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Bollywood makes Cannes sing and dance Bollywood, Page 16
Prosecution in high profile cases of Indian Americans is aimed to force compliance. Assets, inheritance also likely to come under scrutiny.
ernment agencies may get access to that information through PIO (Person of Indian Origin) and OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) cards. The US may also approach Indian government in seeking information on Americans with Indian bank accounts under the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement. HSBC is already falling in line. Its spokesperson said, HSBC does not condone tax evasion and fully supports US efforts to promote appropriate payment of taxes by US taxpayers. So, it is prudent to declare global income and any foreign bank accounts with more than $10,000 during a tax year. Failure to do so can invite fine of up to 50% Continued on page 4....
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao holds a welcoming ceremony for his Pakistani counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Wednesday. Chinese Premier Wen talks at the Great Hall of the Jiabao informed his People Wednesday. The two Pakistani counterpart leaders held a 45-minute Yousuf Raza Gilani about meeting before beginning the matters taken up with talks with their delegations. Continued on page 4.... the US during their formal
Toronto: Two Sikhs were named to the new Canadian cabinet announced on Wednesday. In a major surprise for the millionstrong Indo-Canadian community, first-time MP Bal Gosal from a constituency in Toronto was made minister of state for sport by Prime Minister Stephen Harper whose Conservative Party was returned to power with a majority in the May 2 elections. A Sikh from a village near Jalandhar, 50-year-old Gosal, who is an insurance broker by profession, had defeated six-time MP Gurbax Malhi. Malhi himself had created history in 1993 by becom-
Tim Uppal ing the first turbaned Sikh MP in the western world.
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Shefali Sunderlal, President, CRY America with Sharmila Tagore, legendary actress and Puja Marwaha, CEO, CRY (India). Nitin Dadrawala and private lunches with Sharmila and Soha sponsored by Vermillion restaurant were auctioned by Sothebys at the New York Dinner which raised $43,000. Indians living abroad are increasingly concerned with development in India, their voices are heard by policy makers and they have the resources to enable bigger changes. Our hope is that this community will join CRY Americas efforts in larger numbers to en-
Ashok Mahajan from Mumbai, Kamal Gupta who won the bid for a brunch with Sharmila Tagore, CRY Patron Ravi Bhooplapur and Mr. Matlani at Mrs Nimmi Mehta and Mrs. Sangita Matlani with Qawalli Band who performed at the event. the event.
Community TheSouthAsianTimes.info
rights issues that most affect the Sikh community nationally to reach meaningful solutions. The Summit is an opportunity for Sikh community members to advocate for policies that protect and honor Sikh civil rights by presenting their personal experiences to lawmakers to effect positive change on a national level. As Chairman Emeritus of the Congressional Asian Pacific Attack on pak Story Continued from page 1 The Chinese leadership was "extremely forthcoming in assuring its unprecedented support to Pakistan for its national cause and security" and discussed all subjects of mutual interest with Gilani, the report said. Gilani described Pakistan-China relations and friendship as "unique". Talking to Pakistani journalists accompanying him, he said that China had acknowledged his country's contribution and sacrifices in the war against terrorism and supported its cause at the international level. Gilani said China has asked the US to improve its relations with Pakistan, keeping in view the present scenario. Pakistan reiterated its position on the one-China policy and said it fully supports China on the issues of Taiwan and Tibet, he said. He said both sides will continue their consultations on UN reforms. China has agreed to provide Pakistan 50 new JF-17 Thunder
American Caucus, I see UNITED SIKHS' work in preserving cultural heritage, promoting civic engagement and providing humanitarian relief as vital to the broader mission of the Asian American community," said Congressman Mike Honda in a statement. The Sikh Summit dinner, held midweek, was another opportunity for community members from all over the country to bring up relemulti-role jets under a co-production agreement, The News reported. The two countries are also discussing the supply of Chinese J20 stealth jets and Xiaolong/FC-1 multi-purpose light fighter aircraft to Pakistan. IRS Story Continued from page 1 of the balance in your account. IRSs voluntary disclosure program expires on August 31. The scare in the Indian communtiy hit home when Vaibhav Dahake of Somerset, NJ, and Josephine Bhasin, of Huntington, NY, became national headlines. Bhasin pleaded guilty to filing a false 2008 tax return ignoring HSBC India accounts valued at approximately $8.3 million. Dahake was indicted by a court in Newark with conspiracy to defraud the US by using undeclared accounts in the British Virgin Islands and HSBC India to dodge paying taxes. It was discovered that employees of HSBC Holdings and its affiliates in the US assured him that his HSBC accounts in India would not be reported to the IRS.
Sikh Summit delegates on Capitol Hill Which is not the case anymore when days of even secret Swiss banks are numbered after UBS AG entered into a deferred prosecution agreement with the US Department of Justice. HSBC informed the IRS last year that at least 9,000 US "premier" clients (high-net-worth customers) had accounts with HSBC India. Their deposits are estimated at nearly $400 million in 2009. US officials said that as of 2009 only 1,921 HSBC accounts in India were disclosed by US taxpayers. The IRS is seeking client information on premier accounts as well as standard accounts maintained for less-wealthy customers. According to an IRS spokesperson, our international efforts are not about just one country or one bank, it's about our wider effort to ensure compliance with the nation's tax laws." The problem of taxpayers using secret offshore bank accounts is costing US Treasury at least $100 billion annually, according to a 2008 Senate report. Two Sikhs Inducted Story Continued from page 1
vant issues. Attendees were able to hear comments from the White House Office of Public Engagements Associate Director Paul Monteiro, Congressman John Conyers, and Congresswoman Judy Chu. Renowned social justice rap artist GNE had a special surprise in store, and after dinner, the crowd was able to enjoy a program entitled, Rapping for Human Rights. Canadian-born turbaned Sikh from Edmonton, was made minister of state for democratic reform. This is Uppal's second term in the parliament. However, what shocked many in the Indo-Canadian community was the omission of senior-most MP Deepak Obhrai from the ministry. A six-time MP from Calgary, he was a parliamentary secretary in the outgoing ministry. Many community leaders, who had pushed his name for a Cabinet berth, were left disappointed. "I have nothing to say and will talk to you later,'' Obhrai said when asked about his exclusion from the cabinet. "I think the PM has done a smart job by including two Indians in Cabinet for the first time. But Obhrai deserved a berth for his work to promote CanadaIndian ties,'' said Gujarati businessman Hemant Shah. Former health minister Ujjal Dosanjh of the Liberal Party was the last Indian face in the Canadian Cabinet from 2004 to 2006. In the 308-member parliament, there are nine MPs of Indian origin.
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Indus American Bank rolls out enhanced loan program for medical professionals
Iselin, NJ: Indus American Bank has rolled out an enhanced loan program for medical professionals. The program is specially designed to help practicing medical professionals for their working capital needs including financing for implementing or upgrading their Electronic Health Records (EHR). The line of credit is available on competitive terms, to qualified borrowers. This is a great opportunity to partner with medical professionals in the communities we serve by providing enhanced financial solutions, said Jasbir Chopra, President & CEO of the Bank. On this occasion, Dr. Sharad Wagle, Director of Indus American Bank and Chief of Psychiatry at Holy Name Hospital said As a professional in this field, I am excited that this program will greatly help medical professionals to move to electronic records system and take advantage of federal incentive programs for meaningful use of EHR as per provisions of the Health Care Plan.
Pam Kwatra flanked by assemblyman Upendra Chivukula (to her right) and honoree K.K. Bawa, posing with visiting team from Punjab and the new board of INOC-NJ deep Singh Hans as Chairman, Raj Patel as Co-Chairman, Jasjit Singh Bindra as General Secretary, Jitu Rathod as Treasurer and Rahul Bathla as the Youth Chairman.In her closing remarks Pam Kwatra thanked the community and political leaders present: Upendra Chivukula, Gulshan Chhabra, Rupender Singh Nayar and others. She mentioned that INOC aims to protect democracy and promote secularism and give India and Indians better representation and respect.
Kanwar Sibal, former Foreign Secretary of India, was the chief guest, seen here with the Consul General, Ambassador Prabhu Dayal.
ALPS Kotak India Growth Fund to provide U.S. Investors with multi-cap, cross-sector exposure to Indian equities
New York: Kotak Group, one of India's leading diversified financial services providers, continues to build its U.S. presence with the launch of the first U.S. mutual fund from an India-based firm. The ALPS Kotak India Growth Fund seeks to achieve long-term capital appreciation by investing in large-cap, mid-cap and small-cap Indian companies with high growth potential, and is intended to provide U.S. retail and institutional investors with an opportunity to gain broad exposure across all key sectors of India's large and growing economy. ALPS Advisors Inc., will serve as the Fund's investment advisor while Kotak will act as sub-advisor and will manage the Fund's investment portfolio.Kotak Mahindra (UK) Ltd.'s Nitin Jain will serve as principal Portfolio Manager for the Fund and will oversee a team of fund managers and analysts seeking to identify the most attractive growth companies among India's top listed companies representing all levels of market capitalization and across all sectors. "The India growth story is a multifaceted one, driven by a number of key, sometimes inter-related themes and trends, including demographic led growth in consumption, expansion of the financial sector, massive investment in infrastructure, continued growth in India's role as an outsourcing center and the cyclical impact of commodities," explained Mr. Jain
Ramlila, Bhavai, Desi natak and mime were woven in the play titled Draupadi Vastraharan. The latter was quite an entertainment as keeping in with the tradition a male actor did the part of the actress too. The cast included Sailesh Trivedi (Ranglo,Bapu & Dushashan), Smita Gandhi (Rangli), Samir Shah (Vidushak & Krishna), Bharat Patel (Draupadi), Vandana Majmudar (Baa), Dilip Shah (Dada), Sheth (Kaushik Amin) and Kush, Krish, Janu and Pooja (Children).
Sahaj Singh Khalsa this time, Khalsa maintained an exemplary work record and provided excellent care to people in need. However, beginning in 2008
DOE commits $25 million for U.S.-India Joint Clean Energy Research and Development Center
Washington, D.C : As part of the Partnership to Advance Clean Energy announced by President Obama and Prime Minister Singh of India last November, the Department of Energy has committed $25 million over the next five years to support the U.S.India Joint Clean Energy Research and Development Center (JCERDC). This first-of-a-kind effort is a key component of the U.S. and Indias commitment to improve energy access and promote low-carbon growth by facilitating joint research and development of clean energy technologies. Teams of scientists and engineers from the U.S. and India will initially focus on research in three priority areas building energy efficiency, second-generation biofuels and solar energy. Developing and investing in new technologies is a key component to meeting the goals of a clean energy future, said Secretary of Energy Steven Chu. This innovative approach to collaborative research is a testament to the special relationship shared by the two countries. By working with our partners in India and sharing a strong commitment to building a clean energy economy, we can get further, faster, than by working alone. The Department of Energy will provide awards under each of the JCERDC's three initial priority areas. Universities, national labs, private companies and others are eligible to apply. Applications are due by August 16, 2011, with selections expected later this fall. Funding from the Department of Energy will be matched by U.S. grantees to support $50 million in U.S. research. The Indian Ministry of Science and Technology will provide an additional $50 million in Indian public and private funding to support research in India. The JCERDC will be located in existing facilities in both countries and funding from the U.S. government will only be used to support work conducted by U.S. institutions and individuals.
Rabindra Sangeet: Sudeshna Basu and Debu Nayak at the event on the life and legacy of Rabindranath Tagore jointly hosted by the Indian Embassy and Asia Society DC at the Asia Society DC premises on May 12, 2011.
Talavya members the coming weeks, at least two representatives from the Indian American community in Southern California will travel at their own expense to Japan to offer services and support. The concert was the result of dedication of Jain Center of Southern California along with the Gayatri Pariwar, SAHARA, Vaishnav Pariwar, Federation of IndoAmerican Associations, Matiya Patidar Samaj, Indian American Senior Heritage, Asian Indian Seniors Association and the Academy of Indian Culture.
Korean Kathak dancer, choreographer, tabla player and teacher Jin (JoungJin) Won mesmerized the audience with her performance
Trisha Ray wrote a couple of scripts but couldn't find producers. When I told my producers that I wanted to shoot in Kolkata, they agreed. "I wanted to show the city with the flavor of an international city, that's why the three protagonists are neither Indians nor foreigners," Ray said.
US Affair TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Two of the frontrunners : Michele Bachmann (left), Mitt Romney this early stage in my effort, Romney said. Mitch Daniels: The Indiana governor says he's "not going to take much longer" to make a decision on whether he'll run for president in 2012. The former White House budget director is being widely recruited by Republicans who hope his fiscal conservatism would appeal to voters alarmed by the national debt and big government. Sarah Palin: Stoking more speculation about whether she intends to run for the White House, Sarah Palin, GOPs Vice Presidential candidate in 2008, is sending out 400,000 direct mail fundraising solicitations for 2012, including to voters in earlier primary states. Taking back control of the House last year was only the first step, Palin says in the mailer sent out nationwide. Now you and I must fix our eyes on 2012. Our goal is to take back the White House and the Senate. Newt Gingrich: Soon after his announcement of joining the race, reports came that in 2005 and 2006, the former House speaker carried as much as $500,000 in debt to Tiffany jewelry company, according to financial disclosures filed with the Clerk of the House of Representatives.
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The report, entitled "Pakistan 2020," lays out a road map to tackle the country's challenges in the next decade with the goal of establishing stability, a sustainable democracy, and a better life for the country's 180 million people dangerous levels." The report, entitled "Pakistan 2020," lays out a road map to tackle the country's challenges in the next decade with the goal of establishing stability, a sustainable democracy, and a better life for the country's 180 million people whose poverty and illiteracy rates are among the highest in the region. "Without the urgent adoption of both remedial and revolutionary measures, Pakistan's future chal-
Khushab nuclear site in Pakistan. New Delhi: Pakistan is focusing on building low-yield, tactical nuclear weapons which it can use in case of skirmishes at the border with India. After disclosures that Pakistan is building its fourth reactor at the Khushab military facility, fresh estimates made by security and intelligence officials here suggest that Pakistan now has the capability to add 8-10 such weapons in its kitty every year. The figure is likely to go up considerably once the new reactor becomes operational in less than two years. Latest satellite images revealed recently that Pakistan has expedited work on the fourth reactor, a plutonium producing facility. The news is a surprise, if not shock, to the government here. Its belief, based on assessment by top scientists, was that Pakistan was unlikely to undertake this sort of expansion as it did not have enough uranium. Pakistan is internationally acknowledged to have a nuclear arsenal of 100 weapons but the recent focus on low-yield, also known as tactical, weapons has become a source of worry for India. Officials and experts believe Pakistan will use it only in the case of any incursion made by Indian forces into Pakistani territory or what is known as India's cold start doctrine. In the event of another Mumbai-like terrorist attack, there is going to be real pressure on India to mount such an incursion and strike some of the terror camps.
A sketch of Tahawwur HussainRana during a court hearing. Chicago: A Chicago court has selected 12 jurors and six alternates for the trial of Pakistani-born Tahawwur Hussain Rana charged with aiding Pakistan based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in the November 2008 Mumbai attack. The panel of eight women and four men, plus four male and two female alternates, was sworn in before US District Judge Harry D. Leinenweber, capping a three-day selection process. The court ordered that identities not be disclosed publicly for their safety. A Canadian citizen, Rana, 50, who runs an immigration services business with offices in Chicago, New York and Toronto, has been charged with providing a cover to his PakistaniAmerican high school friend David Coleman Headley for scouting targets for the Mumbai terrorist attack.
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US Senator John Kerry with Pakistan's Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani in Islamabad. Islamabad: The US and Pakistan have agreed to work together in any future actions against "high value targets" in Pakistan even as US Sen John Kerry warned Pakistan on Monday that future
Former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. Islamabad: As Pakistan's powerful military held out threats to India, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has called for reappraisal of ties with its neighbor to move forward and progress, saying Islamabad must stop treating New Delhi as its "biggest enemy". Sharif, who was earlier involved in talks with India when the Kargil crisis erupted, also sought a probe into the 1999 conflict with India. He called on the government to also conduct an inquiry into the 2006 killing of Baloch leader Nawab Akbar Bugti in a military operation and the carnage in Karachi on May 12, 2007 that killed over 40 people who tried to rally in support of then-deposed Supreme Court Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry. Sharif, whose government was deposed in a military coup led by former President Pervez Musharraf in 1999, reiterated his demand for the budgets of the military and the ISI to be placed before Parliament for scrutiny in line with the practice in other democracies. He said one of his biggest regrets was not taming the powerful military when he was Prime Minister in the 1990s. The Parliamentary resolution calling for an independent commission to investigate the killing of alQaida leader Osama bin Laden in a US raid on May 2 was the first step towards making Parliament a sovereign body, Sharif said. "We need structural changes and this inquiry has provided an opportunity to move forward and put the country on the right track, correct its direction by putting our house in order, establish the rule of law and bring all institutions under civilian control," Sharif said.
State Department spokesperson Mark Toner. and anything I say from here can obviously... I think we have been clear, again, that this is an ongoing legal process, trial, and so I can't say a lot about it," he said. "But speaking globally about the Mumbai attacks, we have asked that all parties answer questions that have been raised by the Mumbai attacks," Toner said.
US commandos killed Osama bin Laden at his Abbottabad mansion. Senior US officials said they stopped sharing information as they were concerned that sympathizers within Pakistani security forces would tip-off Osama. Lieutenant General Talat Masood, a military analyst, said: "There are implications for both the US and international forces in Afghanistan, so the Americans will be very interested in getting the relationship back on track."
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Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa BJP President Nitin Gadkari, senior BJP leaders Arun Jaitley and Sushma Swaraj with MLAs at the President House after a meeting in New Delhi.
Kim Devy, the main accused in the 1995 Purulia arms drop case. security, Yechury said. CBI must ensure Davy's extradition in the interest of the country, he added.
Mulund railway station blast accused Wazhul Kamar Khan (face covered) at anti-terrorist squad office in Mumbai. New Delhi: Admitting a "mistake" in the inclusion of terror suspect Wazhul Qamar Khan in the "Most Wanted" fugitive list despite his actually living near Mumbai, Home Minister P. Chidambaram reminded his bitter critic, the BJP, of the Kandahar hijack episode when one minister accompanied freed terrorists to the Afghan city and another was unaware of this. A day after it became known that that the government had goofed-up on the terror list that was handed over to Pakistan for tracking 50 criminals allegedly hiding in that country, Chidambaram admitted: "Obviously, there was a mistake (and) how this mistake has happened has been explained." "We are not trying to blame anyone. We take responsibility for it," Chidambaram said. He said the the Mumbai police "did not formally inform the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) about Khan's arrest (in May last year)". But the Mumbai police had informed the state's Intelligence Bureau about it, he said. "That dot was not connected. The information was available but the dots were not connected." "This information," he said, "unfortunately was not reflected in the list of fugitives maintained by the authorities and was overlooked while a list was prepared in March 2011". He said it the failure to formally communicate the fact of the arrest of Khan on May 21, 2010 to the CBI resulted in the name being retained by the probe agency. "It is possible that the said failure was the result of a genuine oversight by the Mumbai police. At the same time there was also a lapse on the part of IB in not reflecting the information received by it while preparing the list in March 2011," he said. He lashed out at the Bharatiya Janata Party for terming the error monumental. The BJP's Arun Jaitley had said the "home ministry has risen to the highest level of incompetence and this error has embarrassed the country".
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. repression and rapes" by the police in the village. As media reports and political opponents accused Gandhi of "exaggerating the situation" in his statement after he met Manmohan Singh, the Congress party tried to defend the Nehru family scion. Party spokesman Janardhan Dwivedi told reporters in New Delhi that Gandhi has been misquoted and he had never said that "74 farmers were killed in BhattaParsaul".
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Superstar Rajinikanth.
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Congress Party President Sonia Gandhi meets Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee in New Delhi on May 16. While national ruling Congress party chief Sonia Gandhi, 64, is viewed as India's most influential politician, women also hold the jobs of president, leader of the opposition and parliamentary speaker. Last year, the upper house of parliament passed long-standing legislation that would reserve a third of seats in the national legislature for female MPs, but it is yet to go to a vote in the lower house. Observers are divided on what the surge in female power means -and what it could bring in a nation plagued by accusations of highlevel corruption. However, among the chief ministers, only the diminutive Banerjee, 56, who favors plain cotton saris and lives with her elderly mother in a modest one-storey home, is free from any whiff of scandal. Jayalalitha, 63, who has a strong following among the rural poor, has battled court charges of enriching herself at public expense and had a reputation as a vindictive politician during previous stints in power. The pugnacious Mayawati, 55, has in the past received garlands of bank notes at public events and stirred controversy by building
AIADMK general secretary J. Jayalalitha at her house in Chennai. vast "statue parks" of low-caste icons -- using public money that critics say would be better spent on hospitals and schools. The reputation of Dikshit, 73, Delhi's chief minister, was damaged by accusations of mismanagement and corruption by her administration over last October's shambolic, costly Commonwealth Games. So to suggest women politicians might be more responsible than men is "contrary to all prevalent evidence", said Akbar. Observers also say the move to political centre-stage does not automatically signal better times for women in the wider population, who are commonly victims of domestic violence and battle second-class status with lower health and literacy rates. Mayawati was first elected 16 years ago and "there's no evidence her rule has improved the situation of women", said Zoya Hassan, politics professor at New Delhi's Jawaharlal Nehru University. Analysts do agree that the election results could create new headaches for the Congress government, already reeling from corruption scandals.
Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa said her AIADMK had been betrayed by poll ally and newly-elected Puducherry Chief Minister N. Rangaswamy, who heads the All India NR Congress (AINRC). "Prior to the poll, Rangasamy said the Congress had betrayed him. And he has done the same thing to AIADMK," Jayalalithaa said in a statement, adding that her party would now act as a constructive opposition in Puducherry. She added that Rangasamy had not had the courtesy to even wish her on her poll victory though she had wished him on his. The AIADMK is upset with Rangasamy's statement that his
party would form the government on its own and not with its poll ally. The two-month-old AINRC fought elections for the 30-member house in alliance with the AIADMK. It contested 17 seats and shared the rest with alliance partners - AIADMK (10) and one each to the DMDK, the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) and the Communist Party of India (CPI). AINRC won 15 seats with Rangasamy winning the two constituencies he contested from. The AIADMK won five seats taking the alliance tally to 20. The rival camp Congress and the DMK won seven and two seats, respectively, while one seat was won by an independent.
Religion TheSouthAsianTimes.info
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A colorful and serene procession of 198 monks, clad in saffron walking along First Avenue in Manhattan. serenely walked along 1st Avenue into the Dag Hammarskjold Park and were served packets of food by the national committees such as Sri Lankan, Thai, Myanmarese, Cambodian, Laotian, Bangladeshi. They then walked in single file, like in ancient times, to the Sky Lounge of the Dag Hammarskjold building (the residence of the Sri Lankan Permanent Representative) to quietly eat the food. New York had never seen such a spectacle, a veritable photo op paradise. "Hatred ceaseth not hatred. It is loving kindness that conquers hatred." After the meal, the monks walked to the General Assembly chamber to participate in the UN Special Event to commemorate the Sambuddhatva Jayanthiya. The opening statement by Dr Kohona, session chair, was followed by chanting of seth pirith by the monks - a first at the UN. Followed statements by Amb. Hasan Kleib of Indonesia, representing the UNGA President, the Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, and 10 permanent representatives including of India. The SecretaryGeneral said that "the teachings of the Buddha may be 26 centuries old but they are as relevant as ever today." All the speakers praised the key role played by the small Sri Lankan Mission in putting together this unique event with help from the Queens Temple, in particular Venerable Piyatissa and the Venerable Saddajeeva. The Sri Lankan Minister for Housing, Wimal Weerawansa, spoke representing the island nations President. The underlying theme of all the speakers was the message of peace, tolerance and understanding central to Buddhism. Over 1,000 attendees from the diplomatic community, different nationalities, and the Secretariat packed the auditorium. A commemorative volume titled "Buddhism - 2600 Years and Beyond" was presented to the Secretary-General by the Venerable Kurunegoda Piyatissa and a publication "Sri Lankan Identity - 2600 Years" authored by Amb. Shavendra Silva was also gifted by him. "In a world troubled by endless violence, terrorism, inequality, natural and man made calamities, mistrust and conflict, poverty and deprivation, the Buddha's message of tolerance, understanding and equanimity provides an abiding guiding light. It is not being paralyzed by the past but by calmly reaching to the future that one will achieve peace", according to Dr Kohona. In the afternoon, an interfaith dialogue, held in the General Assembly hall, was chaired by Dr Kohona, who made the introductory comments. Speakers repeatedly referred to the gentle impact of Buddhism in the societies that it touched, in particular the history, art, and culture of the vast Asian continent. Speakers included Rabbi Arthur Schneier from New York, a Hindu priest from India, Swami Viditatmananda, a Christian academic from Columbia University, Professor John Knitter. Sri Lanka
New York: "It is appropriate that the enlightenment of Gautama the Buddha 2,600 years ago, a teacher who preached non-violence, tolerance, understanding and self-realization, should be celebrated by the UN. This organization was created on the smoldering embers of global war and the resulting death, destruction and massive displacement, to maintain international peace and security. Against this background, the Buddha's message remains ever relevant", said Dr Palitha Kohona, Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the UN. Led by the Sri Lanka Permanent Mission to the UN, and supported by other Permanent Missions from the South Asian, South East Asian and East Asian regions, the UN and the Buddhist community of the Tri State area celebrated 2600th anniversary of Buddhas Sambuddhatva Jayanthi (enlightenment) in exceptional style on May 16, 2011. The anniversary fell on the full moon day of May 2011.The commemoration started with Pindapatha Charikave (alms round) in front of the UN complex, where despite a thin drizzle, 198 monks, mainly in saffron robes, from different countries and races, some female, and many from the Mahayana tradition, holding begging bowls,
Amb. Dr. Kohona (behind the Secretary General), Amb. Shavendra Silva and the Chief Incumbent of the New York Buddhist Vihara presenting Secretary General Ban Ki-moon with publications commemorating the event.
Sri Lankan Minister Wimal Weerwansa opening the Buddhist Heritage Exhibition.
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Aishwarya Rai Bachchan at the 64th Cannes film festival. day the formula was boy meets girl, after which there are eight songs, and then the happy ending. At intermittent stages, Amitabh Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan appear conveying their views. The docu-feature, somewhere fails to encapsulate the Indian Film Industry in its totality. The songs and dances in Hindi films generally relate to the story and take it forward. Sonam Kapoor turns out to be Indias only original fashion diva. She made her Cannes
Sonam Kapoor in a Jean Paul Gaultier Spring 2009 Couture gown at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival on May 15. red carpet debut in a Jean Paul Gaultier gown looking stunning as only a global celebrity can. Chopard earrings, an Amrapali ring and Ferragamo shoes completed the look that made the paparazzi turn its gaze towards her. I had an absolute blast, she tweeted soon after. Sonam attended the festival as one of the brand ambassadors of cosmetic major Loreal Paris. In sharp contrast, Mallika Sherawat turned up for the premiere of 'Pirates of the Carribean: On Stranger Tides', trying, as
Mallika Sherawat decided to garner attention as she wore a see-through black outfit that revealed black panty. many said, to do a Lady Gaga in a couture gown by Eric Tibusch, hair and make-up by Dior. The gown had a sense of humour. Sherawat had promised drama and like always, delivered, black underwear seen through her lacy gown included. Bollywood Diva, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan walked the red carpet before the opening ceremony and the screening of 'Midnight in Paris' on May 11. Minissha Lamba, Rani Mukherjee, Saif Ali Khan and filmmaker Karan Johar also attended the festival this year.
Madhuri Dixit. The two, after great hits like Saajan and Khalnayak, weren't seen on the big screen together. However, if Madhuri agrees to share screen space with Sanjay Dutt after all these years, it's going to be a casting coup of sorts. An insider from the industry tells us, "It's highly doubtful that Madhuri will do this movie. She is extremely family oriented, and wouldn't want any kind of controversy to emerge." On the other hand, another source is of the opinion, "C'mon, both Sanjay Dutt and Madhuri have moved on. They are well settled in their personal lives. I doubt there'll be a problem if they get together. They are mature individuals, and it'll be great to see them on the big screen after such a long time."
and Baaja Baraat cos t a r s Ranveer Singh and Anushka Sharma, who have denied any 'special' relationship between them, are apparently staying at the same suite in a resort in Goa. The actors are shooting for Ladies Vs Ricky Behl, a Yash Raj Film being directed by Maneesh Sharma. "They checked in at around four in the evening and are here for shoots of their film. They are expected to stay for a week," a source told Mumbai Mirror. So are the lovebirds staying in the same room? "Yes, but we can't give you anymore details on it," added the source. However, their
Ranveer Singh and Anushka Sharma. spokesperson denied the reports. "This is an absolutely baseless story, Ranveer and Anushka are mere friends, and are doing a film together and therefore together most of the time. It's untrue that they are staying in the same room," informed their spokesperson. Anushka had earlier admitted to a 'karmic connection' with Ranveer and claimed him to be her only friend in the film industry. The duo was even spotted locking lips at Shahid Kapoor's birthday bash.
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The film will deal with vital characters in Rekhas life, including Amitabh Bachcha.
even Jaya Bachchan, a source told Mumbai Mirror. Director Kapil Sharma, however, doesn't want to reveal too much. Yes, I am making a film on a controversial actress who has been an ex number one in the industry. However, I am not comfortable talking about it now. All I can say is that the film is called Sitaare and has the backdrop of Bollywood. The film has an ensemble cast and will have 7-8 major characters. I am still to finalise the lead actors, the director said. It is a story that I wanted to tell. I have been an industry kid and I want to unveil the mystery behind the actress. It is the journey of the actress, which is so interesting and colourful. It is her iconic career, her relationships and the ups and downs in her life, he added.
Amitabh Bachchan. "Singing for the track today you discover how inadequate you are to handle something created by Gurudev Tagore. Not just in words but also in its tune. It is by far one of the most unique compositions in the world of music. And being associated with it in some capacity has been nothing short of an honor," he added. The senior Bachchan also posted on his Twitter page, "So this is going to bring some cheer for my Bengali fans... did something a 'jamai babu' should... sang 'Ekla Cholo' for Sujoy's film." A still from Ragini MMS. Ragini MMS is about a girl Ragini (Kainaz Motivala) and her boyfriend, Uday (Raj Kumar Yadav), who plan a weekend getaway in a desolate bungalow in the midst of a forest. Of course, the BF has some devious plans too: he wants to make a sex tape and sell it off. But that turns out to be the least of their problems as a whole lot of paranormal activity turns their sexcapade into a nightmare. The film has obviously been inspired by Paranormal Activity, the cult horror film that created waves with its grainy hand-held video footage. But rest assured, there is such a strong desi flavour to the film, you rarely end up thinking of the Hollywood indie film. Ragini and Uday make an interesting couple. She's the fragile uptown girl, unabashed about expressing her sexual demands. While he's the desi boy who sprinkles his conversation with gaalis and cuss words and is no-nakhra about his hor-
monal rage. Also, he has no qualms about exploiting the pretty young thing who trusts him completely. Why should he? He's been promised a film career if he delivers: dream fulfilled for wannabe stars.... Most of the action transpires within the closed doors of the spooky house, where the lights come and go, the stairs unnecessarily creep and shadows flit across, when no one's looking. The chills factory gets in overdrive when the ghost decides to make her presence felt and begins to yank hair, fling bodies, and wound flesh in the middle of the foreplay. The horror does work in places, although the persistent dim light and the grainy video effect tend to get a bit irksome. But the realistic performances by the lead pair more than make up for the lapses. Watch it for its novelty and for the fact that Ragini MMS makes a heady cocktail of sex and horror that's so very different from run-of-the-mill Bollywood.
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Travel TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Pearl in the Indian Ocean, Seychelles North Island, a private island.
and its turquoise waters. A butler is assigned to each villa, which also has a private plunge pool, to make the guests' stay at the villa more enjoyable. Nature lovers are also in for a big treat on the North Island for it is known for its conservation initiatives. For one, guests can feast their eyes on giant tortoises, some as old as 150, in their natural habitat. "We bought North Island in recognition of its potential as a Noah's Ark; a sanctuary where natural habitats could be rehabilitated and where critically endangered Seychelles fauna and flora could be re-introduced and given a place to regenerate," its website read. Celebrities such as James Bond actor Roger Moore have been attracted to the island. Villa North Island (Villa 11), the most expensive, costs Had Prince William and Kate Middleton married in Indian style--a visualization by Mahendra Shah, SATimes cartoonist. $4,700 per person per night. ,
O Holiday Lists!
By Seema Goswami s there anything more stress-inducing -dispiriting, even -- than leafing through a glossy magazine in the run-up to the holiday season? I ask after an afternoon spent reading through the reams of advice thrown out by the arbiters of all that is fun and fashionable. But I might tell you what I have learnt about what goes into the making of a dream vacation. Well, first up is the destination. It's not just a simple choice between beaches and mountains, Europe and Asia, spa break and walking tour, family holiday and romantic getaway. No, you also have to consider which are the trendy destinations of the day. So Goa is pass, unless you're partying with Vijay Mallya. Pattaya and Phuket have been done to death. The Southern hemisphere rates better than the Northern; the East scores over the West. Maldives is the new Mauritius. Or maybe Croatia is the new Maldives - I'm sorry, but it's impossible to keep up with this stuff! All you really need to know is that it is imperative to holiday in a place that hasn't already been destroyed by tourist hordes
(i.e. you and me); a paradise unspoilt enough for you to feel as if you are the first to discover it. Next, you need some trendy luggage to go with it. Pick a lightweight bag with wheels so that you can zip around at airports across the world; a roomy carry-on so that you can pack a neck pillow and cashmere throw (both of which are apparently essentials on a long-haul flight) along with a nice trashy novel you can read if you don't like the in-flight entertainment. If you're going trekking, you will need a backpack; if you're headed to the beach,
you will need a straw tote; if you're staying at a fancy hotel, you will need a smart clutch for the evening. What to pack is a favorite topic. As is how to pack. Apparently, a white shirt and blue jeans are essential no matter where in the world you are going. We are all supposed to roll our socks and stuff them inside our shoes so that they don't get crushed beneath the weight of our skin-care products (and these have to be packed in sealed, see-through, zip-lock containers on pain of death). The instructions don't stop even after you've safely boarded. Remember not to drink too much alcohol on the flight. Sure, the champagne and wine may be free, but you will certainly pay for the hangover once you land. Tea and coffee are both dehydrating. Just stick to water - and make sure to drink lots of it. And don't just lie there, slumped in your seat - walk around the plane once in a while to guard against deep-vein thrombosis. If you think this is exhausting enough, well, you ain't seen nothing yet. If you go by the Glossy Manual of Vacation Planning, you will probably need a holiday to prepare for your beach holiday.
First up is the fitness routine. You can't seriously be thinking of venturing anywhere near a beach with that wobbly stomach? You have to have what is called a beach-perfect body even if it means giving up carbs, alcohol, hell, even the will to live. Every waking hour must be spent on the treadmill, pounding away till the pounds melt away, on the floor working those abs till they are washboard firm, lifting weights to give definition to your pecs and biceps. Once you got bikini body, there is advice on what teeny-weeny thing to wear or how to disguise it if it (the body, not the bikini) doesn't pass muster. You can choose from among sarongs, caftans, and see-through kurtis if you're looking to cover up. Then, there's the beauty routine. Exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. Don't forget to pack a sunscreen with a SPF factor of at least 30. And re-apply every few hours to get maximum protection through the day. Get a manicure. Get a pedicure. Get new flip-flops to show off your pedicure. Frankly, after an afternoon of this, all I want to say is: Get a grip. It's a holiday, for God's sake, not a Kill Osama campaign that has to be planned to perfection.
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Diaspora TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Cognovision co-founder Haroon Mirza and TiE Toronto President, Suresh Madan engineering graduate, Mirza had a vision, but he didn't know how to go about it. "So he came to TiE in 2006 and our people guided him to set up his company. By
Op Ed TheSouthAsianTimes.info
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In a class apart
Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) has been by the slenderest of margins in recent history. This can, at best, be described as pyrrhic because of the inherent instability that a coalition of ten parties can cause to a majority of two. With no anti-incumbency, the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) in Kerala has garnered more than 45% of the popular vote, just under less than 1% of what the UDF got. In absolute terms the difference between the two fronts across the state was just 1.55 lakh votes. In Bengal, given the oddities of the rst past the post system, the Left Front with a vote-share of nearly 41% has recorded its lowest tally of seats. In fact, in these elections, more than 11 lakh additional people actually came out to vote for the Left than in 2009. Compared to 1 crore 98 lakh votes the Left received in the 2006 assembly elections where it won 235 of the 294 seats, this time it polled nearly 1 crore 96 lakh votes and yet ended up with 61 seats. One of the reasons for this anomaly is the fact that in 2006, the opposition was divided. This permitted such gains for the Left. In 2011, the index of opposition unity was very strong, where despite an equal amount of votes, the number of seats got
By Sitaram Yechury
he celebrations over the defeat of the Left in the recent assembly elections was rudely jolted by the substantial hike in the price of petrol. This, ironically, underscores the need for a strong Left in India, not only as the moral conscience-keeper of the nation but also as the crusader to protect the aam aadmi from such growing imposition of economic burdens. In a democracy, elections always throw up a winner and a loser. Hence, the great hype over the defeat of the Left in West Bengal only highlights the signicance of the unprecedented 34 years of continuously heading the state government, having won a record seven consecutive elections. In Kerala, where incumbents have been replaced successively in every election during the last four decades, the victory of the
drastically reduced. Further, according to Election Commission estimates, between 2009 and 2011 nearly 48 lakh additional voters were enrolled in the state with 37 lakh new young voters. Of these increased number of voters, all of whom were born after the Left Front government came into existence in Bengal, over ten lakh voted for the Left Front, while over 34 lakh voted for the combined Opposition. This explains these results. Leaving aside the congenital detractors of the Left, there is a genuine concern among very well-meaning people about the Lefts future. Such concern is understandable. In electoral terms, it is a fact that compared to the rst elections that the CPI(M) faced after its formation in 1967, its current position is worrisome. In 1967, the CPI(M) had 19 members in the Lok Sabha as against 16 today. In the state assemblies in Kerala and West Bengal, it had 52 and 43 MLAs respectively as against 45 and 40 respectively today. But the Lefts inuence on the evolution of modern India has neither been conned nor can it be measured by its electoral presence alone. Three visions contended in the nationalist discourse during the freedom struggle: the Congress vision of a secular democratic India; the Left vision that extended beyond this
It is a long and arduous journey ahead for the creation of a better India that would help all of us realize our true worth as a civilization and a people. This is a journey that cannot be completed without the Left.
to convert political independence of the country into its economic independence, ie socialism; these together combated the twin expression of the third vision of Hindu and Muslim fundamentalisms that feed on each other. The Left played a very important role in the evolution of the modern India we know today, through the moulding of peoples consciousness, beyond its electoral presence. Second, the various militant peasant struggles launched across the country against feudal oppression by the communists brought onto the central agenda the question of abolition of zamindari and other forms of landlordism. This, as a consequence, drew the vast mass of rural India
into Indias democratic mainstream. Third, the struggle for the linguistic reorganization of states in independent India, pioneered and led by the communists, for Vishala Andhra, Samyukta Maharashtra and Aikya Kerala drew up the contours of the political map of modern India. It is a long and arduous journey ahead for the creation of a better India that would help all of us realize our true worth as a civilization and a people. This is a journey that cannot be completed without the Left. (Sitaram Yechury is CPI(M) Politburo member and Rajya Sabha MP. The views expressed by the author are personal.)
By Khushwant Singh he killing of Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad Cantonment did not bring a single tear in my eyes. In the last nine years, his al Qaeda wreaked havoc in many countries including America, England, Spain, Sudan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India and Indonesia. Their pretext was they were serving Islam; instead they brought Islam into ill-repute and did it grave disservice. The way his American killers went about their job in tracking him down in a palatial house in Abbottabad Cantonment, killing him
The views expressed in Op Eds are not necessarily those of The South Asian Times.
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Subcontinent TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Sri Lankan Minister of External Affairs G.L. Peiris with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi.
Grameen stakeholders Probe rights violations: India to Lanka to areas and should protest:Yunus New Delhi: India has asked its neighbor Sri Lankatak- affected families." redress of humanitarian concerns of "expeditiously" act for "genuine reconciliation" by affected
Dhaka: Predicting difficult times ahead, Bangladesh rural credit pioneer Muhammad Yunus has asked shareholders of the Grameen Bank to protest against any attempt to "take away" the bank. Yunus, who resigned after he lost three court battles against his removal from the post of the bank's managing director, told shareholders - recipients of the credit - to be vigilant and asked them "not to remain silent". The letter, addressed to shareholders and released Tuesday, came amid "widespread speculation that his removal was part of a coordinated government ploy to take the full control of the bank", The Daily Star said. "Grameen Bank is a priceless wealth for you. Do not give away this to anyone. You are the owners of this bank. Do not let go of this ing number of measures, which include probe into allegations of human rights violations during in the fight with the Tamil Tigers. This was stated in the joint statement issued at the conclusion of the three-day visit by Sri Lankan Foreign Minister G.L Peiris. He had held delegation-level talks with Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna. The statement said that India "urged the expeditious implementation of measures by the government of Sri Lanka, to ensure resettlement and genuine reconciliation, including.... investigations into allegations of human rights violations, restoration of normalcy in
As per the statement, the Sri Lankan minister "affirmed his government's commitment to ensuring expeditious and concrete progress in the ongoing dialogue between the government of Sri Lanka and representatives of Tamil parties". The issue of Indian fishermen was also raised in talks, during which India said that the incidents of "continued violence" were a matter of "serious concern". The joint statement noted that "both sides agreed that the use of force could not be justified under any circumstances and that all fishermen should be treated in a humane manner".
Nepalese offer prayers at Swayambhunath during Buddha Purnima, which marks the Buddha's birthday, in Kathmandu on May 17. unknown to visiting tourists and pilgrims. However, on Buddha Jayanti the day when the Buddha was born, attained enlightenment and also breathed his last - the
International TheSouthAsianTimes.info
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Libyan Oil Minister and former Prime Minister Shukri Ghanem. his business. It's not a big deal for us." the paper quoted Ibrahim, as saying. British diplomats said they had no clear intelligence about Ghanem's whereabouts, but raised the possibility that he might travel to Britain as he has many relatives in London. Former Libyan Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa, who was implicated in the Lockerbie bombing, had earlier defected to the UK.
Former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak. deaths of more than 800 people. The military council that took power following Mubarak's resignation has pledged to bring to justice all former regime officials found guilty of abusing power. The former president and his wife are currently under arrest in a hospital in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh after both of
Carla Bruni. Paris: French President Nicolas Sarkozy's father was quoted by a German newspaper as saying that first lady Carla Bruni is expecting a child, apparently confirming the subject of weeks of speculation. Talk has swirled in France that the former supermodel is pregnant ever since she clutched a shawl to her stomach during a newspaper interview in early May and fended off inquiries with the words "my
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II inspects an Irish Guard of Honor after arriving in Dublin. Dublin: Queen Elizabeth's historic four-day visit to the Republic began on a peace note as commuters were warned of further disruptions across the capital due to security measures. A bomb was found near Dublin, ahead of Queen Elizabeth's historic four-day visit. The Irish army rendered safe a viable improvised explosive device found on a bus in County Kildare late Monday night, The Guardian reported. The bomb was discovered in the luggage compartment of the vehicle at a bus stop on the outskirts of Maynooth. Queen Elizabeth attended a wreath-laying ceremony in Dublins Garden of Remembrance on the first day of her State visit. In a hugely symbolic gesture reflecting a new era in relations between the countries, the British monarch bowed her head as she laid a wreath at the memorial for those who died fighting for Irish freedom, before observing a minutes silence. She later visited Trinity College, established by her ancestor Queen Elizabeth I in 1592, to view the Book of Kells. The Queens four-day visit has prompted the biggest security operation ever mounted by the State, with some 10,000 garda and Defence Forces personnel deployed on security-related details. Twenty people were arrested in Dublin as rioters and garda clashed for almost three hours. A number of dissident bomb scares also disrupted security operations. Tomorrow the Queen will visit the National Stud and the Aga Khans Gilltown Stud. Later she will attend a celebration at the national convention center in Dublin hosted by the British embassy.
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Business TheSouthAsianTimes.info
New Delhi: The government is moving swiftly to mollify the American establishment that is deeply upset over rejection of both their fighter aircraft from the $10 billion MMRCA (medium multirole combat aircraft) contract for the Indian Air Force. Among the steps being taken is a decision to significantly increase the order for C-17 Globemaster-III strategic airlift aircraft from Boeing from the present projection of 10. Besides, the Army is moving quickly to conclude a $1 billion purchase of ultra light howitzer guns in a couple of months. An Army quality assurance team is in the US for final leg of assessments. Sources said the American side has been told about India's interest to continue with FMS (foreign military sales) government-to-government deals as well as the
The International Monetary Fund chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn (centre). Secretary Timothy Geithner said the disgraced head was "not in a position to run" the international financial institution. "He (Strauss-Kahn) is obviously not in a position to run the IMF and it is important that the board of the IMF formally put in place for an interim period someone to act as managing director," Geithner said addressing the Harvard Club in New York. However, Geithner refused to comment on the case or the details of the charges against Strauss-Kahn. White House press secretary also declined comment on the case, but maintained "We retain full confidence in the IMF and its continued capacity to fulfill its obligations, to fulfill its role in the global economy during this difficult period."
A C-17 Globemaster-III strategic airlift aircraft. decision to look at "significantly larger" order for C-17 aircraft. "Ultimately, the total C-17 purchase could be very close to the MMRCA deal," a source said. He said the Americans were "told" at various levels about India's desire to look at purchasing five to seven more C17 aircraft. If India were to buy seven more C-17s, then the total deal value would be well over $7 billion. Already, the IAF has a purchase order for 10 of these aircraft. The MMRCA contract for 126 fighters in which both Boeing's F-18 and Lockheed Martin's F-16 were rejected a few days ago is worth approximately $10 billion.
Banks face probe Sachs, Stanley cut SBI target price for financial crisis
New York: The New York attorney general has requested information and documents in recent weeks from three major Wall Street banks about their mortgage securities operations during the credit boom , indicating the existence of a new investigation into practices that contributed to billions in mortgage losses. Eric T Schneiderman's office has requested meetings with representatives from Bank of America , Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley , according to people briefed on the matter who were not authorized to speak publicly . The inquiry appears to be quite broad , with AG's requests for information covering many aspects of banks' loan pooling operations . They bundled thousands of home loans into securities that were then sold to investors such as pension funds , MFs and insurance firms . It is unclear which parts of the byzantine securitization process Schneiderman is focusing on. Mumbai: Morgan Stanley, Bank of America-Merrill Lynch and Goldman Sachs cut their target price on State Bank of India after the country's largest lender posted an unexpected slump in quarterly profit. Morgan Stanley cuts its price target to Rs 2,000 from Rs 2,450 and said the stock was unlikely to perform when net interest margins were falling. It kept its "underweight" rating on the shares. BofA-Merrill lowered its price target on SBI to Rs 2,950 from Rs 3,400 and maintained its "buy" rating on the stock. Goldman Sachs cut the 12-month price target to Rs 2,650 from Rs 2,700 to factor in a
SBI announced a 99% drop in net profit to 20.8 crore for the quarter ended March 31, 2011.
fall in earnings estimates but upgraded State Bank of India to "neutral" from "sell" "In our view, SBI's recent valuation correction and measures taken by management, which we believe will help margins, warrants a neutral rating on the stock," Goldman Sachs said in a note. SBI announced a 99% drop in net profit to 20.8 crore for the quarter ended March 31, 2011, a number that is one of the lowest among listed banks. Tax expenses in the quarter also nearly doubled to Rs 1900 crores. The bank's net non-performing assets rose to Rs 12350 crores at March-end from Rs 10870 crores a year ago.
Sports TheSouthAsianTimes.info
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Chennai Super Kings fielder Dwayne Bravo and captain M.S. Dhoni celebrate the victory.
India's grand old marathon man Ashis Roy. Indian Air Force, has set another goal for himself - to become the first Indian to run in a marathon after he turns 80 in June next year.
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Lifestyle TheSouthAsianTimes.info
case, when you catch your cheating boyfriend/cheating girlfriend on the scene of crime). They say, the most tormenting thing in cheating is suspicion. If youre looking to understand how to catch a cheating partner,
these are the four steps you may want to consider: Step 1 Confrontation The most direct method of finding out if your partner is cheating is to come right out and ask them. This wont be easy emotionally,
but it will save a lot of time. If you can endure a few minutes of discomfort, you could save weeks or months of anxiety. In all honesty, the anticipation of something horrible is almost always worse than the actual experience. This is the old pull the band-aid off fast approach. You know its gonna hurt, but it will hurt more if you drag it out. Step 2- Looking for Evidence How to catch cheating partners? Look for signs. You see, if youve been living a comfortable, predicable routine, your brain is used to seeing certain things in your life. An extra sock turning up in the laundry or a spouse working late all the time might not seem like a big deal. Your brain may just block it out as insignificant information. However, if you start actively looking for evidence of marital infidelity, these little clues become much different. Your brain will start to pick up on the little things,
and shifting your minds focus to look for evidence of cheating is one key Step 3 Surveillance This takes things up a notch. Were talking James Bond stuff here: recorders, phone records, maybe even a Private Detective. Now, there are some ethical barriers youre going to have to confront here, but if youre serious about stopping the lies this is the route to take. Our take: if you feel your partner is cheating on, you have a right to know. Use your judgment (and budget) to determine how far you want to take your surveillance efforts. There are all kinds of tools out there for you to use. Step 4 Get Smart Educate yourself here. There are some very complete guides out there that are chock-full of advice on how to catch a cheating spouse. If youre serious about detecting cheating partners, one recommendation is you get smart.
home spa day is something you can enjoy alone or with friends. To recreate the spa experience, a home spa day should include exercise, healthy food, a pampering spa treatment, rest, and time to get inspired. Here are some ideas to help you create a home spa day that helps you restore your spirit. * Make a Plan For Your Home Spa Day: Think about what you want from your home spa day -just like you were going to a real spa. Do you need time by yourself to rest, relax and renew? Think about waking up naturally and focusing on quieter forms of exercise and soothing spa treatments. If you want to get energized during your home spa day, create a more rigorous schedule. Maybe it's time to take on that five-mile hike. You can invite a friend and do it together. * Plan Healthy Meals. Create your home spa menus around healthy food that will help you eat for energy -- an egg-white omelet with vegetables for breakfast, stirfried chicken breast and vegetables for lunch, lentil soup and salad for dinner. You can cook ahead or
make that part of the fun or your home spa day, especially if you're with a friend. * Get Some Exercise During Your Home Spa Day. You can take a walk around your neighborhood, bike ride, go to the local gym, take a yoga class, watch an exercise DVD -- whatever works for you and where you live. You can get up early, eat a piece of fruit and some almonds before you go for a walk, then do something else later in the day. How much and what kind of exercise you want to do depends on your current fitness level. * Give Yourself A Spa Treatment During Your Home Spa Day. One
of the easiest home spa treatments is a body scrub and hot bath. This would be a good thing to do in the afternoon. Take time to rest afterwards. You can also give yourself a home facial, or do your nails. * Give Yourself Some Quiet Time. You don't have to get on a cushion and "try" to meditate. Just sit quietly for a few minutes and notice what is going on inside you and around you. * Feel The Love. Your home spa day is about extending love and kindness to yourself -- and others. If someone is joining you at the end of the day, make sure they feel the love.
altitude of 14,000 feet, white water rafting across the Barron River or the less adventurous could sip champagne on a luxury cruise liner. Whatever you fancy one million dollars ought to buy it! But what's in it for the makers of the competition? Well, the competition with this huge budget is a clever ploy and a much-needed one in the face of monster cyclone Yasi and the recent floods in Queensland. The minister for tourism, Jan Jarrett says, "We want to let the world know that Queensland is open for business." To find out more about the competition, log on to www.milliondollarmemo.com.
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hen some of the hottest babes in Bollywood decided to take the sari route for their public appearances earlier this week, we couldnt help but take note of their signature sari styles. From breezy chiffon in summer friendly hues to ornate net and embroidery that looked a little iffy in this hot weather, the Bollywood brigade both impressed and distressed us in their ethnic look. Designer and stylist Manjaree Jindal says, Its refreshing to see so many young celebs endorsing saris and what is striking is that each one of them has her own style in which to drape the sari. To decode who got the sari look right we got a few experts to comment on their styles and tell us what worked and what simply didnt for them. The ratings are based on an average of the scores given by a panel of four experts comprising designers Meera Gupta, Anjalee Kapoor, Nandita Raipurani and stylist Manjaree Jindal.
Go traditional
Anushka Sharma was seen in a red sari that she accessorised with a gold neckpiece at a recent awards function. What worked: Gupta says, The shortsleeved blouse especially looks nice. What didnt: Designer Anjalee Kapoor says, The gold neckpiece is very iffy. Its taking away the elegance from her look. Young and fresh Mugdha Godse wore a powder blue chiffon sari at a Marathi film premier. What worked: Jindal says, The choice of colour is apt for summer. The happy colours of the borders look fab. What didnt: The draping could have been more young to accentuate her figure, says Jindal.
Coral charm
Priyanka Chopra wore a coral-hued sari at the Dada Saheb Phalke awards. What worked: Gupta says, She has a good waist line and her drape enhances her strong points. What didnt: Designer Nandita Raipurani says, Her hair falls flat and an accessory like a clutch would have added to her look.
select wines to liven up a spicy platter. 1. You cant pair up all dishes There are some Indian dishes that would not pair up with any wine and are therefore better enjoyed with a lassi or a coke. Spices work wonders with wine, provided we are not talking about Lahsuni Chicken or Laal Maas where the main flavor of the dish (garlic and red chillies) over power the dish and everything else associated with it including the diner.
2. Accompaniments and sauces Accompaniments, gravy and accompanying sauces also contribute to the flavor of the dish. For example: Chicken has little flavor of its own but Chicken Makkhanwala has the dominant flavor from its gravy, based on tomatoes and butter. It goes well with a crisp Italian white such as Frascati and our red wine lovers enjoy it with Jean Claude Boisset NuitsSaint-Georges from France. 3. Play with temperature Different aromas can be enjoyed at different temperatures. If your choice of wine seems too feeble with your choice of food, let it warm up a little by cupping the glass in your palms. You will be surprised how the same wine starts to taste better. Similarly, if the wine seems too heavy with food, simply chill it up a little to make it more palatable. 4. Order what you like Never be afraid of ordering red wine with your fish. If thats what you like then it is the right pairing for you, says Luziner. Go ahead and enjoy. Some delicious pairings that you can try Meen Moili: A fish delicacy, finished in coconut milk based gravy will handle an oaky Chardonnay such as the Jean Claude
Boisset Puligny Montrachet from France. Paneer methi masala: Made with tomato and onion gravy, and peppered with Kasuri methi powder, the dish teams up nicely with Malambo Chenin Chardonnay from Argentina. The wine has a crisp flavor which pairs well with the taste of tomatoes and methi. Aloo bhindi bhaja: The dominant flavor in the dish comes from the tempered cumin seeds. A refreshing Masi Masiano Pinot Grigio from Italy with high acidity fits the bill. Gatta curry: The yogurt curry with besan dumplings has asafoetida as its dominant flavor. Team it with Freixenet Cordon Negro, a sparkling wine from Spain. Handi gosht: Boneless cubes of lamb cooked with brown onion, yogurt and saffron, goes well with an off dry white wine, such as a Riesling Spatlese from the Mosel region in Germany. To enhance the spiciness, try a spicy Shiraz from Barossa Valley in Australia. Murgh malai kebab: Cardamom flavored chicken, marinated with cream, pairs well with a white wine made of Viognier (white wine grape), like a Condrieu from the Rhone Valley in Southern France, which is full-bodied and somewhat creamy.
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Humor TheSouthAsianTimes.info
ow that President Obama has taken care of Osama bin Laden, its time for him to do something about rising gas prices. All the conventional methods have failed, so Obama needs to do something drastic: send a team to negotiate with oil company executives. I suggest Navy SEAL Team Six. I hope to turn on my TV one of these days and see Obama making an important announcement again: Good evening. Tonight, I can report to the American people and to the world that the United States has conducted an operation that killed the wanton greed of Exxon Mobil, British Petroleum and Chevron, as well as oil companies in the Middle East. Together, these companies are responsible for millions of sad faces at fuel pumps around the world. It was nearly 130 years ago that the first gasoline-powered automobiles were produced in Germany, with Henry Ford and other Americans introducing their own versions not long after. Little did they know that when they gave up on horse-drawn carriages in the name of progress, their descendants were doomed to stare at gas-pump prices with faces as long as horses. Over the last 10 years, we have seen gas prices gradually inch
ever we set our mind to, even bring gas prices down to 10 cents a gallon. Let us remember that we can do these things not just because of wealth or power, but because of who we are: one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty, justice and low gas prices for all.
upwards, and we have scratched our heads to try to understand many of these increases. It was reasonable, the experts told us, that gas prices would increase when we went to war in Iraq. But my fellow Americans, was it reasonable that gas prices would increase when Oprah went on a diet? Was it reasonable that gas prices would increase when David Beckham got a new tattoo? Was it reasonable that gas prices would increases when Angelina Jolie got a new baby? Of course not! But these were some of the many excuses for oil company executives to increase prices and boost their profits, while laughing at us for not only paying high prices at the gas pumps but also doing all the pumping ourselves. And so shortly after taking office, I directed Leon Panetta, the director of the CIA, to make the killing of oil company greed the top priority of
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.
Tech Life
WASHINGTON: Companies that run critical US industries such as power plants would get government incentives to make sure their systems are secure from computer-based attacks, the White House said, detailing its broad proposal to beef up the country's cybersecurity. The approach is similar to congressional legislation already in the works, but some criticised it as being too weak, while the business community said it preferred a voluntary program rather than government mandates. Under its proposed legislation, the White House would give the Department of Homeland Security the authority to work with industry to come up with ways to secure their computer systems and protect against cyber threats. If a company fails to do so, or comes up with an inadequate plan, DHS would be able develop its own security framework for that firm. The proposals reflects the broad understanding that any more stringent regulatory system -- such as the one that controls safety at nuclear power plants -- would get little support, and business groups have been lobbying strongly for as much of a vol-
untary program as possible. Under the administration's proposal, an independent group would evaluate the security plans. And the DHS could use that evaluation as it makes purchasing decisions, thus potentially rewarding companies who take strong measures to secure their networks from intrusions. The threat is diverse, ranging from computer hackers going after banking and financial accounts to terrorists or other nations breaching government networks to steal sensitive data or sabotage critical systems like the electrical grid, nuclear plants or Wall Street. Federal computer networks are being scanned and attacked millions of times a day, and US officials warn that hackers have begun targeting power plants and other critical operations to either bring them down or take them over. The White House proposal also requires companies to tell their customers when their personal information has been compromised. The disclosure requirement is part of a push for greater openness by companies who are often reluctant to reveal they have been hacked.
Astrology
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This article has been selected and reprinted from Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharajs book, Spiritual Pearls for Enlightened Living (Radiance Publishers), an inspirational collection of stories from the worlds great wisdom traditions.
in the carpenters workshop. The neighbor thought that if he gave the carpenter money he would not have to work and he would stop his incessant hammering. The carpenter entered his workshop and found the envelope lying there. Instead of using it to take a vacation or a break, the carpenter thought, Someone left me several hundred dollars. What good fortune! I will take some of the money and invest in new tools so I can build bigger and better furniture and make more money. Thus, the money flamed the carpenter s desire to earn more money. He began working even harder, hoping to increase the newly found hundreds into thousands. As he began to make more money, he was still not content. He decided he wanted to turn the thousands into tens of thousands and thus he worked still harder. The rich neighbor was annoyed that his plan had failed and instead of silencing the carpenter, it merely increased the noise because now the man worked longer hours. When the carpenter had earned tens of thousands he wanted to make a hundred thousand. He put pressure upon himself to work day and night and even on weekends. Soon, he stopped his humming and singing. He no longer took joy in his work but felt strangled by the pressure he had put upon himself. On many nights, he was so stressed out he could not even sleep. The inner contentment and peace he had when he was just a poor carpenter were gone in the pursuit of trying to make more and more money. Consider our own lives. Do we find ourselves spending all of our time working to make money so we can retire? Do we work overtime to make more money? Do we work all weekend long to increase our profits?Do we find that we cannot even take a day or even several hours off work without thinking about work? If this is what is happening to us are we becoming like the carpenter? If we make all the money in the world but cannot enjoy personal peace and joy in our work, is it worth it? If we find that we are devoting too much of our time to making money and not enough to our family, our hobbies, our spiritual pursuits and those things we love then we need to analyze whether we are making the right choices. It is good to save for the future, but is it worth using up our entire life in trying to have more than what we need? Who knows what the future will bring? When we become old, will we have the health to do what we waited our whole life to do? If we leave our spiritual pursuits until we have reached our senior years, who knows how much time we will have left or whether we will be able to devote time to spirituality at that stage. If we ignore our family until they are already grown and have children of their own, we miss an important part of their lives that can never be recovered. Let us consider how we spend our time. If we have decided that certain goals are important then we should try to find time for them throughout our life and not put them all on the back burner in the pursuit of amassing more money than we need. We should weigh our time and make sure that we do not lose our peace and contentment over the stress of being engaged in a mad pursuit for money and possessions. Being conscious of how we spend our time and our life is important. If we listen to our soul, we will find that inner peace and contentment are more valuable than all the riches in the world.
No end to desires
If we find that we are devoting too much of our time to making money and not enough to our family, our hobbies, our spiritual pursuits and those things we love then we need to analyze whether we are making the right choices. It is good to save for the future, but is it worth using up our entire life in trying to have more than what we need?
Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj, an international spiritual leader and Master of meditation, affirms the transcendent oneness at the heart of all religions, emphasizing prayer and meditation as building blocks for achieving peace.www.jyotimeditation.org
n our daily life we face many difficulties, hardships and disappointments. Things do not always go our way. If we listen to the discussions of others and review our own words and thoughts, we find that many of them deal with complaints about how life is treating us. Life seems to be bitter at times and in turn makes us bitter. Have we ever thought about life from a different perspective? Think about how fortunate we really are. After all, we are human beings. How many species of life are there that walk the earth? There are mammals, reptiles, and insects. There are creatures of the air and creatures of the sea. Fortunately for us, we have been born as human beings. How many of us have ever thanked God for the life we have been given? We complain to God when things go wrong but what about the hundreds of things that God has given us? God has provided us enough food to keep us alive this long. We have had protection from the elements in the form of clothes and some sort of shelter. Most of us have families who love us. We have received some kind of education and have some kind of work. If we take all that comes to us as a gift from God then we can accept the good and
the tribulations equally under Gods will. In this respect, there is a story about King Mahmud of Ghazni. One day, while he was sitting with his most devoted servant, Ayaz, he shared half of his cucumber with him. When he had finished, the king then took a bite of his own half. Yuk! he cried, as he made a disgusted face and spit out the cucumber. This is so bitter! How could you have eaten your piece if it tasted like bitter poison? Ayaz replied, My dear king, I have enjoyed so many favors and blessings from you all these years. Whatever you give me tastes sweet!
Life is precious. Do we want to live our lives to their fullest? The pain and disappointments will not go away by complaining about them. We must pass through those times. Let us try to do so in a state of calm acceptance and conserve the energy that we normally use for complaining. Instead we can think of God in love and gratitude. We will find that we pass through the times of tribulations more easily.
that we normally use for complaining. Instead we can think of God in love and gratitude. We will find that we pass through the times of tribulations more easily. Like Ayaz, let us take everything coming from God as tasting sweet. Then, we will sweeten our whole lives and the lives of those around us. For more visit www.sos.org