US Affairs 10

Health & Beauty 24

Bollywood 26

Spiritual Awareness 30

NEW YORK EDITION

The South Asian Times

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Vol. 3 | No. 47 | March 12-18, 2011 | 60 Cents

Indias growing importance for the US

Indo-US, Page 11

India first in World Cup quarterfinals

ICC World Cup, Page 15

A tribute to Tiger Man Fateh Singh Rathore

Op Ed, Page 18

Indian women make strides yet trapped

Society, page 25

Gaddafi victory or stalemate likely in Libya: US official

Washington: Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi is unlikely to be ousted by rebels, a top U.S. intelligence officer has told a congressional committee, and the United States must contemplate the national-security implications of a Gaddafi victory or even a stalemate. Even as civil war like situation prevailed in Libya, James Clapper, the director of national intelligence, said Thursday that the country could end up split into two or three parts, or you could end up with a Somalia-like situation. Because the Gaddafi regime has superior weapons and logistical capabilities, over time, over the longer term, he will prevail, Clapper said at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing. The Libya strongman has units, equipped with tanks and artillery, that have the ability to maintain and replenish their weapons over time, Clapper said. Gaddafi continued Momentum shifting to Gaddafi side on page 4

Thousands flock to Maximum India festival in DC

Washington, DC: Throngs of people and sold out performances have been the norm for the past several days at the Kennedy Center here for the multifarious maximum INDIA show. Like the country for which it is named, the festivals opening week was a feast for the senses, giving attendees an explosion of color and energy. The three-week extravaganza began with a free recital from U. Shrinivas on the Millennium Stage. Accompanied by two percussionists, Shrinivas and his brother played mandolins in front of a diverse audience of over 500. Contemporary artist Raghu Dixit drew over 800 on Friday, while another Carnatic musician, L. Subramanian, drew 1,200 people on Sunday for a free concert held in the Eisenhower Theater. The turnout was massive for singer Kailash Khers Saturday performance. Khers band, Kailasa, has an infectious groove and soaring melodies, and are on their way to international stardom. India Festival continued on page 4

Zakir Hussain performs at the opening gala for the festival on March 1. Photo by Scott Suchman

province of Baluchistan. Newspapers like the Nation, Nawai Waqt and Jang also carried the report, which quoted purported Dancers Alarmel Valli and secret US diplomatic cables reMadhavi Mudgal perform at leased by WikiLeaks. Maximum India festival. Photo by Margot Schulma. Pak papers continued on page 4

New York Lifes Asian-Indian division Bank of Barodas Exec. Director to visit city gets 5 NY Emmy nominations
New York: New York Life Insurance Company has received five nominations for advertising created for the Asian-Indian community. The nominations are in the TV commercial campaign category (3 nominations), commercial single spot category, and documentary category. This is the third time New York Lifes Asian-Indian Market Division has been up for a New York Emmy since 2007. We are honored to be nominated for the third time for this prestigious 1 BC ilan_ing 10x2inch.pdf award, said Ashwin K. Verma, corporate vice president and chief marketing

Ashwin K. Verma directing one of the commercials in the campaign.

officer for Cultural Markets, New York Life. We are pleased to be recognized for these entries that increase awareness of New York Lifes core values and resonate with 03.03.2011 14:39 the Asian-Indian community. NY Life on Emmy continued on page 4

N e w York: Mr N.S. Srinath, Executive Director of Bank of Baroda, is visiting N.S. Srinath New York and will be in the city on March 13 and March 16-17. He assumed EDs office in December 2009 and also overseas the International Operations of the bank. Under his leadership,... N.S. Srinath continued on page 4

Americans divided over Muslim radicalization hearing

Washington: Nearly 52 percent Americans believe that Republican Senator Peter Kings investigation into US Muslims radicalization is appropriate. Gallup poll found 52 percent back a hearing by Kings House Homeland Security Committee focusing only on U.S. Muslims, while 38 percent were against it. Even his friends in the New Yorks congressional committee turned against him. Republican Yvette Clarke, a member of the homeland panel, said that King is guilty of sin gling

Sen. Peter King: controversial

out Muslims, and even dissed him as an out-of-touch suburbanite. Peter King continued on page 4

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March 12-18, 2011

Muslims, supporters protest Congressional hearing

New York: Muslims, activists and supporters demonstrated in Times Square on Sunday to protest a Congressional hearing on radicalization of U.S. Muslims. Holding placards that read "Today I am a Muslim, too," a few hundred gathered at the interfaith protest, decrying what they said was the bigotry and ignorance behind anti-Muslim sentiments in the US. Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, until recently the leader of the controversial plan to build a mosque and cultural center near the former World Trade Center site, said he was concerned this week's scheduled hearing by Representative Peter King on radicalization of U.S. Muslims would only alienate them. "My concern is the perception among the youth here that Muslims are under attack ... by their own government. This helps radicalize people, and we need to reverse that cycle of radicalization," Rauf said. King, a New York Republican who chairs the House Homeland Security Committee, said on CNN Sunday that while "the overwhelming majority of Muslims are outstanding Americans ... there is an effort to radicalize efforts within the Muslim community." The protest was organized by an interfaith coalition of community and political leaders and activists, including priests, rabbis and imams. Hip hop mogul Russell Simmons, who heads the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding, also attended. "The whole premise of the hearings is absolutely discriminatory" and would only foster fear," Simmons said. Organizers said inclement weather likely kept attendance down. A small group of counter-protesters from the Liberty Alliance gathered a few blocks away, while New York City Councilman Daniel Dromm earlier hosted a group opposing King's hearings.

People attend the "Today, I Am A Muslim, Too" rally in Times Square in New York City March 6.

Lawyers to duel at Rajaratnam insider trading trial

New York: The biggest Wall Street insider trading criminal case in a generation has started Wednesday, as prosecutors and defense lawyers for Galleon Group founder Raj Rajaratnam face off in court. A New York jury will hear U.S. prosecutors outline how they believe the Sri Lankan-born hedge fund manager broke the law by designing a complex web of stock tippers who helped him reap $45 million in illicit profit between 2003 and March 2009. The jury and observers of the high-profile case may also get insight into the defense trial strategy, which faces seemingly overwhelming evidence of leaked corporate secrets, tapped telephones and friends-turnedgovernment witnesses. Nineteen people have pleaded guilty in the Galleon case. Prominent Indian American executive Rajat Gupta has also been implicated in the case.

Mangano to deliver 2nd State of the County Address

Mineola, NY: Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano will deliver his second State of the County Address on March 14 at Gold Coast Studios in Bethpage. The address will be carried live on News12 and FiOS1 at 7:00 PM. After assuming office in January last year, he made his first State of the County speech on March 15 outlining his plan for the county. In the last couple of months Mangano has been fighting a takeover bid of the countys finances by NIFA (Nassau County Interim Finance Authority) which has claimed a $176 million deficit in the budget of the otherwise affluent county. A court hearing the matter has stayed the NIFA takeover.

Raj Rajaratnam is seen during his trial in New York in this artist sketch from Reuters.

92% Indian students in US ready for future back in India

New Delhi: Nine in 10 Indian students in the US, who participated in a comprehensive study of the community's future plans, are keen on returning to India to pursue careers. As much as 84% of them are interested in jobs combining research and teaching. The findings have major implications for Indian policy-makers grappling with faculty shortage. Most students, however, said they would not accept a pure teaching job. The findings are in line with the HT Youth Survey, which found that only 6.5% of urban Indian youth wanted to pursue careers abroad. The study - conducted by researchers from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Pennsylvania State University and Rutgers University - is the largest effort yet to look at the plans of Indian students in the US and the factors driving their decisions. The study was released in the US on Monday. The high percentage of those interested in higher education careers presents a big opportunity for India, TISS professor and study co-author Venkatesh Kumar said. His co-author is David Finegold, dean of the Rutgers School of Management and Labour Relations. Of the 998 respondents, 76% planned to return to India. Another 16% said they would go wherever they get the best job. Only 8% wanted to stay in the US. For the survey, students were analyzed on qualifications they were pursuing, their stream, age, sex, marital status and children.

Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano making his State of the County speech last year.

Swami gets 14 years jail in sex case

Houston: Absconding Indian godmanPrakashanand Saraswati, also known as Shree Swamiji, has been sentenced to 14 years in prison and fined $ 10,000 on each of 20 felony counts for groping girls who grew up on the ashram he founded and led in Central Texas. With the subject of their deliberations still missing and presumed to be on the run, a Hays County jury today sentenced the 82-year-old religious guru to 14 years in prison for each of 20 counts of molesting two girls in his Barsana Dham ashram in Driftwood during the 1990s. (See another story on page 7)

4
March 12-18, 2010

Community

March 5-11, 2011

by government forces. Rebel positions in Ras Lanuf, captured a week ago by insurgents, were pounded by airstrikes, artillery and rockets, according to news accounts. If pro-Gaddafi forces are able to seize the petrochemical complex, port and airport in Ras Lanuf, it would give the regime control over one of Libyas largest oil facilities. Ras Lanuf is 225 miles by road southwest of Benghazi, the rebel stronghold. The government also claimed it had regained control of Zawiya, 30 miles west of the capital, Tripoli. Peter King continued from page 1 The New York Daily News quoted him as saying: The downside of it is that people feel like theyre being targeted and stigmatized, and then they clam up to the authorities on potential threats. Republican Joseph Crowley, who has worked with King on other issues, said: Petes a friend of mine, but I have to call it like I see it, I dont see it. Kings list for the first in a series of hearings includes

Dalai Lama steps down as Tibetans political leader

likely to announce his retirement from some of the activities he has been carrying out in public life in exile in the over five decades since 1959 when he arrived in India. At his annual address to Tibetans and the international community delivered Thursday morning here, the Dalai Lama made his retirement plans amply clear. As early as the 1960s, I have repeatedly stressed that Tibetans need a leader, elected freely by the Tibetan people, to whom I can devolve power. Now, we have clearly reached the time to put this into effect, the Dalai Lama announced in his speech delivered in Tibetan. During the forthcoming 11th session of the 14th Tibetan Parliament in Exile, which begins on 14th March, I will formally propose that the necessary amendments be made to the Charter for Tibetans in Exile, reflecting my decision to devolve my formal authority to the elected leader, he said. Sources in the Tibetan parliament-in-exile said Dalai Lama would announce retirement only from his ceremonial responsibilities as head of the government but not from his role as spiritual leader of Tibetans. telepathically linked. The emotional effect of both performances was uplifting and powerful, personifying elegance and grace. Maximum India continues through March 20, 2011. Gaddafi continued from page 1 Gen. Ronald Burgess, head of the Defense Intelligence Agency, was more equivocal: Initially the momentum was with the other side that has started to shift, he said. Whether or not it has fully moved to Gaddafis side is not clear at this time, but we have now reached a state of equilibrium. In Libya, rebel fighters protecting a key oil complex on the Mediterranean coast were reported to be retreating under a fierce assault

The Dalai Lama

Dharamsala: The Dalai Lama, spiritual and temporal leader of the Tibetans, Thursday announced his decision to retire and devolve his formal authority to an elected leader. The message from the Nobel Peace Prize winner will be read coming Monday, the first day of the budget session of the Tibetan parliament-in-exile starting at Mcleodganj, 10 km from this hill town in Himachal Pradesh, the abode of the Dalai Lama and hundreds of exiled Tibetans. The 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, 75, is Indian festival continued from page 1 The blend of modern and traditional was often the case in ticketed performances as well, though with mixed results. As DCists Charles Downey said in his review of the National Symphony Orchestras performance of a newly commissioned piece by tabla master Zakir Hussain, the Western classical elements were well executed, and the Indian elements drew cheers, but the meshing of the two felt a bit forced. A Sunday double bill brought Bharatanatyam dancer Priyadarshini Govind and the Nrityagram Dance Ensemble, which specializes in the Odissi dance style. Nrityagram presented a trio of dancers whose gestures and movements where so fluid and synchronized that it appeared as though they were

One of Kadafis sons, Saif Islam, said in an interview with Reuters that the regime Edison, NJ: The Ediston side had launched an offensive to crush the rebel- India. chapter of GOPIO organize lion and would not surrender even if Western (Global powers intervened. Organization of considera People of Indian Origin) In Washington, neither the potential forhave a un a stalemate was a Kadafi victory 28. well with commu nor launched Feb sat the Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.)arguably ical affai "Edison has and Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.), most density of adthe who argued the Obama chapter o ministration should do more to help the rebIndians anywhere out- option to els, including a no-fly zone, to prevent Kadafi Rajat Gupta Gup from retaining power. story from page 1 impro relatives of Strategy Fund Muslims who about young American SPC, which allegedly invested in a number of Galleon at Pro turned to terror. Other witnessesfunds, some tied toElli- quit h hedge are Republican Keith the son the first Muslim elected to Congress, and which insider trading scheme, and had Sheriff Lee Baca of Los Angeles County. other business potentially lucrative gains. Muslim business and interests Americans their supporters with took Gary out a rally Rajaratnam, according to the SEC termed against the hearing in Times Square in New York earlier this week. ly base charges.

GOPIOs Ed

N.S. Srinath continued from page 1 ...the banks international business has reached new heights. He is also Chairman of the Board of Directors for Bank of Baroda (Trinidad and Tobago) Ltd. Before joining Bank of Baroda, he was General Manager (HR) in Canara Bank at their Corporate Office. He has rich expe rience in IT, Projects and HRD besides, of course, banking Operations. NY Life on Emmy continued from page 1 The nominated categories and entries include: TV Commercial: Campaign * Life is Beautiful With the Company You Keep, Campaign I: No Problem Too Big. * Life is Beautiful With the Company You Keep, Campaign II: We Believe in the Joint Family System. * Life is Beautiful With the Company You Keep, Campaign III: Experience the Joy of Giving. TV Commercial: Single Spot * We Understand Your Language. Documentary * A Journey to India: Life is Beautiful with the Company You Keep.

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The South Asian Times

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March 12-18, 2011

Bejeweled Pearl Canopy of Baroda to be auctioned in NY

New York: On 24 March 2011, Sothebys New York will present The Pearl Canopy Of Baroda, one of the most luxuriant works of art ever created. The magnificent bejeweled canopy, which will be offered in the Indian & Southeast Asian Works of Art auction, is one of the highlights of Sothebys Asia week series of sales. The canopy is entirely embroidered with natural Basra pearls and lush floral vines made up of coloured glass beads enhanced by diamonds, sapphires, rubies and emeralds. The number of Basra pearls alone totals over 500,000. The work had been hidden from public view for over 100 years until it was included in the exhibition Maharaja: The Splendor of Indias Royal Courts at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London last year. The canopy was commissioned by the Maharaja of Baroda, Khande Rao Gaekwar and was is estimated to fetch $3/5 million. The Maharaja reputedly intended the group to be given as a gift to adorn the tomb of the Prophet Mohammad in Medina. The gift was never delivered, as the Maharaja died before the donation could be made. The carpet therefore remained in his family for over a century. Khande Rao Gaekwar ascended to the throne as the Maharaja of Baroda in 1856. The area was already a cultural centre and the new Maharaja was a generous patron of the arts. He soon established a court that became known for its sophistication and richness. The Maharaja was particularly recognized for his love of fine jewels, and in 1867 purchased the Star of the South one of the largest diamonds in the world. The canopy is testament to the splendor and opulence that surrounded the Maharaja and his court. It was included as a highlight of the great Indian Art Exhibition in Delhi in 1902-3, an exhibition dedicated to the wealth of the Maharajas. It was later moved to Monaco with Maharani Sita Devi - the most flamboyant Maharani - who took the carpet along with her jewellery collection when she moved to the Mediterranean. At the time the canopy was made, Indian officials such as Khande Rao had access to highly talented craftsmen who had been trained by Mughal Court artists. The design of the canopy was therefore influenced by a Mughal style that is an amalgamation of Persian and indigenous Indian traditions. Baroda was one of the richest states in India, drawing skilled gem-cutters and jewelers, and the giving of expensive gifts was an old Indian court tradition which Khande Rao wished to follow.

The Pearl Canopy of Baroda goes on view with all Asia Week exhibitions on March 18 made circa 1865-70. It was created as part of an ensemble which included the famed Pearl Carpet of Baroda which was sold at Sothebys Doha in March 2009. The suite was originally made up of four rectangular bejeweled carpets and this circular canopy. Of the five pieces, only these two survive. The Pearl Canopy Of Baroda

UPenn cricket team makes it to nationals

Domestic Harmony Foundations 3rd annual fundraising gala on April 9

The Team UPenn Pennsylvania: The ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup may be a rage with South Asians across the world but this gentlemans game is slowly gaining momentum in the US as well. The 3rd American College Cricket Championship will be hosted in Fort Lauderdale, Florida this March with 32 teams participating from all over the US and Canada. And the University of Pennsylvania is the only Ivy League university participating in the tournament. Though it is a minority sport in the United States, its roots trace deep into American history as well as the University of Penns, which had cricket for its first sports club ever. Despite having seen tremendous growth in the tri-state region in the past, the sport could not sustain long in a nation that demanded fast paced games. However, the sport is growing again in the US with the support and organizing caliber of organizations such as the US Cricket Association and American College Cricket. Even college councils are making a great effort to revive the game. Penn Cricket Club Vice-President Roshan Rai says, The entire Penn team is thankful to Mike Reno and the Sports Clubs Council for its continued support and generosity. Last year Penn Cricket made a debut in the All American College Cricket Championship. Undergraduate senior and Captain of the Penn Cricket Club, Saksham Karwal is confident and puts it this way, Last year we performed well, but this year we will not be satisfied without the trophy. According to Karwal, this is the best team Penn Cricket has ever had and chances of winning the tournament are extremely high. After all, he says, It would only be a fitting tribute to the universitys history to bring back the trophy to Penn.

New York: The Domestic Harmony Foundation (DHF) will be hosting its 3rd Annual Fundraiser Gala on Saturday, April 9 at The Swan Club in Roslyn, NY. Following the success of last year's Fundraiser, this years program will be a tribute to the courage and strength of survivors of violence. Hence, the fundraiser's theme will be Honoring Courage and Empowering Lives, and will jump off from the thread of last years gala by addressing the ways survivors of violence deal with the abuse they have experienced through utilization of services provided by entities such as DHF to those in need, and how they move forward through empowerment towards success in their lives. DHF hopes to continue to bring awareness on issues of family violence and the types of empowering services and opportunities made available to survivors. Over the past year, DHF has participated in various programs in Long Island and New York, including community health fairs and a nationwide antidomestic violence census, and has provided services such as survivor support groups, free English language classes, legal consultations, student internship programs, and an educational lecture series. The evening will include two extraordinary guest speakers, the Honorable Kathleen Rice and Sujata Warrier. Kathleen Rice was the first woman elected as District Attorney in Long Island, and has been

Kathleen Rice, Nassau County District Attorney, will be a guest speaker serving Nassau County as District Attorney since 2006. Among issues such as drunk driving, corruption, and internet child predators, the District Attorney has also focused on the prosecution of domestic violence cases. Sujata Warrier is the Director of the New York City Program of the New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence. She provides technical assistance and training to professionals in health care, law enforcement, criminal and civil justice systems, and human and social services on the issue of domestic violence. She also provides assistance on legislative and policy issues regarding battered immigrant women, and works with Manavi, a South Asian womens organization in New Jersey. Entertainment will be provided by Salman Ahmad, founder of the famous rock band, Junoon, and the Salman and Samina Global Wellness Initiative, and by the talented KhadijaHs Caravan, and Muslim womens creative arts group. For more information visit: www.dhfny.org http://www.wnyc.org/thegreenespace/events/2011/mar/07/vote/ ForOnline voting visit : http://www.wnyc.org/thegreenespace/events/2011/mar/07/vote/ Text voting : text QN6 to 69866 Online & text voting is open till March 13, 2011. More information about the band : www.niveditashivraj.com/charanams ; www.facebook.com/cha-

APPEAL
he "Charanams" band - the Caranatic Jazz band - performed at WNYC Greenespace at the Battle of the Boroughs contest on Friday March 4 and won the first round and is now at top 3. Online & text voting for the final

winner of the Battle for the Queens in now on. Charanams is the only Indian music band in this contest for Queens and seeks support to help in this round and represent Queens at the Final Battle of the Boroughs - the battle between all the 5 boroughs of New York City that will take place on June 17. Video of their performance can be viewed at

National Community TheSouthAsianTimes.info

March 12-18, 2011

New York Indian filmfest to open with 'Do Dooni Chaar'

New York: The popular New York Indian Film Festival will open this year with the North American premiere of Disney's critically acclaimed family comedy "Do Dooni Chaar" starring the legendary actor couple Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh. The closing night selection for the 11th annual edition of the Indo-American Arts Council's May 4-8 festival in Manhattan is Rituparno Ghosh's "Noukadubi", an adaptation of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore's acclaimed novel, which stars sisters Riya and Raima Sen. New York City's prestigious Paris Theatre will host the star-studded red carpet May 4 Opening Night premiere of "Do Dooni Chaar"with special guests Kapoor, Singh, and Faisal attending. It is a heart-warming comedy about the dreams and challenges of a middle-class family who take a chaotic journey to fulfil their dream of owning a car and discovering the true meaning of family along the way. "Do Dooni Chaar is a charming and sweet indie film that reflects the realities of a middle-class family in modern day Delhi," says NYIFF Director Aseem Chhabra. Following the May 8 screening of Rituparno Ghosh's "Noukadubi"will be a special tribute to Tagore who was born 150 years ago on that day.

Jewelers found guilty of movie-style robbery

New York: Two IndianAmerican jewelers have been found guilty of staging a fake heist straight out of the movie 'Snatch' to get a $7 million insurance payout. The phony robbery was a 'desperate gamble' by jewelers Atul Shah and Mahaveer Kankariyathat went wrong, a New York judge ruled Friday finding each man guilty on all seven counts, New York Daily News reported. Shah, 49, and Kankariya, 44, face up to 15 years prison when sentenced in the New Year's Eve, 2008 heist. Prosecutors had said the pair paid guys dressed as Hasidic Jews to barge into their store with fake guns, just like in the 2001 Guy Ritchie movie. 'I find that this fraud was predicated on a fake robbery,' said Judge Thomas Farber in the bench trial at Manhattan Criminal Court. 'The emptying of the safe, to me, is suspicious.' Farber also called Shah's testimony that he buzzed in the two Hasidic-dressed gunmen thinking they were Bombay couriers 'frankly ridiculous.' As the judge read his verdict, both men looked straight ahead while their families leaned forward and gripped each others' hands. Farber said he determined both men worked together in the scheme. 'It is clear to me that this was a conspiracy and could not have worked any other way,' he said. 'This was the most difficult thing I've done in my career. I find the defendants guilty.' The jewelers' insurance bid went sour after officials recovered surveillance video of Shah and Kankariya clearing out a safe two hours before the fake gunmen got there on Dec 31, 2008, Daily News said. The partners had attempted to destroy the evidence, pouring Drano over the recording equipment in their offices, but the video was in good enough shape for technicians to repair it.

Do Dooni Chaar stars Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh Aparna Sen's "Iti Mrinalini" will premiere as the Centrepiece selection. The Bengali film features Sen and her daughter, award-winning actress Konkona Sen Sharma, both playing the same title role at different ages. "NYIFF energises New York City's diversity by presenting amazing independent and diaspora films from the Indian subcontinent while keeping a close watch on Bollywood's foray into alternate cinema," said IAAC Executive Director Aroon Shivdasani. "The three film highlights of our eleventh annual film festival represent a Hollywood studio's Indian social cinema, independent cinema, as well as a tribute to Rabindranath Tagore."

Comedy Ka Maha Muqabala to debut on Star Plus

New York: Popular Bollywood captains Raveena Tandon, Arshad Warsi, Shekhar Suman and Shreyas Talpade will be seen performing with their teams and will compete against each other for the top title in Comedy Ka Maha Muqabala on Star Plus starting March 19, every Sat-Sun at 9.30 pm EST. Each team will comprise of well-known television celebrities, stand-up comedians and a debutant to the industry. The captains also double up as judges where they rate the performance of opposing teams. In all, the teams and the popular Bollywood captains will pit their wits to the ultimate delight of the viewers.

KKSF felicitates five youth

Shanti Kumar, left and Dr Nori, second from right, with the award winners at the gala New York: Kanchi Kamakoti Seva Foundation (KKSF) and AIM for Seva had organized a gala event on Sunday to recognize exceptionally talented and service-minded youth for their exemplary service to society and putting their career dreams on hold. The five youth from different walks of life who were recognized are Rajiv Jayadevan, a Fulbright Scholar and a graduate of Brown University who is pursuing an MD degree in Mt. Sinai School of Medicine; Ankit Shah, doing B.S degree in Economics at Wharton School of Business; Yaagnik Kosuri and Patrick Hendrik Christian van Nieuwenhuizen, graduates of Princeton University and co founders of UPENYU, an organization that fights diseases in Zimbabwe and Neel Chugh, a graduate of Tufts University and a volunteer at Teach for America program.L. Shanti Kumar, one of the co-founders of KKSF and Aim for Seva, in his welcome remarks, said the aim of the gala event was to celebrate the success of youth who are role models for the entire community. The youth have touched the lives of countless people in different lands braving inhospitable terrain with service as their only motto.

INOC condoles death of Arjun Singh

New Jersey: Indian National Overseas Congress, USA (INOC) has termed the passing away of veteran Congress leader Arjun Singh, who served as former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister, Governor of Panjab and Union Minister, as a great loss for the nation.INOC General Secretary, George Abraham condoling the death of Mr. Arjun Singh said that he stood for equality and justice and always had a soft corner in his heart for the nations' poor and the disadvantaged. Throughout his service to the people in various capacity in Government, he tried to purge intolerance and hatred within the society and always envisioning a nation that lives in true freedom and harmony regardless of caste, creed or religious differences. ' He was indeed a great symbol of democratic ideals and pluralism and will be greatly missed in the future discourses as the nation grapples with complex social issues, he said.

National Community TheSouthAsianTimes.info

March 12-18, 2011

Richard Verma quits US state department for private sector

Washington, DC: IndianAmerican Richard Verma, assistant secretary of state for legislative affairs, who played a key role in US' negotiations with Russia on the historic Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, is leaving the state department for private sector. The secretary of state Hillary Clinton hosted a farewell for Verma. "He now leaves for the private sector. He has been a tremendous friend and colleague of all of us for the past couple of years. Most recently, Rich (Richard Verma) helped the secretary (Clinton) both in her recent testimony of Verma is a lawyer with extensive experience in national security and non-proliferation issues. "He's extending into overtime next week when the secretary does one more hearing on the (Capitol) Hill. But he certainly helped shepherd the effort throughout the executive branch late last year that led to the ratification of the START Treaty. So we will bid a fond farewell to our friend, Rich Verma," Crowley told reporters at his daily news conference. Verma assumed the mantle of assistant secretary for the bureau of legislative affairs on April 6, 2009. In this role, he served as the primary adviser to the secretary of state on Congressional affairs, as well as the department's chief liaison to Congress. Prior to his appointment, Verma was a lawyer in private practice, but he also served as senior national security adviser to the senate majority leader Harry Reid, a position he held for several years. A veteran of the US Air Force, Verma is a former country director for the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs and has worked in the House of Representatives.

Richard Verma played key role in US negotiations with Russia on Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty the last week. Today is supposed to be his last day," state department spokesman P J Crowley said.

Warrant issued against Hindu guru in US

Washington, DC: A US by sexual contact court has issued an based on the accounts arrest warrant for a of Vesla Tonnessen Hindu guru who failed Kazimer, 27, and to show up for sentencShyama Rose, 30, ing after being convicted who testified that the of molesting two girls as guru kissed and fonthey grew up on his dled them when they Central Texas ashram. lived at Barsana On Friday evening, a Dham as young girls. Hays County jury conEach count carries a victed Prakashanand maximum penalty Prakashanand Saraswati Saraswati of molestof 20 years in ing two girls in the mid-1990s while prison. The guru's disappearance led they were growing up on the to immediate speculation that he had Barsana Dham ashram near fled the country, possibly using a Driftwood that he founded. passport from India, where he keeps Released on a $1 million cash a second home. bond, the 82-year-old Prakashanand, But 'we have no information about known to his Hindu devotees as an Indian passport', Hays County Shree Swamiji, failed to show up for District Attorney Sherri Tibbe said. the punishment phase of his trial, A sheriff's department spokeswoman scheduled to begin Monday morning testified in court that the guru was in San Marcos, Austin American- last seen Saturday evening at a Statesman reported. Driftwood home owned by one of After waiting for an hour, District his devotees; however, other reports Judge Charles Ramsay ordered the said he did not disappear until guru's bond revoked and a warrant Sunday evening. issued for his arrest. He had already Spokesmen for Barsana Dham said revoked Prakashanand's US passport they had no idea where he was. in October. 'I have no information,' said Aman 'We have not located our client; we Agrawal, an ashram member who don't know the reason for his has issued statements in the past. absence,' Jeff Kearney, 'Swamiji was very ill over the Prakashanand's Fort Worth-based weekend,' Rich Parsons, a hired lead attorney told the Statesman. spokesman for Barsana Dham was Prakashanand was found guilty of quoted as saying. 'We're continuing 20 counts of indecency with a child to try to find him.'

Tri-Valley won't affect new Indian enrollment in US: Experts

New York: As another season of US education fairs comes around, education experts say the TriValley University incident will not deter Indian students from coming to America but those seeking admission should make thorough enquiries first. "The Tri-Valley incident is an odd case that is being nipped in the bud by the active media and the action taken by the governments of India and the US. It will not have any impact on new admissions to US universities," Prabhakar Lavakare, India country partner of the Institute of International Education (IIE) in the US, told media. "There are many fly-by-night institutions in the US and a careful study of their background and reference with The US-India Education Foundation (USIEF) would definitely help students avoid a similar situation," he said. He was referring to the Tri-Valley University in California, where students, 90 percent of them from India, faced the prospect of deportation after the varsity was found to be a sham and was shut down. It is 'US Education Fair' time in India - through spring beginning in March and autumn in September held mostly in Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad. These fairs are organized by USIEF, IIE, Linden Tours and the Council for International Schools ( CIS )). There are also other players like IDP and American Expo which attract students through advertisements. "University studies are an investment in your future, weigh all the information before making a decision," cautioned Susan Whipple of Marquette University, one of the oldest private universities of Wisconsin established in 1881. Whipple, who has been showcasing Marquette University in India since the 1990s, said students who are seriously inclined will not be dissuaded from applying to US universities as a result of the TriValley incident. She said in order to comprehend the admission process, many Indian students and their families understand the value of attending fairs. Parke Muth, dean of international admissions in the University of Virginia,said that many universities rely on 'word of mouth' and do not participate in any education fair for undergraduate programs Sachdeva, who served as Vice President of finance at Koss, used company funds to pay for her "irrational" buying sprees, which included thousands of personal property items, including luxury clothing and accessories. She used money from Koss'' bank accounts to fund numerous cashier''s checks as well as pay for hotels, airline tickets, renovations and improvements to her home. She was sentenced to 11 years in prison last November.

Boston: US authorities will auction diamond jewelry and luxury clothing owned by an Indian-American woman, who is serving an 11-year prison term for embezzling USD 34 million from a Milwaukee-based firm, where she worked as a top executive, to pay for her "irrational" buying sprees. More than 300 lots of diamonds, watches and fine jewelry, including

Authorities to auction jailed Indian-American's jewelry

an 18-karat white gold diamond necklace, seven carat platinum diamond ring and a Chanel diamond wristwatch, of Sujata ''Sue'' Sachdeva will be auctioned by the US Marshals Service on March 19. The property was seized and forfeited after Sachdeva, 46, was convicted of embezzling USD 34 million dollars from Milwaukee-based headphones company Koss Corp.

National Community TheSouthAsianTimes.info

March 12-18, 2011

FBI joins probe into shooting of Sikhs in US

Washington, DC: US 'There is no evidence that Federal Bureau of would indicate a hate Investigation (FBI) joined crime, but neither is there the probe into the shooting any evidence to eliminate of two elderly Sikhs in that possibility,' he said. California as a shocked The victims' families and community announced a others fear Singh and $30,000 reward for informaAtwal were targeted tion leading to the arrest of because they were wearing the gunman. turbans, which some Two friends Surinder Americans mistakenly Singh, 67, and Gurmej think represent Taliban and Atwal, 78, were shot at on Muslim extremists. their afternoon stroll through 'This is a rough year for Elk Grove, Sacramento Sikhs. When anything hapFriday. pens in the Middle East, Surinder Singh died on Surinder Singh died on the spot in Sikhs are targeted,' said what is suspected a hate crime the spot from a shot to the Darshan Singh Mundy, a upper torso, while Atwal remained in critical Sikh civil rights leader at a news conference at but stable condition at a South Sacramento the West Sacramento gurdwara with about Medical Center from two bullets to the chest. 100 community leaders. 'About 99.9 percent He still cannot talk, but is nodding yes or no of those wearing turbans in America are to questions, his son, Kamaljit Atwal told Sikhs, but we have nothing to do with 9/11. Sacramento Bee newspaper. There are Sikhs in the US Army, and two Sikh Elk Grove Police Capt. Bryan Noblett said women are pilots of F-16s in the Air Force,' he witnesses described a 1999 to 2003 beige or said. tan Ford F-150 pickup truck in the area of the On Sunday, the Sacramento Valley chapter shooting. of the Council on American-Islamic Relations A motive has not been established. The offered a $5,000 reward for tips in the case. shooting is being investigated with the help of Elk Grove Mayor Steve Detrick said the city the FBI as a possible hate crime, said Elk has no history of hate crimes or racial epithets Grove Police spokesman Christopher Trim. against the roughly 5,000 Sikhs living there.

Author documents India's reinvention

New Delhi: India, a country grounded in tradition, has begun to reinvent itself in a relatively small period, says Indian origin writer-columnist Anand Giridharadas who has authored the book 'India Calling: an intimate portrait of a nation's remaking'. 'NRIs and foreigners are scrambling to figure out this new country being made. I think this reinvention of India is grounded in millions of reinventions - not one big reinvention but flowering of personal reinventions,' Giridharadas, who lives in Massachusetts said. The 29-year-old columnist for the International Herald Tribune and The New York Times gave up his management job in Mumbai in 2005 to pursue the call of the written word. 'India Calling', published by HarperCollins-India and launched last week, unravels the process of the country's remaking through personal narratives that the writer classifies as 'dreams, ambition, pride, anger, love, freedom and epilogue, midnight'. It takes off with the young writer's landing in a 'lifeless' Mumbai 'one orange night'. Giridharadas had returned to India in the early last decade after graduating in the US to be a part of the changing nation. He took up a position by the management consultant firm McKinsey and Company in Mumbai. 'At first, India had felt alien to me, alien in its crowds and strange phraseology, alien in its probing of my native place, alien in its lack of enthusiasm for my arrival. In fact, working at McKinsey shielded me from India's hardships,' he says.

Anand Giridharadass India Calling unravels Indias remaking In the few years that he worked at Mckinsey, Giridharadas took stock of the reinventions that defined the new India and decided to document it. An opportunity to work as the Mumbai-based correspondent for The International Herald Tribune opened new possibilities for the young writer. 'I plunged into my new life as a newspaperman and drove deeper than before into India. I filled my shelves with books on India and and on the weekends I would sit with a dozen titles on my bed as though their presence would alone teach me about caste, Indian democracy, Kashmir and leading industrialists. I began to study Hindi, I made a list of all the people whom I thought I should know in Mumbai and went to see them one by one,' he said. India was changing when Giridharadas arrived and it continued to change 'viscerally, dramatically and improbably'. He wrote the book in a Goa village.

NRIs want to vote through postal ballot

Washington, DC: Indians in America have welcomed the Election Commission's move to permit non-resident Indians to vote back home, but feel it would be a tough call to go to India just to vote. Instead NRIs should be allowed to vote by postal ballot, electronically or at Indian missions abroad. They could also be given separate representation in the Indian parliament, community leaders said. "We very much welcome this," said Thomas Abraham, Founder President, Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) International recalling, "We have been campaigning on this since 2000." "On the other hand, it will be extremely difficult for 10 million or more Indian citizens to travel to India during the election time to vote in their constituencies," he said. "With the advancement of technology, it would be easier to have electronic voting and the government should consider implementing this process," said Abraham who is also the founder president of the national Federation of Indian American Associations (NFIA). "An effective way for overseas voters to actively participate in the democratic process would be to have representation for overseas Indian citizens in the parliament," he said suggesting a constitutional amendment to provide for five Lok Sabha seats for ten million Indian citizens living outside India. As a beginning, a couple NRIs should be nominated to the Rajya Sabha by the President of India, he said adding, "If India is aspiring for progress, such opportunities have to be provided to Indian citizens living outside India as full participants for India's development." George Abraham, General Secretary of Indian National Overseas Congress, USA described the Election Commission's move as "a significant step in getting the NRIs voices heard for the first time through the ballot boxes." "However, it would be impractical for most of the NRIs to travel to India for the sole purpose of participating in an election," he said. Abraham hoped that NRIs soon will have the opportunity to cast the ballots on an absentee basis through the postal system as in many western nations. "Anyway, we consider the government's move as an encouraging first step as it showed that NRIs are beginning to get counted in significant decision making process in India," he said applauding the Manmohan Singh Government "for this very important decision."

National Community TheSouthAsianTimes.info

March 12-18, 2011

Zubin Mehta honored with star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

California: Acclaimed music conductor Zubin Mehta has been honored with a star on the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame. The honor coincides with his 50th anniversary as a conductor and his 75th birthday, news reports said. Mehta received the 2,434th star at a March 1 ceremony near the north- east corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street. He was joined by his wife, Nancy and actor Kirk Douglas.Members of the Los Angeles, Israel and Vienna philharmonics performed during the ceremony , reports said. "I have to say, what a wonderful surprise to have three orchestras I have worked with perform for all of us today. I am grateful to this country which has taken care of me for so many years," Mehta was quoted as saying in news reports. Mehta was born April 29, 1936, in Mumbai and his father, Mehli, was the founding conductor of the Bombay Symphony Orchestra. Zubin Mehta was music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic from 1962-78, led the Montreal Symphony Orchestra from 1961-67

Two plead guilty to attack on Sikh taxi driver in US

Washington, DC: Two men accused of attacking a Sikh taxi driver in November have entered no-contest pleas in a California court, with one man admitting that his attack was a hate crime. Pedro Ramirez, 42, of Natomas, pleaded to a felony assault charge in Yolo County Superior Court Monday and admitted that his attack on cab driver Harbhajan Singh in West Sacramento was a hate crime. He also admitted that he caused great bodily injury to the victim. Johnny Morales Jr, 33, of West Sacramento, who had a lesser role in the attack, pleaded to felony assault, according to a Yolo County District Attorney's Office news release. As part of the plea agreement, Ramirez agreed to a 13-year prison sentence, and Morales will be placed on felony probation and will be sentenced to up to one year in county jail. According to prosecution, Harbhajan Singh, wearing a traditional Sikh turban, was driving Ramirez, Morales and their wives home Nov 28 from Harlow's Bar in Sacramento. During the cab drive, Ramirez shouted racial epithets and accused Singh of being Muslim, officials said. Ramirez punched Singh in the face approximately 10 times, while Morales punched him from behind. Singh suffered multiple cuts, a fracture to the orbital bone in his face and a spinal fracture. Ramirez also attempted to pull Singh from the taxi but was prevented by the cab driver's seatbelt. Ramirez's wife stopped the beating by throwing her body between Singh and her husband. Morales and Ramirez then pulled Ramirez's wife from vehicle, allowing Singh to escape in his cab. Yolo County Superior Court Judge Timothy Fall, who took Ramirez and Morales' pleas, is scheduled to sentence the men April 1.

Mehta with his wife Nancy and actor Kirk Douglas and held the same post with the New York Philharmonic from 1978-91. He was named music adviser to the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra in 1969, became its music director in 1977 and its music director for life in 1981. He has conducted more than 3,000 con certs with his ensemble, including tours spanning five continents.

IFFLA announces 2011 Shorts Programs

Los Angeles, CA: The 9th Annual Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA) which takes place April 12-17 at ArcLight Hollywood has announced the 13 short films that will screen in the 2011 festival. The shorts were selected from over 350 submissions worldwide. The shorts will be presented in two programs each one screening twice throughout the six-day festival. The IFFLA programming team includes Rani Breslow, Isaac Klausner, Sudeep Sharma, and Rachael Sevilla along with Executive Director Christina Marouda and Programing Consultant in Mumbai Uma Da Cunha. "We are extremely happy with the quality of the submissions we received for the short-form medium this year. This has been a record year for submissions and it was a difficult process pairing the selection to these 13. The filmmakers, many of them returning alumni such as IFFLA 2010 Film Fund award-winning director Kranti Kanade and writer/director Nisha Ganatra, have the difficult task of engaging audiences with their stories in a fraction of the time it takes for a feature film. We believe this year's selection of films delivers strong, compelling, and humorous live action and animated narratives that will engage and deliver to our festival goers. We are also excited to premiere a number of these films for the Los Angeles audiences", said Marouda. The short programs are an eclectic mix of award-winning and some of the most promising filmmakers of today. From gritty family drama and touching coming of age stories to discovery and liberation through the art of dance and futuristic fantasies, this year's shorts category promises to deliver fresh, provocative, and entertaining perspectives on universal themes.

Cabbie charged with running down 2 passengers in a feat of rage

New York: Mohammed Azam, 27, a NYC cabbie of Bangladeshi origin was charged with assault and leaving the scene of an accident and was being held on $100,000 bail for ramming the cab into two of his passengers, critically injuring one and seriously wounding the other and knocking a third to the ground. Azam reportedly was furious for being forced to drive his fares from Manhattan into the Bronx. Police said four men hailed Azam's cab at about 4 a.m. Sunday in Midtown Manhattan and asked to be taken to the Bronx after they got inside. Azam refused, according to prosecutors, saying it was too far away, the trip would make him late to turn in his taxi at its depot and he'd have to pay a $30 fee. But the men knew that once they were in the cab, the driver was required by law to take them to their destination and they got into an argument that culminated with the driver stopping at the Midtown police precinct, authorities said. The four passengers and Azam went inside, where officers told the taxi driver he was required to take the fares where they wanted to go. As they left the precinct, one of the men decided to take another taxi, prosecutors said. Azam told the other three to get into his car, but when one of them had his hand on a passenger door handle, the driver abruptly backed up, yanking the passenger and throwing him to the ground, prosecutors said. Then he drove forward, ramming the other two, who were carried along on the car's hood for 30 meters before the car turned and they fell to the ground, prosecutors said.

OFBJP hails Indian judiciary

New Jersey: Overseas Friends of BJP (USA) hails the recent judgments of Indias judiciary as the citizens and global Indian diaspora watched the revelations of corruption at the highest level in the government of India (GOI). In a press release, Dr. Adapa Prasad, OFBJP President, took the opportunity to wholeheartedly thank and congratulate the judiciary and Chief Justice S H Kapadia on behalf of Indian American community. Dr. Prasad said that OFBJP prays to almighty to bestow judiciary the strength and focus to save the nation from politics of loot and corruption perpetrated by the Congress led UPA government along with its allies. Jayesh Patel, OFBJP President-Elect, said that the government took action only after Supreme Court took active interest in the probe. He said that it is really a disgrace to the nation for not accepting the JPC quickly as demanded by the entire opposition and the intelligentsia. OFBJP takes this opportunity to congratulate the Supreme Court for actively pursuing the case and forcing the biased CBI to take the corrective steps. OFBJP hopes that the culprits will be brought to justice. Chandrakant Patel,OFBJP Organizing Secretary, opined that the desperation in appointing Mr. Thomas was to cover up the 2G telecom scandal. He said that the UPA government and Prime Minister did not pay any heed to the opinion of the selection committee members and adamantly supported his appointment. However, Supreme Court quashed this appointment.

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USA Affairs TheSouthAsianTimes.info

March 12-18, 2011

Obama orders resumption of Guantanamo trials

Washington: Reversing his own orders, US President Barack Obama has cleared the way for resumption of trials by military commissions to prosecute alleged terrorists held at the Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Obama, who had during the 2008 poll campaign pledged to close the controversial detention facility, said his administration remains committed to doing so, but will rescind its previous suspension on bringing new charges before military commissions. Obama also called for prosecuting Guantanamo detainees in US criminal courts when appropriate, and issued an executive order calling for periodic reviews of suspects held under indefinite detention. The steps followed through on Obama's previous call to reform the process of prosecuting or holding Guantanamo detainees to make it detention of terrorism suspects who have yet to be formally charged or designated for transfer to another country, but are considered too dangerous to set free. Established in response to the Sep 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the US, the Guantanamo Bay facility has been a lightning rod for criticism of the US handling of terrorism suspects. Obama previously pledged to close the Guantanamo Bay facility within a year of taking office in January 2009, prompting criticism from conservatives. In addition, his administration has sought to prosecute some high-profile detainees - such as alleged Sep 11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed - in civilian courts on the US mainland, which drew widespread opposition that crossed traditional party lines.

Federal budget stalemate kept alive

Washington: A House Republican proposal to cut $61 billion in current federal spending was headed toward defeat in the Senate on Wednesday even as Democrats appeared unable to rally support for their own fiscal plan, keeping a stubborn budget stalemate alive. With the Senate set to vote on both the House-approved measure and a package of much smaller cuts fashioned by the White House and Congressional Democrats, Senator Harry Reid, the majority leader, said the outcome would demonstrate that the Republican proposal had no hope of becoming law. We want the American people to know that H.R. 1 is dead, Mr. Reid said, referring to the House budget. Neither the House measure nor the Democratic bill appeared anywhere within reach of the 60 votes needed for approval. The votes were forcing difficult decisions, requiring some Republicans to determine whether they could embrace the House cuts and causing some Democrats to examine whether their partys plan fell short of what was needed. Democrats are hoping the defeat of the House plan will prompt Republicans to give up on the $61 billion figure and move closer to Democrats, who have offered about $10 billion in reductions. The current stopgap measure expires March 18, and members of the House Appropriations Committee on Tuesday were preparing another short-term extension as a contingency if lawmakers again failed to agree on a plan to finance the government through Sept. 30.

President Barack Obama more in line with international laws and standards, according to senior administration officials cited by CNN. However, the American Civil Liberties Union and the Centre for Constitutional Rights both criticised the administration for what they called institutionalising indefinite

US Army incorporates yoga in training

Washington: The US Army has introduced yoga for the first time in its physical fitness regimen. The changes in its "combat readiness test" are being made as part of an overhaul of its fitness program for the first time in 30 years, the Christian Science Monitor reported quoting Pentagon sources. The training will incorporate the elements of yoga and benefits of rest among other workouts. The new regimen, announced March 1, will be carried out in phases. "There have been all kinds of rumors about what this is and what it isn't. People have said, 'It's yoga-like, it's like Pilates' ... And frankly, it is all those things," the Monitor quoted Gen. Mark Hertling, deputy commanding general for initial military training at the US Army's Training and Doctrine Command, as saying. He pointed out that tough training leads to stress, fractures and other injuries. Hence, the new doctrine extols the virtues of breaks on long marches. This new training is a departure from how the army tests its soldiers.

Philadelphia archbishop suspends 21 priests named in sex report

Philadelphia, PA: The archbishop of Philadelphia has suspended 21 priests connected to allegations of child sex abuse, the latest in a series of actions by the archdiocese to deal with findings in a disturbing grand jury report released last month. The grand jury report accused a monsignor, three priests and a parochial schoolteacher of abusing kids or failing to prevent abuse by others. It also said that as many as 37 priests remained in active ministry with allegations or reports of inappropriate behavior or sexual abuse of minors. Cardinal Justin Rigali said in a statement that he's sorry for the harm done to the victims of sexual abuse and is determined to work for a solution that deals effectively with the issue in the church. Rigali added that he knows many people's trust in the church has been shaken, and that he prays that the efforts of the archdiocese to address these cases and re-evaluate how it handles such allegations will help rebuild that trust in truth and justice. To review the cases of accused priests in active ministry, the archdiocese brought on Gina Maisto Smith, a former Philadelphia assistant district attorney who prosecuted child sexual assault cases. "I conducted, with my team and the assistance of a forensic psychiatrist, the initial review, and I made recommendations to the cardinal based on that initial review, and he accepted those recommendations," she said. Maisto Smith will now lead a team of experts to investigate each of the cases, to determine whether the priests should be returned to ministry or removed. In addition to the 21 priests suspended Tuesday, three others were placed on administrative leave after the report was released in February. The archdiocese says eight priests were not placed on leave because the initial independent examination of the cases found no further investigation is warranted. The archdiocese's move is a "long overdue and welcomed step," says David Clohessy, the executive director of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, or SNAP. But "it's only a very partial first step." "It would be incredibly naive for anybody to think that a mere suspension of these men somehow signifies a new day in the archdiocese," Clohessy says. "Anytime a credibly accused child molester is publicly identified or suspended, kids are safer. However, it's crucial to remember that the grand jury found widespread fault and deceit and recklessness by church officials." But Patrick Wall, a former Roman Catholic priest who is now a canon lawyer in California, says the grand jury report and the moves by the archdiocese mark a historic moment. He says the situation in Philadelphia could have ripple effects on litigation nationwide

"We've only done push-ups, sit-ups and a two-mile run," for the past 30 years, said Hertling, but "none of those address the kinds of things soldiers are asked to do in combat". To address this issue, shuttle runs and long jumps have been added to the fitness program, he said. US Army, the world's most hi-tech force is to introduce yoga to boost "combat readiness" of its troops to prepare them for tough operations globally. This is not the first time that the US Army has turned to yoga since the outbreak of the Gulf war and battle in Afghanistan, the army has been using the ancient Indian meditation art to treat cases of "Post-traumatic Stress Disorders" (PTSD) reported from these battles. Experts said soldiers who took to yoga

had reported remarkable results in suppressing PTSD and mental tensions reported in large number of cases at military bases like Fort Jackson, the official US military website has reported. Alison Thirkield, a clinical psychologist with Joint Mental Health Services said, "Yoga uses meditation, deep relaxation, gentle stretching and breathing to reduce physical, emotional and mental tension. It has been found to be useful in helping people to deal with anxiety caused by traumatic events." "Yoga is a different way of getting in and trying to address these symptoms. Yoga can teach soldiers very concrete relaxation strategies. It's grounded in many of the same principles that therapy is grounded in," Thirkield said.

Indo-US TheSouthAsianTimes.info

11

March 12-18, 2011

Indias growing importance to the US

Why it is imperative that the US work with the Indians to grow their economy and society in a way that harnesses that countrys immense potential and serves American interests.
By Robert O. Blake, Jr. US Assistant Secretary of State (Central and South Asia) lionaires, 5 of whom are in the top 50. Indias GDP is ten times what it was twenty years ago. What was then a closed economy errantly trying to rely on only its own finite resources is now our 14th largest trading partner with the potential to become one of our largest and most diverse commercial allies in the world. Its not only the pace of Indias growth, but how India is growing India has not followed the typical pattern of economic growth, from agrarian-to-industrialized-to-services economy. Instead, its recent economic development has been driven by a technologicallyadvanced services sector, driven by innovation, education and free markets. India is the worlds second fastest-growing major economy today and is projected to become the worlds third largest economy in the year 2025. It will also soon be the worlds most populous country. And it is a young country. At a time when much of the industrialized world faces rapidly declining birthrates, half of Indias population is under the age of 25. India is committed to spending $500 billion by 2012 and investing $1 trillion in India by 2030; private industry estimates Indias need may even exceed these figures. India presents fantastic opportunities for U.S. companies to provide the goods and services needed to build its railroads, airports, power plants, and fiber optic cables to facilitate Indias rise. And U.S. is making it a priority to work with our private sector to give them the opportunities to help meet Indias growing needs. Over the last decade, India became our 14th largest goods trading partner and we exchanged $37.6 billion in goods in 2009. U.S. FDI in India reached $16.1 billion in 2008, a 10.8% increase from 2007. Television shows like Outsourced and the often heated rhetoric on Capitol Hill might lead you to think that Indias tremendous and swift rise as an economic power has come at the expense of American jobs. The numbers, however, show otherwise and speak to increasingly balanced trade and investment relations between the U.S. and India. During the Presidents visit to India in November, trade deals were announced that exceeded $14.9 billion in total value with $9.5 billion in U.S. export content, supporting over 50,000 U.S. jobs. And India is a notable source of FDI into the US -- $4.5 billion in 2008, up 60% from the previous year. The Opportunity I think it is safe to predict that Americans will enjoy progressively greater interconnectivity with the entire Asian continent. Already we are seeing that joint medical and technology advances can be shared by Americans and Indians together, the product of joint collaboration and support from our private sector firms, as well as our governments. On trips to Mumbai or Delhi, Im often astounded at how many U.S. citizens live and work across myriad sectors; likewise, go into any corporate boardroom or small business here and the likelihood youll see an Indian American in an important role is ever growing. From the small-and-medium enterprises to the Fortune 500 companiesall are eager to reap the mutual benefits of new ideas and new markets. And weve expanded our diplomacyopening the doors to new areas of collaboration between our two governments. The U.S. Trade Representatives Trade Policy Forum encompasses a number of sector-specific dialogues, Commerces Commercial Dialogue facilitates an open dialogue about trade, and the High Technology Cooperation Group has enabled both governments to significantly reduce barriers to trade in sensitive, cutting-edge high technology. Our two governments also created in 2005 the U.S.-India CEO Forum, which comprises ten selected CEOs from both countries, who have developed a road map and set of recommendations for further reforms to the US President and the Prime Minister of India. If we take a step back and think about the foundations we are laying now for our future cooperation in the key areas I have talked about, it is clear that building a strong economic plank is necessary in building a strategic partnership for the future. We have strong foundations to build on. We envision a relationship where together both countries capitalize on our complementary strengths as knowledge and innovation hubs, to expand opportunities for engagement between our private sectors, academia, and scientific and research communities.

early 70 years ago, President Roosevelt identified the four essential human freedoms: freedom from fear; freedom of speech and expression; freedom of every person to worship in his or her own way; and freedom from want. These fundamental freedoms underpin our society; they also function as catalysts for social, economic, and political progress. While these values have existed in India since its independence, Indias progress in each of these areas is becoming increasingly apparent to the world at large. India shares our commitment to pluralism, religious liberty, universal education and the promotion of innovation and free enterprise. Indeed our mutual commitment to these freedoms animates our global strategic partnership and provides us with the energy and the courage to build a better world together. I have been privileged to help advance the US-India partnership since 2003. One of the most striking assets our relations enjoy is bipartisan support in both of our countries. That has helped drive significant progress over the last decade, from President Clintons landmark visit in 2000, to the civil nuclear deal negotiated by the Bush Administration. President Obama and Secretary Clinton came into office determined to take US-India relations to the next level. They have done so through the establishment of the first Strategic Dialogue between our two countries, chaired by Secretary Clinton and her counterpart External Affairs Minister SM Krishna, and through President Obamas landmark visit to India last November. President Obamas trip will be remembered as a watershed, when the U.S. and India embarked for the first time on concrete initiatives to develop our global strategic partnership. I would like to provide the context for Indias growing economic importance to the U.S., Asia and the world, and describe why it is imperative that we work with the Indians to grow their economy and society in a way that harnesses that countrys immense potential and serves American interests. President Obama in India The Presidents India trip produced a number of significant new milestones that show how the US and India are working together to advance global peace, security and development and illustrate why President Obama believes our rela-

President Obama during his successful India visit with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. tions with India constitute an indispensable partnership for the 21stcentury. The big headline-maker was, of course, the President's endorsement of a reformed United Nations that includes India as a permanent member. This reflects our confidence that it is a country with which we will be working ever more closely to advance global security and prosperity. During the trip, the Indian government positioned itself to take on a leading role in enhancing global stability by finalizing a $4.1 billion sale for ten C-17 Globemaster III heavy lift transport aircraft. Once all the aircraft have been delivered, India will have the second largest C-17 fleet in the world behind the US a highly visible manifestation of the defense partnership between the two. Indeed, the President and Prime Minister agreed that in this increasingly inter-dependent world, the stability of, and our access to, the air, sea, space, and cyberspace domains is vital for the security and economic prosperity of all nations. They therefore agreed to launch a dialogue to explore ways we can work together, as well as with other countries, to develop a shared vision for these critical domains to promote peace, security and development. As we promote peace and security, there is no more important challenge than that of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. We took several important steps forward in that regard. The India Model The changing nature of our engagement with India is a tribute to the hard work in both our governments and our private sectors, but it also reflects a fundamental transformation in the world around us. Weve moved from a transatlantic century to a transpacific century in which the rise of Asia has already started to define the 21st century. India of course plays a critical role in Asias ascent. It is no coincidence that other large Asia-Pacific democracies -Japan, Australia, and South Korea - are also engaging more closely with New Delhi and cooperating more systematically on security issues. And it is no coincidence that the President began his trip of four Asian democracies with a three-day stay in India. It is natural for India to "look East," where its soft power -- long visible everywhere from the temples of Angkor Wat and Bali to the global reach of Bollywood -- is increasingly complemented by its economic power. Widening economic interests have reinforced India's readiness to share responsibility for securing Asia, for safeguarding the sea and air routes on which much of the global economy depends. And it is very much in the American interest for India to build on this role in the years ahead. Indeed, there is growing recognition and appreciation of what some might call the India model. Former National Economic Council Director Larry Summers in a speech last October praised the idea of a democratic developmental state, driven not by a mercantilist emphasis on exports, but a people-centered emphasis on growing levels of consumptions and a widening middle class. This India an India that has begun its extraordinary rise while embracing the humanity of Mahatma Gandhi and the many attributes of a diverse, pluralistic democracy -- today grows 8-9% annually, boasts unique and worldclass industries, and is home to two of the top five richest people in the world. Forbes included 49 Indians in its 2010 list of the worlds bil-

Excerpts from Robert O. Blakes address at Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY

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All eyes on Arjun Singh's autobiography

Bhopal: With Congress leader Arjun Singh passing away, people are now awaiting his autobiography which he was working on when he died on March 4. The autobiography, tentatively titled "A Grain of Sand in the Ocean of Time," was to have been 500-odd pages thick -- and would have told secrets that he had kept to himself all his life. Informed sources said Arjun Singh, a former governor of Punjab and three times chief minister of Madhya Pradesh, was in the process of revising the manuscript when he took ill on Jan 29. He had planned the autobiography to be released in May this year. Now it is up to his legal heirs to take the final decision. Congress leaders accord considerable importance to whatever Arjun Singh would want to say -- they know he knew a lot. Throughout his over five decades in politics, Arjun Singh was considered a "politician among politicians". He was Congress vice-president when Rajiv Gandhi was the prime minister. As Punjab governor, he was credited with sewing up the historic pact between Gandhi and Akali leader Harchand Singh Longowal executive Warren Anderson. But he did not disclose on whose directive he allowed Anderson to leave Bhopal -- and India. "Singh was a respectable person but the people of Bhopal will always be upset with him for not revealing certain facts related to the gas tragedy," said Abdul Jabbar, convener of Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Udyog Sangathan. Singh was also the unofficial No.2 in the P.V. Narasimha Rao cabinet. When the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) rode to power in 2004, many supporters of Arjun Singh privately questioned the selection of "apolitical" Manmohan Singh as the prime minister. Between 2004 and 2009, Arjun Singh found himself increasingly marginalized in the cabinet and in the Congress. He was dropped from an informal "core committee" that used to meet every Friday. By the time the UPA returned to power in 2009, he found no place in the new cabinet. "The book is complete and only printing is left. It will certainly reveal the untouched part of Arjun Singh's life and bring out several secrets," close aide Akbar Mohammad Khan said.

President Pratibha Devisingh Patil laying wreath at the mortal remains of Arjun Singh, the former Union Minister, in New Delhi. in 1985. He was chief minister of Madhya Pradesh during the Bhopal gas tragedy that killed thousands. After the verdict by the Bhopal district court in 2010, Arjun Singh admitted providing safe passage to Union Carbide chief

Conspiracy against Rahul: Congress

Congress spokesperson Jayanthi Natarajan said a heinous conspiracy was hatched to destroy the political career of the Gandhi scion and demanded that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) should identify those responsible. "The plot is based on lies proliferated in the public domain and on the internet since 2006... The Congress demands the CBI should identify the original culprits responsible for hatching this plot and all those people and institutions responsible for this conspiracy be punished," she said. The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court Monday fined a petitioner Rs.50 lakh for falsely accusing Rahul Gandhi of gangrape of a girl in his Amethi parliamentary constituency. The court also directed the state government to probe the controversy in order to ascertain if there was a political conspiracy behind the petition. The order followed appearance of the alleged victim before the court, where she vehemently denied the allegation.

Govt fudging figures to fool people: BJP

New Delhi: The government faced a lot of flak from the opposition parties over inflation, corruption and illegal money stashed abroad, apart from what they called "fudging" of figures in the budget proposals to "fool" people. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Murli Manohar Joshi, who initiated the debate on the budget in the Lok Sabha, lashed out at Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on his fiscal prudence. He said the government had no money for non-planned expenditure even as the cost of essential commodities and oil prices were spiraling. Pointing out that the budget proposed a fiscal deficit of 5.1 percent, down from 5.5 percent this fiscal, Joshi said this would be achieved through sale of 3G spectrum and not due to effective management of expenditure. "But what would happen next year when you will not have such high revenue," Joshi asked Mukherjee, who was found smiling. "The government is only trying to fool the aam aadmi (common man). There is fudging of figures," he said. Joshi said the economic model of "the West or the IMF" should not be blindly followed in India and that the country needed an indigenous model to meet its needs. "Concession to the rich and robbing the poor seems to be your policy," he charged. Asking the government to focus on agriculture, rural development, tribals and women, the senior BJP leader said the finance minister's proposals on customs duty cut for gold and diamond would only benefit the rich and the corporate. Joshi alleged that the government did nothing for the birth anniversary

Rahul Gandhi. New Delhi: The Congress welcomed the verdict by the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court which imposed a fine on a petitioner for falsely accusing the party's general secretary Rahul Gandhi of gangrape in his Amethi constituency.

BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi. celebrations of Bengal Chemicals founder P.C. Ray though it has allocated money for 150th anniversary celebrations of Rabindranath Tagore. "This must be because Ray favored nationalist thinking and Hindu culture," he said. Mukherjee was quick on his feet to note that the government had already given funds to Bengal Chemicals in this regard. Congress's Sandeep Dikshit, who started the debate on behalf of the ruling party, tried to counter Joshi's arguments, noting that the 8.6 percent growth rate was due to fiscal management of the government despite the global economic crisis. Dismissing Joshi's charge that 3G spectrum sale had increased the government's revenue, Dikshit said the higher revenue was also due to efficient tax collections. Samajwadi Party's Akhilesh Yadav, taking potshots at the Congress, said the party that ruled the country for most part of the 63 years since Independence had failed farmers and the poor. "Why is there a 'rich India' and 'poor India' in the country after so many years," he asked.

UDF victory predicted in Kerala

Thiruvananathapuram: An opinion survey conducted by Asianet TV and C-FOR, a research organization, predicted a victory for the Congressled United Democratic Front in Kerala. Kerala goes to polls on April 13 to elect 140 legislators. The survey predicted 77 to 87 seats for the UDF, which will get a 43 percent vote share, and 53 seats to 63 seats for the ruling Left Democratic Front, which will get 39 percent votes. The highlight of the survey was that the Bharatiya Janata party and others are likely to get up to 5 percent seats. Anchoring the TV program was its chief T.N. Gopakumar who said this was based on a survey done between Feb 27 and March 7 in 200 towns and 600 villages. Another interesting observation in the survey was that Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan was the most preferred chief minister with 32 percent votes in his favor, followed by leader of opposition Oommen Chandy with 27 percent. Defence

Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan.

Minister A.K. Antony came third with 17 percent votes. The opinion survey also found that 18 percent of those surveyed were yet to decide on whom to vote for.

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Congress, DMK reach consensus

New Delhi/Chennai: After a three-day tense drama that triggered a major crisis for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Tamil Nadu's ruling DMK finally allowed the Congress to contest 63 of the 234 seats in next month's assembly elections. After suddenly ending seven years of support to the Manmohan Singh government over the Congress insistence on fighting from 63 constituencies instead of 60 as desired by DMK, the two parties announced an equally dramatic truce capping days of secret negotiations. Congress leader and central Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, the party in charge of Tamil Nadu, made the announcement as DMK central ministers M.K. Azhagiri -- elder son of Tamil Nadu's Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi -- and Dayanidhi Maran looked on. "The Congress will be contesting 63 seats. Now we have unanimously come to the conclusion that ... the alliance will work together," a beaming Azad told reporters in New Delhi. "We will ensure that entire alliance is back to power. This is a winning alliance," interests. Addressing a function where around 3,000 cadres of DMDK joined his party, he said the party has accepted the Congress' demand for the extra seats in the larger interests of the state and following the policy of give and take. Terming it an "happy day" for them, he expressed confidence that the alliance partners would fight the polls with renewed vigor so as to win again. Karunanidhi lauded alliance partners PMK and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) for sacrificing one seat each for the Congress. The third seat will come out of the DMK's share. He also criticized a section of the media for trying to create a wedge between the two long-time allies. Naturally, Azad gave due credit to Tamil Nadu's smaller parties. "Apart from DMK and Congress, there is PMK, there is VCK, and Muslim League. So all put together, this is a winning alliance," said Azad, who had cancelled a scheduled meeting in Chennai with Karunanidhi over the weekend amid escalating tensions. The DMK was then willing to give only 60 seats to the Congress.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi with Congress president Sonia Gandhi. Azad added. Azhagiri, who played a key role in ensuring that the DMK-Congress marriage continued, echoed his sentiments. He did not go into details. In Chennai, Karunanidhi said his party has made a sacrifice in the alliance's larger

PM accepts responsibility on CVC

New Delhi: Triggering a new controversy, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said former minister of state for personnel and training Prithviraj Chavan (currently Maharashtra chief minister) had prepared the file on the controversial ex-bureaucrat P.J. Thomas for selection as chief vigilance commissioner (CVC). "...Was I aware of the charge-sheet against Shri Thomas, the honest answer is that the notes which were prepared by the department and these notes are prepared under the guidance of the minister of state in charge of the DoPT (department of personnel and training), that note did not contain this information," Manmohan Singh said in the Rajya Sabha, after making a statement on the issue. Reiterating that "there was a error of judgment", the prime minister said he took "full responsibility" and was "accountable" for the decision. Leader of Opposition Arun Jaitley and Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) member Sitaram Yechury argued that whoever was responsible for the clearance of Thomas's name should be made accountable. "As in charge of department of personnel and training (DoPT), I accept responsibility and I am accountable," the prime minister said. "I did became aware of this case only when the honorable leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha (Sushma Swaraj) raised this issue in the meeting itself and this is where I find that since Thomas had been appointed chief secretary of the government of Kerala, secretary of the government of India, all legitimate vigilance handles must have been completed and that's why we went ahead with the selection process," he said. "As far as the responsibility for the preparation of that came, it came through normal channels and it came with the approval of the minister of state, department of personal and training... I was not aware of any irregularity

Hasan Ali in ED custody

Mumbai: Vada paav and ordinary tap water... it was a long way from luxury and home for Pune-based stud farm owner Hasan Ali Khan, who was Tuesday remanded to the Enforcement Directorate's custody for a day. Khan, who is said to have stashed away $8 billion (Rs.36,000 crore) abroad and is allegedly India's biggest tax defaulter, was produced before Principal Sessions judge M.L. Tahaiyani, who adjourned the case on jurisdictional issues and remanded him to a day's custody of the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The ED and other agencies investigating the money laundering racket are also likely to open some bank lockers in his presence in Mumbai. This was the second time Khan was raided, the previous one being in January 2007. Recently, the ED issued summons to him to appear before it March 10 while he was quizzed

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said Prithviraj Chavan, currently Maharashtra chief minister, had prepared the file on P.J. Thomas for selection as chief vigilance commissioner. and that too of corruption," he added. Pushing for making accountable whoever was responsible for pushing Thomas' name, Jaitley said: "The independence and integrity of CVC is of utmost importance. The only intention is that this institution of CVC is strengthened so that this kind of errors are not repeated." Earlier, the prime minister, reading out from a written statement, reiterated that "there has been an error of judgment on our part" in the selection of Thomas, whose appointment was last week stuck down by the Supreme Court. Appointed in September 2010 as the CVC by a majority decision of a three-member selection panel, Thomas, a Kerala-cadre Indian Administrative Service officer, had been charge-sheeted in a corruption case in the import of palm oil in the 1990s when he was serving in Kerala.

Pune-based stud farm owner Hasan Ali Khan is said to have stashed away $8 billion abroad. by the Income Tax Department last month in connection with notices served to him in December 2008. The ED has also issued look-out notices against Khan to ensure he does not flee the country.

No interference in 2G probe: Ministry

New Delhi: Refuting the allegations of interference in 2G spectrum allocation scam probe, the finance ministry said Tuesday it had never instructed the director of enforcement "to scuttle investigations". "It is categorically denied that any such instruction has either been given by anyone in finance minister's office to the director of enforcement or that such instruction has been passed down by the director of enforcement to any officer dealing with the 2G scam," the ministry said in a statement. Reports in a section of media said that an officer from the finance minister's office has instructed the Director of Enforcement "to scuttle investigations" into the spectrum allocation scam. "The allegation is totally baseless and without foundation, since this investigation is being done jointly by the CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) and the Directorate of Enforcement under the close and regular supervision of the Supreme Court," it said.

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March 12-18, 2010

New Delhi: The sellout crowd at the Ferozeshah Kotla Stadium in the Capital was out to have fun turning up in colorful clothes, fancy wigs and dancing on the aisles. Dont blame them if they left with some discontent despite the satisfaction of virtually sealing a quarterfinal berth. The laborious victory against Ireland could be accepted on the pretext that the team had an average day. But another wobbly batting display against another minor side like the Netherlands left a sour taste in the mouth. Its true that the Dutch were never in the game after India broke a promising opening partnership and kept them under control except for some late slogging from captain Peter Borren. Despite slipping to 99 for four while chasing, India didnt look like losing. The brisk start provided by Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag took care of the asking rate and the runs put on by the first two partnerships ensured that the target was never a concern either. But winning such matches is not an end in itself. How they come also matter. Even if one treats the Irish experience as an aberration,the none-too-convincing ride past the Dutch was unexpected. A team boasting of some of the most feared batsmen in the world shouldnt see the top and middle order disappear in the matter of minutes against inexperienced side. India had a chance to better their net run rate by the start provided

A convincing win eludes India

Chawla needs more practice: Dhoni

New Delhi: Despite Piyush Chawlas poor performance in the World Cup matches, skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni decided to go ahead with the leg spinner in the match against the Netherlands. The decision to continue with Chawla and not pick up off spinner R. Ashwin has surprised many. What was more surprising was Dhonis saying that leg-spinner Piyush Chawla needed more match practice and therefore retained his place in the team. Dhoni said Ashwin is mentally strong but Chawla needs confidence. Even in the last match against Ireland, when most of the Indian bowlers had an impressive outing, Piyush Chawla stood out in stark contrast. There has been a huge clamor over skipper Dhonis preference to the leg-spin of Chawla than the off-spinner R Ashwin. Chawlas inclusion in the squad for the World Cup in itself was a big surprise, with the 22-year-old not having played a single ODI in India while remaining completely off the radar until last month. But then he was picked for the South African sojourn earlier this year, enough indication that he was going to be part of the Cup team though it was baffling considering Ashwin has been an integral part of the team for a while now. However, Chawla, other than a four-wicket haul performance against Australia in the warm-up game here, has failed to deliver. Even veteran Indian spinner Anil Kumble wrote in his article, that India needed to bench Piyush Chawla, who had another poor game against Ireland. He bowled far too short and the Irish batsmen took full advantage.

Yuvraj Singhs all-round performance has kept Indian middle order in shape. by the openers. But the fact that they were forced into a repair job against a novice attack didnt exactly cover the batsmen in glory. This was their chance to rattle up some confident runs and be in the best frame of mind before tougher challenges ahead. Instead, there could be doubts when they take guard against Dale Steyn in Nagpur on Saturday. We were under a bit of pressure, said MS Dhoni. Coming the previous match, where we were 100 for four, you can again say that this was a bad situation to be in. On the positive side, it gave some of our batsmen a chance to bat under pressure. This should stand them in good stead. Dhoni had a point. How his batsmen use this experience will determine the destiny of a billion dreams.

The decision to continue with Piyush Chawla and not pick up off spinner R. Ashwin has surprised many.

Celebrity fan Sudhir a hit at Kotla

of Pakistan as a cheer leader, but Sudhir Kumar Chaudhary is fast getting noticed as Indias cricket mascot. Sudhir, 26, has his body painted in the colors of the Indian tricolor and has the legend Sachin Tendulkar embossed on his back. He travels with the Indian cricket team and is being treated as the official cheerleader like his Sri Lankan and Pakistani counterparts. Abeysekara, 74, goes globe-trotting

Sudhir Kumar Chaudhary. New Delhi: He may not have yet attained the celebrity status of Sri Lankan Percy Abeysekara Chaudhury Abdul Jalil or Chacha

with the Sri Lankan team courtesy a fund created, among others, by Muttiah Muralitharans manager, while Jalil Chacha, 63, gets a monthly stipend from the Pakistan Cricket Board and also travel expenses to go with the team overseas. Sudhir, who hails from Muzaffarpur district of Bihar, is wellknown among the cricketers and has been following the team in the World Cup since the inaugural match against Bangladesh. He traveled all the way to Dhaka on a cycle to cheer the team.

New Delhi: Security has been stepped up across India, particularly in states hosting the World Cup cricket, following warnings of possible terror attacks by the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). According to official sources, the Intelligence Bureau has sent out advisories that the Pakistan-based LeT, blamed for the 2008 Mumbai attack, may be planning to strike during the cricket tournament jointly hosted by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Indias coastal states have been asked to take steps to detect any attempt by terrorists to sneak into India, said an official familiar with the

Terror shadow on World Cup

letter sent to the state governments. The sources said that the Intelligence Bureau had intercepted LeT messages discussing dates and timings of the matches being played in India. They said that the terrorists were planning to enter India through the sea - the way the 10 Pakistanis landed in Mumbai for their horrific three-day mayhem that killed 166 Indians and foreigners. Apart from the advisories, Home Secretary G.K. Pillai is said to have spoken to police chiefs and chief secretaries of states hosting the World Cup matches, the sources said.

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England choke Proteas

Chennai: England, in a seemingly hopeless position after being bundled out for 171, snatched a dramatic six-run victory against South Africa in a crucial Group B fixture here on March 6 to keep their hopes alive in the cricket World Cup. The South Africans, cruising at 63 for no loss at one stage, suffered a middle-order collapse and were eventually all out for 165 in 47.4 overs. Fast bowler Stuart Broad (4-15) gave England hope, dismissing Hashim Amla and veteran Jacques Kallis, reducing South Africa to 82/3. Ab de Villiers (25), with two centuries in this World Cup, and Francois du Plessis put on 42 runs and South Africa looked safe. But seamer James Anderson (216) changed the course of the match with two beautiful swinging deliveries to rattle the stumps of de Villiers and Jean Paul Duminy. In between Du Plessis was run out. All three wickets fell at 124 and England roared back

Double blow to the English

Chennai/Chittagong: The England team has received a double blow within three days, as players Kevin Pietersen and Stuart Broad have been ruled out of the World Cup. Pietersen had to leave for home on March 7 following a hernia condition. The star batsman's hernia problem surfaced during the tournament, but England's medical team thought the surgery could be postponed till after the World Cup. Pietersen was, however, struggling in the match against South Africa which England won by six runs. A relook by the medical team indicated that the surgery need to be done immediately to avoid further complications. An English Cricket Board (ECB) release confirmed Broad's injury and resultant departure on March 8. "Tests have confirmed the 24-year-old has a side strain

James Anderson bowled AB de Villiers with a stunning delivery to revive England's fortunes against South Africa at the crucial Group B match in Chennai on March 6. into the match. wicket, eventually stumbled at In their chase, the Proteas were the finish. as unconvincing and despite a England, reeling under a huge rearguard fight by wicketkeeper loss against Ireland in Bangalore, Morne van Wyk (13) and tail- won their second match in four ender Dale Steyn (20), who outings and took their tally to added 33 runs for the eighth five.

Kevin Pietersen. that will require him to return to the UK for treatment. He will leave the England squad, currently based in Chittagong ahead of Friday's Group B match against Bangladesh, in the next 48 hours for further assessment in the UK that will determine his recovery and rehabilitation timescale.

Pak survives Canada scare

Colombo: At one stage, it seemed that Canada would pull off the biggest upset of the 2011 World Cup but they only flattered to deceive as Pakistani captain Shahid Afridi's fivewicket haul saw his side to a 46-run victory in a lowscoring World Cup Group A match at the R.Premedasa Stadium here on March 3. C a n a d a Shahid Afridi overjoyed after taking a wicket in a Group A match against Canada on March 3. raised hopes of creating an For Canada, Jimmy Hansra was upset for the second consecutive the top scorer with 43 off 75 balls day in the tournament when they that included four fours and a six. were 104 for four in 33.3 overs Zubin Surkari shipped in with 27 while chasing Pakistan's modest off 67 balls. 184 all out. But Afridi ran Afridi described his team's poor through the batting order as batting show as a wake-up call. Canada lost six wickets for just It is a wake-up call for us. We 34 runs. gave a poor performance with the Afridi conceded only 23 runs bat and need to improve, he for his five wickets as Canada added. were bowled out for 138 in 42.5 Ashish Bagai, the Canadian overs. Afridi was also adjudged captain, said that his team was as the Man of the Match as disappointed to lose after giving Pakistan won its third consecu- an impressive performance in the tive match in the mega event. first half of the match.

BRIEF NEWS
Proteas thrash the Dutch
Mohali: It turned out to be a perfect outing for South Africa as they hammered the Netherlands by 231 runs to notch up their second win in the World Cup on March 3. Chasing 352 for victory was always going to be tough for the Netherlands. But they couldn't put up even a semblance of a fight, and were bundled out for just 120. South Africa's new find Imran Tahir picked up three wickets in early finish. Earlier, Hashim Amla and AB De Villiers, who occupy the top two rungs in the ICC's ODI rankings, shared a 221-run partnership to help South Africa overcome a slow start and post a formidable total of 351. AB De Villiers smashed his way to 100 off 88 balls in a Group B match against the Netherlands on March 3.

two overs to mop up the tail to bring the lopsided contest to an

Kiwis beat Zimbabwe by 10 wickets

Ahmedabad: New Zealand beat Zimbabwe by 10 wickets in their World Cup Group A match at the Sardar Patel Stadium in Motera, Ahmedabad, on March 4. Barring experienced opener Brendan Taylor, who top scored with 44 (57 balls, 4x4) and rearguard action from Prosper Utseya (36) and Graeme Cremer (22), the top-order batsmen put up an insipid show to leave Zimbabwe tottering at 89 for 7 after 27 overs on a strip that was good for batting. Zimbabweans added 40 runs for the last two wickets as New Zealand were left to score the runs at an asking rate of 3.26.

Daniel Vettori derailed Zimbabwe with two strikes in his opening over in a Group A match in Ahmedabad, on March 4.

Canada edge out Kenya

New Delhi: Canada tasted success in a World Cup match for just the second time in their history as Jimmy Hansra's 70 led them past Kenya by five wickets here on March 7. Chasing a modest but tricky 199, Canada were propelled by a century fourth-wicket stand between Hansra (70) and captain Ashish Bagai (64 not out), as they reached their target comfortably with 27 balls to spare at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium. The contest hung in the balance at 48 for three in the 12th over but Hansra and Bagai rode their luck in adding 132 from 191 balls in a carefully constructed partnership, ensuring Canada's first win in a World Cup since they beat Bangladesh in 2003. Jimmy Hansra hits a six during a Group A match against Kenya on March 7.

ICC Cricket World Cup TheSouthAsianTimes.info

17

March 12-18, 2011

Kiwis crush Pakistan by 110 runs

Pallekele (Sri Lanka): Sensational batting by birthday boy Ross Taylor and Jacob Oram, coupled with disciplined bowling, saw New Zealand crush Pakistan by 110 runs and roar back into the World Cup here on March 8. Taylor (131 off 124 balls) and Oram (25 off nine balls) mauled Pakistan in the last 10 overs which cost them 139 runs as New Zealand raced to 302/7 in 50 overs at the picturesque Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, which was staging its first match. Pakistan, who has had a good tournament so far, were never in the hunt and lost wickets as they went for shots. They were reeling at 6/66 before Umar Akmal (38) Abdul Razzaq (62) and Umar Gul (34 not out) tried to make a match of it, but it was too late. Kyle Mills (2-43), Tim Southee (3-25), Nathan McCullum (2-28) and Scot Styris (217) all chipped in with wickets. New Zealand, who had slumped to a huge defeat against Australia, made a big statement. The victory took them to the top of the table with six points. Pakistan, who were riding high after beating Sri Lanka, are in second place, also on six points. Pakistan were going strong even on this day before Taylor and Oram changed the course of the match in the death overs. New Zealand were 180/5 in 43 overs. At that time, even a score of 240 seemed fine for

Ross Taylor is pumped after hard-hitting his way to a century in a Group A match against Pakistan in Pallekele on March 8. the Kiwis. The last four overs went for a staggering 92 runs. It was breathtaking batting. Taylor brought the stands of the stadium down, smashing seven sixes and eight fours. Not to be left behind, Oram joined the party with three powerful strikes clearing the boundary. Afridi, the tournament's most successful

Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi was bowled by Jacob Oram for 17. bowler, went for two sixes. The first one was struck by McCullum (19) and the second by Taylor. Shaoib Akhtar was then taken to the cleaners by Taylor. The pacer was hit for 28 runs -4, 6, 6 (1w), 0, 4, (1w), 6. Taylor, who turned 27 Tuesday, appeared shaky when he came to the crease. But he was completely unstoppable in the final overs as he continuously hit the ball out of the park. Apart from Gul and Afridi, neither of Pakistan's bowlers could really threaten New Zealand, which lost to Australia by seven wickets before bouncing back to record a 10wicket win over minnows Zimbabwe.

India must play Nehra: Dravid

West Indies slaughter Bangladesh

19 overs. Roach was the first one to cause the damage when he claimed the wicket of the dangerous Bangladeshi opener Tamim Iqbal for a golden duck in the first over. Iqbal edged a quick delivery from Roach to second slip where Darren Sammy accepted a simple catch. Another top order batsman to depart without opening his account was Mushfiqur Rahim who departed in the sixth over after he lofted the first ball of Sammy's over straight to Ramnaresh Sarwan at short mid-wicket. This was just after opener Imrul Kayes (5) had nicked one from Sammy to Thomas in the 4th over and Bangladesh were now reeling at 25-3. From there on, things turned real ugly as Bangladesh's sole hope Junaid Siddique (24) was caught LBW by Roach in the 9th over. Once Siddique got out, the Bangladeshi innings folded in a heap with the remaining batsmen making only 22 runs in about 10 overs. It was Roach's explosive bowling that won the day for West Indies and earned him the 'Man of the Match' award for his 3-19 in six overs. West Indies didn't have any trouble chasing down the paltry total of 59 . Bangladesh tried different bowling tactics to make something happen but West Indies openers Devon Smith and Chris Gayle went about their business calmly, dispatching loose deliveries to the boundaries.

Ashish Nehra has not been included in the playing XI because of fitness issues. New Delhi: Former India cricket captain Rahul Dravid feels paceman Ashish Nehra should be a part of the team in the ongoing World Cup if he is fit as he has got the experience of bowling at the death. I would have definitely played Ashish Nehra if he was fit as he has got the experience of playing in the World Cup and also has the ability. He has got a good experience of bowling at the death overs, said Dravid. The experienced left-arm pacer from Delhi, who is an important wicket-taking bowler with genuine swing-bowling capabilities, has not been included in the playing XI because of fitness issues. Dravid, however, said it is still early in the tournament and there is enough time for the team to get into the rhythm. This is just the early part of the tournament and there is no need to get too concerned. In fact, the parttimers are doing well on these subcontinental conditions. The others can also do very well on these tracks and also have a scope to improve, said Dravid after inaugurating the Castrol Cricket Performance Centre here on March 8.

Kemar Roach made inroads straight away, snagging Tamim Iqbal for a duck before getting the innings' top scorer, Junaid Siddique, for 25. Dhaka: Bangladesh's hope of making it to the quarter final suffered a big blow when they suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of the West Indies. Bangladesh won the toss and opted to bat on a pitch they were so familiar with. But a superior bowling display from the West Indians saw Bangladesh crash to their lowest ever World Cup score after they were bowled out for 58 in 18.5 overs here on March 4. Sulieman Benn, Kemar Roach and Darren Sammy brushed aside the Bangladeshi batting lineup in just

Rain ruins Sri Lanka-Oz match

Colombo: The World Cup Group A match between Sri Lanka and Australia here on March 5 was called off due to rain. Sri Lanka were 146 for three in 32.5 overs with captain Kumar Sangakkara on 73 and Thilan Samaraweera at 34 when rain intervened and the players had to leave the ground. Play was not possible thereafter and the capacity crowd at R. Premadasa Stadium returned home disappointed. Sri Lanka chose to bat after winning the toss but were in trouble as they lost early wickets. Both teams will share one The Sri Lanka-Australia match on March 5 ended after just 32.5 overs due to heavy rain. point each from the match.

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Travel & Wildlife TheSouthAsianTimes.info

March 12-18, 2011

Global destinations woo Indian tourists

India is one of the fastest-growing outbound travel markets in the world
By Raj Kumar Sharma

he growing image of Indians as globetrotters has prompted even lesser known economies to show interest in the booming Indian tourism market. Countries such as Tanzania, Philippines and Uzbekistan, which do not figure on the top 10 outbound tourist destinations for Indians, are now jumping the bandwagon by organizing travel shows, offering discount coupons and promoting cultural links. "We want more Indians to visit Philippines. Last year, only 34,800 Indians came to our country. We feel the booming Indian economy can be a boon for our tourism industry," says Glen Agustin, Chief Tourism Operations of Philippines in India. We plan to extend Visa on Arrival facility for Indian tourists in next six months," he adds. Many such countries are approaching Indian tourism experts to attract tourists and tap the market to the potential. "Around ten countries which are not so popular among Indian outbound tourists have contacted us to showcase their tourist

Island hopping near Mactan Island, Cebu, Philippines. potential in front of local consumers," says Sanjiv Agarwal, organizer, Travel and Tourism Fair and Outbound Travel Mart. The increasing purchasing power of the Indian middle class along with their willingness to spend on adventures has attracted these countries to approach us, he adds. There is no direct flight from India to Philippines but Philippine Airlines is starting one from March 27 between New Delhi and Manila. The existing indirect connections with long stopovers result in trips lasting 14 to 30 hours. However, with the direct service, travel time will be shortened to just six-and-a half hours. "The cost of traveling to our country will come down after this flight. We expect more than 50 per cent rise in Indian tourists after this," says Agustin. India is one of the fastest-grow-

ing outbound travel markets in the world. World Tourism Organization has predicted that India will account for 50 million outbound tourists by 2020. Singapore, USA, Malaysia, Thailand and Dubai continue to attract Indian tourists. Seeing the huge potential for future, travel agencies from Tanzania and Uzbekistan are trying to highlight their cultural relations with India and strike a chord with Indian tourists. Tanzania is the second East African economic powerhouse after Kenya and it has already launched a new tourism promotion blitz dubbed - "think Asia" with an eye to diversify its tourist sources. "We started promoting ourselves in India last year. There has been 50 per cent increase in Indian tourists coming to our country. Indians are peaceful travelers and spend with open heart," says Lukiza Makubo, marketing manager of ML Tours and Safaris Ltd, Tanzania. He says due to Mahatma Gandhi, Indian culture is very popular in African continent and after global slowdown, its good time to promote Tanzanian

tourism in India. "Indian films are popular in our country. Shah Rukh Khan, Abhishek and Aishwarya are very popular. It would be good to get more Indians to visit our country. Indian government does not issue travel advisories frequently, unlike western countries," says Makubo. A total of 11.07 million Indian tourists visited other countries in 2009. The number is expected to grow and reach 15 million this year.Another country looking to have a share in Indian tourism market is Uzbekistan. The country was formed after disintegration of Soviet Union in 1991, but Indian culture has been popular there earlier as well. "Three years ago, only 300 Indians visited our country. Last year, it went up to 10,000. Indians do not know much about our country and we are making efforts to promote ourselves," says Nargiza, marketing manager of Sogda Tour. "70 per cent Uzbeks watch Indian films and all the Khans are very popular. Its just a threehour flight from Delhi and a tourist will have a great time visiting our historical cities," she says.

Goodbye, Tiger Man

By Prakash Bhandari/SATimes e loved the forests as much as the tigers. Fateh Singh Rathore, who died of cancer at Ranbthambhore, the worlds biggest centre for tiger conservation, had settled near the tiger sanctuary, 160 km from Jaipur. This was after his retirement as the first Field Director of the Ranthambhore Tiger Project. Rathore attained fame for launching the tiger conservation program in Rajasthans Ranthambhore when it was found that the tiger population had dwindled all over the world. Tigers have been the target of the shikari royals who gunned them down. This went on till 1971 when the Indian government introduced the Wildlife Protection Act prohibiting killing of any wildlife. The tigers in Ranthambhore forests also suffered as the poachers would kill them for small gains as the tiger skin and their teeth commanded a good price in the market. When late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was convinced by the tiger guru Kailash Sankhla, a Rajasthan forest official who also served as Delhi zoo director, the need for saving the tiger in India, the first conservation program was started in Ranthambhore, the biggest tigers

Wildlife conservationist Fateh Singh Rathore, and (right) visitors sight a tiger at Ranthambhore National Park in Rajasthan, the tiger conservation program launched by him. sanctuary in the country. Sankhla With the people gone, nature enjoy a rare rapport with the tigers. chose Rathore as the field director responded beautifully. Not just the He was taught wildlife photograof the project, even though he knew tiger, all the animals that had been phy by Sankhla and another wildlife nothing about tiger conservation. In driven out by humans years ago expert M Krishnan. He would move fact, while posted at Ranthambhore, returned. in the forest with his camera and Rahtor had organized a tiger hunt Rathore would see pugmarks on captured exquisite shots of tigers on for the Duke of Edinburgh and when morning drives and even came his camera, which went into his the Queens husband shot dead a across tigers roaming during the day three books! He also set up a fountiger, he celebrated the event. while he thought the tigers were dation for tiger conservation and Rathore, in consultation with his nocturnal, solitary and elusive. In also started a school for local chilguru Sankhla, drew a plan to con- 1976, he spotted for the first time a dren with an emphasis on wildlife serve tiger. In 1976 finding that the cub. It was the cub of a tigress who conservation. villagers living inside the forest was moving proudly in the forest A month before his death, WWF were the tigers biggest enemies and with four cubs. Rathore was won- bestowed on Rathore the Lifetime were involved in poaching, he got derstruck and followed the family Achievement Award in them shifted from the thick forest. trail in day and at night. He came to Conservation. Earlier, he was made

honorary warden of the Ranthambhore park by the Rajasthan government. When Bill Clinton visited the park as President, it was Fateh Singh who planned his trip in the tiger park and he named the tiger that the former President sighted Bhambooram. In his death, the first conservation-epoch for Ranthambhore has come to an end. In his park management, he represented a boorish traditional fervor with a sudden outburst of puckish humor and jerky anger. Like a vicar in church, he trained countless persons into tiger-centric issues, said Harsh Vardhan, noted conservationist and friend of the Rathore family. He had led them all from the forefront while very few stood by him and while he faced odds from the tree-fellers, poachers and senior forest officers throughout his career. Yet he fought untiring until he was forced to be bed-ridden since November 2010, said Vardhan who had rescued Rathore from an angry crowd thirsting for his blood in Ranthmbhore years back. A large number of conservationist friends of the Tiger Man, including Rajasthan Minister Bharat Singh, Valmik Thapar, Belinda Wright and Bittu Seghal attended his funeral at Ranthmabhore.

Op Ed TheSouthAsianTimes.info

19

March 12-18, 2011

CVC imbroglio: Roughshod riders

By Paranjoy Guha Thakurta rime Minister Manmohan Singh and home minister Palaniappan Chidambaram could have saved themselves considerable embarrassment if they had not hastily appointed Polayil Joseph Thomas, one of the senior-most ofcers of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), as the Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) on September 7. They would have saved the UPA government the ignominy of having the Supreme Court quashing Thomas appointment to an important and sensitive constitutional post on the ground that it was illegal. To say that the government was unaware of the allegations pending against Thomas (irrespective of their veracity) is an admission of negligence and worse. To claim that there is nothing wrong in appointing a person to the post of CVC against whom criminal charges have been leveled on the plea that one out of four MPs have similar charges against them (as Thomas lawyer KK Venugopal argued in court) is besides the point. Almost equally irrelevant is the claim made by the outgoing CVC that the corruption case relating to imports of palmolein pending against him in a Kerala court was a result of political rivalry between the states former chief minister K Karunakaran and its current chief minister VS Achuthanandan. What is worse is that by riding roughshod over the dissenting view expressed by the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha,

Former Central Vigilance Commissioner Polayil Joseph Thomas. Sushma Swaraj, in a three-member committee, the majority (Singh and Chidambaram) may have believed they were adhering to the letter of the law. But they certainly did not adhere to its spirit. Given the fact that there was no unanimity in the panel to select the CVC even if one assumes that Thomas was not guilty of any wrongdoing the government could have easily avoided the unseemly controversy by selecting one of the two other IAS ofcers shortlisted, namely, Bijoy Chatterjee, former secretary, department of chemicals and petrochemicals or S Krishnan, who retired as secretary, fertilizers, as had been suggested by Swaraj. The ofce of the CVC was conceived as the apex vigilance institution in the government that is supposed to be free of control from any executive authority. The CVC is meant to monitor all anti-corruption activities

relating to government bodies and it is also supposed to advise various authorities on planning, executing, reviewing and reforming all activities related to anti-corruption vigilance. After the Central Vigilance Commission Act was passed in 2003, the following year, the government passed a resolution on public interest disclosure and protection of informers by making the CVC the designated agency to receive written complaints for disclosure on any allegation of corruption or misuse of ofce and recommend appropriate action. In 1993, the Supreme Court directed the government to ensure that the selection of the CVC should be made by a three-member committee comprising the prime minister, the home minister and the leader of the Opposition. It stated that the selection of the CVC should be made from a panel of outstanding civil servants and others with impeccable integrity. The Central Vigilance Commission Ordinance of 1998 and the bill introduced in Parliament later conned the selection of the CVC to a panel of civil servants alone while the phrases outstanding and impeccable integrity were not included. The governments intentions were questioned because Thomas was appointed as the CVC at a time when the UPA appeared reluctant to expedite the inquiries into the spectrum scam and ask the then communications minister A Raja to put in his papers (which he was subsequently forced to). The Opposition had alleged that Thomas was chosen because

he secured a note from the law ministry while he was DoT secretary that argues that the allocation of spectrum was part of ofcial policy that cannot be questioned either by the CVC or the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India. The response of the law ministry to the DoTs queries, quoting various Supreme Court rulings, contended that the CVC, the CAG and other watchdogs no doubt play a very signicant role in any democracy, but they being constitutional/statutory functionaries cannot exceed the role assigned to them under the Constitution or law. The response added: Even the courts refrain from questioning the wisdom of the government in policy matters, unless the policy decision is patently arbitrary, discriminatory or mala de. The DoT note to the law ministry on the spectrum allocation issue moved with remarkable alacrity last year between August 10 and 12 from ofcial to ofcial before the signatures of Raja and Thomas were appended. Within a day, on August 13, the law ministry responded to the DoTs queries. Such expeditiousness is hardly the hallmark of the Indian bureaucracy. Be that as it may, in appointing Thomas as the head of this important anti-corruption body, the government goofed up badly and is now having to repent. (Paranjoy Guha Thakurta is a journalist, educator and commentator. The views expressed by the author are personal.)

Post-budget, NRIs have to spend more in India

By Kul Bhushan on-residents Indians (NRIs) will have to spend a little more on their visits to India after the latest budget. As the air travel tax has gone up, NRIs now pay more when they buy their air tickets to travel back home and within India. Their stay at luxury hotels, guest houses and meals at good restaurants will cost slightly more as service and other taxes have gone up. For medical treatment in India, NRIs will have to pay more because the service tax on healthcare is up. For example, if an NRI undergoes heart surgery, the charges go up between Rs.5,000 and Rs.10,000. Despite the recent negative news of scams and corruption, NRIs are still interested in buying property, investing in stocks or mutual funds, starting new ventures and even set-

The total NRI remittances for 2010 were $55 billion. These were expected to rise further last year. tling in India to retire. Should they take this plunge after this budget? Yes, considering the returns they can reap from their investments. Suppose an NRI invests Rs.100,000 ($2,216 or 1,603 euros at current rates) in the three options of xed deposits, equities and mutual funds (MFs). If an NRI puts down a xed deposit of Rs.100,000 ,the total amount with interest will rise to Rs.113,000 for one year and

Rs.174,000 after ve years. If an NRI invests Rs.100,000 in equity, after one year the investment will more than double to Rs.226,000 and in ve years, it will rise further to Rs.278,000. Now, if an NRI invests Rs.100,000 in MFs, it will go up to Rs.176,000 after one year more than triple to Rs.358,000 after ve years with less risk than equities. The highest returns come from MFs when compared to investing in xed deposits or in Indian stocks. The initial paperwork for getting a Permanent Account Number (PAN) Card and getting KYC (Know Your Customer) takes a lot of time and effort and the budget has not addressed this problem, but the high returns make it worthwhile. In a bold budgetary move, the Indian capital markets have been thrown open to foreign investors. This means that an individual for-

eigner can now invest in equity MFs. The NRIs still have an edge in the lower risk debt funds segment as foreigners cannot invest in the area, said Sanjay Durgan of Abundanze Wealth Management. The total NRI remittances for 2010 were $55 billion. These were expected to rise further last year. This year, NRI remittances from the Middle East, especially Libya, will decline but the total amount is expected to remain at this level and may increase marginally. Despite the slowdown following the 2008 nancial crisis in the West and the current unrest in North Africa and the Middle East, NRIs still continue to look at India for depositing their savings and making investments, although they did not get any special incentive in this budget. Still, NRIs will send and keep their money in India where their heart is.

The views expressed in Op Eds are not necessarily those of The South Asian Times.

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Diaspora TheSouthAsianTimes.info

March 12-18, 2011

Ensure safety of Sikhs abroad, Sikhs in Singapore: Turbanators with rich tradition of donning uniform Sukhbir Badal tells PM
Chandigarh: Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal on Monday asked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to take all possible diplomatic steps to ensure the security of Sikhs working in the US and in other countries, following the killing of a Sikh in California. According to reports, Surinder Singh, 68, was killed and Gurmej Singh Atwal, 71, was critically injured in capital Sacramento after unidentified assailants opened fire at them. "We are very shocked over this incident of attack on Sikhs at California. It is a suspected case of hate crime. This was the second such incident during last four months in the same US city and it has triggered panic among the Sikhs, who have a sizeable population in California," Badal said. "We have requested the external affairs ministry to launch a multimedia campaign Singapore: The appointment of Brigadier-General Ravinder Singh, a Sikh, as the next chief of the Singapore Army is the culmination of a long tradition of the community serving in uniform, both as policemen and in the armed forces, in the city-state. Their role in Singapore belies their small number: There are only an estimated 12,000 to 15,000 Sikhs in Singapore, a nation of five million people. Their number is small even when compared to 100,000 Sikhs living in Malaysia. Sikhs came to this part of Southeast Asia as soldiers and policemen during the British era. Brig. Gen. Singh will replace Major-General Chan Chun Sing as army chief March 25. Singh, 46, currently deputy secretary (technology) in the defence ministry, was previously commanding officer, 3rd Signal Battalion; commander, 2nd Singapore Infantry Brigade and assistant chief of general staff (plans); head joint communications and information systems department. He has also held the posts of head joint plans and transformation department; commander 6th Division and chief of staff - joint staff. Singh holds a Master of Arts (Engineering Science) from the University of Oxford, Britain. He also holds a Master of Science (Management of Technology) from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, US. He joined the Singapore Armed Forces in December 1982. Brig Gen Singh is also the first nonChinese Chief of Army in nearly 30 years. Colonel Mancharan Singh Gill was the first ever when he took up the post in 1982, the report said.

Sukhbir Badal in the western countries so that Sikhs should not become victims of mistaken identity. Repeated attacks on the Punjabi immigrants have sent shockwaves throughout Punjab. We demand immediate intervention of the prime minister in this matter," he added.

I am a Malay, says Malaysian ex-PM with Indian roots

Kuala Lumpur: 'I am a Malay...in sentiment and spirit,' Malaysia's former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad, whose roots are partly Indian, has asserted in his autobiography that is just out. Although he has South Indian roots, he says: 'I am a Malay and am proud of it. I am a Malay not just on paper. I am also a Malay in sentiment and in spirit', The Star reported. 'A Doctor in the House: The Memoirs of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad' comprising 62 chapters and spanning 809 pages was branch of the family hailed from Kerala -- that he had sought to play down during a long political career. Multi-racial Malaysia is home to 2.1 million ethnic Indians, one of the largest Indian diaspora - a bulk of them Tamils, settled here during the British era. Mahathir's book comes eight years after he stepped down. During this period, he was critical of his handpicked successor, Abdullah Badawi, but has made friendly references to the present incumbent, Najib Tun Razak.

Year of India in Canada begins

Toronto: The Year of India in Canada opened on Friday night in Gatineau, Quebec, with Sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan and his sons Amaan and Ayaan launching the year-long celebrations with a riveting performance. Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Indo-Canadian parliamentary secretary Deepak Obhrai and other leaders joined Indian High Commissioner Shashishekhar M Gavai and the Indo-Canadian community at a grand ceremony that gave a glimpse into India's rich classical traditions. Welcoming the celebration, the Canadian Prime Minister said: "Our country is home to a vibrant, nearly one-million strong, IndoCanadian community that plays a vital role in Canada's economic and cultural landscape. "This year will provide an excellent opportunity to showcase India's colourful culture and traditions while strengthening connections between our two countries," he said. The Year of India will treat Canadians across Canada to India's cultural diversity, cuisine, music, dance and theatre, literary gatherings, book fairs, business meetings and children's events. Among the major events, the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards celebration would be held in Toronto in June. It will be the biggest Bollywood show in Canada, where Hindi films now open in main theatres at the same time they open in India. India will also hold its first mini-Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Toronto in June when non-resident Indians from across North America will attend. While Harper was in India in November 2009, his counterpart Manmohan Singh came here in June 2010 - the first visit by any Indian Prime Minister to Canada since 1973.

Mahathir Mohamad launched here Tuesday. Mahathir was the prime minister from 1981 to 2003. He has talked about his Malay-Indian heritage -- a

Malaysian Indian leader restrained from registering members

Kuala Lumpur: The Kuala Lumpur High Court has restrained prominent ethnic Indian leader Samy Vellu from registering more members into a business organisation whose working is under dispute. The court issued an injunction against former Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) Vellu, restraining him from registering Maju Institute of Educational Development (MIED) members ahead of an extraordinary general meeting (EGM). Vellu, who stepped down as MIC chief after 30 years but retains interest in its business ventures, is currently Malaysia's special envoy to India and other South Asian nations. High court judge Mohammed Ariff Mohd Yussof granted the injunction filed by former MIC deputy president S. Subramaniam, former MIC Youth chief S.A. Vigneswaran and former Kedah state legislator S. Ganesan. The three sought an injunction on the grounds that Vellu wanted to increase his support ahead of the meeting, which is scheduled to be held either at the end of the month or early next month. 'It is learnt that the EGM was seeking to pass a resolution to oust Samy Vellu and T. Marimuthu from the board of trustees,' New Straits Times said Tuesday. The injunction was the latest in an ongoing saga that saw Vellu named as one of the defendants in the RM100 million ($33 million) suit by MIED against nine of its trustees for misappropriation, the newspaper said.

Indian-origin former Fiji PM denied travel to US

Suva: A court in Fiji has turned down Indian-origin former prime minister Mahendra Chaudhry's request to visit the US. Chaudhry wanted to visit his sister on her 70th birthday. Chaudhry is charged on 12 counts of money laundering, tax evasion and giving false information to the Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority. He will enter his plea March 17 on the tax evasion charges, Xinhua reported. Justice Daniel Goundar stated that Chaudhry's frequency of travel was of concern to the court as he had not entered a plea since he

Fiji opposition leader and former prime minister Mahendra Chaudhry was charged July 30 last year.

Subcontinent TheSouthAsianTimes.info

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March 12-18, 2011

Bomb kills 20 in eastern Pak

Islamabad: A car bomb killed at least 20 people and injured around 100 in eastern Pakistan, police said. The explosion took place at a compressed natural gas (CNG) refelling station in Faisalabad, some 120 km west of Lahore, the capital of the country's largest province Punjab. "The bomb was planted in a vehicle which was parked near the compressor of the CNG station," district police chief Aftab Cheema said. "Twenty people are dead and around 100 are injured." It demolished several buildings in the area where various government offices, including the regional office of the military's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency, an office of state-run Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and an army recruiting center, were located. Tahir Hussain, the top civil administrator in Faisalabad said it was not immediately clear which building was the target of the attack. "There are some important state buildings in this area and any one of these could be the target." According to Hussain, some unconfirmed reports were putting the death toll at 32. Television footage showed collapsed buildings and destroyed vehicles. Smoke was still rising from the refueling station. About a dozen people are believed to be trapped under the debris, said Subhan Ali, a spokesman for the district government. No one accepted responsibility for the bombing but Taliban and Al Qaeda linked groups have repeatedly attacked official and civilian targets across Pakistan. Faisalabad, known as Pakistan's Manchester due to a large textile industry, has been relatively safe. Tuesday's bombing was perhaps the first major attack in the city.

Rescue workers remove the body of a victim at a bomb blast site in Faisalabad on March 8.

US lawyers in Pak to defend Davis

Islamabad: Two US lawyers have arrived in Pakistan to provide legal aid to a US official facing trial for gunning down two Pakistani men, Xinhua reported. The shooting deaths in January in Lahore have caused a diplomatic row between the two allies. The US had earlier said that Raymond Davis is a consulate employee but later said he is a CIA contractor. Davis had told the police that he fired in self-defense, but investigators have rejected his claim, saying that he had intentionally fired at the two men. A third Pakistani was also crushed to death by a US consulate car when it rushed to Davis's aid. The US is demanding his release, saying he cannot be tried in a court as he enjoys diplomatic immunity, but a court in Lahore this week rejected the immunity claim and ruled to proceed with the case. The US has also hired services of

A law that felled a minister and a governor

US national released on bail

Islamabad: A court in Pakistan's Peshawar city has granted bail to a US national who was arrested in February for staying in the country even after his visa had expired, a media report said. Sessions court judge Altaf-ur-

Raymond Davis. Pakistani lawyers to defend Davis. families. The US diplomats are now seekHis lawyers said during the last hearing that they would submit doc- ing to settle the case under the uments to prove Davis is a diplomat. Islamic law and have reportedly Local TV channels reported that offered compensation to the victims' American lawyers will meet Davis families, media report said. at a prison in Lahore and discuss the Pakistan, a close US ally, is under progress in the case. They will also pressure from Washington to free hold a meeting with the victims' Davis, but it is also facing pressure as the opposition parties are demanding punishment for the accused. Rehman accepted the bail plea of The Lahore High Court has Aaron Mark DeHaven but stopped the government from restricted him from leaving the releasing Davis till it gives its final city without prior information, verdict. The Pakistan foreign minGeo News reported. DeHaven istry was expected to submit a reply was arrested in Peshawar last in the court whether Davis enjoys month. diplomatic immunity.

New US envoy visits Pak

Islamabad: The new US special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan met with Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani in Islamabad to ease growing tensions over the arrest of a US national for killing two people. On his first trip to the region, Marc Grossman held talks with Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir before meeting Gilani. The visit came as the relations between two countries are strained because of the arrest of Raymond David, a CIA contractor, who shot and killed two Pakistanis in the eastern city of Lahore Jan 28. The US had claimed that Davis was a US embassy official and therefore enjoyed diplomatic immunity, but a local court Thursday said that no evidence had been produced about his diplomatic status. An official privy to the talks between the US envoy and Gilani said the prime minister told Grossman that the issue would be handled "in a responsible way and in the light of the court verdict".

Marc Grossman, the new US special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Federal Minister for Minorities Shahbaz Bhatti was a ssassinated last week. Islamabad: Pakistan's blasphemy took place. The women claimed law, which carries a death sentence she had insulted the Prophet. She for the person who insults the was then pursued by a mob that Prophet, has caused the killing of a attempted to kill her. Aasia Bibi, a minister who was a Christian and mother of five, was later sentenced an outspoken governor, bringing to death. into focus a law that was first codiThe offenses relating to religion fied 150-years back. were first codified by British rulers Pakistan's Federal Minister for in undivided India in 1860, and Minorities Shahbaz Bhatti was were then expanded in 1927. assassinated last week in Pakistan became independent in Islamabad while Punjab governor August 1947 and it inherited the Salman Taseer was killed by his laws. During the tenure of military own bodyguard on January 4. strongman General Zia-ul-Haq in Both had sought reform in the the 1980s, a number of clauses blasphemy law and both had were added. sought presidential pardon for Rights group say that the laws Aasia Bibi, a 45-year-old Christian have been used to persecute minorfarmhand sentenced to death on ity faiths. Hundreds of Christians charges of denigrating the Prophet. are said to be among the accused. Taseer's killing had divided the Former information minister and country with many hailing his parliamentarian Sherry Rehman bodyguard Mumtaz Qadri as a introduced a private bill to amend hero. the blasphemy law. But it was later Aasia Bibi had begun facing withdrawn. problems in June 2009 in her vilSherry Rehman's friends are now lage, Ittan Wali, in which hers was reported to be concerned about her the only Christian household. A safety as she was the third highgroup of Muslim women and Aasia profile person to seek reforms to were picking berries when a row the blasphemy law.

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International TheSouthAsianTimes.info

March 12-18, 2011

Enough of Gaddafi violence: NATO

Brussels: The world will not allow the regime of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi to continue attacking anti-government forces without trying to stop him, NATO's secretary general said Monday. NATO has so far played a cautious role in the events in Libya, asking its generals to draw up a plan for possible military action in the country, but insisting that it would only use them if given the explicit backing of the UN Security Council. "The international community monitors the situation closely, and if Gaddafi and his military continue to attack the Libyan population systematically, I can't imagine the international community and UN standing idly by," Anders Fogh Rasmussen said. The fledgling Libyan opposition movement has already called for world powers to impose a no-fly zone over Libya to prevent air forces loyal to Gaddafi launching bombing raids against them. Rasmussen called for caution, saying that such an operation would require "a wide range of military assets". The last time NATO operated a no-fly campaign, over Kosovo in 1999, it flew over 38,000 sorties

Two-thirds of Indians rescued

New Delhi: Around 12,000 of the 18,000 Indians in Libya would be evacuated soon with the latest batch of over 2,300 nationals being picked up by air and sea from the violence-hit north African country, the government said. Three special Air India flights from Tripoli and one from Sebha in Libya, besides the Red Star One ferry from Libyan city Misurata picked up "a record number of over 2,300 Indian nationals", the ministry of external affairs said. "By late evening today, more than twothird of our nationals would have been pulled out of Libya, totaling over 12,000," the ministry said. The second Boeing 747 sortie brought home another 400 passengers from Sebha to Mumbai and daily sorties have been scheduled to evacuate all the remaining persons from Sebha, over the next few days, said the ministry. Besides Fly Dubai will undertake further daily sorties to clear out the remaining 360 passengers from Dzerba in Tunisia, while 580 citizens have already returned to India from Tunis in the last couple of days. Meanwhile, chartered ship MV Scotia Prince in its second round picked up all the remaining 972 Indian nationals from

Libyan protesters shout slogans against Muammar Gaddafi. in 78 days. At the same time, "I assume that any NATO operation would take place in accordance with, and pursuant to, a UN mandate, and I take note of the fact that the current UN mandate doesn't authorise the use of armed force," he said. NATO defense ministers are due to meet in Brussels Thursday and Friday. The meeting was planned months ago to debate reform issues, but is now expected to discuss the Libyan situation. "They will consider how NATO can do more to help our partners in North Africa and the wider Middle East during this period of transition - if they so wish," Rasmussen said.

Indians, who were brought back from Libya, travel in a bus in Mumbai. Benghazi and was headed back to Alexandria in Egypt, where it was expected to reach Monday afternoon. The passengers in the vessel will be flown back to India on four special flights, including Indian Air Force's IL-76 transport aircraft on Tuesday and Wednesday. India launched 'Operation Safe Homecoming' on Feb 26 to bring back its nationals - the biggest mounted since the August 1990 Iraqi invasion of Kuwait that forced thousands of Indians to flee to Jordan from where they flew home.

Tunisia unveils new government

Tunis: Tunisia has announced a new interim government free of any members of the regime of toppled Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, and scrapped a security agency that had targeted political dissidents. The new government is the third to be formed since Ben Ali ended his 23 years in power on January 14 by fleeing mounting protests in an uprising that inspired Interim Prime Minister Beji Caid Essebsi. demonstrations across the Arab world. applying the law and respecting Interim Prime Minister Beji liberties and civic rights." Caid Essebsi announced a 22The directorate had been tasked member government -- called a with seeking out political dissi"public authority" -- that includes dents, thousands of whom were five ministers, to replace ones rounded up under Ben Ali, allegwho quit last week, and two ing torture and unfair trials. women. A ministry statement announced The new line-up returns 17 offi- a series of measures including cials to posts they occupied in a "the definitive break with any government formed on January form of organization resembling 27, with none of its members the political police at the level of signed up to any political party. structure, mission or practice." All are technocrats expected to These measures were in line focus on reviving the economy. with the "values of the revolution" The removal of figures from the and illustrating "the climate of Ben Ali regime was a key demand confidence and transparency in of protests that continued after the the relationship between the secufall of the authoritarian leader, rity services and the citizen," it even though the new administra- said. tion introduced unprecedented The ministry was despised freedoms and released all political under Ben Ali's government, prisoners. The interior ministry being responsible for the police announced separately that it was forces accused of a brutal crackabolishing the feared general down on protesters that the United directorate of public security, Nations says killed close to 150 affirming a commitment "to people.

The aborted Gaddafi amnesty deal

Washington: The headlines Tuesday morning trumpeted that Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi had put forward a deal: Let me and my family leave the country in exchange for a promise not to prosecute. Gaddafi's side promptly termed that report "lies," while rebel spokesman Abdel Hafiz Ghoga echoed the denial: "Our demands are as clear as the revolution. We are not negotiating at all." The truth, according to a senior rebel leader directly involved in the negotiations with Gaddafi, is somewhere in the middle. In an exclusive interview, this leader, who was in the room throughout this process, broke down what Gaddafi offeredand why the rebels rejected it, reported The Daily Beast. According to the insider, Gaddafi sent a letter, in the care of a former Gaddafi cabinet minister, containing the following offer: Gaddafi would call a meeting of the General People's Congress supposedly the highest governing body in what is in reality an Transitional Council, overseen by Mustafa Abdel Jalil, the closest thing the Libyan people have as an alternative to Gaddafi, rejected the idea as a "farce." Rather, the council viewed Gaddafi's letter as little more than a trial balloonan attempt to divide the Libyan people as the dictator continued to try to retake cities and towns now controlled by the opposition. In other words, it was just a stalling tactic, one designed to freeze the international community from taking any steps, including a no-fly zone, against him. He can pack his bags and take the limo to the airport with his family anytime," the insider explains, reflecting the council's mind-set. "He doesn't even need to fold the tent." And the U.S. State Department seemed to echo that: "Any departure from Libya does not exempt Mr. Gaddafi or his family from any responsibility and accountability for what has occurred," P.J. Crowley, spokesman for the White House, said Tuesday.

Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi autocracy. At the meeting, Gaddafi would submit his resignation. A formal process would give then appearance of a democratic turnover. In exchange, Gaddafi would require that the congress declare immunity for him and his family, both domestically and internationally, using the congress's putative legitimacy over the Libyan people as cover. The insider says the interim

Arming Libyan rebels a possibility: US

Washington: Giving weapons to Libyan rebels seeking to oust longtime ruler Muammar Gaddafi is under consideration as part of the international community's response to the crisis, the White House said. "On the issue of arming, providing weapons, it is one of the range of options that is being considered," White House spokesman Jay Carney said. The US government is reaching out to the opposition in Libya to ensure they are committed to building a democratic government respectful of human rights, and that they "believe what we believe the Libyan people want," Carney said. "It would be premature to send a bunch of weapons to a post office box in eastern Libya," he said. "We need to not get ahead of ourselves in terms of the options we're pursuing." State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said at the moment it is "not a legal option" to send weapons to the rebels because a Feb 27 UN Security Council resolution placed an arms embargo on all groups in Libya.

Business TheSouthAsianTimes.info

23

March 12-18, 2011

Women bankers break glass ceiling

New Delhi: As the world celebrates Women's Day, a striking facet in the otherwise male-dominated corporate world in India has been the representation of women in the top echelons of banking and financial services. Consider this: The country's second largest commercial lending institution, ICICI Bank, is headed by a woman, Chanda Kochhar; so is the case with the third largest in the private sector, Axis Bank, which has Shikha Sharma on the top seat. One of the largest foreign banks in the country, HSBC, and the Indian arm of the global financial powerhouse JPMorgan Chase are also headed by women, with Naina Lal Kidwai and Kalpana Morparia., respectively overseeing their operations. Even the Reserve Bank of India, until recently, had two women among four of its deputy governors in Usha Thorat, who has retired, and Shyamala Gopinath, who is still serving the apex indusAccording to Alok Khare, president of the All India Bank Officers Association, out of about one million bank employees in the country, 15-17 percent are women. "But in metro centers and cities, 27-30 percent are women," Khare was quoted as saying. What are the reasons for this pleasant exception to the male bastion that the corporate world is? "Some of the operational challenges in terms of gender aren't there in our banking and financial services industry," said Aruna Sundararajan, who was till recently the chief executive for digital inclusion at Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services Ltd. "This industry also does not need the kind of networking that is otherwise required in the corporate sector. It has also provided equal, merit-based opportunities to women," Sundararajan, now a joint secretary in the urban development ministry, was quoted as saying.

ICICI head Chanda Kochhar, HSBC India head Naina Lal Kidwai and JPMorgan Chase (India) chief Kalpana Morparia. try institution. "Women have this thing with numbers, finance and money. The banking industry gave them equal opportunities and they have excelled," Finance Secretary Sushma Nath, who is herself the first woman to occupy the top post in North Block, was quoted as saying. In fact, a look at the composition of the top brass of 11 top listed banks on the Indian stock markets reveals that nine of them have at least one woman on their boards and two of them have women serving as chief executives. This is backed by a recent study of 240 top Indian companies by EMA Partners, the global executive-search firm, which says more than a half of India's women chief executives are accounted for by the banking and financial services industry. "The banking and financial services industry has seen the presence of more women on top than any other industry. In fact, women chief executives among the private sector and foreign banks would almost outnumber men in this sector," the study said.

CBI files fresh report in 2G scam

Morgan Stanley lowers India's growth

Mumbai: Morgan Stanley lowered its growth forecast for India's GDP in the fiscal year starting April to 7.7 percent, its second cut since late January, saying it expects domestic demand growth to be slower than earlier estimates. By comparison, the government said in its annual budget last week it expects India's economy to grow at 9 percent, plus or minus 0.25 percent, in the next financial year. Morgan Stanley had in January scaled back expectations for economic expansion in Asia's third-largest economy to 8.2 percent in the year ending in March 2012, from 8.7 percent earlier. "While exports are likely to grow at a stronger pace, we do not believe it will be enough to offset the slower growth in domestic demand," economists Chetan Ahya and Tanvee Gupta Jain said. The investment bank expects the central government to slow expenditure growth to singledigit levels in 2011/12, adding private consumption growth is also likely to moderate as higher inflation erodes purchasing power and higher rates encourage savings.

Vedanta deal: India denies charges

Former Telecommunication Minister A. Raja. New Delhi: The Oil Ministry has refuted UK Prime Minister David Cameron's allegations that "unexpected regulatory hurdles" were delaying the $ 9.6 billion CairnVedanta deal, and said the British firm was responsible for the deferment. "Cairn Energy - which has agreed to sell a majority share in its Indian subsidiary to Vedanta, faces unexpected regulatory hurdles which are causing delay and could block the deal entirely (which is very time-sensitive) thus preventing Cairn investors from legitimately exiting the market," Cameron wrote to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh recently. In response, the oil ministry has told the Prime Minister's Office that Cairn Energy took more than three months to comply with regulation of seeking formal approval for selling most of its stake in Cairn India to Vedanta. Sources in know said the ministry stated that the final applications came in only in end November, more than 3 months after the deal was announced on August 16, 2011.

New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed in court its fresh status report on the allotment of 2G spectrum and said the matter was under investigation. The report, filed in the court of CBI special judge Pradeep Chaddha, was in response to a private complaint by Janata Dal leader Subramanian Swamy . The judge has fixed March 17 for proceedings in the case. The report stated that Swamy has already raised a similar issue pertaining to the "nation-

al security aspect" before the Supreme Court, and the matter was "under investigation". Swamy had named Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK chief M Karunanidhi as a co-accused along with former communications minister A Raja in the 2G spectrum scam in his petition. The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has estimated that the 2G scam caused a presumptive loss of Rs 1.76 lakh crore to the exchequer and has submitted a detailed report in the scam.

24

Health & Beauty TheSouthAsianTimes.info

March 12-18, 2011

Now get the perfect makeup thanks to your computer!

he technology, showcased at CeBIT, the digital industrys trade show in Hannover, Germany, takes a 3D image of your face and measures your complexion, shadows and lines. The software matches your face to 60 pre-programmed models and advises how much makeup should be applied to which parts of your face based on professional makeovers conducted on the models. It can also tell if your tried-andtested makeup combinations are actually right for your face, according to Kristina Scherbaum, who developed the program at the Max Planck Institute. "We also take into considera-

tion certain personal facial characteristics, like freckles or moles. Furthermore, we can determine whether or not already existing makeup on a woman suits her face," Discovery News quoted her as saying. Although currently still in testing stages, the software could easily be adapted for commercial use, said Himangsho Saikia, who designed the interface system. "Professional makeup is expensive but with this, you could turn on your computer in the morning, use a web-cam and have your make-up done for you," he said. CeBIT showcasing the latest technology and gadgets from some 4,200 exhibitors and a few lakh visitors from March 1-5.

World travelers rank Indian cuisine 5th

5 Indian spices to boost health

ndia has been known for its spices for centuries, even making most Europeans invade the nation for it. But here's a list of some of best spices and their herbal and medicinal qualities. Make sure you have them handy. 1. Cinnamon: A staple in all sorts of desserts and similar dishes, this spice is a natural warmer that helps fight cold and is also good for your stomach. Soak it in water and have it along with lemon and honey for weight loss. 2. Asafetida: Its high in miner-

ravellers criss-crossing the globe have ranked Indian food as fifth on their list of favorite cuisines, according to a survey. The survey conducted by Hotels.com says that Italian cuisine, renowned for its pizza and pasta, ranked as the most popular fare among the survey respondents worldwide, followed by French, Thai and Chinese food. People from different nationalities such as Australians, the British, the Dutch and New Zealanders all love Indian fare, as do our own countrymen. However, Indians enjoy Chinese food the most after their ghar-ka-khana (home-made food). The French, though, seem to like Indian food over Chinese, Japanese, Spanish and even Greek cuisine. Their affinity to Indian food is ranked just behind their fondness for French and Italian cuisine. The same is the case for Australian travelers, who rated Indian food among the world's tastiest cuisines.

Interestingly, Koreans and Japanese ranked Indian food as their least favorite meal while travelling. The survey, which polled more than 4,000 travelers worldwide, noted that among the major Asian cuisines --Chinese, Thai and Indian -- Thai food finds the most fans among international travelers. When it comes to trying out the local cuisine, Indians tend to be reserved and trail behind the people from 18 nationalities polled in this survey. The Koreans, however, seem to give gastronomy the most importance when it comes to choosing the place of travel as well as trying out the local cuisine. Apart from Koreans, Australians and Kiwis are also among the most adventurous when it comes to trying out local cuisine while on a trip. The survey was conducted between October and November last year in 18 countries -- Australia, Brazil, France, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore, Spain and the UK, among others.

al, calcium, and iron. A small quantity dissolved in water helps fight diseases such as asthma and stomach ailments. It is also used to aid digestion and is smeared on the abdomen in an alcohol or water tincture known as mahahing. 3. Cumin: It's very rich in iron, calcium, potassium and even vitamin A and B. Roast and have it with jaggery. Boil cumin seed in water and drink it like tea to get rid of acute stomach problems. 4. Clove: It has an excellent

warming effect and is also an aphrodisiac. Chew it whenever you have tooth ache. Clove buds are also known to have very effective anti-oxidant properties and can be used as an oil for curing hypotonic muscles, including multiple sclerosis. 5. Saffron: You can call it the wonder herb. There has been documentation of saffron's use over 4,000 years in the treatment of some 90 illnesses. It's a purifier and has a cooling effect. Dissolve it with goat milk and drink it for purifying blood.

Switch off laptops, TV an hour before bed

xperts suggest switching off the TV, computer and mobile phone an hour before going to bed to get a good nights sleep. Nine in ten people admit using electronics in the hour before turning out the lights and they claim that its wrecking their sleep patterns, reports the Daily Mail. Artificial light emitted by TV and computer screens and over-stimulation of the brain have been blamed. The worst activities are video games, using mobiles and surfing the Internet, according to a major survey by the U.S. National Sleep Foundation. Dr Charles Czeisler, of Harvard Medical School, said, Artificial light exposure between dusk and the time we go to bed suppresses release of the sleep-promoting hormone melatonin, enhances alertness and shifts normal sleep patterns to a later hour. Even after lights out, technology is disrupting sleep. One in ten people in their 20s said they were routinely woken during the night by a phone call,

text message or email. Professor Jim Horne, director of the sleep research center at Loughborough University, in UK, said: Even children aged five, six and seven have got video games in their bedroom. They need to settle down and relax before going to bed.

Society TheSouthAsianTimes.info

25

March 12-18, 2011

Many strides but still trapped: Shifting realities of Indian women

Special feature marking International Womens Day, March 8

nother International Womens Day, another occasion for a national assessment of the status of women in a country where the glass ceiling is within reach but not broken, where health statistics are still determined by gender, where public entertainment is dominated by patriarchal cliches and where female feticide continues despite strides in so many sectors. It is often said that India lives in several centuries, its gleaming high rises resting uneasily against desperate poverty. And so it is with its women - the corporate boss in the city walking in stride with the woman sarpanch in the village but against a backdrop of child marriages, school dropouts, domestic violence and every other form of gender discrimination. In the shifting sands of differing realities, figures tell their own story. According to one report, India recorded the worlds highest number of maternal deaths in 2008 at 63,000, more than countries like Afghanistan and Ethiopia. The maternal mortality rate, the number of deaths per 100,000 live births, has improved but is still unacceptably high at 230 (in 2008), far from the millennium development goal of 109. Gender dispari-

In a country of contrasts, women are flying planes but crimes against women continue. ties continue in education, nutrition and early marriage. According to a Unicef report, underweight prevalence among adolescent girls aged 15-19 years is 47 percent, the worlds highest; 30 percent of girls aged 1519 are married or in union, compared to only five percent of boys in the same age. The sex ratio is still skewed with 933 women to ever 1,000 males, and so is the literacy rate. According to the 2001 census, male literacy rate is 75.96 percent and female literacy rate 54.28 percent. Add to this, dowry deaths, the girl child being killed in the womb, rape, sexual harassment at the workplace, unequal pay, the picture is sorry indeed. There have been stirrings of change in a country that has a woman president, a woman speaker and a woman heading the ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA). Women have broken into many male-only preserves, and we have women pilots and taxi-drivers steering change. Women are making it big in the corporate sector, there are increasing numbers of women doctors, scientists and engineers. In villages, some women are breaking the mould to enter the work

stream in non-traditional roles such as plumbers, panchayat heads and have organized themselves into self-help groups. A very big difference has been made by reservation for women in panchayats. They are changing the image of women. However, women are still far behind in education and health and that worries us the most, said Ranjana Kumari, director of the Centre for Social Research. I think its great that women are entering every field. Its about time! said Chandigarh-based Geeta Bector, vice president of (Product Development) Cremica Foods. But are these only cosmetic changes, mere tokenism that pale in the face of the larger reality and the lack of political will? Parliament would be a good example. The 33 percent reservation for women is still a distant dream with only 10 percent women in parliament. Annie Raja of the National Federation of Indian Women feels the delay in passing the womens reservation bill is a major issue. Political parties are not interested in bringing the bill. Atrocities on women are on the rise irrespective of their age, how they dress, whether they are educated or not. It is a very painful situation. The change has to come from with-

in in a deeply traditional India, many sections of which still demand that its women fast for husbands and a male child and subsume their identity. Or objectify them to sell cars and washing machines. Its a stereotype that is driven home every day - in advertisements, on television, in cinema. The Rs.587 billion media and entertainment industry banks heavily on women viewers but has done little to address their problems. Women in our soaps are either portrayed as vicious or pathetically docile - perpetuating the age-old mother-in-law, daughter-in-law syndrome. Cinema is much the same. Though some filmmakers have broken new ground, the woman as a sex object is still a leitmotif in many films with a Sheila ki jawaani item song seen to be a necessity to draw the crowds. The polarization runs deep, the segregation still near complete. Why would there be need for a separate womens compartment in the Delhi Metro otherwise? Just last week, a man stopped a Delhi-Mumbai flight because the pilot was a woman. Funny for some, a telling comment for others. Just like the status of women in the country this International Womens Day.

In West Asia, women emerge as driving force

s popular revolts continue to rock autocratic regimes across the Arab world, women are defying both taboo and stereotype and emerging as a driving force that is keeping the momentum of the protests going. Women played and continue to play an integral part in the uprisings and revolutions in the region, and what is key is that they are there, physically present in the streets, showing their numbers, said Nadim Houry, senior researcher at Human Rights Watch.In T-shirts and jeans or long black robes and veils, tens of thousands of women have made their voices heard in the streets, from Tunis to Cairo, from Manama to Sanaa, to demand reform in a region long ruled by autocracies. Inspired by the uprising that toppled Tunisia's Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, women turned out en masse in Egypt's Tahrir Square for weeks to demand the ouster of Hosni Mubarak, who quit on February 11 after 30 years in power. Bahrain, where thousands of mainly Shiite protesters have

been demanding the fall of the Sunni Al-Khalifa dynasty, has also witnessed a massive turnout of women, who form a sea of black in their traditional robes and headscarves at the continuing gender-segregated rallies. And in the conservative countries of Yemen and Libya, women have overturned social norms and joined the insurrections against Ali Abdullah Saleh and Moamer Gaddafi, marching openly in the streets and talking to journalists on camera.

Egyptian women's rights protest marred by hecklers

protest by hundreds of Egyptian women demanding an end to sexual harassment and equal rights has turned violent when men verbally abused and shoved the demonstrators. The women who marched to Cairo's central Tahrir Square to cele-

brate International Women's Day Tuesday were outnumbered by men who told them that they should go home where they belong. Sexual harassment remains widespread in Egypt. Women are also afraid to report sexual assault or harassment, fearing they and their

families will be stigmatized. A 2008 survey by the Egyptian Center for Women's Rights found that 83 percent of Egyptian women and 98 percent of foreign women in Cairo said they had been harassed while 62 percent of men admitted to harassing.

26

Ultimate Bollywood TheSouthAsianTimes.info

March 12-18, 2011

Patience is a virtue: Katrina

ollywood actress Katrina Kaif sincerely believes that "Sabr ka phal meetha hota hai" (Patience always pays off) -the slogan for her new Mango Slice ad campaign. She says she adapts to it in real life too. "When one hears the word patience, a lot of people think of 'waiting for a long time' and sitting idle doing nothing' but it is not my interpretation of patience. For me,

Katrina Kaif in the new Mango Slice ad campaign.

patience is about waiting for the right thing and also about what you're doing while you're waiting," said Katrina. "It is about actively having a plan and a goal and knowing what you want to do; it is the most important thing for me. Of course, hard work and determination are important, but having a passion for something is what makes the difference. That is the mantra I follow in my career and in my life," she added. "I had a goal and I was very passionate about it, but I was not in a

rush to grab anything to get there. I've also been blessed, the right opportunities unfolded for me at the right time. But still it is a step by step journey, it is a process," said Katrina, who is a rage nowadays for her saucy dance in "Sheila ki jawaani". She says that is also the thought behind the Mango Slice campaign featuring her. Shot in Thailand, the Slice commercial features Katrina wearing an orange dress. Her look has been styled by designer duo Falguni and Shane Peacock.

Salman finds a special someone?

alman Khan's personal life is creating a lot of stir once again, with tabloids claiming that this time he has found someone really very special. Well, the Dabangg star recently called it quits with Katrina Kaif, and nowadays is hanging around with Brit beauty Hazel Keech, who is also his co-star in Bodyguard'. Grapevine has it that the two are often spotted together and Salman has been taking extra care of whom Hazel meets and what she does. So much so that Hazel is being called his latest love interest, even though there has been no comment on the same, by either of the two. Sources said, Salman had taken her for a bike ride in Pune 3weeks-ago where the two enjoyed

Zeenat Aman and Dev Anand in 'Hare Rama Hare Krishna.'

Salman Khan. each other s company. Both, before and after the shooting of the film, the two spent quality time with each other.

Vidya to romance Rajinikanth?

and KS Ravikumar-directed 'Raana.' In the film the superstar is doing triple role. There have been a lot of speculations in the media as far as the female casting of Rajinikanth's Raana is concerned. While Deepika Padukone has been confirmed as one of the heroines there were rumors that Asin, Madhuri Dixit and Rekha were also offered to be a part of the film. Vidya Balan met Rajinikanth at NDTV 'Indian of the year award' in New Delhi. She was literally gushing over him. It was shown on NDTV how Vidya called out to her mom who was sitting among the audiences to come on stage to meet the superstar. From there it was easy for the producers of Raana to rope in Vidya Balan. It is more or less confirmed that Vidya will play the love interest of the middle-aged Rajni, while Deepika will be paired with the youth Rajini. Now only father Rajini has to find a heroine!

Anand slams new Dum Maro Dum

heres been much hype around the title track of Rohan Sippys Dum Maro Dum featuring the sizzling Deepika Padukone. Only Dev Anand, in whose Hare Rama Hare Krishna (1971) the song first appeared, is unimpressed. My Dum maro dum is an eternal phenomenon thanks to the RD Burman-Asha Bhonsle magic. How could they just take away my song on the basis of some clause in the contract? It disturbed me for days and I even wrote an open letter to the producers. I dont want to stir up faltu ka (unnecessary) controversies. If you can write original stuff, then why would you need to

Vidya Balan.

R T

umors are rife that superstar Rajinikanth has signed Vidya Balan to do be his second heroine in daughter Soundarya Rajinikanth-produced

copy someone elses work? grouses the veteran actor-producerdirector. Dev Anand, whose 1961 blackand-white classic released in colour as Hum Dono Rangeen recently, has been working on halfa-dozen scripts, including Hare Rama Hare Krishna Aaj. The earlier film had starred Dev Anand and Mumtaz, with Zeenat Aman in a supporting role as a sister who died in the film but was immortalized as an actor. The new film will have different characters and younger actors. But who knows I may be able to bring Zeenat back in a different role, says the 86-year-old.

Sridevi set for a comeback

here has been a rumor of Sridevi's comeback for many months now. But neither the filmmaker nor the actress was ready to confirm the news. Until now. For the first time, director R. Balki confirms that Ms. Hawa Hawai is making a comeback in his wife Gauri Shinde's directorial debut this year. And she might also be paired in Balki's own directorial venture with Big B. Balki believes in placing Big B in challenging combinations with screen divas (Tabu as his sweetheart in Cheeni Kum, Vidya Balan as his mom in Paa) has solved the dilemma of how to accommodate the two larger-than-life stars together. In Gauri's film, Sridevi plays a housewife who sets out to find her own identity. She has a much more challenging role opposite Big B. Speaking for the first time on his wife's film, Balki says, "Yes, Sridevi will star in her film. And yes, I'm doing another project with Mr Bachchan. Like Cheeni Kum and Paa it is again an audacious idea that we are both hugely excited about. Will my film too star Sridevi? Why not? But at the moment it's too early to talk about the casting of my film." Sridevi may also be cast opposite Amitabh Bachchan in R. Balki's own directorial venture.

Ultimate Bollywood TheSouthAsianTimes.info

27

March 12-18, 2011

We women are kickass: Rani

he year 2011 (at least the first three months) belong to Meera Gety, the spitfire, will-stop-at-nothing scribe from 'No One Killed Jessica'; a role beautifully embodied by Rani Mukerji. The dynamic actress says that playing the part and adding her own vibe to it, came naturally to her because, "the screen character of the go-getting journalist is in a way synonymous to the modern Indian woman who doesn't shy away from getting what she wants, no matter how she does it.'' But for the light-eyed actress, the real achievers are not just the ones who are out there in the world. She salutes the spirit of every housewife in India, "I feel people like us, with our achievements, still have the liberty to take a

Rani Mukerji's portrayal of journalist Meera Gety in 'No One Killed Jessica' received a lot of critical acclaim.

break from the routine matters like running a home. I don't think we will be able to do what the average Indian homemaker does on a regular basis. I consider them super women. Honestly, for me that is the most attractive quality in today's modern woman. In every sphere, be it journalists, pilots, police officers, corporate heads or actresses, all of us are trying to achieve something. We stop at nothing." She feels there are no limitations for women, "We aren't satisfied. We feel satisfied when we have our children and take that break to nurture our kids and physically gain strength. But even that is just a temporary break. Soon we are back on our feet. We women are just kick ass! We are super!''

YRF bets on Imran Khan

Aamir to team up with Kat?

amir Khan who was hesitant to star opposite Katrina Kaif earlier as she was dating Salman Khan at that time is now ready to work with the actress post their break-up, according to the sources. One year ago, Aamir Khan had said, "Katrina is a huge star. But no filmmaker has come forward with a proposal to cast us.'' Around the same time, the two even featured in a photoshoot together, in which they reprized the look of Guru Dutt and Waheeda Rehman. After the photoshoot, there was a buzz about the two of them coming together in a film soon, but nothing happened. Aamir reportedly even got an offer from a production house, but he couldn't say yes as Salman, Katrina were dating at that time. Now the same production house has

Aamir Khan and Katrina Kaif. approached Aamir again, and the A source said, "Now that Salman actor might give his go-ahead this and Kat have split, Aamir may team time around. up with the Bollywood diva."

Housefulls new 3D technique

Imran Khan. ts been barely three years since his debut, Jaane Tu.. Ya Jaane Naa catapulted him to stardom. And Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, his first outing with Yash Raj Films (YRF), is yet to reach the cinemas. But it seems that actor Imran Khan, wouldve become the new blue-eyed boy of the Chopras. Producer Aditya Chopra has offered the actor five scripts, including one hes written himself, to choose from for his next film with them. A crewmember with YRF says Aditya is extremely pleased with Khans performance in Mere Brother Ki Dulhan. Having also seen Imrans performance

in I Hate Luv Storys (2010) previously, Adi feels he should further consolidate his position in romcoms, says the crewmember, adding, Thats why he has given Imran five scripts, including one authored by him, to pick as his next film with YRF. Years ago, when Aditya started on his path to become the Czar of YRF with Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge (1995), his directorial debuts unprecedented success turned Shah Rukh Khan into Bollywoods first major star overseas. It seems that after SRK, Aditya is backing Imran the most from among his contemporaries, points the source.

A still from Sajid Khan's 'Housefull'.

t promises to be a housefull of surprises. As director Sajid Khan gears up to kick-start Housefull 2, he will employ a completely new technique 3D pre-visualization. And Khan feels the technique is

needed due to multiple action sequences. For the uninitiated, storyboards are usually designed in the form of illustrations to pre-visualize a scene. But since Housefull 2 will have four action sequences, I am

going to use 3D pre-visualization. Itll help a lot, he says. According to Khan, the storyboards will be designed in the form of illustrations. Then, itll be converted into animated 3D visual. And the actors will be able to watch the sequences three months before they actually shot on location, he says. In fact, the Housefull 2 makers are putting in special action sequences. People are surprised to hear that my film will have action scenes. Not many know that I love action but my action wont be about blood and gore. Itll be cool and stylized, Khan says. Producer Sajid Nadiadwala feels that this method will help match Hollywood standards. If you want to even come close to the standards set by Hollywood action films, you need to be totally prepared. And this technique is surely the best, he says.

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Humor TheSouthAsianTimes.info

March 12-18, 2011

Humor with Melvin Durai

Indian security forces bracing for protests

hile anti-government protests in several Arab countries have put security forces throughout the region on high alert, Indias army, police force and other security personnel are also in a state of readiness, as part of Prime Minister Manmohan Singhs proactive initiative known as Operation SAPROCS (Strategic Action to Prevent Riots Over Cricket Scores). India, along with Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, is hosting the cricket World Cup, an event that eclipses the soccer World Cup in terms of number of fans willing to set themselves on fire after a loss. Cricket isnt just the No. 1 sport in India, surveys show that its also the No. 1 activity of any kind involving one ball or fewer. A recent poll asked male college students to rank their top ten favorite activities and watching cricket came second, right behind playing cricket and just ahead of thinking about cricket. Cricket has been played in India for almost three centuries and, according to historian Gopal Krishnan, is considered by most Indians to be the only good thing the British gave us. Other scholars point to the vital role cricket has played in the countrys progress. Indeed, when angry nationalists demolished statues of British lords in the 1950s, they did so with cricket bats. Despite the sports popularity, India has captured the World Cup only once - way back in 1983, when you had to commit a crime to use a cell phone. Indian fans have watched in anguish as Australia hauled away the last three World Cup trophies. But hopes are high this

year, because not only is the Indian team playing at home, theyre the odds-on favorites. Fans are dreaming of victory parades, fireworks displays and a national month of celebration. Its a heaven or hell situation, said cricket writer Manoj Shah. If our team wins the World Cup, everyone will be in heaven. But if they lose, all hell might break loose. Thats where Operation SAPROCS comes into play. A million uniformed men and women will hit the streets of major cities to quell any riots that break out. One way or the other, a riot is going to happen, said Mumbai cricket fan Jatin Bhagat. If we win the World Cup, there will a big riot. If we lose, there will be a bigger riot. Some of my friends are already practicing rioting. In the event of an embarrassing loss, the homes of cricket players will be cordoned off by security forces, with an extra buffer provided by members of Indias SPCC (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Cricketers). Special protection will be given to Mahendra Singh Dhoni, captain of the cricket team, as well as his namesakes, said SPCC spokesman

George Abraham. We have determined that there are 10,568 men named Mahendra Singh Dhoni in Punjab alone and we are offering them protection too. SPCC had originally planned to distribute effigies of every cricket player, so that fans could discharge their anger by burning and kicking the effigies. But the plan was shelved following threats of more riots from members of PETE (People for the Ethical Treatment of Effigies). Mike Sanders, a global security expert, is also concerned about Indias overall

security, with everyone distracted by cricket. If any country wants to invade India, he said, this would be the good time to do it. And if any married women want to fool around, well ... the men are too busy! Prime Minister Singh took a moment at his regular press briefing to reassure the nation that the security personnel watching over Indias nuclear weapons are not simultaneously watching the World Cup. We want to eliminate Pakistan, Singh said, but only with our bats.

Laughter is the Best Medicine

by Mahendra Shah
Mahendra Shah is an architect by education, entrepreneur by profession, artist and humorist, cartoonist and writer by hobby. He has been recording the plight of the immigrant Indians for the past many years in his cartoons. Hailing from Gujarat, he lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Tech Life

iPad2: Steve Jobs ignores India again

hen the iPad was launched in 2010, Apple gave a boost to the tablet genre. The second gen iPad 2 helps consolidate Apples leadership in this space. Unfortunately, this move also reaffirms Apples shoddy treatment of the Indian market, where it has consistently sold obsolescence at a premium. iPad2 will first be available on the East Coast of the US starting 11th March. As usual, what will follow is a mad frenzy to be among the first to lay their hands on one of these envied gizmos. The fact that Steve Jobs made an

appearance to show off the new device has only helped add to the buzz. On Indian shores though, the last generation iPad was just launched a few weeks ago to an understandably lukewarm response. Apple, it seems, continues to ignore the potential of the Indian consumer at its own peril. Android-based devices will corner a lion's share of the growing space in this emerging market, at least for now. Apple has a consistent pattern of dumping the obsolete last generation product on India at a premium price, just weeks before the international launch of the newest product. It has

happened with the iPod, iPhone and now the iPad. Apple's partners in India, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Essar, are still selling the previous versions of the Apple phone, the 3G and 3GS. Meanwhile Notion Ink, India's leading tablet maker, has received a decent response to the launch of 'Adam', which has been on sale since December 2010. The Adam is a comparable device with the iPad 2 except that it is a much thicker tablet at 14mm. There is also a slew of competitive products that Apple needs to deal with in the immediate future Playbook from RIM (BlackBerry),

Xoom from Motorola, Optimus from LG, TouchPad from HP and the second generation Galaxy Tab from Samsung-are all fighting hard to carve a niche alongside the iPad. The post-PC era has widespread ramifications to the media, telecommunications and logistics industries, besides applications in the education and manufacturing sectors. The iPad and Galaxy Tab have found their way into media production and advertising offices, with people harnessing its mobility to showcase their creative skills. Print and visual media companies have started to put together a coher-

ent strategy to optimize their communication to the tablet form. BBC and CNN have shown the way internationally with their tablet apps. In the Indian context NDTV has assumed leadership, by being the first Indian channel to translate its content to work on the tablet. The print media cannot be too far behind, given that major international publications such as the New York Times and Wall Street Journal have content optimized for the tablet. The media giant Rupert Murdoch has launched an iPad-specific publication to serve notice of the emerging trend in the publishing space.

Astrology
TheSouthAsianTimes.info

29

March 12-18, 2011

Chandigarh, India: +91-172- 256 2832, 257 2874; Delhi, India: +91-11- 2644 9898, 2648 9899; psharma@premastrologer.com; www.premastrologer.com

By Dr Prem Kumar Sharma

Stars Foretell: March 12-18, 2011

Aries: Added responsibilities at home will be a burden. You will be unable to handle unexpected rise in expenses that catch you by surprise. This disappointment will make you irritated and short-tempered. You need to fix your eye on your goals, but take necessary precautions. You should take advantage of any moneymaking opportunity that comes your way. Support from friends will be immense. Social events will be exciting. Taurus: The benefits that you accrue this week will double if you play your cards well. You will be in a commanding position to reap incredible financial benefits from work that depend on your good reputation. Expect social activities to be lively and exciting. Your personality will have a magnetic appeal that will attract the right conditions and people. Physical exercise will be important for those who have the tendency to put extra weight. Gemini: Opportunities to express your creative thoughts will bring you popularity. You seem to possess some new ideas and plans, which might not get implemented due to increase in your responsibilities and other pressures. Female members of the family will be extra helpful in completing pending jobs. Spend enjoyable time with youngsters and friends. Attend seminars and exhibitions that will bring you in touch with the right kind of people. Cancer: Cash and expensive items need careful handling. If you are planning to venture into a new business, seek assistance from individuals who are established and experienced, as they will give you some serious insight into future trends. Romantic alliances will suffer, as emotional moments will arise, causing problems in your love relationship. Social activities will provide you with knowledge and amusement. Meditation and yoga will prove to be highly beneficial during this phase. Leo: You will possess a remarkable ability to put together projects that will be extremely dynamic and profitable. You need to focus on small yet important tasks, to reap longterm gains. Your mate will enjoy helping you out in completing outdoor jobs. Your participation in family functions and social activities will bring you pleasure and respect. Funds for businessmen will generate through loans or property transaction. Foreign transactions need careful handling. Virgo: Invitation and offers from friends and acquaintances will be plenty this week. You will easily reap favors from influential people if you share your ideas with them. Your ability to act as a leader will put you into strong position. New romance for some will be exciting, but you will take some more time to build complete trust in each other. Look into unusual project that will help you earn some extra money. Visit to a hill station or some recreation with your family would bring moments of happiness and better understanding. Libra: You should sign up for short courses that will help you with personality and skill development. Be especially careful while handling finances, because you are likely to suffer losses due to your overconfidence. Close friends and relatives will try to keep you happy but tend to promise more than what they can deliver. Social events will help you take your mind off tensions and worries. New alliances and contacts will develop through social activities. Scorpio: Your optimism and positive outlook will push your career to new heights. But you need to be cautious of hindrances that will come in your path preventing you from getting what you rightfully deserve. You and a partner will need to discuss practical issues to avoid later misunderstandings. Romance with an acquaintance will be highly exciting, but will bring you criticism from those who are close to you. A spiritual leader or elder provides guidance. Sagittarius: Uncertainties at home may cause confrontations. Investment will bring gains, and you will have a chance to earn additional money through the strength of your personality. Accept any new offer that comes your way. You will feel that changing position of planets tend to bring favorable results in your life, as your creative ability will get heightened and earn you popularity and gains. Pilgrimage or distant journeys for some. Capricorn: Be ready for some last-minute changes in your investment plans. You will find it extremely difficult to keep to your commitments. Try not to show resentment during this period or you will unintentionally annoy others. Seeking help from close associated will be essential to ease work pressure that grips your mind. Any contribution that you make towards social cause will enhance your reputation and bring you mental peace. Your beloved or spouse will extend his full affection and support. Aquarius: Some innovative projects will demand that you express your skills in a different way. Your confidence and morale will be high, as your brilliant ideas impress influential people. Take care of your dealing with govt. agencies. Social activities will bring about a new romantic relationship. You and your new beloved will want to keep this intimacy a secret as of now. Travel will be favorable but expensive. All legal matters require immense attention. Wise investments would fetch returns. Pisces:You will exhibit a special charm and sweetness that will warm even the coldest of hearts. Your improved financial condition will be a result of your own initiative. You should not invest in ventures and schemes that only appear to be lucrative. Look from each and every angle before you put your hard-earned money on the table. Housewives will get a new proposal to start a small part-time business on the side. Do not be lavish in your spending. Health and family might require attention.

Annual Predictions: For those born in this week

March 12: Dominated by number 3 and the Planet Jupiter, you are energetic, charming, ambitious, talented, dignified and highly methodical person. You are independent by nature and people admire you for your ability to take bold decisions, but you need to curb your tendencies towards stubbornness, extravagance and dictatorial nature at times. This is the right time to take important business decisions. Investments made during this phase will bring in good profits. Matters related to property will bring gains. Distant travel, may be overseas, brings joy and happiness along with a possible reunion with an old contact. Renovation of the house or construction related activities will also be high on your agenda. Chronic patients definitely need to be more careful about their health. Preventive medicines should not be avoided at any cost. The months of March and August will prove to be highly significant. March 13: Influenced by number 4 and the Planet Uranus, you are talented, bold, reliable, energetic and systematic individual. You always aim high and work with complete dedication towards your goals, but at times you receive a setback after coming extremely close to your goals because of your changeable, inconstant and stubborn nature. This year although productive but results will be slow and will require you to give in your best. Your inability to gather support on your prevailing project will create a sense of dissatisfaction and frustration. Period in the second half of the year will be better for financial dealing, though partnership and joint ventures should be completely avoided. Romance will flourish and some lovebirds will even go for a matrimonial alliance. Despite tensions and stress your health will be fine. The month of August and December will be eventful. March 14: Governed by number 5 and the planet Mercury, you are active, authoritative, dashing, confident, helpful, sincere and kind hearted person. You like to enjoy life to the fullest. You are not very good in expressing your emotions to your lover and your tendency to behave extravagant and lazy always attracts criticism from those around you. This is going to be an extremely rewarding period for women. Favorable stars will bring you prosperity and good fortune. A spectacular leap in your professional career is foreseen provided you make use of the opportunities that arise before you. Good flow of finances will improve your living comforts and savings. An infatuation with the opposite sex will come as a surprise and it will take some time before you start thinking straight again. The health of your parents will cause some concern, but dont worry unnecessarily. The months of August and February will be highly important. March 15: Influenced by number 6 and the Planet Venus, you are enthusiastic, loyal, charming, witty and helpful in nature. You have a very sharp memory, and your grasping power is really wonderful. You can easily hold position of leadership and authority but you loose good opportunities due to your tendency to behave moody, stubborn and vindictive at times. This year there will be a rise in your expenses making it difficult for you to save. Although slow progress of work and disagreements over small issues will irritate you and even show on your health, but towards the yearend, you will be pleased and satisfied with your achievements. Investments made during this period will bring in good returns, though not immediately but eventually. Students will perform well in academics and will be rewarded for their contribution towards extra curricular activities. Spouse remains cooperative despite your erratic behavior. The months of May and June will be important. March 16: Governed by Number 7 and the planet Neptune, you are independent, creative, confident, practical and a systematic person. You are highly ambitious and want to be very rich and famous, but at times you need to check your tendency towards stubbornness and to ignore the opinion of others. This year financial gains will be from various fronts but uncertainty regarding your partner is likely to be one black spot on your chart of success and achievements. Do not trust others more than required. Time management and planning will be of immense importance. Socializing, parties and pleasure jaunts will be quite regular and pleasurable. Wedding bells will ring for those eligible and others will find romance to keep them going. Your over involvement in work will bring in some dismay and resentment among family members. The months of June and September will be highly significant. March 17: Ruled by number 8 and the planet Saturn. You are ambitious, energetic, confident sober and a simple person. You possess sharp memory and are always interested in improving your knowledge and skill, but your progress gets hampered because of your tendency to behave erratic and stubborn at times. This year a promotion or an increase in responsibility will bring you reasons to celebrate. Those professionals looking for a career abroad will receive favorable response. New projects will add a touch of class to your profile. A healthier and loving atmosphere will prevail at home, which will bring good health and prosperity. Housewives will have to cope with regular arrival of guests and relatives. Traveling to a distant place for spiritual gains cannot be ruled out. The months of August and January will prove to be result oriented. March 18: Influenced by number 9 and the planet Mars, you are highly ambitious, dignified, independent, courageous, outgoing, and an enthusiastic person. You are a born leader and you have no trouble in motivating and leading others, but you need to check your tendency to behave erratic, impatient and arrogant at times. This year you should not be too generous with your time and money. Use the opportunities that come your way to improve your earnings and living standard. Your confidence and morale will be high and you are likely to win favors during this period. New partnership will be lucrative and investment will yield gains. You will strengthen your position in the social circle. If you propose any new ideas, you will be surprised, as many important people will back your thoughts. Participating in cultural activities will be educating as well as entertaining. The months of March, July and November will be important.

Before you consult...

i) Accurate Data: Please make sure Date, Time and Place of birth is accurate. ii) Careful: Did you check background of the astrologer before disclosing your secrets. iii) Fee: Discuss the charges before, dont feel shy. Its his business. iv) Expectation: Expect the best, if the outcome is not as desired, never give up. v) Consult: Take second opinion before spending thousands on cure/remedies.

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Spiritual Awareness TheSouthAsianTimes.info

March 12-18, 2011