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Vol. 2 Issue 30 10.00 24 Pages RNI Reg. No.: PUNMUL/2012/45041 Postal Reg. No. PB/JL-047/2013-15

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SUNDAY 28 July 2013

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An Indian Mujahideen (IM) operative was held guilty by a Delhi court in the 2008 Batla House shootout here, and the family of a killed police inspector as well as political leaders hailed the verdict while some groups and area resiIM terrorist dents expressed their dismay. Finance Minister in P. Batla Chidamconvicted baram, who earlier was the home House shootout minister, said he was glad that police have been able to prove Page 4

Incumbents Folly

Long before incubators were Profile used outside poultry farms or hospitals, there was the garage. Two gentlemen named Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard started out with a princely sum of $538 in a garage and laid the foundations for toEverything days Silicon Valley by creating HP. A few down the Begins in years a Garage line, a precocious 12-year old Page 24 called Bill Hewlett and asked
Hipster refers to a subculture of young, urban middle-class adults and older teenagers that appeared in the 1990s. The subculture is associated with independent music, a varied nonmainstream fashion sensibility, igns progressive or independent political views, alternative spiriof tuality or atheism/agnosticism, ipsters and alternative lifestyles. Page 11 Hipsters are a subculture of

4 ways in which UPA leaders angered the nation in the past week
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Royal Baby

Shikhar Dhawan and Dinesh Karthik fashioned Indias 58run win over Zimbabwe in the second game of the five-match ODI series at the Harare Sports Club here on Friday. India now lead the series 2-0. Dhawan gives Dhawan (116) and Karthik India 2-0 lead in (69) bailed India out of trouble through their 167-run stand, Zimbabwe taking the total to 294 for eight Page in 50 23 overs. Zimbabwe showed

Kalala village in Barnala district, Punjab is reportedly to be in the grip of an outbreak of Hepatitis C virus infection. The term outbreak may imply that it is something of recent occurrence and that it Hepatitis Scare In can be adequately controlled. However, the discovery of Barnala District high number of Hepatitis C cases in the district points to Page 2 a

Arrives In Style........

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2 Bedlam over Batla

L-18 Batla House, a little known lower middle class location is now a battleground of ideologies, courtesy an encounter in 2008 that saw Delhi Police shoot two terrorists dead and arrest two more. Sensing some political capital the Human Rights industry and fringe political actors tried to sully the supreme sacrifice of a decorated officer, Inspector MC Sharma of Delhi Police. Calling the encounter staged and fake, passions of a certain community were sought to be incited by a politicians of eminence. Excesses by police and paramili-

OPINION
EDITORIAL DESK
tary forces are not unknown in India however they are exceptions and not the norm. Therefore usage of individual incidents to malign all encounters in a blanket manner will not suit us as a nation. If one were to observe the unifying thread between the hounding of IB and the martyrs of Delhi Police by interested parties, one thing becomes clear, there is an ongoing concerted effort to undermine the credibility of national security apparatus by all means possible. Moving over there is also a need for consensus within the political class over the treatment

CHANDIGARH SUNDAY 28 July 2013

Manu Sharma
of intelligence and national security cases. Without a unifying stand on such topics, the schisms within the polity will be exploited by the motivated useful idiots of enemy entities. The recent court ruling has rightly laid all conspiracy theories and innuendos to rest. We as a nation owe it to the martyrs of the various security operations to evolve new dynamics of debate. India faces a terror threat that is all too real and the enemy is hell bent on fighting us on the streets and even the court rooms.

Where Is Justice?
talk about South Africa, circumstances are WORSE there. Not only female sexual harassment cases are on the heights, but even baby-rapes are so high in number, and some cases are soulshakers, which I dont have the courage to discuss here. You yourself can imagine, that being a girl child and being born in South Africa, is the biggest punishment one can get. More than 65000 cases were reported, and the census claims, because of family members greatly involved, this is just a fraction of the actual number. How low can we fall? How can we forget our morale? I dont understand, what goes on the mind of men who commit such heinous crimes with their own daughters, so shamelessly! How will they react if the same thing happens with their own mothers or sisters? If such cases have doubled in India, the number has risen over four times in one of the most developed nations, United States of America. America registers thousands of sexual harassment and rape cases every year, out of which 90% are against women and remaining against men. More than the severity of such cases, what shocks me the most is, that in USA 1 out of every 3 girls, is victimized at least once in her life. The number is so high, that living with such a horrible thing becomes a burden. Its not a problem of our nation, but entire human-kind. If somewhere, justice is denied, then somewhere, the number is so high and the laws are so weak, that instead of protecting the victims, the laws are now cloaking the criminals! Its an issue not to be solved at a city or state or national, or even world level but at a level of humanity. When a man will come to understand the pain a woman goes, in bearing a child, giving him birth, the pain that she undergoes in bringing a new life on this planet, and then also she is treated as a commodity, the fear that she carries with herself wherever she goes, the fear of being viewed as a sex-object, the fear of being touched by a stranger, fear of being molested and raped by a male who will satisfy his urge and leave the female with a neverending trauma of a lifetime. Its shameless, to why we worship so many female figures, when we cant respect even a baby? Its shameless, why men get married to a woman, with all sacred rites and rituals, when he cant respect her in future? Its shameless, why a man has the ability to impregnate a woman, when he cant protect his daughter, and rather become a monster in his lust? And every victim thinks, its shameless, why we even have men on this planet? Where is Justice?

Mehak Bassi Protests, the most common and peaceful way of opposing something, but they rarely lead to any constructive reformations; and in India, the number of the rare occasions is approaching to zero almost at a velocity of light! May it be the 16th December, 2012 Rape Case or a female trafficking case, or a child sexual harassment case, everything heats up the public, but eventually they have to cool down for the powerful, will never let any reform take place, not in hundred years! We talk of Indian constitution that needs certain changes, some new laws that need to be implemented. The family bonds in the nation are so strong, that in a way, they mask the incest cases and sexual harassment which is happening inside the homes. Moreover even marital rape is a non-criminal activity, and then we ask, where is justice? Recently I read news about Dubais verdict over an allegation posed by a Norwegian woman, and the king pronounced that the woman can leave the country and go wherever she wants to! What kind of verdict is that? Instead of giving any conviction to the rapists, the king freed the woman, naming it justice! In Dubai, they have a law that states that an intercourse will be considered rape, only if 4 male adults come forward as witnesses, otherwise it will be considered sex-outside-marriage and in that case, a woman is the one who should be held responsible, and punished! What kind of rule is that? Does that provide security to the tourists or the women who come from other places to work in Dubai? Where is Justice? Few years ago, there was an Australian woman, who faced similar circumstances, but she wasnt lucky enough to be freed by the king under the name of verdict, rather she was subjected to 11 months imprisonment, and her passport was also confiscated. Even listening to such cases, I feel lucky to be an Indian citizen. Not in the matter of security, but definitely in the matter of Justice! Although we also dont have any constructive measures which can provide a full-proof justice to the victims, but at least we dont have such horrendous acts and laws that completely mask criminals! This was the case of Dubai, if we

Hunger Games by Ruling MPs

In a statement that is modern day equivalent of Marie Antoinettes Let them eat cake remark that preceded the French revolution, Congress MPs Raj Babbar and Rasheed Masood have made astounding claims of being able to afford meals for Rs 12 and Rs 5 respectively. In another day and era one could have afforded a simple stew or curd rice for the said amount but rampant food inflation has put all of this beyond such a pricing. The cruelty of these statements lie in the fact the after years of rising living standards, Indian households have had to revert to the ancient regime of curbing down protein and fresh vegetables from their diet. Contrary to government statements and assurances, the inflation in food prices is being accompanied by a decline in growth rates. The rage of the common man for having to pay more on a declining or stagnant salary is beginning to accrete in significant proportion now. The ruling dispensation would do well to remedy its policy follies rather than stoke anger and passions. Food constitutes a basic necessity of existence, the UPA has acknowledged the importance of this by backing the Food Security Bill. However the act or ordinance as of now will not suffice. In an increasingly inter-connected policy paradigm, the government cannot get away by promises, legislative or otherwise. Indian currently needs truck loads of reforms and policy inputs to crank start the stalled economic engine. A stalling economy and rising inflation is a tinder box waiting to explode and ruling MPs are leaving no stone unturned to set it aflame.

Hepatitis Scare In Barnala District

number of people affected from the same virus. All this is hardly circumstantial and coincidental. All these villages are within 50 kilometres of each other and have had this problem detected in previous years too. Due to close proximity of these villages, it will not be strange to find other villages in the vicinity to similarly have a high number of people affected with Hepatitis C virus. Rather I can even say that this is most likely a fact but has not been discovered as hospitals are not closeby, health centres lack the expertise to detect these cases regularly, and blood donation camps have not been carried out in these villages. Hepatitis C virus, although infectious, is present only in man and chimpanzees; this makes it evident that the transmission of the virus is occurring from one person to the other. The disease is transmitted by blood, via use of infected needles, medical instruments or by transmission of infected blood. The chance that all these people had blood donation is rare, so it seems logical that infected needles and instruments are to be blamed. Infected instruments being used by quacks and registered medical practitioners or RMPs have been blamed in the past and recently by the government authorities, but that cant be the only reason for this. Drug abuse in Punjab is increasing and when you relate the fact that most of the people affected with Hepatitis C virus are in their 40s, it seems more plausible that it could be the reason for the spread of this virus. It is interesting to note that Punjab in Pakistan also has very high number of people infected with this same virus. Although it is likely that this is a mere coincidence, a theory that the two Punjabs share a common risk factor is very plausible and as of now impossible to decipher. Nonetheless, unlike Hepatitis B, for which a vaccine is present, there is no vaccine for Hepatitis C and infection with this virus can usually lead to liver cancer or the person affected can have a liver failure. It is of utmost importance that action be taken to diagnose more and more people so that this spread of the virus can be adequately addressed. It is also necessary to pin-point the real reason or reasons for the spread of this virus, rather than presuming and guessing, on part of the government authorities.

Dr Prabhjot Singh Washington, D.C. Kalala village in Barnala district, Punjab is reportedly to be in the grip of an outbreak of Hepatitis C virus infection. The term outbreak may imply that it is something of recent occurrence and that it can be adequately controlled. However, the discovery of high number of Hepatitis C cases in the district points to a much larger problem, one that has been going on for a long time and not of recent origin and that it is not an isolated event. In 2010, villages of Badhnikalan, Bagha Purana and Langeana had been reported to have a high number of people infected from Hepatitis C virus. Similarly, in the same year, villages Chhiniwal, Chananwal and Sehjra, all of which are close to Kalala, had reported an alarmingly high

Tailpiece
My friend Sylvia missed a social occasion. She explained it was because she had to accompany her daughter to a super-tough second round interview by a panel of people in suits. I replied: But your daughters two years old. Yes, it was a multiple round interview for a toddler. Its now harder to get into a kindergarten than a major investment bank, or so I deduce by the quality of staff at those places. I was shaking my head over that conversation when a reader forwarded me a super-impressive resume sent to a school in China by the parents of a very small boy. What next? My fetus is studying trigonometry and will start jazz dance immediately after birth. Or maybe immediately before birth? Left leg kick, two, three, right leg kick, two three... When this columnist adopted a baby, he and his wife were placed in chairs in a room and then presented with a five-month-old infant for 20 minutes to interview it. What to ask? So, how would you describe your strengths and weaknesses? His answers werent exactly textbook, since he basically just dribbled a bit and then fell asleep. But we gave him a passing grade for general charm and for not pooping on us very much. How do you judge infants anyway? I once had to interview a large number of randomly chosen mothers for a survey. It quickly became evident that every single mother had given birth to a child way above average intelligence. I realized that this could only work mathematically if there existed entire cities in which every individual was dumb as a rock. Having travelled a great deal in recent years, I can now confirm this is true.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR Letters may be emailed to the editoruconnect@gmail.com ,with full postal address and the full name or the name with initials.

CHANDIGARH SUNDAY 28 July 2013

Derby fashion: Hat is the crowning glory

Kingfisher Derby 2013 in Bangalore, where a crowd of about 20,000 gathered, sashaying their ultra-chic clothes and high-end designs. According to Samar Singh Sheikhawat, senior vice president, marketing, do. Secure the hat in place with hat pins. Try not to wear too wide-brim hats as they may make your neighbour uncomfortable. Men are expected to remove their hats indoors and during the National Anthem, but women have no such rules to adhere to, Puri added. Women are free to indulge in any trend as there is no fixed dress code for them, whereas their male counterparts are expected to be dressed in casual suits, accesorised of course with pocket squares or brooches and hats. For women, there is no particular style when it comes to dressing. Anything works - from minis to maxis and formal suits, designer Rajat Tangri told IANS. The only code is that the dress has to look beautiful and suit your personality. Complement your clothes with an appropriate clutch, he added. Since the hat is the crowning glory, jewellery should be subtle and kept to a minimum - a string of pearls or a simple bracelet. Pearls would look best as a derby is a day event. Diamonds and coloured gems broaches would also give a glam look, matched up with a solid coloured dress or top, jewellery designer Renu Oberoi explained. Mind you, too much of everything is a fashion disaster. So go simple on colours, prints or style of the garment or the accessories, Oberoi added. Dark glasses are another must wear, so go for good brands as they are style statements by themselves. After the dress and accessories, another vital element is footwear. For footwear, choose from stilettos to flats. Go for something that you are comfortable in and something that suits your attire, said Puri. Of course fashion at the derby has a subtle sense of beauty. Who can forget Hollywood veteran Audrey Hepburns look in 1964 film My Fair Lady? She mesmerised her fans when she appeared on the screen in

Are you a first timer at the derby and confused about your wardrobe? Put your best foot forward in a little black dress, high waisted pants or maxidresses, and accessorise it with oversized hats, pearls and a clutch, say designers. Derby is not just about horses; it is also about seeing and being seen in a high-end fashionable wardrobe. One of the most unique features of derbys is that they are like a sports party where horse power, fashion, and fun come together. Guests wear extremely glamorous clothes and designs, said designer Pria Kataaria Puri. Indeed, the derby in India has come of age: from a handful of spectators and betting gamers, it has grown into a fashion fiesta. A case in point was the recent

United Breweries Ltd, derby is as much a lifestyle event as it is a sporting event. So, what are the key elements of derby fashion? When it comes to dressing for the derby, the first and foremost focus is on the hat, Puri told IANS, adding: There are no rules regarding hats. Hats can be just simple or flamboyant. Besides their show-off value, they must also protect you from the sun. She suggested that the hat should be such that once you put it on your head, you dont fidget with it or it upsets your hair-

a gown crafted by British costume designer Cecil Beaton and teamed it up with an over-sized hat for the movies derby sequence. And Nicole Kidman recreated an almost similar look at one of the derbys last year where she came dressed in an elegant black-and-white lace dress and fashionable hat. Even our own desi babe, Sonam Kapoor, wore a white halter ruffled

dress in a derby scene in her 2010 film Aisha. So, in case you cant access stylists, check out celebrities wardrobes they flash in the movies or at events. Horse racing across the world has been glamorous with best dressed ladies and sharply suited males attending. Most of the other sporting events are very casual, but this is more formal, Sheikhawat told IANS.

Dupattas are on way out: Shantanu-Nikhil

New Delhi There was a time when dupatta was a must. Then came an era when it got a makeover and was used as scarf, stole or a veil. Now, dupattas are being replaced by layering by prominent designers. Designer duo Shantanu and Nikhil Mehra say they focus on trying new patterns, cuts and layering. Dupattas are on a way out from the closet as contemporary young women no longer want to carry such ensemble and irritate themselves by tying it around their neck during party or events, Nikhil told IANS. Anarkalis in new shapes, structures and patterns are the new entrants in style file. Short and floor length jackets with anarkali underneath are also a big trend. Lot of layering is happening nowadays, he added. The designers, known to fuse east and west in their creations, showcased a collection titled - To Die For - at the opening day of India Bridal Fashion Week, Tuesday. Their Collection was an ode to the woman of today. To Die For is more like a metaphor that I used for my collection. Brides today are very clear and prac-

tical. They know what they want. My collection serves those brides. This collection focuses on the soft and beautiful bride, who embraces everything feminine and dotes on chic and contemporary fashion, said Shantanu. Their show started with models sashaying down on the ramp in soft pristine white ensembles like gowns, lehengas, mermaid dresses, anarkalis in dull gold floral embroidery work especially at the hems and borders. Some of the pieces that grabbed the attention were the peplum tops over long skirts like lehengas in earthy

colours. Shantanu-Nikhil feels that its essential to keep in mind the wearability factor even for important occasion like wedding or festivals and this is the reason why they always opt for minimalist designs. Shanatnu and Nikhil clothes are for a person who is practical, comfortable and clear about what he or she wants. Minimalism is very strong aspect of our designs. The reference of India as a vintage feel, which is made contemporary, is something that we love to do, said Nikhil.
IANS

Bollywood actress Neha Dhupia at the designer Falguni Shane show at the Aamby Valley India Bridal Fashion Week (AVIBFW) 2013 in New Delhi

IANS

NATIONAL NEWS
tion (JTSA) expressed their disappointment at the verdict, and said they would approach the higher court to seek justice for Ahmad. It was a huge disappointment for us. We will definitely approach the higher court for justice, said Manisha Sethi, president of JTSA. A section of people in the Batla House neighbourhood aired dissatisfaction over the conviction, saying they knew the eventual outcome since their demand for a magisterial probe had been rejected. Chidambaram told a TV channel: I am glad that the police have been able to prove their case. Asked about comments made by his Congress party colleagues like Digvijaya Singh, who had feared the shootout was fake, he said: They (leaders) meant well. They were reflecting the views of the affected families or the people who lived in the area. Earlier, the NHRC (National Human Rights Commission) and the high court also held that there was no reason to doubt the genuineness of the encounter, he said. The BJP said the conviction of Ahmad will go a long way in boosting the morale of the security forces fighting terror. There was a consistent campaign by several political parties, including the Congress, to declare it (shootout) fake... this verdict will go a long way in upholding the morale of those police officers fighting terror, BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said. In a tweet, his party colleague Prakash Javedakar demanded Digvijaya Singh must apologise for his earlier remarks concerning the shootout. He alleged the Congress should also apologise as Digvijaya Singh speaks not off the cuff, but for Congress president Sonia Gandhi and vicepresident Rahul Gandhi.
IANS

CHANDIGARH SUNDAY 28 July 2013

IM terrorist convicted in Batla House shootout

Suspense continues over Andhra Pradeshs future

New Delhi/Hyderabad The suspense continues over future of Andhra Pradesh as the Congress core group meeting ended Friday without a decision on statehood to Telangana region. The core group, which met at Prime Minister Manmohan Singhs official residence at 7, Race Course Road, discussed the issue but did not take any decision. The consultation process is over. Now you should await the decision of the party and the UPA government, was all Congress general secretary Digvijaya Singh told waiting reporters after the meeting Friday evening. It was also not clear when the Congress Working Committee (CWC) would meet to take a final call on the issue, festering for the past many years. After a day of hectic activity and intense speculations, which kept the state on the edge, the Congress core group meeting came out with nothing. Digvijaya Singh, however, added a new dimension by stating that the UPA government will take a decision. Digvijaya Singh, who is in charge of party affairs in the state, said in the afternoon that the process of consultation is over and the time has come for a decision. He was talking to reporters after holding separate meetings with Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy, Deputy Chief Minister Damodar Rajanarasimha and state Congress chief Botsa Satyanarayana. Digvijaya Singhs predecessor Ghulam Nabi Azad, who had dealt with party affairs in Andhra Pradesh, was also present at the meetings. The two central leaders held detailed discussions with the three state leaders who rushed to the national capital on summons from the party central leadership. The three state leaders earlier this month submitted their reports to the Congress core group. The leadership is believed to have summoned them again to get certain issues clarified. Earlier in the day, Congress leaders from Seemandhra (Rayalaseema and Andhra regions) called on the chief minister and urged him to convey to the leadership their strong opposition to the states division, party sources said. Seemandhra leaders, who made a beeline to the national capital in a last-ditch attempt to stall a possible decision to carve out Telangana state, held a meeting to chalk out their strategy. The meeting was attended by state and central ministers and Congress MPs from Seemandhra. S. Sailajanth, the state minister heading the group opposed to states division, told reporters after the meeting that they were confident the state would remain united. He termed as speculations the talk of a likely decision to carve out Telangana state. We have decided to exhaust all options to ensure the state remains united, he said. Hectic activity in Delhi began amid the continuing resignations of Seemandhra leaders to mount pressure on the central government. Two Congress legislators Friday submitted their resignations to the assembly speaker. As many as 16 legislators of the YSR Congress party and one of Congress Thursday announced their resignations. Congress MPs from Telangana also held a meeting at union minister S. Jaipal Reddys residence in New Delhi to chalk out their strategy to counter the lobbying by their counterparts from Seemandhra. Telugu television channels aired speculative stories throughout the day. Some reported that the Congress has taken a decision to carve out Telangana state while others said it would be Rayala-Telangana, comprising Rayalaseema and Telangana. There were also reports that Hyderabad will be a union territory for 10 years. There was mild tension in towns like Anantapur and Kadapa where supporters of united Andhra Pradesh came on to the streets to oppose the states division. Some traders downed shutters while student groups called for a shutdown of educational institutions on Saturday. Anticipating violent protests, additional police and central paramilitary forces were deployed in several towns in Seemandhra.

New Delhi An Indian Mujahideen (IM) operative was held guilty by a Delhi court in the 2008 Batla House shootout here, and the family of a killed police inspector as well as political leaders hailed the verdict while some groups and area residents expressed their dismay. Finance Minister P. Chidambaram, who earlier was the home minister, said he was glad that police have been able to prove their case, and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stressed it was a boost to anti-terror forces. Additional Sessions Judge Rajender Kumar Shastri convicted IM terror groups operative Shahzad Ahmad for killing Inspector M.C. Sharma and fixed July 29 for arguments on sentencing. Ahmad, from Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh, was said to be present in a flat in Batla House neighbourhood in Jamia Nagar area in south Delhi when the shootout took place. The Sep 19, 2008, exchange of fire took place between a seven-member Delhi Police Special Cell team, led by Inspector Sharma, and suspected Indian Mujahideen terrorists who were allegedly involved in the Sep 13, 2008, serial blasts in Delhi that killed 26 people. The court, during the arguments, questioned why Sharma was not

wearing a bullet-proof jacket when he knew that he was leading the team to catch terror suspects and why two police officers were not carrying arms. It agitates my mind that the incident in question was not a sudden confrontation between police and the assailants. Police had already information, receiving which a raiding party was formed well in advance. Despite all this, Inspector M.C. Sharma did not wear any body protection device i.e. bullet-proof jacket. Moreover, at least two members of the raiding party were having no weapon with them, despite knowing the fact that they may face firing. It is not clear whether it was merely a misadventure or lack of professionalism in Delhi Police or scarcity of weapons, the judge said. Police filed the charge sheet against Ahmad April 28, 2010, and the prosecution examined around 70 witnesses, including six eye-witnesses who were part of the police raid team. Sharmas family expressed satisfaction over the verdict. His octogenarian father, Naurottam Sharma, told IANS: I am satisfied with the courts decision, but await the final judgment. I am worried that the accused can move the higher court. Jamia Teachers Solidarity Associa-

India, France to increase defence ties

New Delhi India and France Friday agreed to increase their cooperation in high technology areas in defence that involve joint research and development and transfer of technology. French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, whose three-day official visit ends Saturday, presented Frances new white paper on national security to Defence Minister A.K. Antony. According to a joint statement, Antony and Le Drian had detailed and useful talks on regional and international security challenges of mutual interest. They noted that the range of defence exchanges was being steadily enhanced taking account of respective security interests. The two ministers welcomed the upcoming bilateral exercise Shakti in September 2013 in France between the armies of the two countries. The navies of both countries are working towards finalising the schedule for the conduct of exercise Varuna off the coast of India and the next air force exercise Garuda

ISI operative held in Lucknow with fake currency

Lucknow A Nepali national, working for Pakistani spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), was arrested by Uttar Pradesh Polices Anti-Terror Squad Friday and fake Indian currency with face value of Rs.5 lakh seized from him, officials said. The operative, identified as Ahmed Teli, was nabbed by the ATS at the Qaiserbagh bus station when he was about to board a bus. Officials said Teli was a middle rung operative and was the conduit between the agency and the terror groups spread elsewhere. Additional Director General of Police Arun Kumar said when the operative was arrested, he had Rs.5 lakh of fake Indian currency notes, wrapped in The Dawn newspaper published in Pakistan. ATS had been in pursuit of the ISI man for quite some time since after it intercepted conversations of fake currency exchanges. Teli holds Nepali nationality, officials said, adding that he was being grilled to know further details of his network. During preliminary interrogation, he told ATS sleuths that he has so far pumped in several crores of fake Indian currency since 2011.

One arrested for killing of Maruti Manesar plant GM

New Delhi A 23-year-old man was arrested in connection with the murder of the general manager of Maruti Suzuki plant in Gurgaon districts Manesar July last year, police said Friday. Pradeep Kumar, a resident of Haryana, was arrested from Delhis Shalimar Bagh area Thursday. He disclosed that he was working in Maruti Suzuki Manesar plant as a welder for the last five years. On July 18, 2012, his duty was in the B shift. At around 3.30 p.m., the employees of A shift assembled at the gate after their duty. He also joined them. They started shouting slogans against the management to protest against suspension of one Jiya Lal, said the officer. The mob became violent and he, along with others, damaged the properties and manhandled the management staff. They also set the administrative office on fire, added the officer. After the case was registered, Pradeep Kumar went underground to evade arrest. Maruti Suzukis general manager for human resource Awanish Kumar Dev was burnt to death in the violence in its Manesar plant July 18, 2012. Ninety-one workers were arrested under various charges -- including rioting, murder, attempt to murder, assault and trespass -- and sent for 14 days judicial custody by a local magistrate. Around 100 others were injured in the violence -- including several executives, managers and supervisors -- after workers attacked them. The workers were allegedly instigated by casteist remarks that an official made against one worker, Jiya Lal. Jiya Lal later allegedly beat up the official who made the remarks. He was suspended for his act of indiscipline, and workers protesting the suspension unleashed the violence.
IANS

during the first half of 2014. The two ministers noted that defence cooperation was an important pillar of the strategic partnership between both countries and was mutually beneficial. The ministers tasked the High Committee on Defence Cooperation (HCDC), which is scheduled to meet in France in October, to finalise practical measures to expand and deepen the bilateral partnership in defence. The French minister also conveyed that on the 100th anniversary of World War I, France would pay tribute to Indian soldiers killed in France during the war. The ministers exchanged views on issues relating to UN peace keeping operations and maritime security.

CHANDIGARH SUNDAY 28 July 2013

NATIONAL NEWS
Modi and translation problems dog BJP chief in America

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Court wants draft checks on junk food in schools
New Delhi The Delhi High Court Wednesday given 10 days to the central government to frame draft guidelines for regulating sale of junk food and aerated drinks in and around schools. A division bench of Acting Chief Justice B.D. Ahmed and Justice Vibhu Bakhru told the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) that no further extension will be given and it must submit the draft guidelines within 10 days. The court said: Earlier, this court had recorded that draft guidelines would be filed on July 24. Unfortunately, the draft guidelines are not ready. Now, the counsel for the centre states that the draft guidelines would be ready within 10 days. Let it be filed within 10 days. The courts direction came after Additional Solicitor General Rajeeve Mehra told the court that draft guidelines were not ready yet and more time was needed. The court, posting the matter for Sep 4, said: It is expected that parties shall adhere to this time line and no extension would be given by this court. The judges also asked the central government to share the report with other stakeholders who will also give their suggestions or comments on the issue. The government earlier told the court that private firm AC Nielsen QRG-MARG Pvt Ltd was in the process of framing norms to regulate availability of junk foods and carbonated drinks within 500 yards of schools. The court was hearing a petition filed by Rakesh Prabhakar, a lawyer for NGO Uday Foundation, seeking a direction banning sale of junk food and aerated drinks in and around schools.

Three lakh teachers to boycott mid-day meal scheme in Bihar

Patna Three lakh school teachers in Bihar have decided to boycott the midday meal scheme from July 25 to get rid of non-academic work. A week after the death of 23 children from eating a contaminated mid-day meal in Saran district, teachers are in no mood to assist the government in running the scheme. It was unanimously decided at a meeting of the Bihar State Primary Teachers Association to boycott the scheme, its president, Barajnandan Sharma, told. We had repeatedly requested the government in writing to involve teachers in academic work only and employ some agency for the scheme, which was ignored. Teachers should not be burdened with all kinds of non-academic work, he said. Teachers are blamed for anything that goes wrong with the scheme, Sharma said, adding: It is giving a bad name to teachers due to rampant corruption. He said that it is a well-known fact that teachers and headmasters have to invariably manage the mid-day meal scheme with third-grade food stuff and corruption at every level. Top to bottom, officials have information about it. But when something happens, a teacher or headmaster is solely blamed for it despite the fact that there are several officials involved in it, he said. Refering to the Saran tragedy, Sharma said: There may be some mismanagement. Even human error cannot be ruled out. But putting the blame on teachers even before an inquiry has completed surprised us. In the wake of teachers decision to boycott the scheme, Bihar Education Minister P.K. Shahi said it was difficult to arrange for an agency to run the scheme in 72,000 schools across the state. The poisonous substance, organophosphorus, in oil samples collected from school was more than five times the commercial preparation available in the market, police said. Organophosphorus compounds are degradable organic compounds containing carbon-phosphorus bonds used primarily in pest control.

Washington He came hoping to win over America and Indian Americans with his simple ways, but the Bharatiya Janata Party president Rajnath Singh found himself dogged by controversy ever since his arrival - over Gujarat strongman Narendra Modi and translation problems. Dressed in his trademark white dhoti kurta with a striped dark blue Nehru jacket, he came to the National Press Club in Washington, just a couple of blocks away from the White House, Wednesday, to explain his mission US to the Indian media over breakfast. But even as Indian journalists, writing for both Indian and American publications, offered to let him talk in Hindi or English, whatever you are comfortable with, the first question after the customary introductions inevitably focused on Modi. Choosing to speak in Hindi with journalists hailing from Bihar to Kerala also making it a point to pose questions in Indias national language, he tried hard to dispel the impression that he had virtually anointed Modi as BJPs prime ministerial candidate or that he had come to the US to get the Gujarat chief minister a US

visa. Reports that he had projected Modi as such during his first interaction with the media in New York Saturday were just a creation of the media, said Rajnath Singh denying that he had ever suggested that he would take up the issue of denial of US visa to Modi with US lawmakers. This is a US administration issue, not our issue, he said. And at times when he spoke about more complex issues like BJPs support for economic reforms or how its foreign policy would be different from the current Congress led government if it came to power, he would touch party spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi on the arm saying translate. And sitting on his left, Trivedi dressed in a blue bandhgala would more embellish than translate his chiefs answers with examples from former pime mnister Atal Bihari Vajpayees times to assert that BJP was pro-reform and its foreign policy though not much different would have its own perpective. But all through Rajnath Singh insisted that he was not here to sell Modi or get him a visa and his mission simply was to build stronger economic

and strategic ties with the US. Another object of the mission was to renew and re-establish a connection with the Indian diaspora, said a lingering Overseas Friends of BJP convener Vijay Jolly as an old media friend complained to him in an aside: Next time bring someone who knows English. This is America! One is not privy to how the BJP chief went about his meetings with US business leaders and policy formulators at think tanks and lawmakers, but he seemed all at sea at a conference on Afghanistan on the Capitol Hill, seat of US Congress, Tuesday. Trading his dhoti kurta for a bandhgala and trousers, a stiff-looking, Rajnath Singh read out his keynote address in English in a monotonous flat voice as fellow panellist Ed Royce, Republican Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and a packed audience listened with little visible reaction. And when the time came for questions, the organisers thought it fit to distribute lunch packets even as the BJP chief mumbled short answers to a couple of questions that were hardly audible over the din before he left for a luncheon appointment somewhere else. IANS

Salman Khan to face grave charges in hit-and-run case

Mumbai In a severe setback to Bollywood actor Salman Khan, a Mumbai court Wednesday formally charged him with culpable homicide not amounting to murder in the 2002 hit-and-run accident case. If found guilty under the stringent Indian Penal Code Section 304(Part two), the actor could face a 10-year prison term. The trial is expected to start from Aug 16. However, Salman Khan, 47, today pleaded not guilty to this and other charges framed against him by Sessions Judge U.B. Hejib. The other charges have been slapped under IPC Section 279 (causing death by negligence), and Sections 337, 338, 427, and under the Motor Vehicles Act and the Bombay Prohibition Act. However, the court accepted an application moved by the actor seeking exemption from personal appearance during the trial and granted the request. Sessions Judge Hejib directed Salman Khan to remain present before the court whenever required and

One killed in Assam grenade attack

Guwahati One person was killed and at least seven others were injured after the anti-talk faction of the ULFA militants lobbed a grenade at a crowded place in Assam Wednesday evening, police said. Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) S.N. Singh confirmed the incident in Bokolia area in Karbi Anglong district and said an operation was on to arrest the culprits. Police said two militants came on a motorcycle and lobbed a grenade at a crowded place in Bokolia, a small township. Eight persons were injured during the incident. One of them succumbed to his injuries before reaching a hospital, police said. On Tuesday, cadres of the same militant outfit triggered two grenade blasts at Lakhimpur town, injuring five civilians. A grenade was recovered by police from another location, almost simultaneously. S.N. Singh said that cadres of the anti-talk faction of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), led by its commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah, intensified the subversive activities ahead of the Independence Day celebrations.
IANS

BSF seizes heroin on India-Pakistan border

New Delhi The Border Security Force (BSF) said Wednesday it had seized five kg of heroin valued at Rs.25 crore from the border with Pakistan in Punjab. The consignment was recovered during a search operation Tuesday at the Bhanian border outpost in Amritsar district, spokesperson Tirtha Acharya told IANS. (We) recovered five packets of contraband suspected to be heroin weighing five kg from a cemented pipe, four feet long and 10 inch in diameter, near a diesel tube well inside Indian territory, he said. This is a new modus-operandi of some drug traffickers. They place such contraband inside the pipe, and it is then taken out by associates on the other side, the official said.
IANS

read out the charges to him. On June 24, the sessions court upheld a magistrates order that an offence of culpable homicide not amounting to murder was made out against the actor and dismissed his appeal against the verdict. The magistrate had tried him under the lesser charge of causing death by negligence under IPC Section 304A, which stipulates a maximum twoyear jail sentence. Earlier Wednesday morning, Sessions Judge Hejib expressed inability to frame the charges against Salman Khan since he was transferred to a new assignment.

Public prosecutor Shankar Erande urged the court to frame the charges Wednesday itself since the accused actor was planning to travel abroad for two months and it could further delay the 11-year old case. On Sep 28, 2002, in the early hours, a Land Cruiser allegedly driven by Salman Khan, who was in an inebriated condition, climbed onto a pavement and crushed five, one of whom died, in suburban Bandra. Accepting a plea by the actors lawyer Shrikant Shivade, the court also directed the media to exercise restraint in coverage of the trial and report the case proceedings accurately.

INTERNATIONAL
Moscow American whistleblower Edward Snowden has not been granted approval to leave the transit zone of Moscows Sheremetyevo airport, his lawyer said. Anatoly Kucherena said after meeting Snowden in the Terminal E of the airport that the Federal Migration Service (FMS) had not yet granted the necessary certificate, Xinhua reported. The issue is not resolved. This situation is unique for Russia, he said. Noting there had not been such cases or applications before, Kucherena said Snowden has expressed his understanding of this. Snowden would not contact media representatives in the near future for security reasons, he said.

CHANDIGARH SUNDAY 28 July 2013

Ban rings wall street closing bell, welcomes Snowden still stuck in Moscow airport transit zone NYstock exchange to UN initiative
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today welcomed the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) to a United Nations initiative which seeks to support responsible and sustainable investments. There are few better places than this trading floor for appreciating the realities of globalization. Shocks here ripple across the world, Mr. Ban said in his remarks just before ringing the closing bell on Wall Street to welcome NYSE Euronext to the UN Sustainable Stock Exchanges initiative. The Sustainable Stock Exchanges (SSE) Initiative explores how exchanges can work together with investors, regulators, and companies to enhance corporate transparency, and ultimately performance, on environmental, social and corporate governance issues and encourage responsible long-term approaches to investment. Since its creation in 2009, eight exchanges have joined, with nearly 13,000 listed companies in developed and emerging markets. The addition of the worlds largest stock exchange to this group is a significant forward step, signalling the importance and relevance of sustainability to the private sector around the world, Mr. Ban said. But we will need more exchanges, investors and companies to join forces if

UN general assembly designates 19 november as world toilet day

In a bid to make sanitation for all a global development priority, the United Nations General Assembly today designated 19 November as World Toilet Day, urging changes in both behaviour and policy on issues ranging from enhancing water management to ending open-air defecation. Adopting a new resolution, the Assembly urged UN Member States and relevant stakeholders to encourage behavioural change and the implementation of policies to increase access to sanitation among the poor, along with a call to end the practice of open-air defecation, which it deemed extremely harmful to public health. This new annual observance will go a long way toward raising awareness about the need for all human beings to have access to sanitation, said UN Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson in a statement issued immediately following the Assemblys action. The resolution also recognizes the role that civil society and non-governmental organizations play in raising awareness of this issue. It also calls on countries to approach sanitation in a much broader context that includes hygiene promotion, the provision of basic sanitation services, and sewerage and wastewater treatment and reuse in the context of integrated water management. Of the worlds seven billion people, six billion have mobile phones. However, only 4.5 billion have access to toilets or latrines meaning that 2.5 billion people, mostly in rural areas, do not have proper sanitation. In addition, 1.1 billion people still defecate in the open. The countries where open defecation is most widely practiced are the

we are to achieve a more equitable, prosperous and sustainable future. The daily index of profit and loss is a measure of the hopes and plans of people from all walks of life from the wealthiest investors to nurses and teachers looking forward to a comfortable retirement, the SecretaryGeneral said. He stressed that the private sector plays a central role in creating solutions for the worlds most pressing needs, and added that responsible business is essential to rebuild trust in markets, particularly after seeing the consequences of the global financial crisis. Investment must be sustainable delivering value not just financially, but also in social, environmental and developmental terms, he said. Mr. Ban noted that investors are

increasingly realizing that development challenges such as climate change, poverty and inequality, are long-term risks that threaten stability and businesses, and are therefore embracing social, economic and environmental sustainability. That is why the UN-supported Principles for Responsible Investment now has more than 1,200 signatories who collectively manage over $34 trillion dollars in assets, he said. Each has committed to incorporate sustainability into their investment decision making, ownership practices and engagement with companies. Mr. Ban, who will ring the NYSE bell today to close the markets, thanked NYSE Euronext for committing to the SSE initiative and urged stock exchanges around the world to follow its lead.

Of course, he intends to meet the press when the question of his status is finally clarified, the lawyer said. Kucherena also did not rule out the possibility Snowden could receive approval for free movement in Russia any time. The most important thing for Snowden was to wait for the FMSs final decision, and he could appeal if the service rejected the application, he said. The former CIA contractor is learning Russian, and could utter simple phrases during their talks, the lawyer said, adding that Snowden wanted to find a job here. He also told Snowden a number of Russian girls had a crush on him. The latter responded with laughter.

Pakistan donates $1 mn to quake-hit China

Beijing Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi received a humanitarian donation of $1 million from the Pakistani government during a meeting with Pakistans Ambassador Masood Khalid. A 6.6-magnitude quake hit northwest Gansu province Monday, leaving 95 dead and over 1,000 injured. Calling Pakistan a devoted friend of China, Wang said: A friend in need is a friend indeed. He recalled Pakistans donation of more than 20,000 tents to China during the Wenchuan earthquake in 2008. Despite facing difficulties in its own economy, Pakistan is again providing assistance to China, which demonstrates the brotherhood between the two countries, he said.
IANS

Security council extends mandate of monitoring group for Somalia and Eritrea
The Security Council today extended for 16 months the mandate of the United Nations expert panel monitoring compliance with sanctions against Somalia and Eritrea, while further easing funding and equipment restrictions on the UN and European Union missions in the region. In a resolution adopted this morning, the Council asked Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to re-establish the eight-member Monitoring Group on Eritrea and Somalia until 25 November 2014. The panel, which monitors compliance with the embargoes on the delivery of weapons and military equipment to Somalia and Eritrea, also investigates any seaport operations in Somalia that could generate revenue for the Islamist militant group known as Al-Shabaab that controls some Somali territory. The Security Council in 1992 imposed an embargo on all deliveries of weapons and military equipment to Somalia. This past March, the Council partially lifted the weapons ban for one year to boost the Governments capacity to protect areas recovered from the militant group Al-Shabaab and defend against fresh attempts by such groups to destabilize the country. It decided that the arms embargo would not apply to arms or equipment sold or supplied solely for the development of the Governments security forces, but it kept its restrictions in place on heavy weapons, such as surface-to-air missiles. Todays resolution reminds the Federal Government of Somalia that it is required to notify the Councils sanctions committee at least five days in advance of any such deliveries and provide details of the transactions. Alternately, Member States delivering assistance could make the notification after informing the Govern-

same countries with the highest numbers of under-five child deaths, high levels of under-nutrition and poverty, and large wealth disparities. Despite progress toward the Millennium Development Goals, one in three people do not have a basic toilet, Mr. Eliasson said. Almost 2,000 children die every day from preventable diarrhoeal diseases. Poor sanitation and water supply result in economic losses estimated at $260 billion annually in developing countries. He added that sanitation is also a question of basic dignity, and underlined that women should not risk being victims of rape and abuse because of lack of access to a toilet that offers privacy. It is also unacceptable that many girls are pushed out of school for lack of basic sanitation facilities, he said. I urge every country to accelerate progress towards a world in which everyone enjoys this most basic of rights. World Toilet Day has previously been marked by international and civil society organizations all over the world. However, it was not formally recognized as an official UN day until today.

ment of its intentions in that regard. The text decides that until 6 March 2014, the arms embargo on Somalia would not apply to weapons, military equipment, training or advice intended to develop Somalias security forces. Nor would it apply to military supplies and aid to the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNISOM), African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and its strategic partners, the EU Training Mission in Somalia (EUTM) or to Member States and organizations working to combat piracy off the coast of Somalia. The 15-member Council also expresses its deep concern at reports of continuing violations of the charcoal ban by Member States and stresses that it is willing to take action against those violate the ban. It also reiterates that a charcoal export ban applies to all charcoal from Somalia, whether or not it originated in the country, and requested AMISOM to support and assist Somali authorities in preventing the

export of charcoal from the country. In addition, the resolution includes language renewing a humanitarian exemption until 25 October 2014. The exemption is for payment of funds, other financial assets or economic resources necessary to ensure the timely deliver of urgently needed humanitarian assistance in Somalia by the UN and its implementing partners. The text also encourages the Federal Government to mitigate the risk of the petroleum sector becoming a source of increased tension. The Council also expresses its serious concern at reports of misappropriation so Somalias public resources given President Hassan Sheikh Mohamuds commitment to improve public financial management. Council members encouraged the Government to address corruption and hold perpetrators accountable, and reiterated their willingness to take action against individuals involved in misappropriation of public resources.

CHANDIGARH SUNDAY 28 July 2013

INTERNATIONAL

Obama warns of growing Bo Xilai charged with bribery, Pakistan inequality in US embezzlement, power abuse presidential Washington Bo had been informed of his legal poll advanced President Barack Obama Wednesday rights and interviewed by prosecuwarned of growing inequality in tors. His defending counsels also to July 30 the US despite the fact that the coundelivered their opinions, prosecutors
said. China was last year rocked by a major scandal involving Bo, who was accused of taking advantage of his position to seek profits for others and received huge bribes personally or through his family. His position was utilised by his wife to seek profits for others, and the Bo family accepted a huge amount of money and property from others. He was also found to have violated organisational and personnel disciplines and made erroneous decisions in certain promotions, resulting in serious consequences, Xinhua had earlier reported. The CPC Central Committee announced in April 2012 that it had decided to suspend Bos membership as he was suspected of being involved in serious violations of discipline. The CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection also filed a case for investigation. Last September, the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee decided to expel Bo from the CPC and his public office. The bureau also decided to transfer Bos suspected law violations and relevant evidence to judicial organs. Bo, 64, also formerly served as mayor of Dalian, governor of northeast Chinas Liaoning Province and Chinas minister of commerce.
IANS

Beijing Disgraced politician Bo Xilai, who was once a rising star in the Communist Party, has been charged with bribery, embezzlement and power abuse, the authorities said Thursday. The indictment was delivered to the Jinan City Intermediate Peoples Court Thursday, Xinhua reported, citing Jinan City Peoples Procuratorate in east Chinas Shandong province. Bo, as a civil servant, took advantage of his position to seek profits for others and accepted an extremely large amount of money and properties, the indictment said. He also embezzled a huge amount of public money and abused his power, seriously harming the interests of the state and people, the document added.

Islamabad The Pakistan Supreme Court Wednesday advanced the presidential election by seven days, from Aug 6 to July 30, following the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) partys plea that some parliamentarians will be in Mecca during that time. The Supreme Court gave its ruling on the petition filed by PML-N chairman Raja Zafarul Haq, who sought a change in the poll date as many members of parliament would be in Mecca for religious rituals, the Geo News reported. The Pakistan government endorsed Haqs plea before the apex court to direct the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to reschedule the upcoming presidential election for July 30. During the hearing, Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry asked Attorney General Munir A. Malik if there existed any constitutional hurdle for rescheduling the election. The attorney general replied that there was no constitutional bar in holding the presidential election July 30 and Public Representation Act placed no obstruction in the way of the presidential election.

try has left behind the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. (T)his growing inequality is not just morally wrong, its bad economics, Obama said in a much-heralded speech at Knox University in Galesburg, Illinois. Reversing that trend has to be Washingtons highest priority, he said. Its certainly my highest priority. Unfortunately, over the past couple of years, in particular, Washington hasnt just ignored this problem, too often, Washington has made things worse, the president said, pointing to what he characterized as obstructionism by a sizable group of Republican lawmakers. I care about one thing and one thing only, and thats how to use every minute - the only thing I care about is how to use every minute of the remaining 1,276 days of my term - to make this country work for working Americans again, Obama said. And it may seem hard today, but

if were willing to take a few bold steps - if Washington will just shake off its complacency and set aside the kind of slash-and-burn partisanship that weve just seen for way too long - if we just make some commonsense decisions, our economy will be stronger a year from now, he said. He noted that over the last 40 months US firms have created 7.2 million new jobs and that this year the growth in private sector employment is the strongest since 1999.

Regmi refuses to step down as Nepals chief justice

Kathmandu Despite pressure from opposition parties, Khil Raj Regmi, the head of Nepals interim government, has refused to resign as the chief justice of the Supreme Court. Regmi is holding the two posts since March 13. Some opposition parties want him to resign as the chief justice to ensure a conducive environment for Nov 19 parliamentary polls, Xinhua reported. A case has been filed in the Supreme Court demanding Regmis resignation as chief justice. In a written reply in the Supreme Court Thursday, Regmi argued that there was a new provision in the constitution stating that the government would be headed by a sitting chief justice. If I resign from the post of chief justice, I will no longer remain the cabinet chairman, which in turn could lead to new constitutional complexities, the reply stated. Opposition parties Madhesi Janadhikar Forum Nepal (MJF-N), Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (a splinter group of Unified Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist) and the Federal Socialist Party-Nepal (FSP-N) are demanding Regmis resignation as chief justice, saying that holding both posts by an individual will affect the principle of separation of powers. Regmi in his reply also cited precedents in Greece, Canada and Ghana, arguing that sitting chief justices have assumed executive roles. The apex court had last month asked Regmi to explain why he was holding the dual positions. The bench was responding to a petition filed by one Bharat Jungum demanding Regmis resignation as the chief justice. Jungum had moved the court on May 27, arguing that Regmi holding the two positions was against the principle of separation of powers. Opposition parties say they will not take part in the election process if Regmi refuses to resign as chief justice. IANS

Toll in Spain train crash rises

Madrid At least 77 people have been killed and around 140 injured after a train derailed outside the city of Santiago de Compostela in the Galicia region of Spain. This is only a provisional figure and could rise further, a government spokesperson said. Families of the victims have arrived at the scene of the accident, waiting for further information. Theresia Marin, a psychologist, said she passed by the site in the evening when the derailment happened. After hearing about the accident, she offered psychological help to the injured and victims families at a temporary shelter. Rescue operations are underway at the site, she said. Earlier, the number of victims was estimated at under 50. The priority is to help the injured and their families at the moment. We are working with enormous logistical capacity, but we cannot sadly save the lives of those 45-47 people, which is the number of deaths we are currently working with, said the president of the Galician regional government, Alberto Nunez Feijoo, on Spanish television hours after the accident. The train, which was travelling from Madrid to Ferrol and left the Chamartin Station in the capital at 3 p.m., derailed on a bend shortly after coming out of a tunnel. At least 13 carriages came off the rails with several lying on the side of an embankment with several of them catching fire. Reports said that several of the carriages literally flew through the air. Huge numbers of emergency services are at the scene in order to help the injured, along with a crane to help

free those trapped in the wreckage. Both of the trains drivers have survived the accident and will be able to help resolve the cause of the disaster. But for the moment, the cause of the crash is not known. Early indications are that it could be the result of human error, while some survivors have said the train appeared to be travelling at a high speed on a curve with a speed limit of just 80 km an hour. Investigators have indicated the train could have been travelling at 180 km per hour when it came off the rails. One of the drivers was reported to have confirmed the train took the curve prior to the accident at a speed of 200 km per hour. The bend where the accident happened is reported to be the tightest between the cities of Ourense and Santiago and was described as a difficult section of the track by the ADIF, the company which administers the infrastructure of Spains railways. There are also unconfirmed reports of an explosion on board, just as the

train entered the curve. The Spanish minister of the interior has, however, ruled out a terrorist attack. There were 218 passengers plus crew aboard the train, which was especially full because Thursday is the holiday of St. John in Santiago, the patron saint of the region of Galicia and the start of a four-day weekend in the region. The University Hospital at Santiago appealed for blood donors to help the victims of the crash and such was the response that all centres in the city were saturated with donors by 11.30 p.m. It is the worst train accident Spain has suffered in the past 40 years and the third worst in the countrys history, with a higher number of victims than the head-on collision in Chincilla (Albacete), which claimed 19 lives in 2003. The countrys worst ever rail accident happened in Jan 1944 on a train between Madrid and La Coruna with estimates of victims ranging from the official figure of 78 to over 500 dead.
IANS

Four killed as ISI office attacked in Sindh

Islamabad At least four people were killed and 35 injured when four suicide bombers stormed a regional headquarters of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency in a colony of Pakistans Sindh province Wednesday, Geo News reported. The blasts that damaged several vehicles and buildings and left a deep crater near the ISI headquarters occurred in Sukkur districts Barrage Colony. According to sources, a suicide bomber rammed his explosivesladen vehicle into the gate of ISI headquarters while two others detonated explosives rigged with their bodies inside the office. An alleged bomber was arrested following the explosions, they added.

Deputy Inspector General Javed Odho said the blasts targetted a compound containing offices of the DIG, commissioner and the ISI. The local ISI office might be the target of the attack, which left several people injured, the officer said, adding that a shootout took place between the security officials and terrorists following the explosions. Earlier, the Dawn reported that the blasts occurred where residences of several government officers and the intelligence agency offices were located. Provincial Information Minister Sharjeel Memon told a news channel: I can confirm at least four blasts hit the area, but I cant confirm at the moment if there were more.
IANS

POLITICS QUOTE FIRE

CHANDIGARH SUNDAY 28 July 2013

Narendra Modi US Visa Row/ Letter written by MPs to US President

Sitaram Yechury, CPI-M leader It is this very principle that leads us to strongly oppose and denounce any external interference into Indias internal affairs undermining its sovereignty,

Prakash Javadekar, BJP spokesperson The denial by some MPs of having written to Obama shows that this is a clear conspiracy of the dirty tricks department of the Congress. Some MPs have said their signatures were forged,

Raj Babbar, Congress spokesperson The issue has not been discussed in any forum of the party, nor of parliament,

Digvijaya Singh, Congress We have nothing to do with it. It is up to the US government to issue visa to Modi.

Mohammed Adeeb, Rajya Sabhas Independent member I am shocked. I dont believe that a person like Yechury is saying something like this. I have his signature. His name is ninth in the list. How can I paste it?,

Rakesh Sinha, Political Analyst The MPs by doing so have repudiated the image of India at International forum,

Chetan Bhagat, Writer The MPs should not have written to the President of America, being themselves the law framers in India

CAMP UPA

POLITICAL CAMP NEWS

Congress slams BJP demand to strip Sen of Bharat Ratna
New Delhi BJP MP Chandan Mitras demand to strip Nobel laureate Amartya Sen of the Bharat Ratna for his anti-Narendra Modi remarks has irked the Congress which Thursday called it an insult of the highest civilian award and a reflection of fascist mentality. Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari said noted economist Sen, 79, had a right to express his views. What kind of mentality is this. Either you are with us or against us. If you are against us, you are not entitled to Bharat Ratna, he asked. Tewari said Bharat Ratna was bestowed on Sen by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government of which the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was the major constituent. He said suggestions were also being made that Amartya Sen, who is based in the US, should return the Nobel prize. What is it that Mr. Amartya Sen has done. In this country arent people entitled to their view. If this is not pure fascism what else is it, Tewari said. Amartya Sen had said in a TV interview that he did not want Modi to be prime minister of the country in view of his record during the 2002 Gujarat riots. Congress leader Shakeel Ahmad said every citizen had a right to express his views. He said the demand to take back the honour bestowed upon Sen was an insult of Bharat Ratna and accused the BJP of displaying height of intolerance. Amartya Sen doesnt want Modi as PM, rates him below Nitish. For this sin, the BJP wants to strip his Bharat Ratna. Isnt it height of intolerance? (sic), Ahmad said in a tweet.

CAMP NDA

Involve Odisha villages in mining decision: BJP

Bhubaneswar BJP vice president Jual Oram Tuesday urged the government to hold gram sabhas (meetings) in all villages in Odishas Niyamgiri hills to take a decision on the bauxite mining project in the region. The former MP said he met Union Tribal Affairs Minister V. Kishore Chandra Deo in New Delhi Monday and sought his intervention into the issue. The Odisha government has notified to hold grama sabhas only in 12 villages whereas more than 120 villages have Kondh (tribe) population in that specified area. I have requested the union minister to take steps for holding gram sabhas in all 120 villages, Oram told. It would be a mockery of the order of the apex court if the opinion of all the villagers is not taken into consideration, Oram said. Oram said the governor of Odisha has special powers under the fifth schedule of the constitution to protect tribal interests in the scheduled districts of the state. If the government does not take care of the tribal interest, the situation may get out of hand as the area is infested with Leftist extremism, who have been often exploiting tribals, he said. Vedanta has set up a one million tonne per annum alumina refinery at Lanjigarh in Kalahandi district, about 600 km from here. However, it could never operate the plant at full capacity due to shortage of bauxite, the key raw material used to produce alumina. Vedanta had entered into an arrangement with the state government for supply of bauxite through a state agency from nearby Niyamgiri hills, but the move was challenged by antidisplacement groups. The Supreme Court April 18 asked the state to go to gram sabhas to understand the religious and cultural aspects of tribals in the region.

Hyderabad A member of Andhra Pradesh legislative assembly belonging to the Congress Thursday announced his resignation both from the party and the house to stall possible move by the central leadership to divide the state. With Congress Working Committee (CWC) likely to meet Sunday to take a final decision on the demand for a separate

Andhra Congress legislator quits over Telangana

Telangana state, G. Veerashiva Reddy told reporters in Kadapa that he was sending resignations to Speaker N. Manohar and state Congress chief Botsa Satyanarayana. Reddy, who represents Kamalapuram constituency in YSR Kadapa district, showed resignation letters to media persons. He said all legislators from Seemandhra (Rayalaseema and Andhra regions), irrespective of their party affiliations, should resign to put pressure on the central government to keep the state united. Reddys resignation came a day after ministers from Seemandhra met in Hyderabad and said they were ready to resign for keeping the state united. Earlier this month, six legislators announced their resignations over the Telangana issue. Four members of assembly and

two of the legislative council, all from the Rayalaseema region, tendered their resignations to protest reported plans by the central government to carve out a Telangana state out of Andhra Pradesh. The legislators who announced their resignations included three from the Congress, two from the YSR Congress Party and one from the Telugu Desam Party.

No apprehension of Bengal getting divided: Mamata

Kolkata At a time when the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) has declared it will renew its demand for a separate Gorkhaland, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Tuesday said there was no apprehension of a division of the state. The hills are smiling and so are the plains of Terrai and Dooars. Today there is no bloodshed for a separate state, people are not apprehensive that the state would be divided, Banerjee said during a party rally in Jalpaiguri district. Campaigning for her party candidates for the ongoing panchayat polls, she credited her government for establishing peace in the hill region and iterated that both plains and hills would continue to coexist peacefully. With the Congress Working Committee slated to decide on the creation of Telangana -- a separate state by bifurcating Andhra Pradesh,the GJM too has said it will renew its demand for Gorkhaland if Telangana was allowed. If a decision can be taken for a separate state of Telangana, then the government should also create a separate state of Gorkhaland as it has been demanded for the past 100 years, GJM general secretary Roshan Giri had said. The CWC is scheduled to meet July 29 and likely to take a call on Telangana. The dragging campaign for the separate state of Gorkhaland has led to the loss of many lives over the past two decades, besides hitting the economic mainstays -- tea, timber and tourism of the northern hills of the state. On July 18, 2012, a tripartite agreement was signed between the GJM and the state and central governments for setting up a new autonomous, elected GTA -- a hill council armed with more powers than its predecessor, the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council formed in the late IANS 1980s.

CHANDIGARH SUNDAY 28 July 2013

POLITICS
New Delhi The Congress Wednesday distanced itself from the controversy over MPs writing to US President Barack Obama on the issue of visa to Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, saying nothing was discussed in the party. The issue has not been discussed in any forum of the party, nor of parliament, Congress spokesperson Raj Babbar told reporters who asked him about the MPs letter to Obama and the British prime minister. The nation is bigger than politics, he said. While Communist Party of IndiaMarxist leader Sitaram Yechury denied having signed any such letter, BJP MP from Jharkhands Lohardaga Sudarshan Bhagat complained to Speaker Meira Kumar and demanded an investigation. These are serious charges and amount to forgery. I have demanded

9 Congress distances itself from Modi visa controversy

that the speaker order an impartial inquiry and action be taken against those responsible, he said. There is news circulating that I am a signatory to a petition to the US president asking for the denial of US visa for the Gujarat chief minister. I deny having signed any such letter, Yechury said. Independent Rajya Sabha member Mohammed Adeeb said Tuesday that he has Sunday re-sent a letter written last year by many MPs to the US president. The letter sought to know if the US government, which in 2002 denied visa to Modi after the communal riots in the state, had changed its policy on the issue. The earlier letter was sent in 2012, said Adeeb, who added that BJP chief Rajnath Singhs lobbying in the US for a visa to Modi has triggered the issue.

Jayalalithaa slams UPA on FDI

Chennai Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa Tuesday said the UPA government at the centre was acting at the behest of foreign interests in relaxing FDI. In a statement issued here, Jayalalithhaa said: Totally bereft of ideas, in a weak bid to show some pretence of a policy response to an adverse economic situation, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has recently approved the raising of the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) caps in some sectors. These measures raise a number of serious concerns. Far from protecting the interests of workers and the common people of the country, the UPA government appears to be acting at the behest of foreign interests and some external rating agencies, which are frequently threatening to lower the sovereign rating to junk status and thereby cowing down the weak UPA government at the centre, making it bend to its whims and fancies, she said. Jayalalithaa said the decision also raises serious security and related concerns, which have been ignored. According to her, the rupee depreciation against the US dollar is a direct reflection of the inept macro-economic management of the UPA government over the past several years. Opposing the 100 percent FDI in the

telecom sector, Jayalalithaa said the decision has security concerns since foreign companies will be able to control the entire telecom network. Data security and privacy issues will arise, which will be very difficult to regulate. This was also witnessed recently in the case of a private service provider who had laid more emphasis on individual privacy rather than national security. Jayalalithaa said the move will benefit foreign companies that have incurred losses due to the apex courts order in the 2G licence case. Even advanced countries restrict foreign investment in the telecom sector for security reasons, whereas

the government of India seems to be oblivious of these concerns, Jayalalithaa said. On the FDI limit hike in the insurance sector, Jayalalithaa said the government was hoping the DMK would support it when the Insurance Law (Amendment) Bill, 2008, is moved in parliament for its passage. She termed the governments announcement that FDI in the defence sector would be allowed over 26 percent for state-of-the-art technology as opaque. Jayalalithaa also voiced her opposition to the hike in FDI limits in the plantation and single brand retail sectors. IANS

DMK to act against its MPs who signed letter to Obama

Chennai DMK chief M. Karunanidhi said the party would act against any of its parliament members found to have signed a letter to US President Barack Obama seeking denial of US visa to Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi. In a statement issued here, Karunanidhi said: The party does not accept the signing of such letters by its members of parliament (MP). Though the party MPs have said they have not signed any letter addressed to the US president, action will be taken against them if they have indeed signed. He said the DMK will not interfere in the central governments foreign policy and its internal matters. Karunanidhis statement comes in the wake of news reports that the letter allegedly sent to the US president by several members of parliament included the signature of DMKs K.P. Ramalingam. The letter urged US President Barack Obama to refuse Modi a visa to the

Hopeful Jan Lokpal bill will be passed: Anna Hazare

Lucknow Social activist and anti-graft crusader Anna Hazare has said that he would continue to press for the passage of the Jan Lokpal (Citizens Ombudsman) bill by parliament. In course of his Jantantra Yatra (Walk for Democracy) at the Ramlila grounds in Moradabad, Hazare told his supporters that the need of the hour was to send good people to the Lok Sabha. The country has suffered a lot at the hands of the corrupt system. The time has come to overthrow them and cleanse the system of the ills it is suffering from, he said Tuesday. He pointed out that he had also not given up on his fight for the Jan Lokpal bill. I will fight for the bill till my last breath he said to cheers from his supporters. Hazare also said that he was hopeful that the patriotism and the yearning of change in the young Indians would usher in an era of honesty and good governance in the country. Hazare had embarked on his Jantantra Yatra in Amritsar March 31 this year to rally support against the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance Government in the run-up to the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. The Lokpal bill was first introduced by Shanti Bhushan in 1968 and passed the 4th Lok Sabha in 1969. But before it could be passed by Rajya Sabha, the Lok Sabha was dissolved and the bill lapsed. Subsequent versions were re-introduced

but none of them were passed. In 2011, during parliaments winter session, the Lok Sabha passed the Lokpal bill but could not be passed by Rajya Sabha due to shortage of time in the winter session. IANS

US, on account of his alleged role in the 2002 Gujarat riots. Interestingly, the DMK, which was part of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government at the centre, pulled out from the coalition March last, voicing dismay over Indias stance on Sri Lanka at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). Karunanidhi then said the UPA government had not only refused to consider the DMKs views on the US-sponsored resolution against Sri Lanka at the UNHRC, but had quietly watered it down.
IANS

Two die in final phase of Bengal panchayat polls

Kolkata The fifth and final phase of the West Bengal panchayat polls claimed two lives Thursday. A CPI-M activist was killed in an attack allegedly by rival party goons, while an aged voter died of cardiac arrest due to excessive heat. Narendra Barman collapsed and died after standing for long in a queue under hot and humid conditions outside a polling booth in Jaleswar of Jalpaiguri district. His family members alleged that despite being ill and feeble, some party activists forced him to go to cast his vote. In Itahar of North Dinajpur district, Communist Party of India-Marxist worker Abdul Aziz was killed after he was attacked allegedly by goons patronised by the ruling Trinamool Congress. Trinamool goons were trying to snatch ballot papers in a booth in Itahar when Aziz tried to confront them. He was badly beaten up and later succumbed to injuries, CPI-M leader Rabin Deb said. Deb claimed nearly 50 of his party activists and supporters were injured Thursday in attacks by Trinamool activists in the four districts of Cooch Behar, North and South Dinajpur and Jalpaiguri where polling is going on. The Trinamool too claimed attacks on its party activists by oppositionpatronised goons. At least 30-40 of our party activists and supporters have been injured after being attacked by CPI-M and Congress goons, Trinamool leader and North Bengal development minister Gautam Deb said. In the first four phases, 23 people have died in violence related to the five-phase polls which began July 11. The Congress has blamed the state government for the violence and loss of lives.

Sorry, not quitting, Chandy tells media

Thiruvananthapuram Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, facing double onslaught and much pressure for his resignation over the solar panel scam, told the media here Wednesday: Sorry, but I am not going to resign. The double onslaught is from the electronic media and the Left opposition. I do have the highest regard for the judiciary and unlike some others, for me its same even when it does not favour me. Am sorry, it is you (the media) that wants my resignation, but am not going to resign, said a stern Chandy. The Kerala government has ordered a probe into the dealings of Saritha S. Nair and her live-in partner Biju Radhakrishnan, who are currently under arrest for having defrauded several investors on the promise of providing solar panels at subsidised rates. The telephone call records of Nair showed she was in frequent touch with members of the chief ministers personal staff. While one member of the chief ministers staff has been arrested in this connection, two others have been sacked. Tuesday, both the Left opposition and the electronic media were up in arms, saying the only way out for Chandy is to quit. They referred to the state high courts adverse remarks against him to substantiate their demand. I have been told by the director general of prosecution, who was present in the court, that there has been no such remark. But you (media) have been airing that I was being held responsible by the court and it has passed adverse remarks, said Chandy. When the media raised the same question again and again, Chandy got up and said, See, I have a lot of work other than this, so I am leaving while you have only this work. Meanwhile, the Left has begun indefinite protests at all the 13 district

headquarters and the state secretariat here, demanding his resignation. State Home Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan took potshots at the electronic media after they aired a news item that he has been called to meet the party high command in Delhi, later in the day. I saw this news on the TV channels and I decided I am not going to Delhi at all, even though I had a meeting of the home ministry, said Radhakrishnan, also facing the heat of the elecIANS tronic media here.

10

REGION
of money. This is a cruel joke on the hardworking farmers. The expense incurred in encashing these cheques is more than the compensation given, farmer Vijender said. Farmer Satyanarayan got a cheque of Rs.2 while another, Tek Chand, received Rs.3. Farmers allege that officials deliberately miscalculated the loss to the crops by understating the damage in their survey. The Hooda government claims that it has been paying compensation of Rs.3,500 per acre for crop damage. Hooda himself defended the compensation saying that adequate amount had been given. The Haryana government has released a compensation of Rs.1.14 crore for the farmers affected by water-logging in Beri tehsil (administrative division) area of Jhajjar district in 2011. This amount has been distributed to the affected farmers at a rate of Rs.3,500 per acre for 3,365 acres of land, according to their share in khewat (the number of the owners holding), an official spokesman said here Thursday. Clarifying on the low compensation, he said: Some khewats have more share holders and the compensation was given as per their land share. In Girdawari (record of land cultivation), efforts were made to ensure compensation was given to every marginal farmer in the khewat. The opposition Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) leaders accused the Hooda government of making a mockery of the compensation. The farmers handed over the original cheques when we asked for photocopies. They said photocopy will cost more than the compensation value, INLD leader and legislator Abhay Chautala said.
IANS

CHANDIGARH SUNDAY 28 July 2013

Haryana gives Rs.2-6 as compensation for Chautalas interim bail extended till Aug 12 damaged crops
Chandigarh Haryana ministers are known to spoil themselves with luxuries like the most-expensive SUVs but when it comes to doing something for the states farmers, the story is a little different. The self-proclaimed farmer-friendly Haryana government has doled out cheques worth royal amounts ranging from Rs.2-6 to a number of farmers of Jhajjar district as compensation for their damaged crops. Moreover, adding insult to injury, the compensation has been paid after a wait of nearly two years. Water-logging and excessive rainfall had damaged the crops in 2011. A special survey, set up in 2011 to assess the damage, decided on these paltry amounts. Upset over the cruel joke played on them by the Bhupinder Singh Hooda government, the farmers have decided not to accept the measly sum New Delhi The Delhi High Court Tuesday extend till Aug 12 the interim bail of former Haryana chief minister Om Prakash Chautala, who has been sentenced to 10 years in jail for irregularities in appointment of teachers in 2000. Justice Siddharth Mridul extended the interim bail of Chautala, 78, on medical grounds. Chief of Indian National Lok Dal, Chautala had moved a plea for extension of his interim bail earlier granted till July 22. Filing the plea, Chautala had said that his pacemaker implant procedure was done June 3, and the doctor had advised regular check-ups for three months. He continues to be in a fragile state of health, besides being severely handicapped by various disabilities. He requires constant extra care during the period of three months and regular follow-up. He also needs a clean, stress-free environment, the plea said. The former chief minister also sought the courts permission to visit his native village. It is prayed that the interim bail granted to appellant (Chautala) be suitably extended and he may be permitted to reside with his family at his native village Chautala in Sirsa district of Haryana after discharge from the hospital, said Chautalas application. Apart from the heart ailment, Chautala also suffers from other age-related problems. A trial court in the capital sentenced Chautala, his son Ajay and eight others to 10 years in jail. One convict was sentenced to five years in jail, while 45 others were each handed out four-year jail terms. Chautala and the other accused were found guilty of illegally recruiting 3,206 junior basic trained teachers in IANS Haryana in 2000.

Life limps back to normal in Srinagar

Srinagar Life limped back to normal after four days Monday as public transport plied and businesses opened in this Jammu and Kashmir summer capital. Colleges, government offices, banks and post offices were also working. Dozens of vehicles carrying Amarnath Yatra pilgrims to the north Kashmir Baltal base camp and tourists to Sonmarg hill station started moving since early morning Monday. The presence of security forces is being gradually reduced at markets and on the streets. Official restrictions and separatist protests, leading to shutdowns, had paralysed life after firing by the paramilitary Border Security Force claimed six lives in Gool town of Ramban district Thursday. Hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani has appealed to the people to resume normal activities. He has, however, called for peaceful protests after afternoon prayers. He has also requested imams of various mosques to offer Fateha after congregational prayers for those killed.

Haryana to set up helpline after 900 children take ill

The Haryana government Wednesday directed the setting up of a helpline to assist students who show any side-effects after being administered the iron-folic acid tablets during the state-wide campaign. The National Rural Health Mission, Haryana, will set up a helpline to guide those needing help in case of any side-effects, following the consumption of iron and folic acid tablets during the ongoing campaign in the state. The helpline number will be made functional from next Monday, a government spokesman said. A meeting, chaired by state Education Minister Geeta Bhukkal, was held here Wednesday after it was reported that nearly 900 children in government schools have shown side-effects after taking the tablets, and needed medical attention. Bhukkal directed the officers to educate teachers that these tablets be given to the children after the midday meal. She said that iron folic acid tablets were being given to combat anaemia among children. NRHM director Rakesh Gupta said that about 16 lakh (1.6 mn) students

of classes VI to XII were administered the iron tablets during the programme. There were some side-effects, but a majority of the students did not show the side effects, he said. The 100 mg tablets are being given weekly after consultation with the experts of the medical fraternity, Gupta said.

A trip to Leh is an experience, not just a holiday

Leh One would imagine that Leh, the hottest holiday destination of the country this season, would be teeming with excited tourists. You would have to get past a lot of pushing and shoving to get a glimpse of the must-sees of the place, and the shopowners of the trinkets stores would be screaming at passers-by for attention. Strangely, Leh in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir reveals a very different picture; the picturesque little town, cocooned amid the hills, is drowned in calmness. You can savour every little moment and enjoy your holiday in the true sense of the word. Leh, you realize, is not just a destination; its an experience. Leh, at an altitude of more than 11,000 feet, is blessed with natures bounty. Simple things like waking up to an azure blue sky and the sight of snow-capped mountains, or star-gazing at night (you would have hardly seen so many stars in the night sky!) and wishing upon the scores of shooting stars leaves you with happy memories. Although it has an airport with direct flights from Delhi, Jammu, and Srinagar, most people prefer taking a road trip to Leh. One, because the journey through the changing landscape, whether you go via Manali or through Srinagar, is in itself a lifetime experience. Plus, you get to drive past the magnetic hill (from Kargil to Leh) when your car defies gravity to move a short distance of slight road elevation on its own! And second, as most travel experts would say, a road trip prepares you better in only time to earn some money. Many of its escalating number of tourists (nearly 180,000 in 2012) are foreigners and Leh is therefore flooded with restaurants and small cafes serving all kinds of cuisine - German, Italian, et al. However, tucking into some momos, thentuk (noodles) and thukpa is highly recommended to complete the Leh experience. How to get there: the acclimatization process. Having said that, while it is only natural for your body to take some time to get used to the low pressure and thin oxygen levels, help is always at hand in case of medical need. The Indian Army base hospital in Leh gets a lot of tourists who take tips on how best to fight altitude sickness. There is also an army medical unit in the snow-laden Chang La Pass at 17,586 feet, the third highest pass in the world - as well as an army tea stall serving complimentary hot tea! From Leh, one has to cross the Chang La Pass to reach the breathtakingly beautiful Pangong lake, made more famous by the movie 3 Idiots. The lake, 60 percent of which lies in Tibet, is striking amid the surrounding barren hills. One can count at least seven shades of blue in the water! The Nubra valley, at a distance of 150 km from Leh, is again a mustvisit. Famous for being a cold desert, when there, a ride on the double humped camel, also called the Bactrian camel, is worth experiencing. Driving on the worlds second highest motorable road at Khardung La, at an altitude of more than 18,000 feet, is again a must-do. Its especially popular among bikers who make sure to get embroidered T-shirts back in Leh declaring their feat - a souvenir worth wearing back home. Another popular souvenir is a string of multi-coloured prayer flags, also available in small size. All said, Leh in itself has a lot for visitors to see. There is the magnificent Shanti Stupa, the 400-year-old Jama Masjid, and the ancient Leh Palace which, unlike the bedecked royal palaces you see elsewhere like Rajasthan, is a humble multistoreyed structure from whose balconies you get a birds eye view of the entire town. For those looking for adventure, there is much to do - river rafting, kayaking, trekking, and hiking - at close distance. For others looking for a quiet, relaxed time, Leh is best explored on foot. Shopping wise, a word of caution: be ready to loosen your purse strings because things are generally priced high. Shops are laden with exquisite artefacts, woollen shawls and jackets, carpets, and jewellery in silver with different gemstones. Tenzin Wangchuk, one of the shopowners, tries to justify the high prices, saying: The tourist season (between May-June and October) is the only time we can sell our wares. When winter sets in, it snows and we get cut off from the rest of the world. This is the By air: There are direct flights from Delhi, Srinagar and Jammu. By road: Approximate distance from Chandigarh to Leh via Manali is 800 km. Approximate distance from Srinagar to Leh is 440 km. State transport buses also ply on the Srinagar-Leh route.

Accomodation: Leh, being a popular holiday destination, has innumerable hotels, guest houses, and even youth hostels. In the peak tourist season, you can expect the hotel room tariff to start anywhere from Rs.1,500. Precautions: Altitude sickness is a reality; so be prepared. You can consult a doctor beforehand about any medication to be carried. But even if you dont, do not fret. It takes a day or two for your body to acclimatize. Drink plenty of fluids, and dont forget to carry a good sunscreen!
Azera Parveen Rahman

CHANDIGARH SUNDAY 28 July 2013

LIFESTYLE

11

HIPSTER

Hipster refers to a subculture of young, urban middle-class adults and older teenagers that appeared in the 1990s. The subculture is associated with independent music, a varied non-mainstream fashion sensibility, progressive or independent political views, alternative spirituality or atheism/agnosticism, and alternative lifestyles. Hipsters are a subculture of men and women typically in their 20s and 30s that value independent thinking, counter-culture, progressive politics, an appreciation of art and indie-rock, creativity, intelligence, and witty banter. Hipster culture has been described as a mutating, trans-Atlantic melting pot of styles, tastes and behavior. Christian Lorentzen of Time Out New York argues that hipsterism fetishizes the authentic elements of all of the fringe movements of the postwar erabeat, hippie, punk, even grunge, and draws on the cultural stores of every unmelted ethnicity, and regurgitates it with a winking inauthenticity.

of their surroundings, also including those who are opposed to hipness. The subculture rapidly expanded, and after World War II, a burgeoning literary scene grew up around it. Jack Kerouac described 1940s hipsters as rising and roaming America, bumming and hitchhiking everywhere as characters of a special spirituality. In early 2000, both the New York Times and Time Out New York ran profiles of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, without using the term hipster; the Times refers to bohemiansand TONY to arty East Village types. By 2003, when The Hipster Handbook was published by Williamsburg resident Robert Lanham, the term had come into widespread use in relation to Williamsburg and similar neighborhoods. The Hipster Handbook described hipsters as young people with mop-top haircuts, swinging retro pocketbooks, talking on cell phones, smoking European cigarettes... strutting in platform shoes with a biography of Che Guevara sticking out of their bags.

Signs

of

Every other subculture threw up on your wardrobe

Hipsters

You appreciate skateboard culture, so you got a Supreme five-panel. You dig Bob Marley, so you rock a mesh shirt underneath your rumpled oxford cloth button downbecause your dad raised you on Brooks Brothers. You discovered The Ramones in high school and havent stopped rocking a Schott Perfecto ever since. If your closet was an album, it would be by Girl Talk. Your entire style is a mash-up; you throw whatever together and manage to look half-decent in it.

You know multiple ways to tie a scarf

Look, theres nothing wrong with scarves. Plenty of our favorite rappers wear them regularly. We suppose the hipster association came along when the keffiyeh became a trend, and everyone from Kanye West to Rachel Ray was rocking one. But screw that, you know that when its brick city outside, theyre just a practical accessory.

Origins

Things all you need to look like Hipster Hipster clothes Plaid shirts Scarves Vintage boots Turntable An old camera Fixed-gear bike Your own garden Fountain Pen Any Apple product always updated Instagram

The term itself was coined during the jazz age, when hip emerged as an adjective to describe aficionados of the growing scene.Although the adjectives exact origins are disputed, some say it was a derivative of hop, a slang term for opium, while others believe it comes from the West African word hipi, meaning to open ones eyes.The essence of the definition of hip, attested as early as 1902, is aware or in the know. Conversely, the antonym unhip connotes those who are unaware

You and your girlfriend look like a lesbian couple

When people catch you in their peripheral vision, people often say sorry miss. Except youre totally a dude. We understand, every other fucking guy has a side part now thanks to Don Draper and Jimmy Darmody, and youve been growing it out ever since. After all, now that the Biebs is opting for a shorter do, the mop top is slowly on its way back as a rebellious coiff. Your girl doesnt seem to mind, she actually kind of likes it.

You wear really nice clothes but have no actual job

Every morning you suit up in a fresh sportcoat from Ralph Lauren, Engineered Garments, or Thom Browne. Underneath you slip on a crisp pair of Dior or Nudie jeans. But, you cant decide if you wanna go with brogues, Jordans, or Margiela sneakers today. Deciding which shoes to wear actually comprises 30 minutes of your morning routine. And then, when youre finally suited and booted, you jet off to workwhich is actually the coffee shop down the street.

It takes you longer to comb your beard than your hair

Whatever your reasons for growing a beard, one universal truth is that facial hair can be an absolute difficult to maintain. If youre the kind of dude that gets groomed at The Blind Barber or Freemans Sporting Club, chances are you moved on from the urban lumberjack trend years ago and now favor mixing up a little tailored gear with your rugged flannels and well-worn selvedge jeans. No one can pull off the blazer with beat-up Red Wing boots look in the same way you can.

12

COVER STORY
Baby Cambridge now has a name: George Alexander Louis. The name of Prince William and Kates son was announced Wednesday by Kensington Palace, two days after he was born. Palace officials said the royals are delighted to announce their sons name, adding that the baby, who is third-in-line to the throne, will be known as His Royal Highness Prince George of Cambridge. Six previous British kings have been named George, and the name was a favorite of British bookmakers in the run-up to Wednesdays announcement. The announcement from William and Kate -- just two days after the babys birth -- was quick, by royal standards. Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh took a month before settling on the name Charles for the Prince of Wales. Princess Diana and Prince Charles took a week before settling on Williams four names. For now, the baby is expected to

CHANDIGARH SUNDAY 28 July 2013

London Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge gave birth to her and Prince Williams first child, a boy, and everyone -- from her father-in-law Price Charles to others -- expressed happiness at the birth of the child, who will be third in line to the British throne. Ever since the child came into the world Monday 4.24 p.m., best wishes from royals to politicians to actors have been pouring in. According to a spokesperson of the royals, the 31-year-old new mother and baby are doing fine. The baby, born in the Lindo Wing at St. Marys Hospital in Paddington here, weighed 3.8 kg. His father, Prince William, was born here in 1982, as well as his uncle Prince Harry. Prince William, 31, released a statement saying that he and his wife, whom he married at Westminster Abbey in April 2011, could not be happier following the birth of their son. Prince Charles and his wife Duchess Camilla are also excited to welcome their grandchild. Both my wife and I are overjoyed at the arrival of my first grandchild. It is an incredibly special moment for William and Catherine and we are so thrilled for them on the birth of their baby boy, he said in a statement. British Prime Minister David Cameron and US President Barack Obama, among others, congratulated the new parents. It is wonderful news from St. Marys, Paddington, and I am sure that right across the country, and indeed right across the Commonwealth, people will be celebrating and wishing the royal couple well, David Cameron said. It is an important moment in the life

Kate gives birth to son, world congratulates

Prince George Of Cambridge

Royal baby: first picture of Kate Middleton and Prince Williams child

stay out of the spotlight after making his first public appearance in the arms of his parents outside of Londons St. Marys Hospital. On Wednesday, the couple introduced their son to great-grandmother Queen Elizabeth II, who was keen to see the baby before she starts her annual summer vacation in Scotland later this week. The 87-year-old monarch made a short trip from Buckingham Palace by chauffeur-driven Bentley and spent about half an hour visiting the baby. Palace officials said Prince Harry has also been to see his new nephew. That afternoon, the young family departed Kensington Palace and headed to see Kates parents at their home in the English village of Bucklebury, west of London. Now that Kate and William have chosen a name, they are expected to soon choose a photographer for the babys first official portrait. Appetite remains strong worldwide for pictures of the royal baby.

of our nation but, I suppose, above all it is a wonderful moment for a warm and loving couple who have got a brand new baby boy, he added. Obama also released a statement on his and wife Michelle Obamas behalf. Michelle and I are so pleased to congratulate The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on the joyous occasion of the birth of their first child. We wish

them all the happiness and blessings parenthood brings, he said. When the Duchess of Cambridge, maiden name Kate Middleton, went into labour, many celebrities took to Twitter to express their excitement. TV personality Kelly Osbourne: Its all so exciting. The Royal Baby is on the way! Singer Melanie Brown: Whoop whoop the royal baby is coming.

Kate and Williams prince could be known by an altogether different name when he is king
JUST because the royal baby has been named George, it doesnt mean hell use that title when he takes the throne. So says historian, author and broadcaster Anne Whitelock. Whitelock pointed out that the only other Prince of Cambridge in history was also named George and he was notable for his loose living and not a role model for a young baby. Not all Georges were rogues, though. Britains last king was the Queens father, George VI, who helped steady the monarchy following the sudden abdication of his brother Edward VIII in 1936. For now, the third in line to the throne is known as His Royal Highness Prince George of Cambridge. His parents announced the decision quickly for royals, just two days after Prince Georges birth. The Queen, in contrast, took a month to announce the name of her first-born son, Charles, and when William was born in 1982 his parents waited a week before announcing his name. But the name itself is not surprising. Bookmakers had George as their odds-on favourite for the new baby, closely followed by James, while Louis is also Williams middle name.

WILL it be George or James? Now that the world has got its first glimpse of the royal baby, the vexed issue of its name is obsessing the media. The Daily Telegraph points out that the royal family like to take their time when it comes to naming their offspring and such delays have almost become part of royal tradition. The Daily Mirror points out that the royal couple cant leave their son without a name too long. Its birth and name will need to be registered, in person, with Westminster register office in the next 41 days. The world finally got a glimpse

of Britains future king yesterday evening when Kate Middleton and Prince William walked through the doors of the Lindo Wing of St Marys hospital cradling their baby boy. After weeks of anticipation, the royal couple finally appeared in front of the worlds media at 7.10pm. Kate Middleton, wearing a pale blue dress, cradled her new baby as the white blanket in which it was swaddled was lit up by hundreds of flashlight. As if on cue, the baby raised its arms obligingly as its proud father described the birth as very emotional, very special.

The world finally got a glimpse of Britains future king this afternoon when the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge walked through the doors of the Lindo Wing of St Marys hospital cradling their as-yet-unnamed baby boy. Kate Middleton, wearing a pale blue dress, cradled her new baby as the white blanket in which it was swaddled was lit up by hundreds of flashlight. Hes a big boy and hes got a good set of lungs thats for sure, Prince William said. Asked if he and his wife had chosen a name for the third in line to the throne, Prince William laughed and said, were still working on a name. The Duchess passed her baby to his father as the royal couple walked to the black Range Rover that took them to Kensington Palace where they will spend the next few weeks. Earlier today, the baby had been visited by Middletons parents, Michael and Carole, who described their grandson as absolutely beautiful. The Middletons were followed into the Lindo Wing by the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall. As she emerged, the Duchess described the birth as wonderful news and an uplifting moment for the country. The royal birth was marked in London today by a 41-gun salute. The blanks were fired by the Kings Troop Royal Horse Artillery and the Honourable Artillery Company at 2pm in Green Park, adjacent to Buckingham Palace. There was more clamour in the capital after the bells of Westminster Abbey rang for three hours this afternoon. Three of the team of ten ringers carried out the same duty when the Duke was born in 1982. Messages of congratulation are still flooding in for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. But while world leaders and celebrities have been sending their best wishes to the couple, the British press has gone into something close to meltdown. The Sun even changed its name to honour the new arrival, rebranding

for one day only as The Son. The Daily Mail devoted 20 pages to the birth, and The Times put out a souvenir edition, featuring a wraparound image of William and Kate with the first 12 pages dedicated to news of the royal baby. Even The Guardian, which had been offering a royal-free front page on its website, led with the headline: A birth, a boy, a prince, a king. Only the steadfastly non-royalist Independent leads on other news, reporting on David Camerons crusade against pornography. But even Cameron seemed more concerned with the royal baby. He emerged from Downing Street last night to rejoice at the wonderful news. Other political and religious leaders also offered their congratulations, although the comment from London Mayor Boris Johnson was unusually abrupt. Congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on their new arrival, was all he said. Australian PM Kevin Rudd referred to the child as the royal bub and described Monday as a day of great joy.

CHANDIGARH SUNDAY 28 July 2013

COVER STORY
Folly 2: Digvijay Singh and Sau Taka Maal
Digvijay Singh, 66, a former chief minister of Madhya Pradesh, has in the past spun many a mini-tornado in the media. On one occasion, he referred to the slain Al-Queda terror mastermind Osama bin Laden as Osamaji. He also accused the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh of being part of the 26/11 Mumbai terror strike, with the opposition called his charges outlandish and bizarre. Therefore if one is as controversial as Mr. Singh, it takes some doing to outdo the controversy meters scale once again. Yet it is precisely the same thing that he has managed pull off once again. Mr. Singh has landed in hot soup over terming Ms Meenakshi a close aide of Rahul Gandhi as taka maal, for those well versed with cow belt this is a pejorative term used in the cow belt to objectify women. The opposition BJP was quick to punce upon him and advised some rest or sabbatical for Mr Singh in view of his proclivity to get dragged into a series of controversies. As per news reports while addressing a rally in Mandsaur he reportedly said Gandhivadi hain, saral hain, imandar hain. Sabke paas jaati hain, gaon gaon jaati hain. Rajneetigyon ko thodi si baat me pata chal jaata hai ki kaun farzi hai, kaun sahi hai. Main purana jauhri hoon, ye sau taka maal

13

Folly 1: 5 Rupee Meals

Congress leader Rasheed Masood claims that one can eat well for Rs.5 in the national capital, close on the heels of Congress spokesperson Raj Babbar who claimed that one can have a full meal for Rs.12 in Mumbai. The two leaders in their zealous defence of party have caused more damage to it than reinforcement. Indian economy is in throes of severe food price inflation and common man is hard pressed to meet his needs. Sensing the trouble or perhaps in a bid to undertake some prophylactic action the party leaders have taken it upon themselves to deny the obvious. When a housewife is forced to cut the milk consumption of her kids the last thing she needs is an insensitive comment by a political worker hell bent on proving his loyalty to the party. The genesis of this debate lies in the events of the recent past. The first one being the passage of a Food Security Ordinance that seeks to put as vast majority of food insecure population under its ambit. On the other the Planning Commission claimed startling figures of poverty reduction in the country. The incongruency of the two difference kinds of policy stands provoked fierce debate and hence led to the overzealous action by ruling partys leaders. The Plan-

ning Commission had said earlier in the week that poverty ratio in the country had declined to 21.9 percent in 2011-12 from 37.2 percent in 2004-05 on account of increase in per capita consumption. Using the Tendulkar methodology, the commission estimated the national poverty line for rural areas at Rs.816 per capita per month and for urban areas at Rs.1,000 per capita per month for 2011-12. Although the statements of Babbar and Masood have been described as personal and they have expressed some form of regret for the entire fiasco the damage stands done. As in war so in politics, the tactics of the past often tend to lose their value. Hence the Congress cannot bank upon counter attacking or resorting to hyperbole when its governance track record is called into question. India today has a social media led public discourse that makes it tough to get away with a cloak and dagger style of public positioning. Unless one has a water tight case of factual defence, the extras will get shredded by the audience. An honest admission of mistakes and promises of improvement will be far more well received than arrogance, hyperbole and retraction of comments under fire.

Folly 3: Politicizing Batla Only to Bolster Opposition

With a Delhi court Thursday convicting Indian Mujahideen (IM) operative Shahzad Ahmad in the Batla House shootout case, the BJP demanded an apology from the Congress and party general Secretary Digvijaya Singh for having earlier raised questions about the genuineness of the gun battle. Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson Prakash Javedakar said in tweeted that his party welcomed the court verdict, and Digvijaya Singh must apologise for his earlier remarks concerning the shootout of Sep 19, 2008. He said the Congress should also apologise as Digvijaya Singh speaks not off the cuff, but for Congress president Sonia Gandhi and vicepresident Rahul Gandhi. We welcome courts verdict in #Batla house encounter case. Now #Digvijay must apologize because he cast aspersions on MC Sharmas martyrdom. By his (Digvijayas) actions & words he has supported terror suspects & demoralised security forces, Javadekar tweeted. Terror must be treated as terror and should not seen through the prism of religion Cong must apologize for politicising Batla encounter case as Digvijaya does not speak off the cuff. He speaks for #Sonia & #Rahul Gandhi, Javadekars tweet read. BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi said Digivijaya Singh should accept, as a civilised person, that his comments were wrong, and added that Congress leaders attempted to mislead people on every issue. Digvijaya Singh had earlier raised

questions about the shootout, remarking that it was hard to understand how one person could have received five to six gunshot wounds in the head during a shootout. He had said that he was only expressing a personal opinion. Singh had also said that he had no doubt of the courage of Delhi Police Inspector Mohan Chand Sharma, who was killed in the shootout. The government, however, maintained that the Batla House incident was a genuine gunbattle with terrorists. The court Thursday convicted the lone accused in the case, Shahzad Ahmad, for killing Sharma in the shootout. Ahmad was one of the occupants of a flat that was raided by police in south Delhis Batla House neighbourhood in Jamia Nagar area Sep 19, 2008, six days after serial blasts in the city, the prosecution said. Ahmad, along with another man, Junaid, had jumped off the balcony and fled after firing at police, the prosecution said. The IM operatives were allegedly involved in the Sep 13, 2008, serial blasts at Karol Bagh, Connaught Place, Greater Kailash and India Gate in which 26 people were killed and 133 injured. With cases that are sub-judice and that involve dimensions of national security, political parties especially the ruling party should refrain from making comments. Invariably they may hand over strong points of criticism to their opponents.

In 1970s Poland witnessed severe inflation but stagnant wages, quite like todays India. Out of this emerged a broad spectrum of groupings who took inspiration from Catholic Church and non-violence. They joined hands together to defeat arguably one of the mightiest of all regimes of the world ever, the Soviet Union. Against this backdrop the act of defiance by a small eatery owner of Parel, Mumbai is not only a warning signal to the incumbents but also reflective of the power of idea. The Aditi eatery came out with a novel way of protesting the rise in taxes and the rampant corruption in the country by stating that while eating of precious public resources was being let off by the UPA, eating of food was being taxed. Clearly such a statement left some Youth Congress workers unimpressed and they shut the eatery down using force and coercion. As if that was not enough the owner of the restaurant found himself booked under IPC 501 for writing or engraving defamatory material. Such usage of street and state force against an average eatery owner is not a sign of sure footed and responsible government. In a matter of just two years, a sense of despondency seems to have set in India as opposed to the perception of rapid development that was the subject of public discourse during the first full term of the UPA. The normal ills associated with politics in India - such as corruption, horse-trading, sectarian rivalry, poor governance, crime and lack of oversight of the general administration - now seem to have engulfed India with a vigor after seven years of growth and development that was widely hailed as a success story and made it one of the fastest growing economies in the world.

Folly 4: Aditi Restaurant Mumbai Attacked

hai, about Meenakshi Natrajan, an MP from Mandsaur. Refering to himself as an old jeweller he described Ms Meenakshi as Taka Maal (sexist remark). While Ms. Natrajan has come to the defence of his party colleague it still remains to be seen as to how the party high command will respond to his latest bout of utterances. Mr. Digvijay Singh should realize that he does have a good track record as an administrator and former CM of Madhya Pradesh hence he does not need to be so aggressive and blunt on issues that demand nuance and

understanding. In a recent blog he had to defend his stand on Hinduism and he stoutly presented his religious side to side-step attacks on him about being a reactionary leader. However it beggars introspection that how can Digvijay Singhs reality, as claimed by him, be so far removed from his perception as a rabble rousing orator? Every polity needs its plain talkers and such fearless souls should be in fact encouraged and helped along, however unsubstantiated comments that fly in face of reality do more harm to the orator than his opponents.

choose new methods of protests and information dissemination. Hence getting angry and worked up over such matters of civil right to protest will only serve to tar the political party with a black brush of intolerance. Aditi restaurant made a statement on behalf of all Indians, this little establishment had the guts to put it bluntly and hence any action that is directed against the restaurant is action against entire Indian people. Such follies are best avoided in a democracy! The people of India today enjoy wider economic and political awareness than they had before, therefore they are becoming more demanding of good governance. In order to point out lacunae in government they will increasingly

14

CELEB
New York Actress Jennifer Aniston is still madly in love with actor-fiance Justin Theroux and wants to marry him by the end of the year.A source told US Weekly magazine that the actress and her 41-year-old fiance, who got engaged last August, are still madly in love and their wedding is on even though they are too busy to plan it, reports. The 44-year-old actress is currently shooting for her new movie Squirrels to the Nuts here. The source added that Aniston has full support of her fiance and he has been a regular visitor on the set of her movie. Justin hangs in Jens trailer while she shoots, added the source.

CHANDIGARH SUNDAY 28 July 2013

Aniston-Theroux still lovey-dovey couple

New Delhis the place for Westerners: Actor Armand Assante

Mumbai Actors Kareena Kapoor, Karishma Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan are coming together for the first time for The Indian Food Wisdom And The Art of Eating Right, a film on nutrition. Mumbai-based celebrity nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar has directed the film. I am super excited that Kareena, Karishma and Saif are all part of the film. Its a casting coup of sorts, Diwekar said in an statement. What is more important is that we are sharing our common belief that eating right, eating local, seasonal, fresh and tasty food is integral to looking good, feeling light and happy. And like Saif often says - happy people are most attractive, not skinny, she added. Diwekar is a nutritionist who takes care of many celebrity clients. Richa Chadda and Anupam Kher are also part of the film

Kareena, Karishma-Saif come together for film on nutrition

Bappis gold gift for reality show contestant

IANS

Its a girl for Penelope Cruz

New Delhi Its Hollywood actor Armand Assantes first time in India. Hes still coming to grips with the countrys culture, people and lifestyle, but is confident that the Indian capital is the perfect place for tourists from the West.New Delhi is amazing. Its the place for Westerners. I am here till August 5. I also have plans to visit Mumbai and Taj Mahal in Agra, Assante told in an exclusive interview. He was here for the first anniversary celebrations of tony Italian restaurant and bar Ciros Pomodoro here run by a friend of his. The outlet will also be launching an Assante cigar brand. Ciro Orsini and I are friends. Its one of my favourite clubs. I am looking forward to launching my cigar brand - Ora Vivo - here, Assante said. The 63-year-old, who has been seen in films like director Niels Arden Oplevs Dead Man Down (2013) and J. Stephen Maunders action thriller Shadows in Paradise (2010), said when he travels, he makes it a point to read extensively about the place he is visiting. When I travel, I do a lot of documentation. I like to understand the geo-political environment of that particular place. Also, it helps in self-discovery. I am passionate about travelling around the world. When I visit a country, I stay there, understand its culture and what it has gone through, said the actor, who conducts workshops to share his experi-

Miley Cyrus doesnt know One Direction?

ences. The actor has also appeared in TV shows like How to Survive a Marriage and The Doctors. Asked whether he would like to take part in a reality show here, Assante said he is open to such offers. I certainly dont go around the world looking for work, but why not? I am open to doing a film or TV show here if I get a good opportunity. Though I dont travel for work, I wont mind working with people here. I am fortunate that I have access to many things that many people dont get, said the actor, looking dapper in a tuxedo. The actor comes from a family of artists and musicians but chartered his own path. Talking about his family background and life, Assante said: My mother was a music teacher and my father a painter. My grandfather owned an Italian restaurant. They never encouraged me, but I have always done what I am interested in. I work because I have to support my family. Also, I am blessed that my neighbours supported me when I lived in New York. I have been surrounded with very talented people, added the actor, who has two daughters - Anya and Alessandra - with exwife Karen McArn. Also a part-time musician, Assante has even dabbled in documentaries on social issues. He said: Also, being an actor, I am fortunate that I get to do that more often. I have also made documentaries for the (US) government. IANS

Mumbai The ever-so-cheerful Bappi Lahiri turned teary-eyed on the sets of popular music reality show Indian Idol Junior when a young contestant sang the number Aao tumhe chand pe le. He was so moved that he decided to gift young Sugandha a gold chain. The veteran composer-singer, known for his love for gold ornaments, was on the sets of the show for an evening dedicated to him. After some electrifying performances

from the contestants, Sugandha took to the stage and sang Aao tumhe chand pe le, which moved Bappi da so much that he could not hold back his tears. I am so moved by your performance that I cannot express it in words. As a token of appreciation I will send you a gold chain during the next episode, he said on the show, informed a source. Judges Vishal and Shekhar too became emotional, while Sugandha smiled ear to ear after getting a positive response.

Actress Penelope Cruz has given birth to her second child with husband Javier Bardem. According to people.com, the 39-year-old actress, who is married to Javier Bardem, gave birth to a baby girl Monday night. She was admitted to Ruber International hospital in Madrid, Spain. Cruz and Bardem got married in July 2010 and have a two-year-old son, Leonardo.

Los Angeles It seems singer Miley Cyrus has had a black-out as she doesnt remember English-Irish pop boy band One Direction. It was back in January when Cyrus posted a picture of herself cuddled up with a lifesize cardboard cut-out of One Direction band member, Harry Style, but now the singer is unable to recall meeting any of the band members, reports. When asked if she was a fan of the group, the 20-year-old said: I mean, dont ask me to name a song

or something because I cant do that. I know what they look like. According to Heat World, when the We Cant Stop singer was asked if she had met them, she denied having any knowledge of the group. I think so, I think I met Harry, I think, backstage, I dont really remember that much. I just remember my sister was super excited. I dont really know them that much, thats like so bad but its like I listen to urban, Cyrus replied. IANS

CHANDIGARH SUNDAY 28 July 2013

CELEB
New Delhi Parineeti Chopra and Sushant Singh Rajputs Shuddh Desi Romance is heading to videshi shores for a Gala Red Carpet Premiere at the esteemed Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) 2013. The screening, to be held Sep 11, will be attended by director Maneesh Sharma and writer Jaideep Sahni, along with Sushant, Parineeti and debutant Vaani Kapoor. It will take place at the Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto. Officials at the Yash Raj Films (YRF) are delighted with the news, and hope it strikes the right chords with the audiences. We believe the film is perfect for Toronto, as it is a film that is rooted in rustic India and the characters are

15

Sophie exudes bride-like radiance on ramp

New Delhi Singer-actress Sophie Choudrys face reflected the glow of a newlymarried girl when she walked the ramp as a showstopper for designer Rina Dhaka on the second day of India Bridal Fashion Week here. Sophie flaunted an orange and green bridal lehenga teamed with a strapless multi-coloured blouse. The bridal look was completed with a beige light dupatta draped over the head as a pallu. I am in love with Rinas designs and she makes every women look ravishing and elegant in her collection. This is the reason why Im here to walk for her, the 32-year-old told IANS after the show Wednesday night. Bollywood actors Prateik and Amyra Dastur, the lead couple of romantic flick Issaq, also took to the ramp to flaunt a black velvet sherwani and an ornate sharara respectively. Dhaka is best known for her theme collections and her forte remains western wear. But at the IBFW ramp, she presented creations which every bride would want in her closet.

Shuddh Desi Romance invited for Toronto film fest

very contemporary in their thought, which will no doubt appeal to the diaspora but also the more mainstream audiences, Avtar Panesar, vice president (International Operations), YRF, said in a statement. Shuddh Desi Romance is said to

be a fresh narrative about love, attraction and commitment. Its first trailer gave movie buffs a taste of the movie, which seems to have captured the everyday relationship adventures, woes and fears of todays youth.

Anil to Sonam: Take success, failure in same spirit

Mumbai Doting father Anil Kapoor wants his daughter Sonam, who tasted success with two back-to-back films Raanjhanaa and Bhaag Milkha Bhaag - to take success and failure in the same spirit. I just want her to keep on the same kind of energy, enthusiasm and hard work. Take success and failure in same spirit, said the 54-year-old actor here at the success party of Raanjhanaa Wednesday. Some films will work and some wont and thats part of showbiz. There is no actor in the entire world whose all films are hit or all are flop, he added. Since her debut in 2007 unsuccessful film Saawariya, this is for the first time the 28-year-old has tasted success in a big a way.Raanjhanaa, which was also southern star Dhanushs first Bollywood film, released June 21

New York Actress Jennifer Aniston was spotted moving around freely on the sets of her upcoming film Squirrels to the Nuts, without her brassiere.The 44-year-old was seen sporting a short brown wig for her role as a therapist in the film, reports thesun.co.uk. But perhaps during a break from a shot, she was seen strolling around in a pair of shorts, a casual t-shirt and sans the innerwear. Later, she got into a little black dress, and she teamed it up with flip flops on the sets here. The actress was then joined on set by costar Owen Wilson. Squirrels to the Nuts is about a married Broadway director who falls for a prostituteturned-actress and works to help her advance her career.

Oops! Jennifer Aniston forgets innerwear

while Bhaag Milkha Bhaag with Farhan Akhtar in the lead hit the theatres July 12 and both worked well at the box office. Sonam will next

be seen in a Yash Raj Films untitled project with Ayushmann Khurrana and 1980 Khoobsurat remake, being produced by her father.

New Delhi Meera Ali, known for showcasing collections with a strong influence of the culture of Awadh, did no different at the India Bridal Fashion Week here.The designer feels that Awadh, with a strong 100-year tradition of exotic clothing can offer a designer space to create something different each time. The designer showcased her latest bridal line titled Pearl of the Orient under her label, House of Kotwara, a joint venture with husband and filmmaker Muzaffar Ali.We believe that whatever collection we present and design, it should be deeprooted. The inspiration should come from the roots. So for us, Awadh is the place that surprises us with different things every time. No matter how much we explore, it doesnt get depleted, Meera told. There is so much to explore in the rich dynasty of Awadh. There were 100 years of rule of nawaabs, who excelled in exotic clothing. So go-

Awadhi culture represents unexplored heritage:Meera Ali

ing through crafts that exist there, one can create different experiences every time, she said. The collection comprised exotic bridal wear gently textured with pearls on oriental forms. From lehengas and shararas to saris and choghas, the clothing on display depicted, in microcosm, the glory of Awadh. The designer has used chiffons that blended well with velvets and brocades. The clothes were also embellished with zardozi and chikan techniques that added elegance to the entire range. The palate ranged from soft pastels to vibrant hues. Sharing the uniqueness of this collection, Meera told . This time, we are focusing on lot of pearl and this is the first time that we have used pearls on our bridal line. All the clothes have pearls. The pearls contributed a unique subtley to this range of clothing, enhancing the elegance of the Indian bride.

DJ Avicii Salmans Kick kickstarts wont work in Glasgow July 27 with Rihanna, Chris Brown

Los Angeles Swedish disc jockey and record producer Avicii says he wants to work with out-of-the-box people, and so, singers like Rihanna and Chris Brown are not on his wish list. The 23-year-old believes he would have to work under limitations with singers such as the Rihanna and Chris Brown. I tend not to go for your Rihannas and Chris Browns. Not that theres anything wrong with that, but its more fun when theres no boundaries. I try to go after the people who are a bit far-fetched and out-of-thebox, who could add something new, he said. Ive got more access to really talented people nowadays, like Nile Rodgers and Aloe, especially on my next record, he added.

Mumbai Film producer Sajid Nadiadwala has refuted rumours that his Salman Khan-starrer directorial Kick is delayed because of the stars hit-andrun case hearing. He says the movie is on schedule. We were always supposed to start on July 27, and were starting on the 27th, said Nadiadwala, who is turning director with this high-voltage action movie. The first schedule of the movie begins in Glasgow, and

not in London. Glasgow is the chosen location for its rugged outdoors. Sajid wanted the locations to be completely unexposed. He intends to film some unique action sequences in Glasgow. Lately Salman has avoided doing heavy-duty stunts because of his neurological condition. But this time, Salman would be performing all the stunts himself. Sajid has taken all precautions to ensure Salmans safety, said a source.

16
w E E K L Y H O
A few disappointments this week as some of the people you invited to spend your vacation time with you tells you ARIES they are unable to go. Mar 21-Apr 19 Even though you are disappointed why not ask some long lost relatives? Listen to your dreams this week as they could be prophetic; may even tell you when and where the next earthquake will be! The cat is out of the bag as a trusted confidant tells your loved one of the big night you spent out on the town with your friends LIBRA when he/she was away. Sep 23 - Oct 22 Dont worry, you are not likely to be the cheating kind and your spouse knows this so when it is laughed off, the friend will be in mild shock. Dreams are cloudy and not too informative. You who have spent a lifetime helping and caring for others find that you are the one in need of help this week but you are not TAURUS the type that will ask Apr 20 - May 20 for it. A very intuitive friend sees your problem and puts forth the effort on your behalf that is necessary to solve it. Your dreams may be a little confusing this week so there is not much need in paying them any mind. A scorpion may be able to eventually apologize but not before everyone around him or her has been battle scarred or otherwise wounded. SCORPIO Be careful how you Oct 23 - Nov 21 verbalize your feelings this week as others will be sensitive but not to your own particular personal problems, and why add loss of friendships to your burden? Your dreams are clear and to the point A quarrelsome, disagreeable person may not be simply a boor, he or she may have some deep seated personal problems GEMINI that they cannot talk May 21 - Jun 20 out and this expresses itself as frustrated anger at the world. Your dreams are not too clear on these points and would appear to be as entertainment only as even meditation does not clear them up. Finishing up projects or chores one at a time in the evening may be the thing that keeps you out of hot water at home. Use your sensitivity and SAGITTARIUS your intuition to help Nov 22 - Dec 21 someone this week. Time to clean up your act before the chickens come home to roost and you find yourself in divorce court. Your dreams can help you on this score as they can give you clues about things to expect and how to react.

LEISURE
R O S C O
At this late date, the issue of move, not move should be put on the shelf until after the final issue CANCER employment is decided; just to be Jun 21 - Jul 22 sure the move will not do you in financially. Your dreams could be prophetic this week and may even be global in nature. Meditate on them and you may just come up with a surprise.
This is not a good week for investments of any kind that involve risk taking in all of its forms. Keep informed about the CAPRICORN progress of a child to Dec 22 - Jan 19 whom you may have more than the usual interest in, especially a handicapped one. Your dreams are not really clear this week so dont expect help from that area. Getting acclimated in a new area or on a new job will take some time so dont expect miracles right off the bat. An employee may be havJul 23 - Aug. 22 ing some difficulties at this time and even though you wish too help, you are only able to point this person to the right agencies that address the type of problem he or she may be experiencing.

CHANDIGARH SUNDAY 28 July 2013

LEO

Getting a child taken care of, giftwise, has taken you out of the uncertainy of remembering (and forgetting!) at the last minute. This is VIRGO a very satisfying activAug. 23 - Sep 22 ity and you find that it serves to fill the empty place in your life that you have been feeling. Dreams may also be pointing you in this direction so meditate on them for help.
A very busy week for you as you catch up the loose ends and get ready to prepare for your vacation. Dont let yourbecome aggravated PISCES self with someone this week Feb 19 - Mar 20 because in your state of tiredness and nerves you will not be able to control some harsh words that you will both regret. Midweek will find you slowing down a little and your nerves leveling out.

The family draws closer together in your time of sorrow and despair, with all the supportive people around you are not likely AQUARIUS you, to stay in this depressJan 20 - Feb. 18 ing state of affairs for very long. A ray of hope and sunshine enters your life in the next few days. Your dreams will help you through this time as they are highly sensitive and prophetic

ACROSS 1. Electric fish 4. Make a stab at 7. Jousting weapon 12. Snow runner 13. Shade 14. Basketballs Shaquille_______ 15. Min. Part 16. News presenters 18. Spanish cheer 20. Sewing tool 21. Fleutuation 25. Jennifer_______of Friends 26. School table 30. Faction 31. Bank roll 33. Words of comprehension (2 wds) 34. Flock females 35. Identifying label (2 wds) 37. Adolescents 39. Rope loops 43. Fawns mom 44. South American Country 47. Furious 50. Wittled down 51. Pirates drink 52. Compass reading (abbr.) 53. Toboggans 54. Consumed 55. Coloring fluid

1 12 15

4 13 16

6 17 20

7 14

10 11

18 19 21 22 25 30 34 37 38 39 40 41 42 44 50 53 31 35 23 24

26 27 28 29 32 36 43 45 56 51 54 47 48 49 52 55 33

DOWN 1. Curvy letter 2. Supplement 3. Block candy 4. Menace 5. Regret 6. Slangy approval 7. Sophia_____ 8. Poker opener 9. Must have 10. Poet _____ Sandburg 11. Different 17. Artist yoko 19. Shopping aids 21. Flower holder 22. Over again 23. Pull along 24. Foolish 26. San _____ Padres 27. Respected 28. Single 29. Beer barrels 32. Rather or Aykroyd 36. French title 37. Looks after 38. Phila delphia time Zone 39. Snoozes 40. Verbal 41. Bogeyman 42. Grain 45. Pension plan (abbr.) 46. Filbert, e.g. 48. Whichever one 49. Jo _______ Messina

Crossword Solution 21 July, 2013

1 A 12 T 15 E 2 M E A 3 M R S 4 O N T 18 O 16 E N 24 S 5 T 13 A R O T 25 A 28 S S E T 38 T 43 I N E S 39 A D E 44 O M 53 E 56 N 48 E V E 49 N E W 50 T N T 6 O N E 7 A N R 19 E L E S 8 D E R R E E 20 E S S 33 A 36 Y 9 S 14 P 17 E C T A T O 40 R 29 W O R E 30 S P E D 10 A I N T 11 W E D S

21 M 26 O 31 M 34 S

22 E D I T

23 G D N E 37 R 27 S I R E N

32 E 35 I G U 46 A 52 N 55 A L A S T I C

41 U 45 T 51 A 54 H

R U D E

A T O R

47 O L E

Sudoku Solution 21 July, 2013

Lack of exercise makes Indian bones weaker

Indian bones are conventionally weaker, deformed and more osteoporosis-prone compared to Americans or Britons, say leading knee replacement surgeons who participated in a knowledge-sharing exercise here on replacement surgeries. The exercise also threw up insights about how Africa could also emerge as a major resource pool for tapping patients in Indias quest for medical tourism. Speaking to on the sidelines of the event, Erik Zeegan, a leading Las Vegas-based orthopaedic surgeon, said that knee replacement surgeries in India tended to be a lot different from those in the US owing to the more deformities of the bones found in the sub-continent. The deformities here are significant. The knees are more worn out. We do not see such deformities in the US, Zeegan said, adding that knee sizes of patients in the US also tended to be larger than those found here. One of the reasons for this, according to Ameya Velingker, a Goa-based specialist, is that Indian patients tend to take their osteo-arthritic knees to the very terminal stages before choosing the surgical option to overcome a bad knee situation. One of the reasons why over 700,000 knee replacement surgeries are conducted in the US every year as compared to 70,000 in India, is because the procedure is considered a natural extension of knee treatment there, Velingkar said. In India, a lot of people still give it a lot of thought because of a few failed cases of knee replacement surgeries which have happened because of bad medical advice, Velingker said, adding that there were instances in the past when knee replacement surgery was relatively new and doctors in some cases recommended the surgery even when it was not required. He further said that a distinct lack of a physical regimen in India had largely contributed to the bad bones phenomenon here. Indian bones are of poor quality, plus lack of exercise further deteriorates their growth in most cases in India, Velingker said, adding that the more the exercise the better the quality of bones. Obsession with fitness in Western

Sudoku 28 July, 2013

countries has resulted in better quality and denser bones there, he said. Most people hit the gym or go running in the West which ensures that they have much better bones than most of us, he said. Giving a practical example, Velingkar said that while one surgical saw blade suffices for three to four knee replacement surgeries for Indian patients, the scenario was much different when it comes to operating upon patients from Britain. For UK patients I need to use one new saw every time, he said. Velingker said that Europe and North America apart, Africa was emerging

as a great potential market to tap patients for knee replacement surgeries. There is a lot of potential to get patients from countries like Nigeria and Kenya. The medical facilities available there are poor and the governments in these countries facilitate treatment abroad, he said, adding that a bilateral approach with these African nations could help Indias medical tourism. He also pointed out that knee replacement surgery in India cost around Rs.2 lakh ($3,400) as compared to the Rs.9-10 lakh which is required for a similar surgery in the US.
Mayabhushan Nagvenkar

CHANDIGARH SUNDAY 28 July 2013

REVIEW
Issaq
Movies

17

Luv U Soniyo trite and impassive

Film Luv You Soniyo; Cast: Tanuj Virwani, Neha Hinge, Bunty Garewal and Howard Rosameyer; Director: Joe Rajan; Rating: Not applicable Uh-oh! She is engaged to marry a man who isnt right for her. Mr. Right is right around corner, making his fidgety presence felt in nearly every frame of this launch pad for actress Rati Agnihotris son Tanuj. Its only a matter of time before the girl Soniyo, played by debutant Neha Hinge, throws off the wrong ring for the right zing. Zing is the element curiously unobtainable in this feel-young story. So many youngsters dancing, singing and trying to tell us theyre having fun...but we remain unconvinced till the end. Luv You Soniyo isnt telling us anything we havent seen in numerous films before, ranging from the iconic Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge to the overrated Rockstar, girls in our films have somehow been constantly confused about which guy to marry. Maybe they should just read the credit titles more carefully. This films credits tell us the 1980s popular actress Rati Agnihotris son is the guy on top. Tanuj plays Mark, a full-of-beans collegian who doesnt seem to have much to do except hang around with his friends in the campus, or barge into one of their homes to get a dekko at the girl he adores. Blindfolded debutante Soniyo should have said, I Do to Mark and spared us the long-winded, but unexciting process of what poets euphemistically describe as discovering love. The journey here is absolutely bereft of drama, excitement, surprise and ultimate satisfaction. One doesnt know if debutant director Joe Rajan

Cast : Prateik Babbar. Amyra Dastur, Ravi Kishan, Makarand Deshpande, Neena Gupta, Prashant Narayanan, Sudhir Pandey, Prashant Kumar, Amit Sial, Vineet Kumar, Yuri Suri, Malini Awasthy; Director : Manish Tiwary Issaq a new 2013 Hindi Romance Movie directed by Manish Tiwari and produced by Dhaval Gada and Shailesh R. Singh. The film, written by Padmaja Thakore-Tiwari, Manish Tiwari and Pawan Sony, which released on July 26, 2013. The film features are Prateik Babbar, Rajeshwari Sachdev,Ravi Kishan and Makarand Deshpande and as main characters. The story of Issaq revolves around the two lovers who are born to hate

each other as their families are arch rivals of each other. Progressing as how they eventually fall in love with each other, the plot is set in the background of Varanasi as story on the banks of the Ganges and revered as holy in Hinduism. This story based on Shakespeares play Romeo- Juliet. Isaaq movie is a contemporary adaptation of Romio and Juliet set in UP heartland in one of the oldest cities in the world. It is a complete movie with naxalism, sand mining mafia and of course the timeless love story. The looks of it, the movie is already garnering a lot of attention and is one to be watched out for. Directed by Manish Tiwari of Dil Dosti Etc fame and Produced by Shailesh Singh and Dhaval Gada, this modern adaptation of Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet

meant the central romance to be so linear, languorous and shockproof. But thats the way it is. Nothing, absolutely nothing, seems to suggest any hindrance in the young couples passage to the final embrace. The Punjabi-Catholic alliance is mentioned only in passing. The heros Goan family is filled with as many stereotypical eccentrics as the heroines Punjabi family. Can we ever have a film about minority communities where families

behave normally? Yes, there is the girls fiance (Bunty Garewal), a bloke who seems as menacing a hurdle to the protagonists love as a pebble on Milkha Singhs racetrack. If the truth were told, the best performance in this placid passion play comes from Rati Agnihotri. And yes, if you can brave it to the end, there is Remo DSouza appearing on screen to croon the title song with delectable gusto.

Tears of salt
Book: As Dear As Salt; Author: Reyna Sequeira; Publisher: Goa, 1556; Price: Rs 400. Salt has been an important produce of the coastal region of Goa on the west coast of India for centuries and has been exported from there to countries in Africa and the rest of Asia. But today, the traditional salt sector lies decimated and threatened by extinction, says a new book on the subject. Goa once was a hub of salt making. Salt was the currency that allowed Goans to import essential commodities. Today, the very same occupation lies derelict, its spine truly broken by a century and more of official polices, governmental apathy, low social status..., says the book As Dear As Salt authored by sociologist Reyna Sequeira. Sequeira, who did her PhD from Goa University on the salt-making communities of Goa and is an associate professor, says in the book that traditional occupations must be remembered not as a tapestry in a museum merely to be viewed, but as a living part of our society. Her field work, spread over a couple of decades involving both her master and doctorate on this often ignored subject, looks at salt makers in three villagers scattered across diverse pockets of coastal Goa - Agarvaddo (Pernem), Batim (Tisvadi) and Arpora (Bardez). Besides focusing on the salt making communities, she highlights the geography, history and politics of salt in Goa. In the first two, one gets a hint of how the area of salt extraction has shrunk, particularly over recent decades and also since the late 19th century and the Anglo-Portuguese Treaty. In the politics of this section, Sequeira touches issues of the salt sectors legal status. She quotes researchers like Dr Harishchandra T Nagvenkar who say that steps taken to promote salt production, marketing and competitiveness could have made a huge difference to this sector in Goa. Salt has figured only rarely in the Goa legislative assembly, though a few politicians have realised its importance. Sequeira gives a detailed description of the salt making process in Goa. While it may seem to involve The changing status of women - a reality in todays Goa -- also throws up interesting issues. Family involvement in salt work, and social problems, are also covered, as is the economic life of the villages studied. Sequeira notes age-old unsolved problems in transportation that the salt makers face. Likewise competition, sometimes unfair, from the corporate world also comes up in the 256-page hard-bound book. In Batim, a village just off the PanajiMargao highway, local salt farmers coexist with migrants. From here, a number of traditional marriage rituals are documented by the author. Interesting syncretic practices - which cut across the religious divide - are also studied. In Arpora village, close to the North Goa beach belt, says the author, the salt pans have come under immense pressure due to factors like tourism and the real-estate boom in the locality. At the time of commencement of her research, there were four operational salt pans in the village, but now just one exists. Storage of salt and the hurdles to salt making are also studied in the book. Sequeira approached a number of authorities under the Right to Information Act - from village panchayat upwards - whose answers suggest a poor understanding or serious lack of interest in salt making. Goa needs a deputy salt commissioner appointed for itself, and statistics on salt production should be systematically maintained, says Sequeira. She also suggests a strict ban on the conversion of salt pans. cyberspace to an announcement of the book, Patrice Reimens, a Netherlands-based cyber-campaigner who has long followed issues in Goa, commented: In France, traditional salt makers in Bretagne and Camargue have managed to survive by branding their produce into a high class, hyped-up must have - and pricey. Maybe some forces in Goa could push in that direction. Of course, this would need some serious investments and savvy marketing... Salt has played an important role across human history. No substance other than water has been used with such regularity as salt, the book notes. Yet, in our times, it lies devalIANS ued and neglected.

Book

a simple process, it has carefully evolved over the centuries as detailed drawings and photographs from the field suggest. Given her sociologists approach, Sequeira studies the salt-makers themselves in detail - both from the Hindu and Catholic communities, and even migrants from neighbouring coastal Karnataka. She describes and contrasts their festivals, language, religion, marriage and other practices followed along different parts of the Goa coast.

18

SCIENCE AND TECH

Chennai The next two fast breeder reactors designed by the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) will be lighter in weight and would save a lot of money in material cost, a senior official said. IGCAR plans to deliver the next two fast breeder reactors incorporating the necessary design changes that reduce the material cost without compromising on performance, safety and other aspects, its director P.R. Vasudeva Rao told. A fast-breeder reactor is one which breeds more material for a nuclear fission reaction than it consumes. It is the key to Indias three-stage nuclear power programme. IGCAR is tasked to design fast reactors and also carry out relevant research activities. The first fast reactor designed and developed by IGCAR - the Rs.5,677 crore 500 MW prototype fast breeder reactor (PFBR)- coming up at Kalpakkam, around 70 km from here, is expected to go on stream next year. The PFBR reactor has 850 tonnes of stainless steel. The total steel content is around 1,300 tonnes. In the next two reactors, the metal content

CHANDIGARH SUNDAY 28 July 2013

NASA releases images of earth taken by Indias next two indigenous fast reactors will be lighter distant spacecraft
Washington Color and black-and-white images of Earth taken by two NASA interplanetary spacecraft July 19 show our planet and its moon as bright beacons from millions of miles away in space. NASAs Cassini spacecraft captured the color images of Earth and the moon from its perch in the Saturn system nearly 900 million miles (1.5 billion kilometers) away. MESSENGER, the first probe to orbit Mercury, took a black-and-white image from a distance of 61 million miles (98 million kilometers) as part of a campaign to search for natural satellites of the planet. In the Cassini images Earth and the moon appear as mere dots -- Earth a pale blue and the moon a stark white, visible between Saturns rings. It was the first time Cassinis highest- resolution camera captured Earth and its moon as two distinct objects. It also marked the first time people on Earth had advance notice their planets portrait was being taken from interplanetary distances. NASA invited the public to celebrate by finding Saturn in their part of the sky, waving at the ringed planet and sharing pictures over the Internet. More than 20,000 people around the world participated. We cant see individual continents or people in this portrait of Earth, but this pale blue dot is a succinct summary of who we were on July 19, said Linda Spilker, Cassini project scientist, at NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, Calif. Cassinis picture reminds us how tiny our home planet is in the vastness of space, and also testifies to the ingenuity of the citizens of this tiny planet to send a robotic spacecraft so far away from home to study Saturn and take a look-back photo of Earth. Pictures of Earth from the outer sowill be 25 percent less. The changes will also reduce construction time, P.Chellapandi, director of IGCARs Reactor Design Group, told IANS. The design for next two units has been finalised and is being reviewed, he added. According to him, the reactor safety has been further enhanced by adding passive safety features. The PFBR and the two more reactors will be powered by a blend of plutomium and uranium oxide fuel, also called MOX fuel. We have decided to limit MOX fuel reactors to three units. We may build metallic fuel reactors instead of two more MOX fuel reactors planned earlier, Ratan Kumar Sinha, secretary of the department of atomic energy and chairman, Atomic Energy Commission, told IANS on the phone from Mumbai. Metallic fuel has a better breeding ratio as compared to MOX fuel. The idea is to switch over to metallic fuel reactors at the earliest. After three fast breeder reactors, we may take stock of the situation and decide whether to go for metallic or MOX fuel reactors, Rao added.
IANS

New Honda MPV to Make World Debut at the 21st Indonesia International Motor Show

lar system are rare because from that distance, Earth appears very close to our sun. A cameras sensitive detectors can be damaged by looking directly at the sun, just as a human being can damage his or her retina by doing the same. Cassini was able to take this image because the sun had temporarily moved behind Saturn from the spacecrafts point of view and most of the light was blocked. A wide-angle image of Earth will become part of a multi-image picture, or mosaic, of Saturns rings, which scientists are assembling. This image is not expect to be available for several weeks because of the timeconsuming challenges involved in blending images taken in changing geometry and at vastly different light levels, with faint and extraordinarily bright targets side by side. It thrills me to no end that people all over the world took a break from their normal activities to go outside and celebrate the interplanetary salute between robot and maker that these images represent, said Carolyn Porco, Cassini imaging team lead at the Space Science Institute in Boulder, Colo. The whole event underscores for me our coming of age as planetary explorers. In the MESSENGER image, Earth and the moon are less than a pixel, but appear very large because they are overexposed. Long exposures

are required to capture as much light as possible from potentially dim objects. Consequently, bright objects in the field of view become saturated and appear artificially large. That images of our planet have been acquired on a single day from two distant solar system outposts reminds us of this nations stunning technical accomplishments in planetary exploration, said MESSENGER principal investigator Sean Solomon of Columbia Universitys Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory in Palisades, N.Y. And because Mercury and Saturn are such different outcomes of planetary formation and evolution, these two images also highlight what is special about Earth. Theres no place like home. The Cassini-Huygens mission is a cooperative project of NASA, the European Space Agency and the Italian Space Agency. JPL designed, developed and assembled the Cassini orbiter and its two onboard cameras. The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Laurel, Md., designed and built MESSENGER, a spacecraft developed under NASAs Discovery Program. NASAs Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., manages the program for the agencys Science Mission Directorate in Washington. JPL and APL manage their respective missions for NASA.

Indias first wireless traffic controller system unveiled

New Delhi Indias first wireless road traffic controller technology WiTraC that runs on solar power was unveiled here Wednesday. The state-of-the-art technology developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC) was handed over to private partners for production by Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal here. If we have wireless traffic control system, it will help us to collate data and send traffic fast updates, Sibal told reporters. Developed at a cost of Rs.14.75 crore, the system is power efficient and the installations run on solar panel designed with 72 hours power backup. It has been designed for pole mounting and does not require digging of roads. According to experts, the indigenous system is one-third the price of an imported system.

Dolphins call each other by signature whistles

North Korea halts work on long-range rocket site?

Washington North Korea has halted construction at a long-range rocket launch facility in the countrys northeast region, a US think tank has said. According to a new analysis of recent satellite imagery, North Korea stopped construction on the launch pad, rocket assembly building and launch control centre at the Tonghae satellite launching ground, reported Xinhua citing a US-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins University report. Construction at the site gradually slowed and then stopped at the end of last year, though the reason for the stoppage remains unclear, the report said. The new facilities were intended to launch rockets larger than the Unha3 space launch vehicle that put a North Korea satellite into orbit last December. However, US State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said she needed to verify if Washington had engaged in an independent evaluation of the analysis. The US and some other countries believe that Pyongyang uses rocket launches as a cover for work on missiles.
IANS

Jakarta, Indonesia P.T. Honda Prospect Motor (HPM) released the global premiere of the official sketch of the brand-new Honda MPV that will be making its world debut at the upcoming 21st Indonesia International Motor Show, scheduled for September 19-29, in Jakarta, Indonesia. The new Honda MPV was developed for the Asian market by Honda R&D Asia Pacific Co., Ltd. in Thailand and P.T. Honda R&D Indonesia. This model will be the first Honda product in Indonesia to be introduced to the entry level MPV segment, the biggest category in the Indonesian automobile market. In addition to offering seven seats in a 3-row configuration, the new Honda MPV fea-

tures an innovative design, spacious cabin, and advanced safety which is already a hallmark of every Honda product. The new Honda MPV will be powered by a 1.5L gasoline engine, which provides both sporty performance and good fuel efficiency. Comment by Tomoki Uchida, President Director of P.T. Honda Prospect Motor,The new Honda MPV has been developed especially for the needs of customers and road characteristics in Indonesia. This model will also be locally produced in Indonesia as the first product of its new Second Plant in Karawang, scheduled to begin operation in early 2014. This makes the new Honda MPV a very special product for Honda in Indonesia.

London Dolphins have long been recognised as a smart animal. A new study by British researchers has found that bottlenose dolphins address each other by using signature whistles. Researchers at the University of St. Andrews conducted sound playback experiments with wild bottlenose dolphins on the east coast of Scotland, Xinhua reported. Based on an earlier work that showed that dolphins often copy signature whistles of their close relatives and friends, this study tested whether animals that are addressed with copies of their signature whistles really react to them. The researchers followed groups of wild dolphins and recorded the unique signature whistles using a novel signature identification method. They then played back either a

computer version of an animals signature whistle, or control whistles of either an unfamiliar animal or a familiar animal from the same population. Each dolphin only reacted when hearing the computer version of its own signature whistle, but not to the other whistles played back to it. The researchers said this showed that dolphins can be addressed in this way, and it was the missing link to demonstrate that signature whistles function as names. In experimental work, parrots are also good at learning novel sounds and using them to label objects, said Stephanie King, who took part in the study. Our results present the first case of naming in mammals, providing a clear parallel between dolphin and human communication.

CHANDIGARH SUNDAY 28 July 2013

Some dirt wont hurt

bodys surface is more microbial than human. That same 10-to-1 ratio holds for the digestive tract, the lining of your nose even the inside of your belly button. Germs are far tinier than human cells. So although microbes have you outnumbered, they still account for only 1 percent to 3 percent of your bodys weight. You share your body with more than 10,000 species of germs. And overall, thats a good thing. Without the microbes in your gut, you wouldnt have any vitamin K. This little-known vitamin plays a vital role in clotting blood when you suffer a cut or nosebleed. Microbes also make B vitamins, which are needed for all kinds of reactions inside your cells. Still other microbes help you digest many nutritious foods. Even microbes that dont nourish you play a role in keeping you healthy. They do so by crowding out potential troublemakers. Germs that trigger disease pathogens sneak into our bodies all of the time. But if legions of harmless microbes are already there, a disease-causing one wont find room to multiply enough to make you sick. (Thats the idea behind eating yogurts with active cultures, meaning live bacteria.) Moreover, many microbes educate your immune system. It needs to know which substances in the environment are harmless and which pose a threat. Without that training, the immune system can go into overdrive, triggering dangerous reactions when it shouldnt.

KIDS

19
Tissue Paper Flowers Craft
Here we are giving your child an opportunity to enjoy our funny tongue twisters for kids and have fun trying to say some of the most difficult sentences . To get the full effect of a tongue twister you should try to repeat it several times, as quickly as possible, without stumbling. The Sixth Sick Sheikhs Sixth Sheep Is Sick . U r que tea, Love lee, Grey ate, On nest, At track thief, Cheer fool, Soup pub and u r my most Press Yes friend. House dat!! Betty brought a bit of bitter but the butter was bitter so she brought some more butter to more the bitter butter, betty. Dont pamper damp scamp tramps that camp under ramp lamps.

Wash your hands! That familiar piece of advice helps prevent the spread of disease. Good old soap and water remove the bacteria, viruses and other germs that can make you sick. But is there any big advantage to soap laced with bacteria-killing chemicals? Should people sanitize computer keyboards, shopping cart handles and anything else that others have touched? Indeed, is it possible to be too clean? Actually, data show, it is. A growing number of studies suggest that routing too many germs might actually foster life-threatening allergies. If you find that hard to believe, its probably because youve been taught that germs are bad.

Some certainly do trigger serious disease. The word germ probably sets off an alarm in the heads of most people. But the term refers to any microbe. And of the untold numbers of germ species in the world, the vast majority poses little or no harm to most people. Some are even beneficial. The problem: Antibacterial soaps and sanitizers cant tell the difference. They are as likely to evict good germs as bad. To stay healthy, then, people need to adopt habits that limit their exposure to bad germs even as they actively welcome others. Germs are us Think your body is covered just by skin cells? Think again. Human skin hosts about 10 microbes for every one skin cell. That means your

Materials Required: Tissue Paper Pile These flowers are made from folded tissue paper (crepe paper). You can make an entire bouquet of them for a great gift or decoration. 1.Cut a few pieces (about 4-6) of tissue paper (crepe paper) about 8 x 10 inches (the exact size doesnt matter). 2.Put the paper in a pile and fold it like an accordion. 3.Tie the center of the folded paper with a green pipe cleaner (or twist tie). 4.Gently pull each piece of paper towards the top center of the flower, separating each sheet of paper from the others (forming the petals of the flower).

How To Get Along With Your Parents?

your ears and mind open. 8. Avoid shutting down or growing frustrated. Avoid interrupting them or jumping in with a rebuttal. Just listen and absorb what they say. 9. If your parents reject your proposal, stay focused and avoid getting emotional. Thank them for their time and express your disappointment that you could not reach a compromise. 10. If the outcome disappoints you, do not throw a fit. Go to your room and write your feelings in a journal or go outside and ride your bike or

punch a pillow to blow off steam. 11. Whatever the outcome, be sure to do what your parents expect of you. By going along with their wishes you build trust and show your maturity which in turn may make them more willing to relax their stand at a future date. 12. If the topic is a very sensitive one and you still cant see eye to eye, ask your parents what they need from you in order for them to consider your proposal.

Put your puzzle solving skills to the test with our emotions word scramble. Look carefully at the jumbled words and try unscrambling as many words related to Sport RYBUG EBALBASL INGGOGJ AKRTEA OPLICYMS EARC

Color Me......

RUGBY , BASEBALL , JOGGING , KARATE , OLYMPICS , RACE

Answers to Word Scramble :

Do you feel like that you cannot connect with your parents? Are you always fighting with them about YOUR life? Has all the arguing and butting heads stressing you out? If so, follow these steps to find some solution. During your teen years, you may find that you are fighting with your parents about everything and anything. This is not unusual, because as a child, your parents did everything for you and that was okay. But now that you are a teenager, you can do a lot of things for yourself. As you develop, you begin to have your own opinions and ideas, and your parents are not ready to accept this as yet. It is a big shock for them to see a whole new person grow out of the child you once were and now often arguing with them. STEPS FOR BETTERMENT BETWEEN YOU AND YOUR PARENTS : 1. Make a list of the things that you and your parents fight about the most. 2. Identify what it is that gets you so upset or angry - are you mad that your parents disagree with you, or are

you upset that they cant/wont see your point of view? 3. Decide on a FAIR compromise - a resolution that you can live with and that you think your parents will accept. NOTE: A compromise means you give up some of your demands - it does not mean that you get your way. 4. Write down your proposed compromise and read it aloud at least three times to see how it sounds. 5. Set up a time to talk to your parents, do not just bring it up over dinner but make an actual appointment and tell them that you have an important proposal to make. 6. Before talking to your parents, take a few deep breaths and have calming thoughts. Make a promise to yourself that you will not raise your voice or get angry even if your parents turn up the volume. 7. When you have presented your case take another deep breath and let your parents talk. Really listen to what your parents have to say. Even if you do not like what they are saying hold back your anger and keep

OMINOUS MEANING: showing or being a sign of menace or evil. EXAMPLE :There was an ominous thunder in the clouds signaling the coming of the storm. POKE MEANING: Generally with something pointed and narrow, as a finger. EXAMPLE: I didnt notice him in the crowd until he poked me from behind. RHETORIC MEANING:the study of speech and writing in terms of communication . EXAMPLE:She was doing a study in rhetoric at the university. SARCASTIC MEANING: Generally harsh, ironic and taunting. EXAMPLE : I am better off without your sarcastic comments

20

BUSINESS
Guwahati The Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) and the Assam government will constitute a joint task force to work on a five-point agenda for the development of the region. CII president and co-founder and executive vice chairman of Infosys Limited S. Gopalakrishnan said while talking to the media here, and added that the five-point agenda included skill development and enhancing the competitiveness of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) through capacity building, boosting food processing, health initiatives and supporting IT infrastructure. The executive vice chairman of Infosys was in Guwahati for a twoday programme that began Tuesday, when Gopalakrishnan also met Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi. The region is at the threshold of an exciting transition. We can seize this opportunity for prosperity and development, Gopalakrishnan said and added that the CII is partnering the Assam government for overall economic development of the state, to facilitate policies that will attract investment and improve the environment for business. To enhance the competitiveness of the MSME sector in Assam, CII through its Centre of Excellence for Competitiveness will work with the state government for cluster development programmes in the state, he said. This would be done for the com-

CHANDIGARH SUNDAY 28 July 2013

Biden meets Indian business honchos to boost trade

CII, Assam government to form joint task force for development

Mumbai US Vice President Joe Biden met top India Inc. leaders, including Ratan Tata and Azim Premji, as he discussed ways to enhance bilateral trade exponentially over time and address issues hindering trade. Biden, who is in Indias commercial capital on the second leg of his tour, met the Indian business leaders Wednesday afternoon, shortly after delivering a speech at the Bombay Stock Exchange in Mumbai. Biden held discussions with Ratan Tata, former head of Tata Group, Azim Premji, chief of Wipro, Pratyush Kumar, president of Boeing in India, and other business leaders at the Taj Mahal hotel here for nearly an hour. The talks were full and frank, Biden said later. There was an honest discussion about how both governments - the Indian government as well as US - could be productive in reducing trade barriers that have an impact on trade and commerce, the US vice president said. US businesses and members of Congress have voiced concern over the buy India mandate, which requires a percentage of technology goods in the country to be manufactured locally. The US has also voiced concerns over Indias intellectual property regime, which the US feels hampers Indias ability to attract foreign investment. These policies, the US feels, distort trade and investment and discourage innovation. After Wednesdays meeting with

business heads, Biden said India and the United States are not at odds on any strategic objective, but need to find ways to take the Indo-US relationship forward. We mean what we say when we say that the relationship between India and the US has unlimited potential and there is no reason why trade, commerce and intercourse between our countries cant increase exponentially over time, he said. Biden emphasised that both sides share a common goal of empowering their middle classes. The US is focused on reinforcing the middle class with good jobs, better access to healthcare and opportunities for a dignified retirement, he said, while India hopes to generate the largest middle class in the history of humanity to deal with poverty and raise standards of living. Earlier, in a speech on US-India Partnership at the Bombay Stock Exchange, Biden called for further expanding the growing economic cooperation with India and expressed hope that, if the right choices are made, bilateral trade could grow five-fold. Lauding India as a rising power, Biden said trade between India and the US grew five-fold to touch $100 billion in the past 13 years. We see tremendous opportunity and there is no reason that if our countries make the right choices, the trade cannot grow five-fold or more, Biden said. Welcoming the relaxation of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) norms in

certain sectors, Biden felt that a lot more was needed to be done to remove trade barriers. We have to do a lot of work on a wide range of issues like limits in FDI, inconsistent tax system, market access barriers, civil nuclear cooperation, bilateral investment treaty and policies protecting innovations, Biden said. The first US vice president to visit India in over three decades, Biden appreciated Indias regional role and welcomed its engagement and efforts to develop new trade and transportation links by land and sea. He also acknowledged the role of the Indian community in Americas growth story, saying the US has benefitted due to the Indian human capital. Dwelling on American ties with China, Biden termed it as a healthy mix of competition and co-operation. He called for enhanced engagement between India, China and the US. The cooperation between the three big nations will help grow the world economy, he said. Biden, accompanied by his wife Jill Biden, their daughter Ashley and son-in-law Howard D. Crein, arrived in Mumbai early Wednesday on the second leg of his visit to India. On Thursday, Biden will visit the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT-B), at Powai. The Bidens will also visit the new premises of the US Consulate at the Bandra-Kurla Complex and interact with the staff, an embassy spokesIANS person added.

panies operating out of industrial estates in a phased manner, he said. The CII would continue its focus on capacity building, skill based training programmes and employability, he said. In 2013-14, CII will set up four Skill Hubs across India, including one in Assam, at Digboi, he said. To support healthcare, CII will partner with the Assam government in setting up super specialty hospitals in the region. Building on the competencies of the region, CII has identified food processing as one of the major areas of collaboration, Gopalakrishnan said. He also advocated the need for aggressively marketing the state as an IT destination and highlighting local success stories. CII is also actively working with the state government on implementation of the Goods and Services Tax and collaborating with the Reserve Bank of India for a one percent reduction in the interest rate on loans.

Moodys forecasts 3.1 percent GDP growth in Mexico

Mexico City Mexicos economy will gain strength in the second half of this year and finish 2013 with gross domestic product growth of 3.1 percent, Moodys Investors Service said. The forecast from the US credit-rating agency is in line with the latest projections from Mexican officials, who said domestic and external factors caused the economy to slow in the first half of this year. The Mexican economy has decelerated recently, but the current softness is more a product of cyclical deceleration and growth should resume toward the second half of this year and will, in fact, be stronger next year, Moodys Investors Service said. Mexicos GDP should grow 3.1 percent this year and 3.5 percent in 2014, Moodys Investors Service assistant vice president Alonso Sanchez said. After the global economic crisis, many companies increased their cash reserves and extended maturities via refinancings, Moodys said. These moves should help companies easily cover short-term, long-term and operating funding needs with cash and lines of credit until the end of next year, Moodys said.
IANS

Hero MotoCorp first quarter net profit down 10.86 percent

New Delhi More than 40 percent of the oil and oil products in India go into running vehicles, but no serious efforts towards a fuel saving roadmap for the sector are in sight, the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) said. The report from the CSE says India is the only major vehicle producing country in the world without fuel saving standards for cars. More than 40 percent of the oil and oil products in the country go into running vehicles. In fact, if this guzzling continues unabated, it can virtually wipe out the gains of fuel savings from all other steps, and undermine all efforts at reducing climate change risks, said Sunita Narain, CSE director general. According to the analysis that the CSE presented, India will be importing 94 percent of its crude oil by 2030. However, the country is making no serious efforts to prepare a fuel saving roadmap for all modes of transport. Our oil import bill is already close to seven percent of GDP (Gross Domestic Product) and import dependence has made India vulnerable to oil price shocks, she said. At the same time, the environment ministry inventory shows that the transportation sector is the fourth largest emitter of heat-trapping greenhouse gases in India, while it remains the key emitter of toxics. Cities are becoming energy guzzlers and heat trappers, she said. The CSE said that while the Indian government is dreaming big on energy security, a nightmare scenario is unfolding, with the potential to shatter all visions of energy independence. Estimates show that by delaying enforcement of standards, the coun-

A model poses beside a vehicle at the 5th Huhhot International Auto Exhibition in Huhhot, north Chinas Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, July 19, 2013. Some 400 vehicles from more than 70 enterprises and brands were taken to the five-day exhibition

try is losing enormous quantities of fuel, the analysis said. The CSE said the flip-flop on car fuel conservation standards is delaying standards for other vehicle segments like buses. The bus sector is already facing enormous fuel cost burden because of worsening fuel efficiency of buses. While CNG bus fuel efficiency in Delhi is stagnating, diesel bus fuel efficiency in other cities like Bengaluru are worsening. Increased fuel prices are compounding the operational costs, the report said. IANS

CHANDIGARH SUNDAY 28 July 2013

BUSINESS
Chris Devonshire-Ellis As China and India continue to show some of the worlds fastest GDP growth rates, both are also undergoing huge demographic changes. In some ways, there are similarities between the two, yet in others, completely opposite positions exist. Understanding these subtleties is key to working out where future innovation, talent and growth will come from. In terms of similarities, it is interesting to note that 20 years ago, the average age of a worker in China was 23. That is now the age of the average worker in India today, while the average age of a worker in China has risen to 37. So Indias current young, dynamic, and maybe somewhat undisciplined, workforce is at the same age and in similar numbers to Chinas 20 years ago; the very same demographics that propelled China from 11th position in global GDP rankings 20 years ago, to the 2nd spot today behind only the United States. While India may be 15 years behind China in its infrastructure development, it has now inherited that worker demographic dividend. Given the

21

To Be Taken Seriously, India Why India is Winning the Entrepreneurial First Needs to Fix Itself Battle with China
David Karl It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves. Several developments related to India call to mind William Shakespeares famous line in Julius Caesar. The first are the tours of the United States that Finance Minister Palaniappan Chidambaram and Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma undertook a few weeks ago, aimed at drumming up foreign investment. The second is the continuing hue and cry in New Delhi over Beijings energetic efforts to create a sphere of influence in the strategically important Indian Ocean basin. In both cases, Indian leaders would be well advised to spend more of their energy getting their countrys act together before looking abroad. An Economic Pariah Indias fall from grace among global investors has been striking. Just a few years ago, it was regarded, along with China, as an engine of the dawning Asian century. It was the darling of the Davos set as well as the inspiration for such fashionable concepts as frugal innovation, economic flatness and the BRICs grouping. Leaders in New Delhi even spoke about the coming Indian Century, and how the country would inevitably eclipse China as the center of gravity in Asia. But nowadays, India is something of an economic pariah. Foreign direct investment inflows were down by nearly a third in 2012, compared to the previous year, and some $7 billion in portfolio investment fled the country last month alone. The flight of foreign capital is depressing the rupees value to record lows vis-vis the US dollar, and the rupee is now the worst performing currency in emerging Asia. India is experiencing the weakest economic growth in a decade, along with a record-setting current account deficit. International ratings agencies are threatening to downgrade the countrys sovereign credit rating to junk status. And further denting Indias image are announcements by global steel giants ArcelorMittal and Posco that they

are abandoning high-profile steel projects due to the land-acquisition problems that derail many largescale foreign investment plans in India. Against this background, one wonders why Chidambaram and Sharma even thought to leave New Delhi. After all, how could they possibly hope to woo foreign investors when Indian business leaders increasingly disparage investment opportunities inside the country and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is forced to plead with them to keep the faith. Moreover, on the eve of Chidambarams departure, his cabinet colleagues undermined the sales pitch by publicly rebuffing his proposals for relaxing rules on FDI in a number of key sectors. As Reuters quoted a senior finance ministry official as saying, the fall of the rupee and delay in policy reforms could affect our credibility.* The US audiences the Indian tag team addressed did not come away very impressed. A year ago, Prime Minister Singh acknowledged that enacting the economic reforms the country desperately requires would entail courage and some risks. Chidambaram and Sharma would have done more good staying at home and pressing this point on their Congress Party compatriots. And if they need to bolster their case, they can point to the blunt advice that the heads of the Asian Development Bank and the International Finance Corporation (the World Banks private-sector arm) recently directed New Delhis way. Fair Observer

Global food prices continue to fall: World Bank

Washington Global food prices dropped 2 percent between February and June, said the World Bank. The World Bank said Thursday in its Food Price Watch report that improved weather conditions and weaker demand resulted in the third consecutive quarterly decline of food prices, reported Xinhua. The World Banks Food Price Index showed international wheat prices fell 2 percent, sugar 6 percent, soybean oil 11 percent, and maize, or corn, 1 percent during the FebruaryJune period. Global maize production was expected to reach a record high this year, according to the report. But the report also cautioned that uncertainty remains in international markets be-

right set of policies, India should start to rise along similar growth curves that China has shown over the past two decades. Also 20 years ago, in China, over 60 percent of the countrys workforce was employed by massive state-owned enterprises (SOEs). At the time, many of these SOEs were unprofitable behemoths pouring out shoddy products with employees given little incentive to change under the iron rice bowl system. China

modified that system and relaxed labor laws, making it easier to offload working staff. Although labor laws were re-tightened a couple of years ago as Chinas workforce aged and the state needed to protect pensions and employment, the effect was a reduction in the number of Chinese workers employed by SOEs to around 20 percent today. China, in effect, has a huge latent entrepreneurial class. Fair Observer

cause recent unfavourable weather conditions in northern and central Europe and other risks may affect the prospects of world food production. The World Bank also noted that some countries with high poverty and weak safety nets are responding to the chronic volatility by scaling up food subsidy programs that are often

counter-productive. Poorly designed food subsidy programs that lack transparency and accountability in implementation do not benefit poor people, said Jaime Saavedra, a World Bank vice president. These programs can be very costly and prone to corruption and waste scarce fiscal resources.
IANS

Samsung Electronics posts record profit

Samsung Electronics, the worlds largest maker of smartphones, flat panels and TVs, posted a fresh record quarterly high of operating profit in the second quarter due to robust demand for its high-end smartphones and TVs, a regulatory filing showed. Operating profit jumped 47.5 percent from a year earlier to 9.53 trillion won ($8.54 billion) in the three months ending June 30, according to the regulatory filing. The figure topped the previous record high of 8.84 trillion won tallied in the fourth quarter of last year, reported Xinhua. Sales increased 20.73 percent yearon-year to 57.46 trillion won in the second quarter, breaching the prior high of 56.06 trillion won registered in the fourth quarter of 2012. Net profit was 7.77 trillion won, up 49.69 percent from a year earlier and rising 8.65 percent from three IANS months ago.

22

SPORTS

CHANDIGARH SUNDAY 28 July 2013

Hyderabad bags Saina for $120,000, Mumbai pays $135,000 for Warner comes Lee Chong Wei and Young shuttlers thrilled about IBL windfall out in support of Watson New Delhi
Indias top shuttler and Olympic bronze medallist Saina Nehwal was sold to Hyderabad Hostshots for a whopping $120,000 while World No.1 Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia got the highest bid of $135,000 from Mumbai Masters at the inaugural players auction of the Indian Badminton League (IBL) here. Indias rising stars Parupalli Kashyap and P.V. Sindhu were sold to Banga Beats for $75,000 and Lucknow Warriors for $80,000. All he four icon players had a base price of $50,000. The remaining two icon players, Jawala Gutta and Ashwini Ponappa, who are womens doubles specialists, were sold below their base price of $50,000 to Delhi Smashers and Pune Pistons. Since there are no womens doubles matches in the IBL, the franchises requested the governing council of the tournament to halve the base price of the two players. Jawala went to Delhi for $31,000 and Ashwini was picked up by Pune for her reduced base price of $25,000. IBL officials, however, said that they would compensate the two players. They will pay Jwala $19,000 and $25,000 to Ashwini. The $1 million IBL will be conducted in six cities August 14-31. The richest badminton league in the world will feature almost all the top50 players in the world. Young Indian shuttlers are thrilled with the money they have got from the Indian Badminton League (IBL) players auction. Despite the controversies, many of the rising players got good deals at the auction which was held here on Monday. K. Srikanth, who was bagged by Awadh Warriors for $34,000, said Thursday, This is unbelievable. I didnt expect it (the bidding price). It felt extremely good to know that the franchisees were competing with each other to bid for me. The 20-year-old who last month stunned Thai World No.4 Boonsak Ponsana in the Thailand Open Grand Prix final, added, My parents are very happy that the sport is getting me financial rewards. Another promising youngster, 18-year-old doubles player K. Maneesha, was picked up by Awadh Warriors for $26,000, six times more than her base price of $4,000. Maneesha, who won the Maldives International Challenge mixed doubles with K. Nandagopal in June and the 2010 Commonwealth Youth Games, said: I am a junior player and never expected to get so much money. The credit goes to Saina (Nehwal), (Parupalli) Kashyap, Ashwini (Ponnappa) for taking badminton to a height so that all the youngsters like me are also now reaping the benefits. Pradnya Gadre, among the top10 highest buys, feels lucky to be picked up by Hyderabad Hotshots

Beausejour (St. Lucia) Saeed Ajmal and Shahid Afridi scrambled a single off the penultimate ball to enable Pakistan win the fifth and final One Day International against the West indies by four wickets and clinch the series 3-1 at the Beausejour Cricket Ground here. Pakistan ended on 243 for six off 49.5 overs in reply to West Indies 242 for seven Wednesday. Opener Ahmed Shehzad led the way for Pakistan with a top score of 64, his second One Day International half century against the West Indies and third overall. Shehzad shared a third wicket stand of 59 with his captain Misbah-ulHaq and 51 for the first wicket with Nasir Jamshed. Shehzad struck eight boundaries off 100 balls before falling to a running catch to long on by Dwayne Bravo as he attempted a pull off Tino Best. Man of the match and man of the series Misbah-ul-Haq was the one

Pakistan beat West Indies to win series

to steer his team home with a 63-run knock. When he offered a catch to Dwayne Bravo at mid-wicket off Jason Holder, Pakistan needed just one run to win the match. The Pakistan captain struck five fours and a six in 93-ball effort. He featured in a crucial fifth wicket partnership of 66, with Umar Akmal. Akmal, who contributed 38, had survived a review for caught behind off Tino Best. He was later caught at long-off by substitute fielder Kemar Roach off Best when rain interrupted the match, leaving Pakistan on 226 for five with 14 deliveries remaining. Best finished with three for 48 from 10 overs with a wicket each going to Holder and Darren Sammy. The West Indies managed to reach near 250 thanks mainly to a 53-run seventh-wicket partnership between Dwayne Bravo (48) and Sammy (29 not out ) and a third-wicket stand

for $46,000. The 22-year-old doubles specialist said, I am extremely happy to be part of the IBL and Hyderabad Hotshots. It is a great opportunity for the juniors to get to play with international stars. It will be wonderful to be in the same team as my idol Taufik Hidayat. B. Sai Praneeth, 20, who stunned former Olympic champion Taufik in the latters farewell match, was bagged by Delhi Smashers for $40,000. Its a huge motivation for a player like me. I was expecting around $20,000 but this was surprising, he said. R.M.V. Gurusaidutt, 2008 Commonwealth Youth Games champion who was picked up by Awadh Warriors for $40,000, said, Its great to be a part of the league which will help badminton and the players to grow.

Leading doubles player Pranav Jerry Chopra, who was picked up for $36,000 by Mumbai Masters, said: I was shocked to be picked up for $36,000 by Mumbai Masters. But above all, Im elated to be in the same team as Lee Chong Wei. Its a huge boost to us ahead of the World Championships. Commenting on the unprecedented benefits for talented young shuttlers, 32-year-old V. Diju, who became the first Indian mixed doubles pair along with Jwala Gutta to win a Grand Prix title in 2009, said, The IBL is a great platform and opportunity for all the Indian badminton players to play with international players. Also, it will be a treat to watch Lee Chong Wei in action for all of us.
IANS

of 54 between Johnson Charles and Marlon Samuels. Bravo and Sammys effort proved to be the most crucial for the West Indies when they came together at 170 for six after 44.1 overs. Bravos 48 came off 27 deliveries with five boundaries and three sixes while Sammys undefeated 29 was off 18 balls. Charles and Samuels were not at their fluent best. Samuels needed 89 balls for his 45 while Charles used

up 71 in getting 43 -- both falling to attempted swats in the deep off Mohammad Irfan. Other useful knocks came from Lendl Simmons (25) and Chris Gayle who got 21 batting at number five, second successive time in the series. Junaid Khan with the wickets of Devon Smith (7), Darren Bravo (9) and Gayle finished with the best figures of three for 48. Irfan had two for 34 from 10 overs and Saeed Ajmal two for 57, also from 10.

Pretoria Australia batsman David Warner has quashed claims of disharmony between him and Shane Watson, saying that he cant get enough of him. I get along with Shane very well. I thoroughly enjoy batting with him, I know what he does for the team and I know what a team player he is, Warner was quoted saying in the Sydney Morning Herald. Warner, who scored 193 runs for Australia A against South Africa A here Wednesday, has come out in support of Watson after his brother Steven Warner had hit out at the allrounder on Twitter. Not just on the field but in and around the group how he supports the guys. Hes fantastic. I just cant get enough of him, added Warner. Steven blasted Watson July 19 for wasting a review at Lords by tweeting: F---ing selfish Watson sooner your out the side you great pretender the better. I had absolutely no idea. I got a call from Pat Howard, high performance chief, about it and I was dumbfounded because I hadnt checked Twitter in ages. Hes had his opinion. Ive had nothing to do with it, no idea about it at first. Hes deleted his account, Warner said. Warner defended his brother saying he was only having his say but was disappointed at his remark about Watson. It was very disappointing. Ive actually had a good word to him and he was shattered. He obviously didnt know that his opinion would be judged like that and he now knows that. He got a good kick up the bum by Mum and Dad as well, he said.

New Delhi Athletes who have often suffered from administrative high-handedness in Indian sports have welcomed the governments move to credit their daily allowances to their bank accounts. Sports Authority of India (SAI) Director General Jiji Thomson has said that allowances for athletes going overseas for training and competitions will from now on be directly credited to their bank accounts instead of being routed through officials of the federation concerned. If this is true, it is great news for the athletes. Though I have been going overseas with the Indian team for a decade, only a couple of years ago I found out that we were entitled to

Athletes welcome DAILY ALLOWANCE credit to bank accounts

$25 per day on tours. Shockingly, we used to get paid $50 for the entire trip, a top international archer told IANS, not wanting to be named. On their part, the federations say the SAI step doesnt mean much to them. It is good that the government will be directly paying the athletes. The money issue becomes totally their responsibility now, Indian Boxing Federation president Abhishek Matoria told IANS. Dhanraj Choudhary, secretary general of the Table Tennis Federation of India, said: The federation will not gain by cheating athletes by withholding their full entitlement of the DA money. In fact it makes our job easier that they will be paid directly. Athletes get $100 per day on Europe and America tours for their board, lodging and other incidental expenses. Twentyfive percent of this is actually pocket money. The entitlement is $75 for other countries. Whenever we asked for our daily allowance, the federation official used to say that the money had not been received from SAI and we would get it later, adding that why do you need anything when your food and stay are taken care of by us?, said the archer. By the time he became a senior in the team, the marksman saw the juniors getting similar treatment. I have seen the officials giving Rs. 500 to juniors as pocket money for the tour. Nobody dared to ask them anything. Interestingly, the archer revealed that the contingent got the stipulated amount during his last two visits as the Archery Association of India (AAI) had no role to play. I suppose this happened because the AAI is derecognised by the sports ministry and a SAI official travelled with the team, the archer added. Dipika Pallikal, the first Indian squash player to break into the worlds top 10, said SAIs decision is the right one. Being a professional, I dont have to deal with my federation. I make arrangements for all my WSA tour events. It is only for team events that

I travel with the national squad. I usually get the money, before or after I come back. But for juniors and other guys who are dependent on the federation, it is great that they will not have to ask for their money as a right, Pallikal told IANS. The 2006 Commonwealth Games gold medallist boxer, Akhil Kumar, however, said getting cash in hand may cut both ways: The athletes will get their full money and at the same time, the athletes can also blow it up. I would like to believe that it is a good move. We will have to wait and see how it is implemented. In one way, it will improve transparency and on the other, the boys could do anything with the money, said Akhil Kumar. IANS

CHANDIGARH SUNDAY 28 July 2013

SPORTS
skills to acid test. After a night halt in Mangalore, the vehicles will proceed to Shimoga on Saturday for the second leg of the 1,200 Kms journey that concludes in Goa on Sunday. Provisional classification (Leg 1): SUV Open: A Sivashankar/G Natarajan 1 (32secs penalty); Umakanth Alva/Mohamed Musthafa 2 (36secs); Abhijeet N Pai/ Chandramouli M 3 (39secs). SUV OE: Subir Roy/Nirav Mehta 1 (1min, 19secs); Pratap/Adhitya Anthony 2 (01:30); Saurav Chatterjee/Ashoke Kumar Basu 3 (01:48). Car OE: Wilson Padayattil/ Kuriakose Elias Parel 1 (01:45); Philip Baklin/David Sharon 2 (01:46); K Dinky Varghese/ Balachandar R 3 (02:20). Corporate: Rajpal Navalkar/ Sagar M 1 (03:09); Sudhindra Hebbar/Arjun SSB 2 (03:54); Sudarshan/ Gunasekaran 3 (10:01). Amateur: Alfred Raymond A/ Ram Kumar N 1 (03:54); Harsha K Hiriyal/Prashanth BS 2 (55:22); RS Naresh Kumar/Shanmugasundaram T 3 (1hr, 1min, 59 secs). Couple: Garima Avtar/Dhiraj Arora 1 (1:08). All Ladies: Cheshta Sood/Pratima 1 (23:14).
IANS

23

Motorsports: Sivashankar, Natarajan top Leg 1

A. Sivashankar and navigator G. Natarajan from Erode, with a penalty of 32 seconds, were placed overall first at the end of Leg 1 in the third Mahindra Monsoon Challenge Rally here on Friday. The Sivashankar-Natarajan combo was a mere four seconds ahead of Umakanth Alva and Mohamed Musthafa while Abhijeet Pai and Chandramouli M. were lying third with a penalty of 39 seconds in the SUV Open category. In fact, just 20 seconds separated the top seven in the Open class while Subir Roy and Nirav Mehta led the SUV OE category with one minute, 19 seconds with Pratap and Adhitya Anthony (01:30) in second and Saurav Chatterjee and Ashoke Kumar Basu third (01:48). Last years overall winners, Karthick Maruthi and Sankar Anand were placed sixth with 51-second penalty while National TSD Rally champions Satish Gopalkrishnan and Savera DSouza were placed seventh with 52 seconds. Wilson Padayattil and Kuriakose Elias Parel were ahead in the Car OE class with a penalty of one minute, 45 seconds, followed by Philip Baklin and David Sharon (01:46) and K Dinky Varghese and Balachandar R (02:20). The 36 competitors reached Mangalore in the evening after an early flag-off from Bangalore on Friday after traversing through rainsoaked but scenic countryside with some of the secondary roads of broken tarmac putting the driving

Dhawan gives India 2-0 lead in Zimbabwe

Harare Shikhar Dhawan and Dinesh Karthik fashioned Indias 58-run win over Zimbabwe in the second game of the five-match ODI series at the Harare Sports Club here on Friday. India now lead the series 2-0. Dhawan (116) and Karthik (69) bailed India out of trouble through their 167-run stand, taking the total to 294 for eight in 50 overs. Zimbabwe showed promise initially in their run chase but a mid-innings collapse meant they ended at 236 for nine. Opener Vusi Sibandas 55 and an unbeaten 52 by Prosper Utseya were not enough to get the hosts over the line. Medium pacer Jaydev Unadkat was the pick of the Indian bowlers, taking four for 41. Zimbabwe looked like pulling off an upset when Sibanda and Hamilton Masakadza (34) took their side to 109 for one in 20 overs. But a collapse followed Sibandas departure, reducing them to 133 for six. Utseya tried his best with Elton Chigumbura (46) but it proved to be too much of a task. Earlier, the Zimbabwe pace attack troubled the famed Indian top-order and the conditions helped their cause. Rohit Sharma, playing his 100th ODI, chased a wide ball off Brian Vitori and edged it to second slip. Captain Virat Kohli (14), the last games centurion, perished while trying to hit one through mid-wicket off Kyle Jarvis, spooning it to Malcolm Waller at mid-on. A review was called for a clean catch but after inconclusive replays, the inform batsman was given out. A distraught Kohli was seen exchanging words with on-field umpires Owen Chirombe and Bruce

Oxenford even after he was adjudged out. The visitors found themselves in further trouble with the fall of Ambati Rayudu (5) and Suresh Raina (4), making it 65 for four in 16.4 overs. That was when Dhawan and Karthik came to Indias rescue. Their 167run stand off 154 balls changed the complexion of the game. Dhawan continued with his rich run

of form, scoring his third hundred in 17 ODIs. He charmed the crowd with his exquisite strokeplay, collecting 11 fours and two sixes. The luck was on his side too as he was dropped thrice during his 127 ball knock. Karthik looked solid and the fifty plus score was his second since making a comeback.
IANS

Para-athlete Devendra gives India historic gold

New Delhi Battling all odds, paralympian Devendra Jhajharia scripted history for India as he gave the country its maiden gold medal in the World Paralympic Championships in the javelin throw (F-47 category) event in Lyon, France. According to information received here, the 32-year-old Devendra, whose left arm was amputated after an accident, won the gold medal Sunday by hurling the javelin to 57.04 metres, his personal best performance. The Indian, a class-IV employee with the Railways, got some stiff competition from Iralian Mirshekari Abdolrasoul, who also bettered his personal mark of 51.34m pegging the spear at 52.62m for the silver. Egyptian Ismail Mahmoud got the bronze with a throw of 50.22m. An elated Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) president Sultan Ahmed announced a cash award of Rs.5,00,000 for Devendra, who recently was adjudged with the Padma Shri. I think Devendras gold medal will boost the paralympic athletes in the country. We have a huge wealth of talent in the country and we have to support them. We are thankful to the sports ministry and the Sports Association of India (SAI) for all support they gave to the athletes for training purpose, Ahmed, an MP from Trinamool Congress, told IANS. Devendra, who hails from Rajasthans Churu district, which is the gateway to Thar desert, also has the world record in the F-46 category to

5,000 athletes for Southeast Asian Games

Yangon About 5,000 athletes are expected to take part in the 27th Southeast Asian Games to be held in Myanmar in December. The 27th SEA Games -- with 11 countries from Southeast Asian region taking part -- are scheduled to run from Dec 11 to 22 in Nay Pyi Taw, Yangon, Mandalay and Ngwe Saung Beach, reports Xinhua. According to the estimated lists sent from the participating nations, Malaysia boasts the largest number with 838 athletes, followed by hosts Myanmar with 828, Thailand with 827, Indonesia with 695, Vietnam with 693, Singapore with 550, the Philippines with 446 and Laos with 388. In all, 33 sports events will be put in the list and 460 gold medals will be awarded. In the 26th SEA Games, Myanmar dispatched 477 athletes and grabbed 80 medals, finishing seventh in the standings.

his name when he hurled the javelin to 62.15m in Athens Paralympics in 2004. Son of Ram Singh, a farmer, Devendra was passionate about sports from his school days and used to train in the searing Thar-desert heat. Sport is where an entire life can be compressed into a few hours, where the emotions of a lifetime can be felt on an acre or two of ground, where a person can suffer and die and rise again on six miles of trails through a park, said Devendra in a statement. It was in 1997 that Devendra was spotted by his coach Ripudaman Singh Aulak, a Dronacharya Awardee in javelin, and he shifted to the nearby town of Kasab for better training facilities. From there he never looked back and was soon training at National Institute of Sports (NIS) Patiala. Sport is a theatre where sinner can turn saint and a common man can become an uncommon hero, where the past and the future mix with the present, said Devendra.

Devendra thanks Indian Railways who allowed him to practise throughout the year, but is frustrated with the apathy of the corporate sector. I asked for sponsorship 3-4 times but they werent responsive. So I left pursuing them. I think that the private sector has more money and resources to invest in sports unlike the state and central governments but unfortunately the former hardly reciprocates when we approach them, he said. Devendra feels that para-athletes dont get their due in India. I am the sole gold medallist in javelin. But the status of this game has not improved yet. To me both the Olympics and the Paralympics share a similar status. But in case of normal Olympics medallist the pension is of Rs.10,000 while the paralympic winners get just Rs.5,000. Moreover, there are 101 olympic winner who are supposed to get pension from the government but around 50 of them dont get it at all, he said.
IANS

Government acts tough with money-minded players

New Delhi Taking a strong note of Indian tennis players rebelling, the sports ministry Thursday asked the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and National Sports Federations (NSFs) to come down hard on players who prefer prize money tournaments over representing the country. Sports secretary Pradip Deb didnt specify if the directive was against any sports federation but admitted that what happened in Indian tennis earlier this year was unacceptable. The directive is not against any specific federation. But what happened in tennis (players rebellion) was ridiculous and unacceptable, Deb told. The ministry in a statement said that of late it has been noticed that sportspersons, belonging to various sports disciplines, prefer to play in prize money tournaments and avoid playing in tournaments where India as a team participates for medals rather than cash awards. Individual players will be able to avail grants given to NSFs by the ministry only if they undertake to play in the Indian team when called upon to do so without reservations. If there are specific exigencies because of which they are unable to play, this should be verified by the concerned NSF which thereupon can make an exception at their discretion, the ministry said in a statement. Eleven top players, led by Somdev Devvarman, led a rebellion against the All India Tennis Association (AITA) over a charter of demands and made themselves unavailable for the Davis Cup tie against South Korea in February this year. India had to field a completely new side, with Leander Paes being the only known face. India lost 1-4.

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CHANDIGARH SUNDAY 28 July 2013

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e l fi

Everything Begins in a Garage

A garage startup aims to transform media as we know it
Conventional wisdom on both coasts held that Atul should be based in Washington DC, New York, or London. He was told that the Valley cares only about technology. This was the wrong place for Atul to be based in. Yet, technology was precisely the reason Atul moved to the Valley. He believes that the Internet offers a unique opportunity to create a global discourse. Already, Twitter and Facebook have been used to mobilize the masses and cause revolutions in many Arab countries. According to Atul, there is no reason not to take this further. People think deeply about issues but do not know where to share their thoughts about war, taxation, or education. Atul tells me that in his journeys across America, everyone that he has met has talked about education. People complain about teachers unions, No Child Left Behind Act, college tuition inflation, and much more. Where is the national discussion on education? A lot of countries are implementing innovative ideas in education. Why are we not asking them to share their thoughts? Fair Observer is meant to be a place where people from around the world come together to discuss issues that matter. Atul says, Knowledge is power to the people. We are in the business of empowering the people. On 15th August, the 66th anniversary of Indias freedom, Atul is kicking off the launch of Fair Observers Kickstarter campaign in the Belmont garage that is his global headquarters. Thereafter, he drives down to Los Angeles and then all the way across the country in a whistlestop tour to engage with ordinary Americans seeking a new form of media. Atuls goal is to build a new bottom up platform through the support of citizens from all walks of life. Clearly, this man is a visionary. Fair Observer, the latest garage startup, might just be about to start a new trend in the Valley.

Long before incubators were used outside poultry farms or hospitals, there was the garage. Two gentlemen named Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard started out with a princely sum of $538 in a garage and laid the foundations for todays Silicon Valley by creating HP. A few years down the line, a precocious 12-year old called Bill Hewlett and asked for spare parts to build a frequency counter. Guess what? That kid was Steve Jobs. He started out in a garage too. Fast forward a few years and you have two geeks dropping out of Stanford to set up shop in a Menlo Park garage. Yes, you guessed right. We are talking about Sergey and Larry, the founders of Google. Today a different sort of character is creating something very different from a different sort of garage. With grease and engine oil, auto parts and paints, tires and cars, US Auto Repair Center is as real as a garage can get. And the entrepreneur is not writing software or creating a new computer or a new electric car. He is hell bent on disrupting the media. The Spanish newspaper El Mundo called him a character even by Silicon Valley standards and, within a minute of meeting him, you will learn why. Ferociously passionate, Atul Singh was born on the naval base of Vasco da Gama and has roots in Varanasi, the oldest living city in the world. He has a history of causing trouble. He ran away from home at 17 and has survived three assassination attempts. When he was an officer, his resignation letter to the President of India stated that he was fed up with the corruption, inertia, and inefficiency in the government. He left Washington DC because he felt suffocated in a city of courtiers. Searching for inspiration, he moved to Silicon Valley but made what he calls schoolboy mistakes. He ran out of money, and his car mechanic from Fiji gave him refuge. He is now

Founder and Chief Editor of Fair Observer: Atul Singh

based in a garage with immigrants from Fiji and Mexico, all of them chasing the American Dream. Now, after years of trials and tribulations, he might finally just be on the verge of something big. Independent, non-partisan, and plural, Fair Observer focuses on the deeper issues behind the news. Atul chafes against the noise that afflict media today. Headlines and photos are the name of the game today. No one cares about issues anymore. How do you vote or make intelligent decisions if you are going make decisions based on zingers or soundbites? Social media is like a Roman circus on steroids, a distraction from real issues that face us today. Atuls goal is to focus on issues not events and get a citizens involved in that dialogue. Taking inspiration from Gandhi, Atul believes the only goal of journalism ought to be service. He is turning his organization into a non-profit because, for all its challenges, that is the best way forward. He has argued his case in an article titled, Media Should Not Make Money. Atul detests media bias. The dominant narrative is still imperial. It comes from elites in London or New York. Voices from Minnesota or Mali are never heard. Atul is convinced that in a more global era narratives long ignored have to be heard. Therefore, he has pioneered the 360 Analysis of important issues. This includes a context piece that explains the background and relevance of the issue along with many analysis articles that come from a diverse group of people all around the world. Atul believes that all of us have blindsides but we come together we get a better approximation of the truth. Fair Observer already has more than 600 contributors from over 30 countries, it has an audience in over 160 countries, and its editors live in six continents. The whole organization has been created through volunteers who have poured their heart and soul into the project. Now Fair Observer is aiming to further democratize the media by involving the audience in setting the editorial agenda. As Atul puts it, someone in Zambia should be able to suggest that we should be analyzing the copper industry instead of some editor in New York deciding what is important in a country that may be unfamiliar even on a map.

Helen Flanagan suffered a fall

London Actress-model Helen Flanagan was on all fours after she took a tumble in her heels. The 22-year-old lost her footing as she left a restaurant. Flanagan landed on her hands and embarrassed by the mishap, she smiled sheepishly, reports. She was wearing a hot pink dress with a matching handbag when the accident happened.

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