The South Asian Times
e x c e l l e n c e
Vol.12 No. 1 May 4-10, 2019 80 Cents
ʻSri Lanka attack to
avenge Syria ouster of ISʼ
ISLAMIC STATE CHIEF BAGHDADI
APPEARED IN FIRST VIDEO
IN 5 YEARS. (Screen grab
from a video courtesy Reuters)
Baghdad, Iraq: In a major
development, the leader
of the Islamic State (IS)
group has praised the
Easter Sunday attacks in
Sri Lanka and apparently
called them revenge for the fall
of Baghouz, Syria ‑ the last terri‑
tory that the extremist group
held in West Asia.
The US‑based SITE Intelligence
Group said the acknowledge‑
ment of the Sri Lanka attack by
Abu Bakr al‑Baghdadi came dur‑
ing his first propaganda video in
five years.
The 18‑minute video released
on Monday by Islamic Stateʼs al‑
Furqan media arm suggests
Baghdadi filmed the video prior
to the Sri Lanka attack.
It is his first video appearance
since he delivered a sermon at
4th phase of
Indian election
marred by clashes
in W. Bengal
New Delhi: The fourth round in
India's staggered election was
completed on Monday, reporting a
turnout of 64 percent for 71 par‑
liamentary seats across nine
states. But in West Bengal state,
where Prime Minister Narendra
Modi hopes to gain some seats to
offset likely losses in the north of
the country, took center stage as
clashes broke out between sup‑
porters of his party and a regional
challenger. Security forces chased
away people wielding sticks after
workers from BJP took on those
Continued on page 4
MILKHA SINGH INTERVIEW 18
i n
New York Edition
al‑Nuri mosque in the Iraqi city
of Mosul in 2014, declaring him‑
self the “caliph” of the territory
IS held. The Easter bombings in
Sri Lanka killed over 250 people.
Earlier in the day, Sri Lankan
security officials warned that
militants behind the suicide
bombings are still planning
imminent attacks and could be
“dressed in military uniforms”.
The militants were targeting
five locations for attacks on
Sunday or Monday, security
sources said. Also, female
bombers posing as devotees may
Continued on page 4
Biden opens double-digit lead
on Dem rivals, spars with Trump
Washington: Former
Vice President Joseph
R. Biden quickly consol‑
idated his lead in polls
in the Democratic pres‑
idential contest, as he
and President Trump
seem intent on skip‑
ping the primaries and
declaring the 2020
race a two‑man affair.
Within days of enter‑
ing the race, Biden
surged to the front of
the crowded field with Democratic presidential hopeful and former
more than 35% support Vice President Joe Biden opened his third
and a double‑digit lead presidential campaign in his native state of
Continued on page 4 Pennsylvania by setting a pro‑labor tone.
LIFESTYLE 25
j o u r n a l i s m
Follow us on TheSouthAsianTimes.info
11 Years of Violence erupts
Publishing
Successfully
We are proud to announce that we
in Venezuela
have completed 11 years of uninter‑
rupted publication of The South
Asian Times. After scaling new
heights with every passing year of
success and warm reception from
our readers, we are entering our
after call for
army uprising
12th year with this issue.
We take this opportunity to thank
our readers, advertisers and support‑
ers for making The South Asian
Times the most circulated, admired
and read newspaper among the
South Asian communities. We are
proud to say that the circulation of
our print edition is audited and our
24x7 updated website www.the‑
southasiantimes.info gets an average
2 Million page‑views every month.
We hope to maintain our trend‑set‑
ting high standards of positive cover‑
age with excellence in journalism
and value‑based Content, Display &
Advertising. We look forward to con‑
tinue to serve the community with
balanced news and views for years to
come and seek your continued sup‑
port and affectionate participation.
Sincerely Venezuelan authorities said they were putting down a
Team @ The South Asian Times
Forsythe Media Group, LLC
small coup attempt after opposition leader Juan Guaido (right)
95 Broadway, # 2 announced he was in the "final phase" of ending
embattled President Nicolss Maduro's rule.
Hicksville, NY, Ph: 516 390 4847
Caracas, Venezuela: The simmer‑ T he Trump administrat ion,
ing turmoil in the country erupted
Tuesday when Juan Guaidó,
which has backed Guaidó since he
first challenged Mr. Maduroʼs
Venezuelaʼs opposition leader,
made a call to the armed forces to
authority more than three months
ago, clearly thought the day would
rise ag ainst the reg ime of unfold differently.
President Nicolás Maduro. John R. Bolton, the White House
In the streets, anti‑government national security adviser, said top
demonstrators clashed with forces of ficials including Vladimir
loyal to the president amid reports Padrino López, the defense minis‑
of live fire, rubber bullets and tear ter, in Maduroʼs government had
gas. A health clinic in Caracas took committed to transitioning power
in 69 people injured during the to Guaidó. But the defense minis‑
day. An armored vehicle rammed ter spoke on television and termed
protesters, but it was not immedi‑ the dayʼs deve lopments “an
ately clear how many people were attempt at a coup at a mediocre
hurt. level.”
Yet at the end of the day, Guaidó It all began as Guaido appeared
fell short of the prize he sought: in a three‑minute video standing
the toppling of Maduro, who has alongside prominent opposition
relied on force, intimidation and leader Leopoldo Lopez, under
widely discredited elections to house arrest since being found
remain in power. Continued on page 4
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TheSouthAsianTimes.info TRISTATE COMMUNITY May 4-10, 2019 3

Big community welcome Thousands take part in 32nd

for Amb. Shringla in DC
By Surekha Vijh
The South Asian Times
Washington DC: T he Nat ional
Council of Asian Indian
Associations (NCAIA), with several
community organizations, held a
grand reception for Ambassador
Harsha Vardhan Shringla on April
28 at the Julia Binderman
Suburban Center in Potomac, MD.
The participating organizations
included GOPIO, NFIA, American
Te lugu Asso ciat ion, Rajput
Association of North America,
Gujarati Samaj, Odisha Society of
America, and Sikh Foundation of
North America.
Dignitaries in attendance includ‑
ed David J. Ranz, acting Deputy
Assistant Secretary ‑ South and
Central Asian Affairs, Virginia state
Senator Dick Black and Marc
Elrich, Montgomery County execu‑
tive.
Ranz noted US‑India relations
were at their best because the
Indian community has paved a way
towards that. Black said: “We might
have differences, but we are work‑
ing together, and we are happy to
see Indiaʼs success.” Elrich called
Indian Ambassador to US Harsh Vardhan Shringla (middle)
at the reception.
the Indian community as the back‑
bone of his county. “They are the
smartest people.”
Amb. Shringla lauded the Indian
diasporaʼs ef forts in bringing
India‑US closer. He underlined
bipartisan support for this rela‑
tionship “not only on international
issues but also in the economic
vision.” He said the annual bilateral
trade in goo ds and services
between the two counties has more
than doubled over the last decade
from $58 billion in 2007 to $126
billion in 2017. “Our bilateral
defense relations have grown man‑
Sikh Day Parade in NYC
New York: Thousands of people floats, NYPD band, and 4 gatka
witnessed the 32nd annual Sikh (Sikh martial arts form) teams,
Day Parade in Manhattan on said Gurdev Singh Kang, chief
April 27, which is organized coordinator of the parade.
annually by the Sikh Cultural Participating gurdwaras and con‑
Society Inc. Gurdwara in gregations marched with their
Richmond Hill, Queens, to cele‑ banners. Langar was served to
brate Vaisakhi festival. thousands from food stalls along
The daylong parade saw 26th Street where the parade
Madison Avenue awash with live ended.
Indian music, food and dancing. Mayor de Blasio was among
The event also raised funds for a the dignitaries who addressed
national TV ad campaign to com‑ the crowd as was New Jersey
bat the bullying of Sikh children. Attorney General Gurbir Grewal
More than 90,000 people were who was clicked with Sikh offi‑
at the parade that included 9 cers of NYPD.
ifold,” he added, while touching on
the number of Indian students in
America, as well as to and fro
tourist traffic.
Chairman and president of the
NCAIA, Sunil Sing h and Kripa
Shankar Singh, introduced the
organization to the ambassador.
Others who spoke at the event
included Frank Islam, Shambhu
Banic, Sunil Singh, and Swarup
Sing h. More than 500 people
attended, “It is definitely one of the
largest gatherings I have witnessed
in recent years,” said Ange la
Mayor Bill de Blasio speaking at the Sikh Day Parade.
Anand, chairperson, NFIA.

NYTS celebrates Tamil New Year

with unique music program
Bellerose, NY: New York Tamil Sangam cel‑
ebrated Tamil New Year on April 27 at
Queens High School of Teaching here with
a Grand Classical Music Concert (ISAI
ULA) by an eminent vo calist, Sikkil
Gurucharan. He was accompanied by Sruti
Sarathy on violin and Vijay Ganesh on mri‑
(from left) Pankaj Dhume, Pratham Houston President Asha Dhume,
dangam. It was a unique experience for
Dr. Marie Goradia, Pratham USA Founder Vijay Goradia, movie star Anil Kapoor,
music lovers in the region as the detailed
Gala Underwriters Swatantra and Bimla Jain, Pratham CEO Dr. Rukmini Banerji,
and Pratham Co‑Founder Dr. Madhav Chavan presentation of ISAI ULA was never seen
before in USA. Shri Gurucharan has depth
of knowledge in music and sang verses
from Sangam period (over 2500 years old)
and carried the journey of Tamil music
through the ages with popular songs at
every stage. T he audience applauded
ceaselessly.
The hundreds of delighted attendees felt
gratitude to NYTS Board for organizing
the program.

PRATHAM HOUSTON
RAISES $4.5 M AT GALA
Houston: On April 20 more than 900
guests attended the Houston gala, which
commemorated 20 years of Pratham in the
US. Held at the Hilton Americas, the event
raised $4.5 million. Pratham is dedicated to
improving the quality of education for
underserved children and youth in India
and has reached over 60 million individuals
since its inception.
The engaging evening was kicked off by
a video tribute to gala honoree Vijay
Goradia who established Pratham USA in
1999 after visiting a small preschool in the
slums of Mumbai.
A moved celebrity guest Anil Kapoor said,
“It is an emotional moment for me to be
here listening to the kind of work Pratham New York Tamil Sangam officials with Sikkil Gurucharan (middle, with a shawl on his
has done.”
shoulder), a vocalist who carried the journey of Tamil music since the Sangam period.
 4 May 4-10, 2019
Asaram Bapuʼs son gets
life term in rape case
SURAT: The Surat sessions court
Tuesday sentenced Narayan Sai,
son of the se lf‑styled godman
Asaram Bapu, to life imprisonment
and slapped a fine of Rs 1 lakh on
him in a rape case filed against
him by a former woman devotee in
2013.
Saiʼs three accomplices, includ‑
ing two women ̶Dharmishtha
alias Gang a and Bhavna alias
Jamuna ̶ who kept the woman in
confinement and brought her to
his room, and his close aide Pavan
alias Hanuman were awarded 10‑
year imprisonment and a fine of Rs
5,000 each.
The court also ordered payment
of Rs 5 lakh as compensation to
the victim. Saiʼs advocate, however,
Around the
World
Embassy Tour
returns May 4
L
ike other embassies in
Washington D C, the
Indian Embassy too will
open the doors of its premises
lo cated at 2017
Massachusetts Av NW to all
visitors on May 4 from 10 am
to 4 pm. Festivities include
4 Cultural, Music and Dance
Performances
4 Incredible India!
Exhibition
4 Exhibition on Mahatma
Gandhi
4 Yog a and Meditat ion
Classes
4 Indian Handicrafts.
Chairman and Co-Founder
Kamlesh C. Mehta
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Narayan Sai
said the sessions order would be
challenged in the Gujarat High
Court. His advocate claimed that
since there was no evidence of any
force used against the woman who
was not a minor, life imprisonment
was too heavy punishment for the
IPL rules can hurt Kings XI
after Ness Wadia fiasco: BCCI
New Delhi: Kings XI Punjab co‑owner
Ness Wadia being sentenced for
drugs possession while on a skiing
holiday to Japan could mean trouble
for the Indian Premier League team.
As per the Operational Rules of the
cash‑rich league, no team of ficial
involved with the league can act in a
manner which brings disrepute to the
team, the league, the BCCI or the
game on or off the field. If guilty, the
personʼs action can even lead to sus‑
pension of the team. While the mat‑
ter is required to be first sent to the
commission for investigation, the
commission will then forward its
finding to the ombudsman.
Citing the manner in which
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) had to
bear the brunt for the acts of the
team principal, a senior BCCI func‑
Managing Editor: Parveen Chopra
P : 516.710.0508
parveen.chopra@gmail.com
Associate Editor
Hiral Dholakia-Dave
hiral@thesouthasiantimes.info
Contributing Editors:Shaker Nelanuthala,
Prof. Shivaji Sengupta, Surekha Vijh
(Washington, DC), Suchitra Srinivas (New
Jersey), Melvin Durai, Dr Prem Kumar
Sharma, Ashok Vyas, and Dr Akshat Jain
New Delhi Bureau
Meenakshi Iyer
Delhi@TheSouthAsianTimes.info
TURN PAGE TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Violence erupts in moral character and his leadership
Venezuela after
call for army uprising
Continued from page 1
after ignoring similar jabs from
the other Democratic hopefuls.
“The middle class is booming
guilty of inciting violence during now, despite what Joe Biden says,”
anti‑government protests in 2014. White House counselor Kellyanne
Lopez said he had been freed by Conway told reporters at the
members of the military who had White House.
crime. Sai who managed to evade
declared their loyalty to Guaido. In Taking on Bidenʼs claim that
arrest for about five months after
the video, shared on social media, workers are hurting and disre‑
the complaint was lodged by the
Guaido announced he had the sup‑ spected in the Trump era, Conway
“sevika sisters” was finally held
port of "brave soldiers" in Caracas. provided a preview of a possible
near Kurukshetra in December
"People of Venezuela, let's take general election debate with the
2013. While the elder sister had
to the streets to support the end of former vice president.
complained against Asaram of hav‑
the usurpation, which is irre‑ “He also sounds like someone
ing sexually assaulted her when
versible. T he Nat ional Armed who wasnʼt vice president for
she stayed in his Ahmedabad
Forces have taken the correct deci‑ eight years. Heʼs got this whole list
ashram between 1997 and 2006,
sion, they have the support of the of grievances of whatʼs wrong with
the younger sister had accused his
people of Venezuela and the back‑ the country as if he didnʼt work in
son of rape when she stayed in
ing of our Constitution. They are this building for eight years. We
Asaramʼs Jahangirpura ashram in
guaranteed to be on the right side inherited that mess,” she said.
Surat between 2002 and 2005.
of history," he said. Trump has repeatedly hit Biden
The case against Asaram on the
since he entered the race, dubbing
elder sisterʼs complaint was still in
ʻSri Lanka attack to him “Sleepy Joe” and mocking him
progress in a sessions court in
avenge Syria ouster of ISʼ for holding his campaign kickoff
Gand hinag ar even as he was
Continued from page 1 in Pennsylvania.
lodged in Jodhpur jail convicted of
have been planning to attack Sri In 2016, Trump put
rape of a minor girl.
Lankaʼs Buddhist temples, a media Pennsylvania in the Republican
report said on Monday. column for the first time since
Islamic State remains a potent
threat around the world despite
1988, and he will need to keep it
there to win a second term in
reduced capabilities, Iraqi Prime 2020.
Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi said on
tionary said that KXIP could be in
Tuesday, adding Baghdadi had 4th phase of Indian
deep trouble. election marred by
"The KXIP are unfortunately look‑
made his latest video appearance
in a “remote area”. Baghdadi, an clashes in W. Bengal
ing at suspension as a best case sce‑ Continued from page 1
Iraqi, is believed to be hiding out
nario and termination as a worst case from Trinamool Congress in the
in an isolated area of either Iraq or
scenario due to the conviction of an city of Asansol, police said.
Syria.
owner in a criminal case of drug pos‑ An Election Commission official
session. Ness Wadia, the 47‑year‑old said paramilitary forces fired a
Biden opens double‑digit
scion of Wadia Group, was handed a blank round inside a polling sta‑
lead on Dem rivals,
two‑year prison sentence for drug tion in another constituency in the
spars with Trump
possession in Japan recently, media state after a scuffle between vot‑
Continued from page 1
reports said. The sentence was later ers and troops, who were demand‑
over his closest competitors,
suspended for five years. Japan's ing that mobile phones be kept
according to three polls released
NHK reported that Japanese customs aside while voting, as rules state.
Tuesday.
officials had arrested Wadia in early Trinamoolʼs chief, Mamata
The polling bounce confirmed a
March after a search revealed he was Banerjee, is one of Modi's biggest
growing belief among Democratic
bringing cannabis ‑ a banned sub‑ critics and a possible candidate for
voters that Biden is uniquely
stance ‑ into Japan. Ness, who was in prime minister.
equipped to beat Trump in 2020.
Japan for skiing, was detained and The BJP currently holds only
Trump also took note of the
the Sapporo District Court handed two of West Bengal's 42 parlia‑
Biden campaign launch. He fired
the sentence. mentary seats.
back at Bidenʼs attacks on his
Jaipur Bureau Printing: Five Star Printing, NY
Prakash Bhandari
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TheSouthAsianTimes.info TRISTATE May 4-10, 2019 5

OBITUARY
Indian girl in Dubai
S
hri Mool Chandji
Singhi, a communi‑

accepted by 7 top ty leader, founder

of Jain Vishwa Bharti of
North America (JVBNA),

US universities
passed away peacefully on
April 25, 2019. Over 400
people from New York,
New Jersey area, as well
Dubai: It is a problem of being accepted into this as friends and family
plenty for a Dubai‑based many universit ies. T he members from India,
Indian girl who has been whole process is about dis‑ attended the funeral serv‑
of fered acceptance letters covering yourse lf. ices held at Gentile
by seven prestigious US‑ Everyone has something Funeral Services,
based universities, includ‑ unique to of fer," Simone Hackensack NJ and cre‑
ing Ivy League schools, told the Khaleej Times. mation at Cedar Lawn
leaving her surprised as "While applying to uni‑ Cemetery in Paterson NJ
she never expected the versities, it forced me to on April 27.
variety of choices she has look back at my life and try Shri Singhiji was a com‑
been left with. to figure out the reason munity activist, connect‑
Simone Noorali, 17, has behind everything I did. I ing and bringing people
been of fered acceptance had explained all of that together around cultural
letters from the University eloquently to universities and spiritual causes. Mool Chand Singhi
of California in Berkeley, in my college application He was a kind‑hearted,
Johns Hopkins University, essays," she said. generous person who always helped peo‑ and after working for AT&T for 30 years
Emory University, George Simone Noorali Simone is also an accom‑ ple in need. After falling ill requiring kid‑ started his own company named
Town University and plished pianist and has ney transplant (which was provided by Bandwidth Solutions.
George Washington University. The girl who written a book on human trafficking in India one of his daughters), he became actively Besides his professional career, he
studied at the Uptown School in Mirdif in titled ''The Girl in the Pink Room'' which is involved with New Jersey sharing net‑ founded JVBNA and provided a needed
Dubai and has managed to keep straight A's being used in a few schools by teachers and work‑ an organization which collects and education and cultural place for the area
since Year 9 has also received acceptance students for research purposes. Asked which distributes organs to people on the wait‑ residents.
letters from Ivy League schools such as university she would choose, Simone said list. Singhiji came to the USA in 1968, Singhiji is survived by his wife Shantiji,
Dartmouth College and the University of her decision will be based on which varsity joined the University of Buffalo and com‑ daughter Sarina, Tara and Shashi, son‑in‑
Pennsylvania. of fers the best program in international pleted a masterʼs degree in Operations law Kieran Joyce and two grand‑daugh‑
"I honestly think there is no secret to relations and economics. Research. He later moved to New Jersey ters.

GOPIO‑NY organizes successful Harrison Barnes to visit

health care symposium India on Kings’ historic trip
New York: The Global Organization
of People of Indian Origin – New
York chapter (GOPIO‑New York)
organized a community Health Care
Seminar on April 20th at the Indian
American Kerala Center in Elmont.
The event was once again, a grand
success. Seven prominent physi‑
cians and healthcare providers,
each an expert in their specialized
field served as speakers and pan‑
elists.
T he program started with an
inaugural session with welcome
greetings and messages from Kerala
Center vice president Alex
Esthappan, GOPIO‑New York presi‑
dent Beena Kothari, GOPIO
International coordinator‑at‑large
Lal Motwani and GOPIO
International chairman Dr. Thomas
Abraham. The first speaker was Dr.
Jagamohan Kalra, M.D.
Hematologist, Oncologist, and
Internist – triple board certified,
who identified and addressed vari‑
ous types of cancers and concluded
that modern health care is our best
wealth.
Dr. Prachi Dua, M.D. an ophthal‑
mologist spoke in detail about
cataract surgery and provided infor‑
mation on modern cutting edge
technology available for best eye
care. Dr. Ketan Laud, M.D. a famous
and prominent Retina specialist,
talked about diabetes and retinal
Sacramento: The Kings are prepar‑
ing to help represent the first North
American sports league to play in
India. One of their most recent
players is heading there to promote
the sport.
Harrison Barnes, who joined the
Kings in February in a trade with
the Dallas Mavericks, will visit the
country to attend various events Harrison Barnes joined
over the course of about a week, Sacramento Kings in
February; to promote the
the team announced Friday. Heʼs
sport on India trip
scheduled to appear a number of
(L to R): Kerala Center vice president Alex Esthappan, GOPIO‑NY venues in Delhi and the city of visit comes before the Kings play
treasurer John Paul, GOPIO‑NY president Beena Kothari, GOPIO Intl. Mumbai. “This trip to India will be a the Indiana Pacers in two presea‑
coordinator‑at‑large Lal Motwani, GOPIO‑secretary and session moder‑ great opportunity for me to get a son contests Oct. 4‑5 at NSCI Dome
ator Dr. Yousuf Syed and GOPIO Intl. chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham sneak peek of the local culture in Mumbai. T he games will be
health in great detail. of Tai Chi‑Chi Young, meditation before the upcoming preseason broadcast live in India and will
Dr. Parinda Dave, DDS, who prac‑ and weight loss spoke about how games in Mumbai this October,” the reach audiences in more than 200
tices general and family dentistry, great posture empowers your level forward said in a statement countries and territories, according
spoke about the importance of oral of energy, create better health and released by the Kings. “I look for‑ to the NBA. “The Sacramento Kings
health care. Dr. Dave said that if wellbeing, while reducing stress. ward to being a part of that historic are proud to be playing in the first
regular dental care is not done, it Dr. Yousuf Syed, M.D.MPH. a event and Iʼm excited to help sup‑ NBA games ever held in India,”
could lead to many serious health Pathologist was the moderator who port the NBAʼs various basketball Kings owner and chairman Vivek
hazards including heart issues. introduced the speakers, encourag‑ development initiatives in India.” Ranadive said in a statement
Registered world‑famous nutri‑ ing robust discussion of the eventʼs According to the Kings, Barnes will re leased in December. “As an
tionist/dietician Rita Batheja elo‑ agenda and topics and moderated stop in Delhi NCR on April 28 to Indian‑American, it is an honor to
quently informed the audience Q&A session. attend the Reliance Foundation Jr. help bring this historic moment to
about balanced diet and importance GOPIOʼs next health‑related semi‑ NBA National Finals at The NBA the country where I was raised. The
of green raw vegetables in our daily nar is titled Aging Gracefully with Academy India. Heʼll then go to sport is experiencing tremendous
diet. Community activist and dieti‑ Proper Health Care in early June. Mumbai for television appearances growth in India and we are excited
cian Indu Jaiswal further reinforced The symposium was co‑sponsored on the Sony Ten networksʼ NBA about continuing to expand the
the importance of diet in oneʼs by Alliance of Global Sindhi shows April 30, then return to NBAʼs reach to fans across the
health. Associations, India Day Parade De lhi on May 3 to attend the globe. The world wants to watch
Distinguished chiropractor Dr. (IDP), Indian American Forum (IAF) National Finals of the fourth ACG‑ basketball and India is a fast‑grow‑
Michael Posner, who is also an and Long Island Ladies Council NBA Jump, Indiaʼs national basket‑ ing new frontier.”
internationally certified instructor (LILC) ball talent search program. Barnesʼ (Source: The Sacramento Bee)
6 May 4-10, 2019 TRISTATE TheSouthAsianTimes.info

IN BRIEF

American yoga master Tao 19th NYIFF announces

Porchon‑Lynch receives
Padma Shri in New York full lineup May 7 ‒ 12
A
merican yoga master and author Spotlight on NY premiere of Gurinder
Tao Porchon‑Lynch received
Padma Shri, Indiaʼs fourth highest Chadha’s Blinded By The Light

civilian award, from Consul General of
India in New York Sandeep Chakravorty
on April 22.
The 100‑year‑old yogini was unable to
travel to India for the investiture ceremo‑
ny and, therefore, she was awarded the
citation and medal at a special ceremony
at the Indian consulate in New York.
Porchon‑Lynch received the award for
her extraordinary work in promoting
yoga. She was listed in the Guinness Book
of Records as worldʼs oldest yoga teacher
when she was 93.
After handing over the citation,
Chakravorty tweeted: “At 100 Tao
Porchon Lynch is a bundle of serenity,
energy & joy. It was an honor to meet her
& hand over the Padma Shri medal & cita‑
tion to her. She started practicing Yoga
in1926 & has twice marched with
Gandhiji. She agreed to attend the
International Day of Yoga celebrations.”
The consulate also tweeted: “We are
honored to hand over the Padma Shri cita‑
tion & medal to Ms. Tao Porchon‑Lynch.
Awarded Padma Shri for her contribution
to Yoga, 100 years old Tao Porchon‑Lynch
was unable to travel to India for the
investiture ceremony.”
Practicing yoga since she was eight‑
year‑old, Porchon‑Lynch has studied with
some of the maestros of yoga, including
The 100‑year‑old yogini
Tao Porchon‑Lynch
BKS Iyengar, Sri Aurobindo and Maharishi
Mahesh Joshi. She continues to take yoga
classes in New York City and conducts
yoga events across the globe. She has also
authored two books. Her autobiography.
Dancing Light: The Spiritual Side of Being
T hrough the Eyes of a Modern Yoga
Master, won an IPPY award. An agile
dancer, she also participated in the reality
show Americaʼs Got Talent.
Porchon‑Lynch was born to a French
father and an Indian mother, who hailed
from Manipur. An extremely versatile per‑
sonality, Porchon‑Lynch has also been a
fashion model, actor, producer, publisher,
and a wine aficionado. She took to Yoga
full time during the late 1960s. She found‑
ed Yoga Teachers Alliance. Later in the
80s set up Westchester Institute of Yoga
in New York, where she continues to live
and work.
T
he New York Indian Film Festival
(NYIFF) announced the full lineup at
the launch event of their 19th year
of celebrating Independent, art house,
alternate, and diaspora films from the
Indian subcontinent (May 7– May 12) at
the Village East Cinemas in the Lower East
Side of Manhattan (181‑189 2nd Avenue,
New York, NY 10003). Dedicated to bring‑
ing these films to a New York audience, the
festival will feature 32 screenings (29 nar‑
rative, 3 documentary and 32 short films).
NYIFF will be featuring 7 World Premieres
along with an international premiere and 5
US premieres and the rest of the films
being NY premieres. NYIFF has been the
go‑to festival to see South Asian diaspora
films that have not been seen in New York
City and is continuing with this mission for
the nineteenth year.
This year NYIFF has the largest number
of regional (non‑Hindi) language films ‑ 20
in total. The languages focused on are
Assamese, Bengali, Tamil, Malayalam,
Marathi, Kannada, Ladakhi, Punjabi, and
Harayanavi and all the films will have
English subtitles.
Returning to NYIFF is award‑winning
filmmaker, Gurinder Chadha with her new
film. The festival will be hosting a Special
Spotlight of Chadhaʼs Blinded by the Light,
which will be making its New York debut
after its premiere at the Sundance Film
Festival. The film is inspired by the true
story of journalist Sarfraz Manzoor and his
lifelong love of Bruce Springsteen.
Bengali Master Buddhadev Dasguptaʼs
Urojahaj (The Flight) will be a part of the
special focus on Bengali cinema that NYIFF
will be presenting this year. Seven features
will be a part of this presentation, many by
first time filmmakers, putting a spotlight on
a resurgence of films from West Bengal.
Arijit Singh, a widely popular Bollywood
singer will be highlighted at the festival
with his second directorial venture Sa‑ a
tribute to Satyajit Ray and Ravi Shankar.
Other highlights of the festival include
Assamese filmmaker, Rima Das whose last
film Village Rockstars was India's official
entry for the 2019 Oscars. Rimaʼs new film
Bulbul Can Sing will have its NY premiere
at NYIFF along with Assamese master and
National Film Award Winner Jahnu Baruaʼs
World premiere of his new film Bhoga
Khirikee (Broken Window).
Also announced at the NYIFF launch,
celebrity chef and filmmaker Vikas Khanna
was named the brand ambassador of the
Indo‑American Arts Council (IAAC).
Khannaʼs The Last Color starring Neena
Gupta will be the prestigious Closing Night
film for the festival and will be honoring
mothers around the world on Motherʼs Day.

Childhood lead exposure falls by 5th International Day

11 %: 2018 lead surveillance report
of Yoga in Washington
A
s part of LeadFreeNYC, the Health damaged paint in your home, call 311 to

Department released its latest
Child hoo d Bloo d Lead Leve l
Surveillance Quarterly Report covering
all four quarters of 2018. In 2018,
351,486 children younger than 18 in
New York City were tested
for lead exposure. Of the
children tested, 4,717
(1.3%) had a blood lead
level of 5 micrograms per
deciliter (mcg/dL) or high‑
er – that is 600 fewer chil‑
dren cityw ide than in
2017, or an 11% decline.
Among children who lived
or spent time in NYCHA
housing, there was a 14%
decline, from 160 cases in 2017 to 138
cases in 2018.
“The number of New York City children
with elevated blood lead levels continues
to fall to historic lows, but we must con‑
tinue to work to protect children from
lead exposure,” said Health
Commissioner Dr. Oxiris Barbot. “If you
are a parent of a child under 3, contact
your pediatrician to have their blood lead
levels tested. If you notice peeling or
report it.”
The quarterly report is a new Health
Department initiative that complements
the Cityʼs annual blood lead level surveil‑
lance report. In July, the City announced
a more stringent meas‑
ure to reduce childhood
lead exposure and
became one of the first
jurisdict ions in the
country to conduct envi‑
ronmental investiga‑
tions for all children
under 18 years old with
a blood lead level of 5
mcg/dL or g reater.
Mayor de Blasio also
announced in January the LeadFreeNYC
plan, a comprehensive roadmap to end
childhood lead exposure.
New York City also has one of the high‑
est testing rates in the state ̶ more than
80% of New York City children are tested
at least once before their third birthday.
The Health Department collaborates with
the Medicaid Managed Care Plan to
improve testing and do annual reminders
to health care providers.
E
mbassy of India in partnership with Friends of
Yoga has invited people to join with the family
the 5th International Day of Yoga on Sunday,
June 16, 2019, at 8.30 a.m at Washington Monument.
The event is free but participants need to register at
Eventbrite.com.
The event will be followed by Indian Vegetarian Food
Festival at 10.30 a.m in association with Freer Sackler,
1150 Jefferson drive, Washington DC 20560.
Indian charged with kidnapping in US
A
n Indian man has been charged with kids, meanwhile, jumped out of the car, CBS
two counts of kidnapping, assault News reported on Monday.
and theft in the US after he drove The police hailed the woman's 8‑year‑old
off in a sexagenarian's car from outside a grandson as a "hero" for saving his 10‑year‑
hospital with her two grandchildren inside old sister from the suspect's grasp by
the vehicle. pulling her out of the car as Singh took off
Dalvir Singh, 24, a heroin addict, was in it.
taken into custody and charged with two The Middletown Police in a Facebook
counts of kidnapping, felonious assault for post said that Coburn had driven another
dragging Nita Coburn, 69 and theft, the woman to the hospital with her two grand‑
Middletown Division of Police said in a children in the back seat.
statement. As Coburn helped the woman into the
The elderly woman was injured in the late emergency room, Singh hopped into the
last week's incident as the car dragged her driver's seat and took off with the car ‑ with
while she was trying to stop Singh. The the kids still in the back. (IANS)
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Hirsh Singh to
challenge Senator
Cory Booker in 2020
New York: A 33‑year‑old Indian‑American engi‑
neer has announced to challenge the
Democratic senator from New Jersey in 2020.
Hirsh Singh, known as a supporter of President
Donald Trump, will seek the Republican nomi‑
nation for the US Senate in 2020 against Cory
Booker, according to the New Jersey Globe
news website.
Booker has not yet announced if he will run
for re‑election, although a new law allows him
to simultaneously run for president and re‑
election to the Senate.
Singh, an engineer from Atlantic County who
works in the aerospace and defence industries,
filed his campaign committee with the Federal
Election Commission on Wednesday. This will
be his third bid for public office. He lost the
Republican Party primaries for governor in
2017 and Congress in 2018. "Booker has
brought nothing to New Jersey. Having a US
Senator who's not just resisting the president is
critical," Singh said.
Singh is the first Republican to announce his
intention to challenge Booker, who was re‑
elected by a 56 percent to 42 percent margin
in 2014. He was endorsed by Bill Palatucci, the
Republican National Committeeman from New
Jersey. Atlantic County Executive Dennis
American India Foundation
honors Dell CEO, HDFC MD
New York: The American India Foundation
honored Dell Technologies Chairman and
CEO Michael Dell and Aditya Puri, the
Managing Director of Indias largest private
sector bank of HDFC, at its annual gala in
here. The gala raised nearly $3 million,
with a third of that amount committed by
Indian American technology entrepreneurs
Bharat Desai and Neerja Sethi, according to
a media report.
The gala, held on Wednesday at the his‑
toric Cipriani Wall Street, was attended by
600 people, among them, a number of
prominent Indian‑Americans.
The Michael and Susan Dell Foundation,
which focuses on improving the lives of
children living in urban poverty through
education, health and family economic sta‑
bility, has committed nearly $1.7 billion
worldwide for the cause. In India, the foun‑
dation has spent $200 million in the past
15 years.
AIF is one of the Dell Foundation's part‑
ners in India, where the two are providing
digital education to one million students in
NATIONAL May 4-10, 2019 7
Hirsh Singh is first Republican to announce
his intention to challenge Booker
Levinson said Hirsh is bright, ambitious and
extremely focused, Shore News Network
reported.
"For as long as I have known him, he has
been very interested in serving the community
and being involved. He's capable of meeting
the uphill challenge that lies ahead of him.
Cory Booker is a national name with a lot of
money, but Hirsh has a good understanding of
what he has to do to win," Levinson said.
Somerset Chairman Al Gaburo said: "Hirsh is
a good man who will bring real energy and
passion to a United States Senate run. I'm glad
he's putting himself forward at this critical
time." (PTI)
AIF honorees
Aditya Puri
(second from left)
and Michael Dell
(right) with the
organizationʼs
co‑chair Lata
Krishnan and
chairman emeritus
Ajay Banga.
8,000 schools across six states.
"Tomorrow's future is shaped by what
children learn today," Dell said accepting
the award. "We must apply our expertise,
our technology and our giving to ensure
that students everywhere have the skills to
succeed, the critical thinking skills to suc‑
ceed in the digital world."
Puri, who runs India's largest private sec‑
tor bank, spoke about his company's phil‑
anthropic activities. "We have our interven‑
tion in health as well as education. As far as
education is concerned, we have helped 1.6
million children get better education."
Among the other highlights of the night
was a $1 million pledge by Desai and Sethi.
The evening began with a call to arms by
MSNBC host and Master of Ceremonies Ali
Velshi and AIF co‑chair Harit Talwar.
Other speakers included AIF Co‑Chair
Lata Krishnan, its CEO Nishant Pandey, the
organization's two Chairmen Emeritus Ajay
Banga and Victor Menezes and Pradeep
Kashyap, who transitioned from the group's
board to Director Emeritus. (IANS)
 8 May 4-10, 2019 NATIONAL COMMUNITY TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Northwestern Mutual study: Caring for

aging parents is not a family affair
Only one in 10 families share caregiving responsibilities as a team among siblings
Milwaukee: For most families, car‑
ing for mom or dad as they age is
not a family ef fort. According to
new data from Northwestern
Mutual's latest C.A.R.E. Study, the
responsibility most likely falls on
the shoulders of one sibling,
rather than being shared among
all the children.
Findings reveal that two in five
caregivers are caring for or have
cared for a parent and, while the
majority (83%) have siblings, only
one in 10 say siblings equally
share responsibilities as a team.
Rather, 40% say their siblings
don't assist in caring for their par‑
ent at all, and an additional 41%
indicate that while siblings of fer
some help, they themselves are
the primary caregiver.
"Families are fundamentally
changing in ways that impact how
they're able to care for aging par‑
ents," says Dave Simbro, senior
vice president, risk products,
Northwestern Mutual. "Parents
are living longer, most of their
children are working full‑time,
people are having children later in
life, and families are geographical‑
ly dispersed. T hese evolving
demographics underscore the
importance of planning for long‑
term care needs."
While more than half of care‑
givers (58%) knew in advance that
they would be providing care, for
two in five, it was not discussed
and was completely unexpected.
This factor – whether a caregiver
knows in advance about taking on
this role – impacts how they feel
about the choices they have: 58%
of caregivers who feel they did
not have a choice in becoming a
caregiver said there was no dis‑
cussion ahead of time and it was
totally unexpected. The percep‑
tion of choice is also influenced by
age and relationship with the per‑
son receiving the care: 72% of
Millennials report that they had a
choice, followed by Gen X (56%).
Whereas 62% of Baby Boomers
don't feel they had a choice.
Two in three (65%) of those car‑
ing for a spouse don't feel they
have/had a choice, versus 51% of
those caring for a parent.
The study looks at the financial
and practical realities of caregiv‑
ing and finds: Caregivers define
caregiving as a combination of
practical/personal care support
(42%), emotional support (34%)
and financial support (23%); 55%
of caregivers are providing more
than six hours a day of care over
an expected average of almost 10
years of total care.
When it comes to getting sup‑
port for their caregiving responsi‑
bilities, most turn to friends (43%)
before siblings (34%) for help
with the emotional aspects of sup‑
port but rely equally on siblings,
other family members and health‑
care professionals for
practical/personal care support
(28%).
Despite their own experience,
72% of careg ivers have not
planned for their own long‑term
care needs. Moreover, two in three
haven't spoken about preferences
for their care either because they
Some highlights of the study:
8 The responsibility for caring for a mom or dad is not a
family effort; the responsibility most likely falls on the
shoulders of one sibling, rather than being shared
among all the children
8 58% of caregivers who feel they did not have a choice
in becoming a caregiver said there was no discussion
ahead of time and it was totally unexpected
8 55% of caregivers are providing more than six hours a
day of care over an expected average of almost 10
years of total care.
8 Caregivers are spending on average 26% of their own
monthly budget on caregiving. They mostly don’t see
any support when it comes to financial needs (43%).
If they do, they will ask family members (22%) or sib-
lings (20%) rather than friends (13%).
just expect it will be taken care of explores the multiple facets of
as it has always been done in their caregiving and longevity risk. This
family (37%), or because they study was conducted by T he
don't have any expectation that Harris Poll on behalf of
anyone would be responsible for Northwestern Mutual and includ‑
them (30%). ed 1,400 American adults aged 18
The 2019 Northwestern Mutual or older who are currently or have
C.A.R.E. (Costs, Accountabilities, previously provided care for
Realities, Expectations) Study someone.

Renu Khator appointed to NCAA

Division I Board of Directors
U the Golden Temple to GTA
niversity of Houston president Renu Khator has
been appointed to serve on the Board of Directors
of the National Collegiate Athletic Association
(NCAA) through August 2023. According to the university
release, the appointment begins May 1st. The board pro‑
vides strategic direction and oversight of committees
responsible for academic policies and standards, infrac‑
tions, infractions appeals and day‑to‑day decision‑making
while also engaging presidential leadership from member
institutions. It consists of 20 presidents, a student‑athlete,
faculty representative, athletics director and female admin‑
istrator. "Upholding the highest level of integrity and
sportsmanship in intercollegiate athletics is more impor‑
tant now than perhaps ever before. I embrace this new
opportunity to work alongside the dedicated leaders on the
NCAA Division I Board of Directors," said Khator in a state‑
ment.
War veteran runs over Indian
Multimedia exhibit brings
Brampton, ON: A new mixed reality,
multi‑media experience in the Greater
Toronto Area hopes to transport you to
South Asia.
The Golden Temple of Amritsar ̶
one of the world's great wonders ̶ is
an important place for the Sikh religion
but the curators of this exhibit hope
that people from all backgrounds visit.
T he exhibit, which runs at the
Bramalea City Centre until June 15,
uses interactive installations to show
the history and philosophy of the Sikh
religion, eventually leading the visitor
to a replicated Golden Temple experi‑
ence created using projections.
The exhibit covers 30,000 square
feet, recreating a virtual tour of the
Golden Temple and exploring Sikh
history. (Talia Ricci/CBC)
opportunity.
"Otherwise, I jokingly say it just
becomes a place to take a selfie with."
The idea is to also provide access to
this experience for people who may not
be able to travel to India.
Prior to reaching the temple portion
of the exhibit, an interactive projection
displays the beauty of illustrated manu‑
scripts, Singh says, and how the text
was written for different centuries.
"There's a Canadian charter; this is
the charter of the Sikhs." An interactive
map also shares the significance of the
landmarks surrounding the temple.
The Golden Temple's routine from

family thinking they are Muslims "What I do want is for everyone to

come, take a look at this exhibit and fall
tour of the exhibit. He hopes visitors
spend time learning a few of the histo‑
dawn to dusk is recreated within the
Golden Temple exhibit by speeding

A
n Afro‑American Iraq War veteran intentionally ran
down a family of Indian descent in California think‑
ing they were Muslims, according to police.
A 13‑year‑old girl identified as Dhriti was in a coma and
fighting for her life after the attack in Sunnyvale on
Tuesday, police said on Friday according to Mercury News.
The girlʼs father and 9‑year‑old brother, identified as
Prakhar, were also hurt, according to police. One of the
eight people injured was listed as Rajesh Narayan, 45, but it
was not known if he was related to the two children.
The driver of the car, Isiah Peoples “intentionally targeted
the victims based on their race and his belief that they were
of the Muslim faith,” Sunnyvale police chief Phan Ngo said
according to a local TV station.
in love with it," said Inni Kaur with the
Sikh Research Institute.
"As an artist, it's an incredible oppor‑
tunity for us to tell the story of the
faith in a celebratory manner."
Part of the exhibit includes an app
available in English and Punjabi, which
provides extra context as the visitors
walk through the exhibit.
"Be prepared for a change to occur
within you," Kaur said. "And maybe,
just maybe, there will be longing to
visit the Golden Temple in Punjab."
Harinder Singh with the Sikh
Research Institute gave CBC Toronto a
ry lessons before visiting the replicated
temple.
"There are political events that have
happened, spiritual events that have
happened; there' s a right to assemble
here that happened," Singh said.
"People need to understand what the
value system that brought us here is,
what is the paradigm, what was the cul‑
ture being developed over 200 years
before we enter the Golden Temple."
Singh says he hopes people consider
visiting the real thing after seeing this
exhibit, or if they've been, return with a
fresh lens, not just for a quick photo
through projections, real video that
was taken at the original location.
"W hat you would witness in 24
hours, we are recreating that in 30
minutes," Singh said. "Even the detail
you're seeing on the walkway we are
looking at is a replica of what is there."
Both curators hope that people leave
the experience with a fresh perspective.
"In this political environment, we
need the broader public to understand
who Sikhs are. It's a great way to edu‑
cate people on the principals of the
faith and experience who we really
are," Kaur said. (Source: cbc.ca)
TheSouthAsianTimes.info DIASPORA May 4-10, 2019 9

''Yogi'' Puranik Yogendra wins Dubai man who survived

Japan's ward assembly polls Sri Lanka bombings was
in Mumbai during 26/11
Tokyo: A 41‑year‑old Indian‑origin Japanese,
who goes by the nickname "Yogi", has been
elected to Tokyo's Edogawa Ward assembly, Dubai: A Dubai‑based Indian couple narrowly
becoming the first Indian to win an election in escaped the blast at Colombo's Cinnamon
Japan. Puranik Yogendra secured 6,477 votes, Grand hotel, which was one of the eight tar‑
the fifth highest of the 226,561 valid ballots gets of the April 21 serial bombings in Sri
cast, in the April 21 poll, part of unified local Lanka, the media reported.
elections held across Japan, the Asahi Shimbun Abhinav Chari and his wife, Navroop K.
reported. "I want to be a bridge between Chari were in the island nation for a business
Japanese and foreigners," said Yogi, who was trip and were staying at the Cinnamon Grand
backed by the Constitutional Democratic Party Puranik Yogendra became first Indian to where a bomb had gone off while the Easter
of Japan. win an election in Japan Sunday breakfast buf fet was being served,
Edogawa Ward has the highest number of reported Gulf News. Abhinav Chari and his wife, Navroop were
resided in Edogawa Ward since 2005, the in the island nation for a business trip
Indian residents among Tokyo's 23 wards with Abhinav, who grew up in Dubai like his wife
4,300 or so Indian nationals registered,
paper said. "Japan is neat and everyone was staying at the Cinnamon Grand where
Naroop, told Gulf News that he has traveled
kind," Yogi said, recalling his early experiences. a bomb had gone off.
accounting for more than 10 percent of out of the United Arab Emirates only twice
Yogi felt his ties with Japan strengthened Easter mass. We started noticing a commotion
Indians living in Japan. Over 34,000 Indians and both times, he witnessed horrific hate
after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami disas‑ on the roads and decided it was better to go
live in Japan. The Edogawa Ward also has a crimes that were essentially religious terror‑
ter while visiting affected areas on weekends back to the hotel. When we reached there we
large number of Chinese and Koreans. ism. The first such experience was in Mumbai
to cook curry with Indian friends from saw everyone out on the lawn. We thought it
"This is the first‑ever victory of a naturalized in 2008 when terrorists carried out a series of
Edogawa Ward to share with victims, the paper was just some sort of security protocol."
Japanese of Indian origin in elections in Japan. coordinated shooting and bombing attacks. "I
said. It was during these trips and chatting Navroop Chari told Gulf News, "It was too
This is also a recognition of contributions was in Mumbai in 2008 studying for medi‑
with Japanese while preparing food dishes that soon to know anything on the news or social
made by Indians towards the Japanese socie‑ cine. It was a horrible five‑ or six‑day ordeal."
Yogi felt a strong affinity with this country. media, we still hadn't registered the scale of
ty," Shamshad Khan, the author of Changing Speaking of his Sri Lanka ordeal, Chari said,
"I felt the time had come for me to become the incident. I could not believe what was hap‑
Dynamics of India‑Japan Relations, told news "On Easter Sunday, we went to church. In the
Japanese," Yogi said. He acquired Japanese pening in front of us. It was all like a movie."
agency PTI. middle of the service, the priest made an
nationality the following year and pursued a The deadly bombings that targeted churches
Yogi first arrived in Japan in 1997 when he announcement, requesting people to leave the
career in politics. "I want to be an assembly‑ and hotels, most of them in Colombo, claimed
was a university student in India. He returned church premises."
man who can connect everyone regardless of the lives of 253 people and injured over 500
two years later to study, and in 2001 came Chari said, "After we left the church we got
nationality, age, or even disabilities, through others, in the bloodiest attacks in Sri Lanka
back to work as an engineer. He later worked into a taxi to go get some breakfast because
my 20 years of living in Japan," Yogi said. (PTI) since the civil war ended a decade ago. (IANS)
for a bank and other companies, and has that is what we would normally do after

Canadian leader Jagmeet Singh

reveals he was sexually abused as child
Toronto: Canada's Indian‑origin
opposition leader Jagmeet Singh
has revealed that he was sexually
abused by his taekwondo teacher
when he was 10 years old and
said it is one of his regrets in life
that he kept quiet about the
assault.
The 40‑year‑old Sikh leader of
New Demo crat ic Party in his
memoir said the abuse took place
in the 1980s while he was grow‑
ing up in Windsor, Ontario, the
Global News reported.
Singh created political history in
Canada last month when he made
his de but in the House of
Commons, the lower of house of
Parliament, as the first non‑white
leader of a major opposition party
in the country.
In his book, ''Love and Courage:
Jagmeet Singh is first non‑white leader of a major opposition party
in Canada. (Image courtesy: bbc.co.uk)
My Story of Family, Resilience and
Overcoming the Unexpected'', he
said the instructor ‑ who he only
refers to as Mr. N ‑ of fered him
personal classes at his home dojo.
He said his instructor has since
died.
"As a kid, I was so embarrassed
and ashamed of what happened, I
didn't talk to anyone about it,"
Singh told the channel.
"And it wasn't until almost a
decade later that I spoke to anoth‑
er human being about it. The first
time I heard the words that it was‑
n't my fault was something that
just cracked open my heart."
Singh said he doesn't think the
coach was ever charged.
"One of my regrets in my life is I
didn't come forward when he was
alive. Maybe I would have been
able to give some closure to other
folks and maybe prevent some‑
thing from happening in the
future," he added.
Singh said he hopes his book
will help others who have been
abused to speak up and realize it's
not their fault.
In his memoir, the Sikh leader
also wrote about racism and bul‑
lying he faced during his child‑
hood.
Sing h, who lived in South
Windsor from the age of seven to
23, recounted how one boy dur‑
ing recess asked if he was brown
because he didn't shower, and
how another boy whispered:
"Dirty." T hen he was attacked
from behind, he said.
"Suddenly I fe lt my topknot
being pulled and then a hard
shove knocking me to the ground
almost simultaneously," he writes.
Singh said that his family was
torn apart by his father's alco‑
holism. After hitting rock bottom,
and after unsuccessful stints at
some of the best rehab centers in
the world, his father's life was
saved at Windsor's Brentwood
Recovery Home.
He was elected in federal by‑
elections held on February 25.
 10 May 4-10, 2019
Synagogue shooting Schumer and Pelosi say Trump agreed
suspect in SoCal linked to $2T price tag for infrastructure plan
to mosque arson
The targeted Chabad temple in Poway, CA
Poway, CA: A 19‑year‑old man
who authorities said gave himself
up to police shortly after carrying
out a deadly shoot ing in a
Southern California synagogue
filled with Sabbath worshippers is
also under investigation for an
unsolved mosque arson.
The gunman walked into the
suburban San Diego synagogue
Saturday, the last day of Passover,
and opened fire with an assault‑
style rifle, killing one woman
inside and wounding three others,
including the rabbi.
The suspect was later identified
as John Earnest, 19, of San Diego,
the apparent author of a “mani‑
festo” who claimed to have set a
nearby mosque on fire last month
and professed drawing inspiration
from the gunman who killed near‑
ly 50 people at two mosques in
New Zealand.
Chabad temple is in the town of
Poway, about 23 miles from San
Diego. The Passover violence came
amid an upsurge in reports of anti‑
Semitism nationwide and abroad
and followed a recent spate of
deadly attacks on places of wor‑
ship around the world.
US AFFAIRS TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Washington: Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer
said Tuesday that Democratic leaders and President
Donald Trump had all agreed on $2 trillion plan to
rebuild the nationʼs infrastructure.
In what both Schumer and House Speaker Nancy
Pelosi hailed as a surprisingly productive meeting at
the White House, the pair said theyʼd asked the presi‑
dent to propose a way to fund the massive project
once they'd agreed on its cost.
“It was a constructive meeting. It's clear that both
the White House and all of us want to get something
done on infrastructure in a big and bold way,”
Schumer said.
Though Schumer said that “originally we started a
little low,” Trump “was eager to push it up to $2 tril‑
lion, and that is a very good thing.”
White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said
Tuesday's infrastructure meeting between President Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi coming out after
Trump and Democratic lawmakers was "excellent and
meeting President Trump.
productive."
However, White House acting chief of staf f Mick from regulations that could lead to a lengthy process
Mulvaney on the same day voiced concerns stemming for implementing an infrastructure package.
Rubio claims hackers entered Florida poll systems
Washington: Senator Marco Rubio of Florida has Committee, but the redacted version of the Mueller
claimed there was an intrusion into Florida's elec‑ Report released on April 18 stated that the FBI
tions systems by hackers in 2016. believes "at least one Florida county" was infiltrated
He claimed that "Russian hackers not only accessed with malicious software by Russian intelligence
a Florida voting system, but were 'in a position' to agents.
change voter roll data". Rubio said he was con‑ The Florida Secretary of State's office in Tallahassee
strained by his position on the Senate Intelligence said it had been unable to learn which county it was.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Trumps sue Deutsche Bank,
Capital One to block
Presidentʼs financial records
Washington: President Trump,
members of his family and his
private businesses filed a federal
lawsuit late Monday against
Deutsche Bank and Capital One
in an attempt to block the finan‑
cial institutions from complying
with congressional subpoenas.
T he lawsuit, filed in the
Southern District of New York,
comes after House Intelligence
Committee Chairman Adam
Schif f and House Financial
Services Committee
Chairwoman Maxine Waters
issued the subpoenas seeking
records on Trump's personal
finances. “The subpoenas were
issued to harass President
Donald J. Trump, to rummage
through every aspect of his per‑
sonal finances, his businesses,
and the private information of
the President and his family, and
to ferret about for any material
that might be used to cause him
political damage. No grounds
exist to establish any purpose
other than a political one,” the
complaint states.
Trump's attorneys are seeking
an injunction "quashing the sub‑
poenas," as well injunctions
Deputy AG Rod
Rosenstein steps down
Washington: US Deputy
Attorney General Ro d
Rosenstein, who appointed
Robert Mueller as special
counsel two years ago over
investigation into the pos‑
sible t ies between
President Trump's cam‑
paign and Russia during
the 2016 US e lect ions,
submitted a long‑expected
resignation letter to Trump
on Monday.
His resignation is ef fec‑
t ive May 11. “T he
Department of Just ice
made rapid progress in
achieving the administra‑
tionʼs law enforcement pri‑
Rosenstein who had appointed
orities,” Rosenstein, 54, said
Robert Mueller as Special Counsel
in his resignation letter “We
enforce the law without
fear or favor because credible No.
evidence is not partisan, and Transportation Department, is
truth is not determined by opin‑ awaiting a likely confirmation by
ion polls.”
He did not mention the special
counsel in his resignation letter.
"Political considerations may had planned to leave the Justice
influence policy choices, but neu‑ Department shortly after
tral principals must drive deci‑ Attorney General William Barr
sions about individual cases," he took office in February. However,
wrote.
Jef frey Rosen, currently the conclusion of the Mueller probe.
President Trump, members of his family and his private business‑
es filed the federal lawsuit in the Southern District of New York.
(Photo courtesy The Australian)
blocking both financial institu‑
tions from handing over the
records. The lawsuit comes days
after it was reported that
Deutsche Bank has started turn‑
ing over Trumpʼs financial docu‑
ments to the New York state
attorney generalʼs of fice in
response to a subpoena.
In a joint statement, Schiff and
Waters called the lawsuit
“another demonstration of the
depths to which President
Trump w ill go to obstruct
Congressʼs constitutional over‑
Deputy Attorney General Rod
two years ago.
2 of ficial at the
the Senate to succeed
Rosenstein.
Local media said Rosenstein
Barr asked him to stay on for the
US AFFAIRS
Majority Americans
oppose Trump's
impeachment: Poll
Washington: A majority of
Americans have said they opposed
calls for Cong ress to launch
impeachment proceedings against
President Trump in the wake of
Special Counsel Robert Muellerʼs
report, a new poll revealed.
The Washington Post‑ABC News
poll released on Friday said that 37
per cent of Americans favored the
process that could lead to impeach‑
ment, while 56 per cent said they
opposed the idea.
Support for impeachment is high‑
er among Americans younger than
40 than among those older. It is
highest among African Americans,
69 per cent of whom say they favor
sight authority.” it. T he strongest opposition to
“This lawsuit is not designed impeachment comes from white
to succeed; it is only designed to evangelical Christians, white men
put off meaningful accountabili‑ without college degrees, white
ty as long as possible,” the chair‑ mainline Protestants and white
persons said. “Trump has Catholics.
already said publicly that he is House Democrats are grappling
fighting all of the subpoenas with the question of how to proceed
from Congress, and that he does in light of Mueller's findings and
not respect Congressʼ role as a the public release of the redacted
coequal branch of government. report, which detailed multiple
T his unprecedented examples of potential obstruction of
stonewalling will not work, and justice.
the American people deserve Roughly six in 10 Democrats said
better.” they supported the initiation of
Trump introduces sweeping
changes to asylum in memo
Washington: President Donald
Trump on Monday evening
announced a plan for sweeping
immigration changes that take direct
aim at migrants seeking asylum. The
memo for the attorney general and
homeland security secretary outlines
a series of measures to address the
situation along the border. They
include: adjudicating asylum applica‑
tions within 180 days of filing;
requiring a fee for asylum applica‑ DHS has reported a 2,000% increase in migrants claiming credible
tions and work permit applications; fear, the first step in the asylum process, over the last five years.
and barring migrants who have (Photo courtesy Reuters)
entered or attempted to enter the US
illegally from receiving work author‑ by slapping a fee on applications
ization before any relief or protec‑ and keeping some from working
tion is granted. The memo says the legally in the US "before any applica‑
attorney general and homeland ble application for relief or protec‑
security secretary are to take action tion from removal has been grant‑
within 90 days. The Department of ed." It also notes that work authori‑
Justice oversees the nation's immi‑ zation is to be stripped from
gration courts. migrants who are denied asylum or
Trump has repeatedly railed subject to a final order of removal.
against the nation's immigration sys‑ "The purpose of this memorandum
tem, accusing migrants of taking is to strengthen asylum procedures
advantage of what he's deemed legal to safeguard our system against
loopholes. DHS has previously rampant abuse of our asylum
reported a 2,000% increase in process," it reads.
migrants claiming credible fear, the In the memo, the President also
first step in the asylum process, over cites his national emergency decla‑
the last five years. The measures ration, which allowed him to circum‑
outlined in the memo would likely vent Congress and unlock money to
make it harder to apply for asylum build his signature border wall.
May 4-10, 2019 11
such an investigation in the House,
with 53 per cent saying they held
that view strongly.
Meanwhile, nearly nine in 10
Republicans oppose impeachment,
with 78 per cent strongly opposed.
T he President's credibility is
called into question by a majority of
Americans, with 58 per cent saying
they believed he has lied to the pub‑
lic about matters under investiga‑
tion by Mueller. Meanwhile, the poll
also showed that Mueller received
positive marks from Democrats and
Republicans, with 53 per cent of
Demo crats, 56 per cent of
Republicans and 51 per cent of
independents saying they believe
the report was fair and even hand‑
ed.
On the quest ion of whether
Trump tried to obstruct Mueller's
probe, 47 per cent said he did try to
interfere while 41 per cent said he
did not.
In The Washington Post‑ABC poll,
Trump's overall approval rating
stands at 39 per cent, a statistically
insignificant change from January,
when it was 37 per cent.
The poll was conducted by tele‑
phone April 22‑25 among a random
national sample of 1,001 adults.
"That emergency continues to grow
increasingly severe," it reads.
Border apprehensions have contin‑
ued to increase. It's not only the
uptick in illegal border crossings
that's raised issues for the
Department of Homeland Security,
however; it's also the shift in popula‑
tion ‑‑ from single men to families
and children predominantly from
Northern Triangle countries.
In March, there were more than
92,000 arrests of undocumented
migrants for illegal entry on the
southern border, up from 37,390 in
March 2018 ‑‑ the majority of whom
were families, according to data
from Customs and Border
Protection.
 12 May 4-10, 2019 INDIA NEWS TheSouthAsianTimes.info

JAIL TERM WILL NOT IMPACT
NESS WADIA: COMPANY
New Delhi: Maintaining that the jail
term by a Japanese court for Ness
Wadia in a drug case remains sus‑
pended, the business conglomerate
on Tuesday said that the develop‑
ment will not impact Wadia Group
heir in discharging his responsibili‑
ties.
"The judgment is clear. It is a sus‑
pended sentence. Hence it will not
impact Ness Wadia in the discharge
of any of his responsibilities and he
will continue to play the role that
he has done hitherto, both within
the Group and outside," Wadia
Group spokesperson said in a state‑
ment. He confirmed that Wadia is
currently in India. The Financial
Times has reported that Ness Wadia
was arrested in early March at New
The Japanese court has handed Ness Wadia a two‑year prison sentence.
Chitose Airport in the northern
Japanese island of Hokkaido.
According to a report by a local
Hokkaido station of state broadcast‑
er NHK, customs of ficials at New
Chitose were alerted to Wadia by
sniffer dogs and a search revealed
that he had about 25g of what
appeared to be cannabis resin in his
trouser pocket.
Wadia, heir to the 283‑year‑old
Wadia Group and co‑owner of the
Kings XI Punjab cricket team, sits
on the boards of various group
companies including low‑cost air‑
line GoAir.
Following arrest in Japan, Wadia
is reported to have spent a period in
detention before his indictment on
March 20. The Sapporo District
Court handed Wadia a two‑year
prison sentence, which was sus‑
pended for five years, the Financial
Times reported.
SC sets
Rafale
hearing
date for
May 6
New Delhi: The Supreme Court
on Tuesday directed the Centre
to file its reply on the Rafale
review petition by Saturday
and fixed the hearing for May
6.A bench headed by Chief
Just ice Ranjan Gogoi and
Justices Sanjay Kaul and K.M.
Joseph gave the direction after
the Centre sought adjournment
of hearing in the Rafale review
petitions. The Attorney General
though said the Centre needed
at least four weeks to file reply
to the new documents filed by
the petitioners

Consultations on Cyclone Fani: Odisha likely

Azhar achieved 'some to start evacuation on May 2
progress' in UN: China
Fishermen carry their boats ashore in the wake of
severe cyclonic storm Fani, in Puri, Odisha. (Photo: IANS)

Beijing/New Delhi: Amid indications that it which 40 security personnel were killed by a
could soon lift its "technical hold" on listing suicide car bomber on February 14.
of Pakistan‑based Jaish‑e‑Mohammad (JeM) China has been blocking Azhar's listing
chief Masood Azhar as an international ter‑ despite a strong push by other permanent
rorist by the UNSC, China on Tuesday said members of the UNSC like the US, UK and
that "relevant consultations" are underway in France. India, which has mooted the proposal
the world body's Sanctions Committee on the at the UNSC, is hopeful that China will be
issue and "some progress" sensitive to its concerns
has been achieved. and give consent to pro‑
"I can only say that I scribing of Azhar.
be lieve that this will be Asked whether he could Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government is
properly resolved," Chinese
Foreign Ministry spokesper‑
confirm reports that China
was likely to lift the techni‑
likely to begin the evacuation of people
affected by cyclone Fani from May 2 as the
Rs 1,086‑crore
son Geng Shuang said at a
media briefing in Beijing
cal hold on Azhar issue on
Wednesday, Geng said: "We
severe cyclonic storm is heading to make a
landfall on the state's coast, an official said
Central aid
when asked whether the
issue would be settled as
have fully expressed our
position on this. China is in
here on Tuesday. The state government has
also asked the concerned district collectors
to 4 states
early as Wednesday. contact with all relevant in the coastal regions to remain prepared to New Delhi: The Home Ministry (MHA) on
"Regarding the listing parties on this issue and we meet any eventuality. Tuesday issued an advance financial assis‑
issue in the 1267 will continue to engage in "The cyclone is currently headed northwest tance of Rs 1,086 crore to four states for
(Sanctions) Committee (of the discussion and review and after May 1, according to the Indian preventive and re lief measures in
the UNSC), we have Pakistan‑based Jaish‑e‑ of this issue in a constructive Meteorological Department (IMD), it will response to cyclonic storm 'Fani', a
expressed our position many Mohammad (JeM) chief manner." W hen asked recurve and move towards Odisha. By late Ministry statement said.
times and I just want to Masood Azhar. whether any momentum on Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and
evening on May 3, the cyclone is expected to
stress two points. First, we the issue could be expected make landfall near Puri. However, the IMD West Bengal will get the aid from the State
support the listing issue being settled within since India has given technical evidence informed that this too is expected to change," Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) based on
the 1267 Committee through dialogue and regarding JeM's involvement in the Pulwama said Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) the decision of the National Crisis
consultation and I believe this is the consen‑ attack, Geng said: "On the listing issue, China Bishnupada Sethi. Management Committee (NCMC).
sus of most members," Geng said while is still working with the relevant parties and "If the cyclone makes landfall in Odisha on With 'Fani' intensifying into a 'severe
answering questions over the issue. we are in contact with all relevant parties the evening of May 3, we will start evacuat‑ cyclonic storm' over the southeast and
"Second, the relevant consultations are within the 1267 Committee and I believe ing the affected people on May 2." adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal, the
going on within the Committee and have with the joint efforts of all parties, this will As many as 879 cyclone shelters were four coastal states have been put on high
achieved some progress. Third, I believe, with be properly resolved." already set up. Besides, 20 Odisha Disaster alert.
the joint efforts of all parties, this issue can Azhar, a Pakistani national, founded the Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) units, 335 fire Of the total Rs 1,086 crore, Andhra
be properly resolved," the spokesperson JeM with the help of Pakistan's intelligence services and 12 NDRF units were on standby. Pradesh gets Rs 200.25 crore, Odisha gets
added. agency ISI in January 2000, soon after his Fani could become an 'extremely severe Rs 340.875 crore, Tamil Nadu Rs 309.375
His response came amidst indications that release from an Indian jail in exchange for cyclone' by Wednesday, said the IMD. crore and West Bengal Rs 235.50 crore.
China could soon lift its "technical hold" on 166 hostages of an Indian Airlines plane It predicted that after May 2, south‑coastal
listing of Azhar, whose outfit has been which was hijacked to Kandahar in Odisha and adjacent districts will receive interior Odisha is also likely to receive
responsible for a number of terror attacks in Afghanistan during a flight from Kathmandu heavy to very rainfall. extremely heavy downpours, while wind
India, including the recent one in Pulwama in to New Delhi. Thereafter, on May 3 and 4, coastal and speed may touch 170 km per hour.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info INDIA NEWS May 4-10, 2019 13

MAHA KUMBH
OF DEMOCRACY
Sreerampur (West Bengal): Prime
Minister Narendra Mo di on
Monday claimed that 40 MLAs of
West Bengals ruling Trinamool
Congress (TMC) were in "touch"
with him and would desert Chief
Minister Mamata Banerjee whose
party hit back by filing a "horse
trading" complaint w ith the
Election Commission against him.
"When the lotus blooms all over
Beng al after May 23, Didi
(Banerjee), you will see that your
MLAs will also abandon you and
run away. Forty of your MLAs are
in touch with me even today," Modi
said at an election rally in Hooghly
district. "It will be tough for you to
save yourself. You have cheated the
people of Bengal," he said, in a mes‑
sage to Banerjee.
The Trinamool has 213 MLAs in
the 295‑member West Beng al
Assembly.
Modi said despite all the attacks
40 of Mamata's MLAs in touch: Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi claimed that 40 MLAs of West
Bengals ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) were in "touch" with him.
and intimidation by the state's rul‑
ing Trinamool, the people of Bengal
have only one motto in this Lok
Sabha elections.
"Didi has crossed all limits this
time. T he Trinamool Congress
goons are trying to stop people
from casting their votes. Our party
candidates are being attacked and
stopped from campaigning. Yet
people in the villages are turning
up in the polling stations with only
one motto...'chup chap kamal chap,
booth booth se TMC saaf' (silently
vote for the lotus symbol, remove
Trinamool from all booths)," he
said. Soon after, Trinamool leader
Derek O'Brien hit back, tweeting:
"Expiry Babu PM, let's get this
straight. Nobody will go with you.
Not even one councillor. Are you
election campaigning or horse trad‑
ing! Your expiry date is near.
Today, we are complaining to the
Election Commission. Charging you
with horse trading."
Later, he posted another tweet:
"The complaint against Modi for
horse trading has been filed with
ECI. Monday, 7pm."
In his speech, Modi took a dig at
Banerjee for also claiming to send
him 'rasgullas' made out of soil and
stones and said it was "holy and
inspirational" to him.
"Didi, who once talked about
'mati and manush' (soil and human
being), is now talking about feeding
me 'rasgullas' made out of Bengal's
soil and stones. How lucky I am!
BJP complains to EC
against Bengal violence
New Delhi: T he BJP on Monday complained to the Election
Commission against violation of model code in West Bengal, citing
various incidents. The BJP said that in Ketugram (Bolpur Lok Sabha
Constituency) an individual was seen interfering with free and fair
exercise of votes within the polling booths. This put undue pressure
on the voter to cast his/her vote in favor of TMC," the BJP said.
In Jemua (Durgapur Lok Sabha Constituency) voters were lath‑
icharged by the police and chased away from the polling booth while
in Barabani (Asansol constituency), party MP Babul Supriyo was heck‑
led outside polling booth no. 199 and his car was attacked.
Further, in Chapra (Krishnanagar Lok Sabha Constituency), BJP
workers were terrorized and Trinamool Congress activists rigged
booth no. 145 Kalyandaha, the BJP said, adding it had been reported
that around 450 outsiders disturbed polling process at Bahrampur
constituency.
The soil of Bengal gave birth to so many stones as possible in the
many statesmen such as sweets so that the Trinamool‑
Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Swami backed goons do not have enough
Vive kananda, Chaitanya stones left to attack the people of
Mahaprabhu, Netaji Subhas Bengal.
Chandra Bose and Shyama Prasad "You said there will be stones
Mookerjee. If Modi gets 'rasgullas' inside the 'rasgullas'. I would be
made out of this soil, it will be like grateful for this because otherwise
'prasad' to him," he said. your goons would use the stones to
"It w ill bring me goo d luck break people's heads. So send me
because this soil is holy to me. It is as many stones as possible so that
my inspiration. I will be grateful to the heads of Beng al's people
Didi for the 'rasgullas' made out of remain unharmed," he said amid
Bengal's soil, as not everyone is for‑ massive cheer from the crowd.
tunate enough to get such holy "'Delhi to bahana hai, ye bhatije
'prasad'," Modi added. ko jamana hai' (Delhi is an excuse,
The Prime Minister also ridiculed she wants to establish her nephew
Banerjee by asking her to send as here)," the Prime Minister said.

EC meets to decide 64% CAST THEIR VOTE IN

complaints against
Modi, Rahul
New Delhi: The Election
Commission (EC) held a
meeting on Tuesday to
decide on the complaints
of alleged violations of
the model code of con‑
duct (MCC) against Prime
Minister Narendra Modi,
Congress President Rahul
Gandhi and BJP
President Amit Shah.
While Modi and Shah
have been accused of
making "hate speeches"
and "using" the armed
forces for "political prop‑
aganda" during their Lok
Sabha poll campaigns,
the complaints against
Gandhi relate to his use
of the "chowkidar chor
hai" slogan.
The EC had on Monday
said that it would hold a
meeting on Tuesday to
decide on the complaints.
"Regarding the alleged
FOURTH PHASE ELECTIONS
New Delhi: A voter turnout of 64 per cent
was witnessed at 72 Lok Sabha con‑
stituencies spread across nine states
complaints of violation of
which went to the polls on Monday in the
model code of conduct
fourth phase. The turnout in 2014 in
against senior leaders of
these seats was 61.48 per cent.
two political parties, the
The polling percentage improved in
Commission has already
Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Bihar
taken all the inputs and
while it was less in West Bengal and
details and has scheduled
Odisha and marginally less in Uttar
a meeting on Tuesday for
Pradesh and Jharkhand compared to the
taking a decision on each
last election. It was somewhat better in
of the issues," Deputy
Rajasthan.
Election Commissioner
The poll percentage is expected to go
Chandra Bhushan Kumar
up once all the votes cast are taken into
had told the media.
account. The voting percentage was
"At present there are
69.50 per cent in the first phase, 69.44
three leaders against
per cent in the second and 68.40 per
Voters queue up to cast their votes at a polling station in Jammu and
whom there are com‑ Kashmir's Kulgam. (Photo: IANS)
cent in the third phase.
plaints ‑‑ Narendra Modi,
Senior Deputy Election Commissioner seat is witnessing a three‑phased elec‑ cent in five seats of Bihar (56.18 in
Rahul Gandhi and Amit
Umesh Sinha said that voting process has tion. 2014), 58.23 per cent in seventeen seats
Shah. The matters are
been completed in two more states ‑ Of the states that went to the polls, of Maharashtra (55.58 in 2014).
under consideration with
Maharashtra and Odisha ‑ after conclu‑ Rajasthan saw a voter turn out of 64.5 In Odisha, where polling was also held
the Commission," he
sion of fourth phase of seven‑phase elec‑ per cent for 13 seats that went to the for 41 assembly seats alongside six Lok
added.
tion. polls compared to 64. 48 in 2014. It was Sabha seats, the voter turn out was 68
There have been sever‑
Polling was also held in Kulgam district 65.77 per cent in six seats of Madhya per cent compared to 73.75 per cent in
al complaints of alleged
of Anantnag parliamentary constituency Pradesh (64.84 in 2014), 63.39 per cent 2014.
poll code violations
in Jammu and Kashmir where 10.5 per in three seats of Jharkhand (63.82 in In thirteen seats of Uttar Pradesh, the
against the three
cent people exercised their franchise 2014), 76.44 per cent in eight seats of polling percentage was 57.58 per cent
leaders.
compared to 36.84 per cent in 2014. The West Bengal (83.38 in 2014), 58.82 per compared to 58.39 per cent in 2014.
 14 May 4-10, 2019
MAHA KUMBH
OF DEMOCRACY
New Delhi: It has been a style of
contrast in campaign by Congress
President Rahul Gandhi and his sis‑
ter Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who is
the party's star campaigner for the
ongoing Lok Sabha elections.
W hile Rahul has adopted an
agg ressive no‑holds barred
approach in attacking Prime
Minister Narendra Modi and his
government, mainly over the
Rafale issue, Priyanka has hardly
mentioned the fighter jet deal mat‑
ter directly.
Rahul's attack against the Prime
Minister, w ith the repeated
"chowkidar chor hai" jibe, is along
the expected lines as the Congress
chief has been highlighting the
With popular dialogues, Bollywood vote with pride, passion
Sunny begins
Gurdaspur campaign
Sunny Deol, BJP candidate for Gurdaspur Lok Sabha seat,
in Punjab. (Photo: IANS)
Gurdaspur (Punjab): With his pop‑
ular dialogues "Yeh dhai kilo ka
haathi hai" and "Hindustan
Zindabad Tha, Zindabad hai aur
Zindabad Rahega" to lure people,
Bollywood actor Sunny Deol start‑
ed his campaign for the Gurdaspur
Lok Sabha seat on Monday after
filling his nomination papers as the
Bharatiya Janata Party candidate.
Filing his nomination under his
real name of Ajay Singh
Dharmendra Deol, Sunny Deol
declared assets worth Rs 87 crore.
This includes movable assets of
Rs 66.19 crore, including cash in
hand of Rs 42 lakhs with him and
his wife. He has declared immov‑
able assets of Rs 21 crore. At the
PRIYANKA IS SUBTLE,
Rahul directly attacks PM
controversial defence deal.
"Rahul is pursuing a no‑holds
barred approach and attacks the
Prime Minister directly as he is
expected to be doing so by virtue
of the party position that he has,"
said a party strategist.
The Congress President's main
focus is to present Modi as pro‑
rich while reiterating that the
Cong ress cares for inclusive
growth.
Priyanka, on the other hand, has
targeted the Prime Minister with‑
out naming him and has instead
centered her campaign around his
"unfulfilled" promises.
She has also tried to defuse the
Prime Minister's references to
Pakistan and the Nehru‑Gandhi
family. "This is Priyanka's style.
She takes on the Prime Minister
without naming him and getting
into a direct confrontation but
delivers the punch," said a strate‑
gist involved in her campaign.
"She has focused on social justice
by highlighting the plight of youth
time of filling if his nomination
papers, the 62‑year‑old actor was
accompanied by his actor brother
Bobby Deol and Punjab BJP
President Shwait Malik. Sunny
Deol and other BJP leaders later
addressed a rally in Gurdaspur
town where the actor spoke for
about four minutes and recited his
popular dailogues from his hit
films "Gadar", "Damini" and
"Border". "I am new in the field of
politics but I can assure you that I
will work for the development of
the Gurdaspur constituency," he
said. Sunny faces tough competi‑
tion from the sitting Congress MP
and Punjab Congress President
Sunil Kumar Jakhar.
INDIA NEWS
Congress President Rahul Gandhi with sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra
share a light moment at the Kanpur Airport. (Photo: Twitter/@INCIndia)
due to lack of jobs, farmers suffer‑
ing from widespread rural distress
and women seeking better law and
order situation," he said.
Citing examples, party leaders
said Priyanka took a dig at the
Prime Minister by saying that the
leader had time to travel to the US
and Japan but did not visit a poor
Mumbai: T he Bachchans, the
Roshans, the Khans, the Devgns and
a stream of other Bollywood
celebrities voted in the fourth phase
of the Lok Sabha elections here in
Mumbai on Monday and urged oth‑
ers to step out and make their vote
count.
Megastar Amitabh Bachchan
stepped out with wife Jaya, son
Abhishek and daughter‑in‑law
Aishwarya to cast their votes, look‑
ing cool and calm in white.
Filmmaker Rakesh Roshan also
turned up with his wife Pinky,
daughter Sunaina and son Hrithik
in tow. Hrithik's former father‑in‑
law Sanjay Khan came out to vote
with his son Zayed and daughter
Farah Khan Ali.
Actress Kareena Kapoor Khan
brought along her two‑year‑old son
Taimur Ali Khan to cast her vote.
Adding some color and drama to
a polling booth here was Ranveer
Singh, who sported eclectic sun‑
glasses and bright clothes.
Kangana Ranaut wore a sari, and
even Urmila Matondkar, the
Congress candidate from the
Mumbai North seat, chose a desi
avatar to cast a vote.
Actors Salman Khan and Aamir
Khan also cast their vote, as did
Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Madhuri
Dixit Nene, Karan Johar, Ranbir
Kapoor, Javed Akhtar, Shabana
Azmi, Varun Dhawan, Rekha, Kiran
Rao, Shankar Mahadevan, Paresh
Rawal, Ravi Kishan, Ajay Devgn,
Kajol, Kailash Kher, Mahesh Bhatt,
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
family in his parliamentary con‑
stituency Varanasi, which he prom‑
ised to develop on the lines of
Kyoto. Further, she tried to defuse
references to Pakistan saying the
Prime Minister had gone to eat
Biryani there.
"Priyanka smartly countered the
attacks on late Prime Ministers
Amitabh Bachchan, son Abhishek Bachchan, wife Jaya Bachchan
and daughter‑in‑law Aishwarya Rai Bachchan arrive to cast their
votes in Mumbai. (right) Actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas after casting
her vote at Versova polling booth in Mumbai. (Photos: IANS)
Aahana Kumra, Dia Mirza, Sonu
Sood, Pooja Bhatt, Divya Dutta,
Sonali Bendre Behl, Goldie Behl,
Anupam Kher, Sanjay Dutt, Vidya
Balan, Athiya Shetty, Esha Deol,
Shilpa Shetty Kundra, Arjun Kapoor,
Malaika Arora and Twinkle Khanna.
"This is the moment that mat‑
ters... Every vote is a voice that
counts," tweeted Priyanka along
with a selfie showing off her inked
finger.
Aamir, dressed casually, cracked a
joke as the media approached him
for a byte, but made a point about
the importance of voting.
Actor Rahul Bose returned to
Mumbai from shooting in
Hyderabad to vote and then quickly
made his way back to the shoot.
Pooja said it was gratifying to see
a long line of voters outside a
polling station in Bandra.
"Well done Bandra! You make me
proud! Big thank you to all the vol‑
Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi by
saying if the BJP leaders were real
nationalists, they should respect all
martyrs as both Indira and Rajiv
gave up their lives for the country.
This way she was able to bring up
the family references before the
young voters," said a senior AICC
functionary.
Priyanka's subtle political mes‑
saging is quite dif ferent than
Rahul's rough and ready approach
and suits the personalities of both
the leaders, some party managers
said.
Others thought that inviting the
ire of the Supreme Court over the
"chowkidar chor hai" jibe could
have been avoided in the middle of
the crucial elections.
Pointing out at another aspect of
Priyanka's voter connect, a
Congress insider said she has been
presenting herself as a lower mid‑
dle class person by spending time
with girl students, rural women
and even chiding party workers
over poll preparation.
unteers and to police personnel
keeping vigil," she tweeted before
going to cast her vote.
Actress Divya Dutta urged: "Vote,
not because just your life depends
on it. Vote because an entire nation
does. One vote can make the differ‑
ence. Be your change."
Filmmaker Prakash Jha, who has
had a tryst with politics, went to
vote with his daughter.
"Both, respectfully, for our differ‑
ent preferences! But we voted for
the peace, prosperity and pride of
our beloved India. And most of all,
the dignity of each of our brothers
and sisters of this great nation."
Madhuri wrote: "Voting is our
right, let's use it wisely! The future
of our country is in our hands. Let's
do our duty and vote for India."
R. Madhavan, who went to a
polling booth with his wife, urged
the youth to give "no excuses" for
not voting.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info COMMUNITY May 4-10, 2019 15

Neeta Jain (4th from right), who conducted the program, seen with Amb. Chakravorty NY Senator Kevin Thomas NY Senator Jon Liu addressing
and his wife, and executive committee members of the Hindu Center. speaking at the event. the audience.

Fundraiser held for Flushing Hindu Center

Hicksville, NY: The 54th annual
fund‑raiser of Hindu Center,
Flushing, was organized at Antunʼs
by Minar here on April 27 and was
a huge success, attended by over
350 people.
Dr. Neeta Jain, Democratic Leader
‑ Assembly District 25 B, Queens,
hosted and conducted the program,
and emphasized the need for the
Indian community for voting regis‑
tration and involvement in the polit‑
ical system and participating in our
great values. A school psychologist
she is involved in many religious,
social and cultural organizations.
Chief Guest Consul General
Sandeep Chakravorty appreciated
the work and achievements of
Hindu Center since 1965. He also
recounted the how the Indian com‑
munity has grown from a mere
6,500 in 1965 to a huge number
today. He was honored for his
exceptional services to the Indian
community.
New York State Senator John Liu,
who has introduced a bill for securi‑
ty of religious places, applauded Dr.
Neeta Jain for her work.
NY Senator Kevin Thomas, who is
of Indian origin and has enjoyed
Holi festival, admired the communi‑
ty for their involvement in the main‑
stream, imbuing it with their rich
heritage.
Dr. Bijoy K. Mehta, Chairman of
Hindu Center, recounted the cur‑
rent expansion of the Center: a
banquet hall to seat 300 people,
and the main temple at street level
with idols of Laxmi Narayan, Durga
Mata and Hanuman. The center has
four qualified priests.
Ravindra Kumar Goyal, keynote
speaker, emphasized the value of
our involvement in religious, cultur‑
al and social events, particularly
our children should learn our values
when young.
Honorees were Dr. Vasundhara
Kalaspudi, Executive Director of
India House, Ravi Chopra, CEO of
STI Consultants, and Ranju Batra,
who made Diwali stamp a reality.
Major donors were Tilak Arora,
Prem Arora and Virendra Madan,
who each donated $17,000 for the
new temple and Surinder Kathuria
and his son Dr. Navneet Kathuria
donated $25,000 for the Goddess
Saraswati idol. Dr. V.N. Sehgal, past
president, Dr. Swarn Gupta, Vice
President, Jagdish Awasthi, General
Secretary, Satish Malhotra, Joint
Secretary, and Avtar Sharma,
Treasurer, have contributed to the
growth of the temple.
Hindi classes for young children
have started on Sundays at the
Hindu center under the leadership
of Dr. Neeta Jain; Shreya Khosla is
the teacher. Elder program is con‑
ducted by Rajani and Shivlal Goyal
first Sunday of every month.
 16 May 4-10, 2019
'Avengers: Endgame' breaks No champagne?
box office records in India Feisty Zohra Sehgal
A
vengers: Endgame", the
final chapter from the
Avengers franchise, has
broken box office records in India
by registering an opening day col‑
lection of Rs 53.10 crore, becom‑
ing the biggest Hollywood opener
in the country till date.
From Iron Man to Captain
America to Hulk to Black Widow
to Thor ‑‑ Marvel superheroes
have assembled one last time in
"Avengers: Endgame" to save the
world and fight against Thanos. As
conjectured by trade analysts, the
movie is not only turning out to be
an emotional af fair for fans but
also soaring high at the box office
globally.
Marve l Studios' "Avengers:
Endgame" has taken an unprece‑
dented opening at the Indian box
of fice collecting Rs 63.21 crore
(Gross Box Office Collection) and
Rs 53.10 crore (Net Box Of fice
Collection) in all languages. It
released in Hindi, English, Tamil
and Telugu across 2845 screens
in India, according to the film's
representatives.
"The massive response by audi‑
ences across the country is a testi‑
mony of how emotionally invested
the Marve l fans are in the
'Avengers' franchise. They have
eagerly waited to watch the culmi‑
nation of the journey of 11 years
INDIAN ADAPTATION
OF BBC'S 'LUTHER'
IN PIPELINE
I
ndian content producer
Applause Entertainment will
back an Indian version of
actor Idris Elba's hit crime
drama "Luther".
"Luther", which is about a
detective, played by Elba, who
gets deeply involved in the dan‑
gerous consequences of his
cases, is now five seasons old.
The Indian adaptation will be
multi‑season, with the first one
playing over eight to 10
episodes, reports variety.com.
"I am solving the hard work of
actually putting it together,
from the idea to the writing, to
assembling the team, casting,
production design, funding, to
making it into a product that is
good enough to stream immedi‑
ately," said Applause CEO
Sameer Nair.
"But we are operating at
between $100,000‑$200,000
an episode, which is reason‑
able," he added.
ULTIMATE BOLLYWOOD
ʻAvengers: Endgameʼ has been released across 2845 screens in India.
and their extraordinary love for
the marvel characters is clearly
evident today," Bikram Duggal,
Head ‑ Studio Entertainment,
Disney India, said in a statement.
Trade analyst Taran Adarsh said
the fourth and final "Avengers"
movie is already on the path to
creating history.
"'Avengers" Endgame' is sensa‑
tional...Creates history... Records
highest Day 1 of 2019 so far...
emerges biggest Hollywood open‑
er to date... Crosses Day 1 business
of 'T hugs Of Hindostan', the
biggest opener from Hindi film
industry (Rs 52.25 crore in Hindi,
Tamil and Telugu)."
"'Avengers: Endgame' emerges a
game changer... Sets new bench‑
marks on Day 1... An eye opener
Hollywood actor Idris Elba
plays the lead in ʻLutherʼ.
This will be the second Asian
version of "Luther" after the
South Korean remake, "Less
Than Evil".
for the industry that feels national
holidays/fest ivals y ie ld best
results at the box of fice," Adarsh
added.
Pointing out a coincidence, he
wrote: "'Baahubali 2' released on
(Friday) April 28, 2017; 'Avengers:
Infinity War' released on (Friday)
April 27, 2018; now 'Avengers:
Endgame' released on (Friday)
April 26, 2019... All three money
spinners re leased on the last
Friday of April, and non‑holiday
releases."
"Avengers: Endgame", the 22nd
film of MCU, marks the end of an
era that revolved around Iron
Man, the Hulk and Captain
America, among others. It is
helmed by Russo Brothers Joe and
Anthony.
Many star kids set to twinkle
on big screen this year
A
fter actor Mohnish Bahl's
daughter Pranutan kick‑
started her Bollywoo d
innings this year, a spate of star
kids is gearing up to make their
debut on the silver screen.
Pranutan made her acting debut
at the age of 26 with superstar
Salman Khan's pro duct ion
"Notebook", released last month.
Here is an IANS list of aspiring
star children, waiting in the wings
to make their first big Bollywood
appearance in 2019.
Ananya Panday: The daughter
of actor Chunky Panday will make
her debut with Punit Malhotra's
"Student of the Year 2", which is
slated to be released in May.
Karan Kapadia: Actress Dimple
Kapadia's nephew and Twinkle
Khanna's cousin Karan is set to
make his first silver screen show‑
ing on May 3 with "Blank". An
action thriller, "Blank" revolves
around the life of a suicide
bomber, essayed by Karan.
Karan Deol: Actor‑filmmaker
Sunny Deol's son Karan will make
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
once asked on set
Z
ohra Sehgal didn't earn
the epithet of
Bollywood's 'laadli' for
nothing. On her 107th birth
anniversary recently, actress‑
filmmaker Pooja Bhatt recount‑
ed an incident involving the tal‑
ent, whose endearing wit and
charm continues to live on.
"I had the privilege of casting
Zohra Sehgal in my first film as
a producer 'Tamanna' (1997).
On her first day on set, we
asked her if she would like
some tea or coffee. And with
her eyes twinkling, she
responded 'No champagne?' I
am yet to encounter an actor or
spirit with more spirit."
The official Twitter handles of
the National Film Archives of
India (NFAI) and Cine And TV
Artistes' Association (CINTAA)
paid a tribute to Zohra who
remained ageless and timeless
in her over seven‑decade‑long
theatre and film career.
"Remembering celebrated
actress Zohra Sehgal on her
birth anniversary. She enter‑
tained the audiences with her
charming performances," read
the post by NFAI. Zohra, who
was bestowed the Padma
Vibhushan in 2010, died at the
Soon‑to‑be actors Ananya Pandayand Karan Kapadia.
his debut with the film titled "Pal
Pal Dil Ke Paas". Directed by
Sunny himself, the film's title is
taken from Sunny's father and
veteran actor Dharmendra's
famous song "Pal pal dil ke paas"
from the movie "Blackmail", which
released in 1973.
Ahan Shetty: Actress Athiya
Shetty's brother and actor Suniel
Shetty's son, Ahan will soon join
Veteran actress Zohra Sehgal
was known for her endearing
wit and charm.
age of 102 in 2014. Described
as a doyenne of Indian theatre,
she also took on films and
appeared in over 20 titles such
as "Bhaji on the Beach" (1992),
"Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam",
"Bend It Like Beckham" (2002),
"Dil Se..." (1998) and "Cheeni
Kum" (2007).
She held the distinction of
working with four generations
of Bollywood's famous Kapoor
family ‑ from Prithviraj Kapoor
to Raj Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor to
Ranbir Kapoor.
Zohra came back to India in
the 1990s. She was around 80
years old then, and continued
working.
the Bollywood bandwagon. He
will be seen in the Hindi remake
of Telugu hit movie titled "RX
100".
Alizeh Agnihotri: Superstar
Salman Khan's niece and daughter
of filmmaker Atul Agnihotri and
Alvira Khan Agnihotri, Alizeh
Agnihotri is reportedly set to
make his act ing de but in
Bollywood with "Dabangg 3".
TheSouthAsianTimes.info ULTIMATE BOLLYWOOD May 4-10, 2019 17

‘One has to be lucky to NO SCRIPT OR

survive in Bollywood’ TITLE FOR 'JAMES
A
ctor Manoj Bajpayee is the recipient of two

BOND 25' YET

National Film Awards and India's fourth high‑
est civilian award, Padma Shri, but he stills
considers himself a common man from Bihar who
has to keep working hard to survive in a dream city
like Mumbai.
The actor, who turned 50, feels that he still has a
long way to go.
"I am not Padma Shri Manoj Bajpayee. I am Manoj
Bajpayee, an outsider who saw dreams and stayed on
the fringes of Mumbai and worked day and night to
get work. For my contribution to Hindi cinema, I was
felicitated with Padma Shri. I am happy to get such
an honor but it does not mean I will stick around it
only," Manoj told IANS.
On being asked by a Hindustan Times reporter on
how he came to a conclusion that Bollywood is an
ʻimpossible industryʼ, he said that talent alone does‑
nʼt matter in the industry.
“You have to be really lucky. Talent alone doesnʼt
matter in this industry, and everyone knows this. If ʻDaniel Craig will return as the famous spy in ʻBond 25ʼ.

T
someone says ʻgood films are doneʼ, ʻtalent always
he 25th film of the James along with the return of Daniel
survivesʼ, there are other factors too, which are far
Bond franchise is report‑ Craig as the famous spy, and
more important. You should be extremely lucky too,
edly yet to have a com‑ Oscar winner Rami Malek as a
and have the common sense to keep changing your
pleted script or title, even if the villain, the movie has no title
path, adjusting and accommodating, without bend‑
official cast and crew line‑up and no finalized script.
ing on your principles. Itʼs a small industry, thatʼs
has been confirmed. "They don't have a script,
why itʼs so difficult.
The 25th James Bond film was there's no title, it is nearly five
I stayed on the fringe, was never a part of the elite
launched in Jamaica. But there years since the last Bond. It
league, but I survived and am still surviving.”
is already trouble over the title starts with a retired Bond living
Manoj started his film journey with a blink‑and‑
and plot, reports pagesix.com. in wedded bliss, but the rest of
miss role in 1994's film "Droh Kaal".
While Ralph Fiennes, Naomie the script is still being worked
On the work front, Manoj is now looking forward
Harris, Ben Whishaw and Lea over," said a source.
to the release of his web show "The Family Man".
Seydoux were formally "Bond 25" is scheduled to be
announced as cast members, out on April 8, 2020.
Actor Manoj Bajpayee started his film journey in 1994.

Box office: Fudging the figures

By Vinod Mirani started fudging the figures to be closest to
100 per cent!

T
here was a famous saying in the film
industry, which was a filmmakerʼs
answer to all criticism and that was:
Let the figures speak. Films of a maker like
Manmohan Desai, for instance, were
always panned by critics but the collection
figures spoke for his films.
Till the late 1950s and early 1970s, a
film was either a flop or a hit. A film was a
platinum jubilee, golden jubilee, silver
jubilee or a 100‑day runner and that was
the indicator of its scale of success. There
was no social media, no electronic media,
and no branding assignments for film stars
to placate. One had to keep financers and
distributors happy.
A jubilee was a must to project your film
as a hit! The cheapest place to run your
film for that long, that is 25 weeks, in those
days was the Royal Opera House in
Mumbai and Moti Cinema in Delhi.
If a film ran on merit for, say, about eight
weeks or 100 days, Opera House was the
cinema where a producer could afford to
push it for another 10 weeks and celebrate
a silver jubilee.
But, these 100‑day runs and jubilee runs
came to be misused by producers for ego
satisfaction. And, the biggest example was
when a producer ran his flop film which
Getting a film into a Rs 100 crore bracket is easy now.
did not fetch him any share from week the theatre rental from his own pocket!
one! Yash Chopra's film “Chandni” is a case And then, issuing wrong collection fig‑
point. Metro was a huge cinema hall which ures – this came when the jubilee era was
charged 52 per cent of the capacity as over. Films were released in, say, 18 to 20
rental. “Chandni” stopped drawing footfalls screens in a metro. After the jubilee era
after a few weeks. But, the producer want‑ lost its relevance, the era of percentage
ed to set a record. The film was forced to started. A film's performance was meas‑
run for 25 weeks, the coveted silver ured in the percentage of the houseful
jubilee! So, the producer had to make good capacity and just about every producer
Except for nursing egos of a maker and
actor concerned, inflating box office collec‑
tions had no real logic. That was till actors
were drawn into brand endorsements.
With actors taking to modelling and charg‑
ing in crores, their continual popularity
was a must. And, what better reflection of a
star's popularity than the success of
his/her film! But, now it is not about 100
per cent or such. It is about Rs 200 crore
and Rs 300 crore.
Getting a film into a Rs 100 crore bracket
within a few days was easy now. The
maker handed out the figures and these
media did the needful. Agencies and their
clients have no way of confirming the sta‑
tus of a film or the star they are paying
crores to endorse their product.
In the film trade, everything is related to
popularity and success. Like a failed hero
was endorsing a mobile network but the
logic said that how could an actor sell
something when he can't sell a Rs 100 tick‑
et for his movie? Also, one must have
noticed that most of the new assignments
for endorsements are going to the younger
actors like Ranveer Singh, Varun Dhawan,
Alia Bhatt and so on.
(Vinod Mirani is a veteran film writer and
box office analyst)
 18 May 4-10, 2019
Inspiration from
the living legend,
By Manju Mittal
I
ndiaʼs national hero, ʻFlying Sikhʼ Milkha
Singh is one of the greatest athletes the
world has known. But his supporting
achievements are just a part of his amazing
life story. His rigorous training marked by
obsession and invention was unmatched.
More, it was his charm that captivated peo‑
ple. His persona ‑ joyous, eccentric and life
affirming ‑‑ lifted him to legendary status.
Visiting India from Sydney recently, I
made it a point to pay Milkha Singh a visit
in his beautiful home in Chandigarh. Time
stood still as I bowed and touched his feet.
He was wearing a black suit with maroon
turban and matching tie, and looked goose‑
bumpingly dashing. He is in his mid‑eight‑
ies, yet his voice is as strong as that of a
young man.
Milkha Singh represented India in three
Olympics, coming 4th in the 1960 Olympics
in Rome. Running 400 meters, he became
the first Indian, post‑Independence, to win a
gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in
Cardiff in 1958 and won gold medals in
1958 and 1962 Asian Games.
His story from fields of Punjab to refugee
camps after Partition and sporting arenas
of the world is captured in Rakeysh
Omprakash Mehraʼs successful film ʻBhaag
Milkha Bhaagʼ (2013). In Mehraʼs words,
“The man who lost the most important race
of his life (at Rome Olympics) actually won
in the race of life”.
Excerpts from the interview with Milkha
Singh:
Milkha ji, Tell us about your childhood
days and your family?
Milkha Singh: I was born into a Sikh
Rathore family in 1935 in a remote village
in Muzaffargarh (now in Pakistan). My fore‑
fathers, who were originally from
Rajasthan, were ironsmiths. My father was a
farmer with a small land holding. Partition
separated me both from my family and
home.
I married Nirmal Kaur, former Indian vol‑
leyball captain and we have two daughters
and a son, Jeev Milkha Singh, champion
golfer.
How did you get started as a runner and
your biggest source of motivation in your
entire career?
MS: I was good at cross country running
and everyone in the army, where I worked,
was impressed with my abilities. This moti‑
vated me to take running seriously. I give
credit for my success to the army as they
helped me hone my skills.
I used to train for seven hours every day.
Sand training I did by running along the
banks of Yamuna rivee. I ran bare feet since
we did not have spikes in India during those
days. I would occasionally faint after train‑
ing and had to be put on oxygen in the hos‑
pital. But I never looked back once I started
SPORTS TheSouthAsianTimes.info
ʻWall of Fameʼ: Memorabilia of Milkha Singhʼs achievements in his Chandigarh home
running. Melbourne after many years. I spoke to food to eat. I must say Farhan Akhtar has
What is your recollection of your first her son who recognized me. He said she was done a brilliant job playing me in the film. I
race at the Melbourne Olympics in 1956? no more ‑‑ she had been suffering from have cried three times in my life: when my
MS: It was my very first time on such a big blood cancer. He told me that they had kept family got killed during the Partition, sec‑
stage, so my defeat was expected but I was the turban I gifted her as a souvenir. ond when I did not win the gold medal at
not willing to give up. I wanted to show the Milkhaji, your son Jeev is a professional the Rome Olympics and when I saw ʻBhaag
world that we Indians could do what ath‑ golf player, did you always want him to be Milkha Bhaagʼ.
letes from other sporting nations an athlete like you? What advice would you give to the
could do. I was determined to learn MS: Jeev is a born gifted sportsman youths, especially sportspersons?
training methods that the as he had athletics in his genes. He MS: Have a clear focus of what it is that
Melbourne champion Charles was a great runner at school level you want to achieve, and by this I mean a
Jenkins adopted. Initially, he but his mother and I decided not realistic focus, donʼt set yourself up for fail‑
tried to avoid me but eventual‑ to put him in sports. When he was ure. If you aim for something and do the
ly he wrote down his training a child, he used to watch me play work most things are achievable: you just
regimen and handed it to me. golf and developed an interest in have to get yourself into a place where you
What are your fondest it. I feel it was his destiny to play a can be confident in yourself. I have always
memories of Australia? professional sport and now he is a believed in myself and in hard work and
MS: I met Betty well‑known golfer all around hence I strongly believe hard work never
Cuthbert in the world. I consider fails. A runner must run with dreams in his
Australia while myself to be very fortu‑ heart, not for money in his pocket.
practising for nate as both my son and Share your fitness secret tips please.
the I have received the MS: Daily exercise and diet control are the
Melbourne Padma Shri and Arjuna two key factors behind a healthy life and if
Olympics. awards. you continue to do this, you wonʼt need to
The 18‑ How was your expe‑ visit a doctor in your lifetime. Everybody
year‑old rience watching the has to die one day, but the love of my well‑
athlete biopic ʻBhaag wishers increased my life and now I feel I
fell in Milkha Bhaagʼ? will live for another few years.
love with MS: A lot of peo‑ Lastly, Milkha ji, your message for your
my turban. ple had come to fans?
There were very few me with huge MS: Thanks for all the support you have
Sikhs in Australia offers (to given me throughout my career. I remem‑
then and she had make a ber those days when I used to practice at
never seen a turban film on nights when other people go to sleep. Not
before. She came to my everyone is born lucky with a golden spoon,
me and asked if I life). or wanting to be a champion. Wanting to
could tie a turban But I excel at anything, whether it is in the arts,
on her head. I took chose to in education, in business or in sports
her to my room, cooperate with requires the same basic ingredients: an apti‑
which was close to Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, and tude for the subject, a love for the subject, a
the 400 meter track sold my story for a token of just strong work ethic, and a willingness to sac‑
in the stadium and one rupee. I became very rifice in order to achieve excellence. You
Farhan Akhtar as Milkha Singh in emotional after watching the have to be disciplined if you want to be
tied a blue turban on
ʻBhaag Milkha Bhaagʼ
her head. That film as certain scenes remind‑ world class. Be yourself, be helpful to others
Olympics was very special for Betty as she ed me of my days of struggle. and remember – ʻYou are all Indiaʼs ambas‑
won three gold medals and my heart. I tried The film brought alive memories of the par‑ sadorsʼ. Jai Hind.
to get in touch with her when I went to tition when I did not have a job or enough Courtesy The Indian Down Under, Sydney
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Sri Lanka bombings carry a stark message for India
By Brahma Chellaney
T
he Sri Lanka bombings ̶
one of the worldʼs deadliest
acts of terrorism ̶ high‑
light the growing terrorist threat
to democratic, secular states.
Far from a concerted and sus‑
tained global war on terror, the
anti‑terrorism fight is being under‑
mined by geopolitics. The global
ideological movement fuelling ter‑
rorism is Wahhabi jihadism. Yet,
the US‑ordered total ban on
Iranian oil exports from May 3 will
reward this jihadismʼs financiers.
Despite specific and detailed
Indian intelligence warnings, Sri
Lanka failed to avert the bomb‑
ings, in large part because of a
divided and dysfunctional govern‑
ment. However, Sri Lanka was
quick to detain the bombersʼ fami‑
ly members for questioning once
the suicide killers were identified.
By contrast, the Pulwama
bomberʼs family members not only
remained free but also gave media
interviews rationalizing the sui‑
cide attack.
The series of extraordinary steps
Sri Lanka took after the bombings
̶ blocking social media, imposing
a daily dusk‑to‑dawn curfew, clos‑
ing schools until April 29 and pro‑
claiming an emergency law ̶ may
seem unthinkable in terrorism‑
scarred but rights‑oriented India.
But such measures were necessary
to maintain control and to deter
large‑scale reprisal attacks against
The mistakes which Rahul has made
By Amulya Ganguli
A
lthough the latest poll sur‑
veys suggest that the
Bharatiya Janata Party
(BJP) may not be able to get a
majority of its own in the ongoing
polls, the leaders of the mahagath‑
bandhan (grand alliance), which
has not been formed except in bits
and pieces, are bound to regret
their lost opportunity.
If they had only been able to
overcome their self‑centred politi‑
cal instincts and learnt to compro‑
mise, the BJP would have been in
greater trouble.
Now, the various regional
satraps and the standard‑bearer of
the country's oldest party will
have to brace themselves to spend
another five years in the political
wilderness as the BJP gains
ground by virtue of being the
largest party (though possibly still
short of a majority) and the leader
of the largest group.
There is little doubt that Rahul
Gandhi will have to share much of
the blame for this turn of events.
As the Congress president, it was
The Sri Lanka attacks hold major implications for Indian security because the main group behind the
bombings is an ideological offspring of the Tamil Nadu Thowheed Jamath (TNTJ).
Muslims.
Ironically, in the days leading up
to the Sri Lanka bombings, the
2008 Mumbai attacks were back
in the news in India because of
Bharatiya Janata Party candidate
Pragya Thakurʼs controversial
comment on Hemant Karkare, the
police officer gunned down in that
siege. The irony of ironies is that
those 26/11 attacks received
more Indian attention this month
than on their 10th anniversary
five months ago. This underscores
a troubling truth: Nothing draws
the attention of Indians more than
political controversy, however
petty.
How many Indians know the
Rahul Gandhi is yet to learn that politics is the art of the possible.
incumbent upon him to reach out
with greater zeal towards the
seemingly stiff‑necked state‑level
leaders who have retained their
ill‑will against the 134‑year‑old
one‑time behemoth.
Rahul Gandhi's first outreach
should have been towards
Mayawati, especially after the
signs of her bonhomie with Sonia
Gandhi at H.D. Kumaraswamy's
swearing‑in ceremony last sum‑
mer. Even after Mayawati walked
OP-ED
name of Tukaram Omble, the “hero
among heroes” of 26/11? An ex‑
army soldier, who became a police
assistant sub‑inspector, Omble ̶
by ensuring terrorist Ajmal
Kasabʼs capture alive ̶ provided
the clinching evidence of
Pakistanʼs involvement in 26/11.
Kasab was captured after the
ambush killing of six cops, includ‑
ing Karkare and additional com‑
missioner Ashok Kamte. Omble
grabbed the barrel of Kasabʼs AK‑
47 and took a volley of fired bul‑
lets, allow ing others to seize
Kasab.
All the 10 Pakistani terrorists
involved in 26/11 wore red string
wristbands for Hindus that
away from an alliance with the
Congress in Madhya Pradesh and
Chhattisgarh after Digvijay Singh's
customary faux pas about the BSP
czarina being under pressure from
the BJP, she had said that she had
complaints only against Digvijaya
Singh, who, she thought, was a
BJP agent, and that she had noth‑
ing against Sonia Gandhi and
Rahul Gandhi.
Yet, from that time onwards, her
attitude towards the Congress
Pakistani‑American David Headley
got for them from Mumbaiʼs
Siddhivinayak Temple. But for
Kasabʼs capture (and confession)
helping to indisputably establish
Pakistanʼs direct involvement,
Pakistanʼs wicked plan was to por‑
tray 26/11 as exemplifying the
rise of Hindu terrorism by capital‑
izing on the then Manmohan Singh
governmentʼs classification of the
2006‑07 blasts in Maleg aon,
Ajmer Sharif, Mecca Masjid and
Samjhauta Express as “Hindu ter‑
ror”.
Ombleʼs extraordinary bravery
thus should never be forgotten.
Nor the sacrifices of the other
26/11 martyrs awarded the Ashok
started hardening. This was the
period when Rahul Gandhi should
have taken the initiative to keep
the Congress's ties with her alive
by allaying her suspicions about
the (somewhat tattered) Grand Old
Party trying to wean away the
Dalits from her party.
But the Congress not only
allowed the relations with the BSP
to deteriorate but even made it
worse by reaching out to the rival
Dalit leader, Chandrashekhar Azad
"Ravan", who was visited in hospi‑
tal by Priyanka Gandhi.
Considering that Akhilesh Yadav
did not want the ties of the
Samajwadi Party (SP)‑BSP com‑
bine with the Congress to fray
beyond a point, Rahul Gandhi
might have enlisted his support to
mollify Mayawati.
Instead, it appeared that the
Congress's main adversary in UP
was the SP and the BSP and not
the BJP. The latter could not but
have been pleased by this develop‑
ment.
Even Priyanka Gandhi's
appointment as the Congress
General Secretary in eastern UP
May 4-10, 2019 19
Chakra ̶ Sandeep Unnikrishnan,
Gajender Singh, Vijay Salaskar,
Karkare and Kamte.
Make no mistake: The Sri Lanka
attacks hold major implications
for Indian security, in part because
the main group behind the bomb‑
ings, the Nat ional T howheed
Jamath (NTJ), is an ideological off‑
spring of the rapidly growing,
Saudi‑funded Tamil Nadu
Thowheed Jamath ( TNTJ). The
TNTJ, wedded to fanat ical
Wahhabism, rails against idolaters.
It helped establish the Sri Lanka
Thowheed Jamath, from which the
bomber outfit NTJ emerged as a
splinter.
Like the 2016 brutal Dhaka café
attack, the Sri Lanka slaughter was
carried out by educated Islamists
from well‑off families. And just as
Bangladesh blamed Pakistanʼs
Inter‑Services Intelligence (ISI) for
the attack, the NTJ has ties with
ISIʼs front organization, Lashkar‑e‑
Taiba, which, through its Sri Lanka
operations, has sought links with
the TNTJ in India.
NTJ leader Zaharan Hashim was
inspired by fugitive Indian preach‑
er Zakir Naikʼs sermons and
received funds from Indian
jihadists. It would be paradoxical if
India, which tipped of f Sri Lanka
about the bombing plot, became a
victim itself of Thowheed Jamat
terror. First of all, it must outlaw
the TNTJ.
(The article appeared in The
Hindustan Times)
gave the signal that the party was
fighting the opposition gathband‑
han in the state rather than the
BJP. Considering that Rahul
Gandhi was hailed as a possible
prime ministerial candidate by,
among others, H.D.
Kumaraswamy, the DMK's M.K.
Stalin and the Rashtriya Janata
Dal's Tejashvi Yadav, the Congress
president can be said to have had
a head start over other as yet
unannounced contenders like
Mamata Banerjee and Mayawati.
Not long afterwards, there was
talk about a Congress‑Aam Admi
Party (AAP) alliance being formed
to contest the parliamentary polls
in Delhi. Moreover, Rahul Gandhi
was said to be in favor of such a
pact.
But nothing came of it and,
once again, the BJP is likely to be
the gainer from a three‑cornered
fight, as in UP.
Rahul Gandhi has succeeded in
shedding his "Pappu" image of
being a part‑timer in politics who
cannot be taken seriously. But he
is yet to learn that politics is the
art of the possible.
 20 May 4-10, 2019 SUBCONTINENT TheSouthAsianTimes.info

16 killed in Sri Lanka gunbattle; 10 more held

IS claims responsibility for Lanka ambush

T
he Islamic State (IS) terror group has claimed responsibility for
an "ambush" carried out by three jihadis in Sri Lanka, saying
that it caused 17 deaths after authorities in the island nation
confirmed 16 dead in an operation in Kalmunai city. An Arabic lan‑
guage statement on the group's official al‑Amaq news agency said
that 17 police officers were killed in the ambush in Kalmunai, the
same place where the security operation took place, reports Efe news.
Sri Lankan security forces continued to carry out a series of raids and
confirmed the death of 16 people in the incident.

US issues new travel advisory for Sri Lanka

Police and army on strict vigil in Sri Lanka.
Colombo: Sixteen people were
killed in a gun battle between the
government forces and an armed
group in Kalmunai city of Sri
Lanka, authorities said. Around
70 suspected suicide bombers
were estimated to be at large, they
said.
A military of ficial told Xinhua
news agency terrorists opened
fire when the troops were
attempting to raid a house, used
by the armed group af filiated to
an Islamic terrorist organization.
Some suicide bombers later blew
themselves up inside the house.
Bo dies of three men, three
women and six children were
retrieved from the house, the
Daily Mirror reported. Three more
bo dies of suspected suicide
bombers were recovered from
outside the house.
Operations are on to find more
suspected terrorists hiding in
nearby areas and the entire area
remains cordoned off. The curfew,
imposed in Kalmunai, and its sur‑
rounding areas, continues.
Earlier, the security forces
claimed to have recovered flags
belonging to the Islamic State, lit‑
erature and some other objects
from a house in the Ampara dis‑
trict, which is said to be the ter‑
rorist organization's place for
oath‑taking. Ten people were
arrested from across the country
bringing the number detained
since the Easter Sunday bombings
to 80.
Sri Lanka's Prime Minister Ranil
Wickremesinghe has said authori‑
ties are now focused on rounding
up supporters and sympathizers
Washington/Colombo: In a new
travel advisory, the US State
Department has ordered the
departure of all school‑age fami‑
ly members of American govern‑
ment employees in
Kindergarten through 12th
grade. The advisory authorized
the voluntary departure of non‑
emergency US government
employees and family members.
"Terrorist groups continue plot‑
ting possible attacks in Sri
Lanka. Terrorists may attack
with little or no warning, target‑
of the terrorist cell that carried
out the string of bombings that
killed 253 people and injured
hundreds more, the Guardian
ing tourist locations, transporta‑
tion hubs, markets, shopping
malls, government facilities,
hotels, clubs, restaurants, places
of worship, parks, major sport‑
ing and cultural events, educa‑
tional institutions, airports, hos‑
pitals, and other public areas," it
said.
The advisory added that the
US government had limited abil‑
ity to provide emergency servic‑
es to American citizens in Sri
Lanka due to the security envi‑
ronment.
reported.
Of the 70 estimated to be at
large, "some are capable of
exploding themselves," he said.

Afghans killed more by pro‑govt India skips BRI forum, Pakistan

forces than Taliban says CPEC to go ahead
Beijing: India skipped Beijing's Belt and
Kabul: Pro‑government Road forum for a second time in protest
forces in Afghanistan against the China‑Pakistan Economic
have killed more civil‑ Corridor (CPEC) even as Pakistan Prime
ians in the first three Minister Imran Khan said that the contro‑
months of 2019 than versial project has entered a new phase and
the Taliban and other would go further ahead.
insurgent groups, the India sternly opposes the CPEC, a key
UN said in a report. artery of the Belt and Road project that cuts
It was the first time through Pakistan‑controlled Kashmir, New
since the UN beg an Delhi's raison d'etre for staying away from
tracking civilian casual‑ the trillion‑dollar connectivity scheme.
ties in Afghanistan over Like the launch of the Belt and Road
a decade ago that the forum in 2017, India gave the second edi‑
pro‑government forces tion of the summit a miss over the CPEC.
have caused a majority India not approving the corridor has
of deaths, reports the become a sticky point in its relations with Chinese President Xi Jinping
Guardian. delivers a keynote address at the
Afghan army soldiers take part in a China.
Overall 581 civilians Belt and Road forum.
military operation in Kunar. China maintains that the project is purely
were killed and 1,192 economic in nature and won't impact "Together Pakistan and China are enter‑
injured in Afghanistan between January figures. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani's Beijing's neutral stance on the Kashmir ing the next phase of CPEC, with greater
and March, down nearly a quarter from a government blamed insurgents for caus‑ issue. emphasis on socioeconomic uplift," he said,
year earlier, and at the lowest level since ing the deaths by using human shields. The heads of 37 countries and of ficial adding that the next phase would be "sup‑
2013. "The real reason behind the number of representatives from nations and interna‑ plemented" by the signing of an expanded
That fall was largely driven by a reduc‑ civilian casualties is armed militants who tional organizations gathered at the three‑ free trade pact between the countries.
tion in suicide attacks, the UN said. use civilians as their shield and use their day event on the trillion‑dollar connectivity The US and other nations have also raised
Pro‑government forces caused 305 homes as their battleground," the presi‑ project that President Xi Jinping sought to questions about China pushing countries
civilian deaths, and opposition fighters dential information coordination centre defend against mounting criticism that it like Sri Lanka and the Maldives into "debt
227 deaths. Another 49 deaths were said on Twitter. was pushing poor countries into "debt traps" by giving them loans at usurious
caused by crossfire or could not be attrib‑ The UN recorded 18 instances in which trap". interest rates.
uted. schools were targeted, the majority by Pakistan, China's close ally, is said to be At the event, Xi tried to dispel those fears.
T he US' Afghanistan peace envoy, Taliban or other insurgents. Among the one of the countries saddled with Chinese "In pursuing the Belt and Road coopera‑
Zalmay Khalilzad, tweeted that he was most serious were attacks on g irls' debt. tion, everything should be done in a trans‑
"distressed by reports of civilian casual‑ schools in Farah province, setting build‑ In his keynote address at the opening cer‑ parent way and we should have zero toler‑
ties" but did not directly address the UN ings and equipment on fire. emony, Khan lauded the CPEC. ance for corruption.”
TheSouthAsianTimes.info INTERNATIONAL May 4-10, 2019 21

Over 270 die in Indonesia counting Spain's PSOE to form

ballot papers by hand during polls
'pro-European' govt
Madrid: The Spanish Socialist Party
(PSOE) leader and Prime Minister Pedro
Sanchez said he would form a "pro‑
European" government in the wake of
his ruling party's victory in April 28 gen‑
eral election. Data published by the
Spanish Interior Ministry showed that
with over 99 per cent of the votes count‑
ed, the PSOE won 28.70 per cent of the
votes to win 123 seats in the 350‑seat
Congress of Deputies, reports Xinhua
news agency.
This means the PSOE had 37 more
seats than in the June 2016 election
when the Socialists won 22.63 per cent
of the vote and 85 seats.
The Socialists won 57 more seats than
the right‑wing People's Party (PP), who
ranked second in the election, but saw
their vote share plunge from 33.01 per
cent in June 2016 to 16.69 per cent on
as support for right wing parties was
split into three.
The PP lost votes to Albert Rivera's
centre‑right party Ciudadanos, which
gained 15.85 per cent of the votes and
won 57 seats, while the extreme right
wing Vox claimed 10.26 per cent of the
votes to enter Congress for the first time
with 24 seats. Sanchez said that the vic‑
tory of the left against the right‑wing
block showed that Spaniards "don't want
to go backwards, but want a country that
looks to the future".

Vote counting underway in Indonesia.

T
en days after Indonesia held the
worldʼs biggest single‑day elections,
more than 270 election staff have
died, mostly of fatigue‑related illneses
caused by long hours of work counting
millions of ballot papers by hand, an offi‑
cial said. The April 17 elections were the
first time the country of 260 million peo‑
ple combined the presidential vote with
national and regional parliamentary ones,
with an aim to cut costs.
But conducting the eight‑hour vote in a
country that stretches more than 3,000
miles from its western to eastern tips
proven to be both a Herculean logistical
feat and deadly for of ficials, who had to
count ballot papers by hand.
As of April 27, 272 election officials had
died, mostly from overwork‑related ill‑
nesses, while 1,878 others had fallen ill,
said Arief Priyo Susanto, spokesman of the
General Elections Commission (KPU).
The Health Ministry issued a circular let‑
ter on April 23 urging health facilities to
give utmost care for sick election staf f,
while the Finance Ministry is working on
compensation for families of the deceased,
Susanto added. The KPU has come under
fire due to the rising death toll. It will con‑
clude vote counting and announce win‑
ners of the presidential and parliamentary
Pedro Sanchez, Spanish Socialist Party leader and PM, greets supporters in Madrid.
elections on May 22.

Kim, Putin pledge better Saudi Arabia executed convicts

ties at 1st summit after forced confessions
Washington: Long before protests in the largely
Vladivostok: North Saudi Arabia announced Shia city of Awamiya in
Korean leader Kim Jong‑ it had carried out one of 2011 and 2012. Most of
un and Russian President the largest mass execu‑ them were from Saudi
Vladimir Put in came tions in its history earlier Arabia's minority Shia
together for the very first this week, some of the community.
time and held a summit men condemned to When the UN raised
where the two nations death said they were concerns in 2017 that
pledged for better ties innocent and their con‑ torture had been used to
Saudi Arabia has one of the highest death
and expressed hope that fessions had been written obtain the confessions in
penalty rates in the world.
the historic meeting will by the same people who that case, the Saudi gov‑
revive the denucleariza‑ had tortured them, a media report said. While ernment responded with a letter denying the
t ion of the Korean making impassioned pleas to the courts in a bid claims and stating that the men had stood by
Russian President Vladimir Putin (2nd R)
Peninsula. to save their lives, the men claimed to have evi‑ their admissions of guilt in court.
and North Korean leader Kim Jong‑un.
The summit at the Far dence of their abuse at the hands of their inter‑ But the documents obtained by CNN show
Eastern Federal University is the first your ef forts on developing inter‑ rogators, the CNN report said. that some of the men in the Awamiya case
high‑level meeting between the two Korean dialogue and your ef forts on However, none of these arguments swayed repeatedly told the court that the admissions
countries since 2011, when Kim's late normalising the US‑North Korean rela‑ the judges overseeing their trials in 2016, and were false and had been obtained through tor‑
father, Kim Jong‑il, met then Russian tions... In terms of bilateral agenda, we the suspects were convicted of terror‑related ture.
President Dmitry Medvedev in eastern need to achieve a lot to develop trade crimes and sentenced to death. Riyadh had "Those aren't my words... I didn't write a let‑
Siberia, reports CNN. and economic ties and humanitarian announced that 37 men were executed, includ‑ ter. This is defamation written by the interroga‑
Speaking before the North Korean ties." ing three who were minors when the Kingdom tor with his own hand," said Munir al‑Adam,
and Russian delegations, Putin said In response, Kim Jong‑un described said they carried out their crimes. One of the one of the men executed, according to the docu‑
that he believed Kim's visit would help his visit to Russia as "a great joy". men was crucified after his execution, strung ments.
"our bilateral relations and will help The summit is to be followed by up and put on display as a warning to others. Saudi Arabia is yet to comment on this devel‑
us to understand the ways we can closed‑door delegation level talks CNN has obtained hundreds of pages of docu‑ opment.
help to settle the situation on the which are expected to focus on finding ments from three 2016 trials involving 25 of Saudi Arabia has one of the highest death
Korean Peninsula, what can be done a peaceful resolution to the issue of the men whose executions were announced this penalty rates in the world.
together, what Russia can do to sup‑ Pyongyang's denuclearization and week. Eleven were found guilty of spying on It previously carried out a mass execution of
port the positive processes that are ef forts at reducing cross‑border ten‑ behalf of Iran and another 14 were convicted of 47 people in January 2016, including Nimr al‑
taking their place now. "We welcome sions on the Korean peninsula. forming a "terror cell" during anti‑government Nimr, a Shia cleric.
 22 May 4-10, 2019
Trump tells OPEC to boost
production, Brent down 3%
New Delhi: Global oil benchmark
Brent fell nearly 3 per cent to $71
a barrel on Saturday after US
President Donald Trump asked oil
cartel OPEC to boost production
and cool off the surging oil prices.
Brent crossed the $75 a barrel
mark earlier in the week, the
highest this so far this year, after
the US decided to end Iran sanc‑
t ion waivers that allowed oil
importing countries, including
India and China, to keep buying
Iranian crude.
"Spoke to Saudi Arabia and oth‑
ers about increasing oil flow. All
are in agreement," Trump said in
a tweet on Friday.
The prices have also been eas‑
ing since Thursday as surging
inventories of crude oil in the US
outweighed the ef fect of sanc‑
tions on Iran that could reduce
global supplies.
Brent crude, the g lobal oil
benchmark, was trading 2.96 per
cent lower at $72.15 a barrel at
the time of writing the story.
The US statement last week that
Jet staff promise to secure Rs 3,000 crore
The employee representatives have said they will secure an investment of up to Rs 3,000 crore from "outside investors".
New Delhi: Sensing that the options
to revive the grounded Jet Airways
are fast running out, a group of air‑
line employees has written to SBI
seeking permission to allow a con‑
sortium of employees and external
investors to bid for the company's
management control.
The employee representatives
have said they w ill secure an
investment of up to Rs 3,000 crore
from "outside investors".
The US statement that it would
end Iran sanction waivers given
to eight oil importing countries
put the oil on the boil.
it would end Iran sanct ion
waivers given to eight oil import‑
ing countries in last November
this week, put the oil on the boil
with crude prices jumping after a
period of relative stability. For
The associations that have sent
the proposal are the Society for
Welfare of Indian Pilots (SWIP) and
the Jet Aircraft Maintenance
Engineers Welfare Association
(JAMEWA).
The associations have promised
that employees would contribute
towards revival of the airline from
their future earnings and increased
productivity.
"As per our initial estimate, the
BUSINESS
India, the news meant that almost
10 per cent of imports would
need to be replaced by May 2 or
the domestic market would face
shortages.
India imported 22.7 million
tonnes of crude from Iran in
FY19. The crude from the Gulf
nations came on easier terms with
importing companies getting 60
day credit w ith discounts on
insurance and freight.
Higher crude prices would have
adversely affected India's current
account deficit and put strain on
the rupee. Trump's statement is
thus being seen as a short‑term
relief for the oil market. More
such statements in the run‑up to
end of the Iran sanction waiver
would help in keeping oil prices
stable.
Analysts suggest that the US
President's statement has also
come at the right time as OPEC
was exploring option to further
extend its production cuts, a move
that would have further fueled oil
prices.
contribution of employee group
over a hypothet ical 5‑year
Employee Sto ck Ownership
Programme (ESOP) is likely to be
upward of Rs 4,000 crore," a joint
letter to the SBI Chairman stated.
They said that the decision had
been taken through extensive dis‑
cussion with various employee
groups across the company and
also with colleagues who have in
the past successfully held senior
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
200 US firms seek to
move manufacturing
from China to India
Washington: About 200
American companies are seek‑
ing to move their manufactur‑
ing base from China to India
post the general elections, a top
US‑based advocacy group has
said, observing that there is a
fantastic opportunity with firms
looking at alternatives to the
Communist giant. The US‑India
Strategic and Partnership
Forum's (USISPF) President
Mukesh Aghi said that the com‑
panies are talking to them
about how to set up an alterna‑
tive to China by investing in
India.
Aghi said that USISPFʼs rec‑
ommendation to the new gov‑
ernment would be to accelerate
the reforms and bring trans‑
parency in the decision‑making
process. “I think that's critical.
We would advise to bring more
transparency in the process and
to make it more consultative
Chaos as glitch delays
149 Air India flights
New Delhi/Mumbai: Thousands
of passengers were inconve‑
nienced as national carrier Air
India faced a massive glitch in
passenger services system forc‑
ing network‑wide delays and
rescheduling of flights.
The trouble began after Air
India's passenger services sys‑
tem server operated by global
airline IT major SITA, was
af fected with a glitch while
undergoing scheduled mainte‑
nance early Saturday.
As many as 149 flights of the
management positions.
The associations have also urged
the lenders to ensure the process
of de‑registration of aircraft and
re‑allocation of airport slots be
immediately reversed.
Lenders of Jet Airways led by SBI
because in the last 12 to 18
months, we are seeing US com‑
panies look at some of the deci‑
sions being made, either e‑com‑
merce or data localisation, as
more domestic‑oriented than
global," he told PTI in an inter‑
view.
In his reply to what the agen‑
da of the new Indian govern‑
ment should be to attract
investment, Aghi suggested that
New Delhi needs to accelerate
reforms, be more transparent in
the process and engage more.
“We need to understand how
we can attract those companies.
And that means all the way
from land issues to customs
issues to being part of the glob‑
al supply chain. Those are criti‑
cal issues. Thereʼs a whole
plethora of reforms that need to
go further down, and I think
that is also going to create a lot
of jobs," he said.
airline group operated by Air
India, Air India Express and
Alliance Air were delayed.
However, the airline said that
services will run smoothly from
tomorrow and that no flight
cancellations took place.
Earlier in the day, the system
glitch hindered essential servic‑
es like check‑in, baggage han‑
dling and boarding.
T he airline operates 470
flights per day while the Air
India Group provides 674 flight
services.
are currently in the process of sell‑
ing the airline to recover their dues
of over Rs 8,400 crore. SBI Caps,
the merchant banking arm of SBI,
is short‑listing the investors for
submitting the financial proposal
by April‑end.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Five-way race for last two IPL playoff spots
New Delhi: With nine games left
in the group stages of the 12th
edition of Indian Premier League
(IPL), one would think that the
points table would wear a settled
look with the playof f positions
sealed or on the verge of being
sealed.
But a look at this year's points
table reveals that this has been
one of the closest fought editions
since the inception of the tourna‑
ment in 2008.
Five teams ‑‑ Mumbai Indians
(MI), Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH),
Kolkata Knig ht Riders (KKR),
Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) and
Rajasthan Royals (RR) ‑‑ are fight‑
ing it out for the last two slots in
the playof fs with Delhi Capitals
(DC) and Chennai Super Kings
(CSK) already through with 16
points each from their respective
12 games.
Out of the five teams, MI stand
slightly ahead with 14 points
from 12 games. The other four
KKR stay alive as Hardik
blitzkrieg goes in vain
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) players after winning the
match against Mumbai Indians.
Kolkata: Kolkata Knight Riders
(KKR) kept their playof f hopes
alive with a 34‑run win over old
nemesis Mumbai Indians (MI)
despite Hardik Pandya's fireworks
in an Indian Premier League (IPL)
clash at the Eden Gardens here on
Sunday.
Put into bat, KKR rode on Andre
Russell's 40‑ball 80 not out and
half‑centuries by Shubman Gill (76;
45 balls, 4x6, 6x4) and Chris Lynn
(54; 29 balls, 4x8, 6x2) to post
232/2, this season's highest total.
In reply, Hardik Pandya was the
sole shining light for MI with a
swashbuckling 91 of f 34 balls
(4x6, 6x9), his highest score in this
format, as Mumbai managed
198/7 in 20 overs.
The visitors, who had not lost to
KKR in their last eight meetings,
were reduced to 58/4 inside nine
overs with Quinton de Kock (0),
Rohit Sharma (12), Evin Lewis and
Surya Kumar Yadav (26) back in
Five teams ‑‑ Mumbai Indians (MI), Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH),
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) and
Rajasthan Royals (RR) ‑‑ are fighting it out for the last two slots.
teams all have 10 points apiece.
But Kolkata and Rajasthan are on
the backfoot as they have played
12 games as compared to SRH
and KXIP's 11. So, while KKR and
RR must win all their remaining
matches to stay in the hunt for a
playoff spot, SRH and KXIP have
the hut. Pandya then put on a
show to bring up his fastest fifty
off just 17 deliveries. The 25‑year
old World Cup bound all‑rounder
stitched a 63‑run stand of f 30
balls with Keiron Pollard (20) for
the fifth wicket and then added
another 64 runs in quick time with
brother Krunal (24) before holing
out to Russell at wide long‑on off
Harry Gurney.
For the home team, Russell was
the pick of the bowlers returning
figures of 2/25. Sunil Narine
(2/44) and Harry Gurney (2/37)
also picked up two wickets apiece.
This was KKR's first win over
Mumbai since April 8, 2015, a
result which kept Rohit and Co.
waiting for a place in the playoffs
with two games remaining.
KKR were in business from the
word go with Gill taking Barinder
Sran for 14 runs in the first over of
the innings, carting him for two
fours and a six.
SPORTS
more room to play with.
The only team which is all but
out of the tournament is Royal
Challengers Bangalore (RCB).
Even though they still have a
mathemat ical chance w ith 8
points from 12 games, skipper
Virat Kohli made it clear that for
Sachin explains MI mentor
role to BCCI Ombudsman
New Delhi: Sachin Tendulkar has
replied to BCCI Ombudsman D.K.
Jain in the matter of an alleged con‑
flict against him as member of the
board's Cricket Advisory Committee
(CAC) as well as mentor of Mumbai
Indians (MI).
Making it clear that he is not in
conflict, Tendulkar has denied all
charges levied against him and even
agreed to meet Jain with his lawyer
for further clarification if needed.
In the letter to the Ombudsman,
Tendulkar's lawyer wrote: "At the
outset, the Noticee ( Tendulkar)
denies the contents of the complaint
in totality (except the statements
Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia
recommended for Khel Ratna
New Delhi: The Wrestling Federation
of India (WFI) has recommended the
names of Bajrang Punia and Vinesh
Phogat for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel
Ratna Award.
Current number one wrestler
Punia recently stamped his authority
on Asia after he won the Asian
Wrestling Championships in Xi'an,
China. Punia had last year won the
gold medal in the 65‑kg freestyle
wrestling event at the Asian Games
he ld in Jakarta. He defeated
Japanese wrestler Takatani Daichi
11‑8.
Before that, he had also won the
gold medal in the same category at
the Gold Coast Commonwealth
Games. He overcame Kane Charig of
them the last two g ames are
about going out and expressing
themselves.
"The important thing now, with
two games left, is to go out there
and have fun. Not take too much
pressure. Obviously we want to
perform the best we can, the fun
factor should not go away.
"We put ourselves under too
much pressure in the first six
games and then it is always hard
work in the latter half. We have to
go out there and play positive
cricket. Once the last two games
are done, we will sit down and see
where the tournament goes,"
Kohli explained after Sunday's
loss to DC.
But the likes of Rohit Sharma
(MI), Dinesh Karthik (KKR),
Ravichandran Ashwin (KXIP),
Bhuvneshwar Kumar (SRH) and
Steve Smith (RR) have everything
to play for in the remaining
g ames. Interest ing ly, Steve
Smith's Royals will take on Kohli's
Sachin Tendulkar
specifically admitted herein). No
part of the complaint should be
deemed to be admitted by the
Noticee for lack of specific denials.
"The Noticee has received no pecu‑
niary benefit/compensation from
Indian wrestler Bajrang Punia.
Wales by Technical Superiority to
clinch the gold.
On the other hand, Vinesh became
May 4-10, 2019 23
RCB on Tuesday and the boys
from Rajasthan must win to stay
in contention.
For MI, the best part is that both
their last two games are at the
Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai
and skipper Rohit will look to
drive home the advantage against
both SRH and KKR. KXIP, which
take on SRH in Hyderabad on
Monday, also play their last two
games at home against KKR and
CSK. Hyderabad, meanwhile, have
two games away after playing
their last home game on Monday.
They will battle it out against a
confident MI in their own back‑
yard before playing an out of con‑
tent ion RCB at the M.
Chinnaswamy Stadium in
Bengaluru on May 4.
All in all, it will be a battle of
nerves as five teams look to give it
their best to squeeze into the
remaining two slots in the race for
a top‑four finish and a chance to
lift the coveted trophy.
the Mumbai Indians IPL Franchise in
his capacity as the Mumbai Indians
'ICON' since his retirement, and is
certainly not employed with the
Franchise in any capacity. "He does
not occupy any position, nor has he
taken any decision (including selec‑
tion of team players) which could
qualify as being in governance or
management of the Franchise.
Accordingly, there is no conflict of
interest, either under the BCCI Rules
or otherwise." Tendulkar's lawyer
also clarified in the submission that
the he was a part of MI from even
before he was made a member of
the CAC.
the first Indian woman wrestler to
win gold in both Commonwealth and
Asian games.
 24 May 4-10, 2019 BOOKS TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Amish, a new wave fiction writer

By Surekha Vijh
An extract from ‘Sita: Warrior of Mithila’
A
mish Tripathi, known by his first name

Amish, is the fastest selling author in
India and overseas. Called as the new
wave writer he has become the new sensation
among the Indian youth with an astounding
success starting in 2010 with The Immortals
of Meluha followed by two books, The Secret
of the Nagas, The Oath of the Vayuputras,
together called the Shiv trilogy. Then came
two books in the Ramchandra series: Scion of
Ikshvaku and Sita: Warrior of Mithila.
Amish has visited the US a few times, earlier
to publicize his Shiva trilogy, and recently to
promote Scion of Ikshvaku. This correspon‑
dent talked to him about the success of his
book as well as the process of writing.
The ʻShiva Trilogyʼ collectively sold over 2.5
million copies, thus becoming the fastest sell‑
ing book series in Indian publishing history. It
is phenomenal since in the Indian market
large sales volumes of books are rare.
Amish gives the credit of the success of his
novels to his marketing skills and strategies.
"Itʼs a myth to think that a good book sells
itself,” he says. Amish tried different ways to
promote his first self‑published book, The
Immortals of Me luha. Weeks before it
reached the bookshops, he printed copies of
the first chapter and requested bookstores
and chains to give them away free to anyone
who approached the cash counter, thus gen‑
erating a buzz. He gave talks in big retail
chains, even visited smaller retailers, met
local distributors and regularly sent email
updates to various stakeholders. He targeted
social media websites for promoting his
debut novel, and made a trailer film with a
background score by Taufiq Qureshi and
uploaded it on YouTube.
During his visits to the US, he spoke at a
few local universities and was also a guest
speaker at the Embassy of India in
Washington DC. Amish has a charming per‑
sonality and boyish looks. He says he is hum‑
Amish Tripathi has been called Indiaʼs
JRR Tolkien as well as the countryʼs
first literary popstar.
bled by the success of his books that also
makes him more committed to the process of
writing.
Talking about the writing process, Amish
says, he likes to believe that there is a higher
source. He says he just follows his heart; once
he sits at his desk, he lets his imagination roll.
“After that I have no influence on my writ‑
ing, it just follows its own path,” he says.
He loves cream biscuits while writing. It
does not matter if he gets food or not as long
as he has a supply of cream biscuits, he adds
sheepishly. Amish Tripathi was born in
Mumbai in 1974 and is an alumnus of the
Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta. He
then worked in the financial services industry
before beginning his writing career. He grew
up as an atheist. But T he Immortals of
Meluha turned him into a believer and a
Shiva devotee. Among the many awards for
his books, his Scion of Ikshvaku won Amish
the Crossword Book Award for Popular
Fiction in 2016.
S
ita held on to her mother, refusing
to let go. She wept with wordless
anguish. A smiling
Janak came up to her and
patted her head. The royal
family had gathered in the
kingʼs private office. A few
weeks had passed since the
incident with Kushadhwaj.
Sita, her parents had decided,
was old enough to leave for
gurukul; literally, the Guruʼs
family, but in effect a resi‑
dential school.
Janak and Sunaina had cho‑
sen Rishi Shvetaketuʼs
gurukul for their daughter. Shvetaketu
was the uncle of Janakʼs chief guru,
Ashtaavakra. His gurukul offered lessons
in the core subjects of Philosophy,
Mathematics, Science, and Sanskrit. Sita
The Shiva Trilogy: Mythology Meets Fantasy
A
mish Trivediʼs Shiva‑trilogy is a
fantasy re‑imagining
of the Indian deity
Lord Shiva's life and his
adventures. The Immortals
of Meluha is set in 1900
B.C.E. Shiva accepts an invi‑
tation to relocate his people
from Tibet to the Indian
empire of Meluha. The
tribespeople drink a magi‑
cal medicine that cures ail‑
ments in most, but it turns
Shivaʼs throat blue, marking
him as the prophesied
Neelkanth that will destroy
the Meluhansʼ evil enemies.
The The Secret of the Nagas, Shiva was
would also receive education in other spe‑
cialised subjects like Geography, History,
Economics, and Royal
Administration, among others.
One subject that Sunaina
had insisted Sita be taught,
overriding Janakʼs objections,
was warfare and martial arts.
Janak believed in non‑vio‑
lence. Sunaina believed in
being practical.
Sita knew that she had to go.
But she was a child. And the
child was terrified of leaving
home.
ʻYou will come home regu‑
larly, my dear,ʼ said Janak. ʻAnd we will
come and see you too. The ashram is on
the banks of the Ganga River. Itʼs not too
far.ʼ
Sita tightened her grip on her mother.
just a human now becomes a God.
The Oath of the
Vayuputras has Shiva, a
mortal Tibetan tribal chief,
become the savior of the
people of Meluha, and joins
hands with the Nagas. In
this part, Shiva realizes that
Nagas are not his enemies
and determines to unveil
the root of all evil and his
true enemy. Shiva comes to
Panchvati, the capital of the
Nagas, and comes face to
face with evil. Shiva, now
the Neelkanth, prepares for
a holy war against his true
enemy.

Kapil Dev’s ‘We The Sikhs’ features 100 gurdwaras

S
tar cricketer Kapil Dev,
who has published "We
The Sikhs" with Dubai‑
based entrepreneur Ajay Sethi,
says what motivated him to pub‑
lish the coffee table book is “that
the Sikh community has done a
great job across the world. They
are a great example for the world
to follow." "We The Sikhs" cele‑
brates Sikhism and features pho‑
tographs and original paintings of
100 gurdwaras across the globe.
"One can learn how to live, be
helpful and be a good human
being from them. Sikhism is the
best path of life," added Kapil, who
has been touring the US and
Canada to promote his book.
After launching the book on the
West Coast of USA, Kapil Dev was
overwhelmed by the response: “It
was wonderful. These people who
left home 30‑40 years ago, I think
are in touch with Wahe Guru
more than we can expect from the
world. We have wonderful people
here, they have so much emotion,
so much passion, itʼs difficult to
explain in words.”
It all began when Kapil visited a
gurdwara in Pakistan and was so
moved by the experience that he
decided to bring gurdwaras from
all corners of the world together
in one precious publication. The
book is divided into three sections
‑ The Gurus, The History and
Artifacts and Gurdwaras. Apart
from the book, Kapil is also train‑
ing actor Ranveer Singh for the
upcoming sports film "83".
Directed by Kabir Khan, the film is
inspired by team India's first icon‑
ic World Cup win in 1983.

Kapil Dev at a California event for the release of his coffee table book.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info LIFESTYLE May 4-10, 2019 25

Education, job, marriage, then kids –

Desi formula for success validated
S
outh Asians have been tra‑
ditionally following this
success sequence in any
case. Now this sequence has been
endorsed by the American
Enterprise Institute and Institute
for Family Studies in a study by W.
Bradford Wilcox and team. Their
research shows that those who get
at least a high school degree, find
a job, get married, and then have
children, in that order, are less
likely to be poor.
The study shows that 97% of
millennials, ages 28 to 34 years,
who followed the success
sequence are realizing their finan‑
cial aspirations. A good 53% of
millennials who did not follow this
sequence at all (found a job before
graduating high school and had
kids be fore marriage) are in
poverty.
South Asian parents actually go
further: no stopping at hig h
school; itʼs at least a college
degree, a good job, marriage, and
kids in that order. Live‑in relation‑
ships are still a no‑no, as is single
motherhoo d. So desi cultural
mores are being validated. But
Stronger families are also linked to prosperity
in states in US and less crime.
some second generation Indian
American may be among the 55%
of millennials who are having kids
be fore marriage. It is worth
reminding everyone that the eco‑
nomic, physical and emotional
costs of rearing a child are taxing,
and without an adequate educa‑
tion, with career options limited,
that tax is going to seem like an
unsurmountable burden.
The cost of raising a child from
birth to eighteen, according to a
2015 US Department of
Agriculture study, is $233,610 in
America. And thatʼs if youʼre
choosing public schools and col‑
leges for your child. So, it makes
sense to be readily employable
with at least an undergraduate
degree.
Wang and his team also con‑
cluded that those millennials who
finish at least a high school degree
and then find a job, but opt out of
marriage or choose marriage but
no kids are also not doing very
shabbily, with 92% of this group
being financially stable.
T here is also a connect ion
between stronger families and
macro economics. Higher levels of
marriage, and especially higher
levels of married‑parent families,
are strongly associated with more
economic growth, more economic
mobility, less child poverty, and
higher median family income at
the state level in the United States.
T he state‑level link between
marriage and economic growth is
stronger for younger adults (ages
25–35) than for older adults
(36–59). This suggests that mar‑
riage plays a particularly impor‑
tant role in fostering a positive
labor market orientation among
young men.
Violent crime is much less com‑
mon in states with larger shares of
families headed by married par‑
ents, even after controlling for a
range of socio‑demographic fac‑
tors at the state leve l. For
instance, the violent crime rate
(violent crimes per 100,000 peo‑
ple) sits at 343 on average for
states in the top quintile of mar‑
ried parenthood, whereas those in
the bottom quintile average a rate
of 563. T his is noteworthy
because high crime rates lower
the quality of life and real living
standards and are associated with
lower levels of economic growth
and mobility.

No screen time for babies A happy wife secret to

under 1 year: WHO
T I
he World Health Organization
has issued its first‑ever guidance
for how much screen time chil‑
dren under 5 should get: not very much,
and none at all for those under 1. The
UN health agency said last week that
kids under 5 should not spend more
than one hour watching screens every
day ̶ and that less is better, reported AP.
The guidelines are somewhat similar to
advice from the American Academy of
Pediatrics. Which recommends children
younger than 18 months should avoid
screens other than video chats. It says parents
of young children under two should choose
"high‑quality programming" with educational
value and that can be watched with a parent
to help kids understand what they're seeing.
Some groups said WHO's screen time guide‑
lines failed to consider the potential benefits
of digital media.
WHO's screen time advice "overly focuses
on quantity of screen time and fails to consid‑
er the content and context of use," said
Andrew Przybylski, director of research at the
Oxford Internet Institute at the University of
Oxford. "Not all screen time is created equal."
Britain's Royal College of Pediatrics and
Child Health said the data available were too
weak to allow its experts to set any thresholds
for the appropriate level of screen time.
"Our research has shown that currently
there is not strong enough evidence to sup‑
port the setting of screen time limits," said Dr.
Who said babies less than 1 year should
spend at least half an hour every day on
their stomachs and that older kids
should get at least three hours of
physical activity every day.
Max Davie, the college's Officer for Health
Improvement. "The restricted screen time lim‑
its suggested by WHO do not seem propor‑
tionate to the potential harm," he said. WHO
did not specifically detail the potential harm
caused by too much screen time, but said the
guidelines ̶ which also included recommen‑
dations for physical activity and sleep ̶ were
needed to address the increasing amount of
sedentary behavior in the general population.
It noted that physical inactivity is a leading
risk factor for death and a contributor to the
rise in obesity. The agency said infants less
than 1 year should spend at least half an hour
every day on their stomachs and that older
kids should get at least three hours of physi‑
cal activity every day.
longer, healthier life
s your wife a cheer‑
ful person? If yes,
then you are more
likely to lead a healthi‑
er and longer life as
compared to those who
have less happy part‑
ners, reveals a new
study.
The study, published in
the journal Psychological
Science, suggests that
having a happy spouse
not only leads to a longer
marriage but also a longer
and healthier life.
"The data shows that
spousal life satisfaction
was associated with mortal‑
ity, regardless of individu‑ environment' by including the per‑
als' socioeconomic and demographic char‑ sonality and well‑being of individuals' close
acteristics, or their physical health status," ones," said Stavrova.
said study author Olga Stavrova, a "People who have a happy, active spouse,
researcher at Tilburg University in the for example, are likely to have an active
Netherlands. For the study, the researchers lifestyle themselves," noted Stavrova.
studied about 4,400 US couples, aged over The researchers pointed out that a part‑
50. They observed that spouses' life satis‑ ner's life satisfaction may have important
faction was an even better predictor of par‑ consequences for health and longevity.
ticipants' mortality than participants' own "If your partner is depressed and wants to
life satisfaction. spend the evening eating chips in front of
"The findings underscore the role of indi‑ the TV ‑‑ that's how your evening will prob‑
viduals' immediate social environment in ably end up looking, as well."
their health outcomes. Most importantly, it The study's findings showed that greater
has the potential to extend our understand‑ partner life satisfaction was linked to par‑
ing of what makes up individuals' 'social ticipants' lower mortality risk.
 26 May 4-10, 2019 HEALTH TheSouthAsianTimes.info

US measles outbreak triggers Mediterranean diet prevents

quarantine at varsities overeating: Study
Los Angeles: Nearly 300 students and employ‑ New York: Can't stop overeating? Adopt
ees at two Los Angeles universities have been
quarantined after possible exposure to measles,
Trump urges a Mediterranean diet as it not only
deters overeating but also protects

vaccination
the schools said. against obesity and liver diseases, sug‑
The quarantine was done at the University of gests a new study.
In the study, published in the journal

U
California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and California
State University, Los Angeles (Cal State LA), the S President Donald Trump has Obesity, the researchers from Wake
NBC News reported. urged parents to get their children Forest School of Medicine, US compared
The University of California said 76 students vaccination, as the country battles the effects of a Mediterranean diet with
and six faculty members remained in quarantine
the highest number of measles cases since those of a Western diet in non‑human
on T hursday after a student with measles
it declared in 2000 that the virus was primates. "By comparison, the animals
attended class three days this month.
eliminated. "They have to get the shots. on a Western diet ate far more than promoted by companies who want us to
Measles as a disease was declared eliminated
The vaccinations are so important. This is they needed and gained weight," said eat their food, so they make it hyper‑
nearly two decades ago but it has seen a resur‑
really going around now. They have to get Carol A. Shively, Professor of pathology palatable, meaning it hits all our but‑
gence in the US, UK, France, and Nigeria among
their shots," Trump told CNN on Friday. at the varsity. tons so we overconsume,"
many others. The measure comes as the US bat‑
Measles cases in the US have surpassed The researchers found that the ani‑ "Eating a Mediterranean diet should
tles the highest number of measles cases since
the highest number on record since 2000. mals, following a Mediterranean diet, allow people to enjoy their food and not
the country declared the virus eliminated in
As of Wednesday, the US Centers for chose not to eat all the food available to overeat," Shively said.
2000.
Disease Control and Prevention said there them, which meant they maintained T he study also found that the
The UCLA said the last possible exposure at
were a total of 695 cases of measles in the lower body weight. Mediterranean diet protects against
the university was April 9, and the highest risk
country this year. "What we found was that the group non‑alcoholic fatty liver disease, known
for developing measles has already passed. The
Many of the cases occurred in the states on the Mediterranean diet actually ate as NAFLD, which is associated with obe‑
varsity also said that the quarantine was expect‑
of New York and Washington. fewer calories, had lower body weight sity and can cause cirrhosis of the liver
A UNICEF study found that measles and had less body fat than those on the and liver cancer.
ed to last between 24 and 48 hours for most,
deaths were up by 22 percent in 2017, Western diet," Shively added. For the study, the researchers includ‑
but a few may need to remain in quarantine for
and complacency and fear of vaccines The researchers said the Western diet ed 38 middle‑aged non‑human female
up to seven days.
were among the factors leading to fewer was developed by companies that want primates, who were randomized to
California has confirmed 38 cases, state health
vaccinations. customers to overconsume their food. either the Mediterranean or Western
officials have said.
"The Western diet was developed and diet for about 9 years.

Indian women at high death THE MAGIC OF

risk from diabetes: Study
New Delhi: Diabetes has reached epi‑
demic proportions in Asia ‑ led by India
and China ‑‑ and has dramatically
increased the risk of premature death
especially among women and middle‑
aged people, a significant study has
found. India and China today have the
highest diabetes burdens in the world.
According to the World Health
Organization (WHO), India has close to
62 million people living with the dis‑
eases and is projected to have close to
70 million diabetics by 2025.
Throughout Asia, more than 230 mil‑
lion people are living with diabetes.
"Given the increased prevalence of
obesity and rapid adoption of a west‑
ernized lifestyle in Asia, that figure is
expected to exceed 355 million by
2040," said the study led by the
Vanderbilt University Medical Center in
Nashville, Tennessee.
The researchers found that patients
with diabetes are at a substantially ele‑
vated risk of premature death.
"The risk associated with diabetes is
much higher than that reported by most
previous studies conducted in the US
and Europe," said the study's correspon‑
ding author Wei Zheng in a paper
reported in the journal JAMA Network
Open.
The Vanderbilt‑led research team
pooled 22 prospective cohort studies in
multiple countries from mainland China
to Bangladesh.
More than one million individuals
were followed for an average of 12.6
years. Diabetes was associated with a
nearly two‑fold increase in the risk of
death from all causes.
"The diabetes‑related risk of death
from all causes was particularly high
for women and patients who were diag‑
nosed with diabetes when they were
middle‑aged adults," the findings
showed.
This result is particularly relevant for
certain racial and ethnic groups in the
US, including Asian Americans, who are
more susceptible to insulin resistance
and are at higher risk of developing dia‑
betes at a relatively lower obesity level
than are people of European ancestry.
"Whether this may increase their risk
of premature death once they develop
diabetes has not yet been determined,"
said Zheng.
Lack of access to diabetes care in Asia
may contribute to the unusually higher
risk of premature death among diabetes
patients in the study, the researchers
noted.
"There is an urgent need to imple‑
ment diabetes management pro‑
grammes tailored to Asian populations,"
they added.
INDIAN MASALA CHAI
M
asala Chai is a blend of
an array of spices that
carry loads of benefits
considering it is packed with
nutrients and health benefits.
Apart from waking you up in
the mornings ‑ the black tea
leaves used in the preparations
are a great source of caf feine ‑
the other spices in the blend bal‑
ance out the caffeine so it does‑
nʼt harm you. It, in fact, provides
you with an energy boost to
keep you moving all day. The
cinnamon and clove help in boosting your
immunity. They act as a defense line when it
comes to fighting off infections and common
illnesses.
The anti‑inflammatory properties in many
of the spices help relieve aches and pains.
Ginger, especially, helps in improving blood
circulation which alleviates many symptoms
of cramps, aches, and pains. Ginger and
cloves, together, work as painkillers.
The spices create a calming effect on the
bo dy that he lps the org ans run more
smoothly. The blend of Tulsi and elaichi with
the ginger and cloves help in improving the
digestive system.
Classic Masala
Chai recipe
Ingredients
45 green cardamom
41 cinnamon
44 teaspoon sugar
41 cup milk
41 black pepper
44 clove
42 teaspoon tea
41 teaspoon dried ginger powder
41/2 tablespoon green tea leaves
Steps:
Step 1: To prepare this delicious recipe,
start by adding all the spices into a food
pro cessor and g rind it into a powder.
Remove the shells of cardamom, and grind it
again.
Step 2: Now, take a deep‑bottomed pan
over medium flame and add 4 cups of water
in it. As it comes to a boil, add the tea leaves
and freshly ground masala you just pre‑
pared.
Step 3: After a minute, add the sugar and
allow it to boil for 4‑5 minutes.
Step 4: Finally, add the dry ginger powder
and milk. Boil it more till it the milk starts
rising up to the top.
Step 5: Turn the flame to low and grate
some fresh ginger over it. Cover it with a lid
and let it simmer for a couple of minutes.
Step 6: Serve the fresh, hot cup of tea and
enjoy!
TheSouthAsianTimes.info IMMIGRATION May 4-10, 2019 27

By Dev Banad Viswanath, Esq.

& Michael Phulwani, Esq.
You or your company does
A
B‑1 visa is a temporary non‑
immigrant business visa.
This visa is for individuals
who are coming to the U.S for busi‑
ness purposes. Some qualifying
business in the United States?
Come on in on
Consulate you apply at.

VISA
business purposes include:
8 Settling an estate, Under a B‑1 visa an individual
8 Negotiating a contract, may stay in the U.S. between one

TALK B1 Visa… JUST

8 Taking part in short‑term and six months, six months being
training, the maximum. But, generally the
8 Consulting with business applicants are given a 3 month

associates,
8 Attending or Participating
in a Conference,
8 Working as a
Personal/Domestic employee.
An employment authorization
document is required for a foreign
citizen who wants to apply for a B‑
1 visitor visa to work in the U.S as a
personal or domestic employee. NO
OTHER TYPE OF B‑1 VISITOR CAN
PERFORM SUBSTANTIVE WORK!!!
Am I Eligible
for a B‑1 Visa?
In order to be eligible for a B‑1
visa an individual must meet the
following criteria:
8 The visit must be coming for a
legitimate business purpose;
8 The trip must be for a specific
limited period of time;
8 You must be able to financially
fund the trip and stay on your
own;
8 You can show proof that you
have a residence outside of the
U.S. and you have an intention
of returning at the end of the
visit; and
8 You donʼt have any other
restrictions that would not
allow you to be admitted in to
the U.S. such as prior visa viola‑
tions or previous criminal
arrests/convictions
The steps of the application
process for a B‑1 visa vary depend‑
ing at which U.S. Embassy or
time frame to complete their busi‑
ness. After the initial period of stay
ends, an extension of stay may be
granted for up to a maximum of 6
months. The maximum total
amount of time permitted in B‑1
status on a single trip is one year,
with rare exceptions. Any depend‑
ents of B‑1 nonimmigrants, spouse
and children under the age of 21,
are not allowed to obtain a depend‑
ent visa. Each dependent who will
join the B‑1 visa holder to the U.S.
must apply separately for a B‑2
visa and must follow the rules of
that visa. If you are or a colleague
or someone you know may benefit
from a B‑1 Business Visitor Visa,
contact a lawyer with experience
with consular processing and the
visa process.
DON’T WORK!
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.
He will be in India from April 21 through
May 10 and able to meet people for
personal consultations.

SCI-TECH

US regulators mull Self‑driving Tesla robotaxi

holding FB CEO accountable
for misuse of data
Washington: Worried over the mis‑
handling of users' personal data on
Facebook, the US federal regulators
are now considering the possibility
of holding its CEO Mark Zuckerberg
accountable.
According to a report in T he
Washington Post on Thursday, "the
discussions about how to hold
Zuckerberg accountable for
Facebook's data lapses have come
in the context of wide‑ranging talks
between the Federal Trade
Commission (FTC) and Facebook".
Sanctioning a tech CEO would be a
rare move by the FTC and could be
a signal to other tech honchos as
governments the world over are in
a huddle how to safeguard users'
data.
"Such a move could create new
legal, political and public‑relations
headaches for one of Silicon
Valley's best known and image con‑
scious corporate leaders," the
report said.
The US government has so far
spared Zuckerberg from direct
scrutiny.
The FTC is largely probing the
Cambridge Analytica data scandal
that exposed personal data of 87
million Facebook users.
There have been several incidents
after the Cambridge Analytica
Facebook CEO Mark
Zuckerberg
episode where Facebook acknowl‑
edged series of privacy lapses,
including the latest admission that
it mishandled millions of users'
passwords on Instagram and "unin‑
tentionally" uploaded emails of
nearly 1.5 million of its new users.
Democratic Senator Richard
Blumenthal said last Thursday that
"holding Mark Zuckerberg and
other top Facebook executives per‑
sonally at fault and liable for fur‑
ther wrongdoing would send a pow‑
erful message to business leaders
across the country".
Earlier this year, The Washington
Post reported that Facebook could
end up paying a record‑breaking
fine, in the multi‑billion‑dollars
range, to avoid a court battle.
coming next year: Musk
San Francisco: Tesla CEO Elon Musk
has said that the electric car maker
is ready to fly autonomous robotaxis
from 2020. Making a series of bold
predictions during the Tesla
Autonomy Day at the Palo Alto‑
based headquarters late on Monday,
Musk said the company expects to
get necessary approvals by 2020.
"I feel very confident predicting
that there will be autonomous robot‑
axis from Tesla next year ‑‑ not in all
jurisdictions because we won't have
regulatory approval everywhere,"
TechCrunch reported Musk as say‑ middle of 2020, Tesla's autonomous planning the next generation of
ing. system will have improved to the transportation ‑‑ flying taxis. It has
"In places where there aren't point where drivers will not have to named Dallas and Los Angeles in the
enough people to share their cars, pay attention to the road. "We will US as the first two cities for the com‑
Tesla would provide a dedicated have more than one million robot‑ mercial launch of its aerial taxi serv‑
fleet of robotaxis," the report added. axis on the road," Musk said. "A year ice by 2023 and has been on the
Tesla Founder and CEO hoped that from now, we'll have over a million lookout to select an international
robotaxis would return home and cars with full self‑driving, software... city as its third partner. Uber has
automatically park and recharge. everything." He said Tesla would shortlisted five countries ‑‑ India,
Tesla also unveiled a new soon develop cars that could last for Japan, Australia, Brazil and France ‑‑
Samsung‑made microchip that, the at least one million miles with mini‑ and a city in one of them will
company said, was being included in mal maintenance. become the first Uber Air City out‑
every new car. Musk said that by the Taxi hailing company Uber is also side of the US.
 28 May 4-10, 2019 HUMOR TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Funny Side by Nury Vittachi

Mythical medicines that I am impatient to try

I
hate it when I want to sneak out
of work early, but invisibility
pills have not yet been invent‑
ed. Science moves soooo sloooow‑
ly. It's 2019! Sci‑fi stories prom‑
ised us that technology would
bring us flying cars; instead, it has
brought us "Press 7 For Even More
Maddeningly Irrelevant Choices."
I was moaning about this when a
reader informed me that one
group of people is serious about
making fict ion into reality.
Officials in Uttarakhand, India, are
investing cash into finding sanjee‑
vani booti, the magic herb from
the Ramayana which the go d
Hanuman uses to raise Lakshmana
from the dead.
What a great idea. I asked read‑
ers and colleagues: What other
potions from literature could gov‑
ernments turn into reality?
The first response came from an
over‑educated workmate, who said
that ancient Greek literature had
two medicines, Nepenthe and the
Waters of Lethe, which made those
who drank it forget their sorrows.
Bleeaaah. (That's me making the
Wrong Answer Noise from TV quiz
shows.) Reject! Modern society
already has many magic potions
which do exactly that, including
Carlsberg, Kingfisher, Bud Light,
etc.
Then he suggested the elixir in
Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet,
which puts you in a death‑like
coma. Bleeaaah. Reject again! We
already spend most of our days in
death‑like comas.
So I handed the question to the
Internet's Hive Mind and it con‑
cluded that authors in general are
shockingly lazy. Fiction is full of
disappointingly vague potions that
instantly heal any type of wound,
including Athelas elixir from Lord
of the Rings, Dittany potion from
Harry Potter, Chamalla extract
from Battlestar Galactica, the
Senzu Bean from Japan's
Dragonball stories and so on.
In fact we found only four liter‑
ary potions which were a bit more
creative ‑‑ and possibly worth turn‑
ing into reality.
1) Dried Frog Pills: From Terry
Pratchett's Discworld stories, these
make you hallucinate that you are
sane. This would help pretty much
all world leaders at the moment,
the hope being that they would
behave like sensible people for a
change.
2) Extract of Phoenix Feathers:
From Japan's Final Fantasy stories,
this not only re‑animates the dead
but turns zombies back into
humans. I know some people say
there's no such thing as zombies,
but clearly they've never met mod‑
ern teenagers.
3) Blinkmoth Serum: From
Magic: The Gathering, this gives
you extreme intelligence, self‑
awareness, and understanding,
making you a person of great wis‑
dom. (This is not to be confused
with drinks such as Prosecco and
arrack, which make you think you
have become a person of great
wisdom.) Problem: Everyone I
mentioned this to declared that
they would rather be stupid all
their lives than eat a moth. Good
point.
4) The Spice Melange: This stuff
from the Dune stories makes your
senses super‑sharp and gives the
whites of your eyes a strange blue
glow. This would be useful to hide
the red, blood‑shot eyes I'm going
to have later this afternoon.
"Barman, bring me your biggest
jug of the Waters of Lethe."
Cheers!
But of course I have to wait until
those lazy scientists invent invisi‑
bility pills so I can sneak out of
work. Come on, guys!

Laughter is the Best Medicine

By
Mahendra
Shah

Mahendra
Shah is an
architect by
education,

BEST entrepreneur
by

RATE profession,
artist and

FOR humorist,
cartoonist

INDIA and writer by

hobby. He

AND has been

recording the

PAKISTAN plight of the

immigrant
Indians for
the past
New York Head Quarter many years
in his
422‑S Broadway
cartoons.
HICKSVILLE Hailing from
NY 11801 Gujarat, he
lives in
516‑827‑1010 Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania
.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info ASTROLOGY May 4-10, 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

MAY 4‑10, 2019

Aries: Donʼt let efforts on the academ‑
ic front peter out. You may not feel on
the top of the world where health is
concerned and may need a medical opinion.
Reinvesting returns from previous invest‑
ments will be a step in the right direction,
but choose the best schemes to invest. Stars
appear strong for the eligible for getting a
suitable matrimonial alliance.
Taurus: Your preparat ion w ill
become the key to your good show‑
ing in a competition. Remain geared
up to deliver your best on the professional
front. Honest work gets paid, so donʼt have
any apprehensions of being noticed by
those who matter.
Do some financial planning before putting
your money in a venture or scheme.
Romantic aspirations are best kept on the
backburner this week.
Gemini: An exercise regimen that
suits your lifestyle will keep you slim
and trim. If you remain bent upon
thrusting your suggestions down some‑
bodyʼs throat, donʼt be surprised if he or
she rebels.
Steer clear of the gossip mill, as you are cer‑
tain to get sucked in! Devoting extra time to
studies may not be to your liking, but may
become essential this week.
Cancer: At work, something
planned meticulously is likely to
take off smoothly. More wait is in
store for those who have put in their money
on property. You can be stubborn when the
circumstances demand it. But, make an
exception where your near and dear ones
are involved. Use your own judgement,
instead of blindly following orders to
remain on the right track.
Leo: Avoid reposing blind faith in
someone on the social front to play
it safe. Your monetary condition
remains satisfactory. An important decision
on the legal front may hang in balance and
keep you on tenterhooks. Try to improve
whatever you are apprehensive about on
the academic front. Romantic endeavours
are certain to bear fruit for those looking
for love.
Virgo: Getting charge of something
important cannot be ruled out for
some. Donʼt be too generous on the
professional front, as you can be beaten to
the post by your competitors. Stop being
too formal on the romantic front, it may
keep you from expressing your true feel‑
ings. Be wary of overspending to avoid
overstretching your budget. Take up daily
exercise seriously.
Libra: You may effectively settle a
pending professional issue at work.
Monetary satisfaction is guaran‑
teed, as your earning is set to increase.
Remaining highly critical of those you donʼt
like may make you a perpetual whiner. So,
turn your focus on positive things. Try to
get socially in by being more welcoming. A
trip with friends or family promises much
fun and thrills.
Scorpio: Choose a balanced diet to
remain healthy. Donʼt take up any
property matter this week. You are
likely to resume what you had to discontin‑
ue in the wake of prevailing circumstances
on the career front. Whatever you have
saved up till now will serve you well and
contribute towards your comfort. Getting
even with someone may be on the top of
your mind.
Sagittarius: Professional excellence
is likely to catapult you to fame and
better assignments. Property mat‑
ters will remain favourable. Someoneʼs
quiet and subtle ways are likely to bowl you
over on the romant ic front. Growth
prospects may look promising on the finan‑
cial front. Those seeking fitness may need
to make efforts by joining a gym or follow‑
ing a workout regimen.
Capricorn: Making the most of the
opportunity that has presented
itself is the need of the hour. Work
on strengthening your relationship that is
passing through an indif ferent phase. A
small financial crisis may threaten you, but
you will steer through it successfully. You
are likely to opt for some good health
choices. Those in service sector may have
to deal with some stubborn customers.
Aquarius: A lucky break may see
you regain your financial health
this week. Remaining in an overex‑
cited state is bad for health, so try to calm
down and bring tranquillity in your life.
Someoneʼs loss is likely to be your gain,
even without your doing anything about it!
You will manage to assert your authority
over those in the habit of taking you for
granted.
Pisces: Frequent interruptions at
work may affect output, so do some‑
thing about it. People you hate may
not be as bad as you think they are, so
review your assumptions. Waiting for the
right opportunity to invest will be the right
course of action, if you want to get good
returns. Developments on the romantic
front appear most encouraging and may
make you feel on the top of the world.

4th May, 2019 will bring you immense gains.

Dominated by number 4 and
the planet Uranus, you are sim‑
ple, energetic, authoritative,
jovial, reliable and highly system‑
atic person. You possess a per‑
suasive and magnetic personali‑
ty. You have a great potential to
handle complicated tasks and
you seldom complain, but you
need to check your tendency to
behave vindict ive, t imid and
spendthrift at times.
New opportunities come your
way this year. Financial position
stabilises as past investment
starts bring ing in profits.
Journeys undertaken for work
purpose will be beneficial and
highly rewarding. Investment in a
house and selected stocks recom‑
mended. Legal matters will get
complicated and expensive, as a
visit to a lawyer to seek profes‑
sional advice seems like ly.
Children will win laurels in their
respective fields and will be sup‑
port ive and understanding
towards you. Wedding bells for
those eligible and others will find
romance to get them going. The
months of November, February
and May will bring in prosperity.
5th May, 2019
Ruled by number 5 and the
planet Mercury. You are practi‑
cal, sensitive, friendly, diplomatic
and an optimistic person. You
possess a sharp memory, excel‑
lent health, and a powerful char‑
acter. You are highly respected in
your group and people look up to
you for inspiration and support,
but you need to check your ten‑
ANNUAL PREDICTIONS: FOR THOSE BORN IN THIS WEEK
dency to behave restless, nervous
and timid at times.
This year resourceful and influ‑
ential people are likely to boost
your moral. Fame and fortune
will be plenty provided you grab
the right opportunities. New rela‑
tion and attachments will devel‑
op through out the year. Children
will do remarkably well in stud‑
ies. Spiritual gains for some later
in the year. People looking for
matrimonial alliances will find a
life partner. Avoid lending
money, as recovery of the same
would not be easy. The months of
August, December, February and
June seem to be highly eventful.
6th May, 2019
Influenced by number 6 and
the planet Venus. You are highly
energetic, independent, ambi‑
tious and charming person. You
are fond of socializing with peo‑
ple, who are well educated, intel‑
ligent and hold important posi‑
tions in the society. You can easi‑
ly make friends, but you need to
check your tendency to behave
moody, stubborn and lazy at
times. This year long awaited
promotions and monetary bene‑
fits w ill finally be yours.
Financially you will face some
problems initially, but things will
become better later in the year.
This is an excellent period to
develop new contacts and revive
old ones. Trave lling w ill be
undertaken for attending auspi‑
cious events. Avoid entering into
any financial joint ventures and
stay away from speculat ion.
Wedding bells will ring for those
eligible towards the end of the
year. The months of October,
December, February and June
will be highly important.
7th May, 2019
Governed by number 7 and the
planet Neptune. You are inde‑
pendent, brilliant, quick, confi‑
dent and friendly person. You are
very cheerful and pleasant per‑
son and posses as excellent sense
of humour. You dislike office poli‑
tics, arguments and confronta‑
tion, but you need to check your
tendency to behave jealous, intro‑
vert and selfish at times.
This year brings in apprecia‑
t ion and rewards that you
deserve. Investments in real
estate during this year will prove
hig hly rewarding. However
indulging in speculation will be
detrimental and should be avoid‑
ed. Legal disputes, which have
been bothering your mind, will
settle amicably to your satisfac‑
tion. Children will be a major
source of happiness and spouse
will keep you happy. Health of
your parents will suf fer due to
stress, and rise in family medical
expenses will bother your mind.
T he months of September,
November, April and May will be
highly important and eventful.
8th May, 2019
Ruled by number 8 and the
planet Saturn. You are assertive,
cheerful, confident, authoritative
and enthusiastic person. You are
gifted with strong intuition, a lot
of talent and a remarkable imagi‑
nation. You are simple and hon‑
est, but you need to control your
tendency to behave erratic, hyp‑
ocrite and ungrateful at times.
This year brilliant opportuni‑
ties will come your way but you
need to grab them before others.
Financial gains will accrue from
past investments. A wonderful
period to do things that you
enjoy and make you feel good. A
distant journey for pleasure or
pilgrimage seems likely later in
the year. Your health will remain
good but health of an aged family
member will become a matter of
concern. New friendship and con‑
tacts developed during this peri‑
od will be highly worthwhile. The
months of August, October,
February and April will be event‑
ful.
9th May, 2019
Influenced by number 9 and
the planet Mars, you are dynam‑
ic, courageous, energetic, warm
hearted and a religious person.
You are a great admirer of music
and literature. You are research
oriented and have a strong deter‑
mination, but you need to check
your tendency to behave jealous,
lazy and erratic at times.
The year promises to bring you
physical as well as financial bene‑
fits. Your energy will be high and
Speculation in real estate will
yield handsome returns. Distant
travel will be undertaken for
business purpose as we ll as
pleasure.
Children need to concentrate
more on their career. Health
despite some initial hiccups will
be more or less fine. You need to
spend time on meditation and
yoga for remarkable gains. The
months of October, January and
July will be highly significant and
result oriented.
10th May, 2019
Governed by number 1, and the
Sun, you are original, active,
responsible, trustworthy and a
very simple person. You are high‑
ly talented and fond of accepting
challenges, but you need to con‑
trol your tendency to dominate,
overspend and behave destruc‑
tive at times.
The coming year promises new
hope and possibilities. Your gains
will commensurate according to
your ef forts, but luck will defi‑
nitely be on our side. Your imagi‑
nation and skills will do wonders
for you and your creativity will
be at all time high. Your best
opportunit ies w ill deve lop
through your association with
people who hold posit ion of
authority. Sudden gains and loss‑
es are foreseen, therefore do not
indulge into hasty speculation.
Children will bring happy news
later in the year. The month of
September, November, March
and April w ill be eventful
months.
30 May 4-10, 2019
By Sant Rajinder Singh
Ji Maharaj
L
ife is filled with many chal‑
lenges and sometimes, under
pressure, people crack. They
feel they can no longer stand all
the problems facing them.
Sometimes people feel they have
the worst job in the world. Others
feel they have the worst health
problems; they feel no one could
be plagued with as many physical
problems as they have. At some
time in our lives, we feel that no
one could have things as bad as we
have. There is a folk tale about a
wise man who lived in a forest.
People would travel far and wide
to seek him out for answers to
their problems. One day, a woman
came to him for advice.
He said, “My dear, what can I do
for you?”
She said, “Things are terrible at
home. I live in a small hut with my
husband and two children. The hut
is barely large enough for the four
of us. I wanted a bigger house but
my husband is not doing well at
work and cannot afford anything
larger. As times are bad, my hus‑
bandʼs father lost his job, so his
parents had to move in with us. We
were already crowded before but
now with six of us living together
in that small space, it is unbear‑
able. I cannot take it anymore. I
By Sant Rajinder
Singh Ji Maharaj
A
ll too often people are quick
to pass judgment on others
without knowing their full
story. They may be quick to criti‑
cize someoneʼs actions, believing
that their perspective is correct
and that they understand all the
circumstances. In turn, how many
of us are willing to withhold judg‑
ment and put ourselves in the
shoes of another person? How
many times have we passed judg‑
ment on others only to later find
that they had a good reason that
justified their actions? Along the
same lines, if we want others to
change their ways, telling them will
have little ef fect unless we are
examples of that behavior.
In this connection, there is a true
story from the animal kingdom
about a team of researchers who
had gone to Africa to study the
behavior of elephants. They came
SPIRITUAL AWARENESS
Happiness is a state of mind
feel like screaming!”
The wise man thought for a
moment and asked, “Do you have a
cow?”
The woman said, “Yes, we do.”
He said, “I advise you to bring
the cow into the hut to live with
you for a week and then come back
to see me.”
The woman was puzzled. She
thought that since he was a wise
man, there must be some magic in
bringing the cow into the house, so
she did what he said.
The next week was horrible. It
was so crowded in the house that
every time the cow turned around,
all the six family members had to
change their seats. When they tried
to sleep, the smell was intolerable
and it would moo throughout the
night, waking them all up.
After the week passed, the
woman returned to the wise man
and began shouting at him, “What
have you done? I came to you to
make things better and now I am
more miserable than before. Your
advice did not work.”
He thought for a moment and
asked, “Do you have any chickens?”
“Yes,” she said.
He told her, “Take them into the
hut with you for a week.” She did
not understand how this would
help, but since he was a wise man,
and everybody in her village found
his advice helpful, she thought she
would give this a try.
When she returned home, she
collected all the chickens from the
backyard and moved them into the
house. For the next week, the
chickens were flying around the
hut, landing on everything and
making a mess of the place.
After a week, she returned and
Teaching by example
across an area in which a pack of
elephants was running wild. As the
research team set up telescopic
cameras to observe the animals
from a distance, they saw that
every day the elephants were fight‑
ing with each other, running over
trees and destroying their environ‑
ment. They had studied other ele‑
phant packs before and never saw
such chaotic and wild behavior. On
further investigation they discov‑
ered that the group was composed
of all teenage male e lephants.
T here were no adult male ele‑
phants in the group. When they
checked with the local inhabitants
in the village why there were no
adult male elephants in the pack,
the villagers explained that poach‑
ers came into the village and killed
all the male adults for their ivory.
The researchers saw that the
Next time we think
things are going
badly and that God
is not properly lis-
tening to us, we
should sit back,
take a deep breath,
and relax. We
should give God a
chance to let things
happen and observe patiently. We will find
when all is said and done that God worked
things out for the best in the end.
cried, in tears, “You must be crazy.
Your advice is terrible. It is impos‑
sible to live in the hut now. The
cow turns around and knocks into
us. The chickens fly all around the
hut. My in‑laws are always choking
from the smell and complaining
about how bad it is living with us.
The children find chicken feathers
falling into their food. My husband
is constantly fighting with me over
the living conditions in our home
and says, “It is all your fault!”
The wise man thought for a
moment and said, “My dear, go
home and try one more thing. Take
the cow and the chickens out of
your hut. Then, come back to me in
a week.”
The woman was fed up with his
advice but thought she would give
it one last chance. She returned
home and pulled the cow out of the
house. She took the chickens out
and returned them to the back‑
yard.
A week later, the woman
returned to the wise man.
teenage male elephants had no
adult male role models from which
to learn. Curious to see if it truly
made a dif ference, they arranged
to have some male e lephants
brought in from another area. The
first thing the male adults did was
to flap their ears and raise their
trunks. Next, they began to make
loud trumpeting sounds. In the
beginning, there was no change
and the teen elephants continued
to run wild and fight each other.
However, after a few days in which
the adults flapped their ears, raised
their trunks, and made loud noises,
the teen elephants began to settle
down. Over time, they became well
behaved and their wild actions sub‑
sided. The researchers realized that
on their own, the teen elephants
had no role models and did not
know how to behave. Once the
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
“How are things now?” he asked.
“Thank you so much! You are
truly wise. Since I removed the cow
and chickens from the hut I feel so
much happier. Things have become
so peaceful.”
The wise man smiled. The
woman returned home and lived
happily with her husband, her chil‑
dren, and her in‑laws.
This story illustrates that we are
often unhappy with our situation
until we find that things could
always be worse. We think our job
is horrible, until we lose it and find
that life is harder without an
income. We think our health is bad
until we spend time in a hospital
and find people in worse condition
than we are. We think our family
members are bad until we find our‑
selves alone and realize how diffi‑
cult life is without them. We
always feel the grass is greener on
the other side.
The woman learned that what
she thought was bad was actually
not so bad when she saw how
male adults were introduced into
their pack, the teens had role mod‑
els and began to be disciplined.
In the same way, as parents, we
teach our children through loving
discipline and by setting an exam‑
ple. Our children do not believe in
our words alone but in what they
see us do. They copy our own good
and bad habits because that is the
example we set. Similarly, when we
are in a position to train or teach
others̶whether we are teachers,
parents, employers, or citizens
imploring others to be conscien‑
tious̶we must first set an exam‑
ple ourselves. That is the only way
to bring about change, teaching by
example rather than by mere
words. If we want to see a positive
change in others and in our family,
neighborhood, community, society,
or country, then we need to set an
much worse things could be. It is
human nature to think that every‑
body else has it so good and it is
only we who are suffering.
We think we know what is best
for us. How many times have we
tried to intervene with our two
cents to find that when we tried to
change our situation, we made
things worse? Then, we regret
what we have done and wish we
could make things go back to the
way they were.
On the spiritual path, one of the
lessons we need to learn is accept‑
ing the will of the Lord. Life would
be so much easier if we accept that
God knows what is best for us. If
we examined the times in our lives
that we interfered with Godʼs will,
we may have discovered that we
messed things up terribly on our
own and prayed to God to return
things to the way they were.
Next time we think things are
going badly and that God is not
properly listening to us, we should
sit back, take a deep breath, and
relax. We should give God a chance
to let things happen and observe
patiently. We will find when all is
said and done that God worked
things out for the best in the end. If
we reflect, we would find that if
God had listened to our complaints
and let us do things our own way,
things may not have been in our
best interest at all.
Happiness is a state of mind. If
we think that God is not doing
what is best for us, we will always
be unhappy. If we would realize
that we are living according to
what God wishes for us and that
God is giving us what is best for us,
we would always be happy and
content.
example. In the words of Mahatma
Gandhi, “Be the change you want to
see in the world.”
On the spiritual path, two quali‑
ties to inculcate are patience and
understanding. These are aspects
of leading a nonviolent life. Those
who are nonviolent are patient.
They do not rush to criticize or
accuse someone. With empathy
they try to think of how the world
looks through other peopleʼs eyes.
If each of us could treat others with
patience, love, and understanding,
this world would be more peaceful
and loving. When we are patient
and understanding, we never have
to go to sleep at night worrying if
we did the right thing. We will
know that when we have patience
and understanding, we are acting
in a noble way.
(For more visit www.sos.org)
TheSouthAsianTimes.info May 4-10, 2019