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Friday, December 05 2014 | Vol. 33, No. 49

Indo American erican News

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back to College Station from a trip to New Orleans when a pickup truck from the opposite direction crossed the center line and entered their lane. The students and the truck driver, identified as Roman Polawco, a resident of Cleveland, Texas, were immediately rushed to area hospitals. All five students are international stu-

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December 05, 2014

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COMMUNITY

December 05, 2014

Art of Living Leader Raises Funds for Endangered Yezidis

BY HAJI HAMIKA HOUSTON: The spiritual leader, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, on behalf of International Association of Human Values a sister concern of Art of Living Foundation, traveled to Ebril, Iraq to host the “Protecting Women & Bringing Peace and Stability” conference in conjunction with the Kurdistan Regional Government, on November 19 and 20. During his visit Sri Sri Ravi Shankar visited the Yezidis refugee camps at Lalish, which is their principal holy site. On behalf of IAHV, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar committed to raise funds in the USA and provide humanitarian aid to the refugees in the Yezidi camps. More than 110 tons of relief material including blankets, food and medical aid has been airdropped on Mount Sinjar, after the conclusion of the conference. The Art of living has been helping provide emotional support and aid to the rescued victims, helping them to integrate back in the society and start a new life. Omer Mirza Enez, a Yezidi Community leader from Sinjar Mountain, has been fighting against ISIL since the beginning of ISIL’s attack on Sinjar city on August 3. He said, “the Yezidis are facing the worst genocide of this century, with thousands of Yezidis stranded without food, water or medical supplies and have to rely on scarce supplies which is airdropped by the armed forces. This includes the Yezidis on the top of Sinjar Mountain, and the displaced Yezidis in Refugee camps in Kurdistan Regional Areas.” According to one 18 year-old Yezidi fighter, fighting against ISIS in Sinjar city, injured fighters are not getting the required medical attention, and many are losing their limbs due to gangrene. Yezidis are raising their voice in hope that the Governments of various countries and humanitarian organizations will step up to help save the Yezidis from extinction.

INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 05, 2014 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM

December 05, 2014

INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 05, 2014 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM

COMMUNITY

December 05, 2014

BY HOMI DAVIER HOUSTON: The Zoroastrian Association of Houston announced two winners for the 2014 congress2000legacy awards in recognition of the academic excellence of their youth going off to college and their contribution to the ZAH center through community service. The awards were handed out at a spectacular Navroz evening dinner setting at the ZAH Center on West Airport. The chief guest was an Iranian of Zarathushti descent with lineage going back to Kerman, Iran, Dr. Parvin Behroozi Bagherpour, the Associate ViceChancellor of International Student Services and Study Abroad at Houston Community College. She has over 30 years of experience in education including teaching, counseling and administration. Bagherpour presented both the winners with their checks and certificates of achievement. She also presented Aban Rustomji a special recognition certificate for her dedication and contribution to the congress2000legacy project. This year, again, competi-

Farzad Sunavala

Aban Rustomji receives award from Dr. Bagherpour and Homi Davier

Tanaz Sunavala accepting the award on behalf of Farzad from Dr. Bagherpour

Natalya Haveliwala receives award from Dr. Bagherpour

tion was fierce, and it took careful deliberation for the selection committee to come up with two winners. This year’s winners are Natalya Haveliwala who received the congress2000legacy award and Farzad Sunavala who received the Cyrus Rohinton Desai award. Both are commended on their achievements, dedication, and contributions. Both awards recognize ZAH students who have achieved excellence in their scholastic studies, in extra-curricular activities and who have made substantial contribution to community affairs. The congress2000 legacy award was established from funds generated after the success of World Zoroastrian Congress 2000 and additional grants. The award recognizes young ZAH students who are studying at the University level. The Cyrus Rohinton Desai Award for $3,000 was set up by the Desai family in memory of their son, a courageous young Houstonian who lost his battle with cancer. It was Cyrus’s ardent desire to go to college but sadly this was not meant to be and so this award is given exclusively to the person who is going off to college. This year the panel of judges were; Dr. Beheruz N. Sethna; Dr. Poras T. Balsara; Dr Yezdi H. Godiwalla, Dr. Tinaz Pavri; Dr. Farah Shroff; and the ZAH Youth representative on the committee Pearline E Collector. The Legacy committee of Aban Rustomji, Dr Farrokh Mistree, Pearline Collector, Percy Behramsha and Vispi Sagar, under the Chair Homi Davier have worked hard over the past nine years to continue the tradition of offering the awards, and bid adieu to Rustomji with a parting award.

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ZAH Makes Awards at Congress2000 Legacy Ceremony

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December 05, 2014

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December 05, 2014

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COMMUNITY

December 05, 2014

Steadfast Ayyappa Devotees Get the Gratiﬁcation of Annadanam at MTS

Beautifully decorated Aiyyappa Sri Guruswamy Venkatesan thanking the devotees resplendent at the Puja with the that were enjoying the grand feast after the eighteen steps at Sri Meenakshi Aiyyappa Puja at MTS Temple

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BY CHITOOR RAMACHANDRAN PEARLAND: The month of karthigai (vrichikam) (Nov-Dec) makes the premises of Sri Meenakshi Temple vibrant with numerous festive events individually distinct in the importance, intent and tradition. The 41 days of austere Ayyappa vrutham (Mandalam) and the associated worship of Sri Ayyappa (Sri Dharma Shasta) conspicuously bring out several disciplines recommended to take up in the spiritual path of life. The divine Sharana ghosham fill the air. Ancient Hindu literature mentions about Sri Dharma Shastha as the authority of righteousness. According to the legend, Sri Dharma Shasta took birth in this world as Sri Ayyappa as a protector of His devotees in the present Kali Yuga. Sri Ayyappa reinstates the moral values in the society that are degraded during Kali Yuga. When the purpose of his incarnation was over, Sri Ayyappa merged with Sri Dharma Shastha. Sri Ayyappa symbolizes a combination of powers represented by Sriman Narayana , the power that protects the universe, and Sri Mahadeva, the power that periodically re-absorbs the expressions in reality. Sri Ayyappa combines both these aspects of Brahman. Sri Ayyappa reminds us of the fact that there is no difference between the Brahman within all of us, irrespective of our physical and manmade demarcations. Vedic scholars refer to the mahavakyam (Great Saying) ‘ Tat Twam Asi ‘ which frequently appears in Chandogya Upanishad ‘Tat Twam Asi’ and its relevance to Sri Ayyappa has been explained in many Hindu texts. The meaning of “Tat Twam Asi” is ‘ That thou art ‘, which refers to our experience of identity with Brahman. Everyone who takes

the vow to observe Ayyappa vrutham is addressed as ‘Ayyappa’- a symbolic way to recognize that they share the same divinity of the Lord within them. Strict adherence to the rules the Ayyappas follow is to help them purify themselves externally and internally (mind, action, body, diet etc.). The basic principle that is modeled in the vrutham is that such austerities will create a habit that eventually will transform the way they treat others with respect, since others share the same divinity (satvic). According to the tradition, for those who intend to seek the darshan at Sabari malai (the abode of Sri Ayyappa), vrutham is essential. More information on Ayyappa vrutham is available in www. HoustonAyyappas.com. Special worship is conducted daily in the shrine of Sri Ayyappa at Sri Meenakshi Temple throughout the season of Mandalam, led by Priest Sri R. K. E Parameswaran. Among the charitable activities MTS and Ayyappa devotees engage in, donating or sharing food (annadanam) is considered the most virtuous. The annual tradition of Shastha Preethi (Pooja followed by a Grand feast) was held on November 29 at MTS with unprecedented attendance of several hundred devotees. This tradition is highly revered by ardent Hindus. It is believed that Sri Ayyappa Himself joins in the feast sitting next to the devotee. Therefore, participating in Shashtha Preethi is considered a blessing. Many volunteers under the leadership of Sri Guruswamy Venkatesan and the RAC team of MTS deserve great appreciation. MTS extends helping hands to the hungry during the holiday season by collecting and donating food items to the needy.

INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 05, 2014 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM

COMMUNITY

December 05, 2014

New Temple in Katy Holds Prayers for World Peace KATY: On November 16, Tompkins High School was vibrated with vedicchants. On the occasion of Kartika Masam, Sri Shirdi Sai Durga Shiva Venkateswara Temple (www.sdsvt. org) conducted rudrabhishekam and satyanarayan vratam with seventy five families for the benefit of the new temple

in katy and for world peace. The members of sdsvt said, it was a successful program and all the Hindu families who attended and live in Katy are very happy that they have a new temple for them to perform rituals.

The founders would like to encourage people to visit the new temple and support generously. For further information about the temple, visit www.sdsvt.org, or call Pundit Udayakumara Sharma @ 713-933-8821.

INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 05, 2014 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM

COMMUNITY

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COMMUNITY

December 05, 2014

Diwali Food Bank Drive: Collective Effort by the Hindus of Greater Houston HGH Food Bank Drive: Delivered $8000 and 2000 lbs Food.

For advertising Call: Vanshika Vipin

713.789.NEWS (6397) Participating temples/ organizations: Arya Samaj, Chinmaya Mission, Meenakshi Temple, VPSS, Ashta Lakshmi Temple, Preksha Meditation Center, Mahatma Gandhi Library, Sewa International.

BY DR. VENUGOPAL MENON HOUSTON: The several temples and organizations of Houston under the banner of the Hindus of Greater Houston donated about 2000 pounds of food and $8000 in cash to the Houston Food Bank, thus collectively joining hands and showing a combined presence of Hindus in the city. Arya Samaj took the leadership as they have done during the past several years by gathering the major share of the contribution. Sri Meenakshi Temple, Mahatma Gandhi Library, Preksha Meditation Center, VPSS, Chinmaya Mission and Ashtalakshmi temple were the other main participants. Each organization requested their members to donate, kept boxes for them to drop off food items

and offer monetary contributions. The collected food and cash were delivered through Arya Samaj or directly to the Food Bank. Sewa International was equally part of this collective effort as their 29 volunteers provided 58 hours of volunteer service at the Houston Food Bank . Anshuman Desai was the coordinator, who organized the details of operation and guided the various units through their respective volunteers. It was decided that instead of acting separately, the Hindus of Houston should organize the efforts and help the noble cause as a unified body. And there is no better time to feed the hungry and help the needy than Diwali. With more enhanced and organized efforts we can gradually and substantially improve our con-

tributions in the coming years. It is important that Hindus stay organized and be recognized as one group for our belief and the profound principles that we believe in. As the third largest practiced faith group, such efforts will help establish our presence in the community and bring in more awareness and understanding of us.

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www.indoamerican-news.com INDO AMERICAN NEWS â€˘ FRIDAY, DECEMBER 05, 2014 â€˘ ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM

12 December 05, 2014

COMMUNITY Refugee Youth are Receiving Help from Sewa International

Volunteers working with Refugee kids at Los Arcos

HOUSTON: An unanticipated need for educational support for refugee youth has developed at the Los Arcos apartments in Southwest Houston. Each day, an increasing number of refugee children approach Sewa International’s field office asking for help with their homework. Refugees face a host

of vulnerabilities when adjusting to their new lives in the United States. They face educational, economic, and linguistic barriers. Refugee youth, in particular, are at risk for educational gaps that later result in limited employment opportunities and reduced quality of life. To address these short-

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ages, it is important to recognize the unique needs of refugees and provide resources to address them. With the support of its staff, volunteers, and community members, Sewa International is working to develop an afterschool tutoring program for refugee youth at the Los Arcos apartments. Sewa International’s Refugee Empowerment program provides long term empowerment services to refugees and immigrants in Houston, including educational support, mentorship, and various health services throughout the year. Sewa International has a field office at the Los Arcos Apartments in Southwest Houston, where several of these services are provided. Sewa International first began working with Bhutanese refugees in 2008, when they first started arriving in the United States. For several years, Sewa International has worked with Bhutanese refugees to address their needs as they work to adjust to drastic changes that life in the United States entails. Sewa International is a nonprofit organization that works to provide various long-term services to families of diverse backgrounds, including family services workshops, yoga classes, and empowerment programs for refugees and immigrants. Our mission is to serve humanity in distress, aid local communities, and promote volunteerism. For further information, contact Ruba Alafifi at americorpshouston@sewausa.org.

INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 05, 2014 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM

COMMUNITY

December 05, 2014

Indian Film Festival of Houston at IFFI, Goa

PANAJI, INDIA: Exotic Goa, specially its capital Panaji, was transformed overnight with illuminated trees and glamorized peacocks to welcome the 45th edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) from the 20 to the 30 of November, which was inaugurated by the Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Arun Jaitley. The chief guest for the event was Amitabh Bachchan and Rajinikanth was conferred with the Special Centenary Award for Indian film personality on the opening night. Invited to this prestigious event was the delegation from the Indian Film Festival of Houston (IFFH) led by Sutapa Ghosh, Founder and Festival Director and Amey Prakash, President. They were accompanied by Atul Badwal and Parul Fernandes, board members of IFFH. 75 countries were rep-

resented in the festival in which over 140 movies were screened. In preparation for the upcoming Indian Film Festival of Houston which will be held from March 3 to the 6, 2015, many meetings were held by director Sutapa Ghosh and Amey Prakash. It was a hectic and fulfilling event for the IFFH delegation but proved to be extremely fruitful. The Festival Director, Sutapa Ghosh announced that, starting next year, which is the 7th edition of IFFH, there will be a dedicated screening night at the Festival for a sister city of Houston. For 2015, the sister city paired with IFFH will be Nice, France. For further information, visit http://iffhinc.org/

From left: Amey Prakash, Seema Biswas, Sutapa Ghosh, and Parul Fernandes.

From left: Parul Fernandes, Atul Badwal, Amey Prakash, Sutapa Ghosh and in the front Gulzar.

From left: Atul Badwal, Vishal Bhardwaj, Sutapa Ghosh, Amey Prakash, Parul Fernandes. INDO AMERICAN NEWS â€˘ FRIDAY, DECEMBER 05, 2014 â€˘ ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM

14 December 05, 2014

COMMUNITY

Sankara Eye Foundation Brings Award Winning Community Eye Care to Rajasthan Rajasthan, literally means,” land of kings” and conjures the rich vibrant colors of the culturally rich and artistic part of India. Endowed with natural beauty and a great history, tourism is a flourishing industry in Rajasthan, ranking it among the fourth highest among Indian states in attracting tourist visitors. Unfortunately, Rajasthan is also ranked the highest in blindness prevalence among the other states in India and depriving much of its rural poor from experiencing the rich and colorful state of Rajasthan. Along with Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan ranks highest with > 2% prevalence compared to 0.8% in other countries in the South Asian region of WHO(World Health Organization). Sankara Eye Foundation (SEF) is proud to bring its years of experience building stateof the-art hospitals and delivering rural community eye care across India, to the state of Rajasthan.

Sankara’s motto is to take comprehensive high quality free eye care services to the doorsteps of the poor who are least likely to seek out help. It is a daunting task with over 55 million people with visual impairment in India but Sankara’s tireless efforts have enabled: Establish Nine state of the art Hospitals Perform more than 1.2 million free eye surgeries as of 2014 Achieve four star rating from Charity Navigator multiple times Recognize as one of the largest free community eye care institution in the world Achieve numerous National awards in India for excellence This rich experience of community eye care will now bring the magic of light to the state of Rajasthan. SEF completed land procurement for the 225 bed community eye hospital in Jodhpur on Jan 14th 2014 and construc-

tion on this 2.12 acre plot will be started as soon as $2M are raised. The address of hospital location is Khasara No 126, Uchiyarda, Defence Lab Road, Jodhpur, 342006 and the name of the Village is Uchiyarda. When completed, the hospital will serve the districts of Jaisalmer, Barmer, Jalor, Pali, Ajmer, Nagaur, Bikaner in a phased manner. This effort from SEF along with the support of its donors can bring about a change to

the reputation of Rajasthan as the state with the highest need of community eye care. SEF is seeking the help of donor community for the Jodhpur hospital . An anonymous donor has challenged to match one million dollars for upcoming Jodhpur Hospital. Join the matching challenge for the Jodhpur hospital by donating $ 1,000 or $ 500 (with company match) to become a founding donor and have yours or

your loved ones’ name on the wall of the hospital for the life time of the hospital of your choice. Visit www.giftofvision.org or contact the SEF Houston Team via email sefhouston@giftofvision.org for more details. This festival season, Give the “Gift of Vision” Contact: Dr. Rajender Aparasu Telephone: 713-429-4520 Email: aparasu@giftofvision.org

Home Invasions Stoke Fears Among Indian-Americans in New Jersey BY JASON GRANT EDISON, N.J: Neetu Singh was headed for the trash with a diaper from her 4-year-old son. She made her way from the family room to the back porch of her home in this Middlesex County suburb. The lights were off outside, and beyond the family’s corner lot and

its six-foot-high fence, the neighborhood was still. Then as Ms. Singh started to slide open the glass door, she was set upon, overpowered by three assailants who sprang from the darkness. The men, their faces almost completely sheathed in black knit caps, burst in waving guns. “Be quiet. Where is the money?” Ms.

Singh said they demanded. “Out of nowhere, there are like six hands pushing me, that was the first sight,” Ms. Singh, 40, said in an interview this week, recalling the 25-minute home invasion and robbery in late October that has helped stoke anxiety in a string of Indian-American communities in central New Jersey. The Singhs were the fifth Indian-American family in Middlesex County robbed at gunpoint in their homes since Oct. 20. All but one of the robberies took place in late October, during and just after the roughly weeklong Hindu festival of Diwali, when families often have gold jewelry on hand as part of their celebration. The family of Rajesh Singh became the fifth IndianAmerican family in Middlesex County to be robbed in their homes since Oct. 20. Credit Ben Solomon for The New York Times But the most recent home invasion, on Saturday in Old Bridge, raised fears that the series of rob-

Mr. Singh’s home in Edison, N.J

beries in the county may not be over. In each case, the gunmen pointed their weapons at victims’ heads, tied the victims up and ransacked the houses, apparently looking for gold. Gold is often worn during the festival, and is prized inside homes during the celebration, community members said. The Singhs were robbed of tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of necklaces, rings, earrings and pendants. The police and prosecutors have not publicly linked the five home invasions, which occurred in Edison, Old Bridge and South Plainfield. But the robberies have been similar, and this area of New Jersey is home to large communities of Indian-Americans. On Nov. 12, the county prosecutor, Andrew Carey, appeared on TV Asia, a station watched by many Indian-Americans, to warn them and to talk about securing their homes. Peter Kothari, a community activist, said that thefts from unoccupied homes had been a problem in some years but that the spree of home invasions over the last several weeks was a drastic and violent escalation of crimes apparently driven by the festival. No serious injuries have been reported. The latest robbery, on Saturday evening, confounded Mr. Kothari, given that the festival was over.

“Why is it happening now, well after?” he said in an interview on Monday. Mr. Kothari and some other Edison residents said they were not happy with the prosecutor, Mr. Carey, and the three towns’ police departments. Mr. Kothari, for instance, wanted to know why no descriptions of the suspects had been released. He had also repeatedly asked Mr. Carey to call a news conference to bring more attention to the robberies, he said. “The first, second, third home invasion, O.K., you don’t think it’s a pattern,” Mr. Kothari said. “But after the third, you agree it is a pattern, but yet you don’t want to talk to the press?” A spokesman for the Middlesex County prosecutor’s office, James O’Neill, on Tuesday declined to explain why the office had not released descriptions of suspects or why it would not discuss the similarities in the crimes. Mr. Kothari said the crimes were most certainly aimed at Indian-Americans and needed to be treated as such. “They are coming after Indian-Americans because they think they are passive people, they are not going to fight back — and most of them are well-to-do people,” he said. “We will fight back.” -NewYork Times.com

INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 05, 2014 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM

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December 05, 2014

Lighthouse for the Blind’s Shining Light of Guidance

BY SMRITI ASHOK HOUSTON: For our third YLDP session on November 15, we paid a visit to the Lighthouse for the Blind on the basis of Philanthropy and Charity. There, we heard Gibson DuTerroil, President of the Lighthouse for the Blind, and Sandhya Rao, a frequent visitor of the organization, speak about the establishment and give insight about its purpose and its impact

on the community. DuTerroil gave us a brief summary of the establishment’s purpose and goals and showed us around while pointing out how the building’s features were designed to help the blind. Rao told us her life story; she gave us details about her condition and how she overcame obstacles to become the successful law clerk she is today. My group was very inspired by the two individuals. We were

blown away by DuTerroil’s compassion for these individuals; he felt so eager to help them that he centered his job and lifestyle to help these people. Rao’s story was also insightful as it gave us a perspective that we do not get to see daily. She told us of her struggles, the discrimination that she felt, and her journey to become the person who she is today. Her story made us learn that everyone has struggles and problems and we should

not judge people on appearance since appearances are just the outer lying aspects of our character. The two adults taught me as well as my group that compassion and understanding are essential in order to further one’s development. Understanding a person’s character and his/her surroundings are vital for a leader because the leader needs to be able to connect with the people around him/her. Com-

passion is crucial as well because a little kindness can go a long way, and being warm and welcoming to another helps that individual feel comfortable and grow as well. In short, DuTerroil and Rao have taught me that judging people at first glance should be avoided and that understanding a person as well as showing them compassion is an important step in becoming a leader.

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16 December 05, 2014

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December 05, 2014

Trikaldarshi Mahayogi Baba Lokenath God Who Walked the Earth

HOUSTON: We are often inclined to focus on God as the Creator of the Universe and as our personal protector and savior. During every age, however, God also enters human form to embody Perfect Love, Compassion, Humility and Divinity for all humankind. Those manifestations of God in human form inspire and gently remind us that Divinity

exists within each of us and that it is both our potential and our destiny to one day attain that same, perfect union with God. The world today is actively blessed by one of God’s great Himalayan saints, Brahmarishi Baba Lokenath, who became God in Human Form after 80 years of yogic austerities. Baba Lokenath lived from 1730-1890. Such a life span,

though difficult to grasp by the western mind, is not unheard of among great Yogis. Lived in the forests for 25 years, selflessly serving his master and practicing the Ashtanga Yoga of Patanjali along with the most difficult Hatha Yoga. After this he travelled to the Himalayas where he meditated in the nude for nearly five decades. Finally, he attained enlightenment at the age of ninety. After his enlightenment he traveled extensively on foot to Afghanistan, Persia, Arabia and Israel, making three pilgrimages to Mecca. Lokenath Baba preached in very simple way to his devotees. Baba said: Whenever you’re in danger, whether in war, forest, ocean or jungle, remember Me. I shall save you. You may not know me. You may not realize who I am. Just pray to me with a little touch of your heart, and I shall free you from gripping sorrows and miseries. I willingly reveal myself to you. Therefore, you are in a position to reach me, or else, it is impossible. No power on heaven or earth can damage the devotees who take shelter under me. For there is none greater than me to punish you. I can do whatever I like. It is only

your lack of trust, your non-belief, that keeps your desires unfulﬁlled. For those who with love and devotion surrender to me, if they are in trouble, my heart melts. This is my compassion. And with my compassion, my power ﬂows out to them, freeing them from miseries and unhappiness. I am Eternal. I am Deathless. I AM. For more than a hundred years, I have traveled through the hills and mountains and have amassed enough spiritual treasures. You shall sit at home and enjoy the fruits of my austerities. My child, never miss the opportunity to meet the realized saints,

for their blessings and presence will inspire deeper devotion and love for the divine and Guru . Satsang, being in the company of the holy ones, who live the truth is the greatest blessing of the Lord. I have everything in me. What you need in life, you have only to take. Please send an e-mail to sghosal2001@yahoo.co.in with Subject: Baba Lokenath if you would like to know more information. Article contributed by Radharaman Ghosal, Satyabhabani Ghosal, Sibananda Ghosal, Sabitri Ghosal, Subhasish Ghosal, Jagadish Ghosal, Shelly Ghosal, Saunak Ghosal and all other family members.

Crystals of India

New special exhibit features 50 jaw-dropping crystalline specimens, opens at HMNS at Sugar Land Dec. 12

SUGAR LAND: Discover the Crystals of India at the Houston Museum of Natural Science at Sugar Land, on exhibit from Dec. 12, 2014 – May 5, 2015. Originating from India’s Deccan Plateau, a large geologic formation that comprises most of the southern part of the country, the exhibition features a never-beforeseen collection of almost 50 of the most beautiful and most perfectly formed natural mineral crystals ever found anywhere in the world. The beds of basalt rock, within which these crystals were formed and found, were created by massive lava ﬂows from enormous volcanic eruptions that occurred more than 65 million years ago. Some paleontologists speculate that these massive volcanic eruptions may have even accelerated the extinc-

tion of the dinosaurs at the end of the Cretaceous period. For this exclusive engagement, the temporary exhibition hall at the HMNS at Sugar Land will be transformed into a jewel box that will highlight these exquisite mineral masterpieces in a setting more beﬁtting an installation of the crown jewels— made complete with dramatic lighting and custom display cases. The pieces on display in Crystals of India represent the “best of the best” and were high-graded from a collection that has been painstakingly assembled over the last several decades. These beautifully crystallized, natural mineral specimens (ﬁttingly dubbed “The Flowers of the Mineral Kingdom”) were carefully excavated from quarries throughout India over the last half century. It is safe to say that tens of thousands of quarry

workers blasted apart—and picked through—billions of tons of rock, by hand, in order to preserve these breathtaking mineral treasures for our visitors to enjoy. Crystals of India is organized by the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Local support is provided by the City of Sugar Land, Texas and Sudha Chittaluru, M.D (Internal Medicine) - First Colony Primary Care. Tickets for Crystals of India are now on sale and may be purchased online. For more information, visit the museum’s web site at www.hmns. org or call (713) 639-4629. The Houston Museum of Natural Science at Sugar Land, a historic prison building in the residential community area of Telfair opened to the public, transformed – as the new Houston Museum of Natural Science at Sugar Land. This satellite facility of HMNS includes four permanent galleries reﬂecting the most popular exhibit areas of the downtown Museum location. In addition to permanent exhibitions, the 43,000 square foot building and the surrounding 5.5 acres of land that house the museum present a variety of compelling traveling exhibitions. Located at 13019 University Blvd. (at the corner of University and New Territory Blvds.), a visit to HMNS at Sugar Land is always an adventure.

INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 05, 2014 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM

18 December 05, 2014 What Bhopal Reminds Us

Thirty years have passed, but for the residents of the jhuggies around the former Union Carbide India Ltd (UCIL) plant, that night will still be as searing in their memory. A few had unskilled jobs in the pesticide plant, but they were equally oblivious of the nature of the deadly vapour that enveloped their colonies, choking them to death and injuring thousands more in the vicinity and far beyond in Bhopal. The simple device of keeping indoors and covering mouths with a wet cloth may have saved hundreds of lives of those who fled their homes. Bhopal reminds us, first of all, that there is a deep-seated class divide when it comes to victims of industrial disasters. Because most of those who inhaled the poisonous gas were slum dwellers around the plant in congested ‘old’ Bhopal, they did not receive as much attention as would have better-off residents. Imagine what would happen if an Indian chemical multinational in the globalised world of today was negligent enough to release toxic fumes in a town in Europe or the US, leading to the deaths of a few thousand people. The very fact that there is no accurate estimate of the toll speaks for itself. While the immediate official figure was 2,259, the Madhya Pradesh government estimated that 3,787 died of exposure to the gas. Others believe that 8,000 died in two weeks and a similar number later. In 2006, official estimates put the number of the injured — severely or slightly — at 550,000. In the days after December 3, hospitals were hopelessly ill-equipped to deal with patients in such huge numbers. The confusion was compounded by the lack of information regarding the antidote. The medical director of Union Carbide in the US cabled the Bhopal authorities to administer sodium thiosulphate to victims if cyanide poisoning was suspected, which he later denied at a press conference in Bhopal. A few days after the leak, a German toxicologist administered this chemical, but a patient died, after which he was asked to leave town. Conspiracy theorists had a field day and it is not clear till now whether this treatment only had a placebo effect. It should be incumbent on the management of any chemical, industrial or nuclear plant, whether in the private or public sector, to inform the authorities of proper antidotes for a specific hazard. The right to know Act should help elicit such information. Finally, Bhopal reminds us of how one values lives, especially those of the poor. Infamously, it was said after 1984 that Indian lives — specifically of those casual laborers who lived around the plant — were cheaper than American lives, measured by annual earnings. In 1989, the Rajiv Gandhi regime inexplicably agreed to an outof-court compensation of $470 million, a second major betrayal after the tragedy itself. That the victims continue to fight for their rights is a tribute to their tenacity. HT Darryl D’Monte is chairperson, Forum of Environmental Journalists of India.

EDITORIAL/COMMENTARY NRI’s Modi, Modi’s NRI

BY RONAK D. DESAI Since taking office earlier this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has embarked on an aggressive campaign to court the Indian diaspora. From the United States to Australia, high-profile outreach to the community has featured prominently in virtually all of Modi’s visits abroad. The courtship has proved successful. In New York City, approximately 20,000 euphoric NRIs from across North America sat spellbound in Madison Square Garden, listening to the new premier speak. A similarly rapturous scene unfolded in Australia last month, as more than 21,000 NRIs flocked to Sydney’s Olympic Park to confer upon Modi a hero’s welcome. As in NYC, Modi deployed his trademark soaring oratory to invite the thousands assembled to become stakeholders in India’s future. The audience roared in approval and seemed to accept the call to action. Sustained and substantive engagement with the diaspora has emerged as an integral component of Modi’s domestic and foreign policies. Domestically, Modi views the 25-million-member overseas community as a potent untapped force willing and able to fulfil his ambitious goals at home. During his address in NYC, Modi urged his audience to invest in modernising India’s ageing infrastructure and help finance the clean-up of the Ganga. He envisions a diaspora directly involved in advancing India’s development through their financial and intellectual capital. The Indian diaspora constitutes an even more important variable in Modi’s foreign-policy calculus. Expatriates could provide him with powerful constituencies of support abroad, capable of influencing the policies of their adopted countries. Almost a decade ago, the Indian-American community played such a role, mobilising itself to help secure Congressional passage of the landmark civilian

nuclear deal. Approval of the deal propelled US-India ties to new heights and showcased the potential of the community as a credible force affecting foreign policy. Its influence dissipated, however, in the absence of other issues potent enough to bind the community together. But Modi’s desire to create bases of support abroad through the diaspora is also likely to be challenged by the fact that Indians living overseas are loyal first to their adopted countries. In cases where the interests of both countries align, no tension exists. But in instances where a potential conflict may arise, the diaspora’s utility to Modi will be limited. However, this simple truth is unlikely to affect Modi’s outreach to expatriates. Modi’s deep engagement with the diaspora is unsurprising given the vast influence it exercised in his election. Scores of NRIs from around the world travelled to India to stump on behalf of Modi, while even more filled his campaign coffers with contributions from abroad. The election was the first in Indian history to allow expatriate citizens to vote, so long as they were willing to travel to India to cast their ballots. The diaspora’s role in helping secure Modi’s crushing electoral victory over the governing Congress was far-reaching and significant. Although unsurprising, Modi’s outreach to Indians abroad is unprecedented. Jawaharlal Nehru viewed the diaspora as a distinct entity, unrelated to core Indian

interests. This attitude persisted throughout much of India’s history, resulting in New Delhi limiting its engagement with the diaspora to humanitarian, legal and other narrow arenas. Modi’s campaign to forge a partnership with the NRI community represents a clear break from the policies of the past and underscores the value he places on the overseas community. But what explains Modi’s popularity within the diaspora? He has effectively branded himself as a “man of action” from humble origins, capable of eradicating byzantine bureaucracies, endemic corruption and abject poverty. His vision has resonated with the millions who left India precisely for these reasons but have still maintained close ties with their motherland and want it to succeed. The Indian premier has also proved adept at responding to the unique concerns of the overseas community. In both NYC and Sydney, Modi promised to simplify the rules for obtaining a visa to India, a source of profound frustration. Deafening applause greeted the announcement. Modi engenders pride among the diaspora on a more visceral level. To many, his muscular rhetoric, decisive action and unapologetic ambitions represent the qualities India needs to achieve status as a world power. Of course, not all overseas Indians view Modi favourably. He remains controversial and polarising, and will remain so throughout his tenure as prime minister. The same qualities that instil hope and pride in some expatriates instil fear and revulsion in others. Whether Modi will ever convert his critics overseas remains to be seen. But as the past few months have demonstrated, he has begun to fundamentally redefine India’s relationship with its millions of sons and daughters living abroad. The writer is an academic at the Belfer Center’s India and South Asia programme at Harvard University and fellow at the Truman National Security Project. IE

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HOUSTON: MALAY VYAS INDIA: RAJ KANWAR, ASEEM KULKARNI ®All rights reserved. No material herein or portions thereof may be published without the written consent of the publisher. The deadline for advertising and articles is 4 pm on Monday of each week. Please include self-addressed, stamped envelope for return of all unsolicited material. Published at 7457 Harwin Drive, Suite 262, Houston, Texas 77036. Tel: 713-789-NEWS or 6397 Fax: 713-789-6399, email: indoamericannews@yahoo.com, website: indoamerican-news.com

INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 05, 2014 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM

COMMUNITY

December 05, 2014

Indo-American Association (IAA) Announces 2015 Season

HOUSTON: In furtherance of its mission of promoting cultural arts of India in the American context, IAA announces another season of quality events in prestigious venues. IAA is again offering Patron Subscription (2 VIP tickets for each event for $1,000 donation, tax deductible to the extent allowed by law) and Season Subscription (1 ticket in next to VIP category for each event for $250)- the best way to enjoy these world-class events at a tremendous saving of more than 50%. To subscribe, visit www. iaahouston.com or call 281.648.0422. February 14 (Wortham): L. SUBRAMANIAM’S CHAMBER ORCHESTRA. India’s foremost violinist and orchestral composer Dr. L. Subramaniam leads the twenty member string and woodwinds ensemble of Indian and Western musicians, weaving Western classical harmonies with traditional Indian music. Net proceeds of the concert will benefit the Clean Ganga project. March 15 (Wortham): ZAKIR HUSSAIN’S PULSE OF THE WORLD: CELTIC CONNECTIONS. Exploiting the uncanny resemblance in the melody structure of Scottish folk songs with Indian classical ragas, the World Music genius Zakir Hussain brings together Indian and Celtic musicians in a show of shows highlighting the common thread. The grand performance was first featured at the London Olympics in 2012. March 29 (Asia Society Auditorium): SHUJAAT KHAN and KAYHAN KALHOR: Persian and Indian Improvisations. Two ancient musical traditions are beautifully woven by Sitar maestro Shujaat Khan and Kamancheh virtuoso Kayhan Kalhor. Sandeep Das accompanies on tabla. April 4 (New Stafford Center): SANAM MARVI. Pakistan’s sensational Sufi singer and her band entertain with the soulful music, rendering works of celebrated Sufi poets in Urdu, Punjabi, Sindhi, and Persian as well as Ghazal and folk songs. May 22 (Wortham): Dance Drama KRISHNA in English by South India’s famous film actress and danseuse Shobna. With a dance troupe of eighteen, a symphony of dance forms ranging from ancient classical to bollywood, musical scores weaving Carnatic and Hindustani classic with A.R. Rahman’s film numbers, and elegant backdrops of Mathura, Vrindavan, and Kurushetra, KRISHNA tells the story of the avatar from his birth to death. August 29 (Wortham): KARSH KALE COLLECTIVE- an Indian Electro Fusion. A world renowned tabla player, drummer, vocalist, multi instrumentalist, film composer, and a band leader, the genre bending collaborator Karsh has created music with likes of Zakir Husaain, Ravi Shankar, Anoushka Shankar, and NORAH JONES. President Obama introduced

Karsh at a White House performance with these words “He mixes eclectic beats with the sounds of his heritage to make a sound that is distinctly his own”. September 11 (Wortham): CALPULLI Mexican Dance Academy. Calpulli Dance Company’s performances are like traditions of Mexico: colorful, passionate, and inviting. Glorious costumes, contagious rhythms, original musical compositions, and talented dancers and musicians on stage mesmerize audiences. October 10 (New Stafford Center): MADAN MOHAN REMEMBERED. Few bollywood music directors have made the impact with their musical magic like Madan Mohan. In this production Niche Entertainment with musicians, singers, and narration by someone close to Madan Mohan, brings alive the musical genius of this legend.

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20 December 05, 2014

COMMUNITY

ACA Navigators Coordinate Ways to Reach Chicago’s Muslim American Communities

CHICAGO, IL: Prominent community and business leaders from Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood and Devon Avenue corridor gathered together on Nov-15 to discuss ways to work together and help the local residents to get health insurance through the second round of the Affordable

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Care Act (ACA). Held at Metropolitan Asian Family Services (MAFS), the event was jointly organized by the Asian Health Coalition along with MAFS, Compassionate Care Network, and Hamdard Health and Human Services. “Open enrollment for health insur-

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ance started from Nov-15 to Feb-15 and our organizations are working closely with Get Covered Illinois to make sure we are able to pool our resources to maximize our reach to the South Asian and Muslim communities on the north side,” said Ranjana Paintal, Project Director at the Asian Health Coalition. “Our team of 6 trained and certiﬁed bilingual navigators are available to offer free and unbiased assistance to the residents to help them understand the beneﬁts of health insurance, the available health plan options, and how they can enroll in the Marketplace or Medicaid,” she further added. Community leaders and business owners also provided feedback and input on ways to reach the local residents to educate them about the ACA and help them in the enroll-

ment process. Present at the event were Nazneen Begum, navigator from MAFS, and local business and community leaders, including – Raﬁque Shaik, Executive Director, South Asian Chamber of Commerce, Sher M. Rajput, founding member of Indo- American Center, Sohan Joshi, President National Federation of Indian Association, Roy John of Catholic Church, Shobhana Verma, Coordinator, Chicago Board of Election, Syed Sheeraz, Marketing Manager of Desi Talk, Scharif Mohammed, founding member of Indo-American Member, Nand Kapoor, past president of Association of Indian in America, Madhu Patel of NRI press Club and others business owners. Speakers included Edwin Chandrasekar from the Asian Health Co-

alition, Patrick Corcoran from Get Covered Illinois and Abrar Quader from CCN, who addressed topics around the need for health coverage, the essential health beneﬁts covered by health plans under the ACA, and ways to sign up and enroll for health coverage. Joshi thanked the joint organizers for this noble cause of helping community through ACA, and offered his services and facility to ACA team. These encouraging remarks were also echoed by Rajput and he pledged his commitment to working closely with the organizers, through Medicaid. Attendees enjoyed hot lunch at MAFS facility which was prepared MAFS kitchen staff. To learn more about the navigator program, contact Ranjana Paintal, Project Director at ranjna@asianhealth.org or (312) 372-7070 x226. To reach a navigator, contact the following individuals based on language preference: Arabic-Mohammed 312-7213803 Bosnian- Asja 773-465-4600 x237 Gujarati-Nazneen 773-465-3105 x32 Hindi & UrduBiswas 312-372-7070 x229 Fauzia 773-465-4600 x31 Naveed 630-853-5306 Nazneen 773-465-3105 x32 Nepali-Biswas 312-372-7070 ext. 229. For additional information Edwin Chandrasekar (312) 372-7070 x223 edwin@asianhealth.org

Healing Power of Forgiveness to Overcome the Guilt

BY KRISHAN GUPTA

”As we change our own nature, so does the attitude of the world change towards us? We need not wait to see what others do.” - Mahatma Gandhi. All of us muddle our way through the world even when well-meaning people hurt each other. We invest ourselves in deep personal relationships and another’s disloyalty or betrayal opens up wounds that hurt. Not every slight sticks with us, but some old pains do not washout so easily; they remain like stubborn stains in the fabric of your memory. Some people are lucky; they never hold a grudge; and do not remember old hurts. But most of us find that the pain of the past keeps rolling through our memories and there is nothing we can do to stop the hurt, despite our best intentions. But, if you cannot forgive when someone has hurt you, it will go deep enough to lodge in your memory and keep hurting you. Older people experience relatively more positive emotions, less volatility, and better ability to accept negative events: which enable them to bounce back. Thinking positive can access positive emotions and you will emerge a bet-

ter person if you are able to find those angles that allow you to see a thread of good even in dire circumstances. This struggle can inspire profound and lasting personal growth. Some people become compassionate toward the plight of others, move into new careers and remake their world views and personalities. Their relationships with others grow deeper, and they may seek stronger spiritual dimensions in their lives. Fear can elicit two responses: forget everything and run or face everything and rise. Nothing can destroy a person but his own mindset. Even though we forgave ourselves and thought we had moved on, that guilt still resides somewhere in us because we never confess our guilt to the person we hurt and the only way out is to confess and be forgiven so that you may be healed. Our egos are like magnets, and resentments are attracted to them. When we forgive

others there is a freedom where we are no longer shackled by our own anger. It moves us from our selfish illusions to a beautiful reality. Letting go of the fantasy that we can change the past can change us. Each time we forgive, it paves the way for the next time we need to forgive. The day you choose to forgive, is the day you choose to retain the power over yourself, your feelings and step closer to living by your decisions. We are all born to be loving, kind human beings and as we grow, we all continue to need love to prosper. The more you heal the brokenness and the guilt, the better life will be on the other side. It may not be instant but don’t let guilt wreak havoc on your body, mind and soul; you will feel peace with forgiveness and it is worth the relief. By getting rid of the shame and condemnation that has rotted your mind, you can choose to move on and be set free.

INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 05, 2014 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM

COMMUNITY

December 05, 2014

Reﬂections on India’s Godman Syndrome

BY DR. SULEKH C. JAIN During the past few weeks nearly all media in India and some in the US carried news of the arrest of the self-styled godman Rampal of Satlok Ashram in Haryana. The 63 year-old Rampal was arrested on November 19 after a two-week tense standoff between his supporters and the police after close to 15,000 of his followers were evacuated from the sprawling premises. The massive operation to locate and arrest the controversial ‘godman’ cost the exchequer over Rs. 26 crore (S4.2m). During the standoff between Rampal’s followers and the police, five women and a child had died, while more than 200 people were injured. It is hardly surprising then that some of godmen behave like magicians and the followers who visit them are miracle seekers. People everywhere are prone to mystics, but what makes our godmen seem so powerful is that our politicians use them as baits to catch votes. Modern gurus gain mass following through technologies such as the Internet, satellite television and social media. Rampal, a charismatic orator started out with an anti-Arya Samaj treatise and then added on miracle powers to woo the gullible. Like other godmen, he was flush with funds too. Like Satlok Asharm of Rampal, there are nearly 100 deras (ashrams, cults) that dot rural Haryana and Punjab. The dera leaders are a variation of India’s godmen because they hold their supporters in thrall, mostly confine them to fortified ashrams and like most cults have deviant sexual practices (incest, polygamy, orgies),

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miracles and a religious mumbojumbo which is often a variation of known religious texts. These halfbaked philosophies are then sold to the gullible. In all such deras, the magnetism and healing powers of the leader is basic to its success but violence is a cult characteristic. Every deviant cult leader displays a streak of violence. Rampal is no exception. He had an army of highly-trained commandos at his beck and call and used them when the police laid his ashram under siege. The “commandos” used bullets, stones, acid and petrol to send the police scurrying. Over a 100 policemen were injured. In every country and society there are always many such people like TV Evangelists in the US, the Jonestown Camp Massacre in 1978 in Guyana, and so many more. It is not that people are gullible in India only. The aura and attack of some of the godmen from India has reached here in US too. Last year, one such godman with his oratory and claims of charisma charmed one person in US who wrote a check of one million US dollars after listening to the godman just for 20 minutes. Later the donor found out that the godman was a fraud and fake and sued him. This victim himself told me his story, how he was mesmerized and fooled by the fast talking godman. In another case this year, the former leader of the now defunct Hindu Temple of Georgia, Swamiji Sri Selvam Siddhar was sent to prison after a jury convicted him of defrauding his followers. He charged his followers fees in exchange for spiritual and related

services, but then would run-up unapproved charges, using their credit card numbers, authorities said. “The Swami Ji traded on his perceived religious authority and spiritual powers to cheat the faithful who believed in him,” said United States Attorney. “The jury saw through his deception. “The money he made through fraudulent charges was used to finance his and his family’s lifestyle, which prosecutors said included luxury vehicles, control of multiple homes and foreign bank accounts in India. Swami ji once owned a million-dollar home in Sugarloaf Country Club in Duluth, GA. How we remain vigilant and reduce this disease in society is up to us. It is not entirely possible to completely wipe out fraud and deception by so called godmen. It is a fact that as long as greed, a desire to get something for nothing, the increasing richness and affluence of the people coupled with the effective use and power of the media, internet and social sites like Face Book, this disease and menace will spread even more. These self-styled godmen and their exploitation and I hope India will be cleaned to some extent of this filth and disease in the society.

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PUZZLES/ RECIPE

Mama’s Punjabi Recipes

Sabat Mahn Di Dal (Whole Urad Or Mahn Lentils) Slow Cooker Recipe The black colored urad dal is better known as “Dal Makhani” (Butter Dal) for the way it is prepared in restaurants around the world. One of the secrets of its success is that it can be made thick – with no runny curry – reminiscent of the thick style beans for barbeque or mole in Mexican restaurants. And of course, it is loaded with carbs! The other secret to its popularity is the heavy and just a little husky aroma of freshly made mahn dal. You can only get a good sense of its aroma when you are cooking it in the kitchen. Or if you are sitting at a roadside dhaba and the cook gives you a whiff of it as he slides the cover off the pot to give you a peek of what’s inside. Just the aroma makes you want to have a bowl! I have given the recipe for homestyle mahn di dal before, but this one is for a slow cooker. Since it cooks slowly over time, the curry gets thickened naturally. And, there is no need for a separate tarka or masala mixture as it is done at the start, all at the same time. The small dollop of butter is also not necessary, as the slow cooking thickens the masalas up, but if you want, you can add a small spoon of olive oil on top of each serving of the dal. Using the slow cooker takes a lot of guessing out of the preparation. They are fairly inexpensive, have one simple control to regulate the heat and are great for busy professionals or mothers on the run. Simply put in all the ingredients and you can make wonderful dals, curries and soups overnight or while you are still at work. As with other Punjabi style dals, this too is eaten with raw onions and crispy paranthas or hot rotis to be fully appreciated. Ingredients: • 2 cup sabat mahn dal (whole urad lentil) • 4 cups pani (water) • 2 tbspn olive oil • 1 medium adrak (ginger) – peeled and chopped, or use powdered ginger • 1 medium piyazz (onion) – peeled and chopped

• • • •

1 tspn garam masala Pinch of hing (astafoetida) 5 stalktops fresh dhania (coriander) – pinch off the leaves and cut into pieces Spices: lal mirch (red pepper); namak (salt); haldi (turmeric) – to your taste

Directions: 1. Place the sabat mahn dal in a bowl and wash it thoroughly in cold water, then rinse it out. 2. Place the dal with 4 cups of water, the oil, onions, ginger and spices in a slow cooker on low before going to sleep at night. 3. In the morning, you will ﬁnd a thick dal gently bubbling on the surface and the aroma ﬁlling the air. 4. If there does not appear to be much water in the dal, then add a cup, stir and let it simmer a little more. 5. Heat a teaspoon of oil in a small karai or wok and add hing and brown

it a little. When roasted and the smell of the spice starts to come through, take off the heat and drop it into the pot of cooked dal and stir to mix well. 6. Sprinkle the top of the dal with garam masala and the cut coriander leaves above. Before serving, place a spoon of butter on top for presentation. Shakuntla Malhotra is a skilled cook of Punjabi dishes made in the old-fashioned style that she learnt as a young woman in her ancestral home in Lyallpur, India before it became part of Pakistan after the Partition in 1947. People have often admired her cooking for its simplicity and taste that comes with each mouthful. Even in her mid-eighties, she continues to cook daily and agreed to share some of her delectable Punjabi recipes.

MAMA’S TIP OF THE WEEK TAKE THE SWEETNESS OUT OF VEGGIES WITH A LITTLE YOGURT Quite often, when cooking with onions, tomatoes or frozen peas, the final dish can come out just a little on the sweet side, despite all the spices and other ingredients you put in. Sometimes, to hide that sweetness, you can overdo the balance of the spices and make the dish too salty, bitter or peppery. The easier way to dilute the sweet taste without spoiling the final outcome of the dish is to add two tablespoons of saddi dahi (plain yogurt) when starting to cook the masala and before adding the peas, tomatoes or onions. The dahi will take away a lot of the sweetness without affecting the portions of the other spices.

INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 05, 2014 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM

ENTERTAINMENT

December 05, 2014

Movie Review: Ungli

BY MANNIK SHARMA This story has its heart in the right place, mind all over the place, and finger on the wrong pulse. ‘Ungli’ is socially relevant, earnest in delivering a strong message, albeit, the weak execution doesn’t support the larger intent. Abhay (Randeep) a crime journalist, Maya (Kangana) a medical intern, Goti (Neil) a computer hardware expert, and Kalim (Angad) a garage owner - are four buddies so enraged with our corrupt system that they show law-makers the middle finger and then take law into their own hands. Here’s the back story. Their buddy was beat-

en up by a powerful man’s son; the victim went into coma and justice was denied. From there team ‘Ungli’ is born. The fearless foursome dressed in black face masks, hoods and headlights set out to punish and shame (they’re valiant, not violent) unscrupulous cops, rickshaw drivers, RTO officers and government babus. Television channels are sent recordings of their operations, and soon they become darlins’ of the aam junta and sansani khabar for the media. Their plans are simple and too smooth - therein lies the problem. Enter ACP Kale (Dutt) who’s given the task of tracking down the cool criminals. Enter bindaas

cop with a bad boy image, Nikhil (Emraan), who is hired by ACP to crack the case. At this point, an item number (by Shraddha Kapoor) also makes a forced entry. Soon, a fistful of predictable twists and turns also enter - which do nothing to turn around the story into anything out of the ordinary. Rensil D’Silva’s plot is fast-paced, in spite of the many potholes it slips into. He strings the story like episodes, never allowing the drama to intensify. The outlaws have a motive, but their plans are way too improbable and flaky. There’s a fleeting romance thrown in too and attacks of laughable dialogue. The performances are average Kangana looks too bored for revenge, Emraan is unenthused and under-utilized, salt ‘n’ pepper Dutt tries some heavy dialogue but leaves no impact. Randeep looks believable and delivers a fine act and Neha (playing his colleague and love interest) does her part well.

-Times of India

Veteran Actor Deven Verma Dies of Heart Attack in Pune

PUNE: Veteran Bollywood character actor, director and producer Deven Verma died early Tuesday following a heart attack and kidney failure, family sources said. He was 78. He is survived by his wife Rupa Ganguly, the younger daughter of the late legendary actor Ashok Kumar. Verma breathed his last around 2 am at his home in Pune, the city of his birth from where he graduated in politics and sociology before joining the film industry. He is best remembered for roles in movies such as Angoor, Golmaal, Chori Mera Kaam, Andaz Apna Apna, Bemisal, Judaai, Dil To Paagal Hai, and Kora Kagaz. Verma won three Filmfare

awards in his career for his performances in films such as Chori Mera Kaam, Chor Ke Ghar Chor and Angoor. Apart from Hindi films, Deven Varma also acted in Marathi and Bhojpuri films. He started his acting career in 1961 with Dharamputra which went on tirelessly till 2003 film Calcutta Mail. He also tried his hands at producing films but success evaded him there. Besides producing five films, Deven Verma also directed four films, Nadaan, Bada Kabutar, Besharam and Daana Paani. The funeral will take place on Tuesday afternoon at the Yerawada crematorium. -Hindustan Times

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24 December 05, 2014

Zardari Vows to Protect Democracy BY ZULQERNAIN TAHIR LAHORE: With “Go Nawaz Go”, now the favourite catchphrase of anti-government political activists, echoing in the Bilawal House Lahore, workers of Pakistan People’s Party celebrated the party’s foundation day on Sunday. At the ceremony, attended by frontrank PPP leaders, the party’s cochairman Asif Ali Zardari pledged to protect democracy and not to join any anti-government campaign. The workers chanted the ‘go Nawaz slogan’ and Mr Zardari kept smiling and did not try to stop them. The slogan, the rallying cry of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, appeared to reﬂect the workers’ desire that the PPP should also launch a campaign against the PML-N. But some of them also raised the slogan, “Ro Imran Ro” (Cry Imran cry).

Mr Zardari said: “I will not stop you from shouting ‘Go Nawaz Go’. I also like this slogan. But let me tell you that we will not play on the ground set by someone else. We will raise the slogan but on our pitch. At present the captain is bowling. When the pitch will get better, we also will go for bowling.” Mr Zardari, who has extended his party’s support to the government in the face of PTI’s campaign against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, said the government faced no threat if the PPP did not turn against it. “The government cannot be toppled as long as we do not want it to be ousted. The Nawaz government is better than ‘Mairay Aziz Ham Watno’ (a reference to army rule). The worst democracy is better than dictatorship.” If the PPP wanted it, it would send the government home in a democratic

manner without looking for a “third umpire”, he said. The former president criticised the harsh language Imran Khan used against him and paid him back in the same coin. “A wolf camping in

Islamabad these days has polluted the environment. There is a difference between his politics and ours. He is a short-sighted person. We have to answer him in Ghari Khuda Buksh,” he said.

“Such people have no understanding of international politics. They don’t know what is happening in Afghanistan, Libya, Iran and other Islamic countries and what will be its impact on Pakistan. They need to learn politics to understand this,” he said. Referring to last year’s general elections, he said that the PPP was also a victim (of alleged rigging) but it did not take any step against national interests. “On the foundation day of the PPP we pledge to protect democracy till our last breath and to continue our struggle for the welfare of future generations.” Mr Zardari said that Benazir Bhutto was his political mentor and she had made him “protector of PPP workers”. -Dawn.com

Four States in South Make Up 50% of HIV Cases

Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telengana and Karnataka account for 3.6 Lakh HIV cases, about 50% of the patients in the country.

BY ADARSH JAIN COIMBATORE: Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka account for 3.6 lakh HIV cases, about 50% of the patients in the country. The southern states are also among the top four in the country, with Tamil Nadu alone having 80,685 HIV affected people of the total 7.7 lakh as on May 2014. Andhra Pradesh (including Telengana) tops the list with 1.7 lakh HIV affected people, followed by Maharashtra with 1.43 lakh people. Karnataka has just over one lakh people with HIV, according to the Union ministry of health and

family welfare. These are the only states with more than one lakh people with HIV. After Tamil Nadu’s 80,000odd cases, Gujarat is listed with 40,121 cases. States such as Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, which are larger both in area and population, have not recorded many cases. The rising numbers in the southern states are attributed to efficient screening over the last few years, said experts. “The southern states have taken AIDS awareness and prevention very seriously in the last five years. The state governments along with non-governmental organizations

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have ensured compulsory screening up to the village level, which has resulting in better documentation and recording of HIV cases,” said Vijay Raman, deputy director of Voluntary Health Services, a non-profit multi-specialty hospital in Tamil Nadu. Though the cumulative numbers are high in the south, the number of fresh cases being recorded every year has dropped significantly since 2010. According to the health ministry, the total number new cases has reduced almost 50% across the country in three years—from 3.1 lakh fresh cases in 2010-11 to 1.5 lakh cases in 2013-14. Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka also saw a sharp fall in the number of fresh cases reported every year. The drop in the number of fresh cases is due to the increasing awareness among the public, especially the risk-prone communities of sex workers, homosexuals and transgenders, said Bakthavatchalam A, deputy director of Association for Rural Mass India, a nonprofit organization working in the health sector. -Times of India

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STOCKS • FINANCE • SOUTH ASIAN MARKETS • TECHNOLOGY

Indian Oil Eyes West Coast for New Reﬁnery Project

MUMBAI: Country’s biggest oil company IOC is looking at setting up a greenfield refinery on the West coast as part of its expansion plans, a top company official has said. “With the growth in the economy, we see there is a need for green field refinery by 2021-22. After setting up of of Paradip Refinery in East coast, we are now looking at setting up of refinery in West coast region, for which we are looking for suitable state and place,” Indian Oil Corporation chairman B Ashok told reporters here. The company is also the second largest petrochemical player having 19 per cent market share. “We have a 19 per cent market share and we are looking at expanding. We see plenty of opportunities and want to be a strong player,” Ashok said. IOC’s Rs 34,555 crore state-ofthe-art 15 million metric tonnes

per annum (MMTPA) Paradip Refinery would be commissioned in phases from March 2015 onwards, Ashok said. On cost escalation, Ashok said, the Paradip Refinery was envisaged originally at Rs 29,700 crore and has now been estimated at Rs 34,555 crore, which includes certain changes, with the addition of a new power plant. The refinery is capable for processing a broad basket of crude oil grades, including cheaper high-sulphur heavy crudes, which would help the company improve its bottom-line, he said. As part of its diversification plan, the company is setting up a polypropylene project having capacity of 680 KTA at Paradip. The INDMAX FCC Unit of 4.2 MMTPA capacity at Paradip, one of the major secondary processing units, is designed to operate in petrochemicals mode to maximise

The company is also the second largest petrochemical player having 19 per cent market share.

propylene/ethylene production. The unit would produce 700 KTA of propylene. Based on the availability of propylene, a poly-propylene plant of 700 KTA capacity is expected to be commissioned by 2017-18, with an estimated capex of Rs 3,150 crore, he said, adding that the company sees a lot of potential in polymer usage. On fall in crude oil prices, Ashok said indications are that prices are going to behave same way in the near term. Falling crude price is good for the country and good for customers, he said. “IOC’s profits are under pressure but operationally we are improving. With the commissioning of Paradip Refinery, our position will be better,” he said. The company is expanding its portfolio in gas, petrochemicals and upstreams to improve its bottom-line, he said.

-Times of India

China Seeks to Fund India’s First Rail University, Wants Say in Curriculum BY AVISHEK G DASTIDAR NEW DELHI: China has proposed to co-fund India’s first Railway university and handhold the Indian Railways as it takes baby steps in making the centre for learning a reality. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently promised to set up four such universities in the country, and the government is set to start work on the first one. After a formal visit to three universities in China last month — Beijing Jiaotong University, Tongji University and Southwest Jiaotong University — Railways Ministry officials submitted a report saying that China has offered

its cooperation. China’s National Railway Administration told the Indian delegation that apart from co-funding between Chinese Railway universities and the Indian Railways, they are interested in joint development of curriculum, design of the university campus and facilities, student and teacher exchange programmes, and offering latest learning technologies to India. The course design could also be such that one could pursue a dual academic degree, of which one part could be completed in India and the other part in one of the Chinese universities. “These programmes are to be collaborated at the gradu-

ate level, Masters level as well as the doctorate level,” said a senior government official. As of now, the Railways is struggling with some teething trouble in its quest to set up the first university. EdCIL India, a PSU under the HRD Ministry, has asked for around Rs 60 lakh from the Railways to make a detailed project report, including drafting a bill required for the creation of the university. Taken aback by the steep quote to make just a report, the Railways has put it up for discussion before an internal high-level committee. An inter-ministerial dialogue is also expected on this. The choice of location for the

university, sources said, has been left with Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu, who will take the decision with the help of the Railway Board. The only preference is the presence of an airport nearby so that movement of visiting faculty and others associated with the university does not become a problem. The Railway university will teach courses on management, finance as well as specialised engineering courses. Although it will be run by the Indian Railways, there will be no job guarantee for graduates, who will have to go through the established competitive processes — a subject that has

been discussed internally, sources said. As of now, IIT Kharagpur has been roped in to start a railway engineering course in collaboration with the Railways. Chinese universities have also evinced interest to participate by way of visiting faculty and other forms of collaboration. Seeking China’s help on this was a conscious decision because China started specialised railway-related institutes way back in the late 19th Century. Ever since then, big universities in China have rolled out railway-specific technical as well as non-technical courses. -Indian Express

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26 December 05, 2014 Searing Pace, Wicked Bounce Await India Australia is the favorite, but there should be opportunities for India in the series. Will the visitors seize those moments? BY VIVEK BENDRE ADELAIDE (Sportstar): India’s stand-in captain for the first Test,Virat Kohli, has a splendid advisor in India’s Director of Cricket, Ravi Shastri. The ruthless Steve Waugh often spoke about destroying the opposition “physically and psychologically.” Although Waugh’s men failed to conquer ‘Final Frontier India’ in 2001, they very much dominated world cricket during the period leaving behind mental scars and bruised limbs. Australia’s legendary pace predator Glenn McGrath told Sportstar during his visit to India earlier this year, “Waugh wanted to crush opponents from the first ball of the game.” The current Australian team under Michael Clarke can be vulnerable on surfaces of the sub-continental kind, but is a force down under as hapless England found out last season against the ‘Unchangables.’ Such was its dominance in a series sweep that the Aussie XI remained the same over five Tests. The Australians were indeed brutal in their annihilation of Alastair Cook’s side with intimidation being at the heart of their strategy. With the lifting deliveries threatening to break bones, there can be no place to hide in the cricketing arena. When the mercurial Mitchell Johnson thunders in to unleash his thunderbolts in the first Test at the ’Gabba, he will be directing much of his deliveries on the ribs, shoulder, or the helmet of the men facing him. Would a young Indian batting line-up stand up to this searing test of technique and courage? In Ravi Shastri, the side’s Director of Cricket, India has someone who comprehends the mind games the Aussies indulge in. The battlehardened Mumbaikar’s presence will be reassuring to the Indian cricketers in what should be a demanding campaign.

Mitchell Johnson demolished England during the Ashes. How will India fare?

The psychological warfare has already begun. McGrath has predicted a 4-0 rout of the Indians. Shastri’s response was: “It is his (McGrath’s) opinion.” In other words, he implied his team would not be disturbed by what is said off the field. The Indians would be without skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni — recovering from a thumb injury — in the series opener in Brisbane. The pressure will be on stand-in captain Virat Kohli as his team counters the Aussie aggression in the crucial first Test that could set the tone for the series. Despite his return to form in the ODIs, Kohli will be seeking runs in the Tests following a disastrous series in England. In Old Blighty, Kohli’s footwork and balance while coping with deliveries in the corridor came under intense scrutiny. It was in Australia during the 2011-12 Test series that Kohli established his Test career with some gutsy batting even as some bigger

names faded away. An Indian team sans batting giants needs runs and inspiration from him this time round. Decisive play on or around the off-stump can turn things around for Kohli. Among the key confrontations in the series would be Kohli facing off against Johnson. Sparks could fly. In Australia, the movement in the air will be significantly less, but the batsmen would have to deal with bounce and seam movement on hard tracks. Back-foot play and horizontal bat shots are vital attributes in these conditions. The top-order’s role in preventing early inroads from the Aussie quicks will be critical to India’s fortunes. Opener Murali Vijay was impressive for most part in England, but the same cannot be said of his left-handed partner Shikhar Dhawan who has issues with his back swing. Chesteshwar Pujara should surface at No. 3. Pujara was short of runs in both New Zealand and

England. He should back his inherent strengths — technique and patience — and not attempt to push things. In England, some of his dismissals were self-inflicted. India has an exciting young opener on the tour. K. L. Rahul caught attention in the domestic circuit with his innings building skills and cultured strokeplay. If provided an opportunity, he could grow in stature. Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma and Suresh Raina are short of experience in Australian conditions. The compact Rahane is the one to watch out for in this pack; he uses the depth of the crease and has a sense of timing. The Indian middle-order will have to withstand some serious pounding from the Aussie quicks. It would be interesting if India actually picks wicket-keeper batsman Naman Ojha — he would return to India once Dhoni joins the team ahead of the second Test in Adelaide — in the XI at the ’Gabba.

SPORTS

Mourning Philip Hughes BY PETER ENGLISH BRISBANE (Guardian): Until last week it was impossible for Phillip Hughes to stop smiling. Whether lugging bananas around his country New South Wales farm, raising his bat for centuries or being recalled to the Test team, his teeth and eyes sparkled with happiness. But now it is not just Australian cricket weeping following the death of the cheerful, cheeky 25year-old forever stranded on 63 not out. “Our dressing room will never be the same,” the Test captain, Michael Clarke, said through tears on behalf of Australia’s players on Saturday. The finality of Tuesday’s short ball has been realised. Players and spectators often complain the game never stops, but this week it has been cut like one of Hughes’s boundaries behind point. Instead of a crescendo towards Thursday’s first Test against India, the season has been stalled by a moment that has changed lives, minds and schedules. Grieving team-mates are uncertain about playing the first Test against India. A round of Sheffield Shield games was cancelled and India’s tour match against a Cricket Australia XI was scrapped. The funeral in Macksville on Wednesday is the priority for the deflated squad. Some junior games invoked retirement scores of 63 instead of the usual half-century, while Hughes’s Test number of 408 was mown and painted on outfields. Club teams around the country taped on black armbands. The golfer Adam Scott wore one at the Australian Open. In the 63rd minute of the ALeague football match between Western Sydney and Sydney the crowd burst into applause. On Tuesday, the Sydney Cricket Ground switched from a place of dreams to a brutal nightmare. Instead of catches there was counselling, and nursing ahead of nets. The game’s toughest men have wept, cuddled and remembered. Playing for South Australia, Hughes was struck by a Sean Abbott bouncer that was meant to be part of the game’s routine. Seconds later Abbott was cradling the batsman’s head. Last month they were Australian team-mates.

INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 05, 2014 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM

December 05, 2014

INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 05, 2014 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM

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INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 05, 2014 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM