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Vol.10 No. 41 February 17-23, 2018 80 Cents New York Edition Follow us on TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Trump unveils $1.5 trillion Modi visits

infrastructure plan
And Senate begins rare open debate on immigration
Washington: President Donald
Trump on Monday unveiled a
massive $1.5 trillion plan to
modernize Americaʼs infrastruc‑
ture including $200 billion in
federal funding.
Describing it as the most com‑
prehensive infrastructure bill in
the history of the US, Trump said
the plan addresses more than
traditional infrastructure ̶ like
roads, bridges and airports ̶ as
well as drinking and wastewater
systems, waterways, water
resources, energy, rural infra‑
structure, public lands, veteransʼ
hospitals, etc.
“To help build a better future
for all Americans, I ask the
Congress to act soon on an infra‑
structure bill that will: stimulate
at least $1.5 trillion in new
India win maiden ODI
investment over the next 10
years, shorten the process for
approving projects to two years
or less, address unmet rural
infrastructure needs, empower
State and local authorities and
train the American workforce of
the future,” Mr. Trump said in a
message to the Congress.
Noting that $200 billion in
Federal funds will spur at least
$1.5 trillion in new infrastruc‑
ture investments, the White
House said federal infrastructure
spending will promote State,
local and private investments
and maximize the value of every
taxpayer dollar. Meanwhile at
the US Senate, with the fate of
hundreds of thousands of young,
undocumented immigrants in the
Continued on page 4
Pakistan developing
new types of N-arms: US
Middle East
to boost ties
PM Narendra Modi with the business leaders from Gulf Cooperation
Council Countries in Abu Dhabi, UAE on Feb 11, 2018. He also visited
Palestine and Oman. (Photo: PIB)
New Delhi: Prime Minister of President Sheikh Khalifa bin
Narendra Modi keeps making Zayed Al Nahyan that has political
friends abroad, this time as part of significance to his supporters back
ʻlook westʼ policy, he visited three home. Modi witnessed laying of
countries in the Middle East. foundation stone for the BAPS
Less than a month after he host‑ Swaminarayan temple in Abu
ed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Dhabi̶first ever Hindu temple
Netanyahu in Delhi, Modi was in being built in a land gifted by the

series in South Africa Washington: Pakistan is develop‑

After over 25
years of
touring
South Africa,
an Indian
cricket team
has managed
to beat South
Africa in an
ODI series.
Kohliʼs boys won the 5th ODI Tuesday to clinch the series 4‑1,
the first series victory on South African soil.
New Delhi: After over 25 years of or that its captain is the talismanic
touring South Africa, an Indian Virat Kohli who has batted on a
cricket team has managed to beat different level in the ongoing six‑
South Africa in an ODI series. It is match series, which India wrapped
no surprise that the team to do so up on Tuesday against a depleted
is currently ranked No 1 in ODIs, Continued on page 4
ing new types of nuclear weapons,
Palestine̶in a first ever visit by
an Indian premier to the country.
New Delhi was able to balance its
Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. The
Crown Prince was earlier the chief
guest at Republic Day parade in
including short‑range tactical ones,
relation between the two warring India.
that bring more risks to the region,
neighbors, de‑hyphenating one sUAE is also of special interest to
America's inte lligence chie f
from other. In Palestine, he was India because of its influence in
warned on Tuesday. Director of
conferred Palestineʼs highest civil‑ the Muslim world. Recognizing
National Intelligence Dan Coats'
ian award ʻGrand Collar of the that India and UAE exemplify cred‑
remarks came days after a group
State of Palestineʼ by President ible models against the tendencies
of Pakistan‑based Jaish‑e‑
Mahmoud Abbas, no ordinary feat, of extremism and radicalism, both
Muhammad terrorists struck the
reported The Week magazine. countries resolved to deepen coop‑
Sunjuwan Military Camp in
Modi also visited UAE and Oman eration on combating extremism
Jammu, killing seven people
during his four‑day foreign tour. It and countering terrorism.
including six soldiers. Pakistan is
was his visit in UAE on invitation Continued on page 4
developing new types of nuclear
weapons, including short‑range The Magic of Vedic Mathematics: From this issue we are
tactical weapons, Coats told law‑ starting to publish a series on Vedic Mathematics, extrac-
makers during a Congressional ed from the book titled 'The Curious Hats of magical
hearing on worldwide threats
Maths'. Rediscovered about half a century ago by
organized by the Senate Select
the Shankaracharya of Puri, Bharati Krishna
Committee on Inte lligence.
Pakistan continues to produce
Tirtha, the lightning fast system of numerical cal-
nuclear weapons and develop new culations is becoming popular with students and being taught
at many educational institutions. See pages 16-17.
Continued on page 4

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Modi, Trump talk of boosting Raj Shah becomes first

security and economic ties Indian‑American to
New York: Prime Minister
Narendra Modi and President
Donald Trump pledged to
strengthen security and eco‑
nomic cooperation and build
on the Indo‑Pacific partner‑
ship, according to the White
House.
While discussing bilateral
cooperation on the phone last
Thursday, they looked for‑
ward to the "2+2 Meeting" of
Defense Minister Nirmala
Sitharaman and External Affairs Minister
Sushma Swaraj with US Defense Secretary
Jim Mattis and Secretary of State Rex
Tillerson in April.
The leaders pledged to continue working
together to enhance security and prosperi‑
ty in the Indo‑Pacific region, where Trump
is promoting cooperation between the four
democracies ‑ India, the US, Japan and
Australia ‑ to be a countervailing force to
China. The White House statement also
said, "Affirming President Trump's South
Asia strategy, the two leaders reiterated
their commitment to supporting
Afghanistan's security and stability."
In their review of the South Asia and
Indo‑Pacific regions, the statement said:
"Both leaders expressed concern about the
hold WH media briefing
Washington: Raj Shah, the route, as well as on lifting
Deputy Press Secretary of the country quotas for
President Donald Trump, legal immigration.
has addressed a media "The President wants to
briefing at the White see legal immigration
House, becoming the first reforms. He wants to see us
Indian‑American to do so. move from a process cur‑
Shah, 32, made his debut rently existing in law, of
address on Feb 8 following extended family chain
the resignation of staff sec‑ migration, towards merit‑
political crisis in Maldives and the impor‑ retary Rob Porter over based legal immigration
tance of respect for democratic institutions domestic abuse allegations. reform," Shah said.
and rule of law." While China is backing He was bombarded by "We want to ensure that
President Abdulla Yameen there, New Delhi questions on the White people coming in the coun‑
and Washington want a return to democra‑ House advisor's sudden try are the best and the
cy and an end to the state of Emergency exit, the US media report‑ Deputy press secretary Raj Shah brightest regardless of
declared by Yameen. ed. He was filling in for speaks during the daily press nationality, creed, religion
On Afghanistan, which was the keystone White House Press
briefing in the White House on or anything else in‑
of the South Asia Strategy announced in Feb 8. (Photo courtesy AP)
Secretary Sarah Huckabee between," he added.
August 2017, they reiterated their commit‑ Sanders who was away on a vacation. The press briefing came on the heels of
ment to back efforts to support the vio‑ Ahead of his briefing, Sanders took to stories revealing Shah's scathing remarks
lence‑hit nation's security and stability. Twitter and described Shah as "one of the about Trump's candidacy in 2016 emails
Closer to India, they discussed ways to best and the brightest in the Trump adminis‑ with his colleagues.
address the plight of the Rohingya refugees tration". The New Yorker magazine earlier this
from Myanmar and the situation in that Shah was asked questions about Trump's week reported messages showing Shah call‑
country. On North Korea, the two leaders thoughts concerning legal immigration as it ing the release of the infamous "Access
discussed further steps to denuclearize affects Indian immigrants, and those apply‑ Hollywood" tape, as "some justice", a dig at
Pyongyang. ing for Green Cards through the normal Trump.

Nara Lokesh seeks FDI from US, cites AP's plusses

Special to The South Asian
Times
New York: Nara Lokesh, a young
minister and son of Andhra Pradesh
Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu
Naidu, visited here last week to
appeal to US‑based investors,
including NRIs, to invest in the
southern state.
At a presentation, “Andhra
Pradesh Investment Promotion and
Partnership Summit Roadshow,”
organized in Manhattan on
February 5 by the Confederation of
Indian industry, the US Chamber of
Commerce and the US India
Business Council, he explained to
the 60‑member audience the advan‑
tages of investing in his “sunrise”
state.
Lokesh, who is 35, is in charge of
Information Technology, Panchayati
Raj and Rural Development portfo‑
lios. He became a member of the
of the ruling Telugu Desam party
losing elections, which are likely to
be held in the state before the year‑
end, Lokesh said, “We wonʼt lose the
elections. Even in the unlikely event
of our loss, they (the new ruling
party) cannot reverse our objec‑
tives, as they are on a solid founda‑
tion.”
Lokesh – a Carnegie Mellon grad‑
uate who earned an MBA from
Stanford Graduate School of
Andhra Pradesh Minister Nara Lokesh (second from left) Business ‑‑ narrated other plus
is Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naiduʼs son. points of the state.
upper house (MLC) last March and dynamic leadership of the experi‑ “We have surplus power. Every
became a minister thereafter. enced chief minister. The state has village has electricity. Naidu is the
Andhra Pradesh includes set a goal of becoming one of the first CM in India to link two rivers –
Visakhapatnam, the US‑designated top three states by 2022 and wants the Krishna and the Godavari. It
smart city and the third cleanest to be No. 1 by 2029 in the ensures water to be taken to all
city in India, and Sri City, an emerg‑ Happiness Index. It is also targeting parts of the state, including the
ing hub for global fast‑moving con‑ 15% economic growth this year parched Rayalaseema region,” the
sumer goods companies. after achieving 12% last year. “This minister noted. Lokesh urged
Andhra Pradesh, after Telangana is nearly double the rate of national investments in the power sector,
was carved out of it, has been mak‑ economic growth,” Lokesh said. including renewable energy. In the
ing tremendous progress under the When asked about the possibility automobile sector, Kia Motors has
committed an investment of $3 bil‑
lion. Naidu, who built the
Cyberabad computer city within
Hyderabad when he was chief min‑
ister of the combined state in the
late 1990s and early 2000s, now
has an opportunity to build
Amaravati, the new capital. “We
have the late‑mover advantage,”
Lokesh noted. “We need $7 billion
investment for Amaravati.”
By the year‑end all panchayats
(village councils) are scheduled to
have internet connections. The gov‑
ernment is also ensuring to have
minimum support prices to farmers
with respect to their crops such as
chilies and cotton. The minister
cited the contribution of the Bill and
Melinda Gates Foundation in the
farm sector.
Lokesh addressed a Telugu com‑
munity meeting in neighboring New
Jersey, and visited several cities as
part of his US tour.
 4 February 17-23, 2018 TURN PAGE TheSouthAsianTimes.info

seats and Electoral College votes,

NYS Attorney General leads group of 19 AGs and the drawing of state and local

opposing citizenship question on 2010 census
New York: New York Attorney
General Eric T. Schneiderman, lead‑
ing a coalition of 19 Attorneys
General and the State of Colorado,
today urged the U.S. Department of
Commerce to reject the addition of a
citizenship question to the 2020
decennial Census, which would
directly threaten statesʼ fair repre‑
sentation in Congress and the
Electoral College, as well as billions
of dollars in critical federal funds for
programs like Medicaid.
Under the Constitution, the Census
Bureau has an obligation to deter‑
mine “the whole number of persons
in each state.” Yet the addition of a
citizenship question to the Census is
expected to depress participation
among immigrants, causing a popu‑
lation undercount that would dispro‑
portionately harm states and cities
with large immigrant communities.
Non‑citizens are counted in the
Census for the purposes of federal
funds, apportioning of congressional
districts. The letter was led by New
York Attorney General Eric
Schneiderman, Massachusetts
Attorney General Maura Healey, and
California Attorney General Xavier
Becerra, and signed by the Attorneys
General of New York, Massachusetts,
California, Connecticut, Delaware,
the District of Columbia, Hawaii,
Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland,
Mississippi, New Jersey, New
Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania, FIA‑Tristate President Srujal Parikh met Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay
Rhode Island, Vermont, and Rupani in Vadodara on Feb 11 to congratulate him on returning to office
Washington, and the Governor of the for a second term. He invited the CM to India Day Parade in New York
State of Colorado. that will be held on Aug 19 this year.

Modi visits Middle East
to boost ties
Continued from page 1
One of the significant aspect of this
visit was agreements in terms build‑
ing oil reserves and meeting India's
energy needs.
Two highlights of PMʼs visit were
the signing of the concession agree‑
ment between an Indian
Consortium and Abu Dhabi National
Oil Company (ADNOC) for award of
10 per cent stake in Lower Zakum
Offshore oil field, and an agreement
between Indian Strategic Petroleum
Reserves Ltd (ISPRL) and ADNOC to
operationalize the filling up of a
strategic petroleum reserve cavern
in Mangalore.
India is also keen on strengthen‑
ing maritime security in the Gulf
and the Indian Ocean region. The
UAE side renewed its interest in the
coastal surveillance systems and
patrol vessels developed by India.
The two leaders noted with satisfac‑
tion the agreement for supply of
Naval Offshore Patrol Vessels by
India to UAE and the successful
testing for Factory Acceptance
Trials in Sharjah during March
2017.
In the final leg of his tour, Modi
visited Oman on the invitation of
Sultan Qaboos bin Said. Here too,
both the countries agreed to count‑
er sponsors and supporters of ter‑
rorism.
Though, Pakistan was not named
in the joint statement as sponsor of
terrorism, it left no doubt that India
had managed to secure Oman help
in coordinating “efforts to counter
extremism and radicalization and
misuse of religion by groups and
countries for inciting hatred and
perpetrating acts of terrorism.”
Like the agreement with the UAE,
prime minister extended an invita‑
tion to Oman to participate in build‑
ing the strategic oil reserves in
India.
Trump unveils $1.5 trillion
infrastructure plan
Continued from page 1
balance, an open‑ended debate has
started on immigration. This is an
exceedingly rare step that, in effect,
will allow senators to attempt to
build a bill on immigration from
scratch on the floor of the House,
Efe news reported.
The highly unusual debate,
expected to unfold throughout the
week, will test whether a series of
legislative concepts and proposals
championed by President Donald
Trump can garner 60 votes, the
threshold for a measure to pass the
Senate, the New york Times said.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch
McConnell promised Democrats the
discussion in exchange for their
willingness to end a government
shutdown.
Trump has put forward an immi‑
gration plan that includes a path to
citizenship for roughly 1.8 million
undocumented young people, while
simultaneously demanding $25 bil‑
lion to build his proposed wall on
the Mexican border. The President's
proposal would also place signifi‑
cant new limits to legal immigra‑
tion, by restricting the issuance of
family‑reunification visas and elimi‑
nating the visa lottery.
While seven Senate Republicans
have written a draft incorporating
Trump's priorities, Democrats ‑ and
some GOP moderates ‑ are
adamantly opposed to the White
House position.
With the Senate divided 51‑49
between Republicans and
Democrats, no bill can gain the nec‑
essary 60 votes without bipartisan
support.
India win maiden ODI series
in South Africa
Continued from page 1
and spin‑weary home team.
After victories in Durban (by six
wickets), Centurion (by nine wick‑
ets) and Cape Town (by 124 runs),
India were beaten on Saturday in a
rain‑hit fourth ODI, but stormed
back to claim the series with a 73‑
run victory over South Africa at
Port Elizabeth.
Kohli thus became the first Indian
captain to win an ODI series in
South Africa. His contributions have
been exemplary ‑ 429 runs in five
innings, with two centuries and a
half‑century. Leading the bowling
and totally flummoxing South
Africa's batsmen in four of five
matches have been the wrist‑spin‑
ning pair of Kuldeep Yadav and
Yuzvendra Chahal with 16 and 14
wickets respectively.
India's long‑awaited ODI series
triumph on South African soil came
after six tours, dating back to 1992.
That first series in South Africa was
won by the hosts 5‑2. Successive
tours in 1996‑97 (0‑4), 2000‑01 (a
triangular series also featuring
Kenya, where India were beaten in
the final), 2006‑07 (0‑4) and 2013‑
14 (0‑2) all ended in disappoint‑
ment. In 2003, a team led by
Sourav Ganguly had marched into
the final of the ICC World Cup,
where it was hammered by an all‑
conquering Australian outfit under
Ricky Ponting. During the 2009
Champions Trophy, MS Dhoni's
team was eliminated before the
knock‑out stage.
Pakistan developing new
types of N‑arms: US
Continued from page 1
types of nukes, including short‑
range tactical weapons, sea‑based
cruise missiles, air‑launched cruise
missiles, and longer‑range ballistic
missiles, he warned.
These weapons will introduce
new risks for escalation of dynam‑
ics and security in the region, Coats
said, reflecting on the risks involved
in developing such types of nuclear
weapons.
Coats also warned that Pakistan‑
supported terrorist groups would
continue to carry out attacks inside
India, thus risking escalation of ten‑
sion between the two neighbors.
"Militant groups supported by
Islamabad will continue to take
advantage of their safe haven in
Pakistan to plan and conduct
attacks in India and Afghanistan,
including against US interests,"
Coats said during the hearing on
'Worldwide Threat Assessment' of
the US intelligence community.
Coats said North Korea will be
among the most volatile and con‑
frontational weapons of mass
destruction (WMD) threats to the
US over the next year.
North Korea's history of export‑
ing ballistic missile technology to
several countries, including Iran
and Syria, and its assistance during
Syria's construction of a nuclear
reactor ̶ destroyed in 2007 ̶
illustrates its willingness to prolifer‑
ate dangerous technologies.

New Delhi Bureau News Service: HT Media Ltd.

Meenakshi Iyer IANS Newswire Services
Delhi@TheSouthAsianTimes.info IANS Washington Bureau
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TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Rockefeller Foundation
president Rajiv Shah on
India visit to help govt
electrify villages
Cambridge: Rajiv J Shah, the Indian‑
American president of the Rockefeller
Foundation, is on India visit as part of the
US‑based philanthropic organization's
efforts to help the government electrify vil‑
lages across the country.
The Rockefeller Foundation is one of
America's largest and most influential phi‑
lanthropies which commits $200 million
every year towards social and philanthropic
causes globally, including India.
"We have been working on what we think
is the next big challenge to end poverty in
India and that is bringing power and energy
to rural communities that otherwise don't
have sufficient access to power," Rajiv Shah,
44, told news agency PTI ahead of his maid‑
en India visit in this capacity.
Formerly the head of USAID under former
US president Barack Obama, Shah is the
first ever Indian‑American to serve as the
president of the foundation which played a
key role in India's green revolution in the
1960s.
"We have an effort called Smart Power
India that is helping electrify villages across
the country. That works with the govern‑
ment and private entrepreneurs who are
bringing solar mini grids and other new
technologies to help families move them‑
selves out of poverty by using electricity,"
he said. For several years, the Rockefeller
Foundation and its non‑profit subsidiary
Smart Power India have worked with a net‑
work of partners and private energy service
companies to build rural mini‑grids that
serve off‑grid populations for both domes‑
tic and productive uses.
As of now, more than 130 mini‑grids are
New AI technology may boost
prognosis of kidney disease
New York: Researchers, including one Indian
American, have developed a new computer
model based on artificial intelligence that can
quantify the extent of kidney damage and
predict the life remaining in the organ.
The findings can help make predictions at
the point‑of‑care and assist clinical decision‑
making, especially in low‑resource regions.
"While the trained eyes of expert patholo‑
gists are able to gauge the severity of disease
and detect nuances of kidney damage with
remarkable accuracy, such expertise is not
available in all locations, especially at a glob‑
al level," said Vijaya B. Kolachalama, assistant
professor at Boston University.
The machine learning framework based on
convolutional neural networks relied on pixel
density of digitized images, while the severity
of disease was determined by several clinical
laboratory measures and renal survival.
CNN model performance was then com‑
pared with that of the models generated
using the amount of fibrosis reported by a
nephropathologist as the sole input and cor‑
TRISTATE COMMUNITY February 17-23, 2018 5
Rajiv Shah will focus on engaging with the
government, multilateral, corporate and
philanthropists
energizing more than 5,000 enterprises in
India's most energy‑starved states, trans‑
forming the lives of over 45,000 Indians.
It's the largest cohort of mini‑grids in
India and by some counts the world.
He said the purpose of his India visit from
February 12 to 15 is to review progress in
the foundation's effort in this regard and
advance partnerships with the government
and other funders to "ensure that we can
work to really fulfill Prime Minister
(Narendra) Modi's vision to end energy
poverty" in India.
"And to make sure every single Indian
family has access to power and electricity
and therefore the ability to connect to a
modern global economy," Rajiv Shah added.
He is also planning to meet and work with
new philanthropists across the country who
would like to partner with the foundation to
extend the reach of their own philanthropic
effort. (PTI)
responding lab measures and renal survival
as the outputs.
"In essence, our model has the potential to
act as a surrogate nephropathologist, espe‑
cially in resource‑limited settings,"
Kolachalama added.
Each year, kidney disease kills more people
than breast or prostate cancer, and the over‑
all prevalence of chronic kidney disease in
the general population is approximately 14
percent.
The new model, appearing in the journal
Kidney International Reports, has both diag‑
nostic and prognostic applications and may
lead to the development of a software appli‑
cation for diagnosing kidney disease and pre‑
dicting kidney survival, the researchers said.
To test the feasibility of applying this tech‑
nology to the analysis of routinely obtained
kidney biopsies, the researchers performed a
proof of principle study on kidney biopsy sec‑
tions with various amounts of kidney fibrosis
(also commonly known as scarring of tissue).
(IANS)
6 February 17-23, 2018 TRISTATE COMMUNITY TheSouthAsianTimes.info

IN BRIEF

GOPIO‑CT organizes annual Chhaya CDC expands poverty

youth networking program fighting services to Richmond Hill
O
n July 7th
2017 Chhaya
CDC launched
the expansion of its
Free Tax Prep Services
in the historically un‑
derserved area of Rich‑
mond Hill, Queens.
Chhaya began to offer
these services last year
with the support of
NYCʼs Department of
GOPIO‑CT Youth Networking organizers with speakers Consumer Affairs and
NYC Free Tax Prep increases awareness about tax credits that
and some of the participants at the annual program helped nearly 100 put money back in the pockets of working New Yorkers.

G
OPIO Connecticut conducted the
annual Youth Networking pro‑
gram on December 23rd, 2017 at
The Hampton Inn and Suites in Stamford.
The objective of this event was to inculcate
education into the youth of Connecticut
and to give them an opportunity to net‑
work amongst their peers and
students/alumni of various universities
and companies in USA.
Vedant Gannu, a High School in Stamford
was the youth chair and organizer for the
event where GOPIO officials, professionals
and alumni from various industrial verti‑
cals and universities were invited to
address and advise the youth about their
education and participation in public and
professional services. Dr. Thomas Abraham
and Mrs. Anita Bhat of GOPIO advised the
youth on the availability of beneficial edu‑
cation in public service and the options for
financing their education through differ‑
ent scholarships provided. GOPIO provides
a platform for youth to serve its communi‑
ty. Ajay Manchanda, CTO of The
Navigators Group, spoke about evaluating
career choices. “If you enjoy your career,
you wonʼt feel like you are working. Youʼll
be having fun,” Manchanda said. Ruchir
Pandya of NBA spoke about the various
career opportunities in his field. “The way
to make the most of your career is to step
out of your comfort zone,” said Pandya.
Vinod Kumar, CEO of SKYi, spoke on the
availability of International education
opportunities and scholarships.
Namrata Gannu of UBS spoke about the
importance of networking in the industry.
“It's important to start building a good
online profile and presence in LinkedIn in
order to network and maximize career
opportunities,” Namrata said.
Nupur Daptardar spoke on the admis‑
sion process of various state colleges, and
Isha Dalal of Yale spoke about high school
experiences and college activities.The
event maintained a large youth presence
and provided them with firsthand knowl‑
edge from accomplished individuals. Over
forty youth and young professionals par‑
ticipated in the program which ended with
a lunch.
families claim the
powerful asset building tool of the Earned
Income Tax Credit (EITC). This year Chhaya
continues to offer the tax preparation serv‑
ices in almost seven additional languages.
By working with Queens Public Library at
the Lefferts Branch, Chhayaʼs program will
be one of two NYC Free Tax Prep tax sites
serving the communities of Richmond Hill,
South Richmond Hill,
Ozone Park, and South Ozone Park. One
out of every five households in these neigh‑
borhoods live in poverty and could benefit
from access to free, professional‑quality tax Chhaya's work in housing, financial capabili‑
preparation services. NYC Free Tax Prep in‑
creases awareness about tax credits that put
money back in the pockets of working New
Yorkers. Far too many qualified individuals
do not take advantage of the EITC, leaving
thousands of dollars on the table that can be als who earned below $66,000 in 2017.
put to good use–whether itʼs education, pay‑
ing off a loan, upgrading a household appli‑
Bangaladeshi origin University professor
detained by ICE gets stay of deportation
ance, moving, etc.
“Chhayaʼs Free Tax Prep program will be
the first of its kind in this community,” said
Chhaya CDCʼs Executive Director Annetta
Seecharran, “Building on our other immigra‑
tion and housing counseling services in this
neighborhood, this is an important next step
in expanding Chhayaʼs programs to the
Richmond Hill community, which is a desert
when it comes to social services.
Each tax prep client will be provided a list
of wrap around services connected to
ty, and immigration."
NYC Free Tax Prep is offered at Lefferts
Library on Wednesdays: February 7, 21;
March 7, 21; and April 4 at 11 AM. This free
service is available for families or individu‑
For more information about NYC Free Tax
Prep, visit nyc.gov/taxprep or call 311.

Free cancer screening Lawrence, KS: A judge has granted

a stay in the case of a Park Uni‑
fair held in NJ versity professor who was de‑
tained by immigration officials

I
ndian Health Camp of NJ – IHC‑
NJ kicked off their 20th an‑
niversary celebration by hold‑
ing a cancer screening fair in col‑
laboration with NJ CEED atDurga
Mandir at 4240 Route 27, South
Brunswick, NJ on Saturday, Febru‑
ary 3rd.
The free cancer screening in‑
cluded breast exam, on‑site digital
mammography to detect breast
More than 50 people attended the camp
cancer, PAP smear to detect cer‑
vical cancer and tests to detect prostate
cancer and colo‑rectal cancers which was
attended by more than 50 women and
men.
Indian Health Camp of New Jersey, a
non‑profit organization under tax exempt
code 501© (3) held this fair as part of their and long‑term survival if the treatment is
mission of early cancer detection, aware‑
ness and intervention to reduce complica‑
tions and save lives. Breast, cervical,
prostate and colo‑rectal cancer are the
most common cancer but can be detected
early by timely screening which can also
help reduce long‑term complications and
save lives. While most people are aware of
screening for various cancers, many forget
to get the screening done earlier and take
the necessary steps to have a plan to detect
these diseases in its early stages. Sooner
the cancer is detected, better the outcome
initiated timely.
IHCNJ will hold their next two health
fairs on April 1, 2018 at Ukranian Center
in Somerset and May 20, 2018, at Shree
Swaminarayan Temple in Weehawken, NJ.
More information will be available on
www.IHCNJ.org.
last month. Now his attorney will
have an opportunity to have a
judge hear the case. Family con‑
firmed to FOX4 Thursday that
Syed Jamal was granted a stay of
deportation. Kansas Rep. Lynn
Jenkins also confirmed the news
to FOX4. The 55‑year‑old was set
to be sent back to his home coun‑
(Image courtesy: dhakatribune.com)
try of Bangladesh Friday. Jamal
was detained by U.S. Immigration and
Customs Enforcement agents at his home
in Lawrence in January. His wife and
three children watched as immigration
officials arrested him.
“They were loading my dad into the car.
They had him in handcuffs,” said Taseen
Jamal, Jamalʼs son, “That moment, it sort
of felt like something was missing in my
chest, and I couldnʼt breathe.”
Carl Rusnok, ICEʼs central region
spokesperson, said due to security rea‑
sons, the agency doesnʼt provide advance
notification of its deportations schedules
and therefore couldnʼt confirm the date
given in the Facebook post. A lawyer rep‑
Syed Jamal and his family
resenting Jamal filed paperwork asking
for a stay in his case.
The Park University professor is an im‑
migrant from Bangladesh who has lived
in the U.S. for more than 30 years.
But according to ICE, Jamal overstayed
his visa twice and violated an order by a
judge to leave the country.
Hundreds in Lawrence started a letter
writing campaign to support Syed. A
Change.org online petition has garnered
more than 28,000 signatures. Donations
have been pouring in to a GoFundMe
page set up to help the family with legal
costs.
(Source: fox4kc.com)
TheSouthAsianTimes.info NATIONAL COMMUNITY February 17-23, 2018 7

Indian‑American PAC announces first round of

endorsements for 2018 elections
Washington,DC: T he Indian
American Impact Fund, a recently
launched political action committee,
announced Feb. 8, that it has
endorsed two candidates for the
U.S. Congress, whose races will be
watched closely in the run‑up to the
November elections, as well as an
Indian‑American running for the
state senate.
Maryland State Delegate Aruna
Miller is running from Marylandʼs
6th Congressional District, current‑
ly represented by Rep. John
Delaney, a Democrat, who declared
he will not run for re‑election.
Miller, who has the most cash‑on‑
hand of the five Democratic candi‑
dates vying for their partyʼs
endorsement in the June 26 pri‑
mary. An engineer by trade, Miller
has served in the Maryland State
House since 2010 where her focus
has been in STEM education,
streamlining the regulatory process
for small businesses, and bringing
21st century jobs to Maryland.
Miller has been endorsed by
EMILYʼs List, 314 Action, all four
sitting Indian American members of
the House of Representatives, and a
number of state and local elected
of ficials. If elected, Miller will be
the second Indian‑American woman
to serve in the United States House
of Representatives.
The second candidate Impact is
endorsing is Hamilton County Clerk
of Courts Aftab Pureval in Ohio,
who recently announced his run for
the U.S. Congress from the 1st
District, currently represented by
Republican Rep. Steve Chabot.
Pureval will have to defeat Laura
Ann Weaver, in the May 8
Democratic primary, before going
on to challenge Chabot. Ballotpedia
lists this as a ʻsafe Republicanʼ seat.
Democrats are banking of Purevalʼs
past performance. In 2016, Pureval
won an upset victory, defeating an
incumbent who had a storied family
name. The seat had been held by
Republicans for a 100 years, Impact
noted. A former federal prosecutor
and attorney for Procter & Gamble,
Pureval, is credited with overhaul‑
ing the Hamilton County Courts
website, expanding its hours, open‑
ing a legal help center, and stream‑
lining operations in order to return
over $800,000 to the countyʼs gen‑
eral fund, Impact said.
Ram Villivalam is making his bid
for Illinois 8th State Senate District.
The open primary is on March 20.
Villivalam takes on incumbent State
Senator Ira Silverstein, a Democrat.
The 8th State Senate District has
the highest percentage of Asian
Americans in the state of Illinois,
according to Impact. According to
Ballotpedia, another Indian‑
American, Zehra Quadri, is running
for the same seat. Villivalam has
earned the endorsements of several
members Congress, Impact says,
including U.S. Congressman Raja
Krishnamoorthi, D‑Illinois, and U.S.
Congressman Ro Khanna, D‑
California, as well as constituency
groups such as the Sierra Club and
Equality Illinois PAC. If elected,
Villivalam would be the first Indian‑
American ever elected to the Illinois
state legislature.
“Not only do these individuals
showcase the talent and patriotism
of the Indian American community,
they also represent the next genera‑
tion of American political leader‑
ship,” Deepak Raj, co‑founder of
Impact and chair of the Impact
Fund is quoted saying in the press
release. “Voters are hungry for fresh
faces and new ideas. These candi‑
dates are well‑positioned to be part
of a new wave of national and state
leaders who will help fight back
against xenophobic rhetoric and
regressive policies and fight for eco‑
nomic opportunity and a stronger,
fairer economy.”
In addition, Impact Fund has
endorsed for re‑election all four
Indian American Members of the
U.S. House of Representatives: Ami
Bera, D‑California; Pramila Jayapal,
D‑Washington; Krishnamoorthi; and
Khanna.

Move over, Steve Harvey ‑ thereʼs Soon, Air India to connect Mumbai
a new family game show in town with San Francisco thrice a week The proposed flight will be operated three times a week with a
Family Quiz show to premiere on Zee TV this month Boeing 777 aircraft ( Image courtesy: airindia.in)

Host Zaid Ali with some of the contestants from Americaʼs Smartest Family
New York: On Saturday, February
24, media and entertainment mega‑
giant ZEE Entertainment will debut
“Americaʼs Smartest Family” ‑ a
brand new television game show
where 16 families will compete for
a $10,000 cash prize. Airing exclu‑
sively on ZEE TV, the highly antici‑
pated series is the first‑ever
English‑language quiz show of its
kind, placing some of the globeʼs
brightest South Asian families on
stage for a chance at the title of
“Americaʼs Smartest Family.”
Hosted by 23‑year‑old YouTube
sensation Zaid Ali, “Americaʼs
Smartest Family” is a unique
mashup of the American household
favorites “Family Feud” and
“Jeopardy,” but with that special
ZEE TV twist that celebrates its
South Asian heritage. Complete with
a diverse set of categories and a
buzzer, each episode will feature
five challenging in‑studio question
rounds, testing pre‑screened con‑
testants on their ability to answer
quickly and more importantly ‑
their ability to work as a team. Only
the fastest, most well‑rounded fami‑
ly will get to take home the crown.
“In its 20th year of network
broadcast in North America, its time
to produce relevant content for the
audience which is locally sourced
and features the local community.
This is yet another commitment
from Zee which prides itself as
being the innovative leader for the
market,” said Sameer Targe, Head of
Americas for Asia TV.
Tune in and watch the world pre‑
miere of “Americaʼs Smartest
Family” on ZEE TV at 9:00 p.m. EST;
9:30 p.m. PST; and 9:00 p.m. AST
Mumbai: Buoyant over the success
of its direct flight to San Francisco
from New Delhi, flag carrier Air
India may soon connect the
American West Coast with Mumbai
with a direct flight from this sum‑
mer. The disinvestment‑bound Air
India currently operates to San
Francisco six‑times per week, which
will go up to nine flights in a week
with three services being planned
from Mumbai as part of the airline's
summer schedule, a senior official
said. Besides, the frequency to
Australian cities of Sydney and
Melbourne are also being enhanced
to five times a week from four‑times
and three‑times a‑week, respectively
at present, the of ficial added. "All
our flights to the US are making
money barring the one which is to
Newark via London. We've been see‑
ing consistently good passenger
load factor on the US routes.”
“The San Francisco flight is also
clocking over 80 per cent seat fac‑
tor since the launch in December
2015," the of ficial said. "This has
prompted to us to connect Mumbai
directly with San Francisco and we
plan to launch a flight service to the
Silicon Valley from the coming sum‑
mers," he added. T he proposed
flight will be operated three times a
week with a Boeing 777 aircraft, as
per the of ficial. Domestic airlines
summer schedule starts from late
March and goes up to late October.
Besides, San Francisco, there are
daily flights to New York and
Chicago from New Delhi an Newark
from Mumbai, as we ll as three
flights a week to Washington from
New Delhi. The government‑owned
airline also flies to Newark via
London from Ahmedabad. "As there
is demand for more services to
Australia, we are in the process of
increasing the frequency of Sydney
and Melbourne flight to per week
from late March on wards," the offi‑
cial said. (PTI)
 8 February 17-23, 2018
US and Indian doctors collaborate to
set up a free eye camp in Delhi
Illinois: Cataracts are the leading
causes of blindness. Our eyes
deserve ongoing care, and eye
screening is an efficient method to
identify people with eye conditions
so they can be treated. To address
this problem, the Sawan Kirpal
Ruhani Mission‑India and the
Science of Spirituality‑USA have
collaborated to organise free eye
camps twice a year in India. They
have of fered free minimally inva‑
sive cataract surgery to more than
twelve thousand patients since the
inception of the SKRM eye camp.
The SKRM eye camp was part of
the 31st International Human
Unity Conference in De lhi,
presided by Sant Rajinder Singh Ji
Maharaj. He is the inspiration
behind this noble endeavor. Main
Spiritual Master Sant
Rajinder Singh Ji
establishes Sanskrit
chair at IIT‑M
Illinois: Sant Rajinder Singh Ji
Maharaj, spiritual head of Science
of Spirituality/Sawan Kirpal Ruhani
Mission and IIT‑M alumnus has
established a Sanskrit Chair at the
Indian Institute of Technology in
Madras. Attached
Department of Humanities and
to the
Social Sciences, the Sanskrit Chair
will focus on “Indiaʼs legacy of sci‑
ence and technology in the Vedas,
with special focus on Sanskrit lan‑
guage.” The Chair, funded by Sant
Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj, includes
a one‑time contribution of Rs 75
lakh and a named endowment for
student scholarship ̶ Rs 15 lakh
annually, for four years.
Sampadananda Mishra, who will
head the Chair, is a Sanskrit expert
and director of Sri Aurobindo
Foundation for Indian Culture. He
says, “I have a yogic approach to
science and culture. Sanskrit is a
scientific language, it is a language
tenet of Sant Rajinder Singh Ji's
life and work is to serve humanity
selflessly and compassionately.
Doctors include eye surgeons
from the United States who volun‑
teer their premier high quality
technical skills and time to conduct
the surgeries. The American clini‑
cal team works closely with doc‑
tors at ICARE hospital, Noida, one
of Indiaʼs top eye hospitals. All
services are rendered free of
charge and in a spirit of selfless
service.
The USA‑Indian eye camp team
strive for the highest standards
and doctors operate with cutting
edge equipment. This year the
Alcon Infiniti machine was intro‑
duced providing advanced technol‑
ogy to remove cataracts efficiently
that expresses Indiaʼs soul. I hope I
will be able to make this language
familiar for the youth in IIT‑M.”
Mishra hopes to take charge with‑
in a month. He wants to show stu‑
dents the great scientific contribu‑
tions of rishis and saints in ancient
India and has developed a course
for students on the achievements of
ancient Indian scientists through
Sanskrit.”
Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj,
spiritual head of Science of
Spirituality/Sawan Kirpal Ruhani
Mission, based in Delhi,
completed his B.Tech degree in
Electrical Engineering from IIT‑M in
1967. In a blog post on IIT‑Mʼs offi‑
cial site, he has explained how sci‑
entific methods can be applied in
spirituality. He says, “As in a science
lab, we start with a hypothesis and
test it. . .the same approach could be
used to test the spiritual hypothesis
of whether there is a higher power. .
.the dif ference is that instead of
testing in a physical laboratory, the
spiritual hypothesis could be tested
within the laboratory of the human
body.” Science of Spirituality is a
worldwide, spiritual organization
dedicated to transforming lives
through meditation, under the guid‑
ance of Sant Rajinder Singh Ji
Maharaj. Committed to spirituality,
world peace, unity, and service to
humanity, the organization has over
2800 centers worldwide. Its litera‑
ture is available in 50 languages.
International headquarters are in
Delhi, India and Lisle, Illinois.
NATIONAL TheSouthAsianTimes.info
and speed up the visual recovery
time. This revolutionary machine is
a big step ahead in surgical tech‑
nology. Along with top equipment,
the premium art ificial lenses
inserted are of the same quality as
given in private surgeries in the
USA.
Around 1700 pat ients from
around India were screened by a
medical team in Burari, Delhi, at
the SKRM eye camp in February.
Selected patients were transported
to ICARE hospital, Noida, where
they underwent surgery with the
help of the state‑of‑the‑art equip‑
ment, to remove the cataracts.
The American clinical team works closely with doctors at ICARE hospital,
T he life‑chang ing operat ion
Noida, one of Indiaʼs top eye hospitals.
helps many have greater clarity of
vision and tackles preventable ration of eye screening and high impact on improving thousands of
blindness. The USA‑Indian collabo‑ quality surgery has had a huge lives.
Diaspora body petitions for Guyana postage
stamp in memory of Dr. Cheddi B. Jagan
New York: The Indian Diaspora Council
International (IDC), in collaboration with its
IDCʼs request stated that “the proposed
commemorative postage stamp is fitting,
global membership and affiliates, has peti‑ deserving, historic and timely, a recogni‑
tioned the Government of Guyana to issue a tion of late Dr. Cheddi B. Jagan, a highly
commemorative postage stamp by March acclaimed stalwart internationally, and for
22 as a centennial tribute to the late Dr. his lifelong service, legacy and influence
Cheddi B. Jagan and in recognition of the on the people everywhere.”
100th birthday of the “Father of the A suggested commemorative postage
Nation” as he is commonly regarded. stamp was included in the IDC request to
Cheddi B. Jagan (b. 22 March 1918 – d. 6 Dr Cheddi Jagan the Government of Guyana. Members of
March 1997) was a Guyanese politician played a key role in IDCʼs Committee on the Centennial Tribute
who was first elected Chief Minister in Guyanaʼs struggle for to the late Dr. Cheddi B. Jagan comprise
1953 and later Premier of British Guiana independence from family members of the late Dr. Jagan, com‑
from 1961 to 1964, prior to independence. Great Britain munity advocates and supporters of the
He played a key role in Guyanaʼs struggle for inde‑ petition. IDC president Ashook Ramsaran stated that,
pendence from Great Britain. He later served as “the late Dr. Jagan was an internationally acclaimed
President of Guyana from 1992 to 1997. For his con‑ stalwart, a champion of the people who fought for
tribution in the struggle for independence and lifelong Guyanaʼs independence, and embraced diversity and
service to Guyana, he is widely regarded as the “Father strength through unity. His lifelong service to the peo‑
of the Nation.” He was a popular figure due to his tire‑ ple of Guyana, his ideals and vision built consensus for
less efforts on behalf of equitable treatment of work‑ understanding, cooperation and progress among all
ers and farmers in Guyana. people.”
Vandana Jhingan disqualified in
Congressional primary poll
New York: A candidate backed by the after they invalidated over 1,250 of them
Republican Hindu Coalition (RHC), Vandana ruling they were not collected properly.
Jhingan, who wanted to challenge an Indian "It was an absolutely absurd ruling," Jon
Democratic Congressman is off the primary Zahm, her campaign consultant told IANS.
ballot after officials said they found irregular‑ "It was not based on facts and they came up
ities in her nominating petition. But her with a crazy theory."
lawyer, Jeffrey Meyer, said on Monday she is Under the election system in Illinois, can‑
appealing the ruling. didates have to first run in the primary elec‑
The November general election from the tions where registered members of their
constituency covering some Chicago suburbs could be a respective parties vote for the candidate to represent
contest between the sitting Democratic Representative their parties in the general election.
Raja Krishnamoorthi, who is unchallenged in the March In the constituency known as Illinois District, 8
20 primary, and Jitendra Diganvker, who is now the whites make up 70 per cent of the population and only
only one on the Republican ballot, if she is not reinstat‑ 12 per cent is Asian, a category that includes Indians.
ed. Of ficials of the Illinois State Board of Elections Krishnamoorthi is the first non‑white person to be
declared that Jhingan did not have enough valid signa‑ elected from the constituency that is traditionally a
tures on her nominating petition to be on the ballot Democratic Party bastion.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info NATIONAL COMMUNITY February 17-23, 2018 9

Trump tax reform: Middle class families gain some, lose some
For middle class earners, let us look at the major changes:
By Gobind Munjal, 8 Standard Deduction has been almost doubled for single
CPA and individuals from $6.500 to $12,000 and for a married cou‑
President AIA‑NY ple from $13,000 to $24,000. However the personal deduc‑
tion of $4,150 per dependent has been eliminated. So for a
married couple, there is only a net gain of about $3,000 in
shown in previous couple of years. The new act repeals pro‑
visions allowing for the carryback of NOLs. This will
adversely affect middle class people.
The tax rate for a married couple filing jointly has gone
down a bit for middle class earners. But the real beneficiar‑
ies are the rich people with high earnings. The seven slabs

T
he recently passed tax reform package has been tout‑ deduction ($11,000 increase in Standard Deduction less for a couple filing jointly are as follows:
ed as cutting taxes for middle class families, whereas $8,300 decrease in personal deduction).
the fact is that middle class families gain some and 8 Child Tax Credit has been doubled from $1,000 to New Rate New Income Bracket Old Rate Old Income Bracket
lose some under what is officially called the Tax Cuts and $2,000 per child. So people with minor children stand to 10% Up to $19,050 10% Up to $19,050
Jobs Act. People like you and me do not benefit much from gain from this provision. But if you have many children then 12% $19,050‑$77,400 15% $19,050‑$77,400
the tax law changes, rather those living in states with high this offsets the disallowance of $4,150 personal deduction 22% $77,400‑$165,000 25% $77,400‑$156,150
local and state taxes like New York and California may even for each dependent child, since that has now been eliminat‑ 24% $165,000‑$315,000 28% $156,150‑$237,950
stand to lose overall. ed. 32% $315,000‑$400,000 33% $237,950‑$424,950
The new tax regime favors the poor people earning below 8 State and Local tax deduction has been capped at 35% $400,000‑$600,00 35% $424,950‑$480,050
$24,000 and upper middle class and rich people earning $10,000. This adversely affects people living in high taxed 37% $600,000+ 39.6% $480,050+
over $600,000 ‑‑ and they are the real winners here. states like New York and California, where property taxes
Corporations and multinationals of course are the biggest are very high. Hence you can see that the new tax law does not do much
winners, as the tax rate for the corporations has been drasti‑ 8 Interest deduction on Mortgage Debt has been reduced for the middle class. Basically the main thrust of this tax
cally reduced from 35% to 21%. For example, Warren Buffet from $1 million to $750,000 for all new Loans. This again reform is to make US corporations competitive with other
alone stands to gain about $37 billion as a result of the adversely affects the people living in high priced states like foreign corporations by lowering the tax rate from 35% to
lower tax rate for the corporations and individuals. New York and California. 21%. The thought behind all this is to encourage and attract
Following are the major changes in the tax code: 8 Similarly, Interest on Home Equity Loan up to multinational corporations to do business in the US. As a
$100,000 has also been eliminated under new tax law. result the US economy will boom and a lot more jobs will be
Old Tax Law New Tax Law
8 One good things is that the Estate Duty Federal created.
Corporate 35% 21%
Exemption limit has been doubled from $5.6M to $11.2M The companies will have surplus cash from tax savings to
Individual 39.6% 37%
per single individual and from $11.2 M to 22.4 M for the spend on research & development and new equipment and
Capital gain 23.8% 23.8%
couple, making the need for estate planning irrelevant for will be able to hire more people and increase salaries of
Standard
many Americans, depending upon their state exemption lim‑ their employees. With lower taxes, the US corporations will
deduction
its. But the irony is that this change will be in effect only up be able to bring cash parked in other countries back to the
individuals MFJ $13,000 $24,000
to 2025 and then will revert back to the old exemption limit. US, which will fuel a lot more mergers and acquisitions and
No state and
8 The new act limits the amount of net operating loss the economic activity. This $1.5 trillion massive tax cut over
local deduction
(NOL) that may be utilized in any taxable year to 80% of the a period of 10 years will produce a large amount of budget
(SALT) Allowed $10,000
taxpayerʼs taxable income, which was fully deductible under deficit but it is believed by GOP that the additional tax rev‑
No personal
the old law. Also, earlier you could carry back your losses enues from the economic boom that it will produce will off‑
exemptions Allowed Repeal
made during the year and set off against your capital gain set the budget deficit to a large extent.

AIA holds seminar on new tax regime
Garden City, NY: The Association
of Indians in America (AIA‑NY)
successfully held a free seminar
on the tax reform enacted under
President Trump here on
February 6. It was attended by
over 175 eminent individuals,
past presidents of AIA, community
leaders, dignitaries and mediaper‑
sons. Indian Consul General
Sandeep Chakravorty graced the
occasion as Chief Guest.
The recently passed Tax Cuts
and Jobs Act, the biggest tax
reform in 31 years after Reagan
Tax Reform of 1986, left people
wondering about its implications
on individuals, corporations and
international taxation. AIA‑NY,
which tries to bring to the Indian
community informational, educa‑
tional and awareness seminars of
public interest, tried to provide
some clarity on the crucial matter
affecting all of us.
That was the idea behind
arranging the high profile semi‑
nar on Tax Reform including
Estate & Gift Tax at Mint
Restaurant, said Gobind Munjal,
President of AIA NY Chapter. “We
brought renowned and eminent
speakers to speak on the topic.
Cecil Nazareth, ACA, CPA, MBA,
who is expert on National and
International Taxation and has
addressed many seminars all over
the world, including appearing on
ITV, spoke on Major US Tax
Cecil Nazareth, a tax expert, makes a presentation
as Govind Munjal, AIA‑NY President looks on.
Reform For Individuals,
Corporations and International
Taxation. Renowned attorney
Michael Markhoff, Esq. from
Connecticut enlightened the audi‑
ence on Estate and Gift taxes.
Ambassador Chakravorty
described it as “a wonderful event
and it was truly rewarding”.
Gobind Munjal told the press
about AIA NY Chapterʼs upcoming
programs, which are as follows:
8 Fundraiser Event for their
Project India Charity
Program on June 9 in
Manhattan.
8 Benefit Gala on Sept 15,
2018 for the 31st Deepavali
Festival.
8 31st Deepavali Festival
Celebrations on Oct 7, 2018
at the iconic South Street
Seaport in Manhattan, culmi‑
nating with a spectacular
display of fireworks.
8 Children Deepavali in public
libraries around the end of
October 2018.
8 Desi Next event for the
younger generation in
November 2018.
The Association of Indians in
America (AIA) is the oldest not‑
for‑profit organization of Asian
Indians in America founded in
1967. It is the grassroots national
organization of Indian immi‑
grants in the United States. With
chapters and membership spread
across the United States of
America, AIA represents the hopes
and aspirations of those immi‑
grants who are united by their
common bond of Indian heritage
and American commitment.
For more info, please find us on
Facebook and visit our website at
www.theaiany.org.
NRIs canʼt leave India
with rupees
Mumbai: As per a new directive
from the Reserve Bank of India
(RBI), every NRI or foreigner
leaving India will have to com‑
pulsorily change rupees in their
possession into a foreign curren‑
cy before they board the flight.
It's a common practice among
NRIs to carry some amount of
Indian currency with them when
they leave the country, mainly
for the convenience of not hav‑
ing to exchange forex into rupees
when they return the next time.
But from now on, they will not be
allowed to carry any Indian cur‑
rency with them.
Although the rule, which is part
of Foreign Exchange
Management Act (FEMA), has
been in place for quite some time
now, it is only now that the cen‑
tral bank is trying to enforce it.
Last week RBI allowed forex
changers to open kiosks beyond
the immigration desks at interna‑
tional airports to facilitate NRIs
and foreigners opting to
exchange rupees for other cur‑
rencies before they enter the air‑
craft. According to RBI officials,
in case these travelers have
Indian currency in their posses‑
sion before boarding the flight,
customs officials can act against
them.
Foreign exchange counters
have now been allowed in
departure halls in Indian
international airports beyond
the immigration and
customs desks.
RBI has allowed NRIs to carry
up to Rs 10,000 beyond the
immigration and customs desks,
and to the duty‑free shopping
and security checking areas in
the departure hall in internation‑
al airports to meet miscellaneous
expenses. However, this has been
allowed subject to the condition
that NRIs "will not be allowed to
carry any Indian rupee beyond
SHA and that they should dis‑
pose of Indian currency before
boarding the plane", an RBI noti‑
fication said.
To facilitate money changing
facilities for NRIs and foreigners,
foreign exchange counters have
been allowed in departure halls
in international airports beyond
the immigration and customs
desks.
10 February 17-23, 2018 US AFFAIRS TheSouthAsianTimes.info

US Congress passes Trump blocks Dems memo

bipartisan budget deal
Washington: The US Congress moved to
end a fresh five‑hour government shut‑
down early last Friday after the House
voted to support a massive bipartisan
budget deal that stands to add hundreds
of billions of dollars in federal spending
on the military, domestic programs and
disaster relief.
The final approval came hours after a
one‑man blockade by Senator Rand Paul
of Kentucky delayed the votes, forcing a
brief government shutdown for a sec‑
ond time in less than a month. His move
was in opposition to an estimated $320
billion addition to the federal budget
deficit, the Washington Post reported.
The bill finally passed in a 240‑186
vote in the House despite opposition
from most Democrats, who had sought
a firmer commitment from Speaker Paul
Ryan that he will bring immigration leg‑
islation to the floor for a vote that
would protect immigrants who came to
the US as children from deportation.
The bill was later signed by President
Trump.
Hours before the House vote, the
Senate cleared the legislation on a vote
of 71 to 28, with wide bipartisan sup‑
port. The deal includes about $300 bil‑
lion in additional funds over two years
for military and non‑military programs.
It also includes almost $90 billion in
disaster relief in response to last year's
hurricanes and wildfires, and a higher
statutory debt ceiling. The debt ceiling
w ill be raised by the appropriate
amount until March 2019. Exact spend‑
ing would be left to the appropriations
committees but included in the funding
is $10 billion to invest in infrastructure,
$2.9 billion for child care and $3 billion
to combat opioid and substance abuse,
CNN reported.
rebutting GOP memo
on Russia probe
Washington: President Donald Trump has
stopped the release of a Democratic memo
that seeks to undercut Republican claim that
the FBI misused its powers in conducting the
Russia probe. The White House informed this
last Friday and said the Democratic memo
contained several classified passages.
It said Trump "will not release the memo at
this time, and has sent it back to the House
Intelligence Committee for changes", a CNN
report said.
In a letter to the committee, White House
counsel Donald McGahn said, "although the
President is inclined to declassify the February
5 Memorandum, because the Memorandum
contains numerous properly classified and
especially sensitive passages, he is unable to
do so at this time." Trump had said earlier on
Friday planned to release the memo. "It's
gonna be re leased soon," Trump told
reporters, adding, "We're going to release a
letter."
The House Intelligence Committee voted
unanimously on Monday to release the 10‑
page Democratic memo, and the committee
rules gave Trump five days to decide whether
to block or allow its release.
The memo was written by Adam Schif f of
California, the top Democrat on the committee,
to rebut the Republican memo released one
wee k prior. T he Republican memo had
accused FBI of suppressing Democratic ties to
an opposition research dossier on Trump and
Russia used to procure a FISA warrant against
former Trump campaign foreign policy advis‑
er Carter Page. T he FBI and the Justice
Department are probing the interference of
Russia in the 2016 presidential poll.

White House roiled as aide No. 3 official in Justice

ousted over abuse allegation
Rob Porter served as White House staff secretary without full
security clearance. He has been dating White House communica‑
tions director Hope Hicks who is said to have helped draft a
positive response about Porter from Chief of Staff General Kelly.
Washington: White House staff
secretary Rob Porter has
resigned following allegations of
abuse from his two former wives.
Porter denied the allegations in
a statement issued in the wake of
his resignation last Wednesday,
reports CNN.
"These outrageous allegations
are simply false," he said in his
statement. "I have been transpar‑
ent and truthful about these vile
claims, but I will not further
engage publicly with a coordinat‑
ed smear campaign."
Porter resigned over the objec‑
tions of White House Chief of
Staf f John Kelly and others, a
White House official said.
However, Ke lly said: "Rob
Porter is a man of true integrity
and honor and I can't say enough
good things about him. He is a
friend, a confidante and a trusted
professional. I am proud to serve
alongside him." The allegations
were first reported by the Daily
Department steps down
Washington: Rachel L. Brand, the
third‑highest‑ranking official at the
US Justice Department, plans to
resign after nine months on the job
as the country's top law enforce‑
ment agency has been under attack
by President Donald Trump, of fi‑
cials said.
Brand, 44, would have been in
line to take over the supervision of
Special Counsel Robert S. Mueller
III's Russia investigation if Deputy
Attorney General Rod J. Rosenstein,
the Department's No. 2 official, was
Rachel L. Brand served as US Associate Attorney General and was in line
fired by Trump or recused himself
to replace Deputy Attorney General Rod J. Rosenstein ‑‑ and supervise
from the matter, the New York Special Counsel Mueller ‑‑ in case Rosenstein was fired by the President,
Times reported on Friday.
Brand is leaving the Justice and as a member of an oversight Trump campaign adviser. Trump
Department to join Walmart as the board for privacy and civil liberties, has also publicly attacked the FBI,
Mail earlier that wee k, CNN
Executive Vice‑President for global CNN reported. The possibility of which is a component of the Justice
reported.
governance, the company said. Brand being thrust into the Russia Department. He has blasted
Porter has been dating White
She previously worked in the investigation increased in recent Attorney General Jeff Sessions for
House communications director
administrations of both Presidents weeks as Rosenstein came under recusing himse lf in the Russia
Hope Hicks, one of the most
George W. Bush and Barack Obama political attack from Republicans investigation and turning it over to
influential figures in the West
as the head of the Justice for supporting the renewal of a sur‑ Rosenstein, who then appointed
Wing, several people familiar
Department's office of legal policy veillance warrant on a former Mueller as Special Counsel.
with their relationship have said.
Porter, a graduate of Harvard
Law School and a Rhodes scholar,
previously worked for
I want a parade like the one in France: Trump
Republican Senators Orrin Hatch, Washington: President Donald ice‑members who risk their lives worked at the highest levels of the
Rob Portman and Mike Lee. Trump has asked for a military every day to keep our country safe. military."
Porter joined the White House parade and the Pentagon is review‑ He has asked the Department of Trump was French President
at the beg inning of Trump's ing potential dates, Pentagon Defense to explore a celebration at Emmanue l Macron's guest on
administration. spokesman Charlie Summers has which all Americans can show their Bastille Day last year, and later
As staf f secretary, Porter's confirmed. The spokesman last appreciation," Sanders said. called the French military parade
responsibility was mainly in the Tuesday described the planning According to a Washington Post he witnessed "one of the greatest
flow of paper that crossed process as being in its "infancy", report on Tuesday, at a recent parades" he had ever seen. He said
Trump's desk, including the reports CNN. meeting between Trump and top last September in a conversation
wave of executive orders and In response to the news, White military brass, Trump's wishes with Macron that when he came
actions that Trump inked during House press secretary Sarah were "suddenly heard as a presi‑ back from France he wanted a mili‑
the first months of his tenure. A Sanders said in a statement that dential directive". tary parade on the Fourth of July
lawyer, Porter also participated Trump had asked the Defense "The marching orders were: I in Washington. Trump's call for a
in the process of legal vetting the Department to "explore" the idea. want a parade like the one in military parade might be hitting a
myriad documents that require "President Trump is incredibly France," a military official told the few snags, according to T he
the President's signature. supportive of America's great serv‑ Washington Post. "This is being Washington Post report.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Don Jrʼs wife taken
to hospital after
suspicious mail
Donald Trump Jr. and his wife, Vanessa
(Photo courtesy NBC)
New York: President Trump's daughter‑in‑law
was hospitalized briefly on Monday after she
was exposed to a white powder when she
opened an envelope addressed to her hus‑
band, Donald Trump Jr., police said.
Vanessa Trump was taken to a local hospital
as a precaution after she opened the letter in
her Manhattan residence, Sergeant Lee Jones
at the Office of the Deputy Commissioner,
Public Information, NYPD, told Xinhua.
Jones said the white power could be non‑
hazardous and has been taken to a lab for fur‑
ther examination.
Vanessa Trump called 911 after she started
coughing and became nauseous upon opening
the letter.
US AFFAIRS February 17-23, 2018 11
US stocks trade
higher Monday after
heavy sell‑off
New York: US stocks traded higher on Monday as the
market recovered from a heavy weekly sell‑off.
At midday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average added
272.64 points, or 1.13 per cent, to 24,463.54, reports
Xinhua news agency.
The S&P 500 increased 22.82 points, or 0.87 per
cent, to 2,642.37.
The Nasdaq Composite Index was up 63.77 points,
or 0.93 per cent, to 6,938.27.
Last week, all three major indices slumped deeply,
with the Dow, the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq plunging
5.21 per cent, 5.16 per cent and 5.06 per cent, respec‑
tively, notching their worst weekly performance in
nearly two years.
Traders said that the investors' move to lock in prof‑
its, possibly some computer‑programmed trading,
combined with concerns about interest rates have sent
the equities into correction territory. Most analysts
believed that the recent pullback was not linked to eco‑
nomic fundamentals. Instead, it was a healthy market
correction that is welcomed and long overdue.
However, financial service company Societe Generale
remains cautious for 2018 as extreme positioning,
tapering of central bank liquidity and underestimated
risks of inflation re‑pricing may continue to exert pres‑
sure on risk assets.
With no major data due out on Monday, investors
watched closely the latest news that the White House Former President Barack Obama during the unveiling of his own and
unveiled a long‑awaited infrastructure plan that Michelle Obamaʼs official portraits at the Smithsonian's National
Portrait Gallery, in Washington DC on Feb. 12.
includes $200 billion in federal infrastructure spend‑
(Photo courtesy AP)
ing over 10 years.
 12 February 17-23, 2018 INDIA TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Pak will pay for Jammu attack 'misadventure': India

Jammu: Defense Minister Nirmala
Sitharaman said militants who
killed five soldiers and a civilian at
an Army camp in Jammu were
Pakistanis and warned that
Islamabad will pay a price for the
terror attack.
"Pakistan will have to pay for
this misadventure," Sitharaman
told reporters here. The deaths of
"our soldiers won't go in vain".
The minister was in Jammu to
take stock of the situation at the
Sunjuwan Army camp which three
heavily armed militants stormed
on last weekend and entered the
residential quarters of junior com‑
missioned of ficers, spraying bul‑
lets and hurling bombs.
The operation was called of f
after the three attackers were
killed. A fourth one, she said, may
have been a guide and didn't enter
the military base.
"Since the terrorist were dressed
in battle fatigues and had similar
appearance to their possible tar‑
get victims, the operation had to
be done (in a way) to eliminate
the possibility of any mistaken
identity of collateral damage."
She said the operations entailed
a search of 26 blocks and safe
evacuation of families from 189
residential flats.
Sitharaman said the three mili‑
tants were all Pakistanis and were
handled by their Jaish‑e‑
Muhammad leaders across the
Army personnel at Sunjuwan military station in Jammu.
(Photo: IANS)
border. "The terrorists belonged
to JeM, sponsored by Masood
Azhar residing in Pakistan and
deriving support from therein,"
she said, adding a possibility of
local support was being investi‑
gated.
"The cantonment is located on
the outskirts of Jammu, approxi‑
mate ly 30 km from the
International Boundary, in a semi‑
urban environment with densely
populated civilian localities adja‑
cent to the cantonment perimeter
wall. The demography of the can‑
tonment and the adjoining area
indicates the possibility of local
support to the terrorists."
She said the Jaish module that
conducted the attack may have
infiltrated sometime back.
"Our intelligence inputs indicate
that these terrorists were being
controlled by handlers from
across the border. The evidence
has been scrutinised by National
Investigation Agency who shall
soon furnish a detailed report."
The Minister asserted that evi‑
dences related to Jaish's involve‑
ment in the terror attack would be
shared with Pakistan.
"Giving evidence to Pakistan is a
continuous process. It will have to
be proved over and over again
that they are responsible."
Sunjuwan attack toll rises to 7
Jammu: With the recovery of another soldier's body during searches
inside the Sunjuwan army camp, the death toll in the terror attack in
Jammu has risen to seven, army said.
The body of the sixth soldier was recovered during the searches, the
army said.
Ten others, including six women and children were injured.
A group of heavily armed Jaish‑e‑Muhammad (JeM) terrorists
entered the Sunjuwan army camp on February 10 after hurling
grenades and using automatic gunfire.
Three terrorists, all of them Pakistan nationals who managed to
enter the Junior Commissioned Of ficer's residential quarters, were
killed in the anti‑terror operation by the security forces.
She said g iving evidence to ing modern electronic surveil‑
Pakistan would not prevent the lance systems to implement Philip
Indian Army from responding Campose committee report which
"appropriately and at a time we was instituted to review the secu‑
deem fit". rity of all military installations for
The Minister said infiltration which a sum of Rs 1,487 crore has
from across the Line of Control been allocated."
had ebbed to a great extent due to She said other measures to stop
"anti‑infiltration obstacle system infiltrat ion of militants and
and a dynamic mult i‑layered enhance alertness along the bor‑
counter‑infiltration grid" and der included installing additional
activities of militants in hinterland censors, UAVs and long range sur‑
were also being curbed. veillance devices "to cover the
Despite this, she said, "Pakistan entire frontage of the LoC".
is expanding the arc of terror and Earlier, the Minister undertook
resorting to ceasefire violations to an aerial survey of the Army sta‑
aid infiltration. tion and visited the Army Hospital
"Although the terrain configura‑ in Jammu city where those
tion and snow conditions make it injured in the terror attack were
dif ficult to complete or stop the being treated.
infiltration, the government is tak‑ She also called on Chief Minister
ing a host of measures in procur‑ Mehbooba Mufti.

2 LeT militants Muslims will not give up

killed, Srinagar
gunfight over
Srinagar: Two holed up LeT militants, involved in a
failed terror bid on a CRPF camp here, were killed in a
nearly 30‑hour‑long gunfight, police said.
"While one was gunned down as he came out of the
under construction building to get into another adja‑
cent building, the other was trapped and killed inside
the building that they took refuge in on Monday," a
police officer said.
The exact identity of the militants was still being
established, the police said, adding that a search oper‑
ation in the area was going on.
The militants had taken shelter inside the Karan
Nagar area building a day ago after an alert sentry at
the observation post of the 23rd battalion of the
Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) spotted them and
fired, averting a possible terror attack on the camp.
Carrying backpacks and AK‑47 rifles the militants
were forced to withdraw and later trapped inside the
building from where they had been engaged in the
gun battle with the security forces.
A CRPF trooper was killed during the gunfight on
Monday while a constable of the Special Operations
Group (SOG) of the Jammu and Kashmir Police was
injured.
The attempted terror bid on the CRPF camp came
close on the heels of the Sunjuwan military camp
attack, in which seven persons, including six soldiers
and a civilian, were killed.
Babri Masjid: AIMPLB
Hyderabad: The AIMPLB, the apex body
of the Indian Muslims, declared that
Muslims will not give up Babri Masjid
and that struggle for its reconstruction
will continue.
The All India Muslim Personal Law
Board (AIMPLB) reiterated its stand in
'Hyderabad Declaration' passed on the
third and final day of its 26th plenary
here.
"Babri Masjid is an essential part of
faith in Islam and Muslims can never
abdicate the Masjid nor they can
exchange land for Masjid or gift the
Masjid land. Babri Masjid is a Masjid and
it shall remain a Masjid till eternity," said
a statement released by the board.
This assumed significance as an execu‑
tive member of the board, Maulana
Salman Hussaini Nadvi had mooted a A file photo of Babri Masjid. (Photo: IANS)
formula after meeting Hindu leader Sri
Sri Ravishankar on Friday that the land announced his "disassociation" from the "Without any doubt, we make it clear
on which Babri Masjid stood till board. The board on Sunday accepted that the struggle for the reconstruction
December 6, 1992, be given for building his "disassociation" and announced that of Babri Masjid continues and the appeal
Ram temple. He suggested that an alter‑ he is no longer a member. in Supreme Court is being fought rigor‑
nate land be allocated for construction "By demolishing Babri Masjid, it never ously with all the resources available at
of a mosque and an Islamic university. loses its identity as a masjid. And accord‑ the disposal of the Board. The country's
Facing flak from board members for ing to Shariah, it always remains a topmost lawyers are appearing on behalf
his controversial formula against the Masjid," said the statement read out by of the Muslims and we believe that the
board's stand, Nadvi did not attend the the board's executive member Kalam Almighty Allah will make us successful
plenary on the second day Saturday and Faruqui at a news conference. in the Supreme Court," it added.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info INDIA February 17-23, 2018 13

Modi promotes Modicare India, UAE sign five MoUs

among Indian diaspora Abu Dhabi: India and the
UAE signed five MoUs,
Muscat: Indian Prime Minister including in the areas of
Narendra Modi promoted the energy and railways, fol‑
new National Health Protection lowing delegation‑level
Scheme called Ayushman Bharat talks headed by Indian
announced in this year's Union Prime Minister
Budget in an address to the Narendra Modi and
Indian diaspora in Oman. Crown Prince of Abu
"In our Budget this year, we did Dhabi and Deputy
something that drew the world's Commander of the UAE
attention," Modi said to thou‑ Armed Forces Sheikh
sands of cheering expatriate Mohammed Bin Zayed
Indians at the Sultan Qaboos Al Nahyan here.
Stadium here soon after his An MoU was signed
arrival here on the third and last between Indian
leg of his three‑nation tour of
Narendra Modi addresses the Indian communi‑
ty, at Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex, in Muscat. Consortium comprising
West Asia and the Gulf. ONGC Videsh, Bharat
(Photo: IANS/PIB) Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi
"For 10 crore poor families of PetroResources, Indian General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in Abu Dhabi.
India, which translates into 40‑50 crore of ficers are knocking at the doors of Oil and the Abu Dhabi (Photo: IANS/PIB)
bene ficiaries, we announced the poor people's homes of fering gas con‑ National Oil Company
Ayushnman Bharat scheme. nections. Our government is working on
(ADNOC) was signed for acquisition of 10 per ment of joint projects, knowledge sharing, joint
"Each family covered under this providing free electricity to the poor." cent participating interest in the offshore Lower research and technology transfer.
scheme will get free medical treatment In a speech that comes ahead of the It envisages the formation of a joint working
Zakum Concession, according to the External
worth up to Rs 5 lakh (per year)," Modi general elections in India next year, Affairs Ministry. group for institutionalising the cooperation
said. Modi said that in the last four years
The concession will be for 40 years (2018‑ mechanism.
Even as he said that people must be nobody asked "how much did Modi take 2057). While 60 per cent of the participating To deepen bilateral cooperation in the field of
wondering what Ayushman Bharat was away". interest will be retained by ADNOC, the remain‑ finance, an MoU between the Bombay Stock
all about, his attention was drawn by a "Today, the Opposition, though not
ing 30 per cent will be awarded to other inter‑ Exchange (BSE) and Abu Dhabi Securities
remark from somebody in the audience making allegations (of corruption) national oil companies. Exchange (ADX) was signed. It aims at enhanc‑
and he said: "Yes, newspapers in India against us, are asking 'Modiji, how much This is the first Indian investment in upstream ing cooperation between both the countries in
call it Modicare." has come in' whereas people used to ask
oil sector of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), financial services industry.
Ayushman Bharat is envisaged as the previously (prior to the present NDA transforming the traditional buyer‑seller rela‑ The MoU envisages information exchange,
world's largest government‑funded government) how much has gone away," tionship to a long‑term investor relationship. exchange of experts and training for mutual
healthcare programme. he said.
To cooperate in the field of manpower, the benefit of both the countries. It will facilitate
Modi said that under other similar Modi also praised the expatriate
two sides signed an MoU that aims to institu‑ investment in financial markets by investors
schemes, the poor are being given life Indians in Oman, numbering over tionalise the collaborative administration of from both the countries.
insurance at a premium of 90 paise or 800,000, for their contributions to its contractual employment of Indian workers in A separate MoU was also signed between the
Re 1 per month. development. He said that Indian and Jammu and Kashmir government and DP World
UAE.
"As a chaiwala, I know that you can't Omani authorities are constantly in Under this MoU, both sides will work to inte‑ to establish multi‑modal logistics park and hub
even have a cup of tea for 90 paise," he touch with each other for addressing grate their labour related e‑platforms for ending in Jammu comprising warehouses and special‑
said, adding that around Rs 2,000 crore grievances of Indians in the Gulf coun‑ the existing malpractices, combat traf ficking ized storage solutions. While the UAE is one of
have been disbursed against claims try. and organise collaborative programmes for edu‑ the largest suppliers of crude oil to India, it is
under these schemes. He also praised the Omani royal family also the 10th largest investor in India in terms
cation and awareness of contractual workers.
The Prime Minister said that though for maintaining a close relationship with An MoU for technical cooperation in the rail of foreign direct investment (FDI) having invest‑
governments have come and gone in India. sector was also signed between Ministry of ed an estimated $8 billion.
India, bureaucrats have remained the Mo di arrived here after visit ing This is Modi's second visit to the UAE, home
Railways of India and the Federal Transport
same as also the system, but changes Palestine and the United Arab Emiraes Authority ‑ Land and Maritime ‑ of the UAE. This to over three million expatriate Indians, after his
have come to be noticed. (UAE) and was to meet Oman's Sultan
aims at cooperation in infrastructure sector, visit in 2015, which was the first by an Indian
"Today banks cannot chase away poor Qaboos Bin Said Al Said later in the especially railways and will facilitate develop‑ Prime Minister in 34 years.
people," he said. "Today government evening.

Modi invites Omani businesses to invest in India

Muscat: Narendra Modi invited
Omani businesses to invest in the
country as he showcased the gov‑
ernment's initiatives to further
ease doing of business in the
"New India".
Addressing around 50 Omani
chief executives at the Oman‑
India Business Meet here, Modi
said that the reforms were aimed
at preparing India for the 21st
century and make it a global
manufacturing hub.
He said India was ushering in a
knowledge‑based technologically
driven society which presents
many opportunities for Omani
businesses.
"Four countries in four‑days
strengthening our footprint in
Gulf and West Asia! PM @naren‑
dramodi begins Day 4 with busi‑
spokesperson Raveesh Kumar
tweeted.
List ing some of the major
reforms by the government in
the last over three years, Modi
noted that India had climbed to
the third position in the global
Start‑up Index.
On Sunday, during his meeting
with Sultan of Oman Qaboos Bin
Said Al Said, Modi voiced his
appreciation of the Indian expa‑
triates for their contributions to
Oman's development.
Oman is home to over 800,000
expatriate Indians and Modi, in a
community gathering earlier on
Monday, praised their role in the
Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Oman‑India Business Meet
in Muscat. (Photo: IANS/PIB) Gulf country's development.
Following the meeting between
ness ‑ Oman‑India Business Meet attractive destination," Indian Modi and Sultan Qaboos, eight
in Muscat. Pitching India as an External Af fairs Ministry agreements were signed between
India and Oman.
These include three memoran‑
dums of understanding on coop‑
eration in the fields of health,
outer space, diplomacy and
defence studies and analyses.
The India‑Oman defence coop‑
eration has emerged as a key pil‑
lar of the strategic partnership
between the two countries.
Oman is a strategic partner of
India in the Gulf and an impor‑
tant interlo cutor at the Gulf
Cooperation Council (GCC), Arab
League and Indian Ocean Rim
Association (IORA).
Modi arrived here on Sunday
evening on the third and final leg
of his visit to West Asia and the
Gulf that also took him to
Palestine and the United Arab
Emirates.
 14 February 17-23, 2018 OP-ED TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Long‑awaited market correction finally in full swing

By Amit Kapoor & ment in shares had averaged around Rs 226 Considering the fact that the former is a riski‑
Chirag Yadav billion ($3.5 billion) between 2000‑01 and er asset class, return on equities generally
2015‑16 and peaked at Rs 743 billion just tend to be higher. The trend had only been

H
istory has strange ways of repeating
itself. The economic situation in the
US and the stock market drop eerily
resembles the "Black Monday" of 1987.
During that fateful year, US unemployment
had bottomed out, the stock markets had
been on an elongated bull run and unmistak‑
able signs of inflation had begun to appear. A
Republican President, Ronald Reagan, had
recently replaced the Fed chief on no other
grounds except that Paul Volcker being a
Democrat was not enthusiastic about the
President's deregulation drive.
Two weeks after the replacement on
Monday, October 19, 1987, Wall Street
crashed along with the world markets due to
massive sell‑of fs. There were no immediate
catalysts for the crash.
T he paralle ls are uncanny. President
Donald Trump replaced Janet Yellen for the
same reasons in a similar economic scenario.
Last week's reports showed that US unem‑
ployment is at the lowest levels in 17 years
and wages are rising at the highest rate in
eight years. Moreover, Trump introduced tax
cuts in December, leaving more disposable
income in the hands of Americans.
Riding on these factors, the Fed warned on
Friday that inflation was expected to go up
this year. Even though it did not raise interest
rates, it was enough to trigger the worst intra‑
day points decline in Wall Street history on
Monday. World markets were not far behind
on the trend. Asian and Australian markets
saw themselves correct by more than 3 per‑
cent. In India, the Sensex fell by more than
1,200 points but recovered later in the day.
The dramatic drop in the stock markets was
long coming. The quantitative easing policies
of the developed world in response to the
2008 crisis had reduced interest rates and
pumped excess liquidity into the world mar‑
kets. This money had found its way into
financial assets that had bloated in value with
time.
Therefore, in spite of any significant upticks
in corporate balance sheets, the stock mar‑
kets sustained an upward trend. Now that
global economies had finally started to show
signs of economic revival, the interest rates
were bound to be raised by central banks
across the developed world. Stock markets
would have to bear the brunt of the process.
Scene in India
In India, a few domestic factors like demon‑
etization had also driven domestic wealth
towards the stock markets. According to
Reserve Bank of India data, household invest‑
before the 2008 economic crisis. On the con‑
trary, in 2016‑17, it jumped to a historical
high of Rs 1,825 billion. This has been a con‑
cerning trend which even the Economic
Survey highlighted last week.
The Economic Survey had pointed out that
between December 2015 and January 2018,
the S&P 500 had risen 45 per cent while the
Sensex had risen 52 per cent.
This had led to a convergence of the price
to earnings ratios of the two markets at a
lofty level of about 26 per cent. This conver‑
gence in stock markets came about despite
contrasting economic scenarios of the two
countries where India was on a slow growth
path while the US economy was growing
strongly. Only positive future expectations of
corporate growth could explain the trend.
So, how long will the market correction
last? The Sensex still had a PE ratio of 24.51
on Monday which gives an earnings yield of
4.07 percent (1/24.51). Meanwhile, India's
10‑year bond yield stands at 7.53 percent. It
is quite counter‑intuitive that equities, which
are risky assets, are providing lower yields
than risk‑free government bonds. This queer
disparity between Indian stock and bond
yields has been true for quite some time and
shows that equities have been overvalued.
T he shift away from equities was, thus,
inevitable and makes accounting sense.
This also points to the possibility that the
correction will continue to take place until
equity returns balance out with bond yields.
reversed due to the sudden inflow of domes‑
tic liquidity cited above. So, PE ratios have to
drastically fall for bonds and equities to be
equally attractive. That should imply a sus‑
tained downward trend in the stock markets.
Moreover, the RBI is expected to adopt a
hawkish tone in its meet on Wednesday.
Rising oil costs and the Budget's inflationary
outcomes in the future might result in a pos‑
sible signaling of future hikes in interest rates
by the central bank. This will further the
bearish sentiment of the stock markets in the
near future.
Therefore, the long‑awaited market correc‑
tion is finally in full swing. This will bring
about a welcome portfolio shift from growth‑
based to value‑based investments. The only
thing that can make matters worse is if the
new investors that the equity markets have
attracted lose their appetite and indulge in
panic selling.
The unidirectional investment in equities
since demonetization had always had the
downside of putting all the eggs in one bas‑
ket. However, frenzied sell‑off must be strictly
avoided as the current drop is merely a mar‑
ket correction that had been long expected.
The rational move would be to wait out the
drop and invest in value‑based stocks when
prices have bottomed out.
Amit Kapoor is chair and Chirag Yadav is
senior researcher at the Institute for
Competitiveness, India. ‑IANS

Why denigrate Indiaʼs first prime minister

Indian Overseas Congress, USA expresses grave concern over BJP’s misinformation campaign to denigrate the
legacy of Pandit Nehru and dishonor the contributions of the Nehru-Gandhi family!
By George Abraham tition but also Hindutva zealots lion new unemployed youth
who demanded a Hindu State to every month.

T
he Indian Overseas
Cong ress (IOC, USA)
expresses grave concern
over the tone and content of
Prime Minister Narendra Modiʼs
speech in Parliament denigrating
the legacy of Pt Jawaharlal Nehru
and attacking the Nehru‑Gandhi
family that includes the two who
have even sacrificed their lives in
serving the nation.
It is unfortunate that the leader
of the ruling party was engaged in
a tirade against history instead of
dealing with the current economic
downturn caused by the errant
policy implementations of this
administrat ion. Ever since
Narendra Modi has come to the
of fice of Prime Minister,
Jawaharlal Nehru became his
favorite punching bag with a
deliberate ef fort and calculated
campaign to tarnish his legacy
and diminish his accomplish‑
ments.
It is consistent with a pattern of
behavior from BJP, his party, to
Cartoonists react to the combative speech PM Modi gave last week
as ʻmotion of thanksʼ to the President Kovindʼs address in Parliament.
rewrite history and misinform the
public to further its political ends.
IOC, USA understands the frus‑
tration of Mr. Modi after having
promised to create 10 million jobs
a month and improve the lives of
those rural folks. Not only that he
failed on both of those scores, but
the country has also been witness‑
ing a depressed job market in the
IT sector and increased farmer
suicides.
Modiʼs speech in Parliament
where he conveniently twisted
history when he said that had
Sardar Patel been the first PM, all
Kashmir would have been ours.
All available facts of history dis‑
prove Mo diʼs theory in this
regard, and he may probably need
a history lesson to refresh his
memory. Rajmohan Gandhi in his
biography “Patel: A Lifeʼ (Page
407‑8, 438)” talks about Patelʼs
thinking of an ideal bargain: If
Jinnah let India have Junagadh
and Hyderabad, Patel would not
object to Kashmir acceding to
Pakistan.
Moreover, it is not only the
Separatists in Muslim League that
drove India to the tragedy of par‑
replace a secular India. RSS reject‑
ed the whole concept of a compos‑
ite nation and made it easy for the
British Colonialists to drive the
final nail of their divide and rule
strategy on an emerging free
country.
Instead of addressing serious
problems at hand, Modiʼs whole
exercise in Parliament has been
an attempt to smear the opposi‑
tion and divert attention away
from his failure to keep his prom‑
ises to the voters that he made in
2014.
IOC requests the Prime Minister
to respond to the questions raised
by Rahul Gandhi, President of the
Congress party soon after that
speech in Parliament.
Our Nation is faced with three
critical problems today:
8 Each day over 30,000 youth
enters the job market. Of
these, we can provide only
450 of them a job. We are
creating an army of 1 mil‑
8 Agriculture, Indiaʼs back‑
bone is under severe stress.
Inadequate remuneration
and a lack of government
support are breaking the
will of our farmers and forc‑
ing them to commit suicide.
8 India faces new dangers on
her borders, with frequent
cease‑fire violations by
Pakistan that have taken
Indian lives, and a Chinese
buildup near Doklam. The
security of our nation is in
peril.
8 The nation expected the
Prime Minister to address
these three issues and pro‑
vide us with a vision. We
were waiting to support and
applaud him for such a
vision. Instead, Prime
Ministerʼs speech was an
attempt at diverting the
nationʼs attention from these
three problems.
The author is Vice Chair,
Indian Overseas Congress, USA

The views expressed in Op Eds are not necessarily those of The South Asian Times.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info LIFESTYLE February 17-23, 2018 15

Hey girl! Dress right for

Valentine’s Day date
pt for a little red dress or
go for a flirty mini skirt
and pair it with classic
winged eyes and pink blush to
woo your date for Valentine's Day,
say experts.
Here are
some tips by
Delhi stylist
Minisha
Mendonza and
make‑up artist
Gayetri
Chakravarthy to
be Valentine's Day‑ready.
* Little red dress (LRD): A red
short sew dress teamed up with
metallic stilettos or black boots
finished with a red clutch and a
black jacket and you are ready to
rock the date night.
Try nude colored ensembles made popular by reality TVʼ stars Make‑up tip: Keep it simple and
Kardashian sisters. (Photo courtesy Pinterest) elegant with make‑up. A classic
winged eyeliner and a matte red
lip will do wonders. If you not a
fan of red lips then team the eye‑
liner with a
nude shade
that suits
the skin
color.
Keep the
skin fresh
and
dewy by
adding a little
highlighter on the higher planes
of the face such as cheekbones.
* Be flirty with pink: Layer of
flirty mini skirt (denim) with dif‑
ferent shades of pink off‑shoulder
top. Complete the look with clear
sunglasses, pink glitter sketchers
or or flats.
Make‑up tip: Opt for highlighted
dewy skin. Add some soft pink
blush and choose a pink lip colour.
Make sure the lips are matte if
you keep the skin dewy and
glossy. Don't forget to layer a lot
of mascara to open up those eyes.
* Opt for nude colored garments:
Nude colored ensembles have
become a rage because of reality
TV star Kim Kardashian sisters. A
nude colored short skirt with a
white crop top or sweatshirt.
Throw a lot of rose gold acces‑
sories. Keep it classy by adding up
nude ballerinas and to cut the
monotony a brown sling bag and
you are ready for the date.
Make‑up tip: Keep it super sim‑
ple with this look. Soft pink lips,
groomed brows. Don't forget to
add blush, it gives beautiful
dimensions to the face without
doing much.

How to look good on V-Day

Ditch red for lavender at home for your Valentine
W
ant to look good and healthy on Valentineʼs

T
Day? Well, then include green tea and more
his Valentineʼs Day, play with created using fairy lights or the eternally that is visible in one quick look.
of fruits and vegetables in your diet, say
strings of lights and flowers, place best candles, lamps and chandeliers. This is a significant step because a bal‑
experts.
cosy rugs and replace the cliched Strategically placing a few strings of anced look brings elegance and comfort
Preeti Seth, Nutritionist, Pachouli Wellness Clinic,
hues of red, instead opt for lavender lights entwined with flowers can add a in the space. Just ensure that the most
Delhi, and Komal Thakur, Dietician from SCI
products, suggest experts. romantic and welcoming feel to any basic requirement of color coordination
International Hospital, Delhi, list down some tips.
Tania Rogers, Senior room. in the room is at its best.
* Increase fluid intake, at least four‑five liters a day.
Designer at HomeLane.com l Rugs create a cosy l The prints and the fabrics should
* Have more of uncooked food. Add more fruits and
and Sonam Gupta, Design and intimate atmosphere align with one another and must be com‑
vegetables to your diet.
Head of Tangerine, have in any room. fortable to use. Certain combinations
Here are 2 special diet plans that you can go for:
listed ways to go about it: l Add ambience with like black and red, black and purple,
Diet plan 1: Early morning: Green tea/lemon tea/black
l Red is a great color, dimmers in a room which golden yellow and red, crimson pink and
tea/lemon water; Breakfast: fruit platter; Mid‑meal
but there are other ways will allow you to alter light grey always work.
snack: 4‑5 almonds/1‑2 walnuts; Lunch: Fruit platter
to ignite that loving feel‑ the mood with a simple l The love enhancing fragrance of
and fruit juice; Evening snacks: Fruit juice; Dinner: A
ing on Valentineʼs Day. Why not twist. Dimmers also conserve cinnamon, vanilla, lavender and jasmine
plate of water melon; Before sleeping: Green tea.
step out of the box and pick a new energy and extend the life of your must certainly be used. A delicate aroma
Diet plan 2: Early morning: Green tea/lemon tea/black
color scheme to celebrate this yearʼs bulbs. can not only be therapeutic but also
tea/lemon water; Breakfast: Mixed vegetables and soya
valentineʼs. Look for a bouquet of flow‑ l The most important step is to first heightens the love quotient.
chunks; Mid‑meal snack: Fruits as per taste; Lunch:
ers in lavender and soft yellow for your pick colors that go with the wall and the l Create a table setting or backdrop
Mixed vegetables and vegetable soup; Evening snacks:
better half. furniture hues, and purchase the finest in emerald green and sapphire blue with
Corn salad; Dinner: Vegetable salad and mixed veg‑
l The lighting in the room plays the furnishings like the bed sheet, cushions a combination of neutral tones and crys‑
etable soup; Before sleeping: Green tea.
trick. Subtle glow in golden lights can be and pillow covers, rugs, curtains and all tals.

Modi not a fussy eater, loved cooking for him: Sanjeev Kapoor
P
rime Minister Narendra
Modi is open to experi‑
menting with food and is
not a fussy eater, said popular
chef Sanjeev Kapoor who was in
the UAE to cook for him on the
invitation of Crown Prince of Abu
Dhabi Mohamed bin Zayed.
"Our Prime Minister is a dream
to cook for. He is not fussy and
loves unpretentious food. They
neednʼt be fancy so we concen‑
trate on making it nutritious and
healthy. He has such a busy
schedule so I made sure that he
ate food that gives you energy,"
Kapoor told Gulf News.
Kapoor on Sunday shared a
series of photographs along with
Modi and captioned it: "Absolute
honor and privilege to cook for
Modi..."
otherʼs countries and cultures...
So there was a lot of food that
fused elements from India and
the UAE."
Dosas, beetroot minced kebabs
and the comfort Indian food dal
and rice always feature on his
plate, said the chef.
Kapoor revealed that Modi s
breakfast was a flat‑bread with
nine ancient grains such as mil‑
lets and rice.
The chef even got to learn some
things about food from the Prime
Minister. "We were talking about
parathas and he told me about
this paratha made with drum‑
sticks. It sounded very interesting
Celebrity chef Sanjeev Kapoor with PM Modi and some of the delights and I told him that I am going to
he prepared for the Indian premier. (Photo courtesy: @SanjeevKapoor) try making it in my kitchen."
On Modi s eating habits he said: food and is a believer that food is Kapoor said that one morning
"He believes in simple vegetarian a great way to learn about each at breakfast, Modi compared the
cooked fava bean mix to paav
bhaji and also sampled the
Emirati dessert aseeda fused with
rice cake, which reminded him of
the Indian halwa, and a no‑meat
version of harees which is a dish
made with wheat and meat.
However mezzes containing
hummus along with an Indian
raita with sprinklings of pome‑
granate and walnuts stole the
show.
For dinner last Saturday at the
palace in Abu Dhabi the menu
included "saffron rice infused
with stock from different Indian
spices, quinoa cake and a moong
dal bhujia served on a metallic
spoon as appetizers and a pump‑
kin pudding dessert," reported
Gulf News.
‑IANS
16 February 17-23, 2018 HERITAGE TheSouthAsianTimes.info

The Magic of Vedic Mathematics

Rediscovered half a century ago and rising in popularity in recent years, Vedic Mathematics is based on 16
sutras and is the world’s fastest mental math system. The South Asian Times is proud to start serializing
from this issue a book that makes learning the system easy for schoolchildren and adults alike. The book is
published by Motilal Banarsidass, the Delhi based publisher of books on Indology for over a century.

About the Book

THE CURIOUS HATS OF MAGICAL MATHS

Vedic Mathematics for Schools Book 1
By James Glover culations, losing any fear of num‑
bers along the way.

T
he Curious Hats of Magical
Maths is an introductory
workbook on Vedic
Mathematics. It leads you into
unique, enjoyable and very quick
methods of working with num‑
bers. There are full descriptions
of these methods together with
worked examples for you to fol‑
low and plenty of practice exer‑
cises. This is a workbook and you
can write your answers into the
spaces provided.
The system of Vedic
Mathematics was constructed
from ancient Vedic sources by
Bharati Krsna Tirthaji about a
hundred years ago. It is based on
sixteen simple rules called sutras,
each of which is represented by a
“Curious Hat”. The sutras breifly
encapsulate rules of mental work‑
ing, principles or guiding maxims.
Through simple practice you can
enjoy mathematics, become adept
and quick at mental written cal‑
About the author
Vedic Mathematics owes its
existence to Swami Bharati
Krishna Tirtha (1884 ‑ 1960),
the Shankaracharya of Puri.
His book giving illustrative
descriptions of some
applications of the 16
formative sutras of the
system that he formulated
was first published in 1965'
James Glover has been devel-
oping the use of Vedic Math- Each of the 16 sutras of
ematics in education for over 30 Vedic mathematics
years and has written five books presented by Jagadguru
on the subject. He is one of the Shankaracharya Bharati
foremost teachers of Vedic Maths Krishna Tirtha has been
and has run many public courses represented as a ʻ
and lectures on the subject. He magic hatʼ
lives and teaches in London. by the author
James Glover.

Authorʼs Preface of choosing whichever one seems most

appropriate. Secondly, each of the rules has
many varied and different applications and

T
his book is designed for young and
uses. They are flexible in themselves.
old who might enjoy learning and
Some of the Vedic rules are short yet fair‑
practising the Vedic methods of
ly cryptic. I had the idea of representing
Mathematics. Vedic mathematics is uncon‑
each sutra by a hat with a particular
ventional and not very well known and so
design. Hence the title of the book. The
readers are invited to be open‑minded in
design of each hat in some way reflects the
their approach. The system uses the nature
meaning of the rule.
of number and natural mental processes to
It is my sincere hope that, in working
provide quick and easy methods for all
through this book you will come to enjoy
sorts of calculations. Many difficult‑looking
and love working with number and with
problems can be solved at lightning speed
the sutras.
with the answer coming digit‑by‑digit and
James Glover
without stress or anxiety.
September 2013
When practised the methods give great
delight and a sense of the magical quality
Numerical Calculations with Vedic maths can be done at lightning speed. Now its appli‑
of numbers. The amazing simplicity and
wonderment of obtaining the answers so
cations in geometry, algebra and computing are being developed. (Video grab from a Introduction
TED talk in New York by Gaurav Tekriwal, founder of Vedic Maths Forum India)
easily has led some to ask, is this maths or

magic? The answer is that it is magic until
you have understood how it works and
thereafter it is both maths and magic.
It has been nearly twenty years since I
wrote Vedic Mathematics for Schools Books
1, 2 and 3 and have long felt that a com‑
pletely new format is needed. In those pre‑
vious books I attempted to cover, from a
Vedic standpoint, the topics common to
many schools teaching maths to 11 ‑ 13
year‑olds. In these second editions my aim
is just to introduce the main topics of Vedic
maths relevant to children of a similar age
and which can be used as either support or
extension material for teachers or just for
interest by anybody. Books 1 and 2 are
designed to be workbooks in which there
are spaces to write the answers. Book 1
T
he Curious Hats of Magical Maths is
covers the main basic methods of calcula‑
an introductory workbook on Vedic
tion which use the Vedic rules. They are not
Mathematics.
blanket rules as there are plenty of meth‑
It leads you into some unique, enjoyable
ods used for specific cases as well as cover‑
and very quick methods of working with
ing the general case. Vedic mathematics is
numbers. There are full descriptions of
highly flexible in two senses. Firstly, there
these methods together with worked exam‑
are often several ways to get to an answer,
ples for you to follow and plenty of practice
all of which are entirely valid and correct
and the reader can then have the flexibility Continued on page 17
TheSouthAsianTimes.info HERITAGE February 17-23, 2018 17

Continued from page 16
exercises. This is a workbook and you can
write your answers into the spaces provid‑
ed. You will find the answers at the back of
the book to check your work. The problems
and methods are suitable for any age but
probably most apt for 11 – 13 year‑olds,
Indian Class VI – VII, UK Years 7 – 8. The
aim is to introduce some of the Vedic math‑
ematical techniques and not to cover the
whole of the mathematics syllabus for 11 ‑
13 year‑olds. So the book can be used for
support material, extension material or
simply by those wishing to find fast tech‑
niques for solving problems.
Vedas
Vedic Maths is a system from India and,
in modern times, was first written about by
a spiritual teacher named Bharati Krishna
Tirtha. Mathematics was his hobby and he
discovered the system from his own studies
of ancient teachings. The word Veda means
knowledge and so Vedic Maths means
Knowledge Maths. It is based on sixteen
simple rules called sutras (pronounced
“sootras”) and a sutra is a thread of knowl‑
edge. Veda is also as the name for the
ancient teachings of India, thousands of
years old, which deal with all manner of
aspects of life, both spiritual and worldly.
In fact, this is the most common use of
the name. Traditionally, these teachings
were handed down by word of mouth and
learnt by heart. This is called an oral tradi‑
tion. It is therefore not possible to know
their exact age. It is also possible that not
all of these teachings are published any‑
where. Be that as it may, Tirtha was a bril‑
liant scholar and an inspiring mathemati‑
cian. He left behind one volume giving
illustrative descriptions of some applica‑
tions of the sutras first published in 1965.
Since then there has been an increasing
interest in his system of Vedic mathematics
and there are now several websites avail‑
able to learn more about it.
Sutras
The sixteen sutras of Vedic mathematics
are short, easily memorised, statements
giving principles, patterns of working or
rules of thumb for solving all sorts of math‑
ematical problems by the fastest and easi‑
est routes. The aim of the sutras is to pro‑
vide easy methods involving mental work‑
ing. For the most part each sutra covers a
wide range of topics and this book deals
with introductory applications which are
then further developed in Book 2.
This book introduces you to methods of
multiplication, division and subtraction
using the Vedic sutras as well as other
aspects of arithmetic and algebra. Many of
the methods will be new to you and others
you may know. There are many short cuts
in maths which will be natural to you. For
example, if you mentally add 465 and 299,
most will find the easiest way is to add 300
and take 1 off, leaving 764. This is quite
natural and not unknown. You will have
used a deficiency, the fact that 299 is 1 less
than 300. The Vedic sutras follow these
natural processes and point them out. So
there are special methods as well as gener‑
al methods The last chapter provides puz‑
zles and problems which can be solved
using the sutras. There may be nothing out
of the ordinary in the way you solve these
problems because the sutras are quite nat‑
ural. You can answer the questions and the
sutras indicate the way you think about the
problems.
Numbers
Mathematics is based on number and
numbers begin with unity at 1. The num‑
bers are 1 to 9 and these, together with
zero, make up all the numbers we use in
everyday life. If you treat these as ten
friends then there is no need to fear them.
Just like good friends they are completely
reliable and trustworthy. They do not
change with time. No matter how big a
number is, it is always made up of these
nine and the zero. This is described by
means of a story in Chapter 6.The symbols
we all use for numbers have become uni‑
versal. All children throughout the world
learn them. But they originate, including
the zero, from thousands of years ago in
India. It is therefore fitting that this won‑
derful system of Vedic mathematics also
comes from India. No one knows why there
are nine numbers and a zero and that we
use a base ten for our number system.
Some say that it is because we have ten
fingers on our hands. Others say that it fol‑
lows an ancient description of the creation
involving nine elements. In Chapter 12 is
another story briefly describing these ele‑
ments.
Magic Hats
Each sutra is represented as a ʻmagic hatʼ.
Just as a nurse wears a hat or a jockey
wears a hat which helps them think and act
in a way suitable for their work so you can
pretend to wear each magic hat to help
remind you of the way to think.
The hats give a visual representation of
the sutras.

Chapter 1 This method holds good in all cases but is only easy when both or one of the numbers
is close to the same base. It is said that a very long time ago, the cross‑subtraction part
Nikhilam Multiplication gave rise to the X sign being used for multiplication.

1.1 Use this method even though you know the answers already

N
ikhilam multiplication is a wonderfully quick and easy method for multiplying
numbers close to a power of ten. The reason it is called Nikhilam will become clear
in a later chapter but it is an abbreviation for the rule, or sutra, describing the
method. (The full sutra is: Nikhilam Navatashcaramam Dashatah, meaning "All from 9 and
the last from 10").
There are many calculations in arithmetic which are made easier using a complement or
deficiency. For example, if you want to add 257 and 99 you may find the easiest way is to
add 100 and take off 1 leaving 356. 99 is deficient from 100 by 1 and 1 is called the com‑
plement of 99. This method uses complements.

Base 10
Example 7 X 8

To be continued in the following issues of The South Asian Times.

1. The minus sign
10 is the base because it shows that the
is the nearest unity to 7 complements are
and 8 and this is written both less than 10.
above as a reminder. Take The stroke is used
7 and 8 away from 10 to to distinguish the
find the complements 2 two parts of the
and 3. Put these down on answer.
the right‑hand side with a
connecting minus sign.

We are serializing The Curious Hats of Magical Maths: Vedic

2. Mathematics for Schools Book 1 & 2 by James Glover, an expert from
On the right‑hand U.K., with permission from Motilal Banarsidass (MLBD). Founded in
3. vertically multiply 1903, it is Indiaʼs oldest publishing house. Headquartered in Delhi,
For the left‑hand cross‑ the two complement they specialize particularly in Indology books. RP Jain from MLBD
subtract, either 7 － 2 = 5 digits, 3 × 2 = 6 Family (www.mlbd.com) is personally very passionate about promot‑
or 8 ‑3 = 5 . Both give the and write it down. ing Vedic Mathemat ics. He would like all
same answer. Write that seekers/enthusiasts/schools/organizations to establish contact with
down on the left. So the him & come forward to organize/plan/ conduct workshops /seminars/
final answer is 56. conferences wherever possible on the subject. He can be contacted at
(011) 23857335, 9811210999. Email: mlbd@mlbd.com
For further information & books please contact MLBDʼs US distributor:
South Asia Books, +1 (573) 474‑0116,
email: southasiabooks@gmail.com
 18 February 17-23, 2018 ULTIMATE BOLLYWOOD TheSouthAsianTimes.info

IT'S NOT OVER YET: DEEPIKA Don't remember

ON 'PADMAAVAT' SUCCESS showing attitude:
D
eepika Padukone, whose latest
release "Padmaavat" has turned
out to be the actress' highest
grosser by crossing India collections of Rs
Sonam tells
230 crore, says she is yet to celebrate the
success and feels the success story is not Sonakshi
A
over as yet.
ctress Sonam Kapoor says she has always
Deepika plays the title role in the Sanjay
been warm towards Sonakshi Sinha, who
Leela Bhansali directorial, and has
had recently spoken out how the "Neerja"
expressed her gratitude for the love and
star had once shown her a "lot of attitude". On an
appreciation that has come to her,
episode of TV show "BFFs with Vogue", Sonakshi
Bhansali as well as co‑actors Ranveer
was asked about her views on Sonam.
Singh and Shahid Kapoor.
She had said: "Once Sonam showed me a lot of atti‑
"I think it was very gracious of them to
tude and I think that was kind of unnecessary."
give so much to this film and I am so
Sonam reacted to it and apologized if she ever
happy that together we get to celebrate
made Sonakshi feel so. "Sona, I've always been
the success but like I said, it's not over as
warm towards you. Don't remember showing you
in the weekend more people will go to
attitude! If you feel that way I'm sorry," she wrote.
watch our film," Deepika said on the side‑
Sonakshi immediately responded: "Aww don't be silly
lines of Volare Awards 2018.
Sonam Kapoor! We've all been on these shows where
Asked about how she is celebrating the
we are coaxed to say things we really don't wanna!!!
success of "Padmaavat", she said: "To be
And then aren't we used to things being blown
really honest, I think there hasn't been
out of proportion? Not to be taken seriously! Sonam Kapoor immediately apologized for
any time to celebrate the success because her behavior.
Big hug."
there is so much happening right now. Of
course, it is the time for celebration.
Deepika will next be seen on screen with
REVIEW
her "Piku" co‑star Irrfan Khan in Vishal Deepika Padukone will next be seen on
Bhardwaj's yet untitled movie. screen with actor Irrfan Khan. 'Padman': Akshay shines in
Ritesh Batra set to this public service film
T
he concept for this film, Padman,

direct Elisabeth Moss is credited to Twinkle Khanna

for the story that is based on the
short tale in her book, "The Legend of

I
ndian director Ritesh Batra will direct Lakshmi Prasad". This story has been
"The Handmaid's Tale" star Elisabeth inspired by the life of Arunchalam
Moss in "A Letter From Rosemary Muruganantham a social activist from
Kennedy", a biopic on John F. Kennedy's Tamil Nadu who revolutionized the
troubled sister. The film, based on a concept of personal hygiene during the
script by Nick Yarborough, portrays the menstrual cycle in rural India by creat‑
story of John F. Kennedy's troubled older ing low‑cost sanitary pads.
sister who was kept from public view and Incidentally, the film also shares the
was eventually institutionalized, reports same premise as that of Phullu which
hollywoodreporter.com. was released in June 2017.
"The movies about the Kennedy family Set in rural Madhya Pradesh,
are deservedly stormy Lakshmikant Chouhan (Akshay Kumar)
affairs, but here's a story a mechanic by profession and a loving
about the storms within and devoted husband to Gayatri
all of us. This is why I am (Radhika Apte) ensures that his wife Akshay Kumar's portrayal of
excited to tell this story, leads a comfortable life by introducing Lakshmikant Chouhan is sincere.
and to collaborate with small inventions to enhance her daily
Elisabeth, a fabulously talent‑ life. But when he learns about the stigma and on every front and is the soul of the film. You
ed actor," Batra said in a taboos that surround menstruation and the are with him during his struggle and obses‑
statement. unhygienic methods used by women during sion. He is aptly supported by Radhika Apte
Rose Marie aka this period, he is pained. So he embarks on a as his wife Gayatri. She is every inch the sub‑
Rosemary, the daughter mission to make affordable sanitary pads. missive, rural lady struggling to survive with‑
of Joseph Kennedy Sr How he succeeds in his endeavor, forms the in societal norms. Their on‑screen chemistry
and Rose Fitzgerald, crux of the tale. Lakshmikant's story is truly is palpable.
showed signs of mental inspirational and writer‑Director R. Balki Sonam Kapoor as Pari the city‑bred, tabla
disability that the family leaves no stone unturned to magnify it for the maestro and a freshly minted MBA, is a misfit
kept hidden. When she large screen. Narrated in a linear manner and and strictly mediocre. She walks through her
was 23, Rosemary was laced with light‑humor, stellar performances role and what makes her further unaccept‑
one of the first people to and statistics‑filled dialogues, this film con‑ able is the frivolous demeanor that she is
receive a prefrontal veys the strong message with ease and is forced to portray.
lobotomy, but its failure entertaining from word go. Amit Trivedi's music is effective and it does
left her permanently But the graph of the story is flat and the elevate the viewing experience. The songs;
incapacitated. plot, laden with deus‑ex‑machinas and certain "Aaj Se Teri" has interesting lyrics and "Ladki
Batra is known for elements truly stretched a la Bollywood style Sayani ho gayi" that celebrates womanhood is
films like "The especially Lakshmikant's invention and his well‑choreographed. The other two songs
Lunchbox" and Netflix speech at the UN, truly makes the film, "filmi". don't register at all.
dramas "The Sense Of An It loses the charm of a realistic, biographical Overall, though entertaining, Padman is like
Ending" and "Our Souls film. Akshay Kumar's portrayal of a long‑drawn public‑service film that's worth
At Night" Hollywood actress Elisabeth Moss will star in a biopic. Lakshmikant Chouhan is sincere. He delivers your ticket money.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Kangana clears air on controversy Bhumi Pednekar invited
over 'Manikarnika' to attend Berlin film fest
B A
ollywood actor Kangana
Ranaut said there was
nothing controversial in
her upcoming movie
'Manikarnika", adding that the
controversy is being created just
for the simple reason that a few
people want to get famous.
"There is nothing controversial
in 'Manikarnika'. It's really bad on
our part to even think about creat‑
ing such controversies for a
woman who gave a tough fight to
the British rulers while fighting
alone for the country's sake," she
said in Jodhpur.
Kangana, who essays the role of
the queen of Jhansi in
'Manikarnika', was on her way to
Bikaner for shooting when she
was surrounded by a huge crowd
at Jodhpur airport.
Speaking to the media on her
role for the first time, she said that
the queen was the "daughter of
India" who made a significant con‑ Kangana essays the role of the queen
tribution to the country's inde‑
pendence. "This movie is sure to
instil a feeling of pride among the people," of the superhit 'Bahubali'. "He is so
she added.
There is no love story angle in the film,
the Bollywood actor said. She said the
ʻNOTHING IS SAFE
IN THE FILM INDUSTRYʼ
A
ctor Ayushmann Khurrana, who has
featured in films on sperm donation
and erectile dysfunction, says being
offbeat and experimenting with new roles
is always a good idea as nothing is "safe" in
the film industry, and the audience is
always looking out for something new.
"It's good to be offbeat. Nothing is safe in
this industry, (so it is important) to give
something which is odd which is something
off‑center, which is unique to the audience
this day because they are always looking
for something new," Ayushmann said.
"I am glad that I'm getting scripts like
'Badhai Ho' and getting to work for Sriram
Raghavan who is a master of thrillers. You
need to create a niche for yourself and apne
talent se 'love jatao' (express love with your
talent), that's when you will shine in life.
"I ensure to keep working hard and
investing on my talent and that's something
everybody who aspires to make their
dream come true in life, must do," said the
actor, whose last two releases "Bareilly Ki
Barfi" and "Shubh Mangal Saavdhan" got a
thumbs up at the box office.
As an actor, Ayushmann had caught
attention with his debut film "Vicky Donor",
and he also impressed the audience with
his performance in "Dum Laga Ke Haisha".
Was there ever a situation when he felt
like giving up?
"You know I have been rejected a lot of
times in the auditions even on reality
shows, but then of course, I never thought
of giving up.
"I started as a video jockey in 2008,
ULTIMATE BOLLYWOOD
of Jhansi in ʻManikarnikaʼ.
movie has been written by the scriptwriter
impressed with the character that he has
named his daughter Manikarnika too," she
added.
Actor Ayushmann Khurrana says he is not
afraid of failure.
became an actor in 2012 and in five years
of being in the industry, I have seen both
highs and lows. I think failure only makes
you stronger. Success is fickle, and failure is
your friend, philosopher and guide. It's a
great teach," he said.
Ayushmann is currently a part of
Parachute Jasmine's ʻLove Jatao, Shine
Jagao' campaign, which intends to make
people realize that when you invest in
something and show love to it, it shines.
"I was an aspiring singer, an aspiring
artist once and what helped me to shine in
my life was when I truly started investing
on my talent," said the actor.
February 17-23, 2018 19
ctress Bhumi
Pednekar has been
invited along with
filmmaker Karan Johar to
represent Indian cinema at
the forthcoming Berlin
International Film Festival.
"I am most honored and
humbled to be invited by the
Berlinale. The fact that I will
represent India and its evolv‑
ing cinema is itself a huge
moment of pride for me,"
Bhumi said in a statement.
The actress, who has been
lauded for two back‑to‑back
hits "Toilet: Ek Prem Katha"
and "Shubh Mangal
Saavdhan" ‑‑ both of which
gave a dose of entertainment
with a message ‑‑ was also
recently a part of Forbes
India's 30 Under 30 list.
Bhumi is counted amongst
the most promising talents in
Hindi cinema today.
Being an actress who has
Bhumi Pednekar is counted amongst
consciously chosen high the most promising talents of Hindi cinema.
content cinema right from
her debut with "Dum Laga Ke Haisha", ema at the Berlinale.
Bhumi will be representing and highlight‑ Berlinale is set to take place from
ing the evolution of mainstream Hindi cin‑ February 15‑25.
Give your 100%:
Lisa Haydon on work,
motherhood
A
ctress‑model Lisa
Haydon, who became
a mother in May
2017, is happily able to bal‑
ance motherhood and work
as she believes in giving "100
per cent where you are at
that moment".
After delivering her first
child ‑‑ son Zack Lalvani last
year ‑‑ she is now seen on the
small screen as a judge of the
Colors Infinity show "Top
Model India".
Asked about balancing her
personal and professional
live, Lisa said: "It is pretty
straightforward. It comes
down to real‑ ving
on won ra
ly good Lisa Hayd role in ʻQueenʼ.
r her
health. When reviews fo
I am at work, I
am at work
and I rationalize that in my
own head because I love my
job and I am a working mom."
"And when I go home, I try to be the "To be on top of any profession, it
best mom I could possibly be and give takes a certain amount of drive, determi‑
them all my attention and time and nation and focus. I think to be on top of
focus. That's the only way I can balance any profession; you need to have pres‑
it ‑ give 100 per cent where you are at ence of mind, be creative and keep your
that moment," she added. So what does head on your shoulders," said the
it take to be the "Top Model"? "Queen" actress.
 20 February 17-23, 2018 DIASPORA TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Saudi national cultural festival

honors India, is biggest in Gulf
Riyadh: Al Janadria, the national
cultural festival of Saudi Arabia
that has India as the 'Guest of
Honor' country this year, was inau‑
gurated on Wednesday near here
by Indian External Affairs Minister
Sushma Swaraj.
The festival was begun in 1985
under the patronage of the ruling
monarch. This year too King
Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud is
the patron of the festival.
From the rich tapestry of colors,
aroma of delicacies, reverberating
sound of music to insightful intel‑
lectual debates, the two‑week long
festival has something for all.
2018 marks the 32nd edition of
the festival. Organized every year
by the Saudi National Guard, a pri‑
mary goal of this festival is to high‑
light Saudi Arabia's Islamic identi‑
ty, display its national heritage and
help preserve it for generations to
come.
However, Al Janadria is not only
aiming to educate its own citizens
on its culture, it also aims to
acquaint its people with the cul‑
tures of other countries. For this
purpose, every year the country
nominates a "Guest of Honor" at its
festival.
This year the chosen country is
India. The country that has been
accorded this honor gets to pres‑
ent facets of its culture, business
opportunities and scientific, tech‑
nological, medical and military
progress. .
The invitation to India for this
prestigious festival is a testament
to the growing relationship
between Saudi Arabia and India.
Sushma Swaraj, who lead a large
delegation included Minister of
State for External Affairs V. K.
Singh, accompanied by members
of the Federation of Indian
Chambers of Commerce and
Industry (FICCI), who are the
Industry and Execution partner for
the Indian Pavilion at the Janadria
festival.
The India Pavilion will provide
glimpses of traditional and mod‑
ern India. There will be displays
and presentations by
ministries/departments such as
Indian Ordnance Factories Board,
Indian Space Research
Organization, Ministry of AYUSH,
India Tourism board, Ministry of
Shipping, Ministry of Textiles,
Handicrafts Promotion Council,
Ministry of Food Processing
Industries, Skill Development,
Digital India, and Make in India,
among others.
On the traditional front, the
pavilion will represent India's
socio‑cultural heritage, folklore,
traditional costumes, Indian per‑
fumes, bridal costumes, artifacts,
calligraphy and food.
The festival features a variety of
(above)
activities including a camel race,
India pavilion at
horse race, sports, dance, arts, his‑
Al Janadria
tory, falconry, and traditional arts
and crafts. Display of Indian cul‑
tural performances such as
Kathakali, Kalariyaptu, Kathak, (right)
India in ʻGuest of
Manipuri, Chhau, Bangra,
Honorʼ country
Bollywood, Gujarati and Rajasthani
this year
have been arranged.
Various Indian companies like
L&T, Tata Motors, Lulu Group,
TCIL, Al Abeer Medical Group, ITL
Group, Jet Airways, Shapoorji
Pallonji, Virat, Aster Med city,
KRBL Rice, Toshi Electronic etc (Images
have put up their stalls in the courtesy:
Indian Pavilion. Embassy of India
The festival is expected to draw in Riyadh,
Facebook Page)
millions of visitors from Saudi
Arabia and abroad. (IANS)

Indian‑origin girl cracks UKʼs

Math Hall of Fame
UK announces double health surcharge
London: An eight‑year‑old Indian‑origin
schoolgirl has entered the UK's Mathletics
Hall of Fame, an online mathematics‑based
for visitors, students from India
London: The UK government has The surcharge, introduced in April increased charges may provide
competitive tool aimed at primary school
announced plans to double a so‑ 2015, will rise from 200 pounds to around an extra 220 million pounds
pupils.
called "health surcharge" paid by 400 pounds per year, with the every year, which will be pumped
Sohini Roy Chowdhury competed with
long‑term visitors and students discounted rate for students back into NHS services.
pupils from across Britain and other coun‑
from countries outside the increasing from150 to 300 pounds "Our NHS is always there when
tries to also make it into the top 100 World
European Union including India to you need it, paid for by British tax‑
Hall of Fame after solving mathematical puz‑ "It is only right that people who
400 pounds per year. payers. We welcome long‑term
zles with speed and accuracy. "She feels real‑ come to the UK should contribute to
Sohini Roy, 8 competed The surcharge, introduced in April migrants using the NHS, but it is
ly excited to solve maths in an online learn‑ the running of the NHS. The sur‑
with kids from all over 2015, will rise from 200 pounds to only right that they make a fair con‑
ing environment to earn a place on the live charge offers access to health care
Britain and other coun‑ 400 pounds per year, with the dis‑ tribution to its long‑term sustain‑
World Hall of Fame," said her father Mainak services that are far more compre‑
tries to make it to top 100 counted rate for students increasing ability, said UK Health Minister
Roy Chowdhury, an accountant by profes‑ hensive and at a much lower cost
(Image : ndtv.com) from 150 pounds to 300 pounds. James O'Shaughnessy.
sion with an MBA in finance. than many other countries, said UK
The surcharge is paid by all visi‑ The health surcharge is payable
"Sohini's great grandfather, D N Roy, was a qualified locomotive engi‑ Immigration Minister Caroline
tors from outside the European by nationals from countries like
neer from Scotland and worked for the Indian Railways. I would say Nokes. "The income generated goes
Union seeking to live in the UK for India if they are seeking to live in
Sohini has inherited her interest in maths genetically," he added. directly to the NHS services, helping
six months or more to work, study the UK for six months or more, or to
New Delhi born Sohini joined in the competition this year as a student to protect and sustain our world‑
or join family members. extend their stay.
of Nelson Primary School in Birmingham. class healthcare system for every‑
The UK's Department of Health The payment is made at the time
"Sohini has displayed some higher‑level understanding of the maths one who uses it, she said.
and Social Care plans to make the the immigration application is made
covered this year. She applies herself to all her learning and this has According to the department's
increase effective from later this and is payable until such time as
been reflected in her attainment this year," said her schoolteacher in ref‑ estimates, the NHS spends 470
year in order to raise additional the person is granted indefinite
erence to the Mathletics achievement. pounds on average per person per
funds for the state‑funded National leave to remain in the UK, or
The schoolgirl has ambitions of becoming a doctor when she grows up. year on treating surcharge payers.
Health Service or NHS, which has returns to their own country at the
(PTI) Its projections suggest that the
been struggling with funding issues. end of their visa period.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Maldives sends envoys to
China, Saudi and Pakistan
Male: Maldives' embattled
President Abdulla Yameen, under
global scrutiny, sent envoys to
"friendly" China, Pakistan and
Saudi Arabia to brief them about
the political crisis in his Indian
Ocean atoll nation as India politely
declined to host his Foreign
Minister.
A day after the UN High
Commissioner for Human Rights
Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein called the
Maldivian crisis an "all‑out assault
on democracy", an EU delegation
arrived in the Maldives as Yameen
continued to tighten his grip on
power. A statement from the
President's office said the three
envoys would visit "friendly
nations ... and provide updates on
the current situation".
Yameen sent his Economic
Development Minister Mohamed
Saeed to China, Foreign Minister
Mohamed Asim to Pakistan and
Farming and Fisheries Minister
Mohamed Shainee to Saudi Arabia,
his office said.
The Maldivian Embassy in New
Delhi meanwhile denied that
Yameen ignored India while reach‑
ing out to other countries.
An embassy statement said
Foreign Minister Asim was sched‑
uled to reach India but the visit
Sri Lanka's local polls end
with over 70% turnout
Colombo: A crucial
local government elec‑
tion ended peacefully
in Sri Lanka as over 15
million voters cast
their ballots to elect
members to local gov‑
ernment bodies, elec‑
tion monitors said.
Voting started at 7
a.m. and ended at 4:00
p.m.
Election monitors
said 15,760,867 voters
or some 70 per cent of
the total eligible voters Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena.
cast their votes
throughout the country, Xinhua
news agency reported.
President Maithripala
Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil
Wickremesinghe and former
President Mahinda Rajapakse
were among those who voted
early in the morning.
Voting for the local govern‑
ment elections was the first to
be conducted by the newly‑
established independent
Election Commission as well as
the police under the
Independent Police
SUBCONTINENT
Maldives plunged into crisis after
President Abdulla Yameen failed
to comply with a court verdict.
was cancelled at New Delhi's
request. According to the state‑
ment, Male was told the date was
not suitable for India's leadership
and that it was "grossly mislead‑
ing" to say that the Maldives
bypassed India. The Maldives
plunged into crisis last week after
Yameen failed to comply with the
Supreme Court's verdict to release
nine high‑profile political
detainees including Nasheed,
Maldives' first democratically
elected President.
Commission.
It was also the first island‑
wide poll to be held since the
coalition government of
Sirisena and Wickremesinghe
took office in August 2015. The
poll was considered an impor‑
tant test of the government's
reform agenda.
The government said 65,758
police officers, 41,178 Special
Task Force officers and 7,278
other officers were deployed
for the local government elec‑
tions.
Maldives to deport
arrested Indian,
British journalist
Male: Two journalists including
an Indian national working for
a global news agency, who were
arrested in the Maldives amid
the raging political turmoil, will
be deported, the police said.
Indian citizen Money Sharma
from Amritsar and India‑born
British national Atish Ravji
Patel, both working for AFP,
were in the crisis‑hit Indian
Ocean atoll nation to cover the
state of Emergency, which was
declared on February 6 by
President Abdulla Yameen.
The pair is now set to be
deported as they were "working
in the country on a tourist visa
in violation of the immigration
law." However, no legal action
will be taken against them, the
Maldives government said in a
press release.
"We would like to note that
although they (the two journal‑
ists) have been asked to leave
the Maldives, no other legal
steps shall be taken against
them," the statement said.
KHALEDA ZIA'S EXILED
SON NAMED BNP CHIEF
Dhaka: The Vice President of the
Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)
has taken over as the party's chair‑
man after his mother and former
Prime Minister Khaleda Zia was
was sentenced to five years in
prison, an official said.
The decision to elevate Tarique
Rahman ‑‑ the exiled son of opposi‑
tion leader Zia ‑‑ to the chairman‑
ship was taken after she was jailed
on charges of misappropriation of
funds from an orphanage trust.
"As per the party constitution,
Rahman has become the acting
chairman... He will discharge his
duties as the constitution stipu‑
lates," BNP spokesperson
Asaduzzaman Ripon told Efe news.
Rahman, who has lived in exile in
the UK since 2008, was also given
a 10‑year jail term in the same rul‑
ing. Zia's son had been sentenced
February 17-23, 2018 21
Pak rights activist
Asma Jahangir dead
Lahore: Doughty
Pakistani human rights
activist Asma Jahangir,
who fought her battle
on the streets as well in
courts, opposed mili‑
tary strongmen and
steadfastly champi‑
oned the rights of
women, minorities and
LGBTs, passed away.
She was 66.
According to Geo TV,
Jahangir, the first
woman President of
the Pakistan Supreme
Court Bar Association,
Activist Asma Jahangir often had a tem‑
was shifted to a hospital pestuous relation with the Pakistani state.
after suffering cardiac
arrest. She died while undergo‑ In 1987, she co‑founded the
ing treatment. Human Rights Commission of
While condolences poured in Pakistan and became its
from all sections, there was a Secretary General until 1993
section on people who con‑ when she was elevated as its
demned her even after she chairperson.
passed away. She often had a tempestuous
Jahangir's path seemed set out relation with the Pakistani state.
with her father Malik Ghulam While she received several
Jilani, a bureaucrat‑turned‑politi‑ national awards, including the
cian, opposing corruption at the Sitara‑I‑Imtiaz in 1995, Jahangir
fag end of Ayub Khan's rule and was again put under house
the brutal crackdown in then arrest in November 2007 after
East Pakistan under Yahya Khan President Pervez Musharraf
following the 1970 election. imposed Emergency.
BNPʼs Khaleda Zia has headed the Bangladeshi government twice.
to seven years in prison in 2016 on ernment twice (between 1991‑96
charges of laundering $2.5 million and 2001‑06) ‑‑ has been named in
between 2003‑07. BNP spokesper‑ 13 cases of corruption, violence
son Ripon said Rahman's exile and sedition. According to the BNP,
would not affect his leadership. Zia hundreds of its activists and lead‑
‑‑ who headed the Bangladeshi gov‑ ers face the same situation.
 22 February 17-23, 2018 INTERNATIONAL TheSouthAsianTimes.info

ISRAELIS, PALESTINIANS DON'T Russian plane crash

WANT PEACE: TRUMP kills all 71 on board
Washington: US President Donald
Trump has declined to give a time‑
line for releasing Washington's plan
for peace between the Israelis and The US'
role in the
the Palestinians, saying that neither
Israeli‑
party was committed to the process,
Palestinian
the media reported.
peace
"We are going to see what goes process has
on," Trump told the Israel Hayom come under
daily in an interview. fire.
"Right now, I would say the
Palestinians are not looking to
make peace, they are not looking to
make peace. And I am not necessari‑
ly sure that Israel is looking to
Palestinians to ask Putin Russian Emergencies Ministry employees
work near the site of air crash.
make peace... So we are just going to step into peace process Moscow: A Russian passenger Air Transport Agency
to have to see what happens," he Ramallah: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' aide Majdi Khalidi plane with 71 passengers and (Rosaviatsiya) said.
said. said that Palestinians will ask Russian President Vladimir Putin to step crew on board crashed in "The Saratov Airlines plane
The US' role as a broker in the into a multilateral mechanism to overlook the peace process. Khalidi, Moscow region, killing everyone (flight 730 from Moscow to
Israeli‑Palestinian peace process Abbas' diplomatic advisor, told official Palestinian radio station Voice of on board, state news agency Orsk) took off at 14.21 Moscow
has come under fire following the Palestine that Abbas will meet Putin in Sochi, Xinhua news agency Tass reported. time. According to preliminary
Trump administration's decision in reported. "The Palestinian side insists of forming a multilateral Russia's Emergencies Ministry data, there were 65 passengers
December to recognize Jerusalem approach to overlook the peace process with the Israeli side" in an confirmed the crash of the An‑ and six crew members aboard
as the capital of Israel, upending attempt to disregard the US from its former role in the peace process, 148 plane shortly after it took the plane.
seven decades of US foreign policy, he said. "Russia and Putin will have an important role in this matter, off from Moscow's Domodedovo "Radio contact with the plane
CNN reported. including launching an international peace conference and several airport. was lost several minutes after
Top Palestinian of ficials con‑ important issues that require consultation with all relevant parties until "Fragments of the An‑148 and the take‑off and the plane went
demned the move, saying it disqual‑ we achieve the interest of the Palestinian people," said Khalidi. several bodies have been found out of the radars. In happened in
ified the US from playing the role of
of negotiations. "As for specific boundaries, I near the village of Moscow region's Ramensky dis‑
arbiter. The UN voted overwhelm‑
In his reply, he seemed to qualify would support what both sides Stepanovskoye," a Ministry trict," the agency said.
ingly to condemn the decision.
his earlier remarks, reports CNN. agreed to. spokesman told Tass. Among possible causes of the
The Israeli daily was also asked
"I wanted to make it clear that "I think both sides will have to Radio contact with the Saratov crash may be weather condi‑
about his comments at the World
Jerusalem is the capital of Israel," make hard compromises to reach a Airlines plane was lost several tions, pilot error or technical
Economic Forum in Davos that
he told the newspaper. peace agreement," Trump added. minutes after the take‑off, the malfunction, according to Tass.
"Jerusalem is off the table" in terms

Protesters tear N. Korean Merkel achieves breakthrough

flags, leader's photos in Seoul in German coalition deal
Berlin: German Chancellor Angela Merkel
North Korea's national flags moved a step closer to forming a coalition
were damaged and in tatters. government with her center‑left rivals, the
Social Democratic Party (SPD), after four
months of political uncertainty.
A spokesperson for the SPD confirmed it
had reached a deal with Merkel's center‑right
Christian Democratic Union (CDU), but
stressed that it would need to be formally
approved by the party's 460,000 members,
reports CNN.
T he announcement represents a huge
breakthrough for Merkel, who has struggled
to form a government since suffering embar‑
rassment in September's election. But the lat‑
est deal means that a return to the so‑called
"grand coalition" between the CDU and SPD,
which has been in power for the last 12 years,
appears to be on the cards.
Such a move will also leave the right‑wing
Alternative for Germany (AfD) party as the
man opposition in the German parliament.
The AfD's anti‑immigration stance proved
hugely popular with voters, winning 12.6 per
cent of the vote, a result described by leading
party figures as a "political earthquake".
Merkel warned both sides needed to make
"painful compromises", adding that she was
ready to do so if they would benefit the coun‑
try, reports Efe news.

Seoul: Conservative activists tore photos of
North Korea's leader Kim Jong‑un and
attempted to burn its national flag in
demonstrations here against Pyongyang's
participation in the PyeongChang Winter
Olympics.
A flurry of demonstrations took place on
the streets as Kim's sister and other high‑
ranking of ficials visited the presidential
of fice and North Korean art troupe
Samjiyon Orchestra arrived in Seoul to per‑
form on Sunday, Yonhap news agency
reported.
Some 800 anti‑North Korean protesters
marched and staged street performances
in front of the Deoksu Palace in central
Seoul, condemning the North Korean
leader and President Moon Jae‑in, who
they regard as too soft on the North.
Photos of Kim Jong‑un and North Korea's
national flags were seen damaged and in
German
tatters. Some were holding up a ripped‑up
Chancellor
"Korean Unification" flag, which was used
Angela
when athletes from South and North Korea Merkel has
made a joint entrance at the opening cere‑ struggled to
mony of the PyeongChang Olympics. form a
Some people tried to burn the North government
Korean national flag, but were contained since
by police. September's
"You are fired. Get out of here Korea," election.
one protester, wearing a mask of US
President Donald Trump, shouted at a pro‑
tester wearing a mask of the South Korean
President.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info BUSINESS February 17-23, 2018 23

Oman Sultan hails Indians' contributions, 8 pacts signed

Muscat: Sultan of Oman Qaboos
Bin Said Al Said voiced his appre‑
ciation for the appreciation of the
Technology must be used
expatriation Indian for their con‑
tributions to his country's devel‑
for development: Modi
Dubai: Technology must be used only for development and raising
opment during a meeting with
the standaFrd of life of the common man and not for destruction,
visiting Indian Prime Minister
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said here.
Narendra Modi here.
Speaking at the World Government Summit, Modi pointed out that
"Sultan Qaboos appreciated the
while poverty and malnutrition have not been wiped out from the
contribution of honest and hard
world, still a large chunk of resources were being diverted towards
working Indian nationals in the
augmenting missiles and other weapon technologies.
development of Oman," Indian
"Technology in itself is devoid of any moral values. That is why
External Af fairs Ministry
humans sometimes make technology a means of destruction. Cyber
spokesperson Raveesh Kumar
crimes are an example of it... We should use technology only for
tweeted following the meeting
development," Modi said.
between the two leaders.
He said it was for governments to ensure that technology was used
Oman is home to over 800,000
for development and raising people's quality of life.
expatriate Indians and Modi, in a
He said his government was focusing on e‑governance and went to
community gathering earlier in Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets the Sultan of Oman, Sultan elaborate that "e" in the term ʻe‑governance' stood for "ef fective,
the day, praised their role in the Qaboos bin Said Al Said, at Bait Al Baraka, in Muscat. (Photo: IANS/PIB) equitable, efficient and empowering" governance.
Gulf country's development.
He said that Indian and Omani close relationship with India. on cooperation in the fields of
Following the meeting between health, outer space, diplomacy is a strategic partner of India in An annexure to an MoU on
authorities are constantly in
Modi and Sultan Qaboos, eight and defence studies and analyses. the Gulf and an important inter‑ defence cooperation was also
touch w ith each other for
agreements were signed between The India‑Oman defence coop‑ locutor at the Gulf Cooperation signed apart from an agreement
addressing grievances of Indians
India and Oman. eration has emerged as a key pil‑ Council (GCC), Arab League and on cooperation in legal and judi‑
in Oman.
These include three memoran‑ lar of the strategic partnership Indian Ocean Rim Association cial cooperation in civil and coop‑
He also praised the Omani
dums of understanding (MoUs) between the two countries. Oman (IORA) fora. eration matters.
royal family for maintaining a

Growth of
India's factory
Auto Expo: Government plans for new policy
output slows
in December
New Delhi: The growth of
India's factory production
slowed in December to 7.1 per
cent from a rise of 8.80 per
cent in November and a 2.4
per cent increase in output
during the corresponding peri‑
od of 2016‑17.
As per the data released by
the Central Statistics Office
(CSO) on Monday, the sequen‑
Maruti Suzuki MD & CEO Kenichi Ayukawa and Senior Ex. Director Sales RS Kalsi at the launch of 3rd generation Swift at the Auto Expo 2018. (right)
tial slowdown in factory out‑ Hyundai Ambassador Shah Rukh Khan and Hyundai Motor India's CEO Y K Koo at the Auto Expo 2018. (Photos: IANS)
put was mainly on account of
New Delhi: The Central govern‑ Geete said. xDrive35i M Sport ‑‑ priced at Rs Start‑up firm Twenty Two
lower production in the manu‑
ment said that it plans to frame a "We also want to make some 94.15 lakh on the second pre‑ Motors launched India's first "AI‑
facturing sector.
new "Automobile Policy" keeping changes in the yardsticks of taxa‑ open day of the Auto Expo 2018. enabled, cloud‑connected scooter"
However, on a year‑on‑year in mind the industry's concerns tion, and all these issues will be According to the company, all ‑‑ FLOW ‑‑ priced at Rs 74,740.
basis, the manufacturing sec‑ and growth needs and also urged included in the new auto policy the three new offerings are avail‑ On the suppliers side, global
tor expanded by a healthy 8.4 companies to shift towards lower after due consultation with all the able at its dealerships as com‑ player MAHLE showcased its new
per cent, while the mining sec‑ emissions on the second pre‑open stakeholders." pletely built‑up units. technologies for "clean air and
tor's output inched‑up by 1.2 day of the 14th edition of the Company‑wise, 21 exhibitors Besides, the rush of unveilings lower emissions".
per cent and the sub‑index of Auto Expo. unveiled over 16 products and and new product introductions, Engineering company, Greaves
In his address at the inaugura‑ launched 8 new offerings on the the second pre‑open day of the Cotton launched two new power‑
electricity generation
t ion of the Auto Expo 2018, second pre‑open days at the India event saw the entry of "Cleveland train solutions for better fuel effi‑
increased by 4.4 per cent.
Union Minister for Heavy Expo Mart located in Greater CycleWerks" which launched two ciency and reduced emissions to
"The General Index for
Industries and Public Sector Noida. bikes. address both the alternate fuel
December 2017 stands at Enterprises Anant Geete said that Automobile major Marut i On the e‑mobility front, Bird and electric vehicle segments.
130.3, which is 7.1 per cent the aim will be to have a growth‑ Suzuki launched the third genera‑ Group and Swedish electric car‑ Tyre major Goodyear show‑
higher as compared to the oriented, industry and consumer tion of its iconic brand ‑‑ Swift ‑‑ maker Uniti announced the com‑ cased its "BHO3" concept tyre
level in December 2016," said friendly policy for the sector. hatchback priced at between Rs mencement of a joint market which it claims can charge elec‑
the CSO report on the "Quick He assured the industry that the 4.99 lakh and Rs 6.96 lakh (ex‑ analysis to bring an af fordable, tric vehicles' battery as it moves.
Estimates" of Index of government will hold consulta‑ showroom Delhi) for the petrol electric city car to the Indian mar‑ The company also showcased a
tions with it before framing the variant. The diesel powered ver‑ ket by 2020 with a price tag spherical‑shaped concept tyre
Industrial Production (IIP) for
new policy. sion starts from Rs 5.99 lakh to starting from Rs 7.14 lakh. "Eagle‑360" for autonomous cars.
December.
"The ministry has decided to Rs 7.96 lakh. The UM Lohia Two Wheelers The day's event was attended
"The cumulative growth for
draft a new automobile policy Luxury automobile manufactur‑ unveiled Renegade Thor which is by renowned personalities like
the period April‑December which will be industry and con‑ er BMW launched the new M3 the world's first electric cruiser Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan,
2017 over the corresponding sumer friendly. We will consult sedan priced at Rs 1.30 crore and with a starting price of Rs 4.9 actress Sonakshi Sinha, former
period of the previous year everyone before framing the poli‑ new M4 Coupe at Rs 1.33 crore. lakh. The company also unveiled Indian Cricket captain
stands at 3.7 per cent." cy, especially the industry associ‑ Further, the company launched the "Renegade Duty S" and the Mohammed Azharudin and crick‑
ations such as SIAM and ACMA," Sports Activity Coupe (SAC) ‑‑ X6 "Renegade Duty Ace". eter Gautam Gambhir.
 24 February 17-23, 2018
Kohli‑led India aim to create history in 5th ODI
Port Elizabeth (South Africa):
Failing to maintain their tri‑
umphant run after a defeat in the
fourth One‑Day International
(ODI), India will aim to clinch
their maiden bilateral 50‑overs
series against the Proteas in
South African conditions in the
fifth encounter here.
India started on the front foot
clinching the first three matches
by comprehensive margins. South
Africa, however, bolstered by
their victory in the last tie will
have an opportunity to end the
six‑match series on an even note.
The recent history which has
seen India losing against the
Proteas in the 50‑over format at
the South African conditions
could change under the flamboy‑
ant captaincy of Virat Kohli.
In 2013‑14, India were out‑
classed by South Africa 0‑2 while
in 2010‑11 the visitors gave a
tough fight but failed to get hold
of the series, losing it by a slen‑
der 2‑3 margin.
Kohli, with 393 runs in the ODI
series so far, which contains two
centuries and identical numbers
Kohli‑Shastri combine could do well with Dravid inputs
By Veturi Srivatsa
R
ahul Dravid is the man
Indian cricket is looking
at to day. Never has a
coach of the junior India team
received so much attention as he
is getting after India won the
Under‑19 World Cup in New
Zealand.
A victorious team will have a lot
to talk about its success just as a
losing team has in trotting out
excuses. That's the dif ference
between the Dravid‑inspired India
juniors and the senior team now
in South Africa.
Dravid can g ive the Indian
cricket board and the senior team
a lot of inputs to prepare for the
tours of England and Australia
later this year and his template
can do a world of good for the
Kohli‑Shastri combine as well as
the national selectors.
Dravid's is not the first India
team to win the junior World Cup,
three other teams, including one
captained by Virat Kohli, had
done it before. The record fourth
triumph at Tauranga was a kind
of tie‑breaker as Australia had
also won the cup thrice before the
two teams met in the final.
T he Indian cricket board,
throug h its Cricket Advisory
Committee comprising Sachin
Tendulkar, Saurav Ganguly and
Vang ipurappu Venkata Sai
Laxman, was willing to meet all
the demands of Dravid for taking
Indian team celebrates during the 4th ODI match between India and
South Africa at the Wanderers Cricket Ground in Johannesburg.
(Photo: BCCI/IANS)
of unbeaten knocks, has led India
from the front to heap trouble on
the already depleted hosts.
Alongside the skipper, opener
Shikhar Dhawan has looked in
India's Under‑19 Cricket team Captain Prithvi Shaw and coach Rahul Dravid.
over as the national coach. He
was the first choice, not Anil
Kumble.
Dravid re jected the of fer.
Instead, he chose to mentor India
A and Under‑19 teams, and that
on his own terms. Many were sur‑
prised at his decision, but he had
a clear idea what exactly he want‑
ed to do, he was looking to do
something truly constructive.
Also, perhaps, he did not want to
coach a team which had players
SPORTS
fine nick throughout the series
and will be the key to give India a
dominant total on board in the
encounter on Tuesday.
There is also a strong possibili‑
with whom he had shared the
India dressing room.
Dravid's hunch was proved cor‑
rect, looking at the way his friend
and teammate Anil Kumble was
appointed and "sacked" to bring
back his predecessor Ravi Shastri
with the captain and a couple of
senior players playing a part in
the swapping. Only a couple of
India captains had not only their
say but also their way.
Dravid may not have had the
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
4th ODI: Proteas beat
India in nail‑biting finish
Johannesburg: South Africa
survived a nail‑biting finish to
edge out India by five wickets
in a rain‑curtailed fourth One‑
Day International (ODI) here.
India, who had won the first
three ODIs, now have a 3‑1 lead
in the six‑match series.
Electing to bat first, India
rode on opener Shikhar
Dhawan's 13th ODI century to
post 289/7 in their 50 overs.
Dhawan scored 109 runs off
105 balls, and shared a 158‑
run stand with skipper Virat
ty of Kohli dropping opener Rohit
Sharma, who has failed to get
going in the series, scoring mere‑
ly 40 runs in the four matches.
The skipper in that case, might
fall in the trouble of selecting
from plenty amongst Dinesh
Karthik, Manish Pandey or Kedar
Jadhav.
kind of free hand he has as
national junior coach if he had
been manning the seniors. He
insisted on a longish camp before
the boys left and landed in New
Zealand two weeks before the
event started.
Even the usually tight‑fisted
board did not have the courage to
question him. The whole exercise
cost quite a bit and at the end of it
all it was money well spent. Quite
in contrast, the senior team did
Kohli who scored 75.
The match was interrupted by
rain and inclement weather on
more than one occasion which
saw the target being reduced to
202 runs off 28 overs for South
Africa. The Indian bowlers
dominated South African bats‑
men in the initial stages.
With their top four batsmen
back in the pavilion by the 17th
over with just 102 runs on the
board, the Proteas seemed to
have lost their way and headed
for certain defeat.
Equally we ll complimented
bowling department, led by the
wrist spinning pair of Kuldeep
Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal,
who have been dif ficult to be
picked up by South Africa
throughout the series, will con‑
tinue to be the lethal weapons for
India.
not think or fight for such an
e laborate plan be fore they
embarked on their tour to South
Africa. They hardly had the time
for acclimatisation or could study
the pitches before going into the
first Test and the result is there
for all to see, more so the way
they lost the series straig ht,
before fighting back to win the
third and last Test, leaving them
to rue their poor planning.
Dravid is not looking after only
the juniors, he, in fact, keeps an
eye on the requirements of the
senior side. He quietly puts in a
word to chief selector Mannava
Sri Kanth Prasad on the juniors
ready to join senior ranks, or at
least a shot at.
T he chie f se lector publicly
acknowledged the timely advice
of Dravid in the selection of the
two wrist spinners Kuldeep Yadav
and Yazuvendra Chahal, and top‑
order batsman Shreyas Iyer on
the strength of their showing for
India A.
Dravid is not easily forthcom‑
ing, yet he doesn't avoid any ques‑
tion. Of all India captains in the
last couple of decades, he is one
who took pains to answer every
question without getting irritated
or putting the questioner down.
He would be the first one to
accept the team's faults and also
his own. He gave up captaincy
and did what he knew best, bat‑
ting for the remainder of his
career.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info PYEONGCHANG WINTER OLYMPICS February 17-23, 2018 25

IOC hails two Koreas' handshakes American Gerard

at opening ceremony
Pyeongchang (South Korea): The
International Olympic Committee
(IOC) said that representatives of
the two Koreas shaking hands at
the opening ceremony of the
PyeongChang Winter Olympics
was a "historic moment."
South Korean President Moon
Jae‑in was spotted shaking hands
with Kim Yo‑jong, younger sister
of the North Korean leader Kim
Jong‑un, and Kim Yong‑nam,
North Korea's ceremonial head of
state, after he arrived in the VIP
sitt ing area at the Olympic
Stadium in PyeongChang, 180
kilometers of east of Seoul, for the
opening ceremony of the 23rd
Winter Games, reported Yonhap
news agency.
"It was a historic moment," IOC
spokesman Mark Adams said dur‑
ing a press conference in
PyeongChang. "T he Olympic
Games are about sports, but yes‑
terday was a great symbol and
great indications of maybe how
things can be."
The IOC has been working to
arrange North Korea's participa‑
t ion in the PyeongChang
South Korean President Moon Jae‑in raises a toast with Kim Yong‑nam
(left), North Korea's ceremonial head of state, during a reception at
PyeongChang. (Yonhap/IANS)
Olympics, the first Winter Games
in South Korea. T he IOC also
allowed the South and the North
to have a joint march at the open‑
ing ceremony under the Korean
Unification Flag.
Although Adams emphasized
the Olympic Games are not for
politics, he said the opening cere‑
mony for the PyeongChang 2018
had symbolic moments, adding
that the ceremony itse lf was
"spectacular" to watch.
"I don't think the Olympic
Games, or the IOC, or the Olympic
Movement would think they can
solve the problems of the world in
an opening ceremony," he said.
"But the Olympic Games are
symbol of how things might be in
the world if people who compete
can get together and build bridges
together. So, it was a g reat
moment," he added.
second youngest men's
gold medalist
PyeongChang: American
Redmond Gerard became the sec‑
ond youngest gold medalist in an
individual men's event at the
Winter Olympics by winning the
snowboard slopestyle champion
at the Phoenix Snow Park here.
Toni Nieminen of Finland is the
youngest men's gold medalist,
who won the individual large hill
event in ski jumping in 1992 at
the age of 16.
Gerard, 17, convinced the jury
with his unconventional choice of
route in the slopestyle final and
got 87.16 points to win
America's first gold here, reports
Xinhua news agency.
"It was awesome. I just told Redmond Gerard celebrates
myself that I want to land a run after winning the gold medal
and I was a little bummed on my for Men's snowboard slopestyle
first two runs because I fell a at PyeongChang.
(Xinhua/Fei Maohua/IANS)
couple of times," Gerard said.
"I'm just so happy that it all the Olympics schedule in 2014.
worked out." "It feels incredible. I'm just real‑
Gerard preserved the American ly happy that I got to land a run
streak of winning gold in and I'm just really excited right
slopestyle, which was added to now," Gerard added.

Winter Olympics: Shiva

finishes 30th in men's luge
PyeongChang: Shiva Keshavan of India finished at
US snowboard sensation wins
women's halfpipe gold
the 30th spot in the Singles Run 3 of the Men's
Luge event at the Winter Olympics here.
Shiva, who had finished 36th in the earlier
round, thus brought the curtains down on a
remarkable career which saw him qualify for six Pyeongchang: United States' snowboard
consecutive Winter Olympics. sensation Chloe Kim stormed to victory
He had earlier announced that this will be his in the women's halfpipe at the
last Olympic appearance. The Indian registered a PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games
time of 48.9 seconds on Sunday, which was 1.396 here.
seconds slower than Chris Mazder of the US who Kim, born to South Korean immigrants
finished first in Run 3. Mazder recorded 47.534 in the United States, won her first
seconds while two‑time champion Felix Loch of Olympic gold medal at Phoenix Snow
Germany came in second with a time of 47.56 Park, with the top score of 98.25 points,
seconds. Dominik Fischnaller of Italy was third reports Yonhap news agency.
with 47.562 seconds. There are three runs in the final round,
and each competitor's best score deter‑
Fourcade makes biathlon history mines the final standings. Kim had 93.75
points from her first run and 41.50
Pyoengchang: Martin Fourcade of France became
points from her second run.
the first biathlete to successfully defend Winter
With her victory, Kim is now the first
Olympic title as he won the 12.5 km event at the
woman to w in a medal at both the
Alpensia Biathlon Centre here.
Olympic Winter Games and Winter
The 29‑year‑old Frenchman, who won in Sochi
Youth Olympic Games in snowboard. The
four years ago, clocked 32 minutes and 51.7 sec‑
17‑year‑old also became the youngest
onds to take the gold, beat ing Se bast ian
American woman to win an Olympic gold
Samuelsson of Sweden to second place in 33:03.7,
medal in a snowboard event.
reports Xinhua news agency. Benedikt Doll of
Making her Winter Games debut, Kim
Germany took the bronze in 33:06.8. Norway's
was dominant from the qualifying round
Johannes Thingnes Bo finished fourth having
on Monday. She was the only one among From left, silver medalist China's Liu Jiayu, gold medalist Chloe Kim from the US and
started in 31st place, one minute and 13 seconds
24 contestants to score more than 90 bronze medalist Arielle Gold, also from the US, in PyeongChang.
back. Fourcade said: "I'm very satisfied... The
points in both qualifying runs. In the (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai/IANS)
sprint race was the one I wanted to win. It was the
finals, she was also the only rider among
one that I have never won at the Olympics." The
12 competitors to top the 90‑point mark. brate tonight. When I go home back to She was followed by Arielle Gold of the
six‑time biathlon world cup winner said: "For me,
"When I landed and realized that I've the US, probably my mom would throw a U.S. with 85.75 points.
the finish line today was on the shooting range on
won the first (gold medal), words that little party for family and friends." Kelly Clark of the US took fourth place
the last shoot and I am so satisfied that I shot
came into my mind were mom, dad and Liu Jiayu took silver with 89.75 points, with 83.50 points. She was looking to
clean because I spent so much energy on shooting
family," she said. becoming the first Chinese athlete to win become the first snowboarder to win a
to achieve this kind of beautiful shooting.
"I don't know how I'm going to cele‑ a medal in an Olympic snowboard event. medal at four Winter Games.
 26 February 17-23, 2018 SCI-TECH TheSouthAsianTimes.info

SpaceX launches world's Super wood could replace steel

most powerful rocket in cars, airplanes
Washington: SpaceX last years," Musk told
Tuesday launched the reporters during a New York: Researchers have found a way complete densification of the natural
world's most powerful media call. to make wood so strong that it could wood with highly aligned cellulose
operational rocket into The tech billionaire replace steel in any application, including nanofibres.
space in a much‑hyped has repeatedly played in cars and airplanes. "This strategy is shown to be universal‑
demonstration mission down expectations for The researchers believe that the new ly effective for various species of wood,"
deemed to have the poten‑ the launch, saying that process, detailed in the journal Nature, the study said.
tial to bring a revolution the mission might end could make wood stronger than even The team measured the dense wood's
in the space industry. in explosion. many titanium alloys. mechanical properties and found it to be
The Falcon Heavy blast‑ "This is a test mission "This new way to treat wood makes it both strong and tough.
ed off from Florida's as I said there's so 12 times stronger than natural wood and "It is as strong as steel, but six times
Kennedy Space Center at much that can go 10 times tougher," said lead researcher lighter. It takes 10 times more energy to
3:45 p.m. EST (2145 wrong, so we don't Liangbing Hu, Associate Professor at fracture than natural wood. It can even be
GMT), carrying something want to set expecta‑ University of Maryland in the US. bent and molded at the beginning of the
just for fun: a red Tesla tions of perfection," he "This kind of wood could be used in process," said Teng Li, Associate
Roadster belonging to said. cars, airplanes, buildings ‑‑ any applica‑ Professor at University of Maryland.
SpaceX and Tesla founder "I would consider it a tion where steel is used," Hu said. The team also tested the new wood
Elon Musk, Xinhua report‑ win if it just clears the The new wood treatment process material and natural wood by shooting
ed. Eventually, the rocket's pad and doesn't blow involves two steps. The first step involves bullet‑like projectiles at it. The projectile
second stage will try to the pad to partial removal of lignin ‑‑ the glue blew straight through the natural wood.
place the Roadster, play‑ smithereens." between wood cells ‑‑ and hemicellulose The fully treated wood stopped the pro‑
ing David Bowie's Space But so far everything (which increases the packing density of jectile partway through, the study said.
Oddity, into a Mars‑adja‑ A SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket lifts off has gone as planned, the cell wall) from the natural wood via a "Soft woods like pine or balsa, which
cent orbit. from Florida's Kennedy Space Center with the rocket's two boiling process in an aqueous mixture of grow fast and are more environmentally
"We estimate it'll be in on Feb. 6, 2018. side boosters landing sodium hydroxide and sodium sulphite. friendly, could replace slower‑growing
that orbit for several hundred million simultaneously back on ground about This is followed by hot‑pressing, leading but denser woods like teak in furniture or
years, maybe even in excess of a billion eight minutes after liftoff. to the total collapse of cell walls and the buildings," Hu said.

Can meditation make All PMs contributed in

us better individuals? promoting science, tech: Pranab
London: Disputing popular
claims that meditation can
change how people behave
towards others and make them
more compassionate, new
research suggests this is not the
case.
Meditation plays no signifi‑
cant role in reducing aggression
or prejudice or improving how
socially‑connected someone is,
said the study published in the
journal Scientific Reports.
“The popularization of medita‑
tion techniques, like mindful‑
ness, despite being taught with‑
out religious beliefs, still seem
to offer the hope of a better self
and a better world to many,”
said Miguel Farias from
Coventry University in England.
“We wanted to investigate how
powerful these techniques were
in affecting oneʼs feelings and
behaviors towards others,”
Farias said.
The researchers reviewed
more than 20 studies that inves‑
tigated the effect of various
types of meditation, such as
mindfulness and loving‑kind‑
ness, on pro‑social feelings and
behaviors. Initial analysis indi‑
cated that meditation did have
an overall positive impact.
The researchers said medita‑
tion made people feel moderate‑
ly more compassionate or
empathic, compared to if they
had done no other new emo‑
tionally‑engaging activity.
However, further analysis
revealed that meditation actual‑
ly played no significant role in
reducing aggression or improv‑
ing how socially‑connected
someone was. The most unex‑
pected result of this study was
that the more positive results
found for compassion had
important methodological flaws
– compassion levels in some
studies only increased if the
meditation teacher was also an
author of the published report.
Overall, these results suggest
that the moderate improve‑
ments reported by psycholo‑
gists in previous studies may be
the result of methodological
weaknesses and biases, said the
researchers. Their research only
included studies where medita‑
tors were compared to other
individuals that did not medi‑
tate.
All these studies used medita‑
tion techniques derived from
Buddhism, such as mindfulness
and loving‑kindness meditation,
but not other related activities,
like yoga or Tai‑Chi. “None of
this, of course, invalidates
Buddhism or other religionsʼ
claims about the moral value
and eventually life changing
potential of its beliefs and
practices. But our research find‑
ings are a far cry from many
popular claims made by medita‑
tors and some psychologists,”
Farias said.
New Delhi: Former President
Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday
said that almost all the Prime
Ministers have had their contribu‑
tion in promoting science and
technology in the country.
He particularly highlighted the
roles of Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira
Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and
Manmohan Singh in particular in
advancing penetration of technol‑
ogy in the common people's lives.
"From the very beginning of our
nation building, our leaders have
emphasized on the role of science
and technology," Mukherjee said
at a book release event at Nehru
Memorial Museum and Library
(NMML) here.
"Pt Jawaharlal Nehru through‑
Indiaʼs former President,
Pranab Mukherjee
out his life, not only just as the
Prime Minister, but his whole life, emphasized on cre‑
ating scientific temperament among the common peo‑
ple," Mukherjee said while releasing the book "A
Contribution in Time ‑ India's Electronics Revolution"
by former Union Minister M.M.
Pallam Raju and his brother
Anand Mallipudi on the life of
their father and Indiaʼs first
Electronics Minister, M.S. Sanjeevi
Rao.
He said that the earliest leaders'
emphasis on higher quality educa‑
tion in science has led to the
establishment of IITs, NITs and
scores of IISCs.
Mukherjee recalled how Nehru
established the Atomic Energy
Commission and it helped India
become a nuclear power today.
He said that when Rajiv Gandhi
talked of easy communication
through latest technology, many
people did not believe him.
However, the success India sub‑
sequently achieved in mobile
phone density is "simply mind boggling".
Mukherjee said that for development in a vast coun‑
try like India, application of science and technology is
required.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info IMMIGRATION February 17-23, 2018 27

L-1 visa for businesses sending employees to US

By Michael Phulwani, Esq.
& Dev B. Viswanath, Esq. Do you want to transfer an employee or open up a subsidiary in America? An intercompany transferee!

A TALK
n L‑1 visa is a nonimmigrant
visa available for foreign
individuals who have
worked out of the country before
working in the United States, for a
parent, sister, or affiliated company
where at least 51% of the owner‑
ship is the same. The foreign indi‑
vidual must have been employed as
a manager, executive, or specialized
knowledge employee of a foreign
affiliate of a U.S. company, and who
will be transferred to the U.S. affili‑
ate job site to work in a similar posi‑
tion.
The L‑1A nonimmigrant visa
allows a U.S. employer to transfer
an executive or manager from an
affiliated foreign office to an office
in the U.S. The L‑1B nonimmigrant
visa allows a U.S. employer to trans‑
fer a professional employee with
specialized knowledge relating to
the companyʼs interests from an
affiliated foreign office to an office
in the U.S. If the foreign company
does not have a U.S. office estab‑
lished, then the foreign company
can send an executive, manager, or
specialized knowledge employee to
the U.S. to establish an office.
To qualify for L‑1 classification
the employer must have a qualify‑
ing relationship with a foreign com‑
pany and currently be, or will be,
doing business as an employer in
the U.S. and in at least one other
foreign country for the length of
time that the employee will stay in
the U.S. as an L‑1 visa holder. Doing
business is defined as the regular,
systematic, and continuous running
of goods and/or services by a quali‑
fying organization. A qualifying
organization would include a parent
company, branch, subsidiary, or
affiliate of the overseas company.
To qualify for an L‑1 visa the
employee must have been working
for a qualifying organization abroad
for one continuous year out of the
three years immediately prior the
employeeʼs admission to the U.S.
and the employee must be looking
to enter the U.S. to provide service
in an executive, managerial, or spe‑
cialized knowledge capacity for a
branch of the same employer or one
of its qualifying organizations.
Executive capacity is defined as an
employee who has the ability to
make decisions of wide latitude
with minimum supervision.
Managerial capacity is defined as
the ability of an employee to super‑
vise and control the work of profes‑
sional employees and to manage
the organization, or a department,
subdivision, function, or component
of the organization. An employee in
a managerial position may also
manage an important function of
the organization at a high level
without being supervised. An
employee with specialized knowl‑
edge is one who retains special
knowledge of the petitioning orga‑
nizationʼs products, services,
research, equipment, techniques,
management, or other interests and
its application in international mar‑
kets, or it is an employee with an
advanced level of knowledge or
expertise in the organizationʼs
processes and procedures.
If a foreign employer wants to
send an employee with specialized
knowledge to the U.S. to be
employed in a qualifying new office,
the employer needs to show that
they secured enough physical space
to hold the new office and show
that they have the financial ability
to pay the employee to begin doing
business in the United States. For an
L‑1 visa employee entering the U.S.
in order to establish a new office
the maximum initial period of stay
is one year. For all other L‑1 visa
holders the maximum initial period
of stay is three years. An L‑1A visa
holder employee may request an tion. Once the blanket petition has
extension of stay for an additional been approved, the employer needs
two years until the maximum stay to only complete a Form I‑129S,
of seven years is reached. An L‑1B Nonimmigrant Petition Based on
visa holder employee may request Blanket L Petition, and send it to
an extension of stay for an addition‑ the employee with a copy of the
al two years until the maximum blanket petition approval notice
stay of five years is reached. Any and other required evidence. When
dependents of L‑1 visa holders, applying for a visa at a consular
spouse and children under the age post, the employee will need to
of 21, may be eligible for an L‑2 present the approval notice to a
visa. An L‑2 visa holder may usually consular officer with an application
stay in the U.S. as long as the L‑1 for an L‑1 visa.
visa holder maintains lawful status. The L1A and L1B visas are a won‑
Spouses with an L‑2 visa may also derful tool to have for businesses
apply for employment. that are expanding in the US or are
A blanket L visa petition allows in need of resources to handle
certain companies to establish the workload in the US from time to
required intracompany relationship time that require highly specific
before filing an individual L‑1 peti‑ knowledge.
Dev Banad Viswanath is the Principal
Attorney of The Banad Law Offices PC in the
United States, and Banad Immigration in
India for which Attorney Michael Phulwani is
also affiliated as Of Counsel. With Offices in
Manhattan, Queens, Bangalore, and Mumbai,
the firm is able to assist clients with all facets
of the immigration process, including
Employment Visas, Consular Visa Assistance,
Student Visas, Removal & Deportation, US
Citizenship and Green Card Applications
based on Family or Employment. Dev B.
Viswanath can be reached at
Dev@Banadlaw.com and 718‑361‑5999.

Mumbai: A large number of

INDIANS OPTING FOR

Indians are queuing up to invest At present, under the
in businesses in the US through EB-5, an Indian is
the EB‑5 Investor Visa which
required to invest
EB‑5 VISA THAT ASSURES
assures migration with a quicker
eligibility for acquiring the Green $500,000 (Rs 3.2
Card. In the past four years or so,
crore) for self, spouse,

the number of high net worth
individuals, corporate executives
and businessmen opting for the
EB‑5 visas has nearly tripled, with
over 350 applications in 2016. A
prominent expert and MD of US
Freedom Capital, David
Gunderson, says though the 2017
figures are awaited, EB5 ̶ also
known as the "golden visa" ̶ is
gaining popularity due to "tight‑
ening of other visa categories, a
more transparent EB‑5 process
and more Indian HNIs showing
appetite for a global footprint".
At present, under the EB‑5, an
Indian is required to invest
$500,000 (Rs 3.2 crore) for self,
spouse, and any number of
unmarried children, he said.
According to latest reports from
the US, the Trump Administration
plans to hike this amount to
$920,000 per applicant in the
regular category. "There is no
minimum education or income
requirements, except to prove
that the investment amount is
legitimately earned from busi‑
ness, profession, inheritance, gift
or even a loan against collateral,"
GREEN CARD
Gunderson told IANS in a chat
recently. Among various invest‑
ment options, the US Freedom
Capital has introduced the EB‑5
FD+Green Card scheme for $1
million that offers an 8% return
̶ against the industry standard
of 0.5 per cent for the five‑year
investment period. "We intend to
provide higher targeted returns
than an Indian fixed deposit,
which will allow the investors get
Green Cards for self‑and‑family
plus an attractive return on
investment," Gunderson said.
He said Freedom Capital's pro‑
posal is virtually tailor‑made for
Indians who prefer smaller proj‑
ects with low risks but high
yields. "The eight per cent returns
are not guaranteed since we fol‑
low the Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC) guidelines. But
US Freedom Capital usually offers
higher yield returns, a carefully
structured risk mitigation with
our strong team of professional
experts modifying the structure of
conventional investments to qual‑
ify for the EB‑5 Investor Visas
benefits," Gunderson explained.
The investments under this
(FD+Green Card) are made in core
real estate projects, parallel to the
investments in US Freedom
Capital Funds, with jobs created
to fulfill the EB‑5 Visa require‑
ments, while current yield and
risk mitigation are generated
through investments in existing
cash flow properties. "Though we
have clearly stated 8% returns are
not guaranteed, the risk profile of
FD+Green Card investment is
designed to be lower than any
pure EB‑5 visa investments via
the realty sector," he said.
Elaborating, Gunderson said US
Immigration permits only invest‑
ments that are risky to qualify for
EB‑5 visa, but rewards them with
a Green Card for their capital and
creating at least 10 new jobs. So,
the EB‑5 applicants must select
investments carefully as all are
not filed with SEC and bad proj‑
ects may escape scrutiny, he cau‑
tioned. He said US Freedom
Capital offers investments under
the supervision of SEC by princi‑
pals with US investment banking
and investment management
licenses. It has several small‑scale
projects in the residential, health
and education sectors in the
range of $8‑10 million, which
materialize within three years,
with a limited, three to 30 EB‑5,
investors who can get their capi‑
tal back at the end of five years.
The company has already deliv‑
and any number of
unmarried children
ered 90 percent of its projects
and the investors will get back
their capital, unlike big projects
where they must wait to be repaid
as there could be 100 to 2,500
EB‑5 investors tied in a single
project, Gunderson said.
After getting the EB‑5, the appli‑
cant is free to live and work any‑
where in the US ‑‑ like any other
US national ‑‑ while the Green
Card is processed, currently aver‑
aging at almost two years,
depending on volumes. With a
100 percent approval rate to its
credit, the US Freedom Capital
also helps investors and their
families with introductions and
assistance for their relocation to
the US, right from tax planning to
getting a cable connection.
Currently, India ranks third
after China and Vietnam in terms
of investors under the EB‑5 Visas,
with China cornering a lion's
share of around 85 percent of all
applicants.
28 February 17-23, 2018 HUMOR TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Funny Side by Nury Vittachi

The lottery winner who

dropped dead and other
thought‑provoking tales

BEST
RATE
FOR Donald Savastano succumbed to stage four cancer weeks after
INDIA he won $1M in lottery (Image courtesy: foxnews.com)

I
refuse to buy lottery tickets on principle.
AND But I still reserve the right to feel cheated
when someone else wins. (Hey, you want
PAKISTAN logic? Buy a calculator.)
Mind you, if I ever did win some big jack‑
pot, I wouldn't change: I'd still be a bit of an
annoying jerk, but I'd be one from my Learjet.
New York Head Quarter
Lotteries are on my mind after listening to a
422‑S Broadway shy but irritatingly nice reader whom I shall
HICKSVILLE call Mr. Goody. He believes that a recent spate
of news reports about lottery winners contain
NY 11801 A Message To Humanity. True story: A man
516‑827‑1010 who won a fortune on a lottery spent some of
it on a medical check‑up. The doctor congrat‑
ulated him on his winnings ‑‑ and told him he
had only a few weeks to live. The winner went
home, hugged his family members and died.
That sounds like an urban legend, but it's a
news report about a New York guy named
Donald Savastano. His funeral was a few days
ago. "It's impossible not to see a lesson there
about what's really important in life, right,"
said Mr. Goody. "Not money or length of days,
but love, right?"
I reserved judgment, but he forwarded me
another story, also from last month. A woman
named Oksana Zaharov, 46, tried to buy a $1
lottery ticket but was mistakenly given a $10
ticket. Not wanting to inconvenience the shop
staffer, she paid the higher price ‑‑ and won a
fortune. "See how the Universe rewarded her
for being nice," Mr. Goody asked.
I asked contacts for comments. A Delhi cor‑
respondent forwarded me a 2016 story about
a young labourer from West Bengal who man‑
aged to find a day's work in South India and
spent some of his earnings to help a disabled
lottery ticket salesman. His ticket turned out
to be so valuable that he raced to the police

Laughter is the Best Medicine

station in Kerala and refused to come out for
two days.
My Indonesian correspondent was more
skeptical. "Lotteries give you a one in 100
million chance of not going to work tomor‑
row. A night out with your buddies gives you
By Mahendra a one in four chance of not going to work
Shah tomorrow," he said.
Good point. Still. I know people say that
they'd quit their jobs if they won the lottery,
Mahendra Shah is
but surely it would be WAY more fun to stay
an architect by
at work and misbehave all the time?
education,
A colleague known for his skepticism
entrepreneur by
sneered at my choice of topic. "More than
profession,
99.999 per cent of lottery transactions are
artist and
worthless bits of paper being exchanged for
humorist, actual money," he said. "Buyers get nothing
cartoonist and but the questionable 'joy' of playing the game
writer by hobby. and choosing their own numbers."
He has been Right on cue, a company called Jackpot
recording the Dotcom sent a press release saying it has set
plight of the up a subscription service. Lottery firms get
] immigrant buyers' cash automatically every month, and
Indians for the buyers don't even get the pleasure of playing
past many years the game and choosing their own numbers.
in his cartoons. I'd never sign up for something so idiotic. (But
Hailing from I'll still feel cheated to read about the win‑
Gujarat, he lives ners.) I'll give the last word to Mr. Goody,
in Pittsburgh, whom I secretly like: "I always wanted to win
Pennsylvania. the lottery but one day I looked around at my
beautiful family and realized that I already
had." Awww.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
By Dr Prem Kumar Sharma
FEBRUARY 17‑23, 2018
ARIES: There is someone who
can help you out in your present
situation, so donʼt hesitate to
approach. You can remain indecisive
over an issue. Giving something on
credit may be risky for those engaged
in retail business. You may not be in
the right frame of mind to tackle
someone's personal problems. Spouse
may get cross with you for not looking
after your health. Sprinkle some
romance in your relationship to make
your marital boat cruise smoothly.
TAURUS: Take all aspects into
account be fore init iat ing
something at work. Vacation
beckons those who look forward to
having a good time. You can remain
in a state of confusion on the work
front, so speak less and listen more.
Demands of a family member can get
you worked up, but they will be real‑
istic. You are likely to earn someoneʼs
goodwill this week. Romantic mood
may wane as you get busy with other
priorities. Take adequate rest for
rejuvenation.
GEMINI: You may need to keep
a senior posted regarding the
developments taking place at
work. Those separated from lover are
likely to be united soon. Travelling on
a vacation with family is foretold.
Ef forts will be required at work to
achieve your objective. Someone not
showing up at work can burden you
with additional tasks. Take time to
steady yourself on the financial front.
Donʼt overdo the workout bit as you
can burn yourself out.
CANCER: You may have to
keep your wits about in the
current situation facing you.
Those with a lot of time on their
hands are likely to use them construc‑
tively. Professional matters will be
dealt in an efficient manner. You pos‑
sess an air of authority which you are
likely to bring into good use. Spouseʼs
ideas of doing up the home front will
get your support. Preoccupation with
current issues may keep romance on
the backburner.
LEO: You may have to take a
fresh approach to tackle an old
problem. Prospects of making
it big on the professional front look
bright. Young couples are likely to
achieve a good understanding with
each other. Your charm & wit will
attract someone from the opposite
camp. A job on the side is likely for
some & will help in filling up the cof‑
fers. Business persons are likely to
seal a lucrative deal. Remain regular
in workouts.
VIRGO: Stars seem favourable
on both personal and profes‑
sional fronts. You will be able
to cover up the delay in completion
of a job. An overbearing person may
need to be put in place, but do so tact‑
fully. Moodiness of lover threatens to
spoil a romant ic evening out.
Digestive problem may trouble some,
but not for long. Those in financial
doldrums may need to do something
about it urgently.
LIBRA: You will need to get
better acquainted with some‑
one to be able to appreciate
his or her point of view. A routine job
is likely to keep you engrossed on the
work front. Some of you can end up
spending more than you have catered
for. Despite temptations, you are like‑
ly to avoid excesses on the culinary
front. Petty domestic issues may keep
you off mood on the social front. You
may commence a fitness routine.
SCORPIO: You may have to jug‑
gle multiple tasks this week.
Things look up on the business
front. Wise investments promise to
bring handsome dividends. Someone
of the opposite gender is likely to feel
attracted towards you. A journey to a
distant land will be both comfortable
and educative. Self‑discipline will find
you in the prime of health.
Domineering nature of spouse may
be upsetting. Let your prosperity rub
on your subordinates too.
SAGITTARIUS: Someone faced
with a medical problem shows
signs of improvement. Your
power of convincing is likely to win
all opposition. Things look up on the
monetary front as you enhance your
earning. You can waste a lot of pro‑
ductive time in organising things on
the domestic front. Your love life can
do with some excitement. Friends can
invite you for a long drive or an
overnight stay.
CAPRICORN: Getting some‑
thing important done may be
on your mind this week. You
are likely to enjoy your heart out on
the last day of the week. Gaining pop‑
ularity on the social front is likely for
those who make it a point to remain
in touch. A romantic evening is on the
cards for some. Something good is
likely to come out of the initiative
taken by you at work. You will man‑
age to earn a handsome amount
through your talents.
AQUARIUS: Keep a tab on the
progress, lest you lag behind.
You will succeed in enhanc‑
ing your earning. Money may not be
as important as finding and retaining
skilled personnel to further your pro‑
fessional aims.
Those in retail business can get bene‑
fited by word of mouth publicity of
existing clients. Attending a function
can pave the way for long‑term
romance. Your inputs may be sought
on some issue. Donʼt share a vehicle
with others if you want to travel com‑
fortably.
PISCES: You may fee l like
spending time with a loved
one. Business looks up for
retailers with the increase in footfalls.
You w ill get the opportunity to
resolve all old issues at work.
Brimming cof fers will motivate you
to invest in new ventures. Your help
to someone on the family front is
likely to be fully reciprocated. Those
ailing are likely to make a miraculous
recovery. A long journey will be inter‑
esting, but a bit tiring.
ASTROLOGY
Chandigarh, India: +91-172- 256 2832, 257 2874
Delhi, India: +91-11- 2644 9898, 2648 9899
psharma@premastrologer.com; www.premastrologer.com
ANNUAL PREDICTIONS: FOR THOSE BORN IN THIS WEEK
17th February, 2018
Traits in you: Your ruling planet the
Saturn makes you highly dynamic, hard‑
working, courageous, trustworthy, reli‑
able, courteous and friendly. You are
very much inclined to music and litera‑
ture. You should work on your impa‑
tience. You need to enhance your con‑
structive ideas as well.
Health this year: You will enjoy a pret‑
ty good health this year. You need to take
care of the health of your family mem‑
bers. You need to take extra care of your
health if you are having some chronic
diseases. You may go for domestic
healthcare instead of allopathic medi‑
cines as it will give better results for your
ailments & save your money as well.
Finance this year: You may try your
entrepreneurship skills this year and
you will be successful unexpectedly. You
will be able to get many projects, which
you help you establish as a good busi‑
nessperson. You should go for invest‑
ments in real estate and stock market.
Career this year: Your professional
ability and skills will take you to new
heights. You will be admired by your
peers and seniors for your high produc‑
tivity. You should help others at office
as it will be considered as a positive
pointer during your appraisal.
Romance this year: Your relationship
with your partner or beloved will be
strengthened as day passes. You may
decide to get married this year if you
are in a long term relationship.
18th February, 2018
Traits in you: Being governed by the
planet Mars, you are adventurous, sensi‑
tive, courageous, emotional, hard work‑
ing, charismatic and punctual. You are
full of enthusiasm and ambitions. You
should try and avoid your shyness and
stubbornness.
Health this year: Your health may
remain disturbed throughout the year
because of some minor ailments. If you
do not take proper care of your health
you may end up spending a lot of money
for your treatment. You should take pre‑
ventive actions to avoid health issues.
Finance this year: As far as finance is
concerned, you will be earning a lot of
money. You will be assigned to new
projects and those will be highly yield‑
ing for you. You will gain enough profits
from your past investments. Your
improved financial status may bring you
lot of happiness and joy later this year.
Career this year: If you are a working
professional, you may face various pro‑
fession related problems this year. You
need to handle all the issues diplomati‑
cally else you may lose your job. You
may create wonder in the creativity field
if you are a writer, singer or actor.
Romance this year: This is a quite
good year for women when romance is
concerned. You will enjoy a very strong
relationship with your spouse. You may
decide to get married towards the end
of the year.
19th February, 2018
Traits in you: As you are ruled by the
powerful Sun, you are dynamic, confi‑
dent, intelligent, unique, daring, and
very helpful. You are the master of a
strong willpower, which helps you stay
ahead of others. However, you need t
work on your nature of being introvert,
careless, and fickle‑minded.
Health this year: Your health would
not cause much worries for you this
year. However, the health of your family
member s may require extra care.
Provide your parents with proper med‑
ication as they may fall sick often due to
old age. You may start taking a balanced
diet. You should stop consuming alcohol
and smoking cigarettes for the better‑
ment of your health.
Finance this year: Your financial con‑
February 17-23, 2018
ditions will be very good this year as
you will be working hard to reach your
goal. Your past property dispute will get
solved and it will earn you a lot of
money. If you are into business, you
may go for new ventures as those seem
to be very profitable this year.
Career this year: You need to work
hard to prove yourself in your profes‑
sion. Do not take up minor issues to an
escalation. Try and brush up you knowl‑
edge and skills to perform more ef fi‑
ciently. You may go for a job change
during the last months of the year.
Romance this year: Your relationship
with your spouse will get filled with
more romance as day progresses. You
will find enough support from your
partner in every crucial situation. If you
have not married yet, this is the best
time to tie knots.
20th February, 2018
Traits in you: As you are influenced
by the Moon, you are confident, emo‑
tional, imaginative, simple, creative,
courteous, and warm hearted. You can
easily make friends because of your
nature so you enjoy enormous respect
amongst your friends. You should con‑
trol your mood swings and you should
not be lazy.
Health this year: As far as your health
is concerned this year, you may fre‑
quently fall sick. You need to undergo
regular medical checkups and take your
prescribed medicines on time. Join a
gym and try practicing meditation to
retain your fitness.
Finance this year: You would not be
able to save any money for future this
year as your earnings will be spent for
something or the other. You may face
unexpected expenses, which would make
you a bit financially weak. You may go
for new business ventures but need not
get involved in any partnerships.
Career this year: You will be given
more responsibility this year as you
have proved yourself to be an efficient
resource for your employer. You may
expect a promotion or salary hike later
this year. You should guide your ordi‑
nates to perform better and bring unex‑
pected results for your organization.
Romance this year: Your marital rela‑
tionship will move forward with lot of
mutual love, care, respect and admira‑
tion. You should not get into any kind of
argument with your spouse as it may
disturb your peaceful personal life. You
should get married this year if you are
yet to marry.
21st February, 2018
Traits in you: As you are ruled by the
Jupiter, you are energetic, ambitious,
dignified, realistic, optimistic, reliable,
and very kindhearted. You have the
skills of a good listener so you can per‑
form well in any field. You should learn
handling tough situations calmly and
efficiently.
Health this year: You will enjoy a
moderate health this year. You need to
take preventive medicines for weather
changes as it may hamper your health
conditions. Do not neglect your health if
you feel uneasy. Consult doctor regular‑
ly and practice Yoga for better results.
Finance this year: You will be in huge
monetary benefits this year as you are
going to get many contracts if you are in
business. You may travel abroad to for
business purpose and that would be
very successful in establishing your
business. You need to create new con‑
tacts to get more business. You should
not invest in share market this time
though you may go for real estate.
Career this year: You will be highly
appreciated by your employer for your
exce llent performance. With the
increased workload, you may also be
offered an increased salary. You should
29
learn to handle pressure situations from
your seniors. You may go for a job
change later this year.
Romance this year: You may go
through minor personal disturbances
and these could be solved by talking
more to your partner. Do not let the dis‑
tance grow. Get some time to talk to
your spouse. You may plan a long trip
with your partner to strengthen your
relationship.
22nd February, 2018
Traits in you: The influence of your
ruling planet Uranus makes you active,
practical, enthusiastic, courageous,
ambitious, and highly philosophical. You
are very proud of your traditions, cul‑
ture and rituals. You are highly religious
and have a very sharp mind. However,
you need to work on your impatient and
stubborn behavior.
Health this year: You will enjoy a pret‑
ty good health this year though you may
go through few minor diseases. Go for
regular medical checkups to retain your
good health. Take care of the health of
your family members. Do not ignore any
health related issue as it may lead to
further disturbances.
Finance this year: You will be able to
earn more money. However, you may
end up spending a lot of money on luxu‑
ry and comfort. You may go for new
business or investments this year as the
movement of planets ensures you good
monetary benefits.
Career this year: You will get new
heights in your profession because of
your excellent communication skills.
Your employer would be very impressed
and will admire you. You may get few
extra responsibilities and salary will
also increase. You will get expert in your
domain and you must go for learning
new things in your profession.
Romance this year: If you are yet to
be in a relationship, this year is the ideal
time to find a partner. You will get
ample support from your spouse in any
critical decision you have to take. You
should show your love to your partner
as it strengthens your relationship.
23rd February, 2018
Traits in you: As you are influenced
by your ruling planet Mercury, you are
intelligent, unique, sensible, business
oriented, dignified, optimistic and
charismatic. You are also pretty warm‑
hearted and friendly. However, you need
not be restless and impatient always to
get your things done.
Health this year: Your health will
remain good throughout the year. You
need to take utmost care of your health
to maintain it and remain fit. The health
of your family members might be a con‑
cern for you this year. Try and avoid
your bad habits and start practicing
yoga for the betterment of your health.
Finance this year: You will earn a lot
of money from your past investment
this year. However, you should invest
your money after going through the
market thoroughly. Do not lend or
money this year. You may spend a lot of
money on buying comfort and luxury
for your family members.
Career this year: You will gain a lot of
professional knowledge this year. You
may think for a job change this year.
You may not get the job satisfaction in
the organization you currently work for.
You may not get the expected appraisal,
which would urge you to switch to
another company.
Romance this year: You should avoid
any kind of conflict with your beloved.
Plan a long holiday with your spouse to
make your relationship stronger. If you
are unmarried, you should not get to a
marital relationship this year as the
movement of your stars is not favorable
for marriage.
30 February 17-23, 2018 SPIRITUAL AWARENESS TheSouthAsianTimes.info

31st International Human Unity Conference held in Delhi

Presided over by Sant Rajinder Singh

Ji Maharaj, the 4-day conference
was also addressed by several
religious and spiritual leaders
representing different faiths.
Delhi: The 31st International
Human Unity Conference
February 4‑7 was held at Sant
Darshan Singh Ji Dham, Burari in
Delhi. It was presided over by
Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj,
Head of Sawan Kirpal Ruhani
Mission and President of Human
Unity Conference. During the
conference, national and interna‑
tional delegates of various reli‑
gions, sects and societies congre‑
gated on one stage and gave out
the message of human unity.
Over 500 representatives from
several countries of the world
and about 50,000 people from
various parts of India participat‑
ed in this huge conference.
During the conference various
mediation workshops were
organized along with 32nd Free
Eye Cataract Operation Camp on
February 4, in which 1680
patients were examined and 762
were shortlisted for surgery. Also
50th Blood Donation Camp was
organized on February 5, in
which 146 units of blood were
collected.
The conference was inaugurat‑
ed by Sant Rajinder Singh Ji
Maharaj on February 4. A semi‑
nar, “Meditation: Way to Peaceful
Life” was organized on the first
day. Delivering the inaugural
address, Sant Rajinder Singh Ji
Maharaj explained that lasting
outer peace cannot be achieved
as long as each one of us does
not attain inner peace. At pres‑
ent, we are so blindly engrossed
in our worldly riches and posses‑
sions that we fail to realize that
these cannot provide us true
peace. Only by directing our
attention inward and coming in
contact with the Source of all
love and joy within us can we
truly attain peace. This inner
peace, in turn, translates into
outer peace as gradually all our
relations and interactions
become calmer and turbulence‑
free. Maharaj Ji concluded that
this is the only sure way to
achieve and maintain true and
lasting outer peace in the world.
The topic of the seminar held
on February 5 was “Love: Way to
Lasting Happiness”. Sant Rajinder
Singh Ji Maharaj highlighted the
importance of love in attaining
permanent happiness in the
world, thereby leading to endur‑
ing unity and peace. We all
search for love in the outside
world, but whatever love we find
here is temporary; fights, dis‑
tance, time, or death invariably
separates us from our loved ones.
The only lasting love can be
found when we invert our atten‑
tion and connect with the power
of God within. God is all love, and
a connection with his inner Light
and Sound fills us with indescrib‑
able love and bliss. Maharaj Ji
concluded that each person will
come to love others also as broth‑
ers and sisters in God when they
will experience this profound
love for themselves, and will thus
pave the way for unending peace
and unity in the world.
Following Maharaj Jiʼs uplifting
discourse, several religious and
social leaders addressed the
gathering and gave out their
message of love and peace to the
audience. These included Swami
Sudharmanand Ji, Pandit Ravi
Shastri Ji, Pujya Vivek Muni Ji,
Mahamandleshwar Vigyananand
Ji, and Jagatguru Shankaracharya
Swami Dilip Yogiraj Ji. Delegates
from the USA and Sweden also
spoke on this occasion and hailed
Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj as
a true torch‑bearer of love, unity,
and peace in todayʼs troubled
times.
The third day of the confer‑
ence, February 6th, coincided
with the 124th birth anniversary
of Param Sant Kirpal Singh Ji
Maharaj, who had organized the
first International Conference of
Unity of Man in 1974 in Delhi to
show how human unity can lead
to love, compassion, and peace
amongst mankind. A seminar on
the topic “Kirpal: the Apostle of
Love” was organized. In his con‑
cluding address, Sant Rajinder
Singh Ji Maharaj elucidated that
Sant Kirpal Singh Ji Maharaj was
full of love and compassion for
all Godʼs creation, and came to
this world to show us the way
back to God. He taught us also to
be kind and generous to all those
in need, and to always be sup‑
portive and loving toward all our
brothers and sisters in God.
Subsequent speakers at the
conference included Pir Khwaja
Ahmed Nizami Ji, Swami
Bhagwanacharya Ji, Issac
Malekar Ji, Mahamandaleshwar
Swami Devendranand Giri Ji,
Swami Gopalacharya Ji, and
Jagatguru Shankaracharya
Swami Amritanand Dev Ji, as well
as delegates from across the
world. They all praised the
efforts made by Sant Kirpal
Singh Ji Maharaj for the welfare
of entire mankind and said that it
is due to his love that today peo‑
ple of all religions and faiths are
sitting together and making
efforts to bring about human
unity. They unanimously lauded
Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj
for carrying on the great work of
Sant Kirpal Singh Ji Maharaj and
praised his tireless efforts to
usher peace throughout the
globe. At the end, Issac Malekar
Ji read out the declaration of the
conference which highlighted
meditation is a powerful tool for
experiencing personal transfor‑
mation and inner & outer peace,
and that the participants of the
conference pledge to become
ambassadors of peace, and to
make a positive contribution to
society and the world, so that all
can live together in love, peace,
unity and harmony. All present
raised their hands and passed
this resolution unequivocally.
Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj
is an internationally recognized
spiritual
leader and
Master of
Jyoti
Meditation
who affirms
the tran-
scendent
oneness at
the heart of Sant Rajinder
all religions Singh Ji
& Maharaj
mystic
traditions, emphasizing ethical
living and meditation as
building blocks for
achieving inner and outer peace.
www.sos.org.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info February 17-23, 2018
TheSouthAsianTimes.info February 17-23, 2018