# 1 Indian American Weekly: Since 2006

VOL 14 ISSUE 8 ● NEW YORK / DALLAS ● FEB 21 - 27, 2020 ● ENQUIRIES: 646-247-9458 www.theindianpanorama.news Indians getting permanent residency in Red Carpet Welcome Awaits Canada in 2019 up by 105 pc Punjabis contributed to 60% President Trump in India migration to Canada- Report Unknown group to host 'Namaste Trump' event in Ahmedabad. WASHINGTON Officials involved in preparations for the event unaware of newly formed (TIP): Disenchanted by the restrictive visa Donald Trump Nagarik Abhivadan Samiti. policies in the US, the NEW DELHI (TIP): In a new twist to number of Indians the mega event Namaste Trump to be getting permanent held at the newly built cricket stadium residency in Canada increased by 105 in Ahmedabad, a newly formed Donald per cent in the first 11 months of 2019 Trump Nagarik Abhivadan Samiti alone, the Virginia-based National (Citizen Felicitation Committee for Foundation for American Policy (NFAP) Donald Trump) is the organizer of the said in a report. The NFAP analysis of event. Mysteriously, it is not known yet Immigration, Citizenship and Refugees about persons who have formed the data in Canada showed that the number committee to felicitate U.S. President of Indians who became permanent Donald Trump in a high-profile public residents in Canada increased from event at the Motera Stadium in 39,340 in 2016 to 80,685 in 2019, the Ahmedabad on February 24. American Bazaar reported on On Thursday, MEA spokesperson Wednesday citing the report as saying. Raveesh Kumar told media persons that The increase also means that the full the Donald Trump Nagarik Abhivadan year Canadian statistics will likely show Samiti is the organizer of the event. more than 85,000 Indians gaining However, the name became public only permanent residency in Canada in 2019, when the MEA spokesman had according to the report. announced it. contd on Page 32 contd on Page 32 The Wait for Green Card in the US Kartarpur Corridor "a corridor of hope", The number of Indians left waiting for an American green card skyrocketed in 2019

says UN Secretary General Guterres WASHINGTON (TIP): Nearly 7,000 green card NEW YORK (TIP): United Nations applications by Indian alien Secretary General Antonio Guterres on workers were pending-almost 35 Tuesday, February 18visited Gurdwara times the number in 2018, data Darbar Sahib at Kartarpur in Pakistan from US Citizenship and where the First Master of the Sikhs, Immigration Services (USCIS) Guru Nanak Dev Ji had spent the last 35 show. The data refers to form I- Picture for Representational years of his life. 140, which seeks to make an purpose only The UN chief called the Kartarpur alien worker eligible for an immigrant visa based on Corridor "a corridor of hope, employment. Overall, with 56,608 green cards approved for connecting two key Sikh pilgrimage Indian workers, the group received nearly half of all sites", adding that it is a "welcome permanent residency permits issued in 2019. The number of symbol of interfaith harmony". applications being approved ticked up from last year, but it The four-kilometer-long corridor, was still well below 67,493 in 2016. which was inaugurated on November 9, A LOSING BATTLE : Indians face the worst backlog when provides pilgrims a visa-free link it comes to getting a green card, thanks to a 7%-per-country between Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur and cap on allocations each year. Nearly 800,000 workers and their the Dera Baba Nanak shrine in Indian families-most of them Indians-are waiting for employment- Punjab. Up to 5,000 Indian Sikhs have based green cards. USCIS is still processing applications from been allowed access daily, with plans to 2009; libertarian think tank CATO Institute estimates that the United Nations Secretary General Guterres at Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib eventually double the capacity. wait time for Indians with advanced degrees is 49 years. with Pakistan Minister for Religious Affairs and Pakistan Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee members, among others contd on Page 32 contd on Page 32 THE INDIAN PANORAMA 2 ADVERTISEMENT FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2020

HAPPY LIFE YOGA KHAJURAHO FESTIVAL 2020 In case you are in India during this event time, join us and celebrate life. If interested in attending, please contact for details: [email protected] WHEN: March 21st-24th2020 WHERE: KHAJURAHO, Madhya Pradesh, India - A World Heritage Site A MUST SEE DESTINATION ABOUT THE EVENT: The purpose of this Festival: Happy Life Yoga Initiative HAPPY LIFE YOGA Khajuraho Festival 2020 ● Understand - Celebrate - Receive Blessings Raise awareness about how to live life in balance A gathering of like-minded people A Tribute to Khajuraho Be a better lover of life and learn to live in balance! ● Celebrate and understand the importance, beauty, and history of Ancient Temples More Than 1,000 Years Old, Ayurveda, Indian Khajuraho Philosophy, Yoga, Kama, Workshops, Meditation, Prayer, Music, Dance ● Receive blessings and healing from temples representing Lord Shiva, and Play India has always been a spiritual teacher for the world; it is Lord Vishnu, Kamadeva and others time to revisit its teachings. Hosted by The Indian Panorama, Indian American Forum, Tirlok Malik and the HAPPY LIFE YOGA team, & more ABOUT HAPPY LIFE YOGA: HAPPY LIFE YOGA is an educational platform offering a unique holistic approach to health and happiness using tools from Ayurveda, Indian Philosophy, and Yoga. www.happylifeyoga.org JOIN US IN KHAJURAHO | [email protected] THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2020 NEW YORK 3 VIBRANT INDIA DURING NEW YORK FASHION WEEK

INIFD - 1 institute, 3 Continents, 3 Countries, 3 Fashion Weeks

NEW YORK (TIP): Inter National Institute of Fashion Design (INIFD) is the first fashion institute in the world to have showcased their students' collection at two major fashion capitals of the world - New York for the 4th Season and London for the 7th season and Lakme Fashion Week in Mumbai for the last 25 consecutive seasons. Inter National Institute of Fashion Design (INIFD) and London School of Trends (LST) take Indian Fashion abroad celebrating the Craftsmanship of emerging Indian student Designers at Vibrant India during New York Fashion Week on February 7, 2020 for the 4th Season. On the one hand, young Indian designers of INIFD are showcasing their work at Lakme Fashion Week in Mumbai for the last 25 consecutive seasons at the same time aspiring student designers from INIFD worked hard to showcase their talent in London & New York Fashion Week. Vibrant India speaks to the movement, weaves, draping, and all that is unique about Indian textiles. Its vibrant colors, with rich deep hues and fabrics, that are one-of-a-kind due largely to the craftsmanship that makes India a powerhouse source for fashion and goods. Based on the themes No Place for Waste, Real Champions of India & Avant- Garde the show was a perfect amalgamation of rich Indian Textiles and techniques along with the internationally accepted cuts and designs. Students created collections that reflect thought- provoking construction and aesthetic with New York sensibility. Models sashayed on the ramp displaying rich Indian cultural heritage blended with western aesthetics. Capturing the spirit of India with students coming from diverse backgrounds, they focused on fall winter trends while embracing a certain and exciting season. This Indian show at NYFW mesmerized the Fashion glitterati and media of New INIFD & London School of Trends Designers capture & dazzle the runway at World's most prestigious Fashion Week York. THE INDIAN PANORAMA 4 INDIANS ABROAD FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2020

Indian American Saritha Komatireddy Indian American Shireen Matthews Nominated as Judge for Eastern District of to Become US District Judge for New York Southern District of California

WASHINGTON (TIP): Eleven United the Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference States District Judge Nominations were from 2014 to 2018 and is a past president sent to the Senate Feb 13 by the White of the San Diego Chapters of the South House including Indian origin R. Asian Bar Association and the Federal Shireen Matthews, of California, to be Bar Association. She also serves as the United States District Judge for the hiring partner for Jones Day's San Diego Saritha Komatireddy is Deputy Chief of Southern District of California, vice Office and is a member of the Firm's General Crimes in the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Barry Ted Moskowitz, retired. Diversity, Inclusion & Advancement New York Currently a partner at Jones Day San Committee. Diego, Shireen Matthews helps Matthews worked in the San Diego U.S. WASHINGTON (TIP): On Feb 12, companies conduct internal attorney's office for several years, US President Donald J. Trump investigations and build, enhance, and Matthews worked in the San Diego U.S. serving as the criminal health care fraud announced his intent to nominate maintain effective corporate compliance attorney's office for several years, serving as coordinator. During that time, she Indian American Saritha Komatireddy programs. She regularly defends clients the criminal health care fraud coordinator uncovered a multimillion-dollar fraud of New York, to serve as Judge on the in high-stakes government multimillion-dollar fraud involving involving stolen medical equipment United States District Court for the investigations and regulatory stolen medical equipment from Camp from Camp Pendleton and prosecuted Eastern District of New York. proceedings relating to health care, false Pendleton, a health care fraud contract fraud by a biotech firm, Saritha Komatireddy is Deputy claims, cybersecurity, and data privacy. investigation of a hospital CEO, according to her professional bio. Chief of General Crimes in the United Shireen also is an experienced civil prosecution of wide-ranging contract joined Jones Day in 2013, working States Attorney's Office for the litigator who represents businesses fraud by a San Diego-based biotech firm, with corporations to conduct internal Eastern District of New York. She has facing complex - and often enterprise- and obtaining one of the largest investigations and develop corporate also served as Acting Deputy Chief of threatening - litigation. individual restitution awards for the compliance programs. She also defends International Narcotics and Money Prior to joining Jones Day in 2013, Social Security trust fund. Shireen also white-collar criminal cases, including Laundering, and as the Computer Shireen served as the Criminal Health has broad criminal trial experience and those involving bribery, defense Hacking and Intellectual Property Care Fraud Coordinator for the U.S. has successfully briefed and argued contractor fraud and health care fraud, Coordinator for the United States Attorney's Office in the Southern several cases before the Ninth Circuit according to Jones Day, where she is a Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of California. During that time, Court of Appeals. partner. She is also on Jones Day's District of New York. Ms. she prosecuted violations of the Anti- An engaged community leader, Diversity, Inclusion & Advancement Komatireddy also previously served as Kickback Statute, criminal false claims, Shireen is committed to public service Committee and is part of the firm's pro Counsel to the National Commission and aggravated identity theft. Her and serving pro bono clients. Shireen bono program to provide legal assistance on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill success stories include uncovering a served as a Lawyer Representative for to U.S. military veterans. and Offshore Drilling, and was in private practice at Kellogg, Hansen, Todd, Figel & Frederick, PLLC. Indian American Sri Srinivasan is Indian Cab Driver in California Saves Ms. Komatireddy is a Lecturer in 92-Year-Old Lady from $25,000 Scam Law at Columbia Law School and Chief Judge of Federal Circuit Court previously taught at George WASHINGTON (TIP): ROSEVILLE, CA (TIP): Washington University Law School. On February 12, 2020, Indian Rajbir Singh, the owner and Upon graduation from law school, Ms. origin Sri Srinivasan driver of Roseville Cab in Komatireddy served as a law clerk to created history when he Roseville, California, saved a then-Judge Brett Kavanaugh of the became the Chief Judge of 92-year-old woman from United States Court of Appeals for the the United States Court of being scammed out of $25,000 District of Columbia Circuit. Ms. Appeals for the DC Circuit. by a man posing as an IRS Komatireddy earned her B.A.,cum He is the first person of employee. laude, from Harvard University and South Asian descent to lead Raj Singh owns Roseville her J.D., magna cum laude, from the powerful federal circuit Cab. He was recently called to Harvard Law School, where she served court, considered next only pick up 92-year-old woman Roseville police said Singh deserved on the Harvard Law Review. to the US Supreme Court. from her home in Sun City. a "great citizen award" and gave him a $50 gift card Sri Srinivasan created history Sri Srinivasan, who He picked her up and started Indian Citizen when he became the Chief Judge succeeds Judge Merrick B. to drive her to the bank. On Picture / courtesy Roseville Police of the United States Court of Department Facebook Page Sentenced to Prison for Appeals for the DC Circuit Garland, was appointed to way to the bank, he started the U.S. Court of Appeals for talking with the woman who informed Raj that she owed the IRS Alien Transportation the District of Columbia Circuit in May 2013. Born in $25,000 and she was headed to the bank to get the money and NEW YORK (TIP): Jaswinder Chandigarh, India and raised in Lawrence, Kansas, he send it off to settle her debt. Singh, age 30, and a citizen of India who received a B.A. from Stanford University,a J.D. from Stanford This sounded very suspicious to Raj. So, he suggested to the most recently resided in Philadelphia, Law School, and an M.B.A. from the Stanford Graduate woman, this may be a scam. She didn't believe him. Raj pleaded was sentenced Feb 13, to 12 months in School of Business. Following graduation, he served as a law with the woman to reconsider. So, they agreed to stop by the prison for knowingly transporting clerk to Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson III of the U.S. Court of Roseville Police Station to ask an officer. While the woman illegal aliens within the United States Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, as a Bristow Fellow in the waited in the cab, Raj came into the station and requested to for the purpose of financial gain. The Office of the U.S. Solicitor General, and as a law clerk to U.S. speak with an officer. He waited for a while but finally was able to announcement was made by United Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. In 1998, he speak with an officer who then spoke with the woman waiting in States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and joined the law firm O'Melveny & Myers. the cab. Sure enough, it was a scam.After speaking with the Robert N. Garcia, Chief Patrol Agent, From 2002 to 2007, he served as an Assistant to the Solicitor officer, the woman believed she was being scammed and decided United States Border Patrol, Swanton General. In 2007, he returned to O'Melveny & Myers as a not to pay the scammers. Raj took the woman back home. Officers Sector. Singh, who worked as an Uber partner, later becoming chair of the firm's appellate and from the Roseville Police Department applauded Singh's efforts to driver, admitted that between January Supreme Court practice. From 2011 until his appointment to help the woman avoid the scam. "We love this story because 1, 2019 and May 20, 2019, he picked up the U.S. Court of Appeals, Judge Srinivasan served as the several times throughout, Raj could have just taken his customer several aliens whom he knew had Principal Deputy Solicitor General of the United States. He to her stop and not worried about her well-being," Roseville police crossed illegally into the United States has argued 25 cases before the U.S. Supreme Court. He has said in a Facebook post. "He took time from his day and had the and transported them into the interior also taught appellate advocacy at Harvard Law School as well great forethought to bring the almost-victim to the police station of the United States. (Read full story as a seminar on civil rights statutes and the Supreme Court for an official response." on www.theindianpanorama.news) at Georgetown University Law Center. (Read full story on www.theindianpanorama.news) THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2020 ADVERTISEMENT 5 THE INDIAN PANORAMA 6 NY/NJ/CT FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2020 FIACONA urges President Trump to make public show of support for over 100 million Christians in India

NEW YORK (TIP): The Federation of bilateral relationship with India. He also Indian American Christian pointed out that, many US Citizens, Organizations (FIACONA) has written to especially Christian pastors and President Trump, February 19, members of international relief expressing deep concerns about the organizations are being deported or rapid deterioration of rule of law in denied entry into India every single day India under Mr. Modi's leadership where at Indian airports simply because they Christians are assaulted, intimidated are visiting Christian institutions in and even killed by his party supporters. India. Christian properties are damaged, FIACONA is concerned that radical demolished or burnt by members of Mr. views of Mr. Modi and his party gets Modi's party with police often taking the implemented unchecked, it has the side of the Hindu party. potential to create large scale civil unrest FIACONA has urged President Trump in the Union of India that could lead to to make public show of support for over the disintegration of the Union itself. 100 million people who follow The letter also informed the President Christianity in India. that, FIACONA sincerely appreciates his In the letter President of FIACONA, support and commitment to stand by Mr. Koshy George pointed out that, Christians around the world and now "Although Prime Minister Modi He further said, "Today, Christians interrupting worship service. It is over 100 million people that follow Christ professes his allegiance to Gandhian across India are living in fear. Pastors, creating an environment of insecurity in India need his public support. values whenever he travels abroad, at Social workers, and ordinary Christians among Christians along with other In conclusion, the letter reminded him home, he employs a very divisive are arrested, tortured, or killed. religious minorities and the general that, "back in the US, a million plus strategy based on religion. It not only Christian properties are burnt or population". Indian Christians will be waiting to see hurts the Christian population but also destroyed by supporters of Mr. Modi's Mr. John Prabhudoss, the Chairman of his public expression of support for the undermines the institutional foundation party. Mr. Modi is mostly silent when the Board said that, we fully agree with persecuted Christian population of of the democratic India". their followers go on such a rampage President's policy of forging a strong India". Minority Leader Kevan M. Abrahams Urges Colleagues to Support Child Abuse Prevention Training Law

Abrahams said. "When I introduced a version of this proposal last summer, I adamantly believed then, as I do now, that training coaches and other community leaders will add an essential layer to Nassau County's safety net of resources dedicated to protecting our children. Let's roll up our sleeves and MINEOLA, NY(TIP): Nassau County work together to pass this law." Legislature Minority Leader Kevan M. Mandated trainees would have 60 days Abrahams (D - Freeport) and his after enactment of this legislation to colleagues in the Minority Legislature complete a minimum of two hours of Caucus re-introduced legislation that classroom or other interactive child would equip community leaders with abuse recognition training. New hires or the tools and resources they need to volunteers at covered entities would identify and report cases of suspected have 30 days from their start date to child abuse and maltreatment. complete training. Filed again on Tuesday, Feb. 18 by Nassau County's Departments of Minority Leader Abrahams and co- Human Services and Social Services will sponsored by each of his Minority maintain a list of New York State Caucus colleagues, the proposal would approved child abuse recognition require youth-based organizations and The proposed legislation piloted by Nassau County Legislature Minority Leader Kevan M. training providers and post the list on Abrahams "would require youth-based organizations and agencies that enter contracts with agencies that enter contracts with the the County to provide child abuse recognition training to all adult employees and volunteers their respective websites. Qualified County to provide child abuse who have unsupervised or regular and substantial contact with children." County personnel will also be recognition training to all adult File photo authorized to provide the training. employees and volunteers who have Individuals who have undergone New unsupervised or regular and substantial recognition training. misunderstanding of the laws and a lack York State-approved child abuse contact with children. Those employees In 2018, Nassau County Child of awareness of the warning signs of recognition will be deemed to have and volunteers would be required to Protective Services received 6,263 child abuse. complied with the law. Certification report all incidents of suspected abuse, reports of child abuse or maltreatment. Minority Leader Abrahams remains valid for two years. neglect, and maltreatment of a child. Nationwide, according to the United previously introduced this proposal in Noncompliance would be considered a In addition, prior to the issuance of States Department of Health and August 2019. The item was not added to material breach of contract and subject any special event or field permit for an Human Services Children's Bureau, the Legislature's calendar for a hearing to a maximum $250 civil penalty per event involving children, Minority approximately 674,000 reports of child or vote at that time. violation; denial of the permit Leader Abrahams' proposal would abuse, neglect or maltreatment were "No child should ever suffer in silence application; and additional contractual require applicants to prove that current substantiated in the United States in at the hands of an abuser - especially remedies. Entities seeking a special and prospective adult employees and 2017. Nearly 71,000 of those reports came when we have the educational tools at event or field permit for organized volunteers who will have unsupervised from New York. However, studies our disposal to empower residents to school trips to a County park are not or regular and substantial contact with indicate child abuse is significantly identify and report suspected cases of required to comply with these children have completed child abuse underreported due to confusion or child abuse," Minority Leader requirements. THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2020 NY/NJ/CT 7 Nominations invited Chief Minister of for 2020 Outstanding Chhattisgarh, Bhupesh 50 Asian Americans Baghel Interacts with in Business Award community in New York economy of the United States. This black-tie event brings together a microcosm of Asian American elite individuals who are engaged in a wide range of industries and business interests. Last year we had over 650 attendees from corporations such as JPMorgan Chase & Co., Morgan Stanley, Chief Minister of PepsiCo, Pfizer, Target, Aetna, Cisco, Chhattisgarh, Colgate-Palmolive, Con Edison, and Bhupesh Baghel many others. (center) at an The Award is open to all Asian interaction with community at the American entrepreneurs, business Indian Consulate professionals, and corporate executives. in New York, Candidates can self-nominate or be February 18. CG NEW YORK (TIP): The Asian nominated by others or their companies. Sandeep Chakravorty is American Business Development Center If preferred, we could work with your seen on extreme (AABDC) is calling for nominations for company to review the names of eligible right. the 2020 Outstanding 50 Asian honorees together with their contact Americans in Business Award. The information. Nomination forms, NEW YORK CITY (TIP): Chief agriculture and food processing, textiles Award Gala is to take place on eligibility and application requirements Minister of Chhattisgarh, Bhupesh and apparels, engineering and defense, Wednesday, June 17 at Cipriani Wall can be found at Baghel Interacted with community in pharmaceuticals, automobiles, and Street. https://outstanding50award.com New York, February 18. electric vehicles, bioethanol, and This annual event, now in its 19th The application must be received by Chief Minister Baghel was joined by a logistics. The interaction was organized year, is one of the most prestigious April 15, 2020. delegation of senior officials from the by USISPF in partnership with the business awards that honor the For any questions about the nomination Government of Chhattisgarh to present Consulate General of India, New York. achievement and leadership of Asian process, contact at opportunities for investment and Consul General Sandeep Chakravorty as American entrepreneurs and business [email protected] or call the collaboration in their state, and sectors also his deputy Shatrughna Sinha and executives and their contributions to the office at 212-966-0100. of interest for the delegation include some consulate staff were present. Hindu Students Council Enters New Phase of Leadership Science, and has been part of Hindu Board, Riddhi has focused extensively on has been involved with building HSC Students Council's national leadership chapter relations, traveling to HSC resources on several important current for the past three years. He first chapters throughout the Midwest and events issues, such as an informational volunteered with HSC at MIT's flagship mapping out a strategy of engagement video on the ethnic cleansing of Drishti Conference in April 2017 and has with all chapters. She hopes to bring this Kashmiri Pandits. He also runs HSC's been an indispensable part of HSC's expertise and skill set of working with Charcha Chat, a conversational recruitment efforts. He currently resides people to her new role as general Facebook Live series on topics of in his hometown of Dallas, TX, and is secretary. Riddhi has been part of the interest to young Hindu Americans. involved in running a sprawling family Swadhyay Parivar since she was a child Parth is currently a Ph.D. student in enterprise-- an all-important experience in Gujarat. She now resides with her Princeton University's Department of that has provided him with critical family in the Chicago metro area. Economics. NEW YORK (TIP): Arnav Kejriwal, management and public relations skills Both Riddhi and Arnav were key Please join us in congratulating and the newly appointed President of the as he transitions into his new role. members of the organizing committee of wishing much success to Arnav, Riddhi, Hindu Students Council in a press note Arnav attended Chinmaya Mission as a the Hindu Youth Conference at the 2018 and Parth as they each transition into to The Indian Panorama has said there student and has presented at several World Hindu Congress, held in Chicago, their new roles! have been changes in the organization, WAVES conferences. IL. They have played pivotal roles in Hindu Students Council: HSC is an which are as follows. Ridhi Patel helping to empower younger HSC international forum providing Arnav Kejriwal leaders and are more than capable of opportunities for high school and college Riddhi Patel has continuing to build on HSC's reach and students, as well as young professionals, Arnav Kejriwal, been appointed programming in the years to come. to learn about Hindu heritage through who previously HSC's general Parth Parihar various activities, events and projects. served as secretary. Like Hindu Students Council was formed in General Arnav had done Outgoing 1990 by three college students who saw a Secretary, has before her, as president Parth need for Hindu representation on taken on the general Parihar was campuses. With over 35 chapters in responsibility of secretary, Riddhi also appointed North America and several HSC-inspired Hindu will be responsible Director of chapters around the world, HSC is the StudentsCouncil for executing much of Advocacy, a part largest Hindu Youth organization president from Parth Parihar. The HSC's mission and vision on the ground of his role on the outside of India. HSC is a registered non- president serves as the head of Hindu be connecting with and guiding our Board of Trustees. As profit in the U.S. Students Council's Executive Board and chapters. Riddhi has been part of HSC Director of Advocacy, Parth will be For more information, please visit our Leadership Team, directing the bulk of since she joined the University of tasked with creating resources for website, follow us on Facebook, or email HSC's day-to-day activities. Arnav is a Illinois-Chicago chapter in 2013, serving chapters on key issues relating to Hindu us at [email protected]. 2014 graduate of Washington University as its president for two years. During her American identity, such as combating (Based on a press release) in St. Louis, where he studied Political time on the HSC's national Executive anti-Hinduism. In recent months, Parth THE INDIAN PANORAMA 8 EDITORIAL FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2020 AS I SEE IT

By G Parthasarathy Red carpet ready for Trump PM Modi should seize the opportunity to iron out outstanding issues But we will almost countries across the world, friends and certainly face some direct foes alike. He is now riding high questions about domestically, after the US Senate rejected developments in J&K. The a resolution for his impeachment. The US international community, economy has been growing steadily ever by and large, understands India's since Trump assumed office, though “ many acknowledge that the continuing compulsions for effecting the growth emerged because of policies constitutional changes. Our initiated by President Obama, including differences with the US and its the new and widely appreciated approach European allies are essentially on to issues of national healthcare. Most importantly for Trump, unemployment two issues. These pertain to has substantially fallen, which will be concerns on the denial of regular projected as his major achievement in the Internet and telephone forthcoming presidential elections. connectivity to the people in J&K, Trump will be welcomed by Modi in Ahmedabad and feted at a huge public and the continuing arrest and gathering of five lakh people. This will detention of mainstream political also be viewed in the US as being WelcomeMr. Donald Trump, President of the United States of America leaders, who have not been different from Trump's blunt and frank regionally and on J&K using Pakistan. challenges in Afghanistan could lead to a advocates of violence or approach when dealing with the Balancing Chinese power is now crucial. fractured structure of governance, akin separatism, and have worked leadership of key allies like Canada, Activating the Quad and making to the situation prevailing in the country France and Germany. Trump has also common cause with countries like before the US intervened. within the provisions of India's earned the wrath of people in most Indonesia and Vietnam appears to be the Trump does not share the anti-Russian Constitution. These differences Islamic countries following the first step in this direction. fixation of the US strategic and political are best addressed and resolved, extraordinary peace proposals drafted by The agenda for talks with Trump will establishment. Dealing with him on this sooner rather than later." his son-in-law Jared Kushner on the include the proposed US withdrawal from score will be relatively smooth. Trump Palestinian issue. These proposals have Afghanistan. People in the US are tired of himself has a more relaxed approach to he Indian diaspora plays an been rejected even by key US allies like American participation in the Afghan relations with Russia than his increasingly important role today Saudi Arabia. Improvement of ties with conflict. There is little doubt that Trump predecessors. The routine disapproval of Tin promoting understanding the most populous democracy would be will ensure complete withdrawal well our ties with Moscow, which one finds in abroad of the country's unique cultural, noted as one of Trump's achievements in before election day. The Afghan conflict Washington, will not feature strongly, as ethnic, linguistic and religious diversity his foreign policy. One, however, hopes has cost the US treasury an estimated $1.5 in the past, in exchanges with Trump. as the most populous democracy in the that the Trump administration will move trillion, and 2,400 servicemen have been But we will almost certainly face some world. This was demonstrated, in recent ahead in resolving differences with India, killed in action, while tens of thousands direct questions about developments in years, in cultural events organized by arising from restrictions on India's of Afghans have perished. Pakistan still J&K. The international community, by India's diplomatic missions, in exports. serves as the base for the most-feared and large, understands India's partnership with the growing diaspora. The US and India share a common Afghan terrorist group, the Haqqani compulsions for effecting the The international impact of the concern about China's growing Network, of the Taliban. It has been constitutional changes. Our differences interactions with the diaspora was noted assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region, under huge US pressure to ensure that it with the US and its European allies are across the world, when PM Modi where Beijing's maritime boundary keeps its Taliban proteges away from essentially on two issues. These pertain addressed a gathering of 60,000 PIOs at claims are increasing tensions. India has inflicting serious casualties on US forces to concerns on the denial of regular the Wembley Stadium, London, in 2015. evidently decided to join the otherwise as the withdrawal gets underway. The Internet and telephone connectivity to British PM David Cameron also inactive 'Quad' (US, Japan, Australia and Taliban now controls an estimated half of the people in J&K, and the continuing participated in the event. This was India) for enhancing security in the Indo- Afghanistan territory. arrest and detention of mainstream followed, soon thereafter, by 'Howdy, Pacific Region. The Quad appears to be It would be important for India to political leaders, who have not been Modi!' in Texas. President Trump also preparing for moves to balance the power stress that a return of the Taliban to advocates of violence or separatism, and attended the function. The otherwise of an assertive China. power in Afghanistan would lead to a have worked within the provisions of skeptical, and traditionally none too A substantial portion of the world's resurrection of Pakistan-backed India's Constitution. These differences friendly, Washington Post, described the sea-borne movement of oil and gas terrorism. Trump should be persuaded of are best addressed and resolved, sooner event as: 'The largest-ever political traverses through the sea lanes of the the importance of ensuring that even as rather than later. gathering with a foreign political leader, Indian Ocean. The move to activate the US forces are being withdrawn, the (The author is Chancellor, Jammu Central in the United States'. Quad marks a significant milestone in Afghan government forces should have University & former High Commissioner to Trump has succeeded in India's foreign policy. India has realized the backing of sufficient airpower. Pakistan) antagonizingpolitical leaders from that China is determined to 'contain' it Moreover, the ethnic differences and GUEST COMMENT Lady in command post: Landmark SC order on

n a historic order upholding the right of women to equal opportunity permanent commission to women Iin the Indian Army, the Supreme Significantly, this restriction not only Netherlands, Australia and Canada order that bestows dignity on able Court has paved the way for all serving prevented them from reaching the have allowed women in groundbreaking women, it is now a question of time Short Service Commission (SSC) pinnacle in their career, but also combat positions. While stopping short before women officers in the Indian women officers to be eligible for disqualified them from pension, which of granting this role to the Indian Army acquire positions of command. In permanent commission (PC) on a par starts only after 20 years of service. women, the Supreme Court judgment the meanwhile, the rank and file of the with their male colleagues. The verdict History is witness to a number of awe- notably rubbished the patriarchal military would do well to throw opens the avenue for meritorious inspiring and brave women leading concept that portrays women as weak by outdated perceptions of male women officers to get command thousands of men in battles, including pointing out the fact that 30 per cent of superiority out of the window - that are postings, promotions, rank and pension. the famous Joan of Arc and our very our women officers are deployed in generally proffered to keep them down - Reeking of gender discrimination and own Rani of Jhansi. Recognizing the conflict zones. This effectively exposes and be prepared to take orders from violative of Article 14 that guarantees valor and capability of women in the government stance that women are them. The mission is of utmost equality, these benefits were till now military matters in the past couple of physiologically unfit for higher Army importance and women are equally denied to them as the women were decades, countries such as the US, ranks as farcical and hollow. capable of helming it. allowed a tenure of up to only 14 years. Israel, North Korea, France, Germany, In the light of the forward-looking (Tribune India) THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2020 PERSPECTIVE 9 Why Americans are bad at math To be more specific, my research shows that math anxiety leads to math By Sian Beilock avoidance. And, as anyone who has played an instrument, When you have high levels of participated in athletics, or math anxiety, you avoid math tried to master any nature of “ at all costs, and you perform new task can tell you, failure to poorly on tests. Now that math practice, or to spend time anxiety has been identified as a working on getting better at a root cause of our growing math thing, tends to produce less- crisis, it's time to take action to than-stellar results when it address it. If we don't, we're comes to developing any type of simply giving into fear. Science Research shows that girls and women experience even more math anxiety and are less skill. has proven that feelings are confident in their math skills than boys and men are powerful, albeit categorically do possess the ability and knowledge to And just like arachnophobia, that nearly one in five US adults-17%- elusive, indicators of how we solve math problems. claustrophobia, or aviophobia, suffers from high levels of math anxiety. function and advance in societies. The math test Americans have dubbed an entire A 2016 study found that 11% of If we don't fix our feelings toward category devoted to this condition: "math university students exhibited "high math, how can we ensure the next Together with my collaborators at The trauma," caused by a personal history of enough levels of mathematics anxiety to generation recognizes their full University of Chicago and Stanford embarrassment and humiliation be in need of counseling." University, my research team and I experienced during math class. Math inequality potential in rewarding STEM designed a study that could definitively The results of my study are especially careers? As a country, we have a assess how people behave when put to concerning when you consider the fact As with most cultural or complex, advanced-stage math the math test. We paid participants to that not only does the US lag well behind socioeconomic phenomena, math problem on our hands, and we correctly answer a series of math and other countries on standardized math anxiety also does not affect all groups word problems, giving them the option to test performance, but Americans' math equally. Research consistently shows better find a way to solve it.” choose to solve an easy or hard question test results have in fact gotten worse over that girls and women experience more t's no secret that Americans aren't each time. time. math anxiety and are less confident in exactly leading the pack in Here is where it gets interesting: American losers their math skills than boys and men are. Imathematics. Participants knew they would be paid a Studies on math performance across the Out of the profusion of statistics that smaller amount of money when they got Every three years, students around the US education system also indicate support this fact, the most telling may be the easier-ranked questions correct, and world sit for the Program for persistent-and widening-achievement that math performance by American a larger amount for getting the more International Student Assessment, or gaps between white and minority high school graduates is roughly the difficult questions right. PISA, exam, which evaluates countries' students. This skills disparity is same as most high school dropouts in What we discovered was that people student skill levels in math, reading, and especially dire for black, Latinx, and other countries. who had previously reported they felt science. Historically, US students have indigenous students. My newest study in the journal afraid or nervous about math (those with done especially poorly in the math Data from the US Bureau of Labor Science Advances uncovers another the most math anxiety) wouldn't attempt category, ranking number 28 in 2012 and Statistics indicate that employment in possible reason for what Quartz has to solve hard math problems even when number 35 in 2015. The results of the math-heavy occupations will grow much called America's "spectacularly bad" they knew they could score a larger latest PISA released on Dec. 3, 2019 faster than other occupations, arithmetic skills: It's math anxiety. amount of reward money for a correct showed negligible improvement for potentially increasing 28% from 2016 to To be more specific, my research answer and even when they had the math American students, who ranked 35th 2026. shows that math anxiety leads to math skills (based on actual math place out of the 79 participating As a cognitive scientist and as avoidance. And, as anyone who has performance throughout the countries. If nothing else, this is a clear president of a college focused on played an instrument, participated in experiment) to solve the difficult indication that something is going awry empowering young women in society, I athletics, or tried to master any nature of problems. People with less math anxiety, in the way the US education system worry that math anxiety will prevent the new task can tell you, failure to practice, on the other hand, jumped in and tackled supports science, technology, next generation from qualifying for the or to spend time working on getting the difficult math. engineering, and math (STEM), even as exact jobs that will be in highest demand better at a thing, tends to produce less- Our conclusion: When you have high policymakers and industry leaders Now that math anxiety has been than-stellar results when it comes to levels of math anxiety, you avoid math at emphasize how important STEM skills identified as a root cause of our growing developing any type of skill. all costs, and you perform poorly on are for the US economy. math crisis, it's time to take action to Even those who eschew the 10,000-hour tests. This was not true for the word As my study showed, apparently address it. rule (that supposed magic number of problem portion of our test. Math- Americans don't want to do math even if If we don't, we're simply giving into practice hours required to achieve anxious folks were eager to solve the you pay us to. fear. Science has proven that feelings are expert-level proficiency in a skill or hard word problems when it was That's an especially big problem when, powerful, albeit categorically elusive, activity), agree that some substantial financially in their favor to do so. In increasingly, US employers want to do indicators of how we function and amount of time and effort is needed to other words, people don't just avoid math exactly that. Employment in STEM advance in societies. If we don't fix our make progress in any field. because they're bad at it-they avoid math occupations has grown 79% since 1990, feelings toward math, how can we ensure By this same theory, it follows logic because there's something about it that increasing from 9.7 million to 17.3 the next generation recognizes their full that avoiding math guarantees scares them. Americans have an million jobs. So, why aren't more people potential in rewarding STEM careers? As substandard performance. inherent, deep-down fear of focusing their energy on understanding a country, we have a complex, advanced- While researchers have proposed a mathematics that feels impossible to why we as a nation are so bad at math? stage math problem on our hands, and we link between math anxiety and math shake. Numbers psyche better find a way to solve it. avoidance in the past-in which a vicious There's a clear need to further (The author is the president of Barnard cycle of anxiety about math leads to poor investigate the root of this cultural fear Better understanding the clear link College, a cognitive scientist and the world's performance when solving equations, of math. Because, like the visceral between math anxiety and math foremost expert on the intersection of gender, which in turn causes even more math response even the thought of a large, avoidance has potentially enormous anxiety, and performance. Among other things, Sian draws upon her own research to anxiety-no one to my knowledge has hairy spider elicits from a person with benefits, as math anxiety affects not only point to the psychological effect of gender conducted an experiment in which they severe arachnophobia, the psychological, what classes students select, but the stereotypes women face, and how that can have empirically shown that people who physiological, and, if you're looking at majors they choose, and, therefore, the contribute to both anxiety and success in are anxious about math overwhelmingly potential missed employment careers they pursue. Approximately 93% academia and the professional world). tend to avoid it-more so than other opportunities, even financial effects of of Americans report experiencing some (Source: Quartz India) disciplines, and even when they actually math anxiety are real and harmful. level of math anxiety and it's estimated THE INDIAN PANORAMA 10 SOUTH ASIA FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2020

Pak court gives death sentence to 3 terrorists Malaysia suspected MH370 downed for 2014 Wagah bombing in murder-suicide: Ex-Oz PM LAHORE (TIP): A Pakistani anti- SYDNEY / MALAYSIA (TIP) : was almost certainly murder-suicide by terrorism court on Wednesday handed Former Australian prime minister Tony the pilot -- mass murder-suicide by the down death sentence and 300 years of Abbott has claimed "very top" level pilot." Zaharie's family and friends have imprisonment to three terrorists of Malaysian officials believed vanished long strongly rejected such claims as the banned Jamaat-ul-Ahrar for their Flight MH370 was deliberately downed baseless. involvement in the 2014 Wagah border by the captain in a mass murder-suicide. Azharuddin Abdul Rahman, the bombing that killed over 60 people. The Malaysia Airlines jet vanished on former head of Malaysia's civil aviation Wagah is a village located in Lahore, March 8, 2014 carrying 239 people -- regulator, criticised Abbott's remarks Pakistan’s Punjab province, and Attari mostly from China -- en route from and said there was not sufficient proof in India’s Punjab state along the Indo- Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. to support the idea. Pak border. Over 60 people, including No sign of the plane was found in a "It is only a theory," Azharuddin, who women and children, were killed in the 120,000-square kilometre (46,000-square led the regulator when Flight MH370 horrific suicide attack on November 2, mile) Indian Ocean search zone and the disappeared, said. 2014 at the Wagah border on the Australian-led search, the largest in "You do this speculation and it will Pakistani side. The responsibility for aviation history, was suspended in hurt the next of kin. The family of the the attack was claimed separately by January 2017. pilot will also feel very bad because you the outlawed Jundullah and Tehreek-i- A US exploration firm launched a are making an accusation without any Taliban Pakistan’s splinter group private hunt in 2018 but it ended after proof." In 2016, Malaysian officials Jamaat-ul-Ahrar. “The Anti-Terrorism several months of scouring the seabed revealed the pilot had plotted a path over Court in Lahore on Wednesday without success. the Indian Ocean on a home flight announced the verdict in the Wagah The disappearance of the plane has simulator but stressed this did not prove border bombings. It handed down long been the subject of a host of he deliberately crashed the plane. death sentence to three suspects -- theories -- ranging from the credible to A final report into the tragedy Haseebullah, Saeed Jan Ghana and outlandish -- including that veteran pilot released in 2018 pointed to failings by air Hussainullah -- on five counts and also Zaharie Ahmad Shah had gone rogue. traffic control and said the course of the gave them 300-year jail term and In an excerpt from a Sky News plane was changed manually. imposed a fine of Pakistani Rupees 1 documentary airing Wednesday, Abbott But they failed to come up with any Tony Abbott million on each of them,” a court claims he was told within a week of it firm conclusions, leaving relatives official told PTI. PTI vanishing that Malaysia believed the on here, they thought it was murder- angry and disappointed. captain had intentionally downed the suicide by the pilot," he said. Six passengers were Australian, Ghani wins disputed jet. "I'm not going to say who said what to including four from Queensland state, Afghanistan election "My very clear understanding from whom but let me reiterate, I want to be where Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk the very top levels of the Malaysian absolutely crystal clear, it was this week suggested authorities may KABUL (TIP): Afghanistan government is that from very, very early understood at the highest levels that this pursue an inquest into their deaths. AFP declared incumbent Ashraf Ghani the winner of a disputed presidential election held almost five months ago, a result that could trigger new turmoil Pak court nullifies converted amid accusations of fraud and hopes of a possible peace deal with Taliban militants. Polls were held on September 28 to select a president for minor Hindu girl’s marriage the fourth time since the US-led forces overthrew the Taliban government in KARACHI (TIP) : In probably the 2001, but the process was marred by first of its kind judgement, a Pakistani allegations of rigging, technical court has nullified the marriage of a problems with biometric devices used minor Hindu girl, who was converted for voting, attacks and other to Islam and married to a Muslim man irregularities. Ghani won 50.64% of in the country’s Sindh province. the vote, the Independent Election Mehak Kumari, a class IX student, Commission (IEC) said on Feb 15. was allegedly abducted from Agencies Jacobabad district on January 15 by Ali Raza Solangi who later married Bangladesh likely to drop her. Rohingya rehab plan Her father filed an FIR, claiming that Solangi had abducted and DHAKA (TIP): Bangladesh has married her forcibly. He also said her announced that it may drop its daughter was 15-year-old when she previous plans to move 100,000 was abducted. Rohingya refugees to a remote island Additional Sessions Judge Ghulam located in the Bay of Bengal. "Our Ali Kanasro ruled that Mehak, who main target is to repatriate Rohingya took the Muslim name of Aliza to to their original homeland, Myanmar's marry Solangi, was underage. Rakhine state," Foreign Minister Abul The couple, however, claimed that Kalam Abdul Momen on Sunday told Mehak embraced Islam at a shrine reporters in the capital Dhaka after which they contracted a free-will following a meeting with the Chinese marriage. Pakistani civil society activists call for protection of Hindu girls at a protest in Hyderabad, Ambassador to Bangladesh, Li Jiming, The Judge citing evidence and Pakistan. AP/PTI file Yeni Safak newspaper reported. documents ruled that Mehak was marriage. quell any unrest as local Hindu and Lauding recent development projects underage and was not fit for marriage Kumari was brought to the court Muslim leaders were present in town. on the islet of Bhasan Char and plans under section 3 and 4 of the Sindh from a women’s shelter home from Hindus form the biggest minority to turn it into a business hub and "new Child Marriage Restraint Act. Larkana where she was sent on court community in Pakistan. Bangladesh" Momen said Bangladeshi He directed Larkana’s senior police orders soon after the couple was taken Abduction and conversion of Hindu citizens left homeless due to river officials to take action against all into custody. women has been a major issue in erosion or other reasons should those involved in conducting, Heavy security was witnessed in and Sindh province where the majority of instead be settled there. IANS facilitating and abetting the child around the court for the hearing to Pakistani Hindus live. — PTI THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2020 ADVERTISEMENT 11 THE INDIAN PANORAMA 12 US FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2020

I know how to take on an arrogant con man Will make tremendous trade deal like Donald Trump: Bloomberg with India: Trump WASHINGTON (TIP): Days ahead of his India visit, US President Donald Trump on Thursday, Feb 20, said the two countries could make a "tremendous" trade deal. "We're going to India, and we may make a tremendous deal there," Trump said in his commencement address at I know how to take on an arrogant con the Hope for Prisoners Graduation man like Donald Trump: Bloomberg Ceremony in Las Vegas. Trump, accompanied by First Lady WASHINGTON (TIP): In his Melania Trump, is scheduled to travel maiden appearance on a Democratic to Ahmedabad, Agra and New Delhi on presidential primary debate, former February 24 and 25. New York mayor Mike Bloomberg Ahead of the visit, there have been tore into Donald Trump, saying he is talks about India and the United States the best candidate to defeat "an agreeing on a trade package as a arrogant con man" and the "worst precursor to a major trade deal. president ever". During his commencement address, The five other Democratic Trump indicated that the talks on this presidential aspirants opened might slow down if he did not get a Wednesday's Democratic debate in good deal. President Trump, accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump, is scheduled to travel to Las Vegas by piling quickly onto "Maybe we'll slow down. We'll do it Ahmedabad, Agra and New Delhi on February 24 and 25. Bloomberg, with Senator Elizabeth after the election. I think that could CRS said. billion in 2018) or France (USD 129 Warren describing him as a happen too. So, we'll see what happens," "Indian Prime Minister Modi's first billion), said Alyssa Ayres from CFR. misogynist who has promoted racist he said. term fell short of many observers' "The United States for two years now policies. "But we're only making deals if expectations, as India did not move has set out in stone pretty clearly the "I think we have two questions to they're good deals because we're putting forward with anticipated market things that they wanted to see to try to face tonight. One is, who can beat America first. Whether people like it or opening reforms, and instead increased get an agreement, and it's basically Donald Trump? And, number two, not, we're putting America first," tariffs and trade restrictions," it said. then on India's doorstep on whether who can do the job if they get into the Trump said. "Modi's strong electoral mandate may they want to take those steps," Rick White House? And I would argue that Bilateral India-US trade in goods and embolden the Indian government to Rossow, Wadhwani Chair in US-India I am the candidate that can do exactly services is about three per cent of the press ahead with its reform agenda Policy Studies at the Centre for both of those things," Bloomberg US' world trade. with greater vigor. Slowing economic Strategic and International Studies said. In a recent report, the Congressional growth in India raises concerns about think-tank told reporters during a (Read full story on Research Service (CRS) said the trading its business environment," CRS said. conference call. www.theindianpanorama.news) relationship is more consequential for As per an act sheet issued by the "The list of US asks has been pretty India -- in 2018 the United States was its Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), static all throughout. Not to say that Trump slams South second largest goods export market (16 trade in goods and services between the any of these things are easy for India to Korean film 'Parasite', per cent share) after the European two countries from 1999 to 2018 surged do, but the United States to my Union (EU, 17.8 per cent), and third from USD 16 billion to USD 142 billion. knowledge didn't change the goalposts Brad Pitt at rally largest goods import supplier (6.3 per India is now the United States' eighth- just because we now consider India to cent) after China (14.6 per cent) and the largest trading partner in goods and be a middle-income country. The things Trump EU 28 (10.2 per cent). services and is among the world's that we wanted to see happen to get this criticizedPitt and also the "The Trump Administration takes largest economies. trade agreement have been pretty static Oscars for issue with the US trade deficit with India's trade with the United States all throughout, no matter how difficult awarding Pitt India and has criticized India for a now resembles, in terms of volume, the they are," he said in response to a for best range of 'unfair' trading practices," the US trade with South Korea (USD 167 question. supporting actor. Tax Talk

COLORADO (TIP) : At a campaign Many farmers, fishermen face March 2 tax deadline; IRS rally in Colorado, US President Donald Trump slammed the Oscars for giving encourages convenience of IRS Direct Pay the best picture award to the South Korean film 'Parasite', and also took WASHINGTON (TIP): The Internal account. There are no IRS fees and no aim at Hollywood actor Brad Pitt. Revenue Service reminds farmers and pre-registration. IRS Direct Pay is "By the way, how bad were the fishermen who chose to forgo making available seven days a week and Academy Awards this year?" Trump quarterly estimated tax payments that payments can be scheduled up to 30 days asked the crowd at the rally on they must file their 2019 Form 1040 along in advance. Thursday, Feb 20. with a payment for all taxes owed by Users receive instant confirmation "And the winner is...a movie from Monday, March 2, 2020. after they submit a payment,or they can South Korea! What the hell was that all This special rule normally applies to opt in to receive email notifications. about? taxpayers whose farming or fishing IRS Direct Pay cannot be used to pay "We've got enough problems with income was at least two-thirds of their IRS Direct Pay is safe, free the federal highway use tax, payroll South Korea, with trade. On top of it, total gross income in either the current The IRS urges farmers and fishermen taxes or other business taxes. Anyone they give them the best movie of the or the preceding tax year. Farmers and to take advantage of the speed, wishing to pay these business taxes year! Was it good? I don't know. Let's fishermen can avoid the estimated tax convenience and security of IRS Direct electronically can enroll in the get 'Gone with the Wind' back please. penalty by both filing and paying all Pay to pay their taxes. Anyone can use Electronic Federal Tax Payment System 'Sunset Boulevard'. So many great taxes due by March 2. Those who chose this free online service to quickly make (EFTPS). Like IRS Direct Pay, EFTPS is movies," he added. to make an estimated tax payment, on or federal individual income tax payments also a free service. (Read full story on before Jan. 15, 2020, can instead wait and or quarterly estimated tax payments For more information about these and other www.theindianpanorama.news) file by the regular April 15 deadline. directly from their checking or savings payment options, visit IRS.gov/payments. THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2020 US 13 US Air Force Updates Dress Code Policy, Allowing Waivers for Sikhs, Muslims

WASHINGTON (TIP): On Feb 14, the US Air Force has updated its dress code policy to outline a clear approval process for Sikhs and Muslims who want to serve while wearing their articles of faithas long as they are "neat and conservative" and present a professional and well-groomed appearance. The new guidelines allowing personnel to request a waiver to wear religious apparel, including turbans and hijabs (Islamic head scarves), and to grow beards for religious reasons. Those requesting waivers must submit a request for these religious accommodations, and those requests can only be denied if the policy "furthers a compelling government interest" and is the least restrictive way of furthering that ACLU Client Lt. Maysaa Ouza made History as Airman 1st Class Jaspreet Singh wears his newly approved US Air Force turban at Joint Base First Air Force JAG Corps Officer to wear interest. McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey in December 2019 Hijab In recent years, Air Force personnel have been granted permission to wear new guidelines. accommodations, this policy clarification inclusion for military personnel of all beards, turbans and the hijab for religious "Sikhs have served honorably and is a great step forward towards ensuring faiths. Thousands of American Muslims reasons. In 2017, the Army became the first capably in the U.S. Armed Forces and equality of opportunity and religious and members of other minority faiths service to allow Muslim and Sikh soldiers other militaries around the world, and freedom in the Air Force," Giselle Klapper, serve in our nation's military and should to wear head coverings and beards. while we are eager for a blanket a staff attorney for the Sikh Coalition, said be able to practice their faith while The Sikh Coalition and The Council on proclamation that all observant Sikh in a statement. serving." CAIR National Communications American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) Americans can serve in every branch of "We support these new guidelines as a Director Ibrahim Hooper said in a expressed support for the U.S. Air Force's the military without seeking step toward religious accommodation and statement. Trump Visit will Help to US panel rakes up CAA, Solidify our Partnership across all days before Spheres, Says Indian Envoy President's

WASHINGTON (TIP): Promising that during President Trump's visit forthcoming visit to India, people will WASHINGTON (TIP): A US federal witness the warmth of Indian people for panel has sought to highlight its the United States, India's Ambassador to opposition to the Citizenship the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu said that (Amendment) Act (CAA), days before this visit will help to solidify bilateral US President Donald Trump's India partnership across all spheres. visit. In a fact sheet, the US The U.S.-India Business Council Commission on International hosted a welcome reception for Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has Ambassador Sandhu on February 13, argued that the CAA represents a 2020. Addressing the gathering he said, significant downward trend in "I consider myself fortunate, to have religious freedom in India. arrived in the United States, as It recalled its latest annual report, Ambassador at a time of exciting which had an eight-page note on the possibilities. Within 10 days, we will state of religious freedom in India and witness the historic visit of President of asked the US Government to press United States to India. This visit will New Delhi to permit its delegation to helpto solidify our partnership, across visit the country. It also wants to work all spheres." with the Indian Government to "ebb Noting that the economic partnership flow of hate crime targeting religious has grown from strength-to-strength minorities". over the years, Ambassador Sandhu The USCIRF has placed India in made it clear that US is India's preferred 'Tier 2'. This is a slot better than 16 partner in achieving an ambitious Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu addressing the gathering at the welcome reception hosted "countries of particular concern", target of becoming a US$ 5 trillion by USIBC Photo/ courtesy Indian Embassy including Pakistan. USCIRF members economy by 2024. "Today, the US-India are mandated to report on threats to relationship, is being seen, as the most commitment, to democracy and Indian people, has been the foundation religious freedom and to make foreign transformational relationship, of our pluralism", he said. of our relationship. During the policy recommendations to the US times. The relationship has enjoyed, "Friends, ours, is a partnership, forthcoming visit, of the President of President, US Secretary of State and strong bipartisan support, in the United between two peoples, and not just two the United States to India, you will US Congress. States. This is an affirmation, of our governments. The strong and enduring witness, the warmth of Indian people, (Agencies) shared values; of our common bonds, between the American and for the United States", he affirmed. THE INDIAN PANORAMA 14 INDIA FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2020 Uphaar Cinema fire tragedy: Ansal brothers won’t go to jail as SC rejects curative plea

NEW DELHI (TIP): The Supreme Court has dismissed a curative plea filed by victims' association in connection with the 1997 Uphaar fire tragedy case, BJP IT CELL FOUNDER which has enabled the Ansal brothers, Sushil and Gopal Ansal, to PRODYUT BORA QUITS escape further jail term in the case. Industrialists Sushil and Gopal PARTYCRITICIZING PM MODI, Ansal owned the Uphaar Cinema where a fire killed 59 people during AMIT SHAH'S STYLE the screening of Hindi movie 'Border' on June 13, 1997. NEW DELHI (TIP): Disillusioned by the A bench of Chief Justice S A "subversion of democratic tradition in the Bobde and Justices NV Ramana and government and party", young BJP leader from Arun Mishra on Thursday rejected Assam Prodyut Bora, who founded the highly the curative plea of the Association successful IT cell of the party, resigned from National for Victims of Uphaar Tragedy Executive Committee and primary membership of (AVUT) in Uphaar cinema fire case. the party. "We have gone through the curative He said that the party was no more a party with a petitions and the relevant created an uproar as Ansal brothers Ansal considering his "advanced difference. "Madness has gripped the party.The desire documents. In our opinion, no case had individually undergone just age-related complications" by to win at any cost has destroyed the very ethos of the is made out.... Hence, the curative five to six months imprisonment awarding him the jail term which party. This is not the party I joined in 2004," Bora told petition is dismissed," the bench each. Two years later, the Supreme he had already undergone. It, ET on Wednesday, Feb 18, after sending his said in its order. Court sent one of the real estate however, asked his younger sibling resignation letter to BJP president Amit Shah. In the case that dragged into a barons Ansal brothers, Gopal, to a Gopal Ansal to serve the remaining He said he had lost hope from the BJP under its long legal tangle, a trial court had in year in jail. Partially reviewing its one-year jail term. present dispensation. "The country needs a different 2015 convicted the Ansal brothers, order for the June 13, 1997 tragedy, "Further, the judgment also kind of political alternative. It is up to the BJP to be who owned the theatre. the SC bench refused to give any reduces the sentence of one year on that or people will look for choices," Bora said, adding In 2015, the Supreme Court had incarceration to another accused, Sushil Ansal to the period of that though he had got offers from the Assam units of allowed the Ansal brothers to walk Sushil Ansal, keeping his age into sentence already undergone if the Congress, AAP and the AGP to join, he was not keen free with a fine of Rs 60 crore while account. fine imposed is paid by the convict to take them up. adding that the two were not In 2017, a three-judge bench had in view of his advanced age," the In his four-page detailed resignation letter, 40-year- required to go to prison. The verdict given relief to 78-year-old Sushil court had said. old Bora raised uncomfortable questions about the style of functioning of Narendra Modi and Shah. He said that Modi had "damaged the democratic tradition of the country where the PM is the first among equals in the Cabinet system and not the first among India ranks 77th on sustainability, 131st in unequals." In the scathing letter, the Assam leader also questioned Shah about his "highly individualized/centralizedstyle of decision-making" child flourishing index rankings: UN report that was making many party office bearers feel highly dis-empowered. "In any organization, the style of the NEW DELHI (TIP): India ranked 77th on a leader is quickly copied by those below him/her. What sustainability index that takes into account per capita I am seeing in the party ,at least in my state, is the carbon emissions and ability of children in a nation to flowering of junior Amit Shahs, with a tenth of your live healthy lives and was placed 131st on a ranking that capability and ten times your arrogance," Bora wrote. measures the best chance at survival and well-being for The young leader also could not come to terms with children, according to a UN-backed report. the fact that Assam was not only on the periphery The report was released on Wednesday by a cartographically but also in the mind space of the commission of over 40 child and adolescent health national leadership. He wondered what had happened experts from around the world. It was commissioned by to Modi's election promise of sending the Bangladeshi the World Health Organization (WHO), UN Children's illegal migrants packing from Assam. Fund (UNICEF) and The Lancet medical journal. (Source: Economic Times) In the report assessing the capacity of 180 countries to ensure that their youngsters can survive and thrive, Relief from Shaheen Bagh India ranks 77th on the Sustainability Index and 131 on the Flourishing Index, it said. congestion as UP Police Flourishing is the geometric mean of Surviving and Thriving. For Surviving, the authors selected maternal reopens key Delhi-Noida road survival, survival in children younger than 5 years old, suicide, access to maternal and child health services, NEW DELHI (TIP): In some respite relief for the basic hygiene and sanitation, and lack of extreme people of Delhi-NCR, the Uttar Pradesh Police on poverty. Friday reopened a key route that links Noida with For Thriving, the domains were educational greenhouse gas emissions, models predict that global Delhi’s Kalindi Kunj. achievement, growth and nutrition, reproductive carbon emissions need to be reduced from 39·7 giga- To ease congestion due to protests at Shaheen Bagh, freedom, and protection from violence. tonnes to 22·8 gigatonnes per year by 2030 to maintain the UP Police reopened the road leading from Kalindi Under the Sustainability Index, the authors noted even a 66 per cent chance of keeping global warming Kunj towards Faridabad. The stretch from Noida's that promoting today's national conditions for children below 1·5°C. Mahamaya flyover to Delhi and Faridabad has been to survive and thrive must not come at the cost of It said that the world's survival depended on children reopened, sources in the UP Police said. eroding future global conditions for children's ability to being able to flourish, but no country is doing enough to The Shaheen Bagh-Kalindi Kunj road in southeast flourish. give them a sustainable future. Delhi has been blocked for over two months due to The Sustainability Index ranks countries on excess "No country in the world is currently providing the ongoing protests against CAA. carbon emissions compared with the 2030 target. This conditions we need to support every child to grow up The stretch of Shaheen Bagh to Kalindi Kunj road provides a convenient and available proxy for a and have a healthy future," said Anthony Costello, which is about two to three kilometres has country's contribution to sustainability in future. Professor of Global Health and Sustainability at commercial centres housing shops and restaurants. The report noted that under realistic assumptions University College London, one of the lead authors of The road ends at Atlanta Water Park. about possible trajectories towards sustainable the report. THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2020 INDIA 15 Second batch of ministers to visit J&K in April

NEW DELHI (TIP): The Centre plans to send 40 ministers to Jammu &?Kashmir in April for another outreach following the nullification of the Constitution’s Article 370 that stripped the erstwhile state of its special status in August, officials aware of the matter said on condition of anonymity. POLL STRATEGIST PRASHANT The second such outreach since January after Parliament’s Budget KISHOR KICKS OFF ‘BAAT session ends in April is being planned as the Centre and the BIHAR KI’ CAMPAIGN Jammu & Kashmir administration are finalising a new domicile policy PATNA (TIP): Poll strategist Prashant Kishor on for the region to protect Thursday launched ‘Baat Bihar Ki’ campaign with an employment for locals and restrict aim to create a group of like-minded people who the sale of land to outsiders. would come together to help Bihar find its “rightful There have been concerns over will reassure the people,” they reach out to the people, monitor the place among top 10 States of India in next 10-15 years”. land rights and jobs in Jammu & added. progress of the central Those willing to join the campaign could register by Kashmir following the end to the As many as 37 Union ministers developmental schemes and also clicking a website www.baatbiharki.in or, giving a special status that ensured non- visited Jammu & Kashmir in assure people that the Centre has missed call at a number 6900869008. residents could not buy land or get January, spent two nights each at the best interest of the people in Earlier on Tuesday, Kishor attacked Chief Minister government jobs in the erstwhile district headquarters and mind,” a second official said. Nitish Kumar for making ideological compromises to state interacted with people. The ministers will also review the stay in power. “Both the ideologies of Gandhi and States like Uttarakhand, The officials said the ministers law and order situation in Jammu & Godse cannot go together,” said Mr. Kishor in a Himachal Pradesh and Arunachal have submitted a report to Prime Kashmir, where Panchayat by-polls crowded presser. Pradesh protect employment for Minister Narendra Modi through scheduled to be held in March were Kumar’s party JD(U) is sharing power with the BJP locals and restrict the sale of land to the Union home ministry, detailing deferred this week because of in the State. Till recently, Kishor was with Mr. Kumar outsiders. the progress of the developmental security reasons and fears of as national vice-president of the JD(U), but he was “The policy is almost ready. Final projects and offered suggestions violence. expelled from the party after he raised objections over consultations are on and we hope to about how to ensure more The government also plans to the party’s stand on the Citizenship (Amendment) finish it very soon,” one of the efficiency. hold in April the first-ever Act, the National Population Register and the officials cited above said. The second round of the outreach investors’ summit in the Union proposed National Register of Citizens. “Protection of employment and is expected to be on the same lines. Territory to attract investments. “Nitish-ji has always said that he cannot leave the land rights are very important and “The reasons are much the same: Source: HT ideals of Gandhi, JP and Lohiya...but at the same time, how can he be with the people who support the ideology of Godse. Both cannot go together. If you want to stay with the BJP, I don’t have any problem Article 371 will not be touched, Amit with it but, you cannot be on both sides”, said Mr. Kishor. Shah assures Arunachal Pradesh SC dismisses CBI plea for probe in Punjab sacrilege cases GUWAHATI (TIP): Union home “Our government has sanctioned minister Amit Shah on Thursday road construction projects worth NEW DELHI (TIP): The Supreme Court on said that the Centre will not scrap more than Rs 50,000 crore in Thursday refused to interfere with the Punjab Article 371 of the Constitution, Arunachal Pradesh. An IIT campus government’s move to withdraw consent to the which accords special provision to in the state worth Rs 430 crores has Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe the most states in northeast to preserve also been sanctioned,” Shah said. 2015 sacrilege incidents in the state while questioning their tribal culture. Though it was the home the agency’s insistence on investigating the matter. “Following revocation of Article minister’s first visit to the state A Justice Rohinton Nariman-led bench dismissed a 370 for Jammu and Kashmir in after protests against the amended CBI plea citing delay in appealing the Punjab & August last year, some people citizenship law started in Assam Haryana high court’s verdict turning down the spread rumours that Article 371 and other states of the region in agency’s challenge to the state government move a would also be scrapped. Today I December last year, he did not say year back. want to assure the entire northeast anything on the issue. “You want to investigate into a case like this when on the statehood day of Arunachal In his speech, CM Khandu you have so many other problems,” Justice Nariman Pradesh and Mizoram that no one thanked Shah for approving the remarked. can remove Article 371 and there’s in Arunachal Pradesh has seen fast Hollongi airport — foundation In November 2015, Punjab’s previous Shiromani no such thought on it,” he said at a pace due to collaborative efforts of stone of which was laid by Prime Akali Dal-led government handed over the public meeting at Indira Gandhi the government at Centre led by Minister Narendra Modi last year investigation into three cases of sacrilege of the Sikh Park in state capital Itanagar. Narendra Modi and the state — and keeping the state outside the scripture that year to the CBI. Shah had given the same government headed by Pema purview of Citizenship When the Congress came to power in the state in assurance during his visit to Khandu,” Shah said. (Amendment) Act (CAA). 2017, chief minister Amarinder Singh took the probe Guwahati in September last year Shah launched the state’s new “Despite completing 33 years of into the cases back from the CBI, which challenged where he took part in a meeting of industrial policy, inaugurated the statehood, Arunachal Pradesh the move before the high court. The high court North East Democratic Alliance Joram-Koloriang road constructed doesn’t have a separate cadre for dismissed the agency’s plea in January 2019, saying it (NEDA), the BJP-led anti-Congress by Border Roads Organisation, laid IAS and IPS. We need a dedicated did not “feel the necessity to interfere in the decision front in the region. foundation stones of the new police team of bureaucrats as ours is a of the state government.” Thursday’s event was attended by headquarters, housing complex for state full of challenges as well as The CBI insisted on continuing with the probe and Governor BD Mishra, union senior officers, a new truck potential,” Khandu said. had in July 2019 filed a closure report. In the report, minister for Development of terminal and flagged off sanitation Arunachal Pradesh became a full- the agency exonerated three Dera Sacha Sauda Northeast Region (DONER) vehicles. fledged state on February 20, 1987. followers, Mohinder Pal Bittu, Sukhjinder Singh and Jitendra Singh, union minister for The union home minister listed Till 1972, it was known as the North Shakti Singh, who were named as the main sports Kiren Rijiju, chief minister the development projects initiated East Frontier Agency (NEFA). In conspirators in the sacrilege cases. Pema Khandu, deputy CM Chowna by the Centre in northeast and 1972, it became a union territory The Punjab government filed protest petitions Mein and convenor of North East specifically in Arunachal Pradesh and was named Arunachal Pradesh. before a special trial court against the CBI’s Democratic Alliance (NEDA) in the past five years. He also listed Mizoram, another northeastern insistence on continuing with the probe. It submitted Himanta Biswa Sarma. the steps taken by the Khandu-led state, also gained statehood on the that the agency has no jurisdiction to deal with the “In the last 6 years, development government. same day 34 years ago. Source: HT cases once the state withdrew the consent. THE INDIAN PANORAMA 16 INDIA FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2020 World’s cheapest, biggest telecom market faces life-threatening crisis Airtel and Vodafone-Idea reported record financial losses but Jio continued to surprise the markets with astonishing profits through the year; The total dues for the industry ran into a whopping Rs 1.47 lakh crore

NEW DELHI (TIP): From being the the sector becoming a monopoly, soon world's cheapest and fastest growing after the three operators signalled the market, India's telecom sector is end of price war by raising tariffs. sputtering as it faces life-threatening Mittal lobbied for regulator liability running into billions of dollars, prescribing for a floor tariff for industry a crisis that may alter the character of viability - an idea Jio had initially an industry that has already seen a opposed on grounds that it would painful price war destroying profits and tantamount of giving up industry right push several operators out of the of forbearance, Telecom Regulatory market. Authority of India (Trai) quickly moved The Supreme Court order for in to float consultation paper to fixing including non-core revenue in telecom minimum rates. groups' gross adjusted revenue -- the With 1 gigabyte (GB) of COAI - the association that represents figure on which the levies are charged -- mobile data costing just Airtel and other operators - wants the revived the rivalry between the old $0.26 compared to $12.37 regulator to bring floor prices for data at operators and Mukesh Ambani's low- in the US and $6.66 in the the earliest, before March, arguing that cost upstart Reliance Jio during 2019, mature mobile market merits such but there are signs of a truce with the UK, India in 2019 emerged safeguards for investors. rival camps agreeing to raise tariffs and as the nation with the And shocking loss numbers only led also favouring regulator's intervention cheapest telecom tariff in the telecom industry to seek doing away in fixing floor or minimum tariffs. the world. with the "obsolete mechanism" of AGR, "We have fundamentally gone from an in the best-case scenario, and if not, all (mobile) voice (calling) network to a certainly a redefinition. hybrid network (of voice and internet The industry is also pinning its hopes data), to soon an all data network," said moved by the government, ordered Birla of Vodafone-Idea. on fixation of floor price by the Rajan Mathews, Director General of payment of past dues according to its Mittal and Birla had faced the brunt of regulator to put an end to the sustained Cellular Operators' Association of India new definition of AGR, the country's brute competition unleashed by hemorrhaging of players and has also (COAI). second-biggest carrier Vodafone-Idea Ambani, as Jio ate into their user base urged the Finance Ministry to And to survive, a floor price is needed Ltd warned of shut down if no relief is and quickly grew to become the nation's substantially cut levies to give the quickly, before March 2020, he told PTI. given. The total dues for the industry biggest operator in terms of industry a fighting chance. With 1 gigabyte (GB) of mobile data ran into a whopping Rs 1.47 lakh crore. subscribers. The industry body remains optimistic costing just $0.26 compared to $12.37 in For an industry that has come from 7- Airtel and Voda-Idea reported record that a recent increase in tariffs won't the US and $6.66 in the UK, India in 2019 8 operators to just three private players financial losses but Jio continued to take the sheen off data consumption; the emerged as the nation with the cheapest and state-owned fourth operator, the surprise the markets with astonishing hunger for data will increase as more telecom tariff in the world. It was also warning by Vodafone-Idea sounded like profits through the year. and more Indians transact online, buy the fastest-growing telecom market. a death knell. The year saw resurfacing The representations to the clothes and indulge in online shopping But below the surface, a price war of a bitter war of words between the old government, worked. The government and simply binge-watch the latest shows since the 2016 launch of Jio had ringed and the new operator, and intense announced a two-year deferment on on video-streaming platforms. Greater the sector hallow. And when on October lobbying by telecom czar Sunil Bharti spectrum payments for the stressed speeds, smarter phones would aid that 24, the Supreme Court, on a petition Mittal and billionaire Kumar Mangalam telecom companies as it worked to avoid process, it argues. Centre may review telcos’ ‘Telecom sector under stress, Govt dues, allow instalment option needs to focus on its sustainability’ NEW DELHI (TIP): NEW DELHI (TIP): A review of the who would underwrite the cost of these. Bharti Airtel boss Sunil calculation of the amount owed by Since the telcos have raised questions Bharti Mittal on telecommunication companies (telcos) about the computation of the amount, Wednesday said the and allowing them to pay in instalments and pointed out what they are think are telecom sector has been are two of the ways the government is discrepancies, there could be a under stress for the last evaluating to address the crisis in the recalculation of adjusted gross revenue three-and-a-half years sector without walking back on the by an independent agency, perhaps an and the government Department of Telecommunications’ audit firm, the officials said. The should focus on its position that telecom companies (telcos) package will be absolutely within the sustainability. have to pay their dues. ambit of the Supreme Court’s Emerging out of the This position — that the dues as judgement, they said. North Block after measured by a proportion of adjusted On February 14, the court had harsh meeting top finance gross revenues or AGR be paid — was comments for both DoT and the telcos for ministry officials, he one upheld by the Supreme Court’s not adhering to its original order and told reporters that the October 2019 verdict that ordered telcos summoned the managing directors of issue of pending dues to pay up Rs 1.47 lakh crore. the latter to court on the date of the next arising out of the Two officials familiar with the matter hearing (March 17) if they had not paid Supreme Court ruling said the government is considering up by then. on Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) was not discussed. various options because it wants to “The government has sought legal The telecom industry, he said, is vital to the nation and the digital agenda of the prevent any telco from going out of opinion in the light of recent verdict of government. business, something that would, given the Supreme Court before it will take a “The only thing government needs to do is to focus on how to ensure sustainability the size and importance of these firms, final call in a day or two,” one of the two of the sector,” he said without elaborating. adversely affect the investor’s sentiment, officials said. He said Airtel has already announced its plans to pay the dues that arose from the restrict consumers’ choice and increase According to the officials at least three apex court ruling. stress in the banking sector. senior cabinet ministers are directly The company has paid Rs 10,000 crore out of its estimated liability of over Rs 35,000 The officials, who asked not to be involved in this matter. Bharti Airtel crore.Mittal, who had first met the telecom secretary prior to going to the finance named, also mentioned that soft loans chairman Sunil Mittal on Thursday met ministry, said the company is calculating its liability. are another option being considered, telecom minister Ravi Shankar Prasad , Vodafone Idea Chairman Kumar Managalam Birla, who had met the telecom although it wasn’t immediately clear they said. secretary on Tuesday, also met finance ministry officials. THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2020 ADVERTISEMENT 17 THE INDIAN PANORAMA 18 BOLLYWOOD FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2020 DEEPIKA, RANVEER BRING ALIVE ICONIC COUPLE KAPIL DEV AND ROMI DEV IN 83 he first look of Deepika Padukone from Kabir Khan NEHA KAKKAR SLAMS Tdirectorial 83 is out. The actor plays former Indian cricketer Kapil EX HIMANSH KOHLI Dev's wife Romi Dev. And, if the photo is anything to go by, Deepika has inger Neha Kakkar seems to have nailed the look. hit out at her ex-boyfriend and actor In the photo, shared by film trade SHimansh Kohli’s after his recent analyst Ramesh Bala, Deepika as Romi interview about their breakup. Himansh Dev and Ranveer as Kapil Dev stand claimed that it was wrongly assumed that beside each other smiling. "Here is the the breakup with Neha was due to his FL of @deepikapadukone as wrongdoing. He added people assumed so #RomiDev - Legendary Cricketer because Neha put up social media posts #KapilDev 's wife in #83TheMovie about him and cried on television shows, @RanveerOfficial as #KapilDev. They while he maintained a dignified silence. authentically resemble the iconic Though Neha did not name Himansh in couple," wrote Bala along with the her new Instagram post, it seems to be photo. directed at him. She shared a video of Ranveer Singh had earlier expressed herself dancing with a little girl and said his happiness about Deepika that she was living the “happiest life” Padukone being a part of 83. He because of her “good deeds” and karma. credited Kabir Khan for the ‘genius She wrote in her caption, “Log Jo Bhi casting’. “Who better to play My Wifey Bura Bolte Hain Mere Baare Mein than My Wifey?! @deepikapadukone 83 traces India’s first-ever cricket Balwinder Sandhu, Jiiva as They’re nothing but FAKE AND plays Romi Dev in @83thefilm !!! world cup victory in 1983. It is touted to Krishnamachari Srikkanth, Sahil JEALOUS and USING MY FAME to Genius casting courtesy be one of the biggest sports movies of Khattar as Syed Kirmani, Chirag Patil appear in News. Pehle bhi Use Kiya, Mere @kabirkhankk #83squad,” he wrote on all times with an impressive ensemble as Sandeep Patil, Adinath Kothare as Peeche se bhi Use Kar Rahe Hain. Oye! Instagram. cast. While Ranveer Singh plays Kapil Dilip Vengsarkar, Dhairya Karwa as Get Famous coz of Your Work, Not bcz of This will be Deepika and Ranveer’s Dev, 83 also has Tahir Raj Bhasin as Ravi Shastri, Harrdy Sandhu as Me.” first on-screen appearance after Sunil Gavaskar, Saqib Saleem as Madan Lal and Pankaj Tripathi as PR. Neha warned Himansh to not use her getting married in 2018. Mohinder Amarnath, Ammy Virk as Man Singh. name to “get famous again”. TEJAS FIRST LOOK: THE SKY IS THE LIMIT FOR KANGANA RANAUT angana Ranaut's team announced the actress' next project on social media on Instagram, on Monday Kmorning. In her forthcoming film Tejas, the actress will be seen playing a pilot. The makers released the first look from the film and powerful can't even begin to describe it. Dressed in a flying suit, the actress can be seen standing next to an aircraft, in the photograph. Sharing Kangana's look from the film, the makers wrote: "For all the brave hearted LOVE AAJ KAL COLLAPSES and strong headed women in uniform who make sacrifices for our nation day in and day out. Kangana to play an Air Force AT THE TICKET WINDOWS pilot in her next titled Tejas." The film will be produced by s compared to Saif Ali Khan and Deepika Ronnie Screwvala and it will be directed by Sarvesh Mewara. Padukone's Love Aaj Kal (2009), Sara Ali Khan The film is slated to release in April, 2021. Aand Kartik Aaryan's new-age, Love Aaj Kal, Speaking of the project, Kangana Ranaut told Mumbai failed to impress the masses. Everybody had high Mirror, "Very often, the sacrifices made by our brave women expectations from Imtiaz Ali and his vision, but he in uniform go unnoticed by the nation. Tejas is a film where failed to deliver a masterpiece. I have the honour of playing the role of one such Air Force Love Aaj Kal has terribly performed at the box office. pilot who puts country before self. I hope we instill a sense of In just 5 days of its release, the film merely earned Rs. patriotism and pride in the youth of today with this movie. 31.26 crore. Trade analyst, Taran Adarsh, had shared I'm looking forward to the journey with Sarvesh and Ronnie the official box office figures of Love Aaj Kal and on this one." tweeted,"#LoveAajKal collapses on Day 4... The drastic fall in numbers doesn't come as a surprise since the trending was evident during its *opening weekend* itself... Fri 12.40 cr, Sat 8.01 cr, Sun 8.10 cr, Mon 2.75 cr. Total: 31.26 cr. #India biz." If early estimates are to be believed, Love Aaj Kal managed to collect only Rs. 2.50 crore. This means that the film is headed for a complete washout at the box office. Our critic gave 1.5 stars to Love Aaj Kal and in his review, he wrote, "After concealing his lack of expertise in the first half, his shortcomings both as a narrator (read Director) and love guru (read writer) come unravelled post interval, with the trajectory of the movie going haywire and his vaguely defined characters becoming progressively worse to follow despite his actor's best efforts. THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2020 HOLLYWOOD 19 AMANDA BYNES ENGAGED TO THE ‘LOVE OF HER LIFE’

he former What a Girl Wants star shared a photo of herself with her T"lover," a day after she announced that she was engaged. In the pic, Bynes shows off her new dark tresses and is standing in front of a guy who is smiling, wearing a blue-and-black checkered JIM CARREY SLAMMED button-up shirt, glasses and a hat. Bynes, 33, on her end, is casually FOR SEXIST REMARK AT dressed in a white In-N-Out t-shirt under a plaid top. The former Nickelodeon star, JOURNALIST however, does not identify or tag her "lover." ollywood actor Jim Carrey recently Just a day before, Bynes shared a photo came under a barrage of criticism of her giant diamond ring. "Engaged to tha Hafter he passed a supposedly sexist love of my life," she captioned the photo. and sleazy remark on a female journalist. Fans couldn't help but wonder if she was According to Fox News, Carrey said what already married, as her mystery man was he ideally shouldn't have in an interview also wearing a gold wedding band. with Charlotte Long, a senior Little by little, the She's the Man leading entertainment reporter with Heat lady has been sharing an inside look at her Magazine. life since checking out of a sober living In the interview, that Long posted on facility in December. her official Twitter, she asked the Sonic At the end of last year, she showed off the Hedgehog star that "in the film, Sonic her new heart-shaped face tattoo, and has has a bucket list, I was wondering, after continued to post photos more frequently. all, you've done in your career and in your Bynes got candid in a 2018 interview with life, is there anything still left on your Paper magazine, in which opened up about bucket list," to which Carrey replied- "Just her struggles with mental health, drug use you, that's it, it's all done now." and body image. What started out as a fun The interviewer took the unsolicited experiment with drugs ultimately resulted comment like a trooper and laughed it off in a public breakdown, with Bynes by saying "I don't know what to say to encountering several driving violations, that." However, the 58-year-old actor went publishing disturbing tweets and being on further and said: "Just own it". hospitalized under a psychiatric hold. Carrey's controversial move didn't go "When I was doing Hall Pass, I unnoticed by the Twitteratti who went all- remember being in the trailer and I used guns-blazing on him, reported Fox News. to chew the Adderall tablets because I One user expressed his disappointment thought they made me [more] high [that and wrote: "Unfortunately it turns out way]," she revealed. Jim Carrey is a massive sleazebag." Cody Simpson says every ZOE KRAVITZ: ROBERT day is Valentine’s Day PATTINSON IS PERFECT FOR with Miley Cyrus THE ROLE OF BATMAN oe Kravitz, who is set to play iley Cyrus and Catwoman in Matt Reeves' 'The Cody Simpson ZBatman', said she is excited to Mswore their work with Robert Pattinson as the actor devotion to one another as perfectly suits the part of the DC they celebrated their first superhero. Pattison was announced as Valentine’s Day together. the new Batman last year and his Making it clear that they casting has been a topic of debate only have eyes for one among fans. Kravitz said she is happy to another, the happy couple have the British actor on board as her uploaded photos of one 'partner in crime'. another sporting a playful "I've never worked with him before, “reserved” sign on their but we've been together for the last few foreheads. weeks. I had to camera test with him “Everyday [sic] is and now we've been training together Valentine’s Day in my life,” and rehearsing together and he's just a the Australian singer, 23, delightful person and such a wonderful, wrote on his Instagram thoughtful actor. Story over the weekend, "I think he's perfect for the role and alongside an adorable it's going to be such an adventure. I'm photo of Cyrus, 27, striking a pose. “I am reserved for you.” excited to have him as my partner in “ValenMINE,” Cyrus wrote alongside her own solo shot of Simpson, after having crime and to be there to support each previously reminded her followers to also practice self-love. other, because it's intense. It's going to The two young singers, who were first spotted getting cozy last October, have been be a long shoot and there's a lot of first camera test of the actor on Twitter. inseparable ever since, and are always posting about each other on social media. pressure, and I know he has my back The 33-year-old actor is taking on a On Super Bowl Sunday, Cyrus rocked a black lingerie set while she gave Simpson and I have his," Kravitz said in an part that was previously played by the a haircut, according to two photos shared on his Instagram. In the set of pictures, the interview with a magazine. likes of Michael Keaton, George Australian crooner posed shirtless next to Cyrus, who held up a pair of scissors as Pattinson's look as Batman was Clooney,Christian Bale and Ben Affleck she snapped their mirror selfies. revealed last week, as Reeves shared the among others. THE INDIAN PANORAMA 20 THEATER FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2020 GRAND HORIZONS, PLAY By Mabel Pais "A sweet, sweet delight. Beautifully acted and extremely funny!" - New York Magazine SECOND STAGE THEATER PRESENTS GRAND HORIZONS Starring JANE ALEXANDER, JAMES CROMWELL, PRISCILLA LOPEZ, BEN McKENZIE, MAULIK James Cromwell PANCHOLY, ASHLEY PARK and Jane Alexander Photos / Courtesy Matt Polk & Co. MICHAEL URIE Freedom," "Aunt Dan & Lemon" "The Awake", "India Awaiting" and "The Happy Sad"); packages are also available at 212-246-4422. A Play by BESS WOHL Ashley Park as Jess (Broadway: "Mean Girls," "The SECOND STAGE THEATER'S 41ST SEASON King and I," "Sunday in the Park With George," "Mamma Mia!" ; Off-Broadway: KPOP Lortel Winner; Second Stage Theater's 41st season includes the Directed by LEIGH SILVERMAN Tour: "Cinderella". Actor Equity's 2018 Clarence acclaimed production of Tracy Letts' dark comedy Derwent Award, Inaugural Marin Mazzie Award for "LINDA VISTA," which recently concluded its Performances until March 1, 2020 Empowerment by the Cancer Support Community; Broadway run. Directed by Dexter Bullard, the TV: "Tales of the City," "Nightcap"). company included Ian Barford, Sally Murphy, Caroline On Broadway at The Hayes Theater Michael Urie as Brian (Broadway's "Torch Song; Neff, Chantal Thuy, Jim True-Frost, Cora Vander Drama Desk Award, Clarence Derwent Award, the Broek, and Troy West. Lucille Lortel Award, LA Drama Critics Award for Spring 2020 will see the first major New York revival econd Stage Theater (Carole Rothman, President "Buyer & Cellar"; "How to Succeed in Business of Richard Greenberg's Tony Award-winning play, and Artistic Director; Casey Reitz, Executive Without Really Trying", "High Button Shoes", "The "TAKE ME OUT," directed by Scott Ellis and starring SDirector) presents Bess Wohl's GRAND Government Inspector", "Shows For Days", Obie Patrick J. Adams, Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Jesse HORIZONS, directed by Leigh Silverman, on Broadway Award for "Homos, Or Everyone In America", "The Williams. This production will mark Greenberg's at The Hayes Theater (240 West 44th Street) until March Cherry Orchard", "Angels in America", and many Second Stage debut. Mr. Ellis returns to Second Stage, 1, 2020. more; co-produced the Pride Plays festival at The where he has directed many acclaimed productions, GRAND HORIZONS stars Rattlestick Playwrights Theater. Film: "Lavender," including "The Little Dog Laughed," "The Waverly directed "He's Way More Famous Than You", starred Gallery," and "Gruesome Playground Injuries," among Jane Alexander as Nancy (Tony Award for "The in many more. TV: "Modern Family," "Younger," "The others. Previews begin April 2, 2020 and opening night Great White Hope," and Obie, Drama League, Drama Good Fight," "The Good Wife," "Hot in Cleveland," is set for April 23, 2020. Three off-Broadway productions Desk and Theatre World awards; inducted into the "Workaholics," "Partners" and Marc St. James on are included in the season as well: the critically- Theatre Hall of Fame in 1994; appeared in over 75 "Ugly Betty." Hosted four seasons of Logo's "Cocktails acclaimed play, "OUR DEAR DEAD DRUG LORD," screen and television roles; Chairman of the And Classics." Director - Web series: "What's Your written by Alexis Scheer and directed by Whitney National Endowment for the Arts for 4 years; author Emergency"). White; Will Eno's "THE UNDERLYING CHRIS," directed of "Command Performance: An Actress in the Bill and Nancy have spent fifty full years as by Kenny Leon; and Young Jean Lee's "WE'RE GONNA Theatre of Politics" documents her tenure); husband and wife. They practically breathe in DIE," featuring Janelle McDermoth and direction and James Cromwell as Bill ("Waiting for Godot," and unison, and can anticipate each other's every sigh, choreography by Raja Feather Kelly, currently playing other stage productions of "Hamlet," "The Iceman snore and sneeze. But just as they settle comfortably at the Tony Kiser Theater. Cometh," "Devil's Disciple," "All's Well That Ends into their new home in 'Grand Horizons,' the ABOUT SECOND STAGE THEATER Well," "Beckett" and "Othello"; Screen roles in "The unthinkable happens: Nancy suddenly wants out. Laundromat," "Babe: Pig in the City," "Jurassic World: As their two adult sons struggle to cope with the Under the artistic direction of Carole Rothman, Ancient Futures," "Emperor," "The Artist," "The shocking news, they are forced to question SECOND STAGE THEATER operates three New York Longest Yard," "I, Robot," Academy Award-nominated everything they assumed about the people they City venues, exclusively dedicated to producing living "The Green Mile," "The Queen," "Secretariat," thought they knew best. By turns funny,shocking and American playwrights. To learn more, visit 2st.com "Spiderman III," and "LA Confidential" among many painfully honest, Bess Wohl's new play explores a SECOND STAGE THEATER ON BROADWAY others); family turned upside-down and takes an intimate Priscilla Lopez as Carla ("Clean House," "In The look at the wild, unpredictable, and enduring nature In 2018, Second Stage began producing at its 589 seat Heights," "Anna In The Tropics," Tony Award for of love. Broadway home, The Hayes Theater, located at 240 W. "Hollywood/Ukraine," Obie Award: for "A Chorus The full creative team for GRAND HORIZONS 44th Street. Originally named "The Little Theater" and Line" TV Series "Gotham," "Southland," "The O.C.," includes scenic design by Clint Ramos, costume built in 1912, the city landmark has been remodeled by stage productions of "Life is a Dream," "Street Scene," design by Linda Cho, lighting design by Jen David Rockwell of Rockwell Group. "The Blue Bird, and "The Glass Menagerie"); Schriever, sound design by Palmer Hefferan, The company will continue to lease and operate the Maulik Pancholy as Tommy (Jonathan on NBC projection design by Bryce Cutler and casting by McGinn/Cazale Theater on the city's Upper West Side comedy "30 Rock," Neal on the NBC comedy TELSEY + COMPANY. and The Tony Kiser Theater in Midtown Manhattan. "Whitney"; Broadway theater roles in "It's Only A Tickets are available by calling 212-541-4516 or by For more information, please visit 2stonbroadway.com Play," and "Good for Otto;" other off-Broadway theater visiting 2ST.com. Discounted tickets are available to (Mabel Pais writes on the Arts and Entertainment, Social includes "Guantanamo: Honor Bound to Defend people age 30 and with valid ID. Subscription Issues, Spirituality, and Health & Wellness) THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2020 CINEMA 21 2020 NYSJFF Award Winners Honored By Mabel Pais "New York audiences will be pleased to know that we have films spanning the Greater Sephardi world. These are stories steeped in history, community, and traditions." - Sara Nodjoumi, Artistic Director, NYSJFF "The 23rd NYSJFF prides itself on providing our patrons with premières, with exceptional films that went on to win international awards and have strong theatrical runs." - Jason Guberman, Exec. Director, ASF All-Star Sephardi Musical Opens 23rd New York Sephardic Jewish Film Festival 23 February to 2 March 2020 he New York Sephardic Jewish Film Festival (NYSJFF) announces its action-packed 2020 Tprogram of 19 films: showcasing 11 première films, including two world premières. The NYSJFF specializes in bringing to NY audiences compelling, Greater Sephardi narratives and documentaries, comedies and critical perspectives that celebrate the beauty, diversity, and vitality of the Jewish experience. Ten filmmakers will be joining the NYSJFF for post-screening Q&As and several stars will be honored with the Pomegranate Award for Sephardi Excellence in the Arts. The Pomegranate Awards are hand-sculpted by world-renowned Baghdad-born artist Opening Night (Film: Red Fields) Poster Closing Night (Film: Wolf Of Baghdad) Poster Oded Halahmy of the Pomegranate Gallery in Soho and Photos / Courtesy NYSJFF 2020 Jaffa. celebrate the beauty, diversity, and vitality of the Jewish The New York Sephardic Jewish Film Festival experience. 10 filmmakers will be joining the NYSJFF for touring in Italy, Japan, Belgium, Switzerland, South (NYSJFF) (films and events) takes place February 23- post-screening Q&As and several stars will be honored Korea and the United States. His next musical was March 2 at the Center for Jewish History located at 15 with the Pomegranate Award for Sephardi Excellence in SPARTACUS THE GLADIATOR, followed by the film O West 16th Street. The special screening of LEONA on the Arts. The Pomegranate Awards are hand-sculpted by JERUSALEM, adapted from the best-selling book by March 2 for Mexican Night will occur at Instituto world-renowned Baghdad-born artist Oded Halahmy of Dominique Lapierre and Larry Collins. He staged "Le Cervantes at 211 East 49th Street, New York, NY, 10017. the Pomegranate Gallery in Soho and Jaffa. Prénom" and then "Miroirs," a play he co-wrote, in Tel The complete list of selected NYSJFF films with dates, Passes or special night tickets may be purchased at Aviv, where he has lived since 2016. In Israel, an Israeli- times, pass and ticket information can be found at https://23rdnysjfilmfestival.bpt.me or by calling the box American-French television channel, I24NEWS asked www.nysephardifilmfestival.org office at 1.800.838.3006 Elie Chouraqui to do a live show every Sunday evening Honorees About ELIE TAHARI "Elie sans interdit." In this show he interviews international personalities from the political, The American Sephardic Federation's (ASF) New York Elie Tahari is the founder, designer, and chairman of intellectual, and artistic worlds. Sephardic Jewish Film Festival (NYSJFF) will honor Elie Tahari, Ltd. His passion for dressing sexy, About DAN HEDAYA iconic fashion designer Elie Tahari, film directors Elie sophisticated, feminine, and powerful women over the Chouraqui and Keren Yedaya, and actor Dan Yedaya with last four decades has evolved into a $300 million enduring Dan Hedaya, a member of the Syrian Sephardic Pomegranate Awards for Sephardi Excellence in the and privately held fashion brand, with a global presence community, has been enjoying a fulfilling career as an Arts, each sculpted by world-renowned artist Oded in 40 countries, and more than 800 points of distribution actor for many years. He has appeared in some sixty Halahmy. worldwide. feature films, including BLOOD SIMPLE, THE FIRST On Opening Night (February 23rd at 6pm), Elie Tahari Elie Tahari's collections can be found in every major WIVES CLUB, CLUELESS, THE USUAL SUSPECTS, will receive the Pomegranate Lifetime Achievement department store around the world such as Bergdorf HURRICANE, ADDAMS FAMILY VALUES, and DICK, in Award for Fashion Designer, and filmmaker Keren Goodman, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Harrods, which he portrayed Richard Nixon. On TV he guest Yedaya (winner of the Caméra d'Or at the Cannes Film Tsum, and Harvey Nichols Dubai. His designs have been starred numerous times on Hill Street Blues, NYPD Blue Festival) will receive the Pomegranate Award for worn by celebrities -- Angelina Jolie, Bradley Cooper, (for which he received an Emmy nomination), Family Director. The evening will feature the New York première Kim Kardashian, Beyoncé, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Ties, and Law & Order. His most notable character was of her film RED FIELDS, starring Sephardi stars Neta Elizabeth Hurley, Gwyneth Paltrow, and have been the eccentric Nick Tortelli in Cheers. His stage work Elkayam and Dudu Tassa, followed by a Moroccan After featured globally in every major fashion publication such includes appearing with Al Pacino in THE BASIC Party. On the NYSJFF's Moroccan Night, February 27th as Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, W, and Elle. To learn more TRAINING OF PAVLO HUMMEL on Broadway,as well as at 7pm, French-Sephardi filmmaker and stage director about Elie Tahari visit www.elietahari.com numerous Off-Broadway productions, including many at Elie Chouraqui (THE TEN COMMANDMENTS, O About ELIE CHOURAQUI the New York Shakespeare Festival. JERUSALEM) will receive the Ronit Elkabetz A"H About KEREN YEDAYA Pomegranate Award for Lifetime Achievement on Stage Elie Chouraqui is a director, screenwriter, producer, and Screen. The evening will feature the NY première of actor and writer, born in Paris to a Sephardi immigrant Keren Yedaya is an award-winning Israeli director. She WHERE ARE YOU GOING MOSHÉ?. family. He is one of the most celebrated filmmakers of has directed the features OR (Caméra d'Or winner at the Dan Hedaya (ADDAMS FAMILY VALUES, CHEERS), a France. In 1974, his encounter with Anouk Aimée was Cannes Film Festival, 2004), JAFFA (Cannes Film member of the Syrian Sephardic community,will receive decisive. For her, he wrote MON PREMIER AMOUR, his Festival, 2009), and THAT LOVE- LY GIRL (Un Certain the Pomegranate Lifetime Achievement Award for Actor first film, which was nominated four times at the French Regard, Cannes Film Festival, 2014), as well as the shorts on the Festival's Iraqi Closing Night, which will also César Award. After directing for French television an ELINOR (1994), LULU (1999), and UNDERWEAR (2001). feature the world première of THE WOLF OF BAGHDAD. adaptation of Emile Zola's novel Une page d'amour, he RED FIELDS (2019), her latest feature film, premièred at This 23rd edition of the NY Sephardic Jewish Film wrote, produced and directed QU'EST-CE QUI FAIT the Toronto International Film Festival and has won the Festival delivers an action-packed program of 19 films. COURIR DAVID?. In 1984, his movie PAROLES ET Israeli Ophir Awards for Best Original Soundtrack and Showcasing 11 première films, including two world MUSIQUE, received three César Award nominations. His Best Sound Mixing. Yedaya is known as a feminist and premières (THE WOLF OF BAGHDAD and THE HUG OF film HARRISON'S FLOWERS was shown at the San activist for women's rights. Yedaya trained at the Camera DESTINY). The NYSJFF specializes in bringing to NY Sebastian Festival. Chouraqui wrote, produced, and Obscura School of Art in Tel Aviv. audiences compelling, Greater Sephardi narratives and directed THE TEN COMMANDMENTS, a musical that (Mabel Pais writes on the Arts and Entertainment, Social Issues, documentaries, comedies and critical perspectives that was seen by more than 1.8 million people in France before Spirituality, and Health & Wellness) THE INDIAN PANORAMA 22 WORLD FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2020

German gunman kills nine in attack on Death toll in China’s coronavirus climbs migrant bars HANAU (GERMANY) (TIP): A to 2,118; confirmed cases on decline gunman with suspected far-right links BEIJING (TIP): The death toll from shot dead nine persons, some of them the coronavirus epidemic in China has migrants from Turkey, in an overnight climbed to 2,118 with the death of 114 rampage through a German city before more people, while the overall confirmed killing himself, officials said. cases increased to 74,576, Chinese The presumed killer was a 43-year- officials said on Feb 20. old German man, who held a firearms China’s National Health Commission licence and was a member of a gun (NHC) said the new confirmed cases club. The police chased a car used to declined to 394, registering the biggest leave the scene of one shooting to its drop since December when the first case owner’s address, where they found his was reported in Wuhan city in the body and that of his 72-year-old central Hubei Province. mother, said Peter Beuth, interior The NHC said on Thursday that it minister of Hesse state, where Hanau received reports of 114 deaths on is located. Wednesday from 31 provincial-level Federal prosecutors said they had regions. The overall confirmed cases on taken charge of the case due to its the Chinese mainland reached 74,576 and likely extremist motive, and 2,118 people died of the deadly disease. newspaper Bild said the suspect had The commission added that 4,922 A total of 45 new confirmed cases were In Hong Kong, 65 confirmed cases, expressed far-right views in a written people were still suspected of being reported on Wednesday outside Hubei, including two deaths, have been reported confession. In shisha bars, customers infected with the virus. down from 890 on February 3, state-run by the end of Wednesday. Macau share flavoured tobacco from a Among the deaths, 108 were in Hubei Xinhua news agency reported. reported 10 confirmed cases, followed by communal hookah. Turkey’s Province, the epicentre of the virus and In Hubei also, the cases are coming 24 in Taiwan, including one death. ambassador in Berlin Ali Kemal Aydin one each from Hebei, Shanghai, Fujian, down, it said. Also over 100 cities in China had told state broadcaster TRT Haber that Shandong, Yunnan and Shaanxi, it said. Significantly, China’s daily number of adopted QR codes to facilitate the control five Turkish nationals were among the The worst-hit Hubei Province and its newly cured and discharged novel of the novel coronavirus and work dead. — Reuters provincial capital Wuhan which were the coronavirus patients has surpassed that resumption, fintech firm Ant Financial ground zero of the virus reported 349 of new confirmed infections for a second said on Wednesday. 2 from virus-hit cruise new confirmed cases and 108 new deaths consecutive day, the NHC said. The QR codes, produced with the ship die on Wednesday. On Wednesday, 1,779 people were mobile app Alipay, are based on the The latest report brought the total discharged from the hospitals after users’ movements over the previous two TOKYO (TIP): Two elderly confirmed cases in Hubei province to recovery, much higher than the number weeks and tell whether users have been passengers became the first people 62,031, the NHC said. of the same day’s new confirmed to virus-hit areas. from aboard a cruise ship moored near It said China’s daily new confirmed infections, which stood at 394, it said. Instead of filling in health report Tokyo to die of the coronavirus, the cases of the virus also known as COVID- So far, a total of 16,155 patients infected forms, residents can now show the QR Japanese government said on Feb 20, 19 outside Hubei province had dropped with the novel coronavirus had been codes at community or expressway as hundreds more passengers for 16 consecutive days indicating that discharged from the hospitals after checkpoints. Thus, no-contact checks disembarked after two weeks' the epidemic is largely confined to Hubei recovery by the end of Wednesday, it can be carried out to reduce virus quarantine. The 621 coronavirus cases province and Wuhan city. said. transmission risks. PTI aboard the Diamond Princess cruise liner are by far the largest cluster of infection outside China. The ship has been held since February 3 with initially 3,700 people on board. Berlin court jails three over The two patients who died, an 87- year-old man and an 84-year-old woman, had both tested positive for the 100-kg gold coin heist virus although the woman's cause of death was listed as pneumonia, the health ministry said. Two government BERLIN (TIP): A Berlin court shows three men wearing dark hoodies, officials who had worked on the ship sentenced three men to multi-year jail scarves and baseball caps making their were infected, it added, bringing the sentences on Feb 20 for the spectacular way to the museum. number of infected officials to five. theft of a 100-kilogram (220-lb) gold coin They broke in through a window, Public broadcaster NHK reported that from one of the German capital’s smashed a glass case with an axe and 27 people from the ship were in serious museums. used a rope, wooden beam and a condition. The quarantine operation State court judges jailed two men aged wheelbarrow to lift the coin onto has sparked criticism of Japan's 23 and 21, who belong to a family of Arab adjacent elevated urban railway tracks authorities just months before Tokyo origin notorious for ties to organised before transferring to a car, said is due to host the Summer Olympics. crime, for four years and six months prosecutor Martina Lamb. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide each. The Remmo family, whose patriarchs Suga defended Japan's efforts. He told A 21-year-old security guard at the fled war-torn Lebanon in the 1980s, are a news conference that after measures museum received a sentence of three image of Queen Elizabeth II, was either considered to be one of Berlin’s most were put in place to isolate passengers years and four months, while a fourth cut up, melted down or taken abroad. notorious organised crime clans. on February 5, the number of new defendant was cleared of all charges. The coin has a notional value of one Police last year targeted the Remmos infections fell. Japan's National Police have found no trace of the 100- million Canadian dollars (USD 750,000), with the seizure of 77 properties worth a Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID) kilogram (220-pound) Canadian coin but the gold itself is worth considerably total of 9.3 million euros, charging that said in a report that no new cases of since the late-night heist in March 2017 more. they were purchased with the proceeds the onset of the COVID-19 disease from from the Bode Museum, located close to Police raids in July 2017 on premises in of various crimes, including a 2014 bank the cruise ship were reported on Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Berlin and around Berlin linked to the robbery. February 16-17 and only one crew apartment. perpetrators’ Remmo “clan” saw guns, In recent years, so-called “clans” of member case on February 15. In a The “Big Maple Leaf”, one of five luxury cars and more than 100,000 euros primarily Middle Eastern origin have move to reassure the public, the health minted in 2007, is considered the world’s in cash confiscated. become a particular focus for police, ministry also issued a statement in second-largest gold coin after the one- Investigators also used phone taps and politics and media in Berlin. both English and Japanese that said all tonne Australian Kangaroo issued in GPS devices to track cars and searched A popular fictional TV series, “4 passengers had been required to stay 2012. more than 50 properties, the defence said Blocks”, has even focused on a crime in their cabins since February. — Prosecutors assume the nearly pure- at the trial. family in the capital’s Neukoelln district. Reuters gold treasure, which bears a profile Security camera footage of the heist — AFP THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2020 WORLD 23

Sweden creates USD Harry-Meghan’s royal duties to 1 mn prizes for food solutions officially end on March 31 STOCKHOLM (TIP): Sweden has created two USD 1 million prizes for LONDON (TIP): The royal duties of solutions to feed billions of people, as the UK’s Prince Harry and his wife climate change threatens the world’s Meghan Markle will officially end on food supply, organisers said Thursday. March 31, their office has announced. “The new Food Planet Prize is designed In a statement on Wednesday,the office to contribute to this goal,” Johan said that the Duke of Sussex will retain Rockstrom, director of the Potsdam the ranks of Major, Lieutenant Institute for Climate Research in Commander and Squadron Leader, the Germany who will co-chair the prize Metro newspaper reported. jury, said in a statement. AFP The Sussexes will announce details of their new non-profit organisation later Asian elephant in in the year, a spokeswoman for the Argentina packs trunk couple said. A number of royal engagements were for Brazil trip also announced, with Prince Harry due BUENOS AIRES (TIP): Mara, the to attend an Invictus Games event with elephant, is packing for what may be pop star Jon Bon Jovi on February 28. the final trip of her 54-year life spent Meghan will then mark International globe-trotting from India to Germany Women’s Day a week later, with the before joining circuses in Montevideo couple’s final official engagement and Buenos Aires, Argentina, where coming alongside the entire royal family she has been for the last 25 years. at the Commonwealth Service at Mara's road trip will take almost a week Westminster Abbey on March 9 before in an overland convey, during which their Buckingham Palace office closes on she will be housed in a huge box and April 1. to establish their new non-profit The Sussexes are currently living in accompanied by caretakers. Reuters The spokeswoman said the Sussexes organisation. Canada with their baby son Archie, the would continue to work with their The development comes after the Metro newspaper reported. UK introduces point- existing patronages as they build a plan couple’s January 8 announcement that They had initially hoped for a dual based visa system for engagements in the UK and the they were stepping back as royals in role, supporting the Queen, the Commonwealth throughout the year. order to become financially Commonwealth and Harry’s military LONDON (TIP): UK Home Secretary The couple have also been undertaking independent, but would continue to associations, but the idea was deemed Priti Patel on Wednesday unveiled a meetings as part of their ongoing work serve the Queen. unworkable.—IANS new point-based visa system to attract the “brightest and the best” from the world, including from India, and to China expels three reduce the number of cheap and low- foreign scribes Russia warns Turkey against skilled workers coming to the country. The new system will come into force BEIJING (TIP): China on Feb 19 from January 1, 2021, at the end of the expelled three Wall Street Journal attacking Syrian forces transition period after the UK’s exit correspondents, the largest expulsion of from the European Union on January overseas media personnel from the MOSCOW (TIP): Russia on Feb 19 31, which will formally end free country in more than three decades, warned Turkey against attacking movement of people within the after the newspaper declined to Syrian forces after President Recep economic bloc for the UK as a non- apologise for a column which Beijing Tayyip Erdogan threatened to launch member. The new post-Brexit system, criticised as "racist" and tarnishing its an operation in Syria's Idlib region. which will apply equally to the EU and efforts to combat the deadly coronavirus "If we are talking about an operation non-EU countries like India, is based on epidemic. against the legitimate authorities of assigning points for specific skills, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman the Syrian republic and armed forces qualifications, salaries and professions, Geng Shuang said China made repeated of the Syrian republic this would of with visas only awarded to those who representations to the US newspaper course be the worst scenario," Kremlin gain enough points. over the opinion piece which had the spokesman Dmitry Peskov told “Today is a historic moment for the headline: “China is the real sick man of reporters. whole country. We’re ending free Asia”, but regretted that it had not He added, however, that Moscow movement, taking back control of our offered a public apology. would not object if Turkey acted borders and delivering on the people’s The move comes less than one day against "terrorist groups in Idlib" in priorities by introducing a new UK after United States officials announced accordance with existing agreements. point-based immigration system, they would be treating five major "Contacts with Turkey are which will bring overall migration Chinese state-run media companies as continuing," Peskov added. numbers down,” said Patel, the senior- effective extensions of the Chinese Earlier on Wednesday Erdogan most Indian-origin Cabinet minister. government. A senior State Department threatened to launch an operation in “We will attract the brightest and the official said Tuesday that Xinhua, China Idlib by the end of the month if best from around the globe, boosting Global Television Network, China Radio Damascus fails to withdraw its troops the economy and our communities,” International, China Daily and People's behind Turkish military positions. ‘Talks not addressing Patel, in charge of the UK’s visa and Daily will be designated as "foreign "An operation in Idlib is imminent," immigration system, said. Under the missions", effective immediately. he told his party's lawmakers in Turkey’s demands’ scheme, foreign workers who wanted to Without directly linking the parliament. come to the UK would have to speak expulsions to the US move, Geng said Syrian forces, backed by Russian air Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan English and have the offer of a skilled China has decided to revoke the “press power, have pressed a brutal offensive said on Wednesday talks with job with an “approved sponsor”. They cards” (accreditation) of three WSJ in Idlib, the last rebel stronghold in the Russia on the conflict in Syria's would be awarded 50 points if they fulfil journalists as the daily has not northwest of the country, sparking northwestern Idlib province were these criteria. In total, immigrants apologised to “racist headline” it fears of a humanitarian catastrophe. would have to reach 70 points to be able carried recently. "FCCC member In 2018, Russia and Turkey agreed to far from meeting Turkey's to work in the UK, with points also correspondents and their colleagues in enforce a demilitarised zone in the demands and he said a military being awarded for qualifications, the China are suffering from an increasing Idlib region from which "radical" operation there was a "matter of salary on offer and working in a sector frequency of harassment, surveillance fighters would be required to withdraw. time". with shortages. PTI and intimidation from authorities. PTI AFP THE INDIAN PANORAMA 24 WOMEN FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2020 BENEFITS OF BAKING FOOD CORNER SODA FOR YOUR SKIN odium bicarbonate can work wonders when used in the Sright manner and quantities. Right from being an excellent exfoliator to a being a brilliant bleaching agent, baking soda has properties that could potentially make it your skin’s best friend. DAL DHOKLI Interestingly enough, the baking powder that you see in your kitchen al Dhokli is a famous Gujarati dish. Served as a amongst your baking paraphernalia curry during lunch or dinner, it is also a meal in isn’t quite the same as the baking Ditself and is popularly known as Indian style soda that you’ll be using for your Pasta in a dal curry. skin. Baking powder only consists Ingredients of about a third of the alkaline compound and is mixed with FOR GRAVY certain other acidic ingredients Split Green Gram (GreenMoong Dal) - 1 cup, with skin, such as cream of tartar. But if Turmeric Powder - 1/4 tsp, Chilli Powder - 1 tsp, Jeera you’re not in possession of any Powder - 1/2 tsp, Coriander Powder - 1 1/2 tblsp, Salt as baking soda, the baking powder required, Bay Leaf - 1, Curry Leaves - few, Asafoetida should do just fine too, although Powder - little, Cumin Seeds - 1/2 tsp, Oil - 2 tblsp you’d need it in much greater Ghee - 2 tblsp Garam Masala Powder - 1/2 tsp quantities. FOR DHOKLI Bye, bye, acne, pimples Wheat Flour - 1/2 cup and blackheads Turmeric Powder - 1/4 tsp collagen levels of your skin while over time. Whether you’re using it Jeera Powder - 1/2 tsp Baking soda is not only a good also cleaning out any impurities as a face pack or to gently exfoliate Coriander Leaves - 1 tblsp, chopped exfoliator but also helps by slightly that might be present. In the event your lips so as to get back their Oil - 1 tsp Powdered shrinking the size of your pores, that you wish to get rid of any spots, original colour and texture, having Salt - 1 tsp thereby preventing dirt and other scars (especially those left behind baking soda at your disposal can Method particulate matter from clogging by acne or pimples) or blemishes on really come in handy. In the case of them. The anti-bacterial and anti- your skin, mixing baking soda with exfoliating your lips, mixing baking Mix turmeric, jeera powder, chopped coriander, salt inflammatory properties of baking lemon juice will help you create an soda with honey can help get back and little oil with wheat flour. soda for skin further help reduce effective and natural bleaching their soft, naturally pink Add enough water and knead like a chappathi the reoccurrence of pimples and solution. appearance, especially since the dough. acne. Mind you though, baking soda If there are certain dark patches honey in the solution tends to work Roll out like chapatis and cut into even sized square in its unadulterated form can be a on your skin, you can treat those as like magic when it comes to pieces (1 inch thickness) bit too harsh for your skin. In order well using a solution made from moisturising your lips. Heat plenty of water in a broad vessel. When it to use baking soda as an astringent baking soda and potato juice, stars boiling add the dhokli pieces and cook till just or toner, mix about a tablespoon of thereby evening out your skin tone It’s anti-bacterial too soft. it into a bottle of water and apply it in the affected regions. Baking soda, The anti-bacterial properties of Strain excess water through a colander and keep to your face. The solution works being alkaline in nature, tends to baking soda help prevent the dhokli pieces separately. even better when refrigerated for a dry out your skin though. So it is occurrence of breakouts on your Pressure cook the dal in enough water till just soft while before being used over your often recommended that you apply a skin. It also aids in keeping just (one whistle). skin. moisturiser on your skin after about all kinds of rashes and skin Heat oil and ghee in a kadai. When it becomes hot having bleached or cleansed it using infections at bay,especially if mixed add bayleaf, curry leaves, cumin seeds, asafoetida For brilliantly glowing skin a baking soda solution. with coconut oil. Since it is alkaline, powder. The compound, when mixed with anti-fungal and also an excellent pH Stir for a minute and add coriander powder, red certain juices like orange, can Dead Skin Cells, No More balancer, a solution of baking soda chilli powder, jeera powder, turmeric powder. provide your skin with multiple A paste made from baking soda for your skin (or a paste) can even Mix quickly and pour the cooked dal and salt. benefits. The healing properties of for your skin can help you get rid of help treat any yeast infections that Cook for a few minutes, add dhokli pieces at the end such a solution can boost the the dead cells that get accumulated you might have. and boil for 1-2 minutes. HERE’S WHY SOCIAL MEDIA MAKES BREAK-UPS WORSE

strangement has become harder in social media returned them - often the digital age and social media multiple times a day. Eplatforms, such as Facebook and “A lot of people assume they can just Instagram, can make break-ups much unfriend their ex or unfollow them, and worse, say researchers. People who use won’t have to deal with them anymore. features like unfriending, unfollowing or Our work shows it’s not the case,” Pinter blocking still face troubling encounters said. with ex-partners online. For the study, News Feed, the primary interface that published in the journal ‘Proceedings of opens when one goes for Facebook, was a the ACM on Human-Computer major source of distress, delivering news Interaction’, the researchers recruited of ex-lovers announcing they were in people who had upsetting encounter new relationship. online within 18 months of parting and In one case, a participant noticed his interviewed them for over an hour. roommate had “liked” his ex’s post. He “Even before social media break-ups was the last of his friends to know. sucked, but it was much easier to get Memories revived by posts from the away from the person. It can make past were equally heart-rending, with moving on almost impossible if you are one participant recalling how a sweet constantly being bombarded with years-old message from his ex-wife reminders in different places online,” Boulder in the US. disturbing trend emerged: Even when popped up out of nowhere delivering an said study lead researcher Anthony According to researchers, among 19 people took every measure possible to “emotional wallop,” the researchers Pinter from University of Colorado who underwent in-depth interviews, a remove their exes from their online lives, said. THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2020 HEALTH 25 EVEN 10,000 STEPS A DAY AREN’T ENOUGH FOR WEIGHT LOSS, SAYS STUDY eeling proud to see a happy smiley on your fit gear or app Fon completion of 10K steps for the day? Sorry to say ladies but still that weight loss is not going to happen for you. Yes, it’s sad but DIAGNOSING OVARIAN true. Well, according to a study, CANCER MIGHT JUST BE A published in the Journal of Obesity, no amount of walking can prevent BLOOD TEST AWAY: STUDY weight gain by itself. Shucks man! Also, the study says that the widely egular check-ups are of great help when it practiced standard of pacing 10,000 comes to the early detection of many diseases. steps a day to lose weight is not RAlso, it becomes way easier to treat them in going to be solely effective which their initial phase. Ovarian cancer is one such disease. means you need to go an extra mile The problem with this cancer is that it remains by eating healthy and have to do undetected until it spreads within the pelvis and some more physical exercise. abdomen area. Researchers, including those But thanks to the team of researchers who have from Brigham Young University in developed a new blood test that can measure the body’s the US, studied 120 college freshmen own immune response characteristic of inflammation over their first six months of and some malignancies, an advance that may lead to a college as they participated in a new diagnostic tool for ovarian cancer. step-counting experiment. According to the researchers, including those from The participants walked either the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) 10,000, 12,500, or 15,000 steps a day, in Australia, about 3,00,000 new cases of ovarian six days a week for 24 weeks, while cancer are diagnosed globally each year, with nearly the scientists tracked the amount of 60% of the women dying within five years of calories the freshmen consumed diagnosis. and their weight. The study, published in the journal Scientific The scientists examined if Reports, found that testing for a specific immune exceeding the recommended count biomarker may allow clinicians to identify whether of 10,000 steps per day would growths on the ovaries are cancerous or not, without minimise weight and fat gain in the the need for other costly, time-consuming tests. college students, the study noted. “Our new test is as accurate as the combined results Even after walking so much of a standard blood test and ultrasound,” said study students gained weight instead of co-author Magdalena Plebanski from RMIT. losing BYU. As part of the study, the patterns, which “may have other “This is especially important for women in remote According to the study, the participants wore pedometers 24 emotional and health benefits,” the or disadvantaged communities, where under- students gained weight even if they hours a day for the six-week study researchers said in a statement. resourced hospitals may not have access to complex walked more than 15,000 steps. window. On average, the students They also found that sedentary and expensive equipment like ultrasound machines or Students in the study gained on walked approximately 9,600 steps time was drastically reduced in MRI scanners. In the study, the researchers used a average about 1.5 kilos over the per day prior to the study. both the 12,500- and 15,000-step marker for inflammation (IL-6) together with cancer study period, the researchers said. By the end of the study, those in groups. markers to detect epithelial ovarian cancer in blood”, A one to four kilos average weight the 10,000-step group averaged In the 15,000-step group, Plebanski added. gain is commonly observed during 11,066 steps, those in the 12,500-step sedentary time decreased by as They validated the results across two separate the first academic year of college, group averaged 13,638 steps, and much as 77 minutes a day, they said. human trial cohorts. according to earlier studies, they participants in the 15,000-step group “The biggest benefit of step Using the new blood test, the scientists said, patients said. averaged 14,557 steps a day, the recommendations is getting people with benign cysts identified through imaging may be “Exercise alone is not always the scientists said. out of a sedentary lifestyle. Even spared unnecessary surgeries. most effective way to lose weight,” Although weight was not affected though it won’t prevent weight gain “Developing tests that are simpler and more said study lead author Bruce Bailey, by the increased steps, there was a on its own, more steps are always practical may help get more women to hospital for professor of exercise science at positive impact on physical activity better for you,” Bailey said. treatment more effectively,with the hope that survival rates will improve,” he added. So, it’s just a simple thing that you need to do ladies NEW ‘SMART’ BANDAGE TO HELP HEAL CHRONIC WOUNDS – please don’t ignore as it will just take a few moments from your day and will keep the scare of ovarian cientists have developed a with minimal invasiveness, said cancer out of the way. wirelessly-controlled bandage, researchers, including those from Sand a smartphone-sized the Harvard Medical School in the platform that can precisely deliver US. With the platform, the provider PAGE SPONSORED BY different medications to facilitate can wirelessly control the release of the healing of hard to treat wounds. multiple drugs delivered through DR. SATISH AND GITANJLI ANAND The bandage is equipped with the miniature needles, according to miniature needles that can be the researchers. DR. SATISH ANAND controlled wirelessly -- allowing the These needles are able to Former Chairman, Board of drugs to be programmed by care penetrate into deeper layers of the Trustees, AAPI National providers without even visiting the wound bed with minimal pain and E-Mail: patient, according to the research associate professor at the inflammation, they said. [email protected] published in the journal Advanced University of Connecticut in the This method proved to be more Functional Materials. US. effective for wound closure and hair "This is an important step in Given the range of processes growth as compared to the topical GITANJLI ANAND engineering advanced bandages necessary for wound healing, administration of drugs, and is also Former President, India that can facilitate the healing of different medications are needed at minimally invasive. Association of Long Island hard to treat wounds.The bandage different stages of tissue The research was first conducted (IALI) does not need to be changed regeneration. on cells and later on diabetic mice E-mail: continuously," said Ali Tamayol, an The bandage can deliver medicine with full thickness skin injury. [email protected] THE INDIAN PANORAMA 26 SCIENCE & TECH FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2020 SPACEX WILL LAUNCH PRIVATE CITIZENS INTO ORBIT paceX is planning to send up to four private citizens into space Sto take a trip around Earth sometime at the end of 2021 or in early 2022. The spaceflight company announced an agreement on Tuesday with Space Adventures, a space tourism business that has helped seven different private citizens take trips to (and from) the International Space Station aboard NOVEL TECH CONVERTS Russia’s Soyuz rocket and spacecraft. CARBON DIOXIDE INTO FUELS There’s no word on how much the experience will cost, and the two cientists have developed a new sustainable companies were light on other technology that uses nanoparticles to convert details. The companies did say Scarbon dioxide (CO2) into hydrocarbon fuels, and Tuesday that the tourists will fly in other usable materials. the human-rated version of The researchers at the USC Viterbi School of SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft and Engineering in the US discovered a metal carbide that they will orbit Earth. nanoparticle -- a compound of carbon and metal—that SpaceX has spent the last few undisclosed payments from two later this year. can convert CO2 into fuel. years building and testing out this customers for a trip around the Other private spaceflight The particles can be produced at an industrial scale new version of Dragon as part of a Moon using Crew Dragon and the companies are vying to establish at a low cost, and with minimal environmental impact, contract with NASA to shuttle Falcon Heavy rocket. SpaceX said at the space tourism market. Richard providing a vital pathway towards reducing the astronauts to and from the ISS, after the time that the trip would happen Branson’s Virgin Galactic and Jeff world’s greenhouse emissions, according to the study years of using the spacecraft to by the end of 2018. But in September Bezos’ Blue Origin are in the published in the Journal of the American Chemical shuttle cargo to the space station. 2018, the company announced that it running, though both of those Society. The private spaceflight company now intends to send one of those companies are promising far briefer “Basically what we are doing is we are turning the recently completed the second passengers — Japanese billionaire experiences. Virgin Galactic says it carbon dioxide from carbon oxygen bonds to carbon major flight test of the Crew Yusaku Maezawa — around the plans to send its first space tourists hydrogen bonds. So, we are turning carbon dioxide Dragon, as it’s called, which Moon using the company’s massive, up later this year where they will back into hydrocarbons,” said Noah Malmstadt, a demonstrated the capsule’s ability yet-to-be-built Big Falcon Rocket. experience a few minutes of professor at the USC Viterbi School of Engineering. to escape an exploding rocket. (It’s still unclear what happened to weightlessness in the company’s “Hydrocarbons are basic fuel stock. You can either SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has the second customer.) plane-like spaceship. Blue Origin is turn them into fuel stock chemicals such as methane teased the idea of space tourism as SpaceX has similarly had to delay promising customers a similar or propane. Or you can use them as the basis for a business for a few years now, the first Crew Dragon flight with amount of time in space, though in chemical synthesis so they can be building blocks for though he’s been overly optimistic NASA astronauts as it worked a spacecraft that’s more similar to making more complex chemicals,” Malmstadt said. about how soon that could happen. through the process of certifying SpaceX’s Dragon capsule. (Both of Carbon emissions could be converted into material The company announced in early the spacecraft with NASA. That those tickets cost in the to make consumer products as well as hydrocarbon 2017 that it had accepted flight is now supposed to take place neighborhood of $200,000 a pop.) fuel, the researchers said. Unwanted contact, sexting Scientists think food textures may among top online risks in help solve obesity problems India: Microsoft nwanted contact, unwanted sexting, hate he textures and aromas of our speech, trolling and being treated meanly foods trigger reactions in our Uare the top five online risks in India which Tbrains that control how full we has seen a dip in digital civility, according to a feel. And as scientists continue to new research from Microsoft. learn just how, some are seeking to The results which were released in figure out if food textures also play a conjunction with the international Safer role in how much we eat. There might Internet Day on Tuesday revealed that 45 per be a reason, beyond taste, to explain cent of those who faced online risks knew the why a person is inclined to inhale an perpetrators. entire bag of potato chips, or devour a Among teenagers, 71 per cent faced a risk, whole plate of cookies. Even more while 81 per cent worry risk will happen again, important, the knowledge could be put said the study, adding that social media sites are to good use. the most common online space for risks. To better understand how a crunchy However, 67 per cent of those surveyed said sensation affects how we eat, a team of that they believe technology and social media researchers from the University of companies will create tools and policies that will Otago and the Riddet Institute in New encourage respectful and civil behaviour. Zealand decided to focus their work on In the Microsoft Digital Civility Index (DCI), a potato chips. Their findings were measure of the tone and tenor of online published in the journal Foods last interactions as reported by consumers in 25 month. countries, India fared poorly in 2019. A higher The work might seem trivial. But as a simple, standalone health issue. To find participants for the New DCI score means lower perceived civility. behind the science are much bigger It’s often a precursor to other Zealand study, the researchers set out The India DCI Index increased 12 points to 71 questions about how to best combat problems, including heart disease, hanging flyers and using social media per cent in 2019—the highest in four years, the certain health issues. The World Type 2 diabetes, and stroke. If foods to reach people in Dunedin. Those who results showed. Health Organization says globally with certain textures can be linked to signed on were described as healthy, The report, based on the views of 12,520 adults obesity has nearly tripled since 1975. curbed eating habits around sodium- between the ages of 18 and 50, and not and teenagers questioned across 25 countries In 2016, it estimated that more than 1.9 and sugar-laden snack foods, that attached to any particular dieting including India, showed that physical billion adults were overweight, with could be one solution. To be sure, there regimen. They all also reported that appearance and politics are the primary drivers more than 650 million of them are groups of nutritionists who they ate potato chips at least once a of online incivility, with 31 per cent of all regarded as obese. believe portion control is the key to week. In all, 74 people were involved— respondents pointing to both of these two topics Of course, obesity can’t be regarded stemming obesity. 31 women and 43 men. as problematic. THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2020 BIZ & FINANCE 27 China keeps churning out steel that no one wants to buy

SINGAPORE/HONG KONG (TIP): China’s steelmakers face their biggest crisis in years, with demand frozen as factories and construction sites fall silent. But they’re still churning out metal. The collapse in economic activity amid China’s unprecedented measures to contain the coronavirus outbreak means there are few buyers of steel, which has sent prices tumbling and put margins under intense pressure. However it’s MOODY’S SLASHES INDIA’S difficult for most steelmakers in China to cut output drastically GROWTH FORECAST TO 5.4% because blast furnaces are designed to run constantly, and reducing NEW DELHI (TIP): A day before Union Finance production to zero is usually a last Minister Nirmala Sitharaman interacts with the trade resort. The result is millions of tons and industry to understand the impact of coronavirus, of steel piling up at mills. CRU Group and Kallanish normally only happens for a global ratings agency Moody’s has cut India’s growth “Inventories are at critically high Commodities Ltd. complete overhaul after many years forecast for 2020 to 5.4% from the 6.6% projected levels,” said Kevin Bai, an analyst at China is the world’s largest of operation, or for permanent earlier. CRU Group. “Most mills are still steelmaker and accounts for more closure. The challenge for blast- The impact of coronavirus may further affect trying to keep running for now than half of global output. The furnace managers is how quickly India’s economic growth although Moody’s says it is though for technical reasons.” virus crisis has crippled the the economy, which was likely still too early to make a final assessment. But it In China, a small number of industry’s supply chains, with the running at just 40% to 50% capacity expects the G-20 economies, of which India is a part, to steelmakers use electric arc migrant workers that typically staff last week, can return to normal. collectively grow at 2.4% in 2020, a softer rate than last furnaces, or EAFs, that remelt piles construction sites or drive trucks Utilization rates for blast furnaces year, followed by a pickup to 2.8% in 2021. Coronavirus of scrap from old cars or torn-down unable to return to work due to in Tangshan have fallen to about outbreak has diminished optimism about prospects of buildings and turn it into fresh steel quarantine measures and 74% from a peak of almost 81% last an incipient stabilisation of global growth this year, it products. Those can be shut down movement restrictions. Spot prices year, according to data from Beijing noted. quickly. The rest of the industry for steel rebar have tumbled to the Custeel E-Commerce Co. employs blast furnaces, huge and lowest since 2017, while inventories The last major round of market- India becomes 5th largest temperamental machines fed round- surged to the highest in almost two driven closures was in late 2015 and the-clock with iron ore, coking coal years as mills struggle to dispatch 2016 when a demand slowdown in economy; overtakes UK, France and other ingredients. Shutting finished products amid transport China triggered a global crisis of those completely is an expensive problems. Rebar futures were last at oversupply. NEW DELHI (TIP): India emerged as the world’s and complex last resort. 3,450 yuan a ton in Shanghai, down The current situation has already fifth largest economy by overtaking the UK and “As far as we know, they’re all still about 3% this year. seen an increase in steel offered for France in 2019, says a report. making steel,” Elizabeth Gaines, Smelting rates in an ultra-hot export, according to CRU Group. A US-based think tank World Population Review in chief executive of Fortescue Metals furnace can be adjusted downwards Many market watchers expect its report said that India is developing into an open- Group Ltd. said on a call with but only to certain levels. The next China to roll out stimulus to help market economy from its previous autarkic policies. reporters on Wednesday,referring to and more complicated option is bolster economic growth, buoying “India’s economy is the fifth largest in the world the blast-furnace producers that buy temporary hot-idling, which means commodity demand. Fortescue with a GDP of USD 2.94 trillion, overtaking the UK and her company’s iron ore. EAF mills keeping the furnace stoked and highlighted past measures have France in 2019 to take the fifth spot,” it said. have largely stopped production pausing steelmaking. An outright included investment in steel- The size of the UK economy is USD 2.83 trillion and already, according to consultancies shutdown -- letting it go cold -- intensive projects. that of France is USD 2.71 trillion. The report further said that in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms, India’s GDP (PPP) is USD 10.51 CORONAVIRUS POSES RISK TO ED digs deeper into Indian trillion, exceeding that of Japan and Germany. Due to India’s high population, India’s GDP per capita is USD GLOBAL ECONOMY, SAYS IMF Airlines’ $2.2Billion jet sale 2,170 (for comparison, the US is USD 62,794). India’s real GDP growth, however, it said is expected WASHINGTON (TIP): The coronavirus epidemic has ndian officials have intensified a probe into to weaken for the third straight year from 7.5 per cent already disrupted economic growth in China and its further whether a $2.2 billion Airbus SE jetliner sale to to 5 per cent. spread could derail a “highly fragile” projected recovery in Ia state-owned airline involved bribes, The report observed that India’s economic the global economy in 2020, the IMF warned. In a note for G20 according to a person directly involved in the liberalisation began in the early 1990s and included finance ministers and central bankers, the global lender investigation. industrial deregulation, reduced control on foreign mapped out many risks facing the global economy, including Enforcement Directorate is inspecting a trade and investment, and privatisation of state- the disease and a renewed spike in US-China trade tensions, payment of 1.42 billion rupees ($20 million) linked owned enterprises. as well as climate-related disasters. to the 2006 purchase of 43 jets by Indian Airlines, “These measures have helped India accelerate IMF managing director Kristalina Georgieva said the as well as a commitment to provide aircraft- economic growth,” it said. outbreak was a stark reminder of how unforeseen events overhaul facilities that were never built, according India’s service sector is the fast-growing sector in could threaten a fragile recovery, and urged G20 to the person, who asked not to be named as the the world accounting for 60 per cent of the economy policymakers to work to reduce other uncertainties linked to matter isn’t public. All told, the investigation is and 28 per of employment, the report said, adding that trade, climate change and inequality. examining benefits to Airbus of 10 billion rupees, manufacturing and agriculture are two other “Uncertainty is becoming the new normal,” Georgieva the person said. That’s the equivalent of about significant sectors of the economy. wrote in a blog. “While some uncertainties — like disease — $140 million. The Enforcement Directorate didn’t are out of our control, we should not create new respond to two phone calls seeking comment, uncertainties where we can avoid it.” while a spokesman for Airbus declined to comment. The decision to re-invigorate the probe Risks facing economy in recent weeks suggests Airbus has more fallout The global lender mapped out many risks facing the global to contend with after its record $4 billion legal economy, including the disease and a renewed spike in US- settlement for making payments to win jet orders. China trade tensions, as well as climate-related disasters, French, British and U.S. prosecutors studied deals Finance ministers and bankers from top 20 advanced in about 20 countries including India, though it economies will gather in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, this week. It wasn’t among the 12 nations covered by last said the recovery would be shallow and could be derailed by month’s final settlement. “The beauty of the a re-escalation of trade tensions or further spread of the situation from any civil claimant’s point of view is disease, which had already disrupted production in China Airbus has spilled the beans on itself,” said Philip and could affect other countries through tourism, supply Marshall, a trial attorney at Serle Court Chambers chain linkages and commodity prices. in London. THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2020 SPIRITUALITY 28 MAHASHIVARATRI: THE GREAT NIGHT OF SHIVA ahashivaratri is a Hindu festival celebrated across the country to Mworship Lord Shiv, also called the "destroyer of evil". Mahashivaratri is a festival which marks the beginning of spring. This major festival, also known as "the great night of Shiva", celebrates the overcoming of darkness and ignorance. Maha Shivratri or Mahashivratri is celebrated by chanting prayers, fasting, and meditating on ethics and virtues such as self-restraint, honesty, forgiveness, and the discovery of Shiva. Many devotees stay up all night, while some others visit Shiv temples or go on pilgrimages. Devotees usually head Jyotirlingam Shiv temples on this day to pray. The Jyotirlinga Shiva temples in Varanasi and Somanatha are the most common sites of pilgrimage on Maha Shivaratri. Often, fairs and special events are also held around these temples. History This festival is celebrated to respect Lord Shiva by offering leaves of Bael or Bilva/Vilvam, Bhang, Dhatura, flowers, coconut, fruits, water, cow milk and other things. Devotees keep fast of full-day and full-night and pray to Lord Shiva for their beautiful life partner with healthy and prosperous life. According to the ritual holy Gange water to the temple to offer and Mata Parvati. please the Lord Shiva in order to fulfill belief and traditions, penances are the Shivalingam. Women pray to God for their desires. It has another great performed to get benefited in the practice her well-being of their husbands and What makes the Lord significance for the Women. Both of Yoga and meditation. Kashi sons, an unmarried woman pray to get Shiva please more? married and unmarried women keep Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi is one of their desired husband like Shiva (the strict fast for whole day and do Shiva the most important places for tourist ideal husband) in future; boys pray to get It is written in the Shiva Purana that Linga Puja with very honesty to please attractions in the UP state where a big fair beautiful wife and successful life in doing abhisheka of the Lord Shiva Linga the Goddess Parvati or Gaura Mata in is held on at Maha Shivratri in front of future. The temple full of sound of bells with six dravyas such as cow milk, order to get the marital bliss as well as the Virla temple and Vishwanath Gali of and people shouts of “Shankerji ki Jai” or yoghurt, sugar, honey, ghee and Gange long, wealthy and prosperous married the old Vishwanath temple. “Mahadevji ki Jai”. Devotees take 5 round water while reading Sri Rudram, life. At Mahashivaratri, the marriage Another myth of celebrating Maha of the Shivalingam and pour water on the Chamakam and Dasa Shanthi pleases of Lord Shiva with Mata Parvati took Shivaratri in Hinduism is that, whole Shivalingam. Some also pour cow milk on more the Lord Shiva. Milk is for the place in the ancient time, so the Hindu world was facing destruction and more the Shivalingam. approval of cleanliness and faithfulness, people celebrate this festival by near to the pralaya, and then the Goddess According to the Shiva Purana, the yogurt for wealth and offspring, honey for performing the same ceremony every Parvati had worshiped her husband the Mahashivaratri puja involves six steps sweet tongue, ghee for success, sugar for year. People in Varanasi start this Lord Shiva to save the world. Finally her which are: pleasure, and water for purity. ceremony from Mahamrityunjaya prayer was approved by the Lord Shiva Taking bath in the Gange for temple of Daranagar to the Kashi and then Goddess Parvati named that purification of soul, mind and body. Significance of Mahashivaratri Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi. night, the Maha-Shivaratri, or the great Bathing of the Shiv Linga with the Mahashivaratri Festival is of great This festival is especially auspicious night of Shiva. holy water of Gange, then bathing and tremendous significance for the for the women. At this day, married with milk and honey. God Shiva millions of Hindu devotee’s all over women pray to God for the wellness Favorite Day of Lord Shiva loves bel patra (three leaves stalked India as well as abroad. It falls every and well being of their Suhaag It is believed that after completion of in one) so every rituals added it to year on fourteenth day of the Phalgun however; unmarried women pray to the creation of world, Goddess Parvati the puja. month in the dark fortnight at the end God to get good husband in future just asked to Lord Shiva that which devotees After bathing of the Shiv Linga, of winter season. This festival is the like the Lord Shiva means an ideal and rituals satisfied him the most, and vermilion paste applied on it which big festival during which devotees can husband. then Lord Shiva replied to Goddess Parvti represents the virtue. that the 13th night of the Maagha month Offer fruits, flowers which are given PAGE SPONSORED BY is his most favorite day. After that, she to get long life and satisfaction of repeated the words of Lord Shiva to her desires. ARISH K. SAHANI friends, and then the words were spread Burning enrage yields wealth. all over world. The lighting with diya represents Serving Since 1972 achieving more knowledge. Please Call or Write for Your Insurance Needs Rituals Offering betel leaves provide On Maha Shivratri, people keep fast of satisfaction full of great pleasures. Arish K Sahani (Father) whole day and night and Kashi Worshipers also apply three Vishwanath temple gets congregated by horizontal lines of holy ash on their Shiv Sahani (Son) the young and old devotees from the very forehead just like the Lord Shiva early morning. They come to the temple which represents spiritual Priya Sahani Sood (Daughter) to perform the puja of traditional knowledge, cleanliness and penance. Shivalingam and hope to get what they They wear garland made up of the 7 1 8 - 2 7 1 - 1 9 0 6 have prayed to the god. They take bath in Rudraksha (seed of Rudraksha tree) [email protected] the holy water of the Ganga (Symbol of while worshiping the Lord Shiva. It the purity) early in the morning before is believed that Rudraksha tree was “If Hindus don’t maintain Hinduism, who shall save it?” sunrise and wear a clean clothe after the originated from the tears of Lord sacred bath. Shiva. Shivaratri is also considered “If India’s own children don't cling to their faith, who shall guard it?” Every worshiper brings a pot full of as the wedding day of the Lord Shiva “Indians alone can save India, and India and Hinduism are one.” THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2020 ASTROLOGY 29

Shree Ganeshaya Namah

Bejan Daruwalla is world's most famous astrologertoday. He appears regularly on world wide TV shows. Bejan who has been a professor in English, hasauthored a number of books on astrology. India'sPrime Minister Narendra Modi , on March 29, 2012,lunched one of Bejan's books, '2012- End of theWorld? Bejan contributes to a number of journals andnewspapers in many parts of the world which includeBerkley Communications Bejan Daruwalla is available for astrological (London) Times of India(Delhi, Mumbai, consultations. He can be reached at Kolkata, Chennai) and The IndianPanorama ( [email protected] and on phone New York and Texas). Bejan's predictionshave mostly been correct and 011-91-8141234275 people the world overrely on his predictions. www.bejandaruwalla.com

The Indian Panorama brings you Weekly and Birthday Horoscope from the World's most trusted astrologer Bejan Daruwalla. Latest correct prediction: Modi's historic victory Weekly Horoscope February 24 - March 1, 2020 ARIES: Ganesha says this is an intense phase LEO: As the period moves on, there is SAGITTARIUS: You have stayed in touch with and you may fall madly in love. As the period optimism and positive thinking. You seem more friends from the past, and this networking will progresses, you get very sensitive and emotional balanced and this is the right time to make help you now. As the period progresses, your and your soul is cut into several slices. You may long-range plans and to reorganise. You will ambition is stimulated and your desire for power need to make many changes in your life. There now find psychological and physical grows. There is love in your life too and you are several obstacles preventing you from doing equilibrium. If you have been ill recently, the enjoy yourself no end. On the work front, there what you have to do and you rebel. Your people healing process will have begun. There is fame, could be power struggles, quite possibly with skills will determine your material and publicity campaigns, journeys and someone in authority. Ganesha urges you to stay emotional successes. collaborations. calm. TAURUS: This is a favourable time for ties VIRGO: There is popularity, success and you CAPRICORN: This is a very good chance of and bonds. You are busy with new travel plans. win applause. You will be fulfilled with a success in whatever you undertake. You have There are meetings and new sponsors for your feeling of balance and will be unusually made enough money and it is time to divert your ideas. Your job could be progressing perfectly peaceful and relaxed. This is also a good time to attention to spiritual needs. Ganesha believes well and your personal life will be fulfilling, but travel for both, work and relaxation. This that as the period progresses, you are in the there could be an unexpected incident that period has many hidden energies. It is spotlight and just love it. If you are performer, forces you to analyse your life and work. You fundamentally an opportunity to grow and like a dancer for example, there may be stage may have to re-evaluate your relationships to the explore the world and also see where and how shows and many plaudits. You make big plans various groups you belong to and to the you fit in. that will be culmination of many ideas that have workplace and, most importantly, to the person LIBRA: Ganesha's blessings are with you and taken root over a period of time. who loves you. he urges you to move on with the exploration. AQUARIUS: There are many trends at play now. GEMINI: Ganesha says you will withstand all This period sees you on the threshold of a new Your expenses will skyrocket, there will be delays the disruptive events that have been plaguing cycle of ideas and opinions, of communicating and setbacks and you will need to be careful while you. You are looking at new directions. You will in new ways. This is an excellent time for travelling. A certain momentum has been break free of all restrictions to enlarge your working a single idea right through to the end. generated and you maintain the progress you have scope of activity. This is a very significant Plan carefully as what you embark on now can made. Truth is very important in your life now; period and what you do now will impact your have significant consequences. You have you are keen to know how the universe works. You life for a long to come. You will seize every reached a point of equilibrium and your look to gain insights through the study of opportunity to build new structures. actions are reliable and consistent. philosophy, metaphysics and the occult. CANCER: This is a busy period for money SCORPIO: This period is the culmination of PISCES: You want to expand your and relationships. Be careful as medical a series of changes in your life. There will be consciousness and want to experience every emergencies are possible. You make many ambition, money, intuition, moments of facet of the world. As the period moves on, you purchases and are consumed by love yourself inspiration and you do remarkably well. No are galloping ahead, and this is a period of and for the world. You may suddenly become power on earth can supress you now. You are culmination in your professional and personal involved in relationships that are quite different flamboyant and ambitious and make lives. There are tangible results, and you bask in from what you would normally expect. This is a substantial progress. New people enter your life accomplishment and applause. Ganesha ensures very interesting phase and Ganesha asks you to and assist you in your work as you branch out that all your new interactions will broaden your go with the flow. to new areas of activity. outlook tremendously.

Birthday Horoscope February 24 - March 1, 2020

Feb 24: Ganesha says love has been shimmering you may be read to deal with complicated cooperation and consideration than usual. in some sultry attraction, which may deepen in emotions to enjoy this sultry attraction, or a child's Feb 29:You might feel unsupported or criticized in intimacy, trust, and physical / emotional love. a relationship, or have difficulty with a child, but closeness. Don't let your desires confuse issues Feb 27 Your feelings for someone are still strong, hold onto love and your self-esteem. A warm and ruin a very passionate moment. but there are unexpected moments that require gesture and a cooperative, fair talk leads back to Feb 25: It may be hard to grasp practical or adaption. Don't believe everything you hear, harmony. financial matters. Go with your instincts if they either. Facts and fiction are indistinguishable to March 1: Power struggles and frustrations say to wait. It's possible, too, that energy drive some. continue from yesterday, invading relationships starts too late in the day and you're tired by then. Feb 28: You may have felt the weekend's wobbly from morning till night. Concession, patience, Feb 26: The Moon highlights relationships, maybe start last night and are ready for emotional ups conflict, or agreeing to both work on positive shaken not stirred; but passions are strong,and and downs. Relations, too, require a little more change are your options. THE INDIAN PANORAMA 30 PHOTO FEATURE FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2020 THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2020 CLASSIFIEDS 31 THE INDIAN PANORAMA 32 TURN PAGE FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2020 contd from page 1 the Government of India and the Gujarat government religion, it's necessary to say that religions unite us for for the visit. peace and the best symbol is this shrine. Red Carpet Welcome Awaits... President Trump will arrive on February 24 and will I also want to take profit of this occasion. I've been in Even in Gujarat, officials and other agencies involved visit Ahmedabad, Agra and Delhi during his two-day Amritsar, today I'm here, to pay tribute to the in the massive preparations for the Namaste Trump visit. "A certain amount of preparation, from the contribution of the Sikh community all over the world event are apparently unaware about any such logistics, protocol and security angle will have to be for our planet. I'm a Christian but I feel very much at committee. made when hosting a head of the state," he said home when I am in a Sikh shrine and where I can pray "I don't know about the committee. We are only justifying the widespread arrangements. to God here together with the Sikh community. concerned about the preparations and logistical Apart from beautification and construction of a wall Thank you very much. support," a top official told The Hindu. in Ahmedabad, elaborate arrangements are being made Another official from Ahmedabad said, "only today also in Agra where President Trump and Melania Indians getting permanent... he learnt about existence of the committee". Trump will pay a brief visit to the Taj Mahal. Going by the growing trends according to Even the MEA declined to give more details about the The issue acquired political colorwith Congress immigration attorneys there will be a further uptick in group that is hosting the event to bring the President leader Randeep Singh Surjewala questioning the the number of high skilled professionals such as and the Prime Minister to the latter's home State. Gujarat government's decision to spend ?120 crore for doctors, engineers and scientists looking at Canada as The MEA's silence on the group promoted the the Namaste Trump event to be held at the Motera their future home, it added. On what attracts Indians Congress party to ask about the committee and when it stadium. "Diplomacy is a serious government business or high skilled professionals to Canada is also the fact extended the invitations. "Dear PM, intriguing new and not a series of photo ops and event management that many IT conglomerates are facilitating this easy from MEA. Pl state: who is the president of Donald tactics," said Mr. Surjewala. transition for those stuck in visa backlogs by opening Trump Abhinandan Samiti? When was the invitation Both sides have made clear that a mega trade deal up offices in major cities in Canada. extended to the U.S. President and accepted and why the that India and the U.S. have been negotiating will not be "Canada gives smoother immigration transition President Trump is saying you have promised him a sealed during the visit, but officials maintain that the possibilities along with the same cosmopolitan life as in grand event with 7 million people," tweeted party visit will provide an opportunity to exchange views on the big cities across the US, which certainly helps," the spokesman Randeep Surjewala. regional and global issues. American Bazaar quoted Ravi Bhat, an Indian Not 70 lakh, but one lakh to attend roadshow in "Overall, our global strategic partnership will be physician who has been living and working in smaller Ahmedabad | Trump visit reason for our eviction, say further strengthened," said Mr. Kumar explaining the cities across the US, as saying. Ahmedabad slum-dwellers | Walls rise in Ahmedabad goals to be achieved by the high-profile visit. "Besides it (Canada) has a world class education ahead of Trump visit | Kerala social worker launches The official spokesperson hinted that civil nuclear system which is a boon for those who have families on hunger strike against wall | Trump not to visit collaboration, science and technology and defense H-4 (dependent) visas here and fear that their kids may Sabarmati Ashram? related talks are part of the agenda during visit. age out leaving them to fend for their student visas." Earlier, it was widely reported that the Gujarat Some Indians wary about racism and gun culture in Cricket Association (GCA), which has built the Kartarpur Corridor "a corridor... America also feel relieved to look at Canada. stadium, is organizing the event because President Meanwhile, a report says Punjabis contributed to Trump and PM Modi were supposed to inaugurate the 60% migration to Canada. Christopher Kerr, Director of world's largest cricket stadium. Operations for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship However, mysteriously, the inauguration of the Canada (IRCC), said in the past two years, there had stadium has been put off from the menu and now only been a 400 per cent increase in the trend amongst youth Namaste Trump event is being held. Though no official for migrating to Canada. He said Punjabis who made 2.3 reason has been given why the inauguration of the per cent of the country's population constituted 60 per stadium has been put on hold, but insiders said cent of the migration to Canada. Kerr said the "apparently PMO is not keen for inauguration of the Canadian government welcomed all legal migrations stadium along with the event". from India with open arms. (Source: Agencies) "The inauguration of the cricket stadium would naturally involve entire BCCI and GCA top brass since UN Chief at the langar hall (soup kitchen) The Wait for Green Card in... they funded the stadium and it was not advisable to A rampant concern is that these long queues may involve top office bearers with Namaste Trump event, During his visit, the UN secretary general was given push Indian talent out of the US. "What does that which is primarily for President Trump and PM Modi," a special briefing on the development of the Kartarpur ultimately mean? Valuable, skilled people decide they a source privy to the development said. Corridor. Guterres was then taken on a tour of the should leave because they're never going to get what SPRUCING IT UP: Workers cleaning the area gurdwara. they had hoped for," Bruce Morrison, a lobbyist and surrounding the Taj Mahal on Thursday, ahead of Inside the temple, Guterres met various Sikh immigration attorney, told the Washington Post. President Trump's visit. religious leaders and was presented with mementos to Morrison wrote the 1990 bill that increased the number It must be noted that ex skipper Saurav Ganguly is commemorate his visit. of employment green cards. "And valuable people don't the president while Jay Shah is the secretary of the Guterres also visited the on-site soup kitchen at the come because they figure our system is so broken they BCCI, while Dhanraj Nathwani is the vice-president of gurdwara, where he was served a traditional meal of can't see their way through it. Therefore, other the GCA, which remains headless since Amit Shah's rice and lentils. The kitchen caters to all Sikh pilgrims countries bidding for these skilled workers get those tenure as its chief ended last year. visiting the gurdwara, providing them free meals as is workers. Companies in America move jobs abroad to The MEA said on Thursday there was nothing traditional at all Sikh temples. employ those skills elsewhere. And American unusual in the large-scale preparations under way to Pakistan Minister of Religious Affairs Pir Noorul prosperity suffers." welcome Mr. Trump and such detailed plans are part of Haq Qadri accompanied the UN secretary general on Already, Indian techies have started looking to normal logistical plans before any high-profile foreign the visit. Secretary-General made the following Canada, Japan, and other countries with less visits. remarks to press at Kartarpur. cumbersome and more welcoming immigration Mr. Raveesh Kumar pointed at the support that the This is a very emotional moment - and I cannot be processes. U.S. authorities had extended during last September's here without having a very strong feeling. In the US, the House of Representatives passed the Howdy Modi event in Houston and other countries It is wonderful to see interfaith dialogue. It is Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act of 2019 bill to make similar plans when Mr. Modi visits. wonderful to see in the same shrine today Sikhs, eliminate the annual per-country cap on employment- "We have to see any such visit in the context of Muslims, Christians, maybe Hindus - all worshipping in based immigrant visas in July 2019. However, it failed to protocol and security arrangements which have to be harmony and in peace. This is the best symbol that we pass the Senate vote. Meanwhile, Donald Trump's made. This is very reciprocal. When our Prime Minister can give for a world in peace and for a world in which merit-based immigration plan to bump up the share of visits abroad, we do expect such arrangements and there is mutual respect and there is the acceptance of highly skilled immigration from the current 12% to facilitation by other countries as well. I really don't what is different - recognizing that diversity is a 57% could tip the scales, but it is still far from being understand the big deal here," said Mr. Kumar blessing, is a richness, not a threat. When we see so implemented. answering a question on the expenses being incurred by many parts of the world fighting in the name of (Source: Quartz India) THE INDIAN PANORAMA PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER: Prof. Indrajit S. Saluja Mohammad Shahzad, Zia Khan , Nisha Rani CHANDIGARH: Manjit Sidhu E-mail [email protected]; Phone: 646-247-9458 VICE PRESIDENT: Chitagam Saluja Vaaho Photographers, Vijay Shah -Photo Journalist. LUDHIANA: A.S. Arora, R.P.Sharma www.theindianpanorama.news CHIEF EDITOR: Prof Indrajit S. Saluja DISTRIBUTOR : Sukhwinder Singh Published by Prof. Indrajit Saluja ASSISTANT EDITOR: Bidisha Roy CORRESPONDENTS : The Indian Panorama CONSULTING EDITOR: Deepak Dwivedi SACRAMENTO: Parminder S. Aujla P.O. Box No. 190067, South Richmond Hill, NY 11419, GRAPHICS DIRECTOR: Om P arkash Malik NEW YORK : Chitagam Tel: 646-247-9458 DISCLAIMER DIRECTOR ADMINISTRATION: Gauri Beri Email: [email protected] The Indian Panorama assumes no responsibility for the FRESNO: Tarlochan Singh claims made in advertisements. We only sell space. Views CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS: DALLAS EDITION DALLAS: Harjit Dhesi, Amarjit Dhillon published in the newspaper are those of the authors and do Baldev Singh / BJ Videos P.O. BOX 121695, ARLINGTON, TX 76012 OVERSEAS CORRESPONDENTS not necessarily reflect the views of the newspaper. All rights Gunjesh Desai / Masala Junction Lovllien Kaurr, VP & Bureau Chief are reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without DELHI BUREAU CHIEF: Ashishpal Singh Jay Mandal, Mohammad Jaffer/ SnapsIndia Bureau Chief Phone: 972-330-3139 permission in writing from The Indian Panorama is prohibited. THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2020 TRAVEL 33

charming hill station cocooned at an altitude of 1880 m in the AGarhwal hills, Mussoorie is the ideal getaway for city-dwellers. If you're in a rush with only 24 hours to spare, we help you manoeuvre through the day without missing out on the highlights. From stocking up on some deliciously MUSSOORIE prepared local goodies and strolling along the Mall, to walking through green, misty environs on the outskirts, gorging on spicy Tibetan food and soaking in the serenity of a Buddhist Tibetan temple—there's so much you can do in so little time. KEMPTY FALLS These vertical waterfalls are one of the most popular spots for tourists visiting Mussoorie. The water cascades down from a height of 40 feet and crashes against the boulders below before splitting into five streams. Plunging from a mountain placed at about 1,364 metres above sea level, the Kempty Falls are usually crowded with tourists, so the best way to take them by is by picking a picnic spot at a vantage point and observing them from a distance. The more adventurous can also take a dip in its cool water. DHANAULTI At a height of 2286 m, Dhanaulti is becoming increasingly popular with tourists, especially city-dwellers who want to escape to the quiet for a weekend. Located on the road from Mussoorie to Chamba, Dhanaulti is devoid of the thronging tourists, commercial mall, cramped hotels and noisy cacophony Also known as the Tibetan Buddhist that is synonymous with its more temple, this was set up by the Tibetan commercial counterpart, Mussoorie. A population in Mussoorie and is located small and sleepy hill town nestled within on the Happy Valley road close to the IAS thick forests of deodars, rhododendron Academy. The Dalai Lama took refuge in and silver oak, there’s very little to do Mussoorie after he escaped from Tibet, here, other than take in the stunning before the Tibetan community was views and absorb the calm. granted refuge in Dharamshala. The Infuse your sleepy vacation with a temple has a serene vibe and is touch of activity by visiting Surkhanda especially suitable for those seeking a bit Devi, a 13th century temple perched atop of tranquillity amidst the madness. a hill, best approached by a steep climb Housing many Tibetan literature and up from Kadu Khal. It’s said that Shiva books, the temple is adorned with clay passed through this spot carrying Sati's lamps and colourful prayer flags. dead body and accidently dropped her remains at this spot. A little lower down, THE MALL make your way to View Point, which The Mall in Mussoorie is the chief offers you panoramic views of the shopping shopping hub in the hill sprawling Doon valley below, and the station. Jam-packed with people at any Himalayas rising high in the distance. given time, you might have to wrestle There’s also the Eco Park to discover. your way through the crowds to get a Established by the forest department, spot of shopping done here, but for this protected forest has narrow shopaholics in need for a fix, this is the pathways and trekking trails running best place to pick up a wide range of through it, perfect for a leisurely evening stuff. Comprising of one main street walk. Accommodation in the area is with a few off-shoots along the way, limited, although there are a few mid- there's nothing you can't get here—from range hotels close by, and the woollens, handicrafts, and the famous government guest house (GMVN) is also Ladakhi shawls, to freshly baked biscuits an option. and boxes of cherries—a stroll along Mall Road will tick all the items off your SHEDUP CHOEPELLING TEMPLE shopping list. THE INDIAN PANORAMA 34 SPORTS FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2020 If we had to share number one spot with any team, it will be New Zealand: Kohli WELLINGTON (TIP): Impressed by the good-natured New Zealand cricketers, Indian captain Virat Kohli says if his side were to share the number one ICC Test spot with any team, it will be the Black Caps. The Indian batting mainstay shares cordial relations with his ASIAN WRESTLING: Kiwi counterpart Kane Williamson and often expressed his admiration SARITA MOR CLINCHES for him. "We just heard a few words about GOLD MEDAL mutual admiration and respect between the countries and I couldn't NEW DELHI (TIP): Sealing victory against agree more. I think if we had to Mongolia’s Battsetseg Altantsetseg in the dying share our number one spot with any moments of the six-minute bout does speak volumes other team it will be New Zealand," about Sarita Mor’s perseverance. With the 59kg Kohli said. freestyle gold on Thursday, the Haryana wrestler not Kohli was speaking on the only strengthened her claim for a place in the squad sidelines of a visit to the Indian for next month’s Asian Olympic qualifiers but also High Commission here ahead of enhanced India’s gold medal tally to three in the their upcoming Test series against women’s category at the Asian Wrestling New Zealand. Championships. Pinki (55kg) and Divya Kakran "In all our tours, coming to the (68kg) were the other two who won gold, while Indian High Commission is always Nirmala Devi settled for silver in 50kg. a very special evening because we Elated after the hard-fought win, Mor said she was get to spend time not only with a lot prepared to give it her best shot. “With the clock of people from India but also from ticking, quick thinking at crucial junctures paid off,” the country that we are in," Kohli she said after her 3-2 win. In an exciting contest, Mor said in a video tweeted by the BCCI. boundary line had gone viral. there won't be any spite in it. That is was leading 2-1. With 21 seconds left, the Mongolian Kohli and Williamson had not "(We) have reached the stage one reason why I can sit with Kane won a point to level the scores at 2-all. “I thought this played in the third ODI between the where every team want to beat us on the boundary line and have a was the right time to play smart. I grabbed my chance two teams earlier in the month and and New Zealand won't be any conversation mid-game about life to score a point (push out),” said Mor. a video of them chatting on the different. But the difference is that and not cricket," Kohli said. The 23 year-old will now aim for a place in 57kg— an Olympic weight category—when the squad for the Asian Olympic qualifiers is selected. However, it will also depend on Anshu Malik’s performance who too will compete in 57kg on Friday. “Let’s wait and see WOMEN’S T20 WORLD CUP: INDIA’S what happens. There is also a possibility of trials before the Olympic qualifier,” said Mor. STEADFAST TEEN SOLDIERS PCB suspends Umar Akmal CC website’s page on the Indian pending anti-corruption probe women’s team has a video of IJemimah Rodrigues from the KARACHI (TIP): Umar Akmal’s flatter-to-deceive 2018 T20 World Cup in West Indies, career took a massive blow on Thursday when the where the teenager is talking about Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) suspended the her urge to mature fast in a dressing batsman pending an anti-corruption inquiry amid room full of seniors. She was 17 claims that he failed to report a spot-fixing approach. then. As India start in the T20 World However, in its official statement, the PCB did not Cup, against hosts and defending get into the specifics of the breach committed by champions Australia on Friday, Akmal. nearly one-third of the 15-member “The Pakistan Cricket Board today suspended squad is in Rodrigues’ age-group. Umar Akmal with immediate effect...he cannot take Four are teenagers—Shafali Verma part in any cricket-related activity pending the (16), Richa Ghosh (16), Rodrigues investigation being carried out by PCB’s Anti- (19) and Radha Yadav (19) – and Corruption Unit,” the Board said in a statement. Pooja Vastrakar turned 20 five “As this is an ongoing investigation, the PCB will months ago. not make any further comments,” it said. Should India go deep in the T20 20-year-olds. Verma is an opener, mainstay for India, told the ICC A top Board official, on conditions of anonymity, World Cup—they have been losing Rodrigues usually bats at the No. 3 recently. said the Anti-Corruption Unit had evidence of semi-finalists thrice—a lot would or No. 4 and Yadav is a left-arm Mandhana must know a thing or Akmal not reporting an approach to spot-fix in the depend on these young players. spinner. Ghosh, a rookie, is another two about being young and fearless. Pakistan Super League (PSL), which starts on Over the past three years, India has top-order batsman while Vastrakar At 21, she was instrumental in Thursday. seen a consistent rise with the ODI is a right-arm medium pacer. India’s entry into the semi-finals in team reaching the World Cup final Because of the quintet, the Indian 2018. With 178 in five matches, she in 2017 and the T20 side finishing team’s average age is under 23. finished third highest scorer among among the top four in the World Cup “Young players come with a fresh all teams. Rodrigues scored 125 in next year. Two important members thinking. They don’t have anything five games. Verma, who had the of those teams, Jhulan Goswami behind them. They know nothing. highest strike-rate of 137.83 among and Mithali Raj, have since retired They’re very different people to who Indians in the recently-held tri- from the shortest format. we were when we came into the side nation series in Australia, is The Indian women’s team has at 17. They are very fearless; they another vital component in the often shown a knack of trying out don’t have a lot of pressure on them. batting line-up. It would be youngsters in T20s. India’s T20 They think like it’s any other match interesting to see if Ghosh, a World Cup squads in the last two and coming into a World Cup, that’s surprise pick, makes the XI after editions had two teenagers each the best thing about them,” Smriti debuting in the Tri-nation series with the 2018 roster also having four Mandhana, another top-order final against Australia. THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2020 ADVERTISEMENT 35 THE INDIAN PANORAMA 36 ADVERTISEMENT FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2020