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Follow us on Vol.6 No. 8 June 15-21, 2013 60 Cents New York Edition TheSouthAsianTimes.info
India takes up
snooping issue with DC
India, fifth most tracked country by US Intel, protests. So do Germany and European Union.
Ravi Bhooplapur honored by Raj Rajeshwari Foundation

At the Raj & Rajeshwari Foundations 7th annual fundraiser, Ravi Bhooplapur, veteran Rotarian and President of Xavier University School of Medicine, Aruba, was accorded Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding humanitarian services. He was one of three honorees. Seen in the picture are Harendra Singh, head of Singh Hospitality Group, Dr Rajesh Singh, founder of R&R Foundation, Bhooplapur, and Kamlesh Mehta, Co-Chair of the Charity Foundation. Hon. Ed Mangano, Nassau County Executive, and John Venditto, Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor, were Guest Speakers at the gala held at The Woodlands in Woodbury, NY, on June 13, which generated $1,00,000 for the charity hospital in rural Uttar Pradesh, India, founded by Dr Rajesh Singh. More coverage on page 15
New Delhi: Acting on its concern and surprise at the internet data mining by US intelligence agencies, including from India, New Delhi has taken up the issue with the US envoy, government sources said Thursday. National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon, who also helms the India-US cyber security dialogue along with his US counterpart, met Monday with US Ambassador Nancy Powell and sought to know details of the internet snooping. He was told that the US is not in a position to tell us at the moment. Revelations of USs Continued on page 4
FBI chief Robert Mueller argues spy tactics could have stopped 9/11 attacks and recommends action against Snowden.
The surveillance programs causing the global uproar were revealed by Edward Snowden, a former CIA employee who has fled to Hong Kong.
Obama approves arming Syrian rebels

Washington DC: The Obama administration has determined that the Syrian government has deployed chemical weapons against rebels, crossing what President Obama had called a "red line" and prompting him to provide direct military aid to the Syrian opposition groups for the first time. White House Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes announced Thursday that the president has decided to step up "military support" to the main opposition group , the Supreme Military Council, to bolster its effectiveness, but declined to detail what equipment would be provided. But a government official knowledgeable about the plans confirmed to USA Today that the new assistance would include arming the
Dr Swamy confident Modi will lead BJP to victory

By Parveen Chopra New York: Indias firebrand politician Dr. Subramanian Swamy gave a lucid speech on C u r r e n t P o l i t i c a l Situation in India and Elections in (from left) Narain Kataria, President of 2014 in Indian American Intellectuals Forum, Jagdish Hicksville, NY, Sewhani, and Dr. Subramanian Swamy. on June 9, and hailed Gujarat Chief Minister same day as chairman of Narendra Modis elevation the Continued on page 4
For President Obama, the Syrian regime helmed by Bashar Assad (right) using chemical weapons was the red line, which his administration believes has been crossed.
rebels. The announcement comes ahead of next week's G8 Summit in Northern Ireland, where the conflict in Syria is expected to be a focal
point of conversation. Russia, one of the G-8 member countries, has continued to back the Bashar Assad Continued on page 4
Op Ed 19
Self-Help 26
Humor 28
Spiritual Awareness 30
excellence in journalism
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
June 15-21, 2013
TRISTATE COMMUNITY
June 15-21, 2013
Falling rupee hits students studying abroad: Assocham

New Delhi: With expenditure on food, living expenses and stay rising sharply due to the weakening rupee against the dollar, Indian students aspiring to study abroad have been hit hard, a study by Assocham revealed Thursday. Since March 2012, the rupee has weakened by 15 percent and it is under pressure due to the growing concerns over the current account deficit. It hit a record low of 58.98 against the dollar Tuesday. As per Assocham, fees for studying in the US ranges from $20,000 to 30,000 (around Rs.12-18 lakh) for undergraduates and from $30,000-40,000 (around Rs.18-23 lakh) for MBAs. Due to the slide in the rupee, students will now have to pay an extra Rs.2 to 4 lakh. "The application fee, examination fee and the tuition fee, even the cost of living will be higher for the students," said D.S. Rawat, secretary general of Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham). Students planning for next year's admission will also have to pay more for TOEFL, GRE and GMAT application forms, apart from the admission forms of foreign universities that range anywhere between $50 and $500 (Rs.3,000 and 30,000) depending on the institute. "RBI (Reserve Bank of India) should actively sell dollars rather aggressively and tame it. On its part, the finance ministry should continue to take more measures to encourage capital inflows then only rupee will regain its strength," added Rawat. As per Assocham, of the 6 to 8 lakh students that go abroad for studies from India every year, about a lakh go to the US, followed by Britain, Australia and South East Asia. The quantum of currency that goes abroad is approximately Rs.100,000 crore.
Bloomberg outlines massive storm protection plan for NYC

New York: Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg outlined a far-reaching plan on Tuesday to protect New York City from the threat of rising sea levels and powerful storm surges by building an extensive network of flood walls, levees and bulkheads along its 520 miles of coast. The mayor said the plan would initially cost about $20 billion, and eventually far more. The city would spend the money on fortifying infrastructure like the power grid, renovating buildings to withstand hurricanes and defending the shore, according to a 438-page report on the proposals. The proposals, in all, would change the look and fabric of the city, though not until well after the mayor leaves office at the end of the year. Still, he emphasized that Hurricane Sandy was such a devastating event that the city had to move immediately. This plan is incredibly ambitious and much of the work will extend far beyond the next 203 days but we refused to pass the responsibility for creating a plan onto the next administration, he said in a speech at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. This is urgent work, and it must begin now. The report details 250 recommen-
The new plan to protect New York from another hurricane like Sandy will cost $20 billion, for things like these retractable flood walls that close Newtown Creek, the river that separates Brooklyn from Queens.
dations, including the installation of flood walls and other measures to protect some of the areas that were hit worst by the hurricane in October. The plan covers so many parts of the city and proposes such an array of projects that the cost could change and given the history of such large projects, it is likely to grow substantially. Not included in the estimate are some of the more ambitious projects envisioned in the report that require further study, like the construction of a so-called Seaport City, just south of the Brooklyn Bridge in Manhattan, modeled after Battery Park City, which would protect Lower Manhattan but cost billions more.
Bloombergs speech came a day after his aides released information on what they predicted would be the effect of climate change on the city. Officials estimated that more than 800,000 city residents would live in the 100-year flood plain by the 2050s more than double the 398,000 currently at risk, based on new maps released by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The number of days with temperatures above 90 degrees is expected to jump sharply. Environmental and business groups largely praised Mr. Bloombergs initiative, though some experts questioned whether the city needed to consider evacuating some areas.
Trenton, N.J.: U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone said Sunday that he's officially in the race to fill the U.S. Senate seat occupied by Frank Lautenberg and can win the Democratic primary against betterknown Newark Mayor Cory Booker by running on his progressive congressional record. Talking to the AP Sunday he said, "At the end of the day, we're all going to run on our records." Pallone, who has been in Congress since 1989, added, "I believe my record of 25 years in Congress and the legislation that I've sponsored and the initiatives I've worked on show I'm the best person to get the job done." Meanwhile, South Jersey political leader George Norcross III put his considerable influence behind Booker Sunday night. "I think he's a winner," Norcross told The AP. "He represents a new type of Democrat fiscally conservative, socially progressive."
Frank Pallone also running for Senate in New Jersey Staten Island Ferris wheel
Affordable Care Act, mass transportation funding and Superfund cleanups more closely mirrors Lautenberg's positions than his opponents. He and Lautenberg frequently worked together on legislation, with Lautenberg sponsoring a bill in the Senate and Pallone sponsoring it in the House. New Jersey has not elected a Republican to the U.S. Senate in more than 40 years. Booker, 44, a rising star in the Democratic Party with Hollywood friends like Oprah Winfrey and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, has also declared his candidacy. Lautenberg, 89, died June 3, setting off a scramble for the seat. Republican Gov. Chris Christie appointed state Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa to the Senate temporarily and called special primary for Aug. 13 and general election for mid-October for the remainder of the term. Another election will be held in November 2014 for a full six-year term.
to be the world's largest
Rep. Frank Pallone, D-N.J. will be pitted in the Democratic primary against Newark Mayor Cory Booker.
Norcross and Booker both support the end of lifetime teacher tenure, expansion of charter schools and other urban school reforms. Pallone, 61, who had banked $3.7 million for a future campaign as of the end of March, said his progressive record on issues such as the
A Staten Island community board has okayed what's billed as the world's largest Ferris wheel (the picture shows artists rendition). But 100 percent of the city's revenue from the lease is to be used for improvements in that borough. The proposed New York Wheel would have a view of the Statue of Liberty.
June 15-21, 2013
TURN PAGE
India takes up snooping issue... Continued from page 1 data mining has shocked the world and many countries have slammed the move. India on Tuesday said that it would be unacceptable if it is discovered that Indian laws on privacy have been violated by the surveillance launched on web users worldwide by USs intelligence service, the National Security Agency (NSA). India is waiting for clarifications on the issue from the US, the source added. When the details are available, these would be evaluated to see whether any Indian citizens rights and Indian privacy laws have been violated, the source added. The surveillance program, codenamed PRISM, has given the NSA access to emails, web chats and other communications from companies such as Google, Facebook, Twitter and Skype, according to documents leaked to the Washington Post and Britains Guardian newspaper. On Tuesday, external affairs ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin told the media that if it is discovered that Indian laws relating to privacy of information of ordinary Indian citizens have been violated, we would find it unacceptable. According to reports, India is one of the five unfriendly countries that are widely monitored by US intelligence services. According to the Guardian newspaper, the NSA collects computer data from Iran, Pakistan, Jordan, Egypt and India, which ranks fifth in terms of volume of data.The programs causing the global uproar were revealed by Edward Snowden, an employee of government contractor Booz Allen Hamilton. Meanwhile, officials in Germany and the European Union issued complaints over two NSA programs that target suspicious foreign messages potentially including phone numbers, email, images, video and other online communications transmitted through US providers. The chief British diplomat felt it necessary to try to assure Parliament that the spy programs do not encroach on UK privacy laws. Obama approves arming Syrian... Continued from page 1 regime despite pleas from the US and inter-
national community to cease. The White House has also expressed concerns that the situation is getting more dire in Syria as Hezbollah and Iran have stepped up their involvement in the conflict in support of Assad. The White House notified lawmakers on Thursday that it had positively determined chemical weapons were used before announcing the findings to the press. Dr Swamy confident Modi will ... Continued from page 1 campaign committee of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The next day, speaking exclusively to The South Asian Times, he downplayed the displeasure shown by senior BJP leader L.K. Advani over Modis elevation. RSS is fully backing Modi, he said. When asked the numbers wont add up for BJP led NDA front to get a majority in Lok Sabha in the next elections to be able to form government, Dr Swamy said the huge numbers of new, younger voters will boost BJP. Secondly, people are fed up with the Congress led UPA government. President of Janata Party who had served as Union minister in earlier governments, Dr Swamy also revealed that being an old Jan Sanghi, he is likely to merge his party in BJP and he may contest the election on BJPs symbol. About what he discussed when he recently met Modi, Dr Swamy said: Being a Tamilian, I suggested I could contribute to NDAs growth in south India, where it scores zero currently, particularly in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. In his Hicksville luncheon speech, Dr Swamy detailed the main problems facing India: big time corruption, which gives rise to black money, and infiltration of people from across the border, particularly from Bangladesh, and recommended strong action against these evils. Dr Swamy was joined on the dais by Shalabh Kumar, Chicago based founder of the National Indian American Public Policy Institute (NIAPPI), who was responsible for taking a delegation including 4 US Congressmen to meet Modi earlier this year. He exhorted Indian Americans to become active in local politics to be able to exert influence.
India Day Parade kickoff meeting held at Consulate
The 33rd India Day Parade will be held in Manhattan on August 18. It was announced by the FIA (Federation of Indian Associations- NY-NJ-CT) executive committee at the parade kickoff meeting held at the Indian Consulate. Those seen lighting the lamp include FIA President Sanjay Amin (right), Consul General Dnyaneshwar Mulay, and (extreme left) Ramesh Patel, FIA Chairman. Actress Pooja Kumar also attended the meeting. (Photo: Yagnesha Shah)
Organized by Touchdown Media Inc., the 6th season of the MetLife South Asian Spelling Bee will be conducted in 12 locations across the United States starting on June 16. It was announced at a meeting in New York June 11. Pictured are (from left) Rahul Walia, CEO, Touchdown Media & Founder of The South Asian Spelling Bee; Doug Anderson, School Relations Manager, C2 Education; Ginger Jones, Global Brand and Marketing, MetLife; Jaideep Janakiram, Head North America, Sony Entertainment Networks; Neeraj Arora, EVP, International Business, Sony Entertainment Networks; Amit Ray, National Sales Head, Air India.
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TRISTATE COMMUNITY
June 15-21, 2013
New NY Tamil Sangam president US defence of snooping with Headley case found flawed Dr. M N Krishnan announces slew of events
Washington, DC: US officials have cited the case of David Headley, a key plotter in the deadly 2008 Mumbai attack, in defence of a massive US surveillance program but an investigative reporting site has found flaws in it. The director of the National Security Agency Gen. Keith Alexander told a Senate hearing Wednesday that phone records obtained through the secret surveillance program disclosed last week helped to prevent "dozens" of terrorist acts. Among the specific cases he cited was that of Pakistani-American Headley, who was arrested in 2009 for his role in the Mumbai attack, and who was plotting to attack a Danish newspaper that published a satirical cartoon of the Prophet Mohammed. Earlier James Clapper, the director of national intelligence, had said the program helped stop an attack on Denmark's Jyllands-Posten newspaper for which Headley did surveillance. The Senate intelligence chairperson Dianne Feinstein also called Headley's capture a success. But a closer examination of the case, respected investigative journalism site ProPublica said, shows that the government surveillance only caught up with Headley after the US had been tipped by British intelligence. "And even that victory came after seven years in which US intelligence failed to stop Headley as he roamed the globe on missions for Islamic terror networks and Pakistan's spy agency," it said. "Headley's case shows an alarming litany of breakdowns in the US counter-terror system that allowed him to play a central role in the massacre of 166 people in Mumbai, among them six Americans," ProPublica said. Headley avoided arrest despite a half dozen warnings to federal agents about extremist activities from his family and associates in different locales, the news site said. The news site cited unnamed senior Indian officials as saying they believe the US government did not need high-tech resources to spot Headley. US officials have strenuously denied Indian allegations that Headley was a US double agent all along. "They say Headley simply slipped through the cracks of a system in which overwhelmed agencies struggle to track threats and to communicate internally and with each other," ProPublica said. The final tip to authorities about Headley came from a family friend days after the Mumbai attacks, it noted. New York: Dr. M N Krishnan, a noted physician and philanthropist from New York area had taken over the responsibilities of New York Tamil Sangam (NYTS) as its president from January 01, 2013 as entrusted unanimously by its Executive Committee. NYTS is the first and foremost Tamil Sangam ever started in North America about forty years ago. Over the years it toiled and built a basic platform for all the Tamils and Tamil speaking immigrants living in USA especially in New York and New Jersey area so that they could come, participate, share their thoughts and views, stage their talents and enjoy all that NYTS could offer to make them feel at home. NYTS in this process promoted Tamil art, literature, music and culture and helped the families to have Tamil language stay very much in their childrens lives. NYTS with great difficulty and efforts knitted a close community network as well, where the cultural richness of the Tamil language would be passed on to the next generation and generations to come. Taking a cue from the success of NYTS all other Tamil Sangams have come into existence in the last so many years in USA. NYTS Charity wing is working all around the year with separate account and is looking for the areas where NYTS help is really in
New York Tamil Sangam president Dr M N Krishnan
need and has had made an impact on so many peoples lives. Notable charity activities of NYTS include $20,000 to Sri Ramakrishna Mutt in Tiruvarur, Tamil Nadu, $4000 to Udavum Karangal, in Chennai, $3,000 to Gujarat earthquake relief fund and $1,500 to 9/11 relief fund and regular donations to Siragugal school for orphans in Chennai to name a few. NYTS Feeding the Needy program started about 22 years ago coinciding with the Tamil New Years day is still going strong, feeding about 400 people on that day. Dr. M N Krishnan said that under such enormous commitment to the Tamil community NYTS is vigorously planning a lot of activities. NYTS as such is very much stronger in its core values as well as in the planning, presenting and taking NYTS to the next level.
NYTS has now scheduled a series of grand gala functions and programs that will satisfy the interests of all age groups in the NYTS membership. There will be a music, dance, and drama program on June 29, 2013, bus trip/ apple pick in August/ September 2013 and a grand musical night on October 26, 2013 to coincide with the Diwali celebrations. These are a few exotic programs in the pipeline apart from the Meet & Greet events as when the celebrities in the fields of cinema, politics, art, music and literature visit from Tamil Nadu. NYTS acts of charity and promoting cultural values will also continue to grow to reach new heights in the months to come. Dr. M N Krishnan also emphasized that the Executive Committee Members at NYTS are dedicated to put their best efforts in bringing out the best talents from within the Tamil community and provide a stage to showcase the talents of all children especially those who are born in this country, schedule the best talents from outside as well to entertain the membership families, sponsors and supporters of NYTS. Dr. M N Krishnan thanked the community for the support all these years and solicited their continued support in any form that will help NYTS grow as an admirable community in USA.
Share and Care raises funds through Rising Stars event
Our cartoonist Mahendra Shah's take on the US Secret Surveillance program
The program featured 35 performers
New Jersey: Share and Care Foundation had a fundraising event to promote its signature program E 2 S - Educate to Success on 2nd June, Sunday at Balaji Temple community center hall, Bridgewater, NJ. The young ambassador Charmie Mehta, a high school student organized this amazing, sold out, successful event: Rising Stars (35 performers), featuring variety of young teenage tal-
ents in classical music and dance to raise funds for E 2 S program while inspiring lots of others. Funds, donations and the quality of performances exceeded the expectations;donations are still pouring in online and mail. The $50 contribution helps one needy child in tribal villages of North East India to get high school education. To donate visit www.shareandcare.org
June 15-21, 2013
NATIONAL COMMUNITY
IN BRIEF
Share and Care Foundation donates ambulance
hare and Care Foundation, Paramus, NJ donated $7500 to Hoboken Volunteer Corp to purchase a stretcher and have necessary mounting hardware installed in a new ambulance. In addition Walter D. head Foundation of Rotary District 7490, NJ matched SCFs donation to purchase a new first responder vehicle. SCF is prepared to do a larger appropriate project, which will help community affected by the Sandy disaster. When Sandy struck, SCFs Young Professional committee (YPC) led by Shimul Shah & Purvi Parikh teamed up to clean homes over three weekends. SCF provided the supplies and transportation for these dynamic young volunteers. They also actively raised funds. Thomas Molta (Hoboken Volunteer Corp) addressed the gathering. We lost 4 vehicles during Hurricane Sandy; 2 ambulances, our communications truck, and our disaster support truck. Daniel Loeb, Treasurer Hoboken EMS, approached
BAPS hosts walkathon in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters

n keeping with its theme, Giving is better than Getting, the BAPS Charities 14th annual walkathon was held on Sunday, June 2, 2013 in New York City, NY. Over 500 members of the community participated in this years walkathon. Coming together to walk for a singular purpose, participants of all ages joined hands and raised funds to support this years local beneficiary, Big Brothers Big Sisters of NYC. Not only is it amazing how everyone can come together to support one cause, it is also great to walk with others who believe in building a better community, said Mr Pritam Shah, Community Outreach Coordinator of BAPS NYC. Benefiting a charity that mentors children is a great way to bring the community together, and getting a chance to walk with a big group of people who feel the same way is a fun way to get some exercise! Big Brothers Big Sisters is a national organization with
President of Hoboken Ambulance Corps Tom Molta and Dan Loeb receiving donation check from Share & Care Foundation at Hoboken EMT with Sharad Shah. (Photo by: Vijay Shah)
500 people took part in this years walkathon
Rotary Governor Lenny Agrusti and Suraj Bhatia who in turn contacted Share & Care Foundation for the initial requirements. When we realized that five to six feet of water had damaged very badly all major vehicles, we immediately took action. SCF provides a trusted platform for donors across USA to lend a hand when the need is urgent during calamities. We are fortunate that through our strong volunteer force and networking efforts, patrons help us out with heartfelt
compassion when tragedy strikes, he said. Our heart goes out to all those affected and we act immediately, said Sharad Shah, Chairman, Board of Trustees. We admire the work that has been done by Hoboken Volunteer Corp. in urgency of aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. SCF visited various affected areas of NJ to help the community. Our efforts extended to the fields of medicine, administration, finance, business, engineering, food, clothing as well as moral support.
local roots that aims to provide mentoring and guidance to children. We want to ensure that every child in NYC that needs a mentor is provided one, said Daniel Coughlin from Big Brothers Big Sisters NYC. We want to be an active participant in the betterment of our community and in building a strong foundation for our children to prosper and attain their goals. Taking part in the Walk also informs the community in Flushing of our activity and involvement in supporting worthwhile causes said Divyank Patel of ganized various games to include volley ball and cricket and bingo for adults. The late afternoon entertainment was enjoyed by all from live singing program of famous Actor Patel who is also the oldest member of IACFNJ. Actor Patel kept audience captured with his old melodies of Kishor Kumar and Hemant Kumar for more than two hours. The local business and community leaders and elected officials were part of
Elmhurst, NYC. In attendance at this years BAPS Charities Walkathon were US Congresswoman Grace Meng; NYC Comptroller John Liu and NYC Councilman from Flushing Peter Koo. I am very happy to join you in this very meaningful and wonderful walk with BAPS for the many years of community service to the good borough of Queens explained Peter Koo. John Liu stated We are a caring community and BAPS is here and we are proud of its strong presence the attendees to include South Brunswick Councilman Charlie Carley, AIANA President Sunil Nayak, ICS President Anil Patel, South Brunswick School Board Member Deven Patel, Pinakin Pathak of OHM International, Friends of Gujarat-Kirit Patel, leaders from the senior organizations, Harshad Desai, Babubhai Patel, Jagdishbhai Patel and many other invited guests were part of the celebration.
IACFNJs annual picnic draws 350 people
ndo-American Cultural Foundation of Central Jersey IACFNJ held their annual summer picnic on Sunday, June 9, 2013, at Mercer County Park in West Windsor. More than 350 people from all age group and residents from all over central jersey attended the picnic to enjoy the festivities for more than six hours in a beautiful sunny day at the park.
The picnic saw participation from all age-groups
The picnic started with onsite Indian Chef who cooked hot methi na gota with chutney and jalebi in the morning and fresh made papdi no lot, watermelon and butter corn in the afternoon and delicious khichadi, kadhi, shaak, papad and athanu for dinner for all the participants. The kids enjoyed the pizza. Various beverages and water were available to all throughout the day. The dedicated committee members and other volunteers or-
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e x c e l l e n c e i n j o u r n a l i s m
Jackson's daughter tried to commit suicide. What drives people to take their own life. 3. The nexus among IPL team owners, BCCI officials, cricketers and bookies has been exposed. What is the way to clean up the mess?
Clark, New Jersey based design firm, P.K. Architecture was honored at the 53rd Annual New Good Neighbor Awards presented by the New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA) for the their design work on Shanghvi Plaza, a 9,368 square foot commercial facility located in the Irvington, NJs Mill Road Redevelopment area. Seen at the event, NJBIA President Philip Kirschner and architect Paritosh Kumar.
NATIONAL COMMUNITY
June 15-21, 2013
Aneesh Chopra defeated in Virginia Lt Gov primary

Washington, DC: Indian American and ex-White House tech czar Aneesh Chopra has lost the Democratic primary elections for the powerful post of Lt Governor in Virginia. The former Chief Technology Officer of the President Barack Obama, Chopra lost to the State Senator Ralph Northam, in the Democratic primaries held June 12. Northam received nearly 54 per cent of the total votes polled as compared to 46 per cent by Chopra. "I want to congratulate Senator Ralph Northam on his victory tonight in the Democratic Primary. Senator Northam and his staff should be proud of their campaign," Chopra said in a statement after the elections were over. "While this was not the result
US experts for more counter-terror ties with India, checking LeT

Washington, DC: Leading US experts on South Asia have sought more counter-terrorism cooperation with India and said Islamabad should be warned to keep Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba in check to prevent a Mumbai-style attack on the US. One of Pakistan's oldest and most powerful militant groups, "LeT is clearly capable of posing a threat to the United States," Stephen Tankel, a scholar at the Carnegie Endowment in the South Asia Program told a House panel Wednesday. "The United States must remain attentive to the evolving threat and vigilant in taking steps to degrade the group," he said during a hearing on protecting the homeland against Mumbai-style attacks and the threat from LeT. Tankel suggested that the US should deepen counterterrorism cooperation with India, Saudi Arabia, and the United Kingdom to disrupt LeT's overseas financing and recruitment. He also suggested that the US should signal to Pakistan's military and intelligence services the severe repercussions that would result if LeT, or elements within it, mounted an attack on American soil. Describing LeT as a terrorist network supported and nurtured by the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) of Pakistan, the panel's Republican chairman Peter King said Pakistan will bear responsibility for any LeT attack on the US. Jonah Blank, senior political analyst at policy think tank the RAND Corporation, said on the issue of LeT, US "could try to work with the government of Pakistan to construct a glide-path to decommission the organization." "This would have to be done with the full cooperation of the Pakistani military, because any attempt to do so without the partnership of Pakistan's army and ISI has no realistic chance of success," he said. C. Christine Fair, assistant professor Georgetown University, said most persons recognize that working with Pakistan is necessary due to its importance in wrapping up military operations in Afghanistan. But she hoped that after 2014 the US "will look very closely at Pakistan and evaluate that state's contribution to the degradation of US security interests in South Asia and beyond."
Aneesh Chopra
that we hoped for tonight -- I look forward to coming together to ensure the Democratic ticket wins a clean sweep in November. The work to bring fairness, equality, and opportunity to Virginia continues," Chopra said. If elected, he would have been the first Indian American to be elected to the top post in Virginia.
US institution to open 100 Spark!Labs in India Neurologist to pay $2 M to settle civil

Washington, DC: A prestigious US institution proposes to open a network of 10 pilot hands-on invention activity spaces, called Spark!Labs, throughout India with the goal of jumpstarting an Indian-run network of up to 100 labs. Over the next two years, the The Smithsonian Lemelson Centre for the Study of Invention and Innovation will work to establish the initial cohort of 10 labs in India, officials of the institution announced at an event at the Indian embassy here Monday. During this period, operating as a public-private partnership (PPP), Lemelson Centre would train science, education, and museum professionals in the Spark!Lab philosophy and methodology, while identifying leaders to spearhead the expansion of the network from 10 to 100 labs. Activities will incorporate relevant topics and themes to the individual communities in India where Spark!Labs will be located, Arthur Molella, Director and Tricia Edwards, Education Specialist said in a presentation about the Spark!Lab India. Indian ambassador Nirupama Rao said that the Spark!lab India projects brings the best of innovation and cooperation between India and the US. She also announced the launching of the Young India series by the Indian Embassy, where a series of events would be organized targeting the younger generation. Lemelson Centre also organized a mini Spark!lab in the Embassy where the children invited for the Young India Series, played and learned about Science and scientific principles.
fraud allegations
Washington, DC: Charlotte neurologist P. Rao Hemanth has agreed to pay $2 million plus interest to the United States to settle civil fraud allegations, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina Anne M. Tompkins announced April 18. Hemanth is the owner of and principal neurologist at The Neurological Institute in Charlotte, formerly known as Neurological Consultants of the Carolinas. The settlement was reached following a multi-year investigation by HHS-OIG into Raos practices associated with the administration of intravenous immunoglobulin therapy. Government investigators found that from Oct. 13, 2003 to May 26, 2006, Rao failed to meet the Medicare supervision regulations associated with IVIG therapy. IVIG is the delivery of healthy immunoglobulins directly into the bloodstream of patients suffering from immunodeficiency and autoimmune disorders. The Medicare program requires that the patients physician directly supervise the administration of this treatment in order to ensure the safety of
Dr P Rao Hemanth
Noted historian and biographer, Ramachandra Guha talking on 'Gandhi's Faith and Ours' - exploring how Gandhi's religious pluralism offers a strikingly contemporary alternative to fundamentalism and militant atheism both. The talk was hosted at the Indian Embassy Residence in Washington DC on June 7.
the patient. Investigators found that Rao sought and obtained reimbursement for his IVIG therapy services from Medicare even though the Indian American doctor was not present in the building with his patients when they were receiving IVIG treatment, as required by Medicare. The settlement also requires that Rao pay an additional $500,000 to Medicare upon the sale of his real estate holdings. Furthermore, Rao entered into a five-year integrity agreement with HHS-OIG to promote compliance with the statutes, regulations, program requirements, and written directives of Medicare, Medicaid, and all other federal health care programs.
June 15-21, 2013
NATIONAL COMMUNITY
Wonder kid Ritankar Das felicitated at Indian Embassy Indian American doctor appointed to Texas Medical Board
Washington, DC: India-born wonder kid Ritankar Das, who this year became the youngest graduate topper of the prestigious University of California in more than a century, has been felicitated by the Indian Embassy here for his outstanding academic achievements. Indian Ambassador to US Nirupama Rao felicitated 18 years old Das, who has taken just three years to complete his studies with a double major in bioengineering and chemical biology and a minor in creative writing from the University of California, Berkeley. Further Kolkata-born Das is the first student from the College of Chemistry in 58 years, and the first ever from the Department of Bioengineering, to earn the honor, which includes a USD 2,500 scholarship. In his remarks, Das said he seeks inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi. "Gandhi believed that everybody had a right to beautiful life and without his efforts I can say I would not have been here today," Das told a select audience at an event held at the Indian Embassy. "Without people like Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King, without their efforts, I would not have been here," said Das, who is fluent in Bengali and Hindi. Das, who now heads to Oxford University to pursue a master's degree in biomedical engineering with a fully funded Whitaker Fellowship, has founded 'See Your Future', a studentrun non-profit that presents scientific content to middle and high school students through inHouston: A prominent Indian Governor. American heart surgeon has Houston-based Bhatia spebeen appointed to the leading cializes in thoracic surgery, peripheral vascular disease, vasmedical regulatory body in the US state of Texas by Governor cular surgery, cardiac surgery Rick Perry. and cardiovascular disease in Dr Devinder Bhatia has been his practice. appointed to the Texas Medical Bhatia graduated from the University of Arkansas and has Board for a six-year term along a medical degree from the Uniwith seven others. versity of Arkansas for Medical The Texas Medical Board is the state agency mandated to Sciences, and completed his regulate the practice of medi- Dr.Devinder Bhatia cardiothoracic and peripheral cine in Texas and consists of 12 vascular surgery fellowships at physician members and seven public mem- Carolinas Medical Centre. Bhatia's father bers appointed for a six-year term by the immigrated to the US from India in 1962.
Ambassador Nirupama Rao felicitating Ritankar Das, the youngest University Medalist (top graduating senior) at U.C. Berkeley, with books & bouquet
VC Vinod Khosla hosts dinner for Obama

Washington, DC: Thursday night IndianAmerican entrepreneur and famed Silicon Valley venture capitalist, co-founder of Sun Microsystems and initiator of many green enterprises, Vinod Khosla hosted President Obama at his Portola Valley home amid a political firestorm in Washington over US government surveillance of private citizens. The intimate dinner with New Delhi-born Khosla, his wife Neeru, and selected guests that included three key US Senators, was part of Obama's fundraising for Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. It cost the exclusive attendees a small matter of $32,400 per head. Earlier in the evening, the President stopped by at the Palo Alto home of Flipboard CEO Mike McCue, where entry was a more modest $2500 per head. Khosla, a green guru, now a well-known figure in Washington DC circles, is obviously in with the Democratic Party. A White House transcript of Obama's remarks indicated that the Khosla entire family, including his four children, was at the event, along with what were evidently two very big dogs. "I want to thank Vinod and Neeru for hosting us here today. Referring to the dogs he said, These two could eat Bo in one gulp," Obama was quoted as saying amid laughter. Bo is the Presidential First Dog.
class demonstrations, videos, interactive activities and games. "In this span of just 18 years, he has been able to achieve so much. He would put all of us to shame being able to come out with such flying colors at the UC-Berkley, and broken all records over a century," Rao said. "He has not only brought glory to this country, but also to his mother country," she added. At Berkeley, Das helped manage a USD 1.7 billion budget as an Academic Senator, founded the Berkeley Chemical Review research journal, designed a chemistry DeCal course and was a graduate student instructor.
Statue of goddess Saraswati installed in DC
The newly installed statue
Washington, D.C: Indonesia, the country with the largest Muslim population in the world, has gifted an imposing 16-foot statue of Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of education and wisdom, to the American capital city here. The statue of goddess Saraswati, on top of a lotus flower, stands tall a block away from the Indian Embassy in front of a statue of Mahatma Gandhi, which was installed several years ago. Just three percent of Indonesian population is Hindu. Little over a mile from the White House, the statue is yet to be formally inaugurated, but has already become an attraction of city residents and the large number of tourists who visit the city every day.
A cultural gift from Indonesia to the city of Washington, D.C., this statue began to be constructed in mid-April this year by five native Balinese sculptors led by I. Nyoman Sudarwa, who wrapped up the job in a mere five-week period. "Although the official inscription is yet to be honored, the public can readily enjoy this 4.9-meter tall statue today by the entrance to the Embassy building on Massachusetts Avenue," a spokesperson said. The installment of the statue was initiated by the Indonesian ambassador to the United States, Dr. Dino Patti Djalal, with the support of the chairman of the National Economic Committee as well as the Badung regent in Bali.
US AFFAIRS
June 15-21, 2013
NSA chief: Surveillance programs protect Americans Snowden to fight extradition

Washington : Gen. Keith Alexander, director of the secret National Security Agency, defended his agency and surveillance programs, saying they helped protect Americans. "I think what we're doing to protect American citizens here is the right thing," Alexander told members of the Senate Appropriations Committee. "We aren't trying to hide it." Alexander said he favors providing more transparency so the public can learn more about the programs. "This is not us doing something under the covers," he added. Alexander said he was pushing for declassifying as much as possible about the programs to improve transparency. But he said those disclosures had to be weighed against potential damage to national security. In response to questions from Sen. Richard Durbin, DIll., Alexander also said he has "great concerns" over how a 29-year-old high school dropout hired as a government contractor was able to gain access to sensitive information. He said the processes that led to the hiring of Edward Snowden need to be reviewed. In his prepared remarks, Alexander, who is also head of the military's Cyber Command, said that securing cyber space can be done without violating individual's privacy rights. "Everything depends on trust," Alexander's remarks said. "We do not see a tradeoff between security and liberty." Wednesday was Alexander's first public appearance since Snowden leaked details of a secret government program to collect phone and Internet data. He addressed broadly the issue of balancing privacy and national security. "We operate in a way that ensures we
from Hong Kong

Hong Kong: The NSA contractor who revealed the government's topsecret monitoring of phone and Internet data says he intends to stay in Hong Kong and fight any effort to bring him back to the US to face charges. Edward Snowden said he did not travel to the former British colony to avoid punishment for leaking details of the surveillance program. "I am not here to hide from justice. I am here to reveal criminality," he told a local daily in Hong Kong, in an interview published on Wednesday. "My intention is to ask the courts and people of Hong Kong to decide my fate," Snowden said. He revealed details last week of the vast U.S. government monitoring of phone and Internet data at big companies such as Google and Facebook in leaks to Britain's Guardian newspaper and the Washington Post. The revelations have sparked a criminal investigation and an internal Obama administration review of
Gen. Keith Alexander, director of the secret National Security Agency.
keep the trust of the American people because that trust is a sacred requirement," he said. An NSA program to collect phone and Internet data has come under close scrutiny after Snowden leaked information about the program to The Guardian and The Washington Post. The NSA is responsible for electronic intelligence gathering and the mission of the Pentagon's Cyber Command is to help protect the nation's infrastructure from cyber attack and develop capabilities to strike back. In testimony Alexander highlighted the vulnerabilities of the nation's infrastructure to cyber attacks. China has been linked to frequent cyber attacks on U.S. companies. Meanwhile, The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) on Tuesday filed a lawsuit challenging the NSA's collection of Verizon records, while members of Congress have started filing legislation on the matter.
Edward Snowden revealed details last week of the vast US government monitoring of phone and Internet data.
the potential damage to national security, as pressure has grown from lawmakers and advocacy groups to impose tighter controls on domestic surveillance. Snowden, who had been working at an NSA facility as an employee of contractor Booz Allen Hamilton, has drawn a mix of condemnation and praise for the revelations. The controversy ignited a renewed debate about the balance between privacy rights and security concerns in the US after 9-11. "I'm neither traitor nor hero. I'm an American," Snowden told the newspaper.
Police agencies are assembling records of DNA: NYT

New York: Slowly, and secretly, a growing number of local law enforcement agencies across the country have moved into what had previously been the domain of the F.B.I. and state crime labs amassing their own DNA databases of potential suspects, some collected with the donors knowledge, and some without it, reports New York Times.. And that trend coming at a time of heightened privacy concerns after recent revelations of secret federal surveillance of telephone calls and Internet traffic is expected only to accelerate after the Supreme Courts recent decision upholding a Maryland statute allowing the authorities to collect DNA samples from those arrested for serious crimes. These local databases operate under their own rules, providing the police much more leeway than state and federal regulations. And the police sometimes collect samples from far more than those convicted of or arrested for serious offenses in some cases, innocent victims of crimes who do not necessarily realize their DNA will be saved for future searches. New York City has amassed a database with the profiles of 11,000 crime suspects. In Orange County, Calif., the district attorneys office has 90,000 profiles, many obtained from low-level defendants who give DNA as part of a plea bargain or in return for having the charges against them dropped. In Central Florida, several law enforcement agencies have pooled their DNA databases. A Baltimore database contains DNA from more than 3,000 homicide victims. These law enforcement agencies are no longer content to rely solely on the highly regulated network of state and federal DNA databases, which have been more than two decades in the making and represeznt one of the most significant developments in the history of law enforcement in this country. The reasons vary. Some police chiefs are frustrated with the time it can take for state crime labs to test evidence and enter DNA profiles into the existing databases. Others want to compile DNA profiles from suspects or low-level offenders long before their DNA might be captured by the state or national databases, which typically require conviction or arrest. Unfortunately, what goes into the national database are mostly reference swabs of people who are going to prison, said Jay Whitt of the company DNA:SI Labs, which sells DNA testing and database services to police departments. Theyre not the ones were dealing with day in day out, the ones still on the street just slipping under the radar. The rise in these local databases has aroused concerns among some critics, worried about both the lax rules governing them and the privacy issues they raise.
US immigration bill clears key senate hurdle

Washington: Before a major immigration bill that would give over 11 million people living illegally in America a path to citizenship was to come up in the Senate, it received full endorsement from President Obama. "If you're serious about actually fixing the system, then this is the vehicle to do it," he said Tuesday at the White House, flanked by immigration reform supporters, hours before a strong Senate majority voted to open debate on it. He was referring to the bill drafted by a bipartisan "gang of eight", four Democrats and four Republicans. "This bill isn't perfect, it's a compromise," Obama said. "And going forward, nobody is going to get everything they want. Not Democrats, not Republicans, not me. But this is a bill that's largely consistent with the principles that I and the people on this stage have laid out for common-sense reform." The 82-15 vote, with most Republicans joining the chamber's Democratic majority in support, to begin the debate indicated that the bill would pass the Senate despite fierce opposition from conservatives. However, Republican Ted Cruz, a key opponent of the bill, said Tuesday the Republicancontrolled House would defeat it in its current form due to the pathway to citizenship. Addressing concerns of the measure's opponents, Obama emphasized it would increase spending on border security and require undocumented immigrants to pursue what could be a 13-year path to eventual citizenship. "You have to pass background checks, you have to learn English, you have to pay taxes and a penalty and then you have to go to the back of the line behind everybody who has done things the right way and have tried to come here legally," Obama said. Some congressional conservatives call opposing the "gang of eight" plan a matter of principle and say they won't bend. Many consider any measure offering a path to citizenship tantamount to amnesty for those who entered the country illegally. A bipartisan group has been working on a separate immigration plan in the House, but the effort suffered a setback last week when a key member dropped out of the negotiations.
Xi, Obama announce new start in bilateral ties

Washington: President Barack Obama and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping held a second meeting here Saturday to exchange views on economic ties. During the meet, the two leaders informed each other of their domestic economic situation and discussed the economic relations between their countries, Xinhua reported. The first meet was held Friday afternoon during which the two leaders had agreed to build a new type of relations between China and the US. Noting that their relationship now stands at a new starting point in history, Xi said the two countries shared important converging interests. Obama said the US-China relationship is important not only for the prosperity and security of the two countries, but also for the Asia Pacific region and the whole world. The US president said that his country welcomes the continuing peaceful rise of China as a world power and it is actually in the interest of the US that China continues on the path of success.
President Obama and his Chinese counterpart when they met in California June 7.
The Chinese president called on the two sides to work together to build a new type of relations between major countries in an innovative and active way so as to serve the fundamental interests of the two sides and to promote development and progress of human society. Both the leaders also exchanged views on the domestic and foreign policies of the two countries as well as international and regional issues of common concern.
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June 15-21, 2013
US AFFAIRS
NYS State Senator Jack Martins: A change of jobs but not a change of heart
By Robert Golomb
ew York State Senator Republican Jack Martins is an elected official who appears unafraid to take political risks. He was first elected in 2010 to his Senate seat in the heavily Democratic Party leaning 7th District which covers north western Nassau County, defeating the then Democrat incumbent Craig M. Johnson by a razor thin 451 votes. This tough election contest reportedly made a number of Nassau County political insiders, wonder why Martins had decided to leave his politically safe position as Mayor of the Village of Mineola -- to which he had first been elected in 2003 and re-elected to in 2005, 2007 2009 -to run for the State Senate in the first place. During his eight years as Mayor, Martins had gained wide bipartisan support for his sound fiscal stewardship of Mineola, which prior to his election, had been on the verge of bankruptcy. With the village gaining jobs and dramatically reducing its budget deficit, Martins reelection as Mayor in 2011 seemed to be a safe political bet. So, when I interviewed the Senator in his Mineola office last week, the first question I asked was, Why did you decide to give up the almost sure shot of being re-elected to a 5th two year term as Mayor to enter, instead, what you knew would be a difficult run for the State Senate a year later? The prospect of entering what I knew would be a tough race did not scare me. In politics,
Sen. Jack Martins, R-Mineola, lent his voice to decry US Congress stalling Sandy relief in January. (Eventually, the aid bill was passed)
you expect all races to be tough, he replied. But leaving {the position of Mayor of} Mineola was not an easy decision for me to make. I have so much respect and admiration for all of the residents of this village. Working together with the entire community we were able to direct the villages finances and business climate in the right direction. So I felt the time was right to move on and utilize the knowledge I had gained from serving in the executive position of mayor to a legislative one as State Senator. When I asked Martins, who was re-elected to
his present second term in 2012 by an almost 4% margin, to give examples of legislation he has supported which had been influenced by his four terms as mayor, he quickly offered two, As mayor, as with all mayors throughout the state, I had to face the village paying for unfunded mandates, which could be financially crippling. So {as State Senator} I sponsored legislation that was signed into law by the governor that provided measures for mandate relief that have saved taxpayers millions of dollars. {As Mayor} I realized the enormous financial burden placed on local governments to pay most of the cost for the maintenance and improvement of roads. As Chair of the Senate Standing Committee on Local Government, I have been able to secure an increase in the funding provided to local governments for road maintenance and improvements. As the interview proceeded, Martins, who in 2012 authored more bills that were signed into law than any other Long Island Senator, discussed two among several bills he is currently sponsoring which are expected to pass the Senate shortly. Martins first discussed Senate Bill 933, legislation that would ban the sale in retail stores of novelty lighters designed to appeal to children, such as those featuring musical sounds, toy-like designs and flashing lights: These lighters are attractive to many children who then play with them as toys with obvious risks to life and property. Fires set by children are becoming the fastest growing threat in New York State and across the country. Annually 300 people are killed, 30% of whom are children. I am sponsoring this bill for the protection of children and their families. I believe it will save many lives. Martins then discussed S 1987, a bill that bans smoking in hospitals and virtually all other health care related facilities: Banning smoking on hospital grounds and other health care facilities will protect those living in, working at and visiting those facilities from exposure to life- threatening dangers of second hand smoke. No child leaving a hospital after an asthma attack should be subjected to walk through a cloud of second hand smoke, a known asthma trigger. Martins has received media attention of late over his strong support in the Senate for the Blue Prints for Jobs, a jobs creating proposal developed by members of the Senate Republican Conference. The plan, components of which had been incorporated into the final state budget this year, provides 800 million in business tax relief to small businesses across the state over the next three years. It also reduces and then eventually completely eliminates the energy tax surcharge. Martins said that his support of this plan is a no-brainer. Lowering taxes on small businesses and across the board reductions of the cost of the consumption of energy, he asserted, has spurred economic growth and job growth in other states that have enacted similar legislation. Our plan, which is the most ambitious of them all, will stimulate our economy and further our recovery as a state. How can anyone in good conscience oppose it? Martins should by now be accustomed to receiving a great deal of attention from the media. His support this past January of Governor Cuomos controversial Secure Firearms and Enforcement Act {SAFE} received wide reportage in Nassau County. SAFE, quickly crafted and then quickly signed into law by the Governor within weeks after the shooting massacre at Sandy Hill Elementary School this past January, was heralded by its supporters as the toughest gun control law in
America- and attacked by its opponents for the same reason. Explaining his support of SAFE, Martins stated, This was never a partisan issue to me. This legislation, while not perfect, is based on common sense. Increasing the penalties for illegal gun use, creating a better system for those purchasing guns and increasing funding for safety measures in schools can only be described as logical common sense approaches to combat the firearm violence that plagues our state and nation. Martins, an attorney, who is married and has four daughters aged 4-16, told me that what he likes least about his job remains at the same time his greatest motivation to want to succeed at it. The schedule, the traveling time, and the appointments that keep me away from my girls and my amazing wife Paula are not easy and come at a great sacrifice, he admitted. But I know that {as State Senator} I have the opportunity to work with both Democrat and Republican fiscal conservatives to protect my own daughters future and the future of all our states children. Other than for his family and his constituents, Martins said he reserves his greatest passions for animals and the New York Mets. Concerning the former, Martins was honored this past winter by the Humane Society of the United States {HSUS} with The Humane State Legislator Award for his work on behalf of animal rights. HSUS officials praised Martins for his sponsorship of Senate Bill 4799, which contains measures designed to improve the living conditions of animals housed by pet dealers and authorizes local
In 2012, Martins wrote more bills that were signed into law than any other Long Island Senator.
authorities to perform inspections of those businesses. Because the protection of animals is so dear to my heart, Martins explained to me, this award, presented by such a fantastic organization, means a great deal to meI fully support their {HSUS} work. I truly believe we are doing Gods work when we protect helpless animals. Concerning his beloved Mets, however, Martins has no more power to influence the outcome of the game than any other fan. I go to about a half dozen or more games a year {at City Field}, he informed me, and root my heart out like any other loyal fan. I know they have struggled lately, but the more they lose the harder I root. Last week I went to the game with my oldest daughter, and the Mets won. It was great! Sounds like a guy who holds a special place in his heart for the underdog. Robert Golomb is a nationally published columnist. He writes on a range of educational, political and international issues. MrBob347@aol.com
INDIA
June 15-21, 2013
11
Modi unlikely to find the going easy

New Delhi: With the BJP having weathered a crisis soon after his elevation as the chief of party's campaign committee for the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi is unlikely to find the going easy in his new role that will require straddling intra-party tussles and strengthening bridges with allies. Modi had begun his new innings on a high note, declaring after the BJP's national executive meeting in Goa Sunday that "a job well begun is half won". But the words sounded hollow as Bharatiya Janata Party patriarch L.K. Advani resigned from his three organizational posts Monday, taking the focus away from Modi's newfound stardom. The crisis blew over only with the intervention of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the ideological parent of the BJP, but reinforced views about fissures in the party. Analysts said it will not be easy for Modi to take the BJP-led NDA to power in the 2014 polls as he faces a multitude of challenges. Nisar Ul Haq, a professor of political science at Jamia Millia Islamia, said Modi will not find the going easy as there was "no unanimity" about him in the BJP. "You are seeing clearly one set of people are aligned with Advani and would not like Modi to be the prime ministerial candidate. The BJP clearly is a divided house," Haq told IANS. Haq said it was possible that BJP improved its tally from 116 to 140150 seats in 2014 but that will mainly be due to the dissatisfaction of the people with the ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA) and not due to Modi helming the BJP's campaign. He said Modi's influence was "limited" to Gujarat. Haq also added that Modi's elevation will cause polarization of Muslims against the BJP, due to which the Congress and regional parties will gain. "There is no unanimity in the NDA (National Democratic Alliance) on his name. Look at the stance of JD-U," Haq said. Janata Dal-United is opposed to projecting Modi as the NDA's prime ministerial candidate. A.S. Narang, a professor of political science at the Indira Gandhi National Open University, felt Modi can succeed if there is no factionalism in the BJP. He said Modi would have limited appeal for people in rural areas as they were not drawn by his vaunted growth rhetoric. "People in rural areas would be largely influenced by caste and local issues in the next Lok Sabha election," he said. "In the urban electorate, there is an intellectual class opposed to Modi," Narang pointed out. Referring to criticism about the personality cult associated with Modi, Narang said the Gujarat chief minister could be more consultative in his new role. "It will be clear in a few months how he operates," Narang said. Modi will face challenges improv-
L.K. Advanis resignation drama took the focus away from Modi's newfound stardom after his elevation as the chief of party's campaign committee for the 2014 Lok Sabha poll.
ing BJP's stock in Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka due to the party's problems in the two states. The BJP does not count for much in Tamil Nadu and Kerala and is a minor player in Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal. It has also suffered setbacks in the past elections in Odisha and Assam. G.V.L. Narasimha Rao, a member of BJP's electoral reforms committee, admitted that Modi will face challenge in states where the party is weak but added that the Gujarat chief minister "loves challenges." He said Modi will be able to maximize BJP's gains.
"The image he carries, he will be able to deliver astounding results for the BJP," Narsimhan said. He said the party could win over 200 seats with Modi as the face of party's campaign. "I don't see any internal challenges (to Modi)," he said. BJP MP from Meerut Rajendra Agarwal said Modi's record "as a good administrator" will be an asset during the Lok Sabha campaign. "The next election will be fought on the issues of corruption and good governance. Modi has a very good record on this," he said.
Advani withdraws resignation: BJP, RSS deny interference

New Delhi: Even though it took a call from RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat to defuse the crisis caused by L.K. Advani's resignation, the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh and the Bharatiya Janata Party Wednesday denied that the Sangh influenced the saffron party's decisions. Advani, who has been upset over Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's elevation as the BJP's poll campaign chief for the Lok Sabha elections, Monday quit key posts in the party. Though BJP president Rajnath Singh refused to accept Advani's resignation and several party leaders tried to persuade him, the elder leader did not relent till Bhagwat assured him that he would have a say in selecting the BJP's prime ministerial candidate. The development was seen as a confirmation of the influence the Sangh wields on the party. However, both BJP and the RSS denied it. BJP spokesperson Syed Shahnwaz Hussain denied any interference from the RSS in BJP affairs. "Bhagwat talked to Advani because Advani is an old Swayamsevak (RSS cadre). He talked to Advani as a guardian," Hussain said. RSS leader Ram Madhav said that Bhagwat was not the only one to call Advani. "When a person of Advani's stature needs to be given some advice, naturally senior people in the country and society will give him advice. Not just RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat but many others had advised Advani to reconsider his decision," Madhav said. According to sources, Advani sought an assurance from Bhagwat that he would be kept abreast of all decisions in the party.
TDP willing to join Federal Front

Hyderabad: Telugu Desam Party (TDP) is ready to join the Federal Front proposed by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, party chief N. Chandrababu Naidu indicated to reporters Thursday. Naidu, a former Andhra Pradesh chief minister, told reporters that he was in touch with leaders of various regional parties over the formation of the proposed front, and the TDP was always ready to work with non-United Progressive Alliance and non-National Democratic Alliance parties. He said the Congress party and the BJP and the two alliances headed by them were weakening day by day. "The regional parties are gaining in strength, and they will form the next government at the centre," Naidu, who was convener of the United Front which formed governments at the centre in 1996 and 1998, said. Mamata Banerjee, leader of the Tirnamool Congress, Wednesday said she spoke to Bihar Chief Minister and leader of JD-U Nitish Kumar and Odisha Chief Minister and leader of Biju Janta Dal Naveen Patnaik on the proposed front.
BJP president Rajnath Singh, accompanied by Sushma Swaraj, announcing Advanis decision, though the party stalwart was conspicuously absent at the press conference at his own residence.
UPA defers food bill ordinance, opts for parliament debate

New Delhi: Facing opposition from allies and the opposition, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Thursday deferred a proposal to bring in the food security bill through a government ordinance and suggested one last attempt to get parliamentary nod for the welfare legislation, informed sources said here. The prime minister made an announcement in a cabinet meeting that the ordinance proposal - which in effect meant getting the bill into law through decree instead of parliamentary approval - should be deferred as many political parties had suggested a debate on the bill in parliament. While the PM asked Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath and Food Minister K.V. Thomas to hold fresh consultations with the opposition parties to evolve a consensus on the bill, Finance Minister P. Chidambaram hinted at a special session for the purpose. "We would like to pass it as a bill but the ordinance version is also ready. We will make one more effort to ask the opposition parties whether they will cooperate in passing the bill in a special session (of parliament)," Chidambaram said. The BJP, which did not allow the parliament to debate the bill in the budget session which ended May 8 due to its demand that the prime minister should resign over irregular coal blocks' allocation, said it favored passing the bill in the monsoon session with "some amendments". Key UPA ally, NCP, welcomed the government's decision to take up the controversial bill in a special session of parliament, saying that it needed to be discussed thoroughly. Nawab Malik, an NCP legislator from Maharashtra, said the party supported the bill but had certain reservations. "We want to discuss it on the floor of the house. It is a very important bill and some of the allies also want to discuss the issue," he said. The Samajwadi Party also preferred a parliamentary debate. "It is a very serious issue as all political parties have their own reservations. We want to discuss it in parliament," said Kamal Farooqui, spokesperson for the SP. The bill aims to provide subsidized food grain to around 67 percent of India's 1.2 billion people. Around 800 million people with limited income - would thus get the subsidized grain, at an initial cost of around Rs.1.3 lakh crore (nearly $20 billion).
The bill aims to provide subsidized food grain to around 67 percent of India's 1.2 billion people.
The beneficiaries of the proposed scheme will be identified on the basis of a formula still to be finalized by the central and state governments. It is seen as a big-ticket legislation of the Congress-led UPA government and could prove to be a game-changer ahead of the 2014 general elections.
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June 15-21, 2013
INDIA
JD-U to snap ties with BJP, Mamata calls Nitish, Navin

New Delhi/Kolkata/Patna: The political drama around the rise of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday threatened to impact Bihar, with the state's ruling JD-U expected to snap its 17-yearold alliance with the BJP and the impending development triggering talk of a third front ahead of next year's Lok Sabha polls. Even while veteran BJP leader L.K. Advani is learnt to have launched a firefight by talking to Janata Dal-United (JD-U) stalwarts, the saffron party said it was prepared to sit in the opposition in Bihar. In Kolkata, days after giving a call for a non-Congress, non-BJP federal front of regional parties, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said she spoke to her Bihar counterpart Nitish Kumar and Odisha counterpart Biju Patnaik. While Nitish virtually controls the JD-U, Patnaik heads Biju Janata Dal. "We are against being part of the NDA under his leadership," said Singh. He said Modi was tainted by his involvement in 2002 Gujarat riots, and Advani was more preferred. Hitting out, the state BJP leaders said they were ready to sit in the opposition in case the alliance ended in Bihar. While maintaining that its alliance with the JD-U was intact, BJP leader Syed Shahnawaz Hussain said it would continue "in the interest of the people of the state and any break in ties will ruin the hopes of the electorate". "If we work together, we will continue to rule," Hussain said. The JD-U, which needs the support of 122 legislators in a house of 243 to remain in power in Bihar, has 119 lawmakers. "Most of the six independent legislators are supporting the party and will extend support to carry on the government," said a party leader. JD-U spokesperson Sanjay Singh said two independents - Pawan Jaiswal and Vinay Bihari - have already extended their support. On the other hand, Advani is learnt to have called Nitish Kumar and Sharad Yadav and stressed that the two parties should contest the Lok Sabha polls together. In Kolkata, Mamata Banerjee Wednesday said she has spoken to Nitish Kumar and Naveen Patnaik on her proposal for a federal front. She said Nitish Kumar responded positively, while Patnaik has sought more time. Banerjee, also the Trinamool Congress chief, was speaking after meeting JD-U leader K.C. Tyagi at the state secretariat here. In New Delhi, Congress leader and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath refused to give much "credence" to the proposed new front and believed the country will have a secular government in 2014.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee with JD (U) leader KC Tyagi at a press conference at Writers Building in Kolkata June 12.
"Till late Tuesday night, a number of party leaders, including ministers, held discussions with Nitish Kumar at his official residence. It was decided to formally announce the end of ties with the BJP in next
two to three days," said a JD (U) leader. Bihar Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh categorically said Modi was not acceptable to his party as the NDA's prime ministerial candidate.
Jaya confident of regime change after LS poll

Chennai: Sounding confident of a change of regime at the Centre after next Lok Sabha polls, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister JJayalalithaa said Tuesday there would be a "friendly government", taking an apparent dig at the UPA rule which she has been accusing of meting out step-motherly treatment to her state. She made the remarks at the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of the Cancer Institute here while stating that the institute's plea for upgradation to the status of Centre of Excellence was pending with the UPA Government for approval. "I have written to the Prime Minister of India, regarding the pending request of the Cancer Institute, considering the excellent service rendered for over three decades, even while functioning as an NGO," she said referring to its
Allegations are baseless, says Dasari Narayana Rao

Hyderabad: Former union minister of state for coal Dasari Narayana Rao, who faces CBI probe in the coal scam, Wednesday denied his involvement and said the "truth will prevail". A day after the CBI raided his house and office here, the filmmaker-turned-politician said all the allegations against him were baseless. "All the events are happening in a planned manner. I am confident the truth will prevail. I thank my fans for their support. I advise them not to worry," he said in a statement here. The CBI had Tuesday registered an FIR, the 12th in the coal blocks allocation scam, against Dasari and Congress MP Naveen Jindal. Dasari, who was junior minister from 2006-09, is facing allegations that he received Rs.2.25 crore camouflaged as investment in his company from one of Naveen Jindal's firms within a year of allocating him a coal block. The CBI officials raided Dasari's house and his company Sowbhagya Media here and seized some documents.Dasari, a multi faceted personality, directed over 150 films.
The CBI has registered an FIR in the coal blocks allocation scam against Dasari Narayana Rao and Congress MP Naveen Jindal .
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J.Jayalalithaa
Indian IT body to fund, incubate 25 start-ups

Bangalore: The National Association of Software and Services Companies (Nasscom) will fund and incubate 25 start-ups to be set up by young entrepreneurs across the country, the Indian IT industry representative body said Wednesday. "Of the 4,000 applications we received for our '10,000 start-ups program', we will select 25 best entrepreneurs for angel funding and incubating their start-ups. Another 150 firms will be mentored through partners and members," Nasscom president Som Mittal said. Of the 14,000 registered entrepreneurs in 80 cities across the country, 4,000 of them responded to the program, conducted between April 5 to May 30. The programme gave insights into the emerging tech entrepreneurship landscape in the country, as 23 percent of the responses were from Bangalore followed by 20 percent from the National Capital Region (NCR). "One in every five application came from smaller towns and about 70 percent of them are under 30 years, while 15 percent of them were women," Mittal pointed out. "From a technology viewpoint, around 66 percent of the applications are for web/internet start-ups, 24 percent for mobile applications, 16 percent for cloud applications and 11 percent for big data processing," Mittal observed. Global search engine Google, global software major Microsoft, the US-based internet service provider Verisign and leading Indian financial services firm Kotak partnered with Nasscom for the start-ups program.
Chairperson V Shantha's statement that it had applied for upgradation. Jayalalithaa has been asking AIADMK cadres to work for the victory of the party in all 40 Lok Sabha constituencies in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry to ensure a greater role for her at the national level.
India asks Saudi to reconsider Haj quota cut

New Delhi: India has sought a hike in the Haj quota and also requested Saudi Arabia to reconsider its decision of slashing the numbers of Haj pilgrims, an official said Tuesday. External affairs ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said here Tuesday that India is in regular dialogue with the Saudi authorities in view of the growth in numbers of Indians wanting to go for the annual pilgrimage. Last year over 1,25,000 Indian pilgrims went for Haj. Akbaruddin added that India has indicated to the kingdom that India will require slightly larger numbers this year. To a query regarding 20 percent reduction in Haj quota for all pilgrims coming from outside, the spokesperson said later that India has been informed by the Saudi government that they intend to bring about reduction of 50 percent internal pilgrims from Saudi Arabia for the Haj and 20 percent from all pilgrims overseas. Given the fact that the processes for Haj pilgrimage have already been initiated, we have requested the Saudi authorities both in Delhi and in Riyadh to reconsider their decision taking into account the advanced stage of preparations. We are awaiting a response from them, he added.
Children of a lesser god

June 12 is World Day Against Child Labor. According to the 2001 census, there were officially 12.9 million child laborers in India, though child rights activists say the figure is much higher. Bachpan Bachao Andolan, an NGO working for children, said a large number of children are trafficked from poor and underdeveloped states like Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh to cities like Delhi and Mumbai and made to work in various industries for paltry wages.
INDIA
June 15-21, 2013
13
Jiah suicide: Cops to grill Sooraj Pancholi till June 13
OBITUARY
V.C. Shukla: Emergency era's hatchet man

New Delhi: Congress leader Vidya Charan Shukla, who died Tuesday after being grievously injured in a Maoist attack in Chhattisgarh May 25, will be remembered for imposing censorship on the media and putting journalists, including top editors, behind bars. He was former prime minister Indira Gandhi's hatchet man during her hated emergency era (1975-77) when he was the information and broadcasting minister. Shukla, who was close to Indira Gandhi's younger son Sanjay Gandhi, who used to act like an unconstitutional authority during the emergency period, cut power supply to newspaper printing presses, clamped restrictions on free media operations, harassed and imprisoned journalists and personally monitored stories for their stance towards the government. At the height of his power, Shukla even banned songs of popular singer Kishore Kumar from All India Radio and Doordarshan after the artist refused to perform at a Congress rally in Mumbai. Shukla, who started his political career with the Congress, was an opportunistic mover on the quicksand of Indian politics and had again a minister in the Chandra Shekhar government. After Chandrashekhar lost the 1991 elections, he came back to Congress under then prime minister P.V. Narasimha Rao. But he again left the Congress in 2003 after being denied the chief ministership of Chhattisgarh, when it was carved out of Madhya Pradesh in 2000. Shukla joined the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in 2003. The next year, just ahead of the 2004 parliamentary polls, he joined the BJP and contested from Mahasamund but lost to Congressman and former chief minister Ajit Jogi. He left the BJP the same year and rejoined Congress in 2007. Shuklas father, Pt Ravishankar Shukla, was a lawyer, freedom fighter, veteran Congressman and the first chief minister of undivided Madhya Pradesh. His elder brother, Shyama Charan Shukla, was also a state chief minister. Over a long political career, VC Shukla served in the ministries of external affairs, parliamentary affairs, water resources, defense, home, communications, finance, planning and civil supplies.
The suicide note written by the actress implicated Sooraj Pancholi, son of actor couple Aditya Pancholi and Zarina Wahab.
Mumbai: Actor Aditya Pancholi's son Sooraj Pancholi, arrested in connection with the suicide of actress Jiah Khan, was Tuesday sent to police custody till June 13 by a court here, a lawyer said. Zameer Khan, Sooraj Pancholi's lawyer, told reporters: "We are completely supporting the police for the investigation since day one. We have submitted Sooraj's laptop, phone and iPad to police." "He will be in custody till June 13.
So far, chargesheet has not been filed," he said, soon after Sooraj was presented before a magistrate. Sooraj, son of actor couple Aditya Pancholi and Zarina Wahab, was arrested Monday after being booked under penal provisions for allegedly abetting Jiah's suicide. The arrest came barely two days after Jiah Khan's family handed over a note penned by her to police. The note was recovered by the actress's kin three days after her suicide June 3.
been in many parties since then. In 1957, he won from Mahasamund Lok Sabha constituency in Madhya Pradesh as a Congress candidate and went on to win polls nine more times. Shukla deserted the Congress for the first time in 1977 when Indira Gandhi was voted out. Her son and then prime minister Rajiv Gandhi rehabilitated him after Mrs Gandhi's assassination in 1984 but Shukla again quit the party along with V.P. Singh to form the Jan Morcha in 1989. He was a minister in V.P. Singh's National Front government formed after elections the same year but when it fell, he went over to Samajwadi Janata Party and was
14
June 15-21, 2013
DIASPORA
Canadian soccer body fights back for Sikhs' rights

Montreal: The Canadian Soccer Quebec's Sikh community, however, is reAssociation (CSA) has stood acting cautiously. up for Sikhs' rights and sus"We're trying to figure pended the Quebec Soccer out the implications Federation (QSF) for not alof what this lowing Sikh footballers to means," Mukhbir play wearing their turbans Singh, vice-presior patkas. dent of the World CSA's board of directors Sikh Organization Monday decided to suspend for Quebec and the QSF for their non-comAtlantic Canada, pliance to the directive of al- Aneel Samra, 18, lives in Montreal, was quoted in The lowing the wearing of tur- and has not been able to play organ- Gazette. bans/patkas/keski by soccer ized soccer since last year due to his "At the end of religious headgear. (Ryan players. the day, are the Remiorz/Canadian Press) The Canadian Soccer Aschildren (who sociation has requested on 6 June that the wear turbans) going to play this season or Quebec Soccer Federation reverse its position next season? That's the most important aspect on turbans/patkas/keski with no resolution, of this story and what we're trying to undersaid Victor Montagliani, president of the stand." In a statement issued Monday by the Canadian Soccer Association, in a statement World Sikh Organization of Canada in Otfollowing the Board of Directors meeting. tawa, president Prem Singh Vinning said: The Quebec Soccer Federations inaction "Whereas Sikh children were initially the vichas forced us to take measures in order to en- tims of the QSF decision to uphold the ban on sure soccer remains accessible to the largest the turban, it is now doubly unfortunate that number of Canadians. so many other soccer players in Quebec will The suspension will be lifted once the CSA also have to suffer the consequences. This enreceives assurance that the QSF has lifted the tire episode has been completely unnecessary ban and applies satisfactorily. and senseless."
Indian-origin artist in New Zealand wins top award

Wellington: An Indian-origin artist in New Zealand has won the top award presented by a leading art gallery. Prakash Patel of Wanganui in New Zealand's North Island won the Sarjeant Gallery Open Award for his work, titled 'Astronaut.' It is considered the top award in a series of Sarjeant Gallery Arts Review awards presented by the gallery in Wanganui. The awards are open to any artist in the Wanganui district in the North Island of this south Pacific island nation and were presented June 7, the Wanganui Chronicle reported Tuesday. Patel's acrylic on canvas work is an "eyecatching swirl of blue and black, with details in gold", according to the report. "It's actually part of a series I did for a show in Auckland, but I already had enough paintings for that," he was quoted as saying. "So I left it out of the show and entered it for the Arts Review instead." With this, Patel, who received NZ$1,000 along with the trophy, has won an Arts Review award for the fourth time. The artist grew up in Wanganui, studied art at the Eastern Institute of Technology in Napier and returned to Wanganui in 1993 after he had finished his studies. The gallery is named after Henry Sarjeant
Prakash Patel
(1830-1912), who had immigrated to New Zealand from England around 1860 and settled in the Wanganui region. According to the gallery's website, after Sarjeant's death, his wife Ellen consolidated her husband's interest in the arts, which had been generously provided for in his will. "Henry Sarjeant's ability to grasp opportunity in a new land engendered a prosperity that enabled him to facilitate his vision for a culturally invigorating art museum and collection; an institution of national significance throughout the 20th and 21st centuries and one commemorating his name both in New Zealand and beyond," the website posting stated.
New Zealander of Indian descent sweeps Pacific Music Awards

Wellington: Singer Aaradhna Stronger" with the group Patel of New Zealand, whose Adeaze which peaked at numfather is from Gujarat state in ber one on the official New India, has swept this year's PaZealand Singles Chart. cific Music Awards. A self-confessed Amy WineAaradhna, 29, won all the six house fan, Aaradhna said she awards she was nominated for, was inspired to write new music a record in the history of the after listening to the numbers of event. the English singer and songShe won awards for best fewriter who died in 2011. male artiste, best Pacific urban "I used to go to her (Wineartiste, best song, best music alhouse's) 'Back to Black' album bum, best video for her clip to and I'd repeat it all day because hit song "Lorena Bobbitt" and I connected with all her music," Radio Airplay Award for the Aaradhna was quoted as saying. Singer Aaradhna Patel song Wake Up at the event "The thing I liked about it was held in Auckland May 30, the Indian Week- that she didn't care about what other people ender reported Tuesday. said. She really spoke her mind - that's what I It is the most awards won in a night by any wanted to do. I wanted to make music that I single artiste in the nine-year history of the Pa- could really say what I wanted to say." cific Music Awards and comes off the back of Aaradhna is the eldest of five siblings and her highly acclaimed album "Treble & Reverb" showed her inclination for the art at the age of released in November last year. 12 when she started singing with her mother Aaradhna, whose father Jayanti Patel hails traditional Samoan and country songs. from Navasari in southern Gujarat and whose Instituted by the Pacific Music Awards Commother Sia'a Patel is Samoan, mostly sings mittee, founded in 2004, the Pacific Music rhythm and blues and pop and made her musi- Awards recognize the best talents of the Pacifcal debut in 2004 featuring the single "Getting ic music community in New Zealand.
Indian restaurant owner beaten up in Australia

Melbourne: In an apparent racist atof attack has occurred," Burt said, tack, an Indian restaurant owner was adding "On behalf of everyone in beaten up and verbally abused by a this city I want to express our group of teenagers in Australia's sincere apology that this has Ballarat near Melbourne. happened to you." 22-year-old Himanshu Goyal "We are all on your side was bashed up and verbally and I will make sure these abused while closing his thugs are found," the mayor Bridge Mall eatery about 9.30 said, adding he was prepared pm (local time) last Friday to take a stand against racism when eight teenagers shouted in Ballarat. racial abuse at him while another "(It) isn't just in schools in the group punched him on face. where children need to be educatBallarat Police official Matt Hayes ed," Burt said. "It's throughout the said the incident was being inveswhole community." Himanshu Goyal tigated and police was viewing Goyal has suffered facial inCCTV footage and hoped to track down the at- juries and has been advised that he may not be tackers soon, according to local media report. able to eat for over six weeks. Ballart mayor John Burt met Goyal at the loHis brother Utsav said the young restauracal hospital and vowed to hunt down the ac- teur was overwhelmed by the amount of supcused. port the community had shown. "Ballarat is a city that prides itself on being Goyal had migrated to Australia in 2008 welcoming of all and I am disgusted that this from India as a student and was now running a type of attack has occurred," Burt said, refer- restaurant. "I am very scared now and am ring to the attack which left Goyal with multi- thinking of selling my shop. I have experiple fractures to his jaw. enced racism in the past and it needs to stop," "I am horrified and disgusted that this type Goyal said.
TRISTATE COMMUNITY
June 15-21, 2013
15
Nine honored at IALIs annual gala

Melville, NY: The India Association of Long Island (IALI) honored nine influential people from the Indian-American community at its 34th Annual Awards Gala on June 9 held at the Hilton, Melville, NY. The 2013 Pioneer Award recipients were: Dr. Purnachandra Aramalla (for Excellence in Business Leadership), Gobind Bathija (Community Service), Hussain Baqueri (Aviation Leadership), Pavankumar Darisi (Community Service), Dr. Arti Datta (Performing Arts), Daman Dutt (Young Entrepreneur), Dr. Madhu Korrapati (Community Service), Kanwal Sra (Business Leadership), and Sudhir Vaishnav (Media & Entertainment). They were recognized for their impressive lifetime accomplishments, talents and successes. There was a special recognition of Arvind Mahankali, 13, who recently won the 2013 Scripps National Spelling Bee Championship. Congressman Steve Israel and Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano were special guests of honor at the event. Dr. Kishore Kuncham, IALI President, introduced Congressman Israel as a friend of the Indian-
Honorees
Gobind Bathija
Hussain Baqueri
Pavankumar Darisi
Dr. Arti Datta
Honoree Dr Purnachandra Aramalla seen with (from left) Nassau County Executive Ed Manganao, IALI President Dr. Kishore Kuncham, and Congressman Steve Israel. American community and as a champion of veterans, military families and middle class families. The Congressman spoke of his first hand experience with the critical relationship between the US and India and how important it was to deepen our ties. Dr. Kuncham commended Hon. Mangano for his support for many of the key intitatives of IALI -- for the cricket pitch at the Cantiague Park and more importantly, to hold discussions with the IALI for use of a county facility that could serve as India House, a permanent home and cultural center. Mangano expressed his hope that we do come together to get the India House done. Dignitaries attending the event included New York State Senator Charles Fushillo, Nassau County Legislator David Denenberg, Former Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi, Kamlesh Mehta, Director of Business & Economic Development, Nassau County, and Zahid Sayed, Chairman of Nassau County Human Rights Commission. IALIs Grand Sponsor of the Year Salil Zaveri was recognized. $10,000 donation was given for the Interfaith Nutrition Network. Medley Entertainment regaled some 350 guests. Mint provided an array of exotic foods.
Arvind Mahankali, 2013 Scripps National Spelling Bee Champion was also honored.
Daman Dutt
Dr. Madhu Korrapati
Over $100,000 raised for hospital for poor run by Dr Rajesh Singh in India
By Parveen Chopra Woodbury, NY: The Raj & Rajeshwari Foundation held its 7th annual gala at The Woodlands here on June 13 to raise funds for its charitable hospital in the most underserved area in Uttar Pradesh, India. Over $1,00,000 was raised at the event attended by some 350 prominent people, including many from the Indian American community. Guest Speakers were Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano and Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto. Three prominent Long Islanders honored were: Frederick Ippolito, Commissioner of Planning and Development, Town of Oyster Bay; Glenn Ciccone, President, Nassau County Detectives Association; and Ravi Bhooplapur, President, Xavier
Kanwal Sra
Sudhir Vaishnav
(from left) Honoree Ravi Bhooplapur, Kamlesh Mehta, Dr Rajesh Singh, Joseph R. Conway, and Harendra Singh.
(from left) Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto, three honorees Glenn Ciccone, Frederick Ippolito and Ravi Bhooplapur, Gala Committee Co-Chair Joseph R. Conway, Dr Rajesh Singh, Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano, and Gala Committee Co-Chair Kamlesh Mehta.
University School of Medicine, Aruba, philanthropist and leader of the Rotary movement. Joseph R.
Conway, Esq, was Committee Chair for the gala and Kamlesh Mehta, Co-Chair.
All the speakers and honorees expressed fulsome praise for Dr Rajesh Singh, a retired Thoracic & Cardio Vascular Surgeon of New York, who is devoting his life since 2001 to save lives and improve the quality of life of those in dire straits in and around the village of his birth in district Gonda, Uttar Pradesh. Founded by Dr. Singh, M.D., FACS, FRCS, and his wife of 56
years Rajeshwari Devi Singh, the Raj & Rajeshwari Foundation (RRF) is an independent international medical humanitarian organization that delivers aid to people affected by exclusion from health care, by reason of poverty and lack of infrastructure in an around Dist. Gonda. RRF is ably supported by Dr. Singh's sons Harendra Singh and Dr. Jitendra Singh, and his sonin-law Dr. J.P. Singh.
16
June 15-21, 2013
ULTIMATE BOLLYWOOD
Vidya to Ready to face ridicule for perform 'Jodha Akbar': Ekta Kapoor moonwalk on TV B
ctress Vi d y a Balan will be seen emulating Michael Jackson's moonwalk on the sets of India's Dancing Superstar (IDS) while promoting her forthcoming film "Ghanchakkar". MJ5, a Delhi-based dance group, which is participating in the reality show, is famous for their locking and popping. The group members taught the 35-year-old actress how to do moonwalk. Vidya was impressed by their performance and said: I wish I could become a part of MJ5 team, then we would be called MJ6." The episode featuring Vidya will be aired June 16. The show comes on Star Plus Saturday and Sunday at 9 p.m.
Vidya Balan has a goofy look in Ghanchakkar
old and daring Ekta Kapoor, who is ready with her first historical show "Jodha Akbar", says it is an apt time to tell the story and adds that she is ready to face any kind of criticism for it. She has experimented on the small screen with all kind of genres such as drama, romance, thrill, horror and even kitchen politics. "Jodha Akbar" marks her maiden encounter with history and she feels "the beauty about history is about being open to perception". "I know I will be putting myself up to a lot of ridicule, lot of appreciation also, but a creative person scared of that will never A poster of the new TV serial grow in life," Ekta said at the launch of the show "It's a story about love in the time of Monday. Filmmaker Ashutosh hate. It's a story about religious and culGowariker had already visited the sub- tural battle that was won by love and I ject in "Jodhaa Akbar" for the big screen really find 'Jodha Akbar' a fine example, with Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai. true or not, that people need to see The film won five Filmfare awards. today," said Ekta. Produced by Balaji Telefilms, "Jodha In "Jodha Akbar", actor Rajat Tokas, Akbar" is set to go on air June 18 on Zee best known for "Dharti Ka Veer Yodha TV. Ekta feels it is the right time to nar- Prithviraj Chauhan", will be seen playing rate the story of Akbar, who became a Akbar, while Paridhi Sharma has been soldier and a king at a tender age of 14.
o u t h e r n actress Ileana D'Cruz, who set her Bollywood career in pace starting with the much-acclaimed "Barfi!", says she came to the Hindi film industry with "no expectations." "I have actually walked into Bollywood with no expectations whatsoever. I did not expect to be appreciated for my work in 'Barfi!', but when people did, it was very touching and humbling for me," the actress said. Ileana, who shared screen space with Ranbir Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra in "Barfi!" is currently shooting for "Phata Poster Nikla Hero" along with Shahid Kapoor. "I am just taking it as it goes. I am hoping for better stuff to come my way," she said. Nevertheless, she is satisfied. "I am very happy with the projects I have got on hand and I like the way my career is going so far," said Ileana, who forayed into filmdom with Telugu film "Devadasu" in 2006.
IIeana had no expectations from Bollywood
Every moment with Kunal is romantic: Soha Ali Khan

here's romance in every moment spent with her beau, actor Kunal Khemu, says actress Soha Ali Khan, who has been dating him for almost three years. "Every trip, every moment of everyday is romantic with Kunal," Soha said talking to newsmen at the Lonely Planet Awards event, where she was accompanied by Kunal. When asked about their wedding plans, they said they want to focus on their respective careers as of now. Kunal, who was recently seen in zombie comedy "Go Goa Gone", will next be seen in "Bhaag Johnny", while Soha is currently busy with her upcoming film "War Chod Na Yaar", a war comedy. Any plans of working in a movie together again after the 2009 film "99"? "Not right now. We have not come across a script that both of us have liked, but surely soon," said Kunal.
ULTIMATE BOLLYWOOD
troubled relationship with her alleged boyfriend Sooraj, son of actor Aditya Pancholi. "It is being said that she was depressed and had no work, but it was not the case, Rabiya, who has two other daughters - Karishma and Kavita - said at a press conference. "She was attending at least three to four events a month. She was making money and was living comfortably in her house with two maids and even had a car and a driver. It was the insecurity that her love was not respected and recognized that was killing her day by day. Bollywood actress Nafisa alias Jiah Khan, who debuted opposite Amitabh Bachchan in "Nishabd", committed suicide at her home in Mumbai's Juhu area June 3. She was 25. The letter, where Jiah had penned her troubled relationship with her Suraj, was found by her sister Kavita Saturday and was handed over to the police. Although the letter doesn't mention any name, it talks about the sorry state of Jiah's relationship. "After all the pain, the rape, the abuse, the torture I have seen previously I didn't deserve this. I didn't see any love or commitment from you. I just became increasingly scared that you would hurt me mentally or physically....," the letter said. "I aborted our baby when it hurt me deeply. You promised me once we made it to one year we would get engaged. All you want in life is partying, your women and your selfish motives. All I wanted was you and my happiness you took both away from me," the letter added. Talking about the letter, Rabiya confessed that there were many things in it that she wasn't aware of and which were hurtful. "The letter does not have a name. But because of the incidents in the past and what Jiah had told me, all of these things point out to Sooraj Pancholi," she said. Jiah had confided in her mother that Aditya Pancholi was unhappy about his son's relationship with her. Significantly, Sooraj did not visit Jiahs family to mourn her death, though Aditya Pancholi did.
June 15-21, 2013
17
Unrequited love killed Jiah: Mother

A
T
week after Jiah Khan's suicide, her mother Rabiya Khan Monday opened up about the reason behind her daughter's death, claiming the drastic step was not due to the lack of assignments but due to her
By Yashika Mathur he music of director Anand. L. Rai's movie "'Raanjhanaa" has eight tracks. Since the movie is based in Banaras, composer A.R. Rahman has included the regional flavor in most of the tracks. Use of a lot of instruments in all the songs is also evident. The soundtrack kicks off with "Raanjhanaa", a high on energy number. Sung by Jaswinder Singh and Shiraz Uppal, it is not exactly a sugarcoated romantic number but its rhythmic beats make you tap your feet and you may put the song on loop. The music is powerful and gives you goosebumps. It has a bit of classical touch to it. Shreya Ghoshal's melodious voice greets you in the next track "Banarasiya." With a lot of regional influence, it is soothing and soulful. The lyrics and the singer balance the song and raise the bar. People can express their love even better with Javed Ali's track "Tum tak." Keerti Sagathia and Pooja
Music Review
Av join him behind the mike. A very beautiful romantic number, it is about one-sided love. It can be touted as one of the high points of the album. Next is "Piya milenge." Sukhwinder Singh sings it beautifully. Even though it is not a sad song, it has intended or unin-
Raanjhanaa' music glorifies love in unique way

tended dullness. Somewhere in the middle, a tinge of Sufi music comes in and it sounds nice. Towards the end, the song becomes very passionate and lyrics intense. The Rahman flavor is prominent in "Tu mun shudi". Sung by Rabbi and Rahman, it begins with hip-hop beats and has an element of funkiness. More like a "boys song", the unique number has an interesting composition. The last track is "Aise na dekho" and Rahman's voice has never sounded more lovable. Barring a few low points, "Raanjhanaa" music is thoroughly entertaining. Romance is purified in every song and the album has the capacity to grow on you. Listen to it for a unique experience in expressing love.
Javed Akhtar appointed vice president of copyright body

cclaimed writer-lyricist Javed Akhtar's three-year long battle to secure copyright benefits for writers and musicians in the country, has now gone global.In what must be regarded as a singular honor for an Indian artist, he has been appointed the vice president of the International Confederation of Authors and Composers Society (CISAC) that monitors, guards and checks copyright laws all over the world for every form of creative pursuit. In principle, Akhtar will now be fighting for copyright laws for artists all over the world. Talking from Washington, he said, "I guess my battle for copyright and royalty for Indian musicians reached this very prestigious global forum. The CISAC represents 121 countries. The apex body looks out for copyright issues in all these countries. So I'd say it's a very big responsibility."
Shabana Azmi to get her 4th doctorate

habana Azmi is the most academically qualified actress in India by far and now the veteran actress is all set to receive another doctorate, this time from the Simon Fraser University in V a n c o u v e r Wednesday. This would be the "Masoom" actress's fourth honorary degree. Earlier, she received the same honor from Leeds University in Britain, the Jamia Millia Islamia and the Jadavpur University. "It's good to be honored in a domain away from my home ground. For the academic world to acknowledge my contribution is gratifying. Yes, this is my fourth doctorate," said the actress known for her roles in "Junoon", "Sparsh", "Saaz" and "Earth."
ilmmaker Susi Ganeshan's debut Hindi film "Shortcut Romeo" has been awarded U/A-certificate by the censor board, which ran its scissors on the liplock scene between Neil Nitin Mukesh and Puja Gupta and cut it to half the length. Confirming this, Ganeshan said: "The film has got a U/A certificate with cuts. It is a very intense drama, which has a strong message in it. The liplock scene between Neil and Puja has been reduced to 50 percent. So, the kissing scene has been diluted as per request of the censor board. But I thought the kissing scene was necessary as it goes with the flow of the film," he added. The director started his career in 2002 with Tamil film "Five Star" and later directed "Virumbugiren", "Thiruttu Payale" and "Kanthaswamy". "Shortcut Romeo", his first Hindi movie, is a remake of his Tamil venture "Thiruttu Payale" and the director assures he is "here to stay". He has also roped in Ameesha Patel in a negative role in "Shortcut Romeo", slated for a June 21 release.
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June 15-21, 2013
FEATURES
Excerpts from a fiery speech Roger Ailes gave June 12 at a ceremony where he was one of the four intellectuals awarded by the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation.
Roger Ailes, head of Republicans favorite channel, with News Corp chief Rupert Murdoch in the background. Fox network is owned by News Corp.
Anti-Americanism needs to be answered

--Fox News founder Roger Ailes
They should teach their children to be proud of their history, and their traditions. And they should be welcomed in America. But America is a culture. It has a culture. And it must be recognized. America is losing its historical literacy. Recently, 556 seniors were surveyed in 55 of the nation's top colleges. Only 60 % placed the American Civil War in the second half of the 19th century. Only 34 % identified George Washington as the American general at the battle of Yorktown; 34 percent thought it was U.S. Grant. 78 % of the institutions polled, no history whatsoever was required in the undergraduate program. We are raising a generation of young Americans who are historically illiterate. If the hole in the boat is to be fixed, it will require the tenacity and the ingenuity of the founders. Each of us must take the time to teach the journey of liberty and justice. We must not allow our collective memory to fade, or morph into trendy revisionist versions of political correctness which becomes a substitute for the truth. Traditional American culture influenced us when we created the Fox News channel for Rupert Murdoch. We know that a fair and balanced news channel could succeed as long as no views were rejected and conservative views were allowed to be heard. The Fox News channel just finished its 137th consecutive month in first place in cable news. One reason is, we cover the news. But we also cover stories that we know others will not like, like the abortion doctor in Philadelphia who was actually killing babies after they were born. We covered Benghazi when four Americans were killed, even though no other network would touch the story. It's important because it involves over 200 years of military ideals. You see, if we ask you to go out in the night, and risk your life for America, we promise we will backstop you and try to get you out of it as far as humanly possible. In Benghazi we did not do that. I don't really care what the President of the United States was doing that night. However, I would like to know what the commander-inchief was doing that night. A few other hot news topics these days include the IRS. The federal government is about to hire 16,000 more IRS agents to enforce health care. Forty-seven new tax increases! No wonder they need guns! We already know the IRS is arrogant. They waste as much money as other government agencies. They enjoy pushing people around. Regardless of your political party, here are some things we should all agree on. Government must reinforce the value of the individual and life. Government must have policies that help individual independence flourish and not reinforce dependency. Votes must not be purchased by corrupt organizations or individuals on false, vicious grounds. Freedom cannot be compromised anywhere. Anti-Americanism needs to be answered in every place, every time, by each one of us. I mentioned earlier that American culture is unique and must be included in the whole discussion. It is America that has fed and freed more people than all other countries on earth. You know how I know this is a great country? Because everybody's trying to get in, and nobody's trying to get out.
y remarks tonight are my own. They don't necessarily reflect the views of News Corp, Rupert Murdoch, or Fox. I will say, however, that I didn't give up my citizenship to run a news organization. So I speak here on the highest authority and greatest title anyone could aspire to: Citizen of the United States. We must stop waving our extended arms in an effort to balance ourselves as we tiptope along the edges of the Constitution in an effort not to upset weak-kneed appeasers with our belief in the
ideas and principles that made our country different, and yes, better. Are we losing our country to the inevitable onrushing ties of history? No. But we're in a storm. The mast has broken. The compass is off. And there's a big damn hole in the boat. We have allowed ourselves to be manipulated by others, many of whom want to impose their culture and laws under the manufactured utopian idea that all cultures are equal, and most are better than Americans. Of course more people should be proud of their heritage.
Million Dollar Arm will increase awareness of India's sports potential

The Hollywood movie based on a true story of two Indian boys becoming baseball pitchers in the US has completed its shooting schedule in India.
By Prakash Bhandari it just might work. Why not go there and find the next baseball pitching sensation? Setting off for Mumbai with nothing but a gifted but cantankerous scout (Alan Arkin) in tow, JB stages a televised, nationwide competition called Million Dollar Arm where 40,000 hopefuls compete. Finally, two 18-year-old finalists, Rinku and Dinesh (Suraj Sharma, Madhur Mittal), emerge as winners. JB brings them to the US to train with legendary pitching coach Tom House (Bill Paxton). The goal: get the boys signed to a major league team. Not only is the game itself difficult to master, but life in the US with a committed bachelor makes things even more complicatedfor all of them. While Rinku and Dinesh learn the finer points of baseball and American culture, they in turn teach JB the true meaning of teamwork and commitment. Ultimately, what began as a purely commercial venture becomes something more and leads JB to find the one thing he was never looking for at alla family. In real life, JB discovered pro pitchers Rinku Singh and Dinesh Patel through a reality TV series, The Million Dollar Arm, that he staged in India in 2008. Both Lucknow boys were javelin throwers. The series
Suraj Sharma (right) of Life of Pi fame and Jon Hamm during a shooting location in India.
rincipal photography on Walt Disney Pictures Million Dollar Arm, starring Jon Hamm has completed at various locations in India. The film directed by Craig Gillespie (Lars and the Real Girl, Fright Night) will carry on the rest of the shooting in Atlanta, and Los Angeles. The film unit shot in Mumbai, Udaipur, Agra and Lucknow in which all the leading stars participated. The film also stars Suraj Sharma (Life of Pi), Aasif Mandvi (The Daily Show, Margin Call), Madhur Mittal (Slumdog Millionaire), and Academy Awardwinner Alan Arkin. A.R. Rahman is composing the music for this Hollywood film (his earlier films were 127 Hours, and Slumdog Millionaire). Based on a true story, Million Dollar Arm follows JB Bernstein, a once-successful sports agent who now finds himself edged out by bigger, slicker competitors. He and his partner Aash (Aasif Mandvi) have to come up with something fast to survive. Late one night, while watching cricket being played in India on TV, JB comes up with an idea so radical
Baseball is not played in India yet Dinesh Patel (sitting) and Rinku Singh made it to the Pittsburgh Pirates minor league team.
was meant to select an individual who could throw a baseball fastest and most accurately. In baseball, pitching (the equivalent of bowling) requires the least amount of strategic thoughtthe catcher (equivalent of wicket keeper in cricket) tells the pitcher what to do. The pitcher has to just throw to that predetermined spot. Thats one of the reasons the promoters of the show looked for pitchersall cricketers know how to throw with a bent arm from the deep end of the field. The producing team of Mark Ciardi and Gordon Gray have been
behind notable sports movies such as Secretariat, Miracle and The Rookie . Director Gillespie gained widespread recognition with the critically acclaimed Lars and the Real Girl, and Golden Globe winner Jon Hamm is perhaps best-known for his nuanced portrayal of high-powered, philandering advertising executive Don Draper in AMCs award-winning drama series Mad Men. After winning the contest, Dinesh Patel, now 24, and his friend Rinku Singh went on to win a place in a minor league baseball team (Pittsburgh Pirates). Patel trained
Sharma and Mittal before the shooting in Lucknow. Dinesh returned to India in 2010, but has fond memories of his stay in United States. Both Dinesh and Deepesh Solanki, a scout with Million Dollar Arm feel that the movie will increase awareness of India's sports potential. Though somebody else is playing our roles but it gives me joy to see that something is being done for us and the world will again come to know about our story through the movie. I had a talk with Rinku (who is in Florida) a few days back," Dinesh said.
OP-ED
June 15-21, 2013
19
Modi's elevation tipping point for Indian politics

By Ravi M. Khanna
he controversial BJP decision to elevate hardliner Narendra Modi to run the partys campaign in 2014 elections and ruthlessly sideline a leader such as L.K. Advani is bound to damage its image, but it is a decisive victory for the RSS, which forced BJP President Rajnath Singh to go ahead with the drastic step. Hardline groups such as the RSS, Shiv Sena and VHP have been waiting in the wings for decades to somehow harden the BJPs Hindu nationalist image by encouraging leaders like Modi to lead the party campaigns and also the party. Surprisingly, some BJP leaders and most of the Indian media are describing it as a personal feud between a senior and a junior leader of the party. But it is more than that. Advani realizes that Modi is perceived as a divisive and controversial force that can damage the partys chances of heading a coalition in 2014. Who can deny that Advani is the same leader who in the past did step aside when he realized that Atal Behari Vajpayee would prove to be a better prime minister for the party than he. Anyhow, the appointment of Modi as the chairman of the BJPs 2014 Election Management Committee has set the stage for next years Lok Sabha elections, which now will be a contest between Modi on one side and Congress vice president Rahul
The RSS victory in forcing the BJP to sideline the more acceptable moderate leaders and elevate a Hindu hardliner for the 2014 polls can prove to be a tipping point for the worlds largest democracy.
express any regrets about the 2002 riots, who is ruthlessly in a hurry to rule India and who doesnt care about the countrys minorities. Many see him as a crude politician who does not have any political sanskars and does not have an open mind to run a country like India. The way Modi sent his supporters to demonstrate outside Advanis home in Delhi; the way he treated a whistle blower (senior IPS officer Kuldip Sharma) who exposed some of his controversial actions, and the way he allegedly shunned his wife are some clear indications that he can use any means to achieve what he thinks is right. The bottom line is that Modi is now set to face Rahul Gandhi, who, in a total contrast, is using the renunciation approach saying that he is in no hurry to become the prime minister because at first he wants to work for the unity of his party. But Rahul Gandhi comes across as a young man who has no experience at all of holding any position in the government or otherwise. His critics
Gandhi on the other a fight between the Sangh Parivar and the Gandhi Parivar. It is convenient for the Sangh Parivar to say that the ongoing feud is nothing more than a manifestation of the internal democracy of the party. Yet, the old guard has openly expressed its concern that elevating a known Hindu hardliner as the top national leader in the party could be a big gamble in todays India where the number of hardline Hindu voters is much less than the total number of liberal Hindus and minorities combined. Modi sees his leadership as the best bet for the BJP in 2014 polls. He cites his three consecutive victories in the Gujarat elections, his rapport with
Indias top industrialists and the economic development he has achieved in Gujarat as his top qualities to be projected as the PM candidate. His ability to rebut the Congress party slogans is great and his criticism of some of the present government policies is valid. But the problem is, he also carries the taint of the 2002 Gujarat riots and an almost visceral hate for Muslims. There was a time in 2004 when the most accepted BJP leader and then prime minister Vajpayee also distanced himself from Modi. Perception matters a lot in politics. And when one talks to Indians and watches the TV talk shows, Modi comes across as a dictatorial leader who has never felt any need to
say he is surrounded by the most ineffective cronies led by a very insecure adviser like Kanishka Singh, who for his own job security has been limiting Rahuls exposure. And that if he becomes PM, it will be because he comes from the Gandhi dynasty. The young Congress vice-president, it seems, is following his fathers footsteps. But, unlike his father, he doesnt seem to be in a hurry to implement the changes overnight. Rahul Gandhi, with his hard work and interaction with the grassroots for the past nine years, probably realizes, more than his father did, how murky and ruthless Indian politics can be. And perhaps he also realizes that once he is able to democratize the party and empower the neglected ranks in the Congress, he will automatically become their natural choice for leading them in parliament. Whatever the results, one thing is certain that next years Lok Sabha elections are bound to have far reaching repercussions for Indian politics. Also, the RSS victory in forcing the BJP to sideline the more acceptable moderate leaders and elevate a Hindu hardliner for the 2014 polls can prove to be a tipping point for the worlds largest democracy. Ravi M. Khanna has covered the South Asian political scene for Voice of America from Washington and New Delhi for more than 24 years.
Snowden: A whistle-blower, criminal or Both

How should the US government handle the case of Edward J. Snowden, who admitted disclosing secrets about NSA surveillance after fleeing to Hong Kong?
Prosecute him
By Ed Morrissey
Protection, not prison

By Jesselyn Radack dward Snowden should not be prosecuted for mishandling classified information, and certainly not under the Espionage Act. The Justice Department has led an unprecedented crackdown on leakers, who more often than not are whistleblowers public servants who expose fraud, waste, abuse and illegality. I represent John Kiriakou and Thomas Drake, who blew the whistle on two of the biggest scandals of the Bush administration the use of torture, and secret domestic surveillance, respectively. After disclosure of the warrantless wiretapping, the government retroactively legalized it and immunized the telecoms. Torturers have been glorified in movies, written books divulging classified information (including sources and methods), and been given a pass by President Obamas look forward, not backward policy. Meanwhile, the government launched a series of Espionage Act prosecutions against the people in the intelligence and national security community who spoke out against the secret, dark side of U.S. conduct post 9/11.
ince learning about Edward Snowdens leaks from his work with the NSA, many want to turn the man into a hero for opening a vital national debate on the balance between security and liberty. President Obama himself said he welcomed this debate, even though its been apparent that his administration would rather have kept everyone in the dark about NSA snooping on Internet and telecom data, just like the Bush administration. But we should not confuse the necessity of the debate with the sanctity to the person who prompted it. The U.S. government allowed Snowden to achieve a position of trust in an area of vital interest to national security. Anyone who has held a clearance gets routinely briefed on the necessity for maintaining security. Cleared personnel are also briefed on ways to blow the whistle on illegality, unethical behavior and other wrongdoing through company management, through the agency that grants the clearance or,
if need be, by going to Congress. None of these paths involve passing sensitive materials to the press. Snowden may well have uncovered illegal and unconstitutional behavior. However, by leaking information about the behavior rather than reporting it through legal channels, Snowden chose to break the law, too. This law is intended to keep legitimate national-security data and assets safe from our enemies; it is intended to keep Americans safe. The government should enforce all of its laws, and make sure that all other cleared personnel dont exploit their positions of trust to settle personal grievances or score political points. Whatever the motive, national security leaks damage our ability to defend ourselves. The Department of Justice needs to conduct a criminal investigation into Snowdens activities. The author is Senior editor, HotAir.com.
The Espionage Act is a century-old law that is meant to go after spies, not whistle-blowers. The government dropped all the espionage charges against Kiriakou and Drake, but continues to use the Espionage Act as a blunt instrument to bankrupt, isolate, intimidate and silence whistle-blowers. As happens in every whistle-blower case, the government attacks the messenger rather than listening to the message. Whistle-blowers like Snowden are invariably smeared as being deviant misfits who are out for fame, profit, revenge, or self-aggrandizement. Already, Snowden has been called a grandiose narcissist and traitor, and hes been public for 72 hours. Focusing on Snowden is a distraction from the governments law-breaking massive domestic surveillance program. Criminally prosecuting Snowden has little to do with Snowdens alleged crimes and everything to do with making an example of him and sending the most chilling of messages to anyone even thinking about exposing government wrongdoing, especially criminality. A war on information that targets whistle-blowers and journalists is more characteristic of a totalitarian state than a free and open democratic society. The author is National security and human rights director of Government Accountability Project. (Courtesy the New York Times)
The views expressed in Op Eds are not necessarily those of The South Asian Times.
20
June 15-21, 2013
OP-ED
The inside story: why LK Advani 'resigned' from BJP

By Shekhar Iyer t is no secret why senior patriarch LK Advani is angry with the BJP. At 85, he is terribly upset that he has been pushed to the sidelines, first by the RSS, and now by the BJP under Rajnath Singh. Yet to reconcile to the fact that the BJP is unwilling to back him again as the prime minister aspirant and is now turning to Gujarat strongman Narendra Modi, Advani is upset with the events unfolding in the party--though he will never admit so. So Advani has finally deployed his most powerful instrument--public embarrassment of his party--to get back at the BJP a day after Modi became the party's campaign committee chief. He has ended his sulk of the last three days to damage the party's standing just a year before the elections. By resigning from all top party posts--the national executive, parliamentary board and the election committee--Advani has also virtually thrown the gauntlet, which no one in BJP will pick up for obvious reasons. The RSS, which wanted Advani to call it a day five years ago when the BJP lost the Lok Sabha polls in 2009 for the second time, won't like
such a departure. They would want he's persuaded enough so that the opposition and the media don't accuse the BJP of treating an "elder statesman" shabbily. His supporters say Advani is angry, essentially with Rajnath Singh. Advani wanted the announcement about Modi as the BJP campaign chairperson for the Lok Sabha elections to be made, along with Nitin Gadkari being declared as the chief of an election management committee for the five states going to polls this year: Delhi, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh.
Why Gadkari now? Advani, who was instrumental in the ouster of Gadkari as BJP president, now thinks that the latter was a "victim" of conspiracy that saw raids into the Maharashtra leader's formerly held firm to trigger his exit. Also, when Gadkari was denied a second term as BJP president at the last minute, Advani wanted one of his nominess--Ananth Kumar or Shanta Kumar--to succeed, which did not find favor with the RSS for whom, Rajnath Singh was the best bet. When Advani proposed Gadkari be given "some work", Rajnath Singh refused. The BJP chief said
Modi and Gadkari, who had to quit as BJP president in January over his Purti Group's financial deals, could not be put on the same pedestal. When Rajnath Singh met Advani on Monday after he sent in his resignation letter, the patriarch did not mince words in telling him that his "plea" for a "small thing" like Gadkari heading a panel was not heeded by him. Advani's aides blamed Rajnath Singh for turning into a first-class crisis what was essentially a small matter. Advani has been telling BJP leaders that the party since its Jan Sangh days had left the last word to its senior-most leader. Till Vajpayee was active, he had the last word. But most BJP leaders say they would not have a problem with Advani's decisions "if he had not reduced himself to projecting a faction" and if the RSS was not so opposed to him. Also, Advani would prefer that the issue is kept open till the Lok Sabha polls so that the NDA got enough numbers and allies to form the government. Alternatively, he would like either his name to be considered again or that of Sushma Swaraj, his protg and leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha, BJP insiders said. But since the mood of the BJP cadre and the RSS were in no way
in tune with Advani's approach, many BJP leaders are considering ways to project Modi ahead of the polls--given his popularity - without upsetting the existing NDA setup. What can happen now? Neither the RSS nor senior BJP leaders want Advani to bow out in this fashion. So, they will persuade him to withdraw his resignation. But, at the same time, everyone is sure Modi's apppointment as BJP campaign chief cannot be rescinded. That will send a terrible message to BJP cadres who clamored for him. Those with Advani like Sushma Swaraj, Ananth Kumar, and SS Ahluwalia tried at the Goa conclave to delay the announcement about Modi. But Rajnath Singh did not go back to Delhi without making the announcement. Today, after accusing the BJP of not following the path of its founders SP Mookerjee, Deendayal Upadhayay and Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Advani cannot easily come down though senior leaders will try their best. His remark in his letter to Rajnath Singh that "most leaders of ours are now concerned just with their personal agendas" will appear hypocritical when they see his action in the same light.
Looking forward to the next 100 years of Indian cinema with possibilities of a richer kind.
for dumbed-down entertainment. As time leapfrogged, newer segments became the target audience, ones that had not been necessarily brought up on a diet of literature, poetry, music and fine art. Cinema had to face the challenge of widening the base and keeping its artistic sensibilities thriving. It had to be a medium of the masses, and yet, it had to be the channel that kept art alive. Cinema has struggled to strike a balance between the two. Many lament the decline in the overall quality citing sensational storylines and the increased crassness in todays lyrics and song. I agree that the baser approach, its triteness, and deficient craft are disturbing. But it would be nave to think that this is a new phenomenon. This nature of narrative and song has always existed in a part of our society, but didnt find a way into the mainstream consciousness and sensibility. Contrary to the premise that a larger section of our social strata is now forming part of the cinema-watching audience, its interesting to note that the representation of a non-urban audience is dimming. The portrayal
Opening a third eye

of the aam aadmi in cinema is fading, the rural representation and the voice from the villages in mainstream films is less audible. Seen from a wider perspective, this lacuna has given a new lease of life to the regional film industry. There is, however, a silver lining. But this perspective would need to be tempered with my theory that posits the cultural eye against the organism eye. When initially faced with an object or instance, one first uses ones cultural eye for consumption. We are forced to use an earlier frame of reference and only after that does our knowledge and conditioning kick in to help us make a decision. For instance, if one were to see a woman with traces of a red substance on her forehead, an Indian would think of it as a smudged bindi, but to a western mind it could first connote a bleeding wound. The organism eye does not have any cultural underpinning. It reacts from a simplistic and basic source. In a cinematic context, when it comes to appealing to the lowest common denominator, the organism eye has huge currency. Spielberg has managed to appeal to the organisms eye through his movies. Jurassic Park, ET, Jaws these films did not necessarily require a cultural context to cross borders. Currently what we see as a key component of Indian cinema, the Bollywood song and dance gamut is a distinctive flavor, not an offering in its entirety. If Indian cinema needs to, for market realities, cater to the lowest common denominator, it can do so in far more interesting and innovative ways. For example, India has the penchant for the fantastical the adbhut which is abundantly available in our literary wealth. With the growing technical expertise, it could be interesting to explore cinema through ones organism eye and create a unique cinematic spectacle in its own right. Perhaps even a culturally embedded subject and mythological deity like Hanuman could be viewed from both the cultural eyes standpoint and also carry appeal as a universal hero from the organism eyes perspective. It is challenging to celebrate cinema as a medium of expression and simultaneously give it leverage for reasons of commerce. The aim, in the end, should be the creation of indelible impressions that transcend and influence the collective consciousness of a society. I look forward to the next 100 years of our cinema with possibilities of a richer kind. Prasoon Joshi is a writer, poet and advertising professional.
By Prasoon Joshi
inema all over the world has influenced viewers to a considerable degree, but the myriad ways in which our cinema regional and Hindi has had an impact through generations is unique. It has influenced popular consciousness in more ways than one in the profound and the banal, in art and business, in the subtle shaping of thought to the outward expression of behavior. Given that a century is being marked of Indian cinema, theres been plenty of thought and reflection that has poured forth from the time of the first feature film to the recent Rs.100-crore club phenomenon. The journey of Indian cinema
has not been an easy one. It had to contend with many a challenge along the way. In the initial decades, there was a certain uniformity of approach. Cinema catered to largely the middle class, its sentiments and its morality. There was also a wealth of literature that it drew from. The incredible raw material in the form of culturally relevant vernacular writing like the works of Premchand and the luminaries from Bengal was also a potent source of inspiration. In the years to come, those who wrote exclusively for the screen would find it difficult to match up to the greatness that had been witnessed in literature. Also initially, the moving picture was a novelty and in the garb of this novelty a limited middleclass audience was receptive to quality literary work and did not hanker
The views expressed in Op Eds are not necessarily those of The South Asian Times.
SUBCONTINENT
June 15-21, 2013
21
Pakistan gets its first female fighter pilot

end of next year, and an uneasy relationship with arch rival India to the east add to the mix. Farooq, whose slim frame offers a study in contrast with her burly male colleagues, was at loggerheads with her widowed and uneducated mother seven years ago when she said she wanted to join the air force. "In our society most girls don't even think about doing such things as flying an aircraft," she said. Family pressure against the traditionally male domain of the armed forces dissuaded other women from taking the next step to become combat ready, air force officials said. They fly slower aircraft instead, ferrying troops and equipment around the nuclear-armed country of 180 million. There are now about 4,000 women in Pakistan's armed forces, largely confined to desk jobs and medical work. But over the last decade, women have became sky marshals, defending Pakistan's commercial liners against insurgent attacks, and a select few are serving in the elite anti-terrorist force. Like most female soldiers in the world, Pakistani women are still banned from ground combat. Pakistan now has 316 women in the air force compared to around 100 five years ago, Abbas said.
Pakistan hikes defence spending

Islamabad: Pakistan Wednesday increased its defence allocation in the budget for fiscal 2013-14 to 627 billion rupees ($6.32 billion), a nearly 15 percent hike over the outlay for the current fiscal year. A total of 570 billion rupees had been allocated for defence spending in the 2012-13 budget, reported Xinhua. The budget documents show that allocation for the three defence services amounted to 15.73 percent of the federal budget of 3.98 trillion rupees for 2013-14. The army received the main share of the outlay with 301.54 billion rupees. The allocation for the air force was 131.18 billion rupees, while the outlay for the navy was 62.80 billion rupees. The budget presented by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar in the National Assembly also shows that the government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has allocated 2.3 billion rupees for the Defence Production Division in the Public Sector
Pakistan has increased its defence allocation by 15 percent
Ayesha Farooq
Islamabad: With an olive green head scarf poking out from her helmet, Ayesha Farooq flashes a cheeky grin when asked if it is lonely being the only war-ready female fighter pilot in the Islamic republic of Pakistan. Farooq, from Punjab province's historic city of Bahawalpur, is one of 19 women who have become pilots in the Pakistan Air Force over the last decade - there are five other female fighter pilots, but they have yet to take the final tests to qualify for combat. "I don't feel any different. We do the same activities, the same precision bombing," the soft-spoken 26-
year-old said of her male colleagues at Mushaf base in north Pakistan, where neatly piled warheads sit in sweltering 50 degree Celsius heat (122 F). A growing number of women have joined Pakistan's defence forces in recent years as attitudes towards women change. "Because of terrorism and our geographical location it's very important that we stay on our toes," said Farooq, referring to Taliban militancy and a sharp rise in sectarian violence. Deteriorating security in neighboring Afghanistan, where US-led troops are preparing to leave by the
Development Program for 2013-14. The finance minister said the government will take measures to bring down fiscal deficit, which will definitely lead to control in inflation. The fiscal deficit, which now accounts for 8.8 percent of the GDP, will be brought down to 4 percent of GDP in the next three years, he said. He said the prime minister has established initial contact with China for construction of a modern expressway from Gwadar in Balochistan to Kashgar. "It will open a new era of development in the region," he said.
IAF downplays Pakistan's concern over airspace violation
Four US embassy officials detained at Karachi airport

Karachi: Pakistani authorities briefly detained four US embassy officials at Karachi's Jinnah International Airport on Wednesday and later sent them back to Islamabad. The incident was confirmed airport officials. "Don't know what happened or why they were sent back to Islamabad but there was no verbal spat or arguments," one official said on condition of anonymity. A US embassy spokesman confirmed the incident and told Dawn.com that four embassy officials had reached Karachi from Islamabad this morning to meet with officials from the US consulate in Karachi. He said airport officials did not allow them to enter the city and they subsequently returned to Islamabad."There was no verbal scuffle," the spokesman said.
Musharraf arrested; remanded to judicial custody for fortnight

Islamabad/New Delhi: Pakistan Tuesday conveyed its "serious concern" to the Indian High Commission in Islamabad over the violation of its airspace by two Indian fighter jets but the Indian Air Force said it was a "technical violation." The Pakistan foreign ministry said in a statement that it has conveyed serious concern to the Indian High Commission over the airspace violation by two Indian high speed (fighter) aircraft that had intruded four km into the Head Sulemanki area at 1040 hours. The aircraft stayed in Pakistani air space for about two minutes." Pakistan said it considers the air space violation as a contravention of the 1991 Agreement between Pakistan and India on Prevention of Air Space Violations and for Permitting Overflights and Landings by Military Aircraft". It also called upon India to respect all existing agreements and CBMs that have been reached between the two countries, the statement from the Pakistan foreign affairs ministry said. The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) had initiated prompt tactical action and scrambled two fighter aircraft to challenge the "intruders", the PAF spokesman said. "Upon PAF action, Indian aircraft exited the Pakistani airspace," he said. An IAF spokesman in New Delhi, however, downplayed the incident saying the two aircraft were on a training sortie and it was a technical violation. "It is clarified that IAF aircraft which were on a routine flying training sortie seem to have flown close to the border and it appears to be a technical violation. The same has also been conveyed to the Pakistan authorities," he said. Islamabad: Former President Pervez Musharraf was today formally arrested and remanded to judicial custody for a fortnight over the 2006 killing of Baloch nationalist leader Akbar Bugti. Musharraf, 69, was arrested by a team from the Crime Branch of Balochistan Police. The team was sent from Quetta to Islamabad yesterday after an anti-terrorism court in Balochistan rejected Musharraf's bail application and ordered his arrest. Acting on a request from the Balochistan Police team, an antiterrorism court in Islamabad subsequently remanded Musharraf to judicial custody for 14 days so that he could be questioned over the killing of Bugti. Officials said Musharraf will continue to be held at his farmhouse at Chak Shahzad on the outskirts of Islamabad for security reasons. The villa was declared a "subjail" shortly after Musharraf was
Pervez Musharraf
first arrested in April. Bugti was killed in August 2006 during a military operation ordered by Musharraf, who was President and army chief at the time. On Tuesday, the Islamabad High Court granted bail to Musharraf in a case over the detention of dozens of judges after he imposed
emergency in 2007. Last month, he was granted bail in the Bhutto assassination case. Musharraf's aides have said they will approach the Supreme Court to get his name removed from the Interior Ministry's Exit Control List, which has the names of people barred from traveling out of Pakistan.
22
June 15-21, 2013
INTERNATIONAL
Thousands of anti-Putin protesters march in Moscow

Moscow: Thousands of Russian opposition activists marched through Moscow on Wednesday, decrying President Vladimir Putin's authoritarian rule and calling for the release of people they consider political prisoners. The march on Russia Day, a national holiday, was to show support for 27 people arrested after a protest turned violent on the eve of Putin's inauguration more than a year ago. Sixteen of the defendants have remained in jail pending trial on charges that could send them to prison for up to 10 years. The arrests, especially those of ordinary Russians who had joined the anti-Putin rallies for the first time and who in some cases seemed to have been grabbed at random, appeared to be part of Kremlin efforts to deter people from joining any future
Police clear Istanbul protest square after clashes

Istanbul: Demonstrators retreated from an Istanbul protest square on Wednesday after a night of running battles with riot police as Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan clamped down on mass demos against his Islamic-rooted government. By late afternoon, hundreds of officers armed with riot shields and backed by water cannon trucks were clustered along the eastern side of the square. Just a stone's throw away, demonstrators huddled up in Gezi Park but there were no fresh confrontations. Office workers, tourists and curious passers-by milled around the square in a relaxed mood, some posing for pictures with smiling police, after a large clean-up operation cleared the site of stray tear gas canisters, anti-Erdogan banners and makeshift barricades. The premier, meanwhile, was meeting with several protest leaders but many demonstrators said Tuesday's unexpected
protests. The estimated 10,000 to 15,000 protesters who turned out Wednesday was far fewer than the 100,000 or more who rallied against Putin before his election to a third term, reflecting a wariness that has taken the steam out of the protest movement. But the turnout was still higher than many had expected. "You can't sit at home when the government begins repressions against ordinary, decent citizens of our country
- people who don't want to live in this swamp, people who want to see their country thrive," civil activist Vitaly Zolomov said. "And I believe, and this is something I tell everyone, that it's criminal to stay to the side in a country where lawlessness has become the norm." Opposition leader Alexei Navalny and his wife led the marchers behind an orange banner saying: "Freedom to the May 6 prisoners. For your freedom and ours."
crackdown on Taksim Square, which had seen no police presence since June 1, had made them lose faith in any dialogue.
Syria Islamists Central Europe reels under floods, 21 killed celebrate Shia deaths: Video
Beirut: Sunni Islamist rebels celebrated the killing of some 60 Shias, mostly pro-regime fighters, and burned their homes in eastern Syria, according to video distributed by a group monitoring the civil war. The videos emerged on Wednesday, a day after a major clash in a village in Deir Ezzor province that pitted Shias against Sunnis, a fresh sign that the conflict is becoming increasingly sectarian. "The Sadeq al-Amin (rebel) brigade is getting ready to assault the houses of Shias who support the regime of (President Bashar al-) Assad in the village of Hatlah," an unidentified cameraman who filmed one of the videos says. A dozen men can be seen in the courtyard of a house, showing off a man's disfigured corpse. "Look Shias, this is how you will end up, you dogs," cries one man. "Sunnis, help your community," says another man, wearing a black bandana inscribed with the Islamic profession of faith. The video was distributed by the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for human rights.
Gay lobby exists in Vatican government: Pope

Vatican City: Besides corruption, there is a "gay lobby" inside the Vatican government or curia, Pope Francis admitted, saying "we will have to see what we can do." "Yes... it is difficult. In the Curia, there are also holy people, really, there are holy people. But there also is a stream of corruption, there is that as well, it is true... The 'gay lobby' is mentioned, and it is true, it is there... We need to see what we can do," the pontiff said. He did not specify what kind of action he might take. Francis made the remark during an audience with members of the Latin American and Caribbean Confederation of Religious Men and Women (CLAR). He also signaled his support for the reform of the government of the Catholic Church. "The reform of the Roman Curia is something that almost all Cardinals asked for in the Congregations preceding the Conclave. I also asked for it," Francis said. In February last year, the Vatican attacked Italian media reports of a powerful "gay lobby" inside the curia, citing a confidential report commissioned by the previous pope, Benedict XVI.
Berlin: Rivers in Germany, Hungary and the Czech Republic have reached record high levels, and after a week of rain an estimated 21 people have died in floods in Central Europe, Xinhua reported Monday. A dam near Saxony-Anhalt state capital Magdeburg in eastern Germany burst overnight Monday, despite attempts to stabilize it, forcing authorities to ask more than 20,000 people to leave their homes. The dam breach happened at a village 40 km northeast of Magdeburg, regional disaster management authorities said, and hundreds of local residents were immediately asked to evacuate. The toll of 21 was across central
Europe, media reports said. Water levels in the Elbe river rose to a record 7.4 meters over the weekend, more than five meters higher than the normal reading of two meters, the Xinhua report said. According to the water management office of the Hungarian interior ministry, the water level of the Danube river peaked at 891 cm in the capital city of Budapest Sunday night. Hungary's National Technical Management Corps (OMIT) said that measures to contain flood levels have been taken and the OMIT were ready to tackle the problems of residue created by the receding river. In the Czech Republic, acting
Mayor Tomas Hudecek of Prague lifted the state of emergency in the capital city Monday after reviewing the situation in respect of the Vltava river. The Vltava water level has been dropping since Saturday, but Hudecek then refused to lift the state of danger for the weather office forecast further rains. Water has been released from reservoirs that were responsible for some floods in the city and the reservoirs on the Vltava also have a sufficient retention capacity now, the acting mayor said. Prague will keep its anti-flood barriers for the time being. Floods were also reported in Slovakia, Austria, Poland and Switzerland.
SPORTS
June 15-21, 2013
23
Champions Trophy: Dhawan, Jadeja take India to semi-finals

London: Shikhar Dhawan struck Shikhar Dhawan back-to-back ODI tons hammered an unbeaten and Ravindra Jadeja the 102. bagged his maiden t o p fifer to guide India to of the the semi-finals of points table the Champions with four points Trophy with a from two matches. convincing Dhawan's century overeight-wicket shadowed Jadeja's exploits with win over the his left-arm spin that restricted West Indies in the West Indies to a modest 233 Group B at The for nine in 50 overs. Oval here Tuesday. Dhawan stroked his way to a fine Jadeja ripped apart the West Indies batting with his five for 22 and dismissed Johnson Charles (60), Marlon Samuels (1) and Ramnaresh Sarwan (1) all in a space of 14 balls. But it was a cameo of unbeaten 56 off 35 balls by Darren Sammy that gave West Indies some hope. But the hope was short-lived as Indian openers Dhawan and Rohit Sharma (52) went on scoring runs with ease and set the platform for the win with their 101-run first-wicket stand.
Spurs thrash Heat to take 2-1 series lead in NBA finals
LeBron James could score only 15 points in the game his team lost badly Tuesday.
unbeaten 102 and Dinesh Karthik remained not out on 51 as India, chasing a target of 234, made 236 for eight in 39.1 overs and moved to
Ravindra Jadeja bagged his maiden fifer in the ODI, defeating West Indies.
San Antonio: The San Antonio Spurs crushed the Hiami Heat 11377 on Tuesday to take a 2-1 series lead in the NBA finals. Danny Green hit seven of nine 3pointers in his 27 points while Gary Neal was six for 10 from deep in his 24. Tim Duncan chipped in 12 points and 14 rebounds for the
Spurs, who rebounded from to a 19point loss in Game 2. Miami's four-time MVP LeBron James was held to 15 points on 7-of21 shooting. James also had 11 rebounds and five assists, but missed 11 of his first 14 shots. Game 4 in the best-of-seven series is Thursday in San Antonio.
SPOT-FIXING SCANDAL
IPL scam: Cops need more audio clips to nail Dawood

New Delhi: D e l h i Dawood Ibrahim, Police need mafia don believed m o r e to be operating audios clips from Karachi in of fugitive Pakistan. d o n Dawood Ibrahim's voice for establishing his identity in taped conversations between cricketers, bookies and suspected underworld gang members in the IPL spot fixing scandal, an official said Wednesday. "Despite having proper telephonic intercepts as corroborative evidence to prove Dawood's involvement in running the whole betting syndicate, we need some more audio clips of his voice for the authenticity," an official, who did not wish to be named, said. Investigators were awaiting a forensic report on the taped conversations as it would bolster their case against the accused, he said. The officer said the tapes had voices of bookies, players and other people, who were handling spot fixing and betting from abroad, and police need the Delhi Forensic Science Laboratory (DFSL) report to clarify the roles of the arrested accused. "We have sent the tapes to DFSL along with the voice and hand writing samples of the arrested bookies and players. The forensic officials will take some time to give the report," said the official. Police have telephonic intercepts in which some of the bookies made calls to Dubai, Karachi and other cities of Pakistan to fix and alter spot fixing and betting rates, said the official. "The calls were made to fugitive don Dawood Ibrahim and his aide Chhota Shakeel, whose name is mentioned in the list of suspects in the IPL spot fixing case," said the official. The underworld don's name came to light after the arrests of bookie Ramesh Vyas, in Mumbai by Mumbai police, and bookie Ashwani Aggarwal alias Tinku Mandy, in Mumbai by Delhi Police, last month. Vyas and Aggarwal were allegedly handling Dawood Ibrahim's betting syndicate in south and north India. Delhi Police moved an application before a city court June 7 seeking open non-bailable warrants against Dawood Ibrahim and Shakeel. "It has come to our notice that the main bookies and fixers were in touch with Dawood Ibrahim and Chhota Shakeel...who gave directions to bookies and fixers in India...," the official said. Delhi Police have so far arrested 26 people, 21 of these - including Rajasthan Royals players S. Sreesanth, Ankeet Chavan and Ajit Chandila - have got bail. Bookie Aggarwal is in Mumbai police custody.All the 26 people arrested by Delhi Police have been booked under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act (MCOCA). Altogether, 60 people have been arrested across the country in connection with the IPL spot fixing scandal.
Sreesanth arrives in Kerala to tumultuous welcome

Kochi: Former India pacer S. Sreesanth, arrested for his role in alleged spot fixing in the IPL and released from jail on Tuesday, arrived here to a tumultuous welcome from hundreds of fans who were waiting at the airport since early Wednesday. A battery of media crews were seen jostling for space as soon as Sreesanth arrived in the airport's lobby around 9.15 a.m. "I am confident that I will come clean. I am delighted that I am back here. I have done no wrong. I am overwhelmed by the support I got here. I will now spend time with my parents," Sreesanth said. Responding to a query about his future plans, he said: "I will wait with patience for things to clear up. I have always given the very best whenever I played. I thank all those who stood in my hour of crisis. I don't want to blame anyone. I have full faith in the Indian judiciary." Speaking to a TV channel at the airport, the cricketer said he would not like even his enemies to be sent to jail while admitting that life was pretty tough in the jail. He said jail officials would some time wake him up in the middle of the night and ask him to keep standing in his cell. Delhi Police arrested Sreesanth and his Rajasthan Royals colleagues Ankeet Chavan and Ajit Chandila on May 16 for their alleged role in the IPL spot fixing scam.
Sreesanth on his arrival in Kochi Wednesday. Sreesanth's credibility took the worst ever beating after Delhi Police linked him with the underworld and charged the cricketer under the provisions of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA). However, a Delhi court Monday ruled that there was no prima facie evidence to try the cricketer under the act and granted him bail. Delhi Police have been contemplating an appeal against the bail order. Sreesanth has represented the country in 27 Tests (87 wickets), 53 ODIs (75) and 10 T20Is (seven wickets).
Cops forced me to name Kundra in betting case

New Delhi: Umesh Goenka, a friend of IPL's Rajasthan Royals team owner Raj Kundra, Wednesday told a court here that he was forced to name Kundra in the cricket betting case to save himself from Delhi Police torture. Goenka, business partner of Kundra, whose statement has been recorded as a witness in the case, claimed in the court that he was forced to IPL's Rajasthan Royals team name Kundra on instructions from investigators owner Raj who had traumatized him and physically abused Kundra him in illegal custody for five days. "Due to threats, torture and extreme fear of consequences on refusing to comply with the dictates of police, I made the statement before the magistrate. It was not made voluntarily and was given under duress on directions of police," he told the court.Goenka said during interrogation when he reiterated his stand about his and Kundra's non-involvement in betting, police personnel slapped him, removed his clothes and tortured him physically delivering fists and blows and slapped on his face so hard that his right ear-drum got ruptured. The remarks of Goenka came through an application for retraction of his June 5 statement made before a magistrate in which he had named Kundra in the cricket betting case.Additional Sessions Judge Vinay Kumar Khanna after hearing brief arguments directed police to file a response on the application by June 14.
24
June 15-21, 2013
RUPEES HISTORIC FALL
How to really stem the rupees slide

Mumbai: One dollar is now worth Rs 57, down 5 percent since January. The weak rupee is denting debt and equity markets, forcing some foreign institutional investors to head for the exit, as they see dollar returns erode. After being net purchasers of Indian stocks for 12 months in a row, FIIs turned net sellers, dumping around $50 million worth of stock in the first four trading days of June. A falling rupee could translate into higher inflation, because India imports most of its fuel and higher pump prices could filter through as higher transport costs. People who were hoping that the RBI could now start softening interest rates to prime growth could, therefore, be in for a nasty surprise: rates could stay at the India's current account deficit is at a historic high: 6.7% of GDP in the third quarter of the last fiscal and an estimated 5% for the year as a whole. In Hyderabad on Friday, Reserve Bank of India governor Duvvuri Subbarao pointed to this number to say that the high deficit makes it tougher to implement monetary policy. He is correct. The depreciation could take some edge off the external deficit by making relatively inessential imports dearer and exports more competitive. Exporters need to diversify into fast-growing markets such as those in Africa. The government should give them the diplomatic heft they need in these new markets. This summer will see several large inflows of foreign exchange to India, such as from Unilever into its India arm and from McGraw Hill into Crisil. But investment inflows are a function of economic vigour and policy clarity. Both remain works in progress. For that to change, the government must start clearing projects, lift investment ceilings in most sectors and move decisively into reform mode. State-sponsored investment, such as in railway projects and the Mumbai-Delhi Infrastructure Corridor, must crystallise without delay. The world outside remains an uncertain place, where the yen is being talked down, the eurozone wobbles and the US alone grows. What India can do is to get its own act together.
The rupee is falling because India's current account deficit is at a historic high
same level or go up marginally to offset the anticipated rise in infla-
tion. The rupee is falling because
Will rupee slide speed up FII selling of Indian shares?
Rupee's fall bring smiles to apparel exporters

Kolkata: The recent fall of the rupee against the dollar has brought more smiles to the faces of India's apparel exporters who have been upbeat over rising consumer confidence in the US, one of the major export destinations. India's apparel exports fell 5.76 percent to $12.92 billion in 201213 due to the slowdown in Europe and the US, which together account for more than 65 percent of India's garment exports. "I am positive about the US. It seems that they are out of recession," Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) senior vice chairman H.K.L. Magu said. "I believe this will positively impact our apparel export to this country," Magu said. According to him, the exporters were already getting a good number of orders from the US. What made the exporters happier is the recent fall in rupee as their goods are now cheaper in dollar terms in the international markets. The rupee hit the one-year low of 56.85 against the dollar on persistent dollar demand from importers and banks. Federation of Indian Export Organisations(FIEO) president Rafique Ahmed said that rupee devaluation would help garment exporters increase shipments. "As the items would be more attractive abroad on the price front, it would lead to an increase in the quantity of export items," he explained. Ahmed said apparel exporters also get some additional business with the US market looking up.
Indian rupee fall temporary: Deutsche Bank
One dollar = Rs 58
Mumbai: As the rupee breached the 57-level against the US dollar, Deutsche Bank said the fall is temporary and it was not worried about outlook of the Indian unit which is likely to bounce back in second half of 2013. The domestic currency closed at a fresh 11-month low at 57.06 to the greenback. The German brokerage said the headwinds for the rupee are diminishing following a cooling off in inflation, which pushes up the real interest rates thus making rupee investments attractive, and a likely correction in current account deficit and healthy foreign fund inflows. "We are not inclined to worry a great deal about the rupee's near or medium term outlook...,the major sources of drag to the currency in recent years - high inflation and high current account deficit - are dissipating rapidly, and will help support the currency," it said in a note. "We expect the rupee to rally against the dollar in the second half of 2013." The rupee has been depreciating in the recent weeks, touching new lows against the US unit. This has forced policymakers to take steps to arrest the slide. Finance Minister P Chidambaram tried to soothe the frayed market, saying some other currencies are also losing value like the rupee and that the domestic currency will find its right value soon. "There is no cause for alarm over the rupee fall, as capital inflows are strong, especially in April and May. I am sure the rupee will find its right value soon," he said.
New Delhi: Finance minister P Chidambaram has tried to pacify jittery markets, saying foreign capital flows were strong enough to bridge the current account deficit. But will the flows sustain going forward? Theoretically, a weak rupee provokes foreign funds into selling Indian equities, as it would lower their portfolio value, if the stocks have not been performing. Assume a foreign fund buys one share of a company for Rs 52 when the rupee was 52 to the dollar. If the stock price remains constant, and the rupee depreciates to 57 to the dollar, the value of the portfolio is now less than 1 dollar. But if the stock had risen to Rs 62, the foreign fund would not be worried, since the appreciation could more than cover up for the weakness in the rupee. India is among the emerging market countries which have gained from the low interest rate
policies of the US Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank. Generous dollops of liquidity resulting from those policies found their way into Indian shares, keeping share prices higher even during periods of weakness in the rupee. But now market is not so sure if the liquidity flows will sustain, as there are doubts that the Fed may now start cutting back on its monetary stimulus. Since the big sell off in global markets a couple of weeks back on these concerns, foreign fund flows into India have slowed. And there is bad news on the debt front as well. FIIs have net sold close to Rs 4000 crore of Indian debt as bond yields are softening in anticipation of a decline in interest rates. If capital flows slow down at this stage, this could trigger a vicious cycle of weakening rupee and foreign fund outflows.
BUSINESS
June 15-21, 2013
25
Google, Facebook, Microsoft seek Apple unveils new operating system, refreshed MacBook Airs easing of secrecy rules
Washington, DC: Amid a raging controversy over a sweeping US Internet surveillance program, top tech companies in a concerted move have asked the government ease the secrecy surrounding national security investigations. Google, Facebook and Microsoft in requests echoed by a top official from Twitter also asked US officials Tuesday to lift long-standing gag orders covering the nature and extent of information collected about Internet users by the National Security Agency. In an open letter to Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. and FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III Google sought to be allowed to significantly expand its semiannual "transparency reports" on the information sought by courts and police worldwide. "Google has nothing to hide," wrote Chief Legal Officer David Drummond. Facebook soon after issued a statement suggesting that it may start publishing its own "transparency reports" - a move the company has long resisted. "We urge the United States government to help make that possible by allowing companies to include information about the size and scope of national security requests we receive, and look forward to publishing a report that includes that information," wrote Ted Ullyot, general counsel to Facebook. Microsoft issued a statement as well, saying that greater transparency "would help the community understand and debate these important issues." The Washington Post and the Guardian last week had cited NSA documents to suggest Google, Facebook, Yahoo, Microsoft, Apple and other technology companies were "providers" to PRISM, an NSA program that reportedly let intelligence analysts review a wide range of information that users shared with the companies. Meanwhile, the Senate Intelligence Committee, whose Democratic chairperson, Dianne Feinstein has defended the surveillance efforts, asked the NSA to publicly explain programs that use telephone and Internet records "so that we can talk about them, because I think they're really helpful." Washington, DC: Apple Inc. has unveiled an operating system for its iPhones and iPads that will radically overhaul how users' touchscreens look, a top company official said. Besides the new system, iOS 7, also unveiled was a refreshed MacBook Airs. The company announced an iTunes Radio streamingmusic service and a sneak peek at a new Mac Pro that would be the most powerful computer Apple has ever made. Unveiling Apple's first major product event in nine months in California Monday, chief executive Tim Cook called it "the biggest change to iOS since the introduction of the iPhone." Developers assembled for the week-long conference got the first look at a major
Apple announced new system iOS7
reworking of Apple's mobile operating system, due in September, CNN reported. iOS is home to more than 900,000 apps that collectively have earned independent developers $10 billion, according to Apple. The mobile design, overseen for the first time by new iOS boss Jony Ive, includes new typography, redesigned icons and a new color palette.
The pool-table green background on Game Centre is gone. Siri, Apple's voice-activated "digital assistant", has become more diverse. Users will be able to choose a male voice -- Siri has been solely a "she" so far -- and can ask it to perform basic tasks like playing a voicemail or turning down the brightness on an iPhone or iPad's screen.
US housing market continues Oberoi Group announces opening of luxury hotel in Dubai to improve
Kolkata: Hospitality chain Oberoi Group Tuesday announced the opening of its 252-room luxury hotel in Dubai, the group's first property in the United Arab Emirates. "We are pleased to present The Oberoi, Dubai, which offers the highest standards of luxury and hospitality" P.R.S. Oberoi, executive chairman of the group, said in a statement released here.
Karim Bizid, general manager of The Oberoi, Dubai, said: "We are confident that it will add tangible value to the hospitality sector in the United Arab Emirates." In keeping with the group's tradition, the luxury hotel brought an ethos of service with key team members who had been trained at The Oberoi Centre of Learning and Development, the statement said.
The Oberoi Dubai
Jindal Steel's stock plummets as CBI files case against it

Markets Index says more than 70 percent of US metros are improving
India growth prospect 'below trend': OECD

New Delhi: The growth prospect for India remains "below trend" whereas major developed economies such as the US and Japan are experiencing expansion, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) said Monday. The Paris-based think tank's conclusions are based on the Composite Leading Indicators (CLI) that are designed to anticipate turning points in economic activities. "The CLIs for the United Kingdom, Canada, China and Brazil point to growth close to trend rates. The CLI indicates that growth is losing momentum in Russia, whereas for India, it continues to indicate growth below trend," said the OECD. India's CLI stood at 97.3 in April, same as in February and March. In January, it was better at 97.5. In its twice-yearly Economic Outlook last month, OECD had scaled down India's growth rate to 5.3 percent for 2013 from 5.9 percent estimated earlier. "More growth would be forthcoming if structural bottlenecks were swept away by fundamental structural reforms," it had said then. India's economic growth slowed to a decade-low of 5 percent in the last fiscal from 6.2 percent in the 2010-11 period. The OECD pointed to moderate improvements in growth in most major economies. The CLI for the US was unchanged at 101.0 while Japan, whose central bank has released a wave of massive monetary stimuli, saw its reading improve to 101.1 from 100.9. In the Euro zone, the indicator for Germany suggested that growth was returning to trend with a reading of 100.0 for the region's biggest economy after 99.9 in April.
Washington, DC: The number of improved local housing markets across the US edged up in June, indicating that the housing recovery is maintaining its positive momentum, a leading industry report showed. The number of improved markets in June rose to 263, up from 258 in May, according to the Improving Markets Index (IMI) released by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), reported Xinhua. It was more than three times when it was in June 2012, noted NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe. "This is the fifth consecutive month in which the IMI has designated more than 70 percent of US
metros as improving," said NAHB Chairman Rick Judson. "The continued strength of the IMI is an indicator of the ongoing, positive momentum in housing markets nationwide as consumers move to take advantage of historically favorable interest rates and affordable home prices," added Kurt Pfotenhauer, vice chairman of First American Title Insurance Company. The IMI traces housing markets throughout the country that are showing signs of improved economic health, employment growth and housing price appreciation. A metropolitan area must see improvement in all three measures for at least six consecutive months before being included on the list.
JSPL plant
Mumbai: The Jindal Steel Power stock nosedived Tuesday after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered a case against its promoter Naveen Jindal for his alleged role in the coal-blocks allocation scam. The scrip ended the day 15.18 percent down at Rs.226.35 after touching Rs.202.75, the lowest in four years, at the Bombay Stock Exchange. "It is alleged that two steel and iron companies based in Delhi misrepresented facts to get coalblocks. Also, there was alleged investment in a Hyderabad-based firm from the group of companies based at Delhi," said the CBI.
26
June 15-21, 2013
SELF-HELP
here is something about the way dads think that allow them to transform the ordinary into something extraordinary. If youre the kind of handy dad that can be counted on to fix and build things around the house, consider translating those skills to getting creative with your kids. There are so many benefits to making things with your kids - they learn practical skills, they get oneon-one time with daddy, they get to exercise their imagination, and they have lots of fun, says Scott Bedford, author of the new book, Made By Dad: 67 Blueprints For Making Cool Stuff, and a Webby Award-winner for his website, What I Made. It's definitely one of the things that define my relationship with my kids, and that's why I'm so keen for other dads to enjoy the benefits too - there's no reason why the 'crafty' stuff should be left to Mom! Bedford offers a few ways for dads to go that extra mile this Fathers Day: Shared Interests There are an endless number of things that fathers and their children bond over. Bedford suggests creating projects centered on these interests. For example, if you both like sci-fi movies, creative dads can make a Martian Door Decal -- a custom created sticker for the bedroom door. Or try making an Alien Abduction Mobile, which is a flying saucer made from household products.
Hey Dad, get creative with your Tips for parents to prevent kids this fathers day! summer brain drain T E
Homework Help Most dads can help their children answer a math problem or name the capital of France. But to really teach them, try using projects such as the Spaghetti and Marshmallow Eiffel Tower, the Slingshot Car Launcher or the Balloon Ballast Balancing Act. These are great for showing the laws of science in motion, and even work well as science fair projects. Transform the Ordinary There are many ways dads and kids can turn simple household materials into unexpected fun projects. Fathers and their children can try some great ideas to work on together, such as the Frankenstein Fling, which is a game created from a paper cup and a stirring stick, or the Target Place Mat, which will make eating neatly a blast with just some cardboard and poster paint. These projects and other great activities can be found in the book and online at www.whatimade.com. Show Mom Some Love, Too The best dads also teach their children to show appreciation to those around them -namely to their mothers! Create Pop-Up Roses or Mommy Rewards coupons for her to redeem for everything from breakfast in bed to a big hug. And of course, these could work great for dad too! For dads who want to go above and beyond, there is constantly something new to try. ach summer, parents look for ways to combat summer brain drain, which occurs when children lose some of the knowledge they gained during the school year because theyre not regularly exercising their brains. According to research from the Center for Summer Learning at Johns Hopkins University, students typically lose one to two months of reading and math skills during summer break. Childrens brains develop at a remarkable pace, and dont take a break from learning just because school is out, says neuroscientist Dr. Lise Eliot, an early childhood development expert and author. Parents should offer children fun experiences that encourage learning and exploration, allowing them to absorb new skills and expand their knowledge. To help parents avoid summer setbacks, VTech, a world leader in age-appropriate and developmental stage-based electronic learning products for children, is offering fun suggestions for summer learning: Look for teachable moments: Our daily lives are filled with opportunities to teach children. Following a recipe? Let your child read and measure the ingredients. Balancing your checkbook? Put your childs math skills to use. Going on a road trip? Let your child look for specific signs along the way and follow along on a map. Use learning toys: Learning toys are a great way to help children stay mentally sharp out of the classroom, while also having fun. On the go? Instead of waiting for kids to ask Are we there yet?, look for an educational, developmental toy like InnoTab 2S Wi-Fi Learning App Tablet by VTech, which combines a camera, interactive ebooks, creative activities, tilt sensor learning games, and a rich collection of applications. While in the car or during downtime, children can use their tablet to play games, create art, take notes, or use the onboard calendar. Read: The benefits of reading to children are enormous, including helping language and speech development, expanding vocabulary and building a lifelong love of reading. Children who read more also perform better academically, so visit the library often and let children choose books that interest them, or consider downloading an e-book on InnoTab 2S. Plan educational outings: You dont have to plan an extravagant vacation to teach children about science and culture. Visit museums, historical sites, the zoo or aquarium. Take advantage of free summer concerts to expose children to new styles of music and dance.
Have great looking skin at any age

ne of the customary perks of getting older is growing a little wiser along the way. Youve most likely come to appreciate your thicker skin when dealing with lifes sticky situations. However, when you look in the mirror, all you seem to see is thinning skin -- your epidermis that is, not your ego. The good news is there are steps you can take to help maintain your skins firmness and elasticity and improve its appearance. Eat Right Avoid eating too many highly processed carbohydrates and unhealthy fats, because these foods can promote skin aging, according to the Mayo Clinic. Your skin, which is a reflection of your wellness, benefits from a healthful diet. Opt for fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy and protein from lean meat. These choices will provide you with a variety of nutrients for your skin and overall health. Rejuvenate Does your skin bruise easily? Unfortunately, this is a common problem that can cause you to feel insecure about exposing your skin. With the use of certain topical treatments, you can
Tips to boost your smartphone's battery life
help repair and maintain elasticity that may have been lost due to medication, UV damage, genetics or simply getting older. For example, DerMend Moisturizing Bruise Formula can help improve skin texture, as well as maintain collagen and elastin production. It can help to boost moisture and suppleness, and help lessen the appearance of skin discoloration. The formula is non-irritating, fragrance-free and rich in skin penetrating ingredients, such as ceramides, retinol, arnica oil and glycolic acid. Best of all, this formula absorbs easily into skin and wont stain clothing. Protect Yourself Too much exposure to the sun and the ultraviolet radiation that comes with it, are contributing factors to sunburn, premature aging and even skin cancer, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Their SunWise health education program advises everyone to wear sunscreen every day, even on cloudy days, and to protect skin with hats, long sleeves and sunglasses. Dont let time reflect itself poorly in your skin. With vigilance, you can protect your skin and improve its appearance.
martphones have become such integral parts of our lives that when we see those low battery warnings our hearts sink right along with the power of our mobile devices. And as most smartphone owners use their mobile devices for way more than just calls or texting, this can take a serious toll on battery life. Sixty-nine percent of smartphone owners and 67 percent of tablet owners play games on their devices, according to a 2012 survey conducted by Qualcomm. And approximately one-third of smartphone or tablet owners watch movies on them at least monthly, with that number increasing to 47 percent among males 18-34. But by following some simple tips and taking advantage of free tools, you can help extend your cellphones battery life. Dim your screen to the lowest comfortable level. Exact levels will be different for every person and circumstance. Disable your Wi-Fi, Data
or Bluetooth capabilities when not using them. Some phones default settings have all these enabled, but you usually only use one or two of them. Take note of which are appropriate for you and disable others in your settings menu until needed. Alternatively, disable this setting in certain applications, like weather apps, which constantly access your data connection. This way you maintain access, but limit power used. Download a battery performance app or system optimizer. Perhaps the quickest, easiest way to manage power usage is to have an application do the work for you. Getting an app designed specifically to monitor and conserve energy usage will help increase battery life with minimal effort.
One way it will save power is by proactively adjusting smartphone settings without disabling features that make it smart. For example, if youre using an Android device powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, you can download the free Snapdragon BatteryGuru app available in your phones app store. This app extends battery performance and improves overall user experience by intelligently making changes that optimize your smartphones functionality. Set synching to the widest internals you can live with. Common settings for email accounts and active applications tell phones to check every 15 or 30 minutes, to sync continuously, or send push notifications. The latter means your phone is constantly checking on multiple applications, which can suck up lots of power. Turn off vibrate. Vibrating uses extra energy that may not be necessary. Reducing the volume on your ringtone also saves a bit of power.
HEALTH
June15-21, 2013
27
Calories important for body: Experts

New Delhi: Hot and crispy fried snacks, sweets, carbohydrates-rich food and much more should be avoided if you want to keep a check on your weight, but do provide calories to your body, say experts. Though most of us avoid having food items with lots of calories, our body requires some amount of calories. Each and every individual has his own calorie requirement, which is based on their basal metabolic rate. If a person eats more calories than what he needs, he will definitely gain weight or if he eats less calories than what he needs, he will lose weight, said Annapurna Agrawal, nutritionist at Snap Fitness India. She explained: Your body requires 2,000 calories and if you eat 2,500 calories, the extra 500 will be converted into fat. If you are gearing to adapt healthy eating habits, then shun junk food as it lacks essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals and proteins and is high in fat and calories. You need to shun all your favorite fried snacks and those curries that have a lot of fat and are cooked in fair amount of oil, Manik Pande and Meghana Surve, nutritionists at Talwalkars National Nutrition Centre, said. They even warn against intake of carbohydrates. Carbohydrates actually convert into fats after they are consumed. The body stores this fat and this adds to your body weight, explained the nutritionists. Grains and sugar, which are common feature of our diet, contain large amount of carbohydrates so you need to be careful as far as consumption is concerned. Hot summer season calls for chilled sodas and juices that instantly refresh us, but Pande and Surve advised to stick to something healthier. According to them, stick to water, lime juice and fresh fruit juices. Alcohol also is an evil beverage - 12 ounce of beer equals to 146 calories. Medicines usually help to eliminate diseases, but they can also make you heavier than before. Anti-depressant medicines, birth control pills, allergy medications, and blood pressure medications are some of the medicines that may cause weight gain, said Agrawal.
Sheesha smoking hooks Food ads linked to more Pakistani students eating more junk food
Islamabad: One-fifth of college and university students in Pakistan -aged from 20 to 25 years -- are addicted to smoking sheesha, a form of hookah-smoking with a flavored tobacco, a study has found. The study by the One sheesha (hookah with a flavored tobacco) session Pakistan Medical equals smoking Research Council 100 cigarettes. (PMRC) said the prevalence of sheesha-smokpercent youngsters start ing among such students smoking sheesha at the age of across the country was 19.7 17 to 18 years. percent, APP reported. About 12 percent smoked According to a WHO study in in sheesha cafes, and flavours 2005, sheesha smoke has like double apple and mint high concentrations of toxic were popular. Even as experts compounds like carbon say that one sheesha smoking monoxide, heavy metals, can- session equals 100 cigarettes, cer-causing chemicals and around 12 percent students potentially addictive levels of said sheesha was less harmful nicotine. than cigarette smoking. Experts say sheesha hapIn a report in the Daily pens to be more dangerous Times, Tajammul Baig, a senthan cigarettes as it contains ior doctor at the Civil 40 percent tobacco and 60 Hospital Karachi, said smokpercent flavor. ing sheesha could be a major The report said that over 57 cause for lung cancer. Los Angeles: Watching food advertisements by parents leads to greater consumption of junk food by their children, as the kids often have distorted views on what constitutes a healthy meal, researchers have found. Kristen Harrison and Mericarmen Peralta, both from the University of Michigan, will present their findings at the 63rd Annual International Communication Association Conference in London, Science Daily reported. Harrison and Peralta interviewed over 100 parents about a wide variety of home and family characteristics, including child and parent media exposure and child dietary intake. They conducted separate interviews with children in pre-schools to get a sense of what children thought made up a healthy meal. The goal was to see how family characteristics were associated with children's dietary intake and perceptions of healthy meals. Using food security as a marker, Harrison found that the media-junk food link was very strong among food-secure people, and almost zero among food-insecure people. Since food insecurity is associated with limited income, it sets limits on how much people can spend on junk food. Food-secure people, on the other hand, can afford to give in to cravings when watching food advertising. People in this category were more likely to consume junk food, and their children had distorted views on what constitutes a healthy meal.
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June 15-21, 2013
HUMOR
Humor with Melvin Durai
Immigration Bill may open door for millions

he U.S. Congress is debating an immigration reform bill that would not only offer a path to citizenship for millions of undocumented immigrants, it would also allow more people to immigrate based on their skills rather than their family relationships. To give everyone a better understanding of the bipartisan bill, wellknown immigration attorney Kyle Ganguly agreed to take questions during a chat session at HelloGreenCard.com. Here is an edited transcript:
Question: I work at a flower shop, cutting stems of roses and other flowers. I heard that the new immigration bill will offer green cards to workers in stem fields. It sounds too good to be true. Is it? Maria, Los Angeles. Answer: The immigration bill does make it easier for STEM workers to get green cards, but STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Do you count the stems after you cut them? If so, you may qualify under mathematics. Do you have an advanced stem degree? If not, Id advise you to acquire one right away. You may do so at our affiliated website HelloPhD.com. Act quickly. For a limited time, all degrees are buy one, get one free.
Q: I have been illegal since 1992, when I came from Guatemala. My friend says the immigration bill will allow me to become a citizen in 13 years. So I want to ask you this: why did they pick an unlucky number like 13? Why not 12 or 11? I am afraid that after 13 years, they will say, April Fool! This is just a joke. Now go back to where you came from. Manuel, Chicago. A: I wish I could tell you why they picked the number 13. Maybe the Democrats wanted 6 and the Republicans wanted 20, so they compromised at 13. But if you dont like the number 13, do you want them to postpone the immigration bill until 2014? I didnt think so. Q: I am in America for last 8 years. I am hear that to become citizen I needing to pass English test and Civic test. Can I take Civic test on any Honda Civic or do I needing my own? Hideo, New York City. A: It is actually a Civics test, not a Civic test. That means you need to take the test on two different Honda Civics. One should be automatic, the other manual or stick shift. The government wants to make sure that all immigrants can drive safely in Japanese cars. Q: I heard that the new immigration bill allows illegal immigrants to get registered
provisional status if they have a job and havent committed a felony. I once dated a woman named Felony. Could that be held against me? Robert, Salt Lake City. A: As long as you werent committed to Felony, you probably have nothing to worry about. But just in case, I would advise you to begin dating a woman named Angel, Innocent or Purity. Q: The immigration bill says that, as an undocumented immigrant, if I become a registered provisional, I cannot get any means-tested public benefits. What does means-tested mean? Are they just trying to be mean to us? Haroon, Atlanta. A: Heres what it means: if you dont have the means to support yourself, the legislators dont mean for the government to give you even a mean amount of help. By no means should you take this to mean that the government is being mean. Q: I came to America in 2002 on a student visa, but dropped out of college and have been working on a farm. Then, in good faith, I married an American citizen to get a green card, but after we were married, I found out that she wasnt American she was Armenian. She was marrying me to get a green card (I had told her I was AfricanAmerican, which was only half-true). We are both illegal now. Will the immigration bill help us? Goodwell, Nebraska. A: Yes, you may be able to qualify for provisional status under a relatively unknown section of the immigration bill entitled Amnesty for Agricultural workers from Africa married to Armenians. It is in Section 4 on Page 565 of the 844-page bill, part of an article titled Stuff to Make This Bill Look Big and Impressive.
Laughter is the Best Medicine
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.
ASTROLOGY
June 15-21, 2013
29
By Dr Prem Kumar Sharma

Stars Foretell: June 15-21, 2013
ARIES: Professional attitude at work brings success. Misunderstandings with near ones in the family will get cleared. A new financial deal gets finalized paving the way for fresh money. Someones timely help would enable visualizing succeeding in love. A cheerful state of mind would allow enjoying the perfect health. Traveling on your own, with a friend or with the whole family will be exciting and comfortable too. A good deal for residential property is ahead. Indication of receiving good news from farflung area is on the card. TAURUS: Seniors colleagues are likely to lend a helping hand. Children would do their best to keep you happy. Financial position will improve later in the week. Romantic imagination would keep you in a jovial & cheerful mood. Divine knowledge from a saintly person provides solace & comfort. Travel in comfort with kids to an adventurous place might be possible. Time to make investments on farmlands. Achievements with hard work at personal front could come your way. GEMINI: Hard work & dedication would win the trust of seniors at work. You are likely to be benefited as family members positively respond. Real estate investment would be lucrative. The company of love partner makes you forget about the work. Meditation and yoga prove beneficial for spiritual as well as physical gains. An ideal holiday is that which is planned. Your investment plans are at full boom and you might succeed in them. Success in giving a physical shape to innovative ideas. CANCER: Mental clarity would remove past business confusions. You will have to depend on familys help for your needs. Investment in stocks & mutual funds would help in earning profits. Sudden romantic encounter will lift your spirits. A very healthy week when your cheerfulness gives the desired tonic and confidence. If your family loves to travel, then put together some ideas to help you. Your girlfriends desire for an apartment might lead to its destination. A secret personal wish is likely to be fulfilled. LEO: Travel undertaken for establishing new contacts and business expansion will be very fruitful. Parents and friends will do their best to keep you happy. Long-term investment in stocks & mutual funds will enable to earn profits. Attending a social event/family function brings a romantic encounter. You are likely to maintain good health that would also give you success. A trip that stimulates and gives opportunity for work is coming ahead. Time to plan a gift for your parents may be their dream home. Engaging yourself in creative work would bring respite from hectic schedule. VIRGO: Your artistic and creative ability would attract a lot of appreciation. A promising week to plan things for your progeny. Improvement in finances is certain. Your physical charm would catch the attraction of opposite sex. A continuous positive thinking gets rewarded as you succeed in whatever you do during this week. A luxurious getaway type vacation with your spouse waiting for you. Its high time to think of purchasing a new office. Music and creative work would attract. LIBRA: A long pending decision gets finalized at professional front. You would be the center of attraction at a social gathering that you attend especially with family. Speculation coupled with some unexpected gains improves financial health. Love life blossoms paving the way for lovely times ahead. Creative hobbies are likely to keep you relaxed. Thrilling experience is on your way, as your trip is full of excitement. It might be the right time to sale your empty plot as property rates are at peak. Time to be alert to the opportunities for advancement at personal front. SCORPIO: Plans for new ventures get streamlined with the help of seniors. You would prefer to relax and enjoy the company of family members in the evening. Avoid hasty investment. Your losses are certain if you dont look at investments from all possible angles. A romantic encounter is likely to add spice to life. With a positive outlook & confidence, you succeed in impressing people around you. Pack your bags as a happy, fun-filled week is looking forward. Your plan for a new house will be in process very soon. Indications of developing an interest in literature are on the card. SAGITTARIUS: Female colleagues lend a helping hand in completing important assignments. You move with new excitement & confidence as you receive support from family and friends. A new source of income will generate through influential contacts. Romantic partner would try innovative methods to catch your attention. Mental alertness would enable to solve a tricky problem. An enriching vacation full of fun is what you need. Your loan procedures for pursuing a plot will be in process. Innovation brings a pleasant relief from usual boredom. CAPRICORN: Ineffective communication could force to suffer professional problems. Family front seems to go smoothly as you receive their full support to your plans. Investment made in this week would enhance prosperity and financial security. Initiatives in love bring positive results as you catch the desired attention. A cheerful state of mind brings mental peace. Time to make your vacation a dream come true. Investment in hotel industry can be the right choice to be made. Tireless efforts to defend your identity will pave the way for success. AQUARIUS: You are likely to fail in achieving set targets due to wrong assessment of team members. You find relief, comfort and affection in the company of family members. An improvement in financial position would enable to make important purchases. Your generous attitude would contribute much in your love life in this week. Good time to divert attention to spirituality to enhance mental toughness. Affordable luxury vacation will explore your desires. Investment on construction business might give fruitful results. You are likely to help needy people to navigate through rough patches of their life. PISCES: At work you will be a part of something big, bringing appreciation & rewards. Time spent with relatives will be to your advantage. You are likely to earn monetary profits through most unexpected sources. Extremely supportive & loving partner would help in withering away your troubles. A pleasure trip gives the muchneeded tonic to health. Perfect getaway time for you and your partner. Investing on a ship or a cruise is an exciting venture to be made. Many good things are likely to happen to you at a same time.
Chandigarh, India: +91-172- 256 2832, 257 2874 Delhi, India: +91-11- 2644 9898, 2648 9899 psharma@premastrologer.com; www.premastrologer.com
Annual Predictions: For those born in this week

Date:15 June, 2013, Ruled planet: Venus Ruled by no: 6 Traits in you: Your ruling planet Venus makes optimistic, ambitious, caring, aspiring, and determined. You are very social and love to make new friends and get into new relationships. You are a huge follower of intelligence and education. Health this year: Your health would not cause much worries for you this year. However, the health of your family member s may require extra care. Provide your parents with proper medication as they may fall sick often due to old age. You may start taking a balanced diet. You should stop consuming alcohol and smoking cigarettes for the betterment of your health. Finance this year: You will be able to stabilize your financial condition by reaping profits from your past investments. You may also plan for new investments this year. You will find enough new opportunities to start up a new business that would yield money for you. You should invest in real estate or stock market for better returns. Career this year: You will be establishing yourself as a very efficient and important resource in your organization this year. Your performance will influence your peers, seniors and higher management. It is the best time to look out for a new job as it will help you grow both professionally and financially. Romance this year: You may get some good news from your spouse or partner later this week. This will make your relationship grow stronger. You may have to travel to distant places to spend time youre your partner and maintain a good relationship. Lucky month: September, December and April Date:16 June, 2013, Ruled planet: Neptune Ruled by no: 7 Traits in you: As you are governed by planet Neptune, you are blessed with various positive characters. You are confident, decisive, generous, humorous, honest, modest and optimistic. You are not an admirer of arguments or silly fights. You should work on your nature of being selfish, pessimistic, and arrogant. Health this year: You will enjoy a better health this year as compared to last year. However, the health of an aged family member may deteriorate and that will make you bothered. You may end up spending lot of money for the health issues of your family members. Finance this year: Though you will be able to improve your financial status, you may end up spending a lot of money in buying luxury and comfort for yourself and your family. You may put your money in real estate for better returns. Career this year: Your interest and enthusiasm to perform will make you an extraordinary performer in your professional circuit. You will be respected and rewarded for your work. You need to take the leadership responsibility to cement your position in your organization. Romance this year: Your plans to go for holidays with your partner may not work because of huge work pressure and this may create disturbance in your marital life. You need to take care of the emotional requirements of your partner to lead a peaceful life this year. Lucky month: November, February and March Date:17 June, 2013, Ruled planet: Saturn Ruled by no: 8 Traits in you: Your ruling planet Saturn makes you humble, honest, focused, practical, realistic and enthusiastic. You are blessed with enormous talent and imagination. Along with the positive characters in you, there are some negative aspects in your nature. You need to work on your nature of being envious, unreliable, and indiscipline. Health this year: Though you would not face any major health related issues, you should take extra care of your health. Do not take unwanted risk of putting your health in stake. Go for regular medical checkups. Finance this year You may try your entrepreneurship skills this year and you will be successful unexpectedly. You will be able to get many projects, which you help you establish as a good businessperson. You should go for investments in real estate and stock market. Career this year: Your confidence will convert you into a winner. You will be capable enough to overcome any challenge you need to face. The chances of your promotion and transfer are high due to the organizational change. Romance this year: Your relationship with your spouse or partner will blossom this year. If you are not married, you may have to wait for few more years though you are eligible for marriage. Lucky month November, February and April Date:18 June, 2013, Ruled planet: Mars Ruled by no: 9 Traits in you: Your ruling planet Mars makes you strong, determined, courageous, enthusiastic, intelligent, ambitious, and motivated. You have a strong dislike towards fake people and fake emotions. You are a huge fan of truth and cleanliness. You need to work on your nature of showing dictatorship and being rude and stubborn at times. Health this year: You will enjoy a better health this year as compared to last year. However, the health of an aged family member may deteriorate and that will make you bothered. You may end up spending lot of money for the health issues of your family members. Finance this year: Your financial conditions will be very stagnant this year. As you will not earn much or spend much, you will lead a peaceful life in money matters. You may invest for future. Do not lend or borrow money from your friends or colleagues. Career this year: You will enjoy a good professional atmosphere this year. You will be appreciated by your seniors and higher management. This may bring you promotions and salary hike. You need to concentrate more on your work to get a better position in your profession. You may go for a job change this year. However, you should not decide anything hastily. Romance this year: Your relationship with your spouse or partner will blossom this year. If you are not married, you may have to wait for few more years though you are eligible for marriage. Lucky month: August, October and March Date:19 June, 2013, Ruled planet:Sun Ruled by no: 1 Traits in you: Your ruling planet the Sun blesses you with a unique character. You are pretty confident, creative, intellectual, optimistic, and enthusiastic. You are gifted with an artistic perception. You are very much social and like to make new contacts wherever you go. However, you need to control your mood swings and selfishness. Health this year: You will enjoy a normal health this year. Though you will not have any major health issues, you need to take proper medication. You may practice yoga and meditation for better results. Finance this year: You will be among major financial gains this year. You may go for a real estate transaction later this year and this will bring you a lot of money to cherish. You may start up a new business. If you are already into business, you may plan for expanding its territory this year. Career this year: Professionally, you are a very smart and efficient worker. So you may need to clarify doubts and help you peers and juniors in their work. People in your professional circuit will seek your help at every crucial situation. You may get promoted as a result of your spectacular performance throughout the year. You may be assigned a new responsibility this year. You may go for a job change as well as there will be plenty of opportunities available. Romance this year: Your romantic relationship will reach new heights this year. You may get married this year, if you are unmarried yet. You need to take care of the emotional requirements of your partner to strengthen your relationship. Lucky month: September, December and May Date: 20 June, 2013, Ruled planet: Moon Ruled by no: 2 Traits in you: Your ruler, the Moon makes you a very friendly individual. You are simple, confident, realistic, sincere, and optimistic. You are very innovative and try to perform your work in a different and efficient way. You need to work hard on your characteristics of being jealous and insensitive at times. Health this year: You will enjoy a pretty good health this year. You need to take care of the health of your family members. You need to take extra care of your health if you are having some chronic diseases. You may go for domestic healthcare instead of allopathic medicines as it will give better results for your ailments and save your money as well. Finance this year: This year will see an increase in your earnings. However, you will end up spending a lot of money on your family. You will spend enough money to buy luxury and comforts and this will affect your savings. You may get into new partnerships to start new ventures towards the end of the year. Career this year: You will be very impressive in your professional circuit this year. However, you need to work smart and perform well to grow as a perfectionist. You should take quick decisions to excel in your field. You may have to help your ordinates to drive productivity. Romance this year: The emotional attachment with your spouse or partner may blossom this year with lot of love, care, and concern. If you are not married, then you may go for a romantic relationship. You will enjoy a very blissful time with your beloved. Lucky month: October, December and March Date: 21 June, 2013, Ruled planet: Jupiter Ruled by no: 3 Traits in you: Being ruled by Jupiter, you are courteous, courageous, decisive, ambitious, disciplined, and realistic. You are gifted with high imagination power, optimism, and enthusiasm. However, behaving restless and dominating may hamper your characteristics at times. You need to work on your personality to make yourself better as an individual. Health this year: You may undergo few minor health issues this year, which may bother you for a long time. You can go for yoga or meditation to restore your good health. You need to take required medication by consulting a doctor. Finance this year: As far as finance is concerned, you will be earning a lot of money. You will be assigned to new projects and those will be highly yielding for you. You will gain enough profits from your past investments. Your improved financial status may bring you lot of happiness and joy later this year. Career this year: You will be given more responsibility this year as you have proved yourself to be an efficient resource for your employer. You may expect a promotion or salary hike later this year. You should guide your ordinates to perform better and bring unexpected results for your organization. Romance this year: Your relationship with your partner may reach to new heights this year as your love, trust, care and concern will develop towards your beloved. You may get married towards the end of this year if you are yet to marry. Lucky month : July, November, March and May
i) Accurate Data: Please make sure Date, Time and Place of birth is accurate.
Before you consult...
ii) Careful: Did you check background of the astrologer before disclosing your secrets. iii) Fee: Discuss the charges before, dont feel shy. Its his business. iv) Expectation: Expect the best, if the outcome is not as desired, never give up. v) Consult: Take second opinion before spending thousands on cure/remedies.
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June 15-21, 2013
SPIRITUAL AWARENESS
Focus on gods love surrounding you

were seven thousand other people left in the same boat as Elijah, wanting to worship God, who had not bowed to the false idol. Elijah felt relieved that he was not alone and that others were left who believed as he did. Elijah returned home with instructions from God with renewed faith in Gods existence.
By Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj

hen the king reported what had happened to the queen, she was so angered that she wanted to seek revenge and have Elijah killed. Elijah fled the kingdom and sought refuge on a mountain. There, Elijah prayed to God. He felt alone and abandoned and wanted God to take his life. As Elijah prayed to God, God responded by sending an angel to provide him with food and water. The angel helped Elijah realize that God was listening to his prayers. The food and water were so blessed that it gave Elijah the strength to journey for forty days and nights to a distant mountain, Mt. Horeb, which is the blessed mountain where God had once appeared to Moses and had given him the Ten Commandments.
This story shows that when Elijahs attention was outside on the storms, the earthquakes, and the fire, he could not find God. He had to invert his attention within to sit in the silence of meditation to hear God. This is what happens to us. We are so focused on the storms, the earthquakes,
leave it to God and to the Master to provide for our meditative experiences. We have no role to play other than sitting at the door and waiting. We should focus into the middle of whatever comes our way. Whether we see gray, black, white, yellow, orange, red, blue, green, violet, or gold Light within we should gaze into the middle and that will give way to other sights. It does not matter if it is blue, yellow, or red light. We should continue looking into the middle. It does not matter if it is the inner sun, moon, or stars. Similarly, it does not matter if it is Hazur Baba Sawan Singh Ji Maharaj, Sant Kirpal Singh Ji Maharaj, and Sant Darshan Singh
and sit for an hour and think about other problems or spend time criticizing others. It is a place where we can rest our weary self and bask in a state of love. It is like taking a vacation to sit by the seaside and enjoy the ocean, free from the cares of the world. Satsang should be our vacation from the problems of life. During that time we should relax and bask in the spiritual waves of love lapping against our soul, like the gentle ocean waves at the beach. The love of God is pouring out to us through the eyes of the Master. If we could open up, without any thoughts to distract us, we would feel that love flow to us. Any thoughts will
The current of Light and Sound is Gods love flowing out from God. When we see and hear the Light and Sound Current, we are connecting our soul with a river of love that leads us back to the ocean of all love. Meditation should be a time in which we are connected with love. Any thoughts will put a wall stopping the love flowing to us from God. We should stay open to that love, without any distracting thoughts. Then, when we come out of meditation to do our worldly chores and responsibilities, that love stays with us. We then radiate our own love to others. Third, our attention should be absorbed in a state of love when we do selfless service. Selfless service should be a time of sweetness in which we are serving the Lord in love. We can serve the Lord in love whether we are helping our brothers and sisters in God, doing volunteer work for an organization dedicated to helping people, or taking care of those in need. If we serve with an open heart as if serving God, then we will experience Gods love flowing through us while doing the seva. Any thoughts will block out the love flowing to us from God. If we catch ourselves having negative thoughts while doing selfless service, we should pull them back like we pull back a wayward dog trying to run when we want it to walk. In this way, we can enjoy the sweet fruits of seva by experiencing the love and Light of God within. Fourth, our attention should be absorbed in a state of love as we go about our worldly life and work. We can remember God while doing our worldly tasks, experiencing love no matter what job we do. If we are doing physical work or mental work, we can stay attuned to the love within. That will help us work in a loving, cheerful manner and bring joy to others. We should sit in meditation with a still mind and total receptivity to receive the love of God pouring on us at all times. In this way, we will not be struggling to find the ocean of God, but instead will be consciously bathing in the bliss of full immersion in Gods ocean of love. Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj is an internationally recognized spiritual leader and Master of Jyoti Meditation who affirms the transcendent oneness at the heart of all religions and mystic traditions, emphasizing ethical living and meditation as building blocks for achieving inner and outer peace. www.sos.org.
God told him to stand on the mountain with attention and wait for God to pass by. Elijah sat in silence. First, a strong wind like a hurricane ripped through the mountains, and the rocks broke to pieces, but God was not found in the strong wind. Next, an earthquake rocked the land, but God was not found in the earthquake. Then, fire blazed, but God was not found in the fire. Finally, Elijah heard the Voice of God in the silence within him. In the silence, Elijah heard God again ask what he was doing there. Elijah again explained his situation of how he was being hunted to be killed and there was no one left to worship God. God then gave Elijah inner instructions on the work God wanted him to do. God also told Elijah that there
and the fires of our physical life that we do not take the time to sit in silence. We are so focused on the storms, earthquakes, and fires in the thoughts the mind sends us that we cannot sit in silence. We have the storms of our passing thoughts. We have the earthquakes of our emotions that shake us up, and we have the fires of our anger as we complain and think hurtful thoughts about others. All these thoughts keep us from going within. We need to sit in a surrendered state, with no thoughts. We need to sit with an attitude in which we
When Elijah reached that mountain, he entered a cave to rest. Suddenly, he heard the Voice of God speak to him and ask him, Elijah, what are you doing here? Elijah explained that he had been waiting for the message of God. He described how the rest of the people had disobeyed the laws of God, were destroying the places of worship, and murdering the true prophets. He explained how he was the only prophet left and how the queen was trying to have him killed.
We are so focused on the storms, earthquakes, and fires in the thoughts the mind sends us that we cannot sit in silence. We have the storms of our passing thoughts. We have the earthquakes of our emotions that shake us up and we have the fires of our anger as we complain and think hurtful thoughts about others. All these thoughts keep us from going within.
Ji Maharaj appearing to us within. Our job is to lovingly accept and embrace whatever or whoever comes our way. Our job is to focus into the middle of whatever experience is coming to us. As we become more absorbed, we will be pulled further and further inside. What does life look like when we experience Gods love all around us? First, our attention is absorbed in a state of love when we are in satsang. Satsang no longer becomes a place to which we go block out the love flowing to us from God. That hour of satsang would recharge us with love to help us stay focused on God through the rest of the day or week. Second, our attention should be absorbed in a state of love when we meditate. Meditation is not a dry chore in which we go through certain steps mechanically. It is a process of sitting in silence to bask in the love within. The silence helps us receive the love that is innate in our soul. We can then witness the Light and Sound of God within, which is also love.
June 15-21, 2013
June 15-21, 2013

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