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Rupee dives to 56.1, touches new low Business, Page 23
Washington, DC: Uncertainty over the fate of the euro currency is already dampening U.S. economic growth and any significant worsening of the crisis would deal a blow to a recovery that is gradually gathering steam. Economists estimate that volatile markets and business uncertainty over the fate of Greece and the policy course in Europe is already shaving anywhere from one tenth to one half a percentage point from U.S. 2012 gross domestic product growth. In a Reuters poll last week, U.S. GDP was forecast on average at 2.3 percent for 2012 and 2.4 percent for 2013. The direct hit to growth comes through trade. U.S. exports to the European Union account for 19 percent of total exports, and those to the euro zone represent 13 percent of the total. But when calculated in terms of GDP, the share is tiny - only 1.3 percent of total output. The indirect effects are another matter. Europe in 2010 accounted for 25 percent of world trade, according to Deutsche Bank. Europe also is the biggest trading partner for China and the United States. Loss of this market would ripple worldwide and slow global growth.
BJP's star chief minister Narendra Modi arrives at the BJP National Executive Meet in Mumbai on May 24 over a tussle with a state party leader, was Continued on page 4
Dr.Shakeel Afridi helped CIA in collecting DNA samples to verify Bin Ladens existence in Abbottabad
Patrick Fitzgerald and the citizens of Illinois with the utmost integrity and a steadfast commitment to the cause of justice." "Over the years he has gained the
New York: New York Citys Taxi and Limousine Commission agreed on Monday to formally consider a proposal from the yellow cab industry that would raise taxi fares by as much as 20 percent, a significant increase to a pricing structure that has been virtually unchanged since 2006, according to a New York Times report. While the precise details of how
Dhoonya Dance instructors led an outdoor Bollywood dance flash mob on the hit song Chammak Challo at the Fiesta Asia Street Fair, Saturday, in Washington, DC. For the seventh consecutive year, this festival was held to celebrate the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month that is chock-a-block with events recognizing the tremendous achievements of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. Organizers estimated that some 20,000 people attended the all-day event on Saturday, set against the awe-inspiring backdrop of the US Capitol building.
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Rahul Nagvekar (right) beat another Indian American student Vansh Jain to win the $25000 college scholarship and trip to Galapagos Islands..
a legislative seat of the Holy Roman Empire from 1663 to 1806. "It was a guess, a 50-50 chance," Nagvekar said after the competition. "It just happened to be a good guess." Jain, the runner-up, was making his third trip to the national geography bee and will take home a $15,000 scholarship. The third-place winner, 13-year-old Varun Mahadevan of Fremont, Calif., another Indian American student, wins a $10,000 scholarship.
BJP pitches story Continued from page 1 also present. Missing however was former Karnataka chief minister, B. S. Yeddyurappa, who has been at loggerhead with his handpicked successor Sadananda Gowda. Meanwhile, BJP sought to present itself as the "solution" to the "problems" created by Congress, and passed two resolutions slamming the United Progressive Alliance government on its agriculture and economic policies. History was also created when BJP amended its constitution to enable an extension of three years for Gadkari, making him in all likeliness the first one to get six years as BJP president. At the last minute, a resolution against the report of Kashmir interlocutors, calling it against integration of Kashmir with India, was also accommodated. In his inaugural speech, Gadkari accused the Congress-led central government of gross misgovernance. "We need to tell the nation,
Congress has created problems, we will offer the solution". He warned the Congress led government that its days were "numbered" and people can no more afford its "misrule". Gadkari said that the party will focus on expanding base among minorities, Dalits and poor for increasing its vote bank by 10 percent. He also appeared confident that despite Uttar Pradesh defeat, the party has a "very large base" which will reflect in Lok Sabha polls and specifically hailed the "good governance of Gujarat". However, even as the BJP talked about expanding base among minorities, party spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said that the Ram temple continued to be on the party's agenda. "We have an eternal faith in the construction of Ram temple (in Ayodhya)...if it is constructed with religious harmony, it will be
even better," Prasad said. He, however, added that six years of BJP rule at the centre between 1998 and 2004, and its various state governments have proved that the party has not discriminated on the basis of religion. The resolution on economic situation of the country slammed the government on plethora of issues including the petrol price hike, falling rupee and drop in foreign direct investment. "Why the value of dollar against rupee is increasing while the dollar is falling all over the world," senior party leader Murli Manohar Joshi said. The party's resolution on agriculture demanded banning of genetically modified seeds, and a special policy to deal with problem of drought and loan burdens on farmers. "We need farm related insurance to safeguard the farmer's income," former president Rajnath Singh said. Consultant - Media Alliances Bhrigu Pankaj Prashar C: 516.303.4002 Bhrigu@TheSouthAsianTimes.info
US senate cuts pak aid story Continued from page 1 NATO forces in Afghanistan. Pakistan closed those routes after a US attack killed 24 Pakistani soldiers in November. Meanwhile, the White House and both Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Defence Secretary Leon Panetta spoke out against Dr Afridi's sentence. "The United States does not believe there is any basis for holding Dr (Shakil) Afridi. We regret the fact that he was convicted and the severity of his sentence," Clinton told reporters Thursday. At the White House, press secretary Jay Carney taking note of Panetta and Clinton's comments said: "We continue to see no basis for Dr. Afridi to be held." The US, he said, had "raised the issue with the Pakistani government. We'll continue to have conversations with them about it." Photographs: Gunjesh Desai/ masalajunction.com. Xitij Joshi/xitijphoto.com Photo Journalist: Parveen/Bhanu Seth Chief Cartoonist: Mahendra P. Shah Art and Design: Vladimir Tomovski Bhagwati Multimedia, Rahul Sahota Web Editor: B.B.Chopra News Service: HT Media Ltd. IANS Newswire Services Printing: Five Star Printing, NY Richner Publications Contacts Editor@TheSouthAsianTimes.info Subscribe@TheSouthAsianTimes.info Advertisements Advertise@TheSouthAsianTimes.info P : 516.390.7847 F : 516.465.1343
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present instigated the criminal attack. The alleged assailant was a New York State-licensed pharmacist, Suman Saha, who Nayak said physically assaulted him, while other temple members, including Dr. Mandal, Milan Awon, registered pharmacist Buddhadeb Majumder, registered pharmacist Dhrubo Dutta, registered pharma-
cist Dilip Chakroborty, and Sankar Bhaumik were verbally abusive while instigating Saha in the criminal attack. It has been surmised the assault was orchestrated by Dr. Mandal to attempt to cover up his inappropriate financial dealings and misuse of funds from the temple, which Nayak had discovered. I have spent the early part of
Washington, DC: A former executive at Yahoo! and a former IndianAmerican mutual fund manager have pleaded guilty to fraud and insider trading charges relating to deals between Yahoo and Microsoft and a couple of other companies. In a civil action Monday, the Securities and Exchange Commission alleged that Robert W. Kwok, who was Yahoo's senior director of business management, informed Ameriprise Financial's Reema D. Shah in July 2009 of a pending deal between Yahoo and Microsoft. Shah had made inquiries to Kwok when there were rumors about a partnership between the two companies, the SEC alleged. Kwok confirmed the reports and told Shah the information was confidential, the SEC said. Shah bought more than 700,000 shares of Yahoo stock that were later sold for profits of approximately $389,000. The SEC further alleged that a
Indian American manager New York polytechnic honors Sam Pitroda York: Polytechnic Institute of I see technology as the key driver. To pleads guilty to insider trading New York University, America's secNew me, technology is a great social levelyear earlier, the roles were reversed. Shah told Kwok about non-public information regarding an impending acquisition announcement between two other companies, Kwok made a profit of $4,754 as a result of that information, it is alleged. Kwok and Shah have agreed to settle the SEC's charges. Financial penalties will be determined later. Shah will be permanently barred from the securities industry and Kwok will be permanently barred from serving as an officer or director of a public company. The two also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit securities fraud in a criminal case also announced Monday. Both will be sentenced by the US District Court for the Southern District of New York."Kwok and Shah played a game of you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours," said Scott W. Friestad, Associate Director in the SEC's Division of Enforcement.
ond-oldest private engineering school, has conferred an honorary degree of Doctor of Engineering on Sam Pitroda, adviser to Indian Prime Minster Manmohan Singh. Delivering the keynote address at the school's 157th Commencement here Friday, Pitroda urged the class of 2012 to recognize technology as the key to social change and inclusive growth, not only economic prosperity. "How do we use connectivity to address the challenges of the 21st century?" he asked and himself answered: "India has been growing at a rate of 8-9 percent and everywhere, er." "Technology is the key in the 21st century. The challenge of today is inclusive growth, access and equity," said Pitroda, who grew up in the small village of Titlagarh in the Indian state of Orissa without electricity, running water or access to education and went on to earn two masters degrees and revolutionize India's telecommunications infrastructure in the 1980s. "We need affordable, scalable, and sustainable solutions," he said. "My advice to you is that hard work and discipline is the key to your success. There is no shortcut."
Indian American Community of North America celebrated Gujarat day with Chief Minister of Gujarat Narendra Modis live address via satellite on Saturday May 19,2012 at Shree Swami Narayan Temple Secaucus,NJ. The auditorium was full to its capacity accommodating more than 700 people. Community leader Jagdish Sewhani welcomed all to this program which was held throughout U.S.A. simultaneously in 12 cities. Other community leaders such as Suresh Jani, Dr.Sudhir Parekh, Dr Navin Mehta, Dr.Vithal Dhaduk, Sunil Naik, Piyush Patel and Pravin Khatiwala also spoke at the event. The vote of thanks was given by Mrs. Shobhna Patel.
IN BRIEF
minent Jurist of India and a legal luminary Ram Jethmalani will address the members and guests of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, on non violence on June 7 at 7 PM. Jethmalani has served in various posts such as Union Law Minister and Chairman of Bar Associations. He is considered a maverick and has many distinctions to his credit. The meeting will be held at Romanti Auditorium,Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, 305, 7th
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Legal luminary Ram Jethmalani Avenue, 17th Floor, New York and is open to public.
Chews Elementary against several fellow conSchool student has testants. However, her deterbeen selected the winmination to win did not falter. She worked diligently on the ner of PBS 39-WLVT's " PBS 3-D effects for her story. Kids Go! Writers Contest" in the third-grade division. Ravals parents, Sapana and Eight-year old Ria Raval and Saumil, and her family are her family were recently notivery proud of their little daughter. In her spare time, fied of the award. She is the Raval loves to write stories lone winner from the South Jersey area in the 2012 conand poems and also loves to test. play basketball. Raval's "Just a Dream" is a She is the younger sister of six-page, illustrated story Preet Raval, who, as an PBS contest winner about a boy named Jake who eighth-grade student at Glen Ria Raval loves and has a dream about Landing Middle School who represented Camden County in the 2011 animals. In this competition, Raval had to compete Scripps National Spelling Bee.
n May 19, the Hyderabadi Cultural Association of Greater New York (HCA) held its first annual gala dinner at Akbar Restaurant in New York. The HCA had been formally inaugurated in January 2012, with the objective of the promotion of the arts, culture and traditions of Hyderabad. It is the first formal association of Hyderabadis in the New York area. The program was attended by over 350 attendees, mostly from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut but also from other adjoining states. Charter President Quddus Mohammed stressed the need to preserve Hyderabadi culture and imbue it with the ethos of globalization. He also used the occasion to announce important initiatives that HCA would spearhead in the area of education, which will be called the "Gift of Education & Gift of Hope" programs. The association received a citation from County Executive Ed Mangano of Nassau County, NewYork. The keynote speech for the event was delivered by Janab Zahid Ali Khan, the editor of Siasat Daily. Zahid sahib stressed the need for public service by the successful Hyderabadis in the region, especially in the service of the underprivileged. He presented the HCA officials with an account of the impressive ef-
Several Hyderabadi professionals were honored forts made by the Siasat group in the aid of struggling Hyderabadis. The HCA honored Janaab Zahid Ali Khan with its inaugural "Shared Vision Award". The guest speaker for the event was Mohammed Hameeduddin, who is the mayor of Teaneck, NJ, and the first among the Hyderabadi Diaspora to be elected mayor in a US town. Mr. Hameeduddin spoke to the need for younger diaspora Hyderabadis to set their sights higher and believe in their dreams. Hussain Baqueri, the Charter Executive Vice President of the HCA, honored prominent Hyderabadi professionals in the New York area. The evening concluded with a delicious Hyderabadi dinner, and a cultural program that included mazahiya shayari and a musical program.
Panelists speak at CRYs 10th anniversary Gosh is currently working on a publicize is that a very large prospecial report on Indias education portion of that 95% will drop out system. It is disappointing to see after four years of school, said that the government has the ten- Gosh adding In the course of my dency to fudge the figures by reporting I came across some stagincreasing the number of children gering figures- 17300 habitations admitted. The gross enrollment do not have a primary schools. ratio for children enrolled in About 1,50,000 do not have schools between class one and schools; it is there on paper, the eight is 95% that sounds wonderful school is receiving funds, teachers but what government tends to not salaries are paid.
Rajwant Singh consensus on the next phase of the process, he said. New York based eminent attorney Ravi Batra says, "For all who remember the teachings, love and sacrifices of the Gurus, including, my favorite, Guru Gobind Singh, it is high time for this identityhonor to be bestowed as a matter of law. That this multi-decades effort is realized during PM Manmohan Singh's tenure adds a durable applause in history and ennobles all of India and integrity-lovers everywhere."
Kuldeep Ral a.k.a Kulys untimely death is major loss to Bhangra music industry
Himesh Gandhi on the council. Abraham has to leave office due to term limits. Gandhi is a 20-year resident of Sugar Land who graduated from
Noted photographer, filmmaker and art historian Benoy Behl speaking at his photo exhibition The Greatest Journey of Ideas: The Spread of Buddhism inaugurated on May 19, 2012 at the Gandhi Memorial Center in Washington, DC. The Center is hosting the exhibition in collaboration with the Indian Embassy and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations. The exhibition consists of 100 photographs of Buddhist heritage in India, Sri Lanka, China, Japan, Mongolia, Siberia, Uzbekistan, Russia, Afghanistan, Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, Lao PDR, Indonesia, Cambodia and Vietnam. It shows the birth and development of different schools of Buddhism in India and their spread to the many countries of Asia. [Photo courtesy: Ashley Law]
IN BRIEF
their stalls during the convention in the center's huge exhibition hall. The scrumptious Telugu food will be cooked on site in the state of the art kitchen and served fresh in two huge dining rooms for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Two cultural stages will showcase talent from India and the US with well over 100 cultural items, literary events and a grand concert by three music directors. With 100 meeting rooms under the roof, there will be something going on to meet every attendee's taste, may that be business, women's interests, medical, youth, spiritual, sports, literary or any other events related to Telugu.
ONY Entertainment Networks (SEN) is launching a new entertainment show, SNAPSHOT on SET ASIA. Conceptually, SNAPSHOT will bring the latest in fashion, music, television, celebrity interviews and much more. SNAPSHOT brings together three dazzling and talented presenters whose versatile personalities will complement each other to form a dynamic team. Bobby, Alka and Yuvna will be the new faces of the show. It will be aired every Friday at 7:00pm, only on SET Asia. Bursting with freshness, SNAPSHOT will consist of six in-
dividual and electrifying segments. A unique feature which will be included is Your Call. It will feature the presenter personally calling select SONY TV Asia viewers and providing a closer link between the viewers and shows.
documentary on the life of Benazir Bhutto has received a prestigious electronic media award in the US -- the George Foster Peabody Award. "Bhutto" is a 111-minute documentary about the two-time Pakistani prime minister who was assassinated in Rawalpindi while campaigning in 2007, the Associated Press of Pakistan reported. The documentary received the award at a glittering ceremony held in New York. Bhutto's son Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, who is the chairman of the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party, attended the award ceremony with his aunt Sanam Bhutto. Hollywood actor Patrick Stewart of "XMen" fame presented the awards. Among prizes for electronic media radio, television, interactive and new media - the George Foster Peabody Awards are considered the most prestigious. Founded in 1940, the Peabody is the also the oldest electronic media award in
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Film poster of Bhutto the world, recognizing excellence, distinguished achievement, and meritorious public service.
number composed by 'Dilwaale Dulhania Le Jaayenge' fame Music Director Jatin Pandit.
Law TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Dharun Ravi in tears after his sentencing County Judge Glenn Berman said he will recommend that Ravi not be deported. "Down the road you can expunge this judgment," he said. "You cannot expunge the conduct or the pain you
Rajat Gupta with his lawyer Gary Naftalis (right) cent of the allegations," that the prosecution's claims "defy common sense" and that "no crimes" were committed. Even if there is evidence of leaks from Goldman Sachs, the tips didn't come from Gupta, he said. "Rajaratnam had sources all over town," Naftalis said. Naftalis said Gupta, orphaned as a teenager in India, rose to become "one of America's most respected business leaders." "It defies common sense that in the twilight of an illustrious life, he'd decide to knowingly, willfully and deliberately to suddenly decide to become a criminal and do it for no benefit" Naftalis said. "He didn't turn into a criminal in the seventh decade of his life." Naftalis said Galleon frequently traded in Goldman Sachs stock and that what the prosecutors have done in this case was "cherry-pick" trades supporting their theory. Gupta had "perfectly legitimate" reasons to speak to Rajaratnam, he said.
Dharun Ravi's mother Sabitha Ravi breaks down after making an emotional plea Ashok Ojha/SATimes Edison, NJ: As the defense and prosecution prepared for appeal in Dharun Ravi case, New Jersey based Indian American community leaders took a cautious approach while reacting to the sentencing. A range of community folks, who observed the development in the case, felt that the 30 days jail term for Ravi was much better than a ten years jail term which was feared after the jury convicted him on fifteen counts. At the same time there were others who said Ravi should have been spared of a jail term. Community activist Peter Kothari, who played a leading role in organizing public events in support of Dharun Ravi seemed satisfied with the sentencing. He said that our faith in justice system has been restored. Two weeks ago Kothari helped mobilize community to gather at a meeting where demands were made for leniency from the justice. Supporters and sympathizers of Ravi demanded in one voice to spare Ravi from jail term arguing that he was undeservedly made a scapegoat in the bias crime that never happened. The protestors' contention was vindicated when the judge commented during sentencing that he didnt believe Ravi hated Tyler Clementi. Kothari commented that the communitys united voice did make a difference resulting into a lighter sentencing. The message for the community is that we should continue to speak with strong and united voice on matters concerning all of us, he said. According to Kothari there were cases in which people were victims of harsh punishment but our community failed to take any action. Edison Councilman Dr. Sudhanshu Prasad considers Dharun Ravis sentencing for 30 days jail time as fair and balanced. He said that the robust legal system duly considers all aspects before a conclusion is made. He however cautioned that Ravis sentencing shouldnt be seen as a final word as both sides were going to appeal for overturning Judge Bermans decision. Philanthropist, medical practitioner and media entrepreneur Dr. Sudhir Parikh, opined that Ravi shouldnt have been sentenced a jail term at all. He could have sentenced for a longer period of community service to showcase as an example for other youngsters but definitely didnt deserve a jail term. He added that the Indian communitys united voice was one positive thing that took place during this case.
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US Affairs TheSouthAsianTimes.info
o President Obama, the one percent of the wealth producers in America are a greedy lot born with a silver spoon. Borrowing the words from a sermon of his former long time minister, the Reverend Jeremiah Wright, Obama, in his tome Dreams of My Father, describes the purported hardships the rich impose upon mankind as The white folks greed that runs a world in need. For Republican Congressman Allen West, who when elected in November 2010 as the representative for Floridas 22nd congressional district became the first black man elected there since 1986, the meaning of the words born with a silver spoon contrasts starkly with that of the president. Speaking at a recent Republican fundraiser that I covered Allen began by stating that, Every person in America has been born with a silver spoon. After the applause that this comment generated from this by invitation only crowd of about fifty major Republican Party donors finally began to subside, West added, It is the silver spoon of opportunity and freedom for all Americans. West then began to specify how, he believed, President Obama has stifled that opportunity and eroded that freedom, The Obama Administration has added 71,000 new federal regulations and raised the corporate tax rate to 36%- higher than any other nation in the free worldadded 6 trillion dollars to
the national debt {bringing it} to an unsustainable 16 trillion dollars and initiated Obama Care{which} beyond threatening our fundamental religious liberties, will impose untold costs on businesses. This has scared away many entrepreneurs from starting new businesses or from expanding existing onesand driven many others to move their businesses to far more business friendly countries{resulting in} a real unemployment rate of 18%...an increase of 14 million people living under the poverty line and an increase of seven million Americans classified as living below the poverty line. For the mostly middle aged men and women who, for the opportunity to meet the congressman had come on this rainy Sunday afternoon to be served light refreshments and sit in the spacious sunroom of a sprawling water front mansion located in the historic West Long Island village of Roslyn Harbor, this was the red meat that they had
expected to be fed. And the red meat became thicker still when West -who served in the United States Army from 1983 to 2004 (including several tours of combat duty in the Iraq war) and retired from the military with the rank of lieutenant colonel- moved on to discuss the presidents foreign policy. West attacked the president for what he denounced as the apology tours that Obama has taken to appease Arab Muslim theocracies in the Middle East. Contending that the president does not understand why we are hated by these countries, West first rhetorically asked, Why do they hate us? And then, answering his own question to the wild cheers of the audience, stated, They hate us because we are the true beacon of freedom. To West these Arab nations hate Israel, Our only true friend and the only democracy in the region, for the same reason they hate America - a fact of the harsh reality of the middle east, West contended, which is not understood by the president who has not stood for Israel or the Jewish people and does not understand that the real obstacle to peace has been the Palestinian leadership, which has as its stated goal the destruction of Israeland the president does not seem to understand that those who want to destroy Israel also want to destroy America. It might be said that the question and answer session that ensued was anticlimactic. In his just completed presentation, West had already directly or indirectly addressed most
of the questions that the audience was to ask about the Obama Administration. And it seemed that every answer West now reiterated about how to solve the problems he and the audience concurred had been caused by the presidents policies was punctuated with the same 6 words- Elect a Republican president in 2012. But then came the real climatic moment of the afternoon when a heavy set guy sitting in the back of the room asked, Do you think that Romney {the presumptive Republican Party presidential nominee] will ask you to be on his ticket as the candidate for vice-president? Once again, every man and woman in audience stood and broke out in wild applause, which ceased only when West, with a slight smile on his face, responded that he felt honored by the question but the answer was a simple No. As a newly elected congressman, he explained, the Republican establishment, still views him as an outsider. And then, West added, many Republican Party insiders share the belief that he is too controversial to be considered to be placed on a national ticket. (West had given me the same answer to the same question when I briefly spoke with him shortly before most of the guests had arrived.) This was a point that even his supporters here could not dispute. In fact, as most of them probably knew, West had first became known to the American public as a result of a controversial action he had taken while serving as a lieutenant colonel in 2002 in Iraq.
Continued on page 11
US Affairs TheSouthAsianTimes.info
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Obama, Romney Public split on whether Romneys Bain tenure matters in 2012 tied in presidential race: Poll
Washington: Americans are split between President Barack Obama and his Republican challenger Mitt Romney less than six months before the presidential poll in November, according to two new polls. A Washington Post/ABC News survey released Tuesday showed the two candidates statistically tied with 49 percent of Americans backing Obama and 46 percent supporting Romney. When asked which contender would best handle the economy, Obama and Romney were tied at 47 percent. A NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll released also showed that voters are nearly evenly split between Obama (47 percent) and Romney (43 percent). Voters were inclined against Obama's handling of the economy 52 percent disapproved, while 43 percent approved. The numbers were nearly reversed for his handling of foreign policy. Polls have shown the economy as the issue of most concern to voters, The NBC News/Wall Street Journal survey shows nearly half of voters say they expect the economy to stay stagnant over the next year. Onethird expect it to improve, and 19 percent foresee the economy worsening. Washington: As Democrats intensify their attacks over Mitt Romney's tenure at Bain Capital, a new poll finds the public divided over whether his history as a venture capitalist hurts or helps the presumptive Republican nominee. A new survey released Tuesday found 54 percent of those surveyed say Romney'srole in buying and restructuring companies is "not a major factor" in their vote this year. Among those who do say it is a factor, voters are split: 21 percent say it is a "major reason to support" Romney, while 21 percent say it is a "major reason to oppose" him. On Monday, President Obama defended his campaign's focus on
Mitt Romney Romney's tenure at Bain, amid criticism from some of his own allies that he risks alienating Wall Street and members of the private equity industry. Romney's campaign moved to capitalize on Democratic criticism of Obama's tactics regarding Bain,releasing a video that featured Democrats, including Newark Mayor Cory Booker and former Rep. Harold Ford Jr., urging the Obama campaign to stop focusing so much on Bain and private equity firms.
SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch is the first by a private company private company has launched a spacecraft to the International Space Station that will attempt to dock there for the first time. "And while there is a lot of work ahead to successfully complete this mission, we are certainly off to good start." The Falcon rocket, topped by an unmanned Dragon freight capsule,
Continued from page 10 West had ordered his soldiers to detain Yahya Hamoodi, a civilian Iraqi police officer, who had been identified by American intelligence as possibly being involved in a would be a plot to ambush West and his men. To induce the recalcitrant Hamoodi to provide information about the impending attack, West fired his pistol near Hamoodis head; Hammodi then quickly provided the information that West had sought. The story (told here in a condensed version) could have ended there. It was highly unlikely that Wests superior officers would have ever known what West had done. But they found out - because West himself told them exactly what he had done which, he admitted of being well aware, constituted violating two serious articles of the
Uniform Code of Military Justice. By November of 2003, West had gone from proud officer to a defendant facing a court martial. However, when news of the prosecution leaked to the public, West discovered that he had a legion of vocal supporters throughout America. And so probably did the military: The court martial hearings were reduced to an Article 15 proceeding (held for minor infractions), at which West was fined five thousand dollars- a slap in the wrist compared to the jail time he would have faced if convicted of the original charges in a court martial. When asked during the proceeding if confronted again with a similar situation would he take similar action, West responded, If its about the lives of my soldiers at stake, Id go through hell with a gasoline tank. Folk heroes are born from such
words and deeds. And so are candidates for elected office. In 2008, four years after he retired from the military, Republican Party leaders approached West and asked him to run for congress in his home 22nd congressional district. West accepted the offer but lost to incumbent Congressman Ron Klein. West ran for the same seat again in 2010. This time he won. And the name Lieutenant Colonel Allen West became Congressman Allen West. But West became no less a stranger to controversy as a congressman than he had been as a soldier. Both his most ardent supporters and harshest critics agree that in his less than two years in the House West has been involved in more controversies than have the average congressmen in their entire political careers. There was, as one example, his fiery speech this past January at the
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India TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Manmohan Singh released the annual report of his United Progressive Alliance government in the presence of UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, party leaders and allies. "Legislation is before parliament to establish a Lokpal, ensure timebound delivery of goods and services and judicial accountability," he said. "We are trying to ensure exemplary punishment to the guilty while also ensuring that public servants feel secure in taking bona fide decisions that are in the national interest." Echoing Manmohan Singh, Gandhi stressed on the need for "transparent and accountable politics." With an eye on the 2014 elections, Gandhi said the government will have to pursue inclusive economic growth to ensure more spending on social welfare programmes and asked the UPA combine to shun smugness and despondency. Asking UPA colleagues to defeat negativity, the Congress chief asserted: "We will not let any body run down our achievements." Saying internal security was "by and large been satisfactory", Manmohan Singh said the "scourge of Naxalism (Maoism) however continues to be a major problem". But amid growing public wariness with soaring inflation and a host of problems, he showcased India's economic resilience and high growth rate as singular achievement of his government. "Despite an adverse international environment, the (Indian) econ-
Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav with son and UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav at the UPA anniversary dinner. practice, partners of the alliance share the table with the Prime Minister. There are three to four chairs for them in the PM's table." There was no threat to the UPA government and the Lok Sabha elections are still many months away, he pointed out. "The political permutations and combinations are still in the stage of formation." Though the presidential polls are due in July, Ahmed said this, too, would not pose any threat to the UPA government as Mamata had not given any hint so far that she would ditch Congress. "Didi has already announced that she will support the UPA candidate for the post of President. True, she has suggested two or three names, but she has not campaigned for any of them. Besides, all of them are close to Congress," Ahmed said.
I'll be very happy to see Meira Kumar or Gopal Gandhi or even A.P.J. Kalam, says West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banarjee. party choice." Though the Congress is yet to announce its preference for the top post, there is a section in the party that feels Mukherjee, widely seen as the chief troubleshooter of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA), would be better off serving the government. There is no consensus yet among key political parties on who should succeed Pratibha Patil as the next occupant of the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa and her Odisha counterpart Naveen Patnaik have backed Sangma's candidature. Sangma, who met Communist Party of India leader D. Raja to seek his support, said he may contest as an independent candidate if his party does not back him.
India TheSouthAsianTimes.info
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The indigenously-developed surface-to-air Akash missile. it and guides the missile towards it. The development of Akash missile took place during 1990s under the country?s Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP) and after many trials, it was inducted into the armed forces. An air-force version of the Akash missile has also been developed by the DRDO. Rajendra is a 'passive phased array radar'. It is a multifunction radar, capable of tracking as many as 64 targets and controlling up to 12 missiles simultaneously.
Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram to inaugurate the central office of the IVFRT facility at Delhi Information Technology Park. New Delhi: Tracking details of foreigners visiting India on valid travel documents, will become easier now with the government inaugurating the central processing office of the Immigration, Visa and Foreigners Registration & Tracking (IVFRT) system which has, so far, connected as many as 60 Indian Missions and many immigration offices. Besides helping foreigners in getting visa quickly and sharing information across the concerned Indian agencies about foreign travelers, the IVFRT will also help in "software aided passenger profiling for identifying risky travelers at Missions, Integrated Check Posts (ICPs) and FRROs, and generation of automated alerts about over-stay of foreigners beyond their Visa period". The system envisages facilitation services to the travelers including on-line application forms, 24X7 online channel, phone support for grievance redressal and e-mail/SMS support for dissemination of information, application status and feedback. Union home minister P Chidambaram will inaugurate the central office of the IVFRT here at Delhi Information Technology Park, Shashtri Park on May 24.
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India TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Andhra Pradesh Excise Minister Mopidevi Venkataramna The CBI last week arrested leading industrialist Nimmagadda Prasad and bureaucrat K.V. Brahmananda Reddy. Prasad, one of the two promoters of Vanpic, allegedly invested over Rs.800 crore in Jagan's companies in return for the land and other concessions he received under a quid pro quo arrangement. Venkataramna is likely to be dismissed from the cabinet as he reportedly refused to submit his resignation during his meetings with Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy Wednesday night and again Thursday morning. The CBI grilled the minister Wednesday. He was questioned along with Prasad and Brahmananda Reddy, then special secretary, infrastructure and investment.
Sanjay Joshi had offered to resign after Narendra Modi reportedly decided to keep off the meet due to Joshi's inclusion in the national executive. clip of him showing him in a compromising position with a woman was circulated. Gadkari later reinstated Joshi in the party, a move which caused a rift between the party president and Modi. The Gujarat chief minister had also kept away from the party's national executive meeting in Delhi. With Joshi's exit, expectations are that the equation between Modi and the party leadership will be smoother. The internal conflict in the party has become increasingly sharp with leaders in many of its stronghold states unhappy with the central leadership. In Karnataka, former chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa is at war with incumbent Sadanand Gowda, who was earlier his confidant. The two have now fallen apart. In Rajasthan, also a BJP stronghold, another former chief minister, Vasundhara Raje, is pitted against Gulabchand Kataria, a party leader. Modi chose to target the UPA government on hike in petrol prices, and did not talk about the conflicts. "The government which promised to give results in 100 days, hiked the petrol prices on the next day of completing its three years," Modi said in Udaipur.
The panel had been tasked with ascertaining the views of the people on resolving the Kashmir tangle. stitution of India extended to the state after signing of the 1952 agreement," the interlocutors said in their 180-page report that called for a "new compact" with the state's people. "It will bear in mind the dual character of Jammu and Kashmir, viz. that it is a constituent unit of the Indian Union and that it enjoys a special status in the said Union, enshrined in article 370 of the constitution; and the dual character of the people of the state, viz. that they are both state subjects and Indian citizens," it said. The 1952 agreement lays down the terms of engagement between the central government and the Kashmir government. The other members of the interlocutors panel were academicians M.M. Ansari and Radha Kumar. The panel wants the constitu-
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dozen film versions before this one in its time, the priciest movie in Indian history (at about $10.6 million)," the prestigious US news magazine noted. Time describes Shah Rukh Khan as
an "all-world charismatist" and Madhuri Dixit, as "a hot number who had danced flamenco on men's libidos for a decade or so before appearing in this worldly-wise role" of a prostitute.
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Amitabh Bachchan with Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire in 'The Great Gatsby'. friendly appearance. Though for a short while, the 69-year-old will share screen with Hollywood stars Leonardo and Tobey. The first look of the film with Amitabh has been released and the actor looks dapper in a greycolored suit teamed with a white hat. He looks classic as he sports a beard and mustache. He feels the film will take viewers back in time. "The attention to detail, the amount of research and finesse on recreating the 'times' of NYC in the those early years, was simply brilliant," Amitabh said. "I am certain that when you shall see the film, you will realise that you have indeed been transported to another decade of the early years with such authenticity
that you begin to feel as though you were present there yourself," he said. Amitabh also can't stop raving about the professionalism with which the Hollywood filmmakers work. "There is a quiet sense of professionalism that works without notice and corrects or adjusts or informs when and if there is need for it. They are the crew, the costume, the hair and the properties people. The language and accent director, the assistants who shall come and ask you to be on set, or if on it to be ready for the take," he said. "The other factor of course is the dedication that all the crew and actors have towards the script the film and the production. Leonardo and Tobey would be more than willing to rehearse if you demanded it and would give each rehearsal the same deliverance as they would, were they to be asking for one themselves," he added.
Actor Shahid Kapoor in a scene from 'Teri Meri Kahaani'. hoe bites kept Shahid Kapoor on his toes literally. The actor suffered shoe bites while wearing a traditional juti for 'Teri Meri Kahaani', but he not only continued shooting, but danced too. Shahid was asked to wear the juti or the Indian Mojri for his character of Javed in the Kunal Kohli-directorial. "I had a lot of shoe bites when I wore them for the first time. It takes a long time for your feet to get used to them. I used to stuff cotton on my ankles and bandage my feet before I could wear them. I had cuts all over my feet within the first few days. It was one painful experience," said Shahid. He remained undeterred, and even shot a song wearing them.
However, he says the memories of the juti will stay with him for a long time. "More so because I had to dance with them on for a song. It used to come off my feet and fly. Kunal would often say -- 'It's a nice shot but let's go for one more take as the juti has flown away.' "I don't think I will wear them for a long time to come," quipped the 31-year-old. "Teri Meri Kahaani", releasing on June 22, also features Shahid's "Kaminey" co-star Priyanka Chopra. Their chemistry worked very well for the Vishal Bharadwaj movie, and fans are hoping to see them revive it yet again for "Teri Meri Kahaani", a love story set in three different eras.
TV actor Drashti Dhami to feature in 'Madhubala... Ek Ishq, Ek Junoon'. impressed with the look of the show. "The show looks very dramatic and interesting and promises something very different. The story is about the film industry and of someone within the film industry. Somebody who goes there and how she got there and how her journey was," said Sippy. The show, which goes on air on May 28, also features other actors like Raj Zutshi, Sushmita Mukherjee Bundela, Shagufta Ali and Lalit Parimoo.
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ilm producer Ritesh Sidhwani, who is co-producing Aamir Khan's next movie 'Talaash', is impressed with the actor's TV debut 'Satyamev Jayate', aimed at bringing a positive change in society. "Aamir's show is a brilliant effort. It is fantastic what he is doing. Through the show, he is making everyone socially responsible and aware," Sidhwani said. The show hits upon social evils and issues in the country, and so far Aamir has been seen talking to victims of female foeticide, child sex abuse and dowry. He also doles out statistical facts to support his quest for change. There have been many shows in the past that have tried to portray the real life trauma of people, but Sidhwani says "Satyamev Jayate", aired on Star Plus, is incomparable. "One cannot compare it with other entertainment shows. He is dealing with issues on his shows that everyone knows, but nobody talks about. The show might take some more time to grow but it is something everyone should be proud of," he said.
The producer, who runs the banner Excel Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. along with actor Farhan Akhtar, appreciates Aamir's decision of being different. "It is commendable that he did not choose a run-ofthe-mill show and merely hosting it for the heck of it. He is doing what he believes in," said Sidhwani, who has produced films like "Dil Chahta Hai", "Lakshya", "Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara" and "Don". The first episode of "Satyamev Jayate" was aired on May 6 in eight languages on nine channels, including seven STAR TV network channels, ETV Telugu and national broadcaster DD1. The show has seen huge positive sentiment across viewers. It has generated much buzz on internet with "Satyamev Jayate" recording more popularity than its host Aamir on search engine Google India. It also trended on Twitter, occupying the top five slots out of 10. The launch episode was viewed by 90 million people and was the highest rated show with 4.1 television rating (TVR), according to Television Audience Measurement (TAM) data.
he world premiere of Anurag Kashyap's "Gangs Of Wasseypur" saw a packed audience at the ongoing 65th Cannes International Film Festival. Eager crowds lined the streets outside the JW Marriot hotel for the show, while Bollywood celebrities Kalki Koechlin, Huma Quereshi, Richa Chadda and Reema Sen walked across the red carpet. Also attended by Kashyap, male
actors Manoj Bajpayee and Nawazuddin Siddiqui and female music director Sneha Khanwalkar, the premiere saw a full house in an 800-seating-capacity hall. Both parts of "Gangs Of Wasseypur", a gritty take on the coal mafia, were screened at the festival's Directors' Fortnight, a non-competitive section. The film, to hit screens on June 22, is presented by Viacom18 Motion Pictures and produced by Anurag Kashyap Films Pvt Ltd.
ritish pop star Madonna wishes she could be the president of a country so that she could stop money being splashed on weapons of mass destruction. "You can't really change much in one day. I think I would like to be president for a longer time. I wouldn't spend as much money for weapons of mass destruction but instead for education and art," femalefirst.co.uk quoted her as saying. The 53-year-old singer attributes her success to her thirst for reinvention and never taking anything for granted. "It's harder to stay famous than become famous. I don't think there's a rule for staying successful.You have to really love what you're doing. You have to feed your soul with ideas and you're
British pop star Madonna. not allowed to stop growing as a human. That's what helps to create art. When it comes to my work I don't take anything for granted," she said.
nternational teenage sensation Justin Bieber may not have had the opportunity to come to India yet, but that doesnt stop the 18-year-old from tasting, and loving Indian food. I love Indian food and have tried it in London a couple of times, says the Canadian pop and R&B singer, who now seems to have fallen for desi flavour. I have heard a lot about India too and would love to visit the country, says the 18-year-old. Thats not all, as the Baby hitmaker, who has already sold over 15 million albums worldwide, is also looking forward to some Indian partnerships. I like Indian music its good to the ears. If I get a chance sometime, I would like to collaborate with Indian artists, he says. Though he pleads ignorance about Bollywood, he does concede knowing about his fan following in India. I dont get much time to sit down and watch a movie etc. But with Twitter and other social networking sites, I connect with my fans. I know that I have a big fan following in India. They love me immensely and have even asked me to visit and perform in India, says Bieber, whose fans famously call themselves Beliebers.
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Australian batsman Luke Pomersbach allegedly molested an American woman; Two Pune Warriors players (including Rahul Sharma) were booked for attending a party that was busted for drugs; five IPL players were suspended over bribe match-fixing charges; and Shah Rukh Khan was banned for five years from entering Mumbai stadiums following a brawl with officials.
the-table payments are used to entice players to franchises. The expose gave sports minister Ajay Maken a chance to reiterate his call for the BCCI to be brought under the ambit of Right to Information Act. Currently the BCCI is not accountable since it is not government funded. "The BCCI performs a public function, that is the selection of the Indian team," Maken said. "This team plays under the aegis of the Indian flag. This is the Indian team. That is why the body that chooses the team needs to be transparent to the people." The bribery allegations were followed by a string of off-field controversies that ended in police stations. Kolkata Knight Riders team coowner Shahrukh Khan was involved in a brawl with officials at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium. Mumbai Cricket Association and police officials alleged Khan confronted guards while under the influence of alcohol. The Bollywood star claimed he was not drunk and had only reacted to rude behavior to kids near the boundary line. Other more serious controversies were round the corner. Australian batsman Luke Pomersbach made headlines without playing a game for Royal Challengers Bangalore this sea-
A
The Super Kings take on Delhi Daredevils for the right to face the Kolkata Knight Riders in Sunday's final. from the competition, the Super the brink of elimination, but Kings take on Delhi Daredevils stayed on in fourth spot due to in Chennai on Friday for the right superior Net Run Rate following to face the Kolkata Knight Riders a tie with Royal Challengers in Sunday's final, also at the M. Bangalore, rose to the occasion as Chinnaswamy Stadium. in the past two seasons to outplay The Super Kings who were on Mumbai Indians.
dejected Mumbai Indians skipper Harbhajan Singh said it all when he complimented Chennai Super Kings for "playing like champions" after his team lost the Indian Premier League play-off game by 38 runs. "Of course, I am disappointed that we lost, but we cannot change the result. The Super Kings played like champions and deserved to win today," said Harbhajan after the game. "Dhoni and Bravo took the game away from us in the last four overs (of the Super Kings innings), and there was not much we could do," he added, referring to the rollicking unfinished stand
of 74 runs off 29 balls between Dhoni and Bravo for the sixth wicket. Dhoni, adjudged Man of the Match for his unbeaten 51 off 20 balls, pointed out that it was the 94 run stand between Michael Hussey and Subramaniam Badrinath for the second wicket that set up the Super Kings innings. "Hussey and Badri gave us the platform with their partnership. Badri is our silent hero," said Dhoni. Over the past week, Dhoni said his team that had completed the league engagements, watched the other games whose results directly influenced their entry into play-offs.
Op Ed TheSouthAsianTimes.info
19
By Pankaj Vohra
he third anniversary of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) 2 government could very well be its last if those at the helm of affairs do not take corrective steps to take control of matters and set both the political and the government's agenda. The Congress-led coalition has been on the backfoot all through last year, with rising prices, corruption and the socalled 'differences' between the party and government testing its perseverance repeatedly. However, its most crucial test is likely to be in the form of the presidential election in July. A failure to get the nominee of its choice elected to the august office may be at the risk of losing power at the Centre. The UPA in its first avatar between 2004 and 2009 seemed to be much better off and though the Congress increased its individual tally from 145 to 206, its plight seems to have worsened. It is obvious that the party and
There is a lot at stake and the UPA leadership cannot afford to play its cards wrongly if it is to increase its longevity. Otherwise, the consequences might be too severe to bear. its cadres have not done enough. The negative perception about the government has increased given that several of its top ministers are constantly quarreling among themselves. The results of the assembly polls in March have further weakened the grand old party and there are enough indications that regional satraps who have already started calling the shots will navigate the future course of events. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the principal opposition party, seems to be in the grip of a fierce power struggle to resolve its leadership crisis. In any case, its efforts to reclaim the opposition space it conceded to civil society groups like those led by Anna Hazare and Baba Ramdev have not been successful. There is also an element of
fares in the future. Most political analysts have failed to recognize that when the presidential poll takes place, the strength of the UPA on paper may turn out to be a deceptive indicator. The 2012 presidential polls are going to afford an opportunity to several political leaders and parties to realign themselves if the principal ruling party does not initiate measures for proper and appropriate political management. There are many ambitious regional players who would see the issue of presidentship from a totally different angle. Like the Congress had done in the past, they too may look for a presidential candidate who would give them an opportunity to be sworn in to the office of the prime minister after the next parliamentary polls. There is a lot at stake and the UPA leadership cannot afford to play its cards wrongly if it is to increase its longevity. Otherwise, the consequences might be too severe to bear.
n the United States, the last Monday of May is observed annually as Memorial Day a day of national awareness and reverence, honoring those Americans who died while defending American Nation and its values. Memorial Day parades and memorial services are held to remember, reflect and honor those who have given their all in service to their country. It was first observed on May 30, 1868 and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Many Indian Americans may not know the historical background of Memorial Day. However, like Americans, several Indians hold gatherings of family and friends for parties and barbecues. Most of the Indians in America may also not know their own day of reverence. Between 1913-15, nearly 6,000 overseas Indians went back to India to fight and free their motherland from British slavery. Some paid the ultimate price with their lives, hundreds were jailed,
Lala Har Dyal, one of the greatest revolutionaries and a founder of the Gadar Party in the US. some for life. It is such a pity that there is no memorial day for them! Indian emigrants started coming to the United States in the beginning of the twentieth century. Most of them were unskilled workers and found work in lumber mills or as farm hands. The employers preferred Indian workers as they worked hard and accepted lower wages. White laborers, fearing dis-
A media coverage on Lala Har Dyal. placement from their jobs, demanded exclusionary laws against the cheap Indian workers. Americans pressured their elected officials to pass exclusionary and other laws against the Asians. As a result, in 1917, Asian emigration to the United States was stopped. Lala Har Dyal who had come from England and had been a faculty member at Stanford
University for some time, was identified with nationalist activities in the United States. He inspired many students studying at the University of California at Berkeley and channelized their pro-Indian, anti-British sentiment for the independence of India. In May, 1913, at a meeting of some patriotic and enlightened Indians in Astoria, Oregon, Hindustan Association of the Pacific Coast was formed with a major objective to liberate India from British colonialism. Sohan Singh Bhakna, a lumber mill worker in Oregon, was elected President, Har Dayal, as General Secretary and Kanshi Ram as treasurer. Har Dayal provided leadership for the newly formed association and was the central figure and the force behind the new organization. The association began publishing a magazine, named Gadar after the 1857 Gadar Movement (mutiny) in India. Every issue of Gadar exposed the British imperialism and called upon the Indian people
to unite and rise up against the British rule. Gadar literature was sent to Indian revolutionaries in India, Europe, Canada and several other countries. The magazine, being the principal patriotic literature, reached many people; even if one copy reached a fellow revolutionary anywhere, multiple copies were made for circulation. Although the movement did not achieve its stated objective, but it awakened the sleeping India and had a major impact on Indias struggle for freedom. The Indian American community, at least on Memorial Day, should remember the sacrifices of Gadarites and pay tribute to them. The 100th anniversary of Gadar Movement is falling next year. All Indian Americans should seriously consider commemorating the centennial and pay the well-deserved tribute to Gadarites and Gadar martyrs. (Inder Singh is Chairman of GOPIO, Global Organization of People of Indian Origin.)
The views expressed in Op Eds are not necessarily those of The South Asian Times.
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Diaspora TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Abdul Razak Osman charity organizations and was instrumental in fundraising to build two villages and a school in Kutch, Gujarat for orphaned children, following an earthquake in 2011. Osman, who joined the city council in 1996, takes over from Councillor Rob Wann. I want to focus on visiting the communities and raising the profile of the office of Lord Mayor. Im proud to be the first Muslim councilor to hold the position weve had Christian, Hindu, Sikh and now Im able to bring the Islamic faith to the office which is a great honor, he said.
Rohan Sampath between me and kids my age in India except that we don't talk much Hindi." He credits his parents' upbringing and his school for inculcating in him "the Indian value system with a global perspective." Rohan's parents originally hail from Tamil Nadu but they too were brought up outside their home state. His mother, who worked as an IT manager with Emirates Airlines till last year, was brought up in Mumbai. And his father, an independent consultant in the banking sector, grew up in Pune.
Subcontinent TheSouthAsianTimes.info
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Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said Obama should apologize to the people of Pakistan over the air strike. Bilawal said Obama should apologize to the people of Pakistan over the air strike, as the
Barack Obama with Pak President Asif Ali Zardari. did not have a formal bilateral meeting at the summit. At a press briefing after the summit concluded, Obama said he emphasised to Zardari that Pakistan "has to be part of the solution in Afghanistan". The two countries "share a com-
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International TheSouthAsianTimes.info
World powers, Iran Egypt goes to poll to elect new president begin N-talks
Cairo: Egyptians went to polls to elect a new president after last year's fall of Hosni Mubarak who ruled the country for three decades with a tough hand. The polling stations opened at 8 a.m. across the country under tight security. The elections would be the first since Mubarak was ousted following 18 days of demonstrations in Egypta in February 2011. He assumed the presidency in October 1981, following the assassination of then president Anwar Sadat. Mubarak is now facing a trial on charges of corruption and abuse of power, and premeditated murder of peaceful protesters. He may be sentenced to death if found guilty. There were long queues in front of many polling stations in Cairo since early morning. Ahmed Fatah, a middle-aged Muslim who came to a polling station at 6.30 a.m., told Xinhua that he had a high expectation from the election. "I hope the new president can restore peace and stability in our life. Our economy has suffered from continuous chaos and violence. We want the new president to revive our
Former US president Jimmy Carter is in Egypt to monitor the election. economy, make our life easier and bring back the good reputation and great influence Egypt used to have before the revolution in international community," said Fatah. There are about 50 million eligible voters, who will elect one from 12 presidential candidates. Top hopefuls include former Arab League chief Amr Moussa, Islamist Aboul Fotouh, Freedom and Justice Party chairman Mohamed Morsi and former prime minister Ahmed Shafiq. Government employees have been given a day off for the voting. Former US president Jimmy Carter is also in Egypt to monitor the election. The results of the presidential polls will be announced June 21.
The meetings put forward a proposal aimed at reining in Iran's highest-level uranium enrichment. Baghdad: Iran traded proposals with six world powers, including the United States, in a new round of talks aimed at persuading it to curb its nuclear program and ease concerns it wants to make atomic weapons. But divisions over sanctions complicated the discussions. The meetings opened with the socalled 5+1 group - the permanent UN Security Council members, the US, Russia, China, Britain and France, plus Germany - putting forward a proposal apparently aimed at reining in Iran's highest-level uranium enrichment. Many leaders fear the uranium, enriched to 20%, could be quickly turned into warheadgrade material . Other details of the plan were not immediately disclosed. Hours later, Iran made its move by offering a counterproposal that includes what one of its negotiating team member called "nuclear and non-nuclear issues". The official said he would not discuss details of the plan, but added that it would be discussed privately with diplomats from the EU and China, an Iranian ally.
Greece is going through worst economic crisis mitments , or they can vote to give tively give up on the eurozone," he up on their commitments and effec- said.
Robin Gibb, along with his brothers Maurice and Barry, defined the disco era. most notably 'Saved by the Bell' - and scoring a hit with 'How Can You before rejoining his brothers in 1970 Mend a Broken Heart'.
Business TheSouthAsianTimes.info
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Quotes in the forward market indicate that the rupee could slip close to 58 in six months or beyond 59 in 12 months. The local currency, which However, the currency recovered opened at around 55.68, soon fell to close at 56.01. to the day's low of 56.22. Quotes in the forward market
Indian IT White paper: no estimate Airtel, ICICI among firms spent 'top 100 global brands' of black money abroad telecom major New Delhi: The government sus about the best methodology Rs.1,910 bn New Delhi: Indian private sector Bharti Airtel and released the much-awaited white or approach to be used for this bank ICICI Bank have been paper on black money, which purpose. in 2012 included in the 'BrandZ list' of the makes a strong pitch for setting "There have also been wide
New Delhi: The IT spending of Indian enterprises is likely to touch Rs.1,910 billion in 2012, a 16.4 percent increase from 2011 spending of Rs.1,640 billion, driven by investment by government and manufacturing sectors, technology research firm Gartner Inc said. The government spending is expected to increase Rs.349 billion in 2012 from Rs.302 billion in 2011, while manufacturing and natural resources will hike it to Rs.386 billion against Rs.334 billion during the period under review. "Indian IT providers continue to experience strong growth, and there are more Indian companies in general taking a place on the global stage," said Derry Finkeldey, principal research analyst at Gartner. "There are currently 25 Indian companies in the Fortune 500, and there is a corresponding uptake of information and communications (ICT) technologies in the domestic market, as organisations seek globally competitive practices," he added. According to Finkeldey, government investment in the revamp of education is driving high growth in the relatively small education ICT market. The education segment is expected to achieve the strongest growth in percentage terms in 2012, where IT spending is forecast to grow 18 percent in local currency. top 100 most-valuable global brands of 2012 by research firm Millward Brown. ICICI was ranked 63 and Airtel 71. The top five brands on the list are Apple, IBM, Google, McDonald's and Microsoft. According to the study, ICICI Bank's brand value has declined by 15 percent since 2011. "While ICICI declined, Airtel appeared in the BrandZ Top 100 ranking for the first time," Millward Brown said on its website. The study took into account what people thought about the brands they bought alongside analysis of financial data, market valuations, analyst reports and risk profiles and covered almost two million consumers and more than 50,000 brands in over 30 countries. "With an overall ranking of 71 and brand value of $11.5 billion, Airtel has been ranked ahead of top global brands such as Citi (82), Sony (86), MTN (88), China Telecom (90), and Volkswagen (96)," Airtel said in a statement. The study said Indians generally liked brands and were familiar with many from the West and other markets and suggested that firms take into account regional differences to establish business. up the Lokpal and Lokayuktas but carries no official estimate of the illicit money stashed by Indians abroad. Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee tabled the white paper in the Lok Sabha. The paper carries no estimates on the quantum of money stashed abroad, but quotes figures released by different agencies. "There are no reliable estimates of black money generation or accumulation, neither is there an accurate well-accepted methodology for making such estimation," the paper said. It pointed out that among the estimates made so far, there is no uniformity, unanimity, or consenvariations in the figures reported, which further serves to highlight the limitations of the different methods adopted." The paper made a strong pitch for setting up the Lokpal and Lokayuktas to effectively deal with the menace of black money and other corrupt practices. In the foreword to the report, Mukherjee pointed out that in this past year the government has brought five bills -- namely, the Lokpal Bill, the Judicial Accountability Bill, the Whistle Blowers Bill, the Grievance Redressal Bill and the Public Procurement Bill. These are at various stages of consideration by the parliament.
The government may also further curtail Air India's international operations if the strike continues.
are operating a bare minimum number of international operations by clubbing flights to des-
tinations in Europe and the US," he said According to the official, the
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Sports TheSouthAsianTimes.info
India are clubbed with holders Germany (No. 2), Korea (6), New Zealand (7) and Belgium (11) and the Netherlands. Bangalore: India will open their campaign in the 2012 Olympics hockey competition in London with a game against the Netherlands on July 30, according to the schedule released by the International Hockey Federation ( IHF). India, ranked No. 10, are clubbed with holders Germany (No. 2), Korea (6), New Zealand (7) and Belgium (11), besides the Netherlands in Pool B of the 12team competition that will be held from July 30 to August 11. Pool A has world champions and top-ranked Australia, Great Britain (4), Spain (5), Pakistan (8), Argentina (9) and South Africa (12). India next play New Zealand August 1, Germany August 3 and Korea August 5 before concluding their league engagements with a game against Belgium August 7. The final classification matches, including the medal games, are scheduled for August 9 and 11, according to the FIH press release.
India hockey coach Michael Nobbs 8.30 am games against Spain, Argentina and Pakistan while
ting star Gundappa Vishwanath, ex-India stumper Syed Kirmani and the gutsy Mohinder Amarnath will not get the booty - which is up to Rs 1.5 crore for cricketers who have played more than 100 Tests for India - because the board says it has already organized benefit matches for them.
This is clearly a weak logic, since the benefit ties for these cricketers were organized at a time when such huge returns from the game were unthinkable. Due to this stand by BCCI, Vengsarkar and Kirmani miss out on Rs 1.5 crore each, Viswanath loses Rs 1 crore and Amarnath will be deprived of
Travel TheSouthAsianTimes.info
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Te Aroha at Dhanachuli
The western tragopan's numbers in Himachal's Great Himalayan National Park have increased as per latest surveys. Kullu (Himachal Pradesh): The presence of the highly endangered, elusive western tragopan can now be felt more clearly in the Great Himalayan National Park in Himachal Pradesh, with its numbers multiplying. Park authorities say the population of this brilliantly colored pheasant species in the park has gone up and so has its sighting. "The density of the western tragopan in the park was 6.5 birds per sq km (in this year's census). Last year, it was six birds per sq km, while it was just five birds in 2010," says Park Director Ajay Srivastav. For population estimation, the western tragopan, like other pheasant species, needs specialized techniques. One of the standard census techniques is recording their call counts at a specified time and location. Srivastav said that estimation was done at 18 locations. "This exercise is now part of regular monitoring protocol being followed in the park to ascertain the status of population dynamics of
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Lifestyle TheSouthAsianTimes.info
ailored shorts with a linen jacket, tshirts with bow-ties, Chinese collar shirts with printed pajamas; for all those men out there, a fashion lowdown on how to look cool this summer with funky mix and match tips and jazzing it all up with the right accessories: APPAREL First rule this season, avoid denim and try skin-friendly fabrics like linen. To make a style statement, dig out printed shirts and team them up with bright-colored shorts. Try Chinese collar shirts in powder cotton or tricot with printed pajamas; add khaki or army green shorts with t-shirts in any color! If you really want to adapt high street fashion, go for linen 'two-piece' suits and wear with shorts and loafers. "A lot of new print techniques can be seen this summer. Sailor, African and screen prints can be seen on shirts and tshirts. Also, fitted lycra t-shirts with deep and big necks will be a big hit," says Lav Trivedi, stylist-cum-art director. "Accessorize it well. Try bow ties on
Modern footwear such as espadrilles figure to be a huge hit for men this summer. half-sleeves shirts and polo neck t-shirts. You can also try formal shoes with fitted shorts and shirts. I call it the very modern Hawaii look, it makes you look sharp yet summery," he added. Trivedi is in tune with the latest styles, thanks to his stint on "MTV Splitsvilla", and fashion shoots for magazines like The Man and Andpersand. He also did art direction for the movie "Yeh Saali Zindagi." Experts say sportswear like t-shirts, shorts and jumpers will be in vogue in men's fashion this season. "Most people in India wear sportswear
influenced clothing because of details and designs in male clothing. Sportswear is comfortable and easy to carry, therefore never out of fashion," Mumbai-based designer Narendra Kumar Ahmed said. The designer, who is associated with brands like Puma and Killer, said tailored shorts - knee length with little fit and pleats - would also be prominent. COLORS Comfortable cotton shirts paired with waistcoats in vibrant colors like electric blue, neon green, pink and earthy yellow will add freshness, says designer Raghavendra Rathore. "Cotton waistcoats in vibrant colors is the predominant trend. An array of pastel yet colorful tones in shirting is what adds to the freshness. The new semi-formal sleek appeal is the one to look forward to," Rathore said. Kumar said that there will be lot more pastel colors as well. "You will see many colors in the bottom as well, like colored jeans, shorts and trousers," he added. FOOTWEAR
To make the summer more stylish and colorful, opt for espadrilles. Originated in the Basque, Spain, espadrilles are made of canvas cotton and linen fabric with a flexible jute rope sole. "Male gladiators (sandals), leather sleepers and espadrille shoes will be best to go with this combo," added Trivedi. HEADGEAR Despite the heat, men are still reluctant to wear hats or caps. But men can add to their style quotient by adding some head gear in their wardrobes, say fashion experts. "People think that it's not fashionable or a must have accessory in a hot country like India. There are very few who wear hats, but only for night outs because they associate it to the style element, not to the functional element. They should wear caps and hats," said Narendra. EYEWEAR Go retro this season, suggest fashionistas. "Retro shades are big this season, you'll see lots of retro frames, big glasses, from the era of the 1950s and 1960s," said Narendra.
new study has suggested that when it comes to being sexually unfaithful while being away from home, women tend to rack up more lovers than men. The UK Adultery Survey 2012 found that once women decide to play away, they are far more likely to play the field in search of love. Research into the behavior of 4,000 people suggested that women are more promiscuous, having an average of 2.3 secret lovers compared to a mere 1.8 for men, the Daily Mail reported. While explaining their reasons to cheat, the men say the pursuit of sexual excitement, boredom with their marriages and the need of an ego boost are the main causes. Women say their reasons could be anything from looking for emotional fulfillment, an improvement to their self esteem to romance. Women adulterers are also far more prone to falling in love with their illicit lovers than their male equivalents. According to Emily Pope of Undercover Lovers, a dating site for married people seeking affairs with some 600,000 members, the survey's results challenged the general assumption that men are more
Contrary to popular belief, studies indicate women are more likely than men to sway in a relationship. adulterous than women. "Once they have made the huge decision to have an affair, women have far more opportunity to actually find someone to cheat with and are generally in control of deciding if and when to consummate the relationship once they do," she said. The survey also found that women are likely to be the first to get itchy feet in a marriage.
utsized school bags are turning into a curse for kids, 80 percent of whom carry loads up to a fifth of their body weight, really taxing their backs, says a new research from the charity BackCare. Studies show that carrying any more than a tenth of your body weight can cause spinal damage. Experts warn we are facing an epidemic of back problems in young adults when the long-term effects of this early damage starts to appear. "We are seeing increasing numbers of young adults coming for treatment in relation to back trouble and this can often be traced back to carrying heavy bags to school," warns Peter Skew, an Essex-based expert in musculoskeletal medicine, the Daily Mail reports. Skew, vice-president of
BackCare, adds: "Children's skeletons are still developing, and having a heavy bag slung over one shoulder can exert unnatural force on the spine, muscles and attachments. "Rather like exercising only one side of your body in the gym, you quickly get unilateral muscle-loading, which can cause the small muscles in the back to tighten and compress the spine," adds Skew. A 2007 British study showed that 13 to 50 percent of 11-17 year olds have experienced back pain. And it's been shown that if you experience back pain as a child, you are four times more likely to have to endure back pain as an adult. "Picking up and swinging a heavy backpack onto your shoulder multiple times a day is potentially more damaging to a growing body than having to walk a long distance with
It is advised that schoolbags be kept as light as possible to avoid the risk of back problems in children. a static load," says Skew. It's not just getting to and from school that's the problem, because most schools no longer provide lockers or desks to store books (children sit at tables), so children have no choice but to carry everything around with them all day.
Somewhat impersonal nature of texting gives people a bit more comfort in expressing truths. urprisingly, text messaging sure in a largely asynchronous mode seems to evoke more truthful like text that there is in phone interresponses to sensitive ques- views," says Conrad. "As a result, tions, according to a new study. "The respondents are able to take longer to preliminary results of our study sug- arrive at more accurate answers." gest that people are more likely to Conrad conducted the study with disclose sensitive information via Michael Schober, professor of psytext messages than in voice inter- chology at Michigan and cognitive views," says Fred Conrad, cognitive psychologists, psycholinguists, surpsychologist at the University of vey methodologists and computer Michigan Institute for Social scientists, as well as collaborators Research (ISR). from AT&T Research. "This is sort of surprising," says "We're in the early stages of anaConrad, "since many people thought lyzing our findings," says Schober. that texting would decrease the likeli- "But so far it seems that texting may hood of disclosing sensitive informa- reduce some respondents' tendency tion because it creates a persistent, to shade the truth or to present themvisual record of questions and selves in the best possible light in an answers that others might see on interview - even when they know it's your phone and in the cloud." a human interviewer they are comWith text, researchers also found municating with via text. that people were less likely to engage Researchers recruited approximately in 'satisficing' - a survey industry 600 iPhone-users on Craigslist, term referring to the common prac- through Google Ads, and from tice of giving good enough, easy Amazon's Mechanical Turk, offering answers, like rounding to multiples them iTunes Store incentives to parof 10 in numerical responses, for ticipate in the study. example, according to a Michigan These findings will be presented statement. "We believe people give this week at the annual meeting of more precise answers via texting the American Association for Public because there's just not the time pres- Opinion Research.
Health TheSouthAsianTimes.info
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plexion and temporarily tighten pores. Mask can quickly perk up tired skin and give it a glow. Dermatologists generally recommend the following masks for different types of skin: Skin Type Dry Acne-prone Sensitive Oily/Normal Combination Mask Type
fatty acids which moisturize and soften skin. Honey is a natural moisturizer that creates a watertight film on the face allowing the skin to rehydrate itself. 3. Mix one half mashed avoca-
Moisturizing mask that contains water and urea Mask that contains salicylic acid or benzyl peroxide (to prevent or dry-up blemishes) Gentle mask that contains Aloe Vera gel or chamomile to soothe skin Mask that contains clay or salicylic acid do, one spoon yogurt, one spoon natural clay (you can get this in Indian grocery stores) or one spoon corn flour. Apply the mixture to face and keep it for 15-20 minutes. Then, wash face with lukewarm water. The clay or corn flour will give away dry skin flakes. Yogurt is a cleanser and soothing. Avocado moisturizes and softens the skin. 4. Use egg-beater to mix one egg, two spoons besan (chana) flour, one spoon butter, and half spoon turmeric powder. Apply the mixture to face and keep it for 1520 minutes. Then, wash face with lukewarm water. Many of the masks described above include moisturizers. Moisturizers act as barrier between the skin and the environment buffering the skin against wind, overheated rooms and pollutants
According to many dermatologists, some of the more popular masks are described below: 1. Mix one spoon tomato juice, one spoon buttermilk and one spoon oatmeal. Apply the mixture to face and keep it for 15-20 minutes. Then, wash face with lukewarm water. Tomato juice is a general astringent that normalizes the skins acid mantle. It is high in vitamins A and C which are essential for healthy skin. Buttermilk is a natural cleanser and oil stabilizer. Oatmeal soothes the skin and exfoliates. 2. Mix one spoon honey, one small mashed banana, two spoons yogurt, and one spoon besan (chana) flour. Apply the mixture to face and keep it for 15-20 minutes. Then, wash face with lukewarm water. Bananas are high in essential
like smog. In addition to masks, one should also have facial once a month after the age of 22 so that skin remains healthy. For facials, you can use cold cream or other mild creams available in pharmacies or grocery stores. A massage with almond oil is also recommended because it serves as a cushion before skin exfoliates. During facials, many find that light music helps them relax and have better blood circulation. Dermatologists also recommend that you should lather soap in your hands, mix in to one teaspoon salt (use less for dry or sensitive skin) and gently massage over face. This lessens your chances of overexfoliating your skin. Many Indian women are vegetarians and their diet may not provide enough protein, magnesium, and folic acid. Therefore, many experts recommend that vegetarians should take vitamins B6, A, E, iron and folic acid. Tea and coffee drinkers should also take vitamins because caffeine interferes with the bodys absorption of vitamin C. Your body does not store vitamin C, and therefore, you need C-rich food in your diet every day. Vitamin C also enhances iron absorption. Oranges, lemons, strawberries, and tomatoes have vitamin C. Soaps are a mix of alkali (mineral salt), animal and vegetable fats and water. It is great for removing dirt, bacteria, oil, perspiration and makeup. However, sometimes soap can be harsh for dry skin. To wash your face, never use too hot or too cold water because temperature extremes can worsen dilated capillaries. Always use lukewarm or tepid water. Splash skin with clean, running water for 10-20 minutes to have clean and clear skin. Although we all love sunshine, sun can damage your skin. The suns ultraviolet rays are very strong and dangerous for skin (for example, they can cause skin cancer). Any outdoor activities such as
playing tennis, jogging, swimming or working in back yard should be done either during early morning or late afternoon. If you are going to be in sunshine for a long time, make sure to apply sunscreen with adequate sun protection factor or SPF. See the package of sunscreen products to determine what you need depending on how long you plan to be in sunshine. Apply the sunscreen at least 30 minutes prior to exposure to sunshine because the sunscreen must be absorbed into and react with the skin in order to protect it. Make sure to cover all important areas such as the nose, ears, back of the neck and hands. Creamy sunscreens tend to stay on the skin better than those in the gel form. As one gets older, your skin thins and is more susceptible to sun-related damage. So, choose higher SPF product for better protection. Also, people with sensitive skin may need higher SPF product. On the other hand, some people are sensitive to certain ingredients in some sunscreens and may develop rash, redness, itching, or tingling after applying sunscreen. They should try hypoallergenic products. Sunscreens are also good for aging skin, wrinkles, age spots, and sagging skin. They contain skin rejuvenators such as alpha hydroxyl acids to gently take away dead cells on the skins surface. They penetrate deep into the skin to moisturize it. Usually, sunscreens are good for two years and should be stored in a cool, dry place. If the product changes consistency or has odor, discard the sunscreen. Finally, smoking is bad for your skin. Any nicotine product constricts blood vessels in the skin and reduces vital oxygen flow to the skins surface which results in a dull complexion. Note: The article above is for general information only. Readers should consult their own dermatologist before attempting any treatment for their skin.
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Humor TheSouthAsianTimes.info
as Take Your Kangaroo to Work Day. Various versions of Take Your Daughter/Dog to Work Day have since cropped up around the world: Afghanistan: Take Your Goat to Work Day. Japan: Take Your Bonsai to Work Day. Saudi Arabia: Take Your Wives to Work Day. Zambia: Take Your Pillow to Work Day. Jamaica: Take Yourself to Work Day. But none of these special days has been quite as popular as Take Your Dog to Work Day, which was observed this year on June 25. It was created for three main reasons: (1) to celebrate the companionship of dogs; (2) to encourage people to adopt dogs from humane societies, rescue groups and shel-
ters; and (3) to show employees how easy it is to take naps under their desks. Taking a dog to a workplace can be risky, of course. What happens, for example, if you bring your dog to your workplace and he decides that he doesnt want to just sit around, preferring to be active? Next thing you know, your boss comes over to tell you that you are getting fired and your dog is getting hired. I like him, your boss says. He seems to be a self-starter. Already has his paws in everything. If you think thats far-fetched, then you probably havent heard of the goat herder in Tamil Nadu, India, who made the mistake of taking his dog to work. Now dog has job, I stuck at home, the man said. Its good for dog, but I get bored. Not many cats around to chase. Taking a dog to work was also the undoing
of a London man. I miss my job, he said. I enjoyed providing customer service for BP. If you call British Petroleums customer service department with a complaint of any sort, dont be surprised if you hear a growl on the other end. Or a recording that says: Sorry, all our dogs are currently busy, trying to fix an oil spill. Please stay on the line. Your call is being transferred to a hyena. Most dogs are unemployed, of course, but we shouldnt forget that tens of thousands of them do have important jobs, such as leading the blind, sniffing out drugs and bombs, following the trail of criminals, and fetching beer from refrigerators. Yes, if given the chance, dogs can be very productive. Just ask the man in London. He recently spent an entire day with his dog at work, thanks to Take Your Human to Work Day.
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.
Tech Life
London: A social network for the dying -called " My Last Wish" -- has been created to help dying people meet others who have similar hopes and ambitions which they wish to achieve before they die. The free app, created by a software company called White Lotus Corporation, is available in Apple's App Store, the Telegraph reported. "A social networking application to make friendship with those unknown people from corners of the world with different ethnicity, culture, traditions, value systems, life style and much more - but having only one thing in common and that is the 'Last Wish'," the website says about itself. "By this application, we have tried to unite the community on the 'Wish Wall' to share their last wish with the world and find out those people with similar wishes before they
die, get connected to them and be friends forever." Users of the app - "fellow wishers" - are asked to post their final wish on to the "Wish Wall" and can choose to attach their email address or phone number so other users who want to do the same thing, can get in touch. "Fellow wishers" can tap on a user's name and their contacts will be instantly added to their phonebook. Kirtan Thaker, co-founder of the White Lotus Corporation, said: "I believed in the possibility that there can be two persons in this world with same hopes, dreams and wishes. I was confident that if we create an app where this possibility can be turned into reality, people will love this concept and they will get a chance to make friends who are unknown but having just one thing in common which is the last wish."
Astrology
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Concluding part of three part series of Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharajs keynote address at the 26th International Human Unity Conference held in Mexico City, Mexico, in November 2008.
We can experience the souls immortal nature when we go within. We need not experience the trauma of a near-death experience, nor would we want to, in order to find out what lies Beyond. Rather, we can learn how the saints and mystics from all different religions had their inner experiences. We can learn the techniques they used and begin to practice them ourselves. This technique is meditation.
of matter and consciousness and which are subject to dissolution; and the higher spiritual regions which are eternal: the supracausal plane and a spiritual plane known as Sach Khand or True Realm from where God emanates. If we can rise above the three lower worlds, the soul enters the purely spiritual regions where it merges back in the Lord and lives eternally in bliss and love. We can experience the souls immortal nature when we go within. We need not experience the trauma of a near-death experience, nor would we want to, in order to find out what lies Beyond. Rather, we can learn how the saints and mystics from all different religions had their inner experiences. We can learn the techniques they used and begin to practice them ourselves. This technique is meditation. In this form of meditation, we sit in a comfortable position, one in which we can sit the longest without moving. We close our eyes, very gently as if we were going to sleep. With our attention, we focus into the middle of whatever lies in front of us. At first we may see darkness, or gray, or Lights of various colors. As we gaze into the middle of whatever we see, our soul will begin to concentrate at distractions from their mind. Stillness of mind is needed to be able to see the inner Light and hear the beautiful inner Music. These are always shining and reverberating within us, but we do not see or hear them because our mind is occupied with external thoughts. The moment we can stop these thoughts and enter the stillness within, we can see and hear the inner Light and Sound. These words are also charged to help our attention withdraw from awareness of the body to become aware of the inner Light within us. As we become more absorbed into the inner Light and Sound, we can transcend physical body-consciousness and cross into spiritual realms beyond. As we gaze into the inner Light we may find Lights of various colors, inner vistas, and ultimately we transcend physical consciousness and become conscious of the inner spiritual realms. Our soul soars into these inner states of consciousness, and experiences those places to which we will go when we leave this world for our final time. We find that we exist without our body as soul. Each inner region is alive with beautiful colors, celestial Music more enticing than any in this world, and divine love. All our suffering ends.
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