanchan, had report- place within an area of 500 metres out by Maharashtra ATS, city edly visited the spot opposite the and within a span of 45 minutes, it crime branch and central agen- Balgandharva Theatre, where a appears to be a coordinated act. I cies," Patil told reporters after vis- 'dharna' agitation by India Against am sure there was a plan behind iting the four blast sites on J M Corruption (IAC) was in progress. it," he told reporters here. Road here. After he left the place, the Singh said teams of National Four coordinated low-intensity explosive, which had apparently Investigation Agency, National explosions struck the busy arterial been put in his carry bag, explod- Security Guards and Central J M road in the heart of Pune last ed on the way, police sources said. Forensic Science Laboratory Home minister Sushilkumar Shinde said there was night. The explosions occurred at Unconfirmed reports said reached Pune early this morning no update on the blasts so far Jangli Maharaj( JM) road at spots ammonium nitrate could have and were examining the explo- on. We are making progress," he ment, held a high-level meeting near Balgandharva Theatre, Dena been the substance used in the sives. said. with top home ministry officials Bank branch, a McDonald food blast triggered by small detonators "They have examined two IEDs Home minister Sushilkumar to review the security scenario in outland Garware Bridge. and pencil cells. Police have also which had not exploded. There Shinde said there was no update the country, particularly Pune, in Asked whether there could be a issued an advisory to IAC are three detonators in each and on the blasts so far. Shinde, who view of last night's blasts. "saffron terror" angle to the inci- activists to wind up the dharna other peculiarity. Investigation is assumed charge of the key depart- Maharashtra home minister R R dent, he said, "All angles are pandal for security reasons. Team Anna to end Raksha Bandhan celebrated fast Friday across the country New Delhi: Raksha Bandhan, the festival of love between brothers and sisters, was celebrated across the country on Thursday with full enthusiasm. The central ceremony involves the tying of a sacred thread, Rakhi by a sister on her brother's wrist. This symbolizes the sister's love and prayers for her brother's well being, and the brother's vow to protect her long life. President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice-President Mohammad Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh have greeted the nation on the occasion. President Mukherjee in his mes- sage said Raksha Bandhan is the President Pranab Mukherjee said Raksha Bandhan is the celebration In a signed appeal, 23 people from various walks of life called upon the celebration of the unique relation- of the unique relationship that exists between brothers and sisters fasting Team Anna members to give up their fast ship that exists between brothers he said. affection in our family and society. New Delhi: Anna Hazare and his Krishna Iyer, journalist Kuldip and sisters. "The tying of a Rakhi In a separate message, PM "We should use this occasion to team members will call off their Nayar and former chief election by a sister symbolizes love, affec- Manmohan Singh said that Raksha promote peace, harmony and fast against corruption Friday commission J.N. Lyngdoh. tion and mutual trust between sis- Bandhan is a festival celebrated to brotherhood in our country," he evening, an aide said. Bollywood veteran Anupam ters and brothers. May the spirit of strengthen the bonds of love and added. The decision was taken due to Kher, reading out from the appeal, this festival strengthen fraternal rising concern about the health of said: "Indian democracy stands at feelings in our society, and remind Tanay Khandelwal with Arvind Kejriwal, Gopal Rai and a crossroads. It needs a new wind. us of the importance of unity and Google’s Executive Manish Sisodia who have been on We urge the fasting volunteers to harmony, as we strive collectively Chairman Eric Schmidt. fast since July 25. Hazare began give up their fast in order to accept for the well-being of our people," Born in Jaipur, Tanay his hunger strike July 29. this historic challenge. We also he added. received the special congrat- In a signed appeal, 23 people urge all democratic citizens, move- In his message, Ansari said the ulatory note from the Google from various walks of life called ments and organisations to join festival promotes harmonious Executive Chairman just upon the fasting Team Anna mem- hands with them for creation of social life by reaffirming our faith after the graduating ceremo- bers to give up their fast, and "join such a movement." in the traditional values of love ny of Boston University’s hands to create an alternative polit- A volunteer of India Against and protection. School of Management ical force that is democratic, Corruption (IAC) that is organis- He called upon the people to fol- recently. Schmidt delivered accountable, ethical and non-vio- ing the protest fast, giving a health low the ideals associated with this the keynote address at the lent; and capable of leading an update on the fasting members told festival to promote the spirit of graduation ceremony. Tanay electoral revolution to democratize IANS: "Both (Kejriwal and Rai) amity, harmony and goodwill in belongs to Jaipur’s illustri- and decentralize power and make are very weak, they are not able to our lives. ous Khandelwal family, the owner of the famous Nawab Saheb ki the power structures of the country sit and address the gathering. Rai's "Raksha Bandhan signifies the Haveli at Tripolia Bazaar in the Walled City. He is the grandson of more accountable to the people". health condition is far worse than protective bond between brothers Shri Triloki Das Khandelwal, Secretary General of Social Security Besides Singh, Ravi Shankar and of the others. Kejriwal has lost and sisters and the celebration of Foundation. Tanay is the President of Real Gems, the Tokyo-based Kher, the others to sign the appeal over three kg in the nine days of this festival plays an important company that deals worldwide in fancy-colored diamonds and-high include former apex court judges fast; both are lying down through- role in spreading the message of end retail jewelry. N. Santosh Hegde and V.R. out the day." unity and harmony in our society," 12 India

August 4-10, 2012 TheSouthAsianTimes.info India rendered powerless Second blackout in two days left 19 states, 600 million people without electricity New Delhi: India was hit by mas- sive power failures this week that crippled train, Metro and road- transport services and left half the country's 1.2 billion population without electricity for many hours. The power failure, touted to be one of the world's worst, hit 19 states across the north, the east and northeast of the country was blamed on states overdrawing power from the northern and east- ern grids. On a day that over 600 million people were grappling with the electricity crises, the government moved Sushil Kumar Shinde from the power ministry to the more sen- The power failure was blamed on states overdrawing power from the northern and eastern grids, that chocked roads, sitive home ministry. stalled trains and left millions powerless The power failure also left and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and . However, remained normal. (Uttar Pradesh), all three regions around 200 miners trapped in a , Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan, all four states denied the charge. Speaking to reporters, chairman were affected, he said. mine in West Bengal's Burdwan Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, The capital's popular Delhi and managing director of state-run At the time of failure, Northern district. The miners of Eastern Odisha, Jharkhand, Sikkim, Assam, Metro, which caters to 1.8 million Power Grid Corp of India R.N. Grid's demand was about 32,400 Coalfields Ltd (ECL) were rescued Meghalaya, Tripura, Nagaland, passengers on a week day, sus- Nayak, said the failure was due to MW, Eastern Grid (12,000 MW) after emergency power supply was Manipur, Mizoram and Arunachal pended service on all its six lines overdrawal of power by some and North Eastern Grid (1,100 arranged. Pradesh. These states account for due to the power trip, inconve- states and that a full inquiry would MW), respectively. Over 300 trains were also left half of India's 1.2 billion popula- niencing thousands of passengers. reveal the nature of the problem. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish stranded mid journey for hours, tion. "Oh, not again. We faced a There was chaos on the streets of He said the excess power drawn Kumar said the central government affecting around 300,000 rail pas- terrible situation yesterday. What is the national capital as Delhi Metro by the states had a cascading effect should ensure that no state draws sengers. the government doing, were no les- commuters spilled on to the streets on the other states. The Power Grid electricity beyond its sanctioned "The grid incident occurred at 1 sons learnt from yesterday's black- to look for alternative transport. Corporation of India, which con- load. "For this, they will have to p.m., affecting the northern, eastern out," said an exasperated Paloma With traffic-lights on the blink, trols the country's transmission net- develop and strengthen the infra- and northeastern grids. The system Guha, a new mother trying to make over 4,000 traffic policemen work, said that situation across the structure". is under restoration," said the offi- her baby sleep in the heat. manned the intersections amid the country is expected to be normal The US had faced a major power cial website of the Eastern Grid, Shinde, who had constituted a intermittent rain. by midnight. blackout in early July following a among the systems managed by the committee to probe the failure Hospitals in Delhi were unaffect- According to Nayak, the demand storm, that left large parts of the state-run Power System Operation Monday, attributed the collapse to ed by the crises due to their power across the three regions is around the East Coast without power for a Corp Ltd. overdrawing of power by four back-ups, as was Delhi's interna- 55,000 MW. Except for few areas few days and affected two million The states affected were Jammu states - Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, tional airport. Flight operations in Kolkata and Delhi, and Narora people. Raise power capacity on Power crisis: Centre, states in blame game New Delhi // Jaipur/Lucknow: war footing: India Inc As the power crisis enveloped 19 states in India, the central government blamed the col- New Delhi: With the worst power lapse on the second straight day to overdrawing blackout in India affecting almost of electricity by some states, an explanation half the country and causing business that was repudiated by the states named. losses of thousands of crores of Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde blamed rupees, India Inc. has called for rais- the massive power failure that encompassed ing capacity in the power sector on a not just the north but also the east and northeast war footing. "Availability of coal and gas is a of the country on the overdrawing of power by pre-requisite for spurring investments states like Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and Commuters left stranded as Delhi in the power sector. Reforms that Rajasthan and said efforts were on to fetch would help make coal and gas avail- Metro shut operations electricity from other regions. able as per the nation's requirements lighting that urgent steps need to be "This morning only, I was told (by officials) must no longer be held back," said taken for addressing key issues ailing that about 3,000 MW extra power has been R.V. Kanoria, FICCI president. the power sector, such as improving over drawn from the Eastern Grid. We have The worst affected in the riots were Kokrajhar and Chirang, Kanoria also suggested specific the supply of coal for thermal power given the direction to either stop it (overdraw) which form the Bodoland Territorial Area Districts (BTAD) measures in view of the power crisis: plants, rationalizing tariffs and or take action against them," Shinde said to that these "clearly showed that Punjab's usage on over- "If Coal India Limited is unable to reforming the state distribution utili- queries about the reasons for the grids failure. drafts had been by far the lowest among the these meet the coal requirements of indus- ties," Banerjee said. Shinde's comments saw Punjab, Rajasthan and Uttar states". try and the power sector, then the Noida-based textiles machines Pradesh rejecting the blame while Haryana was on the Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, government must think of breaking it manufacturer, Mohinder Pal Singh, a defensive. who was on the defensive for gross overdraft by state down in smaller segments that would representative of the Noida The Punjab government described as "absurd, factual- leading to the grid failure, said that "the present power be more manageable. Alternatively, Entrepreneurs Association, estimated ly baseless and grossly misleading", the central govern- crisis was not only of Haryana, but of the entire coun- the losses caused by the outage to the responsibility for management of ment's claim that the grid failure at the Bhakra Beas try". "The problem has aggravated due to a snag in the coal mines can be shared with the pri- business in the Noida and Greater Management Board (BBMB) Monday and Tuesday was northern grid. Although the power generation has been vate sector for bringing in greater Noida area of Uttar Pradesh to be in due to overdrafts by the state. increased during the last few years, the demand has also efficiency in operations". the vicinity of Rs.100 crore. Chandrajit Banerjee, director gen- "My own small business has lost "It is absolutely incorrect and misleading to blame the increased." eral, Confederation of Indian Industry half a million rupees in these power failure on Punjab, whose overdraft is many times lower The Rajasthan government, too, dismissed the charge (CII) said the underlying issues disruptions and the total loss to busi- than that of other states," a spokesman of the chief min- of overdrawing power. behind the widening demand-supply ness in the entire Noida-Greater ister's office said in Chandigarh. "We are overdrawing much below our permissible gap for electricity needs to be urgent- Noida industrial belt would not be Releasing figures of the overdraft of power taken by limit," state Energy Minister Jitendra Singh said but did ly addressed. less than 100 crore rupees," Singh Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh at the point of the not give any figures. Power officials in Uttar Pradesh "CII has consistently been high- said. grid failure, the Punjab government spokesman said also denied any blame. India 13

TheSouthAsianTimes.info August 4-10, 2012 Assam violence: Advani blames Cabinet reshuffle: Chidambaram gets finance again New Delhi: In a significant change Bangladeshi immigrants ahead of parliament's monsoon ses- "Today's situation arose firstly sion, Prime Minister Manmohan because of a criminal delay in deal- Singh appointed P. Chidambaram as ing with the situation when symp- finance minister, gave the crucial toms were already there that some- home portfolio to Sushil Kumar thing could happen. But as I said, Shinde and added power ministry to the introspection must lead to iden- the responsibilities of Corporate Affairs Minister M. Veerapa Moily. tification of the root cause, which The limited reshuffle of portfolios Federal Finance Minister P. Chidambaram, Home Minister Sushil is this issue of illegal immigration left open an opportunity for bigger Kumar Shinde and Power Minister M. Veerapa Moily from Bangladesh," Advani said. changes after the monsoon session tainty. ter before taking over home, is con- "As a result of the infiltration in that would also decide if Congress However, the Bharatiya Janata sidered a loyalist of the Nehru- collusion of state government and general secretary Rahul Gandhi Party (BJP) described the change of Gandhi family. His new appointment government of India, people of assumes a role in the government. A portfolios by the prime minister as came even as power ministry was Assam are feeling that they are los- reshuffle of the All India Congress "pathetic" and questioned the credi- facing widespread criticism over ing control over their own land Committee (AICC) is also being con- bility of both Shinde and breakdown of northern grid for two Senior BJP leader L.K. Advani while illegal Bangladeshis have templated, party leaders said. Chidambaram, saying the latter's first successive days resulting in crippling Guwahati: Veteran BJP leader embarked upon large-scale land Chidambaram, 66, who earlier in stint has been questionable. power outages in several states. L.K. Advani blamed illegal immi- grab," Advani said. the day addressed a press conference "It is a clear case of talent deficit. Congress sources said Shinde's gration of people from Bangladesh "The second is the ethnic prob- as home minister, was widely seen in Chidambaram's role has been ques- appointment as home minister was into Assam for the communal vio- lem. The Bodos face the threat of the Congress circles as replacement tionable as the finance minister. an indication that he could be lence in the state. He accused the marginalization in their own land," for Pranab Mukherjee after his elec- There are allegations against his fam- appointed as Leader of the House in state and the central governments he said. tion as the country's president. The ily," said BJP spokesman Ravi Lok Sabha to replace of Mukherjee. of colluding with the infiltrators "The third problem is the demo- change in his portfolio came after his Shankar Prasad. A low-profile politician, Shinde from that country. graphic change taking place in return from Congress-ruled Assam Chidambaram, a Congress MP belongs to the Dalit community and from Sivaganga in Tamil Nadu, was his elevation to a crucial portfolio is The BJP veteran, who was on a Assam," he said. where recent ethnic flare-up killed 56 and displaced thousands of people. finance minister in the first United likely to be leveraged by Congress tour to the violence-hit areas in the Comparing the situation of the Chidambaram had assumed charge Progressive Alliance (UPA) govern- leaders for political gains in the state, said the conflict should be displaced in Assam to that of the of home ministry when it was draw- ment (2004-09) till 2008, when he forthcoming elections. seen as an "Indian vs. foreigner displaced Kashmiri Pandits, ing flak over internal security situa- took over home from Shivraj Patil in An MP from Solapur in issue, and not as a Hindu vs. Advani said: "I would like the tion in the country. He now faces a the wake of the 26/11 Mumbai Maharashtra, Shinde has served as a Muslim issue". prime minister (Manmohan Singh), challenging task as finance minister attack. chief minister of the state. The over week-long violence Congress president (Sonia Gandhi) in the wake of slowdown in the His years as finance minister saw Moily, who was law minister in the from July 19 between the Bodos and state government of Assam to country's GDP growth, declining GDP registering a growth rate of UPA-II government before being and the Bengali-speaking Muslim honestly introspect as to where the value of rupee, concerns over fiscal over nine percent for three succes- moved to Corporate Affairs, is con- settlers left 56 people dead and guilt lies. How did all this deficit, worries over investor confi- sive years. sidered a hands-on leader with a grip lakhs homeless. happen?" dence and global economic uncer- Shinde, 70, who was power minis- on facts and figures. 14 Op Ed

August 4-10, 2012 TheSouthAsianTimes.info Modi's object lesson in political grandiosity By Mayank Chhaya a narrative which would play well as an exercise in either building within his hardcore constituency themselves up or reinforcing their n saying that he should be that would also see any conviction relevance. In his cost-benefit hanged publicly if he is found of Modi as someone who took one analysis the one and a half hours Iguilty of complicity in the 2002 for the team. That is ironic because spent with Siddiqui is worth so Gujarat riots, Chief Minister Modi has never really seen himself much more in terms of return on Narendra Modi has yet again pro- as a team player. political investment. And Modi is vided an object lesson in political As political posturing goes, this nothing if not a Gujarati who grandiosity. is fiendishly clever. For a politician instinctively understands return on His comments in an interview subtly positioning himself for investment (ROI). with Shahid Siddiqui, editor of the prime ministerial sweepstakes it Incidentally, speaking of ROI, Urdu daily Nai Dunya, are sympto- cannot get smarter than choosing a Modi has been touring Japan for matic of a man who has an inordi- virulent critic of his, editing a the past four days mostly to nately large sense of the self. What respected Urdu newspaper and a encourage Japanese investments in he is in effect saying is that even prominent Muslim to boot to give Gujarat. It could well be a coinci- his failures and complicities, if an interview which is a mixture of dence that he is out of the country those are indeed what he is guilty bluster and implied contrition. It is doing what he likes best, talking of, cannot be mitigated by a mere a no-brainer that he should have development, just as the interview apology. chosen an avowed critic of his to has come out. But then it could There seems to be another ploy give a detailed interview in a news- also be deliberate. behind daring a faceless adversary, paper largely read by the Muslims Even for Modi, who never tires namely, the country's judiciary, to of Uttar Pradesh. Even if he man- of renewing his vows with Gujarat Not many in the BJP would publicly acknowledge this but they know hang him. He is conscious that the ages to persuade a small percent- every so often, 13 years would that Narendra Modi sees himself as larger than the party bar of proving his direct involve- age of them to at least be open- have been a long time to remain in full of ambushers lurking around, doubt his way of testing the waters. ment in the 2002 killings is so high minded about him, Modi might the state, subject of course to his the most potent being reasonable Not many in the BJP would pub- and therefore practically futile that have reasoned, he would stand a winning the next assembly elec- acceptance of his politics on the licly acknowledge this but they grandstanding by saying "Hang fair chance in national elections. tions later this year. By the time the national stage. With daggers drawn know that Modi sees himself as me, if I am guilty" is his best expe- Modi would have known that his 2014 national elections take place in his own party at the state level, larger than the party. He is one of dient option. It is also a case of comments would set off a political he would have completed nearly a not to mention profound those singular figures who shed extreme pre-emption. churning in the 24/7 broadcast decade and a half as Gujarat's boss. antipathies coming from an impor- affiliations and loyalties without Somewhere along the lines Modi media as well as the bastion of The calculation appears to be to tant Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) any qualms as long as the self also appears to betray a martyr national politics, namely Uttar start clearing the brush in prepara- ally in Bihar Chief Minister Nitish remains in control. He gives the complex by raising his alleged fail- Pradesh. Politicians around the tion for 2014. Kumar, it can be nobody's case that impression that he has replaced ures to the level of a crime deserv- world, particularly those as crafty Of course, the path from Modi has it all laid out for him. ideological fealties with a messian- ing of the capital punishment. It is as Modi, treat all media interviews Gandhinagar to New Delhi is still The Nai Dunya interview is no ic self-belief. Pranab won't be rubber-stamp president By Amulya Ganguli date. Mukherjee is a politician of con- siderable administrative experience and ranab Mukherjee's relatively intuitive grasp over the functioning of uneventful, to use a post-operative the system. As such, he cannot be Psurgical term, journey to expected to sign on the dotted line, as Rashtrapati Bhavan is one of the Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed did during the Congress' few success stories of late. 1975-77 Emergency. Arguably, he tends What made it possible was the unforced to follow a political line close to that of errors of its opponents, who were appar- the first family either because of his own ently guided by blind antipathy towards convictions or to play safe since he does the Congress rather than a realistic not have a mass base, having won a Lok assessment of their position. Sabha election for the first time only in Nothing demonstrated their folly and 2009. His criticism of the "trickle down" cynicism more than the promptness with theory in his first speech as president which the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will substantiate this belief as did his washed its hands of the opposition presi- preference for retrospective taxation dential candidate, P.A. Sangma, after his outlined in his last budget. defeat, telling him that if he wanted to The support he received across the challenge Mukherjee's victory in the political spectrum from the Communist Supreme Court, he would have to do it Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) on the on his own. Even before Sangma's The support he received across the political spectrum confirmed his worthiness Left to the Shiv Sena on the Right con- defeat, one of his sponsors, Tamil Nadu decision to get off her high horse and showed that there had been cross-voting firmed his worthiness. But, it is precise- Chief Minister Jayalalitha, had dis- support Mukherjee, albeit with a heavy by its legislative assembly members in ly this distinction that may have made tanced herself from him, going off on a heart, as she said. Since the run-up to the Karnataka and even in Gujarat in the first family jittery since, given his summer holiday while the former Lok contest had starkly exposed her political Mukherjee's favour. To make matters present high standing, Mukherjee is Sabha speaker fought what was expect- ineptitude, it would take quite some time worse for the party's central leadership, unlikely to be a rubber-stamp president ed from the start to be a losing battle. for her, if ever, to recover her poise. the Karnataka strong man, former chief like Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed or Giani The fruits of the Congress candidate's If Banerjee's blunders were there for minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, taunted the Zail Singh, who famously expressed his victory were made all the sweeter by all to see, the gaffes of the BJP leader- Delhi-based leaders for failing to make willingness to sweep the floor if Indira two factors. One was Mamata Banerjee's ship came to light only after the results the right choice while selecting a candi- Gandhi asked him to do so.

The views expressed in Op Eds are not necessarily those of The South Asian Times. Religion 15

TheSouthAsianTimes.info August 4-10, 2012 Consecration ceremony held for Jain Center of Central Ohio

The Ghabharo (sanctum) has Shvetambar idols of Adinath Bhagwan (their Mulnayak) and Parshwanath Bhagwan, and a Digambar idol of Mahavir Bhagwan. Columbus, Ohio: The dream of the Narendrabhai Nandu announced that ground-breaking", commented Dr. Jain community in central Ohio to the total collection of funds for the Mukesh Shah, Chairman of the have their own temple came true last temple exceeded $8,00,000. Board and Temple Pratishtha month. The consecration ceremony JCOCO is a small but vibrant Jain Committee. (Pratishta Mahotsav) of the Jain community. Since it was founded in Dignitaries who graced the Center of Central Ohio (JCOCO) was 1991, it has focused on building its Pratishta Mahotsav included held from July 19-22. The opening own temple. What has come into Charukeerthiji Bhattarakji, Amrender ceremony was marked by blessings being is a traditional Shikhar bandhi Muniji, Dr.Taralaben Doshi, Shri from religious leaders, welcome (Steeple and Dome) temple with an Girishbhai Shah, Nareshbhai Shah, address from the JCOCO leaders. area of over 7,600 sq ft. The Narendrabhai Nandu, Narendrabhai The next three days were filled with Ghabharo (sanctum) has Shvetambar Shah, Ashutosh Vyas, and JAINA traditional pujas and cultural events idols of Adinath Bhagwan (their president Dr. Sushil Jain. The on two nights. Mulnayak) and Parshwanath Sanghpati (honorable host) for the The auspicious event elicited Bhagwan, and a Digambar idol of event were Dr. Shri Nikhil and Rupa enthusiastic response from Jains and Mahavir Bhagwan. In the Doshi of Mansfield, Ohio, and Shri non-Jains alike. Over 700 people Rangmandap can be seen Guru Talakchand and Taraben Shah of came from as far as New York, New Pundarik Swami and Guru Gautam Mumbai, parents of Hiten Shah, who Jersey, Virginia, Canada and even Swami and also marble patts of is overseeing the temple construction India. The whole Jain Sangh was Sammetshikhar Maha Tirth and project. dancing and rejoicing when Vidhikar Shratunjay Maha Tirth along with The 4-day program included color- Navkar Mahamantra and Siddha ful varghoda (procession), various Chakra patts. pooja vidhis to purify all moorties, There are also Chakreshvari Devi, auspicious Panch Kalyanak celebra- Saraswati Devi, Shri tion drama, and a Bollywood-style Manibhadravira, and Shri movie shown--“MMCS: Ek Ghantakaranveer in the rangmandap. Parmatma, Ek Dharm”, directed and In the upasra people can perform written by Rakesh and Neha Jain, and samayika, meditation, etc, which also inspired by the 9th century Jain clas- has a library, class rooms for reli- sic Sanskrit work, “Upmiti Bhav gious classes and a large multipur- Prapanch Katha”. Its two DVD sets pose room. were given out for a nominal dona- "We are grateful that with the tion. On July 22nd the vote of thanks blessings of Dev and Guru and par- ceremony was concluded with Jain ticipation and support of all JCOCO drama named “King Kumarpal”. The members and well-wishers from all next day the doors of the temple were parts of US and outside, we were able officially opened and on July 24 the to complete this magnificent temple first “Bhakti Sandhya” was held with in a record 10 months after the Asutosh Vyas. 16 Travel

August 4-10, 2012 TheSouthAsianTimes.info Immersion in another culture Ashok Ojha, our Contributing Editor, traveled to China as part of the 3-week Teach in Asia 2012 program conducted by Crane House, Louisville, KY. While the Chinese students got immersed in English language and learnt about life in America, the teachers in Ojha'’s group too had an opportunity to immerse themselves in Chinese culture.

The author at Yougnquan temple in Fuzhou, one of the five Buddhist temples in Fujian province. We left together to board our next By Ashok Ojha flight for Fuzhou, the capital of Opening ceremony of the program in Yong'an. Fujian province. our complaint about our baggage person, kept motivating us to eat Yong'an, Fujian, July 24 Fuzhou, Fujian, July 8 The domestic airport at Shanghai left behind in Shanghai. more. I am not fond of sea food, so My students quickly developed a was buzzing with activity. Long Meanwhile, we met our local hosts I picked at some fish and veg- bond with me. They enjoyed learn- left Newark, NJ, for China via lines of men, women and children who quickly took the situation in etable dishes. The evening was ing about American life style, San Francisco on July 5 by were standing in front of check-in their hands. Gary, our local coordi- enjoyable as our hosts impressed especially, about life in New York. IUnited Airlines. It was raining counters. The rain had caused nator, told us that a welcome din- us with their generosity. They were interested in visiting heavily when the plane landed in widespread disruption of flights. ner awaited us in the evening. We We went sightseeing on Sunday the Big Apple on the New Year Shanghai. I didn't experience any We learnt that our China met Zhao Bangsheng, Vice (July 8) in the mountains of Eve to watch the Ball drop at delay at the immigration counter. International Airlines flight was President of Fujian Association for Fuzhou. Two volunteers from the Times Square. The agent took a look at my pass- delayed. However, another flight Science and Technology, the institute, Tony and Yolanda, With the help of brochures and port then a swift look at me before to Fuzhou was scheduled to leave umbrella organization which man- accompanied us on our trip to guide book, I helped my students stamping my passport. I was in soon. After a little maneuvering all ages 170 societies engaged in edu- Drum Mountain, a tourist spot learn about the United Nations and China. By the time I emerged from five of us were allowed to board cation of various branches of sci- located in the hills at an elevation its activities at its headquarters the airport, the rain had stopped. that flight without our luggage. ence and technology in Fujian of about 1,000 feet. There are three located in New York. On the morning of July 7, I met It was hard to find someone who province. temples with different postures of I invited my daughter, Sophia, a TIA (Teach in Asia) colleagues, could speak English at Fuzhou air- We were treated to a lavish din- Buddha protected by two-faced former UN Tour Guide, to speak Joe, Nancy, Ebony and Liquitta at port. With some difficulty I com- ner of a wide variety of sea food. guardians sitting on his left and with my students via Skype. They the hotel. They had arrived the municated with an airlines Fuzhou is famous for sea food. right. A standing Buddha over- asked questions about the UN and night before from different places. employee who helped us register Zhao Bangsheng, a soft spoken looks the temples. exchanged information about USA

At the Bamboo Bridge Competition, students researched famous bridges of the world to make mini replicas of some of them. The author teaching yoga to students. Travel 17

TheSouthAsianTimes.info August 4-10, 2012

Taining heritage site in Fujian and (right) Crane House Teachers at the site. and China. Online video confer- working on their language exercis- speech about what they were encing worked well to help my es. learning. The TIA instructors, in students learn about another cul- My students are curious to turn, spoke about their teaching ture and confidently converse with experiment using their knowledge. experience and instructional someone in America. For example, at a Bamboo Bridge strategies. We presented books to With each passing day, my stu- Competition, organized as a part two of our students who demon- dents are demonstrating their of the camp, they researched strated exceptional language improved English speaking abili- famous bridges of the world to learning skills and were eager to ties. They have produced many make mini replicas of some of learn English. It was a moving interesting personal stories and them. experience. shared them in the class. They A mid-week function was organ- We spend three hours every love to use their mobile devices ized where one student from each morning helping our students for a variety of purposes including of the seven classes made a brief improve their speaking skills using a variety of learning meth- ods including language games and dances. In the afternoon they attend two different classes on rotation basis. Thus they are able to experience teaching techniques of all teachers. Our assistant The author with Zhao Bangsheng, Vice President of teachers play an important role in Fujian Association for Science and Technology. helping students focus on class and gestures. This cultural presen- dent's family. With the help of my activities. tation and other entertainment assistant teacher, Lily, and one of Our local hosts organized a lav- items were organized at the party my students, Julia, I helped the ish party at a restaurant in what is to celebrate birthdays of three host family prepare dumplings. I called 'Butterfly Park'. We were instructors, Nancy, Matthew and was treated with a lot of respect amazed to watch a traditional myself. and love. presentation of 'Tea Ceremony' Next day individual teachers Teaching in Yong'an provided during which an artist washed were invited to visit the home of me a great opportunity to learn cups, prepared tea and served it one of our students. I enjoyed the about the people and culture of An exhilarating bamboo boat ride. using delicate hand movements warmth and hospitality of my stu- China.

A shining shopping mall in Yong'an, and (right) an informal market place. 18 Books

August 4-10, 2012 TheSouthAsianTimes.info India must go for covert action in Pakistan: Book f Pakistan doesn't stop backing While implementing domestic left Indian citizens vulnerable to fur- Doval is also quoted as saying: terrorists acting against India, security reforms, the book says, the ther terrorist attacks". "India cannot afford to indefinitely INew Delhi must pay back "more productive approach could be Mahadevan quoted former RAW play the game in defensive mode, Islamabad in the same coin, says a to take the counterterrorist offensive chief K. Sankaran Nair as saying: which is like playing soccer with a scholarly book on Indian counterter- inside Pakistan itself". "If what Pakistan does within our single goalpost in which you only rorism strategy. "Indian policymak- "This would be a daring move, borders exceeds our capacity to con- receive the hits. ers need to critically evaluate requiring considerable political trol it, then we must take the fight to "Developing credible covert whether in fact a 'strong and stable courage to initially be implemented. their doorstep. There is no ques- capacity, whose use can be con- Pakistan' is in India's interest," says "Once started, however, it has the tion." The Research and Analysis trolled and calibrated, will be an Prem Mahadevan in "The Politics of potential to exert a strong deterrent Wing (RAW) is India's external effective deterrent against Pakistan." Counterterrorism in India" (I.B. effect upon the ISI (Inter Services intelligence agency. The book asks India to jettison Tauris). Intelligence agency) and Pakistani The book says: "Strikes against "the current policy of mortgaging Suggesting that the entire basis of jihadists." According to the author, a terrorist masterminds, including Indian counterterrorist efforts to Indian counterterrorist policy might senior researcher at the Centre for 'rogue' or 'freelance' ISI officials, Western strategic agenda..." need to be re-examined, the 297- Security Studies in Zurich, India's would thus be an integral compo- Western governments, it says, page book says that New Delhi failure to declare Pakistan a long- nent of an ideal Indian counterter- seem increasingly indifferent to "India can explore options for dis- should take a unilateral two-pronged term adversary, "whose covert oper- rorist policy." Indian concerns about Pakistan- ciplining the Pakistani establishment approach against pan-Islamist jihad. ations need to be reciprocated, has Former Intelligence Bureau Ajit sponsored terrorism. through covert action.” With 400 scripts, Shimla's Gaiety Theatre recreates the past and legendary actors Prithviraj Kapoor and has acquired scripts of about 400 plays. larity of English plays in the theatre earned Balraj Sahni once performed, has written the "These include 108 scripts of original Shimla the nickname, Mecca of Theatre. perfect script for recreating the past. English plays that were once staged by the Actors K.L. Sehgal, Shashi Kapoor, Jennifer It has added to its archives 400 scripts, some British. Some rare books on stagecraft and Kendall, Raj Babbar, Anupam Kher and of them of the plays that were performed in theatre of the British are also available in the Naseeruddin Shah have also performed there. the theatre when this town served as the sum- theatre's library," he added. Kanwar said the Gaiety officials said the script bank would mer capital of British India between 1864 and script bank has procured the English scripts swell as it has now become mandatory for all 1939. from the Shimla Amateur Dramatic Club, one performing groups to provide a copy of the "Gaiety is the only theatre in the country of the oldest in the country script of the play to be staged by them. which has its own script bank. Any perform- . The bank also has a large collection of The GDS is also planning to procure tradi- ing group can take a script and stage a play," Hindi plays and most of them have been pro- tional hill jewelry and costumes for the Rakesh Kanwar, director of the Himachal cured from New Delhi's National School of artistes. Artistes perform at the British-era Gaiety Pradesh Art, Culture and Language Drama, he added. "The traditional jewelry and costumes Theatre in Shimla in Himachal Pradesh. Department, said. The Gaiety Theatre has been the center of required for the folk artistes, will be acquired. t's modeled on London's Royal Albert The department is the custodian of the cultural activities in Shimla right from the day This will help in promoting and protecting the Hall. Now, the British-era Gaiety Theatre, Gaiety Theatre. He said the Gaiety Dramatic it opened in 1887. "Time Will Tell" was the decades-old globally acclaimed hill culture," Iwhere Nobel laureate Rudyard Kipling Society (GDS), which manages the theatre, first play staged there. At one time the popu- Kanwar said. Bollywood 19

TheSouthAsianTimes.info August 4-10, 2012 Aamir's 'Satyamev...' ends with aplomb rom garnering overwhelm- cide cases. nations on the basis of caste and ing TRPs to getting promi- Coincidently, the Protection of religion. Fnence on social networking Children from Sexual Offences "When India's leaders envisaged websites, the impact of Aamir Bill, 2011, that was earlier cleared building a new nation after inde- Khan's maiden TV show by Rajya Sabha, got the nod from pendence, the constitution was the "Satyamev Jayate" has been colos- lower house after the second foundation stone of this endeavor. sal. The talk show, which started episode of "Satyamev Jayte". We had resolved to establish a sov- with the issue of female foeticide, The episode highlighting mal- ereign, secular, democratic repub- traversed over various burning practice among medical practition- lic with justice, liberty, equality social issues informing, educating, ers irked medical community. and fraternity for all. After 65 sensitizing and touching audiences' Though the medical community years of Independence, are we hearts and ended its 13-week jour- was miffed and asked apology actually living up to those princi- ney with the spotlight on the right from Aamir, the parliamentary ples," Aamir asked. to equality. standing committee invited Aamir In last 13 weeks, the star evoked The show went on air May 6 and and the "Satyamev Jayate" team to a range of emotions as he dealt in episodes after episode, Aamir The grand finale show highlighted the basic tenets of the constitution discuss the issue. with the sensitive topics, and each brought forth unknown facts relat- that promises equality for all The grand finale show highlight- episode witnessed moist eyes ed to child sex abuse, medical mal- ers to ensure the problems are Gehlot to request the creation of a ed the basic tenets of the constitu- among those in the TV audiences practice, manual scavenging and resolved. fast track court to decide the cases tion that promises equality for all. and many more at homes and dowry. He followed it up off the The actor-filmmaker met of the doctors, none of who have Ironically, the people in the coun- offices across the country as peo- screen by meeting concerned lead- Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok been penalized in the female foeti- try are still subjected to discrimi- ple tuned in to watch the program. Showing 'Joker' in space Pooja wants 'Jism 2' to be her 'Arth' ooja Bhatt wants "Jism 2" to be a game changer for part of promotional strategy her, just as the 1982 "Arth" was for her father PMahesh Bhatt. "I hope 'Jism 2' will be my 'Arth'," Pooja, 40, said. Pooja has directed four films -- "Paap", "Holiday", "Dhokha" and "Kajraare" -- none of which worked any magic at the box office. With the erotic thriller "Jism 2", she is hoping for success, fame and acclaim. "It's a coincidence that even I am at the same stage (as my father). Even he had made around four movies (before 'Arth') and none of them did well. He was at a point in his career where nothing was moving," she said. Pooja also finds a common thread between "Arth" and "Jism 2". "Somewhere what's the specialty of 'Arth' is that a lady makes a choice not to be with her husband and neither with her lover. In 'Jism 2', Isna, who is a porn star, makes a conscious choice for her life too. 'Jism 2' is an erotic thriller "We are talking about choices and that's the similarity way to telecast it on the small screen, Pooja says she did- between the two. 'Jism 2' is contemporary, it's a world n't want to get into that zone. She says it's not possible to view film. It's a game changer in more ways than one," tone down an adult film and so she'd rather show her in a scene from 'Joker' said Pooja, who has roped in Indo-Canadian porn star movie post the 11 p.m. slot on TV. "I have made an adult horeographer-turned-direc- for it and all. But I never took Sunny Leone to play the lead in the film. "Jism 2" is an film; you can't really sell alcohol on a children's channel! tor Farah Khan clarifies that Sunita Williams' name," said erotic thriller and has received an 'A' rating from the So if one is making a film with the adult title, how can I Cmakers of "Joker" planned Farah, who has co-produced the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). water down and release it in prime time in the after- to show the fantasy adventure on film. Meanwhile, Akshay's look in While many filmmakers reshoot bold scenes in a subtle noon?" she asked. the space station as part of a pro- "Joker" resembles that of Aamir motional strategy and that it was Khan's in "Lagaan". Asked about Salman-Katrina romance never meant just for Indo- the similarities, Farah said: "If he is American astronaut Sunita looking like Aamir in 'Lagaan', in 'Ek Tha Tiger' Williams. then I am happy because it was a Although the two have been seen together earlier, "UTV had earlier planned it all, very big movie." there still is freshness to this pairing. After seeing but I never took Sunita Williams' "But a villager's outfit and look is their chemistry in the romantic track, you are remind- name, I don't know how her name the same, dhoti and bandi. By this ed of the initial phase of a relationship when you can't cropped up," the 47-year-old said. logic, Aamir's look also resembled keep your eyes off each other. "This was a promotional strategy that of Dilip Kumar's in 'Naya And Katrina Kaif can't keep her hands off Salman because Akshay (Kumar) is a Daur'. It's a village look and there Khan in the refreshing number. The Sheila babe is NASA scientist in the film, it's are only that many village looks seen kissing the Dabangg Khan a couple of times. about aliens and space ships. They that you can do," she added. Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif in 'Ek Tha Tiger' The hot actress has finally shed her 'safe dresser' (UTV) thought we could get it Directed by Shirish Kunder, here's definitely a plus in pairing up ex-flames. image. She has experimented with her dressing style relayed on that station, but there is "Joker" also stars Sonakshi Sinha The sizzling chemistry between Salman Khan and is seen in chic dresses with deep necks and short so much red tape involved in that and Shreyas Talpade. It is set to Tand Katrina Kaif in new song 'Laapata' from hemlines. Directed by Kabir Khan, Ek Tha Tiger is and it takes a long period of asking hits theaters on August 31. 'Ek Tha Tiger' will surely second that. set for August 15 release. Bipasha stuns in 'Raaz 3' trailer ikram Bhatt is out with tumhare dil mein hai, ek raaz to black magic to get rid of her. double roles. Bipasha also the theatrical trailer of mere andar mein bhi hai jo Emraan, who loves Esha, can do starred in the first film of the Vmuch-awaited romantic- tumhe kahin ka nahi chorega." anything to save her. The film is Raaz series opposite Dino horror film Raaz 3D. Bipasha Raaz 3 revolves around a film a sequel to Raaz - The Mystery Morea. She has made a come- Basu (@bipsluvurself) tweeted director (Emraan Hashmi) Continues, and features Emraan back to the series after opting the trailer saying: "More Lust, caught between two superstars reprising his role from the origi- out of the second film. More Love, More Horror." (Bipasha and Esha Gupta). In nal. Bipasha and Esha are the The trailer begins with the film, Bipasha gets so jealous new additions to the cast. Both Bipasha Basu in a Bipasha's voice-over: "Ek raaz of Esha's success that she resorts the leading ladies will be seen in 'Raaz 3D' poster 20 Diaspora

August 4-10, 2012 TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Anuj Bidve's killer jailed for life Lord Khalid London: The man who shot dead "Psycho Stapleton" - had commit- argument and convicted him of Hameed given Indian student Anuj Bidve in a ted a "truly wicked act" and was a murder. Following the verdict, Freedom of the City "motiveless" murder in Greater "highly dangerous man" who posed Bidve's father Subhash said Manchester has been jailed for life, a high risk of serious harm to other Stapleton had "openly laughed at of London award the BBC reported Friday. people, according to the BBC. the memory of our son." Kiaran Stapleton, 21, was found "You have behaved in a way His son had arrived in Britain to guilty of murder at Manchester demonstrating that you are posi- study micro-electronics at Crown Court Thursday following a tively boastful about having killed Lancaster University and was visit- five-week trial. Bidve," he said. ing Manchester with a group of He shot the 23-year-old The killer showed no emotion as friends last Christmas. Lancaster University student on the sentence was passed, nodded They left their hotel in Salford to Boxing Day 2011 as he walked to before he was led from the dock queue early for the sales when their the Manchester sales with friends. and then motioned with his hand paths crossed with Stapleton's and Stapleton was told he would towards his family to say he asked them for time. He then Kiaran Stapleton serve a minimum term of 30 years. "chin up". pulled a handgun out of his pocket Justice King said: "Only then lic." The judge said Stapleton - He had admitted manslaughter on and fired one shot to Bidve's left will you be released if you are who in his first court appearance the grounds of diminished respon- temple. The student died on deemed not to be a risk to the pub- told magistrates his name was sibility but the jury rejected that the spot.

Indian Diaspora British-Indian model sues school for racism Lord Hameed meet to be London: A 35-year-old Indian-origin called a staff meeting and demanded that model-turned language teacher, who was the man responsible for the racist notes London: NRI Lord Khalid held Sep 30 in once named one of Britain's top 20 own up. Hameed has been given the hottest men, has sued his former school But no one came forward. The officials Freedom of the City of London Amsterdam after the Indian national flag was compared the notes to handwriting sam- award in recognition of his Brussels: The annual Indian allegedly removed from his classroom ples from all staff and called in police, work within the medical profes- Diaspora conference in the and dirtied, and he was called a "Paki but the culprit was never caught. sion and in promotion of inter- Netherlands will be held this n*****" and "chicken curry". Sood, a resident of Nottingham, said he faith relations. year in Amsterdam city Sep 30, According to the Daily Mail, Haresh was made redundant from his 22,000- India's first Prime Minister EuAsia News reported Tuesday. Sood claimed racist notes and pictures pounds-a-year post in August 2008 after Jawaharlal Nehru was also con- Organised by the Foundation were left for him shortly before he was he complained of harassment. ferred the honour when he visit- for Indian Diaspora in Europe, axed from his post at Nottingham's He is now suing the school for 100,000 ed London in 1956. the one-day conference will Christ the King School. pounds for race discrimination, harass- Lord Hameed, who hails from focus on improving inter-gener- He allegedly suffered the racist abuse ment, unfair dismissal and victimisation. Lucknow, is currently the chair- Haresh Sood ational relations as well as rela- from children in May 2008 and says the In 2003, before he became a teacher, man of Alpha Hospital Group tions between different groups school failed to deal with it. Sood made headlines internationally when New and chairman and chief execu- of Indian Diaspora in the Sood said there was a scribbled drawing of his face Woman magazine featured him as one of Britain's top tive officer of the London Netherlands. captioned "Farewell Bollywog!" and another note that 20 hottest men. International Hospital. According to the conference read "Good Riddance Turbanator!" He was described as an "artiste, model and singer Prior to this, he was the organisers, the Indian ambassa- He said his school register was torn and his national with great cheekbones" who liked to "seduce women Executive Director and Chief dor to the Netherlands, flag removed from his classroom and dirtied, the daily with chocolates and strawberry cake." Executive Officer of the Bhaswati Mukherjee, Dutch reported. Sood, who is still single, left acting and modelling Cromwell Hospital in London. officials, many other Indian and Sood claimed some pupils called him a "Paki and joined the school in September 2006 in its gradu- Lord Hameed chairs the Dutch experts, and representa- n*****", "black b******" as well as "vindaloo" and ate teacher training program. Commonwealth Youth tives from various social and "chicken curry". Sood, a University of Leicester law graduate, later Exchange Council. business organisations are A colleague at the school told him to shave an Indian joined another school, Rushcliffe Sixth Form, in A Board member of the expected to participate in the flag into his hair. Nottingham as a law department teacher. British Muslim Research event. The daily said a tribunal heard how school officials He was also made redundant by Rushcliffe in 2010. Centre, Lord Hameed supports The conference aims to various charities and was strengthen the links between Ayurveda centre opens at Indian mission in Trinidad awarded the Sternberg Award various Indian Diaspora groups for 2005 for his contribution to and organisations, promote the Port of Spain: The Indian High He said this would be the second Mishra said Trinidad and Tobago further Christian-Muslim- role of Indian diaspora in Dutch Commission in Trinidad and Tobago such academic program to be was the second country outside Jewish relations. He was the society, and intensify and broad- has launched a centre for ayurveda launched at the university, the first India to have an ayurveda centre first Asian high sheriff of en ties between India and the following a growing interest in the being the Chair of Asian Studies. after Malaysia. Greater London for 2006-2007. Netherlands in various fields. Caribbean in the traditional Indian Rambachan said relations between He said people can visit the centre He was awarded Padma The Netherlands has the sec- system of medicine. India and Trinidad and Tobago have and access all forms of information, Bhushan, the third highest civil- ond largest population of people The centre was inaugurated by moved swiftly from mere cultural brochures, publications and videos ian award by India in 2009. of Indian origin in Europe with Trinidad and Tobago's Minister of and religious to that of in-depth eco- on ayurveda. It is believed that the first an estimated 200,000 including Local Government Surujattan nomic, trade and investment. Mishra said opening of the centre Freedom of the City of London People of Indian origin (PIO), Rambachan a few days ago. The former minister of foreign followed a conference on the subject was presented in 1237. The mainly from Suriname, and The minister also announced that affairs also heaped praises on Indian here last November, and from award was originally a working non-resident Indians (NRIs) a Chair of Ayurvedic Medicine will High Commissioner Malay Mishra, which, "there were widespread title which enabled recipients to from India. be launched soon at the University calling him "the entrepreneurial interests and requests", all of which carry out their trade. of the West Indies in St. Augustine. high commissioner". were encouraging. Subcontinent 21

TheSouthAsianTimes.info August 4-10, 2012 US, Pakistan ink NATO transit deal Washington: The US and Pakistan NATO convoys to cross its territory separate pacts with Islamabad. have signed a deal formalizing an until the end of 2015, one year The so-called "memorandum of agreement on NATO supplies to beyond the deadline for allied understanding" codified a long- Afghanistan through Pakistani terri- troops pullout from Afghanistan, standing informal agreement on tory, US media reported. according to the New York Times. NATO transit through Pakistan Pakistan had closed the NATO Pakistani police would ensure struck with the government of for- supply routes in retaliation for US security of NATO trucks until they mer president Pervez Musharraf in airstrikes that killed 24 Pakistani reach the restive tribal belt at the the wake of the 9/11 attacks that soldiers at the border with border with Afghanistan, where the preceded the launch of the US anti- Afghanistan last November. paramilitary Frontier Corps would Taliban operation in Afghanistan. Pakistan demanded an official apol- take over, the report said. Islamabad agreed to resume the ogy from Washington in order to The deal also allows both sides to transit after US Secretary of State Pakistan will allow Afghanistan-bound NATO convoys to cross its reopen the routes. extend the deal in one-year inter- Hillary Clinton said earlier this territory until the end of 2015 In line with the deal, signed in a vals beyond Dec 31, 2015, the month that the US was "sorry" for mistakes" that resulted in the sol- routes following an attack on a ceremony at Rawalpindi, Pakistan report said. The deal will apply to the losses suffered by the Pakistani diers' deaths. Last week, however, NATO truck blamed on the will allow Afghanistan-bound other NATO nations if they sign military and "acknowledged the Pakistan once against shut down the Pakistani Taliban. Saeed wants Pakistan, India Uncertainty over No deal with talks over water issue Manmohan's visit to Pakistan on N- plant: Sri Lanka Pakistan Colombo: Sri Lanka has denied reports that it was to New Delhi: Days after nation but also reinforce our build a nuclear power plant in President Asif Ali Zardari formal- mutual desire to promote inter- the east of the country with the ly invited him to visit Pakistan, faith and inter-religious harmo- assistance from Pakistan. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh ny," Zardari said. Terming the reports as mis- has yet to respond, indicating Manmohan Singh was, howev- leading, Sri Lankan Minister uncertainty over the much-specu- er, yet to respond to Zardari's for Power and Energy lated trip. invite, but is understood to be Champika Ranawaka said it On Friday, Zardari had written giving serious thought to it. could harm the relations Sri to Manmohan Singh and suggest- In an interview recently, the Lanka has with its neighbors, ed that he visits Pakistan around prime minister had said that he Xinhua reported. the time of the birth anniversary would be happy to visit Pakistan "Sri Lanka has no agreement of Guru Nanak in November. provided there are tangible and with any country for a nuclear "Our invitation for you to visit concrete outcomes. power station. The false Pakistan is outstanding. Your The recent disclosures made by Jamaat-ud Daawa (JuD) chief Hafeez Saeed reports are harming cordial visit will provide us an opportu- 26/11 plotter Abu Jundal linking relations between countries," Islamabad: Warning the govern- The Pakistan government should nity to take stock of our bilateral Pakistani state agencies to the Ranawaka said at a special ment about an alleged Indian plan hold serious dialogues with India relations," Zardari said. Mumbai terror have compounded media briefing held on the to turn Pakistan barren by imped- over this crucial issue, which He also promised to arrange a uncertainty over the prime minis- issue. ing the water flow in the rivers could be devastating for the agro- trip for Manmohan Singh to trav- ter's visit as it has revived ques- Some media reports earlier feeding the country, Jamaat-ud based economy of Pakistan, he el to his ancestral hometown Gah tions in New Delhi about the sin- this week in India claimed that Daawa (JuD) chief Hafeez Saeed said. in Pakistan's Punjab province. cerity of Islamabad to address its Sri Lanka would have discus- has asked Islamabad to hold a dia- Saeed, the Lashkar-i-Taiba "We could use that occasion to concerns over cross-border terror. sions with Pakistan on the set- logue with New Delhi in this founder and alleged mastermind arrange a visit to your ancestral However, a clearer picture will ting up of a nuclear power regard. of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, hometown. If the visit were to emerge after External Affairs plant in Sampur, Trincomallee Saeed was addressing a meeting also criticized the Pakistan coincide with the birthday cele- Minister S.M. Krishna's visit to in eastern Sri Lanka. of party workers in Sialkot and Peoples Party-led government for brations of Baba Guru Nanak Islamabad to hold talks with his Sri Lanka's Atomic Energy Sahiwal Monday during Iftar par- reopening NATO supply routes to Sahib, that would not only be Pakistani counterpart Hina Authority (AEA) last month ties, Online news agency reported. Afghanistan. well received by the Pakistani Rabbani Khar in September. decided to take measures to establish a warning system to Life tough for Pak's future women judges: Daily be on alert of a possible radia- tion leak from nearby coun- Islamabad: A Pakistani daily wel- that would have protected women tries. comed the government's decision were they ever enforced". Following the request of to appoint women to the judiciary, "It is against that background AEA, the International Atomic but cautioned that "future women that the government is now con- Energy Authority (IAEA) justices are going to find life on sidering appointing women decided to help Sri Lanka set the bench no easier than they do in judges. up seven early warning detec- every other aspect of their lives". "They will be working in an tors in the country. An editorial in the News environment where the law is hon- Its need was mostly felt after International said that President oured more in the breach than the India prepared to commission Asif Ali Zardari has declared that observance - and that too by the the Kudankulam nuclear power the government has decided to very government that will have station in the south Indian state appoint women to the judiciary, "a appointed them if they are seated of Tamil Nadu, the report said. move that can only be supported at before the election," said the daily. In April, Sri Lanka had the same time as noting that it is a "Our future women justices are expressed concerns over the move long overdue". going to find life on the bench no nuclear power plant in Tamil The daily said: "Discrimination Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari has decided to easier than they do in every other appoint women to the judiciary Nadu state, making India to against women, be it in terms of aspect of their lives. Perhaps they give an assurance on the safety overall development." burying alive of women on the their education, job or promotion could learn some valuable lessons standards and on legal mecha- It rued that the country has "par- grounds of 'honor' is culturally opportunities, rights of inheritance from the distinguished women nism to deal with the trans- liamentarians who are happy to acceptable and others who have or reproductive health care is one judges we have had in the past," it boundary liability issues. of the greatest impediments to our stand up and proclaim that the fought tooth and nail to block laws added. 22 International

August 4-10, 2012 TheSouthAsianTimes.info US warns of LeT threat, asks Pak to act Washington: Expressing great Sporadic violence in Kashmir scored the fact that India is a tar- concern over continued threat and attempted infiltrations from get for terrorist attacks, the report posed by Lashkar-e-Taiba to sta- Pakistani territory across the Line said. bility in , the United of Control also remained serious The overview of terrorism and States has asked Pakistan to take concerns for the Indian govern- terrorist groups around the world more action against the terrorist ment, it said. found that Osama bin Laden's group responsible for the The report also noted that India death last year in a US raid on his November 2008 Mumbai attacks. has increased its counterterrorism hideout in Abbotabad, Pakistan, "We've urged Pakistan to take capacity building efforts and coupled with the killing of top Al more action against Lashkar-e- cooperation with the international Qaeda operatives in Pakistan, Taiba," Daniel Benjamin, community, including the US. "puts the network on a path of Coordinator for Counterterrorism While the number of deaths decline that will be difficult to told reporters in a special briefing attributable to terrorist violence reverse." on the State Department's annual was lower than in 2010, the loss The report says the June death terrorism report. of over 1,000 lives "still made of Iyas Kashmiri and the August "We'd certainly like to see more India one of the world's most ter- killing of Atiya Abdul Rahman, Al progress on that trial regarding the rorism-afflicted countries and one Qaeda's second-in-command after atrocities in Mumbai," he said of the most persistently targeted bin Laden's death, are among the noting that LeT "remains a major “We've urged Pakistan to take more action against Lashkar-e-Taiba,” countries by transnational terrorist top blows dealt to the organization concern on the terrorist landscape, Daniel Benjamin, Coordinator for Counterterrorism, said groups such as LeT." in Pakistan. without a doubt." Asia that it poses." Pakistan relations, such as the Terrorist strikes during 2011 in But it warns that "despite blows Benjamin said he had not seen The State Department report LeT, have long planned to derail Mumbai and Delhi, as well as in western Pakistan, Al Qaeda, its any decrease in LeT strength and itself also warned that "terrorist any progress by launching new Maoist/Naxalite violence in other affiliates, and its adherents remain "the threat to stability in South opponents of better Indian- attacks." parts of the country, further under- adaptable." China's respect for freedom 9/11: Iran, Al Qaida, Taliban Iran to complain in Tibet deteriorated: US told to pay $6 bn against US, EU Dharamsala: The US State of repression by the Chinese gov- New York: Al Department has said there was a ernment on the Tibetan people Qaida, the over sanctions marked deterioration in the ahead of and during sensitive Taliban and Chinese government's respect for anniversaries and events such as Iran should pay Moscow: Iran will file a and protection of Buddhist reli- March 10 (the anniversary of the $6 billion to complaint against the US gious freedom in Tibet and asked Tibetan national uprising) and the relatives of and the European Union Beijing to resume talks with the Dalai Lama's birthday July 7. September 11 (EU) for imposing unilat- Dalai Lama's envoys. US government officials urged victims for aid- eral sanctions on the coun- "There was a marked deteriora- the Chinese government to engage ing in the 2001 try without the approval of tion in the government's respect in constructive dialogue with the terrorist the UN Security Council, for and protection of religious Dalai Lama and his representa- attacks, a fed- Press TV reported. freedom in the TAR (Tibet tives, and to address the policies eral magistrate "The complaint will be Autonomous Region) and other that threaten Tibet's distinct reli- judge recom- registered and pursued Tibetan areas, including increased gious, cultural, and linguistic mended in a Al Qaida, the Taliban and Iran should pay the money to relatives of 9/11 victims , says judge soon based on internation- restrictions on religious practice, identity and are a primary cause largely sym- al regulations," said Majid especially in Tibetan Buddhist of grievances among Tibetans. bolic decision. wanted to know what happened to Jafarzadeh, head of the Even though it will be nearly my husband.'' monasteries and nunneries," said The last round of talks - the Presidential Center for State Department's 2011 ninth - between the Dalai Lama's impossible to collect damages, Last year, Judge George Daniels International Legal Affairs. International Religious Freedom envoys and the Chinese for gen- plaintiff Ellen Saracini, whose signed a default judgment on the Jafarzadeh said the cen- report. uine autonomy for the people in husband, Victor, was the captain lawsuit brought by relatives of 47 tre that he runs was estab- It said official interference in the Tibet was in Beijing in January of one of the planes that struck the victims. He found Al-Qaida, the practice of Tibetan Buddhist reli- 2010. Since then there has been a World Trade Center, told the Taliban and Iran liable and asked lished to provide consulta- gious traditions generated pro- deadlock. Daily News that she is happy the magistrate to determine dam- tions to ministries and found grievances and contributed The Dalai Lama fled Tibet along about Manhattan Federal ages. Maas' ruling Monday is a state bodies as well as to to a series of self-immolations by with many of his supporters and Magistrate Judge Frank Maas' rec- recommendation to Daniels, who individuals who had been Tibetans, according to a post on took refuge in India when Chinese ommendation. can accept it or amend it. arrested for countering the the Central Tibetan troops moved in and took control "It's hard being happy, but I am Maas calculated punitive and sanctions. Administration (CTA) website of Lhasa in 1959. happy about it,'' said Saracini. compensatory damages for each The official, however, here. India is home to around 100,000 "But it opens up old wounds. We of the plaintiffs and their lost fam- did not specify to which The report also stated tightening Tibetans. were never in it for a lawsuit. I ily members. judiciary body Iran would file the claim. Western nations suspect 'Russian, Western differences on Syria exaggerated' Iran, which is already Moscow: There is less difference between guilty because they did not want to "listen to under four sets of UN the Russian and Western stances on the each other and sit at the negotiating table". Security Council sanc- Syrian crisis than is perceived because both Despite the continuing violence in Syria, a tions, of pursuing a secret Moscow and its Western partners would like peace plan proposed by UN and Arab League nuclear weapons pro- to avoid a large-scale civil war in the vio- envoy Kofi Annan is still viable, Medvedev gramme but Tehran insists lence-hit Middle Eastern country, Russian said. it needs nuclear power Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said. He told British Prime Minister David solely for civilian "Despite perceived differences, the posi- Cameron during their meeting on the side- purposes. tions of Russia, Britain and the US are not as lines of the Olympics that he had asked In the beginning of 2012, strikingly different as sometimes suggested," Syrian President Bashar al-Assad a year ago the 27-nation EU, which Medvedev told the Times newspaper. to "act promptly, carry out reforms, and most stands for 18 percent of "We all start from the position that the importantly, find a key to cooperate with the Iranian oil exports, intro- worst outcome would be a full civil war in opposition". Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev duced an oil embargo on Syria," Medvedev said, according to the tran- Since March 2011, the Syrian conflict has the country, that came into script of the interview published on his offi- He said there had already been a "presenti- claimed 14,000-20,000 lives, according to force July 1. cial website in Russian. ment" of such a war and that both sides were estimates by Syrian opposition groups. Business 23

TheSouthAsianTimes.info August 4-10, 2012 Microsoft unveils new India's first Globemaster email service airlifter takes shape San Francisco: Facebook, Twitter, Microsoft has intro- LinkedIn and other Long Beach (California): The first of ten C-17 duced the preview on-line social net- Globemaster III heavy airlifters being built by Boeing for version of works, and chat and India underwent a major production step with a ceremony Outlook.com, a new video call their at the Boeing facility in Long Beach, California. India is free web-based per- friends. the largest C-17 customer outside the US. sonal email service Microsoft noted that The Indian Air Force (IAF) will induct the first of the with cleaner user the Outlook.com serv- 10 C-17 Globemaster-III planes purchased from the US interface and integra- ice will not scan users' in a $4.1 billion deal in June 2013. tion with social networks like email content or attachments and Consul General of India in San Francisco N. Facebook and Twitter. sell the information to advertisers, Parthasarathi drove a rivet into the aircraft to mark the "We think the time is right to therefore will not show advertise- integration of the forward, centre and aft fuselages and reimagine email. So today, we're ments in users' personal conversa- wing assembly, a key program milestone known as the introducing a preview of tions. "major join." The ceremony was attended by Boeing, Outlook.com," Chris Jones, a The new Outlook.com service is Indian embassy, senior Indian Air Force and local elected Microsoft corporate vice presi- expected to eventually replace officials. "The defense relationship between India and the N. Parthasarathi, Consul General of India dent, wrote in a blog post, Xinhua Hotmail, the web-based email United States is an important dimension of our strategic in San Francisco reported. service brought by Microsoft in partnership," said Parthasarathi. "This momentous occa- force and our newest customer to celebrate a major pro- Microsoft said that with 1997. sion, where we see India's first C-17 take shape, further duction milestone," said Bob Ciesla, Boeing Airlift vice Outlook.com, there are 30 percent According to internet analytics strengthens our growing relationship." president and C-17 program manager. "We are preparing more messages visible in the company comScore, Hotmail had "As India strives to become a global reservoir of highly for India's first C-17 to enter flight test on schedule early inbox than similar web-based more than 324 million unique vis- skilled and technologically sophisticated manpower, we next year, and we look forward to providing for India's email services most users now are itors in June, compared with about will witness an escalating technology transfer, collabora- current and future needs and continuing to support C-17s used to. 290 million for Yahoo's mail serv- tive joint research and development, and co-production of long after they are delivered." Boeing has delivered 245 The new email service also ice and 278 million for Google's defence items between our two countries." C-17s worldwide, including 217 to the US Air Force enables users to connect to Gmail. "This is a proud day for the highly skilled Boeing work- active duty, Guard and Reserve units.

Sahara buys NY's 'India's economic growth Plaza Hotel for $570m will fall below 6 percent' Tel Aviv: Sahara Group has agreed to buy a controlling New Delhi: India's economic 2012. stake in New York's landmark Plaza Hotel for $570 mil- growth will fall below 6 percent In financial year 2011-12, the lion, Elad Properties, an Israeli-owned real estate compa- in the first half of the current GDP growth slumped to 6.5 ny, said. fiscal but would pick up there- percent as compared to 8.4 per- The 105-year-old luxury hotel overlooking New York's after and inflation would mod- cent in the previous year. Central Park, is jointly owned by Elad Properties, an erate to 7 percent by September, In contrast, Planning Israeli-owned real estate company, and Saudi-based Kaushik Basu, outgoing chief Commission Deputy Chairman Kingdom Holdings Co. economic advisor, said. Montek Singh Ahluwalia told Elad, controlled by Israeli businessman Yitzhak "In the first two quarters, reporters separately that the Tshuva, said it would receive 1.6 billion shekels ($400 growth will remain below 6 economy is expected to grow in million) for its 60 percent stake, while Kingdom will percent. Hopefully, there will be the range of 6 to 6.5 percent in receive the rest. a pick up after that," Basu said the current financial year. Kingdom, the investment vehicle of Saudi billionaire here in his last media interac- On price rise, Basu said core Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, will hold a 25 percent stake The 105-year-old luxury hotel overlooks tion as chief economic advisor inflation is likely to come down once the deal is completed, Elad said in a statement. Elad New York's Central Park in the finance ministry. to 7 percent by September. said Fairmont Hotels & Resorts Inc, which has managed lion. According to media reports, Elad had sold luxury The country's gross domestic "My expectation is that infla- the hotel since 1999 and which is owned by the Saudi apartments in the renovated hotel for $1.5 billion. The product (GDP) growth slumped tion in the month of September prince, will continue to operate the property. sale of the apartments alone netted Elad Group $500 mil- to nine year low of 5.3 percent will go below 7 percent," he Tshuva bought the hotel eight years ago for $675 mil- lion in profit. in the quarter ended March 31, said. India's exports Recession, Libor, Facebook punish Europe's banks Frankfurt: Leading top 10 shareholder in Royal dip 5.45% in June European banks reported dis- Bank of Scotland and holds mal profits this week, blam- some other bank shares. to $25 bn ing everything from the conti- The sharp drop in profits New Delhi: India's exports contracted for the nent's debt crisis and Spain's cast doubt on whether for- second consecutive month in June by 5.45 per property market crash to merly blue riband banking cent, year-on- year, to USD 25 billion on account Facebook's disastrous stock sectors will ever recover the of growing economic uncertainties in the market debut. levels of profitability they Western markets. Within a space of an hour enjoyed before the crash of Imports dipped more sharply, by 13.46 per cent UBS of Switzerland, 2008-2009. to USD 35.37 billion during the month, com- Deutsche Bank, BBVA of UBS, which had recovered pared to USD 40.8 billion in June 2011, resulting Spain and Austria's Erste well after being bailed out by in a narrower trade deficit of USD 10.3 billion. Bank delivered the bad news the Swiss state, reported its According to the data released by the com- on an industry already beset second-quarter profit more merce ministry on Wednesday, exports during by investigations into a num- than halved to 425 million the April-June quarter of 2012-13 fiscal dipped ber of scandals. Deutsche Bank has announced it will axe 1,900 jobs Swiss francs as its investment by 1.7 per cent to USD 75.2 billion, from USD Deutsche Bank, Germany's expectations on profitability gation into interest rate-rig- bank made a loss after trad- 76.5 billion in the same period last fiscal. flagship lender, announced it had moved "closer to our ging and regulators tightening ing. Imports during the quarter dipped by 6.10 per will axe 1,900 jobs under a grim scenario". the screws on the industry. The bank took a 349 million cent to USD 115.25 billion from USD 122.74 plan to cut costs by 3 billion Banks are suffering from "This is the longest tunnel I Swiss franc loss on its role as billion in the first quarter of 2011-23 fiscal. euros and streamline its busi- the euro zone crisis that have ever been in and there's a market maker on US social Trade deficit during the quarter stood at USD 40 ness. New co-Chief politicians are struggling to no sign of light at the end of networking site Facebook's billion. Executive Anshu Jain said solve, a transatlantic investi- it," said an investor who is a flotation in May. 24 London Olympics 2012

August 4-10, 2012 TheSouthAsianTimes.info India gets a new hero Gagan Narang gives the country its first medal — an Olympics bronze in the men's 10-meter air rifle event

London: Indian rifle shooter Gagan Narang finally came out of the shadow of his more illustrious com- patriot Abhinav Bindra by winning an Olympics bronze medal in the men's 10 metre air rifle event at the London Games. Narang has always said the Olympic medal was the one that was missing from his cabinet as he has won every shooting medal worth the name. He was 12th in Athens and was unlucky in Beijing Indian shooter Gagan Narang has always said the Olympic medal was the one that was missing from his cabinet as he finished ninth on a countback. It is an irony that Narang won the Begumpet in Hyderabad has been Games, equaling his own World silver at Guangzhou. complex in Balewadi, Pune, medal in the event in which defend- there or thereabouts at the top for record in the process, that stands Unlike others of his tribe, Narang to train the next generation of ing champion Bindra couldn't event some years and he is as well known out. With four gold medals, all with also gave back something to the Indian shooters. As his father said qualify for the decisive final round. in shooting circles as Bindra, Games records, the genial 29-year- sport by starting an academy - Gun after his London triumph, Gagan is After Beijing, Narang had looked though the latter received all the old Business Management graduate, for Glory - at Shiv Chhatrapati good for more. determined for an Olympics medal accolades thanks to his Beijing became the country's pin-up boy and worked hard for it. Every shot gold. after the New Delhi Games. 'I achieved what I came he took looked as if it was directed The roll of honor is unending: Call it destiny or what you will, at the Royal Artillery Barracks, bronze at the 2010 World Narang failed to come good where here to do' where he gave India its third medal Championship, gold at the World it mattered the most, failing to qual- from the ranges in as many Games. Cup finals (2008), two World Cup ify for the final by a whisker at London: Shooter Gagan Narang It was the third time in row that Narang had taken to shooting as a golds (2006, 2009), three World Beijing where he was favorite. said that he had achieved what he Indian shooters had won medals pastime, not in pursuit of excel- Cup bronze (2008, 09, 10), silver Bindra made the final and the rest is came for. Narang had a total at the Olympics. Double trap lence. Perhaps he couldn't have (2007) and bronze (2012) in the history. score of 701.1 (598 qualifying, shooter Rajyavardhan Singh imagined that one day his name Asian Championships and bronze Narang had another heartbreak 103.1 final). Going into the final Rathore won the silver in 2004, would be in the honors' list of (2006) and silver (2010) in the when he was not considered for the round, Narang was third. Abhinav Bindra gave India a his- Indian sports. Asian Games. What a testimony it Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna for three "Whatever I came here to do, I toric gold in Beijing, and now The handsome Air India execu- is to his immense talent and deter- successive years and the distraught have achieved. I have had a great Narang has bagged a bronze in tive's successful journey to the mination to excel! He is also the shooter nearly pulled out of the journey, I have had my share of London. world of fame can largely be attrib- only Indian shooter to equal the Commonwealth Games in disgust. ups and downs but it has been "I had to complete the set in the uted to his strong mental make-up world record of a perfect 600 in the But the fighter in Narang persuad- very exciting," Narang told shooting. We had a gold, silver which helps him keep his cool and qualifying round twice. ed him to let his guns talk - and how reporters here. and I got the bronze," he said high levels of concentration when- In fact, more than the medals and well they roared! He couldn't trans- "It still doesn't feel like I have smiling. ever the going gets tough, say those the records, it was Narang's victory late his Commonwealth Games suc- won an Olympics medal. This "I hope for the best, will look to who know him well. over Bindra in the 10m air rifle cess in the 2010 Asian Games that medal has evaded me and I have give it my all in those events as The eligible bachelor from event at the 2010 Commonwealth followed soon, but he still won the finally got it." well." Olympics: Medals' tally Saina, Kashyap surge Country Gold Silver Bronze Total Country Gold Silver Bronze Total

China 17 9 4 30 Netherlands 1 1 1 3 ahead; Leander-Vishnu lose USA 12 8 9 29 Cuba 0 2 1 3 London: Parupalli Kashyap before old warhorse gettable campaign in South Korea 6 2 4 11 Mexico 0 2 0 2 and Saina Nehwal inched Leander and his young part- archery came to an end as France 5 3 5 13 Canada 0 1 5 6 closer to glory in the bad- ner Vishnu came close to an world number 1 Deepika North Korea 4 0 1 5 Indonesia 0 1 1 2 minton event, while India's upset win over the second Kumari suffered an opening Germany 3 8 2 13 Norway 0 0 1 1 medal chances in doubles seeded French pair of round loss, while the hock- Italy 3 4 2 9 Czech Republic 0 1 0 1 tennis evaporated after Michael Llodra and Jo ey team stumbled to their Kazakhstan 3 0 0 3 Denmark 0 1 0 1 Leander Paes and Vishnu Wilfried Tsonga. They second back-to-back defeat. Japan 2 4 11 17 Egypt 0 1 0 1 Vardhan went down fighting eventually lost 7-6 (7-3), 4- The 25-year-old Kashyap Russia 2 4 5 11 Spain 0 1 0 1 on a controversial day at the 6, 6-3. won a tough match, 21-14, Britain 2 3 4 9 Poland 0 1 0 1 London Olympics. In the boxing ring, Manoj 15-21, 21-9, against Sri Hungary 2 1 1 4 Sweden 0 1 0 1 Kashyap created history Kumar reached the pre- Lankan Niluka Karunaratne Ukraine 2 0 4 6 Thailand 0 1 0 1 by becoming the first Indian quarterfinals in the 64 kg at the Wembley Arena to go South Africa 2 0 0 2 New Zealand 0 0 2 2 male badminton player to class by scoring an emphat- one up on the previous best Australia 1 6 2 9 India 0 0 1 1 make the Olympics quarter ic victory over Serdar performance by Dipankar Romania 1 3 2 6 final, while Saina made the Hudayberdiyev of Bhattarcharjee in the 1992 Brazil 1 1 1 3 cut for the second time in Turkmenistan. Barcelona Games, where he the quadrennial event, However, the nation's for- lost in the third round.

26 London Olympics 2012

August 4-10, 2012 TheSouthAsianTimes.info Phelps becomes history's Fixing: Eight badminton most medaled Olympian players thrown out London: Eight women bad- minton players were disqual- ified from the London Olympics' doubles event for throwing matches to get a favorable opponent. The pairs are: Wang Xiaoli and Yu Yang of China; Greysia Polii and Meiliana Jauhari of Indonesia; Jung London: American swim- Kyung Eun and Kim Ha Na mer Michael Phelps became of South Korea; and Ha Jung history's most medaled Eun and Kim Min Jung, also Olympian when he and his of South Korea. London Olympic chief organizer Sebastian country's 4x200m freestyle American swimmer Michael Phelps has won 19 medals A source with the Coe described the incidents "depressing", saying relay team took gold at the Lefert and Yannick Agnel, there four years ago. International Olympic "who wants to sit through something like that" London Games. three of the team that won He took two more bronze Committee (IOC) has con- serves into the net and strik- London Olympic chief Phelps won his 19th the 4x100 meters freestyle in China, before making a firmed the Badminton World ing easy shots long or wide. organizer Sebastian Coe career medal overall, relay. low-key start in London. Federation's (BWF) deci- The umpire and the referee described the incidents eclipsing the 18-medal haul China, meanwhile, took Phelps was edged out into sion, Xinhua reports. warned all the four players, "depressing", saying "who of Soviet gymnast Larisa third with Hao Yun, Li fourth in Saturday's 400m The South Korean bad- but the situation didn't wants to sit through some- Latynina from 1956 to Yunqi, Jiang Haiqi and Sun individual medley, which minton team told Xinhua change. The Chinese women thing like that". 1964, when he anchored the Yang. was won by teammate that they had received the eventually lost 14-21, 11-21 IOC spokesman Mark team home with a huge, Phelps was handed a vir- Lochte. BWF's official notice on the and as a result they won't Adams said that the inci- 3.07 second lead in a fitting tually unassailable lead by He took silver with his disqualification of its players meet their compatriots until dents were "not acceptable". finish. teammates Ryan Lochte, team in Sunday's 4x100m and they would appeal. the final. The farce was The Indians have also The French team took sil- Conor Dwyer and Ricky freestyle relay that was won The Chinese World repeated in the next game lodged a formal complaint ver, with the Chinese win- Berens. by the French, and equaled Champion duo of Wang and between South Korea's Ha but the disqualified players ning bronze. Of Phelps' collection, 15 Latynina's record earlier Yu and their South Korean and Kim and Indonesia's were not in the same group France was represented medals are gold, eight of Tuesday by finishing run- rivals Jung and Kim were Jauhari and Polii. Both along with the Indian duo of by Amaury Leveaux, which he won in Beijing, nerup to Chad le Clos in the jeered and booed by the teams were also warned for Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Gregory Mallet, Clement setting a separate record men's 200m butterfly. crowd Tuesday after hitting deliberately trying to lose. Ponnappa. Mystery woman in Indian Olympic : A test of contingent a cast member character for India London: The mystery London: India find them- inspirational. league and by the same woman who gatecrashed selves in an all-too-familiar Though they lost narrow- score-line in the bronze the opening ceremony of situation wherein they not ly to the Netherlands (1-2), medal play-off. the London Games Friday only need to win all their who are in the midst of a Thus, history is very night with the Indian con- matches, but also pray for rebuilding process, in their much against India who tingent was a cast member favorable results in other opening game, India had will have to raise their "should not have been games as they take on no answer to the organised game like never before if there," Sebastian Coe, the defending champions New Zealand who won 3- they hope to put it across London Olympics organiz- Germany in a Group B fix- 1. an experienced Germany. ing committee chairman, ture of the Olympic men's All the hype and hoopla India's problems in the said. hockey competition. in the wake of India's qual- two games so far have been "I hear she was a cast With two defeats, India ification to the Olympics plentiful, not the least the member who got slightly are precariously placed in after an eight-year break in inability of the forwards to overexcited. She should the context of qualifying New Delhi, where they had convert scoring opportuni- not have been there. But for the medal rounds and no worthwhile opposition, ties into goals. don't run away with the another loss or a draw in projected a highly exagger- Their over-dependence idea that she just walked the remaining three league ated picture of the team on penalty corner experts in. We'll look at it for next matches will certainly take while triggering unrealistic Sandeep Singh and opening ceremony," said them out of contention. expectations. Ramachandra Raghunath Coe. In contrast, unbeaten The two defeats so far has also been their undoing The appearance of a Germany, who have not have only served to put in terms of exploring other mystery woman in the lost to India in the India's medal prospects in goal-scoring avenues. Bengaluru-based Madhura Honey Indian contingent at the Olympics since 1968 perspective. Further, India's organisa- opening ceremony of the exposes the tall claims Organising Committee of Games in Mexico, are on On the morrow, India's tion in deep defence and London Olympics has made by the organisers the Olympic and six points, though both chances hinge on the abili- midfield has left a lot to be infuriated the Indian regarding security. Just Paralympic Games their victories were far ty of the players to bounce desired considering that Olympic Association imagine if this had hap- (LOCOG). Some say the from convincing as they back from two defeats. they have let in six goals (IOA), which has asked pened in India that a per- girl was a volunteer. struggled to get past Theoretically, India can and is in sharp contrast to the organizers to thorough- son without any accredita- Even if that was the Belgium (2-1) and Korea still make it to the medal Germany, who symbolise ly probe the incident. tion had walked ino the case, how did she manage (1-0). rounds, but in reality, they efficiency if not flair. Indian media reports main arena, that too along to sneak in without an The Germans are known face uphill task. Boasting of quality and identified the woman in a with a contingent ... all accreditation card hanging to step up their pace and The first step would be to experience in their line-up, bright red top, walking hell would have broken around her and if she was level of play as the tourna- beat Germany, something Germany still seem to have alongside Indian flag bear- out in this side of the plan- security cover, then she ment progresses and this is they have not since Mexico a lot in reserve and if the er Sushil Kumar, as et," an IOA spokesperson had no business to be what the Indians need to be Olympics where India fell Indians provide space like Bangalore-based Madhura said. walking in front of the wary of, for they will be out of the top two slots for they did to the Kiwis Honey. "IOA has filed a com- contingent hogging all the punished for any slip-ups. the first time. Wednesday, it will be "There is no mysterious plaint and is waiting for a limelight," the official India's performance, thus Indians scalped the another open invitation to girl. The incident just reply from London said. far, has been anything but Germans twice, 2-1 in the disaster.

28 Humor

August 4-10, 2012 TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Humor with Melvin Durai London Olympics will answer many questions he London Olympics are finally Olympic medal? The rich countries you to learn that the US has never won here, and if you’re like me, dominate the Olympics — they can an Olympic medal in badminton, Tyou’re eager to get answers to afford to spend more on athletic pro- despite the fact that at almost every some burning questions — questions grams — so it’s not surprising that family picnic in America, you will see such as: Who will win the gold medal Bangladesh, an impoverished country Aunt Hilda hitting a shuttle up in the air in synchronized underwater table ten- of 152 million, has yet to win a single toward Uncle Milton. The shuttle usual- nis? Who will finish higher on the medal. But I’m hoping that the four ly gets stuck in a tree and the family medal table — the People’s Republic of members of Bangladesh’s Olympic spends the rest of the afternoon throw- Korea or Michael Phelps? Who will team — an archer, a gymnast, a shooter ing objects at it, including four rackets, win the gold medal in men’s and a swimmer — can go home with at two poles and a net, which also get — the talented team from America or least one bronze medal, which would be stuck in the tree. (This may explain why the well-coached squad from the United an amazing achievement, especially if the average American isn’t good at hit- States? they can do it without leaving any fin- ting shuttles, but is extremely good at Everyone has at least one or two ques- gerprints behind. throwing.) tions that the London Olympics will 2. How many times will we get to see The entire badminton kit costs only answer. My wife, for example, has this Kate Middleton and will it be enough? $9.99 at Wal-Mart, thanks to a Chinese question: “When will this darn thing be Prince William’s wife, the Duchess of conspiracy. They know that as long as over so my husband can do something Cambridge, plans to attend several they supply America with cheap kits, productive?” What she doesn’t realize, events, much to the delight of the Aunt Hilda and Uncle Milton will play of course, is that watching athletes win British public. Many of them have badminton at family picnics, ensuring medals inspires us to set goals and downloaded her official Olympic that the kids never take up the sport, achieve them. My goal is to get off the schedule to their iPhones, as well as the opponents, he plans to shout, “Oh look, and China can continue to dominate at couch at least once a day. The rest of schedule of her cardboard cutout. Most there’s Kate!” He knows how effective the Olympics. the time, I’m going to be glued to the people just can’t get enough of her. In this strategy can be. At the 2008 Beijing 5. Who will be the fastest man at the TV, trying to get all my questions fact, Indian wrestler Sushil Kumar Olympics, he beat American Doug Olympics — Usain Bolt or the streaker answered. Here are just five of them: believes she will help him win a gold Schwab by shouting, “Oh look, there’s running from the cops? British tradition 1. Will Bangladesh win its first medal. Just before pinning each of his Elvis!” dictates that at every sporting event of 3. Will the Saudi women make their any prestige, a streaker must make an compatriots feel proud? Under pressure appearance, if only to give the police from the International Olympic some much-needed exercise. So don’t Committee (IOC), Saudi Arabia has be surprised if, in the middle of the sent female athletes to the Olympics for 100m dash, a streaker runs across the first time. Wodjan Ali Seraj Olympic Stadium, wearing nothing but Abdulrahim Shahrkhani will compete a tattoo of Kate Middleton. Thankfully, in judo, while Sarah Attar will compete Bolt has trained for this and won’t be in the 800m race. Attar will try to win a easily distracted. To prepare for the medal while wearing a headscarf and London Olympics, he traveled to loose-fitting, full-body attire. France and ran across several beaches. According to Saudi officials, the outfit Middle-aged man: “Mon Dieu! Did may add a few seconds to her time on you see that crazy man running across the track, but many years to her time on the beach?” Earth. Wife: “Of course, I saw him. How 4. Will the United States finally win a could I miss him with all his clothes medal in badminton? It may surprise on? What a nutcase!”

Photo of the week Quite a stretch

India's Rohan Ajit Kokane, 11, on roller skates, performs in Hong Kong on July 25, flattening his body until none of it is higher than 6.75 inches off the ground. The event staged in a local shopping mall was aimed at encouraging exercise among the elderly Astrology 29

TheSouthAsianTimes.info August 4-10, 2012

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

Stars Foretell: August 4-10, 2012 Annual Predictions: For those born in this week Aries: No matter how alluring new ven- through pleasure trips or social events. August 04: to your satisfaction. Promotions or increments are like- tures might seem, do not sign any agree- Financial planning would be important before Influenced by number 4 and the planet Uranus. You are ly to take place later in the year for some of you. Your ments without proper consultation. This is an you make any investments. Listen to the advice active, energetic, reliable, systematic and methodical. rapport with the important govt. authorities in various ideal week to impress others with your creative of elderly people who are more experienced and You are fond of art and soft music. You can really do departments will improve. Children may cause some wonders in your career but you need to check your ten- dissatisfaction, but your spouse will provide you with talents. Outstation travel would prove beneficial can provide you necessary help. Health needs dency to behave introvert, stubborn, and jealous at times. lots of love and affection. The months of October, Janu- for some. You need to go out and revive con- extra care. This year your stars promise you plenty of fame and for- ary, March and June will prove to be highly eventful. tacts with old acquaintances later in the week. Scorpio: You can easily double your tune. Your sincerity towards your work and your office August 08: Take sufficient rest and spend time playing output, if you concentrate on your work. would ultimately bring you enormous benefits in the Influenced by number 8 and the planet Saturn. You are games and on other outdoor activities. Friends Your energy level would be high and you long run. New sources of income will improve your fi- authoritative, practical, systematic, friendly and sober. would provide necessary support. should use it to complete pending jobs. nancial position. Journeys undertaken will bring you in You are smart and capable of handling many important Taurus: This week focus on one thing Gracefully accept the invitation, if you are close contacts with important and influential people. activities at one time, but you need to check your ten- Acquisition of some real estate later in the year cannot dency to behave, impatient, spendthrift and jealous at at a time. You would have few things on invited to attend functions, which include influ- be ruled out. Health wise this year would not be satis- times. This year the extra effort that you might have to your mind, which might make you feel slightly ential people. You would impress people around fying as minor ailments would keep on bothering you put in your work would have tremendous positive effect run-down mentally and physically. A little rest you with your talents and confidence. Exciting now and them. It would be wise not to avoid preven- on your career and occupation. New source of income is and nutritious food would go a long way in lift- romance for some, so make the best of it. tive medication and seek a doctor’s advice whenever likely to enhance your prosperity. You should invest in ing your energy. You would also benefit if you Sagittarius: Some changes at work necessary. Matrimonial alliances for those eligible as real estate and fixed deposits for long term gains. Fre- listen to people with experience. Foreign relat- place would make you highly sentimen- other would find romance to get them going. Lending quent and fruitful journeys are likely to keep you on the ed matters would prove beneficial. Your charm- tal, but you would be able to effectively com- and borrowing money should be avoided to the casual move. Children would do well in studies and make you acquaintances. The months of October, December and feel proud. Later in the year influence of a spiritual per- ing personality would easily attract members of municate your feelings to people who matter February will be significant and result oriented. son would be a source of inspiration in your life. Health the opposite sex. the most. It’s better not to get carried away by August 05: would definitely need more attention, especially for Gemini: This week you would find emotions and accept things as they come. Ruled by number 5 and the planet Mercury. You are an those suffering from asthma, bronchitis and high blood yourself with less energy than you gen- Complete pending work before your boss takes imaginative, practical, honest, brilliant and simple. pressure. The months of September, December and erally do. Don’t overload yourself with addi- a note of it. Rearrange and reorganize yourself You’re co-operative and helpful person and enjoy enor- April will prove to be significant. tional work. Set your mind to creative activities, to increase productivity. Love affairs might mous respect in your friend’s circle, but you need to August 09: which you enjoy, the most. This is not the best develop if you socialize with friends. check your tendency to behave jealous and stubborn at Ruled by number 9 and the planet Mars. You are ener- period for making important decisions. Go out Capricorn: This week your seniors times. New proposals and assignments would improve getic, dashing, courageous, enthusiastic and remarkably your income and prosperity. Although there would be a brilliant. You are highly cultured and have strong likes with your beloved, party with friends or take a would make few administrative changes rise in expenses but increase in earnings would take care and dislikes. You are fond of cleanliness and like to de- small pleasure jaunt. Outdoor sports would that don’t seem to please you. Probably the peo- of your needs. Your strong willpower and determination vote special time to improve the surrounding where you attract you. Meditation and yoga would bring ple at the helm of affairs are not aware of the would see you emerge victorious in whatever task you reside, but you need to control your tendency to behave gains. problems at your level. If you have to show undertake. Travel would be undertaken quite frequently dictatorial, aggressive and moody at times. Major Cancer: This week you would be in a your resentment, do it in a dignified way, cer- and would be important in establishing new and impor- changes in your career or occupation seem evident. New strong position to put together a team tainly don’t make it look like a revolt. Learn tant ties. Difference of opinion with your family mem- money making opportunities would be highly alluring. and work towards a collective goal. You would some new skills to increase your productivity. bers would bring some stressful moments at home. Cer- Though sudden gains and losses are foreseen. Your mon- tain losses due to overconfidence in others and specula- etary position would improve in the long run. Health, also feel the need to make few decisions, which Spouse and children would provide support. tion cannot be ruled out. Children will win laurels in subordinates and legal matters might trouble you off and are hard but important to get a favorable out- Aquarius: This week someone with big their respective fields and would be supportive and un- on, but improved living standard and new and important come of your work. Self-improvement tech- plans and ideas would catch your atten- derstanding towards you. The months of October, Feb- relationships that you build during this period would be niques would do wonders for you. A period tion. Verify the credibility and authenticity of ruary and June would be highly significant. on the brighter side. Children expected to bring in some when you would have lot of energy, but do not the person before making any investments. August 06: thrilling news later in the year. Distant journeys, maybe waste it by isolating yourself. Mix with people Dedicate your time and energy in helping oth- Ruled by number 6 and the planet Venus. You are kind overseas for some would be highly pleasurable and re- whom you think would bring you new opportu- ers; don’t get involved in matters that don’t hearted, generous, simple, accommodating, love peace warding. The months of October, November, February and harmony. You have a strong memory and an ability and June seem to be highly beneficial. nities. concern you at all. Friends might take advan- to impress others with your intelligent and witty conver- August 10: Leo: This week watch out for individual tage and interfere more than required in your sation. but you need to control your tendency to be ex- Governed by number 1 and the planet Sun, you are orig- who might try to mislead you or give you personal life. Don’t trust others with your pos- travagant, reckless and moody at times. This year plen- inal, attractive, warm hearted and philosophical in na- information that might cause you some harm. sessions. ty of important function and religious ceremonies would ture. You are admired by those around you for your abil- Secondhand news should be verified. Travel Pisces: This week others might demand be performed in the family. Social gathering and activi- ity to take quick and courageous decisions, but you need would entice you, however your tendency to too much of your time. Before you make ties would be beneficial in establishing new and long to check your tendency to behave quarrelsome, impa- overspend is likely to upset your budget. Your any commitment towards them make sure that lasting ties. Property matters will materialize. Financial- tient and short-tempered at times. This year you will ability to help people would enhance your repu- your work is not affected and also they are not ly this year might not bring results that you have been gain from your ability to do smart business and you dreaming for long. Opportunities for a new job and as- would also build up excellent rapport with eminent peo- taking advantage of your kindness and generosity. tation and win you appreciation from others. signments would be plenty but job satisfaction seems ple in public and private sector. Favours from banks and Investment should be made with proper consul- Investment should be made with care. Outstation unlikely. A sudden influence of a person from the oppo- financial institutions would enable you to streamline tation. journey will be exciting and educating, but prove site sex will give a new and interesting twist to your life. your present projects. New job opportunities for those in Virgo: Pleasure jaunts taken this week bit expensive, unless you control your spending. Travelling will be pleasurable and highly exciting. service are quite imminent. Romance and new alliances would be highly exciting and full of fun Colleagues, seniors would be supportive. Friends would be helpful and supportive to your con- look likely for the unattached. Elders and children in the and freedom. You would immensely enjoy Before you consult... cerns. Some gains through inheritance also seem high on family will demand a lot of your attention. Health of being with those who accompany you, but if your cards. Pilgrimage or a distant journey with the fam- your spouse may cause concern and anxiety. Spiritual ily for some. The months of August, September and gains for some later in the year. August, November, Jan- you are alone then chances of a romantic i) Accurate Data: Please make sure Date, Time and Place of birth is accurate. March will prove to be highly result oriented. uary and May will be result oriented. alliance would be strong. Good period to show August 07: your capabilities to your seniors. You should ii) Careful: Did you check background of the Ruled by number 7 and the planet Neptune. You are in- Free Consultation rely on your past experiences and listen very astrologer before disclosing your secrets. telligent, sensitive, adaptable, charming, independent and kind hearted. You enjoy a good position and respect Learn about the fair value of attentively to what important people have to iii) Fee: Discuss the charges before, don’t feel at your work place, but you need to control your ten- diamonds & precious stones. say. You would be able to handle things without shy. It’s his business. any problems and immerge a clear winner. dency towards extravagance, recklessness and to domi- from a Gems Expert nate others. This year you are going to do major changes Libra: This week, don’t rely on others iv) Expectation: Expect the best, if the out- For appointment, please call 516-390-7847 come is not as desired, never give up. in your style of working. You are also going to be more or email [email protected] for help, until you are absolutely sure particular about your health and looks. Gains from in- you cannot handle things on your own. v) Consult: Take second opinion before vestment and speculation will improve your financial A special offer for the readers of Opportunities to meet new lovers would come spending thousands on cure/remedies. positions. Long pending legal matters will be sorted out The South Asian Times 30 Spiritual Awareness

August 4-10, 2012 TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Concluding part of the discourse 'The love of God is all around us' Our attention should be absorbed in state of love other people left in the same boat as Maharaj appearing to us within. the gentle ocean waves at the Any thoughts will put a wall stop- Elijah, wanting to worship God, Our job is to lovingly accept and beach. The love of God is pouring ping the love flowing to us from who had not bowed to the false embrace whatever or whoever out to us through the eyes of the God. We should stay open to that idol. Elijah felt relieved that he was comes our way. Our job is to focus Master. If we could open up, with- love, without any distracting not alone and that others were left into the middle of whatever experi- out any thoughts to distract us, we thoughts. Then, when we come out who believed as he did. Elijah ence is coming to us. As we would feel that love flow to us. Any of meditation to do our worldly returned home with instructions become more absorbed, we will be thoughts will block out the love chores and responsibilities, that from God with renewed faith in pulled further and further inside. flowing to us from God. That hour love stays with us. We then radiate God’s existence. of satsang would recharge us with our own love to others. This story shows that when Focus on God’s Love love to help us stay focused on God Third, our attention should be Elijah’s attention was outside on Surrounding You through the rest of the day or week. absorbed in a state of love when we the storms, the earthquakes, and the What does life look like when we Second, our attention should be do selfless service. Selfless service fire, he could not find God. He had experience God’s love all around absorbed in a state of love when we should be a time of sweetness in By Sant Rajinder Singh to invert his attention within to sit us? meditate. Meditation is not a dry which we are serving the Lord in Ji Maharaj in the silence of meditation to hear First, our attention is absorbed in chore in which we go through cer- love. We can serve the Lord in love hen Elijah reached that God. This is what happens to us. a state of love when we are in sat- tain steps mechanically. It is a whether we are helping our broth- mountain, he entered a We are so focused on the storms, sang. Satsang no longer becomes a process of sitting in silence to bask ers and sisters in God, doing volun- Wcave to rest. Suddenly, he the earthquakes, and the fires of our teer work for an organization dedi- heard the Voice of God speak to physical life that we do not take the cated to helping people, or taking him and ask him, “Elijah, what are time to sit in silence. We are so care of those in need. If we serve you doing here?” Elijah explained focused on the storms, earthquakes, with an open heart as if serving that he had been waiting for the and fires in the thoughts the mind God, then we will experience God’s message of God. He described how sends us that we cannot sit in love flowing through us while the rest of the people had disobeyed silence. We have the storms of our doing the seva. Any thoughts will the laws of God, were destroying passing thoughts. We have the block out the love flowing to us the places of worship, and murder- earthquakes of our emotions that from God. If we catch ourselves ing the true prophets. He explained shake us up, and we have the fires having negative thoughts while how he was the only prophet left of our anger as we complain and doing selfless service, we should and how the queen was trying to think hurtful thoughts about others. pull them back like we pull back a have him killed. All these thoughts keep us from wayward dog trying to run when God told him to stand on the going within. we want it to walk. In this way, we mountain with attention, and wait We need to sit in a surrendered can enjoy the sweet fruits of seva for God to pass by. state, with no thoughts. We need to by experiencing the love and Light Elijah sat in silence. First, a sit with an attitude in which we of God within. strong wind like a hurricane ripped leave it to God and to the Master to Fourth, our attention should be through the mountains, and the provide for our meditative experi- We need to sit in a surrendered state, with no absorbed in a state of love as we go rocks broke to pieces, but God was ences. We have no role to play thoughts. We need to sit with an attitude in which about our worldly life and work. not found in the strong wind. Next, other than sitting at the door and we leave it to God and to the Master to provide for We can remember God while doing an earthquake rocked the land, but waiting. We should focus into the our meditative experiences. our worldly tasks, experiencing God was not found in the earth- middle of whatever comes our way. love no matter what job we do. If quake. Then, fire blazed, but God Whether we see gray, black, white, place to which we go and sit for an in the love within. The silence helps we are doing physical work or men- was not found in the fire. Finally, yellow, orange, red, blue, green, hour and think about other prob- us receive the love that is innate in tal work, we can stay attuned to the Elijah heard the Voice of God in the violet, or gold Light within we lems or spend time criticizing oth- our soul. We can then witness the love within. That will help us work silence within him. In the silence, should gaze into the middle and ers. It is a place where we can rest Light and Sound of God within, in a loving, cheerful manner and Elijah heard God again ask what he that will give way to other sights. It our weary self and bask in a state of which is also love. The current of bring joy to others. was doing there. Elijah again does not matter if it is blue, yellow, love. It is like taking a vacation to Light and Sound is God’s love We should sit in meditation with explained his situation of how he or red light. We should continue sit by the seaside and enjoy the flowing out from God. When we a still mind and total receptivity to was being hunted to be killed and looking into the middle. It does not ocean, free from the cares of the see and hear the Light and Sound receive the love of God pouring on there was no one left to worship matter if it is the inner sun, moon, world. Satsang should be our vaca- Current, we are connecting our soul us at all times. In this way, we will God. God then gave Elijah inner or stars. Similarly, it does not mat- tion from the problems of life. with a river of love that leads us not be struggling to find the ocean instructions on the work God want- ter if it is Hazur Baba Sawan Singh During that time we should relax back to the ocean of all love. of God, but instead will be con- ed him to do. God also told Elijah Ji Maharaj, Sant Kirpal Singh Ji and bask in the spiritual waves of Meditation should be a time in sciously bathing in the bliss of full that there were seven thousand Maharaj, and Sant Darshan Singh Ji love lapping against our soul, like which we are connected with love. immersion in God’s ocean of love. Sharing the divine honey By Sant Rajinder Singh voring different foods with it. She of how it was made. The wise men thought about it for Ji Maharaj had discovered honey for the first Years later, the queen’s daughter, a while and told her, “The secret of time and learned how the bees the princess, was invited to visit making honey is the most valuable here is a story of a beautiful made it. She continued to experi- another country to visit the emper- gift you could bring him.” queen who loved to sit under ment with it to learn how it could or. It was traditional to bring a gift The princess did not know what Tthe trees and enjoy the beau- improve the taste of food and bev- when visiting the emperor of anoth- to do. It was forbidden to share the ty of nature. One day, as she looked erages. er country. She thought deeply secret of making honey with any- up, she noticed a bee flying around Over time, she taught the people about what would be special to one outside of her kingdom. How a honeycomb. As she sat there, in her kingdom how to cook with bring to him. She asked her father, could she bring the gift without her kingdom. some liquid dripped onto her face. honey. This new type of flavoring the king, what to bring. Whenever mother, the queen, finding out? When she reached the distant When some dripped onto her lips, became popular throughout her one had a problem, one would ask She decided the best way to bring kingdom, she took care of the eggs she accidentally licked them and kingdom. No other country had the wise men for a solution. The this gift was to bring to the emperor until they hatched. She then let was surprised by its sweetness. ever seen it or heard of it before. king sent for the wisest men in the some of the bees that made the them grow into bees that produced She thought, “This liquid drip- Over the years, word spread about land to find out what would be the honey. The princess asked one of the honey. She presented the honey ping out is sweet. This would be this special flavoring that was being most special gift that the princess her attendants to put her hair up to the emperor. He greatly appreci- great to add to tea and give it a made in her kingdom. The queen could bring with her for the emper- into an elaborate hair style. She hid ated the valuable gift she had sweeter flavor.” told the people of her kingdom to or. the eggs of the bees in the folds of brought. She then taught the emper- She asked her attendants to col- keep the information on how honey The princess asked, “What do her hair. Then she set off for the or the secret of how bees make lect some of this liquid and bring it was made a secret. Although people you think would be the most valu- other country. Since no one could honey. to the palace. She took this sweet heard of the honey, no one from her able gift that I could bring the see the eggs in her hair she was substance and experimented by fla- kingdom would divulge the method emperor?” able to transport them from her (To be continued...) ThisThis Ramadan,Ramadan, sendsend moneymoney toto yyourour lovedloved ones forffoor a lowlow fee*ffeee* with MoMoneyGramoneyGramm SendSend moneymoney toto ooverver 4646,000,000 llocationsocations aallll ooverver SouSouthtth AsAsiaia 10 minute minutesee seservice**ervice**

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