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The South Asian Times
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Follow us on Vol.5 No. 49 March 30-April 5, 2013 60 Cents New York Edition TheSouthAsianTimes.info
By Arvind Padmanabhan
Durban Summit delivers a BRICS development bank
Holi celebrated with fun, frolic in India

Indian Americans too enjoy Holi events, which will continue for couple of weeks more.
Durban: In a clear signal of their ascendance in the geopolitical space, the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa Wednesday gave their goahead to a BRICS bank, rivaling the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), to address the development challenges of Continued on page 4
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other BRICS leaders during the summit in South Africa.
(Full story on page 34)
North Korea ratifies plan for rocket strike on US and S. Korea

Pyongyang: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has ratified a strike plan by the Strategic Rocket Force as US B-2 stealth bombers flew over the Korean Peninsula, the KCNA news agency reported Friday. "The time has come to settle accounts with the US imperialists in view of the prevailing situation," Xinhua quoted Kim Jong Un as saying after an urgent meeting Continued on page 4
Film luminaries Shabana Azmi and Javed BJP stalwart L.K. Advani and Kamla Advani celebrating Holi at their Delhi home. Akhtar doused in the Holi spirit
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un with the army generals.
Holi in Beawer, Rajasthan, is a different hue altogether.
New York: To counteract all the violence we have witnessed in the US recently, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has launched Nonviolence: No Higher Calling movement. After events on the West Coast and Chicago, the rave and wave powered by the Art of Living Foundation comes to New York on March 30 afternoon when Sri Sri will launch it at the Dag Hammarskjold Plaza (47th St and 2nd Ave). Nonviolence: No Higher Calling seeks to Continued on page 4
Sri Sris non-violence movement to launch in NYC
New Delhi/New York: The festival of colours Holi was celebrated Wednesday across India with enthusiasm and bonhomie. In the national capital, revelers were soaked in a riot of colors as they smeared 'gulal' (colored powder) on each other, distributed sweets and danced to loud music. While youngsters armed with 'pichkaris' (water guns) and balloons filled with colored water sprayed each other as well as passersby, elders preferred to smear one another with gulal as they hugged each other and wished
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar at the NonVio event in Los Angeles early this week.
Entering the pulsating pulse of life

Special Holi section pages 12-29.
'Holi Mubarak'. Many visited temples and prayed to Lord Krishna. In Mumbai, the city and suburbs erupted in colors as thousands poured out of their houses and building complexes since morning to play Rang Panchami (Holi). Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, Mumbai Police and film and television stars urged people to play a safe Holi. In the tristate area, most big Holi events are this weekend. (see event listings on page 22).
Diplomacy 7
Health 30
Fashion 35
Spiritual Awareness 38
excellence in journalism
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March 30-April 5, 2013
TRISTATE COMMUNITY
New York: Rengan Rajaratnam, younger brother of jailed hedgefund manager Raj Rajaratnam on Monday pleaded not guilty before a New York court to charges of conspiring in an insider trading scheme to cheat on Wall Street and earn nearly $1.2 million illegally. Rengam Rajaratnam, 42 was produced before the court a day after his arrest at the John F Kennedy Airport on arrival from Brazil. Rajaratnam, was indicted last week by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on charges of insider trading. A former portfolio manager at the hedge fund management firm Galleon Group Rengan Rajaratnam, voluntarily surrendered after returning from Brazil on Sunday to clear his name, said his lawyer. "After reading about his indictment, Mr Rajaratnam immediately volunteered to return from Brazil, where he had been living and working for the past year, in order to defend himself," the attorneys, David Tobin and Vinoo Varghese, said in the statement.
Rajaratnam's brother pleads not guilty to insider trading charges in US court
Protesters march against Wharton snub to Modi

Washington, DC: About 200 IndianAmericans marched in protest against the controversial withdrawal of an invitation to Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi to speak at the Wharton India Economic Forum. Marching under the banner of a group called Americans for Free Speech, they chanted: "We want Modi!" as the Forum held its conference Saturday afternoon at the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology in Philadelphia. The march, followed by a series of speeches from guest speakers, was held across the street from the conference to which members of the press were denied entrance, the Daily Pennsylvanian reported. About 200 protesters from across the US gathered for the march with two buses from New Jersey and one from Queens, New York bringing people to the protest. During the march, a sign was posted outside the conference hall by the protesters that read: "In memory of Free Speech 1776-2013. Killed at Wharton by the English Department." The march is "carrying the funeral of free speech", Narain Kataria, a speaker at
Rengan Rajaratnam
200 protestors from across the US gathered for the march
The indictments alleged that Rajaratnam conspired with his brother, Galleon founder Raj Rajaratnam, to trade on the basis of material, non-public information concerning Clearwire Corp and Advanced Micro Devices Inc (AMD) in 2008, earning nearly $1.2 million in profits in the aggregate. In a separate complaint, SEC alleged that from 2006 to 2008, Rengan Rajaratnam repeatedly received inside information from his brother and reaped more than $3 million in illicit gains for himself and hedge funds that he managed at Galleon and Sedna Capital Management, a hedge fund advisory firm that he co-founded.
the event, was quoted as saying. Protesters held up signs that read "First they came for the Hindus", "End McCarthyism against Hindus", and "Stop Academic Jihad", among others. One organizer shouted to the crowd that the march was as important as that of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr, the newspaper reported. People on stilts and a jazz band marched with the protesters to "push the excitement", said musician Devon Taylor. Bystanders watched as the crowd of protesters slowly moved their way to Franklin Field.
US lawmakers want hate crimes against Sikhs, Hindus tracked

Washington, DC: Over 100 member of the US House of Representatives have asked the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to track hate crimes against Sikhs, Hindus, and Arab-Americans as it does for other communities. The call came in a letter to FBI Advisory Policy Board signed among others by Joe Crowley, vice chair of the Democratic caucus, Ami Bera, the lone Indian American member of the House and Tulsi Gabbard, the first Hindu American in the Congress. The board is expected to meet soon to review whether these categories should be added to hate crimes forms used by the FBI and department of justice. "These groups have all too often been the victim of violent and deadly attacks, and many are targeted with violence for reasons attackers chillingly claim are related to hatred," the lawmakers said. "Unfortunately, anecdotal and nongovernment data indicate that the commission of hate crimes against Sikhs, Hindus and Arab-Americans has become a deadly problem," they said citing several cases. These included massacre at the Sikh temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin and the murder of Hindu Senando Sen on the New York City subway along with attacks across the US - underscore the severity of the issue. In fact, according to community surveys in New York City and the San Francisco Bay Area, approximately 10 percent of Sikh-Americans felt they had already been a victim of a hate crime. Attacks on persons or property in Michigan and elsewhere add urgency to these concerns, the lawmakers said. The move is backed by the American Jewish Committee, AntiDefamation League, Hindu American Foundation, Indian American Forum for Political Education, Sikh Coalition, and South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT) among other leading national organizations Thanking the lawmakers, the Sikh Coalition said: "We believe that accurately tracking these crimes will strengthen diagnostic and deterrence efforts and help law enforcement officials proactively address these challenges."
First UN International Day of Happiness celebrated

Audio book of spiritual guru Sri Chinmoy released on the occasion
quarters here on the eve of the first UN International Day of Happiness. The Audio Book "The Jewels of Happiness" contains chapters read by Nobel Peace Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu, singer Roberta Flack, Olympic champion Carl Lewis, musician Michael Walden, actress Judith Light and musician Boris Grebenshikov. The event was opened by Anwarul Chowdhury, Special Advisor and Ambassador of Bangladesh to the United Nations for many years. "These sweet gems of wisdom by my dear friend Sri Chinmoy are timeless truths full of encouragement, love and goodness," Nobel Peace Laureate, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, said in a video message. A special message from peace activist Ela Gandhi, granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi, and former Member of Parliament in South Africa, was also read out. The audio book is available on iTunes and audible.com and its proceeds will go to charities for children worldwide: Nelson Mandela Childrens Fund, Philani Nutrition and Development Project in South Africa and Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity.
Sri Chinmoy United Nations: An audio book containing poems and prose by Indian spiritual guru Sri Chinmoy was released at the United Nations head-
New York, NY: The Grand Finale Mega Concert of Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khans 2013 World Tour will be held at Nassau Coliseum, Long Island, NY on Saturday, June 15th. Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan is the glorious voice behind hit songs such as Tere Mast Mast Do Nain, Sajda, Dil To Baccha Hai, Teri Ore and many others. Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan is the nephew of the legendary Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and mentored under him since birth. Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khans 2013 North America tour commences in Dallas on April 19 and will have the grand finale in New York after performing throughout North
Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan to perform at Nassau Coliseum
America and the Caribbean. Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan will commemorate 100 years of Bollywood for this one night Mega Event and also celebrate his contribution to Bollywood for the past10 years. He will be performing many of his famous hits at the Grand Finale concert in New York. The production along with the performance of the maestro will be something which the audiences have never experienced before globally. This is going to be one of the largest concerts of a solo artist with an Indian/Pakistani background that has been ever held in New York.
TURN PAGE
Durban Summit delivera BRICS development Bank story Continued from page 1 poor and emerging economies. The leaders, who met for the 5th BRICS Summit here -- where the Indian delegation was led by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh -- also endorsed a $100-billion contingency reserve arrangement that will be deployed when any of the five membernations faces a crisis. North Korea story Continued from page 1 with top military officials early Friday. He ratified a plan of the Strategic Rocket Force for firepower strike on the US and South Korea if they "make a reckless provocation", said the KCNA. Kim said the latest US move is "not a simple demonstration of forces" but "an ultimatum that will ignite a nuclear war at any cost on the Korean Peninsula". Two B-2 Spirit bombers were sent to the Korean Peninsula Thursday for a firing drill but US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel denied that flying the bombers to the peninsula would aggravate the situation in the region. Tensions have been running high on the Korean Peninsula since North Korea conducted its third nuclear test Feb 12 as a countermeasure against the joint military drills of the US and South Korea. North Korea also threatened to launch a pre-emptive nuclear strike for self-defense and unilaterally nullified the 1953 armistice that suspended the Korean War. Sri Sri non violance movement story Continued from page 1 make the voice of nonviolence louder than violence; for every acts of violence we commit to 100 acts of nonviolence. Together we will reach one billion acts of nonviolence! By re-glorifying non-violence and re-instilling our pride in peace, we can address violence in our communities, our homes, our schools, and the media, said a press release. At every venue, Sri Sri, joined by celebrities and activists, leads guided meditation with thousands of participants to help create a stress-free mindset. Website: nonvio.org
Letter to the Editor
Prohibitive cost of calling India
decade ago, the weekend would be a virtual get together because Indians would call their family and friends from the US and speak to everybody at home. This would happen only once a week -because the calling rates were exorbitant. Later, the rates dropped and then came the VoIP technology. Vonage was the first to offer unlimited calling to India and other countries. Indians in the US rushed to sign up. The rates were low and everybody was calling home -- even the lady who joined her husband here after marriage would call up her parents and talk for hours about the lack of domestic help to the tattooed couple next door who were not married but had kids. Others jumped on the bandwag-
on Allvoi, Unovon, Ooma, to name a few. It certainly was truly UNLIMITED calling. Today it seems we are again looking at the dark pre-2006 era. With all the telecom carriers increasing call rates to India by a whopping 150% in March, every VoIP provider of services would be forced to increase their monthly charges and offload this burden to their valuable customers. This would be felt by the entire Indian community when they see their monstrous bills in about a months time. Else the VoIP would have to force the customer to limit their calling, thereby bringing an end to the era of Unlimited Calling. Karan Thapar Collings Lakes, NJ
'I am Malala' to fetch Pak teen 2m

London: The life story of a 15-year Pakistani girl who was shot by the Taliban will be published later this year, in a deal reported to be worth around 2m. "I am Malala" will be published in the autumn and will tell the story of Malala Yousafzai, who was shot by Taliban gunmen after she became an advocate for woman's education in the Swat Valley. She now attends a school in Birmingham. Yousafzai said: "I hope this book will reach people around the world, so they realize how difficult it is for some children to get access to education. "I want to tell my story, but it will also be the story of 61m children who can't get education. I want it to be part of the campaign to give every boy and girl the right to go to school. It is their basic right." The book, which will be published by Weidenfeld & Nicholson in the UK and Commonwealth and by Little, Brown in the rest of the
Malala Yousafzai
world, is the latest stage of Yousafzai's public life which almost ended in tragedy. Yousafzai began writing a blog on the BBC Urdu service under a pseudonym about life in the Swat Valley in 2009. The Taliban were expanding their influence and at times banned girls from going to school and the Pakistani army fought to reestablish control. In October last year, gunmen boarded her school bus and shot her in the head. Yousafzai was flown to England where she was treated. Last month she had an operation to rebuild her skull and restore her hearing. Earlier this month Yousafzai went back to school.
(Left) The Hindu Temple of India Cultural Society, Wayne, NJ, celebrated Holi on March 27. The program started with Satya Narayan Puja followed by maha Aarti and Holi Pragatya. Shastri Arvind explained the significance of Holi. Rangotsav will be celebrated on March 30th at 2:00 PM outside the temple.
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NATIONAL COMMUNITY
Washington, DC: Reflecting the concerted effort on the part of the US to tap the huge investment and business climate that India offers, as many as eight American governors and mayors are planning to visit the country this year. "This year, at least eight American governors and city mayors plan to visit India with trade and investment delegations, which the State Department is pleased to help arrange," assistant secretary of state for south and central asia, Robert Blake, told students of the Berkeley Institute of International Studies in California on Thursday. The California Governor, Jerry Brown, too is planning a India visit, he said. "During these visits, state officials and private sector representatives explore opportunities for job creation and investments by American companies in India and Indian companies in America," he said. "Our state officials increasingly understand that as the fastest-growing market for US exports, India provides significant opportunities to drive US job growth and bring economic opportunity to the American workforce," he
Eight US governors, city mayors plan to visit India in 2013
Rep Meng vows support to Indian community
added. Blake said businesses and citizens on both sides are recognizing the benefits of increased partnership. A 2012 report by the industry body CII noted that Indian companies in America had invested more than $820 million in US-based facilities, had collectively conducted 72 mergers and acquisitions in the US since 2005, and had projected research and development investments estimated to be over $190 million in 2012 alone.Indian companies operating in the US are adding tremendous value to the local economies in which they operate, the most tangible effects of which are felt at the state and county levels. "That's why one of our top priorities in building the partnership with India is to expand state-and local-level engagement," he said. Referring to the substantial jump in India-US trade, Blake said the booming trade relationship already is delivering substantial benefits to the American people. Over the past decade, our bilateral trade has nearly quadrupled, reaching nearly $100 billion last year.
Freida Pinto in a Naeem Khan outfit at Lakme Fashion Week, Mumbai. Khan, whose brand has been a favorite with personalities like First Lady Michelle Obama, Beyonce and Sonam Kapoor, has said that he is looking to open a store in Mumbai and to work with Bollywood celebs.
The newly elected Congresswoman from New York Grace Meng , at a reception arranged by the Indian National Overseas Congress (I), committed her close cooperation to push US India ties and support to Indo-US Community. The issue of family reunification clause in the upcoming Immigration Reform Bill was also raised. Seen in the photo, Grace Meng with prominent INOC (I) leaders.
Democratic Party gives key role to Ami Bera for polls

Washington, DC: IndianAmerican Congressman Ami Bera has been given a key responsibility in the Democratic party to reach out to the immigrant community in the run-up to the 2014 Congressional elections. 48-year-old Bera, a physician by profession, has been made one of the two chairs of the New America Council along with Congressman Keith Ellison. New Americas Council Chairs will lead outreach efforts to immigrant communities and other new Americans, critical parts of the rising American electorate that is crucial to Democrats' success in 2014, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) Chairman Steve Israel said in a statement. He also announced leadership team with the Tribal Council, LGBT Council, Labor Council and Defense Council for the 2013-2014 cycle. "The men and women in our leadership represent every corner of this great country, and we're so proud that our caucus truly reflects what America looks like," Israel said. "Thanks to our diversity and commitment to the middle class, we won more votes than Republicans in 2012, and looking ahead to 2014, the leaders of our Tribal Council, New Americas Council, LGBT Council, Labor Council, Defense Council, Latino Council and Women LEAD will continue to broaden our appeal to all Americans," he said. Within a few months of being sworn in as a lawmaker, Bera has impressed his party leaders with his performances.
Bangalore: Top Indian space scientist U.R. development of Indian space technology and Rao has been inducted into the Satellite its application to communications and Hall of Fame in Washington DC by the remote sensing of natural resources since Society of Satellite Professionals the 1960s. "Rao was responsible for the creation International, in the US. "Rao is the first Indian space scientist of India's space and satellite capabilities to be inducted into the Satellite Hall of and their application to the nation's develFame and joins the select group of about 50 opment. As ISRO chairman (1984members, including Arthur C. Clarke, Van 1994), he established satellite technoloAllen, Harold Rosen, Peter Jackson gy in India," the citation said at a and Robert Berry, among others," function held March 19. Rao also UR Rao, Indian Space Research Organisation accelerated the development of ex ISRO chief Indian rocket technology, result(ISRO) said here Thursday. Rao, chairman of the Physical Research ing in the launch of ASLV rocket in 1992 and the Laboratory in Ahmedabad, has contributed to the operational PSLV launch vehicle.
Indian space scientist honored in the US
Sexual harassment lawsuit against Bikram Yoga founder

Should we make this a relationship? New York: Bikram Choudhury, founder of Bikram Yoga and creator of the famed Choudhury is quoted as saying the lawsuit. I know you from a past life and Hot Yoga program popular with A-list Hollywood celebrities, is being sued by I have this feeling about you. In your culture, you call it love; I cant love, a former student who claims the 67you know but that is how I feel year-old yoga instructor repeatedly made sexual advances to her, and about you. I have never, never felt like this about anyone. Only you. denied her employment when she spurned him. We have a connection. It is amazing. So what should we do According to the complaint, about this? Choudhury reportedly Sarah Baughn who was 20 asked the young Baughn, who when she first began taking said she was frozen by her Bikram Yoga classes alleged Bikram Choudhury that Choudhury, over a period instructors comments, but manof four years, had made repeated sexual aged to say she had a boyfriend. Choudhury advances, publicly humiliated her in front of dismissed her statement, saying he had a wife. other students and denied her employment In later discussions, Choudhury allegedly called his wife a bitch, according to the suit. when she spurned his advances. The harassment allegedly began in the In the lawsuit, Baughn alleges that she has spring of 2005, when Baughn attended a been prevented from teaching classes and teacher training course taught by Choudhury attending advanced seminars. She is seeking himself. On the fifth night of the course, the an unnamed amount of compensatory damsuit says, Choudhury singled out Baughn and ages from the Choudhurys for economic and told her he had known her from a past life. emotional relief.
NATIONAL COMMUNITY
New York: 'Turbanator' Gurpreet Singh Sarin happens to be luckier than Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty. The young man of Indian origin, who made it to the top 40 on the "American Idol" reality show, says he didn't face any racial discrimination on his journey to achieving a fusion of Indian classical music and western music. "I am very thankful I did not face anything like that (racism) from the judges or any other people," said Gurpreet. "I was conscious that there must be people who might be ignorant and racist and did not understand where I come from, but I was just focused on my singing, and moving on to the next level of competition," added the singer, earned the
Faced no racism: Turbanator Gurpreet Singh Sarin

'Turbanator' moniker thanks to the colorful turbans he sported on "American Idol." This is quite unlike what Shilpa Shetty faced in Britain when she was a part of "Celebrity Big Brother" in 2007. She was bullied by the other contestants and the racist attacks attracted a furore from several quarters. Ultimately, Shilpa won the competition. But even while Gurpreet is now out of the show, he is happy he has been "able to educate people about myself through my passion and dream, and that has been a blessing." He left the judges, global celebrities like Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban, with his talent and even made "American Idol" host
Ryan Seacrest do the bhangra on the show, which airs on channel BIG CBS LOVE. A trained classical singer, the 22-year-old belongs to a family with an inclination for instruments like the tabla, sitar and flute. Through the music platform, Gurpreet wanted to show how the two worlds - Indian and western can be brought together. "One reason why I wanted to be on the show was to show everyone how I can incorporate Indian classical music into American music. There have been artists like Norah Jones who have incorporated Indian classical influences and I got an opportunity to do the same," he said. A student of Computers and Information Science at a university in New York, Gurpreet has
American Idol contestant Gurpreet Singh
Bollywood in mind too. However, his influences include artists like tabla maestro Zakir Hussain, sarod expert Amjad Ali Khan and late sitar maestro Ravi Shankar, who expanded India's presence on the world map with their talent. Gurpreet admits that as a contestant on "American Idol", he served as an inspiration and encouragement for other Indian-origin youngsters in the US. He says he received immense support through the online
medium. "I would get messages from my fans saying that being an Indian, I am encouraging them and I am their role model. For me that was a wonderful opportunity. I wasn't even conscious how large a role model I had become," Gurpreet said. He, however, wants to finish his studies first before giving himself completely to the music world and is thankful about the exposure he got through "American Idol".
Indian-Americans welcome launch of PIO student goes missing in Providence, FBI joins search electronic postal order
Washington, DC: Indians living abroad, especially those in the US have welcomed the launch of the electronic postal order, which they say would go a long way for them seeking information from the Indian Government and other state governments under the Right to Information Act. A number of Indians living in the US said that RTI has now become accessible to the Indian citizens living abroad after the Postal Department last week launched Indian postal order in electronic format (eIPO). "With eIPO, I now have the ability to discern conflicting information about governance in India in the news by going directly to the source - the government," said Vishal Kudchadkar, a volunteer with the non-profit Association for India's Development (AID) at Los Angeles. "In the last seven years, we have tried all possible workarounds to exercise our right to know. Now, our participation in nation building has become tad easier!" For the past several years, the volunteers of AID have been running from pillar to post both at the Indian missions in the United States and with government agencies back home seeking information under RTI. However, the inability to pay in Indian currency from overseas was coming a major hindrance in their move. "It has been seven long years since we started this campaign for our right to information. It has been a difficult journey and during this time we have had to depend on friends in India to file RTIs on our behalf," said Arun Gopalan, a volunteer with Association for India's Development, Greater Washington Metro area chapter. "Their non-availability meant a missed opportunity. That will no longer be the case with this new eIPO. It would be ideal if the list of email id of PIOs is also available on this portal and the information exchange is completely digitized, but we will take this for now," Gopalan said. Balaji Janakiraman Iyer said the launch of eIPO would make the Right to Information more accessible to all Indian citizens living abroad.
Washington: The FBI has joined the search for him. search for 22-year-old Indian-American "Sunil is a kind, gentle and shy young Sunil Tripathi, an undergraduate Brown man. All we want is for him to return safe University student who went missing on and well," the family said. March 16. Tripathi, a philosophy major, was on The police of Providence, Rhode Island approved leave from the University. has launched a massive search operation to Tripathi's sister Sangeeta said her brother find Tripathi, while his friends have not had "no exceptional plans" that weekend only been doing their own search, putting and that it was "completely atypical" of him up posters across the city but also have to disappear without contacting anyone. launched a Facebook page to find him. "Between family and friends, we are in Lead investigator detective Mark Sacco constant contact with him," 30-year-old said "no solid leads" have been found Sangeeta said. so far. "We became worried when he didn't Sunil Tripathi Tripathi's cellphone, credit card, ID and respond to many missed calls." other personal things were found in his room. The search has focused in the past week on hospitals, FBI declined to comment on the investigation, except stores, parks and other public spaces where Tripathi could for saying that it is assisting the local police in search of be but authorities have found no signs of him. the missing student. The search, which has been spearheaded by the According to the Facebook Page set up by family, Providence Police Department and the Brown University Tripathi who went missing from his Angell Street resi- Department of Public Safety, has now expanded to dence since Saturday morning is 6'0, 130 pounds, with Boston, Connecticut, New York and Philadelphia, accordbrown eyes and short brown hair. ing to a statement from the school. He left wearing blue jeans, a Philadelphia Eagles "(It's) on the small hope he just decided to go somebeanie, and a black sweatshirt. He is essentially off the where and is OK. People have been posting fliers and visgrid since he does not have his ID, wallet, or cell phone. iting places a young person without an ID or money "Sunil has been struggling with depression since he would go," she said. took a leave of absence from Brown last year. A note sug"We're a very, very close family and when we heard (he gestive of suicidal intent left behind in his apartment has was missing), we were trying to frantically look for phohis family extremely worried," the family said, adding tos. We had trouble finding a photo (where) we all weren't that they are currently in Providence, helping the police so physically close in the image," she said.
Hicksville, NY: IALI (India Association of Long Island)s President Kishore Kuncham coordinated a free health camp, together with AAPI-Queens Long Island chapter and other community organizations, at Asamai Hindu Temple here on March 24. Over 80 people took advantage of the free consultative services of 18 volunteer doctors and availed free sugar check, mammograms, weight loss and nutrition advice, and advice on laughter yoga, breathing techniques and ayurveda.
IALI holds free health camp in Hicksville
Washington, DC : Ranee Campaneria, term expired," it Ramaswamy founded the said. The National Council on Ragamala Music and Dance the Arts advises the Chairman of the National Endowment for the Theatre in Minneapolis, Minnesota Arts, who also chairs the in 1992 and has been popularizing this classical Indian dance form in Council, on agency policies and America. programs. It reviews and makes The White House said Obama has recommendations to the Chairman on applications for sent her nomination, along with grants, funding guidelines, and others, to the Senate for its approval. leadership initiatives. According "Ranee Ramaswamy, of to her bio posted on her website, Minnesota, to be a Member of the since 1984, Ramaswamy has National Council on the Arts for a Ranee Ramaswamy been a disciple of Alarmel Valli, term expiring September 3, 2018, vice Miguel one of India's greatest living masters.
Ranee Ramaswamy nominated to National Council of Arts
Ranee has worked with celebrated artists such as poet Robert Bly, jazz musician Howard Levy and legendary composer/ violinist L Subramaniam. Among her many grants and fellowships are 13 McKnight Artist Fellowships, a Bush Fellowship, and an Artist Exploration Fund grant from Arts International. Her work is supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Dance Project, and the Japan Foundation. In 2011, she was chosen as the McKnight Foundation Distinguished Artist. Ranee and co-Artistic Director Aparna Ramaswamy were named the 2011 'Artist of the Year' by the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
D ip l omacy
resident Barack Obama visited Israel for the first time in office and used the opportunity to reassure Israelis that he is on their side while posing as an arbitrator of peace between them and Palestinians. Obamas strained relations with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (who had favored Mitt Romney as President in 2012 election) and criticism of his governments building of housing settlements in the West Bank left many Israelis feeling estranged. During preparations for the current trip, White House aides said a top priority would be to reverse that sentiment.
US President Obama visited the Middle East last week with a message of peace and reconciliation between the feuding sides
Peace Pilgrim
In his acceptance speech, Obama portrayed himself as a friend of Israelis who is deeply concerned and committed to your future. The second key line in the speech called on Israelis to recognize the Palestinian right to justice, not as an abstraction but in a personal way. Put yourself in their shoes. Look at the world through their eyes, Obama said. This needed some guts to say to Israeli leaders in Jerusalem. Then, prodded by President Obama, Israel and Turkey agreed to end a 3-year rift caused by a deadly Israeli commando raid on a Turkish ship bound for Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu phoned his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan to apologize for the deaths of nine activists aboard the Turkish ship and promised to reach an agreement on compensation to their families.
Wearing a white skullcap, President Obama pauses after adjusting a wreath placed in the Hall of Remembrance during his visit to the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem, March 22.
President Obama visits the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, West Bank, March 22.
President Obama visits the Hall of Names during his visit to the Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Shimon Peres are also seen.
Israeli President Shimon Peres shakes hand with President Barack Obama after presenting him the Presidential medal of distinction, Israels highest civilian honor, March 21.
President Obamas visit began with an inspection of the Iron Dome Battery defense system in Tel Aviv. The Iron Dome is a short range rocket and mortar defense system, which was developed by Israel and produced with US assistance and is part of a multi-tier missile defense developed to counter the rocket threat against Israels civilian population. The Iron Dome was mentioned in conferring the Presidential medal of distinction, Israels highest civilian honor, on Obama, which Israeli President Shimon Peres presented to Obama at an official function on March 21. The country is celebrating 65th anniversary of its formation.
President Obama poses with children waving the Palestinian and US flags during a visit to the Church of the Nativity with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on March 22.
A Jordanian soldier stands watch at Nabataeb Amphitheater as President Obama and his guide walk through the ancient city of Petra, Jordan, March 23.
President Obama tours the crypt containing the birthplace of Jesus during his visit to the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, West Bank, March 22.
Palestinian protesters denouncing US support to Israel during a demonstration against President Obamas visit to the region on March 20.
US AFFAIRS
Those supporting and opposing same sex marriage demonstrating in Washington as the apex court deliberated on the vexing issue affecting many aspects of life in the country. Incidentally, marriage between whites and blacks was illegal not too long ago.
By Arun Kumar Washington: As the US Supreme Court concluded its historic hearing on the legality of same-sex marriage, a majority of its nine judges raised questions about a federal law denying some benefits to gay couples. While nine of America's 50 states allow same-sex marriage and nine others permit civil partnerships, the
Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) defines marriage for federal purposes as only between one man and one woman. The top court is expected to give its verdict by mid June on DOMA signed into law in 1996 by then President Bill Clinton as also California's Proposition 8 that bans same-sex marriage. The court heard arguments Tuesday and Wednesday on what
has since the November presidential election become a major social issue with a bearing on electoral politics - the right of gay and lesbian couples to wed and receive the full benefits of law provided to heterosexual couples. Under DOMA, Social Security, pension and bankruptcy benefits, along with family medical leave protections and other federal provisions, do not apply to gay and lesbian couples legally married in states that recognize such unions. Going by the comments from the bench split equally between liberals and conservatives, the court appeared divided about whether DOMA is discriminatory and steps on state marriage laws for gays and lesbians. "What gives the federal government the right to define marriage?"
Supreme Court questions ban on same-sex marriage

asked Justice Sonia Sotomayor. The potential swing vote, Justice Anthony Kennedy, also questioned the reach of DOMA, saying it presents a "real risk of running into traditional state police power to regulate marriage." On the other side, Chief Justice John Roberts repeatedly asked whether it would step on state power to do the opposite of DOMA - pass a law providing full federal benefits to any legally married same-sex couple. Roberts and Justice Antonin Scalia also suggested DOMA could still remain in place as a valid extension of congressional authority, as 41 states do not allow samesex marriage. The DOMA challenge was brought by Edie Windsor, an 83year-old woman from New York
who married Thea Clara Spyer in 2007. After Spyer's death in 2009, Windsor was denied an exemption of federal estate taxes. President Obama who last May came out in support of same-sex marriage had earlier in February 2011 told the US Congress that the Department of Justice would no longer defend DOMA in federal court. However, the Republican controlled House is defending DOMA in court at a cost of $3 million. An ABC News/Washington Post poll, taken March 7-10, showed 58 percent of respondents in support of gay marriage, while 36 percent opposed it. That's nearly the opposite of public opinion on gay marriage in 2003, when ABC/Post polling showed 37 percent support and 55 percent opposition.
T-Mobile announces aggressive phone pricing sans contracts

New York: T-Mobile said on Tuesday the Apple iPhone 5 would be available starting April 12 for $100 upfront, with customers paying an additional $20 a month for 24 months for the handset. Other new smartphones, like the Samsung Galaxy S IV and the BlackBerry Z10, will be available with similar payment plans. Although there would be no contract binding customers to T-Mobile, the No. 4 American mobile carrier by market share, customers would have to pay off the balance they owe on their phone to end service before the two years are up. Also Tuesday, T-Mobile formally replaced its old phone contracts with new plans that do not require signing a contract. For $50 a month, customers can get unlimited minutes, text messages and 500 megabytes of data; they can pay an extra $20 for unlimited data. Over two years, the effective price for a smartphone and phone service would be hundreds of dollars less than it would on AT&T or Verizon Wireless. At $580, it would also be cheaper than buying a $649 unlocked phone directly from Apple. At those two carriers, the most popular phone plans cost upwards of $100 a month with a two-year contract for limited data. The iPhone 5 costs at least $199 on their networks with a two-year contract. The simplified phone plans are part of T-Mobiles new campaign to be the un-carrier. By moving to contractfree plans, it says it is doing away with charging customers fees for surpassing their data limits or terminating their service early.
Washington: US mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will offer a new and simplified loan modification initiative to help troubled borrowers avoid foreclosure and stay in their homes, authorities said. The new streamlined modification program, which will begin this July and expire in August 2015, is only available to borrowers who are at least 90 days delinquent on their mortgage owned or guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, the US Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) said. The mortgage giants will offer these eligible borrowers
Fannie, Freddie to simplify mortgage rules
an easy way to lower their monthly payments and modify their mortgage without requiring financial or hardship documentation, reported Xinhua. "This streamline modification initiative will cut through the paperwork and simplify the process of securing a permanent mortgage modification for struggling borrowers," Leslie Peeler, senior vice president of Fannie Mae, said in a statement Wednesday. Since 2008, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have completed 2.7 million foreclosure prevention transactions, including 1.3 million loan modifications.
American healthcare prices are super high office-visit-800x57

his chart shows price charged for a routine doctor's office visit in the United States versus other countries. This is from the International Federation of Health Plans, and they have similar price charts for other health care servicesand they all look the same. The high prices make private health care extraordinarily expensive to patients and employers in America, and the same high prices make it difficult for the government to cover everything through publicsector insurance. Canada, where the prices are lower, manages to have a more robust welfare state without higher taxes for precisely this reason.
Obama sure immigration reform coming soon

Washington: President Barack Obama is confident that immigration reform to resolve the problem of 11 million illegal immigrants, including some 260,000 Indians, is coming soon. A group of lawmakers is close to working out the details of their proposal, he told Wednesday two of America's largest Spanish-language TV networks, Telemundo and Univision. "I'm actually very optimistic that when they return in early April we will see a bill ready to move through the process," he told Telemundo. "The most important thing is that we are seeing a strong compromise to resolve the problem," he said. "I've got my own legislation, I'm prepared to step in, but I don't think that's going to be necessary." And he told Univision: "My sense is that they are close". "My expectation is we'll see a bill on the floor of the Senate next month." The President is "confident we can get it done certainly before the end of the summer." CNN citing a source familiar with the immigration reform proposal negotiations reported last week that a bipartisan group of eight senators had tentatively agreed to some of the stickiest issues, like a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants and metrics for securing the border. But there was a key issue before the "gang of eight" - four Democrats and four Republicans - that had yet to be resolved: how to construct a guest worker program for the future.
Washington: A new dimension is being added to the India-US global partnership with growing ties between the states of the two countries, according to the Indian ambassador to the US, Nirupama Rao. Maryland state surrounding the US capital on three sides "has been one of the pioneers in this regard and we admire and are completely supportive of the initiatives you have taken in this regard," she said in an address to the state assembly in Annapolis Tuesday. Rao addressed both the chambers of the Maryland General Assembly, the
States adding new dimension to India-US ties: Nirupama Rao
first legislature set up in the United States, predating the Capitol in Washington DC. She also met the Speaker of the House of Delegates, Michael Busch. State governor Martin O'Malley's six-day visit to India in November 2011 produced significant results with nearly $60 million in business deals for Maryland companies, Rao recalled. This, she said citing the governor sent "a strong message to India's top business organizations and companies that Maryland is the gateway to doing business in the US."
INDIA
The projects, as listed by the prime minister, are: -Nod for a BRICS Development Bank on the lines of the World Bank to address the development needs of emerging and poor economies Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the 5th -A contingent reserve BRICS Summit in Durban arrangement with a On Board Air India One: Prime $100 billion commitment from Minister Manmohan Singh Brazil, Russia, India, China and expressed satisfaction that the 5th South Africa for deployment when BRICS Summit delivered on sug- any of these nations are in distress gestions made by India at the previ-The setting up of the BRICS ous conclave in New Delhi, notably Business Council on a development bank. -The setting up of a mechanism "As you would have seen from the for a BRICS consortium of think BRICS Declaration, a number of tanks. "For us, BRICS is a very important steps have been taken," important forum. It represents 27 the prime minister said an interac- percent of the global GDP, about 40 tion with the accompanying media percent of the world population and, delegation on the way back from as such, there is a growing compliDurban. mentarity," the prime minister said. "I am particularly glad some proj"I certainly value this opportunity ects, which were either conceived at annually to review the strength of the New Delhi Summit of BRICS in the global economy, the events that March last year or piloted by India are taking place in various regions during its just-concluded chairman- of the world and events which have ship of BRICS, have registered obviously implications for our own important progress," he added. growth and prosperity."
Durban delivered India's BRICS demands: PM
Durban: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has assured Russian President Vladimir Putin that the first phase of the atomic power project in Kudankulam in Tamil Nadu, that has seen a series of anti-nuclear protests, will be up and running by next month. "I am pleased to inform you Mr. President that Kudankulam Unit I will become operational, in particular, the very next month," the prime minister told the Russian president when they met at a bilateral meeting on the margins of the 5th BRICS Summit late Wednesday. The first unit has the capacity of 1,000 mega watt. It is being implemented in the southern Tamil Nadu town, near Tirunelveli, by the staterun Nuclear Power Corporation of India and the Russian nuclear ener-
N-plant now on track: PM to Putin

Kudankulam nuclear plant in Tamil Nadu
gy company Atomstroyexport. The prime minister also assured the Russian president, in what was their second meeting in four months, about the substantive progress being made on the other remaining phases of the joint nuclear energy program between India and Russia. "As far as Unit III and IV are concerned, we have secured our internal approvals," the prime minister said,
referring to the sanction granted by the meeting of the cabinet committee on security, which he chairs. The prime minister, officials said, also told the Russian president that India's National Security Adviser Shiv Shankar Menon has been asked to keep in touch with his Russian counterpart Nikolai Patrushev and follow up on the progress in all strategic Indo-Russian joint programs. These cover areas such as defense civil nuclear energy, space and counter-terrorism. The two sides are also committed to raising their bilateral trade to $20 billion by 2014 from around $9 billion now. During their 30-minute meeting, the two leaders also discussed other issues such as the situation in Afghanistan and Syria.
On Board Air India One: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh declined to be drawn into the issue of perceptions over slow progress in trying the Italian marines who allegedly killed two Indian fishermen. "As far as the two marines (are
Italian marines matter sub judice: PM

concerned), accused of killing two Indian fishermen, this is now a story which is a part of the judicial process," the prime minister told journalists on his way back from Durban after attending the two-day BRICS Summit. "The Supreme Court has
looked at it and a Special Court has been set up. I sincerely believe, that's where the matter should be left," he said. "It would be much too presumptuous on my part to comment on an issue that is subjudice."
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INDIA
withdrawn when students and faculty of the University of Pennsylvania protested Modi's inclusion in the event. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has maintained that Modi has never sought a visa, in the first place. US businesses, however, have
US team meets Modi, praises Gujarat

warmed to Modi in recent times. Aaron Schock, a Republican representing Illinois in the House of Representatives, is leading the delegation. Ron Somers, president of the US-India Business Council (USIBC), Cynthia Lummis, Republican Congresswoman rep-
Rajnath, US envoy discuss FDI

The delegation invited Gujarat Chief Minister to visit US
Ahmedabad: A delegation from the US, including members of the House of Representatives and business leaders, met Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and lauded the economic development in the state under his watch.
The meeting assumes significance as the US has been denying Modi a visa for his alleged role in the 2002 Gujarat riots. Only recently, an invitation to speak at the Wharton India Economic Forum in the US was
New Delhi: US Ambassador Nancy J. Powell met BJP president Rajnath Singh and discussed wide range of issues including FDI in retail and security scenario in the region. Informed sources said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president touched upon the secu-
rity scenario in the south Asian region in the wake of the withdrawal of NATO forces from Afghanistan in 2014. They said that the issue of foreign direct investment in multibrand retail also figured in the discussions that lasted nearly an hour.
resenting Wyoming, and Cathy M. Rodgers, Republican Congresswoman from Washington state, are among the prominent faces in the delegation. "I spoke to the US delegation about how Gujarat has adopted a faster, inclusive and environmentfriendly process of development," Narendra Modi said in a comment on Twitter. "Am thankful to the members of US Congress and business persons for their kind words on Gujarat's development," he said. Modi has emerged as a possible prime ministerial candidate of the BJP for the 2014 general elections. Talking to the media later, BJP leader Vijay Jolly said the delegates invited Modi to the US, and he has accepted the invitation.
Prayers and fasting on Good Friday Will Congress, SP divorce?

New Delhi: With fasts and daylong prayer services in churches, Christians in the national capital and elsewhere in India observed Good Friday, which marks the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Many people fasted and prayed silently to mark the day. The period of mourning ends Sunday when Christians celebrate Easter, marking the resurrection of Christ. Some members of the community start fasting around 40 days before Good Friday, in keeping with tradition. The 40-day period of Lent sees devout Christians abstaining from all meats and alcohol. Lent refers to the period of 40 days of fasting that Christ observed in the desert before returning to Jerusalem where he was welcomed as the king of the Jews. Fearing his popularity, the rulers of the kingdom plotted his death with the help of his disciple Judas.
New Delhi: Hopeful of a comeback in Karnataka, the Congress has to overcome factionalism and select the right candidates if it has to return to power in the state in May after seven years. "Curbing infighting and selecting the right candidates would be crucial for our victory," a senior Congress leader who did not wish to be named said. Karnataka will vote for a 224 member house (one nominated Anglo-Indian member makes it 225) on May 5. The result will be out May 8. A win in Karnataka could boost the Congress morale in southern India, especially after the exit of the DMK from the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance over the Sri Lankan issue. The May 5 ballot is also significant as the Congress will be contesting a big state after Rahul Gandhi became the party's vice president in January. Earlier, Congress failed to retain power in 2004 assembly polls, won 64 seats and formed a coalition government with Janata Dal-Secular with N.
Can Congress overcome infighting in Karnataka?
COMING OUT OF SHADOW: Samajwadi party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav with Manmohan Singh
Karnataka will vote for a 224-member house on May 5
Dharam Singh as chief minister. The coalition collapsed in 2006 as JD-S leader H. D. Kumaraswamy, son of former prime minister and JD-S president H D Deve Gowda, tied up with BJP to form a government. Kumaraswamy became the chief minister and BJP's B. S. Yeddyurappa was his deputy. The arrangement was Kumaraswamy will vacate his chair after 20 months paving way for Yeddyurappa as chief minister for
the remaining 20 months of the assembly. But Kumaraswamy did not keep his word and the BJP-JD-S coalition collapsed forcing early assembly elections in 2008, instead of 2009. The Congress, which has been out of power in Karnataka for seven years, lost the state to the Bharatiya Janata Party in 2008 primarily due to infighting and wrong selection of candidates, say party insiders.
Lucknow: From calling BJP leader L.K. Advani honest to billing Congress leaders "cheats" and "conspirators", the Samajwadi Party (SP) is steadily upping the ante against the Congress. And on Holi, Samajwadi party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav's renewed attack appeared to hint that his party's love-hate relationship with the Congress could snap sooner than later. SP sources say Uttar Pradesh's ruling party is making a calculated move after a series of meetings of its strategy makers. The Congress has become dependent on the SP and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in the Lok Sabha following withdrawal of the DMK and the Trinamool Congress from the United Progressive Alliance (UPA). Many in the SP view the Congress as a sinking ship and feel that any further bon homie with it could prove suicidal. A senior SP leader said it was just a matter of time before the two parties go in for a political divorce, with the SP snapping its support to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Asked why he was so confident as the SP had bailed out the Congress in the past, a senior Uttar
Pradesh minister said: "The SP is now in for corrective measures to save its political space." He added that the SP wanted early parliamentary elections, by October this year, to ward off any anti-incumbency in the state. Ram Asrey Kushwaha, general secretary of the SP, echoed Mulayam Singh's hard line vis-avis the Congress. "Everyone knows the Congress ditches everyone," he said. "It is loud and clear that the Congress has lost public support and is now crippled by the withdrawal of support by allies like the Trinamool and the DMK." Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, who had so far pitched for "cordial ties" with the central government, has suddenly turned ballistic. "The political situation (in New Delhi) is fluid, the UPA government is anti-people and the Samajwadi Party will take a decision on withdrawing its support (to UPA) soon," he said. The Congress has started hitting back. In the last one month, Uttar Pradesh leaders of the party have cornered the Akhilesh Yadav government in the assembly. The party has also launched public protests against the government.
Happy Holi
Holi Pages Coverage 12-29
Entering the pulsating pulse of life

The South Asian Times Special Supplement
Holi day. Children till date play pranks and hurl abuses at the time of Holika Dahan.
Cultural Significance
Holi gives us a wonderful chance to indulge in this. For, the festival reminds us that the time is perfect to renew love and recharge your vitality. All in sync with nature and its many hues. Celebration of the various legends associated with Holi reassures people of the power of the truth as the moral of all these legends is the ultimate victory of good over evil. The legend of Hiranyakashyap and Prahlad also points to the fact that extreme devotion to God pays as God always takes his true devotee in his shelter. All these legends help the people to follow a good conduct in their lives and believe in the virtue of being truthful. This is extremely important in the modern day society where so many people resort to evil practices for small gains and victimize one who is honest. Besides, the festival is celebrated at a time of the year when the fields are in full bloom and people are expecting a good harvest. This gives people a good reason to rejoice, make merry and submerge themselves in the spirit of Holi.
elebrated in the month of Phalguna (March), Holi originated in Northern India to indicate a change of season from winter to spring, the festival has assumed a pan-India color over the ages. Coming into its own, the Indian diaspora too now enjoy the spirit of Holi, particularly in countries with large Indic populations following Hinduism, such as Suriname, Malaysia, Guyana, South Africa, Trinidad, UK, US, Mauritius, and Fiji. In some states of India such as West Bengal and Orissa, it is known as Doul Jatra or Basanta-Utsav (spring festival). The most celebrated Holi is in the Braj region, in locations connected to Lord Krishna: Mathura, Vrindavan, Nandgaon, and Barsana. These places have become tourist destinations during the festive season of Holi. Celebration with colors symbolizes the energy, the vivid and passionate pulse of life signifying vitality. The spirit of celebration is to showcase the shifting panorama of life, of sights and movement of feelings. The human heart beating in us all too feels the urge to be recharged with the new colors of spring and catch on the verdant mood outside.
Mythological Significance
Holi gets us close to our mythology as it is linked to various legends. Foremost is the legend of Prahlad and Hiranyakshyap. There once lived a powerful demon king, Hiranyakshyap, who considered himself God and wanted everybody to worship him. To his great ire, his own son, Prahlad, began to worship Lord Vishnu. To get rid of his son, Hiranyakshyap asked his sister, Holika to enter a blazing fire with Prahlad in her lap, as she had a boon to enter fire unscathed. Prahlad, however, was saved for his extreme devotion for the lord and Holika paid a price for her sinister act. Meanwhile, Lord Vishnu incarnated as Narsimha (half-man and half-lion) and vanquished the evil demon. The tradition of burning Holika or Holika Dahan comes mainly from this legend.
Holi also celebrates the legend of Radha and Krishna, which describes the extreme delight Krishna took in applying color on Radha and other gopis. This prank of Krishna later became a trend and a part of the Holi festivities. Mythology also states that Holi is the celebration of death of Ogress Pootana who tried to kill infant Krishna by breastfeeding him poisonous milk. In South India, a popular legend of Holi is that of Lord Shiva and Kaamadeva. People there celebrate the sacrifice of Lord of Passion, Kaamadeva, who risked his life (got incinerated in the process) to force Shiva out of his samadhi and save the world. Also popular is the legend of Ogress Dhundhi who used to trouble children in the kingdom of Raghu and was ultimately chased away by the pranks of children on
Social Significance
Holi helps to bring the society together and strengthen the secular fabric of our country. For, the festival is celebrated by non-Hindus also as everybody likes to be a part of such a colorful and joyous festival.
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Holi get us close to our mythology

as it is linked to various legends.
Also, in the spirit of Holi even enemies turn friends on Holi and banish hard feelings. Aptly, many social gatherings and events on the day are called Holi Milan. In the evening, people visit friends and relatives and exchange gifts, sweets and greetings. This helps in revitalizing relationships and strengthening emotional bonds between people. One of Holis biggest customs is the loosening strictness of social structures, which normally include those of age, sex, status, and caste. Together, the rich and poor, women and men enjoy each others presence on this joyous day. Holi lowers the strictness of social norms. No one expects polite behavior; as a result, theatmosphere is filled with excitement and joy.
The legend of Hiranyakashyap and Prahlad points to the fact that devotion to God pays as He always takes his true devotee in his shelter.
Biological Significance
It is interesting to note that the festival of Holi is significant for our lives and body in many other ways than just providing joy and fun. We also need to thank our forefathers who started the trend of celebrating Holi at such a scientifically accurate time and for incorporating so much fun in the festival. Holi comes at a time of the year when people have a tendency to feel sleepy and lazy. It is but natural for the body to experiences some tardiness due to the change from the cold to the heat in the atmosphere. To counteract this tardiness of the body, people sing loudly or even speak loudly. Their movements are brisk and their music is loud. All of this helps to rejuvenate the system of the human body. Besides, the colors when sprayed on the body have a great impact on it. Biologists believe the liquid dye or Abeer penetrates the body and enters into the pores. It has the effect of strengthening the ions in the body and adds health and beauty to it. There is yet another scientific reason for celebrating Holi this, however, pertains to the tradition of Holika Dahan. The mutation period of winter and spring induces the growth of bacteria in the atmosphere as well as in the body. When Holika is burnt, temperature rises to about 145 degrees Fahrenheit. When people perform Parikrima (circumambulation) around the fire, the heat from the fire kills the bacteria in the body and outside. In the south, the day after the burning of Holika, people put ash (Vibhuti) on their forehead and mix Chandan (sandalpaste) with the young leaves and flowers of the mango tree and consume it to promote good health. People also spring clean their houses on Holi, clearing up the dust and mess in the house and get rid of mosquitoes and others pests. A clean house generally makes the residents feel good and generate positive energies.
One of Holis biggest customs is the loosening strictness of social structures, which normally include those of age, sex, status, and caste.
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Mathura-Vrindavan temples come alive for the 16 days of the festival with special puja and Krishna worship. Holi here has become a tourist attraction. (inset) A highlight of Holi in Jaipur is the elephant festival, where well decorated elephants participate in races, tug-of-war and also play Holi. The unique feature of the elephant festival is the game of elephant polo, a variation on polo played on horseback.
ndias two major festivals, Diwali and Holi though based on the same theme of good defeating evil, could not be more different in the form the celebrations take. Where Diwali is a sober and to an extent serious festival invoking gods for well being and prosperity, Holi is a festival of gaiety, exuberance, dancing and with passage of time has acquired rowdy overtones. Holi itself is celebrated in different ways in different regions of India. Based on narrations and religious facts, Holi is associated with Lord Krishna, so aptly, for Mathura-Vrindvan, the land of Krishnas birth and youth, it is the biggest festival which has become a tourist attraction. Mathura-Vrindavan temples come alive for the 16 days of the festival with special puja and Krishna worship. In Barsana, said to be Radhas village, the famous Lath mar Holi is played in the sprawling compound of the Radha Rani temple. Thousands gather to witness women beat up men with sticks as those on the sidelines become hysterical, sing Holi Songs and shout Sri Radhey or Sri Krishna. In the colorful desert state of Rajasthan, Holi holds a lot of significance and is played in many different ways. As early as a fortnight before the actual festival, one can hear the drum beating as revelers in towns and villages come out singing and dancing in celebration. A bonfire marks the beginning ofHoli. On the second day, called Dhulandi, colored powder is applied on one another. Thandai or Bhaang is also consumed. During the feudal era, the royals used to don a festive spirit and mingle with the commoners. Rajput warriors used to show off their equestrian skills during thefestival. Even today, Rajput men would ride their steeds through the white and pink clouds of color, throwing color powder on each other. In Bharatpur, the eve of Holi comes alive with the sound of folk melodies. Raslila Dances depicting the immortal love story of Krishna and Radha can be enjoyed at various locations. The elephant festival in Jaipur is organized a day before Holi, to coincide with Holika Dahan (bonfire), and has a become a major tourist attraction. Pachyderms arepainted and groomed in all finery by their loving mahouts.
different strokes
At the elephant festival, there is a prize for the best decorated elephant and its mahout. The elephants participate in races, tug-of-war and also play Holi. The highlight of the festival is the game of elephant polo, a variation on the polo played on horseback. The boisterous Holi of Beawar, 55 km from Ajmer, is a different story altogether. The celebrations here happen at a scale involving the entire town. The prototype of Koda mar Holi is of course the one in Barsana, UP. Thus in Holi the predominant theme is of male-female interaction with playfulness. Permissive relationships are explicitly demonstrated. The female acquires an aggressive role in shooing away her partner with wooden staff (lathi). In West Bengal, Holi is known by the name of Dol Jatra, or Basant Utsav. On the Dol Purnima day in the early morning, the students dress up in saffron-colored or white clothes and wear garlands of fragrant flowers. They sing and dance to the accompaniment of musical instruments like ektara, dubri, veena. The festival is celebrated in a dignified manner by placing the icons of Krishna and Radha on a picturesquely decorated palanquin which is then taken round the main streets of the city or the village. The devotees take turns to swing them while women dance around the swing and sing devotional songs. During these activities, the men keep spraying colored water and colored powder, abir, at them. In Shantiniketan, founded by Rabindra Nath Tagore, Holi has a special musical flavor. In Punjab, Hola Mahalla follows a day after Holi. But the word Hola is not derived from Holi, its root is halla (a military charge) and the term mohalla stands for an organized procession or an army column. Hola Mohalla is a Sikh Olympics event that lasts a week, and consists of camping out and enjoying various displays of fighting prowess and bravery, followed by kirtan, music, and poetry. The event was originated by Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru. The tradition has since spread from the town of Anandpur Sahib in Punjab to nearby Kiratpur Sahib and the foothills of the Shivaliks, and to other Gurdwaras around the world.
same canvas,
Students of Rabindra Bharati University performing during spring festival (called Basant Utsav) in Kolkata on march 22, 2013.
Women beating men with sticks in Beaver, Rajasthans Koda maar Holi, where this public spectacle is a festival staple.
Starting a day after Holi, Hola Mohalla is a Sikh Olympics event that stages displays of fighting prowess and bravery, followed by kirtan, music and poetry.
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Vrindavan widows break barrier for Holi

Vrindavan (Uttar Pradesh): Centuries-old social barriers came crashing down here when scores of Vrindavan widows took part in Holi celebrations with social activists. "Cutting the umbilical cord from the past is no easy task, and you can't do that without raising eyebrows," said social commentator Paras Nath Choudhary. "It is reflection of changing times that instead of opposition, people came forward to support the social reform movement," he said. At the five widows' homes in Vrindavan, the ambiance was infectious, the fervor and an air of victory was felt by all Holi revelers. "This was no routine Holi celebration, it had a purpose, The effort to draw these women into the mainstream was widely appreciated," said Shravan Kumar Singh of Braj Mandal Heritage Conservation Society who came from Agra to join the "cultural revolution". Said social activist Padmini Iyer: "This is a clear departure from tradition. Who would have thought till a few years ago that hundreds of widows would be able to sprinkle colourful flowers and petals on one another to play Holi?" Sulabh International recently launched a programme to provide medical facilities, job training and
Widows playing Holi for the first time in Vrindavan.
Holi celebrated with fun, frolic
Devotees throwing gulal inside Sriji temple in Barsana
The BJP president Rajnath Singh celebrating Holi at his residence in New Delhi
New Delhi: The festival of colors was celebrated across India with enthusiasm and bonhomie. In the national capital, revelers were soaked in a riot of colors as they smeared 'gulal' (colored powder) on each other, distributed sweets and danced to loud music. While youngsters armed with 'pichkaris' (water guns) and balloons filled with colored water sprayed each other as well as passersby, elders preferred to smear one another with gulal as they hugged each other and wished 'Holi Mubarak'. "My brother and me were up till late last night and filled over 100 balloons with colored water. Since morning, we have been targeting people with them," said 15-year-old Astha Sharma from Patel Nagar in west Delhi. Bands of youngsters drenched in blue, green, pink, red and yellow could be seen roaming Delhi streets with colors, balloons and pichkaris as they searched for unwary people. Many visited temples and prayed to Lord Krishna. In the country's business hub Mumbai, the city and suburbs erupt-
ed in colors as thousands poured out of their houses and building complexes since morning to play Rang Panchami (Holi). Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, Mumbai Police and film and television stars urged people to play a safe Holi. In southern state Andhra Pradesh, Holi was celebrated with traditional fanfare and gaiety. Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan and Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy led the celebrations. In West Bengal capital Kolkata, 'Dol Yatra' as Holi is called there, was celebrated with traditional fervour with songs, dances and prayers. Thousands including overseas Indians assembled at Santiniketan, about 165 km from the state capital, where Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore re-introduced Holi as 'Vasanta Utsav' (Spring fest) in his Visva-Bharati university. In Bihar, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar played Holi with Janata DalUnited workers and the public and took pot-shots at Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Lalu Prasad.
a monthly allowance of Rs.2,000 to every registered widow. This initiative, at the suggestion of the Supreme Court, has fundamentally changed the lives and mindsets of the inmates of the shelter homes, Iyer said. The Holi celebrations shall continue for four days. More than 800 widows will be part of the new initiative. "In an effort to help widows in their social assimilation, we have organized several events," Sulabh International founder Bindeshwar Pathak said. "The Vrindavan Holi is an effort to free the widows from the shackles of age-old tradition. Not only will the widows play Holi, they
will also participate in cultural programs," said Pathak. The widows also shared food with some of the outsiders and foreigners. This too is an unusual practice for widows. As part of Holi celebrations. Right from the morning, the 100-year-old Meera Sahbhagini Ashram, an abode for 350 odd widows, began to throb with life. The ashram is one the five governmentrun centers for widows. Among the widows are many who lost their husbands at a tender age of 16 or 17 and have since lived an obscure life, abandoned by their families and awaiting 'moksha' -- as the feeling goes -- by serving the Lord.
President, vice president greet people on Holi

New Delhi: President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice President Hamid Ansari, Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi greeted people across the country on the occasion of Holi and hoped the festival will further strengthen unity and harmony. In his message, the president said the colors of Holi were a reflection of the country's diversity and multi-cultural heritage. "This festival which marks the advent of spring, is a harbinger of joy, hope and fulfillment for all. The myriad colors of Holi are a reflection of our diversity and multicultural heritage," Mukherjee said. "May this festival of colors strengthen faith in our cherished national values, and promote oneness, harmony and the good of all," he added. Ansari said Holi reinforces the message of unity in diversity and of equality of all human beings. "Holi, which is celebrated with gaiety and enthusiasm throughout the country, reinforces the message of our unity in diversity and of equality of all human beings. May the festival bring peace, prosperity and happiness for all," he said. "Holi has a special significance in our centuries-old cultural heritage which promotes social harmony and brotherhood," said Gandhi in her message. Noting that "the colors of Holi represents the diversity of India", Meira Kumar said: "It should be used to promote social equality."
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Holi draws foreign tourists to India

New Delhi: A penchant for life in technicolor with a dash of herbal colors, crunchy gujias, chilled thandais and soulful ghazals: the heady cocktail is proving to be an irresistible draw for foreign tourists to celebrate Holi in India, say tourism industry experts. Despite the relatively subdued scenario owing to incidents like the Delhi gang-rape, and rising airfares, north Indian cities like Mathura, Varanasi and Jaipur have managed to attract foreigners like a moth to a flame. "The situation is a bit subdued this year due to the rape incident and increasing airfares. Yet foreign tourists are opting to celebrate Holi with locals in cities like Mathura, Vrindavan and Varanasi," Gour Kanjilal, executive director of Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO), said. "They find the atmosphere here charming during Holi. The food like gujias, drinks like thandais and ghazal music, draws them despite safety concerns," Kanjilal said. What fascinates them the most,
Hindus and Muslims come together in UP
Foreign tourists playing Holi at Hotel Khasa Kothi in Jaipur
People from Hindu and Muslim community celebrate Holi
Lucknow: For a state that saw 34 small and big communal riots in the last one year, Hindus and Muslims came together in this Uttar Pradesh capital to celebrate Holi. The octogenarian Mohd Ahmad Khan, residing in Lucknow's old city, is a glaring example of how religion holds no bar for celebrating the happiness and traditions of others. Khan not only partakes in the Holi festivities as the head of the Aminabad Holi Mahotsava Sangh but also lights up the traditional Holika or holy fire in Aminabad, a busy thoroughfare in the capital. The ageing Khan recalled how this tradition of a Holi "celebrated by all" came into being at the start of the 20th century, thanks mainly to his freedom fighter father Basheer Khan. Khan senior asked the traders and his neighbors to enjoy the festival in the spirit of communal harmony.
Ever since, Khan junior says, generations of people in the locality have played Holi together. Adding to the festivities is the 'flower decoration' competition that began in 1978 and has since become a craze for youngsters. Dinesh Ahuja, one of the organisers of the competition, said that not only was it a symbol of love and affection for every one's traditions, it also "made the society close knit in today's testing times". Omar, a middle-aged trader at Akbari Gate, is equally ecstatic about the festival of colors. His participation, his friends say, is unparalleled. He not only enjoys the festival "to the hilt" but also showers everyone passing through the historic gate with water, color and flower petals. At the 'holi mandap' in front of the Haji Baraji mosque in Udaiganj, Muslim pontiffs also take part in Holi festival.
according to pink tour operator Rajat Singla of Pink Vibgyor, is the cultural connect. "They like to explore the festive culture. We direct our tours to cities like Jaipur so that they can get a first-hand experience of the celebrations aided by a guide. They come from places in Europe and the US," Singla said. "They are very eager to participate and so we provide them with white kurtas and herbal colors as
well," Singla said. Besides the shower of colors and sprinkling of multi-hued water, the Elephant Festival of Jaipur on Holi eve is another spectacular aspect that foreign travelers love, says IATO's Kanjilal. "North India is the center for Holi celebrations. In Jaipur, in western India, Elephant festival (cavalcade of brightly painted elephants) is very popular among foreigners," he said.
Thousands converge for Hola Mohalla

Chandigarh: It was a virtual sea of humanity at the Hola Mohalla celebrations at the Sikh shrine of Keshgarh Sahib in the Sikh holy town of Anandpur Sahib. The three-day Hola Mohalla festival coincides with the Hindu festival of colors Holi. People offered prayers and participated in the Hola Mohalla celebrations at the shrine. Takht Keshgarh Sahib - 80 km from here - is the second-most important Sikh shrine after Harmandar Sahib, popularly known as Golden Temple, in Amritsar. It was here in 1699 that the tenth master, Guru Gobind Singh, baptized five men and founded the Khalsa Panth, which is the modern day Sikh religion. The ruling Shiromani Akali Dal organised its political conference during the celebrations. It was addressed by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Akali Dal president and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal. Elsewhere in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh, Holi was celebrated with enthusiasm Wednesday. In Chandigarh, heavy police deployment could be seen at various places even as youth in cars and jeeps made rounds of various parts of the city, throwing colours on each other.
Holi celebration in Beawar, Rajasthan, is special. The day after Holi, the whole town indulges in celebrating the Badshah with dry colors, mainly with the traditional Abeer-Gulal. Seen is the photo Badshah Celebration 2013.
A Pakistani Hindu girl plays Holi in Lahore on March 27.
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Our readers relate experiences of the Indian festival that delights the youths
HOLI
B
By Roopsi Narula
would leave the house beaming, armed with packets of gulaal and pichkari. As rowdy kids, we would smear each other with color amidst much excitement. All the kids would then be in a big group and visit practically each house in the locality. There was a friend in every house and no one was to be spared on Holi! We also applied colors on the faces of elders and wished Happy Holi, but in a much well-behaved manner. It was quite a challenge to recognize people as everyone had colored faces. Even going around the whole locality for hours did not tire us. After that we used to go to somebodys terrace and throw water balloons on random people on the road while shouting Holi Hai. On coming back home after hours, it was a challenge to get rid of all the color! In later years, Holi away from home was much more rowdy and less supervised! A large group of friends joined together in frenzy.Gujiya became an integral part of my Holi. Occasionally, there used to be bhaangfilled gujiyas and other sweets as well. Another fad during Holi was to go around the city in cars and two-wheelers, hooting, shouting and throwing color. This indeed got scary at times and the cops remained alert to check hooliganism. The nights were fun with Holi-themed parties in clubs. As I write this, I wonder what Holi in New York has in store for me but what would I not give away to be in India for Holi again! ack home as a kid in India, Holi was one festival that I keenly looked forward to celebrating. Alas! Every year, Holi clashed with the final exams in school! I used to pray for a Holi-friendly annual examination schedule; for mom would allow celebrating Holi only if there was no important exam the day after the festival. The changing weather during Holi and excessive playing with water also made all the kids susceptible to cough, cold and fever. Thus parents used to stay vigilant while the kids played Holi. Holi was a very special day. It was a school holiday so there was no rush to get up early. One could hear the radio or television playing Rang barse bheege chunar waali or some such Holi song. My day began with waking up late and peeping outside the windows to catch the action in the street, if any. By that time, some children would have already begun playing Holi. There would be colors splashed on the sidewalks. I still remember the instructions from mom before going out with friends: to apply cold cream on the skin and oil the hair to protect from colors, dress appropriately to assure less exposure to colors, wear sunglasses to protect the eyes, and most importantly to behave like a good girl! My friends in the neighborhood would start ringing the doorbell asking me to come out and play. After a hurried breakfast, I
My most colorful
Evoking romance tinged with fear Fond memories of Holi back home
By Bhaswati Bhattachayra
But in my 20s, I re-engaged with being Indian and had a Bengali lover who is a classical musician. He once brought me an envelope of colored powder. I, unaware, looked at him inquiringly and asked if it was medicine or a drug. I only remember the look of surprise and disparagement on his face! He stumbled, trying to explain about Krishna and Radha, and I remember asking him why someone would want to ruin someone elses clothes and face, instead of showing love more tenderly. A decade later, it occurred to me that his envelope was one of the most tender gestures he tried to convey. Too late.
s one of four girls, half-unwanted, and brought up in a very conservative Bengali Brahmin family, Holi is a holiday that instills both romance and fear in my young heart. We learned some rules about Holi in childhood. First, we were not to throw color at elders: it still embarrasses me to see people disrespectfully attack elders with color. We approached elders with reverence always. We were allowed to place color anywhere, as long as it was below the calves on our elders feet! It was more a custom and duty to be done on the holiday than a sense of fun.
Bhaswati Bhattacharya
Roopsi is a Consultant for The South Asian Times. She can be reached at Roopsi@thesouthasiantimes.info
Since Mother gave us birth and was the source of the earth in our bodies, we touched our Maas feet with respect first thing in the morning, coloring her with a choice of several colors. Then we would run around and catch our Babis feet with color and giggle with delight. During a few years of my childhood, we were allowed to go with our servants to the bazaar and there people would put colors on our clothes and allow us to play for a bit. But, as we grew older, my parents instilled a strong sense of fear about the disrespect that boys could create on a womans body, and therefore we were forbidden to go outside, forbidden to be touched. Many young women are molested on Holi: I have seen it but few talk about it. To this day, I avoid Holi and hate to be touched on that day with the unbridled lust and disrespect that many people use to engage in Holi. After some years, we were in the USA, so there was no celebration. By the time I entered college, I had lost many senses of Indian culture.
My grandfather was more scientific: he explained to the family that Abir powder was a ritual in the very hot month of Vaisakhi when smallpox was rampant, because it contains medicine that was good for pox. True Abir contains medicinal flower extracts from aparajita, marigold, hibiscus and dopati and mica powder which contains minerals. Spreading it over the skin was preventive medicine. It was then washed off with Hamam soap, which has Neem, Tulsi and Aloe Vera to nourish the skin. When I asked gurus about Holi, they explained that the colors that Krishna spread on Radha were symbolic of the colors that we see afresh when we are in love; they are also the colors that play on us as we live life, teaching us that all these emotions are all illusion and that we allow ourselves to be trapped in illusions when we fall too deeply into any emotion. The powder is a reminder that the world filled with color is illusion in which we often do, but should not, lose ourSelves.
Roopsi Narula (first from right) with friends on a Holi some years ago
Bhaswati Bhattacharya, MD, HHC, Ayurvedic practitioner, Director, The DINacharya Institute and Fulbright Scholar 2013-2014, India.
My love affair with colors! By Tanvi Shah

Compiled by Jinal Shah and Parveen Chopra
By Megha Kalia
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Creating a Holi event in the Big Apple
oli in Mumbai is an intense affair. For those who havent experienced it, expect to be dunked in color by gallivanting children and even adults. Imagine entire streets, neighborhoods drenched in color. Imagine people so immersed in red, purple, green and yellow powders that you cant distinguish one from the other; and now imagine me with my stained teeth and murky hair! Yes, this is what Holi does to me every year and boy I love it! Traditionally, people celebrate with natural colors and traditional music, sometimes even including ritualistic effigy burnings. Now add a western twist to it - DJ, rain dance and just roll with it, and you will end up celebrating the festival of colors in the 21st century style. Despite the additions, some things still remain the same like waking up as early as five in the morning to fill up water balloons and then going back to sleep (or just pretending to sleep) till your B wing neighbor (whom you havent seen for months) shows up from nowhere and threatens to douse you in your house itself. The best part about Holi is scheming and plotting, scheming who would be your nexttarget to throw balloons that you have so meticulously filled up all morning. And this, despite all the miscalculations, is super fun. But whats even more fascinating is the hue of colors you are painted with. I love the way colors blend when mixed in water. But commercially sold colors end up leaving bitter memories of the festival as the industrial dyes of synthetic holi colors develop skin allergies.
Tanvi Shah with her niece
Tanvi is a student in Mumbai.
So this year we decided to experiment with colors. Me and a bunch of friends decided to make our own colors! So we went grocery shopping - bought beetroot and turmeric. We mixed turmeric with besan for a bright yellow and boiled beetroot for a ravishing red color. (One beetroot is enough to make a bucket full of red colour). Holi for us began a day early as our hands turned pink crushing beetroot and mixing it with water. What started as an experiment - one bucket full of color - soon became a rage; people from other society buildings joined us. It became like a mass movement. Sure, the organic colors are sold outside under various brand names but it misses the personal touch.
Megha Kalia at her Holi event in NYC doing a Bhangra, the dance form she also teaches.
got the idea to celebrate Holi in New York City in an outdoor area because I grew up celebrating Holi in our co-op playground and garden back in India. The reason I chose NYC is because Ive been living here since 2006. My love and strongly rooted emotions for Indian culture made me decide to create an outdoor, free admission Holi event where everybody gets a chance to have fun with the colors. Being an artist, I also wanted to provide other artists a platform to showcase their art form, thus keeping in line with my mission of spreading joy and awareness through dance. This festival eliminates all racial and cultural boundaries and brings people together, bonding them in colors & joy. I think it is very important for many professionals who live a stressful life in NYC to experience a rich culture and an amazing festival. I like to be that drop in the ocean that is behind the scenes for making this possible here. I am from Mumbai and my childhood memories are from the weeks before the actual day of Holi. Walking down streets of suburban Mumbai (Andheri, where I lived) the Holi celebration was a huge craze for everybody in the neighborhood. Adults and kids would blast water-balloons from 4-8 floor high rises weeks before the day of Holi. My mom bought water guns and packets of water balloons for both my sister and I. We spent hours filling buckets preparing to have water-balloon-fights with our friends the next day. The night before Holi, we invited
friends over to help us fill lots of water balloons. This was in preparation for the balloon fights with friends and neighbors. The morning of the actual Holi day, our friends, who also lived in our apartment building, would rush through our main door and chase me and twin-sister around the apartment to throw fistful colors in our face. Mom and Dad accepted this with a smile, while we girls would hide inside our bathroom to escape the Holi Devils. The fear of being colored black and blue made me run for miles around the block, completely out of breath, looking for help and rescue. At the end of the day I was completely colored in green-red-blue! My mission to spread joy and awareness of Indian culture has also taken me to Bhangra, to which I was introduced in 2002 and started showcasing the boisterous dance form to the students/local communities around the Greater Lafayette area in Indiana. I received training from my Ustaad at Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar and my Guru Mr. Kalehri from Kalehri Arts in Mansa, Punjab. After I moved to NYC, I restarted my dance quest and started teaching Bhangra as a volunteer to the communities around NYC and then formed a Bhangra school and company in 2007 called NYC Bhangra. We train kids and adults of all age groups in the neighborhoods of Manhattan, Jersey City and Edison. I am also studying modern dance at Martha Graham Dance School.
Megha runs NYC Bhangra based out of Jersey City, NJ.
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Spring into Holi

Best events in tristate for you to enjoy and get into the spirit of the festival
far there has been no effect on the online sales." The festival will be celebrated over a month in various pockets of New York and New Jersey. And if you are still undecided on where to go and unleash the child in you, SATimes has a hefty list of events happening across Tristate area. IN Group's Rang Barse in New York City Where: Hudson River Park's Pier 40 , 353 West St, New York, NY 10014 When: Saturday, March 30. 12:00AM Dubbed as Tristate areas biggest Holi bash, IN groups Rang Barse is back and in its sixth year. In keeping with the tradition, Rang Barse will once again be held on a cruise that will set sail from Pier 40. Enjoy the Indian festival of colors in style with food, drinks, and the amazing beats of DJ Ashu Rai. Prior reservations needed. Phone: 646 450 3230. Holi Hai in NYC by NYC Bhangra Where: Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, 167 East 47th Street, New York, NY 10017 When: Sunday, March 31 2013. 12:00PM While Easter Sunday, March 31, will include the traditional egg hunts and feasts, this year will be extra special as people can immerse themselves in colors and celebrate the kick-off of spring with Holi. Whatever your faith, enjoying Bhangra music and dancing with NYC Bhangra Dance Company free of charge will make this occasion a festive one. Play Holi by smearing folks with color, eating laddoos and enjoying performances at the daylong celebration. In its fourth year, NYC Bhangra has teamed up with Time Warner Cable, to host the event which has also been supported by India tourism in the past. Phone: 212 372 8001. Holi Festival Where: Lincoln Park, 176 Park Ave, Rutherford, NJ 07070 When: Sunday, April 7. 12:00PM This could probably be your last chance to enjoy Holi this year. You dont want to miss out on this one. Hosted by Roshni. Phone: 973-713-1075 Rang Tarang 2013 Where: Deewan Banquet , 560 Stelton Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854 When: Saturday, March 30 2013. 11:00AM Central Jersey Expat Indians (CJEI) presents Rang Tarang 2013. Dance till you drop with live dhol and DJ, dance performances, delicious full course menu, organic holi colors. Prior reservations required. Phone: 6093548080 Holi Ke Rang Naye Dosto Ke Sang - Holi Hai Where: Guru Palace, 2215 U.S. 1, North Brunswick, NJ 08902 When: Sunday, March 31 2013. 12:00AM Thandai, Gujjias, Dahi Bhalla, Kheer, Malpua and much more to eat, lots of colors, DJ music, dhol dhamaka at the holi party organized by Guru Palace. Prior registration suggested. Phone: 732398-9022 Holi Hai !! Where: Akbar Restaurant, 21 Cortlandt Street, Edison, NJ 08820 When: Sunday, Apr 07 2013. 11:00AM Celebrate holi with friends and family with natural colors, music and food. Hosted by Rainbow Events. Phone: 732-277-1228 IALIs Holi Celebration Where: Akbar Restaurant, 2 South Street, Garden City, NY When: Sunday, March 31, 2013. 12-4PM The India Association of Long Island (IALI) is organizing its annual event with Holi songs, Holi tikka, dance, thandai, and more. For info and tickets, Kishore Kuncham, president, IALI, 516-849 5330 b Hasya Kavi Sammelan and Rajasthan Divas Where: Hindu Temple Auditorium, Flushing, NY When: Saturday, March 30. 411 pm. RANA (Rajasthan Association of North America) to celebrate Holi with cultural program and dinner followed by Hasya Kavi Sammelan. Phone for tickets 516 286 1774. www.ranausa.org.
he festival of colors is a harbinger of spring, but winter has been taking long to bid adieu. Overcast skies and winter chills played a damper on festivities (At least on prior reservations). Unlike 2012, many Holi parties have been moved indoors or cancelled. However, organizers are hopeful that temperatures will rise as we inch closer to the event dates. We are still 10 days away from the event, we are hopeful that weather will show some improvement. Besides, if it rains we will move the event indoors, said one of the organizers with IN Group that holds a Rang Barse cruise every Holi on the Hudson, adding, "So
Suratis Holi Hai! biggest HOLI event in the area
Where: 1 McWilliams Pl, Jersey City, NJ 07302 When: Saturday, March 30 2013. 12:00AM 5:00 PM Hosted by Rimli Roy, Surati performing arts and education, this Holi event will have live perform-
ances, color playing (organic colors), educational workshops, Bhangra and dhol, DJ, dancing, cash bar, food, rangoli, henna, thandai, family fun and festivities. Phone: 201-360-1553 Compiled by Jinal Shah
Happy Holi
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Hrithik skips Holi celebrations for a cause

New Delhi: Actor Hrithik Roshan decided to stay away from Holi celebrations in view of the prevailing water shortage in Maharashtra. The 39-year-old did not waste water by being part of the Holi celebrations. "Hrithik won't be celebrating Holi as a mark of solidarity with those who are suffering from acute water shortage in Maharashtra. Instead, he will only use only a small amount of gulaal to apply a shagun tika as part of the traditional ritual," a source said. The actor is also said to have decided not to play with too much of dry gulaal, as washing it off requires a lot of water. "Like Hrithik, even the other members of the Roshan family kept the celebrations low-key. They took part in the morning puja and then spent some quiet time together," the source said.
Nitish beats Narendra Modi in 'pichkari' battle

Patna: It was a contest between Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his Gujarat counterpart Narendra Modi -- and the former was ahead. "Pichkaris (color sprinklers)" with pictures of the two leaders did brisk business in the markets here ahead of Holi. Pichkaris bearing the photos of the two were more popular than those with Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief and former chief minister Lalu Prasad. "Demand for pichkaris with pictures of Nitish was high among girls, youth and children," shopkeeper Maheshwar Singh said on the eve of Holi. Pichkaris with pictures of Bollywood stars also sold more than those with cricketers, who remained a favorite with youth in the past. "Unlike last year, this time
Actor assaulted on Holi for trying to stop water wastage

pichkaris came with pictures of Nitish Kumar and Narendra Modi. In fact, pichkaris with Modi's pictures is a new thing but had a good demand. Pichkaris named after cricketers and Bollywood stars were common earlier," vendor Mohammad Aftab said. Upbeat over the high demands for Nitish Kumar pichkaris, leaders of his Janata Dal-United said their stand was vindicated. "Nitish Kumar is more popular than Narendra Modi. It was again reflected in the pichkaris market," said party leader Sanjay Singh.
Mumbai: Veteran actor Sadashiv Amrapurkar was assaulted by a group of drunk men when he tried to stop them from wasting water on Holi day. The actor says that he has filed a complaint. The incident took place Wednesday during Holi celebrations in a housing society in Versova. "They were wasting water and were drunk. This had been going on since 10 in the morning. When I tried to stop them, they started abusing me. Even girls were there. They were doing all this in the middle of the society," the actor said. Amrapurkar, who was seen in films like "Sadak", "Mohra", "Ishq" and "Hum Saath Saath Hain", also reported the matter to a TV channel. When the TV crew came, "these people tried to take their cameras and other stuff," said the 57-year-old. Amprapurkar has lodged a complaint with the Versova police station and said: "I have already filed a police case against them." He wants to take up the matter with the secretary of his society and other societies to formulate a set of regulations. "There should be some rules by which senior citizens should not be affected. We must do something about this," he said.
Model Poonam Pandey promotes waterless Holi.
Holi celebrated with gusto in Mumbai Bihar celebrates Holi Thursday

Mumbai: Mumbai city and suburbs erupted in colors as thousands poured out of houses and building complexes from early Wednesday to play Rang Panchami. Excited youngsters grabbed an early start in the celebrations, followed by youths and the elders who joined in later. Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan and Mumai Police urged people to play a safe holi. Keeping in mind concerns over water wastage, large crowds of Mumbaikars and people in Thane moved to the coastal areas and played holi on beaches. Film and television stars also appealed to people to celebrate a safe holi without using dangerous colors. Police had warned that anybody caught throwing liquid filled balloons would be jailed for 15 days. The BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation threatened one year jail for those cutting trees to make bonfires. Patna: It was Holi in Bihar Thursday, a day after the rest of the country celebrated the spring festival of color, fun and amity. With a ritualistic dab of 'gulal' or with full on partying with splashes of color, 'pichkaris', water balloons and special food, millions across the state celebrated the festival. Priests and astrologers had deferred Holi celebrations here by a day due to astrological reasons. This was so last year as well when Bihar played Holi a day after the rest of the country. "The gap between the Holika Dahan (when the fire is burnt the night before the festival) and Holi is due to astrological reasons. According to the 'panchang' (Hindu astrological calendar) of Mithila and Benares, water colours come out on the occasion of 'Pratipada', the day after full moon," Nilesh Mishra, a Hindu priest, said.
Holi celebrated across Andhra with fanfare

Hyderabad: Holi was celebrated across Andhra Pradesh with traditional fanfare and gaiety. Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan and Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy led the celebrations. The governor and his wife Vimla Narasimhan played Holi with those who called on them at Raj Bhavan. Eminent personalities from various walks of life and children were among those who greeted the governor at his official residence by applying color. The governor reciprocated. The chief minister played Holi with cabinet colleagues, legislators and leaders of his Congress. A group of tribal women added color to the celebrations with their traditional dance. 'Holi Hai' rent the air as groups of enthusiasts on motorbikes zoomed on the streets of Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam and other cities. Dancing in gay abandon to popular numbers, youngsters sprinkled water colors on each other. There were celebrations in the neighborhoods and on the streets with men, women and children drenched in colors. Many armed with 'pichkaris' and balloons filled with color water were seen chasing each other. The celebrations began early in the morning in cities, towns and villages. In Hyderabad, Muslims joined celebrations organized by various organizations. In Telangana (which comprises 10 districts including Hyderabad), where Holi is a major festival, scenes of communal harmony were witnessed. The festivities began Tuesday night with bonfires lit at various places. People in neighborhoods came together to burn the wood in a ceremony called 'kamadahanam'. The revelry began early Wednesday with 'Dhulandi' as people threw colored powder and colored water on each other. The houses of some MPs in Telangana witnessed grand celebrations. Warangal MP Sircilla Rajaih actively participated in the celebrations with his friends and followers by beating the drum. Karimnagar MP Ponnam Prabhakar danced with revelers. Police in Hyderabad imposed prohibitory orders to prevent any untoward incident. Police commissioner Anurag Sharma issued orders prohibiting throwing color or colored water on unknown persons, places and vehicles. Police also banned movement of people in groups on bikes and cars.
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Scrumptious HOLi Delights

Planning to have a grand Holi party? Here are recipes for top 5 must-haves on the menu for this festival...
Gujiya
Ingedients
FOR COVERING Refined flour (maida) - 2 cups Ghee - 3 tbs + to deep fry FILLING Khoya / mawa, grated and lightly roasted - 2 1/2 cups Desiccated coconut - 3 1/4 tbs Cashewnuts, chopped - 15 Almonds, blanched and chopped - 15 Raisins - 20 Nutmeg powder - a pinch Green cardamom powder - 1/4 tbs Powdered sugar - 2 1/2 cups Chocolate,grated - 1/2 cup
Phirni
Ingredients
Rice, soaked - 5 tbs Milk - 1 litre Saffron (kesar) - a generous pinch Sugar - 3/4 cup Green cardamom powder - 1/2 tbs Pistachios, blanched, peeled and sliced - 10 to 15
Thandai
Ingredients
Green cardamoms, seeds only - 10 Fennel seeds - 1 1/2 teaspoons Black peppercorns - 1/2 teaspoon Coriander seeds - 1/2 teaspoon Melon/sunflower seeds - 1 tbs Skinned almonds - 50 gm Sugar - 5 tbs Rose petals - 3 tbs Rose water - 2 tbs Milk - 750 ml
Papdi Chaat
Ingredients
Papdi Crisp - 24 Yogurt,whisked - 1 1/2 cups Salt - to taste Sugar - 1 tablespoon Potatoes, boiled and chopped 2 medium Sprouted Green gram, blanched 1/2 cup Red chilli-garlic chutney - 1/4 cup Green chutney - 1/4 cup Sweet tamarind chutney - 1/4 cup Roasted cumin powder - 1 teaspoon Chaat masala - 1/2 teaspoon Red chilli powder - 1/2 teaspoon Fresh coriander leaves - 2 tbs Sev - as required Pomegranate (anar), peeled - 2 tbs
Sabudana Kheer
Ingredients
Tapioca - 1/2 cup Water - 1/4 cup Milk - 3 cups (whole) Sugar - 1/4 cup Cardamom - 1/4 teaspoon (shelled and ground) For garnish Raw pistachio, finely chopped - 1 tbs
Method
Drain and grind the rice to a coarse paste. Bring milk to a boil. Add rice paste dissolved in a little water or cold milk. Cook till rice is completely cooked, stirring constantly. Add saffron and mix well. Add sugar and cardamom powder and cook till sugar is completely dissolved. Pour into earthenware or china bowls and garnish with For preparing the covering, sieve pistachios. Chill in a refrigerator flour and rub in three tablespoons for an hour before serving. of ghee. Add cold water and knead into a stiff dough. Cover it with a moist cloth and keep aside. Place khoya in a bowl and add desiccated coconut, cashewnuts, almonds, raisins, nutmeg powder and green cardamom powder and mix well. Add powdered sugar and grated chocolate and mix properly. With oiled hands divide dough into small balls. Grease the gujia mould. Roll out dough balls into small puris, put it on the mould and press lightly. Place the stuffing in the hollow portion. Apply a little water on the edges, close mould and press firmly. Open mould and remove extra dough. Keep gujias covered with a damp cloth. Similarly use up all the dough and stuffing. If you do not have a mould, gujias can still be prepared. Roll out puris, cut with a katori to get a proper round shape. Place stuffing on one half, lightly dampen edges and fold the other half over the stuffing and press edges firmly using a fork. Heat sufficient ghee in a kadai and deep fry gujias on medium heat till golden brown. Drain and place on an absorbent paper. Let it cool slightly before serving, as the stuffing inside may be very hot.
Method
Roast spices lightly on a tawa. Soak all ingredients except milk in enough water to cover. Set aside for 2 hours. Grind into a fine paste. Mix with milk. Strain liquid through muslin. Decorate with rose petals and serve chilled.
Method
Rinse tapioca 2 to 3 times and let it soak in 1/4 cup of water for two hours in a covered pan. (The water should get absorbed in the process). Boil milk over medium high heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching of sauce pan at the bottom. Turn heat to medium low and let milk boil for another 10 minutes. Add tapioca, stir and cook for 6-7 minutes until tapioca turns translucent, continuing to stir occasionally. Add sugar and cardamom, stir and cook for another 2 minutes. Garnish with chopped pistachio. Serve hot or cold.
Method
Method
Add salt and sugar to yogurt and whisk till smooth. Keep it in the refrigerator till use. Arrange the papdis on a plate. Place some potatoes on each papdi. Over that put some boiled sprouted moong. Drizzle a little red chilli-garlic chutney, green chutney and sweet tamarind chutney. Sprinkle cumin powder, chaat masala, a little red chilli powder and salt. Top it all up with chilled yogurt. Drizzle some more of the sweet tamarind chutney, red chilli-garlic chutney, coriander leaves, sev and pomegranate pearls. Serve immediately.
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Gathjor Bringing Rajput community together through weddings
Significance of colors in India
olors are symbolic in nature. Everything on earth is colorful and uncovers a treasure of symbolism. In India, where the festival of Holi is celebrated with complete zest and fervor, colors hold great significance. Use of colors is nothing but an expression of faith and belief. And for a country that is known for its spiritual consciousness, almost everything and anything has profound meaning. And to understand it better, heres talking a look at the significance of some commonly used colors that will awaken your realization: Red The westerners believe that red is the color of passion and romance. But in India, it holds a greater significance. Goddess Durga is often associated with the color red. She is seen draped in blood-red saree. On the one hand red incites fear while on the other; it stands for purity and hence brides are often in red attires on their wedding day. The vermilion or Sindoor that is red in color, is symbolic of her marital union with her husband. In a larger context, the color represents fertility and opulence. Yellow The color yellow has healing power. Turmeric, which is yellow in color, is widely used in India as a spice and even as a beauty enhancing product. Turmeric acts as an antiseptic ingredient and which is why it is used in most food items prepared pan India. Even during marriage, family members of the bride and the
groom apply haldi on their body. Haldi helps in lightening the skin tone and also heals the skin of infections. Yellow in India is also symbolic of holiness. Blue Blue stands for power and life. Though water is transparent, the color blue is widely believed to be its color. The vast horizon that acts as a roof gives a perception that water bodies on earth are blue in color. Water sustains life on earth hence color blue also represents dynamism. Moreover, Lord Krishna who taught mankind the right way to lead life had a blue skin tone, representative of power. Green In a country steeped in religious beliefs, the origin of most colors lies in the powers and mythical lives of its gods. The color blue, for instance, is associated with Lord Krishna, perhaps one of the most favored gods in India. And, as is obvious for any agricultural economy, green symbolizes a new beginning, harvest, and happiness. Green symbolizes nature and therefore is a manifestation of God himself. White White stands for serenity. It is pure and soothes the eye and hence spreads the message of peace. In India, white is commonly used while attending cremation ceremonies to bid a peaceful farewell to the departing soul. Earlier widows used to wear only white colored clothes, and the same is symbolic of complete disconnection with the materialistic world.
he story of India, some say, is really the story of Rajasthan. From events that inspired mythological beliefs to battles that defined the course of history, from cultural riches that became symbolic of the entire nation to traditions that spawned a hundred others this was where it all started; and spread to other regions like rivers silently flowing below the earths surface. The story of Rajasthan, in turn, is inconceivable without the story of Rajputs the ones who lived by simple principles held dearly, who were often as servile as they were noble, and who took or gave away lives for matters of honor yet were not a primal people. Their history is rife with imagination-defying tales of valor, loyalty, integrity and personal sacrifice. And yet, it isnt just the past that defines the Rajputs of today. It is also the customs and social graces that have evolved with time - the rituals steeped in tradition, the music, and colors that defy the plainness of the terrain. Its hard to define what the true essence of being a Rajput is, but you know if youve felt it. And never is this feeling stronger than at a wedding. As the Dholi stands up to deliver a spirited Shubraj a paean dedicated to their clan, family members start to hear the whispers of their ancestors in their blood. With the opening notes of the song that follows, the revelry of senses starts to unfold elaborate meals are cooked and shared, Manwars are offered, good times remembered and family ties forged. People of Rajasthan have spread all over the globe. They have learned, prospered, and grown in foreign lands but continued to be in touch with their cultural origins. One such daughter is Tripti Singh, who hails from a prominent family of Bikaner and is the co-founder of Gathjor a
Grapevine Dedicated to Rajput Weddings. Tripti is a trained tourism and hospitality professional who moved to Gurgaon about 10 years back. After working as a placement consultant for a few years, she is now a full time mother and currently lives in USA. So what is Gathjor all about? Gathjor is a group dedicated to the undying sense of bonhomie and revelry that can only be experienced at a Rajput wedding. It can sometimes take years of thought and preparation but on the day of the event the foot is always in step with the music, the turbans starched and the dresses resplendent, and the emotions always true, and the cup does not run dry. Its much more than a marriage bureau or a match-making site, says Tripti. One day, I was thinking about how so many of our weddings used to happen through word-of-mouth, just the plain kindness or concern of strangers not driven by any motive other than wishing a young couple well. Thats when she realized that this is a tradition that could potentially be revived using social media, and Gathjor was born. Gathjor started as a Facebook group in September 2012. Its still a small community but growing rapidly. I am deeply attached to Bikaner and my roots in Rajasthan and Gathjor is a platform to meet and interact with like-minded people and help them find suitable matches for themselves or family members, Tripti says.
In the past, Tripti has been involved with other social causes. She single-handedly ran a drive to help a widow who was marrying her two daughters and raised a substantial sum of money from an online campaign. It was all due to the support of sons and daughters of Rajasthan who are based all over the world and could identify with the cause immediately, she says. Is Gathjor planned to be a money-making venture? Absolutely not, says Tripti. We are very clear that there can never be any commercial consideration related to a cause like this. Thats what separates us from run-of-themill marriage bureaus. The matches we suggest are based purely on our assessment of the boy or girls emotional and social compatibility. Nor do we expect to use our members contact information for any promotional activity. While continuing to uphold traditions that our heritage stems from, Gathjor strongly opposes discriminatory and exploitative practices such as dowry. One of the first questions we ask parents of a prospective groom is whether they have any specific expectation around monetary gifts or dowry, and we let them know that the process will stop right there if they do. We dont endorse dowry, period. So where does she expect the Gathjor journey to go? In the long term, I do hope to link this to the education of underprivileged girls in Rajasthan. But thats just a thought and well develop it at a later time. For now, this team of professionals or homemakers from diverse backgrounds is just focused on weddings. They dont have physical presence in the form of an office and only exist as a Facebook group at this time. There is a website planned in the near future. Their resources may be limited, but their dreams are not. (Contact: Gathjor@gmail.com)
Tripti Singh, co-founder, Gathjor - A grapevine dedicated to Rajput weddings
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What Bollywood did this Holi

or some it's work and no play, while others like Shabana Azmi and Shankar Mahadevan looked forward to celebrate Holi with organic dry colors. Actors Anupam Kher and Hema Malini plan to unwind. Here is what the film fraternity planned to do on the occasion: Shabana Azmi: At my parental home in Janki Kutir, playing Holi is a tradition started by my father (Kaifi Azmi) and now followed by my brother Baba. We play with organic dry colours. There will be family and friends from theater and cinema. Lots of naach-gaana and khaana. Irrfan Khan: This Holi I am far away from the madding crowd in the forests of Uttarakhand. Honey Singh: This Holi I perform in Dubai for a crowd of 20,000 people. For the concert of mine, the gates are being flung open for families and children as well. Through this festival of colours and happiness, I want my fans to know my music is for everyone and for all occasions. Pooja Bhatt: I will be in Rajasthan scouting for locations. I'll play it by the ear. Shaan: We're all off to a friend's farmhouse in Mandwa to celebrate Holi. Mahie Gill: I've no plans for Holi. I'll be at home away from the noise and colours. Nawazuddin Siddiqui: I am
(above)
Musician Bhappi Lahiri plays Holi with son and daughter-in-law (top right) Actor Shabana Azmi with writer-husband Zaved Akhtar play Holi with organic colors (right) Actor Nandita Das with family on the festival of colors.
shooting in Simultala in Bihar for Buddhadeb Dasgupta's film. So Holi ke pehle, Holi mein aur Holi ke baad shooting only. Malaika Arora: It's a working Holi day for me. I'm shooting for an ad. Anupam Kher: No plans for Holi. I've been travelling so much that I haven't allowed myself to feel jetlagged. Maybe now I will for Holi. Jackie Shroff: I'll be at home with my family or in the hills alone, depending on my mood. Shankar Mahadevan: A full gathering of family and close friends. No water. Just music. Super food, bhang, masti with the kids and a dedicated session of cards. Then I've to quickly pack and leave for Doha. Govinda: This year again I am not celebrating Holi. Hema Malini: I am in Chennai. Holi is not much played here. So there's a relaxed atmosphere. Kalki Koechlin: I am shooting for a film in Delhi for Holi. Aditi Rao Hydari: I'll be in Thailand shooting "Boss". Shiamak Davar: No Holi plans. I am directing and choreographing for an international awards event. So it's all work and no play for me. Urmila Matondkar: I am in the UK. So no Holi for me. Aftab Shivdasani: I am not sure if I'll be playing Holi. If I do, I will try to keep it a dry Holi.
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Not seeking pardon, says emotional Sanju

ctor Sanjay Dutt, who has been convicted under the Arms Act for his role in the 1993 Mumbai bombings, said that he would "surrender" when the time comes and would not be seeking "pardon". Speaking out for the first time since the Supreme Court verdict last week, Sanjay appealed to the media for privacy. The 53-year-old also said there were many others who deserved a pardon more than him. He said: "I will surrender in the given time of Supreme Court. I have not applied for any pardon. I want to tell the media and the citizens of our country, when I am not going for a pardon, then there is no debate about it." An emotional Sanjay, who broke down while addressing the media, said he had the highest respect for the court. "I am a shattered man, my family is shattered. I want to thank whoever has supported us. I have a lot of work to finish and now I want to spend my time with my family. It's tough time for me and my family. With folded hands, I want to tell you just let me be in peace till the time I go in," said the actor, who is married to Manyata and has twins with her. On March 21, the Supreme Court upheld Sanjay's conviction under the Arms Act in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case and sentenced him to five years in jail. He was asked to surrender in four weeks to serve his remaining term of about three-and-a-half year. An estimated Rs.100 crore is riding on the Bollywood star who is part of upcoming projects "Zanjeer" remake, "Policegiri", "Munna Bhai 3" and "P.K.". The actor has about three weeks' time to surrender and he said he would be completing his work commitments
(right) Actor Rahul Bose is seen playing Holi and (below) Zoom channel organised a Holi bash for actors and foreign guests in Mumbai
Several members of film fraternity and some politicians are in Sanjay Dutt's support
before going in. He was accompanied at the press conference by his sister and Congress MP Priya Dutt. Several members of film fraternity and some politicians spoke in Sanjay's support. Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh and actorturned politician Jaya Prada met Maharashtra Governor K. Sankaranarayanan.
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HEALTH
Integrating ayurveda and nature cure

Kayakalp in Himachal Pradesh is a holistic health option and very affordable for NRIs.
By Parveen Chopra
nce having run a holistic health-cum-spiritual magazine, I presumed I was an authority on all such institutions in India. So it came as a surprise when I needed some rejuvenation myself and was referred to Kayakalp in Palampur, Himachal Pradesh. The combination of nature cure and ayurveda there was also new to me. Taking a train to Pathankot and then a 100-km taxi ride I landed at the sprawling hospital campus in the picturesque Kangra valley abutting snow-clad peaks. Speaking to people there I came to know that it had only been started in 2005 (inaugurated by Swami Ramdev) and took off around 2009 and now witnesses full occupancy in summers. Kayakalp (officially, Himalayan Research Institute for Yoga and Naturopathy) is the vision of Shanta Kumar, twice Himachal chief minister and currently Rajya Sabha MP. Kayakalp, with accommodation for 86 people in four residential blocks including a dormitory, may look more like a resort than a hospital, but the busy daily routine will leave no doubt: wake up at 5 am, yoga and cleansing kriyas at 6, breakfast at 8, doctors consultation and treatment 9-12 noon, lunch till 1 pm, treatment again between 2-4 pm, meditation 5-6, dinner at 6.30, and doctor lectures 7.30 pm. Kayakalp does employ many gadgets like whirlpool and jetspray bath -- and machines to facilitate treatment but is not in the same league as the famed (more expensive too) Jindals yoga and naturopathy center in Bangalore. But Kayakalp does offer the comparatively new colon hydrotherapy, which I took for the first time in my life.
Kayakalp may look more like a resort, but the busy daily routine and treatments twice daily there will leave no doubt on what it is. (photos: Parveen Chopra)
Kayakalp is the vision of former Himachal Pradesh CM Shanta Kumar (left); his elder brother Sudarshan Kumar Sharma is the director.
Unlike enema, which washes merely the lower tract of the intestine, here the water thrust by a machine reaches the entire large intestine, removing putrefied feces lining the intestinal walls, thus optimizing health. At Kayakalp, I also noted an innovative way to treat high sugar levels, which I underwent though my sugar
level was within safe limits. Right above where the pancreas is, they made a diya like wall of dough and poured warm til oil repeatedly to stimulate the organ whose function it is to produce insulin optimally to maintain constant glucose levels in the body. Dr R.S. Rathore, naturopath and seniormost doctor in the facility, impressed on me that multi-discipline Kayakalp also incorporates physiotherapy (boasts an ultramodern unit), and acupressure, etc. Patients of diabetes, asthma, arthritis, depression and of course obesity besides problems of the digestive system benefit in particular. Dr Malvika Badyal, panchkarma physician, clarified that panchkarma does not mean giving all five treatments to a patient rather specific ones are chosen as needed. I was also prescribed a certain kind of massage and hot and cold compress, and nasal treatment which blew away my cold and cough. Dr Badyal emphasized on strictly following the prescribed diet instructions are sent to the dining hall -- during ones stay at the institute, because diet itself is used as a therapy there. Though no medicines are used during treatment, certain things are prescribed to the departing patient. A surprise for me was Castrol oilto be taken with milk at bed time 3-4 days consecutively in a month for better bowel movement.
The director/administrative head of Kayakalp is Sudarshan Kumar Sharma, retired army officer and elder brother of Shanta Kumar. When asked about criticism in the media about the state government allotting so much land for a hospital for the elite, Sharma pointed to Shanta Kumars squeaky clean image and clarified that originally an allopathy hospital was also set up under the common Vivekanand Medical Research Trust, but that is now managed separately. Kayakalp is not-for-profit (main donor being industrialist KK Birla) and in fact caters to a daily stream of locals too. Besides, there are discounts for the economically deficient, senior citizens and long term stay patients, etc. Wary of the spa label, he said they want to keep Kayakalp as a hospital where people come to get well as well as also to rejuvenate. Some people do realize the importance of regular rejuvenation. Said the owner of a hotel in Manali, I tell myself, 355 days in a year are for business and family, but 10 days are for myself when I come to Kayakalp. The best part for me proved to be settling the bill - just Rs 12,000 for six days treatment and stay in the twin-sharing cottage! Because from November to February, the lean period, Kayakalp offers 50% discount.
Kayakalp website: www.KayakalpPalampur.com
(left) Physiotherapist Dr Manjul Kaith, naturopath Dr R.S. Rathore, ayurveda docs Dr Ashutosh Sharma Guleri and Dr Malvika Badyal posing in front of the treatment block at Kayakalp. (right) Yoga therapists Roop Lal and Ruchita Chauhan giving acupressure.
FINANCE
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Phoenix: The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued its annual "Dirty Dozen" list of tax scams, reminding taxpayers to use caution during tax season to protect themselves against a wide range of schemes ranging from identity theft to return preparer fraud. Many of these dubious schemes peak during filing season. Illegal scams can lead to significant penalties and interest and possible criminal prosecution. From the dirty dozen, the scams that can affect a common person are listed below: Identity Theft Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information such as your name, Social Security number (SSN) or other identifying information, to commit fraud or other crimes. In many cases, an identity thief uses a legitimate taxpayer's identity to fraudulently file a tax return and claim a refund. The IRS has a comprehensive and aggressive strategy focusing on fraud prevention, early detection and victim assistance. During 2012, the IRS stopped $20 billion of fraudulent refunds, including those related to identity theft. Phishing Phishing is a scam typically carried out with the help of unsolicited email or a fake website that poses as a legiti-
IRS releases tax scams list for 2013

mate site to lure in potential victims and prompt them to provide valuable personal and financial information. Armed with this information, a criminal can commit identity theft or financial theft. If you receive an unsolicited email that appears to be from either the IRS or an organization closely linked to the IRS, such as the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS), report it by sending it to phishing@irs.gov. It is important to keep in mind the IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers by email to request personal or financial information. Return Preparer Fraud Some unscrupulous tax preparers prey on unsuspecting taxpayers, and the result can be refund fraud or identity theft. The IRS wants you to use only preparers who sign the returns and enter their IRS Preparer Tax Identification Numbers (PTINs). Remember: Taxpayers are legally responsible for what's on their tax return even if it is prepared by someone else. Hiding Income Offshore Over the years, numerous individuals have been identified as evading U.S. taxes by hiding income in offshore banks, brokerage accounts or nominee entities, using debit cards, credit cards or wire transfers to access the funds. Others have employed foreign trusts, employee-leasing schemes, private annuities or insurance plans for the same purpose. The IRS uses information gained from its investigations to pursue taxpayers with undeclared accounts, as well as the banks and bankers suspected of helping clients hide their assets overseas. The IRS works closely with the Department of Justice (DOJ) to prosecute tax evasion cases. At the beginning of 2012, the IRS reopened the Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Program (OVDP) following continued strong interest from taxpayers and tax practitioners after the closure of the 2011 and 2009 programs. The IRS has collected $5.5 billion so far from people who participated in offshore voluntary disclosure programs since 2009. Impersonation of Charitable Organizations Another long-standing type of abuse or fraud is scams that occur in the wake of significant natural disasters. Following major disasters, it's common for scam artists to impersonate charities to get money or private information from well-intentioned taxpayers. Scam artists can use a variety of tactics. Some scammers operating bogus charities may contact people by telephone or email to solicit money or financial information. They may even directly contact disaster victims and claim to be working for or on behalf
of the IRS to help the victims file casualty loss claims and get tax refunds. They may attempt to get personal financial information or Social Security numbers that can be used to steal the victims' identities or financial resources. Bogus websites may solicit funds for disaster victims. As in the case of Hurricane Sandy, the IRS cautions both victims of natural disasters and people wishing to make charitable donations to avoid scam artists by following these tips: * To help disaster victims, donate to recognized charities. * Be wary of charities with names that are similar to familiar or nationally known organizations. * Don't give out personal financial information to anyone who solicits a contribution from you. * Don't give or send cash. For security and tax record purposes, contribute by check or credit card or another way that provides documentation of the gift. False/Inflated Income and Expenses Including income that was never earned, either as wages or as selfemployment income in order to maximize refundable credits, is another popular scam. Claiming income you did not earn or expenses you did not pay in order to secure larger refundable credits such as the Earned
Income Tax Credit could have serious repercussions. This could result in repaying the erroneous refunds, including interest and penalties, and in some cases, even prosecution. Additionally, some taxpayers are filing excessive claims for the fuel tax credit. Farmers and other taxpayers who use fuel for off-highway business purposes may be eligible for the fuel tax credit. Fraud involving the fuel tax credit is considered a frivolous tax claim and can result in a penalty of $5,000. Disguised Corporate Ownership Third parties are improperly used to request employer identification numbers and form corporations that obscure the true ownership of the business. These entities can be used to underreport income, claim fictitious deductions, avoid filing tax returns, participate in listed transactions and facilitate money laundering, and financial crimes. The IRS is working with state authorities to identify these entities and bring the owners into compliance
32
DIASPORA
London: Leading NRI businessmen Srichand Hinduja and Gopi Hinduja, Chairman and CoChairman of the Hinduja Group, have emerged as the richest Asians in Britain in 2013. After playing second fiddle for years to steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal, the London-based Hinduja brothers have come out top this year with net wealth assessed at 12.5 billion pounds - up 3 billion pounds on the 2012 figure. The falling demand for steel in Europe and elsewhere has reduced the wealth of Mittal, the Chairman and CEO of ArcelorMittal, from 13.5 billion pounds in 2012 to 11 billion pounds this year. Leading NRI industrialist Swraj Paul is listed as 95th in the 'Asian Rich List' brought out by the
Hindujas emerge as the richest Asians in Britain

worth 845 million, up 170 million pounds from last year. According to the list, "While other organizations have been cutting costs at a time of recession, the Hindujas splashed out $1.1 billion (725 million pounds) on buying Houghton, the US lubricant and specialized chemicals group that has been a market leader in its field. It has 12 manufacturing facilities in 10 countries from the United States to China and South Korea and sales in 80 countries. Its European headquarters is in Manchester. It reported an operating profit of USD 132 million in the year to September 30,2012, on sales of USD 858 million." The report said, "The Hindujas
Hindujas toppled steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal for the top spot
Eastern Eye Newspaper, a publication of the Garavi Gujarat
Group headed by Ramniklal Solanki. Lord Paul has wealth
have always made a big effort with their philanthropic work and in building up a close relationship between Britain and India, not only in business but also in the cultural and educational fields." Anil Agarwal, Chairman of Vedanta, is listed number 3 in the list with a fortune worth 3 billion, down 200 million pounds from last year. Naresh Goyal, Chief of Jet Airlines, is 12th in the list with a fortune worth 440 million, up 165 million pounds over last year. Rami Ranger, winner of four consecutive Queen's Awards for enterprise in international trade between 2009 and 2012, is 42nd in the list with a fortune worth 125 million, up 32 million pounds over last year.
Indian professionals to be exempted from paying social security in Portugal

New Delhi: Thousands of Indian professionals working in Portugal will soon be exempted from making social security contribution in the European country if they make such payments in India. The benefit will be available under the social security pact India inked with Portugal today which will also provide for cooperation in area of labor market expansion with that country where over around 75,000 Indian professionals are working currently. The agreement was signed here by Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Paulo Sacadura Cabral Portas. Under the agreement, India workers on short-term contracts of up to five years will not be required to make any social security contribution in Portugal provided they continue to make social security payments India. The relief will be available to Indian workers even if an Indian company sends its employees to Portugal from a third country. Officials said similar relaxation will be provided to Portuguese citizens working in India. "Portugal is a great friend of India and I am very happy to sign the agreement which will benefit the Indians working in the country," said Ravi. Portas said both the countries are holding negotiations on number of pacts to further enhance cooperation in diverse areas. "We are interested in further enhancing economic cooperation with India." As per the pact, Indian workers will be entitled to "export" of their social security benefits if they relocate to India after completion of their service in Portugal. According to Indian labor laws, all employees and employers falling under the purview of the Employees Provident Fund Act, 1952, are required to make mandatory contribution towards provident fund. A mandatory contribution fund is known by different names in different countries, such as social security in the US. Though professionals posted in foreign countries continue to make such payments in India, they are compelled to pay social security tax in the host countries too leading to double contribution. India has already signed similar agreements with Austria, Belgium, Germany, France, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Luxembourg, Hungary, Denmark, Czech Republic, South Korea, Norway, Finland, Canada and Japan.
London: NRI entrepreneur Kartar Lalvani has the Swordfish group of companies and son-in-law been conferred with the Healthcare Businessman of steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal, was declared the of the Year Award 2013 at the Asian Business Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2013. Awards ceremony here. The Lifetime Achievement Award 2013 went to The founder-chairman of Vitabiotics, UK's Indian-origin entrepreneur Sudhir Choudhrie. largest supplier of minerals and vitamin suppleSpeaking on the occasion, the British Home ments to the retail trade, received the honor from Secretary said Indian students were welcome to UK's Home Secretary Theresa May. study in the UK. Kartar Lalvani, The Asian Business Awards, commended founder-chairman, Blaming the previous Labor Government for Lalvani, a chemist by training, for "creating immigration system "mess," May said that "the Vitabiotics, UK Vitabiotics in the 1970s and overseeing the combright and best students from India are welcome pany's remarkable growth to become the UK's largest suppli- to study in the UK." In a message, the British Prime Minister er of minerals and vitamin supplements to the retail trade." David Cameron hailed the work done by Asian businessmen "The company is at the forefront of scientific developments in the UK, adding that awards "will be an opportunity to celein key sectors, including nutrition and women's health, and brate the enormous contribution that the Asian community exports to over 100 countries," it added. Amit Bhatia, chief of makes to the UK economy."
Kartar Lalvani wins 2013 Healthcare Business Award
Raj K Aggarwal commissioned as first Indian diplomat in Wales

London: Raj K Aggarwal, an Anglo-Indian affection for good food, drink and pharmacist and businessman, has been commusic....Talents like (poet) Dylan missioned as the first Indian diplomat in Wales Thomas/Tom Jones...Ravi Shankar, at a special ceremony. Mohammad Rafi and Lata Mangeshker," India's High Commissioner to the UK, Dr Aggarwal said. Jaimini Bhagwati presented the Commission He observed that "India is a great, very of Appointment as Honorary Consul of India impressive and diverse super power but Wales in Wales at a function held at the India House though small has its own charms. The coastlast evening. line, beaches, mountains, farm houses, High Commissioner Dr. J. Aggarwal, who was appointed to the pubs, castles, temples and the welsh hospipost in September last year, was officially Bhagwati (center) presenting tality are unbeatable." commissioned in the presence of the First the Commission of Appointment "Wales is so special. Cardiff is one of to Mr. Raj Aggarwal OBE DL Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones, Wales the most dynamic and enterprising internaPolice Commissioner Alun Michael and (right) in the presence of The tional cities," Aggarwal said. distinguished guests including Lord Bikhu First Minister of Wales, Rt. Hon. Describing First Minister Carwyn Jones' Carwyn Jones (left) at India Parikh and Labor MP Virendra Sharma. visit to Delhi and Mumbai last April as House on 21 March 2013. Speaking on the occasion, 63-year-old memorable, he said, "the exposure Wales Aggarwal pledged to uphold, defend and promote the interests got during your 3-day short visit was massive. I know you of both countries. "India and Wales are my pride and joy. The have made India a special focus with trade missions and specitizens of India and Wales have strong ties and share the same cialist teams. This is all good news."
SUBCONTINENT & INTERNATIONAL
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Islamabad: Former president Pervez Musharraf returned to Pakistan after a self-exile for over four years to take part in the May parliamentary elections. A plane carrying Musharraf, leaders of his party and media persons from Dubai landed soon after noon at the port city of Karachi where supporters accorded him a warm welcome. The authorities in Karachi canceled permission for a Musharraf rally at the mausoleum of the founder of the nation over security concerns. Musharraf had been living in exile in Britain and the United Arab Emirates since he resigned from his post in August 2008. Musharraf, 69, had previously announced on several occasions that he would return home, but he had postponed the plan. A court in Pakistan granted protective bail to Musharraf, who had been facing arrest in several cases. The 14-day-long protective bail was granted in response to a constitutional petition submitted to the court by Musharraf's daughter Ayla Raza Musharraf on behalf of her father. An anti-terrorism
Mush returns home after 4-year exile
Former Pak president Pervez Musharraf
court had issued arrest warrant in 2011 for Musharraf in connection with the murder of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto. In October, a court also issued a warrant for his arrest over the killing of Baloch nationalist leader Akbar Bugti
in a military operation in August 2006. Musharraf, who ruled Pakistan from 1999 to 2008, has also been charged with ordering a military raid on the Taliban-linked Red Mosque in Islamabad during his term.
Court extends Musharraf's bail

Islamabad: Former president Pervez Musharraf's bail was extended for 15 days by a Pakistani court, a media report said. Musharraf arrived at the Sindh High Court seeking to extend his period of bail in a series of cases, including the 2007 assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, reported Geo News. Musharraf returned to Pakistan after four years in selfimposed exile, spending time in London and Dubai. Judge Sajjad Ali Shah posted bail at 300,000 rupees ($3,000) over the 2007 assassination of Benazir Bhutto, the 2007 illegal sacking of judges and the 2006 death of Akbar Bugti, a Baloch rebel leader in Balochistan.
New York: Sri Lanka should act on the call by a deputy minister to investigate war crimes by examining his own role in serious abuses, Human Rights Watch said. Deputy Minister V. Muralitharan, known as Col. Karuna, called for war crimes investigations into the Tamil National Alliance, an opposition coalition of Tamil political parties, presumably because some of its members had links with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Karuna was effectively the second-in-command of the LTTE and the head of its eastern province forces until he split from its leader V. Prabhakaran in March 2004. "Karuna's call for war crimes investigations should not allow him to airbrush out his own role in atrocities," said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. "His LTTE forces were implicated in some of Sri Lanka's most horrific abuses, so the government's longstalled war crimes investigations might as well begin with him." LTTE forces under Karuna's command were directly involved in some of
'Probe into LTTE crimes should start with Karuna'
Karuna was effectively the second-in-command of the LTTE
the worst crimes of Sri Lanka's 26-year-long armed conflict, which ended in May 2009, Human Rights Watch said. In June 1990, 400 to 600 police officers who had surrendered to LTTE forces, many of whom may have been under Karuna's control,
were bound, gagged and beaten. The LTTE then executed the Sinhalese and Muslim police officers among them. Karuna has admitted that the LTTE committed these killings in an interview with the BBC, but claims he was not at the scene.
TN advocates Tamil Eelam in Lanka

Chennai: The Tamil Nadu assembly urged India to introduce a resolution in the UN Security Council seeking a referendum in Sri Lanka to carve out an independent Tamil Eelam state. A resolution moved by the AIADMK-controlled house said Tamils living in Sri Lanka as well as Tamils of Sri Lankan origin in other countries should take part in the referendum. The resolution also urged India to stop describing Sri Lanka as a friendly nation and sought an international probe on war crimes during the war against the Tamil Tigers that left thousands dead.
International
Mystery meat in UKs Indian takeaways
Hindu groups in the UK have called for stricter norms
London: Europe's horsemeat scandal took a new turn when a mystery meat was found in some Indian takeaway dishes here, which could be even of 'dog or cat'. 'Horsemeat Banquet', a BBC documentary revealed that even scientists were baffled after tests on an Indian lamb curry showed no trace of lamb, chicken, pork, mutton, beef or even horsemeat. It was, however, ruled out as being human flesh. Experts examined a range of takeaway meals in London as part of the documentary. When the presenter, Rick Edwards suggested that the unknown meat found in Indian dishes could be of cat or dog, nutritionist Surinder Phull said that "any animal with flesh similar to lamb" could have
been used. "At this moment, the lab is unable to identify exactly which animal this meat came from," a spokesman for the show said. Other tests revealed that so-called "beef" in some popular Chinese dishes was actually made entirely from chicken blood and a little chicken. Indian and Chinese meals are the most popular takeaway dishes in Britain and the latest discovery led to renewed calls for rigorous tests on various meat being served across the country. Hindu groups in the UK have called for stricter norms after it emerged this month that over a third of curry restaurants in Scotland were serving a much cheaper beef in place of lamb.
Rome: In his most significant break with tradition yet, Pope Francis washed and kissed the feet of two young women at a juvenile detention center a surprising departure from church rules that restrict the Holy Thursday ritual to men. No Pope has ever washed the feet of a woman before, and Francis' gesture sparked a debate among some conservatives and liturgical purists, who lamented he had set a "questionable example." Liberals welcomed the move as a sign of greater inclusiveness in the church. Speaking to the young offenders, including Muslims and orthodox Christians, Francis said that Jesus washed the feet of his disciples on
Pope washes women's feet
Pope Francis washed and kissed the feet of two young women
the eve of his crucifixion in a gesture of love and service. "This is a symbol, it is a sign. Washing your feet means I am at
your service," Francis told the group, aged 14 to 21, at the Casal del Marmo detention facility in Rome.
Elite in China face austerity

Beijing: Life for the almighty Chinese government official has come to this: car pools, domestically made wristwatches and self-serve lunch buffets. In the four months since he was anointed China's paramount leader and tastemaker-in-chief, President Xi Jinping has imposed a form of austerity on the nation's famously free-spending civil servants, military brass and provincial party bosses. Warning that graft and gluttony threaten to bring down the ruling Communists, Mr Xi has ordered an end to boozy, taxpayer-financed banquets and the bribery that often takes the form of a gift-wrapped Louis Vuitton bag. While the power of the nation's elite remains unchallenged, the symbols of that power are slipping from view. Gone, for now, are the freshly cut flowers and red-carpet ceremonies that used to greet visiting dignitaries. This month, military officers who arrived here for the annual National People's Congress were instructed to share hotel rooms and bring their own toiletries.
34
BUSINESS & SPORTS
Durban: In a clear signal of their ascendancy in the geopolitical space, the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa Wednesday gave their goahead to a BRICS bank, rivaling the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), to address the development challenges of poor and emerging economies. The leaders, who met for the 5th BRICS Summit here - where the Indian delegation was led by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh -- also endorsed a $100-billion contingency reserve arrangement that will be deployed when any of the five membernations faces a crisis. "We (the finance ministers of the five countries) gave a big idea and that idea has now become a reality -- that is the BRICS development bank," Indian Finance Minister P. Chidambaram told journalists here, soon after the conclusion of the plenary session on the second day of the two-day summit. He said the finance ministers and officials of the two countries have been given a 12-month time-frame to work out modalities like the capital
Soon, a BRICS development bank 'US should incentivize India to open economy'
Washington: Saying that strengthening Indo-US trade ties makes abundant economic sense, a US expert says the US can help India's growth by incentivizing New Delhi to open up its economy. "Within a generation, India will likely become one of the United States' most vital diplomatic partners," said Daniel Twining, senior fellow for Asia at the German Marshall Fund of the United States in an opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal. "As the US pivots toward Asia, India will prove more capable than any existing US ally in advancing interests from defeating terrorism to managing China's rise," he wrote noting "Already, Washington and New Delhi have developed a far-reaching strategic partnership centred on defense cooperation." "In contrast, Indo-US economic relations remain underdeveloped, stymied by a lack of ision and Indian skittishness toward liberalization," Twining said suggesting, "A new trade and energy partnership could make up for lost time." "To cement its burgeoning alliance with New Delhi, and to help India reform and grow, the US should offer the triple incentive of a freetrade agreement, assured
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other BRICS leaders pose during the BRICS Leaders-Africa Dialogue Forum in Durban, South Africa.
of the proposed bank, its domicile and the governance structure. "We should have a nearly complete document when the leaders meet again in Brazil next March," he added. As regards the contingency reserve arrangement, Chidambaram said the bulk of the money, that is $41 billion, will be pledged by China, $18 billion each will come from India, Brazil and Russia, while South Africa has agreed to $5 billion. The proposal for the BRICS bank and a contingency reserve arrangement was mooted
when India hosted the previous BRICS Summit in New Delhi. This was to counter the influence of other global institutions like the World Bank that are more tuned to pursuing the policies as dictated by the West. The five-member BRICS bloc collectively accounts for 40 percent of the world's population, 30 percent of the world's land mass, 20 percent of the gross domestic product in real terms and 26 percent of purchasing power. They also together have foreign exchange reserves of $4.3 trillion.
energy supplies and membership in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum (APEC)," he said. According to Twining the "best way to elevate IndoUS relations above feuding bureaucracies is for top political leaders to set out a compelling aspirational goal and empower government institutions to deliver on it." "Strengthening Indo-US trade ties makes abundant economic sense," he said citing the US National Intelligence Council forecasts that India will become the world's biggest driver of middle-class growth by 2030.
London: Britain looks headed for recession and its current account deficit last year was the worst since 1989, data showed on Wednesday, dimming government hopes of a growth boost from exports and investment. The Office for National Statistics confirmed that gross domestic product dropped 0.3 percent in the October-December period compared with the previous quarter, dragged down by sharp falls in industrial production and exports. Separate data showed Britain's current account deficit came in at 14.037 billion
UK heads for recession
pounds ($21.3 billion) in the fourth quarter, overshooting forecasts. For the full year, the gap between what Britain earns from trade and foreign investment and money flowing out of the country almost tripled to a shortfall of 57.679 billion pounds or 3.7 percent of GDP - the highest share of output since 1989. The pound slipped against the dollar after the two releases. An economic contraction in the first quarter of 2013 would tip Britain into its third recession in less than five years.
Sports
Cricketing world congratulates India
Lankan cricketers to skip IPL 6 Chennai-leg

New Delhi: The Governing Council of the Indian Premier League (IPL) decided to keep Sri Lanka cricketers out of Chennai in view of the opposition from Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa. This decision will make the players from the island-nation skip the matches to be held in Chennai in view of the security concerns in Tamil Nadu over the atrocities carried out against ethnic Tamils in Sri Lanka during the war against Tamil Tigers that ended in May 2009. "The Governing Council decided that Sri Lankan players will not participate in the Pepsi IPL 2013 League matches in Chennai and will advise the nine franchises accordingly. The Governing Council met this afternoon to discuss the issue. The security of all involved in the IPL, whether players, spectators or those working in the stadiums, is of paramount importance to the BCCI," said IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla in a press statement. "This is with reference to news reports last week that the government of Sri Lanka has issued a
This was the first time India whitewashed a series 4-0
New Delhi: After a thumping 4-0 triumph over Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, India was congratulated on the social networking site Twitter by several cricketers. "Congrats boys, well done. Njoy it big time, a well-deserved whitewash," tweeted opening batsman Gautam Gambhir, who is currently out of the team due to jaundice. Legendary Australian pace bowler Glenn Mcgrath said: "A very convincing win to India. India totally dominated the series. Aussies
have a lot of work to do before the Ashes. Congratulations India." One of the greatest spinners of all time, Shane Warne also applauded India's performance. "Congrats to India on the series win and the way their young players have played..." Former India batsman Sanjay Manjrekar said: "Winning 4-0 is no mean feat... and that is how this series win has to be looked at... Well done India !!" This was the first time India whitewashed a series 4-0.
travel advisory that its citizens should exercise caution when travelling to Tamil Nadu. Today, the Honorable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu has written to the Prime Minister of India stating that she will not permit the participation of Sri Lankan players or umpires in matches in Chennai during Pepsi IPL 2013." Earlier, Shukla, also the union minister of state for parliamentary affairs, had said that the local administration's advice cannot be ignored but the IPL
matches were not to be shifted out of Chennai. Jayalalithaa, in her letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, had stated that the state government will permit IPL matches only if the organizers promise that no Sri Lankan player, umpire, official or support staff will participate. Street protests had taken place in Tamil Nadu to denounce the Sri Lankan government for the killings of Tamil civilians in the war against the Tamil Tigers in the emerald nation.
Fashion
35
Six yard splendor at LFW Summer-Resort

The five-day fashion week also focused a lot on gold accessories, making the collections attractive. If fashion, style and glamor dominated the event, social causes too found strong foot hold.
Mumbai: The sheer elegance of six yard presented in innovative modern styles, high on grace and femininity, was the high point of the just concluded Lakme Fashion Week (LFW) Summer-Resort 2013, which also saw glitter of gold on the ramp. Other unique concepts brought on the ramp also made the five-day event a memorable experience for all and sundry. If Indian designers presented spectacular collection of six yards, especially in net, international designer Naeem Khan, who made his India debut at the LFW, too introduced a new version of sari called Ball gown sari. Specifically designed for the Indian audience, Khans sari draping style is unique, making it like a ball gown. It was received well when displayed on the ramp. The ball gown sari has been specially designed for India. It is one piece of fabric without any stitches and just needs to be draped, Khan said explaining his unique costume. Draping a sari is no longer tedious for women, thanks to designers for introducing new range of six yards, which were light, yet elegant. Ace designer Rehanes Indian look was also appreciated greatly at the event. Her clothes, though very desi, had an extremely modern and trendy touch making them appealing. My line was about a summer bride and what she would wear. I have displayed net saris, which are glamorous but also look very fragile. Such outfits will make women look divine, she said. Even Bhairavi Jaikishan focused on net saris. Titled Paradise Island, her collection offered net saris with heavy embroideries, salwaar-kameez and embroidered lehengas. My collection was for destination weddings. The clothes are very wearable. You can wear these clothes at different places It is a light weight collection, she said. The other designers who showcased a wide variety of saris were Manish Malhotra, Vikram Phadnis, Masaba, Soumitra Mondal, Farah and Firdos, Payal Singhal among others. Not only were the saris different, they were teamed up with
Fashion designer Anupama Dayal on the opening day of the LFW in Mumbai
innovative blouses. Payal Singhal, for whom gorgeous Aditi Rao Hydari walked the ramp, presented and interesting range of innovative blouse designs with her saris. For instance, she presented a spectacular range of buttery mul-saris with free flowing kurtas. Not only were the audience impressed with the beautiful saris, but so were the celebrities. Legendary singer Asha Bhosle, who was invited on to the ramp to walk at Manish Malhotras show, was thoroughly impressed with the sari she was wearing. Today, I am wearing Manish Malhotras sari and thanks for giving me this opportunity, she had said after her walk.
Other than that, the fashion week focused a lot on gold accessories, making the collections attractive. Masaba, who showcased a line called Postcards of Benaras, used a lot of gold jewelery. I used traditional Benaras jewelery. The whole idea was to create a fusion. The idea was to make it look jarring. It was an Indian fusion line, she said. LFW ended on March 26 with a fabulous grand finale by Namrata Joshipura and actress Kareena Kapoor hit the runway looking completely mesmerizing in orange-pink blingy palazzos teamed up with fitting top with a pink semi-formal jacket.
LFW celebrates rural India with Phadnis
round 70 people including 30 celebrities walked the ramp as designer Vikram Phadnis showcased his fashion line at Lakme Fashion Week (LFW) Summer-Resort 2013 on the theme of celebration of rural India. Ashutosh Gowariker, Anurag Basu, Vaibhavi Merchant, Ekta Kapoor, Ram Kapoor, Sakshi Tanwar, Kunal Kapoor, Neha Dhupia, Poonam Sinha, Vaibhavi Merchant, Arbaaz Khan and Malaika Arora Khan, Farah Khan, Rohit Bal, Dia Mirza, Jitendra, Sushant Singh Rajput, Juhi Chawla among others walked the ramp supporting the noble cause. Phadnis also made it a point to include various common people from Swades foundation who walked with the celebrities. Phadnis partnered with Swades Foundation, an NGO working for the empowerment of rural India, for his fashion show. He dedicated his line to this cause. The designer besides focusing on his clothing also had the hall decorated with lanterns hanging from the ceiling. The title track of Swades playing as the background score added to the look and feel of the evening. Going by the theme of the fashion line A Celebration Of Rural India, his collection had rural touch to all the garments that included cotton sarees with embroideries, salwar kameez, khadi kurtas, sherwanis for men and subtle yet graceful lehengas.
Saif likes me in every color: Kareena
Bollywood celebrities walk the ramp for designer Vikram Phadnis as part of Celebration of Rural India
Kareena Kapoor walks the ramp for Indian designer Namrata Joshipura
ollywood actress Kareena Kapoor, who looked fabulous in a pinkish-orange outfit designed by Namrata Joshipura at the Lakme Fashion Week (LFW) Summer - Resort 2013, says her husband Saif Ali Khan likes her in all colors. The collection had a range of vibrant colors. Asked which color her husband Saif Ali Khan likes to see her in, the actress promptly replied that he likes her in all colors. Saif likes to see me in every color. He has no choice, she told the media. Saif was not present to cheer the actress at the show, but she took it sportingly. We are not missing Saif... let him work. He sees me walk the ramp every day at home, she said in good humor. Asked about her personal styling, the actress said she loved pajamas and a T-shirt. I love pajamas and a T-shirt. I wish I could walk the ramp like that, she said. After a long courtship, Saif and Kareena tied the knot last year.
36
HUMOR
Humor with Melvin Durai
ope Francis, the new leader of the worldwide Catholic Church, is 76 years old. Some people think hes too old to be assuming such a demanding position. They wonder how long hell be able to serve as Pope, considering that his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, was 78 when elected to the Papacy and lasted only as long as three Charlie Sheen marriages. But I dont see anything wrong with a 76-year-old Pope. Just think how much experience Pope Francis brings to the job. He has witnessed so many lifechanging events during his time on Earth: the abolition of slavery, the discovery of penicillin, the invention of the padded bra. Okay, perhaps hes not quite that old, but he does have a wealth of experience to bring to the job, and thats a good thing. I love to see an older person getting such a high-profile job. In fact, if I had my way, nobody would be considered for the position of Pope until they had as many lines on their foreheads as
Old people need jobs and not just at the Vatican
A century-old Loren Wade working in Walmart
their rsums. In some countries, people are forced to retire from certain occupations while theyre in their late 50s! That seems patently unfair to me. Just imagine if Oscar-winning actor Ernest Borgnine had retired in his 50s. We would have
never seen him in such movies as The Graduates of Malibu High, Frozen Stupid and Real Men Dont Eat Gummi Bears. Okay, bad example. But you get the point. People in their late 50s still have a lot to contribute perhaps even more than they contributed before. Laura Ingalls Wilder published her first Little House on the Prairie book when she was 64. Claude Monet, the great French artist, completed many of his masterpieces after age 60. And Betty White was almost 90 when she got tackled in a Snickers commercial. At age 100, Loren Wade of Winfield, Kansas, is Americas oldest worker. While other centenarians have been retired for 40 years, Wade works 30 hours a week at Wal-Mart, usually in the pet supplies department. If youre having trouble lifting a 50-lb bag of dog food into your cart, Wade is the guy
wholl help you find one of the young guys in the back. The older I get, the more I support some form of age-based affirmative action or positive discrimination, as they call it in Britain. We need to create special jobs for senior citizens, so they can stay active and keep contributing to society. Here are just three job ads that I would like see: 1. Receptionist. Male Potency Clinic seeks receptionist to answer phone calls and schedule patients for consultations with Dr. C. Ellis. Preference will be given to candidates who have trouble remembering names and faces. Young people need not apply. 2. Living History Guide. Senior citizens needed to visit schools and talk about their childhoods, as part of a 20th century history lesson. Students are eager to hear your amazing stories, whether you had to walk 10 miles to get to school or grew up in a single TV household. Please bring your photo albums along, as many of our students are eager to find out what a photo album is. 3. FCC Reporters. Citizens aged 65 and above are encouraged to apply for the newly created position of Federal Communications Commission (FCC) reporter. As an FCC reporter, your job is to watch TV full-time and report any inappropriate language that makes you feel like using inappropriate language. You might be an ideal candidate if: (1) you often complain about all the filth on TV; (2) your grandchildren accuse you of being a prude; (3) youve written a letter to Joel Osteen asking him to stop saying gosh, darn it.
Laughter is the Best Medicine
by Mahendra Shah
Mahendra Shah is an architect by education, entrepreneur by profession, artist and humorist, cartoonist and writer by hobby. He has been recording the plight of the immigrant Indians for the past many years in his cartoons. Hailing from Gujarat, he lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
ASTROLOGY
37
By Dr Prem Kumar Sharma
Chandigarh, India: +91-172- 256 2832, 257 2874; Delhi, India: +91-11- 2644 9898, 2648 9899; psharma@premastrologer.com; www.premastrologer.com
Stars Foretell: March 30-April 5, 2013

ARIES: To bring a bloom in professional life you will have to formulate new strategies. A week when you should not force your opinion on others in the family. If possible take independent decisions when it comes to making fresh investments. You are likely find comfort in the arms of romantic partner. Creative hobbies are likely to keep you relaxed. Travel plan with a colleague might lead to a new relationship. Your plan to buy a plot, may lead to bankruptcy. You are likely to face some confrontation with higher authorities. LEO: This week you will fail to explore the full potential of software/hardware skills. Some of you will be torn among many demands at family front. An auspicious week to invest money on items that would grow in value. A promising week for romance when your innovation infuses a new spirit in it. A cheerful state of mind brings mental peace. The idea of a holiday seems to be tired and rushed. Discussing property matters with parents can help for better innovations. Be original in conversation, as putting up an act would only harm you. SAGITTARIUS: Be very careful while recruiting professionals. Relatives bring you unexpected gifts but also expect some kind of help from you. Avoid overspending on entertainment and luxuries this week. Love life would blossom provided you pay heed to it. A pleasure trip gives the much-needed tonic to health. Being too choosy for a romantic destination might irritate your partner. Consider a friend of yours when you plan to buy an office. You need to carefully listen & follow friends advice to pass testing times.
TAURUS: Dont forget to take the help of subordinates by involving them in decisionmaking process. To avoid conflicts give an ear to family members. Investment should be handled with extreme care and avoid being lured by dubious money ventures. Beware as someone might flatter you with his/her wit & charm to enjoy your company. Control your negative emotions to save your health. Its high time to visit a relatives place otherwise relationships can be ruined. Plan your budget first, and then try for a property. High time to have some principles and follow them methodically to succeed. VIRGO: To reverse sagging business fortunes, you will have to take some calculated risks to tackle the situation. Domestic concerns will require your immediate attention. Avoid being volunteer to overspend otherwise you will have to come home empty pocket. Partner brings immense romantic pleasure even if work pressure occupies your mind Good time to divert attention to spirituality to enhance mental toughness. Official journeys prove to be more fruitful for you. Planning a property might explore new horizons for you and your family. This week by sticking to your beliefs & faith, you succeed in achieving many personal favors. GEMINI: Dedication and sincerity at work will be of little value on failing to translate ideas into reality. You achieve success in personal work with the timely help & support provided by family members. Hard work of previous days brings good fortune enabling to fulfill monetary promises. Love and romantic encounter will keep you in a cheerful state. With a positive outlook & confidence, you succeed in impressing people around you. Traveling regularly might be injurious for your well being. A deal regarding residential property can start moving on its right path. You will be successful in developing some social contacts for personal use. LIBRA: To get maximum support from subordinates, better to delegate the responsibilities. Children would do their best to keep you happy. Investment on long-term plans would pave the way for earning financial gains. Romance rules heart & mind this week. Although sore throat would not come in the way of routine schedule, even then you must take some herbal treatments to get immediate relief. Fly away with your dreams, new business horizons are ready to explore. Your friends and family will be of great support if you are trying for an office. The good news for you is that you would objectively evaluate yourself.
CANCER: A promising week to start a new venture in partnership. All are likely to be benefited. Misunderstandings with near ones in the family will get cleared. You succeed in making some extra cash on playing your cards well. Sudden romantic encounter is foreseen this week. Mental alertness would enable to solve a tricky problem. Small picnic organized by your company is good to change your mood. Your investment plans are not up to the mark, you will be in trouble. Raising controversial issues without facts will only weaken your position/point. SCORPIO: You are likely to realise that interviewing is not an easy job. You are likely to be benefited as family members positively respond. Be careful with whom you deal financially during this week. One-sided affair fails to materialise thus bringing disappointment. Selfish behaviour of a friend/acquaintance could disturb mental peace. Looking for an adventurous holiday, unpleasant it would be. Too much of buying and selling of property is a danger to your bank balance. Relying on others help would only delay your plans. PISCES: Your technical expertise gives a decisive edge over competitors at work. Parents and friends will do their best to keep you happy. Improvement in finances makes it convenient in clearing long pending dues & bills. Do things that would invest in your romantic relations. Your confidence and energy will be high in this week. A fun- filled holiday at an amusement and theme park with your family is there. Inheriting property from your relatives seems to be ahead. You are likely to make a commitment without knowing how to honour it.
gence, but you need to control your tendency to be extravagant, reckless and moody at times. This year you would find yourself changing plans more than usual and decision on certain fronts would not be easy. Some changes in friendship also seem to take place later this year. Frequent and fruitful journeys would be undertaken. A property transaction or acquiring a new vehicle during this period seems likely. Visit to a religious place or blessings from a spiritual person would be high on your agenda. Your outgoing nature will work to your advantage as you gain favours and benefits from important people. The months of June, August, October and January will bring prosperity. April 05: Ruled by number 5 and the planet Mercury. You are highly intelligent, diplomatic, highly business oriented, accommodating, dashing and kindhearted individual. You are a very social person and your family and friends have a priority in your life, but you need to curb your tendencies to behave reckless, vindictive and moody at times. This year you should try to focus your energy into professional endeavors. It would be a period of success and happiness, as you would make major gains. You would easily outsmart your competitors because of you better skills and aptitude. Investments during this period would also yield handsome gains. New proposals for joint venture would be alluring, but a partnership is definitely not on your cards this year. You would make new friends through old ones. The months of July, August, October, December and March would be highly significant.
CAPRICORN: Make sure you dont hire for the sake of hiring. Take independent decisions and do not allow family members to decide: what to do or not. Make sure you do not overspend on household luxuries. You will have to make extra efforts to meet romantic partner. Cutting down the number of parties and pleasure jaunts would help in keeping in good mood. Luxuries are not what you need in a vacation, its peace and companionship. Its time to make some property investments for your kids. You keep a vigilant eye at whats happening around you.
AQUARIUS: Lack of communication skills will force to suffer at workplace. Family members are likely to create a mountain out of a molehill this week. Unwise investment could block the money. An erratic behavior could create differences with beloved/lover. A beneficial week to work on things that will improve your health. An ideal holiday is that which is planned. Purchasing official accessories can lead to improve growth of your office. You will be able to shift your focus/attention from personal to social life.
bilities at work. This would put you in good books of your employer and go a long way in bringing you rewards. You would work on new ideas, which would help you increase your income. Spouse expected to bring in some thrilling news later this year. Distant journeys, maybe overseas for some would be highly pleasurable and rewarding. The months of July, August, September, October and December seem to be highly beneficial. April 03: Governed by number 3 and the planet Jupiter. You are a practical, energetic, religious, brilliant, sober and an optimistic person. You are always looking for a change and you adapt to new technologies quickly than others. You are efficient and sincere, but you need to check your tendency to behave jealous and stubborn at times. This year sharing personal and secretive information would not be in your best interest. The atmosphere at office would be competitive and would require you to handle important jobs with more responsibility. You can look forward to new friendships and even a romantic alliance through work related projects. You need to control your mood and erratic behaviour; otherwise you are likely to disappoint many people around you. Distant journeys, maybe overseas for some would fetch favorable returns. The months of May, July, September, November and April will prove to be significant. April 04: Ruled by number 4 and the planet Uranus. You are generous, peace loving, dashing, systematic, disciplined, and creative in nature. You are very hardworking and possess an ability to impress others with your intelli-
Annual Predictions: For those born in this week

March 30: Governed by number 3 and the planet Jupiter, you are bold, ambitious, dignified, courageous and intelligent person. You are hard working and always appreciated for your commitment and efforts, but you need to control your tendency to behave erratic, stubborn and lazy at times. Financially this promises to be a highly lucrative year. New contract or partnership will take shape, lifting your moral and confidence. Investment in stocks and real estate recommended. Businessmen dealing in trading and export will benefit. Students will find this period highly exciting, adventurous and full of good opportunities. Religious feeling will arise making you go for a pilgrimage later in the year. Nuptial knots for few lovebirds. Chronic patients need to take preventive medication. Drive carefully, especially during the night. The months of May, July, September, October and January seem to be important and significant. March 31: Influenced by number 4 and the planet Uranus. You are energetic, practical, enthusiastic, authoritative and trustworthy person. You are intelligent and can do wonders with your ability to put in your maximum, but you need to control your tendencies to behave reckless, stubborn and impatient at times. This is a period of recognition and rewards. Efforts put in the past will yield returns this year. Your investments will multiply and yield good profits. Unexpected gains from speculation or real estate may not be ruled out. Children may cause some dissatisfaction and spouse will need more of your attention. New romance most likely for some. Health definitely would need more attention. Regular exercise and meditation would immensely help you this year. The months of March, April, May, August and October will prove to be significant and result oriented. April 01: Governed by number 1, and the Sun, you are original, active, responsible, trustworthy and a very simple person. You are highly talented and fond of accepting challenges, but you need to control your tendency to dominate, overspend and behave destructive at times. This year you should plan things well in advance to reap benefits. Efforts that you put during this period will bring desired results in the long run. Favourable period for property investment. Romance will be on top of your list. There seem to be chances too of a new arrival as well. Your financial condition will improve as you pickup job involving higher responsibility and position. Some exhilarating news from distant relations will boost up the spirits of the entire family. Travel and journey will be pleasurable. The months of April, June, August & November will be significant for you. April 02: Influenced by number 2 and the Moon. You are active, smart, energetic, responsible, systematic and a friendly person. You always aim high and you are not satisfied until you achieve your goals. You are helpful and loyal to your friends but you need to check your tendency to behave stubborn and fickle-minded at times. This year you are asked to handle additional responsi-
38
SPIRITUAL AWARENESS
Chapter excerpt from the book: Empowering Your Soul through Meditation
gotten. The mind, the senses, the body, and the pulls of the physical world have placed the soul in a state of forgetfulness from which we must awaken. When we empower our soul, its wisdom, immortality, love, fearlessness, connectedness, and bliss add a new dimension to our life. Many people live and die without ever realizing the full power and potential of their soul. At some time in their life, they may begin to wonder about the soul, about God, and about the purpose of their existence. This search for meaning and purposethe spiritual questis one that people pursue in individual ways. Some seek answers in scripture while others search in places of worship. Some go beyond their own religion to find the answers offered in other faiths. Whichever method one adopts, the direction one follows to find the souls have come and gone but have left behind no records because they did not found a religion or leave behind any scriptures. Some of them we know of through references by other people who wrote about them. One thing is clear: these realized souls have the ability to teach us how to realize ourselves. If we find such a being, we can learn how we, too, can discover our soul and its attributes. True knowledge comes from seeing and experiencing on our own. We may read what others write or listen to what others say, but we cannot be fully satisfied until we experience it for ourselves. This book touches on the two aspects of spiritual knowledge that can help us realize our soul: the theoretical knowledge, and the personal or practical knowledge. The theoretical side consists of what it? What are its characteristics and qualities? This book provides a way for us to accomplish two tasks: the theoretical understanding of our true selves as soul; and the practical technique for the realization of our soul and the empowering of it to guide our lives. Some of us may spend our lives searching for knowledge in the world outside. Little do we know that the source of all answers, the universal wisdom, lies within us. Some of us may find that at times our life is thwarted by fear and anxiety, hopelessness and depression, yet we have a source of fearlessness within us that can help us overcome any inner turmoil. We fear our own death and the passing away of our loved ones. We are petrified of the unknown and what awaits us beyond this life. But we do not realize that immortality is From the outset, we should define certain terminology to ensure that there is no confusion in how words are being used throughout the book. The term soul is defined as our true essence or spiritual sidethe part of us that lives beyond the death of our physical body. The soul exists whether it has a body or mind. When it enters this world, it is given a body and mind. As human beings, we are thus embodied souls or souls with a body and mind. The terms we or us refer to us as human beings or embodied souls. The process of finding the soul is referred to as tapping into or discovering our soul within us. When we finally do discover our soul and identify with it as being our true nature, then the soul is referred to as the empowered soul, a soul that has recognized itself and is aware that it is the essence of who we really are, that it is the guiding power behind the body and mind. True joy is not as elusive as we think. We can find lasting happiness if we only look in the right place. Within us lies the unlimited power and energy of the empowered soul. Its rich qualities include wisdom, fearlessness, immortality, unconditional love, connectedness, and bliss. Tapping into the soul and its power can enrich and transform our life. We remain ignorant of these inner gifts because blockages keep us from tapping into them. How can we remove these blockages? What process do we need to employ to discover all that we seek? There are simple techniques for accessing the riches of our soul. We need not search the four corners of the earth. We need not travel into outer space. These techniques can be practiced in the comfort of our home. Once we learn to tap into our inner resources, we can experience a profound transformation that can enrich all areas of our lifepersonal relations; physical, mental, and emotional health; professional work; spiritual growth; and the attainments of our lifes goals. This transformation cannot only bring peace and joy to our lives, but can also contribute to a peaceful, loving world. The aim of the book is to provide a means by which we can re-identify with the soul, (i.e. realize that the mind and body are merely our souls outer coverings through which it can live and work in this physical world) and to empower the soul to guide our life.
The empowered soul
By Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj

ithin us are riches greater than any we can ever accumulate on earth. We have inside us a source of knowledge from which all other knowledge flows. A love far greater and fulfilling than any we can know in the outer world is waiting to embrace us with open arms within. At our core is a strength and power that can enable us to overcome any fear. Underlying our separateness as individuals is a connectedness and oneness to all life. Awaiting us inside is a bliss and joy so fulfilling that we need no other outer intoxicants to make us happy. All these gifts lie within us in the empowered soul. The soul is a source of tremendous wisdom, love, and power, yet we remain ignorant of its treasures when we allow it to be overpowered by the mind, the senses, and the physical body. When the mind and body assert power over the soul, the soul forgets itself. But the empowered soul is our true nature, and it is time we reclaim the soul so that its gifts can enrich our life. There are two ways through which to view ourselves with regard to the soul. The first is to view ourselves primarily as a body and mind. When we see ourselves in this manner, we say that we are a mind and body that have a soul. The second is to see ourselves primarily as a soul. When we change perspective and identify with the soul, we say that we are a soul who has or wears a mind and body. To assess how we look at ourselves is one of our goals in Empowering Your Soul through Meditation. If we think we are a mind and body, then ours is a journey to find the soul. If we realize that we are the soul, which has been given a mind and body to maneuver through the physical world, then our goal is to further empower the soul. By empowering the soul we recover its natural control over the mind and senses. The aim of Empowering Your Soul through Meditation is to help reacquaint us with the qualities of the soul and provide direction for its empowerment. The souls power has been for-
answers to lifes questions is known as the spiritual path. It is the spiritualm path that leads us to the realization of our inner self, to the soul. Many people pass through life never realizing who they are and never certain about the purpose of their existence. In times of trouble or in the face of death, they may raise these questions but may not follow them through to a fulfilling conclusion or else may abandon the process when the bad times pass. But those who have a burning desire to find the answers to the mysteries of life can find them. Fortunately, there are people in the world who have found spiritual fulfillment and can guide us. If we look through history we find that in every generation there have been people who have realized themselves as soul and have realized God. Some of their wisdom and experiences have been recorded in history and, in some cases, a religion has been created from their teachings. Other realized
Once we learn to tap into our inner resources, we can experience a profound transformation that can enrich all areas of our life personal relations; physical, mental, and emotional health; professional work; spiritual growth; and the attainments of our lifes goals.
other realized people have said about the soul (such as what are some of the qualitieswisdom, immortality, fearlessness, love, connectedness, and bliss). The personal or practica side consists of a technique that I learned from a fully realized being. I wish t share this technique to help others realize their soul on their own. On the theoretical side, a basic agreement among enlightened souls is that we are not just a physical body, but we are also the soul or spirit behind the body. It is the soul that that gives us life. When the soul is in the body, we are physically alive. When the soul leaves the body at the time of death, the body ceases to exist. The body may perish, but the soul that inhabits it is immortal. The soul continues to exist after our physical death. We are aware of our physical body because we can look at it, feel it, and listen to sounds coming from it. However, where and what is the soul? How can we recognize
ours. We crave love and seek it many places. But there is an unconditional love that is ours awaiting us with open arms. We need only turn in the right direction to find it. We feel alone and unconnected in this world. But there is a place of unity and connectedness within us. If we could but only tap it we would find the richness of relationships with others, with nature, and with all life. Exploration within will help us discover our own potential. Once we learn to tap into our inner resources, we experience a profound transformation that will enrich all areas of our lifefrom personal relations, to physical, mental and emotional health, to our work, to our spiritual growth, and the attainment of our lifes goals. This transformation can bring peace and joy into our lives and can contribute to a peaceful, loving world. The Empowered Soul is a manual for daily living and personal discovery.
HAPPY HOLI
INTRODUCING OUR NEW LOOK

To commemorate 30 years of service to the community, Habib American Bank is rebranding to new and fresher look HAB BANK. We will continue to focus on our key priorities: customer relationships, products and services. The Bank is committed as ever to deliver outstanding personal and commercial banking services that you have come to expect. Our core products are Commercial Real Estate Mortgages, International Trade Services, US Small Business Loans and well-designed commercial banking products and services for small to medium sized businesses. We offer a wide range of consumer products and services including personal checking, savings, CDs, and full-service online banking. Your business is important to us and we look forward to continuing a long and mutually successful partnership with you as HAB BANK.
HAB Bank 99 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016 t: (212) 532 4444 f: (212) 532 7136 www.habbank.com
HAB BANK is a registered Service Mark of Habib American Bank.

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The South Asian Times

Durban Summit delivers a BRICS development bank

Holi celebrated with fun, frolic in India

(Full story on page 34)

North Korea ratifies plan for rocket strike on US and S. Korea

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un with the army generals.

Holi in Beawer, Rajasthan, is a different hue altogether.

Sri Sris non-violence movement to launch in NYC

Entering the pulsating pulse of life

March 30-April 5, 2013

March 30-April 5, 2013

Rajaratnam's brother pleads not guilty to insider trading charges in US court

Protesters march against Wharton snub to Modi

200 protestors from across the US gathered for the march

US lawmakers want hate crimes against Sikhs, Hindus tracked

First UN International Day of Happiness celebrated

Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan to perform at Nassau Coliseum

March 30-April 5, 2013

Letter to the Editor

Prohibitive cost of calling India

'I am Malala' to fetch Pak teen 2m

March 30-April 5, 2013

Eight US governors, city mayors plan to visit India in 2013

Rep Meng vows support to Indian community

Democratic Party gives key role to Ami Bera for polls

Indian space scientist honored in the US

Sexual harassment lawsuit against Bikram Yoga founder

March 30-April 5, 2013

Faced no racism: Turbanator Gurpreet Singh Sarin

American Idol contestant Gurpreet Singh

IALI holds free health camp in Hicksville

Ranee Ramaswamy nominated to National Council of Arts

March 30-April 5, 2013

March 30-April 5, 2013

Supreme Court questions ban on same-sex marriage

T-Mobile announces aggressive phone pricing sans contracts

Fannie, Freddie to simplify mortgage rules

American healthcare prices are super high office-visit-800x57

Obama sure immigration reform coming soon

States adding new dimension to India-US ties: Nirupama Rao

March 30-April 5, 2013

Durban delivered India's BRICS demands: PM

N-plant now on track: PM to Putin

Italian marines matter sub judice: PM

March 30-April 5, 2013

US team meets Modi, praises Gujarat

Rajnath, US envoy discuss FDI

Prayers and fasting on Good Friday Will Congress, SP divorce?

Can Congress overcome infighting in Karnataka?

Karnataka will vote for a 224-member house on May 5

March 30-April 5, 2013

Holi Pages Coverage 12-29

Entering the pulsating pulse of life

Holi get us close to our mythology

March 30-April 5, 2013

Vrindavan widows break barrier for Holi

Holi celebrated with fun, frolic

Devotees throwing gulal inside Sriji temple in Barsana

President, vice president greet people on Holi

Holi draws foreign tourists to India

Hindus and Muslims come together in UP

Foreign tourists playing Holi at Hotel Khasa Kothi in Jaipur

People from Hindu and Muslim community celebrate Holi