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Vol.11 No. 41 February 16-22, 2019 80 Cents New York Edition Follow us on TheSouthAsianTimes.info

India modernizing its

defense capabilities
By SATimes Team
New Delhi: More fighter planes,
more helicopters for the navy,
even a missile defense system,
India is modernizing and enhanc‑
ing its defense capabilities.
Grappling with a fall in the num‑
ber of its fighter squadrons amid
the ongoing political dogfight
over the Rafale deal, the IAF is
now looking to acquire 21 MiG‑29
jets from Russia. The MiG‑29
acquisition plan comes soon after
IAF got 35 old airframes and
spares of the British‑origin Jaguar
strike fighters from France, UK
and Oman.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of
Defence Tuesday kicked off the
procurement of 111 Naval Utility
The lethal MiG‑29 fighter jet
Navy. This acquisition, estimated
to be worth Rs 21,738 crore, is
the first one being processed
under the new Strategic Partner
(SP) procurement model.
The SP model envisages the
indigenous manufacture of major
defence platforms by an Indian
company, which will collaborate
with a foreign OEM (original
acquire niche technologies and set
up production facilities in India.
The US has discussed a poten‑
tial missile defense collaboration
with India, a top Pentagon official
has said. The US has also agreed
to sell two state‑of‑the‑art missile
defense systems to Air India One The $1.4 billion for border barriers in the bipartisan deal will avert
to enhance the security of planes the government shutdown and the President is likely then to use
executive action to bypass Congress and divert more money
flying the Indian PM and
into wall construction. (Photo collage : www.6sqft.com)
President. “Defense sales are at
an all‑time high, with India oper‑
ating US sourced platforms such
as P‑8s, C‑130Js, C‑17s, AH‑64s,
CH‑47s, and M777 howitzers,” a
top American admiral said.
Trump signals
“Additionally, India recently
agreed to a $ 2.1‑billion purchase
of MH‑60R multi‑role sea‑based
helicopters and is considering a
number of additional US systems
support for
for purchase.”

border deal
Helicopters (NUH) for the Indian equipment manufacturer) to

Congressional reception India, China leading

Washington: President Trump and parameters" of the agreement

for Amb. Shringla global greening
effort: NASA
Washington: India and China are
leading the global greening effort,
which is quite contrary to the gen‑
eral perception worldwide, a latest
NASA study said Monday, observ‑
ing that the world is a greener
place than it was 20 years ago.
The NASA study based on data
received and analyzed from its
satellite said that India and China
are leading in greening on land.
"China and India account for one‑
third of the greening but contain
only 9 per cent of the planet's land
area covered in vegetation," said
lead author Chi Chen of Boston
67 US Senators and Congress members gave a rousing welcome University. "That is a surprising
to Indiaʼs new ambassador, Harsh Vardhan Shringla on the finding, considering the general
Capitol Hill in Washington on Feb 7. (from left) House India notion of land degradation in pop‑
Caucus Co‑Chair Brad Sherman (D), a guest, Amb. Shringla, and ulous countries from over
Senate India Caucus Co‑Chair Sen. John Cornyn (R).
exploitation," he said.
(See story and more pictures on pg 3.)
Continued on page 4
Tuesday appeared to be moving
toward approving a border securi‑
ty compromise after speaking with
the top Republican on the Senate
Appropriations Committee, Fox
News reported.
The president tweeted that he
had been "presented the concept
Senate finds no direct evidence
of conspiracy between Trump
campaign and Russia
Washington: After two years and
200 interviews, the Senate
Intelligence Committee is
approaching the end of its investi‑
gation into the 2016 election, hav‑
ing uncovered no direct evidence
of a conspiracy between the
Trump campaign and Russia,
according to both Democrats and
Republicans on the committee,
by "hard working" Sen. Richard
Shelby, R‑Ala.
"Looking over all aspects know‑
ing that this will be hooked up
with lots of money from other
sources," Trump wrote, "....Will be
getting almost $23 BILLION for
Continued on page 4
reports MSNBC. But investigators
disagree along party lines when it
comes to the implications of a pat‑
tern of contacts they have docu‑
mented between Trump associates
and Russians ̶ contacts that
occurred before, during and after
Russian intelligence operatives
were seeking to help Donald
Continued on page 4

FASHION 15 TOURISM 18 SCI-TECH 26 SPIRITUAL AWARENESS 30 excellence in journalism

TheSouthAsianTimes.info TRISTATE COMMUNITY February 16-22, 2019 3

Rousing welcome for new Indian envoy on Capitol Hill

1 2 3
(1) House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer speaking at the reception for Ambassador Harsh Vardhan Shringla (3rd from left) even as Rep Grace Meng listens appreciatively.
(2) House India Caucus Co‑Chair George Holding (left) posing with Ambassador Shringla. (3) Rep Carolyn Maloney said she is introducing a bill to confer a Congressional
Gold Medal on Mahatma Gandhi in his 150th Birth Anniversary year. Indian Consul General in New York, Sandeep Chakravorty is on extreme right.

By Surekha Vijh
The South Asian Times
Washington DC: It was an amazing
scenario, an awesome bipartisan
support for India. A Capitol Hill
guest room was filled with an
unprecedented number of lawmak‑
ers and the occasion was to wel‑
come the new Indian Ambassador
to the US, Harsh Vardhan Shringla.
Sixty‑Seven US Senators and
Congress members joined the con‑
gressional reception on Feb 7
hosted by Co‑Chairs of the Senate
India Caucus and Congressional
Caucus on India and Indian‑
Americans – Senator John Cornyn
(R) and Mark Warner (D),
Congressman Brad Sherman (D),
and George Holding (R) to wel‑
come Ambassador Shringla. Many
of them were accompanied by
their Indian American con‑
stituents. Leaders of the Indian
community and business associa‑
tions from across the country as
well as mediapersons were present
in large numbers too.
In their we lcome remarks,
Senator Warner, Senator Cornyn,
Cong ressman Sherman and
Congressman Holding underlined
the importance of the India‑US
strategic partnership and the criti‑
cal role played by Congress, in par‑
t icular, the India Caucus in
strengthening relations.
Extending a warm welcome to
the Ambassador and their commit‑
ment to working together in build‑
ing closer ties between the two
demo cracies, the lawmakers
appreciated the significant role
played by the Indian community in
building bridges of understanding
across the two cultures and
nations. They also called upon the
new members to join the India
Caucus. Rep Carolyn Maloney
mentioned that she is introducing
a bill to award a Congressional
Gold Medal to Mahatma Gandhi in
his 150th Birth Anniversary year
while Rep Gregory Meeks said that
Gandhi had always been an inspi‑
ration for him.
Rep Grace Meng extended her
support for India's permanent
membership of the UN Security
Council.
House Majority Leader Steny
Hoyer said that he was impressed
by the great contributions of the
Indian‑American community
across all fields in the US.
Well known in the Indian com‑
munity Reps Pramila Jayapal, Tulsi
Gabbard, Frank Pallone, Raja
Krishnamoorthi and Ro Khanna
also spoke. Ambassador Shringla
thanked the Caucus Co‑Chairs for
their warm welcome. He noted that
the bipartisan support for the
India‑US strategic partnership was
reflected in the turnout of the
Members of Congress across the
aisle for the event.
“You need only look around this
room to see the enthusiasm of
your constituents who have flown
in from all parts of the United
States to be with us here this
evening,” he told the lawmakers,
adding, “It is no coincidence that
the bipartisan India Caucus is the
largest country specific Caucus on
the Hill.” The Ambassador said
that he already had the opportuni‑
ty to meet some senior members
of Congress who recalled fondly
that they were champions of the
India‑U.S. relationship long before
it became fashionable. He said he
heard that the House Caucus was
founded 25 years ago by
Congressman Frank Pallone of
New Jersey and Congressman Bill
McCollum of Florida. In the Senate,
the Caucus was founded by
Senator Cornyn and Senator
Hillary Clinton in 2004.
“Many in this room will recall the
sterling role played by the India
Caucus in getting us past the finish
line on the landmark civil nuclear
agreement,” Shringla said. “The
designation of India as a Major
Defense Partner was also codified
into law by the U.S. Congress in the
National Defense Authorization
Act of 2017, thanks to the unstint‑
ing support of the members of the
India Caucus.”
Amb. Shring la thanked the
Indian‑American diaspora for serv‑
ing as cultural ambassadors of
India and contributing to a strong
foundation for the strategic part‑
nership between the world's oldest
and largest democracies.
Following the Congressional
reception, Ambassador Shringla
hosted a meet and greet and din‑
ner event at his residence.

Gov Cuomo meets Trump to get tax relief for state

By SATimes Team to state and lo cal taxes, w ith High‑tax states like New York, another ef fort to fight the new change here also because he
Trump reiterating "the negative New Jersey and California have cap. Sen. Bob Menendez and Rep. understands you hurt New York,
Washington: New York Governor impact that high taxes in states complained that the new cap dis‑ Bill Pascre ll, both from New you hurt California, you're hurting
Andrew Cuomo like New York have on hardwork‑ proportionately hurts their resi‑ Jersey, introduced legislation that the economic eng ines of the
met President ing families and job creators," CNN dents. For example, New York esti‑ would repeal the $10,000 limit on nation," Cuomo said.
Trump Tuesday reported mates the cap will increase federal the state and local tax deduction. He later added, "He did say he
behind closed One of the more controversial taxes by $14.3 billion in 2018 for The bill is backed by several other was open to discussing the SALT
doors to discuss parts of the 2017 Republican tax New Yorkers. Democrats, as well as New Jersey's issue, and Lawrence Kudlow ‑‑
taxes among measure was a new cap on how New York, along w ith sole Republican in Congress, Rep. who is the economic person ‑‑ said
other topics. much Americans would be allowed Connecticut, Maryland and New Chris Smith. that we would sit down and we
Trump talked New York to deduct for state and local taxes Jersey, has also filed a lawsuit Speaking to WCBS following the would go through the issues. And
about the "positive Governor from their federal bills. The deduc‑ claiming that the tax overhaul vio‑ meeting, Cuomo indicated that the President did say he would
impacts" of the Andrew tion, which helps to lower a tax lated the Constitution by unfairly Trump could be open to changes. like to see if he could put a pack‑
administration's Cuomo bill, is capped at $10,000 targeting Democratic states. "The President previously said age of reforms together because
tax overhaul bill and "listened to under the new law. It once was On Monday, lawmakers from that he was open to a change. He even they recognize that the origi‑
the Governor's concerns" in regard unlimited. several hig h‑tax states made suggested that he was open to a nal tax bill needs reform."
 4 February 16-22, 2019 TURN PAGE TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Trump signals support Tuesday: "I don't think it's going end.
Letter to the Editor for border deal to happen." Democratic Senate investigators
Continued from page 1 The White House has long been who spoke to NBC News on condi‑

“The El Paso 9” Border Security. Regardless of laying the groundwork for Trump tion of anonymity did not dispute
Wall money, it is being built as we to use executive action to bypass Burr's characterizations, but said
Congress and divert money into they lacked context.

T
he “El Paso 9” are
presenting a unique
problem: wanting to
seek asylum in America at
their own terms. The law is
ill equipped to handle pro‑
testors, without it beginning
to act like itʼs a part of crimi‑
nal justice system. What is
most striking in this manu‑
factured tragedy ‑ manufac‑
tured by asylum seekers
refusing to eat and trying to
die in ICEʼs custody. If a
detention facility didnʼt have
heat in w inter and a
detainee died of frost‑bite,
the relatives of the decedent
could rightfully sue ICE and
our Federal Government.
But what if, as with El Paso
9, the Detainees cut off the
heat so as to freeze to death
‑ is ICE and our Government
liable? The nuanced answer
would be a loud and clear
“no.” Here, ICE even went to
federal court and an Article
III federal judge ordered
forced‑feeding after full due
pro cess that includes
Detaineesʼ counsel partici‑
pating. Detainees had the
right to re‑argue or appeal,
or better yet, get really com‑
petent lawyers who would
tell them: you donʼt have a
leg to stand on.
Here, the Asylum Seekers
are essentially in contempt
of court (and ICE protocols).
All they need to do to allevi‑
ate all their suf fering is to
“just eat and drink” like all
human beings do. T his
grandstanding isnʼt even
remotely like “civil disobedi‑
ence” of Mahatma Gandhi,
Martin Luther King Jr., or
Ne lson Mande la. Each of
them wanted to change the
British Empire, eliminate our
Orig inal Sin, and end
Apartheid, respect ive ly.
These Asylum Seekers love
America ‑ as we are ‑ so
much so that they want to
live here and be free; they
want to change nothing
about our “Shining City on
the Hill.” They just want the
right to crash in and get asy‑
lum, because they say so.
Well, that, unfortunately is
not how due process works.
Folks in contempt of court
even in a civil case, such as
refusing to sit for a deposi‑
tion, can be thrown in jail ‑
indefinitely ‑ as they hold
the key to freedom: honor
the court order and get out
of jail. Here, they violate and
contempt ICE ‑ who is trying
to give them enough heat in
winter to avoid frostbite,
and food and drink to be
well nourished. (And that is
no sin.) They have a choice
eat & drink or leave these
United States ‑ but dictate
they cannot.
Any attempt by any United
Nationsʼ organ or any refer‑
ence to the Convent ion
against torture to these facts
is the product of an unwor‑
thy anti‑American bias and
a mind so incapable of prop‑
er diagnosis ‑ that they
ought be terminated from
gainful employment.
‑Ravi Batra,
Eminent Attorney
speak!"
( You can put an asterisk
against the $23 billion figure).
During a Cabinet meeting earli‑
er Tuesday, Trump said that he
was "not happy" with the tenta‑
tive deal, but did not say whether
he would enact the measure and
insisted that the administration
was "using methods other than
this" to construct his long‑prom‑
ised wall along the U.S.‑Mexico
border.
The legislation agreed upon by
a bipartisan group of lawmakers
Monday night provides nearly
$1.4 billion for border barriers ‑‑
including 55 miles of new fencing
to be built in Texas' Rio Grande
Valley ‑‑ and keeps the govern‑
ment funded for the rest of the
fiscal year, which ends on Sept.
30.
Shelby told reporters that he
had explained to Trump that the
$1.4 billion represented a down
payment on the wall, and
reserved discretionary funds for
detent ion facilit ies. She lby
described the president's tone as
"very, very good" and said that
while Trump was concerned that
he wasn't getting all that he want‑
ed in the agreement, "if he'll eval‑
uate it himself, he's getting a good
down payment."
Congressional Republicans, who
are eager to avoid a second politi‑
cally costly partial government
shutdown, have sold the agree‑
ment as a necessary compromise
that represented a major conces‑
sion from Democrats. Congress
has until 11:59 p.m. Friday to get
leg islat ion throug h both the
House and Senate and signed by
Trump.
When asked about a possible
shutdown, Trump told reporters
wall construct ion. He could
declare a national emergency or
invoke other executive authority
to tap funds including money set
aside for military construction,
disaster relief and counterdrug
efforts.
Previewing that strategy last
week, acting White House Chief
of Staf f Mick Mulvaney said,
"We'll take as much money as you
can give us, and then we will go
off and find the money someplace
else ‑‑ legally ‑‑ in order to secure
that southern barrier." He said
more than $5.7 billion in avail‑
able funds had been identified.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch
McConnell, R‑Ky., who had previ‑
ously said he was troubled by the
concept of declaring a national
emergency, said Tuesday that
Trump "ought to feel free to use
whatever tools he can legally use
to enhance his ef fort to secure
the border."
Senate finds no direct
evidence of conspiracy
between Trump cam‑
paign and Russia
Continued from page 1
Trump by leaking hacked
Democratic emails and attacking
his opponent, Hillary Clinton, on
social media. "If we write a report
based upon the facts that we
have, then we don't have anything
that would suggest there was col‑
lusion by the Trump campaign
and Russia," said Sen. Richard
Burr, R‑N.C., the chairman of the
Senate Intelligence Committee, in
an interview with CBS News last
week. Burr was careful to note
that more facts may yet be uncov‑
ered, but he also made clear that
the investigation was nearing an
"We were never going to find a
contract signed in blood saying,
'Hey Vlad, we're going to col‑
lude,'" one Democratic aide said.
The series of contacts between
Trump's associates, his campaign
officials, his children and various
Russians suggest a campaign will‑
ing to accept help from a foreign
adversary, the Democrats say.
By many counts, Trump and his
associates had more than 100
contacts with Russians before the
January 2017 presidential inau‑
guration. Democrats and other
Trump opponents have long
believed that special counsel
Robert Mueller and Congressional
investigators would unearth new
and more explosive evidence of
Trump campaign coordination
with Russians. Mueller may yet do
so, although Justice Department
and Congressional sources say
they believe that he, too, is close
to wrapping up his investigation.
Predictably, Burr's comments
led Trump to tweet that he had
been fully vindicated, which is not
the case. But Democratic Senate
investigators say the final report
will not be good for Trump.
India, China leading
global greening effort:
NASA
Continued from page 1
The study published on February
11, in the journal Nature
Sustainability said that recent
satellite data reveal a greening
pattern that is strikingly promi‑
nent in China and India and over‑
laps with croplands world‑wide.
China alone accounts for 25 per
cent of the global net increase in
leaf area with only 6.6 per cent of
global vegetated area.

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TheSouthAsianTimes.info TRISTATE February 16-22, 2019 5

US lawmakers seek details of operation Pay-to-stay scam:

leading to Indian students’ arrest
Washington, DC: A bipartisan group of
eminent lawmakers led by Indian
American Cong ressman
Krishnamoorthi on Wednesday sought
Raja
details of the sting operation carried out
by the US Department of Home land
Security resulting in the detention of at
least 129 students from India. In multiple
raids last month, federal authorities arrest‑
ed 130 students, including 129 Indians,
enrolled as students in an alleged fraudu‑
lent university in Metro Detroit area and
working across the country.
In a letter, the lawmakers urge the
Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
and US Immig rat ion and Customs
Enforcement (ICE) to ensure students
detained following the recent ICE sting in
Michigan were treated properly and are
afforded all rights provided to them under
law, including access to an attorney and
release on bond for those eligible.
Written by Congressmen Thomas Souzzi,
Rob Woodall and Congresswoman Brenda
Lawrence, in addition to Krishnamoorthi,
the letter also asks DHS and ICE to share
full details and regular updates regarding
the Indian students with the Embassy and
Consulates of India, and to facilitate con‑
sular access for the detainees.
The lawmakers express "concerns sur‑
rounding the recent undercover opera‑
30 Telugu students
tion" conducted by Homeland Security
Investigations, in which HSI special agents
operated a fake university ‑‑ University of
Farmington ‑‑ designed to target recruiters
return to India
and foreign students be lieved to be Detroit: As many as 129 Indian students
engaged in immigration fraud. in the United States of America are fight‑
Noting that India is an important strate‑ ing a tough legal battle of "pay‑to‑stay"
gic partner and friend to the US, the law‑ scam, for being enrolled in a fake univer‑
makers said in 2017, Indian students com‑ sity in Detroit's Farmington Hills. Amid
prised 17.3 percent of all international the ongoing administrative detention, at
students in the country, numbering over least 30 students from Andhra Pradesh
186,000. and Telangana have returned back to
As such, these students are a vital pillar India.
of the people‑to‑people exchanges According to IANS, Telugu organiza‑
between the two countries, and they come tions, working with these students, have
said that returning home was the safest Kalapatapu, chief coordinator, Andhra
to the US on grounds of merit, they assert‑
option for the students who were not Pradesh Non‑Resident Telugu (APNRT)
ed.
detained or received notices for violation Society, told IANS.
"In the spirit of continuing cooperation
of immigration laws. Each student had paid $20,000 to
on educational exchange programs, which
This is the first time that such a huge $25,000 to enroll in the fake University
benefit both countries economically and
number of Indian students have been of Farmington, which recruited students
culturally, we ask that you ensure the stu‑
arrested. in 26 states across the US. Ravikumar P.
dents involved in this case are treated fair‑
About 600 foreign students, 90 per‑ Vemuru, President of APNRT Society, had
ly, humanely, and in accordance with due
cent of them Indians, had enrolled them‑ earlier said that since there was no clear‑
process," the Congressmen said.
se lves w ith a fake University of cut intention by the students to defraud
According to ICE, the investigation
Farmington floated by the US authorities the US government, the maximum pun‑
began in 2015, and HSI agents have been
under a sting operation. More than 80 ishment they could undergo was depor‑
operating the fake school since 2017. As
percent of these students were from the tation.
per the indictment unsealed last week,
two Telugu states. APNRT is working with the Indian
eight individuals served as recruiters for
"Those who had shifted to other uni‑ Embassy to provide legal assistance to all
the school, enrolling hundreds of foreign
versities are safe but there is no problem the students. It is working closely with
nationals as students at the university.
for others in returning home," Buchiram Indian Consulate in Houston.
(PTI)

"All choreographed": 8 Indians arrested in

fake university scam plead not guilty
Washington, DC: The eight Indians,
who were recently arrested for
recruiting several hundred students
mostly from India to stay illegally in
the US by enrolling in a fake univer‑
sity, have pleaded "not guilty" before
a federal court in Michigan.
One of them Phanideep Karnati,
35, who is on an H‑1B visa and lives
in Louisville, Kentucky was released
on a bond of $10,000.
Seven others ‑ Barath Kakireddy,
Suresh Kandala, Prem Rampeesa,
Santosh Sama, Avinash
Thakkallapally, Aswanth Nune, and
Naveen Prathipati ‑ consented to
their continued detention before a
judge in the Eastern District of
Michigan, where they were produced
along with Karnati days after their
arrest.
They were arrested from Detroit,
Florida and Virginia in a nationwide
Immigration and Customs
Enforcement (ICE) operation. All of
them pleaded "not guilty", John W
Brusstar, attorney for Karanati told
PTI over the phone from Michigan.
He accused the federal govern‑
ment of entrapping people by carry‑
ing out such a sting operation. "It
was all choreographed," Brusstar
told PTI in response to a question.
Except for Karnati, none of the seven
Indians, arrested on criminal charges
for recruiting foreign students to
Farmington University was operated by special agents of the Homeland
Security Investigations (HIS) as part of an undercover operation
(Image courtesy: freep.com)
enroll in a fake university to illegally
stay in the US, had hired an attorney
on Monday. All of them are in the
late 20s or 30s. Brusstar said Karnati
was released on a bail because of his
good track record.
An information technology engi‑
neer on H‑1B visa, Karnati came to
the US some 10 years ago. If convict‑
ed he and seven others face impris‑
onment of up to five years.
According to the 16‑page indictment,
from February 2017 to January
2019, these eight Indians conspired
to fraudulently facilitate hundreds of
foreign nationals in illegally remain‑
ing and working in the US by active‑
ly recruiting them to enroll into a
metro Detroit private university
ported foreign students had no were making normal progress
intention of attending school, nor toward completion of the course of
attended a single class, and were not study.
bona fide students. The ICE said that "Each of the foreign citizen who
all participants in the scheme knew enrolled and made tuition payments
that the school had no instructors or to the university knew that they
actual classes. would not attend accrual classes,
The defendants intended to help earn credits or make progress
shield and hide their customers/"stu‑ towards an actual degree in a partic‑
dents" from United States immigra‑ ular field of study ‑ a pay to stay
tion authorities for money and col‑ scheme," it said.
lectively profited
in excess of a
quarter of a mil‑
lion dollars as a
result of their
scheme.
Farmington University. According to
Unbeknownst to the conspirators, the indictment,
Farmington University was operated the university
by special agents of the Homeland was being used
Security Investigations (HIS) as part by foreign citi‑
of an undercover operation, ICE said zens as a "pay to
in a statement. As part of the scheme, stay" scheme
the defendants and recruiters assist‑ which allowed
ed foreign citizen students in fraudu‑ these individuals
lently obtaining immigration docu‑ to stay in the US
ments from the school and facilitated as a result of for‑
the creation of false student records, eign citizens
including transcripts, for the pur‑ falsely asserting
pose of deceiving immigration that they were
authorities. enrolled as full‑
The illegal documents obtained as time students in
a result of the conspirators'' actions an approved edu‑
were based on false claims, false cational program
statements and fraud since the pur‑ and that they
6 February 16-22, 2019 TRISTATE TheSouthAsianTimes.info

IN BRIEF

Indian couple chosen for

Valentineʼs Day wedding atop
Empire State Building
T
his Valentineʼs Day, two lucky couples
will have their weddings on the
Empire State Buildingʼs world‑famous
86th floor Observatory. This year marks the
25thanniversary of the event, and in honor
of this milestone, the Empire State Building
Priya Bhandari elected president of Rajasthan chapter of Indian Overseas Congress. chose two couples, Fabiana Faria and Helena
Barquet from New York, NY and Nachiket
Patel and Chitra Pathak originally from

Congresswoman Maloney pushes Mumbai to have the wedding of their dreams

at the iconic landmark.

for LIRR Station in Queens

Originally from India, Nachiket and Chitra
met ten years ago after an introduction was

A
federal lawmaker is calling on the
MTA to make good on a promise
made two decades ago to build a
Long Island Rail Road station in western
Queens as part of the agencyʼs long‑
delayed East Side Access megaproject.
Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D‑Manhattan)
joined activists in Queens on Monday to
urge the Metropolitan Transportation
Authority to advance plans to construct a
Sunnyside Station. She said Long Island
Cityʼs booming population and develop‑
ment, including a proposal by Amazon to
build of fices there, have heightened the
need for the station.
“It is an outrage that we donʼt have this
built already,” Maloney said. “The infra‑
made through Chitraʼs brother. Following a
structure is not keeping up with the
five year relationship, which included almost
growth of the area. It is becoming a cri‑
two years of long‑distance dating, they are
sis.” T he MTA included plans for a
now happily living in Jersey City, New Nachiket Patel and Chitra Pathak
Sunnyside Station in its original proposal
Jersey. T he Empire State Building is
for East Side Access, the $11.2 billion
Nachiketʼs favorite building, and while the ding in their adopted home. Chitra is thrilled
effort to link the LIRR to Grand Central
couple still plans to host a big traditional to have a wedding in the heart of New York,
Terminal via newly bored tunnels.
wedding in India, he submitted his entry in the city where she and Nachiket were
But as East Side Access, which once was
the hopes of surprising Chitra with a wed‑ reunited.
scheduled for completion in 2009, has
been de layed, so too has been the
prospect of Sunnyside Station. The MTA
originally earmarked about $77 million in
its 2015‑19 Capital Program to design
Neomi Rao faces scrutiny over
and begin construction on the station but
last year reallocated the funds to cover past writing about rape
T
other growing costs, including the latest
budget overrun for East Side Access. he judicial wars returned to
Washington on Tuesday as the
Senate Judiciary Committee met to

Sherin Mathews' case: Foster consider Neomi Rao, President Donald

Trump's nominee for newest Supreme
Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh's now‑
parents to be tried separately vacant seat on a powerful appellate court

A
US court has ruled that the Indian‑
American foster parents of Sherin
Mathews, accused in the death of
their 3‑year‑old special needs daughter,
will face separate trials, according to a
media report.
Sherin, who was adopted by Wesley
Mathews and Sini Mathews in 2016, was
found dead in a culvert near the family's
home in Richardson, Texas, on October 22,
2017, two weeks after her family reported
her missing.
Wesley initially told the police that his
daughter had gone missing from outside
the house. He had made her stand outside
the house at 3 am as punishment for not
finishing her milk. Sherin was missing
when he went back for her, Wesley had
contended.
He changed his story later and told
investigators that Sherin died after chok‑
ing on milk. He admitted to putting her
body in the culvert near their home in
Richardson in suburban Dallas.
There will be separate trials for the par‑
ents accused in the death of Sherin,
Fox4News.com reported, quoting a ruling
by the Dallas County Court on February 4.
Sini, who was 35 at the time of her
arrest, is charged with child abondonement
after allegedly leaving Sherin home alone
on the night of her death. She faces a sen‑
tence that ranges from 2 to 20 years in
prison with a fine of up to $ 10,000.
Her husband, Wesley, 38, at the time of
his arrest, is accused of killing the Indian
girl, who was adopted from an orphanage
in Bihar. Wesley charged with felony injury
to a child, which carries a sentence of up to
life in prison.
Wesley's trial is now set for April 5 while
Sini's trial has been moved up to March 15,
the report said.
The Dallas County Medical Examiner's
Office which released Sherin's autopsy
report listed the cause of death as homi‑
cide and the manner as homicidal violence.
Defense attorneys for Wesley wanted
both parents tried together. But Sini's
attorneys convinced the judge that they
should be tried separately, the report said.
Both Wesley and Sini are currently
lodged in the Dallas County jail. Their four‑
year‑old biological daughter is staying
with relatives in Houston. (PTI)
in Washington.
Rao, who serves as Trump's "czar" over‑
seeing regulatory rollbacks, faced fierce
questioning from Democrats not just for
her work in the Trump administration but
for commentary she wrote decades ago as
a Yale University student suggesting
women should change their behavior to
avoid date rape.
"I cringe" at some of the language, Rao
told the senators during her testimony on
Tuesday. As most every Democratic sena‑
tor on the dais mentioned her early writ‑
ings, Rao stressed that they occurred near‑
ly "two decades" ago at a "time of explo‑
ration" in college.
Sen. Joni Ernst, R‑Iowa, who recently
publicly disclosed she had been a victim of
sexual assault, said Rao's columns gave
her "pause", CNN reported.
In one piece for the Yale Herald written
in 1994 titled "Shades of Gray," Rao
responded to an alleged date rape incident
on campus by writing: "It has always
seemed self‑evident to me that even if I
drank a lot, I would still be responsible for
my actions." She added: "A man who rapes
a drunk girl should be prosecuted. At the
same time, a good way to avoid a potential
date rape is to stay reasonably sober."
On Tuesday, Rao said that when she was
writing about the incident she emphasized
that rape is a crime and no one should
Neomi Rao (Photo: ndtv.com)
"blame the vict im" but that she had
attempted to make a "common‑sense
observation" that there were some actions
a woman could take so it would be less
likely she would become a victim. Rao said
she hoped she has "matured" as a writer
and a person.
Demo crat ic Sen. Patrick Leahy of
Vermont seized on her comments and said
that as a former prosecutor, he had dealt
with rape cases. He said he feared her sen‑
timents might lead some women to be too
ashamed to report rape.
Rao responded that she had made it
"very clear" that "rape is a terrible crime
for which men should be held responsi‑
ble."
"I was trying to make in perhaps not the
most elegant way the sort of common‑
sense observation... It's the advice my
mother gave me; it's the advice that I give
my children. And I certainly regret any
implication of blaming the victim," she
said. (IANS)
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Gurinder Singh Khalsa announces American man on way to Pak to
entry into US politics join LeT arrested at US airport
Washington, DC: Eminent Indian‑
American philanthropist and entre‑
preneur Gurinder Singh Khalsa, who
was recently conferred with the pres‑
tigious Rosa Parks Trailblazer award
for his campaign that forced the
authorities in the US to change their
policy towards turban of the Sikh
community, has announced his deci‑
sion to enter electoral politics in
America.
Indianapolis‑based Khalsa, 45 on
Wednesday announced that he will
run for City Council of Fishers. "An
interest in public policy based on my
past experiences along with the Philanthropist and entrepreneur Gurinder Singh
desire to give back to my community Khalsa was recently conferred prestigious Rosa
are among the prevailing factors as Parks Trailblazer award for his campaign that com‑
to my decision to run for of fice,"
Singh told his supporters in
Indianapolis.
A resident of the Fishers community in
Indiana for over a decade, Khalsa is a promi‑
nent business leader, entrepreneur and phi‑
lanthropist who has worked with public serv‑
ice leaders and organizations across the state
and nation.
"I want to be a part of giving back through
public service," he was quoted as saying in a
statement.
Asked why he decided now was the time to
run for council, Singh responded, "I have met
many trailblazers who have made a difference
in the lives of others through their work in
public service."
"My experience in business operations and
the ability to bring a new voice to the table as
Former Burlco official to publicly apologize for ‘racist’ remarks about Indian Americans
Washington, DC: The former Chesterfield
Township committeeman who ignited a
controversy after making racially offensive
remarks about Indian American voters in a
Facebook post said Thursday night that he
would make a public apology.
Sam Davis made that announcement
after learning that Township
Committeeman Shreekant Dhopte, who
defeated him in November, had rejected
the emailed apology Davis sent him late
Wednesday. Davis, a Republican, said he
would publicly apologize to the community
at the next township committee meeting,
next Thursday.
Dhopte, a Democrat, who won the elec‑
tion by 117 votes, said Thursday that
Davisʼ emailed apology was impersonal
and that he "needs to do better. ... He needs
to come out and apologize to everyone in
the community.”
In his email to Dhopte, Davis wrote: “I
NATIONAL
pelled US authorities to change their policy
towards turban of Sikh community
we strive for forward‑thinking visions and
goals for the community will be an asset for
Fishers," he added.
Singh said he desires to invest in the very
community that provided him with the same
opportunities which have contributed to his
success as a community leader.
"I desire to invest my time in Fishers ‑ work‑
ing towards collaborating with others as we
address the fast‑paced growth of our commu‑
nity and inspiring others to get involved with
the community, as well," Singh said.
"My values center on the growth of our
community and the voice of our community,"
he reiterated.
(PTI)
Sam Davis said in a Facebook post that
'illegal' votes by Indian Americans cost
him reelection. Shreekant Dhopte (right).
(Image courtesy: dailymail.co.uk)
apologize for the words I spoke. I must say
the manner was not very respectful. ... I
truly like you Shree and respect you."
Davis also invited to buy Dhopte dinner
on Friday night. Dhopte said he would
ignore the message and the invitation.
In a Facebook post last week, Davis said
Washington, DC: A 29‑year‑old New York
City man has been arrested while he was
about to catch a flight to Pakistan to join the
Lashkar‑e‑Taiba (LeT), in a dangerous sign
that the Pakistan‑based terror group, which
carried out the 26/11 Mumbai terror
attack, has expanded its tentacles in the US.
In another instance of the growing influ‑
ence of the LeT in the US and radicalization
of American youths, a teenager in Texas was
charged by the FBI with using social media
to recruit people on behalf of the terror
group and send them to Pakistan for terror‑
ist training.
Federal prosecutors on Friday announced
that they arrested the Manhattan man,
Jesus Wilfredo Encarnacion, on Thursday
night at John F Kennedy International
Airport as he was about to board an interna‑
tional flight with Pakistan being his final
destination.
Prosecutors say Encarnacion went online
to try to join the terrorist organization.
Encarnacion allegedly told an unnamed co‑
conspirator in November that he wanted to
hook up with Pakistani terror group which
carried out the 2008 Mumbai attacks that
killed 166 people.
“I want to execute. I want to behead.
Shoot,” Encarnacion told an undercover
agent, the complaint alleges.
"Encarnacion allegedly attempted to travel
to Pakistan to join a foreign terrorist organi‑
zation and conspired with another individ‑
ual to provide that organization with mate‑
rial support," said Assistant Attorney
General John Demers.
he lost his bid for reelection to a seat on
the committee because “all the Indians” in
the township voted for Dhopte and are not
U.S. citizens.
Davis, a retired Trenton High School
teacher who portrays Gen. George
Washington at historic events, said he filed
a complaint with the Burlington County
Prosecutorʼs Office and said the illegal vot‑
ers should be given $15,000 fines.
Dhopte, 45, is an IT manager w ith
Johnson & Johnson.
The controversy began when Davis, 64,
joined a thread on a Facebook post about
neighboring Bordentown, where a cafe
owner posted the image of a bill signed by
an unknown patron who wrote that he
doesnʼt tip immigrants. Davis joined the
conversation and said he had lost the
November election to “an Indian guy."
In an interview earlier this week, Davis
said he knew the Indians in the town of
February 16-22, 2019 7
Encarnacion aka "Jihadistsoldg ier",
"Jihadinhear", "Jihadinheart" and
"Lionofthegoo d," plotted to trave l to
Pakistan to join and train with LeT, said US
Attorney Geoffrey Berman.
"Encarnacion not only expressed a desire
to "execute and behead people," he sched‑
uled to travel and almost boarded a plane so
he could go learn how to become a terror‑
ist," said FBI assistant director‑in‑charge
William Sweeney Jr.
In the southern state of Texas, 18‑year‑old
Michael Kyle Sewell was charged by the FBI
with using social media to recruit people on
behalf of the LeT and send them to Pakistan
for terrorist training.
The arrest of the New Yorker and the
charges against the Texas teenager ‑ who do
not appear to be of South Asian origin as
has been the case in previous such arrests ‑
have set the alarm bells ringing among the
law enforcement agencies in the US.
The arrests have thrown the spotlight on
issues of homegrown terrorism and radical‑
ization of American youths, a situation that
authorities have dreaded post Mumbai‑ter‑
rorist attack.
"These organizations are using the inter‑
net and social media to appeal to the most
barbaric impulses in people, and train them
to kill," Sweeney Jr added.
According to NYPD Police Commissioner
James O'Neill, one of Encarnacion's stated
motives for traveling overseas was to get
the training and experience he believed he
needed to someday return to the United
States and carry out attacks. (PTI)
8,000 had voted illegally because "you just
kind of know; well, you know, well, Iʼm just
assuming you know.” Asked to elaborate,
he hung up.
The township has about 4,000 registered
voters, including about 300 Indian
Americans, Dhopte said. The vote was
1,174 for Dhopte, 1,057 for Davis, and 211
for Jignesh Shah, a school board member
who ran as an independent, according to
the county Board of Elections.
Dhopte said he was holding a “communi‑
ty unity meeting” to have an open dialogue
"to let people dissolve their anger and frus‑
tration. Thatʼs the hope, to give closure to
this issue.”
After learning that Davis had pledged to
publicly apologize, Dhopte said that would
be welcome. “The Indian community is for‑
giving, and believes in giving second
chances to people who demonstrate
remorse,” he said. (Souce: philly.com)
 8 February 16-22, 2019 NATIONAL COMMUNITY TheSouthAsianTimes.info

IIT Gandhinagar launches Dr. Kiran C Patel

Center for Sustainable Development
Gandhinagar, Gujarat: Indian
Inst itute of Technolog y
Gandhinagar aims to become the
principal resource centre for sus‑
tainable development in India
with the launch of Dr Kiran C
Pate l Center for Sustainable
Development, which will advance
lo cal and g lobal solut ions
through cutting‑edge interdisci‑
plinary research. It has been set
up with a generous endowment
from philanthropist Dr Kiran C
Patel, a distinguished cardiologist
based in Florida.
The Center,inaugurated on Jan
30, 2019, will develop a national
and global network of leading
experts and researchers on sus‑
tainability and undertake
research on water, pollution,
waste management, energy, natu‑
ral resources and climate change.
The Center will research sus‑
tainability and related challenges
of high societal importance and
promote cost‑ef fective and sus‑
non‑toxic environment. It is
imperative that IITs of the world
develop the intellectual capital to
create a sustainable planet earth
that can ensure the well‑being of
ten plus billion people residing in
this world in the coming
decades.”
Prof Sudhir K Jain, Director, IIT
Gandhinagar, said, “Dr. Patelʼs
exceptional generosity for an
institution with which he has no
earlier connection touches us
deeply and inspires us greatly.
The gift will enable our faculty
and students to work on develop‑
ing practical solutions to major
Florida based philanthropist and cardiologist Dr. Kiran C Patel sustainability challenges through
tainable solutions through its tainability challenges. It will also an integ rat ion of advanced
strong outreach and technology‑ promote startups on sustainabili‑ research, traditional knowledge
transfer programmes. ty with IITGNʼs Entrepreneurship and field understanding.”
The Center will undertake tech‑ Cell by providing Seed Grants. IIT Gandhinagar campus is the
nology transfer of sustainable Addressing the inaugural func‑ first campus in India to receive
solutions to NGOs, local govern‑ tion, Dr Kiran C Patel said, “The the 5 star GRIHA LD rating for its
ments and industry and collabo‑ single major challenge facing the ecofriendly and sustainable
rate w ith policy makers and next generation will be lack of design. The IITGN campus is con‑
industry to identify and solve sus‑ clean air, natural resources and sidered a ʻliving laboratoryʼ on
sustainability.
The Center also collaborates
with global organizations and
universities on its programs. The
Centreʼs faculties have collabora‑
tions with colleagues at Columbia
University,
USA, Purdue University, USA,
United Nat ions Deve lopment
Prog ramme, United Nat ions
Environment Programme, Royal
Netherlands Meteorolog ical
Institute,
Royal University of Bhutan and
Sonnen, Germany, among many
others. The Centre offers summer
research internships open to stu‑
dents nationwide on various sus‑
tainability themes every year.
Dr Patel, and his wife Dr Pallavi
Patel have contributed nearly
$300 million to various philan‑
thropic causes, including estab‑
lishing three medical colleges at
Nova Southeastern University and
building a new campus for the
university in Clearwater, Florida.

AAPI to host 9-city music Rising above self: Pravasi Bharatiya

tour featuring Sukhwinder
Singh, Amruta Fadnavis
Chicago, IL: After mesmerizing musical
lovers all across the world with his
enchanting voice, Sukhwinder Singh, a
top Bollywood singer, accompanied by
the first lady of Maharashtra, Amruta
Fadnavis, is now on AAPIʼs Nine‑City
Jai Ho Musical Dhamaka this spring
across the US.
Org anized by the American
Association of Physicians of Indian ori‑
gin (AAPI), the spectacular musical
program combined with educational
and networking opportunities for AAPI
members, supporters and sponsors, is
being organized with the objective of
bringing CME and non‑CME sponsored
medical lectures, exhibits, Gala Dinner,
community outreach talks and a lively
musical nite in each of the 9 cities
across the country.
“Following the past successes of
multi‑city musical tours organized by
AAPI, I am inspired by the concept and
how such events have he lped in
strengthening the relationship between
the AAPI Chapters and national office,
in addition to help raise funds for the
many noble programs for AAPI and the
local Chapters” says Dr. Naresh Parikh,
President of AAPI.
Dr. Hemant Dhingra, Entertainment
Chair of AAPI who has close relation‑
ship with the entertainment industry,
worked with Sukhwinder Singh and
team to put together the mega event.
The 9 city musical and educational
tour is being launched on Friday, May
10 Columbus, Ohio and will be fol‑
lowed by Atlanta on May 11th and in
Washington D C on May 12th.
Sukhvinder and his team will perform
in Charlotte, NC on May 17th, in New
Jersey on May 18th and in Dallas, TX
on May 19th. In the final weekend, the
popular artist will begin his tour in
Milwaukee, WI on May 24th, in San
Jose, CA on May 25th and the grand
finale will be in Hollywood City, Los
Angeles on May 26th.
Senior leadership and several past
Presidents and leaders of AAPI have
extended their whole‑hearted support
in organizing this mega event across
the nation, Dr. Parikh says.
“Entertainment was only just one
component of the entire program,” Dr.
Parikh adds.
“The idea is to put together mini sem‑
inars, networking and strengthening
the relationship between members and
the national of fice. “Due to popular
demand from several physicians on the
need for enhancing scientific compo‑
nent at AAPI meetings and allowing
greater number of members to partici‑
pate, AAPI is now organizing the 13‑
city programs to make it easy for
physicians to participate locally avoid‑
ing extensive travel and time away
from practice,” he explains.
Samaan awardee Gitesh Desai
By Manu Shah
Houston: Gitesh Desai was read‑
ing an email from Indiaʼs
Ministry of External Affairs but
before the words could sink in,
he got a call from Houstonʼs
Consul General Dr. Anupam Ray
congratulating him. Desai was
one of the 28 Pravasi Bharatiya
Samman awardees of 2019.
The normally eloquent Desai
says he was “struggling for
words” during his conversation
with the Consul General.
Desai was presented the pres‑
tigious award by the President
of India Ram Nath Kovind at a
special ceremony in Varanasi
on January 23. He had “goose
bumps while walking on the
dais” to receive the award. He
was also felicitated at his alma
mater University of Baroda and
in his hometown Jambusar in
Gujarat.
A cherished recognition,
Desai plans to hang the framed
certificate in his living room.
Desai came to the US in 1980
with an engineering degree
from India, but the lack of prac‑
tical experience, a US degree
and fluency in English proved
to be major roadblocks in get‑
ting a job.
In exasperation, he finally
told an interviewer at Jack D.
Gillum, an engineering compa‑
ny, “Henry Kissinger was an
unknown person too until
Nixon gave him a chance.
Engineering formulas donʼt
change whether they are
applied in India or the US. Just
give me a chance.”
Desai got the job and soon
proved himself. He rose quick‑
ly through the ranks in every
one of the four prominent com‑
panies heʼs worked for – Jack D.
Gillum, Stone and Webster, KBR
and presently Wood where he
is Senior Principal Engineer.
Heʼs racked up a combined
experience of 35 years in engi‑
neering and construction proj‑
ects and has worked on assign‑
ments that were individually
worth $12 billion. His present
boss describes him as “a solu‑
tions oriented, goal driven
problem solver.”
T his description of Desai
would be proved right once
again in a completely different
setting. Three months after he
took the helm as President of
Sewa International Houston
Chapter, Hurricane Harvey hit
Houston. His own house was
flooded with 5 feet of water for
Gitesh Desai of
Houston received
Pravasi Bharatiya
Samman on Jan.
23rd in Varanasi
for his work in
building bridges
between the two
countries.
two weeks. Desai gathered his
passport, laptop and with the
clothes he was wearing, walked
out of the house and moved
into a hotel. He began coordi‑
nating rescue and relief efforts
from the hotelʼs lobby and was
in the forefront mobilizing
1250 volunteers who rescued
687 people stranded in their
homes. Sewa International col‑
lected over one million dollars
in donations including a
$400,000 grant from the
Mayorʼs Fund for relief and
rehabilitation ef forts, the first
ever such grant to any Indian
American organization in the
US. Desai lost most of his
belongings, personal memories,
paintings & some rare books in
the flooding but the three
things, he says, he didnʼt lose
were “his positivity, hope and
health” for which he is grateful.
He stayed in a hotel for one
year & has only recently moved
back home occupying the sec‑
ond floor as the first floor still
“looks like a war zone.”
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Abu Dhabi includes Hindi as
third official court language
Dubai: In a landmark decision, Abu Dhabi has
included Hindi as the third official language
used in its courts, alongside Arabic and
Eng lish, as part of a move designed to
improve access to justice.
The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department on
Saturday said it has extended the adoption of
interactive forms of statement of claims filed
before courts by including the Hindi language
alongside Arabic and English in labor cases.
This is aimed at helping Hindi speakers to
learn about litigation procedures, their rights
and duties without a language barrier, in
addition to facilitating registration proce‑
dures via unified forms available through the
ADJD website, the judicial body said.
According to official figures, the UAE popu‑
lation is estimated to be around five million of
which 2/3rd are immigrants from foreign
countries. The Indian community in the UAE,
numbering 2.6 million, constitutes 30 percent
of the total population and is the largest expa‑
triate community in the country.
Yousef Saeed Al Abri, undersecretary of the
ADJD, said the adoption of multilingual inter‑
active forms for claim sheets, grievances and
requests, aims to promote judicial services in
line with the plan Tomorrow 2021 and
Indian‑origin billionaire buys
six more Rolls‑Royce cars
Reuben Singh's (inset) latest Rolls‑Royce Jewel collection.
London: Entrepreneur Reuben Singh ‑‑ also
known as the Bill Gates of Britain ‑‑ took
the Internet by storm when he updated pic‑
tures of his six newly purchased Rolls‑
Royce cars and added them to his personal
"Jewels Collection by Singh" fleet. It cost
him just Rs. 50 crore. Founder and CEO of
the alldayPA contact centre company,
Sing h's latest Rolls‑Royce collect ion
includes three Phantom luxury sedans and
three Cullinan luxury SUVs ‑‑ named
Rubies, Sapphires and Emeralds.
The "Jewel Collection" with Phantom ‑‑
the most expensive Rolls‑Royce sedan in
the market and Cullinan ‑‑ the only SUV
produced by the British luxury car marker ‑
‑ was delivered to Singh by Torsten Muller‑
Otvos, chief executive of ficer (CEO) of
Rolls‑Royce, himself, the media reported on
Monday.
"There is always a little room for more,"
Singh captioned the picture of his grand
new Rolls‑Royce fleet on his Instagram
DIASPORA February 16-22, 2019 9
increase the transparency of litigation proce‑
dures. "This is in addition to facilitating regis‑
tration procedures to the public through sim‑
plified and easy forms and raising litigants''
legal awareness via interactive forms of the
statements of claims, to ensure access to the
legal materials related to the subject of the
dispute," Mr. Al Abri was quoted as saying by
the Khaleej Times.
He indicated that the extension of the adop‑
tion of interactive forms in several languages
comes under the directives of Sheikh
Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime
Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs
and ADJD Chairman.
Mr. Al Abri explained that the adoption of
new languages comes as part of the bilingual
litigation system, the first phase of which was
launched in November 2018, through the
adoption of procedures requiring the plain‑
tiffs to translate the case documents in civil
and commercial lawsuits into English, if the
defendant is a foreigner.
"The foreign investor receives the case files
translated, thus contributing to the provision
of a global judicial service that meets the
requirements of residents in the Emirate of
Abu Dhabi," he added. (PTI)
account.
The British entrepreneur became an
internet sensation in December 2017 for
the "seven day Rolls‑Royce Turban
Challenge", in which he matched the color
of his turban with his 7 Rolls Royce for a
week, after an Englishman mocked his tur‑
ban.
With the latest addition to his garage, the
total number of Rolls‑Royce models in
Singh's possession has reached 20.
The car‑enthusiast is a proud owner of
other super‑expensive and desirable luxury
cars like Bugatti Veyron, Porsche 918
Spyder, Pagani Huayara, Lamborghini
Huracan and Ferrari F12 Berlinetta (the
only one of its kind in the world).
Born into a business family, the entrepre‑
neur is CEO of private equity fund Isher
Capital and has served on a government
advisory panel for small businesses under
former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair.
(IANS)
 10 February 16-22, 2019 US AFFAIRS TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Elizabeth Warren joins crowded Second woman accuses

field of President hopefuls
Washington: Democratic Senator
Elizabeth Warren has officially
launched her election campaign
to become the party's presiden‑
tial candidate for the 2020 US
polls.
Warren on Saturday made the
announcement at an event in
Lawrence in her home state of
Massachusetts, where she took a
shot at the current administra‑
tion and the nation's politics,
Xinhua reported.
"We need to take power in
Washington away from the
wealthy and well‑connected and
put it back in the hands of the
people where it belongs," she
said in her speech.
The campaign of Warren, who's
on the Democratic Party's left
flank, will focus on economic
equality, government accounta‑
bility and reining in big corpora‑
tions.
She pledged on Saturday to
Senator Elizabeth Warren.
(Photo IANS)
"break up monopolies when they
choke off competition" and "take
on Wall Street banks so that the
big banks can never again threat‑
en the security of our economy."
Warren has faced questions
about her past claims of Native
American ancestry. Her decision
last year to release the results of
a DNA test intended to prove her
claims drew crit icism from
Native American groups.
The senator apologized earlier
this week for those claims, clari‑
fying that she is not a member of
any tribe.
Brad Parscale, campaign man‑
ager for President Trump's 2020
re‑election, accused Warren of
being a "fraud."
Trump has called Warren
"Pocahontas" and claimed that
she benefited in schools and
work from minority status.
Warren, 69, has represented
Massachusetts in the Senate
since 2013.
She's now officially joining a
crowded field of Democrats seek‑
ing the party's nomination to
take on Trump next year.
Other prominent Democratic
figures who have announced
presidential bids include three
US Senators: Kamala Harris, Cory
Booker, and Kirsten Gillibrand.
Virginia deputy Governor
of sexual assault
Washington: A second woman has
come forward with claims that she
was sexually assaulted by
Virginia's Lieutenant Governor
Justin Fairfax in 2000 when both
were undergraduate students at
Duke University, prompting top
fellow Democrats to call for his
resignation.
Maryland woman Meredith
Watson said on Friday that she
Virginia deputy governor
was sexually assaulted by Fairfax
Justin Fairfax. (Photo : AP)
in a "premeditated and aggressive"
attack in 2000 and demanded that Democrats in the Virginia House
he should step down immediately, and Senate urged him to step
the New York Times reported. down, saying he "could no longer
Watson's accusation came after fulfil his duties to the common‑
Vanessa C. Tyson, a political sci‑ wealth", as did the Virginia
ence professor from California, Legislative Black Caucus, a power‑
said she was assaulted by Fairfax ful bloc within the General
during the 2004 Democratic Assembly. Virginiaʼs Governor
National Convention in Boston. Ralph Northam is also under a
Fairfax, who has denied both alle‑ cloud over a blackface ‑ Ku Klux
gations, was facing a wave of calls Clan uniform picture in his college
for his resignation by Friday night. yearbook.

Trump in good health, Leadership lessons from the

despite unhealthy habits most respected Congressman
Washington: President Donald Trump,
famous for his love of fast food, does not
exercise or follow his diet plan, White
House staf fers told CNN ahead of his
annual physical exam on Friday.
But no matter, as President, Trump had
his second full physical exam. And the 72‑
year‑oldʼs personal physician ̶ Dr. Sean
Conley ̶ released a statement saying a
team of 11 doctors had examined Trump.
But he included no details about their find‑
ings, saying only that Trump is in “very
good health.” He added that he expects the
commander‑in‑chief to remain healthy “for
the remainder of his presidency and
beyond.”
The results echoed last yearʼs exam,
when Trumpʼs then‑White House physician
Dr. Ronny Jackson declared the president
in “excellent” physical and cognitive condi‑
tion. That physical attracted an unusual
degree of scrutiny amid questions about
Trumpʼs mental health and fitness for
of fice. In a first, Trump had requested a
cognitive exam ̶ apparently a response
to Democratic members of Congress who
When champions
Clemson University
football team
visited the White
House last month,
Trump hosted them
to a variety of fast
food, calling it
Great American
Food.
(Photo courtesy
USA Today)
had reignited the discussion about the
25th Amendment, a process that could
remove a president who is unfit to govern.
Trump has high cholesterol and has dis‑
puted reports that he has a common form
of heart disease. "The President received a
diet and exercise plan last year after his
annual physical, but he admits he has not
followed it religiously," Principal Deputy
White House Press Secretary Hogan Gidley
told CNN.
Nearly a dozen White House of ficials
and sources close to Trump said he is
reluctant to change his eating habits and
has not set foot in the White House fitness
room, calling exercise a "waste of the ener‑
gy".
CNN cited another source as saying that
the President still orders fast food to be
delivered to the White House and enjoys
well done red meat dinners.
When the Clemson University football
team visited the White House last month,
Trump hosted them with a spread of burg‑
ers, chicken nuggets and fries from a vari‑
ety of fast food chains.
Washington: John Dingell, who
died at 92 last week, was the
most w ide ly respected
Congressman. T he longest‑
serving member of Congress,
he retired in 2015 after 59
years. And in those decades of
service, he was instrumental in
championing the rig hts of
unions, automobile companies,
the environment and most
notably health care. Dingell
was literally a child of the New
Deal. He went to Washington
with his father, John, Sr. when John Dingell, who died at age 92, served in House of
he was elected to Congress in Representatives for 59 years. (Photo : Bloomberg)
1932 in the Roosevelt land‑
slide. He was a page serving in the House His last words for America, contained in
when Franklin Roosevelt made his “Day of the form of an op‑ed published in the
Infamy” speech the day after Pearl Harbor. Washington Post and dictated literally on
Upon the death of his father, John was his deathbed, echoed his commitment to
elected to that same seat, representing the service. He includes this admonition. “In
mostly working‑class district located in democratic government, elected officials
Southeast Michigan. do not have power. They hold power ̶ in
Politico headlined its tribute: “Youʼre trust for the people who elected them.”
Living in America John Dingell Made.” Dingell believed that those who are elect‑
Indeed, from Medicare to Medicaid, includ‑ ed must serve their constituents. “I never
ing programs for childrenʼs health, and forgot the people who gave me the privi‑
later Obamacare, to clean water and civil lege of representing them,” Dingell writes.
rights, Dingell had a hand in shaping legis‑ “It was a lesson learned at home from my
lation that delivered it. He also champi‑ father and mother, and one I have tried to
oned the biggest employers in his district, impart to the people Iʼve served with and
the automakers. employed over the years.”
Dingell did not initially support gun con‑ After all, when you serve others, people
trol, even serving for a time on NRA board. remember you.
He did, however, resign that position, in His wife, Debbie, succeeded him and
the wake of the Oklahoma City bombing remains in the seat today.
after an NRA official referred to federal Dingell's service, combined with that of
agents as “jackbooted thugs.” And he sup‑ his father and his wife, marks the longest
ported anti‑crime legislation that banned consecutive service in Congress for a sin‑
assault weapons. gle family: nearly 86 years.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Lawmakers reach deal to avoid government shutdown
Washington: US House and Senate
legislators have reached an agree‑
ment "in principle" to provide
$1.375 billion for fencing and
other physical barriers at the
Mexico border, a figure far lower
than the $5.7 billion that President
Donald Trump had demanded, to
stave of f another government
shutdown.
T he ag reement which was
reached on Monday night, was
expected to avert a second partial
government shutdown. The first
shutdown that began on December
22 and ended on January 25, was
the longest administrative closure
in the US history. The deal, howev‑
er, contains only a fraction of the
money Trump wants for his prom‑
ised border wall and does not men‑
tion a concrete barrier. It still
needs to be approved by Congress
and signed by the President, the
New York Times reported.
Speaking later, Trump promised
to finish building the border wall
regardless of what the Democrats
and Republican legislators agreed
to in the Congress. "We're building
the wall anyway," he said at a rally
Mixing mild reconciliation and antagonism
By Shivaji Sengupta
T
he U.S. Constitution, writ‑
ten in 1787, requires the
president to “from time to
time give to the Congress infor‑
mation of the State of the Union,
and recommend to their consider‑
ation such measures as he shall
judge necessary and expedient.”
(Article II, Section 3). This stipula‑
tion has been observed faithfully
by all the presidents, beginning
with George Washington (who
had himself presided over the dis‑
cussion and debates over the
Constitution). The phrase, State of
the Union (SOTU), already embed‑
ded in Section 3 of the Article, was
nevertheless consciously used for
the first t ime by President
Franklin Rooseve lt. In 1947,
Rooseveltʼs successor, President
Harry S. Truman, gave the first
te levised State of the Union
Speech.
Almost certainly because of tele‑
vision, SOTU has become a pomp
and show spectacle over the last
seven decades. You see literally all
the elected officials, the chief jus‑
tices, the presidentʼs wife, mem‑
bers of his cabinet, the top eche‑
lon of the armed forces, all
dressed grandly for the occasion.
Trump speaking at the El Paso, Texas rally. The tentative agreement in
US Congress gives him about $1.4 billion for physical barriers, far
lower than the amount he demanded for his wall. (Photo : Reuters)
in El Paso, Texas.
In a crowded stadium with ban‑
ners saying "Finish the Wall",
Trump told supporters: "Walls
work... Walls save lives."
The tentative agreement allo‑
cates funding for the construction
of 55 miles of new fencing, built
through existing designs such as
metal slats, instead of the 215‑mile
concrete wall demanded by Trump
in December. The President said
Trump’s 2nd SOTU address
Speaker Nancy Pelosiʼs stylized clapping was widely
seen as mocking what the President said and claimed.
The president enters the main
chamber of the Congress last,
after the “crier,” awaiting an indi‑
cation from the Speaker, shouts
out his entrance. Donald Trump
entered this stage on February 5,
after a delay of some two weeks
because Madam Speaker, Nancy
Pelosi, wouldnʼt allow the State of
the Union to take place until the
Government was reopened.
The presidentʼs speech was con‑
ciliatory, given the numerous con‑
troversies he has brought upon
himself and the consequent loss
of public opinion. This was his
The views expressed in Op Eds are not necessarily those of The South Asian Times.
US AFFAIRS
his government had already built a
large part of the wall and now
wanted to finish it as soon as possi‑
ble. As Trump spoke, Beto
O'Rourke, a former Democratic
Congressman and potential presi‑
dential candidate in 2020, held a
counter‑rally, accusing Trump of
stoking false fear about immi‑
grants with "lies". O'Rourke told a
crowd of supporters in his home‑
town El Paso that it was time to
2nd State of the Union, but first
with the House now controlled by
the Democrats, which allowed
withholding of the invitation to
Trump to address the Congress.
As expected, Trump touted the
“booming economy,” the sharp
rise in employment numbers and
the lowest rate of unemployment
in “over half a century” under his
watch. He also boasted the
“Middle Class Tax Cut,” although
there seems to be considerable
doubts about it benefiting the
middle class. We are all in the
process of reporting our taxes (all,
February 16-22, 2019
"show the country that there is
nothing to be afraid of when it
comes to the US‑Mexico border".
"Walls do not save lives, walls
end lives," he said.
The negotiators announced they
had reached the agreement after
three private meetings on Monday.
It was expected to be finalized as
early as Tuesday, well before the
Friday deadline when funding
would have lapsed again for a
number of federal agencies.
The January shutdown cost the
economy $11 billion and reduced
growth forecasts by almost half a
percentage point, the congression‑
al budget office estimated.
Democrats have opposed fund‑
ing for a border wall, saying that
pressure from undo cumented
immigrants was a made‑up emer‑
gency and that money for border
security would be better dedicated
to additional technology, person‑
nel and other enforcement meas‑
ures. The negotiators also agreed
to reduce the number of migrants
and undocumented immigrants
who can be held in detention.
Democrats' demand for a limit on
except President Trump!). We
shall see how that pans out!
He also claimed credit (some‑
what unabashedly, I thought)
about this Congress being the
congress of women.
More women have been elected
to the House of Representatives
than at any time since women
earned the right to vote exactly
one hundred years ago. All in the
audience present clapped and
clapped. Was the irony lost on the
president in resistance to whom
there was a record‑breaking
womenʼs march the day after his
inauguration? There is a very real
probability that so many women
ran and got elected to Congress
precisely as a protest to him. I
cringed when I saw the presi‑
dentʼs smug face, clapping and
saying, “Itʼs great…itʼs great!”
The president is either a simple‑
ton, or he is shrewdly against
most form of environment protec‑
tion and civil rights. Or else why
would he talk about clean coal,
which is often taken for anti‑envi‑
ronment rhetoric? Why harp on
the importance of standing for the
national anthem? Doesnʼt he real‑
ize that to a large American popu‑
lat ion this also means being
against movements to end police
11
how much detention space could
be used for unauthorized immi‑
grants arrested within the US had
threatened to derail the negotia‑
tions over the weekend, but law‑
makers ag reed to waive the
demand, the report said.
There was also an agreement to
reduce the number of beds in
detention centers to 40,250 from
the current 49,057.
Beyond the border barriers, the
agreement, which primarily funds
the Department of Home land
Security, would provide $1.7 bil‑
lion more for border security,
including technology at ports of
entry, more officers and humani‑
tarian aid.
"The fact that it looked like there
was going to be another shutdown
imminently broug ht renewed
e f forts on Monday," T he
Washington Post quoted Senate
Appropriat ions Committee
Chairman Richard C. Shelby as say‑
ing after announcing the deal.
Asked if the White House would
support the agreement, Shelby, a
Republican from Alabama, told the
media: "We think so. We hope so."
brutality? Itʼs not that he should
not talk about these things if he
feels strongly about these issues.
A president, at least, is a part of
the government! But, because he
is president, and because the
State of the Union is supposed to
be a neutral “report” to Congress,
he has the responsibility of
acknowledging the other side of
these arguments. This president
doesnʼt understand this.
Immig rat ion was the next
important theme in this speech. I
was surprised that he was as neg‑
ative about immigration as he has
always been, especially about
Latino immigration. He emphati‑
cally equated immigration with
criminality, ignoring most of the
fact‑checks given out during his
tenure. He talked about protecting
American citizens and legal immi‑
grants from the criminality of
“illegal immigrants.” (As he said
this, I saw a Muslim member of
the Congress hide her agonized
face in her hands.) As a few
“Dreamers” (those born in this
country of undocumented par‑
ents) are pointing out, “We are
also immigrants.”Overall, howev‑
er, at least the president wasnʼt
petty and churlish, unnecessarily
provocative.
 12 February 16-22, 2019 INDIA TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Lucknow: On her first public out‑

ing after making the political
de but as Cong ress General
Secretary, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra
on Monday may have succeeded in
drawing enough eye balls in the
roadshow here but the road ahead
may be arduous and bumpy.
After seeing the response of the
moribund party workers during
the 17‑km‑long event, political
observers say it would take much
more than a mere show on streets
to revive the Congress fortunes in
44 Lok Sabha seats of eastern
Uttar Pradesh which Priyanka
Gandhi will oversee.
While a team of party veterans
and young leaders is working over‑
time to brief Priyanka Gandhi on
what lies ahead, she has the task
cut out that is daunting, keeping in
mind the organizational structure
which is in shambles and the beat‑
en morale of the grassroot work‑
ers.
The party has been out of power
in Uttar Pradesh for more than
three decades. As the Modi jugger‑
naut rolled in 2014, its woes only
worsened.
A weak organization seems to be
her biggest challenge. And so while
the district units of Cong ress
remain on paper, their existence
and efficiency beyond that stands
in serious doubt. Barring the big
names in the Uttar Pradesh
Congress Committee (UPCC) that
jostled to find a place next to the
Gandhis on the flower‑decked bus
during the roadshow, the party has
a huge paucity of good faces at dis‑
trict level.
"T here are no 'karyakartas'
Priyanka's 'roadshow' draws
eyeballs, but tough road ahead
Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and
Jyotiraditya Scindia during a road show in Lucknow. (Photo: IANS)
(workers)... only netas (leaders) at
the state leve l," rues a party
activist at the Mall Avenue of fice
of the Congress in Lucknow.
Leaders like former UPCC chief
Rita Bahuguna Joshi, the one‑day‑
Chief Minister Jagdambika Pal
have migrated to greener or rather
saf fron pastures ‑‑ the former is
the Uttar Pradesh Tourism
Minister while Pal is a Lok Sabha
member of the BJP.
Forget, other parts of the state,
the party is having chinks in the
armour even in pocket boroughs
like Amethi and Rae Bareli, where
old loyalists like legislators Rakesh
Prakash Singh and MLC Dinesh
Pratap Singh have bid adieu to the
party, jolting its prospects even in
party strongholds, hitherto consid‑
ered invincible.
Eastern UP, a task assigned to
Priyanka Gandhi by her brother
and Congress President Rahul
Gandhi, is the toughest region to
win over, even the most overzeal‑
ous party men admit. There are 44
seats in all if the eastern UP
(Poorvanchal) and Avadh region in
which Lucknow and Amethi fall
under are taken together. And it is
from here that Prime Minister
Narendra Modi ( Varanasi) and
Priyanka in Jaipur after
Lucknow roadshow
Jaipur/Lucknow: Congress
General Secretary Priyanka
Gandhi Vadra landed in Jaipur to
accompany her husband Robert
Vadra to the Enforcement
Directorate (ED) office on
Tuesday after he was summoned
for interrogation in connection
with an alleged land scam in the
state's Bikaner.
Brother‑in‑law of Congress
President Rahul Gandhi, Robert
Vadra was already in Jaipur
when Priyanka Gandhi, who had
carried out a road show in
Lucknow with her brother and
other leaders in her first visit to
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath
(Gorakhpur) come from.
The party is not cadre based and
had once the support, largely from
a cocktail of communities and
castes, which have now slipped out
of its hands, barring Muslims and
upper castes cut up with the BJP.
Putting back the caste matrix
which worked in its favour for
decades in an uphill task for the
47‑year‑old Priyanka Gandhi.
The SP‑BSP alliance and the 10
the state after being appointed
party incharge for East UP,
reached there. He had reached
the Rajasthan capital in the
afternoon along with his mother
Maureen Vadra. Priyanka
Gandhi was to address the party
workers at the Congress's Mall
Avenue office after Rahul
Gandhi but she chose not to. An
interaction with the media was
also aborted last minute.
Robert Vadra was summoned
in connection with an alleged
scam concerning 275 acres of
land in the Kolayat sub‑division
of Bikaner district.
per cent jobs and educational
quota for the upper caste poor
decided by the Modi government
have put a spanner in the Congress
works. While Priyanka Gandhi may
carry an aura around her, the
party is still facing a dearth of
"winnable candidates" in almost all
parliamentary constituencies. If it
has to win back its core Dalit, Pasi
and Muslim vote, it will have to
convince them about its winning
chances.

Opposition flexes muscle at Naidu's fast, attacks Modi

New Delhi: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N
Chandrababu Naidu's fast to demand special
status for the state, here on Monday, turned
into a show of strength for the opposition
parties, which attacked Prime Minister
Narendra Mo di for subvert ing India's
democracy and federal structure.
Prominent opposition leaders, including
Cong ress President Rahul Gand hi,
Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh
Yadav and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind
Kejriwal visited the venue of fast at the
Andhra Bhavan here and endorsed the spe‑
cial status demand.
While Shiv Sena, a BJP ally, sent Sanjay
Raut (MP), Shatrughan Sinha (BJP MP) and
former Union Minister Yashwant Sinha also
visited the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief.
Leading his party's charge, Gandhi accused
Modi of lying about granting special status
to Andhra Pradesh and said the Prime
Minister was left with no credibility.
"Modi lies wherever he goes. He went to
Andhra Pradesh and lied about special sta‑
tus. He has absolutely no credibility left,"
said Gandhi and also raked up the Rafale
deal.
"The Prime Minister has stolen from the
people from Andhra Pradesh and given that
money to his crony," he alleged.
Speaking on the occasion, former Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh demanded the
Modi government fulfil the promise of spe‑
Opposition leaders in New Delhi. (Photo: IANS)
cial status to Andhra without any further
loss of time.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Kejriwal
called Modi a "world famous liar" and
accused him of behaving like a Pakistani
Prime Minister to subvert India's federal
structure.
"T he Prime Minister at least thrice
declared he would give special status to
Andhra. He is world famous for lying.
Whatever he says, he never fulfils," Kejriwal
said.
Attacking Modi over the CBI's showdown
with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata
Banerjee, Kejriwal accused him of behaving
like a Pakistani Prime Minister.
"The way he treats state governments run
by non‑BJP parties looks as if he is the
Prime Minister of Pakistan," he said, and
noted out how Modi had De lhi's Anti‑
Corruption Branch seized by paramilitary
forces.
Batt ing for opposit ion unity, Naidu
accused the Centre of betrayal on the special
status and claimed there is a threat to
democracy and the country under the Modi
regime.
"Modi is threatening everybody ‑‑ opposi‑
tion, bureaucracy, corporates and even the
media. He is using the CBI, the ED and the IT
Department to crush the opposition and dis‑
sent," said Naidu.
"We want to save democracy. Today there
is a democratic compulsion for all political
parties to join together to save the country,"
he said and blamed Modi for the falling stan‑
dard of public discourse.
On the request of former Prime Minister
and Janata Dal‑Secular leader H.D. Deve
Gowda, Naidu broke his fast later.
Sena Rajya Sabha member Raut also
endorsed Naidu's demands saying "commit‑
ment should be fulfilled first, politics later".
Yashwant Sinha said the TDP will play an
important role in government formation at
the Centre after the Lok Sabha polls.
"It is unfortunate that the central govern‑
ment talks about cooperative federalism but
does not believe in it. That's why they keep
doing injustice to states. We are confident in
3‑4 months, the new government will come,
which will give justice to Andhra," he said.
Shatrughan Sinha also hit out Modi over
the Rafale issue. "There are unanswered
questions and if they remained unanswered,
people will say 'chowkidar hi chor hai'," said
the actor‑turned politician. He also ques‑
tioned Modi's silence on the issue despite
persistent attack by the opposition.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Ex-acting CBI chief sentenced
New Delhi: The Supreme Court
on Tuesday held former acting
Director of CBI M. Nageswara
Rao guilty of contempt of court
and sentenced him along with
the agency's legal advisor till the
rising of the court.
A bench of Chief Justice Ranjan
Gogoi, Justice L. Nageswara Rao
and Justice Sanjiv Khanna also
fined them Rs 1 lakh each.
Chief Justice Gogoi said that in
his last 20 years as a judge he
had not compromised on the dig‑
nity and honor of the court.
Rao and the CBI's legal advisor
earned the wrath of the court for
re lieving former Addit ional
Director A.K. Sharma from the
House panel again summons Twitter Global CEO
New Delhi: The Parliamentary
Committee on Informat ion
Technology (IT ) has yet again
summoned Twitter's Global CEO
to appear before it on February
25 over allegations of the social
media site discriminating against
"nationalist" posts on its platform.
The parliamentary panel head‑
ed by Bharatiya Janata Party
(BJP) Lok Sabha MP Anurag
T hakur had summoned the
Twitter CEO to appear before it
on Monday, but the Twitter sent a
team of its of ficials led by its
India and South Asia Policy
Director Mahima Kaul.
The panel refused to hear the
officials and they were kept wait‑
Treatment of cows in MP convinced me to build gaushalas: Kamal Nath
New Delhi: Former high‑profile
Commerce and Industry minister
Kamal Nath was once India's face
at the troubled world trade nego‑
tiating Camelot.
He never backed down in the
face of a concerted western fusil‑
lade on agricultural subsidies and
walked out to protect Indian
farmers' interests, virtually dis‑
mantling the WTO.
After holding several other key
portfolios in UPA‑II and even in
earlier Congress governments,
the nine‑time Lok Sabha MP was
recently the Congress face in
Madhya Pradesh elections.
In a dynamic campaign fronted
by the consummate 72‑year‑old
polit ico, Kamal Nath ended
Shivraj Singh Chauhan's multiple
term tenure as CM. In a forth‑
right conversation with IANS, the
political and business savvy Doon
School‑educated Nath, once
described as Indira Gand hi's
'third son' for his unparalleled
proximity to Sanjay Gandhi, out‑
lines his plans for middle India's
key state.
After 15 years in BJP rule, there
must be several things that the
M. Nageswara Rao.
(File Photo: IANS)
CBI without taking the prior nod
of the top court. Holding Rao
Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey.
ing outside the meeting room.
"All the members took such dis‑
reg ard for the Committee by
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath.
Congress led by him wants to fix
in the state. IANS began by asking
him what the five topmost items
were on his agenda?
Nath explained: "It wouldn't be
wrong to say that Mad hya
Pradesh is in a shambles after 15
years of bad governance. There
are myriad things that need to be
put into place. Our first priority
will be the well‑being of farmers
and development of agriculture
INDIA
guilty of contempt of court, the
judges noted that on January 18,
2019, when Sharma was
relieved, Rao was aware of the
court's two orders and had asked
the concerned people to
approach the court.
However, on the same day, he
signed a draft order sent by
DoPT relieving Sharma from the
CBI without satisfying whether
the top court had been taken into
confidence.
Sharma, who was heading the
investigating team probing the
Muzaf farpur shelter home hor‑
ror, had said that he could not be
shunted out as the CBI needed to
take the court's permission.
Twitter very seriously. What was
the point in hearing those of fi‑
cials who have no authority?" an
informed source told IANS.
"We want to give them (Twitter)
another chance. The CEO will be
summoned to appear before the
panel on February 25," he said.
The panel also discussed widen‑
ing the scope of its enquiry and
may also summon the top brass
of other social media and messag‑
ing sites including Facebook,
WhatsApp and others, sources
said.
The panel is mulling to hold a
meeting on February 26 too in
which it may call other social
media players.
in the state. Farmers have been
the worst victims of BJP rule,
with hardly any reward for their
hard work.
T he fo cus would be on
strengthening the agricultural
sector and giving a boost to farm‑
based economy. The previous
government made a bevy of
promises. However, sadly enough,
little has materialized. Next, will
be to put the financial health of
February 16-22, 2019
17 killed in Karol
Bagh hotel blaze
New Delhi: A child and 16 oth‑
ers, including a woman was
killed while three others were
injured in a major fire that
engulfed several storeys of a
central De lhi hote l early on
Tuesday, a senior police officer
said.
Three people jumped off from
the blazing structure even as 25
fire tenders rushed to the spot
after receiving a call at 4.30 a.m.
Some 35 people were rescued
from the six‑storeyed Hote l
Arpit Palace in Karol Bag h,
Deputy Commissioner of Police
Mandeep Randhawa told IANS.
The death toll could further
rise. Most victims died of suffo‑
cation, Fire Chief Of ficer G.C.
Mishra said.
The hotel comprises a base‑
ment, a ground floor and four
other floors. At least 35 rooms
(Photo courtesy : newsx.com)
the state back on track. Owing to
rampant expenditure by the BJP‑
government, the state economy
went for a toss.
"We need to fix it. We are also
working on generating employ‑
ment opportunities for youth in
the state. There has been a major
drain of resources over the last
decade which needs to be
addressed. Also, as promised, we
will provide safe and healthy
environment for women in the
state. Besides these, it is absolute‑
ly necessary to strengthen the
delivery systems, so that people
are benefited from government
schemes," he said.
Hitting the ground running, as
soon as he came to power, he
delivered on his promise of a
farm loan waiver, which many
reckon is bad economics. But his
thinking is predicated on the dire
situation in the farm community
that he had to opt for this option?
The Chief Minister at his most
pragmatic said, "Ever since I
assumed the role of a Chie f
Minister and, in fact, even prior
to that, I have been asked this
quest ion t ime and ag ain.
13
were booked by members of one
family, who were in the city for a
special function.
Fire was reported on third and
fourth floor, but the blaze spi‑
ralled down as well. Only the
basement and ground floors
were not affected.
Most damage was reported
between the second and the
fourth floor. The fire has already
been controlled and the cooling
process is underway.
Fire fighters searched rooms
and toilets to ensure that none
was left trapped, Mishra said.
"W hen the fire tenders
reached the spot, flames were
leaping out of the building.
Many people were st ill fast
asleep at that time," he said.
Prima facie the blaze appears
to have caused by a short circuit,
the officer added.
Considering the condition of
farmers in Madhya Pradesh, we
had to take a step towards their
we ll‑being and waiving their
loans was a logical solution. Most
farmers are born in debt and
even die with it which, taking into
account the fact that we are an
agrarian country, is very unfortu‑
nate.
"We are not doing any favor by
helping state farmers. They are
our principal food providers and
the endeavor to waive their loan
is a step towards upliftment of
their condition and ushering in
development in the state. I look at
it as a long‑term investment
taken for the betterment of the
state.
Also, I believe those who call it
bad economics, understand very
little about both agriculture and
economics. We are all aware of
the fact that banks waive loans of
industries and business houses,
sometimes even up to 50 per
cent. If waiving loans for the busi‑
ness community is good econom‑
ics, how does it become bad eco‑
nomics when we do the same for
impoverished farmers?”
14 February 16-22, 2019
2019 elections too close to call: Ruchir Sharma
By Saket Suman
T
he popularity g raph of Prime
Minister Narendra Modi has fallen
drastically and what seemed a year
ago as another wrestling match "with only
one boxer in the ring" now seems a Lok
Sabha election too close to call, says glob‑
al investor and bestselling author Ruchir
Sharma.
Sharma, who has been chasing election
campaigns in India for over two decades
and has just written "Democracy on the
Road", says that this change reflects the
strength of Indian democracy and is par‑
ticularly significant at a time when obitu‑
aries calling the death of democracy rule
the roost in many parts of the world.
This neck and neck fight at a time when
there is so much despair about democracy
in the world, Sharma said, shows how
deeply rooted India's democratic set up is.
He said that Modi had begun eyeing the
Prime Minister's post long before 2014
and following him closely during the elec‑
tion campaigns, Sharma could make out
as early as 2012 what his real ambition
was. On the other hand, Cong ress
President Rahul Gabdhi was a very differ‑
ent person, immature, not interested in lis‑
tening, and with not‑so‑good campaigning
skills. Cut to the present, Sharma said,
India should start a Well-Being Index
By Frank F. Islam
2
018 was not a bad year in general for
India. GDP growth has been relatively
good, the Modi administration has
launched several new initiatives, and Indiaʼs
status and world image has strengthened.
The problem is that these are all top‑line
measures and do not get down to how the
Indian people are feeling.
Recent research on this, unfortunately,
indicates they are not feeling very happy.
India ranked as 133 out of 156 countries on
the UN 2018 World Happiness Report
(Happiness Report). This was 11 spots lower
than India's 2017 ranking. India's dismal
2018 ranking placed it far below most devel‑
oping nations around the world and near the
very bottom for the South Asian countries
surveyed.
A well‑being study released by social sci‑
ence researchers at the end of 2018 revealed
that life satisfaction in India dropped by 10
percent from 2006‑17. What accounts for
India's poor performance on these assess‑
ments?
T here is no simple explanation. It is
instructive, however, to consider the factors
that have the greatest impact on achieving
good scores on them.
As noted in the Executive Summary of the
Happiness Report, "All the top countries tend
to have high values for all six of the key vari‑
ables that have been found to support well‑
being: income, healthy life expectancy, social
support, freedom, trust and generosity." The
well‑being study disclosed that "The life sat‑
The views expressed in Op Eds are not necessarily those of The South Asian Times.
OP-ED
Ruchir Sharma, chief global strategist at Morgan Stanley
Investment Management. (File Photo: Bidesh Manna/IANS)
Rahul Gandhi has changed, he is much
more sensitive, he seems to listen and
engage more.
"He seems like a full‑time politician now,
even his campaigning skills have changed,
he implies shout‑and‑call technique a lot
more like Modi. There has been a signifi‑
cant change in him," Sharma told IANS in
an interview.
But what really is going to stop Modi?
Sharma said that there is a gap between
A Well‑Being Index would be a starting point to bring Indians together to work in uni‑
son on being the change that will be necessary to achieve that end.
isfaction of individuals worldwide correlates
with income, health, employment, education
as well as with positive moods, freedom and
beliefs about the benefits of work."
India obviously does not score well on
most of those factors. There are various
studies that have highlighted major deficien‑
cies in areas such as income, health, educa‑
tion and employment. There is not a system‑
atic method in place, however, to assess the
well‑being of India's citizenry on an ongoing
basis.
India, as do most other countries, puts con‑
siderable emphasis on measuring GDP
growth and tracking other economic indica‑
what prevails in popular media and the
actual mood of the voters in the hinter‑
land. He said the 2019 elections will be a
true parliamentary election where region‑
al leaders, instead of the prime ministerial
candidate(s), will sway the votes.
"India is just not cut for a presidential
election. There was a Modi wave in 2014
but even then it was restricted to the
north and parts of the West but BJP's vote
share was still only 31 per cent. The mood
tors routinely and regularly. The assumption
is that moving the needle positively on those
metrics will cause benefits to flow through to
citizens.
That is not the case. As Nobel Prize win‑
ning economist Joseph Stiglitz explains, "No
single measure can capture what is going on
in a modern society, but the GDP measure
fails in critical ways we need measures on
how the typical individual is doing (measures
of median income do a lot better than meas‑
ures of average income.)"
There are two old proverbs. One states:
"What is measured matters." The other says:
"What gets measured gets managed." By put‑
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
of the voters will vary from state to state
as to what alliances are stitched up," he
added.
He said that Priyanka Gandhi's entry is
too late to make an appeal in Eastern UP.
Describing her as a "charismatic leader"
on the ground, Sharma maintained that
her plunge is too late because of the caste
blocks in Eastern UP. He, however, said
that the greatest difference she can make
is if she stands as "the combined
Opposition candidate from Varanasi
against Modi". She has to do something as
big as that because then the energy will
be focussed in one big constituency that
will have a larger impact, he said.
According to Sharma, the biggest differ‑
ence between the 2014 and the 2019 gen‑
eral elections will be that in 2014 the BJP
was "far too ahead in the social media
game" whereas now the other parties have
caught up too and "the gap has narrowed".
He said that in a country as diverse and
heterogeneous as India, it is very difficult
for one leader to dominate a nationwide
election.
There is hardly any discussion about
Rahul Gandhi or Modi in Tamil Nadu, it's
always about the regional leaders. That's
how our country is, it will not be easy for
one centrist person to dominate the elec‑
tions, he said.
ting a well‑being measurement system in
place, India would demonstrate that the hap‑
piness of its citizens matter and provide the
platform for developing and implementing
policies for enhancing their life satisfaction.
Given that, I recommend the development
of monthly Well‑Being Index. Such an Index
could be the definitive source for informa‑
tion on the well‑being of the Indian citizenry.
Social scientists, economists and statisti‑
cians can decide what goes into the Index
and its metrics. The important thing is that
the Index be developed and put into place as
quickly as possible. The reason for this is
that the available data and evidence shows
that India is moving backward rather than
forward in terms of enhancing the happiness
and life satisfaction of its people.
The Index results and findings should be
released at the same time as GDP reports, so
that all concerned individuals and organiza‑
tions can determine whether the economic
growth and progress of the country as a
whole is translating into well‑being for its
citizens. With this information in hand, deci‑
sion makers can take the actions necessary
to ensure that when India does well, all
Indians do well.
Mahatma Gandhi famously said:
"Happiness is when what you think, what
you say, and what you do are in harmony."
Gandhi was correct.
A Well‑Being Index would be a starting
point for focusing attention on a happier
India and bringing Indians together to work
in unison on being the change that will be
necessary to achieve that end.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info FASHION February 16-22, 2019 15

India based Inter National Institute of Fashion Design (INIFD) in collaboration with the London School of Trends (LST) celebrated the craftsmanship
of emerging Indian designers at Vibrant India show at NYFW Feb 9.

New York: In tandem with the 5
“F” formula g iven by Prime
Minister Narendra Modi from
Farm to Fiber, Fiber to Fabric,
Fabric to Fashion, Fashion to
Foreign, India based Inter
National Institute of Fashion
Design (INIFD) and London
School of Trends (LST) celebrat‑
ed the craftsmanship of Indian
student designers at Vibrant
India during New York Fashion
Wee k on Fe bruary 9 in
Manhattan for the 3rd consecu‑
tive season.
Shatrughna Sinha, Dy Consul
General of India, was among
many dignitaries was present to
support the young Indian design‑
ers.
Based on the themes Art &
Craft, Bad Girls, Evening Wear &
Tailoring, the Vibrant India show
was a perfect amalgamation of
rich Indian textiles and tech‑
niques along with the interna‑
t ionally accepted cuts and
designs. Models sashaying on the
ramp displaying rich Indian cul‑
tural heritage blended with west‑
Indian designers
take PM Modi’s
5 ‘F’ initiative
to New York
ern aesthetics. Capturing the ion inst itute in the world to
spirit of India with students com‑ showcase their studentsʼ collec‑
ing from diverse backgrounds, tions at two major fashion capi‑
they fo cused on fall w inter tals of the world ‑ New York and
trends while embracing an excit‑ London ‑ for the 6th consecutive
ing season. season.
The show mesmerized the fash‑ INIFD designers have also been
ion glitterati of New York. INIFD, part of the Lakme Fashion Week
in collaboration with London in Mumbai for the last 22 con‑
School of Trends, is the first fash‑ secutive seasons.

20th Biennial JAINAA Convention

July 4--7, 2019
Los Anngeles, California Live and Let Live

HIGHLIGHTS SESSIONS
Garba-Raas, Cultural Show
S Discourses byb World Renowned Schola ars and Spiritual Masters
Jain Academic Bowl an nd Jains Got Ta
alent Five parallel session tracks on “Seva-SSatsang-Samarpan-Sadhan na-Self Realization”
Spectacular Teemple annd 24 Tirthankar ’s Pujan Shatvdhan demonstration
Family, Group, and Com mmunity Reunions Meditation annd Yoga
o –T Ty
ypes and Practiices
Exhibits and Veendor Boooths Interfaith and
d Jain Unity Panel Forums
Efforts of 200 plus volu
unteers
u nteers Yooungg Jain Professionals,
P , Yo
outh Clubs
s & kids club - age
g specific
p c activities

Adults Child/Youth
Registration Fees
To Registter: (age 188 & up) (age 6 to 17)

Nov 1, 2018 to Feb 15, 2019 $199.0

00 $159.00
www.jainaconven
e tion.org
Feb 16, 2019 to May 1, 2019 $219.0
00 $179.00

May 2, 20
019 to Jun 30, 2019 $239.0
00 $199.00

From Jul 1,
1 2019 $249 0
$249.0
000 $209 00
$209.00
 16 February 16-22, 2019 BOLLYWOOD TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Bollywood has called for trouble by Bollywood villain Mahesh Anand

ganging up against me: Kangana found dead in Mumbai home
A T
ctress‑turned‑filmmaker Kangana
Ranaut, who is currently riding high
on the success of her latest release
"Manikarnika ‑ The Queen of Jhansi", says the
Hindi film industry has called for trouble by
ganging up against her.
Kangana in an interview earlier had criti‑
cized celebrities for not turning up for the
screening of "Manikarnika...", but contacting
her for the screenings of their films.
"Earlier, I used to stand up against sexism,
pay disparity and nepotism in Bollywood but
now, I will expose everybody. One thing is for
sure that they have called for trouble by
ganging up against me," she said.
Asked if her "Manikarnika..." would have
got more benefit if her colleagues from
Bollywood would have promoted the film,
Kangana said: "I don't think promotions of my
film by other actors will benefit my film. I
have already won three national awards and
at the age of 31, I have become a filmmaker
so who are they to promote me? If they get
successful in promoting themselves then, it
will be a huge thing for them."
The "Queen" actress strongly believes that
the industry is ganging up against her as she
spoke about nepotism in the Hindi film indus‑
try. "I want to ask that whether Rani Laxmibai
is my aunt? She is the iconic figure of this
country so, why are they behaving like this?
It's just because I talked about nepotism.
Actor Kangana Ranaut has labeled
Bollywood celebrities as shameless.
They all have ganged up against me asking
me why I have talked about nepotism,"
Kangana said at the special screening of the
film held for school children on February 7.
"They are shameless people and some of
them are my grandfather's age. I don't want
to work with them and I say this to them on
their face but we have made this film based
on Rani Lamxibai for our future generation
because she sacrificed her life for this land,"
said Kangana.
he body of noted
Bollywood actor of yes‑
teryear, Mahesh
Anand, 57, was found in his
Andheri flat in Mumbai,
police said.
Living alone for many years
and virtually jobless, he is
suspected to have died at
least two days ago, and the
decomposed body has been
sent for autopsy to the
Cooper Hospital to ascertain
the time and cause of death.
A popular actor in the late
1980s and 1990s, known for
his tall and tough body frame,
he was usually seen as the
main henchman of the villains
in several films, but was fac‑
ing huge financial constraints
for many years. Anand acted
with top actors such as
Mahesh Anand was a popular actor
of the late 1980s and 1990s.
Amitabh Bachchan, Govinda,
Sanjay Dutt, in major films Kiya Nahin Jaata' (2003). After a long gap
like 'Ganga Jamuna Saraswati' and of over 15 years, he was recently seen in
'Shahenshah' (1988), 'Majboor' (1989), Pahlaj Nihalani's 'Rangeela Rajaa' with
'Thanedaar' (1990), 'Betaaj Badshah' Govinda, released in January this year.
(1994), 'Coolie No. 1' (1995), 'Vijeta' The Versova Police have registered a case
(1996), 'Lal Badshah,' 'Aaya Toofan' (1999), of accidental death and informed Anand's
'Baaghi' and 'Kurukshetra" (2000), 'Pyaar sister who lives in Mumbai, an official said.

Fear losing relevance, not 'Amavas': Scrappy

stardom: Bipasha Basu & tedious fare
D
irector Bushan
Patel's "Amavas"
will surely top
the catalogue as the
worst horror‑action‑
thriller in recent times.
Set in the UK, the film
Bipasha's last
begins with an expres‑
big screen
outing was sionless Karan Ajmera
the 2015 film (Sachiin Joshi) wanting
ʻAloneʼ. to surprise his girlfriend
Aahana (Nargis Fakhri)
by taking her to an exot‑
ic location for a romantic REVIEW
holiday with the inten‑
tion of proposing mar‑ The story of ʻAmavasʼ is absurd and thoughtlessly crafted.
riage.
couple of them are innuendoes that strike

A
fter being a part of hits such as
"Ajnabee", "Raaz", "No Entry" and
"Bachna Ae Haseeno", she has
been away from the silver screen for
almost four years. Actress Bipasha Basu,
who is now set to make a comeback with
the film "Aadat", says she fears losing rel‑
evance.
Asked if she ever feared losing stardom,
Bipasha told IANS over phone from
Mumbai: "I have never been a desperate
person. I have been a lucky girl and I have
always lived by my own rules and not the
industry norms, because when I started
off I was called a bohemian because of
the way I was... Fearing losing stardom, I
don't know, but yeah, fearing losing rele‑
vance definitely." She said the fear exists
because there is so much investment
involved as a person into it, and not just
as an actor.
"I would have that little fear of losing
relevance, but losing stardom, not so
much, because I am the same person that
I am. Right from the beginning...my wants
have been simple," said the actress, whose
roles in films like "Jism" and "Raaz"
stereotyped her as a 'bold' actress.
Bipasha's last big screen outing was the
2015 film "Alone".
The 40‑year‑old, who married actor
Karan Singh Grover in 2016, says her
family life is always a priority for her over
work and career. Her new film "Aadat"
will reunite her with Karan on‑screen
once again after "Alone".
But Aahana, after stumbling upon pic‑
tures of an abandoned castle in one of
Karan's old album, insists on visiting it.
Karan is reluctant but agrees to take her
there after being coaxed by his mother.
This sets the ball rolling for a freewheel‑
ing ride of ineffective horror tropes that
range from: nightmares to supernatural
activities to shadow scares and jump‑cuts
to non‑diegetic sounds of heavy footsteps,
creaking doors and tolling of church bells.
The card‑board thin plot meanders. The
first half of the narrative is pure pain. The
third act picks up momentum but gets
entangled in its own convoluted logic and
as such the film appears to be an uninten‑
tional comedy.
If the story is absurd and thoughtlessly
crafted, the dialogues are pure garbage. A
as blatantly obscene.
On the performance front, Sachiin Joshi
lacks screen presence and energy. As
Karan, he is totally unimpressive. Ali Asgar,
armed with facial prosthetic, is unrecogniz‑
able. As the talkative butler Goti, he is
interesting and amusing, but is wasted in a
poorly crafted role.
Nargis Fakhri as Karan's girl‑friend
Aahana, Mona Singh as the psychiatrist
Shivani, Vivan Bhatena as Karan's friend
Sameer and Navneet Kaur Dhillon as
Karan's ex‑girlfriend Maya, are all perfunc‑
tory.
Overall, there are no squeamish or
twitchy moments in the film hence, it is
advisable to stay indoors than to venture
out to see this "Amavas".
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
They ruled an era but there
is no happy ending for them
Veteran filmmakers Prakash Mehra and Ramesh Sippy.
By Vinod Mirani
D
irectors are supposed to be the driving
force behind films, are the one with
vision, technical knowhow is second‑
ary. But, how does a director with a successful
track record, a number of hits behind him, lose
the plot and fade out? There are a few exam‑
ples where most successful film directors come
to a dead end!
Manmohan Desai immediately moved on to
the big league with "Chhalia" (1960) starring
Raj Kapoor and Nutan. His first success came
only in 1970 with the Rajesh Khanna starrer
"Sachaa Jhutha" followed by "Bhai Ho To Aisa",
"Raampur Ka Lakshaman", "Aa Gale Lag Jaa"
(hit in parts of India) and "Roti".
But Desai started taking his audience for
granted. "Coolie", a mediocre film, worked as
Desai decided to highlight on screen the
Bachchan accident that happened on the sets
while shooting the film. "Mard" was ranked
poor and just scraped through.
Vijay Anand was a genius of a director. Some
of his films rate as classics besides excelling
technically in their time. He was multitalented
being a writer, editor as well as a director. His
sense of script was unique. It was when he
decided to add one more credit to his name, as
an actor, that his fall began.
A Manmohan Desai contemporary was
Prakash Mehra, who kept on delivering hit
I DON'T HAVE CAPACITY
TO PLAY SAFE: LISA RAY
A
ctress Lisa Ray likes to take risks and
says she enjoys playing unusual char‑
acters. "Anyone who has looked at my
acting choices over the years, not only in India
but abroad, would recognize that I'm a risk
taker and I enjoy unusual characters," Lisa
said in a statement.
"It's in my blood ‑‑ I don't have the capacity
to just play safe. I had to leave India in the
early 2000s to find interesting content in
independent films. Now the content I enjoy
watching has been planted and is beginning to
take root in India," she added.
"So when I was approached to be part of
'Four More Shots Please!', even though I went
back and forth with production, I was proud
to be part of an entertaining and honest
depiction of a lot of urban Indian women."
"I want to be a part of something that stands
for something: for change, for authentic char‑
acters and story telling. And for fun! I've been
fortunate over my career to work with strong
female directors like Deepa Mehta, Shamim
Sarif and now Anu Menon," she said.
BOLLYWOOD
after hit with Bachchan. While Desai made
mass appealing films, Mehra's bent was more
towards emotional content. Mehra's track
record was as impressive as that of Desai. The
ace up his sleeve was also Bachchan.
Making his debut as director with "Haseena
Maan Jaayegi", followed by "Mela" and "Aan
Baan", his first success was "Samadhi", a
Dharmendra starrer. But, soon he came across
a pair of new writers, Salim‑Javed, who sold
him the script of "Zanjeer”, and the rest as they
say, is history. Thereafter almost all his films
flopped.
Then there was Ramesh Sippy who gave racy
musical hits like "Andaaz" and "Seeta Aur
Geeta" at the start of his stint as a director. He
peaked with "Sholay", the biggest hit the Hindi
film industry produced.
But his next, "Shaan", where he put together
a mammoth star cast of Bachchan, Shashi
Kapoor, Sunil Dutt, Shatrughan Sinha along
with Rakhee, Parveen Babi and others, proved
to be a debacle. Sippy's other films could not
replicate his earlier success as each of these
films failed.
The problem with the Indian filmmakers, as
it is with film directors is that, in most cases,
the only aspiration they have is to make films.
They are not qualified to do anything else or
have Plan B. In most cases, the refuge is bottle.
(The writer is a veteran film writer and box
office analyst)
Actor Lisa Ray
is a part of
Amazon series
ʻFour More
Shots Please!ʼ.
February 16-22, 2019 17
It's happy and gay
time in showbiz
A still from
ʻAligarhʼ in
which a
professor was
fired for having
an affair with a
man.
By Sugandha Rawal typed or used as comic relief with big
entertainers like "Dostana", "Bol
T
hey don't walk, talk or live differ‑ Bachchan", "Veere Di Wedding" and
ently. But the LGBTQ community "Partner" leading the list of examples.
was given a different treatment in But the trend is shifting.
showbiz for long. The representation is If there is a story of a professor who
changing as there's larger acceptance of was fired for having an affair with a man
gay characters and stories. But there are in Manoj Bajpayee's "Aligarh", there is
still miles to go. Pakistani actor Fawad Khan's portrayal
Oscar‑winning actor Eddie Redmayne, of a man opening about his sexual orien‑
lauded for telling the story of a Danish tation to his family and finding accept‑
painter finding his sexual identity in "The ance in "Kapoor & Sons (Since 1921)".
Danish Girl", feels showbiz is going In fact, Sonam Kapoor's lesbian drama
through an "important change", but it "Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga" is not
can't happen "quick enough". only being touted as brave, but path‑
In Hollywood, films like "Carol", breaking too.
"Moonlight", "Brokeback Mountain", "Evening Shadows" director Sridhar
"God's Own Country", "Call Me By Your Rangayan believes that bringing LGBT
Name", "Boy Erased" and "Love, Simon" stories to mainstream theatres for the
stitch the gap. larger audience to see the films with
In Bollywood, there was a time when their families will remove prejudices and
gay characters were mocked at, stereo‑ pave way for an equal society.
I'm in a committed relationship
with my work, fans: Kartik Aaryan
H
e has a huge female fan follow‑ Actor Kartik
ing within and outside Aryanʼs next
Bollywood, and there are rela‑ film 'Luka
tionship rumors galore. But actor Kartik Chuppi' is
Aaryan says he is only committed to his up for
work and fans. release.
In an interview for the February issue
of Exhibit Magazine, Kartik was asked
about his plans for Valentine's Day.
He said: "I'll be shooting for 'Pati
Patni Aur Woh' and will be in the mid‑
dle of 'Luka Chuppi' promotions.
Honestly, as of now, I'm into a commit‑
ted relationship with my work and fans.
No one else is in my life. I'm happy and
I'm enjoying." In this day and age of
online dating, what relationship advice
would he want to give the millennials?
"I would like to say that if you feel
that you have found your soulmate,
then just be with him or her. Give atten‑
tion, be honest, and love them as much
as you can."
Kartik is not a star kid, but he has
built a fan following with youth enter‑
tainers like "Pyaar Ka Punchnama" and
"Sonu Ke Titu ki Sweety". "Sonu...", he
says has been a life‑changing experi‑
ence for him.
 18 February 16-22, 2019 TOURISM TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Through the installations, the city, ranked one of the world's

most polluted, remodeled hundreds of tons of waste into art
pieces and displayed them on a landfill site, which are now
expected to be a world‐class attraction. The idea is to
emphasize sustainability to avert climate cataclysms.
New Delhi: The seven wonders of artists using scrap materials like solar trees at the park which can
the world have found a new home automobile parts, drums, pipes generate up to six kilowatt of
just about 100 meters away from and old iron benches over a peri‑ power. “We have also installed
the Hazrat Nizamuddin Metro od of 6 months. solar panels on the roof of the
Station in New Delhi. “The SDMC (South Delhi washroom constructed out of an
The national capital is now host Municipal Corporation) provided old shipping container,” SDMC
to a new eco‑friendly park, home materials from scrapyards which commissioner Puneet Goel told Artists used cutting‑edge technology to create jaw‑dropping structures
such as the Colosseum in a tribute to world civilization
to replicas of the seven wonders are otherwise sold in auctions. The Times of India.
of the world – Taj Mahal, the Around 150 tonnes of waste was The height of the installations is
Eiffel Tower, the Statue of Liberty, used to make the replicas,” an between 25 feet to 70 feet, with
the Leaning Tower of Pisa, SDMC official to Al Jazeera the Eiffel Tower standing the
Rome's Colosseum, Christ the The initiative which is a part of tallest. Al Jazeera reported that
Redeemer statue in Rio, Brazil the Clean India project will be lit the Rs 7.5 crore project was
and the Great Pyramid of Giza in up only using renewable energy inspired by a Bollywood movie.
Egypt. like solar and wind power. The The park has been built on a
All the replicas of the iconic SDMC plans to install a wind tur‑ two‑hectare landfill site.
structures have been built by bine and has already set up three (Photos : AlJazeera.com)

The Taj Mahal lookalike sans the white marble.

The Eiffel Tower at 70 feet is the tallest of the The Statue of Liberty was fabricated The Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt does not look
seven structures. with metal scrap. as imposing as the massive original.

A replica of Italyʼs Leaning Tower of Pisa. All replicas have been made solely out of scrap. Christ the Redeemer statue of Rio, Brazil recreated.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Calligraphers recall Gandhi's messages for humanity
New Delhi: Blending handmade
paper, calligraphic precision and
one of India's most revered leaders,
Mahatma Gandhi, an ongoing exhi‑
bition at the IGNCA here is explor‑
ing images, symbols, words and
thoughts related to him.
Invoking Gandhi's push for a sus‑
tainable planet and sustainable
livelihoods, the exhibition 'Gandhi
Virasat: Kagazkala' features 11
Indian calligraphers who have done
works on handmade paper crafted
in different Indian states.
Gandhi's timeless message of
'Ahimsa' (non‑violence), cal‑
ligraphed as a burning flame, and a
golden lettered 'Yoga' painted
against a black background are
some of the sights that capture the
visitors' gaze.
"In an era where everyone is mes‑
merized by western brands and
products, the exhibition hopes to
Vice President Naidu Car rally from New Delhi to
unveils wall mural of Myanmar to mark Gandhiʼs 150th
Mahatma Gandhi in Delhi
New Delhi: Vice President M.
Venkaiah Naidu unveiled a grand
wall mural of Mahatma Gandhi at
NDMC headquarters at Palika
Kendra in the capital on Jan 30.
"I am delighted to be present
here to unveil 150 sq. meter wall
mural of Father of the Nation,
Mahatma Gandhi, which is made
of terracotta 'kullads'. The image
is a true reflection of Gandhiji's
belief in the potential of crafts‑
manship and village industries,"
he said.
The mural has been unveiled to
mark the 150th birth anniversary
of Mahatma Gandhi as a symbol of
cultural integrity and unity of the
nation.
Naidu said the image of
Mahatma Gandhi had been made
in mural by using 3,870 'kullads'
of the soil received across the
nation and the entire artwork was
a great tribute to the Father of the
Nation.
Expressing his greetings to the
artisans, he said the magnificent
creative art work of 150 potters
across the nation would convey
the message of truth and non‑vio‑
lence to not only the country but
across the world.
The best way to pay tribute to
Mahatma Gandhi, Naidu said, is
to sincerely introspect whether
Mahatma Gandhiʼs sesquicentennial is being celebrated
in 2019 throughout the world. India has set up a website
(www.gandhi.gov.in) which directs you to related content
from the country you live in.
The calligraphy works include the one (extreme right) depicting the making of salt after the Mahatmaʼs famous Dandi march.
show that our traditional crafts are
not only endearing, but also sus‑
tainable and contemporary," said
Ram Bahadur Rai, Chairman, Indira
Gandhi National Centre for the Arts
(IGNCA), during the show's opening.
In their respective inimitable
Gandhiji belonged to the nation,
not any political party, said Vice
President M. Venkaiah Naidu
at the mural unveiling at the
NDMC building.
we are following his values and
principles.
“Sometimes we find competi‑
tion, Gandhi is ours, what do you
have to do with him? Gandhiji
belonged to the nation, not any
political party. If you are a real
follower of Mahatma Gandhi, then
follow Gandhian ways. Then one
can appreciate that you are a real
Gand hian,” he said. He also
claimed the Congress disregarded
Mahatma Gandhiʼs “advice” to dis‑
band the party after independ‑
ence was attained.
MAHATMA GANDHI
styles and regional scripts, each art‑
work shows how handmade paper
and calligraphy can enhance each
other on beautifully textured can‑
vases to convey Gandhi's valuable
messages to humanity, organiser
Dastkari Haat Samiti, which works
New Delhi: A car rally commemo‑
rat ing 150 years of Mahatma
Gandhiʼs birth anniversary from
New Delhi to Myanmarʼs former
capital Yangon was flagged of f
from Rajghat on 4 February.
The rally will pass through 23
cities in India, Bangladesh and
Myanmar that are connected with
Mahatma Gandhiʼs life. In 21 days,
the rally will cover a total distance
of 7250 km from New Delhi to
Yangon. In a statement, the
Ministry said that the aim of the
event is to spread the values of
Mahatma Gandhi. Besides spread‑
February 16-22, 2019 19
with artisans and craftspeople, said Narayan Bhattathiri, Jamyang
in a statement. Dorjee and Khursheed Alam.
T he participating artists are T he exhibition is part of the
Qamar Dagar, Achyut Palav, Sarang nat ionw ide ce le brat ions of
Kulkarni, Shubhanand Jog, Kalpesh Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birth
Gosavi, Nikheel Aphale, Rajeev anniversary. It w ill close on
Kumar, Parameshwar Raju, February 17.
ing the message of the Mahatma,
the rally participants will also take
in Madhya Pradesh.
From Lucknow, the rally will
up advocacy on road safety. move further eastwards towards
“It will be a ʻDrive for Peaceʼ Kolkata, passing throug h
while remembering the great son of Gorakhpur, Chauri Chaura,
India in Bangladesh and Myanmar. Champaran, and Patna. It will cross
It will also promote the message of the border with Bangladesh at
safe driving on roads,” the Ministry Petrapole in West Bengal to reach
said. The rally will move south‑ Dhaka on 17 February.
westwards from New Delhi passing Two days later, the car rally will
throug h Ajmer, Sabarmat i, cross the border into Indiaʼs
Porbandar and Dandi before mov‑ Agartala and proceed towards
ing eastwards to Bharuch, Pune, Imphal from where it will cross the
and Wardha. From Wardha, the Myanmar border at Moreh. Before
rally will move northwards towards reaching Yangon, the rally will pass
Lucknow passing through Jabalpur through Mandalay and Kalewa.
The Delhi
government's
tableau that
rolled down
Rajpath during
the 70th
Republic Day
parade on Jan
26 featured
Mahatma
Gandhi's 720‑
day stay in
Delhi's Birla
House with
special focus on
his multi‑faceted
journey to
Independent
India, through
the national
Capital.
 20 February 16-22, 2019
Moscow: The Taliban do not want
to seize the entire Afghanistan by
"military" power as it will not
bring peace to the war‑torn coun‑
try, the militant group's key offi‑
cial who led the peace negotia‑
tions with the US has said.
Sher Mohammad Abbas
Stanikzai, who until recently was
the head of the Taliban's political
office in Qatar, spoke to the BBC
while attending a meet ing in
Moscow with a number of senior
Afghan opposition politicians. He
said the group would not agree to
a ceasefire until foreign forces
were w ithdrawn from
Afghanistan.
The meeting in Moscow was
separate from the US‑Taliban
peace talks. Former Afg han
President Hamid Karzai was pres‑
ent, but the Afghan government
was not part of the talks. Topics of
discussion included how
Afghanistan could be governed in
the future if the Taliban were to
become a mainstream political
force, the BBC said.
The Taliban official said that the
group did not want "a monopoly
of power", but that Afghanistan's
Constitution had been "imported
from the West" and was an "obsta‑
cle to peace".
Stanikzai said that he believed
Pakistan to present Keep border open for Myanmar
strong case against nationals, UNHCR tells Bangladesh
Jadhav: Qureshi
London: Pakistan's
Foreign Minister Shah
Mehmood Qureshi has
said that his country
will present a strong
case against alleged
Indian spy Kulbhushan
Jadhav at the
International Court of
Justice (ICJ) at a hear‑
ing scheduled for later
this month.
Addressing a recep‑
tion in Manchester,
Qureshi said: "Pakistan
has all the evidence
against Jadhav of sabo‑
tage activities inside
Pakistan. Jadhav has
admitted to being
involved in such activi‑
ties." "Pakistan's legal
team will present its
stance in the case at
Pakistanʼs Foreign Minister
The Hague on the 19th
Shah Mehmood Qureshi.
of this month," he was
quoted as saying by Geo News.
The ICJ, the principal judicial
organ of the UN, will hold public
hearings in the Jadhav case from
February 18 to 21 at the Peace
Palace in The Hague.
Jadhav was sentenced to death
by a Pakistani military court for
espionage in April 2017 follow‑
ing which India moved the ICJ. A
Taliban not seeking to seize
whole of Afghanistan: Official
Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani has repeatedly called on the
Taliban to begin direct talks with his representatives.
the Donald Trump administration
wanted to "bring peace to
Afghanistan" as he has overseen
several meetings with US Special
Envoy for Afg hanistan
Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad
in recent months.
In January, they reached what
Khalilzad termed as a "draft
framework" of an agreement. It
10‑member ICJ bench restrained
Pakistan from executing Jadhav
till the case was adjudicated on.
Pakistan had stated that
"Jadhav was not an ordinary per‑
son as he had entered the coun‑
try with the intent of spying and
carrying out sabotage activities"
in Balochistan. India denies all
the charges.
SUBCONTINENT
was based on a commitment to
w ithdraw US forces from the
country and a guarantee by the
Taliban not to allow international
jihadist groups to use Afghanistan
as a base in the future.
Both sides that time indicated
that a number of issues still need‑
ed to be resolved. However,
Trump made clear his desire to
Geneva: The UN refugee agency
has called on Bang ladeshi
authorit ies "to cont inue to
allow" into the country people
fleeing ongoing violence in
Myanmar amid the deteriorat‑
ing security situation there.
The UN High Commission for
Refugees (UNHCR) issued the
statement amid its concern
about the humanitarian impact
of continuing violence in south‑
ern Chin State and Rakhine
State in Myanmar,
bdnews24.com reported.
UNHCR spokesperson Andrej
Mahecic in Geneva said it was
aware of reports of escalating
violence and a deteriorating
security situation in Myanmar's
states. "This has reportedly led
to internal displacement and a
number of new arrivals from
Myanmar seeking safety in the
Bandarban border region of
Bangladesh.
"The UNHCR is deeply con‑
cerned about the humanitarian
impact of continuing violence in
Myanmar and the potential for
both further internal displace‑
ment and the outflow of
refugees," Mahecic said.
Bangladesh has given shelter
to over 720,000 Rohingya who
have fled ethnic cleansing since
August 2017. The figure has
taken the number of Myanmar
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Pakistan freed Taliban
co‑founder at US request: Envoy
Washington: Pakistan released Taliban co‑founder Mullah Abdul
Ghani Baradar at US' request to help expedite the Afghan peace talks,
Washington's special envoy for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad said.
Speaking at the US Institute of Peace here, Khalilzad acknowledged
that the US and the Taliban had reached a framework agreement in
Doha last month, but more talks were needed for reaching a conclu‑
sion. Responding to a question about Pakistan's role in facilitating the
US‑Taliban talks, he said that Islamabad had played a constructive
role and released Mullah Baradar "at my request".
Khalilzad said that he requested Baradar's release because he
believed the senior Taliban leader could also play a constructive role
in the Afghan peace initiative.
bring an end to the 17‑year con‑ brutal interpretation of Islamic
flict and withdraw the vast bulk of law. According to UN data, the
American forces. group was responsible for more
"Peace is more dif ficult than civilian casualties than any other
war," Stanikzai said, referring to warring party.
the difficulties in reaching a set‑ Afghanistan's President Ashraf
tlement. Ghani has repeatedly called on the
T he Taliban governed Taliban to begin direct negotia‑
Afghanistan from 1996‑2001 tions with his representatives, but
with an ultra‑conservative and so far the group has refused.
Bangladesh has given shelter to over 720,000 Rohingya since 2017.
Bangladesh warns against
lingering Rohingya crisis
Dhaka: The Foreign Minister of Bangladesh said prolonged
Rohingya crisis would encourage formation of pockets of radi‑
calism, which could destabilize the South Asian region.
Speaking at a seminar on "Bangladesh and Human Rights" in
Dhaka, A.K. Abdul Momen said Rohingya refugees needed to be
sent home at the earliest, with safety and security, Efe news
agency reported. "My fear is, if this (Rohingya) problem lingers
for a longer time, it may encourage pockets of radicalism and
create problems of uncertainty and instability not only for
Myanmar and Bangladesh but for the entire region," Momen
said. "Rohingya must go back to their homes, earliest the bet‑
ter. The global leadership must come forward to resolve the
crisis at its root, not in Bangladesh," he said.
nationals living in Bangladesh has been postponed as they do
to more than 1.1 million. But not want to go back, fearing
their return plan to Myanmar their safety and security.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info INTERNATIONAL February 16-22, 2019 21

Saudi officials planned Khashoggi's Special place in

murder: UN investigator hell for those who
Geneva: The death of Saudi jour‑
nalist Jamal Khashoggi inside his
country's consulate in Istanbul was
Saudi dismisses backed Brexit: Tusk
the consequence of a plan hatched Khashoggi Brussels: European Council
President Donald Tusk said there
by officials of the kingdom, a UN
rapporteur said.
murder claims is a "special place in hell" for
Riyadh: Saudi Minister of State those who pushed for Brexit with‑
"Evidence collected during my
for Foreign Af fairs Ade l al‑ out a plan and reiterated the EU's
mission to Turkey shows prime
Jubeir has rejected the attempt refusal to renegotiate the with‑
facie case that Mr Khashoggi was
to link Saudi Crown Prince drawal treaty.
the victim of a brutal and premedi‑
Mohammed bin Salman to the Tusk's comments came after he
tated killing, planned and perpe‑
killing of journalist Jamal spoke to Irish Prime Minister Leo
trated by of ficials of the State of
Khashoggi. He told reporters in Varadkar. He also took aim at UK's
Saudi Arabia," Agnes Callamard
Washington that the claims Prime Minister Theresa May and
said.
Saudi journalist Jamal were "base less" and those opposition Labour Party leader
Presenting her preliminary find‑ European Council
Khashoggi had been living in Jeremy Corbyn, claiming there
ings, the rapporteur thanked involved will be held account‑ President Donald Tusk.
self‑imposed exile in the US was a leadership void at the heart
Turkey for its efforts to carry out a able, Xinhua news agency
since 2017. of the 'Remain' movement, the Minister and the leader of the
rapid, complete, independent and reported, citing Al Arabiya TV.
by international standards for Khashogg i was murdered Guardian reported. opposition rules out this question.
impart ial invest ig at ion into
investigation," she said. inside the Saudi consulate in The top EU official also tweeted Today there is no political force
Khashoggi's October 2, 2018, mur‑
Khashoggi's murder violated Turkey's Istanbul in October the remark: "I've been wondering and no effective leadership for
der, Efe reported.
international law and the rules 2018, and a number of top what that special place in hell Remain."
Callamard, who trave led to
that regulate relations between Saudi of ficials involved in the looks like, for those who promot‑ After the press conference
Turkey with a team that included a
countries and the status of diplo‑ case were arrested. ed #Brexit, without even a sketch ended, Varadkar was picked up on
serious‑crime investigator and a
matic missions, she said. of a plan how to carry it out safe‑ a microphone, saying: "They'll
forensics expert, said she found
"Guarantees of immunity were Among the evidence to which the ly." Tusk said he knew there were give you terrible trouble, the
that Saudi Arabia was hindering
never intended to facilitate the UN expert had access to were "still a very great number of peo‑ British, for this." In response, Tusk
and undermining Turkish authori‑
commission of a crime and exoner‑ "parts of the chilling and gruesome ple" in the UK, on the continent nodded and laughed.
ties' ef forts to elucidate the cir‑
ate its authors of their criminal audio material obtained and and in Ireland who wanted to Last month, May's Brexit deal
cumstances of the journalist's
responsibility or to conceal a viola‑ retained by the Turkish reverse the decision. was comprehensively rejected by
death. "Woefully inadequate time
tion of the right to life," she said in Intelligence agency." The team's "I have always been with you the UK Parliament and MPs then
and access was granted to Turkish
a statement released by the office final report will be presented in with all my heart, but the facts are voted to send her back to Brussels
investigators to conduct a profes‑
of the UN High Commissioner for June to the UN Human Rights unmistakable. At the moment the to seek "alternative arrange‑
sional and ef fective crime‑scene
Human Rights in Geneva. Council. pro‑Brexit stance of the UK Prime ments" to the Irish backstop.
examination and search required

Venezuela's Maduro Thai Princess pulls out after King

open to EU initiative opposes her prime‑ministerial bid
Bangkok: The Thai Raksa Chart party titles in 1972 at the time of her marriage
withdrew the candidature of Princess to an American, but following her divorce
Caracas: Venezuelan
Ubolratana for the Prime Minister's post of in 1998, she returned permanently to
President Nicolas
the country, hours after her brother, the Thailand and has since enjoyed the due
Maduro slammed the
King of Thailand, called her nomination recognition of her lineage.
European Union (EU)‑
inappropriate. She was nominated as the prime ministe‑
backed International
The party, which is allied to divisive for‑ rial candidate of the Thai Raksa Chart
Contact Group on
mer Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, party, opposed to the military junta cur‑
Venezuela, but said
said in a statement that it would submit to rently ruling the country, for the March 24
he would be pre‑
the royal order out of loyalty and respect general elections.
pared to meet its rep‑
towards the members of the royal house‑ Around 12 hours after the nomination
resentatives, while
hold, Efe news reported. was filed before the authorities, King
self‑proclaimed inter‑
Earlier, in a message that sounded like a Vajiralongkorn said his sister's unprece‑
im head of state Juan
farewell posted on her Instagram account, dented involvement in politics was uncon‑
Guaido said his sup‑
the 67‑year‑old princess thanked the peo‑ stitutional. The election, scheduled for
porters were ready to
ple of Thailand for their "love and sup‑ March 24, will be the first to be held in the
create a humanitari‑
port". Ubolratana relinquished her royal country since the military seized power.
an corridor if the
incumbent blocks European powers view Venezuelan President
international aid. Nicolas Maduroʼs re‑election win as tainted.
"I'm ready and will‑
ing to receive any envoy from the con‑ The US, Canada, numerous Latin
tact group," Maduro told a press confer‑ American countries and the major
ence on Friday at the presidential palace, European powers all consider Maduro's Thai Raksa Chart
though he rejected the "partisan, ideo‑ May 2018 re‑election victory to be taint‑ party members
logical" lens through which its members ed by fraud and have recognized Guaido, with the
view the oil‑rich nation, reports Efe the speaker of the opposition‑controlled registration
news. National Assembly, as Interim President. document of
The contact group, which seeks a solu‑ Maduro has thus far used the military Princess
tion to Venezuela's political and econom‑ to block the aid from entering Ubolratana
ic crisis through dialogue and new presi‑ Venezuela, denying that the country is Mahidol.
dential elections, includes Germany, the suffering a humanitarian crisis and say‑
UK, Spain and France, and a handful of ing the delivery of the shipments would
Latin American countries such as be a prelude to a US‑led military inter‑
Uruguay, Ecuador and Costa Rica. vention.
 22 February 16-22, 2019
Vadra questioning by Enforcement Directorate continues
New Delhi: Robert Vadra, the broth‑
er‑in‑law of Congress President
Rahul Gandhi, was questioned for
over eig ht hours by the
Enforcement Directorate (ED) in
connection with a money launder‑
ing case.
It was for the third consecutive
day that the ED questioned Vadra
in connection with the case.
The case relates to the ownership
of 1.9 million pounds of undis‑
closed assets abroad, allegedly
belonging to Vadra.
A money laundering case was
registered against Vadra's close
aide Manoj Arora after his role sur‑
faced during a probe by the Income
Tax Department into another case
under the new Black Money Act
and tax laws against absconding
defense dealer Sanjay Bhandari.
T he London property was
allegedly bought by Bhandari and
sold in 2010 for the same amount
despite incurring addit ional
expenses on its renovation.
Vadra is being questioned on
transactions, purchase and posses‑
sion of certain immovable assets in
London. Earlier, the agency had
confronted Vadra with his mails
that were exchanged with Sumit
Chadha, a relative of absconding
arms dealer Bhandari. According to
'Trump executive order
could ban Chinese
equipment‑makers in US'
Washington: US President
Donald Trump is preparing to
sign an executive order next
week, banning American carri‑
ers from using equipment from
Chinese technology players, the
media reported.
The decision is expected to be
announced ahead of the Mobile
World Congress in Barcelona
from February 25, the Android
Police reported.
"Both the White House and
Congress have been trying to
ban networking infrastructure
from Chinese companies for
months," the report said.
Chinese tech giant Huawei
has been in bad light after the
US Just ice Department last
month filed a host of criminal
charges, including bank fraud,
obstruction of justice and theft
of technology against the com‑
pany and its detained Chief
Financial Of ficer Meng
Wanzhou.
Apart from Huawei, ZTE has
also been listed to be banned
from being used by network
operators in the US.
The US has long suspected
and often accused the Chinese
Businessman Robert Vadra arrives to appear before Enforcement
Directorate in New Delhi. (Photo: IANS)
the ED sources, Vadra was on
Saturday confronted with the state‑
ment given by Arora and also asked
about the other London properties.
On December 7, 2018, as part of
the investigation, the ED conducted
searches at a number of premises
in Delhi‑NCR and Bengaluru.
The ED told a city court earlier
that the London property was part
of the kickbacks received in a
petroleum deal. The money was
transferred by Santech
International, FZC, a UAE‑based
government of encouraging
trade secret theft as a way to
build up its own industries
which has reportedly prompted
the US administration to take
such drastic measures.
"Government of ficials are
mainly targeting Huawei and
ZTE's network infrastructure
business, so the sale of phones
and tablets to US consumers
would likely not be af fected,"
the report said.
Earlier in January, an Apple
engineer of Chinese origin ‑‑
Jizhong Chen ‑‑ was found to
have been attempting to leak
confidential intellectual infor‑
mation about the company's
secret autonomous vehicle pro‑
g ram to a China‑based
autonomous vehicle company
where he had applied for a job
as well.
BUSINESS TheSouthAsianTimes.info
INX Media case:
Chidambaram
questioned by ED
New Delhi: Former Finance Mukerjea and how clearance to
Minister P. Chidambaram was INX Media was given instantly
questioned for over five hours for receiving overseas funds to
by the Enforcement Directorate the tune of Rs 305 crore in
(ED) in a money laundering 2007, when he was the Finance
probe related to INX Media. Minister.
He was quest ioned over a The ED probe so far showed
Foreign Investment Promotion that for the FIPB approval, INX
Board (FIPB) clearance that he Media directors Peter and
had given to the group in 2007. Indrani Mukerjea met P.
Chidambaram arrived at the Chidambaram so that there was
company controlled by Bhandari.
Jamnagar of fice at 11.05 a.m. no hold‑up or delay in their
Arora, who is an employee of
and was quizzed for over five application.
Vadra's Skylight Hospitality LLP, is
hours till 5 p.m. The ED has attached proper‑
a key suspect in the case as he is
He was allowed to step out for ties worth Rs 54 crore belong‑
aware of the overseas investments
lunch for an hour. ing to Karti and a firm in the
and purchases made by his employ‑
This is the third time that the case. It has also attached prop‑
er. The questioning came in the
former Finance Minister was ert ies be long ing to the
wake of an order by a Delhi court
grilled by the ED in the last two Mukerjeas.
on February 2 directing Vadra to
months. The ED last year had attached
appear before the ED for question‑
According to the ED of ficials, his son's properties worth Rs 54
ing while hearing the anticipatory
Chidambaram was asked about crore lo cated in India and
bail plea filed by him. Vadra was on
his meetings with INX Media abroad as part of its probe into
February 2 granted interim bail for
directors Peter and Indrani the case.
a fortnight.
India has taken a lead in
energy accessibility: Modi
Greater Noida: India has taken a
lead in energy accessibility and
will achieve 100 per cent house‑
hold electrification by the end of
this year, Prime Minister Narendra
Modi said.
Addressing the Petrotech 2019
global energy conference here,
Modi also noted the country's
progress in moving to a gas‑based
economy by bringing clean cook‑
ing fuel to poor households.
"Electricity has already reached
all rural areas. This year, the 100
per cent electrification of house‑
holds will be achieved through the
Saubhagya scheme," he said.
"Over 6.4 crore households were Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
given LPG connections in just
three years under the Ujjwala Turning to the "Energy supply, energy sources
Scheme. A 'Blue Flame' revolution and energy consumption patterns
is underway and LPG coverage has global energy are changing, perhaps, this could
reached more than 90 per cent of situation, Modi be a historic transition. There is a
the population," said Modi. shift in energy consumption from
Noting that "energy justice" is a
said a "historic West to East," he said.
priority for his government, the transition" is He emphasised the need to move
Prime Minister said: "India's World towards transparent and flexible
Bank Ease of Getting Electricity
underway and the markets for both oil and gas.
ranking had improved from 111 in world needs to "For far too long the world has
seen crude prices on a roller coast‑
2014 to 29 in 2018." move towards
Turning to the global energy sit‑ er and called for responsible pric‑
uation, Modi said a "historic transi‑ more responsible ing of crude oil and natural gas,
tion" is underway and the world pricing for oil which balances the interests of
needs to move towards more both the producer and consumer,"
responsible pricing for oil and gas. and gas. he said.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
3rd T20I: Kiwis beat
India to claim series
New Zealand players with the trophy after winning the third T20I match against India
at Seddon Park in Hamilton. (Photo: Surjeet Yadav/IANS)
Hamilton: New Zealand defeated
India by four runs in the third
and final Twenty20 International
(T20I) to clinch the series 2‑1,
here.
Chasing the 213‑run target,
India could score only 208/6 in
their 20 overs.
India suf fered their first blow
early when opener Shikhar
Dhawan was dismissed by
Mitchell Santner in the first over.
Rookie all‑rounder Vijay
Shankar and Rohit Sharma came
How Real Kashmir FC gave wings to youths' love for football
By Sheikh Qayoom
Srinagar: In Kashmir's over three
decade long trauma of pain and
suf fering, there have been very
few occasions that could cheer
up the common man. The found‑
ing of the Real Kashmir Football
Club (FC) is one such event that
the common Kashmiri is feeling
happy and proud about.
After emerging as champions
of the I‑League 2nd Division in
2017‑2018, the team kept itself
in title contention for the 1st
Division as well after beating
table‑toppers Chennai City FC for
the second time.
Real Kashmir's performance
has given new hope to the people
of the valley who throng to the
stadiums to watch their youth set
the ground on fire with their
skills.
Football has been a popular
sport in the valley since the
1960s. T he matches of many
local teams would be largely
attended and cheered by
Kashmiris in the 1960s, 70s and
till the late 1980s when armed
together to add 75 runs between
them before the former was dis‑
missed after mist iming an
attempted slog sweep of f
Santner's bowling.
Shankar was the top scorer for
India. He hit five boundaries and
two sixes in a quickfire 28‑ball
innings that produced 43 runs.
The visitors were plunged into
deeper trouble soon afterwards
as Rishabh Pant and Rohit
Sharma were dismissed in succes‑
sive overs. Rohit, who scored 38
Players in action during an I‑League match between Mohun Bagan A.C.
and Real Kashmir F.C. at the Salt Lake stadium in Kolkata.
insurgency broke out putting a
stop to both sports and enter‑
tainment.
Local football teams like those
of the Transport, Food Supplies
and Police Departments have
been the traditional rivals of yore
in the valley.
Lo cal football players and
lovers had hardly dreamt of com‑
petitions outside the state, much
less something as prestigious as
SPORTS
runs of f 32 balls, was looking
good for a big score. But he went
after a Santner delivery that was
a bit wide outside the of f‑stump
only to offer an easy outside edge
to New Zealand wicket‑keeper
Tim Seifert. Hardik Pandya
smashed 21 runs off 11 deliver‑
ies before he was sent back to the
pavilion by Scott Kugge leijn.
When Daryl Mitchell claimed the
prized wicket of Mahendra Singh
Dhoni in the next over, the Kiwis
were well and truly on top.
the I‑League matches.
The creation of Real Kashmir
FC has given wings to the flight
of local football players' and
sports lovers' imagination in
Kashmir. Scores of Kashmiris cut‑
ting across the social divide have
been attending the matches
played at the astroturf tourist
reception centre (TRC) ground in
Srinagar.
With a capacity of 15,000
February 16-22, 2019
Other sportspersons score
big in endorsement deals too
New Delhi: With India doing well
in a range of Olympic sports in
recent years, sportspersons in dis‑
ciplines other than cricket have
also started to score lucrative
endorsement deals. Olympic and
World Championship silver medal‑
ist P.V. Sindhu is the latest non‑
cricketer to be associated with a
mega sponsorship deal. The bad‑
minton star recently signed a
four‑year sports sponsorship deal
for a whopping Rs 50 crore with
Chinese sports brand Li Ning.
The record deal comes after K.
Srikanth was offered a cool Rs 35
crore over a period of four years
by the company last month.
This is not the first time Sindhu
and Srikanth have signed deals
with Li Ning. According to media
reports, both shuttlers were with
the Chinese brand earlier before
signing deals with Yonex.
Saina Nehwal, the other star
women's badminton player in
India, has deals with Kellogg,
Iodex, Fortune Oil, Top Ramen
and NECC.
Boxer M.C. Mary Kom is another
non‑cricketer to strike it big. The
six‑time world champion signed a
deal with Bharat Sanchar Nigam
Limited in September as their
brand ambassador. The two‑year
deal will see the Olympic bronze
medallist engage in promotional
activities for BSNL for its various
services. Star athlete Hima Das
has also joined the bandwagon.
The Asian Games and World U‑20
spectators, the TRC ground is
owned by the Jammu and
Kashmir Football Association and
is the home ground for Real
Kashmir FC for the 2018‑2019 I‑
League season.
"We always believed that there
was huge potential among our
boys to play first class football.
Founding of Real Kashmir FC
proved us right," said Professor
Muzaffar Ahmad, retired college
principal and football enthusiast.
Others be lieve the lack of
opportunities wasted the talent
of local boys over the years and
this has been proved by the lau‑
rels being won by the team now.
"We had nothing to hone the
talent of our football players.
Football was played by barefoot‑
ed boys on uneven grounds dur‑
ing the few summer months. And
whatever the boys picked up dur‑
ing the summer months was for‑
gotten during the harsh winters
in the valley," said Shabir Ahmed
of old city Srinagar, who has not
missed a single match played by
the team so far.
"Founding a professional foot‑
23
Indian shuttler P V Sindhu.
champion signed an endorsement
deal with sports equipment manu‑
facturer Adidas in September last
year. The Assam athlete has also
become the brand ambassador for
YONO, SBI's integrated digital
banking platform, and Edelweiss.
She has also become the first
Indian sportsperson to be a Unicef
Youth Ambassador.
Cricket however, continues to
rule the roost. Indian cricket team
captain Virat Kohli has emerged
as the most valued celebrity in the
country for the second successive
year with an estimated brand
worth of $170 million.
Virat signed a Rs 110 crore deal
with sportswear giant Puma in
February 2017. The agreement is
supposed to last 8 years. Apart
from that, he also has deals with a
host of other brands including
Wrogn, MuveAcoustics, Too
Yumm, Tissot, Manyavar, Royal
Challenge, American Tourister,
Boost Energy Drink, MRF Tyres,
Uber India, Remit 2 India and
Philips.
ball team with all the facilities
needed for honing the talent of
our football players is a credit
that w ill always go to Real
Kashmir FC, its owners, coach
and above all, to its players."
Nicknamed the Snow Leopards,
the Srinagar‑based football club
was founded in 2016. Real
Kashmir FC is the first team from
Kashmir to compete in the I‑
League, the first division of foot‑
ball in India.
In 2016, Real Kashmir FC par‑
ticipated in its first national level
competition in the Durand Cup.
Success came rather quickly to
the team, thanks to the hard
work of the team's players and
the ef forts of its coach, David
Robertson, a former Rangers and
Aberdeen player.
In 2017, Real Kashmir FC
became the first Jammu and
Kashmir football club to play in
Scotland.
The team emerged as champi‑
ons of the I‑League 2nd Division
in 2017‑2018. T his victory
earned the team entry into the I‑
League 1st Division in 2018.
 24 February 16-22, 2019
What you need to know about timeshares
I
tʼs estimated that at any given
time, there are over 1 million
timeshare owners looking to end
their timeshare ownership.
Unfortunately, exiting a timeshare
is more complex than many people
realize.
“Timeshare owners are never
more vulnerable than when theyʼve
made the decision to end their own‑
ership. The resale market is flood‑
ed, resorts have stacked the deck
and con artists are waiting to take
advantage of your situation,” says
Gordon Newton, president of
Newton Group Transfers and
author of “The Consumerʼs Guide to
Timeshare Exit.”
There are several personal or
financial reasons you may want or
need to exit your timeshare, and
there are several ways to do so, be
it via a sale, transfer or cancella‑
tion. No matter how you part ways
New technology is
transforming the class-
room: What to know
A
s a parent,
you may
be wonder‑
ing how technolo‑
gy in the class‑
room is being
used to provide a
constructive learn‑
ing environment
for your child.
Here is a round‑up
of several new technologies and a
look at how each helps educators
teach, and students learn.
Better Imagery
Students have a better reason to
stay engaged than ever before, as
better, brighter more versatile pro‑
jectors are introduced into more
classrooms. For example, Casioʼs
LampFree Ultra Short Throw pro‑
jectors are designed to generate
large images over a very short pro‑
jection distance so that they work
well in classrooms of all sizes.
Their optional wireless adapters
give educators the ability to con‑
trol the images from a smartphone
or tablet through an app, so that
lessons can be more spontaneous
and creative.
Events of the Day
Whether youʼre scoping out top‑
ics for Debate Club or bringing
civics class to life with real world
content, incorporating current
events into lesson plans is becom‑
ing a cinch, thanks to tools like
PressReader, a news aggregator
that delivers full issues of thou‑
sands of publications to mobile
with your timeshare, Newton says
itʼs important to protect yourself by
having a better handle on the
industry. He offers the following
insights to anyone who owns a
timeshare:
8 The fine print in your time‑
share agreements may be the rea‑
devices, PCs and Macs that are
connected to library hot zones.
Classroom On‑the‑Go
Thanks to new software, class‑
room style learning can take place
anywhere. One example is
Classpad.net, a free, all‑in‑one
web‑based mathematics creation
and discovery resource geared for
K‑12 and beyond. Enabling stu‑
dents to learn math at their own
pace, new additions to the soft‑
ware include dynamically linked
representations, additional types
of graphing interactions, improved
authoring tools, and more.
Get Moving
Even gym class is no exception
to the technology upgrades that
schools are seeing. Physical educa‑
tion teachers are fusing fun and
fitness with such games as Dance
Dance Revolution, Just Dance and
Wii Sports. Technology is getting
feet moving and helping kids
improve a sports skill.
Technology has the power to
engage and enthuse students.
Luckily, many schools are recog‑
nizing this, and using new tools to
their greatest potential.
SELF HELP
son you canʼt sell it. Many resort
developers see the resale market as
a direct threat to their revenue
stream and have accordingly rigged
the system in their favor. For exam‑
ple, some resorts restrict rights and
benefits for owners who purchase
their timeshares on the resale mar‑
HOW TO HELP KIDS DEVELOP
HEALTHY DENTAL HABITS
C
opying adult behavior is a
part of childhood develop‑
ment. While you may not
always love it when your child
repeats everything you say, when it
comes to healthy dental habits, you
can use this to your advantage.
“Itʼs easier to teach a younger
child good oral health habits than to
break an older child of poor ones.
Encourage your children to take
good care of their teeth by showing
them how well you take care of
your own,” says Dr. Michael Hahn, a
licensed dentist and Cignaʼs nation‑
al dental director. “Tooth decay is
one of the most common chronic
diseases among children in the U.S.,
but it is also largely preventable.”
To help instill good dental health
habits in children, Dr. Hahn sug‑
gests parents and guardians lead by
example in the following ways:
• Go for regular dental checkups:
More than one third of adults in the
U.S. ages 18 to 64 failed to visit the
dentist at least once in 2016,
according to the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
ket, intentionally devaluing your
timeshare while also making it
harder for you to unload.
8 Only sign an agreement offer‑
ing you real protections in your
timeshare exit. Specifically, any
agent you hire should be aligned
with your interests, agreeing in
writing to cover all timeshare fees –
or legal fees ‑ that arise during the
exit process for a flat fee.
8 Research your exit companyʼs
credentials (through the Better
Business Bureau, the stateʼs attor‑
ney general, consumer protection
agencies and a general internet
search) looking for a minimum five‑
year track record of success.
Beware of companies that make it
hard for you to research them.
8 Be wary of timeshare exit com‑
panies boasting “attorneys on
staff.” Those attorneys will be act‑
ing in the best interests of the com‑
Set a good example so that chil‑
dren donʼt skip dental exams when
they become adults. Make family
appointments for everyone to visit
the dentist for checkups and routine
cleanings. Be positive when talking
about it with children, even if you
harbor your own anxieties about
dental care. Consider the alterna‑
tive: when you skip regular dental
checkups and cleanings, it becomes
more likely that a small problem
will grow larger and become more
expensive to treat.
• Eat breakfast together: A
healthy breakfast can set the tone
for a healthy day and may even
reduce oneʼs cravings for sugary
snacks later. Sugary and sticky
snacks can remain on teeth for
hours, providing time for bacteria
and acids to begin causing their
damage, leading to tooth decay.
Beyond breakfast, you can set a
good example by packing tooth‑
friendly healthful lunches with
fruits and vegetables for yourself
and your children.
• Drink water: Making water your
pany, not yours.
8 If an exit deal sounds too good
to be true, it probably is. Be wary of
phone solicitors telling you some‑
one has a buyer, anyone advising
you to stop paying your timeshare
mortgage or maintenance fees,
“donate your timeshare” programs,
or anyone marketing a guaranteed
timeframe for the exit. These are all
red flags.
For more tips and insights, visit
myexitguide.com to download a
free copy of “The Consumerʼs Guide
to Timeshare Exit,” a recently
updated guide created to help con‑
sumers avoid scams when ending
their timeshare ownership.
If your timeshare has become
more of a liability than a joy, youʼre
not alone. But donʼt get burned.
Take steps to part ways with your
timeshare efficiently, safely and
with care.
householdʼs go‑to beverage will also
help limit your familyʼs exposure to
sugary alternatives. It can also pro‑
vide an ongoing way to rinse your
teeth between meals and after
snacks, to limit the length of time
food particles remain on the teeth.
• Brush and floss: Follow the
American Dental Association rec‑
ommendations found on their web‑
site for brushing twice a day for two
minutes each time and flossing at
least once daily. Donʼt just remind
your children to brush their teeth,
join them on occasion so that they
can see that it can be fun.
Incorporating a two‑minute timer
as part of the ritual can make it
more of a game.
More tips for families can be
found at cigna.com/dental.
You can be a great role model for
your children when it comes to den‑
tal health. With a positive attitude,
you can help your kids form healthy
habits that last a lifetime, which in
turn will help them keep their teeth
for their lifetime.
StatePoint
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Working Indian women embrace Mindfulness, sleep may
bike services in big way reduce exhaustion in
New Delhi: It was raining hard, a
time when cabs usually cancel rides
blaming the waterlogged roads and
jammed traffic.
Radhika Parashar, 25, a profes‑
sional from the NCR region, took
the plunge and booked an
'uberMOTO' to reach her home in
Sector 77 in Noida.
The rider reached the pick‑up
point faster than cabs usually do,
with a spare helmet and dropped
her safe at her destination much
earlier than a cab would have.
Parashar is not the only woman
hailing bike‑taxi services. It is
increasingly seen as the new easier
to book, fastest, safest yet af ford‑
able mode of transport by women
in the metros. "In Delhi‑NCR, where
people are so skeptical about book‑
ing cab services because of several
infamous incidents, two‑wheeler
ride services like uberMOTO works
quite well in emergency situations
where there is very less time mar‑
gin to make it to somewhere,"
Parashar told IANS.
"Since my first experience was
satisfactory, I have been regularly
using uberMOTO to reach in hur‑
ried situations."
Launched in 2016, Uber's bike‑
sharing initiative uberMOTO
expands access to public transport
as well as saves time. The most
important advantage is its af ford‑
ability. It gives riders af fordable
ride through the Uber app, with
fares starting as low as Rs. 12.
"With uberMOTO, we bring a
How high-calorie desserts can
lead to healthier meals
New York: Do red velvet cheese‑
cake, french fries or fish fries
entice you but you refrain from
eating those owing to the high‑
calories they contain? Take heart.
Choosing these high‑calorie
options first might help you opt
for a healthier meal later, says new
research. The study showed choos‑
ing indulgent dessert first may
lead to eating lower‑calorie meals.
"We believe diners who chose
the indulgent dessert first then
picked healthier main and side
dishes to make up for their high‑
calorie dessert. Diners who picked
the healthier dessert may have
thought they already had done a
good deed for their bodies so they
deserved higher‑calorie food fur‑
ther down the cafeteria line," said
Martin Reimann, Assistant
Professor at the University of
Arizona in the US.
The experiment was conducted
in the cafeteria of the EGADE
Business School at the Tecnológico
(Image : hindustantimes.com)
product that resonates with the
people and provides another easy
and af fordable option for short
trips around the town while creat‑
ing tens of thousands of flexible
entrepreneurial opportunities," an
Uber spokesperson told IANS.
Within a year of the launch, the
ridesharing app also marked the
completion of 2 million trips on
uberMOTO in 5 cities ‑‑ Bengaluru,
Gurugram, Faridabad, Hyderabad,
and Ahmedabad.
It is currently available to riders
in 11 cities in India ‑‑ Gurugram,
Faridabad, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad,
Jaipur, Noida, Ghaziabad, Mohali,
Ludhiana, Amritsar, and Kanpur.
The company has plans to expand
to other cities in the country in
2019. uberMOTO also includes
standard safety features like live
GPS tracking, two‑way feedback
and the ability to share trip details
with family and friends.
“In addition, friends, riders, and
de Monterrey in Monterrey,
Mexico.
For the study, researchers
included 134 diners aged between
18 and 60 with an average age of
32.
They placed either a healthy or
less healthy dessert (fresh fruit
versus lemon cheesecake). There
were also healthy and less healthy
main and side dishes including
grilled chicken fajitas and a small
salad or fried fish and french fries.
The findings, published by the
American Psychological
Association, showed that diners
who chose the cheesecake first
were twice as likely to order the
lighter main dish later and ulti‑
mately consumed fewer calories
than diners who chose the fresh
fruit first. "People should be aware
that their initial food choices and
their mindset may affect the over‑
all healthiness of their meals," sug‑
gested Reimann.
(IANS)
LIFESTYLE
drivers are required to wear hel‑
mets on every uberMOTO ride,
making it possible to focus on safe‑
ty for riders and drivers before, dur‑
ing and after every trip in ways that
have never been possible before,"
Uber said. According to Uber, it is
especially well suited for first mile
or last mile connectivity, getting
people from their homes or offices
to metro stations and vice‑versa.
Besides Uber, Ola's bike service,
named as "Ola Bikes", has also
received tremendous response
among women riders in Delhi‑NCR,
Gurugram, and Faridabad.
"We were the first to start this
bike service in the country. Today,
Ola Bike is known for being cost‑
efficient, safe and providing the
last‑mile connectivity. Among the
working women, we have been a
preferred choice," an Ola
spokesperson told IANS.
Ola bike service is present in 31
cities in India.
Indian consumers say big hello
to voice‑based devices
New Delhi: Hey Alexa! Please play
"Bhaja Govindam" by M.S.
Subbulakshmi, goes the command
every morning at my home and
Alexa takes no time in obliging,
playing the song by the legendary
Carnatic vocalist as breakfast begins
to roll. This has become a routine at
millions of Indian homes, indicating
a clear trend about voice becoming
the next conversational platform
between people and devices.
As we head toward a world where
data‑driven machine intelligence
powers conversations between
brands and consumers, Indian con‑
sumers are now ready for this, fre‑
quently using smartphones to inter‑
act with brands and coordinate
tasks. According to Forrester,
mobile penetration has allowed
rapid, leapfrogging acceleration
among metropolitan Indian online
adults in the uptake of wearable
devices and other smart technology.
Nearly 54 percent Indians now
use at least one wearable device.
February 16-22, 2019
entrepreneurs: Study
New York: Overburdened with
work? Relax. Adequate sleep
and mindfulness exercises such
as meditation can help you feel
less stressed, suggests a new
study.
The study showed that when
entrepreneurs feel exhausted
but cannot af ford the time for
adequate sleep, they may be
able to replenish their energy
with mindfulness exercises.
"You can't replace sleep with
mindfulness exercises but they
might help compensate and pro‑
vide a degree of relief," said lead
researcher, Charles Murnieks,
Assistant Professor from the
Oregon State University in the
US. "As little as 70 minutes a
week, or 10 minutes a day of
mindfulness practice may have
the same benefits as an extra 44
minutes of sleep a night," said
(image courtesy: fit.thequint.com)
(Image : androidcentral.com)
The smart home is at a similar turn‑
ing point: 30 percent use a smart
TV, 16 percent use a voice assistant
speaker like Alexa‑rich Amazon
Echo or Google Assistant‑driven
Home, and 36 percent use smart
home devices like Internet‑connect‑
ed thermostats or home audio sys‑
tems. According to Meenakshi
Tiwari, Forecast Analyst at
Forrester, most of the digital con‑
sumers in India today are mobile
consumers, doing multi‑tasking on
the go. "Voice has a much bigger
role to play in the circumstance,
which is further verified by the fact
25
Murnieks.
For the study, the researchers
included 105 entrepreneurs
who were asked about their
exhaustion levels, whether they
engaged in mindfulness prac‑
tices. If so, how often and for
how long.
They were also asked about
the number of hours they slept
each night.
The findings, published in the
Journal of Business Venturing,
showed more than 40 percent of
the participants reported work‑
ing 50 hours per week or more
on average and sleeping less
than 6 hours a night.
The team found that the entre‑
preneurs who slept more, or
who engaged in the highest lev‑
els of mindfulness exercises,
reported lower levels of exhaus‑
tion. (IANS)
that 28 percent of search queries in
India is done by voice, and Hindi
voice search queries are growing at
over 400 percent year on year," she
told IANS. It gives a clear indication
that voice will play a bigger role in
India's digital space in near future.
"Smart speaker will also play criti‑
cal in this direction which is evident
from their increasing shipment and
time spent by the consumer on it,"
Tiwai added. According to market
research firm International Data
Corp (IDC), the smart speakers' cate‑
gory in India, led by Amazon, grew
43 percent in the second quarter of
2018. "I personally believe that
voice as a platform is going to lead
the next wave of content searches,
social conservation, and eventually,
it will also become the medium of
commerce, said Jaipal Singh, Senior
Analyst, IDC India.
We already have voice‑enabled
devices which help us set routines,
automate home appliances and pro‑
vide on‑demand information.
 26 February 16-22, 2019 SCITECH TheSouthAsianTimes.info

By Rachel Withers

A
lexa, whatʼs in the fridge?
Do you know? Because I
certainly donʼt. Alexa,
how long have these Brussels
sprouts been here? And can I still
eat this rice? Alexa, how do I sea‑
son a cast iron skillet? In the
oven … are you sure? Should I
get a credit card? What is a W‑2?
How do I get a stain out of silk?
Alexa, what should I do with my
life?
“Generation Uphill,” they call
us, and was there ever a cohort
more receiving of pity and
scorn? If youʼve been following
the think pieces, youʼd be justi‑
fied in being surprised that so
many of us have kept ourselves
alive: The stereotype, warranted
or not, that millennials are strug‑
gling to #adult is widespread,
and itʼs more durable than my
houseplant (RIP).
Less controversial is the stereo‑
type that we love our in‑home
technology. Market research
shows that millennials are most
responsible for the rapid uptake
in voice‑assisted smart speakers,
with their use “projected to out‑
strip Gen X usage 2‑to‑one for
the next three years, and outstrip
Boomer usage 3‑to‑one.” As tech
natives, millennials are more
likely to embrace and become
immediately comfortable with
new technology, with anything
that offers to make our lives easi‑
er. We may not like calling or
interacting with people, but weʼll
happily do so with futuristic tech.
We also have a lot of questions.
Some of them are about the news
or the weather, but many more
of them are about how to be a
functioning grown‑up. “So it
turns out, being an adult is most‑
ly just googling how to do stuff,”
goes one of the internetʼs numer‑
ous “adulting” memes. (After all,
“one does not simply turn 18 and
morph into an adulting adult.”)
Thatʼs not to say that all millen‑
nials are flailing when it comes
to adulthoo d, but many are.
According to a Bank of America
survey of 18‑ to 26‑year‑olds, 40
percent of college‑educated
grads donʼt feel prepared for the
“real world,” while more than
one‑quarter of young people said
they wish school had taught
them how to manage monthly
Alexa, How Do I #Adult?
According to a Bank of America survey of 18‐ to 26‐year‐olds, 40 % of college‐educated
grads don’t feel prepared for the “real world,” while 25% of young people said they
wish school had taught them how to manage monthly bills and do taxes.
bills and do taxes.
Enter the Echo. The number of
enablable skills in the Alexa
Skills Store has reached more
than 30,000, though some are of
quest ionable quality (like
Remember Your Keys, which tells
you to remember your keys …
but only if you say “Alexa, open
Remember Your Keys”). Alexa is
full of life skills and organiza‑
tional tips, and a growing num‑
ber seem to be targeted at mil‑
lennials struggling to run their
own lives. Are millennials picking
something up from Alexa other
than a penchant for NPR?
Search for “adulting” in Alexa
Skills, and youʼll find Adulting
Guide, a skill that “provides
advice for young adults starting
out on their own.” It has six areas
in which it can advise those wish‑
ing to #adult: Finance, Auto,
Insurance, Time Management,
Foo d, and Home. (Someone
should probably tell the makers
of Adulting Guide that millenni‑
als arenʼt buying cars.) When I
ask for an insurance tip, the
guide te lls me, “Invest ing in
good, quality food and regular
exercise is the best way to insure
yourself against future health
problems.” (Itʼs not bad life
advice, but …) Itʼs clear this skill
is trying to condescend to millen‑
nials when I ask for a household
tip: “Vinegar and baking soda are
not just effective for science fair
volcanoes but are useful agents
to clean pots, pans, and even the
kitchen sink.”
If youʼre in an existential crisis,
you can turn to Operat ion
Millennial: “Advice for millenni‑
als on answering that age‑old
question, “W hat Should I Do
With My Life” in college, career
and relationships. A search for
“millennial” also returns
Millennial Money, The Personal
Brand, and Patience & Hustle
Daily̶an exhaustive list of what
millennials need to survive. In
fact, millennials living away from
home for the first time can actu‑
ally turn Alexa into a parent with
skills Mom Says and Dad‑Bot.
When I asked for some Mom
advice, I was told never to be
afraid to say I donʼt know, and to
“at least once, date someone with
beaut iful red hair.” Dad was
ready with some tough love: “If
you want to be a dumbass, then
keeping doing it that way.”
Other brands are also seeing
the potential in helping millenni‑
als win at life. One bank launched
an Alexa Skill that converts
prices into “CurrenSee,” or the
equivalent working hours, target‑
ed at̶you guessed it̶us spend‑
thrift millennials. (Alexa, convert
one avocado toast into hours
spent working minimum wage.)
Soon there may no longer be a
need for Still Tasty, the site that
tells you how long produce will
stay fresh: This Kickstarter wants
to create Alexa‑connected smart
Tupperware that warns you
when food is about to go bad.
Alexaʼs Household Chores tips,
meanwhile, are verging on insult‑
ing. If you ask for one, Alexa sug‑
gests, “How about washing bed‑
ding and towels today?” (Well
duh, with what, Ned?)
On the other end of the spec‑
trum, smart homes are helping
another transitioning genera‑
tion̶baby boomers̶to “age in
place” and maintain their inde‑
pendence. Smart homes allow
older people to control lights and
temperature, answer the door,
order groceries, and keep their
minds engaged. A number of
these smart home features
wouldnʼt go astray in a millennial
household̶including turning
of f the stove if left unattended
too long.
Itʼs clear that some millennials
are struggling a little with adult
life, but itʼs not our fault. Jeffrey
Jensen Arnett̶a Clark
University psychology professor
whose research focuses on what
he has termed “emerging adult‑
hood,” the period between ado‑
lescence and full‑fledged adult‑
hood̶says that this gap has
lengthened over time. In his
TEDx Talk, “Why Does It Take So
Long to Grow Up Today?,” Arnett
says that due to numerous recent
revolutions̶sexual, womenʼs,
technological̶young people are
completing major milestones̶
marrying, graduating, starting a
home̶later in life. Itʼs during
this phase of roommates, further
study, and emerging adulthood
that we may feel like weʼre strug‑
gling to feed and clothe our‑
selves̶and turn to memes about
#adulting and #wine.
When I call him to ask, Arnett
says he isnʼt particularly worried
about millennials, or their use of
digital assistants. Our transition
to adulthood may be slower, but
#adulting is something that most
people pick up gradually. For
tech native millennials, Alexa is
just “another source of informa‑
tion,” says Arnett. “And informa‑
tion is good when youʼre going
into new challenges and new
responsibilities that you may not
fully feel youʼre ready for.”
Hey, as Mom Says always says,
never be afraid to say, “I donʼt
know.”
Courtesy Future Tense.

Apple, Google slammed for app that

lets Saudi men track women
San Francisco: Apple and Google are facing get SMS when a woman uses her passport
criticism from human rights activists for at the border.
hosting an app that allows men in Saudi For making the apps available on Google
Arabia to track and control women's move‑ Play and Apple's App Store, the US‑based
ments. tech giants have been accused of facilitat‑
According to a report in Insider on ing misogyny and helping "enforce gender
Friday, the app called "Absher" lets men apartheid".
give women permission to travel, and also Amnesty International, Human Rights
Watch, and a women's rights activist urged
Apple and Google should reconsider host‑
ing the app, Insider reported, adding that
the two tech giants did not respond to its
requests for comment.
Under Saudi law, it is essent ial for
women to have a legal "guardian" who can
restrict her travel. While Absher ‑ a govern‑
ment service ‑ of fers other functions like
paying parking fines, its travel features
have been targeted by activists as it makes
it difficult for women to leave Saudi Arabia.
"Apple and Google have rules against
apps that facilitate threats and harass‑
ment," Human Rights Watch was quoted as
saying.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info MEDIA February 16-22, 2019 27

'Hinduism Today' celebrates 40 years of publishing

By Manu Shah where it uncovers their history complete with
temple lore and significance. Another regular

F
or the last 40 years, a small group of
monks living in a monastery in Hawaii
have been diligently preserving,
upholding and promoting Hinduism through
their publication, “Hinduism Today.”
The quarterly magazine is read by Hindus
and non‑Hindus who are spiritually or other‑
wise curious to explore the worldʼs oldest tra‑
dition. It is delivered around the world as well
as carried in libraries, universities and tem‑
ples. Hinduism Todayʼs impact has been life
changing for many of its readers. For Thom
Drinkwater from UK who was “living with
unanswered questions” it helped clear his spir‑
itual confusion and encouraged him to medi‑
tate every day. Likewise Ganga Sivanathan,
from Adelaide in Australia, found her body
and soul nurtured by the magazineʼs content.
Vijay Pallod, a subscriber for 25 years, found
it “invaluable in spirited discussions about
Hindu dharma with his three children.”
These are far from the only testimonials
Hinduism Today receives from its readers, and
yet chances are you may not have heard of the
magazine. For all its qualities and its long run,
it remains relatively little known. It also pres‑
ents a challenge that is being taken up by
readers like Vijay because he would like to see
“more people benefit from the magazine.” The
magazine was founded in 1979 by Satguru
Sivaya Subramuniyaswami, also known as
Gurudeva. Born in California, he was intro‑
duced to mysticism early in life. He travelled
to Sri Lanka where he met his guru
Yogaswami and was initiated into Hinduism
and renunciation. On returning, he began
teaching Hinduism, founded the first Hindu
temple in North America and launched
Hinduism Today to “strengthen, uplift and
inform all Hindus and like‑minded souls of the
glories of this most ancient religion”
The quarterly magazine distributed worldwide is the work
of a small group of monks living in a monastery in Hawaii.
The magazine, published by the Himalayan
Academy in Hawaii, is a non‑profit venture.
The heart and soul of the magazine is a core
group of 20 monks who write, edit, illustrate
and work with writers, photographers, artists
and volunteers from a dozen countries. The
current publisher is Satguru Bodhinatha
Veylanswami, spiritual head of the Hindu
Monastery on the island of Kauai. The maga‑
zine has, over four decades, published thou‑
sands of articles on Sanatan dharma. Still,
according to its editor “the subject is so rich
and vast that it feels like weʼve only scratched
the surface.”
The magazineʼs authenticity stems from the
monks who study Hinduism and its traditions
in depth and practice it diligently. Yoga, japa,
puja and meditation is a daily ritual. They
grow their own vegetables, keep their own
cows, wear simple robes.
With over one billion people identifying as
Hindus, Hinduism Today is a lifeline for many
who struggle to sustain their faith in remote
areas. Its mix of articles on traditions of wor‑
ship, meditation, yoga, mantras, scriptures,
vegetarianism and Ayurveda helps keep their
beliefs and traditions alive and strong.
In a nod to the magazineʼs reputation,
Houghton Mif flin, one of America's largest
publishers for children's textbooks requested
Hinduism Today to vet its chapters on
Hinduism. The White House has also tapped
the monks for their views on the controversial
subject of cloning.
The articles, as Yoga Guru Swami Ramdev
puts it are a “blend of spirituality, religion and
science.” Both mystical and practical, they
cover ways to bring peace and contentment in
oneʼs life, techniques to progress on the spiri‑
tual path, different paths to the divine, karma,
dharma and reincarnation. Two subjects are
off limits ‑ politics and economics. Some of the
magazineʼs most popular pages are the arm‑
chair pilgrimages to Indiaʼs ancient temples
feature is its inspirational spotlight on suc‑
cessful Hindus who stick to their core values
even in times of adversity.
Hinduism Today receives countless emails
from teenagers wrestling with the religion of
their parents or young adults questioning the
existence of God. The staff reply to each and
every letter. In addition, the magazineʼs style
is clear, contemporary, crisp, and articles keep
its young readers in mind “because they are
the future of Hinduism.”
In 1980, when Hinduism Todayʼs founder
Gurudeva received a letter from a Hindu busi‑
nessman in Mauritius about the unethical con‑
versions taking place in the country, he visited
Mauritius and inspired the Hindu community
to stand strong in their faith. The ef fort
proved transformative with many Hindus
gaining a deeper understanding of their tradi‑
tion and re‑embracing many of their customs
from wearing Indian attire to performing
pujas at home. Gurudeva and the magazine
itself are recognized as one of the major forces
that stemmed the tide of conversions and
restored peace and mutual respect among
Mauritiusʼs many ethnic groups.
Hinduism Today recently launched a web‑
site www.himalayanacademy.com/hamsa/
where one can find images of rare master‑
pieces, sacred religious symbols, illustrated
alphabets, depictions of Hindu deities and
more – a valuable resource for historians, aca‑
demicians, curators and cultural anthropolo‑
gists. The magazine is available in Kindle,
EBook, PDF, an App, and on its website
www.hinduismtoday.com.
As with most publishing houses struggling
to cover costs, Hinduism Today too works on a
tight budget. It welcomes donations to the
Hinduism Today Production Fund which is a
part of Hindu Heritage Endowment.

IMMIGRATION

EB‑4 for Religious Workers

By Dev Banad Viswanath, Esq.
& Michael Phulwani, Esq.

T
he EB‑4 visa is an employ‑

is different from R1 visa

ment‑based immigrant visa
for special religious employ‑
ees. Ministers/Priests and non‑
ministers in religious vocations

VISA
and occupations may enter to or associated with the religious category of visa for religious work‑ gration professional who under‑
adjust status in the U.S. to perform denomination in the U.S. ers called the R‑1 Visa. Please note stands the process ofr foreign
religious work as a full‑time com‑ 4 Have been employed in one of that while the two categories are national religious workers.

pensated employee. There is a cap
of 5,000 employees who may be
issued a visa under the EB‑4 cate‑
gory if they will be employed as a
non‑minister. There is no cap for
employees who will be employed
as a minister. Non‑minister special
immigrant religious employees
include those within a religious
vocation or occupation engaging
in either a professional or non‑pro‑
fessional role.
In order to qualify as a special
immigrant religious employee, the
foreign individual must:
4 Have been a member of a reli‑
gious denomination for at least
two years immediately before
the filing of a petition. The reli‑
gious denomination must be a
bona‑fide non‑profit religious
TALK
organization in the United
States.
4 Come to the U.S. to work in a
full time, compensated position
as either
4 A minister of that religious
denomination;
4 A religious vocation either in a
professional or nonprofession‑
al position; or
4 A religious occupation either in
a professional or nonprofes‑
sional position
4 Employed for either a
4 Bon fide non‑profit religious
organization in the U.S.; or
4 Bon fide organization that is
the above position after the
age of 14, either abroad or in
the U.S., for two continuous
years immediately before the
filing of a petition.
Both the employing non‑profit
religious organization and the reli‑
gious employee must provide sup‑
porting documents along with the
proper forms. The religious organ‑
ization must provide proof of tax‑
exempt status and proof of
salaried or non‑salaried compensa‑
tion. The religious employee must
provide proof membership, docu‑
mentation showing that religious
worker is qualified to perform the
duties of the proposed position,
and proof of previous religious
work.
There is a similar non‑immigrant
related and similar, they are paral‑ Any dependents of EB‑4 nonim‑
lel and anyone or organization migrants, spouse and unmarried
considering bringing religious children under the age of 21, will
workers to their religious institu‑ need to apply for derivative family
tion or entities should review them visas once the principal applicant
carefully with an experience immi‑ is approved.
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 16-22, 2019 HUMOR TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Funny Side by Nury Vittachi

Proof that East and West

are different planets

BEST
CHINA: "The giant has awakened! Let the Sharma sang the praises of cow poop earlier
RATE world tremble!"
ALSO CHINA: "We banned your tweet
this summer.
Clearly that US farmer should move to Asia
FOR because it may cause our civilisation to col‑
lapse."
and bring his dung‑spraying machine.
What other news items highlight East‑West
INDIA I totally don't get that country. Their mes‑
sages are too mixed.
differences?
A colleague pointed out that the US TV real‑
AND Mind you, the whole world is baffling these
days. One of the defining questions of the
ity series "I Married A Stranger" is now play‑
ing on screens in Asia. "But marrying a
PAKISTAN modern era seems to be: W hat Is Your
Position On Cow Poop?
stranger is normal in much of South Asia," she
said. To have the same shock effect, she sug‑
Two news items that arrived in this colum‑ gested starting a reality TV series called "I
nist's inbox on the same morning highlighted Married Someone I Knew."
New York Head Quarter the two main options. Reader Amitava Bose noted that the US
422‑S Broadway An angry farmer used a farm machine to beauty contestant who said "marriage is
spray "a wave of manure" all over a law between a man and a woman" was considered
HICKSVILLE
enforcement of ficer's vehicle, said a news by Westerners to have said something utterly
NY 11801 item from Vermont in the United States. outrageous, while people from the East were
There was widespread disgust at the act, com‑ left scratching their heads.
516‑827‑1010 mentators said. "In the West, failure to be politically correct
Covering your house with cow dung has is a far worse crime than murder," said Bose.
huge benefits and will even make it proof I was sceptical of this, but he pointed out
against radioactive beams, a high court judge that the Western media is beside itself with
declared, according to news items from hysteria at President Donald Trump, who says
Rajasthan in India. Judge Mahesh Chand politically incorrect things but has not mur‑
dered anyone. The exact same media wor‑
ships the ground walked on by former
Laughter is the Best Medicine President Barack Obama, who was politically
correct but committed extra‑judicial murder
(he got his men to sneak into Pakistan and
execute Osama Bin Laden and four others,
including a woman).
By
Good point. Bose said that if I was ever
Mahendra arrested for assassinating someone in a
Shah Western country (unlikely), my best defence
would be to say something like: "I supported
Mahendra Shah
transgender rights before it was cool."
is an architect
This columnist, who has roughly equal
by education,
numbers of friends who are Eastern and
entrepreneur by
Westernised, liberal and conservative, tends
profession,
to avoid these controversial issues.
artist and
But I was delighted to hear about a case in
humorist, car-
Mumbai that should keep all sides happy. A
toonist and woman named Aarav Appukuttan felt her per‑
writer by hobby. sonality was male. A man named Sukanyeah
He has been Krishna felt his personality was female.
recording the They went independently to a clinic for gen‑
plight of the der re‑assignment ‑‑ but met and fell in love,
immigrant the media reported.
Indians for the Now the man‑turned‑woman plans to marry
past many year the woman‑turned‑man.
in his cartoons. Their case stomps violently on tradition, so
Hailing from liberals will cheer loudly, but will ultimately
Gujarat, he end up with a male marrying a female, so con‑
lives in servatives can also cheer loudly.
Pittsburgh, Everybody's happy, just like the bride, in
Pennsylvania. her macho suit, and the groom, in his pretty
dress.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info ASTROLOGY February 16-22, 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 16‑22, 2019

Aries: An excellent opportunity is likely
to come to you soon. Things look to be
promising for those who feel a need
for change from the present job. Health
remains good. You may get involved in
preparations for an event on the home front.
Better equation is likely to ensue in your
relationship with spouse. This is a good time
to look up your near and dear ones.
Lucky Number : 8
Lucky Colour : Parrot Green
Taurus: Hectic schedule may give
you little time to attend to personal
things. Chartered accountants and
lawyers will be able to find some good
clients. Deliberating deeply on an issue at
hand will be necessary to avoid complica‑
tions at a later date. Good returns from
investments are foreseen. A bad habit can
play havoc with your health, if you don't
quit now.
Lucky Number : 3
Lucky Colour : Beige
Gemini: You may find it difficult to
achieve what you set out for on the
professional front. Family life
appears immensely satisfying. Profits are
set to steadily increase giving a boost to
your standard of living. Donʼt let lethargy
and disinterest mar your chances on the
academic front. Steer clear of mental stress.
Some of you may plan something exciting
to avoid boredom.
Lucky Number : 4 Lucky Colour : Indigo
Cancer: This is an auspicious week
for those who want to begin con‑
struction work. Things work with
clockwork precision on the work front. You
will manage to handle complex issues by
taking initiative based on your judgement.
Consider a proposal coming your way seri‑
ously, as it can give you good returns.
Friends and relations may keep the home
front abuzz.
Lucky Number : 22
Lucky Colour : Dark Slate Grey
Leo: A job you are trying to avoid
may come to you and there is little
you can do about it. Prying into the
personal lives of others does not augur well
for you, so get rid of this habit. Roads donʼt
appear safe for you for speed driving, so
remain careful. Certain things on the home
front may not be to your liking. However,
you will do your level best to make things
pleasant at home.
Lucky Number : 1
Lucky Colour : Yellow
Virgo: An opportunity for improving
performance awaits some on the aca‑
demic front. A property may be sold
of f at a hefty margin. You are likely to
remain financially strong, as money flows
in. An item misplaced or broken by you
may unleash partnerʼs ire. A social activity
may prove most enjoyable. Donʼt let up on
your fitness regime.
Lucky Number : 7 Lucky Colour : Magenta
Libra: Make the best of the opportu‑
nities coming your way on the career
front. Your authority may get under‑
mined by your wrong actions, so be careful
in what you say or do. On the academic front,
you are likely to make good progress. This is
not the time to press your luck on the finan‑
cial front, as loss is indicated. Love beckons
the lonely hearts and may lead romance.
Lucky Number : 9
Lucky Colour : Lemon
Scorpio: Those in love are set to take
romance to the next level. Your style
and confidence is likely to win some
admirers on the academic front. Your quest
for perfect health is likely to lose steam and
get you back to square one! You will man‑
age to take the necessary steps to
smoothen things out on the family front.
Remaining focussed on your professional
priorities will prove beneficial.
Lucky Number : 2
Lucky Colour : Purple
Sagittarius: A tense situation at
work may keep you on tenterhooks
as the week begins, but it will be a
temporary phase. Partner may be a bit
harsh, but will talk sense, so listen to him or
her. You may not be able to keep abreast of
what is happening on the academic front
and suf fer. You can expect good returns
from the money invested in a scheme.
Lucky Number : 8
Lucky Colour : Parrot Green
Capricorn: Remaining regular in
your workouts will keep you in per‑
fect health. Dealers may find
improvement in their daily sales. A hike in
salary is foreseen and calls for celebration,
so get the champagne bottle out! Your posi‑
tive approach in a family matter is likely to
lighten the domestic atmosphere. Buying a
vehicle or a major item is on the cards for
some.
Lucky Number : 22
Lucky Colour : Saffron
Aquarius: This is not the time to
bring in major changes in your life,
as things may not turn out as
expected. Some pending decisions threaten
to halt the progress of your current task.
You may have to make extra efforts on the
professional front. You are likely to make
the first move in getting to know someone
who is giving unusual attention to you on
the romantic front.
Lucky Number : 4
Lucky Colour : Indigo
Pisces: Accolades and congrats may
pour in for something you have
achieved. Beware of losing your
patience on someone close. A pleasurable
time is indicated on the romantic front this
week. There is a good scope of acquiring
something on the property front. You are
likely to start or resume the exercise rou‑
tine to get back in good shape.
Lucky Number : 17 Lucky Colour : Violet

February 16, 2019 income will improve your financial

Influenced by number 7 and the
planet Neptune, you are energetic,
ambitious, independent, honest
and possess a sharp memory. You
are highly innovative and have an
in built talent to impress others,
but at times you need to control
your tendency to behave impatient
and erratic at times.
T his year you w ill see an
improvement in your financial
posit ion, but there w ill be an
increase in your expenses as well.
Put your ef forts on projects that
promise long term gains without
wasting much time on small prob‑
lems. Only selective investment will
be rewarding and you should avoid
speculation on all fronts. Arrival of
guests and relatives during this
period will be plenty, who will
bring you gifts in cash and kind.
Employment opportunities for
some of you. Romance will be
pleasant and will add a spice to
your life. T he months of
September, February and April will
be highly significant.
February 17, 2019
Ruled by number 8 and the plan‑
et Saturn, you are dynamic, practi‑
cal, responsible, hardworking,
authoritative and highly disci‑
plined. For you your duties and
responsibilities take precedence
over everything else, but you need
to check your tendency to behave
stubborn and jealous at times.
This year you can look forward
to major changes in your profes‑
sional career. A long due transfer
or a promotion can be expected
ANNUAL PREDICTIONS: FOR THOSE BORN IN THIS WEEK
towards the middle of the year.
Those undertaking a foreign trip in
the second half of the year will
have a highly pleasurable and a
very exciting journey. Do not spend
lavishly on luxuries. Financial diffi‑
culties and health problems will
mar peaceful atmosphere at home.
Despite few initial problems earlier
in the year, your financial position
will become much better as new
moneymaking projects will be
undertaken. Spiritual gains for
some later in the year. The month
of August, December, March and
June will be highly significant.
February 18, 2019
Governed by number 9 and the
planet Mars. You are dignified, sen‑
sitive, courageous, confident and
diplomatic person. You are simple
and very helpful, but you need to
control your tendency to behave
impatient and short‑tempered at
times.
T his year you w ill complete
many of your pending jobs in hand.
New money making opportunities
will be highly promising, but will
require you to give in your best.
Speculations however will not be
beneficial, therefore strictly not
recommended. Investment in a
house or land will bring you long
term benefits. Relation with your
spouse during this period will be
cordial and on an even footing.
Children will bring you good news
and you will be proud of their
achievements. Romantic alliances
will prosper and strengthen. The
months of July, November,
February and May will be impor‑
tant.
February 19, 2019
Influenced by number 1 and the
Sun. You are active, energetic,
authoritative, brilliant, systematic
and a talented person. You always
welcome new ideas and thoughts,
but you need to check your tenden‑
cy to behave spendthrift and domi‑
nating at times.
T his year you will fee l more
secure with your prevailing job and
your monetary position will also
improve. Money transaction how‑
ever should be made carefully.
Some losses due to speculation or
hasty decision during this period
cannot be ruled out. Businessmen
will sign new and important con‑
tracts. Overseas ventures will be
highly lucrative. This might not be
the perfect year for matters relat‑
ing to your heart and forming a
matrimonial alliance. The latter
half of the year will see you under‑
take a pilgrimage, which will bring
you mental comfort and peace. The
months of October, December,
February and April will be highly
result oriented.
February 20, 2019
Ruled by number 2 and the
Moon. You are imaginative, smart,
trustworthy, generous and authori‑
tative. You have good command
over your work and people look up
to you for advice and support, but
you need to check your tendency to
behave selfish and moody at times.
The coming year will promise
many new opportunit ies for
growth. Your acumen in business
will really do wonders, but you
need to plan your budget well in
advance and it will be wise not to
go beyond it. Investment made in
the past will bear fruits, making
your financial position much com‑
fortable. Property/legal disputes
will settle to your satisfaction.
Health definitely needs more atten‑
tion. Meditation and Yoga should
be practiced for spiritual gains as
well as physical gains. Some exhil‑
arating news from your children
will boost up your spirits. Travel
and journey, most likely overseas
for some will ensure pleasure and
excitement. The months of July,
October, January and March will be
eventful.
February 21, 2019
Governed by number 3 and the
planet Jupiter, you are intelligent,
dignified, jovial, generous and an
optimistic person. You are good at
everything you do, which in return
brings lots of appreciation and
rewards for you. But you need to
control over your tendency to
behave spendthrift, dominating
and vindictive at times.
The coming year promises many
new surprises and rewards for you.
Financial benefits will flow through
various sources. New sources of
position and ongoing projects will
get a major boost. Journeys under‑
taken for work purpose will be
beneficial and highly rewarding.
Investment in a house and selected
stocks recommended. Sudden
expenses due to health problem in
the family will bother your mind.
Legal matters will prove expensive.
Purchase of a property or a mode
of transportation will be high on
your agenda. T he months of
September, December, February
and June will enhance prosperity.
February 22, 2019
Influenced by number 4 and the
planet Uranus, you are energetic,
methodical, systematic and possess
an attractive personality. You are
highly social and helpful, but you
need to check your tendency to
behave jealous, self centered and
destructive at times.
A year of gifts and rewards. New
proposals and assignments will
boost your morale and confidence.
Property transaction will bring you
good returns and will also help
raise money. Travel will be under‑
taken for building important rela‑
tionships and monetary gains.
Overseas journey or business
transaction for some. Wedding
bells will ring for some later in the
year, and others will find romance
to keep them going. Chronic
patients need to take extra care for
their health.
Avoid lending and borrowing
money. The months of September,
November, March and June will be
highly eventful.
 30 February 16-22, 2019 SPIRITUAL AWARENESS TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Setting spiritual goals in our lives

the spirit depends the health of
the body, mind, and intellect.
In the East it is said that when
the peacock dances in the jungle
or forest and nobody sees it,
what good is it? Just like a
flower that blooms and gives fra‑
grance to others, so should we.
By Sant Rajinder Singh Hence, we should remain in our
Ji Maharaj outer societies and not negate
that part of our life.
us in our spiritual progress.
The key is to still the mind. If
we do not still the mind, we will
not be able to recognize our‑
selves spiritually. Therefore,
leading an ethical life in which
we cultivate the virtues of truth‑
fulness, nonviolence, humility,
purity, and selflessness will aid
us on the spiritual path. When
we lead virtuous lives, our mind

S
pirituality is not only
developed in one place
like a monastery, or on
the banks of a river, or in the
wilderness. If we want spirituali‑
ty, it can be developed in any
place. We can recognize our spir‑
ituality in whatever culture,
region, or religion we are born
and in whatever activities we are
involved.
Although in some forms of
mysticism people try to negate
life and everything else just to
concentrate on their spiritual
journey, we need to become
complete human beings.
We need to develop physically,
mentally, emotionally, and spiri‑
tually. Actually, on the health of
Once we recognize that we are
soul, we need to spend time in
enhancing our spiritual capabili‑
ties. To do so, we need to set
spiritual goals. If, on the other
hand, we spend our time haphaz‑
ardly, without knowing where
we are going, then we will have a
hard time reaching our aspira‑
tions. In the spiritual arena, our
goals consist of spending time in
meditation and in improving our
ethical life.
On the spiritual path we need
to realize what is important, set
our goals, and do whatever
makes sense to take us in a
direction to reach those goals. It
is essential to realize that there
are certain factors that will help
is calmer, and once our body and
mind are stilled, we can connect
with the divinity within. This is
why the mind, which is the
source of all desires, must be
stilled.
Keeping the mind focused on
God helps us in this process.
That is where the principle of
simran comes into play. Simran
keeps the mind occupied by the
repetition of the names of God. If
the mind is empty, thoughts will
come in, and as soon as a
thought enters̶whether it is a
good or bad thought̶it dis‑
tracts us in our meditation. Once
we learn how to still our mind,
we automatically get closer to a
state of having no desires.
If we want spirituality, it can be
developed in any place. It does
help when we live in a peaceful
environment where there is little
or no commotion around us. It
definitely helps when there is
peace, calm, and quiet. That is
why we find a quiet place to
meditate, but when we reach a
certain level in our spiritual
growth, none of these outer
things bother us.
There is a story of Isaac
Newton who was sitting by a
roadside, lost in thought.
He was so absorbed that he did
not notice a band passing by.
Similarly, when someoneʼs atten‑
tion is focused on the divine
within, nothing in the outside
surroundings bothers him or her.
It takes a long time to get to that
state, but we can improve spiri‑
tually wherever we are and in
whatever environment we live.
In order to reach our spiritual
goals, we need to evaluate our
priorities so that our desires do
not make us attached to the
objects or activities of the world.
Instead, when we are detached,
our attention will automatically
focus on the Divine.
(For more visit www.sos.org)

By Sant Rajinder Singh Ji

Maharaj
D
uring the time of Guru Gobind
Singh, there was a great rishi who
gave up everything to go to a forest
to meditate. There was also a king who had
already conquered many other territories
and their people. One day, the king set his
ambition on conquering the rishi to make
him obey his
commands. People thought it was strange
that the king would focus on conquering a
rishi who had no property, kingdom, or
wealth. But it turned out that the rishi had
previously been a king before giving up his
kingdom for the spiritual life. This made the
present king have an obsession with want‑
ing to conquer the rishi. So the king gath‑
ered his entire army to prepare for battle.
The army marched into the deep forest.
The army finally reached the rishi, who was
sitting in the woods, deep in meditation.
The king waited for the rishi to come out
of meditation, but he kept on sitting there.
Finally, the king became restless and
shook the rishi out of meditation.
The king shouted, “Prepare for a fight. I
have come to do battle with you.”
The rishi surveyed the scene calmly. He
saw the great army and said, “Fight! I ran
away from my worldly life for fear of my
one great enemy. I came here to hide in the
woods from this enemy. My soul shudders
in fear when I hear the sound of my
enemyʼs name. Just to think of this enemyʼs
name causes my heart to quiver.”
The king listened carefully as the rishi
continued to describe his feared enemy.
Finally, the king became angry and shouted,
The strongest enemy
“Is your enemy stronger than me?”
The rishi replied, “Even the thought of
this enemy destroys my soul. I left every‑
thing to escape from this enemy.”
The king said, “Tell me the name of this
enemy of yours.”
The rishi said, “There is no use in telling
you who it is. You will never be able to con‑
quer him.”
The king replied, “If I cannot conquer
him, I will consider myself a failure.”
The rishi then told him, “This great
enemy of whom I am speaking is the mind.”
From that day on, the king tried every‑
thing to overcome the mind. He tried all
kinds of techniques to gain control over his
own mind. Years passed and still he could
not conquer the mind. Finally, the king had
to admit that he had failed and that the
mind is truly the strongest enemy.
When we learn to concentrate fully, wholly,
and solely into the Light and Sound, we will
experience bliss, peace, and joy. We will want to
repeat meditation again and again because of the
wonderful experience we receive.
The mind is powerful and will try every
means possible to gain control over our
soul.
Many yogis and rishis have tried to gain
control over their minds but failed. If such
is the fate of those who have given up the
world to conquer their own mind, then
what is the fate of the rest of us who are
immersed in the world?
The mind is the obstacle our soul must
deal with to return to God. The mind is like
a soccer goalie, guarding the goal. It will try
everything to keep the ball from reaching
the goal. If even devoted rishis had trouble
overcoming the mind, how can we do it?
The fact is that we cannot conquer the
mind on our own. The only way to conquer
the mind and still it is through the help of
someone who has conquered the mind.
Such enlightened beings give us a lift to
contact the Light and Sound within us. The
Lig ht and Sound he lp uplift our soul
beyond the realm of mind.
The rishi found that doing spiritual prac‑
tices alone in the jungle did not help him
overcome the mind. The mind still tempted
him with the countless desires of the world.
The mind knows that contact with the
soul will render it harmless. Thus, the mind
will find all kinds of excuses to keep us
from meditation. It will make us think of
the past. It will make us think of the future.
It will make us wiggle around instead of sit‑
ting still. It will make us feel sleepy just
when we sit to meditate. It will make us feel
hungry. It will make us feel jealous.
It will make us feel depressed. It will
make us feel like doing work instead of
meditating. It will find a million excuses.
How do we overcome the mindʼs tenden‑
cies to distract us? We must use the tenden‑
cy of the mind to form positive habits. The
mind likes habits. If we tell our mind that
we need to sit for meditation each day at
the same time and place, a habit will form.
Soon we will find ourselves compelled to sit
for meditation at that time each day. If will
miss meditation, we will start to feel like
something is amiss. Soon we will find our‑
selves meditating regularly.
When we learn to concentrate fully,
wholly, and solely into the Light and Sound,
we will experience bliss, peace, and joy. We
will want to repeat meditation again and
again because of the wonderful experience
we receive.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info February 16-22, 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