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Follow us on Vol.6 No. 51 April 19-25, 2014 60 Cents New York Edition TheSouthAsianTimes.info

The South Asian Times endorses NaMo as next Prime Minister of India.
By Parveen Chopra
Managing Editor

any times in the past elections, Congress party managed to hold on to power -ineffectual governance or lukewarm popular support notwithstanding -because of what used to be called the TINA factor. TINA stands for There Is No Alternative. Now, the shoe is on the other foot. There is no alternative to Narendra Modi who is roaring and ready to wrest the reins of the country. His barnstorming election campaign for his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is like a juggernaut which is casting aside everything in its path. The Congress party still refuses to see the writing on the wall, because as BJP leader Arun Jaitley said, Most Congressmen believe they were born to rule. Certainly the first family of the Congress firmly believes that." Instead of accepting the failures of UPA II - policy paralysis and gargantuan scams-- Congress leaders are blaming Manmohan Singh governments inability to communicate its achievements for the party-led fronts slipping electoral support. What they fail to see is the opportunity and valuable time the country lost due to poor governance of the past five years when the prime minister was a mute witness to the unfolding scams and the parallel centers of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul were calling the shots. In this seemingly hopeless

situation, three-term Chief Minister of Gujarat, Narendra Modi, with his power to make miracles with his development model and achieve consistent double digit economic growth rate, was waiting to be unleashed on the country. The first watershed moment in the by now fast changing scene and in Modis unstoppable march to 7, Race Course Road came in March 2013 when he was chosen head of BJPs Central Election Campaign Committee. Three months later, he was installed as head of the poll campaign for the crucial 2014 general election, albeit in the face of stiff opposition from senior party leader L.K. Advani. Obviously what Advani and others in his group inimical to Modi could not see or accept but party president Rajnath Singh cottoned on to was that Modi alone could deliver the final push to BJP which was within sniffing distance of power. Rajnath Singh prevailed again when in September 2013 the party declared Modi as their prime ministerial candidate for the 2014 Lok Sabha election. Internal opposition in the party maybe managed for now, but the secular parties led by Congress and liberal intellectuals have pounced upon Modi, digging up the issue of post-Godhra riots of 2002 in Gujarat. No matter that during late 2011 and early 2012, Modi undertook a series of fasts as part of a Sadbhavna (goodwill) Mission to reach out to the Muslim community in his state, or as he has recently been reiterat-

ing that he does not discriminate between Hindus and Muslims and is not going to divide the country as prime minister. He wants to move on. But yes, the taint remains no matter that the courts have exonerated him. No matter. Modis popularity is skyrocketing and each successive opinion poll has been cramming more and more seats in BJPs column. A month ago, the surveys predicted BJP-led NDA (National Democratic Alliance) would emerge the largest group in Lok Sabha, yet fall short of a simple majority. This week the estimate was revised up, NDA could cross 275 seats in the 545 strong House, meaning that the BJPs Mission 272 (hitherto called Mission Impossible by the Cassandras) is all but accomplished. The multi-pronged poll campaign under Modi too is breathtaking, much ahead of that of the rival parties. Witness, for example, NaMo addressing public meetings using 3D hologram technique. The social media too is widely used and the energies of overseas Indians harnessed well. What is working in Modi and BJPs favor is that after years of a rudderless regime and ensuing chaos, the country craves a strong, decisive leader. More, the age of ideology is past, ordinary folks just want to lead a decent life. In Modi Continued on page 3

Why Modi for PM? Also see pages 2,3,4.

India Elections 10

Personal Finance 25

Humor 28

Spiritual Awareness 30

excellence in journalism

April 19-25, 2014

MODI FOR PM

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

By SAT Team

y definition of secularism is simple: 'India First'. Whatever you do, wherever you work, India should be the top priority for all its citizens. These moving words from Narendra Modi have redefined secularism as synonymous with nationalism and challenged Congress partys claim to be the only secular party. Secularism is in the DNA of Indians. We believe the entire world is our family. Vote bank politics is a bane. It is when that ends that we will understand the true definition of secularism, Modi said while addressing Indian Americans through video conferencing. "Country is above all religions and ideologies," he argued. The Congress has reacted sharply by asking Modi to first demonstrate in Gujarat that he was secular before talking about the rest of the country. CPI-Ms Prakash Karat said Modi's Gujarat model was not acceptable to the rest of India. One can ask, what is wrong in saying that every Indian should put the country above everything else? That applies to people of both the majority Hindu community and the main minority Muslims. Once the national interest become paramount, other differences will automatically be put on the backburner. Country is above all religions and ideologies. Nothing less than Indias wellbeing should be our goal. And if this happens, secularism will automatically run in our blood," said Modi. But to score points in this election season, Congress has kept harping on Modis alleged complicity in post-Godhra Gujarat riots of 2002. The BJPs counter attack reminds Congress of anti-Sikh riots of 1984. But for how long can we allow ourselves to remain prisoners of history? The courts are looking into both the Gujarat riots and 1984 riots and some of the culprits have been sent to jail as well. Unfortunately, the hair-splitting on secularism vs communalism has molded much of the political discourse in India in the past two decades. Congress and BJP have always accused each other of stoking religious sen-

timents for electoral benefits. BJP has always accused Congress of pursuing the policy of "minority appeasement" since independence. Secularism basically is a western concept that separates government institutions and functionaries from religious institutions and dignitaries. The emergence of BJP in the 1990s as a serious challenger to Congress partys hegemony ignited the secularism vs communalism debate. Riding on the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, BJP grabbed power in UP and emerged as an alternative to the Congress at the national level, with even some sadhus getting elected to Parliament on BJP ticket. Consequently, the BJPs perceived antiminority image polarized the Indian polity as Muslims started voting en-bloc for parties most likely to defeat the BJP. The Congress, sensing an opportunity for isolating the emerging rival, positioned itself as the torch bearer of "secularism". But its high time that the country and its politicians decide to take a fresh look at the secularism vs communalism debate. Modi deserves a hearing.

How Modi became synonymous with BJP

enior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi said recently that there is no Modi wave, only a BJP wave in the ongoing general election. He is in denial. Nobody can deny that ever since party President Rajnath Singh managed to get Narendra Modi declared as the partys PM candidate, the party has been energized and galvanized and close to forming the next government in India. People in general and the media in particular are hooked on 24/7 to what Modi says and does. His barnstorming rallies attract huge crowds. Within months Modi has dwarfed all other leaders in the party in popularity and influence - and that includes LK Advani on whose rath yatra BJP rode to become the second largest party after Congress in the 1991 election. Advani was dissuaded from contesting from Bhopal, something he wanted. Jaswant Singh was expelled from

the party after he decided to run as an independent after being denied a party ticket in Barmer. Modi is a strong leader, somebody India may need, you can argue, after the seemingly headless UPA government convulsed by policy paralysis. But there have been murmurs of unease. Public intellectual Ramachandra Guha said, Modis tendency is to centralize and self-aggrandize. These traits are not entirely becoming in a prospective prime minister of a large and diverse country. RSS, the ideological fountainhead of the BJP finds nothing wrong in Modi's rising stature and it sees "nothing bad in promoting somebody who could get you votes". "The RSS never said personalities cannot or should not dominate the political scene," RSS spokesperson Ram Madhav commented when asked if decision-making powers in the BJP were being concentrated in Modi.

Surge of support for NaMo campaign in USA

lobal Indians for Bharat Vikas (GIBV), a group of NRIs, has been drumming up support for Narendra Modi and by organizing several Vote for India, Chai pe Charcha programs in all major cities of USA in late March. GIBV is spearheading the efforts of reference calling (calling ones friends and relatives in India), specific constituency focused calling (calling swing constituencies), social media campaign in support of NaMo and facilitating the visit of hundreds of NRIs to campaign on the ground in India. The cities where such programs were conducted included Boston, New Jersey, New York, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Atlanta, Orlando, Houston, Dallas, Indianapolis, Chicago, and San Francisco. These awareness raising programs will go on till the last day of election.

(1) Chicago team shouting slogans in favor of Modi (2) Indianapolis volunteers served Modi tea at a fundraising event.(3) Houston farewell to volunteers going to India to campaign.

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MODI FOR PM

April 19-25, 2014

Who will India choose?

A proven leader, a dynastic scion or a quitter?
By Team SAT

s the polling moves towards the May 16 close, BJPs prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi is leagues ahead of the nearest rivals Aam Aadmi Partys Arvind Kejriwal and Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi. The Pew Research Center, a non-partisan US think tank, reported a few weeks ago that 60% of the likely Indian voters surveyed have a very favorable view of Modi while just 23% of the public have a very favorable opinion of Rahul. And according to Google Trends, in terms of online searches, on a scale of 0-100, Modi scored 65 points, followed by Kejriwal (52 points) and Gandhi (41 points) for the month of February. In a unique online poll in Britain, Rahul Gandhi was seen as the "least driven" and "least creative" of the three main leaders. Modi emerged as the "most driven" and "most visionary" candidate while Kejriwal gets credit as "most principled" and "most creative" political figure. Actually, the choice before India is clear. Rahul being the scion of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty had a chance but did not rise to the occasion. Media reports have laid bare the poor development in Amethi, his constituency. With no governance experience and lack of vision for strengthening Indias position in the global scenario, Rahul comes across as a disappointing option for todays knowledgeable, aware, demanding Indian voter. Kejriwals stock has been falling after he quit as Delhi CM within 49 days. Now he says quitting was a mistake. The so-called Third Front has not even taken off, though Jayalalitha, Mulayam Singh and Mayawati have bared their PM ambitions in case BJP-led NDA fails to get a clear majority in Lok Sabha. Telugu Desam Party and Ram Vilas Paswans Lok Jan Shakti have already joined NDA.

Congress partys minority appeasement policies may still cut ice with the Muslims, but with AAPs emergence, that vote bank is bound to be divided. So, what is clear by now is the inevitability of Modi taking the reins of India and leading it to newer heights.

Good governance record

Modi has a strong track record of 13 years of good governance with persistent double digit GDP growth in Gujarat. Superb infrastructure, 24 hour electricity and water supply even in the interiors and new industrial hubs has not only brought prosperity to the state but also attracted huge FDI. His development model has got thumbs up from global rating agencies. In contrast, in a decade of Congress-led UPA rule, the GDP growth, which had crossed double digits, has dwindled to half, to 5.9 per cent. Inflation coupled with corruption and red tapism have stalled employment generating growth projects, and foreign investors have become wary due to flawed policies and tax laws. The plethora of gargantuan scams under Congress watch has also marred its chances of retaining power. On the other hand, Modi with his pro-growth agenda, development record for three successive terms in Gujarat holds much promise to the under-35 voters which now make for a whopping 40-50 per cent of the population. The greatest achievement of Modis rule is that there is peace and tranquility in Gujarat. There have been no communal riots in the state in the last 12 years.

itching for a "Team India", BJPs prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi said Friday his appeal would not be to Hindus and Muslims but to the entire people of the country. Holding that the country has been divided in the name of secularism, Modi said: "I cannot accept a divide between brothers of the country in the name of secularism. Neither will I say anything to Muslims nor to Hindus. I will just address 125 crore Indians," he said in an interview to Network 18 refusing to practice the politics of identity. The Gujarat chief minister said he wanted to create a "Team India" which would include the prime minister and all chief ministers. Modi said "whenever Congress sees bad days, they blame the RSS while RSS is a cultural organization dedicated to the betterment of the country. "They should be appreciated for their good work. I know of many RSS people who are living in remote areas to help people". On foreign policy, Modi said that

What Modi stands for - in his own words

trade, commerce and technology would be the driving factors in Indo-US diplomatic relations if the BJP came to power at the centre. On economic policy, a pan-India goods and services tax with the support of state governments and a push for infrastructure and privatization of state units without politics were among Modi's assurances if voted to power. He also said the entire gamut of foreign equity needed re-evaluation, even as his pro-people, pro-jobs government will not cut subsidies but shun crony capitalism. "We have always been on the side of the goods and services tax. But its success lies on a proper IT network across the country," Modi said. Pressing for corruption-free politics, Modi said he looked forward to creating a system where there was little scope for crime and corruption. "We cannot ensure 100 percent cleansing of political malpractices but we would stress on preventive measures so that the scope for crime and corruption is negligible,"

he added. He said if the BJP came to power, he would send a list of tainted MPs to the Supreme Court.

CHAI PE CHARCHA
(Chat over Tea)
Sunday, April 20th. From 3:00-4:30 pm
In order to support Narendra Modi in his election campaign to be the next Prime Minister of India, Chai Pe Charcha (Chat over Tea) will be held at the residence of Jagdish Sewhani at 20 Linden Lane, Old Westbury, NY 11568

from 3:00-4:30 pm.

You are cordially invited to participate at this event with your family and friends.
For further information, please contact:

Jagdish Sewhani 917-834-8842 Animesh Goenka (516-647-9950 Dr. Yashpal Arya 516-840-9810 Narain Kataria (718) 478-5735 Arish Sahani (718) 271-0453 Dr. C. B. Singh (718) 217-2628

Narendra Modi, The hope and... Continued from page 1 they see hope of accelerating development and their plight improving. Modis frugal lifestyle and no family to fend for is seen as a bulwark against temptation to be corrupt. On balance, Modi seems to the right man at the right time who will work tirelessly to take the country into the 21st century with head held high in the comity of nations. He may be labeled by the liberal media and some quarters internationally as a controversial, polarizing, and divisive figure, but British economist

Jim O'Neill, author of the BRIC report, wrote that Modi is "good on economics", one of the things that "India desperately needs in a leader". Modis development model has got thumbs up from global rating agencies. The flow of FDI is ready to resume again and the Indian stock market to zoom up. Not only India, the world is waiting with bated breath for Narendra Modi to assume power after the biggest election in the world in the biggest democracy of the world. Yet another peaceful transition of

power! The South Asian Times, the leading newspaper of the Indian diaspora in America, is proud to announce its endorsement of Shri Narendra Modi for the next Prime Minister of India. Incidentally, we recently endorsed Hon Ed Mangano for Nassau County Executive and Hon Bill de Blasio for Mayor of New York City. We are glad that both were victorious with a huge mandate. We sincerely wish and hope Shri Narendra Modi will also get a similar mandate.

April 19-25, 2014

MODI FOR PM

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Modi is resurrecting the Indian Dream

By Jagdish Sewhani Promoter, Overseas Friends of Narendra Modi arendra Modi is the icon of resurgent India. Right now he is the most popular mass leader in India. He is loved, respected and held in high esteem by millions of Indians. Modi is an idea whose time has come. More than being the BJP candidate for the post of PM, he is a movement itself which is re-energizing and reinvigorating the nation as a whole. He is the man India has been waiting for a very long time. He is seen as a solution to many of the problems Indian people have been suffering in silence. India has tremendous potential. It deserves better. If we are going to rewrite our our future and rebuild India into a glorious country, we need a dynamic, decisive leader like Narendra Modi. Modi is a leader with a difference. He has a vision to make India a superpower. And he has a proven track record of the past 12 years. The Pew Research Center, a non-partisan US think tank has said that nearly 70% of Indians surveyed support Narendra Modi as Prime Minister of India. Indians have expressed dissatisfaction with the way things are going on in the country at present, and this is shared across the political spectrum. Here are some of the reasons as to why Modi/BJP/NDA should be voted to power: 1998 2002, NDA added 2,700,000 jobs in small scale industry alone. Thats more than what Congress added across all industries in 7 years! 32 terrorist organizations like LeT, JeM, HM, ULFA, SIMI were banned by NDA. Just the Golden Quadrilateral Project

Modi can improve life of suffering masses

By Dr Narendra Hadpawat President, Rajasthan Association of North America-NY am totally convinced that finally India has a national leader who is going to improve the life of ordinary citizens so urgently required in the country. Since 1947 India has made progress in many sectors, but not enough when compared to the rest of the world. Look at many small and large countries like Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, Singapore and China. Indians in general are as well educated and intelligent if not better than citizens in these countries. I believe our elected leaders in Free India have failed us. Because the Indian National Congress was the largest political organization during the struggle for freedom from the British, naturally its leaders controlled the politics of India, or should we say abused it for their personal gain and glory. Basic necessities like education, healthcare, infrastructure did not improve much in the past 65 years. India is still home to the largest number of the poor in the world. The small percentage of educated and resourceful citizens figured out how to improve their lives, but the masses continue to suffer. Fortunately, a leader like Narendra Modi has now emerged in India at the national level who has the vision, potential and capabilities to change all this. Looking at the rapid development in Gujarat under his rule, he has proven that Good Governance is possible in India and that will improve infrastructure and economy of the country. This in turn will result in better life for the ordinary folks. He deserves the opportunity, and I believe Indian voters are going to give him the chance. Let all Indians abroad too wish him well, he has lot of tough work ahead. God bless Mother India, God bless Narendra Modi.

And a contrarian view

By Juned Qazi, Executive Member INOC (I) ujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modis media hype reflects narrow vision of a small time politician who doesnt understand the national character of India. Modi is hooked to the word development so much that he forgets the word, sustainable. Is erecting high-rise buildings the proof of real development? Or handing over government land to big industrialists at throwaway prices or keeping the labor cost cheap in his state? He boasted that manufacturing plants continued to produce during recession. He made it possible by ensuring that workers wages didnt rise. In fact, Development at a social cost is the Modi mantra. He is the guardian of the rich while paying lip service to the poor. Modi seems to believe that he is the unchallenged leader of tomorrow but he has no vision for our country. Quiz him on foreign policy, and his answer is Pakistan and China. Sadly some people are buying his nonsense and divisive statements. His economic policy, he claims without specifics, will bring dollar value down to Rs 35! He needs to look outside his shell and see the diversity of the huge nation called India. He talks about Nation First, but his vision does not go beyond Gujarat. People of India cant allow religion-based politics which violates the fundamental values of our nation upon which our constitution is based. India is a secular, socialist and democratic nation. BJP is tempering with the secular nature of our constitution. Modi too is misleading the people by dragging religion into politics. India is fortunate to have a very progressive and modern constitution, which is capable of taking the nation to new heights in the 21st century.

that Vajpayee government built would save Rs. 8000 crore of fuel consumption in India. During Modis rule school dropout rates dropped from 20.9 % in 2001 to 2% in 2012 in Gujarat. The number of universities increased from 11 in 2002 to 44 in 2013 in the state. Modi has maintained double digit economic growth rate in Gujarat. The greatest achievement of the Modi Government is that there is peace and tranquility in Gujarat. There have been no com-

munal riots in the state in the last 12 years. For the most part of the past 60 years we have been led on a wrong path. In the past 10 years under Congress-led government, corruption has been rampant and it gave nothing but scams. The UPA in the past 10 years has jeopardized the Indian dream for generations to come. But we see the hope and that hope is Narendra Modi. Under Narendrabhai's dynamic leadership Indian dream can be resurrected.

Narendra Modi will

Provide clean and transparent leadership End corruption Combat terrorism effectively, enhance safety and security of nation Nurture economic development, create jobs for younger generation End the dynastic rule from Indian democracy. India will once again be the most favored nation for Global Investment. Time has come to bid farewell forever to Corrupt Congress.

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TRISTATE COMMUNITY

April 19-25, 2014

Brooklyn poet Vijay Seshadri wins Pulitzer

Washington, DC: Bangalore born poet Vijay Seshadri has won the 2014 Pulitzer Prize for poetry for "3 Sections" described as "a compelling collection of poems that examine human consciousness, from birth to dementia, in a voice that is by turns witty and grave, compassionate and remorseless." Seshadri, 60, will get the $10,000 prize for a distinguished volume of original verse by an American author and published by Graywolf Press, announced Columbia University, which administers the prestigious prizes. Also nominated as finalists in the poetry category were "The Sleep of Reason," by Morri Creech (The Waywiser Press) and "The Big Smoke," by Adrian Matejka (Penguin). Seshadri's other poetry collections include "The Long Meadow" (2004), which won the James Laughlin Award from the Academy of American Poets, and "Wild Kingdom

Sant Chatwal pleads guilty to violating US electoral laws

New York: Indian-American hotelier Sant Singh Chatwal Thursday pleaded guilty at a court here to violating federal election campaign laws by using straw donors to secretly funnel money to political campaigns and will pay a million dollars to the US as part of his plea agreement. "Chatwal admitted that he used straw donors so that he could gain access to the politicians, and he coerced another person to hide his crime," said Acting US Assistant Attorney General David O'Neil. Chatwal, 70, had raised at least $100,000 for Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton's 2008 presidential campaign against Barack Obama. He pleaded guilty in the Eastern District of New York to conspiring to violate the Federal Election Campaign Act (the 'Election Act') by making more than $180,000 in federal campaign donations to three candidates through straw donors who were reimbursed and to witness tampering. There is no allegation that the candidates participated in, or were aware of, Chatwal's scheme, federal prosecutors said. "Chatwal's scheme sought to subvert the very purpose of the Election Act. Chatwal then rolled the dice to stymie the government's investigation, thinking he could corruptly convince witnesses to his federal election crimes to stay silent. That gamble did not pay off," said US Attorney Loretta Lynch. According to court filings and facts presented during the plea proceeding, Chatwal operated several businesses, including restaurants, hotels, and

Vijay Sheshadri

(1996)," according to poets.org. Seshadri, who came to America at the age of five, grew up in Columbus, Ohio. He teaches poetry and nonfiction writing at Sarah Lawrence College and lives in Brooklyn with his wife and son.

IIFA sued for $ 7 million

New York: Travel agent Akarsh Kolaprath, who runs a Florida-based enterprise, has filed a lawsuit against Wizcraft, the organizers of the 15th International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFA) for alleged breach of trust. Kolaprath claims that three years ago, he struck a deal with Andre Timmins and Viraf Sarkari of Wizcraft through his family company, 7M tours. As part of the deal, he was asked to help them out with co-ordination of finances and taking the award ceremony to the US this year, according to a Mid-Day report. Kolaprath claims to have spent the last three years and around $2,65,000 on consulting and making travel arrangements for the organization. In return, Wizcraft apparently promised him 3 percent of the entire profit. Kolaprath says that he even managed hotel bookings for the event, which is going to be held from April 24 to 27. It seems that the event organizers have abruptly changed their mind and decided to do their own bookings and arrangements thereby cancelling his services. Kolaprath has now sued Wizcraft for $7 million for leaving him in the lurch without giving him adequate reasons. Wizcraft and IIFA in a press statement said, "The claims made by Akarsh/&7M tours are false and frivolous. It is a concocted story lacking any substance. Wwe shall respond to these claims appropriately before the court."

A friend of the Clintons, Sant Chatwal reportedly used straw donors to fund political campaigns.

a hotel management company. From 2007 to 2011, Chatwal used his employees, business associates, and contractors who performed work on his hotels (the "Chatwal Associates") to solicit campaign contributions on Chatwal's behalf in support of various candidates for federal office and PACs, collect these contributions, and pay reimbursements for these contributions. Chatwal was awarded Padma Bhushan in 2010 for his role in the historic IndiaUS civilian nuclear deal. He heads the chain of the upscale Hampshire Hotels.

Dr. Parikh appointed to NJ State Board of Medical Examiners

The board is constituted of a seTrenton, NJ: Gov. Chris Christie has appointed Dr. Sudhir M. lect number of physicians and Parikh, a reputed allergist in the medical personnel, all appointed by the governor. tristate area, to the State Board of Medical Examiners. This will be Dr. Parikh, who runs 24 allergy and asthma practices in the tristate the second time Dr. Parikh will be area, is also known for his philanserving on the board. In 1993, he was the first Indian-American apthropic work with several nonprofit organizations in the US and Inpointed to the board by then Gov. Christie Todd Whitman. dia. He is also the recipient of several awards including the Ellis IsThe New Jerseys Medical Board describes its mission as one of pro- Dr. Sudhir Parikh land Medal of Honor (2005), one of the highest civilian honors for tecting the publics health and safety by determining qualifications of applicants an immigrant in the country; the Pravasi for licensure, establishing standards for prac- Bharatiya Samman and the Padma Shri from tice, and disciplining licensees who do not ad- India, and the Mahatma Gandhi Pravasi Samhere to those requirements. In addition to man. Dr. Parikh is the chairman and publisher physicians and podiatrists, the board licenses of Parikh Worldwide Media Inc. which puband certifies certain other health care profes- lishes five periodicals including Desi Talk in New York. He is married to Dr. Sudha Parikh. sionals.

Rajat Gupta ordered to begin prison sentence in June

New York: India-born former Goldman Sachs director Rajat Gupta, who had lost his appeal to overturn his conviction on insider trading charges, has been ordered to surrender and begin his two-year prison sentence in June. On March 25, a US court upheld the 2012 conviction of 65-year-old Gupta on insider trading charges for supplying confidential information to jailed hedge fund boss Raj Rajaratnam. The Harvard-educated Gupta had suffered a major setback a district denied his bid for a new trial, ruling that there was no merit in Gupta's appeal. Gupta was found guilty in June 2012 of passing confidential information about Goldman Sachs to his friend and business associate Rajaratnam just minutes after Gupta exited Goldman's board meetings.Gupta was sentenced to two years' imprisonment, to be followed by a one-year term of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a fine of $5,000,000. He had been free on bail pending decision on his appeal.

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e x c e l l e n c e i n j o u r n a l i s m

April 19-25, 2014

NATIONAL COMMUNITY

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New York Lifes Navaratnam Theivakumar receives excellence award

New York: Navaratnam Theivakumar, a senior partner at New York Lifes New Jersey General Office was honored last week with the Brian H. Early Frontline Excellence Award. Thevan, as he is popularly known, received the award at the 2014 GAMA International Awards Program held in Nashville, TN, where industry leaders from around the world gathered to network and learn best practices from top representatives in the financial services industry. The Brian H. Early Frontline Excellence Award recognizes field leaders who have shown exemplary performance in their current frontline positions and are considered to be the industrys rising leaders. During his ten years as an agent and seven years as a partner, he has been honored with numerous company and industry award including membership in the Million Dollar Round Table, an international, independent association of the worlds leading life insurance and financial services professionals. MDRT membership is recognized internationally as the standard of sales excellence in the life insurance and financial services business. In 2013, Theivakumar received an International Management Award recognizing excellence in traditional and contemporary field management throughout the financial services industry from GAMA International, a worldwide association serving the professional development needs of more than 8,000 field leaders in the insurance, investment and financial services industry. Theivakumar, began his career in Bergen General Office as an agent with New York Life in March 1997. He joined the New Jersey General Office in Saddlebrook as a partner in 2007 and he currently works out of New York Lifes satellite office in Edison, NJ. He resides in Princeton, NJ with his wife Ruby and their three children, Suran, Tharani and Kirrupan.

Shown at the awards ceremony at the GAMA International event in Nashville, Tenn., (l-r) are: Nic Romero, Navaratnam Theivakumar, Shane Swanson and Jason Early

IN BRIEF

NYPD disbands unit that spied on Muslims

New York: The New York Police Department has abandoned a secretive program that dispatched plainclothes detectives into Muslim neighborhoods to eavesdrop on conversations and built detailed files on where people ate, prayed and shopped, the department said. The decision by the nation's largest police force to shutter the surveillance program represents the first sign that William J Bratton, the department's new commissioner, is backing away from some of the post-9/11 intelligencegathering practices of his predecessor. The move comes as the federal government reconsiders and re-evaluates some of its post-9/11 policies, including the National Security Agency's bulk data collection. The police department's tactics, which are the subject of two federal lawsuits, drew criticism from civil rights groups and a senior FBI official who said they harmed national security by sowing mistrust for law enforcement in Muslim communities. The Demographics Unit, which dates to 2003 and was renamed the Zone Assessment Unit in recent years, has been largely inactive since Bratton took over in January, the department's chief spokesman, Stephen Davis, said. The unit's detectives were recently reassigned, he said. "Understanding certain local demographics can be a useful factor when assessing the threat information that comes into New York City virtually on a daily basis," Davis said.

FIACONA criticizes Indias PM, seeks free and fair Lok Sabha elections
he newly elected national Executive Board of the Federation of Indian American Christian Organizations of North America, Inc. (FIACONA) expressed its desire, that the ongoing national elections in India should be held free and fair, during its General Body meeting held in its Washington DC office over the weekend. FIACONA further urged the leaders of political parties there to be respectful of the civil and social rights of every single citizen of India, regardless of ones religious or social affiliation. While wishing all political parties best of luck ahead of the elections, FIACONA urged, Mr. Rajnath Singh, Ms. Sonia Gandhi, Ms. Jayalalitha, Mr. Karunanithi, Mr. Mulayam Singh, Mr. Chandrababu Naidu, Mr. Jagan Reddy, Mr. Kejeriwal, Ms. Mayawati, Ms. Mamata Banerjee, Mr. Patnaik, Mr. Karat, Mr. Pawar, Mr. Sharat Ya-

NY seniors organize Art of Living/ Way of Life seminar

n March 26 2014, New York seniors organized a seminar on Art of living/Way of Life by Shashikant Patel and Gopi Udeshi at Shri Saneeswara Temple at Bellerose Terrace Queens. Dr. Jatin Kapadia, a well known pediatric doctor, has studied Vedanta and Upanishad for the last 20 years. As an outstanding speaker he teaches Bhagawat Geeta on weekends at different venues in Tri-State area to all age groups. His Vedic words added wisdom and refreshed mind. Seen here

dav, Mr. Chautala, Mr. Abdullah, Mr. Gowda, Mr. Shekar Tiwari and other leaders of the national and regional political parties to work for the unity of the nation and to heal the division that has caused strife in the society. FIACONA expressed its disappointment in the leadership of Dr. Manmohan Singh and his governments inability to meet several challenges head on, in spite of the mandate given to him, while recognizing his contribution to, and the able management of, the economy during his two terms as Prime Minister. The Board also pointed out that the current President of FIACONA, Mr. Prabhudoss is denied visa to visit India by Dr. Singhs government since 2010, for supporting the victims of Kandhammal violence in in the eastern Indian State of Orissa during 2008.

Overseas Friends of NAMO host Chai pe charcha in Calif.

(L to R): Prafulba Vaghela, Gopi Udeshi, Dr Jatin Kapadia,Shidhar and Shashikant Patel.

Havan in NY for Modis electoral success

ndia First Alliance (IFA) organized a havan at the residence of Durana Singha at Lindenhurst, New York April 13to propitiate all gods, goddesses, nine planets and invoked blessings of Ganesha, the remover of all obstacles with a view to ensure a resounding victory of Narendra Modi in the general elections in India. The puja was conducted by Shastri Jagdish Tripathi and ended with the chants of Dharma Ki Jai Ho; Adharma Ka Nash Ho! Rajendra P. Singh welcomed the audience and requested each and everyone in the audience to call friends and family members in India - at least 50 people - and urge them to conduct door to door campaign in their neighborhood and ensure that they either

Havan in progress

vote for Narendra Modi/BJP, Shiv Sena, Akali Dali or any other member of the NDA.

ay Area Indian community led by Overseas Friends of BJP (OFBJP) thronged Swagat Restaurant in Milpitas, CA on April 2 to discuss BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi's prospects of becoming India's next Prime minister. Though the program was to be a discussion "Chai Pe Charcha" (over a cup of tea) the overwhelming response turned it into an all evening, dinner event. Dr. Rajni Sarin, Co-Convener of Overseas Friends of BJP(Global), who had just arrived from Delhi, was the chief guest. The event was attended by over 100 strong Bay Area community leaders. Indian community in bay area has been impressed with Shri Modi's bold initiatives in improving Gujarat's growth and development in economic and human index with his selfless service. Indian community now expects Modi to duplicate the success at the center to uplift the nation. Dr. Rajni Sarin highlighted long list of Modi's achievements in Gujarat and narrated her personal interaction with him, labeling him a workaholic with a clear vision and

plan of action for next 20 years. Various community members spoke in support of and to cheer Modi's mission 272+ and to wish him success. In a lively discussion, which had 100% participation, they provided many ideas and feedback to assure that BJP's mission 272+ succeeds. Chandru Bhambhra, Past President of OFBJP (USA) said, In these last few days, our callings to our friends & relatives in India asking them to go and vote for BJP would be very effective. This is the best situation in many years. It is either now or never!" Ashwini Surpur of Yoga Bharti made a powerful case to assure that India does not lose this chance to pull India out of doldrums. She said, "India lost three chances by not recognizing the talents of Subhash Chandra Bose, Sardar Vallabh bhai Patel and Lal Bahadur Shastri. We now have a fourth chance and we should not miss this. This will be a disaster for the country. Sanjay Tripathi, General Secretary HSS(Bay Area) proudly announced that he is leaving for India to campaign for BJP in his hometown of Varanasi.

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

NATIONAL COMMUNITY

April 19-25, 2014

Indian-Americans land in Surgeon Anil Kumar joins Congressional India to root for Modi race; Bera raises close to half a million
New York: Around 700 Indian Americans have landed in India and campaigning to make Narendra Modi- the next prime minister. The NRIs are visiting various towns and villages urging people to vote for Modi, Asian American Store Owners' Association (AASOA) Executive Director Vipul Patel told reporters at in Vadodara, Gujarat on Monday. NRIs have also been addressing meetings in various parts of the country including Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal and other states appealing people to vote for Modi, he said, adding that the NRIs feel that India needs a strong leader like Modi to develop the country. Their work is being coordinated by the Global Indians for Bharat Vikas (GIBV), a group which identifies itself as a non-religious, non-political and non-profit organization formed by over 70 professionals from over 10 states of America, who had first gathered in North Brunswick, New Jersey in September 2013. "In the last 12 years, Gujarat has witnessed much development under Modi as chief minister. Now, we want him to replicate this development elsewhere in the country," said scientist Dr Vasudev Patel, president of Gujarati Samaj at Atlanta Georgia and general secretary of South East Overseas Friends of BJP. "While campaigning for Modi in Uttar Pradesh, I realized that despite the state sending 80 MPs and giving many prime ministers to India, it has not seen any development in the last six decades. There are villages which still yearn for power, roads, water and education leave alone sanitation issues. Hence, we are supporting Modi," said Ramesh Shah, trustee of Gujarati Samaj of Houstan, Texas. Washington, DC: Anil Kumar, an Indian-American surgeon and small business owner in Michigan has filed papers as a Democratic candidate in the race for the US House of Representatives from the states 11th Congressional district. Kumar, who has practised medicine in Metropolitan Detroit for the past 30 years, has raised over $600,000 to date, according to a media release from his campaign. Im running for Congress because we need leaders with fresh ideas to get our state and our economy, back on track, said Kumar. People are frustrated because Washington isnt working. Now more than ever, we need to create good-paying jobs, make education affordable, protect Social Security and Medicare, and assure healthcare is accessible to everyone. Kumar, a womens rights advoington, the release said. Meanwhile, the lone IndianAmerican House member Ami Bera Tuesday announced that his campaign raised over $485,000 in the first quarter of 2014. The campaign has nearly $1.5 million cash on hand. The vast majority of Beras support is local, with 85 percent of individual donations this quarter coming from California. Additionally, more than 73 percent of those contributions were $100 or less, his campaign said. I am so grateful for the incredible continued help from our grassroots supporters who make this campaign possible, said Bera, who represents Californias Sacramento County in Congress. Its just further confirmation that Sacramento County families want a problem solver who keeps his promises and puts them ahead of politics representing them in Congress, he said.

Dr Anil Kumar to contest from 11th District of Michigan

cate, said his campaign will prioritize solutions not partisan politics. Growing up in a hard-working middle class family taught Kumar the values he will bring to Wash-

USIBC President Ron Somers resigns

To start consulting practice; Exe VP Diane Farrell will be Acting President
Washington, DC: U.S.-India Business Council (USIBC) President Ron Somers has resigned his post to start a strategic consulting practice. USIBC Executive Vice President and Senior Director Diane Farrell will serve as Acting President during the search for a replacement. "With elections underway in India and a new government forming, this is the perfect time for me to do what I have long planned-hang out my shingle," said Somers. "It's been an incredibly rewarding experience to lead the exceptional USIBC staff, work with an outstanding board, and advance the critical U.S.-India commercial relationship." "Ron has brought incred-

Miss America Nina Davuluri, chef Maneet Chauhan invited to White House Easter gala
Washington, DC: First ever Indian-American Miss America 2014 Nina Davuluri with celebrated Indian-American chef Maneet Chauhan has been invited by the White House for its annual Easter Egg Roll Celebrations. The celebrations among other things would feature 'yoga' sessions for the second consecutive year. Easter Egg Roll will take place on April 21 on the South Lawn of the White House. The celebrations in support of the first lady's 'Let's Move!' initiative is focused on promoting health and wellness with the theme, 'Hop into Healthy, Swing into Shape'. The day-long event is to be attended by some 30,000 people from across the country and will feature live music, sports courts, cooking stations, storytelling and of course Easter egg rolling. This year's special guest is 12-year-old singing sensation Cam Anthony. Anthony will sing the National Anthem as well as perform on the Rock 'n' Egg Roll Stage. Readers on the Storytime Stage will be Jim Carrey, Miss America 2014 Nina Davuluri, former NFL player and NASA astronaut Leland Melvin, DJ Lance Rock, Debby Ryan from the Disney Channel's JESSIE and Sesame Street's Mando, Rosita, Abby Cadabby and Cookie Monster.

Nina Davuluri

Chef Maneet Chauhan

Ron Somers

ible energy, experience, and insight to the U.S.-India Business Council," said MasterCard Worldwide President and CEO and USIBC Chair Ajay Banga. "On behalf of the entire board and staff, we want to thank him for his remarkable efforts and accomplishments."

U.S. Chamber Executive Vice President David Chavern praised Somers' tenure as USIBC President: "Ron has a strong record of accomplishment and has provided tremendous leadership in his nearly ten years with USIBC. We wish him well in his future endeavors."

Chefs Maneet Chauhan, Alexandra Guarnaschelli, Sam Kass, Marc Murphy, Charles Phan, Super Sprowtz, and the Disney Channel cast of JESSIE will prepare healthy eating demonstrations in the Play with your Food station. Previously the Executive Chef of several notable restaurants including Vermilion Chicago and Vermilion New York, Maneet Chauhan is featured as a judge on Chopped on the Food Network and has appeared on The Next Iron Chef, The View and Iron Chef America. For the second consecutive year, the White House has created a yoga garden for the occasion. "Come enjoy a session of yoga from professional instructors," the White House said.

April 19-25, 2014

NATIONAL COMMUNITY

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

New York: New York's Indian American prosecutor Preet Bharara has now taken on the state's Governor Andrew M. Cuomo over his decision to shutter an anti-corruption commission as part of a deal with legislators for an ethics package. Cuomo created the panel "with great fanfare, shuttered it "unceremoniously, said Bharara in a radio interview as cited by Newsday, and "thinking people wonder why that happened and want to get to the bottom of it." "I think in the letter I sent to the commission I said there was an appearance that cases were bargained away in exchange for a political deal," said the attorney. Bharara, an appointee of President Barack Obama, indicated he was troubled by reports of interference in the commission's actions. "I don't know what the facts are," Bharara was quoted as saying on WNYC's "The Brian Lehrer Show" April 10. "What I can tell you is that it's impossible to overstate the importance of independence on the part of any investigative body." Bharara, Newsday said, wouldn't rule out investigating whether Cuomo or his aides improperly intervened in activities undertaken by the recently shuttered anti-corruption commission. Asked several times by Lehrer if he could rule out investigating Cuomo's office, the prosecutor said: "I'm not going to prejudge what we'll be looking at." Meanwhile, the governor downplayed criticism of his decision to shutter the commission saying "It was created to spur the legislation." "I said repeatedly when the legislation was

Now Preet Bharara takes on Governor Cuomo NDA government will create investment friendly environment: BJP leader Tarun Vijay
Washington, DC: A BJPsector. Strengthening our led NDA government industrial and trade poliwould be "stronger, decicies. Strengthening small sive, transparent and preand medium enterprises. dictable" and it would creBarring FDI in retail, we ate an investment friendly would be very happy to inenvironment, according to vite investment in the core a senior party leader. sectors," he told the Amer"Restructuring, rejuveican businesses. nating and re-strengthen"One thing would be ing the Indian economy guaranteed there will be will be the top priority of transparency, no corrupthe NDA government," tion, predictability and said BJP national nothing like retrospective spokesperson Tarun Vijay, policies on taxation," Vijay who was invited by the assured them. Overseas Friends of the "It will be investment BJP spokesperson Tarun Vijay was in BJP to be the chief Florida for BJP Foundation Day events friendly environment in guest at the BJP Founthe new government," dation Day events in Tampa and Florida. He he said, adding that he got a very positive feedheld a series of meetings including those with back from the American business communities corporate sector organized by the US India here. Business Council and think-tanks. During his meeting with members of the US In addition to meeting some US officials, he think-tank community, he was asked a plethoalso met several lawmakers including Indian- ra of questions on Gujarat, minority, human American Congressman Ami Bera. rights and social issues, besides economy. "The US business is ready to apply for Modi's visa issue did pop up during the meet(Narendra) Modi visa. I told them that India's ing, he said. "I said this is for the US to decide. new government, as our manifesto has said, He (Modi) never applied for visa. This is their would be economy driven government," he (American) problem and this is their baggage. said. "Our priority would be to get more in- This is not our baggage. All our idea is that vestment and more power to the manufacturing both the great democracies must work strategisector. More investment in the infrastructure cally, but on equal terms," he said.

Preet Bharara has questioned Governor Cuomo's decision to shut an anti-corruption commission.

passed the commission would be disbanded," he was quoted as saying by Newsday at a Rochester news conference at about the same time Bharara was on the radio. Cuomo and legislators in closed-door negotiations agreed to enact some election law changes and toughen bribery statutes. In exchange, the governor terminated the commission that was originally slated to work through the end of this year. According to Newsday, Bharara's investigations of state legislators helped spark, in part, the creation of the commission last year. In letters to the commission, Bharara asked it to "preserve all documents that may be under your control" including e-mails. "We're going to look at the documents," Bharara was quoted as saying in an interview. "We're going to see what the facts are, and if there are questions that are appropriate to ask . . . my office will ask those questions."

American artist designing Sardar Patels 597-foot statue

New York: South Jersey-raised University of the Arts grad Joe Menna is creating a design to build the worlds largest statue in India, the Associated Press reported. As a staff artist at the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia, the 44-year-old sculptor has immortalized the likes of Washington, Jefferson and Teddy Roosevelt on U.S. dollar coins. Now hes helping make history, too. A campaign in India to build the worlds largest statue commissioned him to create a design. His likeness of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who led hundreds of princely states to form the modern nation, is the working model for a 597foot-tall colossus, part of a proposed $400 million complex in Gujarat. This Statue of Unity would be about twice the height of the Statue of Liberty, taller than Philadelphia City Hall, including William Penn, and higher even than the Crazy Horse slowly being carved out of a mountain in A working model of the South Dakota. And the Indian statues height statue of Sardar Patel doesnt even count its 60-foot-high base. being sculpted by Joe Count that and the monument would be about Menna (inset) two-thirds as tall as the Eiffel Tower.

'Pentagon's new religious guidelines still discriminatory'

Washington, DC: Pentagon's new religious guidelines are still discriminatory as they impose "stifling" requirements on religion observing service members, according to 21 faith and interfaith groups. These organizations, in a letter to the Department of Defense, have asked the Pentagon to consider finetuning its revised instruction to better accommodate religious practices. The new guidelines require service members to violate their religion while accommodation requests are pending and they are made to repeatedly apply for temporary waivers, the letter which was also signed by the Sikh Coalition said. The letter states that these "stifling" requirements "may needlessly limit career opportunities, or, in some cases, end careers." "If a service member can graduate from boot camp and successfully perform his or her military duties, their religion alone shouldn't be a barrier to serving our country," said Rajdeep Singh, director of Law and Policy for the Sikh Coalition. Since the Pentagon began restricting the ability of Sikhs to serve in the US armed forces in 1981, only three Sikhs, Major Kamaljeet Singh Kalsi, Captain Tejdeep Singh Rattan and Cpl Simran Preet Singh Lamba, have received permission to serve in the US Army while maintaining their articles of faith. Despite their achievements, including promotions, awards, and two successful deployments to Afghanistan, their religious accommodations are neither permanent nor guaranteed under the new guidelines, must be constantly renewed and can be taken away at any time even shortly before retirement. In their letter, the 21 faith and interfaith organizations said as currently drafted, revised instruction would require religion observing service members and prospective service members to remove their head coverings, cut their hair, or shave their beards 'a violation of their religious obligations' while their request to accommodate these same religious practices is pending. "This is so, even if they are otherwise qualified to serve and an accommodation is unlikely to undermine safety or other necessary objectives. We urge you to reconsider this provision, which has the effect of forcing some religion observing service members to make an impossible choice between their faith and their chosen profession," the letter said. Without further revisions, these instructions will have an unwelcome and unnecessary chilling effect on religious liberty and will limit opportunities for talented individuals of faith to serve in our nation's military, it said. The signatories to the letter include Muslim Advocates, National Council of Jewish Women, Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF), United Methodist Church, General Board of Church and Society.

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

US AFFAIRS

April 19-25, 2014

WaPo, Guardian share public service Pulitzer

Washington: The Washington Post and Guardian have won the Pulitzer Prize for public service, among the most prestigious awards in journalism, for their stories based on National Security Agency documents leaked by the former government contractor Edward J. Snowden. The British newspaper The public service Pulitzer was shared by was recognized for two newspapers for reporting on the NSA "helping through aggres- surveillance programs based on leaks by Edward Snoweden. sive reporting to spark a debate about the relaBreaking News Reporting, the jury tionship between the government picked The Boston Globe "for its and the public over issues of securi- exhaustive and empathetic coverty and privacy", Columbia Univer- age of the Boston Marathon bombsity's Graduate School of Journal- ings and the ensuing manhunt that ism said. enveloped the city". The Post, meanwhile, was honThe prize for International Reored for its "authoritative and in- porting went to Jason Szep and Ansightful reports that helped the pub- drew R.C. Marshall of Reuters for lic understand how the disclosures their coverage of the persecution of fit into the larger framework of na- the Muslim Rohingya minority tional security". In the category of in Myanmar.

Bloomberg plans $50M gun control network

New York: Former NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg plans to spend $50 million this year to build a grassroots network to challenge the National Rifle Association (NRA) and seek stricter gun control laws. Bloomberg tells the media he wants to absorb the groups he funds Mayors Against Illegal Guns and Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America under an umbrella group called Everytown for Gun Safety. He says the strategy will focus on expanding the background check system for gun buyers at the state and national levels. The group will focus on 15 states, including pro-gun territories like Texas and where gun control initiatives have advanced. It has set a goal of signing up one million new supporters this year. The NRA declined to comment.

One year on, Boston Marathon tragedy victims remembered

Boston: In a somber yet uplifting ceremony April 15 on the first anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombings, the victims killed in the attacks were remembered, while the courage and compassion were praised of those who aided the survivors, both soon after the deadly explosions and the ensuing year. You have become the One of the Marathon bombing survivors pictured at the finishing line face of Americas resolve, not unlike what happened in about a rising of human spirit 9/11 .... for the whole world to that would overcome the evil of see, said Vice President Joe the bombings. Bombing survivor Biden, praising the citys resilience Adrianne Haslet-Davis, a dancer whose leg was amputated after the in the face of the bombings. People know all about you. blast, said, The city has stood by They know who you are, they us, supported us, and helped us know your pride, they know your heal. Governor Deval Patrick also courage, they know your resolve, they know who you are, Biden thanked first responders, the medsaid at the citys John B. Hynes ical community and civilians who rushed to help. Memorial Convention Center. And he repeatedly used the Leading off the ceremony at the convention center, Rev. Liz Walk- phrase that there are no strangers er, pastor of the Roxbury Presbyte- here to drive home his point that rian Church and a former local the bombings had united the newscaster, spoke passionately region.

In many cities, rent is rising out of reach of working class

New York: Rent plus utilities are considered affordable if take up no more than 30 percent of a households income. But rising rents now make that optimum more and more unattainable for middle-income families. And we are not taking about the high cost cities like New York and San Francisco. According to an analysis by Zillow, the real estate website, reported in the New York Times, in 90 cities across the nation the median rent not including utilities was more than 30 percent of the median gross income. In Chicago, rent as a percentage of income has risen to 31 percent, from a historical average of 21 percent. In New Orleans, it has more than doubled, to 35 percent from 14 percent. Zillow calculated the historical average using data from 1985 to 2000. Nationally, half of all renters are now spending more than 30 percent of their income on housing, according to a comprehensive Harvard study, up from 38 percent of renters in 2000. In December, Housing Secretary Shaun Donovan declared the worst rental affordability crisis that this country has ever known. Apartment vacancy rates have dropped so low that according to a research firm, rents could rise, on average, as much as 4 percent this year, compared with 2.8 percent last year. But rents are rising faster than that in many cities even as overall inflation is running at little more than 1 percent annually. One of the most expensive cities for renters is Miami, where rents, on average, consume 43 percent of the typical household income, up from a historical average of just over a quarter. Part of the reason for the squeeze on renters is simple demand between 2007 and 2013 the US added, on net, about 6.2 million tenants, compared with 208,000 homeowners, said Stan Humphries, the chief economist of Zillow.

Anti-Jew shootings suspect to face hate crime charges

Washington: A 73-year-old former Ku Klux Klan member accused of killing three people in suburban Kansas city shootings Sunday will face hate crime charges, US law enforcement officials said Monday. The federal and local law enforcement have said the shooting at a Jewish community center and a retirement home in Overland Park, a Kansas City suburb in the US state of Kansas, constituted a hate crime, Xinhua reported. Frazier Glenn Cross (aka Frazier Glenn Miller), who was arrested following the shootings, is a known white supremacist and known affiliate of various hate groups. He will be charged with first-degree murder on the state and federal level and the prosecutors will also pursue hate-crime charges against him. "As Americans, we will continue to stand united against this kind of terrible violence, which has no place in our society," President

Frazier Glenn Cross is a known white supremacist

Obama said Monday in a statement on Passover, a major Jewish festival celebrating the deliverance of the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt. Police have identified the victims as Reat Griffin Underwood, 14, and his grandfather, William Lewis Corporon, 69, and 53year-old occupational therapist Terri LaManno.

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April 19-25, 2014

BATTLEGROUND 2014

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116 million vote in sixth round of Lok Sabha battle

New Delhi: An estimated 116 million people voted peacefully in the critical sixth round of parliamentary election to pick 121 MPs from 12 states on April 17, officials said. Barring stray incidents of violence and intimidation, the gigantic exercise involving 1,767 contestants across the length and breadth of the country passed off smoothly, the Election Commission said. "Polling was generally peaceful and incident free," Deputy Election Commissioner Vinod Zutshi said after 11 hours of hectic polling ended at 6 p.m. Only in Manipur, balloting finished two hours earlier. Polling percentages varied from a high of around 80 in West Bengal to 54 in Madhya Pradesh. "After today's phase, a large section of India has already voted," said BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi. "People have voted in the heat and have voted for a strong government." He added that the long queues of first-time and women voters "are positive steps". Maoist guerrillas struck in Jharkhand, exploding a land mine at Bokaro in Giridih constituency and injuring four paramilitary troopers. They also blew up a school building and a rail track. Allegations of voter intimidation came from parts of Bihar and West Bengal. The Election Commission ordered repolling in nine polling stations in Bihar. Throughout the day, most of

NDA's economic policy to focus on job creation: Modi

Erode/Kanyakumari: BJP's prime minisModi, who was on a two-day tour of terial candidate Narendra Modi hit out at a Tamil Nadu from Wednesday, spoke about Congress woman minister from the state the power shortage in the state and said for stalling infrastructural projects in that in Gujarat, load-shedding was a thing Tamil Nadu, and promised an economic of the past. policy that would provide jobs to the Modi said a woman minister - a Rajya youth. Sabha member of the Congress from Addressing an election rally in Erode Tamil Nadu - was responsible for delaying town, known for its textiles and turmeric, several infrastructure projects in the counaround 400 km from Chennai, the try. The nation was told that the projects Bharatiya Janata Party leader said: "The were held up for green reasons. economy would be reoriented with job Infrastructure projects were stalled and creation at the centre." "Jayantiji tax" was levied on the pretext of He said that after agriculture, it was the environment, he said, referring to former textile sector that can provide a large num- union minister Jayanthi Natarajan. ber of jobs and it should be developed Wooing first-time voters and the youths with the right kind of infrastructure. in the age group of 18-28, the BJP leader Stating that the BJP in its manifesto has asked them not to waste five promised development of the handloom years of their lives by not voting sector, Modi, also for candidates of the National the Gujarat chief Democratic Alliance (NDA). minister, accused He said the NDA will not only the central governchange the face of the country ment of following but also that of Tamil Nadu. an economic policy that took away jobs from the youths while investors set up units in China and other countries. He said the general election was special as people would vote a government that works and also for a decisive and accountable prime minister who has a voice of his own within the BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi government.
during a rally in Erode, Tamil Nadu

With Thursday's round, polling has been completed in 232 of the 543 seats in the Lok Sabha.

the 225,387 polling centres saw long queues of men and women of all age groups eager to vote. In most states, there was more voting compared to 2009. Thursday's election covered a vast part of the Indian landscape -- from Jammu and Kashmir in the north to Karnataka in the south, from Maharashtra along the west coast to West Bengal in the east. Polling took place in all 28 Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka, 20 of the 25 in Rajasthan, 19 of the 48 in Maharashtra, 11 seats each in Odisha and Uttar Pradesh, 10 in Madhya Pradesh, seven in Bihar, six in Jharkhand, four in West Bengal, three in Chhattisgarh and one seat each in Manipur and Jammu and Kashmir. Simultaneous balloting was held for 77 of the 147 assembly seats in Odisha and two assembly bypolls in West Bengal. With Thursday's round, polling

has been completed in 232 of the 543 seats in the Lok Sabha. Thursday saw the largest number of Lok Sabha seats in contention on any one day since the staggered balloting started April 7. Four more rounds of voting are due until May 12. The result will be declared May 16. Thursday was important both for the BJP and the Congress, which held 40 and 36 of the Lok Sabha seats that went to the polls, as well as the Janata DalUnited, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, Janata Dal-Secular, Shiv Sena, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, Aam Aadmi Party, Biju Janata Dal, Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party and Trinamool Congress. The BJP claimed it was confident of winning most seats contested Thursday. "We are sure of winning all 25 seats (in Rajasthan)," Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje said in Jaipur.

Varun betrayed the Gandhi family: Priyanka

Won't cross 'Lakshman Rekha' against family: Varun

Sultanpur (Uttar Pradesh): BJP leader Varun Gandhi efended his decision to be with the BJP and refused to criticize his cousin Priyanka Gandhi despite her criticism of him. In a speech after filing his nomination papers from Sultanpur, Varun Gandhi took on Priyanka Gandhi -- not by name though -for saying that he (Varun) "has gone astray from the right path". "I have chosen a path which is the path of the country, and I am sure this is the correct path," he said. He added that he will not attack family members. "I stick to my principles in public life and will always adhere to them... I will never cross the 'Lakshman Rekha'." But he warned his estranged cousins Priyanka and Rahul Gandhi that his silence should not be construed as weakness.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and BJP leader Varun Gandhi during elections rallies

Amethi (Uttar Pradesh): Priyanka Gandhi Vadra slammed estranged cousin Varun Gandhi for the second time in three days, criticising him for siding with the BJP, and "betraying the family". Talking to reporters in Amethi, Priyanka accused the Bharatiya Janata Party candidate from Sultanpur Lok Sabha constituency of "betraying the family". Her remarks came hours after

Varun Gandhi gave a warning that his silence should not be construed as weakness. Varun, son of late Sanjay Gandhi, pointed out at a rally after filing his nomination papers that he had never crossed the "Lakshman Rekha" of decency. Priyanka, however, said the two were not engaged in a "family tea party" but were in the middle of an "ideological war".

A visibly upset Priyanka, daughter of Congress president Sonia Gandhi and late former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, said she would not have even forgiven her children for being with a group that is out to destroy the country's social and secular fabric. "My father laid down his life for the unity of this country. How can I take all this silently?" she said when asked about her remarks

against her cousin. Priyanka said she was not upset over the leakage of her speech at a closed door meeting a few days back where she urged people to vote against Varun and bring him back to the right path. Varun is contesting from Sultanpur constituency neighbouring Amethi and Rae Bareli, the pocket boroughs of the Gandhi family.

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

BATTLEGROUND 2014

April 19-25, 2014

11

Modi attacks Rahul over 'toffee model'

Hazaribagh/Bhagalpur: BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi Tuesday took a dig at Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi for his "toffee model" jibe, and also regretted criticising Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in the past. "In such a big election, first they spoke of balloons and now toffees... If he gets a toffee, his day is made. But in my childhood, I never even knew what a toffee was. I sold tea to make ends meet," Modi said at a rally in Hazaribagh, Jharkhand. "I never had toffee in my mind when I was a child... but I had trophies in my mind. We have won over 300 trophies be it from India or the world," the Bharatiya Janata Party leader said. Rahul Gandhi, in repeated attacks on the Gujarat chief minister, had Monday termed the Gujarat model of development a "toffee model". "I call this the toffee development model. Land as huge as Mumbai was given away for Rs.30 crore in Gujarat," Gandhi had said at a rally in Latur, Maharashtra. "A toffee comes for Re.1... But in Gujarat, land is given away for Re.1 per square metre." Modi also used the opportunity to stress that the BJP had several prominent leaders, an indirect response to the Congress allegation it was becoming a one-man party. "I thought this election will be fought on serious issues. On one side are a galaxy of leaders in the BJP like L.K. Advani, Sushma Swaraj, Murli Manmohar Joshi, and on the other side is a player who is still behaving like a child," he said.

Manmohan weakest PM ever: BJP

New Delhi: The BJP has called Manmohan Singh the "weakest" prime minister ever, and asked him to introspect how his tenure "impacted the institution". Commenting on the book "The Accidental Prime Minister: The Making and Unmaking of Manmohan Singh" by the prime minister's former media adviser Sanjaya Baru, veteran Bharatiya Janata Party leader L.K. Advani said the book endorsed what everyone knew -- that Manmohan Singh was the weakest prime minister ever. In a book that has sent ripples across the political establishment for its timing and content, Sanjaya Baru, media adviser to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in his first term, has said that Congress president Sonia Gandhi slowly chipped away at the authority of the Prime Minister's Office. "The book has officially endorsed what everyone knew. When I said I feel he (Manmohan Singh) is the weakest prime minister ever, my colleagues said he is a nice man, why do you criticize him so much," Advani said. "I pity him, and have sympathy for him." Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley said Manmohan Singh must seriously introspect as to how his tenure has impacted the Prime Minister's Office as an institution. "Manmohan Singh must seriously introspect as to how his tenure impacted on the institution of prime minister. Did he have the last word on all subjects? Or is it the system of the original communist states that was operating, where the party general secretary was always more important than the head of the government," Jaitley wrote in his blog. "Prime ministers are known not by the number of years they have spent in office, but by the footprints they leave behind," Jaitley said.

BJP Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi addresses public using 3D hologram technique in Allahabad.

Manmohan Singh's former media adviser Sanjaya Baru's book has sent ripples across the political establishment for its explosive content.

Modi regretted his attacks on Manmohan Singh, saying that the Gandhi family, and not the prime minister was to be blamed for the nation's "ruin". "I read in the papers that the prime minister's family is unhappy with Sanjay Baru's book. His daughter said Baru betrayed him, which means the facts are right," Modi said Tuesday. "I may have said some hard-hitting things about the prime minister, but now I feel that I should not have said it as the cause of ruin is just one family," he said."Sometimes the daughter and son-inlaw were responsible, and everything was taking place under the leadership of the mother," Modi said, referring to Congress president Sonia Gandhi. In Bhagalpur, Bihar, he took a dig at Sonia Gandhi's televised message to the voters, saying it showed COngress did not have confidence in Rahul Gandhi. "Soniaji felt her son would manage, but since he can't she came on TV," he said.

The Prime Minister's Office, meanwhile, dismissed as "baseless and mischievous" the claims made by Baru in his book that its files were seen by Congress president Sonia Gandhi. "The statement being attributed to a former media adviser to the prime minister that PMO files were seen by Congress president Sonia Gandhi is completely baseless and mischievous. It is categorically denied that any PMO file has ever been shown to Sonia Gandhi," Pankaj Pachauri, communications adviser to the prime minister, said in a statement. Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi also defended Manmohan Singh and questioned the timing of Baru's book. "A person who writes a book during 2004-08, and publishes it six years later is at the crossroads of ambition, greed, sensationalism and a complete disregard of ethical norms," Singhvi said. "Not a single word of the allegations is true," he said. Singhvi wondered why Baru remained silent for six years in spite of the "huge illegality as he claims has happened".

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April 19-25, 2014

BATTLEGROUND 2014

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Priyanka gets assertive, BJP heading for majority: opinion poll drives strategy
New Delhi: In a recent closed-door meeting, Priyanka Gandhi Vadras key aides were juggling ways to accommodate a long list of her engagements. Scheduling a meeting with a key party veteran an expert back-channel negotiator for Congress president Sonia Gandhi and an ace alliance-maker was proving to be a problem. Priyanka intervened quickly and told the team to give top priority to that meeting even if it meant postponing other ones. This Congressman had failed to make a smooth transition into the core team of her brother and party vice-president Rahul Gandhi. But since February, as Priyanka has got deeply involved in the affairs of the Congress, one of her first steps was to reach out to old warhorses like him. A more assertive, even aggressive, Priyanka is emerging. From strong words of advice to cousin Varun Gandhi to taking on BJPs PM candidate Narendra Modi to deciding on the partys overall campaign strategy, no major electionrelated decision is taken without keeping her in the loop. Top sources claim that Priyanka played a key role in shifting sitting Congress MP Sanjay Singh from Sultanpur to an Assam Rajya Sabha seat. She had organised Congress Vikas Khoj Yatra in Gujarat to try and expose Modis governments failure in social and certain economic indices. The reports on the lack of development have now become the partys mainstay in its campaign against Modis Gujarat model. New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies are set to win a narrow majority in the world's largest democratic election, the latest opinion poll showed this week. The Hindu nationalist oppposition party, led by primeministerial hopeful Narendra Modi, and its allies have until now been forecast to win the largest chunk of the 543 parliamentary seats but fall short of the 272-seat mark needed for a majority. That would force them to seek a coalition with some of India's increasingly powerful regional parties. But a poll for the private news channel NDTV showed the BJP and its allies winning a narrow majority of 275 seats. That would be an increase of 16 seats since the last NDTV poll a little over a week ago. Indian elections are notoriously hard to call, however, due to the country's diverse electorate and a parliamentary system in which local candidates hold great sway. Opinion polls in 2004

India's 815 million voters are heading to the polls in nine stages from April 7 to May 12, with results due on May 16.

Since February, Priyanka Gandhi has got deeply involved in the affairs of the Congress

She was very clear that the only way to attack Modi was on development. She often reminds us that the Congress still commands around 40% votes in Gujarat, said a Priyanka associate. When in Delhi, she holds marathon meetings with senior leaders almost daily. While she lives in a Lutyens bungalow, she prefers to manage party work from her brothers office at 12, Tughlaq Lane. This has also resulted in the shift of poll strategy-related activities from Congress war room in 15, Gurdwara Rakabganj Road to Rahuls home.

wrongly predicted victory for a BJP-led alliance and in 2009 underestimated the winning margin of the ruling Congress party. India's 815 million voters are heading to the polls in nine stages from April 7 to May 12, with results due on May 16. The latest NDTVHansa Research opinion poll surveyed voters in over 350 parliamentary constituencies and had a margin of error or plus or minus 2 percent. The ruling Congress party, led by the Nehru-Gandhi

dynasty, and its allies were forecast to win just 111 parliamentary seats in the poll. Congress faces a struggle to be re-elected after a decade in power due to public anger over the economic slowdown, high inflation and a string of corruption scandals. An opinion poll earlier this month by the CNN-IBN news channel and the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies, one of India's most trusted polling groups, gave between 234 and 246 seats to the BJP and its allies.

Why has spitfire Mayawati gone calm

Lucknow: At a time when politicians are engaged in a vocabulary of violence from chopping to avenging the once-venomous Bahujan Samaj Party leader Mayawati is surprisingly restrained. People still remember her televised exchange of barbs with late Samajwadi Party leader Ram Saran Das; they had called each other goonda-goondi. They recall too the belligerence with which she had taken on Vice President Hamid Ansari compelling Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to intervene. But the tenor of Mayawatis campaign is surprisingly different this election. Few believe she the master of verbal attacks has mellowed. When the BJPs prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi said the Congress disrespected BR Ambedkar, she hit back instantly, taking credit for pressuring VP Singh to confer Bharat Ratna on the Dalit icon.

Rahul Gandhis young army missing

New Delhi: In May 2012, the Youth Congress boasted of being the only organisation in the world to have more than 1.3 crore (13 million) members. Two years later, when Congress desperately needs this youth wing in one of the most difficult elections the party has fought, it has gone missing. Ironically, party vicepresident Rahul Gandhi put years of hard work revamping and revitalising the partys youth wings the Youth Congress and the National Students Union of India (NSUI) after taking charge of these in 2008. He spent a lot of time democratizing the Youth Congress by holding internal elections. Within three years, the number of members went up to one crore and two rounds of organisational elections were conducted in every state. But unlike previous elections when Youth Congress

Congress party vice-president Rahul Gandhi

People still remember her televised exchange of barbs with opposition

She also retaliated after attempts to poach on her core Dalit votes. And the only time she went personal was against Modi at a rally: Jisne apni aurat ko saath nahin rakkha, woh kaise desh ka pradhan mantri ban sakta (How can someone who deserted his wife become the countrys prime minister)? But Mayawati has refused to join the hate speech club, concentrating on defragmenting the Dalit-Muslim votes, wherein lies her

partys future. In most of her speeches she is cautioning Muslims of probable communal flare-ups if Modi becomes prime minister, reminding them of Muzaffarnagar riots during SPs regime and warning Dalits against electing a government that will withdraw their reservation rights. A BSP leader sums it up: Behenji knows her strength. She is not edgy like others and has no need to be abusive.

members would be unmistakably present at public meetings with organisation flags, running separate enclosures, taking out their own rallies, their presence and enthusiasm is missing this election, say party insiders. Seniors have started asking questions. They say the youth wing is full of people who prefer armchair politics and shy away from agitations and the heat and dust of a campaign. Where is the Youth Congress? Where are its 1.35 crore members? We cant see them at rallies or

even in the booths, a senior Congress functionary said, requesting anonymity. This is a tough election for the party. They should have been at the forefront. Officially, however, the Congress sounds positive. Youth Congress, NSUI and other frontals have put in insurmountable energy, trust and grassroots level commitment in the Congress campaign which is resonating in constituencies across the country, said Congress spokesman and former Youth Congress President Randeep Singh Surjewala.

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

OP-ED

April 19-25, 2014

13

Manmohan Singh : A good man let down by the party

By Tarun Basu have an abiding memory of Manmohan Singh. It goes far back to the days when he was not the prime minister, not even the finance minister, when in the early '90s he took transformational steps to open up and liberalise a collapsing Indian economy and got his name etched in the history of global economics. It was at a child's birthday party in a residential enclave dominated by government officers where my wife and I found ourselves standing next to a genial-looking Sikh in casual shirt and trousers, and his wife. After the cake was cut, I nudged my wife and told her who the Sikh gentleman was. She and most other guests - of course, had not recognized him. He was, I told her, the man just named as the chief economic adviser to the new prime minister, Chandra Shekhar, who had replaced V.P. Singh at the head of a minority government propped up by the Congress in November 1990. Our hosts introduced the Singhs as their neighbors. True to his character, Manmohan did not socialize much, smiled little, did some perfunctory neighborly small talk and left. The quiet academic, who had excelled both at Oxford and Cambridge universities, was once described by his alma mater, that honoured him after he became the prime minister, as someone who left the "scholar's life in the shade... to the dust and clamour of the political battle (in India)", driven by his "sense of duty to his country". Even as his career graph in the next few years took this economics professor to dizzying levels of responsibility - from finance minister to member of the Congress Working Committee to Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha to prime minister - it did little to change the taciturn man who spoke only when spoken to and who made little effort to strike up a conversation or engage an audience with his views. But all those who have worked with him acknowledge him as a man of scholarship, dedication, intellect - the late national security adviser J.N. Dixit had rated his intellectual calibre "perhaps higher than Jawaharlal Nehru" - and tremendous hard work, who spent long hours into the night poring over government papers and pondering over policy moves. On the last day of the 15th Lok Sabha, which also happened to be the last day in the House for Manmohan Singh as prime minister, BJP leader Arun Jaitley paid him tribute as a "man of scholarship" who was not a "natural leader" and who lacked the

Elections
capacity to be the "driving force" for the government in parliament. So, when senior Congress leader P.C. Chacko remarked recently that the "PM's silence had given room to many wrong interpretations against the government" and hinted that many in the party and government had

altar of loyalty and obligation to the family that had anointed him. Should Manmohan Singh have quit when Rahul Gandhi derided a cabinet decision as "nonsense" even when he was in the US talking to President Obama? Baru thinks by not doing so and pledging his fealty to the dynasty, he had made a "fatal error of judgement" and, in the process, "devalued the office of prime minister". And the Congress is trying to do just that by denying him the credit for the good work he did and then scapegoating him when things went wrong for the party.
Manmohan Singh himself maintains that history will judge him - and his government - far better than his peers or the contemporary commentariat have done.

"lost patience over his silence" and his failure to counter negative media publicity and opposition attacks, it seemed the Congress was now laying the blame for the party's erosion of popularity at his door. Jairam Ramesh has ascribed the ruling party's plight to its failure in "perception management" and its inability to "sell effectively, more aggressively" its performance track record. Manmohan Singh himself maintains that history will judge him - and his government - far better than his peers or the contemporary commentariat have done. He continues to maintain, quite contrary to popular perception of "policy paralysis", that "no other decade has recorded as much development as there has been in the last 10 years" of the UPA under his prime ministership. If Manmohan Singh were better advised, especially in his second term (Baru quit just before the 2009 election), Manmohan may still have been the star brand on whose work the Congress rode to victory in 2009. The failure of the government, party and the prime minister himself to communicate its achievements and explain properly the perceived failures was its singlebiggest undoing. But, it is very clear that Manmohan Singh in UPA-II was not allowed to function and be his own man. He was merely a puppet on a string in the hands of Sonia Gandhi and he allowed her to influence, manipulate and use him at will through her party instruments. Whatever credit was due to him was deflected to Rahul Gandhi. Manmohan Singh, in the words of a Gandhi family associate of several decades, chose to surrender his authority and power at the

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April 19-25, 2014

OP-ED

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

By Saeed Naqvi

Congress prepares for defeat, as smaller parties build castles around it

Bifurcation of power between Sonia Gandhi and Manmohan Singh was bad enough, but the emergence of a third power centre, Rahul Gandhi, after the partys reasonable showing in the 2009 elections, turned out to be disastrous.
was bad enough, but the emergence of a third power centre, Rahul Gandhi, after the partys reasonable showing in the 2009 elections, turned out to be disastrous. Rahul should have become a minister in the Prime Ministers office. That way he would have learnt the system, Pitroda said. Instead, Rahul was persuaded by his coterie to become the third power centre. The three coteries then proceeded not to talk to each other. And now that defeat stares Congressmen in the face, one detects the beginnings of recrimination. Is it not surprising that a confidant of the Gandhi family should be throwing in the towel in public view a full month before the last polling day? The mood in the house of another Gandhi loyalist was almost funereal. Also, a fierce blame-game had begun: Manmohan Singh and his Principal Secretary during UPA-I, T.K.A. Nair lost their grip on the administration. Officials down the line stopped listening to us. Gradually, a sense grew that there was no government in Delhi. Congressmen have developed a culture in recent years of backbiting their seniors consistently and in whispers. If you string together these whispers, what emerges is a disturbing narrative of the Congress High Command and their coteries, allowing power to slip out of their hands, like a sand glass. What they supervise today is a structure which has been hollowed out. A coup of sorts has already taken place. Retired Supreme Court judges have refused to head a committee to investigate snoopgate against Narendra Modi. Army generals, senior bureaucracy, including home secretaries, have crossed over to their party of choice on the morrow of their retirement. A whole system has in its mind defected. No one heard Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde when he went around beating his breast that Home Secretary R.K. Singh was not listening to him. The way Singh supervised Afzal Gurus hanging in Tihar jail was allegedly in violation of Shindes instructions. Having brought about closure of a case which had its origins in the NDA, Singh crossed over to the BJP. Long knives are out even against

thought election 2014 would come with nailbiting suspense until I turned up at the Foreign Correspondents Club on Mathura Road where the Congress whiz kid from Chicago, Sam Pitroda, was holding court in a Tarpauline Tent which looked like a parking lot for camels. Every now and then he would throw up his hands and shrug his shoulders in an expression of disgust. What can I do? he would ask in a state of despair. He was lamenting the spectacular way in which the Congress was about to lose the elections. According to him, Sonia Gandhi, Manmohan Singh and Rahul Gandhi refused to meet the press, connect with the people, even when the opposition campaign consisted overwhelmingly of media management. He spelt out other reasons for the coming debacle, among them a singular lack of commitment or application on the part of the coteries around the trio. He shrugged his shoulders again and blurted out in Chicago accents: Thats what we gaat (got). He repeated. Thats what we gaat. In other words the human resource in the service of the party was devoid of talent. Bifurcation of power between Sonia Gandhi and Manmohan Singh

political colleagues like former law minister, Hansraj Bhardwaj and home minister, Shivraj Patil. During UPA-I, they are alleged to have hesitated in taking timely action against Modi in Gujarat. The implication of this astonishing plaint is that the two gents were closet Hindutva. If that indeed is what the High Command thought of them, why were they gifted with comfortable gubernatorial slots? In the cloak and dagger world of courtly politics, ministers of home and law respectively must be kept in good humour. They know too much. Meanwhile, an ironical twist attends the fate of the Congress. While some of its own stalwarts have thrown in the towel, warranting Sharad Pawars anxious plea that it must fight harder, the Left Fronts secret assessment is that the Congress will win 135 seats. To reinforce this line of optimism, youth wings of the Left parties including CPIML have been sent to Varanasi to help Ajai Rai of the Congress in his contest against Modi and Arvind Kejriwal. Powerful Muslim candidate Mukhtar Ansaris withdrawal from Varanasi had tilted the scales in Kejriwals favour. But the Left priority here seem to be not so much to defeat Modi but to keep AAP in check and also to hold out an olive branch to the Congress for a possible post election game plan.

Will anything change in India with new prime minister?

By Amit Kapoor he mood for change in the country is strong, and it is imminent that we would have a new prime minister and quite likely with a significant majority. We are all under the veil of the audacity of hope thinking in assuming that the office of the new prime minister will sway a magic wand and things will immediately start remarkably improving. The citizenry in the country is under a wrong impression as nothing significantly will be changing in the government. We need to clearly understand and appreciate that changing someone in the PMs office will not change the government. We will have a new set of ministers in the system, and that is the limit to change. We shall see as the government will still, as always, be run by the bureaucracy who would have the same set of ideas, stuck in the past with exceedingly shallow perspectives. Why do I make such audacious statements? This is for a simple reason that within the parliamentary system very little changes. We are subjected to the same torturous thought and ethos of the old bureaucratic setup. We all know that there is no change in bureaucracy

Changing someone in the PMs office will not change the government. We will have a new set of ministers in the system, but we shall see that the government is still, as always, run by the bureaucracy who would have the same set of ideas, stuck in the past with exceedingly shallow perspectives.

when the government changes. The best we can see is the transfer of certain bureaucrats to different departments and this is as well seen as an opportunity by the non-performing and defunct mind of the bureaucrat. To assert the point: we can clearly state that millions within the government still remain exactly the same. The problem within the system is that the government employees are permanent (breeding incestuous ideas) and have the most power (incidentally brutal power with no

accountability). It is a well known, though ignored, fact that it is really the bureaucrats who run the government. The problem gets accentuated since the bureaucrat knows that he is governed by higher ups in the bureaucracy with ministers having minimal influence over their careers. Without a doubt, civil servants will typically cover each other's back with nobody accepting ultimate responsibility and accountability. The understanding we need to build in this country is that if we wish to

change the government than we need to change the bureaucracy. We need to imbibe from the US system wherein the spoils go to the victorious. The president in the US gets to appoint everybody at the top and positions of significance i.e., secretaries of various departments (who are actually akin to union ministers in India). The secretaries, in turn, fill the positions within their staff by bringing in new thought and perspectives. The most significant reality of this idea is that the bureaucrat in this case has not been part of the governmental system and is beholden by the idea of performing and keeping to the mandate as asserted by the president. What matters here is that newer ideas come in with incestuous tendencies being taken care of and most of all having the ability to fire a non-performing asset called the bureaucrat. This also gets rid of the inertia to explore the new and getting to do new things. We can rebut this logic by stating that new people at the top shall cause chaos though rather we should understand that it is new ideas that bring in change and take the country forward. If India needs to change, then it needs to change its bureaucracy and effectively its civil services. We can

start with the idea of getting secretaries not from the existing system of selected bureaucrats but through nominations by the new prime minister. What we might need is a special commission that tries to understand and work towards dismantling the archaic bureaucracy, which is a remnant of the Raj. The epical commission in in itself shouldnt be formed by bureaucrats or former bureaucrats but by normal people who have not worked with civil servants, are outsiders on secondment, but quite likely have suffered from the hands of the tyrants. Incidentally we could have Arvind Kejriwal as the head of the commission as he understands the bureaucracy, has suffered from its hands and it could be an exceptional political move from the next prime minister. I just hope that Narendra Modi is listening to this and acts decisively. He has run the election campaign akin to a presidential campaign in the US, and I do hope that he runs the government in a similar way with an iron fist by getting rid of the archaic thoughts that are personified by the bureaucracy. Amit Kapoor is chair, Institute for Competitiveness, and editor of Thinkers.

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

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

MUSIC

April 19-25, 2014

15

Famous Carnatic vocalist Dr Shobana Vignesh is giving a classical music concert for the first time in New York City on April 19. The concert in a Flushing school is presented by New York Tamil Sangam to celebrate the Tamil New Year.
ing Television channels in India and other countries and has been performing concerts for the past two decades. With the unique rendition of traditional and time-honored Carnatic music pieces and popular numbers from her albums, Shobana enthralls her audience with her rich and mellifluous voice. Apart from Albums across genres Shobana rendered her first audio album at the age of 12. Since then 1,500 of her songs in languages like Sanskrit, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada have been recorded in over 130 albums. She has recorded these albums for leading Indian audio companies such as His Master s Voice (HMV), Unique Recording Company, Symphony Recording, Indian Recording Company and Vani Recording. Her albums cut across different genres of music such as Carnatic, fusion, devotional, semi-classical, folk songs and film music including nursery rhymes for children in English. She has also sung a poem written by Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, the former President of India, and the song is featured in the audio album titled India-A Musical Journey. Shobana received two nominations for the Global Indian Music Awards in the year 2010 for her albums, Live in Concert Volumes 1 and 2. With the advent of iTunes, Yahoo and MSN Music, etc, her fans and well wishers can now download hundreds of her songs anywhere in the world. Awards and Titles Dr Shobana Vigneshs most recent and notable achievement has been the honor of receiving the Individual Artist Award for 2010 from the Maryland State Arts Council, USA and a citation from the Governor of Maryland, USA for her artistic excellence in the field of Carnatic music. Some of other awards and titles conferred on her include: Received the title of TAMIZHISAI VANI from the Atlanta Tamil Sangam for her excellence in spreading Tamizhisai across the globe in May 2011. Honored with the YOUNG ACHIEVER award in the field being a popular performing artist, Shobana holds a Doctorate in Music and has several publications to her credit and two of them have been adapted as book chapters. Her lecture-demonstrations on Carnatic Music are well received and she captivates her audience with her indepth knowledge in the field and her practical experience as a performer. Dr Shobanas PhD thesis, highly commended, was titled: A Comparative Study of Western and South Indian Operas. Her M Phil in Music thesis, also highly commended, was titled: Interculturalism in Carnatic Music, an Ethnomusicological Perspective. Operas and Western Operas-A Survey' in the Journal 'Samakalika Sangeetham' in April 2009. Paper entitled A Study on Ramanatakam' in the Journal 'Naadhabrahmam' in January 2009. Presented a paper, 'Contribution to the development of South Indian Operas' in an international conference in February 2008. Presented a paper, 'Evolution of South Indian and Western Operas' in an international conference in January 2008. Book Chapter entitled Music across Boundaries (Isai Ellaigalai Kadandhu) in the book A Collection of 50 essays (Katturai Kothu) published in Tamil language. Social Service Programs Shobana is associated with various non profits and charities in India and the US and has contributed in the form of performing concerts for fund raising events and annual conventions. Some of the concerts include a fund raising show for free eye camps conducted by Aravind Eye Hospital, India, concerts for the Tamilnadu Foundation across the US, performance for the relief of Tsunami victims at Chennai, concert for the Cancer Institute, Chennai, performance for an AIDS Awareness album, charity concert at Malaysia for the welfare of spastic children and many such events. Shobana has rendered songs for creating awareness of legal rights among citizens, highlighting the rights of women and various legal help available for them from the government. She was honored for these services by the State Legal Services Authority on Indian Independence day celebrations at the Bar Council by Chief Justice of High Court, Subhashan Reddy on August 15, 2003.

r. Shobana Vignesh is a Carnatic vocalist from Tamil Nadu who had stormed the classical music scene as a child prodigy. The Chennai-based graceful lady has given hundreds of concerts and showcased her talent in prestigious venues throughout the world. Now she is coming to New York City to give a concert arranged by the New York Tamil Sangam. The concert will be staged at Andrew Jackson School in Flushing, bear the Ganesh Temple, to celebrate the Tamil New Year- Chithirai Thirunaal. She is popularly known as Mahanadhi Shobana due to her stint as a child actor and singer in the National award winning Indian movie,

Mahanadhi released in 1994. As a leading performing artist, she has cut more than 130 albums in various Indian languages. She has been trained in Carnatic music by stalwarts like Sri. P.S. Narayanaswamy, Prof. T.R. Subramaniam, and Sri. Swamimalai Janakiraman. She has thus both musical legacy and phenomenal talent. Mahanadhi Shobanas voice has an inherent blend of sweetness and depth. She displays an astonishingly expressive range, acquired no doubt through meticulous training and practice. As an internationally renowned artist, Shobana has performed in several parts of India, the US, Singapore, Malaysia and Sri Lanka. She is often featured by lead-

With the unique rendition of traditional and time-honored Carnatic music pieces and popular numbers from her albums, Shobana enthralls her audience with her rich and mellifluous voice.

of Carnatic music by the India Today magazine in 2007. Awarded the 'JAYA RATNA' title by Jayadharini Trust, Chennai during the December music season 2007. Scholarship for OUTSTANDING TALENTED YOUNG ARTISTES (Vocal Classical Music) by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Government of India from 20032005. YUVA KALA BHARATHI title by Bharath Kalachar awarded in the presence of Governor of Tamil Nadu, Ram Mohan Rao, on December 12th, 2003. YOUNG ACHIEVER OF THE YEAR 2002 award by The Cosmopolitan club of Madras awarded by the Chief Justice of High Court, Chennai, Subhashan Reddy on April 17, 2002. Rukmani Ramanathan Memorial Special Award for EXCELLENCE IN CARNATIC MUSIC for the year 1998-1999 by Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan Senior Secondary School, Chennai. Publications and Seminars Dr Shobana Vigneshs published a book chapter, entitled A Study on Dance Drama and Musical Plays in the book, The Different dimensions of Dance and Music. Paper entitled 'South Indian

As a leading performing artist, she has cut more than 130 albums in various Indian languages and across genres such as Carnatic, fusion, devotional, semi-classical, folk songs and film music.

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April 19-25, 2014

FESTIVALS

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

FESTIVALS

April 19-25, 2014

17

Vaisakhi gives vent to the boisterous Punjabi spirit

aisakhi or Baisakhi is a festival celebrated across the northern Indian subcontinent, especially in the Punjab region by the Sikh community. More recently, this festival is also celebrated around the world by Sikh diaspora. For the Sikh community this festival commemorates the establishment of the Khalsa. It is also celebrated by Hindus and Buddhists for different reasons including the start of a new year. People in the Punjab region regard Vaisakhi as a harvest festival. So its celebration has been in the form of a coming together at a fair called Vaisakhi where they would buy and sell, eat and drink, and sing and dance. It came to be called Vaisakhi because it was celebrated in the month of Vaisakh, which corresponds roughly to the month of April. Until 1699, Vaiskahi remained just a socio-cultural festival. But in 1699, at the Vaisakhi fair at Anandpur Sahib, one of the ve holy seats of the Sikhs, the Tenth Master of the Sikhs, Shri Guru Gobind Singh, created a new sect known as Khalsa which is known as Sikh religion today and has a worldwide following of 25 million, which makes it the world's fth major religion. Since then Punjabis celebrate Vaisakhi as traditional socio-cultural event and as a religious event, being the birthday of the Khalsa. Swami Dayanand Saraswati founded the Arya Samaj on Vaisakhi in 1875. Vaisakhi is an important day for the Buddhists as well. The name is Vesakha, Vaisakha, Vesak or Wesak. It commemorates the Birth, the Awakening and the Enlightened Passing Away of Buddha who was born as prince Siddhartha.

Mahavir Jayanti: birth anniversary of the apostle of peace

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Passover marks birth of Jews
Passover dates this year have been April 14-22 In 1699, at the Vaisakhi fair at Anandpur Sahib in Punjab, Guru Gobind Singh created Khalsa, known as Sikh religion today. Punjabi families at the White House lawns for Vaisakhi and Easter Egg Roll event last year.

cowdung. Designs called Rangolis are drawn on doorsteps. People wear new clothes and special dishes are prepared. Lord Brahma is worshipped on this day and the gudhi, Brahma's ag, is hoisted in every house as a symbolic representation of Rama's victory over Ravana.

Puthandu
Puthandu, also known as Varuda pirappu, is celebrated as New Year's Day in Tamil Nadu. It is celebrated on the rst day of the Tamil month Chithirai, which falls on 14 April. Women draw patterns called kolams. A lamp called a kuttuvilaku is placed on the center of the kolam, to eradicate darkness. A ritual called kanni takes place. Kanni means 'auspicious sight'. People watch jewelry, fruits, vegetables, owers, nuts, rice etc., as it is a belief among Tamil people that it brings prosperity. People wear new clothes and special dishes are prepared for the occasion. A car festival is held at Tiruvadamarudur, near Kumbakonam.

Vishu
Vishu is celebrated as the New Year's Day in Kerala. Vishu falls on the rst day of the Malayalam month of Medam (mid-April on the Gregorian calendar). It includes reworks, shopping for new clothes and interesting displays called 'Vishu Kani'. These are arrangements of owers, grains, fruits, cloth, gold, and money are viewed early in the morning, to ensure a year of prosperity.

brated as the Assamese New Year (around April 1415) and the arrival of Spring. This marks the rst day of the Hindu solar calendar. The rst day of the bihu (last day of the previous year) is called goru bihu or cow bihu, where the cows are washed, smeared with ground turmeric, worshipped and get new

ropes. This is followed by manuh bihu on April 15,which is the Assamese New Year Day. People welcome the spring with cleaned homes and neighborhood and new dresses.

The third day is Gosai (Gods) bihu when people worship statues of god, all households are cleaned and worshiped hoping for a prosperous and happy new year. Compiled by Parveen Chopra

Ramnavami
amnavami celebrates the birth of Lord Rama to King Dasharatha and Queen Kausalya in Ayodhya. The Hindus holy day falls in the Shukla Paksha on the ninth day of the month of Chaitra in the Hindu calendar. At some places the festival lasts the whole nine

days of the Navaratri. It is marked by continuous recitals, Akhand Paath, mostly of the Ramacharitamanas, with elaborate bhajan, kirtan and distribution of prasad after the puja and aarti. Images of the infant Rama are placed on cradles and rocked by devotees.

assover or Pesach (in Hebrew) is the holiday celebrating the Exodus of the ancient Israelites from their slavery in Egypt. The specific "passing over" for which the holiday is named refers to the way in which God passed over, or protected, the homes of the Israelites during the night they prepared to begin their journey into freedom. The central ritual of Passover, the Seader (order) refers to the carefully ordered Passover dinner symposium, typically performed by a community or by multiple generations of a family, involving a retelling of the story of the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt -as mentioned in the book of Exodus, the move from slavery to freedom -- in story, song, and conversation. The evening is anchored by the

drinking, of four cups of wine recalling the four times when the Israelites are described as being redeemed, eating Matzah, and bitter herbs, and other symbolic foods including vegetable dipped in salt water and hard boiled eggs. While Passover marks the birth of the Jewish people as a free nation, it speaks to the larger human impulse to be free, and that is why so many people, both Jewish and not, celebrate the holiday. In addition to the large number of Jewish families which either include non-Jewish members or welcome non-Jewish guests to their own Passover celebrations, increasing numbers of Christian communities celebrate their own Seders, emulating what must have been an important part of Jesus life experience in the first century.

nfluenced by Parswanatha, the 23rd Teerthankara, Lord Mahavir carved his own path to find release (Moksha) through Ahimsa and extreme renunciation. In Jainism, Mahavir Jayanti is also known as Mahavir Janma Kalyanak and is the most important religious holiday for Jains. This year on April 13, Jains the world over celebrated Mahavir Jayanti, birth of Lord Mahavir, the apostle of peace and non-violence. Lord Mahavir, also known as Vardhamana, was the last of the 24 Tirthankars (Jain prophets). He was born on in 599 B.C. into a royal family of Kshatriyas to King Siddhartha and queen Priyakarani, known as Trishala Devi. His birthplace is believed to be near the modern city of Patna in Bihar, then the democratic republic of Vaishali. Legend has it that Trishala Devi had a number of auspicious dreams all signifying the coming of a great leader or prophet. The astrologers who interpreted the dreams seemed to have claimed that the child would become either an emperor or a Tirthankar. It is said at the age of eight Mahavir observed the 12 vows of Ahimsa etc. He also grew up to be a great statesman but observed celibacy. He lived a life of truthfulness, honesty and chastity. However, he perceived the transitory pleasures of the world and engrossed himself in Selfcontemplation. He renounced the pleasures and luxuries of the palace and its kingship, attachment to his parents and friends and undertook a life of intense penance for more than 12 years. He realized that renunciation was the only means of attaining bliss. During his long penance Mahavir went through a rigorous life of austerities, fasted and meditated on the pure nature of the Soul. He calmly bore not only the rigors of Nature but also the torments of his jealous and sly opponents among his own countrymen. He finally attained self-enlightenment. According to Kalpasutra (Svetambara texts), after the final period of intensive fasting, Mahavir attained moksha - the final liberation from all rebirths. He taught the idea of supremacy of human life and stresses the importance of the positive attitude of life. Lord Mahavirs message of Nonviolence (Ahimsa), Truth (Satya), Non Stealing (Achaurya), Celibacy (Brahma Charya), and Non Possession (Aparigraha) is full of universal compassion. Even 2500 years after the passing away of that great Mater the pure and upright tradition of the monks has been maintained. Even today, we find white clad Jain monks and Sanyasinis spreading Mahavirs Gospel of Peace, non-injury and Brotherhood throughout India.

To celebrate Mahavir Jayanti (it fell on April 13 this year), devotees visit temples to meditate and offer prayers. Idols of Mahavir are given a ceremonial bath or Abhishek.

To celebrate Mahavir Jayanti, devotees visit temples to meditate and offer prayers. Idols of Mahavir are given a ceremonial bath or Abhishek. Sermons are held in the temples to preach the path of virtue as defined by the Jain doctrine. Donations are collected to promote missions like saving cows from slaughter or helping to feed the poor people. Even in the US, Mahavir Jayanti is widely celebrated. A number of events are lined up in New Jersey and Queens area of NYC, such as: International Jain Sangh (IJS) Mahavir Jayanti Program on April 20 that includes Bhagwan Mahavir Pooja, Namokar Mantra Paath, Rath Yaatra (Prince Vardhamans janm kalyanak on panduk shila), Blessings from Spiritual Leaders, Jainism messages from dignitaries and other leaders, and Cultural Program. The program will commemorate the 2613th birth anniversary of Lord Mahavir at 3050 Woodbridge Avenue, Edison, NJ. Another cultural program, organized by Jain Center of America (JCA) is scheduled on May 11 at Martin Van Buren High School Auditorium in Queens.

Many names for the Rongali Bihu Indian New Year

Ugadi
Ugadi is celebrated as New Year's Day in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. The name Ugadi is derived from the name "Yuga Adi", which means 'the beginning of a new age'.[1] It is celebrated on the rst day of the Hindu month Chaitra, which marks the onset of spring.

Rongali Bihu is cele-

Women draw patterns called kolams on the Tamil New Year.

Easter symbolizes resurrection of Jesus

he holiday known around the world as Easter Sunday usually brings pleasant images to mind; family gatherings, egg hunts, and visits from the Easter bunny. However, to Christians, Easter has a far deeper, sweeter meaning. The day symbolizes the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The word Easter has its roots in ancient polytheistic religions (paganism). It is derived from the Eastre, the Teutonic goddess of spring. Eastre or Ostara in Germany is also the fertility goddess. Bringing in the end of winter, with the days brighter and growing longer after the vernal equinox, Ostara had a passion for new life. Her presence was felt in the flowering of plants and the birth of babies, both animal and human. The rabbit (with propensity for rapid reproduction) was her sacred animal. Easter eggs and the Easter Bunny both featured in the spring festivals of Ostara, which were initially held during the feasts of the goddess Ishtar | Inanna. Eggs a symbol of rebirth are considered representative of Jesus Christs resurrection. In addition to egg hunts, some people do egg rollings, which are symbolic of the rolling away

Gudhi Padwa
Gudhi Padwa is celebrated as New Year's Day in Maharashtra. It is celebrated on the same day as Ugadi i.e., the rst day of the month Chaitra. Courtyards of rural houses are cleaned and plastered with fresh
Lord Brahmas gudhi, or flag, is hoisted as a symbolic representation of Rama's victory over Ravana on this Maharashtrian New Year Day. A painting depicting the coronation of Lord Rama after his return from exile and victory over Ravana.

of the stone from Christs tomb. The White House Easter Egg Roll is an annual family event to hunt for and race Easter Eggs on the White House south Lawn while enjoying storytelling and a visit with the Easter Bunny. The holiday tradition has a long history dating back to 1878 when President Rutherford B. Hayes officially opened the White House grounds to local children for egg rolling on Easter Monday. Successive Presidents have continued the tradition of inviting children to the White House Lawn for egg rolling and other activities and entertainment. Scheduled for April 21, the 2014 event theme at the White House presided over by the First lady is, Hop into Healthy, Swing into Shape. Special guests will include Jim Carrey, Miss America 2014 Nina Davuluri, Ariana Grande, Cookie Monster and more. In Manhattan, the Easter Parade tradition lives on for over 100 years, with Fifth Avenue from 49th Street to 57th Street being shut down during the day to traffic. Participants often sport elaborately decorated bonnets and hats at the Easter Parade and Easer Bonnet festival. It is believed that Easter processions have been a part of

Eggs a symbol of rebirth are considered representative of Christs resurrection. The White House Easter Egg Roll is an old tradition. Easter Sunday this year falls on April 20.

Christianity since its earliest days. This year Easter Sunday parade will be held on April 20. Compiled by Jinal Shah

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SRK, Aamir, Salman pushed cinema globally: Big B

Alia Bhatt

ctress Alia Bhatt says her father and filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt is possessive about her, but adds that he has taken her on-screen kissing with Arjun Kapoor in the forthcoming film "2 States" practically. "Like every father, who dont want their daughters to get married, even my father is the same, Alia said in a group interview. Recently, my father told us (Alia and her sister Shaheen) you all cant go anywhere, I will lock you up in a room. He is honest and blunt about the fact that he doesn't want us to get married. He is not saying just like that, he means it. He is very possessive and he doesn't want me to get married. If my sisters boyfriends get me some present, he would say - even I can get presents, I will get you two," she added. Currently, the actress is looking forward to her forthcoming film 2 States.

Superstar Amitabh Bachchan

egastar Amitabh Bachchan has traveled the world, meeting cinema icons from all over. He feels happy at the growing reach of Indian movies and says younger stars like Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan and Salman Khan deserve the credit for realizing their potential globally and pushing it in the world. Of course, filmmakers like Satyajit Ray, Bimal Roy and Mrinal Sen as well as actors like Raj Kapoor meandered their way into hearts across boundaries with their craft, but the visibility of Indian films Hindi and regional - currently seems to be at an all-time high. The movies are not just getting screen space at international film festivals but are also getting theatrical releases in an increasing number of non-traditional foreign markets like Peru, Panama and Morocco. That gives Amitabh, whom French director Franois Truffaut once called a "oneman industry", a reason to cheer."Internationally, it is very heartening to see the interest in Indian cinema," the 71-yearold said. He added that it is because of works like "Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham", which "became an iconic film in the western world", that it was found that Indian films had a potential abroad. "Shah Rukh is as popular in Germany as he is here, Hrithik (Roshan) and Salman and Aamir are loved internationally in equal proportion. So, obviously Indian cinema is doing well.

ctress Sunny Leone, who is riding high on the success of her latest Bollywood project "Ragini MMS 2", says she doesn't look back with regret at her past as an adult lm star. "As far as my career goes I don't regret anything that I have done. I believe that everything that I have done has led me to today," Sunny told reporters here Friday at the unveiling of the cover page of Mandate magazine, featuring her. "This is the most amazing time of my life and this would not have been happening if my past did not exist. So there are no regrets regarding my profession," she added. The adult film star has been a part of the Mumbai entertainment industry since her 2011 appearance on "Bigg Boss 5". She made her Bollywood debut with 2012 errotic thriller "Jism 2". She will next be seen in "Tina and Lolo".

Actress Sunny Leone

'Captain America' continues to rule US box office

aptain America: lion, reports contactmuThe Winter sic.com. Soldier" continues "Winter Soldier" is also to rule the US box office proving to be successful in its second week after a in the overseas market - it record breaking opening has already raked in $317.7 million in ticket last weekend with a $96.2 million collection. Marvel sales. In new instalment, the plot occurs two years studio's latest release, a sequel to 2011 release 'Captain America' continues to after the events in New York City, where Steve "Captain America: The rule US box office Rogers struggles to First Avenger", earned $41.4 million in its second weekend of adjust to the modern world. He is involved release, which now brings the film's with 'S.H.I.E.L.D', even if he isn't condomestic earnings to a total of $159 mil- vinced about certain aspects of its ethics.

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traightaway, this film wins you over with its clean heart and straight-talking attitude to the rot that has set into our governmental system. You want a change in the nation's politics? Then change the politicians! It's really as simple as that. Director Nitesh Tiwari who co-directed the endearing kiddies' concoction "Chillar Party" finally unravels one of the greatest mysteries of poetic life. What did Wordsworth mean when he said, 'Child is the father of man'? Watch little Parth Bhalerao spar effortlessly with the formidable Mr Bachchan. And you see in front of your dazzled eyes the future of Indian cinema. Parth simply sails through his slum-kid's role, creating for his character little pockets of perkiness and poignancy without ever playing aggressively for effect. He speaks his lines with the casual grace of a theatre veteran. Epitome of gracious screen-sharing that he is, Mr Bachchan simply slows down to let his little co-star to take centrestage,

bowing to the little actor's consummate naturalness even when faced with very adult problems like corruption in politics, the redundancy of democracy and yes, the validity and imperativeness of the vote. Firing a topical salvo this ballot drama is speckled with some disarming display of feisty homilies. The film builds on the premise of a benign ghost's friendship with the slum-kid without allowing the narrative to become a flashy showcase for either of the two actors' performing abilities. The film has three heroes, the third being the strong sometime over-assertive political message: If you don't vote for the right people you will end up with the wrong people in the legislature. Boman Irani as the slimy politician enriches the political drama further by providing a tangy tangible flavor of decay and corruption in this amiably contoured morality tale. While the Big B and his little wunder-kid

Review

Amitabh Bachchan in the film 'Bhootnath Returns' of a co-star dominate the proceedings, they get ample support from a bevy of talented actors both known and unknowns who pop up as ghosts, scumbags, poverty-stricken people and other misfits.

'Main Tera Hero': Dhawan's 'son stroke' is full-on dhamaal 'Kochadiyaan' big step forward for animation: Review I Imran Khan
t's not easy being David Dhawan. Over the last 20 years he has constantly kept the laughter alive. Having generated barrels of mirth with Govinda and Salman Khan in the past, now it is time for David's son to have a blast. Playing Seenu, the no-good wastrel who cons his way through a series of outrageous escapades, Varun Dhawan is to be seen monkeying around in every frame. To his credit, the Dhawan scion carries off the incessant demand on his performing skills. Varun is a like a Govinda on steroids. He pumps up the energy level to the extent that even his two discernibly dheelidhaali heroines end up looking they are having fun. It could be just an act. We will never know. Every character is in the wink-wink mode. Cleverly David Dhawan builds on Varun's contagious gusto. Scene after scene gives the star-kid a chance to flex his muscles and demonstrate his skills at holding a frame up with gravity-defying laughter. "Main Tera Hero" is the kind of loopy, askew-me plot that makes no claims to any intellectual gratification. Its naked, unassuming goofiness is its greatest USP. And who goofier than Varun Dhawan who starts off as a student in a college where the campus beauty Ileana d'Cruz is an untouchable. The neighbourhood goon-like cop, played by Arunoday Singh, has put a proprietorial seal on her. To be honest Arunoday has the

A
Varun Dhawan in a scene from 'Main Tera Hero'

most difficult part in this any-goes comedy of hell-raising errors. He is shown to be a goon in khaki with serious anger-management issues. One of the film's funniest sequences shows him bashing in his anger-management therapist, Ashwin Mushran's face. I don't think this sequence could have been part of the original Telugu film ("Kandireega"). Writer Tushar Hiranandani updates the original material, giving the plot and the individual scenes a sense of renewed animation and vigour. The film is adroitly shot and edited. Like the leading man's six-pack abdomen, there is no flabbiness in the storytelling. The characters do the stupidest things with a brisk bravado. Although the plot is skimpier than the two heroines's costumes put together, it derives terrific energy and sustenance from its leading man's zest for life. The writing vacillates vibrantly between the perky and the puerile.

What saves the day is the narrative's gumption. David Dhawan doesn't fear falling over as he hurls through an abyss of absurdity. The film is low on aspirations and high on hi-jinks. Moving from Mumbai to Bangkok, the plot is bolstered by a blizzard of low-brow episodes. Even the song and dances are engaging knick-knacks, more memorable for being forgettable than anything else. You get the picture? One of the songs commands "Palat! Tera dhyaan kidhar hai?" "Hamara dhyaan bilkul idhar hai, Dhawan Saab. Bright, bouncy and colourful, the mad mad world of David Dhawan's 20-year old smile-a-while scheme gets a renewed laugh-line in "Main Tera Hero". While Varun Dhawan goes about the task of filling up the screen with his confident zest, David Dhawan ensures there is enough fuel to furnish the funnies with a furious tempo.

ctor Imran Khan, who gave voice-over for animation film "Rio 2", says southern matinee idol Rajinikanth's "Kochadiyaan" marks a big leap for animation movies. "The fact that a star as big as Rajini sir has taken part in this (animation) process is obviously a big step forward. That is the kind of thing that will encourage other people also. If he can do it, we can also do it," Imran, 31, said. Pegged at $350 million, the Indian animation industry is still struggling to find a firm foothold. Talking about this, Imran said: "If you look back, 10 years ago even in Hollywood it wasn't a big thing. In the last 10 to 12 years, it has started growing in Hollywood and became part of the mainstream, so we have to give it a little bit of time." "Talent is there in India. Most Holywood films' graphics are being done in India. I am talking about films like 'Batman' and 'Superman' that has happened in Mumbai. So, the talent is here, but the budgets are not there," added the star of "Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na".

A scene from Rajinikanth's 'Kochadiyaan'

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Canada Governor General honors Shiamak Davar

Vancouver: On April 4, Bollywoods star choreographer Shiamak Davar was presented with the Governor Generals Medallion and Citation for his role in connecting India and Canada by forging new opportunities for cultural dialogues through his passion for the performing arts. The purpose of the medallions is to recognize the contributions made by a small number of very special individuals to the India - Canada relationship in a number of different fields said Consul General Richard Bale. Shiamak is a businessperson, he has opened dance schools in Canada but his contribution is much more than that. It is an extremely impressive cultural contribution he has made, he has built a bridge between Canada and India through dance Mr. Shiamak Davar has long been an unofficial ambassador for Canada in India. Hes a great friend of Canada who has brought Canadians and Indians closer together through the power of music and dance. I am so honored and grateful to have received the Governor Generals Medallion and Citation, said Shiamak Davar. I consider Canada my second home, which makes this esBollywood choreographer Shiamak Davar receiving the Medallion and Citation

Registered NRI voters will have to wait for future elections

New Delhi: NRIs who are registered voters in India will not be able to vote from their foreign locations as the Supreme Court on Friday accepted that the Election Commission faced statutory and logistic impediments in extending overseas voting facilities to them. Noting that election for some phases has already been completed, a bench of Justice KS Radhakrishnan and Justice Vikramajit Sen said that permitting the NRIs to vote in the remaining six phases would open a "Pandora box" that in some cases, some NRIs have been allowed and not the others. Taking note of the practical problems that confronted the poll panel even though it was in the favor of extending voting facilities to NRIs from their overseas locations, Justice Radhakrishnsan told petitioner Shamsheer VP that the "point you have raised is favored by them (Election Commission) but they have some practical difficulties." Shamsheer VP has sought the reading down of Section 20A of the Representation of the People (Amendment) Act 2010 that mandates the presence of the listed voter at the polling station to cast his vote. He had contended that any distinction between those physically present at polling booth and those overseas would be violative of article 19(1) as well as article 21 of the constitution. The court noted that the Election Commission has already decided to constitute a committee to examine the feasibility of different options that can be considered for facilitating voting by overseas NRI electors as it adjourned the hearing till August end for the committee to complete its work and report to the court. Allowing the application by Shamsheer to amend his petition, the court in its order said: "The respondents (Union of India and the Election Commission) are permitted to file a comprehensive counter affidavit within a period of two months." "Report of the Committee be also filed before the court," the order said. Pointing to the paucity of time in putting in place arrangements for facilitating the NRIs to exercise their votes from their overseas locations, the Election Commission said even for permitting that amendment will have be made to electoral laws to expand the special category voters.

pecially meaningful for me. Dance has always been a powerful influence in my life, and I am so pleased to be able to use my passion for the performing arts to create a common ground for our nations. Shiamak opened his first international dance studio in Canada before expanding throughout North America, Australia and Europe.

An event showcasing a selection of saris of different regions, drapes and textures, was organized at the Embassy of India in Berlin on April 7 for Willkommen in Berlin (club of 400 women representing 100 nationalities, under the auspices of Auswaertiges Amt). Frau Daniela Schadt was the chief guest at the event.

Gay IT specialist jailed for life for brutally killing wife in UK

London: An Indian-origin IT specialist at a bank was on Friday sentenced to life for brutally murdering his wife with a vacuum cleaner hose and then burning her body in a garden incinerator to prevent her from revealing he was gay. Jasvir Ram Ginday, 29, attacked his wife Varkha Rani at their home with a metal pipe from a vacuum cleaner just six months after an arranged marriage ceremony in India. He strangled the 24-year-old woman then burnt her body in the garden incinerator, telling a neighbor he had set fire to rubbish, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard. Ginday had struggled "being a gay man in a straight world," Judge John Warner told the court during his summing up. A jury of seven women and five men at Wolverhampton Crown Court took around 17 hours to find Ginday guilty of murder after a three-week trial. The court ruled this evening that he will have to spend a minimum term of 21 years in jail before he can be considered for parole. Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Sarbjit Johal said: "Ginday got married as a matter of convenience, he tricked a poor innocent girl into marriage but was living a lie. "When she uncovered the truth he could not live with it and killed her quickly then tried to dispose of her body and her possessions by burning them. Had another day passed before police attended, Ginday may well have successfully removed all traces of Varkha.

South African Indians only group to grow in employment equity

Johannesburg: South Africans of Indian origin are the only population group in Africa's second-largest economy to have virtually doubled their presence in top management positions in the past decade, according to an official study. "The only solid and consistent progress in the percentages of representation at Top Management level, between 2003 and 2013, takes place in the Indian sub-category of designated group members. This group virtually doubles its representation," the Commission for Employment Equity (CEE) Annual Report said. South African government introduced Employment Equity laws to address the domination of white employees in top and senior management positions in the apartheid era before 1994. But the report says there had not been significant change in this regard for the majority Black or the Colored (mixed race) community. "Unfair discrimination practices in the workplace have

led to under-utilization of the greater portion of the productive population of South Africa," Labor Minister Mildred Oliphant said at the release of the report at a conference here.The report showed that South Africa's skewed racial make-up of the workplace remained relatively constant with an over-representation of Whites at 62.7 per cent, nearly five times their economically active population (EAP) and nearly double the sum of all Blacks at Top Management level. This is followed by Africans with 19.8 per cent representation, while Indians make up 8.3 per cent, more than double their EAP when compared to Africans and Colored within the Black Group. Coloreds make up 5.1 per cent of the representation at the Top Management level.

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Pak urges Afghanistan, NATO to strengthen border management

Islamabad: Pakistan has urged the Afghanistan government and the NATO to put in place strong measures for better management of Pakistan-Afghanistan border to check illegal cross-border movement. Tasnim Aslam, Pakistan's Foreign Office spokesperson, said the country has carried an extra burden regarding the protection and management of the border, and Afghanistan and NATO forces must do the same on the other side of the border. Pakistan and Afghanistan share nearly 2,500 km long border. "Pakistan has more than 12,000 posts to undertake surveillance. The country is also keen to introduce biometric system but we also want equally strong measures from NATO and Afghan sides for management of the border," the spokesman said.

India, Pak may resume dialogue after elections

Islamabad: India and Pakistan hope to resume their composite dialogue once the Indian parliamentary election ends, Pakistan's envoy to the US has said. Jalil Abbas Jilani also said in a talk at Harvard University that there was increasing awareness in both countries that there can be no military solution to their problems. The News International newspaper reported that Jilani spoke on "Pakistan-India Relations, The Way Ahead". It was the inaugural event for the Harvard Kennedy School's annual South Asia Week. Giving a brief overview of the main problems affecting India-Pakistan relations, Jilani said positive changes had taken place and concrete steps had been taken to improve bilateral ties. A career diplomat who served in India as charge daffaires from where he was expelled in 2003 during high tensions, Jilani talked about the growing desire for peace. "There is also a realization that no country can achieve its economic goals while in a state of tension with its neighbors," the daily quoted him as saying. He said there had been "good progress on confidence building measures like the Jammu and Kashmir bus service, cross-border trade and meeting points for divided Kashmiri families". He said student exchanges needed to be increased.

Jalil Abbas Jilani, Pakistan's envoy to the US

Jilani was hopeful that the resumption of the composite dialogue, suspended since January 2013, and Pakistans grant of the Most Favoured Nation status to India would start to progress once Indias general elections get over. India's ongoing parliamentary elections, which began April 7, end May 12. The results are expected May 16, with most pundits predicting that the BJP will finish ahead of everyone else. Trade between the two countries was steadily improving, Jilani said. It now stands at $3 billion.

"If the barriers are lifted, it could rise to over $10 billion over the next few years," he said. The visa regime between the two countries needs to be liberalized, Jilani added. He said it was unfortunate that India had introduced stringent rules that made it difficult for the poor in remote areas in Pakistan to apply for visas as these had to be submitted online. Pakistani expatriates were required to renounce their Pakistani nationality to apply for an Indian visa on their foreign passports, he said.

SC rejects plea to probe Indian election elicits keen interest in Pakistan Indian army's role in Lanka
Lahore: Will Narendra Modi win? Will India get a stable government? What are Arvind Kejriwal's prospects? Is the Congress finished? The questions fly thick and fast in Pakistan, where interest in India's ongoing parliamentary election runs high, for once overriding questions on all other issues including Kashmir. An IANS journalist who visited Lahore, Pakistan's cultural capital, to cover the PFDC Sunsilk Fashion Week, was bombarded with dozens of questions on the world's largest electoral exercise. There was not a single question on Kashmir! Many Pakistanis have their favorites in the Indian political landscape. Clearly, Narendra Modi, the BJP's prime ministerial candidate, is not the most liked Indian politician. Activist-turned-politician Kejriwal's popularity has transcended the borders. He is a favorite with many in Pakistan. "I would like to see Arvind Kejriwal heading the Delhi government again," businessman Hardeep Khullar, a Pakistani Hindu, told IANS. "I think whatever he did during his short stint (as chief minister) is commendable," said Khullar. Naved Siddiqui, a 40-year-old working in the hospitality sector, agreed, comparing Kejriwal with cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan whose Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf (PTI) once created ripples like the AAP. "We see a similar spark in Kejriwal," said Siddiqui. "His Aam

Many Pakistanis have their favorites in the Indian political landscape.

Indian Army participated in the Sri Lankan government's 2008-2009 operation against the rebel Tamil organization LTTE.

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has declined to entertain a plea for a Special Investigative Team (SIT) probe into the alleged "clandestine" role of the Indian Army in the Sri Lankan government's 2008-2009 operation against the rebel Tamil organization LTTE. "There are issues which are absolutely beyond the domain of the court and this is one of them," said a bench of Justice R.M. Lodha and Justice Kurian Joseph as it dismissed the plea. Asking the petitioner, advocate V. Ram Sankar to approach the competent authorities, the court asked him "not to bring the court in this arena. What can we do"."This is not a matter of judicial review. Absolutely not. How such an issue can be gone into?" Justice Lodha said as Sankar

persisted with his plea for a courtmonitored SIT probe. Expressing its ability to entertain the plea from any angle, the court said: "Court is not equipped to go into the issues which have different ramifications and political shades." Declining the plea, it said: "This is not a fit case for judicial review and writ petition is dismissed." The petition was later withdrawn. Sankar, who is secretary of Delhi Tamil Advocate Association, in his petition sought the SIT probe into "clandestine method in which government of India has been collaborating with, aiding and abetting the Sri Lankan government and its armed forces against the Tamil minority in Sri Lank in 2008 and 2009", resulting in the loss of life of 40,000 Tamilian and other innocent people.

Aadmi Party did wonders even during the short stint. I want him to win because I like his ideology." Many Pakistanis seemed to see Kejriwal as a young and energetic leader who has his heart in the right place. "Kejriwal is the youngest of the lot. So I want him to win," 22year-old fashionista Anum Sana told IANS, quickly adding that she would also like Modi to win "since he is a bachelor". Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi is out of the reckoning as far as Pakistanis are concerned. Despite the publicity he is garnering, Modi remains an enigma in Pakistan. Nawazzudin Khan, a young entrepreneur and PR consultant, felt that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had erred by declaring Modi its prime ministerial candidate. "Modi is still struggling to wash away the blot of Gujarat's riots of 2002," said Khan. "Also, his atti-

tude towards the Muslim 'topi' (skullcap) is something that is not appreciated here." Interestingly, most Pakistanis feel that India won't get a stable government even after this Lok Sabha election, notwithstanding the hue and cry over a possible Modi-led BJP victory. "I guess it's going to be a 'khichdi sarkar' in India, a coalition government, instead of a single party government," felt Ghulam Allauddin, an Islamabad resident. "But, yes, Modi is emerging stronger," he added. Amarpreet Ahluwalia, a Pakistani Sikh who lives in Karachi, felt political parties were wasting too much money on the election campaign. "I have been hearing a lot of songs on 'Modi ki Sarkar'. They (BJP) have spent so much money on advertisement. I wish they spend this kind of money on the common man," he said.

22

April 19-25, 2014

INTERNATIONAL

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

India calls for safeguarding interests of Ukraine's people

Barack Obama said that it was "absolutely clear" that Russia had violated Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity by annexing Crimea

Obama warns Russia over Ukraine

Washington: US President Barack Obama once again warned Russia against further destabilizing Ukraine. Obama said that it was "absolutely clear" that Russia had violated Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity by annexing Crimea last month and was continuing to do so by supporting "nonstate militias" in eastern Ukraine. "What I've said consistently is that each time Russia takes these kinds of steps, that are designed to destabilise Ukraine and violate their sovereignty, that there are going to be consequences," Obama added. Washington has targeted a number of key Russian and Crimean officials as well as a Russian bank following Moscow's move on Crimea. Obama signed an executive order in March authorizing expanded sanctions against more individuals and entities as well as key sectors of Russia's economy including energy, banking, mining and defence. The Ukrainian government Monday night launched military operations to flush out pro-Russian militants occupying government buildings in the eastern part of the country, leaving at least four people dead. "The sharp escalation of the conflict" had placed Ukraine "in effect on the verge of civil war," Russian President Vladimir Putin told German Chancellor Angela Merkel.Moscow has rejected accusations that Russia was destabilizing Ukraine.

Moscow/New Delhi: Amid escalating tension in Ukraine caused by pro-Russian separatists, India has urged for restraint and for a political and diplomatic solution that would "safeguard the legitimate interests of all sections of Ukraine's population" and countries in the region. Indian Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh, visiting here April 15-17, "reiterated India's position, calling on all sides to exercise restraint and work together constructively to find political and diplomatic solutions that would safeguard the legitimate interests of all sections of Ukraine's population, of all countries in the region and of long term peace and stability in Europe and beyond", said a statement from the Indian embassy in Moscow. During talks with her counterparts, Vladimir Titov, first deputy foreign minister, and Aigor Morgulov, deputy foreign minister, the two sides expressed hope that the talks involving Russia, Ukraine, the US and the EU in Geneva "would make a positive contribution in this

Indian Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh

direction". Earlier, both Russian officials conveyed their "perspectives on the ongoing developments in Ukraine", where pro-Russia sep-

aratists have strengthened their grip on several towns in eastern Ukraine and are demanding a referendum on joining Russia, in a Crimea-like situation.

Four dead, 284 missing in South Korea ferry sinking

Seoul: At least four people were killed while 284 went missing as a ferry, carrying 462 people most of them being school children, sank in waters off South Korean coast, local media reported. The students were bound for a holiday island. The 6,825-tonne passenger ship "SEWOL" capsized and sank into waters off the Jindo Island, just off the southwest corner of the Korean Peninsula, at around 11.30 a.m. Wednesday. The ship sent out a distress signal at 8.52 a.m. and had floated in the waters for some two and a half hours with its body being on the careen. Four people, including a 22-year-old female crew member and three high school students, were found dead as of 9 p.m. local time, with 174 people confirmed rescued and 284 others still missing. The toll continued to rise as hundreds of passengers remained missing around

Cameron urges Britons to be unashamedly evangelical

London: With the number of atheists rocketing in UK and the attendance in Churches nose diving, prime minister David Cameron has asked Britons to be unashamedly "evangelical" about its Christian faith as Christianity could transform the "spiritual, physical and moral" state of Britain. In a declaration of his personal beliefs, he said he was "evangelical" and announced that he wanted to see a bigger role for religion in Britain. He said he had experienced the "healing power" of religion in his own life. "For people who do have a faith, that faith can be a guide or a helpful prod in the right direction," he said. "I believe we should be more confident about our status as a Christian country, more ambitious about expanding the role of faith-based organizations and frankly more evangelical about a faith that compels us to get out there and make a difference to people's lives". He further said "First, being more confident about our status as a Christian country does not somehow involve doing down other faiths or passing judgment on those with no faith at all. Many people tell me it is easier to be Jewish or Muslim in Britain than in a secular country precisely because the tolerance that Christianity demands of our society provides greater space for other religious faiths too. Crucially the Christian values of responsibility, hard work, charity, compassion, humility and love are shared by people of every faith and none - and we should be confident in standing up to defend them". Cameron's push for religion in UK comes at a time when latest data released by the Church of England shows it is attracting fewer than 800,000 people to its churches on a typical Sunday mass. Even more worrying is that the number of Christians fell by 4.1 million over 10 years in UK. This decline is fastest among youngsters-32% of those under 25 saying they had no religious belief. Cameron announced that the government is investing 20 million in repairing "our great cathedrals" but also giving 8 million to the Near Neighbors program which brings faith communities together in supporting local projects.
British Prime Minister David Cameron

The 6,825-ton passenger ship capsized and sank into waters off the Jindo Island

nine hours after the ship sank deep into the waters. The number of death was expected to surge as people in the waters can endure hypothermia only for three hours. Among the 174 people confirmed rescued, 78 were high school students. A total of 55 people were transferred to nearby hospitals, but they had minor injuries. According to the headquarters's statistics, the ferry carried 30 crew members and 432 passengers, including 325 high school

students and 15 teachers who had been on the way for a school journey. The ship had departed from South Korea's western port city of Incheon Tuesday night, heading for the southern resort island of Jeju. The ship, according to rescued passengers, began to careen to the port side after making a banging sound on the bow. The ferry went off the pre-arranged sea route as it departed some two and a half hours later than scheduled due to a thick fog, they added.

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

BUSINESS

April 19-25, 2014

23

Pace, direction of reforms Corporate America will fix India's ratings: S&P committed to long-term
New Delhi: The direction and pace of policy reforms of the new government that assumes office after the Lok Sabha polls will determine India's sovereign ratings, international agency Standard & Poor's (S&P) said. The direction and pace of policy reforms, more than which political party takes control, can affect the ratings on the sovereign, S&P said in its latest reports. According to the reports, the outcome of India's general elections can provide an insight into the political stability, ability, and willingness of the new government to implement reforms for boosting economic growth. Two reports in which the agency made the observations are titled "India's Election Is Pivotal For Its Sovereign Creditworthiness" and "The New Government's Reform Policies Will Be Critical To The Credit Bangalore: With a whopping Rs.30,000 crore ($5 billion) in its reserves, cash-rich Infosys has decided to share a part of its wealth with its lucky investors by increasing its dividend to 40 percent of post-tax profits from 30 percent it was paying since inception in 1981. "As our reserves, including cash and cash equivalents crossed Rs.30,000 crore ($5 billion) for the full year (2013-14), the board has decided to increase the dividend payout ratio to 40 percent to our investors," Infosys chief financial officer Rajiv Bansal told IANS here Tuesday. The board's decision will be subject to approval of shareholders at its annual general meeting in June. Having paid an interim dividend of (400 percent) Rs.20 per share of Rs.5 face value for the first half (AprilSeptember) of fiscal 2014, the global software major has declared a final dividend Rs.43 per share (860 percent) for second half (OctoberMarch) of the just-concluded fiscal. The total dividend pay-out for the fiscal will be Rs.63 or a whopping 1,260 percent to the investors, including institutional, retail, promoters and employees through stock options. "The final dividend outgo for the Profile Of Indian Corporates And Banks. Standard & Poor's has a BBBrating on India with a negative outlook. This is the lowest investment grade rating. A downgrade will give India's sovereign ratings a junk status. In its earlier report the S&P had warned of the risks of a ratings downgrade in the absence of structural reforms, fiscal consolidation and if economic growth decelerates further. "We believe that the current political landscape in India suggests that no single party could win an outright majority," said S&P sovereign credit analyst Kim Eng Tan. An important factor is how fragmented the government will be. The more parties involved in the next coalition government, the more likely policies will be incoherent and less supportive of credit attributes.

investment in India

Washington: Corporate America has reaffirmed US companies' commitment to India's growth and focus on reviving investor sentiment and cross-border collaboration in the first year after India's elections. The US-India Business Council (USIBC), comprised of more than 350 of the top-tier US and Indian companies, made the reaffirmation at a meeting in New York with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) governor, Raghuram Rajan. The private meeting was attended by top executives from global financial services companies and institutional investors, USIBC said. They included industry heavyweights like KKR Co-Chairman Henry Kravis, Harold "Terry" McGraw, Chairman, McGraw Hill Financial. It was chaired by Charles "Chip" Kaye, Co-CEO of leading private equity firm Warburg Pincus. The industry representatives heard from Rajan the challenges RBI faces in taming inflation while promoting the growth necessary to keep the engine of India's economy thriving, all in the midst of factors beyond the respected institution's control, USIBC said. USIBC members noted their strong support for RBI's financial sector reforms including actions to further deepen India's debt capital markets toward

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) governor, Raghuram Rajan

long-term infrastructure development and manage risk, it said. In addition to continued banking reforms, the contributions of non-bank financial companies (NBFCs) to the real economy - including those wholly-owned by foreign direct investment (FDI) - were raised. USIBC said it also discussed with Rajan the importance of a vibrant payments industry with competition and dialogue spurring further innovations in mobile banking, prepaid, and cash transfer remittances for SME businesses and individuals. USIBC members, it said, welcomed the Governor's insight on opportunities for meaningful US-India collaboration in the financial sector. "American investors are grateful for the Reserve Bank of India's leadership of the Indian economy," said USIBC Director for Financial Policy Melissa Frakman.

Cash-rich Infosys gifts higher dividend to investors

G-20 pushes US to ratify IMF reforms by yearend

Washington: Expressing disappointment at the continued delay over International Monetary Fund's quota and governance reforms that would give emerging economies, including India, a greater voice, the G-20 has given the US a yearend deadline to ratify them. "If the 2010 reforms are not ratified by year-end, we will call on the IMF to build on its existing work and develop options for next steps," the finance ministers and central bank governors from the world's leading economies said. The group will then work with the Fund's International Finance and Monetary Committee "to schedule a discussion of these options," they said in a communique after a meeting on the sidelines of the IMF-World Bank spring meetings here. The finance chiefs said they were "deeply disappointed with the continued delay in progressing the IMF quota and governance reforms agreed to in 2010 and the 15th General Review of Quotas (GRQ) including a new quota formula." The reforms would double the IMF's resources and increase the voting power of e m e rg i n g economies like the BRICS - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. "We are committed to maintaining a strong and adequately resourced IMF," they said.

The total dividend pay-out for the fiscal will be Rs.63 or a whopping 1,260 percent to the investors

second half will be 40 percent (Rs.4,259 crore) of our net profit of

Rs.10,648 crore for the fiscal under review," Bansal said.

24

April 19-25, 2014

SPORTS

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

IPL: Kohli, Yuvraj take RCB home against Daredevils

Sharjah: A fantastic partnership between Virat Kohli and Yuvraj Singh guided the Royal Challengers Bangalore to a convincing eight wicket win over the Delhi Daredevils in the second match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium here. The Bangalore-based team reached their target of 146 with 3.2 overs to spare. Yuvraj with skipper Kohli struck an unbeaten 84-run third wicket partnership in only 7.5 overs to take their team home in an emphatic fashion. Lately criticised by many for India's loss in the World Twenty20 final recently to Sri Lanka, Yuvraj found form in the opening clash to hit 52 not out in only 29 deliveries at a staggering strike rate of 179.31. The southpaw also hit five huge sixes and three fours all over the ground. He was assisted well by Kohli, who hit the winning run, as he remained unbeaten on 49 off 38 balls, hitting three sixes and two fours. At the start of their innings, Australian opener Nic Maddinson perished early in the second over for six runs but wicketkeeper-batsman and opener Parthiv Patel played a responsible knock of 37 off 29 deliveries before being bowled by leggie Rahul Sharma. From 62/2 in the ninth over, it was a Kohli and Yu v r a j s h o w . To w a r d s the end, the duo hurried towards the target hitting a flurry of sixes and the Daredevils bowlers had no reply to restrict them.

Srinivasan among 13 named by Mudgal panel: SC

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has said N. Srinivasan's name features in the list of the 13 people named by Mudgal Committee in the IPL betting scam and he cannot take charge if the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has to conduct an inquiry on its own in the scandal that rocked Indian cricket last year. Though the apex court admitted that all the charges are yet to be verified, it said that if the BCCI is given powers to investigate then it has to be done without Srinivasan at the top. Supreme Court had removed Srinivasan as the BCCI president and put Sunil Gavasakar as the interim president in-charge of the IPL and senior vice-president Shivlal Yadav in-charge of rest of the affairs. The apex court bench of Justice A.K. Patnaik and Justice Fakkir Mohamed Ibrahim Kalifulla said: "Having come to know the nature of allegations, we cannot close our eyes." Disclosing the content of a report in a sealed cover by retired Justice Mukul Mudgal, Justice Patnaik said there are 13 people against whom allegations are there and Srinivasan's names is 13th. "There are 13 names. Srinivasan's is the last name. The twelve others are very important... we are not concerned with Lalit Modi or Srinivasan. We are concerned with BCCI. There are 12 allegations. All these allegations were told to Srinivasan. But no action was taken. That means that he didn't take these allegations seriously. That means to his knowledge these things were happening," Justice Patnaik said. The bench stressed on the institutional autonomy of the BCCI and said: "If the BCCI has to be given power to investigate then it has to be done without Srinivasan and till investigation is complete Srinivasan will not come back. If there is an SIT (Special Investigation Team), things will be different. But IPL must go on." Asking the BCCI to reflect on the options given by it for probing the allegations and come back, the court adjourned hearing and directed its listing on April 22, 2014. The court also passed the order retaining Sunder Raman after Gavaskar told the court to take a call on the issue.
Former BCCI chief N. Srinivasan has moved the apex court seeking his restoration

Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Virat Kohli

IPL kicked off in UAE under shadow of graft

Abu Dhabi: The seventh edition of the lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL) went underway here this week with allegations of corruption and spot-fixing looming over it. The first 20 matches, from Wednesday to April 30, will be played in the UAE as the dates were clashing with India's General Election. The Twenty20 bandwagon will return home for matches scheduled from May 2-June 1. The organizers are hoping that cricket takes the centre stage and not drama and scandals -as in the last edition. The Supreme Court, which appointed legendary Indian batsman Sunil Gavaskar to oversee the seventh edition of the IPL, would also be keeping tabs on the happenings. Off-field issues aside, IPL-7 promises to be a closely fought affair. Fresh auctions earlier in the year saw the merry-go-round of players and every franchise has a fair sprinkling of new faces, though most of them have been regulars in the tournament. Many iconic players find themselves in new company, making opponents in yesteryears comrades today. For one, Yuvraj Singh, who cost the Royal Challengers a small fortune, will, along with his India teammate and franchise captain Virat Kohli, look to right the wrong of the World T20 final where he choked against the wily Sri Lanka attack. With prolific batsmen Chris Gayle and AB de Villiers, besides Yuvraj and

Shuttler Bhat advances to New Zealand GP semis

Auckland: Recently crowned German Open Grand Prix Gold winner Arvind Bhat came out with another fantastic performance to enter the men's singles semifinal of the $50,000 New Zealand Badminton Open Grand Prix here. The fifth seeded Bhat beat Malaysian third seed Chun Seang Tan in 56 minutes to win the quarterfinal clash 22-20, 9-21, 21-18 in their first match at the North Shore Events Centre. Earlier in the day, the Banglorean beat another Malaysian Tang Jie Chen 21-8, 21-14 in 21 minutes to proceed to the last eight. The Indian has a tough ask ahead as he will take on Chinese Taipei's top seed Jen Hao Hsu against whom Bhat has a 1-2 career record. Meanwhile, second seed Sourabh Varma, who hails from Dhar in Madhya Pradesh, was upset by Chinese Taipei's 14th seed Kuei Chun Shih in the third round. Kuei won their first encounter 21-18, 21-15 in 38 minutes.

The first 20 matches will be played in the UAE as the dates were clashing with India's General Election.

Kohli, RCB, without doubt, have the most dangerous batting line-up. Delhi Daredevils, too, spent big and purchased the likes of Dinesh Karthik and Kevin Pietersen. With the new purchases on board, the GMR-owned team is expected to do better, having had a dismal season last year, finishing at the bottom of the ladder. Mumbai will be without their talisman and city icon Sachin Tendulkar but with some key additions like Mike Hussey and Corey Anderson, they would look to repeating last year's winning performance. Rajasthan Royals, the team most affected by

the spot-fixing and betting charges, will be without Indian cricket's great wall Rahul Dravid, but he will be around to advise them. After winning in 2012, the Kolkata Knight Riders couldn't quite carry the same form into the following season, failing to qualify for the playoffs and finishing a disappointing seventh in the nine-team league. The Knight Riders, though, have made some very smart buys this year. They have brought in Australian pacer Pat Cummins and Indians Piyush Chawla and Umesh Yadav to strengthen their bowling which was a major issue last year.

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

PERSONAL FINANCE

April 19-25, 2014

25

Charitable contributions to lower your taxes

Cost of raffle, bingo, or lottery tickets Dues, fees, or bills paid to country clubs, lodges, fraternal orders, or similar organizations Tuition Value of your time or services Value of blood given to a blood bank noncash donations. You can verify the organizations eligibility before you make a donation by going to IRS.gov and checking the Exempt Organizations Select Check database maintained by the IRS.

Vehicle Donations
If you donate a qualified vehicle valued at more than $500, you will not be allowed to take a charitable deduction unless you get a written acknowledgement of the contribution from the charitable organization (usually within 30 days) and include the acknowledgement with your tax return. The amount of your deduction is limited by the organization's use of the vehicle. If the charitable organization sells the donated vehicle without having significantly used the vehicle for charitable purposes, generally your charitable deduction cannot be greater than the amount the organization received from the sale of the vehicle. If the organization uses the vehicle for charitable purposes, you should be able to deduct the fair market value of the vehicle immediately preceding your donation. The organization should issue a Form 1098-C to provide you with the required information. For this purpose, qualified vehicles include motor vehicles, boats, and aircraft. IRS Publication 4303, A Donor's Guide to Car Donations, provides general IRS guidelines on car donations. The author is an eminent CPA with over 25 years of experience and having 25 offices in Nassau, Suffolk and Queens counties. email:ksra@ksracpaspc.com.

Qualified Organizations
By Kanwal S. Sra CPA 8th article in the series You can deduct contributions made to a qualified organization. To be considered qualified, most organizations (other than churches) must apply to the IRS. Local fundraisers for community members in need of assistance will not be considered qualified organizations unless they have been approved as such by the IRS. Examples of some qualified charitable organizations include the following: Churches, synagogues, temples, mosques, and other religious organizations Most nonprofit organizations, such as Salvation Army, Red Cross, CARE, Goodwill Industries, United Way, Boys and Girls Clubs of America. Nonprofit hospitals and medical research organizations Nonprofit schools Most nonprofit, educational organizations such as Future Business Leaders of America, 4-H Club, and Junior Achievement Nonprofit volunteer fire departments Public parks and recreation facilities War veterans' groups such as Disabled American Veterans and Purple Heart Federal, state, and local governments if your contribution is solely for public purposes, such as a

aking charitable contributions is an easy and effective way to lower your taxes. You are eligible to take a deduction for contributions or gifts made to certain qualified organizations. The contributions can either be in the form of money or property. You must file Form 1040, U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, and itemize deductions on Schedule A, Itemized Deductions, to take advantage of this deduction. Listed below is more information on charitable deductions

Qualified charitable organizations include temples, churches, synagogues, mosques, gurdwaras etc.

Contributions in General
A charitable contribution is a donation or gift to, or for use by, a qualified organization. It is voluntary and is made without getting, or expecting to get, anything of equal value in return. Deductible charitable contributions include money or property given to qualified organizations, your out-of-pocket expenses when you serve as a volunteer for a qualified organization, and certain expenses you pay for a student living with you who is sponsored by a qualified organization.Deductible charitable contributions do not include the following, even if given to a qualified organization:

gift to reduce the public debt Some examples of non-qualified organizations: Homeowners' associations Political groups or candidates for public office Organizations whose purpose is to lobby for law changes Individuals Organizations run for personal profit Civic leagues, social clubs and sports clubs Labor unions Chambers of commerce Foreign organizations except certain Canadian, Israeli, and Mexican charities

tions that you are not able to deduct in the current year because of adjusted gross income limits may be carried over to future years.

Item (Non-cash) Donations

Extra tax deductions may be as close as your closet. If you donated clothing, toys, furniture, or other household items to charity, you are allowed to deduct the fair market value of your donated items. However, no deduction is allowed for these items unless they are in at least good used condition. The IRS does not provide a guide to determine the fair market value suggesting, instead, taxpayers survey thrift and consignment stores for similar items to provide an indication of the item's fair market value. Generally, the deduction for property contributed is equal to the fair market value of the property at the time of the contribution. Different rules may apply if the value of the property has increased or for vehicle donations. IRS Publication 561, Determining the Value of Donated Property, provides general IRS guidelines on

Date of Contribution
Usually, you may deduct charitable contributions only in the year they were actually made. A check that you mail is considered delivered on the date you mailed it. A contribution charged on a credit card is deductible in the year you make the charge. The amount of your deduction may be limited depending on the type of property given and the type of organization to which it is given. Some contribu-

Inspirational stories from real-life heroes

At times, one feels burdened by the weight of a stressful life, and all one can think of is escape. But there are many invisible faces who have courageously taken on the battles of life. These are some inspirational tales to reflect on

Book: No Looking Back; Author: Shivani Gupta; Publisher: Rupa; Pages: 246; Price: Rs. 295 wentytwoyear-old Shivani had thrown a party one evening and awoke the next morning in hospital, her spine and her dreams shattered by a car crash. Paralyzed and then wheelchair-

bound, it took Shivani years of pain, struggle and determination to regain control of her life and her body; to demand an receive respect from the world; to gain acceptance from within and without; to find love and happiness. Then tragedy struck again. As the newly-married Shivani drove to Manali with her family, an oil tanker collided head-on with the car. Bedridden once again, she watched helplessly as first her father-in-law and then Vikas, her husband, succumbed to their injuries. And yet, Shivani refused to surrender - she wouldn't let her inability to walk keep her from achieving her ambitions. This book is an inspiring narrative about surviving the challenges of disability and indignities faced by approximately 25 percent of the world's population, whether in terms of infrastructure, legislature or awareness.

Book: Courage Beyond Compare; Author: Sanjay Sharma and Medini Sharma; Publisher: Rupa; Pages: 258; Price: Rs. 295 he 10 sportspersons profiled in the book are champions in diverse disciplines like athletics, swimming, badminton and cricket, who have brought glory to the country both in national and international arenas. They overcame immense physical limitations to reach the pinnacle of their chosen fields. Powerful and inspiring, these stories are heart-warming reminders that a strong mind, steely will and dogged determination almost always triumphs over the limitations of the human body.

Book: This Star Won't Go Out; Author: Esther Earl with Lori and Wayne Earl; Publisher: Penguin; Pages: 431; Price: Rs. 699 iagnosed with thyroid cancer at the age of 12, Esther Earl was an exceptionally bright and talented, but very normal, teenager. She lived a hopefilled and generous, outwardly focused life as she navigated her physical decline with grace. A cheerful, positive and encouraging daughter, sister and friend, Esther died in 2010, shortly after turning 16, but not before inspiring thousands through her growing online presence. This memoir collects her journals, fiction, letters and sketches. Photographs and essays by family and friends also help to tell her story.

Book: Face to Face; Author: Ved Mehta; Publisher: Penguin; Pages: 314; Price: Rs. 499 lind since the age of four, the author led a lonely and turbulent childhood in India until he was accepted to the Arkansas School for the Blind, to which he flew alone at 15. America and the school changed his life, leading to degrees at Oxford and Harvard and a fruitful writing career. This is the author's autobiography touching upon his childhood, blindness and remaking himself.

26

April 19-25, 2014

SELF DEVELOPMENT

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Rakeshbhai to give a discourse on Gandhi in New Jersey

Pujya Gurudevshri Rakeshbhai is the torchbearer of the mission of Shrimad Rajchandra, who was acknowledged by Mahatma Gandhi as his foremost spiritual guide.

Shrimad Rajchandra and Gandhi

with which Shrimadji performed His duties as a jeweler with detachment amazed Gandhi. In tribute, Gandhi wrote, Raichandbhai's commercial transactions covered hundreds of thousands. But these things were not the center round which his life revolved. That center was the passion to see God face to face. Amongst the things on his business table, there were invariably to be found some religious book and his diary. The moment he finished his business he opened the religious book or the diary. Much of his published writing is a reproduction from this diary. And I saw him thus absorbed in Godly pursuits in the midst of business, not once or twice, but very often. I never saw him lose his state of equipoise. [The Story of My Experiments with Truth.] Even after Gandhi moved to South Africa, the meetings continued, though not in person, but through correspondence. This close association contributed a great deal in molding Gandhi's character. In fact, he attributes his strong foundation of truth, non-violence and self-improvement to Shrimadji. Influence of Shrimadji's Teachings on Gandhi Shrimadji's teachings left an

"This man (Shrimad Rajchandra) has won my heart in spiritual matters, and no one else has ever made on me the same impression. - Mahatma Gandhi, 'Modern Review', June 1930 man as great as Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation, was captivated in spiritual matters by Shrimad Rajchandraji, as by none other. "I have said elsewhere that besides Kavi (Shrimadji), Ruskin and Tolstoy have contributed in forming my intrinsic character; but Kavi has had a more profound effect because I had come in personal and intimate contact with Him." That is Gandhi's public acknowledgment of Shrimad Rajchandra as his foremost spiritual guide in the 'Modern Review'.

indelible mark on Mahatma Gandhi. Shrimadji's priceless letters and compositions were his constant companions - physically and mentally. He contemplated upon them and he also often recited Shrimadji's poem 'Nirkhine Nav Yauvana' to strengthen his belief in celibacy. He had also rendered Shri Atmasiddhi Shastra into English prose. Shrimadji's unique composition, 'Apurva Avsar Evo Kyare Aavshe?' was one of Gandhiji's favorite compositions which was included in his 'Ashram Bhajanavali' sung at daily public prayer meetings. Gandhi's memorable accounts on Shrimadji testify the profound influence that the latter exerted on the Mahatma's life. Shrimadji's emphasis on truth, compassion and non-violence in every walk of life, later crystallized as the fundamental tenets of Gandhism, which played a significant role in the Indian struggle for independence. In the history of India and the world, the success of Gandhi's nonviolent struggle as a means of achieving freedom will be engraved in golden letters. Thus the role of Shrimadji's spiritual teachings in the regeneration of a new India can hardly be exaggerated.

Rakeshbhai (foreground) and Shrimad Rajchandraji (1867-1901).

ropounding the path of Bhagwan Mahavira, the founder of Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur (Gujarat), Pujya Gurudevshri Rakeshbhai is a spiritual visionary and a modern day mystic. An embodiment of universal compassion, He has touched thousands of lives in various countries through enlightening discourses and an array of meditation retreats steering a multitude of souls towards the spiritual way of life. His

preaching inspires one to rise above religious dogma and focus on the Eternal. His divine benevolence has uplifted numerous underprivileged lives through the ten-fold Love and Care program. Rakeshbhai is to give discourses in Gujarati on Mahatma Gandhi His life and his message, in New Jersey on April 26-28. The venue is Marriott Hanover, Whippany. More info on: www.shrimadrajchandramission.org/nj-retreat

A Close Association The first meeting with Shrimadji left a deep-rooted impression on the Mahatma. It happened in 1891 in Mumbai on Gandhiji's return from England. Gandhi was two years younger than Shrimadji, and in that meeting, instantly took a liking to him. In the subsequent meetings Gandhis doubts would get resolved by Shrimadji. The ease

Are you taking the right vitamins and nutrients?

f you eat a healthful diet, you may think youre in the clear when it comes to supplying your body with vital nutrients. But some experts say that even the most wellrounded meal plans fall short. To get the amount of nutrients you need to thrive, you cant rely on food alone. You really have to turn to dietary supplements, says Michael A. Smith M.D., host of Healthy Talk on RadioMD.com and senior health scientist with Life Extension in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. If youve ever walked through the supplement section of a natural foods store or done a quick search online, you know it can be easy to become overwhelmed by the choices. Making matters more confusing, everyone has different nutritional needs. With the exception of a few foundational nutrients, theres no such thing as a one-size-fits-all supplement regimen, says Smith, whose new book and educational tool, The Supplement Pyramid, seeks to help readers design a nutritional regimen that meets their unique needs. Like food, its help-

ful to think of your supplement needs in a tiered pyramid structure: the foundational supplements we all need, personalized supplements based on your needs and optimal supplements for living healthier, longer. Smith is offering guidelines for getting started: Bootleg products on the market can do more harm than good. Invest in high-quality nutritional supplements. Stick with a company that has an established track record of using only pure, potent raw materials.

There are essential foundational supplements that should build the base of most peoples plans, no matter what their unique needs are, Smith says. These include an ideally dosed multivitamin/mineral, omega3 fatty acids, coenzyme Q10 (as ubiquinol) and probiotics. Check with your doctor before starting a supplement regimen. Everybody has their own personal medical history and health needs. With do-it-yourself detective work, you can arm yourself with the facts you need to personalize your supplement plan for disease prevention.

Beyond taking a personal and family medical inventory, certain laboratory tests can help you discover out whats going on inside your body. Additionally, The Supplement Pyramid contains a series of medical quizzes based on clinical risk assessments in different areas including heart health, cognitive function and immune strength. After providing your body with core, foundational nutrients for survival and custom-tailored supplements to help prevent disease, consider optimizing your supplemental regimen with anti-aging supplements such as antioxidants, pro-

teins and amino acids. These supplements form the top of your pyramid, and if you need to cut back on expenses, should be the first to go. Getting started is simple. And the sooner you do, the faster you can begin properly nourishing and protecting your body from health risks. For free tools to build your personal supplement regimen and for more information about Smiths new book, visit www.MySupplementPyramid.com or call 1-855-870-0687. Even if you juice every morning and hit the salad bar at lunch every afternoon, dont be lulled into nutritional complacency. By learning more about your bodys needs, you can live a longer, healthier, happier life.
There are essential foundational supplements that should build the base of most peoples plans, no matter what their unique needs are. These include an ideally dosed multivitamin/mineral, omega-3 fatty acids, coenzyme Q10 (as ubiquinol) and probiotics.

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

LIFESTYLE

April 19-25, 2014

27

Indian sweet jalebi among world's most fattening foods More Indians prefer arranged
New York: Jalebi, one of the favorite sweets of Indians has featured on an American news website's list of fattening food items across the globe. Huffingtonpost.com has come out with the following list of unhealthy dishes in the world: Jalebi, India: Jalebi is a deep-fried dough that is soaked in a sugary syrup. This plain fried dough is unhealthy on its own. Calzone, Italy: A traditional calzone uses the same amount of dough as an entire pizza-which serves four people. Acaraje, Brazil: A mere tablespoon of palm oil contains seven grams of saturated fat that makes the food taste great but is bad for health. Brazil's acaraje is a black-eyed peas formed into a ball, deep-fried in palm oil, and then stuffed with spicy pastes made from dried shrimp, ground cashews and London: Dressing with confidence takes time for sure, but a study shows that women can take as much as 55 years to be confident about their sartorial elegance. Jacques Vert Group conducted a survey with over 1,000 participants. The research shows that 55 is the optimum age a woman starts to dress with confidence. As many as 85 percent of the participants aged over 55 more palm oil. Churros, Spain: These are fried-dough pastries which are dipped in sugar and cinnamon and then dipped in a thick hot-chocolate drink. Khachapuri, Georgia: It's a bread bowl that is stuffed with melted cheese and topped with an egg and a large pad of butter. Nutella crepes, France: Two tablespoons of sweet chocolaty Nutella spread has 200 calories (110 of which are from fat). Deep-fried Mars bars, Scotland: A Mars bar which is deep-fried is a melted chocolate bar. Ramen, Japan: Japanese soup dish consisting of noodles in broth, topped with a variety of meats and vegetables. Soup is basically a health food but the broth is made with beef, lard and oil that really packs a fat punch even if the noodles aren't fried. New Delhi: If one goes by a study, Indian couples still like to consider their parents choice for marriage as over 60 percent weddings are arranged. Around 600 couples from metro cities in India participated in the study, conducted by an online matchmaking service Truly Madly.com. According to the findings, 69 percent marriages are still arranged in comparison to only 31 percent love marriages. Historically, most of the marriages were arranged by parents, hence when we did the survey, we saw this distribution where arranged marriages are still more active than loved ones, Rahul Kumar, co-

to love marriages: Study

founder, Truly Madly.com, said in a statement. But he also adds that the new generation is open to love marriage too. However, with the new generation becoming more and more aspirational, the trend is now shifting towards love marriages as youngsters want to make their own choices, he said.

At 55, British women get confident about dressing up: Survey

said they would feel confident to dress for a special summer occasion - twice as self-assured than a woman half her age, reports femalefirst.co.uk. It takes time to find an outfit youre happy with and that suits you. So, presentation is the key as is advice from friends and stylists - that way you can avoid fashion faux pas," said Amanda Lester, brand director for Jacques Vert Group.

Six skin habits to unlearn now

Prince George -the baby fashion icon

London: Just like his mother and Duchess of Cambridge, eightmonth-old Prince George is also proving to be a trendsetter with his outfits. According to dailymail.co.uk, designers of the clothes he has worn on his first Royal Tour (to New Zealand and Australia along with his parents) are reporting a surge in sales thanks to the George effect. Rachel Rileys dungarees: Theres now an eight-week waiting list to buy the same dungarees George wore for a playdate. It costs 75 pounds. Early Dayss pre-walkers shoes: The brands soft leather pumps with a single button fastening are flying off the shelves at Trotters in High Street, Kensington. It is priced at 24.99 pounds. The store also stocks the 14.99 body pounds suit with Peter Pan collar. Blue is the color: George matched his fathers choice of color by wearing a textured navy cardigan by Rachel Riley. It costs 59 pounds. Backpack kids Kangaroo Plush brand: The kangaroo backpack he was given as a gift in Australia sold out within hours, so there's no doubt Prince George's latest Royal Tour outfit will fly off the shelves. Its priced at 8.40 pounds. Los Angeles: Some of the skin care techniques that people think are helping their skin are actually doing more harm than good, says skin care expert Rene Rouleau and adds that over time these habits may harm the skin. The celebrity esthetician lists six bad skin habits one needs to unlearn immediately, reports huffingtonpost.com. 1. Tugging at the delicate skin surrounding the eye area: The area surrounding eye has the thinnest skin on the face, and its the first to show the signs of aging. Pulling on the skin while putting in contacts, applying eyeliner, or rubbing aggressively to remove stubborn eye make-up can unnecessarily create wear and tear on the collagen and elasticity fibers within the skin. 2. Misting, not wiping, your skin when using toner: Toners are designed to remove cleanser residue and most importantly, salts, chlorine, and chemicals from tap water that may dehydrate the skin. When you mist the toner you are simply diluting these chemicals, not removing them. 3. Rubbing skin too aggressively with a washcloth: Use a washcloth or facial sponge during evening cleansing to fully remove make-up and residue from the day. Use a baby washcloth with softer fibers or a facial sponge. 4. Not washing your face in the morning: When sleeping, skin is in repair mode and it secretes sebum, which can prevent your morning products from working optimally. Cleansing in the shower will give the skin a clean slate to allow your daytime serum and sunscreen to better protect and absorb into the skin. 5. Using the same products year-round: Without a doubt, skin has different needs in different seasons. In the spring, think spring cleaning with deep pore cleansing and exfoliating products to revive the skin from the winter dryness. In the summer, the focus should be on protecting skin from the sun with sunscreen and antioxidants. During the fall, increase exfoliation to repair the skin from the summer sun damage. With the dry air in winter, the focus should be on increasing moisturization and using hydrating products.

Too much Twitter kills romance in life

New York: Are 140 characters coming between you and romance in your life? You are not alone. A study contends that those addicted to Twitter are likely to have problems with their partners than those who are not. The more time you spend on Twitter, the more harm you are causing to your relationship, said the study by researchers of the University of Missouri. Of the 500 Twitter users polled, researchers found the more active the tweeter, the more conflict a rela-

tionship had. The findings were not any different even for couples who have been together for long. Active Twitter users experienced Twitter-related conflict and negative relationship outcomes regardless of length of romantic relationship, Russell Clayton, doctoral student at Missouri School of Journalism, was quoted as saying. However, the researchers said that Twitter may not bet the sole factor for the souring of a relationship. Other contributing factors like money, and trust, could also end a relationship, the study said.

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April 19-25, 2014

HUMOR

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Funny Bone by Nury Vittachi

ll pilots know that one of the riskiest parts of a flight is takeoff, since that is when an aircraft is most at risk of being in a mid-air collision with a fish. Which is exactly what happened recently in Florida. The pilot heard a crunch and decided to land immediatelyonly to find a dent in the fuselage matching the shape of a very freshly deceased fish on the runway. How did the fish get there? In the British Independent newspaper report forwarded to me about this, unimaginative officials suggested that a bird of prey may have dropped its seafood dinner in the flight path at the moment of take-off, but what are the odds of that? The answer is surely something more believable, involving portals from a parallel dimension. Try this easy experiment to prove that matter moves between different worlds. 1) Put your neatly looped earphones in your pocket. 2) Take them out ten minutes later. You'll note they spent that brief interval in a parallel dimension

Plane hits fish in mid-air, as oddity factor rises

where boy scouts tangled them into a triple slipknot, two angler's loops and a Gordian knot. Life's bizarreness factor is super-high just now. A European reader sent me a report from Germany in which scientists reported finding a four-eyed fish which can see in 3D vision in all directions at once. That's scary: a creature with a superpower hitherto seen only in teachers! A teacher once caught me doing something naughty when she was 100 meters away going in the opposite direction. Or she may have just screamed my name by chance, knowing the odds were in her favor. But going back to

Pilot Nick Toth holds up a fish in front of his Gulfstream G-IV at the base in Tampa, Florida. A fish on runway apparently caused a dent in fuselage during take-off.

planes, ever since the mystery disappearance of flight MH370, many people have become nervous about flying. And so they should be!

As a plane-hopping citizen of Asia, my main fear in this regard is not disappearances but sudden appearances of the beautiful, rich fauna of the region. Who can forget that vulture that smashed into the cockpit of an Indian Airlines flight some years back? Or the ducks, goats and chickens sharing the economy cabin on flights in Mongolia? A reader was on a plane in Vietnam when a passenger threw his briefcase into the overhead storage bins and smashed a glass jar containing a giant snake, which sprang onto the passengers below, causing them to express their delight in life's little surprises by having heart attacks, running screaming for the doors and the like. A pilot told me of a 2010 flight over the African Congo, where a passenger's hand luggage consisted of a live crocodile. It escaped while the plane was somewhere over Kinshasa. Finding a croc at the back of the plane, crew and passengers ran to the front, putting it into a nose dive. An animal lover reading over my shoulder has just pointed out that the most dangerous type of animal on any plane is the human being. "Dogs don't hijack planes," she said. As far as we know. Dogs are pretty smart. Whenever a stranger approaches my house, my guard dog reacts instantly, teleporting herself to a hiding space under the bed. More proof that parallel dimensions exist.

Laughter is the Best Medicine

MODI in AAP Ki Adalat

by Mahendra Shah
Mahendra Shah is an architect by education, entrepreneur by profession, artist and humorist, cartoonist and writer by hobby. He has been recording the plight of the immigrant Indians for the past many years in his cartoons. Hailing from Gujarat, he lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

ASTROLOGY

April 19-25, 2014

29

By Dr Prem Kumar Sharma

Stars Foretell: April 19-25, 2014
ARIES: Timely help of associates will not only pass difficult times at work but also help in regaining professional edge. A promising week to plan things for your progeny. Real estate investment would be lucrative. A romantic encounter is likely to add spice to life. Sound physical health will enable to participate in outdoor activities. Travel plans for ambitions are in full bloom. Your personal loan plans for property could be in progress. You find many takers for your unique & innovative ideas. TAURUS: A promising week to start a new venture in partnership. All are likely to be benefited. You would be the center of attraction at a social gathering that you attend especially with family. Investment in stocks & mutual funds would help in earning profits. Romantic partner would try innovative methods to catch your attention. You will be successful in getting rid from tensions. A beckon destination sounds tempting to you. Your dream for new house might be full filed now. You would be full of good ideas especially in later half of the week. GEMINI: Your technical expertise gives a decisive edge over competitors at work. You would prefer to relax and enjoy the company of family members in the evening. Long-term investment in stocks & mutual funds will enable to earn profits. Initiatives in love bring positive results as you catch the desired attention. A sparkling laughter filled week when most things proceed, as you desire. Planning a trip for your love will embrace you and your spouse. Getting your dream home will be the greatest pleasure for you. Legal battle proves fruitful as you succeed in your efforts. CANCER: The week could force you to search a new job where your skills are more useful. You move with new excitement & confidence as you receive support from family and friends. Improvement in finances is certain. Your generous attitude would contribute much in your love life in this week. Your enormous confidence would help in enjoying a healthy life. Enjoy your holiday with love of your life. Selling a plot might be profitable as property rates tend to rise sooner. Favourable planetary position will give you plenty of reasons to cheer. LEO: Your gullible nature would allow people to easily take you for a ride. Family front seems to go smoothly as you receive their full support to your plans. Speculation coupled with some unexpected gains improves financial health. Extremely supportive & loving partner would help in withering away your troubles. A very healthy week filled with happiness & vitality. Romantic destinations seems appealing to you. Lifestyle home is what you are looking for? Timely help to someone will be rewarded/acknowledged. VIRGO: Hard work of the past brings rich dividends. However continue enhancing your skills/adopt techniques for further development. You find relief, comfort and affection in the company of family members. A new source of income will generate through influential contacts. Romantic vibrations from someone unknown would lift your spirits taking imaginations to scaling heights. Pleasure trip would help in maintaining sound health in this week. Travel for fun and pleasure is what you demand. Deals on commercial property can tend to be at full boom. Forced travelling brings pleasure more than expectations. LIBRA: Dedication & loyalty at work would bring desired results. Time spent with relatives will be to your advantage. You could find yourself in an exciting new situation, bringing you financial gains. Love life brings immense romantic pleasure. Yoga and meditation would help in keeping in shape and mentally agile. Small journey with your office colleagues will be interesting. Investing residentially is one thing you can rely on. You are likely to be contacted by an old friend reminding some sweet memories. SCORPIO: New ventures start on a positive note. Family members will be very positive & supportive to your plans. Investment made in this week would enhance prosperity and financial security. Traveling proves a blessing in disguise by bringing a love in your life. Blessings of a saintly person give peace of mind. Your boss may ask you for your company to a friends party. Investment on overseas property has to be considered seriously. Involving yourself in some voluntary work would unknowingly enable to help someone in distress. SAGITTARIUS: You succeed in completing projects efficiently provided you put in all your efforts. Relatives will be willing to lend a helping hand at the time of need. An improvement in financial position would enable to make important purchases. You are likely to get a new friendship opportunity in the evening. Chances of recovering from physical ailment are high. Travel plan with a colleague might lead to a new relationship. Time to spend money on your homely accommodations. You find many of your unrealisable dreams coming true in this week. CAPRICORN: Hard work put-in the past will yield handsome rewards in business in this week. New relationship at family front will be long lasting & highly beneficial. You are likely to earn monetary profits through most unexpected sources. New romance that some of you are going to experience would take the worries off mind. Inexhaustible energy enables to participate in outdoor activities. Small picnic organized by your company is good to change your mood. A good week to make some investment on kitchen items. You are likely to enjoy sheer pleasure & fun if you venture to take a ride in this week. AQUARIUS: Business partners behave supportive on executing strategies to sort out pending problems. You find family members very supportive but highly demanding. Your brilliant ideas would help in bringing financial gains. You enjoy a memorable time with partner to cement the lovely bond. You attain a bloom in health on sharing happiness with others. Your travel plans are smooth, but the toughest part is that your partner doesnt have time. You might be purchasing a refrigerator or any other gadget for your house. An improved look adds to your personality. PISCES: Innovative ideas & technical expertise would enable to win the confidence of seniors at professional front. Guests visit would make it a pleasant & wonderful week. A promising week to earn profits in real estate and financial transactions. You will be attracted to someone special. A cheerful state of mind would allow enjoying the perfect health. If you want to travel start planning your trip now. Purchasing of electrical appliances can be done. An auspicious week to engage yourself in social as well as religious functions.

Chandigarh, India: +91-172- 256 2832, 257 2874 Delhi, India: +91-11- 2644 9898, 2648 9899 psharma@premastrologer.com; www.premastrologer.com

Annual Predictions: For those born in this week

19th April 2014, Ruled planet: Sun Ruled by no: 1 Traits in you: Your ruling planet the Sun blesses you with a unique character. You are pretty confident, creative, intellectual, optimistic, and enthusiastic. You are gifted with an artistic perception. You are very much social and like to make new contacts wherever you go. However, you need to control your mood swings and selfishness. Health this year: You will enjoy a normal health this year. Though you will not have any major health issues, you need to take proper medication. You may practice yoga and meditation for better results. Finance this year: You will be among major financial gains this year. You may go for a real estate transaction later this year and this will bring you a lot of money to cherish. You may start up a new business. If you are already into business, you may plan for expanding its territory this year. Career this year: Professionally, you are a very smart and efficient worker. So you may need to clarify doubts and help you peers and juniors in their work. People in your professional circuit will seek your help at every crucial situation. You may get promoted as a result of your spectacular performance throughout the year. You may be assigned a new responsibility this year. You may go for a job change as well as there will be plenty of opportunities available. Romance this year: Your romantic relationship will reach new heights this year. You may get married this year, if you are unmarried yet. You need to take care of the emotional requirements of your partner to strengthen your relationship. Lucky month: April, July, August, November and March 20thApril 2014, Ruled planet: Moon Ruled by no: 2 Traits in you: Your ruler, the Moon makes you a very friendly individual. You are simple, confident, realistic, sincere, and optimistic. You are very innovative and try to perform your work in a different and efficient way. You need to work hard on your characteristics of being jealous and insensitive at times. Health this year: You will enjoy a pretty good health this year. You need to take care of the health of your family members. You need to take extra care of your health if you are having some chronic diseases. You may go for domestic healthcare instead of allopathic medicines as it will give better results for your ailments and save your money as well. Finance this year: This year will see an increase in your earnings. However, you will end up spending a lot of money on your family. You will spend enough money to buy luxury and comforts and this will affect your savings. You may get into new partnerships to start new ventures towards the end of the year. Career this year: You will be very impressive in your professional circuit this year. However, you need to work smart and perform well to grow as a perfectionist. You should take quick decisions to excel in your field. You may have to help your ordinates to drive productivity. Romance this year: The emotional attachment with your spouse or partner may blossom this year with lot of love, care, and concern. If you are not married, then you may go for a romantic relationship. You will enjoy a very blissful time with your beloved. Lucky month: May, June, August and December habits and start practicing yoga for the betterment of your health. Finance this year: You will be fortunate enough this year to be among financial gains. All you need to do is to grab opportunities to earn money. You will find plenty of earning opportunities around you. However, you have to work hard to gain that money. Overall, this year will give you financial stability and security. Career this year: You will get enough opportunities in your professional life to prove yourself. You will create a better impression on your seniors or higher management, which may result in promotion. You should work efficiently to maintain your respect at your workspace. Romance this year: You will share a blissful romantic relationship with your spouse or partner. Your marriage is on cards if you are yet to marry. You will find your partner supportive enough in every crucial situation. Lucky month: May, June, November and February 23thApril 2014, Ruled planet: Mercury Ruled by no: 5 Traits in you: Your ruling planet Mercury makes you realistic, reliable, sincere, and optimistic. You are the master of an excellent memory power and charismatic characteristics. You need not get nervous at tough time as it may create a question mark on your capabilities. Health this year: Your health will remain good throughout the year. You need to take utmost care of your health to maintain it and remain fit. The health of your family members might be a concern for you this year. Try and avoid your bad habits and start practicing yoga for the betterment of your health. Finance this year: You may get benefits from your investments later this year. This year seems to be an ideal one to start investing in business, land or gold. Your efforts to earn money may pay off this time. You may go for new partnerships. However, you should verify the financial background of your partner for your financial security. Career this year: If you are a working professional, you may face various profession related problems this year. You need to handle all the issues diplomatically else you may lose your job. You may create wonder in the creativity field if you are a writer, singer or actor. Romance this year: You will find your partner to be a huge emotional support for you during the tough times of your life. You may get involved in a matrimonial alliance. Lucky month: June, August, January and March 24thApril 2014, Ruled planet: Venus Ruled by no: 6 Traits in you: As you are ruled by Venus, you are simple, generous, cheerful, friendly, humble, honest and peace loving. You are pretty interested to stay in harmony with each and everyone in your surroundings. You need to work on your nature of being restless and pessimistic. Health this year: You will enjoy a better health this year as compared to last year. However, the health of an aged family member may deteriorate and that will make you bothered. You may end up spending lot of money for the health issues of your family members. Finance this year: Your past investments may yield a lot of money for you this year. You need to be extra cautions while investing huge amounts as it is a bit risky to put money on unpredictable things. Overall, you will enjoy a strong financial condition. Career this year: You will be given more responsibility this year as you have proved yourself to be an efficient resource for your employer. You may expect a promotion or salary hike later this year. You should guide your ordinates to perform better and bring unexpected results for your organization. Romance this year: If you are yet to be in a relationship, this year is the ideal time to find a partner. You will get ample support from your spouse in any critical decision you have to take. You should show your love to your partner as it strengthens your relationship. Lucky month: July, November, December and January 25thApril 2014, Ruled planet: Neptune Ruled by no: 7 Traits in you: As you are governed by planet Neptune, you are blessed with various positive characters. You are confident, decisive, generous, humorous, honest, modest and optimistic. You are not an admirer of arguments or silly fights. You should work on your nature of being selfish, pessimistic, and arrogant. Health this year: You will enjoy a better health this year as compared to last year. However, the health of an aged family member may deteriorate and that will make you bothered. You may end up spending lot of money for the health issues of your family members. Finance this year: Your undisputed energy and enthusiasm to earn money will make you financially stable this year. You may go for property sale this year and earn a lot of money. Career this year: Professionally you will enjoy a smooth life. You may get recognition in your professional circuit as a result of your hard work and dedication. Your promotion is on cards. You should take help of your seniors to learn quickly and perform exceptionally well as it would help you grow professionally. Romance this year: You will spend a peaceful life with your love interest this year. You will lead a blissful life with your beloved with lots of love, care, concern, and support. Lucky month: September, December, March and April

21thApril 2014, Ruled planet: Jupiter Ruled by no: 3 Traits in you: Being ruled by Jupiter, you are courteous, courageous, decisive, ambitious, disciplined, and realistic. You are gifted with high imagination power, optimism, and enthusiasm. However, behaving restless and dominating may hamper your characteristics at times. You need to work on your personality to make yourself better as an individual. Health this year: You may undergo few minor health issues this year, which may bother you for a long time. You can go for yoga or meditation to restore your good health. You need to take required medication by consulting a doctor. Finance this year: As far as finance is concerned, you will be earning a lot of money. You will be assigned to new projects and those will be highly yielding for you. You will gain enough profits from your past investments. Your improved financial status may bring you lot of happiness and joy later this year. Career this year: You will be given more responsibility this year as you have proved yourself to be an efficient resource for your employer. You may expect a promotion or salary hike later this year. You should guide your ordinates to perform better and bring unexpected results for your organization. Romance this year: Your relationship with your partner may reach to new heights this year as your love, trust, care and concern will develop towards your beloved. You may get married towards the end of this year if you are yet to marry. Lucky month: April, August, November and January 22thApril 2014, Ruled planet: Uranus Ruled by no: 4 Traits in you: The influence of your ruling planet Uranus makes you active, practical, enthusiastic, courageous, ambitious, and highly philosophical. You are very proud of your traditions, culture and rituals. You are highly religious and have a very sharp mind. However, you need to work on your impatient and stubborn behavior. Health this year: Your health will remain good throughout the year. You need to take utmost care of your health to maintain it and remain fit. The health of your family members might be a concern for you this year. Try and avoid your bad

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April 19-25, 2014

SPIRITUAL AWARENESS

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

How to engage in true prayer

By Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj
f we were to sit next to God and listen to the prayers being uttered by millions of people around the world, we may find that many go through the mechanics of prayer, but their mind is thinking of other thoughts. We may say the right words, but one person is wondering who will win the basketball game, another is thinking about whether they will get good grades on a test, someone else is thinking about their next vacation, while another is thinking about their money problems. How many who pray are really engaged in true prayer? True prayer is a moment in which we open ourselves up to the Lord. We sit in humble supplication of the Creator of all and wait for Gods love and grace to enter into our being. How many of us can keep our mind open enough to receive what God wants to give? Are we too busy in our thoughts of the world to notice what God is sending us? In this connection there is the classic story of Princess Laila from the Indian tradition. There was once a princess named Laila who was always absorbed in the love and remembrance of her earthly beloved, Majnu. Once she was going to the mosque to pray. She was so lost in her thoughts of Majnu that she did not notice that she stepped on the prayer mat of a holy man. As soon as she had stepped on the mat, the holy man jumped up and began scolding her for her sacrilegious act. She was startled out of her reverie by this commotion. He said, How could you have committed such a disrespectful act, walking on the prayer mat while I was praying? She was apologetic and said, I am sorry, but I was so lost in the thoughts of my earthly beloved that I did not notice where I was going. Then, with great wisdom, she remarked, I just wonder, O holy one, that if I could be so lost in my worldly beloved that I did not notice where I was walking, how could you say you were lost in prayer to God, the have a mind, which is our connection with Kal, the Sustaining Power, also called the Universal Mind. Thus, every time we are moved to return to God, Kal sends an impetus in the form of a distraction and temptation to keep us from remembering God. It is like we have a computer chip programmed into us that connects us with the mainframe of God, and we have a computer chip programmed into us that connects us with the mainframe of the Universal Mind. To which one do we pay attention? If we want to overcome the pull of the mind, then engaging in accumore in its worldly goals. It keeps the mind calm so it can be more productive and efficient. Meditation also helps take the mind back to its home in the third spiritual region. Leading an ethical life also helps the mind from the ravages of anger, greed, attachment and ego. Once freed, the mind can be put to better uses, more creative uses, and more productive uses for its achievements of worldly goals. Satsang also helps the mind because it gives it a theoretical understanding of the topic relating to the soul and God. Selfless service helps the mind because it gives things. First, let us perfect our meditations. When we sit for meditation we can enter into a devotional mood to create a space between our worldly work and meditation time. For some, it may mean having a special or sacred place in the house in which only meditation takes place. It may mean creating a special consistent time in which the mind develops the habit of sitting regularly. It may mean singing a devotional prayer or song before meditating. Some people find exercise, a brisk walk, or a shower helps them still their mind and focus on meditation. Others like to read something from the scriptures, from the great saints and mystics, or spiritual poetry to create the right mood. Then, when we sit for meditation, we are fresh and ready to concentrate. Whatever we do, we should do wholly and solely. Sant Kirpal Singh Ji Maharaj used to say, When you play, you should play. When you work, you should work. He advised us to put our attention wholeheartedly into whatever we were doing. By training our mind to be fully attentive into whatever task we are doing, we can then ensure that when we perform our prayers and when we meditate, we will fully do so. Our mind will be concentrated. Let us try to keep our mind, heart, and soul focused on our prayers or meditations so that we can achieve the best results. In this way, we can tame our mind so that our soul can have free access back to the Lord. For more visit www.sos.org Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj is an internationally recognized spiritual leader and Master of Jyoti Meditation who affirms the transcendent oneness at the heart of all religions and mystic traditions, emphasizing ethical living and meditation as building blocks for achieving inner and outer peace. www.sos.org.

True prayer is a moment in which we open ourselves up to the Lord. We sit in humble supplication of the Creator of all and wait for Gods love and grace to enter into our being.
divine Beloved, and yet still notice me walking on your mat? If you were truly lost, you would not have noticed me at all! Is our condition like that of Lailas or is it that of the holy man? If we were truly lost in prayer, we would not notice what was going on around us and we would not be aware of any distracting thoughts. We need to remember that the thoughts that pull us away from our prayers or from communion with the Lord are instigated by the mind. Just as each of us has a soul, which is our connection with God, we also rate meditation, doing simran, leading an ethical life, attending satsang and performing selfless service are the game moves that outwit the mind. We do not have to treat the mind as an enemy; we can, instead, befriend the mind. This means having an understanding with our mind that it, too, will receive benefits by following the plan laid out by the soul. If we reason with our mind, we can use it as an ally to reach our spiritual goals. The mind benefits from meditation in that it develops increased concentration to make it achieve it something useful to do as a positive contributor to society and to the world as well as its own spiritual upliftment. Thus, if we show the mind the benefits it, too, gains through our spiritual practices, it will be helpful to us in developing good habits to grow spiritually. Then, the mind will achieve its ends, and the soul can go on further to its ultimate destination, back to God. If we do not wish to be like the person who goes through the motions of prayer, but whose mind is wandering, we can do several

By Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj

Our life is an open book to god

It is human nature to be on our best behavior when others are watching. When we are at work or with our neighbors and friends, do we find that we act in ways in which everyone will think we are good people? If we have any bad qualities, do we try to hide them from others? If people realized that what we hide from others is an open book to God, we might be more conscious of trying to exhibit good qualities all the time. People wonder, "Where is God?" Masters and saints teach us that God is within us. Wherever we are and whatever we do, God sees us. God is the power that enlivens us. This power is what gives us life. Our body, made of earthly elements of matter, is not our true self. The power that moves the body is the power of God. The portion of that power allocated to inhabit our body is our soul. Our soul is a drop of the infinite power of God. It is a part of God. As our soul is a part of God, whenever we do anything, that information is known to God. We can think of it as a computer network. The master computer is linked up with all the individual computers in a network. The operator of the master computer can know what is going on with the individual computers simultaneously. Individual operators may or may not be aware that the operator of the master computer can know all about what they are doing on their computers. If they knew someone had access to their emails or text messages, they would be more careful. Those who are not aware of this may end up writing things they would not want anyone to know about. In the same way, God is the master operator of the network of creation and our souls are the individual computers. Everything we think, say, and do is known to God. If we realized God is watching us at all times, we would act in a positive way. If we realized God was watching, our lives would change dramatically. If we were aware that God hears our thoughts and words, and watches our deeds, think how quickly our behavior would improve. We would be super careful to avoid failures in the ethical virtues of nonviolence, truthfulness, purity, and humility. If we were to remove our failures and were to spend time in meditation and doing selfless service, our spiritual progress would accelerate.

any people pass through life unaware that God is always with us. If we think about our interactions with others during the day, we may find that we behave differently when we think someone is observing us. We may act better when we think our employer, superiors, or others whom we are trying to impress are watching. What if we knew that God was watching? Would we then act according to higher ethical virtues?