The South Asian Times

e x c e l l e n c e i n j o u r n a l i s m
Vol.11 No. 10 July 7-13, 2018 80 Cents New York Edition Follow us on TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Trump interviews Amul Thapar

for Supreme Court judge
New York: Indian American feder‑
al appeals court judge Amul
Thapar has emerged as a "seri‑
ous" contender for a spot in the
US Supreme court and has been
interviewed for the position by
President Donald Trump, accord‑
ing to media reports.
He was one of four judges inter‑
viewed for the position on the
nation's highest court by Trump
Amul Thapar, a strong
Trump's Spokesperson Sarah
Sanders confirmed that he met
for 45 minutes with four candi‑
dates, but would not identify
them.
Trump has said he would
announce his pick next Monday.
Thapar was appointed by
Trump last year to the federal
US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley met Prime Minister
Narendra Modi in New Delhi on June 27. (Photo: PIB)
Sixth Circuit Appeals Court based
in Cincinnati, Ohio, that covers

conservative, was appointed by
Trump last year to the federal Sixth
Circuit Appeals Court and has the
backing of Senate Leader Mitch
McConnell. (Photo: IANS)
on Monday, according to The
Washington Post and other
media outlets that quoted
unnamed sources who had been
briefed about the meetings.
Delay in 2+2
four states including his home
state of Kentucky. Considered a
conservative, Thapar, 49, had
served as a federal prosecutor
Continued on page 4

NY’s 38th India Day Parade

dialogue not
to be held on Aug 19
At the June 28 kick‑off for the India Day
Parade, (from right) Actress Pooja
Kumar, FIA Chairman Ramesh Patel,
Consul General Sandeep Chakravorty,
related to India
FIA President Srujal Parikh, Chintu Patel, India likely to roll back tariffs on US
co‑chairman of Amneal Pharmaceuticals,
Padma Shri Dr Sudhir Parikh, and TV
products, tamping down trade tensions
Asia chief HR Shah. The parade in
New Delhi: The postponement of postponement of the dialogue
Manhattan will commemorate the 72nd
the 2+2 dialogue was "completely scheduled for July 6.
Independence Day of India.
unrelated" to India, US News reports had sought to sug‑
Detailed story on page 6. Ambassador to UN Nikki Haley gest that the sudden decision by
said last Thursday, seeking to dis‑ the US on Wednesday night to
miss reports that linked it to issues postpone the talks could be due to

Quarter-finals match-ups like sanctions against Iran and the

proposal to buy the S‑400 missile
the fact that New Delhi may find it
difficult to stop all oil imports

E
ngland booked their place in
the quarter‑finals of the FIFA
World Cup with a dramatic vic‑
tory over Colombia on penalty kicks
Tuesday, a result that finalizes
the four quarter‑final match‑ups to
take place Friday and
Saturday.
France vs. Uruguay (July 6,
10 a.m. ET)
France qualified for the quarter‑finals with a
thrilling 4‑3 win over Argentina in the Round of 16,
on the back of an electric performance from 19‑year‑
old sensation Kylian Mbappe.
The result sent Lionel Messiʼs team home, with the
Barcelona playerʼs career quest for a World Cup title
likely done and dusted.
Uruguay booked their spot with a 2‑1 win over
Portugal, courtesy two goals from striker Edinson
Cavani. That result meant Messiʼs great rival, Real
Madrid legend Cristiano Ronaldo, will also likely end
his career without winning a World Cup.
Brazil vs. Belgium (July 6, 2 p.m. ET)
Tournament favorites Brazil earned their quarter‑
final berth with a 2‑0 win over Mexico, with star
striker Neymar scoring the first goal and helping set
up the second.
Their quarter‑final opponents will be Belgium, who
defeated Japan 3‑2 with a dramatic winning goal in
the last kick of the game.
The winner of Uruguay‑France will play the winner
of Brazil‑Belgium Continued on page 4
system from Russia. from Iran beyond November this
"Our relationship will mark a year following sanctions against
new milestone when the US and Teheran on the nuclear issue.
India conduct the first‑ever 2+2 Continued on page 4
dialogue. The delay in that meet‑
ing was completely unrelated to
India. The time and location are
being rescheduled now. It will hap‑
pen soon," she said in a speech on
"Advancing India‑US Relations"
organized by the Observer
Research Foundation (ORF).
Her remarks came a day after
Secretary of State Michael Pompeo
called his Indian counterpart
Sushma Swaraj and announced the

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TheSouthAsianTimes.info July 7-13, 2018
TheSouthAsianTimes.info TRISTATE COMMUNITY July 7-13, 2018 3

Arrest in threat to kill FCC Essel Group's nature cure

chair Ajit Pai’s children center opens in Catskills, NY
New York: A person issued a call to her sup‑ New Delhi: Prime Minister
has been arrested and porters to harass offi‑ Narendra Modi inaugurated
charged with threaten‑ cials of the Trump Americaʼs first and biggest Nature
ing to kill the children administration and later Cure facility named YO1 via video
of Ajit Pai, head of the warned in a TV inter‑ conference on International Day of
Federal view, "The people are Yoga on June 21.
Communications going to turn on them." Calling it 'Bharat's gift to the US,'
Commission (FCC), Markara Man's threat Essel Group chairman and MP
according to a court was, however, made in Subhash Chandra announced on
document. December last year, Twitter that the facility in Catskills
The person identified before the instigation by Mountains will offer holistic well‑
as Markara Man made Waters. ness and allow people to connect
the threat in emails The FCC is a powerful with the nature on the lines of
sent to Pai, one of the government agency that Ayurveda. A dream project of Zee TV founder
senior officials in regulates the internet, ʻYoga has become a mass move‑ Subhash Chandra (inset), YO1 has over
The suspect was angry with ment in the past three years,ʼ PM 130 rooms and offers therapies
President Donald the cellphone spectrum
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai for Modi said during the launch event. including Ayurveda, naturopathy,
Trump's administra‑ and services, radio, tele‑
having repealed net neutrality ʻYoga is not just about some yoga and acupuncture.
tion, because he was vision, and telephones.
angry that the FCC had repealed net Net neutrality, which prevents inter‑ asanas, it's a philosophy, a way of Assembly honored Subhash Chandra on the eve
neutrality, the affidavit filed in connec‑ net service providers from giving spe‑ life. I wish you (Essel Group) all the very best of International Day of Yoga.
tion with the case by a law enforcement cial preferences to certain websites or for the venture,ʼ the Prime Minister said via YO1 Luxury Nature Cure is spread across
in a Virginia court said. accept payment from a web service to videoconferencing. 1400‑acres of lush green campus with the well‑
The arrest was disclosed last Friday give it priority or better access, was A dream project of Subhash Chandra, the cen‑ ness center taking up 200 acres of space. The
in a press release from the Department officially repealed recently following a ter is situated in Monticello, in upstate New facility will provide direct and indirect jobs to
of Justice that only said that the threat vote by a majority of the commission‑ York. The facility will provide natural care ther‑ more than 1500 people and has 131 guest
was made to his family members, but ers of the FCC in December. apies based on the ancient Indian disciplines of rooms and suites.
the court document specified that they Those opposing the repeal, who Yoga and Ayurveda combined with Naturopathy YO1 is derived from 'Yovan' meaning youth in
were his children. The threat is a sign include some Republicans, say that and Acupuncture. The physiotherapy courses Sanskrit. The wellness center aims to address
of the extreme polarization of the US without net neutrality the cost of using are designed to cleanse, detoxify and refresh health issues, improve mobility, increase
society. Maxine Waters, a leading the internet could go up for consumers the visitors. longevity, promote weight loss, and bring back
Democratic Party member of Congress, and some sites may face a slowdown. For this unique effort, New York State youthfulness, reports Zee News.

Ami Bera & Ro Khanna sail through the primaries

Washington: Indian‑American
Congressmen Ami Bera and Ro
Khanna won their respective pri‑
maries in California last week and
will defend their seats in the
midterms in November.
In New Jersey, three Indian‑
Americans ̶Hirsh Singh, Goutam
Jois and Peter Jacob ̶ lost their
Congressional bid at the primary
level.
In New Yorkʼs Democratic pri‑
mary, Suraj Patel put up a good
fight against incumbent
Congresswoman Carolyn
Maloney, securing 41 % votes
against her 59%. . In Maryland,
Aruna Miller, lost.
In California, three‑time
Congressman from 7th
Congressional District of
California, Bera bagged more
than 51 per cent of the votes in
the open primary. His nearest
rival Andrew Grant from the
Congressmen Ami Bera and Ro Khanna won
their primaries in California.
Republican Party received 32.9
per cent of the votes. In California
the top two candidates, irrespec‑
tive of their party affiliation in
the open primary head for the
general elections for the House.
Khanna, who entered the House
only in 2017, received an over‑
whelming 58.9% of the votes in
the open primary for the 17th
Congressional District of
California. His nearest rival Ron
Cohen from the Republican Party
received nearly 25 per cent of the
votes.
Coming from a strong
In New Yorkʼs 12th Congressional
district, Suraj Patel put up a good
fight against incumbent Carolyn
Maloney, securing 41% votes
against her 59%.
Democratic bastion, both Bera
and Khanna are expected to win
the Congressional elections in
November.
Suraj Patel, who comes from a
hotelier family, was frome being
disheartened. He sent out a mail
to his supporters: “We have just
begun”. He said he has tried and
succeeded in getting younger
voters to the polling booths and
will continue his political
activism.
In Maryland, Indian American
Aruna Miller lost the Democratic
primary for the state's open sixth
congressional district. She fin‑
ished second with 17,315 votes,
roughly 5,000 fewer than the
winner, businessman David
Trone.
The presence of two Asian
Americans ‑ pediatrician and
author Nadia Hashimi and State
Sen. Roger Manno ‑ did not help
Miller's cause. Hashimi received
4,764 votes, Manno got 4,245
votes.
Trone, founder of Total Wine &
More, reportedly spent $12 mil‑
lion of his own money for the
campaign, vastly outspending
Miller, who raised $1.5 million.
 4 July 7-13, 2018 TURN PAGE TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Nikki Haley visits religious places in Delhi

New Delhi: United States
Ambassador to the United Nations
Nikki Haley's two‑day visit to India
was focused on strengthening the
ties between the two countries.
While in Delhi, the Indian origin
American took the opportunity to
reconnect with her roots.
Accompanied by her envoy,
Kenneth Juster, Haley visited dif‑
Photos and videos of Nikki Haley and US ambassador to India Kenneth ferent places of worship on June
Juster rolling chapatis in the Sis Ganj gurdwara's kitchen in Old Delhi 28. This is Nikki Haley's first visit
went viral on social media. (Photo courtesy Reuters) to India after she became the US
envoy to the UN. Born as Nimrata
Randhawa to an Indian American
Sikh family from Punjab in South
Carolina, Haley had said that it
makes her "heart happy to be back
in India."
On the second day of her India
visit, Haley visited the Gauri
Shankar Mandir in the morning,
after which she headed to the
Jama Masjid to offer her prayers.
Haley also visited the much
revered Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib
in Chandni Chowk. Apart from
offering obeisance at the historical
gurudwara, she also participated
in community service.
Photos and videos of Haley and
US ambassador to India Kenneth
Juster rolling chapatis in the
gurudwara's kitchen and prepar‑
ing Langar have gone viral on
social media. She was seen stirring
a large pot of food being prepared
for the langar in the community
kitchen.

Delay in 2+2 dialogue not
related to India
Continued from page 1
The deferring of the 2+2 dialogue
was also sought to be linked to the
proposed defence deal with Russia.
Under the 2+2 dialogue, External
Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj
and Defense Minister Nirmala
Sitharaman were to travel to
Washington to hold talks with
their US counterparts Michael
Pompeo and James Mattis on July
6 on bilateral issues.
Nikki Haley also met Prime
Minister Narendra Modi last
Wednesday and discussed ways to
enhance India‑US cooperation
including on counter‑terrorism.
During the meeting, she noted the
deepening relations between India
and the US particularly in strategic
and defence sectors, a statement
said. Modi expressed appreciation
for President Donald Trump's
South Asia and Indo‑Pacific strate‑
gies and commended his initiative
for denuclearization of the Korean
Peninsula.
"Both the dignitaries discussed
ways to enhance India‑US coopera‑
tion including on counter‑terror‑
ism and in multilateral fora. They
expressed confidence that strong
India‑US partnership will continue
to be an important factor for glob‑
al peace and prosperity," the state‑
ment said. "The U.S.‑India partner‑
ship is a major strategic priority
for the Trump Administration. The
US remains firmly committed to a
strong relationship with India," the
release added.
In her ORF speech, Haley said
the 2+2 dialogue was an important
sign of how much bilateral securi‑
ty and defense cooperation had
grown in recent years and the new
level of strategic confidence in the
partnership.
Meanwhile, in a sign of tamping
down trade tensions, India is like‑
ly to roll back higher tariffs it
announced recently on imports
from the US if talks on the matter,
scheduled to be held in
Washington, DC in July, prove
fruitful.
The government is also hopeful
of securing exemption from the
Trump Administration regarding
steel and aluminum tariffs, which
had been imposed earlier by the
US against all trade partners,
media reported.
Trump interviews Thapar
for Supreme Court judge
Continued from page 1
before President George W. Bush
appointed him a judge of the fed‑
eral court for Eastern Kentucky in
2007. Thapar has the backing of
Mitch McConnell, the influential
Senate Majority Leader from
Kentucky, for the Supreme Court
vacancy caused by the retirement
of Justice Anthony Kennedy last
month.
"I think he's absolutely brilliant,
with the right temperament,"
McConnell said on Saturday.
The Washington Post said
Trump's meeting with Thapar "was
described by several White House
aides as both a gesture of respect
for the Senate GOP leader and evi‑
dence that he is in serious con‑
tention".
He is the second Indian‑
American judge to be a leading
contender for the Supreme Court
showing the community's reach
across both parties and its influ‑
ence. Washington Appeals Court
Judge Sri Srinivasan was among
the top choices considered by then
President Barack Obama for the
Supreme Court in 2016.
Thapar is widely considered too
conservative in his approach,
which aligns him with Trump and
his base.
His father, Raj Thapar, told
Courier Journal that his son is so
conservative that he "nearly
wouldn't speak to me after I voted
for Barack Obama."
Thapar was born in Detroit and
his family wanted him to become a
doctor, but he chose law instead,
the newspaper said.
Raj Thapar told the newspaper
that his son's only dream was to
become a Supreme Court Justice.
Amul's maternal grandfather
had impressed on him how
Mahatma Gandhi had defeated the
British using nonviolence, Raj
Thapar told the newspaper.
According his father, Amul had
converted to Catholicism when he
married Kim Schulte, a real estate
agent, Courier Journal reported.
Thapar's mother Veena Bhalla
sold a successful restaurant after
9/11 to work as a civilian clinical
social worker to help soldiers
returning from the battlefield, the
newspaper reported quoting
McConnell.
Quarter‑finals match‑ups
Continued from page 1
in the first semi‑final on Tuesday,
July 10.
Sweden vs. England
(July 7, 10 a.m. ET)
Sweden needed a deflected shot
from striker Emil Forsberg to get a
1‑0 win over Switzerland in a
scrappy Round of 16 match earlier
Tuesday.
England secured their quarter‑
final spot following their penalty
shootout victory over Colombia on
Tuesday afternoon. England took
the lead via captain and star strik‑
er Harry Kane, only for Colombia
to equalize in the dying seconds of
the game thanks to a header from
defender Yerry Mina.
The two teams couldnʼt be sepa‑
rated after 30 minutes of extra‑
time, taking the match to penalty
kicks, with England prevailing.
Kaneʼs goal was his sixth in the
World Cup, making him the
favorite to end the tournament as
top‑scorer. Belgium striker Romelu
Lukaku trails him on four goals.
Russia vs. Croatia
(July 7, 2 p.m. ET)
Tournament hosts Russia were
widely considered one of the
weakest World Cup hosts in recent
decades, making their Round of 16
victory over a strong Spain side
one of the biggest upsets of the
tournament. That game, too, was
tied 1‑1 before Russia went on to
win in a penalty kick shootout.
Croatia also needed a penalty
kick shootout to defeat their
Round of 16 opponents, Denmark.
Croatia captain Luka Modric
missed a golden opportunity to
win the match for his side, seeing
his penalty kick saved towards the
end of the regulation 90 minutes
with the score tied at 1‑1. The
match then eventually went to a
penalty shootout, with Modric this
time managing to bury his
penalty kick.

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TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Telugus set to hold mega
convention in Philly
Special to The South Asian Times
New York: A few Telugu organizations are
set to hold this weekend what is billed as a
mega convention attended by over 7,000
people in Philadelphia. “We have some
unique programs scheduled at the conven‑
tion,” Rajeshwar Gangasani Reddy, president
of the North American Telugu Association
(NATA), the main organizer, told this writer.
“Matters that af fect both Telangana and
Andhra Pradesh will be highlighted.”
Some national and regional Telugu groups
have joined forces with NATA for holding
the gathering.
Panelists will address two major issues
affecting Andhra and Telangana respective‑
ly: the special‑category status and farmersʼ
indebtedness.
The 3‑day event has attracted delegates
from across the US (particularly from the
surrounding states) as well as India (espe‑
cially from both Telugu states).
Speaking in Telugu, Reddy, who works in
New York but is based in New Jersey, said,
“Social service is NATA word; cultural devel‑
opment is NATA way,” citing several pro‑
grams conducted by the organization in the
US as well as Telangana and Andhra.
Samuel D. Thompson, a New Jersey sena‑
tor, and Upendra J. Chivukula, commission‑
er on the Board of Public Utilities in NJ, will
be the US dignitaries in attendance. From
India, Cong ress party President in
Telangana, Nalamada Uttam Kumar Reddy,
Power Minister Guntakandla Jagadish
Reddy, Swami Chidatmananda, and comedi‑
Trump names Raj Shah to key role
in appointment of SC justice
New York: President Donald Trump has
appointed an Indian‑American official, Raj
Shah, to a key role in the contentious
process of the appointment of the next jus‑
tice of the Supreme Court, the White
House announced on Monday.
Shah will take leave from the position of
Trump's Deputy Principal Press Secretary
to concentrate on getting the President's
nominee through the Senate approval
process, White House Spokesperson Sarah
Sanders said.
"Raj Shah will oversee communications,
strategy and messaging coordination with
Capitol Hill allies," Sanders said in her
statement.
Getting a successor to Justice Anthony
TRISTATE COMMUNITY July 7-13, 2018 5
NATA President
Rajeshwar Gangasani Reddy
an Ali will attend the event.
Lifetime achievement award will be given
to V. Prabhakar Reddy, former Rajya Sabha
MP. Krishna Sagar Rao and Somagutta
Vishnu Vardhan Reddy (both BJP) and rep‑
resentatives from Telugu Desam and YSR
Congress are also scheduled to attend.
In the last two months, two other Telugu
organizations held conventions in Dallas
and Houston.
TANA is said to be the first national
Telugu body founded decades ago. After
Andhra Pradesh was divided in 2014, a few
Telangana associations have been formed.
Raj Shah
will work on
getting
President's
nominee
through the
Senate
approval
process
(image
courtesy:
cnn.com)
Kennedy, who announced his resignation
last week, approved by the Senate before
the current session ends this year is a cru‑
cial task for Trump.
One of the candidates in a short list of 25
potential nominees announced by Trump
during his campaign included Judge Amul
Thapar, who is now a federal judge in
Kentucky.
He has the backing of Senate Majority
Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican.
"I think he's absolutely brilliant, with the
rig ht temperament," McConne ll said
Saturday, but added that he had no idea
whom Trump will pick.
Trump has said that he will announce his
choice next Monday. (IANS)
6 July 7-13, 2018
FIA announces India Day Parade
on August 19
New York: The Federation of Indian
Associations (FIA‑tristate) held a kickoff
event on June 28 at the Consulate General
of India here for its 38th India Day Parade
(IDP).It was announced that IDP, the biggest
event outside India celebrating Indiaʼs
Independence Day in New York will be held
on August 19 and the Grand Marshal will be
Hollywood‑Bollywood actress Pooja Kumar.
Srujal Parikh, FIA President who is a
trustee of NYPD Indian police officers
organization said FIA brings together
diverse Indian cultures on one stage as well
as women empowerment.
Hollywood‑Bollywood actress Pooja Kumar (3rd from right), Grand Marshal of
the parade at the kick‑off.
Global scientific community honors
Dr Raj Shah with prestigious awards
New York: Dr. Raj Shah,
Director at Koehler
Instrument company,
New York was recently
honored by the
International Society of
Tribologists and
Lubrication Engineers
(STLE), at its recent
annual meeting in Dr Raj Shah (left) with
Minneapolis with the P M Ku Medal
prestigious PM Ku
Medal. The P.M. Ku Medal is the one of the
highest STLE award, and was established in
1978 to recognize outstanding and selfless
achievements. STLE is the premier interna‑
tional technical society serving the needs of
more than 13,000 individuals and numer‑
ous companies and organizations world‑
wide that comprise the tribology, petroleum
and lubrication engineering business sector. ASTM Award of Excellence thrice in his
STLE members are experts who research,
develop and market the methods and prod‑
ucts that make industry more successful
and that enhance the well‑being of people
worldwide and its members are employed
by the world's leading corporations and
academic institutions and by governmental
agencies dealing with science and technolo‑
gy. Dr. Shah is the youngest recipient of the
PM Ku medal.
Dr. Shah was also honored last week by
the National Lubricating Grease Institute
(NLGI International) with its prestigious
John A. Bellanti Sr. Memorial Award, which
is typically only given to an individual who
has performed extensive service and helped
foster growth and progress. NLGI is a 75
year old non‑profit organization, primarily
composed of companies who manufacture
and market all types of lubricating greases,
TRISTATE COMMUNITY
IN BRIEF
Consul General of India in New York,
Ambassador Sandeep Chakravorty, said in
his address that he feels close to the moth‑
erland in American soil by working close
with FIA and its members. He recalled FIAʼs
early history when Prime Minister
Jawaharlal Nehru was invited to lead the
parade that attracted a mere 300 people.
FIA Chairman Ramesh Patel and Media
Chair Ankur Vaidya also spoke.
Chintu Patel, co‑chairman of Amneal
Pharmaceuticals, philanthropist, and
Community Grand Marshal, also addressed
the audience.
and it is the largest profes‑
sional institute within the
grease industry.
Dr. Shah was also felici‑
tated by the NLGI India
chapter earlier this year
with its first ever long
service award during their
annual meeting in
Amritsar. NLGI India chap‑
ter which was established
20 years ago is the largest
professional organization dealing with
grease manufacturers and suppliers in Asia.
Dr. Raj Shah, is a Fellow of NLGI
International, a Fellow at Society of
Tribology and Lubrication engineers (STLE
International) , and was recently also con‑
ferred a title of Fellow from the Energy
institute, UK. A previous recipient of the
career, and the ASTM Eagle award, Dr. Shah
was also recently conferred the distin‑
guished alumni award from the Institute of
Chemical technology (ICT), Mumbai. Dr.
Shah also previously served on the Graduate
alumni board of directors of his alma mater
: Penn State University.
A Chartered Scientist with the Science
Council, UK, he is currently involved in
working closely with several universities
and is on the industrial advisory board at:
The Department of Chemical Engineering at
the State University of New York, Stony
Brook, The School of Engineering, Design,
Technology and Professional programs
(SEDTAPP) at Pennsylvania State University,
and the Samuel Ginn College of engineering,
Tribology and lubrication science minor at
the Auburn University. He lives in Melville,
NY with his wife Nilou, and son Kian.
Yogafest New Jersey 2018 held
O
n 24th June, New Jersey saw
one of its largest International
Day of Yoga celebrations. This
year for the first time, many likeminded
organizations formed a coalition to cele‑
brate Yogafest. The Yogafest 2018 was
held at the Gayatri Chetna Center,
Piscataway, NJ.
The event started with a lamp lighting
ceremony in the presence of representa‑
tives of Ananda Marg (a global spiritual
and social service organization), India;
Consulate General of India, New York;
Mayor of Piscataway and council repre‑
sentatives of the township of Piscataway;
Representatives from Edison Township
and Woodbridge Township boards.
Citations for the event were presented
to the partnering organizations by
Townships of Piscataway and Edison.
Over 600 people attended this event.
Volunteers from partnering organiza‑
SC verdict upholding travel
ban criticized
O
ver a year and three iterations at
state‑sponsored discrimination
later, the Supreme Court of the
United States has ruled to uphold the
Trump Administrationʼs divisive and
damaging Muslim Ban. In response,
Suman Raghunathan, Executive Director
of South Asian Americans Leading
Together, said: “Greenlighting persecu‑
tion of communities due to their appear‑
ance or how they pray is unacceptable
and un‑American, and cannot be the law
of our land. Todayʼs decision joins our
nationʼs past shameful decisions on
Korematsu and Dred Scott by upholding
discrimination. With this ruling, the high‑
est court has turned its back on our com‑
munities who are already on the front‑
lines of state‑sanctioned hate, violence
and division.” “As we see immigrants por‑
Brahmakumaris celebrate Yoga
Day with a retreat in Catskills
Mountains
T
o celebrate and reflect on Yoga
Day 2018, as in the past, the
International Organization of the
Brahmakumaris (BKs) hosted and organ‑
ized a Yoga Retreat at Peace Village in
the Catskills Mountains, New York, a 3‑
day event from June 21 to 23.
The theme of this year's event was The
Power of Yoga: A Day to Reclaim Your
Inner Spirit.
The program was facilitated by BK
Susan, Raja Yoga teacher at Peace
Village. Sr. Binny of the BKs of the Mount
Abu, India, headquarters and internation‑
al speaker‑mentor Dr. Paula Fellingham
were chief guests. Dr.Paula Fellingham
and several other Brahmakumaris from
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
tions joined hands with Gayatri Parivar
volunteers to organize and setup the
event.
The 2‑hour long free event had parallel
sessions running for adults in the out‑
door tent, for kids in the temple hall and
for seniors in the classroom.
The yoga and meditation sessions were
presented by yoga proponents from vari‑
ous partner organizations. There was
also a demonstration from Mallakhamb.
Partnering organizations were Gayatri
Pariwar, Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh
(HSS), Vegetarian Vision, Isha
Foundation, Mallakhamb Federation of
USA and Vihangam Yoga.
Further support was given by the
Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America, Sewa
International, Hasya Yoga, Consulate
General of India, Township of
Piscataway, Township of Edison and
Township of Woodbridge.
trayed and treated as subhuman, hate
violence at historic levels, and challenges
to due process and core rights for all, we
face a critical question as to who we are
and what we stand for as a nation. We
know hate violence targeting our com‑
munities will continue to rise nationwide,
amplified by todayʼs decision. SAALT
chooses to build a nation where families
are not torn apart, where children are
not detained in cages, where differences
are not criminalized for political gain.
Today, as the government chooses to
separate families and places our commu‑
nities in the cross hairs of hate, we vow
to continue the fight for justice, dignity,
and full inclusion. Our communities have
a place in this nation regardless of
todayʼs decision, and we will fight to pro‑
tect them.”
India and the USA, at the workshops,
shared their experiences of reclaiming
inner strength through Yoga. BK Rick
spoke and conducted a variety of excel‑
lent yoga exercises. BK Dorothy,
Program Director at Peace Village,
explained and conducted a meditation of
Raja Yoga, and Carrie Dugo (a local resi‑
dent) and family conducted a silent heal‑
ing yogic walk around the Peace Village
labyrinth. A local student continued to
enhance the atmosphere with her
singing bowls and powerful vibrational
gong.
Toli (sweet) and blessings cards were
given to every attendee as a finale to the
spiritual program enjoyed by all.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info NATIONAL COMMUNITY July 7-13, 2018 7

Opioid crisis also affects the South Asian community: Dr Sanjay Gupta
By Surekha Vijh
Washington DC: The opioid crisis is
dangerous since it poses serious
threat to our communities, and it
needs to be tackled urgently by all
concerned, emphasized speakers at
Opioid Awareness Initiative
Program organized by the
American Pain Association (APA) at
the Indian Embassy here on June
27.
Santosh Jha, Deputy Indian
Ambassador to the US, said
although it was important to create
awareness about opioid crises, it
was vital to have a solution as well.
Suggesting Ayurveda and Yoga as a
remedy, he said even acupuncture
and acupressure could offer an
alternative to the pain and ailments.
Dr Sanjay Gupta, President of
American Pain Association who is
also Director of HealthTime TV, said
all communities were affected by
the opioid crises, including “our
Desi community.” New Jersey based
Dr Gupta pointed out that there
Dr. Sanjay Gupta, President,
American Pain Association,
addressing the Opioid
Awareness Initiative Program
held at the Embassy of India on
June 27.
were 35,000 deaths in 2008, 40,00
in 2010 and 65,000 in 2015 due to
the opioid crisis.
People get addicted, there might
be a mafia behind it, Dr Gupta said.
“One in 5 deaths are drug related.
An overdose of drugs can cause
Dr. Vanila Singh, Chief Medical
Officer for the Office of the
Assistant Secretary for Health at
HHS, speaking at the event.
death and other serious problems,”
he cautioned.
Dr Gupta asked the communities
to become aware of this menace
because kids were getting exposed
to drugs addiction through pop cul‑
ture. To promote awareness about
the crisis, they have organized a
ten‑city tour by a noted Bollywood
singer, Shaan. Bollywood stars are
more exposed to the problem than
people in Punjab, where drugs are a
big issue, Dr Gupta added.
Congressman Raja
Krishnamoorthi from Illinois said it
was crucial to address the opioids
problem at this stage since every
community has been affected by it.
He commended APA for addressing
it through education and added that
among students, peer to peer edu‑
cation was important along with
legislation fixes.
The Congressman said they have
proposed a legislation for non‑opi‑
oid treatment for pain. “Attack the
source, not the symptoms,” he
added.
Congressman Frank Pallone from
New Jersey said he whole‑heartedly
supported the cause.
Mukesh Aghi, president and CEO
of US‑India Strategic Partnership,
said, US‑India partnership went
beyond trade and would like to be a
part of the opioid crisis awareness.
Dr.Vanila Singh, Chief Medical
Officer for the Office of the
Assistant Secretary for Health at the
U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services (HHS), said that
they were there to protect the com‑
munities and protect the children.
“We want out our children to be
happy and healthy, and thatʼs why
we need to handle this opioid crisis
quickly.” She said that the drugs
overdose deaths were just the tip of
an iceberg since there was a rise in
heroin use and rise in synthetic opi‑
oids in the country. She advocated
supporting lawmakers to fight the
crisis.
Dr. Gautam Samadder, President
AAPI, also addressed the event.
A recent bipartisan health bill in
Congress was introduced to address
the opioid crisis and pay for doc‑
torsʼ training and more medical res‑
idency slots. The legislation has
gained backing from Senator Dean
Heller of Nevada, Reps. Joseph
Crowley and Ryan Costello.

Congresswoman Pramila arrested in Chronicling the crumbling of

Washington anti‑immigration protest
Washington, DC: Indian‑American
Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal was arrested
along with 575 other women during a protest
staged in Washington against US President
Donald Trumpʼs border and immigration poli‑
cy. Jayapal said she was asked to speak at the
demonstration called by women at the Hart
Senate Office Building on Thursday, reports
The Seattle Times.
The civil disobedience was a reaction to the
Trump administrationʼs crackdown at the US‑
Mexico border, including separation of thou‑
sands of children from their parents in recent
months.
“I decided that I, too, would sit down with
them and submit to arrest,” Jayapal said.
“We chanted and sang and talked about the
need to reunite these families and to end the
Presidentʼs zero‑tolerance policy.”
The women were arrested and charged with
unlawfully demonstrating in the Senate office
atrium, said Eva Malecki, a spokeswoman for
the U.S. Capitol Police. Jayapal was issued a
$50 fine for “crowding, obstructing, or incom‑
moding”. It was her third arrest at a protest,
the other two occurring years before her
2016 election to Congress.
A longtime immigration‑rights leader who
founded OneAmerica before running for elect‑
ed office, Jayapal said she has been outraged
and unable to sleep over Trumpʼs “zero toler‑
ance” prosecutions of people crossing the US‑
US Capitol Police direct U.S. Representative
Pramila Jayapal (D‑WA) to stand for arrest
as she joined demonstrators calling for “an
end to family detention” at the Hart Senate
Office Building on Capitol Hill in
Washington (Source: Reuters)
Mexico border, The Seattle Times reported.
“I think that every American, Republican
and Democrat, just has to try and imagine
what that looks like, to have a six‑month‑old
baby taken from your breast,” she said.
Jayapal has also helped organize “Families
Belong Together” protests set for Saturday,
with demonstrations in Washington, D.C., and
other cities across the nation. The Trump
Administration launched the so‑called “zero
tolerance” policy in April, which considers ille‑
gal border crossing as a criminal offence,
meaning that immigrant minors will be sepa‑
rated from their families, reports Efe news.
(IANS)
'ivory tower leadership'
Chicago: A new order of leader‑
ship has emerged around the
world which is "transient" in
nature and dependent on "the
issues of the day", a just‑pub‑
lished book edited by a leading
Indian American expert in relia‑
bility engineering says.
"There may still exist leaders
in the traditional sense such as
presidents, prime ministers, law‑
makers, CEOs, and so on, but their roles will
get constantly shaped and reshaped by
social media trends.
"The ivory tower of leadership has fully
crumbled and from its debris is emerging a
new order where leadership will become
transient depending on the issues of the
day," says Bharat Thakkar, a respected engi‑
neer and professor, in the preface to the
book "The Future of Leadership: Addressing
Complex Global Issues" published by
Palgrave Macmillan.
The book, which was released here by
technology guru and development thinker
Sam Pitroda, who has also written a fore‑
word to it, gathers respected experts in vari‑
ous fields and offers nine exhaustive essays
on a variety of subjects.
They include a brief history of leadership,
women and future leadership, leadership in
the next decade and beyond, and healthcare
and leadership.
"My objective is to offer broad
trends in the emergence of a new
order of leadership in different
walks of life. Leadership is not
just about government or poli‑
tics, but it shapes all human
endeavour. It is important that
the human race prepares itself
for these major changes,"
Thakkar told IANS.
Illustrating how traditional structures of
leadership have broken down, Thakkar said:
"In my own career as an engineer and then
as a professor in America spanning five
decades, I have had to constantly respond to
this level of democratization.
He said because of the democratization
brought about by information technology,
"leadership in all walks of life has become
extremely mindful that they are being
watched by a vast majority of people".
In his introduction to the book, Pitroda
writes, "Unlike in the centuries past when
leadership meant exclusive elites, mostly
men, who controlled knowledge and infor‑
mation and therefore societies, we now live
in an age where information and knowledge
have been rapidly democratized in terms of
access and understanding. This has, in turn,
made decision‑making deeply informed and
individualized."
8 July 7-13, 2018 NATIONAL COMMUNITY TheSouthAsianTimes.info

IN BRIEF

Vivek Lall named to key federal GOPIO‑CT honors six achievers at

advisory committee on aviation
I
ndian‑American Vivek
Lall has been named
to a key federal avia‑
tion advisory committee
which provides guidance
to the government on the
future of airspace sys‑
tem. Lall, currently vice‑
president at Lockheed
Martin, would be repre‑
senting the viewpoints of
defence technology
organisations in the
NextGen Advisory
Committee of the
its annual banquet in Stamford
ties, capability deployment
timing, equipage incentives,
specific technologies, and
deployments such as
DataComm, National
Airspace System perform‑
ance metrics, and airspace
design initiatives.
Lall, a globally renowned
aerospace scientist, has
been appointed for a two‑
year term on the committee
that provides guidance on
Vivek Lall
wide ranging topics affect‑ GOPIO‑CT awardees honored at the banquet on June. 9th (L to R) Hasu Patel, Dr.
(Image : indiastrategic.in) ing the US and global avia‑ Rohit Bhalla, Asha Rangappa, Prof. Sarbani Basu, Prof. K. Sudhir and Sharad Patney

Department of
Transportation. The committee advises on
the government on topics including, but
not limited to, NextGen investment priori‑
India‑inspired US artist to unveil
tion community. He has
been a top official at Boeing and General
Atomics in the past and successfully led
over $12 billion of US‑India trade. (PTI)
T
he evening is a celebration – a cele‑
bration not just of the accomplish‑
ments of our awardees, but also a
tribute to a strong and vibrant Indian‑Amer‑
ican community that has excelled in almost
all areas of life in this adopted nation of
ours,” Dr. Thomas Abraham, Founder Presi‑
dent and chairman of GOPIO International,
a CNN national security analyst, was recog‑
nized for her services as a former Special
Agent of the FBI and currently a senior lec‑
turer at Yale Universityʼs Jackson Institute
for Global Affairs for Service to Govt. and
Non‑Profit Institutions; and, Dr. K. Sudhir,
was honored for his accomplishments in
Business Management. He is a Professor of

Russia World Cup installation who is also a Trustee of GOPIO‑CT, chair‑

man of the Awards Committee, said, in his
Private Enterprise, Management and Mar‑
keting, and founder‑director of the China In‑

F
or Indian fans of
the football
World Cup in
Russia, it may come as
pleasant consolation
that this country will
feature at the event, but
in spirit alone, with the
unveiling of an installa‑
tion by Georgian‑born
American artist David
Datuna, who is greatly‑
inspired by the works of
Delhi‑based Subodh
David Datuna
Gupta. Datuna, a con‑
(Image : wikidata.org)
ceptual artist focused
on the convergence of art and social
consciousness said is deeply impressed
by the installation art of Gupta, who has
made a name for himself internationally
with his signature style of incorporating
everyday objects in his creations.
Datuna said he is finishing a series of
three installations for the FIFA World
Diwali holiday for 7 school districts in NY
Cup ‑‑ in Russia, on the
Korean Peninsula, and in
the US ‑‑ which "will be my
peace‑making mission."
"I was deeply impressed
by Subodh Gupta's 'Very
Hungry God' installation. It
is a skull made of kitchen‑
ware. In my opinion, it is
one of the greatest works
of modern art. Gupta is one
of my gurus, one of the
people in the world whose
art I worship," he said.
Datuna, who migrated to
the US from the former
Soviet Union, became famous globally
post‑2000 for his installations made of
optical lenses, particularly the flags of
70 countries, including India.
He is widely known for his "Viewpoint
of Millions" series that explores the
sources and meaning of cultural identity
from each unique point of view. (IANS)
opening remarks, while setting the tone for
the 12th annual Gala and Awards Nite.
Organized by The Global Organization of
People of Indian Origin (GOPIO)‑Connecti‑
cut Chapter in the Ballroom at The Marriott
Hotel in Stamford, CT on Saturday, June 9th,
the event honored six distinguished Indian
Americans for their achievements and con‑
tributions to the greater good of the larger
society.
Dr. Rohit Bhalla, MD, Vice President of
Stamford Health, was honored for his contri‑
butions to Health Care Administration; Prof.
Sarbani Basu, Chair of Department of As‑
tronomy at Yale University was honored for
his achievements in Basic Sciences; Hasu Pa‑
tel was recognized for community Services;
Sharad Patney, President and CEO of VLink,
Inc. was the awardee this year for his
achievements in IT Services; Asha Rangappa,
The 2018 South Asian Spelling Bee
announces Dallas and NJ winners
C
ontinuing its quest for the
best speller in the communi‑
dia Insights Program at the Yale School of
Management. Prominent among those who
had attended and spoke at the annual gala
included, Stamford Mayor David Martin,
Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling, Connecticut
State Senators Carlo Leone and Toni Bouch‑
er and CT State Assemblymen Dr. Prasad
Srinivasan and Charles Ferraro. Two Indian
Americans running for office in the election
were also present, Republican Congression‑
al candidate in the 4th District Harry Arora
and Democratic Primary Candidate for
Treasurer Dita Bhargava.
For the fourth year in a row, GOPIO‑CT
Scholarship for College Tuitions were given
to four young students from Connecticut to‑
wards their higher education. The scholar‑
ships were presented to: Natalia Mo‑
hammed; Vedant Gannu; Meghan Prabhu;
and Carolyn David.

S
even school districts in New York
state will reportedly stay closed on
November seven, the day of most
popular Hindu festival Diwali; while anoth‑
er one has announced “student recess” on
November seven. Schools in East Meadow
School District (Westbury), East Williston
Union Free School District (Old Westbury),
Half Hollow Hills Central School District
(Dix Hills), Herricks Public Schools (New
Hyde Park), Hicksville Public Schools
(Hicksville), Jericho School District
(Jericho), Syosset Central School District
(Syosset), will stay closed on November
seven (Diwali day); while Port Washington
Union Free School District (Port
Washington) has announced “student
recess” on November seven; reports sug‑
gest. Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, who has
been actively supporting inclusion of
Diwali holiday in New York state schools,
in a press statement said closing schools
on Diwali day by these New York school
districts is “a step in the positive direc‑
tion.” He urged all public school districts
and private‑charter‑independent schools
in New York state to close on Diwali; as it
was important to meet the religious and
spiritual needs of Hindu pupils. Rajan Zed
urged New York Governor Andrew M.
Cuomo, New York State Education
Department Board of Regents Chancellor
Betty A. Rosa and New York State
Commissioner of Education MaryEllen Elia
to work towards adding Diwali as an offi‑
cial holiday in all the 733 public school
districts, & persuading the private‑charter‑
independent schools to follow.
ty, the 2018 South Asian
Spelling Bee traveled to Texas and
New Jersey this past weekend with
stops in Dallas and New Brunswick.
With a huge turnout this year, the
Bee attracted some top talent as
well as young and new spellers that
competed for the coveted prizes and
titles. Vandana Walia (New Jersey Regional Judge),
At the Dallas Regional, current Sujata Choudhury (First Runner Up), Nitya
Scripps National Champion and Kathiravan (Regional Champion) and Louise
South Asian Spelling Bee alumnus Silverman (New Jersey Regional Judge).
Karthik Nemmani was at hand to interact was the regional champ and Rohan Raja
with spellers and parents. Having attended (12) of Irving, Texas, was the first runner
the South Asian Spelling Bee for 5 years, up at the Dallas Regional.
Nemmani had specific insights about his In New Jersey, Nitya Kathiravan (9) of
experience at the event and its contribution Edison, New Jersey was the regional champ
to his success. and Sujata Choudhury (11) of Cherry Hill,
Sohum Sukhatankar (12) of Dallas, Texas New Jersey, was the first runner up.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info NATIONAL COMMUNITY July 7-13, 2018 9

Seema Nanda appointed chief of H-1B visa rules tightening

Democratic National Committee to hit Indian IT
Washington, DC: T he Democratic National
Committee (DNC), the decision‑making body of
the Democratic Party, has tapped Indian American
Seema Nanda to serve as its new CEO and handle
day‑to‑day operations, making her the first from
the community to be named an operational head
of a key American political party.
Nanda is currently the Executive Vice President
and Chief Operating Of ficer at The Leadership
Conference on Civil and Human Rights, the
largest human and civil rights organization in the
US. She will start later in July in the new position,
the DNC said in a press release.
As CEO, Nanda will manage the day‑to‑day oper‑
ations of the organization. The DNC coordinates
strategy to support the party's candidates
throughout the country for local, state and nation‑
al office.
As mid‑term elections continue and the 2020
elections draw closer, hiring the management‑ori‑
ented Nanda is a move away from more explicitly
political executives who have led the troubled
party in the past, Politico reported.
"I'm beyond excited that Seema is bringing her
talent and brilliance to the DNC," DNC Chair Tom
Perez said in a statement. "She is a seasoned man‑
ager who has a proven track record of success."
Nanda previously worked as Perez's chief of
staff at the US Department of Labor. She replaces
interim CEO Mary Beth Cahill, who took the helm
of the DNC in February after replacing Jess
O'Connell, a seasoned operative who left after less
than a year on the job.
"People are hurting all across our country. I
believe that Democrats are offering the positive
solutions so desperately‑needed right now ‑‑ solu‑
tions forged by the strength of our diversity, the
rigor of our ideas and the decency of our values,"
Nanda said in a statement.
She also worked on the DNC transition team for
Perez, which "took a fresh look" at the commit‑
tee's operations after the 2016 election, accord‑
ing to the DNC statement.
She has a background in labor and employment
law and has worked in the Civil Rights Division of
the Department of Justice. (IANS)
companies: Report
Mumbai: Tightening of H‑1B work
visa norms by the US is likely to put
cost pressures on the Indian IT serv‑
ices firms and impact their margins
due to increase in compliances and
rise in onsite hiring, according to a
report.
However, the impact will be com‑
pany specific and relative to H‑1B
visa dependence, rating agency
ICRA said in its report.
"The changes will disqualify cer‑
tain positions currently eligible for
H‑1B visas, thereby impeding the
movement of low‑cost skilled labor
from India and will have direct bear‑
ing on margins," said Gaurav Jain,
vice‑president, corporate sector rat‑
ings, ICRA.
The US is also contemplating on
awarding visas to the most skilled
or to highest‑paid beneficiaries.
ICRA feels this move will work
against the Indian IT services sector
(H‑1B dependent) as the average
wage is approximately lower by 25
per cent compared to companies
that are not dependent on H‑1B
visas as per estimates. A firm is
defined as H‑1B dependent if more
than 15 per cent of its US full‑time
employees are on an H‑1B visa.
Jain said awarding of H‑1B visas
based on highest skill or compensa‑
tion, will leave less headroom for
Indian companies to get such visas.
Consequently, increased onsite
hiring or raising the compensation
for H‑1B visa applicants will impact
companies' margins and will be
credit negative, he said.
"However, the impact will be com‑
pany specific and relative to H‑1B
visa dependence," he added.
Jain said Indian companies have
started to ramp up onshore hiring.
"Leading firms are also increasing
their proportion of offshore work to
reduce dependence on such visas,
though the magnitude of such shifts
is expected to be marginal as only
certain services are amenable to
higher of fshoring (testing, IMS)
compared to others," he said.

DIASPORA

Indian-origin woman entrepreneur Indian‑origin lawyer appointed

to swim across English Channel to Singapore Supreme Court
London: An Indian‑origin woman entre‑ challenge. She has been training hard over
preneur in the UK is training to swim the last six months to help raise funds that
across the English Channel to raise funds will go towards protecting vulnerable chil‑
to combat child trafficking in India. dren from trafficking and exploitation in
Leah Chowdhry, India and provide
who runs profes‑ quality education for
sional childcare some of the coun‑
service called Pop try's poorest chil‑
up, Party & Play, will dren. Chowdhry has
set of f from Dover already raised more
on a grueling 35 km than 35,000 pounds
swim to Calais in for this life‑changing
France on work. Didar Singh Gill (Image courtesy: nriinternet.com)
Wednesday to raise It is estimated that
Singapore City: An top Indian‑origin intellec‑ judges of appeal and the chief justice), six
funds for the British around 1.2 million
tual property litigator in Singapore has been judicial commissioners, four senior judges
Asian Trust, a chari‑ children in India are
appointed as a judicial commissioner of the and 15 international judges.
ty founded by Prince subjected to com‑
country's Supreme Court by President Gill was previously managing director of
Charles. mercial sexual
Halimah Yacob, according to an official state‑ law firm Drew and Napier LLC's intellectual
"I am honored to exploitation. British
ment. property department, having spent most of
be one of the first Asian Trust's part‑
Dedar Singh Gill, 59, is a lawyer with more his career there since graduation.
ever British Asian Leah Chowdhry hopes to raise funds to ner organization in than 30 years of experience. He is one of He is also a member of the Law Society of
women to take on combat child trafficking in India India, Prerana, runs
Singapore's top intellectual property litiga‑ Singapore, the Singapore Academy of Law
this challenge, with (Image : Leah Chowdhry/Facebook profile) three night‑care
tors, representing corporate clients who are and the International Trademark Association.
only just short of centers for children
household names, the Straits Times reported. Talking about his departure, Davinder
1,500 people to ever complete the swim," at risk, as well as shelter homes and a resi‑
Gill will begin his new role on August 1 for Singh, executive chairman of Drew and
said Chowdhry, who is set to battle with dential training center for girls rescued
a period of two years, the Prime Minister's Napier, said: "While Dedar's departure will be
jelly fish, ship tankers and seasickness from the trafficking trade.
Office said. a great and irreplaceable loss to the firm, his
during a journey expected to take on aver‑ The latest project will support India's
He follows in the footsteps of Tan Puay appointment to the Supreme Court will forev‑
age 13 hours in light and darkness. first online resource center dedicated to
Boon, Mavis Chionh and Ang Cheng Hock, er remain a matter of immense pride for
She will have family and friends in a the prevention of sexual offences against
who were appointed judicial commissioners Drew and Napier.
support boat, who will be traveling along‑ children and provide 80 girls and young
in February. "I am confident that he will serve the coun‑
side her but under Channel Swimming women aged 15 plus with a rehabilitation
Gill will be sworn in on August 3. With his try w ith dist inct ion by enriching our
Association rules she is not allowed any care program to build better futures.
appointment, the Supreme Court will now jurisprudence with his sharp mind and wis‑
human contact while undertaking the (PTI)
have a total of 21 judges (including four dom," Singh said.
 10 July 7-13, 2018 US AFFAIRS TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Rallies across nation to protest Personal vendetta

Trump's immigration policies
Washington: T housands of
Americans from all walks of life
took to the streets of cities
across the US and chanted
"families be long together",
nearly two months after
President Donald Trump imple‑
mented the "zero tolerance"
policy toward undocumented
immigrants, prompting the sep‑
aration of thousands of chil‑
dren from their parents.
The main rally on Saturday
was in Washington, D.C., but
hundreds of marches, protests
and rallies took place across
the country in major cities like
New York, Philade lphia,
Chicago, Milwaukee, Denver,
Miami, St. Louis, San Francisco
and Los Angeles, where crowds
called for the immediate reuni‑
fication of migrant families and
an end to family detentions and
separations, reports CNN.
According to organizers, the
protesters called for three
demands: they want separated
migrant families to be reunited
immediately; they want the
government to end family
detentions; and they want the
Protesters at a ʻFamilies belong togetherʼ rally in
Los Angeles Saturday. (Photo courtesy NPR)
Trump administration to end
its zero tolerance policy.
Attendees in Washington
marched from Lafayette Square
to the White House ‑‑ though
the President is at his golf
resort in New Jersey ‑‑ and
down Pennsylvania Avenue,
past the Trump Hotel, where
chants of "Shame! Shame!
Shame!" broke out. In Atlanta,
demonstrators carried cages
with dolls inside, and marchers
in Chicago encouraged each
other to "fight back". In New
York, protesters overflowed
Foley Square in Lower
Manhattan and filled the sur‑
rounding sidewalks. Crowds
also inched across the Brooklyn
Bridge for more than two
hours.
Several celebrities joined the
rallies, including singer‑song‑
writer John Legend, who sang
his song "Preach" at a demon‑
stration in Los Angeles, veteran
singer Cher who encouraged
people to vote in November,
actresses Kerry Washington
and Amy Schumer marched in
New York while singer Alicia
Keys performed in Washington.
Event org anizers said
Saturday's protests were about
addressing an ethical issue.
"T his is not left or right,"
Anna Galland, Execut ive
Director of MoveOn.org, one of
the org anizat ions leading
Saturday's protests, told CNN.
"It is right and wrong."
Galland said she and Indian
American Cong resswoman
Pramila Jayapal put out a call
for protests less than two
weeks ago and they were "over‑
whelmed" by the response.
Jayapal, who was also arrest‑
ed during a similar protest at
the Senate of fice building last
week, said: "This is beyond poli‑
tics... You don't put kids in
cages. You don't separate
breastfeeding babies from their
mothers. You don't put asylum‑
seekers in prison, and we're
calling for an end to that
today."
More than 2,500 undocu‑
mented children were separat‑
ed from their parents in the
weeks since the zero‑tolerance
policy took effect, reports CNN.
led suspect to kill
5 at Maryland
newspaper office
Washington: Five people were killed
and two others injured when a man
armed with a shotgun and smoke
grenades shot through a glass door
into the newsroom of a newspaper in
the US state of Maryland in a targeted
shooting, police said. Jarrod Warren
Ramos, the 38‑year‑old suspect was
taken into custody after the attack at
the Capital Gazette newspaper's office
in Annapolis last Thursday and was
charged with five counts of first‑
degree murder, according to court
records. The attack has been deemed
as the deadliest day for journalism in
America in several years.. He had a
long history of conflict with the daily,
the US media reported.
Ramos lost a defamation case
against the paper in 2015 over a 2011
column he contended defamed him.
The column provided an account of
Ramos's guilty plea to criminal harass‑
ment of a woman over social media.
The five who were killed were
Capital Gazette employees including
journalists.
The Capital Gazette promotes itself
as one of the oldest publishers in the
country, with roots dating to the
Maryland Gazette in 1727.

Collins: New justice should not Pence urges Central American

favor overturning Roe v. Wade
Washington: Sen. Susan Collins (R‑
Maine) said Sunday that President
Donald Trumpʼs nominee to the
Supreme Court should not seek to
overturn Roe v. Wade, the land‑
mark decision that enshrined abor‑
tion rights in the United States.
“Roe v. Wade is a constitutional
right that is well‑established,”
Collins said on “State of the Union”
on CNN. “And no less an authority
than Chief Justice [John] Roberts
said that repeatedly at his confir‑
mation hearing.”
Trump last week said he would‑
nʼt ask potential Supreme Court
nominees about abortion rights ̶
a departure from his stance on the
campaign trail, when he said he
would nominate to the Supreme
Court only people who oppose
abortion. “I think what he said as
the candidate may not have been
informed by the legal advice that
he now has,” Collins told Jake
Tapper. “It would be inappropriate
for him to ask a nominee how he or
she would rule on a specific issue.”
Collins, who favors abortion rights,
said she is not comfortable with all
25 names on Trumpʼs shortlist for
the Supreme Court. The Maine sen‑
ator is one of the few Republicans
considered to be a possible vote
against a Trump Supreme Court
nomination. Speaking also on
Sen. Susan Collins (R‑Maine),
who favors abortion rights, said
she is not comfortable with all
25 names on Trumpʼs shortlist
for the Supreme Court.
ABCʼs “This Week,” Collins elabo‑
rated on her position on the 1973
abortion ruling, written by Justice
Harry Blackmun.
“It has been established as a con‑
stitutional right for 46 years ̶ 45
years, and was reaffirmed 26 years
ago,” Collins said. “So a nominee
position, whether or not they
respect precedent, will tell me a lot
about whether or not they would
overturn Roe v. Wade. A candidate
of this import position who would
overturn Roe v. Wade would not be
acceptable to me, because that
would indicate an activist agenda
that I donʼt want to see a judge
have. And that would indicate to
me a failure to respect precedent of
fundamental tenet of our judicial
system.”
countries to end illegal migration
Washington: The Vice President of
the United States on Friday told
the leaders of the three countries
in the Northern Triangle of Central
America, Guatemala, Honduras
and El Salvador, that illegal migra‑
tion to the US must end.
"As I told their presidents: This
exodus must end. It's a threat to
our security. Just as we respect
your borders and your sovereign‑
ty, we insist that you respect ours,"
Mike Pence reiterated after a
meeting with the leaders of the
three Central American nations,
the presidents of Guatemala,
Jimmy Morales, Honduras, Juan
Orlando Hernandez, and El
Salvador, Salvador Sanchez Ceren.
The Northern Triangle of Central From left, President Salvador Sanchez Ceren of El Salvador; Vice
America is one of the world's most President Mike Pence; President Jimmy Morales of Guatemala; and
President Juan Orlando Hernandez of Honduras in Guatemala
dangerous areas and the focus of
City last Thursday. (Photo courtesy Reuters)
most of the migrants is to flee vio‑
lence and poverty and seek refuge ous journey to our southern bor‑ Pence also called on the three
in the US. der, and sought to enter our nation leaders to root out corruption,
Pence admitted that the US is illegally." criminal groups and gangs in their
facing a new migration crisis and Most of them, he continued, are countries.
pointed out that the majority of not escaping persecution in their The vice president assured that
immigrants arriving in the US are countries, and in this new wave of the US will continue to welcome
Hondurans, Salvadorans and immigrants gang members were those who arrive leg ally and
Guatemalans. found who come to the US looking stressed the need to work together
Pence noted that in 2018, "more for opportunities. towards a better future as well as
than 150,000 Guatemalans, Pence admitted that the situation foster development and prosperity
Hondurans, and Salvadorans have his country's southern border is in the region to tackle the immi‑
left their homes, made the danger‑ "more urgent than ever". gration issue.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Trump admin to rescind Obama guidelines
on race in college admissions
Washington: The Trump adminis‑
tration is planning to rescind a set
of Obama‑era policies that
encourage the use of race in col‑
lege admissions to promote
diverse educat ional sett ings,
according to two people familiar
with the plans.
The move comes as the Justice
Department is invest ig at ing
whether Harvard University is
illegally discriminating against
Asian‑American students by hold‑
ing them to a higher standard in
its admissions pro cess. T he
Trump tries to block China Mobile's US entry
Beijing: The US administration
has recommended that state‑
owned China Mobile, the world's
biggest ce ll phone carrier, be
denied a license to operate in the
US, prompting Beijing to warn
Washington to shun "Cold war
mentality".
T he Nat ional
Te lecommunicat ions and
Informat ion Administrat ion,
which is a part of the US
Department of Commerce, cited
administration revived the probe
last year after Obama civil rights
officials dismissed a similar com‑
plaint.
The guidelines, issued jointly by
the Obama Justice and Education
departments, laid out legal recom‑
mendations for schools looking to
use race as an admissions factor
to boost diversity at their schools.
Trump administration of ficials
plan to argue that the documents,
published in 2011 and 2016, go
beyond Supreme Court precedent
on the issue and mislead schools
national security risks in a state‑
ment sent on Monday to the
Federal Communicat ions
Commission (FCC), an independ‑
ent agency that will take the final
decision, with its recommenda‑
tions, Efe reported on Tuesday.
"After significant engagement
w ith China Mobile, concerns
about increased risks to US law
enforcement and national security
interests were unable to be
resolved," said an US Department
US AFFAIRS
to believe that legal forms of
affirmative action are simpler to
achieve than what the law allows.
Anurima Bhargava, who headed
civil rig hts enforcement in
schools under Mr. Obamaʼs
Justice Department, disagreed
with that assessment, saying the
documents simply offered guide‑
lines to schools and colleges look‑
ing to continue using affirmative
action legally. She said the cur‑
rent administrationʼs action sig‑
nals that it doesnʼt favor racial
diversity.
of Commerce official.
In response to the US move, a
Chinese Foreign Ministry
spokesperson said: "We urge the
relevant party in the US to aban‑
don the Cold war mentality and
zero‑sum game. They should view
the relevant issue in a correct way
and they should not speculate and
repress the Chinese enterprises in
this way. Instead, they should
offer an equal favorable environ‑
men
July 7-13, 2018 11
Most want vote on
Trump’s justice nominee
before midterms: Poll
Washington: A majority of
Americans believe the
Republican‑led Senate
should vote on President
Trump's Supreme Court
nominee before the
November midterm elec‑
tions, undercutting the
Democratic argument that it
should be delayed until
after the pivotal fall elec‑ Yet, 61 % of Americans want a
tions, according to a new Supreme Court Judge who would
NBC News poll.
uphold Roe v. Wade.
Americans are also divided on
More than six in 10 Americans,
or 62 percent, said Trump's nomi‑ the political tilt of the court and
nee, who will be announced on whether it would uphold land‑
Monday, should be confirmed or mark decisions, such as abortion.
rejected before the elections in The majority of independents,
which control of the House and 63 percent, and Democrats, 53
Senate are at stake. percent, said the next justice
Sixty‑six percent of Democrats should be moderate, while 65 per‑
and 60 percent of Republicans cent of Republicans want a con‑
said Trump's nominee would be servative on the bench. However,
an important factor in their vote 61 percent of Americans said,
in the midterms. However, less regardless of party affiliation,
than half of independents, 46 per‑ that they wanted a justice who
cent, said it would be on their would uphold Roe v. Wade, the
mind when casting their 1973 landmark court case that
November ballot. legalized abortion.
 12 July 7-13, 2018 INDIA NEWS TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Interpol issues red corner Somnath Chatterjee

notice against Nirav Modi
New Delhi: Interpol has issued a red corner notice
(RCN) against fugitive diamond jeweler Nirav Modi
following a CBI request to this effect in connection
with Rs 13,500‑crore fraud on Punjab National Bank
(PNB), officials said here.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officials
said that the Interpol would also issue an RCN against
Nirav Modi's uncle Mehul Choksi of Gitanjali Group.
"Interpol has accepted our request to issue RCN
against Nirav Modi, his brother Nishal Modi and an
executive of his company Subhash Parab," a CBI offi‑
cial told IANS.
The official said that the Interpol had slapped the
charges of money laundering against the fugitive dia‑
mantaire, as leveled by Enforcement Directorate (ED).
The RCN against Nirav Modi contains his photo‑
graph, personal details such as the date of birth and
the charges against him.
However, the pictures and personal details of Nirav
Modi's brother Nishal and his company's executive
Parab was not visible in the Interpol's website.A CBI
source said that the personal details and the pictures
of the two would soon be updated in their website.
He said that the Interpol would also issue the RCN
against Choksi in next three to four days.
According to agency officials, with the RCN issued
against the three, now they can be arrested by any of
the 192 member countries of the Interpol, after which
extradition or deportation proceedings can begin.
The ED and the CBI had written to the Interpol in
June to issue the RCN against the jeweler.
Fugitive diamond jeweler Nirav Modi.
Nirav Modi left the country along with his family in
the first week of January, weeks before the scam was
reported to the CBI. His wife Ami, a US citizen, left on
January 6 and Choksi on January 4.
continues to be critical
Kolkata: The health condition of
former Lok Sabha Speaker
Somnath Chatterjee, under treat‑
ment in a private nursing home
here following a cerebral haem‑
orrhage, continues to be critical
with no further signs of deterio‑
ration, a hospital official said.
"His condition is more or less
the same. He is still kept in the
critical care unit and all the stan‑
dard medical procedures are
being followed. Such critical
patients generally take time to
recover," Pradip Tondon, CEO of
Bellevue clinic, told IANS.
"He is slightly conscious at
times but extreme ly drowsy.
However, there has not been any Former Lok Sabha Speaker
further deterioration in his con‑ Somnath Chatterjee.
dition," he added. as Lok Sabha Speaker from 2004
Tondon, however, confirmed to 2009.
the veteran politician would not The 10‑time Lok Sabha mem‑
undergo any surgery. ber was expe lled from the
The 89‑year‑old former Left Communist Party of India‑
leader was admitted to the nurs‑ Marxist on July 23, 2008, "for
ing home on June 25 in a critical seriously compromising the posi‑
condition. A medical board com‑ tion of the party" as he refused to
prising Chatterjee's family physi‑ resign as Speaker after the CPI‑M
cians and other specialists are withdrew its support to the first
supervising his treatment. United Progressive Alliance gov‑
Chatterjee, regarded as an out‑ ernment over the Indo‑US Civil
standing parliamentarian, served Nuclear Deal.

Spoke to Sushma on online 1,500 Indian Mansarovar

trolling: Rajnath pilgrims stranded in Nepal
New Delhi: Union Home Minister Rajnath
Singh condemned the vicious online abuse
against his cabinet colleague and External
Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.
He became the first minister from the
Narendra Modi government to speak against
social media trolls who had launched cam‑
paign against Sushma Swaraj in the past few
days. Speaking to reporters here, Rajnath
Singh said he talked to Sushma Swaraj on the
phone as soon as she tweeted about the abuse
she was facing and that "what is happening is
wrong".
Sushma Swaraj was viciously trolled for
pulling up a passport of ficer accused of
harassing an inter‑faith couple in Lucknow
during their application process.
She initiated a Twitter poll on Saturday
night asking her 11.8 million followers if they
approve of such trolling.
Some 124,305 Twitter users took part in
the poll that was online for 24 hours. Some
57 per cent respondents backed her but a
shocking 43 per cent supported her trolls.
After the poll, Sushma Swaraj tweeted on
Sunday: "In a democracy difference of opin‑
ion is but natural. Pls do criticize but not in
foul language. Criticism in decent language is
always more effective."
The minister's husband Swaraj Kaushal, in
an emotional response to a troll, said the
Twitter user's harsh words had caused
"unbearable pain" to his family. Kaushal later
protected his all tweets. When it was attempt‑
ed to open his Twitter account it was shown
that "@governorswaraj" account's tweets are
External Affairs Minister
Sushma Swaraj.
protected and only confirmed followers have
access to his account.
The Congress was quick to respond to her
statement, saying, "No matter what the situa‑
tion or reason, nothing calls for threats of vio‑
lence, disrespect and abuse. Sushma Swaraj ji,
we applaud your decision to call out the
heinous trolls of your own party."
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister
Mehbooba Mufti also said she was horrified
by the "vicious" trolling of Sushma Swaraj on
social media and described it as outrageous.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted
to her husband Swaraj Kaushal and said, "Sir,
please don't explain to these people. Everyone
knows who is controlling them and from
where it is coming. It is politics. But the sad
part is that politics has become so dirty."
Kathmandu: Over 1,500 Indian nationals
returning after pilgrimage at the Kailash
Mansarovar in Tibet were stranded in
Simikot in Nepal's Humla district due to
heavy rain and bad weather.
"Bad weather is hampering the rescue oper‑
ations. Some of the pilgrims are stranded in
Hilsa, close to Nepal‑Tibet border, while some
are stranded in Simikot," said Pranav Ganesh,
First Secretary at the Indian Embassy in
Kathmandu.
The Embassy said there were 525 pilgrims
stranded in Simikot, 550 in Hilsa and another
500 more in Tibet.
It said the situation was continuously being
monitored and as soon as weather got better,
the pilgrims would be rescued through heli‑
copters and brought to Nepalgunj.
"As of July 3 morning, the weather situation
remains inclement and there is very little
chance of operating evacuation flights," said
Some of the stuck Indian nationals
board the flight back home
in Nepal. (Photo: IANS/MEA)
the Indian Embassy.
Weather conditions across Nepal have
worsened since Monday due to perpetual
downpour in which at least a dozen people
were killed.
The Embassy said it has placed its repre‑
sentatives in Nepalganj and Simikot to ensure
proper food and lodging facilities for the pil‑
grims. The police have been asked to take
care of those stranded, it added.
In Simikot, Indian of ficials are providing
medical help to the elderly pilgrims. The
Indian government has also set up hotlines
for the stranded people to contact their fami‑
lies. The Indian mission has asked all tour
operators in the region to try hold pilgrims
back in Tibet as far as possible since the med‑
ical and civic facilities on Nepal side were
inadequate.
The Embassy is also trying to use Nepal
Army helicopters for evacuation.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info INDIA July 7-13, 2018 13

Hatred against me binding force India likely to roll back

for opposition unity: Modi
New Delhi: Expressing confidence that vot‑
ers will repose faith in the BJP in the 2019
general elections, Prime Minister Narendra
Modi on Tuesday slammed opposition
attempts at unity, saying that hatred
against him is the sole binding force
behind these moves.
In an interview with the 'Swarajya' maga‑
zine, the Prime Minister denied that he was
worried over the formation of a Grand
Alliance of opposition parties and stressed
that such attempts were not motivated by
national good but are about the personal
political survival and power politics.
"In the opposition, there is no Grand
Alliance: There is just a grand race to
become the Prime Minister. (Congress
President) Rahul Gandhi says he is ready to
be the Prime Minister but the Trinamool
Congress does not agree. Mamataji wants
Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
to be the PM but the Left has a problem.
The Samajwadi Party thinks their leader
more than anyone else deserves to be PM.
The whole focus is on power politics, not
people's progress," Modi said.
"Hatred for Modi is the sole binding
force for the opposition," he added.
The Prime Minister questioned as to how
long will the dislike and mistrust these par‑
ties and leaders have for each other keep
them together.
Modi said that every alliance needs a
cementing factor or an anchoring party
but the Congress had been reduced to a
regional party.
"The next general elections will be a
choice between governance and develop‑
ment on one side and chaos on the other,"
he said.
He said the BJP contests elections on the
issues of development and good gover‑
nance.
import duties on
US products
New Delhi: India may roll back higher tariffs it
announced last week on imports from the US if
talks on the matter, scheduled to be held in
Washington, DC next month, prove fruitful.
The government is also hopeful of securing
exemption from the Trump Administration
regarding steel and aluminium tariffs, which had
been imposed earlier by the US against all trade
partners, media reported.
Last week, India finally imposed higher tariff
rates on 29 import items from the US, aimed at
raking in $240 million worth of duties through
higher tax up to 100 per cent.
India had last week notified the World Trade
Organization (WTO) of its decision to impose ʻrec‑
iprocal tariffsʼ on American products.
New Delhi had justified the move after getting
the cold shoulder from Washington, DC on its
request for exempting India from the higher tar‑
iffs announced by the US on steel and aluminium
imports.

Senior Gujarat Congress Maharashtra lynchings:

MLA joins BJP
Rajasthan BJP chief Jitubhai Vaghani with former Congress MLA
Kunwarji Bawalia in Gandhinagar.
Gandhinagar: Accusing Congress
President Rahul Gandhi of playing
caste politics and ignoring the
aspirations of senior leaders, vet‑
eran Gujarat Congress MLA and
prominent Koli community leader
Kunwarji Bawalia on Tuesday quit
as a legislator to join the ruling
BJP. He will be sworn in as a min‑
ister in the evening.
A four‑time MLA from Jasdan
and former Lok Sabha member
from Rajkot in 2009, Bawalia
handed over his resignation to
Speaker Rajendra Trivedi. He sub‑
sequently went to the BJP's
"Shree Kamalam" state headquar‑
ters and met the party's state
President Jitu Vaghani and two
other cabinet ministers to join the
party.
T he Koli community leader,
who has been sulking ever since
the December 2017 elections for
being ignored for any key party
position, said: "Gandhi has been
playing caste politics at the cost
of the aspirations of senior party
men and even the state Congress
leadership was doing the same."
"This has been playing on my
mind for some time since I was
unable to carry out public welfare
works w ithout interrupt ion
because of internal politicking in
the party.
"On the other hand, I had been
watching how Prime Minister
Narendra Modi at the national
level and Chief Minister Vijay
Rupani at the state level has been
working for public good," he told
reporters after joining the BJP.
Welcoming Bawalia, State BJP
chief Jitubhai Vaghani said: "Such
a senior leader from the Koli com‑
munity, he is president of the All‑
India Koli Samaj, would be big a
asset for the party”.
"T his is why Chief Minister
Rupani has decided to induct him
as a minister today (Tuesday)."
The richest MLA from Gujarat,
Rajyaguru had vacated his safe
Rajkot East constituency to taken
on the chief minister.
23 suspects held
Mumbai: With the lynching of five mendicants
(bhikshus) threatening to snowball into a contro‑
versy, the Maharashtra government on Monday
announced a compensation of Rs 500,000 to the
kin of each victim, and other assistance while at
least 23 suspects were arrested.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis while making
the announcement of compensation, appealed to
the people not to get misled by rumor‑mongering
on social media and to approach police for help
instead of taking the law in their hands.
Simultaneously, police in Dhule arrested at least
23 people in connection with the lynching of the
five persons in a public place in Rainpada tribal
village on Sunday afternoon, sending shockwaves
across the state. They have been remanded to
police custody till July 6.
All closely related, the victims hailed from
Solapur district and belong to the nomadic 'Nath
Gosavi'.
They were part of a larger group which had
come by a state transport bus from Solapur to
Congress for early
J&K elections
New Delhi: The Congress said it wanted early elec‑
tions in Jammu and Kashmir as it ruled out possi‑
bility of supporting the PDP for forming an alter‑
nate government in the state.
It also dismissed any significance of a reported
meeting soon of former Chief Minister Mehbooba
Mufti and former Congress President Sonia
Gandhi.
General Secretary in‑charge of the state Ambika
Soni told reporters after a meeting of the party's
policy planning group on Kashmir that the party
will prepare for fresh elections on the basis of its
programs, while a meeting of 100 senior party
leaders from the state's three regions will be held
in Srinagar on Tuesday to chalk out the future
Dhule to set up their camps on the outskirts of
Pimpalner.
When they deboarded in Rainapada village, a
weekly tent‑market was underway and one of
them was espied speaking with a young girl.
This led to rumors that they could be child‑kid‑
nappers and a large number of villagers attacked
them with sticks, stones and bricks near the Gram
Panchayat office.
T he opposition Congress and Nationalist
Congress Party have condemned the incident in
strong words, barely two days before the upcom‑
ing Monsoon Session of the legislature due to
start in Nagpur this week.
This is not the first incident of lynching due to
rumor‑mongering in the state in the past few
weeks.
At least three persons were killed in two
incidents in Aurang abad and several have
been injured after brutal attacks on them in
Latur, Nashik, Parbhani, Jalna and Nandurbar
districts.
roadmap.
On reports that Mehbooba Mufti may meet Sonia
Gandhi, Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu
Singhvi said: "Meeting somebody is not to be read
into all the other kinds of conclusions you are
drawing. I don't think we should jump to conclu‑
sions."
The policy planning group, in its second meeting
since imposition of Governor's Rule, discussed the
state's political situation and the way the alliance
of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) "frittered away" its
mandate in the state where Governor's Rule was
imposed last month after BJP pulled out of the
Mehbooba Mufti‑led government.
 14 July 7-13, 2018
People versus Established Order:
Contradiction sharpens
By Saeed Naqvi
D
oes the stunning victory of
a 28‑year‑old Latino bar‑
tender in New York over a
10‑term Democratic lawmaker
bear any resemblance to AAPʼs
victory under a political novice,
Arvind Kejriwal in February
2015?
He thrashed Narendra Modiʼs
resurgent BJP and a Congress
Chief Minister entering her fourth
term. Of course, there are a thou‑
sand differences in detail but
these are dwarfed by a basic simi‑
larity ‑‑ popular resentment with
establishments everywhere.
It is a wave sweeping all elec‑
toral democracies across the
globe. I have just seen the toppling
of the Italian ruling class in Rome.
Wherever they can, establish‑
ments are fighting back tooth and
nail. Kejriwals endless travails are
part of this counterpunch.
The winner in New York,
Alexandria Ocasio‑Cortez was, in
her last job, mixing cocktails in a
Manhattan bar, sometimes on 18‑
hour shifts to help avoid foreclo‑
sure of her mother's property. But
more meaningful for her career
was her stint as Bernie Sanders'
campaigner during the 2016 elec‑
tion. Little wonder she stands on a
similar, leftist platform, demand‑
ing universal health care, ending
tuition fees at public colleges and
abolishing the Immigration and
Customs Enforcement.
Nothing new in report on women’s safety in India
By Namita Bhandare
T
hat report, the one that
damns India as the worst
country in the world for
women, came out in a week when
one of the countryʼs most powerful
women, our External Affairs
Minister Sushma Swaraj, was being
trolled for transferring a passport
official who had allegedly exceeded
his brief over an interfaith mar‑
riage.
Of course, weʼd like to believe
that our women and girls are com‑
pletely in charge of their lives ̶ in
charge of who to love, where (and
whether) to study, what career to
pursue and, even, to be born. Right?
So forgive me if Iʼm not joining
the chest‑beating mob howling in
outrage over the Thomson Reuters
Foundation perception survey that
places India below Afghanistan,
Syria and Somalia.
Giant killer: The 28‑year‑old Latino bartender Alexandria Ocasio‑Cortez
defeated 10‑term Democratic Congressman in a primary from New York.
Still recovering from the shock
defeat happens to be Joe Cowley
for whom the Democratic Party
had built many castles in the air.
The same party had dug its heels
in so firmly for Hillary Clinton as
the Presidential candidate that
every argument pointing to Bernie
Sanders' chances of victory over
Trump were discarded.
I was in Washington for the
campaign, surrounded by Clinton
enthusiasts who would not answer
a straightforward question:
"Popular disgust with the
Washington establishment was
unmistakable. Given this reality, by
what logic do you see Clinton as a
winner: she is the very epitome of
the Washington establishment."
Alexandria's victory places her
in line as the youngest woman in
Congress after the November elec‑
tions. This could well be the thin
end of the wedge, gradually open‑
Noted development economist Jean Dreze with school girls during a
protest rally in Jharkhand, Ranchi. (Photo: IANS)
Sure, it seems absurd. Last year, I
met some women musicians from
Afghanistan and wondered what it
would have been like to live in a
country where music was banned
and girls not allowed in school. Nor
OP-ED
ing up spaces for younger and
more radical candidates.
Considering that Trumpism too
is consolidating itself on white
working and middle class griev‑
ances, the divisions in American
society may become more shrill.
Once they rise to a crescendo, the
clashing of Cymbals will be deaf‑
ening even though the talk of a
civil war is rank exaggeration.
A considerable segment of the
Democratic Party, which refrained
from radicalism during the 2016
campaign, appears to have sensed
the ground realities, almost antici‑
pating the New York result.
Democrats like Cory Booker,
Kamala Harris and Elizabeth
Warren signed onto Bernie
Sanders bill for universal Health
Care, something they had avoided
two years ago when Sanders first
introduced the Bill. The platform
is picking up.
could I imagine living in Syria
where we hear of an increase in
child marriage following the seven‑
year war.
But since I have no idea what itʼs
like to be a woman in other coun‑
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
The New York outcome has
clearly set the cat among the
pigeons in establishment circles
and not just in the US. Another
resounding punch will be adminis‑
tered on the establishment's chin
when Andrez Manuel Lopez
Obrador nicknamed AMLO, almost
as far Left as the late Chavez in
Venezuela, triumphs in the
Mexican elections on Sunday. The
sharp anti‑US edge to this result
can safely be attributed to
Trump's open disdain for the
southern neighbour.
A Bloomberg banner headline
reads: "Listen, Trump: Firebrand
Lopez Obrador Set to Win
Landslide in Mexico."
There is, however, a welcoming
warmth to this turn in world
affairs in progressive circles in
Europe, not the least of it in the
higher echelons of Britain's
Labour Party.
Is the Democratic Party in the
US learning lessons from real life?
Until the New York result there
was no evidence of any change of
heart in the party's higher reaches.
In fact, a year ago, a Fox News poll
establishing Bernie Sanders'
exceptional popularity was largely
ignored. The poll showed Sanders
a +28 rating above all US politi‑
cians on both ends of the political
spectrum. Trust The Guardian,
London, being the only newspaper
to pick up the issue.
The paper's Trevor Timm wrote:
"One would think with numbers
tries, I declined to participate in the
Thomson Reuters Foundation sur‑
vey. I was, I said, in no position to
compare.
What I do know is what itʼs like to
be a woman in India.
I do know what itʼs like to worry
about your daughterʼs safe return
home from the time she steps out
of the front door. I do know what
itʼs like to accept that groping and
leering is a part of your everyday
commute and that public spaces
have an unwritten ʻno womenʼ poli‑
cy that is carried forward to our
institutions including the
Parliament and the judiciary.
I read about escalating sexual
assault and the unspeakable vio‑
lence that often accompanies it:
Girls strung up from trees, burned
to death or eviscerated. Then, I
hear people justifying the rape and
murder of an eight‑year‑old child in
Kathua.
like that, Democratic politicians
would be falling all over them‑
selves to be associated with
Sanders, especially considering
the party as a whole is more
unpopular than the Republicans
and even Donald Trump right now.
Yet instead of embracing his mes‑
sage, the Establishment wing of
the party continues to resist him
at almost every turn, and they
seem insistent that they don't have
to change their ways to gain back
the support of huge swathes of the
country."
On current showing, the British
Establishment demonstrates
greater suppleness. A few months
ago The Economist welcomed
Corbyn, a socialist in the Michael
Foot mould, as Britain's next
Prime Minister. That the
Economist, a pillar of the Western
establishment, should acquiesce in
Corbyn's impending Premiership
could not have been honeyed
music to Blairites in the Labour
party like Lord Peter Mandelson
who is committed to "undermining
Corbyn".
This kind of cussedness is coun‑
terproductive and this becomes
clear when a Labour back bencher
retorts: "Jeremy Corbyn as Prime
Minister implementing policies
that actually benefit the people
terrifies the Establishment. It is no
surprise that Mandelson has
found space in his busy schedule
on an Oligarch's Yacht to attempt
to undermine Jeremy."
We cheer when Kailash Satyarthi
wins a Nobel Prize but ignore that
80% of all sex workers or 16 mil‑
lion women and girls are, according
to the non‑governmental organisa‑
tion Dasra, victims of sex traffick‑
ing. Honour the man, ignore his
message.
Frankly, I find this business of
ranking ʻworstʼ countries to be
tedious. To be bad is bad enough;
better or worse is an academic
argument.
The perception of 548 experts
can never be the final truth. But to
know that truth, you donʼt need a
survey of even one. You only have
to live in India as a woman.
The patriotic thing to do is to fix
it, not huff and puff at the poor
messenger.
In any case, why arenʼt we asking
if India is better than Norway or
Sweden? Now thatʼs an argument
Iʼd love to have.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
I-Day celebrated to honor diversity
By SATimes Team
New York: A celebration to kick off
Americaʼs Independence Day was hosted by
Dr. Neeta Jain, Democratic District Leader
for Assembly District 25, Part B. It was held
on July 1 in the Student Union Ballroom at
Queens College and attended by many elect‑
ed officials.
Dr. Jainʼs theme for the celebration was
diversity and its significant contributions to
the nation. So she honored some of New
Yorkʼs finest and bravest, the NYPD Desi
Society and the FDNY Phoenix Society.
Elected officials who attended included
Congress members Gregory Meeks and
Grace Meng, New York State Assembly mem‑
bers David Weprin and Daniel Rosenthal,
Judge George M. Heymann, and former NYC
Comptroller John C. Liu. Indian Consulate
officials Devdasan Nair and L.
Krishnamurthy extended greetings on behalf
of Ambassador Sandeep Chakravorty.
NYPD Desi Society group was led by its
Vice President Detective Andy Narayan. The
Society was formed in 2004 by some 70
South Asian NYPD officers, the first such
Finding freedom
here
By Aleya Jung
J 242
uly 4th. It is commonly associated
with fireworks, parades, barbeques,
baseball games and family
reunions. So too it was for me three
decades ago. A long subway ride to the
city from Queens to the Macyʼs extrava‑
ganza preceded by a less than successful
grilling session on a 2‑person balcony of
an apartment shared by
six lads and chilled
Budweiser.
The only common fac‑
tor in my mind was
Indiaʼs own independ‑
ence from the British in
1947. And here I was in
a newly adopted country
and celebrating inde‑
pendence from the
British again. Then again,
most any other abode I
could have chosen, there was a good
chance I would be celebrating independ‑
ence from the same colonizers.
A little trivia here – three former
Presidents as well as founding fathers of
the Declaration of Independence all died
on July 4th (Thomas Jefferson, John
Adams and James Monroe). Conspiracy
theorists are welcome to ponder on this.
Over the years July 4th has taken a
larger and varied meaning for me, like I
am sure it has for millions.
Independence to me is freedom and I
am convinced I cannot be freer in any
other part of the world except for the
United States of America. This sense is
even more relevant in todayʼs times, the
kind of government currently running
the nation and the kind of man at the
helm. I was at a protest last Saturday in
Huntington for “Families belong togeth‑
4TH OF JULY CELEBRATIONS
District Leader Dr Neeta Jain hosted the celebration. (right) NYPD Desi Society honored by Congress members Gregory Meeks and
Grace Meng, Assemblymen David Weprin and Daniel Rosenthal, and Dr. Neeta Jain. (right)
fraternal law enforcement organization in
the country. FDNY Phoenix Society group
was led by Captain David Lin. They aim to
promote the interests of NYC Fire
Department personnel who are of Asian
descent.
The two groups were presented with a
er” with my dear friend Quddus and my
younger son, Asad. I guesstimated a
1,000 protesters: young and the very
old, all standing in solidarity and chanti‑
ng and displaying placards (unfortunate‑
ly I saw only two more Indians besides
us) standing in the blistering 100 degree
weather, happily and with a mission. And
I thought to myself this is why I am in
America, even if by default, even if I did‑
nʼt know before the fact what
this country stands for,
because this is what is right.
We may have our differ‑
ences, but we have a right
and are free to protest what
we think is wrong in a peace‑
ful manner with no obstacles
thrown in by the authorities.
Now, the United States has
a less than exemplary histo‑
ry. The black mark of slav‑
ery, of discrimination hangs
like a dark cloud over its tremendous
achievements. In recent times an Obama
or Michael Jackson or Jordan may have
hit the pinnacle of success despite huge
challenges but discrimination still exists
in various forms in various parts of the
country. Yet, from Rosa Parks to now it
definitely has made a positive journey.
United States is consciously evolving to
be a better nation. There is a reason peo‑
ple flock to this nation, to make it their
home. It is not merely its riches (and one
needs to work very hard for those rich‑
es). itʼs this Idea, this Idea of freedom,
this Idea of rights, this Idea of value in
human life. These positives ‑‑ negatives
notwithstanding ‑‑ that pull people in
droves. To me July the 4th now is what
America stood for, is and will continue to
be: a place I can call home and live free ‑‑
of fear.
Congressional Proclamation by Grace Meng
and an NYS Assembly Citation by David
Weprin.
Gregory Meeks applauded Dr. Jain for her
commitment to serving the community. He
also emphasized the sacrifices and contribu‑
tions of immigrants to this nation.
The Promise of
By Sunil Tolani
America
years ago, on July 4th, America
proclaimed independence and
thus came into being “land of
the free and home of the brave.” This is the time
to look forward to something that makes us big‑
ger, better, stronger, smarter and richer. To be an
American means to enjoy religious freedoms and
exercise your God‑given rights.
America is famous as free‑market capitalism
magnet for the world. The 30th President of the
United States, John Calvin Coolidge, had famously
said that “the chief business of the American peo‑
ple is business.”
Independence Day has a special meaning for
trade and commerce as America has an undying
devotion to entrepreneurship and the limitless
opportunities available to build and grow your
own “American Treasures.” Itʼs a tribute to
Americans who are welcome to pursue their
American Dreams.
But America's real wealth is in her ideals and
institutions. It is in her freedom of conscience, her
untrammeled liberty, untarnished name and unsul‑
lied patriotism. It is in her youth of today, and gen‑
erations to follow.
We are in the Goldilocks zone as US economy is
really ripping with more job openings than unem‑
ployed Americans. US job force has the best spirit,
desire and will to advance ingenuity known in the
industrial world. At Prince we have changed lives
creating an atmosphere where people can work
hard, further their education, and have great
opportunities as we invest in our associates and
the communities we serve in.
Nowhere but in America could somebody who
started with as little as I had come as far as I have.
The best way to show my gratitude is my commit‑
ment to Corporate Social Responsibility and inspir‑
ing the younger generation. We are proud to be
counted among Americaʼs most honored business‑
es. We fly the flags of best‑known brand names in
lodging, and are blessed with Asian American
July 7-13, 2018 15
The ceremony opened with the
Presentation of Colors by Francis Lewis
High School JROTC, Color Guards command‑
ed by Master Sergeant Major Lawrence
Badia, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Diverse cultural groups presented per‑
formances at the event.
i with his sons.
n CEO Sunil Tolan
Prince Organizatio
Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA)
Humanitarian honor.
Our business is cultivating admiration and
respect, being good stewards of society engaging
our team in following the culture of values: dedica‑
tion, integrity, respect, excellence, community,
teamwork and spirit. Our team members present
the indomitable spirit and moral standards of our
company to the world, making right decisions and
having the courage to envision the future. Our
future shouldn't be something that just happens to
us, it should be something we create.
We live and work in a way to offer the fruit of
the spirit of hospitality to everyone we meet and
cultivate an environment that God is always glori‑
fied, and God is able to bring about growth in body
and spirit to our team members and our communi‑
ty. We provide a safe, family‑values and friendly,
wholesome‑positive environment for each other,
our guests and the neighborhood.
Yet, at no time in my 20‑plus years in America
have I seen a nation so divided. All I can say is,
“We can be Democrats or Republicans, living in
red or blue states, and operating in both states, but
we should not vilify others. On this Independence
Day, letʼs not forget who we are as a people. We
are all Americans.”
God Bless America.
 16 July 7-13, 2018
Celebrities dazzle at engagement
party of Ambani’s son
Mukesh Ambaniʼs son Akash and Shloka Mehta.
(right) Abhishek, Aishwarya grace the occasion with daughter.
T
op politicians, industry moguls,
sports personalities and Bollywood
stars dazzled at the engagement
party of Akash Ambani and Shloka Mehta in
Mumbai. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan looked
every bit of the diva at the event at Antilia in
a saree with gold floral motifs, while hus‑
band Abhishek opted for a black sherwani
and their daughter Aaradhya was decked up
in a red and golden lehenga.
Business honchos who attended the glitzy
event were Reliance Industries Chairman
Mukesh Ambani's younger brother Anil
Ambani and his wife Tina, Tata Group
Chairman Emeritus Ratan Tata, Mahindra
group chairman Anand Mahindra, Kotak
Mahindra Managing Director Uday Kotak,
Aditya Birla Group chairman Kumar
Mangalam Birla and Zee Chair Subhash
Chandra. Politicians who graced the event
included Maharashtra Chief Minister
Devendra Fadnavis, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav
Thackeray with wife Rashmi Thackeray,
I am a reluctant actor:
Saurabh Shukla
A
ctor Saurabh Shukla says
he is a reluctant actor and
a lethargic writer. "I am a
reluctant actor but lethargic
writer. So, it is a difficult process
for me," Saurabh said at a session
on the second day of 9th Jagran
Film Festival in New Delhi. "I shy
away from writing... And I initially
wanted to decline 'Satya', but got
convinced due to my role of Kallu
Mama," he added.
The actor‑writer spoke about the
Ram Gopal Varma film at a panel
discussion of recollection and the
celebration of 20 years of "Satya".
"'Satya' was one of my earlier
works. It is a flawless film. We didn't make a
bad film," he said, adding that he doesn't
look for loopholes in his work.
"Satya", featuring J.D. Chakravarthy,
ULTIMATE BOLLYWOOD
Union Ministers Suresh Prabhu and Manoj
Sinha, NCP president Sharad Pawar and his
party colleague Praful Patel, senior
Congress leaders Anand Sharma, Digvijay
Singh, Prithviraj Chavan and former MP
Priya Dutt.
Ranbir Kapoor looked dapper in a black
bandhgala. He made a stylish entry with his
mother Neetu Singh Kapoor and filmmaker
friend Ayan Mukherji.
Alia Bhatt, Shraddha Kapoor, Sara
Tendulkar, Rekha, Sara Ali Khan and Rani
Mukhejee looked stunning in their tradition‑
al outfits. The luxurious 27‑floor Antilia,
where Akash and Shloka observed the
engagement rituals, has been decorated in
and out in preparation for the ceremony.
Akash and Shloka, daughter of diaman‑
taire Russell Mehta, had exchanged rings at
an informal ceremony in Goa in March.
While the wedding is expected to happen
sometime this year, the Ambani family is yet
to confirm the date.
e
h Shukla at th
Actor Saurab in Delhi.
stival
Jagran Film Fe
Manoj Bajpayee, Urmila Matondkar,
Saurabh and Shefali Shah, tells story of
organised crime in India. It went on to
become a hit. There was a sequel also made
"Satya 2", but it bombed at the box office.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
'Sanju': A heart‑warming
tale, brilliantly portrayed
A
ctor Sanjay
Dutt's life may
have been an
open book, yet Director
Raj Kumar Hirani's
"Sanju" gives you a peek
into Sanjay Dutt's life
with an honesty that
instantly touches your
heart. Sans any gim‑
micks, Hindi film tropes
and unnecessary drama,
Hirani lays bare the
actor's life, recounting
each milestone of his tur‑
bulent and tumultuous
life.
The length of the film
here ‑ 161 minutes, is not
a deterrent, as Hirani
Kapoor and Dia Mirza.
manages to keep you A still from the film starring Ranbir
hooked, divulging details
about Sanjay Dutt's life, which one may Ranbir Kapoor shines all the way as Sanju
have known, but are brought to life and not only does his physical demeanor
through the sincere and effortless portray‑ resemble that of Sanjay Dutt's, but he slips
al by Ranbir Kapoor, who essays the char‑ into his psyche too and becomes an exten‑
acter of Sanju with panache. sion of Dutt, making you see Dutt's life on
Whether it is his craving for drugs, break‑ screen. Matching him in histrionics is Vicky
ing down upon learning about his mother's Kaushal, an equally talented actor, who is
illness or being denied giving a speech effortlessly convincing as Sanjay's friend
owing to his "terrorist' connections, there is Kamlesh Kanaiyalal Kapasi aka Kamli.
complete sincerity in his emotions which Manisha Koirala as Nargis Dutt is gen‑
strike a chord with the audience. uine, while Dia Mirza as Sanjay Dutt's Wife
The dialogues by Hirani himself and Manyata, is restrained and charming. The
Abhijat Joshi are straightforward, colloqui‑ script steers clear from Sanjay Dutt's per‑
al, yet laced with humour. The songs too sonal life and romantic liaisons, but does in
mesh perfectly with the narrative and noth‑ no way appear lopsided, as those do not
ing seems out of place. seem intrinsic to the film's focus.
Ali Zafar hopes his first
Pakistani film releases in India
P
akistani
singing sen‑
sation Ali
Zafar made a promis‑
ing acting debut in
India with the
Bollywood film "Tere
Bin Laden" in 2010.
He went on to show
his acting skills in
Indian films, including
some backed by the
popular banner Yash
Raj Films (YRF). Now
he hopes that "Teefa In
Trouble" ‑‑ his maiden
film in Pakistani cine‑
ma ‑‑ crosses bound‑
aries and makes a
mark in India.
hit the screens on July 20.
Ali is actor, produc‑ Actor‑Singer Ali Zafarʼs film will
er, singer and writer of
the romantic action comedy film, which will Only a handful of Pakistani films like "Khuda
hit the screens in about 25 countries on July Kay Liye" and singing superstar Atif Aslam‑
20. "We have made the effort, given our best.
starrer "Bol" got to enter the Indian market.
It is all about giving respect and getting
He has also joined hands with YRF for the
respect back. It is a film, it is entertainment. I international theatrical distribution of his
hope that it gets screened over there (in home production.
India) and makes a mark and more stuff like The forthcoming film is a family affair with
this should happen. My job is to try. I don't his wife Ayesha Fazli co‑producing and broth‑
think about the negative side at all," he added. er Danyal Zafar co‑writing with him.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Salman Rushdie open to Broadway
musical on 'Midnight's Children'
A
uthor Salman Rushdie, whose
"Midnight's Children" is being
adapted for a Netflix series, says
the book has had many incarnations,
and he would be interested in a
Broadway musical on it too if someone is
keen to make it.
The announcement that Netflix has
selected the novel about the amazing
aftermath of India's Partition into two
countries, to make into a series, prompt‑
ed thoughts on the feature film that
Rushdie's filmmaker friend Deepa Mehta
had made from the novel in 2013.
So why another screen version of
"Midnight's Children"?
Rushdie said: "'Midnight's Children' has
had many incarnations. First a novel, then
a Royal Shakespeare Company's stage
play, a BBC radio serial and a film. If any‑
one wants to make it into a Broadway
musical, I would be interested in that too!
A life in one medium, one art form, does
not preclude a new life in another."
Asked about Mehta's thoughts on a new
avatar for a book she had so diligently
filmed, Rushdie said: "I discussed the
Netflix project with Deepa Mehta before
the announcement and she was excited,
and 100 per cent supportive."
For many years, "Midnight's Children"
was considered unfilmable. But Rushdie
disagrees. "Nothing is unfilmable. Good
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ULTIMATE BOLLYWOOD
t's
Author Salman Rushdieʼs 'Midnigh
ut the ama zing
Children' is abo
aftermath of India's partition.
films have been made of 'Anna Karenina',
'Ulysses', 'The Tin Drum', even (Marcel)
Proust.
It's just a question of finding the way, and
that's what we tried to do. There's no magic
trick. Just hard work."
© 2018 Metropolitan Transportation Authority
July 7-13, 2018 17
'Dhadak' is unique in its
own way: Ishaan Khatter
A
ctor Ishaan Khatter, who is all set for
the release of his forthcoming film
'Dhadak', has said that his film is
unique in its own way. Ishaan Khatter was
interacting with media along with his co‑
actress Janhvi Kapoor and director Shashank
Khaitan at 'Zingaat' song launch from their
film at a radio station in Mumbai.
There has been huge buzz
around 'Dhadak' before its
release and Ishaan Khatter and
Janhvi Kapoor are being consid‑
ered as promising stars among
the media and audience. When
Actors Ishaan Khatter and Janhvi Kapoor
in a still from ʻDhadakʼ.
asked how he feels when peo‑
ple look at him as a future star, Ishaan really happy to launch this song as it comes at
Khatter said, "I will not say that I have very important juncture of the story in the
become a star before the release of the film film and to get an opportunity to dance on this
but it feels nice when audience appreciate song was really amazing experience.
what they are seeing in the promos of the "I am a huge fan of this song especially, the
film. When people support us, our hope way Amitabh Bhattacharya has written the
increases as they will go to watch the film in lyrics of this song. I hope audience will have
theatres. "I really hope when audience watch same amount of fun while watching this song
the film, they realize that it is a sincere adapta‑ as much as we had while shooting it." 'Dhadak'
tion and it's a unique film in its own way. We is a romantic drama film directed by Shashank
have been really honest while making this Khaitan, produced by Dharma Productions
film…. I hope our efforts will connect with the and Zee Studios and stars Janhvi Kapoor and
audience." Ishaan Khatter in lead roles.
Sharing his feeling while launching most The film is a remake of the 2016 Marathi
anticipated song 'Zingaat' from his film language film 'Sairat'. It is scheduled to be
'Dhadak', Ishaan Khatter said, "I am feeling released on July 20, 2018.
 18 July 7-13, 2018
IALI celebrates
40th gala, honors five
Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino and IALI President
Gunjan Rastogi (in the middle) with the honorees
Great Neck, NY: India Association of
Long Island (IALI), one of the old‑
est, largest Indian organizations,
held a gala to celebrate its 40th
anniversary on June 30, 2018 at
posh Leonardʼs Palazzo in Great
Neck, NY. Five outstanding individ‑
uals were honored for their
achievements and exemplary serv‑
ice to community: Dr. Dev R.
Chitkara, Vishnu Dayal Ph.D, Neeta
Jain Ph.D, Dr. Jagga Rao Alluri, and
founders of Human Care Medical
Charitable Trust: Dr. Nirmal Kumar,
Dr. Ish Kumar & Mr. Sanjay
Khurana.
Oyster Bay Town Supervisor
Joseph Saladino presented citations
to the honorees while praising the
Indian community for its increasing
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TRISTATE COMMUNITY TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Nartan Rang academy presents
dance production
New York: The Nartan Rang Dance Academy of
Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan held its annual production,
Nritya Ranjani, at the Adelphi University Performing
Arts Center on Long Island on June 24. ʻNritya Yatra, A
Cultural Journeyʼ told the story of a mother‑daughter
duo traveling through the Indian subcontinent in
search of knowledge & experience through the rich cul‑
ture & heritage of Indiaʼs numerous festivals. Together,
the pair navigated the ups and downs of culture shock Choreographed by Nartan Rang creative director Swati
and generation gaps, much as they happen with the Vaishnav & her daughter Siddhi, Nritya Yatra seamless‑
millennial generation of today. ly wove together the threads of the immigrant and
The production encompassed the festivals of “ABCD” experiences via Kathak, Bharatnatyam, folk,
Ganeshotsav, Navratri, Durga Puja, Diwali, Christmas, Bollywood, and fusion dance, forging a bond with the
presence and contributions to the
Uttarayan, Republic Day, Mahashivaratri, Holi, Baisakhi, audience through art and storytelling that all could
region.
Ramadan, the monsoon season, and Janmashtami. relate to.
IALI President Gunjan Rastogi
gave a presentation highlighting all
the IALI forums and IALI events Rotary Club Hicksville South (RCHS)
held so far in 2018. IALIʼs signature
planted the Japanese Kosvo White
Dogwood tree on the campus of
event, IndiaFest will take place on
SUNY Old Westbury University in
Sept 23 at North Hempstead Park
Long Island as a symbol of friend‑
(BAR Beach) Port Washington, NY. ship, peace on earth and save the
In attendance at the packed event planet. Pictured are Wayne
were IALI members, community Edwards, Vice President for
leaders and representatives of Institutional Advancement at
many organizations namely AIA, SUNY Old Westbury, Nilima Madan,
AIF, APPI‑QLI, Arya Samaj of Long Vice president RCHS, Quddus
Island, Childrenʼs Hope, Domestic Mohammed, past president RCHS,
Harmony Foundation, Hindu Dr Urmilesh Arya, President RCHS,
Center, India Home, Kannada Roopam Mani, President Elect, and
KOOTA, Nargis Dutt Foundation,
Lionel Chitty for Department of
Planning and Development ‑ Town
NIAASC and TLCA. 14 out of 28
of Oyster Bay.
past presidents also attended.
DISPLAY CLASSIFIEDS
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Not only Bengaluru, whole of India is
staring at an impending water crisis
By Amit Kapoor
S
himla and Bengaluru are
two very disparate cities.
One is a quaint hill station
that acts as a summer retreat for
most Indians while the other is a
bustling IT hub, which makes it a
popular destination for most of
the corporates in India.
The only sliver of commonality
between the two cities is the
unfortunate water crisis that is
currently afflicting daily life in
both regions. Shimla ran out of
water towards the end of May this
year while earlier Bengaluru was
listed as one of the cities in the
world most likely to suffer a simi‑
lar fate.
Recently, the NITI Aayog
released a report that highlighted
the gravity of India's water situa‑
tion. The country is facing its
worst water crisis in history and if
no action is taken to address this,
the demand for water would far
outstrip its supply by 2030. In
fact, even by 2020, it is expected
that 21 Indian cities will run out
of groundwater. The pitiful scenes
of Cape Town residents lining up
for their daily quota of water
could soon be seen closer home.
According to government data,
the annual per capita availability
of water fell from 1,820 cubic
meters in 2001 to 1,545 cubic
meters in 2011, which may fur‑
Critical focus points for Indian infrastructure
By Taponeel Mukherjee
A
bevy of distinguished dele‑
gates ideated on the next
significant steps to finance
Indian infrastructure at the annual
meeting of the Asian Infrastructure
Investment Bank in Mumbai. There
are some critical takeaways from
the meeting, allowing us to revisit
some interesting themes.
The success of the National
Highways Authority of Indiaʼs
(NHAI) toll‑operate‑transfer model
and the ability of the government
to create infrastructure assets
effectively once again brought to
the fore the advantages and need
for “asset recycling” done well.
Attracting long‑dated patient cap‑
ital such as pension funds and
insurance companies into green‑
field infrastructure projects will be
challenging, given that such funds
are not adequately equipped to
undertake construction risk.
Therefore, a significant method to
finance new infrastructure will be
through government participation
INDIA FEATURES
The crisis is mainly being brought about by three specific factors:
climate change, pollution and poor farming practices.
ther fall to 1,341 cubic meters in
2025. Annual per capita water
availability below 1,700 cubic
meters is considered to be a water
stressed situation.
The crisis is mainly being
brought about by three specific
factors: climate change, pollution
and poor farming practices.
Exceptionally hot summers and
shortened winters are resulting in
retreating Himalayan glaciers,
which feed most of India's north‑
ern rivers. The erratic monsoons
are further worsening the situa‑
tion throughout the country. This
has led to an escalation in river
disputes among states. At least six
states are in constant conflict over
the Yamuna in the north, the
in the construction phase ̶ and
mobilization of the capital pool
through asset monetization after
that. This asset monetization will
provide the government with the
capital with which to create new
infrastructure.
Covered bonds as a financing
instrument made for an interesting
discussion. Despite the relatively
smaller bond market in India, the
creation of a covered bond market
framework merits attention. One
can think of covered bonds as hav‑
ing recourse both to an issuer and a
pool of assets. Covered bonds in
Europe, especially Germany have
been a game‑changer for over a
century. It would be prudent to see
what potential they have in India.
Experts also emphasized the
potential for better contract design
to help create more financing.
While we have made significant
strides in contract design for infra‑
structure projects, the Non‑
Performing Assets (NPAs) at banks
demonstrate that more work needs
to be done to align equity sponsorsʼ
Narmada in the midwest and the
Kaveri in the south.
Water pollution is another
source of the crisis. All water bod‑
ies in India within or near populat‑
ed areas are contaminated with
organic and hazardous pollutants.
Bengaluru's Bellandur Lake is so
toxic that methane fires regularly
break out on its surface. Due to
such pollution levels, not a single
Indian city can provide clean tap
water throughout the day. Even
the groundwater situation is dis‑
mal. A lack of proper wastewater
treatment that is spewed from
domestic and industrial sources
has led to progressive contamina‑
tion of groundwater posing health
risks to those who depend upon it
interests with those of the lenders.
Better contracts that reward equi‑
ty holders for well‑executed proj‑
ects and hold them accountable (by
penalizing and locking in their
cash‑flows) if project execution suf‑
fers, can help create better project
structures, instead of lenders who
are left stranded with heavily‑lever‑
aged projects. A better contract
design ensures that as cash flows
from a project decline and the proj‑
ect is unable to meet specific pre‑
determined financial ratios, the
equity sponsor is unable to with‑
draw any cash from the project.
If the project returns can meet
the financial ratio conditions again,
then the equity sponsor will not
have the money “locked‑up”. Such a
contract design also helps ensure,
to some degree, that bidding for
projects isnʼt aggressive above and
beyond financially viable levels. A
contract design that ensures that
equity sponsors have more “skin in
the game” leads to a better financ‑
ing market for infrastructure.
One issue that certain public
for their daily use.
Another factor that increases
stress on water tables is poor
farming practices across India.
Indian agriculture accounts for
about 90 per cent of the country's
annual domestic water consump‑
tion. Due to a lack of reliable irri‑
gation sources, farmers usually
depend on underground sources
of water. Over the last three
decades, there has been an explo‑
sive growth of private tube‑well
construction across Indian farms.
Since farmers are provided with
free electricity, it often leads to
excessive pumping.
Between 2004 and 2011, the
groundwater usage escalated from
58% to 62%. In fact, India now
uses more groundwater than
China and the US combined.
Consequently, the country has wit‑
nessed a sharp drop in its water
table levels.
India can do little about climate
change in the short‑term, but a lot
can be done on other fronts. NITI's
efforts to build a Composite Water
Management Index (CWMI) is a
commendable step towards data‑
based policy making. The index
aims to benchmark state‑level per‑
formances based on water indica‑
tors against a clear baseline.
However, it needs to be ensured
that findings of these performance
indicators percolate into action‑
able policy at the ground level.
infrastructure assets such as met‑
ros (rapid transit system) have
faced is financial viability due to
low revenues from the asset rela‑
tive to the investments required. In
projects such as metro train net‑
works or industrial corridors, it is
essential to realize that to ascertain
the monetary value creation from
the asset, merely looking at the
cash flows from the asset itself is
insufficient.
A metro train network or an
industrial corridor project has sig‑
nificant value creation in the sur‑
rounding areas through increased
connectivity, resulting in substan‑
tial increase in property prices.
Designing mechanisms that can
capture some of the upside in the
property value to finance the infra‑
structure asset can be crucial.
Design of such an arrangement will
take time but is well worth the
effort. The Hong Kong Mass
Transit Railway provides an excel‑
lent template that can teach us a
lot. The biggest takeaway from the
conference was the need for vari‑
July 7-13, 2018 19
Issues like pollution and
exploitative farming practices
need to be addressed on a national
scale. The central government
could look at Israel and Singapore
for possible solutions. Israel is a
largely arid region that has devel‑
oped a model for sustainable
water consumption. The country
has a state‑of‑the‑art centralized
water management system with
desalination plants that allow the
use of wastewater for farming.
Israeli farms also use drip irriga‑
tion that involves dripping water
right into the roots of the crops
instead of flooding entire fields,
which is a common practice in
India. Singapore also boasts of an
efficient water treatment system
along with huge reservoirs and
catchment areas that cover almost
two‑thirds of the city‑state's sur‑
face area and collect natural
water. It is promising to see the
government taking proactive steps
to stem the problem before it
becomes unmanageable.
Hopefully, a shift in water man‑
agement will become visible at the
ground level. Any laxity will have
disastrous consequences as the
issue will have an impact on every
aspect of the economy, especially
agriculture, which still employs
almost half the country's popula‑
tion.
Amit Kapoor is chair, Institute
for Competitiveness.
ous stakeholders in the infrastruc‑
ture ecosystem to engage and work
together. The multilateral institu‑
tions, the export credit agencies
and the government can work
together to create mechanisms to
boost infrastructure financing.
Export credit agencies, along with
the multilateral institutions, can
play a significant role in both pro‑
viding capital and, more important‑
ly, in lowering the cost of capital
for infrastructure projects.
Considering infrastructure projects
tend to have an essential compo‑
nent of long‑dated debt, the ability
of multiple institutions to cooper‑
ate and fill in the financing gaps is
critical.
Discussions around infrastructure
and finance always point towards
the large size of the infrastructure
gaps and the vast pool of global
capital. The ideas above might pro‑
vide valuable insights into solving
the infrastructure finance paradox.
Taponeel Mukherjee heads
Development Tracks, an infrastruc‑
ture advisory firm. ‑IANS
 20 July 7-13, 2018
Sikhs among 19 killed in
Afghan suicide blast
Jalalabad: A suicide bomber blew
himself up in an Afghan city of
Jalalabad, where President Ashraf
Ghani was to hold a meeting with
provincial officials, killing at least
19 people, many of them Sikhs,
officials said.
The group of Sikhs were said to
be on their way to meet President
Ghani.
Provincial governor spokesman
Attaullah Khogyani confirmed the
casualties and said it had been a
suicide bombing. Khogyani did
not provide more information
about the blast, TOLONews
reported.
The blast hit the busy market of
Mukhabirat square, all the victims
have been taken to the hospital,
the of ficial added. No group has
claimed responsibility so far.
The media reported that the
explosion happened close to the
governor's compound. Security
forces immediately cordoned of f
the area and ambulances were
seen carrying the victims to hospi‑
tal.
They were discussing ways and
means to bolster the government‑
Maldives opposition US to act more strictly with
announces new Pakistan on terrorism: Haley
presidential candidate
Veteran lawmaker Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.
Male: Maldives' main opposition
party has named veteran law‑
maker Ibrahim Mohamed Solih
as its presidential candidate after
former president Mohamed
Nasheed withdrew his candidacy,
authorities said.
The Maldives Democratic Party
(MDP) amended its charter to
award the party ticket to Solih,
reports Xinhua news agency.
The MDP unanimously voted in
favor of Solih as Nasheed's
replacement.
Nasheed had withdrawn his
SUBCONTINENT
Afghan security force members inspect the site of suicide attack.
Indiaʼs Swaraj to meet victims' kin
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi "strongly" condemned the
terror attack in Afghanistan's Jalalabad city that killed at least 19,
including many Sikhs, and offered India's assistance to Kabul.
"We strongly condemn the terror attacks in Afghanistan... They are
an attack on Afghanistan's multicultural fabric... India stands ready to
assist the Afghanistan government in this sad hour," Modi said on
Twitter. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj also expressed her
condolences to the families of the victims and said she would be meet‑
ing them. "…I am meeting their relatives today at 6 pm in Jawaharlal
Nehru Bhavan," she tweeted.
initiated peace process to encour‑ logue with the government to end
age the Taliban to initiate a dia‑ the country's lingering crisis.
New Delhi: US envoy to the UN
Nikki Haley said Washington will
not tolerate governments giving
safe haven to terrorists and will
communicate this message more
strongly to Islamabad than it used
to do in the past. "We cannot toler‑
ate its government, or any other
government, giving safe haven to
terrorists. We won't tolerate it. We
are communicating this message to
Pakistan more strongly than in the
past and we hope to see changes,"
Haley said in a speech at a public
function here.
"In this area, the US is approach‑
ing our relationship with Pakistan
differently than in the past," Haley
said in her speech on "Advancing
India‑US Relations" organized by
the Observer Research Foundation
(ORF). The US envoy, who is on a
nominate for the "betterment" of
three‑day visit to India, said the US
his party.
and India have both felt the pain of
He had applied to run for the
terrorism, both share a commitment
election slated to take place on
to defeat it and the hateful ideology
September 23 but his nomina‑
that motivates them and share an
tion was rejected by the Election
urgent interest to keep nuclear
Commission as he faces terror‑
weapons out of the hands of terror‑
ism charges.
ists.
The Commission said last
"We have greatly expanded our
month that anyone convicted of a
counterterrorism cooperation in the
criminal offence could not legal‑
past decade. But we can and we
ly contest in a political party's
must do more. We must use all of
presidential primary, warning
the elements of our national power
that such elections would be
‑ economic, diplomatic and military
annulled.
‑ to protect ourselves," she said.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Pakistan court allows ex-PM
to contest from home seat
Islamabad: A court in
Pakistan allowed former
Prime Minister Shahid
Khaqan Abbasi to con‑
test the upcoming elec‑
tions from his home
constituency, overturn‑
ing an election tri‑
bunal's decision to dis‑
qualify him.
Abbasi welcomed the
decision of the Lahore
High Court.
"As you know, that
decision was flawed. I
filed an appeal with the
Lahore High Court
against that decision
and today the Lahore
High Court overturned
it. Now I can run from
Former PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi
Murree, which is my
welcomed the courtʼs decision.
home constituency as
well," Efe quoted Abbasi as candidate.
saying. An appellate election tribunal
Court spokesperson Arif Dar had disqualified Abbasi from
confirmed that the bench had the Murree constituency for
overturned the disqualification allegedly hiding facts and not
order after the defense argued providing the accurate value of
that the tribunal had exceeded his assets in the nomination
its powers, as it did not have papers, deeming it a violation
the authority to disqualify a of article 62 of the constitution.
United States Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley.
Pakistan placed on 'grey list' by FATF
Islamabad: Pakistan has been officially put on "grey list" by the
Financial Action Task Force (FATF), which combats money laundering
and terror financing among other things, over failing to curb terror
financing on its soil, the media reported.
According to a report in Dawn online, the announcement was made
at the FATF plenary session in Paris.
A Pakistani delegation, led by Interim Finance Minister Shamshad
Akhtar, apprised FATF of steps taken to combat terror financing and
money laundering and pleaded with it not to put the name of Pakistan
on the grey list, Geo News reported.
The FATF announcement came a day after Islamabad submitted a
detailed 26‑point action plan to the body to choke funding of militant
groups, including Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed‑led JuD and
its affiliates, reports say. Pakistan's caretaker Interior Affairs minister
Azam Khan said the watchdog was under pressure from the US and
India, both of which together also compelled Turkey, Saudi Arabia and
China to agree to the move.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Still awaiting EU proposals
to save nuke deal: Iran
Tehran: Iran said that it has
not received the package of
proposals from the
European Union aiming to
save Iran's interests in the
2015 international nuclear
deal. The European states
are still holding discussions
to present their proposals,
said Bahram Qasemi,
spokesman of the Iranian
Foreign Ministry.
Last week, Abbas Araqchi,
Iran's Deputy Foreign
Minister, said three
European countries and the
EU "have pledged to pro‑
pose a package of practical
solutions to secure Iran's
interests in the deal",
Xinhua reported.
Earlier this month, Iranian Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.
President Hassan Rouhani
urged the European signatories to halt its nuclear weapons pro‑
to the 2015 nuclear deal to take gramme in exchange for sanc‑
"practical and tangible meas‑ t ions re lie f. However, US
ures" to protect Iranian interests President Donald Trump decided
after the US pullout. Iran signed on May 8 to quit the Iranian
the landmark nuclear deal with nuclear deal and vowed to re‑
the US, Britain, France, Russia impose sanctions, including oil
and China plus Germany in 2015 embargo, on Tehran.
US Ambassador to
Estonia resigns
in frustration over
Donald Trump
Washington: The US
Ambassador to Estonia has
resigned in frustration with
President Donald Trump's com‑
ments about, and the treatment
of, European allies, a media
report said.
James D Melville Jr 's resigna‑
tion makes him the third
ambassador in the last year to
leave the State Department
early, reports CNN.
"A Foreign Service Officer's
DNA is programmed to support
policy and we're schooled right
from the start, that if there ever
comes a point where one can no
longer do so, particularly if one
INTERNATIONAL
is in a position of leadership,
the honorable course is to
resign," Melville posted on
Facebook.
"Having served under six pres‑
idents and 11 secretaries of
state, I never really thought it
would reach that point for me.
"For the President to say the
EU was 'set up to take advan‑
tage of the US, to attack our
piggy bank', or that 'NATO is as
bad as NAFTA' is not only factu‑
ally wrong, but proves to me
that it's time to go," he added.
In a statement, a State
Department spokesperson con‑
firmed Melville's departure.
ʻIran is next
North Koreaʼ
New Delhi: Describing Iran as
the "next North Korea", the US
gave clear signals that it would
like India to stop oil imports
from Tehran following
Washington's tough sanctions to
end its nuclear progarmme. US
Ambassador to the UN Nikki
Haley said in a speech that just
because countries (like India)
have deals with Iran, it does not
mean that they should be blind
to the "violations" by Iran on the
nuclear issue. Replying to a
question after her speech at a
public function, she said the US
believed that Iran was a threat
and it cannot take its eyes of
Iran. Iran, still with all of those
incentives, has continued to vio‑
late resolution after resolution.
They violated (by) building bal‑
listic missiles, they violated by
supporting terrorism, they vio‑
lated by the fact that they are
continuing to sell arms to..."
China won't give up any inch
of territory: Xi tells Mattis
Beijing: Chinese President Xi
Jinping told visiting US Defense
Secretary James Mattis that
Beijing is committed to peace but
will not give up "any inch of terri‑
tory" in the Pacific Ocean, media
reports said.
"Our stance is steadfast and
clear‑cut when it comes to China's
sovereignty and territorial integri‑
ty," CNN quoted Xi as saying after
his meeting with Mattis at the
Great Hall of the People here.
"We cannot lose even one inch
of the territory left behind by our
ancestors... What is other people's
we do not want at all."
Xi also said that despite dis‑
agreements in the Pacific over the
South China Sea, "it has long been
known that the real experts on
military affairs do not want to
employ military means to solve
issues".
Mattis however, said his talks
with Xi and other officials had
ʻLopez Obrador wins
Mexican presidential pollsʼ
Mexico: Left‑wing candidate
Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador of
the National Regeneration
Movement has won the presiden‑
tial elections in Mexico, accord‑
ing to the country's electoral
body.
Lopez Obrador called it a "his‑
toric day" after the National
Electoral Institute (INE) attrib‑
uted him at least 53 per cent of
the votes in a quick count of a
sample of 7,700 ballots, Efe news
reported.
His closest rivals admitted
defeat and congratulated Lopez
Obrador on his victory.
"I express my respect to those
who voted for other candidates
and parties, and also for the
three presidential candidates
representing the different organ‑
izations that have recognized our
triumph and victory today,"
Lopez Obrador told a crowd of
jubilant supporters at an event in
Mexico City late Sunday (local
time). "I call all Mexicans for rec‑
onciliation and to put best inter‑
ests above personal interests,
however legitimate," said Lopez
Obrador, who is set to assume
U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis met Chinese President Xi Jinping at
the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. (Photo courtesy PTI)
been "very, very" good, adding
that the US was assigning a "high
degree of importance to the mili‑
tary relationship" with China.
His meeting with Xi comes as
relations between Washington
and Beijing have been marred
July 7-13, 2018 21
Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador
has vowed to crackdown
on corruption.
office on December 1.
The silver‑haired 64‑year‑old
left‑wing nationalist promised
profound changes in the country
during his mandate and assured
he would work to establish an
"authentic democracy". He vowed
to crackdown on corruption
through fiscal and financial disci‑
pline, and promised intellectual
and business freedom.
Lopez Obrador also said he
would seek "friendship and co‑
operation" with the US. Mexico's
relations with Washington have
been strained since the election
of President Donald Trump who
has strongly criticized the coun‑
try over trade and migration.
recently by rising tensions ‑‑ not
only by an impending trade war
but also by both militaries view‑
ing each other with increasing
suspicion and alarm.
Mattis is the first Pentagon chief
to visit China since 2014.
 22 July 7-13, 2018 BUSINESS TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Harley‑Davidson to take big hit Complain to WTO about

for moving overseas: Trump alleged violations:
Washington: US President Donald Trump has warned
that Harley‑Davidson is going to take "a big hit" for
moving some of its motorcycle production overseas.
Trump told Fox News's Maria Bartiromo on "Sunday
Morning Futures" that he did not agree with the com‑
pany's decision to shift away from domestic produc‑
tion, renewing his claims that the motorcycle manu‑
facturer shouldn't "get cute".
"Everybody who ever bought a Harley‑Davidson
voted for Trump ... and they are very unhappy about
it," the President said. "I think they're going to take a
big hit... the people that are buying Harley‑Davidson,
they don't want it built in another country."
The Wisconsin‑based Harley‑Davidson said last
week that it was moving some of its production over‑
seas to avoid tariffs on bikes sold in the EU. Trump's
decision to levy tariffs on steel and aluminium from
the EU and other countries triggered the move.
"The tremendous cost increase, if passed onto its
dealers and retail customers, would have an immedi‑
ate and lasting detrimental impact to its business in
the region," the company said. Motorcycles to be sold
in the US will continue to be made in America.
"I think that Harley is an American bike, it's an
American motorcycle and they shouldn't play cute,"
Trump said.
His remarks Sunday echoed his comments on
Twitter during last week. "Harley‑Davidson should
stay 100 per cent in America, with the people that got
you your success."
"I've done so much for you, and then this. Other
China to US
Beijing: China has urged the US
to complain to the World Trade
Organization instead of accusing
Beijing of illegal practices.
Reiterating the country's com‑
mitment to WTO regulations,
China's Vice Minister of
Commerce Wang Shouwen said
that if Washington was sure
about the alleged violations, they
should complain to the WTO.
Wang presented a report by
the Chinese government consist‑
ing of a brief history of China's
membership of the WTO, which
it joined in 2001, which claimed
that Beijing had strictly adhered
to its obligations as member and
substantially opened its markets
to the world, Efe reported.
The Minister said that "unilat‑
Karen Davidson, great grand‑daughter of Harley‑ eral" measures imposed by the
Davidson co‑founder William A Davidson, during the US government on Chinese prod‑
launch of her motorcycle apparel store in Kolkata. ucts did not fit in with the WTO
(Photo: Kuntal Chakrabarty/IANS)
framework.
companies are coming back where they belong! We The report also claimed that
won't forget, and neither will your customers or your China had fulfilled all its commit‑
now very HAPPY competitors!" he had tweeted.
ments regarding reducing duties
on import of foreign products
and has increasingly opened dif‑
ferent sectors of the economy to
foreign investment.
The report is part of Beijing's
counter‑offensive against the US
amid a trade dispute, which
strained bilateral relations in
recent weeks, leading to fears of
a trade war between the world's
two largest economies.
Apart from imposing import
tariffs on products from a num‑
ber of countries ‑ aimed at reduc‑
ing the enormous trade deficit ‑
Washington has announced a
plan to restrict Chinese invest‑
ment in US tech companies in
order to fight alleged intellectual
property theft.
Commerce ministry spokesper‑
son Gao Feng had said earlier on
Thursday that the restrictions
were counterproductive and
Beijing was ready to take meas‑
ures to defend its interests.

Industry satisfied with GST implementation: CII survey

New Delhi: Indian industry consid‑
ers the Goods and Services Tax
(GST)a step in the right direction
and a majority are satisfied with its
overall implementation, the
Confederation of Indian Industry
(CII) said, citing its own survey.
Releasing a survey of over 200
businesses on the the first anniver‑
sary of the roll out of
of GST, CII said that 83 per cent of
respondents saw the new indirect
tax regime a step in the right direc‑
tion and 65 percent are satisfied
with its overall implementation,
despite some teething problems.
"A year into the implementation
of GST, there is great optimism
among businesses about the impact
of GST on the economy. Satisfaction
was high across the spectrum on
GST implementation issues as well,"
a CII statement said.
GST implementation led to
increased efficiency for businesses
by reducing their transportation
time, on account of absence of state
The Goods and Services Tax
(GST) was launched on
July 1, 2017.
barriers, the report said.
"GST has had a moderating
impact on retail price inflation,
which may have risen to higher
level without the new tax regime,"
CII Director General Chandrajit
Banerjee said in the statement.
One‑third of the survey respon‑
dents witnessed a downward move‑
ment in the wholesale prices of
their supplies, while nearly 30 per‑
cent saw a fall in the retail prices of
supplies. A majority of respondents
witnessed no change in their supply
prices. "The survey also indicates a
positive impact of GST on employ‑
ment as well as on the demand for
goods and services. Given that it is
the biggest tax reform of independ‑
ent India, one must compliment the
government on its ef ficient and
transparent administration despite
some 'teething problems'," Banerjee
said. On product coverage under
GST, a majority of 87 per cent of
respondents said the products man‑
ufactured by them have been listed
or classified under GST, and were
largely satisfied with the tax rates
and the exemptions provided on the
supply of goods and services.
According to the report, many
businesses reported satisfaction
with the process for payment of
July 1 to be commemorated as the GST Day
New Delhi: The central government said that July 1 will be celebrated as
the "GST Day" to commemorate the first year of the "unprecedented
reform of Indian taxation" system. The Goods and Services Tax (GST)
was launched on July 1, 2017 in a ceremony held in the Central Hall of
Parliament on the midnight of June 30, 2017.
"The first year has been remarkable both for the sheer variety of chal‑
lenges that its implementation has thrown up and for the willingness
and ability of policy makers and tax administrators to rise up to these
challenges and respond befittingly," the Ministry of Finance was said in
a statement on Saturday. "But more importantly, the first year of GST
has been an example to the world of the readiness of the Indian taxpay‑
er to be a partner in this unprecedented reform of Indian taxation."
Prior to its implementation the Indian taxation system was a farrago
of central, state and local area levies.
"In the constitutional scheme, taxation power on goods was with cen‑
tral government but it was limited up to the stage of manufacture and
production while States had power to tax sale and purchase of goods.
Centre had the exclusive power to tax services," the statement said.
taxes and interest under the GST "The survey has confirmed the
and felt that the maintenance of fact that filing of returns and pay‑
records is also simpler. ment of tax is much easier and sim‑
Respondents also showed a high pler under the new regime, as also
level of comfort with the provisions the maintenance of records,"
on valuation. Banerjee said.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info SPORTS July 7-13, 2018 23

France edge out Argentina

Brazil players celebrate after defeating Mexico in Samara, Russia.

(Xinhua/Li Ming/IANS)
A dejected Lionel Messi after his team lost to France. (Xinhua/Lu Jinbo/IANS)

Kazan (Russia): France pipped Argentina 4‑3

in a classic encounter to enter the quarter‑
finals of the 2018 FIFA World Cup here.
Paris Saint‑Germain star Kylian Mbappé
(64th, 68th minutes) played a major role in
France's victory. The 19‑year‑old sensation
set the Kazan Arena alight, scoring a brace
and winning a penalty.
That penalty was converted by Antoine
Griezmann (13th minute) while Benjamin
Pavard (57th minute) scored the other
French goal.
Mbappé is the first teenager to score twice
in a World Cup match since the legendary
Pele struck twice for Brazil in a 5‑2 win over
Sweden in the 1958 final. He had earlier
become the youngest France player to score
in a World Cup during the group stages.
Ángel Di María (41st minute), Gabriel
Mercado (48th minute) and Sergio Agüero
(90+3rd minute) found the back of the net
for Argentina.
Argentina coach Jorge Sampaoli made
changes to his team's formation and tactics,
leaving star strikers Gonzalo Higuain and
Sergio Aguero on the bench in order to
put out a more packed midfield and
used Lionel Messi as a 'false nine'.
The move however, did not turn out
to be a big success as Argentina strug‑
gled to create clear chances in the first
half. Pavard scored the equalizer for
France when he fired home a first tie
effort from just inside the penalty box.
Mbappe played a crucial role in
the French resurgence. He
put the Europeans in the
lead by beating Armani at
the near post with a powerful finish after a
nice move down the left side of the
Argentine box.
He got his second goal a short while later
after yet another nice move by the French.
That knocked the wind out of Argentina's
sails and they never seemed capable enough
to make a comeback.
Aguero scored their third goal in second
half added time to ensure a tense finish to
what was surely the best match so far of this
World Cup.
Brazil defeat Mexico,
enter quarters
Samara (Russia): Brazil's talisman
Neymar scored one and assisted anoth‑
er in the second‑half as the five‑time
world champions defeated Mexico
2‑0 here to enter the FIFA
World Cup quarter‑finals.
Neymar scored from a
close‑range in the 51st minute before set‑
ting up for Roberto Firmino's strike in the
88th minute as Mexico failed to find a
goal.
The defeat marks Mexio's seventh con‑
secutive ouster in the pre‑quarterfinals of
football's quadrennial showpiece.
For the win, apart from Neymar, Brazil's
defense also deserved the credit in a
match that saw both teams going full
throttle. Brazil have conceded only one
goal in four matches.
Brazil survived the early pressure and
began their ascendancy as the first‑half
progressed. Ochoa raced off his line to
block a Neymar shot from a tight angle in
the 25th minute.
The second‑half began the same way the
first‑half ended, with Brazil looked menac‑
ing as soon as they got the ball.
Brazil broke the deadlock when Neymar
backheeled to Willian on the edge of the
Mexico penalty area. Willian drilled the
ball low and hard across the face of goal
from the left byline and at the far post,
Neymar stretched his right foot to meet
the pass as it entered the goal.
Two minutes from time, Brazil took a 2‑
0 lead following a counter‑attack.

In Brief Russia ends

Uruguay beat
Portugal
Sochi: Striker Edinson Cavani
fired a brace as two‑time champi‑
ons Uruguay defeated reigning
European champions Portugal 2‑
1 here to set‑up a FIFA World
Cup quarter‑final against France.
Cavani scored in the seventh
and 62nd minutes while Portugal
got their goal from Pepe in the
55th minute at the Fisht Stadium
as Uruguay entered the last eight
stage of the World Cup only for
the second time in 48 years.
The loss for Portugal against
Uruguay ended the dream of leg‑
endary Cristiano Ronaldo, who
alongside Argentina's Lionel
Messi, may have to end a stellar
international career without the
biggest trophy in football. Messi's
Argentina lost to France in the
other game of the day.
Ronaldoa's Portugal met
Uruguay for the first time in a
World Cup and had to suffer the
defeat, thanks to the brilliance of
Cavani.
Spain's run Hockey
India lose to Australia in
Moscow: Russia's celebration of
the national team's win over Spain
in the FIFA World Cup round of 16
Champions Trophy final
Breda (The Netherlands): India suf‑
is comparable to the celebration of
fered a penalty shootout heart‑
the World War II victory, Kremlin
break in the Hockey Champions
spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
Trophy final for the second con‑
"Enthusiastic and epic assess‑
secutive time as they lost 1‑3 (1‑1)
ments of yesterday's triumph are
to defending champions Australia
understandable from the emotion‑
here.
al point of view. If you look at the
Blake Govers put Australia ahead
streets of many Russian cities,
in the 24th minute. India equalized
including Moscow… in many
through Vivek Sagar Prasad's
respects, it was comparable to
strike in the 43rd minute to end 1‑
footage from May 9, 1945 (when
1 at the regulation 60 minutes of
Russia celebrated the World War
play.
II victory), with the exception of
In the penalty shootout,
the fireworks," Peskov told jour‑
Australia prevailed thanks to the
nalists, reports Sputnik news India lost 1‑3 (1‑1) to defending champions Australia.
brilliance of goalkeeper Tyler
agency.
Lovell, who blocked attempts from both Australia and India had plen‑ nities, they missed a golden chance
The comment referred to the
Harmanpreet Singh, Sardar Singh ty chances to score in a fast‑paced to score a field goal towards the
round 16 match, during which
and Lalit Upadhyay. match. end of the first quarter when
hosts Russia knocked 2010 World
Aran Zalewski, Daniel Beale and Although the defending Surender Kumar made a beautiful
Cup winners Spain out of this sum‑
Jeremy Edwards scored for Champions made a good start, pass to Dilpreet Singh who then
mer's tournament to reach the
Australia, who got their record India quickly took control with crossed it over to S.V. Sunil. But
quarter‑finals for the first time
15th title, while Manpreet Singh better ball possession (over 60 the latter pulled the ball onto his
since the break‑up of the Soviet
tucked one past Lovell for India, percent) coupled with eight circle own feet, thus could not score.
Union in 1991. Moscow Mayor
who had lost to Australia in the entries, two shots on goal and two Australia, on the other hand,
Sergey Sobyanin called the city's
2016 final via the penalty penalty corners in the first quar‑ were extremely quick on their
Luzhniki Stadium a "lucky arena"
shootout in London. ter. While India could not capital‑ counters and waited for their
for the Russian team.
During the 60 minutes of play, ize on the penalty corner opportu‑ chances.
 24 July 7-13, 2018
Facebook quietly launches
Instagram Lite for emerging markets
I A
n a bid to add another billion
users from emerging markets
including India, Facebook‑
owned Instagram has quietly
released a lighter version of its app
called "Instagram Lite" for Android
on Google Play App Store.
Although Facebook was yet to
release an official statement, the
appearance of 'Instagram Lite' on
Google Play Store is a likely pilot
run in a select countries to begin
with.
There are millions of smart‑
"At just 573 kilobytes,
phone users in India who still have
'Instagram Lite' is 1/55th the size
old variants with slow 2G Internet
of Instagram's 32MP main app. It
connectivity and "Instagram Lite"
lets you filter and post photos to
app can help them get in touch
the feed or Stories, watch Stories
with friends and family.
and browse the Explore page, but
"The 'Instagram Lite' app is
currently lacks the options to
small, allowing you to save space
share videos or Direct message
on your phone and download it
friends," TechCrunch reported last
quickly," read the app's description
week.
on Play Store.
NASA's noise-reduction tech to
make quieter airports a reality
A E
iming to reduce
aircraft noise for
communities that
live near airports, NASA
has successfully tested
new noise reduction tech‑
nologies on a series of
Acoustic Research
Measurement (ARM)
flight, and managed to cut
airframe noise during
landing by more than 70 per cent.
The ARM flights, which concluded in
May, at NASA's Armstrong Flight
Research Center in California, tested tech‑
nology to address airframe noise, or noise
that is produced by non‑propulsive parts
of the aircraft, during landing.
NASA successfully combined several
technologies including Landing Gear
Noise Reduction, landing gear cavity
treatments, and the Adaptive Compliant
Trailing Edge flexible wing flap, on vari‑
ous airframe components of a Gulfstream
III research aircraft to achieve a greater
than 70 per cent reduction in airframe
noise. "This airframe noise reduction pro‑
duced by NASA technology is definitely
momentous, and the best part is that it
directly benefits the public," ARM Project
Manager Kevin Weinert, said in a state‑
ment.
"We are very confident that with the
tested technologies we can substantially
reduce total aircraft noise, and that could
really make a lot of flights much quieter,"
added Mehdi Khorrami, an aerospace sci‑
entist at NASA's Langley Research Center
in Virginia.
The Gulfstream III research aircraft flew
at an altitude of 350 feet, over a 185‑sen‑
sor microphone array deployed on the
Rogers Dry Lake at Edwards Air Force
Base in California.
SCI-TECH TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Apple & Samsung settle epic
patent infringement battle
With this new version of the
n epic legal battle The battle between the
photo messaging app, users using
between smartphone worldʼs two largest smartphone
older phones with less storage
titans is finally over. makers has already cost both
space or slower internet connec‑
Apple and Samsung have set‑ companies hundreds of millions
tions, would have access to
tled their seven‑year patent dis‑ in legal fees. In 2012, Samsung
Instagram without having to
pute over Appleʼs allegations was ordered to pay Apple more
delete photos, apps or wait longer
that Samsung copied the than $1 billion for iPhone and
and pay more to download it.
iPhoneʼs design and software, iPad patent infringement, but
The app would run on Android
reports CNN. Terms were not that penalty was later reduced
versions 5.0 and up.
available, but according to the to $450 million by a federal
With over a billion users,
Wall Street Journal, the compa‑ judge.
Instagram is a very popular app
nies filed a notice in California Apple declined to comment
from the Facebook family.
federal court that they had on the agreement, but an Apple
Facebook launched "Facebook
agreed to settle the case. Apple rep referred CNN to a company
Lite" in 2015 which had 200 mil‑
was awarded $539 million in statement released last month
lion users by the end of last year.
May by a US jury; prior to the that said, "Apple ignited the
Facebook "Messenger Lite" came
award, Samsung had already smartphone revolution with
in April this year.
paid Apple $399 million, so iPhone and it is a fact that
Aiming to take on Google‑owned
Samsung had an outstanding Samsung blatantly copied our
YouTube, Instagram this month
payment of $140 million, design. It is important that we
announced it would allow users to
according to Reuters. It was continue to protect the hard
upload videos up to one hour in
unclear how this weekʼs ruling work and innovation of so
length, up from the previous one‑
would affect that settlement. many people at Apple."
minute limit.
Muhammad Yunus warns
of survival threat from AI
xpressing apprehension that disrup‑
tive technology would hasten extinc‑
tion of humankind, Nobel laureate
Muhammad Yunus last week warned compa‑
nies against excessive use of Artificial
Intelligence (AI).
"Technology will expedite our extinction
on the planet Earth. It may sound funny
because technology is supposed to help us
and make things easier. But the way AI is
The Landing Gear Noise Reduction tech‑ invading the world, it will soon replace us
nology element addressed airframe noise with machines to do our job," Yunus said at
caused by airflow moving past the land‑ the eighth edition of Social Business Day in
ing gear on approach. Bengaluru.
Another area of focus was landing gear The Bangladeshi won the Nobel Peace
cavities, also a known cause of airframe Prize in 2006 for his effort to fight poverty.
noise. These are the regions where the Yunus founded Grameen Bank which gives
landing gear deploys from the main body microcredit to the poor without any collater‑
of an aircraft, typically leaving a large al.
cavity where airflow can get pulled in, Organized by the Yunus Centre, a Dhaka,
creating noise. Bangaldesh‑based think tank founded by
NASA applied two concepts to these sec‑ Yunus himself, the event had participants
tions, including a series of chevrons from 42 countries including Afghanistan,
placed near the front of the cavity with a Australia, Canada, Italy, France, Taiwan and
Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus
sound‑absorbing foam at the trailing wall, the US, among others.
(Photo courtesy: scribepublications.co.uk)
as well as a net that stretched across the As human beings can be replaced with
machines, thereby saving money, more munity of "beggars", Yunus lamented.
opening of the main landing gear cavity.
machines are being made in the world, lead‑ "Human beings are capable of creating
This altered the airflow and reduced the
ing to widespread use of AI, Yunus pointed. weapons of mass destruction in a smart
noise resulting from the interactions
"With the production cost using machines way. We are capable of killing ourselves in a
between the air, the cavity walls, and its
going down and profit margin going up, very decent way. That is the direction tech‑
edges, the report said.
more machines are being made." nology can go," stressed the 78‑year‑old
To reduce wing flap noise, NASA used
In the process of adopting AI, several peo‑ social entrepreneur.
an experimental, flexible flap, which
ple will be pushed out of the jobs they hold, Countries taking pride in their "fast‑grow‑
investigated the potential for flexible,
Yunus warned. ing" economies must beware of concentra‑
seamless flaps to increase aerodynamic
"We already have nearly 30‑40 per cent of tion of wealth in their nations, Yunus said.
efficiency.
the youth remaining unemployed in several "We take pride that our economies are
"While there are obvious potential eco‑
prosperous economies. And with the AI, peo‑ growing faster than anyone else's but we
nomic gains for the industry, this benefits
ple who are employed won't have their jobs forget that the faster we grow, the faster is
the people who live near major airports,
as smart machines are taking over," the the rate of wealth concentration and we
and have to deal with the noise of aircraft
Nobel laureate said. soon approach the doomsday," he added.
coming in to land. This could greatly
Technology, while being a blessing also The two‑day event which began last
reduce the noise impact on these commu‑
has the potential to leave a human being at Thursday was held on the Infosys campus at
nities," Weinert said.
the mercy of others, creating a whole com‑ the Electronics City in Bengaluru.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Engaging ways to open
your personal statement
SHINE ON, STUDENTS
By Kristen Moon
S
ummer is here and rising
seniors have college
applications on their
mind. The Common Application
essays have not changed from
last application cycle. Therefore,
students can get a head start and
use their summer to write their
personal statement.
Keep in mind, an admissions
officer may read essays for
countless hours every day during
admissions season ‑ therefore
your essay needs to be memo‑
rable. Here are some tips on writ‑
ing an engaging personal state‑
ment. The most important com‑
ponent of this is a strong open‑
ing.
Your essay or “personal state‑
ment” is meant to share more
about yourself with the admis‑
sions officers. They already know
your academic history from your
transcripts ‑ you do not need to
repeat it. What the officers will
not glean from your transcripts
and standardized test scores is
your personality. Your essay is
your opportunity to illustrate
yourself. Share a compelling
memory, an anecdote from your
life. This is your chance to con‑
nect with your reader.
This is the opening paragraph
of Isabellaʼs essay:
My small body and head of
curly hair trotted over to the
refrigerator in search of some
butter for my bread. I shifted
some cans of half‑opened Goya
beans and the remnant of a brick
of dulce de leche that had seen
better days. After much shuffling,
I spotted the big brown container
of margarine. Carefully placing
the tub on the kitchen table and
readying for my “feast,” I opened
the container. To my dismay, it
was filled with arroz con pollo.
My eyes tightened and my stom‑
ach made Chewbacca noises.
Maybe I could mash the dulce de
leche on top of the bread.
Isabellaʼs beginning is personal,
funny and very relatable. The
opening paragraph is engaging,
and “hooks” the reader into
EDUCATION July 7-13, 2018 25
About the author
Kristen Moon is an independ‑
ent college counselor and
founder of MoonPrep.com.
Moon Prep provides one‑on‑
one coaching services catered
to university admissions.
They guide students through
the entire application process
including: completing applica‑
tions, personal statements,
supplemental essays, student
resumes, scholarships, and
financial aid. Their specialty
lies in the Ivy League, direct
medical programs (BS/MD), and highly competitive universities.
wanting to finish reading
the story. Isabella throws
the reader right in the
middle of her story. This
is a perfect example of
using an anecdote to
open your essay.
Three elements of a
strong opening:
The Why : Isabellaʼs
opening is a great exam‑
ple of this. The reader
wants to know what hap‑
pens next; how will she
solve the problem?
The Surprise :
Sometimes a shocking
statement works; your
reader will pay rapt atten‑
tion. An example of this
is: “I grew up a killer,”
then followed by a story
about deciding to become
vegetarian. You can use a
figurative, alarming state‑
ment to grab your read‑
ersʼ interest.
The Confession : By
revealing something per‑
sonal about yourself, you
establish trust with the
reader. They become
your confidant. This is an
effective way to pull a
fact from your resume
and then elaborate on it
personally. An example:
Lesley is ranked #1 in her
high school and is vale‑
dictorian. Confession: She
is dyslexic and has had to
work diligently to over‑
come this learning
obstacle.
Your essay is a critical
part of your application;
this is the schoolʼs first
impression of the real
You. It completes the pic‑
ture of your identity and
shows the officers why
you would be an asset to
their community.
26 July 7-13, 2018 HERITAGE TheSouthAsianTimes.info

The Magic of Vedic Mathematics Part 21

Rediscovered half a century ago by the Puri Shankaracharya Bharati Krishna Tirtha, Vedic Mathematics is a lightning fast mental math
system. We continue to serialize from ‘The Curious Hats of Magical Maths’ book that makes learning the system easy.

Continued on page 27
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
When the petitioner dies after the petition approved?
By Michael Phulwani, Esq.
& Dev B. Viswanath, Esq.
I TALK
f an individual applies for a
green card through a relative
who is a Lawful Permanent
Resident or US Citizen, but the
Petitioner passes away before
the application process is com‑
plete, the individual may still
receive their green card, in some
circumstances. The principal
beneficiary may request human‑
itarian reinstatement of a peti‑
tion only if the petition had
already been approved before
the death of the petitioner.
Humanitarian reinstatement is a
discretionary form of relief
which means the positive factors
for granting the petition must be
significant. There is no form or
fee required when asking for
humanitarian reinstatement.
The primary beneficiary must
make a written request with
supporting evidence to the
USCIS office that had originally
approved the petition. If the
beneficiary had already properly
filed an application for adjust‑
ment of status with USCIS then
the request for reinstatement
should be sent to the USCIS
office that has jurisdiction over
Continued from page 26
the adjustment application. The
request would normally include
the following documents (but
this is at a minimum):
4 The name of the primary
beneficiary and the deceased
petitionerʼs name;
4 The receipt number of the
petition;
4 Death certificate of the
deceased petitioner;
4 A substitute sponsor;
4 Proof of the substitute
sponsorʼs relationship to the
beneficiary; and
4 Any evidence showing that
a favorable exercise of discre‑
tion should be given to the bene‑
ficiary.
If the beneficiary was required
to have Form I‑864 and the peti‑
tioner dies, the beneficiary must
either have a new Form I‑864
from a substitute sponsor or
Form I‑864W, for an exemption.
The substitute sponsor must
meet the following require‑
ments:
IMMIGRATION
Here is what to do about
Humanitarian Reinstatement
4 A U.S. citizen, national, or
lawful permanent resident;
4 18 years old or older; and
4 Be the beneficiaryʼs spouse,
parent, mother‑in‑law, father‑in‑
law, sibling, child, son, daughter,
son‑in‑law, daughter‑in‑law, sis‑
ter‑in‑law, brother‑in‑law, grand‑
parent, grandchild, or legal
guardian.
When deciding on whether or
not to grant request humanitari‑
an reinstatement USCIS consid‑
ers many factors such as:
4 If the beneficiary is elderly
or in poor health;
4 How long the beneficiary
had resided in the U.S.;
4 If the beneficiary has
strong ties to their home coun‑
try;
4 The impact of revocation
on the family living in the U.S.,
especially on the family who are
U.S. citizens or lawful permanent
residents or other relatives law‑
fully living in the U.S.; and
4 If the beneficiary had wait‑
ed an unusually long time for
Answers
To be continued in the following issues of The South Asian Times. com
July 7-13, 2018 27
the case to be processed and the appealed and therefore if denied
delay is because of the govern‑ the beneficiary will need to find
ment. a different way of getting an
If the humanitarian reinstate‑ immigrant visa or green card.
ment request is granted USCIS But, it also does not preclude the
will notify the beneficiary and beneficiary from filing for rein‑
send its decision to either the statement again, if more equities
Department of State or to the are discovered or if they have
USCIS officer processing the new legal counsel who may have
beneficiaryʼs adjustment case, if the ability to present a stronger
they are outside the U.S. If the case than previously submitted.
humanitarian reinstatement This is a great form of relief for
request is not granted USCIS will people and families when they
notify the beneficiary in writing. have already suffered the loss of
USCISʼs decision cannot be a loved one.
Dev Banad Viswanath is the Principal
Attorney of The Banad Law Offices PC in the
United States, and Banad Immigration in
India for which Attorney Michael Phulwani is
also affiliated as Of Counsel. With Offices in
Manhattan, Queens, Bangalore, and Mumbai,
the firm is able to assist clients with all facets
of the immigration process, including
Employment Visas, Consular Visa Assistance,
Student Visas, Removal & Deportation, US
Citizenship and Green Card Applications
based on Family or Employment. Dev B.
Viswanath can be reached at
Dev@Banadlaw.com and 718‑361‑5999.
Extracted from
ʻThe Curious Hats
of Magical Maths ‑
Vedic
Mathematics for
Schools Book 1ʼ
by James Glover,
with permission
from Motilal
Banarsidass
(MLBD). Founded
in 1903,
they specialize in
Indology books.
For more
information,
Mr R.P. Jain,
email:
mlbd@mlbd.
com.
US distributor:
southasia‑
books@gmail.
 28 July 7-13, 2018
Please get some work done
To: All staff
From: Company president
Subject: Low productivity
I
t has come to my attention
that productivity has dropped
drastically since Thursday,
June 14th. Iʼm not sure whatʼs
going on, but please be assured
that Iʼm monitoring the situation
closely and will suspend or ter‑
minate employees who arenʼt
pulling their own weight. For the
company to be successful, itʼs
important for all of us to work
hard. We need to learn from the
examples set by the following
managers, whom Iʼm pleased to
recognize.
John Tembo, Human Resources
Manager: I was walking past
Johnʼs office and heard him and
several employees shout ing
“Goal! Goal! Goal!” W hen I
knocked on the door, John told
me they were watching a training
video to help them achieve com‑
BEST
RATE
FOR
INDIA
AND
PAKISTAN
New York Head Quarter
422‑S Broadway
HICKSVILLE
NY 11801
516‑827‑1010
Humor with Melvin Durai
pany goals. I have nominated
each of them for our Employee of
the Month Award. Itʼs important
for all of us to focus on goals. As
John said, “Without goals, our
team will lose.”
Carlos Mendez, Sales and
Distribution Manager: Carlos
called me on Friday morning to
say he was ill and couldnʼt come
to work. His doctor had diag‑
nosed him with a rare illness
called socceritis. T he illness
af fects patients for at least a
HUMOR TheSouthAsianTimes.info
manager, “Croatia 2, Iceland 1.” I
I was walking past Johnʼs office asked him about it and he said,
“T hatʼs the number of cus‑
and heard him and several
tomers we have in each country.”
employees shouting, “Goal!
I was extremely pleased. I didnʼt
Goal! Goal!” They were watch- realize we had a customer in
Iceland. I am nominating Ravi for
ing a training video to help
our Innovative Spirit Award.
them achieve company goals. Hans Mue ller, Advert ising
As John said, "Without goals, Manager: Hans, as you know, is
always looking for new ways to
our team will lose.”
advertise, new ways to reach
potent ial customers. Since
month and thereʼs a chance of nating him for our Courage and Friday, he has been personally
relapse every four years. As you Inspiration Award. manning an information booth at
can imag ine, I was rather Ravi Narayanan, Pro duct Tony's Sports Bar & Grill. I paid a
shocked and saddened. I won‑ Design Manager: As of June 15, surprise visit to the bar and
dered how we could manage Ravi is testing an innovative pro‑ heard Hans talking to an employ‑
without Carlos for so long. gram he developed called WHFH ee about something called
Perhaps Carlos read my mind, ( Work Hard From Home). He “World Cup.” He told me itʼs an
for he immediately put me at believes it will not only increase acronym heʼs using to motivate
ease. “Iʼll come to work, boss,” he productivity in his department employees: WORLD CUP
said. “The illness isnʼt contagious. but also lower costs consider‑ (Working Overtime Results in
I just need to return home to get ably, particularly the cost of buy‑ Less Disappointment, Creates
90 minutes of rest a few times a ing cof fee and doughnuts. Ravi Upsurge in Productivity.) I am
day.” What an example Carlos is came to work briefly today and I nominating Hans for the High
setting for all of us. I am nomi‑ overheard him saying to another Motivation Award.
Laughter is the Best Medicine
By Mahendra Shah
Mahendra Shah is an architect by education, entrepreneur by profession, artist and
humorist, cartoonist and writer by hobby. He has been recording the plight of the
immigrant Indians for the past many years in his cartoons.
Hailing from Gujarat, he lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info ASTROLOGY July 7-13, 2018 29

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

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

JULY 7‑13, 2018

ARIES: Expenses rise, but so does the
bank balance as money flows in from
unexpected sources. Property is likely to
be acquired by some. Avoid being at odds with
the siblings; listen to their problems and sug‑
gest solutions. Donʼt be discouraged with the
slow moving things on the business front; they
will pace up well in the coming future. Stay cau‑
tious while driving. Lovers tiff is on the cards
for some and can continue for some time. Going
someplace far will help you unwind.
TAURUS: Sharpen your professional
skills to get a better hold on things at
work. Stick to your commitments and
donʼt count on others to pitch in and
help you out of the way. Increase your output at
work, if you donʼt want to get singled out. Donʼt
overextend yourself on the social front to save
yourself from any confrontations. A surprise
gift for the partner will help in sparking the
love life. Evaluate your finances to manage your
spending habits. Feel free to count upon the
loverʼs support for your plans for the future.
GEMINI: Take a non‑confrontationist
approach in sorting out a family prob‑
lem. Motivate your team to finish the
pending tasks and set a pace for the new
assignments coming your way. Donʼt joke, as it
can turn out to be at someoneʼs expense.
Judicious spending will keep your financial
front stable. Intimacy with your significant
other is on a high. Playing the stocks should be
a complete NO. Businessmen should stress
more on the quality rather than the quantity to
hold on their customers.
CANCER: You may have to use your
networking skills to get something you
want. A perfect romantic evening can
get spoiled due to loverʼs moodiness. Whatever
you earn this week is likely to be spent. You can
remain busy in completing a task at work. Donʼt
take everything on the face value on the finan‑
cial front. A meeting may need to be shifted to
accommodate a visiting delegation at work. You
can feel envious of a neighbor going on a vaca‑
tion. Family may force you to appear in a partic‑
ular competition.
LEO: Money comes your way and fill your
coffers to the brim. A little flattery gets
you nearer the cherished person. Your
pragmatic approach to solutions will win you
promotional aspects at work place. You will be
able to sail through a bureaucratic tangle, though
through efforts. Difference of opinion with the
spouse can affect the family peace. Wise invest‑
ments in property and shares promise to keep
you financially strong. Essential health treat‑
ments may require additional expenses.
VIRGO: You will be able to forge a rela‑
tionship that will benefit you in the
future. Children will become a source of
joy and admiration. Your enterprising ef forts
are likely to pay you rich dividends. Wayward
spouse or lover could give some anxious
moments. Nearness to lover will be most com‑
forting. Some relief is foreseen for those under
debt. Chances of getting a new job cannot be
ruled out for some. Problems confronting you
on the home front will disappear. An outing will
be a welcome break from your hectic routine.
LIBRA: A good professional opportunity
threatens to slip out of your hands if
you are not quick enough. Non‑pay‑
ment of a previous amount is likely to worry
you. For those married, a pleasant surprise
awaits some on the domestic front. But those
single, a current situation can force you to keep
romance on the backburner.
Advice of spouse is likely to benefit you to deal
with changing equations on the professional
front. Be cautious while driving on road this
weekend.
SCORPIO: Donʼt get involved in any
property deal this week. Those needing
help can rest easy.A situation developing
at work needs to be tackled urgently. You are
likely to score on the academic front with your
innovative ideas. Becoming the favorite of sen‑
ior is likely to give some a new high. Timely
support and guidance will help you sail through
the tough situations on the academic front.
Donʼt be too positive of lover doing your bid‑
ding; things may not shape up the way you
expect them to.
SAGITTARIUS: Work on a new sales
strategy to keep the cash register ring‑
ing. Good savings will allow you to
invest in a bigger property. Romance blossoms
as you manage to catch the eye of the one you
like. You may be included in an ongoing project
at work. Forcing someone to do your bidding
will only frustrate you. You may fail in defusing
an explosive situation at work. Differences on
the marital front threaten to lead some towards
separation. Health needs care.
CAPRICORN: A good break on the job
front is expected. You feel young and
energetic this week. Your efficiency at
work will be appreciated by all. Not succumbing
to impulse buying will save you a lot. An added
source of income is likely to appear on the hori‑
zon. Walk an extra mile to maintain your pace
on the health front to come back in shape. Your
love life promises to be immensely satisfying.
Urge to travel can get the better of you, so plan
out a vacation.
AQUARIUS: Good planning will make
things go smoothly at work. Too much
information on investment may it diffi‑
cult for you to choose the right deal on the
financial front. A fresher in the office can help
you brush up the last stage project with a cre‑
ative outlook. You will be able to benefit some
family youngster by your experience and con‑
tacts. Sharing and caring will make the romantic
front most fulfilling. Possibility of travelling to a
distant place looks real. Someone may recom‑
mend your name for an event or competition.
PISCES: Your love for food may make
you sample some new eating joints.
Those feeling under the weather will
succeed in restoring their health. A senior may
praise you for your efforts in the current proj‑
ect. Avoid every bit of anxiety or nervousness as
it can affect your mind and body. Involve your‑
self in activities related to children in order to
relax and rejuvenate yourself. Consult a profes‑
sional health trainer to find a fitness regime
that suits your lifestyle. Residential moves
should be considered carefully.

7th July, 2018
Traits in you: Being under the
influence of Neptune, you are born
to be responsible, affectionate, cre‑
ative, reliable and highly emotional.
You possess the quality and
courage to brave any unfavorable
condition to adapt with it or win
over it. You need to work on your
stubbornness to enhance the charm
in your personality.
Health this year: You may under‑
go various health related issues.
You have to take enough stress
regarding you law matters as they
will not be solved easily. However,
you will find peace and happiness
because of financial improvements,
improvement in life style, and spiri‑
tual beliefs.
Finance this year: You
may receive cash as gifts this year
from your guests and relatives.
Your financial condition would be
mediocre with not much loss.
Career this year: You need to lis‑
ten to otherʼs opinions to get bene‑
fited professionally. You will find
new and exciting job offers, which
will prove instrumental in improv‑
ing your financial position this
year. You will be able to fulfill your
long cherished dreams. You may
find your subordinates difficult to
handle.
Romance this year: You will find
your life romantic enough and it
would add some extra spice to your
life style.
8th July, 2018
Traits in you: As Saturn guides
you, you have all the characteristics
to be a lively, reliable, efficient, and
temperate person. You are the
owner of an attractive and charis‑
matic personality.
Health this year: you may under‑
go few minor health issues.
However, your overall health
should remain fine.
ANNUAL PREDICTIONS: FOR THOSE BORN IN THIS WEEK
Finance this year: You and appreciation for your efficien‑
will be able to accumulate enough cy in your professional fie ld.
money this year as you will be mov‑ However, you should control your
ing towards a successful future. You jealousy to improve your personali‑
will be benefitted from any new ty. You should not try to do things
venture or association. beyond your capabilities. It may
Career this year: You are appreci‑ land you in difficulties.
ated by your colleagues and ordi‑ Romance this year: Your romantic
nates for your hard work and effi‑ life would be an excellent one this
ciency. You will prove to be an year as you will be able to clarify
excellent resource in your profes‑ past misunderstanding with your
sional life as you are productive. partner.
However, you need to work on your
nervousness and laziness at times. 10th July, 2018
You may require a technology up‑ Traits in you: Being under the
gradation or renovation to improve guidance of Sun, you are active,
your efficiency at work in the mid‑ dynamic, authoritative, brilliant and
dle months of the year. talented. You have the ability to ini‑
Romance this year: You will gain tiate new ideas and work on them.
lots of love and care from your However, you need to work on your
spouse or partner. Some of you stubbornness to become a better
may find this year romantic enough individual.
to be in a good spirit. Some may tie Health this year: You may suffer
their knots. from joint pain or high blood pres‑
sure this year. Gowever, proper
9th July, 2018 medication would help you main‑
Traits in you: Being ruled by tain a good health.
Mars, you are endowed with ener‑ Finance this year: You
gy. You are energetic, dependable, will find new ways to enhance your
and organized. confidence to earn and improve
Health this year: This year you your financial condition. Your pro‑
will remain healthy. You may lose fessional journeys will pay off and
things both personally and person‑ you will be successful in your deals
ally being emotional. You may visit this year. You should invest in a
a distant pilgrimage to attend an house or selected socks to get bet‑
auspicious occasion towards the ter benefits. If you schedule busi‑
end of the year to attain mental ness trips abroad, you may find a
health which is contaminated due chance to meet old friends and get
to pressure and overload of work. new opportunities to improve your
Finance this year: Your business. You may end up spending
financial condition may improve a lot of money in your legal issues
this year thanks to your previous as they will be stretched more than
investments. You need to invest expected.
your life time investment intelli‑ Career this year: The following
gently so that you need not repent year will bring you lot of promises
later. and surprises to cherish in your
Career this year: You have the career. You may get rewards for
ability to make quick decisions. You your work. Your long cherished
are capable enough to get rewards dreams may get fulfilled this year.
Romance this year: You will find
your spouse or partner supportive
and understanding enough to help
you in critical situations this year.
11th July, 2018
Traits in you: As you are ruled by
Moon, you are simple, honest, and
cooperative. You are fond of peace
and harmony.
Health this year: You may get
worried for your parentʼs health
and increasing household expendi‑
ture.
Finance this year: You
may establish new contacts and
partnerships this year. You will get
benefitted from your previous
investments. You may gain unex‑
pectedly, which will improve your
financial position much better than
expected.
Career this year: You have ample
new and innovative ideas. You are a
perfectionist in whatever you do.
However, you have to control your
whim and jealousy to succeed in
your life.
This year will fulfill all of your
dreams by providing you with lot of
opportunities.
Romance this year: You will find
your spouse supportive enough to
your concerns and provide you
with love and affection.
12th July, 2018
Traits in you: Jupiter signifies
ambition, dignity, and independ‑
ence. You are blessed with all these
characteristics and you are kind
hearted as well.
Health this year: You may plan
for a pilgrimage or a distant jour‑
ney to find mental peace and take
rest from your busy schedule,
which makes you weak physically.
Finance this year: T his
year will be very fruitful for you in
terms of investments. If you want to
invest in the stock market, you will
be benefited hugely. This year is
the best time to go for property.
Career this year: You will be
enjoy ing a goo d posit ion and
respect in your professional life.
However, you should not behave
dominant this year. It may af fect
your life negatively. If you are in
creativity field, you may gain lot of
recognition and of course money
will follow. You will find help from
your near ones when required. This
will be a major boost to your pro‑
fessional life.
Romance this year: You may plan
for a romantic trip with your part‑
ner to a distant place.
13th July, 2018
Traits in you: Being an active, sen‑
sible, enthusiastic, authoritative,
and energetic person, you have
enough capability to perform very
well in your professional career.
Health this year: You will find
improvements in your health
though working long at office.
Finance this year: Some
of you may visit abroad for busi‑
ness trips as you areplanning to
enhance your business territory.
You will get success in you new
ventures and this will make you
financially stable.
Career this year: Your intelligence
will enable you create wonders in
your profession. However, you
should work on your impatience,
whim and stubbornness. You
should plan something to execute
your plans in this year. You will
find luck and success easily this
year if you grab the opportunities
at right times. You will find good
opportunities by developing new
relationships and attachments.
Romance this year: Some of you
may get married to your desired
partners this year.
30 July 7-13, 2018
By Sant Rajinder Singh
Ji Maharaj
L
ife is challenging. Every day
people face situations that
can make one feel stress
and anger. Modern science has
proven the af fects stress and
anger have on the health and
wellness of our body and mind. Is
there any way that we can deal
with stress and anger so that it
does not create stress‑related ill‑
ness of our body and mind? Is
there a way that we can face the
tension of life in a way that we
maintain calm and equanimity
physically, mentally, emotionally,
and spiritually?
The combined wisdom of the
saints and mystics from ancient
India and the current research by
scientists, medical doctors, and
researchers point to the same
answer: we can reduce stress and
anger and maintain optimum
health and wellness through the
practice of meditation.
As life has become more com‑
plex, we interact with many peo‑
ple in the course of the day. Any
one of these can result in stress.
Whenever there are disagree‑
ments between two or more peo‑
ple, or things do not go the way
we expect, this can lead to anger.
In the past, when people lived and
worked on a farm or from their
homes, there were fewer interac‑
tions with others. However, today,
we have many opportunit ies
throughout the day in which we
meet and interact with others.
People have stress on the job.
SECRET TO ENLIGHTENED LIVING
By Sant Rajinder
Singh Ji Maharaj
T
here is a quotation by
the great Greek philoso‑
pher, Socrates. Once he
said, “Our prayers should be for
blessings in general, for God
knows best what is good for
us.” This quote coincides with
the prayer to God to give us
whatever is good for us.
Time and again, whenever we
demand something from God
SPIRITUAL AWARENESS
Dealing with stress & anger
When we are raising a family,
there is stress over the health of
ourselves or our loved ones, their
schooling, their financial difficul‑
ties, or living in a household with
multiple people. With the eco‑
nomic difficulties of mod‑
ern life, we have finan‑
cial stress. As stu‑
dents, either in a
school or college, or
in training for our
career, we have to
worry about our grades in school
and our test scores. We worry
about whether we will be accept‑
ed into a school or training facili‑
ty, and once there, whether we
will pass so we can get a job in
our chosen career. Once we have
a job, there is stress about keep‑
ing it with the stif f competition
workers face, or we worry what
will happen if we lose the job?
The terminal illness or death of a
family member or loved one cre‑
ates tremendous pain and stress
in our lives. There is also stress
caused by interpersonal relation‑
ship problems. From morning
until night, we face one or more
of these situations that cause
stress or which makes us feel
angry.
The good news is that there is a
solution to dealing with stress and
anger. From ancient times, saints
and mystics have taught medita‑
tion as a way to remain calm and
peaceful. In the past few decades,
the practice of meditation has
gained popularity in countries all
over the world. While people have
been pract icing meditat ion
because they recognize how good
it makes them feel, there is the
added bonus contributed by med‑
ical researchers and doctors that
prove why we feel so good when
we meditate. These medical stud‑
ies bear out the positive ef fect
meditation has on the health and
wellness of our body and mind.
The most beneficial gains from
meditation are that it reduces
that is continually denied to us,
it is usually because we are ask‑
ing for something that is not
good for us ultimately.
There have been many
instances in which people
prayed to God for something,
and God did not grant their
wish. Later they came to learn
that receiving the wish would
not have been a good thing
after all. Will a mother allow
the child to have poison? The
child may cry for it and throw a
stress and anger, which in turn
reduce our risk for stress related
illness. Numerous diseases have
been linked to stress, such as can‑
cer, stroke, heart problems, diges‑
tive problems, circulation prob‑
lems, migraine headaches, skin
problems, and others. By reducing
stress, we can minimize our risk
for these problems, prevent them,
and mitigate them if we already
have them. Spending daily time in
meditation contributes to our
health and wellness.
Two meditation techniques we
use in Science of Spirituality̶
Sawan Kirpal Ruhani Mission are
simple to do and can be practiced
by anyone of any age in their
homes or wherever they like. It
does not require difficult postures
or asanas, and can be performed
anywhere at any time. One is the
Shabd Meditation, or Meditation
on the Light and Sound. This pro‑
vides us an inner connection to a
source of happiness, peace, and
bliss within us. It is like having an
internal retreat that we can visit
anytime we want to recharge and
refresh. The second is an intro‑
ductory technique called Jyoti
Meditation, which involves sitting
quietly, focusing our attention
w ithin, and experiencing the
peace and calm within us. For
more instruct ions, many
resources related to meditation
can be found at www.sos.org
A few other factors can help us
reduce our stress and anger. New
research is showing the value of a
vegetarian diet. By eating plant‑
tantrum, but if it is poison, the
mother will not grant it. Instead
the mother will give the child
what is best for him or her. The
child may not realize it at the
time, but as the child grows and
learns, the child is grateful for
all the things the mother denied
him or her that were ultimately
not good.
Many people are anxious
about making choices. The way
to be sure we make the right
choices about what to pray for
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
based foods, we also can reduce
our risk of many diseases. Illness
produces its own stress not on
only our body, our families, our
work, but also on our
finances. If we can remain
healthy throug h
healthy eat ing
such as a vege‑
tarian diet, we
can also reduce
stress.
Selfless service
to others also reduces stress.
When we are a contributing mem‑
ber of a community, we are
calmer and happier. This reduces
tension and stress. By being of
service to others, we create a joy‑
ful life for ourselves and make life
better for others. When we think
of others first, it helps take our
attention away from our own
problems. As a byproduct of medi‑
tation, we realize the same light
within us is in all others. We real‑
ize that at the level of soul or spir‑
it, all humanity is one. We begin
to develop love for all and treat
others kindly as members of one
family. As we become more loving
and calm, we eliminate much of
our stress and anger. We replace
stress and anger with love and tol‑
erance for all, making our own
lives and that of others more
peaceful. Here are some easy tips
to help us when we feel anger
arise in our daily lives:
Tip 1: We can remove ourselves
from the situation and go some‑
where to quietly meditate. This
gives us a break from the situa‑
tion so we can calm down, slow
down our heart rate and brain
waves to a calmer state, and then
return with the equipoise to deal
more peacefully with the situa‑
tion.
Tip 2: When we return to the
stressful situation after meditat‑
ing, try to talk things over. Listen
calmly to what the other person
has to say and see if there is any
truth to it. If so, we can apologize
is to pray that God gives us
what is best for us. God makes
no mistake. Rather than pray
for something that may or may
not be the best for us, let us
pray for Godʼs will for us.
What are the spiritual pearls
to enlightened living?
If we relax and rest in Godʼs
will, we will find that every‑
thing works out for the best in
the long run. Meditation is a
process of relaxing in Godʼs
will. Meditation provides a time
if we have done or said something
to hurt them, and resolve to
refrain from repeating that action
or those words. After the other
person has felt heard and that we
truly listened, they may be more
open to hear things from our
point of view. We can then share
our side of the incident, so they
can understand us as we have
tried to understand them. We can
then discuss a way to have a win‑
win solution or compromise. In
this way, we can use conflict reso‑
lution to work out a problem
without resorting to anger and
violence.
Tip 3: We can look at the source
of our anger, which is often ego.
We get angry when things are not
going our way. It could be that we
want to control others, have
power over others, or make oth‑
ers do what we want. If we can
step back and find ways to make
things work out in a way that is
mutually beneficial for all parties,
we are happy, others are happy,
and we have made the environ‑
ment peaceful.
Through daily meditation, lead‑
ing a calm, peaceful life becomes
a habit. Over time, a habit turns
into our nature. Day by day, we
transform ourselves into peaceful,
nonviolent, and calm people and
radiate that to others. The ripple
e f fect of our calmness and
equipoise spreads and it will not
be long before we have a peaceful
family, community, and world.
Peace begins with each of us.
Sant Rajinder Singh Ji
Maharaj is an internationally
recognized spiritual leader
and Master of Jyoti
Meditation who affirms the
transcendent oneness at the
heart of all religions and
mystic traditions, emphasizing
ethical living and meditation
as building blocks for
achieving inner and outer
peace. www.sos.org.
when we can let go of all clutch‑
ing and praying for this thing
and that. It is a time in which
we sit in a state of stillness and
surrender to Godʼs will. It is a
chance to let go of all our wants
and desires.
We merely sit in a receptive
mood and ask God to grant
what is best for us. We will find
that God will give us much
more than we had expected.
That is the secret to enlight‑
ened living.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info July 7-13, 2018
TheSouthAsianTimes.info July 7-13, 2018