You are on page 1of 39

Bollywood 35 Humor 36 Astrology 37 Spiritual Awareness 38

NEW YORK EDITION


Tennis mess:
AITA rejects
Sanias claims
Sports,
Page 34
Konkani A-listers to
attend conference
in New Jersey
Sunita Williams
heading back to
space again
Pranab leaves
active politics: End
of an era
Op Ed,
Page 31
Vol.5 No. 11 June 30-July 6, 2012 60 Cents Follow us on TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Supreme Court upholds Obama's
signature healthcare law
Washington: In a historic verdict,
the US Supreme Court Thursday
upheld President Barack Obama's
signature health care law, handing
him a major victory in the run-up to
the November presidential poll.
In a split 5-4 decision, the court
upheld the law's central provision
requiring all people to have health
insurance beginning 2014 or pay a
fine, saying that while people could
not be forced to buy insurance the
proposed penalty could be imposed
as a tax. In a surprise majority deci-
sion written by conservative Chief
Justice John Roberts, appointed to
the top post by Obama's predeces-
sor George Bush, the court essen-
tially ruled that the so-called indi-
vidual mandate was unconstitution-
al under the commerce clause, but
okay as a tax.
"Our precedent demonstrates that
Congress had the power to impose
the exaction in Section 5000A under
the taxing power, and that Section
5000A need not be read to do more
than impose a tax. This is sufficient
to sustain it," Roberts wrote.
Obama, hailed the decision that
would give a major boost to his
political fortunes in a tough re-elec-
tion battle as he has defended his
health care law as the way forward
for the American people.
But, his Republican rival Mitt
Romney told supporters in Virginia
the same day that if the Supreme
Court upheld the law, "Then we'll
have to have a president -- and I'm
that one -- that's gonna get rid of
Obamacare. We're gonna stop it on
day one." Black, Asian and Latino
Americans are expected to see sub-
stantial gains in insurance coverage
under the law. The bill was designed
to offer the greatest assistance to
those with low and moderate
incomes.
Chief Justice John Roberts
support tilted the scales in favor
of Obamacare.
Shed fear, invest in Afghan
opportunity: India
New Delhi: India
Thursday unveiled
its vision of pro-
moting economic
rejuvenation and
stability of
Afghanistan by ask-
ing companies from
the region to invest
in that country in
the spirit of solidar-
ity, despite the risks,
and called for CEOs
to replace generals
to lead the country's reconstruc-
tion.
"We need to offer a narrative of
opportunity to counter the anxiety
of withdrawal, uncertainty, insta-
bility and foreign interference,"
External Affairs Minister S.M.
Krishna told the first regional con-
clave organized in India to encour-
age private sector investment in
Afghanistan.
"India will continue to pursue its
vision to stabilize Afghanistan
through trade and investment and
regional cooperation," he said
while jointly inaugurating the con-
clave with his Afghan counterpart
Zalmai Rassoul. "We invite inter-
national investors and regional
Continued on page 4
Foreign minister S.M. Krishna with his Afghan
counterpart, Zalmai Rassoul, at a conclave in
Delhi on Afghanistan.
Mumbai police want to
confront Hamza with Kasab
New Delhi: The Mumbai police
Thursday again petitioned a court
here for the custody of Abu Jindal
Hamza, a key 26/11 suspect, so as to
confront him with Pakistani terrorist
Ajmal Kasab caught alive during the
2008 Mumbai terror attack. Chief
Metropolitan Magistrate Vinod
Yadav Wednesday dismissed
Mumbai police's application seeking
custody of Hamza, alias Zabiuddin
Ansari. Kasab has been convicted
for the terror attack and lodged in a
special cell in a Mumbai jail.
Hamza, an Indian mastermind of
the attack and an alleged member of
the outlawed Indian Mujahideen
group, was arrested at the Indira
Gandhi International Airport here
June 21 after his deportation from
Saudi Arabia.
Konkani meet in New
Jersey this weekend
New York: The 16th Konkani
Sammelan organized by the North
American Konkani Association
will be held in Edison, NJ June
29-July 1. It is being attended by
1800 Konkanis from all over the
world mainly North America
and India. Featured speakers and
delegates include T.V. Mohandas
Pai, ex-CFO of Infosys, Padma
Vibhushan filmmaker Shyam
Benegal, classical singer
Mahalaxmi Shenoy and
Bollywood actress Amrita Rao.
The motto of the convention is
Connecting Konkanis, Heart to
Heart, Home Away from Home.
Abu Jindal Hamza, 26/11 suspect now in custody, and Ajmal Kasab.
The South Asian Times has
brought out a 20-page, full-color
Special Section in this issue on
the Konkani Sammelan 2012.
See pages 11-30.
Tristate Community 3
TheSouthAsianTimes.info June 30-July 6, 2012
Seeking 22nd Congressional
term, Rangel wins primary
Temple stages dance
ballet on Sai Baba
New York: Congressman Charles
Rangel survived a tough primary
fight Tuesday and will have a chance
to retain the seat he's held for 42
years.
The 82-year-old Democrat was de-
clared the winner in his primary chal-
lenge fort the 13th District against
State Senator Adriano Espaillat, for-
mer Clinton aide Clyde Williams, re-
tired executive Joyce Johnson and
former model Craig Schley.
Meanwhile, attorney Wendy Long
was the winner of the Republican
primary for a chance to unseat US
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. Long de-
feated Congressman Bob Turner and
Nassau County Comptroller George
Maragos.
In Queens, Assemblywoman Grace
Meng was declared the winner in the
race for the Democratic nomination
for the 6th Congressional District
seat. She withstood the challenge
from Assemblyman Rory Lancman
and Councilwoman Elizabeth Crow-
ley. Queens Assemblyman Hakeem
Jeffries was declared the winner over
City Councilman Charles Barron for
the nomination in the 8th Congres-
sional District.
And in Brooklyn, longtime Con-
gresswoman Nydia Velazquez will
be on the ballot again in November
after being declared the winner in the
Democratic primary in the 7th Con-
gressional District.
Flushing, NY: The Shirdi Sai
Baba temple on Robinson Street
here organized Sai Sandhya for
nearly 300 audience on June 23 at
a high school auditorium.
The event comprised Sarvam
Sai Mayam (Everything is en-
veloped by Sai), a Kuchipudi bal-
let by noted danseuse Padma Shri
Dr Sobha Naidu, and bhajans by
award-winning singer Dr Radhika
Chopra.
The event was to raise funds for
the temple and started with temple
trustee Shiva Haran welcoming
the gathering. V. Perumal, deputy
consul general for cultural affairs
at the NY Consulate, described
Sai Baba as one of the most
revered saints of India.
For Hyderabad-based Ms.
Naidu, the ballet in Telugu was
her first event during her current
US tour. Ms. Naidu enacted the
role of Baba with ease in different
scenes. She was accompanied by
artistes from the Kuchipudi Dance
Academy, Germantown, Mary-
land, headed by Lakshmi Babu,
who is herself a student-disciple
of Ms. Naidu.
Padma Shri Dr Sobha Naidu played Sai baba
in the Kuchipudi dance ballet.
Hindu womens conference
held in Staten Island
Staten Island: On June 24 a first
ever "Hindu Women's Network
Conference was convened at "New
Dorp High School" in Staten Is-
land, NY with the initiative of
"Vishwa Hindu Parishad of Amer-
ica" (VHPA). Although open to all
women, the forum was meant to
give voice to Hindu women on
contemporary issues faced by them
as the nucleus of the family in USA
and develop, support structures for
their holistic, physical, intellectual
and emotional empowerment.
As the director and main conven-
er, Dr Ila Sukhadia's primary ob-
jective for the conference was to
highlight the various challenges
faced by women and create an in-
teractive network to guide them as
support-group, in their moment of
crisis.
The daylong well attended con-
ference was divided into ten differ-
ent sessions, incorporating panel
discussions and experts counsel-
ing sessions on Family Relations,
Self-Identity & Connecting with
your roots, Motivating Children,
Caring for Aging Parents, Personal
Loss & Loneliness, Marital &
Conjugal conflicts, Fitness &
Health, Empowerment, Youth Ses-
sion, and Money Management.
During the panel discussion on
Family Relations, Sweta Vikram
emphasized that, while playing
the role of mother, wife or daugh-
ter one should not lose self-identi-
ty and self-confidence and cau-
tioned all mothers against trying to
mold their children in your own
image. Dr Bharati Palkhiwala, the
renowned Psychiatrist, while com-
menting on stress, anxiety and de-
pression, asked women to open up
channels of communication with
people they trust most and try to
change the overall attitude to look
at the things. She further elaborat-
ed that, one should come to terms,
as soon as possible, with the mis-
guided notion of stigma most of
the Hindu women feel about get-
ting treatment for Anxiety and De-
pression.
Sukanya Krishnan, the famous
TV personality of WPIX CH 11
was the keynote speaker of this
conference.. On the heels of grand
success of this conference, the
Hindu Womens Network is al-
ready planning to convene multi-
ple such forums throughout USA.
The key coordinators of the conference
Congressman Charles Rangel
The Share & Care Foundation organized an Evening with Javed Akhtar
on June 22 at TV Asia studio in New Jersey, where Consul General Prabhu
Dayal released the Bollywood script and song writers latest collection of
poetry titled Lava. (Photo: masalajunction.com)
Recently the Dialogue Committee of the Long Island Council of Churches
(LICC) in cooperation with the Long Island Multi Faith Forum (LIMFF)
visited Global Harmony House, the Brahma Kumaris headquarters for
North & South America in Great Neck, and met Sister Mohini, head of the
Brahma Kumaris for the Western Hemisphere.
In the Front Row are: Rev. Charles Cary, Arvind Vora, Chairman of
LIMFF, Anil Vora, Sister Mohini, Rev. Lorraine De Armitt, Rev. Moire
Ahearne, Rev. Forrest Parkinson. In the Back Row are: Rev. Harold Lay,
Rev. Tom Goodhue, Executive Director, LICC, Rev. Richard Visconti,
Grace Simonette, and Br. Erik Larson, Regional Coordinator of BKs.
Printed Every Saturday by
Forsythe Media Group, LLC
ISSN 1941-9333
76 N Broadway, Suite 2004,
Hicksville, NY 11801
P: 516.390.7847
Website: TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Updated Daily
Chairman and Co-Founder
Kamlesh C. Mehta
Co-Founder: Saroosh Gull
President: Arjit Mehta
Board Advisors (Honorary)
Ajay Lodha, MD,
Lakhpat B. Mehta, Esq.
Rajasthan High Court & Supreme Court
Managing Editor: Parveen Chopra
C : 516.710.0508
Editor@TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Associate Editors
Vikas Girdhar, Hiral Dholakia-Dave,
Meenakshi Iyer
Contributing Editors: Melvin Durai,
Dr Prem Kumar Sharma, Harry Aurora,
Ashok Vyas, Ashok Ojha, Jinal Shah,
Dr Akshat Jain, Nupur Joshi
West Coast Correspondent
Pooja Jain,
Pooja@TheSouthAsianTimes.info
New Delhi Bureau
Meenakshi Iyer
Delhi@TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Strategy & Business Development
Namit Narain, C: 516.303.2075
Namit@TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Administration and PR (New York)
Smita Bhooplapur.
P: 516.390.7847
Smita@TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Marketing & PR (Washington DC)
Chander Gambhir, P: 703.717.1667
Jaipur (India) Bureau
Prakash Bhandari
Prakash@TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Print Distribution in India
Maneesh Media Agency,
P: 91.141.4188811,
MMedia@TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Photographs: Gunjesh Desai/
masalajunction.com.
Xitij Joshi/xitijphoto.com
Photo Journalist: Parveen/Bhanu Seth
Chief Cartoonist: Mahendra P. Shah
Art and Design: Vladimir Tomovski
Bhagwati Creations, Rahul Sahota
Web Editor: B.B.Chopra
News Service: HT Media Ltd.
IANS Newswire Services
Printing: Five Star Printing, NY
Richner Publications
Contacts
Editor@TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Subscribe@TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Advertisements
Advertise@TheSouthAsianTimes.info
P : 516.390.7847
F : 516.465.1343
Notice: The South Asian Times is published weekly by The Forsythe Media Group, LLC. POSTMASTER: Send all address notices, subscription orders/payments and other inquiries to The South Asian
Times, 76 N Broadway, Suite 2004, Hicksville, NY 11801, USA. Copyright and all other rights reserved. No material herein or portions thereof may be reprinted without the consent of the publisher. The
views expressed on the opinion pages and in the letters to the editor pages are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect those of The South Asian Times. The editor/publisher does not warrant accuracy
and cannot be held responsible for the content of the advertisements placed in the publication and/or inaccurate claims, if any, made by the advertisers. Advertisements of business or facilities included in this
publication do not imply connection or endorsement of these businesses. All rights reserved.
4 Turn Page
June 30-July 6, 2012 TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Shed fear invest story
Continued from page 1
countries to join in this vision for
Afghanistan individually or in part-
nership with others," he said.
Afghanistan robustly backed this
approach. "I believe greater invest-
ments results in increased economic
national activities in any country
including, but not limited to, addi-
tional revenues, job creation, income
generation opportunities which in
turn leads to increased prosperity
and service delivery," said Rassoul.
Over 80 Afghan companies, 130
Indian companies and 70 interna-
tional companies from 33 countries,
including Pakistan, China, Iran and
the Gulf countries, participated in
the summit. The Afghan delegation
included five senior ministers,
including Rassoul, Commerce and
Industry Minister Anwar-ul-Haq
Ahady, Finance Minister Hazrat
Omar Zakhilwal, Minister of Mines
Wahidullah Shahrani and
Agriculture Minister Mohd. Asef
Rahimi. The recommendations of
the day-long investment conclave
will be submitted as a framework at
the Tokyo Conference July 8 where
international donors will pledge
funds for Afghanistan after interna-
tional troops leave the violence-torn
country in 2014.The key recommen-
dations of the summit included pro-
viding the private sector investment
protection and risk mitigation, pro-
viding incentives for investing in
Afghanistan, and the creation of an
international fund for SMEs.
The conclave identified key sec-
tors for investment in Afghanistan
that included natural resources, man-
ufacturing, infrastructure, agricul-
ture, IT and telecommunications.
Commerce and Industry Minister
Anand Sharma announced that he
would soon lead an Indian business
delegation to Afghanistan, in a bid to
enhance economic engagements
between the two countries.
Attorney General Holder found
in contempt of Congress
Washington: The House of
Representatives on Thursday voted
to hold Attorney General Eric H.
Holder Jr. in contempt for failing to
disclose internal Justice Department
documents in response to a subpoe-
na. It was the first time in American
history that Congress has imposed
that sanction on a sitting member of a
presidents cabinet.
The vote 255 to 67 followed an
acrimonious and politically charged
debate. Many Democrats walked out
of the chamber in protest without
voting, accusing Republicans of rail-
roading the motion so they could
inflict political damage on the
Obama administration during an
election year.
The politically and constitutionally
charged dispute centers on whether
the Justice Department must turn
over e-mails and memorandums
showing its internal deliberations last
year as officials grappled with a
Congressional investigation about
the botched Arizona-based gunrun-
ning investigation known as
Operation Fast and Furious.
President Obama has invoked execu-
tive privilege to block the subpoena.
In early jostling on Thursday,
Republicans repeatedly invoked the
death of Brian Terry, a Border Patrol
agent killed in a shootout in
December 2010. Two guns that had
been purchased by a suspect in the
gunrunning case the previous
January were found near the scene.
Continuations of page 1
Attorney General Eric
H. Holder Jr
Pratham USA inducts Dr. Molly
Smith as Executive Director
Indian girl is Miss Asia Pacific 2012
New York: Pratham USA has
named Dr. Molly Easo Smith as its
Executive Director. Pratham USA
primarily raises money to support
the efforts of Pratham to ensure chil-
dren in India stay in school and
learn well.
An educationist who hails from
Chennai, Dr. Smith has previously
held positions as President, Provost,
Dean, and Professor of English at
several colleges and universities in
the US as well as at the University
of Aberdeen in the UK. She current-
ly serves on the Board of Trustees at
Fairleigh Dickinson University and
is a representative of the
International Association of
University Presidents to the United
Nations.
The opportunity to bring my
experiences to bear on extending
Pratham' s powerful mission and
positive impact on individuals and
communities is an extraordinary
opportunity in service and leader-
ship, says Dr. Smith. This position
allows me to wed my interests in
educational excellence, access to
learning, India, globalism, and phi-
lanthropy into a single role.
Throughout her career, Dr. Smith
has spoken about the power of phi-
lanthropy to transform communities
and lives and about the compelling
responsibility we all share as global
citizens to ensure that all children
have the opportunity to acquire a
quality education.
We are extremely excited to have
Dr. Smith assume the role of
Executive Director, says Dr. Atul
Varadhachary, President of Pratham
USA. She is an outstanding educa-
tor and proven leader who distin-
guished herself throughout our
search process..
Founded in 1994, Pratham cur-
rently has programs in 19 of the 28
states in India.
A known Shakespeare scholar, Dr.
Smith earned her M. A. in English
from Madras Christian College and
her Ph.D. from Auburn University.
Dr. Molly Easo Smith
Himangini Singh Yadu, crowned Miss Asia Pacific 2012, flanked by 1st
Runner up - Tuyanaa Temenjargal of Mongolia and 2nd Runner up
Diana Kubasova of Latvia. Himangini is a BCA graduate from Indore.
The beauty pageant was held in Busan, South Korea, June 16.
Tristate Community 5
TheSouthAsianTimes.info June 30-July 6, 2012
India should officially be declared
a Hindu state: Narain Kataria
New York: Narain Kataria, President of Indian
American Intellectuals Forum (IAIF) was conferred the
title of Dharma Rakshak for his untiring services to
Hindu cause by HindiUSA at Monroe Township, N.J. on
May 20, 2012.
Addressing the gathering, Kataria, who is survivor of
the Partition of India, said that India was partitioned in
1947 on the basis of two-nation theory as propounded
by the Muslim League party. Pakistan was immediately
declared as an Islamic state. The corollary of that action
was that India should have been declared a Hindu state.
But that did not happen. It was a monumental blunder
committed by Indias first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal
Nehru and his governing Congress Party. As a result of
that one blunder, Hindus have been suffering the injus-
tices, inequalities and barbarities for the last 64 years in
India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. The secularism, as
practiced in India, has become synonymous with the
Hindu-bashing, while the Hinduism has become a dirty
word in the lexicon of countrys secular fundamental-
ists.
Fortunately, the ever shrinking Hindu population in
India is still near 83%. By traditions and by culture,
India is still a Hindu nation. And, for the survival of that
Hindu nation, it is absolutely essential that the blunder
from the partition time is rectified and India declared a
Hindu State, he said.
Tracing the history of India, Kataria said that before
the advent of Islam, Indias cultural influence extended
from Afghanistan to Indonesia. Afghanistan was a
Buddhist nation; Malaysia and Indonesia also were
under the Hindu influence. Indonesia today is an Islamic
state. In Malaysia, even though the Muslim population
is only at 51%, officially, it too is called an Islamic state.
In 1947, Hindus lost Sindh, Baluchistan, North West
Frontier, 60% of Punjab, and East Bengal (later
Bangladesh) to Islam. In Assam, the Muslim population
has increased to 35%; in West Bengal it has become
almost 30%. In Utter Pradesh and Bihar, the Muslim
population is at 20%. In the southern state of Kerala, the
Muslim and Christian population together is around
50%. In the North East, in Nagaland, Mizoram, and
Meghalaya, the Hindus population is negligible.
Javed Akthar and Shankar
Mahadevan team up for
Akshaya Patra Foundation
Stoneham, MA: To commemo-
rate the billionth meal to be served
by Akshaya Patra in August, 2012,
lyricist Javed Akthar and singer
Shankar Mahadevan are partnering
to create music that will celebrate
the joys of childhood and help
Akshaya Patra to raise awareness
about its program to enable hunger
free education. According to
Shankar the music will be poetic
and will have a melody that
lingers.
With this partnership,
Mahadevan is joining the league of
socially conscious celebrities by
becoming the brand ambassador
for The Akshaya Patra Foundation.
He will help celebrate the momen-
tous occasion by performing at a
special function to be held in
Bangalore.
Mahadevan will pay tribute to
the midday meals provided by
Akshaya Patra and focus on the
joys of childhood where children
have fewer worries and responsi-
bilities and do not have to worry
about their next morsel.
Commenting on Akshaya Patras
mission; no child shall be deprived
of education because of hunger, the
singer said, "I am very happy to be
associated with Akshaya Patra as
the cause is very close to my heart
and something that I have always
wanted to do - feed children."
Madhu Sridhar, President and
CEO of Akshaya Patra USA, com-
mented, Javed Akthar and
Shankar Mahadevan teaming up
for the Akshaya Patra children it
will be a powerful message with a
powerful voice to ensure hunger is
not a barrier to education for these
deserving children. We hope that
Mahadevan will spread Akshaya
Patras mission across the world
through his performances to touch
hearts and expand the Akshaya
Patra family.
Akshaya Patra, a grassroots
organization, is continuously
working on building support in
communities all across USA
through Akshaya Patra chapters.
To learn more about Akshaya Patra
visit www.foodforeducation.org
From (L to R): Devendra Singh, Director,
HindiUSA, renowned scholar Dr. Rajiv Malhotra
and Narain Kataria
Police released video grab of Pawan Kumar Anjaiah
after Danielle Mehlman was found murdered
Winner of Western Union Main Bhi Star
Contest meets cast of Navya
By Ujwala Chinni
New York: Saurabh Arora, 31
auditioned for Western Union
Main Bhi Start Contest in New
York City and was selected
among hundreds to be flown to
Mumbai, India to play a role in
Stars serial Navya. He shares
his experience with SATimes..
Describe your experience on
set?
It was one of the most memo-
rable experiences of my life. The
moment I landed on the set, I
was treated like a prince from
New York. Starting from being
picked up by a Star Plus repre-
sentative, who stayed with me to
guide through the shoot whole
day, to being given a personal
vanity room, spot boy and a
makeup artist, it was everything
anyone would dream of on
becoming a star!
How was it interacting with
famous soap stars?
Expectedly, I started off nerv-
ous and a little intimidated until I
heard them speak! I was floored
by their humbleness and willing-
ness to help someone new.
Navya (Soumya) was incredibly
sweet and Anants mother was
quite inspiring I got to know
about her passion for the indus-
try and how she left a career in
London to go pursue her dreams.
I was very motivated by their
energy and dedication.
How was your overall experi-
ence with Star TV?
From the day of the audition to
the end of the shoot, Star TV has
been a constant companion and a
generous provider I cannot
thank Star enough for giving me
an experience, which is very rare
for anyone to get. Their profes-
sionalism is second to none and
the passion to entertain is perva-
sive in everyone attached to
them from the actors, to the
crew and staff. I can safely
ascertain that my experience
with them has turned me into an
ardent loyalist and a lifetime Star
TV evangelist.
How did it feel to be chosen
to represent the U.S. as an
actor?
Proud! I immigrated to the
U.S. eight years ago and never
thought one day I would be able
to represent America in my own
country with the sheer amount
of talented Indians, I just feel
humbled to have been the lucky,
chosen one.
Do you plan to continue act-
ing?
Yes. I am enrolled in the Stella
Adler Acting School and plan to
continue scouting for opportuni-
ties in Indian theater & movie
circuit in NYC.
Indian techie wanted in
murder case found dead
New York: A 26-year-old Indian employee at an
IT firm, who was accused of murdering an
American woman, was found dead after he
allegedly committed suicide due to suspected drug
overdose at a New Jersey hotel.
Pawan Kumar Anjaiah, 26, a software engineer,
was in the US on an assignment with IT firm
Cognizant.Delaware state police had issued arrest
warrants against Anjaiah, charging him with first
degree murder and possession of a deadly weapon,
after a Pennsylvania woman Danielle Mehlman
was found murdered in Delaware's Dewey Beach
motel on June 18. However, the search for Anjaiah
ended after authorities found him dead at a north-
ern New Jersey motor lodge on June 19. Anjaiah
was in the US on an H1 B work visa, according to
a statement from US Immigration and Customs
Enforcement in Newark, New Jersey.
Saurabh Arora, pictured above on the set of Navya,
with Shaheer Sheik (Anant), Hemaakshi Ujjain (Sugandha).
6 Tristate Community
June 30-July 6, 2012 TheSouthAsianTimes.info
'Do thorough background check of NRI grooms'
By Jinal Shah/SATimes
R
ecently in the news for her
sexy remark and her ongo-
ing effort for seeking one-
time payment for ex-women crick-
eters from the profits of Indian
Premier League, Indias National
Commission for Women chairper-
son Mamta Sharma in an exclusive
interview with SATimes said atroc-
ities against NRI women is increas-
ing. Excerpts from the interview.
Firstly your association with
the Bharat Gaurav awards...
It feels really great to honor our
own people for their extraordinary
work living abroad. I feel
immensely proud to see achievers
taking over businesses, gas sta-
tions, jewelry businesses and high-
er positions in American compa-
nies. However I am looking for-
ward to see more female awardees
next year. Many Indian women
have made it up to the top not just
in India but worldwide and they
need to be felicitated for their work
as well.
Your agenda in USA apart
from the awards?
I am here to gather support for
various programs related to girl
child and women empowerment.
There are a lot of American NGO's
here and if they support our cause
especially education for girl child it
will make a huge difference.
Recently there was a scheme
for giving legal/financial assis-
tance to women distressed by
their overseas Indian spouses.
How is it going through?
Contrary to the commonly held
belief that domestic violence is
only seen in India among the uned-
ucated, shockingly there are a lot of
cases here and the biggest draw-
back is that NRI marriages are less
successful. We get a lot of atrocity
and cheating related cases in India.
Punjab state is considered to have
maximum number of NRI cases.
What about other states in
India. Is it a pan India problem?
Punjab has a lot of cases however
increasingly Gujarat and Delhi are
reporting a lot of these cases. In
Delhi alone we have registered 741
cases.
What is NCW doing about
these cases?
It is a very unfortunate thing that
NRIs runaway after marriage or
even if they bring their wives, they
treat them as domestic servant,
having said that I would like to
point out that we have an NRI cell
running since 2006. The cell is ded-
icated to such cases. We are trying
our best to provide legal recourse
to these women. Also we are plan-
ning to send our recommendations
to the government of India to stop
such atrocities by seizing their
passports and blocking NOC. We
have also released a book on NRI
women. The book is an eye-opener
for those parents wanting to get
their daughters married abroad.
What is your message to the
parents wanting to get their
daughters married to NRI men?
Firstly do not get your daughters
married to NRIs and if you do
please check the background thor-
oughly. Its a matter of your girls
life.
Aamir Khans Satyamev Jayate
a reality based show is garnering
a lot of response from the society.
He recently aired two grave
issues of female feticide and NRI
marriages. Your take on the
same?
Aamir Khan began with the issue
of female feticide with special ref-
erence to Rajasthan. It is a good
beginning because it helps in creat-
ing awareness. The government
and NGO volunteers have also
been making efforts to curb the
social evil and their role is definite-
ly prime but celebrities have their
attraction among people which
really works.
Talking about the sexy
remark (at a function in Jaipur
earlier this year, Sharma said
"sexy" meant "beautiful and
charming" and so it should not
be taken in a negative sense.) that
has garnered a lot of comments.
No comment on that please.
Indian Americans
fund Hindu studies
chair in USC
Washington, DC: An Indian
American organization has made a
contribution of $3.24 million to
establish Swami Vivekananda
Visiting Faculty and Dharma
Civilization Foundation Chair in
Hindu Studies at a prestigious uni-
versity in California.
To be established at the
University Of South California
(USC) School Of Religion with
funds from the Dharma
Civilization Foundation, this is the
first chair of Hindu studies in the
US funded by the Indian
American community.
"We are very proud to house the
first chair of Hindu studies in the
United States endowed by the
Indian-American community," the
USC President C L Max Nikias
said in a statement.
The Los Angeles based Dharma
Civilization Foundation aims to
fund studies of the Indian civiliza-
tion, focusing on Hinduism,
Buddhism, Jain and Sikh reli-
gions.
The objective is to promote
Dharma education through
research scholarship, degree
courses and endowed chairs.
Last year Nikias led a delegation
of university faculty, administra-
tors and trustees, including USC
Dean of Religious Life Varun
Soni, to India, where they met
with key Indian partners in higher
education, business and govern-
ment, and with USC alumni, to
build sustainable alliances in the
areas of medicine and health care,
neurosciences, the arts, communi-
cation and journalism, business,
technology and engineering.
"This historic gift to the USC
School of Religion highlights the
department's commitment to study
the enduring questions of human
life and values from a global per-
spective," said Duncan Williams,
chair of the School of Religion.
Carnegie Endowment
announces new South
Asia scholars
Washington, DC: Carnegie
Endowment for International
Peace has announced hiring of
three leading South Asia
experts: Frederic Grare, Sarah
Chayes, and Milan Vaishnav.
This marks a major expansion
of Carnegies already signifi-
cant research on India,
Pakistan, and Afghanistan and
supports the planned opening
of a Carnegie center in New
Delhi.
Founded in 1910, Carnegie is
Americas oldest international
affairs think tank. Carnegie is
in the process of building the
worlds first truly global think
tank with research centers in
Washington, Moscow, Beijing,
Beirut, and Brussels.
Making the announcement,
Carnegie Endowment
President Jessica Mathews
said:
South Asiawith its vast
population and growing eco-
nomic cloutis poised to play
a major role on the world stage
throughout the decades to
come. After careful study and
reflection, Carnegie is enor-
mously excited to be opening a
center in New Delhi in the near
future that will deliver ground-
level insights from this vibrant
and critical region.
As we prepare to expand into
India, we are extremely fortu-
nate to welcome three scholars
of this caliber.
All three scholars will be
based out of Washington, D.C.
Frederic Grare is a leading
expert and writer on the region,
his research focuses on South
Asia security issues. He also
works on the tension between
stability and democratization
in Pakistan, including civil-
military relations, the chal-
lenge of sectarian conflict, and
Islamic political mobilization.
Sarah Chayes, a former
reporter, she covered the fall of
the Taliban for National Public
Radio, then left journalism to
remain in Kandahar in order to
contribute to the reconstruction
of the country. In 2010, Chayes
became special adviser to the
chairman of the Joint Chiefs of
Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen,
contributing to strategic policy
on Afghanistan, Pakistan, and
the Arab Spring.
Milan Vaishnav is currently a
postdoctoral research fellow at
the Center for Global
Development, where he helps
direct an initiative on U.S.
development strategy in
Pakistan.
His research focuses on the
political economy of India,
examining issues such as cor-
ruption, ethnic politics, gover-
nance and state capacity, elec-
tion finance, and distributive
politics.
Indias National Commission
for Women chairperson
Mamta Sharma
Padmasree Warrior
adds strategy-chief
role at Cisco
Washington, DC: Cisco
Systems Inc. (CSCO), the
makers of computer-network-
ing gear, said Padmasree
Warrior, chief technology offi-
cer of Cisco Systems Inc is
taking on an expanded role to
oversee strategy, underscoring
the companys move away
from the consumer-focused
acquisitions favored by her
departing predecessor, Ned
Hooper.
Pankaj Patel, 58, will lead
Ciscos engineering organiza-
tion, a job he shared with
Warrior, 51, the San Jose,
California-based company
said in a blog posting.
The changes are part of a
broader overhaul undertaken
by Chief Executive Officer
John Chambers last year to cut
costs and bureaucracy and
reverse market-share losses.
Warrior will oversee deals
activity as one of the most
acquisitive companies in tech-
nology reconfigures strategy.
Padmasree Warrior
University of South California campus
National Community 7
TheSouthAsianTimes.info June 30-July 6, 2012
Sunita Williams heading
back to space again
Washington, DC: Indian-
American astronaut Sunita
Williams is all set to return to the
International Space Station, where
she spent a record six months in
2006.
Daughter of an Indian American
father from Gujarat and a
Slovenian mother, Williams is
currently making final prepara-
tions for a July 14 launch from the
Baikonur Cosmodrome in
Kazakhstan, according to a NASA
announcement.
She will be a flight engineer on
the station's Expedition 32 with
Flight Engineers Yuri
Malenchenko of the Russian
Federal Space Agency and
Akihiko Hoshide of the Japan
Aerospace Exploration Agency.
On reaching the space station she
will take over as commander of
Expedition 33.
Williams and her colleagues
will be aboard the station during
an exceptionally busy period that
includes two spacewalks, the
arrival of Japanese, US commer-
cial and Russian resupply vehi-
cles, and an increasingly faster
pace of scientific research, the US
space agency said.
Williams is the second woman
of Indian heritage to have been
selected by NASA for a space
mission after Kalpana Chawla and
the second astronaut of Slovenian
heritage after Ronald M. Sega.
She holds three records for
female space travelers: longest
spaceflight (195 days), number of
spacewalks (four), and total time
spent on spacewalks (29 hours
and 17 minutes).
Sunita Williams
US-India trade group
pushes for BIT
Washington, DC: A leading
US-India trade group has
launched a major effort to pro-
mote a high-standard US-India
Bilateral Investment Treaty
(BIT) calling it the next hill to
climb in their strategic partner-
ship.
A US-India Bilateral
Investment Treaty is truly the
next hill to climb in the strate-
gic partnership, said Ron
Somers, president of the US-
India Business Council (USIBC)
comprising over 300 top US and
a score Indian companies,
Monday.
USIBCs Coalition for Jobs
and Growth will serve as the
organizing body to provide input
to US negotiators and to promote
support and understanding of the
importance of a US India BIT
and its ultimate ratification by
the US Senate, the group said.
Co-Chaired by Susan G.
Esserman, a USIBC board mem-
ber, former Deputy US Trade
Representative and currently
partner at Steptoe & Johnson, the
coalition will continue the work
begun by USIBCs Trade and
Investment Initiative in 2007.
USIBC was then the first advo-
cate for a bilateral investment
treaty, eventually succeeding in
placing the BIT on the bilateral
agenda when the two countries
announced BIT negotiations in
2008, it said in a release.
The coalition announced at a
USIBC briefing with US BIT
negotiators, will leverage the
collective strength of industry,
academic experts and the Indian
American community to make
sure this critical agreement is
completed and ratified. The BIT
will engender greater coopera-
tion and collaboration, protect
and promote foreign investment
and ultimately lead to economic
growth and job creation in both
countries, Somers said.
South Asians fear racial profiling
over court ruling
Washington, DC: South Asian
and other immigrant groups have
joined the White House in warn-
ing that a US Supreme Court
decision upholding a controver-
sial provision of Arizona's immi-
gration law could lead to racial
profiling.
In a 5-3 decision hailed by both
sides as a victory, the court
Monday largely sided with
President Barack Obama in strik-
ing down most of the tough state
law but upheld what has been
dubbed "show me your papers"
provision allowing police to
check people's immigration sta-
tus.
"The national government has
significant power to regulate
immigration," Justice Anthony
Kennedy wrote in the majority
opinion ruling the federal govern-
ment had the power to block the
Arizona law.
A "pleased" Obama called on
the Congress to "act on compre-
hensive immigration reform" say-
ing "a patchwork of state laws is
not a solution to our broken
immigration system - it's part of
the problem."
He also expressed concern that
immigration status checks
allowed by the court ruling could
lead to racial profiling by police
saying: "No American should
ever live under a cloud of suspi-
cion just because of what they
look like."
The National Coalition of
South Asian Organizations
(NCSO), a network of 42 com-
munity organizations led by
South Asian Americans Leading
Together (SAALT), too feared
the decision "will result in racial
profiling by state and local law
enforcement of individuals sus-
pected of being undocumented."
"As an organization committed
to upholding immigrant rights,
SAALT remains deeply con-
cerned that the court failed to
strike down the papers please'
aspects of the law," it said in a
statement.
CII, World Bank Group ink
pact to save tigers
Washington, DC: The Confederation of Indian
Industry (CII) and the World Bank Group have
agreed to establish the India Wildlife Business
Council (IWBC) to promote tiger and biodiversity
conservation for sustainable development.
A memorandum of understanding to set up the
IWBC to improve the dialogue between business,
conservation stakeholders as well as decision
makers was signed here Tuesday by CII Deputy
Director General Indrani Kar and World Bank
Group President Robert B. Zoellick.
The International Bank for Reconstruction and
Development (IBRD), the International
Development Association (IDA), the International
Finance Corporation (IFC) - which comprise the
World Bank Group - and CII will jointly create
and support the IWBC, an institutionalized plat-
form for collaboration.
Tiger population has dwindled massively due to
rapid industrialization, habitat fragmentation,
poaching and illegal trade, according to a CII
statement.
Barely 3,000 tigers remain in the wild today,
confined to only seven percent of their historical
geographic presence.
Beyond the tiger's iconic value as India's nation-
al animal, the conservation and protection of their
habitat is important for maintaining biodiversity,
which is the natural capital that has helped drive
economic growth and prosperity in India, it
added.
Conservation and sustainable development will
also have a profound ripple effect on India's
poverty alleviation, watershed protection, natural
hazard regulation, food security and agricultural
services, medicinal and recreation and tourism,
the statement said.
CII Director General Chandrajit Banerjee said
the industry association will work through the
IWBC to promote green growth models, aligning
business strategies focusing on a triple bottom
line approach - on profits, people and planet.
Zoellick said that bringing private sector into
this effort would infuse new ideas and new
resources, changing the dynamic between indus-
try and conservation and serving as a powerful
instrument of change.
He hoped to achieve the target of doubling tiger
population worldwide by 2022 through new busi-
ness and policy models, such as smart green infra-
structure that gives priority to tiger habitats.
CII Deputy Director General Indrani Kar and
World Bank President Robert Zoellick signing an
agreement on establishing an India Wildlife
Business Council in Washington D.C. June 26
8 US Affairs
June 30-July 6, 2012 TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Obama calls
Romney possible
Outsourcer-
in-chief
Atlanta: President Obama is having good
fun over his Mitt Romney's campaign split-
ting hairs between "offshoring" and "out-
sourcing" to defend the Republicans
alleged export of jobs to India and China.
"There was an article the other day in The
Washington Post about how Mr. Romney's
former firm - this is what gave him all this
amazing success - was a 'pioneer' in off-
shoring jobs to China and India," he said at
a campaign event in Atlanta Tuesday.
Raising the issue for the third time in less
than a week, Obama recalled amid laughter
that "And when they were asked about it,
some of his advisors explained, no, there's a
difference between offshoring and out-
sourcing."
The Post had reported that Bain capital,
an equity firm co-founded by Romney, had
sent jobs to countries like India and China
during his 15 year tenure there. The
Romney campaign has prodded the Post to
retract the story, to no avail.
Obama continued, We don't need some-
body who's a pioneer in offshoring or out-
sourcing. We need a President in the White
House who's going to, every single day, be
fighting to bring jobs back to the United
States, do some insourcing, put folks back
to work here," Obama said.
Washington: Handing President Barack
Obama a partial victory in an election year,
the Supreme Court Monday largely sided
with his administration to strike down key
parts of a controversial Arizona law on
immigration.
But the court's 5-3 ruling also upheld the
most controversial provision of the
Republican-ruled state's law involving
police checks on people's immigration sta-
tus while enforcing other laws if "reason-
able suspicion" exists that the person is in
the US illegally.
"The national government has significant
power to regulate immigration," Justice
Anthony Kennedy wrote in the majority
opinion, ruling the federal government had
the power to block the Arizona law.
"Arizona may have understandable frus-
trations with the problems caused by illegal
immigration while that process continues,
but the state may not pursue policies that
undermined federal law," he added.
In its ruling, the apex court also made
clear the immigration status provision
could still face future constitutional chal-
lenges depending on how the state enforces
it. The Obama administration had chal-
lenged four major provisions of the
Arizona law that never were enforced,
pending the legal ruling, arguing immigra-
tion matters were strictly a federal func-
tion.
Writing for the minority, Justice Antonin
Scalia argued the court's ruling encroached
on Arizona's sovereign powers.
Provisions struck down included author-
izing police to arrest immigrants without
warrant, making it a state crime for "unau-
thorized immigrants" to fail to carry identi-
fication papers and soliciting work or even
indicating their willingness to do so with a
"gesture or nod".
Arizona had passed the tough immigra-
tion law because of what it said was the
federal government's inability to stop the
flow of illegal immigrants crossing from
Mexico.
Similar laws passed by several other
states are under challenge in lower courts
in Georgia, Alabama, Utah, Indiana and
South Carolina. Arizona's appeal is the first
to reach the Supreme Court.
US apex court sides with Obama
on immigration law
Democrats have turned Romneys success
at Bain against him.
Writer-filmmaker
Nora Ephron
dies at 71
New York: Nora
Ephron, the essayist,
author and filmmaker
who challenged and
thrived in the male-
dominated worlds of
movies and journalism
and was loved, respected
and feared for her wit, died Tuesday at age 71.
Ephron wrote and directed such favorites as
Julie & Julia and Sleepless in Seattle, and her
books included the novel "Heartburn," a brutal
roman a clef about her marriage to Washington
Post reporter Carl Bernstein and the popular
essay collections I Feel Bad About My Neck
and I Remember Nothing.
As a screenwriter, Ephron was nominated
three times for Academy Awards, for
Silkwood, When Harry Met Sally. .. and
Sleepless in Seattle, and was the rare woman
to write, direct and produce Hollywood
movies.
Nora Ephron
After the court verdict, Arizona Governor
Jan Brewer accused the Obama Administration
of telling her state to "drop dead."
'Occupy Singur
movement from July 3'
Kolkata: CPI-M lawmaker
Abdur Rezzak Mollah, who
had called for organising an
"Occupy Singur" movement
on the lines of "Occupy Wall
Street" for the benefit of the
unwilling farmers of the rural
belt, Tuesday said he plans to
start the stir from July 3.
"If everything goes well,
then I have plans to launch
'Occupy Singur' movement
from July 3. I want the Left,
democratic forces to come
out in support of the move-
ment. But right now I won't
divulge my strategy," Mollah
said.
The movement will be on
the lines of the "Occupy Wall
Street movement" that shook
the entire world last year, he
said.
Mollah had earlier said that
the circumstances of the cases
are totally different, the flavor
of the movement will be
same.
The veteran Communist,
who was land reforms minis-
ter during the Left regime, is
known as a loose cannon in
political circles for his repeat-
ed out-of-turn remarks
against a section of the party
leadership, especially former
chief minister Buddhadeb
Bhattacharjee and former
industries minister Nirupam
Sen. During his tenure as
minister, Mollah had openly
protested against the proce-
dure of land acquisition in the
Singur area of Hooghly dis-
trict for the car plant.
On the "Occupy Singur"
movement, he had said the
agitation will benefit the
unwilling farmers of Singur
who have received nothing
and are leading a tough life
after losing all means of
livelihood.
India 9
TheSouthAsianTimes.info June 30-July 6, 2012
ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR
SEPTEMBER 2012 ADMISSIONS.
XAVIER OFFERS NEW SCHOLARSHIPS
FOR THE BASIC SCIENCES
* 4 YEAR OR 5 1/2 YEARS MD PROGRAM
FOR MOTIVATED STUDENTS
* CLINICAL ROTATIONS IN THE UNITED
STATES
* LOW STUDENT/TEACHER RATIO
* USMLE REVIEW WITH KAPLAN
* SUPERIOR FACULTY AND IDYLLIC
LOCATION FOR THE STUDY OF MEDICINE
* PAYMENT PLAN OPTIONS AVAILABLE
Merit Scholarship
MCAT 25-29 $1500* PER SEMESTER
MCAT 30-34 $2000* PER SEMESTER
MCAT 35UP $3250* PER SEMESTER
* MAINTAIN MINIMUM HONORS TO QUALIFY FOR FURTHER SEMESTERS
* ONLY SEMESTER MD1 THROUGH MD4
26/11: India seeks to nail Pakistan on Hamza
New Delhi/Thiruvananthapuram: India has sought to corner
Pakistan over the Mumbai terror strike, saying the recently-
arrested 26/11 suspect Abu Jindal Hamza's confession proved
the involvement of state players in the 2008 attacks and asked
Islamabad to shed its "selective" approach to terror.
Meanwhile, a Delhi court declined Mumbai police's plea for
custody of Hamza, who is being interrogated by the national
capital's police after his arrest on landing at Delhi's Indira
Gandhi International Airport on June 21.
In Delhi, External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna asked
Pakistan to shed its "selective" approach to terror and join
hands with India in eliminating the scourge from the region.
"Whenever there is a bilateral meeting, we have always
focused on terrorism and terror-related issues. We have been
impressing upon Pakistan to come out openly to declare war
on terrorism, which should be across the board and not selec-
tive," Krishna said. "While Pakistan claims it is a victim of ter-
ror, they should join hands with India so that terror and terror-
related issues can be eliminated," he said, adding India hoped
as always that Pakistan will fully cooperate with India in nor-
malising relations. Krishna was responding to a question on
the revelations made by Abu Jindal Hamza, an Indian suspect
who was living in Saudi Arabia on a Pakistani passport and
was deported by the Arab nation earlier this month, about
Pakistani state players' role in the 26/11 mayhem.
Home Minister P. Chidambaram told reporters that there was
involvement of "state actors" in the attacks.
"We were tracking Jindal (Hamza) for over a year. His con-
fession proves that there was support of state actors for 26/11
massacre," Chidambaram told reporters in
Thiruvananthapuram.
Hamza, 30, was a key handler of the 10 Pakistani terrorists,
who sneaked into Mumbai on November 26, 2008, and carried
out an audacious attack on innocent people at key locations in
the megapolis, including the Chhattrapati Shivaji Terminus,
Taj Mahal hotel and Chhabad House.
CPI-M lawmaker
Abdur Rezzak Mollah Abu Jindal Hamza, 30, was a key handler of the 10
Pakistani terrorists, who sneaked into Mumbai on
November 26, 2008
New Delhi: India does not get into "any kind of slanging
match" with Pakistani dignitaries, External Affairs
Minister S.M. Krishna said, refusing to enter into a
debate with Pakistan's Interior Minister Rehman Malik
over 26/11 suspect Abu Jindal Hamza.
"We do not get into any kind of a slanging match with
any distinguished persons from Pakistan," Krishna told
reporters here on the sidelines of an event to attract
investments into Afghanistan.
He was asked for his reaction to Malik's rejection of
Indian Home Minister P. Chidambaram's assertion of
"state support" to terrorists involved in the 2008 Mumbai
terror attack, as revealed by Hamza's confessions to
Indian police during interrogation.
'No slanging match with Pakistan'
10 India
June 30-July 6, 2012 TheSouthAsianTimes.info
India for 'concerted
action' against 'terrorism
syndicate'
United Nations: India has called
for concerted action to isolate and
root out the syndicate of terrorism
including Al Qaeda, Taliban and
Lashkar-e-Taiba, saying that ter-
rorism supported from outside
remains the principal problem in
Afghanistan.
"The principal problem in
Afghanistan remains the existence
of terrorism, drawing upon ideo-
logical, financial and logistical
support from beyond
Afghanistan's borders," India's
Permanent UN Representative
Hardeep Singh Puri said during a
UN Security Council debate.
"We need concerted action to
isolate and root out the syndicate
of terrorism which includes ele-
ments of the Al-Qaeda, Taliban,
Lashkar-e-Taiba and other terrorist
and extremist groups," he said.
Puri also stressed the need to
create an enabling environment
where the Afghan people can live
in peace and security and decide
their future themselves, without
outside interference, coercion and
intimidation.
"Moving forward, we need sus-
tained international commitment
to strengthen the Afghan govern-
ment's capacity for governance,
security and economic develop-
ment," the envoy said,
"Enhanced developmental assis-
tance and foreign investments in
Afghanistan and building regional
linkages are critical in ensuring an
irreversible transition in that coun-
try," he said.
India, Puri said, fully supports
the efforts for regional confi-
dence-building as a critical com-
ponent of international efforts to
support Afghanistan as it takes
forward the task of national recon-
ciliation even while it assumes full
responsibility for security.
India also fully supports an
Afghan-led and Afghan-owned
inclusive and transparent process
of reconciliation as opposed to an
internationally led process, he
said.
Surjeet freed, Sarabjit's
fate hangs in balance
Wagah (Pakistan): He may have
been officially released from jail
but when Indian prisoner Surjeet
Singh alighted from the prison van
at the Wagah border on the
Pakistan side, he was handcuffed
and the iron chain was attached to
the belt of a Pakistani police offi-
cer.
Dressed in a white kurta-pyjama
and black turban and carrying two
bags, Surjeet, 69, slowly alighted
from the prison van with his left
hand in handcuffs. The accompa-
nying policemen got down with
him but did not open the handcuffs.
He had been released from the
Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore and
reached Wagah about an hour later.
With a smile on his face, Surjeet,
who had been in captivity for over
30 years, hugged his Pakistani
lawyer who was waiting for him
here before being taken away for
completion of formalities to enable
him to cross into India.
"I will never return to Pakistan
again," Surjeet, who has a grey
flowing beard, told reporters in
Punjabi with his head and finger
indicating a firm "no" gesture.
"I was arrested earlier for spying
charges. If I return again, the secu-
rity agencies might suspect that I
have come for spying again," he
said.
Surjeet said prisoners on both
sides of the border should be
released by the respective govern-
ments.
"I was treated well by prison offi-
cials and I am thankful to them," he
said.
Surjeet, who spent over 30 years
in Pakistani jails after being arrest-
ed on charges of spying, walked
out of jail to a battery of camera
crews waiting to interview him.
He said he was looking forward
to meeting his family - waiting
excitedly across the border in
Attari in the Indian Punjab to wel-
come him home.
He had completed his life term in
2005. His family had given up
hope of seeing him again, presum-
ing him to be dead after he went
missing near the international bor-
der in the Ferozepur sector of
Punjab in 1982. The return of an
Indian prisoner in 2005 rekindled
their hopes after the family
received a letter from Surjeet.
Surjeet, who now has a flowing
white beard, said that he was look-
ing forward to meeting his family -
- waiting excitedly across the bor-
der in Attari in the Indian Punjab to
welcome him home.
Surjeet Singh spent over 30 years in Pakistani jails
after being arrested on charges of spying
Sarabjit's family is on indefinite fast seeking his
release too
Tainted Virbhadra Singh goes,
vows to fight on
New Delhi: Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
Minister Virbhadra Singh vowed to fight on after
resigning, a day after a court framed corruption
charges against him and his wife.
A former chief minister of Himachal Pradesh,
Singh said hiz first step would be to return to his
home state to strengthen the Congress ahead of the
February 2013 assembly polls.
"I have submitted my resignation to the prime
minister," the veteran Congress leader said after
calling on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who
accepted the resignation.
A later official statement said President Pratibha
Patil's office had accepted his resignation with
immediate effect.
A Shimla court had framed charges of corruption
against him and his wife Pratibha Singh in connec-
tion with a 23-year-old case.
The case pertains to a CD from 1989 which
allegedly shows him, when he was chief minister,
and his wife demanding a bribe to allow investment
in Himachal Pradesh.
According to police, the couple was booked Aug
3, 2009 on the basis of the CD released by Singh's
political adversary Vijai Singh Mankotia.
Singh is the third cabinet minister to resign on
charges of corruption after telecom minister A. Raja
and textile minister Dayanidhi Maran.
In 2010, minister of state for external affairs
Shashi Tharoor quit after a controversy involving
his friend Sunanda Pushkar, now his wife.
On Tuesday, Singh accused the Bharatiya Janata
Party (BJP) government in Himachal Pradesh of
hatching a conspiracy against him.
His main target was Chief Minister Prem Kumar
Dhumal.
"The BJP has tried to register false cases against
me earlier too...I will fight it out both at the grass-
roots and in courts," Singh alter told the media.
"All these allegations have started coming after
Dhumal came to power. He is the most corrupt per-
son in Himachal Pradesh and the biggest liar."
Former Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
Minister Virbhadra Singh
Presidential poll:
Pranab files nomination,
Sangma to follow
New Delhi: United Progressive
Alliance (UPA) candidate Pranab
Mukherjee has filed his nomination
for the July 19 presidential poll and
sought the "blessing of god and
cooperation of all" to get elected to
the country's highest office.
In what was turned into a show of
strength, leaders of most UPA allies,
except for the Trinamool Congress,
were present. Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh, Congress presi-
dent Sonia Gandhi, Samajwadi
Party (SP) chief Mulayam Singh
Yadav and Rashtriya Janata Dal's
(RSD) Lalu Prasad were amongst
those who witnessed the ceremony.
"I only wish at this time that we
have the blessing of god and cooper-
ation of all at this juncture,"
Mukherjee told reporters after filing
his nomination at the Rajya Sabha
secretariat.
As a candidate for the 14th presi-
dential election, he said he was
being supported by a "large number
of parties who are supporting UPA
government like Samajwadi Party,
Bahujan Samaj Party" as well as by
other parties who did not support the
government.
Listing the Janata Dal-United (JD-
U), Communist Party of India-
Marxist (CPI-M) and the Shiv Sena,
he said: "I am grateful to them as
they have reposed faith in me to
occupy the office which was occu-
pied in past by great stalwarts of this
country." Opposition candidate P.A.
Sangma, who is supported by the
Bharatiya Janata Party, the
AIADMK and the Biju Janata Dal,
was expected to file his nomination
in the afternoon.
It's Pranab Mukherjee vs PA Sangma
12
June 30-July 6, 2012
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Konkani A-listers to attend
the conference
special section
Filmmaker Shyam Benegal
S
hyam Benegal is one of the leading film
makers in India. He has directed over
1,000 advertising commercials : 65 documen-
taries, 26 motion pictures and three major tel-
evision series, including a 53-hour series on
Indian history entitled 'Bharat Ek Khoj' based
on Jawaharlal Nehru's 'Discovery of India'.
His films have won a large number of nation-
al and international awards and have partici-
pated in most International Festivals all over
the world. He was the Chairman of Film &
Television Institute of India between 1980
and 1983 and 1989 and 1992.
He was a Member of the National
Integration Council between 1986 and 1989
and the National Council of Art between
1980 and 1984. Mr. Benegal was awarded the
Padma Shri in 1976, and the Padma Bhushan
in 1991. Both awards were bestowed by the
Indian government in recognition of his con-
tribution to Indian public life. He is currently
a member of the Upper House of the Indian
Parliament.
He was awarded the State Prize of the
USSR in 1985, the Sovietland Nehru Award
in 1989, the Indira Gandhi National
Integration Award in 2004 and was awarded
the prestigious Dada Saheb Phalke Award by
the Indian government in 2007 for his out-
standing contribution to Indian cinema.
Film maker Kalpana Lajmi
K
alpana Lajmi, born into a distinguished
Konkani family, is an acclaimed, inde-
pendent film director, producer and script
writer whose films are usually women-
focused, women-empowering and highly
impactful.
Kalpana is the daughter of painter Lalita
Lajmi and niece of legendary filmmaker
Guru Dutt. She started her film career as an
assistant director working with veteran film
director Shyam Benegal. She was also assis-
tant costume designer on Shyam Benegal's
Bhumika: The Role. Her independent direc-
torial dbut came with the documentary film
D.G. Movie Pioneer in 1978 followed by
other documentaries such as A Work Study
in Tea Plucking (1979) and Along the
Brahmaputra (1981). She made her directo-
rial debut as a feature film director in 1986
with Ek Pal (A Moment), starring Shabana
Azmi and Naseeruddin Shah. She also co-
wrote the screenplay with Gulzar and pro-
duced the film.
Kalpana directed her first television serial
Lohit Kinare (1988) starring Tanvi Azmi.
Her next feature film, in 1993 was the criti-
cally acclaimed Rudaali starring Dimple
Kapadia. Lajmi won major accolades for
directing the film, and Dimple Kapadia won
the National Film Award for Best Actress for
her performance.
Next, Lajmi directed and produced
Darmiyaan: In Between in 1997, in which
she cast Kirron Kher and Tabu, playing piv-
otal & influential roles.
Her next film in 2001, Daman: A Victim
of Marital Violence was distributed by the
Indian Government and was highly
acclaimed by critics. Once again an
actressthis time Raveena Tandon-- won
the National Film Award for Best Actress
under Lajmi's expert and sensitive direction.
Lajmi is credited with drawing out
Raveeenas hidden talent in a way no other
director had done previously. Lajmi is cur-
rently immersed in a new film venture. Her
fans are eagerly awaiting its release.
A
mrita Deepak Rao, attended the
Canossa Convent Girls High school in
Mumbai, and graduated in psychology from
Sophia college Mumbai.
Beginning her career as a model, Rao
made her acting debut with Ab Ke Baras
(2002) and then starred in the movie Ishq
Vishq (2003). Ishq Vishq was a world-wide
hit and made her famous virtually overnight.
Amrita Rao is also a Brand Ambassador for
D'Damas Gold Jewellery, Parachute Hair
Oil, and Miss Players Apparels. She has
modeled for at least 35 advertisements. Her
first assignment was for Fairever Face
Cream. Amongst other assignments that got
her noticed by film-makers, were Hindustan
Lever's 'Close-up' Cadbury's Perk, & Nestle
Bru Coffee. In 2004 she did a multi starrer
film Masti which was a hit and the same
year she did Main Hoon Na opposite Shah
Rukh khan and Zayed Khan which was a
blockbuster at
the box office.
She also did a
South film
Athidhi (2007)
o p p o s i t e
Mahesh Babu
which did well
in the South.
Her perform-
ance in Sooraj
B a r j a t y a s
Vivaah (2006)
opposite Shahid Kapoor was outstanding.
Her latest film was Love U Mr Kalakaar
(2011). Amongst others she won the IIFA,
Best Female Debut Award and the Stardust
Superstar of Tomorrow Award -Female for
the movie Ishq Vishk. In 2004, she also
won the Stardust Searchlight Best Actress
Award for Welcome to Sajjanpur.
Chef Floyd Cardoz
F
loyd Cardoz is the Executive Chef
and Partner of North End Grill, the
forthcoming restaurant from Danny
Meyer's Union Square Hospitality Group.
Located in Manhattan's Battery Park City,
North End Grills menu will feature the
seasonal dishes of Chef Floyd and have
an emphasis on seafood.
Before embarking on this new restau-
rant, Floyd was the executive chef of
Tabla, a groundbreaking restaurant serv-
ing New Indian cuisine cooked with the
sensual flavors and spices of his native
land. With Floyd at the helm, Tabla
received numerous accolades including a
three-star review from The New York
Times. After 12 incredibly rewarding
years, Tabla closed its doors in December
2010.
Floyd began his career in his native
Bombay, where he attended culinary
school and interned in the kitchen of the
Taj Mahal Intercontinental Hotel. To fur-
ther his classic culinary technique, Floyd
moved to Switzerland, and spent his days
at the hotel
m a n a g e -
ment and
c u l i n a r y
school, Les
R o c h e s .
Floyd later
moved to
New York
and worked
under Chef
Gary Kunz of the venerable Lespinasse.
During his seven years at the world-
renowned restaurant, he rose from Chef
de Partie to Executive Sous Chef.
Actively engaged in the community
service, Floyd received the
"Humanitarian of the Year Award" from
Share Our Strength in 2007. In 2011,
Floyd received the title of Top Chef on
Bravos Top Chef Masters series, winning
the grand prize of $100,000 for his desig-
nated charity of choice, the Young
Scientist Cancer Research Fund at New
Yorks Mount Sinai School of Medicine.
Actress Amrita Rao
A
roon Shivdasani's laughter and joi de vivre
are her signatures. Aroon is passionate
about its mission to build an awareness of
Indian artists and artistic disciplines (perform-
ing, visual, literary and folk arts in North
America) as well as nurturing and promoting
emerging artists from the Indian subcontinent.
Armed with a Masters Degree in English lit-
erature and drama as well as a Diploma in
Marketing & Advertising, Aroon has worked in
marketing, advertising, media research, taught
both school and college in New York, run a
theatre company in Canada, been a docent at
the Corcoran Gallery in Washington, been
Editor of the Junior League Newsletter in
Mclean Va, acted, danced, painted, thrown
pots, worked in ceramics and stained glass. She
left her position as Adjunct Professor of
Creative Writing & English literature as well as
VP of her husband's marketing company to
take on her current position in 1998. She real-
ized Indian arts were invisible and unrecog-
nized in North America and, along with two
others, founded the Indo-American Arts
Council to ensure New York City and North
America were made aware of artists of Indian
origin.
She has
r e c e i v e d
Out st andi ng
C i t i z e n
awards from
the City of
N e w
Rochelle, NY
in 1988 ( "for
the organiza-
tion and execution of a French Fete to com-
memorate the 200th anniversary of New
Rochelle"); the NY State Assembly in 2001
("for working to build an awareness of Indian
artistic disciplines in New York City, to raise
money & social consciousness for domestic
violence victims, earthquake victims and the
victims of AIDS"); from the City Council,
NYC in 2002,("for exemplary service to the
community"); an Honor & Appreciation award
from the Gathering International Health
Professions Network, Greater Hudson Valley
("for untiring efforts to serve the community")
and in 2010 an award from Children's Hope
("in recognition of your passionate efforts to
bring Indian Arts and Culture to America thru
the IAAC").
Aroon Shivdasani
Executive Director and Founding Member, Indo - American Arts Council, Inc.
Konkani A-listers to attend the conference
13
June 30-July 6, 2012
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
special section
Ram Mohan Animation filmmaker
R
am Mohan graduated in Science from
the University of Madras and later gave
up post-graduate studies to join the Cartoon
Films Unit, Films Division, government of
India in 1956 and received training in anima-
tion techniques from Claire H. Weeks of Walt
Disney Studios, under the US Technical Aid
program, from 1956 1959.
He has scripted, designed and animated
many of Cartoon Film units productions
from 1960 to 1967, including Homo Saps
which won the National Award for Best
Experimental Film, 1967, and Chaos which
won an Award at the Leipzig Festival of short
Films in 1968.
Ram Mohan also participated in the 1967
world retrospective of Animation cinema in
Montreal. He left Films Division and joined
Prasad Productions in 1968 as chief of their
animation division. In 1972 he established his
own production company, Ram Mohan
Biographics. He has also received the presti-
gious National Award for the Best Film on
family planning, Baap Re Baap in 1969,
for the Best Animation Film, You Said it in
1972 and again for the Best Animation Film,
Fire Games in 1984.
Vijay Balse
Winner, 2010 JEOPARDY! Tournament of Champions
T
ake someone with persistence 6 audi-
tions over 16 years; careful preparation
both as a child in elementary school and as a
member of the General Knowledge Quiz
Team at the U. of Wisconsin, Madison; and
remarkable composure under pressure. Add to
this mix a voracious reading habit, an avid
interest in a wide range of topics, and a mind
that retains virtually every detail, and you get
Vijay Balse, one of only 23 contestants to win
the prestigious JEOPARDY Tournament of
Champions in 28 seasons with Alex Trebek as
host.
Vijays brilliance has been splendidly evi-
dent throughout his student days, particularly
during college. He did not just graduate with a
degree in Chemical Engineering from the
Department of Chemical Technology,
University of Bombay. He aced it, ranking
First all 4 years; receiving a Gold Medal in the
Final Year, and standing Tenth among chemi-
cal engineering examinees all over India in the
1985 Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering
(GATE). While working on his Ph.D. in
Chemical Engineering at the University of
Wisconsin, Vijay took Honors credits in
German as well as a Minor in Chemistry and
Statistics.
Vijay has held numerous technology-orient-
ed positions in industry and is currently lever-
aging his vast engineering and project man-
agement experience as a consultant - with an
emphasis on Energy- in a global innovation
and intellectual property (IP) firm providing
advisory services to industrial clients.
Pradip Amladi
Motivational speaker, illusionist

Entertains, inspires and


educates. Did Amladi
deliver? An unqualified YES
is the answera most
impressive displayutterly
inexplicable Sunday
Times. Pradip Amladi is
known for his exceptional
ability to inspire, transform,
entertain and mystify.
Motivational speaker, illu-
sionist of the mind, purveyor
of mind gamesPradip is all this and more!
In Mynd Storm, his signature presentation,
you will see and participate in engaging
interactive experiments that cleverly stimu-
late certain lesser known quirks and oddi-
ties, forces and abilities of the adult human
mind. Pradip Amladi lives and works out of
Mumbai and is a qualified Chartered
Accountant. He brings many years of expe-
rience at two of Indias
largest and most respected
corporate houses. He has
held senior management posi-
tions in both support and line
functions, including those of
Vice President, Group
Internal Audit and Vice
President, Materials.
Mind games are Pradips
hobby and passion. His pre-
sentations are not just enter-
taining and mind-boggling, they are warm,
insightful and empathetic. Pradip has strong
faith and belief in people. He believes in the
dictum we are what we think we are, and
seeks to empower his audiences with confi-
dence and awareness. Mynd Storm almost
represents his coming of age in the field of
inspirational (para) psychological entertain-
ment.
Arun S Ubhayakar
Educator, social activist and Konkani vidwaan
A
t age 25, armed with a BSc,
MA and B.Ed, Arun lever-
aged his education to elevate his
community in Mallapur, near
Kumta, founded Guruprasad High
School in 1968 and served as its
Head Master for 33 years. A tire-
less activist, Arun worked hard to
develop his village and surrounding areas,
securing government funds to establish a
Primary School building, a Telephone
Exchange, and a tar road to connect this cor-
ner of North Kanara with the larger world.
He has been actively participating in the
Konkani movement since 1974. He wrote
and published articles in popular Kannada
news papers for the propagation of the
Konkani cause. In 1989 he founded the
Konkani Parishad at Kumta and was its
President from 1989-2004 and again from
2007-2011. During his tenure, in 1990, he
successfully organized the First
State Level Konkani Conference
at Kumta. He has also served as
Vice-President of All India
Konkani Parishad, Goa. He
founded the Akhil Karnataka
Konkani Parishad Bangalore in
1995 and was the President from
1998-2001. He was invited by the Karnataka
Government to be an adviser on the
Konkani Text Book Committee formed in
2004. In addition to all these contributions,
Arun continues to make time for community
work. He was President of Rotary Club of
Kumta of Rotary District-3170. And he has
been Founder Trustee of Nadashri Kala
Kendra since 1988 under the auspices of
Rotary S. Society, Kumtaan institution
provides training in Hindustani classical
music, tabla and Bharat Natyam by expert
teachers for more than 300 students.
Sandhya Sanjana (ne Golikeri)
A Pioneer in Fusion Vocal Music
S
andhya, one of the first
singers to experiment
with fusing Indian classical
vocals with various western
contemporary styles, has
appeared in over 30 albums,
covering various genres. She
is a performing artist who
combines her experience as a
jazz/funk/rock vocalist with
an understanding of Indian music classical
and contemporary to bridge cultures.
She began her Hindustani classical train-
ing at a very early age, and has studied with
such musical greats as Sita Hirebet, a stu-
dent of Gangubai Hangal (Kirana gharana),
Dinkar and Shashikala Kaikini (Agra gha-
rana) and Pt. Govind Prasad Jaipurwale.
She has sung with various rock/blues
groups in Bombay, New Delhi and Kolkata.
With Dinshah Sanjana she
formed the fusion group Divya,
one of the first and most success-
ful groups to fuse Indian ele-
ments with jazz/rock. They
made two albums Madras Caf
and Kumbha Mela on which
Sandhya was the featured vocal-
ist.
Sandhya is a member of
Ramesh Shothams Madras Special a band
that combines South Indian musical and
rhythmic traditions with jazz. She has also
appeared on their two albums - Madras spe-
cial and Urban Folklore, both of which had
critical acclaim.
She is a featured member of Omri Hasons
Kadim and performed on their tour of
Switzerland, Luxembourg, The Netherlands
and Germany.
Preetika Rao
Actress and writer
P
reetika Deepak Rao, is an Indian film
actress, model and writer. After a successful
career in modelling and then as a film journalist,
she made her Tamil debut opposite the very
popular Arya in the December 2010 Tamil
romantic film Chikku Bukku.
Preetika was born and brought up in Mumbai,
did her schooling in CG High School in
Prabhadevi and graduated from Sophia College,
Mumbai as a History graduate. Subsequently,
she acquired a diploma in advertising and jour-
nalism. Preetika started her modeling career
during her first year at college, in an advertise-
ment for Cadburys alongside Amitabh
Bachchan and featured in several prestigious ad
campaigns in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri
Lanka and Indonesia. Preetika also had her own
Bollywood column with South Side movie
magazine in Chennai, to which she contributed
from Mumbai. During her time as a columnist,
Preetika also contributed articles in the Deccan
Chronicle and
the Asian Age.
She currently
holds a post with
the Bangalore Mirror. Preetika's debut in cine-
ma was the 2010 Tamil romantic film, Chikku
Bukku, which also featured Arya and Shriya
Saran. Post-release, her portrayal has won criti-
cal acclaim, with a critic from Rediff claiming
that Preetika "walks away with honors" and
looks "fresh and appealing", whilst Sify's
review cites that she has a "scorching screen
presence" and is "promising." Preetika was
more recently seen in the romance film Priyudu,
which marked her Telugu film debut in 2011.
Currently Preetika is filming her Kannada
debut, a movie based in Singapore, titled Rebel
with co-star Adithya. The film is being directed
by seven times National Award winning director
Rajendra Singh Babu who has given the indus-
try some noted Kannada and Hindi films.
14
June 30-July 6, 2012
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Chief Guest Mr TV Mohandas Pai, who will lead a workshop
on philanthropy, and others who will present workshops
at the Konkani Sammelan.
Creative Writing Workshop
Shobhan Bantwal
Award Winning Author
S
hobhan Bantwal is an award-winning
author of six published novels, includ-
ing ' The Full Moon Bride' and ' The
Unexpected Son'. She is also a freelance
writer featured in publications such as
The Writer Magazine, India Abroad, India
Currents and New Woman India. Her
books deal with social-moral issues and
offer a peek into a side of Indian culture
that has rarely been dealt with in fiction
books. Two of her short stories won hon-
ors in national fiction contests sponsored
by Writers Digest and New York Stories
magazines. She has written plays for pre-
vious Konkani Sammelans. She works as
a Supervisor at NJ Dept of Labor.
Konkani Samskara
Raghuchandra Bhat
Founder Puja123.com
R
aghuchandra Bhat was born in a fam-
ily of priests. They are the hereditary
priests for the Laxmi Venkatesh temple in
Gerosoppa (Karnataka).
In 1975 he joined a vedic school named
Shri Shrinivas Nigamagama Patshala,
Mangalore managed by Samsthan Kashi
Math, Varanasi. There, he was exposed to
the (partially Krishna Yajurveda) ancient
Gurukula system. After graduation in
1978, he came to Mumbai, where he start-
ed his consulting practice and conducted
pujas, taught Sanskrit, prayers and slokas
to children.
In 1999, he conducted the installation
ceremony of Hanuman, Ganesha and also
S h i k a r
Prathistapana at
Badarikashramas
India center in
Madihalli. In
2000, he was
invited to join
Badarikashrama
in California as
their full time priest, serving the Bay area
community.
In 2001, he joined the Hindu temple of
Wisconsin, Pewaukee as its founder
priest. He helped install all the deities
and worked on building a large devotee
base. He left in 2006, to found his inde-
pendent consulting practice puja123.com.
Raghuchandra Bhat is proficient in
Hindi, English, Marathi, Kannada &
Konkani languages.
Hinduism
Swami Shantananda
Chinmaya Mission Tri-State Center,
Cranbury, NJ
S
wami Shantananda is a senior disciple
of Swami Chinmayananda. He com-
pleted his spiritu-
al studies at
S a n d e e p a n y
Sadhanalaya in
Mumbai (1978),
and then spent
two years in
retreat in the
Himalayas.
Mesmerized by
Pujya Gurudev,
Swami Shantananda (then Br. Raghavan),
went to serve the Master for almost two
years as his traveling secretary. After
completing his Vedanta course in
Mumbai, Swamiji traveled to Taiwan
where he successfully managed his own
business while teaching Vedanta part-
time.
He has been instrumental in building the
Chinmaya Mission in Hong Kong, Taiwan
and other parts of the world. Since 1992,
when he was given Sannyas by Gurudev,
Swamiji has dedicated his life to the full-
time teaching of Vedanta in the
Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York
area. Swami Shantananda is an erudite
scholar and gifted speaker. His indefatiga-
ble energy and razor-sharp intellect are
coupled with a modern mind. In 2001,
Swamiji undertook and completed 50
Geeta Gnana Yagnas all around the world
as his personal tribute to Pujya Gurudev.
Chief Guest
T.V. Mohandas Pai
Chairperson, Manipal Universal
Learning, Ex-CFO Infosys
T
.V. Mohandas Pai is the Chairperson of
Manipal Universal Learning, a global
educational services corporation & advisor
to the Manipal Education & Medical Group.
Mr Pai received a B.Com from St Joseph's
College in Bangalore and a law degree from
Bangalore University and is a fellow of the
institute of chartered accountants. He joined
Infosys in 1994, was elevated as a board
member in 2000, and served as CFO of
Infosys (1994-2006). He was the most
influential, admired and widely emulated
CFO in India. He then became chief of
human resources, education & research at
Infosys.
He is a member SEBI (Securities and
Exchange Board of India) and served in
various capacities in financial institutions.
He conceived and operationalized
Akshaya Patra Foundation in 2000, which
was designed as a mid-day meal program
for school going children. Today it feeds
1.2 million each day in 8,000 government
schools across 9 Indian states with Rs.100
crores revenue each year.
Mr Pai has made personal contributions to
enhance the educational infrastructure at
several government schools and educational
institutions. His generous donations enabled
the establishment of many computer labs in
several educational institutions across India.
He has contributed for the farmers educa-
tional program in Karnataka and teachers
training programs for government schools.
He gives an incredible 40 percent of his
income to social causes and charities each
year. In some years, he has given his entire
salary (estimated to be Rs. 3.5 crore) to
charity. He says, "I give because you cannot
make an island of prosperity amid rampant
poverty."
He is one of the biggest contributors to the
World Konkani Center in Mangalore. After
retiring from Infosys, he has decided to
devote his time for furthering education and
for social causes in India.
Workshops on Entrepreneurship
Ajit Prabhu
CEO of QuEST Global
A
s the co-founder, CEO
& co-chairman, Ajit
Prabhu provides the vision
and strategic direction for
QuEST Global. QuEST
was founded in 1997 to
develop expertise in the
engineering services out-
sourcing space.
Ajit is a Six Sigma
Greenbelt certificate hold-
er. He gained practical
experience at GEs
Corporate R&D Center, in
Schenectady, NY, while
working on power genera-
tion, aircraft engines,
appliances and locomotive
related engineering prob-
lems.
He is a Fellow of the
Royal Aeronautical
Society, UK.
Vinodh (Vin) Bhat
Co-founder & CEO, Saavn
V
inodh (Vin) Bhat is a
cofounder and the
CEO of Saavn (South Asian
Audio Visual Network), a
consumer media and tech
company, which is the
largest digital rights holder,
packager and distributor of
Bollywood movies and
music. Today, Saavn
includes Saavn.com as well
as its Saavn Chrome,
Android and iPhone/iOS
applications.
Vin Bhat began his career
at the investment bank
Donaldson, Lufkin &
Jenrette (DLJ), advising and
financing media, telecom &
technology companies such
as Voyager, Earthlink,
AT&T, @Home and
Akamai. He then co-found-
ed and served as the
Director, Sales & Business
Development at Simile, a
media software and services
company that advised the
business units of Time
Warner, McClatchy, Scripps
and Hearst.
Saavn.coms content is
available and programmed
in over 19 million Time
Warner, Cox, Rogers,
Virgin and other digital
cable homes, on over 30
Internet services such as
iTunes, Amazon MP3 and
Rhapsody, and with all
major wireless carriers
including Verizon Wireless,
AT&T, and Rogers. In addi-
tion, the company reaches
over 3M consumers through
its own direct web sites
such as Saavn. com and
Smashits.com, mobile
applications and services
every month. Saavn is
based in New York, with
offices in Boulder, CO,
Sunnyvale, CA and
Mumbai, India.
Ranjit Date
President and Joint
Managing Director,
Precision Automation and
Robotics India (PARI)
D
r. Ranjit Date received
his Engineering
degree with honors at
College of Engineering,
Pune, and then a Graduate
& Doctoral degrees from
Rensselaer Polytechnic
Institute, NY. Ranjit was,
in 1991, the youngest per-
son to receive a doctorate
in this field at RPI.
After earning a doctorate
he returned to India. He
hoped to help automate
factory assembly lines in
his home country. His
company, Precision
Automation and Robotics
India (PARI), has done
that.
Ranjit is responsible for
the vision, business direc-
tion, and mentoring at
PARI. He is also responsi-
ble for building the PARI
brand and formulating
growth strategies.
PARI is amongst the
largest global automation
companies with over 850+
employees and 8 facilities
worldwide. Its solid engi-
neering strength enables
PARI to be a complete
"Solution Provider", from
conceptualizing, designing,
manufacturing, implement-
ing and supporting
advanced factory automa-
tion systems. More recent-
ly it has begun selling
robots to western manufac-
turers like Caterpillar, Ford
and Chrysler.
Ranjit is a tennis and golf
player. He enjoys traveling
and sports. He has visited
past 4 Olympic Games and
is looking forward to
London in 2012.
special section

_1 ,"_1_ &&
MCOMMzhUMMCh.MO
;8620LVKHUHWRIXOOO\RXUGUHDPWREHFRPHDGRFWRU
16
June 30-July 6, 2012
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Compiled by I J Saldanha-Shet
T
he mythological and historical back-
ground of the Gowda Saraswat
Brahmins popularly known as GSBs
is amazing and ancient. Saraswat
Brahmins, includes the integral Konkani
community of GSBs, one of the five
ancient Gowda Brahmins, some others are,
Kanyakubja, Maithili, Utkal and Gowda
Brahmins, their name derive basically from
the mythological river Saraswati that had
flowed in the present Punjab and Rajasthan
region, from the Himalayas to the western
sea near Dwaraka in Gujarat.
The River Saraswati
It is believed even today that the River
Saraswati flows underground as detected
by the remote sensing satellites. There is
also a strong belief that in Prayag,
Allahabad, it is flowing under-ground;
Saraswati joins Ganga and Yamuna to form
the triveni sangam. Again this is corrobo-
rated now with some research studies that
Saraswati flowed very close to Yamuna
which merges the waters of Saraswati.
Therefore, today the once famous and great
river that had acted as the cradle of Vedic
Civilization called Saraswati Valley
Civilization is not visible. Then it is
believed that Rajasthan became a desert as
the river went dry. This obviously must
have taken place thousands of years ago.
Manusmriti makes a mention of
Brahmavarta as the most sacred land lying
between two rivers, Saraswati and
Drishadwati which in fact formed the
homeland of Saraswats - the Saraswat
country and from here several migrations
took place to the other parts of Bharat
Khanda, the Indian sub-continent.
First migration
A king from Saraswat country, called
Videgha Mathava with his follower,
Gautama Rahugana set out to find out new
pastures. In those days fire was to be car-
ried physically from place to place and the
king carried a tiny spark on his tongue. On
the way the companion started conversing
with the king but the king remained tight-
lipped without giving any reply for fear that
the spark might fall or get extinguished. He
understood the anxiety of the king and
invoked Agni, the fire-god. On hearing the
praises, out came the flames of fire from
the mouth of the king and started rolling on
the ground like the waves of the sea.
"Agnideva, what is thy command?" the
king asked, "Follow me," was the com-
mandment of the fire-god. Accordingly,
they followed. The flames sped away
through the Gangetic belt and on reaching
the western bank of the River Sadaneera
vanished. This is how the civilization
moved to the other region, later to be
known as Aryavarta, and some of the fami-
lies of Saraswat Brahmins moved to the
east and settled down in Trihotrapura a
township in Gowda Desha and later called
themselves as Gowda Saraswats.
According to another version, our forefa-
thers never went to Trihotrapura but were
called Gowda Saraswats as Saraswats were
one among five groups of Brahmins who
were collectively called Panchagowdas as
stated earlier. Whatever be the version, civ-
ilization moved from western part of India
to the Eastern India and definitely some
families, when the river went dry must have
gone to Trihotrapura. This anecdote is men-
tioned in Shatapatha Brahmana.
I
n the Sahyadri Khanda of Skanda Purana
Lord Parashurama after reclaiming land from
the western sea invited various groups of
Brahmins from different parts of Bharat Khanda.
In response ten families of Gowda Saraswats
came down from Trihotrapura with their deities
of daily worship and settled down in Gomantak
now known as Goa. In gratitude even today the
Gowda Saraswats dedicate all their havans and
yajnas be it Gayatri or Mrityunjaya to Lord
Parashurama stating "Yajnantargat Bhagwan
Shri Parashuramamurti priyatam."
In the course of time the ten families multi-
plied and they took to trade and commerce as
permitted by the scriptures, besides officiating as
priests. This gave them various surnames as they
have to-day like Kini - a treasurer handling
money with the jingling sound, Mallya - a con-
struction contractor who built mansions or
mahals, Nayak-a leader in any army. In Goa they
were in full bloom and they built up hundreds of
shrines and temples besides establishing Shri
Kaivalya Math in the eighth century.
Gomantak virtually became a golden land for
them for a long time, till Goa came under the
rule of Muslim kings and then under the
Portuguese. Both the rulers especially the latter
were ruthless to Gowda Saraswats, so in the six-
teenth century they had to migrate to other parts
of the country like the Malenad and the coastal
belt of Karnataka and Kerala, besides
Maharashtra.
Here they had to start afresh from a scratch
and all this they did just to protect their deities
and preserve their religious beliefs for posterity.
Not all the Saraswats did migrate from the banks
of the River Saraswati to the Eastern India or
Goa. Only one section called Gowda Saraswats
travelled and migrated this way. Even here there
is another version that people followed the
course of the River Saraswati went up to
Dwaraka and by ship they sailed to Goa. For
their stay in Dwaraka, the Gowda Saraswats are
nicknamed as Dorkes also.
T
heir brother Saraswats migrated to vari-
ous other parts of the country. Those
who migrated to Kashmir called them-
selves as Kashmiri Pandits, Sind-Sind
Saraswats, Kutch-Kutchi Saraswats, Rajapur-
Rajapur Saraswats, Punjab-Punjab Saraswats,
Rajasthan-Rajasthan Saraswats and Chitrapur-
Chitrapur Saraswats.
Culture and tradition
In respect of culture and tradition of the
GSBs H. H. Shrimat Sudhindra Tirtha
Swamiji has this to-say: Basically Gowda
Saraswat Brahmins are mild natured. In edu-
cation, trade and commerce and service sector
they have contributed very significantly.
Wherever they reside they identify themselves
with the locality and become one with other
people. They build centers of worship in the
places of their residence and offer prayers for
the welfare of the people of the locality. They
seek the assistance of the people in their own
community and rarely do they seek the help of
others, even if they are in great financial diffi-
culties. They are always conscious of respect
and honor instead of wealth and money. For
all their religious and cultural activities they
collect donations and subscriptions from their
own people. They have an attitude of helping
others and they hold Swamiji, God and
Dharma in high esteem. Even if they are in
difficulties or even if they are away from their
home and town they communicate with each
other only in Konkani, a dialect which is said
to have evolved from ancient Sanskrit form
called Prakrit.
The amazing history of
Gowda Saraswat Brahmins
Lord Parshurama with Saraswati Brahmin settlers commanding
Lord Varuna to make the seas recede to make the Konkan.
The Konkani migration map.
Sri Mangeshi Devasthanam
The second & third waves Brother communities
special section
Historical view 2
D
ue to geo-morphosis in the
Himalayas, the Saraswati began
to dry up and the Saraswats were
forced to migrate to greener pastures.
Some went to Kashmir in the north, oth-
ers went eastward. Few made their way to
the Konkan and Goa. These came to be
recognized as Goud Saraswats or
Dakshinatya Saraswats, to distinguish
them from other Saraswat groups of the
north.
This community was called ' Goud'
because they were followers of Monism
or Advaita as preached by Shri
Goudapadacharya, who was guru of Shri
Govinda Padacharya whose direct disci-
ple was the great Shri Shankaracharya,
who resurrected Hinduism or Vedic reli-
gion in India. Shri Gaudapadacharya
Mutt, first mutt of Saraswats dedicated to
the memory of Goudapadacharya was
established in Keloshi (Quellosim) in Goa
in the 8th century AD. He later moved to
Kaivalyapura or Kavale in Goa as the
mutt at Keloshi was destroyed in 1564
AD. To this day, the swamis of Kavale
math are known as Goudapadacharyas.
Kavale Math is the Goud Saraswat com-
munity's Adimath (first math) and three
main sub-sects of Dakshinatya Saraswats
Sashtikar, Shenvis (Karbharis), and
Chitrapur Saraswats (Bhanaps) were
known as Goud Saraswats or Konkani
Brahmins until 300 years ago. Other
Saraswat subsects include Pednekars,
Rajapur Saraswat Brahmins Balavalikars
and kudaldeshkars. In the 13th century,
Dwaita (Vaishnava) philosophy advocat-
ed by Madhvacharya became popular and
many Saraswats adopted Vaishnavism.
They continued to worship the deities
they brought with them from the north.
These were 'Mahan Girish' or Mangueshi,
Shakti or Shanta durga, Vishnu, Ganesh
and Surya. They form the 'Panchayatan'
or five deities, sacred to all Saraswats.
The Saraswat Brahmins are mentioned in
the Vedas, the Ramayana, the
Mahabharata, the Bhagavata and even the
Bhavisyottara Purana. They may have
come from Central Asia to the Indian sub-
continent through the Hindu-Kush moun-
tains and the Khyber pass to south in
about 20001500 BC or they were indige-
nous. The meaning of 'Saraswat' has more
than one origin. One refers to 'offspring
of Saraswati the goddess of learning
applied usually to learned and scholarly
people. It may denote the residents of
Saraswati river basin. The Brahmins of
this region who are referred to as
'Saraswats' in Mahabharata and Puranas
were learned in Vedic lore. They concen-
trated on studying subjects like astrono-
my, metaphysics, medicine and allied
subjects and disseminating knowledge.
Goud Saraswats could be found in all
the kingdoms of the western coast under
different dynasties right from 6th century
A.D. Kadamba, Rashtrakuta, Hoysala,
Chalukya Shilahara and Vijayanagara
kings had given important posts to
Saraswats. There were admirals, treasur-
ers, ambassadors, army chiefs and foreign
language interpreters among them.
They were famous traders, who con-
ducted maritime trade with Eastern and
Western countries of the contemporary
world. They were highly respected and
trusted by the rulers. The spoken lan-
guage of Saraswats is Konkani.
The Portuguese traders were followed
by Christian missionaries. Conversions
began to take place under the Portuguese
in 1560. Most of the Saraswat families
left Goa with their family deities, risking
life and limb. New temples came up in
the coastal districts of Karnataka for
Saraswat deities. As time passed, the idols
were taken newly constructed temples in
Goa, though are not in the original
ancient spots. Many people migrated to
Kerala and built temples mainly dedicat-
ed to Vishnu and his avatars. The first
Vaishnava Saraswat Math of Gokarna
Math lineage was established in the year
1475 in Varanasi.
The origin of Gokarna Math comes
from the lineage of Sri Palimar Math, one
of the eight Maths established by Sripad
Madhwacharya in Udupi. Kashi Math at
Kochi came up in 1560 A.D. All the
Vaishnav Saraswats (Madhwa) are
Kulavis (followers) of either Kashi Math
or Gokarna Math. 'Smarth' Saraswats owe
allegiance to either Kavale Math or
Chitrapur Math.
Saraswats continued to hold important
posts under Keladi or Nagar rulers. Many
families who emigrated from Goa settled
down in smaller towns and villages in
Shimoga, South and North Kanara dis-
tricts. Saraswats were the first beneficiar-
ies of English education introduced in
1840. Thus they became a forward and
prospering community in the modern
context. Gaud Saraswat Brahmins are cat-
egorized by last name (indicating profes-
sion), Gotra (lineage) or Math (spiritual
guru).
17
June 30-July 6, 2012
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Sri Shankaracharya is credited for resur-
recting Hinduism or Vedic religion in India
M
ost of the GSB' s including
Chitrapur Saraswats and some
Rajapur Saraswats are vegetari-
an. Their food is usually without onion
and garlic. However some GSB's from
North Kanara, Goa and Maharashtra are
piscovegetarian (fish eaters).
The inclusion of fish in the diet is not
looked upon as non vegetarian. Legend
has it that when the Saraswati River dried
up, the Saraswats who could not farm,
were permitted to eat sea food/fish. The
fish were euphemistically called Sea
Vegetable (Jal Kaay).
However they too eat only vegetarian
food without onion and garlic on festival
days and on Mondays, which is auspi-
cious for Lord Shiva. The recipes use
large amounts of coconut and spices.
Rice is the staple food of all GSB's.
Some of the special recipes of GSB's
are- Daali thoy (Konkani dal. Most
famous recipe of the GSB's), Beebe-
upkari (cashew based), Val val (Mixed
vegetable stew, adapted from the French)
, Patrode (Colocasia leaves in spicy bat-
ter),Chana Ghashi (Chickpeas in coconut
gravy),Kadgi chakko (Raw jackfruit side
dish), Avnas ambe sasam (Pineapple
mango gravy), Patoli(coconut and jag-
gery in turmeric leaves), Muga mole ran-
dayi(Sprouted moong daal side dish),
Payasu(kheer made from milk and dry
fruits).
L
ike most communities, the Gowda
Saraswat Brahmins have rituals
which occur throughout the life
cycle.
Barso: During the eighth month the
mother moves to her parental home antic-
ipating childbirth. On eleventh day of
child birth barso is held. Child's ears are
pierced, child is named and cradled on
this day. The grandmother whispers the
child's name into his/her ear and a horo-
scope is cast. When the child turns 3
months old, a visit to the temple is done
and thereafter, the child goes to the
father's abode.
Chawla: When the child is 2 years,
before he completes third year the
"Chawla" (Child's first hair cut) ceremo-
ny is held.
Munji: When a male child turns 8 years
old, the Munji (Konkani word for
Upanayanam) is performed. In this cere-
mony, the jannuvey or the sacred thread is
placed on the left shoulder of the child.
From that day on he becomes an official
member of his caste and is called a dwija
(translated in English as "twice-born") and
expected to practice extreme discipline
during this period known as brahmacharya.
The thread is changed every year in a festi-
val. The main rituals in a GSB munji are
Devatha Prarthana, Ganapathi Puja, Udada
Murthu, Matrubhojan, Yajnopavita
Dharana, Brahmachari Agnikaryam,
Savitri Upadesha, Danda Dharana,
Matrabiksha etc.
Marriage: A typical GSB marriage
consists of the following events Varan
Appoche, Nandi, Nishchaithambul,
Yedur Kansnani, Urdha Murthu, Kashi
Yatra, Lagna, Havan Purnavati,
Chautanan, Tulsi Puja and Mandal
Virajan.
Death Ceremonies: The other
extremely important rituals for the GSB's
are the death ceremonies. All GSB's are
cremated according to Vedic rites, usual-
ly within a day of the individuals death.
The death rites include a 13-day ceremo-
ny. The ashes of the departed are
immersed at a confluence of two rivers
(sangam) or the sea. Like all other
Hindus, the preference is for the ashes to
be immersed in the Ganges, Godavari
river or river Kaveri. There is also a year-
ly shraddha that needs to be performed.
These rituals are expected to be per-
formed only by male descendants
(preferably the eldest son) of the
deceased.
Festivals: GSB's celebrate almost all
festivals in Hinduism. They follow the
Hindu Lunar calendar, almanac to be spe-
cific which is known as Panchang in
Konkani that gives the days on which the
fasts and festivals should be observed.
Compiled: I J Saldanha-Shet. (With
reference to various published sources).
Saraswat cuisine
Chief rituals of GSBs
special section

_1 ,"_1_ &&
MCOMMzhUMMCh.MO

_1 ,"_1_ &&
MCOMMzhUMMCh.MO

_1 ,"_1_ &&
MCOMMzhUMMCh.MO

_1 ,"_1_ &&
MCOMMzhUMMCh.MO
24
June 30-July 6, 2012
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
By Anil Mulchandani
T
he beautiful Konkan coastline of
Uttar and Dakshin Kannada regions
of Karnataka possesses some of pret-
tiest beaches in India.
From Goas airport, we headed south to
Karwar, a town set along the estuary of Kali
River with a naval base opened in 2004-05
by the then Defence Minister Pranab
Mukherjee to protect the countrys Arabian
Sea maritime routes. Karwar s coastal
stretch is surrounded by islands like
Anjedive where men from Vasco Do Gamas
ship are believed to have found a ruined
temple and water tank. Franciscan mission-
aries visited the island in 1500 and are said
to have made their first converts on Indian
soil at Anjedive. The Portuguese fort built in
1505 was abandoned and occupied in the
17th century by the British whose tombs can
still be seen. The Portuguese rebuilt the fort
and canons were added in 1731.
Rabindranath Tagore wrote, ``Here in
Karwar I wrote the Prakritir Pratishodha,
Nature's Revenge, a dramatic poem. The
hero was a Sanyasi who had been striving to
gain a victory over Nature by cutting away
the bonds of all desires and affections and
thus to arrive at a true and profound knowl-
edge of self. Karwar features prominently
in Tagores memoirs as a place where he
stayed as a teenager when his elder brother
was in the civil services.
We visited the maritime museum which is
on the main road near Naval Base and the
Tagore beach. The INS Chapel, which
played an important role in the Indo-Pak
war during the early 70s, is now a Warship
Museum. The museum has a statue of
Paramvir Chakra winner, 2nd Lt Rama
Raghoba Rane, whose accomplishments in
1948 are remarkable.
Karwar has scenic beaches ranging from
isolated stretches to a boulevard with hawk-
ers and vendors. There are places to stay and
the Devbagh Island approached by a short
crossing has resort and facilities for diving
and watersports.
From Karwar, we drove south to Gokarna,
just off the NH17.Gokarna has become one
of Karnatakas most famous beach destina-
tion and is getting popular with European
tourists besides drawing Indian families.
The most famous site is Om Beach, which is
named for its contours and its popularity has
resulted in huts created along the beach to
house backpacking tourists and beach-
junkies. Equally attractive is Kundle Beach
which has lovely sands and runs along a
pretty stretch of sea.
Both these beaches are accessible by
descending steps and walking along sandy
trails and those who enjoy walking could
also climb the headland beside Om Beach to
trudge down to the Half-Moon and Paradise
beaches.
There is also a beach beside the Gokarna
town, which is a cultural and religious cen-
tre. The Mahabaleshwar Shiva Temple and
the Ganesh Temple attract devotees in large
numbers. Around the temples you can see
tribal people like the Goudas. This town is
also a Sanskrit education centre. From the
overcrowded town beach, you can get a boat
to visit other beaches.
Continuing along the National Highway
17 we came to the town of Bhatkal, which
has important Jain and Hindu temples. The
Khetapai Narayana Temple, built in the 17th
century, is in the classic South-Western
India style with a simple steeply pitched
roof to deal with the heavy rainfall on the
seaward side of the Western Ghats chain.
The exterior walls have fine latticework on
stone with high-quality sculpture while the
temples piece-de-resistance is the magnifi-
cent Vijayanagara-style entrance with some
superb sculpture. The Jain temples of the
17th-18th century are also worth seeing
among the best is the Chandranatha Basti.
From here, you can take detours to visit the
14th century Vidhyashankara temple at
Sringeri, the 15th-16th century Jain shrine at
Karkala, and the beautiful Jain temple of
Mudabidri.
We travelled onward to Udupi, an impor-
tant pilgrimage site. This is also the birth-
place of Madhva, a 12th century saint who
set up eight monasteries in the town. The
Krishna Temple here is set around a large
tank that devotees believe has associations
with the holy River Ganges every 10 years.
According to a local legend the idol of Lord
Krishna turned around to give darshan to a
devotee from a lower caste who was not
allowed access to the shrine. Malpe near
Udupi is a scenically attractive place.
After lunch at Udupi, we travelled onward
to Mangalore Airport for our return flight.
Karnatakas sapphire
Konkan coastline
Om beach at Gokarna
The Mahabaleshwar Shiva Temple and the Ganesh Temple attract devotees in large numbers to Gokarna.Shiva instructed Ravana that
the sacred atmalinga should not be placed on the ground as it would establish itself where placed on earth. On his way back to Lanka,
Ravana stops for his evening prayers at Gokarna. To prevent Ravana from getting a weapon as powerful as the atmalinga, Ganesh in the
disguise of a Brahmin boy, tells Ravana that he will hold the atmalinga until Ravana finishes his prayers. As soon as he receives the
atmalinga, Ganesh promptly puts it down. Ravana tries to extricate it, resulting in throwing the coverings of the Linga to Surathkal,
Dhareshwar, Gunavanteshwar, Murudeshwar and Shejjeshwar temples. A local fish vendor at Gokarna
Gowda woman in Gokarna
Photos by Dinesh Shukla
special section
26
June 30-July 6, 2012
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Not just Konkanis
From cinema to sports, from banking to theater, people of Konkani origin have created a
distinguished mark for themselves in almost all walks of life. The SATimes profiles
some of the well-known Konkani-origin personalities
Anant Pai
Lata
Mangeshkar
A
nant Pai, popularly known as Uncle
Pai, was an Indian educationalist and
creator of Indian comics, particularly the
Amar Chitra Katha series in 1967, along
with the India Book House publishers, and
which retold traditional Indian folk tales,
mythological stories, and biographies of
historical characters.
In 1980, he launched Tinkle, a children's
anthology, which was started under Rang
Rekha Features, India's first comic and
cartoon syndicate, that lasted till 1998,
with him as the Managing Director.
Today, Amar Chitra Katha sells about
three million comic books a year, in
English and more than 20 Indian lan-
guages, and has sold about 100 million
copies since its inception in 1967 by Anant
Pai, and in 2007 was taken over by ACK
Media.
A
Goan by
o r i g i n ,
She is one of
the best-
known and
most respect-
ed playback
singers in
I n d i a .
Mangeshkar's
career started
in 1942 and has spanned over six and a
half decades. She has recorded songs for
over 1,000 Hindi films and has sung in
over 36 regional Indian languages and for-
eign languages, though primarily in Hindi.
She is the second vocalist to have ever
been awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's
highest civilian honour. Lata was featured
in the Guinness Book of World Records
from 1974 to 1991 for having made the
most recordings in the world.
Girish Karnad
G
irish Raghunath Karnad is
a contemporary writer,
playwright, screenwriter, actor
and movie director in Kannada
language. His rise as a promi-
nent playwright in 1960s,
marked the coming of age of
Modern Indian playwriting in
Kannada, just as Badal Sarkar
did it in Bengali, Vijay
Tendulkar in Marathi, and
Mohan Rakesh in Hindi.
He is a recipient of the 1998
Jnanpith Award for Kannada,
the highest literary honor con-
ferred in India.
For four decades Karnad has
been composing plays, often
using history and mythology to
tackle contemporary issues. He
has translated his major plays
into English, and has received
critical acclaim across India.
His plays have been translat-
ed into several Indian lan-
guages and directed by emi-
nent directors like Ebrahim
Alkazi, B. V. Karanth, Alyque
Padamsee, Prasanna, Arvind
Gaur, Satyadev Dubey, Vijaya
Mehta, Shyamanand Jalan and
Amal Allana.
He is also active in the world
of Indian cinema working as
an actor, director, and screen-
writer, both in Hindi and
Kannada cinema, earning
numerous awards along the
way. He was conferred Padma
Shri and Padma Bhushan by
the Government of India.
Mario Miranda
M
ario Miranda or Mario de Miranda
was a famous Indian cartoonist
based in Loutolim, Goa. Miranda had
been a regular with The Times of India
and other newspapers in Mumbai, includ-
ing The Economic Times, though he got
his popularity with his works published in
The Illustrated Weekly of India.
Miranda was born in Daman, then in
Portuguese India, to Goan Catholic par-
ents. At an early age when his mother saw
him drawing his home walls, she brought
him a blank book, which he calls his
"Diary". Miranda's early cartoons present-
ed vignettes of Goan village life, a theme
he is best known for even today.
Deepika Padukone
B
orn to badminton player Prakash
Padukone, she chose to become an
actress and not pursue a career in sports.
Padukone made her acting debut in the
2006 Kannada film Aishwarya.[2] The fol-
lowing year, she made her Hindi film debut
in Om Shanti Om, for which she earned the
Filmfare Best Female Debut Award. It also
remains her biggest commercial success so
far. She subsequently appeared in films such
as Love Aaj Kal (2009) and Housefull
(2010). While the former earned her a
Filmfare nomination in the Best Actress cate-
gory, the latter emerged as a commercial suc-
cess. In addition to acting, Padukone is also
the ambassador of prominent brands such as
Tissot, Sony Cybershot, Nescafe and
Kingfisher Airlines.
Madhuri Dixit
B
ack on stage after an illustrious career,
Madhuri is cited by the media as one of
the best actresses in Bollywood. The Dhak
Dhak girl made her film debut in Abodh
(1984) and received wider public recognition
with Tezaab (1988). She went on to establish
herself as one of Hindi cinema's leading
actresses, acknowledged for several of her
performances, her beauty, and her accom-
plished dancing.Some of her proceeding
films include such box-office hits as Dil
(1990), Saajan (1991), Beta (1992), Hum
Aapke Hain Koun..! (1994) and Raja (1995).
After a relatively low phase, she reinvented
herself with the romance Dil To Pagal Hai
(1997) and subsequently received critical
acclaim for her work in films like
Mrityudand (1997), Pukar (2000), Lajja
(2001) and Devdas (2002). In 2002, she
retired from films in order to raise her chil-
dren and made a comeback with the musical
Aaja Nachle in 2007. In 2008, she was
awarded the Padma Shri, India's fourth-high-
est civilian award by the Government of
India. She is married to Dr Shriram Madhav
Nene, with whom she has two children. The
couple resided in the United States before
moving to India in 2011.
special section
27
June 30-July 6, 2012
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
The great Konkani story continues...
Guru Dutt
Margaret Alva
V
asanth Kumar Shivashankar Padukone, popularly known as
Guru Dutt, was a well-known film director, producer and
actor. He is often credited with ushering in the golden era of
Hindi cinema.He made quintessential 1950s and 1960s classics
such as Pyaasa, Kaagaz Ke Phool, Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam and
Chaudhvin Ka Chand.
In particular, Pyaasa and Kaagaz Ke Phool are now included
among the greatest films of all time, both by Time magazine's
"All-TIME" 100 best movies. He is sometimes referred to as
"India's Orson Welles". In 2010, he was included among CNN's
"top 25 Asian actors of all time".
M
argaret Alva is the Governor of
Rajasthan. She was the Governor of
Uttarakhand before being appointed
Governor of Rajasthan. Alva became
Uttarakhand's first woman governor in
July 2009. She took over from Punjab
Governor Mr. Shivraj Patil,who was hold-
ing an addtional charge of that State.She is
a senior leader of the Indian National
Congress and was the General Secretary
of the All India Congress Committee. A
lawyer by profession, she was conferred
an honorary doctorate in literature by the
University of Mysore, Karnataka. She is
the founder President of NGO 'Karuna'.
Remo Fernandes
L
us Remo de Maria Bernardo Fernandes, popularly known as
Remo Fernandes, is a pop/rock/Indian fusion artist and playback
singer. His musical work is a fusion of many different cultures and
styles he's been exposed to as a child in Goa and in his later travels
around the world.
His music, reflecting life and socio-political happenings in India
with which every Indian could identify, became popular largely with
the growing, English-educated, Indian middle class. A popular stage
performer in India, he has also taken part in many music festivals
around the world. He now writes and sings his songs in five different
languages, English, Hindi, French, Portuguese, and Konkani.
Reita Faria
R
eita Faria Powell became the first
Indian to win the Miss World title, in
1966. After winning the Miss Bombay
crown earlier that year, she won the Eve's
Weekly Miss India contest. Reita Faria
was a student at the Grant Medical
College & Sir J. J. Group of Hospitals
where she completed her M.B.B. S.
degree.
She lives in Dublin, Ireland with her
husband, endocrinologist David Powell,
whom she married in 1971. Reita was a
judge at Femina Miss India in 1998, and
has come back to judge the Miss World
competition on a few occasions.
George Fernandes
G
eorge Mathew Fernandes is an Indian trade unionist, politician,
journalist, agriculturist and member of Rajya Sabha from Bihar.
He is a key member of the Janata Dal (United), and was the founder
of the Samata Party. He has held several ministerial portfolios includ-
ing communications, industry, railways, and defence, and was the
only Christian minister in Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's cabi-
net.
A native of Mangalore, Fernandes was sent to Bangalore in 1946 to
be trained as a priest. He moved to Bombay in 1949, and joined the
socialist trade union movement. As a fiery trade union leader,
Fernandes organised many strikes and bandhs in Bombay in the
1950s and 1960s. He was a defense minister in the National
Democratic Alliance (NDA) Government (19982004).
Leander Paes
L
eander Adrian Paes is a pro-
fessional tennis player who
currently features in the doubles
events in the ATP tour and the
Davis Cup tournament.
He is the sports ambassador of
Haryana. Paes completed the
career grand slam in men's dou-
bles after winning the Australian
Open in 2012. Having won
seven doubles and six mixed
doubles Grand Slam titles and
finishing as runner up in numer-
ous other Grand Slam finals, he
is considered to be one of the
greatest and most respected con-
temporary doubles and mixed
doubles players in the world. He
is among the most successful
professional Indian tennis play-
ers and is also the former cap-
tain of the Indian Davis Cup
team. He is the recipient of
India's highest sporting honor,
the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna
award, in 19961997; the
Arjuna Award in 1990; and the
Padma Shri award in 2001 for
his outstanding contribution to
tennis in India.
Dilip Vengsarkar
F
ormer cricketer Dilip Balwant
Vengsarkar is now an administrator. He
was also known by the nickname 'Colonel'.
Vengsarkar made his international cricket
debut against New Zealand at Auckland in
197576 as an opening batsmen. India won
this Test convincingly, but he did not have
much success. He played a memorable
innings in 1979 against Asif Iqbal's Pakistan
team in the 2nd Test at Feroz Shah Kotla,
Delhi. He was a member of the 1983 World
Champion's team. He had a productive run of
scores between 1985 and 1987, where he
scored centuries against Pakistan, Australia,
England, West Indies and Sri Lanka, many of
them in successive games. At this pinnacle of
his career, He was rated as the best batsmen
in the Coopers and Lybrand rating (a prede-
cessor of the PWC ratings).
While the West Indies pacemen dominated
the cricket world, Dilip Vengsarkar was one
of the few batsmen who was successful
against them, and scored 6 centuries against
the likes of Marshall, Holding and Roberts.In
particular, Pyaasa and Kaagaz Ke Phool are
now included among the greatest films of all
time, both by Time magazine's "All-TIME"
100 best movies. He is sometimes referred to
as "India's Orson Welles". In 2010, he was
included among CNN's "top 25 Asian actors
of all time".
special section
28
June 30-July 6, 2012
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
By Smita Bhooplapur
A
n essential part of each Indian
culture and language is its cui-
sine. The cuisine not only reflects
on the kind of agricultural cultivation in
the region, but also on the tastes of native
people in the area. The Konkani cuisine
is unique because of the ingredients that
are its own. For example, coconut,
seafood, jackfruit and different kinds of
meat are popular ingredients in their
dishes.
Due to its coastal location, Konkani
food traditionally and historically
includes lot of seafood. Also, coconut use
gives Konkani cuisine a characteristic
taste.
Coconut trees are a given in most
Konkani backyards and the use of
coconut oil in preparing dishes is a com-
mon practice. Now with growing health-
consciousness, coconut oil use has
decreased but traditional foods are still
made with it.
Two other trees/plants you could find
easily here are:
Teppal a key, niche spice used in vege-
tarian and non-vegetarian dishes alike.
Bimal a fruit commonly grown in the
region is used as a souring agent and in
pickles.
Besides tamarind, Ambade used both as
souring agents and to make pickles.
Jackfruit, mango, and drum sticks also
get in Konkani food.
Fish and seafood have been popular in
Konkani cuisine, there are other foods
used, such as beef, mutton and chicken.
Rice is a staple carbohydrate in most of
the meals and consumed on a daily basis
by Konkanis.
The Konkani cuisine is a delight for
those seeking new flavors and new tastes
as there is much variety in dishes to
explore. Over the years, Konkani cuisine
has carried down its traditional foods.
However, it has also managed to attain
newer dishes as well due to creativity and
experimentation.
Indeed, those who try Konkani cuisine
will know that through its history it has
managed to encompass a wide range of
foods in the region.
In addition to the main course meals
that would have a variety of fish, meat,
chicken, and rice-based dishes, there are
other integral portions such as desserts,
beverages and appetizers that are includ-
ed in Konkani cuisine.
Side dishes could be broadly classified
as -
Urad papads which are roasted
directly on the flame, pickles and then
some kind of vegetable.
Upkaris - These are simple vegetable
dishes garnished with few fresh coconut
shavings and seasoned with green chilli
or red chilli powder.
Talasanis Unlike upkaris, here the
vegetable is stir-fried and cooked in more
oil and red chilli powder used.
Randayis - These have a base of
coconut, usually have a combination of
pulses and vegetables (there are randayis
with pulses alone or vegetables alone
too). The coconut paste is usually watery
and the dish looks like a gravy. But these
are served on the side.
The most popular in this category must
be - dudde randayi, muga mole randayi.
Sukke, sagle - These also have a base
of coconut. But unlike randayis, these
have a dry (sukke) paste.
Phodis - A masala is applied to differ-
ent vegetable pieces, then they are rolled
in sooji and tava fried.
Apart from these we have
kosambaris/kismuris, bharth, sasam etc.
Gravy dishes are often coconut-based.
Most of the Konkanis are fish eaters.
Fish gravies usually have a coconut
base - either a gravy with coconut and
onion or teppal and coconut.
For frying, fish is marinated in spicy
masala and then rolled in sooji and fried.
The meals are usually accompanied by
a cup of plain buttermilk or in kokum
season, a cup of kokum kadi.
Kairi ani Chana Gashi / Raw Mango
and Kabuli Chana Coconut Curry
This coconut curry is a delightful com-
bination of spicy, sweet and sour. In
Konkani cuisine, it is common to find a
seasoned coconut curry with the combi-
nation of bean/legume and or vegetable.
The ground coconut paste is called
Maasolu and depending on the type of
seasoning (mustard, garlic, onion), the
curry is referred to as that (Ambat/kod-
del/ghashi).
This serves well with rice, yogurt rice
or with Rotis/Chapathis.
Serves: 3-4 people
Ingredients
1 raw mango/green mango/kairi
cup kabuli chana/ garbanzo beans/
any chana should be fine (soak in water
for 6-8 hours)
cup coconut (shredded) [fresh or
frozen]
2-3 red chillies [roast in 1 tsp of oil]
1 Tbsp urad daal
1/8 tsp methi/fenugreek seeds
1 Tbsp Tamarind paste
Tbsp jaggery
Salt
Water (as required to make fine
paste)
For tadka
1 tsp mustard seeds
4-5 curry leaves
1 Tbsp Oil (coconut or regular veg-
etable)
Method
Pressure cook the soaked Kabuli
chana/garbanzo. Keep aside to cool.
Meanwhile roast the red chilies in a
little oil till they are crispy.
Roast the urad daal, methi in a drop
of oil until it turns light brown.
Grind the roasted chillies along with
coconut, tamarind, urad dal, methi to a
smooth paste. Add water as required.
Wash the raw mango thoroughly and
chop into big bite size pieces (along with
skin).
Boil a little water in a sauce pan and
add the chopped raw mango.
When it is half cooked, add the
coconut paste/masala, salt, jaggery, and
add the boiled kabuli chana.
Simmer on medium for the next 10-
15 minutes until the gravy thickens a bit
and then switch off the gas.
In another small pan, heat 1 tbsp of
oil and add mustard seeds, curry leaves
and let it splutter. Add this seasoning to
the boiled curry and mix well. Cover
with lid.
Serve hot as a side dish with rice
along with Aloo Raita and some pappads.
The unique Konkani palate
special section
29
June 30-July 6, 2012
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
By Roopa Shenoy
O
n the rare occasion that I get some
time off from work, I find myself
googling Konkani History or Where
are the Shenoys from? perhaps out of hope
of finding royal lineage or to corroborate the
cut above the rest feeling I have! What I
find is definitely an ego-booster. The travels
and travails of our ancestors are sure to make
anyone proud to be part of such an illustrious
community. We have come a long way and we
can proudly claim to be the most forward,
enterprising and fun-loving folk.
The engineer in me would categorize every-
thing Konkani into cuisine, culture, language
and values. The sequence of the categories
gives an idea of just how important food is to
us (Now dont point out that values came
last!). Any Konkani worth his/her salt will
know the makings of the perfect Dalitoy, the
all but official Kul-devu. Im not a big fan
of Patrade, but you may disagree! Food is
always the focus of most of our social events.
A typical Mangalorean conversation starter
would be, Jevna kasale aaji? We may love
our sushi or pasta but theres still room for
some good ol Doodh Pak! (Though, one
may pass over the Madgane). A high point
in the aamchigele gastronomical calendar
would be Chavathi; funnily enough, for the
lesser souls amongst us, its more about the
food and who gets the naivedya Deva
paan ( and at the risk of blasphemy, dubbed
the holy mess). The Diwali special Visonu
rava fry and Motiyale Ghashi deserves a
special mention!
Over the years, the food we eat has begun to
define our cultural heritage to such an extent,
they have blurred the lines between the first
two of my Konkani compartments (cuisine-
culture). The most remarkable displays of cul-
ture would be the Kodial Theru and your
Big-Fat Amchigele Weddings. During
Theru time, Bird Watching is usually high
on every guys agenda a close contender to
Darshana of Lord Venkateshwara; the birds
and the Lord both step out in their full glory
and ritual regalia. The seasoned Theru-goer
knows the algorithm to identify the optimal
route to the temple dodging all the road
blocks, the best parking spots and always
enlists the trusted neighbors cousins mother-
in-law (another seasoned Theru-goer who was
there since 9 am) to keep a seat with a square
hand kerchief. If you take a friend along, the
common strategy is to slowly encroach into
the towel-reserved area next to yours inch by
inch (as you distract the sentinel stationed to
keep the seat with Arent you a Shenoy from
the Mangalpady clan?) until youve com-
pletely outmanoeuvred the neighbor and his
handkerchief! . Then comes the food; the
quintessential Dali-toy and Tori Ghashi
own the show. I deliberately skip over the part
following the burki-fying (lapping up the
food with a single minded devotion that would
certainly please the Lord!). The end of the
meal involves single-arm-wrestling your way
through the crowd (which usually includes a
quivering dog) striking a Statue Of Liberty-
esque pose with all the Payasa dripping
down your other elbow which is held high
above your head, the piece of Kuwale you
stepped on, lodged between your toes with
some random Mais 8-sovereign
AshtaLakshmi Vanki nudging your spine
and egging you forward. Let the reader con-
centrate on conjuring images of the spectacu-
lar Theru and not dwell over minor incon-
veniences.
For the average Konkani, weddings are a
great occasion to socialize and bring on the
bling. It is considered normal to turn up
decked like a Christmas tree, even if its the
wedding of a second cousins high school
friend, that you met briefly two Therus ago.
At almost every Konkani wedding you can
witness the Manglorean wave an off shoot of
the Mexican wave. First, you will notice the
guest trickling rate spike up at noon.
Secondly, the first circle will be near deliri-
ous with hunger-pangs in their sweat soaked
Kanjivarams and itchy baubles which seemed
like a good idea while dressing up at 5 am
before leaving for the marriage venue. And
then the eldest, most venerable looking uncle
of the bride will Vinanti to the crowds to
have lunch - which has the same effect as
waving a red flag in the bulls face. The tidal
wave of people lunging towards the food is a
rather alarming sight to the non-Mangalorean
eye. Mais and Mamus drop all pretence of
poise and chivalry, break from their stupor
and just go for it with gusto. The venerable
uncle runs for cover and trips over the wires,
cutting out the Kadri Gopalnath music for a
few minutes, providing some relief to the
newborns in the crowd. An interesting point to
note: 80% of the guests never notice the
Kanyadana and Sapthapadi - considered
the most important of the wedding rituals.
Most attendees are busy compiling the
Annual Bling Report and The
Comprehensive Eligible Bachelors Reference
Guide and debating if the new BMW parked
outside is a gift from the Brides or the
Grooms parents. (Actually it is rented out on
hourly basis to provide some fodder for gos-
sip). Moving with the times, we do have
rather elaborate Mehendi ceremonies and
cocktail parties but the puritans would cock a
snook at them Kasaki nanche kai pura.
Kaam na ve?
The common thread that binds us the world
over, without a doubt, is the language. My
ears perk up each time I hear someone speak-
ing this familiar and comforting tongue in a
strange city, and I am sure it is true for all of
us. It acts as the glue binding us all together.
Replete with double entendres and whimsical
metaphors, Konkani is the linguaphiles
delight. Personally, the lullabies and mindless-
ly cute songlets for babies are a favorite.
One of them loosely translates to Sit here,
right here, Peacock! Peacock flies to the
Kundapur temple festival lyrics worthy of
R.E.M, indeed! The witticisms scattered in the
devasthana-saleri talk could fill a tome.
Konkani & Tulu are two of the languages I
know, that have the uncanny ability to give a
comic twist to just about any talk, be it at
funerals or an uncles business running into a
loss. The tone and other subtleties twist and
turn the meaning of a seemingly innocent sen-
tence. For instance, budanti means intelli-
gent, whereas savai-budanti is one and a
quarter more, but cannot be taken quite literal-
ly (Rather than implying over-intelligence, it
is a satirical manner of speech). Brevity, is the
soul of wit and the explanation above proba-
bly butchered it, but you see my point? The
stories passed down from grandmother to
grandchild are a legacy we should protect.
Although I recently heard a pretty jazzed up
version of Mukund and Malati, (read Hansel
& Gretel) who found a box with an iPad 2 and
a Blackberry and lived happily ever after with
free apps! Heck, some alterations to suit the
changing world are inevitable and welcome,
as long as we retain the morals and essence of
the stories.
Lastly, the values instilled in us from a
young age and reinforced by seeing them in
practice all around us are what truly mould us
into balanced, loving and essentially good
human beings. Your non-Konkani friends may
call you Kokke which is an euphemism for
shrewd, calculating and crooked; theyre just
jealous you get all the good deals and are
genetically wired to process a tad faster! Your
father taught you the value of hard earned
money. Your mother taught you selflessness
by doing your laundry and insisting on serving
you hot dosas right out of the pan, even with
that bad back. Your sister taught you...well,
tolerance and patience. Those are virtues too!
The mandatory Saturday evening temple drills
that you detested as a youngster surely evoke
an overwhelming feeling of being a part of
something bigger, albeit in retrospect. It is this
community feeling that is enriching and gives
us a sense of belonging. Sure, Im all for
maintaining a secular and open-minded out-
look to the world but being a Konkani is a part
of my personality and adds more shades to it.
Life of a Mangalorean Konkani
An insider report
Konkani language uses many double rhyming words.
special section
For the average Konkani, weddings
are a great occasion to socialize and
bring on the bling. It is considered
normal to turn up decked like a
Christmas tree, even if its the wedding
of a second cousins high school friend,
that you met briefly two Therus ago.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info June 30-July 6, 2012
Pranab leaves active
politics: End of an era
R
espected among friends and
foes alike, Pranab Mukherjee,
the "most perfected politician
of the current lot", left active politics
marking the end of an illustrious
career spanning four decades in the
Congress and government.
The redoubtable number two in the
Manmohan Si ngh cabi net si nce
2004, Mukherjee has been the chief
trouble shooter of the Congress-led
United Progressive Alliance govern-
ment.
The fact that he heads 83 out of the
183 group of ministers adds to his
reputation for versatility, which few
others can match. Senior Congress
l eader Mani shankar Ai yar sai d
Mukherjee is unique as he can be
firm and yet reach out to his oppo-
nents.
"He could be firm not only with
leaders of other parties but with
Congress leaders as well," Aiyar
said.
Another trait Aiyar finds remark-
able in Mukherjee is his "elephan-
tine" memory on issues related to
pol i t i cs and governance. The
Bharatiya Janata Party too has nice
words for him.
"Mukherjee is a seasoned politician
and a good human being... he is a
dedi cat ed Congressman, " BJP' s
nat i onal vi ce presi dent Mukht ar
Abbas Naqvi sai d. Mukherj ee' s
father Kamada Kinkar Mukherjee, a
Congress politician, influenced him.
His political career started as a
deputy minister for industrial devel-
opment in 1973 and he became the
finance minister in 1982, a post he
holds currently.
His parliamentary career began in
1969 with a Rajya Sabha member-
ship and he was nominated to the
upper house until 2004 when he was
elected to the Lok Sabha from West
Bengal's Jangipur constituency.
The 76-year-old Mukherjee is a
man of unparalleled experience and
has served as commerce, foreign,
defence and finance ministers.
While the accolades have been
many, there are some brickbats too.
Accordi ng t o seni or j ournal i st
Kuldeep Nayar, Mukherjee served
t he Congress wel l for over four
decades but "the only blot on him
was when he, as union commerce
minister, went along with former
prime minister Indira Gandhi, who
declared emergency in 1975, and her
son Sanjay Gandhi, who had become
an extra constitutional authority."
Opi ni on on how Mukherj ee as
finance minister managed a slowing
down economy of late too is varied.
Nayar said Mukherjee failed as he
became bereft of ideas in the past
two years while presenting the gen-
eral budgets. "He is leaving the econ-
omy in a mess," Nayar said, adding
"he perhaps was thinking more about
his presidency."
However, political commentator N.
Bhaskara Rao described Mukherjee
as t he most perfect ed pol i t i ci an
among the existing lot across parties
as he understands national issues,
can analyse them and always found a
solution to a political crisis."
"He was t he most rel i ed upon
leader by the Congress while making
its strategy whether the party was in
power or not," Rao said.
Though Rao said his absence from
the government would be worrying
for the Congress as the country is
facing an economic crisis, Aiyar said
"the Congress is bigger than any
individual and would find a replace-
ment of Mukherjee."
The views expressed in Op Eds are not necessarily those of The South Asian Times.
The 76-year-old Pranab Mukherjee is a man of unparalleled experience and has served
as commerce, foreign, defense and finance ministers
Op Ed 31
South Asia: China on
diplomacy rail
By Subhash Chopra
T
he Western demo-
nization of China as
Dragon power has
tried to create a bug bear
image in the minds of peo-
ple across the world, not
excluding South Asia.
However, not everyone has
fallen for it. Even the West,
though wary, is more than
eager to expand trade rela-
tions with the fastest grow-
ing global economy.
Countries like Britain have
introduced Mandarin as
one of optional new lan-
guages being taught in
schools on par with
European and other lan-
guages. Ideological caution
notwithstanding, govern-
ments from Africa to Asia
are more than ready to dis-
card the stereotype image
of China. South Asian
countries are no exception.
From Afghanistan to Sri
Lanka and Nepal, China
has assiduously wooed
South Asian countries with
aid, trade and even military
assistance when thought
fit. Diplomatically too,
China has been quick to
exploit differences, as
between India and
Pakistan, or back a new
regime, as in the case of
Bangladesh after its birth
in spite of old ties with
Pakistan, as also in Nepal
by heavily supporting the
emerging Maoist forces
after having earlier played
ball with the royal regimes
of Kings Mahendra,
Birendra and briefly even
Gyanendra.
Relations with India have
necessarily been on a dif-
ferent plane because of
Indias size, strength and
the 1962 war between the
two countries. Yet China
has not allowed the past to
stop striking new paths like
trade with India.
On their part, South
Asian countries too have
displayed a practical
approach in dealing with
China. The Hamid Karzai
government in
Afghanistan, for instance,
has had no hesitation in
awarding the $3.5 billion
copper mining project in
Aynak area of Logar
province, south of Kabul.
Afghanistan is thought to
be sitting on copper ore
worth more than $80 bil-
lion. China has also been
selected as the preferred
bidder for petroleum
exploration in northern
Afghanistan. There is also
talk of rail and road proj-
ects some time in the
future.
Pakistans relations with
China go a long while
back, especially to days
when it brokered a thaw
between Beijing and
Washington under Nixon
and Kissinger administra-
tion. The building of
Karrakoram Highway
through northern Kashmir
territory controlled by
Pakistan but disputed by
India has led to a highly
piquant situation between
New Delhi and Beijing.
Sino-Indian territorial dis-
putes, of course, go back to
British Indian colonial
times left unresolved since
the Durand Line border
drawn up by the British but
unrecognized by China and
Afghanistan. The resultant
issues have been made
more complex by Chinas
recent involvement in the
Gilgit region of Kashmir.
Fortunately, barring the
odd diplomatic spat, India
and China have successful-
ly charted the new path of
bilateral trade relations,
while putting aside border
disputes. Indeed the border
trade between the two
countries has crossed the
$60 billion mark in less
than a decade , and is rac-
ing towards the $100 bil-
lion level. Whatever the
historical territorial bag-
gage, the two Asian giants
have no desire to give up
the fruits of trade for the
sake of barren land strips
where not a blade of grass
grows. That is not to say
that the two giants are any-
where near the Hindi-
Chini bhai-bhai (brotherly
) euphoric days.
Chinas forays into Sri
Lanka and the Maldives or
Bangladesh and Nepal con-
tinue to be watched closely
by India. Chinas establish-
ment of a fully fledged
embassy in the Maldives
and its tourist spending in
the island nation, outstrip-
ping the combined spend-
ing of Western tourists,
have not gone un-noticed
by India.
Bangladesh too has its
arms open for aid and trade
with China which is
already a major trading
partner, with total volume
topping $7 billion by 2010.
China, in turn, has its eye
on opening a trade route to
the Bay of Bengal via
Myanmar for its land-
locked south western
province of Yunan.
Overall, the Chinese
impact on South Asia
keeps a fine balance
between economic and
strategic influence.
In fact strategic influ-
ence derives its strength
from trade and economic
cooperation, which is per-
haps overly interpreted as
hegemony.
India and China have successfully charted the new path of
bilateral trade relations
32 Diaspora & Subcontinent
June 30-July 6, 2012 TheSouthAsianTimes.info
New Delhi: Ahead of
his outreach visit to
Central Asia in the first
week of July, External
Affairs Minister S.M.
Krishna said he had
asked embassies and
consulates to be
"responsive" and
"proactive" in mitigat-
ing problems of expatri-
ates living around the
world.
Krishna will be meet-
ing heads of Indian mis-
sions in the region next
week. Over the last few
months, he has held
such interactions on a
regional basis in Singapore, Cairo,
Abu Dhabi, Madrid and Havana.
"In the meetings (with heads of
Indian missions) that I have been
having in various regions of the
world, what we have done is to try
analyse the various issues and prob-
lems of Indian expatriates in the
respective countries, and how they
look at the global developments of
the region," Krishna said.
"The feedback that I have got so
far is that this has served an impor-
tant and useful purpose of the
ambassadors in that region trying to
share their perceptions, views and
experience with their colleagues and
their counterparts," Krishna said.
Based on the interaction, the min-
istry of external affairs will prepare
an assessment and provide the need-
ed inputs.
Krishna said the message he had
been persistently providing to the
heads of missions is to "treat our
own people well".
Giving examples of racial attacks
against Indians in Australia a couple
of years ago, Krishna said the Indian
missions in Sydney and Melbourne
had begun walk-in meetings with
officers for Indians on Fridays.
"With that, the problems of
Indians in Australia has been sub-
stantially solved, if not eliminated.
"So, in many other nations, partic-
ularly where we have a large expa-
triate population making substantial
remittances to India, it is all the
more reason why our embassies and
consulates should be more respon-
sive and proactive in terms of miti-
gating their problems."
"Particularly in the Gulf region,
when they are in distress, their
issues need to be taken up and
resolved. This has helped quite a bit
in addressing the Indians' concerns
abroad," he added.
Be responsive to expat's
needs: SM Krishna
New Delhi: India has renewed its
request to Pakistan to release death
row prisoner Sarabjit Singh after a
midnight volte-face by Islamabad
and said it was awaiting official
communication from the Pakistan
government and a report from the
Indian High Commission in
Islamabad on this issue.
"I have seen media reports about
the impending release from impris-
onment in Pakistan of Surjeet
Singh...I welcome this decision and
further renew our request to the
president of Pakistan to release
Sarabjit Singh who has been in
custody for over two decades. He
is serving a death sentence, "
External Affairs Minister S.M.
Krishna told reporters here.
Krishna's statement came after
Pakistan' s apparent volte-face
about releasing Sarabjit Singh. On
June 26, the Pakistani media had
carried reports of Sarabjit getting a
presidential pardon. However,
Islamabad clarified late evening
that it was not Sarabjit but Surjeet
Singh, his fellow inmate at Kot
Lakhpat jail, who would be
released.
Admitting confusion over the
issue, Krishna said he has also seen
media reports and stressed that
there is no absolutely no official
communication from Pakistan on
reports of Sarabjit Singh's release.
Krishna, however, renewed
request to the Pakistan government
to take a lenient and humanitarian
view and release Sarabjit Singh,
who has been in custody for over
two decades and is serving a death
sentence for his alleged involve-
ment in a string of blasts in the
Punjab province in 1990.
"As you are aware that govern-
ment of India has consistently
urged the government of Pakistan
on several occasions to take a sym-
pathetic and humanitarian view on
the case of Sarabjit Singh," said
Krishna.
"I also appeal to the government
of Pakistan to release all Indian
nationals who have completed their
prison term. I request the release of
all Indians who are serving jail sen-
tences in Pakistani prisons," he
added.
Pakistan claims that Sarabjit
Singh, who is known as Manjit
Singh there, was involved in stag-
ing four blasts in Lahore and
Multan in 1990, which claimed 14
lives. His family however, main-
tains that Sarabjit, a resident of
border town of Bhikhiwind, had
strayed across the border in an ine-
briated state in August 1990.
Surjeet has been in Pakistani cus-
tody for over 30 years. He was cap-
tured near the India-Pakistan bor-
der on charges of spying during the
era of military ruler Zia-ul-Haq and
was on death-row too, but his sen-
tence was commuted to life-impris-
onment in 1989.
"I think there is some confusion.
First, it is not a case of pardon.
More importantly, it is not Sarabjit.
It is Surjeet Singh, son of Sucha
Singh. His death sentence was
commuted in 1989 by President
Ghulam Ishaq Khan on the advice
of then prime minister Benazir
Bhutto," presidential spokesperson
Farhatullah Babar was quoted as
saying by Geo News.
India presses for Sarabjit's release, awaits response
Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna
On June 26, the Pakistani media had carried reports
of Sarabjit getting a presidential pardon.
London: Indian-origin British tel-
evision actress Shobna Gulati has
said she was forced to quit micro-
blogging website Twitter after
suffering a stream of racist abuse.
Internet users mutilated photos
of the 45-year-old "Coronation
Street" actress and posted them
online with "sick comments", The
Sun reported.
One user wrote: "You' re not
British, you' re foreign", while
another tweeted, "You have got to
be the ugliest f***** I've ever
seen".
One post read: "I'll always be
here to bother you."
Gulati, who plays the character
Sunita in the TV soap, said:
"Being racially abused on Twitter
really shook me up. It felt like
going back in time to the 1970s."
"It put me in mind of a psycho -
like a horror movie. I just decided
enough was enough. I tried to
ignore it but it started to affect my
confidence. Violent, vitriolic
hatred gives people their moment
in the spotlight. It beggars belief,"
Gulati said.
Gulati, born in Oldham to
Indian parents, spoke out after
"Towie" star Lauren Goodger was
also targeted by internet users
over her weight.
"I know how she (Goodger)
feels. It's just bullying," she said.
Indian-origin British TV
star faces racist taunts
Washington: Noting that India's
arrest of terror suspect Abu Jindal
has exposed Pakistan's role in the
26/11 Mumbai attack, a US expert
has asked Islamabad to take action
against all those involved, includ-
ing serving intelligence officials.
Jindal's alleged confession that
"Pakistani intelligence officials
were present in the control room
from which he directed the attack-
ers is explosive," wrote Lisa
Curtis, senior research fellow for
South Asia at the conservative
think tank Heritage Foundation.
"If true, these accusations will
undermine an already shaky US-
Pakistan relationship and further
tarnish Pakistan's global image,"
she said noting the US likely
assisted India in tracking Jindal
and may have even weighed in to
pressure the Saudis to deport him
to India.
Noting that Islamabad has
dragged its feet on investigating
and prosecuting 26/11 suspects,
Curtis said: "Pakistan must take
action against any individuals
involved in the Mumbai attacks,
even if it means punishing serving
intelligence officials."
"Doing otherwise would only
hasten the country's international
isolation and slide toward pariah
state status."
Meanwhile, State Department
spokesperson Victoria Nuland
reiterated US support for India's
efforts to bring the perpetrators of
the Mumbai attacks to justice.
Abu Jindal's arrest exposes
Pak role: US expert
Surjeet Singh's family
rejoices
Ferozepur (Punjab): While the
family of Sarabjit Singh, the
Indian prisoner on death row in
Pakistan, was left shocked by
Islambad' s flip-flop over his
release, there was jubilation in
the home of his fellow inmate
Surjeet Singh, who will be freed
after over three decades in
Lahore's Kot Lakhpat jail.
At Phidde village in Punjab's
frontier district of Ferozepur,
280 km from Chandigarh,
Surjeet's family celebrated the
news that he would be released
soon.
"We are all eagerly awaiting
my father's release from Lahore
jail. He completed his term years
ago. Finally, he is being released.
We will welcome him at Attari
border with great fanfare,"
Surjeet' s son Kulwinder told
media in his village.
Shobna Gulati
Terror suspect Abu Jindal
Business & International 33
TheSouthAsianTimes.info June 30-July 6, 2012
Put service tax on NRI remittances on hold: Tharoor
Thiruvananthapuram: Lok Sabha MP from
Thiruvananthapuram Shashi Tharoor has urged Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh to put on hold the service tax
on remittances by non-resident Indians (NRIs). In his
letter to the prime minister, Tharoor pointed out that the
decision to impose 12.36 per cent service tax on remit-
tances to India by NRIs with effect from July 1 has gen-
erated tremendous resentment across Kerala.
"The imposition of the service tax will adversely
affect millions of Keralities, especially those working in
low-paid jobs in the Gulf region. This tax of Rs.1,236
for every Rs.10,000 sent home will be an unbearable
burden on these ordinary people... and their dependent
families at home," he said.
He called for keeping the decision in abeyance pend-
ing a more detailed examination of the "adverse impli-
cations" of the move. Tharoor argued that this was a
short-sighted measure which risked diverting remit-
tances to hawala channels and tempting otherwise law-
abiding citizens to indulge in undesirable malpractices.
"At a time when the country needs to attract inward
remittances and investment, any measure which dis-
courages these should not be contemplated," he said in
the letter.
Damascus: Syria is in a
state of war, President
Bashar al-Assad has said,
ordering his cabinet to
crush the anti-regime revolt
even as fierce fighting
broke out near the capital
Damascus. With the upris-
ing now in its 16th month,
Assad told his cabinet that
Syria was in a "real situa-
tion of war".
"When one is in a state of
war, all our policies and
capabilities must be used to
secure victory," he said
according to the official
SANA news agency.
Turkey meanwhile said it
had issued fresh rules of
engagement to its army in
response to the shooting
down by Syria of one of its
fighter jet last Friday.
And a senior official trav-
eling with US Secretary of
State Hillary Clinton told
AFP that a Geneva confer-
ence on the crisis planned
for this weekend was threat-
ened by Russia's refusal to
consider Assad's departure.
Across the country, the
violence continued with at
least 116 people killed,
according to the
Observatory for Human
Rights which said 68 civil-
ians, 41 soldiers and seven
rebels had lost their lives.
The fighting drew closer
to the capital with clashes
breaking out Tuesday in the
suburbs of Damascus
between rebel forces and
Syrian army units, around
elite Republican Guard
posts, the London-based
Observatory said.
"Violent clashes are tak-
ing place around positions
of the Republican Guard in
Qudsaya and Al-Hama,"
Observatory head Rami
Abdel Rahman told AFP in
Beirut.
It was the first time that
artillery had been used "so
close to the capital", he
added.
"This development is
important because it's the
heaviest fighting in the area
and close to the heart of the
capital."
President Assad says
Syria 'in a state of war'
At least 116 people have been killed in the violence so far
Athens: Assailants
attacked the offices of
Microsoft in Athens, driv-
ing a van through the front
doors and setting off an
incendiary device that
burned the building
entrance, police said.
There were no reports of
injuries in the pre-dawn
attack on the U.S. compa-
ny' s headquarters in the
Greek capital, located in
the Maroussi suburb north
of the city center.
Police said initial infor-
mation indicated three peo-
ple had been inside the
van. They forced the two
security guards at the
building to leave before
they reversed the van into
the front entrance, smash-
ing the door.
The two security guards
were giving testimony to
police.
The assailants then trig-
gered an incendiary device
inside the van that police
said appeared to have con-
sisted of camping gas can-
isters and several contain-
ers of gasoline.
Police forensic teams
examined the burned-out
van, which was still out-
side the blackened entrance
later Monday morning.
Authorities said no warn-
ing call had been made
before the attack. There
was no immediate claim of
responsibility.
Greece has experienced
attacks by several small
armed anarchist or domes-
tic terrorist groups for
decades, which usually tar-
get official buildings,
banks or symbols of state
power with small bombs or
incendiary devices. The
attacks usually occur late
at night and rarely cause
injuries.
Although they have died
down over the past year,
attacks had spiked follow-
ing the fatal police shoot-
ing of a teenager in Athens
in December 2008 that led
to widespread riots across
the country.
Assailants attack Microsoft
headquarters in Athens
There were no reports of injuries in the
pre-dawn attack
New Delhi: On his first day after
taking additional charge of the
finance ministry, Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh set about putting
together a unified mechanism for
the ministry. As part of that exer-
cise, Singh met key advisors.
The meetings focused on mecha-
nisms for taking inputs and making
policy decision, which will
announced soon.
Singh faces a slew of challenges,
key among them slowing growth,
rising inflation, a ballooning fiscal
deficit and a falling rupee.
The toughest challenge for the
Prime Minister is to push growth
back to at least the 7 per cent lev-
els. The Budget estimate for the
current fiscal is 7.6 per cent, with a
margin of error of around 0.25 per
cent. With GDP growth dipping to
6.5 per cent last fiscal, and a nine-
year low of 5.3 per cent for March
quarter, reviving growth will likely
be a priority.
Additionally, he must also take
steps to boost investor confidence,
which has taken a hit after the
introduction of retrospective tax
laws, and the new General Anti-
Avoidance Rules (GAAR).
The monsoon this year has also
been weaker than usual, raising
concerns that agricultural output
could fall, putting more pressure on
the government to raise minimum
support prices for crops. This, in
turn, could push the subsidy bill
higher. A poor crop could also
force farmers to opt for the national
jobs program, the Mahatma Gandhi
National Rural Employment
Guarantee scheme, which would
also push up the governments
expenditure and add to the deficit.
India's economic crisis: PM
meets top advisors
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh
with UPA's President nominee
Pranab Mukherjee
Mumbai/New Delhi: In a bid to
prop up the battered rupee, the
Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
hiked the limit of overseas invest-
ments in government bonds and
announced a few other measures
to improve market sentiments.
The limit of overseas invest-
ment in government bonds has
been raised by $5 billion to $20
billion and that of external com-
mercial borrowings to $10 billion.
Certain manufacturing and
infrastructure companies that earn
foreign exchange can now borrow
from overseas markets to repay
rupee loans for capital expendi-
ture.
"The overall ceiling for such
ECBs would be $10 billion," the
central bank said.
The measures are aimed at
attracting more foreign invest-
ments that would help revive the
battered currency, which hit a
record low of 57.33 to the dollar
last week.
The RBI announced the new
measures after discussions with
Finance Minister Pranab
Mukherjee and Economic Affairs
Secretary R. Gopalan.
The Reserve Bank of India said
in a statement that it has taken
measures "in consultation with
the government of India". The
new measures are introduced with
immediate effect.
However, the move failed to
cheer the markets as investors
were expecting bolder steps.
The rupee pared the gains and
ended the day 0.2 percent higher
at 57.01 after rallying 1.3 percent
before the announcement was
made. Benchmark indices of the
Indian equities markets also
ended in the red. Chairman of the
the Prime Minister's economic
advisory council C. Rangarajan
said the RBI measures will have
some impact on the currency in
the short run.
The limit of overseas investment
in government bonds has been
raised by $5 billion to $20 billion
Government bonds:
India raises overseas
investment limit
INTERNATIONAL
34 Sports
June 30-July 6, 2012 TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Tennis mess: AITA rejects Sania's claims
New Delhi: The All India Tennis Association (AITA)
has rejected claims made by Sania Mirza that she was
made a bait to pacify Leander Paes and said that pairing
them for the mixed doubles event of the Olympics was
done purely on merit.
Sania in a strongly worded statement Tuesday night
ripped apart the AITA and didn' t spare Paes and
Bhupathi either for the selection controversy for the
Olympics.
But the AITA defending its selection strategy said
their decision to pair Paes and Sania was purely on
merit as they are two highest ranked players in India.
"As regards selection of teams, the selection commit-
tee on 21st June, the last date for nomination, noted that
Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna had made them-
selves not available for selection with Leander Paes
despite efforts of AITA.
The committee then selected Leander Paes with
Vishnu Vardhan as his doubles partner as Vishnu
Vardhan was the preferred partner and also silver medal-
list in Asian Games. The committee also decided that
wild card application be made for Somdev Devvarman
and for Sania Mirza for both women's singles as well as
women's doubles as without a wild card she will not be
eligible to play mixed doubles.
"The committee, thereafter, selected world No. 7 and
India No. 1 Leander Paes to partner world No. 12 and
India No. 1 Sania Mirza in the mixed doubles Olympics
event. With a combined ranking of 19 they were placed
9th in the top 12 teams to be eligible for mixed doubles.
This selection is purely on merits," AITA secretary gen-
eral Bharat Oza said.AITA said it respects all its players
and is fully aware of the accomplishments of Sania as
an excellent tennis player.
"AITA believes that Leander & Sania together are
capable of producing fantastic results in the Olympics.
The final decision of the selection committee has
already been communicated to the IOA on 21st June
2012. We earnestly appeal to all the players to unite
together, shed off all their differences, stop going public
and join hands together in the best national interest of
winning medals for the country and to bring glory to the
nation," she said.
US eye 30 athletics medals
Washington: US Olympic athletics
team is aiming at no less than 30
medals at the upcoming London
Games, said coaches Andrew Valmon
and Amy Deem. Men's Olympic coach
Valmon and women's coach Deem
expressed confidence on a rest day at
the US Olympic track and field trials.
"There is a lot of opportunities to
get those 30 medals," Valmon was
quoted as saying.
The 30-medal goal for London was
set by former USA Track and Field
chief executive Doug Logan and
backed by new chief executive Max
Siegel.
The US team claimed 23 medals
from athletics at Beijing with seven
golds, nine silvers and seven bronzes.
"We're going to have a strong team.
We're excited," Valmon said.
"Our goal is always to bring home
as many medals as we can. We are on
track to do that," Deem said. "I think
we have an opportunity to bring home
a lot of medals."
The women's team includes reigning
100m World champion Carmelita
Jeter, reigning 100m hurdles Olympic
champion Dawn Harper and reigning
Olympic discus champion Stephanie
Brown Trafton.
The men' s team comprise 2004
Olympic 100m champion Justin
Gatlin, former world 100m champion
Tyson Gay, reigning world high jump
champion Jesse Williams and reigning
Olympic 400m champion LaShawn
Merritt.
Tennis player Sania Mirza
ICC declines to make
DRS mandatory
Kuala Lumpur: The International
Cricket Council (ICC) executive
board has rejected its chief execu-
tives' committee's (CEC) decision to
make the controversial Decision
Review System (DRS) mandatory
for all Tests and ODIs.
The board approved the recom-
mendations of the CEC relating to
the inclusion of Hot Spot cameras as
part of the minimum specifications
for the DRS and the amendment of
the LBW protocols regarding the
"margin of uncertainty", but felt
using the system was better left to
judgment of the two competing
nations.
"ICC Board agreed to continue
with the present arrangement where
the two competing nations in a bilat-
eral series decide on the use of
DRS," the ICC Board said at its
meeting. After receiving detailed
match data and consumer research,
the board agreed with the CEC that
there should be continued and con-
sistent emphasis placed on the pro-
motion of the three formats of inter-
national cricket, particularly 50-over
cricket. "At the same time it was
decided that, in conjunction with the
changes in playing regulations,
there should be further considera-
tion of the branding of ODI cricket,
while being cognisant of the high
level of interest in 50-over cricket in
many countries," the ICC said.
When considering the appeal of
the 50-over format, the board
approved the recommended regula-
tion changes, including that
Powerplays be restricted to the first
block of 10 overs and a batting
Powerplay of five overs to be com-
pleted before the start of the 41st
over.
European tour should stand in good stead: Nobbs
New Delhi: India hockey coach
Michael Nobbs warned his boys
that there won't be room for errors
against top European teams at the
London Olympics.
Nobbs said the tour of Europe
ahead of the Games will help his
team iron out its flaws ahead of the
Games. The Indian team will play a
three-match Test series in France
and two invitational tournaments in
Spain that also involve South
Africa and Great Britain.
"I have always maintained that
we have to play against best teams
in the world. I am confident that
the matches that we will play in the
coming few days will boost the
confidence of the boys. The boys
will realise that there is no room
for error when you ply against top
European teams. They will punish
you hard. This experience will
come handy in the Games," said
Nobbs ahead of the team's depar-
ture for Europe.
Asked where he would expect
the team to finish, Nobbs said: "It
is difficult to predict. With a little
bit of luck we can do wonders (in
the Olympics). We are really a tal-
ented side but the boys need to
have belief and absolute confi-
dence in their abilities."
India captain Bharat Chetri con-
curred with the coach and said the
team is not going to London to
make up the numbers.
"We are not just going there
(London) to participate in the
Olympics we want to do something
for the country. A medal in London
will mean a lot for Indian hockey
as it help in reigniting interests for
the game among youngsters. Semi-
final is our first target and it is pos-
sible if every single player give his
70-80 per cent on the field," he
said.
India hockey coach Michael Nobbs
Cricket
Ultimate Bollywood 35
Thesouthasiantimes.info June 30-July 6, 2012
Asha remembers
Pancham-da, breaks down
S
inging legend Asha Bhosle
broke down while shooting
for special R.D. Burman
episode for singing reality show
"Indian Idol 6". In the episode, the
contestants are to pay a tribute to
music maestro fondly called
Pancham-da by singing his compo-
sitions. A small video was played in
remembrance of Pancham-da that
chronicled a few special moments of
Pancham and Asha during their
recordings. Asha became emotional
when a video showed Pancham-da
thanking her for motivating him to
bring the trend of Jazz and Latino to
Bollywood and inspiring him to
compose better music.
She could not control her tears
remembering the days spent with
the evergreen music composer and
credited him for all her knowledge.
R
omantic-thriller "Ek Tha
Tiger" starring Salman Khan
and Katrina Kaif will hit the-
atres on Independence Day, Aug 15,
while its trailers will be unveiled
Wednesday.
Directed by Kabir Khan and pro-
duced by Aditya Chopra, the film
will see Salman-Katrina pair on sil-
ver screen after four years. Their
last film together was 2008 release
"Yuvvraaj".
Y
esteryears superstar Rajesh
Khanna is much better but
would have to stay in the
hospital for "a couple of days", said
his estranged wife, actress Dimple
Kapadia, who is taking care of him.
"He is much better today
(Tuesday). He is not getting dis-
charged today. He will be back
home in a couple of days," Dimple
said.
The 69-year-old was admitted to
the Lilavati Hospital here Saturday.
But his recovery will perhaps take
more time. Rajesh Khanna, known
as India's first superstar, has been
battling health issues for quite some
time. His manager had said that the
actor had stopped taking food for
"three or four days".
This left fans worried, but the
actor stepped out of his Bandra bun-
galow, Aashirvad, to wave at fans
next day. Dimple and son-in-law
Akshay Kumar were at his side and
said that he was "fine".
In April, the actor was admitted to
hospital after he felt uneasy and
weak, and was discharged after
about three days.
Asha Bhosle breaks down on the sets
Rajesh Khanna
'Ek Tha Tiger' to release
on August 15
Rajesh Khanna to stay few
more days in hospital
A poster of Ek Tha Tiger.
Small films make it to big screen this weekend
Avatar 2, 3 and 4 to start
filming in September
T
he shooting of Avatar 2, 3 and 4 will begin this
September -- that was the revelation made by
Sigourney Weaver to entertainment website
Showbiz411.com, confirming that James Cameron
intended to produce a four-part saga. While promoting
TV series Political Animals, Sigourney Weaver put an
end to the endless speculation about the future of
Avatar.
The actress will indeed be involved in the new films
despite the death of her character, Grace Augustine, in
the first installment. Weaver also confirmed rumors
that James Cameron had decided to extend the futuris-
tic eco-fable to four parts, after having originally
intended to create a trilogy. The first sequel to Avatar,
the biggest box office success in the history of cinema
with takings of $2.78 billion, is not scheduled to arrive
in theaters until the end of 2014, or even the following
year, taking into account the long post-production
process needed to bring to life the graphic effects of
the flora and fauna of planet Pandora as well as its blue
inhabitants, the Navi.
N
owadays, small is big at the box
office. After san stars medium budg-
et "Gangs Of Wasseypur" set the
cash registers ringing last week, the ticket
window is gearing up for a string of small
budget movies - "Maximum", "Dal Mein
Kuch Kaala Hai" and "3 Bachelors" - com-
ing out this Friday to woo movie buffs.
"Gangs Of Wasseypur", inspired by a real
life story, is a crime thriller. Director Kabeer
Kaushik' s "Maximum", featuring actors
Sonu Sood, Naseeruddin Shah, Neha
Dhupia, Amit Sadh, Arya Babbar, Anjana
Sukhani and Vinay Pathak is also from the
same genre.
The story of the film goes back to 2003 in
Mumbai where a war against the underworld
had been declared. And the responsibility
was on two chosen officers - Pratap Pandit
(Sonu) and Arun Inaamdar (Naseer), the
shoot-out specialists.
Both are equally ruthless. Their motive is
maximum control. But they are not alone in
this game. There are other players. Moving
at every level, they take the drama through a
complex interplay of politics, land deals,
fake shootouts and dirty money.
The story moves through five long years
and ends on a railway platform.
The item number "Aa ante amalapuram" is
already popular. The other two films will - "3
Bacheors" and "Dal Me Kuch Kala Hai" -
will lighten up the mood as they are come-
dies. "Daal Mein...", Pakistani actress Veena
Malik's Bollywood debut movie, will seen
her in a double role.
The story is a tale of a budding actress,
played by Veena, who is over motivated to
become successful in Bollywood.
Dabu, a man in his forties, a total looser,
has a weak point which is luxurious life and
women. He is obsessed with this budding
actress. At some point all of a sudden he gets
rich after hitting a roll-over prize of
birthright. Dabu decides to share his destiny
and his future with her. Directed by actor
Anand Balraj, the film also features Jackie
Shroff and Vijay Raaz. On the other hand "3
Bachelors" is a humorous take young men's
love life. The story is about two young bach-
elors and one young at heart bachelor.
With actors Sharman Joshi, Manish
Nagpal, Raima Sen and Ria Sen in lead char-
acters, the film went on floors a decade back
and is seeing an abrupt release now.
The story is a mix of comedy, romance and
confusion. TV show "Astitva" fame Ajai
Sinha has directed it.
A scene from the file Maximum
Amitabh
Bachchan not
dead: Netizens
A
fake news item about
actor Amitabh
Bachchan's death in a
car accident has been doing the
rounds this week. A blog post
said, Amitabh Bachan died in
a single vehicle crash on Route
80 between Morristown and
Roswell. He was pronounced
dead at the scene by para-
medics responding to the
vehicleThe blogpost went on to
give details about the super-
star's funeral also. Memorial
services for Amitabh Bachan
have not yet been announced.
The service is expected to be a
closed casket funeral due to the
severe head trauma. Additional
details and information will be
forthcoming as they become
available.
I
was at the dentists office the other day
and came across an issue of People
magazine. On the cover was a picture
of singer Beyonc Knowles, along with the
headline Worlds Most Beautiful
Woman!
I was surprised, shocked, stunned, stupe-
fied and many other S words. Beyonc,
the most beautiful woman in the world?
Dont get me wrong. Beyonc is indeed a
beautiful woman but I thought that every-
one agreed that Aishwarya Rai is the most
beautiful woman in the world.
Indeed, when an Indian mens magazine
recently asked its websites visitors Is
Aishwarya Rai the most beautiful woman
in the world? only one percent clicked on
the response No, she isnt. Everyone else
a whopping 99 percent chose the
response: Yes, she is. Continue to free
pics of Beyonc.
Despite such overwhelming evidence,
People magazine decided to name Beyonc
the worlds most beautiful woman. I had
no choice but to call the editor of People
and get to the bottom of this.
Me: Is Beyonc really the worlds most
beautiful woman?
Editor: Yes, thats what we believe.
Me: Did you tell Aishwarya Rai?
Editor: The Bollywood actress? No, we
didnt tell her. But we informed her agent
and hes breaking the news to her gently.
Me: Was it because you thought that
Aishwarya had gained some weight? You
may have heard that some Indian publica-
tions are calling her FAT, but trust me, they
are just using an acronym for fit and
trim.
Editor: Youre kidding!
Me: Its true. Many people who are FAT
in India would be considered fit and trim
in America. Aishwarya is actually quite
slim. Im sure you already know this, but
she won the Miss World title in 1994, was
named most beautiful woman in the world
by none other than Julia Roberts, and is
still considered the most beautiful woman
in the world by 99 percent of Indian men
taking an online survey, as verified by the
independent accounting firm of Ash,
Warrior & Rye.
Editor: Thats impressive, but it really
wouldnt have affected our choice of
Beyonc. We looked at hundreds of photos
of beautiful women from around the world
and Beyonc just stood out she has this
special quality.
Me: Yes, I know she has a special quali-
ty, but I thought you looked at these
women only from the front.
Editor: We did! We try to focus on
beauty, not booty. All of us my staff and I
agreed that Beyonc is the worlds most
bootiful I mean, beautiful woman this
year.
Me: What about last year?
Editor: In 2011, the worlds most beau-
tiful woman was Jennifer Lopez.
Me: Did you tell Aishwarya?
Editor: No, we didnt tell her. But we
informed her father-in-law, Amitabh
Bachchan, and he tweeted his three million
followers to visit every magazine rack in
America and draw a mustache on J-Los
cover photo.
Me: So he took it pretty well, then.
Editor: Yes, I suppose you could say
that. By the way, do you know how I can
get rid of 10,000 Bollywood DVDs that
were dropped on our building from a heli-
copter?
Me: Just go to Edison Township, New
Jersey, and have a sidewalk sale. What
about previous years? Going back a decade
or so, who did you put on your cover as the
worlds most beautiful woman?
Editor: Julia Roberts in 2010, Christina
Applegate in 2009, Kate Hudson in 2008,
Drew Barrymore in 2007, Angelina Jolie in
2006, Julia Roberts again in 2005, Jennifer
Aniston in 2004 and Halle Berry in 2003.
Me: What do you have against poor
Aishwarya?
Editor: Nothing. We just think these
other women were really beautiful. Before
our beauty issue comes out, we spend
days poring over photos of beautiful
women from around the world some
from as far away as Alaska!
Me: Im sure your readers appreciate
how much hard work you put into this
important task searching the entire
world for the most beautiful woman. And
somehow she always seems to turn up in
America.
Editor: Yes, were quite lucky to find
her right here in America.
Me: It doesnt surprise me. According
to the U.S. State Department, America has
the worlds highest BWD (beautiful
woman density) about 25 beautiful
women per square mile, slightly less in
West Virginia. You cannot walk down the
street without running into a beautiful
woman. Maybe thats why Freida Pinto
moved from Mumbai to Los Angeles. She
was beautiful before, but now she has a
chance to be the most beautiful woman in
the entire freakin world!
36 Humor
The most beautiful woman in the world
June 30-July 6, 2012 TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Photo of the week
Humor with Melvin Durai
Naked volunteers, numbering around 1700 pose for US artist Spencer Tunick in
downtown Munich as part of the city's opera festival on Saturday. Tunick's latest
installation, 'The Ring' is inspired by Andreas Kreigenburg's new Ring cycle
production for the Bavarian State Opera. Tunick is best know for organizing
large-scale nude shoots. Since 1994, he has photographed over 75 human
installations around the world.
Aries: This week do not spend on others
just to impress them. Your expenses would
rise and it would be difficult for you to save. Avoid
spending on things that are not necessary. You
would have plenty of social gatherings to attend to,
and you would make new and important contacts.
You would easily impress members of the opposite
sex and win approval and confidence of your
clients. Do not let others make investment deci-
sions for you or losses are almost certain.
Taurus: Maintain a positive outlook to
grab the best of this week. Travelling
would help establish important and long lasting
relationships. Financial gains would pick up later
in the week, which would take care of pending
bills, jobs and proposals. This period also seems
good for taking a break from your recent hectic
schedule and relax and spend loving moments with
family members. Dont be harsh in your speech if
minor differences may arise.
Gemini: This week if you mix business
with pleasure, and socialize with col-
leagues and important clients, then you would cer-
tainly stand to gain. Your expenses are likely to rise
and you would find that money slips through your
fingers rather easily, but rapport and trust that you
would build now would go a long way in improve-
ment of your career. Transfers and promotions for
some. Residential moves and renovation during
this period will prove auspicious. Keep an eye on
your weight, avoid overeating and be regular
towards your exercise.
Cancer: Domestically this period would
be sensitive therefore be careful how you
handle your family members. Difference of opin-
ion would create an uneasy atmosphere at home
making you tensed most of the time. Avoid con-
frontations and arguments, as it would lead to
nowhere. Contacts that you make during this week
would teach you new things, some of which you
can put to use to your benefit. Property or vehicle
transactions seem quite likely for some. Keep away
expensive and injurious tools and equipment from
the reach of children.
Leo: Insincere gestures of friendliness are
likely to occur. Try to stay away from indi-
viduals whom you find difficult to get along with.
Obstacles that have been pulling your morale down
recently seem to get over. Try not to overspend on
visitors and guests, although gifts and presents dur-
ing this period would be plenty. Family members
will be supportive and caring. Do not sign any
legal documents or papers without consulting a
lawyer.
Virgo: This week travel would entice you,
however your tendency to overspend
would create problems at home. Fresh business
opportunities would come through most unexpect-
ed sources. Making decisions after discussing mat-
ters would help you build a better rapport with col-
leagues, co-workers and partners. Opportunities to
go out with friends will be informative and pleasur-
able. Its time to look after the needs of your chil-
dren as they will look forward to you for knowl-
edge and assistance.
Libra: This week your professional
approach to your work is going to enhance
your position and bring you immediate gains. Past
efforts will result in unexpected gains, add to your
new income, and keep you financially comfortable.
Your ability to come up with quick solutions will
keep you in the forefront. A relatively good period
to enter into new business alliance or to finalize a
real estate deal. New relations and attachments
will develop as a result of vacation and other recre-
ational activities.
Scorpio: This week dont expect people to
perform miracle for you rather make you
own plans and decisions and you shall never regret.
Empty promises are certain from people whom you
trust the most, but dont let this effect your moral
and lower your work performance. Set yourself new
goals, and rewards will come with time. Overseas
news and business offers for some. You will find
travelling benefiting and highly motivating.
Sagittarius: This week take care of any
medical problems that you or one of your
family members may have been ignoring for some
time. You would have sufficient time for yourself
therefore you should not ignore your health and
looks at any costs. You can always fall back on
your family members for some advice. Do not take
any hasty decision and stay away from any form of
gambling and speculation. Yoga and meditation
will improve physical as well as mental health.
Foreign related matters would take shape.
Capricorn: This week concentrate on your
work as someone at a higher position is
keeping an eye on you. Your morale and spirits
seem to be high and if you show results as expect-
ed monetary gains and other, benefits cannot be
ruled out. Expand your circle of friends by joining
new clubs and participating in social activities. A
visit to a religious place or a religious person is
high on the cards for some of you. Take extra care
while driving.
Aquarius: This week meeting people in
your trade would be beneficial. Children
and spouse would provide care and love. Guests
and visitors will bring you gifts in cash and kind.
Going out with friends will be exciting and you
will learn new and different skills. Your enthusiasm
and energy will make you a star at social gather-
ings. Avoid committing yourself into any new joint
ventures
Pisces: This week expenses rise but help
from others will take care of your needs.
Romance clouds your mind and you will find it
extremely difficult to concentrate on important
work. Pleasure trips for some will be educating.
Little time for meditation and yoga will be impor-
tant for mental as well as physical gains.
Investment needs to be handled with care.
Someone close to you will get easily upset if
behave insensitive to their needs. Do not overspend
just to impress others.
June 30:
Governed by number 3 and the planet Jupiter, you
are energetic, honorable, ambitious, dignified and an
intelligent person. You are a person with outstand-
ing personality and ability to make many friends.
You are always appreciated for your sincerity and
commitment, but your need to check your tendency
to behave over ambitious and dictatorial at times.
This year new plans and projects will be alluring but
instant gains might not be possible. Great period for
consultants and brokers. Investment is definitely rec-
ommended but sudden losses due to thoughtless de-
cisions cannot be ruled out. New romance for some
as others get involved in a matrimonial wedlock.
Distant pilgrimage is certain later in the year. Dont
be too friendly with strangers and avoid disclosing
your plans, as chances of deceit are very strong. Be
extra careful while lending money and take extra
care of your jewelry, precious gifts and items. The
months of October, December, March and May will
be important.
July 01:
Influenced by number 1 and the Sun, you are active,
energetic, determined, responsible and original. You
are creative and highly result oriented person, but
you need to curb your tendency to behave reckless,
spendthrift and stubborn at times. You would get
great deal of satisfaction from your work this year.
New sources of income will improve your financial
position and your confidence will be at its peak. Pro-
fessional changes if done towards the middle of the
year will prove to be beneficial. Family responsibil-
ities will escalate and people at home will be more
demanding. Real-estate transaction towards the
yearend should bring monetary gains. The months of
August, November and February will be result ori-
ented.
July 02:
Influenced by number 2 and the Moon. You are ac-
tive, smart, energetic, responsible, systematic and a
friendly person. You are never satisfied until you
achieve your dreams. You can really do wonders
with the given opportunities but you need to check
your tendency to behave stubborn and fickle-mind-
ed at times. This year you would place yourself in a
much better position, both socially and financially.
Your high confidence and morale will benefit you in
your career. Your income would rise, but you would
also spend more on luxuries making it extremely dif-
ficult for you to plan any savings. You will expect
very highly from your beloved, which might be the
reason for some problems at times. Understanding
the needs of each other would be essential to main-
tain the harmony at home. Property disputes or long
pending matters may be decided amicably towards
the end of the year. The months of July, October and
March will be highly important.
July 03:
Governed by number 3 and the planet Jupiter. You
are a practical, energetic, business minded, brilliant
and an optimistic person. Youre co-operative and
helpful and enjoy great respect in your friends cir-
cle, but you need to check your tendency to behave
jealous and stubborn at times. New sources of in-
come will improve your financial position. New
contracts will be highly beneficial. Frequent and
fruitful journeys will be undertaken bringing you de-
sired results. A property transaction or acquiring a
new vehicle during this period seems likely. Visit to
a religious place or blessings from a spiritual person
will be high on your agenda. Your outgoing nature
will work to your advantage as you gain favors and
benefits from important people. The months of July,
August, November and April will bring prosperity.
July 04:
Ruled by number 4 and the planet Uranus. You are
generous, peace loving, dashing, systematic, disci-
plined, artistic character and introvert in nature. You
possess a strong memory and an ability to impress
others with your intelligent and witty conversation,
but you need to control your tendency to be extrav-
agant, reckless and moody at times. This year you
are advised not to trust others on important issues.
Sharing personal and secretive information will not
be in your interest. The atmosphere at office will re-
quire you to handle important jobs with more re-
sponsibility. A sudden influence of a spiritual person
will bring remarkable change in your life. Your
spouse and family members will be supportive to
your concerns and provide you with love and affec-
tion. Distant journeys, maybe overseas for some will
fetch favorable returns. The months of July, Sep-
tember, November and January will prove to be sig-
nificant.
July 05:
Ruled by number 5 and the planet Mercury, you are
active, intelligent, sensible, systematic and highly
courageous. You are a great admirer of music and lit-
erature, but you need to curb your tendency to be-
have moody, spendthrift and careless at times. This
year you will make good financial gains, provided
you take advantage of the opportunities being pro-
vided to you. Your charisma and outgoing personal-
ity will bring you popularity and win you favors.
Home front will be peaceful with family members
extending all possible help and cooperation. Spouse
and children will look after you well, but be highly
demanding at times. Wedding bells for some in the
last quarter of the year while others will find ro-
mance to keep them in the right spirit and good
mood. The months of September, October, Decem-
ber and February will prove to be important and
eventful.
July 06:
Ruled by number 6 and the planet Venus, you are
generous, practical, energetic, original and a simple
person. Your hard-work and sincerity are appreciat-
ed by others but your tendency to behave extrava-
gant and to interfere in the affairs of others attracts
enormous criticism at times. The coming year sees
new ideas and plans materializing. Perfect year that
will improve your earning power and let you estab-
lish important relationships. Support from your sen-
iors and colleagues, will boost your morale and gen-
erate new confidence. Overseas assignments for
some will be lucrative. Spouse will provide love and
care, but behave highly possessive and unpre-
dictable.
A journey preferably to a distant location towards the
yearend cannot be ruled out. The month of Septem-
ber, November and March will prove to be highly re-
sult oriented.
Astrology 37
TheSouthAsianTimes.info June 30-July 6, 2012
By Dr Prem Kumar Sharma
Chandigarh, India: +91-172- 256 2832, 257 2874
Delhi, India: +91-11- 2644 9898, 2648 9899
psharma@premastrologer.com; www.premastrologer.com
Stars Foretell: June 30-July 6, 2012 Annual Predictions: For those born in this week
i) Accurate Data: Please make sure Date,
Time and Place of birth is accurate.
ii) Careful: Did you check background of the
astrologer before disclosing your secrets.
iii) Fee: Discuss the charges before, dont feel
shy. Its his business.
iv) Expectation: Expect the best, if the out-
come is not as desired, never give up.
v) Consult: Take second opinion before
spending thousands on cure/remedies.
Learn about the fair value of
diamonds & precious stones.
from a Gems Expert
For appointment, please call 516-390-7847
or email consult.gems@gmail.com
A special offer for the readers of
The South Asian Times
Before you consult...
Free Consultation
38 Spiritual Awareness
June 30-July 6, 2012 TheSouthAsianTimes.info
M
illions of people go to the
movies. A movie may last
two or three hours. People
have no trouble shutting out the rest
of their worldly responsibilities,
including their children at home
with the babysitter, or even their
Blackberry or text messages, during
the movie, without any problems.
Yet, how is it that when it comes to
sitting still to concentrate within in
meditation, we cannot concentrate
for more than a few minutes?
Staying silent for any reason
begins with desire and passion.
Whatever we want to do we can
achieve. If we have a desire to
improve our body, we learn how to
silence any distractions to accom-
plish our goal. If we desire to
improve our mind or entertain our
mind, we have no trouble silencing
any interruptions to achieve our
desired outcome.
Look at all the amazing tasks
humans do when they have a desire
and how they put in time to make
their dreams a reality. For example,
people have figured out how to put
a human being on the moon. Who
could imagine that someone walk-
ing on earth, pulled down by gravi-
ty, could rise out of the earths grav-
itational pull, travel through oxy-
gen-less space, land on a moon,
without any oxygen, walk on that
lifeless surface, and come back
alive. It is remarkable. Yet, someone
had the dream to make it happen
and then set in motion all the neces-
sary steps for it to become a reality.
If we can put a physical body on a
moon, why cannot we take our spir-
it and return it to the spiritual realms
from where it came? All it takes is
the desire to do so and a will to fol-
low the instructions to make it hap-
pen, and it will happen.
Another example of making a
dream into a reality is that of the
astronauts who are able to leave the
space shuttle to do a spacewalk
safely and even make repairs or
upgrades to the ship. Is that any-
thing less than amazing?
Some people are afraid to lean out
their window on a second floor or
higher lest they fall. Yet, astronauts
venture out to space, where there is
no oxygen, and face dangers such as
the cord breaking, causing them to
float off to their death in space. Yet,
these people put their mind to doing
these feats and achieved it.
If we ever watched the Olympics,
we are awed by the tremendous
feats that athletes train themselves
to do with their physical bodies. We
marvel at their ski jumps, hurdles,
gymnastics routines, or amazing
triple jumps while skating. We won-
der how they can hurl their body
into the air and do all those gyra-
tions, seemingly defying laws of
gravity. Yet, they set their mind to it
and their body followed along.
In marathon races people test their
stamina and endurance to run miles
and miles. We marvel at how they
do it. Yet, they had a goal and
worked day after day to increase
their ability to run. They not only
trained their body, but they trained
their mind to keep at the task until
they achieved their goal.
Some people can barely swim
across a pool, yet there are people
who train themselves to swim the
English Channel. We wonder how it
is possible. But someone had that
desire and worked hard to make it
happen.
If we look at the field of medi-
cine, we marvel at how doctors
have created ways to transplant an
organ such as the heart or do deli-
cate brain surgery. For centuries no
one could have dreamed these treat-
ments possible, yet people had the
idea to develop these methods, and
they worked hard to make it reality.
The mind is a great tool to use to
achieve a goal. All the great inven-
tions, innovations, and creations
have come about due to the power
of the mind. The question is, why
cant we control our mind to sit still
to concentrate within?
For success in any field, we need
a ruling passion and commitment.
When we do not succeed at a task it
is because we take it as a low priori-
ty. Then, we do not have the will to
do it. We are focused on all the
other aspects of life. Success
requires us weeding out those time-
wasters or distractions that keep us
from achieving our goal.
In this connection, there is a story
from a novel that illustrates this
point well. Five people were being
held in a prison camp during a war.
They found there was only one way
for them to escape. They had to
escape in a hot air balloon. They
were able to escape to an area where
a hot air balloon was being kept and
were able to lift off before the
guards discovered them. As they
sailed off, they discovered to their
horror, that the wind was blowing
them over the ocean. They drifted
further and further away from land
and were fearful of how long the hot
air balloon would stay up. They
drifted for many hours over the
ocean waters and then discovered
that the balloon was descending,
getting closer to the waters surface.
One of them said, "We are going
to crash into the ocean unless we
either heat the air in the balloon or
get rid of some weight." Another
said, "We have no way to heat the
air in the balloon so we have to
reduce the weight by throwing
something overboard."
They took stock of what they had
with them. They decided to throw
overboard their shoes, coats, and
weapons which they had smuggled
out with them when they escaped.
As they threw these items into the
ocean, they each took a sigh of
relief as the balloon rose higher.
Hours more passed. Soon, they
realized the hot air balloon was
descending again. What were they
to do now?
As they neared the oceans sur-
face, they discussed what to do. All
they had left to throw overboard
was their small supply of food. With
no choice, they threw overboard
their food.
As one said, "It is better to be
hungry than to drown." They fig-
ured they could live for days with-
out food, whereas if they kept the
weight of the food, it would mean
certain death for all five of them by
drowning if the hot air balloon fell
into the ocean. The balloon rose
again and all were relieved.
Hours more passed. Again, the
solution to throw overboard the
food was only temporary. Without
heat for the air in the balloon, it
started flying lower and lower,
again nearing the surface of the
water.
"Now what?" they wondered.
There was nothing left to throw
overboard. Finally, one of the men
had an idea. It was their last resort.
They could cut the ropes that held
the basket in which they were rid-
ing. The basket was heavy, strong
enough to hold five men and their
supplies. If the balloon did not have
that weight to carry, it could stay
aloft.
"But how will we be saved?"
asked one of the other men.
The man with the idea said, "We
will each tie all the ropes together
strongly to form a basket out of the
ropes, and we will sit on the ropes
hanging from the balloon once we
release the basket from the ropes."
The men knew they would have to
hold on to the ropes for their lives,
but there was no other hope for
them. The men began to cut away
the basket beneath their feet and tie
the ropes together as support for
them. As they did so, the hot air bal-
loon had less weight pulling it down
and it rose up again.
As they sat, sitting on the support
of the ropes only and holding on for
their lives, a welcome sight greeted
them. They were nearing land. As
their hot air balloon reached close
enough range for them to swim to
land, they jumped off and swam to
the island safely.
The story has an instructive les-
son. Each time they were faced with
the possibility of their death, they
had to toss out something they con-
sidered the least necessary. They
first decided that their lives were
more important than their clothing.
Next, they had to choose between
their lives and food. They decided
they could live without the food for
a few days. Finally, they had to
decide between their lives and the
comfort of the basket. Each time
they had to discard something less
necessary than what their chosen
goal was.
For success in life, especially on
the spiritual path, we must do the
same. In our case, it is a matter of
discarding time-wasters. What are
those things that are keeping us
from our chosen goal?
Sant Darshan Singh Ji Maharaj
said beautifully in a verse:
Begin to live your life according
to your aspirations,
And step towards your chosen
goal.
Our trouble is that we have not
yet made up our mind what our
aspirations are. One day we say we
want God, but the next day we want
to make a lot of money. Then, the
next day we want to have a physi-
cally fit body. Then, the next day we
want to travel and see the world. We
do not stick with one goal long
enough to have success. We allow
the chatter of the world to sway us
from our goal.
If our goal is to find God, we need
to stay still, physically and mentally,
in meditation. This requires us to
quiet the distracting voices that call
to us from the world outside and
from our own mind. We need to set
our sights on our spiritual goal and
silence all other distractions.
We do not realize what a great gift
simran is. We do not have to worry
about silencing our mind by our-
selves. We can repeat the five
Charged Names given to us at the
time of our holy initiation as a way
to silence the mind. While repeating
the five Charged Names, our mind
is automatically silenced. The
Names do not allow any space for
our own thoughts to distract us.
Simran is a powerful tool given to
us by the attention of the Master to
help us silence our mind. All we
need to do is make a decision. What
is that decision? We need to decide
that we want to find God and that
we are willing to put in time to
meditate. If we make that choice,
then all we need to do is sit still and
keep quiet. Five magic wordssit
still and keep quiet. Repeating sim-
ran helps our mind stay quiet. In
this way, we will be still long
enough for God to have a chance to
meet us and greet us. God will have
a chance to bathe us with the Light
and Sound. Absorbed in the Light
and Sound, we will rise on that
Current to meet the radiant form of
the Master. The Master will then
guide us through the higher spiritual
realms until our soul reunites with
God. Let us stay still for God. If we
can do so long enough, we will find
we can achieve our lifelong goal
and desireto be one with the lov-
ing Lord.
Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj is
an internationally recognized spiri-
tual leader and Master of Jyoti
Meditation who affirms the tran-
scendent oneness at the heart of all
religions and mystic traditions,
emphasizing ethical living and med-
itation as building blocks for
achieving inner and outer peace.
www.sos.org.
Concluding part of the discourse Stay still for God
Distractions keep us from achieving our goal
By Sant Rajinder Singh
Ji Maharaj
Our trouble is that we have not yet made up our
mind what our aspirations are. One day we say
we want God but the next day we want to make
a lot of money. The next day we want to have a
physically fit body. Then we want to travel and
see the world. We do not stick with one goal
long enough to have success. We allow the
chatter of the world to sway us from our goal.

You might also like