Freetown: Sierra Leone declared a

health emergency and called in

troops to quarantine Ebola victims,
joining neighboring Liberia in
imposing tough controls as the
death toll from the worst-ever out-
break of the virus hit 729 in West
Africa.
The World Health Organization
said it was in talks with donors and
international agencies to deploy
more medical staff and resources to
one of the world's poorest regions.
The WHO reported 57 new deaths
between July 24-27 in Guinea,
Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria.
Authorities in Nigeria, which
recorded its first Ebola case last
week when a US citizen died after
arriving on a flight from Liberia,
said all passengers travelling from
areas at risk would be temperature-
screened for the virus. In a measure
of rising international concern,
New Delhi: India has raised the
issue of America's cyber snooping
on the country, saying it was "unac-
ceptable" as visiting US Secretary
of State John Kerry in a conciliatory
note said the US would continue to
work with India wherever they saw
a "threat to shared interests".
External Affairs Minister Sushma
Swaraj, addressing a joint press
briefing with Kerry after the Fifth
India-US Strategic Dialogue, said
that she conveyed to Kerry that the
people of India were very agitated
over US surveillance activities. "I
also said if we consider each other
friends then a friendly country spy-
ing on another is unacceptable."
Kerry, in reply, said that the US
"fully respects and understands the
feelings expressed" by the minister.
He said the US values its relation-
ship with India and "we also value
the sharing of information regarding
counter-terrorism, and we had con-
versations with government officials
and we try to with intelligence com-
munities".
He said President Barack Obama
has undertaken a "unique and
unprecedented review" of the US
intelligence and intelligence gather-
ing and gave a speech articulating
American approach to the standards
that will apply to it.
Sushma Swaraj's raising the issue
of US internet snooping by its intel-
ligence agency, the National
Security Agency, comes days after
Communications Minister Ravi
Shankar Prasad said in parliament
that the government would not
accept breach of any Indian law
relating to privacy of people by
American intelligence agencies.
The US has been facing flak from
numerous countries, including
Germany and Brazil, following rev-
elations that the NSA snooped on
phone conversations and the internet
mail of the leaders of those coun-
tries. Aiming for a re-energised
India-US bilateral relationship,
The South Asian Times
e x c e l l e n c e i n j o u r n a l i s m
excellence in journalism
FESTIVALS 27 US AFFAIRS 9 SPIRITUAL AWARENESS 30
Washington: One day after House
Republicans voted to sue him for
allegedly exceeding his executive
authority, President Barack Obama
signed yet another executive order,
saying the suit is not going to stop
me from doing what I think needs to
be done in order to help families
across the country.
The president signed an order,
titled Fair Pay and Safe
Workplace, requiring prospective
federal contractors to disclose labor
law violations.
Any time Congress wants to do
work with me to help working fami-
lies, Im right there. The door is
Vol.7 No. 14 August 2-8, 2014 60 Cents New York Edition Follow us on TheSouthAsianTimes.info
World on alert as Ebola outbreak kills 729
WHO is not recommending any travel restrictions
or border closures yet.
OP ED 13
Continued on page 4
New York State Senator Toby
Stavisky (D-Flushing) honored the
leadership of Gujarati Samaj of New
York with 'New York State Senate
Proclamation' on their 40th
anniversary for their service to the
community. Seen in the photo are,
from left, Vice Chair Khandu Patel,
Program Manager Bharati Desai,
Chair of the Board of Trustees
Raman Patel, Senator Stavisky,
President Harshad Patel,
Chairperson Dilip Chauhan and
President of the SIAEA Mihir Patel.
US House has approved a lawsuit against President Barack
Obama over alleged abuse of executive power.
Continued on page 4
Continued on page 4
Snooping, terror
dominate Kerry
& Swaraj meet
Undeterred, Obama signs another executive order
Stalwarts of Gujarati Samaj honored by NY State Senator
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj with US Secretary
of State John Kerry during the Fifth India-US
Strategic Dialogue in New Delhi.
August 2-8, 2014 TheSouthAsianTimes.info
3 August 2-8, 2014 TheSouthAsianTimes.info TRISTATE COMMUNITY
New Delhi: Prime Minister Naren-
dra Modis proposed address to a
joint sitting of the US Congress in
September is unlikely to happen be-
cause the Republican Party is push-
ing for a shorter session to enable
early elections to the law-making
body.
South Block sources told Hindus-
tan Times that Modis much-await-
ed address will fall victim to the US
opposition partys push to end the
session by the third week of Sep-
tember so that it can capitalize on a
perceived electoral advantage over
the Democrats.
The Indian PM will be in the US
to address the UN General Assem-
bly and then meet US President
Obama in the last week of Septem-
ber. The address to Senators and
Congressmen was due to happen
around the time of the Obama meet-
ing.
Modi has received no less than
eight separate invitations or letters
of support from US Senators and
Congressmen to address the joint
session.
This includes a letter under circu-
lation from Californian Democrat
Congressman Brad Sherman and
more than 80 colleagues to House
and Senate leaders.
Signatories to the letter include
five Congressmen who had earlier
supported the visa ban on Modi as a
fallout of the 2002 Gujarat riots.
There is a huge interest in the US
about rising economic opportunity
in India, politics under the leader-
ship of Modi, who has a single par-
ty majority government after 30
years, as also the pressure of the in-
fluential Indian community on their
representatives, said a senior
South Block official.
According to US diplomatic
sources, five of the invitations are
from the US house, two from the
Senate including a floor statement
by Senator John McCain on the US-
India Strategic Partnership and a
separate letter by House and Senate
India Caucus Co-Chairs to the
Speaker of the House in support of
a Modi joint address.
Washington: More than 35 per-
cent of Americans have debts and
unpaid bills that have been report-
ed to collection agencies, accord-
ing to a study released Tuesday by
the Urban Institute.
These consumers fall behind on
credit cards or hospital bills. Their
mortgages, auto loans or student
debt pile up, unpaid. Even past-
due gym membership fees or cell-
phone contracts can end up with a
collection agency, potentially
hurting credit scores and job
prospects, said Caroline Ratcliffe,
a senior fellow at the Washington-
based think tank. Debt in collec-
tions can tip employers' hiring de-
cisions, and landlords renting
decisions.
The study found that the debts
reported averaged $5,178, based
on September 2013 records. The
study points to a disturbing trend:
The share of Americans in collec-
tions has remained relatively con-
stant, even as the country as a
whole has whittled down the size
of its credit card debt since the of-
ficial end of the Great Recession
in the middle of 2009. As a share
of people's income, credit card
debt has reached its lowest level
in more than a decade, according
to the American Bankers Associa-
tion. People increasingly pay off
balances each month. Just 2.44
percent of card accounts are over-
due by 30 days or more, versus
the 15-year average of 3.82 per-
cent. Yet roughly the same per-
centage of people are still getting
reported for unpaid bills, accord-
ing to the Urban Institute study
performed in conjunction with re-
searchers from the Consumer
Credit Research Institute. Their
figures nearly match the 36.5 per-
cent of people in collections re-
ported by a 2004 Federal Reserve
analysis. All of this has reshaped
the economy. The collections in-
dustry employs 140,000 workers
who recover around $50 billion
each year, according to a separate
study published this year by the
Federal Reserve's Philadelphia
bank branch.
Health care-related bills ac-
count for 37.9 percent of the debts
collected, according to a new re-
port commissioned by the Associ-
ation of Credit and Collection
Professionals.
Washington: It is a tribute to Americas ac-
ceptance and embracing of diversity that an
Indian American is among the handful of
people assigned to carry out nuclear attacks
when authorized by the President.
Lt. Raj Bansal of the US Air Force's 90th
Missile Wing is one of the last men standing
by ten Minuteman III nuclear missiles and
the US President's order to launch them. Bur-
rowed in an underground bunker in a flat, un-
marked terrain between Cheyenne,
Wyoming, and Lincoln, Nebraska, he and his
partner Capt. Joseph Shannon are among the
nuclear launch frontiersmen who do 24-hour
shifts, reports The Times of India.
Lt. Bansal's story emerged when the US Air
Force allowed the media a rare glimpse of
how America's nuclear arsenal operates fol-
lowing a scandal in which personnel in
charge of US nuclear weapons were found
cheating much like how school stu-
dents cheat in exams to meet the grades
required to display their knowledge of
launch codes etc. Nine officers were fired
for cheating and dozens were reprimand-
ed.
Evidently, Lt Bansal was not among
them because NPR described his routine
on the nuke watch, rather sketchily be-
cause much of the drill is still classified.
Controls to the missiles themselves are
buried 60 feet underground in a room
called "the capsule." Protected by an enor-
mous, 2-foot-thick blast door made of 8
tons of solid steel, it said the room is hol-
lowed out like an egg shell, and in the mid-
dle, suspended on shock absorbers, hangs
the launch control center, a room within a
room.
It is here that Bansal and Shannon work
on 24-hour shifts. Will they ever get a coded
message from the President ordering them to
unleash their weapons? Bansal was asked.
"I think it's something everybody thinks
about when they get the job," Bansal replied.
"I mean you're basically eating most of your
meals when you're on alert next to the keys
and switches that would cause that act."
Modi may not get to address US Congress joint session
The Indian-American finger on US nuclear button
One-third of Americans reported to
collection agencies for unpaid bills & debts
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting Washington DC in
September, and has received no less than eight separate invita-
tions or letters of support from US Senators and Congressmen
to address the joint session.
Capt. Joseph Shannon and Lt. Raj Bansal are a two-man crew
overseeing 10 nuclear weapons.
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4 August 2-8, 2014 TheSouthAsianTimes.info TURN PAGE
Snooping, terror dominate Kerry.
Continued from page 1
Swaraj and Kerry explored fron-
tiers vis-a-vis security and clean
energy.
"The two sides recognised that
the decisive mandate provided by
the Indian people to their new
government provided a unique
opportunity to re-energise this
relationship," said a joint state-
ment on the strategic dialogue.
Sushma Swaraj and Kerry hoped
that the Summit Meeting between
Prime Minister Narendra Modi
and US President Barack Obama
in Washington in September
would generate new dynamism in
the relationship.
The two leaders said they were
committed to intensify efforts to
combat terrorism.
"Sushma Swaraj and Kerry com-
mitted to intensify efforts to com-
bat terrorism, proliferation of
WMDs (weapons of mass destruc-
tion), nuclear terrorism, cross-bor-
der crime, and address the misuse
of the internet for terrorist purpos-
es, in compliance with respective
laws," the statement said.
Sushma Swaraj and Kerry wel-
comed the continuation of the
Counter-Terrorism Joint Working
Group process, sustained
exchanges of senior experts, and
the upcoming meeting of the
Working Group in 2014.
They also welcomed plans to
hold the next Ministerial
Homeland Security Dialogue.
The two leaders also agreed to
work towards greater cooperation
in cyber security and reducing
cyber crime.
In the area of energy, Sushma
Swaraj and Kerry welcomed work
under the Partnership to Advance
Clean Energy (PACE) in its
Research and Deployment compo-
nents.
They reviewed the new initiative
on Promoting Energy Access
through Clean Energy (PEACE) in
giving Indian citizens in rural
areas access to off-grid sources of
clean energy.
The two leaders reaffirmed their
commitment to the full implemen-
tation of the India-US civil nuclear
agreement.
"They looked forward to
advancing the government-to-gov-
ernment dialogue and facilitating
the establishment of US-built
nuclear power plants in India," the
statement said.
The two sides also identified
education and skill development
as important areas of future coop-
eration.
"They called for partnerships
between Indian and US testing
services institutions to improve
nationwide student assessments in
India," the statement added.
On the issue of stability in
Afghanistan, Sushma Swaraj and
Kerry reaffirmed their support for
a unified, independent and sover-
eign Afghanistan.
"They expressed admiration for
the determination of the Afghan
people to exercise their democrat-
ic right to vote despite the signifi-
cant threat from terrorist ele-
ments," the statement said.
They welcomed the efforts of
Afghan institutions involved in the
current electoral process to work
together with the UN to ensure the
timely completion of the ongoing
process, so that the elections are a
source of unity and strength for
the country and a source of stabili-
ty for the region.
The leaders reiterated their deep
concern over the current situation
in Iraq, which posed a direct threat
to the security of the people and
the territorial integrity of the coun-
try.
"They affirmed that they
attached the highest priority to the
security and safety of their respec-
tive nationals in Iraq. They stood
by the people of Iraq in their fight
against international terrorism and
their efforts to preserve Iraq' s
unity and territorial integrity,
recognising that a stable, peaceful,
united and democratic Iraq is in
the interest of regional and global
peace and security," the statement
said.
World on alert as Ebola...
Continued from page 1
Britain held a government meeting
on Ebola and called it a threat
requiring a response.
The White House also said
President Obama was being
briefed on the situation.
But international airlines associ-
ation IATA said the WHO was not
recommending any travel restric-
tions or border closures, and there
would be a low risk to other pas-
sengers if an Ebola patient flew.
The outbreak of the haemorrhagic
fever, for which there is no known
cure, began in the forests of
remote eastern Guinea in
February, but Sierra Leone now
has the highest number of cases.
Sierra Leone President Ernest
Bai Koroma said he would meet
leaders of Liberia and Guinea in
Conakry on Friday to discuss
ways to combat the epidemic.
Undeterred, Obama signs...
Continued from page 1
always open. More than that, Ill
go to them; Ill wash their car,
walk their dog, the president
joked at a White House ceremony.
Earlier, US House approved a
lawsuit against President Barack
Obama over alleged abuse of
executive power.
The 225-201 vote fell along
party lines, with five Republicans
voting against the measure while
no Democrats supported it.
Last week, the House Rules
Committee approved at 7-4 vote a
resolution allowing the full House
to vote on authorizing the lawsuit
against Obama, accusing him of
abusing executive authority.
Washington: The CIA's insistence
that it did not spy on its US Senate
overseers collapsed with the release
of a stark report by the agency's
internal watchdog documenting
improper computer surveillance and
obstructionist behavior by CIA offi-
cers.
Five agency employees two
lawyers and three computer special-
ists improperly accessed Senate
intelligence committee computers
earlier this year in a dispute over
interrogation documents, according
to a summary of a CIA inspector
general report describing the results
of an internal investigation. Then,
despite CIA Director John Brennan
ordering a halt to that operation, the
CIA's office of security began an
unauthorized investigation that led it
to review the emails of Senate
staffers and search them for key
words.
After Senate leaders learned about
the intrusion in January and object-
ed, the CIA made a criminal referral
to the Justice Department, alleging
improper behavior by Senate
staffers when they took the internal
CIA review documents. That refer-
ral, CIA watchdog David Buckley
found, was based on inaccurate
information and was not justified.
Brennan also asked his agency's
inspector general to examine
whether the CIA committed wrong-
doing. When internal investigators
interviewed the three CIA computer
specialists who helped access the
Senate machines, they exhibited "a
lack of candor," the report said, sug-
gesting an attempt to cover up their
actions.
Jerusalem: Israel and Hamas have
agreed to a 72-hour humanitarian
ceasefire beginning Friday, during
which time there will be negotia-
tions on a more durable truce in the
24-day-old Gaza war, the United
States and United Nations
announced.
The announcement came hours
after Israeli Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to
destroy Hamas' tunnel network with
or without a ceasefire as the
Palestinian death toll soared past
1,400. There was no immediate
Israeli comment on the announce-
ment. In a statement released in
New Delhi where secretary of state
John Kerry is traveling, the US and
UN said they had gotten assurances
that all parties to the conflict had
agreed to an unconditional ceasefire.
"This humanitarian ceasefire will
commence at 8am local time on
Friday, August 1, 2014. It will last
for a period of 72 hours unless
extended. During this time the
forces on the ground will remain in
place," the statement said. "We urge
all parties to act with restraint until
this humanitarian ceasefire begins,
and to fully abide by their commit-
ments during the ceasefire." The
statement said the ceasefire was crit-
ical to give civilians a much-needed
reprieve from violence.
CIA spied on US Senate,
internal review finds
US, UN announce deal on 72-hour
Gaza ceasefire
5 August 2-8, 2014 TheSouthAsianTimes.info TRISTATE COMMUNITY
New York: On July 6, Delaware
teen Ishaan Jagiasi was crowned
the National U.S. Champion in
the senior division at Pokemon
Card Tournament in Indianapo-
lis.
Pokmon cards is part of the
franchise well-known for best-
selling games, television shows,
movies and the trading card
game itself. The trading card
game has its own set of elite tournaments,
awards, and championships.
Last year Ishaan won four state champi-
ons last year is among the Top 16 card
traders among the world. He will now
compete in the Pokmon World Champi-
onships at the Walter E Washington Cen-
ter in Washington, D.C., Aug. 15 to 17.
Among prizes he received at the July 6
event were the Pokmon TCG National
Championship First Place Trophy, a schol-
arship award worth $5,000, 500 champi-
onship points, a Travel Award to
the 2014 World Championship and
a combination of 72 booster packs
from the current Pokmon TCG
expansion.
In this game, players take on the
role of a Pokmon trainer, using
their creatures to battle. Players
play Pokmon to the field and use
their attacks to reduce the oppo-
nents hidden power (HP). When a
Pokmons HP is reduced to 0 it is
knocked out and the player who knocked
it out takes a Prize card into their hand. A
player may win the game in three ways
by collecting all of their prize cards (ini-
tially six, some cards can increase this), if
their opponent runs out of Pokmon on the
field or if at the beginning of their oppo-
nents turn there are no cards left to draw
in the opponents deck.
The Pokmon World Championships, an
annual event which began in 2004.
Chicago: Federation of Indian Associations-
Chicago [FIA] has moved into high gear to unveil
its dazzling Grand Parade & Music/Dance Mela
to set the countdown for one of the most color-
fully ostentatious events in celebration of India
Independence Day with its flagship event Grand
Parade taking the center stage on Saturday Au-
gust 16 at 11:30 am from Devon Ave & Western
Ave in Chicago, Illinois. This colorful Grand Pa-
rade and Mela is unrivaled in its makeup, scope,
creativity and composition as it features for the
first-time a huge ornated replica of Elephant aug-
mented by breath-taking pageantry with the daz-
zling display of decorated floats, marching bands,
drum beats, colorful costumes inundated with
music, dances and revelry to celebrate the India
Independence Day enhanced by the presence of
popular Zee TV actors adding to its fervency,
gusto and gleeful anticipation.
This Grand Parade and Mela will be preceded
by Gala Banquet & Flag-Hoisting ceremony. The
India Independence Day Gala Banquet will serve
as a dazzling precursor featuring stunning dance
presentations eclipsed by delectable dinner selec-
tion at the Meadows Club on Sunday August 10,
2014 5:30 pm.
The remarkable dance sequence presentations
are being artistically choreographed & directed
by danseur Falguni Rana along with a team of 50
talented young dancers.
The pivotal event surrounding the celebrations
is the India Independence Day Flag-Hoisting cer-
emony that will be held on Friday, August 15,
2014 at 11:30 am on the Daley Plaza near Dear-
born St. & Washington St. in downtown Chicago.
Event Chairman Iftekhar Shareef is roping in
young talent who will present patriotic-based In-
dian traditional dances mobilized under the lead-
ership of Harish Kolasani & Hina Trivedi. The
flag will be hoisted by a host of elected officials
led by Consul General of India Dr. Ausaf Sayeed.
Keerthi Kumar Ravoori, FIA President in a
statement - said that the FIAs leadership team is
sparing no effort whatsoever to meticulously ex-
ecute the Grand India Independence Day four
major festivities events to ensure it unveils the
essence of majestic India featuring spectacular
display of Indias rich cultural heritage showcas-
ing the colorful mosaic of Indias multi-ethnic
traditions, costumes, language, music and dances
thus illustrating the profound distinctiveness of
India. Ajai Agnihotri will serve as an overall Fes-
tivities Convener handling the enormous logistics
and events management.
Robbinsville, NJ: The BAPS
Swaminarayan Sanstha is set to in-
augurate its sixth traditional stone
mandir in North America located in
Robbinsville, New Jersey. The
mandir has been built according to
the Hindu Shilpa Shastras or an-
cient architectural texts following a
tradition of temple building through
the millennia. Inspired by His Holi-
ness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the
intricately hand-carved mandir is
built to last thousands of years. It
stands as a testament to the dedica-
tion, service and devotion of the or-
ganizations many volunteers and
well-wishers. The inauguration of
this traditional stone mandir marks
the completion of the second phase
of the Swaminarayan Akshardham
complex that is currently planned
for the site.
The mandir is 134 feet long and
87 feet wide, comprising of 108 pil-
lars and three garbha gruhs or inner
sanctums. The entire mandir has
been covered by a permanent struc-
ture to increase the structures life
and accommodate darshan and wor-
ship during the regions harsh win-
ter. The Mandir is made entirely of
Italian marble and was completed in
three years at a cost of $18 million.
This was made possible by the ded-
ication and selfless service of pro-
fessional volunteers, including en-
gineers and architects, who helped
to minimize the cost of the mandir.
The inauguration ceremonies will
begin with a Vedic Yagna or sacrifi-
cial ritual for world peace and will
be followed by a Shobha Yatra or
celebratory procession of the
deities. The inauguration itself will
take place according to traditional
Vedic rituals in the Murti Pratishta
ceremony on August 9 and 10. Fi-
nally, the Mandir complex will be
opened to the community and pub-
lic on August 16 at a special dedica-
tion ceremony hosting community
leaders from within the Indian-
American community and from
around the region. His Holiness
Pramukh Swami Maharaj will be
traveling to New Jersey to be a part
of the inauguration ceremonies and
festivities. He will be joined by a
delegation of 40 sadhus and priests
from India to officiate the rituals of
the installation.
After its opening, the BAPS Shri
Swaminarayan Mandir in Rob-
binsville, NJ, like other BAPS
mandirs, will not only be a center of
Hindu liturgy, but will also provide
a spiritual haven for aspirants and
devotees in their local community.
The murtis of the chief deities of the
mandir, Bhagwan Swaminarayan
along with his ideal devotee, Gu-
natitanand Swami, will be installed
in the mandirs central shrine. The
murtis of other Hindu deities, in-
cluding Radha Krishna Dev, Sita-
Ram Dev, Shiv-Parvati Dev, Hanu-
manji and Ganeshji, too will be in-
stalled within the mandirs shrines.
The mandir will help preserve Hin-
du ritual, beliefs, and Indian tradi-
tions for generations to come.
Built by BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, it is located in Robbinsville
Teen Ishaan Jagiasi is National
Champion at Pokmon Card Tournament
FIA-Chicago gears up for a Grand I-Day Parade & Mela
Made entirely of Italian marble the mandir was completed in
three years at a cost of $18 million.
Central NJ to get North Americas sixth traditional mandir
The BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha inaugurated
its first traditional stone temple (and the first
traditional stone Hindu Mandir in North
America) in Stafford, Texas, a suburb of
Houston, on July 25, 2004. This milestone was
followed one month later by the opening of the
second such temple in Bartlett, Illinois outside
of Chicago. In the summer of 2007, traditional
stone temples were inaugurated in Lilburn,
Georgia near Atlanta and in Toronto, Canada
followed by Chino Hills, California in December
of 2012. Today, the organization has over 90
mandirs in North America, of which six are
traditional stone-carved, and over 1100
mandirs worldwide.
Ishaan Jagiasi
6 August 2-8, 2014 TheSouthAsianTimes.info TRISTATE COMMUNITY
By Jinal Shah
New York: In an effort to reach out
to the families of the Lesbian, Gay,
Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT)
people of Asian American, South
Asian, Southeast Asian and Pacific
Island descent, the National Queer
Asian Pacific Islander Alliance and
the Asian Pride Project released a se-
ries of multilingual Public Service
Announcements (PSA).
We saw that many of the parents
who come out publicly and an-
nounce their love for their LGBT
children tend to be white, or these
announcements are only seen in
English, so we felt it was very im-
portant to show such examples in our
own communities, and in our own
languages, said Suma Reddy, direc-
tor, Asian Pride Project.
The PSAs of Asian Americans
coming out began airing early July
in Mandarin, Korean, Hindi, Japan-
ese, Tagalog, Laotian and English on
local California stations serving
large Asian American communities
in California and will soon be aired
on Asian and South Asian channels
in New York metro, Atlanta, Hous-
ton, Chicago, Virginia and DC Metro
area.
The 30-second long Hindi PSA
features a Sikh couple Harcharan and
Kamlesh Bagga along with their son
Amit- speaking directly to the cam-
era. Amits coming out story is no
different than a lot of LGBT individ-
uals in the South Asian community.
At the root of his story was the fear
of rejection, disappointing his par-
ents. My family is just like any oth-
er South Asian family rooted deeply
in traditional values, family rela-
tions, education and success, shared
Amit adding, My mother who is a
psychologist was able to understand
me but it took a while for my father
to process, resulting to a serious
strain in our relationship.
But as they say 'every cloud has a
silver lining', both father and son
came out strong and the video is just
one testimony of their love and ac-
ceptance. I am proud of my son. I
have always been proud of my son,"
says Harcharan in the film. "It is time
to stand and support your children,
my children, our children," adds
Kamlesh. The entire family says the
final line together: "After all, family
is still family and love is still love.
The PSAs were a great way for
families of gay sons and daughters to
show their love for their children, in
a very public and visible way. We
don't feel that we or our families
should hide who we are, whether as
a gay or lesbian son or daughter, or
as a father and mother (or grand-
mother or uncle) of a gay daughter or
son, adds Reddy.
We were thrilled to have the op-
portunity to share our message with
the community. As important as the
message is, it is the visual of a
woman in saree and an elderly man
in a turban speaking in Hindi and
Punjabi that will resonate with many
South Asian families, said Amit.
Rising baseball star seeks
your vote on his video
US-based Indian company Bandar
Foods gets rst round of funding
A still from the public service announcement
aimed at Indian American families
Hindi PSA features Sikh couple supporting gay son
New York: Kumar Nambiar,
16 yr. old from Mamaroneck,
NY has been chosen as one of
four finalists in the USA "New
Balance Game Changer" con-
test. Each finalist submitted a 3
min video on how they impact-
ed and improved their commu-
nity through baseball. Kumar's
theme is that sports are an im-
portant part of growing up, and
he is trying to bring awareness
to Indian youth and parents that
not only can one excel at both
sports and academics but that
both pursuits enhance each oth-
er. Kumar has not only been
named one of New York states
top-ranking teen baseball play-
ers and a member of the Na-
tional Honor Society, but has
also been accepted to Yale,
where he will commit to play-
ing baseball for the school in
2015.
In September 2013, Perfect
Game ranked him as a number
one pitcher in New York,
twelfth player overall in the
state, and 54th left-handed
pitcher in the U.S. for the high
school class of 2015.
Kumar's dream is to one day
play pro-baseball for an MLB
team and believes that if kids
like him strive in competitive
sports as we are conditioned
and expected to do in academ-
ics we would have a greater
presence in major league
sports. Kumar is well on his
way to achieving his dream.
By watching his 3 min. video
and voting for him, your sup-
port will not only help Kumar,
but would also be helping our
community in a positive step
forward. You can vote once
every 24 hours and can vote
from different computers,
phones, iPads, etc.
California: San Francisco-based
Bandar Foods has secured its first
external funding led by August Cap-
ital Partners, a Singapore-based in-
stitutional investment firm, and an
individual investor Karl Ulrich, vice
dean of Innovation at Wharton
Business School, VCCircle report-
ed.
The capital raised by the company
is believed to be under $1 million,
but the exact amount could not be
ascertained. The capital raised
through convertible debt investment
will be used to continue the compa-
ny's meteoric progress in retail and
foodservice sales, said the firm.
Bandar (which means monkey in
Hindi) Foods offers Indian flavors
for everyday American use. The
company launched its first two
condiments in May 2013 and, with-
in the first year on shelves, has
grown its reach to over 1,000 stores
across the US, Canada and UAE.
The companys products are now
sold in chains such as Whole Foods,
Safeway and Fresh Market in the
US. Bandar recently expanded its
condiment line and launched its first
flavors of poppadum lentil crisps.
Its other products include Spicy
Mango Chilli sauce and Tango
Tamarind Dipping sauce.
The idea to create a crossover In-
dian-American food brand was in-
cubated while the founders, Lalit
Kalani and Dan Garblik, were MBA
students at Wharton Business
School.
This is a unique investment by us
and we got to know of the Bandar
Foods two years back. We have
maintained a relationship with the
company since then and invested re-
cently. Going forward, the company
will also be expanding into Asia, in-
cluding Japan, Sameer Narula,
managing director, August Capital
Partners told VCCircle.
He added, "We believe that Daniel
and Lalit are building a global food
business with an Indian soul and a
Silicon Valley DNA.
Garblik said, "Sameer (Narula)
immediately saw what we were try-
ing to do. Many food products
around India and Asia are not pack-
aged or marketed in a way that
makes their use-case obvious to
American eaters. Bandar can be a
vehicle to bring the world's food
cultures together on the same table."
Kalani stated, "We met with
Sameer and Professor Ulrich multi-
ple times over the past two years as
we refined our ideas. They were our
first calls when we decided to raise
money. We have huge things
planned and will use this investment
to help us scale and penetrate new
sectors."
LI doctor Akshat Jain
named editor of
AAPI medical journal
New York: Akshat Jain MD, fellow in
pediatric hematology oncology and stem
cell transplantation at the Steven and
Alexandra Cohens Childrens medical
center has been selected as the editor for
the prestigious publication of the Ameri-
can Association of physicians of Indian
Origin (AAPI). He joins the following
expert panel of editors for this publica-
tion that features scholarly and commu-
nity work of the Indian American Med-
ical Fraternity in the United States M. P.
Ravindra Nathan MD Cardiology;
Shivprasad Madduri MD Urology; He-
mant Dhingra MD - Nephrology/ Fresno;
Vibhuti Singh MD Cardiology; Udita
Jahagirdar MD OB & GYN; Sandeep
Jauhar, MD, PhD- Cardiology; Kusum
Punjabi MD Emergency Medicine; Anil
Yallapragada MD Neurology/ Stroke;
and Nirupama Madduri MD, Adolescent
Psychiatry.
Dr Akshat Jain with Congressman
Steny Hoyer
Kumar Nambiar
Vote Appeal
7 August 2-8, 2014 TheSouthAsianTimes.info NATIONAL COMMUNITY
Washington, DC: In an extremely awkward
incident, a newly elected member of the US
House of Representatives mistook two senior
Indian American officials of the Barack Obama
administration to be from India and asked them
questions about "your country" and "your gov-
ernment."
"I'm familiar with your country; I love your
country," freshman Republican Curt Clawson
told Nisha Biswal and Arun Kumar at a House
Foreign Affairs Committee hearing last Thurs-
day, Foreign Policy online reported.
"Anything I can do to make the relationship
with India better, I'm willing and enthusiastic
about doing so," he continued amid looks of
confusion among State Department and Con-
gressional staff attending the hearing.
Biswal is the Assistant Secretary of State for
South and Central Asian Affairs and Arun Ku-
mar is the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for
Global Markets and Director General of the US
and Foreign Commercial Service.
Clawson, apparently confused by their Indi-
an surnames and skin tone also asked Biswal
and Arun Kumar if the Indian government
could loosen restrictions on US capital invest-
ments in the country.
"Just as your capital is welcome here to pro-
duce good-paying jobs in the US, I'd like our
capital to be welcome there," he said.
"I ask cooperation and commitment and pri-
ority from your government in so doing. Can I
have that?" "I think your question is to the In-
dian government," Biswal responded.
"We certainly share your sentiment and we
certainly will advocate that on behalf of the
US." According to the report, it is extremely
uncommon for foreign officials to testify be-
fore Congress under oath.
"Even so, it's unclear if at any point Clawson
realized his mistake, despite the existence of a
witness list distributed Continued on page 8
Tampa, FL: The feud dividing one of the bay
area's most prominent Indian families, born
from their eventually successful quest to lure
the "Bollywood Oscars" to Tampa has gone
legal, Tampa Bay Times reported.
According to its July 26th report, Chetan
"Jason" Shah, 48, filed a fresh set of allega-
tions in Hillsborough Circuit Court this month
about his wealthy health care entrepreneur and
philanthropist brother-in-law, Dr. Kiran Patel,
and demanded a jury trial in the lawsuit Patel
had filed against him in May.
Patel, 65, asserts that Shah fraudulently
added Patel's name to documents creating a
host committee for the 2014 International
Indian Film Academy awards gala, which
came to Tampa in April.
Patel discovered this late last year, he said,
when event organizers complained that Shah
was running out of money and they threatened
to take the event elsewhere. The four-day
event was a major one for the region a
study later found visitors spent $19.9 million,
and the economic impact reached $26.4 mil-
lion as businesses stocked up and visitors'
money was respent.
According to a July 3 court filing, Shah
asserts that Patel, a cardiologist, coerced Shah
into signing a document as Shah was being
rushed to the hospital late last year for heart
surgery. The document allowed Patel to nego-
tiate a new deal with IIFA organizers that cut
Shah out of any profits, Shah said.
Shah's wife, who had worked for one of
Patel' s companies, was fired this month
because of the ongoing feud, Shah said in an
interview last week.
Patel declined to comment.
"Dr. Patel does not enjoy or get any great
thrill out of getting into litigation with his
brother-in-law, but he has to draw the line, as
any of us would have done if someone
usurped our name and used it fraudulently,"
said Lenny Englander, Patel's attorney.
The rift between Patel married to Shah's
sister, Pallavi dates to late last year and a
series of events that almost caused the cancel-
lation of the awards show in Tampa.
In interviews earlier this year, Patel and
Shah explained their differing sides.
According to Shah, he is the rightful
"founder" of the awards show in Tampa he
says that he persuaded event organizers to
bring IIFA's first-ever show in America here.
Late last year, Shah says, officials with IIFA
and Patel conspired to cut Shah out of event
organizing and profits.
But according to Patel, he wanted nothing to
do with bringing IIFA to Tampa at first. Patel
didn't find out until months later that Shah had
listed him in incorporating documents for Go
Bollywood Tampa Bay Florida Convention
LLC, a host committee for the show, and had
told people Patel was involved.
Local tourism officials and executives with
Wizcraft, the company that puts on the show,
largely support Patel's version.
Shah ran out of money to bring the event
here, they said,and Continued on page 8
Sampat Shivangi appointed chair of
Mississippi Mental Health Board
Washington, DC: Indian-
American Sampat Shivangi has
been appointed as the chairman
of the Mississippi Board of
Mental Health, making him the
first Asian to occupy the top
health post in the southern
American state.
Shivangi last week assumed
the office of chair of the Board
of Mental Health which is the
second largest state agency with
a budget close to billion dollars
with the staff of 8,500.
The office of chair is of one
year duration and is elected by a nine-member
board. "We are in process of having the
patients who are capable to move in the com-
munities are being moved in the communities
with the help of federal and state funds to
assimilate them in the communities rather
than keep them in the institutions. The state is
moving successfully in this direction,"
Shivangi said in a statement.
He was first appointed to the board as a
member by the then Mississippi governor
Haley Barbour for seven year
term.
Prior to this, he served one
term at Mississippi State
Board of Health.
"This term I served along
with as an adviser at US
health and human services in
Washington DC an appoint-
ment by President George
Bush," Shivangi said.
"We are very excited to
have Dr Shivangi serve as
chairman of the board of
mental health," said Diana
Mikula, Mississippi department of mental
health executive director.
From 2005 - 2008, Shivangi served as the
advisor to the US secretary of health and
human services.
He is the founding president of the
American Association of Physicians of
Indian-origin in Mississippi and is the past
president and chair of the India Association of
Mississippi. Shivangi is the president and
CEO of US Info Systems of Mississippi.
Split wide open: Family feud
over Bollywood Oscars
Nisha Biswal, left, and Arun Kumar,
right, gently explain they are part of
the U.S. subcommittee (Photo source:
Foreign Policy online)
Drs. Kiran and Pallavi Patel at the15th
International Indian Film Academy
Awards in Tampa, FL
Dr Sampat Shivangi
Corporate Office: 385 Seneca Avenue, Ridgewood NY 11385
718.821.3182, www.AtlanticDialysis.Com
In a major faux pas asks Nisha Biswal and Arun Kumar
about 'your country', 'your government'
US House Rep Clawson mistakes govt.
staffers for Indian delegates
8 August 2-8, 2014 TheSouthAsianTimes.info NATIONAL COMMUNITY
Washington, DC: President
Barack Obama has nominated
Jonodev Osceola Chaudhuri for
the post of Chairman, National
Indian Gaming Commission
(NIGC), Department of the In-
terior.
Chaudhuri is currently Vice
Chairman and Associate Com-
missioner of the NIGC, posi-
tions he has held since 2013. He
has also served as Acting Chair-
man of the NIGC from October
2013 to April 2014.
In announcing the appoint-
ment of Chaudhuri and other in-
dividuals for various other posts
in the administration, Obama
said in a statement: I am grate-
ful that these impressive indi-
viduals have chosen to dedicate
their talents to serving the
American people at this impor-
tant time for our country.
I look forward to working
with them in the months and
years ahead.
Prior to joining the NIGC,
Chaudhuri was Senior Coun-
selor to the Assistant Secretary
for Indian Affairs at the Depart-
ment of the Interior from 2012
to 2013.
Chaudhuri received a B.A.
from Dartmouth College and a
J.D. from Cornell Law School.
Chicago, IL: Sriram Hathwar.
Arvind Mahankali. Snigdha Nandi-
pati. Sukanya Roy. Anamika Veera-
mani. Kavya Shivashankar. Sameer
Mishra.
They are by no means household
names, yet theyve graced Ameri-
can television screens. And they
will forever be linked, as winners of
the past seven National Spelling
Bees.
But they have something else in
common: all became champions af-
ter ascending through academic
tournaments sponsored by the
North South Foundation. A non-
profit organization that fosters edu-
cation among Indian-American
pupils and provides scholarships for
high school graduates in India,
North South Foundation is on a tear.
It has groomed national winners
(including Sriram Hathwar, one of
this years co-winners) in the
Scripps contest every year since
2008, and routinely sends pupils to
other major academic tournaments
and bowls.
We only provide the platform
and the opportunity for success.
The kids are the ones who work so
hard to make it happen, said Dr.
Ratnam Chitturi, founder of the
North South Foundation.
Celebrating its 25th year, the
North South Foundation runs local
and national tournaments encom-
passing six academic areas besides
spelling: vocabulary, geography,
math, science, essay writing, and
public speaking. Theres also an all-
encompassing Brain Bee. All
told, 85 chapters across the United
States host competitions during
March, April and May, with nation-
al finals held each August. More
than 17,000 contestants typically
compete. These contests help chil-
dren improve their communication
skills and self-confidence and em-
power them to become better citi-
zens for tomorrow, Chitturi said.
To that end, North South Founda-
tion in 2013 introduced Universal
Values, a 30-week program consist-
ing of a one-hour-per-week online
workshop to hone values in daily
life, not just for the children, but for
their parents and NSFs legion of
volunteers.
The foundation has given out
more than $2.5 million in scholar-
ships in India since 1989, at the rate
of $250 per student for each of four
years. Thats not much by U.S. tu-
ition standards, but in India $250
pays for a years tuition at most
government colleges. NSF has also
opened three contest centers in Hy-
derabad since 2001 and offers
spelling, vocabulary, math, and sci-
ence bee competitions to 1,700 par-
ticipants. So far the experience has
been quite positive, and we hope to
expand to more centers as we get
more volunteers, said Chitturi.
This is a direct example of Indian-
Americans serving as a bridge be-
tween American learning platforms
and India.
NSF pupils made 2014 a signa-
ture year, garnering championships
in five major national competitions:
Spelling Bee, MATHCOUNTS,
Geography Bee, Science Bowl and
National History Bee.
To what does Chitturi attribute the
NSF kids astounding track record
of success?Immigrants from India
tend to be highly educated. As first
generation immigrants, they are
ambitious and hardworking. In turn,
they place a very high priority on
their childrens education. With par-
ents support and drive, children
tend to focus more on academics,
he said, adding that Indian-Ameri-
can youths tend to be more aware of
the need to effectively compete
with other countries in a highly
globalized world.
US House Rep Clawson mistakes govt. staffers for Indian...
Contd. from page 7
to the various members detailing Biswal and Kumar's positions,"
the Foreign Policy report said.
Clawson, who won a special election last month to fill the seat
of Trey Radel, who had resigned after being convicted for cocaine
possession, repeatedly touted his deep knowledge of the Indian
subcontinent and his favorite Bollywood movies.
It was Clawson's first day sitting on the subcommittee on Asia
and the Pacific.
He was named to the full committee July 9 and Steve Chabot,
subcommittee Chairman and Republican member from Ohio,
spoke about Clawson's deep international business acumen and
knowledge of four languages in welcoming him. "Our newest
member of this committee, Curt Clawson speaks four languages
and all kinds of other great stuff," Chabot said.
Following Clawson's opening statement, Eliot Engel, the full
panel's ranking Democrat, pointed out that Biswal and Arun Ku-
mar work for the US government. "Thank you both for your serv-
ice to our country, it's very much appreciated," New York's Engel
said.
An update in the Foreign Policy report said: "While Clawson's
office did not respond to a request for comment, the Congressman
apologized in a statement to USA Today later Friday.
"I made a mistake in speaking before being fully briefed and I
apologize. I'm a quick study, but in this case I shot an air ball," he
said.
Split wide open: Family feud over Bollywood Oscars
Contd. from page 7
Patel stepped in late last year by writing a large check an
undisclosed amount, but less than the $15 million Shah had
agreed to pay to ensure the Bollywood Oscars came to Tampa.
Because of his involvement with Go Bollywood, Patel found
himself being sued along with Shah in Florida and New York by
people who said they had been promised business by the host
committee. The Florida suit was dismissed; the New York case
continues. In June, Shah, who owns a small motel in Tarpon
Springs and several dry cleaning locations, said a settlement was
in the works between him and Patel. That settlement is
apparently out
In addition to Hathwar, the Spelling Bee co-winner,
8th grader Swapnil Garg from Sunnivale, CA emerged
as the victor in the 2014 Raytheon MATHCOUNTS
National Competition in early May. NSF participants
Akhil Rekulapelli, an 8th grader from Dulles, Va., and
Ameya Mujumdar, a 5th grader from Tampa, Fl.,
captured 1st and 2nd places, respectively in the 2014
National Geographic Bee. Snigdha Allaparthi from
Westborough, Mass., and Abhijeet Sampangi from
Andover, Mass., captained their team to 1st place in
the 2014 Middle School National Science Bowl
conducted by the U.S. Department of Energy.
Siddharth Kamannavar, a 3rd grader from Santa
Clara, Calif., in 2014 became the youngest champion
on record in the National History Bee, in the
Elementary School Division.
Naperville, IL: The IIT BHU Global Alumni
Association (IBGAA) is hosting its 4th IIT BHU Global
Alumni Meet on Saturday, September 13 at the Sheraton
Lisle Hotel, 3000 Warrenville Road, Lisle, Illinois. The
Theme for the meet is "The IIT BHU Journey of
Excellence Continues". Further details about the
Meet are on the website at http://chicago2014.iitb-
huglobal.org/. The meet will include keynote address by
noted alumni and panel discussions on relevant topics.
Prof. Rajeev Sangal, IIT BHU Director (B. Tech.
Electrical Engineering, 1975, IIT Kanpur) is confirmed
to attend. Prof. Panjab Singh (Former VC-BHU) and
Prof. S. N. Upadhyay (Former Director IT-BHU, M.
Tech. Chemical Engineering 1966, Ph.D. 1969) are con-
firmed as Special Guests. Additionally, Dr. Sarvajna
Dwivedi, Co-Founder, Pearl Therapeutics, Inc., (B.
Pharm 1984, M. Pharm 1986) is a confirmed Guest
Speaker. Manoj Sinha, Minister of State for Railways,
Government of India (Civil Engineering 1979, M. Tech.
1982) is the keynote speaker.
This event is also open to other 15 IIT alumni and all
IIT students in graduate schools.
At 25, nonprofit academic group spells success for Indian-American students
North South Foundation: National Bee champions start here
Sriram Hathwar, co-winner of
the 2014 National Spelling
Bee. Hathwar marked the
seventh consecutive year that
a Spelling Bee winner was
groomed through North
South Foundation spelling
tournaments.
Obama nominates Chaudhuri to chair
National Indian Gaming Commission
Jonodev Osceola Chaudhuri
4th Annual IIT BHU Global Alumni Meet in Illinois on Sept 13
US AFFAIRS 9 August 2-8, 2014 TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Washington: He may be the
most powerful man in the
world, but when it comes to
sending his daughter away to
college in some distant uni-
versity town, President Oba-
ma is like any other parent:
worried and weepy.
The eventuality of his old-
er daughter Malia going to
college is still some months
away she's still in 11th
grade but Obama says he
has been preparing for that
bittersweet moment for al-
most two years now. So is
she. The 16-year-old Malia,
who at 6 feet is almost as tall
as her father, has been seen
touring Stanford University,
where President Clinton's
daughter Chelsea studied,
and University of California,
Berkeley, UCLA; both on
the west coast and far from
the White House where her
parents will be till January
2017.
Obama reflected on the
upcoming fatherly feelings
and frustrations at a com-
mencement address to high
school graduates in Massa-
chusetts earlier this week,
saying, "I'm trying to get
used to not choking up and
crying and embarrassing her.
So this is my trial run here."
In a separate commencement
address recently, Michelle
Obama too referred to her
daughter's collegiate excur-
sions, saying, "Days like this
make me think of my own
daughters, so forgive me if I
get a little teary".
The Obamas have been
priming her for the great col-
lege hunt, a rite of passage
for most US high school
graduates that includes tour-
ing college campuses, usual-
ly with their parents, after
prospecting them online. In a
question-answer session on
the social media site Tumblr,
Obama advised young peo-
ple like his daughter to "shop
around" for colleges instead
of getting fixated on a few
and experiencing heartbreak
if they did not make the cut
to those. "We tell her, 'Don't
assume there are 10 schools
that you have to go to, and if
you didn't go to those 10,
that somehow things are go-
ing to be terrible'," he said.
For kids, college hunt is a
time of excitement, their
chance to break free from
strict parental supervision
and do things on their own,
to spread their wings; often,
to drive their first car and
have their first drink. "
New York: Congress passed a
bill last week that makes it le-
gal to "unlock" cellphones so
the devices can at least in
some instances be used on
other carriers.
The law, which President
Obama said he looks forward
to signing, undoes a move by
the Librarian of Congress in
2012. That made it a copyright
violation to unlock a phone
without the carrier's permis-
sion.
The law passed Friday by the
House of Representatives
makes it legal to unlock
phones for personal use, at
least until the Librarian's next
round of rulemaking, next
year. The measure was passed
earlier by the Senate.
Unlocking typically involves
entering codes on the phone.
In more difficult cases, the
phone needs to be hooked up
to a computer to have new
software installed.
Carriers have, in some in-
stances, sued people who
made a business out of unlock-
ing phones and reselling them,
but individuals unlocking for
personal use have never been
pursued.
Carriers have become more
lenient in their unlocking poli-
cies in recent years. Verizon,
for instance, ships most of its
phones unlocked. However,
technical differences mean that
it's often difficult to move a
phone from one network to an-
other, and if you can make the
move, phone functions are im-
paired. The easiest move is be-
tween AT&T and T-Mobile
US.
Washington: One-third of Ameri-
cans believe President Obama ought
to be impeached, according to a new
poll conducted by CNN and ORC In-
ternational.
Exactly 33 percent of the 1,012
people polled believe Obama should
be impeached, 65 believe he should
not, and the rest had no opinion.
Fifty-seven percent of all Republi-
cans believed Obama should be im-
peached, but only 13 percent of all
Democrats and 35 percent of all In-
dependents. The poll had also distin-
guished other demographics, such as
male and female, but no other demo-
graphic categories were as divided as
the partisan demographic.
The poll also asked whether the
Republicans in the U.S. House of
Representatives should file a lawsuit
against the President, a lawsuit
which only last Thursday was ap-
proved to be voted on. Forty-one per-
cent of people agreed, with 75 per-
cent of all Republicans agreeing, 12
percent of Democrats, and 43 percent
of Independents.
Asked on what grounds Congress
ought to impeach a president, given
only the following options, 79 per-
cent of people polled said only for
serious crimes like treason, 18 to ex-
press dissatisfaction with his job or
policies.
A similar poll conducted by Fox
News between the 20 and the 22 of
last month said 36 percent of people
support impeaching Obama with 61
percent opposed.
DNC national press secretary
Michael Czin said in an email to
news source Politico, As the CNN
poll finds, the majority of Americans
support the President taking action if
Congress will not and they oppose
the GOPs sham lawsuit and talk of
impeachment.
Of the 1,012-person poll sample
conducted July 18-20, 32 percent
were Democrats, 24 Republican, and
44 were members of another party.
The margin of error was plus or mi-
nus 3 percentage points.
Washington: Even as President
Obama grapples with the crisis of
immigrant children arriving at the
Southwest border, White House
officials are laying the ground-
work for a large-scale expansion
of immigrant rights that would
come by executive action within
weeks.
Officials signaled strongly Fri-
day that Obama's move would
shield from deportation large num-
bers of immigrants living in the
country illegally, as advocacy
groups have demanded.
Roughly 5 million of the esti-
mated 11 million people who en-
tered the country without legal au-
thorization or overstayed their
visas could be protected under a
leading option the White House is
considering, according to officials
who discussed the proposals on
condition of anonymity.
Obama said last month that be-
cause Congress had failed to act on
comprehensive immigration re-
form, he would take executive ac-
tion to "fix as much of our immi-
gration system as I can on my
own."
That move will come by the end
of the summer, White House sen-
ior advisor Dan Pfeiffer told re-
porters Friday. Some officials had
advocated waiting until after the
November midterm election.
Any such move would prompt a
major clash with congressional
Republicans, and at least some
White House officials appeared to
relish the prospect that the GOP
might overreach in its response
and act in a politically self-de-
structive manner.
When the decision is announced,
it will "increase the angry reac-
tions from Republicans," Pfeiffer
said.
"I would not discount the possi-
bility" that Republicans would
seek to impeach Obama over his
next immigration moves, he said,
adding that House Speaker John A.
Boehner (R-Ohio) had "opened the
door to impeachment" by his plans
to sue Obama for allegedly ex-
ceeding his executive authority.
The White House is entertaining
a range of possibilities that would
speed up deportations in some cas-
es but forestall them in many oth-
ers.
Obama could use his executive
powers to expedite deportations in
response to the current border cri-
sis, in an effort to clear the large
numbers of unaccompanied mi-
nors gathering daily in the Rio
Grande Valley in south Texas.
At the same time, he seems like-
ly to act to prevent deportations of
many of the immigrants already
living, working and raising chil-
dren in the U.S.
One option would allow immi-
grants who are parents of U.S. cit-
izens to apply for temporary legal
status which would let them work
legally in the U.S. Because chil-
dren born in the country automati-
cally receive U.S. citizenship, that
option could affect about 5 million
people, researchers estimate.
A second option would be to al-
low temporary legal status for the
parents of young people already
granted deportation deferrals by
the Obama administration. That
would affect a smaller, but still siz-
able, number of people.
So far, more than 520,000 people
have received permits to stay and
work in the U.S. under the admin-
istration's Deferred Action for
Childhood Arrivals program,
which was created in 2012 for
young people who were brought to
the U.S. as children.
One-third of Americans believe
Obama should be impeached
Obamas get emotional at the thought of Malia leaving for college
White House pursuing plan
to expand immigrant rights
The First Family
Medicare fund will be exhausted
by 2030, Social Security by 2011
Washington: Medicares hospital insurance trust fund will be exhaust-
ed in 2030, four years later than the administration projected in May
2013. The Social Security trust fund, they said, will be depleted in
2033, the same as expected last year.
Medicares financial condition improved significantly in the last
year, thanks in part to Obamacare, but the outlook for Social Security
is basically unchanged, the Obama administration said Monday.
The forecasts were included in the governments annual report on
the two programs, which together account for about 40 percent of fed-
eral spending. Medicare spending on hospital care was lower than
expected last year, the administration said, and officials have lowered
their assumptions about the use of inpatient hospital services in the
future.
Cellphone unlocking set to
become legal again
10 August 2-8, 2014 TheSouthAsianTimes.info INDIA
New Delhi: US Secretary of State
John Kerry met Finance Minister
Arun Jaitley ahead of his meeting
with External Affairs Minister
Sushma Swaraj for the 5th India-
US Strategic Dialogue as the US
struck up its first high-level
engagement with the Narendra
Modi government.
Kerry, who arrived here on a
three-day visit, visited the Indian
Institute of Technology in south
Delhi.
Kerry also met National Security
Advisor Ajit Doval. The US dele-
gation comprises Commerce
Secretary Penny Pritzker as well
as State Department spokesperson
Jen Psaki. Kerry will meet Prime
Minister Modi Friday.
He met Indian business leaders
ahead of his meeting with the top
Indian officials. According to a
background briefing by a senior
US State Department official
ahead of Kerry's visit, the India-
US Strategic Dialogue is to "focus
on some of the big priorities that
the Modi government have put
forward on economic revitaliza-
tion, on energy security, on home-
land security, as well as the robust
cooperation between our two
countries in science and technolo-
gy, in space, in skills and educa-
tion, and in health".
"We see a new government com-
ing in that has an ambitious agen-
da, what we can do to help that
government realize its agenda,
because we see India's economic
rise as something that is deeply in
the US interest. And we believe
that American companies have a
role to play in that rise, and so part
of the discussion over the next two
days is really going to be focusing
in on what are the shared priorities
and shared goals that we want to
focus on," the official said.
Kerry and Pritzker will partici-
pate in a roundtable with
Brookings India that will focus on
climate and energy issues.
New Delhi: The Indian Army
gave "a befitting reply" to
Pakistan after an Indian soldier
was beheaded along the LoC in
Jammu and Kashmir, outgoing
army chief General Bikram Singh
said. "The Indian Army gave a
befitting reply to Pakistan" after
the Pakistanis carried out the
beheading, he said here, referring
to the gory incident of January
2013. "We are carrying out tacti-
cal operations at the LoC (Line of
Control). It is an ongoing process
and our soldiers are doing their
job," General Bikram Singh said.
He described the Indian Army
as "a robust organisation, very
very accountable, very respon-
sive, very potent and a very rele-
vant instrument of national power
with the capability to take up any
challenges".
On Jan 8, 2013, Pakistani sol-
diers sneaked into Indian territory
in Krishna Ghati sector of the
border and killed two Indian
soldiers.
Indian officials said both bodies
were mutilated, and one decapi-
tated. Two other soldiers were
injured in the incident which trig-
gered nationwide fury.
New Delhi: "Very exciting" and
"excellent" were the words used
by US secretary of state John
Kerry as he visited two laborato-
ries at the prestigious Indian
Institute of Technology here and
interacted with the students.
Kerry took time out of his
schedule and visited the Applied
Microbiology Laboratory and
Bio-process lab.
Professor R K Shevgaonkar,
Director of the IIT, Delhi said
that the American embassy had
specifically mentioned the labo-
ratories that Kerry wanted to
visit.
Dressed in a blue suit, Kerry
interacted with the students there
and asked a number of questions
about the processes involved, the
education fees, patent system and
also if they would get a job in
India or would they have to go
out.
Kerry was very pleased to see a
research project on bio-degrad-
able plastic.
As a student explained the proj-
ect to him, Kerry said, "Very
exciting. It would be a huge con-
tribution to the world. Very excit-
ing. Fantastic".
Kunal Gupta, who is part of the
project, said he was proud that
Kerry visited his institute.
"I am very proud to be part of a
institute which is recognised in
the US as well. They (US) have
done a lot of research which is
much ahead of us and Kerry's
visit to the institute makes us feel
very good," said Gupta.
Kerry also visited the lab which
was using algae to clean water
and to produce biomass.
New Delhi: The Delhi High
Court will hear on August 1 a
PIL seeking a CBI probe into
Press Council of India
Chairman Markandey Katju
accusing three former chief jus-
tices of India of making
"improper compromises" to
save a tainted judge of the
Madras High Court.
A division bench of Chief
Justice G. Rohini and Justice
R.S. Endlaw will hear the plea
that seeks registration of a case
and a CBI probe into the matter,
saying that even after Justice
Katju's revealation on his blog
and its subsequent discussion in
parliament, the authorities are
yet to initiate any legal action.
Filing the plea, advocate R.P.
Luthra said: "The information
disclosed by Justice Katju, a
former SC judge, clearly dis-
closes the commission of vari-
ous cognizable offences includ-
ing the offences covered under
prevention of corruption act."
Former Supreme Court judge
Katju has alleged that three for-
mer chief justices of India -
Justice R.C. Lahoti, Justice Y.K.
Sabharwal and Justice K. G.
Balakrishnan - made "improper
compromises" and succumbed
to political pressure during the
UPA rule from one of its allies,
apparently the DMK, in allow-
ing the judge to continue despite
an "adverse" Intelligence
Bureau (IB) report on allega-
tions of corruption against him.
The PIL said: "Admittedly, as
per the information available in
the public domain, the offenders
belong to the class that enjoys
almost the highest positions in
the judiciary."
It added that the incident has
"lowered-down the dignity of
our judicial system in the eyes
of general public."
"To avoid further damage also
to ensure that no such incident
shall happen in the future, the
authorities concern ought to
have initiated a legal action as
required under section 154 /157
of the Code of Criminal
Procedure 1973 for commission
of such cognizable offenses,"
the plea said.
New Delhi: Congress President
Sonia Gandhi has refuted the
allegations made by former
Congress leader Natwar Singh's
in a book and said she would
write her own book to tell the
truth.
"I will write my own book and
then everyone will know the
truth," Sonia Gandhi told TV
news channel NDTV.
"The only way the truth will
come out is if I write. I am seri-
ous about this," she said.
Natwar Singh, a former minis-
ter in the UPA government,
alleged in an interview that
Sonia Gandhi's decision not to
take up the post of prime minis-
ter in 2004 was not because of an
"inner voice" as she had famous-
ly said.
The former Congress leader
said it was because of opposition
from her son Rahul Gandhi, who
was reportedly worried that she
would be assassinated like his
father Rajiv Gandhi and grand-
mother, Indira Gandhi, both for-
mer prime ministers.
The Congress president also
said she is "used to such attacks".
"I can't be hurt I have seen my
mother in law riddled by bullets,
my husband dead...I am far from
getting hurt with these
things...Let them continue to do
this it will not affect me...They
can continue to do this if they so
please," she said.
Natwar Singh, 83, had to
resign from the Congress-led
coalition government in 2005
after allegations of corruption.
US Secretary of State John Kerry with Indian Joint Secretary
(Americas) Vikram Kumar Doraiswami on his arrival in Delhi.
Kerry visits IIT, walks out
'impressed' with students
Union Finance and Defence Minister Arun Jaitley with US
Secretary of State John Kerry and other officials
during a meeting in New Delhi.
In happier times:
Sonia Gandhi with Natwar Singh
Kerry meets Jaitley ahead of strategic dialogue
I will write my own book: Sonia tells Natwar
India gave 'befitting reply' to beheading of soldiers
Tainted judge row: HC to hear plea
INDIA
Amritsar: Amid the controversy
over the creation of the Haryana
Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak
Committee (HSGPC) and the stand-
off between Sikh leaders in Punjab
and those in Haryana, the Jathedar
(chief) of the Akal Takht,
Gurbachan Singh, says that Sikhs
should not take these matters to
court. Instead, these should be
"resolved within the religion".
"I appeal to all Sikhs across the
world not to take the religious issues
to any court of law. These should be
resolved within the religion,"
Gurbachan Singh told IANS in an
interview.
Under fire from sections of Sikh
and political leaders, who have
accused him of being a puppet in the
hands of Punjab Chief Minister
Parkash Singh Badal and Shiromani
Akali Dal president and deputy
Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh
Badal, the Akal Takht chief denied
that he was taking decision under
influence from anyone.
"The Akal Takht is an institution
of the Sikhs. It is not linked to any
particular party. It is completely
independent and takes all decisions
without any bias. In the past, there
have been instances when pressure
was mounted on the Akal Takht," he
said.
The Akal Takht ordered that no
Sikh should have any association
with the excommunicated leaders.
The excommunicated leaders were
directed to appear before the Akal
Takht and seek penance under reli-
gious conventions.
"This is a very unfortunate situa-
tion. Sikhs, as it is, have a small
population. There are many Sikh
groups now but majority of the
Sikhs are with the Shiromani Akal
Dal (led by the Badals). Since the
SGPC (Shiromani Gurdwara
Parbandhak Committee) is dominat-
ed by the Akali Dal, the party repre-
sents most Sikhs," he said.
The Akal Takht chief, who recent-
ly ordered that status quo be main-
tained on the control of Haryana
gurdwaras (Sikh shrines), said that
the matter can only be resolved
between the SGPC leadership and
Haryana Sikh leaders. But he made
it clear that no talks could be held
with the Sikh leaders excommuni-
cated from the community.
"The move (creation of HSGPC)
is to weaken the SGPC and divide
the Sikh community."
Jhinda and Nalvi were physically
prevented from entering the Akal
Takht inside the Golden Temple
complex here Monday when they
went to offer prayers.
Gurbachan Singh justified the
action. "They were stopped as an
excommunicated Sikh cannot enter
the Takht..."
The Akali Dal and the SGPC are
locked in a bitter controversy with
Haryana's Bhupinder Singh Hooda
government over the creation of the
HSGPC. They have both strongly
opposed the creation of the new
HSGPC for Haryana Sikh shrines.
New Delhi: Lt Gen Dalbir Singh
Suhag has taken over as the head
of the 1.3 million strong Indian
Army, succeeding General
Bikram Singh.
Suhag, whose appointment had
kicked up a row, was designated
as Army chief in May by the out-
going UPA government ignoring
protests from his predecessor
Gen VK Singh and BJP.
59-year-old Lt Gen Suhag, a
Gurkha officer who had partici-
pated in the 1987 Indian Peace
Keeping Force (IPKF) operation
in Sri Lanka, is currently the
Vice Chief of Army Staff.
He will have a tenure of 30
months as the 26th Chief of the
armed forces.
Suhag was made the Vice
Chief of Army Staff in
December last year. Earlier, he
had taken over as the Eastern
Army Commander on June 16,
2012.
He was at the centre of a con-
troversy triggered by 'Discipline
and Vigilance' ban imposed on
him by the then army chief Gen
VK Singh in connection with
an intelligence operation in
Assam earlier.
The ban on Suhag, the then 2
Corps Commander, was lifted
soon after Gen Bikram Singh
took over in May, 2012.
BJP had questioned the "hurry"
in making the appointment and
insisted that the matter be left to
the next government.
However, soon after the NDA
government took over, defence
minister Arun Jaitley said the
new dispensation will continue
with the appointment made dur-
ing UPA rule.
The Jathedar (chief) of the
Akal Takht Gurbachan Singh
11 August 2-8, 2014 TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Dalbir Singh Suhag
Don't take Sikh religious matters
to court: Akal Takht chief
Dalbir Singh Suhag takes
over as new Army chief
SEP.
12 August 2-8, 2014 TheSouthAsianTimes.info INDIA
Beijing: New vigor is sweeping
through Indian government offices
after Narendra Modi became the
prime minister with ministers con-
ducting surprise checks to see if
bureaucrats are in their seats in
time and offices being kept clean
and tidy to give an air of efficiency,
a Chinese daily said Tuesday.
Ministers are conducting sur-
prise checks in the morning to see
if bureaucrats are in their seats,
offices are being thoroughly
cleaned and all old furniture
thrown away, senior officials are
under orders not to keep files pend-
ing, and ministers are clearing
files, including many left over from
the previous government, in a
jiffy, the New Delhi-datelined
article, headlined Indian bureau-
cracy shaken up, more transparent
after election win in the Global
Times stated.
It noted how Modi was putting in
an 18-hour work day from 5.30
a.m. till after 1 a.m.
Government officials have been
ordered to clock in at 9 a.m. every-
day, and are expected to sit beyond
6 p.m. - when the day is supposed
to end - to clear any extra work.
Saturdays are no longer holidays
and the officials frequently take
work back home. Senior bureau-
crats, like the secretary of any
department, have to ensure that the
precincts of the office are spic and
span - no dust, no old furniture
lying around, no paper files piled
up on desks, no betel leaf-stained
corners, said the newspaper, an
English-language publication from
the People' s Daily, the official
organ of the Chinese Communist
Party.
Chinese media has been paying a
lot of attention to the new Indian
government and chronicling its
various moves and policies.
The prime minister has also
directed that officials should take
to the electronic way to clear files.
Tech savvy Modi, 63, has directed
that officials should not have piles
of files littering their desks and
everything should be comput-
erised.
The longish article particularly
highlighted Modi's fetish for clean-
liness. All offices were sent a let-
ter via Cabinet Secretary Ajit Seth
asking officials to keep their
offices clean, papers neat, and cor-
ridors unblocked, it said.
Modi himself has been keeping
tabs on office cleanliness, it said,
adding: During his (Modi's) initial
days in office he took rounds of the
Prime Minister's Office, walking
the corridors and looking into
every room - something that his
predecessors are not known to have
done.
Modi reportedly frowned at the
unkempt corners, the piles of dirty
tea cups and plates, and loitering
officials. The Chinese themselves
have a fetish for cleanlineness and
Chinese visitors to India are struck
by the squalor and litter of public
spaces in Indian cities.
It pointed out how lower-level
bureaucrats and their aides under
the previous regimes were notori-
ous for their long breaks.
During winters, the sprawling
lawns near the central government
offices in Delhi would be filled
with government officials - chat-
ting, eating, and napping - during
the prolonged lunch time, while
senior officials would be off to
exclusive clubs or golf clubs.
As for officers getting to office in
time, it cited the example of Urban
Development Minister M.
Venkaiah Naidu reaching office
early and finding many offices
empty.
Last month, Urban
Development Minister M.
Venkaiah Naidu reached his min-
istry office in Nirman Bhawan at 9
a.m. and found the offices of many
officials empty."
The minister found electric
wires dangling in the corridor and
expressed his unhappiness at the
shabbiness of the premises.
Meanwhile, Information and
Broadcasting Minister Prakash
Javadekar arrived at his ministry
office in Shastri Bhavan at 9.15
a.m. late last month to find many
vacant chairs, " the newspaper
noted.
According to Minister of State
for Home Kirren Rijiju, all these
do not mean that India's new prime
minister was trying to centralise
power.
"Some people might be saying
that Modiji is trying to centralise
power, it's totally wrong, the arti-
cle quoted Rijiju as saying.
Cleanliness, punctuality Modi's mantra: Chinese daily
Parliament disrupted over
Gadkari bugging row
Nepal gears up security cover for Modi visit
New Delhi: Parliament was dis-
rupted this week over demand for
a debate on the reported bugging
at union Minister Nitin Gadkari's
Delhi residence, even while Home
Minister Rajnath Singh denied it.
As soon as the Lok Sabha and
the Rajya Sabha met for the day,
members from the Congress were
on their feet demanding suspen-
sion of question hour to take up a
debate on the issue.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh
said there is "no truth" in the
reports.
"I want to clarify that there is no
truth in the media reports (about
bugging at Nitin Gadkari' s
house)," Rajnath Singh said in a
statement in both houses.
"Even the minister, at whose
residence it was said that high
power listening devices were
installed, has himself called the
reports as completely
baseless...and there have been no
complaints by the minister or any-
one else in this regard," he added.
In the Rajya Sabha, the opposi-
tion, dissatisfied with the minis-
ter' s reply, kept pressing for
adjourning the question hour.
In the ruckus, the house was
adjourned four times before 2
p.m. Congress leader Anand
Sharma said a thorough probe
must be held.
"Government is allowing tap-
ping of telephones on a large
scale. It is a question of privacy.
This is a serious matter... Here we
are talking of bugging. Who has
allowed it? Our demand is a thor-
ough probe to unearth the truth. It
has to be discussed in the house,"
Sharma said.
Congress members then raised
slogans - "Modi model nahin
chalega" and "We want JPC".
In the Lok Sabha, Leader of the
Congress in the house Mallikarjun
Kharge demanded a statement
either by Prime Minister Narendra
Modi or the home minister on the
issue.
Media reports said bugging
devices were found at Gadkari's
Delhi residence. This was, howev-
er, denied by Gadkari.
Kathmandu: Air surveillance
will be stepped up, a special com-
mand centre has been set up and
Indian commandos will fly down
here as Indian Prime Minister
Narendra Modi begins his Nepal
visit on Sunday.
The Nepal government has
mobilized personnel of all its four
security agencies for Modi's visit.
Modi is arriving on his maiden,
two-day official visit to Nepal
Sunday at the invitation of
Nepalese Premier Sushil Koirala.
The Himalayan nation's home
ministry Thursday said the week-
long plan has already come into
operation with the Nepal Army,
Armed Police Force, Nepal
Police and National Intelligence
Department being mobilised.
"We have a standard operating
procedure for the security of such
VVIP movements, and accord-
ingly we have mobilised enough
number of security personnel to
ensure security during the visit of
the Indian prime minister, "
Laxmi Prasad Dhakal, spokesper-
son of Nepal's home ministry,
said.
According to the plan, the
Armed Police Force and Nepal
Army are being mobilised round
the clock and will keep a close
watch on pedestrians and vehi-
cles with intelligence sleuths pro-
viding inputs to them.
The Nepal Army bears princi-
pal responsibility, including air
surveillance, throughout the visit
with specially trained commando
personnel leading the overall
security job.
A team of Indian security agen-
cies is also coordinating with
Nepalese security agencies and
an Indian commando team will
arrive in Kathmandu Saturday, a
day ahead of the visit.
Kathmandu' s Tribhuvan
Interntional Airport will have
restricted access to visitors.
A special command has been
established at the home ministry
under Dhakal's command, which
can help settle any cross-ministe-
rial logistics or security-related
issues immediately.
To make the visit successful,
Nepal Prime Minister Koirala
will hold a meeting of all 31
political parties of the country to
seek national consensus on issues
to be discussed with Modi and
his team.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari
Narendra Modi is arriving in Nepal at the invitation of
Premier Sushil Koirala.
It noted how Naremdra Modi was putting in an 18-hour work
day from 5.30 a.m. till after 1 a.m.
The views expressed in Op Eds are not necessarily those of The South Asian Times.
By Saeed Naqvi
S
ushma Swarajs statement on Palestine
in the Rajya Sabha so pleased
Jerusalem that Israeli Foreign Minister
Avigdor Lieberman thanked her that same
evening over the telephone. But the goodwill
thus generated was fading soon after when
New Delhi voted with the resolution at the
UN condemning Israel for disproportionate
use of force in Gaza.
Twenty-nine of UN Human Rights
Councils 47 members voted in favor of cre-
ating a commission of inquiry to look at pos-
sible war crimes committed by Israel. Only
the US voted against while 17 states
abstained, including 10 European states.
Along with the BRICS, India reaffirmed
its commitment to a two state solution with a
contiguous and economically viable
Palestine State, with East Jerusalem as its
capital.
The altered stand has caused foreign min-
istry in Jerusalem and its missions at the UN
to work overtime trying to persuade New
Delhi not to veer away from the special rela-
tionship it now has with the Jewish state.
There is a view that the discrepancy
between the statement in parliament and
endorsement of the UNHRC resolution
could have been avoided had the external
affairs minister accompanied Prime Minister
Narendra Modi to the BRICS summit in
Brazil.
The extent to which BRICS conditions
Modis understanding of foreign affairs will
become clearer during his meeting with
President Obama in September. The Israelis
have been quick to point out that of all the
BRICS countries they consider India their
close ally. Hence their disappointment with
the UNHRC vote.
In 1990, India had lost its central pillar in
foreign affairs with the collapse of the Soviet
Union. A nervous New Delhi did not merely
shift, it lurched towards the US and Israel.
The process of opening embassies in Tel
Aviv and New Delhi was speeded up by P.V.
Narasimha Rao in 1991. Even after the
exchange of ambassadors, there was very lit-
tle movement in bilateral ties, inviting then
Foreign Minister Shimon Peres satirical
remark during his visit to India in 1992:
Indo-Israeli relations are like French per-
fume: they are to be smelt, not drunk.
Substance in the relationship came after
the Kargil war in 1999 when Israel supplied
India with ammunition for its artillery. There
has been no looking back. In fact, the US-
Israel duet became the most powerful influ-
ence on the conduct of Indian foreign policy.
The affair with the US reached its peak
with the Civil Nuclear Deal of 2005. Then,
by voting for a Western sponsored resolution
at the IAEA in Vienna, meant to reprimand
Iran, India signaled a final goodbye to its
long-standing policy of non-alignment.
That step pleased Washington and
Jerusalem quite as much as Sushma Swarajs
statement in the Rajya Sabha.
Unfortunately, Egyptian President Abdel
Fattah el-Sisi shares Saudi Arabias visceral
hatred for the Muslim Brotherhood which
was once Egypts lifeline to Hamas in Gaza.
Egypt discussed the proposed ceasefire with
Israel but not with Hamas. Hence Hamas
rejection of the proposal.
There are other reasons for Hamas defi-
ance.
When war breaks out, the first casualty is
the truth. Since the US (and Israel) has been
involved in a near continuous chain of wars
in the Arab world since the collapse of the
Soviet Union, Western media has been pur-
veying propaganda. The result of this dimin-
ishing credibility is that Israel may well be
losing the propaganda war in this round.
In a recent Al Jazeera TV discussion,
social media experts in Jerusalem, London
and Johannesburg established that Israeli
government propaganda on the social media
received only 200,000 tweets as opposed to
4.5 million received by Hamas.
Another study, cited by the British expert
on the panel, Ben White, shows that support
for Israel in the US has dwindled to 57 per-
cent.
Twenty-ni ne of UN Human
Rights Council s 47 members
voted i n favor of creati ng a
commission of inquiry to look
at possible war crimes committed
by I srael. Only the US voted
against while 17 states abstained,
including 10 European states.
India's two Gazas: One in parliament, another at UN
13 August 2-8, 2014 TheSouthAsianTimes.info OP-ED
The Gaza carnage: Israeli impunity and global helplessness
By K.P. Fabian
I
t is difficult, almost impossible, to envis-
age an early negotiated ceasefire to put an
end to the unconscionable carnage in
Gaza. US Secretary of State John Kerry has
been working hard, but with his hands tied.
President Obama has spoken more than once
to Prime Minister Netanyahu on the need for
a cease-fire, but always deferentially.
In his public statements, President Obama
starts with an endorsement of Israel's right to
self-defence in a manner implying that Israel
alone has that right, and not the Palestinians.
US gives enormous support to Israel, finan-
cially, militarily, and diplomatically. One
might have expected that such support would
enable the US to have some influence on
Israel. But, the truth is that the more the US
gives, the more Israel's clout to influence US
policy, and the less the US's influence over
Israeli policy.
Students of international relations cannot
find another instance of such an asymmetri-
cal relationship between the recipient and the
giver. Hence, the principal cause of the delay
in arranging for a ceasefire to be followed by
negotiations is the lack of leverage of the US
vis--vis Israel.
The second cause for the delay is that
Egypt under President Al Sisi does not want
to talk to Hamas and wants to see it weak-
ened, and, if possible, destroyed. This is the
sea change between 2014 and 2012 when
Egypt under Morsi was able to talk to both
Israel and Hamas and arrange for a cease-
fire. The ceasefire proposals put out a few
days ago by Egypt were not formulated in
consultation with Hamas. Obviously, Egypt
knew in advance that its proposals would be
rejected by Hamas. It was only playing a
game. Egypt has closed the Rafah border
with Gaza, causing enormous suffering to the
Gazans who find themselves in a prison with
Israel and Egypt holding the keys to the
doors.
The third cause for the delay is that Israel
does not want to call a halt to its ground
operations without claiming success in a
manner that is convincing to the Israeli pub-
lic. It argues that Israeli Defence Forces
(IDF) need more time to complete their mili-
tary mission.
But the argument is not convincing.
Rockets continue to be sent towards Israel
and there is no reason to believe that the IDF
will ever be able to take out the last rocket or
the last launching facility. Nor will the IDF
be able to kill off all Gazans who can make
rockets. Israel knows all this.
Another argument or excuse for continuing
with the ground operation is that Gazans
have been digging tunnels into Israel and that
it wants to locate and destroy all the dug tun-
nels. The IDF might or might not succeed.
But, once again, Hamas will be able to dig
new tunnels after the ceasefire unless Israel
re-occupies Gaza.
The US has so far failed to use its trump
card. When a rocket fell near the Ben Gurion
International Airport, flights from the US and
Europe to that airport were suspended. Israel
reacted sharply and the flights were resumed.
Why did the US and European Union give in
without requiring Israel to agree to a cease-
fire? The simple answer is lack of political
will to be assertive vis--vis Israel.
John Kerry met in Cairo with his counter-
parts from Qatar and Turkey, two countries
that have some influence on Hamas. Egypt
would have resented Kerry's meeting and the
Qatari foreign minister went out of his way to
say that there was no move to undermine
Egypt's role. Since one of the key demands of
Hamas is the re-opening of the Rafah border,
Egypt can always prevent a deal.
Iran has called for a meeting of the NAM's
Group on Palestine next week in Tehran.
India is a member of that group. A meeting at
the level of Permanent Representatives to the
UN has already taken place in New York. So
far, Hamas has gained politically, though at
an enormous cost in human lives and misery.
The resistance against Israel is getting reunit-
ed. Because it is not supporting the govern-
ment of President Basher al Assad in the
many-layered civil war going on in Syria,
Hamas had to move its head office from
Damascus to Doha.
It appears for the time being that a negotiat-
ed ceasefire is unlikely. Such a ceasefire
entails negotiations after the ceasefire has
come into force and Israel is unlikely to agree
to negotiations with Hamas directly or
obliquely. As a matter of fact, Israel's policy
objective of politically weakening Hamas has
boomeranged.
When Hamas won an election in Gaza and
took over government there, instead of trying
to work with that government, Israel tried to
strangle it by imposing an economic block-
ade that finally compelled Hamas to leave
office and to patch up with Fatah on terms
rather humiliating. Once again, if Israel were
serious about finding a negotiated resolution
to its differences with the Palestinians, it
could have agreed to serious negotiations
under the mediation of John Kerry. Instead,
Israel decided to strike at Hamas and the kid-
napping followed by murder of three Israeli
boys was taken as an excuse. It will be
remembered that Israeli police have told
BBC that Hamas had nothing to do with the
abduction or murder.
Brazil has recalled its ambassador from
Israel. The UK has stated that Israel is losing
international support. The most likely sce-
nario is that Israel might unilaterally
announce a ceasefire along with "a mission
accomplished" claim; Hamas will reject the
ceasefire, and continue to send rockets for a
while to claim victory; Israel will have the
option to "show restraint" and the rockets
will cease for the time being.
K.P. Fabian is an eminent Indian diplomat.
Palestinian relatives mourn during the funeral of four members of the
Moamer family, .
By Evan A. Feigenbaum
J
ohn Kerry visits India this
week as a raft of crises con-
sume American diplomacy.
By contrast, US-India relations are
at a moment of opportunity, but
the US Secretary of State faces
challenges in New Delhi that are
significant in their own way.
For one thing, after a decade of
disengagement with Narendra
Modi, Washington is eager to
make a fresh start. The US is send-
ing three cabinet secretaries to
India in quick succession - Kerry
(State), Penny Pritzker
(Commerce), and Chuck Hagel
(Defence) - and Washington is
preparing to host Modi himself in
September.
From the US perspective,
Modis government offers a wel-
come respite from years of per-
ceived strategic and economic
drift under UPA-2.
But Kerrys visit is also very
well timed:
First, the NDA government has
been in office for nearly two
months. Modi has met Xi Jinping
and Vladimir Putin, among others,
so it is high time for cabinet-level
US engagement.
Second, as Kerry himself argued
in a speech this week, relations
with strategically important coun-
tries cannot be shunted to the side-
lines by crises. For over a decade,
India has been among the small
group of countries vital to
American strategy. And the US
has a strong stake in continued
Indian reform and success-espe-
cially as they contribute to global
growth, promote market-based
economic policies, help secure the
global commons, and maintain a
mutually favourable balance of
power in Asia.
Third, Kerry and others, includ-
ing Treasury Secretary Jack Lew
and Federal Reserve Chair Janet
Yellen, just attended the US-China
strategic and economic dialogue in
Beijing. Continued absence from
New Delhi at the cabinet level
would invite unflattering compar-
isons between US approaches to
China and India.
The two sides first challenge is
to find new ways of working
effectively. Modi, unlike UPA-2,
has designed an administration
with a strengthened executive and
an activist Office of the Prime
Minister. In such a set-up, there
are inherent limits to reliance on
ritualized Strategic Dialogue
between foreign ministries.
The two sides should relook
existing structures, reinvigorating
trade, defence, and CEO forums.
But they also need new lines of
coordination that reflect the
emerging institutional and politi-
cal set-up in New Delhi.
The most immediate need is to
strengthen trust after a rough
patch.
From Indias perspective, the
causes of these frictions include
US trade cases, the Khobragade
debacle, and inadequate US atten-
tion to Indias security concerns,
especially in Indias neighbor-
hood.
From the US perspective such
concerns have centered on the
scope and pace of Indian econom-
ic reforms. These have badly taint-
ed market sentiment and soured
US firms on India. Retroactive
taxes and the nuclear liability bill
have compounded these negative
sentiments.
Viewed through this prism, the
current US-India standoff at the
WTO is badly timed.
The US side will listen closely
to Indias economic priorities.
Hopefully, it will bring a few
ideas-for example, technology
releases, defence licenses, and co-
production. Washington needs to
avoid hectoring about Indias
investment climate. Instead, it
should inject something tangible
into the mix, especially since
Beijing and Tokyo, among others,
offer India project finance vehi-
cles the US lacks.
But the biggest challenges are
structural, and long-term in nature.
One step would be a bilateral
investment treaty. Indian firms
would benefit from investor pro-
tections in the US. US firms
would welcome relevant legal
changes and safeguards in India.
Both countries would benefit from
the treatys independent arbitra-
tion process.
Above all, the two sides need to
continue their difficult quest for
strategic consensus. Enhanced
intelligence and counterterrorism
cooperation offer one opportunity.
So do defence co-production and
weapons sales because they
increase the potential for interop-
erability.
The US and India can do (much)
better. Kerrys visit is a start.
Modis September visit will be
pivotal.
The views expressed in Op Eds are not necessarily those of The South Asian Times.
14 August 2-8, 2014 TheSouthAsianTimes.info OP-ED
By Amulya Ganguli
T
he imprecations directed at Rahul
Gandhi - "joker" - and at his advisers -
"rootless wonders and spineless creep-
ers" - by sections of Congressmen and the
recent signs of organizational disarray in sev-
eral states suggest that it is still a far cry for
the Congress where recovery is concerned.
The revolts by two important functionaries -
Narayan Rane in Maharashtra and Himanta
Biswa Sarma in Assam - and by lesser known
figures in Haryana, Jammu and West Bengal
show that the aftershocks from the Lok Sabha
poll debacle will take time to die down - if at
all.
Such signs of anger and dissent are under-
standable in the wake of the party's worst-
ever performance. But what must be a cause
of worry to its well-wishers is that the so-
called high command appears to be unequal
to the task of restoring calm and confidence.
While the former prime minister has sunk
even further out of sight, especially after the
latest allegations that Manmohan Singh
winked at the shenanigans of a judge for the
sake of placating a demanding political ally,
the DMK, Congress president Sonia Gandhi
and vice president Rahul Gandhi haven't
given any indication that they have become
aware of the basic reasons for the setback.
One explanation for their silence is that
they are waiting for the report on the defeat
which is being prepared by A.K. Antony.
While the former defence minister may not
have been the right person for the job in view
of his closeness to the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty,
which is likely to prevent him from pointing
out the family's failures, it is odd that the
report will be meant for Sonia Gandhi's eyes
only.
Even if bits and pieces of the document leak
out, it will be another example - like the
secrecy surrounding the Henderson-Brooke's
report on the 1962 Sino-India war - of the
reluctance at the political and official levels to
face the truth.
Such an ostrich-like approach is of little
value, considering that at least some in the
Congress have identified the main reason for
its setback. As much is clear not only from
the harsh comments quoted earlier but also
from the observations of a former MP,
Gulfaran-e-Azam.
According to him, "parents try to make sure
that their children become doctors or engi-
neers, but despite their best efforts, the chil-
dren are not able to become doctors or engi-
neers. For 10 years, you (Sonia Gandhi) tried
to make Rahul a politician, but still he is not
able to give a speech, nor has he developed
any political acumen".
For Gopal Krishna Gandhi, the Mahatma's
grandson, it isn't so much the individuals who
are at fault as the party itself which "thinks it
is meant for the peacock throne from which
alas the peacock has long since flown".
After all, politics is a game for winners
where even the losers must feel reassured that
their time will come. In the case of the
Congress, this guarantee cannot be provided
by a token offer to step down made by Sonia
Gandhi (rejected by a chorus of orchestrated
protests) and by perfunctory excuses, as by
general secretary Digvijay Singh, that the
party could not communicate its "achieve-
ments" to the voters.
Nor can it be provided by Rahul Gandhi's
game plan that the party must reach out to the
Dalits, minorities and the poor.
In its heyday, the Congress success was
based on its appeal to all sections of the peo-
ple with the promise of stable, forward-look-
ing, non-sectarian governance. Today, even
the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is realizing
that identity politics does not help. But the
rootless wonders and spineless creepers are
still clutching at straws.
The Congressmen have come openly against Rahul Gandhi
Kerry visit a start, Modi visit to US pivotal
Congress' plight: Dynasty is to blame
Above all, the two sides need to continue their difficult quest for
strategic consensus. Enhanced intelligence and counterterrorism
cooperation offer one opportunity.
August 2-8, 2014 TheSouthAsianTimes.info
16 August 2-8, 2014 TheSouthAsianTimes.info CWG GAMES 2014
Glasgow: Olympic bronze medal-
list Yogeshwar Dutt won the fifth
wrestling gold medal for India
beating Jevon Balfour of Canada
in the final of the men's freestyle
65kg category in the 2014
Commonwealth Games at the
SECC Hall here.
Yogeshwar was declared the
winner on grounds of technical
superiority after he took a 10-0
lead within 1.53 minutes of the
first period.
It was also the second gold
medal of the day after Babita
Kumari's triumph in the women's
freestyle 55kg category.
Glasgow: After failing to qualify for
the semifinals, the Indian women's
hockey team will take on hosts
Scotland in the 5-6 position playoff at
the Commonwealth Games here.
The teams last met during the
Champions Challenge 1 here when
India lost 3-4. The sides had also met
in the 2006 edition of the Games in
Melbourne where India triumphed 5-0
but in 2010 Delhi, the match had
ended in a 1-1 draw.
Scotland is a well balanced side
with half of the squad playing at their
second Commonwealth Games. But
the Indian eves have experience on
their side and have emerged a strong
contender.
India, however, will have to look out
for Scottish midfielder Nikki Kidd
and forward Linda Clement, who have
been in top form during the tourna-
ment at the Glasgow National Hockey
Centre.
On the positive side, the 2002 edi-
tion champions will be expecting
India forward Rani to score more
goals after she proved to be a key
asset for the team by sneaking in skil-
ful field goals, totalling five so far.
Defender Jaspreet Kaurs penalty
corner conversion rate is also right at
the top with six goals and could give a
tough fight to the Scots.
This game will be a test to see how
far we have improved since
Champions Challenge 1 where we lost
to Scotland, India chief coach Neil
Hawgood said.
Both the teams finished third of out
five teams in their respective pools,
hence qualifying for the 5-6 position
playoff.
The Indian women's hockey team
Yogeshwar wins fifth
wrestling gold for India
India eye 5th place finish in CWG women's hockey
Indian wrestler
Babita wins gold
I
ndian wrestler Babita Kumari
put on a stunning show to win
the gold medal beating Canada's
Brittanee Laverdure in the final of
the women's 55kg freestyle category
in the 2014 Commonwealth Games
at the SECC Hall.
The 24-year-old Babita, who had
bagged the silver in the 2010
Commonwealth Games, won 9-2
against the 32-year-old Brittanee,
who ended up injuring her finger
during the bout.
Babita dominated most of the pro-
ceedings and it was only in the last
15 seconds that Brittanne managed
to open her scoring but by then it
was all over. It was the fourth gold
medal for India in wrestling.
Glasgow: It was a mixed day for Indians in 2014
Commonwealth Games lawn bowls, as Sam Bahadur
won both his men's singles match while the women's
team lost their pairs match but won in triples at the
Kelvingrove Lawn Bowls centre here.
Bahadur started the day with a 20-18 win over
Pakistan's Muhammad Shahzad in the first match of
round four in second B of men's singles. The Indian then
went on to defeat Samuela Tuikiligana of Fiji 21-12 in
the second match of round five.
In women's pairs section B round five match two, the
Indian team lost 10-15 to Fiji. But the triples team beat
Jersey Islands 18-14 in the second match of round five
in section A.
Indian divers fail to qualify for men's
3m springboard final
Edinburgh: Indian divers Siddharth Pardeshi and
Ramananda Kongbrailatpam failed to qualify for the
men's 3-metre springboard final at the Commonwealth
Games here.
However, Ramananda has been kept as a reserve for
the final to be held at the Royal Commonwealth Pool
later in the day. Ramananda managed a total of 358.7
points, finishing 13th, while his compatriot Pardeshi
ended 17th and last with a total score of 271.55.
England's Jack Laugher topped the preliminary round
with 465.8 points.
Glasgow: Indian road
cyclists Arvind Panwar and
Sombir finished 28th and
37th in the men's individual
time trial of the
Commonwealth Games here.
The gold was won by
England' s Alex Dowsett,
who completed the trial in
47 minutes and 41.78 sec-
onds while Australia's Rohan
Dennis finished second to
take the silver in 47:51.08.
Welsh Geraint Thomas
ended the race in 47:55.82 to
take the bronze at the
Cycling Time Trial Course.
Meerut-born Panwar com-
pleted the trial in 57:21.52
while 28-year-old Sombir
finished the same in
59:10.76.
A total of 60 cyclists had
entered the race of which
three did not start and one
failed to finish.
Indian road cyclists finish
28th, 37th
Mixed day for India
in lawn bowls
Wrestler
Yogeshwar
Dutt
Babita
Kumari
CWG GAMES 2014 17 August 2-8, 2014 TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Glasgow: Dipa Karmakar
became the first Indian woman
and the second person from the
country to clinch a historic
Commonwealth Games medal
in artistic gymnastics when she
won the women's vault bronze
at the SSE Hydro here
Thursday.
Ashish Kumar had won India's
maiden gymnastics medals in
CWG when he scalped the
men' s vault silver and men' s
floor bronze fours years ago in
New Delhi. England's Claudia
Fragapane won the gold with an
average score of 14.633 while
Canada's Elsabeth Black took home the sil-
ver with 14.433.
Agartala-born Dipa got the bronze with
an average score of 14.366. The 20-year-
old had scored a mere 13.633 points in
Vault 1, the lowest out of eight competitors
in the final.
However, in a remarkable comeback,
Dipa scored the highest in Vault 2 with
15.100 to bring up her average to 14.366.
Earlier in the day, Ashish had finished
sixth in the men's floor final where he took
bronze in 2010.
With a score of 15.533 points, England's
Max Whitlock clinched the gold while
Canada's Scott Morgan (15.133) took the
silver. New Zealander David Bishop
(14.55) won the bronze.
The 23-year-old Ashish finished sixth out
of eight competitors with a score of 13.8
points.
Glasgow: India's Anthony Amalraj and
Madhurika Patkar lost in the fourth round of
the mixed doubles table tennis event of the
2014 Commonwealth Games at the
Scotstoun Sports Campus here.
The Indian pair lost 2-3 (11-7, 3-11, 10-
12, 11-7, 4-11) to Singapore's Ning Gao and
Ye Lin in 32 minutes.
It was a topsy-turvy match for the Indian
team, who won the first game in five min-
utes but lost the next two in a combined
time of 11 minutes.
Amalraj and Madhurika came back
strongly in the fourth to take the match into
the final game. But when it mattered most,
the Singapore duo brought their game and
took just five minutes to dump the Indian
team out.
Indian weightlifter
Vikas wins silver
Dipa first Indian woman to clinch
CWG gymnastics medal
Glasgow: India's Annu Rani failed to
reproduce her best in the javelin event
for women at the Commonwealth Games
and finished eighth in a field of 12,
measuring a distance of 56.37 metres
here at Hampden Park Wednesday night.
The gold went to Kim Mickle of
Australia with 65.96 metres, leaving sil-
ver medallist South African Sunette
Viljoen, who reached 63.19, a fair dis-
tance behind.
Another Australian Kelsey-Lee
Roberts claimed bronze, recording
62. 95. The fourth-placed Kathryn
Mitchell was an Australian and her best
effort was 62.59.
Rani began with a 55.23-metre effort
and her second throw proved to be her
best for the evening 56.37. Her next was
a disastrous 50.35 and the 21-year-old
Meerut girl could not recover from the
setback, and her fourth was 52.71, fifth
was a no throw and her last effort was
54.52.
Annu, who had started her athletic
career with discus, could not replicate
her record-breaking performance of
58.83 metres at the national and inter-
state meet in Lucknow in June. Then she
had bettered the record of 58.64 set by
Gurmeet Kaur 14 years ago, to qualify
for the Glasgow Games.
Interestingly, the qualification mark for
Glasgow was lowered from 60m to
58.46. Annu, whose previous best was
54. 35m at the 2013 Open National
championship in Ranchi, had an impres-
sive series of throws - 57.39, 55.31,
58.83, 57.42, 57.88 and 58.83 - to quali-
fy with her last effort. Four of her
Lucknow throws were also better than
her mark here.
Glasgow: India's doubles squash play-
ers earned wins in their respective cate-
gories at the Commonwealth Games
here. Men's doubles pair Saurav Ghosal
and Harinder Pal Sandhu won 11-7, 11-
3 over Uganda' s Paul Kadoma and
Michael Kawooya. They had earlier
beaten Cayman Islands but lost to
Wales to finish second in Pool G.
Joshana Chinappa and Dipika Pallikal
then followed it up with wins over
Malaysians Low Wee Wern and Nicol
David (11-8, 11-5) and New Zealand's
Megan Craig and Kylie Lindsay to top
Pool D of the women's doubles with
three wins.
In mixed doubles action, Sandhu and
Joshana drubbed Paul Coll and Amanda
Landers-Murphy 11-8, 11-10 to win
their first Pool G match while Ghosal
and Dipika beat Canada' s Shawn
Delierre and Sam Cornett 11-3, 11-2 to
win their second and final Pool E match
to top the group.
The knockout draws will be released
after the pool stages are completed.
Annu Rani nowhere near
her best javelin mark
Indian doubles squash
players earn group wins
Dipa Karmakar
Madhurika Patkar
Glasgow: Indian weightlifter
Vikas Thakur won the silver
medal in the men's 85kg cat-
egory at the 2014
Commonwealth Games here.
The gold was clinched by
Richard Patterson of New
Zealand with a lift of 335kg -
- 151kg in snatch and 184 in
clean and jerk.
The 21-year-old Vikas lift-
ed a total of 333kg - 150kg in
snatch and 183 in clean and
jerk. Both Vikas and
Canada's Pascal Plamondon
were tied on 333kg but Vikas
won the silver on the account
of lesser body weight.
Plamondon also lifted 150kg
in snatch and 183kg in clean
and jerk.
Vikas Thakur
Amalraj-Madhurika lose in TT mixed
doubles fourth round
Annu
Rani
Saurav
Ghosal
and
Harinder
Pal
Sandhu
18 August 2-8, 2014 TheSouthAsianTimes.info ULTIMATE BOLLYWOOD
A scene from 'Kick'
A
fter films such as Dev D,
A Wednesday, Barfi! and
Kai Po Che, UTV
Motion Pictures is now set to
bring a love story about new-age
relationships to celluloid.
Katti Batti, to be directed by
Nikhil Advani, will see a fresh
Bollywood pairing as actors
Imran Khan and Kangana Ranaut
work together for the first time.
The film has been creatively
developed by UTV from the
start. Apparently, the studio saw
potential in debutant writer
Anshul Singhals script, and
worked with him on the script for
a year. Siddharth Roy Kapur, man-
aging director, Disney India, says, "Our cre-
ative team steered the project through won-
derfully, and we are thrilled to have Nikhil,
Imran and Kangana on board."
Nikhil says, "It is a dream to work with
Kangana her humility to her craft belies
her impressive body of work. Imran, on the
other hand, brings with him a fresh
approach."
Speaking about his return to work, Imran
says, "Ive always wished to be a part of films
that make me proud as an actor. Katti Batti
will be one such film. Together with UTV, we
have made some memorable films. We hope
to recreate the magic."
Kangana adds, "Its a beautiful story with
elements like battle of the sexes and issues of
urban couples. We have one of the leading
creative studios, UTV, as the producers. I
hope I do justice to this story."
The film is set to go on the floor this year,
and will release worldwide in 2015.
Siddharth adds, "Were excited to be taking
our creative journey on Katti Batti to the next
phase. We have a perfect director and a cast
that can justify the two incredibly real and
funny leads."
H
is promises of dis-
tributing desi ghee
ki boondi after he
gets home a Grammy in his
latest song may sound far-
fetched, but Yo Yo Honey
Singh is really serious about
it.
The 31-year-old music pro-
ducer-rapper says he doesnt
get bogged down by contro-
versies or lose focus because
of fame, and says he knows
he is nowhere near his dream
of winning a Grammy yet.
Sab keh rahe hain chha raha
hai ... he is so popular. Kya
chhaa raha hoon, Grammy
toh la nahi pa raha hoon. I
want to win a Grammy.
Where Im today is just the
beginning, there is a lot I
need to do, he says.
Hes ready to work for as
long as it takes to win the
award. I have been making
music for the past 10 years,
(out of which) six years I was
in Punjab, tab bhi award-win-
ning music director tha. My
music has improved,
evolution aaya hai.
I want to work on my
music for the next 10 years
for a Grammy.
Singh cites an example
from history to prove how
serious he is. Martin Luther
ne sapna dekha tha toh
Obama president hai. Meri
bhi soch hai, maine bhi sapna
dekha hai. Aur agar mai nahi
la paya toh koi meri chamri
ka le aayega (If I cant win it,
someone of my strain will),
and I will be happy.
He claims that no
distraction can take him away
from that dream. Cars,
fame, controversies, all take
the focus away from music.
Ive set my standard high and
have no choice but to focus,
because no matter what I get,
I am always like, But I dont
have a Grammy. So every-
thing else doesnt look that
great, says the singer.
Rapper Yo Yo
Honey Singh
I want a Grammy in
10 years: Yo Yo
Imran Khan and Kangana Ranaut
Kangana to
star opposite
Imran Khan
I
f one goes by the box office collec-
tions of Salman Khan-starrer Kick,
people would unanimously agree that
the superstar, whose Eid releases like
Wanted" and "Ek Tha Tiger" turned out
to be super hits, should stick to his lucky
date for movie screenings. "Kick", which
marks the directorial debut of Sajid
Nadiadwala, known for producing hit
movies like "Housefull" and "Heropanti",
has minted over Rs.80 crore in just three
days despite being panned by the critics.
Salman Khan and Sajid Nadiadwalas
Kick collects (Friday) Rs.26.4 crore,
(Saturday) Rs.27.15 crore and (Sunday)
Rs.30.18 crore. Rs. 83.73 crore is phe-
nomenal, read a statement. Also starring
Randeep Hooda, Nawazuddin Siddiqui
and Jacqueline Fernandez, the action
thriller hit over 5,000 screens in India
July 25 as well as 42 other countries
including non-traditional markets like
France, Germany, Morocco and
Maldives.
ULTIMATE BOLLYWOOD 19 August 2-8, 2014 TheSouthAsianTimes.info
P
akistani actor Fawad
Khan's experience of
working in India was
very good and he credits
his "Khoobsurat" co-star
Sonam Kapoor for it.
"She is a great person
and I enjoyed working
with her. The environment
on the sets was very home-
ly and I didn' t face any
problem at any stage,"
Fawad said here Sunday on
the sets of "Entertainment
Ke Liye Kuch Bhi
Karega".
"I didn't face any prob-
lem in communicating
with the people on the sets
and a lot of credit goes to
her (Sonam) for that," he
added.
Fawad would love to
take Sonam on a tour of
Pakistan, especially the Sind
region Sonam' s family
belongs to.
"I have heard she is interested in the
Sind region, so I can show her that area.
Besides that, I can show her around
Lahore the best as I belong to that city,"
Fawad said. "It would be a pleasure to
show her around Pakistan. I think this is
a good chance for us to connect as it is
not often you get to visit the other's
country," added the actor.
"Khoobsurat" has been produced by
Sonam's sister Rhea Kapoor and directed
by Shashanka Ghosh.
It also stars Kirron Kher and Ratna
Pathak Shah and hits theatres Sep 19.
S
uperstars Aamir Khan and Shah Rukh Khan were
seen on the same platform here to support Indian
sport kabaddi. The Pro Kabaddi League tournament
started here Saturday and the duo, along with other celebri-
ties like Farah Khan, Sachin Tendulkar, Tina Ambani and
Kabir Bedi, attended the launch of the eight-city franchise.
Abhishek Bachchan owns Jaipur Pink Panthers, a
franchise of the Pro Kabaddi League.
From the Bachchan family, megastar Amitabh, his
wife Jaya and daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai were
seen cheering for Abhisheks kabaddi team.
Thank u @juniorbachchan 4 inviting us to the
Pro Kabaddi opening!! What a fun we had!! Farah
tweeted. Amitabh, who posted a photo at the launch
with the Khans, also thanked them and others, who
marked their presence. Grateful to all the stars and
friends that came out in support - Shah Rukh and
Sachin and Aamir, and so many others ... and a blast
we had, cheering this very
Indian sport ... an occasion a
first for India and the game ...
great fun ... I do hope that
we continue to play it the
way it has been designed,
with all the prominent corpo-
rates coming in and many
celebrities joining the gang ...
!! Big B posted on his offi-
cial blog
srbachchan.tumblr.com.
His sons team lost the
match, but he was happy
with the turnout.
Pro Kabaddi today
(Saturday) started ... Jaipur
Pink Panthers v U Mumba ...
we LOST !! No sweat ! great
atmosphere, and great turn
out . . . watch, Amitabh
tweeted.
B
ollywood superstar Salman Khan
has announced that his Being
Human (BH) charitable organisa-
tion will help 100 genuine patients suf-
fering from heart condition by providing
them free treatment.
Kicked by the "Kick" success, Salman
took to twitter to make the announce-
ment.
If any kids on FB ya twitter who has a
heart condition n can't afford to get it
treated, BH vil (will) get 100 genuine
patients treated, he tweeted Tuesday.
Initially, he told his followers to share
details on the social networking sites, but
later realised that there would be confu-
sion, so shared email address - beinghu-
manemail@gmail.com - to get in touch
with the organisation.
A month back, he had used the
microblogging site to help his fans and
others find jobs through his site beinghu-
manworkshop.com.
An initiative by Salman, "Being
Human", a charitable organisation, works
for the betterment of the underprivileged.
Salman to help
100 kids with
heart condition
Kabaddi brings Aamir, Shah Rukh together
Fawad has 'khoobsurat' experience with Sonam
Fawad Khan with Sonam
Guru Dutt's
son is dead
V
eteran filmmaker Guru Dutt's
son Arun Dutt has died in Pune
due to health reasons, a family
member said Sunday. He was 58.Arun
Dutt's daughter Gouri Dutt said he died
Saturday afternoon.
"My father passed away yesterday
(Saturday) afternoon in Pune. He was
suffering from multiple complications
but the major reason was kidney failure.
His funeral took place last (Saturday)
night in Pune," Gouri Dutt said. Arun
Dutt is survived by his two daughters
and wife.
Amitabh Bachchan
with Aamir Khan and
Shah Rukh Khan
Salman Khan
D
esigner duo Shantanu
and Nikhil Mehra have
tied with mineral water
brand Himalayan to showcase a
collection inspired by nature at
the Lakme Fashion Week winter-
festive 2014. The collection
titled Live Natural Couture
will be an ode to nature and the
majestic Himalayas. Using pri-
marily fluid fabrics like chiffon,
georgette and organza, the col-
lection will showcase
Himalayan's offering of natural
goodness. Promoting natural
fabrics and designs inspired by
nature, through the collection we
will present a story - a whimsical
tale of Himalayan pure water
and the tranquil charm and beau-
tiful colors inspired by the
Himalayan range, the designer
duo said in a statement.
Himalayan has also tied with
celebrated artist Brinda Miller
who will showcase customized
art pieces at the fashion gala.
Following the success of our
association with the Lakme
Fashion Week (LFW) in the past,
we have elevated this partnership
by tying up with not just design-
ers but also with an acclaimed
artist ... The collection has been
inspired by the beauty, fluidity,
and grace of water and the purity
of the majestic Himalayas,
Harsh K. Rai, CEO and manag-
ing director, NourishCo
Beverages Limited, said in a
statement.
Designer duo Shantanu
and Nikhil Mehra
Shantanu, Nikhil to showcase nature-inspired designs at LFW
London: A novel written by a British Indian author
has made it to the first long list of the coveted Man
Booker Prize for fiction for this year.
London-based Neel Mukherjee was among 2014
longlist or Man Bookers 'Dozen' for his novel "The
Lives of Others" which was published in May this
year, a Man Booker statement Wednesday said.
As many as 154 books were entered for this year's
prize by British publishers, of which 44 titles were by
authors who are now eligible under the new rule
changes.The 2014 long list of 13 novels includes
American writer Joshua Ferris' "To Rise Again at a
Decent Hour", Australian writer Richard Flanagan's
"The Narrow Road to the Deep North" and Irish
writer Niall Williams' "History of the Rain."
Mukherjee's first novel, "Past Continuous" came in
2009 and was chosen as a joint winner of the
Vodafone-Crossword Award, a noted literary award
for writing in English, for best novel of 2008 (along
with Amitav Ghosh's Sea of Poppies).
The shortlist of six books will be announced
September 9, while the winner would be decided
October 14 in London.
The 50,000 pounds literary prize is awarded each
year for the best original novel, written in the English
language. The Man Booker Prize is sponsored by Man
Group, a leading investment management firm.
20 August 2-8, 2014 TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Auckland: Mohan Nadkarni, a renowned
Indian musicologist, died in Auckland,
New Zealand, last Tuesday following a
brief illness, his son Dev said. He was 91.
"He (Mohan Nadkarni) suffered from a
chest infection a fortnight back from which
he did not recover. Past couple of years he
was suffering from age-related problems
which hampered his movements, otherwise
he was mentally very fit," Dev told over
phone.
He is survived by his wife Suniti and
only son Dev, a writer settled in New
Zealand.
Mostly based in Pune and Mumbai,
Nadkarni was the music critic of The
Times of India for over five decades and
had reviewed thousands of music concerts
and singers between 1948-2000.
Though never formally trained in music,
his passion for music, a deep sense of
understanding of the ragas and dedicated
hours of self-study transformed him into an
authoritative writer, music columnist, and a
respected music critic. He worked with
AIR and DD and lectured on Hindustani
music extensively around the country and
abroad.
Over the years, he authored over 4,000
articles and critiques on Hindustani music,
Marathi and Sanskrit drama and theatre
and other cultural topics for Indian and for-
eign publications.
Nadkarni had the privilege of reviewing
the earliest concerts and performances by
artistes like Pandit Ravi Shankar, Ustad Ali
Akbar Khan, Ustad Fazal Qureshi, Ustad
Allah Rakha and Ustad Zakir Hussain, and
many others -- who later went onto become
legends in their respective fields of music.
He worked as a consultant with music
companies like HMV to help produce the
early LP records of several artistes and
became great friends with many of them
over the years.
Nadkarni has shared these experiences in
over half a dozen important books on
Hindustani music, including the best-sell-
ing biography of Pandit Bhimsen Joshi,
who was later conferred Bharat Ratna.
London: An Indian-origin business-
man, referred to as the UK' s
"Chicken King", is at the center of a
major controversy over contamina-
tion of poultry.
Ranjit Boparan's '2 Sisters Group',
the UK's largest poultry supplier,
was singled out in an investigation
by the 'Guardian' newspaper focus-
ing on the contamination of chicken
with campylobacter. At last count,
two-third of fresh chicken was
found to be contaminated at varying
levels by campylobacter.
Campylobacter is a bacteria fre-
quently found in raw meat, particu-
larly chicken and can cause food
poisoning.
Although the bacteria can be
killed by cooking, around 280,000
people fall sick every year in the
UK, and it has killed around 100
people so far.
Poultry contamination rates are
known to have increased in the past
decade, the report said.
The report, which zeroed in on
two factories owned by Boparan's
group, has led the UK health min-
istry to launch its own urgent
inspections. A spokesperson for
health secretary Jeremy Hunt said:
"The FSA (Food Standards Agency)
has agreed, at the request of the sec-
retary of state for health, to conduct
a full safety audit of the facility."
"They will start in the next 24 hours
and report back shortly. Undercover
footage at a factory showed chicken
that had fallen on to the factory
floor being picked up and thrown
back into the production line," he
said. The 2 Sisters group, however,
denied that the chicken was ever put
back into production from the floor
and said it always disposed of the
waste properly.
It also stressed that the contamina-
tion was an industry-wide problem
and the group is working on the
issue.
London: An Indian student has won 3,500
pounds ($5,967) in damages for her illegal
detention at Heathrow Airport in London,
media reported. Swathi Palisetty, a student of
the University of Bedfordshire in Luton
town, was held for 17 hours by suspicious
UK Border Agency (UKBA) officials at
Heathrow after she returned from a trip to
India in December 2011. Palisetty was later
flown to Hyderabad in India after the deten-
tion ordeal. A British high court heard that
the agency had wrongly concluded Palisetty
was not registered at her university college,
BBC reported Tuesday.
Palisetty sued the Home Office over her
detention, saying she had been blocked from
Britain on the mistaken basis of working as a
nanny. The judge issued the verdict in her
favor and told the British Home Office to pay
3,500 pounds in damages.
The Home Office was also ordered to pay
568 pounds for the cost of her flight back to
Hyderabad. Palisetty's barrister contended
that the Border Agency's assumption that she
had been working was "unjustified" and its
officers had failed to check the visa database
or make direct inquiries with the university.
During the court proceedings, the Border
Agency contended that Swathi was not able
to provide agency officers with details about
her course modules. The student of computer
studies also did not have a good grasp of
English when she tried to return to Britain
from India, the report said.
Her visa's validity came to an end in July
2012. The University of Bedfordshire
removed her from its register after she was
allowed back in Britain late 2012. The
University told the Home Office that they
were not confident about Palisetty's ability to
continue the course and therefore did not
reinstate her. Palisetty was flown back to
Britain "at public expense" in March 2012, so
that she could take her exams. Palisetty also
claimed that her detention had contributed to
her failure to get her degree but the high
court rejected her attempt to recover the
course fees, the report said.
Ranjit Boparan
DIASPORA
Indian-origin 'chicken king' at
center of UK hygiene probe
Indian student wins damages for illegal
detention at Heathrow
British-Indian author longlisted for
Man Booker Prize
Musicologist Mohan Nadkarni passes
away in New Zealand
Neel Mukherjee (inset).
His novel The lives of others.
Washington: Pakistan is yet to take steps
to bring to justice those responsible for
attacks against religious minorities in the
country, a US state department report has
said.
"In Pakistan, militants killed more than
500 Shia Muslims in sectarian bloodlet-
ting and brutally murdered 80 Christians
in a single church bombing last year. The
Pakistani government has yet to take ade-
quate steps to bring those responsible to
justice," secretary of state John Kerry said
after releasing the annual congressional
report on International Religious
Freedom for the year 2013.
At the same time, Kerry praised the
people of Pakistan for standing against
violence against religious minorities.
"In Pakistan, following the militant
attacks I just mentioned, members of the
Muslim community formed human chains
around churches to demonstrate solidarity
against senseless sectarian violence," he
said.
US assistant secretary of state for
democracy, human rights, and labour,
Tom Malinowski, told reporters that in
Pakistan, violence targeted at members of
religious minorities and human rights
defenders underscored the government's
failure to provide adequate security.
"Earlier this year, we were deeply sad-
dened by the murder of Rashid Rehman, a
lawyer and human rights defender who,
despite threats to his life, was represent-
ing a university professor accused of
blasphemy. And authorities continue to
enforce blasphemy laws and laws
designed to marginalise the Ahmadiyya
Muslim community," the report said.
These laws continued to restrict reli-
gious freedom, and remained the most
visible symbols of religious intolerance,
the state department said in its report.
"Meanwhile, the government took some
limited steps in response to major inci-
dents of violence against members of reli-
gious minority communities, such as con-
demning attacks against Shia and
Christian worshipers and adding some
additional security measures, but general-
ly failed to take adequate steps to hold
accountable those responsible for the
attacks," the report said.
"There were continued reports of law
enforcement personnel abusing members
of religious minorities and persons
accused of blasphemy while in custody,"
it said.
According to the report, there is no
legal mechanism for the government to
register the marriages of Hindus and
Sikhs, causing women of those religious
groups' difficulties in inheritance, access-
ing health services, voting, obtaining a
passport, and buying or selling property.
The marriages of non-Muslim men
remain legal upon conversion to Islam
while discrimination against Hindus,
Sikhs, and Ahmadis in admission to high-
er education institutions persisted, it said.
Sikh leaders reported that they faced
restrictions in securing admissions into
colleges and universities, it said.
"They indicated each Sikh student was
required to obtain a certificate of permis-
sion from the Evacuee Trust Property
Board, which they said was a lengthy
process that discouraged Sikhs from pur-
suing higher education. There were no
reports of discrimination against
Christians when they applied for entry to
universities and medical schools," the
report said.
SUBCONTINENT
Washington: James Dobbins has
stepped down as US special represen-
tative for Afghanistan and Pakistan,
Secretary of State John Kerry said.
Kerry said Dobbins' deputy, Daniel
Feldman, will succeed him.
As the rst special envoy for
Afghanistan after the fall of the Taliban
in December 2001, Dobbins, a 72-year-
old foreign service ofcer, took up his
current post in May last year.
In a statement, Kerry praised
Dobbins for playing "an outsized role"
in both Afghanistan and Pakistan, say-
ing his relationship with Afghan
President Hamid Karzai "was invalu-
able, particularly at difcult moments".
"Now Dan is charged him with the
same mandate as his esteemed prede-
cessors: to align, focus and implement
policies and programs that support our
national security interests in a secure,
stable and prosperous Afghanistan and
Pakistan," he said, referring to the next
Af-Pak special envoy Daniel Feldman.
Most of US and NATO combat
troops are scheduled to leave
Afghanistan by the end of this year
after ghting a 13-year-old war there.
US President Barack Obama has
announced his intention to leave some
9,800 American soldiers behind for
training and counter-terrorism
missions.
Washington: US President
Barack Obama has asked the
Afghan presidential candidates to
publicly endorse their previously
agreed political framework and
insisted there is no justication
for rhetoric that threatens extra-
constitutional measures.
Obama talked to Abdullah
Abdullah and Ashraf Ghani over
phone and thanked them for their
leadership in reaching an agree-
ment to form a national unity gov-
ernment and to accept the out-
come of the full audit of the bal-
lots in the June 14 run-off election
currently being undertaken by the
election commissions, White
House Press Secretary Josh
Earnest said. Abdullah, a former
foreign minister, came second in
preliminary results to Ghani, but
Abdullah said the election was
fraudulent and he expected to
become the next president. "He
(Obama) commended the two
candidates for putting the interests
of Afghanistan rst and commit-
ting to working together as part-
ners in governance," Earnest said.
Noting that the audit is steadily
progressing, Obama encouraged
both candidates to publically
endorse their previously agreed
political framework and continue
their dialogue on the details of its
implementation to ensure the
Afghan people have full con-
dence in the ongoing electoral
process and outcome, said a read-
out of the phone call.
"He reiterated that there is no
justication for rhetoric that
threatens extra-constitutional
measures and urged Dr Abdullah
and Dr Ghani to continue to move
forward in the spirit of collegiality
to maintain national unity during
this historic democratic transi-
tion," Earnest said.
President Obama indicated that
Secretary of State John Kerry
would continue his close consulta-
tions with the two candidates and
Afghan President Hamid Karzai
in the days to come, he said.
Obama also reafrmed the endur-
ing American commitment to the
Afghan people and their future, he
added.
Srinagar: Indian and
Pakistani soldiers greeted
each other on Eid and
exchanged sweets at Aman
Setu and in Tangdhar sec-
tors of the Line of Control
(LoC) in Jammu and
Kashmir, a defence ofcial
said. "Indian and Pakistani
troops deployed at Kaman
Aman Setu and Tithwal cel-
ebrated Eid-ul-Fitr by exchanging
sweets," defence spokesman Lt
Col. N.N. Joshi said here.
"In brief ceremonies, organized
at Kaman Aman Setu at Uri and
Tithwal at Tangdhar, ofcers and
jawans of both Indian and
Pakistani armed forces deployed
on the LoC greeted each other on
the auspicious occasion of Eid-ul-
Fitr and also exchanged sweets and
pleasantries," he said.
21 August 2-8, 2014 TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Sikh leaders reported that they faced restrictions in securing admissions into
colleges and universities.
Indian and Pakistani soldiers greeted
each other on Eid
'Pak yet to punish attackers of religious minorities'
Afghan president's cousin
killed in bombing
Kabul: Afghan President Hamid Karzai's
cousin Hashmat Khalil Karzai was killed in a
suicide bomb attack in southern Kandahar
province, an official said. "The attacker was
among visitors of the Eid-ul-Fitr festival. He
made his way into Khalil Karzai's house. He
detonated explosives hidden in his turban
after approaching Karzai," the official said.
The blast occurred at 10.00 a.m., the official
said. The exact number of casualties remained
unknown, the official added. An investigation
has been launched into the incident. Khalil
Karzai was a winner in 2014 provincial coun-
cil election. He was also the campaign manag-
er of Dr. Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai, a presiden-
tial candidate.
US envoy for Afghanistan, Pakistan steps down
James Dobbins
Indian, Pakistani soldiers
celebrate Eid at LoC
Obama asks Afghan president candidates to accept results
Tripoli: Panic gripped the Indian
nationals after incessant shelling
rocked the area around Tripoli air-
port and elsewhere, in a two
week-long battle since mid-July.
In a near replay of the incidents
in Iraq, large numbers of Indian
nurses are caught in spiralling
violence in Libya, where rival
militant groups seek to control the
capitals international airport, and
have approached the Indian mis-
sion for help and even evacuation.
Over the last two weeks, the
north African country has plunged
into chaos following deadly clash-
es between government forces and
militants in the capital Tripoli and
Benghazi where more than 150
people, most of them civilians,
have been killed.
Taking note of the fighting,
Indian Ambassador in Libya, Azar
AH Khan, met the nurses in the
Tripoli hospitals and assured them
of their safety.
Everybody is safe here. We are
in constant touch with the nurses,
Khan told over phone from
Tripoli. The ambassador, howev-
er, said that only some Indian
nationals, mostly nurses, have
approached the embassy for help
in leaving the country. It is only
in some places around the airport
where fighting is raging... rest of
the places are fine, he said.
Panic gripped the Indian nation-
als after incessant shelling rocked
the area around Tripoli airport and
elsewhere, in a two week-long
battle since mid-July. However, of
the 430 Indian nurses based in
two hospitals in Tripoli, only 88
have sought help from the Indian
mission. A total of 365 nurses are
based in Tripoli Medical Centre
(TMC), while 71 medical staff
members, comprising technicians,
paramedics and nurses, are based
in Tripolis Al Khadra hospital, an
embassy official said. Nearly 74
out of 365 in TMC have shown
their inclination to leave the coun-
try, added the envoy. The embassy
has been arranging for passports
and other travel documents for all
those who want to exit Libya by
road. Also, some 350 nurses are
located in Benghazi, another
restive city in eastern Libya, but
only a few have wished to leave
their place.
INTERNATIONAL 22 August 2-8, 2014 TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Gaza: Palestinian death toll increases
to over 1,200 as Israeli attack hits
Gazas Bureij refugee camp, power
plant and dozens of other high-profile
targets attacked.
More than 100 corpses were brought
to Gaza morgues after intense Israeli
fire, bringing the number of
Palestinians killed in the 22-day assault
to over 1,200.
Israel stepped up its artillery fire
overnight, especially in central Gazas
Bureij refugee camp, spreading in the
afternoon to Jabaliya in the north and
Rafah in the south.
Israel knocked out Gazas only power
plant and pounded dozens of other
high-profile targets, while Egyptian
mediators prepared a revised proposal
for halting its war.
Israels Channel Two TV said
progress was being made on such a
deal in Cairo, where a Palestinian dele-
gation is expected later on Tuesday,
although the station retracted an earlier
report that a truce had already been
provisionally agreed.
Health officials said at least 84
Palestinians died in some of heaviest
bombardments from air, sea and land
since Israels offensive began on July 8
in response to rocket salvoes fired by
Hamas and its militant allies.
The Israeli assault intensified after
the deaths of 10 troops in Palestinian
cross-border attacks, with Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warning
of a long conflict ahead.
But the military said it needed about
a week to complete its main mission of
destroying cross-border tunnels
through which Hamas militants have
infiltrated to attack Israelis.
Thick black smoke rose from blazing
fuel tanks at the power station that sup-
plies up to two-thirds of Gazas energy
needs. The local energy authority said
initial damage assessments suggested
the plant could be out of action for a
year.
Outside pressure has been building
on Netanyahu to rein in his forces.
Both U.S. President Barack Obama and
the UN Security Council have called
for an immediate ceasefire to allow
relief to reach Gazas 1.8 million
Palestinians, followed by negotiations
on a more durable end to hostilities.
Canberra: Australian and Dutch
investigators have failed for a third
consecutive day to reach the MH17
crash site because of fierce fighting
between Ukrainian troops and pro-
Russian separatists, Australian Prime
Minister Tony Abbott said.
Abbott, who met with the national
security committee in Canberra, said
that it was a "confused situation on
the ground", Xinhua reported.
"There is fighting and it's not just
the separatists, it's the Ukrainian gov-
ernment as well," Abbott said.
He said that both sides had made a
commitment to using "their best
endeavours" to get the site safe
enough for the Dutch-Australian
team. "And it's high time those com-
mitments were honoured," Abbott
said. Australian Federal Police (AFP)
said the situation was too risky after
they encountered shelling on approach
to the crash site.
The forensic teams are now caught
in the middle of a war surrounding
them in the city of Donetsk.
Flight MH17, a Boeing 777, was
flying from Amsterdam to Kuala
Lumpur when it crashed after being
hit by a missile in Ukraine near the
Russian border July 17, killing all 298
passengers and crew on board.
Palestinian death toll has crossed over 1,200.
Many nurses wish to remain in Libya: Chandy
Thiruvananthapuram: There are more than 1,000 nurses from
Kerala in Libya, but only 118 have registered to return to India, said
Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.
Speaking to reporters after the weekly cabinet meeting, Chandy
said the first batch of 50 Kerala nurses will be moved from Tripoli
Thursday in a bus to the Tunisian border which is about 155 km from
Tripoli and would then be flown in here.
"Those who are staying back are hoping that things would improve.
Moreover, they are unsure of their future once they are back and so
we have had only this many nurses who are registered to come back,"
said Chandy. "We are in close touch with the ministry of external
affairs and the Indian ambassador in Libya, who is coordinating with
the nurses who are returning," said Chandy.
MH17 investigators fail to reach crash site
Israel intensifies assault, Egypt revises truce plan
Libya has around 6,000 Indians, including
1,500 unregistered workers.
Washington: Washington has imposed new sanctions on
Russia's energy, arms and financial sectors over the Ukraine
crisis, US President Barack Obama said.
Building on measures unveiled two weeks ago, the US
expanded its sanctions to more Russian banks and defence
companies, and blocked the exports of specific goods and
technology to Russia's energy sector, Xinhua quoted Obama
telling reporters at the White House.
He said the US is formally suspending credit that encour-
ages exports to Russia and financing for economic develop-
ment projects in Russia.
"If Russia continues on this current path, the costs on
Russia will continue to grow," Obama added.
The US imposed sanctions against three state-owned
Russian banks, namely Bank of Moscow, Russian
Agricultural Bank, and VTB Bank OAO, said the US
Treasury Department in a statement.
The move prohibits US people from providing new financ-
ing to the three financial institutions, limiting their access to
the US capital markets.
The Treasury Department also designated and blocked the
assets of United Shipbuilding Corporation, a defence tech-
nologies firm based in St. Petersburg.
"The major sanctions we're announcing today will continue
to ratchet up the pressure on Russia, including the cronies and
companies that are supporting Russia's illegal actions in
US announces new sanctions
on Russia over Ukraine
The new US punitive measures came after the
European Union sanctions.
Indian nurses caught in Libya violence
Flipkart gets $1 billion from global venture funds
Bangalore: India's largest e-com-
merce market player Flipkart
Tuesday announced it had raised a
whopping $1 billion (Rs.6,015
crore) in fresh capital from global
venture funds.
"We will use the fresh funds for
long-term strategic investments in
the country, especially in mobile
technology," the city-based com-
pany said in a statement here.
The latest round of funding was
co-led by the company's investors
Tiger Global Management and
Naspers.
Singapore' s sovereign wealth
fund GIC participated in the
financing round along with its
existing venture investors Accel
Partners, DST Global, ICONIQ
Capital, Morgan Stanley
Investment Management and
Sofina.
"We believe internet will
improve the quality of life for mil-
lions of Indians and e-commerce
will play a big role in this change,"
Flipkart founder and chief execu-
tive Sachin Bansal said on the
occasion.
The fresh equity comes months
after the company touched $1 bil-
lion in gross merchandise volume,
an indicator of total sales value of
goods sold through a marketplace
in a specific period.
"We plan to make shopping
online simpler and more accessible
through technology," co-founder
Binny Bansal said.
With 22 million users and four
million daily visits to its portal, the
firm handles five million ship-
ments a month.
"As the number of internet users
across the country rapidly increas-
es from 243 million currently, we
want to empower as many citizens
to shop or sell online, where
mobile platform will accelerate the
growth," Sachin Bansal said.
With a projected 500 million
internet users by 2020, the compa-
ny plans to take advantage of the
huge opportunity by focusing on
mobile technology.
"The fresh capital will enable us
to invest in new products and
accelerate the momentum to
become a technology power-
house," said Binny Bansal.
The seven-year-old company
says it offers over 15 million prod-
ucts across 70 categories, includ-
ing books, media, consumer elec-
tronics and lifestyle.
New Delhi: The number of app
downloads in India is expected to
grow from 1.56 billion per annum
in 2012 to 9 billion by 2015, says
a new study.
The joint-study by the
Associated Chambers of
Commerce and Industry of India
(Assocham) and Deloitte said it
will be a compound annual growth
rate (CAGR) of about 75 percent,
the chamber said Tuesday
announcing the results of the
study. The study revealed that
most of the apps are downloaded
by people in the age group of 16
and 30 years.
The joint study -- Digitisation
and Mobility -- said the paradigm
shift was brought by social media
campaign during the 2014 Lok
Sabha election, where 29 million
people made 227 million interac-
tions on Facebook.
It said about 60 million tweets
were posted from the day the polls
were announced to the day ballot-
ing ended.
A variety of mobile apps are
available in app stores: Apple's
devices are equipped with
iMessage, BlackBerry devices
with BlackBerry Messenger
(BBM) and Windows Phone
devices with a Windows Live
client. Android devices have a
range of messenger apps options,
including WhatsApp and
SnapChat.
"Mobile TV registered a 400
percent growth rate in viewership
for the country's largest telecom
companies as more Indians
watched TV on the go. YouTube,
the most popular video app is
accessed by 35 percent of smart-
phone users who spend almost 1.5
hours a month on it," Assocham
secretary general D.S. Rawat said.
The share of video in internet
data traffic is expected to rise
from 41 percent in 2011-12 to 64
percent in 2016-17.
The growing adoption of mobil-
ity devices is prompting pay-TV
and internet TV providers to offer
a wider choice of content via
smartphones, tablets and phablets.
Mumbai: Reliance Power has
signed an agreement to acquire the
entire 1,800 MW hydroelectricity
portfolio of the Jaiprakash Group
for over Rs.10,000 crore to regis-
ter India's biggest deal in the infra-
structure sector other than tele-
com. "Reliance Power signs
exclusive Memorandum of
Understanding to acquire 100 per-
cent of entire hydro power portfo-
lio of Jaiprakash Power Ventures,"
the company said in a filing to the
Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).
The deal has been signed by
Reliance CleanGen (RCL), a 100
percent subsidiary of Reliance
Power and Jaiprakash Power
Ventures (JPVL), a subsidiary of
Jaiprakash Associates (JAL), the
company said.
"JPVL' s hydroelectric power
portfolio has an aggregate capaci-
ty of nearly 1,800 MW, fully in
operation, the largest in the private
sector in India, and with an asset
base of over Rs.10,000 crore. The
portfolio comprises three plants,
with an asset life of over 50 years,
each using run-of-the-river tech-
nology to convert natural water
flow to electricity, " Reliance
Power said.
The acquisition would make
Reliance Power one of India' s
largest private power companies
with 7,800 MW operating capacity
by end of the current fiscal.
Amazon plans $2 billion
investment in India
New Delhi: Amazon plans to
invest an additional $2 billion in
India to support its rapid growth
and continue to enhance the cus-
tomer and seller experience in the
country, a company statement said
here. We see huge potential in the
Indian economy and for the growth
of e-commerce in India. With this
additional investment of $2 billion,
our team can continue to think big,
innovate, and raise the bar for cus-
tomers in India. At current scale
and growth rates, India is on track
to be our fastest country ever to a
billion dollars in gross sales, said
Jeff Bezos, founder and chief exec-
utive officer of Amazon.com.
He added: After our first year in
business, the response from cus-
tomers and small and medium-
sized businesses in India has far
surpassed our expectations.
Earlier this week, Amazon Seller
Services India said the company
plans to open five more fulfillment
centres (FCs) - warehouses - in
Delhi, Chennai, Jaipur,
Ahmedabad and Tauru (on the out-
skirts of Gurgaon). With the addi-
tional storage capacity and its two
existing FCs on the outskirts of
Mumbai and Bangalore, Amazon
has almost doubled its total storage
capacity to over half a million
square feet, offering fulfillment
services to thousands of retailers
and small and medium businesses
(SMBs) across the country, the
company said.
This is the biggest ever fund-raising by an Indian firm.
The acquisition would make Reliance Power one of India's
largest private power companies.
Reliance Power to buy
JP group hydro assets
BUSINESS August 2-8, 2014 TheSouthAsianTimes.info
India's app downloads
at 9 bn by 2015: Study
23
Most of the apps are
downloaded by people in
the age group of
16 and 30 years.
Glasgow: Virtually taking over
where their compatriot shooters
signed off at the range, Indian
wrestlers rained medals picking
up four silvers and a bronze, but
the gold eluded the nation on day
seven of competition at the
Commonwealth Games here.
The grapplers cornered all the
medals that came Indias way.
Satywart Kadian, Sakshi Malik,
Bajrang and Lalita won the sec-
ond most precious medal, while
Navjot Kaur garnered the bronze
at the SECC Hall.
A day after grabbing three gold
medals from the mat, the failure
to win any more yellow pieces
ensured the sixth place for India
in the medal standings.
With ten gold, 19 silver and 12
bronze medals, India trailed
England (35-34-29), Australia
(34-32-37), Canada (20-5-20),
Scotland (13-12-14) and New
Zealand (11-9-14).
Kadian finished second after
losing his men's freestyle 97 kg
final to Canada's Arjun Gill. The
wrestlers were tied at 4-4 after
the end of the bout but Gill was
declared the winner since he had
a take down.
Sakshi had to settle for the sil-
ver after going down in the
women's freestyle 58 kg final to
Nigeria's Aminat Adeniyi. The
Nigerian completely dominated
the bout and opened up a mas-
sive 10-0 gulf in two minutes 24
seconds when the match had to
be stopped on grounds of techni-
cal superiority.
Bajrang finished on the second
highest podium after Canada's
David Tremblay took only 84
seconds to overpower the Indian
12-1 in the first period of the
men's freestyle 61 kg fina The
Canadian was declared the win-
ner on account of technical supe-
riority.
Earlier in the day, Lalita began
the silver conquest for India by
finishing runners up in women's
freestyle 53 kg.
The final was, however, one
sided, as Nigeria' s Odunayo
Adekuoroye took just 31 sec-
onds to seal the gold medal. The
Nigerian managed to pin down
the Indian and raced away with
the win.
Adding to the medal count,
Navjot won the bronze beating
Scotland' s Sarah Jones in the
third place play-off in the
women's freestyle event.
There was also good news
from the boxing ring as Pinki
Jangra, L. Sarita Devi, Devendro
Singh, Mandeep Jangra and
Vijender Singh reached the
semi-finals.
However, Amritpreet Singh bit
the dust as he lost the men's 91
kg quarter-final bout to local
pugilist Stephen Lavelle. The
judges found the Scot to be bet-
ter in all the three rounds to win
with a scoreline of 29:28, 30:27
and 30:27.
In the showpiece rack and
field, athlete Vikas Gowda
advanced to the men' s discus
throw final, topping qualification
round 1 at the Hampden Park
Stadium.
P.V. Sindhu and P.C. Thulasi in
women' s singles and R.M.V.
Gurusaidutt, Kidambi Srikanth
and Parupalli Kashyap in men's
singles notched up wins in the
Round of 32.
Men's doubles pair of Akshay
Dewalkar and Pranaav Jerry also
started with a victory while
women' s doubles defending
champions Jwala Gutta and
Ashwini Ponnappa got a
walkover.
In the ring, female Indian box-
ers Pinka Jangra and L. Sarita
Devi, and their male counter-
parts Devendro Singh reached
the semi-finals. But Amritpreet
Singh bit the dust in the men's 91
kg quarter-final
In the squash court, mens dou-
bles pair Saurav Ghosal and
Harinder Pal Sandhu won 11-7,
11-3 over Uganda' s Paul
Kadoma and Michael Kawooya.
They had earlier beaten Cayman
Islands but lost to Wales to finish
second in Pool G.
Joshana Chinappa and Dipika
Pallikal then followed it up with
wins over Malaysians Low Wee
Wern and Nicol David (11-8, 11-
5) and New Zealand' s Megan
Craig and Kylie Lindsay to top
Pool D of the women's doubles
with three wins.
Southampton: England has beaten India by
266 runs in the third cricket Test at the Rose
Bowl to draw the five-match Test series level
1-1 here.
Chasing a target of 445, India were all out
for 178 runs in their second innings. India
made 330 in the first innings.
England declared their first innings at 569
for seven and the second essay at 205 for
four.
Earlier, chasing 445 runs for victory, India
lost Murali Vijay (12) to a silly run out.
Vijay and his opening partner Shikhar
Dhawan (37) went for a dangerous single
and Stuart Broad was at hand to hit the
stumps directly with an underarm throw.
India had barely come to terms with
Vijay's dismissal when Cheteshwar Pujara
(2) edged an innocuous Moeen Ali delivery
to Chris Jordan at slips.
Dhawan and Delhi teammate Virat Kohli
(28) stabilised things for a while with a 51-
run stand for the third wicket, giving India
some hope.
But just as things were looking up for the
visitors another part-time spinner, Joe Root,
got the better of Dhawan to send him back to
the pavilion. Inexplicably for the Indians, it
was Moeen Ali who struck again as Kohli
feathered an edge into the waiting hands of
wicketkeeper Jos Buttler.
Ajinkya Rahane (18 batting) and Rohit
Sharma (6) held on to save India more blush-
es and go into the fifth and final day with six
wickets still in hand.
Earlier, England had bowled out India for
330 runs and chose not to apply the follow-
on. The hosts then sped to 80 for two in their
second outing to extend their lead over the
visitors to 319 runs at lunch.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni (50) failed to add
to his overnight score and was dismissed by
an Anderson bouncer.
Shami (5) tried his level best to delay the
inevitable but had no answer to the English
pacer's guile and swing.
James Anderson recorded his 16th five-
wicket haul after taking India's final two
wickets in the morning session.
India managed to add just seven more runs
to their overnight total before captain Dhoni
and Shami were sent packing without much
fuss.
England came out all guns blazing in the
second innings and smashed the Indian
bowlers all over the park to continue their
dominance.
Sam Robson (13) was the first English
casualty in an otherwise near-perfect day.
Cook and Ballance, who had combined so
well in the first innings, once again forged a
58-run stand for the second wicket.
Ballance, who scored 156 in the first
innings, was in punishing mood smashing
five fours and a six in his 48-ball stay.
Jadeja dismissed Ballance in the last action
to take place before lunch. Replays, though,
showed that the English batsman was once
again unlucky to be given out, like in the
first innings.
India was on the verge of losing the third Test
England beat India, Test series level 1-1
SPORTS 24 August 2-8, 2014 TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Medals' tally
Country Gold Silver Bronze Total
England 37 34 30 101
Australia 34 32 38 104
Canada 22 7 21 50
Scotland 13 12 14 39
New Zealand 11 9 14 34
India 10 19 12 41
The Gold Medalists: Sushil Kumar, Amit Kumar and teenager Vinesh Phogat at CWG 2014
August 2-8, 2014 TheSouthAsianTimes.info
I
ndulging in health food items to cut flab?
Make sure you know how much to eat as
it is possible overdose of right food can
prevent you from losing weight.
Nutritionist Lisa Young shares a list of
food items that are easy to overeat and tips
for portion control, reports
huffingtonpost.com:
* Ready-to-eat cereal: Sugar-sweetened
cereals are a big no and it is always advised
to choose a cereal where the first ingredient
is a whole grain. However, pouring your
healthy whole grain cereal into an oversize
bowl can often spell disaster. Those who are
watching their weight should eat approxi-
mately one ounce of ready-to-eat cereal.
* Nuts: Nuts are healthy. They contain
healthy fats and also help us to feel full.
However, it is easy to eat too many nuts
especially if you are eating them straight
from a huge jar or at a bar when having a
drink with a friend. The recommended serv-
ing of nuts to eat is a handful.
* Hummus: Hummus or chick pea dip is a
super healthy snack. It contains protein and
healthy fats. Fresh vegetables dipped in
hummus makes for a great snack. But it is
easy to overdo it, especially if you buy the
jumbo tubs of hummus or if you are nibbling
at a cocktail party. Eat approximately two
tablespoons worth of hummus as a snack.
Add baby carrots, celery, and red pepper for
crunch, volume, and a boost of nutrients.
P
rince George turned one
Tuesday and his parents
thanked everyone for their
warm wishes.
To mark his first birthday, two new
photographs were issued by
Kensington Palace. The pictures show
the enchanted young family in the
midst of the 'Sensational Butterflies'
exhibition at the Natural History
Museum in London, as several dozen
live butterflies hover in the distance.
In the picture, George can be seen
pointing and gazing intently at a but-
terfly which landed on his father's
hand as his mother cuddles her young
son proudly - keeping a firm grip
around his waist just in case the inquisi-
tive youngster should make a grab for it.
"We would like to take this opportunity on
George's first birthday to thank everyone over
the last year, wherever we have met them,
both at home and overseas, for their warm and
generous good wishes to George and our fam-
ily," said The Duke and Duchess of
Cambridge in a joint statement.
B
ollywood actress Huma
Qureshi, who walked the
ramp as showstopper for
designer duo Rimple and Harpreet
Narula on the last day of Shree Raj
Mahal Jewelers India Couture
Week 2014, says that Indian
women are blessed with "naturally
beautiful curves" and they should
not feel embarrassed about it.
Asked about how much pressure
she faces every day as an actress
to look slim and prefect, the
voluptuous beauty said: "It's not
just actresses but even the normal
girl constantly tries to fit into the
particular idea of beauty. They
face the entire pressure of mar-
riage madness where everyone try
and look prettier and forget what
they actually are.
"I agree that one should be fit
and take care of one' s body as
there is no excuse to be unfit. But I
feel that Indian women are natu-
rally blessed with beautiful curves.
Just because somebody has said
that you need to be perfect, one
should not kill herself to achieve
that. Be proud of your curves."
Huma also said that one should
not try to modify their body just
because someone else doesn't like
the way you are.
"Don' t be embarrassed about
your body. Yes, as an actress, if I
have to play a model or wear
something where I need to be
super toned, I would obviously
love to work towards that but that
is part of my job. But my real life
is mine and this is how I look. So
don't be apologetic about how you
look," she said.
The actress also recalled her
childhood memories when she
used to get teased by her school-
mates because of her body weight.
"I was quite a chubby kid so I used
to get teased by schoolmates
because of my body weight," said
Huma.
Prince George and his parents
Actress Huma Qureshi
walks the ramp for Rimple
& Harpeet Narula
Indulge in healthy food,
but mind the portion
Be proud of your
curves: Huma Qureshi
to Indian women
Prince George
celebrates first birthday
C
lothes can make you look and feel great, no matter
the size of your body, but be wary of adding visible
pounds with the style choices you make.
Think twice and follow a few guidelines before you opt to
experiment with new
outfits. From trying
out menswear outfits
to compromising on
fabric at the cost of
glamour are a few
simple mistakes that
will make you look
bigger than you are,
r e p o r t s
femalefirst.co.uk.
Poor quality
pieces: We all know
about fast fashion that
is taking over the high
street, poor quality
pieces at bargain
prices. If you are
looking for bargain
items though, make
sure you try them all
in the shop. And don't
just think about this
when you're hitting budget retailers too, even mid-priced
fashion can be rushed onto the market, so make sure your
item looks and feels good before you commit to it.
Menswear items made for men: Yes we're all well
aware that the masculine fashion trend lives on and
menswear pieces like pantsuits can look stunning, but
you're best sticking to actual women's fits for these items.
Hoodies and crew-neck t-shirts are other items that you
should be buying from the women's department too.
Fitted clothing that doesn't fit: Ill-fitted clothing never
looks good, straining over the bust, digging in the under-
arms or inability to sit properly are just some of the signs
that clothing doesn't fit and as much as it doesn't look good,
it doesn't feel good either. It's important to try on your items
before you buy and then again when you get home, make
sure you can move properly in them and they don't feel
uncomfortable to move around in and sit down.
Men bigger secret spenders
than women: Survey
I
t's a common assumption that most of the
time women hide what they buy from their
partners because of their habit of shopping
almost everyday, but new research reveals it's
actually men who are the biggest secret
spenders.
In a survey by vouchercloud.com, it has
emerged that just 22 percent of women have
admitted to hiding shopping from their partner,
including lying about how much they spent on
particular items, but that percentage was double
for men, reports femalefirst.co.uk.
Avoiding arguments was cited as the main
reason why women keep their spending a
secret, followed by not wanting to cause unnec-
essary worry and then feeling guilty about their
purchase. Downplaying the price of purchases
was the most popular answer for keeping their
partner in the dark about their spending habits,
followed by pretending new items were old.
Whilst male respondents in the survey would
rather hide the purchase altogether and destroy
receipts.
Matthew Wood of vouchercloud.com, said:
"Obviously there are going to be some things
that we keep from our partners in terms of
spending. The odd little treat, an extra item
whilst out shopping or lunchtime indulgence, is
something that we don't really have to tell any-
one. "The important thing is to make sure that
this doesn't get out of hand or that, when it
does, we confess up sooner rather than later."
How not to look
fat in your clothes
LIFESTYLE 26 August 2-8, 2014 TheSouthAsianTimes.info
FESTIVALS August 2-8, 2014 TheSouthAsianTimes.info 27
Millions of Muslims celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr across India and abroad with joy and
devotion, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi praying for "unity and brotherhood
in our nation". In innumerable urban and rural centres, Muslims poured into
mosques and large open grounds and offered Eid prayers to mark the end of the
Islamic holy month of Ramadan. Some glimpses:
Actor Amir
Khan
celebrates
Eid with
wife Kiran
Rao and
son Azad in
Mumbai.
(above) People
celebrate at
historical mosque
Khairudeen in
Amritsar.
Prayers being offered at a mosque in
Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
Pak rangers
officials giving
sweets and fruit
basket to their
Indian counter-
parts at the Attari
Indo-Pak border.
Muslims
offer
prayers on
the occasion
of Eid-ul-Fitr
at the Feroz
Shah Kotla
Fort mosque
in Delhi.
W
hat would you do if a man threat-
ened to put your children on the
roof of jeep and then perform
dangerous vehicular acrobatics, trying to
flip the car over?
Ill tell you what I did. I said YES
PLEASE, paid him a large amount of
money, AND my wife gave him a tip after-
wards.
No, its not bad parenting. Its a concept
called adventure holidays, also known as
assisted suicide.
***
The horror began a day earlier when my
wife handed me a brochure of a jeep-
trekking day tour while we were in
Thailand.
Now MY idea of a wild vacation is trying
out an incremental adjustment to my
favored reclining position on the sofa, but I
responded as a married man should to all
spousal utterances: nodding like a pecking
bird desk ornament.
(All the married men reading this just
nodded.)
***
The next day, a jeep-like pick-up truck
picked us up.
Tour guides sat in air-conditioned com-
fort in the drivers cabin, while we paying
guests balanced on benches in the back of
the truck or clung to the cabin roof like
arrested hooligans.
The driver drove like he was half mad,
until we met up with rival driversand
then he drove as if he was completely mad.
The jeeps bounced over off-road moun-
tain trails, while we passengers screamed
and held on for dear life. (This is called
"having fun.")
***
At the end of the day, the adults had that
glazed look of people who have survived
World War I or a Transformers movie,
while the kids were jumping up and down,
saying, Again! Again!
A fellow survivor of this expensive tor-
ment was from Chile, home of the worlds
scariest entertainment, a bungee jump
into the mouth of a live volcano.
The brochure, and I am NOT MAKING
THIS UP, says:
FAQ
Q: Will I die?
A: Yes. You could. Youll be signing a
waiver though, so were cool.
Well, thats all right then.
***
After I got home, I read in the paper that
Action Park (nicknamed Class Action
Park) will soon reopen.
This is a famous theme park in the US
state of New Jersey that was closed down
in 1996 because so many people were
killed or injured.
WHAT IS GOING ON?
In my day, being maimed or killed was
considered a bad thing.
Now we buy tickets and queue up.
***
Note to self: Never use the words ratio-
nal and humanity in the same sentence
again.
***
Maybe I should switch sides. A reader
sent me a recent news report about an
attempted suicide in Qingdao, China.
A man climbed out of a window and bal-
anced on a ledge, five stories up.
When he tried to throw himself off, fire-
fighters at ground level blasted him with a
water cannon, which carried him upwards
and back through the window out of which
he had climbed.
I hid the report from my children, know-
ing they would copy it. Ill jump out of the
apartment window and you blast me back
in with the gardeners hose, itll probably
work.
***
Mind you, if they did try it, and it did
work, I could market it as a new adventure
holiday concept.
Jump out of my apartment window!
Only a few hundred dollars! Must sign
waiver!
I might earn enough to go on another
adventure holiday. O joy and bliss.
28 August 2-8, 2014 TheSouthAsianTimes.info HUMOR
Funny Bone by Nury Vittachi
Laughter is the Best Medicine
Lethal holidays for all the family
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.
2nd August, 14 Ruled planet: 2 Ruled by no: Moon
Traits in you: Your guiding planet Moon blesses you
with unbelievable creativity, emotions, and simplicity.
You are the master of a very sharp memory and an inno-
vative mind. Though you are very trustworthy and de-
pendable, you are pretty fickle-minded and shy. You
should work on your nature to become more successful
in your life. You may go through various positive
changes in your personal and professional life.
Health this year: You would not suffer from any health
issues provided you take proper medication and go for
periodic checkups. You may start practicing meditation
and yoga to stay physically and spiritually sound.
Finance this year: Your promotion may solve your fi-
nancial crisis and help you become stable. If you have
some previous property disputes, it will be solved ac-
cording to your satisfaction and you will be highly bene-
fited.
Career this year: You will come across various lucra-
tive opportunities to grow as a professional. This year
you may get various new projects to work and prove
your worth as an excellent resource. You may get a pro-
motion as well
Romance this year: You may get involved in a new ro-
mantic relationship though it will be for a short period of
time.
Lucky month: September, February, May and June
3rd August, 14 Ruled planet: Jupiter Ruled by no: 3
Traits in you: As you are influenced by the planet
Jupiter, you are full with energy and ambitions. By na-
ture you are admirable, distinguished and intelligent.
You are blessed with the capability of working hard and
you possess an extra ordinary memory.
Health this year: You will be going through various mi-
nor health issues throughout the year. It is advisable that
you take your prescribed medicines regularly on time
and see a doctor when necessary.
Finance this year: Your financial status will be im-
proved as you will get new job opportunities. You may
invest on real estate business this year.
Career this year: Your determination to overtake others
makes you distinguished among your friends and col-
leagues. You should be careful about your behavior as
you may let many brilliant opportunities go away be-
cause of your stubbornness. You might go through cru-
cial times this year and you will be the only responsible
person your situations. You need not lose your confi-
dence on yourself as you are capable of doing anything.
You need to grab every opportunity you get to prove
yourself. You should go for the job of your interest area
and you will definitely find success.
Romance this year: You should create new contacts and
revive old ones as this year is the best time to make ro-
mantic relationship stronger. You may convert your ro-
mantic relationship to marriage this year. You may carry
on with your relationship if you are not prepared to mar-
ry this year.
Lucky month: October, December, March and April
4th August, 14 Ruled planet: Uranus Ruled by no: 4
Traits in you: Your dominating planet Uranus blesses
you with emotions, imaginative power and creativity. As
you love social life, you will be very much interested in
making new friends and getting associated with different
kinds of people. Though you are very supportive and
honest, you are not able to win hearts in your surround-
ings because of your stubbornness.
Health this year: You should concentrate on taking a
good care of your health to avoid future health issues.
You should spend some more time in sports and outdoor
activities to remain fit and fine.
Finance this year: You might get financial benefits from
your paternal properties.
Career this year: You may not get satisfaction from
your job though you will be getting ample opportunities
for new jobs throughout this year. You will be influenced
by a person from an opposite gender and this may bring
a huge change in your career.
Romance this year: You may get engaged if you are in
love.
Lucky month: August, January, April and June
5th August, 14 Ruled planet: Mercury Ruled by no: 5
Traits in you: Being ruled by Mercury, you are a very
daring, honest, dynamic, humorous and determined per-
son. As you are efficient in management, you can easily
get every work easily done that has been assigned to you.
You should work on the negative aspects of your char-
acteristics to be in the good books of others.
Health this year: To lead a social life, you may need to
work hard and it may become hectic for you and cause
some minor health issues. You may start playing outdoor
games or visiting clubs on a regular basis to stay fit. You
should get your medical checkup done regularly.
Finance this year: You will be in gain throughout the
year though you will be having minor spat with your col-
leagues and partners. You have to handle your property
and investments with utmost care as they tend to be in
very critical condition this year.
Career this year: You are capable of taking high pres-
sure jobs in which huge responsibilities are involved.
You are very good in decision making and you make
strong and quick decisions. Your confidence will reach
new heights this year thanks to the projects and your
partners. You should take expert advice from experience
people to reach new heights in your career.
Romance this year: You will be deeply involved with
your romantic interest this year and may think to convert
your relationship to marriage.
Lucky month: January, May and July
6th August, 14 Ruled planet: Venus Ruled by no: 6
Traits in you: Your ruling planet blesses you with gen-
erosity, practicability, energy, creativity and determina-
tion. You believe in living life each and every second by
enjoying all the pleasure life has to offer. Among your
positive characters, you will have something negatives,
which will make you criticized by others. You should not
show your stubbornness to people around you.
Health this year: Your health will be absolutely fine this
year. You may feel very tired if you do some physical
work. So you need to go for regular jogging to enhance
your stamina.
Finance this year: You should treat your business, prop-
erty matters, and financial issues on a priority basis. You
need to be serious for your goals. That would result in
your growth and prosperity. You may get very good
chances for an overseas trip for business purpose or hol-
iday during the last half of the year.
Career this year: You need to take important decisions
for your career as this year will prove to be crucial for
your career.
Romance this year: You will share a very good rela-
tionship with your spouse this year.
Lucky month: February, May, July and August
7th August, 14 Ruled planet: Neptune Ruled by no: 7
Traits in you: As you are guided by Neptune, you will
be responsible, loving, caring, creative, charming and a
jolly person. You will become popular among your
friends and colleagues due to the special talents you pos-
sess. You can groom your personality if you do not act
jealous, stubborn and hypocrite.
Health this year: You will be enjoying a sound health
this year provided you go for proper medication. You
need to get your medical checkup done on time.
Finance this year: Despite of increase in financial sta-
tus, you will be running short of funds because of your
high standard of living.
Career this year: Your current employment would
make you feel the stability in your life this year as you
will be satisfied with it.
Romance this year: You will find your spouse to be
helpful throughout the year in critical times. However,
you need to take extra care of your partner to maintain a
healthy romantic relationship. Some of you may tie
knots this year. You may find you new romantic interests
to carry on your relationship.
Lucky month: December, May and June
8th August, 14 Ruled planet: Saturn Ruled by no: 8
Traits in you: Your ruling planet Saturn blesses you
with energy, ambition, intelligence, determination. You
are gentle and confident. You have a positive approach
toward life and it makes you a winner in every respect.
People will respect you and appreciate you for your dar-
ing character. You should work on your nature of being
jealous and stubborn.
Health this year: You may suffer from health related is-
sues this year though it may not create severe grievances.
Finance this year: You may travel foreign countries for
business purpose later this year and this will earn you a
lot of money. You may get ample opportunity to enhance
your business.
Career this year: You will enjoy luck this year as far as
your career is concerned due to the movement of all
planets is positive for you. You will be in a very good re-
lationship with your employer. This year you will be able
to increase your salary and lead a comfortable and luxu-
rious life.
Romance this year: Your romantic relationships will go
strong and chances of marriage will increase.
Lucky month: November, February, April and July
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: August 2-8, 2014 Annual Predictions: For those born in this week
29
ARIES: To bring a bloom in profession-
al 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 to 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 authori-
ties.
TAURUS: Dont forget to take the help
of subordinates by involving them in
decision-making process. To avoid con-
flicts 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 compa-
ny. 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 prop-
erty. High time to have some principles and fol-
low them methodically to succeed.
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 fulfil 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.
Travelling regularly might be injurious for your
well being. A deal regarding residential prop-
erty can start moving on its right path. You will
be successful in developing some social con-
tacts for personal use.
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 in this week.
Mental alertness would enable to solve a tricky
problem. Small picnic organized by your com-
pany is good to change your mood. Your invest-
ment plans are not up to the mark, you will be
in trouble. Raising controversial issues without
facts will only weaken your position/point.
LEO: 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 con-
versation, as putting up an act would only harm
you.
VIRGO: To reverse sagging business
fortunes, you will have to take some cal-
culated 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 pleas-
ure 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. By sticking to your beliefs &
faith, you succeed in achieving many personal
favours.
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 earn-
ing financial gains. Romance rules heart &
mind in 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 in this week is that you
would objectively evaluate yourself.
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 in this week. One-sided affair
fails to materialise thus bringing disappoint-
ment. Selfish behaviour of a friend/acquain-
tance 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.
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 luxu-
ries in this week. Love life would blossom pro-
vided 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.
CAPRICORN: Make sure you dont
hire for the sake of hiring. Take inde-
pendent 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 in this week. 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. Unwise investment
could block the money.
An erratic behaviour 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.
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 confi-
dence and energy will be high. 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.
August 2-8, 2014 TheSouthAsianTimes.info ASTROLOGY
30 August 2-8, 2014 TheSouthAsianTimes.info SPIRITUAL AWARENESS
Focus on Gods love surrounding you
W
hen the king reported
what had happened to
the queen, she was so
angered that she wanted to seek
revenge and have Elijah killed.
Elijah fled the kingdom and
sought refuge on a mountain.
There, Elijah prayed to God. He
felt alone and abandoned and
wanted God to take his life. As
Elijah prayed to God, God
responded by sending an angel to
provide him with food and water.
The angel helped Elijah realize
that God was listening to his
prayers. The food and water were
so blessed that it gave Elijah the
strength to journey for forty days
and nights to a distant mountain,
Mt. Horeb, which is the blessed
mountain where God had once
appeared to Moses and had given
him the Ten Commandments.
When Elijah reached that
mountain, he entered a cave to
rest. Suddenly, he heard the
Voice of God speak to him and
ask him, Elijah, what are you
doing here? Elijah explained
that he had been waiting for the
message of God. He described
how the rest of the people had
disobeyed the laws of God, were
destroying the places of worship,
and murdering the true prophets.
He explained how he was the
only prophet left and how the
queen was trying to have him
killed.
God told him to stand on the
mountain with attention and wait
for God to pass by.
Elijah sat in silence. First, a
strong wind like a hurricane
ripped through the mountains,
and the rocks broke to pieces, but
God was not found in the strong
wind. Next, an earthquake
rocked the land, but God was not
found in the earthquake. Then,
fire blazed, but God was not
found in the fire. Finally, Elijah
heard the Voice of God in the
silence within him. In the
silence, Elijah heard God again
ask what he was doing there.
Elijah again explained his situa-
tion of how he was being hunted
to be killed and there was no one
left to worship God. God then
gave Elijah inner instructions on
the work God wanted him to do.
God also told Elijah that there
were seven thousand other peo-
ple left in the same boat as
Elijah, wanting to worship God,
who had not bowed to the false
idol. Elijah felt relieved that he
was not alone and that others
were left who believed as he did.
Elijah returned home with
instructions from God with
renewed faith in Gods existence.
This story shows that when
Elijahs attention was outside on
the storms, the earthquakes, and
the fire, he could not find God.
He had to invert his attention
within to sit in the silence of
meditation to hear God. This is
what happens to us. We are so
focused on the storms, the earth-
quakes, and the fires of our phys-
ical life that we do not take the
time to sit in silence. We are so
focused on the storms, earth-
quakes, and fires in the thoughts
the mind sends us that we cannot
sit in silence. We have the storms
of our passing thoughts. We have
the earthquakes of our emotions
that shake us up, and we have the
fires of our anger as we complain
and think hurtful thoughts about
others. All these thoughts keep us
from going within.
We need to sit in a surrendered
state, with no thoughts. We need
to sit with an attitude in which
we leave it to God and to the
Master to provide for our medita-
tive experiences. We have no role
to play other than sitting at the
door and waiting. We should
focus into the middle of whatev-
er comes our way. Whether we
see gray, black, white, yellow,
orange, red, blue, green, violet,
or gold Light within we should
gaze into the middle and that will
give way to other sights. It does
not matter if it is blue, yellow, or
red light. We should continue
looking into the middle. It does
not matter if it is the inner sun,
moon, or stars. Similarly, it does
not matter if it is Hazur Baba
Sawan Singh Ji Maharaj, Sant
Kirpal Singh Ji Maharaj, and
Sant Darshan Singh Ji Maharaj
appearing to us within. Our job is
to lovingly accept and embrace
whatever or whoever comes our
way. Our job is to focus into the
middle of whatever experience is
coming to us. As we become
more absorbed, we will be pulled
further and further inside.
What does life look like when
we experience Gods love all
around us?
First, our attention is absorbed
in a state of love when we are in
satsang. Satsang no longer
becomes a place to which we go
and sit for an hour and think
about other problems or spend
time criticizing others. It is a
place where we can rest our
weary self and bask in a state of
love. It is like taking a vacation
to sit by the seaside and enjoy the
ocean, free from the cares of the
world. Satsang should be our
vacation from the problems of
life. During that time we should
relax and bask in the spiritual
waves of love lapping against
our soul, like the gentle ocean
waves at the beach. The love of
God is pouring out to us through
the eyes of the Master. If we
could open up, without any
thoughts to distract us, we would
feel that love flow to us. Any
thoughts will block out the love
flowing to us from God. That
hour of satsang would recharge
us with love to help us stay
focused on God through the rest
of the day or week.
Second, our attention should be
absorbed in a state of love when
we meditate. Meditation is not a
dry chore in which we go
through certain steps mechani-
cally. It is a process of sitting in
silence to bask in the love within.
The silence helps us receive the
love that is innate in our soul. We
can then witness the Light and
Sound of God within, which is
also love. The current of Light
and Sound is Gods love flowing
out from God. When we see and
hear the Light and Sound
Current, we are connecting our
soul with a river of love that
leads us back to the ocean of all
love. Meditation should be a time
in which we are connected with
love. Any thoughts will put a
wall stopping the love flowing to
us from God. We should stay
open to that love, without any
distracting thoughts. Then, when
we come out of meditation to do
our worldly chores and responsi-
bilities, that love stays with us.
We then radiate our own love to
others.
Third, our attention should be
absorbed in a state of love when
we do selfless service. Selfless
service should be a time of
sweetness in which we are serv-
ing the Lord in love. We can
serve the Lord in love whether
we are helping our brothers and
sisters in God, doing volunteer
work for an organization dedicat-
ed to helping people, or taking
care of those in need. If we serve
with an open heart as if serving
God, then we will experience
Gods love flowing through us
while doing the seva. Any
thoughts will block out the love
flowing to us from God. If we
catch ourselves having negative
thoughts while doing selfless
service, we should pull them
back like we pull back a way-
ward dog trying to run when we
want it to walk. In this way, we
can enjoy the sweet fruits of seva
by experiencing the love and
Light of God within.
Fourth, our attention should be
absorbed in a state of love as we
go about our worldly life and
work. We can remember God
while doing our worldly tasks,
experiencing love no matter what
job we do. If we are doing physi-
cal work or mental work, we can
stay attuned to the love within.
That will help us work in a lov-
ing, cheerful manner and bring
joy to others.
We should sit in meditation
with a still mind and total recep-
tivity to receive the love of God
pouring on us at all times. In this
way, we will not be struggling to
find the ocean of God, but
instead will be consciously
bathing in the bliss of full
immersion in Gods ocean of
love.
By Sant Rajinder Singh
Ji Maharaj
We are so focused on the storms,
earthquakes, and fires in the thoughts
the mind sends us that we cannot sit in
silence. We have the storms of our
passing thoughts. We have the
earthquakes of our emotions that shake
us up and we have the fires of our anger
as we complain and think hurtful
thoughts about others. All these
thoughts keep us from going within.
Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj
is an internationally recognized
spiritual leader and Master of
Jyoti Meditation who affirms the
transcendent oneness at the heart
of all religions and mystic tradi-
tions, emphasizing ethical living
and meditation as building blocks
for achieving inner and outer
peace. www.sos.org.
Concluding part of the discourse 'God is around us, within us'
August 2-8, 2014 TheSouthAsianTimes.info
August 2-8, 2014 TheSouthAsianTimes.info