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Indian Regulator Cites Safety Violations and Financial Ills of Airlines
By Heather Timmons and incomplete investigations of business in part because they are NEW DELHI (NYT):Many incidents at IndiGo. financed by entrepreneurs who of India’s airlines are rife with The Indian airline industry is have a personal stake in trying to safety violations, according to an nearing a crisis after rapid growth, make the business work, Mr. Kaul unreleased report by the industry’s analysts say. In the last seven years, said. top regulator here. “The airlines which are surviving according to the Center for Asia Most of the airlines in India — Pacific Aviation, passenger numbers are beyond business,” he said. including Air The report India Express, did not discuss GoAir, IndiGo, direct dangers to Jet Airways, passengers. Mr. Kingfisher and Kaul said that SpiceJet — if the regulator were named had thought in the report, passengers were which was at risk, it would dated Dec. have grounded 27. airlines. The report IndiGo, one was given of the few to The New The report by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation noted a Indian airlines York Times shortage of engines and many pilot resignations at Kingfisher, t h a t i s n o t o n M o n d a y as well as other ills at Indian airlines. Photo: Adeel Halim losing money, by an airline dis puted the executive, who asked to remain have tripled, to more than 150 regulator’s report, saying, among anonymous because the report million last year. About $14 billion other things, that the airline had was not public and he feared has been invested in aircraft and removed engines early to comply repercussions. more than $25 billion in the whole with a directive from the Federal The report noted that the industry in that time, but the growth Aviation Administration in the regulatory agency, the Directorate in pilots, flight trainers, regulatory United States about one engine General of Civil Aviation, had been safety experts and maintenance model, and that all employees were prompted to examine the airlines engineers has not kept pace with “strongly encouraged” to report any amid a “background of severe demand, according to analysts and safety issues. financial stress being faced by regulators themselves. A spokeswoman for GoAir almost all” of the carriers. Stiff competition in the industry said that the airline had met with It was signed by Lalit Gupta, head has recently driven down revenue the regulator on Jan. 6 about the of the aircraft engineering branch to the point where several airlines report and that the regulator had of the directorate, and E. K. Bharat are nearing bankruptcy, raising “fully accepted” GoAir’s response. Bhushan, the regulatory agency’s more safety concerns. “GoAir has always been committed top official. Neither official returned “The airline sector is broadly at to guarantee high safety standards a call for comment on Monday. a brink of financial disaster,” said and will continue to invest all the The report found fault with Kapil Kaul, the South Asia chief resources necessary to keep our almost every one of India’s airlines, executive at the Center for Asia standards at the highest level,” although the regulator said it had yet Pacific Aviation. “Most of them she said. to examine Air India’s international don’t have a business case to exist, Jet Airways said, “All points operations. and fund-raising options have raised by the report have been The concerns included a shortage dried up.” clarified and accepted by the safety of pilots at Air India Express, the The Indian airline industry has department of D.G.C.A. Guest state carrier’s budget airline; a lost $5 billion to $6 billion in the safety is of paramount importance shortage of engines and a spate last five years and this year was at Jet Airways and JetLite,” a Jet of pilot departures at Kingfisher expected to lose an additional $2 subsidiary. Airlines; a two-year delay in billion, he said. Check us online at www. auditing international operations at While in other parts of the world, indoamerican-news.com for more Jet Airways; a lack of instructors for some airlines may have consolidated community news. Call 713-789the Boeing 737 aircraft at SpiceJet; or shut, in India they remained in NEWS (6397) to subscribe today!
Tenth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Biggest Event so far
CULTURAL FARE: Artists perform Rajasthani folk dance at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas-2012 conclave outside the B.M. Birla Auditorium in Jaipur on Saturday. Photo: Rohit Jain Paras JAIPUR: The 10th Pravasi Bhartiya Divas (PBD), currently being held in the Pink City, is the biggest edition so far with around 2,000 delegates from 60 countries, said Union minister for overseas Indian affairs Vayalar Ravi on Sunday. Ravi addressed mediapersons at the event venue and said the important announcements made by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh made the event even larger. “The announcements made by PM
Manmohan Singh like the pension scheme for workers outside India and life insurance of Rs 1 lakh for them are important decisions taken,’’ he said. He applauded the arrangements and management of the event by the state government. “The decision to hold the 10th PBD in Jaipur has paid off. It was taken after a formal request made by the state’s chief minister during the RANA meet, which he attended last year,’’ Ravi added.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh lights a lamp to inaugurate the10th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas conclave in Jaipur. Also seen are Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar.
INDO AMERICAN NEWS • friday, January 13, 2012 • WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
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INDIA
January 13, 2012
Despite Hard Times Economy Would Grow by 7%: PM
NEW DELHI (TOI): Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said the country was passing through difficult times and the economic growth in the current fiscal would be 7 per cent, down from 8.5 per cent a year ago. “Our country is going through difficult times ... We are up to the task of meeting these challenges we face as a nation”, he said while addressing the 10th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas being attended by over 1,900 overseas Indians. Despite an adverse international environment, Singh said, “the Indian economy is expected to grow by about 7 per cent this financial year ending March 31.” The country recorded a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate of 8.5 per cent in 2010-11 and was initially estimated to grow by 9 per cent in the current fiscal. The growth rate projection, however, was scaled down gradually by the Reserve Bank as well as the Finance Ministry. Although Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee had yesterday said the growth rate in 2011-12 would be about 7.5 per cent, Singh
Referring to the global problem, further lowered the projection to 7 week ended December 24, 2012. per cent. The headline inflation, which Singh said the world is passing The growth rate in the first half of remained near the double digit mark though difficult times and overseas Indians are facing brunt of the year slipped to 7.3 per cent the slowdown. from 8.6 per cent in the year “Many of you are ago period. experiencing first-hand The Prime Minister, however, the impact of the global exuded the confidence that economic slowdown. growth rate in the coming years Employment opportunities would go up to 9-10 per cent as have declined, there is greater the “economic fundamentals protectionism and attitudes are strong and ...Consittutional towards migration have also processes are robust”. hardened. There is growing “...We hope to bring back the social intolerance even in rhythm of our growth process more open societies,” he to sustain an annual growth rate added. of 9-10 per cent in the mediumTh e G o v e r n me n t, h e term. Our domestic savings rate said, had formed an interwhich currently stands at 33-35 ministerial committee under per cent of our GDP will greatly facilitate the realisation of our Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee the Cabinet Secretary to projects a growth rate of 7.5 percent make recommendations on growth objectives”, he said. Singh also said that efforts to for 2012, but Prime Minister is issues relating to repatriation, combat inflation have started conservatively cautious and has put relief and rehabilitation of Indians affected by recent yielding results and there has the growth rate to 7 percent developments in West Asia. been an improvement in the “The Ministry of Overseas Indian situation. throughout 2011, is also expected to The food inflation, which was decline in December, the figures for Affairs has prepared an Action Plan about 16-17 per cent in January which would be released during the to implement its recommendations”, 2010 entered the negative zone with week. According to estimates, the he added. Following an upheaval in prices of essential items registering headline inflation is likely to slip to Libya last year, Singh said, the a decline of 3.36 per cent for the 6-7 per cent by March end. government undertook Operation
Indian IT: How Bangalore is getting Philippined
BANGALORE: Many medium enterprises in IT/ITeS sector from Hyderabad and Bangalore are shifting or expanding their bases in the Philippines owing to concerns pertaining to infrastructure, cost of doing business and availability of skilled labour, an ASSOCHAM survey said. ASSOCHAM referred to current developments taking place in the southern part of the country, and said that it clearly indicates that India’s prominence as an Information Technology/ Information Technology Enabled Services (IT/ITeS) hub is fast fading away. “The driving forces are multitude, ranging from ease of doing business, availability of abundant English speaking workforce at lower wages, better infrastructure to government incentives”, said D S
Rawat, Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India. “It is imperative for Governments at the Centre and States to quickly
initiate remedial measures on war-footing to stem the loss as the capital flight will not only severely affect the growth and employment
but threaten India’s leadership in the knowledge industry,” he said. According to the just concluded ASSOCHAM Eco Pulse (AEP) Study titled “Sustaining India’s IT/ITeS Leadership”, the prevailing macroeconomic and sectoral conditions have been resulting in a shifting of ITeS/BPO industry away from India to the Philippines, especially from Hyderabad and Bangalore. Such a trend is yet not being noticed in the National Capital Region and Pune. India is presently a premier destination for the global offshoring market of IT/ITeS, accounting for almost 55 per cent in 2010 as compared to 49 per cent in 2005. The country has emerged a dominant player in global IT services outsourcing with increase in its share to 70 per cent in 2010 from 52 per cent in 2005.
Safe Homecoming to evacuate more than 16,000 people from strife-torn areas through special flights and passenger and naval vessels. Similar evacuations, he added, were carried out in Egypt and Yemen on a lower scale. “We stand ready to extend such help elsewhere should the need arise”, he added. Noting that over six million Indians live in the Gulf and West Asia, the Prime Minister said, “we need to be alert to the unfolding developments in this part of the world. We have conveyed to the countries of the region that we have a stake in the peace and stability of this region, and that we expect that they would appropriately look after the interests of Indian communities in their countries.” The government, he further said, had already decided to introduce and sponsor a new Pension and Life Insurance Fund for overseas Indian workers. The scheme, he said, will assist overseas workers to voluntarily save for their returned resettlement and old age. “It will also provide lowcost life insurance cover against natural death,” Singh added.
Sri Lanka: Buddha Festival DAWN : The procession, held on the full moon day on 8th January’ 2012, commemorates the visit of Lord Buddha to the temple. Hundreds of traditional dancers, drummers, decorated elephants and monks take part in the annual procession, considered one of the country’s biggest Buddhist procession. Hundreds of devotees and onlookers gathered for the annual elephant pageant, held on the night before the full moon day in January, to commemorate the visit of Lord Buddha to the temple. Dozens of colourful traditional dancers, drummers, whip crackers, fire eaters, musicians and devotees take part in the pageant that parades through the main streets of Kelaniya.
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INDO AMERICAN NEWS • Friday, january 13, 2012 • WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
January 13, 2012
India Calls for Stepping up Counter-Terror, Economic Cooperation with Israel
JERUSALEM (TOI): India has called for scaling up counterterror and economic cooperation with Israel, which has emerged as it second largest supplier of sophisticated military weapons. “My visit primarily would be focusing on the economic content, security, terror - these are some of the issues which are commonly faced both by Israel as well as India,” external affairs minister SM Krishna said with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his side. “We will have to work out a strategy as to how we address ourselves to the scourge of international terrorism - the curse for the entire humanity,” said Krishna. “I think our efforts should be to checkmate and ultimately eradicate terrorists from the face of the earth,” he added. Since the 26/11 Mumbai carnage, in which six Israeli nationals were also killed, counter-terror cooperation between India and Israel has intensified. Krishna on Monday began a two-day visit to Israel, the first by an Indian foreign minister to that country in the last 11 years. Krishna stressed that he was visiting Israel to chart out a road map for the next two decades of bilateral cooperation. “We have learned so much from Israel, particularly in the field of agriculture and science and technology innovation,” he said. “And India is naturally an ally of Israel in all these frontiers of science and I look forward to an increased economic content to our existing political relationship,” Krishna said.
Netanyahu struck an upbeat note on the trajectory of India’s relations with Israel which have been blossoming since two decades ago. “India and Israel are two ancient
the top leadership including Israel President Simon Peres and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, besides holding elaborate talks with his counterpart Avigdor Lieberman.
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Arab Investors Keen on Pie in Indian Market Post Liberal Rules
NEW DELHI (TOI): India’s decision to allow foreign individuals or groups to invest directly into the country’s stock market has attracted serious investment enquiries from the Arab world. In a letter to finance minister Pranab Mukherjee, a Sharjah-based real estate magnate has hailed the decision stating: “A large number of UAE-based family offices that have business relationships with
to combat money laundering and terrorist financing activities. While the GCC is a full member of FATF, the individual member countries -- Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and UAE are not. Besides, from the GCC countries, only Bahrain and Dubai Financial Services Authority are members of the IOSCO. The investors from the Arab world want the government to ensure that
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu with India’s External Affairs Minister, SM Krishna the two nations are furthering ties with each other in various sectors, not only in defence but to UAE based investors are ready to partake of profits from combat international terrorism and economic development doing business in India, here KHDA (Knowledge and Human peoples seizing the future: in Describing India as a natural ally Development Authority) officials hold discussions with Kerala technology, in innovation, in of Israel in all frontiers of science, Education Minister Abdurab on setting up an academic city enterprise, and I think we can seize the minister said he looked forward Indian counterparts will be the first it even better by our cooperation,” to an increased economic content to movers to participate and propagate the two conditions do not come said Netanyahu. the existing areas of cooperation. in their way to put their money this initiative”. “So I look forward to discuss with Israel Prime Minister Netanyahu, H o w e v e r, h e h a s a s k e d in Indian bourses. With the crisis you all these areas of cooperation who hosted a breakfast meeting for for clarifications on whether in European markets, investors between us, including the signing Krishna, said, “India and Israel were individuals, groups or associations from the Arab world are showing in the near future of a free trade two ancient peoples, seizing the based in the member countries increased interest in India. agreement to multiply our trade future, in technology, in innovation, of the Gulf Cooperation Council NOTE: To subscribe for a full and to increase the cooperation in enterprise. I think we can seize it (GCC) will be eligible to participate year, call us today at 713-789economically between India and even better by our cooperation.” in the Indian stock market. The NEWS (6397) to have us mail it Israel,” he said. Krishna said terrorism was a question is raised because the to your home, office or place of India and Israel have also decided problem that was being commonly January 1 decision of the Indian business. to boosting agriculture cooperation faced by Israel and India. finance ministry sets two conditions through technology. Krishna had also called on for allowing overseas investors to NARESH SETLUR, CPA The two countries alsosigned President Peres, who described put their money into the country’s Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor an extradition treaty and a pact on India as the greatest democracy. He stock exchanges. www.karanika.net transfer of sentenced prisoners. also said Israel wanted New Delhi 832.620.4757 As per the riders, the investors During his stay in Israel before to become a permanent member of have to be from countries which Over 20 Years Experience in US, Canada & India travelling to Palestine, Krishna met the UNSC. are Financial Action Task Force Accounting, Taxes, ( FAT F ) c o m p l i a n t a n d a r e Business Consulting signatories to the International Payroll, Real Estate, Franchise Adopt a pet today! 713-869-7722 Business Formation LLC etc., Organisations of Securities Visit www.houstonspca.org QuickBooks, Peachtree Help Commissions (IOSCO). FATF 1040, 1120, 1065 Tax Returns promotes international policies Learn more by visiting their website today!
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January 13, 2012
Anti-Outsourcing Bill Stirs Fears In India, Philippines
WASHINGTON (HP): A bill that would punish American companies for sending their customer call centers overseas has caused an uproar in India and the Philippines, where politicians and corporations fear lost business due to the U.S. bill’s protectionist measures. The legislation, pushed by Rep. Tim Bishop (D-N.Y.) and the Communications Workers of America (CWA) union, would make companies that outsource their call center work ineligible for guaranteed federal loans and grants for a period of five years. The bill,
entitled “U.S. Call Center Worker and Consumer Protection Act,” would also require those companies to report themselves in advance to the Labor Department, which would maintain a public list of the companies who outsource. Home to the largest call center industries in the world, India and the Philippines would stand to lose the most if such a law succeeded in deterring American corporations from taking their customer operations out of the U.S. in order to save on labor costs. Last week, a Filipino
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parliamentarian publicly urged in those companies’ call centers the legislation in Reps. Dave President Benigno Aquino III to overseas would be required to McKinley (R-W.Va.) and Michael dispatch “a strong lobby team” in disclose their locations when asked Grimm (R-N.Y.). In a statement, Washington to stop the bill in its tracks, warning that it would “kill” the industry in the Philippines. Similarly, India’s ambassador to the United States has suggested that country also plans to lobby hard on the bill. When asked about such reactions, Bishop said that the fears in India and the Philippines reinforce the argument for the legislation. “Frankly, the fact that both the Indian government and the Filipino government are reacting like this says that our bill is very badly needed,” he said. Most of the call center jobs lost in the U.S. are “sent primarily to India and the India and Philippines stand to lose a lot if American Corporations are Philippines. So I hope [the deterred from outsourcing jobs to these two nations. People in both countries now fear large scale unemployment should this anti-outsourcing bill] does have an impact.” bill take effect A c c o r d i n g t o C WA statistics, American call centers account for about three by American callers, as well as Grimm said, “This bill ensures percent of the country’s jobs, provide callers with the option of that companies receiving taxpayeralthough about half a million such being transferred to a call center funded federal aid or tax incentives jobs have been lost over the last in the U.S. -- stipulations likely don’t use those incentives to move four years due to offshoring. In a aimed at pleasing constituents their call centers abroad.” Even statement released Monday, the who are tired of dealing with so, the bill will probably be a CWA called the legislation “an customer service reps based in long shot for passage in the GOPactual, honest-to-God, bi-partisan other countries. controlled House, where many bill focused on U.S. jobs,” as well While discussing the call center Republicans who support free as “a measured step towards helping legislation last month, Bishop said markets and free trade would bristle foster job growth in the U.S.” The that “outsourcing is one of the at its protectionist flavor. CWA represents 700,000 workers scourges of our economy and one To help push the legislation, the in the U.S., roughly 150,000 of of the reasons we are struggling to CWA released a report last month them call center employees. knock down the unemployment documenting higher instances In addition to making them rate and reduce the number of of fraud and security breaches ineligible for federal loans, the Americans who are out of work at foreign call centers, as well as call center bill would place stiff ... We can’t prohibit it, but we can instances of “sub-outsourcing,” mandates on companies that chose certainly discourage it.” in which contractors in India to outsource their call centers. So far, Bishop has found a pair outsource to even cheaper labor Customer service reps working of Republican co-sponsors for markets in other countries. RELATED NEWS: The Philippines overtook India at the end of 2011 as the top hub for call center outsourcing, according to the New York Times. Currently, about 400,000 Filipinos are employed at call centers, versus about 350,000 in India, as big U.S. firms such as AT&T, JPMorgan Chase and Expedia seek operators that speak American English. While India has long been a favorite for call center outsourcing because of its large English-speaking population and cheap labor, many Americans have found it difficult to understand Indians’ British English, including unfamiliar idioms. An Indian operator, for example, might say “I will revert on the same,” instead of, “I will follow up on that.” The shift to the Philippines reflects not only a maturation of the outsourcing business, but also a response to dissatisfaction with Indian operators among U.S. consumers. While the monthly wage of an entry-level operator in the Philippines averages $300, versus $250 for equivalent employees in India, greater familiarity with American culture and language in the Philippines have made the former U.S. colony a more suitable call center hub for American companies. Consequently, in the Philippines, the call center business is growing 25 to 30 percent annually compared to 10 to 15 percent in India, according to Salil Dani, research director at the Everest Group, a firm that tracks the market. Still, with millions of Americans out of work and American customers complaining about operators they cannot understand, at least some companies have decided to move their call centers back to the United States. Among them is US Airways, which has opened call centers in Arizona, California and North Carolina.
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January 13, 2012
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Tulsi Tanti Sees ‘India, as a Growing Market for Wind Energy’
MUMBAI (IE): Suzlon Energy Limited has announced receiving the cumulative orders of 166.3 MW power project in India for the last over two months. The company said the orders received between October 22 and December 22, represented a strong customer mix, covering public sector undertakings (PSUs), large corporates and small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The order sizes ranged as small as 0.6 MW to 20 MW. The orders have come during the time when the industry particularly the capital goods sector witnessed low growth. Tulsi Tanti, chairman and managing director, Suzlon group, said the company sees India as a fastest growing market in the wind energy sector. “The orders underscore the vibrant and rapidly growing Indian wind sector. With an ever increasing need for energy, and technology making it possible to profitably harness low wind sites.”
Tanti started off as manager of a small textiles company in Surat. The company was in a constant battle with rising electricity prices and frequent outages of power, and profits suffered as a result. Tanti began researching alternatives to supplying his company with power from the national grid, and in 1994 he purchased two wind turbines. Despite a large initial cost, the economic advantages of the move quickly became clear, and he soon began to tell others of his solution, seeing the potential for India, as a developing industrial nation, to lead the way in the use of energy from environmentally friendly sources. Interest in wind-powered factories developed quickly, and Tanti and his 3 brothers seized the opportunity to found Suzlon Energy and moved to the city of Pune, near Bombay. However, with no experience of the energy industry, Suzlon Energy were forced to work initially with German company Südwind in a distributer role. When Südwind went bankrupt, however, Tanti, as a partner, was in prime position to swoop in and acquire much of the business’ assets and technologies. The company revolutionized the way the industry functioned; instead
Tulsi Tanti, an Indian businessman, is chairman and managing director of Suzlon Energy, a global wind-power company. Born in Rajkot, in the Indian state of Gujarat, he is seen as a leading figure in the fight for using sustainable energy sources of different stages of production being shared between different companies, Suzlon manufactured, installed and maintained all their wind turbines themselves. They also allowed customers to use wind power without having to own a turbine on their own land, instead allowing the customer to buy the output of a specific wind turbine in a wind park (a large collection of turbines in one place). As business grew, Tanti sold his textiles company to focus on Suzlon Energy, and was rewarded for his commitment when the company’s sales quadrupled to $131million in 2002.
However, the business venture has had its problems. Many of these problems can be attributed to issues within the wind power industry. One such issue is the use of large areas of land for wind farms; Suzlon encountered problems when trying to buy land in rural India, as landowners began to demand incredibly high prices when they realized the value of land in prime spots for wind farms. Today, Suzlon Energy is the largest wind turbine manufacturer in Asia, and the 5th largest in the world, owning factories in the USA and China, as well as several across India.
INDO AMERICAN NEWS • friday, January 13, 2012 • WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
Tulsi Tanti has been honored for his work promoting sustainable energy sources; he was named ‘Entrepreneur of the Year 2006’ by Ernst + Young, ‘Hero of the Environment’ by TIME Magazine in 2007, and the United Nations Environment Program named him ‘Champion of the Earth’ in 2009. A quote from Tanti in TIME magazine in 2007 shows his philosophical attitude to his business: “Yes, green business is good business. But it’s not just about making money. It’s about being responsible.” Wind power company Suzlon launched a campaign in Mumbai titled Pure Air Lovers’ Society, (P.A.L.S.) spanning over one million members and 9,000 registrations added on every day. This movement spans 86 cities including New Delhi and Bangalore. The movement places emphasis on the importance of clean air. P.A.L.S. first initiative, GaadiBandh, was launched in Pune to educate people about the importance of turning off vehicles at signals to help reduce pollution emissions. Dharini Mishra, Global Head of Brand, Suzlon Group said, “This has been a hugely successful campaign. More information pertaining to environment cleanliness and reducing pollution are at the P.A.L.S. website www.pals.in .
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OPINION WORLD
January 13, 2012
The Rajasthan Missing Nurse was Murdered
By Raj Kanwar IAN Delhi Correspondent The mystery that shrouded the disappearance since September 1 last of Bhanwari Devi, a beautiful Rajasthan nurse, now stands solved: she was murdered according to a formal report filed in the Rajasthan High Court by Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on January 10. The CBI which has been investigating this case for several months finally reached the
conclusion that Bhanwari Devi was murdered. The murder of Bhanwari Devi was confirmed after the police divers discovered from a canal several personal items including a wrist watch and beads of a necklace, ear rings, clothing etc belonging to the murdered nurse; these items were formally identified by her son as belonging to the deceased. According to the report, Bhanwari Devi was burnt by a gang of criminals led by one Bishnaram Bishnoi and the remains of her body were thrown in a canal near Jadola village. It has been further stated that she was murdered on the very day of her disappearance. The principal accused Kailash Jakhar had admitted that he had thrown Bhanwari’s belongings in the canal. A CD circulating before her disappearance showed Mahipal Maderna, a senior minister in the Rajasthan government, in a compromising position
with Bhanwari Devi. It is believed that Maderna who was dismissed from the ministry and later arrested, and a Congress MLA Malkhan Singh were part of the conspiracy to abduct and kill Bhanwari. The investigators have come to the conclusion that Maderna wanted at any cost the sleazy CD; it is further believed that Malkhan Singh had fathered one of Bhanwari Devi’s daughters and wanted to protect his reputation.
It is further alleged that Bhanwari had threatened to expose Malkhan’s relationship with her. The whole conspiracy of kidnapping and murder is bizarre. In fact, Bhanwari’s husband Amarchand too was brought in by the principal conspirators and was told to ensure that Bhanwari travelled on September 1 to Bilwara -- the scene of the crime. Amarchand played his part as directed. He thus managed to send Bhanwari to Bilwara with Sahi Ram. It is further alleged that it was there that Sahi Ram and Shahabuddin killed Bhanwari and handed over the body to Bishna Ram’s gang for final disposal. Kailash Jakhar, one of the members of the gang that finally disposed off Bhanwari’s body, is believed to have confessed about his role in the disposal of the Bhanwari’s body. Next hearing of the case in the high court will now take place on February 21.
Breast Cancer Claims 40,000 lives a Year in Pakistan ISLAMABAD (Dawn): Pakistan has the highest rate of breast cancer all over Asia due to which every year 40,000 women die. One out of every nine women in Pakistan faces risk of the disease while the prevalence of this deadly ailment is the highest amongst all types of cancer in the country i.e. 38.5 per cent. This was shared by the speakers at a workshop held here on Monday to inaugurate Pink Ribbon Campaign supported by higher education commission (HEC) and Pakistan atomic energy commission (PAEC) cancer hospital to mark 2012 as `Pink Ribbon Youth Year`. National coordinator, Pink Ribbon, Omer Aftab said that fortunately, breast cancer can be detected and cured at a very early stage. Therefore, it is important to focus on prevention and diagnoses rather than cure since early diagnosis in breast cancer increases chances of survival to more than 90 per cent, he said. `The recent trends in Pakistan have shown that the breast cancer incidence is alarmingly high in young girls. On the other hand older women are also reluctantin getting them medically checked on regular intervals. This issue,` he said, `can be
addressed using daughters who are normally closer to the mothers and theycan be usedasinfluencers for the older generation. They can motivate their mothers for a regular breast examination and medical check-up,` said Omer. As many as 25,000 students from 15 colleges and universities of Islamabad and 500,000 youths of
nearly 500 educational institutions aH over the country will be given awareness about breast cancer this year, he said. Chairman HEC Dr Javed Laghari assured that HEC will provide assistance and full cooperation during the campaign. Additional secretary, Pakistan Post, Fazal Sattar told that 500,000 postal stamps have been introduced to give awareness regarding the disease. Assistant Inspector General Motorway police, Dr Farooq assured that as motorway police was already taking part in pollo eradication campaign, officials of
Indian Embassy Moves to Brand New Building in Beijing BEIJING: The Indian Embassy in China moved into a brand-new building in downtown Beijing, in a magnificent structure made of sandstone and other materials imported from home providing a distinctive Indian look. Indian Ambassador to China, S Jaishankar along with all other staff informally moved into the new building, built at a cost of nearly USD 10 million. “Formal opening ceremony will be held after the Chinese New Year later this month,” Jaishankar told Indian media here. The 13500 sq mt compound, located close to US, Malaysia, Israeli and Brunei embassies, also houses a
cultural complex and an auditorium which could accommodate about 100 people. This is the second time that the Indian Embassy moved its premises ever since it opened its mission here in Beijing in 1950s after the People’s Republic of China (PRC) was established. The embassy had to move away from its first building during the chaos in Cultural Revolution in 1966 and later shifted into a bungalow near Ritan Park in central Beijing after acquiring it on a 99-years lease. The land for the building was acquired on a 90-years lease in 1989 for RMB 6.75 million and the construction cost of about USD 9.5 million, the Indian diplomat added. INDO AMERICAN NEWS • Friday, january 13, 2012 • WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
the force can easily take part in the awareness campaign regarding breast cancer too. Vice Chancellor FatimaJinnah University, Samina Amin Qadir stressed that female university students can play a vital role in the campaign and they should make their families aware of the dangers of disease. Head of the learning and innovation department, HEC, Noor Amna Malik while talking to Dawn said that unfortunately it has become a routine that we receive programmes from west and introduce them in the country. “We should first conduct research on the diseases and after finding the reasons behind them, cure them and only then should launch awareness campaigns. `Environment, culture and lifestyle of east and west are different due to which methods of cure can also differ. One of the basic reasons of our problem is poor literacy rate. In India, just because of better literacy rate, breast cancer ratio is ten times lesser as compared to Pakistan. So government should pay attention to the education sector,` she said. Omer Aftab informed Dawn that their teams will start visiting the universities from Tuesday (today) besides starting to organise medical camps.
SPORTS
January 13, 2012
3rd Test: Team India Faces ‘Green’ Reality at Perth
PERTH (TOI): Had anyone from the Indian contingent taken a fiveminute walk from their hotel to the WACA ground on Sunday, they would have been hit by ‘green’ reality. The pitch that was being used for Sunday’s Big Bash game between Perth Scorchers and Adelaide Strikers had a healthy tinge of green despite it being a T20 tie.
pace written all over it, and it would need a very brave captain to even contemplate playing a finger spinner here in spite of the bounce. The last time they had played here - in 2007-08 - India had knocked Australia off their perch at this very ground, long considered to be the home team’s fortress. Like Dhoni’s boys, Anil Kumble’s team too had
Sachin Tendulkar is the only Indian Test batsman to score a Test century at the WACA
The carry to the wicketkeeper was exceptional. The worrying part for India is that but for the pitch, the entire playing arena, including the square, resembles a shiny green carpet. WACA curator Cameron Sutherland made no bones about the fact that the pitch here would offer plenty of pace and bounce. “It will play pretty similar to last year against England, where it had a bit of colour and had a bit of grass on it,” Sutherland was quoted as saying by the Sydney Morning Herald. “It’s kind of a different grass we’ve used over the last couple of years. It’s really fine. So even if you leave grass on it and it has a bit of colour in it, it doesn’t seam excessively. It just gives a bit to the new ball and then it settles into a pretty good batting wicket,” Sutherland added. It is the kind of wicket that has
come to Perth 0-2 down in the series, and pulled one back, thanks to some gritty batting and excellent seam and swing bowling by the likes of RP Singh, Irfan Pathan and Ishant Sharma. Interestingly, skipper Kumble had been forced to leave out Harbhajan Singh from the XI, not the least for his unsavoury role in the Monkeygate scandal in the previous Test. Even more interestingly, the Aussies had gone in with four pacers but skipper Ricky Ponting had to fall back on part-time spinners Andrew Symonds and Michael Clarke in desperation. This is a different scenario, though. Clarke can hardly be blamed if he takes the all-pace gamble, but it is unlikely that Dhoni will even contemplate doing so. After checking into their rooms and sleeping off the cross-continent
jet-lag, Indian players hit the gymnasium in the evening at the hotel itself. Coach Duncan Fletcher had a one-on-one with senior pro Rahul Dravid, whose rich vein of form seems to be deserting him in the New Year. Fletcher clearly feels that Dravid’s problem stems from his mind rather than lack of technique. Another candidate for
coach’s attention is Virat Kohli, whose Test career simply refuses to take off. The ‘coffins’, will however be opened only on Tuesday as they take a clean break from the game before the third Test gets underway on Friday. E-mail us your local college and school sports events at indoamericannews@yahoo.com
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Paes, Tipsarevic Win Doubles Crown in Chennai Open The third seed Indo-Serbian pair of Leander Paes and Janko Tipsarevic today won the doubles title at the Aircel Chennai Open 2012, defeating fourth seed Israeli duo of Andy Ram and Jonathan Erlich 6-4, 6-4 in straight sets
The Indo-Serbian pair showed much of it today, with Tipsarevic, who had just lost the singles final, which lasted more than three hours, to Milos Raonic, taking the field after a short break. 38-year-old Paes summoned his vast reserves of experience in the light of Tipsarevic’s exertions, regularly running up to his teammate and offering words of encouragement and shouting “Out!” from a forward position even as a return sailed over his head. Despite Paes’ efforts, however, Tipsarevic looked tired after his epic final loss to Raonic, and gifted many a point to the opposition with his wayward service returns and backhand volleys which found only the net. The first set started in an auspicious manner for the Third seeds, Leander Paes and Janko Tipsarevic, cruised past the fourth Indo-Serbian duo, with the seeded Israeli duo, Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram, in straight sets at the local favorites notching up a Aircel Chennai Open 2012 on Sunday. They registered a 6-4, 6-4 victory over the Israelis to lift their maiden title together at this first ATP World Tour event 3-0 lead, including breaking their opponents twice. of the season, taking place in Chennai, India After breaking Andy Ram here. Paes volley sail unharmed between in the very first game to go 1-0 up, In a match the lasted 73 minutes, them, gifting the first doubles title Paes and Tipsarevic held serve in the local favourites won their to the Indo-Serbian pair. the next game, before breaking first title together and Paes’ sixth Erlich and Ram have already Ram and Erlich in the third game. doubles title here. been runners up once in the Chennai The Israeli pair immediately broke Tipsarevic played the match Open, losing in the 2004 doubles back, when Tipsarevic sealed the right after losing the singles final. final to the Spanish pair of Rafael breakpoint for the opposition by Asked how he had managed such a Nadal and Tommy Robredo. sending a backhand return long. physically difficult task, Tipsarevic The second set saw Paes and Paes said, “I know how difficult it said, “I had a very hard pre-season. is mentally to play two finals on the Tipsarevic break the opposition I have that every year, fitness in same day. The way he (Tipsarevic) twice, in games one and nine, general is one of my strength”. prepared for both the finals, it was while the opposition could break About Paes, he said, “I love impeccable. He epitomises what an them only once, in game two on playing with someone who loves to athlete should be.” Paes’ serve. ask me something but also to give Though their only break in the Following their semifinal victory something”. over Rajeev Ram and Scott Lipsky set was an immediate break back Paes and Tipsarevic wrapped up yesterday, Paes had attributed the to level things after Paes and the title in game 10 of the second success of his partnership with Tipsarevic had broken Erlich to 1-0 set on Paes’ serve, right after they Serbian Janko Tipsarevic to their up, the Israeli pair could not take had broken Erlich in the previous “work ethic”. advantage of it. game. Serving for the set, Paes and Tipsarevic were aided in their cause after Erlich hit two consecutive serve returns long from the baseline. At 40-0 up and three match points at their disposal, Ram and Erlich left a
INDO AMERICAN NEWS • friday, January 13, 2012 • WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
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PAKISTAN
January 13, 2012
Pak Army, Govt on Head-on Collision; Defence Secretary Sacked
ISLAMABAD (IE): Pakistan’s military warned Wednesday of ‘’grievous consequences’’ for the country after the Prime Minister accused the Army chief of violating the Constitution, adding to a sense of crisis that some believe could end in the ouster of government. Soon after the Army statement, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani sacked defence secretary, retired Lieutenant General Naeem Khalid Lodhi, a move that is likely to ratchet up tension with the country’s powerful military. Lodhi, a retired general, is seen as an Army representative within the civilian government, and his ouster is another ominous sign of nearopen conflict in a nation that has seen repeated military coups in its six-decade history. The Prime Minister’s office said in a statement that Lodhi was fired for gross misconduct and illegal action which created misunderstanding between state institutions. The decision comes during intense friction between the civilian government and the powerful military over an unsigned memo that sought U.S. help in reining in Pakistan’s generals. Earlier this week, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani was quoted as telling a Chinese newspaper that Army chief General Pervez Ashfaq Kayani had violated the Constitu-
tion by submitting statements to the Supreme Court about the memo sent to Washington. The Army statement said Gilani’s statement had ‘’very serious ramifications with potentially grievous consequences for the country.’’ It did not elaborate. The memo sent to Washington had asked for U.S. help in reining in the Army. The memo outraged the Army, and the Supreme Court ordered a probe to establish whether it had been sanctioned by Zardari. As part of the investigation, Army chief Kayani and the head of the main spy agency, Lt General Ahmed Shuja Pasha, submitted statements to the court in which they suggested the memo was part of a conspiracy against the Army. The sacked defence secretary had submitted the statements to court. The memo scandal broke three months ago when businessman Mansoor Ijaz, writing in a column in the Financial Times, said a senior Pakistani diplomat had earlier in the year asked that the memo be delivered to the U.S. Defense Department for help in reining in the military. Ijaz later identified the diplomat as the then Pakistani ambassador to the United States, Husain Haqqani, an ally of Zardari’s who was never liked by the military for his strong advocacy of civilian supremacy. Haqqani denied any connection
with the memo but resigned as ambassador. Pakistan’s Supreme Court has set up a judicial commission to investigate the memo. Although Pakistan is a U.S. ally, their relations are often difficult and anti-U.S. sentiment runs high. Many Pakistanis see a request for U.S. intervention in Pakistan’s affairs as disloyal. Distrust between civilian leaders and the generals has bedeviled the nuclear-armed South Asian country for almost its entire existence, with the military ruling for more than half of its 64-year history after a series of coups. A senior military official said the latest tension was very serious. In December, President Asif Ali Zardari flew to Dubai for medical treatment sparking rumours that he had fled the country anticipating a coup. Army chief General Kayani last month dismissed coup rumors as speculation and said the army supported democracy. Zardari returned after about two weeks. Note: To subscribe, please call 713-789-NEWS (6397) to have it mailed to your home/office. Visit us online, www.indoamerican-news.com
Musharraf to Return to Pakistan Soon KARACHI (Outlook): Former President Pervez Musharraf, who has been living in self-exile outside Pakistan since early 2009, today announced he would return to the country later this month to lead his All Pakistan Muslim League party, despite facing threats of arrest in the Benazir Bhutto assassination case. Addressing a public meeting organised by his party at a ground adjacent to the mausoleum of Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, here via video conferencing, Musharraf said: “Between January 27 and 30, I will come to Pakistan.” Musharraf, 68, said he would return to the country via Karachi and was not scared of anyone. “They are trying to scare me but I am not a scared person and I am coming back to face the situation,” he told the cheering crowd that included women. He also announced he would contest the next general election from a constituency in Chitral in KhyberPakhtunkhwa province. “I am living comfortably abroad and I have no problems but I am coming back for the Pakistani people because now is the time for change. People are fed up with the old faces,” he said. The former military ruler left Pakistan in April 2009, months after he was forced to resign from the post of President by the Pakistan People’s Party-led government. Since then, he has lived in Dubai and London in self-exile. A slew of civil and criminal cases
Pervez Musharraf is planning to visit Pakistan between January 27 and 30th, going to Chitral in KhyberPakthunkhwa province to contest the next general election as he feels people are ready for a change
have been filed against Musharraf across the country and government prosecutors have said he would be arrested on his return as an anti-terrorism court had declared him a fugitive for not cooperating with investigators probing the 2007 assassination of former premier Benazir Bhutto. The former President’s announcement to return to Pakistan comes just hours after Interior Minister Rehman Malik told reporters in Islamabad that Musharraf should be arrested on his return as he was a proclaimed offender. Musharraf said if his party comes to power, he would make the Hazara region of Khyber-Pakhtukhwa a separate province. He dismissed allegations that he was an enemy of the Baloch people, saying such charges were being levelled by those who did not want to see Balochistan province prosper. He also discussed his achievements during the nine years he was in power, saying he had broken the begging bowl and stopped taking aid from the International Monetary Fund.
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Indo American News • Friday, JANUARY 13, 2012 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com