CHINA STOPS CPEC IN PAK OVER GRAFT

Transcription

1 NEW YORK WASHINGTON D.C. CHICAGO ATLANTA CALIFORNIA VOL 23, No December 8, Periodical Postage CHINA STOPS CPEC IN PAK OVER GRAFT Pramila Jayapal figures in Politico Power List Details on page 6 Indian-origin woman killed in shark attack Details on page 8 China banks refuse loan to Adani project Details on page 8 INDIA POST SURVEY survey@indiapost.com This week s question Is the all-weather China-Pak friendship under strain? Last week s result Ivanka visit a boost for Indian women? YES 71% NO 29% ISLAMABAD: China has decided to temporarily stop funding at least three major road projects in Pakistan, being built as part of the $50 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, following reports of corruption, a decision that has left officials in Islamabad "stunned", a media report said here. The decision by the Chinese government is likely hit over Rs 1 trillion-worth road projects of the Pakistan's National Highway Authority (NHA), and initially, may delay at least three such ventures, Dawn newspaper reported. According to a senior government official, the funds would be released after Beijing issues 'new guidelines'. The nearly $60 billion CPEC, a flagship project of China's prestigious One Belt One Road, passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). It links China's restive Xinjiang region with Pakistan's Balochistan province. Details on page 5 OLD FRIENDS: Former US president Barack Obama was in New Delhi last week where he addressed the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit Later he took time to call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The former president weighed in on the Narendra Modi versus Manmohan Singh debate, saying both had India-US relations in mind. He also spoke about the dangers of technology. Kamala Harris tops global thinkers list Details on page 6 Mattis asks Pak to do more to confront militants Details on page 7 Raj Shah first Ind- Am to hold press gaggle on AF-1 Details on page 7 CONTENTS Bollywood Classifieds Community Post Date Book Edit Page HealthScience Post Horoscope Immigration Post Life Style Philosophy Publisher s Diary Real Estate TechBiz Post Travel & Hospitality Post Certified by CIRCULATION VERIFICATION COUNCIL Readership 117,765

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4 4 India Post December 8, 2017 The Weekly Newspaper Serving Indians Worldwide Romesh & Sunita Japra Publishers Rajesh Verma Co-Publisher Vikram Paul President Krishan Sharma Mg Director & Joint Editor Vinod Dhawan Senior Editor Naresh Sodhi General Manager Amit Saini IT Director Ghanshyam Bisht Supervisor Graphics SAN FRANCISCO & SILICON VALLEY Vidya Sethuraman Bureau Chief Vijay Thapar CPRO & Advertising Vinita Thapar Marketing Deepak Chhabra Promotions Ritu Maheshwari Director Promotions Sudesh Kumari Correspondent LOS ANGELES Mrs Shashi Trivedi Bureau Chief CHICAGO Ramesh Soparawala Resident Editor A Q Siddiqui Correspondent ST. LOUIS Ashwin Patel Correspondent NEW YORK & NEW JERSEY Pinky Kaur Bureau Chief Srirekha N. 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POSTMASTER: Send address changes to India Post, 1860 Mowry Ave Ste 200, Fremont, CA DISCLAIMER India Post assumes all advertisers to be reliable and responsible for all liability for their claimers India Post Newsweekly Mission Statement To empower the Indian Diaspora and make their voice strong and effective in countries of their adoption. RJ Media conglomerate offers a credible, professional and complete package of news, opinion, entertainment, networking and information. Publisher s Diary Well, I don't want to sound overly dramatic but recent news that the Koch brothers are buying into Time Inc. was kind of like the proverbial last straw to break the morale of American news media. Let's face it folks, this past year has been tumultuous for all, especially for those of us who claim to be in the business of news. Never before in modern history, has the American media, its credibility and its very existence been so threatened, with the most vicious of attacks coming from none other than the President of the United States himself. Media outlets have been struggling to ward off attacks on all fronts with not only constant accusations of being "fake", but also competing with actual fake news, while protecting themselves from sneaky individuals and vested interests wantonly planting fake news in order to discredit them. So it's natural that one would be worried that uber Libertarians, conservative agenda pushers and Republican bankrollers, the redoubtable Koch brothers who have enough money to mess with peoples' fundamental belief systems, invest huge chunks of money into a news magazine that is known for setting global standards in journalism. So where does one go today to get pure, unadulterated news that is free from opinion, political slant and outright bias if not untruths? How objective can a Jeff Bezos backed Washington Post claim to be as against a Koch backed Time? How fair is it to assume liberalism to be more objective than conservatism or is it the other way? Politics and ideologies aside, the free-for-all new media is making you distrust your own eyes and ears with manipulative technologies. Perhaps Merriam Webster's dictionary should include a new definition for "truth" rather than "fake news". Truth be told, it's just whatever you want it to be. 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5 Cover/Top Stories December 8, 2017 India Post 5 China stops Pak project for graft ISLAMABAD: China has decided to temporarily stop funding at least three major road projects in Pakistan, being built as part of the $50 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, following reports of corruption, a decision that has left officials in Islamabad "stunned", a media report said here. The decision by the Chinese government is likely hit over Rs 1 trillion-worth road projects of the Pakistan's National Highway Authority (NHA), and initially, may delay at least three such ventures, Dawn newspaper reported. According to a senior government official, the funds would be released after Beijing issues 'new guidelines'. The nearly $60 billion CPEC, a flagship project of China's prestigious One Belt One Road, passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). It links China's restive Xinjiang region with Pakistan's Balochistan province. The nearly $60 billion CPEC, a flagship project of China's prestigious One Belt One Road, passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). It links China's restive Xinjiang region with Pakistan's Balochistan province The road projects that are likely to be affected include 210-km-long Dera Ismail Khan- Zhob Road, being built at an estimated cost of Rs 81 billion. Of this, Rs 66 billion would be spent on construction of road while Rs 15 billion on land acquisition. The other project which is going to be hit is 110-km-long Khuzdar-Basima Road, having an estimated cost of Rs billion. The third project is Rs 8.5 billion worth, the remaining 136-km of Karakarom Highway (KKH) from Raikot to Thakot. Originally, all the three projects were part of the Pakistan government's own development program but in December 2016, the NHA spokesperson had announced that they would be included under the CPEC umbrella so as to become eligible for concessionary finance from China. "The funds for the three road projects were approved in the 6th Joint Cooperation Committee meeting held last year, pending necessary procedural formalities. "It was expected that the funding of the three projects would be finalized during the Joint Working Group (JWG) meeting held on November 20, but Pakistan was informed in the meeting that 'new guidelines' will be issued from Beijing under which new China hopes Chabahar 'conducive to regional peace' BEIJING: China has hoped that the launch of the strategic Chabahar port in Iran, which enables India to directly trade with Afghanistan besides rivaling Pakistan's Gwadar port, is conducive to regional peace and stability. The first phase of the Chabahar port on the Gulf of Oman coast was inaugurated by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, opening a new strategic route connecting Iran, India and Afghanistan while bypassing Pakistan, and reflecting growing convergence of interests among the three countries. The port in Iran's Sistan- Balochistan province on the energy-rich nation's southern coast is easily accessible from India's western coast and is increasingly seen as a counter to Pakistan's Gwadar port, which is being developed with Chinese investment and is located around 80 kms from Chabahar. Asked how China views the launch of the project, considering that China is investing heavily in Gwadar as part of the USD 50 billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor, foreign The Chabahar port is being considered a gateway to golden opportunities for trade by India, Iran and Afghanistan with central Asian countries ministry spokesman Geng Shuang declined to comment on it directly. "As for the (Chabahar) port, I want to give you a principled answer. We welcome the development of friendly relations between the regional countries and conduct mutually beneficial cooperation," he said. "We hope the relevant cooperation can be conducive to maintaining regional peace and promoting regional stability and prosperity," he said. The Chabahar port is being considered a gateway to golden opportunities for trade by India, Iran and Afghanistan with central Asian countries besides ramping up trade among the three countries in the wake of Pakistan denying transit access to New Delhi.-PTI modus operandi for release of the funds will be described," the official was quoted as saying by the newspaper. The decision of the Chinese government was conveyed to Pakistan in the JWG meeting and the existing procedure for release of funds had been abolished, he said. Under the previous procedure, the projects were to be approved by six different forums after which the funds were released, the official added. "In fact, the Chinese authorities informed us that the previous procedure of release of funds was meant for early harvest projects only and new guidelines will be issued for future projects of the CPEC," the official said. The official said the Pakistani side was left "stunned" when informed about this development, as it was the first time they were hearing it. He, however, claimed that Chinese side was quite disturbed with media reports, published in Pakistan, about corruption in the CPEC projects and and that was the reason Beijing has temporarily halted release of funds for the corridor. CPEC was launched in 2015 when President Xi Jinping visited Pakistan and it now envisages investment of around $50 billion in different projects of development in Pakistan.-PTI

6 6 Top Stories India Post December 8, 2017 Kamala Harris tops global thinkers list WASHINGTON: Indian- American California senator Kamala Harris has topped the prestigious Foreign Policy magazine's 2017 list of '50 Leading Global Thinkers' which also features US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley. Besides Harris and Haley, Indian-origin stand-up comedian Hasan Minhaj has also made it to the list which recognizes a remarkable range of individuals who have found ways to exert enormous influence, often in unexpected ways, on a wide Nikki Haley range of issues. "They are the doers who defined 2017," said Foreign Policy while releasing its annual list of global thinkers, which this year number 50 instead of 100 as was mostly the case in previous years. Topping the list is Harris, 53, for giving the Democratic Party hope in the era of President Donald Trump, the magazine said. Harris, the daughter of an Indian mother and a Jamaican father, is the first-ever Indian- American to be elected to the US Senate. Seen as a potential Democratic presidential candidate, Harris is the only black woman in the Senate. "Her professional bona fides and two decades as a prosecutor, her commitment to social justice (she has made immigrants' rights and bail reform the focus of her first year in office), and her personal 'firsts' make her appealing to voters still smarting from (Hillary) Clinton's loss and hungry for a charismatic non-white, nonmale presidential candidate," the magazine said. South Korean President Moon Jae-in is ranked second in the list for trying to rebuild decent democratic leadership in South Korea. Popular comedian Minhaj, 32, is placed third in the ranking for defining the narrative of a "New Brown America", it said. Early this year he was the first Indian-American to have been chosen to host the White House Correspondents Dinner. "The final comedian to be hired by The Daily Show during Jon Stewart's tenure as host, Minhaj has since joined an elite cadre of popular news satirists including Stewart, Trevor Noah, Stephen Colbert, Samantha Bee, and John Oliver whose joyful embrace of 'fake news' often gets at fundamental truths at which the mainstream media can only gesture," it said. Former South Carolina governor Haley, 45, the first Indian- American to be a member of any presidential cabinet, figures in the list of global thinkers for trying to preserve America's traditional vision of international affairs, said the magazine. "The US foreign policy that Haley has spent just over 10 months defending smacks Besides Harris and Haley, Indian-origin stand-up comedian Hasan Minhaj has also made it to the list which recognizes a remarkable range of individuals Kamala Harris more of traditional Republican (and, arguably, traditional US) policies more closely in line with Ronald Reagan than with the current president," it said. Among others in the list are presidential candidate for the FARC, the Colombian rebel group that has traded its weapons for party politics, the female director of Afghanistan's foreign-language film contender for the Oscars, the venture capitalist who is using tech companies to bridge the gap between Israel and Palestine, and an Iraqi member of parliament who is demanding her country recognize the genocide of the minority Yazidis. "This year's list showcases a remarkable range of individuals who have found ways to exert enormous influence, often in unexpected ways, on a wide range of issues from North Korea policy, to the rise of populism, to how we combat fake news, to cementing a new narrative in American culture...to comedy," said Jonathan Tepperman, editor-in-chief of the magazine. "These amazing people are not only rethinking our world, but also reshaping it. They defined 2017, and we're thrilled by the chance to recognize their accomplishments for good, at least in most cases," he said. The list also includes Chelsea Manning, ex-trump aide Stephen Bannon, and French President Emmanuel Macron.-PTI Pramila Jayapal figures in Politico Power List WASHINGTON: Indian- American Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal has figured in the Politico's Power List for the year 2018, for having assumed the mantle of a House "leader of resistance". Jayapal, 52, ranked fifth on 18 is the only Indian- American to figure in the Politico's power list. "18 to watch in 2018 highlights politicians, activists and operatives across the country who are poised to have a big year in 2018," the magazine said. "Jayapal, a fast-rising Democratic star and determined critic of President Donald Trump, has assumed the mantle of a House "leader of the resistance." From her spot as first vice chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, she has worked as "a relentless advocate of civil rights and immigration reform on Capitol Hill," said her friend and fellow freshman House member Republican Ro Khanna," Politico said. Among her most recent drives include, a legislative pushback against Trump Pramila Jayapal threats to end Temporary Protected Status for thousands of Haitians and Salvadorans by allowing them to apply for permanent residency if they can prove they would face extreme hardship if they return to their home countries. "She is a groundbreaker," says Democracy for America's Robert Cruickshank, who is also one of Jayapal's constituents. "She's really positioned herself to be an essential player in the future of the Democratic Caucus in the House. With determination, steely drive and some well-placed tweets, Jayapal has "taken a deliberate approach to get there," he said. Jayapal, the first Indian- American woman to serve in the US House of Representatives, has rarely backed down from a challenge, Politico said. -PTI

7 Top Stories December 8, 2017 India Post 7 Raj Shah first Ind-Am to hold press gaggle aboard Air Force One WASHINGTON: History was in making when Raj Shah, who holds a key position in the White House, gaggled with reporters on board presidential chopper Air Force One, becoming the first Indian-American to enjoy the privilege. Shah, 33, did so in the capacity of Principal Deputy Press Secretary, a position to which he was promoted by US President Donald Trump in September as he restructured his press office by making Hope Hicks Director of Communications. Shah was accompanying Trump as he flew to Missouri to deliver a major speech on middle-class tax relief and business tax relief. Mid-way to St Louis, Shah, the highest ranking Indian- American ever in the White House press office, gaggled with the travelling press corp. Gaggle is the term used for informal briefing by the White House Press Secretary, which is on the record but bars reporters from videographing. Shah was born in 1984 to Indian parents of Gujarati origin. Shah's parents moved to Chicago in 1970s and then moved to Connecticut where he was born and raised. His father was a mechanical engineer, but later moved in the business and owned retail stores. His mother was a dentist. Both are now leading a retired life. After his schooling in Connecticut, Shah went to the Cornell University. It is during the college life Raj Shah that he became politically active. Not as a Republican though. "I actually interned for a Democrat when I was in college," he says. He became a Republican as he learned more and more into issues. He in fact interned in the Bush White House in the Summer of And just out of college, he got a job in the research wing of the Republican National Committee and since then there has been no looking back for him. At 33, there are only a very few in his generation who have accomplished so much. Shah joined the White House right from the day the Trump administration took charge. He Shah, 33, did so in the capacity of Principal Deputy Press Secretary, a position to which he was promoted by US President Donald Trump in September was made the Deputy Communications Director and Research Director at the White House. Previously, he was director of Opposition Research in the Republican National Committee. "It's awesome. This is a lot of fun to represent the president, to represent his views not just to a domestic and international audience. What I did in earlier was a little bit about developing our message. This is about delivering the message," he told a group of Indian journalists recently. US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley, had listed Shah among the top Indian-Ameri- can performers working under the Trump administration. "We are seeing more political activity by Indian- Americans on both sides of the aisle. We are proud to watch the work of Raj Shah, Manisha Singh, Neil Chatterjee, Naomi Rao, Vishal Amin among others that are all part of the Trump administration," said Haley, the first Indian-American woman appointed to a cabinet-level position in the US. -PTI Mattis asks Pak to do more to confront militants ISLAMABAD: US Defense Secretary James Mattis has asked Pakistan to "redouble" efforts to confront militants operating from its soil as he met the country's top leadership here, amid Washington's concerns that Islamabad was not doing enough to dismantle terror safe havens. Mattis held a meeting with Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi after arriving here on his maiden tour to Pakistan to explore ways to effectively eliminate the threat of militancy, days after 2008 Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed was released from house arrest. The US Embassy in Islamabad said in a statement that Mattis told Abbasi to "redouble" efforts to tackle militants operating from Pakistan's territory. "The secretary reiterated that Pakistan must redouble its efforts to confront militants and terrorists operating within the country," Pentagon Chief Spokesperson Dana W White said after Mattis concluded his inaugural trip to Pakistan. Mattis also met Minister of Defense Khurram Dastigir Khan, Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa and Director General of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Lieutenant General Naveed Mukhtar. "Mattis recognized Pakistan's sacrifices in the war against terrorism," White said, adding that Mattis emphasized the vital role that Pakistan can play in working with the US and others to facilitate a peace process in Afghanistan that brings stability and security to the region. Abbasi said Pakistan, in its national interest, would continue to conduct intelligencebased operations all over the country to consolidate the gains achieved in the last four years. "The prime minister reiterated that there are no safe havens in Pakistan and the entire nation was committed to its resolve on eradicating terrorism once and for all in all its forms and manifestations," according to a statement by the Prime Minister's Office here. Abbasi said no other country benefits more from peace and stability in Afghanistan than Pakistan. He agreed with Mattis that both Pakistan and the US have common stakes in securing peace and security in Afghanistan for the long term stability of the broader region. He also appreciated the US resolve not to allow the use of Afghan soil against Pakistan. Recalling the longstanding relationship with the US, he underlined the need for a broad-based engagement to strengthen partnership and Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi holds a meeting with US Secretary of Defense Gen James Mattis enhance cooperation between the two countries. Mattis stated that the "purpose of his visit was to find common grounds in order to create a positive, consistent and long-term relationship with Pakistan," the statement said. He underscored the importance of continuing and deepening cooperation for the common objective of eliminating terrorism from the region.-pti

8 8 Top Stories India Post December 8, 2017 China banks refuse loan to Adani project in Oz MELBOURNE: Indian energy giant Adani's controversy-hit Carmichael coal mine project in Australia has hit another road-block after China's two major state-run banks said they have no plans to finance the venture, media reports said here. The 16.5 billion dollar Carmichael coal mine project, one of the world's largest, will start construction after being given the green light by the federal and Queensland state governments. Adani is seeking a finance of 2 billion Australian dollars by March 2018 for the first stage of its proposed mine project in Queensland. The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), in a statement, clarified that it had no intention of funding Adani's proposed mine in Queensland, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported. "ICBC has not been, and Earlier, China Construction Bank had also refused financing the project, saying it "is not involved with, nor considering involvement with, the Adani Carmichael Mine project", the report said battled the opposition to any expansion of the Abbot Point port, saying it will cut into the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. The Adani group entered Australia in 2010 with the purchase of the greenfield Carmichael coal mine in the Galilee Basin in central Queensland, and the Abbot Point port near Bowen in the north. Meanwhile, an expert said that arranging finance from China was one of Adani group's last remaining hopes after major Australian banks and also Queensland government refused to finance the project on concerns about its financial viability and the push towards renewable energy sources. "Having failed to secure finance from banks in the US, Europe and Australia, Adani has now seen the world's largest and second largest banks by assets rule out support for its massive proposed coal mine," Market Forces executive director Julien Vincent was quoted as saying in the report. "This leaves their attempts to open up Australia's largest coal mine in tatters, and increasingly reliant on public funding," he said.-pti Indian-origin woman killed in shark attack NEW YORK: A 49-year-old Indian-origin woman equity manager based here has been killed by a tiger shark while scuba diving on a remote Costa Rican island, according to media reports. Rohina Bhandari was part of an 18-member group that went for a diving session off Cocos Island National part in Costa Rica, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for the abundant varieties of shark species, The New York Post reported. Bhandari, a Wall Street private equity manager, was hauled out of the water after sustaining severe bites to her legs, Costa Rica's Environment Ministry said. Park guards and medical personnel vacationing on the island launched a frantic effort to treat her wounds. But Bhandari, a senior director at WL Ross & Co. LL, a firm founded by Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, could not be saved, the reports said. A dive master also suffered a shark bite but those injuries were not life-threatening. The instructor, who was conscious and in relatively stable condition, told officials that the shark attacked when his group was surfacing at the tail end of the dive. A boater and other divers tried to drive the creature Rohina Bhandari away but it was too late, it said. "Upon reaching the surface, the attack on the tourist was already serious," the environment ministry said. Tiger sharks are predators often found around Pacific islands. One of the largest sharks in the world, Tiger sharks are known for their powerful jaws and voracious appetites.-pti does not intend to be, engaged in arranging financing for this project," ICBC said in a statement on its website. "ICBC attaches great importance to its social responsibilities and keenly promotes green financing." While not mentioning coal, ICBC said it had provided finance in Australia "for a series of renewable energy projects," the report said. Earlier, China Construction Bank had also refused financing the project, saying it "is not involved with, nor considering involvement with, the Adani Carmichael Mine project", the report said. The Adani group declined to comment when PTI sought a reaction on the media report. Last month, the Labor partyled Queensland government had said it will exercise its veto to not support the financial assistance to the project, which has been opposed by environmentalists and indigenous groups. The Adani group had applied for Northern Australia Infrastructure facility loan (NAIF) worth 900 million dollars for building a train line to connect its mine to the coast. The anti-adani lobby has hailed the rejection by two of China's major banks as a significant development in blocking the construction of the mine, the report said. The Carmichael project, expected to create hundreds of jobs in Australia, has been facing opposition from environmentalists and indigenous groups. The Indian energy giant has for more than five years 2 IFS officers appointed to SCO in Beijing NEW DELHI: Two foreign services officers have been appointed to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Secretariat at Beijing for a period of three years, an official order said here. The names of Anand Prakash, an IFS officer of 2005 batch, and Krishna K, an IFS officer of 2012 batch, were cleared by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. While Prakash has been posted as an adviser at the SCO, Krishna K will function as an attache for a period of three years, from the date of taking over charge or until further orders, it said. The SCO is an intergovernmental international group created on June 15, 2001 in Shanghai (China) by China, Russia, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. India had an observer status By becoming a full member of the SCO, India hopes to strengthen its position in Central Asia and Asia in general at the SCO from Last year, a memorandum of obligations was signed and finally the country, along with Pakistan, was admitted in the group at the 2017 summit of the SCO at Astana, the capital city of Kazakhstan. By becoming a full member of the SCO, India hopes to strengthen its position in Central Asia and Asia in general. It hopes to cement more influence and assume a more proactive role on a stage dominated by China and Russia. The order also mentioned that the two officers will have to return after the completion of their tenure unless the competent authority, with requisite approvals, extends the period of deputation, in writing, prior to its date of expiry. In the event of an officer overstaying for any reason whatsoever, he/she would be liable for disciplinary action.-pti

9 Top Stories December 8, 2017 India Post 9 'India's influence bars raising of Kashmir issue' WASHINGTON: India's growing influence and economic power have enabled it impose a "gag order" on Kashmir with western countries being unwilling to raise the issue at the international level, including in the UN, 'president' of the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir has claimed. Masood Khan, a former Pakistani Ambassador to the United Nations, is currently here for what he described as part of his effort to apprise the international community about the current situation in Kashmir. He said India had veto on the talks between the two South Asian neighbours. "India has strategic alliances with certain countries. Because of the lucrative deals that it offers Masood Khan, a former Pakistani Ambassador to the United Nations, is currently here for what he described as part of his effort to apprise the international community about the current situation in Kashmir to powerful countries in the West, it has practically imposed a gag order on Kashmir," Khan claimed at the thinly-attended Atlantic Council, a top American think-tank. He alleged that because of India's increasing influence, "people here (in Washington DC), in Brussels, in London or other world capitals don't talk about Kashmir, because this would have consequences for these countries, like in terms of economic transactions, and strategic costs". Responding to questions at the event, Khan alleged that the UN was not acting on its own resolution because of India. "The United Nations is not acting because of real politics," he said. The Security Council is not taking cognisance of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, which is regrettable because of mandate that is given to the Security Council by the UN charter under chapter six and chapter seven, he said. Khan argued that the UN should act and be proactive.- PTI Court allows Trump's travel ban in full effect WASHINGTON: In a major victory for President Donald Trump, the US Supreme Court has allowed his travel ban to take full effect pending appeal, for people coming from six Muslim-majority countries. As a result of the Supreme Court's ruling, Trump's travel ban, which restricts travel to the US by people from Iran, Libya, Syria, Yemen, Somalia and Chad without bona fide US Supreme Court connections to the US, can take full effect while legal challenges proceed. The travel ban is the third version of a contentious policy that Trump first sought to implement a week after taking office in January. Seven of the nine judges lifted restrictions on the travel ban imposed by other courts earlier. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Justice Sonia Sotomayor said they would have denied the government's request. The court gave no reason for its decision, but said it expected lower court review of the executive orders to proceed quickly. "Multiple government agencies have conducted a comprehensive, worldwide review of the information shared by foreign governments that is used to screen aliens seeking entry to the US," US Solicitor General Noel Francisco argued in court papers. "We are not surprised by Supreme Court decision permitting immediate enforcement of the President's proclamation limiting travel from countries presenting heightened risks of terrorism," White House spokesman Hogan Gidley said after the order. Trump's travel ban was challenged by Hawaii and American Civil Liberties Union in separate lawsuits. Cont d on page 25 Pak says India isolated globally on Kashmir ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has said India has been "isolated" on the Kashmir issue after a UN General Assembly committee recently adopted a resolution in support of the right to selfdetermination. The committee last month unanimously passed the Pakistan-sponsored draft resolution, co-sponsored by 75 countries, over the right to self-determination for peoples who are subject to colonial domination and foreign occupation. It was a "testimony to the fact that on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir, India stands isolated", the Foreign Office (FO) said in a statement. The resolution, which is being adopted every year for the past four decades, signified that India "had failed to convince the world and its obfuscate facts trying to pass off its crime against humanity as counter-terrorism efforts had also failed", it claimed. The only way for India to end its international isolation on Kashmir is to implement the resolutions of the UN Security Council that call for a free and fair election under the auspices of the UN and allow the people of Jammu and Kashmir to choose their own destiny, it added.-pti Pakistani booked for writing 'Hindustan Zindabad' PESHAWAR: A Pakistani youth, who wrote 'Hindustan Zindabad' on the wall of his house in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, has been booked for treason, a media report said here. Sajid Shah had written 'Hindustan Zindabad' on the outer wall of his home in Nara Amazi area of the province, Daily Express quoted police as saying. He has subsequently been booked for treason, they said. Some local people told him to erase the slogan from the wall as it hurt their national pride, the police said. Some people took pictures of the wall on their smartphones and ed them to senior police officials. "We have booked the young man on orders from the highups", the officer said. -PTI Trump, Modi happy with Hyderabad summit WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have expressed satisfaction over the recently concluded Global Entrepreneurship Summit co-hosted by the US and India last week in Hyderabad, the White House said. President Trump's daughter Ivanka, who is also his senior advisor, had led the US delegation at the three-day event. Trump spoke to Modi on the phone. "The leaders expressed satisfaction with the recent Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES), co-hosted by the United States and India, which brought together entrepreneurs and investors from around the world, including 38 US states, the District of Colombia, and Puerto Rico," the White House said in a brief readout of the call. This year's summit focused on supporting women entrepreneurs and fostering economic growth globally. "For all of our progress, gender divides on access to technology, nutrition, and health, preventing women, their families, and their communities from reaching their full potential," State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert said.-pti More top stories on pages 25-26

10 Tech News 'Bot' picks up groceries it's never seen A pot of oatmeal, a tube of chips, a box of teabags-it's all the same to this robot. Built by online supermarket Ocado, it uses 3- D cameras to work o u t where to grab any object it looks at, and a small suction cup to pick it up. It's doing a pretty good job: it can pick several thousand of the items the firm sells without ever having seen them, and will be tested in warehouses next year. -MIT Technology Review Amputee monkeys control robot with mind Rhesus macaque monkeys that lost an arm in accidents can be trained to move a remote robot arm via electrodes implanted in their heads. Experiments published in Nature Communications show how neurons around the implant reconfigure over time as the monkeys learn to control the arm, ultimately enabling them to grab balls using the device. The finding joins a swell of brain-computer interface trials that made it MIT list it as one of 10 Breakthrough Technologies of MIT Technology Review Researchers are building AI with an undo For all of AI's advances, it still struggles to plan for the future. Part of the issue: AI doesn't fully understand the results of its actions. Now, reports Import AI, researchers from Google developed a system that learns through trial and error but also has an "undo" function. The AI, described on arxiv, performs actions it thinks will achieve a best result, but only if it knows how to restore things if something goes wrong. It may help AIs make fewer troubling errors in the future. -MIT Technology Review TechBiz 10 India Post December 8, 2017 New quantum computer may be faster, sooner Big tech firms are betting on quantum computers made from superconducting circuits cooled to extreme temperatures. But researchers at MIT, Harvard, and the University of Maryland think that a new kind of quantum device, which uses trapped atoms, could be scaled up faster than its competitors. -MIT Technology Review 1st phase of strategically-important Chabahar port inaugurated NEW DELHI: The first phase of the Chabahar port on the Gulf of Oman was inaugurated here by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, opening a new strategic route connecting Iran, India and Afghanistan bypassing Pakistan, and reflecting growing convergence of interests among the three countries. The port in the Sistan- Balochistan province on the energy-rich nation's southern coast is easily accessible from India's western coast and is increasingly seen as a counter to Pakistan's Gwadar Port, which is being developed with Chinese investment and is located at distance of around 80 kms from Chabahar. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Minister of State for Shipping Pon Radhakrishnan represented India at the inauguration ceremony of the Phase 1 of the Shahid Beheshti Port at Chabahar which was also attended by ambassadors and senior officials of the region. An India-Iran-Afghanistan ministerial-level trilateral meeting on Chabahar also took place on the sidelines of the event where the three countries resolved to work towards integrated development of connectivity infrastructure including ports, road and rail networks to open up greater opportunities for regional market access and integration of their economies. The Chabahar port is being considered a gateway to golden opportunities for trade by India, Iran and Afghanistan with central Asian countries besides ramping up trade among the three countries in the wake of Pakistan denying transit access to New Delhi. "The routes of the region should be connected on land, First phase of strategic Chabahar port, party developed by India, inaugurated by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani sea and air," Rouhani said at the inauguration ceremony, according to his office. India has been closely working with Afghanistan and Iran to create alternative, reliable access routes for trade. Under the agreement signed between India and Iran in May last year, India is to equip and operate two berths in Chabahar Port Phase-I with capital investment of USD million and annual revenue expenditure of USD million on a 10-year lease. The MEA, in a statement, said Radhakrishnan also represented India in the second India-Iran-Afghanistan ministerial-level trilateral meeting on Chabahar port in Chabahar. Iran was represented by its Transport Minister Abbas Akhoundi and Afghanistan by its Trade and Commerce Minister Humayoon Rasaw. In the meeting, the three countries assessed the progress in the development of the port and reiterated their "The routes of the region should be connected on land, sea and air," Rouhani said at the inauguration ceremony, according to his office. India has been closely working with Afghanistan and Iran to create alternative, reliable access routes for trade commitment to complete and operationalise it at the earliest, which they felt would provide alternative access to landlocked Afghanistan to regional and global markets. A joint statement issued after the meeting said the ministers also deliberated on trilateral pact relating to the mega connectivity project and expressed satisfaction on the completion of the ratification procedures by Afghanistan and India. They welcomed the steps taken by Iran to complete the ratification process. In May 2016, India, Iran and Afghanistan had inked a pact which entailed establishment of Transit and Transport Corridor among the three countries using Chabahar Port as one of the regional hubs for sea transportation in Iran, besides multi- modal transport of goods and passengers across the three nations. "The ministers discussed the next steps for full implementation of the agreement and moving towards its operationalisation. Towards this Endeavour, it was decided to finalize protocols related to transport and transit, ports, customs procedures and consular affairs. Cont d on page 12

11 December 8, 2017 TechBiz Post Electrics, SUVs main attraction at LA Auto Show India Post 11 LOS ANGELES: Automakers often debut their most fuel-efficient vehicles at the Los Angeles Auto Show, and this year is no exception. Volkswagen is showing off Bollinger Motors B1 Concept its I.D. Crozz, a pre-production electric SUV, and says it will go on sale in the U.S. by Land Rover, Porsche and Kia took the wraps off plug-in hybrids. Even the iconic Jeep Wrangler will get a hybrid version sometime after it goes on sale in January. California buyers purchase a higher percentage of hybrids and electrics than the U.S. as a whole thanks to state tax credits and other incentives. Nearly 50 percent of all U.S. electric vehicle purchases since 2011 have been in California, according to the International Council on Clean Transportation. California also has 31 percent of all U.S. public charging infrastructure for electric vehicles. B u t automakers are also appealing to buyers' sense of adventure at the show, with the debut of several off-road vehicles as well as the new three-row Subaru Ascent. Here are some vehicles visitors can see at the show, which opens to the public Friday: TOYOTA FT-AC CONCEPT Toyota is giving Subaru some competition with an SUV for the outdoorsy mountainbike crowd. The FT-AC prototype, which likely will go into production in the next year or two, looks like a RAV4 compact SUV on weight training. Toyota says it's being unveiled in Los Angeles because so many people there head to hills, deserts or beaches on weekend getaways. The concept vehicle has chunky black fender flares and a rugged-looking black grille. The versatile roof rack has LED marking lights and the side mirrors have detachable cameras with infrared features for night exploring. It'll have allwheel-drive and come with a gas-powered engine, although a gas-electric hybrid is possible, Toyota says. The company didn't give details on pricing or when it might be in showrooms. BOLLINGER MOTORS B1 CONCEPT Three-year-old electric vehicle startup Bollinger Motors is debuting its B1 prototype, a utilitarian, four-seat SUV with the blockish looks of a Land Rover Defender or Mercedes AMG G63. The B1 has two battery options: a 60 kilowatt hour battery that can go 120 miles on a charge and a 100 kwh version that can go 200 miles. The company Kia Sorento has already taken 12,000 pre-orders for the B1. Spokesman Jeff Holland says Bollinger will officially open its order banks and start taking deposits in a few weeks, when it announces pricing on the B1. Bollinger is Toyota Ft-AC Concept based in upstate New York but will contract with a third party to make the B1. It hopes to start producing the vehicles at the end of 2018 and delivering them in 2019 or KIA SORENTO Kia is updating its sevenpassenger SUV for the first time since its full redesign in Exterior changes are minimal. Kia has dropped a turbocharged 2.0-liter, four-cylinder from the Sorento's engine lineup but retains a 185-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder and a 290-horsepower 3.3-liter V6. Kia says a diesel engine is also in development. The V6 I paired with a new eight-speed transmission borrowed from Kia's Cadenza sedan, while the four-cylinder gets an updated six-speed transmission. Kia now offers a driver attention warning system, w h i c h senses if the driver is distracted or drowsy, as well as a system that helps the vehicle stay within its lane. A wireless charging pad for smartphones is also new. Kia didn't reveal pricing or the date the 2019 Sorento will go on sale. -AP Amul plans innovative programs to attract youth BRASILIA: Amul is launching innovative programs like the "cow to consumer" to make the dairy sector "contemporarily cool" and commercially viable for today's youth who are moving to cities and are reluctant to join the milk industry, the dairy giant's Managing Director Rupinder Singh Sodhi has said. In 1970, per capita of milk consumption in India was 111 gm and today it is 350 gm. It is growing at the rate of 2 per cent per annum. The demand for milk by 2050 would touch 540 million liters and to meet India's demand in the coming years there is a need to make the dairy industry commercially viable for India's youth, said Sodhi. "By 2050, 50 per cent of India would be urbanized, which means that we would have more mouths to feed and fewer hands to produce. In case of shortage of milk, we would become dependent on milk from edible oil and pulses," Sodhi told PTI. What is required is how to make dairy "contemporarily cool" and "commercially viable" business for today's youth who are drifting to cities and are reluctant to join the dairy industry, he said on the sidelines of the International conference on South-South and Triangular Cooperation here. "We are trying to modernize dairy farming using milking machines instead of hand milking; we are also using bulk milk coolers, modern sheds, modern watering system etc. The idea behind propagating a commercial dairy farm is to attract today's youth," 57-yearold Sodhi said. Sodhi said the biggest innovation that Amul is bringing in India's dairy industry is through 'Cow to Consumer'. Under the 'Cow to Consumer' program, Amul creates a digital account for a farmer. When a farmer goes to deposit milk at a collection centre, the quality and quantity of milk is assessed and updated on the card that comes with the account. Based on the quantity and quality, money is transferred to the account of the farmer immediately which could be accessed by him through a mobile app, he said. Cont d on page 14

12 12 India Post TechBiz Post December 8, 2017 Happy with Parekh's appointment, says Murthy NEW DELHI: Infosys founder NR Narayana Murthy has expressed satisfaction at the appointment of Salil S Parekh as NR Narayana Murthy the new CEO and MD of the company. He welcomed Parekh's appointment and wished him Infosys has appointed Parekh as its CEO and Managing Director, concluding the 3-month high-profile executive search at the country's second largest IT firm well for the new role. Murthy had a protracted standoff with the previous Infosys management over issues of corporate governance and compensation to former executives, leading to the abrupt resignation of the then CEO, Vishal Sikka. "I am happy that Infosys has appointed Salil Parekh as the CEO. My best wishes to him," Murthy said in a brief statement. Infosys has appointed Parekh as its CEO and Managing Director, concluding the 3- month high-profile executive search at the country's second largest IT firm. UB Pravin Rao, who was filling in the CEO role on interim basis, will now continue as Chief Operating Officer and a whole-time Director of the company, Infosys has said in a statement. Parekh, who will take over on January 2, 2018 for a period of five years, was a member of the Group Executive Board at French firm Capgemini. This is the second time Infosys is bringing in an outsider for the top job. Sikka, who was brought in from SAP in 2014, was the first non-founder CEO at the over USD 10 billion company. Salil S Parekh In August this year, he resigned from the company following months of acrimony with high-profile founders, led by Murthy, citing "malicious" and "personal attacks" on him. Nandan Nilekani, one of the co-founders of Infosys, was brought in as Non-executive Chairman to restore order at the embattled company. -PTI Kamov helicopters production in 4 stages MOSCOW: The production of 200 Kamov light weight multirole military helicopters for India will be done in four stages to ensure the transfer of technology for its main components under the Indo-Russian joint venture, a senior official for the program has said. Under the Indo-Russia joint venture, 200 Kamov 226T helicopters will be produced out of which 60 would be supplied to India in fly-away condition. One hundred forty helicopters will be manufactured in India under a USD 1 billion deal inked in "The project will be implemented on the basis of an int e r - governmental agreement, under which the Russian side has taken the obligation to transfer technology and achievement of the highest possible level of localization in the customer s country," Dmitriy Shvets, director of Kamov-226T program said here. "By that, we mean that within the localization there will be four stages for production from of transferring technology to production of helicopters and its main components," Shvets said. According to officials of Russian Helicopters, the first stage includes the delivery of assembled helicopters from Russia. The second stage includes delivery of joint venture helicopter components and preparation for localization, technology transfer and technical assistance. The third stage is the production of components from supplied materials and assembly. The fourth stage is full assembly of helicopters from components with materials produced locally or delivered from Russia and involves customer personnel joint training and infrastructure setup of service and maintenance center. India is procuring Kamov choppers to replace its ageing Cheetah and Chetak helicopters. The agreement for the Kamov choppers was signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Russia in December, In October last year, Russian Helicopters, Rosoboronexport and India's HAL Corp had almost completed the formalities for the joint venture to localize the production of Ka- 226Ts and deliver them to the Indian market. -PTI 1st phase of strategically-important Chabahar port inaugurated Cont d from page 12 It was also decided to convene an expert-level meeting of senior officials of the three countries at the earliest," the joint statement said. Reiterating the importance of Chabahar as a hub for regional economic connectivity and their commitment to work towards this objective, the ministers also commended the joint efforts of the three countries in the recent successful transit of wheat from India to Afghanistan through Chabahar. "The ministers agreed that an integrated development of connectivity infrastructure including ports, road and rail networks would open up greater opportunities for regional market access and contribute towards the economic integration and benefit of the three countries and the region," the statement said. The ministers also agreed to organize a connectivity event involving all stakeholders at Chabahar at the earliest so as to increase awareness about the new opportunities offered by Chabahar Port. The MEA said the meeting also commended the transit of first tranche of 1,10,000 tonnes of wheat from India to Afghani- stan through the Chabahar Port. It said Radhakrishnan expressed his positive appreciation to the Iranian side on the recent steps taken towards ratification by the Majlis of Iran on the Trilateral Transit and Trade Agreement signed in May 2016 between India, Iran and Afghanistan. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Rouhani noted that transit is the best communication tool for nations, adding "the routes of the region should be connected on land, sea and air," according to his office. Ahead of the inauguration of the port, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj met her Iranian counterpart Javed Zarif in Tehran during which implementation of the Chabahar port project was discussed among other issues. Swaraj made a stopover at Tehran on her return from Russian city of Sochi where she had attended the annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). Over a month ago, India had sent its first consignment of wheat to Afghanistan by sea through the Chabahar port, marking opening of the new transit route.-pti

13 December 8, 2017 TechBiz Post Pichai's strong case for Google return to China BEIJING: Google's India-born CEO Sundar Pichai has made a strong case for the search giant's return to China, saying it is already helping Chinese companies gain global access. Google was shut down in China in 2010 following a showdown with the government over censor policies. Since then Google, Gmail, Youtube and its other products are banned in the world's second largest economy. "A lot of work Google does is to help Chinese companies", the 45-year-old Google CEO, who has a BTech degree from IIT Kharagpur, said at a staterun global internet conference at the Chinese city of Wuzen. The conference was also addressed by Apple CEO Tim Cook and Chinese President Xi Jinping. "Many small and mediumsized businesses in China take advantage of Google to get their products to many other countries outside of China," Pichai told the meeting, Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported. After the ban, Google subsequently shifted its operations to Hong Kong.In its absence, Chinese firms like Tencent, Alibaba, Baidu and JD.com emerged most powerful players in China and abroad. Google and its products can be accessed in China through Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) over which Beijing has stepped up a crackdown in recent times. Apple this year agreed to "Many small and medium-sized businesses in China take advantage of Google to get their products to many other countries outside of China" the Chinese government's requests to remove dozens of virtual private network (VPN) Regulators nix rules limiting carmaker liability LOS ANGELES: California regulators have nixed a plan to let self-driving car manufacturers evade liability for crashes if the vehicle hasn't been maintained according to manufacturer specifications. The new rules delete a provision suggested by General Motors. California Department of Motor Vehicles spokeswoman Jessica Gonzalez said the change came after a review of comments on the plan. John Simpson of the nonprofit advocacy group Consumer Watchdog called the change a ``major victory for consumers.'' The rules could have absolved car makers of accident responsibility if a car owner hadn't cleaned his sensors appropriately, said Simpson, the group's privacy and technology director. GM spokeswoman Laura Toole said the automaker appreciated the department's transparency and added that the company is ``pleased to be part of the process.''-ap Sundar Pichai apps services that allow Chinese users to access blocked websites from its local App Store. Skype, the calling app, was removed from its mainland App Store this autumn. Pichai's attendance at the state sponsored internet meeting came after China recently lifted the ban on Google translation services. Besides Google, a number of global social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter remain banned in China over fears that their presence would openup to millions of China's social media users marginalising the official media. In his address, Cook said "the theme of this conference developing a digital economy for openness and shared benefits is a vision we at Apple share", adding that Apple "is proud to have worked alongside many of our partners in China to help build a community that will join a common future in cyberspace". The World Internet Conference in Wuzhen, near Shanghai, is an annual gathering of mainly Chinese internet officials and internet company executives as well as bureaucrats from developing countries. The previous three conferences in 2014, 2015 and 2016 were not attended by top US tech executives including Cook and Pichai, the Post report said.-pti Tech Briefs MIT Technology Review India Post Robots could take 800 mn jobs globally by 2030 But that won't be felt evenly. So says a McKinsey Global Institute study (PDF), which predicts shifting labor demand as a result of new tech. It predicts rich nations like America will find 25 percent of work automated by then, while poorer ones, like India, will see as little as 9 percent taken up by machines. New jobs will be created, but 375 million people will be forced to find totally different occupations-and they will likely require more tech savvy than many workers have. Using unnatural DNA to make new proteins Every living thing on Earth stores instructions for life as DNA, using the four genetic bases: A, G, C, and T. All except one, that is. In a San Diego lab, researchers have grown E. Coli bacteria with two more letters, an "unnatural" pair called X and Y. And now, for the first time, the germs are using the expanded code to make proteins with equally unusual components. This could be a big deal. Hack-backs are back but they're dumb Equifax. Uber. The DNC. Hacking is rife, and victims want justice. Currently, the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act makes it illegal for the hacked to hack the hackers back, vigilante-style. But the House of Representatives is considering draft rules that could change that. But that could be an awful idea. Wine-making robots are rolling into Bordeaux Savvy wineries in California have embraced tech to boost yield. But exclusive vineyards like Château Mouton Rothschild tend to make wine the old way. No more. Wine magazine Decanter reports that, at one Rothschild vineyard, robots are lending a hand: a wheeled 'bot cultivates soil and uproots weeds. And high-end port producer Symington Family Estates is also testing a robot, to monitor vine health. In other words: even hardened traditionalists are now embracing 'bots. This surgeon wants to get your brain online With enough cash, says Eric Leuthardt, he could, right now, build a braincomputer interface that would let you turn on lights, or convert 13 imagined speech into text, using just your mind. But his ambitions go further: he wants to alter humankind's evolutionary direction using tech.

14 14 India Post TechBiz Post December 8, 2017 Yogi govt plans to attract Rs 5 lakh cr investment LUCKNOW: With an aim to attract over Rs 5 lakh crore investment and create 20 lakh jobs in Uttar Pradesh by 2022, Yogi Adityanath government will promote "brand UP" in a big way by holding road shows in other states and investors summit in the state capital. "There is a possibility of investment of over Rs 5 lakh crore and creation of 20 lakh jobs in the state by We are going to hold road shows in many states and holding two-day investors summit in the state on February 21-22," Infrastructure and Industrial Development Commissioner Anoop Chandra Pandey said. The road shows will start from New Delhi on December 8. It will also be held in Bangalore, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Mumbai and Kolkata to showcase UP's potential and to attract investors. Giving a positive message to investors, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath himself is likely to lead a road show in Mumbai on December 22, a senior official said. For the investors summit, invites have been sent to over a dozen countries, including US, Korea and Japan and the state government is also gearing up for single-window clearance for industry from January 1. SBI to redesign envelopes for tax refund cheques NEW DELHI: State Bank of India will "redesign" its envelopes used to dispatch tax refund cheques of customers to cover their PAN and contact numbers, after an activist said that crucial personal information was visible to anyone which may result in misuse, the bank said. The move comes nearly 16 months after activist Commodore (retd) Lokesh Batra raised the issue that the window envelopes used by SBI make it easy for someone to glance through permanent account number (PAN) and contact number of the tax payee and misuse it. Batra wrote to Reserve Bank The state has identified 11 focal areas, including food processing, manufacturing, tourism, IT manufacturing hubs, solar energy etc, which will be highlighted through the road shows in different cities. of India (RBI) Governor Urjit Patel, alleging that SBI was violating its directions on 'protection of customer's information' by sending crucial information about customers in "unsecured envelopes". "...this systemic failure by banks must be breaching the personal information of very large numbers of People. I had reported this matter at the highest level in SBI..., but as of now no one has even blinked...and breaching of people's personal information is continuing," he wrote to the RBI Governor on November 28. He said he had been "pleading" with SBI at the highest level for the past 16 months to ensure compliance with RBI directions, but nothing has changed.-pti "Directives have been issued to prepare single-window clearance portal for industries by the end of this month," the IIDC said. The state has identified 11 focal areas, including food processing, manufacturing, tourism, IT manufacturing hubs, solar energy etc, which will be highlighted through the road shows in different cities. For these road shows, 13 policies have been identified for being showcased, including the recent Industrial Development Rajasthan to connect all dists with air service NEW DELHI: The Rajasthan government looks to provide air connectivity to all districts either through its inter-state air services or the central scheme Udan, a senior official said. While the Centre is pushing ahead with the ambitious regional air connectivity scheme UDAN, the Rajasthan government's intra-state air services initiative has been operational for little over a year. Besides, the state government has plans to start 'Palace on Wings' services to connect heritage properties, forts and palaces by air, according to Captain Keshri Singh, Director of Civil Aviation Rajasthan. The government has plans to "connect all districts with air services either by intra-state or UDAN or regular flight operations," he told PTI. Amul plans innovative programs to attract youth Cont d from page 11 "We have opened more than 26 lakh such digital accounts for farmers in the last few months and 40 to 45 per cent farmers have been covered under the scheme," he said. Another program aimed at attracting youth is dairy entrepreneurship scheme under which youth can go for a farm size of cows and buffaloes and it would be easily financed by the banks with Amul marketing for it. "One would earn Rs 40,000 per month through commercial dairy farming which in many cases is more than the Yogi Adityanath Policy that provides a number of facilities for entrepreneurs in the state. "During the investors summit in February, in which over 5,000 delegates including central ministers, industrial houses, Ambassadors and High commissioners, bankers, the state aims to sign MoUs worth over Rs 50 thousand crores," official sources said here. For boosting investments and development opportunities in the state, Yogi Adityanath government had in July approved Industrial Investment and Employment Policy, The new policy is aimed to "roll out a red carpet for the industries, instead of red-tapism" and facilitate the ease- of-doingbusiness, BJP spokesman Shalabh Mani Tripathi said. The policy has redefined the mega projects and linked the investments with employment generation, besides establishing a new 'Make in UP' department to derive the maximum benefits of the Centre's Make in India scheme, he said. Over two dozen US companies have evinced keen interest to invest in the state in October. A 50-member delegation, representing 26 major US firms, had a detailed interaction with state government for exploring investment opportunities in UP. With the tagline "US in UP" on the lines of 'Vibrant Gujarat', the state government had invited US firms. The delegation, headed by Boeing, had visited the state under the aegis of US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF), which is committed to create strategic partnership between the US and India and promote bilateral trade. -PTI amount you would earn in urban India," he said. Calling India a country of small holder farmers, he said the youth of the country needs to realize that animal husbandry is a very attractive business at this time when the land is shrinking and population is increasing. "We need to be able to increase milk productivity on reduced number of farms with the shrinking of land, then only we will be able to meet India's increasing demands and the country's youth has a very important role to play in taking the dairy industry of the country forward," he added.-pti

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16 Desi News Vandana kicks off campaign for Congressional seat SURENDRA ULLAL CHICAGO: Vandana Jhingan, a community activist, businesswoman, and media host has declared her candidacy for the US congress from 8th District of Illinois by kicking off her campaign for the position. "There are innumerable problems and ailments stemming from ineffective governance and leadership that are afflicting and affecting a vast number of Americans from broad spectrums and walks of life. Details on page 18 Rishi first politician in CA to accept Cryptocurrency India Post News Serviced SARATOGA, CA: Saratoga City Councilmember Rishi Kumar is the first politician in California to begin accepting campaign contributions in cryptocurrencies. The campaign contributions in cryptocurrencies are currently being made via his campaign website com/ contribute and it has already begun receiving contributions. This is no surprise to Silicon Valley circles that Rishi has applied some innovation to his 2018 re-election campaign's fundraising. Details on page 21 Start-up solves Facebook global challenge PRAKASH M SWAMY NEW YORK: DataVal Analytics Inc - a Chicago and Bangalore based artificial intelligence start up with telecom guru Dr. Sam Pitroda as chairman - has become for the first time in digital history to successfully complete a difficult 20-part challenge in artificial intelligence created by Facebook. The test known as the 20 QA babi Tasks hosted by Facebook Al Research (FAIR) assesses the ability of the artificial intelligence based programs to perform text understanding and reasoning. Details on page 22 COMMUNITY ACROSS AMERICA 16 India Post December 8, 2017 St. Rose Hospital to build new pharmacy with Fremont Bank donation Details on page 21 'When you really want something, the doors open' LAKSHMI IYER India Post News Service PALO ALTO, CA: On a beautiful fall day, I step into the quiet, artsy environment of Cubberley Community Theater in Palo Alto, California. Inside a hall -Dance Vision studio - a class is on. A strikingly beautiful woman leads a group of adult and teenaged women, both of Indian and non-indian ancestry. As the class ends, I have the honor of being introduced to one of India's great classical dancers and gurus - Ms. Sharmila Biswas, who has been practicing, teaching and innovating Odissi. She is the recipient of one of India's highest honors for the performing arts - the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award. Here is an excerpt of an interview with Ms. Biswas. India Post: Do you come here very often and teach? SPECIAL INTERVIEW My concept of teaching is that if I am in Calcutta (Kolkata), you come and learn and people do come; sometimes they come from all over the world Sharmila Biswas: No, not at all. I don't have many classes and workshops. My concept of teaching is that if I am in Calcutta (Kolkata), you come and learn and people do come; sometimes they come from all over the world. I feel that it is in our Indian arts and music, it is still a very oral tradition that gets passed from one generation to the next through the vision of the guru. So it is one vision and it becomes one united vision of the teacher and the student. And that united vision is not possible if I do not have that kind of bonding with my student. I need to possess the student to teach. But here, I felt that from the beginning that I am within my world. Somehow I feel at home here. IP: As an artist, you started at a very young age and you have achieved so much. Did you Sharmila Biswas leading a group of students in Palo Alto, California Veteran Odissi dancer, guru and researcher, Sharmila Biswas feel that pursuing an artistic path versus just taking up a job or living a regular life, was it tougher in the past or tougher now? SB: Oh, I don't know. I personally feel that when you really want something, the doors open. God gives everyone one chance, one little door. But you have to notice the door. Knowing yourself is the most important thing. And you know struggle at every stage is different. When I was very young, I was dancing. There was no struggle. Then in the early 20s, the struggle was to learn. Then, in the career, for the artist, I didn't know whether I could call myself a professional or not. Then someone told me, "Of course, doesn't matter if you are not earning a single penny, you are still a professional because you have attitude of a professional, you are doing it!" After crossing 50, it is a whole big new life for me because I am into research and creation, not just dancing. Cont d on page 20

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18 18 India Post Community Across America Vandana kicks off campaign for Congressional seat CHICAGO: Vandana Jhingan, a community activist, businesswoman, and media host has declared her candidacy for the US congress from 8th District of Illinois by kicking off her campaign for the position. "There are innumerable problems and ailments stemming from ineffective governance and leadership that are afflicting and affecting a vast number of Americans from broad spectrums and walks of life. Many of these problems have roots going back more than a few decades and their severity has only increased over time without much respite or recourse in sight. To correct these SURENDRA ULLAL journeys my conscience has compelled me to run for 8th Congressional district in Illinois on a Republican ticket for all Americans," said Jhingan talking to her supporters Jhingan's candidacy is supported by the Republican Hindu Coalition (RHC), and a number of community organizations like Bhartiya Senior Group (BSG) in Carol Stream. Jhingan has also received whole-hearted Jhingan's candidacy is supported by the Republican Hindu Coalition (RHC), and a number of community organizations like Bhartiya Senior Group (BSG) in Carol Stream. Jhingan has also received whole-hearted support from the Indian American community in Illinois support from the Indian American community in Illinois. Hari Bhai Patel, President of BSG, p r a i s e d Jhingan's selfless service to the community and called upon everyone to provide unconditional support to her. "Vandana is a selfless leader who has earned respect from community at large and has demonstrated true leadership working with the grassroots. Let's support her in every way to revive the core values of America," said Krishna Bansal, Indian American, a business and Republican Leader, who urged residents to come out and help with the petition drive. Jhingan has served the community as the Midwest bureau chief of TV ASIA for more than 15 years and works on various appointed positions with the city of Schaumburg. Jhingan is happily married and has lived in Schaumburg since In addition to serving on the boards of many local and national organizations, in her free time Jhinghan practices yoga, takes care of her elderly parents and volunteers with the Alzheimer's Foundation of America. December 8, 2017 JD seeks Congressional seat as Republican HARISH RAO Vandana Jhingan CHICAGO: Jitendra "JD" Diganvker, a community activist, has now decided to plunge in at national level seeking Congressional seat as a Republican candidate from 8th Congressional districts in Illinois and in his own words this is with a view "to give a voice to the hardworking, middle-class Americans often ignored by career politicians in DC." J Diganvekar JD understands the struggles of everyday Americans because he has faced those same struggles himself. After coming to America seeking opportunity, he has faced hurdles and difficulties worked long hours to support his family besides running entrepreneurial risks brining succeed and failures in the process. These experiences have given him firsthand knowledge of how government is stifling entrepreneurs and job creators and weighing down families with unaffordable healthcare costs. He has already commenced a petition drive getting thousands of signatures for his candidacy and is going all out for the nomination from the party. He has invited all to join Nextdoor, a private social network for the neighborhood. It is the best way to stay in the know about what's going on in your neighborhood-whether it's finding a last-minute babysitter, learning about an upcoming block party, or hearing about a rash of car break-ins. There are so many ways our neighbors can help us. We just need an easier way to connect with them. More than 160,000 neighborhoods across the country are using Nextdoor to share recommendations, safety tips, local events and simply to get to know one another better. Jitendra thinks it would be a great way for you to discover what's going on in your neighborhood.

19 Community Across America Ramayana performances bring Diaspora together December 8, 2017 SUNTHAR VISUVALINGAM India Post 19 CHICAGO: The 12th Ramayana Dance Drama hosted by International Ramayana Institute of North America on December 2 here at the Rosary High School auditorium brought Indian, Indonesian, and Thai Diasporas together to celebrate their shared cultural legacy. Chief guests were Consul General of India Ms Neeta Bhushan and her Indonesian counterpart Rosmalawati Chalid, both of whom praised the epic as a national heritage, conserving and transmitting moral values to their respective societies. The proceedings were presided over by Subash C. Pandey from India, who was IRINA's sixth president ( ). Ms Bhushan, who personally reads the Indian Ramayana to her children, defined its wealth of artistic outgrowths as a process of give-and-take. The "take" side of this cultural convergence was well demonstrated by the Southeast Asian Klono Topeng masked dance from Cirebon, West Java, performed by Tri Kumara Siddhi from the Indonesian Consulate Group photo with all the dancers and Consulate officials performances. The Klono Topeng by Tri Kumara Siddhi, who works at the Indonesian consulate, originates in West Java and depicts a powerful king who has become infatuated by a beautiful princess and manifests his evil temperament when unable to fulfill his desire to marry her. Though predating the arrival of Hindu- Buddhist influence, such masked dances were readily incorporated and adapted to narrating the Indian epics. "Floating Lady" episode of the Thai Ramakien was staged by professionals from Somapa Thai Dance Company based in Washington D.C. Originally performed by an all-male cast solely at the royal court, the dance drama was presented before ordinary Americans by a cast of entirely female danseuses. The Sita wooed here by demon king Ravana turns out to be his own niece Benyakai, who leaves him embarrassed upon quitting her magical disguise. Eventual rescuer of the real Sita, the great white monkey Hanuman thereafter overtakes the fleeing Benyakai in midair to ravish the princess. This "digression" and apparent inversion of the original suggests the extent to which diverse Southeastern cultures, even as faraway as Cambodia, understood its deeper esoteric meanings well enough to rewrite the epic. The Balinese Legong Dandaka Sari was presented by the Gamelan Ensemble from University of Illinois at Urbana Champagne's School of Music. Ravana unwittingly woos his niece Benyakai, who has transformed herself into Sita, in the "Floating Lady" episode of the Thai Ramakien performed by an all-female cast Performed for almost 200 years by angelic prepubescent girls, Legong is a pure highly stylized dance that attempts to capture the graceful essence of feminity. Seven women from Indonesian Performing Arts of Chicago welcomed the audience with the Balinese version of "flower offering" (pushpaanjali). The Indian component was provided by the large cast from Gauri Jog's Indian Dance School, who rapidly enacted the story of Lord Rama from birth to the winning of Sita's hand through a medley of mostly north dances reflecting Kathak, folk, and even Western influences. The marriage was celebrated with the Rajasthani Ghoomar dance by Chicago's Srujan Dance group. After the "Ram versus Ravana war" by Indian performers, the grand finale saw troupes from all three countries dancing together across the entire stage. Indian Rama (center) flanked by Balinese Legong dancer and Thai Sita amidst other performers in the grand finale. White Hanuman and green Ravana are to the right Cont d on page 23

20 20 India Post Community Across America 'When you really want something, Cont d from page 16 IP: We have a lot of dance schools in the Bay Area, both classical as well as other forms, and of course, Bollywood. Some people feel that our classical art forms are being compromised. What are your thoughts on this? SB: Popular art has always occupied a much bigger space in cities, in villages, everywhere. And side-by-side, our art also existed in the past, even now. It is just that everything is very visible now. We have to accept that popular art will always happen and most people will run after that. But we will exist in spite of that, because that's the need of the people, the need to coexist and take from each other. IP: You did something in Puri with the 'devdaasis'. Could you tell us something more about that? SB: When I started my research in my early 30s, one of my first projects was to know the root. I went to Puri to not only interact with the 'devdaasis' - the temple dancers - but also to interact with the old scholars. I was fortunate to meet two 'devdaasis', the last two ones - the people who knew the system very well. the doors open' And I created a production called 'Sampurna', which means "a complete woman". It came out of one sentence, which Shashimani (one of the 'devdaasis') told me. I said, "All this you are saying your husband Jagannath, your son, Gopal, your Krishna in the 'raas', they are not real..." She said, "What makes you think that your husband is real? Your husband is flesh and blood, which diminishes each year and my Gopal comes to me every year in the form of a baby. My Krishna comes with all the colors in the 'raas'. My husband comes to me every night when I go to him. And who are you to say that your husband is more real than mine?" So that completeness I saw. We choose our planes; we choose our bubble. So that was her bubble. And I wanted to be a part of that bubble. IP: Classical art has always We have to accept that popular art will always happen and most people will run after that. But we will exist in spite of that, because that's the need of the people, the need to co-exist and take from each other been involved in the development of society. My mother used to say that if you learn some form of art, it will always develop your character. SB: Well, unfortunately, it is not as simple as that. It started with fourteen 'Vidyas' - pure sciences. Out of these fourteen 'Vidyas', sixty-four 'Kalas' - arts -emerged, which took the elements from these 'Vidyas' - the knowledge - and made it beautiful. And it was through the bodies and the voices of those 'devdaasis' that all those fourteen 'Vidyas' converted into sixty-four 'Kalas', to educate the people. But something somewhere got twisted in our history of development of art the 'devdaasis' would have probably ended died they should have died a natural death and something would have emerged out of that. But they did not die a natural death. It was our colonial government, which came and decided what is moral and what is immoral. But they were the only educated women who were actually earning. And later on, it happened in 'Devdaasi' Act. There was this urge that India is so big, India is so cultured let us showcase. So who were showcased? Not the 'devdaasis' but people who had money, who had power, who had political clout. So that part of the history I dislike and we are suffering from it. IP: What are your plans as a teacher? What is your vision for this near future? SB: Well, there is so much work to do...basically, my thing is to dig out from the past -tradition - and make a production and show. Then, Odissi music excites me a lot. Then, curriculum for children. I love teaching. So I am into that -teaching - big time; school children, who don't want to be professional dancers but they want to dance. But are we going to teach them 'Odissi', 'Bharatnatyam'? No. Dance, which is multifaceted. So there are many dreams. I hope I'll be able to have the opportunity to do it, I mean the time. I need another 100 years (laughs) December 8, 2017 Indians participate in Christmas celebrations RAMESH SOPARAWALA India Post News Service CHICAGO: More than 90 Christmas trees and religious displays that show different ways of celebrating Christmas Maria Pappas Cook County Treasurer are on display in the downtown Chicago office of Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas. This is the 14th year of "Christmas Trees from Around Indians and ethnic community show their culture with Christmas trees at Maria's office the World," the display of three-foot-high trees which are decorated in Pappas' office by members of ethnic communities to show their cultural heritage. Presentations from other religious traditions are included. "Diversity is one of Chicagoland's great strengths and can mean unity," Pappas said. "We see it in the way different ethnic groups decorate trees for the same vital holiday." Ornaments, tinsel and lights are augmented with animals, flowers, fruit, balls, candles, plates, boats, stars, flags, dolls and other items on the trees in Pappas' office. The display will be up through the Christmas and New Year holiday period in Room 112 of the Cook County Building, 118 N. Clark St., Chicago. Also on display on counters in the Treasurer's Office are a Christian Nativity scene, an African American Kwanzaa Kinara, a Hindu Prayer Thali, a Jewish Menorah and a Muslim Ramadan Mubarak. The countries and traditions represented by the trees include: African American, Albania, Armenia, Assyrian, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Barbie Doll, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cajun-New Orleans, Canada, Canada-Quebec, Carpatho- Rusyn, China, Colombia, Cornwall, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Czech, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, England, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Hawaii, Honduras, Hungary, India, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kosovo, Laos, Lebanon, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Mexico, Native American, Nepal, Netherlands, Nigeria, Northern Ireland, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Puerto Rico, Romania, Russia, Scotland, Senegal, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Taiwan, Thailand, Ukraine, United States, Uruguay, Vietnam and Wales.

21 December 8, 2017 Community Across America India Post 21 St. Rose Hospital to build new pharmacy with Fremont Bank donation India Post News Service FREMONT: On October 4, the St. Rose Hospital Board of Directors recognized Fremont Bank and the Fremont Bank Foundation for their donation of $375,000 to build a new, state-of-the-art, in-patient pharmacy at St. Rose Hospital. St. Rose Hospital is an independent community hospital located in Hayward, California that has been an integral part of the local community for 55 years. St. Rose Hospital serves as a safety net hospital, providing healthcare access to those who otherwise would not receive care. "The continued support from Fremont Bank allows the Hospital to maintain providing quality healthcare to our community," said Aman Dhuper, St. Rose Hospital Chief Executive Officer. Fremont Bank and the Fremont Bank Foundation are long-time supporters of the Hospital and have donated over 1 million dollars to various projects at the Hospital for the past 20 years. In response to the recognition, Brian Hughes, Vice President, Fremont Bank Left to Right: Julie Zhu, Michael Cobb, Julie Moore, Fred Naranjo, Nahid Pouya, Brian Hughes and Aman Dhuper and Executive Director, Fremont Bank Foundation remarked, "We look for established organizations in our community where their mission is to enhance quality of life for all people. The doctors, nurses and staff at St. Rose Hospital work hard to keep people healthy, which leads to a stronger community." Through innovative and strategic partnerships with Fremont Bank and the Fremont Bank Foundation, St. Rose Hospital has helped create a healthier community in Alameda County. Rishi first politician in California to accept Cryptocurrency India Post News Serviced SARATOGA, CA: Saratoga City Councilmember Rishi Kumar is the first politician in California to begin accepting campaign contributions in cryptocurrencies. The campaign contributions in cryptocurrencies are currently Rishi Kumar being made via his campaign website com/ contribute and it has already begun receiving contributions. This is no surprise to Silicon Valley circles that Rishi has applied some innovation to his 2018 re-election campaign's fundraising. He is currently a Silicon Valley hi-tech senior executive, a bitcoin enthusiast who actively brainstorms with other crypto currency aficionados locally, and is a former IBMer. As Saratoga's councilmember, he seeks to apply the hi-tech framework to city government and offer services that are cheaper, faster and better for his community. During his first term on the city council, Rishi has made a huge impact in handling two critical issues for Saratoga: crime and super high water bills. Communication has been his strength as he consistently keeps the community informed and engaged with the latest issues, while proactively running grassroots campaigns to resolve them. Rishi's 2018 re-election campaign line is "Real Impact, Real Results, Re-elect Rishi". He certainly has accomplished results by applying the hi-tech results driven framework to his leadership on the city council. "It is the Silicon Valley mindset to constantly innovate", Rishi explained. "That is exactly what I seek to do whether as a hi-tech executive crafting out an enterprise transformation strategy, whether serving my community of Saratoga or campaigning for office. It is exciting to redefine the playbook, The campaign contributions in cryptocurrencies are currently being made via his campaign website com/contribute and it has already begun receiving contributions leverage the latest tools of the day, and innovate just a tad. Disruption is what Silicon Valley does best; it won't be fun otherwise!" Rishi certainly has been innovating! During his 2014 run for Saratoga City Council, he launched the very first social media campaign ever in Saratoga's city council elections. Cont d on page 22

22 22 India Post Community Across America December 8, 2017 Start-up solves Facebook global challenge PRAKASH M SWAMY NEW YORK: DataVal Analytics Inc - a Chicago and Bangalore based artificial intelligence start up with telecom guru Dr. Sam Pitroda as chairman - has become for the first time in digital history to successfully complete a difficult 20-part challenge in artificial intelligence created by Facebook. The test known as the 20 QA babi Tasks hosted by Facebook Al Research (FAIR) assesses the ability of the artificial intelligence based programs to perform text understanding and reasoning. Todate no organization has been able to solve all the 20 tasks with one hundred percent accuracy. However, using a unique approach, DataVal has successfully completed all 20 tasks with cent percent accuracy. The approach focuses on the human way of understanding Language. It also has integrated multiple processes related to language pre-processing, word sense disambiguation, conjunction processing, preposition association, co-reference resolution, and time and space analysis. DataVal focuses on a holistic view of the environment and The test known as the 20 QA babi Tasks hosted by Facebook Al Research (FAIR) assesses the ability of the artificial intelligence based programs to perform text understanding and reasoning the ecosystem to reason and understands the situation, an approach similar to the human approach to problem-solving. Artificial Intelligence is the new frontier technology of the future with far-reaching implications on social, economic and political activities across the world. It will have a significant impact at home, business, factories, banking, government, education, health and lot more. All major global companies and universities have been working on artificial intelligence for decades. With advances in highspeed computing, low-cost storage, open source software, cloud computing and smartphones, artificial intelligence is now in prominence. Cont d on page 24 Sam Pitroda Spectacular 'Cinderella in India' dance version ST LOUIS: Dances of India, one of the oldest, continuously running classical Indian dance companies in the United States, recently celebrated its 40th Anniversary Performance at the Skip Viragh Center of the Arts in St. Louis, Missouri. The company pulled out all the stops as it presented a strikingly original take on Cinderella, in Devi of the Ashes-Cinderella in India. In a script written and narrated by Nartana Prem, Artistic Director Asha Prem's daughter, Devi of the Ashes took viewers to the ancient courts of India, complete with two sets of swayamvaras! Theckla Mehta, co-director of the company, choreographed this Indian spin on a beloved Western tale. The performance also featured a feast of traditional Bharatanatyam. Company dancers were graceful and playful in a piece entitled Yenimahanandave, which ended with dancers presenting an enchanting take on a solar eclipse. Guest performer Sanjay ASHWIN PATEL Shantaram of Shiva Priya School of Dance in Bengaluru choreographed a dynamic Monica and Ishita in St Louis dance performance Arishad Varga, in which dancers brought to life six basic emotions in vividly portrayed classic Indian stories. Kiran Rajagopalan, a former student of Asha Prem and now a professional Bharatanatyam dancer in NYC, performed Ardhanarishwara majestically. He brought into being - seemingly without effort - the distilled force of Shiva and graceful power of Parvati. Patrick Suzeau, a professor of contemporary dance at Kansas University in Lawrence presented a breathtaking piece, Moksha, which fused Odissi and contemporary dance. His inner strength and supreme fluidity of body were a joy to watch. All in all, the performance was stunning and a fitting testament to the drive of the late Dr. Prem, founder of the company, who wanted to showcase and share this traditional performing arts form with the entire St. Louis community. Dances of India has succeeded in fulfilling his vision; the company had their largest and most diverse audience ever. As one audience member put it, "Now it's time for the next 40!". Rishi first politician in California to accept Cryptocurrency Cont d from page 21 His approach then was to launch multiple channels of engagement with the citizens of Saratoga, creating campaign mechanisms that had hitherto not been explored prior in the elections. It proved to be successful, winning his very first run. He continues to follow his passion in empowering the youth, running various youth STEM programs locally in Silicon Valley such as coding programs and robotics. He recently launched a Big Data, Analytics semester long program that presents contextual relevancy of Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Cognitive Science, Block Chain and Data Sciences to this complex topic, that has farmed out so many Silicon Valley startups. These STEM programs are offered for no charge and available to anyone in the local community, run via a non-profit that he chairs. Rishi Kumar offers a unique spectrum in California politics, bringing a nexus of hi-tech, policy, non-profit and government, for community, creativity, charity and a thriving economy. He is constantly exploring options to exercise this unique confluence of skills for the good. He understands the security and regulatory challenges that can arise with innovation, and has presented position papers on complex technology topics to members of the California Legislature. It has to be noted that Federal Election Commission (FEC) has unanimously approved a super PAC's proposal to accept bitcoins as donations with a few caveats. Last year major presidential candidate Rand Paul accepted bitcoin donations. Libertarian presidential candidate Rishi Kumar offers a unique spectrum in California politics, bringing a nexus of hi-tech, policy, non-profit and government, for community, creativity, charity and a thriving economy Austin Petersen who is now running for U.S. Senate is currently doing the same. How will crypto campaign contributions evolve? Will FEC regulate this or not anymore? That is to be determined. But Cryptocurrency is now creeping into every single societal use case. Councilmember Rishi Kumar of Saratoga just got the ball rolling in politics for the state of California.

23 December 8, 2017 Community Across America Ramayana performances bring Diaspora together Cont d from page 19 Prior to the official start, Academy of Thai Classical Music from Chicago's Wat Dhammaram entertained the gathering audience with five instrumental compositions from different provinces and ethnicities of their home country. The event was emceed by Rashmi Gandhi, Dhingra and Falguni Gandhi. Dance-related artifacts from Indonesia, Thailand and India were exhibited. Founded in 2000, IRINA's presidency rotates among its three constituent Diaspora communities. To supplement the artistic dimension with intellectual depth, IRINA organized three International Ramayana Conferences (in 2001, 2005, and 2010) with Center for Southeast Asian Studies of Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. The first conference, in which scholars from India, Indonesia, Thailand, Myanmar, U.S., Belgium and France participated, also covered the epic traditions in Burma and Philippines (Mindanao). Like the following Lord Rama and his younger brothers are taught archery in Ayodhya by king Dasharatha, as depicted by the Indian Dance School of Chicago conference, it was funded by grants from Infinity Foundation. Newal Kishore Agnihotri, at whose home the IRINA meetings are still held, has been the vision and inspiration behind the organization. He proposed collaboration to the Thai and Indonesian consuls after having watched performances hosted by them more than 15 years ago. His dream is to revive the "Realizing Rama" contemporary dance production and project that premiered at the sixth ASEAN Summit in Vietnam in During a month-long stay this summer in Bali, Yogyakarta, and Djakarta, I witnessed Ramayana performances in diverse styles, including shadow puppet theater, and came to appreciate firsthand the abiding love that Indonesians, including and especially Muslims, have for their ancient Indian heritage as a shared wellspring of ever-pertinent human values. As a specialist of Hindu tradition and South Asian culture, I am also painfully aware, also firsthand, of the contradiction between the above Diaspora veneration and the growing trend in American academia that systematically, even gleefully 'deconstructs' Ramayana as an oppressive text justifying the social evils of Hinduism and as stoking ongoing religio-political conflicts, questionable judgments that are nevertheless finding sympathetic elite echoes back in India itself. With adequate and targeted funding, IRINA could become a platform of choice to reinstate the Ramayana as a unifying force for good across Asia. India Post 23 Samoohik Satyanarain pooja at Grayslake temple CHICAGO: The Hindu Mandir of Lake County, Grayslake (a Chicago suburb) conducted its annual 'Samoohika Shri Satya Narayana Vrath Katha Pooja' on Sunday Dec 3 with over 150 devotees actively participating in it. The "Samoohika" or community format of the Pooja involved multiple families with their relatives and friends praying collectively to Lord Vishnu for the spiritual wellbeing of the entire community. The Temple provided all the GEETHA PATIL Samoohik Puja at Grayslake temple in progress Pooja samagris to the devotees. The Pooja started with the prayers to Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles and Nava Grahas. The main component of the Prayer service was dedicated to the worship of Lord Satya Narayana and the meaning behind the stories of the Pooja drawn from the Skanda Purana. Shri Ramachari and Shri Yogesh Pandey archakas performed the Pooja of the Lord with all the devotees in a dedicated manner with chanting all the Vedic Mantras and Vishnu Sahasranamam which consists of the 1000 auspicious names of Lord Vishnu for the fulfilment of devotees' personal and professional goals. Pt. Anil Joshi narrated the importance of the name of this Pooja, "Samoohika Satya Narayana Vrath Katha" to all the devotees. He said that the purpose of Satya Narayan Puja is to bring friends and families together and offer prayers and rituals that encourage universal happiness, unity and The Final Aarti after the Puja harmony among people. He further narrated that Satya means Truth or Dharma, Narayan means the one that abides in everything and everybody. Such group prayers promote thepower of positivity He told devotees that the stories in this Katha tell us about three important things: Vrath, Moha, and Prasad. Vrath means Vachana/commitment to perform prayers for earning blessings of God and free themselves from Moha that is attachment to Dhan (Money), Santana (offspring), and name and fame. Prasad here means Bhakti. This means we pray for all to become happy, free from illness, see what is auspicious, no one suffers, and happiness prevails in the entire world. He also blessed all the devotees for happiness, prosperity, and success in life. The prayer service was concluded with an Aarti and on the behalf of the Temple Committee. Vote of thanks was proposed by Shammi Dhall. He acknowledged the time and service provided by the dedicated volunteers to the development of the temple and success of its socio-religious events. The devotional service was followed by sharing of temple Prasad, a community meal to strengthen social bonds among the devotees.

24 24 India Post Community Across America Kansas varsity Inclusion Plan excludes Asian-Americans CHICAGO: Indian Americans across the country are upset at the exclusion of Asian-Americans from the "Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Strategic Plan" for the University of Kansas (KU) College HARISH RAO University of Kansas of Liberal Arts & Sciences. Under its goals, this Plan talks about active recruitment to increase the representation of minority populations in the College's faculty, staff and administrative/executive hires, stating "We especially seek to increase the numbers of faculty members who are..." Asian-Americans are not included in the minorities listed here. Another goal of the university talks about increased representation of minorities in the College's student body through active recruitment and retention efforts, stating "We especially seek to increase the numbers of undergraduate and graduate students who are..." Asian- Americans are again not included in the minorities listed here. Rajan Zed, a front ranking community activist, said that it was shocking for the hardworking, harmonious and peaceful Asian-American community; who had made lot of contributions to the nation and society; to receive such signals of exclusion. Zed urged the Kansas Board of Regents President Dr. Blake Flanders and KU Chancellor Dr. Douglas A. Girod to seriously re-look into the "Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Strategic Plan" and include Asian- Americans in it. Opened in 1866, KU in Lawrence is a major comprehensive public research flagship university with 28,447 students from all 50 US states and 105 countries and offers over 370 degree programs and teaches over 40 languages. It claims to have produced 27 Rhodes Scholars, many Pulitzer Prize winners and a Nobel laureate. December 8, 2017 PG&E offering 200 college scholarships India Post News Service SAN FRANCISCO, CA: Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is now accepting scholarship applications for collegebound high schoolers as well as current college and continuing students living in Northern and Central California. More than200 awards totaling nearly $700,000 are being made available through PG&E Scholarships, which includes the Better Tog e t h e r STEM Scholarship and employee resource group (ERG) scholarship programs. P G & E Scholarships information, including criteria and applications, is available on PG&E's website. To be considered for a scholarship, all applications must be submitted by Feb. 5, "Many PG&E Scholarship recipients are the first in their families to attend college. These scholarships will help the leaders and innovators of tomorrow achieve their education and career goals. We're proud to invest in these promising students and to help build a better California," said Dinyar Mistry, PG&E senior vice president, human resources and chief diversity officer. PG&E Scholarships are awarded annually to help offset the cost of higher education. Better Together STEM Scholarship recipients will receive a one-time scholarship of $10,000 to assist in their pursuit of higher education in engineering, computer science, cyber security or environmental sciences. ERG scholarship beneficiaries will receive awards from $1,000 to $10,000 for exemplary scholastic achievement and community leadership. Since 2012, PG&E's Better Together STEM Scholarship Program has given nearly $3.6 million to accomplished students based on a combined demonstration of community leadership, personal triumph, financial need and academic achievement. Start-up solves Facebook global challenge Cont d from page 22 All leading companies like Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Facebook, Apple, IBM and a handful of startups have substantial research and development underway on the subject. The success of DataVal in solving QA babi tasks offers hope to address a variety of artificial intelligence applications related to intelligent personal assistance, search engine, voice command and control applications, social media content analysis and expert systems in fields such as education, health, energy, environment, transport, finance, marketing, manufacturing, services and government. DataVal Analytics has offices in Bangalore and Chicago with a small team of highly experienced data scientists and programmers focused on Natural language Understanding technology and Big Data analytics. The company was founded by veterans from the Indian Army - Lt Col Shashi Kiran and Lt Col Naveen Xavier.

25 Top Stories December 8, 2017 India Post 25 Extradition trial of Vijay Mallya begins in UK LONDON: The extradition trial of Vijay Mallya, wanted in India on charges of Rs 9,000 crores fraud and money laundering, has begun at a UK court here, with the prosecution asserting that the embattled liquor baron had a "case of fraud" to answer. The trial began with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), arguing on behalf of the Indian government, presenting its opening arguments in the case which focused on loans totaling around Rs 2,000 crores sought by the erstwhile Kingfisher Airlines from a consortium of Indian banks. It concluded the opening day's proceedings by asserting that they had "shown by virtue of evidence a prima facie case" against Mallya and the hearing should now move to the next phase of whether there were any "bars to extradition". The CPS detailed "three chapters of dishonesty" by the former Kingfisher Airlines boss the first being misrepresentations to various banks to acquire the loans, then how he misused the money and finally his conduct after the banks recalled the loans. "Instead of acting as an honest person and doing what he could to meet his obligations, he sets about erecting lines of defense," said CPS barrister Mark Summers. The Indian government says the reasons why a court can conclude, that these were loans that the "defendant (Mallya) never intended to repay" and that the company and airline industry were in "intensive care" and heading only in one direction, Summers said. Instead of absorbing those losses, which would "impinge on his lifestyle", Mallya chose to palm it off to banks, in particular state-owned banks. Several internal s, the government claims, disclose the reality of the position which was misrepresented to the banks, he said. The judge noted that businessmen in this position would be "hopeful that things will turn around", but the CPS said F1 Force India team boss Vijay Mallya is surrounded by members of the media as he stands outside to smoke during the lunch break on the first day of his extradition case at Westminster Magistrates Court in London on December 4 this was not the case with Kingfisher Airlines. It went on to add that loans Mallya claimed later that those personal guarantees were secured by the banks under duress, a move the CPS highlighted was not the actions of an honest person acquired in the name of rescuing the struggling airline were in fact used to pay off other debts, including paying the rent on a corporate jet "owned by Kingfisher but operated for the defendant's (Mallya) own benefit". The CPS presented an written by Mallya in December 2009 justifying the use of loans to "achieve round robins", confirming that he was open to using money received from banks for Kingfisher Airlines to repay other banks to settle overdue bills and charges. This was "expressly prohibited" as part of the agreed terms of the loans provided to the then struggling airline. He also failed in his obligations as a "personal guarantor" Indian jailed for seeking sex with minor WASHINGTON: A 57-yearold Indian-origin man from Canada was sentenced by a federal court in Arizona to 46 months of imprisonment on charges of travelling to the US to have sex with a minor girl. Dilbagh Singh, from Ontario, Canada, has pleaded guilty to the charges. According to the court documents, in January 2017, Singh began an online relationship with an individual he believed to be a 15-year old girl. Over the course of nearly four months, Singh told the girl that he wanted to engage in various sex acts with her. In May 2017, Singh travelled from Canada to Flagstaff, Arizona, to meet the girl and to have sex with her. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice.-PTI of the loans by failing to use 40 million dollars received from Diageo from the sale of shares in United Spirits Limited to repay some of the debt. "Instead of honoring his obligations, he squirreled away the 40 million dollars in trusts for his children," Summers said. Mallya claimed later that those personal guarantees were secured by the banks under duress, a move the CPS highlighted was not the actions of an honest person. Court allows Trump's travel ban in full effect Cont d from page 9 They argued that such a travel ban discriminates against Muslims. "It is difficult to conceive of a more flagrant example of discrimination because of nationality," said Indian American attorney Neal Katyal, who appeared for Hawaii. The New York Immigration Coalition Executive Director, Steven Choi, said that it is entirely unacceptable and un- American to discriminate against people based on race or religion. "Allowing the full enforcement of the Muslim ban will not make this country safer or greater. Nearly a year after we rallied at JFK in response to the first Muslim ban, we will continue to fight Trump's plan to turn bigotry into policy and resist this latest assault on our liberties just as we have every day since Trump took office," Choi said. Michael S Glassner, executive director of Donald J Trump for President campaign committee, welcomed the decision. "From June 16, 2015 to this day, President Trump's immigration policies have always been about one thing: keeping Americans safe from people who seek to do us harm and attack our freedoms," he said. "As promised, the President The judge responded with a chuckle by saying it was "quite inventive though". The CPS admitted that there may have been "irregularities" in the internal processes of the banks sanctioning some of those loans but that would be a question to be dealt with at a later stage in India. "The focus of our case will be on his (Mallya's) conduct and how he misled the bank and misused the proceeds," said CPS barrister Mark Sum- directed his administration to conduct a thorough and appropriate review of immigration vetting procedures, in place under the previous administration, to ensure that terrorist attacks do not occur on American soil," he added. "Now that the Supreme Court has ordered the lifting of restrictions on this ban, minimum security standards for entry into the US can be enforced. All Americans should take heart that President Trump is fully committed to It is entirely unacceptable and un-american to discriminate against people based on race or religion Making America Safe Again, and will continue the fight to ensure their safety no matter what," Glassner said. Omar Jadwat, director of the ACLU's Immigrants' Rights Project, said that it is unfortunate that the full ban can move forward for now. "But this order does not address the merits of our claims. We continue to stand for freedom, equality, and for those who are unfairly being separated from their loved ones. We will be arguing in the Fourth Circuit that the ban should ultimately be struck down," Jadwat said. -PTI

26 26 Top Stories India Post December 8, 2017 Central help to J-K under 'Incredible India' JAMMU: The Centre has assured the Jammu and Kashmir government support under the its flagship tourism program 'Incredible India', an official spokesman said here. The central government has also called for roping in business and corporate houses for facilitating promotion of tourism in the state, he said. Director General, Tourism Ministry, Satyajeet Rajan has suggested that the International Travel Mart be held in the state's summer capital Srinagar around the Tulip Season in March, the spokesman said. Rajan was speaking at a high-level meeting here to review the progress of tourism projects in J-K under the Prime Minister's Developmental Package (PMDP). Under the package, Rs 2,000 crore has been earmarked for development of tourism infrastructure in the state, the spokesman said. These funds are to be spent over a period of five years beginning 2016 with Rs 400 crore to be released by the Centre each year, he said. Rajan suggested that corporate bodies such as the CII and the FICCI should be involved by the state for the promotion of tourism and said that support under Incredible India would be provided to J-K. Chief Secretary B B Vyas said that Jammu and Kashmir has immense potential for varied tourism activities and with adequate infrastructure in place. He said that the tourism sector has the potential to create jobs and it can be harnessed to address unemployment in the state. Given the resources available for infrastructure development in the tourism sector, the state is going to witness huge augmentation of facilities in the coming years, the chief secretary said. He called for fast-pacing tourism projects to ensure productive use of resources under Under the package, Rs 2,000 crore has been earmarked for development of tourism infrastructure in the state, the spokesman said. These funds are to be spent over a period of five years beginning 2016 Caste politics rule the roost in Gujarat polls AHMEDABAD: The caste factor is likely to remain at the core of Gujarat Assembly polls following the emergence of caste-based movements, with major parties distributing tickets accordingly. Both the BJP and Congress have kept the caste arithmetic in mind while given tickets for polls. The Patidars and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) have been given maximum tickets by both the main parties. The BJP has nominated 50 Patidars this time, while the Congress has fielded 41 candidates from the community. The ruling party has fielded 58 OBCs while the Congress has 62 such nominees. The main opposition party Both the BJP and Congress have kept the caste arithmetic in mind while given tickets for polls. The Patidars and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) have been given maximum tickets by both the main parties has given tickets to 14 Dalits while the BJP has fielded 13. As per political pundits, this Assembly poll will be a battle to win that "extra four to five per cent vote share". The BJP cannot afford to lose that while the Congress is trying its best to attract the castes which are 'angry' and can fill in that gap in the vote share. According to political analyst Achyut Yagnik, a mere swing of about four to five per cent would prove to be game changer for Congress. However, he believes that though there is some possibility the Congress may win some additional seats this time, it is too early to predict that it would come to power despite the support extended by caste leaders - Hardik Patel, Alpesh Thakor and Jignesh Mevani.-PTI the PMDP. "Access the funds available to the sector, use it judiciously and deliver the mandated outcome within the set timeframe," Vyas said. The key projects taken up under the PMDP include the development of tourism facilities on the Mantalai Sudhmahadev-Patnitop, Gulmarg-Baramulla-Kupwara- Leh, Jammu- Rajouri-Shopian- Pulwama, Anantnag-Pahalgam- Daksum-Ranjit Sagar circuits. These projects are being executed by central government subsidiaries-- the National Building Construction Corporation (NBCC) and the National Projects Construction Corporation (NPCC). The official said that coordinated efforts must be made at various levels in the administration to remove bottlenecks 'India market of 70 mn refurbished smartphones' JAIPUR: India has an unorganised market of 70 million refurbished smartphones with a year-on-year 35 per cent growth, said an industry official. "Consumer behaviour of this market promises an opportunity for organised players in this segment and many have started betting on it. Creating C2B platform is the best solution to cater to the secondary market," founder of InstaCash Prateek Goel said. The firm has purchased 9,000 units of smartphones and called for regular followup of projects. "You can personally flag issues with me, if my intervention is needed at any level to expedite the execution of these important projects," the chief secretary told the officers. He also called for employing innovative marketing strategies to sell tourism projects. The projects to be taken up under PMDP include providing infrastructure to 12 tourism development authorities, creating three tourism circuits, setting up 50 proposed tourist villages and conservation of the Wullar Lake, the official said.-pti within seven months of its operation. The secondary buyer market exists in states such as Rajasthan, Gujarat, UP, MP and Maharashtra and J&K. InstaCash, which has operations in New Delhi till now, will soon be operating from Jaipur, he added.-pti

27 December 8, 2017 India Post 27

28 TOP TEN HINDI FILM SONGS 28 India Post December 8, 2017 Every time Dangal actor Fatima Sana Shaikh puts up a new post on her Instagram account, special remarks from her many fans follows. Either the actor is trolled for her choice of getting bold for photoshoots or is loved and appreciated by many for her transformation from a tomboyish wrestler to a beauty with long locks and a pretty face. Thankfully this time the trollers have taken a back seat and are deciding on whether she resembles her Thugs of Hindostan co-actor Katrina Kaif or not. Fatima shared a picture of herself wearing a pretty royal blue saree and complimenting her traditional look is a bindi on her forehead. The 25-year-old posted another photo in the same attire and this time the netizens think she is a perfect mix of Kareena Kapoor Khan and Katrina Kaif. However, there are some who feel that she looks like herself and is beautiful in her own skin. Karan Johar has decided - after much dilly dallying - to cast Chunky Pandey's pretty daughter Ananya in Student of the Year 2, the sequel of his hit 2012 film, reports DNA. It had been speculated for long that she was to make her Bollywood debut in his film. The report adds that after toying with the idea of casting Sridevi's daughter Janhvi Kapoor and Saif and Amrita Singh's daughter Sara Ali Khan, the Bollywood mega mogul finally zeroed in on Ananya. She auditioned before Karan and others recently, the report added. "Karan, Tiger Shroff and director Punit Malhotra were present at the audition where Ananya was asked to read out Alia's lines from Student Of The Year. And Ananya sailed through like a professional. Karan immediately decided to cast her." 1 Chalti Hai Kya 9 Se 12: Judwaa 2 2 Ghoomar Song : Padmavati 3 Oonchi Hai Building: Judwaa 2 4 Main Kaun Hoon: Secret Superstar 5 Ban Ja Rani: Tumhari Sulu 6 Nachdi Phira: Secret Superstar 7 Hawa Hawai 2.0: Tumhari Sulu 8 Mere Raske Qamar : Baadshaho 9 Maine Tujhko Dekha: Golmaal Again 10 Ittefaq se: Ittefaq Richa Chadha may be gearing up for her next venture Fukrey Returns, but that hasn't really stopped the actress from being active on social networking sites. In fact, Richa's more than verbal attitude online has landed her not in a spot, but in a book. What's more, the said book that is being written by author Timothy Ferriss will feature Richa Chadha alongside the likes of Ashton Kutcher, Ben Stiller and others in the international book. Her choice is being attributed to her distinct social media presence because of her forthright take on issues. Seeing this, the internationally acclaimed entrepreneurial author Timothy Ferriss asked Richa to contribute to his upcoming book 'Tribe of Mentors'.

29 December 8, 2017 Bollywood India Post 29 Nargis Fakhri, who breezes in and out of the spotlight in Mumbai, is back in the city. And this time, news is that she's not alone. Rumor has it that she has moved in with Uday Chopra in his Juhu bungalow. The actress has been in an on-off relationship with Uday for a few years now. The couple had apparently parted ways in the summer of 2016, because of which Nargis left the promotions of 'Housefull 3' abruptly and headed back home to New York apparently because of a sudden bout of illness. After that, she has been juggling life between New York and Mumbai rather discreetly. It was rumored in May this year that the two were spotted together in New York, but the actress immediately denied it on Twitter. Kajol, a mother of two, said her children are her biggest gurus. "I've been learn ing from my kids ever since I was pregnant. I have learned a lot from my kids. My biggest gurus are my kids. I learn something new from them every day," Kajol said at an event in Mumbai. "Sometimes there are words which I don't understand when they are talking, so they tell me the meaning with a lot of patience and ease. Sometimes it's their habits or outlook which I learn from. The most important thing I've learned from my kids is patience," Kajol added. She said she uses love and little threats when trying to make her children pick up a habit. But giving them knowledge is the right way. "The most important thing is that I believe when teaching a child, whatever it might be, you need to tell the reason behind it because every child asks the same thing, 'Mom, why?'" At a time when women directors are being applauded for exploring fresher content, Tisca Chopra is pushing the envelope by producing and acting in the stories that she is also creating. After acting for more than two de cades and being a part of films like 'Taare Zameen Par', 'OMG! Oh My God', 'Qissa' and 'Highway', she stepped behind the camera to narrate a story she firmly believed in. 'Chutney', her first outing as a independent producer (along with her partner Vipul D Shah) and co-writer, was applauded at various festivals, widely accessed on web platforms and even picked awards for its content. Tisca says, "Creativity needs conviction, not committees. Chutney is a story that I had performed many years ago on stage when I wasn't allowed as a young actor inside Prithvi Theatre. It grew in my head and was bursting out of me. A leading short-film platform gave us the opportunity to make it the way it deserved to be made. When you believe in something from within your soul, you tend to find likeminded people who make challenges seem pretty easy to deal with."

30 30 India Post December 8, 2017 MUMBAI: Shashi Kapoor the one with devastating good looks and urbane charm, who made generations of women swoon; whose celluloid partnership with Amitabh Bachchan caused serpentine queues before movie halls for films such as 'Deewar', 'Kabhi Kabhie', 'Trishul' and many more; who produced the finest in meaningful alternative cinema, built the iconic Prithvi Theatre and was among India's first crossover stars, passed away in Mumbai's Kokilaben Ambani Hospital on December 4. "He had a kidney problem. He was on dialysis for several years," his nephew, actor Randhir Kapoor, told PTI. He was 79. Shashi was the youngest of the three Kapoor brothers - Raj and Shammi being the others - in what's regarded as Bollywood's family No 1. Now with all three are gone. An era is over. Raj created the golden hearted tramp; songs such as 'Awara hoon' and 'Mera joota hai Japani' became global anthems. Shammi's primeval yell, 'Yahoo!' altered the idea of romantic ardor in Bollywood. Shashi's screen persona wasn't clearly defined like his brothers. But his imprint on India's performing arts runs deeper. He produced classics such as 'Junoon', 'Kalyug', '36 Chowringee Lane' and 'Utsav', all directly or subliminally rooted in literature. 'Junoon' was based on Ruskin Bond's long story, 'A Flight of Pigeons'. 'Utsav' was a modern celluloid avatar of ancient Indian playwright Sudraka's 'Mrichakatika'. The protagonist of '36 Chowringee Lane' quotes Shakespeare. 'Kalyug' was inspired by the Mahabharat. These movies will stand the test of time but equally vital was Shashi's love for theatre - where he found the other great love of his life, Jennifer Kendal. One of Shashi's great dreams was to build a place for performing arts. The dream became a reality when the Prithvi Theatres building was readied in In the seasons that followed, the centre gave a major boost to quality Hindi theatre in Mumbai. The Kolkata-born actor began his career as a child artiste. He was named Balbir Raj but became Shashi Kapoor when he graduated to doing lead parts. Everybody noticed him as the young right-winger in Yash Chopra's Dharmputra (1961) but major box-office success eluded him till he played the naive and sentimental shikarawala in the romantic drama, 'Jab Jab Phool Khile' (1965) in which he serenaded Nanda with the classic Kalyanji-Anandji composition, 'Ek tha gul aur ek thi bulbul'. Around the same time, he worked in indie films like 'The Householder' (1963), 'Shakespeare-Wallah' (1965) and 'Bombay Talkie' (1970) by the not-yet-famous Merchant-Ivory duo. Shashi also had the lead part in the British movie, 'A Matter of Innocence'. His scene with an unclad Simi Garewal in Conrad Rooks's 'Siddhartha' became a major talking point. Later, he also had notable parts in 'Heat and Dust' (Merchant-Ivory, again) and Pierce Brosnan's 'The Deceivers', both British Raj flicks. In that sense, he was the only Bollywood hero of his time who became a familiar face aboard. Cont'd on Page 33

31 December 8, 2017 India Post 31 Famed Madame Tussauds opens in Delhi NEW DELHI: Want to ride a bike with Tom Cruise or shake a leg with Ranbir Kapoor? Or do you wish for a sparring bout with Mary Kom and share a dribble with Lionel Messi? Or do you want to do all of the above? Just get set for the dream dates - at Madame Tussauds. Now that the Delhi chapter of the famed waxed museum has finally opened its doors, people can get up, close and personal with their favorite idols. The 23rd and the latest addition to the series of Madame Tussauds attractions is housed in the historic Regal building. "We are extremely thrilled to be opening our doors," Anshul Jain of Merlin Entertainments, which owns all Madame Tussauds attractions across the globe, said. The first Madame Tussauds attraction was founded in 1835 on Baker Street in London. Operating for more than 200 years, today it has 23 flagship sites globally present in London, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Berlin and New Delhi. Divided into seven sections, the New Delhi attraction is home to around 51 life-like wax figures from different walks of life - history, sports, music, film and politics. Who better to open your journey into the world of lights, camera and action than Salman Khan? Posing as Pawan Kumar Chaturvedi from his much loved film "Bajrangi Bhaijaan", Salman is seen riding a rickshaw, and you are more than welcome to join him. Next, put on your jacket and sunglasses, and hop on to Tom Cruise's red and black Ducati for a thrilling ride. As you walk further in the Film and Television zone, you will meet Madhubala striking a pose as Anarkali from "Mughal- e- Azam", Raj Kapoor as Ranbir Raj from "Shree 420" and Ranbir Kapoor dancing to "Badtameez Dil". "The wax figure of Raj Kapoor here is the only figure in black and white," a Madame Tussauds India, China love story in dance charms Chinese BEIJING: A dance play, featuring classical dance and art forms of India and China, depicting the romance between an Indian and Chinese, captivated the audience here. The dance drama "Shiv-Yin", co-choreographed by noted Indian choreographer Rukmini Chatterjee and Chinese dance artist Aimin Teng, involves classical Indian dance forms of Bharatanatyam, Kathak and the Chinese martial arts. The aim of the dance play is to portray the commonalities between world's two ancient civilizations. While Souraja Tagore, Kantika Mishra and Rukmini enthralled the audience with their immaculate Bharatanatyam and Kathak dances, merging them into the story line, the all-male Chinese artists lightened the show with their Kung-fu skills. "Shiv-Yin is a rare performance bringing China and India together through dance and music," Rukmini said, outlining the theme of her show performed here at a theatre attended by large Chinese audience. "It is a beautiful love story that traverses the emotions of love, anger, jealousy and ultimate union, through a vibrant interpretation of classical Indian and contemporary Chinese dance forms." -PTI spokesperson said. Next in line is Marilyn Monroe donning her exquisite red gown from "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes". The attraction offers interactive opportunities for visitors who can sport Mornroe's wig or Raj Kapoor's hat and get themselves clicked. A section takes visitors through the history of the making of Madame Tussauds, showcasing how a wax figure is created - sitting, sculpting, molding, hair insertion, coloring, eyes and teeth making, wardrobe and finishing. The section also features a 20- minute film where Prime Minister Naredra Modi speaks about his experience of getting his wax figure made at Madame Tussauds. The sports corner includes Mary Kom, waiting to knock you down, and David Beckham, looking dapper in a black suit. Our very own 'Flying Sikh' - Milkha Singh - is there, along with sprint king Usain Bolt. The section also has football greats Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as well as legendary Indian cricketers Kapil Dev and Sachin Tendulkar. A flight of stairs will lead you to the history section that houses national leaders - Mahatma Gandhi, Bhagat Singh, Netaji, Sardar Patel, A P J Abdul Kalam and Modi. Walking further will give you a sneak peek of Michael Jackson rehearsing his "beat it" pose and Madonna getting ready for yet another gig. You can groove to the songs of Beyonce, Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga or Jennifer Lopez, tap your feet to Bhangra tunes with Sonu Nigam or enjoy Asha Bhonsle's melodious voice, accompanied by the tabla maestro Zakir Hussain. To celebrate your tour of Madame Tussauds, a party is a must and who better than Katrina Kaif, Kate Winslet, Anne Hathaway, Amitabh Bachchan, Madhuri Dixit and Kim Kardashian to share a drink with? The tickets to the attraction are priced at Rs 960 for adults and Rs 760 for children.-pti

32 32 India Post December 8, 2017 No, Manushi Chhillar is not joining films! HYDERABAD: Miss World Manushi Chhillar has sought to clear the air on her next move, saying it is very interesting to be an actor, but currently joining the film industry is not on top of her mind. "I have been asked a lot this question. To be honest, I am very excited for the year ahead because I will be travelling so much and after that, I do have to complete my education. So, that is something on my mind honestly," she said here at an event in the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES). "But I think it is very interesting to be an actor. You get to live another life... But as of now, it (film aspiration) is not on top of my mind," she added. She also highlighted the critical role communication skills play in becoming an entrepreneur. "It is fundamental when you are a doctor for a good doctorpatient relationship," said Chhillar, a medical student. Chhillar referred to several causes she would work for during the year, which include working on her project to promote menstrual hygiene and the overall health. "Health and hygiene are a basic personal need for all. I would like to take it forward so that everyone has access to this," she elaborated. She acknowledged that being Miss World and representing India is a big responsibility, but "when you do what you love, you do not feel the pressure". According to Chhillar, every person on the earth can make a difference in society and "you do not need to be Miss World to do that". Chhillar, 20, the medical student from Haryana, recently shot to fame by winning the Miss World 2017 crown at a grand event in China, bringing to an end the country's dry spell of 17 years at the top pageant contest. Chhillar is the sixth Indian to win the coveted crown, which was first won by Reita Faria way back in Aishwarya Rai had bagged the title in 1994, followed by Diana Hayden in 1997, Yukta Mookhey in 1999 and Priyanka Chopra in PTI Jacqueline wants to explore Chandni Chowk Jacqueline Fernandez admits that her visits to Delhi are mostly whirlwind affairs. "I usually land for an event or a movie promotion in the morning, travel from the airport to the hotel or venue and then back. I haven't had the chance to explore the city," the actress said on her recent visit to Delhi. The visit this time around was not for a film promotion though. She is the brand ambassador of the football team, Delhi Dynamos, and was in the capital to unveil the team's jersey for the new season. Jacqueline told us that her association with football goes back to her school days. "I have always been a fan of football and I grew up as an athlete. I used to play all kinds of sports - be it basketball, football, volleyball, and badminton, and I found football to be the most difficult of them all because it was just so taxing. But I've grown up in that culture where people are football obsessed and I will soon become one of those people now," she said. Jacqueline said she has maintained her connect with sports through her fitness regime. MMA training and kickboxing prominently feature in her workouts and the actress hopes that some day, she will get to do some action on screen too. She told us, "Action films with female leads are very few, it's still a niche section. But being a part of so many action films where I'm not being able to partake in the Parineeti's new aspect in each film She is just six years old in Hindi filmdom and has been a part of nine films, mostly in different genres. And actor Parineeti Chopra says she prefers not to play repetitive characters. "Audiences are keen to see a performance, as much as they like watching the stars and larger-than-life films. So being able to deliver in different genres and tackle a variety of roles has more value. Personally, for me, repeating myself at this stage of my career would just be uninspiring. I like to challenge myself and put out (present) a new shade (aspect) with each film," Parineeti says. She was last seen on screen in the comic entertainer Golmaal Again, which minted over Rs 200 crore in India. Does crossing these benchmarks matter to Parineeti? "As an actor, you want to have a great body of work, but I would be lying if I said the Rs 100 crore benchmark doesn't matter. It matters to every actor. It just shows how audiences are accepting you, how much they love you. I'm loving the feeling that I have right now," she added. Her next film project is Dibakar Banerjee's Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar. Parineeti says Banerjee was always in the list of her "dream directors" ever since she started acting. "I have always been really fortunate to work with amazing directors. Dibakar has been on my dream directors' list ever since I took up acting. Working with him has involved elaborate prep and very focused workshops. He has an exquisite eye for nuance and detail," said the actor. action sometimes makes me really sad. But hopefully, we will get there soon and it would be something that I would love to do. It's always been my dream to portray someone like a Lara Croft on screen someday, or even do something along the lines of Charlie's Angels." 'The kind of space that you have in Delhi is something that we never see back in Mumbai' Jacqueline's only memories of Delhi are from 2013 when she shot for Kick. She said, "Actually, I haven't been able to come back and shoot here since then. For Kick, we shot near Qutub Minar. I remember it was Holi that day when we shot there, and it was wonderful. Later, we went and visited a couple of these big, sprawling bungalows and that amazed me. The kind of space you have here in Delhi, be it the houses or the roads, is something we never see back in Mumbai." 'The smog is a wake-up call, we must be environment-conscious' The actress' visit to the capital coincided with the rise in pollution levels and the smog. She said, "It's sad that we have let it get to this bad a state where people can't even breathe air. It is worrisome. But it is also a wake-up call, people will now understand the effects of pollution. I hope this leads people to become environmentally conscious." 'Chandni Chowk is where I want to go and eat street food' An excited Jacqueline told us about the one place in Delhi she wants to visit. She said, "Chandni Chowk is where I want to go. I have heard so much about it from people who have been there and shot there. They tell me it has such a different vibe and energy. I will probably cover up and go in disguise so that nobody can recognize me and I can explore Chandni Chowk without anybody asking for a selfie. "When I first came to Delhi, I remember going to Khan Market, just sitting at a cafe or exploring the bookstores over there. These are little things I love doing." In fact, Jacqueline even knows what she wants to eat when she goes to the walled city. "I have heard that the street food here is really amazing. The golgappas of Delhi are something I want to try. I have heard they are different and much bigger as compared to the pani puri back in Mumbai," she said with a laugh.-courtesy DT

33 December 8, 2017 India Post 33 Gentle charmer An era ends with death of Shashi Kapoor Cont'd from Page 30 It was a different story back home. Despite the occasional box-office smash such as 'Sharmeelee' (1971), his career was more troughs than crests. The surprise success of 'Chor Machaye Shor' (1974), still remembered for the wedding band favorite, 'Le jayenge le jayenge dilwale dulhaniya le jayenge', hauled him out of the abyss. When the multi-starrer era came, Shashi adroitly blended with the mood of the times. He didn't have Amitabh Bachchan's felicity with fists but he positioned himself as a smart and cool romantic-action hero which made him a vital ingredient in big-budget films. The male-bonding pair combined to create superhits such as 'Deewar', 'Trishul', 'Suhaag', 'Kabhi Kabhie' and 'Namak Halaal'. Not many remember that it was Shashi, playing the just and ethical inspector, who spoke the iconic dialogue - "Mere paas maa hai" - in Deewar though it was Bachchan, with the more flamboyant part of the angry rebellious dockworker, who embossed himself in popular imagination. Few also remember that Shashi claimed a Filmfare Award for the Best Supporting Actor in 'Deewar'. Years later, Shashi got the National Award for playing the role of an upright journalist in 'New Delhi Times' (1986). In his solo career, Shashi delivered a clutch of hits in the 1970s, notably 'Fakira', 'Chori Mera Kaam' and 'Satyam Shivam Sundaram'. During this period, he also signed films left, right and centre. The buzz went that he had signed 100 movies. The actor worked sometimes in three shifts. Unable to get the dates from his own brother for the film, 'Satyam Shivam Sundaram', Raj Kapoor once compared him to "a taxi". Armie Hammer quits Twitter over 'impulse' LOS ANGELES: Actor Armie Hammer has revealed the reason he quit micro-blogging site Twitter. The "Call Me by Your Name" actor said he took the decision due to lack of "impulse control" and felt responding to every criticism he faced on Twitter. "I just have no impulse control so if somebody says something stupid, I couldn't help but say something back, and then it just exploded. This is a toxic environment, and my life is way better off," Hammer said, according to The Wrap. "It's so funny People are so addicted and into Twitter, it seems crazy that someone could walk away from it! They're like, 'Wait, he deleted it?' It was actually really easy," he added.-pti The film went on to become one of his biggest solo hits. In 1978, Shashi had 12 releases. The reason why he broke his back working in so many Bollywood commercial films was primarily to finance his dream: producing meaningful movies and constructing a theatre which his father, Prithivraj, always wanted. Long before he received the Dada Saheb Phalke award in his father and brother Raj have also received India's highest film award - Shashi had fulfilled both his dreams. Kapoor's last memorable performance was as an ailing poet past his prime in the Ismail Merchant film In Custody. The character from an Anita Desai novel, was a poignant reminder of the actor's own mortality. Amitabh Bachchan remembers As brothers-in-arms or partners-in-crime, megastar Amitabh Bachchan has shared fond memories of spending his life - both onscreen and offscreen - with Shashi Kapoor, the "incredibly handsome" star. Having worked in around 14 films, including hits such as "Deewaar", "Kaala Patthar", "Trishul", "Suhaag", "Shaan", among others, the duo also collaborated in "Ajooba" (1991) with Shashi directing Bachchan for the first and only time. The megastar, in his personal blog, remembered feeling a little uncertain as an aspiring actor about his future in the film industry with the likes of charming actors like Shashi around. "I said to myself, as very uncertain thoughts raced through my mind of wanting to become a film actor, that, with men like him around, I stood no chance at all..." Bachchan recalled coming face-to-face with Shashi in a glitzy magazine, which announced his debut in films. "Standing elegantly without a care in the world, I saw him standing by a Mercedes Sports car, a convertible, a smart trimmed beard and moustache, adorning involuntarily, the face of this incredibly handsome man..." he wrote. The actor, who was fondly called 'babbua' by Shashi, said he knew the veteran actor had been ailing for a long time but he avoided visiting him. "I had visited him on occasion in Hospital during some of the times he had been hospitalized earlier... But I never went to see him again... I would never have... I never ever wanted to see this beautiful friend and 'samdhi' in the state I saw him in hospital... "... and I did not today, when they informed me that he had gone," he wrote. Bachchan also recounted couple of incidents with Shashi at the centre - where he always ended up receiving something from the generous actor. The "Pink" star said he learnt the "self-introduction habit" from Shashi, which he uses till date. He said the "Waqt" actor would extend a "warm soft hand out" in his first acquaintance with someone, disarming people with the "twinkle in his eyes" and "mischievous, gentle, yodel in his voice". And it was Shashi who inspired Bachchan to cover his ears with hair in the era that thrived with leading men in thick sideburns. "'Hey! maybe you should think of covering your ears as well...' and off I went to Hakim the hairdresser at Taj Hotel with my plan... and executed, it remained till date..." Director Shyam Bengal described him as "god's good man" and a beautiful human-being. "He was god's good man and a beautiful human-being beyond anything else," Benegal, who worked with the late actor in "Kalyug" and "Junoon", said.- PTI

34 Health Line Swaraj assures medical visa to Pak kids NEW DELHI: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has said that visa will be issued to a teenaged girl and two other children on medical grounds. Sohail Aarbi, a Pakistani national, appealed to Swaraj to issue visa to his 14-year-old daughter Hadia saying she was in a critical state and requires a liver transplant surgery. "Indian High Commission in Pakistan will issue visa for her liver transplant surgery in Swaraj tweeted. Another Pakistani national Masroor Akhtar Siddiqui also sought Swaraj's help so that an open heart surgery could be conducted on his three-year-old son Muhammad Shafay. "Yes. Muhammad Shafay is only 3 years old. We will issue visa for his open heart surgery in the EAM tweeted. She also tweeted that there was a request for bone marrow transplant of nine-year-old Abdur Rehman and a visa will be issued to him.-pti Residents comment on hospital closure plan PAWTUCKET, R.I.: Rhode Island health officials have heard from community members on the planned closure of Memorial Hospital in Pawtucket. Many attendees at the meeting in Pawtucket pleaded for the hospital to remain open, saying nearby residents may not be able to travel to other hospitals. Others noted that the closing of hospitals like Memorial reflects the changing health care industry. The State Department of Health held the meeting so people could comment on Care New England's applications to close the hospital's emergency department and to transfer primary care services provided under Memorial Hospital's license to Kent Hospital's license. The department says it has received the complete application for the transfer of primary care services. Members of a local nurses' union picketed outside the hospital. -AP Health Science 34 India Post December 8, 2017 Trump health pick parries questions on drug cost, health law WASHINGTON: Calling it the opportunity of his lifetime, President Donald Trump's pick for health secretary has pledged to help lower drug prices and said he'd carry out the Obama-era health law his boss has been unable to erase. Alex Azar's assurances to the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee were met with doubt by lawmakers of both parties, especially Democrats concerned about his ties to the pharmaceutical industry. Nonetheless the 50-year-old former drug company and government executive deflected Democratic attempts to paint him as a political partisan beholden to a powerful industry. Some Democrats, including Sens. Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire and Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, focused their questions on practical policy issues not tinged by ideological conflict. ``I don't have pharma's policy agenda,'' Azar said at one point. ``This is the most important job I will have in a lifetime, and my commitment is to the American people.'' Committee chair Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., told Azar at the conclusion of the hearing that he believes the Senate will vote to confirm him. Known as a brainy policy expert with a conservative political pedigree, Azar said his main priorities would be lowering drug prices, making health insurance more affordable, continuing Medicare's efforts to pay for value not just volume, and confronting the opioid epidemic. Alex Azar, President Donald Trump's nominee to become Secretary of Health and Human Services, testifies during a Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington On prescription drug costs, he said his combination of industry and government experience makes him uniquely suited to find solutions. Azar spent a decade as a top executive of pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly and served in senior positions during a previous stint at the Department of Health and Human Services, which he'd now lead. That was insufficient for Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky. ``You've got some convincing to make me believe you're going to represent the American people, not big pharma,'' said Paul. Paul demanded a written explanation from Azar on why it wouldn't be safe for U.S. patients to import lower-cost prescription drugs from other advanced countries. Drug companies have succeeded in staving off the imports challenge through successive administration of both parties. Pressed on drug pricing, Azar said all players in the system - drug manufacturers, insurers, pharmacy benefit managers, and government - share some of the blame. Smart phones overuse raises brain cancer risk ALIGARH, Uttar Pradesh: There is a 400 per cent increase in the risk of brain cancer among teenagers due to excessive use of smart phones, says Professor Girish Kumar of the Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai. Speaking at the Aligarh Muslim University here on 'Radiation Hazards of Cell Phones', the scientist urged the smart phone users not to take lightly the latest warnings pertaining to "hidden dangers" of technology, which stem from indiscriminate use of such devices. He also categorically warned people from using smart phones for more than 30 minutes a day. Prof Girish Kumar from the Electrical Engineering Department of IIT Mumbai had recently submitted a report to the central government on the serious health hazards of excessive use of latest technology. He pointed out that the release of free radicals into the human body due to excessive use of cell phones was also causing irreversible damage to male fertility. The scientist stressed that children, in particular, were suffering grave threats to their health as "a child's skull is thinner and easily penetrated by radiation". Cell phone radiations are also causing serious effects on animal and plant life, he said. Talking about the adverse impact of indiscriminate use of latest technology on youngsters, Prof Kumar said there was a 400 per cent increase in the risk of brain cancer among teenagers India's anti- Malaria efforts a success: Nadda Details on page 37 Cont d on page 37 due to excessive use of smart phones. "Such radiation is causing irreversible damage to the human DNA, especially of youngsters. It is also responsible for a steep increase in sleep disorders and neurodegenerative diseases, Alzheimer and Parkinson's disease," he said. The IIT professor added that one cannot wish away the latest technological developments, but it would be a fatal error if the society was not made aware of the serious health hazards, emanating from unbridled use of technology.-pti

35 December 8, 2017 India Post Health Science Post 35 Every third child in Delhi has impaired lungs NEW DELHI: Every third child in Delhi has impaired lungs, a research and advocacy body here said in a new study, which also probes some of the yet-unexplored links between air pollution and a person's mental health. The study has come a few days after the air pollution in Delhi and neighboring cities had risen to alarming levels, prompting a public outcry and forcing authorities to resort to emergency measures to contain the worsening situation. The air quality in Delhi again slipped back to being "very poor", which can cause respiratory illness on prolonged exposure. The Delhi government has issued a health advisory, urging people to avoid stepping out during the early morning and late evening hours. The report by the Centre for Science and Environment said air pollution causes 30 per cent of all premature deaths in India. In 2016, it said, 35 million people across the country had chronic asthma, a lung disease that inflames and narrows the airways. "Every third child in Delhi has impaired lungs while air pollution causes 30 per cent of all premature deaths in the country," the report 'Body Burden: Lifestyle Diseases' said. It claimed a crucial link exists between the environment and health, some of them yet-unexplored such as the connection between air pollution and m e n t a l health. It also investigates and exposes the new and emerging environmental triggers of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The report sought to establish that unless environmental risk factors were acknowledged and dealt with, India will not be able to curb non-communicable diseases. It said more than 61 per cent of all deaths in India are attributed to lifestyle or NCDs. The World Health Organization has identified four major risk factors for NCDs - alcohol, tobacco, poor diet intake and lack of physical activity - but it fails to call out the "real enemies" that have high salt, sugar and fat content but are low in nutrition, said CSE director The air quality in Delhi again slipped back to being "very poor" after weeks of alarming levels general Sunita Narain. "(The WHO) wants to play it as safe as possible so that it does not have to confront the real players and demand a restraint on their products, not through voluntary action but through government policies that restrict and restrain and put a premium on nutrition, not consumption," she said in a statement. According to the statistics cited in the report, more than 1.73 million new cancer cases were likely to be recorded each year by 2020 with air pollution, tobacco, alcohol and diet change being the "primary triggers". Every 12th Indian is a diabetic, pushing the country to the second rank in the list of countries with highest diabetes patients. More than 2.7 million people in India die of heart diseases every year, with 52 per cent of them below the age of 70, the report stated. Narain said India will need higher investment in the health sector to prevent illness and deaths caused by NCDs, due to multiple risk factors. The WHO says that by investing only USD 1-3 per person per year, countries can "dramatically reduce" impact of NCDs. The report lists seven major health problems in India - obesity, mental health, cancer, heart diseases, respiratory diseases, hormonal disorders and food allergies.-pti ICMR launches kits to detect livestock diseases NEW DELHI: The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has launched diagnostic kits to detect neglected infectious diseases in livestock. The kits have been developed by ICMR's Pune-based National Institute of Virology (NIV) in collaboration with Zydus Cadila, a global pharmaceutical company. These kits will help in detecting infections in the animal population as they are often the hosts or reservoirs, spreading the infection to humans who come in close contact with them. This public-private partnership will open newer avenues for many more indigenous diagnostics for public health benefits, Secretary, Department of Health Research and DG-ICMR, Soumya Swaminathan said. These technologies will enable the detection of outbreaks of dangerous and lifethreatening diseases and also give a boost to the government's 'Make in India' efforts, she said. "While tackling the neglected infectious diseases, timely diagnosis and treatment is critical. To reach the ultimate goal of elimination of these neglected diseases, it is important to maintain a constant vigilance through appropriate diagnosis, robust surveillance, monitoring and reporting mechanisms," Swaminathan said. These kits will be manufactured and marketed by Zydus Diagnostics, a division of Cadila Healthcare based in Ahmedabad. They provide results within 2.5 to 3 hours and are both highly sensitive and specific. They will be available for use in public health laboratories and hospitals across India and other countries. "This 'Make in India' initiative is dedicated to the well-being of our people, who are at high-risk, particularly in distant, remote areas of the country. This collaboration makes us self-reliant in detecting and starting early treatment so that precious lives can be saved," said Pankaj Patel, Chairman, Zydus Group. -PTI

36 36 India Post Health Science Post Chapter on tobacco control urged in schools NEW DELHI: Delhi's State Tobacco Control Cell has urged the NCERT to incorporate a chapter on tobacco control in curriculums of the CBSE and other educational boards for classes 6 to 12. Additional director in the Health Department, Dr S K Arora, in a letter said 14.1 per cent students (up to age 15 years) currently use tobacco products, with 4.2 per cent students smoking cigarettes and 1.9 per cent using other tobacco products. The use of chewable tobacco in various patterns was also increasing despite gutkha and chewable tobaccos being banned in Delhi, he said. The WHO estimated that of the 1,000 teenagers who smoke currently, 500 would eventually die of tobacco-related diseases, Arora said. Globally, most people start using or experimenting with tobacco before the age of 18 years. At this age the chances of getting addicted to tobacco products increase manifold, he said. "...tobacco use is the gateway of other drug addictions. As far as tobacco consumption among school staff/personnel is There was an urgent need for regular sensitisation of students, teachers and parents and hence creating a chapter in the curriculum would help a lot concerned, nearly 3 in 10 school personnel currently use tobacco products," he said in the letter. He said the Delhi government was already implementing tobacco-free initiative in educational institutes as per Government of India guidelines, the legal provisions of the Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act 2003 (COTPA) and the Delhi Act 1996 but "schoolgoing children were the most vulnerable group". There was an urgent need for regular sensitisation of students, teachers and parents and hence creating a chapter in the curriculum would help a lot, he said. "We have requested the NCERT to incorporate tobbaco control matter as a chapter in the curriculum of the CBSE and other educational boards for classes 6 to 12," he said. Arora said the CBSE was ready, as per their communication, to include the subject but it was dependent on the NCERT as the CBSE prescribes textbooks published by the NCERT only. "It is again stressed that protecting children and hence future generations from the menace of tobacco in the school going age is very important and will have a great public health impact throughout the country," Arora said.-pti SF approves rules on recreational pot stores December 8, 2017 India, Italy to upgrade medical infrastructure Nadda and his Italian counterpart Beatrice Lorenzin signed the MoU in the presence of senior officers from the health ministry and a high-level delegation from Italy. NEW DELHI: India and Italy have inked an MoU for enhanced cooperation in the health sector by pooling in technical, scientific, financial and human resources to upgrade infrastructural resources, medical education and research in both countries. Health Minister J P Nadda said both the countries share a rich relationship which has been enhanced by high-level visits. The MoU recognizes the potential for exchange in the health sector between the two countries, and the need to tap the capabilities and opportunities in a focused and comprehensive manner, an official statement issued by the health ministry said. Nadda and his Italian counterpart Beatrice Lorenzin signed the MoU in the presence of senior officers from the health ministry and a highlevel delegation from Italy. "The objective of the MoU is to establish cooperation between the two countries in the field of health by pooling technical, scientific, financial and human resources with the ultimate goal of upgrading the quality and infrastructural resources involved in health care, medical education and training and research in both countries," the statement said. The main areas of cooperation include exchange and training of doctors and other health professionals, assistance in development of human resource and setting up of health care facilities and regulation of pharmaceuticals, medical devices and cosmetics, it said. It also includes promotion of business development opportunities in pharmaceuticals, procurement of generic and essential drugs as well as health equipment, collaboration in prevention of non-communicable disease (NCD) and in the field of climate change impact on communicable diseases and vector borne diseases, among others, the statement added. -PTI SAN FRANCISCO: Following weeks of emotional and detailed debate over where to allow new stores, San Francisco supervisors have approved regulations for the sale of recreational marijuana when it becomes legal in California in January. The San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted for a 600-foot (180-meter) buffer zone between stores and schools, although vocal members of the city's Chinese immigrant community had lobbied for a much larger barrier. The board also rejected provisions that would have allowed neighborhoods to limit the number of pot shops or ban them outright. Pot advocates considered those provisions unfriendly. Cannabis supporters cheered when supervisors finally voted. They had rallied earlier in the day to encourage supervisors to hurry up and establish rules so businesses could start preparing. Supervisor Ahsha Safai was the only person to vote against the broad set of regulations, saying that the board had not had enough time to hash out sensitive issues, such as neighborhood input and local zoning. Demonstrators march in opposition to the legalization of marijuana in San Francisco. San Francisco supervisors approved regulations for the sale of recreational marijuana following weeks of emotional debate over where to allow new stores. ``This is the issue that divides the board,'' he said, ``this is the issue that divides this city.'' Recreational sales become legal in California on Jan. 1, although cities and counties are still struggling to devise regulations for local permits that growers or retailers need for state permits. -AP Students languish as medical college deregistered NEW DELHI: Andhra Pradesh Health Minister Kamineni Srinivas has said the Dr N T R University of Health Sciences in Vijayawada should protect the future of medical students by ensuring that the episode involving the Fatima Institute of Medical Sciences did not recur. Srinivas was in the national capital to meet Union Health Minister J P Nadda to find a solution for around 100 students of the Fatima Institute of Medical Sciences (affiliated to the Dr N T R University of Health Sciences) in Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh. The students have been languishing since 2015 after the college was deregistered by the Medical Council of India (MCI). "We will hold discussions to find ways to avoid such incidents in the future. The NTR Health University will be inspected before it gives permissions to colleges. The university should play a major role to avoid such episodes," Srinivas said. He added that a joint meeting would soon be convened, which would be attended by the representatives of the Centre, Andhra Pradesh government and MCI to resolve the issue. "The Union minister assured us about the joint meeting," Srinivas said. -PTI

37 December 8, 2017 India Post Health Science Post 37 India's anti-malaria efforts a success: Nadda NEW DELHI: As the WHO reported 331 malaria deaths in India in 2016, the highest in Southeast Asia, Health minister J P Nadda has asserted that the country has reduced its new malaria cases by one-third, and crossed the malaria mortality reduction targets which were to be achieved by Addressing a high-level roundtable on 'accelerating the elimination of Malaria in the South-East Asia Region', Nadda said here that with nearly threefourth of the share of the regional burden, India's "successes" have significantly contributed to the reduction of malaria cases in the entire South-East Asia region. The minister noted that the success to combat Malaria comes against the backdrop of the political leadership's commitment and support to health programs in India. "The commitment to ensure health for every person in India comes from the highest office of the government. It is Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision to see health and development reach the furthest corners of our country, and use the very latest innovations in technology and science to achieve these outcomes," Nadda said. The WHO report said that India accounted for six per cent of the 216 million new cases globally. Nadda, however, said that majority of malaria cases in the country come from the bordering districts, forest and tribal areas, while most of the remaining parts of the country remain malaria free. "Addressing malaria therefore, is not only an issue for India's aspiration of achieving universal health coverage, but also to achieve it with equity," he said reiterating the commitment to eliminate Malaria. Nadda said that focus on bordering districts and empowering local authorities with information, tools and knowledge will help in malaria reduction in India and its neighbors. The Union health minister said that India as a hub for research and science would also support malaria implementation research, as well as capacity building in health research. A "World Malaria Report 2017" released by World Health Organization stated that only eight per cent of malaria cases were diagnosed last year in India, which accounted for six per cent of the 216 million new cases globally. India was third on the list of 15 countries which accounted for 80 per cent of all malaria cases in the world last year, the report said. It also stated that surveillance mechanism in India was weak as it detected a mere eight per cent India was third on the list of 15 countries which accounted for 80 per cent of all malaria cases in the world last year of Malaria cases. India also witnessed a total of 331 malaria deaths in 2016, making it the highest number of deaths due to the disease in Southeast Asia region. Nadda launched a book "Addressing the challenge of controlling malaria across international border lines" and unveiled the Regional Action Plan ( ). The three-day ministerial roundtable is in consonance with the United Nations Assembly Resolution on consolidation and accelerating efforts to control and eliminate malaria.-pti Trump health pick parries questions on drug cost, health law Cont d from page 34 One of his top priorities would be to increase generic and brand drug competition, he said, and he vowed to crack down on drug company ``gaming'' to extend patents that ward off generic competition. ``Finger-pointing is not a constructive exercise - everybody in the system owns a piece of this,'' he said. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D- Mass., delivered a blunt appraisal: ``Your resume reads like a howto manual for profiting from government service,'' she told Azar, noting the millions he earned at Lilly. Warren and other Democrats also said they worried Azar will continue the administration's efforts to ``sabotage'' the Obamaera Affordable Care Act, only do so with a polite smile instead of Trump's hard-edged rhetoric. Azar confirmed he's no fan of the ACA but refrained from calling it ``Obamacare,'' a term coined by Republicans as a pejorative and now widely used. The government should act to help consumers who don't qualify for health law subsidies but face its high premiums. He said he disagrees with the law's penalties on people who don't get health insurance. He asserted that the government should act to help consumers who don't qualify for health law subsidies but face its high premiums. He said he supports bipartisan legislation to stabilize insurance markets. ``If it remains the law my goal is to implement it in a way that leads to affordable insurance,'' said Azar. But Democrats dismissed that as coded language for undermining consumer protections such as minimum benefits. ``I don't think we can have an HHS secretary who doesn't support the health care safety net,'' said Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va. Azar was also quizzed about the Trump administration's ``conscience exemption,'' which allows employers to opt out of providing free birth control to women. He said very few employers have invoked it, and signaled that he supported their ability to do so. Health care issues have been a flashpoint between social and religious conservatives and those who are scientifically minded. Azar said, ``I firmly believe in following evidence and science where it will take us.'' The Senate Finance Committee will hold another hearing on Azar soon and formally decide whether to send the nomination to the full Senate. Before resigning from Eli Lilly earlier this year, Azar built a financial portfolio now worth between $9.5 million to $20.6 million, according to disclosure records filed with the Office of Government Ethics. -AP Indonesia urged to stop virginity tests JAKARTA, Indonesia: Indonesia's military and police continue to perform abusive virginity tests on female recruits three years after the World Health Organization declared they had no scientific validity, an international human rights group has said. Human Rights Watch said that senior Indonesian police and military officers have told it that security forces still impose the ``cruel and discriminatory tests,'' which are carried out under the guise of psychological examinations for mental health and morality reasons. ``The Indonesian government's continuing tolerance for abusive `virginity tests' by the security forces reflects an appalling lack of political will to protect the rights of Indonesian women,'' said Nisha Varia, women's rights advocacy director at Human Rights Watch. The group called for President Joko ``Jokowi'' Widodo to order the national police chief and military commander to ban the practice. The testing includes the invasive ``two-finger test'' to determine whether female applicants' hymens are intact, which WHO in its 2014 clinical guidelines for health care of sexually abused women said lacks any scientific basis. Human Rights Watch said it found that applicants who were deemed to have ``failed'' the test were not necessarily penalized but all of the women it spoke with described the test as painful, embarrassing, and traumatic. Human Rights Watch has also documented the use of virginity tests by security forces in Egypt, India and Afghanistan and criticized calls for virginity tests for Indonesian school girls. It said all three branches of the Indonesian military have imposed the tests for decades and in some circumstances also extended the requirement to the fiancées of military officers. -AP

38 Realty Tidbits Over 1 lakh more houses for urban poor NEW DELHI: The Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry has approved the construction of 1.12 lakh more affordable houses for urban poor under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban), an official release said here. There will be an investment of Rs 8,105 crore for construction of these houses. The Centre will provide an assistance of Rs 1,681 crore for their construction, it said. The approval was given in the 28th meeting of the Central Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee (CSMC) here. With this, the total number of houses sanctioned so far under the scheme would be over lakh, it said. In the latest approvals, Madhya Pradesh got the highest sanction of 34,680 houses, followed by Haryana 24,221 houses, Maharashtra 11,523 houses, Jharkhand 28,477 houses, Kerala 9836 houses and Mizoram 3,270 houses. Under PMAY (U), the government targets to provide houses to all urban poor by Currently, the shortage of houses is pegged at 1.2 crore.-pti Tata plans Rs 350 cr Kolkata luxury project NEW DELHI: Tata group's real estate firm Tata Housing plans to launch an ultra-luxury residential project, comprising 150 apartments, in Kolkata early next year at an investment of about Rs 350 crore. Spread over 3.5 acres, the project is located at Alipore in Kolkata. Tata Housing has received all the required approvals to develop this project and is expected to launch it by January-end, sources said. This project would be the most luxurious project in Kolkata with apartment price likely to be over Rs 4 crore. Sources said the project cost is estimated at about Rs 350 crore. Tata Housing has delivered over a million sq feet of residential project and is expected to deliver over a million sq feet in next one year. -PTI Real Estate 38 India Post December 8, housing authorities in Illinois to share $700,000 WHEATON, Ill.: Three housing authority groups in Illinois are getting more than $700,000 to expand affordable housing options for low-income families, the elderly and people living with disabilities. U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin of Illinois say in a news release the funding will come through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Housing Choice Voucher Program. -AP Resort-style 8 new home neighborhoods at Wallis Ranch in Dublin Special Feature: DUBLIN, CA: Discover a place where resort-style living is at your service. This is Wallis Ranch, a new master-planned community by Trumark Communities set among the scenic rolling hills of Dublin. With a stunning clubhouse that's rich in amenities, a new lifestyle director who makes the most of every feature and walking and hiking trails that connect the community to nature, Wallis Ranch is always a vibrant place to call home. Come out today to tour the models at each new neighborhood and see why life at Wallis Ranch has never been better. Featuring eight distinct neighborhoods - Barnwell by D.R. Horton, Bridgecroft by Emerald Homes, Citron by Pulte Homes, Driftsong and Trestle by Warmington Residential, Fielding by Trumark Homes, Ivy Oak by Taylor Morrison and Riverton by KB Home - Wallis Ranch has the perfect new home to match any lifestyle. Here, residences span from 1,514 to 4,300 square feet with two to six bedrooms and two to five-and-one-half baths. From attached townhome-style condominium and courtyardstyle homes to luxury single-family residences, each collection has a unique style. Wallis Ranch is priced from the $700,000s. Picture-perfect trails and parks connect you to the heart of the community at Kindred House. A one-of-a-kind in Dublin, this clubhouse brings together indoor and outdoor spaces for meetups between family and friends that turn into smile-filled memories. Whether it's sipping wine at the clubhouse, relaxing in the spa, watching the kids have fun at the playground or attending an event on the lawn, Kindred House has something for everyone. Fire pits and the outdoor fireside lounge become ideal places to get together and share stories of the day. The fitness center is your place to focus on wellness. And there's no better place to cool off than the resort-style pool. Fireside to poolside, this is where community comes together. While luxurious amenities and great places to socialize make Wallis Ranch more than a collection of homes, the new lifestyle director transforms those opportunities into true resort-style experiences. The lifestyle director schedules professionally instructed fitness classes, plans activities for homeowners, coordinates outings and manages reservations for event spaces. At Wallis Ranch, the lifestyle makes all the difference. Dining, shopping, work and play - there's a bit of something for everyone in Dublin. You're at the crossroads of the Bay Area, with just a short commute to work, easy access to BART and quick connections to it all. Wallis Ranch is just minutes from the newest shopping, dining and entertainment in Dublin as well as Dublin's famous parks and awardwinning schools. Wallis Ranch is located at 4201 Wallis Ranch Drive, Dublin, California From 580, exit Santa Rita/Tassajara and go north approximately two miles to Wallis Ranch Drive. Learn more atwallisranch.com or the sales office at each of the eight new home neighborhoods. Aadhaar big weapon against benami property: PM NEW DELHI: Noting that Aadhaar is helping in bringing about an "irreversible change" in people's interest, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said the Unique Identification Number will work as a "big weapon" in the fight against benami property too. Aadhaar has a played a "big role" in ensuring that ration at proper rates, scholarships, pension and government subsidies reached the poor, he said. The prime minister made the remarks at the inaugural session of the 'Hindustan Times Leadership Summit ' here. "Linking Aadhaar with mobile and Jan Dhan accounts have evolved such a system which was not even thought of till some years ago -- a system which is irreversible," Modi said. "Earlier, pension money was distributed in crores of fake accounts. All that has been addressed with the help of Aadhaar in the last three years," he said. Modi said Aadhaar will now be used against benami property. "It is going to be a big weapon (in the fight against benami property)," he said. Referring to demonetization, he said note ban had brought about a "behavioral change" in the country. Corrupt people, for the first time after Independence, were scared of making illicit money, he said. "The day the country will have a technical and digital address for all monetary transactions, organized corruption will be checked to a great extent," he said. Black money coming into the banking system had also brought along with it massive data, a "treasure trove" that would enable the government take action against wrong-doers, he said, adding that ill-gotten wealth earlier funding a parallel economy was now a part of the formal economy. Recently, Union Housing Minister Hardeep Singh Puri had reportedly said that property transactions would be linked to Aadhaar to eliminate black money from the real estate sector and help in addressing the issue of benami property. -PTI

39 December 8, 2017 Real Estate Post India Post 39 Rich SF homeowners get sold-off street back SAN FRANCISCO: Residents of an exclusive San Francisco neighborhood who failed to pay taxes on their private, gated street for two decades got the street back after supervisors voted to rescind the sale of the tax-defaulted property. The Board of Supervisors split 7-4 on the move, with those in favor saying residents of Presidio Terrace had not received enough notice before their sidewalks, street and common areas were sold at auction in Supervisor Mark Farrell, who represents the district, said it was not good policy to allow out-oftown land ``speculators'' to swoop in on law-abiding property owners who simply did not know they owed tax on their street. He agreed the homeowners' due process rights were violated when the tax collector sent tax bills to an outdated address. The association had failed to update its mailing address. ``When I look to the constitution and deprivation of property and taking of property from individuals, I think that is a high standard that hasn't been met here,'' Supervisor Katy Tang added. Supervisor Hillary Ronen voted against reversing the sale, saying homeowners had defaulted before and should have been on notice. She agreed that most people did not expect to pay taxes on sidewalk in front of their house but pointed out that most people don't have a private street in front of their house. ``Did the treasurer act unreasonably? I don't think so, and should we give a second bite of the apple to these homeowners when most people don't get that?'' she said. ``I don't think so.'' DDA holds draw for 2017 housing scheme NEW DELHI: The computerized draw of lots for the 12,617 flats offered as part of the DDA's new housing scheme was held here with the first house being allotted to a disabled applicant, officials said. Over 46,000 people had applied for the scheme, across four income categories. The flats are located in Rohini, Dwarka, Narela, Vasant Kunj, Jasola, Pitampura, Paschim Vihar and Siraspur. "The first allottee was one Nageshwar Rao, who got a flat in Dwarka's Sector 18-B in the HIG category. He belonged to the disabled category of applicants. The second one went to one Pradeep Kumar of the Scheduled Caste (reserved) category, who also got an HIG flat, in Rohini's Sector 29," a Delhi Development Authority (DDA) official said. The draw of lots for the 46,080 eligible applicants was held in the Auction Hall of Vikas Sadan, DDA's headquarters, here. The list of successful applicants is now available on the DDA's website. "The process was smoothly conducted in the presence of three independent observers. The whole process was streamed live on the web," he said. The break-up of flats are: HIG - 85; MIG ; LIG - 11,757 and Janta Of the total number of flats, around 10,000 unoccupied ones are from the 2014 housing scheme, while 2,000 have been lying vacant. The draw was overseen by a three-member team headed by a retired high court judge. It also had two IT professionals, one from IIT-Delhi and another from the National Informatics Centre (NIC) to supervise the process. The first general category allottee was Neha Mehta, who was allotted an LIG flat in Dwarka, the urban body said. The four categories of houses are - HIG (high-income group) flats priced between Rs lakh and Rs lakh; MIG (middle-income group) flats ranging from Rs lakh to Rs lakh; LIG (low-income group)/one-bedroom flats ranging from Rs lakh to Rs lakh; and Janta flats ranging from Rs 7.07 lakh to Rs lakh. The housing scheme is linked with the Prime Minister Awas Yojna and hence, the allottees would get subsidy, ranging from Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 2.5 lakh, said DDA's Principal Commissioner (Housing) J P Agarwal. The 2017 housing scheme, having flats, ranging from close to Rs 7 lakh to over Rs 1.26 crore, was launched on June 30. -PTI The issue is unprecedented in San Francisco, although supervisors in other California counties have reversed sales as allowed under state law. The oval-shaped street in upscale Presidio Heights is lined with leafy palms, lush landscaping and multimillion-dollar mansions. Previous residents of the gated neighborhood include U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi and U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, who wrote a letter that accused the city of bureaucratic bungling. Current residents lined up to plead their case, saying they were regular, hard-working San Franciscans who had faithfully paid taxes on their homes and simply didn't know about the separate tax lot. The British consul general in San Francisco lives in the neighborhood. The residents cheered when the vote was announced. Investor Tina Lam had bought the street, its sidewalks and common areas for a mere $90,000 at an auction in 2015 after the Presidio Terrace Association failed to pay property taxes on it for two decades. The annual tax bills of $14 and auction notice were sent to an outdated address that the association failed to update. Homeowners learned about the sale earlier this year and petitioned the board for a hearing. City Treasurer Jose Cisneros said he followed the rules and that there was no indication that the property, listed as a vacant lot, was attached to residences. Otherwise, he said his office would have reached out to homeowners. -AP US pending home sales surged 3.5% in Oct WASHINGTON: More people signed contracts in October to buy homes, ending three straight months of declines. The National Association of Realtors said that its index of pending home sales jumped 3.5 percent to in October. Despite the increase, the index remains slightly below its level of 12 months ago. A shortage of properties for sale has contributed to rising prices, likely causing some would-be buyers to retreat from the housing market for now. On an annual basis, pending sales have fallen in six of the past seven months. Home buying has faced a downward pull largely because fewer homes are available for purchase. Sales listings have fallen 10.4 percent from a year earlier to 1.8 million, the fewest homes on the market in any October since the Realtors began tracking the data in The median home sales price in October rose 5.5 percent from a year earlier to $247,000. Home prices have grown faster than wages in recent years, creating affordability pressures that have been partly offset by low mortgage rates. Yet the supply crunch might soon ease. Realtor.com, the online listings company, is forecasting that more homes will start coming onto the market in It predicts that the number of listings will recover first around Boston, Detroit, Kansas City, Nashville and Philadelphia based on recent monthly changes in inventory. During October, the number of signed contracts rose in the Northeast, Midwest and South but declined in the West. Pending sales contracts are a barometer of future purchases. Sales are typically completed a month or two after a contract is signed. -AP

40 40 India Post December 8, 2017 Agreat devout center on the banks of river Shipra, Ujjain, in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, is regarded as a sacred place since time immemorial. A holy city, which found its mention in the ancient Hindu scriptures as Avantika, Ujjain is positioned in equal terms with other major religious centers. Later the name was changed to Ujjayini, which literally means the glorious conqueror. One among the seven sacred cities of the Hindus, Ujjain has been a high-flying center of spiritual activities for over 2,000 years. The sacredness of this township is attributed by the mythological legend that during 'Sagar Manthan', one drop of nectar spilled over Ujjain, which makes it a sacred place. Whatever be the truth behind this, Ujjain has got a considerable mention in the Vedas and it is believed that two parts of Skanda Purana, are supposed to have been composed here. Ruined sculptures and monasteries have been found scattered around Ujjain, leading to the credence that Buddhism thrived here in the 4th century. A glut of these, along with ruined temples and old remnants of houses found in the district take the visitor to the historic reign of the Mauryan Empire. Ujjain's relevance is not constrained to the small circle of a religious place. Apart from that, this city was a haven of astronomers, and great poets. Besides this, Ujjain was ruled over by many great rulers who have given out their best to this historic city. The illustrious kings of the Gupta dynasty whose reign is considered as the golden rule of India belonged to Ujjain. Festive occasions and fairs play a significant role in the lives of people in Ujjain and tourists should book Ujjain tour package during this time. An ancient religious centre, Ujjain is famous for the Kumbh Mela, Ardha Kumbh and Shivaratri. Today the city presents a unique blend of glorious past with the vibrancy of modernity. A plethora of ruined temples, damaged sculptures, ancient monasteries along with attractive monuments and a serene ambience, Ujjain provides unlimited opportunities of exploration. Cont d on page 41 Ujjain is positioned in equal terms with other major religious centers. Later the name was changed to Ujjayini, which literally means the glorious conqueror.

41 December 8, 2017 Travel & Hospitality Post India Post 41 Kaliadeh Palace Cont d from page 40 Attractions Bhartruhari Caves: Bhartruhari Caves in Ujjain is believed to be the place where Bhartrihari, the step brother of Vikramaditya, lived and meditated after renouncing worldly life. His famous works, Shringarshataka, Vairagyashataka, and Nitishataka, were possibly written here. Kalideh Palace: Situated on an island in the river Shipra, Kaliadeh Palace was built in the year 1458 AD by the Sultans of Mandu. The palace was demolished at the time of the Pindaris and was restored to its former glory by Madhav Rao Scindia in The central hall, which is surrounded with galleries, presents a classic example of Persian architecture. Though lost in the loneliness of the torrents of Shipra River, even now, this water palace holds some religious significance. People from the nearby villages take a dip in one of the tanks, which is called as Surya Kund. Pir Matsyendranath: Pre-Islamic India held peers and saints with great respect and it is believed that they have attained spiritual awareness through stern atonement. Matsyendra, a peer belonging to the Natha sect of Shaivism lived in the outskirts of Ujjain, and Pir Matsyendranath is dedicated to the memory of this great leader. Gomti Kund: The legendary place where Lord Krishna is believed to have summoned the holy rivers from all the pilgrim centers so that his old Guru could peacefully do all the rituals. Gomti Kund is a steeped water tank, which is situated near the Sandipani Ashram. Bade Ganeshji Ka Mandir: Situated near the tank of the Mahakaleshwar Temple, Bade Bhartruhari Caves Ganeshji Ka Mandir holds a colossal statue of the elephant-headed God. The elephant head of the deity signifies wisdom, discretion and foresight that the Hindus attribute to divinity. Chaubis Khamba Temple: An impressive structure, which belongs to ninth or tenth century AD, Chaubis Khamba Temple presents an architectural marvel. The majestic entrance gate of the magnificent Mahakala-Vana, the remains of which provide an amazing spectacle. Two splendid images of goddesses are depicted on each side of the gate with the inscription of their names on the foot steps. Gopal Mandir: Dedicated to Lord Krishna, Gopal Temple in Ujjain presents a classic example of Maratha architecture. Built in Mahakaleshwar Temple the 19th century, by Bayajibai Shinde, this huge temple is placed in the middle of a big market. Its strategic position in the heart of the city is attributed to the popularity of the temple. Kal Bhairav Temple: Bhairav is a fierce materialization of Lord Shiva, and the city of Ujjain has numerous shrines dedicated to this ferocious manifestation. Kal Bhairav temple is believed to be associated with the Tantra cult, a heretical secret religious group with brawny black magic nuances. The temple premises are mottled with holy men with ash smeared body and long matted hair. Mahakaleshwar Temple: Mahakaleshwar Temple, cited by the great poet Kalidasa in his works, is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India. The temple is a five-storied massive structure and its carved motives display the Rajput style of architecture while screens and pavilions combined with marble colonnades speak of the influence of Mughal style. Navagraha Mandir (Triveni): A unique temple dedicated to the planets of our solar system, Navgraha Mandir in Ujjain indicates that the planets need to be propitiated to avoid a negative influence. In India, Astronomy and Astrology adorned a pivotal role in the life of people of ancient times and the popular belief is that each planet exercises an influence on the lives of people. Patal Bhairav Temple: A legendary temple, which holds an astounding story about the power of the mother Goddess, Patal Bhairav Temple has acquired a prime position. Hindu mythology states Bhairav Nath, a selfish demon, chased a young girl Vaishno Devi, who was none other than the incarnation of the Mother Goddess. Ram Janardhan Mandir: Constructed by Mirza Raja Jaisingh in the seventeenth century, Ram Janardan temples present an eye-catching look. Presenting an outstanding structural elegance, these temples depict masterpieces of Maratha paintings on their walls. The Maratha Kings added some of the structures in the temples in the eighteenth century. The imposing pictures on the walls of the temples add to the charm of the temples. Ram Mandir: Dedicated to Lord Ram who is flanked by his consort Sita on one side and brother Lakshman on the other, Ram Mandir is an eye catching spectacle. Built in the 17th century, this fabulous shrine is a fine example of structural brilliance. The walls of the pretty shrine are decorated with beautiful paintings. Ram Mandir Ghat: Ram Mandir Ghat, located near the Harsiddhi Temple, is famous for its Kumbh Mela. Kumbh Mela is held every 12 years. Ram Mandir Ghat is the most ancient bathing ghat in connection with the Kumbh celebrations. Sandipani Ashram: The ancient Indian tradition of Gurukul Gomti Kund imparts education to students irrespective of their wealth or poverty. Besides a variety of subjects and ancient scriptures, in Gurukul students were taught battle techniques and spiritualism. From the Vedic period itself, Ujjain was a reputed center of learning. Best period to visit Ujjain is from October to March. How to reach By Train: Ujjain Junction is an important railway station in Western railway zone. It is well connected to all major railway stations in India. By Air: Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport in Indore is the nearest to Ujjain, which is situated 55 km away. Indore is air connected to major cities in India by public and private domestic airlines. By Bus: Ujjain is well connected by state road transport public bus services. Regular bus services are available from Indore (55 km), Gwalior (450 km), Ahmedabad (400 km) and Bhopal (195 km) to Ujjain. Super fast and Deluxe A/C buses are also available on these routes.

42 42 India Post Travel & Hospitality Post December 8, 2017 Foreign visitors to US WASHINGTON: The number of international visitors to the US through June fell sharply from last year, according to government data. And the number of business travelers fell by much more than the drop in tourists, according to the monthly report from the Commerce Department's National Travel and Tourism Office. fall sharply Total foreign visitors fell four percent compared to the first six months of last year, with travelers from Mexico down more than nine percent and from Britain down six percent, but visits from Canada up nearly five per cent. Excluding Canada and Mexico, Total foreign visitors to the US fell four percent compared to the first six months of last year overseas visitors fell nearly six percent, but business travel dropped nearly nine per cent compared to a 5.6 per cent decline in tourists. President Donald Trump in his first year in office repeatedly promised to build a wall on the border with Mexico, and has ordered bans on visitors from several Muslim-majority countries in the Middle East and Africa. Visits from the Middle East plunged 30 per cent in the first half of the year, and from Africa dropped 27 per cent. There also were double-digit declines in visitors from South and Central America, the Caribbean and Eastern Europe. Among the top 20 countries with the most visitors, Venezuela, Argentina, Brazil and India saw travelers fall well over 10 per cent. In contrast, arrivals from South Korea jumped 18 percent, while Ireland saw a 4.7 percent increase, Italy was up 4.2 percent, Spain 3.5 percent and France 1.5 percent, according to the monthly data.-afp Hike likely in Kailash- Mansarovar yatra fare PITHORAGARH: With more people preferring to go to Kailash- Mansarovar through the Lipulekh Pass following the Dokalam standoff, Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam, the nodal agency for the yatra, has sent a proposal to the Centre for a hike in the charges for the pilgrimage. It has suggested increasing the charges per person from Rs 35,000 to Rs 48,000. "We submitted our proposal to the Ministry of External Affairs seeking an increase of Rs 13,000 in the pilgrimage cost per pilgrim as travel by buses, meals and labor services have all become dearer," General Manager (Tourism) KMVN T S Martolia said. The number of pilgrims undertaking the yatra through Lipulekh also rose suddenly last year following closure of the other route through Nathula in Sikkim in the wake of the Dokalam stand-off between India and China. "Hence, the increase in the charges has been sought to deal with the increased pressure of pilgrims whose satisfaction is our goal," Martolia said. "After China obstructed pilgrimage through Nathu La last year, we witnessed sudden increase in pilgrims willing to undertake the journey through Lipulekh. Some modifications need to be made in view of the growing pressure on this route," he said. "There was an abrupt addition of nearly 400 pilgrims last year as the alternative route through Sikkim was disturbed. Thus, the cost of travelling from Kathgodam to Tawaghat alone went beyond Rs 20 lakh which caused losses to the Nigam. More money need to be spent on meals and other facilities for pilgrims to ensure they do not suffer from any shortage of facilities on the motor as well as track routes, the KMVN GM said. -PTI PM launches first phase of Hyderabad Metro HYDERABAD: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first phase of the 72-km elevated Hyderabad Metro Rail project at the Miyapur station here. After launching the 30-km stretch between Miyapur and Nagole, having 24 stations in between, the prime minister took a ride on the train on its inaugural run. He was accompanied by Andhra Pradesh and Telangana Governor E S L Narasimhan, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri, Telangana Information Technology Minister K T Rama Rao and state BJP chief K Laxman, among others. The prime minister, with other dignitaries, took a ride in the inaugural run from Miyapur station to Kukatpally station (a distance of five km) and back, Hyderabad Metro Rail Ltd (HMRL) Managing Director N V S Reddy told PTI. A mobile app named 'T Savari' for Metro passengers was launched by the prime minister, who was also given a power-point presentation on the project at Miyapur station. The 30-km stretch in the opening phase is the longest for any metro in the country on inauguration, Rama Rao said. It was a proud day for loco pilots S Supriya and M Rajasekhara Chary as they were in the drivers' seat for the inaugural run. The trains would run from 6 am to 10 pm initially which would be rescheduled to 5:30 am to 11 pm depending on the traffic and demand, Rama Rao said. Hyderabad metro rail is the largest project of its kind in the world in the public-private-partnership (PPP) mode, he said. The concessionaire, L&T Metro Rail (Hyderabad) Ltd, which is developing the 72-km project, has fixed a minimum fare of Rs 10 for a distance of up to two km while the maximum fare is Rs 60 for travelling more than 26 km. Each train would initially have three coaches and 330 people can travel in each coach. The number of coaches can be increased to six depending on traffic, Rao said. The Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) will start feeder services for the metro. A smart card has also been launched for metro passengers. As many as 546 security personnel from private agencies will man the stations on the Miyapur- Nagole stretch. They will be working under three police officials per station in each shift, HMRL officials said. The L&T Metro Rail (Hyderabad) has already installed sophisticated CCTV cameras at all the stations and in trains. Reddy said several measures have been taken to ensure comfortable travel for the disabled too. The project on which work began in July 2012, was initially The first phase covers 30 km stretch between Miyapur and Nagole stations with 24 stations. scheduled to be completed by June this year but delays due to land acquisition and other issues resulted in it overshooting the deadline. The project overcame many hurdles such as a default by the first concessionaire - Maytas Infraled consortium - and subsequent developments, crucial land acquisition by the state government and logjam for sometime over route alignment. He also unveiled the inaugural plaza and the specially designed pylon located next to the entrance of Miyapur metro station.-pti

43 December 8, 2017 Travel & Hospitality Post India Post 43 J-K Tourism starts 'Valley Weekends' Shimla admin issues snow advisory SHIMLA: The Shimla district administration has issued a snow advisory for tourists, especially from Punjab and Haryana, to hire trained drivers during snowfall, carry blankets, and avoid bringing infants and elderly people. The advisory was sent to asked to inform tourists to come prepared and take necessary precautions," Deputy Commissioner Rohan Chand Thakur said. Shimla witnesses spells of snowfall during winters and a large number of tourists visit the place during the season. SRINAGAR: To beat the lean tourist flow, the Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department has started the 'Valley Weekends' festival, which will continue through the winter season. The festival would provide tourists the local experience and a host of activities each Saturday and Sunday, Director Tourism for Kashmir Mahmood Shah said here. The department organized a play at the famous Mughal Garden-Shalimar and a musical evening in which local bands performed. He said that festival includes adventure activities such as mountain biking, canoeing and rowing. "The festival has been organized in autumn as it usually is a lean tourist season in Kashmir and it also aims to send a positive message across the globe that Kashmir is a safe and a tourist-friendly place," the director said. "The weekend festival will run through the winter season during which we will organize a host of cultural, musical events, besides competitions in poetry and painting," Shah said. Recently, the department organized a heritage walk here. "There is an impression that autumn is a lean tourist season in Kashmir and no activity happens here. However, it is the most beautiful season and Kashmir is enchantingly beautiful now," he said. The department is also gearing up for the carnival this winter at the ski-resorts of Gulmarg and at Pahalgam, he said.-pti Virgin Atlantic introduces entertainment for blind NEW DELHI: Virgin Atlantic has announced the launch of an inflight entertainment system for customers with vision loss, calling it a first by a global airline. The move will allow visually challenged customers to access the full range of on-board entertainment via specially adapted ipads which include audio descriptions, large type, and consistent layout and controls. Virgin Atlantic will offer the service across its fleet serving destinations across North America, the Caribbean, Africa, China, India and the Middle East, the airline said in a statement. The airline worked with the UK tech company Bluebox Aviation Systems to develop the ipad-based platform. A charity called Guide Dogs for the Blind provided recommendations for the initial design and undertook a year of extensive system testing to ensure the technology met their needs. "We know that something as simple as an in-flight entertainment system with voice overs and audio descriptions will help passengers with sight loss to enjoy flights just like anyone else on board," John Welsman, Policy Business Partner for Travel and Transport for the charity Guide Dogs, was quoted in a statement "Nearly thirty years ago, Virgin Atlantic was the first airline to offer seat back entertainment in all cabins, so it's apt that we should be the first to ensure our entertainment is fully accessible across all flights," Mark Anderson, Executive Vice President - Customer at Virgin Atlantic, said in a statement. The airline also offers 'familiarization days', which include aircraft visits, allowing visually impaired visitors to get used to the on-board systems before they begin their actual trip. Similar familiarization trips are also organized for guide dogs. -PTI deputy commissioners for distribution among tourists, travel agents, taxi operators and other stakeholders so that they do not face any inconvenience, an official said. "The advisory has been also sent to all the DCs of Punjab and Haryana, and the Chandigarh administration. They have been Tourists should bring trained and experienced drivers to avoid accidents during snowfall; carry blankets and warmers; and avoid bringing infants and elderly persons along, said the advisory. It said that in case of an emergency, tourists should call the helpline number PTI Ecotourism project launched in Kotdwar DEHRADUN: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat has launched an ecotourism circuit development and safari vehicles operation project in Pauri district saying that it would usher in progress. Inaugurating the project in Kotdwar town of Pauri, Rawat said it would boost tourism and generate self-employment opportunities for the local youth. "Kotdwar is known as the gateway to Garhwal. The launch of state government-run projects like this will also open its doors to development," he added. The Ecotourism Development Corporation of Uttarakhand is charged with developing ecotourism circuits in Utttarakhand. Its main aim is to promote ecologically and culturally sustainable tourism, while also augmenting tourism-generated livelihood opportunities for local communities. The chief minister also laid the foundation stones of development projects worth Rs lakh and handed over cheques of Rs 2 lakh each to 200 farmers as Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat loans at two per cent interest rate. State Forest and Environment Minister Harak Singh Rawat said inauguration of the scheme will give a new identity to Kotdwar.-PTI

44 In Brief Cambodian enters crowded congressional race LOWELL, Mass.: A bank executive who came to the U.S. as a young refugee from Cambodia has joined a growing list of candidates to succeed outgoing U.S. Rep. Niki Tsongas. The Lowell Sun reports that Bopha Malone, a vice president at Enterprise Bank in Lowell, will run as a Democrat for the 3rd congressional district seat. The 36-year-old Malone is a leader in the local Cambodian community, having served as president of the Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association. She lives in Bedford outside the congressional district, which covers Lowell, Lawrence and other Merrimack Valley communities. There's no state requirement that candidates reside in the district. Tsongas, who has represented the district for 10 years, is not seeking re-election. At least 12 Democrats and two Republicans have announced their candidacy for the seat.-ap Maryland sheriff joins hunting immigrants BEL AIR, Md.: A sheriff in a central Maryland county says his department's participation in a federal program to identify people in the United States illegally has been ``hugely successful.'' Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler said in a statement that in the year since the program began in the county, 44 people who were arrested have been identified as being in this country illegally and a priority for deportation. Harford is one of three counties in Maryland taking part in the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act. According to Gahler, everyone arrested and processed at the Harford County Detention Center is screened to determine if that person qualifies for civil immigration enforcement and processing for deportation. Frederick and Anne Arundel counties also take part in the program. -AP Immigration 44 India Post December 8, 2017 GOP lawmaker ratchets up pressure to fix DACA Details on page 47 Europe's Muslim population to Europe's Muslim population will continue to grow over the next several decades even if all immigration to the continent should stop, according to a study. The Pew Research Center report modeled three scenarios for estimating the number of Muslims who would be living in Europe by All three used a mid-2016 estimate of 25.8 million as a baseline, but assumed different future migration rates. Under the "zero migration" scenario, an estimated 30 million Muslims would make up 7.4 percent of Europe's population by 2050 compared to the 4.9 percent they comprised last year, the report projected. The researchers said that is mostly because Muslims are on average 13 years younger than other Europeans and also have a higher birthrate, the Pew researchers said. The study estimates 58.8 million Muslims would account for 11.2 percent of the population in a "medium migration" scenario that has migration maintaining a grow, migration or not "regular speed" - defined by the Pew researchers as migration motivated by economic, educational and family reasons - but not for seeking asylum as a refugee. In the "high migration" scenario, the study projects that the record flow of migrants who came to Europe between 2015 and 2016 would continue indefinitely, resulting in 75 million Muslims in Europe, a 14 percent increase, by the middle of the century. People stand outside the new central DITIB mosque on the "Day of Open Mosques" in Cologne, Germany. Even with the most immigration, Muslims would "still be considerably smaller than the populations of both Christians and people with no religion in Europe," the researchers concluded. Muslim immigrants have been a politically sensitive topic in Europe following the influx of newcomers in 2015 and Some countries have seen backlashes that have included populist parties campaigning on anti-islam messages. The study was based on census and survey data, population registers, immigration data and other sources. The 30 countries it covered include the 28 European Union members, plus Norway and Switzerland. Not all countries would be affected evenly by future immigration, according to the Pew report. In the high migration scenario, Germany and Sweden would have the biggest increases because both countries took in the most asylum-seekers during the height of the refugee crisis two years ago. While Muslims made up 6 percent of Germany's population last year, their proportion would go up to 20 percent by Sweden's Muslims, who were at 8 percent in 2016, would account for 31 percent of the population in that same scenario. Meanwhile, some countries that had comparatively few Muslim residents in 2016 would continue to have few by 2050 in all three scenarios.-ap Indians largest non-eu migrants in UK LONDON: Indians are the largest migrant group from outside the European Union (EU) to settle in the UK but the overall migration in the country has fallen over the last one year, according to latest data. The UK's Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported that 305,000 people born in India are estimated to have moved to the UK between July 2016 and June 2017, making India the most common migrant nationality in the country after EU countries of Poland, Romania and the Republic of Ireland. The recent trend of falling student numbers from India was reversed as 2,962 more students came to study in the UK over the past year to make up a total of 14,081, up 27 per cent from last year's 11,119. Indian student numbers are now closer to the US (15,039) but still far behind the UK's largest overseas student category of China (88,258). Indian nationals also continue to account for the largest chunk of skilled work visas granted (57 per cent) and the number of visitor visas granted to Indians Overall, the ONS data found that net migration to the UK had fallen by 106,000 to hit 230,000 during the one-year period, reflecting the first major decline marked an 11 per cent rise of 42,123 to hit 427,737 in the last year, behind China (542,875). "Together these two nationalities accounted for almost half (47 per cent) of all visit visas granted," the Home Office said. Overall, the ONS data found that net migration to the UK had fallen by 106,000 to hit 230,000 during the one-year period, reflecting the first major decline since the EU referendum in favor of Brexit in June "The decline follows historically high levels of immigration and it is too early to say whether this represents a long-term trend," said Nicola White, head of migration statistics at the ONS. Cont'd on page 47

45 December 8, 2017 Immigration Post Pope preaches forgiveness in Myanmar India Post 45 YANGON, Myanmar: Pope Francis urged Myanmar's longsuffering ethnic minorities to resist the temptation to exact revenge for the hurt they have endured, preaching a message of forgiveness to a huge crowd in his first public Mass in the predominantly Buddhist nation. Local authorities estimated that about 150,000 people turned out at Yangon's Kyaikkasan Ground park for the Mass, but the crowd seemed far larger and included faithful bearing flags from Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam, among other places. Burmese Catholics had to apply to attend through their local churches to enter the park venue, and many dressed in matching outfits or with hats bearing the pope's image. Francis has said his aim in coming to Myanmar is to minister to its Catholic community, Pope Francis waves from Pope mobile as Myanmar Catholics wave flags ahed of the holy mass in Yangon, Myanmar. which numbers around 660,000 people, or just over 1 percent of the population of about 52 million. His trip has been overshadowed, though, by Myanmar's military operations targeting the Rohingya Muslim minority in Rakhine state. The crackdown, which has been described by the U.N. as a campaign of ``textbook ethnic cleansing,'' has drawn international condemnation. In his first public comments, Francis told Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other government authorities that the country's future lay in respecting the rights of all its people - ``none excluded'' - but he refrained from mentioning the Rohingya by name. The violence, including the looting and burning of Rohingya villages in Rakhine, has resulted in more than 620,000 people fleeing to neighboring Bangladesh in Asia's worst refugee crisis in decades. In his homily, Francis referred to the suffering that Myanmar's ethnic and religious groups have endured, a reference to the decades of conflicts between Myanmar's ethnic minorities and the military that continue today in parts of the country. Myanmar recently emerged from nearly half a century of military dictatorship, but minorities including the Kachin and Karen are still subject to discrimination and other forms of violence. ``I know that many in Myanmar bear the wounds of violence, wounds both visible and invisible,'' Francis told the crowd in Italian that was translated into Burmese. Although he said the temptation is to respond with revenge, he urged a response of ``forgiveness and compassion.'' ``The way of revenge is not the way of Jesus,'' he said, speaking from an altar erected on a traditional Buddhist-style stage. Suu Kyi's civilian government, which came to power in 2015 after decades of military rule, has been negotiating with 17 of Myanmar's 20 major ethnic groups that have staged decades of insurgencies against the central government demanding greater autonomy. The conflicts involving the Karen, Kachin, Sha and Wa - who are 40 percent of the country's population - have claimed thousands of lives. The Catholic Church has strongly backed the Suu Kyi government's efforts to negotiate a peace, and a prayer read out in the Karen language during the Mass referred directly to the initiative. ``For the leaders of Myanmar, that they may always foster peace and reconciliation through dialogue and understanding, thus promoting an end to the conflict in the states of Kachin, Rakhine and Shan, we pray to the Lord,'' read the prayer. Before Mass, Francis looped around the park in his open-sided popemobile, waving to the flagwaving crowds that continued to Francis told Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other government authorities that the country's future lay in respecting the rights of all its people - ``none excluded'' pour in as the service began. Local government officials and senior members of Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party were on hand, as were members of Myanmar's mostly Christian Kachin minority, many of whom traveled two days by train from Kachin state to see the first pope ever to visit Myanmar. Despite the high humidity, the scene at the park was joyous and pious, with many women covering their heads with lace veils.-ap 36,000 Rohingyas in India; terror links not ruled out NEW DELHI: There are about 36,000 Rohingyas in the country and the Border Security Force (BSF) is targeting their illegal influx into India as their links with terror organizations cannot be ruled out, the BSF chief has said. K K Sharma, the director general (DG) of the 2.5-lakh personnel-strong force, said his troops have apprehended 87 Rohingya Muslims along the Indo-Bangla border since the beginning of this year till October 31, and 76 "have been sent back to Bangladesh". "As far as my information goes, about 36,000 Rohingyas are there in this country at various places...this is one of those general observations and is based on inputs we received from our sister agencies (like the police and intelligence)," he told reporters during an interaction ahead of the BSF's 52nd Raising Day. He said the border guarding force has not come across any specific case where a Rohingya they caught possessed arms, ammunition or had terror connection. "But, the threat that they have some links with terror organizations is a very serious one and has been given by our sister agencies and I don't doubt them," Sharma said. He said the force has bolstered its manpower and surveillance equipments at "vulnerable" posts along the Bangladesh border to check the illegal influx of Rohingyas. The force sent back the Rohingyas and did not arrest them as they would have then become a "liability", the DG said. "Rohingya is a very complicated issue. As per the latest estimate, 9-10 lakh of them have migrated to Bangladesh (from Myanmar) and the possibility of a spillover coming to India cannot be ruled out. "Our mandate is very clear that we do not allow any illegal immigration into India, whether he is a Rohingya or a Bangladeshi," Sharma said. In the border areas, the BSF chief said his troops were not equipped to make a distinction between a Bangladeshi and a Rohingya. "So, whosoever tries to cross (the border) we sent them back. We don't arrest them as that becomes a liability. Our policy is Around 36,000 Rohingyas are at present there in various parts of the country and the Border Security Force (BSF) has upped its ante against illegal influx into India as their links with terror organizations cannot be ruled out, the force chief said not to allow anyone enter India illegally," he said. An official note provided by the BSF during the conference said "agents allure Rohingyas with good job opportunities in India and motivate that they will work with their own Muslim community in some of the states such as Jammu and Kashmir, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal". It said that most of the Rohingyas go to Jammu because some Rohingyas have already been staying there for the last few years. "Apart from being a natural choice due to its Muslim majority, the Rohingyas say that they pick Jammu and Kashmir on economic consideration and most of them follow a similar pattern. "Once a Rohingya reaches Jammu, he stays there for a few months and then invites other relatives, informing them of job opportunities and better pay," it said. -PTI

46 46 India Post Immigration Post December 8, 2017 Suu Kyi stripped of Freedom of Oxford award LONDON: Myanmar's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been stripped of the Freedom of Oxford award over her "inaction" in handling the raging Rohingya refugee crisis and turning a "blind eye to violence" in the country that forced over 600,000 people to flee to Bangladesh. Oxford City Council voted unanimously to permanently remove the honor given to 72- year-old Suu Kyi in "Today we have taken the unprecedented step of stripping her of her city's highest honor because of her inaction in the face of oppression of the minority Rohingya population," Councillor Mary Clarkson said. "We hope that today we have added our small voice to others calling for human rights and justice for the Rohingya people," she said in a statement. More than 600,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled to Bangladesh following a military crackdown in Myanmar's Rakhine state, creating one of the world's most dire refugee crisis. While the United Nations has described the violence and mass exodus as "a textbook example of ethnic cleansing", Suu Kyi has dismissed all allegations. Oxford City Council said that when Suu Kyi had been given the Freedom of the City it was because she reflected the city's values of "tolerance and internationalism" and as a celebration of her opposition to oppression and military rule in Myanmar but now any association with her would tarnish the city's reputation. "The burning of their [Rohingya] villages has been independently confirmed by satellite images, and the UN has called the situation 'a textbook example of genocide' yet Aung San Suu Kyi has denied any ethnic cleansing and dismissed numerous claims of sexual violence against Rohingya women as 'fake rape'," it said. "Oxford has a long tradition of being a diverse and humane city, and our reputation is tarnished by honoring those who turn a blind eye to violence," it added. A series of UK institutions have been distancing themselves from the Nobel Peace laureate in the wake of the Rohingya crisis. A portrait of the leader hanging prominently at the entrance of St Hugh's College, Oxford University, where she studied was moved into storage back in September. In October, under-graduates at the college where she read politics, philosophy and economics between 1964 and 1967 voted to remove the Myanmar leader's name from the title of their junior common room. So far, Oxford University has decided not to reconsider an honorary doctorate bestowed upon Suu Kyi in 2012 but has expressed its "profound concern" over the treatment of the Rohingya minority in Myanmar. At the start of November, musician and Love Aid founder Bob Geldof returned his Freedom of the City of Dublin award because it was also held by Suu Kyi. The City of London Corporation has also been debating revoking Suu Kyi's Honorary Freedom, bestowed upon her earlier this year.-pti Immigrants' bail can't be denied based on detainers WICHITA, Kan.: A federal appeals court has ruled that judges cannot deny bail to immigrants in criminal cases solely because they are living in the country unlawfully and could be deported before trial. The little-noticed ruling by a three-judge appellate panel noted that it's the first decision of its kind in the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals, setting the legal standard for pretrial release of immigrants in criminal cases across a territory that includes Oklahoma, Kansas, New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, and Utah. The 10th Circuit noted that the Bail Reform Act requires judges to decide the pretrial detention of deportable immigrants ``on a case-by-case basis,'' considering various factors to determine the risk a defendant might flee. While doing so, judges cannot consider the possibility of involuntary deportation, the panel said. At issue in this case was whether a defendant can be considered a flight risk solely because the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement has lodged a ``detainer,'' which is essentially a formal notice requesting the U.S. Marshals Service to contact ICE before a person is released. ``We don't do blanket analysis of people and that is where we have gotten. The ICE detainer became the scarlet letter of defendants, and it shouldn't have been,'' said Michael Sharma- Crawford, an immigration lawyer in Kansas City, Missouri, who is not involved in the case. ``The defendant's own character is what everybody should be examining.'' He called the ruling ``profound,'' since courts can no longer consider immigrants an automatic flight risk just because a detainer is filed. The appeal court's decision comes in the case of Mario Ailon, a citizen of Guatemala who had lived without legal permission in Dodge City, Kansas, for at least seven years before his arrest in July. ICE referred the matter to the Justice Department for criminal prosecution after determining that he had re-entered the United States illegally after his 2001 removal. He is charged with re-entry after deportation, misuse of a Social Security number, making a false written statement to the U.S. government, and aggravated identity theft. At issue in this case was whether a defendant can be considered a flight risk solely because the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement has lodged a ``detainer'' The appeals court's decision does not necessarily mean immigrants who are released from jail on bond go free, since they would typically be turned over to ICE when a detainer is on file against them. But even then, deportation is not automatic because some receive an immigration bond in the separate civil administrative proceedings while their request for lawful residency is under consideration. The U.S. attorney's office declined comment. But in court filings, federal prosecutors argued that immigrants who commit crimes would escape punishment if released on bond and deported before trial. Bailed-out defendants with detainers are turned over to ICE, which is statutorily required to deport them within 90 days, even if ICE itself referred them for criminal prosecution, the government contended. That argument got little traction with the appellate judges, who cited an earlier decision that it is not appropriate for a federal judge to resolve executive branch ``turf battles.'' The panel also said it is not clear to the court that ICE must deport him before trial. Prosecutors did not allege that Ailon is a danger to the community. They simply argued that he would be deported before trial if released. The federal public defender's office, which represents Ailon, also declined comment. But in court filings, it argued that the government did not prove he would not show up for trial, given that immigration regulations prioritize criminal prosecutions over removal. -AP Woman who endured Nazis becomes US citizen BERRIEN SPRINGS, Mich.: An 87-year-old southwestern Michigan woman became a U.S. citizen recently - six decades after arriving and surviving perilous, puzzling times in Nazi Germany. The South Bend Tribune reports Selma Satonica of Berrien Springs was sworn in last week. Satonica says she was a lawful permanent resident, but the citizenship process was confusing. The German immigrant lived in a town formerly in Poland, now the Ukraine. Her family, who was Seventh-day Adventist, was moved to a camp by Nazi soldiers and then another town. She says they fed and helped Jews and German soldiers because ``we fed everyone that was hungry.'' As the German front collapsed, soldiers helped them and others escape hours before Russians invaded. Satonica is grateful for her delayed citizenship and hopes to ``live a little bit'' longer. -AP

47 December 8, 2017 Immigration Post India Post 47 GOP lawmaker ratchets up pressure to fix DACA MIAMI: A Republican congressman from Florida has said he won't support a year-end spending measure unless Congress passes a solution for immigrants brought into the country illegally as children. Rep. Carlos Curbelo joined many Democratic lawmakers in that stance, even though he has been denied a seat by the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. The caucus membership is entirely Democratic. ``I will not support any appropriations bill that funds the government beyond December 31st unless we get this DACA issue resolved,'' Curbelo said at a panel discussion in Miami hosted by the pro-immigrant IMPAC Fund. Some other Republicans have pressed Speaker Paul Ryan to act quickly on immigration legislation to protect 800,000 young immigrants. Curbelo's willingness to withhold needed support for the spending measure goes further than others in his party. President Donald Trump gave Congress until March to find a Rep. Carlos Curbelo comments on report President Donald Trump asked former FBI Director James Comey to shut down an investigation into Michael Flynn. solution after he rescinded the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA, but some lawmakers say the measure can't be postponed. Some of the immigrants, commonly known as Dreamers, begin facing deportation in March. Curbelo has sponsored a bill that he says goes beyond DACA in protecting more than 1 million young immigrants and offering a path to citizenship. His bill, which differs from the measure brought forward by the Democrats, sparked a recent clash among Hispanic congressional members who resent his reluctance to cosponsor the DREAM Act. The Congressional Hispanic Caucus rejected his request to join earlier this month, citing a difference in values. ``They discriminate against me at a time we should be sending a message of unity among American Hispanics,'' he said, adding that it won't discourage him from supporting whichever immigration legislation moves forward. ``We are going to get it done in Indians largest non-eu Cont'd from Page 44 "These changes suggest that Brexit is likely to be a factor in people's decision to move to or from the UK but decisions to migrate are complex and other factors are also going to be influencing the figures," she added. The number of non-eu citizens leaving the UK has remained stable over the past year but the number of EU citizens leaving the UK has increased by almost a third, a trend that has been classified as "Brexodus" by a section of the UK media. The figures show that the number of EU citizens leaving the UK rose by 29 per cent to 123,000, with 43,000 saying they were returning home. This is the highest level of EU emigration from Britain since the 2008 recession. Net migration is the difference between people coming to the UK for more than a year, and the number of people leaving the UK for a year or more. migrants in UK In the 12-month period of July 2016 and June 2017, 572,000 people arrived in the UK, and 342,000 emigrated. Immigration specifically fell by 80,000 people over the year and three-quarters of that drop was down to fewer EU citizens The number of non-eu citizens leaving the UK has remained stable over the past year but the number of EU citizens leaving the UK has increased coming to live in the UK. The ONS figures also show that the number of people coming to the UK for a definite job has remained stable but those coming to "look for work", especially EU citizens, was down 43 per cent. The ONS said the latest fall on the previous year's net migration figure was the largest annual decrease recorded, substantially down on its high of June 2016 and now at similar levels to The numbers coming to Britain to study as overseas students also fell by 23,000 to 141,000 the majority from outside the EU. The UK s Conservative party government has pledged to reduce net annual migration to the "tens of thousands" and the latest figures were welcomed by ministers. UK immigration minister Brandon Lewis said that while net migration had fallen by 106,000, the increasing proportion of those coming to confirmed jobs highlighted that the system was "delivering for business needs in the UK". Opposition Labor party said the figures showed it was time for the Tories to drop their "meaningless" target of reducing net migration below 100,000. -PTI PRADEEP ROY-SINGH B.A. LL.B. M.B.A. J.D. Attorney-at-Law Former Assistant State s Attorney 1 Civil & Criminal Litigation 1 Felonies, Misdemeanors, Inc DUI 1 Personal Injury, Business, Divorce etc. 1 Property Tax for Commercial Properties spite of their efforts to divide the Hispanic community.'' He urged Democrats, who want a comprehensive bill, and Republicans, who want increased enforcement, to reach a compromise. Also on the panel were Florida Democrats Rep. Frederica Wilson and Ted Deutch. They agreed with Curbelo that a decision for young immigrants must be finalized before the year ends. Curbelo pointed out that the measure is time-sensitive, and said companies such as IBM will be affected when employees' work permits expire as DACA phases out. He said a professional coach he hired to improve his tennis game is also a DACA recipient. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee said Curbelo has refused to truly back a bill that already has wide support. ``Congressman Curbelo has an opportunity to be a part of that bipartisan solution, but instead he has repeatedly refused to sign onto the DREAM Act while simultaneously claiming to support Dreamers,'' DCCC spokesman Javier Gamboa said in a statement. ``That sort of doubletalk is shameful and shows Curbelo's motivation is chasing headlines to protect his political career while Dreamers' lives hang in the balance.'' -AP 1,000 Myanmarese refugees in Mizoram AIZAWL: More than 1,000 people from Arakan in Myanmar have taken refuge in Mizoram's southernmost Lawngtlai district after the Myanmarese Army launched a crackdown on Arakan militants, official sources said here. An official statement said the Mizoram government was providing all possible assistance to the refugees. Makeshift camps were being constructed and food provided to the displaced people who had taken shelter in four villages of Lawngtlai district. According to the latest figures, 1,157 Myanmarese nationals, including 635 women, had taken shelter in Lawngtlai districts - Z o c h a c h h u a h, Hmawngbuchhuah, Dumzautlang and Laitlang villages, the statement said. The state health department organized free health clinics at Zochachhuah and Dumzautlang villages, where 11 cases of malaria were detected. Mosquito nets were also distributed to the refugees, it said. The district administration sent block level officers and village level workers to conduct registration of refugees to streamline distribution of ration as well as sending them back when peace prevails across the border. Lawngtlai district Deputy Commissioner Arun T, accompanied by several officials, visited the villages and distributed rice, vegetables and a number of silpouline sheets to the refugees. Elaborate security arrangements have been made by the state police. Assam Rifles personnel are deployed in and around the four villages and along the Myanmar border. -PTI 2335 W. Devon Ave., Suite 204, Chicago, IL Tel:

48 48 Horoscope India Post December 8, 2017 Your Weekly Future by VANEET SHARMA DECEMBER 8 TH - DECEMBER 14 TH 2017 MAR 21 to APRIL 20 You shall be feeling very low and lethargic in the beginning of the week. The second day of the week shall be better however you shall be craving for brightness. Health conditions and energy level shall improve by the middle of the week. The latter half of the week shall be excellent for getting support of spouse. The marital bliss shall also get multiplied. The working efficiency and confidence level shall also be excellent. JUN 21 to JULY 22 The planetary transit indicates all sorts of happiness, betterment and developments in matters related to your education, love life and children. Your artistic talent shall be getting lot of appreciation. If you are full time public figure then this time can be utilized to gear up yourself for those preparations which shall prove beneficial to enhance your popularity graph. Your abilities to do well in any type of competition. SEP 23 to OCT 22 The beginning of the week shall be wonderful for your progress at work with rise in your position eventually resulting in an increase in the inflow of money by the mid of the week. On 12th & 13th you are likely to go on a journey with your family members. The expenses shall increase. You might have to go some work related journey too. The last two days of the week shall bring in some good news regarding betterment and happiness at work area. DEC 22 to JAN 19 In the beginning of the week you shall face the problems of ups and downs in your married life and health however from the mid of the week the situation shall improve and you might go on a long journey or a place of pilgrimage along with your spouse. The week end is indicating progress and achievement in work area. The support of spouse, seniors and partners shall help you earn recognition in your field of working. APRIL 21 to MAY 20 The planetary transit is highly favorable in this week. Your social life, relation with friends and relatives and social influence shall be at its peak from the beginning of the week. In the mid of the week you shall be more concerned about domestic and especially children related matters. You shall do well in competition and any type of tension won't be coming on the way of your personality development. JULY 23 to AUG 22 You shall remain in very jovial mood in the beginning of the week. Your health shall also be perfect. You shall be spending money on yourself, your family and also on journeys in this week. In the first half of the week you shall be focusing mainly on your family whereas in the latter half of the week you would be concentrating more on your social life and work area. Your all activities related to you, your family, friends and work shall keep you happy and lively. OCT 23 to NOV 22 In the beginning of the week you are likely to visit a tourist place or else you shall visit a place of down trodden, poor, patients, handicapped or otherwise suffering people to help them in best possible way. You shall be short of funds however even then you shall extend one or other type of help. In your own work you shall keep generating the required gains but the end of the week is indicating little financial crisis, mental tensions and health problems too. JAN 20 to FEB 18 This week shall prove to be excellent for all areas of life. You can expect good results in matters related to harmony with spouse, administrative activities, enhancement of immunity and recognition at work place. There are no issues related to mood swings. This week your confidence level shall be at its peak and that shall help you fight with the problems that shall be coming in your way on 12th & 13th of December. MAY 21 to JUN 20 The beginning of the week shall mark lot of activity on social front because of which the bitterness of family life won't affect you much. The day of 10th and 11th December shall be average for your happiness whereas the next two days are good for you in all respects. Your opinions shall be appreciated. You shall do educationally. Your children shall also bring happiness for you. AUG 23 to SEP 22 Beginning of the week indicates financial gains and some mental tensions which are likely to increase by the mid of the week and after that also there won't be a big relief from the stress and tensions till the morning of 13th December however, after that this week shall go perfectly alright till its end as the tremendous support of family members shall certainly help you come out of it. NOV 23 to DEC 22 You shall be feeling light and tension free in this week. You shall be inclined towards religious activities and would go on journeys too. There shall be sudden increase in your income in this week. The source of income shall get strengthened. Your good planning, systematic approach and micromanagement shall help you earn more recognition and gains in this week. You shall go on a long journey in last two days of the week. FEB 19 to MARCH 20 The beginning of the week is best time for your emotional relations and marital bliss however the health related troubles or some type of obstacles shall create tensions too. Do not take any decision related to relationship in a hurry. In professional life there won't be any issue. The latter half of the week is giving indications of your inclination towards research work or writing work. Kindly read the predictions from your ascendant sign. If you do not know your ascendant sign then read the same from Moon sign. If Moon sign is also not known then read it from the Zodiac sign. The ascendant sign which is calculated from the birth details viz. date, month, year, time & place of birth gives 85 % accurate predictions. The accuracy of predictions from Moon sign get limited to only 50 %. The predictions from Zodiac sign are only 25 % accurate. In nutshell the predictions from ascendant sign are most accurate. In getting personality analysis the traits given by ascendant sign are 100 % accurate and that is the essence of Vedic Astrology. VANEET SHARMA

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52 52 India Post ATMANANDA KRISHNA MENON The jnyana path does not claim to take you to the Truth or to illumine the Truth. You are always the Truth, and the Truth is self-luminous. So the jnyana path claims only to remove the obstacles in the way - viz. the sense of separateness and its objects - by applying the correct tests of Reality, such as changelessness and self-luminosity. When all obstacles are thus removed, the selfluminous 'I' remains ever shining in all its glory. This is called visualization or realization. Jnyana [knowledge] is attained as a result of relaxation of the mind and the giving up of all that is foreign to the real Self, leaving you as the Absolute, in your own glory. All sadhanas in the jnyana path have no purpose other than the elimination of the anatma [non-self] elements from the Atma, and so they are liberating in themselves. When the last trace of anatma is also eliminated, the effort ceases and you rise to the Absolute. But, to stand permanently established in the Absolute, the world gross as well as subtle - from which you eliminated yourself - has to be examined again and seen to be D. T. SUZUKI We are too ego-centered. The ego-shell in which we live is the hardest thing to outgrow We are, however, given many chances to break through this shell, and the first and greatest of them is when we reach adolescence. The more you suffer the deeper grows your character, and with the deepening of your character you read the more penetratingly into the secrets of life. All great artists, all great religious leaders, and all great social reformers have come out of the intensest struggles which they fought bravely, quite frequently in tears and with bleeding hearts. Love makes the ego lose itself in the object it loves, and yet at the same time it wants to have the object as its own The greatest bulk of literature ever produced in this world is but the harping on the same string of love, and we never seem to grow weary of it. But through the awakening of love we get a glimpse into the infinity of things When the ego- nothing but the Reality. WHAT IS KARMA [ACTION]? The direct answer to the question is that there is no karma. It is the responsibility of the questioner to prove that karma exists. Let us examine 'karma' in detail. What is that principle which makes every karma possible? It is evident at the outset that karma cannot exist without a doer or an agent. The proof of the existence Atmananda Krishna Menon of the doer is that you know it, or that you are the perceiver of the karma as the doer, doing and the deed. Now take note of the fact that such a witnessing agent is indispensable for the existence of karma. Then turn your attention more closely to that agent and see if he is really an agent. Immediately you see that the so called agent is no agent, but only the perceiver of karma. As perceiver shell is broken and the 'other' is taken into its own body, we can say that the ego has denied itself or that the ego has taken its first steps towards the infinite. Zen proposes its solution by directly appealing to facts of personal experience and not to book-knowledge. The nature of one's own being where apparently rages the struggle between the finite and the infinite is to be grasped by a higher faculty than the intellect For the intellect Philosophy Page Sponsored by Sahanis one cannot be bound by the karma. Thus karma is no karma in the ordinary sense of the word, and all samskaras [habit-driven inclinations] die with it. Karma consists of three parts, namely: 1. The incentive (being samskaras), 2. The activity (of body or mind), and 3. The results or fruits thereof. When you reach the perceivership, both the incentive as well as the desire for the Jnyana removes obstacles in way of Truth Jnyana [knowledge] is attained as a result of relaxation of the mind and the giving up of all that is foreign to the real Self, leaving you as the Absolute, in your own glory. Zen does not rely on intellect to solve problems has a peculiarly disquieting quality in it. Though it raises questions enough to disturb the serenity of the mind, it is too frequently unable to give satisfactory answers to them. It upsets the blissful peace of ignorance and yet it does not restore the former state of things by offering something else. Because it points out ignorance, it is often considered illuminating, whereas the fact is that it disturbs, not necessarily always bringing light on its path. The history of thought proves that each new structure raised by a man of extraordinary intellect is sure to be pulled down by the The greatest bulk of literature ever produced in this world is but the harping on the same string of love, and we never seem to grow weary of it. succeeding ones. This constant pulling down and building up is all right as far as philosophy itself is concerned; for the inherent nature of the intellect, as I take it, fruits of action vanish. Thus divorced from the perceived and the perception, the perceiver also ceases to be a perceiver and becomes the Ultimate. Therefore, karma is nothing but the ultimate Reality itself, and as such can never bind you. WHAT IS SAMSKARA? It is the impress left in the mind by past thoughts, feelings, perceptions and doings, which are supposed to influence one's subsequent activities. Samskara is the deep impression left behind by that which was done. Karma [action] gives rise to samskaras [habituated inclinations], and samskaras induce karma. Thus karma and samskaras depend upon each other for their very existence. This is impossible. Therefore, karma and samskaras are both a misnomer, and the perceiver or 'I' alone is the Reality. This is what Lord Krishna has said about karma in general. gahana karmano gatih [Unfathomable is the way of karma. ] Bhagavad-Gita. The exercise of higher reason alone can destroy one's innate tendencies and lead to the goal. Excerpted from Notes on Spiritual Discourses of Shri Atmananda taken by Nitya Tripta. The 183rd birth anniversary of Shri Atmananda is being observed on December 8. demands it and we cannot put a stop to the progress of philosophical inquiries any more than to our breathing. But when it comes to the question of life itself we cannot wait for the ultimate solution to be offered by the intellect, even if it could do so. We cannot suspend even for a moment our life-activity for philosophy to unravel its mysteries. Let the mysteries remain as they are, but live we must Zen therefore does not rely on the intellect for the D. T. Suzuki solution of its deepest problems. Excerpted from Essays in Zen Buddhism. Daisetsu Teitaro Suzuki was a Japanese author of books and essays on Buddhism December 8, 2017 Be Content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you. -Lao Tzu Thought runs you. Thought, however, gives false info that you are running it, that you are the one who controls thought. Whereas actually thought is the one which controls each one of us. -David Bohm Your daily life is your temple and your religion. Whenever you enter into it take with you your all. -Khalil Gibran "Error runs down an inclined plane, while the Truth has to laboriously climb its way up hill." Old truisms are often the wisest. - Helena Petrovna Blavatsky What is love?" "The total absence of fear," said the Master. "What is it we fear?" "Love," said the Master. -Anthony de Mello The very purpose of religion is to control yourself, not to criticize others. Rather, we must criticize ourselves. -Dalai Lama

53 December 8, 2017 Edit Page India Post 53 The new face of 'Custodians of Culture' The emergence of the Taliban in early eighties seemed to be a new breed of hostile fundamentalists averse to world culture and humanity. Lack of education, rigid religious bigotry was thought to be the reason behind the rise of Taliban. But are the Taliban alone in that part of the world? The fact is, this virus is now slowly engulfing the well-educated parts of the world in different shapes. The Taliban are not a peculiar religious or regional identity anymore. It is a trend averse to humanity. It takes form when finer sensibilities of human mind yield to intolerance. It is a repulsive product of selfishness that compels a sensible person for an unjustifiable dominion of one's own cultural superiority over others. For example, it makes an educated man think that his faith or culture is superior to others. Or he is led to believe that his own culture is in danger due existence of others. In A.Q. SIDDIQUI For example, it makes an educated man think that his faith or culture is superior to others. Or he is led to believe that his own culture is in danger due existence of others. In both cases, it is a malaise both cases, it is a malaise. If not so, why are so many anti-humanity crimes taking place all over the world? America was considered a haven for humanity; a land upholding most liberal values and embracing world cultures. But what is happening here lately? Someone just appears from nowhere and shoots an innocent Indian. There are attacks on turban wearing Sikhs over mistaken identity. India, the land of multi-cultures, religions and languages is reeling towards the worst kind of intolerance against human values. Innocent human beings are killed or attacked for the so-called safety of an A silent protest against the lynching incidents in Bengaluru. The protest is a part of #NotInMyName campaign going on in different parts of the country animal. A new breed of Indian Taliban are up in arms to impose their culture on others in the pretext of national spirit. With no respect for the law of land, these Taliban force the youth of country to abandon joining Valentine's Day celebrations or New Year celebrations. Why this trend? If you are so concerned for upholding your own so-called culture, why do you send your children for studies to Europe or America? Hypocrisy thy other name is opportunity. Why do you tolerate a famous TV serial, Bhabhi Ji Ghar Par Hai, daily attracting thousands of men and women in India? Oh the custodians of culture, this TV serial is really harming the very fabric of In- dian culture where a Bhabhi, the wife of brother is respected like a mother. This daily soap is promoting the western concept of "switching" or promiscuous sex among married couples. Why do you allow this and will not allow youths to celebrate the New Year or Valentine's Day? Which is more harmful? I felt sick when I saw a new trend of identity display among young Indian Muslims. In a marriage dinner I saw all "identical Muslims" wearing cap, long grown beards, long white shirts and pajamas. Having a beard is recommended in Islam, but as a famous Muslim scholar said, "Beard is in Islam, Islam is not in beard". The new generation is making beard, caps, long white shirts and trousers as essentials for Islamic culture. It is very good if you follow it at home, but it singles you out when you are living in otherwise a different majority oriented society. A good Muslim will impress others by his good manners, not by a peculiar appearance. Why do we forget that the Creator for humanity is only One. Why can we not just tolerate others? Pak frustration A s long as the terrorists sent by it to create mayhem in Kashmir were succeeding, Pakistan saw no need for international support. It is now frustrated that its mischievous mission to wrest Kashmir by force has been foiled, so it is now pleading abroad, mainly in the West, for support for its call for "self-determination" in Kashmir and its maligning of India for alleged human rights abuses. There are a number of reasons for Pakistan's frustration. Firstly, it was the robust BJP policy of giving a free hand to the Army to deal with the terrorists. It no longer had to fight with one hand tied to its back, as in the days of the Congress rule. The transgressions and firing from across the border were met with double the force and effectiveness. The "surgical strikes" had given a new opening for dealing with Pakistan and as the Army Chief has declared, more innovative ways are in the works to deal with Pakistan's game. The hunt for terrorists has also become proactive and those with guns are quickly dealt with guns. Another cause for Pakistan's discomfiture has been Demonetization. It has dealt a big blow to the hiring of stone-pelters and other mischief makers. Incidents of bank thefts are proof that the money trail has dried up. With the Army having an upper hand, the government of Narendra Modi has named former Intelligence Bureau chief Dineshwar Sharma as New Delhi's "special representative" for Kashmir talks. Many leaders including those from the Hurriyat have been refusing to meet earlier interlocutors for fear of the terrorists' bullets. Now that the Army has taken the measure of the terrorists, Sharma has already met senior Hurriyat leader Abdul Gani Bhat and one more separatist leader. The Modi government has clearly declared that there will be no let up in Army's actions with the naming of an interlocutor. Both these streams will continue together. Pakistan was using the politics of assassinations to discourage those daring to talk to Indian government or its representatives. Reassured that the Army's tough line is taking care of the terrorists, many separatist leaders might now emerge out of hiding to talk. All this has stumped Pakistan and it is now again touring world capitals to seek support for its hypocritical Kashmir cause. It has been proved now that to talk to a mischievous foe, you not only need to have an upper hand militarily but not hesitate to use it. Pakistan had been used to believing that India, to keep up its 'good guy' image, would not retaliate. It is now finding it difficult to face the fact that India does retaliate, and with fierce force. This is the major difference between a Congress government and a strong nationalist BJP government. The civilian government of Nawaz Sharif was willing to talk to Indian government to bring some peace to the sub-continent but the Army was always suspicious of his motives. Fearing strengthening of his hands after the General Election next year, it had Nawaz Sharif dethroned in a preemptive move. The new PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi is playing ball according to the Army's directions and today once again the Army is ruling Pakistan from behind the scenes. However, fresh trouble has come from an unexpected quarter. All weather friend China has stopped funding some CPEC projects over corruption, stunning the generals, and non generals.

54 54 India Post NEW JERSEY Upcoming NEW YORK Upcoming Datebook ATLANTA Upcoming CHICAGO Upcoming December 8, 2017 WASHINGTON DC Upcoming Sun, Dec 10 LUXURY BRIDAL SHOW - Shaadi Trend Venue: HILTON, 2 Meadowlands Plaza, East Rutherford, NJ Time: 11:00 am Dun, Dec 10 SHAKTI - the female principle of divine energy Venue: Dixon Place Theater, 161 Chrystie St, New York, NY Time : 06:30 pm Sun, Dec 10 Vivah: Hindu Singles Meeting Venue: Holiday Inn Roswell, 909 Holcomb Bridge Road, Roswell, GA Time: 01:30 pm Fri, Dec 08 ComedyHindiUrduEnglish Chalo Haso Comedy Showcase Venue: Seven Bar and Restaurant, 400 East Randolph Street, Chicago, IL Time: 08:00 pm Sun, Dec 31 New Year's Eve Party 2018 East Meets West Venue: Sheraton Reston Hotel, Sunrise Valley Dr, Reston, VA Time: 09:00 pm Sun, Dec 31 Family New Year Eve Party 2018) Venue: Royal Alberts Palace, 1050 King Georges Post Road, Edison, NJ Time: 07:00 pm Tue, Dec 19 NY's Largest Tech Entrepreneur Holiday Networking Party Venue: Le Grande, 224 West 49th St 2nd Floor, New York, NY Time : 06:00 pm Sat, Dec 30 New Year EventEnglish Ring In The New Year 2018 Venue: The Ritz-Carlton, Atlanta, 181 Peachtree Street Northeast, Atlanta, GA Time: 10:00 am Sun, Dec 31 Countdown to A Night of Sheer Elegance Venue: Elements Conference Center, South La Grange Road, Orland Park, IL Time: 07:30 pm Sat, Jan 20 3rd Annual Veterans Awards (VETTYS) hosted by Jake Tapper Venue: The Mayflower Hotel, 1127 Connecticut Avenue Northwest D.C., Washington, DC Time: 07:00 pm NORTHERN CALIFORNIA Upcoming ILLINOIS Upcoming Sun, Dec 31 Speakeasy New Years Eve Cruise 2018 Venue: Fume Blanc Commodore, 8 The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA Time: 07:30 pm Sun, Dec 31 New Year s Eve 2018 Let s Groove Tonight! Venue: Portola Hotel & Spa, 2 Portola Plaza, Monterey, CA Time: 07:00 pm Fri, Jan 12 SELECT Entertainment Presents NEON INDIAN DJ Set Audio SF Venue: Audio Nightclub, th Street, San Francisco, CA Time: 09:30 pm Sat, Jan 13 Facial Recognition Comedy: A Desi Woman Showcase Venue: PianoFight Main Stage, 144 Taylor St, San Francisco, CA Time: 10:00 am Thu, Feb 01 Where Are You From?: A Talk with Minal Hajratwala Venue:California Institute of Integral Studies, 1453 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA Time: 09:00 am 1st and 3rd Sunday of Month Chicago Children's Bal Mukund Character Building Program and Hindi Literacy Classes Venue: Vogelei Center, 650 W. Higgins Road, Hoffmann Estates, IL (Next to Nissan Dealership) Contact: Ajay & Arti Mondays and Fridays Free ESL - English as Second Language Classes Metropolitan Asian Family Services Venue: 9015 N Milwaukee Ave, Niles, IL, Time: 10:30am to 12:30pm Contact: Mondays and Fridays Free ESL - English as Second Language Classes Where: Metropolitan Asian Family Services Venue: 9015 N Milwaukee Ave, Niles, IL, Time: 10:30am to 12:30pm Contact: Swami Ishatmananda Bhagavad Gita: Philosophy of life Venue: Public Library-95th Street 3015 Cedar Glade Rd Naperville IL Time: 1 st friday of every month 7-8 pm Contact: India Eternal: From the Vedic Age to the Present Venue: Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago N. Main Street Glendale Heights, IL Time: 10:00 pm Contact:

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56 56 India Post December 8, 2017