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Vol.11 No. 6 June 9-15, 2018 80 Cents New York Edition Follow us on TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Trump looks to phased

parleys with Kim
New York: President Donald
Trump is proposing phased nego‑
tiations with North Korean
leader Kim Jong‑un, starting with
the planned June 12 summit in
Singapore during which he does
not expect a complete deal on
denuclearization.
At the same time, Trump has
also set an ambitious goal for his
interactions with Kim aiming for
an end to the official 70‑year
state of war between the US and
North Korea.
After a meeting Kim Yong‑chol,
the North Korean leader's emis‑
sary, in Washington last Friday,
Trump confirmed that the
Continued on page 4
Kicking off 4th International Day of Yoga
Consul General Sandeep Chakravorty and others watch children perform yoga poses at the curtain‑
raiser held on May 29 at the TV Asia auditorium in Edison for the 4th International Day of Yoga (IDY).
8 S. Korea plays down peace declaration
at June 12 summit
8 Gurkhas to guard summit
S‑400 Triumf advanced air defense system (Photo :
Wikipedia) (inset) Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
said New Delhiʼs ties with Moscow are time‑tested.
India goes ahead
The summit will help President Trumpʼs image internationally
and domestically while Kim Jong‑un can look to economic
development after sanctions ease.
with $5.5B arms
SEE MORE IDY EVENTS
deal with Russia
New Delhi: India will go ahead
COVERAGE ON PG 2 AND 15.
with the proposed purchase of five Notwithstanding
regiments of Russian‑made S‑400
Triumf advanced air defense sys‑ US objections
tem despite US concerns that the
$5.5 billion military deal could and sanctions
limit defense cooperation between
New Delhi and Washington. on Russia
Defense Minister Nirmala
Sitharaman on Tuesday said the is something which has been going
negotiations between India and on for a very long time. It is a time‑
Russia to finalize the Rs 39 000‑ tested relationship. And India has
crore deal were already in the last got quite a lot of defense assets
stage and wonʼt be hampered by from Russia – assets, spares, serv‑
the US red‑flagging the deal for icing."
which the two countries signed an The Defense Ministerʼs remarks
agreement in principle in 2016. come days after a top US

Pak Army says no space for war with India
Islamabad: India and Pakistan are
nuclear powers and there is no
space for war between the two
countries, the chief Pakistani mili‑
tary spokesman said on Monday in
the wake of an agreement between
the two sides to fully implement a
ceasefire on the Line of Control.
Addressing a news conference in
Rawalpindi on a wide range of
issues, the head of the Inter‑
Services Public Relations (ISPR),
Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor, started his
briefing with an overview of the
Pakistan‑India relationship and
Pakistan army spokesman argued
Continued on page 4
She said India had made it clear
in all its engagements with the US
that its ties with Russia were inde‑
pendent of external influences and
relationships with other countries.
"I would like to make it clear
here that in all our engagements
with the United States we have
very clearly explained how India
that both are N‑powers. and Russiaʼs defense cooperation
Congressmen, Republican Mac
Thornberry, Chairman of the
House Armed Services, told a
group of journalists here that
there was a lot of concern in both
the Trump administration and the
Congress regarding the S‑400 mis‑
sile system being acquired by any
of American partners including
Continued on page 4

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 2 June 9-15, 2018 COMMUNITY TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Consul General Sandeep Chakravorty flagged off the cruise by releasing

multi‑colored balloons symbolizing the eternal values of peace, freedom Yoga related conversations, discussions and lectures
and unity in diversity. were simultaneously held on various decks of the yacht.

YOGA CRUISE: 1st event held to

celebrate upcoming yoga day
New York: As a prelude to Chakravorty flagged off the cruise
International Day of Yoga 2018, by releasing multi‑colored balloons
the Consulate General of India, symbolizing eternal value of peace,
New York organized 'Yoga Cruise' freedom and unity in diversity. The
on June 3 in association with cruise centered on the theme of
Vegetarian Vision and Mallakhamb Yoga and was attended by more
Federation USA. than 400 people.
Consul General Sandeep The state of the art yacht called
'Skyline Princess' chartered exclu‑
sively for the cruise had three sep‑
arate and wrap around decks
including indoor and outdoor
spaces with occupancy of 450 peo‑
ple. Yoga related conversations,
discussions, lectures were simulta‑
neously being held on various
decks with guests heartily joining
in each session.
The cruise also included yoga
demonstrations, performances by
Mallakhamb Federation and an
innovative session on Laughter
Yoga by Poonam Gupta. The
Consulate's in‑house teacher on
Indian Culture, Dr. Dayashankar
Vidyalankar gave demonstrations
on various yoga poses, which were
intended to make yoga accessible
in everyday life of people. Kids of
various ages enthusiastically par‑
ticipated in various yoga demon‑
strations.

Knowhow for Tamil origin entrepreneurs

to grow business in the US
Skillman, NJ: The American Tamil
Entrepreneursʼ Association (ATEA)
hosted its North East Regional
Conference here on May 27 at
Cherry Valley Country Club with a
classy roster of speakers.
The well‑attended event was
kicked off by ATEA President of
the Northeast Region, Ram
Nagappan, intrapreneur‑entrepre‑
neur who is MD & CIO of Bank of
New York | Pershing. Coordinated
by tech entrepreneur Maj. Krishna
Chari, the conference covered
almost all aspects of entrepre‑
neurship, starting from analyzing
whether one is fit to be in busi‑
ness, to securing partners, men‑
tors, investors, and closing with
how to execute and scale a busi‑
ness.
The main keynote address was
by Chandrika Tandon, Grammy
winning artist, humanitarian and
Chair of Tandon Capital
Associates. She spoke eloquently
about pushing boundaries and
challenging norms. She also spoke
about discovering oneself and
building communities by network‑
ing. Natarajan Ranganathan,
Founder and MD of Kibow
Biotech, speaking via Skype from
Paris, shared his experience in
bootstrapping a start‑up and
growing it with grit, determina‑
tion and focus. Ram Iyer of
Packed American Tamil Entrepreneurs Association (ATEA)
regional conference. On the mike is Tamil Nadu Foundation
conference Chair Balaji Prakash Rao.
Business Thinking Institute,
Princeton, spoke about the suc‑
cess and failure of his ventures
and how he identified the problem
areas that people generally over‑
look while running their business‑
es.
Dr. Arun Sundararajan,
Professor of Information,
Operations and Management
Sciences at the Stern School of
Business, spoke about the dis‑
rupters such as Uber, Airbnb and
YouTube and how one needs to
adapt at a rapid pace to such
changing dynamics.
Representing the Indian
Consulate, Consul Devi Prasad
Mishra spoke on “India the
Sunrise Economy – The
Opportunities”. Mohsin Tamboli,
of ICICI Bank, NY, shared infor‑
mation on the Tax Rates, US‑India
cross‑border investments and tax
implications.
One powerful entrepreneur
story was by Suuchi Ramesh,
Founder & CEO, Suuchi Inc, who
bootstrapped a 100+ employee
supply chain tech company in two
years in Hoboken, NJ. Dr. Jawahar,
Director TREC‑STEP, Incubation
Center in Chennai and Trichy,
welcomed entrepreneurs to con‑
sider setting up business in Tamil
Nadu.
Also to speak was Atul Kunwar,
MD, BLAED Capital, which has set
up a $50M fund to invest in start‑
ups across FinTech, EduTech,
HealthTech and other sunrise sec‑
tors. Moving up the chain from
start‑ups, Ashwin Bharath, COO
and CIO, Revature, gave deep
Honoring Ms.
Chandrika Tandon
is Ram Nagappan,
President of ATEA
NorthEast Region,
and Venky
Sadagopan,
Member of
Executive Council
of ATEA.
insights into scaling up a busi‑
ness. Vasanth Kumar, President
and CEO, CareCentra further took
it a notch above with his views on
ʻShaping Healthy Behaviors in the
Age of Social Technologies, Digital
Life and Opportunitiesʼ.
The audience also was given a
view of business propositions
such as Franchise Business
Models in a panel discussion mod‑
erated by Mr. Venky Sadagopan.
Overall, this was a conference
laden with positivity and promise,
New York Tamil
Sangam and
community
leader
Kanchana
Poola (left)
with keynote
speaker
Chandrika
Tandon at the
conference.
and added tremendous value to all
attendees and speakers alike.
ATEA was formed in 2016 by a
group of immigrants from Tamil
Nadu to create a platform for
aspiring entrepreneurs to find
mentors / partners / investors and
along the way, also create an eco‑
system for professional network‑
ing, funding and helping business‑
es scale. Its Northeast Region
chapter was launched in
September 2016 at a grand gala
in New Jersey.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info TRISTATE COMMUNITY June 9-15, 2018 3

World Bank asks Pakistan to stop pursuing

water dispute with India at ICA
Islamabad: The World Bank has asked Pakistan to stop
pursuing the Kishanganga dam dispute in the
International Court of Arbitration (ICA) and instead accept
Indiaʼs offer of appointing a “neutral expert”.
The Pakistani daily Dawn reported on Tuesday that the
World Bank president Jim Yong Kim had last week
advised the government to not take the matter to the ICA.
Incidentally, the bank had on November 10, 2016 even
picked a US chief justice, the rector of Imperial College,
London, and the WB president to appoint a chairman of
the court to resolve the dispute over the dam. Pakistan
had opposed the construction of Kishanganga dam, con‑
sidering it a violation of a World Bank‑mediated treaty on
the sharing of waters from the Indus and its tributaries.
New Delhi believes that the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty
(IWT) allows it to build ʻrun‑of‑riverʼ hydel projects that do
not change the course of the river and do not deplete the
water level downstream. Islamabad, however, disputes
New Delhiʼs interpretation, arguing that the Kishanganga
project not only violates the course of the river but also
depletes its water level.
While Pakistan wants the dispute to be referred to the
ICA, India describes it an issue of bilateral differences
over the design of the dam which can be addressed by
some neutral experts.
Map showing the location of the Kishanganga dam
near the LoC being built by India, which is
opposed by Islamabad.
“Pakistan believed that acceding to Indiaʼs proposal of
referring the dispute to neutral experts or withdrawing
from its stand would mean closing the doors of arbitration
and surrendering its right of raising disputes before inter‑
national courts. It will become a precedent and every time
a dispute emerges between Pakistan and India, the latter
will always opt for dispute resolution through neutral
experts,” the report said, quoting a source privy to the
develo ment.
In December 2016, the WB president had informed the
then Pakistani finance minister Ishaq Dar through a letter
that he had decided to “pause” the process of appointing
the ICA chairman as well as the neutral expert.
At this, Dar had lodged a strong protest with the WB and
had asked the bank to play its due role in the matter.
Pakistan believes that on the one hand the WB has tied
its hands from raising the dispute at the ICA, and on the
other, it has not blocked the Indian effort to complete the
construction of the dam.
In February last year, the WB further extended its halt
until the secretary‑level talks between the two countries
bore some fruit. Subsequently, four rounds of talks were
held in February, April, July and September in Washington
in which the bank was willing to appoint an international
court to pick between the two options. “But India did not
accept it,” the source said. The WB even declined
Pakistanʼs plea on May 22, 2018.

Two judicial wins for Trump Trump pardons DʼSouza, convicted

and Conservatives of campaign fund violation
By Arul Louis
Washington: The Kennedy strongly
Supreme Court on reaffirmed protec‑
New York: President Donald Trump has par‑
Monday ruled in tions for gay
doned Dinesh D'Souza, a controversial conserva‑
favor of a rights.
tive Indian‑American media personality, who was
Colorado baker The same day,
convicted of making illegal contributions to the
who had refused the court also
campaign of a Republican Party candidate for
to create a wed‑ threw out a lower
Senate. Trump tweeted last Thursday, "Will be
ding cake for a court ruling that
giving a Full Pardon to Dinesh D'Souza today. He
gay couple. The The Supreme Court ruled in favor of baker let a pregnant
Jack Phillips of Colorado who refused a was treated very unfairly by our government."
courtʼs decision illegal immigrant
wedding cake order from a gay couple. D'Souza was prosecuted by Indian‑American Dinesh DʼSouza
was narrow, and minor held in fed‑
New York federal prosecutor Preet Bharara, and (Photo courtesy AP)
it left open the eral immigration
convicted in 2014 of making illegal election con‑ who illegally contributed $188,000 to Hillary
larger question of whether a business custody obtain an abortion last year at
tributions of $10,000 to Republican Senate Clinton, got away with just three years of proba‑
can discriminate against gay men and age 17 over the objections of President
Candidate Wendy Long. tion, a fine of $500,000 and $1 million in forfei‑
lesbians based on rights protected by the Donald Trumpʼs administration.
A journalist, author and filmmaker, D'Souza ture.
First Amendment. The justices provided a legal victory to
was a harsh critic of former President Barack D'Souza's book, "The Roots of Obama's Rage,"
The court passed on an opportunity to Trumpʼs administration even though the
Obama and Democratic presidential candidate which claimed that Obama was furthering the
either bolster the right to same‑sex mar‑ teenager already has had the abortion
Hillary Clinton. anti‑colonial ideology to run down the US, was
riage or explain how far the government because it eliminated a precedent at the
He is known for stirring controversy with his later made into a film. He also produced a
can go in regulating businesses run on federal appeals court level that could
angry rhetoric. scathing documentary on Clinton, "Hillary's
religious principles. Instead, Justice have applied in similar circumstances in
He was fined $30,000 and sentenced to five America: The Secret History of the Democratic
Anthony M. Kennedyʼs majority opinion which other detained minors sought
years of probation and eight months of overnight Party."
turned on the argument that the abortions.
detention in a so‑called halfway house. DʼSouza said after the presidential pardon,
Colorado Civil Rights Commission, which In the unsigned opinion with no dis‑
Bharara defended his role tweeting, "D'Souza “Justice is not simply a matter of whether or not
originally ruled against the baker, had sents, the justices threw out the lower
intentionally broke the law, voluntarily pled you committed a crime. Itʼs also a matter of
been shown to be hostile to religion court decision on the grounds that the
guilty, apologized for his conduct & the judge whether the penalty fits the crime and whether
because of the remarks of one of its dispute became moot once the teenager
found no unfairness. other people who did the same thing got the
members. At the same time, Justice had the abortion.
However, an Indian‑American, Sant Chatwal, same penalty.”
 4 June 9-15, 2018 TURN PAGE TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Mother's Day Kamala Harris to keynote

celebrated on
Long Island
Long Island Ladies Club
celebrated Mother's
Day on May 31 at Lotus
restaurant in Hicksville.
Over 100 ladies attend‑
ed and four mothers ‑‑
Jyoti Sharma, Kawal
Sahni, Narinder Sodhi,
and Chanchal Shah –
were honored by
Deputy Commissioner,
Parks and Recreation
Nasrin Ahmad.
Impact Summit
Washington: On June Association here.
7, US Senators Kamala All four Indian
Harris (D‑CA) and American Congress
Cory Booker (D‑NJ) members w ill also
w ill g ive keynote attend and give open‑
remarks at the inau‑ ing and closing
gural Impact Summit remarks.
2018, a gathering of Founded in 2016
over 200 Indian by Raj Goyle and
American candidates, Senator Kamala Harris Deepak Raj, and for‑
elected of ficials, phi‑ mally launched earli‑
lanthropists, community leaders, er this year, the Indian American
and other interested parties to be Impact Project is fo cused on
held at the National Education expanding

India goes ahead with
$5.5bn Russian arms deal
Continued from page 1
India. Thornberry who was in
India last week said if New Delhi
went ahead with the purchase it
would complicate "our ability to
work out inter‑operability" at a
time when the US had issued sanc‑
tions against Russian oligarchs
and companies. These include
Rosoboronexport the state‑owned
Russian weapons trading compa‑
ny. The Congressman said the US
was making sanctions against
Russia "flexible" for its allies like
India to allow them breathing
room to continue dealing with
Moscow ‑‑ but only to maintain
their legacy equipment and at the
same time they must wean them‑
selves off Russian equipment.
He said a provision in the
National Defense Authorization
Act (NDAA) which is awaiting a
Senate nod after it was passed by
the House on May 24 would allow
the Trump administration to sus‑
pend the sanctions under the
Countering Americaʼs Adversaries
Through Sanctions Act or CAATSA
passed in August 2017 for Russia
s purported interference in the
2016 presidential election
process.
But Sitharaman said the US sanc‑
tions were not binding on India.
"We have also mentioned (to the
US) that CAATSA cannot be
impacting on us on this particular
characteristic of India‑Russia
defense cooperation."
The air defense system is a pos‑
sible game‑changer for its ability
to counter ballistic missiles and
stealth aircraft like those China is
developing.
Trump looks to phased
parleys with Kim
Continued from page 1
Singapore summit he had canceled
last week was back on track. "I
think we're going to have a relation‑
ship, and it will start on June 12th,"
the President said.
Tamping down hopes of an immi‑
nent breakthrough, Trump said:
"We're not going to go in and sign
something on June 12th. We're
going to start a process. And I told
them, 'Take your time. We can go
fast. We can go slowly'. But I think
they'd like to see something hap‑
pen. "You're talking about years of
hostility; years of problems; years
of, really, hatred between so many
different nations. But I think you're
going to have a very positive result
in the end."
As a goodwill gesture, Trump said
that he will not be putting any more
sanctions on North Korea, but the
existing ones will continue.
Pompeo, however, has asserted
that the US won't budge from the
ultimate goal of denuclearizing
North Korea.
While Trump would score points
internationally and domestically by
pulling off the summit and soften
his hardline image by having the
summit, Kim Jong‑un appears to be
equally invested in the denu‑
clearization talks that could trans‑
late to economic development for
his impoverished country that is
under severe economic sanctions.
Meanwhile, South Korea is play‑
ing down the likelihood of an immi‑
nent peace declaration after the
Singapore summit, which will begin
at 9am Singapore time on June 12,
while saying that such a move will
depend on the success of the sum‑
mit. Trump and Kim meet at a luxu‑
ry resort, named Capella hotel, on
Sentosa Island. They will be protect‑
ed by men from one of the fiercest
warrior tribes in the world ‑ the
Gurkhas of Nepal.
While both leaders will bring
their own personal security teams,
elite Singaporean police, including
its Gurkha Contingent, will be
securing the summit venue, roads
and hotels, according to diplomats
familiar with VIP security in the
island state.
The Gurkhas, who have a low‑pro‑
file presence in Singapore, were
more visible than usual at the week‑
end as they secured the Shangri‑La
Hotel for a security conference that
included Indian Prime Minister
Narendra Modi, US Defense
Secretary Jim Mattis and other
regional ministers.
Pak Army says no space for
war with India
Continued from page 1
the agreement reached by the
Directors General of Military
Operations on May 29 to fully
implement the 2003 ceasefire on
the LoC. He said ceasefire violations
by Indian troops on LoC had been
higher than usual in 2017 and
2018, adding, “The Indians have to
realize and understand where they
want to go (in the future)…We are
two nuclear powers and there is no
space for war.”
Pakistan, he said, is “willing to
ignore the first shot that is fired
from the Indian side, provided it
does not result in a casualty on our
side”, but “the second shot would be
responded in kind”.
He accused the Indian Army of
targeting civilians on the Pakistani
side, “while we responded and tar‑
geted (their) forces”. This situation
“was not tenable” and an agreement
was reached by the DGMOs to avoid
further conflagration and ensure
that the 2003 ceasefire is not vio‑
lated. Commenting on an incident
of cross‑border firing incident that
occurred after the agreement was
reached, Ghafoor said Pakistan
would not have responded to Indian
firing but was “compelled” to do so
only because civilians were targeted
and there were casualties on the
Pakistani side.
“Pakistanʼs desire for peace
should not be construed as a weak‑
ness,” he said.
Ghafoor said Pakistanʼs relations
with the US were strained, but
Islamabadʼs stance was that the
army, with the help of the public,
has fought terrorism and done what
no other armed forces in the world
could manage. “We have learned
that national interest comes first
and we will not compromise on
that,” he said.

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TheSouthAsianTimes.info TRISTATE COMMUNITY June 9-15, 2018 5

UNICEF Project Lion launch raises

over $850,000 for children in India
New York: On May
30, Purvi & Harsh
Padia and UNICEF
USA hosted the
launch of Project
Lion at T he High
Line Hotel, to kick
of f a new project to
support children in
residential institu‑
tions across India,
empowering their
futures. T he event
raised over
$850,000 for
UNICEFʼs work to
put children first.
(L‑R) Host committee members Emily Stackman,
Emceed by
Sonia Kapadia, Samir Patel, Purvi Padia, and
Museum of Ice Sienna Miller at the UNICEF's Project Lion launch.
Cream co‑founder
Manish Vora, the program included remarks now, there are 1.5 million displaced children
from UNICEF Next Generation founding mem‑ in India and the first phase of Project Lion
ber Jenna Bush Hager, actress Sienna Miller, which will be three years long will serve the
CEO and President of UNICEF USA Caryl first 200 thousand of them. But in addition to
Stern, as well as performances by Arya Dance that it will really put programs in place so
Academy. The host committee included Miller going forward children who find themselves
along with Sonia Kapadia, Samir Patel and ins situations without families have proper
Emily Stackman. rules, proper procedures so they can really
Inspired by the true story of Saroo Brierley thrive,” said Purvi Padia, an interior designer.
captured in the film Lion, Project Lion started “Project Lion is all about making sure that
with a generous seed grant from Purvi and these kids that are living in these institutions
Harsh Padia to UNICEF. Project Lion is a because they do not have families have prop‑
UNICEF child protection program that will er care, that they are taken care of and they
support more than 200,000 children without have the same future that all of our kids
family care living in residential institutions have,” said Jenna Bush Hager.
across eight states of India. “I was so proud and excited to hear that
By enforcing standards of care, strengthen‑ Purvi was launching this initiative, and think‑
ing the child protection workforce, providing ing about thousands, the hundreds of thou‑
services for vulnerable families and model‑ sands, of children who are orphaned without
ling new alternatives, this critical program anything and the fact she is working with
will ensure that children who have been left UNICEF̶ who is obviously one of the most
without family care can be given a second incredible organizations in the world̶ itʼs
chance to grow in loving, stable, nurturing something that is very easy to support,” said
and protective environments. Sienna Miller.
“Project Lion is created to serve the For more information about Project Lion, visit:
orphaned or displaced children of India. Right www.unicefusa.org/mission/protect/project‑lion

Corruption case against Ed

Mangano ends in mistrial
New York: The corruption case against for‑
mer Nassau County Executive Edward
Mangano ended in a mistrial on May 31st.
Central Islip federal Judge Joan Azrack
pulled the plug on the 12‑week trial follow‑
ing receipt of a note from the jury that led
to a closed‑door meeting with lawyers on
both sides. The move came on the ninth day
of deliberations, and an earlier note on May
30th in which the jury declared itself dead‑
locked.
“I have declared a mistrial in the case,”
Azrack told the panel.
“Your deliberations are over. You are free Former Nassau County
to go with our thanks for your hard work.” Executive Edward Mangano
Manganoʼs wife and co‑defendant, Linda (Image courtesy: nypost.com)
Mangano, threw an arm around him as rela‑ and kickbacks from a crooked restaurateur,
tives in the gallery gasped and broke down Harendra Singh, in exchange for county
in tears. The couple then began hugging contracts and government loan guarantees.
and weeping as the jurors filed out of the A co‑defendant, former Oyster Bay Town
courtroom. Supervisor John Venditto, was acquitted of
The Manganos are accused of accepting similar allegations last week.
hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes (Source: nypost.com)
 6 June 9-15, 2018 NATIONAL COMMUNITY TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Mayor Ravi Bhalla endorses De Blasio plan to improve

Suraj Patel for Congress
New York, NY: On Tuesday
evening, standing before a crowd
of 200 people, Hoboken Mayor
Ravi Bhalla endorsed Suraj
Patelʼs insurgent and historic
campaign for Congress in New
Yorkʼs 12th District. Elected in
November 2017, Bhalla is the
first turban‑wearing Sikh elected
as a mayor in the country.
“We need more representation
in Washington and we need pro‑
gressive leadership,” Bhalla said.
“Suraj represents the future,
and will make sure that we have
a seat at the table in Washington.
Iʼm proud to support his cam‑
paign and to help him make his‑
tory by becoming the first
Indian‑American e lected to
Congress from New York.”
Patel thanked Bhalla for his
support, and noted the historic
opportunity voters face in the
June 26th primary. Of the 51
City Council seats, 150 State
Assembly seats, 63 State Senate
seats, dozens of federal,
statewide, and citywide elected
of ficials, there are currently no
elected of ficials of South Asian
descent in New York.
“It is a tremendous honor to be
endorsed by Mayor Ravi Bhalla
Suraj Patel with Ravi Bhalla
(Image : @surajpatelnyc/Twitter)
of Hoboken, the first elected
mayor in the United States who
is a Sikh and wears a turban,”
Patel said. “We do not historical‑
ly have South Asian elected offi‑
cials in New York, but thatʼs not
the fault of our voters, itʼs
because of lack of choices and an
establishment that denigrates
competition. Nearly no NY elect‑
ed officials have even taken our
calls ‑ even ones Iʼve campaigned
for in the past, so Iʼm so grateful
that Mayor Bhalla took my cold
call, invited me to Hoboken and
eventually crossed the Hudson to
support our cause. Iʼm so grate‑
ful to him coming across the
River to lend his support.”
Since announcing his campaign
for Congress, Suraj has twice out‑
raised incumbent
Cong resswoman Carolyn
Maloney. He is a first‑generation
American, born to an immigrant
family who moved here to seek
opportunity and a better future.
He was born in Mississippi, grew
up in Indiana, and has been a
New Yorker since he moved here
to attend NYU Law School twelve
years ago. Suraj worked on both
Obama campaigns and w ith
President Obamaʼs White House
as member of the advance staff,
often accompanying the presi‑
dent on trips both domestic and
abroad. He is an adjunct profes‑
sor of business ethics at NYU
Stern and volunteers his time as
an act ive board member of
Atlas:DIY, an organization run by
immig rant youth and DACA
recipients in NYC. After the
Trump administration issued its
travel ban, Suraj was one of the
lawyers volunteering his services
at JFK Airport to travelers affect‑
ed by it.
diversity at elite high schools
New York: Mayor Bill de Blasio and
Schools Chance llor Richard A.
Carranza joined parents, educators,
advocates, students and communi‑
ty leaders and announced a new
plan to make admissions to New
York Cityʼs eight testing Specialized
High Schools fairer and improve
diversity. Only 10 percent of spe‑
cialized high school students are
Black or Latino, despite making up
70 percent of the Cityʼs overall stu‑
dent population.
T he two‑part plan includes:
Expanding Discovery program to
increase enrollment of low‑income
students at Specialized Hig h
Schools. T he prog ram w ill be
expanded to 20 percent of seats at
each SHS and adjust the eligibility
criteria to target students attend‑
ing high‑poverty schools over two
years beginning Sept 2019.
The plan will eliminate the use of
the single‑admissions test over
three years. It would require State
legislation. When the law is passed,
the test would be phased out over a
three‑year period. Based on model‑
ing of current of fer patterns, 45
percent of offers would go to black
and Latino students, compared to 9
percent currently.
“There are talented students all
across the five boroughs, but for
far too long our specialized high
schools have failed to reflect the
diversity of our city,” said Mayor
Bill de Blasio. “We cannot let this
injustice continue. By giving a
wider, more diverse pool of our
best students an equal shot at
admissions, we will make these
schools stronger and our City fair‑
er.”
“As a lifelong educator, a man of
color, and a parent of children of
color, Iʼm proud to work with our
Mayor to foster true equity and
excellence at our specialized high
schools,” said Chancellor Richard A.
Carranza.
The eight SHS that base their
admissions solely on SHSAT scores
are: T he Bronx High School of
Science; The Brooklyn Latin School;
Brooklyn Technical High School;
Hig h School for Mathemat ics,
Science and Engineering at the City
College of New York; High School
of American Studies at Lehman
College; Queens High School for
the Sciences at York College; Staten
Island Technical High School; and
Stuyvesant High School. A ninth
SHS, Fiorello H. LaGuardia High
School of Music & Art and
Performing Arts, does not use the
SHSAT and will not be impacted by
these changes.

Y Service Club of North Jersey to
organize fundraiser for HealthBarn
T A
he first general body
meeting of the Y Service
Club of North Jersey, an
organization that focuses on
charity, decided to hold a
fundraiser for HealthBarn in
July. The venue will be
announced later.
The general body also elect‑
ed the new officials with Daniel
Mohan as president and Dr.
Drissa Kone as president‑elect.
Y Service Club's newly elected officials
Other officials are: Carol
Pobanz (secretary), Philip Thampan (assis‑
tant secretary), Abraham Thomas (treasur‑
er), Michiko Tomioka will serve as the
chair of the Womanʼs Club and Estella
Yessoh will be the chair of the Youth Club.
Dr. Jacob David will serve as the chair of
the projects/programs and Lisa Arcella as
chair of the media/publicity.
The general body was conducted at the
St Andrews Parish Hall in Harrington Park,
New Jersey recently.
The meeting began with singing the
hymn “Weave Us Together,” an anthem to
its multicultural members that focus on
the desire to work together as one to bet‑
ter the greater world.
The highlight of the event was a speech
by The Rev. John Gehring, who is credited
IN BRIEF
Indian American techie convicted
of sexually assaulting 'date'
n Indian American IT executive Square, the New York Daily News report‑
has been convicted of sexually ed.
assaulting, choking and beating a The father of two children is scheduled
woman he met on a dating website and to be sentenced on July 18. Tripathy was
faces up to 25 years in jail, the media ordered held without bail by Justice
reported. Erika Edwards after his conviction in
Sanjay Tripathy, 48, of North Carolina Manhattan Supreme Court.
was found guilty this week of criminal He met the 38‑year‑old victim on a
sex act, sex abuse, assault, strangulation website that pairs rich older men with
and unlawful imprisonment in connec‑ attractive younger women. Tripathy had
tion to the June 15, 2016 attack on the advertised himself on the site "as a catch
38‑year‑old woman at a hotel in Times with $10 million in the bank."
to have organized more than 100 service
projects in over 88 countries.
of
The Bergen County New Jersey chapter
HealthBarn is located in Ridgewood and
Ban on import or use of
is dedicated to encouraging children to
learn how to grow and prepare their own satellite phones in India
A
food and to make healthier choices
ccording to a travel advisory issued by the
throughout their lives. “The club is unique
Embassy of India in Washington DC all per‑
as it has membership from people from
sons traveling to India are advised that use of
different cultures. Usually people from the
Thuray/iridium satellite phones is not allowed in
same community join together to form a
India.
club. We thought it is important to bring
Bringing of these satellite phones to India by for‑
all people irrespective of their cultural
eigners is banner and all travelers are advised to
backgrounds to one forum,” said Daniel
ensure that they do not carry satellite phones to India.
Mohan, who took the initiative to form the
These phones shall be detained/confiscated and the
club.
passenger can be penalized under the relevant sec‑
The club has a presence in 70 countries
tions of Indian telegraph act.
and India leads in membership.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Indian‑origin children monopolize
Spelling Bee championship for 11th year
New York: For the 11th consecutive
year, Indian‑origin children have
monopolised the National Spelling
Bee crown with Karthik Nemmani
winning the 2018 championship,
beating out five others in the last
rounds.
Nemmani, a 14‑year‑old eighth‑
grader from Texas, spelt "koinonia"
correctly for his victory after sec‑
ond place winner, 12‑year‑old
Naysa Modi, got "bewusstseinslage"
wrong.
"It's what I've been dreaming of
for years now," Nemmani said.
He takes home $40,000 and a
trophy from Scripps Bee, which is
sponsored by the EW Scripps media
group, in addition to a $2,500 cash
prize from Merriam‑Webster, the
dictionary publisher, Last week
Indian‑origin Venkat Ranjan, won
the National Geographic Bee, which
carries a $50,000 scholarship,
beating out two others. The second
Indian‑American Jeremy
Cooney challenging Joe
Robach for NY Senate seat
New York: An Indian American
attorney who once served as
Rochester, N.Y., Mayor Love ly
Warrenʼs chief of staf f has
announced his intentions to make a
run of his own.
Jeremy Cooney, a Democrat,
announced recently that he will
challenge Joe Robach in the race for
the state Senate seat in the 56th
District.
Cooney has also served as a
staf fer for Gov. Andrew Cuomo,
Rep. Louise Slaughter and former
Gov. David Paterson.
“Iʼve spent the past few weeks
meeting with people who are look‑
ing for change and for a representa‑
tive that votes correctly on issues
important to them, such as raising
the minimum wage, common‑sense
gun safety, long‑overdue bail
reform, and providing educational
opportunities for immigrant fami‑
lies,” Cooney said in a news release.
“For the past 15 years, weʼve been
dealt short‑term tax relief thatʼs no
NATIONAL COMMUNITY
Karthik Nemmani won the 2018 championship
(Image courtesy: usatoday.com)
and third places in the contest,
which tests knowledge of geogra‑
phy, were won by Anoushka
Buddhikot and Vishal Sareddy.
Jeremy Cooney (Image :
rochestercitynewspaper.com)
substitute for real economic growth
̶ the type of growth that creates
stable, good‑paying jobs that give
people the confidence to buy a
house, start a family, and continue
to call upstate New York home,” he
said. Another Indian American,
Kevin Thomas, is also running for a
state Senate seat in the state, but
from the 6th Legislative District.
The man Cooney is challenging,
incumbent Sen. Robach, has served
the district since 2003.
This year 515 contestants partici‑
pated in the National Spelling Bee
championship, the biggest number
so far because of rule changes that
Indian‑American brain
behind key NASA project
Washington, DC: The main brain
behind Nasaʼs latest physics experi‑
ment to create the coldest spot in
the universe is Anita Sengupta, an
Indian‑American. The spot created
by Cold Atom Laboratory (CAL) is
expected to be 10 billion times
colder than the vacuum of space.
CAL, flown to the International
Space Station (ISS) on Monday by
an Antares rocket from Nasaʼs
Wallops facility at Virginia could
potentially lead to a number of
technologies, including sensors,
quantum computers and atomic
clocks used in spacecraft naviga‑
tion, said Nasa. “CAL will make it
possible to observe these ultra‑cold
atoms much longer in the micro‑
gravity environment,” the space
agency stated.
Sengupta, who said she proposed
the mission, had played a key role
in the successful landing of Nasaʼs
Curiosity rover on Mars on August
6, 2012. CAL will investigate the
properties of “Bose Einstein
widened the pool beyond the local
champions and also included those
without sponsors, who are usually
newspapers.
The contest held in Oxon Hill
near Washington was televised
nationally on the sports channel
ESPN.
Indian‑origin children have won
the Spelling Bee championship for
11 continuous years since Sameer
Mishra won in 2008.
In 1985, Balu Natarajan became
the first Indian‑origin child to win
the Spelling Bee and 17 others
have followed him.
The Spelling Bee is not merely a
memory test of exotic words as it
also requires learning about the
origins of words and the languages
they are derived from.
Almost a cult among Indian‑
Americans, Spelling Bees are organ‑
ised by community organisations
and by businesses wanting to reach
Condensate, a state of matter that
only occurs just above absolute
zero.” She said the experiment,
which took over five years to devel‑
op, will help one give new insight
into the nature of the atom and
early expansion of the universe.
“We have designed it to be modular,
repairable and upgradable by astro‑
nauts on board the ISS and it can
last for several years,ʼʼ Sengupta
June 9-15, 2018 7
them.
Nemmani's cousin, Srivatsav who
was a contestant, but didn't get to
the finals, said: "I knew he was
going to win. He studied for hours
and hours and hours, countless
hours."
"Koinonia" is "an intimate spiritu‑
al communion and participative
sharing in a common religious com‑
mitment and spiritual community"
according to National Spelling Bee
website.
T he site de fined "bewusst‑
seinslage" as "a state of conscious‑
ness or a feeling devoid of sensory
components."
Given the dif ficulty of the word
that tripped Modi, Nemmani said
modestly: "She deserves the trophy
just as much if not more than I did."
The third through sixth places
went to Abhijay Kodali, Jashun
Paluru, Navneeth Murali and
Sravanth Malla.
Anita Sengupta
(Image : youtube.com)
told The Times of India.
According to Sengupta, these
technology demonstrations are
needed for future space‑based
quantum sensors which could
enable more precise measurements
of gravity, magnetic fields and in‑
space navigation.
She is currently the V‑P of
Hyperloop One.
(Source: timesofindia.com)
 8 June 9-15, 2018
Virginia politicians try to woo Indian‑
Americans ahead of mid‑term polls
Washington, DC: Ahead of mid‑term polls in
November, political parties in the state of Vir‑
ginia are trying to woo Indian‑Americans as
their increasingly swelling number can play a
key role in deciding the election results.
At a time when the voting percentage in
mid‑term elections is coming down, the Indi‑
an‑American community, whose number has
increased significantly in recent years, can
make a big impact by coming out to vote in
large number and deciding the winner, said
Delegate David Reid.
Seeking a re‑election from the Virginia As‑
sembly District 32, Reid urged Indian‑Ameri‑
can to be politically active.
The population of Indian‑Americans in the
Virginia suburb of Washington DC has in‑
creased significantly in the past one decade.
In 2010, there were more than 100,000 Indi‑
an‑Americans in Virginia, an increase of 112
per cent since 2000.
However, there has been a substantial
surge in the Indian‑American population.
Global culture to be celebrated at
World Heritage Cultural Center Gala
A
black tie gala supporting global
culture entitled “The Summer Ball”
will take place on June 23rd at the
Salem Golf Course in North Salem, New
York. Sponsored by World Heritage
Cultural Center (WHCC), the fundraiser
will support the WHCCʼs Project BUILD in
Brewster New York.
Following a cocktail ʻmeet & greetʼ
reception, there will be a seated dinner,
both live and silent auctions, as well as
community awards and multicultural
entertainment. Hosts for the evening will
be Asha Dahya, founder of GirlTalkHQ, and
the American actor Victor Cruz. Additional
performers are coming from Spain, India,
Latin America, Botswana, and the
Caribbean.
The multi‑talented Alyssa Raghu
(YouTube), an American singer/songwriter
of Indian and Mexican decent, is one such
performer. From Orlando, Florida, this
Indian‑American former CEO
pleads guilty to bribery
A
n Indian‑American former CEO of a
Detroit‑based IT company has
pleaded guilty to bribing a city offi‑
cial, officials said.
Parimal D. Mehta, 54, of Northville, was
the CEO of FutureNet Group Inc. He was
accused of participating in a scheme to
bribe a Detroit official to get benefits for
the company, said Acting Assistant
Attorney General John P. Cronan of the
Justice Department's Criminal Division.
Mehta pleaded guilty to one count of fed‑
NATIONAL COMMUNITY
Neighborhoods like Ashburn in Loudon
County in the last few years have emerged as
Little India.
Nearly a dozen political leaders, delegates
and those running for various elected offices
this November turned up at an event organ‑
ized by Indian American Forum for Political
Education (IAFPE) in the Ashburn suburb of
Washington DC.
"This is a recognition of the increasing
presence of Indian‑Americans in Virginia,"
said Satish Korpe, a member of the IAFPE.
Observing that the community has "not
been that active or that involved" in the past,
Delegate Mark Keam called for increasing the
presence of Indian‑Americans and other
Asian groups in politics.
"We have to make change in the country
where we live. We have to have representa‑
tion," he said. Until the community has peo‑
ple who represent them directly, they need to
elect people who can make policies favorable
for them. A former State Department official
IN BRIEF
musician placed in the Top 24 of this sea‑
sonʼs “American Idol.” “I believe music is a
way to express emotions and change the
world,” 16‑year‑old Alyssa says. She is
chair of the newly formed Global Citizen
Committee at WHCC.
WHCC Global Ambassador Terry Gajraj
will also perform. In 1990 he released his
debut Album “Soca Lambada” and his
“Guyana Baboo” released in 1994 pro‑
pelled him to International acclaim.
Dominating the Guyanese music scene for
over 25 years, Terryʼs successful promo‑
tion of Guyanese culture around the world
remains unmatched.
WHCC Founder Sattie Persaud will speak
about where the organization has been
and is going. “We will share our exciting
future plans, and there will be great food
and great entertainment – I guarantee this
will be something no one has experienced
before.
eral program bribery before US District
Judge Robert H. Cleland of the Eastern
District of Michigan. He is expected to be
sentenced on September 27, the Detroit
News reported.
In his plea deal, Mehta admitted that
from 2009 through August 2016, he hand‑
delivered over $6,500 to Charles L. Dodd,
the former director of Detroit's Office of
Departmental Technology Services, includ‑
ing two cash bribes paid in the restroom of
a Detroit‑area restaurant in 2016.
Nearly a dozen political
leaders, delegates and
those running for various
elected offices this
November turned up at an
event organized by Indian
American Forum for
Political Education (IAFPE)
in the Ashburn suburb of
Washington DC.
Alison Friedman, running for Congress from
Virginia, said she is inspired by the two
school girls she met in a remote Bihar village
where she visited in her role as an American
diplomat. "First time I went outside of US is
India. I went to a school in Bihar where peo‑
ple were studying under the tree," she said.
"Make sure that your rights are secure in
NJ Governorʼs Jefferson Award for IHCNJ
I
ndian Health Camp
of New Jersey –
IHCNJ, a non‑profit
organization was rec‑
ognized for 2018 New
Jersey Governorʼs Jef‑
ferson Award on June
2, 2018 at War Me‑
morial in Trenton. The
award recognizes indi‑
viduals for their
achievements and
contributions through IHCNJ volunteers at the event
public and communi‑
ty service. Individuals and groups of pro‑
fessionals from private and public sector in concern for the welfare of others which led
more than 25 categories were recognized
at the event which was attended by more
than 1,000 people to include the invitees,
dignitaries, guests and honorees.
IHCNJ was recognized in the Volunteer
Group for their self‑less community health
screening services throughout the state.
This recognition was for an outstanding
volunteer group or program they coordi‑
nate and participate in various volunteer
activities to benefit their communities. The
certificate of recognition was given on be‑
half of Governor Phil Murphy at the award
Doctor pleads guilty to theft
from insurance firms
A
n Indian‑American doctor has
pleaded guilty to stealing from
insurance companies and faces a
fine of $100,000, authorities said.
Sreekrishna M. Cheruvu, 61, of East
Amherst, New York, pleaded guilty before
Senior US District Judge William M.
Skretny earlier this week and now faces a
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
America. Who we are in the government, not
only impacts your community, but also the
entire world. If they can do it in Bihar, we can
do it here," said Friedman, who is seeking to
unseat Republican incumbent Barbara Com‑
stock from the 10th Congressional District of
Virginia. Bharat Bhargava, a former Bush Ad‑
ministration official, said that Indian Ameri‑
cans have come a long way and have accom‑
plished a lot in various parts of life, but there
is need to increase their presence in politics.
Indian American Sant Gupta, past president
of local Durga Temple, said that Indian Amer‑
icans need to actively participate in the gen‑
eral elections.
Virginia Senator Tim Kaine, who was vice‑
presidential candidate for the 2016 presiden‑
tial elections, sent a lengthy video message
for the event in which he praised the contri‑
bution of Indian Americans in the country
and the State. Kaine, an influential Democrat‑
ic Senator is seeking re‑election in the No‑
vember polls.
ceremony. IHCNJ was established due to
them to serve since 1998 in a non‑profit
organization to provide basic health
screening and disease prevention through‑
out the state.
Due to their outstanding efforts and self‑
less commitment, more than 10,000 docu‑
mented health screenings to uninsured or
underinsured New Jersey residents were
accomplished under the leadership of their
President Dr. Tushar Patel and trustee Dr.
Ashok Patel who is also a cardiologist and
other dedicated physicians, volunteers and
committee members.
maximum penalty of a year in prison along
with the fine, Buffalo Business First report‑
ed.
He was initially charged in 2014 with
health care fraud and submitting false
statements relating to health care matters,
charges that carried a sentence of up to 10
years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info NATIONAL COMMUNITY June 9-15, 2018 9

Shubham Goel is California's Samsonite CEO Ramesh Tainwala steps

youngest governor candidate down after credentials questioned
New Delhi: Mic‑in hand, speaking of his
candidacy for governor of California is 22‑
year‑old Indian‑American Shubham Goel,
who has his roots in Uttar Pradesh. The
youngest candidate running for governor
of California, Goel calls for "fresh voices to
change the state government." He was
born and raised in California and cam‑
paigns for need for practical solutions to
problems that the state faces.
A virtual reality manager by profession,
the 22‑year‑old has been using social
media platforms to reach out to the public.
His campaigns show him on the streets of
California with a megaphone in hand,
advocating transparency in the political
system.
In a video he posted on Twitter, the
young techie in a dark blue t‑shirt is seen
asking people at a carnival to support him,
while one of his aides is standing beside
him holding a big, white placard to pitch
his candidacy for California governor.Goel
will contest alongside 27 other candidates,
according to a two‑page state governor
contest list that shows he does not have a
party preference.
Another video posted on his Twitter pro‑
file shows him campaigning on virtual
reality or VR platforms. "Technology has
been able to fix a lot of issues. I want to
run for governor just to implement techno‑
logically feasible platforms," he said.
Shubham Goel, a virtual
reality manager will contest
alongside 27 other candidates
Goel recently graduated from the
University of California and holds a degree
in economics and film studies. Calling him‑
self an "everyday person," soon after he
announced his candidacy, he tweeted,
"California is struggling and this is the
moment for change!"
According to Goel, the primary reason
for running for office is that one needs no
political backing or funding to bring about
change. "I wanted to run to show that in
state‑wide offices, it is presumed that to
run for office, you need loads of money
and fame and loads of political backing. I
want to show that all you need is efficien‑
cy, platforms and conviction," he said.
(Source: ndtv.com)
New York: Luggage maker Samsonite said
June 1 its CEO has stepped down following
a report by a short‑seller questioning his
credentials and the companyʼs accounting.
Ramesh Tainwala resigned for personal
reasons, which Samsoniteʼs board decided
was in the best interests of the company
and its shareholders, the company said in a
statement to the Hong Kong sto ck
exchange.
A research report issued by short‑seller
Blue Orca a week earlier said the Indian
American executive had falsely claimed on
his resume that he earned a doctorate in
business administrat ion from Union
Institute and University in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Samsonite, headquartered in Mansfield,
Mass., said its board took the allegations
Ramesh Tainwala
seriously but added it had accurately dis‑
(Image courtesy: livemint.com)
closed Tainwalaʼs educational background
since it went public in Hong Kong in 2011. Inst itute of Technolog y and Science.
The companyʼs latest annual report did Tianwala will be replaced by Samsonite
not refer to him as a “Dr.” but Blue Orca chief financial officer Kyle Gendreau.
said it found such references in U.S. filings According to cnn.com, Blue Orca said its
dating from before the company was investigations found he had enrolled in but
delisted from U.S. trading more than a never completed his doctorate program.
decade ago, in Indian filings and during Tainwala subsequently told The Wall
one earnings call with analysts after its Street Journal that he "never claimed" to
Hong Kong IPO. hold a doctoral degree. He said that friends
Tainwala, 58, became CEO in 2014. He and colleagues referred to him as "doctor"
joined the company in 1995, after working as a joke, knowing that he had not com‑
in Indiaʼs plastics industry. He has a mas‑ pleted his doctoral studies.
terʼs degree in management from the Birla (Source: Associated Press)

DIASPORA

Indian-origin biochemist Navy evacuates 38 stranded

in UK's most influential Indians from Yemen
women list New Delhi: The Indian Navy on
Sunday evacuated 38 stranded
Indians from Socotra island in
Sunayna to bring them back to
India, a Navy spokesperson said.
"INS Sunayna pressed into action
Severe cyclonic storm Mekenu
crossed the Yemeni Island of
Socotra on May 24, leaving 38
London: An Indian‑ori‑
g in bio chemist has Yemen where they got stuck after to evacuate the 38 Indian nation‑ Indians stranded on the island
been named alongside a cyclone hit the area 10 days ago, als from Socotra. The evacuated with limited food and water.
the likes of actress‑ forcing India to launch an opera‑ Indians were ... immediately pro‑ The Navy deployed INS Sunayna
turned‑royal Meghan tion to rescue them. All are report‑ vided with medical care, food, in Western Arabian Sea for the
Markle, human rights ed to be safe. water and telephone facilities to humanitarian and disaster relief
lawyer Amal Clooney The Navy evacuated the Indians call and reassure their families. All operation just after it received a
and bestselling author as part of operation 'NISTAR' car‑ have been reported to be safe. Post distress call from the Directorate
J K Rowling as the 25 ried out of f the coast of Socotra evacuation, the ship would be pro‑ General of Shipping and the Indian
most influential and early on Sunday and embarked ceeding towards Porbandar," he Sailing Vessels Association.
aspirational women in them at Indian Naval ship INS said. (IANS)
the UK by 'Vogue' mag‑
azine.
Priyanka Joshi has UK minister to review immigration
been chosen for her
cutting‑edge research
in the inaugural 'The (Image
Priyanka Joshi
courtesy: dailymail.co.uk) cap blocking Indian doctors
Vogue 25' list which includes like molecules to target irregular London: UK Home Secretary Sajid Javid told BBC in reference to the ‑ is calling for a "common sense
artists, activists and executives proteins that cause degenerative Javid promised to review the coun‑ Tier 2 visa cap that has hit doctors approach" to the UK's immigration
across different fields. brain diseases," notes the citation try's immigration system to over‑ and other highly‑skilled profession‑ system.
"Priyanka Joshi had barely com‑ on the young biochemist."With come a monthly immigration cap als from outside the European The cap under the Tier 2 visa cat‑
pleted her PhD when 'Forbes' dementia now the leading cause of preventing professionals such as Union (EU). egory to allow companies to bring
named her one of the most impor‑ death for women in England and Indian doctors from being brought His remarks came as a new "Scrap in professionals from outside the
tant young faces in science. A Wales, her early breakthroughs in to tackle shortages in the state‑ the Cap" campaign online petition EU is set at 20,700 per year, with a
research fe llow at Downing and research could not be more funded National Health Service raised over 1,600 signatures. The monthly limit of around 1,600.
College, Cambridge, the 29‑year‑ vital," it adds in reference to Joshi, (NHS). campaign, launched by the 'British According to latest figures,
old sits at the cutting edge of who completed her MSc in "I see a problem with that and it is Medical Journal' and backed by the between December 2017 and
Alzheimer's research, and has been Biotechnology from University of something I am taking a fresh look UK's leading Indian doctors' associ‑ March 2018, the UK Home Of fice
praised for her ground‑breaking Pune before moving to the UK. at. I hope to think about this more ation ‑ British Association of refused over 1,500 visa applica‑
work building a 'library' of drug‑ (PTI) carefully and see what can be done," Physicians of Indian Origin (BAPIO) tions from doctors.
 10 June 9-15, 2018
McConnell cautions Trump
on tariffs and N. Korea
Washington: Senate Majority
Leader Mitch McConnell joined the
calls of his congressional col‑
leagues in asking President Donald
Trump to reconsider a fresh round
of tariffs levied against US allies in
Mexico, Canada and the European
Union.
"I hope we pull back from the
brink here because these tarif fs
will not be good for the economy,
and I worry that it will slow, if not
impeded significantly, the progress
we were making economically for
the country," he said, as quoted by
CNN.
McConnell added that he hopes
it ends soon and that he is "not
happy about the prospects of a
trade war."
The comments came during an
economic conference in his home
state of Kentucky. McConne ll
pointed to the impacts that a trade
war might have on local employer
Toyota and on Kentucky farmers.
House Speaker Paul Ryan issued
a strong statement on Thursday
evening, writing, "I disagree with
this decision."
Ryan added, "There are better
ways to help American workers
and consumers. I intend to keep
working with the President on
those better options."
Should the US levy tariffs on foreign businesses?
By Shivaji Sengupta
L
ast Friday, June 1st, the US
started to levy tariffs against
practically all its major trade
partners, after a brief period of
concession which ended that day.
For those not keeping up with this
"trade war", tariffs are surcharges,
over and above taxes, that a coun‑
try may charge on business,
charges that cannot be passed on
to consumers in the form of further
taxes. But, of course, consumers
pay the price because sale prices
go up. The Trump administration
has been courting a "trade war" of
tariffs ever since the promises the
president had made during his
election campaign. However, for
those not keeping up with "all this
trade war business, perhaps a brief
synopsis is in order.
According to President Trump,
American trade has been suffering
from an imbalance in trade regula‑
tions with other countries for
decades. Because of our commit‑
ment to the free market, every one
may freely buy and sell in this
country. They have to pay taxes,
but the US government would not
put further financial burdens to
reduce their profits. This applies to
both domestic businesses as well
as to foreign ones. Now, this is not
"If you fall in love with the deal, and it's too important for you to get
it, and the details become less significant, you could get snookered,"
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said referring to Trumpʼs
summit with North Korea. (Photo courtesy Fox News)
McConne ll also warned
President Trump on the pitfalls of
being "snookered" by North Korea.
"My advice to the President is: if
you're a great deal maker, be inter‑
ested in the details." He also said
that the United States should be
wary of easing up on sanctions
and without giving up anything.
"And I think for these situations
to work, you have to not want the
deal too much," he said. "If you fall
in love with the deal, and it's too
important for you to get it, and the
details become less significant, you
could get snookered."
the case in other countries.
In India, our former home for
instance, the government used not
only to charge a huge amount of
money to foreign countries to trade
in India, for over 30 years they pre‑
vented foreign countries to sell cer‑
tain kinds of goods. Those of us
who grew up in India may well
remember that our parents' gener‑
ation could not buy foreign cars.
Car buying was limited to just
three brand names: Ambassador,
Fiat and Standard 10 ‑ cars which
were originally made in Britain and
Italy, but their entire manufactur‑
ing took place in India. The trade
rights were sold to three Indian
auto companies. They became
Indian cars.
The Indian government took
these measures in order to encour‑
age the progress of the Indian auto
industry by forcing buyers to buy
one of the three brands so that
some of the profit made could go to
research and development of auto‑
mobiles in India. Then in the 1990s
the government opened its doors to
other countries and Indians could
buy not only foreign‑made cars,
but many other products. This
example of the Indian auto indus‑
try is an extreme one. Whereas
selling of foreign cars was com‑
pletely forbidden, tariffs were
US AFFAIRS
While Democrats have tempered
their support for Trumpʼs North
Korea diplomacy w ith vo cal
reminders of the risks of a bad
deal, Republicans had welcomed
the presidentʼs decision to call off
the summit ̶ and now face their
own battle to manage expectations
for a chief executive who often
touts his skills at cutting deals.
“Weʼre all hopeful,” McConnell
said on Friday. “I mean, what
would be wrong with having a
denuclearized Korean Peninsula?
But I think we're a long way from
that.”
imposed on other goods such as
perfume, silk, writing equipment,
even foreign films!
Coming to the United States, his‑
torically we didn't charge any tariff
for most of the items being sold in
this country by foreign businesses.
Every other country imposes tar‑
iffs. When Trump campaigned for
the presidency he came out swing‑
ing against the fact that we did not
charge tariffs on other countries
while those countries levied stiff
tariffs against the US. This was not
a level playing field, Trump said,
and that American business, and
hence its economy, is suffering:
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Trump's lawyers argued
with Mueller he could
not obstruct justice
Washington: President Trump's
lawyers sent a confidential letter
to special counsel Robert Mueller
in January, arguing that the pres‑
ident could not have possibly
obstructed justice because he has
constitutional authority over all
federal investigations.
The letter, which was obtained
by The New York Times, argues
that the Constitution gives Trump
the broad authority to, "if he
wished, terminate the inquiry, or
even exercise his power to par‑
don."
The 20‑page memo also says
Trump is not required to sit for
an interview with investigators.
Mueller's team has sought for
months to negotiate an interview
with Trump.
Mueller has told Trump's
lawyers that investigators need to
speak with the president to deter‑
mine whether he sought to
obstruct the probe into Russian
meddling in the 2016 election.
But Trump's lawyers have been
reluctant to grant such an inter‑
view out of concern that prosecu‑
tors could use the president's
words against him.
loss of jobs, siphoning of American
dollars into other countries, and so
on. When he became president, he
announced with a swagger he
would levy taxes on China, Japan
and India, the European Union,
Canada and Mexico, in other words
on all of the United States' long‑
term trading partners.
Now, on face‑value, all this
sounds fair. Why should we suffer
tariffs, and, in the process, make
less profit in foreign countries,
while those countries have a "field
day" doing business here?
However, like most things involv‑
ing business and politics, the situa‑
Robert Mueller
That has raised the prospect of
investigators subpoenaing
Trump. Mueller floated that pos‑
sibility to John Dowd, one of
Trump's former lawyers, in
March, the Times reported.
And Trump's legal team is
preparing for that possibility,
Rudy Giuliani, one of the presi‑
dent's lawyers, said.
The letter, which was authored
by Dowd and Jay Sekulow, anoth‑
er one of Trump's attorneys,
takes a broad interpretation of
the president's constitutional
authority. That authority could be
tested in a potential legal battle
over whether Trump could be
subpoenaed.
tion is more complicated.
For one, foreign goods will go up
in price ‑ some items, steeply. The
automobile is again a good exam‑
ple. Since half the cars sold in this
country are foreign‑made, we will
have to pay more for a Toyota or
Honda; which, in turn, may boost
the sale of American cars, but con‑
sumers with brand loyalty, may not
switch and may in fact pay much
more for their cars. But even
American cars may go up in price!
This is because, many parts of
American cars are manufactured
abroad: they will all cost more
because of ‑ you guessed it: tariffs!
Since the US is planning to charge
tariffs on aluminum, and since
auto bodies are made with alu‑
minum as the main alloy, there will
be even higher prices for American
cars.
Everything for which tariffs are
charged will experience a rise in
prices. Mexico will charge tariffs
for manufactures of farm equip‑
ment, which will hit the farmers in
the South and Midwest ‑ from
where most of Trump's supporters
come ‑ and prices of farm products
will go up. So will farm produce,
and so on.
Are we sure that the Trump
administration should go ahead
with trade tariffs?
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Facebook defends data-sharing
partnerships with phone makers
San Francisco: After a New
York Times report claimed
that Facebook allowed about
60 device makers, including
Apple and Samsung, to access
personal information of users
and their friends, the social
network has defended the
pacts saying that these part‑
nerships do not raise privacy concerns.
Even before Facebook apps were widely
available on smartphones, Facebook had
data‑sharing partnerships with the device
makers, the report said citing company
of ficials, adding that most of the deals
remain in effect.
Facebook said that the partners signed
agreements that prevented people's infor‑
mation from being used for any other pur‑
pose than to recreate Facebook‑like experi‑
ences.
"Partners could not integrate the user's
Facebook features with their devices with‑
out the user's permission," Ime Archibong,
Facebook's vice‑president of Product
Partnerships, said in a statement on
Sunday.
Archibong said that in the early days of
mobile, the demand for Facebook outpaced
the company's ability to build versions of
the product that worked on every phone or
operating system.
US AFFAIRS
"It's hard to remember now but
back then there were no app
stores. So companies like
Facebook, Google, Twitter and
YouTube had to work directly
with an operating system and
device manufacturers to get their
products into people's hands,"
Archibong said. Face book
launched the device‑integrated APIs about
a decade ago and said that all these part‑
nerships were built on a common interest ‑
the desire for people to be able to use
Facebook whatever their device or operat‑
ing system.
The New York Times report claimed that
the deals raise concerns about the compa‑
ny's privacy protections and compliance
with a 2011 consent decree with the US
Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Facebook,
which is already under scrutiny for misuse
of millions of its users' data after the
Cambridge Analytica data leak scandal
became public, reportedly allowed the
device companies access to the data of
users' friends without their explicit consent,
even after declaring that it would no longer
share such information with outsiders.
Some device‑makers could retrieve per‑
sonal information even from users' friends
who believed they had barred any sharing,
The New York Times found.
June 9-15, 2018 11
ʻI have absolute right to
pardon myselfʼ
Washington:
President Donald
Trump said on
Monday that he has
the "absolute right"
to pardon himself
in the Russia
inquiry, while
insisting he has
done nothing
wrong.
But the President
said in a tweet that
he "won't use that
power" and called Trump also calls Mueller's investigation "unconstitutional".
special counsel (Photo courtesy AP)
Robert Mueller's investigation "unconstitu‑ comments came after one of his attorneys
tional". in the Russia investigation, Rudy Giuliani,
"As has been stated by numerous legal said on Sunday that Trump "probably does"
scholars, I have the absolute right to par‑ have the power to pardon himself, but
don myself, but why would I do that when I won't, CNN reported.
have done nothing wrong? In the mean‑ Giuliani said: "I think the political ramifi‑
time, the never ending witch hunt, led by cations of that would be tough. Pardoning
13 very angry and conflicted Democrats (& other people is one thing. Pardoning your‑
others) continues into the mid‑terms!" self is another."
Trump said. Giuliani wasn't the only Republican
He lashed out at the inquiry into whether against the idea of Trump issuing a self‑
his election campaign had colluded with pardon. House Majority Leader Kevin
Russia or obstructed justice, saying that he McCarthy, a Republican, told CNN that he
would "play the game" because he has doesn't think the President should grant
"done nothing wrong". The President's himself a pardon.
 12 June 9-15, 2018
BJP suffers shock defeats in by‑elections
New Delhi: Ahead of next year's
general elections, a united opposi‑
tion got a major boost when it
delivered a huge blow to the BJP,
defeating it in the Kairana Lok
Sabha by‑e lect ion in Uttar
Pradesh and Bhandara‑Gondiya in
Maharashtra while the saf fron
party managed to retain the
Palghar parliamentary seat and
w in only one out of the 10
Assembly seats in 10 states.
Out of the four Lok Sabha con‑
stituencies that voted on May 24,
the Nagaland Lok Sabha con‑
stituency returned the candidate
of the ruling Nag aland
Democratic Progressive Party
(NDPP), a BJP ally, who defeated
the Naga People's Front (NPF)
candidate.
The biggest shock for the BJP
came from Kairana ‑‑ a seat the
BJP won in 2014 ‑‑ where the
opposition had put up a common
candidate.
Ajit Singh's Rashtriya Lok Dal
(RLD) candidate Tabassum Hasan,
supported by the Congress, the SP
and the BSP, trounced the BJP's
Mriganka Singh in Kairana in
Uttar Pradesh by over 55,000
votes. The BJP along with its allies
had swept 73 out of the 80 Lok
Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh in
Court admits abetment
to suicide charge against
Tharoor
New Delhi: A court admitted
abetment to suicide charges
against Congress MP Shashi
Tharoor over the 2014 death of
his wife Sunanda Pushkar, say‑
ing there was "sufficient
grounds to proceed" against the
politician.
Taking cognisance of the Delhi
Police chargesheet, Additional
Chief Metropolitan Magistrate
Samar Vishal asked Tharoor to
appear before him on July 7.
"I have gone through and
perused the chargesheet along
with the documents filed along
with it. Cognisance taken on
offence regarding abetment to
suicide of late Sunanda Pushkar
and for committing cruelty upon
her. On the basis of the police
report, I take cognisance abet‑
ment of suicide punishable
under 306 IPC and cruelty
under 498A IPC. There exists
sufficient grounds to proceed
against Shashi Tharoor for com‑
mission of offence," Vishal said.
The magistrate also issued
notice to the prosecution for a
written reply on BJP MP
Subramanian Swamy's applica‑
Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) workers celebrate after their party wrested
the Kairana Lok Sabha seat from BJP. (Photo: IANS)
the 2014 general elections and
won an overwhelming 312 seats
out of a total 423 in the state
assembly elections last year.
Along with the Kairana reverse,
the BJP also suf fered the
ignominy of losing the Noorpur
Assembly seat to the Samajwadi
Party in the by election in Uttar
Pradesh. Samajwadi candidate
Naimul Hassan defeated BJP's
Avani Singh by over 6,200 votes.
The Kairana defeat for the BJP
Congress leader
Shashi Tharoor.
tion. The cause of Sunanda
Pushkar's death was poisoning.
A total of 27 tablets of Alprax
were found in her room but it
was not clear how many she had
consumed.
On May 14, police
chargesheeted Tharoor under
sections 306 and 498A of the
Indian Penal Code, pertaining to
abetment to suicide and cruelty
to wife, which entails a jail term
that could extend up to 10 years.
Pushkar, 51, was found dead in
a hotel suite here on January 17,
2014, days after she alleged that
her husband was having an
affair with a Pakistani journalist.
INDIA NEWS
comes on top of the failure to
retain Gorakhpur and Phulpur in
the by‑elections in March this
year in which the Samajwadi can‑
didates, with the backing of BSP,
had defeated BJP candidates.
In Palghar Lok Sabha seat in
Maharashtra, the Bharatiya Janata
Party (BJP) win came in a triangu‑
lar fight in which the candidate of
its sulking ally, the Shiv Sena, cor‑
nered a considerable chunk of
votes. BJP's Rajendra Gavit defeat‑
US told India's ties with Russia
are time tested: Sitharaman
New Delhi: De fence Minister
Nirmala Sitharaman said that India
has made it clear to the US that its
relationship with Russia is lasting
and the dynamics of Indo‑US ties
cannot influence it.
"I like to make it clear here that
in all our engagements with the
US, we have very clearly explained
how India and Russia's defence
cooperation has been going on for
a very long time," Sitharaman said
in response to a media query per‑
taining to the US advising India to
not go ahead with purchasing S‑
400 ant i‑missile system from
Russia.
Governors may play key role within
constitutional framework: Modi
New Delhi: Prime Minister
Narendra Mo di said that the
Governors had a crucial role to
play within the constitutional
framework and they could ensure
better implementation of the cen‑
tral schemes for the benefit of a
larger section of the population.
Addressing the opening session
of the 49th Conference of
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
ed Shiv Sena's Srinivas Wanga by
over 29,500 votes.
However, the BJP candidate
Hemant Patel had to bite the dust
in the Bhandara‑Gondiya seat in
the state w ith the NCP's
Madhukar Kukde snatching the
constituency that was won by the
BJP in the 2014 poll. T he
Congress supported the NCP can‑
didate in the current by poll.
Kukde defeated Patel by over
45,000 votes.
RLD leader Jayant Chaudhary
hoped that the combined opposi‑
tion would keep its momentum to
defeat the BJP in the Lok Sabha
elections next year. "I am confi‑
dent that the RLD will play a role
in how to carry forward the oppo‑
sit ion unity and alliance.
Whatever the alliance, we will
play a posit ive role," he told
reporters. Of the 10 assembly
seats where by‑polls were held
last Thursday, the BJP scored just
one in Uttarakhand while the
Congress won Punjab's Shahkot,
Karnataka's RR Nag ar and
Meghalaya's Ampati that made it
the single largest party in the
northeastern state.
The Trinamool Congress won
the Maheshtala seat in West
Bengal while the CPI‑M candidate
Defence Minister
Nirmala Sitharaman
"It's a time tested relationship
and India has got quite a lot of
defence assets from Russia. Assets,
Governors at the Rashtrapat i
Bhavan, Modi said the Governors
could leverage their experience in
dif ferent walks of life to ensure
people get the maximum benefit of
various central deve lopment
schemes and initiatives.
The institution of Governor had
a "pivotal role to play within the
federal structure and
de feated a Cong ress rival in
Kerala's Chengannur.
Jailed politician Lalu Prasad's
RJD defeated the ruling BJP and
JD‑U's joint candidate in Bihar's
Jokihat assembly seat where it
was more of a battle of prestige
for the former allies ‑ the RJD and
the JD‑U. RJD's Shahnawaz Alam
beat a JD‑U candidate by over
41,000 votes.
Lalu Prasad's son Te jashw i
Yadav, a former Deputy Chief
Minister, said the loss was a les‑
son for Chie f Minister Nit ish
Kumar who broke away from the
anti‑BJP grand alliance and joined
hands with the BJP in Bihar.
"Want to thank all the opposi‑
tion parties for coming together
against the BJP… This loss proves
that Nitish Kumar has deceived
the people of Bihar and people
have responded to it. People of
Bihar are avenging the U‑turn
taken by Nitish Kumar," Tejashwi
Yadav said. The Jokihat assembly
seat was left vacant after the sit‑
ting JD‑U lawmaker quit the party
and joined the RJD following
Nitish Kumar's decision to go with
the BJP last year. The Jharkhand
Mukti Morcha bagged both the
Assembly seats of Silli and Gomia
in the state.
spares, servicing, we have a contin‑
uous relationship with Russia," she
added.
She said the US sanctions against
Russia would not be impacting
"this particular characteristic of
India‑Russia defence cooperation".
She said that negotiations with
Russia for S‑400 were in the final
stage.
"The S‑400 deal has been on for
a very long time and we have
reached the final stage negotia‑
t ions. T hat explains it all,"
Sitharaman said on whether India
would still go ahead with the deal
with Russia.
Constitutional framework of our
country", he said.
T he Prime Minister said
Governors of states with signifi‑
cant tribal population can help in
ensuring financial inclusion of the
tribal communities as well as in
facilitating various government ini‑
tiatives in fields such as education,
sports and others to reach them.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info INDIA June 9-15, 2018 13

BRICS seeks action against states financing terrorism

Pretoria: With India seeking joint
action by the BRICS member states
against terrorist financing and
money laundering, the grouping
on Monday called upon all coun‑
tries to prevent financing of terror‑
ist networks and terrorist actions
from their territories.
"The ministers deplored the con‑
tinued terrorist attacks, including
in some BRICS countries," said a
joint statement issued following a
BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China,
South Africa) Foreign Ministers
meet ing here which was also
attended by Indian External Affairs
minister Sushma Swaraj.
"They condemned terrorism in
all its forms and manifestations
wherever committed and by
whomsoever," it stated.
The BRICS Foreign Ministers also
called for concerted ef forts to
counter terrorism under the UN
auspices "on a firm international
legal basis, and expressed their
conviction that a comprehensive
approach was necessary to ensure
effective fight against terrorism".
"They recalled the responsibility
of all states to prevent financing of
terrorist networks and terrorist
actions from their territories," the
statement said in what can be seen
as a veiled reference to Pakistan.
The ministers also called for an
expedited adoption of the India‑ini‑
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj addresses at the BRICS
Ministerial Meeting in Pretoria, South Africa. (Photo: IANS/MEA)
tiated Comprehensive Convention
on International Terrorism in the
UN General Assembly.
Earlier, in her address at the
BRICS Foreign Ministers meeting,
Swaraj called for joint action by
the grouping against money laun‑
dering and financing of terrorists.
She said that Indian Prime
Minister Narendra Modi has given
a call for a BRICS Counter‑
Terrorism Strateg y w ith joint
action against money‑laundering,
terrorist financing, cyber‑space
security and de‑radicalization
being priorities.
"Our leaders have also called for
making UN Counter Terrorism
framework efficient and effective,"
she said.
"We reiterate our commitment to
implement our Leaders' mandate
on counter terrorism under South
Africa's BRICS Chairship."
According to the joint statement,
the ministers expressed their con‑
cern over the deteriorating situa‑
tion in Afghanistan, particularly
the increase in the number and
intensity of terrorist‑re lated
attacks on the Afghan National
Security Forces, the government
and civilians.
"T he ministers called on the
international community to assist
the government and the people of
Swaraj's plane 'goes
missing' for 14 minutes
New Delhi: In a major scare, an
Indian Air Force plane carrying
External Affairs Minister Sushma
Swaraj lost contact with air traffic
control for almost 14 minutes,
the Airports Authority of India
said. Swaraj, who was traveling to
Mauritius while on her way to
attend the BRICS meet in South
Africa, departed from
Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday.
While the aircraft changed over
from Indian airspace and estab‑
lished contact with the Male air
traffic control (ATC) at 4.44 p.m.,
it could not contact Mauritius
ATC after entering Mauritius air‑
space, the Airports Authority of
Afghanistan with stabilising the
security situation in the country as
well as for the return of dialogue
with the objective of working
towards the realisation of peace in
the country and an inclusive politi‑
cal process," the statement said.
The ministers also expressed
their concern over the ongoing
conflict and heightened tensions in
the Middle East region, especially
w ith reg ard to the Israe li‑
India said in a statement.
After the Mauritius ATC activat‑
ed the uncertainty code "INCER‑
FA" ‑‑ used for the phase where
uncertainty exists regarding the
safety of an aircraft and its occu‑
pants ‑‑ the flight came in contact
with the Mauritius ATC at 4.58
p.m. and landed later.
"Mauritius ATC activated
INCERFA (uncertainty phase)
without allowing the stipulated
time period of 30 minutes to
lapse from the time when aircraft
last contacted ATC. This was per‑
haps done because the flight was
carrying a VIP," the statement
said.
Palestinian situation.
On UN Security Council reforms,
the ministers underscored the
importance of sustained ef forts
aimed at making the UN more
ef fective and ef ficient in imple‑
menting the mandates conferred
upon it.
Brazil and India, apart from
Germany and Japan, are part of the
G4 that is seeking permanent
membership in the UNSC.

BSF, Pakistan Rangers Prime Minister Narendra Modi

vow to maintain peace
Jammu/New Delhi: India's BSF and the
Pakistan Rangers have agreed to main‑
tain peace and tranquillity along the
International Border (IB) in Jammu and
Kashmir, hours after an intermittent
exchange of firing between the two.
The assurance came at a sector com‑
mander level flag meeting between
Border Security Force (BSF) and
Pakistan Rangers at Border Outpost
Octroi (on the Pakistan side) across R.S.
Pura sector of Jammu district which
lasted for about two hours. It was decid‑
ed to hold next such meeting on June
21.
"The prime focus of the meeting was
to maintain peace and tranquillity on
the border. The meeting is likely to
bring firing‑free environment, particu‑
larly for border area villagers on both
sides. Commanders on both sides
agreed to keep talks on every level to
develop confidence between two border
guarding forces," a BSF statement said.
"The meeting went off in a conducive
atmosphere," it added.
This was the third sector commander
level meeting of the year, coming amid
heavy shelling and firing on the
International Border.
The last sector commander level
meeting was held on the International
Hours after flag
meeting, Pak
violates ceasefire
Jammu: Within hours of a flag meet‑
ing to maintain ceasefire on the inter‑
national border (IB) in Jammu and
Kashmir, Pakistan Rangers fired mor‑
tars at Indian positions on Tuesday.
Police said around 1 a.m., the
Pakistan Rangers fired two‑to‑three
mortars in the Akhnoor sector of
the IB.
"Border Security Force (BSF) troop‑
ers did not retaliate. No casualty or
damage was caused in the Pakistani
shelling," a police officer said.
On Monday, a sector commandersʼ
level flag meeting was held in
Suchetgarh between the BSF and
Pakistan Rangers.
Border in Suchetgarh area of Jammu on
February 23.
The meeting, called at the request of
the Pakistani side, came after Pakistan
Rangers targeted four border outposts
of the BSF in Akhnoor sector on
Monday morning. The Pakistanis had
subsequently sought a flag meeting.
meets US Defence Secretary
Singapore: Indian Prime
Minister Narendra Modi met
US Defence Secretary James
Mattis on the sidelines of the
Shangri‑La Dialogue and went
on board an Indian Navy ship
at a naval base here, the con‑
cluding day of his three‑nation
tour of southeast Asia, before
departing for India.
Indian External Af fairs
Ministry spokesperson
Raveesh Kumar tweeted that
the focus of conversation with
Mattis was on the region in
the context of Mo di's
Thursday keynote address at
the Shangri‑La Dialogue.
In his speech, Modi said that
India's vision for the Indo‑
Pacific region is that of a free,
open and inclusive region that
embraces all in a common
Prime Minister Narendra Modi with US Defense Secretary
pursuit of progress and pros‑
James Mattis in Singapore. (Photo: IANS/PIB)
perity. He also said that India's
global strategic partnership with the US of this partnership is our shared vision of
has overcome the hesitations of history an open, stable, secure and prosperous
and "continues to deepen across the Indo‑Pacific region," he said.
extraordinary breadth of our relation‑ The Shangri‑La Dialogue is a Track I
ship". annual inter‑governmental security forum
"It has assumed new significance in the organised by the International Institute of
changing world. And, an important pillar Strategic Studies (IISS) think tank.
 14 June 9-15, 2018
Death of media is fake news
By Shekhar Gupta
W
e, the journalists, are
looking really bad. The
larger public, the janata,
is being persuaded to think we are
all on the take. The politician is
having a mig hty laug h. T he
Righteous Commentariat is hawk‑
ing the canard that we arenʼt just
crooks, but criminally bigoted too.
And we are nursing a guilty con‑
science, forgetting the first lesson
of our trade: Checking our facts.
Sting videos always look bloody
awful. Even a normal conversation
on hidden camera can make you
look foolish, especially if it catches
you doing something silly. But this
camera brings pictures that make
some people look much worse than
if they were merely caught picking
their noses, or scratching in odd
places. Some of these are the most
powerful people in Indian media.
None, I repeat none, of them is a
journalist.
So that is the first important fact.
There is no need for journalists to
wallow in shame or commit the
moral equivalent of jauhar or mass‑
sati. Surely, where the Chinese
walls between editorial and rev‑
enue are breached, a fightback is
called for.
T he second important fact:
Barring one meg a owner, and
salesmen in some organisations,
none has either offered to sell edi‑
torial for money or to se ll
By‑election graffiti: Troubled times for BJP
By Amulya Ganguli
I
t will be a mistake to ascribe
the defeats of the Bharatiya
Janata Party (BJP) in the
Kairana, Noorpur and Bhandara‑
Gondiya by‑elections in Uttar
Pradesh and Maharashtra only to
the tie‑ups among its opponents.
While there is little doubt that
in Kairana, an alliance of the
Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), the
Samajwadi Party (SP), the
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and
the Congress led to the BJP's
defeat, it is also undeniable that
the combine wouldn't have
worked if the Muslims, Dalits,
backward castes and the Jats
hadn't turned against the BJP.
The angst of the minorities has
combined with the realisation
among the BJP's opponents that
the only way to defeat it is via
electoral tie‑ups among them‑
selves. This is what happened in
Kairana, where a combined
If we (journalists) are willing to sell out, tycoons can buy us with their
pocket change. It is scary if our richest owners are so blinded by
greed that they canʼt even spot a ʻBunty Aur Babliʼ type con.
time/space for a communally‑
loaded campaign for cash, if routed
through their top industrialist
friends. Never mind that the
tycoons named here, running the
largest and most valued listed pub‑
lic companies, would be furious at
having been named as likely con‑
duits for converting black money
into white. You might wish to ask
“Kumar”, Adani or Ambani if they
would do that. Having seen the pic‑
ture from both sides, I wouldnʼt
worry too much about what sales
people say or promise. You do not
want to see your salesmen at work
just as even committed meat‑eaters
would rather not watch a butcher
slaughtering an animal.
Third: The mediaʼs influence is
way more than its financial size or
power. Indiaʼs richest news media
company has a turnover of just
The angst of the minorities has combined with the realisation among the BJP's opponents
that the only way to defeat it is via electoral tie‑ups among themselves.
opposition seamlessly garnered
the votes of the Muslims, the
Dalits, the backward castes and
the Jats.
It was the same in Noorpur,
where the SP candidate received
the support of the other opposi‑
The views expressed in Op Eds are not necessarily those of The South Asian Times.
OP-ED
over 1 billion in dollar terms (or
Rs6,700 crore). Most others do not
even cross the four‑figure in
crores. Compare them w ith
Re lianceʼs Rs4.3 lakh crore or
Aditya Birla Groupʼs Rs2.9 lakh
crore or even DLFʼs Rs7,663 crore.
If we are willing to sell out, these
tycoons can buy us with their
pocket change. It is scary if our
richest owners are so blinded by
greed that they canʼt even spot a
ʻBunty Aur Babliʼ type con. Do peo‑
ple who dress and talk like that,
with no website, no antecedents, no
electronic footprints, deal in hun‑
dreds of crores? Donʼt you, or an
executive assistant, Google the
oddball “Acharya Atal” before your
meeting? Youʼre lucky, he didnʼt
sell you the Taj Mahal. Any journal‑
ist w ith the bullshit‑detector
switched on in her head would
tion parties, and in Bhandara‑
Gondiya, where the Nationalist
Congress Party (NCP) and the
Congress successfully put up a
untied fight against the BJP.
The formula, therefore, for suc‑
cess against the BJP is clear ‑‑
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
have caught it.
Fourth, people donʼt get these
nuances. When they see the big
guys so jelly‑kneed, they see us all
as sold. And when some of us will
genuinely face pressure and intimi‑
dation and threats, we will face
scepticism from them: Tell me
another! This sting will make it
worse. Thatʼs why it is important to
sift facts from fiction, self‑serving
propaganda and self‑flagellation.
Fifth, bias for an ideology or a
political party, particularly where
owners have become politicians is
at least transparent. Iʼd submit that
by and large mainstream media in
most languages has maintained its
sanity. A few self‑inflicted hammer
blows do not mean the institutional
pillar is broken.
Sixth, itʼs a dangerously ridicu‑
lous̶althoug h fashionable̶
notion that the mainstream media
(or just MSM) is broken, and social
media is the panacea. Most of the
biggest stories to embarrass the
Narendra Modi government have
been broken and pursued by the
MSM, including that story on the
prime ministerʼs infamous suit. On
the other hand, 99% of all fake
news emanates from the social
media.
Seventh, itʼs a dangerous fallacy
that the sting shows that the adver‑
tisement‑based model is broken, so
letʼs find something else: Audience
or foundat ion‑funded. T he
Guardian is sustained by philan‑
thropy. You may like the side it is
on. But is it non‑partisan?
Eighth, none is happier at the lat‑
est turn of events than the political
class. Samajwadi Partyʼs
unite or perish. As West Bengal
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee
once said, the objective should
be to offer the BJP a one‑to‑one
fight by parties which are the
most influential in a certain
region.
Ghanshyam Tiwari on Twitter joy‑
ously echoed Pratap Bhanu
Mehtaʼs unfortunate line, that
news‑media has become a threat to
democracy. The BJP‑RSS, the estab‑
lishment, I am sure, are applauding
in agreement. And the Congress?
Watch Rahul Gand hiʼs videos
mocking journalists. Why are you
so scared? Wait till we return to
power and restore your freedoms.
Do we want to outsource our free‑
doms to one party or the other?
Ninth, Are ʻstingsʼ like these
ʻinvestigativeʼ journalism? With no
prior disclosure or transparency,
no inst itut ional af filiat ion or
accountability? Some newsrooms
like stings and some donʼt. All the
famous exposés overseas, includ‑
ing Wikileaks and Cambridge
Analytica, revealed illegal activity
that had already taken place, or the
stings recorded with secret cam‑
eras a deal between a match‑fixer
and a cricketer. And finally, many
of us carry scars and personal
chips with our employers. Letʼs not
download them on all journalism.
Also, be honest. Are all employers
bumbling, thieving idiots? I worked
for exactly 37 years (1977‑2014)
at two big media organisations.
Was I ever asked to sell news for
anything? I would have loved to
tell tales about how I was, but
defied heroically. I was denied that
opportunity by two wonderful
employers. One of them also
taught us early in our lives a great
mantra: Look at easy money very,
very carefully. I hope he continues
to do so.
(The opinion appeared in The
Print)
If this is done, victory is
assured as the Rashtriya Janata
Dal's three successive victories in
Araria, Jehanabad and Jokihat in
Bihar against the ruling Janata
Dal‑United have shown.
In the present instance, the
threat to an anti‑BJP alliance is
posed by the ambitions of sever‑
al of its players ‑‑ Rahul Gandhi,
Mamata Banerjee, Mayawati,
Sharad Pawar ‑‑ to be the Prime
Minister.
The BJP may be banking on
such dissonance to stave off any
challenge. But the party will nev‑
ertheless be aware that the ease
with which it ascended to power
in 2014 will be absent during
the next general election.
The political scene is poised,
therefore, between the possibili‑
ty of Modi not being as effective
a campaigner as before and the
opposition trying to counter him
while battling its own fissiparous
tendencies.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Sandeep Chakravorty, Indiaʼs Consul General in New York, panelists and yoga experts
at the curtain‑raiser held at TV Asian studio.
Preparations for IDY in Tristate in full swing
Edison, NJ: The Consulate General of India
in New York, TV Asia and the Indian
American community hosted a curtain‑rais‑
er on May 29 at the TV Asia auditorium
here to mark the International Day of Yoga
2018.
The event featured an interactive session
with yoga exponent. Sandeep Chakravorty,
Indiaʼs Consul General in New York,
announced that the Indian Consulate is
hosting the IDY event on Governorʼs Island
(Picnic Point) in New York on June 16.
Yoga events are also planned at Times
Square and elsewhere across the US.
Organizations represented at the curtain‑
raiser and panel discussion included, Isha
Foundation, Art of Living Foundation,
Featured Yogic Practice
ANULOM VILOM
A
nulom Vilom (Alternative nostril
breathing) is one of the basic
Pranayams. For pranayama prac‑
tice, lotus posture is the best, but you can
sit in any other pose like vajrasana, but
with spine erect and head straight.
The main characteristic feature of this
pranayama is alternative breathing
through the left and right nostrils with‑
out or with retention of breath.
4To start, relax the body with a few
deep breaths, and close the eyes. Keep
the left palm on the left knee.
4Lifting the right hand, place the ring
and small fingers on the left nostril and
fold the middle and index finger.
4Now place the right thumb on the
right nostril. Breathe in from the left nos‑
tril.
4Close the left nostril with the small
and ring fingers and release the thumb
from the right nos‑
tril.
4Exhale
through the
right nostril.
Next, inhale
through the
right nostril.
4At the
end of inhala‑
tion, close the
right nostril,
open the left
nostril, and
exhale
4TH INTERNATIONAL DAY OF YOGA
Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, Vegetarian
Vision, World Yoga Community (Guru
Dilipji), Hindu Temple Society of North
America, Mallakhamb Federation of USA,
Indian Cultural Association of North
America, and Sahaja Yoga.
The panel discussion was moderated by
Rohit Vyas, TV Asia News Director.
Dayashankar Vidyalankar, the resident
yoga teacher in the Indian Consulate,
demonstrated quick yoga techniques for
the benefit of the audience. The Consul
General said in his remarks that notwith‑
standing all the euphoria it was important
to establish the Indian connection of yoga,
which seemed to be getting diluted as yoga
gains worldwide popularity. “Outside of
through it.
4This complete process is one round
of the Nadisodhana or Anulom Vilom
pranayama.
Repeat 5 rounds.
4For beginners the duration of inhala‑
tion and exhalation should be equal.
Gradually make it 1:2 inhalation: exhala‑
tion.
4Breath should be slow, steady and
controlled. It should not be forced or
restricted.
Benefits
4The main purpose of this pranayama
is to purify the principle energy carrying
channels called nadis. Hence it nourishes
the whole body.
4It induces tranquility and helps to
improve concentration, increases vitality
and lowers the level if stress and anxiety.
Children demonstrating yoga poses.
(Photos courtesy: Gunjesh Desai/TV Asia)
India, the US is now a leading proponent of
yoga. Hospitals, corporates and everyone
else now believes in the healing power of
yoga and meditation. Terminally‑ill patients
with cancer were being recommended to
increasingly practice yoga and meditation
to improve their end‑stage quality of life,”
he said.
HR Shah, chairman and CEO of TV Asia,
mentioned that nearly 37 million people in
the US were practicing some form of yoga
and meditation. That has translated into a
$16 billion yoga industry in the US, that
included yoga schools, retreats, merchan‑
dizing and even health shows on TV. He
lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modiʼs
efforts to get the UN proclaim June 21 as
Yoga events you could attend
Preparatory meeting organized on May 24 by the Indian Embassy with representatives of
leading Yoga Studios for the 4th IDY to be held on Capitol West Lawn on 16 June.
Washington DC
June 16: IDY Yoga event organized by
Embassy of India in partnership with
Friends of Yoga at the US Capitol, West
Lawn, Washington DC.
New York City
June 16: The Consulate General of India, NY
hosts IDY event on Governorʼs Island (Picnic
Point) in New York, 11 am‑1 pm.
June 21: Organized by Yoga Alliance, thou‑
sands will practice yoga at Times Square all
day. To register for free: bit.ly/2GCJOC.
June 24: Surya Namaskar, Yoga, health talks
and presentations on Ayurveda, acupunc‑
ture. Ganesh Temple Kalayana Mantapam, 9
am.
Hartsdale, NY
June 23: Outdoor Yoga Class organized by
the Indian Cultural Association of North
America with Greenburgh Parks &
Recreation & Indian Consulate – New York,
June 9-15, 2018 15
the International Day of Yoga in 2014.
That was the turning point in yogaʼs
acceptance universally. Yoga, which means
to join or to unite, symbolizing the union of
body and consciousness, was also helping
bring people and countries together, Shah
added. An audio‑visual presentation gave a
brief overview of Yoga for ore than 300
guests, including several prominent mem‑
bers of the Indian American community,
attended the outreach event, interacting
with the yoga exponents and asking them a
variety of questions about yoga and medita‑
tion.
The curtain‑raiser was to be telecast on
TV Asia for the benefit of the community in
the US, Canada and worldwide.
at Richard Presser Park (Webb Park), 218 N
Central Ave, Hartsdale, NY 10530; 5.30 pm.
Free Yoga mats for first 100 participants.
Hicksville, NY
June 23: Learn yoga and meditation from
Shri Sanjay Attada (disciple of Swamy Bua),
at Asa Mai Hindu Temple, organized by
Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh USA, Asa Mai
temple and Indian Consulate; 10.00 am.
Hartford, CT
June 24: Yoga and meditation practice and
introduction to ayurveda, homeopathy and
naturopathy, organized by the Indian
Consulate and Milan CT at Capitol Building,
Capitol Avenue; 10 am.
Boston
June 22‑24: 3rd International Conference
on Integrative Medicine: Role of Yoga and
Ayurveda, Harvard Medical School, Boston,
MA.
 16 June 9-15, 2018
Arbaaz Khan admits to Priyanka, Nick Jonas 'very
betting on IPL games affectionate' during date
B
ollywood
actor‑pro‑
ducer
Arbaaz Khan is
understood to have
admitted to betting
in the Indian
Premier League
(IPL) series and los‑
ing huge amounts,
police sources said.
Arbaaz has not
only admitted to bet‑
ting in the IPL for
more than five years
Actor Arbaaz Khan talks to
but also losing a large Anti Extortion Cell in Thane.
amount in the last IPL
(2018) series and the
habit had also affected his marriage with
Malaika, (whom he subsequently
divorced).
His confession came before a team of
Thane Anti Extortion Cell which is prob‑
ing the IPL betting scam since the past
five‑six years involving several billions of
rupees, the sources said.
Arbaaz, 50, who was summoned before
the AEC, was confronted with a prominent since over five‑six years, the diaries and
bookie Sonu Jalan alias Sonu Batla, who
was arrested and remanded five days ago,
besides four other bookies nabbed late
last month. Though officials refused to
speak on record, sources said Arbaaz
allegedly admitted to betting a huge
amount and also losing a bigger amount
in the IPL bets after which he was report‑
edly harassed and threatened by Jalan for
coughing the amount.
Arbaaz's name first cropped up during
Jalan's custodial interrogation. Recoveries
Reliance Entertainment,
Imtiaz Ali to form JV
A
nil Dhirubhai Ambani‑led Reliance
Entertainment and filmmaker Imtiaz
Ali announced the formation of
Window Seat Films, LLP ‑‑ a 50:50 joint ven‑
ture for production of movies.
This is Reliance Entertainment's fifth cre‑
ative partnership with Indian filmmakers to
form a production company.
"We are proud to have Imtiaz as our part‑
ner. He is a person of deep simplicity and
humility despite his enormous successes, and
we are looking forward to making great
movies together," said Amitabh Jhunjhunwala,
Vice Chairman, Reliance Entertainment. An
incredibly talented and successful writer,
director, Ali has received wide appreciation
and acclaim from audiences and critics alike,
in addition to blockbuster success at the box
office. He has won several awards over the
years since the release of his first film in
2005. On the partnership, Ali said: "There is a
common vision that Window Seat Films and
Reliance Entertainment share in terms of the
content that we'd like to make, the kind of sto‑
ries we'd like to tell and the way we'd like to
collaborate in running this partnership.
Working under this partnership is like work‑
ing for myself."
ULTIMATE BOLLYWOOD
press outside
of his diary with handwritten entries and
some photographs led to Arbaaz being
summoned by the AEC Chief Pradeep
Sharma.
An investigating officer told the media
this afternoon that so far six accused have
been arrested in the case while laptops
and CDs recovered from them have been
sent for forensic analysis.
While Arbaaz has said he knew Jalan
other papers found from the bookie
(Jalan) have revealed more names of
prominent personalities involved in the
betting scam. Emerging from the interro‑
gations, Arbaaz said he had replied to all
the police queries and "was fully cooper‑
ating in the ongoing investigations."
On his part, the AEC Chief Sharma
briefly said the police will take any fur‑
ther decision in the matter only after the
full probe is complete, and Arbaaz may be
called again if required.
Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali has received
wide appreciation for his films.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
A
merican singer Nick
Jonas and Indian
actress Priyanka Chopra
continued to fuel dating
rumors during a night out in
West Hollywood, California
where they "cozied up".
A source told etonline.com
that the two "cozied up at a
table" at Toca Madera restau‑
rant, arriving together.
Sitting on the garden patio,
the rumored couple enjoyed
guacamole, ceviche verde,
chicken tacos and the Japanese
wagyu beef.
"The pair was very affection‑
ate with one another, with
Priyanka running her hands
through his hair as they cozied
up together at their corner
table in the garden patio," the
source said.
"They were cute and seemed
to be enjoying each other's
company, laughing and smil‑
ing."
The romantic night out
comes after the "Quantico"
actress and "Jealous" singer
were spotted together on a
string of outings throughout Actress Priyanka Chopra enjoyed her
Memorial Day weekend. date at the Toca Madera restaurant.
'Veere Di Wedding':
Trite & clichéd
V
eere Di Wedding" is
about celebrat‑
ing life with all
its mistakes. Trite and
flighty, packed with
fluffy moments that
swing erratically and
then settles down on a
predictable note, that is
how one would describe
this film.
In the spirit of sister‑
hood, four friends Avni
(Sonam Kapoor), Kalindi
(Kareena Kapoor), Sakshi
(Swara Bhaskar) and
sic launch.
Weddingʼ at the filmʼs mu
The lead actors of ʻVeere Di
Meera (Shikha Talsania),
years after they finish
their school meet again in Delhi when are all natural and competent as they lead
Kalindi decides to get married. their lives on their own terms.
The plot rambles with the complexities While Kareena Kapoor and Sonam
that adorn the lives of the quartet ‑ "fami‑ Kapoor look svelte and gorgeous, it is
ly, relationship and rishte‑daari". There is Swara Bhaskar as the outrageously foul‑
a stage in the film when Avni, a divorce mouthed Sakshi and Shikha Talsania who
lawyer, screams: "Bakwaas bahut ho gaya, spice up the screen with their naturally
baas." That's the exact time when she voic‑ uninhibited performances. One wished
es the audiences' sentiments too. they were allotted more screen time.
The film tries to be bold and feministic Designed on a lavish scale with a big fat
in its approach, but fails to make a solid Indian Wedding, a runaway bride and
dent. The dialogues as well as some music thrown in in ample measure, the
scenes certainly create ripples and the film is glossy and rich enough to watch it,
four don't mince their words either. They if you have nothing better to do.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info ULTIMATE BOLLYWOOD June 9-15, 2018 17

ʻPay scale should be according When Patralekhaa found

to box office successʼ Rajkummar a 'horrible' man
K A
ajol has been fearless in deciding the ctress Patralekhaa says she didn't ini‑
course of her career without bother‑ tially like actor Rajkummar Rao, now
ing about the consequences of her her boyfriend, and thought he was a
actions or taking her gender into considera‑ "horrible" man. The two actors shot for an
tion before taking a call. The actress says episode of a new talk show titled "Open
pay parity is essential, but should be decided House with Renil" on zoom styled by Myntra
by box office success more than gender. where they spoke about their relationship
"The debate on pay parity is a thought and more, read a statement.
which has been put out. The pay should be "I first saw her in an advertisement on TV
according to genre, how the box office is and and found her to be the cutest girl ever," said
box office success," Kajol said. Rajkummar. It was however not the same for
"Pay equality is coming up to par. To call it Patralekhaa.
a 'trend' would be a strange (it is) something She said: "I didn't like him at all at first. I
that should be a natural fact of life," she always thought he was a horrible man
added. Kajol made her Hindi film debut with because of the character that he played in
Rahul Rawail's "Bekhudi" in 1992, and was 'Love Sex Aur Dhokha'."
known as the most natural actress of the It was only when she started chatting with
1990s. She was always clear what type of him during their journey to Pune that she
roles she wanted to do, genres she wanted to realized that he was so different from what
explore and confident about taking a break to he was in the film.
enjoy family time. "I keep taking a break. She said: "I couldn't believe this was the
Every year I take a break. It is very important same man, he is so sweet and his passion for Actors and lovebirds
for my health. I cannot sum it all up in just his work is what drew me to him." Rajkummar Rao and Patralekhaa.

S
one or two sentences. But it has been a long
and fruitful journey. I am thankful for every‑ outhern sensation
thing that God has blessed me with," added Poonam Kaur is
geared up for her
Poonam
the actress, who got her wax statue at
Madame Tussaud's Singapore last month.
Kajol was known as the
most natural Bollywood debut oppo‑ Kaur set for
site actor Karan Singh
actress of the 1990s. Bollywood
Grover in soon‑to‑be
released madcap comedy
debut
Zayn Malik to entertain '3 Dev'. Having proved her
mettle in the South with over 20

Indian fans in August

films, Poonam currently plays the lead in
Telugu historical TV series 'Swarna

B
Khadgam', helmed by the makers of
ritish‑Pakistani Before entering movies, Poonam
'Bahubali'.
was crowned Miss Andhra.
singer Zayn Malik In '3 Dev', Poonam will be seen playing the
will arrive in India character of the dainty Radha. Her song character has interesting dimensions, which
for a multi‑city tour in 'Nikamma' is garnering popularity on not only made it appealing to play, but chal‑
August. "He will kick‑start YouTube. Talking about her role she says: "The lenging too..."
the tour from Mumbai on
August 3 and then head to
cities like Kolkata,
Hyderabad and Delhi. We Indian women should know
how to drape a sari: Kangana
are planning to organise
his concert in Nepal too,"
Vishal Pandey, Chief

N
Operating Officer, JPR ational Award‑winning actress
Events, said. Kangana Ranaut says Indian
Zayn found fame on the women should know how to drape
2010 series of "The X a sari and that one can be a global citizen
Factor". After delivering without compromising on individuality.
hits like "What makes you Earlier this year, ace designer Sabyasachi
beautiful", "Little things" Mukherjee had said: "I think, if you tell me
and "Live while we're you do not know how to wear a sari, I
young" as part of One would say shame on you. It's a part of your
Direction. He announced culture, (you) need to stand up for it". And
in 2015 that he was quit‑ now, she has shared her opinion on it in an
ting the band to lead a edition of a fashion and lifestyle magazine,
"normal" life out of the read a statement.
spotlight. She said: "I think if you're an Indian
"I was trying to get One woman, you should know how to drape a
Direction (to perform in sari. It's a racket out there with people
India) but they did not who only want to shame others in the
have dates," said Sunil name of propagating their culture and
Hamal, Director, JPR events, identity.
Singer Zayn Malik will start his tour from Mumbai.
which is organizing the tour "But I know people who find it 'uncool' to
along with Apar Mathur, owner of Blot Zayn also made cover versions of Indian admit that they speak and understand
Canvas PR. "Zayn has a very good fan follow‑ singer Kailash Kher's hit numbers "Teri dee‑ Hindi or that they like Indian food or (that
ing here so, I thought why not Zayn. I am wani" and "Allah ke bande". they are) brown. You can be a citizen of the
also in touch with (his former bandmate) Earlier this year, the "Dusk till dawn" hit‑ world without compromising on your indi‑
Liam Payne. I was little confused between maker shared that he worked with music viduality."
Liam Payne and Zayn," he added. maestro A.R. Rahman on one song. The actress had flaunted a sari designed
After leaving One Direction, Zayn dropped His latest song "Entertainer", released in by Sabyasachi at the Cannes Film Festival National Award‑winning
his first solo single, "Pillowtalk", in 2016. May via RCA Records, is also being lauded. last month. actress Kangana Ranaut.
 18 June 9-15, 2018 CITYVIEW TheSouthAsianTimes.info

A HIDDEN GEM IN NYC

By SATimes team
A stone’s throw away

Y from Manhattan and

ou would have heard about
Governors Island, but may
not be able to place it on the
Brooklyn, the still
NYC map. It is a 172‑acre island in pristine Governors
the heart of New York Harbor. Yards Island is ideal for a
away from lower Manhattan and
Brooklyn, it's easily accessible by
summer day outing for
ferry and open to the public from New Yorkers.
May 1 to October 31.
Over the past few summers, the
island has gone from an unused his‑
torical curiosity to a reinvented
summer day‑trip destination with a
full calendar of artsy fare, concerts
and other frolicsome events, most of
them free.
It is a world unto itself, unique
and full of promise. It has 43‑acre
public park completed between Governors Island with a view of Manhattan.
2012 and 2016, with miles of walk
and bike paths. There are outdoor motorized bicycles, scooters, or royal governors. the Islandʼs
cafes and bars, sunsets, park skateboards. Thinking of living in there? Sorry, southern half,
strolling, outdoor films and more. The island's current name, made the development zones there do but they are not
Picnickers can bring their own food. official in 1784, stems from the present an opportunity for develop‑ likely to be resi‑
It is not commercialized or devel‑ British colonial era, when the colo‑ ers, institutions, etc to propose dential. Allowable
oped yet. In fact, you cannot bring nial assembly reserved the island entrepreneurial, exciting and vision‑ uses include nonprofit, cultural, Art installations are a common
in motorized vehicles, including for the exclusive use of New York's ary ideas for the vacant parcels on educational and commercial uses. feature around here.

DISPLAY CLASSIFIEDS

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TheSouthAsianTimes.info INDIA FEATURES June 9-15, 2018 19

Journey into marriage is about

'we', away from it is about 'me'
Mythologist Devdutt Pattanaik on why marriage is a big deal in India
New Delhi: A marriage is not just
about the bride and the groom,
asserts mythologist Devdutt
Pattanaik who has done consider‑
able work on ancient Indian scrip‑
tures. In fact, according to him, it
has always had a much larger con‑
notation than what is normally per‑
ceived of it.
In his latest book "Devlok with
Devdutt Pattanaik 3," he presents
two primary reasons for marriage
being a big deal in India: firstly, "it
became more important out of the
fear that if people didn't get mar‑
ried, they would become bhikkhus
or sanyasis", and secondly, "the par‑
ents fear that if their children didn't
get married "they would go astray,
get 'corrupted', and would not
become responsible."
But is a married man or woman
free from the desire to become a
sanyasi or going "astray" and get‑
ting corrupted and becoming irre‑
sponsible?
"Marriage is a social institution,
about family, about responsibility,
and most importantly transmission
of property, and lineage. Marriage
forces you to think about others ‑‑
the duty towards spouse, children
and family estate. This is a burden.
Sanyas is about thinking about
yourself, only yourself. So is the life
of hedonism, pleasure, one‑night‑
stand, Tinder. "One can say, the
journey into marriage is about 'we'
and the journey away from it is
about 'me'. This me can be the flesh
as in case of a hedonist and it can
be the soul in case of the hermit.
Householder stands in contrast to
the hermit and the hedonist. If oth‑
ers matter, then the householder
life becomes important. This does
not mean marriage as much as
responsibility for others, being
dependable, rather than independ‑
ent," Pattanaik, who has authored
over 30 books and 600 columns on
mythology, told IANS in an inter‑
view.
In the book, he also considers
marriage as a responsibility and
refers to the Pandavas and
Draupadi to highlight that "with
marriage, wealth and power are
exchanged."
In this context, asked about the
evolution of dowry to the shape
that it has taken today, Pattanaik
said that marriage has always been
about exchange of wealth and
power.
"Dowry marriage is the result of a
society that values women over
men, and the men are seen as doing
a favor by marrying a woman. In
many communities, dowry is a way
to show the value of a boy. The
more dowry he gets, the more valu‑
able he is. In a poor country like
India, many parents see dowry as a
way to earn money, increase their
wealth, often to compensate for
wealth lost via a daughter. No reli‑
gion teaches anyone to disrespect
anyone ‑‑ however people often use
religion as a tool to disrespect peo‑
ple.
"Just as Muslims justify hijab as
part of Islamic tradition, and some
Christians justify denying women
rights over their body in matters of
abortion as part of Christian tradi‑
tion, some Hindus use dowry as
part of Hindu tradition. These are
just men who use religion to assert
masculine power over women.
Hinduism, unlike Christianity and
Islam, is not a rule‑based religion
that prescribes how people should
behave," he said.
In the book, he further points out
that "the males always seek out the
females" and gives examples of the
animal or bird kingdoms to estab‑
lish that "there is rivalry among the
males for the females". He observes
that the males suf fer an anxiety
about "not getting a female to mate
with" and contends, in this context,
that "every female is precious,
whereas a male is not."
When asked if he was suggesting
that a disbalance in the sex‑ratio
(where there are more males to
females) has been a rule of nature,
Pattanaik differed and said that he
was not suggesting anything.
"I am showing how the process of
creating mating pairs in nature in
animal and plant kingdoms is full of
violence, competition and anxiety.
There is always a lot of tension in
matters of creating mating pairs in
human society ‑‑ which is why mar‑
riage is associated with a lot of vio‑
lence, with parents controlling who
their children marry, men forcing
women to have sex with them,
women being forced to bear chil‑
dren even if they do not want to.
Hindu scriptures observe, without
judgment, how we have not risen
above our animal nature. How we
are still anxious and dominating
and territorial. It recommends ways
to outgrow animal nature," he said.
The book is based on Pattanaik's
"Devlok", a television series on Epic
channe l where he shares his
insights on matters re lated to
mythology and responds to ques‑
tions in detail. ‑Saket Suman

Beyond purdah: 20th century Muslim women who broke societal barriers
New Delhi: Far from the commonly held (AIWC) and appointed as the
impression of silenced, cloistered and acqui‑ Indian representative to the
escent Muslim women, an exhibition UN Commission on the sta‑
reminds Indians of the post‑Independence tus of women, like Fathema
contribution of some women who became Ismail whose daughterʼs
role models for new generations. polio led her to become a
Titled "Pathbreakers", the exhibition was messiah for polio
organized by Muslim Women's Forum in victims, like Saleha
partnership with UN Women at India Habitat Abid Husain who
Centre to celebrate the struggles of those spoke fearlessly
women who broke barriers and became part‑ against triple
ners in the project to build a new India. talaq, dowry,
"A multiplicity of stereotypes are con‑ multiple mar‑
structed by diverse actors regarding Muslim tions, most of them have been forgotten in their lives who riages.
women. But the fact is there is no undifferen‑ time. believed in equal Other women
tiated 'mass' of Muslim Women. Like women "There is more to Muslim women than rights for women who were fea‑
of all socio‑cultural groups, they too are a triple talaq, polygamy, halala and purdah, and projected tured in the exhibi‑
divergent, shifting composition of individu‑ and that this project hopes to bring a differ‑ through their tion are Atiya
als, often dumped in popular parlance into ent image of Muslim women to the public work and Fyzee, Atia
one single heap. This homogenization has to consciousness. their social Hossain, Aziza
be rejected," Syeda Hameed, President, For the commonly held impression of e n g a g e ‑ Surayya Tyabji is credited with replacing the charkha Imam, Hamida
Muslim Women's Forum, and brain behind silenced, cloistered and acquiescent women, ments. Habibullah, Hajira
in the Indian tricolor with Ashok chakra. She was
the exhibition, said. Pathbreakers narrates the stories of strong, From fea‑ married to Badruddin Tayyabji, an ICS officer. Begum, Mofida
Shedding their purdah, the Muslim women determined and engaged women," Hameed t u r i n g Ahmed, Masuma
became writers, teachers, artists, scientists, added. writer activist from Uttar Pradesh Anis Begum, Mumtaz Jahan Haider, Qudsia Aizaz
lawyers, educators, political workers, trade The exhibition highlighted these women Kidwai, whose husband was killed by Rasul, Qudsia Zaidi, Razia Sajjad Zaheer,
unionists. A few even went to become MP's, who were at the forefront of nationalist and marauders in 1947, to Sharifa Hamid Ali Saeeda Khurshid, Safia Jan Nisar Akhtar,
MLA's and some represented India in inter‑ feminist struggles. The main body of their from Gujarat who was one of the founding Siddiqa Kidwai, Surayya Tyabji, Zehra Ali
national fora. However, with a few excep‑ work spanned from 1947 until the end of members of All India Women's Conference Yavar Jung and Tyeba Khedive Jung.
 20 June 9-15, 2018 SUBCONTINENT TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Pakistan violates ceasefire; Taliban in ceasefire talks with

2 Indian troopers killed
Jammu: Two BSF troopers were
killed and seven people injured in
indiscriminate Pakistani shelling
and firing on the international bor‑
der in Jammu and Kashmir, forcing
authorities to evacuate hundreds
of villagers.
Assistant Sub‑Inspector S.N.
Yadav and Constable V.K. Pandey
of Indiaʼs Border Security Force
(BSF) were killed in the violation of
the 2003 truce in Akhnoor sector's
Pargwal sub‑sector, police said.
The area affected involved 30 vil‑
lages and 10 BSF outposts.
"Six civilians and a BSF trooper
who were injured have been shift‑
ed for treatment to the
Government Medical College
Hospital in Jammu city," a police
officer said.
Pakistani shells landed deep
inside the Indian territory in
Pargwal and Kanachak sub‑sec‑
tors. T he Pakistani firing and
shelling started around 3.30 a.m.
After the Indian troops retaliated,
firing exchanges continued till 10
a.m. The clashes come just five
days after the Director Generals
Military Operations (DGMOs) of
Afghan government: US general
Kabul: The Taliban have been
holding secret meetings with
Afghan officials on a possible
ceasefire, a top US general in
Afghanistan has said.
General John Nicholson, in a
teleconference with reporters at
the Pentagon from Kabul, said the
talks also involved foreign govern‑
ments and international organiza‑
tions, Tolo News reported. "You
see mid‑level, senior‑level Taliban
Afghanistan President
leaders engaging with Afghans,"
Mohammad Ashraf Ghani.
said General Nicholson, adding
that a lot of the diplomatic activity Nicholson said initial indications
was taking place "off the stage". suggested that the Taliban and the
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani Haqqani network were behind the
proposed negotiations in attack, even though the Islamic
Soldiers carry the coffins of BSF troopers. February, saying the Taliban could State claimed responsibility for it,
be recognised as a political party according to Tolo.
if they accepted a ceasefire and The Taliban claimed responsibil‑
‘Pakistan again proves it can't be trusted’ recognised the country's ity for another attack on a police
Jammu: Pakistan has again proved that it cannot be trusted, a top Constitution. But the Taliban did station in the capital of Logar
Border Security Force (BSF) official said. "Pakistan has yet again not respond to the offer at the province. Seven people including
proved that it cannot be trusted as its forces resorted to unprovoked time. Since then violence has con‑ three police officers were killed.
shelling and firing to target villages along the international border," tinued with mounting casualties General Nicholson, however,
said Ram Awtar, Inspector General (IG) BSF Jammu Frontier. "We on both sides. played down a spate of Taliban
know Pakistan never keeps its word. It is not reliable and The militants recently launched attacks, saying violence levels
trustworthy..." an attack on the Interior Ministry were still lower than average as
in Kabul, demonstrating their abil‑ some insurgents talked peace ‑‑ a
the two countries agreed to imple‑ on both the International Border ity to carry out strikes in the heart situation he described as "talking
ment the 2003 ceasefire pact and the Line of Control (LoC) in of the country's capital. General and fighting".
earnestly in a bid to ensure peace Jammu and Kashmir.

Pak's ex‑Chief Justice takes oath as caretaker PM

Islamabad: Former Chief Justice
Nasir‑ul Mulk took oath as
Pakistan's caretaker Prime Minister,
hours after the National Assembly
was formally dissolved in the lead
up to the July 25 elections.
President Mamnoon Hussain
administered the oath to 67‑year‑
old Mulk, who was unanimously
nominated for the post by both the
government and the opposition,
with former Prime Minister Shahid
Khaqan Abbasi describing the
retired judge as a someone whose
appointment "no one would object
to", Dawn newspaper reported.
The incumbent government com‑
Suspension of Musharraf's national identity card ordered
Islamabad: Pakistan's Interior Ministry has asked for the suspension of for‑
mer President Pervez Musharraf's computerised national identity card
(CNIC) and passport, a media report said.
In compliance with the order of a special court, the ministry asked the
National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) and the Directorate
General of Immigration and Passports to carry out the suspensions, the
Dawn report said. After the suspension of his CNIC and passport,
Musharraf's bank accounts would be frozen and his international travelling
restricted. A special court hearing a high treason case against Musharraf
had on March 8 directed the ministry to suspend his passport and CNIC.
pleted its tenure on May 31 and the sions. Mulk is one of the seven
caretaker government will remain judges who signed a restraining
in office until a new government is order on November 3, 2007, when
elected. The caretaker administra‑ Musharraf imposed emergency and Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain (R) shakes hand
tion will not take any major deci‑ forcibly sent the judges home. with caretaker PM Nasir‑ul‑Mulk.

ʻIndia should play bigger role in Rohingyas' rehabilitationʼ

New Delhi: Bangladesh's Envoy to India
requested India to play a "bigger role" in
the rehabilitation of Rohingya refugees in
Myanmar.
Bangladesh High Commissioner to India
Syed Muazzem Ali said that Mynamar
should be put under pressure to recognize
Rohingyas as its citizens so that they can
live there with dignity.
"We want international pressure to be
mounted on Myanmar so that these people
(Rohingyas) can go back and settle in their
own country with dignity. India should play
a bigger role in their rehabilitation
process... but the pressure should be on the
Myanmar government," he told reporters
here.
Since the latest eruption of communal
violence in Myanmar last year, more than
700,000 Rohingya Muslims have taken Rohingya refugees arrive
at Shah Porir Dwip in
refuge in Bangladesh which shares border
Bangladesh (file).
with the northern Rakhine state inhabited
majorly by Muslims.
"We have no bilateral problem with
Myanmar... The crux of the matter is
Myanmar's inability to recognise these peo‑
ple as citizens of the country. Rohingyas
have been living in Rakhine and Arakan
regions for centuries," Ali said.
"Currently they are living without any cit‑
izenship status since 1982," he added.
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina
was on a two‑day visit to India between
May 25 and 26, during which she had dis‑
cussed various issues with Banerjee and
Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info INTERNATIONAL June 9-15, 2018 21

Trump plans phased World should stand up

negotiations with Kim
New York: US President Donald
Trump is proposing phased negotia‑
tions with North Korean leader Kim
Jong‑un, starting with the planned
June 12 summit in Singapore dur‑
ing which he does not expect a com‑
plete deal on denuclearization.
At the same time, Trump has also
set an ambitious goal for his inter‑
actions with Kim aiming for an end
to the official 70‑year state of war
between the US and North Korea.
After a meeting Kim Yong‑chol,
the North Korean leader's emissary,
in Washington, Trump confirmed
that the Singapore summit he had
cancelled last week was back on
track. "I think we're going to have a
relationship, and it will start on
June 12th," the President said.
Kim Yong‑chol traveled to
Washington after two days of nego‑
tiations with Secretary of State
Mike Pompeo in New York to hand
over a letter from Kim Jong‑un to
Trump. Trump said that "it ended
up being a two‑hour conversation
with the second most powerful man
in North Korea" during which they
discussed a whole range of subjects.
Tamping down hopes of an immi‑
nent breakthrough, Trump said:
"We're not going to go in and sign
something on June 12th and we
A file photo of two foreigners posing as
US President Donald Trump and N Korean leader Kim Jong‑un.
never were. We're going to start a
process. And I told them, 'Take your
time. We can go fast. We can go
slowly'. But I think they'd like to see
something happen.
"You're talking about years of
hostility; years of problems; years
of, really, hatred between so many
different nations. But I think you're
going to have a very positive result
in the end."
As a goodwill gesture, Trump said
that he will not be putting any more
sanctions on North Korea, but the
existing ones will continue.
Pompeo, however, has asserted
that the US won't budge from the
to US bullying: Iran
Tehran: Iran's Foreign
Minister Mohammad
Javad Zarif has urged
international condem‑
nation of US attitude
towards Iran's 2015
landmark nuclear
deal, the media
reported.
In letters to his
counterparts of a
number of countries,
Zarif warned of the
dangerous conse‑
quences of the US
"illegal and unilateral"
move to pull out of
the nuclear agree‑
ment, officially
ultimate goal of denuclearizing Iran's Foreign Minister
known as the Joint
North Korea. "I have been very clear Mohammad Javad Zarif.
Comprehensive Plan
that President Trump and the
of Action (JCPOA), Xinhua the Iranian Foreign Minister
United States objective is very con‑
reported citing Press TV. said.
sistent and well known: the com‑
He called for international Likewise, the US withdrawal
plete, verifiable, and irreversible
condemnation of what he from the JCPOA was the coun‑
denuclearization of the Korean
called Washington's "extrem‑ try's biggest effort aimed at
Peninsula," he said.
ism," urging the world to with‑ violating and weakening the
North Korea poses a major threat
stand US "lawbreaking and bul‑ nuclear accord and the UN
with the nuclear devices as well as
lying behavior." Resolution 2231, adopted in
missiles capable of reaching the US
"Illegal withdrawal of the US July 2015 to endorse the his‑
mainland that it has developed.
government from the JCPOA... toric deal, he said.
Trump said that if the nuclear
is challenging the goals and Zarif further said the JCPOA
issue is resolved, he expected South
principles of the Charter of the put an end to an "unnecessary
Korea, Japan and China to provide
United Nations and the effi‑ crisis" which lasted for more
aid to North Korea, without any cost
ciency of international bodies," than one decade.
to the US for rebuilding it.

Russia rejects claims it was behind Opposition leader

anti‑Putin journalist's killing becomes new Spanish PM
Moscow: Russia rejected accusa‑
tions that it was behind the murder
of a journalist who was openly
opposed to President Vladimir Putin
and had been forced to flee the
country in 2017 after receiving
threats.
Ukrainian Prime Minister
Volodymyr Groysman had claimed
Russia was responsible for the
death of Arkady Babchenko, 41,
who was shot multiple times outside
his home in Kiev and died before he
got to the hospital.
"I am certain that the Russian
totalitarian machine could not
accept his honesty and principles.
He was a true friend of Ukraine who
told the world the truth about
Russian aggression," Groysman had
said on Facebook.
However, Russian Federal Security
Service Director Alexander
Bortnikov told Interfax that the
accusations were "stupid" and said
that Ukrainian authorities were
"delirious and deliberately trying
to provoke Moscow".
Russia's Foreign Ministry said in a state‑
ment: "We demand that the Ukrainian
authorities make every effort to promptly
investigate." Babchenko was found bleeding
at the entrance to his block of flats by his
Madrid: Pedro Sanchez, the leader of
Spain's opposition Socialist Party, took
over as the country's new Prime Minister
after Mariano Rajoy was forced out of
office by a no confidence vote in
Parliament.
Rajoy was toppled by a corruption
scandal involving members of his
Popular Party (PP) and became the first
leader in Spain's modern democracy to
lose a vote of no trust in Parliament, the
BBC reported.
Sánchez, 46, secured the needed
majority of 176 votes out of 350 seats in
Spain's lower chamber. "We're going to
sign a new page in the history of democ‑
Russian President Vladimir Putin.
wife and died in an ambulance. He was
reportedly shot several times in the back, the
BBC reported. Babchenko had grown highly
critical of the Russian government in recent
years.
racy in our country," Sánchez said. A
loose multi‑party coalition decided to
oust Rajoy and his right‑wing party fol‑
lowing a national court verdict in which
several of its former top officials were
found guilty of setting up a vast network
of corruption in fraudulent financial
dealings including bribery, embezzle‑
ment, forgery, misuse of public funds,
money laundering, tax crimes and influ‑
ence peddling, among others.
Rajoy's party had also been found
guilty of profiting from fraudulent finan‑
cial practices perpetrated by some of its
senior officials. He had been Prime
Minister since 2011.
Former PM
Mariano
Rajoy was
toppled by a
corruption
scandal.
 22 June 9-15, 2018
India, Singapore to upgrade economic cooperation pact
Singapore: Indian Prime Minister
Narendra Modi said that India and
Singapore will soon upgrade their
Comprehensive Economic
Cooperation Agreement (CECA) fol‑
lowing a bilateral summit with his
Singaporean counterpart Lee Hsien
Loong here during which both
sides called for regional peace and
stability.
The two sides also signed eight
agreements across different sec‑
tors after the summit.
"We are happy with the second
review of the Comprehensive
Economic Cooperation Agreement,"
Modi said in a joint address to the
media with Lee.
"But both our countries agree
that this is not our target, but just
another milestone," he said.
"Officials from both our coun‑
tries will soon discuss how to
upgrade this agreement."
Chanda Kochhar not asked
to go on leave: ICICI
Mumbai: Private sector banking
major ICICI Bank said that the
company's MD and CEO Chanda
Kochhar has not been asked to
go on "leave".
The lender's clarification
came after a media report said
that Kochhar has been asked to
go on a leave.
An ICICI Bank Spokesperson
said: "This is with regards to a
news article which appeared in
Mint today under the headline
'ICICI Probe: Kochhar asked to
go on leave' The ICICI Bank
Board denies having asked Ms.
Chanda Kochhar to go on leave."
"She is on her annual leave
which was planned in advance.
Further, the Board denies that it
has appointed any search com‑
mittee to find her successor."
Interestingly, the company on
May 30 announced that its
Board has decided to institute a
"comprehensive enquiry" to
look into an anonymous whistle
blower's complaint alleging that
Kochhar had not adhered to
provisions relating to "code of
conduct" of the bank.
In a separate development,
the Securities and Exchange
Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Nanyang Technological
University in Singapore. (Photo: IANS/PIB)
India and Singapore signed the
CECA in 2005. Singapore is the
first country with which India
ICICI MD and
CEO Chanda Kochhar.
Board of India (SEBI) had
sought responses from the com‑
pany and Kochhar on alleged
non‑compliance of the "erst‑
while 'Listing Agreement' and
the 'Listing Obligations and
Disclosure Requirements)
Regulations, 2015'".
According to a BSE filing, the
bank said that SEBI sought the
reply via a notice issued to the
private lender and its MD and
CEO on May 24.
BUSINESS
signed such a treaty. On his part,
Lee said that bilateral trade
between India and Singapore has
Global trade war: US allies
prepare to strike back
Brussels: The tariffs imposed on
steel and aluminium by US
President Donald Trump's adminis‑
tration prompted swift pledges of
retaliation by its biggest allies and
trade partners raising the prospect
of a global trade war.
Canada, Mexico and the EU were
all planning to hit back against US‑
made metals, farm products and
other goods. US Secretary of
Commerce Wilbur Ross said that
the US decided to no longer exempt
the three regions from a 25 per
cent tariff on steel imports and a
10 per cent tariff on aluminium
imports.
The US is playing a "dangerous
game" by slapping tariffs on
European steel and aluminium,
EU's Trade Commissioner Cecilia
Malmstrom said on Friday, warning
that Washington's move would
have consequences for the econom‑
ic recovery of the EU, as well as
American consumers, the BBC
reported.
The EU issued a 10‑page list of
tariffs on US goods ranging from
Harley‑Davidson motorcycles to
bourbon. Malmstrom said the EU
would challenge the move at the
World Trade Organisation but that
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
doubled to $25 billion since the
CECA came into effect. He also said
that as the current chair of the
Association of Southeast Asian
Nations (Asean), Singapore will
work with India in the regional
security architecture.
Modi said that while Singapore is
a significant source of foreign
direct investment for India, the
southeast Asia city state is also a
top destination of Indian invest‑
ments.
"I am happy that Indian compa‑
nies use Singapore as a spring‑
board to expand to other Asean
countries," he said.
"Investments by Singapore com‑
panies in India are rising. There are
unparalleled opportunities for
Singapore companies in significant
sectors in India's development."
Stating that air traffic between
India and Singapore is increasing
Donald Trump says the tariffs would protect US steelmakers.
tariffs on US imports were neces‑
sary as "we cannot just take these
tariffs and stay silent".
The commissioner said that
despite the EU's "rebalancing"
action, the two sides were not in a
trade war.
"What we are in is a very difficult
situation," Malmstrom said. This
situation could only be defused by
the US withdrawing its measures
against the EU, she added.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin
Trudeau said the US move was
"totally unacceptable" and rejected
the claim that his country posed a
national security threat to America.
rapidly, the Indian Prime Minister
said that the two countries will
soon sign an air services agree‑
ment. He also said that both coun‑
tries are putting a lot of emphasis
on defence and security in terms of
tactical cooperation.
According to a joint statement
issued, both sides reiterated their
desire and determination to work
together to maintain peace, stabili‑
ty, growth and prosperity in the
region and beyond.
In an unprecedented move to
promote India‑Asean ties under
New Delhi's Act East Policy, Modi
announced awarding of the Padma
Shri to one achiever from each of
the regional bloc's 10 member
states. Modi arrived here on the
third and final leg of his five‑day
three‑nation tour of southeast Asia.
This is his second official visit to
Singapore as Prime Minister.
The Mexican government said
that the US action was "not justi‑
fied" and that it would retaliate
with its own comparable penalties
on US products including lamps,
pork, fruit, cheese and flat steel.
Trump claimed the tariffs would
protect US steelmakers, which were
vital to national security. French
President Emmanuel Macron called
him to tell that the tariffs were
"illegal".
China said that it was willing to
work with any country to promote
multilateralism and economic
growth, after the US measure which
Beijing called "indiscriminate".
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
FIFA World Cup: Nothing impossible for Germany
Berlin: German fans are always the
happiest as their national football
team has reached at least the semi‑
finals of every major tournament
since Joachim Loew took over as
coach in 2006.
This can surely boost the confi‑
dence of the Germans who are aim‑
ing to be the first World Cup cham‑
pions in 56 years to successfully
defend the title.
"We can accomplish something
historic ‑‑ World Cup champions,
Confederations Cup winners and
then World Cup champions again ‑‑
which has never happened," Loew
said recently at the team's training
camp in Italy, according to DPA.
The message is clear that the
world's top ranked team are ready
for the tournament which kicks off
in 10 days.
"The goal for us all must be to
win the title," Loew said.
Brazil, who lifted the Jules Rimet
trophy in 1958 and 1962, were the
last team to retain their title. But in
half a century, with the progress
and popularity of the sport expand‑
ing around the globe, the gaps
between the giant teams are nar‑
rowing, which makes the feat more
and more difficult to achieve.
Loew has clear plans in Russia
for title defence.
"We as a team need another
improvement if we want to be suc‑
cessful. We have to play even bet‑
ter than we did at the 2014 World
Cup," the 58‑year‑old head coach
said.
Loew stressed the importance of
two other important factors ‑‑ the
necessary changes in the team and
the hunger to repeat their Brazil
2014 triumph.
After the 2006 World Cup, Loew
guided his side to a steady and glo‑
rious decade with at least the last‑
'More Indians planning trip to Russia for FIFA World Cup'
New Delhi: With the FIFA World
Cup 2018 fast approaching, more
and more Indians are planning to
spend this summer in the host
country Russia , says a study con‑
ducted by travel marketplace
ixigo.
According to ixigo, Russia has
recorded a 23 per cent month‑on‑
month increase in flight searches
from India during the tourna‑
ment.
The growth has been accelerat‑
ed with favourable initiatives by
the government such as visa‑free
entry for people with World Cup
tickets, from 10 days before the
first game and up to 10 days after
the last game, said a statement.
ixigo data reveals that 48 per
cent Indians, travelling during the
tournament, are planning to trav‑
el solo, followed by 16 per cent
with families and 12 per cent as
The FIFA World Cup begins in Moscow from June 14. The first match will be
played bertween the host Russia and Saudi Arabia.
FIFA World Cup trophy arrives in Moscow
Moscow: The FIFA World Cup
trophy arrived in Moscow car‑
ried by Germany's Lothar
Mathaus, following its
biggest global tour in the
tournament's history, with
less than two weeks to go
before the 2018 edition kicks
off.
Mathaus, who helped
West Germany win
the tournament in
1990, unveiled the 6.1 kilogram,
18 carat solid gold trophy ‑
which has been handed to the
winner of the competition since
four finish in each major tourna‑
ment. The success is based on the
young generations' growth and the
constant upgrading of the tactical
strategy. When Germany finished
as runners‑up at Euro 2008, Loew
humbly learned the lessons from
the final de feat to Spain and
A picture of Brazilian footballer Neymar da Silva Santos
Junior being painted on a wall in Kolkata. (Photo: IANS)
couples. With June being one of
the best times to visit Russia,
travellers are opting to stay for a
SPORTS
the 1974 edition ‑ in an event
held near the Kremlin, reports
Efe.
Hundreds of people,
including dozens of young
soccer players, gathered in
the centre of Moscow to see
the trophy as it arrived in the
Russian capital, 11 days
ahead of the opening
match pitting the
hosts against Saudi
Arabia.
The trophy will be exhibited at
Gorky Park and Pushkinskaya
Square, where fans can take pho‑
researched into the "possession
football" style of their opponents.
From that time on, Germany
developed the speed, power and
physical advantage, but also
improved to a new level with more
skillful passing and a high defen‑
sive line to maintain the momen‑
duration of 8.5‑10 days to be a
part of the football extravaganza
whilst discovering nearby places
tos under tight security meas‑
ures.
On June 7, the trophy is sched‑
uled to arrive in Luzhniki stadi‑
um, where it will remain until the
final, due to take place on July
15.
Nine months ago, the trophy
started its world tour at Luzhniki
in an event attended by FIFA
President Gianni Infantino.
From September 2017 until its
arrival in the stadium, the trophy
visited more than 50 countries,
covering nearly 150,000 kilome‑
tres (93,206 miles).
tum in their matches.
At Euro 2016, Loew again made
the tactical changes and tried the
new strategy after Italy knocked
Spain out of the group stage. He
made sure Germany could com‑
plete transition between the 3‑4‑3
and 5‑3‑2 formations in defence
in the host cities.
"As the excitement for the
World Cup continues to build up,
more and more people are plan‑
ning their travel to Russia.
We're expecting a 25% surge in
travel bookings over the coming
days. Additional discounts by air‑
lines and travel portals such as
ixigo, are helping football enthu‑
siasts take their dream trip to
Russia for the FIFA World Cup to
support their favourite teams,"
said Aloke Bajpai, ixigo CEO and
Co‑founder.
T he data also shows that
around 73 per cent travellers are
planning to travel to Moscow for
the opening ceremony at
Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium
which will also host the final, fol‑
lowed by 16 per cent and 4 per
cent to St. Petersburg and Rostow
respectively.
June 9-15, 2018 23
and attack, which helped them to
finally beat Italy for the first time
in a major tournament. Therefore
in Russia, Germany can have many
strategy adjustments while facing
dif ferent opponents. With the
improvement of the individual
skills, the defending champions
pay more attention to the efficien‑
cy of their attack based on their
style.
Germany emphasise collective
efforts ahead of individuals. There
is no superstar in the team but the
average power is daunting, which
is capable of delivering results.
Based on the successful youth
training system in the country,
Germany have more young talents
to rely on for the necessary tactical
change when needed.
Let's not forget that at the 2017
Confederations Cup, Loew made
his brave decision to take an inex‑
perienced squad to Russia and rest
his star players, but still won the
dress rehearsal for the World Cup
by beating Chile 1‑0 at the final in
St Petersburg.
That successful result helped him
decide to take more than 10 play‑
ers, who lifted the Confederations
Cup, to this summer's World Cup.
Among the young talents, the
fullback Joshua Kimmich, dubbed
the "new Philipp Lahm", is the only
player who has played every
minute of Germany's ten World
Cup qualifiers. RB Leipzig's Timo
Werner has also been beckoned to
be a leading player of his genera‑
tion.
The backbone of the world cham‑
pions is st ill there as Jerome
Boateng, Mats Humme ls, Sami
Khedira, Mesut Ozil, T homas
Mueller and Toni Kroos will use
their experience and chemistry to
carry on the team in Russia.
French Open:
Bopanna‑
Roger‑Vasselin
in quarters
Paris: The Indo‑French pair of
Rohan Bopanna and Edouard
Roger‑Vasselin entered the
men's doubles quarter‑finals
of the French Open.
The 13th seeded pair
defeated top‑seeded Brazilian‑
Polish combo of Marcelo
Melo and Lukasz Kubot 6‑4,
7‑6 (1) in the one‑hour‑30‑
minute third round affair.
The Indo‑French pair will
now be up against Nikola
Mektic and Alexander Peya
for a place in the semi‑finals.
Bopanna had earlier
reached the quarter‑final
stage at Roland Garros in
2011 and 2016.
 24 June 9-15, 2018 BOOKS TheSouthAsianTimes.info

The secretive whistleblower: Why FBI's

No 2 became Watergate's Deep Throat
By Vikas Datta who worked towards exposing one of Woodward".
American politics' biggest scandals ‑‑ but did O' Connor answers to "three important

A
n American President is elected in a
divisive election, in which a section
of his supporters used purported
criminal means ‑ including stealing or trying
to steal the opposition party's confidential
documents; the FBI's inquiry into the matter
is stymied by the new administration but
leaks and dogged journalists bring out the
scandal into the open. Donald Trump's US?
No, this was the US in 1972‑73, the time
of President Nixon ‑ and Watergate.
Though there are many similarities
between the two times and tenures, there is
one crucial element missing from the pres‑
ent period ‑‑ a senior FBI official who under‑
took an unprecedented, lone and surrepti‑
tious operation to ensure the cover‑up
failed.
It is in this book, ʻFelt: The Man Who
Brought Down the White Houseʼ by Mark
Felt (with John O'Connor), that we learn his
full story ‑ and why it is important, as well
as his likely motivations.
We have known him long as "Deep
Throat", a name inspired by the contempo‑
rary pornographic film and given to him at
The Washington Post, whose reporters Bob
Woodward and Carl Bernstein he guided in
their investigation. But even after FBI's then
Deputy Director Mark Felt revealed his iden‑
tity in 2005 ‑ over three decades later, we
still don't know much about why he played
this mysterious role ‑ as can be seen in the
classic "All the President's Men".
Attorney and author O' Connor, who suc‑
cessfully worked out Felt's identity in 2005
and convinced him to confirm it, tries, in this
book, to solve the mystery behind the man,
not want to be acknowledged.
Watergate's denouement led to Nixon
resigning in disgrace and going on to refash‑
ion politics, media and law enforcement far
into the future (at least till our "post‑truth"
world). But why Felt did what he did.
Twice passed over to head the FBI ‑ which
could have contributed to his decision ‑ Felt
did not even tell his family about his secret
exploits, leave alone in his (largely
unknown) memoirs, published in the early
1980s.
But O'Connor, in this revised and updated
version of his 2006 recasting of Felt's auto‑
biography with additional information from
Felt and his family and other sources, tries
to solve what led to this career FBI operative
to become a secret informer to political
shenanigans. Though Felt is reticent to the
extreme ‑ even in the chapter on Watergate.
All he says is that he must give some credit
to the press without which "much of the
White House involvement in the break‑in
(into the Democrat National Committee
office in Watergate) and the subsequent
cover‑up would have never been brought to
light". Also, "people will debate for a long
time whether I did the right thing by helping
aspects" of the mystery‑ "why Felt initiated
his high‑stakes garage meetings with
Woodward, how he planned and managed
those meetings, and how he escaped detec‑
tion at the FBI".
And while he tries to do so, to the best of
his ability and understanding (Woodward's
own "The Secret Man: The Story of
Watergate's Deep Throat" is also a useful
supplement), the major motivations can be
discerned from the recounting of Felt's
career in the FBI. As we learn, Felt was a
competent, conscientious and dedicated FBI
operative ‑ at the cost of his family life ‑ who
unearthed Nazi and Soviet spies, tackled
mobsters, cut through red tape to solve
cases and get information, got on well with
his legendary chief J. Edgar Hoover, and
always opposed political interference in law
enforcement. While these could go a long
way in explaining why Felt fought his lonely
and secret battle, his example is all the more
relevant today when political leaders invoke
all kinds of justifications for their question‑
able actions and suborning of law and jus‑
tice for the purpose. This makes the book a
must read for anyone who cares about rule
of law and accountability.

Pakistan’s perilous state -- public position & perception

By Vikas Datta on how those actions affect the groups ‑ the Taliban's Pakistani and Next is the educational compo‑
ordinary Pakistani" and ignoring Afghan versions, LeT and Al Qaeda nent, especially the Pakistan

I
t is considered one of the
world's most dangerous coun‑
tries for being a hub of a partic‑
ularly virulent form of violent reli‑
gious extremism, whose impact
ranges far beyond the neighbor‑
hood ‑ and is also bleeding the
nation itself. But this view of
Pakistan ignores how it got to this
state and how ingrained is the
problem among its people.
In other words, are all ordinary
Pakistani extremists?
No, argues US‑based Pakistani
academician Madiha Afzal, and in
this book, Pakistan under Siege:
Extremism, Society, and the State,
goes on to provide a reasoned,
insightful and multi‑faceted analy‑
sis of how most common Pakistanis
think ‑ and why.
While Pakistan is, in Western
eyes, a "villainous, failing state that
created a terrorism monster and
does not do enough to fight it" and
its citizens "thought to be irrational
fundamentalists", she says the
exclusive definition of the country
only from its terrorism problem, by
jihadist training camps and involve‑
ment of some citizens in attacks in
the West is a misleading simplifica‑
tion of a "more complex story".
And since most works examining
fundamentalism in the country
tend to look at it from a "top‑down
security perspective, limited to the
actions of the state with little focus
the historical basis of such actions, ‑‑ and how the public perceives Studies course, in firming up the
they also gives "a one‑dimensional them, she goes on to encapsulate mindset of the people, especially
picture", says the author. the people's views on these terror regarding their country and reli‑
It is these perceptions, as well as outfits, as well as the US, India and gion and its inveterate enemies
the oft‑believed view that Islam itself. (India and the US), and the contest‑
Pakistan's travails arose from its Subsequently, she goes to deal ed issue of the madrassas. Apart
major involvement in the campaign with the Pakistani state's narrative from the heartening point that itʼs
against the Soviets in Afghanistan, on the terrorism it faces, and back not the people, itʼs the state thatʼs
that she seeks to clarify, elaborate to its own creation, its Afghan and to blame for what ails the country,
or refute here. Kashmir 'jihads', and the civil‑mili‑ she offers a possible path towards
And for this purpose, Afzal, a non‑ tary equation, to give a rather eye‑ redemption.
resident fellow at the Brookings ʻPakistan under Siege: Extremism, opening idea of how the whole But while Afzal's book is an
Institution, adjunct Associate Society, and the Stateʼ is written problem arose. essential contribution to under‑
by Madiha Afzal, a US‑based
Professor at the Johns Hopkins Afzal takes then Punjab Governor standing the country, its real worth
Pakistani academician.
School of Advanced International Salman Taseer's 2011 murder by is in identifying the mistakes ‑ an
Studies and World Bank consultant, the two main concepts it chose in his own bodyguard over blasphemy exclusivist approach to religion,
uses a combined approach of sur‑ its national narrative ‑ Islam and laws to go back and study legal ignoring "inconvenient" history and
vey data on various issues stretch‑ active suspicion of India (and later Islamization. This though speeded‑ trying to indoctrinate people ‑ that
ing from terrorism to religion, per‑ the West). Beginning with a brief up in the Zia years, began right Pakistan has committed and guard
sonal interviews with students, his‑ introduction to four major militant from the country's birth. against following them.
torical narratives of a variety of key
players and her own understanding
of the country's course to show
how extremism worked its inroads
right from the formation of
Pakistan.
As she shows, with a focus of the
rhetoric and strategic choices/deci‑
sions of the three main actors ‑ the
armed forces, the politicians and
the Islamist parties, the period of
Gen Zia‑ul‑Haq was much responsi‑
ble for the current malaise but the
roots of the problem extend
beyond.
These, Afzal contends, arose not
only in the circumstances Pakistan
was born and faced, but in rather
TheSouthAsianTimes.info SCI-TECH June 9-15, 2018 25

Facebook officially less popular

than Instagram, Snapchat
among American teens
F E
acebook is no longer number
one with teens. A new study
from the Pew Research
Center found that just 51 percent of
Americans from 13 to 17‑years‑old
say they use Facebook. Thatʼs down
from 71 percent in 2015. Those
same teens now use Instagram (72
percent) and Snapchat (69 percent)
to connect online. And 45 percent
of teens report being online almost
constantly.
YouTube was actually the most
ubiquitous online platform for
teens, with 85 percent of American
kids saying they use the video shar‑
ing site. But Instagram and
Snapchat, more traditionally under‑
stood as “social media” services like
Facebook, are the biggest winners.
Just three years ago, Pew found
that 52 percent of teens used
Instagram and 41 percent used
Snapchat. Only 32 percent of
American teens report having a
Twitter account. The number of
teens who report being online
“almost constantly” jumped signifi‑
cantly since Pewʼs 2015 poll. Forty‑
five percent of teens say theyʼre
online almost constantly (both on
smartphones and computers) com‑
pared with just 24 percent who said
the same thing in 2015. Forty‑four
percent reported being online “sev‑
eral times a day” in the most recent
study. Back in 2015, “several times
a day” was the most popular
answer, reported by 56 percent of
teens.
When you drill down into which
social media platforms teens use
the most frequently, Facebook is
again a huge loser. Snapchat is the
winner overall, with 35 percent of
American teens saying that use it
the most, with YouTube a close sec‑
ond at 32 percent. Just 10 percent
of American teens report that
Facebook is the social media plat‑
form they use most often.
(Source: gizmodo.com)
Scientists pinpoint spiritual
part of human brain
ver wondered how
your brain processes
spiritual experiences?
Scientists have identified a
possible "neurobiological
home" for the sense of connec‑
tion to something greater than
oneself. The study showed that
activity in the parietal cortex ‑‑
an area of the brain involved
in awareness of self and others
as well as attention processing ‑‑
seems to be a common element
among individuals who have expe‑
rienced a variety of spiritual expe‑
riences. "Spiritual experiences are
robust states that may have pro‑
found impact on people's lives,"
said Marc Potenza, Professor at
Yale University in Connecticut, US.
"Understanding the neural bases
of spiritual experiences may help
us better understand their roles in
resilience and recovery from men‑
tal health and addictive disor‑
ders," Potenza added.
Spiritual experiences can be
religious in nature or not, such as
a feeling of oneness with nature
or the absence of self during
sporting events.
For the study, published in the
journal Cerebral Cortex, the team
interviewed a small group of
young adults to gather informa‑
tion about past stressful and
relaxing experiences as well as
their spiritual experiences.
While individual spiritual expe‑
riences differed, researchers
noted similar patterns of
activity in the parietal cortex
as the subjects imagined
experiencing the events in the
recordings.
"We observed in the spiritu‑
al condition, as compared
with the neutral‑relaxing con‑
dition, reduced activity in the
left inferior parietal lobule
(IPL), a result that suggests the
IPL may contribute importantly to
perceptual processing and self‑
other representations during spir‑
itual experiences," said the
researchers.
Potenza stressed other brain
areas are probably also involved
in the formation of spiritual expe‑
riences.
The method can help future
researchers study spiritual experi‑
ence and its impact on mental
health, he said. (IANS)

Scientists unveil genome of Indiaʼs national bird Spending on AR, VR

A products to reach $27
fter a two‑year‑long
effort, a team of
researchers from
IISER‑Bhopal has been able
to sequence the genome of
Indiaʼs national bird, the
peacock (Pavo cristatus).
Knowledge of the genome
can provide insight into the
genetic reasons that enable
peacocks to have ornate
feathers and fly despite
their weight ̶ two charac‑
teristics that have been puz‑
zling scientists.
the discovery of the 99 “different”
partner. And it appears that,
when the number of eye‑
spots falls below a critical
number, mating chances of a billion in 2018: IDC
peacock fall too. Convinced
with this line of study,
Sharma said, the “eyespots
are actually a measure of
birdʼs immuno‑competence.”
Though more research
may be required to prove
this beyond doubt, it is likely
that the feathers that make
the bird seemingly unwieldy
may actually be helping in better nat‑

The researchers have made their
findings publicly available on the
research pre‑print server bioRXiv
(pronounced bio archive). They also
hope to soon publish their findings in
a peer‑reviewed journal.
The study revealed that the entire
peacock genome consists of 1.1 billion
base pairs (base pairs are units of
DNA) and codes for a total of 15,970
genes. When these genes were com‑
pared with those of closely‑related
birds like chicken and turkey, the
researchers found that up to 99 genes
in peacocks are strikingly different.
Most of these “different” genes are
involved in early embryonic develop‑
ment or in providing immunity to the
bird. These genes could also be reason
behind the “unusual size and structure
of peacock feathers and its higher
longevity”, said lead researcher Vineet
K. Sharma, an associate professor at
the Department of Biological Sciences,
IISER.
Guojie Zhang, one of the organisers
of the B10K project, an initiative to
sequence the genomes of all existing
bird species by the year 2020, called
genes “very exciting.”
“It offers many candidate genes for
understanding the unique feathers in
peacocks. It could be interesting to
see how these genes and their specific
mutations control the morphology in
peacocks,” he said.
Peacocks live for 25 years, much
longer than other closely‑related birds
such as the chicken, which live for 7‑8
years, and the turkey, which lives for
about 10 years. It is possible that the
immunity‑related genes unique to pea‑
cock help them ward off diseases
much better than other birds and con‑
sequently have a longer life.
Peacocks also have a peculiar sys‑
tem of selecting sexual partners.
Interestingly itʼs not the peacocks who
choose, but the peahens. Studies have
shown that, in making their choice,
peahens are guided by the state of a
peacocks feathers ̶ number of eye‑
spots, iridescence of the feathers and
even the manner in which the male
displays its feathers.
Studies have investigated the corre‑
lation between the number of eye‑
spots and its suitability for a female
ural selection.
The sequence information also
allowed the researchers to look at pea‑
cockʼs evolutionary history. The pea‑
cock population suffered at least two
“bottlenecks” or population crashes,
one around four million years ago,
and the other 450,000 years ago. The
reasons for these bottlenecks are,
however, not clear.
Going ahead, the IISER Bhopal team
would work on experiments that eluci‑
date the exact functional role of these
genes to improve our understanding
of “genotype‑phenotype correlations
for peacocks”, said Shubham Jaiswal,
another researcher associated with
the study.
“We are also going to use the
genome sequence data to derive the
complete chromosomes for this
species,” he added.
This study has created the perfect
opportunity to get a deeper under‑
standing about our national bird. It
has the potential to inform
researchers studying various aspects
of peacockʼs life and create better con‑
servation strategies.
S
pending on augmented reality and virtual reality
(AR/ VR) products and services is forecast to reach
$27 billion in 2018, a 92 per cent increase year
over year, according to a new update from the
International Data Corporation (IDC).
Worldwide spending on AR/VR is likely to achieve a
five‑year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 71.6
percent over the 2017‑2022 forecast period, showed
IDC's Worldwide Semiannual Augmented and Virtual
Reality Spending Guide update.
In 2018, China will top all regions in spend at $10.2 bil‑
lion with top spending in host devices, followed by VR
software and AR software, the guide said.
"Commercial interest in both augmented and virtual
reality continues to accelerate as new hardware ships,
improved software appears, and more use cases evolve,"
said Tom Mainelli, Vice President of Devices and AR/VR at
IDC.
The consumer industry is likely to maintain its position
as the largest source of spending for AR/VR products and
services over the course of the forecast period, reaching
$53 billion by 2022.
Virtual reality gaming continues to be the dominant
AR/V R use case in 2018 with spend expected to reach $7
billion the report said.
New use cases for 2018 include public infrastructure
maintenance, as well as 360 degree educational video
viewing, it said. (IANS)
26 June 9-15, 2018 HERITAGE TheSouthAsianTimes.info

The Magic of Vedic Mathematics Part 17

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

Continued on page 27
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
USCIS makes changes to policy on
gaining unlawful presence
By Michael Phulwani, Esq.
& Dev B. Viswanath, Esq.
L TALK
ast month USCIS issued a
new policy memorandum
which changes the way the
agency will determine the accrual
of unlawful presence for students
in F, J, M status and their depend‑
ents while they are in the United
States.
The new policy is expected to
go into effect on August 9, 2018
and according to USCIS this poli‑
cy is in furtherance of President
Trumpʼs Enhancing Public Safety
in the Interior of the United States
Executive Order and the Buy
American Hire American
Executive Order.
How Can a Person Accrue
Unlawful Presence in the U.S.?
Unlawful presence can usually be
accrued in three different ways.
1. If a person entered the U.S.
without being inspected by an
immigration officer. In this cir‑
cumstance every day that he or
she is in the US will be considered
as unlawful presence.
2. If a person first entered
the U.S. lawfully with a temporary
immigration status but then
remained in the U.S. after their
temporary status expired. Each
day of overstay is considered
unlawful presence.
If a person accrues unlawful
presence it is a big problem
Continued from page 26
because it may affect a personʼs
ability to apply for immigration
benefits in the future. People who
are subject to a 3‑year, 10‑year,
or permanent bar to admission as
a result of accrued unlawful pres‑
ence are usually not allowed to
apply for a visa, admission, or
adjustment of status to perma‑
nent resident unless they are eli‑
gible for a waiver of inadmissibili‑
ty or another form of relief.
Under the old policy, a person
who entered the U.S. for the dura‑
tion of status (D/S) did not start
accruing unlawful presence until
the day after USCIS formally
found a nonimmigrant status vio‑
lation had occurred or an immi‑
gration judge ordered the appli‑
cant excluded, deported, or
removed. Now under the new
policy, unlawful presence will
accrue starting from August 9,
2018, for any F, J, or M nonimmi‑
grant who continues to remain in
the US.
F, J, or M Nonimmigrant who
fails to maintain nonimmigrant
status before August 9, 2018:
An individual in F, J, or M non‑
immigrant status who did not
IMMIGRATION
Affecting Nonimmigrant Students & Exchange Visitors (Duration of Status)
maintain their status before
August 9, 2018, will start accru‑
ing unlawful presence based on
that failure on August 9, 2018,
unless they already started accru‑
ing unlawful presence on the ear‑
liest of the following:
The day after the U.S.
Department of Homeland Security
(DHS) denied the request for an
immigration benefit, if DHS made
a formal finding that the person
had violated his or her nonimmi‑
grant status while adjudicating a
request for another immigration
benefit;
The day after the individualʼs
Form I‑94 Arrival/Departure
Record expired, if they were
admitted until a certain date; or
The day after an immigration
judge, or in certain cases, the
Board of Immigration Appeals
(BIA), ordered the individual
excluded, deported, or removed
(whether or not the decision was
appealed).
F, J, or M nonimmigrants who
fail to maintain nonimmigrant
status on or after August 9, 2018:
An individual in F, J, or M nonim‑
migrant status who has failed to
maintain their status on or after
August 9, 2018, will start accru‑
ing unlawful presence on the ear‑
liest of any of the following:
Answers
June 9-15, 2018 27
The day after the F, J, or M non‑ for an F‑2, J‑2, or M‑2 nonimmi‑
immigrant no longer pursues the grant dependent (spouse or
course of study or authorized unmarried child under the age of
activity, or the day after the per‑ 21) admitted for D/S or for a cer‑
son engages in an unauthorized tain amount of time is contingent
activity; on the principal nonimmigrant. A
The day after completing the dependentʼs period of authorized
course of study or program, stay ends when the principalʼs
including any authorized practi‑ authorized period of stay ends.
cal training, plus any authorized The dependentʼs authorized peri‑
grace period; od of stay may also end due to
The day after the individualʼs their own conduct or circum‑
Form I‑94 Arrival/Departure stance.
Record expires, if they were Since the new rules will not take
admitted until a certain date; or effect until August, students have
The day after an immigration a few months to take action to
judge or, in certain cases, the BIA, avoid falling under the 3‑ and 10‑
orders the individual excluded, year bars. USCIS is still accepting
deported, or removed (whether or comments on the new policy
not the decision is appealed). memorandum until June 11,
The period of stay authorized 2018.
Dev Banad Viswanath is the Principal
Attorney of The Banad Law Offices PC in the
United States, and Banad Immigration in
India for which Attorney Michael Phulwani is
also affiliated as Of Counsel. With Offices in
Manhattan, Queens, Bangalore, and Mumbai,
the firm is able to assist clients with all facets
of the immigration process, including
Employment Visas, Consular Visa Assistance,
Student Visas, Removal & Deportation, US
Citizenship and Green Card Applications
based on Family or Employment. Dev B.
Viswanath can be reached at
Dev@Banadlaw.com and 718‑361‑5999.
Extracted from
ʻThe Curious
Hats of Magical
Maths ‑ Vedic
Mathematics for
Schools Book 1ʼ
by James
Glover, with
permission from
Motilal
Banarsidass
(MLBD).
Founded in
1903, they
specialize in
Indology books.
For more infor‑
mation, Mr R.P.
Jain, email:
mlbd@mlbd.
com. US
distributor:
southasia‑
books@gmail.
com
To be continued
in the following
issues of The
South Asian
Times.
28 June 9-15 2018 HUMOR TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Funny Side by Nury Vittachi

The shortest
marriages in history

BEST
RATE
FOR
INDIA
I
have been alive for several decades now people seem to interpret the "till death do us
but STILL don't know whether I like broc‑ apart" bit of the marriage ceremony as "for a

AND coli. Not my fault! Guys have "commit‑

ment issues". The topic of difficult decisions
week or two."
But the truth is that this columnist can

PAKISTAN was triggered by a recent news report sent

to me by reader Shaan Alwi. It said that a
man in Dubai got married a few days ago ‑‑
and then started divorce proceedings on the
New York Head Quarter way out of his own wedding. The groom was
so annoyed by his in‑laws that he started to
422‑S Broadway
have the marriage dissolved 15 minutes
HICKSVILLE after signing on the dotted line.
NY 11801 In the comments under this news report
were many references to pop singer Britney
516‑827‑1010 Spears, who was married for 55 hours.
Western TV channels are full of shows
where strangers are urged to try married
life and then asked if they like it, the same
technique parents use to get their kids to eat
vegetables. In fact, many liberal‑minded US
look in his files and prove there are mar‑
riages in Asia and the Middle East that make
Britney's 55 hours seem interminably
lengthy. In Mumbai in 2010, a woman
stormed out of her groom's house and went
back to her father after just four hours of
marriage, talking darkly about an argument
in the bedroom. (It was probably whether or
not to have the air‑conditioner on.)
In 2012, a Dubai man had a quarrel with
his bride while they were signing marriage
documents. He marched out of that court
and into the one next door to demand a
divorce. "How long have you been married",
the judge asked. The groom replied: "The
ink on my marriage certificate has not dried
yet." That meant the marriage lasted min‑
utes or seconds. Distraught friends and fam‑

Laughter is the Best Medicine
By Mahendra
Shah
Mahendra Shah is an
architect by education,
entrepreneur by
profession, artist
and humorist,
cartoonist and writer
by hobby. He has been
recording the plight of
the immigrant Indians
for the past many year
in his cartoons. Hailing
from Gujarat,
he lives in Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania.
ily members snapped into action ‑ getting
out their camera phones and phoning the
Guinness World Records.
Meanwhile, Google and Amazon have both
announced that a large number of guys have
been proposing marriage to the female AI
personalities in their gadgets. In April this
year, a Google executive said that 450,000
men had proposed to Google Assistant in
India alone. If you ask Siri on the iPhone to
marry you, she says: "I sure have been
receiving a lot of marriage proposals recent‑
ly." A colleague reading over my shoulder
(GO AWAY) said she was not surprised that
men found it easier to propose to robots
because they wouldn't get upset if the guys
kept changing their minds.
"But one thing I totally don't understand is
how men can get excited about female car‑
toon characters," she said. I pretended to
share her puzzlement, although Daphne
from the Scooby Doo cartoon flashed into
my head.
Anyway, here's a useful bit of philosophy
for readers who are hesitating about doing
something: "If the human society of the
future doesn't send a terminator back in
time to stop you doing whatever you want
to do, then it can't be that bad, right?"
I need to stop here to see if Scooby Doo is
on YouTube.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info ASTROLOGY June 9-15, 2018 29

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

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

JUNE 9‑15, 2018

ARIES: You will manage to impress peo‑
ple around you and mould them into
your way of thinking. There is a good
chance of enjoying the time with someone
close. Youngsters may plan a fun outing. You
may get the opportunity to avail a holiday
package. Chances of shifting into a new house
look bright. Hiring an office space in an
upmarket location is indicated for some. Your
performance on the academic front remains
good. No health problems are foreseen.
TAURUS: You will need to pay someone
a visit, even if you donʼt want to! A lot
of thoughts may be crossing your mind
this week regarding an unresolved issue. You
will need to take the right course of action,
even if it means taking somebody into confi‑
dence. On the professional front, play on your
strengths and cover your weaknesses to forge
ahead. Socially, you may feel a bit isolated, but
that may very well be a figment of your imagi‑
nation.
GEMINI: You are likely to love every
moment of your time you spend with
someone you like. Meeting old people
at a function is likely to bring alive the excite‑
ment of yesteryears. An interesting travelling
companion will make a monotonous journey,
exciting.
A good price is likely to be earned for a piece
of property. Keeping facts and figures on the
tips of your finger is likely to help in impress‑
ing those who matter at work.
CANCER: Take things one at a time at
work and set priorities. Your opinion
w ill matter on the family front.
Remaining close to someone influential is like‑
ly to open many doors for you on the profes‑
sional front. Celebratory mood may prevail on
the romantic front and you can very well plan
to paint the town red! Travelling with some‑
one you get along with well can prove a bless‑
ing in disguise. Those out window shopping
may buy something expensive.
LEO: Going out with friends and having
an enjoyable time this week is foretold.
Infusing some more physical activity in
your routine is likely to get you back in shape.
Someone will help you in becoming financially
secure. Meeting new people on the social front
is likely to add to your friendsʼ list. Those in
search for a suitable partner are likely to get
lucky. Opting for public transport over person‑
al vehicle is advisable. Taking up an exercise
regimen is possible.
VIRGO: Hard work is likely to pay off
on the academic front. You are likely to
manoeuvre yourself into a position of
authority on the professional front. Social net‑
working will prove most fulfilling and help
you meet people you normally donʼt come
across. Your craving for rich food will remain,
but you will manage to control your urges and
remain in shape. Rekindling the relationship
that you are into currently is the need of the
hour.
LIBRA: Financial gains are indicated,
as good earning commences. Your
success on the professional front is
foretold as you manage to handle complicated
situations all by yourself. Domestic front will
remain tranquil and peaceful, and allow you to
rest and recoup. Staying the night out with
friends will prove to be lots of fun. You may
take up a social cause. Lover is likely to
respect your decision for waiting some more
to tie the knot.
SCORPIO: You will need someoneʼs
help in sorting out a personal issue, so
donʼt hesitate to ask. Those new on the
job will be able to establish themselves firmly.
A good equation with those who matter on the
professional front is likely for the career‑ori‑
ented. Financially, you are not likely to face
any problems as money flows in. Something
you wanted to achieve on the personal front
will now be possible. Catering to someone
close will prove most fulfilling.
SAGITTARIUS: You may find yourself
in a dilemma regarding a personal
issue, but someone will be there to
guide your correctly. There is a possibility of
you joining the group of health‑conscious peo‑
ple to achieve total fitness. Accompanying
lover on an outing or a movie is indicated.
Those running late for an important job will
be able to make up the time. Setting up a new
house is possible for some. Spending your sav‑
ings on something important is possible.
CAPRICORN: This is a good time to
enjoy exclusive time with partner.
Remain tactful and diplomatic at work
as it is easy to get on the wrong side of higher
ups this week. Those in the advertising and
event management fields can face difficulty in
developing new clients. Financial troubles for
those in debt are set to be over soon. Your
popularity is likely to soar on the social front.
Students may crave for a break from intensive
studies.
AQUARIUS: Keeping a tab on what is
happening behind your back at work
is important. You are likely to enjoy
the company of lover. Going out for a drive or
on a sightseeing trip with your near and dear
ones cannot be ruled out for some. Property
matters will need to be sorted out amicably, if
you want things not to get stalled. Good bar‑
gaining will help you save much on the finan‑
cial front. Health remains satisfactory.
PISCES: You may plan the vacation for
a fun with someone. The hustle and
bustle of market may lure you and
make you splurge. Those in love are in for a
memorable evening in each otherʼs arms. You
will be able to complete your job to the satis‑
faction of superiors. Excellent prospects are
foreseen in real estate for those involved in
property business.
A pilgrimage will prove immensely fulfilling
for the religious minded. Health remains
good.

9th June, 2018
Traits in you: Being influenced by
Mars, you are believed to be the master
of a charismatic personality. You are
courteous, courageous, energetic, realis‑
tic, modest, and responsive. You follow
religion very keenly. However, you have
few problems in your attitude and that
needs to be worked on for the better‑
ment of your individuality.
Health this year: You need to focus on
your health a little more as you may fall
sick frequently this year. You should go
for regular medical checkups to main‑
tain a healthy life. Your parents may fall
sick towards the end of the year and it
will put you in immense pressure.
Finance this year: You will get finan‑
cial benefits if you have invested in past.
For future financial gains, you may
invest on real estate and stock market.
You should study the market well before
investing on anything. Do not be in a
hurry to invest as it may go in loss.
Career this year: You should take
inputs from senior and experienced pro‑
fessionals to learn new things and grow
professionally. Act diplomatically if you
have some professional issues. Getting
emotional and aggressive would not
work though.
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.
10th June, 2018
Traits in you: Due to the positive
ef fects of your ruling planet Sun, you
will have the characteristics of a good
human being. By nature, you are
accountable, unique, courageous, com‑
mitted, competitive, coordinated and
intelligent. You should work on your
negative personality traits such as self‑
ishness, dependency and pessimism.
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.
ANNUAL PREDICTIONS: FOR THOSE BORN IN THIS WEEK
Finance this year: Your past invest‑
ments may yield a lot of money for you
this year. You need to be extra cautions
while investing huge amounts as it is a
bit risky to put money on unpredictable
things. Overall, you will enjoy a strong
financial condition.
Career this year: You will be establish‑
ing yourself as a very ef ficient and
important resource in your organization
this year. Your performance will influ‑
ence your peers, seniors and higher
management. It is the best time to look
out for a new job as it will help you grow
both professionally and financially.
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.
11th June, 2018
Traits in you: Your ruler, the Moon
makes you a very friendly individual.
You are simple, confident, realistic, sin‑
cere, and optimistic. You are very inno‑
vative and try to perform your work in a
different and efficient way. You need to
work hard on your characteristics of
being jealous and insensitive at times.
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 be able to
stabilize your financial condition by
reaping profits from your past invest‑
ments. You may also plan for new invest‑
ments this year. You will find enough
new opportunities to start up a new
business that would yield money for
you. You should invest in real estate or
stock market for better returns.
Career this year: Being friendly and
quick in decision making, you will create
many admirers for yourself in your profes‑
sional circuit. Your juniors may seek your
advice in critical times to deliver efficient
work. It is advisable for you not to get
involved in office politics. You should han‑
dle official matters diplomatically.
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.
12th June, 2018
Traits in you: As you are ruled by
Jupiter, you are dynamic, realistic, affec‑
tionate, caring, religious and very help‑
ful. You are very much interested in a
happening life. You welcome new ideas
in your life and take everything positive‑
ly. However, you should work on your
nature of being jealous, selfish and rude
at times.
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 be among
major financial gains this year. You may
go for a real estate transaction later this
year and this will bring you a lot of
money to cherish. You may start up a
new business. If you are already into
business, you may plan for expanding its
territory this year.
Career this year: You need to focus on
your profession and put your cent per
cent ef fort to achieve your expected
goals. You will be appreciated by your
peers and seniors for your efficient out‑
put. You may be assigned extra responsi‑
bilities as you are very decisive and
capable of performing wonders.
Romance this year: T he emotional
attachment with your spouse or partner
may blossom this year with lot of love,
care, and concern. If you are not mar‑
ried, then you may go for a romantic
relationship. You will enjoy a very bliss‑
ful time with your beloved.
13th June, 2018
Traits in you: Your ruling planet
Uranus blesses you with a charismatic
character. You are able to impress any‑
one in your surroundings with your
nature and attitude. You are generous,
peace loving, disciplined, and creative in
nature. Your hard work pays of f every
time and you get success as a result.
Health this year: You will enjoy a mod‑
erate 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 regularly
and practice Yoga for better results.
Finance this year: You will be able to
stabilize your financial condition by
reaping profits from your past invest‑
ments. You may also plan for new invest‑
ments this year. You will find enough
new opportunities to start up a new
business that would yield money for
you. You should invest in real estate or
stock market for better returns.
Career this year: You will be very
impressive in your professional circuit
this year. However, you need to work
smart and perform well to grow as a per‑
fectionist. You should take quick deci‑
sions to excel in your field. You may
have to help your ordinates to drive pro‑
ductivity.
Romance this year: If you are yet to
be in a romantic relationship, this is the
ideal time to go for one. You will enjoy a
pleasurable relationship with your
spouse or partner.
14th June, 2018
Traits in you: Your ruling planet
Mercury makes you realistic, reliable,
sincere, and optimistic. You are the mas‑
ter of an excellent memory power and
charismatic characteristics. You need not
get nervous at tough time as it may cre‑
ate a question mark on your capabilities.
Health this year: Your health will
remain good throughout the year.
However, you need to go for regular fit‑
ness programs or practice yoga and
meditation for better results. Do not
avoid your regular medication. Look out
the health of your family members as
they may fall ill frequently.
Finance this year: Your new business
alliances and partnerships will help you
earn financial stability this year. You will
receive all the pending payments and
money you gave away as loans in the
past. You should go for investing in real
estates and share market.
Career this year: Being friendly and
quick in decision making, you will create
many admirers for yourself in your profes‑
sional circuit. Your juniors may seek your
advice in critical times to deliver efficient
work. It is advisable for you not to get
involved in office politics. You should han‑
dle official matters diplomatically.
Romance this year: You will spend a
peaceful life with your love interest this
year. You will lead a blissful life with
your beloved with lots of love, care, con‑
cern, and support.
15th June, 2018
Traits in you: Your ruling planet Venus
makes optimistic, ambitious, caring, aspir‑
ing, and determined. You are very social
and love to make new friends and get into
new relationships. You are a huge follow‑
er of intelligence and education.
Health this year: You need to stop
your bad habits such as smoking and
consuming alcohol to remain healthy.
You should take expert advice from a
doctor to avoid health related issues.
You should take your medicines at time
to avoid further complicacy in your
health. Take care of the health of your
spouse and parents as well.
Finance this year: As far as your finan‑
cial status is considered, you will enjoy a
healthy run this year. You may redirect
yourself to more profitable business.
You may plan for few business trips this
year for your growth. You should not get
involved in any kind of partnerships as it
may hamper your business.
Career this year: You will be establish‑
ing yourself as a very ef ficient and
important resource in your organization
this year. Your performance will influ‑
ence your peers, seniors and higher
management. It is the best time to look
out for a new job as it will help you grow
both professionally and financially.
Romance this year: You will share a
blissful romantic relationship with your
spouse or partner. Your marriage is on
cards if you are yet to marry. You will
find your partner supportive enough in
every crucial situation.
30 June 9-15, 2018 SPIRITUAL AWARENESS TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Benefits of Being A Vegetarian

ty of their life and health can
be greatly improved on such a
diet.
Longtime vegetarians have testi‑
fied to the changes they experi‑
enced when they gave up meat.
Many have reported that they felt
more energetic, not only physical‑
ly, but also mentally. Animals that
do not eat meat, such as the ele‑
phant, the horse, the mule, and the
By Sant Rajinder Singh ox, are known for their great
Ji Maharaj strength and endurance. Having
more stamina, vegetarians tend to
nature. Today, science is research‑
ing the effect that our own stress
hormones have on our body and
the damage that long‑term stress
does to our organs. Imagine eat‑
ing animals whose last days or
minutes of life on earth were
drenched w ith the hormones
released in their state of fear they
were in when they were about to
be slaughtered. Those who eat
meat are ingesting not only the
flesh, but all the hormones of
stress that are released due to the
a mind; we are also soul. They
have also taug ht people the
process of meditation to help
rediscover our true nature as soul.
To help gain proficiency in the
spiritual practices, vegetarianism
is a helping factor. To be able to
concentrate in meditation, we
need to be calm and collected. If
we eat the flesh of dead animals,
our own consciousness will be
affected.
In the East, vegetarianism has
been considered essential to spiri
the health of the planet.
Ecologists and environmentalists
are concerned about protecting
the living creatures on earth.
Environmentalists have pointed
out that one solution to the prob‑
lem of food shortages is better uti‑
lization of our resources. For
example, the amount of grain
needed to feed one cow to provide
meat for one person could feed
many times that number of peo‑
ple. Ecologists have also shown
that raising cattle and processing

I
n the last decade, we have wit‑
nessed an explosion of scientif‑
ic knowledge that has made
more information available to
humanity than in all previously
recorded history. Due to the dedi‑
cated research of scientists and
doctors, we now understand more
than ever before about our physi‑
cal body and what measures pro‑
mote good health. As more evi‑
dence is coming to light about the
beneficial effects of maintaining a
vegetarian diet, the number of
vegetarians around the world is
steadily on the rise.
Throughout history, many great
philosophers, mystics, saints, and
enlightened thinkers have recog‑
nized the value of vegetarianism.
It is only recently that science has
confirmed the views on vegetari‑
anism explained by these great
people. More and more people are
realizing that this diet can
increase the health and well‑being
of our body, mind, soul, and the
planet.
Books, journals, magazines, and
newspaper articles have pub‑
lished research on the health ben‑
efits of a vegetarian diet. Doctors
and nutritionists widely recom‑
mend that people reduce their
consumption of meat, high‑fat
foods, and eggs as a health meas‑
ure. They encourage the increased
use of vegetables, fruits, and
whole grains in oneʼs diet to cut
down on cholesterol in the body
and to minimize the risks of heart
attacks, high blood pressure,
strokes, and cancer.
The results of medical findings
have already had a far‑reaching
impact on the food and restaurant
industries. We find more foods
are being produced without ani‑
mal products. If we look back
even twenty years, a vegetarian
eating at a restaurant hardly had
any choices offered on the menu.
Today, we can find a variety of
delicious vegetarian dishes at
most restaurants.
Natural food stores and vegetar‑
ian restaurants abound in most
cities. Even large grocery chain
stores carry a large variety of veg‑
etarian foods. Those who careful‑
ly consider the advantages of veg‑
etarianism will see that the quali‑
meat requires much more fuel,
water, and energy than is used to
produce grains and vegetables.
Vegetarianism is one ef fective
means of conserving our vital
resources.
People around the world are
becoming more enlightened and
concerned about obtaining the
highest quality of life. They are
more interested in solving the
mysteries of the universe and
more keen to find personal fulfill‑
ment and lasting happiness. We
are simultaneously concerned
about the welfare of our global
community and the preservation
of our planet.
How we maintain the health of
our body, mind, soul, and planet is
a choice each has to make. A bal‑
anced vegetarian diet will result
in improved health and fitness,
greater mental equipoise, and
hig her spiritual attainment.
Following the vegetarian diet can
In the East, vegetarianism has been considered essential to help us achieve the health and
purity of our body, mind, soul, and
planet. We will not only be con‑
spiritual development. Spiritual teachers promote a life of tributing to peace for ourselves
and all life, but we will also be
nonviolence. Helping factors for spiritual growth include doing our part toward making
Planet Earth a haven of joy and
developing the ethical virtues of nonviolence, truthfulness, peace.
Being a vegetarian can help us
purity, humility, and selfless service. The vegetarian diet is a attain a healthier body, mind,
soul, and planet. Along with this,
natural by-product of nonviolence, in which no harm is we can augment our well‑being
throug h meditat ion.
Vegetarianism prepares the
done to any living creature. That is why saints through groundwork for the health of
body, mind, and soul. Meditation
the ages have recommended a vegetarian diet, can add to our overall health by
reducing stress to our body and
avoiding meat, fish, fowl and eggs. mind, and can put us in touch
with the soul. If we sit in medita‑
tion we can take steps towards a
exhibit improved efficiency and animalʼs fear as well. Thus, many tual development. Spiritual teach‑ healthier state of well being.
concentration in their physical as people brought up in the tradi‑ ers promote a life of nonviolence.
well as intellectual work. tions of the East prefer to live on He lping factors for spiritual
There is an expression, “You are plant foods, which are more con‑ growth include developing the Sant Rajinder Singh Ji
what you eat.” In countries of the ducive to mental equipoise. ethical virtues of nonviolence, Maharaj is an internationally
East where vegetarianism has Many enlig htened beings, truthfulness, purity, humility, and recognized spiritual leader
been the diet for thousands of saints, myst ics, and spiritual selfless service. The vegetarian and Master of Jyoti
years, people recognize that what‑ teachers have traditionally advo‑ diet is a natural by‑product of
Meditation who affirms the
ever they eat forms a part of their cated a vegetarian diet for spiritu‑ nonviolence, in which no harm is
transcendent oneness at the
heart of all religions and
body and also influences their al and moral reasons. For those done to any living creature. That
mystic traditions, emphasizing
thoughts. They believe that if they pursuing a spiritual path, a vege‑ is why saints through the ages
ethical living and meditation
eat the flesh of an animal that the tarian diet is essential for several have recommended a vegetarian
as building blocks for
mental and emotional vibrations important reasons. First, spiritual diet, avoiding meat, fish, fowl, and
achieving inner and outer
or characteristics of the animal teachers have always taught that eggs.
peace. www.sos.org.
will form a part of their own we are more than just a body and Vegetarianism also improves
TheSouthAsianTimes.info June 9-15, 2018
TheSouthAsianTimes.info June 9-15, 2018