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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
Vol.10 No. 5 June 3-9, 2017 80 Cents New York Edition Follow us on TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Trump pulls US out of India and

Paris climate pact
Washington: President Donald
Trump on Thursday announced
the US is withdrawing from the
Paris Climate Agreement due to
Russia vow
what he called the draconian
financial and economic burdens
the agreement imposes on
America.
Going forward, the US will
cease all implementation of the
closer ties
nonbinding Paris accord, he said
in an address in the White House
Rose Garden.
With the move the US joins
Nicaragua and Syria as the only
other non participants to the
Trump targeted India in his address, saying it makes its participation in
in all areas
accord inked by 195 nations
Paris deal contingent on receiving billions of dollars in foreign aid. US
including Washington in Paris in
move has been decried by other countries. (Photo courtesy AP)
December 2015 to fight climate
change. betterment of other countries and contingent on receiving billions
Trump said the accord disad targeted India specifically. of dollars in foreign aid he said.
vantages the US to the exclusive India makes its participation Continued on page 4

Indian girl from California Patriotic

is spell bee champ Russians may Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin meeting at
IndiaRussia CEOs meeting in St. Petersburg, Russia on June 1.
Indian have hacked US St Petersburg: Marking 70 years of hydel and renewable energy
American kids diplomatic ties India and Russia on sources and in improving energy

have dominated election: Putin Thursday signed the St Petersburg

Declaration an action plan for
efficiency.
It said both countries have noted
the Scripps Moscow: Russian President deepening not only political and that wider use of natural gas an
National Vladimir Putin says that the Russian economic development of the two economically efficient and envi
government didn't meddle in the countries but also to ensure a ronmentally friendly fuel which
Spelling Bee 2016 US election, but "patriotically benchmark of stability in times of has become an integral part of the
competition minded" private Russian hackers global instability. global energy market was highly
Ananya Vijay with the
for many championship trophy;
may have done so, according to the The Declaration was signed fol significant for reducing green
New York Times. lowing the annual bilateral summit house gas emissions. Cooperation
years now. (inset) Rohan Rajeev,
runner up The statement is something of a between Prime Minister Narendra in the peaceful uses of nuclear
shift from Putin's past statements Modi and Russian President energy has emerged as one of the
Washington: Indian American from Fresno, California. The run
on the matter, when he denied that Vladimir Putin. hallmarks of the strategic partner
spellers have excelled at the ner up was Rohan Rajeev, 14,
any Russian involvement in any Stating that the economies of ship between the two countries
National Spelling Bee for nine from Edmond, Okla.
form took place. Putin said that India and Russia complement each contributing to India s energy
years in a row, with 2014, 2015 Two finalists Ananya and
Russian hackers could have taken it other in the energy sector it said security and energizing broader
and 2016 featuring Indian Rohan burned through round
upon themselves to try and influ that they would strive to build an scientific and technological coop
American cochampions as well. after round of words. But Rohan
ence the 2016 US election, saying Energy Bridge between our states eration said the declaration.
2017 produced a solo champion tripped on the word "marram"
that hackers "are like artists" who and expand bilateral relations in With concerted efforts on both
on Thursday night, but again an (the Norsederived word for a
Continued on page 4 make decisions on who to target all areas of energy cooperation sides there has been a series of
Indian girl: Ananya Vinay, 12,
Continued on page 4 including nuclear hydrocarbon Continued on page 4

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TheSouthAsianTimes.info June 3-9, 2017
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Next UNGA President to push
Security Council reform
United Nations: The UN General
Assembly's (UNGA) Presidentelect
Miroslav Lajcak has promised to give
new impetus to the stalled Security
Council reform process, saying "the
time is up" for it.
After the Slovak Foreign Minister's
unanimous election on Wednesday, he
told the UN's 193 members that he
would "work closely and consult widely
on how to push forward agreement on
reforming the Council."
Reform of the Security Council is a
priority for India, which seeks a perma
nent seat on an expanded forum.
"There is a high degree of accord that
the time is up to transform the Security
Council into a 21st century body,"
Lajcak said, noting that the world lead
ers had committed to the reform at
their 2005 summit.
Soon after Lajcak's election, External
Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj con
gratulated him and India's Permanent
Representative Syed Akbaruddin tweet
ed that Lajcak "appreciates prompt con
gratulatory message".
Lajcak visited India in 2013 while he
was the Deputy Prime Minister of
Sikh leader appointed to NYC
Human Rights Commission
New York: New York
Mayor Bill de Blasio
May 25 announced
the appointment of
three new commis
sioners to the City
Commission on
Human Rights.
Indian American
Gurdev Singh Kang,
former president of
the Sikh Cultural Gurdev Singh Kang is
Society; and Pakistani former president of the has been affiliated for
American Faiza Patel, largest Sikh temple in NYC over 25 years.
codirector of the Brennan Center's
Liberty and National Security
Program, were among the mayors
appointments. LGBTQ activist
Carrie Davis was also appointed to
the commission. It is a great honor member of 1 Police Plaza. I hope
to serve as a Commissioner. It is
very important that the voices of
minorities be heard during this
crucial time, said Kang, in a press
statement released by the mayors
office. Human rights commission
ers are appointed by the mayor
TRISTATE COMMUNITY June 3-9, 2017 3
New York students
can apply for free
college tuition June 7
Albany, NY: New York college students can apply
for the state's free tuition plan beginning June 7.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo
announced the New York
State Higher Education
Services Corporation
Board of Trustees
approved Excelsior
Scholarship regula
tions last week.
The initiative was a
key priority for
Cuomo. It covers tuition
at state universities
for fulltime, instate The scheme covers tuition at
students whose fam New York state universities
ilies earn $125,000 for fulltime, instate
Slovak Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajcak, who was elected on May 31 as the UNGA or less. students whose families
President, is greeted by India's Permanent Representative Syed Akbaruddin. Students must pay earn $125,000 or less
Slovakia. He will succeed Peter process has been languishing for out of pocket for
Thomson of Fiji when the assembly decades because of opposition from a room, board and other expenses.
convenes for its 72nd session in small but determined group of coun Recipients also must remain in New York for as
September. tries led by Italy. They include Pakistan. many years as they received the benefit and repay
Lajcak came second in last year's Outlining his priorities as President, the money as a loan if they take a job elsewhere.
SecretaryGeneral election, losing to Lajcak said he would "strive for peace Cuomo said the board approved regulations that
Antonio Guterres, although it had been and decent life for all on a sustainable waive or postpone repayment in "cases of extreme
widely expected that an East European planet", combining the demands for hardship" and provide flexibility for military serv
would get the post as no one from the ending poverty while combating cli ice members and disabled students.
region had held it. The council reform mate change.
Maragos asks for transparent
and identify issues of
bias, discrimination,
immigration detention policy
and harassment Mineola, NY: Facing the Trump the Sheriffs response on behalf of
impacting their com administrations recent dramatic the County Executive did not
munities. rhetoric and aggressive immigra address the policies of Police
Kang is the former tion enforcement policies which Department and Juvenile
president of the have been affecting many Nassau Detention Center with respect to
largest Sikh temple County residents and have left vul ICE detainers, which remain
in New York City, nerable immigrant communities in unknown.
The Sikh Cultural fear of detainment without due The uncertainty in County
Society, in Richmond process, Nassau County Policy regarding the Countys law
Hill, with which he Comptroller George Maragos sent enforcement agencies combined
letters to the Nassau County with weaknesses in the
Executive on April 10 and on April Correctional Center Policy on ICE
As president, Kang started the 27 to urge Nassau County to pub detainer requests has created fear
Nagar Kirtan program and sports licly clarify its policy on detainer
Nassau County Comptroller in our immigrant communities and
initiatives for youth. He is also a requests from Immigration and
George Maragos may result in certain residents
member of the Mayor's Clergy Customs Enforcement (ICE) to rely on subjective judgment by being denied due process and thus
Advisory Council and a clergy allay community fears, protect due nonjudicial personnel which may lead to potential liability to the
process rights of residents and result in individuals being unlaw County, said George Maragos.
to help prevent discrimination ensure that individuals on the ter fully detained. Nassau County Furthermore, ICEs detainers have
against New Yorkers based on their rorist watch list are apprehended. Correctional Center has been hon been known to be subject to abuse
race and religious beliefs. Every The letters addressed serious oring ICEs voluntary, nonjudicial and racial profiling. Other Counties
New Yorker has the right to prac concerns about the current detainer requests and detaining that complied with ICEs detainer
tice his or her own religion without Correctional Centers procedures individuals beyond the time that requests have been sued for their
having to face any fear or threat of with respect to ICE detainer those individuals would have oth alleged violation of an individuals
a violent attack, said Kang. requests, some of which appear to erwise been released. urthermore, constitutional rights.
 4 June 3-9, 2017
Harish Thakkar honored
at Asian American and
Pacific Islander event
New York: More than 400
people showed up Tuesday
at New York City
Comptroller Scott Stringers
Asian American and Pacific
Islander event to show
grassroots support for
Indian community leader
Harish Thakkar who was
only Indian among other
honorees, being honored
for his work in the commu
nity. In attendance were
Harish Thakkar was honored by NYC
Flushing Councilman Peter
Koo, Flushing District
Leader Dr. Neeta Jain, civic lead
ers, members of the South Asian
community and AIA and BAPS
members. Keynote Speaker Scott
Stringer who congratulated and
praised Harish Thakkar for his
achievements and helping the
community and said he is a
strong, thoughtful voice and has
been actively engaged in the serv
ice of the community and has
given more than a decade to the
work of community.
Harish Thakkar said in his
speech that he has passion for the
34 bodies found in Manila
casino after shooting
Manila: Thirtyfour bodies were
found inside a casino in
Philippines' capital city Manila,
after it was attacked by a lone
gunman on Friday, police said.
The victims did not appear to
have been shot, but indications
were that they had suffocated, a
senior police official told CNN.
A probe to identify the victims
and the cause of their death is on.
The incident unfolded when the
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Make in India initiative.
Comptroller Scott Stringer
community work and he will work
hard for community. He has a
long history of serving the com
munity both socially and political
ly. He is currently the Vice
President of Association of
Indians in America (AIA), NY
Chapter which conducts the
Diwali festival @ South Street
Seaport. He also helps out with
spreading the awareness of Diwali
in city public schools and has
been hosting the Childrens Diwali
celebration at the Queens Public
Libraries for last 6 years.
gunman forced his way into the
Resorts World Manila casino, shot
at gambling machines and set
tables on fire. The man then pro
ceeded to ransack a room and
stole gaming chips, Philippines
National Police Chief Ronald Dela
Rosa said. Earlier reports suggest
ed the gunman had been shot, but
police later confirmed that he had
committed suicide by setting him
self on fire, reports CNN.
Associate Editors:
Hiral Dholakia-Dave
Contributing Editors: Meenakshi Iyer,
Nilima Madan, Melvin Durai,
Dr Prem Kumar Sharma, Ashok Vyas,
Dr Akshat Jain, Ashok Ojha
West Coast Correspondent
Pooja Jain,
Pooja@TheSouthAsianTimes.info
New Delhi Bureau
Meenakshi Iyer
Delhi@TheSouthAsianTimes.info
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India and Russia vow Russia regard the establishment of the accord would reap the benefits
closer ties in all areas
Continued from page 1
the multipolar global order in inter
national relations as a reflection of
in jobs and industries created.
He added: This Administration
steady and demonstrable achieve
ments in our civil nuclear partner
natural and inevitable process of
evolution of interstate relations in
the 21st century.
joins a small handful of nations that
reject the future. Obama said the US
should be at the front of the pack
ship including advancing nuclear
Russia reaffirmed its support for when it came to lowering emissions
power projects at the Kudankulam
India s bid for permanent member and developing green technology.
site and transforming it into one of
ship in the UN Security Council and For the nations that committed
India s largest energy hubs. We wel
the Nuclear Suppliers Group. themselves to that future the Paris
come the conclusion of the General
Both countries strongly con Agreement opened the floodgates
Framework Agreement and Credit
demned terrorism in all its forms for businesses scientists and engi
Protocol for Units 5 and 6 of the
and manifestations and stressed that neers to unleash hightech lowcar
Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant.
there can be no justification whatso bon investment and innovation on
According to the Declaration the
ever for any acts of terrorism an unprecedented scale, he said.
growing nuclear power partnership
whether based upon ideological reli
between India and Russia has
opened opportunities for developing
gious political racial ethnic or any Indian girl from California
advanced nuclear manufacturing
other reasons. is spell bee champ
Continued from page 1
capabilities in India in line with its
Trump pulls US out of type of grass found on beaches), and
It also stated that both countries
Paris climate pact Ananya was able to capitalize, cor
Continued from page 1 rectly spelling "marocain" (a heavy
were interested in launching joint
Trump said according to the Paris crepe fabric, its name derived from
projects on exploration and exploita
Climate deal terms China will be the French word for Moroccan) to
tion of hydrocarbons in the Arctic
allowed many coal plants and India win. Ananya, the sixthgrader and
shelf of Russia.
will be allowed to double its coal youngest finalist, takes home
The Declaration sets major eco
production by 2020 but not the US. $40,000 in cash, a $2,500 savings
nomic objectives including expand
He said the US will begin negotia bond and a large collection of refer
ing trade and investment and diver
tions to reenter the Paris Agreement ence books. She e barely reacted to
sification of trade in goods and serv
on terms that are fair to the United her victory before she was bear
ices in particular increasing the
States. hugged by her father, who had
share of hightechnology products
We will be environmentally friend sprinted onto the stage. She was in
fostering industrial cooperation
ly but we are not going to put our her second Bee. Last year, she tied
improving environment for entrepre
businesses out of work... Were going for 172nd. A fan of the Golden State
neurship and investments and devel
to grow rapidly, he said. He said that Warriors, who won the first of the
oping cooperation in banking and
under the accord China can steadily NBA finals against LeBron James
financial matters.
grow its carbon footprint until 2030. team, she said, "Go Curry." Rohan, an
The two countries would work on
They can do whatever they want in eighthgrader, receives $30,000.
development of high speed railways
13 years but not USA. He said the
dedicated freight corridors and
Patriotic Russians may
application of newer technologies
for efficient rail transport.
deal hamstrings America by giving
foreign nations an economic edge have hacked US election:
Putin
On defense cooperation the decla
ration said both countries upgrade
adding that it is not going to happen.
Compliance to the deal could cost Continued from page 1
2.7 million lost jobs by 2025,Trump depending on how they feel on any
and intensify this cooperation
said, adding that withdrawing from given day. "If they are patriotically
through joint manufacture copro
the Paris Agreement protects the minded, they start making their con
duction and codevelopment of mili
United States from future intrusions tributions which are right, from
tary hardware and military spares
on its sovereignty. Former President their point of view to fight against
with increasing reliance on the adop
Barack Obama whose administration those who say bad things about
tion and sharing of future technolo
played a key role in negotiating the Russia," he said.
gies in compliance with the obliga
deal accused Trump of rejecting the The Russian leader, however, stuck
tions of the sides under the existing
future by pulling out of the Paris cli with his past statements that the
agreements on militarytechnical
mate deal. Kremlin was not directly involved
cooperation.
In a statement Obama said those with any hacking efforts. "We're not
Regarding the new world order the
nations that remained signed up to doing this on the state level," he said.
Declaration said both India and
Jaipur (India) Bureau IANS Newswire Services
Prakash Bhandari IANS Washington Bureau
Prakash@TheSouthAsianTimes.info Arun Kumar
arun.kumar@ians,in
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TheSouthAsianTimes.info
By Suchitra Srinivas
New York: At a time when the news
of farmers suicides seem to take
the grip of Tamil Nadus profile, the
NRI community in New Jersey unit
ed to show an unparalleled support
and organized the first ever Moi
Virundhu on May 21st. It was a
grand show exposing Tamil cul
ture; an impeccable and nostalgic
recreation of village scenes, at the
same time appealing to the emo
tions by exposing the plight of ail
ing farmers and their families.
You could call it philanthropy
taking a new twist or volunteer
revolution connecting with cultural
roots but none of this may be fit
ting enough to describe this his
toric event that brought over 2800
people of Tamil origin to a com
mon forum. It was not a fundraiser
but it ended up achieving its objec
tive with 103 farmers families in
Tamil Nadu being adopted by US
Tamils.
Traditionally the farming com
munity exposed to the vagaries of
monsoon do see swings in their
financial stability. Moi Virundhu is
tradition in Tamil culture where a
grand feast is usually organized by
a village family going through
tough financial times. The inten
tion is to ask for their wellwishers
financial support. The New Jersey
Tamils wanted to create an aware
ness campaign to connect the NJ
Tamils with the ailing farmers and
this was done in a very subtle way
by organizing a Moi virundhu style
event.
Over 100 likeminded volunteers
gathered as whatsapp and face
book group to work out the details.
The mission was to recreate a vil
lage thiruvizha (village fair) set up
New York: The Indian National
Overseas Congress (INOC, USA), at a
meeting of the National Executive
Committee and Chapter Committees
in Queens on May 27, unanimously
elected the veteran leader Shudh
Parkash Singh as its National
President. Currently its chairman,
Shudh will serve as President of
INOC for the second time. A few
other candidates were in talks but
he emerged as the only consensus
choice.
The Indian National Congress
Vice President Rahul Gandhi con
gratulated the new President. Dr.
Karan Singh, Chairman Foreign
Affairs Dept of AICC, in his official
communique congratulated INOC
USA for a unanimous election and
complimented Shudh, This is a
TRISTATE COMMUNITY
NJ Tamilians adopt ailing
Tamil Nadu farmers families
The historic Moi Virundhu event brought over 2800 people of Tamil
origin together for the cause.
and organize the Moi virundhu.
True to the nature of Tamilian hos
pitality every minute detail was
taken care of.
Picture perfect Mittai store
(chocolate store), Neer Pandhal
(cool drink stall), tea stall took
everyone to the nostalgic past
appealing to the emotions of the
techies who always missed being
back home. Each one was fed with
sumptuous meal on a banana leaf;
considered hygienic and authentic
south Indian style to offer feast.
There were large queues waiting
and no one went unfed because it
was not matching with the
Tamilian principle of hospitality to
let go anyone hungry. They were
not professional cooks or caterers
but all were volunteers working
like one large family.
Shudh Jasuja is INOC president, again
Shudh Parkash Singh Jasuja
recognition of the valuable services
that you have rendered to the INOC
over many years. This being the
only recognized organization by the
There were cultural programs to
represent the authentic art forms
of Tamil Nadu like oyilattam,
Karagaattam, Kaavadi attam,
Pinnal kolattam, paraiattam and
what not. The morning events saw
traditional Pongal and mulaipaari
events. There were traditional
sports of Kabadi and Kho Kho
being played with vigor in the
evening. When asked why these
celebrations when the intention
was to gain attention for farmers
plight? Because it is our culture to
celebrate came the reply. Even
during the worst situations, we do
not crumble in despair; but we
gather and in our unity, we feel the
strength was the reassuring mes ing. Interested people could adopt
sage sent to the farmers families.
A perfect event to show to the
world what is true Tamil culture.
Indian National Congress in the
United States, its functioning has a
special significance.
Sunil Jakhar, President of Punjab
Pradesh Congress Committee, said,
Shudh hails from my constituency.
We are proud of him.In his accept
ance speech, Shudh reiterated his
commitment to the Congress party.
He said,My main goal will be to
coordinate NRIs and the govern
ment of Punjab so the needy farm
ers can be helped and poorest chil
dren can be educated. I wish to
work closely with Congress party
leaders especially Chief Minister
Capt. Amarinder Singh to assist him
103 TN farmers families were adopted by US Tamils
This is a way we also expose our
children the treasures of our past,
said a volunteer.
The best part was the respect to
elders with over 100 senior citi
zens given dhotis and sarees and
blessings were sought. But again,
why all this? Its our culture to
respect our guests even during the
worst financial times, said the vol
unteer. As these celebrations were
in full swing the information booth
held formal presentations where
slides and PPT files explained to
the audience the actual plight of
Indian farmers. A detailed database
on 103 individual farmers was col
lected and filed for ready reckon
each one and individually contact
them to find their needs and work
out a financial help to bail the fam
in bringing the change he is trying
for. Punjabis all over the world are
looking for it.Ravi Chopra, National
Vice President said about Shudhs
election, No one else here in USA
has more experience or capability
to be our leader. We support him
unequivocally. Senior leaders like
Kalathil Varghese and Phuman
Singh already had initially support
ed the idea of electing Shudh as
President again.
Shudh Parkash Singh Jasuja
works as the CEO of the Jasuja
group of companies called the
JGroup. The group is engaged pri
marily in real estate development in
June 3-9, 2017 5
ily of its problems. There were
long queues waiting to sign up
more families but we had run out
of the shortlisted ones, says a vol
unteer at the information boot.
With absolutely no pomp but
only festivities all had great satis
faction of just not a good meal but
an opportunity to adopt an ailing
farmers family.
All through there was no claim of
a name as to who organized this
event us the volunteers was the
only answer we heard. There was
no account of the number of hours
or the dollars spent by each volun
teer. It was all volunteered for the
cause. Definitely the whos who in
New Jersey Tamil community was
spotted in organizing this unparal
leled show of strength to the Tamil
Nadu farmers.
US and India. The group also oper
ates a chain of gas stations, conven
ient stores, repair shops and restau
rants. JGroup recently developed an
indoor Indian shopping center
known as Kundan Galleria in
Hicksville, NY. In recognition,
Shudh was honored by the Indian
Association of Long Island with the
Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
Shudh is currently serving as
Chairman of Nassau County Indian
American Economic Advisory
Committee. INOC had to elect a new
President after the then president
Lavika Bhagat Singh passed away
early this year.
 6 June 3-9, 2017
Speakers urge community to spread Sanskrit
Special to The South Asian Times
New York: Speakers at the World
Sanskrit Day celebrated last week
end urged participants to learn
the language enthusiastically and
help propagate it in their adopted
land.
Held in the Saraswati Hall at the
Ganesh temple in the Queens bor
ough of New York, the threehour
program on May 21 was sponsored
by Sanskrita Bharati USA, the Amer
ica wing of the Indiabased non
profit body involved in promoting
the ancient language and its cul
ture.
Dr Upadrasta Venkata Ramana
Murthy, the Vijayawadabased state
secretary for the Andhra Pradesh
unit of Sanskrita Bharati, was the
chief guest at the celebrations. He
also teaches the language at a local
college.
You must learn the language
with competitive spirit and teach it
not only to the people of Indian
heritage, but also others who are in
terested in it, Ramana Murthy said
Handpicked in 7th Grade, Himang Patel
graduates from Rutgers University's
inaugural Future Scholars Program
New Jersey: About 55 students set to
graduate from Rutgers University
this month were handpicked by the
university when they were in sev
enth grade as part of the inaugural
Rutgers Future Scholars class, includ
ing Indian American Himang Patel.
Patel was among those chosen in
seventh grade as part of the pro
gram, launched in 2008, that has
helped roughly 1,800 lowincome,
rstgeneration students to attend
college, according to a Rutgers
Today report.
Conceived when the university
noticed that few students from its
host communities were enrolling at
Rutgers, the program sought to dis
cover promising students and invest
in their futures, the report added.
The program is funded mostly
through private and corporate con
tributions and chooses 215 seventh
graders who remain in the program
through high school. Along the way,
the students receive mentoring,
tutoring and college prep courses,
including required summer sessions,
TRISTATE COMMUNITY
Chief guest Ramana Murthy speaking at the
Sanskrit Day program (Photo by Sudama)
in his speech, delivered almost en
tirely in Sanskrit.
The scholar said, Spardhaya
Vardhate Vidyaa (competition bol
sters education), one must learn the
language with zeal and competitive
spirit. He recalled that students
from several parts of the world,
Himang Patel (2nd from right) (Image : news.rutgers.edu)
the Rutgers Today report said.
Upon graduation, if the student
applies and is accepted to Rutgers,
the university covers the cost of
tuition, it added. The rst class from
Rutgers had 163 enroll in institu
tions, with 98 receiving full scholar
ships to Rutgers, including Patel.
Patel of Piscataway, who will
receive his degree in nance and
accounting from Rutgers University
New Brunswick, has seen rsthand
how the Future Scholars program
paves the way to jobs, the report
said. After commencement, he will
particularly in South Asia, China,
Southeast Asia and the Middle East,
used to come to our great universi
ties Nalanda and Takshasila for
studying the language and culture
of our ancient land. They would live
there for years together to gain
Vedic and divine knowledge, as well
start work on Wall Street in
Deutsche Banks regulation compli
ance and antinancial crime unit.
Patel emigrated from India at age
8, but found assimilating difcult.
I was taking it one grade at a time,
but when I entered the Future
Scholars program, I saw all that was
possible, he said in the report.
When I got to college, companies
took note of me because my involve
ment in the program and reached
out to me for internships. That work
helped me succeed beyond my
dreams.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
as social harmony prevailing at the second disciple, who produced so
time. Ramana Murthy stressed on much grain and is ready to distrib
daily shloka (Sanskrit verse) chanti ute it to the needy, Ramana
ng by individuals or groups Murthy observed.
which he noted is the equivalent of Another important speaker was
meditation. The scholar pointed out K.N. Padmakumar. He said Sanskri
that once the teachers teach the ta Bharati USA has a presence in 32
language, it is the responsibility of states where it is learned and prop
students to make the best use of it. agated. The language is also taught
He narrated a story in this respect. as a second language in many
A religious teacher hands over schools.
two bags of grains at the end of two Our ancestors spoke it. How
students education. Both are hum come we do not speak it? Pad
ble and sincere. They are asked to makumar, who is involved in the
come back after a year and let the propagation of spoken Sanskrit,
guru know their experience with said. As we learn the language, we
the grain bags. One is so sincere improve our culture and it also
that he takes the bag and keeps it widens our mental horizon.
in his puja kakshya (room of wor Dr Uma Mysorekar, head of the
ship). He worships that bag along Ganesh temple committee, Profes
with deities. The other disciple sor of religion M.G. Prasad and oth
plows his small plot of land and ers spoke. Sanskrit students enact
sows it with the seeds; he raises a ed plays and skits, sang songs and
huge crop that is turned into multi recited shlokas. This was the ninth
ple bags of grain. At the end of the anniversary of the day at the tem
year, the first student is left with lit ple. World Sanskrit Day is cele
tle or no grain as insects and pests brated annually and the first day
eat away the bagful of grains. was held in 1969, according to
I am sure you want to be like the available information.
Little yogis celebrating International Day of Yoga 2017
at New Beginning Nursery School in Tarrytown,
Westchester on May 23, 2017.
Rajiv Malhotra, writer,
speaker and public
intellectual, speaking at
the cultural event titled
"Yoga and Meditation
Revolutionizing
Research in Cognitive
Sciences and
Neurosciences"
presented by the
Embassy of India,
Washington, DC, at the
Embassy premises on
Friday, May 19, 2017.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Jet Airways appoints Indian
American Vinay Dube as CEO
New Delhi: Jet Airways has
appointed Indian American Vinay
Dube, a senior executive with Delta
Airlines, as its chief executive of
cer.
Currently, Dube is the Senior
Vice President (Asia Pacic) with
Delta Air Lines and has been asso
ciated with the USbased carrier
since 2007.
There has been no fulltime CEO
at Jet Airways since Cramer Ball
quit in February 2016.
As the CEO of Jet Airways, Dube
will be responsible for strengthen
ing the airlines overall business
performance and its position in the
domestic and international mar
kets, the airline said in a release
today.
He would also head the execu
tive management team that has
been tasked by the board to drive
the airlines growth and future
strategy by leveraging its endur
ing partnership with our equity
partner Etihad Airways, the
release said.
Dubes appointment was
approved by the Jet Airways
board of directors during their
meeting on Tuesday. The appoint
Indian-origin executive to pay $750,000
to resolve fraud allegations`
New York: An Indianorigin execu
tive at a Floridabased provider of
managed care services has agreed
to pay $7,50,000 to resolve his
alleged role in an extensive fraud
scheme perpetrated at the compa
ny. Siddhartha Pagidipati, the for
mer Chief Operating Ofcer (COO)
of Freedom Health, has agreed to
pay $7,50,000 to resolve his
alleged role in the scheme, the
Justice Department announced.
Freedom Health and its related
corporate entities also agreed to
pay $32.5 million to resolve alle
gations that they violated the
'False Claims Act' by engaging in
illegal schemes to maximize their
payment from the government in
connection with their Medicare
Advantage plans.
The government alleged that
Freedom Health submitted or
caused others to submit unsup
NATIONAL COMMUNITY
Vinay Dube
(Image courtesy: Livemint.com)
ment is subject to receipt of all
requisite government, regulatory
approvals, including security clear
ance. According to the release,
Dube helped Delta Air Lines grow
one of the largest premium carri
ers across the Pacic, protably
expanding its AsiaPacic business,
entering new markets and restruc
turing its network, partner and
customer base.
Dube began his career with
American Airlines as an operations
research analyst and later became
ported diagnosis codes to a feder
al health agency which resulted in
inated reimbursements from
2008 to 2013 in connection with
two of their Medicare Advantage
plans operating in Florida. It also
alleged that Freedom Health made
material misrepresentations to
the agency regarding the scope
and content of its network of
providers (physicians, specialists
and hospitals) in its application.
The government's settlement with
Pagidipati resolves his alleged
role in this latter scheme.
"When entering into agreements
with managed care providers, the
government requests information
from those providers to ensure
that patients are afforded the
appropriate level of care," said
Acting Assistant Attorney General
Chad Readler of the Justice
Department's Civil Division.
manager of Network Forecasting
Systems. Later, he moved to Sabre
Inc, a global leader in technology
solutions and marketing services
for the travel industry.
He has a masters degree in
Operations Research.
An Indian American, Vinay
brings an enviable combination of
smart and sharp mindset with
global exposure to industry best
practices. I am sure Jet Airways
will gain substantially from his
wealth of experience and industry
insight. I personally look forward
to Vinay providing leadership to
the entire Jet Airways team, the
airlines chairman Naresh Goyal
said. On his appointment, Dube
said he is looking forward to meet
the organizations business objec
tives and deepening the relation
ship with its strategic partner
Etihad Airways. Dubes appoint
ment also comes at a time when
the airline is facing challenging
business conditions and its consol
idated net prot fell nearly 95 per
cent to Rs 23 crore in the three
months ended March 2017 as
higher fuel prices and lower fares
took a toll on its bottom line.
Two IndianAmerican high school athletes
receive Foot Locker scholarship
New York: IndianAmerican
high school athletes Malika
Jain and Puneet Kaur were
among 20 athletes nation
wide named as 20162017
Foot Locker Scholar
Athletes. Both have earned
a$ 20,000 scholarship each.
The 20 winners were
selected from among 37,000
applicants.
Jain, also the captain of
her schools varsity soccer,
golf and tennis teams, placed third
this year in her tennis league and
went to the tennis division nals.
Her leadership skills are apparent
in her athletics. She recruited girls
to join the tennis team and support
ed them throughout the season and
in her community involvement as
student body president, president of
the Key Club and a strategy mem
ber of the Robotics Club at her high
school, Foot Locker said in her bio.
Author Jhumpa
Lahiri wins 2017
PEN/Malamud Award
New York: Indian American
author Jhumpa Lahiri has been
announced as the recipient of the
2017 PEN/Malamud Award for
Excellence in the Short Story cate
gory. She will receive the award at
a ceremony held at the Folger
Shakespeare Library in
Washington, D.C., Dec. 8.
The PEN/Malamud Award for
Excellence in Short Fiction was
established by Bernard
Malamuds family to honor excel
lence in the art of short ction.
Lahiri, professor of creative
writing in the Lewis Center for
the Arts at Princeton University,
is the author of four widely
acclaimed works of ction: Literature, and a 2014 National
Interpreter of Maladies, The
Namesake, Unaccustomed
Earth, and The Lowland; and According to Associated Press,
two works of nonction: In Other the award selection committee
Words and The Clothing of
Books.
She is the recipient of numer
ous awards, including the Pulitzer
Prize, the PEN/Hemingway
Award, the Frank OConnor
International Short Story Award,
Malika Jain & Puneet Kaur
Jain has received several awards,
including the Girl Scouts Gold
Award, the Presidents Award for
Education and Excellence, and the
Duke of Edinburgh International
Gold Award for Leadership and
Service. She held a 4.0 GPA in high
school and will attend the
University of Southern California in
the fall. Kaur is a fouryear varsity
basketball and track athlete. She
was the rst in her family to be
June 3-9, 2017 7
Jhumpa Lahiri (Image : wsj.net)
the Premio Gregor von Rezzori,
the DSC Prize for South Asian
Humanities Medal, awarded by
President Barack Obama.
praised Lahiri for deep introspec
tion and meticulous attention
to language. It cited her books
Unaccustomed Earth and The
Interpreter of Maladies, a debut
book of stories for which she won
the Pulitzer Prize in 2000.
born in the US, and
will be the second in
her family to go to
college, Foot Locker
said.
After multiple stu
dents at her high
school committed
suicide, Kaur sought
to create some type
of support for them,
starting a school
wide walk to raise
awareness about mental health
issues, which was featured on many
national media platforms, it added.
She is also the president and cre
ator of the Were All Human Club,
which helps kids dealing with sui
cide and aims to decrease the stig
ma around mental health. Kaur
earned a 3.75 GPA in high school
and plans to attend George Mason
University in the fall.
(Source:connectedtoIndia.com)
 8 June 3-9, 2017
Indian IT industry rightly
should be in panic
mode, says Rajat Gupta
New York: The Indian IT industry "rightly"
should be in "panic" mode as it has not kept
pace with the fastchanging innovation,
Indian American former McKinsey head
Rajat Gupta has said.
He said recently that industries "have to
constantly move with innovation" as basic IT
work gets automated and advanced innova
tions such as articial intelligence, virtual
reality and cloud computing overtake the
technological world.
"Code writing and testing is the most inef
cient industry that existed," he said at a
panel discussion here last month organized
by the New York TriState chapter of
Pratham USA, one of the largest nongovern
mental organizations.
"The Indian IT industry is in panic and
rightly should be because technology is over
taking them and they haven't invested in it,"
Gupta said.
Gupta, who was a former director at
Goldman Sachs, was sentenced to two years
in prison after being convicted of insider
trading charges. A free man now, Gupta has
been gradually reentering the social and
philanthropic world.
Last year, he assumed the role of chairman
of WHEELS Global Foundation, a U.S.based
nonprot started by IIT alumni that focuses
on applying technology to uplift rural com
munities and provide technological solutions
to global challenges.
Experts are warning of prolonged layoffs
in the Indian IT sector as digitization and
automation become the new normal and a
wave of protectionism in major markets like
the U.S., Singapore, Australia and New
Zealand closes the door for IT engineers
from India.
Gupta said there is urgent need for "revolu
tion in education" where imparting knowl
After star actress Priyanka Chopra met Narendra Modi in Berlin and posted her pix,
many of her followers on Instagram deemed her dress inappropriate for the meet
with the Prime Minister according to Indian culture. She wore a formal, kneelength
dress and some felt she shouldn't have "shown off her legs", while others rightfully
remained supportive of her, defended and praised her.
NATIONAL COMMUNITY
Rajat Gupta
edge has to move from being in lecture mode
to being more interactive, digital and partici
patory.
"A fundamental revolution in education
needs to be taking place," he said.
He also voiced concern at the huge youth
unemployment in India and other major
countries.
"India needs to create 20 million jobs a
year and it is no way near that. Most of our
skilling efforts in India are failures because
certain elements are not built into it. It
becomes a government scheme. Are (the
youth) really skilled when they come out.
No," he said.
On the recent increase in hate crimes tar
geting Indian Americans, Gupta said there
has to be heightened awareness among the
community through educational programs
about their rights.
The Indian American community, unlike
other minority communities, also does not
have a legal defense fund that can be used to
bring cases and prosecute those responsible
for such crimes, he said. (PTI)
TCS opens drone facility
in the US
T he fully operational lab is demonstrat
ing solutions for insurance, manufac
turing, logistics, and transportation indus
tries, as well as specic environmental
applications. TCS, the company said.
It provides a rapid experimentation
and coinnovation environment for cus
tomers to build solutions for specic
industry problems in accelerated 3060
90day delivery cycles, the company said.
Drones are being increasingly used in
the eld of surveillance, security, logistics,
entertainment, mining and several other
areas. As a technology partner, TCS can be
often called upon to provide expertise on
deploying such solutions in an industrial
context.
The company said the US Federal
Aviation Administration certied its pilots
based at the Lab to y fully equipped
drones to collect data for specic industry
use cases.
Advanced computer vision, machine
learning and deep learning algorithms
enable fully automated processing of the
drone captured images to reveal precise
insight, it said.
Forwardthinking companies world
wide are at different stages of exploring
drone technology to reimagine existing
operational processes and transform the
way they do business, said K. Ananth
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Krishnan, EVP and Chief Technology
Ofcer at TCS.
The Drones Research Lab combines the
latest in drone technology with cutting
edge research from our labs, and enables
our Customers to rapidly build innovative
solutions.
Seven Hills Park was established in
2008 as TCS largest and rst North
American digital center for advanced
technologies to provide services and solu
tions to address local customers business
challenges.
With more than 1,000 employees, Seven
Hills Park offers digital technologies to
decrease time to market, integrate busi
ness Solutions, manage data privacy,
address the consumerization of IT, and
adopt advanced software development
methodologies like Agile and Rapid
Prototyping, the company said.
The campus is located on 223 acres of
wooded land and features advanced work
spaces and multiple redundant business
continuity features, it added.
The company is currently engaged in
boosting its hiring in the US after the new
administration under President Donald
Trump started turning the screws on com
panies that relied excessively on workers
brought in from outside the US.
(News source: ultra.news)
TheSouthAsianTimes.info NATIONAL COMMUNITY June 3-9, 2017 9

Senator Orrin Hatch: Lot of misinformation about H1B

Washington, DC: Acknowledging that
there is a "lot of misinformation" about H
1B, a top American Senator has said that
this popular work visa, the most sought
after by Indian IT professionals, has bene
ted the US.
Last month, US President Donald Trump
signed an executive order for tightening
the rules of the H1B visa program to stop
"visa abuses."
Orrin Hatch, a Republican Senator from
Utah, said he has been a long proponent
of reforms in the H1B visas.
"There's a lot of misinformation out
there about the intent and effect of the H
1B program. I think it's important for us
to understand that overall the program
does a lot of good for our country," Hatch
said during a Congressional hearing this
week.
Senator Orrin Hatch
(Image courtesy: appleinsider.com)
"We just need to make sure it's used cor
rectly. That's what I'd like to do," Hatch
said during the conrmation hearing for
Lee Francis Cissna, for the position of
Director of US Citizenship and
Immigration Services. "I've long been a
proponent of highskilled immigration
reform. Our H1B program is badly out
dated. It doesn't provide enough high
skilled workers to meet demand. And it
doesn't do enough to tamp down various
abuses," he said.
The Republican Senator from Utah is
author of Immigration Innovation Act, or
ISquared Act.
It "attacks each of these problems head
on," he said adding that he is preparing it
for reintroduction in the near future.
Hatch asked Cissna if he agreed with
him that the intent of the H1B program is
to enable employers to ll jobs for which
there is a shortage of American labor and
to hire workers with the skill sets employ
ers need to grow their businesses.
"I do agree with that principle, yes,"
Cissna added. "Will you commit to work
with me to reform the (H1B) program to
make it easier for employers to hire the
high skilled workers they need, and hard
er for bad actors to misuse the system?"
Hatch asked.
"I will absolutely commit to working
with you on that. Those are all appropri
ate goals for the program. Yes," Cissna
said.
Trump said his administration is going
to enforce 'Hire American' rules that are
designed to protect jobs and wages of
workers in the US.
The executive order also called upon the
Departments of Labor, Justice, Homeland
Security, and State to take action against
fraud and abuse of visa programs.
(PTI)

US SENATE CONFIRMS Indianorigin artist behind

AMUL THAPAR TO
KEY JUDICIAL POST
Washington,DC: Indian American
attorney Amul Thapar, President
Donald Trump's rst appellate court
nominee, has been conrmed by the
Senate to a key judicial position.
Thapar, who sits on the US
District Court for Kentucky's
Eastern District, was conrmed for
the 6th US Circuit Court of Appeals
by a 5244 vote on Thursday and is
the rst IndianAmerican to be
nominated by Trump for the key
seat.
Republicans said the judge is a
good example of the kind of picks
Trump should make. The President
has made ve other picks, with
more than a dozen other vacancies
still awaiting nominations, The
Washington Times reported.
"He will fairly apply the law to all
who enter his courtroom because,
in Judge Thapar's own words, 'The
most important attribute of a judge
is to be openminded and not to
prejudge a case without reading the
briefs, researching the law, and
hearing from the parties'," Senate
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell
said.
Thapar becomes the second South
Asian judge to be on the US Circuit
Court of Appeals, which hears
appeals from Kentucky, Tennessee,
Amul Thapar
Ohio and Michigan, the report said.
During the judge's conrmation
hearing, Democrats complained
about his record, saying he equates
campaign donations with speech
and is tied to The Federalist Society,
an association of conservative and
libertarian legal minds.
Curt Levey, Executive Director for
the Committee for Justice, said he
doesn't expect a major impact on
the court's rulings because a majori
ty of the judges are already GOP
appointees.
"Perhaps the most important
thing about Thapar's quick conr
mation is that it puts him in a per
fect position to ll any Supreme
Court vacancies that occur in 2018
or thereafter," said Levey. (IANS)
Beyonce's baby shower henna art
Los Angeles: T he credit for
Beyonce's intricate and beautiful
henna art, which she aunted on
her baby shower, goes to Indianori
gin celebrity henna artist Deepali
Deshpande.Deepali, an LAbased
artist, who has previously worked
with Shay Mitchell, Evan Rachel
Wood and Pia Mia, said working for
Queen Bey was a dream come true
for her, reported Billboard.
"I got a phone call from Beyonce's
team the night before her baby
shower about doing henna on her
belly the next morning. They liked
my Instagram and hired me after
making sure I use natural henna
with quality essential oils. "I was
thrilled and couldn't believe it was
actually happening until I met
Bill seeking H-1B exemptions to benefit Indian Ph.D. students
Washington, DC: A bill has been re
introduced in the House of
Representatives that seeks exemp
tion for foreign born persons with
an American Ph.D. in science, tech
nology, engineering or mathematics
from the limits on the number of
employmentbased green cards and
H1B visas awarded annually.
Introduced by Congressmen Erik
Paulsen & Mike Quigley, the
Stopping Trained in America PhDs
from Leaving the Economy Act, is
Beyonce flaunted beautiful
henna art by Deepali Deshpande
on her baby shower
(Image courtesy: justjared.com)
Beyonce. I have worked with many
celebrities, but Queen Bey was my
dream client. I was honored I was
likely to benet Indians given that
they constitute the largest number of
students doing PhD in the US. "It is
no surprise that the brightest minds
from around the world come to the
US to pursue their advanced degrees,
and we should be doing all we can to
ensure students we educate and train
here use what they've learned to con economic activity, & staying competi
tribute to the American economy,"
said Congressman Paulsen. "With
thousands of highskilled jobs going
unlled, the STAPLE Act makes sure
able to adorn her belly on her spe
cial day," Deepali said.
t took Deepali two and half hours
to complete the design. Apart from
henna, the artiste used skinsafe
body paint on Beyonce's belly
design to add dimension to it and to
compliment African tribal face art.
"Beyonce showed me what style
she liked from my portfolio and
explained what symmetry she likes,
but she gave me the freedom to cre
ate my own design. "She preferred
bold geometrical e lements of
Moroccan designs with Indian tra
ditional ller patterns inside and
around the main composition. The
design I created for Beyonce is a
fusion of traditional Indian and
Moroccan style," she said. (PTI)
American companies are getting the
talent they need. By stapling a green
card or (a) visa to their diplomas,
these professionals can invent and
innovate new discoveries that grow
our economy," he said. Quigley, in his
remarks, said if the US was serious
about fostering innovation, spurring
tive in the global marketplace, it
must encourage the brightest minds
in the world to study, work, & stay in
its communities.
 10 June 3-9, 2017
Russia had no hand in poll-inuencing hacking, says Putin
Moscow: Russian President
Vladimir Putin said on Thursday
that his country was not
involved in computer hacking
and emphasized that hackers
were in any case unable to influ
ence the outcome of an election.
While speaking to the media,
Putin said Russia had not taken
part in the hacking during
France's recent presidential
election.
"At a state level, we are not
doing this and are not planning
to do this. On the contrary, we
try to fight against this inside
the country," Putin was quoted
by Efe.
In response to a question
about possible Russian interfer
Hillary says she was 'right'
about 'vast Russia conspiracy'
Los Angeles: Former Democratic
presidential nominee Hillary
Clinton argued Wednesday that
Russian meddling in the 2016
election in large part cost her
the White House, and said she
was "leaning" toward believing
that President Trump's cam
paign did, indeed, collude with
the Russians.
During an interview at
Recode's Code Conference,
Clinton argued that the Russians
"could not have known how best
to weaponize" damaging infor
mation about her campaign and
fake news stories perpetrated
on social media unless they had
been "guided" by Americans.
Multiple investigations into
potential ties between Trump
associates and Russia, as well as
Russian interference in the U.S.
election, are ongoing.
Clinton's latest comments con
tinue a postelection emergence
in which the former Democratic
nominee continues to point fin
gers for her loss, though other
accounts of the Clinton cam
paign have put more fault in her
corner. Trump tweeted
Wednesday night that she
"blamed everybody but herself,
refuses to say she was a terrible
candidate." Clinton's response:
"People in covfefe houses
shouldn't throw covfefe (refer
ring to Trumps baffling tweet)."
At the conference, Clinton said
her campaign's assertions that
there was Russian meddling had
been "basically shooed away."
" 'There she goes, "vast right
wing conspiracy." ' Now it's a
vast Russian conspiracy," she
said. "It turned out we were
right, and we saw evidence of
it." The U.S. intelligence commu
ence in the German elections,
which are scheduled to take
place on September 24, he said
he had no interest in influencing
the result.
He acknowledged that he
knows Chancellor Angela
Merkel well and maintains both
differences of opinion as well as
points of view in common with
her.
Putin added he was "deeply
convinced" that hackers could
not decisively influence the evo
lution of an electoral campaign
in another country.
He added that hacking could
not have an effect on what he
called "the conscience of voters".
The head of the Kremlin said
Hillary Clinton at Recode's Code
Conference in California
nity has concluded that Russia
attempted to interfere in the
election in an effort to get
Trump elected, though there so
far has been no evidence of col
lusion with the Trump team.
Former CIA Director John
Brennan told lawmakers last
month that he was concerned
about contacts between Trump
associates and Russian officials,
but he said he didn't know if
"collusion existed."
In addition to her Russia com
ments, Clinton on Wednesday
said stories about her controver
sial private email server while at
the State Department were
overblown, calling it "the biggest
nothingburger ever."
"It was a mistake. I've said it
was a mistake," she added. "And
obviously, if I could turn the
clock back, I wouldn't have done
it in the first place. But the way
that it was used was very dam
aging."
US AFFAIRS
someone could specially design
"a chain of attacks" in such a
manner that they would appear
to have been perpetrated from
within the Russian Federation.
"Modern technology allows
this," he said, adding that "hack
ers can come from anywhere,
from anywhere in the world."
Putin also acknowledged that
there may be Russian hackers
"who consider themselves patri
ots" and decide to "make their
contribution, as they see fit, to
fight against those who speak ill
of Russia."
"Theoretically, that's possible,"
said Putin, but he also dismissed
as "fictional" the accusations
that Russian computer attacks
Trump brought up the server
regularly on the campaign trail.
Clinton said she takes respon
sibility for mistakes made by her
campaign, but echoed comments
she's made since the election as
well that she was on a trajec
tory toward winning until then
FBI Director James Comey
released a letter less than two
weeks before Election Day say
ing that he was reexamining
her email investigation.
"Comey was more than happy
to talk about my emails, but he
wouldn't talk about the
Russians," she said.
Comey has testified that it
makes him "mildly nauseous to
think that we might have had
some impact on the election."
But he defended his handling of
both investigations, saying that
not disclosing that they were
reopening the investigation just
before the election would have
jeopardized the FBI's independ
ence and that the Russia investi
gation, which began last sum
mer, was treated "consistently
under the same principles" as
the Clinton email probe.
Even with that lastminute
October surprise, Clinton said
she still believed she was going
to win and that perhaps that
was why the warnings about
Russia's involvement seemed to
fall on deaf ears.
"I also think I was the victim of
the very broad assumption I was
going to win. I never believed it,
I always thought it would be a
close election," she said.
But her campaign ultimately
saw measurable drops with
female voters in the suburbs of
Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, in
particular, Clinton said.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
influenced the results
of France's election of
its new President,
Emmanuel Macron, just
as they did Donald
Trump's election to the
White House.
Russian supremo Vladmir Putin
House committee
subpoenas exNSA
and Trumps lawyer
Washington: The House
Intelligence Committee issued
subpoenas to former National
Security Adviser Michael Flynn
and President Donald Trumps
personal attorney Michael
Cohen, as part of the probe into
Russias alleged meddling in the
2016 election. The subpoenas
issued on Wednesday seek to
obtain the testimony of the two
men as well as their business
documents, Efe news reported.
As part of our ongoing investi
gation into Russian active meas
ures during the 2016 campaign,
today (Wednesday) we approved
subpoenas for several individu
als for testimony, personal docu
ments and business records,
said Representatives Mike
Conaway and Adam Schiff the
Republican and Democrat,
respectively, leading the House
investigation in a statement.
We hope and expect that any
one called to testify or provide
documents will comply with that
request, so that we may gain all
the information within the scope
of our investigation. We will
continue to pursue this investi
gation wherever the facts may
lead, they added. The subpoe
nas comes a day after Cohen
said that he would not cooperate
with congressional investigators
after several unofficial attempts
by senators and congressmen to
obtain his cooperation.
The attorney confirmed on
Tuesday that investigators from
the House and Senate asked him
to provide information and testi
mony on any contacts he had
with people linked to the
Russian government, but he
refused that request.
Cohen said he declined the
invitation to participate, as the
request was poorly phrased,
overly broad, and not capable of
being answered, in an email to
ABC.
The Senate Intelligence
Committee voted unanimously
on May 25 to authorise its chair
man, Republican Senator
Richard Burr, and its topranking
Democratic, Mark Warner, to
issue subpoenas that would
force the attorney to respond to
their demands.
While media outlets have been
focusing on the Russian contacts
pursued by Trumps soninlaw
and senior adviser, Jared
Kushner, there are few people
closer to the President than his
personal attorney, who has
advised him for years.
After the 2016 presidential
campaign, Cohen left the Trump
Organisation to become the
presidents personal lawyer, a
post he still occupies.
Flynn, who was forced to
resign in midFebruary for hav
ing hidden information about his
contacts with Russias ambassa
dor to Washington, Sergei
Kislyak, during the presidential
transition, initially refused to
cooperate with the Senate but
has now agreed to turn over the
requested documents.
In addition, lawmakers expect
former FBI Director James
Comey to appear before them
sometime in the coming weeks
to give testimony in a public
congressional hearing.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Biden to launch
political action
committee
Washington: Former Vice President
Joe Biden is launching a political
action committee (PAC), which is set
to begin operations from Thursday,
the media reported. The group,
"American Possibilities PAC", is sure
to set off speculation about Biden's
2020 intentions, a Biden aide told
CNN on Wednesday.
"It's time for big dreams and
American possibilities. If that's what
you believe and you're ready to
help elect folks who believe that,
and to support groups and causes
that embody that spirit then I'm
asking you to join me today," Biden
posted about the PAC.
The former Vice President has
made regular public appearances
since leaving of fice and has not
been shy about his thoughts on the
2016 election or about criticizing
President Donald Trump.
The initial messaging of his politi
cal fundraising and issuebased
organizing group seems geared
toward establishing a contrast
between Biden and his supporters
and the sweeping divisions in
Washington. "That's why the nega
tivity, the pettiness, the smallmind
Former Vice President Joe Biden
maybe mulling a 2020
presidential run
edness of our politics drives me
crazy," a solicitation email from
Biden, provided to CNN, said.
Biden, 74, gave a speech in New
Hampshire last month, telling the
firstinthenation primary state at
the time that he was not running.
In the leadup to the 2016
Democratic primary, Biden publicly
mulled a run before standing down,
citing his stillfresh grief from the
death of his son Beau as a reason he
did not mount a bid.
Later, Biden expressed regret
about this decision publicly, criticis
ing former Secretary of State Hillary
Clinton's campaign and saying he
thought he was a great candidate.
US AFFAIRS June 3-9, 2017 11
CNN fires Kathy Griffin for Trump stunt
Washington: President Donald Trump is considering
former Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman to lead the
FBI, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer told
reporters Wednesday.
Trump met Wednesday with Lieberman and 3 other
candidates acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe, for
mer Oklahoma Governor Frank Keating, and former
top FBI official Richard McFeely.
During a briefing on Air Force One en route to
Washington, D.C. from Connecticut, where Trump
delivered a commencement address to Coast Guard
Kathy Griffin, a comic, with the
cadets, Spicer spoke to reporters. When asked by
severed head part blurred
MSNBC if he would accept if he was offered the job of
FBI director, Lieberman declined to say. director, telling reporters on Air Force One Saturday
"It was unexpected. Not something I was seeking," that he thinks "the process is going to move quickly."
Lie berman, an Independent, said. He was the "Almost all of them are very wellknown; they've
Democratic Party's nominee for vice president in been vetted over their lifetime, essentially," he said of
2000, and Connecticut's attorney general before the new potential FBI leaders. "But very wellknown,
being first elected to the Senate in 1988. highly respected, really talented people and that's
Trump has promised a "fast decision" for a new what we want for the FBI."
Trump baffles with his 'Covfefe' tweet
resident Donald Trump sent a
P lot of people, including
reporters, scurrying for dictionar
ies when he posted an odd tweet
that used the word "covfefe".
Trump wrote on Twitter in the
early morning hours of May 31:
"Despite the constant negative
press covfefe" It left many of his
31 million followers on typo/spelling error. The strange More than 73,000 people
Twitter baf fled, and slightly con tweet remained up for at least an retweeted the tweet in just 120
cerned. hour after it first appeared (pre minutes, and it earned its own
Most people think he meant to sumably Trump's press team was hashtag.
write "press coverage," and it was a sleeping), reported Heavy.com Twitter had a field day.
 12 June 3-9, 2017
Critiquing President Trumps rst foreign visit
l By Shivaji Sengupta
ny American President's
A first foreign visit is general
ly fraught with expectations
and capriciousness. It is often an
indicator of the Commanderin
Chief's foreign policy trends.
What he did or did not do, por
tends the future.
Donald Trump's first visit was
no exception. Given his volatile
temperament, his tendency to
speak his mind, and, of course, his
two signature foreign policy "ges
tures" (they are not policies yet)
regarding the "Wall" and the ban
on citizens of predominantly
Muslim countries, the visit to
Saudi Arabia, Israel, the Vatican
and Brussels, the NATO Center
had raised expectations and pre
monitions. The choice of these
countries itself was different
from previous presidents' visits:
IS
friendly neighbors like Canada
and Mexico (!), or perhaps
S Palestine, but
traditional allies such
ALY
AN
as the UK and
Germany. If he
needed to be some
what different he
could have gone to
Japan and Australia, far away
friends; or perhaps India, which
because of burgeoning trade and
political rapprochement has
become crucial for the US's Asia
policy. But he chooses Saudi
Arabia for openers! Coming as it
did on the heels of the socalled
COMEY TALKING TO MUELLER
ON TESTIFYING IN CONGRESS
Washington: The negotiations
over James Comey's testimony
have begun. The former FBI
director who was fired by
President Trump has started pre
liminary discussions with special
counsel Robert Mueller about his
intention to testify before the
Senate Intelligence Committee
about his communications with
the president, as part of the
panels ongoing inquiry into pos
sible collusion between the
Trump campaign and Russia,
USA Today has learned.
A close associate of Comey who
is not authorized to comment
publicly said Tuesday that
Mueller is not expected to block
the former director from appear
ing before the Senate panel.
However, that appearance would
occur only after Comey is fully
debriefed for the federal investi
What was not mentioned in Trump's speech to NATO is what the
Europeans (Ukraine particularly) wanted to hear the most: that the US
would consider war on any of the NATO countries a war against itself.
"Muslim Ban," the world immedi
ately sat up and took notice.
Speculation was rife.
True, going to Saudi
Arabia is not exact
ly like going to
the kingdom does
have huge iconic signifi
cance regarding the Islamic
world, and of course, their con
stant avowed pledge to fight radi
cal Islamic extremists make them
seem to be on the same page with
the U.S.. (I say "avowed" because
who can forget the fact that
Osama bin Laden hailed from this
country, as did Mohammad Atta,
the mastermind behind 9/11.)
The Saudi strategy for the visit
was, of course, to opiate the presi
Fired FBI director James Comey and (rigft)
Special Counsel Robert Mueller
gation, the source said.
The panel previously
announced that Comey, abruptly
dismissed earlier this month as
he was running the FBI's Russia
investigation, agreed to testify
following the Memorial Day holi
day. No date has been set.
US AFFAIRS
dent with exactly what he loves:
pomp and circumstances; red car
pet and adulations; food and opu
lence. And flattery. His speech
was gracious and appreciative.
And, not unlike what the Saudis
say, it was a battle cry to eradi
cate Islamic terrorists (not just
terrorists) everywhere. However,
couched in that appreciative bat
tle cry was a famous sentence:
"We have not come here to lec
ture. We do not care what you do,
or whom you worship." These
words attracted the attention of
many Americans, conservatives
and liberals alike. Two George
Bushes, Bill Clinton and Barack
Obama never said this because of
its implications on human rights.
But of that, more later in a subse
But there were questions about
whether the four congressional
committees running concurrent
investigations into Russia's inter
ference in the 2016 presidential
election would be able to secure
public testimony and documents
from Comey and other witnesses
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
quent piece which hopefully will
be published in these columns.
His visit to Israel was signifi
cant in the context of the $110
billion military deal he made with
Saudi Arabia. Israelis were not
happy, fearing the deal would
affect the two countries' military
parity. After Obama, Israel
expected the present US
President to be more vociferous
in its support, and match it with
deeds. Trump did neither. Instead,
he reiterated the American posi
tion not so popular with Prime
Minister Netanyahu that official
izing Palestine's existence is
important for a durable Middle
Eastern peace.
Trump's refusal to support the
international accord on environ
mental protection could not have
satisfied the Pope during his visit
to the Vatican.
Finally, Brussels. In this speech
only did Donald Trump repeat
what he has been saying about
the USNATO relationship since
his election campaign: that NATO
countries "have to pay their fair
share" if they expect the US to
carry out its responsibility. He
pointed out that 23 out of the 26
NATO countries are not spending
even 2% of their budget on
defense. What was not mentioned
in Trump's speech is what the
Europeans wanted to hear the
most: that the US would consider
war on any of the NATO countries
a war against itself. This is a sig
now that Mueller has been
appointed. Mueller, a former FBI
director succeeded by Comey in
2013, was appointed to take over
the FBI's wideranging Russia
inquiry earlier this month after
Comey's firing. Comey's notes
include his account of his Feb. 14
encounter with Trump in which
he says the president urged him
to back off the examination of
former national security adviser
Michael Flynn. Flynn had been
fired the day before for lying to
other administration officials
about his communications with
Russia ambassador Sergey
Kislyak before the inauguration.
Now, lawmakers want access to
Comey and his memos, contribut
ing to mounting tension between
interests of lawmakers who are
urging a public airing of Russia's
interference and Mueller, a
nature motto of NATO, and the
American president did not say it.
NATO leaders had feared this.
But, in light of Trump's willing
ness to please the Saudis, they
had also hoped that Trump would
finally utter "open sesame!" He
didn't.
So then what of this first visit?
Did he succeed in impressing his
hosts? The Americans? I would
say Mr. Trump did better than
expected in terms of controlling
himself, watching what he said
there were no gaffes.
However, in terms of foreign
policy I doubt whether he
achieved very much. Perhaps in
Saudi Arabia, trade may have
received a shot in the arm (but
hopefully not his trade!); but
Israel, the Vatican and NATO
were left distinctly dissatisfied.
Back home, what his followers
may have noticed with satisfac
tion is that he did not say any
thing different from what he said
during and after his campaign.
The fact that in Riyadh Donald
Trump was nowhere near his bel
ligerence about temporarily ban
ning Muslims from the US proba
bly did not irk them very much.
After all, he was crystal clear
about America's determination of
"driving out Islamic fundamental
ists," even though he never pro
nounced those words "radical
Islam, a phrase he berated Barack
Obama with, because the former
president would not say it.
prosecutor who might worry that
any disclosure of potential evi
dence could damage an ongoing
criminal investigation.
Public testimony could become
even more important as the
Russia controversies continue to
dominate the news cycles in
Washington especially when it
comes to determining Trump's
motives when firing his FBI
director four months into his
term. The person familiar with
Comey's contacts with Mueller
said that while discussions
between the two have only been
preliminary, there appeared to
be an understanding of the need
for public testimony from Comey.
There also was agreement on
the need for Mueller's team to be
fully briefed before Comey pro
vided public testimony to the
Senate Intelligence Committee.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info INDIA June 3-9, 2017 13

Indian economy grew at PM Modi pays homage

7.1% in 201617 at St Petersburg's
New Delhi: Demonetisation took a toll on the Production (IIP) and W holesale Price

Indian economy with the Gross Domestic
Product during the fourth quarter, ending
March this year, falling sharply to 6.1 per
cent from seven per cent in the previous
quarter while growth for the year as a whole
also declined correspondingly. Industry
reacted to the numbers saying these reflect
ed the impact of demonetisation.
Data released by the official statistician on
Wednesday showed that India's GDP during
the past fiscal grew at 7.1 per cent, at a rate
lower than the 8 per cent achieved in 2015
16. "Real GDP at constant (201112) prices
in Q4 of 201617 is estimated at Rs 32.28
lakh crore, as against Rs 30.42 lakh crore in
Q4 of 201516, showing a growth rate of
6.1 percent," the Central Statistics Of fice
said. In terms of Gross Value Added (GVA),
which excludes indirect taxes, the growth
came in even lower at 5.6 percent over the
GVA for 201516.
"Real GDP at constant (201112) prices
for the year 201617 is estimated at Rs
121.90 lakh crore showing a growth rate of
7.1 percent over the year 201516 of Rs
113.81 lakh crore," the CSO said in a state
ment. India's GDP grew at the rate of 8 per
cent during the previous fiscal 201516, the
CSO said releasing the revised numbers that
employ the new series of Index of Industrial
Indices (WPI).
At a press conference, Chief Statistician
T.C.A. Anant sought to downplay the impact
of the note ban of November last year.
"I would caution against reading a single
number that comes out after an event as
being reflective of consequences of the
event," he said in reply to questions on the
impact the note ban decision of November
last year had on the economy.
He recalled that even earlier when people
asked him about demonetisation, he had
pointed out that analysis of policies like
demonetisation cannot be done through
simple "posthoc" impact analysis type of
reasoning.
"A policy impacts society through a vari
ety of channe ls, through a variety of
processes and impact analysis of a policy is
extremely sophisticated in econometrics,"
Anant said. In the March quarter, agricul
ture, forestry and fishing sectors grew at 5.2
per cent. While mining and quarrying grew
at 6.4 per cent, manufacturing output
increased at 5.3 per cent, electricity, gas,
water supply and other utility services went
up at 6.1 per cent and trade, hotels, trans
port and communication at 6.5 per cent.
However, the construction sector output
shrank 3.7 per cent.
WWII cemetery
St Petersburg: Prime Minister Narendra Modi
paid homage at the Piskariovskoye Memorial
Cemetery here, a reminder of the hundreds of
thousands of people who lost their lives dur
ing the nearly 900day Siege of Leningrad, as
St Petersburg was then known, during the
Second World War.
Modi laid a wreath at the cemetery where
the bodies of about half a million Russian
people, including 420,000 civilians, are laid
to rest. These people died mostly due to cold
and starvation because of the siege laid by
the Nazis from September 1941 to January
1944. Modi also signed the visitor's book at
the memorial. The Prime Minister arrived in
Russia on the third leg of his sixday, four
nation tour of Europe.
On Friday, Modi will attend, for the first
time, the St Petersburg International
Economic Forum, a business event.
From Russia, he will leave for France on the
fourth and final leg of his tour and hold his
first meeting with newly elected French
Prime Minister Narendra Modi lays wreath
President Emmanuel Macron in Paris.
at the Piskarovskoye Memorial Cemetery,
Before Russia, the Prime Minister visited
in St. Petersburg, Russia on June 1.
Germany and Spain. (Photo: IANS/PIB)

Ministry will
process Niti
Aayog report on
Air India sale
New Delhi: The Niti Aayog has
given its recommendations on the
government disinvesting stake in
Air India to the Civil Aviation
Ministry, which will take a decision
on the matter, Finance Minister
Arun Jaitley said.
"The Niti Aayog has given its rec
ommendations to the Civil Aviation
Ministry, which will decide on the
process of disinvestment in Air
India," Jaitley said in response to a
query on the issue at a briefing here
on the three years of the NDA gov
ernment. According to sources here,
the Niti Aayog in a recent report
has recommended strategic disin
vestment from the lossmaking Air
India, by which government control
would be transferred to a private
owner. Air India officials said the
national carrier has an accumulated
debt of around Rs 60,000 crore,
which includes around Rs 21,000
crore of aircraftrelated loans and
around Rs 8,000 crore working
capital.
Advani, Joshi charged with criminal conspiracy
Lucknow: Top BJP leaders L.K.
Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and
Union Minister Uma Bharti were
arraigned in the 1992 Babri Masjid
demolition case by a special CBI
court here which ordered framing
of charges invoking criminal con
spiracy provision against them.
A lastminute bid by the three
leaders and nine other accused to
get discharged from the case was
foiled when the court rejected their
plea in this regard.
All the accused were earlier given
bail on a personal bond of Rs
50,000 each.
High drama marked proceedings
in court, with BJP workers shouting
"Jai Shri Ram" slogans outside and
hailing the leaders.
Ahead of the proceedings, Uttar
Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi
Adityanath called on Advani and
Joshi and was closeted with them
for over 20 minutes. He was later
seen animatedly discussing some
issues with the lawyers present in
court.
Special judge S.K. Yadav observed
that there was enough evidence
against the leaders that required
BJP veteran Murli Manohar Joshi arrives to appear before
a special CBI court in Lucknow. (Photo: IANS)
framing of conspiracy charge
against them. T he conspiracy
charge has been added against the
leaders, who also face of fences
under various sections, including
153 (A) of the IPC (promoting reli
gious divide).
The proceedings in the CBI court
gathered momentum after the
Supreme Court on April 19 revived
the conspiracy charges and shifted
their case from the Rae Bareli court
to Lucknow along with other
accused who had been booked for
the actual demolition of Babri
Masjid.
Counsel for Advani, K.K. Sharma
said they will appeal against the
judgement in the High Court (HC).
Saying he was not part of any
conspiracy, Advani's lawyer pointed
to some mistakes in the charge
sheet.
Special judge Yadav earlier dis
missed the discharge applications
moved by the accused and ruled
that framing of charges against
them will go on.
Other accused who appeared in
the court were Sadhvi Ritambhara,
Bharatiya Janata Party MP Vinay
Katiyar and Vishwa Hindu Parishad
leader Vishnu Hari Dalmia.
Charges against six others
accused in the matter Mahant Ram
Vilas Vedanti, Mahant Nritya Gopal
Das, Baikunth Lal Sharma, Dharm
Das, Champat Rai Bansal and Shiv
Sena's Satish Pradhan, who were
granted bail, were also framed.
Last week, counsel of the accused
had moved a plea in the court to
exempt Advani, Joshi and Bharti
from personal appearance, but it
was turned down.
All the accused are facing charges
of conspiring to bring down the
mosque.
The Supreme Court directed the
special CBI court in Lucknow to
hold daily hearings on the 25year
old matter and wrap it up within
two years.
 14 June 3-9, 2017 INDIA TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Southern chorus mounts against Center's new cattle rule

Thiruvananthapuram/Chennai: The
AIADMK joined the chorus against new
norms governing cattle trade and slaughter
even as Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi
Vijayan is said to be calling a meeting of
chief ministers on the issue.
The developments came on a day the
Kerala High Court saw no reason to inter
fere with the central government norms,
and the Rajasthan High Court suggested
life imprisonment for cow slaughter.
The AIADMK, which has been cosying up
to the BJP in the aftermath of J.
Jayalalithaa's death, said it could not accept
any decision that goes against the wishes of
the people.
"The AIADMK is not in agreement," Lok
Sabha Deputy Speaker and senior party
leader M. Thambidurai told reporters on
the Centre's order regulating the sale of
cattle for slaughter.
He was talking to reporters after heading
a delegation of senior Tamil Nadu ministers
to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in New
Delhi. In Thiruvananthapuram, Chief
Minister Vijayan upped the ante against
the central order. "The Centre through new
laws is trying to wriggle into the rights of
the state government, and this is a clear
violation of democratic principles and will
not be allowed," said Vijayan.
Vijayan has called a meeting of the state
cabinet on Thursday to decide on conven
ing a special session of the assembly to dis
cuss the issue a demand which has also
been put forward by the opposition
Congress.
As a way forward, he is also said to be
planning to call a meeting of chief minis
ters to discuss the issue as he strongly feels
that the Centre's decision was a serious
Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) activists stage a demonstration against public
slaughter of an ox, in New Delhi. (Photo: IANS)
infringement on the state's rights and an
attack on federalism.
Meanwhile, the DMK held street protests
in Chennai against the Centre's decision.
Addressing the protesters, working presi
dent M.K.Stalin demanded that the Centre
revoke the order failing which another
'Marina revolution' would erupt in Tamil
Nadu. Stalin said in the wake of the Madras
High Court's order on Tuesday, the central
government should withdraw its order ban
ning sale of cows and buffaloes for slaugh
ter.
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High
Court stayed the central government's
order for four weeks.
In a related incident, members of student
organisations protested outside the Indian
Institute of TechnologyMadras (IITM) con
demning the attack on a Ph.D scholar in the
campus for participating in a beef festival.
The beef eating festival was organised in
protest against the central government's
new rule banning sale of bovines for
slaughter.
The Kerala High Court observed that
there was nothing in the new central law
on cattle trade and slaughter that takes
away the rights of people with regard to
eating beef.
In a ruling, the Rajasthan High Court sug
gested that the cow should be declared a
national animal and its killers be sentenced
to life imprisonment.
Describing himself as a "Shiv bkaht", the
judge, on the eve of his retirement, gave a
ruling relating to the Hingonia Gaushala of
Jaipur.
Rule on cattle
trade doesn't
infringe upon
state laws: Jaitley
New Delhi: Union Finance Minister Arun
Jaitley rejected criticism that the Center
was infringing upon states' rights on the
cattle issue, saying the order has nothing
do with slaughter of cattle which is gov
erned by respective state laws.
"It (Central notification) has nothing to
do with legislation or no legislation. Is
this farmers' market meant for those
involved in slaughter trade or not this is
the only effect of the notification. And
whether you can slaughter or not, that is
the state legislation which applies," Jaitley
told a media conference here.
He was replying to a question on three
Chief Ministers, including from Kerala and
West Bengal, writing to the Centre oppos
ing the order issued by the Union
Environment Ministry regulating cattle
trade in which animals cannot be sold for
slaughter.
Jaitley said there is a provision in the
Constitution, Article 48 on Directive
Principles, which says that certain catego
ry of animals have to be protected.
"You have, during the 1950s, during
Nehru's era, state after state framing a leg
islation. Now there are two categories of
states ones which have prohibited
slaughter, others which have not. Those
laws are continuing.
"This clarification which has come has
nothing to do with those state legisla
tions," he added.

INFILTRATION BIDS Cases against Karti, Lalu kin on

DOWN AFTER SURGICAL basis of evidence: Jaitley
STRIKES: RAJNATH New Delhi: Finance Minister Arun
Jaitley rejected allegations that the
recent raids and cases filed against
court." "As far as different agencies
are concerned, whether it is CBDT
(Central Board of Direct Taxes) or
New Delhi: Home Security Force,
former Finance Minister P. any other agency, they act on a
Minister Rajnath which guards the
Chidambaram's son Karti and RJD rationale basis only when there is a
Sing h said that International
chief Lalu Prasad and his children case to investigate. After all, when
infiltration bids by Border, said there
were done out of political vendetta, they take up a matter they also
terrorists have fall were 130 infiltra
and said investigative agencies have a level of accountability and
en after the Army tion attempts in
work on a rational basis and on the in these matters eventually these
carried out surgical 2016, while there
basis of evidence. matters will be before court."
strikes across the have been 27
He also made it clear that the The premises of two top opposi
LoC last year to attempts so far
agencies are accountable to courts t ion leaders, Cong ress' P.
w ipe out terror this year.
as the probe has to culminate into Chidambaram and Rashtriya Janata
launch pads. Rajnath Sing h
a case which is to be decided by Dal's Lalu Prasad, were on May 16
"There has been a called upon the
courts. searched by the Central Bureau of
fall in infiltration BSF to maintain
Home Minister Jaitley was answering questions Investigation (CBI) and Income Tax
after the surgical higher vigil along
Rajnath Singh at a media conference when a Department officials.
strikes," Rajnath the border and be
reporter referred to statements by Karti Chidambaram has been
Singh said here at the 15th prepared all the time. He said
Chidambaram and Lalu Prasad that accused of getting payof fs for
Border Security Force's (BSF) strict vigil at the border will
the cases instituted against them he lping a media company get
investiture ceremony. also reduce inflow of fake cur
or their families were to scare Foreign Investment Promotion
The Army had conducted sur rency. He said the family of Former Finance Minister
them and were part of a political Board (FIPB) clearance, while the
gical strikes in September last each killed trooper should get P. Chidambaram.
conspiracy. "I am not going into former Bihar Chief Minister was
year to destroy terror launch Rs 1 crore as compensation,
individual cases. Investigative have to be decided by the court accused of "benami" (proxy) land
pads across the Line of Control and asked all the Director
agencies work on the basis of evi and not by the media and deals actions the opposition has
that resulted in the killing of Generals of paramilitary forces
dence and they have to prove them Parliament. Every case has to even denounced as vendetta by the
dozens of militants and their to contact him if this is not
before courts. So, whether it is tually culminate into a case and Bharatiya Janata partyled central
sympathizers. T he Border implemented.
based on facts or political vendetta, that case has to be decided by the government.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info OP-ED June 3-9, 2017 15

l By Amit Kapoor witnessed a sharp jump as evi and incorporation, which took 7+5
denced by the Global days in 2014, has been brought

I
t has been an eventful three
years for the Narendra Modi
government. Back in 2014, the
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had
inherited a system that was pep
pered with corruption scandals
and where terms like policy paral
ysis, indecision and logjam were
commonplace. However, such per
ceptions have changed and the
country has come a long way since
then.
On the economic front, the coun
try displayed some worrying
trends in 2014 that seem to have
been contained. The average CPI
(combined) inflation that was 9.5
percent in 201314 had declined
to 3.7 per cent by February 2017.
This was mainly led by a drastic
fall in food inflation from double
digits to merely two per cent in
February 2017. Other serious
causes of concern when the Modi
government took over were the
widening fiscal and current
account deficits. The fiscal deficit
as a ratio of GDP was 4.5 per cent
in 201314, while the current
The implementation of GST from July will be yet another longdesired
institutional reform that will make business operations more efficient.
account deficit (CAD) stood at 4.8
per cent of GDP. The former has
fallen to 3.5 per cent for 201617
and the latter is just a tad above
one per cent.
Moreover, the CAD has been
largely funded by elevated levels
of foreign direct investment (FDI)
inflows that tend to remain in the
economy for a longer term than
volatile foreign institutional invest
ment (FII) funds. India's annual FDI
inflows have more than doubled in
the last three years from $22 bil
lion to $46 billion. This boost has
been driven by the government's
consistent efforts to woo foreign
investment through its Make in
India campaign. Since the launch
of the campaign, India has
received close to $100 billion as
FDI inflows. Macroeconomic sta
bility has clearly improved in the
last three years along with a rise in
the country's growth rate despite
subdued global economic condi
tions. India's GDP growth rate has
risen from 6.5 per cent in 201314
to almost seven per cent in 2016
17, despite the dampening effect
of demonetization on the economy.
The country's competitiveness also
Competitiveness Index (GCI) pre
pared by the World Economic
Forum. Among 138 nations, India's
GCI rankings improved from 60 to
39 in the last three years.
On the institutional front, there
were numerous bold initiatives
undertaken by the government
during the period. To begin with,
the Nehruvianera Planning
Commission was dismantled and
replaced with the NITI Aayog,
which has become the govern
ment's goto thinktank. To rein in
inflation, which had become a con
stant irritant, the Monetary Policy
Committee was set up to independ
ently decide interest rates for the
economy to achieve predefined
inflation targets.
The government has also been
making positive institutional
changes to achieve its aim of
improving the country's ease of
doing business. India's ranking has
not considerably improved, but it
has made significant gains on
some fronts. For instance, the
process of company registration
down to a single day. These
improvements are a result of a
drastic reduction of unnecessary
bureaucratic processes by leverag
ing technology. On a related note,
stringent monitoring of files across
government departments has
ensured that delay in government
clearances do not hold up projects,
which had become a worrying
problem for the previous govern
ment and was hurting investment
activities across the country.
The implementation of GST from
July will be yet another long
desired institutional reform that
will make business operations
more efficient. It replaces the myr
iad direct and indirect taxes that
are currently imposed by the
Centre and the states, and unifies
fragmented markets into a single
national market. Further reforms
include the implementation of the
Real Estate Regulatory Act (RERA),
which fulfils the longstanding
need of a real estate regulator that
brings in transparency in real
estate deals.

l By Amulya Ganguli

T
here is a long way to go
before Uttar Pradesh can
become Uttam Pradesh, as
Prime Minister Narendra Modi
promised after his party's mas
sive victory in the assembly elec
tions. The caste violence in
Saharanpur and the gang rape
and murder on a highway near
Bulandshahr have followed the
depredations of the love jehad
and antiRomeo squads and the
Allahabad High Court's interven
tion in favor of the Muslim meat
traders when it told Yogi
Adityanath's government to
issue licences to the abattoirs
which it had summarily closed
down. The government's crack
down on the slaughterhouses on
the grounds that many of them
were unlicensed was seen as a
step specifically aimed at the
Muslim community which has
been traditionally associated
with the Rs 15,000 crore indus
try.
The high court, however, said
that a "check on unlawful activi
ty should be simultaneous with
facilitating the carrying of lawful
activity, particularly that relating himself is a Thakur hasn't
to food, food habits and vending
thereof that is undisputedly con
nected with the right to life and
livelihood".
But even as meat is again avail er Dalit group, to wash them
BJP's Dalit outreach under threat
bright Dalit scholar, Rohith
Vemula, committed suicide in
Hyderabad central university in
January last year following skir
mishes between his group, the
Ambedkar Students' Association,
and the BJP's student wing, the
Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi
Parishad (ABVP).
There was a further blow to
the BJP's outreach to the Dalits
when the gau rakshaks (cow vig
ilantes) lynched a group of Dalits
for skinning a cow, their tradi
tional occupation, in Una in
Gujarat. The fallout of these inci
The fallout of some incidents has been the emergence of a new gener dents has been the emergence of
ation of Dalit leaders in Uttar Pradesh.
a new generation of Dalit leaders
able in Lucknow and other cities selves with soap and use deodor like the 30yearold lawyer,
and there has been a marginal ants before Yogi Adityanath vis Chandrashekhar Azad "Ravan",
decline in the targeting of those ited their Mainpur Kot village in who led the socalled Bhim Army
involved in interfaith romances, Kushinagar district. (named after the Dalit icon,
an even greater challenge has A similar incident occurred Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar)
emerged for the lawenforcing when the Chief Minister went to for protests against the
authorities in the caste conflicts the home of a martyred BSF Saharanpur violence in Delhi's
between Dalits and Thakurs in jawan where an airconditioner Jantar Mantar. Irrespective of
the Saharanpur area. was temporarily installed and a how politically successful will be
The fact that the Chief Minister sofa put in place during the visit. the young idealists like "Ravan"
Together with the violence in and Jignesh Mevani, who led the
helped in restoring amity Saharanpur, these incidents have Dalit protests against the Una
between the two communities, caused a further strain in the floggings, they appear to have
especially when overzealous offi Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) succeeded so far in sidelining
cials told the Mushahars, anoth relations with the Dalits, which established leaders like
suffered a major setback when a Mayawati, who no longer seem
to be able to reach out to the
youths in the community.
For the BJP, the worry will be
that its hope of showcasing Uttar
Pradesh as a model state, espe
cially where law and order and
the safety of women are con
cerned, may come a cropper.
Already a minister, Suresh
Khanna, has said that the state is
too big to ensure "zero crime",
which can nullify the party's
charges against the previous
government.
While the Muslims initially
bore the brunt of saffron aggres
sion, it is the Dalits who now
have reasons to be aggrieved.
The fairly large gathering at
Jantar Mantar showed how
members of the community from
states other than Uttar Pradesh
have become agitated over the
Saharanpur incidents.
The possibility, therefore, of an
incipient DalitMuslimbackward
caste combine being formed can
not be ruled out. Moreover, the
fact that such an alliance will not
be a quiescent one is evident
from the flaunting of epithets
like the Great Chamar, a previ
ously pejorative term which has
now become a badge of honor.

The views expressed in Op Eds are not necessarily those of The South Asian Times.
 16 June 3-9, 2017 BOLLYwOOD

Priyanka meets Modi in Berlin
A ctress Priyanka Chopra met Prime Min-
The picture was shared by Priyanka
Chopra on her Twitter handle.
Review
ister Narendra Modi, in between his
packed schedule in Berlin, terming it such
Half Girlfriend
a lovely coincidence.
Thank you for taking the time to meet
me this morning Narendra Modi sir. Such
a lovely coincidence to be in Berlin at the
same time, Priyanka, who has been mak-
ing India proud in Hollywood, tweeted.
She even shared a glimpse from her meet-
ing with Modi on Twitter as well as Instagram.
The actress, who is known for her acting
skills as well as supporting social and hu-
manitarian causes, is seen in a white dress
with a floral print during the meeting.
Modi, who is on a two-day visit to Ger-
many, is in a black bandhgala.
Meanwhile, Priyanka, whose Hollywood
debut film Baywatch opened internation-
ally to mixed reviews, is enjoying a break
in Berlin. Baywatch, also starring Dwayne
Johnson and Zac Efron, is slated to release
in India on June 2.

Twitter suspends Abhijeets

new account too
S inger Abhijeet Bhattacharya, who re-
turned to Twitter with a new account
almost a week after his verified account was
suspended due to his offensive and sexist
remarks, has once again been barred from
using the social networking platform.
His new account -- with the handle @
singerabhijeet -- which was launched in the
morning was suspended by night.
In a video posted on his new account,
he said: People are trying to suppress my
Performances save this
voice. I am against those who try to speak
against the nation and the Indian Army.
half-baked mush
This is my new Twitter account.
The film stars Arjun Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor in lead roles.
Till the time my verified account is not
active, please follow me on this Twitter ac-
count. All other accounts by my name are
fake and are trying to malign my reputation.
A dapted from Chetan Bhagats novel by
the same name, director Mohit Suris
film Half Girlfriend is a half-baked and
How he woos her to the very end forms the
crux of the tale. While on the face of it, the
scenes seem to be astutely crafted, it is the
The description of his second account clichd romance pot-boiler that does not lack of maturity in handling emotions that
read I am the best....I am the best, lines raise the bar. surface blatantly, especially in the scene when
from his popular song from the 2000 film Narrated in a non-linear and formulaic Riyas parents are fighting in the background
Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani. manner, the only endearing point in the and she sings the song, Stay a little longer
Twitter initially had on May 23 suspended film is the messages it passes on, face your with me baby, wont you stay a little longer.
Abhijeets account over sexist and offensive difficulties and defeat your obstacles, or in Also, the characters are poorly etched
remarks targeted at some women users, par- Twitter had suspended the singers other words which simply translates to, te- making them one dimensional objects which
ticularly JNU student-activist Shehla Rashid. earlier account over offensive remarks. nacity always triumphs. makes it difficult to relate to them. Also the
Unfortunately, the film lacks depth and pas- dubbing is an issue especially in the scenes
sion in terms of its mounting. While the per- between Madhav and his Bihari roommates.

Sanjay Dutt quits film due to its adult comedy formances are noteworthy, it is the direction
and the script department that fails to impress.
There are some straight faced guffaws by
Madhav that make the film light and digestible.
The plot seems perfunctory and formulaic. The casting isnt perfect, yet, Arjun Ka-

A ctor Sanjay Dutt has pulled out of Total In this case, the tale pivots around Mad- poor is brilliant as the slightly dim-witted,
Dhamaal due to unavailability of dates as hav Jha (Arjun Kapoor) the Prince of Simrao, good hearted Bihari who speaks with an in-
well as his issue with the films adult comedy, Bihar. He goes to Delhi to study at St. Ste- consistent accent. Shraddha Kapoor as his
says a source. The actor, who completed shooting phens College, an elite college, on a sports lady love delivers an equally spirited perfor-
for Bhoomi earlier this year after his incarcera- quota as he plays basketball. The issue here mance. But together their chemistry lacks
tion in Yerwada Jail for illegal possession of arms, is, he cannot speak a single sentence in flaw- intensity. This is evident in the smooching
has his dates locked till the end of 2018. He has less English and finds it difficult to cultivate scene and the scenes that follow.
films like Torbaaz, Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster 3 friends as apart from his English, his speech Apart from the duo, it is Vikrant Massey
and a collaborative project with actor-filmmaker is soaked with heavy Bihari lingo. as Madhavs roommate and well-wisher
Ajay Devgn. Sanjay, who played a crucial role in A telephonic conversation with his mother who makes his presence felt with a brilliant,
Dhamaal and Double Dhamaal, has decided to reminds him that to stay anywhere, you need razor-sharp performance. Seema Biswas as
quit Indra Kumars Dhamaal franchise. The third a reason and you need to find it yourself. Just Madhavs mother adds gravitas to her char-
instalment, Total Dhamaal, was expected to roll then Madhav by happenstance sees a beauti- acter but, it is Rhea Chakraborty and Anisa
out this year, but the fact that Sanjay is unavail- ful girl, Riya Somani (Shraddha Kapoor) play- Butt who enhance the glamour factor.
able has caused the film some delay. A source ing basketball. This becomes his motive and The songs in the film are hummable and
close to the development stated that Sanjays raison detre for staying back in Delhi. What the film, as expected, with excellent pro-
busy schedule and already locked dates is not the further ignites his keenness to befriend Riya duction values is all gloss and fluff but low
Sanjay Dutt only reason why he wont be doing the film. is her faultless and fluent English. on substance.

Actor charged with
culpable homicide in
models death
A ctor Vikram Chatterjee, who was pre-
viously accused of rash and negligent
driving, has been charged with culpable
homicide not amounting to murder for the
death of city model Sonika Chauhan in a
car accident, police said.
Chatterjee has been charged under Sec-
tion 304 of the IPC after police received a
forensic report that shows the speed of the
car was between 95 to 115 km per hour a
few seconds before the accident, said Kolka-
ta polices Joint Commissioner, Crime, Vishal
Garg. The actor was previously charged with
rash driving (Section 279 of the Indian Penal
The actor was previously charged with rash driving.
Rahmans son makes
Hindi singing debut
O scar-winning composer A.R. Rahmans
son A.R. Ameen made his singing de-
but in Hindi with Sachin: A Billion Dreams.
Ameen, 14, has sung the song Mard
Maratha for the James Erskine directorial,
which released on May 26.
Rahman, who is also the music compos-
er for the film, took to Twitter where he
AR Rahman
BOLLYWOOD
Code) and causing death by negligence (Sec-
tion 304A) after the accident, police said.
During the previous interrogation, he con-
fessed to having consumed alcohol on the
night of the accident, but claimed that he was
not drunk and the car was not speeding.
Chatterjee was on the wheels of his car
while his partner Sonika was on the front
seat when the accident happened on a south
Kolkata street on their way back from a party
on April 29. Sonika was rushed to a city hos-
pital where she succumbed to her injuries.
The actor himself sustained head injury in
the accident and was hospitalized.
shared the YouTube link to his sons song,
which also features singer Anjali Gaikwad.
AR Ameens Hindi debut featuring Anjali
Gaikwad, Rahman posted on Twitter.
Ameen has also sung for filmmaker Mani
Ratnams Tamil film OK Kanmani, English
film Couples Retreat and Telugu film Nir-
mala Convent.
Aishwarya with her daughter Aaradhya.
RELUCTANT AARADHYA
GREETS WELL-WISHERS WITH BIG B
M egastar Amitabh Bachchan, who
regularly greets his fans every Sun-
day outside his house, was joined by his
daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
and granddaughter Aaradhya Bachchan
this time. He says the little one was reluc-
tant about the experience. Amitabh shared
a few photographs of Aaradhya during the
fan meet on his official blog.
And the reluctant little one finally agrees
to come out to greet the well wishers
but is disturbed by the crowds and admits
she was a little afraid to be up there her
main attraction being her new pet the stray
The film is narrated by cricket legend Sachin himself.
SACHIN RAKES IN OVER RS
27 CR IN OPENING WEEKEND
L egendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkars
documentary drama film Sachin: A Bil-
lion Dreams has collected Rs 27.85 crore
in its opening weekend at the box office, ac-
cording to makers.
The film released on May 26 in Hindi,
Marathi, Tamil, Telugu and English.
Sachin: A Billion Dreams records ex-
ceptional collections for a bio-drama, mints
Rs 27.85 crore (all languages) in its open-
ing weekend, read a statement issued on
behalf of the films makers. The film, de-
spite being in competition with previously
released big entertainers like Baahubali
June 3-9, 2017 17
cat whom she has named salt pepper, the
74-year-old wrote. He also shared a photo-
graph of Aaradhya playing with her new pet.
However, Amitabh said he is not fond of cats.
She (Aaradhya) asked me to pet it and I
told her I did not like cats, so she was sur-
prised that I did not... there is another one
she said her sister... The cats sister... And
wondered if I would consider liking the sis-
ter... I said no... I think I lost out a number
of brownie points from her today, he wrote.
Amitabh is currently shooting for 102
Not Out in which he will be seen playing a
102-year-old man.
2: The Conclusion, Half Girlfriend and
Hindi Medium, and Hollywood film Pi-
rates of the Caribbean: Salazars Revenge,
has managed to make its presence felt at
the box office despite its unique genre, said
trade expert Taran Adarsh.
Sachin: A Billion Dreams has a wonder-
ful opening weekend. Generally, docu-dra-
mas have dim prospects at box office, but
this one is an exception, Adarsh tweeted.
Sachin: A Billion Dreams faced a tough
opponent in the Hollywood biggie Pirates
Of The Caribbean, but it proved no opposi-
tion, frankly, he added.
 18 June 3-9, 2017 lifestyle

Jacqueline Fernandezs
tips for denim lovers
D enim is a staple fabric which can be worn
throughout the year, and there are different
ways to make it look stylish, suggests Bollywood
actress Jacqueline Fernandez. Jacqueline, the
brand ambassador of Lee, has suggested what to
team with denim to make it look chic:

Denim on denim trend:

Jacqueline says it looks smart, feisty and fash-

ionable along with giving a holistic body shaping
in all aspects when paired with sassy heels.

pair it with a white top:

Beat the scorching summer heat by wearing

your denims with a pair of white tank top and
nude heels to make a statement wherever you
go. Denims give you a perkier backside and strik-
ingly long legs, granting a figure that is ideally
proportional and attractive.

tank tops - the ultimate style:

With body enhancement features, denims are

a one of a kind to flaunt at a party. Team them up
Bollywood star Jacqueline Fernandez shows how to make denim look chic;
with a black tank or a spaghetti top along with a
(right) Designer Stella McCartney shows infinite possibilities with denim.
chic pair of stilettos to get the eternal diva look.

Market for luxury cars growing in India

T he demand for fancy foreign luxury cars is
witnessing a steep rise, with buyers, includ-
ing from faraway northeast, picking up Lambo-
rghinis, Maseratis and Range Rovers that cost up
to Rs1.5 crore apiece -- but all pre-owned, a po-
Gurugram and a car studio in Sultanpur, New Delhi.
I would like to focus more on cars in the bracket of Rs 50
lakh to Rs 1.5 crore rather than the Rs 1.5 crore to Rs 3 crore seg-
ment (the super-luxury segment). The volume of business in the
first bracket is more than that in the Rs 1.5 crore-plus segment,
Ahuja told IANS in an interaction in his Gurugram showroom.
I would like to do at least 75 per cent of my business in
the Rs 50 lakh to Rs 1.5 crore segment, he added.
Big Boy Toyz gets orders for its exotic cars through its
online portal, bigboytoyz.com . Ahuja says 30 per cent of his
business -- of buying and selling second-hand exotic cars --
comes from Haryana, and the rest from across the country.
The company has a collection of 120 cars in both the show-
rooms -- ranging from BMWs, Mercedes, Porsches, to Land Rovers.
His company has already carved a niche for itself, and Bol-
lywood stars are among his clientele.
The company aims for a sales target of Rs 1,000 crore by
2020, which Ahuja finds achievable.
The company plans to open showrooms in other cities like
Bengaluru, Chennai and Hyderabad, with demand pouring in
from such cities, he said.
Every pre-owned car goes through 151 check points and
parameters -- like age of the car, kilometres done, demand for
the car and its supply, maintenance -- before BBT buys them.
The demonetization move hit sales a bit, but things have
since stabilized, says Ahuja, due to the well-heeled clientele
that he caters to. Ahuja feels that the Indian automotive indus-
try has evolved a lot over the past decade and has huge scope.
The design of Indian cars is much better, but there is still
room for improvement in terms of reliability, he said, add-
ing that through Big Boy Toyz he is attempting to change the
negative perception among Indians of buying pre-owned cars.

lite term for second-hand. Big Boy Toyz, based in

Gurugram, Haryana, is one firm that specializes
in selling pre-owned foreign luxury cars in India.
It is perhaps the only one of its kind in the
country that panders to the Indian buyers whim
of owning a branded luxury car, but who are un-
able to cough up the price of a new one.
Jatin Ahuja, of Big Boy Toyz, hit upon the idea
of selling pre-owned foreign brands in 2009.
He started off initially in 2007 as Magus Cars
Ltd, which would import new cars. But Ahuja found
that most buyers wanted to exchange their used
cars for new ones, which led to a range of used
cars in his possession and he ended up with losses.
Ahuja, who focuses on pre-owned cars that cost A Lamborghini and (right) a Maserati
between Rs 50 lakh and Rs 1.5 crore and manages on sale by Big Boyz Toys in Delhi.
to sell at least one car a day, owns a showroom in
TheSouthAsianTimes.info OP-ED June 3-9, 2017 19

That seems to be an emerging reality in Modis India where a majoritarian view

and rule is sought to be imposed on the country, thereby undoing the progress
achieved post-Independence under the Nehruvian vision.

Prevention of cruelty
l By George Abraham

T
he long anticipated cow
slaughter ban across India
under the BJP rule is already

to cows, not to humans

here! Most observers were expect
ing a legislative move probably
after the 2019 election when BJP
could muster majorities at both
houses of the parliament. However,
the Modi Sarkar found an ingenious
ing 2019 campaign, a vital environ
way to test these waters under the
ment to profit from. Also, this is a
guise of the Prevention of Cruelty
direct infringement of the funda
to Animals Act that was enacted in
mental right of the people as to
1960 to prevent the infliction of
what to consume, and this order
unnecessary pain or suffering on
may even have usurped the State
animals.
rights in deciding vital issues that
It is indeed a sinister move by the
impact its citizens. The federal
Environmental Ministry issuing new
structure that stood the test of time
rules to regulate these animal mar
since Independence may also be in
kets with an eye towards limiting or
the crosshairs. The socioeconomic
stopping cow slaughter across the
consequences from nutrition to the
nation. The new rule states that ani
poor and backward in the society
mal markets can no longer be used
who rely on cheap meat as a staple
to sell or purchase cattle for the
food, and to the small farmers and
purposes of slaughtering. The regu
traders who rely on these animals
lations apply to bulls, cows, buf
for their livelihood are yet to be
faloes and camels.
responses to the ongoing lynching was allegedly fired upon by Gau buffaloes but not extended to other seen!
The reactions from the southern
of human beings by the self Raksha Dal members on April 5, species like sheep, goats, and chick However, let us not be under any
states were quick and predictable
appointed vigilantes of cow protec 2016. A month later, a probe into ens. India exports about 4 Billion illusion that all these developments
and the Chief Minister of Kerala,
tion. The medieval barbarism by his murder was ordered, according dollars worth of beef every year, are taking place in a vacuum. But
Pinarai Vijayan, took the lead in
these outlaws was on full display in to The Wire.' and it looks simply duplicitous on rather, it is part of a calculated plan
saying that, Malayali diet need not
2015 when they falsely accused In an incident that went viral on the part of the Government to close being implemented by the Modi
be decided by Delhi (read Union
and then dragged Mr. Mohammed the social media, on 11 July, 2016 its eyes to the socalled cruelty by Shah power structure to impose a
Government) or Nagpur (read RSS
Akhlaq from his home in Dadri, U.P. Dalit youths were beaten up outside these big slaughterhouses, many of majoritarian view and rule on the
headquarters). Nobody can change
to the street and lynched him before Mota Samadhiyala village, when them owned and operated by the country thereby undoing the
our diet, he said. Student organiza
the gathering public. they were skinning a dead cow cronies of those who are close to progress achieved post
tions belonging to the Left front as
On 1 April 2017, Pehlu Khan and brought from Bediya village. The power centers. Independence under the Nehruvian
well as Congress in Kerala protest
at least four others were injured victims included Vashram Sarvaiya, This order may effectively cut the vision: respect for the minority reli
ed the ban by organizing beef fests
when a mob attacked them while his broter Ramesh, and their flow of red meat to consumers in gions and their traditions and equal
across the state.
transporting cows that were legally cousins Ashokan Bechar, all resi those states where beef is con protection under the law. The
However, some of the youngsters
bought in the market. Khan in his dents of Mota Samadhiyala. Later sumed. All animal markets will be regressive forces that were in con
who belong to the Youth Congress
fifties later succumbed to his the members of Gau Rakshak Dal strictly regulated and will be trol of the nation in collusion with
wing of the Congress Party went to
injuries suffered at the hands of took them to nearby Una town and brought under the control of the colonial powers are back indeed,
the extreme in slaughtering a bull
these vigilantes. In March 2016, again thrashed them with sticks and bureaucrats. As per the new rules, and they are back with a
in the open and thereby eliciting
two Muslim cattle traders were iron rods after tying them to a vehi your butcher cannot buy any cattle vengeance!
strong condemnation from the
found hanged to death in cle. They were paraded halfnaked from the market, and a declaration Mahatma Gandhi, who was a
national leadership in addition to
Jharkhands Latehar district. on the road in full display of public will have to be signed stating that I great advocate of Ahimsa said once:
receiving walking papers from the
Mazlum Ansari and teenager view. promise not to resell the cattle for How can I force anyone not to
Partys State leadership. It is regret
Imteyaz Khan were heading to an These are only a few of the ongo slaughter.' In short, the center has slaughter cows unless he is himself
table that their stupefied action did
animal fair in a nearby district ing instances of cruel justice meted made it near impossible to buy or so disposed? It is not as if there
cast a shadow on the merit of their
when they were allegedly lynched out to the human beings and the sell cattle for meat or animal mar were only Hindus in the Indian
arguments in defense of the consti
and hanged by a mob. country while its leadership kets. By circumventing the legisla Union. There are Muslims, Parsis,
tutional protection from the
According to a report in The remained largely silent. With the tive process in this instance, BJP is Christians and other religious
onslaught of religious fundamental
Indian Express, a 20year old truck issuance of this new order, the Gau busy at work promoting its saffron groups here. Will we hear such
ism and may have negatively
driver from Saharanpur was Rakshak Dal will be further embold agenda by imposing a uniform diet sane voices of enlightenment ever
impacted on the seriousness of the
lynched by a village mob in ened and will have the license to code on the people of India. The from the heartland of India again!
issue at hand.
Nevertheless, what is most shock Himachal Pradesh allegedly for car terrorize farmers and traders across reason they have rushed it through
rying cattle from Uttar Pradesh. the land. as a directive may have dual pur (The writer is a former Chief
ing to many of us who are living
Mustin Abbas, a 27yearold father If the issue is indeed borne out of poses. The first and foremost will be Technology Officer of the United
abroad is the overt and loud reac
of four, was traveling back home cruelty to animals, why this ban to sow the seeds of division and Nations and Chairman of the Indian
tion to the slaughter of a bull in the
after buying bulls from Haryana only applies to cattle, camels, and intolerance well before the upcom National Overseas Congress, USA)
open in comparison to the lowkey

The views expressed in Op Eds are not necessarily those of The South Asian Times.
 20 June 3-9, 2017
Conservatives woo BritishIndians
with Hindi campaign song
London: Britain's ruling
Conservative Party has released a
Hindi campaign song on Sunday
in an attempt to woo the nearly
1.6 million strong Indian diaspora
in the country.
The song 'Theresa Ke Saath' for
the June 8 general election has
been produced by Conservative
Friends of India (CFI) cochair and
UKbased Indian businessman
Ranjit S Baxi and calls on Indian
orig in voters to back May as
Britain's Prime Minister for the
next five years. "The Hindi song
has been especially composed for
the General Election 2017 to pro
mote connectivity with the 1.6
million British Indians to support
May, who will provide strong and
stable leadership for Britain and
growth of the British economy,"
said a statement from the team
behind the song.
"Every vote for May is a vote for
stronger Britain with the benefits
felt by everyone across the coun
try. We need a country that works
for everyone. May wants to build
a strong trade partnership with
Honoured to be part of
Modi book: Indian artist
New Delhi: UAEbased Indian
artist Akbar Saheb says he is
honored to be part of a new
book based on Prime Minister
Narendra Mo di's speeches
broadcast on radio program
'Mann ki Baat.'
Akbar has done the 11 illus
trations in the book apart
from the one on the cover.
The book, which deals with
topics as diverse as Swachh
Bharat Abhiyan and bonds of
humanity, was unveiled on
Friday at Rashtrapati Bhavan
here in the presence of
President Pranab Mukherjee.
The illustrations, made using
waterproofing ink as a medium
for artwork on paper, are
themed around the Prime
Minister's dif ferent speeches,
each giving out a positive mes
sage to the public.
"This is a huge honor for me; I
feel extremely fortunate to be
part of the book 'Mann ki Baat',
Journalists have
important role to play
postBrexit : Hinduja
India and engage actively with the
British Indian community," it adds.
The song has been written, com
posed and produced by Pandit
Dinesh with vocals by British
Indian artists including Navin
Kundra, Rubayyatt Jahan, Urmi
Chakraborty, Raja Kasaf and
Ketan Kansra.
The music, set to Indian beats, is
by Milan Handa, Chris Nolan and
Mauro and the video features
snapshots of May during her visit
to India in November 2016 and
dressed in Indian outfits at vari
ous community events in the UK.
The catchy tune, available on
YouTube channels, calls on voters
Akbar Saheb
(Image : tvdaijiworld.com)
which, as a radio program, has
been a social revolution, giving
voice to thousands of Indians,"
the 54yearold artist said.
Born in Mang alore in
Karnataka, the artist has been
living in Dubai for the past 22
years. Akbar had earlier done a
series of 12 paintings themed
on the Prime Minister and his
achievements over 12 years,
which were also exhibited in
Baro da in Gujarat in early
2015. (IANS)
DIASPORA
The video
features
snapshots of May
during her 2016
India visit and
dressed in Indian
outfits at various
community
events in the UK.
(Image courtesy:
navbharattimes.
com)
to "join hands w ith T heresa
May/To make Conservatives win.
Five years with Theresa/For the
Pride of Britain". The last time the
team had released a similar Hindi
song was to call for former Prime
Minister David Cameron's victory
in the May 2015 general election.
"Neela Hai Aasman (Blue Sky)",
in reference to the symbolic blue
colour of the party, had called on
voters to join hands with Cameron
then, who went on to win a major
ity for the party but had to resign
as PM following Britain's vote to
leave the European Union (EU) in
the June 2016 referendum.
(PTI)
Kerala painter's work draws huge
response in Victorian Parliament
Melbourne/Thiruvananthapuram:
A Kerala NRI painter's work on a
50metre long single canvas titled
"Pride of Australia" was on display
at the Queen's Hall in the Victorian
Parliament and fetched accolades.
This is the first time an Indian
artist has got this opportunity.
T he paint ing by Sedunath
Prabhakar, settled in Melbourne,
showcased portraits of 50 promi
nent Australians drawn from a
wide and varying cultural, social
and political spectrum.
The 50 Australian greats, whose
portraits include Donald Bradman,
first lady Prime Minister of
Australia Julia Gillard, Captain
James Cook (explorer), John
Monash (Army Commander who
took part in the First World War),
Patrick White (Nobel Prize winner
in literature), Emily Kame
Kngwarreye (aboriginal artist),
swimmer Ian T horpe and foot
baller Tim Cahill. The twoday exhi
bit ion of Prabhakar ended on
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
London: Journalists have an
important role to play in
strengthening IndiaUK relations
postBrexit as much has to be
done in the fields of trade, invest
ment and culture, leading NRI
industrialist GP Hinduja has said.
Speaking at a function organ
ized to ce le brate the 70th
anniversary of the IJA, a repre
sentative body for UKbased cor
respondents and journalists
report ing, at the India Club,
Hinduja said, "Journalists should
bring out a journal which could
provide good analysis of various
issues involving the UKIndia
relations."
"IJA has to play an important
role postBrexit as so much has
to be done in the fields of trade,
investment and culture. They are
real challeng ing t ime to the
media," he said. Kartar Lalvani,
founderchairman of Vitabiotics,
Sedunath Prabhakar
(Image : newsgram.com)
Thursday evening, with all those
who saw it appreciating the single
canvas work. Colin Brooks, speaker
of the Victorian Parliament who
extended the invite to Prabhakar,
after going through the painting
said Prabhakar has done a lot of
research to select the 50 as he has
included Australia's first Prime
Minister Sir Edmund Barton and it
was in this hall that Australia's first
parliament had its sitting. "By hold
ing Prabhakar's exhibition, this
clearly shows how this country
described it as a "landmark
event" as the IJA has seen how
the UKIndia relations flourished
over the last 70 years.
Joginder Sanger, chairman of
Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan spoke
about the contributions of NRIs
in building the UKIndia rela
tions. He also recalled the "con
tribution" made by NRIs when
India was facing foreign
exchange crisis in 199192.
Ashish Ray, president of IJA,
recalled the contributions of
founders of the IJA and steps
taken over the last seven decades
to ensure that it functioned inde
pendently providing authentic
information back home.
The UK's withdrawal from the
EU, commonly called "Brexit", is
the result of a majority of British
voters deciding to leave the EU in
the referendum on the issue on
June 23, 2016. (PTI)
promotes the talents of those who
have come from other countries
and this will certainly be a morale
booster for all talented people,"
said Brooks.
Consul General of India, Manika
Jain said she felt proud of being an
Indian after seeing the work of a
fellow Indian getting huge appreci
at ion from the Victorian
Parliament.
Prabhakar, 43, hails from
Kidangoor in Kottayam district. He
did his graduation in Fine Arts
from the prestigious Baroda School
of Arts. He was in an ecstatic mood
after getting accolades from every
one who came and saw his work.
"I feel excited and deeply satis
fied," said the artist, and added that
his next major work is to get ready
60 paintings that tell the tradition
of Oman and the cultural develop
ments of people and the nation
under the rule of Sultan Qaboos.
T he exhibition will be he ld in
November in Oman. (IANS)
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
80 killed, hundreds wounded Nepal defers local
in Kabul suicide attack polls to June 23
Kabul: A water tanker loaded with
explosives blew up amid a deafen
ing roar near the German
Embassy here, killing at least 80
people, wounding around 350 and
causing widespread destruction,
authorities said.
The massive explosion, which
occurred at 8.22 am during rush
hour traf fic in downtown Kabul,
destroyed at least 50 vehicles and
damaged dozens of buildings in a
wide area that included embassies
and the NATO Resolute Support
headquarters. Afghan and foreign
troops rushed to the devastated
zone centered around 17th Street
Wazir Akbar Khan locality, only to
meet with ghastly scenes.
Amid scattered bo dy parts,
some badly wounded men and
women, their faces dripping with
blood, desperately sought help. A
few cars were on fire and a large
plume of black smoke rose into
the sky.
The Afghan Health Ministry put
the number of dead at 80. Tolo
News said most victims were civil
Pak to appoint ad
hoc judge at ICJ for
Jadhav hearing
Islamabad: Pakistan has decid
ed to appoint its ad hoc judge
at the International Court of
Justice (ICJ) for the next hear
ing on a plea filed by India
ag ainst the sentencing of
alleged spy Kulbhushan Jadhav,
sentenced to death by a
Pakistani military court.
An Express Tribune report
said that Attorney General for
Pakistan (AGP) Ashtar Ausaf Ali
will be leading Pakistan's legal
team at the next hearing of the
case on June 8 at the UN court,
which stayed Jadhav's execu
tion on May 18.
Sources told the paper that
the AGP informed the commit
tee that Pakistan would appoint
its ad hoc judge for the upcom
ing hearing and he would him
self lead Pakistan's team at the
An injured man is being taken to hospital in Kabul.
ians, a large number of them from
the Roshan mobile company.
Among the dead was an Afghan
journalist from Tolo News, media
outlets reported. At least two jour
nalists one each from the BBC
and 1TV were wounded.
Windows in the Indian Embassy
were shattered. "By God's grace,
Indian Embassy staf f are safe,"
External Affairs Minister Sushma
Jadhav
has been
accused
of
'involvement
in sabotage
activities in
Pakistan'.
ICJ. The decisions were com
municated in an incamera
meeting of the Parliamentary
Committee on National Security
chaired by National Assembly
Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, the paper
said.
The AGP briefed the meeting
about the steps Pakistan is tak
ing for its ef fective defense of
the case at the ICJ.
In the parliamentary panel's
meeting earlier on May 23, the
committee had expressed out
rig ht dissat isfact ion over
Pakistan`' legal strategy to deal
with Jadhav's case at the ICJ.
It said the government's "lack
of preparation" had resulted in
allowing New Delhi to get a
provisional stay order against
the military court's verdict, the
paper quoted sources as saying.
SUBCONTINENT
Swaraj tweeted.
The first report said 19 people
had been killed but the death toll
rose rapidly as ambulances and
police vehicles rushed the wound
ed and the barely alive to hospi
tals. Doctors said dozens of the
wounded were in critical condi
tion and that the toll was likely to
go up. No g roup has claimed
responsibility for the horror.
Cyclone batters Bangladesh;
164 dead in Lanka floods
Dhaka/Colombo: Over 150 people
were killed when weather wreaked
havoc in South Asian nations of Sri
Lanka and Bangladesh.
Cyclone Mora killed nearly six
people in the Bangladesh's south
eastern coast leaving behind a trail
of damaged houses and trees.
Authorities were battling to
evacuate more than half a million
people from the coastal areas.
The powerful storm made land
fall around 6 am in Kutubdia, near
the fishing port of Cox's Bazar, the
Bang ladesh Meteorolog ical
Department (BMD) said.
Cyclone Mora was likely to move
further in a northerly direction,
the BMD said.
Road Transport Minister Obaidul
Quader told the media in Dhaka
that around 20,000 houses were
damaged.
As many as 300,000 people
were taken to shelters in over 10
districts most vulnerable to the
cyclone, Addit ional Secretary
Golam Mostafa, a spokesman for
the Disaster Management
Ministry's control room, was quot
ed as saying by bdnews.
"The people were moved out to
at least 400 cyclone shelters or
safer places like schools and gov
ernment of fices in the coastal
areas," a Disaster Management
Ministry spokesman said.
T he Met of fice said that the
June 3-9, 2017 21
Kathmandu: In a bid
to ensure participa
tion of agitating
Madhesbased parties
in the second phase
of the local polls, the
Nepal government
postponed the polling
date from June 14 to
June 23.
A Cabinet meeting
decided to defer the
Hectic preparations were underway
polls to ensure partic
for the election.
ipation of those left
out in the first phase of voting on sive and also to increase the num
May 14, Nepal government ber of local units in Terai/Madhes
region.
spokesperson Surendra Kari said.
After repeatedly failing to
As per the Cabinet decision,
amend the Constitution, the gov
some provisions in the electoral
provisions will be amended to ernment had decided to increase
fasttrack registration of Madhes the numbers of local units in
based parties and allot election Terai/Madhes by 22, which was
stayed by the Supreme Court.
symbols.
In the absence of any develop
However, the government is
silent over the two key demands ment on the two demands, it is not
of the these parties amendment clear whether the Madhes politi
in the new Constitution to make it cal parties will participate in the
more Madhesfriendly and inclu June 23 polls.
People wait to evacuate from a floodaffected area in Sri Lanka.
cyclone had already started to lose ern slope of the central hills) and
strength, but strong winds with surrounding sea areas," the
heavy rain and thundershowers in Department said in its latest
Cox's Bazar and Chittagong were weather report.
likely to continue. In Sri Lanka, It also said that rains or thunder
meanwhile, the death toll from the showers would occur at times in
devastating floods and landslides the Western, Sabarag amuwa,
increased to 164 with 104 people Southern, Northwestern and
still reported missing, the Disaster Central provinces.
Management Centre said. Heavy rains above 100 mm
Over 400,000 people were could be expected at some places,
af fected by the severe rains and particularly in the Western slope
strong winds that started on May of the central hills.
24 and over 100,000 people were Sri Lankan President Maithripala
relocated, Xinhua news agency Sirisena who visited some of the
reported. "Strong winds about worst af fected areas over the
80km/ph can be expected over the weekend has assured immediate
country (these wind conditions are re lie f to the vict ims and has
especially expected over the west pledged to build new homes.
 22 June 3-9, 2017 INTERNATIONAL TheSouthAsianTimes.info

India, Germany condemn terrorism in all forms

Berlin: Asserting that terrorism is a big
threat for the coming generations, Prime
Minister Narendra Modi said all forces of
humanity across the globe should come
together to fight the menace as India and
Germany condemned violence in all forms
and agreed on the need to take measures
against those who encourage, support and
finance terror and provide safe havens.
The Prime Minister's call came at a
media interaction here along with German
Chancellor Angela Merkel after the two
leaders had wide ranging discussions
through InterGovernmental Consultations
at the Chancellery on stepping up bilateral
partnership in various fields including eco
nomic between the two countries.
After the talks both sides signed 12
agreements and MoUs that included coop
eration in the fields of digitalization, skill
development, cyber policy, health sector,
railway safety and sustainable urban
development.
"Terrorism and inferior thinking is a very
big challenge for the coming generations
of humanity.
And its the demand of the time that
forces of humanity need to come together
PM Narendra Modi with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
to combat the menace. And both the coun
tries are of the same view on how we
should get together to deal with such kind
of situations," Modi said.
In her remarks, Chancellor Merkel said
that she and Modi discussed in detail the
issue of terrorism at the dinner Monday
night and agreed that both the countries
suffer from the consequences of terrorism.
A joint statement issued after the meet
ing said Modi and Merkel underlined their
common concern about the threat and
global reach of terrorism and extremism.
"They condemned terrorist violence in
all its forms and manifestations. They
agreed on the need to take strong meas
ures against all those who encourage, sup
port and finance terrorism, provide sanc
tuary and safe havens that sustain and
support terrorist groups and organiza
tions. They welcomed closer collaboration
between India and Germany to counter
these challenges through regular meetings
of the joint working groups on counter ter
rorism.
They called for finalization and adoption
of Comprehensive Convent ion on
International Terrorism (CCIT)," it said.
The Prime Minister said in his discus
sions with Merkel both the countries were
looking at outcome oriented momentum in
bilateral ties and a quantum jump espe
cially in economic re lations. He said
Germany's extensive work in skill develop
ment, which has set the standards globally,
can benefit the youth of India.
"Our cooperation in areas like renewable
energy is gaining momentum," he said.

Iraq to liberate India, Spain sign 7 agreements

Mosul from IS
Madrid: India and Spain signed
seven agreements, including on
cooperation in cyber security and
renewable energy, following talks

by June 10: Army here between Prime Minister

Seized arms and ammunition displayed in a suburb of Mosul.
Mosul (Iraq): Iraqi security
forces hope to liberate Mosul
from the Islamic State by June
10 which marks the third year
of the IS rule in the country's
secondlargest city and end
the g roup's control, media
reported.
The target gives the troops a
little under a fortnight to clear
the last remnants of the IS from
Iraq's besieged city. Much of
Mosul, including the airport and
university, are already under the
control of the security forces, a
Daily Mail report said.
However, an unknown number
of IS fighters were still hidden
among an estimated 165,000
civilians in the old city. T he
winding streets, blind alleyways
and denselypacked buildings
make military progress especial
ly difficult, it said.
Major Qusay AlKinani, com
mander of Iraq's Special
Operations Forces, told the Daily
Telegraph: "Mosul fell to (the IS)
on June 10, 2014, so by June 10
this year it must be liberated."
The claim has been greeted
with some skepticism, as several
previous deadlines for liberation
have passed.
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al
Abadi said the forces were in the
last stages of de feat ing the
Islamic State in the remaining
neighborhoods of Mosul.
"The enemy (IS) is in a state of
collapse and cannot achieve any
of its goals in Mosul, which once
they considered their capital,"
Abadi was quoted by Xinhua.
According to the Prime
Minister, the security forces
have freed about 95 per cent of
Mosul.
Narendra Modi and his Spanish
counterpart Mariano Rajoy.
"Partnering for Prog ress
#IndiaSpain sign seven agree
ments/MoUs," External Af fairs
Ministry spokesperson Gopal
Baglay tweeted.
The two countries signed a mem
orandum of understanding (MoU)
on cooperation in cyber security.
A second MoU was signed on
cooperation in renewable energy.
Three other MoUs were signed
on cooperation in organ transplan
tation, technical cooperation in
civil aviation, and between the
Foreign Service Institute of India
N Korea res 'Scud-type' ballistic missile
Seoul: North Korea fired a short
range ballistic missile from its
eastern coast on Monday morning,
its third test in a little over three
weeks.
South Korea's Joint Chiefs of
Staff (JCS) said in a statement that
the missile, presumed to be a Scud
type, was launched from an area
near Wonsan, in Gangwon
Province, towards the eastern part
of the Korean Peninsula.
South Korea and Japan immedi
ately issued strong protests, with
Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe
promising "concrete action" in
response to the test, and South
Korean Defense Chiefs saying the
North would face "strong punish
ment from our military".
PM Modi and President Mariano Rajoy look on as
India and Spain exchange MoUs.
and the Diplomatic Academy of signed on transfer of sentenced
Spain. persons and waiving of visas for
Two ag reements were also diplomatic passport holders.
coast and was an 'extremely prob
lematic' act for the safety of air
planes and ships," said Japan's
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide
Suga.
The launch is clearly violating
the UN resolution. The repeated
provocative acts by North Korea is
absolutely not acceptable", said
the statement by the Japanese gov
ernment.
The missile traveled an
estimated 248 miles Abe said a "firm protest" was
lodged with North Korea and the
The missile traveled an estimat country would take action with
ed 248 miles (approx 400 km), "together with the US".
splashing down within Japan's T he launch marked North
exclusive economic zone, Yonhap Korea's ninth missile test this year
news agency reported. and the third since the launch of
"The launch landed within 200 the Moon administrat ion on
nautical miles of the Japanese May 10.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info BUSINESS June 3-9, 2017 23

'Make in India' has attracted many German SMEs: Modi

Berlin: T he Make in India
Mittelstand (MIIM) launched to
encourage German small and
medium industry (SME) to India
has evoked major interest in
Germany, giving further boost to
bilateral business t ies, Prime
Minister Narendra Modi said.
"Germany is contributing in a
big way to the Make in India. The
Strateg ic Market Entry
Programme MII Mittelstand
started in September 2015 to
facilitate entry into the Indian
market has been a major success,"
Modi said addressing the India
Germany business summit also
attended by German Chancellor
Angela Merkel.
Over 83 German companies
have expressed interest in joining
the program, 73 have of ficially
enrolled, while 47 companies'
investments are in advanced states
of implementation," he said.
Mo di noted that the Indo
German Managers Training
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin. (Photo: IANS/PIB)
Program had led to increased
investments and creation of joint
ventures by companies from both
countries. "More than 500 Indian
managers have benefited from this
program," he said. Describing
Germany as among India's "most
important partners" g lobally,
CEOs from that country, Modi said
which is the 7th largest source of
foreign direct investment (FDI)
into India, the Prime Minister
cited the examples of German
majors in India. "Bosch, Siemens,
BASF... they have also started
exclusive R&D facilities in India.
Mercedes Benz have started their
second facility in Chakan (Pune)
which will double their capacity to
20,000 units per annum," Modi
said.
Noting that India attaches great
value to the German partnership
and has had several meetings with
that India had been progressively
easing its rules on doing business
to encourage foreign investment.
"Last week, we decided to abol
ish our Foreign Investment
Promotion Board (FIPB) in order
to increase overseas engagement
in India. FDI inflows into India
reached $60 billion in 201617,"
he said. According to the Indian
government, the MIIM programme
has so far mobilized investment of
about euro 650 million and helped
create 4,000 employment oppor
tunities in India,

Indian GDP to grow faster GST from July 1,

this fiscal at 7.5%: Moody's
New Delhi: The Indian econo
my will grow at 7.5 per cent in
the current fiscal, which rate
will accelerate to 8 per cent in
about four years, US rating
agency Moody's said ahead of
the release of GDP figures for
201617 later in the day.
"We expect marginally faster
growth in India. According to
our forecast the economy will
grow 7.5 per cent in fiscal year
2017 (201718) and 7.7 per
cent in fiscal year 2018
(201819)," Moody's Investors
Service said in its Global
Macro Outlook.
"Overall, we cont inue to
believe that economic growth
will gradually accelerate to
around 8 per cent over the
next three to four years," it
said,
The American agency also
said that the negative impact
of the November 8 demoneti
sation of highvalue currency
on the economy was limited in
size and duration. "The ruling
BJP's victory in the Uttar
Pradesh state elections indi
cates that the government has
remained politically popular
despite the demonetisation
exercise," the report said.
The government has pushed
through major reforms like
further liberalising foreign
direct investment (FDI) rules in
a number of key sectors, the
Direct Benefit Transfer scheme
for foo d, fert iliser and
kerosene subsidies, the Goods
and Services Tax (GST) and a
National Bankruptcy Code.
"Together, these will help
reduce ine f ficiencies and
improve trend growth over the
long run," Moody's said.
The rating agency, however,
caut ioned that "persistent
banking sector weakness from
a high proportion of delin
quent loans on bank balance
sheets will weigh on growth, if
not resolved, by constraining
credit for investmentrelated
activity".
"Private sector investment
has remained weak despite
progress on reforms, suggest
ing that some hurdles to
investment remain binding in
many cases."
Moody's said the inflation
rate in India has steadily
declined to 3 per cent as of
April, owing to weaker food
price inflation.
"We believe that the inflation
rate will rise to around 5 per
cent by the end of this year,
once the effect of this tempo
rary factor fades," it said.
With the Reserve Bank of
India's monetary policy review
due next wee k, Moo dy's
expects the RBI to maintain
status quo on its key interest
rate, given the central bank's
recent shift in policy stance to
"neutral".
Earlier this week, the World
Bank estimated that India's
GDP in the current fiscal
would grow at 7.2 per cent.
For 201617, the multilateral
lender expected the country's
growth to register a fall to
below 7 per cent.
to create many jobs
for youth: Adhia
Bengaluru: Asserting fer of input tax credit,"
that Goods and he said.
Services Tax (GST ) In response to a
would be implement query on the four
ed from July 1, Union rates (5, 12, 18 and
Revenue Secretary 28 per cent) at which
Hasmukh Adhia said the GST would be
the new tax regime applied to diverse
would create lot of goods and services,
jobs for youth. Adhia hinted that they
"The GST will cer could be rationalised
Revenue Secretary Hasmukh
tainly be implement Adhia during a GST forum on justified considera
ed from July 1 and meeting in Bengaluru. tions. On the concerns
will help in creating of the food processing
lot of jobs for young generation," said sector, he said a decision on the rates
Adhia at a Town Hall meeting with for foodgrains like wheat and rice
stakeholders, including tax assesses, would be taken in the next GST
traders and representatives of trade Council meeting on June 3.
unions here. Noting that the new tax Observing that the GST was a major
system would be a game changer, he customerfriendly indirect tax reform,
said that GST would help in converting Karnataka Agriculture Minister Byre
the economic energy into real growth, Gowda said the government's inten
as the country's economic potential tion was not to increase taxes but rev
was much higher. enue through transparency, simplifi
"GST will lead to ease of doing busi cation and efficiency in tax adminis
ness, allow compliance with its vari tration. "GST will also help in curbing
ous provisions, bring in uniformity of tax evasion and lead to tax buoyancy,"
different tax laws and rules and trans he said.
 24 June 3-9, 2017
India ready to defend Champions Trophy title
London: With a few players emerg
ing from a disappointing Indian
Premier League (IPL) campaign
and injuries, defending champions
India, who have unmatched pedi
gree on paper, are all set to defend
their title in the ICC Champions
Trophy to be held in England and
Wales from June 118.
After w inning two warmup
games against New Zealand and
Bangladesh, the Indian team, who
have retained several players from
the victorious 2013 side, is high
on confidence and will be looking
to continue their form throughout
the tournament.
Skipper Virat Kohli will also be
looking to shrug off his disastrous
IPL campaign and start afresh in
the eight team ICC tournament.
India are placed in Group B
along with Pakistan, South Africa
and Sri Lanka, and will start their
campaign on June 4 against arch
rivals Pakistan at Edgbaston.
The last time India and Pakistan
were engaged in a 50over game
was during the ICC World Cup in
Kumble's future uncertain
after Kohli's feedback
New Delhi: India's campaign for
Champions Trophy has begun
under a cloud of discontent within
the dressing room with the cap
tain, and possibly a few other sen
ior players, expressing a lack of
confidence in their head coach.
Speculation had been rife ever
since the BCCI chose not to auto
matically extend the tenure of Anil
Kumble as the head coach, choos
ing instead to advertise the posi
tion, and it has now emerged that
the decision was made following
feedback from Virat Kohli about
Kumble's coaching method, which
he is said to have described as
"intimidating".
Kumble's yearlong contract
expires at the end of the
Champions Trophy. The develop
ment comes at less than an ideal
time for India, with their first
match in the Champions Trophy,
against arch rivals Pakistan, just
days away, ESPN reported.
It is understoo d that Kohli
relayed the sense of discontent to
the BCCI's top of fice bearers as
we ll as the Committee of
Administrators (CoA) before the
team left for England. He is also
understood to have spoken to
Sourav Ganguly, who is part of the
cricket advisory panel which has
been tasked with deciding the
coaching option.
T he players' concerns are
thought to centre mainly around
Kumble's manmanagement skills.
Skipper Virat Kohli will also be looking to shrug off his disastrous IPL campaign and
start afresh in the eight team ICC tournament.
2015. They, however, faced off in
the shortest version of the game
during last year's ICC World T20
at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
India won both matches.
Coach Anil Kumble with Virat Kohli.
In the words of one official famil
iar with the details, Kumble has
been conducting himself like a
"headmaster" at a school. Such an
approach, the of ficial said, "had
not gone down well" with the play
ers who are used to a more relaxed
dressing room. Some players not
the bigger personalities like Kohli
or MS Dhoni have fe lt "a bit
int imidated" by Kumble's
approach.
Such has been the approach, the
of ficial said, that some of the
injuries that have ruled players out
during Kumble's tenure were not
strictly cricket related. "Kumble
was pushing hard. The bulk of
them [injuries] are noncricketing
SPORTS
India will play their next two
matches at The Oval, against the
Sri Lankans on June 8 and then
South Africa on June 11.
Group A comprises New Zealand,
injuries. One of the players was
stressed out. So the team is not a
happy lot."
What has surprised the BCCI is
that Kumble has failed to read
these concerns. The of ficial said
that the reason Kumble has been
successful was because "the team
has been successful" playing crick
et mostly at home. "The way the
cricket setup works in India is the
coach is not the king. So the coach
has to understand that." Based on
the player feedback, the BCCI
decided that the time to "change"
had come and the "best" way to
move forward was to put in place
an advertisement inviting fresh
applications.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Australia, England and Bangladesh.
The top two sides of each group
will proceed to the semifinals.
Hosts England, who were the los
ing finalists in the last edition in
Historian Ramchandra
Guha quits as BCCI
administrator
New Delhi: Noted historian
Ramchandra Guha resigned from
the fourmember Committee of
Administrators (CoA) appointed
by the Supreme Court to imple
ment the R.M. Lodha Committee
recommendations on the Board
of Control for Cricket in India
(BCCI). According to reports,
Guha has cited personal reasons
for quitting the position. Guha
was a member of the CoA that is
headed by former Comptroller
and Auditor General (CAG) of
Paes, Bopanna advance
at French Open
Paris: Indian stars Leander Paes
and Rohan Bopanna notched up
contrasting wins in their respec
tive matches to enter the second
round of the men's doubles com
petition at the French Open ten
nis tournament here on
Wednesday.
Paes and his American partner
Scott Lipsky were made to sweat
hard before earning a 76, 46, 6
2 win over R. Albot of Romania
and H. Chung of South Korea in
their opening round encounter.
Earlier in the day, Bopanna and
his Uruguayan partner Pablo
Cuevas registered a straight sets
win to enter the second round.
The ninth seeded Indo
Uruguayan combination needed
2013, are among the favourites
this time because of their current
form and the fact that that they
are playing in their home condi
tions.
With the likes of Jos Buttler,
Chris Woakes and Ben Stokes in
their ranks, England will have a
slight edge over the other teams, at
least on paper.
Australia, who have a pace bat
tery that includes Mitchell Starc,
Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and
James Pattinson, are expected to
top Group A. So it could be an
interesting battle in the semifinals
with India. England, Australia and
South Africa. South Africa, who are
often labeled as chokers due to
their poor record in ICC events,
will also be looking for a fresh
start. With AB de Villiers, Quinton
de Kock, Hashim Amla in the side,
one cannot rule them out from
reaching the knockout stages.
Apart from them, Pakistan and
Sri Lanka also have an outside
chance of reaching the knockout
stage.
India Vinod Rai.
Former cricketer Diana Edulji
and IDFC Limited Managing
Director and CEO Vikram Limaye
are the other members on the
panel.
The CoA was appointed by the
apex court on January 30, after
the BCCI was reluctant to imple
ment the Lodha panel recom
mendations.
The Supreme Court will hear
Guha's plea to relieve him on
July 14.
just 53 minutes to thrash the
French pair of Mathias Bourgue
and PaulHenri Mathieu 61, 61
in the first round.
It was a disappointing day for
Sania Mirza however, as the
Hyderabad girl and her partner
Yaroslava Shvedova of
Kazakhstan crashed out in the
first round of the women's dou
bles event.
The fourth seeds went down 6
7(5), 61, 26 to Daria Gavrilova
of Australia and Anastasia
Pavlyuchenkova of Russia.
Sania will next be seen in the
mixed doubles event alongside
Ivan Dodig of Croatia. The sec
ond seeded pair had finished
runnersup last year.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
More youngsters sharing personal
data online with strangers
Moscow: In the age of social
media, a worrying trend of shar
ing private and sensitive content
with strangers is fast growing
among youngsters, Moscowbased
cyber security firm Kaspersky Lab
said on Wednesday.
Almost 93 per cent of internet
users share their information digi
tally, with 45 per cent of them
sharing their private and sensitive
videos and photos with others.
Seventy per cent of them share
photos and videos of their chil
dren online with strangers.
But the trend is worse among
members of the younger genera
tion who make large amounts of
their personal information acces
sible to strangers.
"By disclosing important and
sensitive information with other
people, you relinquish control
Theron shares
her secrets to
staying in shape
Feeling low? Try Tai Chi
Los Angeles: Hollywood actress
New York: Practicing Tai Chi a
form of ancient Chinese martial
Charlize Theron has a grueling
fitness regime which sees her
art for 12weeks may signifi
cantly reduce symptoms of
take power yoga sessions and
depression such as persistent
spin classes, as well as play ten
feeling of sadness or loss, a study
nis to stay in shape.
showed.
"(I work out) three to four
Tai Chi, which has been used for
times a week," Theron told Red
more than 1,000 years, combines
magazine, reports
deep breathing and slow and gen
femalefirst.co.uk.
tle movements.
However, she doesn't find
It is generally suitable for peo
exercising a "chore" because she
ple of any level of physical fitness.
has found disciplines she enjoys.
"While some previous studies
She said: "I've always believed
have suggested that tai chi may
if you find something you love,
be useful in treating anxiety and
exercise won't be a chore. If you
depression, most have used it as a
do exercise you enjoy you're
supplement to treatment for oth
keeping yourself fit without
ers medical conditions, rather
even realizing it."
than patients with depression,"
The "Mad max: Fury Road"
said Albert Yeung from
star will prefer working out if it
Massachusetts General Hospital.
can be practiced outside,
Tai Chi can be particularly
because she has claimed she is
effective for patients who avoid
an "outdoorsy" person.
conventional psychiatric treat
"I love anything outdoorsy,"
ment, the researchers said.
she said.
For the study, published in the
Theron said her mother,
Waste segregation to be launched
Gerda, encouraged her to play
tennis.
"My mum recently got me to
play tennis, which I wasn't good
at, but really enjoyed," she said. in 4,000 Indian cities: Modi
She also has a healthy eating
New Delhi: Harping on the impor
plan, which sees her drink nutri
tance of waste management, Prime
tious drinks and eat healthy sal
Minister Narendra Modi on
ads every day to keep her feel
Sunday announced launch a "mas
ing healthy and youthful.
sive movement" for waste collec
"I have juices and kale and
tion across 4,000 cities of the
green salads every day. When
country from June 5.
I'm eating healthily, getting
"We must not treat garbage as
enough sleep and not drinking
waste, it is wealth, a resource.
alcohol, that's when I look my
Once we start looking it as wealth,
best. That's when I'm happiest
we will come up with new means
and I think it shows," Theron
of waste management," Modi said
said.
in his monthly radio address
LIFESTYLE
over it, because you can't be sure
where that data is going, and how
it will be used," said Andrei
Mochola, Head of Consumer
Business, Kaspersky Lab, in a
statement. Almost 44 per cent of
Internet users make their infor
mation public, but once data has
gone into the public domain, it
can travel far beyond the control
of its owners. The findings further
Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, the
team recruited 50 participants
through advertisements offering
tai chi for stress reduction.
Of these 17 were in the tai chi
group, 14 in the education group
that included discussions on
stress, mental health and depres
sion and 19 in the passive con
trol, waitlist group.
The 12week assessments
showed that the tai chi group had
significantly greater improvement
'Mann Ki Baat.' "On June 5, on the
occasion of World Environment
Day, the government, in associa
tion with the state governments,
will launch a massive movement of
waste collection in 4,000 cities
across the country."
He said under the movement,
separate dustbins green for liq
uid waste and blue for dry waste
will be installed in these cities to
develop a culture of segregating
the two types of wastes.
showed that one in five people
admitted that they share sensitive
data with people they don't know
well. Nearly 37 per cent people
shared their financial and pay
ment details online, thus inviting a
financial attack and over 40 per
cent had shared scans of their
passports, driving licences and
other personal documents. Almost
30 per cent internet users shared
in depression symptoms than did
members of either control group.
Earlier this year, China nominat
ed Tai Chi, for inclusion in the
UNESCO List of Intangible
Cultural Heritage.
Previous studies have found
that Tai Chi could better help
patients suffering from five
painful conditions back pain,
osteoarthritis, neck pain,
fibromyalgia, and severe
headaches and migraine.
"In the green basket put liquid
waste like kitchen waste, things
which decompose, and in the blue
bin put waste like metals, broken
boxes, plastic etc. The liquid waste
can be used as manure for agricul
tural waste while the dry waste
will be recycled."
"I am confident that we can
develop a culture of segregating
waste and contributing towards
waste effective waste manage
ments," the Prime Minister added.
June 3-9, 2017 25
their passwords with others
online.
"Ten per cent have shared the
PIN for accessing their device
with a stranger and 22 per cent
have left their devices unlocked
and unsupervised among a group
of people. Furthermore, nearly 23
per cent have given their device to
another person to use for some
time," the report noted.
The study revealed that young
people are the most likely to
share private and sensitive photos
of themselves with others.
"While it's completely unrealis
tic to expect internet users to stop
sharing photos, personal details
and other information with each
other, we do urge people to think
twice before they share important
information publicly online,"
Mochola suggested.
Why dieting
may not help
you to lose
weight
London: Looking to shed those
extra kilos through dieting?
You may be at a loss, as human
bodies tend to compensate by
sparing energy, limiting the
number of calories that we
burn and hence affect our
weight loss regimen,
researchers say. According to
the study, a group of neurons
'agoutirelated neuropeptide'
(AGRP) in a brain region
hypothalamus contributes to
the caloric thermostat that reg
ulates our weight, regulating
how many calories we burn.
When activated, these neu
rons make us hungry and drive
us to eat, but when there is no
food available, they tend to
compensate for the reduction
in calories.
"Our findings suggest that
AGRP in the brain coordinate
appetite and energy expendi
ture, and can turn a switch on
and off to burn or spare calo
ries depending on what's avail
able in the environment," said
Clemence Blouet from the
University of Cambridge in
Britain.
"When we eat less, our body
compensates and burns fewer
calories, which makes losing
weight harder," Blouet added.
However, as soon as food
becomes available and we start
eating, the action of the AGRP
neurons is interrupted and our
energy expenditure goes back
up again to normal levels.
 26 June 3-9, 2017
The business of anonymous authorship is thriving in India. As a breed,
ghostwriters are gaining prominence in the publishing industry.
l By Saket Suman
W
hat if you were told that many of
the books that you have read of
late have actually not been written
by the authors who find mention on their
covers?
Difficult to believe but true. An anony
mous world of ghostwriters lies hidden
behind the glitz and glamour of the books
business and literature festivals that most
readers are unaware of.
Sample this: "Don't have time to write a
book, but still want to be a published
author? Go for our worldfamous
book ghostwriting option."
The
Absurd as it may
sound, it is the tagline
of Power
Publishers, who,
ghost
in their own
words, are the
world leaders
when it comes
who
to ghostwriting.
And they are
not alone, the
internet is full of
writes
platforms that
provide ghostwrit
ers to those who can
not write but still want
to be writers.
A ghostwriter is an anonymous
figure, who, by contract, agrees to write a
given book for somebody else. The ghost
writer is paid a fairly good sum of money
The strange history of Osamas 'Wander Years'
l By Vikas Datta
etween fleeing his Tora Bora moun
B tain stronghold in 2001 till the US
finally settled scores with him in
2011, Osama bin Laden's whereabouts
were a deep mystery. But in his and his
top aides disappearance, there was far
more going on than we know. Remember
what else happened in the Indian subconti
nent in December 2011 that may have
facilitated his escape from Afghanistan?
And then it is not only Pakistan's complic
ity or negligence that is the story, nor the
US' shortsighted approach and its egre
gious errors that long delayed his detection
after top Al Qaeda leaders were bombed
out of their Afghan safe haven by the
vengeful Americans in wake of 9/11.
In their latest book, the gifted investiga
tive journalist duo of Cathy ScottClark and
Adrian Levy bring out much more that we
know or believe about Al Qaeda its tense
relations with the Taliban, how divided it
was over 9/11, and who actually called the
shots in the operation which, despite its
success, turned out to be massive over
reach. And there is a most complete
account of how Bin Laden and his extensive
family spent their dangerous "wander
years", especially the rather strange things
he got up to. (According to some sources,
he attended a preparatory meeting on the
BOOKS
but has no claim over the
copyright of the book
or its royalties. When
the book hits the
stands, it carries
someone else's
name the per
ceived author for
its readers.
And, as a breed,
ghostwriters are
gaining promi
nence in the pub
lishing industry.
Forget selfpublishing
platforms or smaller pub
lishers, many of the leading
publishing houses too have, at some
point or the other, sought the help of ghost
writers. Nirmal Kanti Bhattacharjee, former
Director of the National Book Trust and for
26/11 Mumbai attack) and the efforts to
apprehend them. Of equal relevance is a
penetrating examination of the close but
strange and eventually strained links
between Al Qaeda and ISIS.
Noting that nearly two decades after "few
books have told the history of Al Qaeda
from the inside", ScottClark and Levy hold
that the difficulty of getting into "any
volatile, paranoiac outfit, one that executes
outsiders as spies and lures reporters to
mer Editor of Sahitya Akademi's bimonth
ly journal, explains why.
"Successful people are gradually becom
ing more and more ambitious and want to
talk about themselves and that they do
through autobiographies and memoirs. But
they do not have wherewithal to write
books. So they employ ghostwriters.
"Most autobiographies and memoirs of
popular figures in the past 2025 years
have been written, partially or wholly, by
ghostwriters," Bhattacharjee, who is cur
rently spearheading the editorial works of
Niyogi Books, told IANS.
Poulomi Chatterjee, EditorinChief and
Publisher of Hachette India, which has
many bestsellers to its credit, said that
there are "certain segments" for which
ghostwriters are used.
"You wouldn't find ghostwriters, I hope,
for fiction because you are actually looking
for the author's art and craft and voice and
story.
"But for nonfiction, there might be
experts in various subjects that you want
information from. They could be entrepre
neurs, business professors or academic his
torians and you would want them to collab
orate with a ghostwriter when they have a
lack of time or... don't necessarily have the
skill to (write)," said Chatterjee, who earlier
worked for Penguin India.
For Udayan Mitra, PublisherLiterary of
HarperCollins India, ghostwriting has
become much more prevalent and organ
ized than it was before and this, he felt,
benefits the publishing industry in the long
The Exile by Cathy
Scott-Clark & Adrian Levy;
Publishing; Bloomsbury
pages, 640
Rs 699
meetings that become kidnappings" is just
one reason.
The other reason, say the duo, whose
most recent work was on the 26/11
Mumbai attack, is an "extraordinary act of
control by Western governments", particu
larly the Americans, who only released a
"cherrypicked history" and even mislead
ing revelations by sources.
But while a surprising number of top Al
Qaeda leaders retain their life and (some)
liberty, there is a virtual gag order by vari
ous Arab, Asian and African governments
that took them in.
But ScottClark and Levy, who got the
idea for this book after meeting in 2012
with a Yemeni youth who had come to
Pakistan to free his sister Bin Laden's
fourth wife, held by authorities after the
Abbottabad raid along with other survivors
contend it is a story that needs to be told.
"We need more detail and not less. We
require more nuance and understanding if
we are to ever tamp down a bloody conflict
that threatens the globe...." they say and
spent years of research and meet a varied
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
run. "It has become a lot more profession
al... it used to be that the author or an edi
tor knew a particular person who was capa
ble of the task. But now there are many
more people who are doing it, who have the
experience of doing it, and they know how
to turn an idea into a book," Mitra told
IANS. Sharing an interesting anecdote
about working with a ghostwriter (before
he joined HarperCollins), Mitra said that
some five years ago, a big industry leader
wished to do a memoir on himself and his
corporation and so they had this hunt for
a ghostwriter, which ended with a foreign
journalist.
"The person landed up in India for ghost
writing the proposed book, but the first day
in Delhi he was struck by Delhi Belly and
every time he recovered, it would strike
again. The corporate leader was getting
worried because he had flown him to India
and was paying a lot of money for the proj
ect. He had also put aside a lot of time from
his hectic schedule. Eventually, the book
happened but it was a funny as well as
tragic experience," recalled Mitra.
Ghostwriters as well as several online
platforms suggest that they are paid
decently. Ghostwriters are available at
about Rs 700 per page (containing 250
words) for fiction books on several online
platforms. Of course, the amount of money
that many welltodo are willing to pay
ghostwriters for writing a book on their
lives or their business is astonishing
sometimes running into several lakhs of
rupees.
set of people to get the complete story.
And these meetings with Bin Laden's fam
ily, friends, mentors, companions, aides, as
well as security chiefs and religious and
media advisers, in Pakistan, across the
Middle East from the Gulf to Mauritania,
the US and Britain, resulted in "a story told
about Al Qaeda by Al Qaeda men and
women with nothing more to lose but lots
to prove" and well corroborated.
Yet, there are also key political, security
and geopolitical issues they bring out.
And while America's willful blundering
into another war before an existing one
was won or even successfully completed is
known, we also learn about its tendency to
let its predilections, not pragmatism, dic
tate its statecraft and brute force and near
torture its interrogation methods over
skilled but nonviolent methods of compe
tent interlocutors.
But while a temporary gainer was then
Pakistani leader, Gen Pervez Musharraf,
who saw aid dollars in every help he ren
dered to the US before his own life was
threatened and realization dawned there
was a secret power centre accountable only
to itself, the winner was another regional
power that took deft strategic advantage of
Al Qaeda's dispersal to safeguard itself and
to make up with other enemies. And when
they were rebuffed, Iran had the tools for
revenge.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info June 3-9, 2017
28 June 3-9, 2017 HUMOR TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Funny Side by Nury Vittachi

Grab the future with both

hands, unless it's electrified
spiritual friend gave me

A s o m e a d v i c e l a s t w ee k :
"Be the change you want
to see in the world."
So now I have to work out
how to become a giant killer
robot and inspire other guys
to take the same journey.
My idea is that if men are
occupied fighting tourna
ments encased in Gundam

BEST
style robot gear, the whole
masculine aggression thing
w ill be channe led into a
RATE healthy sport, and women can t h a t h a i r d r e s s e r s s t a y sh u t o n t h a t
get on with running the planet. day. Furious protestors said he'd
FOR Everybody's happy. bring a curse on the community. But
H u m a n s M U S T a c t i v e l y sh a p e o u r he'd discovered that the practice had
INDIA futures and the first item in my
mailbox that day contained a perfect
nothing to do with ancient tradition
or luck. Some barbers had at one time
AND example.
A householder got fed up w ith
go t i n t o t h e h a b i t of r e s e r v i n g o n e
day a week for haircuts for members
PAKISTAN motorists driving dangerously fast in
his district, I read in a news link for
of royalty a practice no longer
needed.
warded by reader Sunita Chou. Talking of T hailand, one of my
Authorities in the US city of neighbors bought a Siamese cat, so I
New York Head Quarter Cleveland, Ohio, ignored his com said "sawatdee khrap" (he llo) but it
422S Broadway plaints. So the man dressed up as a just sat there, baf fled. Should I tell my
roadworker and spent the day neighbor it's almost definitely an
HICKSVILLE
installing more than 20 of ficiallook imposter?
NY 11801 ing speed limit signs in the area, But back to our topic. The most
5168271010 becoming a hero to his fellow citizens.
T his columnist pinged regular con
shocking example of a man grabbing
his destiny was a news item from New
tributors to see if there were exam Zealand, forwarded by a colleague.
ples from elsewhere. D o c t o r s t o l d a m a n n a m ed J oh n
A barber in Chiang Mai in Thailand Grif fin that his heart was beating in
started opening for business on an irregular rhythm and he would
Wed n e s d a y s , d e s p i t e a s u p e r s t i t i o n have to get on a waiting list for elec
trical treatment to jolt it back to

Laughter is the Best Medicine

s t e a d y b e a t s . S o h e w e n t h o m e,
strolled over to his neig hbor's hig h
voltage electrified security fence and
t o u ch e d i t . Z A P ! E l e c t r i c i t y s u r g e d
through his body and fixed his heart
By Mahendra problem. Doctors were horrified.
Shah The moral of this story? The
Universe has a wacky sense of humor
Mahendra Shah and will sometimes reward people
is an architect who do stupid, dangerous things.
by education, This is extremely important for the
entrepreneur by male sex, as we seem to have evolved
profession, to do that stuf f.
artist and How come? I asked a university sci
entist friend and he said that evolu
humorist,
tion in the long run doesn't make mis
cartoonist
takes, so guys are meant to be
and writer by extreme risktakers.
hobby. He has He also told me that a risk study at
been record Nanjing University last year revealed
ing the plight why guys treat the eating of spicy
of the food as a competitive sport.
immigrant Researchers gave volunteers a test to
Indians for the measure their appetite for risk. Then
past many years they gave half the group spicy food
and repeated the test. The chilichom
in his cartoons.
pers had become risktakers.
Hailing from
Note: Readers, keep curryeating
Gujarat, he lives males in your family away from elec
in Pittsburgh, trified fences. Unless they have
Pennsylvania. climbed inside giant robots, as all
rightthinking men should.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
By Dr Prem Kumar Sharma
JUNE 39, 2017
ARIES: Use your strong determination &
decisionmaking trait to face unusual &
challenging situations with ease at profes
sional front. Take your parents into confidence
regarding your new projects and plans. Avoid
overspending on entertainment and luxuries.
Love and romantic encounter will keep you in a
cheerful state. Health will be fine despite some
mental pressures. Traveling abroad can be excit
ing adventure that will be remembered forever.
The deals which you are looking forward might
be delayed due to increase in property rates. To
gain something we have to lose something. This
is the success of maintaining relationship.
TAURUS: Develop a good adaptability to
handle pressurized situations at profes
sional front. You should take some time
to enjoy it with children, even if you have to go
out of your way to make that happen. Avoid
being volunteer to overspend otherwise you will
have to come home empty pocket. Use your dis
cretion power in love this week. Knowing your
calories would enable to keep yourself fit. If your
family loves to travel, then put together some
ideas to help you. Location is the key to any
property you purchase, so go through it very
well. It would be in your interest if you avoid eas
ily get friendly with others.
GEMINI: Make sure you keep team spirit
going to achieve higher professional
goals. This week, if people approach you
with problems better to ignore them for the sake
of family life. Be careful with whom you deal
financially during this week. If possible, give the
gift of time to beloved/lover. Time to understand
body and at the same time avoid the food that
does not go well with it to keep ailments a bay.
Traveling internationally means too much
expense. You have to very patient while dealing
with your estate agent. Avoid disclosing personal
secrets even to your close relatives.
CANCER: Plans for new ventures get
streamlined with the help of seniors.
Children would do their best to keep
you happy. Real estate investment would be
lucrative. Love comes your way as friendship
turns into romance. Your confidence and energy
will be high this week. Destination with a great
deal is on your way, be ready for traveling. Your
investment plans are at full boom and you might
succeed in them. In the company of friends you
are likely to enjoy, as many good things happen
at a same time.
LEO: You will be highly benefited by mak
ing the fullest use of communication
skills and the ability to handle any pres
surized situation. Dont force your opinion on
others in the family. Be prepared to say no to
people who expect too much in financial matters.
You need to hold romantic emotions and should
nt do anything making you repent later. Make
the best use of your energy to enjoy a sound
health. Your whole family needs a holiday, look
further and take a break. Your investment on
overseas plans might give some impact on your
bank balance. You must maintain a distance from
drugs and a bad company.
VIRGO: Female colleagues lend a helping
hand in completing important assign
ments. You are likely to be benefited as
family members positively respond. Investment
in stocks & mutual funds would help in earning
profits. You are likely find comfort in the arms of
romantic partner. A week when smile will perpet
ually be on your face and strangers will seem
familiar. Be ready to travel with a challenge, new
connections will help you. Your girlfriends
desire for an apartment might lead to its destina
tion. You succeed in maintaining a distance from
affairs that dont concern you at all.
ASTROLOGY
LIBRA: This week would require some
urgent & quick decisions to turn the
tide in your favor at professional front.
Good time to get involved into activities that
include children. Make sure you do not over
spend on household luxuries. Dont give into
unnecessary demands of romantic partner.
Channelizing energy for selfimprovement would
immensely benefit you. Finally you have found
the time for your deserving break, travel will be
favorable. Time to plan a gift for your parents
may be their dream home. Your wit & repartee
would immensely help in developing healthy
relations with others.
SCORPIO: At work you will be a part of
something big, bringing appreciation &
rewards. Parents and friends will do their
best to keep you happy. Longterm investment in
stocks & mutual funds will enable to earn profits.
Sudden romantic encounter is foreseen this
week. You need to relax and get involved in hob
bies that you enjoy doing the most. Adventurous
holidays, the best way to experience with your
friends, time to enjoy. Its high time to think of
purchasing a new office. You impress others by
your wit and repartee.
SAGITTARIUS: Dont get surprised if you
are entrusted with additional responsi
bilities at work. Looking after the needs
of children would be essential. Crucial decisions
regarding investment should be put of f for
another week. A promising week for romance
when your innovation infuses a new spirit in it.
You need to remain calm & tensionfree to enjoy
a sound health. Take a trip, as there is some
place waiting for you. It might be the right time
to sale your empty plot as property rates are at
peak. You are likely to contemplate a new con
struction programme.
CAPRICORN: Tough situations at work
place would give you the opportunity to
grow. You must restraint yourself from
nagging the child to save him/her. Avoid invest
ing money in speculations based on rumors.
Make sure you dont get sentimental on
lover/beloveds comments. Your energy level will
be high. Better to channelize it in a positive direc
tion. An ideal vacation can claim your basic living
expenses. Investment has to be made keeping in
mind about the area where your plot is. Make
sure you maintain decency in your behavior
especially with opposite sex.
AQUARIUS: You are likely to establish
yourself a good manager on managing
people and situation without any prob
lem. A promising week to plan things for your
progeny. Improvement in finances is certain.
Partner brings immense romantic pleasure even
if work pressure occupies your mind Positive
outlook impresses those around you besides
keeping you fit & fine. Great time for perfect fam
ily vacation to an exciting destination. Your plan
for a new house will be in process very soon. You
are likely to impress others by behaving politely
& charmingly to everyone whosoever comes to
you.
PISCES: You will be successful in realiz
ing your targets at professional front.
You would be the center of attraction at
a social gathering that you attend especially with
family. Speculation coupled with some unexpect
ed gains improves financial health. Romance
rules heart & mind this week.
Chances of recovering from physical illness are
on the card. Travel opportunities full of chal
lenges are often the beginning of great enterpris
es. Being too choosy in investing plans can lose
the property you are looking for. Your legal bat
tle could be sorted out provided friends lend a
helping hand.
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Delhi, India: +91-11- 2644 9898, 2648 9899
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ANNUAL PREDICTIONS: FOR THOSE BORN IN THIS WEEK
3rd June, 2017
Governed by number 3 and the planet Jupiter,
you are energetic, honourable, ambitious, digni
fied and intelligent. You are hard working and
always appreciated for your commitment and
efforts, but your tendencies towards extravagance
and jealousy need to be checked at times.
This coming year brings enormous prosperity
for those inclined to learn and improve their skill
levels. Success would be yours provided you work
towards given opportunities. Businessmen are
likely to venture into new and more profitable
avenues. Important decisions and contacts that
you establish during this phase would bring long
lasting benefits to your career. Health will show
improvement in spite of the hectic schedule that
you might have to follow. Investments will yield
favourable returns. Foreign education or travel for
some. Some misunderstanding with your inlaws
might create some tense atmosphere at home.
Being patient and calm would be important to
ease out the tension. New romance for some, so
make the best of it. The month of August,
November, January and May will be significant.
4th June, 2017
Influenced by number 4 and the planet Uranus.
You are active, energetic, reliable, systematic and
methodical. You are fond of art and soft music.
You can really do wonders in your career but you
need to check your tendency to behave introvert,
stubborn, and jealous at times.
This year your stars promise you plenty of fame
and fortune. Your sincerity towards your work and
your office would ultimately bring you enormous
benefits in the long run. New sources of income
will improve your financial position. Journeys
undertaken will bring you in close contacts with
important and influential people. Acquisition of
some real estate later in the year cannot be ruled
out. Health wise this year would not be satisfying
as minor ailments would keep on bothering you
now and them. It would be wise not to avoid pre
ventive medication and seek a doctors advice
whenever necessary. Matrimonial alliances for
those eligible as other would find romance to get
them going. Lending and borrowing money should
be avoided to the casual acquaintances. The
months of October, December and February will
be significant and result oriented.
5th June, 2017
Ruled by number 5 and the planet Mercury. You
are an imaginative, practical, honest, brilliant and
simple. Youre cooperative and helpful person
and enjoy enormous respect in your friends circle,
but you need to check your tendency to behave
jealous and stubborn at times.
New proposals and assignments would improve
your income and prosperity. Although there
would be a rise in expenses but increase in earn
ings would take care of your needs. Your strong
willpower and determination would see you
emerge victorious in whatever task you undertake.
Travel would be undertaken quite frequently and
would be important in establishing new and
important ties. Difference of opinion with your
family members would bring some stressful
moments at home. Certain losses due to overcon
fidence in others and speculation cannot be ruled
out. Children will win laurels in their respective
fields and would be supportive and understanding
towards you. The months of October, February
and June would be highly significant.
6th June, 2017
Ruled by number 6 and the planet Venus. You
are kind hearted, generous, simple, accommodat
ing, love peace and harmony. You have a strong
memory and an ability to impress others with
your intelligent and witty conversation. but you
need to control your tendency to be extravagant,
reckless and moody at times.
This year plenty of important function and reli
June 3-9, 2017 29
gious ceremonies would be performed in the fami
ly. Social gathering and activities would be benefi
cial in establishing new and long lasting ties.
Property matters will materialize. Financially this
year might not bring results that you have been
dreaming for long. Opportunities for a new job
and assignments would be plenty but job satisfac
tion seems unlikely. A sudden influence of a per
son from the opposite sex will give a new and
interesting twist to your life. Travelling will be
pleasurable and highly exciting. Friends would be
helpful and supportive to your concerns. Some
gains through inheritance also seem high on your
cards. Pilgrimage or a distant journey with the
family for some. The months of August, September
and March will prove to be highly result oriented.
7th June, 2017
Ruled by number 7 and the planet Neptune. You
are intelligent, sensitive, adaptable, charming,
independent and kind hearted. You enjoy a good
position and respect at your work place, but you
need to control your tendency towards extrava
gance, recklessness and to dominate others.
This year you are going to do major changes in
your style of working. You are also going to be
more particular about your health and looks.
Gains from investment and speculation will
improve your financial positions. Long pending
legal matters will be sorted out to your satisfac
tion. Promotions or increments are likely to take
place later in the year for some of you. Your rap
port with the important govt. authorities in vari
ous departments will improve. Children may cause
some dissatisfaction, but your spouse will provide
you with lots of love and affection. The months of
October, January, March and June will prove to be
highly eventful.
8th June, 2017
Influenced by number 8 and the planet Saturn.
You are authoritative, practical, systematic, friend
ly and sober. You are smart and capable of han
dling many important activities at one time, but
you need to check your tendency to behave, impa
tient, spendthrift and jealous at times. This year
the extra effort that you might have to put in your
work would have tremendous positive effect on
your career and occupation. New source of
income is likely to enhance your prosperity. You
should invest in real estate and fixed deposits for
long term gains. Frequent and fruitful journeys
are likely to keep you on the move. Children
would do well in studies and make you feel proud.
Later in the year influence of a spiritual person
would be a source of inspiration in your life.
Health would definitely need more attention, espe
cially for those suffering from asthma, bronchitis
and high blood pressure. The months of Sep,
December and April will prove to be significant.
9th June, 2017
Ruled by number 9 and the planet Mars. You
are energetic, dashing, courageous, enthusiastic
and remarkably brilliant. You are highly cultured
and have strong likes and dislikes. You are fond of
cleanliness and like to devote special time to
improve the surrounding where you reside, but
you need to control your tendency to behave dic
tatorial, aggressive and moody at times.
Major changes in your career or occupation
seem evident. New money making opportunities
would be highly alluring. Though sudden gains
and losses are foreseen. Your monetary position
would improve in the long run. Health, subordi
nates and legal matters might trouble you off and
on, but improved living standard and new and
important relationships that you build during this
period would be on the brighter side. Children
expected to bring in some thrilling news later in
the year. Distant journeys, maybe overseas for
some would be highly pleasurable and rewarding.
The months of October, November, February and
June seem to be highly beneficial.
30 June 3-9, 2017
The best way we can share the gift of what we receive with others is to be a
model to inspire others to want to partake of this divine honey.
By Sant Rajinder
Singh Ji Maharaj
T
here is a story of a beautiful
queen who loved to sit under
the trees and enjoy the beau
ty of nature. One day, as she looked
up, she noticed a bee flying around
a honeycomb. As she sat there,
some liquid dripped onto her face.
When some dripped onto her lips,
she accidentally licked them and
was surprised by its sweetness.
She thought, This liquid drip
ping out is sweet. This would be
great to add to tea and give it a
sweeter flavor.
She asked her attendants to col
lect some of this liquid and bring it
to the palace. She took this sweet
substance and experimented by fla
voring different foods with it. She
had discovered honey for the first
time and learned how the bees
made it. She continued to experi
ment with it to learn how it could
improve the taste of food and bev
erages.
Over time, she taught the people
in her kingdom how to cook with
honey. This new type of flavoring
became popular throughout her
kingdom. No other country had
ever seen it or heard of it before.
Over the years, word spread about
this special flavoring that was
being made in her kingdom. The
queen told the people of her king
dom to keep the information on
how honey was made a secret.
Although people heard of the
honey, no one from her kingdom
would divulge the method of how it
was made.
Years later, the queens daughter,
the princess, was invited to visit
another country to visit the emper
or. It was traditional to bring a gift
when visiting the emperor of
another country. She thought
deeply about what would be special
to bring to him. She asked her
father, the king, what to bring.
Whenever one had a problem, one
would ask the wise men for a solu
tion. The king sent for the wisest
men in the land to find out what
would be the most special gift that
the princess could bring with her
for the emperor. The princess
SPIRITUAL AWARENESS
Sharing the divine honey
asked, What do you think would
be the most valuable gift that I
could bring the emperor?
The wise men thought about it
for a while and told her, The
secret of making honey is the most
valuable gift you could bring him.
The princess did not know what
to do. It was forbidden to share the
secret of making honey with any
one outside of her kingdom. How
could she bring the gift without her
mother, the queen, finding out?
She decided the best way to bring
this gift was to bring to the emper
or some of the bees that made the
honey. The princess asked one of
her attendants to put her hair up
into an elaborate hair style. She hid
the eggs of the bees in the folds of
her hair. Then she set off for the
other country. Since no one could
see the eggs in her hair she was
able to transport them from her
kingdom.
When she reached the distant
kingdom, she took care of the eggs
until they hatched. She then let
them grow into bees that produced
the honey. She presented the honey
to the emperor. He greatly appreci
ated the valuable gift she had
brought. She then taught the
emperor the secret of how bees
make honey.
The emperor took care of the
bees which laid more eggs. Over
time they multiplied. They contin
ued to thrive in his country. Soon
there were thousands of bees. The
honey they produced was used by
the people of his land. Unlike the
queen who discovered the honey,
the emperor did not keep the infor
mation on how honey was made a
secret. As a result, not only people
of his country, but people through
out the world were taught the
secret of honey. Before long, every
one around the world knew the
secret of honey.
This imaginary tale is a beautiful
analogy to describe the role of the
Masters and saints. The secret they
share with the whole world is not
physical honey, but the sweet nec
tar of the Divine. They share with
suffering humanity the secret of
how to find the sweet nectar of the
Divine that leads the soul back to
God.
Throughout the ages, saints and
Masters have blessed this earth
with their spiritual teachings.
Through their grace, suffering
souls are able to find a way to
reunite with God.
Just like the queen who wanted
to keep knowledge of honey a
secret, so does Kal, the sustaining
power, want to keep it secret that
God exists and that we can reunite
with God. We are kept in ignorance
of the most valuable gift of all,
experiencing our soul and God. We
are in the dark about the fact that
there is God, the soul is a part of
God, and we can reunite the soul
with God. The honeyed divine nec
tar that connects us with God is
called the holy Naam, Shabd, or the
Light and Sound of God. We have
forgotten who we are as soul and
are ignorant of reuniting our soul
with the Creator.
The Masters are like the princess
who was able to bring the honey
out of the kingdom to impart it to
the whole world. Just as the
princess was able to find a way to
bring the honey out of her country
even though the queen tried to
keep it there, so do Masters find a
way to bring us knowledge of the
divine honey. They are able to put
people in touch with the divine
nectar that reconnects our soul
with God.
How do they do it? They teach
people through the process of initi
ation how to find the spiritual
honey within. At the time of holy
initiation, they open our third or
single eye so we can contact the
holy Naam within. They open our
inner eye to see the Light of God,
and they open our inner ear to
hear the Celestial Music, or Sound
of God. They teach us a method of
meditation by which we can
become absorbed into the inner
Light and inner Sound within. Once
we connect with the inner Light,
we see inner vistas unfold for us.
We think that honey is delicious.
But tastier than outer honey is the
honey within. This inner nectar
also radiates with divine Light and
sings with divine Music. We see
Light of various colors and radiant
inner stars, moon, and sun. We
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
The best way we can share the gift of what we
receive with others is to be a model to inspire
others to want to partake of this divine honey.
come to the most beautiful mani
festation of all, the ethereal or radi
ant form of the Master. This form
serves as our inner guide on the
further journey within.
The Master takes us to even
more beautiful realms, from the
astral to the causal and supra
causal realms until we reach the
souls eternal Home, Sach Khand.
There, our soul merges back in
God.
There is no more valuable gift
that can be brought to humanity
than contact with the inner Light
and Sound. Just as the princess
brought the most valuable gift her
kingdom had to offer, which was
the secret of making honey, the
Masters bring from God to humani
ty the most valuable gift, the secret
of contacting the inner nectar of
the Light and Sound within us.
The Masters are selfless and
sharing. Unlike the queen who
wanted to keep the secret for her
self, the Masters want to share
their gift with all humanity. They
are generous and want to make
sure the whole world avails itself of
this blessing. They make their gift
known to all sincere seekers after
truth. They bring this gift to people
of all countries. They share the gift
with people of all religions. They
share it with people of all walks of
life, from the rich to the poor, from
those who are highly literate to
those who are illiterate. They share
it with people of all cultures. Just
as the princess gave the honey to
the emperor freely, and he, in turn,
freely shared the knowledge of it
with the rest of the world, so do the
Masters share the gift of Naam
with the world. They do not hold
back the secret from anyone.
How can we share the divine
honey within? How can we be like
the princess who shared the
secrets so the whole world can ben
efit? The best way we can share the
gift of what we receive with others
is to be a model to inspire others to
want to partake of this divine
honey. How can we be a model to
others? Mahatma Gandhi once said,
Be the change that you want to see
in others. This profound statement
holds the key to how we can
inspire others to taste of the divine
Nectar that has transformed our
lives. Rather than telling other peo
ple what they should and should
not do, we can become an example
of what we want others to try.
When they see us living up to that
example, they, on their own, will be
inspired to undergo the same
transformation.
There are several ways in which
we can be the change we want oth
ers to undergo. It is a process of
three steps: step one is meditation;
step two is ethical living; and step
three is leading a life of intoxica
tion, joy, and bliss. If we can stop
telling others how to live, but start
leading a life of ethical living, medi
tation, and bliss ourselves, then
others, on their own, will want to
follow our lead.
There are many people who
preach leading an ethical life. But
on closer examination, many of
them are hypocrites who profess
one way of living but do not follow
it themselves. The end result is that
when others see the mismatch
between what the hypocrites say
and what they do, others feel the
hypocrites are not honest. Others
see through them. This gives a bad
name to leading an ethical life
because others see such people
teaching it but not living it. If we
want to inspire others to lead an
ethical life, then we need to first do
so ourselves.
(To be continued...)
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TheSouthAsianTimes.info June 3-9, 2017
TheSouthAsianTimes.info June 3-9, 2017