Escolar Documentos
Profissional Documentos
Cultura Documentos
e x c e l l e n c e i n j o u r n a l i s m
Vol.12 No. 19 September 7-13, 2019 80 Cents New York Edition Follow us on TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Kashmir protests get ugly again in London, Shringla said that the adminis‑ October 31 even if there is no
trative reorganisation of the state deal, submitted a motion for an
had in no way impinged on the emergency debate to Speaker
for student vaccinations million; who had made a lot of reported delay in removing the
contribution to the nation and graf fiti in this neighborhood
Buffalo, NY: Thousands of New measles outbreak since 1992. in 2021. All states allow medical society; to receive such signals store, Rajan Zed said.
York parents are scrambling to get More than 26,000 children had exemptions. of hatred and anger. Zed also urged leaders of var‑
their kids shots ̶ or get them out previously gone unvaccinated for Some parents are choosing to Zed, who is President of ious religions and denomina‑
of school. Thatʼs because state law‑ religious reasons. pull their kids from school rather Universal Society of Hinduism, t ions in New York City to
makers recently revoked a reli‑ New York became the fourth than comply. More than 1,200 urged administration for swift strongly and openly condemn
gious exemption for mandatory state to eliminate religious and measles cases have been con‑ action to regain the reportedly this hate ful incident and
school vaccinations. Lawmakers personal‑belief exemptions after firmed in 30 states this year. Most falling confidence of the Hindu extend their support to the
did away with the exemption in California, Mississippi and West were linked to outbreaks in New community; and to New York area Hindu community.
June amid the nat ionʼs worst Virginia. Maine will remove them York and New York City.
Sam Khan and his selfish, risky and dangerous attempt to ignite
division and hatred in the South Asian community here in USA
ecently there was a speech by the subcontinent help in better rais‑ troublemakers need a stage, a mic
A
bility he churned up another pitch, which many politicians do too.
I know there are bad apples on that he migrated from India to During that time he openly or through your loved ones and board and its former
both sides in the community and Pakistan. Note that in many a func‑ bragged that he believed in ʻnote have had the short end of the stick President. But he claims he
my attempt here is to pinpoint a tion he joined in Indian national (money) brings votesʼ, which brings due to circumstances. But that is writing this
recent and dangerous episode anthem singing and chants of “Long position, which brings business. He number I am guessing is probably in his personal
about this one man. Live India.” One can even find did succeed in garnering a good one in 10,000 or lesser here in the capacity. The
Sam Khan (SK) I have known for videotapes of him doing this. amount of business by maneuvering US. view
almost a decade and was at one It is important to mention that in both communities, which may quali‑ Then, let us help raise funds to expressed are
point very good friends with. My order to portray Khan in his true fy as shrewd and/or immoral, but it help those who suf fer losses or a those of the
summary of the man is in two parts: colors. was not dangerous per se. meal drive for peasants and fruit author.
first is that he is a very aggressive, Sam Khan then joined the I believe that the focus of our growers who have lost work – each Condemnation
opportunist, self‑centered and self‑ Republican Party, and in 2013 lost communities should be to find com‑ volunteer from our two communi‑ of Sam Khan is
promoting individual/businessman. the GOP primary for mayor of mon ground for which the first step ties give 100 meals in India and also coming
Nothing wrong with that, you may Edison, N.J. He then crossed over to is to sideline jokers like Khan. We 100 meals in Pakistan to the needy. from politicians:
argue. But recently, Khan added a the Democratic Party and even took need to ask ourselves the following Something that unites, is creative https://www.insidernj.com/press‑
new dimension which is dangerous. his donors with him. questions: Do the problems that and selfless. release/assembly‑candidate‑jef‑
Knowing him, he would have done One instance comes to mind. One arise and exist back in our respec‑ Failing which, let us at least not frey‑brown‑calls‑elected‑officials‑
this in any case with his agenda of day he went to the mosque and the tive motherlands impact our lives push the entire two communities condemn‑edison‑democrat‑sam‑
self‑promotion, but I am shocked same afternoon asked me to join here? Does engaging in rifts from get engulfed in a rift because some khans‑call‑jihad/
The views expressed in Op Eds are not necessarily those of The South Asian Times.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info NATIONAL September 7-13, 2019 7
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8 September 7-13, 2019 NATIONAL COMMUNITY TheSouthAsianTimes.info
DIASPORA
Restaurateur in
Philippines names beers
Aadhaar for NRIs: System
after Articles 370 and 35A
Angeles City: The abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A of
will be ready in 3 months
the Indian Constitution was greeted by some with celebra‑ New Delhi: T he Unique was launched recently ‑‑ is confi‑
tion and an NRI living in Angeles City, Philippines, too Identification Authority of India dent of meeting its target of
wanted to join in the jubilation. (UIDAI) has said its systems will opening 114 such centers across
Mike Devnani, an Indian restaurant owner in Angeles be ready within three months to the country in the coming
City, celebrated abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A, with of fer the facility of issuing months.
two new beers, literally. He has decided to put on the Aad haar cards to NRIs w ith T he UIDAI is sett ing up
menu and serve custom‑brewed craft beers named after Indian passports without the Aadhaar Seva Kendras ‑‑ similar
the two abrogated Articles. mandatory 180 days waiting to the concept of Passport Seva
Devnaniʼs restaurant, ʻMother Indiaʼ is a destination for perio d, as announced in the Kendras ‑‑ covering 53 cities
all Indians who come to Angeles City, which is adjacent to Budget. across the country at an estimat‑
the famous Clark U.S. Military Base, and beer is their pre‑ UIDAI systems are being read‑ ed project cost of Rs 300‑400
ferred beverage. “I am not naming the beers after Articles ied for the facility and necessary crore.
370 and 35A to trigger of controversy, but to encourage legal measures are to be notified These Aadhaar centers, meant
conversation,” says Devnani. soon, UIDAI CEO Ajay Bhushan to facilitate enrolment, updation
Devnani, 61, left Lucknow in his late teens over four Pandey told PTI. and other activities, are UIDAI's
decades ago to work as a garment salesperson in the UIDAI systems will be tuned to own and operate in addition to
Ajay Bhushan Pandey, CEO, UIDAI
Philippines. After making some money in the business he of fer the facility within three thousands of centers currently
started the restaurant less than a decade ago right in the month's time, he said. "We are had said: "I propose to consider issuing being run by banks and post
heart of the cityʼs entertainment district. ʻMother Indiaʼ is working to make the appropriate techno‑ Aadhaar card for Non‑Resident Indians offices, as well as in government premis‑
surrounded by night clubs, and is open round the clock. It logical changes and we will provide an with Indian Passports after their arrival es (offering similar Aadhaar services).
is the last refuge for the thousands of Indians who visit appointment facility where people out‑ in India, without waiting for 180 days." As ASKs have more capacity, more
the city from all over the world. A wide selection of Indian side the country also can apply for a Sources privy to the development said requests for enrolment and updation can
cinema posters and portraits ̶ mostly black and white ̶ time slot and specify the place they that a notification in this regard has to be processed on a daily basis compared
of world leaders and cine stars cover the walls of the would like to go to get their Aadhaar be issued by the IT ministry, which is to other centers. Besides, the new ASK
restaurant that also has a Facebook Page. made...as soon as they come to India they currently awaited. model entails an online appointment
Devnani still retains his Indian passport though he does can, very conveniently, go and get their Meanwhile, the UIDAI ‑‑ which has management system to allow people to
not visit India too often. “All my relatives have moved out Aadhaar made," Pandey said. made operational two more Aadhaar book a slot as per their convenience.
and there is no one to meet there,” he said. In her Budget speech on July 5, Seva Kendras (ASKs) in Bhopal and The online appointment booking facili‑
(Source:thehindu.com) Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Chennai after the fourth center in Hisar ty is already available at UIDAI's website.
10 September 7-13, 2019 US AFFAIRS TheSouthAsianTimes.info
J
ainism is a religion that revolves days of Paryushan and will
around Soul, Karma and Purification. giveness." Seeking forgiveness has a great
According to the Jain philosophy, the
be celebrating Das‐Lakshan healing effect to smoothen bitter feelings
Soul is immortal and the body is the carrier. for the next 10 days. between two Souls.
Karma is associated with the Soul from the (For any exaggeration, contradiction,
Forgiveness is one of the omission or error towards scriptures of
beginning. Karma is a group of material
atoms that is attracted towards and gets most vital rituals of Jains. Jainism or any other religion, I humbly seek
bound to the Soul on account of its activity. forgiveness. Michammi Dukkadam)
With new Karma associating to the Soul, the global influence. Jain food is known world‑
old Karma dissociates itself after having wide among all Airlines and major towns.
given their proper and complete fruits to it. This unique religion is for much more
The two processes go on simultaneously beyond food, festival, celebrations and ritu‑
every moment. Karma bound with the Soul als. This religion teaches us concepts of
simply continues to exist there inactive till equality, equanimity and eco‑friendliness
next birth or many births without rising to day celebration of Digambaras, aims for that is so relevant in today's world. Most
give its fruits. If the Soul performs auspi‑ attainment of Liberation ‑ the supreme ideal issues of mankind can be resolved by apply‑
cious and good acts in the present birth, for the mundane soul. ing Jainism principles of Ahimsa or non‑vio‑
next birth will be good and vice versa. The This superb Jain festival is organized lence, Aparigrah or non‑possession, and
present and future births of the Soul are every year in the month Bhadrapad of Hindu Anekantvad or many‑sidedness. Jainism has
governed by the force of its accumulated Calendar. All members of Jain community‑ not only Art of Living or Art of Giving but
Karmas. high and low, young and old, males and also teaches Art of Dying. Jainism has lots of
To have a better life upon rebirth is not females, participate with full vigor and zeal treasures that can improve life, happiness, Vinay Kothari,65, is an
the only objective in Jainism. Its ultimate in the various religious rituals and cultural and harmony among people. Jainism is sci‑ eminent diamond merchant,
goal is Liberation or Moksha of Soul, to end programs. They listen with rapt attention to ence for the physical, mental, social and practicing Jainism. His studies
the vicious cycle of birth and rebirth. The the holy sermons of the saints and learned spiritual well being.
and writings on Jain scriptures
path towards Moksha requires self‑purifica‑ Jain scholars arranged during the festival. A beautiful tradition in the Jain religion is:
tion of the Soul, free from Karmic matter. To sum up, this Parva is a grand Jain festival "Forgive and seek Forgiveness." Michammi are well received both by Jains
Jainism has two major ancient sub‑tradi‑ of self‑introspection, self‑achievement, self‑ Dukkadam, a phrase from ancient Indian and non‐Jains. He can be
tions, Shewtambars and Digambaras. enlightenment, which ultimately leads to the language Prakrit, literally means "may all reached at Kotharivinay53
Paryushan, an eight‑day celebration of final goal of Moksha. the evil that has been done be fruitless." It is @gmail.com
Shewtambar Sect and Das Lakshan, a ten‑ Though a small community, Jains have a commonly used to seek forgiveness with an
12 September 7-13, 2019 INDIA NEWS TheSouthAsianTimes.info
O
nce upon a time, far, far
away was a magical title to? Well, such legal require‑ American ‑ Job #1. That includes,
Kingdom lovingly ruled by ments, binding upon all nations not allowing a deranged "mental
a great Hindu Maharaja Hari Singh, seem to be suspended, given the patient" to commit a sacrilegious
with happy Muslim‑Majority citi‑ steady diet of hate. act of a "Mosque Massacre" in
zens. The Kingdom was deemed by Wars have been fought between Christchurch (New Zealand) ever
many as heaven on earth; and it was India & Pakistan, and China warring again. And, it surely means not per‑
vast, as it encompassed Jammu & with India took a bunch of her land; mitting Billionaires, who made
Kashmir, Ladkah, and Norther and still has it. A de facto border loads of money within democratic
Areas. Then Mahatma Gandhi won exists ‑ known as the Line of and freedom‑of‑religion societies, as
Enough was enough, India and Indians said after 39 CRPF jawans Control ‑ between India and in Sri Lanka, to start a Holy War on
his battle to free "India," a collection
were slain in the terrorist attack in Pulwama in Kashmir last year.
of princely states that had not been Pakistan. A state of suspended ani‑ Easter Sunday! The first act was
(Photos courtesy India Today)
aggregated for several hundred mation existed on the Indian side of horrible and deranged; the Holy
years before the British Raj; days of roots in the Indian experience sev‑ but promotes racism with the the LOC. Along came Modi, who War was calculated by brilliantly
the Hindu King or Emperor control‑ eral thousand years old ‑ before chains of identity ‑ be it racial or understood that Sardar Patel was a successful and well‑loved Muslims
ling vast amount of land spanning a Thomas Jefferson ‑ but relied upon religious. Both, a damnation, and better lawyer and nation‑builder in Buddhist‑Majority Sri Lanka.
continent or more, was many, many the American Constitution and Bill undemocratic to the core. than he is credited. On August 5, To address the burning need of
centuries ago. of Rights to craft India's Land was grabbed by Pakistan in 2019, 73 years late, Narendra Modi, Liberal‑Lunatics ‑ who fight for
It is often said, be careful what Constitution. Ten weeks after the a free‑for‑all rioting, albeit, Gilgit‑ in compliance with India's Human Rights of Terrorists: that's
you wish for. 1947 came and none flames of 1947 Independence burnt Baltistan was maneuvered to Constitution, as lawfully amended, okay for the courts, whose job it is
were ready. Nation building and shook the human soul, Pakistan, in a breach‑of‑Colonial‑ removed the semi‑autonomous sta‑ to fashion justice one person at a
requires special care; not malprac‑ Maharaja Hari Singh signed his fiduciary duty by Major Brown tus from J&K, and split the area into time. Nations' leaders have to pro‑
tice by having way too many obste‑ deed of Accession in favor of India ‑ (unless, it was with Mountbatten's Union Territories, including, by free‑ vide Public Safety for all. None
tricians delivering twins at‑the‑ essentially a Lot‑Merger instrument knowledge and approval). Pakistan, ing Ladakh. That Modi did this law‑ other than Abraham Lincoln sus‑
same‑time. Long sought out and (between nations), which real estate in turn gave a large chunk ‑ Gilgit‑ fully is beyond question. What ails pended the Courts during our great
yearned‑for Freedom, as a result, developers use when developing Baltistan (aka GB) ‑ to China via the us all is the issue of Human Rights. Civil War ‑ fought to cure our
became a chapter of Human multiple lots as one. We ‑ thanks to secret Kashmir Agreement, purport‑ Why Modi did this in the first Original Sin of fractional‑humans, in
Suf fering entitled, The Partition. POTUS Thomas Jefferson ‑ for $15 a land that cherishes Equality, and
Ouch. Estimates say that as many as million bought Louisiana in 1803 Freedoms. So, Prime Minister Modi
ten to twenty (10 ‑20) million peo‑ from Napoleon. Folks living in is spot on ‑ and deserves a lot of
ple died, were killed, butchered or Louisiana had the choice of staying credit as he put sufficient troops on
fried‑to‑death. Records were not or leaving, but couldn't revoke the the ground to prevent Terrorists
kept for an accurate number. A American purchase and inclusion from doing their worst, and he
colossal number of refugees were into our sovereignty. In 1867 we imposed Public Safety first, and will
created, unlike anything seen bought Alaska from the Czar of restore Law & Order. Once, that is
before; bigger in number than when Russia for 7.2 Million and again, the done anyone who claims a Human
Moses took the Israelites out of citizens of Alaska had the same Rights violation will have the courts
Egypt. The soil was soaked in blood. choice to accept or leave, but could‑ ready to remedy and punish. That is
And, worse of all, previously citi‑ n't revoke American Sovereignty to the proper sequence of rights and
zens of every faith ‑ Jewish, Hindu, include Alaska. freedoms. We, in America, know
Jain, Buddhist, Christian, Muslim In violation of clear law, oppor‑ that to be a "self‑evident" Truth.
and Sikhs ‑ who had lived happily tunists who didn't own J&K, Ladakh What Pandit Nehru wished between
together, unless Divide & Rule was and Northern Areas got involved to
To address the question of human rights in the pledge by River Ravi and his
practiced, were fearful and angry. make trouble, or wanted it to Kashmir for Liberal‐Lunatics: Nations' leaders "Tryst with Destiny" in Parliament
Both emotions stoked and stroked become part of Pakistan merely have to provide Public Safety for all. None other on the midnight hour on August 15,
by miscreants who sought to because it was Muslim‑majority in 1947, Narendra Modi has delivered
than Abraham Lincoln suspended the Courts with his pledge of being "Indivisible
enslave them by both fear, and Jinnah's secular nation. Lord Louis
worse, anger. That was then. Mountbatten played a "Kissinger,"
during our great Civil War in a land that cherishes Allies" to the Joint Address to
The great Ali Jinnah insisted upon but not well. Ali Jinnah ‑ a good and Equality, and Freedoms. So, Prime Minister Modi Congress, and restoring the benefits
creating a secular state of Pakistan, decent man ‑ in clear legal error, is spot on ‐ and deserves a lot of credit as he put of legal liberty and freedoms, in
and "Pak" means pure. The great but to quell his local politics, want‑ "full measure" as Lincoln acknowl‑
Pandit Nehru, whose family was
sufficient troops on the ground to prevent edged at Gettysburg. Itʼs time for
ed India to hold a vote/plebiscite.
from the Kashmir Pandits, promised Mountbatten, incredulously,
Terrorists from doing their worst, and he Terror to die and disappear, and
India to have a tryst with destiny to charmed Pandit Nehru to put it into imposed Public Safety first, and will restore Law leave us all alone to face the fruits
reach American Exceptionalism‑ UNSC's lap, which Nehru did on & Order. Once that is done anyone who claims a of our labor, under law. God bless
type success. Today, Pakistan has January 1, 1948. Nobody said ‑ hey, America, and every nation that
abandoned Jinnah's secularism, and
Human Rights violation will have the courts dares to follow us to be that
why should I? The very idea that a
India's Freedoms are robustly root‑ community would only vote for ready to remedy and punish. That is the proper "Shining City on the Hill." Kashmir
ed in her people ‑ which find their their own is not a merit‑based idea, sequence of rights and freedoms. is well positioned.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info HEALTH September 7-13, 2019 15
W
hen last year Ms Gail
Douglas went to consult Trissur, armed with a BAMS degree ing on air. Mathew also talks highly
with Ayurveda doctor and having long experience of of the benefits of the Infrared sauna
and therapist Dr Shyla Mathew, working at the famous Kottakkal for detoxification and overall well‑
who is known to first do a pulse Arya Vaidya Sala in Kerala, person‑ being, an enclosure for which he
diagnosis with all patients, she jot‑ ally gives therapy to women. She is has created in a separate room.
ted down her ailments and symp‑ registered as Advanced Ayurvedic He tells us that Ayurveda practice
toms beforehand on a piece of Practitioner (RAAP) under is limited in scope in America,
paper. And lo and behold! After feel‑ Association of Ayurvedic where so far it is not recognized as
ing her pulse for a minute or so, Dr Professionals of North America and a medical system (except maybe in
Shyla named all her health issues a Panchakarma Therapist. California). “So we can recommend
down to the T. Blown away, Gail Mammottil Mathew, Manager of and prescribe ʻsupplementsʼ.”
signed up and took about 15 treat‑ Grego, explains that they import all Mammottil Mathew, who WHO, of course, accepts Ayurveda
ment sessions at Grego Ayur‑ their oils and Ayurvedic supple‑ runs Grego, flanked by his as a traditional system of medicine.
Massage Therapy center on regular ments from Kottakkal. They also When asked about the centerʼs
Dr Shyla Mathew, the Chief therapists, Prasad Thariyan,
intervals. have a tie up with Dr Pathrose, name, Mathew says that it is dedi‑
Ayurvedic Consultant at Grego, and Dr Shyla Mathew.
Speaking to The South Asian BAMS, MD of Parathuvayalil cated to St. Gregorios (1847‑1902)
giving massage therapy to Gail Hospital, near Ernakulam for spe‑ Ayurvedic Therapist by Nagarjuna of Parumala in Kerala, who was
Times recently at Grego, where Dr
Douglas, who has written on Yelp cialized orthopedic treatments in Ayurveda of Kerala and is good too. later canonized by Malankara
Shyla is the Chief Ayurvedic
about her experiences at Grego. Kerala. Me and my wife Renu He usually sings a Krishna bhajan Orthodox Syrian Church, and recog‑
Consultant, Ms Gail, a Valley
Stream resident in her fifties, said picturesque Shirodhara, which you Chopra have already taken 12 mas‑ stanza in Malayalam before starting nized so by the Syrian Orthodox
that she was cured of many of her see in posters of many Ayurveda sage sessions between us at Grego. treatment for auspicious outcome. Church. He is also revered for
issues such as sinusitis, arthritis resorts and hospitals, and involves Like Gail, Renu is very impressed by What I find good is that hot potli spreading education in Kerala.
and dry eye to name a few. constantly pouring a liquid (could the magic touch of Dr Shylaʼs strong massage (some herbs or horsegram, For more details contact Mr
Grego Ayur Massage opened in be medicated warm oil or cold but‑ hands. For men like me, the mas‑ or other ingredients wrapped in a Mammottil Mathew 516280 6890,
2015 in New Hyde Park, NY, and is termilk or Ayurvedic decoctions) on sage therapist at Grego is Mr piece of cloth) is part of the regular 516 784 9500 0r 516 698 4420,
the only such place in Long Island the head or forehead, and is benefi‑ Prasad Thariyan (he also works for massage at Grego. Each massage gregoayurmassage@gmail.com, or
and Queens which offers authentic cial in reduction of stress and anxi‑ USPS). He was trained as a certified session lasts more than an hour fol‑ Visit www.gregomassage.com
treatments of the Kerala School of
Ayurveda, such as Abhyanga
Massage and Panchakarma. Unlike
in north India, where Ayurveda
remained medicine based, the
Kerala school preserved such treat‑
ments, which in the past couple of
decades have burst on the medical
scene in India and overseas.
Mammottil Mathew, who runs
Grego, concedes that the awareness
about Ayurveda in America has still
not seeped in enough. People who
walk in the doors of his center on
2121 Hillside Avenue are still 90%
Indian, of both north and south
Indian origin. Incidentally, NRIs
constitute half the number of peo‑
ple going to Kerala for medical
tourism. Clients at Grego mainly
come for backache, joints, neck and
shoulder pain as well as slipped
disc, sinus, migraine and psoriasis.
About 10‑20 per cent come for gen‑
eral wellness. For weight control, Dr
Shyla can also prescribe diet in line
with the 3 Doshas ‑‑ Vata, Pitta or
Kapha. Abhyanga Massage remains
the main mode that people seek at
Grego. It differs, of course, from
general massage as it is done with
medicated oils, chosen specifically
by the therapist for each patient.
For that reason, many may find it
more expensive than what they will
pay elsewhere for massage.
Ayurvedic massage stimulates the
lymphatic system. Benefits of regu‑
lar massage include pain relief,
reduction of fatigue, improved
immune system and improved
longevity.
The Panchakarma, explains Dr
Shyla, are for detoxification, purifi‑
cation, and rejuvenation and
include treatments such as nasya,
vamana, virechana, vasti and
svedana. At Grego, they also do the
16 September 7-13, 2019 ULTIMATE BOLLYWOOD TheSouthAsianTimes.info
I
ndian film "Sifar", also known as "A Gift of Bhutan, Israel, Rome, Mexico and around Evening in Paris, just two year earlier), but tera... as a Bangladeshi folk song. It was
Love", has wowed audiences at film festi‑ India, it has won nine Best Director awards, also replaced hit music composers, Kishore who reminded the legendary music
vals both in the country and around the three Best Actress awards for Kanikka and Shankar‑Jaikishen, with the melodious director of a peppy song the latter had cre‑
world, bagging more than 26 awards. It is one for Sudha and a Best Supporting Actor Sachin Dev Burman. Burman, Sachin karta ated years earlier, about visiting oneʼs in‑
aiming to be released on the big screen by Award for Desai. "Absolutely ecstatic with the to his friends, offered three numbers to his lawsʼ home. SD latched on the idea and a
the end of this year. way 'Sifar' has performed... There is no better favorite singer Kishore Kumar and two to history was created in Mumbai that day.
An adaptation of O. Henry's short story feeling thatn seeing your film's name on top the reigning emperor of playback, Rafi. (Saubhadra Chatterji/Hindustan Times)
"The Gift of the Magi", "Sifar", helmed by along with the country of origin as India,"
Dhruv Sachdev, stars former Miss Asia said Sachdev. "Once we close out the festival
Kanikka Kapur and Varun Narula, last seen
on the MTV show 'Love School', as well as vet‑
eran actors Sudha Chandran, Anang Desai
circuit, we truly wish the film carries the
same momentum at the box office as well," he
added. Producer Durgesh Paul expressed hap‑
'Saaho': Prabhas' big
bang theory goes bust
and Mushtaq Khan. piness that every department ‑‑ be it writing,
Appreciated at festivals in Los Angeles, direction, cinematography, acting, art direc‑
Miami, Venezuela, Chile, London, Berlin, tion, music or editing ‑‑ has won an award.
By Vinayak Chakravorty
Kirsten Dunst feels
S
aahoʼ reminds once again that, when
it comes to serving loud ʻdesi' com‑
Hollywood has ignored her mercial entertainment, nothing can
quite out‑shout vintage Tollywood masala.
A
ctress Kirsten Dunst, who has spent We are back on the formula highway
over 30 years in Hollywood, having again, where an eight‑minute uncut action
started as a child artiste, says she has scene that cost Rs 70 crore (some say it is Rs
never been recognized in the industry. 90 crore) seems more significant than a
Dunst entered the entertainment industry screenplay that, by the look of it, took less
when she was a child with Woody Allen's than 7 minutes to lock.
short film "Oedipus Wrecks". Keeping with formula film tradition, don't ʻSaahoʼ was always all about Prabhas.
"I've never been nominated for anything. look for logic here. What's more, despite try‑
Maybe like twice for a Golden Globe when I ing to unfold with the urgency of a thriller, hesive first half sets up an excuse for a plot.
was little and one for 'Fargo'. Maybe they just "Saaho" is mostly predictable and often con‑ There are high‑profile robberies happening
think I'm the girl from 'Bring It On'," said voluted. It sticks to a very basic good‑versus‑ all around the city, and we learn
Dunst, who won the coveted Best Actress evil script that lets Prabhas play about a box that could be worth a
REVIEW
Award at Cannes for her role in Lars von the field as a fighter, dancer, fortune. Where there is an
Trier's 2011 film, "Melancholia". cool loverboy and angry young empire at stake, there will be the
She also spoke about how a pair of films man ‑ in short, the complete villains. "Saaho" supplies a bat‑
Kirsten Dunst started her Hollywood package. "Saaho" was always all talion of baddies, each one snarling in vari‑
she made ‑‑ 2006's "Marie Antoinette" and
journey with ʻOedipus Wrecksʼ. ous proportions to exude varying degrees of
1999's "Drop Dead Gorgeous" ‑‑ failed to gen‑ about Prabhas. Director Sujeeth and his crew
erate expected response at the time of the later," she added. have tried preparing a foolproof parcel that villainy. The narrative finally leads an extrav‑
release, but got popular with time. She said: "I just feel like, ʻWhat did I do?' solely aims to cash in on the tremendous star agant action climax that comes long after
"Remember 'Marie Antoinette' ‑‑ you all Maybe I don't play the game enough." power Prabhas garnered post the you have lost interest in the storyline. Since
panned it? And now you all love it," said the Dunst was first nominated for a Golden "Baahubali" films. It is a tailor‑made script the film belongs to Prabhas, Shraddha
"Spider‑Man" and "Virgin Suicides" star, while Globe for the 1994 film "Interview with the where every scene plays to the macho star's Kapoor's responsibility is more or less cut
opening up in an interview on "In‑Depth Vampire" and scored her second nod in 2015 strength, and Prabhas is effective, too, carry‑ out. She looks good with the hero in the
With Larry Flick", reports "ew.com". for "Fargo", for which she also received an ing the film on his shoulder with a hulk of a insanely gorgeous landscapes as they sing
"Remember 'Drop Dead Gorgeous'? Panned. Emmy nomination. She won the prestigious screen presence. If the sole intention of this love songs, and she looks awfully out of
Now you all love it. It's like interesting for Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actress film was to showcase a very different side of place trying to act the investigative cop she
me. I feel a lot of things I do, people like for "Melancholia". his glamor, "Saaho" does adequately. An inco‑ was signed up to play.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info ULTIMATE BOLLYWOOD September 7-13, 2019 17
T
he Khan triumvirate has STANDING? ʻDhoom 3" has released in
pretty much dictated all Christmas.
things Bollywood for over The actor's success mantra is
two decades now. Between them, what has probably laid down the
Salman, Aamir and Shah Rukh formula for modern day
Khan scaled unprecedented popu‑ Bollywood's slant at content‑driv‑
larity, frequently rewriting the en entertainers.
box‑office record books with their Aamir's problem now probably
blockbusters. is that younger actors as
More importantly, the Khans Ayushmann Khurrana, Vicky
redefined the concept of success So, Salman, while trying to Kaushal and Rajkummar Rao have
in Bollywood. With smart PR and move away from his alpha male picked up the trick. Although they
marketing, entrepreneurship image, released "Tubelight" on Eid are far from guaranteeing the sort
skills, and intelligent use of the 2017, which cast him as an SRK's last superhit was ʻHappy of returns an Aamir Khan film
media as well as social media, the imperfect, vulnerable protagonist. New Year" on Diwali 2014. When normally gives, Aamir knows the
trio set an important ground rule The film struggled after its open‑ "Ra.One" did disappointing busi‑ film industry can be a fickle place,
for new‑age Bollywood: Scoring ing weekend and barely managed ness on Diwali 2011, SRK was and fans can be unpredictable.
box‑office hits was no longer a lifetime's domestic collection of perhaps at a loss. The nine years The failure of his absolutely dis‑
enough, with the Khan trio around Rs 121.25 crore, which since have only seen Shah Rukh Far from being a serious con‑ appointing "Thugs Of Hindostan"
arrived the era of brand power. classifies it as an average grosser. slip. Except for his Republic Day tender for the numero uno spot last Diwali underlines the fact.
All this worked while it did. The Salman's return to familiar 2017 release, "Raees", which did over Shah Rukh or Salman, Aamir Aamir's challenge right now is to
trouble is, in showbiz, every image and spectacular action a Plus business, no other SRK film Khan has actually been the most live up to his image as an actor
image and strategy is only as few months later the same year after "Happy New Year" has consistent in starring in who ensures quality Bollywood
good as it ensures returns. Both with "Tiger Zinda Hai" worked, scored at the box‑office. Bollywood's biggest blockbuster fare every time without losing out
Salman and Shah Rukh have but the superstar struggled trying In recent times, Shah Rukh's of all time over the past decade. on commercial value. While
struggled to score blockbusters out the same formula in his Eid plight, in every way, has been the First, it was "3 Idiots" (in 2009, Salman and Shah Rukh look
lately, irrespective of whether 2018 action thriller, "Race 3". same as Salman's. He has mostly which scaled that high. The increasingly headed towards a
they adhere to tested image or Given the situation, Salman is failed to leave an impact when he record of "3 Idiots" was broken by zone of unpredictability as
move away from it. now trying to stick to what tried moving out of his comfort his own "PK" (Rs 339.5 crore) in younger actors close in, Aamir is
worked once. He is banking on zone of playing the romantic hero 2014. Two years later, "Dangal" mostly likely to adapt and survive.
SALMAN: BANKING sequels, with ʻDabangg 3" and in films such as "Don 2", "Fan", busted the record "PK". "Dangal" He is a bit like Amitabh Bachchan
ON SEQUEL FORMULA Kick 2" lined up. "Dilwale" and "Zero". (Rs 387.39 crore) continues to be that way.
S
Travolta has
he has been variously tagged
been ruthless‑
the "Queen" of Bollywood,
ly trolled on so cial
"box‑office dynamo" and "one
media after appearing
woman army", and habitually takes
to confuse singer
on Bollywood's bigwigs. Three‑time
Taylor Sw ift w ith a
National Award winning actress
drag queen at the MTV
Kangana Ranaut makes no bones
VMAs.
about ruling the industry with her
While presenting the
craft, and says she always wanted to
award for Video of the
be somebody who is not a hero's
Year, the "Pulp Fiction"
sidekick.
star tried to hand the
Kangana ventured into the
Moon Man trophy to
sparkling world of cinema as a
RuPaul's Drag Race
teenager with filmmaker Mahesh
alum Jade Jolie. With a
Bhatt's "Gangster" in 2006. Years
slight look of confu‑
later she would feature in movies
sion, the drag queen
that she has carried on her shoul‑
ef fortlessly shook it
ders, such as "Queen", the "Tanu
of f, before giving the
Weds Manu" franchise and
actor a kind side‑hug,
"Manikarnika: The Queen Of Jhansi".
Actress Kangana Ranaut will soon be seen in a reports eonline.com.
Do the labels pressurize Kangana?
female‑centric actioner titled ʻDhaakadʼ. Eventually, Swift was
"I don't think so. When you finally
rightly bestowed with Actor John Travolta got confused
get what you seek and what you long has done films that are as different make you look good, then it is a the Moon Man. Jade at the MTV VMAs.
for, you shouldn't take it as a liability, as chalk and cheese. Despite being a problem because you are the one Jolie is literally known
isn't it? I have always wanted to be success story in Bollywood as an who is being enhanced," said the for her spot‑on impression of tweeted.
somebody who is not the hero's side‑ actress, her career is not defined by actress, who will soon be seen in a Another viewer added: "John
Swift.
kick because when there is a big the quintessential masala entertainer female‑centric actioner titled "John Travolta just gave the VMA Travolta mistaking Jade Jolie for
hero in the film you are just a side‑ with song‑and‑dance sequences. "Dhaakad". to 'Drag Race' alum Jade Jolie in Taylor Swift. Drag race excellence."
kick. So, now that the time has come, "Well, there is nothing wrong in Kangana's last release was Unfortunately, this small snafu
Taylor Swift drag, fully not know‑
I don't see it as a liability," Kangana singing and dancing. But if the other "JudgeMentall Hai Kya", where she ing that it was not Taylor Swift, made people recall the time when
told IANS. gender is ridiculed and made to look played the role of an obsessive girl thinking that it was in fact Taylor Travolta called Idina Menze l
In her 13 years in the industry, she like a lesser being or an accessory to named Bobby Grewal. Swift. I am....reeling," one person "Adele Dazeem" in 2014.
18 September 7-13, 2019 FASHION TheSouthAsianTimes.info
South Asian designers who showcased at the show (L to R): Faiza Samee, Ali Xeeshan, Delhi Vintage Co., Elan by Khadijah Shah, pgRabani and Rakha by Raaz, Kamiar Rokni
T
he abrogation of Articles 370 and
35A by the two Houses of Parliament the spectrum on its soil.
of India with a two‑third majority, led Till recently President Donald Trump of
to sharp criticism from the principal domes‑ the US himself was denouncing the Pak
tic opposition in India, a predictable denun‑ regime upfront on this issue and chastising
ciat ion from Pakistan and a range of it for playing a duplicitous role in the US‑led
responses ‑‑ from an expression of under‑ 'war on terror' against the Islamic radicals of
standing of India's case to a positive support Al Qaeda‑Taliban combine as well as the
of the move ‑‑ from the international com‑ ISIS. Donald Trump, it may be noted, had
munity. positively responded to what Prime Minister
The US, Russia, France and many other Modi had told him, by revealing that he had
countries confined themselves to coun‑ advised Pakistan to 'moderate its rhetoric
selling India and Pakistan to reduce tension with India on Kashmir'. His subsequent ref‑
and sort out any issue relating to Kashmir erence to Hindu‑Muslim conflict in J&K is
through bilateral dialogue. They did not somewhat raw since this integral state had
question India's consistent position that J&K been democratically governed for long by a
was an integral part of India and that the leadership that was chosen through adult
trouble in the state was caused by Pak‑spon‑ Army Chief General Bipin Rawat during his visit to Jammu and Kashmir. (Photo: IANS) franchise. T he comments of President
sored cross border terrorism. J&K housed Trump painting India and Pakistan with the
many religions and cultural traditions and build pro‑Pak opinion amongst the Muslims confront India, is knocking at the door of its same brush, however, need not upset India
the dispute about it was territorial in the there and gradually established a large net‑ only 'all weather friend' China and hoping to since these could be seen in the context of
sense that a part of the state ‑‑ as pointed work of agents to cause civil disturbances as rake up the matter of Kashmir at UN, his current preoccupation with Afghanistan.
out by India ‑‑ was in adverse possession of a way of protesting against the presence of International Court of Justice (ICJ) or the Trump has said that the US was fighting the
Pakistan symbolized by the LoC. security forces of the Center. In a carefully Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). terrorists in Afghanistan despite being
It was not a 'Muslim issue' even though crafted strategy, Pak ISI first destabilized the India has stuck to the stand that 'talks and 7,000 miles away while India and Pakistan
the state had a Muslim majority ‑‑ the reality border state of Punjab by sponsoring the terror could not go together' and explained were not doing so 'even after being next
lying in the finality of accession of J&K into Khalistan movement and then ‑‑ finding that it to all that the governance of J&K had been door'. We should use the opportunity of
India accepted by Maharaja Hari Singh the attempt failing to achieve its objective by the taken over by the Center only to give a bet‑ working with US, Russia and others towards
then ruler of the princely state, in October end of the Eighties ‑‑ added on the separatist ter deal to the law abiding Kashmiris. Stern a democratic outcome in Afghanistan. The
1948. campaign in Kashmir to its plan. In the early steps to neutralize the mischief of Pak US President has a visceral dislike of Islamic
It is Pakistan that has taken a communal Nineties, it embarked on a replication of agents in the state were a necessary pre‑ extremism and faith‑based terrorism arising
line on Kashmir, created a separatist lobby Afghan Jehad in Kashmir by pumping in bat‑ emptive measure against the designs of a from the Pak‑Afghan belt. India should,
in the name of Hurriyat in the Valley led by tle hardened Mujahideen across the LoC. hostile neighbor. India is successfully hold‑ therefore, continue to build convergence
the Jamaat supremo Syed Ali Shah Gilani to Pakistan, being in no position to directly ing out on Kashmir before the world com‑ with US against this common threat.
T
hirty years after an anti‑
immig rant movement But the pro cess has had sions will not be easy to heal.
rocked the state of Assam, tremendous costs, with little tan‑ The episode has also brought
the process of identifying Indian gible benefit. At the human level, out the perils of an intervention‑
citizens and detecting outsiders stories abound of Indians ̶ ist judiciary which prioritized
has finally reached a (partial) including the old and ill; those identifying immigrants without
conclusion. T he Nat ional with long periods of service to carefully considering the difficul‑
Register of Citizens was updated, the nation; and across religious ties in the process. The fate of
excluding over 1.9 million people communities and ethnicities ̶ those excluded is uncertain, for
‑ six percent of Assamʼs popula‑ struggling to prove their citizen‑ deportation is not feasible and
tion. The NRC process took four ship. detention centers would be ethi‑
years, involved the massive Even though the final list has cally wrong and a blot on Indian
deployment of the bureaucratic seen the number of those exclud‑ democracy.
machinery, became one of the ed dip from 4 million to 1.9 mil‑ There have been diplomatic
People check their names after the final list of National Register of
most contentious political issues lion, political parties across the costs too. W hile India has
Citizens (NRC) of Assam was published, in Morigaon. (Photo: IANS)
in contemporary India, deepened board believe that genuine citi‑ assured Bangladesh that it is an
existing cleavages in Assamese immigrants, particularly from ty to fulfil an old promise of zens have still been left out. internal matter, Dhaka has been
society, and delivered an out‑ Bangladesh. After a series of deport ing immig rants. Its Politically, the issue has deep‑ concerned about the rhetoric
come w ith which no one is agreements, and laws made and assumption was that a majority ened the communal divide not emanating from Indian leaders.
happy. unmade, the Supreme Court of those identified as such would only in Assam but also other On the other side, the benefits
The roots of the NRC can be directed and closely monitored be Muslims. It was this combina‑ parts of the country where the are unclear for no section of
traced back to the Assam move‑ the process of updating the NRC. tion of an old local identity‑based BJP has promised to kick start Assamese society is happy with
ment, when “indigenous” The political push came from the movement, an over‑zealous judi‑ the NRC process. (It is a different the outcome.
Assamese mobilised sentiment Bharatiya Janata Party, which ciary, and political activism by a matter that the party itself is not India must avoid such experi‑
against the perceived influx of saw in the exercise an opportuni‑ party keen to make electoral happy with the outcome of the ments in the future.
The views expressed in Op Eds are not necessarily those of The South Asian Times.
20 September 7-13, 2019 SUBCONTINENT TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Pak’s MQM
US, Taliban on chief sings 'Sare Imran Khan hypes Kashmir
threshold of peace
jahan se achha situation: Ex-US diplomat
Hindustan Washington/New Delhi:
hamara'
deal: Khalilzad London: A video of Muttahida
Qaumi Movement chief Altaf
Tim Roemer, former US
ambassador to India
who was responsible for
Washington: Zalmay Hussain singing the Indian patri‑ broadening and deepen‑
Khalilzad, Washington's otic song "Sare Jahan se Achcha ing the US‑India part‑
Special Representative Hindustan Hamaraa" has gone nership, has accused
for Afghanistan viral on the internet. The video Pakistan PM Imran
Reconciliation, has said shows Hussain, who has been liv‑ Khan of increasing the
that the US and Taliban ing in se lf‑exile in London, volatility of the region
are "at the threshold of sing ing the poem written by and urged that the US
an agreement" that will Mohammed Iqbal in praise of the policy should “remain
reduce violence and motherland. Hussain's Muttahida steady towards strategic
open the door for Qaumi Movement (MQM) is influ‑ ties with India”, and
Afghans to sit together ent ial in urban areas of push Pakistan for “real
and negotiate. Pakistan's southern province of results” on anti‑terror
Khalilzad said in a Sindh, including its restive port cooperation.
tweet that he concluded city of Karachi. The MQM claims In a tweet, tagging
the ninth round of talks to represent the Urdu‑speaking Imranʼs opinion piece in
Washington's Special Representative
with the Taliban in Doha migrants who moved to Pakistan the NYT where he has
for Afghanistan Reconciliation Pakistan PM Imran Khan has been
and that he would travel with the partition of India in threatened the world
Zalmay Khalilzad. accused of increasing volatility
to Kabul for consulta‑ 1947. with the spectre of a in the region.
tions, reports TOLO News. tweet said that the latest round nuclear war over
His remarks come as Afghan of talks ended late Saturday Kashmir, Roemer said: He was American ambassador
Chief Executive Abdullah night with "success" and it is “Pakistan PM Imran Khan to India from 2009 to 2011
Abdullah in an interview with agreed the technical teams will hypes the Kashmir situation, during the Presidentship of
TOLO News said he will meet hold a meeting later. personally attacks PM Modi, Barack Obama. He oversaw the
Khalilzad in Kabul and that the The US‑Taliban talks are and increases the volatility in implementation of several key
US envoy will brief the Afghan mainly focused on four topics: the region. US policy should policies and initiatives, includ‑
leaders on recent developments international forces withdrawal remain steady toward strategic ing increasing cooperation,
in the negotiations. from Afghanistan, counterter‑ relations with India, emphasize technology transfer and com‑
A Taliban spokesman in rorism assurances, a ceasefire, CT cooperation, and push mercial sales in the defence and
Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief
Qatar, Suhail Shaheen, in a and intra‑Afghan negotiations. Pakistan for real results.” space industries.
Altaf Hussain (credit: mqm.org)
TheSouthAsianTimes.info INTERNATIONAL September 7-13, 2019 21
By Amb. Sandeep
Chakravorty
To be or not to be: Vegan,
G
rowing up in a Bengali
family, being a so‑called
vegetarian or non‑vegetarian
non‑ vegetarian has been
second nature to me. Bengalis are
as non‑vegetarian as can be. My
father earned a government doc‑
tor's pittance of a salary which
would run out well before the
month was over. He was an avid In a recent post on his blog ‘Chakraview’, the
fish lover and as a result he had a
running credit account with the
fishmongers of Delhi's INA mar‑
Indian Consul General in New York has woven
ket. I remember my mother
always asking us when we
the various strands of the debate hitting the gut
returned home after attending
wedding receptions whether the
of our generation into a very readable article.
food was vegetarian or non‑vege‑
tarian. If the answer was vegetari‑ airlines and railways, the con‑ Even among lentils, moong is the tarian may mean different things
an, she had little interest in going stant, irritating if not annoying most sattwic while masoor is con‑ to different people. It is a spec‑
any further. Only if our hosts had Traditional meat eaters are mov‑ query of stewards is always: "Sir, sidered tamasik. Traditionally, for trum ranging from being very
passed the non‑vegetarian test ing away from it and alternatives veg or non‑veg?". Unmindful of many, vegetarianism is not a mat‑ strict due to religious ordain to
would my mother venture to ask such as 'beyond meat plant based foreigners, whether they under‑ ter of choice but a question of being flexible depending on the
about the bride and her jewelry. burgers' are booming. Some stand or not. But dig deep and it birth and rites of passage. Hindu environment and conditions. I
By growing up in such an envi‑ change is due to health reasons isn't so simple. The vegetarian widows, traditionally, are sup‑ have been able to find 10 types of
ronment, I had little understand‑ and some due to impact meat pro‑ pantheon has many gods. Even posed to live very austere lives vegetarianism. It is a classification
ing of vegetarians and had never duction has on carbon emissions. the orthodox 'Hindu Vegetarian and only consume sattvic foods. of diets and not people, and
taken them seriously. I was a kind New York City Mayor Bill de Meal' can be quite varied. Our If you are born Jain, you are exceptions are there. One can
of a non‑vegetarian fundamental‑ Blasio has introduced 'Meatless food also has a philosophical likely to be vegetarian. If you are always find a Jain eating meat and
ist, experimenting and trying to Mondays' in schools and some‑ underpinnngs (from the a Hindu from Gujarat, your food a Bengali detesting fish and also
convince people to eat meat, thing impossible to even visualize Ayurveda) in terms of being choice is destined to be restricted Muslims who do not enjoy meat.
almost disrespectful of people to vegetarian fare. If from Bengal, Here I am tempted to narrate this
who didn't enjoy it. I remember then it is most likely that you are tale shared by my colleague, Vipul
this episode from first year in non‑vegetarian or at least a fish Mesariya, whose college mate was
management school (IIFM, eater. Bengalis are synonymous once waxing eloquent on how
Bhopal) when as mess secretary I with fish and that too river fish. A tasty the chicken curry he had
asked the mess boy to reheat the Kashmiri, whether Pandit or that evening was. When his
leftover lunch and serve it as din‑ Muslim, is a compulsive meat friends pointed out that he was a
ner for the vegetarians while the eater and consumes mostly goat Jain, he replied quite nonchalantly
non‑vegetarians had fresh chicken meat. It is no longer only a ques‑ that the chicken had been pre‑
curry to feast on. Not unexpected‑ tion of where you are born or pared in the Jain style ‑ without
ly I was unceremoniously dumped born veg or non‑veg, but also onions and garlic.
from the post of the mess secre‑ choices and circumstances. Food 1. Vegan: Mostly Western con‑
tary the very next day. Since then choices are layered and textured cept. Avoid everything of animal
life has tried to make me under‑ and needs probing. Far from being origin. So milk, cheese, yogurt and
stand vegetarians and vegetarian‑ binary, it is actually impossible to even honey are out. Of course, no
ism in greater detail and I have classify food habits of people, types of meat, fish or eggs can be
begun to appreciate why people even vegetarians. included in the diet. Extreme veg‑
are vegetarian and become vege‑ Westerners reporting on Indian ans also exclude contact with
tarian. Vegetarianism is an vegetarianism is lop‑sided and leather and are PETA supporters,
evolved concept involving great agenda driven. Recent reports and have rebellious, environmen‑
deal of self‑control and perhaps is border on proclaiming loudly that tal, progressive undertones. It is
the solution to many of our global India is actually a non‑vegetarian revolutionizing the culinary scene
challenges including climate country, many even eat beef and in the US, although tofu based
change and violence. And my own number of vegetarians in India veggie meat mimicry can chal‑
personal world has also evolved may actually be quite small. This lenge one's taste buds.
and changed. is done mostly by foreigners, even 2. Jain Vegetarian: All meats,
One may think that being vege‑ Westerners reporting on Indian vegetarianism is lop‑sided and agen‑ of Indian origin, who are not will‑ fish and eggs are out. Onion and
tarian is plain and simple. Or food da driven. Recent reports border on proclaiming loudly that India is ing to understand the deep seated garlic are not allowed and neither
is a simple and binary choice ‑ actually a non‑vegetarian country, many even eat beef and number psyche of Indian vegetarianism. are root vegetables such as pota‑
of vegetarians in India may actually be quite small. Absolutely not
either you meat or not. It is not. It Even the most compulsive meat to, radish, carrots, yam and cassa‑
true as this chart shows.
is not only a choice between being eater in India also eats at the va. In the strict sense, even ginger
shakahari or niramish (vegetarian) in the past, that is, the 'impossible same time, if not simultaneously, is off the table. In the relaxed Jain
and masahari or amish (meat burger' a meatless patty burger is Sattwic (originates from the word then consecutively, lot of vegetari‑ diet however, potatoes and ginger
eater or non‑vegetarian). Perhaps now a new rage. One now often for true or truth), Rajasic (root is an food. Meat and fish are not are in. Some may extend it to
we are all more mishrahari (omni‑ runs into Americans who say that raj meaning royal) and Tamasic cheap and even compulsive non‑ include onions and garlic even.
tarians, if such a word exists). In they do not eat meat, are vegetari‑ (root is tamas meaning darkness). vegetarians have days when they But eggs and all meat are forbid‑
the West people may be mostly ans and eat only fish. Some others Tamasic food is supposed to do not eat meat such as during den. Significantly, due to the
vegans or meat eaters, although are vegetarian on some days, by arouse basic instincts while festivals, shraddh, in case of death efforts of Jain monks, Palitana in
even in the West and particularly choice, and not on others. Sattwic food has a calming effect in the family and on many other Bhavnagar, Gujarat has become
in the US, there are many compli‑ Veganism is also growing and on the body. Rajasic food is bal‑ occasions. Vegetarianism all over the first vegetarian city in India
cations in food habits as people thanks to it, these days it is easy anced. Sattwic food is recom‑ the world is a complex phenome‑ where sale of eggs and meat has
are eating less meat as eating for Indian vegetarians to find food mended, tamasic food is best non and means different things to been banned since 2014.
meat is becoming less trendy. in American restaurants. Early avoided and rajasic food is accept‑ different people. 3. Vaishnav Vegetarian: Mostly
Americans eat about a third less immigrants tell horror stories of able. So many foods classified as Speaking to people and media practiced by Goswamis of
beef than they did in the 1970s, having to survive on bread, butter, tamasic are not used in prepara‑ reporting in recent times and of Brindavan, ISKCONites and other
even though an average American milk and bananas only. Even vege‑ tion of devabhog (food offered to course out of my own life experi‑ communities. For them all meats
consumes almost 215 pounds of tarian soup had meat broth. Gods in temples). Onions and gar‑ ence, I try to bring some method and fish are out. But milk is in.
meat per person per year as per In India, we are used to being lic are clearly tamasic and never to the madness by attempting a Onion and garlic is a big no no,
OECD data of 2016. vegetarian or non‑vegetarian. In used in preparation of devabhog. classification of how being vege‑ although ginger is kosher. They
TheSouthAsianTimes.info FOOD September 7-13, 2019 25
are very strict with their diet and protein such as cheese or paneer.
go to the extent of seeing ingredi‑
ents in food packaging and know
You may think I am making this
category up, but I have a friend
“I try to bring some method to the madness
which ingredient has animal ori‑
gin and which does not. Many
from Udhampur who enjoys
kababs and tikkas but cannot eat
by attempting a classification of how being
carry small lists with them and chicken leg pieces or lamb chops.
can be found cross checking while Seeing the bones makes him vegetarian may mean different
purchasing bread or cookies. In feel queasy. This
this category we could also find culinary things to different people. It is a
food that is prepared in temples adventure
(devabhog) such as the delicious
Khichri offered to Lord
of course
happens
spectrum ranging from being
Jagannath in Puri.
4. Normal Vegetarian: This is
outside
their homes
very strict due to religious ordain
the classic category. No meat or mostly at
fish. Not even eggs. But eat all weddings or par‑ to being flexible depending on the
foods of plant origin and milk ties.
products. Not fussy with onion or
garlic. This is the most prevalent
8. Vegetarian, Yes Sir, but at
home only: Due to cultural fac‑
environment and conditions. I have
type of vegetarianism in India.
The only catch could be individual
tors, for some, pure normal vege‑
tarianism is only followed at
been able to find 10 types of vegetarianism.”
preferences, some can't withstand
the taste of tofu, others don't like
home, but outside (mostly a
friend's place or at parties) they
‐Sandeep Chakravorty
some particular vegetables. Most cannot wait to feast on meats. At
South Indians can't figure out the weddings they are almost vegetarian, my life and work choice. I subscribe to his ideals vegetarians are all about. I will
taste of paneer (cottage cheese) attached to the pots from where involves dealing with vegetarians. but have to change fundamentally end with a hilarious story of a
and wonder why north Indians meat is being served and they At the professional level, one of before I can address his flock. vegetarian Indian Union Cabinet
are so excited about it. Notable become exclusively non‑vegetari‑ the first public invites I received At home, my wife turned vege‑ Minister who was visiting
vegetables detested by people are an. There are several variants of in New York was to address the tarian about five years back Shanghai in 2005. We had
eggplant (variously called as brin‑ this and the reverse works as well. convention of "Vegan Vision". I because "she answered the call of advised the hosts that he was a
jals or aubergines), bitter gourd I have seen Kashmiris eat meat said no to H.K. Shah, Chairman of her body" and says that for her pure vegetarian. True to their
(karela) and some others. I per‑ only in Kashmir (as they are Vegan Vision USA, on the grounds being vegetarian means ʻbeing word, they served vegetarian food
sonally don't understand why peo‑ assured of its halal source) but that I didn't have the conviction to humane'. She, however, eats eggs at the State banquet. But all the
ple buy and cook the vegetable in all preparations, also milk prod‑ courses had food shaped as ani‑
known as Kundru in India. ucts. Her definition of vegetarian mals such as chicken, cow or lamb
5. Vegetarian Egg Eaters: They doesn't include fish much to the depending on the non‑vegetarian
are more like normal vegetarians dismay of her Bengali in‑laws. My menu. This was revolting to the
as mentioned in 4 above but also daughter turned vegetarian a year Minister who couldn't get around
eat and enjoy eggs, in all prepara‑ ago, overnight, influenced by a to eating animals even if they
tions i.e. hidden in cakes or pre‑ Netflix movie 'Okja' and a docu‑ were made of potatoes or cheese.
sented as omelets or hard boiled. mentary, 'Food, Inc.', basically on So he remained hungry. Even the
A variant of this category is those where your food comes from, dessert was bird shaped. In des‑
who eat eggs only when unseen or showing the inhuman way meat is peration he asked the steward
concealed away as part of cakes produced. After that she just what the others were having for
or cookies or ice cream. An egg couldn't eat any meat or fish. Her dessert. The answer was ice‑
omelet is off‑putting for them but determination is noteworthy as cream. So the Minister asked for
they can't detect the smell or taste she turned from being an avid ice‑cream. The Chinese hosts
of eggs once it is baked or cooked. lover of fish and meats to being would hear none of it as the ice‑
Their love for cakes or ice cream totally vegetarian although she cream, they insisted, contained
overrides their distaste for eggs. It includes eggs in her diet. Her twin egg and they were under strict
is noteworthy that among egg sister on the other hand is a picky instructions that the Indian
eaters one finds the maximum non‑vegetarian restricting herself Minister was a pure vegetarian. I
“My daughter turned vegetarian a year ago, overnight, influenced by to the meats we normally eat in had to face a hungry (angry)
fuss as well. Many detest the a Netflix movie 'Okja' and a documentary, 'Food, Inc.', basically on
strong smell of hard boiled eggs India. So in the immediate family Minister in the hotel lobby when
where your food comes from, showing the inhuman way meat is pro‑
and others run away from runny of four, there are two and a half he returned from the banquet. He
duced. After that she just couldn't eat any meat or fish.”
eggs. Some like sunny side up vegetarians. Sweet revenge for the regaled us with this story when
while others prefer to make it moment they come to Delhi or go speak to his congregation. To him, fundamentalist. thereafter we went to an Indian
dark by frying their eggs twice elsewhere they eat only vegetari‑ "being vegan is a way of express‑ All over the world vegetarian‑ restaurant looking for normal
over. I personally can't figure out an food and no meat. ing love for the environment, no ism/veganism is getting popular vegetarian food.
how some, particularly wrestlers, 9. Normal vegetarian but cruelty to animals and health". with people. My suggestion to
drink raw eggs mixed in their becomes a non‑vegetarian when Shah is vegetarian by birth and them is that do mention to your (Author's acknowledgement:
milk. Still more curious is the lat‑ drinking: This category is the has turned vegan in the US. At 88, hosts clearly what is acceptable Article inspiration: Anonymous
est fad of eating egg white most unique. Alcohol has an over‑ he is full of energy and is champi‑ and what is not. Most people video on TicToc. Visit author's
omelets and frittatas. How is egg whelming influence in deciding oning the case of vegetarianism abroad do not understand what blog :
even egg without the yolk? one's eating habits. So accompani‑ and veganism as a matter of pure vegetarians or day‑to‑day https://sandiplomat.blogspot.com
6. Vegetarian but enjoy non‑ ment of kababs and tikkas is a
veg curries: A small but dis‑ must for a merry evening.
cernible group. They are normal 10. Day‑to‑day Vegetarian:
vegetarians, may or may not eat Basically they are non‑vegetarians
eggs but they enjoy the taste of but become vegetarian on particu‑
meat or fish curry but cannot tol‑ lar days of the week, mostly on
erate the pieces. They are found Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursday and
mostly enjoying the curry in par‑ Saturdays. They create the most
ties or outside their homes. At confusion because if you serve
home any non‑vegetarian cooking them vegetarian on the day they
is sacrilegious. are non‑vegetarian they get most
7. Vegetarian but OK with offended. Also no non‑veg food
boneless meat: Bones are testi‑ during religious festivals such as
mony of carnage and animal ori‑ Navaratri or during the month of
gin. So as long as it is boneless or Shravan (rainy season) complete
kababs they cannot distinguish the characterization of this group.
between animal protein and milk Today, although I remain non‑
26 September 7-13, 2019 LIFESTYLE TheSouthAsianTimes.info
By Michael Phulwani,
Esq. and Dev B.
Viswanath, Esq. I-751, Waiver of Joint Filing
I
f an individual applied for a
green card based on their mar‑
riage to a U.S. citizen, they will
Under Extreme Hardship
receive a “conditional” green card
VISA
guage that is spoken in their home resident will receive a receipt mine if the conditional permanent
that is only valid for two years if country; notice. The conditional permanent resident qualifies for a waiver of
they were married for less than 8 They have custody of their resident is allowed to continue to joint filing and send a letter to the
two years on the date the green
TALK
U.S. citizen children and they live and work in the U.S. and travel applicant with their decision or, in
card is granted. Before the two‑ would need to leave the U.S. as abroad and return to the U.S., most waiver cases, they will sched‑
year mark is completed, the couple well; while their case is being ule the applicant for an interview
must file a I‑751 form to remove 8 They have family living in the processed. If USCIS needs more with an immigration office to
the conditions on the foreign waiver of the joint filing require‑ U.S. who are financially dependent evidence to show extreme hard‑ determine eligibility. The removal
nationalʼs green card. If the condi‑ ment based on extreme hardship on them and would suffer without ship they will send a request for of condition is the only pathway to
tions on their green card are not the applicant must provide USCIS their financial support; evidence, which must be timely becoming a full‑fledged permanent
removed, then the green card and with evidence showing that if they 8 They would not be able to answered. Once USCIS reviews the resident, and US citizen if status
their status and right to stay in the return to their former country find work outside the U.S; whole I‑751 packet it will deter‑ was granted conditionally.
U.S. will terminate at the end of they would suffer extreme hard‑ 8 They have a medical condi‑
two years. ship. The relief of filing jointly is a tion that cannot be treated proper‑ Dev Banad Viswanath is the Principal
Normally to remove the condi‑ discretionary relief and the hard‑ ly abroad; Attorney of The Banad Law Offices PC
tions on a green card, the green ship requirement may be difficult 8 They would face persecution in the United States,
card holder and their spouse to prove. USCIS will only look at or discrimination in their home and Banad Immigration in India for which
would jointly file I‑751 Petition. evidence of events that occurred country; Attorney Michael Phulwani is also affiliated
There are a few circumstances while the green card holder lived 8 They are unable to receive a as Of Counsel. With Offices in Manhattan,
where a spouse cannot jointly file in the U.S. as a conditional perma‑ divorce or annulment because of Queens, Bangalore, and Mumbai, the firm is
Form I‑751, such as divorce, sepa‑ nent resident. A conditional per‑ religious or cultural belief; able to assist clients with all facets of the
ration, death, or imminent harm. In immigration process, including
manent resident may qualify for a 8 Their spouse was at fault for
this circumstance the green card Employment Visas, Consular Visa Assistance,
waiver of joint filing under the breakdown of their relation‑
Student Visas, Removal & Deportation, US
hold must apply for a waiver of the extreme hardship if they can show ship;
Citizenship and Green Card Applications
joint filing requirement. One such the following circumstances: 8 They are unable to find their based on Family or Employment. Dev B.
option is to apply for the waiver of 8 They have lived in the U.S. for spouse in order to file jointly. Viswanath can be reached at
joint filing based on “extreme an extended period of time; After the whole I‑751 packet is Dev@Banadlaw.com and 718‑361‑5999.
hardship.” When applying for a 8 They do not speak the lan‑ filed, the conditional permanent
USICS to use fake social media accounts to check people entering country
Washington: US Citizenship and Immigration requiring more investigation. The privacy only be used in cases where absolutely nec‑
Services (USCIS) officers can now create fic‑ assessment notes that officers can only essary." In January 2017, former Homeland
titious social media accounts to monitor review publicly available social media avail‑ Security Department Secretary Jeh Johnson
social media information on foreigners seek‑ able to all users on the platform ̶ they can‑ issued a privacy impact update giving
ing visas, green cards and citizenship. An not "friend" or "follow" an individual ̶ and authority to USCIS to "conduct law enforce‑
updated Homeland Security Department must undergo annual training. The officers ment activities including but not limited to
review of potential privacy issues dated July are also not allowed to interact with users on accessing internet and publicly available
2019 that was posted online on Friday the social media sites and can only passively social media content using a fictitious
essentially reversed a prior ban on officers review information, according to the DHS account or identity." But a privacy impact
creating fake profiles. document. While lots of social media activity assessment was required to be completed
A USCIS statement explaining the change However, policies of platforms like can be viewed without an account, many first. Reached by phone on Friday, Johnson
says fake accounts and identities will make it Facebook and Twitter deem that platforms limit access without one. declined to comment.
impersonation violates their terms
easier for investigators to search for poten‑ Dave Maass, senior investigative Bipartisan support for additional back‑
of use.(Photo courtesy AFP)
tial evidence of fraud or security concerns as researcher for the civil liberties advocacy ground checks involving social media was
they decide whether to allow someone entry Twitter and Facebook recently shut down group Electronic Frontier Foundation, said initially spurred by the fallout of the 2015
into the US The change in policy was preced‑ numerous accounts believed to be operated such use of fake accounts "undermines our San Bernardino attack, which resulted in 14
ed by other steps taken by the State by the Chinese government using their plat‑ trust in social media companies and our abil‑ people's deaths. In that case, the shooter
Department, which began requiring appli‑ forms under false identities for information ity to communicate and organize and stay in Syed Rizwan Farook's wife Tashfeen Malik
cants for US visas to submit their social operations. "It is against our policies to use touch with people." He added: "It can't be this gained entry to the US on a fiancée visa ̶ a
media usernames this past June, a vast fake personae and to use Twitter data for double standard where police can do it, but process that did not involve a social media
expansion of the Trump administration's persistent surveillance of individuals. We members of the general public can't." check. The day after the attack, Facebook
enhanced screening of potential immigrants look forward to understanding USCIS's pro‑ Mike German, a retired FBI agent and a fel‑ found a post on a page maintained by Malik
and visitors. posed practices to determine whether they low in the Brennan Center for Justice's pledging her and Farook's allegiance to the
It's unclear exactly how the creation of are consistent with our terms of service," Liberty and National Security program, said leader of the Islamic State group. The page
fake social media accounts would work given according to a Twitter statement. it's important for strong guidelines to be in was under an alias. Authorities have said
policies of platforms like Facebook and Facebook did not immediately provide place and for lawmakers to ask lots of ques‑ Malik and Farook exchanged messages about
Twitter, which both specifically state that comment. Such a review of social media tions to ensure there are no abuses. "It's easy jihad and martyrdom online before they
impersonation ̶ pretending to be someone would be conducted by officers in the to conjure up a use where the use is appro‑ were married and while she was living in
other than yourself ̶ violates their terms of agency's Fraud Detection and National priate and entirely necessary, but also where Pakistan. The two ultimately died in a gun
use. Security Directorate on cases flagged as it could be abused," German said. "It should battle with the police.
28 September 7-13, 2019 HUMOR TheSouthAsianTimes.info
BEST
RATE
FOR
INDIA
A
man raised by wolves in a forest says spoiled this columnistʼs day yesterday?
he misses his old life. Living as a wolf I told her that in my day, the only TV was a
D
octors and scientists have their loved ones and hurt those they from surgery when
been studying the body‑ should love the most. they pray or meditate
mind connection and its Meditation is a way to eliminate
would be more in control of our peace above the consciousness of before surgery or after
relationship to physical health. the lack of balance caused by the
Medical researchers have linked mental stresses of life. By spending reactions and would maintain an bodily pain. We have only to look at surgery.
time in meditation, we create a calm even keel in the face of other peo‑ near‑death experiences to see how
certain illnesses to our state of
haven in which we restore equilibri‑ ple's conflicts. Reducing our stress people who undergo excruciatingly Spending regular, accurate time in
mind and to our emotional condi‑
um and peace to our mental func‑ throughout the day can reduce the painful accidents were lifted above meditation has been shown to
tion. They have found that when we
tioning. Researchers have recorded risk of becoming victim to stress‑ their pain when they temporarily reduce stress. Many medical centers
undergo mental stress or emotional
that the brain activity in people who related ailments. left their body. They could see their and hospitals offer classes in medi‑
pain or depression, our physical
meditate reflects a state of deep Second, meditation can lift our body with injuries and trauma lying tation as a way to reduce stress and
resistance to disease drops. We
relaxation. Their mind becomes attention to a higher level of con‑ below them, but they no longer eliminate certain illnesses. Many
become more susceptible to con‑
calmer. Meditation also calms the sciousness so that we do not feel experienced any physical pain until people have requested to learn our
tracting a disease because our abili‑
body. If we could spend some time the pinching effects of any illness they returned to the body. This is introductory meditation, called
ty to keep our immune system in
each day in meditation, we would we do develop. Through meditation, one analogous situation to give us Jyoti meditation, taught at our
top working order decreases.
find our stress levels would be we come in contact with a stream of an idea of the power of protection Science of Spirituality centers
Science has pinpointed certain
reduced and our health would reach bliss and joy within that takes our from pain afforded to us when we throughout the world as a way to
diseases such as digestive problems,
a more optimum level. attention away from the pains of perfect our meditations. reduce stress.
breathing problems, heart disease,
Besides reducing stress during the world. Through mastery of med‑ Recent medical studies are draw‑ As you continue to meditate, you
and migraine headaches, to name a
meditation, there is a carry‑over itation, we have a refuge of bliss ing a correlation between patients will experience the inner peace and
few, that are sometimes stress‑relat‑
effect. We can maintain more peace and peace within, safe from the rav‑ who pray and meditate before and bliss. As you do this, you will experi‑
ed.Meditation can help us in several
of mind as we continue our activi‑ ages of physical pain. after surgery and those who do not. ence a reduction in stress.
ways. First, it can lessen our stress,
ties throughout the day. As we per‑ Although at times we may get sick Early studies find that patients heal Meditation is an effective means to
and in turn, reduce our chances of
fect our meditations, we can main‑ because we break natural laws, and recover more quickly from sur‑ help us reduce stress and increase a
developing a stress‑related illness.
tain that calm state of mind even in meditation can help us rise above gery when they pray or meditate sense of calm and peace, which can
In this hectic world, our mind is
the midst of turmoil and strife. We the discomfort and find solace and before surgery or after surgery. help us heal our physical body.
often agitated by stress and pres‑
SHANTI FUND
To perpetuate his life and messages GANDHI 150 will be celebrated worldwide to mark
Mahatma’s 150th birthday on October 2, 2019. At a local level Volunteers of Shanti Fund
launched on October 2, 2018, multi‐year celebrations in cooperation with the Consulate General
of India, and many institutions including governmental, religious and educational.
Befitting Gandhi’s image, Volunteers of Shanti Fund have completed more than a dozen
dignified events so far. The next event has a positive long‐term implication for Long Island. 150
trees will be planted in cooperation with the State University of New York at Old
Westbury(SUNY‐OW), the Consulate General of India‐New York (CGI) and Shanti Fund. A
variety of trees from flowering to evergreens will be planted in September 2019 at a befitting
peaceful open site within the 600‐acre campus of the SUNY‐OW. The area will be named
GANDHI PEACE GARDEN.
In Gandhian spirit greater individual participation is encouraged by adopting one tree. A suitable
tag indicating the donor’s name will be placed on or near the tree. A donation of $500 per tree is
required.
Shanti Fund, a philanthropic organization based on Long Island, New York is in existence since
1993. At the invitation of the Suffolk County government in 1998, a life size bronze statue of
Gandhi was commissioned by Shanti Fund and unveiled at the County Executive office building
on October 2, 1999.Since then many peace and bridge building activities through education were
undertaken by the Volunteers of Shanti Fund.
Shanti Fund is a registered charity by the State of New York and has a 501‐c‐3 nonprofit tax‐
exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service – IRS (Fed ID # 11‐3178073)