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INDIA-CHINA TIES 12
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Chouhan visits US
to find friends and
investment for MP
The two CM candidates for Delhi: Arvind Kejriwal and Kiran Bedi.
Follow us on
Indian American
docs weigh in on
vaccination debate
By Jinal Shah
Relatives of Jordanian air
force pilot Maaz
al-Kassasbeh who was burnt
to death by ISIS last month.
(Photo: AFP)
after it joined the US-led coalition late last year. Jordan's military said it had deployed tens of
fighter jets against Islamic State
in Syria, which included bombing
ammunition depots and training
Continued on page 4
BOLLYWOOD 18
LIFESTYLE 26
SPIRITUAL AWARENESS 30
excellence in journalism
TRISTATE COMMUNITY
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Dance groups exhibited an abundance of talent, innovative choreography and pride in Indianness.
Junior Category
1st prize:- Kavis School of Dance
Choreographer: Kavita Thotakura
2nd prize:- Nritya Creations
Choreographer: Shayoni Nag, Sanjib
Bhattacharya
3rd prize :- Kalanjali School of Dance
Choreographer: Sudha Devulpalli
Best Choreography:- Aum Dance
Creations
Choreographer : Rina Shah
Senior Category
1st prize:- Arya Dance Academy
Choreographer: Arya instructors
2nd prize:- Aum Dance Creations
Choreographer: Rina Shah
3rd prize :- Sonalee Bollywood Dance
Studio
Choreographer: Sonalee Vyas-Jani
Best Choreography:- WDC Jaadu
Choreographer: Reema Kapani
NJ Deputy Speaker Upendra Chivukula gave the oath of office to Ankur Vaidya (FIA President) and his team.
TRISTATE COMMUNITY
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
emerging
India-US-JapanAustralia ties in the region was
work in progress. The envoy disagreed that Obamas message on
religious freedom at Siri Fort auditorium was specific to India. The
US President was speaking as
much for American people.
Verma added his ambassadorial
assignment wasnt just a great professional opportunity, but also personal fulfilment for him and his
family. His father had left
Jalandhar in Punjab for New York
50 years ago with nothing more
than $ 24in his pocket, he said.
TURN PAGE
Indian-American pilot's
selfies caused plane crash
Washington: An Indian-American
pilot and/or his passenger in
Colorado were likely taking selfies
when the pilot lost control of the
plane, causing it to crash, and
killing them both last spring,
according to federal investigators.
Pilot Amritpal Singh, 29, and his
passenger were killed instantly
when Singh's Cessna 150K
crashed into a wheat field shortly
after midnight May 31, USA
Today reported. The wreckage was
discovered around 7:30 that morning. A GoPro camera mounted to
the plane's windshield recorded
Singh and several other passengers
taking selfies on their cellphones
during a series of short flights
before the crash, the National
Transportation Safety Board
found.
While the GoPro didn't record
the flight where Singh crashed,
investigators portrayed a pattern of
the pilot taking selfies and possibly texting while giving rides to
passengers above Front Range
Airport, about 30 miles east of
Denver, Colorado, the newspaper
said.
Singh's plane was about 740 feet
above the ground when it descended rapidly and hit the ground.
"It is likely that cellphone use
during the accident flight distracted the pilot and contributed to the
development of special disorientation and subsequent loss of control," the NTSB was quoted as saying.
The evidence suggests that Singh
got distracted, disoriented, stalled
the plane and crashed, NTSB
investigators said as cited by USA
Today.
Singh also lacked certification
for flying at night with instruments
and for carrying passengers at
night.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Chouhan visits US to find ...
Continued from page 1
food processing, textile and other kinds of industrial
units. The factors that favor industrial climate are
abundance of land, low-cost but high-skilled labor,
24/7 power supply, honest and efficient governance,
speedier clearances of applications for setting up
business ventures.
AAP takes BJP to the wire in...
Continued from page 1
party's work in the 49 days when he was chief minister and, therefore, the voters want the same honest
government for five years now.
Pre-poll surveys have suggested a close contest
between the BJP and the AAP -- with the latter said to
have an edge. More recent surveys have given BJP a
majority of seats. The India TV-C-Voter survey gives
BJP 37 seats, 28 seats for AAP and 5 for Congress.
The Week-IMBR survey and pre-poll survey by Data
Mineria, telecast by IBN-7, have also given BJP 36
seats and AAP 27 seats, with 7 to Congress.
Jordan promises more strikes on...
Continued from page 1
camps. The US military said it had deployed aircraft
and troops to northern Iraq to boost its ability to
shorten the response time needed to reach pilots who
end up in territory held by the Islamic State group,
officials said.
American F-16 and F-22 jets provided security to
Jordan's fighter planes on the strike mission while US
refueling tankers and surveillance aircraft provided
additional support, defense officials said.
Indian American docs weigh in ...
Continued from page 1
while leading politicians debate whether it is in the
publics interest to allow parents to decide for themselves, Indian American doctors interviewed by The
South Asian Times weighing in on the issue urge
fewer exemptions and policy change in favor of public health. Dr Ajay K. Lodha, Vice President of
AAPI, says yes to mandatory vaccination by all eligible persons to protect others in the community. Dr
Amisha Malhotra, associate professor of pediatrics at
Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, says,
Vaccines have helped eliminate many diseases in the
US and are the greatest public health achievement in
history. Unfortunately, their success is also their
downfall, since many individuals have never witnessed the debilitating diseases that vaccines protect
against, allowing a complacent attitude towards
immunization.
Associate Editors
Jinal Shah, Hiral Dholakia-Dave,
Meenakshi Iyer
Notice: The South Asian Times is published weekly by The Forsythe Media Group, LLC. POSTMASTER: Send all address notices, subscription orders/payments and other inquiries to The South Asian
Times, 76 N Broadway, Suite 2004, Hicksville, NY 11801, USA. Copyright and all other rights reserved. No material herein or portions thereof may be reprinted without the consent of the publisher. The
views expressed on the opinion pages and in the letters to the editor pages are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect those of The South Asian Times. The editor/publisher does not warrant accuracy
and cannot be held responsible for the content of the advertisements placed in the publication and/or inaccurate claims, if any, made by the advertisers. Advertisements of business or facilities included in this
publication do not imply connection or endorsement of these businesses. All rights reserved.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
TRISTATE COMMUNITY
preserving and promoting the language, culture, and service for Telugu speaking people and strengthening our ties with other organizations
and the community at large. She
also unveiled the TLCA vision for
2015 with a focus on women, children and wellness.
The new TLCA 2015 team includes: Vice President: Mr. Satya
Challapalli, Secretary: Mr. Srinivas
Guduru, Treasurer: Dr. Dharmarao
Thapi, Joint-Secretary: Mr. Ashok
Chintakuntla, Joint-Treasurer: Mr.
Babu Kudaravalli, EC Members.
TLCAs Sankranti event was well
attended and the audience enjoyed
performances by TLCA youth
groups, artists from India, and sumptuous food. The event included recognizing and honoring Dr. Nori Dattatreyudu for receiving the prestigious award Padma Shri in India for
his outstanding services in the medical field.
Dr Monica Bharel
(Photo source: www.
bizjournals.com)
NATIONAL COMMUNITY
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
addressed to Krishna.
"Generations of Indians since
Gandhi's assassination on this day
sixty seven years ago have grown up
thinking that 'Vaishnav Jan To' was
written by him. This is a remarkable
example of the creation being more
enduring than the creator. This particular bhajan is unique in the sense
that it remains so current in its moral
underpinnings about what constitutes
a civilized human being," Chhaya
told IANS. "Gandhi's Song" will be a
full-length documentary feature with
a clear focus on bringing Mehta and
his profound philosophy about the
a poet, reformer and figure who defied constricting social norms and
worked all his life to establish societal equity among people divided by
castes.
"When Prime Minister Narendra
Modi was feted at the Madison
Square Garden, violin maestro L.
Subramaniam and his singer wife
performed a re-composed version of
'Vaishnav Jan To'. No one mentioned
that it was written by Narsinh Mehta.
I want to correct that huge omission
although knowing his philosophy it
wouldn't have mattered to Mehta one
bit," Chhaya says.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
NATIONAL COMMUNITY
said.
The report, "Sikhism in the US:
What Americans know and need
to know," was commissioned by
the National Sikh Campaign
(NSC) to analyze Americans' current view of Sikhism and identify
key messages to increase their
acceptance of Sikh Americans.
The study was developed to provide Sikhs a foundation for awareness-based initiatives that dispel
the misperceptions that have driven the dramatic rise of hate-based
violence against Sikhs since 9/11.
"This landmark study will help
the Sikh community by giving us
the ability to educate Americans in
a way that is both relatable and
effective," said Gurwin Singh
Ahuja, Co-Founder of NSC.
"We want to make sure that we
pave a way for a conducive environment for our future generations
KEY FINDINGS:
Most Americans have no knowledge of the religion. Many
Americans have never heard of the religion and only 11 percent of
Americans have a personal acquaintance or friend who is Sikh.
The majority of Americans (60 percent) admit to knowing nothing
at all about Sikh Americans and knowledge of Sikhism is substantially
lower than for other minority religious groups in the US.
With unawareness levels so high, many Americans make false
assumptions when they see a Sikh.
While this lack of knowledge is a challenge, it also represents an
enormous opportunity. Without much knowledge to form attitudes,
most Americans rate their feelings toward Sikh Americans as generally neutral or non-existent.
Sikhs must tell their American story in familiar and positive terms,
highlighting the value of equality.
For Millenials and other receptive audiences, explaining the significance of the turban is highly welcomed.
The turban is most commonly associated with Sikh Americans,
however it is also what makes many Americans uneasy around Sikhs.
education. It also covered a
nationwide survey of 1,144 non-
US AFFAIRS
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Washington: Republican Mitt Romney bowed out of the 2016 US presidential race last Friday after considering a third run, telling supporters it was time for the next generation of party leaders to seek the
White House.
Romney's decision helps clarify an
emerging Republican field split between potential establishment candidates like former Florida Governor
Jeb Bush and conservative voices
represented by Texas Senator Ted
Cruz and former Arkansas Governor
Mike Huckabee.
The move will likely boost Bush,
the brother of former President
Mitt Romneys testing the waters for a third
George W. Bush and son of former
run had been mainly mocked by people
President George H.W. Bush, even
including media czar Rupert Murdoch.
though Romney has privately made
"He thinks Jeb would be a perfectly credible
known to aides he is not convinced that Bush
can defeat Hillary Clinton if she becomes the nominee but that there are others who might
be able to hold up that 'new versus old' banner
Democratic presidential nominee.
But Romney's decision also helps other po- a little better," the former adviser said, speaktential candidates such as Florida Senator ing on condition of anonymity.
Romney, the 2012 Republican nominee, anMarco Rubio, who was on Romney's vice
presidential short list in 2012; Wisconsin Gov- nounced he would not run in a statement he
ernor Scott Walker and New Jersey Governor read to supporters in a conference call from
Chris Christie, all of whom will have a better New York.
"After putting considerable thought into
chance for money and media attention with
making another run for president, Ive decidRomney on the sidelines.
The former Massachusetts governor felt he ed it is best to give other leaders in the party
would win the Republican presidential pri- the opportunity to become our next nominee,"
mary, a former adviser said. But Romney did Romney said in his statement.
He made clear he felt he would be able to
not think he would present a sufficient "new
versus old" contrast for the battle against Clin- raise enough money for a campaign, rejecting
ton, the former first lady, New York senator a narrative that has grown in recent days as
and secretary of state, who is the early favorite some major 2012 fund-raisers expressed concern about another Romney run.
for the Democratic nomination.
of Congress.
The president defended his plan in an interview with NBC before the Super Bowl. My
job is to present the right ideas, and if the Republicans think they have better ideas, then
they should present them. But my job is not
to trim my sails, he said.
The Republican preference is for continued
austerity and lower taxes, which will probably be reflected in their own budget plans expected next month. To boost Pentagon spending as defense hawks want, their budgets are
expected to slash more deeply into food
stamps, healthcare and other safety-net programs.
Rep. Tom Price (R-Ga.), the House Budget
Committee chairman, promised Sunday on
Fox News that a Republican budget would
re-imagine Medicare, Medicaid and Social
Security, and will do what the American
people have to do with their homes and in
their businesses every single day and
thats not spend more money than what
comes in. At some point, though, the heady
debates will bump into the practical reality of
governing. Built-in deadlines will force both
sides to the negotiating table this year, or set
the federal government on a trajectory of
shutdown threats that have permeated the last
few years.
INDIA
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Prime Minister Narendra Modi with BJP's Chief Ministerial candidate for Delhi Kiran
Bedi and Delhi BJP chief Satish Upadhyay during a rally in New Delhi.
10
INDIA
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Gandhi said.
The Congress vice president said
he was not afraid.
"Till my last breath, I will fight for
the poor. I am not here to do politics
for the rich. I am not here for fourfive industrialists. I am here to do
politics for the poor. I will stand for
them."
This was the first time Gandhi
spoke about Natrajan's outburst that
his office wrote her letters on issues
concerning the environment.
Natarajan was virtually forced out
OP-ED
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
11
The views expressed in Op Eds are not necessarily those of The South Asian Times.
12
INDIA-CHINA TIES
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi meets his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj
with officials in Beijing, China.
OP-ED
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
13
Environment Program.
If done quickly, phasing out
HFCs can avoid up to 200 gigatonnes of CO2-equivalent. This is
more than 10 % of the climate mitigation needed to stay below the
2C warming above pre-industrial
levels. If the CO2 mitigation from
improved energy efficiency of
HFCs using air conditioners were
added, the world would avoid more
than one degree of temperature rise,
apart from reducing the air pollution. The two leaders in New Delhi
engaged in extraordinary 'start-up'
of their climate-venture. They
could do more considering the climate-proof cheers they received.
The applauds on 'bear-hug' should
not make their venture complacent
and cheers heard from Obama's
'Bollywood' dialogues should not
let the climate pledges drown in the
history. India-US partnership is
sculpted to do much more.
A survey conducted by the New
York Times and Stanford
University shows that a majority of
Americans, including Republicans,
consider climate change a pivotal
issue in the coming presidential
elections. India is on to embracing
energy efficiency and renewable
energy. The Obama-Modi summit
can accelerate a climate-proof
world.
Rajendra Shende is chairman of
the TERRE Policy Centre and former Director of the UNEP.
where. From the first day of freshman year, students at these schools
are shepherded through the process,
often by school counselors who
ensure they enroll in the right classes; prepare for the SAT and ACT;
meet their application deadlines;
and choose a school that best meets
their needs and get the financial aid
they need to pay for it. Thats one
world.
Then theres the world of the
schools that most of our kids attend
where school counselors are too
often under-valued and overstretched, and they simply dont
have what they need to do their
jobs. While the American School
Counselor Association recommends
no more than 250 students per counselor, the national average is one
counselor for every 471 students.
And often, school counselors are
burdened with all kinds of unrelated
responsibilities such as proctoring
exams, substitute teaching, even
monitoring the lunchroom. Many
school counselors find themselves
doing triage, juggling those duties
while trying to help kids in crisis
and also keep up with the latest college admissions deadlines and
requirements.
As a result, many of our young
The views expressed in Op Eds are not necessarily those of The South Asian Times.
14
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Anil Srivatsa
CEO and Co-founder Radiowalla Network,
Bangalore
Ashwin K Verma
Ad film Maker. MD New York Live Ideas
Corp, Mumbai
Prince Agarwal
President, Network of Indian Professionals,
New York
Sunil Modi
President, Association of Indians in
America (NY)
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
MP CONCLAVE
15
Shri Chouhan formally inaugurated the website friendsofmp.com by putting hands on the
globe that symoblized the connected world and with that the site went live on a
giant screen right above the stage.
Packed hall at the iconic Avery Fisher auditorium in the landmark Lincoln Center in
Manhattan. Friends of MP who came from the tristate and surrounding areas repeatedly
applauded the chief minister during his speech.
16
MP CONCLAVE
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Chief Minister Shivraj Chouhan received a very warm response from the
Indian community at the Lincoln Center event.
MP CONCLAVE
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
17
MP has transformed,
Chouhan tells USIBC
Chief Minister Chouhan addressing financial institutional investors in New York. (Photo: Shri Kanaskar, Cheshire, CT)
18
ULTIMATE BOLLYWOOD
India's
'175 Grams'
wins at
Sundance
film fest
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Darbar
arrested for
assaulting
assistant
director
usic composer Ismail
Darbar was placed
under arrest this week
for allegedly assaulting an
assistant director along with his
son and two others. The
Amboli police had arrested
Darbars son and the other two
accused.
According to officials at the
Amboli police, Darbar, his son
Zaid and two of their acquaintances Nishant Singh, 21, and
Mohsin Khan, 29 assaulted
the
victim
Prashamit
Chaudhary, 29. Chaudhary was
working as an assistant director
in an upcoming movie being
directed by Darbar and starring
Ashutosh Rana. Chaudhary
was demanding his delayed
salary, said police.
"We arrested Darbar today
morning. He is being taken to
the metropolitan court," said
Sujit Kumar Gunjkar, assistant
REVIEW
'Khamoshiyan' - full of
moronic mumbo-jumbo
he biggest puzzle in the public domain, besides the question, "Why US President
Obama chose to mouth Shah Rukh
Khans lines from "Dilwale
Dulhania Le Jayenge'?" is, "Why
does a sensible intelligent man like
Vikram Bhatt chose to write such
stupid shiver givers?"
"Khamoshiyan" makes you shiver.
But not in fear. It just makes you
shake in embarrassment for all the
ghosts and spirits who are so royally
snubbed and insulted by such travesties of terror. Maybe the spiritual
world could sue for defamation.
And then there should be an added
penalty for wasting three talented
young hopeful actors looking for a
break. All "Khamoshiyan" gives
them is a pathetic plot where creaky
doors and spooky apparitions get
more playing time than the actors
Music composer
Ismail Darbar
who have to look scared and shattered when they are probably laughing behind the camera wondering
who in this day and age believes in
such moronic mumbo-jumbo. Not
the progressive Mahesh Bhatt for
sure. Why Mr.Bhatt who has made
some of the most pathbreaking films
in recent times would choose to
back something so shrouded in the
raga of the regressive is beyond
comprehension.
ULTIMATE BOLLYWOOD
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan with his sons Amaan
Ali Khan and Ayaan Ali Khan at the Indian Parliament.
Music Festival in Georgia and
featured with Ustad Amjad Ali
Khan in Real World Record's
album called 'Moksha'.
Ayaan, the younger son, also
gave his solo debut when he was
eight years old and has been per-
David Attenborough
large not affected by tropical diseases but I did get a bit of the
belly, you know, and I had to run
to the loo. I was sitting on the
loo and I did what I had to do
19
DIASPORA
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Bob Dhillon
Indias 66th Republic Day celebrations at the Embassy of India in Tokyo. Deepa Gopalan Wadhwa,
Ambassador of India to Japan reads out President Mukherjees message.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
SUBCONTINENT
21
the conclusion of
her visit.
Biswal said
during her Sri
Lanka visit she
had very productive conversations
with
P r e s i d e n t
Maithripala
Sirisena, Prime
Minister Ranil
Wickremasinghe,
Foreign Minister
M a n g a l a
S a m a r a w e e r a , US Assistant Secretary of State for South and
Finance Minister
Central Asian Affairs Nisha Biswal
R
a
v
i
Karunanayake,
Urban Lanka relationship grow to the
Development Minister Rauff benet of both our nations. I conHakeem and State Minister for gratulated President Sirisena on
his victory and expressed the
Defence Ruwan Wijewardene.
"I also had a chance to meet United States' willingness to
with other political, civil society, work with the new government
religious and business leaders. In as it pursues a future for Sri
all of these meetings I reiterated Lanka that is peaceful, inclusive
our desire to see the US-Sri and prosperous," she added.
22
INTERNATIONAL
Amman/Beirut: Jordanian authorities executed two convicted terrorists, a day after the Islamic State
(IS) released a video showing
Jordanian air force pilot Moaz alKassasbeh being burned alive,
even as the radical Sunni group
justified its dastardly act.
The execution of Sajidah alRishawi and Ziad al-Karbouly,
both convicted terrorists, took
place at Suwaqa prison, 43 miles
south of the Jordanian capital,
Amman, security sources told Efe
news agency.
Al-Rishawi was sentenced to
death for her role in the 2005
bombings of three Jordanian fivestar hotels, resulting in the death of
at least 60 people and injuries to
more than 200.
Her explosives belt failed to detonate and she was arrested after the
bombings in which her husband
took part and was killed when he
detonated the explosives he was
carrying.
Al-Karbouly, a former aide to Al
Qaeda terrorist organisation leader
Abu Musab al-Zarkawi who died
during a US raid in Iraq in 2006,
was sentenced to death on charges
of killing a Jordanian driver in
Iraq.
Jordanian air force pilot alKassasbeh, 26, was captured by the
IS in December when his fighter
plane crashed while taking part in
US-led coalition airstrikes against
the jihadis in Syria.
The pilot's father has demanded a
harsh and swift revenge for his
Unesco condemns
Japanese journalist's
killing
Paris: Unesco director general Irina Bokova condemned
the murder of Japanese journalist Kenji Goto by the
Islamic State militants, urging mediapersons in Syria and
neighbouring Iraq to take precautions for their personal
safety.
"Kenji Goto was a seasoned war journalist, dedicated to
exposing the suffering that conflict imposes on citizens.
His cold-blooded murder was a vile act that I condemn in
the strongest possible terms," Bokova said in a statement.
"I urge the authorities to do everything within their
power to bring the perpetrators of this crime to justice."
"I also call on journalists and all media workers covering
events in Iraq and Syria, and in other conflict zones, to take
all necessary measures for enhancing their safety," she
added.
The 47-year-old freelance journalist had travelled to
Syria in late October to secure the release of his compatriot
Haruna Yukaw, who too was killed by the militant group.
Media reports said Goto was beheaded by IS militants,
prompting Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to describe
it a despicable terrorist act and vowing to "never forgive"
the radical group.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
BUSINESS
No change in economy
performance: India Inc
New Delhi: Painting a dismal picture of the economy during the last
six months of 2014, India Inc said not much had changed on the
ground at the industry level during the period falling within the
Narendra Modi-led government's tenure.
The industry chamber's respondents were, however, optimistic that
things will improve a lot in the next as many months, the Associated
Chambers of Commerce of India (Assocham) said in a statement here.
"As many as 54.2 percent of the respondents in the Confidence
measuring survey said not much has really changed at the operating
level in the last six months, but more number of industry leaders
expressed optimism about the shape of things to improve going forward," Assocham said.
"As many 58.3 percent of the respondents expect that during January
to March 2015 their sales volume will increase and 45.8 percent of
them expressed similar outlook for profits," it added.
Typically investment follows improvement in sales and profitability. The latter things - sales and profitability - are falling in place and
there would be a visible change in the next few months following
which investment should follow since there is always a lag,
Assocham secretary general D.S. Rawat said.
23
24
SPORTS
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
In the first set, Paes and Hingis took a 30 lead, but Nestor and Mladenovics Iformation caused problems and they soon
levelled the scoreline.
At 4-5, a backhand drive volley error by
Mladenovic gave Paes and Hingis a set
point opportunity on Nestors serve. He
struck a double fault to end the 29-minute
first set.
Nestor and Mladenovic broke Hingis for
a 2-1 lead in the second set, but
Mladenovic was broken in the next game.
Net errors by Nestor paved the way to
hand Paes and Hingis a 4-2 lead, but
Nestor regained his rhythm on return of
serve to break Hingis again.
Mladenovic was broken in the eighth
game and Hingis went on to seal victory
with a smash winner.
Paes and Hingis converted five of their
seven break point opportunities, hitting 19
winners and committing just 11 unforced
errors for victory on Rod Laver Arena.
Leander Paes with his Swiss partner Martina Hingis with the trophy
exceptional skills.
How true is the strengths and
weaknesses theory Paes has spoken of. Only two great exponents
could plan it out so well to win
without losing a set. That itself a
remarkable thing in modern day
doubles.
The Indian cricket team can get
inspired by Paes's zeal and determination. They need not worry too
much about some people writing
their chances of defending the
World Cup off after their disastrous tour Down Under. Mahendra
Singh Dhoni and his players know
that World Cup is a totally different format and they can bounce
back with the rub of the green
going their way.
Though the Indians would have
liked a better preparation for the
big event, they should be confident
enough taking heart from their status as the No.2 team in the rankings
of
the
One-Day
Internationals.
HEALTH
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
25
Politics of vaccines
H
Vaccines have helped eliminate many diseases in the US and
are the greatest public health achievement in history.
ception of risk.
Doctors say those who do not
get vaccinated rely on herd
immunity where others in the
community are immunized. But if
more and more people refuse to
immunize and if there is an outbreak like this, not only are they
susceptible but they put to danger
lives of those who cannot be
immunized for medical reasons
infants below 12 months of age
and people whose immune system is not strong enough for them
to be vaccinated.
Many anti vaxers refuse to vaccinate based on debunked theories linking MMR vaccines to
autism which started in 1990s. A
physician named Andrew
Wakefield conducted a study saying the Measles, Mumps, and
Rubella (MMR) vaccine was
associated with autism. However
his theories were disapproved and
the journal it was printed in
retracted the study. The physician
even lost his license. A statement
released by the Center for
Disease Control (CDC) stated
clearly that there is no connection
between the MMR vaccine and
autism however, because celebrities have gotten on board the antivaccine movement and not vaccinating children it become a trend
leaving more children exposed to
the virus.
In fact, US states - including
New Jersey in recent years has
liberalized rules for religious
exemptions even allowing parents
with mere "philosophical" objections to fill personal belief
exemption forms and skip
required childhood vaccinations
before admitting children to
schools. As a result, the number
of exemptions granted in New
Jersey has gone from 1,641 in the
2005-06 school year to 8,977 in
the 2013-2014 year, according to
a November report by NJ.com
which makes New Jersey ripe for
an outbreak.
Both Dr Patel and Dr Malhotra
said the US lawmakers should
rethink their immunization policies and changes to personal
exemptions to vaccinations urging the end of all exemptions
other than medical. This policy
has to be debated in favor of public health and against personal
choice. In US where personal
choice trumps in many issues, in
this case, it would be detrimental.
I believe the community in which
the child lives should be safe so
that a visit to a park, a school or a
social gathering does not result in
a serious preventable disease,
said Dr Patel.
Dr Ajay K Lodha, Vice
President, American Association
of Physicians of Indian Origin
(AAPI) endorsed peoples right to
say no but also urged that vaccination should be taken by all
eligible persons to protect others
in the community. In his view,
South Asians in America usually
do get their children vaccinated
as required by schools. Also, the
percentage of children vaccinated
in urban areas in India compares
well to the percentage in US.
against Shingles
Flu vaccine for children ages six months through
18 years
MMR for residents age 19 and up, which provides protection against measles
Last weeks case of measles in a Bard College student who rode an Amtrak train as well as the multistate measles outbreak that originated at Disneyland
are fresh reminders of the importance of getting
vaccinated, said Commissioner of Health Sherlita
Amler, MD. We have vaccines for children, students, adults and seniors and these vaccines provide safe and effective protection for a number of
diseases.
26
LIFESTYLE
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
like.
The Foodie Fiesta: It's a common saying that the way to a man's
heart is through his stomach.
However, that doesn't mean women
wouldn't prefer the same. So try
and treat your date with a delicious
Valentine's Day surprise by putting
your culinary skills to test. Inspired
by Aditya Roy Kapur's sumptuous
delights for Parineeti Chopra in
"Daawat-E-Ishq."
The Radio Romeo: Make sure
your beloved is tuned in when you
call the radio jockey to ask your
crush out live on air. This is
inspired by Saif Ali Khan's proposal to Preity Zinta in "Salaam
Namaste".
The High Flier: Show them
love is in the air with a Valentine's
Day invite attached to a flying
object. Balloons, kites, drones -the choice is yours. Inspired by
Rules for
women
meal. It also lets you get creative
with the menu and dish out some
of the lady's favorite flavors and
dishes.
Usher the lady out the car,
hold the door for her and seat her
at the table.
If eating out, make sure you
make your reservation well in
time. Also, manage your expenses
well before the big date. Nothing
can ruin the night more than a
credit card that just got declined.
When getting the check offer
to pay unless the lady offers to 'go
Dutch'. Refusing once is a good
practice but not at the cost of getting into a tug of war.
Remember to always mainsong to your crush. Then ask them
out for Valentine's Day in the middle of the dance floor by busting
your moves to that tune. This is
inspired by Hrithik Roshan's rock-
SELF HELP
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27
Whenever you have been away from someone you care about for more than two
hours, give him or her your focused attention for the first 90-seconds
you are together.
Technology
Innovative technologies are providing consumers with new ways
to keep an eye on their homes.
Such products have evolved and
are now easier to use and more
Professional Services
Even when youre home to keep
track of things, its tough to handle
everything on your own. In certain
cases, you may want to use professionals to help keep everything
humming along.
If doors jam and fail to latch or
you notice cracks in your walls or
floors, you may want to call a
structural engineer to assess the
strength of your foundation. Weeds
encroaching on your prized tomato
patch? Hire a gardener to fight off
intruders or invasive species.
A professional heating and cooling service can assess the condition
of your air conditioning and heating systems, including inside vents
and ducts where you cant see. The
health of your home is important,
and sometimes its better to go
with the hired hand.
From trustworthy friends and
cutting edge technology to knowledgeable professionals, the tools at
your disposal can keep your finger
on the pulse of your home.
28
HUMOR
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
By Nury Vittachi
option.
I heard this from the woman's daughter, a
Hong Kong reader named Shrynne, whose
parents have now been married for almost 50
years. (Her mom still thinks wistfully about
the tree from time to time).
***
Those in the West are starting to copy us
with the marrying non-humans thing.
Erika LaBrie married the Eiffel Tower in
Paris in 2007 and changed her name to Erika
Eiffel.
A couple of years ago, CNN did a special
feature on a guy "who was in a romantic rela-
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
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
LIBRA:
You may find the current line of treatment most beneficial in regaining normal health. Those wanting to come back in
shape will manage to avoid fattening foods.
You will soon get a chance to express your
love for someone you desire. A week out to
someplace away from home will help you
relax and rejuvenate. Some homemakers will
get busy resetting the house. Someone who is
trying to undermine your confidence will not
succeed. A project that you had submitted may
require some reworking.
SCORPIO:
Youngsters are likely to plan something
exciting on the home front. You will be
able to control your moodiness and help make
the domestic front tension-free. Someone
whom you have managed to impress is likely
to get romantic and approach you. Good company in a journey will ease all the discomforts
of travelling. Those planning to sell property
are likely to get a handsome bid. Remaining
regular in your workouts promises excellent
health. Your arrogance may get you into trouble on the professional front.
SAGITTARIUS:
You may find yourself in a dilemma.
The one you dont like may impress
you and the one you do like may begin to fall
from your grace! An attitudinal change is warranted, which will help you in resetting your
personal equations with others. Your expertise
is likely to be used at work this week.
Professionals are likely to earn much as their
reputation grows. Some misunderstanding on
the domestic front may upset you. Romantic
life promises to remains steady as you take
time out to meet lover.
CAPRICORN:
You are likely to come in total control
of things in your sphere of activity.
Academic front may find you brimming with
confidence and ready to take on the competition. Your excellent communication skills will
keep you on the right side of those who matter.
Financial front grows stronger as you come
across big money. You are likely to outdo others in gaining popularity. Love life will
become most happening as passions get ignited. Old health problems are likely to decline
steadily as you strive for perfect health.
AQUARIUS:
Domestic engagements are likely to
keep you busy. Some of you may be
planning an official trip abroad. Prioritising
work to speed up progress at work is the need
of the hour. Some of you may be looking to
hire some suitable candidates for your organisation. Missing out on a family gathering is
likely for some. A family youngster may need
your help in completing a task. Your busy
schedule may leave little time for romance. A
suggestion for gaining total fitness may be
taken up.
PISCES:
Plans for acquiring a new property will
fructify soon. You are likely to find the
work environment to your liking. Completing
the task entrusted to you before the deadline
will leave a lot of spare time on your hands
this week. You will take steps to steady the
financial front by curbing wasteful expenditure. Someone may extend a hand of friendship, so take it just to expand your friends circle. You are likely to derive much mileage on
the romantic front. Your help to the needy
will be appreciated.
29
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SPIRITUAL AWARENESS
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