VOL 12 ISSUE 02 ● NEW YORK/ DALLAS ● JANUARY 19 - JANUARY 25, 2018 ● ENQUIRIES: 646-247-9458 www.theindianpanorama.news

104-02, 120th Street,S. Richmond Hil l , NY 11419

We will bring out a specialRepublic Day Supplement onthe occasion of the Republic

Day of India, January 26. Pleasesend in articles and

advertisements by January 23,2018. For any question, please call 646-247-9458 or email to

editor@theindianpanorama.com

SC lifts ban imposed by some States on‘Padmaavat’, citing freedom of speechNEW DELHI (TIP): The Supreme Court,

on January 18, paved the way for thenationwide release of 'Padmaavat'onJanuary 25, as it stayed orders issued by theHaryana, Rajasthan and Gujaratgovernments banning the screening ofDeepika Padukone-starrer film.

Noting that maintenance of law and orderwas the duty of state governments, a Benchheaded by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misraasked states to provide the security neededfor the film's peaceful screening.

The Supreme Court also restrained otherstates from similar ban notifications. Itsought to emphasize that theatre and cinemawere a part of right to freedom of speech andexpression. "Let it be released... a movie

contd on Page 32

The official poster of the controversial moviePadmaavat in which Deepika Padukone plays

Rani Padmavati

40% of foreign-borntechies in Seattle Indians

SEATTLE (TIP): More than 40 per centof the foreign-born tech workers in Seattle- which is home to Microsoft, Amazon, andBoeing - are from India, according to amedia report. Silicon Valley is overlydependent (70 per cent) on foreign techworkers in IT occupation, it said.

(Source: PTI)

WASHINGTON (TIP): The House, onThursday, January 18 night, approved, 230 to197, a stopgap spending bill to keep thegovernment open past Friday, but "SenateDemocrats - angered by President Trump'svulgar aspersions and a lack of progress on abroader budget and immigration deal -appeared ready to block the measure", said aNew York Times report.

In the Senate, at least about a dozenDemocratic votes would be needed toapprove the measure, and there was littlechance that those would materialize.

Democrats are intent on securingconcessions that would, among other things,protect from deportation young immigrantsbrought to the country illegally as children,increase domestic spending, aid Puerto Ricoand bolster the government's response to theopioid crisis.

The Senate held only a procedural vote onthe stopgap bill late Thursday night, leavingfor Friday a more consequential vote whenDemocrats are expected to block themeasure.

(Developing story)

Damocles sword hangs on government runningdespite House Passing Short-Term Spending BillGOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN BATTLE MOVES TO SENATE

Canada Lawmaker behind 1984Genocide Motion is Ontario'sFirst Sikh Woman MinisterThe 38-year-old daughter of Canada'sfirst turbaned MP Gurbax Singh Malhiwas sworn in as Minister of the Status ofWomen on Thursday, January 18.

TORONTO (TIP):

Harinder Malhi, theI n d o - C a n a d i a nmember of theOntario provincialparliament and themover of the 1984genocide motion inthe House last April,has been given acabinet berth in theOntario cabinet,

contd on Page 32

LANDMARK BREXIT BILL PASSEDLONDON (TIP): British MPs gave the green light, on

January 18, to a landmark Brexit Bill, after weeks of debateand a damaging government defeat, but the legislation nowfaces a battle in the House of Lords.

The House of Commons voted by a majority of 29 toapprove the EU (Withdrawal) Bill, which repeals the 1972 lawthat made Britain a member of theEuropean Union. "Thisbill is essential for preparing the country for the historic

contd on Page 32

President Trump Tweets out'Fake News Awards' CNN, ABC News, New York Times,Washington Post, Time among theawardees

WASHINGTON (TIP): Announcing themuch-awaited Fake News Awards, USPresident Donald Trump declared 'The NewYork Times' as the winner of the 'Fake News

contd on Page 32

Harinder Malhirepresents the

Punjabi-dominated'riding' of Brampton-

Springdale

British Prime Minister TheresaMay speaks in Parliament

PresidentDonald Trump

tweeted out thewinners of his

"Fake NewsAwards" onWednesday,

January 17 night

2 THE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2018ADVERTISEMENT

3NEW YORKTHE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2018

Indian American Businessmen Chintu andChirag Patel feted as Persons of the Year 2017

NEW YORK (TIP): Chintu Patel andChirag Patel, Co-Chairmen of AmnealPharmaceuticals, were honored as Persons ofthe Year 2017 for their monumental corporatesuccess and philanthropy by The South AsianTimes on Jan 13, 2018 at a gala reception inSyosset, NY.

Joining in presenting the plaques to the duowere Consul General Sandeep Chakravorty,Congressman Steve Israel, and Suffolk CountyExecutive Steve Bellone.

Chintu and Chirag Patel have taken Amnealin 15 years from a family business to 5thlargest generics drug company in the USAwith $2 billion revenue expected in 2018. Theyhave also set up family foundations calledNiswarth and Irada with large humanitarianprojects in India.

They were featured as cover story in TheSouth Times New Year Special issue ofJanuary 6-19, 2018. At the event last weekendat the North Shore Synagogue's grandballroom, the two Patel brothers wereintroduced by Kamlesh Mehta, Publisher andChairman of The South Asian Times.

Assembled at the reception to cheer thehonorees as well as celebrate the remarkablesuccess and contributions of the Indian

American community were numerouscommunity leaders, entrepreneurs,publishers and officials. Notable was thepresence of two Padma Shri honorees DrDattatreyudu Nori and Dr Sudhir Parikh.

Congressmen Israel and Suffolk CountyExecutive Bellone, while congratulatingChintu and Chirag, who they have knownpersonally, praised the Indian Americancommunity's role in bringing the two great

democracies of India and US closer. Amb.Sandeep Chakravorty echoed their thoughts.Steve Israel said "Chintu and Chirag have notforgotten the past while keeping an eye on thefuture," reflecting on how they have retainedthe best of Indian culture and family valueswhile having a long time vision to servehumanity.

Chirag Patel in his acceptance speechtalked about the infinite human potential,adding "One side is business success, but thesame thing applies to greater purpose in life."Tremendous growth of Amnealnotwithstanding, he said, "We are notstopping, we have multiple projects in bio-technology."

Chintu Patel said so far they had kept a lowprofile but a persistent Kamlesh Mehtaconvinced them to agree to be Persons of theYear 2017 arguing that their story will beinspirational for the community and it alsoconveys the importance of family values.Chintu said their father, Kanu Patel, is theirinspiration who is still active at 75. He alsothanked his team at Amneal, which employsmore than 5,000 people.

(Source: Based on a Press Release /ParveenChopra)

From L to R: Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, The South Asian Times Publisher andChairman Kamlesh Mehta, Consul General Sandeep Chakravorty, Priti and Chirag Patel, Chintuand Falguni Patel with Congressman Steve Israel right behind, former Hempstead Town ClerkNasrin Ahmad, Mekkatti graphics President Subin Varghese and The Asian Era Chairman Jack

Poola at the event.

2018 Guru Nanak Prize Awarded to TanenbaumCenter for Interreligious Understanding

HEMPSTEAD, NY(TIP): A non-profitorganization that promotes religiousunderstanding in schools, workplaces, healthcare settings and regions of armed conflictacross the globe has been awarded HofstraUniversity's 2018 Guru Nanak Interfaith Prize,Hofstra University President StuartRabinowitz announced, January 18.

The Tanenbaum Center for InterreligiousUnderstanding, founded 25 years ago andbased in Lower Manhattan, offers programsand resources providing educators, physiciansand corporate leaders with practical tools foraddressing religious differences and creatingcultures that respect religious diversity. It wasfounded in 1992 by Dr. Georgette F. Bennett, inmemory of her late husband, Rabbi Marc H.Tanenbaum, a humanitarian interfaith leader.

Through its Peacemakers in ActionNetwork, Tanenbaum also facilitates andsupports collaborations by a network ofindividuals from varied religious traditionswho promote grassroots and interfaithpeacebuilding efforts in armed conflictsaround the world. The Network currentlyconsists of 28 individuals from 23 regions.

"Tanenbaum is an extraordinaryorganization that embodies the principles ofGuru Nanak," said President Rabinowitz."Tanenbaum empowers people with concretestrategies that lead to greater religiousunderstanding and inclusion in societalinstitutions."

Tanenbaum is also an inaugural member ofthe now 330+ participant CEO ActionDiversity and Inclusion movement, and is inthe third year of its public educationcampaign Combating Extremism, which aimsto dispel stereotypes, inspire interreligiousrespect, and provide trustworthy informationabout current religion-related issues.

Said Dean Benjamin Rifkin of HofstraCollege of Liberal Arts and Sciences:"Tanenbaum's accomplishments and missionare a perfect manifestation of the vision forthis award, which is based on the conviction

that we have much to learn from the traditionsof others."

The $50,000 Guru Nanak Interfaith Prize isbestowed every two years to recognizesignificant work to increase interfaithunderstanding. The award will be formallypresented to the Tanenbaum Center at abanquet in April 2018.

The first Guru Nanak Interfaith Prize wasawarded in 2008 to His Holiness the 14th DalaiLama, Tenzin Gyatso. Since then, eightindividuals and organizations have beenrecognized with the Guru Nanak prize.

"Receiving the Guru Nanak Interfaith Prizeis an honor of the highest order," saidTanenbaum CEO Joyce S. Dubensky. "To berecognized as an advocate for the same valuesembodied by Guru Nanak-justice, equality,respect and compassion-is an affirmation ofeverything Tanenbaum seeks to achieve."

The Guru Nanak Interfaith Prize wasestablished in 2006 by Ishar Bindra and familyand named for the founder of the Sikhreligion. It is meant to encourageunderstanding of various religions andencourage cooperation between faithcommunities. Guru Nanak believed that allhumans are equal, regardless of color,ethnicity, nationality or gender.

In September 2000, the Bindra familyendowed the Sardarni Kuljit Kaur BindraChair in Sikh Studies at Hofstra University inhonor of the family's matriarch.

Tejinder Bindra, speaking on behalf of theBindra Family, noted when the award wasinaugurated that Guru Nanak espoused amessage of universal brotherhood at a time ofincreasing religious intolerance during 15thand 16th century India.

"It is in this spirit that the Guru Nanak

Prize was initiated," Bindra said. "If one canexperience that universality then there isabsolutely no room left for differences in race,color, caste, creed, religion or gender, and thenas the Sikh scripture tells us 'I see nostranger'."

"The awardees may or may not be Sikh andmay represent any of the multitudes of faithsor, for that matter, even no particular faith atall," he said. "It is their dedication that bringshumankind to their shared destiny, commonpurpose and roots that they honor."

Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji,the First Master of theSikhs, after whom the

award is instituted.

4 THE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2018INDIANS ABROAD

INDIAN ORIGIN IS BRITAIN’S FIRSTWOMAN SIKH LAWMAKER TO BE

APPOINTED AS SHADOW MINISTERThe Shadow Cabinet is the team of senior parliamentarians chosen by theLeader of the Opposition to mirror the Cabinet in Government

LONDON (TIP): Preet Kaur Gill, Britain'sfirst woman Sikh Member of Parliament (MP)has been promoted to the Shadow Cabinet bythe Opposition Labour party leader JeremyCorbyn.

The Shadow Cabinet is the team of seniorparliamentarians chosen by the Leader of theOpposition to mirror the Cabinet inGovernment.

Each member is appointed to lead on aspecific policy area for their party and toquestion and challenge their counterpart inthe Cabinet. In this way, the Opposition seeksto present itself as an alternativegovernment-in-waiting.

Ms. Gill, 44, won her BirminghamEdgbaston seat for the Labour party in theJune 8 snap polls last year.

In July, she was elected to the Home AffairsSelect Committee in the British Parliament.

She was promoted to the post of shadowminister for international development in MrCorbyn's New Year reshuffle of what hebrands as a "government-in-waiting".

"We had no Sikh MPs prior to this election.So, Sikhs had no representation and we hadno female Sikh representation. Parliamentmust reflect the people it serves," Ms. Gill hadsaid at the time of her election.

Since then, she has a busy tenure, beingelected to the influential Home Affairs SelectCommittee - the cross-party parliamentarypanel that examines the workings of the UKHome Office. Ms. Gill is also the chair of theAll Party Parliamentary Group for BritishSikhs.

Her appointment was announced alongside

that of Clive Lewis as shadow treasuryminister. Mr. Lewis had resigned as theshadow business minister in February lastyear over wanting a vote against theEuropean Union (Notification of Withdrawal)Bill and was one of 52 rebel MPs to defyLabour party orders to back the bill in aParliament vote.

He was also accused in a sexual harassmentscandal but cleared of wrongdoing by theparty late last year.

Others who moved up to the frontbenches ofthe Opposition include Jack Dromey as theshadow minister for pensions and Karen Leeas shadow minister for fire.

"Pleased to make appointments tostrengthen Labour's frontbench which is agovernment-in-waiting. I look forward toworking with them holding the Tories toaccount, developing our policies to transformour country and preparing to form agovernment for the many, not the few," MrCorbyn said in a statement.

British Prime Minister Theresa May hadannounced a reshuffle of her top team earlierthis year, leading to the appointment of threenew Indian-origin MPs -- Rishi Sunak, SuellaFernandes and Shailesh Vara -- to juniorministerial posts.

The Opposition Labour Party leader JeremyCorbyn has promoted Preet Kaur Gill,Britain's first woman Sikh Member of

Parliament (MP) to the Shadow Cabinet

LONDON (TIP): British-Indian sculptor AnishKapoor donated $1 million to five charitiesworking with refugees worldwide on Jan 17, in abid to alleviate a record-breaking globaldisplacement crisis.

Kapoor, who was born to an Indian father andIraqi Jewish mother, won the Genesis Prize -dubbed the Jewish Nobel - last year, for hiscommitment to Jewish values.

"Like many Jews, I do not have to go far back inmy family history to find people who wererefugees," he said in a statement.

"Directing Genesis Prize funds to this cause is away of helping people who, like my forebears nottoo long before them, are fleeing persecution."

The United Nations (U.N.) says the world iswitnessing the highest levels of displacement onrecord, with more than 65 million people forced toflee their homes, surpassing numbers after theSecond World War more than 70 years ago.

U.N. efforts to agree a voluntary pact on safe,orderly and regular migration suffered a setbackin December when the United States quit thenegotiations.

"In recent months, awareness of the plight faced

by tens of millions of refugees and displacedpersons worldwide has fallen significantly whilethe refugee crisis continues unabated," saidKapoor, a longtime social activist.

Kapoor, who lived in Israel briefly beforesettling in Britain in the 1970s, won the TurnerPrize in 1991 and created a Holocaust memorialfor London's Liberal Jewish Synagogue.

Winners of the Genesis Prize, which is grantedby the Israeli government, award $1 million tocharities of their choice, with the aim ofinspiring the next generation of Jews.

One of Kapoor's grantees is the InternationalRescue Committee, which is working withrefugees in Uganda - home to more than 1 millionpeople who have fled war in South Sudan - andwith stateless Rohingya in Myanmar.

He is also providing food for refugees in Greeceand France and medical care for Syrian refugees.

Previous winners include former New YorkCity Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the actorMichael Douglas. The 2018 winner, the Oscar-winning actress Natalie Portman, plans to focusher award funds on promoting women's equality.(Source: NDTV)

Indian Origin British Sculptor Anish KapoorAwards $1 Million ‘Jewish Nobel’ Prize to Refugees

"Directing Genesis Prize funds to thiscause is a way of helping people who, like

my forebears not too long before them,are fleeing persecution", says Anish

Indian American GurbirS. Grewal is the FirstSikh Attorney-Generalof New Jersey

TRENTON, NJ (TIP): Gurbir S Grewal, aprominent Indian-American lawyer hasbecome the first Sikh attorney general of theUS State of New Jersey after the State Senateapproved his nomination unanimously.

"I never imagined that my life's journeycould bring me here today," Grewal, 44, saidduring his confirmation hearing in front ofthe Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday,January 16."I'm extremely humbled, and I'mlooking forward to getting started," he said."My first order of business is to introducemyself and get up to speed."

Grewal, became the nation's first Sikhstate attorney general after the Senateapproved his nomination with a vote of 29-0.He was later sworn into office at a privateceremony, NJ.com reported.Grewal, aregistered Democrat, was made BergenCounty's top law enforcement official byGovernor Chris Christie in 2016.

Before that, he worked as chief of theeconomic crimes unit at the US Attorney'sOffice under former federal prosecutor PaulFishman, the report said.Grewal toldlawmakers he would continue the AttorneyGeneral's Office's efforts to stem the opioidcrisis and improve relationships betweenpolice and the communities they serve.Hesaid he would direct the Division of CriminalJustice, the office's prosecuting arm, to workwith prosecutors in the state's 21 counties tocoordinate response to the heroin epidemic.

He has run the 265-employee Prosecutor'sOffice since January 2016, working to combatopioid abuse with strategies such as pairingrecently hospitalized or arrested suspectswith addiction counselors. He also focused onimproving relationships between police andthe community.Grewal was nominated inDecember to serve as the next attorneygeneral of the US state of New Jersey. He wasnamed by New Jersey Governor-elect PhilMurphy. Source: Business- Standard

Grewal, became nation's first Sikh stateattorney general after the Senate approvedhis nomination with a vote of 29-0. He was

later sworn into office at a private ceremony

Anish Kapoor dubbed the Jewish Nobel - last year, for his commitment to Jewish values

Indian Americans Launch Impact Project to Help Run, Win and Lead in the United StatesWASHINGTON, DC (TIP): Following

historic wins at the ballot box inNovember 2017, a group of IndianAmerican philanthropists, communityleaders, and political operatives havecome together to formally launch theIndian American Impact Project ("ImpactProject") and Indian American ImpactFund ("Impact Fund"), collectivelyknown as "Impact."

Co-founded by Raj Goyle, CEO of

Bodhala and former member of theKansas State House, and Deepak Raj,Chairman of Pratham USA and founderof the Raj Center on Indian EconomicPolicies at Columbia University, thesebold new initiatives will help talentedand patriotic Indian Americans run foroffice, win, and lead. Raj Goyle will chairthe Impact Project, a not-for-profit501(c)(3) organization focused onleadership development and training,

while Deepak Raj will chair the ImpactFund, a political action committee thatwill endorse and support viablecandidates who reflect the IndianAmerican community's values.

"Despite rapid growth and professionalsuccess, for too long Indian Americanshave been underrepresented in electedoffice from state capitols to the U.S.Congress," said Goyle. (Read full story

on www.theindianpanorama.news)

Co-founder Raj Goyle, CEOof Bodhala and former

member of the Kansas StateHouse says: "At a time

when our community andour values are under attackby xenophobic rhetoric and

regressive policies, it ismore critical than ever thatIndian Americans build and

wield political power tofight back."

5ADVERTISEMENTTHE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2018

6 THE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2018NEW YORK

INDIAN AMERICAN SURAJ PATELANNOUNCES CANDIDACY FOR US CONGRESS

New York entrepreneur and lawyer aims to represent the wishes of New Yorkers in CongressNEW YORK, NY (TIP): Indian American

Suraj Patel has announced his candidacy forUS Congress in New York's 12thCongressional district.

"I didn't plan to enter the political arenamyself until after this last PresidentialElection when many of us realized we can't siton the sidelines anymore," said Patel.

'My family moved here from Indiasearching for opportunity, and they seized itwhen they got here. They worked their way upfrom security guards and store clerks tobuilding a business and raising four unrulyboys to adulthood. Their story and our storiesneed to be told so that we all remember howwonderful this country already is and whattruly makes it great. So much about thiscountry is inspiring except for its politicsright now, and we have an obligation tochange that."

Patel hopes to make voices from all overNew York heard. "We need to fight to make ourpeople's lives better, to push for what'spossible, to elevate voices that have beenignored, and to finally give people a choice forwho represents them."

Patel and the Committee to Elect SurajPatel hope to encourage fellow New Yorkers to

take initiative and vote for one of their own. Ithas been 8 years since the last seriousDemocratic challenger ran for Congress inNY-12, and Patel aims to break this streakwhile aiming to raise the number of total

voters. With strict voting laws, turnout in NewYork City is among the lowest in the nation,with only 8% of voters participating in the2016 congressional primary.

With new voices, ideas, and energy, Patel

aims to reach New Yorkers who want to makea difference and build a new electorate.

Through his website, visitors can maketheir voices heard by completing a briefsurvey to tell Patel's team what matters tothem. The website also offers a link whereNew York residents can register asDemocrats.

Details can be found athttps://www.surajpatel.nyc/.

Patel is a New York entrepreneur, lawyer,activist, and ethics lecturer at NYU Stern. Heis also a founding team member of The Arenaand the founder of Creative Caucus, workingto find and support great new candidates intheir run for office. Patel is a board member atAtlas:DIY and served on the Obama WhiteHouse Advance Team.

CONTACT SURAJ PATELEmail: hello@surajpatel.nyc

Website: https://www.surajpatel.nyc/

Facebook: http://facebook.com/surajforny

Instagram: http://instagram.com/surajforny

Twitter: http://twitter.com/surajstar

LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/surajpatelnyc

Suraj Patel (left) with Barack Obama

New Executive of IALI Takes Oath of Office LONG ISLAND, NY (TIP): The newly elected Executive

Council of India Association of Long Island held its OathCeremony on 9thJanuary 2018 at Merrick Golf Course,Merrick, Long Island.Congratulations to the newly electedPresident Mrs. Gunjan Rastogi and her Executive Team ofextremely talented individuals, who are experts in their ownfields.

At 7:00pm, team members welcomed the guests with pipinghot Masala Chai with cookies. The program officially beganat 8:00pm by singing of American and Indian nationalanthems, followed by swearing-in of the new President andher Executive Team by Honorable Dr. Neeta Jain, DistrictLeader, District 25. The ceremony was witnessed by bigturnout which included,past Presidents, dignitaries,community leaders, IALI members and invited guests. Theevent was well covered by media - TV Asia, Jus Punjabi,PTC,Indian Express to name a few.

Past President, Mr. Satnam S. Parhar gave afabulousintroduction tothe newly elected President, followedby the President's speech, where she expressed her vision forIALI 2018, by continuing current popular programs andlaunching Child Enrichment Program, which will helpchildren with science projects and their homework andenhancingSports Forum with indoor activities.Furthermore,she intends to use diverse means of technology (e.g. Socialmedia, Emailsetc.) to get in contact with each and everypotential member for building a stronger, larger IALInetwork and disseminate information to the members intimely manner. She also wants to partner with other non-profit organizations to build a bond with the community.

Last but not the least, Gunjan Rastogi's speech directly

touched the hearts and minds of the audience when she useda quote from President JF Kennedy's inaugural address:

"My dear Team, do not ask what IALI can do for you butrather what can you do for IALI.

And our dearest Members,tell us, what we (IALI)can do foryou?"

Program came to an end at 8:45 p.m. and delicious IndianDinner was served to all attendees, which everybodyrelished.

Oath Ceremony program was hosted by IALI Executivecouncil 2018 and team members. New Team:President-Gunjan Rastogi, Vice President-Lalit Aery, Secretary-ShashiMalik, Treasurer-Hargovind Gupta, Members at Large:Kuljeet Ahluwalia,Rajeev Chaudhary, Ekta Singh Dass,Sushil Khanna, Surin Manaktala, Balaji Nagaraj,SujataSeth, Mohinder Singh, Event Advisor-Jyoti Gupta,FinanceChair-Vimal Goyal, Cultural Chair-Amita Karwal, Co-chair-Dr. Ujwala Shah, Membership Chair-Pradeep Tandon,Women's ForumChair-Veena Lamba, Co-chair-LalitaMansukhani, Shalini Pawa, CommitteeMembers: Ravi KantaVerma, Rachna Shahdadpuri, Rizwana, Sangeet ForumChair-Anjana Kashyap , Co-chair-Saroj Aery, Senior ForumNassau County-Vijay Goswamy,Co-Chair Surinder Kade,Senior Forum Suffolk County-Kanta Dutta,Co-Chair- NeenaSawe, Meditation Chair-Narinder Kapoor, Co-chair-SujataSeth,Outreach Program: Mukesh Modi,Co-Chair- Dr.Jag

Kalra,Child Enrichment Chair - Neeru Bhambri, CommitteeMember -Hargovind Gupta , Public Relations-Ratna Bhalla,Communication Chair-Rajeev Chaudhary, Kids ForumChair-Ekta Singh Dass, Hospitality Chair-Sushil Khanna,Sports Chair-Surin Manaktala, Media Chair-Indu ShyamGajwani. (Press Release)

Gunjan Rastogi takes oath as President for 2018

The Executive

A view of the gathering

7NEW YORKTHE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2018

Consul General Chakravorty extends support to KeanUniversity Masters Program in Hindi Pedagogy

BY ASHOK OJHA

NEW YORK, NY (TIP): As hundreds ofHindi enthusiasts gathered on a chilledSaturday morning to celebrate theInternational Hindi Day at the ConsulateGeneral of India in New York, there were a fewimportant guests the Consul General allowedspecial hearing. It was a matter of promotinghigher education in learning that requiredspecial attention of the Indian Diplomat,himself a great listener.

Professor Janis Jensen, director ofSTARTALK projects at Kean University wasanxious about the quality of teachers,especially for teaching a critical language,Hindi. "There is a great need to build capacityfor the teaching of Hindi in the USA wheremost Hindi teachers lack formal teacher'straining to teach Hindi to 21st century digitallearners", said Jensen, who appealed the consulGeneral and the Indian community to supportthe sustainability of the Masters' Program inHindi pedagogy at Kean University, the onlyteacher preparation program aimed atpreparing Hindi teachers for teaching inschools or preparing for doctoral programs.

Consul General Sandeep Chakravorty toldJensen that he would extend all possiblesupport to keep her program running. Herepeated this resolve before the gathering ofcommunity folks, who were attending the HindiDay event that it was time to supplement ourtalk to support Hindi to really act by supportingmeaningful teaching and learning programsoutside of India. Chakravorty patiently listenedto the other speaker Dr. Jennifer Eddy, whomade a presentation about NYS TeacherCertification for Hindi 7-12 grades. Sheemphasized that the Master of Arts in Teaching(MAT) in Critical Languages Education is aprogram of initial and professionalcertification combined into a 39-credit master'sprogram that was designed for teachercandidates who will be responsible fordesigning their new language program.Professor Eddy said that the program wasoffered at Queens College located amidst theresidential hub of people of Indian origin andwas ideal for those interested in teaching Hindi.Chakravorty promised the support ofGovernment of India for promoting Hindioutside of India.

The event proved to be very special forparents who left home as early as 6 am in orderto reach the Consulate premises in time. "It wasa rare occasion for students to showcase theirskills in Hindi speaking at the Consulate", saidAnil Dadheech, whose daughter Ria, amillennium kid who is very savvy using onlinetools while learning Hindi and practicingIndian culture. Ria performed a 'Ghumar' danceand recited the popular 'Jhansi ki Rani' poem.

Other students representing Educators Societyfor the Heritage of India, Hindi USA and HindiSangam Foundation STARTALK programexpressed a great sense of pride and self-confidence as the presented their song anddance items. Nehal, a two-time SangamFranklin STARTLK student reflected herclassroom learning in real life as shesummarizes with reasons her favoritedestinations to visit in India. "I learned atSTARTALK program what are the importantplaces I must see and why? It inspired me tothink and express my own list of favoriteplaces", Nehal articulated. "Our goal atSTARTALK programs is to prepare ourstudents innovate and use their classroomlearning into expressing their viewpoints inreal life situations. That is why presentations atevents like this become so important. It offersour students real life experience to interactwith native speakers of Hindi", said MamtaTripathi, who serves as the lead instructor atHindi programs in Franklin, Marlboro andMontgomery Townships.

Consul General Ambassador SandeepChakravorty distributed certificate to allparticipating students who came from variousplaces in the New York Metro area. Theparticipating students and accompanyingteachers represented many schools includingthose run by Hindi Sangam Foundation,Educators Society of India, Yuva HindiSansthan and Hindi USA. Ashok Ojha,coordinator of the event elaborated upon hisefforts to work together with language experts,officials and the Consulate for strengtheningthe forum of Hindi in USA. He thanked theConsul General for his support in promotingHindi and helping to organize the FifthInternational Hindi Conference in September2018. Teachers and students led by MamtaMamta Kandpal Tripathi, Akila Sekhar, MainuMaino Murmu and Hema Ojha presentedspectacular performance. HSF Trustee andVice-Chairperson Purnima Desai Desaidelivered a vote of thanks.

Lighting the Lamp. From left: Ashok Ojha, Consul General Sandeep Chakravorty, Purnima Desai,Janis Jensen, I.S. Saluja and Jennifer Eddy

Ambassador Sandeep Chakravorty, Consul General of India, addressing Hindi professionals,students, parents and community folks to celebrate Hindi Diwas on January 13. Hindi Sangam

Foundation and the Consulate joined hands to organize the event

Hindi Sangam Trustee Purnima Desaireceived a Certificate from the ConsulGeneral of India Ambassador Sandeep

Chakravorty while Ashok Ojha, President, HSFlooks on!

Professor Jennifer Eddy, Queens College,CUNY, guest speaker at Hindi Day event,

January 13 at Indian Consulate, NYC

Millennium kids from Hindi Schools in New Jersey participated in a colorful Hindi Day event on Jan 13. Consul General Sandeep Chakravorty, HOCJaideep, HSF president and event coordinator Ashok Ojha joined in.

Ria Dadheech, a student of Sangam-Franklin STARTALK students performing atthe Hindi Diwas Celebration on January 13

at the Consulate General of India, NewYork, NY.

Photos by Jay Mandal- on assignment

President Trump does not care aboutanyone but himself; he is reckless andinsensitive with his words which cause

unwanted social hostility between people andnations. He will be gone when his term ends,but we the people will have to live with theconsequences of his words and actions.

I stumbled across an article in Times ofIsrael with the actual title, "When Jews camefrom 'shithole' countries." What caught myattention was the following sentence, "Sarnaand Diner both said that similar fearsanimated the nativism of the 1920's and today.In both cases, they said, these derogatorycomments were based on a few of the otherfrom a foreign culture, who will disrupt whiteAmerican society."

Teresa May, the Prime Minister of UnitedKingdom expressed the same fear in herspeech in Philadelphia to Republicans uponher visit a year ago. She said, "I believe it is inour national interest to do so. Because theworld is increasingly marked by instabilityand threats that threaten to undermine ourway of life and the very things that we holddear."

Times of Israel wrote, "While congressmenin the 1920s may not have used Trump'slanguage, they were also opposed to letting inpeople from so-called undesirable countries -like Italians, Slavs and Jews from EasternEurope. Chinese immigrants were bannedaltogether. Senator David Reed, for whom the1924 law was named, also wanted to let inmore immigrants from "Nordic" countries."

"This prejudice had been around fordecades before the 1924 law. A report from 1891prepared by Senator Henry Cabot Lodgelumped Jews, Italians, Poles, and others into"races most alien to the body of the Americanpeople." Times of Israel.

Recognizing this inherent phobia of agroup of people from among the majority ofthe population, any population for that matter,we wrote at the Center for Pluralism, "TheCenter is committed to reassuring each other,including the disconnected ones among theWhite Americans, that together asAmericans, we are committed to safeguardingthe American way of life. No American needsto worry about losing his or her way of life. AsAmericans, we uphold, protect, defend andcelebrate the values enshrined in ourConstitution.

Although no minorities have made anyattempt to change the way of life of themajorities, they need to make extra efforts toreassure the concerned group within themajority that they live their lives, and havenot, and will not make any attempt to changethe Majoritarian lives. Together let's preserve

America's greatness that we all cherish.The following speech was written for

Hillary Clinton hoping she would deliver it;the full speech is at Huffington Post datedNovember 6, 2016, two days before theelections.

My priority is to reach out to my fellowAmericans who had it good until the disasterfrom wars brought misery to them; the whiteAmericans. We are going to find ways andmeans for them to recover from the difficulttimes they have endured while otherAmericans have prospered.

You have two stark choices in front of you;one makes the decisions from the seat of hispants. He does not listen to anyone, does nothave the support of a single former Presidentnor does he have the advisement of the sanevoices. He can bankrupt the nation and walkaway with no consequences, but you may bethe one who gets stiffed. Your job and your lifeis an experiment to him, and the safety of ournation will be subjected to his whims.

Believe me, the Black Americans, JewishAmericans, Muslim Americans, immigrantAmericans, and all other Americans wanteach one of us to prosper, particularly thedisaffected White Americans. Ourprosperity hinges on the prosperity ofpeople around us and prosperity of nationsaround us. None of us will succeed if someof us are left behind.

I am committed to restoring justice to myfellow Americans who lost their jobs inmanufacturing, Americans who live on farms,Americans who do not have an education ortechnical skills, men and women who areplumbers, electricians, repairmen, drivers,janitors and small business owners, andtaking care of them is a priority of myadministration. We will restore our glorydays, and in the end, no American will be leftout.

Pluralism is the panaceaAs a society, it is our responsibility to keep

law and order and faithfully guard the safetyof every citizen. Hate is one of the manysources of disrupting the peace in a societyand it is our duty to track down the source ofsuch hate and work on mitigating it.Pluralism is a development of an attitude ofrespecting the otherness of others andaccepting the God-given uniqueness of eachone of us. You are who you are, and I am whoI am; let's figure it out how to make life easyfor both of us.

The Center for Pluralism will become theenergy to give a solid cohesive socialstructure to our nation. By the year 2025,there will not be an office, school, playground,college, restaurant, theater, train, bus or aworkplace where people of different faiths,races, ethnicities, and national origins do notwork, interact, play, live and marry together.This is bound to create conflicts in airports,public spaces, boardrooms, and in bedroomsas well as places of worship, workplaces,politics, eateries, and schools.

We have a responsibility to shape the futureof our society, and we will continue to focusour energies on ensuring a safe America,where no one including your kids, grandkidsor yourselves has to worry about his/herfaith, ethnicity, race, gender or other God-given uniqueness and live his or her lifewithout apprehensions.

The Center for Pluralism will be anantidote to Anti-Semitism, Islamophobia,Racism, Homophobia, Hindu phobia,Xenophobia, Misogyny and other phobias.Through research and activism, we areestablishing a respectful space for the ideals ofpluralism with the policymakers, interfaithgroups, Republicans and Democrats and ofcourse the media and you!

(The Washington based author is an IndianAmerican, committed to building cohesive

work places, societies and communities andoffers pluralistic solutions. He is the founderand president of the Center for Pluralism. Hecan be reached at mikeghouse@gmail.com)

8 THE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2018EDITORIAL

THE INDIAN PANORAMA PPRREESSIIDDEENNTT//PPUUBBLLIISSHHEERR: Prof. Indrajit S. SalujaVVIICCEE PPRREESSIIDDEENNTT:: Chitagam SalujaCCHHIIEEFF EEDDIITTOORR:: Prof Indrajit S. SalujaAASSSSIISSTTAANNTT EEDDIITTOORR:: Bidisha RoyGGRRAAPPHHIICCSS DDIIRREECCTTOORR:: Om Parkash MalikDDIIRREECCTTOORR AADDMMIINNIISSTTRRAATTIIOONN:: Gauri BeriCCOONNTTRRIIBBUUTTIINNGG PPHHOOTTOOGGRRAAPPHHEERRSS:: Baldev Singh / BJ VideosGunjesh Desai / Masala JunctionJay Mandal, Mohammad Jaffer/ SnapsIndia

Mohammad Shahzad, Zia Khan Nisha RaniVaaho PhotographersVijay Shah -Photo Journalist.DDIISSTTRRIIBBUUTTOORR :: Sukhwinder SinghCCOORRRREESSPPOONNDDEENNTTSS : SSAACCRRAAMMEENNTTOO:: Parminder S. AujlaNNEEWW YYOORRKK : Chitagam FFRREESSNNOO:: Tarlochan Singh DDAALLLLAASS:: Harjit Dhesi, Amarjit Dhillon OOVVEERRSSEEAASS CCOORRRREESSPPOONNDDEENNTTSS

DDEELLHHII BBUURREEAAUU CCHHIIEEFF:: Ashishpal Singh CCHHAANNDDIIGGAARRHH:: Manjit Sidhu LLUUDDHHIIAANNAA:: A.S. Arora, R.P.Sharma

TThhee IInnddiiaann PPaannoorraammaaP.O. Box No. 190067, South Richmond Hill, NY 11419,

Tel: 646-247-9458 Email: editor@theindianpanorama.com

DDAALLLLAASS EEDDIITTIIOONNP.O. BOX 121695, ARLINGTON, TX 76012

LLoovvlllliieenn KKaauurrrr, VP & Bureau Chief

E-mail tipdallas01@gmail.com; Phone: 646-247-9458www.theindianpanorama.news

PPuubblliisshheedd bbyy PPrrooff.. IInnddrraajjiitt SSaalluujjaa

DISCLAIMERThe Indian Panorama assumes no responsibility for the

claims made in advertisements. We only sell space. Viewspublished in the newspaper are those of the authors and donot necessarily reflect the views of the newspaper. All rights

are reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part withoutpermission in writing from The Indian Panorama is prohibited.

GUESTCOMMENT

AS I SEE IT

Pluralism is the Panacea to Trump’s Profanity

By Mike Ghouse

On Privatization of Air India:Ready for saleThe decision to allow 49% foreign stake in AirIndia sets the stage for its privatization

The Union Cabinet has approved a seriesof changes in foreign direct investmentnorms as the government prepares to

enter the last lap of its economic policy-settingphase ahead of the 2019 election. Key amongthese was the decision to allow up to 49%overseas ownership, including by a foreignairline, in Air India. This comes just a littlemore than six months after the CabinetCommittee on Economic Affairs gave its nod fora strategic disinvestment of the airline. Therelaxation in ownership norms clears the decksfor possible bidders such as the SingaporeAirlines-Tata combine and Jet Airways - withits overseas equity and route partners - to makea more detailed commercial assessment of theinvestment opportunity the state-owned flagcarrier presents. For the fiscally constrainedgovernment, the decision couldn't have comesooner. With the Union Budget due soon and thegovernment woefully short of its budgetedstrategic disinvestment goal for the currentfinancial year - as of end-November, only 28% ofthe targeted ?15,000 crore had been realized - thehope must be for an accelerated timetable forthe stake sale. Still, the fulfilment of anecessary condition for a strategic sale doesn'tautomatically become sufficient grounds for asuccessful privatization. Given the carrier'saccumulated debt of about ?50,000 crore and thefact that the interest of potential investors islikely to be focused on Air India's lucrative long-haul international routes and its fleet of morethan 40 wide-bodied aircraft, disinvestment willbe neither easy nor guaranteed. At the veryleast, the government needs to set a clear,unambiguous road map for the sale process.

The other reform cleared by the Cabinet wasthe crucial decision to put 100% FDI in SingleBrand Retail Trading under the 'automatic'route, accompanied by the long-soughtrelaxation of mandatory local sourcing norms.This had been a major issue with potentialinvestors including Apple, which hadrepeatedly urged the government to take a morebenign view given the level of technologicaladvancement incorporated in its products andthe difficulty in finding local sources of supplyat the requisite scale. The five-year holiday onthe 30% local-sourcing requirement is expectedto give companies setting up shop hereadequate time to identify, train and eventechnologically assist in the creation of localsupply chains. If this decision was going to bemade, it is surprising it was not done inNovember 2015, when the Centre changed tackand opened up single brand retail to 100% FDI.An early decision would have helped, given thesector's potential for job-creation andtechnology upgradation. Still, better late thannever. (The Hindu)

“As a society, it is our responsibility to keep lawand order and faithfully guard the safety ofevery citizen. Hate is one of the many sources

of disrupting the peace in a society and it is ourduty to track down the source of such hate andwork on mitigating it. Pluralism is a development ofan attitude of respecting the otherness of othersand accepting the God-given uniqueness of eachone of us. You are who you are, and I am who I am;let's figure it out how to make life easy for both ofus", says the author.

BY GEORGE ABRAHAM

9PERESPECTIVETHE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2018

INDIAN JUDICIARY IN TURMOIL‘No Your Honour!’:An earnest pleato save India's faltering democracy

Many of these actionsby CJI have createddissension in the ranksthat may point to notonly selective justice forthe powerful and well-connected, but areinstances when the verylives of justices areplaced on line. Althoughsome may question therationale for an opennews conference, thesefour judges are knownfor their impeccableintegrity and impartialjudgments. It is alsoapparent that theSupreme Court iscurrently lacking anymechanism to evaluatethe inner workings ofthe court or streamlinethe process to resolvedeficiencies resultingfrom wrong decisionmaking", says theauthor.

Many newspapers inIndia on Saturday,January 13thcarried the story ofdisarray in the

Supreme court of India with abeaming headline 'No, Yourhonour!'. India has indeedwitnessed an extraordinary newsconference by four members of theCollegium revealing the skew inthe allocation of work and lack oftransparency by Dipak Misra, theChief Justice of India (CJI).

It has been reported that this isthe first time in history that foursenior judges - Jasti Chelameswar,Ranjan Gogoi, Kurian Joseph andMadan B. Lokur brought the innerworkings of this reveredinstitution to the forefront of thepublic debate. The most notableaspect of this development is thatthese four judges have assertedthat they have done this topreserve democracy for India.

According to JusticeChelameswar, the second seniormost judge, "we tried to persuadethe CJI to take steps but failed. Unless the Institution of SupremeCourt is preserved, democracy won't survive in this country". He alsoadded that they were left with no choice and did not want people toaccuse those 20 years later that they did not take care of theInstitution.

To the keen observers of the recent political dynamics in thecountry, this development may not come as a huge surprise. Thetraditions and protocols that preserved the independence of theSupreme Court have been under siege lately like many otherInstitutions in the country. For those who are concerned about the veryconcept of equal justice under law, the Supreme Court in India is foundto be their last refuge. If that Institution is also interfered with orpoliticized, India would join the ranks of banana republics and wouldeffectively cease to be a constitutional democracy.

The recent turn of events was triggered by the actions of the ChiefJustice who started allocating cases of far-reaching consequenceswithout transparency, indicating selective assignment of cases topreferred judges. One of those cases involved the murder of CBI judgeB H Loya who was hearing the Sohrabuddin Sheikh Murder trial inwhich BJP President Amit Shah was accused. He appeared to havemysteriously died in 2014. CJI on Friday allotted a petition seekingindependent inquiry into the death to Justice Arun Mishra who is 10thin seniority.

Then there was the medical admission scam involving sitting andretired High Court judges. They permitted private medical colleges toadmit students to MBBS despite Supreme Court bar. JusticeChelameswar set up a bench to hear it, but CJI sent that to anotherbench saying he alone has the right to draw up the roster. There wasalso a procedural fight over the norms to appoint HC and SC judges,and CJI sidelined the five-member constitutional bench from such acritical decision making by selecting a small three-judge bench headedby himself.

Many of these actions by CJI have created dissension in the ranksthat may point to not only selective justice for the powerful and well-connected, but are instances when the very lives of justices are placedon line. Although some may question the rationale for an open newsconference, these four judges are known for their impeccable integrityand impartial judgments. It is also apparent that the Supreme Court iscurrently lacking any mechanism to evaluate the inner workings ofthe court or streamline the process to resolve deficiencies resultingfrom wrong decision making.

Although the Modi Government at first declared that the crisis inthe Judiciary is an internal problem for their own to resolve, on thefollowing day, the media got the glimpse of Prime Minister's PrincipalSecretary Nripendra Misra at the residence of the Chief Justice Misra.However, the report also stated that the gates were not opened. At thispoint, one can only speculate the role the Government has playedmuddying the water that could pose a higher risk to the integrity andthe independence of the Judiciary.

It has been quite evident from the recent pronouncements by

various BJP/RSS leaders that theyare quite unhappy with thecurrent constitution thatidentifies itself as secular. TheUnion Minister AnanthkumarHegde speaking at the meeting ofYuva Parishad said: "I will behappy if someone identifies asMuslim, Christian, Brahmin,Lingayat or Hindu, but troublewill arise if they say they aresecular". Although he later offereda reluctant apology for strategicreasons, he may have beenspeaking from the mindset ofthose who are in power today.They are very well aware of thereality that not only they wouldrequire 2/3 majority to change theconstitution but also a friendlySupreme Court in case of ajudicial review.

There are growing indicationsthat the Modi government whichcame to power under the guise of adevelopment agenda is busy layingthe foundation for a transformedIndia based on Hindutva ideology.To accomplish their long-

cherished goal of total transformation, they either have to change theInstitutions that stand in their way or entirely wreck it.

Supreme Court is not the only the Institution that is under siege intoday's India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ill-adviseddemonetization program shed light on the stress and strain that theReserve Bank of India was placed under along with its Governor UrjitPatel. At one point, tensions have boiled over between India's centralbank and the government over the monetary policy as the country wasfacing its weakest growth after its much-heralded demonetizationpolicy. Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has often pointed outabout the danger to the Banking System due to its constantmodification of policies and procedures.

Another Institution that has come under considerable scrutiny isthe Election Commission of India. The so-called delay to hold theelection in Gujarat on time appeared to have given a lot of flexibility toBJP to suit its political ends. The ongoing complaints about the EVMmachines, though not substantiated, have cast a pall over the integrityof the voting system and the legitimacy of the election itself.

There are those who fear that the freedom of expression itself is indanger as many in the top leadership of the BJP seem to de-emphasizeits importance. Arun Jaitley, the Union minister, is on record sayingthat freedom of expression should be subordinate to upholding thesovereignty of the nation. There is little doubt that threats to freedomof speech have intensified as right-wing student unions associatedwith BJP started attacking student assemblies on campuses andsupporting the government's effort to criminalize normal politicalactivity as seditious. The independent media has taken a share of hitsas well as in the case of NDTV which was raided in an investigationover bank fraud charges by CBI.

If democracy has to survive the public has to gain a betterunderstanding of the importance of an independent judiciary,impartial prosecutors and unbiased law enforce enforcement systemthat can ensure the rule of law and effective protection of fundamentalrights and freedoms for every citizen regardless of color, caste, creedor religious affiliations.

Undoubtedly, Jawaharlal Nehru with the help of other eminentleaders of the independence movement built many of theseinstitutions that stood the test of time. The emerging nations duringthat period such as Yugoslavia, Egypt, and Ghana failed in this regard,and results are quite evident for all of us to see. Nehru's vision andleadership were critical in shaping India as we know it today. For BJP,many of these independent institutions remain as stumbling blocks inpushing their agenda through. Only time will tell the fate of many ofthose revered institutions which form the edifice upon which Indiastands. In the meantime, I pay homage to those four Jurists whosecourage and commitment to preserve our venerable institutions mayhave given us a ray of hope and probably, few reasons to cheer!

(The author is the vice-chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress, USA.He can be reached at gta777@gmail.com)

10 THE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2018SOUTH ASIA

US will carry on withPak military training

ISLAMABAD (TIP): The US hasconveyed to Pakistan that the militarytraining component of the aid willcontinue despite suspension of the securityassistance package, media reports said onThursday, January 18.

Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjuainformed the Senate's foreign affairscommittee on Wednesday that the US willcontinue funding the aid components thatsupport their national interest, includingthe International Military Education andTraining (IMET) part, Dawn reported.

The IMET program, which focuses onmilitary education, is meant to establish arapport between the US military and therecipient country's military for buildingalliances for the future.

Under this program, Pakistan Armyofficers have been trained in the US at acost of $52 million over the past 15 yearsand an allocation of another $4 million hasbeen made for the current year.

While the IMET would continue, the UShas frozen the aid provided under theprograms that are more important toPakistan, particularly the Foreign MilitaryFinancing (FMF).

The recipients of FMF can use the fundsunder this program for procurement ofdefense hardware produced by the US.

Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif, whilebriefing the lawmakers on the current stateof Pak-US relations, said the relationshipwas not going "very smooth" and problemswere persisting. "We have to stand up tothose who accuse us of harboringterrorists," Asif remarked.

Early this month, Trump accusedPakistan of giving nothing to the US but"lies and deceit" in return for USD 33billion aid and said Islamabad has provided"safe haven" to terrorists.

Lies and deceit Pakistan army officers have been trained

in the US at a cost of $52 million over thepast 15 years

An allocation of another $4 million hasbeen made to train Pakistan militaryofficers for the current year

The US will continue funding the aidcomponents that support their nationalinterest, including the InternationalMilitary Education and Training (IMET)part.

(With inputs from IANS)

Sri Lanka lifts 38-yearban on women buying,selling alcohol

COLOMBO (TIP): Sri Lanka hasrevoked a 38-year ban on selling alcohol towomen and employing them in placeswhere the drinks are produced and sold.

Finance minister Mangala Samaraweerasigned the notification revoking the ban torestore gender equality and promotetourism, a government statement said.

The ban had been in force since 1979, theearly years of Sri Lanka embracing an openmarket economy. But many businesses hademployed women to sell and serve alcoholand sold alcohol to them in spite of the ban.

The government also decided to allowliquor outlets to stay open an hour later,until 10pm.

The decision could become politicallysensitive with clergy in the predominantlyBuddhist nation opposing liberalizingalcohol consumption. However, many SriLankans consume alcohol. (AP)

Pakistan summons Indian envoyover 'ceasefire violations'

ISLAMABAD (TIP): Pakistan on January18 summoned India's Deputy HighCommissioner JP Singh over the alleged"unprovoked ceasefire violations" by Indiantroops across the Line of Control whichresulted in the death of two women.

Director General (South Asia and SAARC)Mohammad Faisal summoned Singh and"condemned the unprovoked ceasefireviolations" by Indian forces, the ForeignOffice said.

Faisal alleged that the Indian forces firedacross the Working Boundary on January 18in Sialkot sector, killing two women - 45-year-old Perveen Bibi and 20-year-old Ayesha - andinjuring five civilians.

"The Indian forces along the WorkingBoundary started indiscriminate andunprovoked firing with heavy mortars andautomatic weapons since Wednesday night onthe civilian populated villages in Sialkot,"Faisal said.

"Despite calls for restraint, India continuesto indulge in ceasefire violations," he claimed.

He said in 2018, the Indian forces havecarried out more than 110 ceasefire violationsalong the Line of Control and the WorkingBoundary in just 18 days, resulting in the

killing of three civilians, while injuring 10others. "This unprecedented escalation inceasefire violations by India is continuingsince 2017 when the Indian forces committedmore than 1,900 ceasefire violations," he said.

He also urged the Indian side to allow theUN Military Observer Group in India and

Pakistan (UNMOGIP) to play its mandatedrole as per the UN Security Councilresolutions.

India maintains that UNMOGIP hasoutlived its utility and is irrelevant after theSimla Agreement and the consequentestablishment of the Line of Control. (PTI)

Bangladesh says it's hostingover a million Rohingya

COX'S BAZAR (TIP): Bangladesh hascounted more than a million Rohingya refugeesliving in camps near the border with Myanmar,higher than previous estimates, the head of itsregistration project said today as preparationsfor their return got under way.

The Bangladesh army began biometricregistering of the refugees last year after thelatest mass influx of Rohingya from Myanmar,where the Muslim minority have faced decadesof persecution.

The registration is aimed partly at aidingrepatriation of the refugees -- a controversialissue as most say they do not want to return.

Bangladesh says it wants to start sendingthem home next week and has reached an initialagreement with Myanmar to complete theprocess within two years. "So far we'veregistered 1,004,742 Rohingya. They are givenbiometric registration cards," said SaidurRahman, a brigadier general with theBangladesh army who heads the Rohingyaregistration project. Several thousand morehave yet to be registered, he said.

The figures are higher than those provided bythe UN, which estimates there are 962,000Rohingya living in southeast Bangladesh, nearthe Myanmar border.

That includes the 655,000 the UN estimateshave entered the country since August 25, whenthe Myanmar military launched a violentcrackdown in Rakhine state following attacks byRohingya militants.

Doctors Without Borders has said at least6,700 Rohingya Muslims were killed in the firstmonth of the crackdown.

Refugees in Bangladesh have alleged massrape and widespread arson at the hands ofsoldiers and the Buddhist majority in Rakhine.Some of the refugees have been living inBangladesh for many years, but the repatriationagreement only covers those who have arrivedsince October 2016.

The two sides said on Tuesday they haveagreed to complete the repatriation within atwo-year period, the first concrete timelinegiven for the refugees' return.

Rights groups have expressed concerns aboutthe pace of the process, particularly asRohingya are still fleeing Rakhine

"With memories of rape, killing and torturestill fresh in the minds of Rohingya refugees,plans for their return to Myanmar arealarmingly premature," James Gomez, AmnestyInternational's regional director for SoutheastAsia and the Pacific, said yesterday. (PTI)

Gunmen kill mother,daughter during anti-polio campaign inPakistan

QUETTA, PAKISTAN (TIP): Gunmenhave shot and killed a mother and herdaughter who were taking part in an anti-polio campaign in the southwestern city ofQuetta, said Pakistani officials.

Local police official Naseeb Ullah saidThursday's attack took place when hundredsof polio teams were vaccinating children tosave them from the crippling disease. Theattack took place days after Pakistanlaunched a campaign against polio across thecountry.

Rescue officials said the slain workerswere a mother and her daughter.

There was no immediate claim ofresponsibility.

Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria are theonly three countries in the world where poliohasn't been eliminated.

Pakistan regularly launches anti-poliodrives despite threats from the Taliban, whoperceive the campaign as part of a Westernconspiracy and claim it will sterilizePakistani children. (AP)

6 Pakistan securitypersonnel killed inattacks in Balochistan

KARACHI (TIP): At least six securitypersonnel have been killed in terror attacksin Pakistan's troubled Balochistan province.

A police constable was gunned down inQuetta on Tuesday following an attackyesterday in Turbat when militants shot deadfive Frontier Corps (FC) personnel.

The policeman identified as Naseer Ahmedwas on his way to work when twounidentified gunmen on a motorcycle fired athim and fled. A convoy of paramilitary FC,yesterday evening, came under attack in themountainous region of Shapok in Kechdistrict, 50 kilometres from Turbat town.(PTI)

11ADVERTISEMENTTHE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2018

12 THE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2018US

Is Texas the prime spot for Amazon’s second headquarters? Dallas

Mayor says yes, offers incentives DALLAS, TX (TIP): Dallas Mayor Rawlings

is keen to have Amazon set up its HQ 2 inDallas. He thinks I will be a game changer forDallas.

"We're going to be as aggressive as the nextguy in the city of Dallas," Rawlings said.However, in a conversation with TexasTribune CEO Evan Smith during The TexasTribune Festival, he declined to put a dollarfigure on the proposal. Rawlings also expectsthe state will pitch in with a check of its own,but also lamented that he believes the stateLegislature has become less business-friendlyand incentive-averse in recent years.

"Fundamentally, you've got to decide, areyou going to grow, or not?" he said. "If acompany says, 'I'm going to bring 50,000employees, what are you going to do for me,'that's a fair transaction."

Amazon's request for proposals states thatstate and local incentives to help offset capitalcosts are "significant factors" in their decision.It's unclear where that money will come from,but the city could use Chapter 380 grants andhas millions in bond money for economicdevelopment on the November ballot. But hewould need City Council support.

The mayor said Dallas is "a legitimatecontender" for Amazon. He touted the region'stech workforce, its airports and its diverse andgrowing economy as ideal for the online retailgiant.

Rawlings threw out as potential landingsites the midtown project on the former ValleyView mall site and an area southwest ofdowntown along Riverfront Boulevard that is

earmarked for development.But first, he said, the city will join up with

other North Texas areas. He said he spoke onFriday with more than a dozen other mayorsin the area to team up on a pitch.

"Options are going to be very important tothem, and if you look at DFW, I think we'regoing to have more options than anybody," hesaid.

After they draw Amazon to North Texas, thecities will then fight it out to win the corporatecampus, he said.

It's a strategy that Rawlings has usedfrequently in recent years duringinternational trips with Fort Worth MayorBetsy Price. But often, the businesses thetandem hooks land in other North Texascities.

But Amazon, which is based in downtownSeattle, lists as important factors direct transitaccess and other factors that some suburbs,such as Frisco, currently lack. Rawlings saidhe will fight hard for Dallas when the timecomes.

"We're going to be as aggressive as the nextguy in the city of Dallas," Rawlings said. "Thisis a game-changer."

"We're going to be as aggressive as the nextguy in the city of Dallas," Rawlings said. "This

is a game-changer": Rawlings.Photo/ courtesy Mayor's office

Indian Americaneducator Deep Saranannounces to run for USHouse ofRepresentatives

WASHINGTON (TIP): An IndianAmerican educator has announced to run forthe US House of Representatives. DeepSaran, 45, is one of almost a dozen Democratsin the fray for the primary to earn the right tochallenge the two-term GOP congresswomanBarbara Comstock from the 10thCongressional District of Virginia.

"I'm a teacher, school founder, technologyentrepreneur, lawyer, and child ofimmigrants from India," Saran says on hiscampaign website. Saran said he wouldchampion a national commitment forimproved quality of public education both interms of accessibility and affordability.

"As the child of immigrants, I would pushback against intolerance and hatred," Saransaid. Saran's parents emigrated from Indiaover 50 years ago. His father was a refugeeduring India's partition. He founded and runsa school, 'Loudoun School for the Gifted'

Saran holds a degree in political sciencefrom the University of Maryland andattended law school at GeorgetownUniversity. He was previously a corporateattorney for large firms in Baltimore andChicago but left private legal practice to studyhow children learn and to work on a Ph.D. inHuman Development at the University ofMaryland. (Source PTI)

At least 10 deaths fromsnow, ice and recordcold in US South

ATLANTA (TIP): Snow, ice and a record-breaking blast of cold closed runways,highways, schools and government officesacross the South and sent cars sliding offroads Wednesday in a corner of the countryill-equipped to deal with wintry weather. Atleast 10 people died, including a baby in a carthat plunged off a slippery overpass into aLouisiana canal.

Icicles hung from a statue of jazz musiciansin normally balmy New Orleans, and driversunaccustomed to ice spun their wheels acrossAtlanta, which was brought to a near-standstill by little more than an inch (2.5centimeters) of snow. The beach in Biloxi,Mississippi, got a light coating. And theUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hillcanceled classes as the storm unloaded atleast 8 inches (20 centimeters) of snow inDurham and Greensboro.

Even the best drivers had trouble: RetiredNASCAR champion Dale Earnhardt Jrtweeted that he had just used his winch to helppull a car out of a ditch when he drove off theroad and into a tree in North Carolina. "NCstay off the roads today/tonight. 5 minutesafter helping these folks I center punched apine tree," he reported. A spokesman saidEarnhardt was not hurt and his pickup hadonly minor damage. Though skies were sunnyand bright in many places, temperaturesremained below freezing throughout the dayin much of the South. (AP)

INDIAN AMERICAN NEERAJ BHATIAHONORED WITH HIND RATTAN AWARD 2018

SAN FRANCISCO (TIP):

A certified public accountantand a leading IndianAmerican tax consultant,Neeraj Bhatia has beenhonored with the prestigiousHind Rattan Award 2018,which is one of the highestIndian diaspora awardsgranted annually to non-resident persons of Indian-origin by the NRI WelfareSociety of India.

Bhatia is a sought-after taxprofessional who has offeredextensive commentary on USand India tax issues over theyears.

An accomplishedaccounting professional withover 30 years of practice ininternational and domestic tax planning andcompliance for start-ups and multinationalentities, Bhatia runs a successful tax andaccountancy firm in the heart of Silicon Valleywith offices in New Delhi as well.

"With India-US trade, corporate and economicrelations booming, companies on both sides of theworld are always looking for professionals whohave expertise in tax and corporate laws ofAmerica and India," Bhatia said.

"My firm has the advantage of havingaccounting professionals who have decades ofexperience navigating tax laws in the twocountries," he said.

He has helped around 1,000 startups get off theground during the past two decades of practice inSilicon Valley. It was his insights into the IT sectorthat led him to be associated closely with SoftwareTechnology Parks of India (STPI) - an Indiangovernment undertaking - in the San FranciscoBay Area. Bhatia has also kept his focus onhelping several Indian-American organizationsrepresenting half a dozen Indian states engagedin charitable causes. He assists them inmaintaining their charitable status through strictregulatory compliance.

Bhatia has a degree in chartered accountancy

from India and holds an LLMin international taxationfrom the US. He is vicepresident and director ofIndo American Chamber ofCommerce and is also on theBoard of the University ofSilicon Andhra, a newly-formed university impartingpost-graduate degreeprograms in Indianlanguages, literature andarts.

He was awarded a goldmedal and monthlyscholarship for three yearsby India's Central Board ofSecondary Education forsecuring the first rank inIndia in the Board exam. Hewas also awarded a gold

medal by Institute of Cost & Works (Management)Accountants of India for securing the first rank innorth India. He is vice president and director ofIndo American Chamber of Commerce and isalso on the Board of the University of SiliconAndhra, a newly-formed university impartingpost-graduate degree programs in Indianlanguages, literature and arts.

The Hind Rattan, which means 'Jewel of India'in English, is one of the highest Indian diasporaawards. The award is granted at the Society'sannual Congress on the eve of India's RepublicDay, in conjunction with national PravasiBharatiya Divas celebrations.

The award ceremony is attended by seniormembers of the Government of India and of theSupreme Court of India. The number ofawardees varies each year, but is generally about25 to 30. Criteria for award selection are notpublished by the Society; award selections aremade among the Society leadership and awardeesare invited to attend the conference in New Delhito accept their awards.

The NRI Welfare Society has been operatingover the past 37 years, connecting people of Indianorigin with their motherland.

(Source: Connected to India)

Neeraj Bhatia has helped around1,000 startups get off the groundduring the past two decades of

practice in Silicon Valley

13 siblings foundchained in Californiahome; parents charged

PERRY, California: A California couple hasbeen charged with torture after policerescued their 13 malnourished children froma home where some of them had beenchained to beds, and neighbors on Mondaydescribed the family as shut-ins whoshunned social contact.

Police made the discovery after a 17-year-old girl escaped the house in Perris, about 70miles (113 km) east of Los Angeles, and useda cellular phone she had found in the houseto call them, the Riverside County Sheriff'sOffice said on Monday.

"Deputies located what they believed to be12 children inside the house, but wereshocked to discover that seven of them wereactually adults," police said in a statement."The victims appeared to be malnourishedand very dirty."

The children ranged in age from 2 to 29,police said.

The girl, who officers had initially thoughtwas about 10 years old, contacted police onSunday after escaping the one-story house.

The parents, David Allen Turpin, 57, andLouise Anna Turpin, 49, were arrested andeach charged with nine counts of torture and10 counts of child endangerment. They wereordered held on $9 million bail each.

Neighbors said the Turpins and theirchildren rarely emerged from their unkempthome in the new built development of closelyspaced single-family houses.

Wendy Martinez, a 41-year-old housewife,said her only contact with the Turpins cameas she passed the house at night in October.Four children were installing sod in the yardwhile the mother watched from the door, andnone responded when Martinez said hello.

"They were very, like, afraid," she said ofthe children. "Like they had never seenpeople before."

Police said six of the couple's childrenwere minors, while the other seven were over18. (Reuters)

13USTHE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2018

Indian American CongresswomanPramila Jayapal to boycott Donald

Trump's State of the Union address

WASHINGTON (TIP): Indian AmericanCongresswoman Pramila Jayapal hasannounced that she would skip PresidentDonald Trump's State of the Union address,in protest against his policies and rhetoricagainst immigrants. Jayapal, 52, joins morethan half a dozen Democratic lawmakers,including the legendary Congressman JohnLewis, who will give a miss to the January 30event.

Other lawmakers who have announced toboycott the event include Frederica Wilson,Maxine Waters, and Earl Blumenauer.

"I would not be attending the State of theUnion this year. I join other distinguishedmembers, including Rep John Lewis, inrefusing to dignify a president who has usedthe platform of the Oval Office to fan theflames of racism, sexism and hatred-mostrecently with his vulgar condemnation ofHaiti and other African countries," Jayapalsaid in a statement.

Jayapal said she disagrees with Trump'sapproach which is "narrow and self-serving".

"This president has consistently indicatedthat he has no interest in leading a unified

country. He has gone out of his way to play toa small and shrinking base of voters by usinglanguage that diminishes and demeans vastswaths of people in our own country andaround the world," Jayapal said.

"His path is dangerous. His path isdestructive. His path cannot be normalized. Iwill not normalize it. This is our own form ofnon-violent resistance," she said.

According to Jayapal, her constituents andpeople across the country are "heartbroken,terrified and demoralized".

"He does and says things that none of us,as parents, would condone for our children.He consistently uses language that isoutright racist. He actively uses the highestoffice of the land to promote hatred as apolitical tool for his own benefit," saidJayapal.

"As a brown immigrant female member ofCongress, I feel the impact of these wordspersonally, as well as collectively," she said.

Jayapal is the only Indian Americanlawmaker to have announced boycottingTrump's State of the Union Address, which isa customary annual address of the USPresident to a joint session of the Congress.

Other Indian American Congressmen areDr. Ami Bera, Ro Khanna and RajaKrishnamoorthi. Senator Kamala Harrisfrom California is of mixed African andAmerican heritage. (Source PTI

“I would not be attending the Stateof the Union this year. I join otherdistinguished members, including

Rep John Lewis, in refusing to dignify apresident who has used the platform ofthe Oval Office to fan the flames ofracism, sexism and hatred-mostrecently with his vulgar condemnationof Haiti and other African countries,"Jayapal said in a statement.

The Indian AmericanFormer State LawmakerDecides AgainstRunning for Congress

MANSFIELD (TIP): Former Ohio StateRep. Jay Goyal of Mansfield, has decided hewill not run for the U.S. Congress. Heannounced his decision after some leadingDemocrats pressed him to consider doing so.The Columbus Dispatch reported Jan. 17,that Goyal had ruled out the run.

"Public service is something that hasalways been important to me. However, I havecertain commitments that I've made to myfamily business and I need to make sure I'mfulfilling those commitments," Goyal isquoted saying in the Dispatch.

According to the Dispatch, U.S. Rep. JoyceBeatty, Ohio, from Jefferson Township, andFranklin County Commissioner JohnO'Grady had approached Goyal and urgedhim to run in a bid to send a Democrat toCongress. They hoped that Goyal, 37, couldhelp their party turn a red seat into blue asthe district comprises of areas where Goyalhad name-recognition from the time heserved in the State House. Republicans haveheld the seat on Capitol Hill since 1982.

Goyal was just 26 when he was first electedin 2006 and served three terms from 2007-2013, in the State House, including some ofthose years as Majority Leader.

He left the political arena in 2012 to helprun the family business, Goyal Industries, amanufacturing concern that produces metalfabrications. He has been leading thecompany for several years now. Goyalgraduated with a degree in industrialengineering from Northwestern University,he also has an MBA from Harvard BusinessSchool and a Master's in Public Policy fromthe Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

Trump: No US embassymove to Jerusalem thisyear

WASHINGTON (TIP): President DonaldTrump denied on Wednesday that theplanned relocation of the US embassy inIsrael to Jerusalem would take place within ayear, after Prime Minister BenjaminNetanyahu said he expected thecontroversial move to happen by then.Reversing decades of US policy, Trump inearly December recognized Jerusalem asIsrael's capital and set in motion the process ofmoving the embassy from Tel Aviv, imperilingMiddle East peace efforts and upsetting theArab world and Western allies alike. USSecretary of State Rex Tillerson said lastmonth the embassy move was "probably noearlier than three years out, and that's prettyambitious," a timeframe that administrationofficials have attributed to the logistics offinding and securing a site as well asarranging housing for diplomats. (Reuters)

Jay Goyal a former Ohio State Rep. hasdecided not to run for Congress because

of,he said, "certain commitments that I'vemade to my family business and I need to

make sure I'm fulfilling those commitments".

TAGC celebrated Makara Sankranti and IndiaRepublic Day with Telugu culture and traditionsCHICAGO, IL (TIP): Telugu Association of Greater Chicago

(TAGC)- First Telugu association in North America- celebratedMakara Sankranti and India Republic Day with Chicago land areaTelugu families at the HTGC Rama Temple Auditorium, LemontIL.The event was a grand success with overwhelming response fromthe Telugu community with over 1000 guests in attendance. The eventwas conducted on 13th January 2018 from 3:00PM to 10PM. TAGC Boardhas decided to do this event with all local talent promoting the Teluguculture, traditions and encouraged youth to preserve traditions. As perMembership committee chair Praveen Vemulapalli more than 1000guests were attending the event even during the Cold weather inChicago.

The cultural programs included more than 30 events with 330 localtalents, and Chicago's famous singers Praveen Jaligama garu, Sailajagaru and Madhavi Merugu garu who entertained audiences withmovie songs.

TAGC President-elect Ramu Billakanti garu welcomed and wishedgood health, prosperity and wealth to all the guests on behalf ofPresident Jyothi Chintalapani garu. President garu thanked allSponsors, Volunteers and encouraged to take membership byall attendees.

The program started with Lord Ganesha prayer along withthe cultural team and Board of Directors. In the Sankranti andIndia Republic cultural event 330 participants performed avariety of programs and shows keeping the audienceentertained and involved. The program highlight was Men'sskit "Pandu gadi Kotu Gola" and Women's skit "Mahillallu -Maharanulu"

TAGC President elect thanked and congratulated CulturalCommittee Chair Ranga Reddy Lenkala Co- chair SwethaJanamanchi and Uma Avadhuta team members and volunteerswho worked for more than 8 weeks to make the event grandsuccess. Audience was enthusiastic to see all decorationsthroughout the Auditorium. Bommalla Koluvu, Kitedecoration, Harvest Crop themes was a special attractionaccording to Decorations Committee Chair Mrs. VaniYetrintala. There were also competitions on Sankranthi themeand Muggulu potti. Gifts were distributed for the Competitionwinners by Sponsors along with on-spot gift cards for kids whoanswered correctly about Sankranti and Telugu culture.

TAGC Sankranthi cultural Celebration also includedadelicious dinner served by volunteers. (Photographs and Press release by: Asian Media USA)

Participants of Peacock dance

TAGC Members and Participants at Sankranthi Celebrations 2018

14 THEINDIANPANORAMAFRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2018 INDIA

TWO CIVILIANS KILLED ASPAKISTAN TARGETS CIVILIANAREAS, BOPs IN J&K

JAMMU (TIP): Two civilians were killed and three othersinjured as Pakistan Rangers heavily shelled civilian areasand Border Out Posts for the second consecutive day todayalong the IB in Jammu and Samba districts.

BSF troops effectively retaliated."Pakistan Rangers resorted to heavy firing and shelling

along the IB in several areas in R S Pura, Arnia andRamgarh sectors since 0640 hours", a BSF officer said.

They targeted around 40 Border Out Posts (BoPs) in threesectors using 82 mm and 52 mortar bombs, automatic andsmall weapons, he said.

"The exchange of fire is going on when the reports lastcame in", he said adding they have targeted BoPs andvillages in over 35 kms of IB.

A police officer said Pakistani troops have targeted over 40civilian villages in Arnia, R S Pura and Ramgarh sectorsalong the IB till now.

Two civilians, including a woman, were killed and threecivilians were injured in the shelling, they said.

While the woman died in Sai Khurda, the man died inKorotona in R S Pura-Arnia belt. A civilian was injured inSai Khurd village while two others were injured inRamgarh.

In view of the heavy shelling, over 1000 border dwellershave migrated from the area and schools along theborderline have been closed. Source: PTI

INDIA SUCCESSFULLY TEST-FIRES NUCLEAR CAPABLE AGNI-5 MISSILE

NEW DELHI (TIP): India Thursday successfully testfired its indigenously built, nuclear-capable missile, Agni-V.It was conducted off a test range from Odisha’s Abdul Kalamisland. The intercontinental surface-to-surface ballisticmissile has a range of 5,000 km. Confirming thedevelopment, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said:“We have successfully launched nuclear-capable ballisticmissile Agni-V today.”

With the aim to strengthen its nuclear arsenal, the Indianarmy is modifying the Agni missile to make it capable ofcarrying nuclear warheads. New technologies are beingincorporated into every test in addition to its navigation andguidance system, warhead and engine power.

VHP CHIEF PRAVIN TOGADIASEES PLOT AGAINST HIM

AHMEDABAD (TIP): VHP leader Pravin Togadia,wanted in a 15-year-old case of flouting prohibitory orders,on Wednesday said phone calls made in the last 15 days bythe joint commissioner of Ahmedabad police’s crime branchshould be made public to see “how many times he hadspoken to the Prime Minister”.

He said the crime branch was conspiring against him“under instructions from political bosses in Delhi”. Togadiawas reported missing on Monday morning when a Rajasthanpolice team reached Ahmedabad to arrest him in the 15-year-old case that charged him with flouting prohibitory orders.On Monday, Togadia was found unconscious in anAhmedabad park and taken to a hospital.

On Tuesday morning, Togadia claimed that an informanthad told him he would be killed in a police encounter so hehad left the VHP office and reached his close aideGhanshyam Charandas’s home. He claimed that at 3 pm, heleft for Ahmedabad airport to catch a flight to Jaipur,thinking he would surrender in court, but on the way hefainted and then found himself in the hospital.

PM Modi’s UAE, Palestine visit in Februaryto focus on counterterrorism, cyber security

NEW DELHI (TIP): More co-operation in cyber security and counter-terrorism initiatives and facilitatingmore investment in India’sinfrastructure sector will top PrimeMinister Narendra Modi’s agenda whenhe visits the UAE next month, said anofficial familiar with the plans oncondition of anonymity.

Modi is likely to visit the Gulf nationon February 10 and 11. He will also visitPalestine en route to the UAE, home to2.8 million Indian passport holders.Modi’s visit to Palestine will comeshortly after the visit of Israeli PrimeMinister Benjamin Netanyahu to India.Modi was the first Indian PM to visitIsrael last year, de-hyphenating itsrelationship with the two countries.

India and the UAE have put togetheran ambitious agenda to mark the secondvisit of Modi to the UAE, with whichIndia has a comprehensive strategicpartnership aimed at furtherstrengthening their security andbusiness ties.

Cyber security is one area bothcountries have identified for stepping upcooperation, said the official. New Delhiwould like to collaborate with the UAEin setting up a cyber security centre inIndia. The UAE has had a cyber securitycentre since 2014 that acts as a nodalagency for protecting data, telecomnetworks, and which works with similarbodies around the world, the official

pointed out.“Cyber security has emerged as a key

area of our bilateral cooperation withother countries. The UAE has some bestpractices and a centre in this field andthe cooperation could be mutuallybeneficial,” said another official.

The two sides are also looking atstepping up efforts to disrupt terrorist

networks, their financing andmovements. In this context, India wouldlike the UAE to help track the propertiesof people in its wanted list. Facilitatingmore UAE investment to India remainsanother focus. The two countries plan tostep up the proposed $ 75 billion targetfor UAE investments in India’sinfrastructure development. Source: HT

PM Narendra Modi with Palestine President Mahmoud Abbas in New York. File photo

Form panel to assign important cases,four SC judges tell CJI Dipak Misra

NEW DELHI (TIP): The four seniorjudges of Supreme Court who criticisedChief Justice (CJI) Dipak Misra for hisadministration of the court, includingallocation of cases to judges, haverecommended the creation of acommittee of senior judges that willassign sensitive and important cases,according to people familiar with thematter.

The proposal is being discussed notjust by them and the CJI but also, interms of seniority, judges who stand achance to be a future CJI, the peoplefamiliar with the matter added.

However, the talks remainedinconclusive, they said, because the CJIwas reluctant to concede to the demandsas it would lead to the dilution of thechief ’s power as the master of the roster.

The four judges, the senior most in theSupreme Court after the CJI – justices JChelameswar, Ranjan Gogoi, MB Lokurand Kurien Joseph – met the CJI for thesecond time this week and put forththeir proposal for a just and transparentsystem to allocate cases.

Three?judges, who, in order ofseniority, stand a chance of becomingthe CJI were asked by Justice Misra tobe present during the talks because theissue raised by the four judges relates tothe administrative function of the officeof the CJI, the people explained.

Currently, cases are marked as per theroster notified by the Supreme Courtregistry. This is done once the CJI

approves it. Though the marking iscomputer-generated, the CJI has a saywhen the registry informs him about asensitive matter in advance. As theadministrative head the CJI can eitherretain the matter, let it be heard by thebench as per the roster or send it toanother bench .

It is this discretionary power whichthe four judges have attacked; theirclaim is that senior judges were beingoverlooked when it came to hearingsensitive cases.

Thursday’s meeting between thejudges lasted for around 20 minutes,from 10 to 10:20 am after which thejudges dispersed to their respectivecourts.

The people familiar with the matter

said the CJI expressed his inability toaccept the proposal because it wouldcompromise the Chief Justice’s power, amatter on which a five-judgeconstitution bench recently ruled.Justice Misra headed the bench thatgave the verdict on November 10, 2017.

Justice Misra is also understood tohave cited another SC judgement that in1997 declared chief justice as the masterof the roster. The impasse is likely tocontinue as Justice Chelameswar left thecity on a private visit and ie expectedback on Sunday night.

If the talks between the senior judgesfail then the CJI may have to convene afull court meeting to end the stalemate,one of the people familiar with thematter said. Source: HT

(L-R) Justices Kurian Joseph, Jasti Chelameswar, Ranjan Gogoi and Madan Lokuraddress the media at a news conference in New Delhi

WASHINGTON (TIP): The UnitedStates has called for Hafiz Saeed’sprosecution “to the fullest extent of thelaw,” following Pakistan’s PrimeMinister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi’sremark that no action could be takenagainst the United Nations-designatedterrorist.

Abbasi, during an interview to GeoTV on Tuesday, referred to Saeed as‘sahib’ or ‘sir’ “There is no case againstHafiz Saeed sahib in Pakistan. Onlywhen there is a case, can there beaction,” he said when asked why therewas no action against Saeed.

US fumes at non-actionReacting strongly to the comments,

State Department spokesperson HeatherNauert said the US believed that Saeedshould be prosecuted and they have toldPakistan as much.

“We believe that he should beprosecuted to the fullest extent of thelaw. He is listed by the UNSC 1267, the Al-Qaeda Sanctions Committee for targetedsanctions due to his affiliation withLashkar-e-Taiba, which is a designatedforeign terror organisation,” Ms. Nauerttold reporters at her daily newsconference on Thursday.

“We have made our points andconcerns to the Pakistani governmentvery clear. We believe that thisindividual should be prosecuted,” shesaid.

Responding to a question, Nauert saidthe US has “certainly seen” the reportsabout Abbasi’s comment on Saeed.

“We regard him as a terrorist, a partof a foreign terrorist organisation. Hewas the mastermind, we believe, of the2008 Mumbai attacks which killed manypeople, including Americans as well,”she said. Saeed, the chief of the Jamaat-

ud-Dawah (JuD), was released fromhouse arrest in Pakistan in November.

The US has labelled JuD the “terroristfront” for the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), agroup Saeed founded in 1987. LeT wasresponsible for carrying the 2008Mumbai attack that killed 166 people.

Pak need to do moreAcknowledging that the US has had

some challenging times with thegovernment of Pakistan recently, Ms.Nauert has said the TrumpAdministration expects Pakistan to do alot more to address terrorism issues.

“That’s something that we’ve beenvery clear about all along. You know thenews that we had that came out a coupleweeks ago about our decision towithhold some of the security fundingfor Pakistan,” she said.

Nauert said the entire administrationwas on the same page on the issue of US-Pakistan relationship.

Early this month, the US suspendedabout $2 billion worth of securityassistance to Pakistan accusing it of notdoing enough in the fight againstterrorism.

In retaliation, Pakistan suspendedmilitary and intelligence co-operationwith the US.

The State Department on Thursdaysaid it has not received any formalinformation in this regard fromPakistan. Source: PTI

Highlights US has called for prosecution of

JuDc chief Hafiz Saeed

Pakistan PM Abbasi had told GeoTV that there is no case againstSaeed

Hafiz Saeed is a UN-designatedglobal terrorist

15INDIA THEINDIANPANORAMAFRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2018

GST RATES ON 29 GOODS, 53 SERVICES CUT

NEW DELHI (TIP): The Goods and Services Tax (GST)Council has reduced the rates on 29 goods and 53 categories ofservices, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said following theCouncil’s meeting on Jan 18.

Against the backdrop of declining GST collections andwaning compliance, the Council also discussed in detailvarious approaches to ease the return filing complianceburden, and the need for the implementation of anti-evasionmeasures.

Some of the services for which the rates have been cutinclude tailoring (18% to 5%), admission to theme parks (28%to 18%), and petroleum and natural gas mining andexploration (18% to 12%). The goods on which the rates havebeen reduced include biodiesel buses used for publictransport (28% to 18%), sugar boiled confectionery, biodiesel,drinking water packed in 20 litre containers (all from 18% to12%), and LPG supplied to domestic consumers by privatedistributors (18% to 5%). The new rates would come intoeffect on January 25.

“Rates have again been rationalised on few items, which isa step in the right direction,” Pratik Jain, Leader, Indirect Taxat PwC India, wrote in a note.

More cuts to come“One would expect that over the next few months, this

process would continue, particularly with respect to 28%category, which should only be for select luxury and demeritproducts,” he wrote.

Jaitley said that while the latest round of rate reductionswould have an affect on the Centre’s revenues, the impactwould be small.

Status quo not altered at Doklamface-off site, says India

New Delhi (TIP): India said on Thursday that the statusquo has not been altered at Doklam, where Indian andChinese troops were locked in a stand-off for over two monthslast year, and rejected any suggestion to the contrary as“inaccurate and mischievous”.

“Our attention has been drawn to some reports thatquestion the accuracy of the position stated by thegovernment in respect to the situation in Doklam,” Ministryof External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said.

He said that in response to repeated questions about anychange in the status quo at the face-off site, the governmenthas stated that there was no basis for such imputations.

“Government would once again reiterate that the statusquo at the face-off site has not been altered. Any suggestion tothe contrary is inaccurate and mischievous,” he said.

Kumar’s remarks come in the wake of media reports aboutChina carrying out some infrastructure development in thedisputed region.

Indian and Chinese troops had been locked in a stand-offfor over two months last year in the Doklam area near Sikkimbefore “disengaging” on August 28. Source: PTI

Punjab CM accepts powerminister Rana Gurjit’s resignation

CHANDIGARH (TIP): Punjab ChiefMinister Amarinder Singh has acceptedthe resignation of power and irrigationminister Rana Gurjit Singh on Jan 18following a meeting with AICCpresident Rahul Gandhi.

Rana Gurjit had submitted hisresignation to Amarinder a few daysago. But the CM had not accepted it. Hehad left it to Rahul to take a call. Thedecision to accept the resignation was taken after a thoroughdiscussion on the issue during a meeting of CM and RahulGandhi in Delhi today morning.

While sources said Amarinder was still backing his loyalist,Rahul and other leaders in the meeting are learnt to haveprevailed upon the CM. PPCC President Sunil Jakhar, GeneralSecretary Incharge Asha Kumari and AICC Secretary HarishChoudhary were also a part of the meeting.

Rana Gurjit was caught up in a controversy related to sandmine auction in May. His two ex employees had bagged sandmines in the first ever auction done by the Congress-ledgovernment. Then CM had then ordered a probe Justice JSNarang (retd) into the case. The commission had however givenRana a clean chit.

Hafiz Saeed should be prosecutedto fullest extent of law: US

HIV cases in India drop more than50% but challenges remain

NEW DELHI (TIP): In 2002, USNational Intelligence Council made aprojection: About 20-25 million peoplewill be living with HIV in India by 2010.They got it wrong. “The future of theglobal epidemic is really at stake inIndia,” said the then director, UNAIDS,Dr Peter Piot, who discovered the Ebolavirus in Zaire in 1976. He was right, bothabout Ebola and HIV in India, where allthe right things were done to stop theepidemic from spiralling out of control.

India being home to the world’s thirdlargest HIV population — after SouthAfrica (7.1 million) and Nigeria (3.2million) — has more to do with its 1.32billion population than high infectionrates.

Adult HIV prevalence in India is0.28%, compared to South Africa’s18.9%, shows UNAIDS data for 2017.

The number of people living with HIVin India has more than halved from 5.1million in 2003 to 2.1 million in 2016 —partly because the World HealthOrganisation’s revised and enhancedmethodology halved HIV estimates forIndia to 2.5 million in 2007.

India’s revised estimates, combinedwith the five sub-Saharan Africancountries of Angola, Kenya,Mozambique, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe,led to a 70% reduction in the global HIVprevalence over the previous year, withglobal estimates falling to 33.2 million

from 39.5 million in 2006. The epidemic,however, had started levelling off in theearly 2000s as a result of a two-prongedstrategy: intensive HIV preventioncampaigns among the most affected; andfree testing and treatment under theNational AIDS Control Programme(NACP) since 2004.

Lowering riskLowering infections among high-risk

groups such as transgenders and femalesex workers (FSW) — so called as theyare considered likely to engage in high-risk behaviours that spread HIV, such asunprotected sex and sharing needles and

syringes — is among the big successes ofNACP, the first phase of which started in1992.

By 2004, India had expanded targetedinterventions for FSWs, injecting drugusers, men who have sex with men,transgender people, single malemigrants, long-distance truckers etc inthe six high prevalence states of TamilNadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka,Maharashtra, Nagaland and Manipur.

In 2003, around one in 10 FSWs inIndia had HIV, the virus that causesAIDS. The number fell to one in 64 in2017.

Source: HT

16 THE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2018MUSIC

AMERICA, INSPIRINGNJSO Celebrates Immigrant Composers at Winter Festival 2018

“This season, it (NJSO) celebrates theinspiration that is America,showcasing musical works by

immigrants and foreign visitors…" GabrielVan Aalst, President & CEO, NJSO

“These composers speak to mebecause their story is my own. WhileI had a wonderful musical education

at the Conservatory in Beijing, I needed to come to the United States to follow my dream of becoming a conductor". Xian Zhang, NJSO Music Conductor

“(Xian Zhang's) conducting gesturesreveal a passion, a preciseknowledge of the score and a

constant attention to detail. Herrelationship with the musicians is producing great music and the orchestra members respond beautifully" The Asbury Park Press

BY MABEL PAIS

At the NJSO, January is always a busy month with theWinter Festival. "This season, it (NJSO) celebrates theinspiration that is America, showcasing musical works

by immigrants and foreign visitors who drew theirstimulation from America's wide-ranging impacts" saidGabriel Van Aalst, President and CEO of the NJSO, whoopened the Winter Festival on January 11.

The 2018 Winter Festival highlights the myriad waysAmerica has inspired not only those who call it home but alsothose who have visited its welcoming shores. Leveraging thepower of art to transcend differences, a series of NJSOAccents and special events further explore the immigrantexperience and how foreign artists have illustrated Americaninspiration in their work.

Spanning three weekends, January 11-28, the WinterFestival includes orchestral performances at the New JerseyPerforming Arts Center in Newark, State Theatre New Jerseyin New Brunswick, Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank,Richardson Auditorium in Princeton, Mayo Performing ArtsCenter in Morristown and BergenPAC in Englewood.

The NJSO Chamber Players perform a special chambermusic concert at St. George's-by-the-River Episcopal Church inRumson and Calvary Episcopal Church in Summit.

Week I: America, Inspiring: Respighi &Prokofiev

Music Director Xian Zhang conducted NJSO premiere of

Che Yi's Ge Xu and Respighi's Fountains of Rome. George Liperformed Prokofiev's Third Piano Concerto. Zhang, theorchestra's 14th music director, is the first woman to hold theposition.

In a nod to Zhang's own journey to America and New Jersey,she led Respighi's Pines of Rome-a work she conducted in herfirst-ever performances with the NJSO in 2010. Chinese pianistGeorge Li, the 22-year-old silver medalist of the XVInternational Tchaikovsky Competition, performedProkofiev's Third Piano Concerto.

Performances took place on Thursday, January 11 at BergenPAC in Englewood; Saturday, January 13 at the New JerseyPerforming Arts Center in Newark; and Sunday, January 14, atState Theatre New Jersey in New Brunswick.

WEEK II: America, Inspiring: Ravel &Rachmaninoff

Andrew Constantine,conductor

Terrence Wilson, pianoMARTIN? Thunderbolt

P-47 (NJSO Premiere)RAVEL Piano Concerto

in G MajorR A C H M A N I N O F F

Symphonic DancesFri, Jan 19, at 8 pm |

Richardson Auditorium inPrinceton

Sat, Jan 20, at 8 pm |State Theatre New Jerseyin New Brunswick

Sun, Jan 21, at 3 pm |NJPAC in Newark

NJSO ACCENTS:Panel Discussion-Fri,

Jan 19, at 6:45 pm and Sun,Jan 21, at 1:45 pm

Host Naomi Lewin and apanel of experts discuss thepolitical climate in Europethat drove so many of theWinter Festival'scomposers to come toAmerica.

Wine Tasting-Sat, Jan20, before the concert

Join wine and musicexpert Ron Merlino in an exclusive tasting of wines made ofold-world grapes in new-world soil. For reservation and tickets,visit www.njsymphony.org/grapes

Performance & Painting-Sun, Jan 21, after the concertWatch creative inspiration in action as artist Ken Ahlering

(www.ken-ahlering.com) paints in response to a performance by the NJSO Chamber Players.

Full concert information is available at www.njsymphony.org/events/detail/america-inspiring-ravel-rachmaninoff.

America, Inspiring: Special ChamberMusic Concert

Tue, Jan 23, at 3 pm | St.G e o r g e ' s - b y - t h e - R i v e rEpiscopal Church in Rumson

Thu, Jan 25, at 7:30 pm |Calvary Episcopal Church inSummit

NJSO CHAMBER

PLAYERS

Eric Wyrick, violinBrennan Sweet, violinDavid Blinn, violaNa-Young Baek, celloTAN DUN Eight Colors for

String QuartetBARTÓK String Quartet No.

2DVORÁK String Quartet No.

12 in F Major, Op. 96,"American"

A free pre-concert reception begins at 2 pm on Jan 23.Full concert information is available at

www.njsymphony.org/events/detail/america-inspiring-special-chamber-music-concert.

WEEK III: America, Inspiring: Dvo?ák's"New World" Symphony

Fri, Jan 26, at 8 pm - NJPAC in NewarkSat, Jan 27, at 8 pm - Count Basie Theatre in Red BankSun, Jan 28, at 3 pm - Mayo PAC in MorristownXian Zhang, conductorChloë Hanslip, violinNew Jersey Symphony OrchestraBRITTEN Simple SymphonyKORNGOLD Violin ConcertoDVO?ÁK Symphony No. 9, "From the New World"NJSO ACCENTS:

Prelude Performance-Fri, Jan 26, before the concertCome early and hear the Anne Lieberson Ensemble from the

NJSO's Youth Orchestras perform a selection inspired by theWinter Festival.

Poetry Reading-Sun, Jan 28, after the concertPoets Maria Gillan and Patrick Rosal reflect on their own

immigrant experiences in the closing event of the WinterFestival.

Full concert information is available atwww.njsymphony.org/events/detail/america-inspiring-

dvoraks-new-world-symphony.

(Mabel Pais is a freelance writer. She writes on The Arts andEntertainment, Social Issues, Health and Wellness, and

Spirituality)

Xian Zhang_Music-Conductor Photo credit Benjamin Ealovega

George Li, PianistPhoto credit Simon Fowler

Xian Zhang-conducts-the-NJSO Photo credit Fred Stucker

Xian Zhang-at-NJPAC Photo credit Fred Stucker

Xian Zhang at NJPAC Photo credit Fred Stucker

Violinist Chloe Hanslip,international artist of

distinction

Terrence Wilson, Pianist

Violinist Eric Wyrick,Concertmaster of NJSO

Photo credit Tristan Cook

17ADVERTISEMENTTHE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2018

NEW YORK- DALLAS

MARKETING STAFF REQUIRED

We are looking for marketing persons for The IndianPanorama print editions and the web portal at a coupleof locations which include Long Island, Queens,Manhattan and Buffalo in New York,Jersey City andEdison in New Jersey, Stamford in Connecticut, Atlantain Georgia, Houston and Dallas in Texas, and Chicago inIllinois.

Persons with experience in newspaper reporting will bepreferred.

The individual must be a person with experience inmarketing and public relations, confident, independentand able to handle marketing on his/her own withminimum support from the management.

Compensation will be based on experience with up to40% revenue created by the individual.

Anyone who would like to work with us part time and onthe basis of revenue sharing may email to

salujaindra@gmail.com or contact at 646-247-9458.

18 THEINDIANPANORAMAFRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2018 BOLLYWOOD

ANUSHKA’S ‘PARI’ TORELEASE ON HOLI

KAALAKAANDICCaasstt:: SSaaiiff AAllii KKhhaann,, VViijjaayy RRaaaazz,, DDeeeeppaakk DDoobbrriiyyaall,, SShhoobbhhiittaa

DDhhuulliippaallaa,, SShheennaazz TTrreeaassuurryywwaallaa,, AAmmyyrraa DDaassttuurr

DDiirreeccttoorr:: AAkksshhaatt VVeerrmmaa

Kaalakaandi is set in Mumbai and focused primarily onmore mature characters. So its tone, texture and treatmentare markedly different. The film is primarily in English, withonly two underworld underlings conversing in street-levelHindi peppered liberally with expletives. It is clear thatVerma is fascinated by mavericks and misfits. But armedwith the quality of his writing, he turns the freaky,freewheeling, fizzy Kaalakaandi into a human drama thatexplores life's surprises, love, mortality, greed and betrayal.

The directorial debut of Delhi Belly writer Akshat Verma,Kaalakaandi has three parallel tracks that show us thedifferent worlds that reside in Mumbai. The movie openswith Saif, an unnamed executive, who finds out he issuffering from cancer and has mere three months to live. Hisdoctor has a special way of delivering the news: “You do nothave ulcers, therefore you also do not have perforated ulcersand you can stop your medication. You have cancer, stomachcancer.”

Saif goes on a predictable rant ala Jimmy Sheirgill in

Munnabhai MBBS as he cribs how he has never had alcohol,smoked or done drugs. Saif then heads home to a houseful ofguests as his cousin is getting married and tries his hand ateverything – alcohol, dancing with abandon and narcotics.He goes on a wild binge across the city and faces his innerdemons as he goes on a spin across the city.

The second story is that of a couple – Kunal Roy Kapur andShobhita Dhulipala – where she is moving to America forhigher studies and he is sulking. The couple decides to attenda friend’s birthday party and things go topsy-turvy fromthere.

Vijay Raaz and Deepak Dobriyal are the lead characters ofthe third story. They work as lowly courier boys for a goonbut aspire to be a ‘big shot’ in the crime world. How theirambition leads to a sudden change of track in their storyforms the crux of the film.

At least two of the three stories could have made for agripping watch, Saif ’s and the one involving gangsters.However, what we see onscreen is a sad apology of anarrative. The characters in all the three stories appear blandand one-dimensional, with almost no growth in the course oftheir narrative. Kunal’s presence in the film is a remarkableletdown – he has often proved his credentials in comic roles,especially quirky ones, and this role is an injustice to thetalent.

Kaalakaandi, nonetheless, has its moments and Saif AliKhan’s uninhibited performance tops the list.

M O V I E R E V I E W

DEEPIKA PADUKONE INNEW BADASS COP LOOK

Deepika Padukone was spotted shootingfor an advertisement in Mumbai, inwhich she was dressed as a cop - a

welcome departure from her ethnic outfits andheavy jewellery during outings and promotions.We loved that too but a change is always good.And look at how superb Deepika looks in fittedkhaki trousers and crisp white shirt with herhair tied in an elegant back bun.

Also just saying, her rumoured boyfriendRanveer Singh's cop look in upcoming filmSimmba has got nothing on Deepika's swag.What say? Fan clubs posted pictures of DeepikaPadukone dressed as cop relaxing on the bonnetof a jeep.

Deepika Padukone is currently awaiting therelease of Padmaavat, which is directed bySanjay Leela Bhansali. The film's originalrelease date was December 1 last year, but due tothe Central Board Of Film Certification's delay,the film will now release on January 25.Padmaavat, which was originally titledPadmavati, was cleared for release with a U/Acertificate and five alterations including thetitle.

Padmaavat faced massive opposition (andcontinues to face) from Rajput Karni Sena andother fringe outfits which opposed the film'srelease over alleged factual inaccuracies.Several states have also banned the film'srelease.

Anushka Sharma's first film, posther marriage to Indian cricketerVirat Kohli, "Pari" will release on

Holi, March 2.The film, which is Anushka's third

production under her banner Clean SlateFilms, is directed by debutante Prosit Roy.

It also features Parambrata Chatterjee,Rajat Kapoor and Ritabhari Chakraborty.

The makers also released a motionposter of the film while not revealingmuch about the plot.

Anushka has previously produced "NH10" and "Phillauri". Both the filmsfeatured her in the lead role.

"Pari" also has KriArj Entertainmentas one of the producers.

In the first look released on June 13 lastyear, the actor, who played a friendlyghost in "Phillauri", gave some serioushaunting vibes.

Pari is Anushka's third film asproducer (Clean Slate Films) after 2015'scritically acclaimed NH10 and this year'sPhillauri, which wasn't as successful asNH10. Of the sort of films she wants toproduce, Anushka told news agencyIANS: "At Clean Slate, our endeavour is totell stories that are not only meaningfuland different, but also push theboundaries."

Anushka Sharma's next film, Jab HarryMet Sejal, releases on August 4. The filmalso stars Shah Rukh Khan and isdirected by Imtiaz Ali. In fact, Anushkajoined Jab Harry Met Sejal's promotionalexercise a little late as she was busyworking on Pari. Anushka has also signedup for Aanand L Rai's next, which againfeatures Shah Rukh and actress KatinaKaif. In the film, SRK plays the role of adwarf.

Apart from this, Anushka also has asmall role in Rajkumar Hirani's SanjayDutt biopic, starring Ranbir Kapoor - herAe Dil Hai Mushkil and Bombay Velvetco-star.

19HOLLYWOODTHEINDIANPANORAMAFRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2018

WISH UPONCCaasstt:: AAlleexxaannddeerr NNuunneezz,, DDaanniieellaa BBaarrbboossaa,, EElliissaabbeetthh RRööhhmm,,

JJooeeyy KKiinngg,, JJoosseepphhiinnee LLaannggffoorrdd,, KKii HHoonngg LLeeee,, MMiittcchheellllSSllaaggggeerrtt,, RRyyaann PPhhiilllliippppee,, SShhaannnnoonn PPuurrsseerr,, SSyyddnneeyy PPaarrkk

DDiirreeccttoorr:: JJoohhnn RR.. LLeeoonneettttii

After a set-up establishing that high schooler Claire(Joey King) has had a blighted life since the suicide ofher mother (Elisabeth Rohm), she clutches a magicobject (a nicely-designed Chinese puzzle/music box)and wishes the mean girl at school would ‘just rot’. Thenext day, teen princess of Instagram Darcie (JosephineLangford) wakes up with her face and toes falling offdue to necrotising fasciitis. Then Claire’s beloved dog isfound in the crawlspace, disembowelled and eaten byrats.

Nevertheless, it takes several more wishes – a devotedboyfriend! a mansion! popularity! – andfreak accidentsinvolving sympathetic secondary characters andkitchen/bathroom/loft appliances before Claire worksout how this particular double-edged curse works. It’sas if all those valiant souls who make non-theatricalsequels to Hellraiser, Witchboard and Wishmaster havestriven in vain. Among those who have issued warnings

about monkeying with monkeys’ paws or messing withmultiverses is director John R. Leonetti, who has trackrecords in the be-careful-what-you-wish-for and cursed-object fields, with The Butterfly Effect 2 and Conjuringspinoff Annabelle.

Scripted by Barbara Marshall – who wrote Viral andTop Dog – Wish Upon has the feel of something tooled tobe a new franchise. It ties itself in knots with severalbackstories for its curse, as if it were the follow-up to amovie starring barely-glimpsed Jerry O’Connell andRebecca Romijn as previous doomed owners of thewishing box, as well as the template for sequels andspin-offs of its own. Wish Upon is one among a recentwave of spooky pictures aimed at teenage girls,including Ouija, Unfriended and Friend Request. Thisadds a shopping montage, an idiot bloke as ogled objectof desire (Mitchell Slaggert) and the high schoolpecking order to a mix which includes familiar, always-effective horror schtick as characters blithely wanderinto mortal peril. In one set-piece, Sherilyn Fenn findsas many ways of imperilling herself while cookingdinner as in any vintage safety-in-the-home educationalfilm.

Though a jumble – the story is at once predictable andawkwardly structured – Wish Upon works fairly well,and is certainly a step up from Leonetti’s last non-sequel (the Manson murders movie Wolves at the Door).

M O V I E R E V I E W

FELT A RESPONSIBILITYPLAYING DONATELLA

VERSACE: PENELOPE CRUZ

NATALIE PORTMAN MAYPLAY ASTRONAUT IN'PALE BLUE DOT'

Actress Natalie Portman is reportedly innegotiations to replace ReeseWitherspoon as the lead in 'Pale Blue

Dot', about a successful female astronaut.Reportedly, the makers will now look to find

Portman's male co-star.Witherspoon had left the role in last

November due to scheduling conflicts withseason 2 of 'Big Little Lies'. However, she willcontinue to produce the project with BrunaPapandrea.

It will be directed by 'Fargo' and 'Legion'creator Noah Hawley.

'Pale Blue Dot' follows a successful femaleastronaut who, after coming back home from amission in space, starts to unravel whenconfronted by her seemingly perfect Americandream life. The film explores the theory thatastronauts who spend long periods of time inspace begin to lose their sense of reality whenthey return home. Source: IANS

Hollywood star Penelope Cruzsays she felt a "responsibility"playing Italian fashion

designer Donatella Versace in theseries 'The Assassination of GianniVersace' .

The Academy Awards winner'scomment comes just days after thedesigner expressed her distaste for thenew Ryan Murphy series in aninterview with Italian press last week,reports dailymail.co.uk.

During an appearance on a TV show,Cruz said: "You feel much moreresponsibility (playing a real person).When Ryan called me... I said 'I need tomake (a) phone call and talk toDonatella about this before taking thejob'."

Cruz, 43, only felt comfortable withthe role after speaking to Donatellaherself.

"She told me if somebody was goingto do it, she was really happy that itwas me, because she I think she knowswhat I feel for her and Gianni.

"They're the most kind people. It'simportant to me that when she seeswhat I've done she can feel the love andrespect that I have put there (and) howI feel for her."

Cruz explained how Donatellareturned the love by sending her abouquet of flowers ahead of theGolden Globe Awards ceremony.

Source: IANS

20 THE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2018COMMUNITY

COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS LAYBARE THEIR VISION OF 2018

Community organizations are powerful engines ofaction. From culture to politics, they are the ones tobring the community together in a meaningfulrelationship, promoting amity and cordiality amongthe community members, projecting Indian values -social, cultural, religious and moral. They also playan effective role in bringing the mainstream

American communities closer to their groups. And,on top of it, they are the bridges between theircountry of origin and the country of their adoption.These organizations, in fact, empower thecommunity.

The Indian Panorama approached some oftheorganizations to know from them about their

vision of 2018. We are glad that most responded.And response, indeed, has been, overwhelming. Wewish to carry all responses, but find it difficult tocarry them all in one go. We are, therefore,serializing. We request our friends who do not findtheir response published to wait for the next issue ofThe Indian Panorama on January 26.

ANU JAINWishing a Very Happy and Prosperous

New Year to all the readers of one ofthe most prestigious newspapers--

The Indian Panorama. My name is Anu Jainand I am an accountant/finance controllerand based in Long Island. I am also involved incommunity work and holding differentpositions with some of the prestigious non-profit organizations like RajasthanAssociation of North America, Jain Center ofAmerica, Vegetarian Vision, along with myinvolvement with the Indian Association ofLong Island, two years back.

I am involved in the social organizations,Rajasthan Association of North America,Vegetarian Vision and Indian Association ofLong Island with the purpose serving the

respective communities. Similarly, beinginvolved in Jain Center of America, areligious organization, I have the goal ofpromoting Jainism which is represented bythe "Live and Let Live" principle, along withnon-violence, peace, and love.

Through my efforts along with theorganizations 'support, I am able to achievemany of my goals such as providingscholarship and advisory support to studentsfor them to excel in their education andcareer, supporting and serving theunderprivileged. In addition to, promotingour rich Indian traditions and spreading

awareness of Indian culture and its valuesbetween American Indians and the membersof the other ethnicities. We also celebrate ourIndian festivals with everyone in thecommunity to enhance the feeling of "HomeAway From Home". Inspiring the newgeneration/youth to get involved with theirnew ideas to help people in need, whetherlocally or back in the villages of India andother countries. Forming strong connectionswith our roots and our traditions to learn andkeep the values of our rich culture alive, alongwith educating others about health benefits ofbeing vegetarian.

Actively involved in various organizations,including Rajasthan Association of North

America, Jain Center of America,VegetarianVision, Indian Association of Long

Island

Anu and associates with Laura Curran, Nassau County Executive Anu with IALI group

Indian AmericanForum Inc. (IAF)

Indian American Forum Inc. (IAF) is anon-for-profit organization of AsianIndians in America to promote the

cultural, secular heritage and values of Indiaas well as the furtherance of friendship andunderstanding with people of other culturalbackgrounds.

Since 1997, IAF is striving to provide aforum for fostering a mutual and betterunderstanding through its socio-culturalactivities and enjoys a very cordialrelationship amongst local associations andcommunities.

IAF various activities that include IndiaRepublic Day, Indian American Night;Celebrating India Independence Day,

Outstanding Women's Achievement Gala,International Children Day, Senior Programs,Yoga and Health awareness camps and othersare organized as self-funded activities. Thesehave been possible through our motivated anddedicated volunteers who work tirelessly tomake each of the activity as a success.

IAF aims to have Asian Indiancommunity's participation to promote localsocio-cultural interactions throughcharitable and educational activities and tohelp them become a part of the mainstreamAmerican life. IAF truly believes that eachperson of Indian American decent is a trueambassador to promote cultural, secularheritage and values of India.

A picture of one of the events the IAF organized to honor women for their excellent achievements

STRAY THOUGHTS Our company headed by our flagship

company SB International, Inc. hasbeen in business for the past almost 37

years and has had its upticks and downticks inthe cycles of it business. We have concentratedon Energy, Metals and International Tradefrom the start of our company to develop asound growth oriented business.

While succeeding in business, I have neverlost focus on propagating the message forcreating the awareness and richness of ourheritage and culture. At any givenopportunity, I have put forth my views on thevarious lessons one can learn from them, be itfrom Swami Vivekananda or from MahatmaGandhi, as some leading examples.

These thoughts continually fire me up tomake continuous efforts to contribute tonumerous community related projects whichcan going forward make a differenceindividually to human lives and the countryin the bigger context. One can notice thatorganizations are facing a lot of pressures tobroaden their identity and mission to ensuresocial and environmental aspects are focusedon along with their usual economic valuecreation. This is something I have alwaysfocused on right from the beginning.

To ensure I continue to meet the above, mybusiness goal is to create a much moresustainable and meaningful organizations inour group which can carry my messageforward for creating a balanced social &environmentally correct process with a soundeconomic value, to reach our business andcommunity service targets. On a long-term

basis, I feel Corporate Social Responsibilityshould be an important aspect for anyorganization which is purpose driven to give ameaningful purpose both for its owners andtheir employees.

Some of the characteristics one needs todevelop to support the above thoughtprocesses that I follow are: care about doingthe right thing with appropriatetransparency, have strong and visible moralsand values, demonstrate through actions mybeliefs, identify the passions in the team andsee how it can be made to work towards thegoals and build meaningful relationships.Last but not the least I try to make eachmember of the team to contribute in such away to be perceived as making a differenceboth to the business and doing good for thesociety.

Satish Gupta, President & CEO SBInternational, Inc., Dallas, Texas- Community

leader and Philanthropist

21COMMUNITY THE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2018

INDIA ASSOCIATION OF LONG ISLAND: A Historical PerspectiveBY RAJESHWAR PRASAD

It was mid -seventies in the last centurywhen a group of enthusiastic andconcerned Indian professionals at the

Central Islip State Hospital joined hands andstarted deliberations for developing anassociation. This informal group wascelebrating Indian festivals and other specialevents while planning for an organization. Inlate seventies and early eighties their well-conceived dream came true and the IndiaAssociation of Long Island (IALI) was formedand incorporated as a nonprofit entity. IALI isthe only broad-based grassroots organizationin Long Island, aimed at fostering unity amongIndians from all regions of India, sustainingour cultural and social values, and above all tohave one effective voice.

In the last almost four decades, IALI hasmade its dent not only in Long Island but inthe entire NY/NJ metropolitan region. Therehave been ups and downs, but the strongfoundation laid by dedicated and committedcommunity leaders has withstood turmoil andcontinued moving ahead. Today the IALI,started just with 30 members, has close to 1700subscribing members. Over the years IALI hasundertaken activities such as ValentineDinner Dance, Holi Festival, TennisTournaments, Family Picnics, YouthActivities including Disco Dancing,Celebration of India's Independence throughIndia Day Parade, Food Drive throughInterfaith Nutrition Network, IndiaFest - ashowcase of Indian Arts and Crafts, DiwaliFestival, Senior Citizen Forum and WomenForum (including monthly get-togethers). Theannual Fund-Raising Dinner initiated in 1979has honored over 130 individuals of Indian

origin for their accomplishments in fieldssuch as science, medicine, social andcommunity work, business andentrepreneurship. The association toyed withsome other programs such as Info-IndiaProject, Essay Competition among children on"India as I Know It." It has participated inBreast Cancer Walk-a-thon; Multiculturalactivities and Kite Flying competition atIndian American Night at the EisenhowerPark with the help of Indian American Forum.It has also participated recently in theVegetarian Vision event, founded by Mrs.Malti and Harshad K. Shah, who were honoredalso by IALI last year. The event is held inManhattan where thousands of people showup. IALI continue to collaborate with scores ofother Indian and American associations.

Over the years, IALI developed workingrelationship with teaching institutions such asDowling College, Old Westbury College, StateUniversity of New York at Stony Brook,Farmingdale University, and HofstraUniversity in various activities. It alsoestablished liaison with and representation onInstitutions such as Police Departments,Offices of District Attorneys, AmericanJewish Congress (Center for PrejudiceReduction), Human Rights Commissions,Interfaith Nutrition Network (INN) and manymore. Nassau County and Suffolk CountyExecutives cherish IALI and participate incelebrations of Indian festivals such as Diwaliand National holidays such as India'sIndependence Day. It also has maintainedclose working relationship with many Indiancommunity organizations such as Federationof Indian American Associations (FIA),Association of Indians in America (AIA),

American Association of Physicians of IndianOrigin (AAPI), and the National Indo-American Association for Senior Citizens(NIAASC). It had also interacted with theTown of Huntington in 2005 in celebratingdiversity where about three dozen countriesparticipated. It has played an active role incelebration Asian American Festivalsponsored by the Town of North Hempstead.For the last four years it has played a leadingrole and joined many other organizations indisplaying its accomplishments through IndiaDay Parade in Long Island.

IALI has come forth to support humanecauses in USA, in India and other places. It hascollaborated with other entities to supportvictims of earthquake in India. It also joinedmany other organizations to condemn acts ofviolence as projected by an attack onSeptember 11, 2001 and prayed for the victimsand their families. IALI initiated fundraisingfor Tsunami victims and earmarked entireraffle collection from Valentine Dinner/Dancefor this purpose in 2005. It arranged aninterfaith prayer gathering for the Mumbaitragedy in November 2008 where leaders ofdifferent faiths spoke and prayed for peace.

During the last two years IALI has beenconsolidating its activities in its HOME,bought just recently in Hicksville. Theassociation has come a long way, but it is stillchallenging to visualize the future path inlight of changing demographics andenvironment. IALI has a daunting task todevelop resources and facilities for seniors sothat they stay in Long Island, and othergenerations can utilize their rich and valuableexperiences in moving forward.

All these IALI accomplishments have been

possible due to the commitment of itsmembers and that of the Indian community atlarge. It is expected that Indian Americansliving in both the Counties will enhance itsprofessional impact and make in-roads in thebroader and diversified community structureof the region by playing more active role in itseconomic, social and political spheres.

(Rajeshwar Prasad is past president of IALI, co-founder and president of NIAASC, former

Human Rights Commissioner of Suffolk County.He has now moved with his wife, Prem, to

ShantiNiketan in Tavares, Florida).

Gunjan Rastogi, President, IALI

VISION OF WORLD PEACEBY ASHOK PARULEKAR

Goa is a beautiful place. SriChinmoy's statue in the capitalcity Panaji enhances the beauty

and adds to the divinity. His aphorismat the statue reads: There shall come atime when the world of ours will beflooded with Peace. Who will bring thatradical change? It will be you, you andyour sisters and brothers who are anextension of your reality existence.

This aphorism expresses SriChinmoy's vision for world peace andencourages everybody to participate init. Even if a single person becomespeaceful, it will be a significantcontribution for the World Peace as weall are connected, and we are a part ofthe Universal Consciousness.Meditation makes one peaceful. Soulfulmusic is another thing next tomeditation.

Sri Chinmoy dedicated his life for theworld peace and for the fulfilment ofunlimited potential of human spirit. Heestablished meditation centers in morethan 60 countries and one at The UnitedNations. He wrote 1600 books andcomposed 22,000 soulful songs. Heencouraged sports and athletics. SriChinmoy created a vast outpouring forart. His paintings are exhibited at thegalleries worldwide. Through all hisactivities he was conveying the messageof oneness of humanity. He travelledextensively and took India's ancientmessage, "The world is one family" tothe far corners of the world. In 1987 Sri Chinmoy founded the Sri Chinmoy Oneness-HomePeace Run. The longest relay runs for peace inspiring millions in more than 140 countries.

Inspired by Sri Chinmoy's work his students around the world are offering free meditationclasses and musical concerts. Sri Chinmoy Marathon team is world's leading organization forthe ultra- run events. The vision is - World Peace and Self-transcendence leading to spiritualprogress.

For more information see www. srichinmoy.org

Every nation has a history and peopleliving on that land has createdownspecial culture.

One billion Hindus have a great history andculture.

But Hindus have not yet realized theirfuture is dark if they have no Hindu Nation.

No culture can expand or stay alive withoutsupport of anation.

Today inlast 1400 years many nations arehave lost their own roots own culture.

Many poor and uneducated locals indifferent land have adopted the culture of theenemy who invaded them.

These local converts have now becomeenemy of their own root cultures.

Today all convert nations are on war path.Every convert has forgot their roots and busykilling each other.

Converts in each nation are busydestroying own land, roots culture andhistory.

Its shame our media and intellectuals arenot helping these converts to look back intothe history ever to find their lost culture andwhy and how they should shed the adoptedculture to live a better life.

They all need to come back and live a betterlife.

If media and our historian don't speak thetruth to educate the masses.

We will soon be in another world war andsee major destruction.

Some cultures are not peaceful.Some cultures teach hate and freedom and

right to destroy other cultures.Some cultures are so peaceful they have not

united them self to save from these evilcultures.

But I am hopeful 21 century eras ofinformation, freedom of press and liberty will

soon expose these evil forces and Good willunite and destroy evil cultures.

Our organization Indian AmericanIntellectuals forum bring yearly seminar toexpose these evil forces.

Its time more people should joined exposethese evil cultures and find a way to exposeand help the followers to leave and go back totheir own root culture of ancestors,

Everyone should look for his own roots.Our roots depend on where we come from

and based on our DNA.Find Your DNA in 2018 and look for you

roots and reeducate yourself to live in peaceand prosperity.

Indian AmericanIntellectuals' Forum

Arish Sahani, President

22 THE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2018ADVERTISEMENT

23WORLDTHE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2018

'Trump cancelled visit asUK didn’t show himenough love'

LONDON (TIP): Donald Trump hadcancelled his next month's visit to the UKafter the British government did not showhim "enough love", according to a mediareport quoting a source close to the USPresident.

Trump had claimed that his abruptdecision to cancel the working visit onFebruary 26 and 27 for the launch of a newUS embassy building was in protest againstthe "bad deal" over the sale of the olderembassy in posh Mayfair area of centralLondon.

However, the source quoted by The SundayTimes has revealed that in fact he had beenput off by strong anti-Trump sentimentsexpressed by London mayor Sadiq Khan, whohas repeatedly said that Trump was notwelcome in the city.

However, the source said that hisproclaimed distaste for the new embassy was"just an excuse".

"He (Trump) felt he had not been shownenough love by the British government," thesource told the newspaper on condition ofanonymity.

"He (Trump) started to believe that theBritish government thought the same wayabout him as Sadiq Khan and Jeremy Corbyn(the Labour party leader), who have madeclear their disdain for him and said he is notwelcome in the UK," the source said.

Khan, in a statement released on Twitterafter Trump's own tweet announcing that hewould not be visiting the UK in February,said: "President Trump got the message fromthe many Londoners who love and admireAmerica and Americans but find his policiesand action the polar opposite of our city'svalues". Trump protesters turned out todisrupt Khan's speech on gender equality tothe Fabian Society in London. (PTI)

Chinese airlines permitmobile phones in flightmode

BEIJING: Several Chinese airlines havebegun allowing passengers to use mobilephones in flight mode from Thursday, liftinga ban on their use during flights.

Other portable electronic devices could beused in flight mode, while on planes with Wi-fi, passengers could access the internet usingtablets and laptops but not phones.

China Eastern Airlines and HainanAirlines took the lead in lifting the ban fromThursday after China's civil aviationauthority in September said it would leave itup to carriers to make the call on whether toallow phones to be used on flights, HongKong-based South China Morning Postreported. The change also applies to Hainansubsidiary Lucky Air.

Spring Airlines, the country's largestbudget carrier, followed suit Thursday,announcing that it will allow mobile phonesto be used in flight mode from next month.

China's restrictions on the use of portableelectronic devices on flights came with toughpenalties - any violation of cabin rules isdeemed to be damaging the public order andcan result in up to 10 days' detention.

Last year, Beijing police detained threepassengers in a month for using their mobilephones during flights, according to the CivilAviation Administration of China (CAAC).

One of them was detained for five days forlistening to music on his phone during take-off and landing, the Post said.The lifting ofthe ban was welcomed, with passengerssharing selfies taken on their phones duringflights with the two airlines. (PTI)

Vladimir Putin seeks to be 'emperorfor life': Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny

MOSCOW (TIP): The Kremlin's top criticAlexei Navalny has slammed Russia's Marchpresidential election, in which he is barredfrom running, as a sham meant to "re-appoint"Vladimir Putin on his way to becoming"emperor for life". With two months to gobefore Russians vote in polls that are all butguaranteed to hand Putin a historic fourthterm, the 41-year-old opposition leader andanti-corruption campaigner spoke to AFPTuesday in his campaign headquarters.

"This is not an election and my role willconsist of explaining to people that thisprocedure, which they call an election, in factis only held to re-appoint Putin," he said.

"We will prove this and convince people thatit's impossible to recognise either these pollsor this regime."

Navalny last year mounted a nationalcampaign, meeting thousands of people incities across Russia, but in December theCentral Election Commission said he couldnot take part due to a controversialembezzlement conviction which theopposition leader says is fabricated.

He is now ready to channel the force of his

campaign team into persuading Russians toboycott the polls, calling his first majorprotest of this year on January 28.

"Putin wants to be emperor for life. His

entourage, people who became billionairesand the world's richest individuals, they wantthe same thing," he said, vouching to continuehis "political fight." (AFP)

Denmark will increase defensespending to counter Russia: PM

RIGA (TIP): The Danish governmentexpects to win backing for a substantialincrease in defense spending next month, tocounter Russia's intensified military activityin eastern and northern Europe, the NATO-member's prime minister said Monday.

"It will be like a disaster and no one canpredict what the reaction will be," al-Qouqasaid.

Denmark last week deployed 200 troops to aUK-led NATO mission in Estonia aimed atdeterring Russia from attacking the BalticNATO members.

Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimeapeninsula in 2014 and backs separatist rebelsin eastern Ukraine in a war that has killedmore than 10,000 people.

"Russia's behavior has created anunpredictable and unstable securityenvironment in the Baltic Sea region," PrimeMinister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said at ajoint news conference with Latvian PrimeMinister Maris Kucinskis on Monday in Riga.

"When I received (Vladimir) Putin inCopenhagen during my first term as primeminister back in 2010, everybody thought thatit would be the beginning of a new and muchbetter and much more friendly cooperationbetween Europe and Russia. And that wecould decrease our military spending," hesaid.

"But given the Russian aggression andwhat happened in Crimea, I think we simplyhave to be realistic about things and investmore in our security."

In 2016, Russia moved nuclear-capableIskander-M missiles to its enclave ofKaliningrad on the Baltic Sea and deployedits S-400 air missile defense system there.

In April last year, Denmark said Russia hadhacked its defense computer network andgained access to employees' emails in 2015 and2016.

Russia has accused the West of "whippingup hysteria" over its recent militaryexercises.

Denmark's center-right minoritygovernment needs to persuade parliament toback a proposed 20-percent hike of thedefense budget over a five-year period.Rasmussen said he expected a "very bigmajority" to do so.

"We want to look at ourselves as a coreNATO member. And in order to behave likesuch a member, we need to increase ourexpenditures," he said, adding that the Danishmilitary needed a "substantial increase".

"Five years ago we thought that the defenseline, so to speak, would not be in Europe, butwould be international operations. Now werealize that we need to have the capability todo both," he said. (Reuters)

Muslim county in Chinabans children fromreligious events overbreak

BEIJING (TIP): A mostly Muslim countyin western China has banned children fromattending religious events over a winterbreak, an education bureau said in a noticeposted online, as authorities step up controlof religious education.

School students in Linxia county in Gansuprovince, home to many members of theMuslim Hui ethnic minority, are prohibitedfrom entering religious buildings over theirbreak, a district education bureau said,according to the notification.

Students must also not read scriptures inclasses or in religious buildings, the bureausaid, adding that all students and teachersshould heed the notice and work tostrengthen political ideology andpropaganda.

Reuters was unable to independentlyverify the authenticity of the notice.

A man who answered the telephone at theLinxia education bureau hung up whenReuters asked about the notice. A woman atthe district education bureau declined tocomment on the document's authenticity.

Xi Wuyi, a Marxist scholar at the state-backed Chinese Academy of Social Sciencesand an outspoken critic of rising Islamicinfluence in China, shared the picture andwelcomed the apparent move by theauthorities.

With the notice, the county was takingconcrete action to keep religion andeducation separate and sticking strictly toeducation law, she said on the Weibo socialmedia platform.

New regulations on religious affairsreleased in October last year, and due to takeeffect in February, aim to increase oversightof religious education, and provide forgreater regulation of religious activities.

Last summer, a Sunday School ban wasintroduced in the southeastern city ofWenzhou, sometimes known as "China'sJerusalem" due to its large Christianpopulation, but Christian parents found waysto teach their children about their religionregardless. (Reuters)

Sexual violence in theneighbourhood can harm thephysical and mental health of

women, a study says. According toresearchers, feelings about thefrequency of rape or other forms ofsexual assault in a neighbourhood aresignificantly tied to women’sperceptions of its safety.

“Feeling unsafe, especially in andaround your home, can erode physicaland mental health,” said Dana M Prince,co-author of the study and assistantprofessor at the Jack, Joseph andMorton Mandel School of Applied SocialSciences at Case Western ReserveUniversity.

“Our results could mean men are lessaware of sexual violence, or perhapsthey do not feel comfortable reportingthat it makes them feel less safe —perhaps both — while women tend to besocialised early on to be aware of thepossibility of sexual attack,” Princeadded.

The researchers noted thatneighbourhoods play a key role in thebehaviour and development of people,previous studies show and someconditions — such as crime,segregation, poverty and disorder — canhave harmful effects on health.

For the study, published in theJournal of Community Psychology,researchers conducted interviews withnearly 350 adults in nineneighbourhoods in a major Americancity with high rates of poverty,unemployment and crime. Participantswere asked how often particular crimesoccurred in their neighbourhood in thepast six months.

“Our results indicate that men canbecome more aware of how women feelabout what contributes to and threatenstheir safety,” the researcher said.

“Sexual and gendered violence affectsall people and everyone can be partnersin ending sexual violence,” she added.

Source: IANS

IngredientsOnion - 2 (finely chopped), Tomato - 2 (dicedor pureed), Oil - 3 tbsp, Bay Leaf - 1, CurryLeaves - 1 sprig, Cumin seeds - ¼ tsp,Coriander leaves (Cilantro) - handful (finelychopped), Salt - to taste

To MarinateChicken - 1 kg (2 lbs), Turmeric powder - 1/4,tsp, Lemon juice - 2 tsp, Salt - 1 tsp, To cursh,Ginger - 1" piece, Garlic - 8 cloves, Shallots - 7,Green Chillies - 3, To roast and powder, GratedCoconut - 1/4 cup, Dry red chillies - 10,Coriander Seeds – 2 tbsp, Black Peppercorns –2 tsp, Fennel Seeds – 2 tsp, Poppy Seeds – 1tsp, Curry Leaves – 2 sprigs, Cardamom – 10,Cinnamon – 1” piece, Cloves – 5, Mace – 1piece, Star anise – 1 piece, Black Stone Flower(Kalpasi) - 1, Kapok Buds (Marathi Moggu) - 1

Method Cut the chicken and cut it into medium

size pieces. Marinate it with salt, lemon

juice and turmeric powder for at leasthalf an hour.

Dry roast the ingredients under To Roastand Powder on low flame till everythingturns golden brown in colour. After itcools make a powder of it and keep aside.Be careful not to burn it.

Make a paste of the ingredients under ToCrush. Keep this aside.

Heat the oil in a heavy bottomed pan andadd the cumin seeds and bay leaf.

Add the chopped onions and fry till itbecomes brown in colour.

Add the ground paste of shallots, ginger,garlic and green chilies and fry till theraw smell is gone.

Add the marinated chicken and fry forfew minutes. The chicken releases lot ofwater.

Now add the tomato puree and thefreshly powdered spices, required saltand water.

Cover and cook for 15-20 minutes. By nowthe chicken pieces will be completelycooked.

This is the right time to check for salt andother spices. Adjust anything if needed.

Cook uncovered till the oil floats on top ofthe gravy.

Add the finely chopped cilantro and freshcurry leaves and switch off. Keep thegravy covered till you are ready to serve.

24 THEINDIANPANORAMAFRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2018 WOMEN

SPICY CHICKEN CURRY

SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN NEIGHBOURHOODCAN HARM YOUR MENTAL HEALTH

F O O D C O R N E R

Bring some funinto your outfit

with floral printsFlowers have always

been a symbol ofbeauty and grace,

usually loved by womenacross the world. Moreover,designers all over arereviving floral prints inoutfits because of whichthis is slowly turning out tobe the hottest trend inclothing.

Lacy/Pencil SkirtA lacy floral skirt offers a

subtler yet stylish look. Trya slim pencil skirt in floralpattern for a chic look. Adda crisp shirt in a solid colour and slip on a metallic ballerinaflat to finish the look. The harmony of colours is quiteimportant.

Maxi DressPair a flowing floral Maxi dress with comfortable height

uplifting stacked heels or sandals. Keep your accessoriesdelicate to balance the floral look. Take your look up a notchwith a leather hat. You could also add a chunky cardiganagainst protection in cold weather.

The Beachy DressA beachy dress in floral goes well for a beach party or a

brunch. Look for burgundy, forest green or mustard yellowdress. Merely changing the colours of the print can make ahuge difference.

Floral JeansFor some experiment with your regular denims, try floral

patterned jeans. Pair your jeans with a white full sleeve shirtfor an elegant appeal. You can also opt to roll up the pant cuffsand wear a pair of metallic flip-flops to beautify the look.

Other style tricks to dress in floral: It is essential that you feel confident with what you are

wearing. The floral print should be the main part of your outfit.

So style your look with minimal accessories. Don’t shy away from brighter colours. Always pair them

with a complimenting colour. Floral prints aren’t just for summer. Darker prints work

well in the winter. Source: ANI

NEW DELHI (TIP): Practising yogaregularly can slow down ageing of thebrain and helps it stay young, claims astudy.

The study by the researchers of theDefence Institute of Physiology and AlliedSciences (DIPAS), said that yoga mighthelp in prevention of age-relateddegeneration by changingcardiometabolic risk factors and brain-derived neurotrophic factors among men.

DIPAS is a laboratory of the DefenceResearch and Development Organisation(DRDO).

The research study, which waspublished in the American AgeingAssociation, focused not only on the brainbut comparative studies were conductedon hypertension, blood pressure, heartrate, and stress.

According to the researchers, a braindevelops till the age of 20-30. After that,development of the brain halts and after40 years, its slow degeneration starts.

As part of the study, done by RameswarPal, Som Nath Singh, Abhirup Chatterjeeand Mantu Saha, 124 healthy andphysically active men aged between 20 and50 years were randomly selected anddivided into three age groups — 20–29,30–39, and 40–50 years.

Inclusion criterion were normalhealthy and physically active males,absence of disease which could havecontributed to obesity, hypertension, and

neurological disorders, not in medicationand no prior knowledge of yoga. Smokers,alcoholics, and tobacco eaters wereexcluded from the study.

The respondents were made to practiceyoga for one hour everyday for threemonths. The blood pressure which wasrecorded at 122/69 in the age group of 20-29 before yoga reduced to 119/68 (systolicpressure is 119 and the diastolic pressureis 68) after doing yoga.

Similarly, the blood pressure which was134/84 among the respondents (40-50) camedown to 124/79 after yoga.

Cortisol, which is a stress hormonereleased by the adrenal glands and helpsbody deal with stressful situations was68.5 per cent in the age group of 20-29which declined to 47.4 after the exercise.

The cortisol level which was 95 beforeyoga reduced to 72.7 after three months ofyoga in the group 40-50 years.

Further, dopamine and serotoninelevels which effectively improvemotivation, focus, mood and instillpositivity were found to have improved inall the groups after yoga.

Source: PTI

25HEALTH & FITNESSTHEINDIANPANORAMAFRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2018

REGULAR YOGA CANSLOW DOWN AGEING

OF BRAIN

DR. SATISH AND GITANJLI ANAND DDRR.. SSAATTIISSHH AANNAANNDD

FFoorrmmeerr CChhaaiirrmmaann,, BBooaarrdd ooffTTrruusstteeeess,, AAAAPPII NNaattiioonnaall

EE--MMaaiill::ssaannaannddmmdd@@ggmmaaiill..ccoomm

GGIITTAANNJJLLII AANNAANNDD

FFoorrmmeerr PPrreessiiddeenntt,, IInnddiiaaAAssssoocciiaattiioonn ooff LLoonngg IIssllaanndd((IIAALLII))

EE--mmaaiill::ggiittaannjjlliiaannaanndd@@ggmmaaiill..ccoomm

PPAAGGEE SSPPOONNSSOORREEDD BBYY

NON-INVASIVE THERAPYCOULD REMOTELY KILLCANCER CELLS

LOS ANGELES (TIP): Scientists have developed a systemthat can non-invasively and remotely control immune cells sothat they recognise and kill cancer cells.

There is a critical need to non-invasively and remotelymanipulate cells at a distance, particularly for translationalapplications in animals and humans, researchers said.

They developed an innovative approach to usemechanogenetics—a field of science that focuses on howphysical forces and changes in the mechanical properties ofcells and tissues influence gene expression—for the remotecontrol of gene and cell activations.

The team from University of California, San Diego in theUS used ultrasound to mechanically perturb T cells, and thenconverted the mechanical signals into genetic control of cells.They show how their remote-controlled mechanogeneticssystem can be used to engineer chimeric antigen receptor(CAR)-expressing T cells that can target and kill cancer cells.

The engineered CAR-T cells have mechano-sensors andgenetic transducing modules that can be remotely activatedby ultrasound via microbubble amplification.

"CAR-T cell therapy is becoming a paradigm-shiftingtherapeutic approach for cancer treatment," said PeterYingxiao Wang, professor at the UC San Diego.

"However, major challenges remain before CAR-basedimmunotherapy can become widely adopted. For instance,the non-specific targeting of CAR-T cells againstnonmalignant tissues can be life-threatening," said Wang.

"This work could ultimately lead to an unprecedentedprecision and efficiency in CAR-T cell immunotherapyagainst solid tumors, while minimizing off-tumor toxicities,"said Wang. Researchers found that microbubbles conjugatedto streptavidin can be coupled to the surface of a cell, wheremechanosensitive Piezo1 ion channels are expressed.

Upon exposure to ultrasound waves, microbubbles vibrateand mechanically stimulate Piezo1 ion channels to letcalcium ions inside the cell.This triggers downstreampathways, including calcineurin activation, NFATdephoshorylation and translocation into the nucleus.

Source: PTI

WASHINGTON DC (TIP): If you areabout to sneeze, don't try to stop it bypinching your nose and closing yourmouth, as according to doctors, it canrupture throat, burst an ear drum andeven pop a blood vessel in brain.

According to researchers, it may leadto numerous complications, such aspseudomediastinum — air trapped inthe chest between both lungs,perforation of the tympanic membrane— perforated eardrum and even ruptureof a cerebral aneurysm — ballooningblood vessel in the brain.

The team recently revealed that a 34-year-old young man managed to rupturethe back of his throat during thismanoeuvre, leaving him in excruciatingpain, barely able to speak or swallow andin considerable pain.

Spontaneous rupture of the back ofthe throat is rare and usually caused bytrauma, or sometimes by vomiting,retching or heavy coughing, so theyoung man's symptoms initiallysurprised the emergency care doctors.

He explained that he had haddeveloped a popping sensation in hisneck which immediately swelled upafter he tried to contain a forceful sneezeby pinching his nose and keeping hismouth clamped shut at the same time.

A little later he found it extremely

painful to swallow and all but lost hisvoice.

When the doctors examined him, theyheard that popping and cracklingsounds (crepitus), which extended fromhis neck all the way down to his ribcage— a sure sign that air bubbles had foundtheir way into the deep tissue andmuscles of the chest, which wassubsequently confirmed by a computed

tomography scan.Because of serious complications, the

man was admitted to hospital, where hewas fed by tube and given intravenousantibiotics until the swelling and painhad subsided.

After seven days he was well and wasdischarged with the advice not to blockboth nostrils when sneezing in future.

Source: ANI

HOLDING NOSE WHILE SNEEZINGMAY BURST YOUR EAR DRUM

26 THEINDIANPANORAMAFRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2018 SCIENCE & TECH

NEW PORTABLE DEVICE CANIDENTIFY FAKE LIQUOR

WASHINGTON (TIP): Scientists have developed aportable device with advanced sensors that can accuratelyidentify fake or watered-down alcohol, offering a strategy forliquor quality assurance.

Watered-down or fake liquors can reap financial rewardsfor nefarious individuals, but the adulteration of liquorcheats consumers and can even lead to health hazards fromadded contaminants.

In the past few years, deaths from contaminated alcoholhave been reported in Indonesia, Mexico, China, Poland andRussia, among other places.

Unscrupulous individuals hoping to make a profit mayhomebrew liquor and bottle it in official-looking packagingor dilute liquor with anything from water to antifreeze.

Kenneth S Suslick and Zheng Li from the University ofIllinois at Urbana-Champaign in the US wanted to addressthis growing health concern by engineering a device that caneasily identify tainted products.

The researchers developed a disposable sensor with 36dyes that change colour upon exposure to particularcomponents in liquor.

Partial oxidation of the liquor vapours improved thesensor's response.

Using a handheld image analyser to detect these colourchanges, the scientists correctly identified the alcoholiccontent and brand of 14 different liquors, including variousscotch whiskies, bourbon, rye, brandy and vodka withgreater than 99 per cent accuracy.

In an experiment to demonstrate a real-world application,the researchers also sniffed out booze that had been watereddown, even by as little as one per cent. Source: PTI

Farthest known galaxy in the universe discovered: NASAWASHINGTON (TIP): NASA scientists

have spotted the farthest known galaxy inthe universe, a primitive cluster of starsjust 500 million years old.

An intensive survey deep into theuniverse by NASA's Hubble and Spitzerspace telescopes has yielded the image ofthe galaxy named SPT0615-JD, stretchedand amplified by a phenomenon calledgravitational lensing.

Though a few other primitive galaxieshave been seen at this early epoch, theyhave essentially all looked like red dotsgiven their small size and tremendousdistances.

However, in this case, the gravitationalfield of a massive foreground galaxy clusternot only amplified the light from thebackground galaxy but also smeared theimage of it into an arc.

"No other candidate galaxy has beenfound at such a great distance that alsogives you the spatial information that thisarc image does," said Brett Salmon of theSpace Telescope Science Institute in the US.

"By analysing the effects of gravitationallensing on the image of this galaxy, we candetermine its actual size and shape," saidSalmon.

First predicted by Albert Einstein acentury ago, the warping of space by thegravity of a massive foreground object canbrighten and distort the images of far more

distant background objects.Astronomers use this "zoom lens" effect

to go hunting for amplified images ofdistant galaxies that otherwise would not bevisible with today's telescopes.

SPT0615-JD was identified in Hubble'sReionization Lensing Cluster Survey(RELICS) and companion S-RELICS Spitzerprogramme.

"RELICS was designed to discover distantgalaxies like these that are magnified

brightly enough for detailed study," saidDan Coe, Principal Investigator of RELICS.

By combining the Hubble and Spitzerdata, Salmon calculated the lookback timeto the galaxy of 13.3 billion years.

Preliminary analysis suggests thediminutive galaxy weighs in at no morethan 3 billion solar masses. It is less than2,500 light-years across

The object is considered prototypical ofyoung galaxies that emerged during the

epoch shortly after the Big Bang.The galaxy is right at the limits of

Hubble's detection capabilities, but just thebeginning for the upcoming NASA JamesWebb Space Telescope's powerfulcapabilities, said Salmon.

"This galaxy is an exciting target forscience with the Webb telescope as it offersthe unique opportunity for resolving stellarpopulations in the very early universe," hesaid.

Future prospectsOne of the most pursued and active areas

of cosmological research is the identity anddynamics of dark matter and dark energy.Undetectable by usual astronomicalmethods and entirely non-interactive withlight, dark energy accounts for aboutseventy-five percent, whereas, dark matteroccupies around twenty-one percent, of theknown universe. Dark matter interacts onlygravitationally and is responsible forgravitationally bending images of mostgalaxies and quasars.

Discoveries such as the current one canhelp astronomers decode the structure andcomposition dark matter, as most of thelensing is usually attributed to dark matter.The reason behind this is the quantity ofdark matter in intervening galaxy clustersto outweigh the other by a factor of six orso. Source: PTI

FACEBOOK TO TWEAKNEWS FEED TO BRING

FAMILY, FRIENDS CLOSERSAN FRANCISCO (TIP): Facebook is

making changes to its News Feed featurethat will allow users to see more updatesfrom family and friends than posts frombusinesses, brands and media, FacebookCEO Mark Zuckerberg has announced.

"One of our big focus areas for 2018 ismaking sure the time we all spend onFacebook is time well spent. We builtFacebook to help people stay connectedand bring us closer together with thepeople that matter to us," Zuckerbergposted on Facebook late on Thursday.

The CEO said that Facebook has got afeedback from the community thatpublic content — posts from businesses,brands and media — is crowding out thepersonal moments that lead us toconnect more with each other.

"We're making a major change to howwe build Facebook. I'm changing thegoal I give our product teams fromfocusing on helping you find relevantcontent to helping you have moremeaningful social interactions," he said.

"As we roll this out, you will see lesspublic content like posts frombusinesses, brands, and media. And thepublic content you see more will be heldto the same standard — it shouldencourage meaningful interactionsbetween people," Zuckerberg added.

The CEO said Facebook startedmaking changes in this direction lastyear and it will take months for this newfocus to make its way through all theproducts.

News Feed will be the first feature that

will see the first changes, "where youcan expect to see more from yourfriends, family and groups." The updatewill also prioritise posts that sparkconversations and meaningfulinteractions between people. Facebookwill predict which posts its users mightwant to interact with their friendsabout, and show these posts higher infeed. These are posts that inspire back-and-forth discussion in the commentsand posts that users might want to shareand react to — whether that is a postfrom a friend seeking advice, a friend

asking for recommendations for a trip,or a news article or video prompting lotsof discussion.

The social media giant said since thespace in News Feed is limited, showingmore posts from friends and family andupdates that spark conversation will beseen more and public content, includingvideos and other posts from publishersor businesses, will be shown less.

The impact will vary from Page toPage, driven by factors including thetype of content they produce and howpeople interact with it. Source: IANS

27BIZ & FINANCETHEINDIANPANORAMAFRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2018

GOLD TOPS 31K-MARK ON JEWELLERS' BUYING, ASIAN CUES

NEW DELHI (TIP): Gold soared by Rs 100 to trade at Rs31,050 per ten gram at the bullion market on continuedbuying by jewellers to meet wedding season demand.

Silver too advanced by Rs 100 to Rs 40,300 per kg due toincreased offtake by industrial units and coin makers.

Marketmen attributed the rise in gold prices to steadybuying by local jewellers, driven by ongoing wedding seasonamid higher Asian cues.

Globally, gold rose 0.08 per cent to US$ 1,340.70 an ounceand silver by 0.03 per cent to US$ 17.34 an ounce in Singapore.

Besides, a depreciated rupee against the dollar madeimports of the metal costlier, thus fuelling the uptrend, theysaid.

In the national capital, gold of 99.9 and 99.5 per cent purityadded Rs 100 each to Rs 31,050 and Rs 30,900 per ten gramrespectively. The precious metal had gained Rs 475 in theprevious four sessions.

Sovereign also edged up by Rs 50 to Rs 24,800 per piece ofeight gram.

In line with gold, silver ready rose further by Rs 100 to Rs40,300 per kg and weekly-based delivery by Rs 85 to Rs 39,665per kg.

Silver coins too spurted by Rs 1,000 to Rs 75,000 for buyingand Rs 76,000 for selling of 100 pieces. Source: PTI

‘NEW’ RCOM TO BUILD $600-MUNDERSEA CABLE

MUMBAI (TIP): Having decided to limit itself tobusiness-to-business (B2B) segment, the crisis-riddenReliance Communications (RCom) said shuttering itsflagship wireless business and building the enterprisebusiness is a "challenge".

The ‘new RCom’ today announced a $600-millioninvestment to build a 68,000-km undersea cable network thatwill carry data to Europe and Hong Kong from itsheadquarters here, and expects $1 billion in annual revenue.

“One of the challenges is that we are going through settingup an enterprise company while we are actually taking downa wireless company. These aren't easy,” RCom chief executiveBill Barney told reporters here. Source: PTI

Patanjali ties up with etailers to push products online

NEW DELHI (TIP): Ramdev-led Patanjali Ayurved onTuesday announced its partnership with eight onlineplatforms in a move to push sales of its range of products.

“Online mechanism aims to provide convenient andefficient option along with extension of traditional retailmarket,” Ramdev said while announcing the partnerships.

Patanjali has partnered with e-commerce firms Amazon,Grofers, Shopclues, Flipkart, BigBasket, 1mg, Paytm Malland Netmeds on which the whole range of Patanjali productswill be available. Patanjali medicine requiring prescriptionwill be sold only through Netmeds and 1mg.

Shopclues Senior President Operations Vishal Sharmasaid the company would directly source and sell products toconsumers. Source: PTI

BITCOIN SLIDES TO BELOW $10,000

LONDON (TIP): Bitcoin, the dominant digital currency,extended a slump today following a recent surge to trade below$10,000 for the first time since the start of December.

Around 1410 GMT, bitcoin stood at $9,807.56 to record itslowest value since December 1 and a plunge of almost 50

percent since reaching a record high on December 18,according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

"There was clearly a significant speculative component tothe rally late last year and the drop will be very discouragingto those that previously thought there was easy money to bemade," Craig Erlam, senior market analyst at Oanda tradinggroup, said of bitcoin's drop below $10,000.

Bitcoin is down from record highs approaching $20,000 inthe week before Christmas, having rocketed 25-fold last year,before being hit by concerns about a bubble and worries aboutcrackdowns on trading it.

"The panic-selling seen across all the majorcryptocurrencies could be attributed to a possible regulatoryclampdown in South Korea with authorities threatening toplace an outright ban on cryptocurrency trading," noted DavidCheetham, chief market analyst at XTB.

"Having said that, this narrative has been around for manyweeks now and isn't really new but it has once more raised thespectre of tighter regulation on this market." Source: AFP

Israel to invest $68.6 million toboost cooperation with India

JERUSALEM: Israel will invest $68.6million to boost cooperation with Indiain areas like tourism, technology,agriculture and innovation over a periodof four years, a senior official here hassaid ahead of Prime Minister BenjaminNetanyahu's high-profile India visit nextweek.

The commitment is in addition to theIndia-Israel Industrial R&D andTechnological Innovation Fund of $40million over five years with equalcontribution from both sides that hasalready been agreed between the twosides, deputy Director General ofIsrael's Foreign Ministry, Gilad Cohen,told PTI.

Netanyahu will be leading a high-profile delegation comprising 130businessmen from 102 Israeli companiesdrawn from areas like agriculture,water, cyber security, health care andsecurity on his four day trip to Indiastarting January 14.

It will be the second visit by an IsraeliPrime Minister to India after a gap of 15years since Ariel Sharon visited NewDelhi in 2003. The visit comes merely sixmonths after Prime Minister NarendraModi visited the Jewish state, becomingthe first Indian premier to do so.

Several MoUs, including in the field ofoil and gas, renewable energy, amendedprotocol for airports, cyber security, co-production of films and documentarieswill be signed between the two sides.

Israel's Saare Tzedek hospital wouldbe signing an agreement with India'sMinistry of Health and Family Welfare

as well.Informed sources here said that this

relates to sharing of knowledge in thefield of homoeopathy and ayurveda thathave been gaining popularity in Israelover the last few years.

Technion-Israel Institute ofTechnology would also be signing anagreement with Ministry of Science andTechnology, sources here said.

Reciprocating the warm receptionextended to him by Netanyahu, Modi islikely to spend a lot of time with hisIsraeli counterpart during the trip.

Netanyahu accompanied Modi almostthroughout his three day trip in July oflast year, an honour generally reservedfor Presidents of Israel's close ally theUnited States.

The Indian Prime Minister will behosting a private dinner for Netanyahu

on January 14 after his arrival in NewDelhi. The Israeli leader would bemeeting External Affairs MinisterSushma Swaraj also the same day.

The Israeli Prime Minister would beformally welcomed the next day at theRashtrapari Bhawan following which hewould lay wreath at Rajghat.

He would be then participating in adialogue at Hyderabad house which willalso include a one-on-one discussionwith Modi. Meetings with PresidentRam Nath Kovind and Vice PresidentVenkaiah Naidu are also scheduled forMonday.

Netanyahu, accompanied by his wifeSara, would be travelling to Agra to seethe Taj Mahal on Tuesday and return toDelhi to participate in the RaisinaDialogue.

Source: PTI

Airbus overtakes Boeing, says could halt A380 programmePARIS (TIP): European aerospace

giant Airbus overtook arch-rival Boeingin terms of aircraft orders last year, butwarned that it could cease making itsA380 jet if it does not receive any moreorders for the supersize plane.

Airbus said it booked a total 1,109aircraft orders and a record 718deliveries in 2017.

By comparison, US rival Boeingbooked 912 orders and 763 deliveries.

Chief operating officer FabriceBregier said that overall deliveries couldrise to 800 this year, given the increased

pace of production of its A320neoaircraft.

The medium-haul A320neo andA321neo jets feature new generationengines that use 15 percent less fuelcompared to their peers.

“We are going to double the number of

A320neos” delivered this year, Bregiertold a news conference. “If we do that,we will be close to 800 deliveries in 2018.”He acknowledged that deliveries of theA320neo had been slowed last year byproblems with the engines made by USfirm Pratt & Withney and by CFM, thejoint venture of General Electric andSafran.

Nevertheless, the problems weregradually being resolved and around 30aircraft were waiting for their engines,down from 60 at the beginning of theyear, he said. Source: AFP

28 THE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2018ASTROLOGY

Weekly Horoscope: January 22 - 28, 2018

Aries: Ganesha says the scope of your activities,especially professional ones, will narrow. Thisphase is all about money and money matters.Income, assets and all sorts of monetary gainsare your major pursuits. The desire to have alarger income overshadows all your otherconsiderations and activities. Your working lifewill hover around business issues, acquisitions,capital, funds, and so on. Yes, this is a good timeto launch a project, finish pending work, take onnew assignments.

Taurus: Life has taught you, in recent times to assignrealistic goals and priorities. Once again, thefocus is on the material plane. You are looking atproviding comfort, security and protection forboth yourself and your loved ones. Many issuesneed to be resolved. Real estate property,renovation and family matters are uppermost inyour mind. You also need to get your waywithout hurting others and that is a tightropewalk.

Gemini: This interesting and reasonably profitable phaseis all about money and honey. The highlight ispersonal and shared finances. Love, passion andromance, partnerships and trade also flourish.Ganesha says that you have a very hectic timeahead and your plate will be full of professionaland emotional demands. But, you aredetermined to enjoy it all and give your very bestto the situation. I assure you that in the longhaul this will pay dividends.

Cancer: You change tack. Pretty dramatically this periodyou will also have more time to pursue hobbiesand interests that are close to your heart. Here,love needs to be mentioned in particular. This iswhere you register your greatest and mostpleasing gains. Loved ones, your spouse /partner, in particular, will get special attention.There may be more than one person who falls inthe ambit of your love interests.

Leo: The highlight of the period is a true and genuinereaching out to people. This period sets the trendfor a sudden and pleasing shift of interests.Communications - whether phone calls, the media,or just dealing with correspondence, building upfresh contacts - will be the highlight of this period.You are satisfied with concrete gains and there willbe pleasing fellowship with those you meet. Youmay even reach out in friendship to completestrangers!

Virgo: This will be a great period. With your moneyworries and issues resolved, you turn to the arts,theatres, music, fun and enjoyment at parties, findoccasions for happy times with children and alsofor pursuing your own interests and hobbies.Leisure is at the forefront; you are not sloggingaway. You are also more resolute in all yourdomestic affairs and make some importantdecisions now. You have the resources and style tomake a success of anything you enter into, even ifit is falling in love.

Libra: This is not the phase for flights of fancy; it iscertainly not the phase for light romance andfantasies. You focus more on the physical. Youplunge headlong into love, passion, the pleasures ofsex, and are yet firmly entrenched in the morepragmatic pursuits of funds and loans, legaciesand money matters. This is very interestingperiod. You will also be captivated by meditation,and religious and spiritual practices.

Scorpio: There is a natural and logical progression fromlast period. But there is a change here - you willseek spiritual solace, metaphysical truths anddeeper insights into life. After the frantic pursuitsof the previous period, the mood is somber, evenmeditative. Work issues will have to be resolvedduring this period of introspection. You areinterested in genuine and strong bonding but thepressures of work will create an equally strongcontrary pull.

Sagittarius: You have somewhat lost track of your priorities,or perhaps focus, with all the thinking andintrospection of recent times and it is nownecessary to get back to what you love best -people and your interactions with them. You willbe bonding with family like never before. Theywill be your strength, solace, comfort and aboveall, your inspiration to get ahead in life. Lovedones and the family take centre stage, and youare more rooted in domestic matters.

Capricorn: Your family will be the centre of attention inevery way. But it may not all be hunky dory;there will be negative trends too. You willcontinue working hard but are drawn into familyand property matters, house and home andrenovations of all kinds. Ganesha says thatfamily and work are the twin themes that willrequire probably twice as much involvement andeffort.

Aquarius: You carry on and make the most of all yourpowers and skills. It is an action-packed time.The focus is on research, discoveries, inventionsand new fields of study. There will also bemeetings and conferences, interviews andcommittees. You will be on the move, reachingout in every conceivable way. A journey may alsoprove rewarding. Travel for both business andpleasure is almost definitely foretold and it willbe productive, lucrative and rewarding - bothfinancially and intellectually.

Pisces: You need to curb your ego and get more tactfuland diplomatic if you want to relate better withpeople, which is actually the need of the hour.This is a welcome realisation. Your sense of yourself-image intensifies and diversifies to includenot only how you see yourself but also howothers see you. While reviewing both your publicand personal image and person it is also time toweigh, evaluate and assess what you haveachieved.

Ganesha says in digital terms speed + space + spirituality + showmanship = Sagittarius. Add to it the great divide between illusion / reality, evolution / revolution, freedom /

captivity, knowledge / wisdom. The archer pierces the eye of the Sun and hits infinity.Finally, Sagittarius is all about freedom. Sagittarius is both fast and furious.

Shree Ganeshaya Namah

Bejan Daruwalla is world's most famousastrologertoday. He appears regularly onworld wide TV shows. Bejan who has been aprofessor in English, hasauthored a numberof books on astrology. India'sPrime MinisterNarendra Modi , on March 29, 2012,lunchedone of Bejan's books, '2012- End oftheWorld? Bejan contributes to a number ofjournals andnewspapers in many parts of theworld which includeBerkley Communications(London) Times of India(Delhi, Mumbai,Kolkata, Chennai) and The IndianPanorama (New York and Texas). Bejan'spredictionshave mostly been correct andpeople the world overrely on his predictions.

Bejan Daruwalla is available for astrologicalconsultations. He can be reached atinfo@bejandaruwalla.com and on phone 011-91-8141234275www.bejandaruwalla.com

The auspicious day of Vasant Panchamiwitnesses celebration of different Hindufestivals in different states of India. WhileVasant means 'spring', Panchami means 'thefifth day'.

This festival follows the Hindu calendarand falls on the fifth day that is on Panchamiof the bright half of the month of Magha thatcorresponds to sometime in the months ofJanuary or February. The day marks the onsetof spring and is considered to be the birthdate of Goddess Saraswati, the deity ofknowledge and arts.

The festivals observed on this day includeSaraswati Puja (Shree Panchami), BasantFestival of Kites in Punjab, Sufi Basant andthe birthday of Deo-Sun God in Bihar.

Origin There are many legendary stories

associated with Vasant Panchami celebration.According to Indian literature, VasantPanchami is linked to Shringara Rasam, oneof the nine rasas or flavours, which generallyrelates to love, attraction and beauty.

Till present Kamadeva or Kama, the HinduGod of love and desire is honoured along withhis wife Rati and Vasant, the personifiedrepresentation of spring during celebration ofthe festival.

Legend says during ancient times femaledancers along with dholkis would perform inthe informal durbar in the palace of the royalBakshi singing different ragas based on thetheme of love and would shower red gulalwith flowers at the end of the celebrationaccepting money from the royal women. Thisday also marks the beginning of spring andthe forty days period when Kamadeva's wifeRati performed penance for her husband'smisdeeds against Lord Shiva.

The forty days period ends with thecelebration of Holi and within these fortydays people make preparations for burningthe Holika by gradually forming a pyre withlogs, twigs and other inflammable items to belit on Holi.

Another legend says that GoddessSaraswati was born on this day and peopleworship this deity of education and learningon this auspicious day to achieve insight,awareness and wisdom through knowledge. Itis said that Goddess Saraswati was granted aboon by Lord Krishna that people willworship her on this day. According to Hindumythology, Kalidasa tried to take his life forbeing forbidden by his newly wedded wife forhis foolishness.

At that point Goddess Saraswati came outfrom the waters and instructed him to take adip following which he attained knowledgeand wisdom and eventually became arenowned poet. Thus people revere this day byworshipping Goddess Saraswati to attainknowledge.

Yet another legendary story elucidatesinitiation and celebration of this festival fromthe Aryan era. It is believed that the Aryanstravelled through Khyber Pass and crossedthe Saraswati River to reach India. Theysettled in India and gradually the SaraswatiRiver became an important resource fordevelopment of their civilization followingwhich the celebration might have become aroutine.

Goddess Saraswati & Vasant Panchami It is believed that Vasant Panchami day is

the birth date of Goddess Saraswati who theHindus worship as the Goddess of knowledge,arts, culture and enlightenment. The usualform of worshipping Goddess Saraswati atVasant Panchami is to take a bath in themorning and then set up a kalash (a pot). ThenGoddess Saraswati is worshipped after offeringprayers to Lord Ganesha, Lord Shiva, LordVishnu and the Sun God following whichcoloured powder is sprinkled in the air.Goddess Saraswati is worshipped in differentstates of India as also in Nepal with greatgrandeur and dedication and the festival is

referred as Saraswati Puja or Sri Panchami.Vasant Panchami is dedicated to Saraswatipuja in eastern regions of India and in Nepal.It is also observed in Uttar Pradesh wherepeople celebrate the festival by singingreligious verses.

Celebrations are observed in schools,colleges and other educational institutes, intemples as also in households. The idol of thegoddess is draped in either white or yellowsari, people perform pujas in the morningusing Marigold, Palash and Guldaudi flowersand Bael leaves and Sandal paste.

The offerings to the Goddess referred asNaivedhya consists of sweets and fruits likejujube fruit (popularly known as Ber or kul),dates, apples and bananas, which are servedamong the devotees after the puja.

The yellow colour holds significance duringVasant Panchami as it is associated with the

colour of mustard flowers that bloom duringthis time. A yellow theme prevails during thistime with people wearing yellow clothes,savouring Basanti pulao that is sweet saffronrice and also preparing and consuming yellowsweets.

This day is also believed most auspicious toinitiate children to the world of learning andeducation, a ritual referred as Vidya-Arambham/Praasana or Akshar-Abhyasam,considered to be one of the most significantparts of the festival. In Bengal the ritual iscalled 'Hathe Khori' when the child is assistedin writing the first words by the priest.Students refrain from studies on that day andkeep their books, notebooks, pens, pencils andother educational stuff at the feet of theGoddess to seek her blessings. Culturalfunctions and gatherings also take place. A tinyclay pot filled with a mix of milk and waterfrom Holy Ganges with a small twig carved inthe shape of a pen or pencil inserted in it iskept by the side of deity during the festival.

On the next day students write the name ofthe Goddess on a leaf with the help of the smalltwig soaked with the liquid in the pot and offerit at the feet of Goddess Saraswati seekingblessings for education and wisdom. The idol ofthe deity is finally immersed in river prayingher to come again next year. In South IndiaSaraswati Puja is observed in the Ashwinmonth of Hindu calendar on the ninth dayduring Navratri. Celebrations & TraditionsVasant Panchami is observed in different partsof India in different ways. In Uttar Pradesh,Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh andMaharashtra people offer prayers to LordShiva and Goddess Parvati with mango flowersand ears made of wheat, a tradition that isfollowed for ages. In Bihar's Aurangabaddistrict people celebrate the birthday of Sun-Deo God, whose shrine was set up by King Ailaof Allahabad on the day of Vasant Panchami.

At Amritsar's Harmandir Sahib the Sikhsinitiate singing of the Basant Raga on this daythat continues till the first day of Vaisakh.Again in the district of Bilaspur, HimachalPradesh, the Sikhs organise a fair at therenowned Sikh shrine of Guru-ka-Lahore tocelebrate and commemorate the marriage ofGuru Gobind Singh Ji that took place on thisauspicious day. It is also observed as a harvestfestival in many states like Bihar and Bengal.People in Uttarakhand offer prayers to MotherEarth and the crops along with GoddessSaraswati apart from following other ritualsrelated to agriculture and harvesting.

In Punjab, the Basant Festival of Kites iscelebrated with great enthusiasm by people ofall faiths marking it as a colourful occasion.

29SPIRITUALITYTHEINDIANPANORAMAFRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2018

BASANT PANCHAMI

ARISH K. SAHANI SSeerrvviinngg SSiinnccee 11997722

Please Call or Write for Your Insurance Needs

Arish K Sahani (Father)

Shiv Sahani (Son)

Priya Sahani Sood (Daughter)

7 1 8 - 2 7 1 - 1 9 0 6arish.sahani@gmail.com

PPAAGGEE SSPPOONNSSOORREEDD BBYY

‘If Hindus don’t maintain Hinduism, who shall save it? If India’s ownchildren don’t cling to their faith, who shall guard it? Indian alone can

save India, and India and Hinduism are one.’

DEDICATED TO GODDESS SARASWATI, THE FESTIVAL ALSO MARKS THE ARRIVAL OF SPRING AND HARVEST AFTER THE WINTERS

30 THE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2018NEW YORK

Bollywood Legend ‘Pritam’ Live North AmericanTour Dedicated to Opioid Epidemic Awareness

NEW YORK CITY, NY (TIP): On SundayJan 14th, Press conference was hosted at theIndian Consulate in New York announcingthe Launch of the much awaited and thehistoric North American Tour of BollywoodMusic Legend Pritam Chakrabortydedicated to the cause of Opioid Epidemicawareness in America. With more than 600songs in 120 movies to the Music Maestro#Pritam Credit, this tour will be thegrandest Bollywood musical journeyAmerica has ever seen with eight singersand extraordinary performers in seven citiesacross North America.

"We are extremely pleased that LegendaryPritam Chakraborty is dedicating thishistoric tour to the awareness of opioidEpidemic Awareness, which as we all knowis America #1 Crisis and a nationalemergency as declared by our President.With more than 500,000 American deaths, themessage need to reach all youth to abstainfrom drugs. Indian kids are especiallysusceptible given the high pressure tosucceed and we are glad that Pritam Da is soinvolved in this cause.

Said Dr Sanjay Gupta, PresidentAmerican Pain Association who along withDr. Kavita Gupta, President AAPI EastCoast, Karl Karla with Live2u and Anandand Sona Dawda from Cinema on stageorganized this press conference.

Dr Sanjay Gupta thanked AmbassadorChakravorty to be part of this initiative fromthe very beginning last year when Dr Guptapresented the initiative to the now NewJersey Governor Phil Murphy andAmbassador Chakravorty at Dr. Gupta homealong with Dr. Kavita Gupta.

Ambassador Chakravorty speaking at thisoccasion stated that drugs are killing morepeople than traffic accidents and guns inAmerica and is a major concern. He felt thatunfortunately this issue is not discussed andkept under a rug and has become a silentepidemic. We need more and more awarenessand this tour will be a great platform toreach Indian Diaspora. He thanked Dr.Sanjay and Kavita Gupta in taking thisinitiative and felt that involvement ofBollywood is one of the best way to penetrateyoung minds and hearts.

Dr Kavita Gupta stated that we have morethan 100,000 Indian Physicians in Americaand together we can help eradicate this deadlyepidemic which is affecting our kids and

youth. We all need to take it seriously and putwhatever effort we can, as safety and future ofour next generation is at stake. We have one9/11 happening every 3 weeks and it is time tostop this before more youth is killed.

Music Legend Pritam Da stated "I amextremely happy to be associated with thisextremely important cause and will help inwhatever way I can with this tour and evenotherwise in fighting this epidemic. He feltthat wrong messages are being given toyoung minds about drugs and using drugs isbecoming a part of popular and Hip culture.A large part of this epidemic is due toignorance of harmful effects of drugs."

Pritam talk about the 8 singers who will besinging many of his compositions which arethe top Bollywoodhits. The singers includeHarshdeep Kaur, Nakash Aziz, Shilpa Rao, ,Sreerama Chandra, Antara Mitra, ShalmaliKholgade, Amit Mishra and Amanat Ali.

Some of the movies to Pitam Crdeit creditinclude Dhoom, Dhoom 2,Goal Mal 3Bajrangi BhaijaanPhantom and DilwaleAeDil Hai Mushkil, Jagga Jasoos, BadtameezDil, Tigers, Raabta, TubelightJab Harry MetSejal, Dangal,and the list goes on.

Dr. Sanjay Gupta thanked Cinema onStage founders Anand and Sona Dawda for

conceptualizing and producing this amazingand historic show and Karl Karla and theentire National team for bringing the touracross North America. The national teamincludes Jaweria Khan , Raj Uppal ,GaurangPatel, Jagmohan Nanda Bobby Bajaj AjayMittal Padma Mishra Dr. Bharat PatelManish K Sood Bikram Jeet Singh RaySharma and Gaurav Sharma.

PRITAM National Tour in North Americawill take place in April 2018 as follows- April6th Chicago, 7th New Jersey, 8th Toronto,13th Dallas, 14th Los Angeles, 20thWashington D.C., 21st San Jose.

Mr Karl Karla thanked the entire nationalteam for worked hard in making the dreamto reality and bringing one of a kind megashow to American public.

Mr Anand and Sona Dowda mentionedthat production of the legendary Pritamshow was a longtime dream and it is anamazing feeling finally see it as a mega show.

The press conference was compered byMamta Narula from Ultimate media and Dr.Kavita Gupta. The Press Conference was alsoattended by Physicians and communityleaders along with media representatives.

Dr. Sanjay Gupta in his closing remarksfelt that wrong messages from Hollywoodand Bollywood are part responsible forcreating this epidemic and now they can playa major role in reversing it. India is acountry with a large young population andthis epidemic is growing fast in India, butnobody wants to talk about it . It is sad to seethe country of strong characters like swamiVivekananda and Narendra Modi fallingprey to wrong messages. We are happy to seethe support of Hollywood, Bollywood Artistsand Sports Athletes in this initiative andhopefully together we will be able to turnthis deadly tide . (Press Release)

Ambassador Sandeep Chakravortyaddressing the gathering

Dr. Kavita Gupta addresses

With Pritam Da at the dais

The organizers and admirers of Pritam Da with Ambassador Sandeep Chakravorty

31ADVERTISEMENTTHE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2018

NEW JERSEYINCOME TAX:

INDIVIDUAL/BUSINESS/NON-PROFITNew Company setup -Accounting-Payroll

Foreign Assets Reporting (FBAR) & Tax matters

NAILESH T BHAVSAR CPA(Chartered Accountant-INDIA)

100 Plainfield Ave, Suite 6 AEDISON, NJ 08817

TEL: (732) 317 3696

LONG ISLAND

CHENNAI DOSASKosher

South Indian Vegetarian RestaurantDine In - Take Out - Catering

128 Broadway

Hicksville, NY 11801

Tel: 516-681-5151 Fax: 516-681-5151Email: Chennaidosasny@gmail.com

LICENSED AND INSURED

JAG ELECTRICALSYSTEMS, CORP

NNOO JJOOBB TTOOOO SSMMAALLLL

*Ceiling Fans-A/C Outlets

*Appliance Lines 100-200 AMP Service

*Lighting Fixtures, Maintenance

*Timers, Intercom, Outlets, Bell

Specialty: VIOLATIONS REMOVAL CALL JAG

718-347-4540917-734-8252266-10 Union Turnpike,Floral Park, NY 11004

E-mail: jagelectricalsystems@gmail.com

RAJBHOG FOODS INC.Sweets & Snacks351 S. Broadway

Hicksville, NY 11801PH# 516-513-0939

PUNJABI KITCHEN

1691 Oak Tree RoadEdison, NJ 08820

www.punjabikitchenrestaurant.com

Email contact@punjabikitchenrestaurant.com

PH# 732-596-7907

ACCOUNTING

EATS ELECTRICIAN

EATS

EATS

NEW YORK

J & P GUYANA W.I. GROCERY INC.We carry a wide range of West Indian

Grocery at low prices

113-17 Liberty Avenue

Richmond Hill, NY 11419

President: David Ramsawmy (Elvis)

PH# 718-925-0100

Astrologer Kunjvihari Pathak Get Astrological Guidance and Remedies for

● Education ● Job ● Business ● Marriage

● Health ● Prosperity ● Protection

Contact Internationally well - known Astrologer Kunjvihari Pathak

Tel. (732) 500-7453Email: kunjpathak@yahoo.com

GROCERYASTROLOGY

ACCOUNTING

Rajput Indian Cuisine serving in Virginia since 1999 is expanding its horizons in USA.

Rajput's Curry Club is going to be under flagship of Rajput Indian Cuisine.

Rajput is federally trademark registered notonly under food but also under spices.

Wishing to hire front & kitchen personnel inVirginia, can be partners in future ventures.

Boarding & lodging provided. Workauthorization must.

Please email resume at usarajput@gmail.com or text or WhatsApp at 7574781577.

Please no phone calls. Once we receive email or text or WhatsApp, will contact.

32 THE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2018MISCELLANY

contd from Page 1

SC lifts ban imposed by some...might not be so successful at the box office and people might

not go to watch it, but its exhibition cannot be prohibited likethis," it said.

Based on the saga of the historic battle of 13th centurybetween Maharaja Ratan Singh and his army of Mewar andSultan Alauddin Khilji of Delhi, the film has been opposed byRajputs for alleged character assassination of Padmavati.

On behalf of producers Viacom 18, Harish Salve and MukulRohatgi contended that once the Central Board of FilmCertification had cleared a movie, states could not interferewith it. CBFC was "extra cautious" and it issued a certificateafter a few cuts suggested by an expert committee were carriedout, they said. They cited the top court's 2011 ruling in the caseof Prakash Jha's film 'Aarakshan', which was banned by somestates for a certain period.

"Once the parliamentary legislation confers theresponsibility and power on a statutory board and the boardgrants certificate, non-exhibition of it by states will becontrary to statutory provisions," the court said.

On behalf of the BJP-ruled states, Additional SolicitorGeneral Tushar Mehta said there were intelligence reportsregarding law and order problem. "If you go by this, 60 per centof literature, even classical literature of India, cannot beread," the CJI said.

The Bench fixed March 26 for further hearing.Meanwhile, while there is excitement among moviegoers for

watching the much-awaited movie, there is also tension in theair with regard to some taking to streets and try blocking themovie's screening. The BJP ruled states of Rajasthan, Haryanaand Gujarat may have to deal with law and order problemwhich they seem to have invited themselves. Politiciansopposed to BJP are hinting at State sponsored demonstrationsand disturbances in these states to block the screening of themovie. Only January 25 will tell what happens.

Landmark Brexit Bill passedmilestone of withdrawing from the European Union," Brexit

Secretary David Davis said."We'll have a statue book that works, delivering a smooth and

orderly exit desired by people, businesses across the UK andbeing delivered by this government."

The Bill is only one of several that Prime Minister TheresaMay's minority government must pass to prepare Britain forits withdrawal from the EU in March 2019

MPs had tabled more than 500 amendments and spent morethan 80 hours in debate, and Brexit Secretary David Davis saidthe Bill was heading to the Lords in an 'improved' state

The unelected House of Lords may insist on further changeswhen peers begin their scrutiny on January 30, while

ministers still face opposition from Scottish and Welshadministrations

President Trump Tweets out...Award'. Others in Trump's unique award were 'ABC News',

'CNN', 'Time' and 'The Washington Post'. Trump announced theaward in a tweet January 17 night.

The website GOP.Com where the winners were listedcrashed soon after Trump announced the awards.

was a year of unrelenting bias, unfair news coverage, andeven downright fake news. Studies have shown that over 90 percent of the media's coverage of President Trump is negative,"it said.

Topping the list was The New York Times' Paul Krugmanstory which claimed on the day of Trump's historic, landslidevictory that the economy would never recover.

ABC News' Brian Ross was positioned second. It "CHOKESand sends markets in a downward spiral with false report," thewebsite said.

'CNN' received the third prize for reporting that candidateDonald Trump and his son Donald J Trump Jr had access tohacked documents from WikiLeaks.

Time was placed fourth for reporting that Trump removeda bust of Martin Luther King Jr. from the Oval Office.

The Washington Post was laced last for reporting Trump'smassive sold-out rally in Pensacola, Florida was empty.

Below is the full list of winners of the 2017 Fake NewsAwards.1) The New York Times' Paul Krugman claiming markets

would 'never' recover from a Trump presidency2) ABC News' Brian Ross' bungled report on former

National Security Adviser Michael Flynn3) CNN falsely reporting the Trump campaign had early

access to hacked documents from WikiLeaks4) TIME report that Trump removed a bust of Martin

Luther King, Jr. from the Oval Office5) The Washington Post's Dave Weigel tweeting that

Trump's December rally in Pensacola, Fla., wasn'tpacked with supporters

6) CNN's video suggesting Trump overfed fish during avisit with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe

7) CNN's retracted report claiming Anthony Scaramucci-Russia ties

8) Newsweek report that Polish First Lady AgataKornhauser-Duda did not shake Trump's hand

9) CNN report that former FBI Director James Comeywould dispute President Trump's claim he was told hewas not under investigation

10) The New York Times report that the Trumpadministration had hidden a climate-change study

11) In Trump's words, "'RUSSIA COLLUSION!' Russiancollusion is perhaps the greatest hoax perpetrated on the

American people. THERE IS NO COLLUSION.(Source: GOP Website/ PTI)

Canada Lawmaker behind1984...

making her the first-ever Sikh cabinet minister in theCanadian province.

The 38-year-old daughter of Canada's first turbaned MPGurbax Singh Malhi was sworn in as Minister of the Statusof Women on Thursday, January 18.

The decision by Premier Kathleen Wynne to elevate Malhiseems to have been taken with an eye to Sikh votes asOntario goes to the polls in June.

Ms Malhi represents the Punjabi-dominated 'riding' (orconstituency) of Brampton-Springdale in the Ontarioassembly, whose members are called MPPs or members ofprovincial parliament.

She joins another Indo-Canadian woman minister DipikaDamerla in the Ontario cabinet.

Interestingly, her elevation to the cabinet comes when twosenior Sikh MPPs Amrit Mangat and Vic Dhillon have beenignored.

It is being speculated that because of her 1984 genocidemotion, Ms Malhi can help her Liberal Party retain Sikhsvotes which may drift to the New Democratic Party (NDP)which has just elected Jagmeet Singh as its national leader.After her genocide resolution, many in the Sikh communityview her as the champion of the cause in the community.

Her party may also benefit from her father and formerMP's huge hold over Sikh voters.

Interestingly, as a member of the Ontario assembly,Jagmeet Singh too had introduced a similar motion on theanti-Sikh riots, but his motion failed. He was also denied avisa to India in 2013.

Brampton, on the outskirts of Toronto, has the secondlargest concentration of the Sikh community in Canadaafter Surrey in British Columbia.

Ms Malhi's genocide motion in the Ontario assembly inApril 2017 read: "That, in the opinion of this House... shouldreaffirm our commitment to the values we cherish -- justice,human rights and fairness -- and condemn all forms ofcommunal violence, hatred, hostility, prejudice, racism andintolerance in India and anywhere else in the world,including the 1984 genocide perpetrated against the Sikhsthroughout India, and call on all sides to embrace truth,justice and reconciliation."

The motion was passed 34-5 votes in a House of 107members.

Reacting strongly to it, India rejected it calling it a"misguided motion which is based on a limitedunderstanding of India, its constitution, society, ethos, ruleof law and the judicial process". (Source: IANS)

Israel puts tunnel dug under Gazaborder on display

JERUSALEM (TIP): The Israeli military broughtjournalists on Thursday to film a 2 km (1.25 mile) tunnel dug bymilitants from the Gaza Strip to Israel, saying it was putting theconstruction on display to show the continuing threat it facesfrom the territory.

The Islamic Jihad militant group has claimed responsibilityfor building the tunnel, saying its aim was to use it to attackIsrael in the next armed confrontation.

Twelve Gaza militants, most of them from Islamic Jihad,were killed in the destruction of the tunnel and in rescueefforts when Israel destroyed the underground passage onOctober 30. The tunnel, around the height and width of anupright person, was lined with concrete slabs. It was discoveredabout 120 meters inside Israel near Kissufim, about six metersbelow ground, as tunnelers burrowed towards the surfacelooking to build an exit, the Israeli military said.

"The tunnel that we see here is one of three tunnels that havebeen destroyed over the last two months," Israeli militaryspokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Jonathan Conricus, said. "Thethreat has not passed and the terror from Hamas has notpassed."

Palestinian tunnel diggers have long operated in borderareas of the Gaza Strip, using the underground passageways tobypass tight border restrictions imposed by Israel and Egypt onthe movement of goods and people, and to smuggle weapons.

Israel captured Gaza in a 1967 war. It is home to two millionPalestinians, who complain that the blockade has left theenclave isolated and impoverished. Israel cites securityconcerns for the restrictions, tightened after the Islamistmilitant group Hamas took power in Gaza more than a decadeago.

Pope shocks Chile by accusingsex abuse victims of slander

SANTIAGO (TIP): Pope Francisaccused victims of Chile's mostnotorious pedophile of slander on Jan19, an astonishing end to a visit meantto help heal the wounds of a sex abusescandal that has cost the CatholicChurch its credibility in the country.

Francis said that until he sees proofthat Bishop Juan Barros was complicitin covering up the sex crimes of theRev. Fernando Karadimas, suchaccusations against Barros are "allcalumny."

The pope's remarks drew shock fromChileans and immediate rebuke fromvictims and their advocates. They notedthe accusers were deemed credibleenough by the Vatican that it sentencedKaradima to a lifetime of "penance andprayer" for his crimes in 2011.

A Chilean judge also found thevictims to be credible, saying that whileshe had to drop criminal chargesagainst Karadima because too muchtime had passed, proof of his crimeswasn't lacking.

"As if I could have taken a selfie or aphoto while Karadima abused me and

others and Juan Barros stood bywatching it all," tweeted Barros' mostvocal accuser, Juan Carlos Cruz.

"These people are truly crazy, and thepontiff talks about atonement to thevictims. Nothing has changed, and hisplea for forgiveness is empty."

The Karadima scandal dominatedFrancis' visit to Chile and the overallissue of sex abuse and church cover-upwas likely to factor into his three-day

trip to Peru that began yesterday.Karadima's victims reported to

church authorities as early as 2002 thathe would kiss and fondle them in theswank Santiago parish he ran, butofficials refused to believe them.

Only when the victims went publicwith their accusations in 2010 did theVatican launch an investigation thatled to Karadima being removed fromministry.

The emeritus archbishop of Santiagosubsequently apologized for havingrefused to believe the victims from thestart.

Francis reopened the wounds of thescandal in 2015 when he named Barros,a protege of Karadima, as bishop of thesouthern diocese of Osorno.Karadima's victims say Barros knew ofthe abuse, having seen it, but didnothing. Barros has denied theallegations.

His appointment outraged Chileans,badly divided the Osorno diocese andfurther undermined the church'salready shaky credibility in thecountry. (AP)

33TRAVELTHEINDIANPANORAMAFRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2018

If you haven’t yet zeroed in on a destination foryour winter honeymoon yet, we have youcovered with our HappyTrips special on the best

honeymoon places in India in winters. We know thatafter weeks of planning and effort, your weddingday will arrive and go faster than you imagine.

And there is no other way for the newlyweds torelax after all the madness and begin their marriedlife right than with a wonderful honeymoon?There’s just one problem…where to go? To make iteasier, we bring you the best winter honeymoondestinations in India.

GulmargAfter a tiring wedding week, a quiet mountain

honeymoon in winters might just do the right trickto unwind and rekindle the flame of love for thenewly-weds. Thankfully, Gulmarg is not as crowdedas Manali and Shimla usually are. An idealhoneymoon in Gulmarg should be a combo ofskiing, trekking and exploring the beautiful sightsin town.

If you have your heart set on a regal getaway, thebeautiful city of Jaisalmer is going to give you thebest head-start. This golden-hued getaway is chock-full of allure and romance with its historicarchitecture, amazing hotels, and perfect culturescene. Oh, and the food is amazing.

DarjeelingAbundant natural beauty, rich culture and

awesome weather make Darjeeling an almost other-worldly getaway for the newlyweds looking to relaxafter the D-day. Known for its tea gardens, toy trainand the beautiful Himalayas, Darjeeling is the placethat will spark up the romance in your life.

OotyOoty is a small piece of heaven for the young

couples seeking each others’ company amidstverdant hills and quietude of nature. Honeymoonerscan take delight in long treks and sightseeingfollowed by nights cuddled up by the fire in hotelroom—can there be anything more romantic?

Andaman and Nicobar IslandsThese islands are a bit detached from the Indian

peninsula, but if you can make it there, there isnothing like it. Port Blair and Havelock Island arethe top touristy places in the Andamans. While PortBlair is known for its wealth of history, the other isa treasure trove of natural beauty. Andaman andNicobar Islands are marked by fabulous weatherand awesome accommodations as well.

MunnarConsider the charming Munnar if you and your

significant other are outdoorsy types. It has theatmosphere apt for lovebirds to coochy-coo. You caneasily find a hotel best suited for your honeymooneven if you are on a budget, and the city is easy toreach irrespective of whether you’re coming fromthe east coast or the west side. Honeymooners canenjoy trekking, boating, rock climbing, spice/teatrailing etc. and even visit the nearby hill stations toenhance the experience.

GoaGoa is undisputedly one of the best honeymoon

places to visit during December. For thehoneymooners that love the sun, sand and sea, theparty capital of India become even more inviting inDecember, thanks to the cosy wintery sun. Withtemperatures ranging from 15 to 25 degrees Celsius,honeymooners can soak up the beach sun with easeand enjoy the nights breathing in the cool breeze.Plus, you get the advantage of availing great traveldeals offered during that time of the year.

Source: HappyTrips

HONEYMOON DESTINATIONSIN INDIA THIS WINTER

34 THEINDIANPANORAMAFRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2018 SPORTS

CENTURION (TIP): Debutant LungiNgidi took six wickets as South Africadefeated India by 135 runs to claim victoryin the second Test, also winning the serieswith an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match contest here today. Seamer Ngidi, 21,recorded figures of 6/39, his best in firstclass cricket, as South Africa bowled outIndia for 151 just before lunch.

In the ICC rankings, India are the top-ranked side, while South Africa are rankedsecond.

The Proteas, though, will not be able todisplace India from the perch even if theywin the series 3-0. The third Test starts atthe Wanderers in Johannesburg onJanuary 24.

India resumed the final day on 35/3,chasing a victory target of 287, having beendealt a huge blow the evening before whenNgidi bagged the wicket of captain ViratKohli (5). Their slender hopes were dealt afurther setback when Cheteshwar Pujara(19) became the first Indian player ever tobe run out twice in a Test.

Ngidi had a hand in that too as he chasedthe ball down to the boundary and stoppeda four, with his cut-back to AB de Villiersallowing for a bullet throw to wicketkeeperQuinton de Kock that saw Pujara short.Pujara had also been run out first ball inthe first innings and has now been involvedin six of India’s last eight run-outs in Tests.

It would start a procession of wickets asParthiv Patel (19) picked out Morne Morkelon the fine leg boundary off Kagiso Rabada(3/47), with the big fast bowler pulling off amagnificent catch on the run.

Hardik Pandya (6) was caught by de Kockoff Ngidi, before the seamer also inducedan edge from Ravichandran Ashwin (3) tothe wicketkeeper to leave India reeling at87/7 . Rohit Sharma (47) took the attack to

the bowlers before he was magnificentlycaught at fine leg by de Villiers off Rabadaattempting a hook.

The innings wrapped up quickly afterthat as Mohammed Shami (28) was caught

by Morkel off Ngidi and Jasprit Bumrahspooned a catch to Vernon Philander atmid-off to hand the youngster his sixthwicket.

Source: Reuters

NGIDI TAKES SIX AS PROTEASBEAT INDIA IN SECOND TEST

South Africa’s Lungi Ngidi celebrates taking the wicket of India’s Virat Kohli. Pic courtesy: REUTERS

India are the top-ranked sidein Test cricket according to theICC rankings with South Africa

second, though the Proteaswill not be able to overhaul thesub-continent side even with a

3-0 series win.

Kohli named ICC Cricketer of the YearDUBAI (TIP): India captain Virat Kohli had

something to cheer on Thursday when he wasnamed ICC World Cricketer of the Year, a day aftersuffering his first Test series defeat as skipper inSouth Africa. The 29-year-old was rewarded for hisprolific run in the qualification period fromSeptember 2016 to the end of 2017, in which heamassed 2,203 runs in Tests, 1,818 in ODIs and 299in T20Is.

Kohli, who also led India to the top of the world’sTest rankings during the period, received the SirGarfield Sobers Trophy, which teammateRavichandran Ashwin had won last year. The toporder batsman was also adjudged the ODI Player ofthe year.

“It means a lot to win the Sir Garfield SobersTrophy for becoming the ICC Cricketer of the Yearand also the ICC ODI Player of the Year,” Kohli,who was named captain of both the ICC Test andODI teams for the year, said in an ICC statement.

ICC Awards ICC Men's Cricketer of the Year — Virat

Kohli Men's Test Cricketer of the Year — Steve

Smith Men's ODI Cricketer of the Year — Virat

Kohli Men's Emerging Cricketer of the Year —

Hasan Ali (Pakistan) Men's Associate Cricketer of the Year -

Rashid Khan (Afghanistan) Men's T20I Performance of the Year -

Yuzvendra Chahal (6/25 vs England) Test team of the year: Dean Elgar, David

Warner, Virat Kohli (captain), Steve Smith,Cheteshwar Pujara, Ben Stokes, Quinton de

Kock (wicketkeeper), Ravichandran Ashwin,Mitchell Starc, Kagiso Rabada, JamesAnderson

ODI team of the year: David Warner, RohitSharma, Virat Kohli (captain), Babar Azam,AB de Villiers, Quinton de Kock(wicketkeeper), Ben Stokes, Trent Boult,Hasan Ali, Rashid Khan, Jasprit Bumra.

Source: PTI

INDIA LOSE TO BELGIUM INFOUR NATIONS HOCKEY

TAURANGA (TIP): The Indian men’shockey team failed to convert any of thefour penalty corners and ended up losing 0-2 to Belgium at the Four NationsInvitational tournament at the Blake Parkhere on Jan 18.

Goals by Sébastien Dockier (8th minute)and Victor Wegnez (34th) ensured Belgiumstayed on top of the game.

Both teams played out an exciting firstquarter, though it was Belgium whoconstantly tested the Indian defence,moving the ball swiftly while creatingplenty of opportunities in the strikingcircle.

Their first big attempt came in thefourth minute when Belgian forwardswiftly smashed a reverse hit to the postbut goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, who is makinga comeback from a long injury haul, madean impressive save.

Four minutes later, a circle penetrationby Belgium saw Dockier demonstrate aclassic reverse hit to put the ball into thepost, leaving little chance for Sreejesh tosave.

The 1-0 lead in the eighth minute putIndia on the backfoot. In the 12th minute,however, India found a golden opportunityto equalise when forward RamandeepSingh won the team the first PC of thematch, but the chance went begging, as theball could not be stopped at the top of the D.

A compact Belgian defence slowed downIndia’s attack in the second quarter. Butrelentless Indian forwards worked in packsas they kept up their hunt to find asuccessful penetration.

Seven minutes into the second quarter,India’s moment to score was created bycolts Armaan, Vivek Prasad and Mandeepwho worked in tandem in front of the postforcing Belgian defenders to make an error.

The attempt resulted in the second PC ofthe match for India. However,Harmanpreet Singh’s dragflick wasdefended by Belgium’s first runner.

Minutes later, forward RamandeepSingh made another foray into the Belgiumcircle, brimming hope of a conversion, buthis nudge was high up, though Mandeepgot a stick on it, the ball bounced off thecross bar. Belgium continued to lead 1-0 asthe teams went into the half-time.

A strong circle penetration in theopening minute of the third quarter sawIndia win their third PC of the match, butVarun Kumar’s drag flick was deflected byBelgian defender, denying India anequaliser.

Only minutes later, an error by theIndian defence was capitalised by BelgianVictor Wegnez who found the gap to put theball into India’s post to take his team’s leadto a comfortable 2-0 in the 34th minute.

Source: PTI

35ADVERTISEMENTTHE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2018

36 THE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2018INTERVIEW