The South Asian Times
e x c e l l e n c e
Vol.11 No. 40 February 9-15, 2019 80 Cents
Budget to boost Modi
govt popularity
Income support for farmers, pension for workers &
middle class tax cut may prove winners.
New Delhi: Prime Minister
Narendra Modi has delivered an
interim budget likely to boost the
governmentʼs popularity ahead of
polls that are now just months
away. The Budget includes big
announcements such as a major
income support scheme for farm‑
ers and a new pension program
for workers, reports Bloomberg.
It also includes a number of
smaller measures that could
prove popular, including tax
relief for the lower middle class.
Delivered by acting fianance min‑
ister Piyush Goyal on Feb 1
because Arun Jaitley is in the US
for medical treatment, the budget
speech was heavy on praise for
the governmentʼs programs over
India asks US to release
students caught in fake
Michigan varsity sting
New Delhi/Detroit: India's gov‑
ernment is urging the U.S. to
release 129 Indian students who
were detained by U.S.
Immigration and Customs
Enforcement (ICE) for enrolling
in a fake university in metro
Detroit that had been created by
ICE to lure people trying to
remain here on student visas.
In a strongly‑worded state‑
ment, India's Minister of
External Affairs expressed con‑
cern about the arrests of Indian
students, calling their welfare its
"highest priority."
India asked the U.S. not to
deport the students, many of
CULTURE 15 SPORTS 23
i n
Acting Finance Minister Piyush Goyal presented
the interim budget. (Photo courtesy PTI)
the last four‑and‑a‑half years ̶
sometimes prompting boos from
the opposition.
Farmers, as well as companies
with exposure to rural India and
middle class taxpayers, seem to
The fake Farmington
University has since been
closed by DHS.
whom were trying to work and
earn master's degrees, reports
Detroit Free Press.
"We have urged the U.S. side
to share full details and regular
updates of the students with the
Government, to release them
from detention at the earliest
Continued on page 4
BOOKS 24 SPIRITUAL AWARENESS 30
j o u r n a l i s m
New York Edition
be the clear winners here at the
expense of the countryʼs fiscal
deficit. As expected, Modi govern‑
ment has come out with a mas‑
sive spending plan for the
Continued on page 4
India, EU to benefit
from US-China
trade war: UN 8 Trump decries 'ridiculous' investigations,
Geneva: India is among the several
countries that stand to benefit
from the ongoing trade tensions
between the world's top two
economies ̶ the US and China,
the UN has said in its latest report,
reports PTI.
The US and China are locked in a
trade war since President Donald
Trump imposed heavy tariffs on
imported steel and aluminium
items in March last year, a move
that sparked fears of a global trade
war. In response, China imposed
tit‑for‑tat tariffs on billions of dol‑
lars worth of American imports.
The United Nations experts said
on Monday that the trade dispute
between China and America may
do little to protect domestic
Continued on page 4
Follow us on TheSouthAsianTimes.info
A picture of divided Congress: President Trump giving his
State of the Union address with Vice President Mike Pence
and Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D) behind him.
Trump offers
hopeful vision
in SOTU
8 President talked to Dems too with issues
like infrastructure but did not let go of
divisive wall issue
'revenge' politics to hit at Dems
8 Proposes new missile treaty with
potential to include India
8 In a CNN survey, more than half of
viewers found Trump speech positive
Washington: President Donald ning for our party. Victory is win‑
Trump kicked off his annual State ning for our country," Trump said.
of the Union address before "Millions of our fellow citizens
Congress with a call for biparti‑ are watching us now, gathered in
sanship. He used the speech late this great chamber, hoping that
on Tuesday to restate his case for we will govern not as two parties
a wall along the border with but as one nation.
Mexico, and outlined his major "The agenda I will lay out this
achievements after two years in evening is not a Republican agen‑
office. He called for collaboration da or a Democrat agenda. It is the
on jobs, trade, infrastructure, agenda of the American People,"
healthcare, immigration, and for‑ he said. Many of the Democratic
eign policy. "Victory is not win‑ Continued on page 4
excellence in journalism
TheSouthAsianTimes.info February 9-15, 2019

Spices bought in South Asian

countries can contain lead,
which can cause learning and
behavior problems in children,
miscarriage in pregnant
women, and infertility.
„ Buy your spices locally.
„ If you use spices bought in
South Asia, ask your doctor
WARNING: MAY CONTAIN LEAD for a blood lead test.

Call 311 or visit nyc.gov/leadfree

for more information.
Bill de Blasio
Mayor
Oxiris Barbot, MD
Commissioner
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Telugu organizations request Rep.
Suozzi to help detained students
BY SATimes Team
Glen Cove, NY: Even as the Indian
government has urged the U.S. to
re lease 129 Indian (mainly
Telugu) students detained for
enrolling in a fake university set
up by ICE in Michigan, local com‑
munity organizations have tried
to help the students. A meeting
was held on February 1 in Glen
Cove with US Congressman Tom
Suozzi (member of House Ways
& Means committee), when a
signed memorandum was hand‑
ed to him by several heads and
representatives of Telugu organi‑
zations.
T hose who met the
Cong ressman included Dr.
Madhu Korrapati of NATS; Jay
Talluri of TANA; Dr. Purna Atluri
and Mr. Venkatesh Muthyala of
TLCA; Dr. Rajender Jinna of ATA;
Dr. Stanley Reddy of NATA and
Dr. Malla Reddy Pailla of TATA.
Shaker Nelanuthala, an editori‑
al contributor to The South Asian
Times, who was also at the meet‑
ing, said Congressman Suozzi is
making great ef forts with his
team to get to the bottom of this
perplexing problem and hopeful‑
ly to offer a solution. One ques‑
tion on everybodyʼs minds is,
“why?” Why did the Department
of Homeland Security (DHS) go
through this process, to try to
isolate and pick up legal non‑res‑
New Jersey to phase in minimum wage to $15
Elizabeth, NJ: New Jersey became
the latest state on Monday to
boost its hourly minimum wage
to $15 after Democratic Gov. Phil
Murphy signed into law a meas‑
ure phasing in the higher rate
over five years, reported AP.
Murphy signed the bill along‑
side Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver and
Democratic legislative leaders at
a raucous event in Elizabeth
where advocates cheered, “Ready
for 15,” carried banners with
their union af filiat ion and
applauded loudly once the bill
was signed.
“It is a great day to make some
history for New Jerseyʼs working
families,” Murphy said. “And
TRISTATE COMMUNITY
Telugu organizations leaders with Congressman
Tom Suozzi on Feb 1.
idents. Nelanuthala said, “The
Telugu organizationsʼ current
priority is to help the students
that have been arrested. We are
trying to advise them as to how
to get a bail; how to address an
NTA (notice to appear in front of
an immigration judge). The goal
of the organizations that signed
the petition is to have the stu‑
dents released immediately and
give them an option of returning
to India or to join another school
in the US (this was done and
allowed by DHS in the past
involving a NJ school).
The advice by some lawyers is,
for those that were registered in
this university but were not
arrested, to leave the country
immediately.” Here is the back‑
ground to this most unfortunate
thatʼs just what weʼre going to
do. Weʼve talked long enough
about putting New Jersey on a
responsible path to $15 an hour
minimum wage. Today we start
our way on this path.”
New Jersey joins California,
Massachusetts, New York and the
District of Columbia in phasing in
the higher rate. The $15 wage is
a prominent policy goal of left‑
leaning groups, as well as the ful‑
fillment of a key campaign prom‑
ise by Murphy.
Republican Gov. Chris Christie
vetoed a similar bill in 2016 to
raise the wage.
Republicans and many busi‑
nesses testified during hearings
case: In the last week of January
2019, DHS/ICE on a nationwide
sweep arrested 130 students in a
sting operation.
Most of the students were from
India and specifically from
Telugu speaking states of Andhra
Pradesh and Telangana. The DHS
alleges that the students partici‑
pated in an immigration scam,
“Pay to stay” scheme. One com‑
mon theme was, that all these
students were reg istered at
University of Farmington of
Farmington Hills, Michigan. Little
did the students know that this
was a fake university set up by
DHS to combat their version of
visa fraud. Some 600 students
were enrolled in this university
and many of them are still out
there, confused and scared.
that the hig her wage w ill
increase costs and hurt com‑
merce.
T he bill raises the current
$8.85 minimum wage to $10 an
hour in July, and then increases
the rate by $1 in subsequent
years until it reaches $15 in
2024 ̶ but not for all workers.
Farm workersʼ wages will climb
to $12.50 over five years, for
example. Workers for small busi‑
nesses and seasonal employees
w ill only see their minimum
wage reach $15 an hour in 2026.
Tipped workers, who currently
have a minimum hourly wage of
$2.13, will see it climb to $5.13
an hour by 2024.
February 9-15, 2019 3
Kashyap Patel joining
National Security Council
Washington: Kashyap Patel, the con‑ the "Nunes memo," the controversial
gressional aide who was key in craft‑ four‑page document that alleged the
ing the controversial Republican FBI and Justice Department had
House Intelligence Committee memo abused the Foreign Intelligence
that accused FBI and Justice Surveillance Law (FISA) obtaining a
Department officials of abusing their warrant on former Trump campaign
surveillance authority, is set to join adviser Carter Page.
the National Security T he committee
Council, CNN has took the unprece‑
reported. dented step of voting
Patel, a senior to declassify informa‑
staf fer for tion from the classi‑
Republicans on the fied FISA warrant in
House Intelligence the memo, which
Committee, has been accused the FBI of
hired to join the concealing the fact
NSC's International that the opposition
Organizations and research dossier on
Indian American Kashyap
Alliances directorate. Trump and Russia
Patel crafted the
A Trump administra‑
controversial Nunes memo was funded by
tion official said Patel Democrats. Despite
was expected to report to work at objections from the FBI, Trump
the White House this week. approved its release.
A spokesman for the National Patel was also one of two
Security Council did not immediately Republican staffers on the commit‑
respond to a request for comment. tee who was dispatched to London in
In his new position, the hard‑ 2017 to try to make contact with the
charging aide will help craft policy lawyers for dossier author
involving the United States' relation‑ Christopher Steele, without alerting
ship with the United Nations and the committee's Democrats. Before
other international organizations, of joining the House Intelligence
which national security adviser John Committee in 2017, Patel was a
Bolton ‑‑ the former US ambassador lawyer working on counterterrorism
to the United Nations ‑‑ has long cases in the Justice Department's
been critical. He will be reporting to National Security Division.
Erin Walsh, who joined the NSC as a Jack Langer, a spokesman for
senior director in December. Nunes, said that Patel was a "hard‑
As a senior aide under Devin working, brilliant and crucial mem‑
Nunes, then‑Chairman of House ber of the Intel Committee team, and
Intelligence Committee, Patel was was the target of more fake news
one of the aides who put together stories than any staffer I know."
Gov. Phil Murphy signing the bill. New Jersey has become
the 4th state after New York, Massachusetts and California
to raise the minimum wage to $15.
 4 February 9-15, 2019 TURN PAGE TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Trump offers hopeful after Congress passed the constitu‑ Moodyʼs or S&P downgrade the who brought in students in exchange
In prebuttal, Kamala vision in SOTU tional amendment giving women the countryʼs credit rating. Moodyʼs has for fees and kickbacks, according to
right to vote, we also have more already said the governmentʼs budg‑ federal indictments unsealed
Harris slams Trump Continued from page 1
lawmakers dressed in white stood to women serving in congress than at et includes no new policies to Wednesday. The 130 students are

for ‘insincere applaud, including House Speaker

appeals to unity’
Washington: Democratic presi‑
dential candidate Sen. Kamala
Harris called out President
Donald Trump for “insincere
appeals to unity” before his State
of the Union address started
Tuesday evening.
“Now if last yearʼs remarks are
any guide, weʼre in store not for a
speech that will seek to draw us
together as Americans but one
that seeks to score political points
by driving us apart,” Harris said
in a “pre buttal” of Trumpʼs
address. “We will hear insincere
appeals to unity, but what we
need is a policy agenda that calls
on the better ange ls of our
nature.”
Harris live‑streamed her speech
on Face book about an hour
before Trumpʼs address. Sheʼs one
of at least nine Democratic candi‑
dates hoping to face Trump in the
2020 e lect ion, according to
Ballotpedia. Harrisʼs prebuttal
preceded the of ficial Democratic
response delivered by former
Georgia gubernatorial hopeful
Stacey Abrams. Many on the left
accused Independent Vermont
Sen. Bernie Sanders of stealing
Abramsʼs thunder by announcing
his own response to the State of
the Union.
Nancy Pelosi.
"We must reject the politics of
revenge, resistance and retribution ‑
and embrace the boundless potential
of cooperation, compromise and the
common good," Trump said. Pelosi
and Vice President Mike Pence both
stood to clap after that line.
"Together, we can break decades of
political stalemate," he added. But
when he said "the state of our union
is strong", Pelosi, sitting right behind
Trump, did not clap. Some
Republicans in the House stood and
chanted "USA."
Trump, who has warred with
Democrats for months over his plan
to build the wall along the nation's
southwestern border, used the
nationally televised speech to press
lawmakers to give him money for
the barrier. He signaled that he will
not back off his hardline immigra‑
tion policies that have polarized the
country.
"No issue better illustrates the
divide between America's working
class and America's political class
than illegal immigration," he added,
Trump slammed "ridiculous partisan
investigations" and called for an end
to "war and investigation".
His administration has been ham‑
pered with several probes, including
multiple ones into the 2016 election,
and now that Democrats hold the
majority in the House things might
get difficult. Dressed in all white, a
group of Democratic women stood
to cheer as he was discussing
women in the workforce ‑‑ even
Trump was surprised.
"No one has benefited more from a
thriving economy than women who
have filled 58 per cent of the newly
created jobs last year," he said.
He then urged the women to keep
standing. "Don't sit yet. You're going
to like this. And exactly one century
any time," he said.
Trump also proposed a new
nuclear missiles treaty that has the
potential to include India. Defending
his decision to withdraw from the
Intermediate‑Range Nuclear Forces
(INF) Treaty with Russia, he said,
"Perhaps we can negotiate a differ‑
ent agreement, adding China and
others, or perhaps we can't" ‑‑ in
which case, we will outspend and
out‑innovate all others by far. The
INF treaty signed by President
Ronald Reagan and Soviet
Communist Party General Secretary
Mikhail Gorbachev banned land‑
based missiles of 1,000 to 5,000
kilometres.
Budget to boost Modi
govt popularity
Continued from page 1
countryʼs farmers: A Rs 75,000 crore
($10.5 billion) farm income support
programme. Farmers with less than
two hectares of land will receive Rs
6,000 each year. Thatʼs likely to
assist about 12 crore small and mar‑
ginal farmers, the government said.
The S&P BSE Auto Index jumped
as much as 5.3 percent, its biggest
intraday advance since May 2014,
as Goyal delivered his speech. Maruti
Suzuki India, Hero MotoCorp and
Bajaj Auto gave the biggest boost to
the benchmark S&P BSE Sensex.
In his governmentʼs budget, two
major initiatives ̶ a farmer income
support plan and a pension plan ̶
bear the name of the prime minis‑
terʼs office. Although the farmersʼ
plan was expected, the pension
announcement was not. And both
could go some way to boosting
Modiʼs popularity ahead of elections.
Among the losers, Modiʼs govern‑
ment will breach its fiscal deficit tar‑
get for a second year, with the budg‑
et gap estimated at 3.4 percent.
Bond holders could get hit if
increase revenues.
Defense is a loser too: In dollar
terms, Indiaʼs defense spending is
less than it was last year because of
depreciation. This yearʼs budget allo‑
cates about Rs 3.05 lakh crore for
defense spending, most of which is
eaten up by recurring costs that
squeezes the money available for
new arms purchases.
India asks US to release
students caught in fake
Michigan varsity sting
Continued from page 1
and not to resort to deportation
against their will," read the state‑
ment issued Saturday.
Last week, ICE detained 130 stu‑
dents, 129 from India and one
Palestinian, who had been enrolled
at the University of Farmington in
Farmington Hills, a fake university
created by investigators with ICE,
which is part of the Department of
Homeland Security (DHS). The gov‑
ernment alleges the students
enrolled in the fake university so
they could remain in the U.S. on a
student visa, while knowing they
wouldn't be taking actual classes.
The university posed as a legiti‑
mate place for foreign students,
many of them trying to earn mas‑
ter's degrees. More than 600 stu‑
dents enrolled in what federal prose‑
cutors call a "pay to stay" scheme.
The students' arrests on civil immi‑
gration charges have sparked civil
rights concerns from advocates who
say the U.S. government tricked
unsuspecting people. They say it's
legitimate for foreign students to
enroll in university programs that
allow them to work, which is what
the students at the University of
Farmington were doing.
Separately, federal prosecutors in
Detroit have criminally charged 8
other people alleged to be recruiters
not criminally charged and so should
be treated differently, said India's
government. The Indian govern‑
ment said it "continues to closely
monitor and take proactive meas‑
ures to address the situation arising
out of the detention of several Indian
students in connection with their
enrollment in a fraudulent university
in the United States."
India has set up a hotline and also
is working on providing legal help.
The Indian government expressed
their concerns to the U.S. Embassy in
New Delhi.
"Our concern over the dignity and
well‑being of the detained students
and the need for immediate consular
access for Indian officials to the
detainees was reiterated," said
India's Ministry of External Affairs.
"We underlined that students, who
may have been duped into enrolling
in the ʻUniversityʼ should be treated
differently from those recruiters
who have duped them."
In the U.S., some Indian‑American
groups and attorneys have raised
concerns about the arrests, saying
they went after students who just
wanted to further their education
and work in the U.S. One group in
Atlanta has said it is considering fil‑
ing a lawsuit against the Department
of Homeland Security, according to a
report in the Times of India.
India, EU to benefit from
US‑China trade war: UN
Continued from page 1
producers in either country and
could have "massive" implications on
the global economy unless it is
resolved. Countries that are expected
to benefit the most from the trade
war are the EU members as exports
in the bloc are likely to grow by $70
billion. Japan and Canada will see
exports increase by more than $20
billion each, it said.

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TheSouthAsianTimes.info TRISTATE February 9-15, 2019 5

Two Indian‑Americans campaigning Ami Bera to chair US

against Trump nominee Neomi Rao Congressional panel on
foreign affairs
Washington, DC: Two leading Indian‑American
women have led the Democratic party's move
to oppose the nomination of fellow community
legal luminary Neomi Rao for the prestigious
and powerful US Court of Appeals for the
District of Columbia Circuit, citing her "excus‑
es" for sexual assault and "hostility" to the civil
and human rights as reasons.
President Donald Trump had announced
Rao's nomination in November while celebrat‑
ing Diwali at the White House. Trump had
nominated her in place of Just ice Brett
Kavanaugh who in October was sworn in as
the Supreme Court judge.
"Neomi Rao made excuses for sexual assault,
blocked women's access to reproductive
health and would allow health care providers
to deny care to LGBTQ patients," said Indian‑
American Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal.
"This is simply not appropriate for someone
who wishes to serve on a federal bench," said
Jayapal, the first Indian‑American woman ever
elected to the House of Representatives.
Senate Judiciary Committee "should reject"
Rao, she said on Monday.
If confirmed by the United States Senate,
Rao, 45, would be the second Indian‑American
after Sree Srinivasan in this powerful court,
which is considered a step below the US
Supreme court. However, unlike the nomina‑
tion process of Srinivasan, wherein the entire
Indian American community was united and
campaigned aggressively for his confirmation,
Neomi Rao was nominated in place of
Justice Brett Kavanaugh
(Image courtesy:pfaw.org)
Indian‑Americans are a bitterly divided lot this
time. "Her controversial writings set the stage
for the damage she has done as President
Trump's Administrator of the Of fice of
Information and Regulatory Af fairs (OIRA),
where she has led the Trump administration's
aggressive regulatory agenda to undermine
civil rights and public protection," said Vanita
Gupta, a leading Indian‑American legal lumi‑
nary. "Rao's demonstrated hostility to the civil
and human rights of all should disqualify her
from a lifetime appointment on the federal
judiciary. We urge all senators to reject her
nomination," Gupta said in a strongly worded
statement.
She alleged that Rao had already proven that
she is incapable of serving as a fair and impar‑
tial judge on the federal bench."Her past is her
prologue," said Gupta, who currently is presi‑
dent and the CEO of T he Leadership
Conference on Civil and Human Rights. (PTI)
New Delhi: Indian‑American
Congressman Ami Bera has been
named the head of a key
Congressional subcommittee that will
have broad jurisdiction to conduct
oversight into America's foreign poli‑
cy. The 53‑year‑old four‑term
Congressman would chair the House
Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on
Oversight and Investigations.
"I've always believed that the United
States has a duty to lead the world
through our example. We have an
obligation to confront pressing inter‑
national issues, build partnerships,
and work in a bipartisan manner to
strengthen our national security," he
said. Ami Bera to chair the House Foreign
Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight
The subcommittee will have broad
and Investigations.
jurisdiction to conduct oversight into
(Image courtesy: bera.house.gov)
America's foreign policy.
"Our goal is to hold government Republican colleagues to strengthen
accountable, support the mission of their global leadership and make gov‑
our diplomats, and investigate abuses ernment work more effectively and
when they occur. Effective oversight efficiently for the American people.
is crucial in any foreign policy mis‑ Bera, who represents the seventh
sion," Bera said. Congressional District of California,
Bera said he looks forward to work‑ has also been named as the Vice
ing with House Foreign Affairs Chairman of the Committee on
Committee Chairman Engel and his Science, Space, and Technology. (PTI)

More Google staff doubt Rep Niraj Antani to run for

CEO Sundar Pichai's vision, state Senate in 2020
Washington, DC: Indian American trict, which consists of Dayton suburbs, has
Representative Niraj Antani will run for the been a Republican stronghold since 1985. In a

shows employee survey Ohio state Senate in 2020.

New York: Alphabet Inc.'s Google became
the most‑profitable internet company by
recruiting talented technologists and
inspiring them enough to keep them
around. That advantage may be slipping
as some workers increasingly doubt the
leadership and vision of Chief Executive
Of ficer Sundar Pichai, according to
recent results from an employee survey.
The annual internal poll, known as
Googlegeist, asked workers whether
Pichai's vision of what the company can
achieve inspires them. In response, 78
percent indicated yes, down 10 percent‑
age points from the previous year.
Another question asked if employees
have confidence in Pichai and his man‑
agement team to effectively lead Google
in the future. Positive responses repre‑
sented 74 percent of the total, an 18
point decline from a year earlier.
There were similar declines for ques‑
tions about Pichai's decisions and strate‑
gies, his commitment to diversity and
inclusion, and the compensation the
company pays, according to the results,
which were viewed by Bloomberg News.
Goog le shares the results w ith all
employees to make sure concerns are
heard. This time, 89 percent of workers
took the survey.
Wired reported some of the
The Republican, who is currently serving his
third term in the Ohio House of
tweet on Thursday, Antani said: "I just knocked
on the first door of my campaign for state
Senator! Team Antani is pounding the pave‑
Representatives, is the youngest Indian ment, talking to voters about their most impor‑
American and Hindu American elected official tant issues. We will work hard every day to
in the US at age 27. He also holds the distinc‑ earn the support of every voter." If elected,
tion of being the second Indian American elect‑ Antani would go on to become the highest
ed official in Ohio's history and also the first ranking Indian American elected of ficial in
Indian American elected Republican. Ohio's history, and the first Indian American
Antani, who represents the 42nd district, will state Senator in Ohio. The Ohio Senate is the
run for the open State Senate District 6, cur‑ upper chamber of the Ohio General Assembly,
rently represented by Senator Peggy Lehner, the legislative body that makes all state laws
who is term‑limited and retiring. The 6th dis‑ for Ohio's 11.5 million citizens. (IANS)
Sundar Pichai
(Image courtesy: businesstoday.in)
Googlegeist results earlier on Friday. A
Google spokeswoman declined to com‑
ment.
While the survey findings are still mostly
positive, the declines are a worrying shift
for Google, which prides itself on high
employee morale, luxurious working con‑
ditions and high pay. If these things are
beginning to erode, the company could
lose talent to other technology compa‑
nies, undermining its ability to build new
services that drive its profitable advertis‑
ing business.
(Source: Bloomberg.com)
6 February 9-15, 2019
HOUSTONIANS CELEBRATE
INDIAʼS 70TH REPUBLIC DAY
Indian Americans in Houston celebrate Indiaʼs 70th Republic Day at the India House.
(Photo credit: Navin Mediwala)
I
ndiaʼs 70th Republic Day celebrations
were held with much gaiety at the
India House in Houston on January 26.
Over 200 Indian Americans and friends
cheered as Indiaʼs Tricolor was hoisted
along with U.S, Indian, Texan and India
House flags. A formal program com‑
menced on the lawns where the flag hoist‑
ing was held with India House President
Jugal Malani welcoming the gathering.
Malani highlighted President of India
Ram Nath Kovindʼs message on partner‑
ship and urged the community to contin‑
ue its support to India House.
“The human experience is built on part‑
nerships. Partnerships at home build a
family. Partnerships at work build a busi‑
ness. Partnerships of different stakehold‑
ers build society. Partnerships of the gov‑
ernment and the people build our nation.
And partnerships of nations build a better
world. In this manner partnerships are
the thread knitting together family, nation
and the world – and leading to the treat‑
IALI celebrates Republic Day in Hicksville
I
ndia Association of Long Island (IALI)
celebrated Indiaʼs 70th Republic Day at
India Center building in Hicksville, NY
on January 26th. A lot of members attend‑
ed and the house was full to the capacity.
The national anthem was sung, Indian
national flag was unfurled and IALI mem‑
bers performed in group Indiaʼs national
songs. IALI first lady Saroj Aery also sang
solo national song. All the attendees
enjoyed the program with great excite‑
ment. President Lalit Aery reported to the
committee and past presidents his execu‑
tive council report from January 1stst to
Jan26th.
He spoke about the record number of
attendance at the IALI oath ceremony
TRISTATE
IN BRIEF
ment of the World as a Family :
Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,” said President
Kovind.
The program continued inside the India
House where the trustee, Dr. Virendra
Mathur read excerpts from the speech of
the President of India, on the eve of
Indiaʼs 70th Republic Day. India House
Executive Director Col. Vipin Kumar
(Retd.) emceed the program and spoke
briefly about the mission of India House
which is to unite the cultures of India and
the U.S. and expose Indian culture to the
Houston community. A group of children
that attend the afterschool program at the
India House presented an Indian dance
with the guidance of the teachers.
Earlier, Serene Kagg al sang the
American and Indian national anthem and
an Indian patriotic song as well. An invig‑
orating Bharata Natyam dance perform‑
ance by Datta Subba Rao, 70 was very
inspiring. Guests were treated to light
refreshments.
IALI members at the event
which was held on Jan 11th at Nassau
County Legislative Building and how the
Republic day event too saw full participa‑
tion. He highlighted how best people were
nominated to various committees such as
meditation, women, sangeet, kids, and sen‑
iors to further the associationʼs agenda.
President announced that the IALI next
cultural function Holi will be celebrated on
March 17th at Cottilion starting 12.00
noon. Very nominal ticket price will be
charged for adults, $25 & $13 for children
between 5‑11. President thanked everyone
for coming & also thanked culture chair
Indu Gajwani & Joyti Gupta event advisor
for arranging program well & finished in a
timely fashion.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Peace prayers mark Gandhijiʼs 71st punya tithi
V
olunteers of
Shanti Fund
with Long
Island Multi Faith
Forum(LIMFF) organ‑
ized peace prayer
services to observe
71st Gandhi punya
tithi (death anniver‑
sary) on January 30 at
the HLD Building in
Hauppauge, a Suf folk
County Govt. seat.
Representatives of var‑
Consulate General of India honored two organizations, Shanti
ious faiths were pres‑ Fund and Jaipur Foot, at the Pravasi Bhartiya Divas celebration.
ent including different (L to R): Consul Nair presents a plaque honoring Shanti Fund to
denominations of its volunteers, Ila Vora, Pragna Patel and Sangeeta Kulkarni.
Christianity & Islam,
Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Judaism, without words and initially showed the
Bahai, Sikhism, Unitarian Universalists, impact that Shrimad Rajchandra, John
Gathering of Light and Zoroastrian. Mistress Ruskin, and Leo Tolstoy had on Gandhi in a
of ceremonies for the event was Mrs. teacher‑student session with the youth. This
Sangeeta Kulkarni, a founder member of was followed by focusing on Gandhiʼs focus
LIMFF & volunteer of Shanti Fund since its on secularism, and a ʻsilent playʼ to embody
inception. Gandhiʼs message.
One of the highlights was a special skit The Consulate General of India was repre‑
presented, in honor of Gandhiʼs 150th birth sented by Shri Nair, Consul of Community
anniversary, by young students of Shrimad Affairs. He emphasized the need of the hour
Rajchandra Divine Touch and a silent play by as practiced by Gandhi of secularism, nonvi‑
members of SRMD. Gandhi considered John olence and inter‑faith harmony. He
Ruskin, Shrimad Rajchandra, Leo Tolstoy, expressed that we Indians are proud to state
and Henry David Thorough as his spiritual that we are from Mahatma Gandhiʼs secular
guides. Gandhi had communicated with nation. Referring to recent Republic Day cel‑
Shrimad Rajchandra by letters from South ebrations held on January 30th he stated
Africa and personal visit in Mumbai upon his that the Indian constitution is one of the
return from England. Shrimad Rajchandra most explicitly secular constitutions in the
had a significant and personal impact on world. He invited volunteers and honored
Gandhiʼs outlook. Gandhi had written 27 Shanti Fund by presenting a plaque and a
questions focused on religion to Shrimad citation for its creative and unique events.
Rajchandra when he was based in South The event had 15 items from dif ferent
Africa, and these questions served to remove faiths incorporating music, dance, skit, and
many of his doubts about various religions prayers. It ended with a vegetarian dinner
and beliefs. The play by youth was acted consisting of Indian and American food.
IOC ‑ Kerala chapter, celebrates
R‑Day in Philadelphia
S
am Pitroda,
Chairman,Indian
Overseas Congress
addressed live from Chicago
a big audience of patriotic
NRIs gathered at the 70th
Republic Day celebrated on a
large scale on January 26th
in Christos Church
Auditorium hosted by IOC
Kerala Pennsylvania chapter.
Overseas Congress president lighting the ceremonial lamp
T he IOC PA chapter
President Santhosh Abraham chaired the both guest speakers.
event. Kerala chapter national president The Membership campaign for IOC was
Joby George has organized Indiaʼs Republic inaugurated by Shudh Parkash Singh who
Day celebrations annually for many years. received 50 membership forms from
IOC USA national president Shudh Prakash Santhosh Abraham for new members.
Singh, general secretary Rajender Dichpally, The elaborate cultural program organized
vice president Kalathil Varughese, treasurer by Geemon George included dances, live
Vinit Nagpal and Kerala chapter national music and variety of entertainment.
president Joby George gave felicitations and More than 50 children and adults per‑
congratulated the chapter for taking the ini‑ formed on stage making it an evening to
tiative for the celebration. remember.
State Senator John Sabatina was the chief The celebrations ended with a Kerala style
guest while State Representative Martina dinner with over 250 people in attendance
White, City Councilman Derek Green were including leaders of various organizations.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info NATIONAL February 9-15, 2019 7

Tulsi Gabbard officially launches Presidential candidate Kamala Harris'

2020 presidential election campaign
Washington, DC: Tulsi Gabbard, the
first Hindu US Congresswoman, has
officially launched her 2020 presi‑
dential campaign in Hawaii.
"It is this principle of service
above self that is at the heart of
every soldier, at the heart of every
service member, and it is in this
spirit that today I announce my can‑
didacy for President of the United
States of America," CNN quoted
Gabbard as saying said on Saturday
at an event here. "I will bring this
soldier's principles to the White
House, restoring the values of digni‑
ty, honor and respect to the presi‑
dency and above all else, love for
our people and love for our country.
"I ask you to join me, join me in
putting this spirit, this spirit of serv‑
ice above self at the forefront and
to stand up against the forces of
greed and corruption.
"The road ahead will not be easy.
T he battles will be tough. T he
obstacles great, but I know when
we stand united by our love for our
people and for our country, there is
no obstacle we cannot overcome.
Tulsi Gabbard at the official launch of her candidacy (Image : telegraph.co.uk)
There is no battle we cannot win,"
said Gabbard.
The official launch of the 37‑year‑
old four‑term Democratic congress‑
woman's campaign gives her presi‑
dential bid a chance at a reset after
weeks of discord heading into the
announcement.
Gabbard, an Iraq War veteran
who gained national prominence in
2016 as an outspoken supporter of
Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders'
2016 campaign, will run for
President as an anti‑interventional‑
ist Democrat who supports a pop‑
ulist economic agenda.
While the Congresswoman has
highlighted health care access,
criminal justice reform and climate
change as key platform issues for
her presidential run, her tenure in
Congress has been defined by her
anti‑interventionist foreign policy
positions. (IANS)
Town Hall sets viewership record
Washington, DC: Indian‑origin presi‑
dential hopeful Kamala Harris' town
hall on CNN with an average of
1.957 million viewers got the net‑
work its highest ratings ever for
such an event with an individual
election candidate, according to the
network. Harris, 54, who was elected
to the Senate in 2016, announced
her run for presidency last week. She
has been voted on top of the list of
Democratic leaders aspiring to
defeat President Donald Trump in
the US Presidential election in 2020.
Harris, the second African‑
American woman elected to the US
Senate, has drawn comparisons to
Barack Obama since early in her
political career.
CNN announced on Tuesday that
the broadcast was the most‑watched
cable news single candidate election
town hall, according to Nielsen data.
The live event on Monday aver‑
aged 1.957 million viewers, a figure
far greater than CNN's previous four
town halls, which attracted an aver‑
age audience of 1.119 million each,
the network said in a statement.
Monday night's CNN Town Hall with
Harris was the most watched cable
news single candidate election town
hall ever, the news network said in a
statement. The town hall averaged
712,000 among adults 25‑54 from
10‑11 pm, easily topping all cable
news competition.
CNN was also number one in
prime time in the demos, it said. In
the townhall, Harris reflected on her
various policy issues, responding to
questions from the audience.
Moderated by CNN anchor Jake
Tapper, the Town Hall with Kamala
Harris propelled CNN to 945,000
total day live starts across digital
platforms on Monday.
The California Senator is hoping to
capitalize on high early fundraising
numbers and enthusiasm from the
base before the Democratic primary
field.
It was reported last week that the
Harris campaign raised more than
$1.5 million in online donations in
the 24 hours since she announced
her candidacy for president. She also
held a highly publicized rally Sunday
to officially kick off her presidential
bid. (PTI)

Honored to represent India at Kentucky Swaminarayan temple:

Grammys, says Falguni Shah Police arrest juvenile for vandalism
Louisville, KY: Police in Kentucky
Los Angeles: Indian singer Falguni say a juvenile suspect has been
Shah, who is one of the nominees charged with burglary and criminal
for this year's Grammys, says she mischief in connection with vandal‑
is honored to represent India and ism at a Hindu temple.
Indian immigrants in the US at the Louisville Metro Police Detective
global platform. Russell Montfort told news outlets
Falguni is nominated for her the 17‑year‑old suspect was arrest‑
album "Falu's Bazaar" in the Best ed Thursday after police received a
Children's Music category at the tip.
61st Grammy Awards, which will The image desecrated with spray paint
Authorities say the teen broke
take place on February 11 here. It (Image courtesy: wdrb.com)
windows and spray‑painted "repug‑
will be aired on Vh1 India in the nant messages of hate" and black people of this temple to know that we will
country. crosses inside the Swaminarayan Temple stand with them. We will do our best to
"I am honored to be represent‑ sometime between Sunday evening and keep them safe and we will do what we
ing not only India at the Grammys Tuesday morning. need to do to make Louisville a safer city.'
but also the millions of immi‑ Police Chief Steve Conrad said there were Raj Patel, a spokesman for the temple,
grants who have traveled to the xenophobic and sexist messages and some‑ said no members were inside when the
US to achieve success," Falguni, Falu's Bazaar is
one spray‑painted the eyes of a Hindu reli‑ vandalism happened. The temple has been
who moved to New York in 2010, nominated in Best gious figure with black paint.
Children's Music located at its current address for about five
said in a statement. She also hopes He said 'too many incidents like this' had years and usually attracts 60 to 100 peo‑
to use the platform to "motivate category. Falguni
Shah (inset) taken place in Louisville, referring to a past ple for Sunday worship.
others to dream big and achieve vandalism incident at the Louisville Islamic Conrad called the vandalism a hate crime
their goals, whether it's through Centre and heightened safety concerns at a on Wednesday, but Montfort said on Friday
music or any aspect of life." Falguni began worked with several internationally cele‑ local Sikh temple following a deadly temple that police wouldn't charge the suspect
her journey in the field of music with brated musicians like Wyclef Jean, Philip shooting in Wisconsin in 2012. with a hate crime. He said a judge would
training in the Jaipur musical tradition Glass, Ricky Martin, Blues Traveler, Yo‑Yo 'The desecration of this temple is heart‑ take the circumstances into consideration
and the Benaras style of Thumri. She has Ma and A.R. Rahman. (IANS)
breaking,' Conrad said, adding, 'I want the during sentencing. (Agencies)
8 February-9-15, 2019
Program connects Indian
American students to homeland
A A
iming to connect high school
American students of Indian
descent to their homeland, a top
Indian‑American organization has
announced a three‑week fully funded
scholarship program for them to travel to
India. Titled “Heritage India” by Indiaspora
and powered by 360+(both non‑profit
organizations), the program aims to build
connections and foster closer relations
between India and their diaspora popula‑
tions, a statement said on Wednesday.
Eight high school students will receive
fully funded scholarships from Indiaspora
to participate in the program with the
theme “Indiaʼs Riches: History, Culture,
Diversity, & Democracy.”
The students will visit three areas of
India that are geographically and cultural‑
ly diverse, yet all very much represent the
country: New Delhi, Gujarat and Kerala,
the statement said.
The curriculum will include hands‑on
interactive exhibits, stimulating discus‑
sions, and a service project in India.
Open to high school students between
ages 15‑18 at the time of the trip, Heritage
Now a movie on ʻSilk Roadʼ ‒ a
novel authored by Indian
American storyteller
radeep Katasani has carved a niche
P for himself as a contemporary
Telugu American storyteller. He is a
novelist, filmmaker and a screenplay
writer based in Los Angeles.
Pradeepʼs latest book, ʻSilk Roadʼ is a
gripping thriller set in the world of Indian
immigrants. The plot is centered around
Kishore, an opportunistic Indian graduate
student who runs a drug smuggling ring
through the Deep Web, and Durga Rao, a
brilliant Indian American DEA agent work‑
ing around the clock to nail criminals like
him.
The popularity of this gripping novel
has now inspired Neon Aliens and
Flixeloid, two US‑based Production compa‑
nies to co‑produce a movie adaptation.
They are currently in conversation with
Rahul Ramakrishna, a critically acclaimed
Indian actor, writer and journalist, to play
the role of Kishore.
Born and raised in Hyderabad, Pradeepʼs
education in two premier institutions ̶
Bachelors in Computer Science from
International Institute Information
Technology (IIIT), Hyderabad and Masters
in Television, Film and New Media from
San Diego State University̶ laid the foun‑
dation for his success. “Thrillers are my
favorite genre, in fact, my thesis in college
was about how to generate suspense in
narrative fiction. I am fascinated by
movies like The Day of the Jackal, which
weaves the narrative around historical
events,” shared Pradeep in a recent inter‑
NATIONAL COMMUNITY
IN BRIEF
India will take place July 21 – August 10.
“Heritage is such an integral part of
someoneʼs identity. We are proud to
announce this program, which will give
these students a potentially life‑changing
experience,” Gabrielle Trippe, Indiasporaʼs
philanthropy initiatives manager, said.
“Second and third‑generation diaspora
often do not feel as close of a connection
to their homeland. We believe this pro‑
gram will provide them with the opportu‑
nity to bridge this gap,” she said.
Heritage India will be overseen by Sridar
Iyengar, an independent mentor investor
in early‑stage startups and former chair‑
man and CEO of KPMG India, who has cre‑
ated youth immersion programs for a
diverse group of students through his non‑
profit organization, 360+.
“There is an underserved part of our
community who may not be able to experi‑
ence India. We hope this birthright pro‑
gram will provide them the means,”
Iyengar said.
“Giving them the opportunity to travel to
their roots should reinforce their connec‑
tion to that heritage,” he said. (PTI)
A poster of the film.
Pradeep (inset)
view. Leaving behind a lucrative career in
Computer science, Pradeep moved to Los
Angeles to pursue his passion for filmmak‑
ing. Since then, he has worked on many
productions, including feature films, The
Black Prince, Highway 5, Vagator Mixer
and Sarabha, donning many hats such as
first assistant director, Line Producer, and
post‑production supervisor. Pradeep has
directed a couple of short films which
have been very well appreciated and
screened at various film festivals like
Outfest and LAIFFA. Silk Road is available
on Amazon in paperback and kindle e‑
book version.
Indian origin team develops
model for safer self‑driving cars
team of Indian American researchers
has developed a novel model that
uses human inputs to uncover
Artificial Intelligence (AI) "blind spots" in self‑
driving cars, so that the vehicles can avoid
dangerous errors in the real world.
The model developed by MIT and
Microsoft researchers identifies instances in
which autonomous systems have "learned"
from training examples that don't match
what's actually happening in the real world.
Engineers could use this model to improve
the safety of AI systems, such as driverless
vehicles and autonomous robots.
"The model helps autonomous systems bet‑
ter know what they don't know," said first
author Ramya Ramakrishnan from Computer
Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory
at MIT. "Many times, when these systems are
deployed, their trained simulations don't
American Tap Dance Foundation
launches first fusion residency
with Bharatnatyam in focus
H
istory is being choreographed at a
small studio in Manhattanʼs West
Village. For the first time since its
inception, the American Tap Dance
Foundation (ATDF) is welcoming a residen‑
cy focused on fusing tap dance with a non‑
western dance style. The culprit,
Bharatanatyam, an ancient and rhythmic
form of South Indian classical dance. Vikas
Arun, ATDFʼs newest Artist in Residence,
and co‑creator Ramita Ravi, launched
Project Convergence (tagline: moving
towards union). Welcoming a non‑Western
art form that shares no lineage with tap is
an unprecedented decision for an organiza‑
tion whose mission is to “legitimize” and
“preserve” tap dance, such a move marks
the potential start of a surprising philo‑
sophical shift within the tap community,
that studying the past is not the sole
method of preservation.
Arun, a 24‑year‑old Indian‑American tap
dancer and data scientist from Seattle, has
Lupin recalls over 24,000 bottles
of skin treatment drug from US
upin is recalling from the US and
L
Puerto Rico over 24 thousand bottles
of Fluocinolone Acetonide topical solu‑
tion used for the treatment of a variety of
skin conditions. According to a USFDA
report, Lupin Somerset is recalling 24,180
bottles of Fluocinolone Acetonide topical
solution USP, 0.01 percent in 60 ml bottle,
manufactured by Novel Laboratories Inc for
US‑based Lupin Pharmaceuticals Inc.
The reason for the recall is failed impuri‑
ties/degradation specifications, it added.
The distribution pattern of the product
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
match the real‑world setting [and] they could
make mistakes, such as getting into acci‑
dents.
"The idea is to use humans to bridge that
gap between simulation and the real world,
in a safe way, so we can reduce some of those
errors," explained Ramakrishnan.
The researchers validated their method
using video games, with a simulated human
correcting the learned path of an on‑screen
character. The next step is to incorporate the
model with traditional training and testing
approaches for autonomous cars and robots
with human feedback.
Co‑authors on the papers are Julie Shah, an
associate professor in the Department of
Aeronautics and Astronautics and head of the
CSAIL's Interactive Robotics Group; and Ece
Kamar, Debadeepta Dey, and Eric Horvitz ‑‑
all from Microsoft Research. (IANS)
established himself within the New York
City tap community, as a performer with
companies such as Chloe Arnoldʼs
Apartment 33, as the first South Asian
ambassador for Capezio, and as a guest
teacher at Broadway Dance Center. Ravi
has an equally impressive trailblazing his‑
tory, with performances for Viceland,
NowThis, and ClassPass Live, while teach‑
ing Indian dance at Broadway Dance Center
and Columbia University.
Prior to launching Project Convergence,
Arun and Ravi met through mutual appear‑
ances on So You Think You Can Dance and
work for Mystic India: The World Tour.
They have collaborated on numerous
pieces exploring the union of
Bharatanatyam and tap dance, including
Ghanan Ghanan.
Within the first two months of launching,
Project Convergence will be performing
these pieces for audiences as far south as
Dallas and as far west as Seattle.
was nationwide in the US and Puerto Rico,
the report said. The voluntary ongoing recall
is a class II recall, it added.
According to USFDA, a class II recall is ini‑
tiated in a situation in which use of, or expo‑
sure to, a violative product may cause tem‑
porary or medically reversible adverse
health consequences or where the probabili‑
ty of serious adverse health consequences is
remote. Fluocinolone Acetonide topical solu‑
tion is indicated for the relief of the inflam‑
matory and pruritic manifestations of corti‑
costeroid‑responsive dermatoses. (PTI)
TheSouthAsianTimes.info DIASPORA February 9-15, 2019 9

UAE expats celebrate

India's 70th R‑Day
Abu Dhabi: Indian expats from
across the United Arab Emirates
(UAE) celebrated their country's
70th Republic Day at the
Consulate General of India (CGI)
in Dubai.
The tri‑color was hoisted by the
Consul General of India to Dubai,
Vipul, at the CGI as residents and
visitors sang patriotic songs and
took pictures alongside the Indian
flag, the Khaleej Times reported.
After the flag‑hoisting ceremo‑
ny, Vipul greeted people gathered
at the Consulate and read out
President Ram Nath Kovind's
speech to the nation.
The Consul General also hon‑
ored the two war heroes and par‑
ents of war martyrs who presided
over the ceremony. "We are hon‑
ored to have the war heroes and
parents of war martyrs in our
midst," Vipul said.
Children and adults decked in
traditional wear were seen waving
Consul General of India, Dubai hoisted the
miniature Indian flags and cele‑ national flag on the occasion of 70th Republic Day
brating the occasion. (IANS) at the Consulate.

BAPS temple in Abu

Dhabi gets 13 more
acres for parking
The temple will be constructed on 13.5
acres of land, donated by Sheikh
Mohammed bin Zayed.
Abu Dhabi: An additional 13 acres of
land has been donated towards setting
up parking facilities for the upcoming
BAPS Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi,
announced Pujya Brahmaviharidas, prin‑
cipal in‑charge of the construction of the
Hindu mandir.
The Government of Abu Dhabi has also
identified an additional 10 acres for a
period of four years to stage pre‑con‑
struction activities such as storage of
building materials. The temple will be
constructed on 13.5 acres of land, donat‑
ed by Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al
Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and
Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE
Armed Forces.
Speaking to members of the Indian
community at the Consulate General of
India premises, Brahmaviharidas also
announced that a foundation stone lay‑
ing ceremony or 'shilanyas' ceremony
will take place on April 13.
The spiritual head of BAPS Mahant
Swami Maharaj will be presiding over the
event.
Aksharatitdas Swami, a monk with
BAPS, said the temple will be a space to
discuss and learn about other cultures,
and will have an in‑built art gallery, exhi‑
bition halls, a virtual reality space, a
library, six to seven massive prayer halls
to accommodate dif ferent spiritual
groups, classrooms for children, dedicat‑
ed sports halls, a gym for children, and
dining halls.
Brahmaviharidas said: "The complex
will rise to the challenge of serving our
community and outlive all of us for gen‑
erations and centuries to come."
The committee members also appealed
to the community leaders to donate
funds towards the construction of the
temple. A special financial scheme called
'My Seva card' will also be launched by
the BAPS. The financial scheme will help
donors 'serve as they spend', according
to the spiritual monks.
BR Shetty, founder and chairman of
NMC Healthcare and chairman on board
of Mandir Ltd, a non‑profit company reg‑
istered with the government to construct,
deve lop and manage the BAPS
Swaminarayan Sanstha's temple said:
"Let us match the expectations raised by
the benevolent leaders of the UAE. A tem‑
ple to match the UAE's skyline."
(Souce: khaleejtimes.com)
 10 February 9-15, 2019 US AFFAIRS TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Virginia governor in US to send 3,750 more

soldiers to Mexico border
racism row refuses to quit Washington, DC: T he US
Department of De fense on
For now, the soldiers will be
deployed for three months, but
Washington: Virginia Governor He said that he had however
Ralph Northam has denied he blackened his face at a dance Sunday announced they will the Pentagon "will continue to
was in a racist photo that contest in San Antonio. "It is send an additional 3,750 sol‑ evaluate the composition of the
appeared in his 1984 student because my memory of that is so diers to the border with Mexico force required to meet the mis‑
yearbook page after initially apol‑ vivid that I do not believe I am in for three months, during which sion of protecting and securing
ogizing for it. the photo in the yearbook," he time they will build some 240 the southern border," the
Northam said he recognized said. meters of fence and provide spokesman said.
that people would find this "hard Northam said he was not asking logistical support to the US A US law from 1878 pro‑
to believe", the BBC reported on for forg iveness for his past Border Patrol agents. hibits the use of soldiers for
Saturday. But he admitted black‑ actions but for "the opportunity With this new deployment, national security and public
ening his face to impersonate to demonstrate without a shadow the total number of soldiers on order tasks.
singer Michael Jackson at an of a doubt that the person I was the border with Mexico will Therefore, according to US
event in the same year. Top US then is not the person I am rise to 4,350, a Pentagon authorities, the military cannot
Democrats have called on him to Virginia Governor Ralph today". spokesman said in a statement, detain immigrants who cross
resign. But he says he will stay Northam has flip‑flopped on T he statement on Saturday reports Efe. the border illegally and its
on. The picture showed a man in whether he was in the came after he said on Friday that According to the spokesman, work is limited to assisting bor‑
controversial Blackface/KKK pix the military will have two main der agents in air operations
blackface and another man in Ku he was "deeply sorry for the deci‑
in medical school yearbook. missions: to operate surveil‑ and surveillance, as well as in
Klux Klan robes. sion I made to appear as I did in
Former Vice‑President Joe this photo and for the hurt that lance cameras in the states of mechanical work, such as
"clearly racist and offensive".
Biden said Northam had lost all decision caused then and now". Arizona, California, New repairing vehicles.
But he said that on reflection
moral authority. Black politicians Northam's yearbook page, Mexico, and Texas unt il The deployment of the new
with his family and friends he
in Virginia called it "disgusting" which came from the pediatric September 30, as well as raise troops was approved on
had concluded that he was nei‑
and Republicans also urged him neurologist's time at Eastern 240 additional km of concerti‑ January 11 by acting Secretary
ther of the people in the photo.
to resign. He said he had initially Virginia Medical School, was first na fences, a type of fence that of Defense Patrick Shanahan,
"It has taken time to make sure
taken responsibility for the published by conservative web‑ may include barbed or razor although the number of troops
that it's not me but I'm convinced
photo, which he described as site Big League Politics. wire. was not known until now.
I'm not on that photo," he said.

Killing of millions of UnitedHealth takes on Amazon,

Native Americans changed Berkshire Hathaway &
global climate: Study JPMorgan Chase
Washington: W hen Boston: Inside a federal courtroom in Boston formed to address the needs of their 1.2 mil‑
European settlers this week, a bit of intrigue has emerged as lion employees, there has been considerable
arrived in the lawyers try to pry open the secretive plans of speculation about whether it would eventual‑
Americas, they killed a new venture created by ly expand and displace
over 56 million indige‑ three of the worldʼs most established players.
nous Americans which powerful corporat ions, JPMorganʼs chief executive,
led to a change in the reports New York Times. Jamie Dimon, went so far as
global climate, a new T he underly ing case to reassure some of its
study finds. involves allegations made by investment banking clients
T he settlers killed UnitedHealth Group, which is that the three corporate
the indigenous people asking a judge to stop a for‑ giants were not going into
for more than 100 mer executive from working the healthcare business.
years in South, Central at the new health care outfit In court this week, Optum
and North America, created by Amazon, argued the opposite: T he
causing large swathes Berkshire Hathaway and venture, referred to as either
of farmland to be JPMorg an Chase. ABJ or ABC, “will very soon
abandoned and refor‑ Depiction of a European settler UnitedHealth has accused be a direct competitor, if it is
ested, researchers at killing a Native American. the executive, David William not already,” Optumʼs com‑
University College Smith, of removing confiden‑ plaint declared.
London, or UCL, said in the study last dence, historical data and analysis of tial, proprietary information And Optum, which runs
Friday. The increase in trees and vege‑ carbon found in Antarctic ice, the UCL that could benefit his new one of the nationʼs largest
tation across an area the size of France researchers showed how the reforesta‑ employer, and he has denied pharmacy benefit managers
resulted in a massive decrease in car‑ t ion ‑‑ directly caused by the Atul Gawande, a well‑known
any inappropriate action. and other businesses, with
bon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere, Europeans' arrival ‑‑ was a key compo‑ physician, has been hired as
In two days of hearings revenue topping $100 bil‑
according to the study. nent of the global chill. CEO by the new entity, which
and filings, however, the UnitedHealth sees as lion last year, appears to be
Carbon levels changed enough to "For once, we've been able to balance legal action has underscored competition. (Photo : Wikipedia) using the legal battle to find
cool the Earth by 1610, the all the boxes and realize that the only how nervous major estab‑ out what it can. On
researchers found. way the 'Little Ice Age' was so intense lished players like UnitedHealth and its Thursday, the judge briefly closed the court‑
"CO2 and climate had been relatively is because of the genocide of millions Optum unit are about the entry of these room to allow an executive from the venture
stable until this point," UCL Geography of people," Maslin added. three big corporations into the health care to discuss confidential plans, according to
Professor Mark Maslin, one of the According to Maslin, deaths of field. STAT, a health news website.
study's co‑authors, told CNN on Friday. indigenous Americans directly con‑ Since the announcement a year ago, the Not much is known about the new entityʼs
"So, this is the first major change we tributed to the success of the new venture has made some splashy hires, plans. The employers “have been radio silent
see in the Earth's greenhouse gases." European economy. including Dr. Atul Gawande, a well‑known about what they are doing,” said Brian
Before this study, some scientists Natural resources and food shipped physician who writes for The New Yorker, as Marcotte, the chief executive of the National
had argued the temperature change in from the New World helped Europe's its chief executive, and a former Comcast Business Group on Health, which represents
the 1600s, called the "Little Ice Age", population to expand. It also allowed executive who also worked at Optum. While large employers. He added that Optumʼs law‑
was caused only by natural forces. people to stop farming for sustenance the founding companies insist the venture suit represented “the fear of what this entity
But by combining archaeological evi‑ and begin working in other industries. would not be “profit‑see king” and was may become.”
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Federal prosecutors
subpoena Trump
Inaugural Committee
Washington: Prosecutors in
New York have reportedly
ordered President Donald
Trumpʼs inauguration commit‑
tee to hand over documents
re lated to donors and
finances, several news organi‑
zations reported Monday.
According to ABC, which
first reported the news, a
lawyer working with the com‑
mittee received a subpoena
Monday from federal prosecu‑
tors seeking documents relat‑
ed to the org anizat ionʼs
donors, event attendees,
perks, contracts and vendors,
among other things.
Prosecutors also are looking
for any illegal foreign contri‑
butions and whether commit‑
tee staff members were aware
of such illegality, T he New
York Times reported.
Federal law prohibits foreign
donat ions to federal cam‑
Trump enters 2020 election
cycle with massive fundraising
Washington: President Donald
Trump campaign and affiliated
committees raised over
$21 million in the last
three months of 2018,
entering the 2020
presidential elec‑
tion cycle with a
massive head
start, the media
reported.
According to
new Federal
E l e c t i o n
Commission (FEC)
filings made public
on Thursday night,
the latest fundraising
disclosures bring the
total haul for Trump's re‑
e l ec t i o n
effort to more Trump began raising money for 2020 shortly after winning the presidency. revealed.
Trumpʼs SOTU pledge: Ending
HIV transmissions by 2030
Washington: President Donald
Trump plans to use Tuesday
nig htʼs State of the Union
address to promise an end to the
HIV epidemic in America, four
individuals with knowledge of
the planned remarks told
POLITICO. Under Trumpʼs 10‑
year strategy, health officials
would target the U.S. communi‑
paigns, political action com‑
mittees and inaugural funds.
The Trump inaugural fund
raised $107 million. The com‑
mittee was chaired by Trumpʼs
longt ime friend T homas
Barrack, who the Times said is
not mentioned in the subpoe‑
na.
A committee spokesman told
the Times the organization is
still reviewing the subpoena
but plans to cooperate with
the investigation, which prose‑
cutors opened last year amid
scrutiny over the committee.
T he investigation into the
committee was sparked by the
investigation into Michael
Cohen, Trumpʼs former per‑
sonal lawyer who is expected
to begin his prison sentence in
March after pleading guilty to
campaign finance‑re lated
crimes in which he implicated
the president.
than $129 million, a record amount for a
sitting American President at this
point in the e lect ion cycle,
ing in sums of $200 or less, FEC
ties with the most HIV infections
and work to reduce transmis‑
sions by 2030. The strategy has
been championed by top health
officials, including HHS
Secretary Alex Azar and CDC
Director Robert Redfield. While
Trumpʼs plans for the address
remain fluid ̶ and one official
cautioned that the speech is not
US AFFAIRS
Republicans fret over Trumpʼs
national emergency threat
Washington: Senate Republicans
appear to be in a panic about
President Trumpʼs threat to
declare a national emergency to
realize his unquenchable fantasy
of a big, beautiful wall on the
southern border. Republicans are
reportedly worried that such a
move could divide them, and
Senate Majority Leader Mitch
McConnell has delivered that
warning to Trump in private con‑
versations.
Republicans have good reason
to be deeply nervous. Hereʼs
why: According to one of the
countryʼs leading experts on
national emergencies, it appears
that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi
(D‑Calif.) can trigger a process
that could require the GOP‑con‑
trolled Senate to hold a vote on
such a declaration by Trump ̶
which would put Senate
Republicans in a horrible politi‑
cal position.
Trump reiterated his threat to
declare a national emergency in
an interview with CBS News that
aired over the weekend. “I donʼt
reports The Washington Post.
Trump's enormous haul in
the fourth quarter came
even as the Republican
Party lost its majority in
the House during the
November midterm,
and as Trump's demand
for a wall at the US‑
Mexico border led to a
partial shutdown of the
federal government and
sagg ing president ial
approval ratings. Nearly
75 per cent of the money
raised came from donors giv‑
fi l i n g s
finalized ̶ HHS has pressed the
White House to ensure the HIV
strateg y is hig hlig hted on
Tuesday night, said two individu‑
als. The agency is also planning
a broader rollout this week.
More than 1 million Americans
have HIV, according to the CDC,
and about 40,000 are newly
infected every year.
February 9-15, 2019
take anything of f the table,”
Trump said.
But Pelosi has recourse against
such a declaration ̶ and if she
exercises it, Senate Republicans
may have to vote on where they
stand on it.
Trump does have the power to
declare such an emergency
under the post‑Waterg ate
National Emergencies Act, which
also requires him to identify
Brooklyn prison had
no heat during arctic
cold last week
New York: Attorneys in New
York City have filed a lawsuit
against the Federal Bureau of
Prisons and the warden of
Brooklyn's Metropolitan
Detention Center, claiming the
jail kept inmates in "inhumane"
and unconstitutional condi‑
tions during a dangerously
cold week.
The federal lawsuit, filed on
Monday morning in the
Eastern District of New York by
the Federal Defenders of New
York on behalf of its clients
held in the facility, called the
condit ions in the prison a
"humanitarian crisis."
Metropolitan Detent ion
Center, which is located in
Brooklyn's Sunset Park neigh‑
borhood, is a pre‑trial deten‑
tion facility that houses more
than 1,600 inmates.
While there are suspected
drug traffickers and alleged
terrorists among the inmate
population there, according to
The New York Times, the vast
majority are accused of low‑
level crime.
On Jan. 27, a fire broke out in
a gear sw itch room in
Metropolitan Detention Center,
according to the Federal
11
which other specific statute dele‑
gating emergency powers heʼs
invoking. Trump is expected to
rely on one of several statutes
that authorize military officials,
in a presidentially declared emer‑
gency, to redirect funds for pur‑
poses that are either “essential to
the national defense” or support
“use of the armed forces.”
The Post reports that acting
White House chief of staff Mick
Mulvaney has private ly told
Trump that a national emergency
is “viable,” and officials at the
Army Corps of Engineers are
searching for ways to build the
wall. This would be challenged in
the courts, which would have to
decide whether the statute
Trump invoked actually does
authorize this type of spending.
But Pelosi has a much more
immediate way to challenge
Trumpʼs declaration. Under the
National Emergencies Act, or
NEA, both chambers of Congress
can pass a resolution terminating
any president ially declared
national emergency.
Bureau of Prisons. Public
defenders said they had trou‑
ble contacting inmates during
the 35‑day government shut‑
down, and thought funding
and staffing shortages could be
the cause.
Over the weekend, one public
defender said it still wasn't
clear if those issues played a
role in the electrical failure.A
statement from the Federal
Bureau of Prisons on Sunday
said that while the jail's west
building, which houses men,
had "limited power in some
areas," the east building, which
houses women, was unaf fect‑
ed. The statement also said the
heating to the building was
unaf fected by the outage and
that inmates still had access to
hot water.
The suit called the bureau's
characterization of the jail's
conditions "misleading" to the
public and to the courts.
Bureau officials did not
respond to inquiries made by
the Federal De fenders and
when they did respond, offered
explanations that were incon‑
sistent with the conditions that
inmates had described to attor‑
neys, the suit claims.
 12 February 9-15, 2019
Kolkata: West Beng al Chie f
Minister Mamata Banerjee on
Tuesday ended her sit‑in to
protest against the CBI's attempt
to quest ion Kolkata Police
Commissioner Rajeev Kumar in
connection with its probe into the
ponzi scheme scam after the "pos‑
itive" apex court verdict.
She also announced a meeting
of opposit ion leaders in the
national capital next week.
Banerjee had begun her "Save
Constitution" dharna on Sunday
evening after a team of Central
Bureau of Investigation (CBI) offi‑
cials showed up near the Loudon
Street residence of the Kolkata
Police chief and were taken away
by state police personnel.
Terming her dharna a victory
for the "people, country and
democracy", she said she was
ending it as requested by senior
opposition party leaders after the
Supreme Court verdict.
"I have decided (to end the
dharna) because of the requests
from all the political parties. I
have no problem. I have previous‑
ly done 26 day‑hunger strike
here. I have also done 14 days
dharna in Singur also. But we
have got the justice from at least
one democratic institution.
"This dharna was not a political
agitation. It was an agitation to
UK clears Mallya's extradition, Priyanka Gandhi gets room
India welcomes move
London/New Delhi: In a shot in
the arm for the Narendra Modi
government, the British govern‑
ment on Monday approved the
extradition of fugitive liquor
baron Vijay Mallya to India
where he is wanted in the Rs
9,000‑crore Kingfisher Airlines
loan default case.
UK Home Secretary Sajid Javid
on Monday signed the order to
extradite Mallya which has
already been allowed by a lower
court.
Mallya has 14 days' time to
appeal against his extradition in
a higher court ‑‑ the Special
Immig rat ion Appeals
Commission.
A note issued by Press Officer
Bethany Ditzel, citing a UK Home
Office spokesperson, said: "On 3
February, the Secretary of State,
having carefully considered all
re levant matters, signed the
order for Vijay Mallya's extradi‑
tion to India.
"Vijay Mallya is accused in
India of conspiracy to defraud,
making false representations and
money laundering of fences. He
has 14 days from today to apply
for leave to appeal."
India has welcomed the deci‑
sion by the British government to
extradite Mallya.
"While we welcome the UK
Mamata ends sit‑in, announces
opposition program in Delhi
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during a sit‑in
(dharna) in Kolkata. (Photo: IANS)
save India and India's democracy.
Let us end it today because the
Supreme Court gave a very posi‑
tive verdict. It was verdict of the
people, by the people, for the peo‑
ple," Banerjee announced from
the dais with her Andhra Pradesh
counterpart Chandrababu Naidu
by her side.
Hearing the case on Tuesday,
at AICC next to Rahul
Fugitive liquor baron
Vijay Mallya.
government's decision in the
matter, we await an early com‑
pletion of the legal process for
his extradition," said a source in
the Indian government, adding
they have taken note of the deci‑
sion of the Brit ish Home
Secretary.
Welcoming the development,
the CBI of ficials in New Delhi
hoped to bring Mallya back to
India soon and said that the
agency was always strong on
facts and legally, it was confident
while pursuing the extradition
process.
INDIA
the Supreme Court had ruled that
Rajeev Kumar could be ques‑
tioned by the probe agency but it
could not arrest him or use any
coercive action against him.
Banerjee said the of ficer con‑
cerned has already initiated pro‑
ceedings to meet the central
agency at a mutually agreed place
as per the judgment.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley
took a dig at the opposition over
the British government approv‑
ing the extradition of Mallya, say‑
ing that they were rally ing
around the Saradha scamsters
but the Modi government has
cleared one more step for bring‑
ing back the fug it ive liquor
baron.
"Modi government clears one
more step to get Mallya extradit‑
ed while opposit ion rallies
around the Saradha scamsters,"
Jaitley, who is in the US for med‑
ical treatment, said in a tweet.
Jaitley was referring to opposi‑
tion parties supporting West
Bengal Chief Minister Mamata
Banerjee in her sit‑in against the
Centre over the CBI investigation
into the Saradha scam case in the
state, which involves the Kolkata
Police Commissioner, among oth‑
ers.
The decision of the British gov‑
ernment gave the BJP bragging
rights in the poll season with its
leaders expected to tom‑tom as a
success during their speeches for
the coming Lok Sabha elections.
They are also expected to target
the Congress which has often
accuse the BJP leadership of not
being successful in bringing back
economic fugitives including
Mallya.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
ʻShameful that Mamata
protecting corrupt
officer from CBIʼ
Purulia, West Bengal: Uttar
Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi
Adityanath on Tuesday termed
as "shameful" his West Bengal
counterpart Mamata Banerjee's
attempt to protect Kolkata Police
Commissioner Rajeev Kumar
from the ongoing CBI probe into
the Saradha ponzi scam and
hailed the Supreme Court ver‑
dict directing him to appear
before the central agency.
Hitting out at Banerjee, he said
"nothing can be more shameful
in a democracy than a state chief
minister giving shelter to the
"corrupt".
She said she would attend an
opposition party meeting to be
held in Delhi next week, adding
New Delhi: Marking the
end of an era with UPA
Chairperson Sonia
Gandhi, Priyanka
Gandhi Vadra, the
newest fifth generation
member of the Gandhi‑
Nehru family to plunge
into active politics, will
function from a room at
the AICC headquarters
next to the office of her
brother and party chief
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.
Rahul Gandhi as she pre‑
pares to formally take
charge as General Secretary in
charge of Uttar Pradesh East.
The room, made spic and
span, was allotted to her on
Tuesday, a day after she
returned from the US. It will
serve as her base to bring about
a change in the fortunes of the
party in the coming Lok Sabha
polls.
With Priyanka Gandhi and
Rahul Gandhi now both part of
the AICC set‑up and its two most the party.
prominent office‑bearers, it
marks a new beginning in the
history of 133‑year‑old party.
It also marks end of an era
with UPA Chairperson Sonia
Gandhi, who helmed the
Congress from 1998 as party
chief and steered it to form gov‑ often Priyanka Gandhi will visit
ernments with allies in 2004
"You have seen that how the
state chief minister is busy to
protect a state officer involved
in Saradha chit fund scam. I
want to thank the Supreme
Court that has directed the cor‑
rupt officer to appear before the
CBI," Adityanath said while
addressing a huge rally in
Bengal's Purulia.
"A chief minister herself tries
to protect a corrupt officer ‑‑
nothing can be more shameful
than this in a democracy. He
must meet the CBI and reveal
who all are involved in the
Saradha scam," he added.
that it could be held on February
13‑14 but the decision was yet to
be taken.
and 2009, no longer part of the
AICC set‑up. Sonia Gandhi had
taken over from Sitaram Kesri,
who was ousted when party was
going through a rough patch.
Rahul Gandhi had taken over
as party chief from his mother
in December 2017 and with
Priyanka Gandhi now joining
the party ranks as an office‑
bearer, it marks a significant
transition towards heralding the
next generation leadership in
The room allotted to Priyanka
Gandhi is the same which Rahul
Gandhi used as his office till his
elevation as the party chief. A
name plate with her designation
has been put outside the room.
It remains to be seen how
her office.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info INDIA February 9-15, 2019 13

Deepak Talwar's information may open Pandora's box

New Delhi: Even as the Delhi High
Court sought a response from the
Enforcement Directorate (ED) on a
plea challenging the detention of
high profile 'corporate lobbyist'
Deepak Talwar, information gath‑
ered during his questioning in cus‑
to dy is expected to open a
Pandora's box, exposing close links
between bureaucrats, politicians,
big business, media and middle‑
men that has the prospect of trig‑
gering seismic jolts in Lutyen's
Delhi.
Soon after his arrest ‑‑ his lawyer
Mukul Rohatgi told the court earli‑
er, "Government of India abducted
my client" ‑‑ the ED said that
Talwar, who had been brought in
from Dubai along with Rajeev
Saxena, was required to be ques‑
tioned in connection with the
AgustaWestland VVIP chopper
case and the manner in which
national carrier Air India gave up
profit‑making routes to benefit
domestic and foreign private air‑
and help its cause.
Talwar's arrest is like ly to
unnerve of ficials and politicians
who have been on either side of
the political divide because of the
uncertainty over what he might
reveal. A well‑networked man, he
started his lobbying career with
Coca‑Cola and was said to have
been close to Ranjan Bhattacharya,
the controversial foster son‑in‑law
of former Prime Minister Atal
Bihari Vajpayee.
His stars grew bright following
his asso ciat ion w ith the then
High‑profile 'corporate lobbyist' Deepak Talwar. Minister for Civil Aviation. In fact,
during those days he was known
lines. Talwar's return to India after favoured foreign airlines, including as the pointman of this Minister.
over 20 months in Dubai, has Qatar Airways, Emirates and Air The journalists and bureaucrats
turned the needle of suspicion Arabia. T he key person in the on his payroll helped him to stay
towards a number of bureaucrats, negotiations is said to be the then ahead of developments. In fact, for
politicians and journalists, mainly Minister for Civil Aviation. a long time after the lid blew of f
those connected with civil aviation. There are reports that Talwar on his operations, there was little
These include Ministry of Civil was handed a hefty sum every noise over his escape and that he
Aviation of ficials, of ficials of the month by a key airline operator to was in hiding in Dubai ‑‑ which is
National Aviation Company of identify of ficials and media per‑ being attributed to the pay‑offs to
India Ltd and Air India, who sons who could be compromised people in positions of influence.
The deals over an increase in
seats to the private domestic and
foreign airlines were struck during
meetings in Dubai, Sharjah, and
Qatar. The discussions with Indian
and UAE of ficials were held for
Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and Ras‑
al‑Khaima after which there was
an increase in the number of seats
for the contracting countries.
Talwar is described by the
agency as a middleman in the
negotiations that helped private
airlines get lucrative routes that
Air India operated on. The result
was massive losses to the national
carrier.
The pay‑offs and inducements to
those who colluded in the scam
that killed Air India is believed to
have continued till the latter half
of 2017.
Talwar's interrogation could well
reveal the names of those who
took down the national carrier
while their pockets were being
lined.

HAZARE BREAKS New CBI director for focus

7‑DAY‑OLD FAST
Ahmednagar (Maharashtra):
Social activist Anna Hazare
ended his 7‑day‑ long hunger
strike on Tuesday evening
after a nearly six‑hour
marathon meet ing w ith
Maharashtra Chief Minister
Devendra Fadnavis
Union Agriculture Minister
Radhe Mohan Singh also par‑
ticipated in the discussions at
Hazare's Raleg aon‑Sidd hi
village.
After the meeting, Fadnavis
requested Hazare to break his
fast, which the activist did by
accepting a glass of sherbet
from the chie f minister
amidst loud cheers by his
supporters and villagers.
Earlier, Fadnavis and Singh
discussed threadbare the 3‑
point demands raised by Hazare who
launched the indefinite hunger strike on
January 30.
The demands were: implementation of
Lokpal at the national level, setting up
Lokayuktas in all states and conceding the
farmers demands throug h the M.S.
Swaminathan Commission Report.
The government moved at top speed to
appease the 81‑year old Hazare after he
lashed out at the ruling Bharatiya Janata
Party (BJP) on Monday, accusing it of
"using" him to come to power in 2014.
In wake of the statement, Fadnavis
rushed to Hazare's village from Mumbai
on Tuesday afternoon to hold final talks
with him and later announced that his
demands have been met.
"The process of appointing Lokpal will
Social activist Anna Hazare.
be initiated soon by the centre. T he
Lokpal search committee will meet on
February 13 as per the directives of the
Supreme Court in the matter," Fadnavis
said.
For the Lokayukta in Maharashtra, as
demanded by Hazare, a joint drafting com‑
mittee has been set up to prepare a new
bill on the issue which would be intro‑
duced in the upcoming Budget session of
the state legislature starting later this
month, he said, adding it would have rep‑
resentatives of the government as well as
those nominated by Hazare.
The farmers' demands pertaining to the
Swaminathan Commission Report imple‑
mentation has also been taken up to
Hazare's satisfaction and further process
will be taken up, he said.
on professional skills
New Delhi: Taking over
charge of the Central
Bureau of Investigation
(CBI), which is passing
through troublesome times,
Rishi Kumar Shukla
stressed the need to "focus
on professional skills".
"The agency has a glori‑
ous tradition and has great
esteem in the eyes of the
public, with a lot of expec‑
tat ions from them.
Therefore, we have to focus
on professional skills,"
Shukla said after taking
over as the CBI director.
Rishi Kumar Shukla take charge as new director of
Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in New Delhi.
As a full‑fledged director,
(Photo: IANS)
Shukla, who was taken out
of semi‑retirement job as chairman of the worked in the Intelligence Bureau (IB)
Madhya Pradesh Housing Corporation in under then Director Ajit Doval ‑‑ now
Bhopal after serving as the state police National Security Advisor ‑‑ but has no
chief for three years, said the CBI has to experience in anti‑corruption cases and
fulfil the expectations of public. prior experience of having served in the
Having undergone a bypass surgery a organisation, a mandatory criteria for a
few months ago, Shukla was removed as CBI director as per Supreme Court judg‑
the MP police chief by the new Congress ments.
government led by Kamal Nath. He was Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress leader in
elevated to the CBI top post on Saturday the Lok Sabha, who is a member of the
by the Prime Minister‑led se lection selection panel along with the Prime
Committee, beating five other candidates. Minister and the Chief Justice of India,
The CBI top post was vacant since Alok had raised this (inexperience) point while
Verma was divested of powers and sent opposing his selection.
on leave on October 23, 2018 following a During his 35‑year‑tenure in the IPS,
bitter clash with his deputy Rakesh Shukla has not been involved in any high
Asthana. Verma was reinstated by the profile cases but will now be heading the
Supreme Court only to be removed again investigation into $2 billion fraud at
by the PM‑led selection panel on January Punjab National Bank involving fugitive
10. There was an arrangement for an diamond billionaire Nirav Modi, loan
interim director both times. defaults by liquor baron Vijay Mallya, and
The senior‑most among the 1983 batch police firing on anti‑Vedanta protesters in
of Indian Police Service of ficers, he Tamil Nadu.
14 February 9-15, 2019 OP-ED TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Good politics & economics rolled into one budget

By Amit Kapoor structural changes in the sector that ensure
that farmers do not remain dependent on

A
s was expected, the interim Budget
presented by Piyush Goyal was not
a traditional vote‑on‑account by any
means. Contrary to the election‑year con‑
vention, a full Budget was introduced by
the government to pacify the voters. And it
was undoubtedly a successful ef fort.
Howsoever, the scales stood between the
BJP and the opposition before Piyush Goyal
began his Budget speech, they were tilted in
favor of the former by the time he ended.
The Budget has managed to appease a
majority of the country through its populist
leanings.
The two highlights of the Budget were
the farm income support scheme doled out
by the government and the announcement
of the tax rebate for income earners below
Rs 5 lakh. The former was targeted at the
farmers across the country who had been
reeling under an agricultural crisis.
The disappointing performance of the
BJP in the rural areas in the recent state
assembly elections had made it evident that
the problem of farm distress was in urgent
need of redressal.
The Budget attempts to address this
problem with an income transfer scheme
for small farmers, Kisan Samman Nidhi.
The scheme intends to transfer Rs 6,000 a
year to farmers that have less than 2
Union Finance Minister Piyush Goyal arrives to present the
Interim Budget 2019 in New Delhi. (Photo: IANS)
hectares of land. To put things in perspec‑
tive, about 70 per cent of agricultural
households own less than one hectare of
land. Over 120 million small farmers are
likely to benefit from the scheme and it
would cost the exchequer over Rs 750 bil‑
lion per year. There are, however, certain
challenges that need to be highlighted.
First, nearly 250 million out of a total of
850 million Indians that reside in rural
areas are landless agricultural workers. The
scheme leaves them out of its ambit when,
in fact, they are the most vulnerable sec‑
tions of the rural society. A second chal‑
lenge lies in the process of identification
and delivery. It will be an arduous pan‑
India ef fort to identify households that
have land holdings less than two hectares
and ensure that they are connected to the
direct benefit transfer (DBT) network.
Finally, and most importantly, even
though the scheme is a positive step to
allay the agricultural crisis, it is not a long‑
term solution. The key would be to infuse
welfare for sustenance. The productivity of
Indian farmers needs to be enhanced as I've
often argued through this column by
strengthening the country's food process‑
ing industry, for instance. Only if Indian
farmers become competitive on the world
stage can the perpetually ailing sector be
extricated from itself. Meanwhile, the sec‑
ond aspect of the Budget that generated
waves was the announcement that taxpay‑
ers with annual income up to Rs 5 lakh will
get a full rebate. The tax slabs were, howev‑
er, left untouched. Nevertheless, over 30
million individuals will gain from the move.
As a result, the purchasing power of these
individuals will witness an unambiguous
push upwards. Combined with the income
transfer given to farmers, the demand con‑
dit ions of the country w ill certainly
improve in the process driving its competi‑
tiveness forward. With a focus on the rural
economy and middle‑class Indians, the
Budget has managed to be the perfect elec‑
tion‑year Budget and has also aimed at
driving consumption in the economy.
However, two challenges remain. First, the
government's capital expenditure has stag‑
nated and needs to be consistently
increased to ensure long‑term growth.
Second, the fiscal health of the economy
needs to be maintained.

Should India be worried about Brexit?

By Naresh Kaushik more people are thrown out of jobs, as is
widely predicted, such groups are likely to

T
he clock is ticking. Britain is set to
leave the European Union on March
29, less than two months from now.
It will crash out without a deal if the two
sides fail to reach a fresh agreement fol‑
lowing a new vote in the British parlia‑
ment earlier this week. A no deal Brexit,
which is now more likely than ever, will
have catastrophic consequences for the
British economy as many business leaders
have warned. It will also hurt the European
Union particularly its largest economy,
Germany, which has a significant market
for its products in Britain.
India is closely watching what is increas‑
ingly becoming a messy divorce between
the UK and the EU. Many Indian compa‑
nies which have invested heavily in Britain
over the past few years are worried. The
UK has been seen by Indian firms as a
gateway to the European Union. A com‑
mon market has so far ensured these com‑
panies barrier‑free access to the EU coun‑
tries.
There are more than 800 Indian compa‑
nies in the UK which employ over 110,000
people. More than half of them work in
just five companies from the Tata group,
one of the largest foreign investors in
Britain. A no‑deal Brexit will directly hit
these companies forcing thousands out of
jobs.
In the past few years, many Indian com‑
panies have flourished in Britain like Rolta,
India needs to prepare for a probable no‑deal Brexit.
Bharti Airtel and Aegis Outsourcing. These
firms operating in the UK have up to 13
per cent exposure to revenues earned in
the British currency, although from EU the
number is as high as 30 per cent. The
pharma sector is another area where
Indian businesses have a lot of exposure to
the UK. Brexit is obviously bad news for
them. Their revenues will be hit because of
the likely weakening of the pound sterling.
Many Indians are also worried of the
socio‑political consequences of Brexit. A
sizable number of Indians and other South
Asians voted in favour of Brexit because
politicians from the Leave side promised
them easy migration of talent from the for‑
mer Commonwealth countries. For exam‑
ple, Indian restaurant owners were prom‑
ised they would be able to bring in more
chefs after the UK's withdrawal from the
EU.
But, in fact, die‑hard supporters of Brexit
are right‑wing groups who hate any immi‑
gration. If the British economy suffers and
turn their anger towards non‑white people.
But not all Indians are worried. Many
will see Brexit as an opportunity for India
to be able to negotiate a favourable trade
deal with Britain. India is seen as a priority
for such a deal by British politicians.
India will also see an opportunity in
finalising a trade deal with the European
Union. India‑EU Free Trade Agreement
(FTA) talks were suspended in 2013 after
the two sides failed to reach a deal even
after six years of talks. Since then the two
sides have had summit‑level discussions
but no real progress has been made. Brexit
will give the EU an impetus to reopen the
FTA talks.
It would of course, be more in India's
interest if there is an orderly exit of Britain
from the EU, an exit with an agreement to
explore a trade agreement. That would
help Indian companies to continue to ben‑
e fit from a common market. Prime
Minister Narendra Modi has publicly spo‑
ken in favour of Britain staying with the
European Union. That is now unlikely
despite growing calls for a second referen‑
dum.
This is because of powerful Brexiteers in
the ruling Conservative Party. The EU lead‑
ers have already made it clear they are not
prepared to reopen negotiations on a deal
they have already agreed to. So India
needs to prepare for a probable no‑deal
Brexit.

The views expressed in Op Eds are not necessarily those of The South Asian Times.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info CULTURE February 9-15, 2019 15

FIA celebrates R-Day with

‘Dance Pe Chance’ competition
FIA’s 2019 executive committee with Alok Kumar as President took oath of office,
and Jayesh Patel and Ankur Vaidya were inducted into the FIA Board.
Rahway, NJ: The Federation of Indian
Associations (FIA‑NY/NJ/CT), one of the oldest
and the largest nonprofit umbrella organiza‑
tion of the Indian diaspora, celebrated Indiaʼs
70th Republic Day with grandeur at its annual
“Dance Pe Chance” program. The competition
showcasing the talent of the second genera‑
tion of the diaspora while promoting Indiaʼs
culture and heritage was held Feb 2 at the
Union County Arts Center, in Rahway, NJ.
Students from various dance schools of four
different states participated in festive spirit to
prove their mettle in four categories: Minor,
Junior, Senior and Adult. Nine dance schools
performed in front of a sold‑out auditorium:
Aum Dance Creations, Arya Dance Academy,
Aatma Performing Arts, B2Z Dance School, With 515 participants and 21 performances this time, FIA has touched the lives of over 18,000 children via this cultural performance over
three decades.
Dancing Shiva, Natraj Dance Studio, Nirmiti
School of Dance, Simply Dance, Pranavam CGI‑NY and FIA working in sync is pivotal to The event was sponsored by Pyar.com, BCB Worldwide Media, Hotstar, The Indian
School of Dance. progress of the Indian diaspora in Northeast Indus American Bank, Movers.com, RWJ Panorama, EBC Radio and Printzazu.
During his welcome address, newly installed USA. Two new members were also added by Barnabas Health, The South Asian Times, Air FIA added variety and diversity to the show
FIA President Alok Kumar applauded the chil‑ FIA to the Board of Trustees: Jayesh Patel, Past India, Cox & Kings, SBI New York, New York by including a 'grownups or adults' category.
dren, parents and choreographers. He dedicat‑ President, and Ankur Vaidya, two‑term Past Life, Bombino Express, Akbar Restaurant, There was also a Tae Kwan Do performance
ed the 35th year of this cultural performance President both long‑time FIA veterans. Vaidya Universal Relocations, TV Asia, Parikh directed by Master J D Kim.
to children in which over 18,000 boys and addressed the gathering on behalf of
girls have participated over the decades. Chairman Ramesh Patel and recognized the
At the event, FIAʼs incoming executive com‑ support of the distinguished FIA Board that
mittee for 2019 – Alok Kumar ‑ President; includes H.R. Shah and Dr. Sudhir Parikh
Himanshu Bhatia ‑ Executive Vice President; (both Padma Shris), Albert Jasani, Ram
Saurin Parikh ‑ Vice President; Amit Yadav ‑ Gadhavi, Dipak Patel, Chandrakant Trivedi,
General Secretary; Amit Ringasia ‑ Treasurer; Pravin Pandhi and Yash Paul Soi.
Srujal Parikh ‑ Immediate Past President and A celebrity guest at the event was Emmy
Mardavi Patel, Joint Secretary ‑‑ were adminis‑ Award‑winning travel show host and PBS
tered the oath of office by Deputy Consul Travel celebrity Darley Newman. She
General, New York, Shatrughna Sinha. Mr applauded the dance performances as well as
Sinha lauded the role FIA has played in the costumes and props used.
community for almost five decades and how Judges for the dance competition included
Palvesha Latiwala, decorated dancer and the
CEO of Bombino Express, Gomathi Manoj,
Artistic Director of Soundarya Natya Kalalaya,
and Nirali Vakharia, founder of Natraj
Nrityalaya School of Dance.
The 'Best of the Best' Judges Choice was
AUM Dance Creations (Junior Category).

Ankur Vaidya (left) and Jayesh Patel

taking the oath as FIA Trustees
from DCG Shatrughna Sinha.

Children who attend free, full-day,

high-quality pre-K learn through play,
build skills, and work together.
nyc.gov/prek
Call 311 | Text “prek” to 877-877*

New York City families with children born in 2015 can apply
for the 2019-20 school year.
*Receive automated recurring messages from NYC DOE. No purchase necessary. MSG and data rates may apply.
FIA 2019 Executive Committee: (from left) Treasurer Amit Ringasia, Vice President
Saurin Parikh, DCG‑NY Shatrughna Sinha (who administered the oath of office),
President Alok Kumar, Exec. VP Himanshu Bhatia, Gen. Secretary Amit Yadav
and Jt. Secretary Mardavi Patel. (Photos : Paresh Gandhi)
 16 February 9-15, 2019 LAKME FASHION WEEK TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Indian fashion getting into its

own via weddings: Anita Dongre

Designer Rohit Balʼs showstoppers were about eight women from Kashmir.

Nothing can take away

Designer Anita Dongre with her creations. beauty of Kashmir: Rohit
T
Actress Yami Gautam showcasing Dongre's
creation at the gala. he silver lining in the dark cloud of paradise it is.
insurgency, conflict and militariza‑ "It's a simple explanation. I come from

W
hat with the lavish and luxurious
weddings of the likes of Isha
Ambani and Priyanka Chopra that
have caught global attention in the recent
past, Indian fashion itself is getting into its
own, says veteran designer Anita Dongre.
"There is definitely an interest today in the
Indian fashion scene because I think our
Indian weddings are making global news
now. So, it (conversation) starts with, 'Oh my
God, what are the weddings you guys do?' I
think Indian fashion is getting its own
through Indian weddings," added the design‑
er on the sidelines of the Lakme Fashion
Week Summer/Resort 2019.
At the fashion gala in Mumbai, Dongre had
two key agendas – the first was to showcase
a special capsule collection developed by her
brand Anita Dongre Grassroot in collabora‑
tion with artisans from northeast India.
Her second agenda was to showcase her
line 'A Summer Reverie', made with a
biodegradable fabric called Tencel, sourced
from Austria.
"At the House of Anita Dongre, such collab‑
orations are very important for us today
because we are on a sustainable mission. So,
it's important to partner with companies and
manufacturers who are producing fibre sus‑
tainably.
tion in Kashmir lies in its beauty,
says veteran designer Rohit Bal who paid a
fitting tribute to his birthplace with a fash‑
ion show, where he let a group of Kashmiri
women take the spotlight.
Born in Kashmir himself, Bal has, over
the years, ensured he remains connected
to his roots and spread its beauty around
the world with his internationally popular
creations.
It's a paradox ‑‑ that while a lot of film‑
makers capture the violence in the state
nowadays, Bal's creative interpretation of
Kashmir has always revolved around the
elements that make Kashmir the nature's
Kashmir. I am a Kashmiri, I know what's
happening in the state. I grew up in a free
Kashmir and unfortunately now it's a war‑
zone.
For the show, the ramp was strewn with
dry Chinar leaves, and shikaras laden with
colorful flowers added a touch of Kashmir.
A playlist of Kashmiri songs, which were
followed by lilting Bollywood melodies,
gave the dreamy show a perfect backdrop.
But the showstoppers ‑‑ about eight
women from Kashmir who were trained by
the Usha Silai team and then worked on
Bal's collection in the freezing winter ‑‑
won the audience's heart.

Actress
Kangana
Ranaut, who
walked the
ramp for
fashion
designer
Anushree
Reddy, said
she hasn't felt
ʻsexyʼ for a
while doing a
film like
ʻManikarnika:
The Queen of
Ace shuttler Saina Nehwal, celebrity Malaika Arora actress Chitrangada Singh Jhansi'.
set the ramp on fire at the Lakme Fashion Week in Mumbai.

T
here is never a dull moment
when Anil Kapoor and
Ranveer Singh get together.
Veteran designer Raghavendra
Rathore's show at Lakme Fashion
Week Summer/Resort 2019 was
no different. Rathore had Anil and
his actress niece Janhvi Kapoor as
showstoppers.
Janhvi took an uber confident
walk wearing an ensemble repre‑
senting the designer's take on a
bandhgala for a contemporary
woman.
But the drama began when Anil,
62, came in. Midway through the
ramp walk, histrionics by Ranveer,
who was silently seated in the
audience, drew the senior actor's
attention and he was overwhelmed
to be surprised.
The two shared a hug before Anil
went on to complete his walk. But
while returning, he did a little jig
with Ranveer who played along
from the audience.
It was when Anil and Janhvi took
a final bow as showstoppers and
were returning when Anil pulled in
Ranveer on the ramp, and the two,
known for their camaraderie, made
it an unforgettable experience for
the audience by grooving away.
After the show, Anil, who looked
dapper in a black bandhgala by
Rathore, said the experience was
"fantastic".
Janhvi said of the designer: "I
Actor and
have always been a great admirer
showstopper
of his work, craftsmanship and Anil Kapoor
outfits. And after meeting him along with
today, I know he is so sweet, so Fashion
humble and so shy." designer
For Rathore, Anil and Janhvi Raghavendra
were perfect showstoppers, repre‑ Rathore.
senting different age groups and
genders, but promoting the univer‑
sality of a bandhgala.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Has the Khan triumvirate lost 'Manikarnika...' team
its hold on the boxoffice? knows the truth: Krish
Actors Aamir, Salman and Shah Rukh need
to do some serious career thinking.
By Subhash K Jha
I
f you were one of the three Khan super‑
stars in Bollywood, then 2018 was defi‑
nitely not your year. While Shah Rukh
Khan has delivered what looks like a box
office debacle in "Zero", quite recently his
Khan fellow‑superstar Aamir Khan too
came up with one of the biggest duds of his
career, "The Thugs Of Hindostan".
Earlier during the year, Salman Khan's
"Race 3" underperformed abysmally at the
box office.
Is the Khan triumvirate losing its touch?
Says trade analyst Amod Mehra: "The
writing is very clear on the wall. It is time
all three Khan superstars switched to more
mature roles. Or else they would no longer
be superstars." However, film and trade
analyst Girish Johar doesn't see the set‑
backs of 2018 as detrimental to the Khans'
SONALI BENDRE BACK ON
SETS, SAYS IT'S SURREAL
BOLLYWOOD
careers. "The three Khans are SUPERSTARS,
a film here or there doesn't matter. Their
fan following does not decrease nor does
their stardom get affected. Yes, all three
failing together in one year does raise eye‑
brows but I am sure they are bound to
bounce back with their next outings.”
What next for the Khans?
While Salman Khan has the eagerly‑
awaited Eid release "Bharat" which spans
the lifestory of one man from India's inde‑
pendence in 1947 to present day, Aamir
Khan is taking a sabbatical from the big
screen to do a web series based on the
Mahabharat. Shah Rukh Khan is not com‑
mitted to any new project.
All three Khan superstars need to sit and
do some serious career thinking and
revamping. Their fan‑following remains
intact. Only their selection of roles needs to
change.
A
ctress Sonali Bendre Behl,
who spent months in New
York battling cancer,
returned to face the cameras. She
says it's a surreal feeling.
Sonali shot a brand campaign,
details of which are currently
under wraps. Filmmaker Shoojit
Sircar has directed the ad.
She shared a photograph on
Instagram, and is seen in a casual
white dress, a sleeveless denim
jacket and a pair of funky sneak‑
ers.
Along with the photograph,
Sonali wrote: "Being back on a set
after a major sabbatical ‑ one that
has been testing in many ways on
so many levels ‑ is a surreal feel‑
ing.
"After all this, I sort of feel an
additional sense of purpose and
meaning and I'm so grateful to be
back in action."
Actress Sonali Bendre shot for a
brand campaign.
February 9-15, 2019 17
T
he battle between director Krish
and actress Kangana Ranaut on
who has directed more of the film
"Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi" con‑
tinues. While the actress/aspiring direc‑
tor is holidaying in Germany, her sister
Rangoli has taken off on Krish accusing
him of trying to take mileage from the
film after itʻs a hit.
"I could also say the same thing about
Rangoli," shot back Krish.
"Isn't she trying to make mileage of the
film? I don't need this kind of publicity.
Nor do I need an endorsement of my
abilities from either Kangana or her sis‑
ter. 'Manikarnika...' is my ninth film. I've
made lavish costume dramas in the past.
Director Krish said he is done with claims
I will make them again.
on how much of the film he has shot.
"But I am curious to know who will
work with Kangana after the kind of rep‑ continues making these claims I'll have
utation she has acquired for undermin‑ to send her copies of my earlier films. I
ing the director and taking over a proj‑ am not a novice to filmmaking."
ect." Krish said he is done with claims on The "N.T.R: Kathanayakudu" director
compared his experience of working
how much of the film he has shot.
with Kangana and actress Vidya Balan.
"Kangana's sister decided Kangana has
"Both are very talented Bollywood
shot 70 per cent of 'Manikarnika...'. Just
actresses. But while one brings positivity
how she came to that percentage I don't
and sunshine on the sets, the other
know. She simply picked ʻ70' and took
off from there. The entire team knows brings gloom and anxiety on the sets
whenever she appears."
how much of the film I've shot. If she
'Ek Ladki Ko Dekha...': A
new-age love story well told
D
ebutant director Shelly Chopra different and may seem outrageous to
Dhar's "Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa some, there is something cute and endear‑
Laga" is an interesting romance tale ing about the narrative (screenplay) that
with a social message, where love blossoms keeps you hooked and ultimately, love the
at a wedding and culminates on the stage of film. Rajkummar Rao steals the show with
a theatrical performance. The story pivots his passionate rendering of Sahil. Equally
around Sweety (Sonam K. Ahuja) the daugh‑ impressive is Abhishek Duhan as Balbir.
ter of prominent businessman and garment Anil Kapoor with his indigenous style, is
manufacturer Balbir Chaudhry (Anil charming and a delight to watch. He is
Kapoor). In fact he is described as, "The effortless in bringing out the father‑daugh‑
Mukesh Ambani of Moga, Punjab". ter relationship to the fore and at the same
Sweety travels to Delhi with the intention time, brings up enough chuckles when he
of making enquiries about further studies in shows his interest in Chattro.
London. Here, by happenstance, she bumps Juhi Chawla as Chattro appears contrived.
into Sahil Mirza (Rajkummar Rao) a writer‑ She delivers a stereotypical performance,
director, during his play rehearsals, where emulating Upasna Singh the original diva of
she criticizes his work. Punjabi films and she comes out as fake.
And while Sweety is giving her 'gyan' to Sonam K. Ahuja though sincere, appears
Sahil, her angry brother Balbir (Abhishek pretentious. She hams in most of her scenes
Duhan) barges into the theatre and Sweety and more so especially in the one before the
flees from there with Sahil in tow. interval. She is not a bad actress, but her
The film has all the trappings of a performance definitely shows that she has
Bollywood entertainer and the romance is not put her heart and soul into the charac‑
sensitively handled. While the love story is ter she plays.
REVIEW
Actress Sonam
K Ahuja hams
in most of her
scenes, while
father Anil
Kapoor is a
delight to
watch.
 18 February 9-15, 2019
Sharman Joshi on his Hollywood
debut with ʻThe Least of Theseʼ
By Neeru Saluja
in Sydney
A
ctor Sharman Joshi has
made his Hollywoo d
debut with his upcoming
film ʻT he Least of T heseʼ
released on February 1.
Directed by Aneesh Daniel, the
film revolves around the
poignant tale of Graham Staines,
an Australian missionary who
along with his two sons were
torched to death by Hindu funda‑
mentalists in 1999 while serving
the leper population in India.
T he film marks the 20th
anniversary of the true life story
and stars Stephen Baldwin, Shari
Rigby and Sharman Joshi in lead
roles.
We got to talk to Sharman after
the red carpet premiere in New
York in an interesting conversa‑
tion about the film. Excerpts
from the interview:
Congratulations on the red car‑
pet for your film ʻThe Least of
Theseʼ in New York recently.
How were you approached for
your role of an investigative jour‑
nalist?
I was approached by the direc‑
tor of the film Aneesh Daniel and
I met him and the writer in
Hyderabad and we discussed the
project. I was extremely excited
about being part of this film as
the story of Graham Staines is
seen through the eyes of a jour‑
nalist. The story was compelling,
a human drama that really
moved me and I felt honoured to
be part of the film.
Tell us a bit about your role as
it based on a fictional character?
The role I play is of Manav, a
rookie journalist who in order to
support his family is willing to do
any permanent job. At this partic‑
ular publication in the state of
Orissa, he actually manages to
create a job for himself by saying
that there are these missionaries
who are into conversion and
nobody has reported about them.
The editor finds the stake very
interesting and gives him a full
time job.
The movie was announced in
2015 and is releasing in 2019.
Whatʼs the reason behind the
delay?
It doesnʼt matter which year
the film is releasing as the direc‑
tor and producer have given
their 100 per cent to this film
and made sure that no compro‑
mises are made on the final prod‑
uct. For this, they have gone to
extreme lengths and this has
INTERVIEW TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Sharman Joshi, Shari Rigby and Stephen Baldwin attend the
red carpet premiere of "The Least of These" on Jan. 23, 2019 in
New York City. (Photo courtesy Skypass Entertainment)
EXCLUSIVE
taken time. Iʼm sure the end As Graham Staines was an
result will speak for itself. Australian missionary, how
would the Australian audience
It seems as if itʼs the age of perceive the film?
making movies on real life sto‑ There is definitely a connect
ries. What are your thoughts on with the Australian audience and
this? they will feel a deeper connec‑
Real life stories are currently tion due to Graham Staines. But
appealing to the audience and saying that, itʼs a human drama
also to the makers. I have always which will appeal to an interna‑
believed in the inward outward tional audience. The film spreads
Actor Sharman Joshi (best known for his role as the buddy of Aamir
process where the writers, direc‑ the message of tolerance, love Khan in “3 Idiots”) plays a journalist in ʻThe Least of Theseʼ.
tor and actors have to be moved and peace which is the need of
by a particular genre and hope‑ the hour for people across the media, I always refer it as the various parts of the world. I see
fully the audiences react world. Indian film industry. The film is this as the trend coming up in
favourably. And then it becomes made by an Indian director living the next few years where experts
a trend for a while. I have no If this film was made in in Hyderabad, so besides the from various parts of the world
complaints with real life stories. Bollywood, would have been American pro ducer and will come together to make a film
They make great stories as reali‑ there any difference? Australian writer and the actors and Iʼm glad that Iʼm already part
ty is bigger than fiction. Bollywood is a word coined by it is quite a coming together from of this kind of endeavor.
The Staines story
G
raham Staines (1941 – 1999)
was an Australian Christian
missionary who, along with his
two sons aged 10 and 6, was burnt to
death by a gang of Hindu fundamental‑
ists in Odisha, India on in January
1999. In 2003, a Bajrang Dal activist,
Dara Singh, was convicted of leading
the gang that murdered the Staines
family and was sentenced to life in
prison.
Staines had been working in Odisha
among the tribal poor and lepers since
1965. Some Hindu groups alleged that
he had forcibly converted or lured many
Hindus into Christianity; Staines' widow
Gladys denied these allegations. She
continued to live in India caring for lep‑
rosy patients until she returned to
Australia in 2004. In 2005, she was
awarded the fourth highest civilian
honor in India, Padma Shree, in recogni‑
tion for her work with leprosy patients
in Odisha. In 2016, she received the
Mother Teresa Memorial International Bajrang Dal member Dara Singh was sentenced to life for burning
Award for Social Justice.[6] alive Australian missionary Graham Staines and his sons in 1999.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info INDIA FEATURES February 9-15, 2019 19

The mainstreaming of Netaji

By Ananda Majumadar

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose is a

I
t is impossible to delink a politi‑
cal motive from the revival of
Subhas Chandra Bose under the
NDA. The result, however, goes
beyond politics. T he discourse
around him, even though pushed by
the ruling party, has led to the
mainstreaming of Netaji and given
him a far bigger stage than the one
he has generally had as one of the
icons of the freedom movement
from Bengal.
What had started with the declas‑
sification of a part of the Netaji
papers has now reached full
momentum with the opening of the
Netaji Museum in the Kranti
Mandir complex at the Red Fort.
For his followers, this is a sort of
rehabilitation. He is back on center‑
stage in the national discourse, and
that includes on the social media,
the pre‑eminent medium of commu‑
nication in the digital age. Even
Congressmen suggesting that there
were no major differences between
him on the one side and Jawaharlal
Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi on the
other only succeeds in keeping him
on the national stage.
Bose is a good vehicle to use in
the effort to reinstall icons from the
Congress party and outside over‑
shadowed by the Nehru‑Gandhis
and the Mahatma. His views led to
the formation of the Leftist Forward
Bloc but that does not make him an
untouchable for Indiaʼs right wing.
His obvious nationalism, and a mili‑
taristic approach to it, make him a
ready‑favorite. One of his most‑
quoted lines, “Give me blood and I
shall give you freedom,” from his
speech to the Indian National Army
in Burma in 1944 is the kind of
stuff that drives the right wing. His
life story gives a dimension that is
more substantive than merely plac‑
ing him in the space opposite
Gandhi and Nehru and other
Gandhian acolytes. In that sense he
gets a heads‑up when compared to
say, Bhagat Singh, the other Leftist
icon of the freedom movement.
More than politics and ideology,
the key words while referring to
Bose are nationalism and patriot‑
ism. Taking up his cause helps the
ruling party to score high on the
patriotism index. This is one of the
legs on which the BJPʼs push for
new constituencies stands – the
others being a wave of welfare pop‑
ulism signified in the budget, talk‑
ing Bharat ahead of India, and find‑
ing ways to ensure its upper caste
vote which is illustrated in the move
for quota in the general category.
Whether the pursuit of Bose and
his legacy by the BJP will polarize
the vote bank is an open question.
In West Bengal where it is hoping
to win at least 20 seats, and the
Prime Minister has campaigned
aggressively, the party has been
moving in stages. There was an
elaborate, almost ritualistic celebra‑
tion of Swami Vivekananda, and
Modi has made no secret of the fact
that he has been an avid reader of
Vivekanandaʼs teachings. Once
again, social media has highlighted
this. That apart, there has been an
attempt to introduce ʻshastra
pujanʼ, or a worship of weapons, a
good vehicle to use in the effort
to reinstall icons from the
Congress party and outside
overshadowed by the Nehru‐
Gandhis and the Mahatma.
practice that did not originate in
the state. The common thread run‑
ning through these is
nationalism/patriotism.
Taking up Bose and Vivekananda
in Bengal is a bit like selling coal to
Newcastle. So it is doubtful whether
they alone will bring in new voters
for the BJP. But it is part of an over‑
all package as mentioned earlier.
The state is certainly providing the
setting for a definitive electoral bat‑
tle. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee
has positioned herself at the van‑
guard of the anti‑Modi alliance. The
recent all‑party meet in Kolkata has
shown that. The BJP has matched
that with a campaign strategy to up
its presence in the state, and that is
going to increase in the lead‑up to
the Lok Sabha elections. If the vote
count in Uttar Pradesh will have a
bearing on the constitution of the
next Lok Sabha, the polls in Bengal
will provide the setting for the ideo‑
logical battle between the two sides.
Politics is about legacy. It is a con‑
stant. But political choices are like
the swing of a pendulum. They
move from one extreme to the
other. A liberal discourse ruled for a
long time.
There is now a course correction
towards the Right. It has come
more than 90 years since the for‑
mation of the Rashtriya
Swayamsevak Sangh by K.B.
Hedgewar in 1925 and over 60
years since the Bharatiya Jana
Sangh was founded by Syama
Prasad Mookerjee in 1951. The
mainstreaming of Netaji becomes
relevant in this context. Whether or
not the Rightwing discourse is the
dominant one will not be deter‑
mined by the Lok Sabha polls
because of the number of factors
involved in the worldʼs largest
democracy. But it will be a key
determining factor.

Modi riding a horse he cannot dismount before elections

By Saket Suman losophy of pluralism" was the "nation's
ethos". "PM Modi respects Gandhi and says

P
rime Minister Narendra Modi is rid‑
ing a horse which he cannot dis‑
mount before the 2019 general elec‑
tions and he would perforce have to depend
on the RSS and its cadre, veteran journalist
Kuldip Nayar, who passed away last year,
had written in his last book.
The direction in which Modi wants to take
the nation is clear and a diluted form of
Hindutva has spread throughout the country,
he wrote in "On Leaders and Icons: From
Jinnah to Modi" before urging Modi "to ask
himself whether this scenario is good for the
people".
Nayar predicted that most of the non‑BJP
parties will come together and form some
kind of a federal front before the elections.
Their endeavors would be, as Congress
leader Sonia Gandhi has said, to stop the
return of Modi. "At this juncture Modi would
need his party the most. But how could that
be possible when he himself has become the
BJP," wrote the legendary journalist, who
was arrested during the Emergency years.
Judging Modi "from his appearances on
television and what he says in his speeches
to the public", Nayar, who was picked for the
One of Indiaʼs most celebrated journalists, the late Kuldip Nayar has commented on
the prime ministerʼs politics in his last book.
Padama Bhushan award by the government
last week, contended that Modi has a superb
grasp of Hindi and "a mass following".
"Where we differ is in the shape of society
we want. He belongs to the BJP, a political
organ of the RSS, which wants to establish a
Hindu Rashtra in the country, whereas I
believe in a pluralistic society. His party
divides people and I be lieve in what
Mahatma Gandhi taught us about a multicul‑
tural nation where people of all religions can
live together without fear," Nayar wrote in
his characteristic tradition of journalists who
were not afraid to tell it like it is.
He invoked Gandhi and mentioned that in
his prayer meetings, recitations from the
Quran along with the Gita and the Bible were
a regular appearance and that if somebody
objected to it, he would not hold the meeting.
Nayar, who was also nominated to the
Rajya Sabha in 1997 by the Gujral govern‑
ment, maintained that "the Mahatma's phi‑
'Sab ka saath, sab ka vikas'. But his party's
goal is to the contrary," he noted in the book.
He stated that Modi "disappoints many
when he goes to Nagpur for exchanging
views with the RSS high command," before
asserting that Modi's style of functioning is
different from BJP veterans like L.K. Advani
and Murli Manohar Joshi, both of whom
Modi has "happily" kept at a "distance from
the affairs of the party and government".
Nayar, whose weekly columns and op‑eds
appeared in over 80 newspapers from India
and abroad, maintained that a "multicultural
society like India" has to stay pluralistic.
"I find the minorities feeling insecure. They
constitute one‑fourth of the nation," he
added. The book carries a foreword by for‑
mer BBC broadcaster Mark Tully, and reveals
hitherto unknown aspects of several key per‑
sonalities, including Indira Gandhi, Zulfikar
Ali Bhutto, Jawaharlal Nehru, Faiz Ahmad
Faiz and Modi's two predecessors,
Manmohan Singh and Atal Bihari Vajpayee,
among others.
Nayar, in his illustrious career, had
authored 15 books, including "Beyond the
Lines: An Autobiography"

The views expressed in Op Eds are not necessarily those of The South Asian Times.
 20 February 9-15, 2019 SUBCONTINENT TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Pakistan rejects India's Engage in direct talks

objection on call to Mirwaiz
Islamabad: Pakistan's Foreign
Of fice has re jected object ion
raised by India over Foreign
Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi's
telephone call to Hurriyat leader
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.
The row started after Qureshi
called Farooq and spoke about
Islamabad's ef forts to "highlight"
the human rights situation in
Jammu and Kashmir international‑
ly. In reaction, India told Pakistan
to lay of f on the issue of Jammu
and Kashmir and Foreign
Secretary Vijay Gokhale sum‑
moned Pakistan Hig h
Commissioner Sohail Mahmood.
Gokhale condemned in "the
strongest terms this latest brazen
attempt by Pakistan to subvert
India's unity and to violate our
sovereignty and territorial integri‑
ty, by none other than the Pakistan
Foreign Minister". Pakistan's
Foreign Office, however, dismissed
India's objection in a statement,
saying: "Kashmir is an unresolved
issue between Pakistan and India
and acknow ledged as such
through UN Security Council reso‑
lut ions, including the Simla
Ag reement and the Lahore
Declaration. "We also categorical‑
or be used as 'tool',
Ghani tells Taliban
Kabul: Afghanistan's President
Ashraf Ghani called on the
Taliban to engage in direct talks
with the government or be used
a "tool" by other countries. His
comments came as the
President's office, citing US spe‑
cial envoy on Afg hanistan
Zalmay Khalilzad, said that no
agreement was reached with the
Taliban on a ceasefire or the
withdrawal of foreign troops
President Ashraf Ghani said
from the war‑ravaged country.
Afghanistan needs the foreign
Pakistanʼs Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi. In his address to the nation,
troops at the moment.
Ghani said his government was
committed to end the ongoing Afghan government the details of
Pakistan summons India's envoy war and that "no country wants his peace talks with the Taliban
Islamabad: Pakistan, in a tit‑for‑tat move, summoned India's High the presence of foreign troops on in Qatar aimed at ending the 17‑
Commissioner, a day after New Delhi summoned Islamabad's represen‑ its soil indefinitely, but currently, year‑old conflict, according to
tative in India to lodge a protest over Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Afghanistan needs these forces", Efe news. "T he Taliban have
Qureshi's telephone call to Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. TOLO News reported. asked for withdrawal of foreign
Pakistan Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua summoned India's High The President said the terror troops from Afghanistan, but so
Commissioner Ajay Bisaria in the morning to lodge a protest over New group had two choices at the far (the) Americans (have)
Delhi's move, Dawn online reported. Janjua, according to the daily, told moment ‑‑ to either stand with reached no ag reement w ith
the Indian diplomat that Pakistan would continue to extend support to the people of Afghanistan or be them," said Khalilzad, according
the people of Kashmir. used as a tool by other countries. to the President's of fice. It said
He added that the foreign troops the US envoy had assured Ghani
ly reject any insinuation that seeks till the time the Kashmir dispute is in the country would leave at that any decision regarding the
to project as 'terrorism' the legiti‑ resolved peacefully, in accordance some point, but that would be withdrawal of foreign troops
mate struggle of the Kashmiri peo‑ with the UN Security Council reso‑ done in accordance w ith an would be coordinated and dis‑
ple for self‑determination. This is lutions and the wishes of the peo‑ orderly plan. The US special cussed comprehensively with the
an outright travesty. "Pakistan will ple of the occupied valley," it envoy had shared w ith the Afghan government.
maintain its support and solidarity added.

Pakistan SC upholds Aasia Rohingya crisis: Unicef

Bibi's blasphemy acquittal head visits Rakhine
Islamabad: Pakistan's Supreme Court in the verdict of absolving her. The
dismissed a review petition challenging court also re jected his pet it ion to
its decision to acquit Aasia Bibi, a include Islamic scholars in the hearing.
Christian woman who was sentenced to "Does Islam say that one should be
death over blasphemy charges, remov‑ punished if the crime is not proven,"
Unicef
ing the last legal said Just ice
Executive
hurdle in the Khosa and asked Director
years‑long case the lawyer not to Henrietta
and potent ially abuse Islam and Fore visited
paving the way for re flect on what a camp for
her exit from the image of Pakistan displaced
country. was being pro‑ persons in
A three‑member jected to the Rakhine.
bench headed by world by virtue of
Chief Justice Asif this case.
Saeed Khosa Bibi's lawyer
tossed out the Saiful Malook,
plea against Bibi's who returned to Yangon: The head of the UN children's neighboring Bangladesh.
October 31 acquit‑ Pakistan during fund visited Myanmar's volatile Rakhine "We urge that the necessary steps are
tal that had the weekend after state, a day after she urged the authorities taken to enable their safe, voluntary and
sparked three‑day Aasia Bibi, a Christian, was accused of a three‑month to implement the recommendations of the dignified return to their homes, where
mass protests led insulting the Prophet in 2009. exile in Europe panel headed by former UN Secretary‑ their rights are respected and they can
by the hardline due to fear of General Kofi Annan to resolve Rohingya once again live peaceably with their neigh‑
Islamist party Tehree k‑e‑Labbaik extremists, was seen celebrating the crisis. Henrietta Fore, the Unicef Executive bors," Fore said.
Pakistan (TLP), Geo News reported. decision before television cameras in Director, became the first head of the UN Some 732,000 Rohingyas have fled to
"Based on merit, this review petition is front of the court, Efe news reported. children's fund to visit Myanmar in over Bangladesh since August 2017 to escape a
dismissed...You could not point out Bibi, a mother of five, spent eight 30 years. She visited a camp for displaced military crackdown, which the UN has
(even) a single mistake in the Supreme years on death row in a prison in persons in Sittwe, Rakhine's capital, Efe denounced as "deliberate genocide" and
Court's verdict," Justice Khosa told the Multan before she was acquitted last news reported. "textbook ethnic cleansing".
lawyer of pet it ioner, cleric Qari year. She was accused of insulting Fore said the suggestions published in Among the 88 recommendations made
Mohammed Salam. Prophet Muhammad in 2009 and a 2017 by the Annan‑led commission would by Annan was the granting of citizenship
T he just ice said that the cleric's court sentenced her to death in 2010. create the conditions for the safe and dig‑ to Rohingyas and allowing them freedom
lawyer Ghulam Mustafa Chaudhry could She lost an appeal before the Lahore nified return of Rohingya refugees from of movement which has not yet happened.
not establish that there were any errors High Court four years later.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
UK home secretary dismisses Russia will suspend
speculation of snap election INF Treaty: Putin
London: UK Home Secretary Sajid
Javid has dismissed newspaper
speculation of a snap general elec‑
tion in June, saying that "last thing
we want is an election, the people
will never forgive us."
The British government is still
hoping to secure a time limit or
unilateral exit mechanism for the
Irish border backstop when the
country leaves the European Union
(EU) on March 29, he told the
BBC's The Andrew Marr Show.
"They want politicians to get on
with the job. They have been given
a very clear mandate, now it's our
job to get on with it," the home sec‑
retary said. The statement came
when Javid was dismissing news‑
paper reports that Downing Street
strategists were considering hold‑
ing a snap general election on
June 6 if UK Prime Minister
Theresa May cannot get her Brexit
deal through parliament before
the Brexit deadline of March 29,
Xinhua reported.
Last week, members of parlia‑
ment voted in favor of an amend‑
ment to examine the possibility of
alternative arrangements, but it is
unclear that the necessary technol‑
ogy exists. Meanwhile, Javid also
Lebanon govt not
controlled by
Hezbollah: Official
Beirut: Hezbollah's deputy
leader Sheikh Naim Qassem has
denied Israeli Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu's allega‑
tions about Hezbollah control‑
ling the government in
Lebanon, media reported.
"T hese allegations are not
important. Hezbollah considers
itself part of a national unity
government in Le banon,"
Qassem was quoted as saying
by Elnashra, an online inde‑
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu had said Iran
controls Lebanon via Hezbollah.
UK Home Secretary Sajid Javid.
said that he believed that the UK
would be as safe in the case of a
no‑deal Brexit.
He said that no‑deal would be
"very bad for the security of this
country." Javid said although he
wants to leave the European Union
with a deal on March 29, it "makes
sense to plan for all contingencies,
including no‑deal." "It is absolutely
true that if we have a no‑deal situa‑
tion, there will be certain capabili‑
ties that we rely on for security
with the EU such as databases,
arrest warrants, others, that of
course will change," he said. The
pendent newspaper.
Netanyahu declared earlier
that Iran controls the Lebanese
government via Hezbollah,
Xinhua news agency reported.
Moreover, the US voiced its
concerns over Hezbollah's par‑
ticipation in the new cabinet.
The US expressed its deep con‑
cerns because this is the first
time that Hezbollah controls
the health ministry which has
the country's largest budget.
INTERNATIONAL
EU has made it clear that after
Brexit, Britain would no longer be
part of the European arrest war‑
rant system, which allows suspects
to be extradited back to the UK.
"Keeping that in mind, we have
been working on mitigants and I'm
not pretending for a second
through Interpol or through the
Council of Europe on extradition
you can have a like‑for‑like capa‑
bility. So there will be a change in
capability," he said. "There will be
a change in capability but it's
worth putting it all in perspective,"
he added.
Maduro refuses ultimatum call
for free elections in Venezuela
Caracas: Embattled Venezuelan
President Nicolas Maduro has
refused to accept an ultimatum
from European countries calling
for free e lections, saying that
"international politics cannot base
itself on ultimatums".
Last wee k, the UK, France,
Germany and Spain gave Maduro
until Feb 3 to call new elections or
they would recognize the country's
self‑declared Interim President
Juan Guaido as President, reports
CNN.
"We don't accept ultimatums
from anyone," Maduro said in an
interview with Spanish private
channel LaSexta.
"It's as if I went to the European
Union (EU) and said, 'I give you
seven days to recognise the repub‑
lic of Catalonia or if not, we will
take measures'. International poli‑
tics cannot base itself on ultima‑
tums. That is the epoch of imperi‑
alism or colonies."
Maduro went on to question why
the EU should dictate political
norms to his country.
"Why does the EU tell a country
in the world that already had pres‑
idential elections in accordance to
its constitution, its laws, its institu‑
t ions, w ith the internat ional
February 9-15, 2019 21
Moscow: Russian President
Vladimir Putin announced that
Russia will suspend its participa‑
tion in the Intermediate‑Range
Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty in a
mirror response to the US' deci‑
sion.
"We will proceed as follows. We
will come up with a tit‑for‑tat
response. American partners have
announced the suspension of their
participation in the treaty, and we
are suspending it as well," Putin
President Vladimir Putin also
said at a meeting with Russian
said that Russia will not be
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov dragged into an arms race.
and Defence Minister Sergei
The president requested more
Shoigu, according to a Kremlin
information on the execution of
transcript, Xinhua reported. The
Russia's state defense pro‑
US administration announced that
grammes, including the Dagger
the US is withdrawing from the
hypersonic air‑launched ballistic
INF Treaty with Russia within six
missile, the Peresvet combat laser
months, starting from February 2.
systems, the newest Avangard
Noting that the US has begun
hypersonic missile defence sys‑
developing and manufacturing
tem and the Sarmat missile.
weapons, Shoigu proposed to
He also noted that some coun‑
develop new arms including
tries are starting to deploy
ground‑based complexes of
weapons in space, saying that it is
hypersonic medium‑range and
necessary to come up with certain
shorter‑range ballistic missiles.
plans to counter this "possible
Shoigu's proposal has Putin's sup‑
threat."
port. "They announced that they
Despite the retaliatory meas‑
(the US) are engaged in research
ures, Russia will not be dragged
and development work, and we
into an arms race, Putin said.
will do the same," Putin said.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro shows
no willingness to relinquish power.
observers, that they have to repeat road map, reports CNN.
their presidential elections? Why? The main points of Guaido's plan
Because their rig ht allies in concern humanitarian aid and
Venezuela didn't win?" he asked. Venezuela's assets.
Maduro also refused to accept In a series of tweets, Guaido laid
the humanitarian crisis in his out the three steps to his road
country. map: "Create a coalition of national
"Venezue la does not have a and international interests to facil‑
humanitarian crisis. Venezuela has itate humanitarian aid to three col‑
a political crisis. Venezuela has an lection points; demand the military
economic crisis. We have a huge permit aid into the country; ask
economic war," he said. Europe to protect Venezuela's
As Maduro showed no willing‑ assets abroad."
ness to relinquish power amid China, Cuba, Russia and Turkey
defections and calls for his ouster, are among the countries that have
Guaido outlined an opposition voiced support for Maduro.
 22 February 9-15, 2019
Walmart may exit Flipkart US‑China trade war
due to new FDI rules to boost Indian
New Delhi: Retail giant Walmart
may exit Flipkart after India's new
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
norms for e‑commerce companies
came into force, US investment
banker Morg an Stanley has
warned. "An exit is likely, not com‑
pletely out of the question, with the
Indian e‑commerce market becom‑
ing more complicated," the report
by Morg an Stanley said late
Monday. According to the report,
Walmart‑Flipkart saga might turn
out to similar to what happened
with Amazon in China in late 2017.
"There is a precedent for an exit
as Amazon retreated from China in
late 2017 after seeing that the
model no longer worked for them,"
the report read.
"We est imate that Flipkart
derives 50 per cent of its revenue
from this category, meaning
Flipkart could face meaningful dis‑
ruption and top‑line pressure in the
near term," it added. The new FDI
rules may require Flipkart to
remove as much as 25 per cent
products from its platform includ‑
'Farm income scheme better
alternative to loan waivers'
New Delhi: As political parties
fight over pro‑farmer schemes
ahead of the Lok Sabha elec‑
tions, Chief Economic Adviser
Krishnamurthy Subramanian
says farm loan waivers are an
economically unsound solution
and that not only their benefits
are cornered by "not‑so‑deserv‑
ing borrowers" but they also
create a moral hazard.
The CEA also rejects opposi‑
tion criticism that the Direct
Income Support (DIS) of Rs
6,000 annually for small farm‑
ers, announced in the Interim
Budget, translates to a meager
Rs 17 a day, saying it is a "well
thought through" program.
One should also look at what
small and marginal farmers
earn per day at present before
making any assessment, he
feels.
"Loan waivers create a lot of
The new FDI rules may require Flipkart to remove as much
as 25 per cent products from its platform.
ing smartphones and electronics
that constitute a bulk of sales, said
Morgan Stanley.
On February 1, disruption was
caused in the e‑commerce opera‑
tions in India of the two companies
after the new FDI norms for the e‑
commerce sector came into effect.
The norm prohibited the online
retailers from mandating any com‑
pany to sell their products exclu‑
sively on its platform.
In the new policy, the Commerce
Ministry also noted that the online
retail firms would not directly or
problems. I won't compare
those. Economically, I don't
look at loan waivers as a good
solution. In contrast, an income
support to farmers makes more
economic sense," Subramanian
told IANS in a post‑budget
interview.
Congress President Rahul
Gandhi, who had promised loan
waiver schemes before the
recent Assembly elections, has
now pledged to bring one such
scheme across the country if
his party is voted to power in
the Lok Sabha elections.
Subramanian, who succeed
Arvind Subramanian to this
post in the middle of budget
preparations, said a study of
the UPA debt waiver had
revealed that
a bunch of benefits were cor‑
nered by not‑so‑deserving bor‑
rowers.
BUSINESS
indirectly influence sale price of
goods and services and would
maintain a level playing field.
Amazon India had to withdraw
many of its products and they were
listed as "currently unavailable" as
the new norms prohibit the e‑retail‑
ers from selling products of compa‑
nies in which they have stakes.
The two companies have together
lost market capitalization of $50
billion. Amazon lost market capital‑
izat ion of over $45 billion on
Nasdaq while Walmart lost over $5
billion on the NYSE.
Zee promoter Essel Group receives
formal consent of lenders
Mumbai: The Zee Entertainment
Enterprises Ltd (Zeel) promoter
Essel Group has secured the formal
consent of its lenders to whom the
shares held by Essel have been
pledged, the latter announced.
An announcement by the Subhash
Chandra‑led Essel Group said the
formal consent has been received
following a meeting on the day with
lenders, to the understanding
reached last week which has now
been finalised.
"As per the consent, the lenders
have agreed that there will not be
any event of default declared till
September 30, 2019, due to the
movement in the stock price of
Essel Group's mentioned listed cor‑
porate entities.
"T his consent provides the
required amount of time for the
Group's management to complete
the strategic sale process of its key
assets without any compromise on
the value," it said. "During the meet‑
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
economy: UN
Geneva: The trade war between
the US and China is expected to
boost the Indian economy with
a rise of 3.5 per cent in exports
while the EU will be the biggest
winner, taking home $70 billion
in additional trade, according to
a UN study. Amid tit for tat tar‑
iff hikes between Washington
and Beijing, trade is being
diverted and a handful of coun‑
tries will capture a slice of the
giants' exports, said the report
by the UN Conference on Trade
and Development (UNCTAD) on
Monday.
"Substantial effects relative to
the size of their exports are
expected for Australia, Brazil,
India, the Philippines, Pakistan
and Vietnam," it said.
The report, titled "The Trade
Wars: The Pain and the Gain",
said that "bilateral tariffs alter
global competitiveness to the
Subhash Chandra.
ing, the management of Essel Group
once again reassured the lending
entities that within the mentioned
time frame, a complete resolution
will be achieved, leveraging the
stake sale process."
The lenders have a pledge on
shares held by the promoters in
Zeel and Dish TV India.
Commenting on this develop‑
ment, Esse l Group Chairman
Subhash Chandra said: "For us,
advantage of firms operating in
countries not directly affected
by them".
The study found that
European exports will grow by
$70 billion, while Japan,
Canada and Mexico will see
exports increase by more than
$20 billion each.
"Countries that are expected
to benefit the most from US‑
China tensions are those which
are more competitive and have
the economic capacity to
replace US and Chinese firms,"
the UNCTAD said.
Washington and Beijing are
locked in a damaging trade row
that has seen both sides levy
tariffs on billions of dollars
worth of one another's goods. In
December, both countries
agreed to hold off on new tar‑
iffs for 90 days to allow for
talks.
while their assurance given last
week itself was more than enough,
the formal consent seals and justi‑
fies their belief and trust in us and
the intrinsic value of our assets."
The Zeel stocks hit the circuit
breaker on the BSE Sensex on
Monday after Chandra said the
company management had success‑
fully arrived at an understanding
with lenders.
After a media report last week
said that the Zee promoter Essel
Group was involved in money laun‑
dering in the aftermath of the
November 2016 demonetisation,
the shares of the company's enter‑
tainment arm had tanked over 30
per cent and the firm suf fered a
market capitalisation loss of Rs
14,000 crore.
Zeel, however, clarified that it has
no connection with any of the trans‑
actions said to have been carried
out by its promoter Essel Group, as
alleged in the media report.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
India beat New Zealand in 5th ODI, win series 4‑1
Wellington: Ambati Rayudu, Vijay
Shankar and all‑rounder Hardik
Pandya rose to the occasion to
hand India a 35‑run victory
against New Zealand in the fifth
and final One Day International
match and clinch the limited overs
series 4‑1 here.
After losing four quick wickets
for just 18 runs, Rayudu (90),
Shankar (45) and Kedar Jadhav
(34) stabilized the Indian innings
and then Pandya made a quickfire
45 in 22 balls towards the end to
post a decent score before the
Indian bowlers came into the pic‑
ture and dismissed New Zealand
for 217.
Chasing 253, New Zealand open‑
ers Colin Munro (24) and Henry
Nicholls (8) started the proceed‑
ings on a positive note but pacer
Mohammad Shami dismissed
Nicholls in the fourth over when
the scoreboard was reading 18
runs.
Unperturbed by the fall of
Nicholls' wicket, Munro and skip‑
per Kane Williamson (39) played
sensibly and punished the bad
balls. But while trying to increase
the scoring rate, Munro was clean
bowled by Shami in the 10th over.
Veteran batsman Ross Taylor (1)
was also dismissed cheaply in the
Davis Cup: Bopanna‑Sharan
win doubles tie 2‑1
Kolkata: In‑form doubles pair of
Rohan Bopanna and Divij Sharan
rallied from one set down to beat
Italians Matteo Berrettini and
Simone Bolelli 2‑1 and haul India
back into contention in the Davis
Cup World Group qualifier tie
here.
After losing the first set 4‑6,
India won the next two 6‑3, 6‑4 in
a game that lasted for one hour
and 43 minutes.
India now trail Italy 1‑2 after the
visitors won two singles rubbers
on the first day with top‑ranked
players Prajnesh Gunneswaran
and Ramkumar Ramanathan losing
to Berretttini and Andreas Seppi in
straight sets respectively.
Italy non‑play ing captain
Corrado Barazzutti had hinted on
Friday that they would re‑shuf fle
their doubles playing, removing
No. 1 ranked player Marco
Cecchinato for 22‑year old
Berrettini who played like a "veter‑
an" against Prajnesh.
Barazzutti's ploy worked fine in
the first set as the Italians broke
the hosts in the ninth game after
the first eight went to serves.
Bolelli's massive forehand return
forced Bopanna to take the ball on
the half‑volley and dump it into
Indian team members celebrate during the fifth ODI match
between India and New Zealand at Westpac Stadium
in Wellington. (Photo: Surjeet Yadav/IANS)
next over by Pandya. He was
adjudged leg before wicket.
New batsman Tom Latham (37)
then joined his skipper in the mid‑
dle and forged a crucial 67‑run
partnership and he lped New
Zealand to cross the 100‑run
mark. But soon, Williamson was
sent packing by Kedar Jadhav in
the 26th over when the score‑
board was reading 105. Latham,
Rohan Bopanna and Divij Sharan celebrates after beating Italians
Matteo Berrettini and Simone Bolelli at the Davis Cup World Group
qualifier tie in Kolkata. (Photo: IANS)
the net, following a wayward vol‑
ley in the next point to give Italy
the lead.
Stung by the reversal after domi‑
nating most parts of the opening
set, the hosts fell to Berrettini who
comfortably held his serve to win
6‑4. Much like the first set, the
first three games of the second
went to serves. In the fourth game,
the left‑handed Sharan showed his
class with a superb drop shot to
earn the first break point. The 29‑
year old Sharan cont inued to
SPORTS
who seemed good in the middle,
was the next batsman to depart.
He was adjudged leg before wicket
off leggie Yuzvendra Chahal after
three overs. Chahal then picked up
Colin de Grandhomme (11) after
two overs to make the scoreboard
read 135/6.
With the lower‑order
despatched early, James Neesham
(44) had to play till the end to give
impress by staging a love‑hold in
the next game to extend India's
lead to 4‑1.
Bolelli aped Sharan to make it 4‑
2 at love‑game on serve before the
Indians denied the 2015
Australian Open doubles winner
on breakpoint to put the hosts 5‑2
ahead. Berrettini registered anoth‑
er love‑game for the visitors in the
eighth but it was too little too late
as Sharan spectacularly saved
three break points to bag the sec‑
ond set.
February 9-15, 2019
Dhoni rises in ICC ODI
rankings for batsmen
Dubai: After scoring three suc‑
cessive half‑centuries in the
recently concluded series
against Australia, former India
skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni
has moved up three places in
the latest ICC rankings for ODI
batsmen.
The stumper, who is now at
the 17th spot, had scored 51,
55 not out and 87 not out and
played a significant role in
India's first ever bilateral series
win in Australia.
Meanwhile, Kedar Jadhav also
vaulted eight places to be at the
35th position in the ODI rank‑
ings for batsmen. Moreover,
regular India skipper Virat
New Zealand some chance in the
match but a sloppy run‑out saw
Neesham heading back to the
pavilion.
Lower‑order players Mitchell
Santner (22), Todd Astle (10),
Matt Henry (17 not out) and Trent
NEW ENGLAND
PATRIOTS WIN SUPER
BOWL LIII FOR 6TH TITLE
New York: Once again, the
New England Patriots are
champions, grinding to win
Super Bowl LIII 13‑3 at
Mercedes‑Benz Stadium in
Atlanta ‑‑ and launching
Tom Brady and Bill
Belichick into a dif ferent
stratosphere.
They have now won six
Super Bowls together,
extending their record for
the most by a head coach and start‑
ing quarterback combination. With
the win, the Patriots are tied with
the Pittsburgh Steelers for the
most Super Bowl titles in NFL his‑
tory. Brady now has won more
Super Bowls than any other player
in history, surpassing Pro Football
Hall of Famer Charles Haley (five).
"It probably won't sink in for a
very, very long time," Brady said.
"I'm just so blessed to play with the
best teammates through the years
from our '01 team and all the way
through now. I love all those guys.
That's what makes this special,
man. It's a brotherhood. All these
relationships are so important in
my life, and I can't cherish it
enough. It's going to be a celebra‑
23
Kohli, who was rested for the
last two ODIs ag ainst New
Zealand, continues to hold the
No.1 spot with 887 points.
Rohit Sharma, who stood in as
India captain in the absence of
Kohli, is at the second place
with 854 points while his open‑
ing partner Shikhar Dhawan is
at the 10th spot w ith 744
points.
The Indians also dominate the
ODI rankings for bowlers as
pacer Jasprit Bumrah topped
the charts while chinaman
Kuldeep Yadav and leg‑spinner
Yuzvendra Chahal are at the
fourth and fifth place respec‑
tively.
Boult (1) tried to bring the game
within New Zealand's reach but
failed.
For India, Yuzvendra Chahal
scalped three w ickets while
Mohammad Shami and Pandya
took two wickets each.
A jubilant Tom Brady.
tion tonight."
At 41 years old, Brady also is the
oldest starting quarterback to win
a Super Bowl, eclipsing Peyton
Manning, who was 39 when he
won Super Bowl 50.
Belichick is the oldest head coach
to win a Super Bowl at age 66, and
no head coach has won more Super
Bowls than him. Now, he joins
George Halas and Curly Lambeau
as the only NFL head coaches with
six championships since the league
began postseason play in 1933.
Belichick called this one "sweet."
This was the pair's ninth Super
Bowl appearance together, the
most title games for any head
coach and starting quarterback
duo in NFL history.
 24 February-9-15, 2019 BOOKS TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Gita Mehta declining Padma Shri Doyen of Hindi literature

kicks off political storm Krishna Sobti dies at 93
Bhubaneswar: A day after the
Centre nominated eminent
author Gita Mehta for Padma
Shri, she declined the presti‑
gious award feeling that with
elections around, the timing of
the award may be misconstrued.
Mehta, elder sister of Odisha
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik,
is known for her books such as
Karma Cola, River Sutra, and
Eternal Ganesha: From Birth to
Rebirth.
Her decision has intensified
buzz in political circles here.
While BJP said declining the
award is a disrespect to the
nation, Congress alleged that
Mehta refused to accept the
award as it would have exposed
the secret understanding
between BJP and Naveen
Patnaikʼs BJD.
“Even though it is her personal
decision, I think declining the
award is disrespect to the
nation. If writer Gita Mehta is of
the opinion that it will affect the
political career of her brother,
Author Gita Mehta is the sister of Naveen Patnaik,
Odisha chief minister
itʼs not just ified,” Prithviraj
Harichandan, local BJP laeder,
said. Congress chief whip in the
state Tara Prasad Bahinipati
alleged that Mehta was nominat‑
ed for the Padma Shri because of
the nexus between the BJP and
the BJD. Meanwhile, BJD
spokesperson Pratap Deb has
urged the media not to drag her
into politics. Her family sources
said she is a proud Indian as she
was born to former Chie f
Minister of Odisha and freedom
fighter late Biju Patnaik. She is
married to Ajai Singh ʻSonnyʼ
Mehta, Editor‑in‑Chief of the
Alfred A Knopf in New York.
New Delhi: Iconic Hindi writer
Author Gita Mehta, a recipient of
multiple awards for her outstanding
literary career, died here last Friday.
She was 93.
Born in 1925, Sobti had won the
Sahitya Akademi award in 1980 for
her novel "Zindaginama". She was
also conferred with the Jnanpith in
2017 for her contribution to Indian
literature.
Ashok Maheshwari, the Managing
Krishna Sobti is best known for
Director of Rajkamal Prakashan,
her opus ʻZindaginamaʼ
which has published almost all of
her works, told IANS that her first Indian democracy", hailing her
novel "Channa" had almost been unmatched contribution to litera‑
published by a reputed publisher ture. He said she fought for equality
from Allahabad but as the publisher and justice.
changed some key words from the Sobti will be also be remembered
text, Sobti stopped the printing for going out of the traditional
process midway and paid them the methods of writing, experimenting
amount they had spent till then. with new writing styles as well as
"She was a person of high spirits, giving voice to bold and daring
a writer of highest values and sanc‑ characters in her myriad tales.
tity. Every word she wrote was like A good number of her books have
a coin for her, and now the same is also been translated into other
a treasure for us all," he said. Indian languages, besides into
Author‑poet Ashok Vajpeyi Swedish, French, Russian and
described her as the "trustee of English.

Cancer taught me to value

SUREKHA VIJ READ HER
life: Manisha Koirala
POEM AT HINDI DIVAS OF Jaipur: Manisha Koirala, who won a and emotions while grappling with the
tough battle against ovarian cancer, disease.

INDIAN EMBASSY said the dreaded disease had changed “When I was sick, I was searching for
her as a person, as she is now kinder positive stories. I could not get many
and values her life and health more. stories, except the success story of
T he 48‑year‑old Bollywood start (actress) Lisa Ray and (cricketer)

Homecoming from Nepal said it was

very important to
Yuvraj Sing h, who
came out fig ht ing
By Surekha Vij have an open conver‑ successfully with can‑
sation about the dis‑ cer. So I decided that
ease. when I recover, I will
I shall come back to you “I took my life for share my stories with
granted. I neglected people. I also believe
To revive my spirit
my health, that is why that sharing he lps
Uplift my soul, cancer came to me as lower the burden
a teacher, it came to from your head and
To breathe the air me as a lesson. I heart. Hence, I wrote
Hot value my life more the book,” she said.
Surekh Vij is the Washington correspondent Actress Manisha Koirala speak‑
now, love my family, Noting that the can‑
for The South Asian Times. ing at the Jaipur Literature
cold, value my health Festival on Jan 27. (Photo: IANS) cer treatment was
Washington: Surekh Vij, the Washington because I realized if expensive in India,
Humid
correspondent for The South Asian Times, one is not healthy, one cannot enjoy Manisha Koirala said the patients
was invited to the Indian embassy here to To touch the soil any aspect of living,” Manisha told PTI needed more awareness to cure the
read her poem on Gandhi at the celebration on the side lines of the Jaipur disease in time.
Tender Literature Festival. Manisha, who is a goodwill ambassa‑
of Vishwa Hindi Divas on January 24.
Ambassador Harsh Vardhan Shringla liked Rustic Koirala also spoke at a session where dor for the UN Population Fund, said.
her poem so much he stood up and clapped. she discussed her book ʻHealed: How “I made a promise to myself that if I
Intoxicating Cancer Gave Me a New Lifeʼ which get to live again I will spread aware‑
Some others in the audience said it touched
their heart. Surekha says Mahatma Gandhi opens with the sentence, “I donʼt want ness about cancer. It is the perception
To feel the spirit
is a puzzle to people born after Indiaʼs inde‑ to die”. “The thought of death is the towards the problem that matters. You
pendence. “We only know what we read or Of ancient Vedic chants first thing that comes to mind when a can take it as a challenge or see it as
hear, that he won freedom for India. My person is diagnosed with cancer. I was something that you cannot overcome,”
To witness Taj Mahal
poem addressed to him expresses the wish utterly shocked when I came to know Born into the prominent Koirala family
to see him in flesh and blood to come and in moonlight about the disease. It was the loneliest in Nepal, Manisha made her debut with
lift people out of despair and resolve so night. Even a familiar journey from Saudagar in 1991 and went on to act
And savor poetry in the wild Kathmandu to Mumbai which I had in films like 1942: A Love Story,
many problems society faces.”
T he India born, US resident for long, And let my heart beat taken umpteen times felt so different,” Bombay and Dil Se. On her return to
Surekah also pines to go back home as in she said. Manisha, who was diagnosed the sets after five years she has acted
the this poem.
Once again in your armor. with ovarian cancer in 2012, said she in the biopic Sanju and Netflixʼs Lust
became conscious of peopleʼs gestures Stories.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
A week‑long Yoga
Kumbh at Prayagraj
Prayagraj: Leading spiritual lead‑
ers and yoga gurus converged at
the ongoing Kumbh Mela here in
Uttar Pradesh on Saturday for a
week‑long 'Yoga Kumbh.'
The program started on Friday
and will continue till February 7. It
has been jointly organized by the
Indian Yoga Association and
Parmarth Niketan, in association
with the state Tourism
Department and Incredible India
and the Union Ministry of
Tourism, officials said.
The seven‑day Yoga Kumbh is
being held on the banks of the
'Sangam' at the Parmarth Niketan,
Ganga Action Parivar (GAP), GIWA
Kumbh Camp, Sector 18.
Art of Living (AoL) Founder Sri
Sri Ravi Shankar and yoga guru
Baba Ramdev attended the morn‑
ing session.
Exhorting people to take up
yoga, Ravi Shankar said: "Yoga fills
our life with music. We are here as
for unity amidst the diversity. The
purpose of yoga is to lead us to
the state of 'Sangam' (confluence)
within us, where every moment is
yoga." While leading a special
US kids use excess
toothpaste: Report
Toothpaste amount of only a pea size is recommended for kids
between three to six years of age
Washington, DC: Many
American children use more
toothpaste than officially rec‑
ommended, according to the
Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) report, pub‑
lished on Friday. "Analysis of
2013‑16 data found that over
38 percent of children aged
three to six years used more
toothpaste than recommended
by the CDC and other profes‑
sional organizations," Xinhua
news agency reported citing the
report.
The recommended toothpaste
amount for children at three to
six years old is of pea‑size, and
for those under three about a
rice grain, according to the
report. The CDC also noted that
nearly 80 percent of children
aged 3 to 15 years started
Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, yoga guru Baba Ramdev and
spiritual head of Parmarth Niketan Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji Maharaj
attend a morning session at Yoga Kumbh (Image courtesy: India.com)
'asana', he also said that instead of
selfie point "let us realize that the
self is the point ‑‑ the source of all
consciousness."
Ramdev in his address to hun‑
dreds of yoga enthusiasts said:
"Yog Kranti (the Revolution of
Yoga) is the core of all revolutions
and by practicing yoga every day
and doing 'Karma Yoga' through‑
brushing later than the rec‑
ommended age of six months.
Fluoride use could help avoid
tooth decay, but the CDC rec‑
ommended children to begin
using fluoride toothpaste at two
years of age to prevent inadver‑
tent ingestion of fluoride and
the potential risk of dental fluo‑
rosis.
The CDC suggested parents
and caregivers make sure that
children brush teeth often
enough with the recommended
amount of toothpaste. Health
care professionals and organi‑
zations could also help by pro‑
viding education.
The CDC is a US federal
agency under the Department
of Health and Human Services
and is headquartered in Atlanta,
Georgia. (IANS)
HEALTH
out the day the potential and infi‑
nite light that we truly are is
unleashed."
At the completion of the session,
Swami Chidanand Saraswati point‑
ed out that at the Saturday's event
"there is convergence and oneness
on the banks of the sacred
Sangam that in itself holds the
nectar of immortality."
Tahira, Sonali urge people to
fight, not fear cancer
Mumbai: On the occasion of
World Cancer Day on Monday,
actress Sonali Bendre Behl and
filmmaker Tahira Kashyap
Khurrana, who are battling can‑
cer, urged people not to be
"afraid" of the disease.
Sonali, who has recently
returned to work after spending
months in New York for treat‑
ment of metastatic cancer, took
to Instagram to share her way of
dealing with the disease.
She wrote: "Just the mere men‑
tion of the 'C' word brings dread
in the hearts of anyone who
hears it. We fear it so much that
we'd rather not talk about it...
which is why it's important to
have a day where we pull out the
band aid and help us deal with
this disease. I was scared too, but
soon realised that burying my
head in the sand was not the way
to deal with it."
According to the "Sarfarosh"
actress, there is more to cancer
"than being emotional or weak or
even being called a fighter or a
survivor."
"It requires you to study it, find
out what works for you and to be
diligent about your treatment. It
requires days of strongly believ‑
ing in oneself, of knowing that
tomorrow will be better than
February 9-15, 2019
Cervical cancer risk
highest in middle‑aged
Indian women: Survey
New Delhi: Nearly 50 percent of
middle‑aged women in India were
found to have positive cases of
high‑risk human papillomavirus
(HPV) ‑‑ the main risk factor for
cervical cancer, says a report from
SRL Diagnostics.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is
a group of viruses that are
extremely common worldwide.
There are more than 100 types of
HPV, of which at least 14 are can‑
cer‑causing (also known as high‑
risk type). The virus is mainly
transmitted through sexual con‑
tact and most people are infected
with HPV shortly after the onset of
sexual activity.
Two HPV types (16 and 18)
cause 70 percent of cervical can‑
cers and precancerous cervical
lesions. Analysis of HPV test
reports of 4,500 women pan‑India
between 2014 and 2018, showed
that women aged between 31 and
45 years had the highest percent‑
age of high‑risk HPV at 47 percent.
This was followed by 30 percent
of women aged between 16 and 30
years being affected by the risk.
Sonali Bendre, Tahira Kashyap (wife of Ayushmann Khurrana)
today. It is not a fight against
negative thoughts," she added.
Tahira, wife of actor‑singer
Ayushmann Khurrana, urged
society to end the stigma associ‑
ated with cancer.
She said: "I hope each one of us
celebrates this day in an embrac‑
ing way. That we remove any
stigma or taboo associated with
it. That we spread awareness
about it and that we have self‑
love no matter what."
She also shared a photograph
which showed the scar on her
back of the surgery she under‑
went for removal of her breast.
Tahira was detected last year
with DCIS (ductal carcinoma in
25
Cervical cancer accounts for one‑
third of all global deaths, with
74,000 deaths occurring annually
and is the second leading cause of
cancer deaths among women in
India. However, "cervical cancer is
also only cancer which is preventa‑
ble if care is taken in the initial
stage", said B.R Das from SRL
Diagnostics in a statement.
"The high mortality rate from
cervical cancer globally could be
reduced through a comprehensive
approach that includes screening,
early diagnosis, and treatment pro‑
grammes," he added.
Besides vaccination, before girls
become sexually active, secondary
prevention can be done by a regu‑
lar cervical smear of PAP smear
which can pick up any abnormal
cells in the cervix before they
become cancerous. "While PAP
test is much more likely to miss
precancerous cervical disease,
HPV testing is more sensitive for
detecting localized infection and
marginally less sensitive for dis‑
tant infection," Das noted.
(IANS)
situ) in her right breast with high
grade malignant cells.
Explaining the idea behind the
photograph of her bare back, she
said: "These scars are my badges
of honor. It was tough but this
picture was my decision as I want
to celebrate not the disease but
the spirit with which I endured."
"Sacred Games" star Kubbra
Sait is also pitching in to spread
awareness about the disease.
"I feel public figures should
come forward and associate with
NGOs to spread and create more
awareness about this dreaded
disease among the people, espe‑
cially the youth," Kubbra said.
(IANS)
 26 February 9-15, 2019 SCI-TECH TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Gigantic hole in Antarctic Can quitting Facebook

glacier signals rapid decay
NASA has warned a “doomsday glacier” is on the verge of
disintegration, triggering an apocalyptic sea level rise in the process.
Washington: A team of scientists
from NASA has discovered a gigan‑
tic hole made from 14 billion tons
of ice melt, particularly in the last
three years, in a West Antarctica
glacier. This indicates rapid decay
of the ice sheet and acceleration in
rising global sea levels due to cli‑
mate change.
The size of the cavity, almost
300 meters tall, was discovered to
be growing at the bottom of the
T hwaites Glacier in West
Antarctica, where ocean water
could flow in and melt the glacier
from below. Importantly, most of
that ice melted over the last three
years, the findings showed.
"(The size of ) a cavity under a
glacier plays an important role in
melting," said lead author Pietro
Milillo of NASA's Jet Propulsion
Laboratory (JPL) in California.
"As more heat and water get
under the glacier, it melts faster."
T he cavity, reported in the
Science Advances journal, was
revealed by ice‑penetrating radar
in NASA's Operation IceBridge ‑‑
an airborne campaign that began
in 2010 and which studies connec‑
tions between the polar regions
and the global climate.
Thwaites Glacier is currently
responsible for approximately 4
per cent of the global sea level
rise.
It holds enough ice to raise the
world's oceans a little over 2 feet
and backstops neighboring gla‑
ciers that would raise sea levels to
an additional 8 feet if all the ice
were lost.
Thwaites is one of the hardest
places to reach on Earth, but it is
about to become better known
than ever before.
change your life?
New York: Want to quit
Facebook? According to a
new study, it can have both
positive as well as negative
ef fects on your life. T he
study, led by Hunt Allcott,
Associate Professor at the
New York University, sug‑
gests that Facebook plays an
important role as a source of (real)
news and information, as people
who quit showed reduced factual
news knowledge. However, also
reduced political polarization. On
the other hand, quitting Facebook
improved subjective well‑being,
suggesting that forces such as
addiction and projection bias may
cause people to use the social net‑
working site more than they other‑
wise would. "We find that while
deactivation makes people less
informed, it also makes them less
polarized by at least some meas‑
ures, consistent with the concern
that social media have played
some role in the recent rise of
polarization in the US," Allcott said
in a statement last week. But,
"Facebook can improve people's
lives, whether as a source of enter‑
tainment, a means to organize a
charity or an activist group, or a
vital social lifeline for those who
are otherwise isolated.
"Any discussion of social media's
downsides should not obscure the
basic fact that it fulfills deep and
widespread needs," he said.
For the study, the team recruited
2,844 participants, aged 18 and
older and spent at least 15 min‑
utes on the social networking plat‑
form every day.
T he findings revealed that
Facebook deactivation reduced
online activity, including other
social media, while increasing
offline activities such as watching
TV alone and socializng with fami‑
ly and friends. T he study also
found that deactivating Facebook
had a positive, yet minor impact
on mood. ‑ IANS

India unveils human space MAGNETIC NORTH JUST

flight center in Bengaluru
Bengaluru: The state‑run
Indian Space Research
CHANGED. HERE'S
Org anisat ion (ISRO) on
T hursday said it has
unveiled a Human Space
WHAT THAT MEANS.
Flight Centre here. "Human
By National Geographic
Space Flight Centre is opera‑ What is magnetic north?

T M
tional now... The facility is
he magnetic north has never sat still. agnetic north is one of three
next to ISRO headquarters,"
In the last hundred years or so, the “north poles” on our globe. First,
the city‑based space agency
direction in which our compasses there's true north, which is the
tweeted.
steadfastly point has lumbered ever north‑ northern end of the axis on which our plan‑
The Centre is dedicated to
developing critical technolo‑
ISRO aims to send humans to space by end 2021 ward, driven by Earth's churning liquid outer et turns. But our planet's protective magnet‑
through its Gaganyaan mission. core some 1,800 miles beneath the surface. ic bubble, or magnetosphere, isn't perfectly
gies for human space mis‑
Yet in recent years, scientists noticed some‑ aligned with this spin. Instead, the dynamo
sions. The facility, unveiled by former development flight of Gaganyaan, the
thing unusual: Magnetic north's routine plod of Earth's core creates a magnetic field that
ISRO chairman K. Kasturirangan and statement added.
has shifted into high gear, sending it gallop‑ is slightly tilted from the planet's rotational
current Chairman K. Sivan, will be head‑ T he Rs 10,000‑crore mission will
ing across the Northern Hemisphere̶and axis. The northern end of this planet‑size
ed by S. Unnikrishnan Nair as the involve Indian astronauts taken into
no one can entirely explain why. bar magnet is what's known as geomagnetic
Director. space to a height of 350‑400 km above
The changes have been so large that scien‑ north̶a point sitting of f the northwest
The ISRO aims to send humans to the Earth and orbit around the planet
tists began working on an emergency update coast of Greenland that's changed position
space by December 2021 through its for at least a week.
for the World Magnetic Model, the mathe‑ little over the last century. Then there's
Gaganyaan mission. The astronauts will be conducting
matical system that lays the foundations for magnetic north, what your compass locates,
A full‑scale Gaganyaan crew module experiments in space, details of which
navigation, from cell phones and ships to which is defined as the point at which mag‑
model was also unveiled at the Centre, are yet to be announced by ISRO.
commercial airlines. netic field lines point vertically down.
the agency said. The space agency plans to hold its
But then the U.S. government shut down, Unlike geomagnetic north, this position is
R. Hutton, who was the Polar Satellite first unmanned mission by December
placing the model's official release on hold, more susceptible to the surges and flows in
Launch Vehicle (PSLV) Director, will be 2020 and the second unmanned flight
as Nature News first reported earlier this the swirl of liquid iron in the core. These
heading the Gaganyaan project. before July 2021 before it can put
year. currents tug on the magnetic field, sending
"The Centre will be responsible for humans in space.
Now, the wait for a new north is over. The magnetic north hopping across the globe.
end‑to‑end mission planning, develop‑ India's attempt to reach space by
World Magnetic Model update was officially “The north magnetic pole is quite a sensi‑
ment of engineering systems for crew 2022 is about six decades after Russian
released on Monday, and magnetic north can tive place,” says Phil Livermore, a geophysi‑
survival in space, crew selection and cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the
again be precisely located for people around cist at the University of Leeds. It's tough to
training and also pursue activities for first human to take a journey into outer
the world. Questions still likely abound: Why predict what will happen to the magnetic
sustained human space flight missions," space and orbit the earth in 1961.
is magnetic north changing so fast? What north pole̶or whether it's even going to
the space agency said in a statement. The US, Russia and China are the only
were the impacts of the update's delay? Was maintain its speed as it staggers toward
It will take the support of existing three nations to have launched human
there really a geologic reason Google maps Siberia, notes Robyn Fiori, a research scien‑
ISRO centres to implement the first space flights.
sent me off course? We've got you covered. tist with Natural Resources Canada.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
The fast track to medicine - 6 year direct medical programs
SHINE ON, STUDENTS
By Kristen Moon
I
magine instead of spending
eight years on your undergrad‑
uate and medical degree, you
could finish in just six. With an
accelerated direct medical pro‑
g ram, also called combined
BS/MD or BA/MD programs, this
is a possibility.
These competitive programs
give students the opportunity to
go directly from undergraduate to
medical school, with no need to
apply to medical school. The ben‑
efits for these programs are huge
‑‑ instead of being faced with the
uncertainty of med school accept‑
ance, students can enter into their
freshman year with the assurance
that they are well on their way to
becoming a doctor.
Positives of an
Accelerated Program
T he application process for
medical school is usually extraor‑
dinarily stressful and highly com‑
petitive. Therefore, by gaining
By Dev Banad Viswanath, Esq.
& Michael Phulwani, Esq.
A LOT. The government shut‑
down has caused a lot damage for
immigration courts.
After thirty‑five days of the gov‑
ernment being shutdown
President Donald Trump agreed
to reopen the federal government
for three weeks while negotiations
continue over how to protect the
nationʼs southern border. The
President is adamant about build‑
ing a wall on the southern border
because he believes this will
decrease the number of illegal
immigrants crossing over the bor‑
der. He requested $5 billion to
fund the building of the wall but
Democrats did not agree with the
border wall funding. These dis‑
agreements are what led to the
commencement of the govern‑
ment shutdown.
The government shutdown has
caused a lot of chaos for immigra‑
tion courts. While expedited and
detained cases continued to move
forward, non‑detained immigra‑
tion courts were all closed.
Thousands of Immigration Court
judges and staff and ICE Chief
Counsel attorneys and staff were
acceptance into a direct medical
program, you donʼt have to worry
about medical school come appli‑
cation season. Instead, you can
focus on doing your best and
growing as a student, with the
assurance that your future is
secure.
Acceptance into an accelerated
program also means you will save
money because these programs
tend to take one or two years less
than a standard program. You will
be ahead of your peers and will be
well on your way to earning your
MD by the time they even enter
medical school.
How much damage has the government
shutdown caused for immigration courts?
VISA
TALK
furloughed. As a result of the
shutdown, judges had to postpone
hearings that has been scheduled
months and sometimes years ear‑
lier.
Immigration courts already had
a backlog of about 800,000 cases
and the shutdown has only wors‑
ened the problem. Some of the
cases that are being postponed
are cases that required expensive
resources such as legal represen‑
tation, expert testimonies, and
witnesses traveling from out of
town. Now these individuals will
be forced to incur all of these
expenses a second time and the
stress of doing so all over again.
All of the court dates are expect‑
ed to be pushed back months if
COLUMNS
Negatives of an
Accelerated Program
Students must commit their sen‑
ior year of high school to a career
in medicine. That can be a lot to
ask of high school students who
are still trying to figure out future
interests and goals. Some students
know from a young age that a
doctor is what they want to be,
but for those who arenʼt as sure,
an accelerated program might be
too big of a commitment. Of
course, if you do decide against
medicine after joining an acceler‑
ated program, you can get out of
it, but that might cause you stress
IMMIGRATION
Immigration courts already had
a backlog of about 800,000
cases and the shutdown has
only worsened the problem
not for years. Even though immi‑
gration courts are now open it
may take a few weeks for every‑
thing to go back to normal and
not be so chaotic. According to
Syracuse Universityʼs
Transactional Records Access
Clearinghouse about 90,000
immigration hearings were can‑
celed as a result of the shutdown.
This included both intermediate
hearing and full blown trials.
February 9-15, 2019 27
and disappointment. Remember, ence and clinical skills with the
the accelerated program is just liberal arts and humanit ies.
that ‑ accelerated. Many times you Applicants must receive an
are cramming eig ht years of unweighted GPA of at least 3.0 in
intense schooling into six or seven the 17 core requirements of the
years. university. Applicants must
You will most likely be going to achieve a minimum of 24 on the
school year‑round to finish your ACT to qualify, and 1160 on the
degrees so quickly. There isnʼt SAT if it was taken after March
much time or flexibility for some 2016. For those who are certain
of the more typical undergraduate in their chosen career path of
experiences, such as regular medicine ‑ and you want to get
socializing, traveling, or getting a there fast ‑ an accelerated direct
summer job or internship. medical program could be a good
fit for you. With the above listed
Six‑Year Programs programs you can get your MD in
Once youʼve weighed the bene‑ just six years.
fits and drawbacks, and youʼve
decided that this is the rig ht
choice for you, here are two
options for an accelerated direct
medical program.
Howard University College of
Medicine : Lo cated in
Washington, D.C., Howard
University College of Medicine
admits a limited number of stu‑
dents into their BS/MD program.
Entrance requirements for the
program include a minimum sci‑
K
ence GPA of 3.25 and a minimum
risten Moon is an inde‑
overall GPA of 3.5. The student
pendent college coun‑
must earn a minimum of 504 on
selor and founder of
the MCAT. An interview and let‑
ters of recommendat ions are
MoonPrep.com. Moon Prep
provides one‑on‑one college
required as well.
counseling services. They
University of Missouri‑Kansas
guide students through the
City School of Medicine : UMKC
entire application process
School of Medicine is located in
including completing the
Kansas City and of fers a BA/MD
FAFSA.
program that fuses medical sci‑
Although the government shut‑ are some cases that are set for ter‑
down is over it may resume again mination, in some cases and
if Republicans and Democrats are because of the shutdown, that
not able to come up with an matter must linger. If you or a
agreement over the border wall family member or friend have
funding. If there is another gov‑ been affected by the government
ernment shutdown immigration shutdown, by having an immigra‑
courts are going to have a very tion court hearing cancelled, you
hard time handling it. Moreover, should contact the immigration
foreign nationals in removal pro‑ court while the matter is open to
ceedings will have to deal with the see what is happening and when
aftermath of such issues. There you may be scheduled again.
Dev Banad Viswanath is the Principal Attorney of
The Banad Law Offices PC in the United States,
and Banad Immigration in India for which
Attorney Michael Phulwani is also affiliated as Of
Counsel. With Offices in Manhattan, Queens,
Bangalore, and Mumbai, the firm is able to assist
clients with all facets of the immigration process,
including Employment Visas, Consular Visa
Assistance, Student Visas, Removal &
Deportation, US Citizenship and Green Card
Applications based on Family or Employment.
Dev B. Viswanath can be reached at
Dev@Banadlaw.com and 718‑361‑5999.
 28 February 9-15, 2019 HUMOR TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Funny Side by Nury Vittachi

People love to be angry these days

called reporters and told them: "It's because
I'm black."
The good news is that such cases are mostly
limited to the Western media. "On the East
side of the planet, there is no assumption that
authority figures are automatically wrong,"
she said.
Interesting. I mean, there's a lot of bad
things you can say about Asian journalists,
such as the fact that we are often corrupt,
lazy, bribe‑taking, careless, woefully inaccu‑
rate, gullible, and seem incapable of critical
thinking, let alone good writing, and I forgot
where I was going with this sentence so I
intercepting those transmissions must think
this is a planet in which fame and fortune go
to men who can use scissors.
But elsewhere, the modern love of anger
can have bad results. A few days ago, the New
York Times told the shocking story of a bird
scientist who did his job: He caught and dis‑
sected a bird as a specimen for his museum's
million‑piece research collection. An angry
web‑surfer published his name on the
Internet as a "bird murderer". The scientist
got so many angry death threats that he need‑
ed police protection.
The Internet, and particularly Facebook and

T
his columnist once wrote to a friend
gently suggesting that he was not cut
out to be an anger management thera‑
pist. He replied in capital letters: "SO. WHAT.
ARE. YOU. SAYING?"
People love being angry these days, and the
problem is getting worse. When I look at
Facebook, I feel I need to stand well back.
"The aviation industry suf fers the most,"
said a reader who works in that sector. She
showed me a news report expressing outrage
about an airline which threw a passenger off
the flight "because she was breastfeeding".
Another was about an airline which ejected a
man "for having a tattoo". A third report was
about a flight in which staff stopped the plane think I'll just end it here. Twitter, are magnets for the Super Angry. One
to escort a "feminist activist" off. These days, the Asian media does the anger of my social media friends thunders: "I don't
"But not one of them happened as report‑ thing in some countries, while in others, news need anger management. Everyone else needs
ed," said the woman, who did not want her items are bland and emotionless. In some stupidity management." To him, life seems
name printed. "In each case, the passenger Indo‑China nations, the first item on the TV horribly unfair. "When Thor throws his ham‑
was actually thrown off for breaching indus‑ news is always the same: "Premier cuts rib‑ mer he's a hero. When I throw a hammer I
try‑wide safety rules. But journalists prefer to bon." Sometimes the entire news bulletin is need therapy," he grumbles. Stand well back.
say it was because the person was breastfeed‑ the premier cutting various ribbons. Aliens Literally.
ing or whatever because anger gets all the
clicks."
A typical case was reported last December.
Just as a Delta Airlines plane was about to
Laughter is the Best Medicine
take of f from Atlanta, a man rose from his
seat and went to the toilet. The crew scolded
him and booted him of f the flight ‑‑ so he

BEST
RATE
FOR
INDIA
AND
PAKISTAN
New York Head Quarter
422‑S Broadway
HICKSVILLE
NY 11801

516‑827‑1010 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 car-
toons. Hailing from Gujarat, he lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info ASTROLOGY February 9-15, 2019 29

Chandigarh, India: +91-172- 256 2832, 257 2874

By Dr Prem Kumar Sharma Delhi, India: +91-11- 2644 9898, 2648 9899
psharma@premastrologer.com; w.premastrologer.com

FEBRUARY 9‑15, 2019

Aries: You are likely to win over peo‑
ple who matter on the professional
front with your excellent perform‑
ance. Learning new skills on the work front
will be fun and add to your expertise. There
is someone waiting for you with open arms,
so expect this week to be romantically ful‑
filling! Health problems may need to be
tackled on priority.
Lucky Number : 9
Lucky Colour : Indigo
Taurus: You may remain at logger‑
heads with spouse over some domes‑
tic issues. Travelling long distance
will be without any hitches. Keeping your‑
self active will save you from bodily ail‑
ments. You will be af forded a chance to
climb up the corporate ladder on the pro‑
fessional front. Monetary worries are set to
ease as you receive money from an unex‑
pected source.
Lucky Number : 8
Lucky Colour : Green
Gemini: A decision regarding your
future may confront and confuse you
at this juncture, so let others help
you out. Promotion is on the cards for
some. Keep your options open for getting
something done on the domestic front.
Delay in meeting lover can make you rest‑
less. A family member experiencing health
problems may need your full support.
Lucky Number : 1
Lucky Colour : Light Yellow
Cancer: A satisfactory phase in both
personal and professional spheres
is indicated. Peace and tranquillity
prevails on the home front and will help
you unwind. Some of you may devote your
energies in looking for love and romance
this week. Someoneʼs good advice will help
you save money. Travel stars burn bright,
so expect a journey to materialise.
Lucky Number : 15
Lucky Colour : Royal Blue
Leo: Your ideas on the professional
front are likely to be well taken. A
property issue may be challenged in
court. You are likely to excel on the aca‑
demic front and leave your competitors,
way behind. Curb your tendency of unnec‑
essary criticism, as it may not be taken well.
Mood swings of spouse will be tackled well
and you w ill manage to brig hten the
domestic environment.
Lucky Number : 7
Lucky Colour : Lemon
Virgo: You are likely to come to grips
with something being done on the
financial front. Getting a better grasp
of things being taught on the academic
front will help you forge ahead confidently.
A property decision will be in your favour.
Spouse may want your full attention and
can make an issue of it. An exciting over‑
seas trip is in the offing for some.
Lucky Number : 17
Lucky Colour : Lavender
Libra: Things will be much smoother
now at work as you come to terms
with your present circumstances. A
social gathering will prove most entertaining.
You will need to keep your options open on
the financial front. Storm clouds gather on
the academic front and threaten dire conse‑
quences. A strange attraction may draw you
towards someone of the opposite gender.
Lucky Number : 2
Lucky Colour : Light Purple
Scorpio: Be sensitive to subordinates
at work or you can have an awkward
situation on your hands. A family
youngster may require disciplining. Someone
you had absolutely forgotten may enter your
life. Plans for a short vacation are likely to be
finalised. Good transaction is foreseen in a
deal for businesspersons. You will be able to
catch up with others on the academic front.
Lucky Number : 8
Lucky Colour : Chocolate
Sagittarius: You will need to seize the
chance to showcase talents on the
professional front. Maintaining your
standard of living may prove a bit difficult
and prompt you to cut corners. T hose
romancing will find this phase exciting, as
you get to spend quality time with lover.
Those apprehensive about their medical
reports will heave a sigh of relief, as they
turn out perfect.
Lucky Number : 18
Lucky Colour : Sandy Brown
Capricorn: Someone is like ly to
charge you way beyond your expec‑
tation for something that you had got
done. Adjustment problems in relationships
will be overcome. Good rapport with people
who matter is likely to lighten your burden
at work. This is not the time to be extrava‑
gant. Keep an open mind while negotiating a
deal on the professional front as it can go
either way.
Lucky Number : 7
Lucky Colour : Lemon
Aquarius: Man management may not
be your strong point, but you will
need to be just and fair. If you are
feeling under the weather, consider it a tem‑
porary phase, as your condition is set to
improve. Keep major purchases on the hold
for this week. Someone may be reluctant to
trust you on face value, so donʼt leave any
stones unturned in proving your credentials.
Lucky Number : 1
Lucky Colour : Light Yellow
Pisces: You are likely to remain posi‑
tive this week, because things remain
favourable for you both in personal
and professional fronts. You will be able to
make much progress on the career front.
Arrears or increments can be expected by
some. It will take some time to regain your
financial equilibrium, but you will achieve it.
Someone who likes you is likely to help you
out at work.
Lucky Number : 2 Lucky Colour : Baby Pink

February 9, 2019 profession should expect recogni‑

Ruled by number 9 and the plan‑
et Mars. You are intelligent, dash‑
ing, courageous, enthusiastic and a
brilliant individual. In any crowd,
you can easily draw attention
because of your humble outlook
and intellectual talks, but you
need to check your tendencies
towards aggressiveness and short‑
temper at times.
The coming year sees new ideas
and plans materialising. Perfect
year that will improve your earn‑
ing power and let you establish
important relationships. Support
from your seniors and colleagues,
will boost your morale and gener‑
ate new confidence. Overseas
assignments for some w ill be
lucrative. Spouse will provide love
and care, but behave highly pos‑
sessive and unpredictable. A jour‑
ney preferably to a distant loca‑
tion towards the yearend cannot
be ruled out. T he month of
September, November, January
and May will prove to be highly
result oriented.
February 10, 2019
Dominated by number 1 and the
Sun. You are smart, intelligent,
energetic, friendly and highly dig‑
nified person. You are a great
admirer of art and literature, but
you need to control your tendency
to behave stubborn, timid and
careless at times.
This year you will make good
financial gains, provided you take
advantage of the opportunities
being provided to you. Your
charisma and outgoing personality
ANNUAL PREDICTIONS: FOR THOSE BORN IN THIS WEEK
will bring you popularity and win
you favours. Home front will be
peaceful with family members
extending all possible help and
cooperation. Spouse and children
will look after you well, but be
hig hly demanding at t imes.
Wedding bells for some in the last
quarter of the year while others
will find romance to keep them in
the right spirit and good mood.
The months of October, February
and June will prove to be impor‑
tant and eventful.
February 11, 2019
Ruled by number 2 and the
Moon. You are simple, honest,
cooperative, love peace and har‑
mony. You are full of new and
innovative ideas and simply a per‑
fectionist in whatever work you
decide to do, but you need to con‑
trol your tendency to be whimsical
and jealous at times.
Your coming year promises
many new surprises and rewards
for you. Your long desires are like‑
ly to be fulfilled this year. New
sources of income will improve
your financial position and boost
your confidence. Journeys under‑
taken for work purpose would be
beneficial and highly rewarding.
Investment in a house and select‑
ed stocks recommended. Later in
the year a distant trip maybe over‑
seas bring new opportunities for
growth and a chance to meet old
associates. Legal matters are likely
to be extended for much longer
than expected and also prove
highly expensive. Children will win
laurels in their respective fields
and will be supportive and under‑
standing towards you. July,
November, January and May will
bring prosperity.
February 12, 2019
Ruled by number 3 and the plan‑
et Jupiter. You are ambitious, dig‑
nified, independent and kind
hearted. You enjoy a good position
and respect at your work place,
but you need to check your ten‑
dency to behave extravagant and
dominating at times.
Donʼt be hesitant in executing
your new plans in the coming
year. Fame and fortune will be at
your doorsteps provided you are
able to grab the right opportuni‑
ties. New relationships and attach‑
ments will develop bringing you
good opportunities through out
the year. Gains from speculation is
also quite likely. People looking
for matrimonial alliances will find
a suitable life partner. Health will
show improvement despite the
hectic hours that you might put in
office. Foreign transactions or for‑
eign trips for some. June, August
and February will be eventful.
February 13, 2019
Influenced by number 4 and the
planet Uranus. You are active,
practical, enthusiastic, authorita‑
tive and energetic. You are intelli‑
gent and can do wonders in your
profession with your ability and
proficiency, but you need to con‑
trol your tendencies to behave
impatient, whimsical and stubborn
at times.
New proposals and assignments
for you this year. Business will
flourish and financial gains will lift
your confidence. Legal matters
that have been haunting your
mind will settle to your satisfac‑
tion. Promotions and increments
are likely for some. Relationship
with somebody close might get
strained over trivial issues.
Romance and new alliances look
likely for those unattached. Elders
and children in the family will
demand a lot of your attention.
Health of your spouse may cause
concern and anxiety.
Sportsmen and artists can look
forward to some fame towards the
end of the year. July, November,
February and May will be signifi‑
cant.
February 14, 2019
Governed by number 5 and the
planet Mercury. You are practical,
sharp, dignified, sensitive, original
and dashing. You are friendly and
very helpful, but you need to con‑
trol your tendency to behave
impatient and short‑tempered at
times.
A very promising and favourable
period starts this year. Investors
who speculate in the stock market
will benefit financially. T hose
involved in art and other creative
tion and monetary gains. Sudden
help from some near one or a
friend will bring a major boost to
your professional career. This is
also a good time to invest in prop‑
erty. Children will be supportive
and bring in some happy news
later in the year. Pilgrimage or a
long journey would be high on
your cards. September, November,
March and June will prove to be
significant.
February 15, 2019
Ruled by number 6 and the plan‑
et Venus. You have a pleasant per‑
sonality, sharp memory and you
are fond of worldly pleasures. You
stay ahead of others because of
your interest in new things and
new technology, but you need to
control your tendencies towards
moodiness, timidity and interfer‑
ence in the affairs of others.
This period is good for you to
take important decision. You shall
gather knowledge, information
and make new and long lasting
contacts.
You shall leave no stone
unturned to achieve your desired
goals. Businessmen will expand
their ventures into new and more
profitable avenues. Investment in
stocks would bring spectacular
results. Health would definitely
need more attention. Meditation
and Yoga should be practiced for
spiritual as well as physical gains.
Some exhilarating news from your
children would boost up your spir‑
its later in the year. August,
October and April will be eventful.
 30 February 9-15, 2019 SPIRITUAL AWARENESS TheSouthAsianTimes.info

How God helps us in our lives

went to visit his daughter and
his grandchild. Grandparents
have great affinity for their
grandchildren. When he went to
his daughter's house, he saw
that the grandchild was kept in
a playpen. As soon as the grand‑
child saw the grandfather he
By Sant Rajinder Singh said, "Grandfather. Grandfather!
Ji Maharaj Get me out of this. I want to play
with you.” All grandchildren
Similarly, this is what God
does for us.
If we look back at history,
saints have come in all tradi‑
tions, all cultures, all times, and
all walks of life. They have
always come to help the people
in those times. They are the
ones who are compassionate.
This is why many saints have
suffered for each one of us.

M
any times we may
think that God is enjoy‑
ing the heavenly
regions without knowing what
difficulty we are having on
earth. Little do we know that
God wants to help each one of
us.
We might think that God is not
aware of what is happening
with us, but God is aware of
each action that occurs in our
lives. If we know that God is
aware of everything that hap‑
pens to us then the next ques‑
tion that arises is, "If God knows
what is happening, why is God
making us suffer? Why do we
have problems in this world? If
God can do anything, why does‑
n't God take all the problems
away?" There is an interesting
story that helps to explain God's
predicament.
There was a grandfather who
love their grandparents, so the
grandchild wanted to get out of
the playpen, but just as the
grandfather reached his hand
toward the child, his daughter
said, "Don't touch the child. He
did something very wrong, and
he is being punished."
Although the grandfather
wanted to pick up the child, his
daughter told him not to, so
what is the grandfather sup‑
posed to do? The grandfather
could rule over his daughter and
say, "No. no. no, I am picking up
my grandchild anyway," and
have difficulties in that arena.
The other option is that he
could turn around, walk out of
the house, and leave, but then
the grandchild would be devas‑
tated. So the grandfather came
up with a solution. He climbed
into the playpen himself and
played with the child.
This is why many religions
talk about the founders suffer‑
ing for our sins. What are our
sins? Our sins arise from our
breaking the spiritual laws, from
not living according to the high‑
est ethical principles.
If we look back at our own
lives, we will find that God's
hand has always been there to
support us. Many times we do
not appreciate or see God's help
in our lives because we are
unable to gravitate to that level
where we experience that God is
with every one of us at each
moment. lf we were able to sit
quietly and focus within
through meditation, we would
then come into contact with the If we look back at our own lives,
True Reality. We would connect
to the divine Light within and we will find that God's hand has
begin to perceive how God is
working for our benefit at every always been there to support us.
moment of our lives.

By Sant Rajinder Singh Ji

Maharaj
A
wealthy person was working with
his lawyer in preparing his will. The
lawyer was impressed with both the
amount of money the man had accumulat‑
ed and the number of servants he had. The
man had many people to attend to his
every need, including drivers, butlers,
house cleaners, and gardeners to tend to
his estate. The man was proud of how
many people he employed to serve him. He
felt it was a sign of success in life.
When the man finally passed on, he wait‑
ed for his judgment. He felt he would
receive a goo d placement in heaven
because he had been so successful in life.
When his turn came to be judged, the
angel looked over his records and reflected
on what he had accomplished in life.
After looking through the entire record
of this man, she declared that he did not
merit time in heaven.
"What do you mean?" the man exclaimed.
"Didn't you see how successful I was and
how many people served me?”
The angel replied, "For entry into heaven,
we do not keep records of how many peo‑
ple served you. For entry into heaven, we
only record how many people you served.
Unfortunately, your entry into heaven is
denied, because in your life, you only
served yourself."
This story illustrates a powerful lesson.
Many people focus on amassing their own
Entry into heaven
Photo source: billarends
God wanted to create beings that
would serve others, and thus
God created humans.
empires and estates, thinking this is the
true purpose in life. Yet, they disregard the
purpose for which God made humanity.
True human beings live for others. Some
scriptures say that if God wanted only
devotion, the angels were there for that
purpose. God wanted to create beings that
would serve others, and thus God created
humans. It is clear from the story that serv‑
ice to others rather than service to our‑
selves paves the way for our return to God.
Consider which people from history
humanity best remembers. Are they the
people who had others serve them, or are
they the ones who served others? If we
scan the pages of history, we find we do
not remember or honor the emperors and
kings who lived during the time of Jesus
Christ. Such kings may have had large
numbers of slaves and servants catering to
them, yet we remember Jesus Christ
because he was one who served others. His
life was one of sacrifice and service to the
suffering souls of his time. Into which cate‑
gory do we wish to fall when our life is
reviewed at its end? Do we wish to go into
the spiritual realms after this life ends with
an empty list of those we served because
we were more concerned with having other
people serve us?
Selfless service opens our heart to love
and helping others. It makes us an instru‑
ment of God's love by providing for all of
God's creation, whether other people, ani‑
mals, or the planet. In serving, we develop
qualities of giving, caring, and loving.
Serving selflessly helps to eliminate our
ego and our selfishness.
(For more visit www.sos.org)
TheSouthAsianTimes.info February 9-15, 2019

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TheSouthAsianTimes.info February 9-15, 2019