The South Asian Times

e x c e l l e n c e i n j o u r n a l i s m
Vol.11 No. 27 November 3-9, 2018 80 Cents New York Edition Follow us on TheSouthAsianTimes.info
 The South Asian Times
e x c e l l e n c e i n j o u r n a l i s m
Vol.11 No. 27 November 3-9, 2018 80 Cents New York Edition Follow us on TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Dems likely to regain House,

Senate stays with GOP
By SATimes Team

K
icking off a final weekend of con‑
gressional campaigning, President
Donald Trump said Friday that
Republicans are doing well – but he conced‑
ed that Democrats could win control of the
US House.
"It could happen ... ," Trump told support‑
ers at an airport rally in Huntington, West
Virginia, adding that they shouldn't be fear‑
The South Asian Times appeals
ful if the Democrats prevail after Election
Day on Tuesday. "Don't worry about it – I'll
to our readers who are eligible
just figure it out," he promised. voters, to go out and vote on
Though forecasting election results is Tuesday, November 6 in the US
fraught with danger (remember 2016 when midterm elections. This is our
pundits and media houses all were waiting right as US citizens and a
to crown Hillary Clinton), the consensus this duty in a democracy.
midterm election from Continued on page 4
UN wishes India Happy Diwali by issuing a special
stamp sheet to commemorate the festival of lights.
Worldʼs largest statue Showing The Empire State Building will be aglitter with Diwali
unveiled in India solidarity with diya lights for the first time on Nov 7, a collaborative
effort of FIA and the Empire State Realty Trust.
Kevadia (Gujarat):
Dedicating the
the Jewish By SATimes Team famous, iconic Empire State Building will
Statue of Unity to
the nation, Prime
community New York: Diwali is a festival that is cele‑
glow with Diya lights on November 7. This
is the first time that the Diwali celebration
Minister Narendra By SATimes Team brated with much pomp and glory not just up in the sky will be witnessed by tens of
Modi on in India, but it is spreading its light in many thousands of people including tourists from
Wednesday said it New York: Indian American religious other countries too, g radually being all over the world visiting New York. This
is India's reply to and community organizations have embraced by communities wherever the feat has been realized by the Federation of
all those who ques‑ strongly condemned the Oct. 27 Indian diaspora is. The spirit of the Indian Indian Associations (FIA), the largest non‑
tion her existence massacre at the Tree of Life syna‑ mega festival is felt more so in USA to the profit umbrella organization of the commu‑
and asked all citi‑ gogue in Pittsburgh, PA, as a gunman delight of Indian Americans who are now nity in the tristate area, in cooperation and
zens to remain opened fire, killing 11 mostly elderly spoilt for choice about taking part in the fes‑ generosity of the Empire State Realty Trust.
united in counter‑ people, in the deadliest attack on the tivities. Diwaliʼs universal message that the You remember that USPS issued a Forever
ing efforts made Jewish community in the US. light of goodness and knowledge always stamp dedicated to Diwali two years ago.
by divisive forces. The solidarity expressed is also an overcomes the darkness of evil and igno‑ Now to commemorate the Indian festival
Unveiling the acknowledgement that many mem‑ rance is making its acceptance widespread. United Nations postal agency has just come
182‑meter Sardar bers of the Indian communities ‑‑ It is a festival which brings people together out with a special stamp sheet suffused with
Vallabhbhai Patel Muslim, Sikh and Hindu ‑‑ have also and urges them to forget all about divisions the symbols of light diyas & a lot of lights in
statue (4 times the faced hate crimes in recent years. of caste, creed, and religion and just cele‑ the background. Continued on page 4
height of Lady The Hindu American Foundation brate happiness and light.
Liberty in New (HAF) offered its condolences to the Diwali has been celebrated in the White
York), Modi said victims of the rampage, in a state‑ House, under three Presidents. Times
that the height of ment released Oct. 29. “There is sim‑ Square has witnessed its vibrancy, vying Special Diwali
Section
ply no justification for such acts of with the immense popularity of AIAʼs annual
Contd. on page 4
Prime Minister Narendra Modi violence, especially when directed at Depavali mela at South Street Seaport in
DETAILED STORY dedicated Sardar Patelʼs a space that is sacred and welcom‑ New York.
ON PAGE 24. ʻStatue of Unityʼ to the nation. ing,” said HAF co‑founder and This Diwali will become memorable for Pages 27-58
Continued on page 4 Indian Americans when New Yorkʼs world

OP-EDS 15 INDO-US TIES 16 SEARCH FOR RAMAYAN IN LANKA 54 SPIRITUAL AWARENESS 56 excellence in journalism
 4 November 3-9, 2018 TURN PAGE TheSouthAsianTimes.info

young voters and women, who to be done to eliminate intolerance

India tipped to get Halloween
on October
seem to have been energized by
Trumpʼs rhetoric.
and hatred from American society.
The Hindu American community
waiver from US 31 made a
huge
Every midterm is about the sitting stands in solidarity with our Jewish
president, but this election is truly a American friends across the coun‑
sanctions against presence this
time in major
referendum on Trump – on his good try,” said Shukla.
record on the economy but poor The Interfaith Institute of the
oil from Iran metros
in India. one on divisive politics. He is domi‑ Islamic Center of Long Island (IFI)
United Nations: President nating the airwaves, trying to shift expressed outrage at the “unspeak‑
Donald Trump is expected to the focus to immigration from the able act of hate at a Shabbat morn‑
grant India an exemption from
Diwali goes mainstream like Cook Political Report (CPR) this
attack on a synagogue in Pittsburgh ing service at the Tree of Life syna‑
the sanctions against buying oil
in America week is that Democrats have a com‑
and pipe bombs sent to Democratic gogue on Oct 27.
Continued from page 3 fortable edge over Republicans for
from Iran when the waivers are leaders and supporters. Our heartfelt condolence to the
A special gift to all Indians from the regaining the US House of
announced on November 6. Worrying sign for GOP is a slip‑ families of the deceased and the
UN on Diwali, these stamps are Representatives. Dave Wasserman,
Secretary of State Mike page in Trumpʼs approval rating in injured police officers and we hope
available on the website of UN House editor of the CPR, tweeted
Pompeo said on Friday that the Gallupʼs tracker from 44 percent to and pray that justice is served quick‑
Stamps. Diwali festival season in Wednesday that their forecast was
administration was giving six‑ 40 percent. ly. This mass killing in a place of
America extends to many weekends being updated, predicting that
month waivers to eight coun‑ worship reinforces the need and
and its mainstreaming is a work in Democrats gain 30‑40 seats, up
tries that he did not name. He
from 25‑35 seats. The forecast sug‑
Worldʼs largest statue urgency for passage of common
progress. Many families are pleased
said these countries have
gests a so‑called "blue wave" is unveiled in India sense gun laws.”
that quite a few school districts have
already taken steps to eventual‑ Continued from page 3 The Sikh American Legal Defense
been adding Diwali to list of holi‑ becoming more likely. Democrats
ly cut their Iranian oil imports the statue is to remind the youth and Education Fund, while condemn‑
days. Some communities organize need to flip 23 seats to take control
to "zero". Sunday is the deadline that the future of the country is in ing the synagogue attack, recalled
fireworks in designated areas. At of the lower chamber.
for countries to stop buying oil their aspirations and is as huge as that six years ago, a similar attack by
least in one state New Jersey home In the Senate, which the GOP also
from Iran and the sanctions are this statue. a white supremacist killed six con‑
to a large Indian population, it has controls, 24 Democrats and two
to take effect on November 6 Modi said that there were many gregants at a gurdwara in
been made legal to play select safe Independents who caucus with
for those not getting the who thought that a diverse country Wisconsin. “The Sikh American
firecrackers. And firecrackers are Democrats, are up for re‑election.
waivers. like India can never remain united community, like all Americans of
sold by select Costco locations, in Nine Republicans are up for re‑elec‑
"On November 5, the US will after it got independence. But conscience, are deeply saddened by
addition to Indian sweets & savories. tion. Only one seat, Sen. Heidi
reimpose sanctions that were Sardar Patel proved them wrong the attack,” said SALDEF Board chair
And some readers of T he South Heitkamp's, D‑N.D., is rated any‑
lifted as part of the nuclear deal and it was his contribution that the Kavneet Singh. “This attack is partic‑
Asian Times spotted Diwali themed thing below "toss‑up" at "lean‑R,"
on Iran's energy, shipbuilding, country now meets the world on its ularly troubling due to its occur‑
T‑Shirts at Walmart in New Jersey. according to CPR.
shipping, and banking sectors," own terms and is moving towards rence at a place of worship. All hous‑
Back home in India, the spirit of RealClearPolitics gives Democrats
Pompeo said. becoming an economic and military es of worship, like this synagogue,
Diwali is getting dampened what a smaller edge in the House than
US Special Representative for superpower. are places of peace.”
with the Supreme Court directive Cook, factoring in a number of toss
Iran Brian Hook hinted India Unveiling the statue of the former JAINA – a Federation of Jain
restricting the time when firecrack‑ ups. Their latest House elections
was among those getting the Deputy Prime Minister built on Associations in North America, has
ers can be played. Sad but neces‑ map shows Democrats taking 203
exemption with a cryptic Sadhu Bet Island on the Narmada expressed their deepest condolences
sary considering the poor air quali‑ seats versus 198 for Republicans.
response to a reporter at a brief‑ river at a cost of Rs 2,389 crore, to the Jewish community, families
ty at this time of the year in many Thirty‑four races are listed in the
ing in Washington on Friday. Modi touted it to be the world's and friends of the victims of a mas‑
cities, particularly Greater Delhi. "toss ups" category.
When the reporter trying to get tallest ‑‑ surpassing China's Spring sacre at the synagogue in Pittsburgh.
Maybe as a compensation, Generic ballot polls also bode well
him to identify the eight nations Temple Buddha that stands at 153 Their press release said, “JAINA
Halloween on October 31 made a for Democrats. RealClearPolitics'
mentioned India among those meters by 29 meters. stands in solidarity & support with
huge presence this year in major aggregate for the 2018 generic
that were "presumably" aware The Gujarat government expects our friends at the American Jewish
metros in India, particularly where congressional vote gives a 7.5‑per‑
that they were getting exemp‑ the statue to boost tourism, with Committee (AJC) & Jewish
the clan of software professionals centage point advantage to
tions, Hook said: "I think you've one estimate putting the daily num‑ Communities nationwide. We con‑
dwell. Truly we are living in a glob‑ Democrats. Also, one of the few
answered your own question." bers of tourists at 15,000. demn the murder or innocent Jewish
al village of cross‑cultural pollina‑ polls that favored President Trump
Several US media reports quot‑ worshippers at Synagogue in
tion. A trend worth celebrating. to win the 2016 election is now
ing unidentified administration
forecasting a strong general ballot Showing solidarity with Pittsburgh last Saturday & will con‑
officials have also said that the Jewish community tinue to work with our Jewish‑
Dems likely to regain House, for Democrats, showing them lead‑
India was one of them. Others Continued from page 3 American friends & other interfaith
Senate stays with GOP ing Republicans by 17 points.
mentioned include China, South executive director Suhag Shukla. “Itʼs partners in fighting bigotry &
Continued from page 3 Democrats are depending on big‑
Korea, Japan and Turkey. also an indication of all that remains racism.”
nonpartisan, formidable sources ger turnout – particularly among

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TheSouthAsianTimes.info DIWALI SPECIAL November 3-9, 2018
 6 November 3-9, 2018 TRISTATE TheSouthAsianTimes.info

NDMF raised over $175,000 at the fundraiser attended by former Indian MP Priya Dutt and (right) Sam Pitroda, posing with honorees and organizers.

Nargis Dutt Memorial Foundation holds 37th gala

Uniondale, NY: The Nargis Dutt
Memorial Foundation (NDMF) hosted
close to 400 people at the Marriott here
for their 37th annual gala.
Honorees included Kanak Golia, chief
o f Pe r f u m e C e n t e r o f A m e r i c a , D r.
U r m i l e sh A r y a , a p e d i a t r i c i a n , D r.
Manjeet Bains, thoracic surgeon, Dr.
Himanshu Pandya, president elect of
AAPI‑LI, and Sher Singh Madra, former
president of NDMF, George Tsunnis,
Chairman of Board at NUMC.
Keynote speakers Dr. Digpal Dharkar,
of the Indore Cancer Foundation and
Hospital, and Indiaʼs telecom whiz Sam
Pitroda delivered touching and informa‑
tive speeches.
Priya Dutt made a heartwarming
speech about NDMFʼs ability to uphold
her Actress motherʼs vision who died of
cancer in 1981.
She re lated how while undergoing
treatment at Memorial Sloan Kettering
in New York, Nargis Dutt “used to tell
my father, Sunil Dutt, since you have
money you have taken me to US for
treatment, but what about poor people
in India who suf fer from the deadly dis‑
ease.” Hence, NDMF was formed for tak‑
ing care of poor patients of cancer. A
Gatsby inspired fashion show was pre‑
sented by South Asian designer Rana
Noman.
Key guests of the evening included
R e p T h o m a s S u o z z i w h o p r e s e n t ed
NDMF President Andy Mansukhani a
citation; Mr. Curtis Sliwa, founder of the
Guardian Angels, and his wife Nancy
Sliwa, who is running for NYS Attorney
General.

Indian American running Air India to fly JFK‑Mumbai non‑stop

for NYS Senate
New York, NY: Air India has
Thrice a week service with special announced that it will introduce

Levittown, NY: Kevin Thomas is

fares for limited period three‑times‑a‑week non‑stop service
between New Yorkʼs JFK
running for the state Senate from International Airport to India to 36 nation‑ JFK and Mumbai, Air India is offer‑
the 6th District encompassing 20 and Mumbai, effective wide. These include daily ing special fares on the new route,
towns including East Meadow, December 7, 2018. non‑stop service from good for travel from December 9,
South Hicksville, Levittown, The flights will depart Newark (EWR) to 2018 through May 11, 2019. All
Garden City, Bethpage, at 11:05 am from JFK Mumbai and Chicago Air Indiaʼs non‑stop flights from the
Hempstead, Uniondale, N. on Wednesday, Friday (ORD) to Delhi, 3x week‑ U.S.A. feature First, Business, and
Wantag h and part of and Sunday on 777‑ ly Washington (IAD) to Economy Class and a choice of
Farmingdale. 300ER planes. They Delhi, and 9x weekly San Continental or Indian cuisine served
Thomas, 34, of Levittown, is an will arrive in Mumbai Francisco (SFO) to Delhi. in a style that is distinctly Indian.
attorney who specializes in legal at 12:10 pm the following day. All flights offer convenient connec‑ “T he additional New York to
services for low‑income people. With the current JFK‑Delhi daily tions from the U.S. to major cities Mumbai nonstop service reflects
He is also an appointee of the U.S. service, the new flights bring non‑ across India, including Bangalore, the growing popularity of India as a
Commission on Civil Rights to the stop JFK – India service to 10 Amritsar, Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune business and leisure destination”
NYS Advisory Committee. As an flights a week, while increasing and more. To celebrate the launch said Mrs. Bhuvana Rao, Air Indiaʼs
attorney, he worked to bring jus‑ For Nov 6 elections, Kevin total non‑stop service from the U.S. of the only nonstop flight between Regional Head in the Americas.
tice to those who could not stand Thomas is the Democratic
candidate for NYS Senate District

Diwali comes to Walmart and Costco

up for themselves.
As one who came to the US with
his family from India when he was
10, T homas understands the
promise that the country holds,
believes that he is a living testa‑
ment that the American dream
still exists, and that every New
Yorker should have the same
opportunities that he had. He and
his wife, Rincy, a pharmacist, are
expect ing their first child in
December.
The large South Asian communi‑
ty on Long Island is well educated,
they own businesses and make a
difference in the community they
live in, but they do not have a
voice in government. So a win for
Thomas is a win for the commu‑
that falls in Nassau County.
nity. He can push forward legisla‑
tion to recognize Diwali, Eid,
Vaisakhi and Onam in NY. He also
promises to push to fully fund our
schools. Other priorit ies for
Thomas are to protect our com‑
munities from gun violence, pass
the NY Health Act which will pro‑
vide free health coverage to every‑
one in New York.
T homas is running on the
Democratic, Working Families and
Women's Equality Party lines. He
received a bachelorʼs degree from
St. Johnʼs University in Queens in
2006 and a JD from Cooley Law
School at Western Michig an
University in 2010.
By Suchitra Srinivas
New Jersey: Walk into the Walmart
store in New Jersey, if lucky you
will be happy to see Diwali T‑shirts
on sale. Beautiful diya painted cus‑
tom‑made T‑Shirts in all colors and
sizes will make you feel well geared
to celebrate the festival in full
swing.
And if you go to Costco you can tricts have declared Diwali holiday. crackers to mark the festival. Since
buy firecrackers and boxes of T he New Jersey Education last year New Jersey has made it
Indian treats ranging from Association convention on the 8‑ legal to play select safe firecrackers
Rasamalai to savories. 9th in Atlantic City will guarantee a in the state. There cannot be more
There is more excitement in store long weekend for all schools in the happy news than wide acknowledg‑
with the many schools closed on state. Many Hindu temples in the ment of the celebrated Indian festi‑
November 7 as some school dis‑ state also organize safe play of fire‑ val in the US.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info DIWALI SPECIAL November 3-9, 2018

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 8 November 3-9, 2018 TRISTATE TheSouthAsianTimes.info

SACSS honors Councilman Peter AIA to celebrate 50

Koo and Dr. Narula at 18th Gala
New York: T he South Asian
Council for So cial Services
(SACSS)ʼ 2018 Gala, focusing on
“Food for Health” was held on
October 21 at Utsav restaurant
here.
This yearʼs theme focused on
the significance of healthy food
in the maintenance of physical,
mental and emotional we ll‑
being. Friends and supporters
came together at the annual
gathering to support SACSS
mission of empowering and
integrating underserved South
Asians and other immigrants
into the economic and civic life
of New York.
Sud ha Acharya, Execut ive
Director of SACSS, stated that
“over the past 18 years, I have
seen clients come to us with
varied and multiple needs. It is
unbe lievable how many are
food insecure and from how
many diverse communities. We
are glad that our South Asian
Food Pantry serves healthy and
nutritious food to over 1,400
people every week.”
As a longtime advocate and
supporter of SACSS, Councilman
Peter Koo, representing District
Dr. Jagat Narula being honored by South Asian Council for
Social Services Vice President Devi Ramchandran (right)
and Secretary Aasha Gopal.
20, was honored for his com‑
passion, and unwavering com‑
mitment to serving New Yorkʼs
underserved communities.
Dr. Jagat Narula, MD, Ph.D.,
Asso ciate Dean for Global
Affairs at Mount Sinai Hospital,
was honored for his devotion,
dedication, and contributions to
medicine that enriches the
health and well‑being of com‑
munities.
The keynote speaker, Anita
Mirchandani, Diet ician &
Nutrit ionist w ith T he NY
Nutrition Group, shared the
many benefits of healthy eating.
Preetha Raghu with Navatman
Music Collective dazzled the
guests with her angelic voice as
the stand‑up comedian, Raghav
Mehta, regaled all.
years at NY gala
The oldest grassroots Indian organization here,
AIA has been a pioneer in serving the causes of the
Indians in America, addressing their variety of issues.
New York: T he Asso ciat ion of
Indians in America (AIA) ‑ National
has announced its 50th‑anniversary
celebration at the Garden City Hotel
in Long Island N.Y on Dec 1, 2018.
Banquet Chairman Ravishankar
Bhooplapur and Smithi Khanna –
Chair of Media stated, “AIA is the old‑
est grassroots Indian organi‑
zation in the United States
of America established in
1967 to help new arrivals
from India to settle in their
new adopted homeland.”
Bhooplapur cont inued,
“The AIA was instrumental in
the resettlement of Indians from
Uganda fleeing to escape the tyranny
of Idi Amin. Since then AIA has been
a pioneer in serving the causes of the
Indians in America, addressing their
issues re lated to Professional
Licensing, Immigration, Racial &
Professional Discrimination, Civil
Rights, Glass Ceiling and many more.”
Many of their honorees and speakers
in past years include Noble
Laureates: S. Chandrasekhar 1973;
Norman E. Borlaug 1976; Lawrence R
Klein 1981; Peace Corps of America
1991; and Amartya Sen 1994.
Leading artists such as Ravi Shankar,
Ustad Zakir Hussain, Amjad Ali Khan,
Zubin Mehta, Ali Akbar Khan, Yehudi
Menuhin. Globally acclaimed acade‑
micians Prof Jagdish Bhagwat i,
Margaret Meade, Prof T.N. Srinivasan,
Prof Robert A.F. Thurman
to name a few. President
of AIA, Dr. Urmilesh Arya
commented, “T he first
ever public event of
Diwali celebration was
organized by AIA at South
Street Seaport in New York
City in 1987 with features
including live stage shows, spectacu‑
lar fireworks, food stalls. It is now
attended by hundreds of thousands
of people each year as the tradition
continues.”
She added, “At the behest of AIA,
the celebration of Diwali was started
in the White House in 2003 when
especially minted 1,000 commemora‑
tive silver coins were issued to mark
the occasion. The tradition contin‑
ues.”

Amjad Ali Khan pays homage to Gandhi at UN Day Concert

United Nations: Soulful music
from the strings of the sarod
reverberated in the iconic
General Assembly hall on
Wednesday as maestro Amjad Ali
Khan paid homage to Mahatma
Gandhi at an annual concert, with
UN chief Antonio Guterres calling
the event as an appropriate trib‑
ute to the Indian leader's legacy.
T he Permanent Mission of
India to the UN hosted the UN
Day Concert 2018, which fea‑
tured a performance by the sarod
maestro and his sons Amaan Ali
Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash
along with the Refugee Orchestra
Project conducted by Lidiya
Yankovskaya at the General
Assembly hall at the world body's
headquarters.
The concert's theme this year
was 'Traditions of Peace and
Non‑violence.'
Khan performed the 'Vaishnava
Janato', the 'Ram Dhun', a
Rabindra Sangeet and an
Assamese folk song with his sons.
"Amjad Ali Khan and the
Refugee Orchestra Project have
crossed boundaries and cultures
to enrich the societies where they
perform. They remind us – as our
Charter reminds us ‑‑ that our
diverse backgrounds are a cause
for celebration rather than divi‑
sion," Guterres said. "Earlier this
month, it was my deep personal
honor to visit the Raj Ghat memo‑
rial in India to pay my respects to
one of the worldʼs greatest lead‑
ers, Mahatma Gandhi," he said.
The theme of "peace and non‑
violence" is an appropriate trib‑
ute to his leg acy, he said.
"Everyone has the fundamental
human right to live in safety and
peace. Yet, around the world, far
too many suf fer from war, dis‑
crimination, and abuse," he said.
He thanked the Permanent
Mission of India for supporting
the concert.
"This represents a confluence
of musical traditions from the
East and from the West. T he
effort is to portray the world the
way it was meant to be not the
way the world as it is, unfortu‑
nately, today," Indiaʼs Permanent
Representative Syed Akbaruddin
said.
He cited Rabindranath Tagoreʼs
poem, "Heaven of Freedom" to
describe such a world that "has
not been broken up into frag‑
ments by narrow domestic walls".
India last hosted the UN Day
Concert in 1966 when the leg‑
endary M S Subbulakshmi per‑
formed in the General Assembly
and enthralled a world audience
with her soulful rendition of the
'Maithreem Bhajatha.'
Over the years, individual coun‑
tries have hosted UN Day
Concerts with performances by
renowned artists, musicians, and
troupes.
(PTI)

Peter Bheddah honored

at House of Lords
Peter Bheddah of New York receiv‑
ing the Pravasi Samman Bharat
Award as Outstanding
Philanthropist at the House of
Lords in London from Chairman
Lord Diljit Rana on October 26.
Lord Swaraj Paul, Lord Bilimoria
and Commissioner of Canada to
India Nadir Patel were among
many dignitaries who graced the Spreading Gandhiji's message of peace and nonviolence around the world:
awards function where whoʼs who To commemorate 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi,
of the Indian diaspora from the Dnyaneshwar Ramdas Yeotkar, a native of Wardha in Maharashtra, is on a
world over were honored in their "Vishwa Maitri Yatra" on a bicycle. He visited the Consulate recently and
respective fields by the NRI met with Shatrughna Sinha, Deputy Consul General (right). He was
Institute accompanied by Bakul Matalia and Arvind Vora from Shanti Fund.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Javed Akhtar headlines
Share & Care gala
Hackensack, NJ: On October 20,
more than 1,000 supporters
gathered at the Bergen County
Academies auditorium here for
Share & Careʼs 36th Annual Gala.
The theme of the event ̶
Educate a child. Enable a woman.
Empower a nation ‑‑ celebrated
the power of a single person to
enact great change.
The event titled “Main Koi Aisa
Geet Gaoon,” featured Padma
Bhushan Javed Akhtar, Hindi cin‑
emaʼs celebrated lyricist and
script writer.
He took attendees on a nostal‑
gic journey, narrating his lyrical
creativity from the 1980s to the
present. He was assisted by play‑
R E S U L T S
PRACTICE AREAS
Commercial Litigation
Construction
Corporate Compliance and Integrity Counsel
Corporate Law
Dispute Resolution
Employment and Employment Practices
Energy and Defense
Environmental Law
Government Contracts
Internal Investigations
Labor Law
Power Facilities Practice Group
Public-Private Partnerships
Real Estate Law
Securities Litigation Regulatory and Compliance
Surety
White Collar Criminal Defense
NEW YORK, NY
OAKLAND, CA
NATIONAL COMMUNITY
Bollywood
lyricist and
scriptwriter
Javed
Akhtar with
Congressman
Frank Pallone
and playback
singers Jahnvi
Srimankar and
Raman
Mahadevan.
back singers Jhanvi Shrimankar
and Raman Mahadevan, and a
troupe of musicians. They recre‑
ated memorable songs and
scenes from hit movies, and kept
the audience mesmerized for
four hours.
The successful event raised
more than $650,000 including
donations and pledges made in
the month leading up to the
event. The mission of Share and
Care Foundation is to create
opportunities for deserving, eco‑
nomically challenged women and
children of India by partnering
with communities, philanthro‑
pists and local charitable
organizations.
F I R S T
• RIVER EDGE, NJ
• CHICAGO, IL
W W W. P E C K L AW. C O M
November 3-9, 2018 9
The very idea of India is
under attack – Sam Pitroda
New Hyde Park, NY: “The Modi
governmentʼs actions are con‑
stantly undermining democratic
institutions, and the very idea of
India is under attack,” said Dr.
Sam Pitroda, Chairman of AICCʼs
Overseas Congress department.
He was addressing a leadership
conference of Indian Overseas
Congress (IOC) here earlier this
week. “Congress party always
stood for inclusiveness, and bot‑
tom‑up development and people
of India aspire for a country
where they could live in peace
and harmony,” he added.
Pitroda, called the father Indian
telecom revolution, told the gath‑
ering that the NRIs have always
played a significant role not only
Sam Pitroda, chair of Congress partyʼs overseas wing,
during the freedom struggle but
speaking at a get‑together in New York.
also contributing to its develop‑
ment. He cautioned that this is that Rahul Ganhdi was making ing momentum. Mohinder Singh
not the time to relax and a criti‑ astounding progress in reaching Gilzian, President of IOC, was
cal election is only a few months out and establishing a dialogue instrumental in organizing the
away. with all Indians disgruntled with event which was hosted by Ravi
He urged everyone to he lp the Modi regime. Chopra, Chairman of the Finance
develop IOC as a powerful voice In his remarks, Harbachan Committee.
representing the NRIs in defense Singh, Secretary‑General of IOC, IOC Vice Chairman George
of freedom, demo cracy, and said that the Congress wave was Abraham thanked the delegates
equal justice. Pitroda assured powerful in India and was gain‑ for their continuing efforts.
S M
Rashmee Sinha, Esq.
Peckar & Abramson, P.C.
70 Grand Avenue
River Edge, NJ 07661
Tel +1 201 343 3434
Fax +1 201 343 6306
rsinha@pecklaw.com
www.pecklaw.com
• MIAMI, FL • WASHINGTON, D.C. • LOS ANGELES, CA
• AUSTIN, TX • DALLAS, TX • HOUSTON, TX
10 November 3-9, 2018
Venkat Srinivasan launches VC firm
for AI startups with $100 Million
Boston: Serial entrepreneur
Venkat Srinivasan has launched
a new venture capital firm,
Innospark Ventures, with $100
million for AI‑driven startups
and ventures primarily in early‑
stage companies in life sciences,
business services, education and
cybersecurity.
The fund hopes to provide cap‑
ital and support at all stages of
the innovation and entrepre‑
neurship lifecycle, the company
said in a statement.
Srinivasan, who is the Founder
and Manag ing Director of
Boston‑based Innospark, has
been a successful entrepreneur
for most of his career. He brings
deep expertise in AI and compu‑
tational algorithms, especially
computational linguistics, combined with not many companies that currently apply
deep functional knowledge in multiple AI successfully in production, he said in a
domains including finance and account‑ statement.
ing.
He has founded several successful AI‑ early innings and we are likely to see
led startups, including eCredit, which he new architectures emerge for AI which
sold to Internet Capital Group. Most will address the challenges of trans‑
recently, he sold enterprise artificial parency, context, causality, and noisy
intelligence platform RAGE Frameworks data,” said Srinivasan. “The Innospark
to Genpact Limited.
Although a large number of companies opportunities for startups to play a role
are exploring AI technology, there are in shaping the ecosystem of tomorrow.”
Tech giant Infosys
Ltd. wins trademark
case against NY firm
New York: India‑based infor‑
mation technology giant
Infosys Ltd. has won a federal
trademark infringement law‑
suit against Plainview, N.Y.‑
based information technology
firm Infosys International Inc.,
requiring the local company to
change its name.
Newsday reports that
Bangalore‑based Infosys, which
has nearly $11 billion in annu‑
al revenue, filed suit in April
2017 against the Long Island‑
based firm, which has operated
under that name for 28 years.
The Indian company argued
in U.S. District Court in Central
Islip that the local firmʼs name
“has caused actual consumer
confusion” and that the Indian
company has been “damaged
and will continue to be
irreparably harmed unless the
conduct at issue is enjoined,”
according to the report.
Publicly traded Infosys Ltd.
was Indiaʼs 20th largest com‑
pany based on 2017 revenue,
the report said, citing the
Economic Times of India.
NATIONAL COMMUNITY
Serial entrepreneur Venkat Srinivasan
(Image : youtube.com)
“The current wave of AI is still in its
team believes this creates enormous
Privately owned Infosys
International, an information
technology consultancy in New
York, had an estimated 65
employees and estimated
annual revenue of $8.5 million
as of July 2018, according to a
Dun & Bradstreet Inc. report,
the publication said.
The Indian Infosys, which
offers information technology
products and services, has
operated under its name in the
United States since 1981,
according to court filings,
Newsday said.
The company that would
eventually become the local
Infosys was founded in
Commack in 1986 by Raj
Mehta, who is the companyʼs
chief executive, it said.
“Weʼll be changing our name,
hopefully soon,” Mehta said in
the report.
A new name has not been
chosen yet, but the company is
"still in the process" on decid‑
ing on a new name, he said in
the report, adding, "We do have
a few months."
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Chai + emojis = Chaimojis
Brooke Bond Red Label brings the warmth of a cup of chai
to all your conversations with the newly launched FREE
emoji sticker keyboard/sticker pack.
F
or Americans, coffee means Red Label Chaimojis!
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Indian dentist becomes president
of American Dental Association
New York: Dr Chad P Gehani has President‑Elect and will automati‑
been elected as the president of the
American Dental Association (ADA).
cally ascend to be President of the
ADA at the close of itʼs House of
He is the first person of Indian ori‑ Delegates meeting in San Francisco
gin to be appointed to the position. in October 2019.
482 delegates of the American During the course of his cam‑
Dental Association voted for Dr. paign, Dr. Gehani made over 20
Gehani on October 22, 2018, in tireless visits to multiple states
Honolulu, Hawaii. around the country and spoke to
ADA is a leading advocate of den‑ scores of ADA delegates relentless‑
tistry in America setting standards ly understanding their needs and
of care and policies to protect the the needs of the profession in the
public, to protect the profession United States at this time. He then
and provide advocacy for “things came up with specific solutions to
that matter” to the dentists. Dr. issues that he had studied for over
Dr Chad P Gehani
Chad P. Gehani is now officially a year.
Town hall at Maryland's Sri Siva Vishnu Temple
helps raise awareness on domestic violence
Lanham, MD: Marking Domestic South Asian populations. Speakers other members of the family and
Violence Awareness Month, the Sri shared their stories of survival from community, who either act as
Siva Vishnu Temple hosted a town domestic and gender‑based violence bystanders or intervenors.
hall on what religious centers and situations and called on religious Indo‑Caribbean Hindu activist
other sacred spaces can do to com‑ organizations to do more to provide Aminta Kilawan‑Narine shared her
bat domestic violence and other spaces for survivors and their fami‑ experiences of being a survivor, not‑
forms of violence. lies. According to Dr. Revathi ing that it was difficult for her to
The town hall, hosted by the Vikram, president of ASHA, domestic escape dating violence because dat‑
SSVT's Center for Dharma Education, violence in South Asian communities ing itself was viewed as taboo. She
was organized to draw attention to is multi‑layered, because it involves was finally able to escape and says
domestic violence, and why it has more than just the victim and perpe‑ she hopes institutions like the SSVT
been a taboo issue for the Hindu trator. She said domestic violence can take the lead in providing spaces
American community and other often involves in‑laws, children, and for survivors.
 12 November 3-9, 2018 US AFFAIRS TheSouthAsianTimes.info

A WEEK OF TURMOIL AND TRAGEDY

11 killed in synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh
Washington: At least 11 people
were killed and six others were
injured after a gunman opened fire
Saturday morning inside a syna‑
gogue in Pittsburgh, US state of
Pennsylvania, a city official said.
T he six injured include four
police of ficers. T he shoot ing
o ccurred at the Tree of Life
Cong reg at ion in Pittsburg h's
Squirrel Hill neighborhood.
Police said the gunman, a heavy‑
set white male with a beard named
Robert D. Bowers, surrendered and
is in custody.
Bowers' social media posts were
reportedly rife with anti‑Semitic
content. Police sources told local
CBS af filiate KDKA that the gun‑
man opened fire while yelling "all
Jews must die."
T he suspect was armed with
what appeared to be an assault
rifle and at least three handguns.
Investigators believe the gunman
was act ing alone but his full
motive still isn't known, said Bob
the city's Jewish community.
TRUMP VISITED PITTSBURGH AMID PROTESTS President Donald Trump and
First Lady Melania Trump traveled
to Pittsburgh and visited the site of
the anti‑Semitic attack, while hun‑
dreds of protesters denounced the
president's seeming reluctance to
frankly and clearly condemn white
supremacism.
Accompanying the first couple to
the synagogue were Trump's
daughter Ivanka and her husband
Jared Kushner, who are Jewish.
Trump and his family members
spent about 20 minutes inside and
outside the synagogue, where they
spoke with a rabbi and placed a
white rose and a small stone ‑‑ a
Jewish tradition ‑‑ on each of the
Stars of David set up outside the
temple in memory of the massacre
Jones, the special agent in charge with the FBI. victims. Afterwards, the Trump
of the FBI's office in Pittsburgh. The shooting will be prosecuted family went to the University of
Jones said the scene of as a hate crime and the FBI is lead‑ Pittsburgh hospital, where they
Saturday's shooting at the syna‑ ing the investigation. Squirrel Hill, spoke with some of the people
gogue was "the most horrific crime about 10 minutes drive from wounded in the shooting, including
scene" he has seen" in 22 years downtown Pittsburgh, is the hub of several law enforcement officers.
Meanwhile, hundreds of people
gathered at two sites to protest the
Trumps' visit to the city and their
angry shouts and chants could be
heard in the vicinity of the syna‑
gogue when the president was
there.
The demonstrators carried signs
bearing messages such as
"President Hate, leave our state"
and "Words matter," referring to
what they consider to be Trump's
tacit support for white suprema‑
cists like the man accused of com‑
mitting the massacre.
More than 70,000 people nation‑
wide on Tuesday signed a petition
published on the Internet asking
Trump not to come to Pittsburgh
until he "fully denounce(s) white
nationalism."
In the wake of the massacre,
Trump has blamed the media ‑‑
rather than his own strident rheto‑
ric on Twitter and at campaign ral‑
lies ‑‑ for the country's
divisiveness.

Bombs in Dems mail: Trump interviews Neomi

Rao to replace Kavanaugh
How FBI tracked the suspect in DC Circuit Court
Washington: In the hours before his arrest, as federal
authorities zeroed in and secretly accumulated evi‑ Washington DC: President Donald
dence, Cesar Sayoc was in his element: spinning clas‑ Trump has interviewed Indian‑
sic and Top 40 hits in a nightclub where he'd found American Neomi Jehangir Rao to
work as a DJ. replace Supreme Court Justice Brett
Sayoc could not have known that investigators that Kavanaugh in the powerful federal
very evening were capitalizing on his own mistakes appeals court, according to a report.
to build a case against him. He almost certainly had Rao is currently administrator of
no idea that lab technicians had linked DNA on two the Office of Information and
pipe bomb packages he was accused of sending to Regulatory Affairs, and was recom‑
prominent Democrats to a sample previously collect‑ mended for the judgeship on the DC
ed by Florida state authorities. Or that a fingerprint Circuit Court by former White
Currently Trumpʼs regulatory
match had turned up on a separate mailing that House counsel Don McGahn, Axios
czar, Neomi Jehangir Rao has
authorities say he sent. reported Sunday. The website said
served in all three branches of
Investigators scouring his social media accounts Trump was interested in her so that
the federal government.
had already found the same spelling mistakes on his he could appoint a minority woman
online posts "Hilary" Clinton, Debbie Wasserman to Kavanaugh's old job. Axios that Rao did not leave Trump
"Shultz" as on the mailings he'd soon be charged with Cesar Sayoc, former stripper with a Rao, a former clerk for conserva‑ with a good first impression, anoth‑
sending. criminal record, has attended a tive Supreme Court Justice Clarence er said the president had not ruled
In the end, prosecutors who charged Sayoc with few of Trumpʼs MAGA rallies. Thomas, was confirmed by the her out of contention.
five federal crimes last Friday say the fervent sup‑ Senate with a 54‑41 vote in July Rao has previously served in all
for Clinton and Obama and after that to CNN, former
porter of President Donald Trump unwittingly left 2017 to and became a kind of regu‑ three branches of the federal gov‑
Attorney General Eric Holder, former Vice President
behind a wealth of clues, affording them a critical latory czar of the Trump adminis‑ ernment. She was Associate Counsel
Joe Biden and Indian American Senator Kamala
break in a coast‑to‑coast investigation into pipe bomb tration. to President George W Bush; coun‑
Harris.
mailings that spread fear of election‑season violence. Before being sworn in as the sel for nominations and constitu‑
Each additional delivery created more unease. The
The bubble‑wrapped manila envelopes, addressed Supreme Court Judge, Kavanaugh, tional law to the US Senate
breakthrough came in the form of a fingerprint and
to Democrat leaders and critics of Trump such as whose confirmation process was Committee on the Judiciary; and
DNA left on a package sent to Rep. Maxine Waters, a
Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton and intercepted marred by sexual misconduct alle‑ law clerk to Justice Clarence
California Democrat, and DNA on a piece of pipe
from Delaware to California, held vital forensic evi‑ gations, was a judge at the United Thomas. She practiced public inter‑
bomb intended for Obama.
dence that investigators say they leveraged to arrest States Court of Appeals for the national law and arbitration at
The clues led them to a 56‑year‑old man with a
Sayoc four days after the investigation started. District of Columbia Circuit. Clifford Chance LLP in London and
long criminal history who'd previously filed for bank‑
The first package had arrived on Monday: a pipe For the position fallen vacant has a JD degree from the University
ruptcy and appeared to be living in his van, shower‑
bomb delivered via mail to an estate in Bedford, NY, Trump is reported to be interview‑ of Chicago. Last December, Trump
ing on the beach or at a local fitness center. An ama‑
belonging to billionaire liberal activist George Soros. ing several individuals. praised her contribution in cutting
teur body builder and former stripper, social media
That same day, Sayoc retweeted a post saying, "The Sree Srinivasan is another Indian‑ down regulations. Rao was born to
accounts are peppered with memes supporting
world is waking up to the horrors of George Soros." American on this prestigious US two Parsi physicians from India and
Trump and posts vilifying Democrats.
Additional packages followed, delivered the next day federal court. While one source told grew up in Michigan.
When arrested, he knew he was done.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info DIWALI SPECIAL November 3-9, 2018
 14 November 3-9, 2018 US AFFAIRS TheSouthAsianTimes.info

ʻHindu Americans, Trump targets ending

voting is both civic duty birthright citizenship
Washington: President Donald Trump con‑ "It was always told to me that you need‑

and our dharmaʼ firmed on Tuesday that he is planning to ed a constitutional amendment. Guess
put an end to what he called the "ridicu‑ what? You don't," Trump said, adding that
lous" law that grants citizenship to all chil‑ "You can definitely do it with an Act of
Washington: Hindu
Americans make up a With this year’s election day dren born in US territory. Congress. But now they're saying I can do
small percent of the (Nov 6) almost coinciding with “We're the only country in the world it just with an executive order." T he
overall population of
Diwali, voting takes on a dual where a person comes in and has a baby, President provided no details about that
the United States ̶ one
dharmic tone, Hindu American and the baby is essentially a citizen proposition, saying only that he
Foundation (HAF) said in a mes- of the US... with all of those had discussed the matter with
percent by some esti‑
sage to The South Asian Times. benefits," Trump said his legal advisers in
mates. And though the
The nonpartisan HAF, running in an interview with the White House.
Hindu American com‑
#DharmaVotes campaign in the the online daily Axios, T he Democratic
munity as a whole is
Indian media, lists some issues reports Efe. Trump did National Committee
one of the most pros‑
of concern to Hindu not mention the fact criticized Trump's pro‑
perous minority com‑ Americans - civil rights,
munities, and is rising that more than two posal as "obviously
immigration, education dozen other countries, unconstitutional." "His
to proportional repre‑ and foreign policy.
sentation at the federal including Mexico and intent is clear: To
level, if we want to have Canada, also have sim‑ incite fear, divide our
continued success we ilar laws authorizing nation, and make vul‑
must not rest on our citizenship for anyone nerable communities feel
laurels. We must do our found in the stories of Diwali #DharmaVotes isnʼt about born in their territory. unsafe," DNC spokesman
civic duty and vote. Itʼs our and their emphasis on duty. As which candidate any individual "It's ridiculous. It's Daniel Wessel said in
dharma. Itʼs shocking that a king, Lord Ramaʼs duty votes for ̶ though there are ridiculous. And it has The text of the 14th Amendment in a statement, adding
to end," he added. 1868 states, "All persons born or nat‑ "If you want leaders
large portion of registered vot‑ entailed having to make many certainly many issues of con‑ uralized in the United States, and
ers, across all communities, personal sacrifices for his peo‑ cern to Hindu Americans right During the 2016 who will unite our
subject to the jurisdiction thereof,
fail to do. In fact, the majority ple. As citizens of a democracy, now ‑ civil rights, immigration, e lection campaign, country instead of
are citizens of the United States and
Trump had explored
of voters actually failed to vote our duty entails making sacri‑ education, foreign policy, to of the State wherein they reside." divide it, you must
in 2016. More people chose fices too ̶ we must prioritize name a few. this idea, although vote on November 6."
not to vote than cast ballots for voting amidst numerous com‑ Rather, DharmaVotes is experts say that he will face significant Trump's plan would be directed against
either Donald Trump or Hillary peting community and family about reminding Hindu obstacles and unleash a prolonged legal the US‑born children of illegal immigrants
Clinton. This isnʼt the way to celebrations. T hat this is a Americans that fully participat‑ battle if he tries to implement it since and would not affect people with legal res‑
have a functioning, representa‑ midterm election, and even if ing in society requires partici‑ birthright citizenship is an explicit part of idence.
tional democracy. in your particular area it may pating in the civic process that the Constitution. The escalation of the president's anti‑
With this yearʼs election day not seem like much is at stake, elects our representatives to T he 14th Amendment to the immigrant rhetoric comes during the final
coinciding with the five days of voting becomes no less of a government. If we want to Constitution states: "All persons born or stretch of the election campaign for the
Diwali, voting takes on a dual duty. If you donʼt vote, you have our voices heard, we need naturalized in the US and subject to the November 6 midterm vote in which
dharmic tone. We can recount ef fectively silence your own to express them at the voting jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the US Republicans are seeking to maintain their
the teachings about dharma voice in our political process. booth. and of the state wherein they reside." majority in Congress.

TOLANIʼS COMPANY GIVING California

based Sunil
Tolani, CEO of

EMPLOYEES PAID TIME OFF TO VOTE Prince

Yorba Linda, CA: Politicians are
not the only ones encouraging
Americans to vote on November
6. Prince Organization, one of
the most honored businesses of
America, has offered in a letter to
team members up to two‑hour
paid leave to go out and vote in
the midterm election.
In a letter to his company, CEO
Sunil Tolani wrote that he
be lieves the vot ing pro cess
instills positive lessons about
responsibility, honor, equality,
justice, patriotism and leader‑
ship. It is about practicing good
citizenship, understanding and
appreciating our responsibility
for civic involvement and being
good stewards of the communi‑
ties.
Prince Organization's execu‑
tives are mapping out the closest
locations near the hotels it runs
and might also carpool the asso‑
ciates.
Tolani wrote to his employees,
"You are the future of this coun‑
try and continue to practice kind‑
ness, compassion and respect for
Organization,
a sprawling
others while building bridges of emony in the House of Commons hospitality
love and respect. No matter how in London, attended by represen‑ company, says
divided we might be as Red or tatives of the Indian government the idea is to
Blue, voting is your right and a and the Prime Minister. boost democ‑
shared experience, a process Tolani said that he is doing his racy. He even
took his sons
which everyone should fee l best “to continue to build Prince
to the polling
proud about as United Organization as a Gibraltar of a
booth in 2016
Americans." successful and respected busi‑ to instill in
Tolani relates that he has been ness, being recognized as an them the
able to instil the importance of institution that reflects kindness importance of
voting in his two young sons, and spreads love.” voting.
Krish & Aryan, when in 2016
election, he and his wife Neelam
took them to the polling booth.
"As a first‑generation American
voting has always been a big deal
for me. I felt proud and patriotic,"
he said.
Honored by
NRI Society
Tolani has also been recently
conferred the Nelson Mandela
Leadership Award by the NRI
We lfare So ciety. T he annual
award is given to accomplished
NRIs for their humanitarian
work, contributions and business
achievements. It is given in a cer‑
TheSouthAsianTimes.info OP-ED November 3-9, 2018 15

Birth citizenship is embedded in our Constitution

By Ravi Batra Nicholas Cage in ʻNational Treasureʼ despite their personal flaws and well
In reliance and support of scholarly movie, Judge Kuntz said: “I too documented limitations, knew that

P
resident Trump ‑‑ who I
voted for in 2016 as the
American Dream had either
died or become unrealizable for too
many of my fellow Americans on the
altar of “g lobalization” beyond
Ricardoʼs Comparative Advantage
principle in an analogue society that
drives commerce, as digitalization
has robbed jobs and Ricardo of geo‑
graphic distance ‑‑ has recently con‑
fused the midterm electioneering
with his threat of ending Birth
Citizenship by Executive Order.
While we are a presidential system
of government, we are exceptional
because of Separated Powers that
are untouched and un‑trampled by
presidential actions.
While I am against porous borders
and sanctuary cities, I am all for our
cherished Constitution, and having
taken an Oath to defend and protect
the Constitution from enemies for‑
eign & domestic, I reach back to
scholarly remarks made in 2011 by
a real legal scholar ‑ whose views
have the power of law ‑ now‑EDNY
Federal District Judge Dr. William F.
Kuntz II. T hen distinguished
Attorney‑Bill Kuntz, as Keynote
speaker celebrating Black History
Month convened by NYS Of fice of
Court Administration ‑ explains why
Birth Citizenship is embedded in our
Constitution, and free of low‑
wattage Presidential Executive
Action. We are a nation of laws, not
remarks of Now‐EDNY Federal District
Judge Dr. William F. Kuntz II on 2/24/11.
men or women running for of fice
and engaging in sexy mass electoral
dating that is repugnant to our high‑
est law: our Constitution. Without
protecting our Constitution, there
can be no “Justice for all.” A pdf file
of Judge Kuntzʼs complete remarks
is available on www.the‑
southasiantimes.com.
I quote gingerly from the original:
“The Real Debate Between Lincoln
and Douglassʼ starts with Professor
Lino O. Gragliaʼs article [14 Texas
Law Review of Law and Politics, pp
1‑14] and his Question: ʻWhy did the
14th Amendment to the
Constitution, written in 1866 and
ratified in 1868 provide birthright
citizenship.ʼ As he put it, ʻhow, then,
should the jurisdiction requirement
of the citizenship Clause be inter‑
preted in regard to that question?
Like any writing, or at least any law,
it should be interpreted to mean
what it was intended or understood
to mean by those who adopted it –
the ratifiers of the 14th Amendment.
They could not have considered the
question of granting birthright
Citizenship to the children of illegal
aliens because, for one thing, there
were no illegal aliens in 1868, when
the Amendment was ratified,
because there were no restrictions
on immigrationʼ
“I found that hard to believe. And
so I personally reviewed the histori‑
cal Record, and indeed, at first con‑
cluded that they were, in fact, cor‑
rect: No statutes enacted prior to
1868 restricted immigration to our
country. “My ef forts to solve this
mystery, to understand why the
14th Amendment contains that
birthright language led me to the
heart of my remarks this evening: to
what I refer to as the real Lincoln‑
Douglass debates: Not the ones
between the little judge named
Stephen A. Douglass and the tall,
laconic lawyer from Illinois named
Abraham Lincoln... No I want to dis‑
cuss the infinitely more subtle but
ultimately vastly more important
debate between Frederick Douglass
and President Lincoln on the ques‑
tion of the Unity of Freedom. And In
our analysis of that debate comes
the answer to the question posed by
the Professor and Mr. Will: Why the
14th Amendment provides unquali‑
fied citizenship to all born here
when illegal immigration had not
been the subject of a single statute
between 1776 and end of the civil
war.”
Then taking a page from actor
found a treasure ‑‑ not buried gold ‑
but accessible text: the Declaration
pointed me to the US Constitution,
and, moreover, I found in the
Constitution particular clauses,
clauses not often thought of as
enhancing freedom but limiting it,
clauses that provide the answer to
the question raised by Mr. Will and
the Professor.
“Our starting point turned out to
be Article I, Section 2 of the
Constitution which provides that
"representatives and direct taxes
shall be apportioned among the sev‑
eral states which may be included
within this union, according to their
respective numbers, which shall be
determined by adding to the whole
number of free persons, including
those bound to service for a term of
years, and excluding Indians not
taxed, three fifths of all other per‑
sons. ...
“I next considered Article 1,
Section 9 of the Constitution: The
provision that provides, ʻthe migra‑
tion or importation of such persons
as any of the states now existing
shall think proper to admit, shall not
be prohibited by the Congress prior
to the year 1808, but a tax or duty
may be imposed on such importa‑
tion, not exceeding $10 for each
such person.ʼ
“What led to such extraordinary
provisions? Well, the historical
Record reveals that the Founders,
all people were created equal, that
men and women were in fact creat‑
ed equal, and that as such they were
all to be covered by and over time
protected under our Constitution.
They knew from their experiences
with the British Imperial Crown, that
the power to tax was the power to
destroy. For them, limiting the
power of the south by limiting the
representational count of those
other persons, the portion of the
nation that did not fully empower
human beings with full rights result‑
ed in that odious 3/5ths provision. ...
“The Founders did it because the
impetus, the power of the American
call to freedom could not and would
not countenance an express protec‑
tion of slavery. In fact the
Constitution provided the express
mechanism for its extinction, for
future generations to kill it by taxa‑
tion after 1808 and by not extend‑
ing it to newly admitted states in
future generations. And so we come
to our heroes: Frederick Douglass
and Abraham Lincoln....”
Ravi Batra is
New York
based
eminent
attorney.
Contact:
ravibatralaw@aol.com

Will women & students come

By Shivaji Sengupta ists men out.
In this year's midterms thousands

M
idterm elections are on more women than in the past have

out to vote this mid-terms

November 6. Midterms are
held at the mid point of
every two presidential elections.
The president is not elected directly
by us; but all other types of elected
officials are: senators, Congress
members, governors and state
assembly members . All of these are
chosen for a particular duration
such as the senators for six years,
governors for four, and Reps for
two years. Thus, all elected repre‑
sentatives are not chosen in the
same year, but only when their
elected period is up.
This year, we do not choose a
president. ( That will happen in
2020). But we will elect many oth‑
ers. Currently, we have all three
branches of government ‑ the presi‑
dent, the Senate and the Congress ‑
under Republican control. President
Trump has had the ideal conditions
for governing the country by mak‑
ing new laws, appointing conserva‑
tive chief justices to the Supreme
Court and other courts. He even had
the majority of state governors from
his party. Yet, the Republicans will
be the first ones to tell you that they
couldn't pass anywhere near the
number of laws that they had hoped
to. The president, forever out of
touch with the common people's
economic situation, promised the
electorate the repeal of President
Obama's Af fordable Healthcare
Law. He promised radical changes
in immigration laws. All, based on
the far right's ideology whose vote
he needed to win. None of it hap‑
pened. Many people remain poor,
especially in the South. They real‑
ized the importance of Af fordable
Healthcare, especially as people
with pre‑existing conditions for the
first time in the country's history,
became eligible for health insur‑
ance; for the first time parents
could claim their children under
their health insurance until they
were 26. Once the American people
began to benefit from these laws,
many of them were not going to let
their elected representatives vote
Affordable Healthcare down, come
hail or high water. Immigration
laws turned out to be equally sensi‑
tive. Once again Trump beating his
chest fell on deaf years. Trump's
triple play at the 2016 elections
almost went in vain. I say almost
because the president was able to
pass his Income Tax law that made
the rich wealthy, and the wealthy,
richer. So now in 2018, the
Democrats are looking forward to
restoring some electoral parity. If
the polls are to be believed (remem‑
ber 2016?) the Democrats are
expected to win back the House,
and continue to be a minority in the
Senate. A year ago, the pundits were
chanting a dif ferent sloka:
Democrats would win the Senate
and lose the House of Congress. Six
months ago they were predicting
both Congress and the Senate to go
to Democrats. Now, a week before
November 6th, the polls are warn‑
ing of a Republican rally: they will
win the Senate for sure, even the
Congress is getting competitive by
the day!
I say, go out and vote. T he
Democrat in me wants the
Democratic Party win back the
House. I would want them to win
the Senate but that would be too
good of a thing. Unfortunately, a
split legislature may bring only
more stalemates in decision making.
The House would pass a law, only
for the Senate to strike it down.
Nothing would get done. A
Democratic legislature controlling
both the House and the Congress
would have at least performed
checks and balances on the presi‑
dent. The Mueller investigation
would have been allowed to be com‑
pleted. The presidential elections in
2020 would have been well fought
out and closer.
For all that to happen, we
Democrats need the votes.
But where are they? Two years
ago, on the president's inaugura‑
tion, hundreds of thousands of
women marched in protest through‑
out the country, promising to over‑
throw Mr. Trump in the next elec‑
tion. The #MeToo movement has
been warning not just Trump but
many male elected officials that
they would vote the male chauvin‑
promised to vote for the hundreds
of women on the ballot. But will
they come out and vote?
Just this February hundreds and
thousands of high school students
protested gun violence after a cold
blooded killing of 17 children and
adults by a teenaged gunman in
Marjory Stoneman High School in
Parkland, Florida. Students took out
their anger against the gun lobby
and warned elected officials that
they would be voted out if they did
not pass radical gun control laws.
"Remember November!" T hey
roared. By next month 4 million
high school children would be eligi‑
ble to vote, they reminded us.
But will they come out and vote?
Meanwhile, Trump passed the Tax
cut laws without a sing le
Democratic vote. And already I am
hearing appreciative words about
Trump and his party among middle
class women here in Long Island.
Grown up and growing old elected
officials are counting on the young
students to forget February and get
busy with finals, college applica‑
tions, Halloween and Thanksgiving
and abstain from voting.
I am still hopeful.

The views expressed in Op Eds are not necessarily those of The South Asian Times.
 16 November 3-9, 2018
Estranged democracies to engaged ones
The Consul General spoke on India-US relations as part of the Distinguished
Lecture series at Adelphi University, New York on October 25, 2018. Extracts:
By Sandeep
Chakravorty
T
he ties between India and
America are old as well as
new. And what is important
is that they have undergone
remarkable transformation in
recent years due to structural,
domestic and leadership factors.
How old are they? I am not even
talking of Columbus trying to find
a route to India or Hudson believ‑
ing the river would take him on a
Northwesterly route to India after
Barrents failed trying to find a
Northeasterly route. President
George Washington, on November
19, 1792, nominated Benjamin Joy
of New bury Port as the first
American Consul to Kolkata. Mr
Joy reached the City of Joy only in
April 1794. He was never recog‑
nized as Consul by the British East
India Company but was permitted
to and I quote “reside here as a
Commercial Agent subject to the
Civil and Criminal Jurisdiction of
this Country…”. Despite this rather
awkward start, Benjamin Joyʼs
arrival was the beginning of a long
American relationship with Kolkata
– and, indeed, with all of India.
Since then commenced traffic in
goods and ideas between India and
the US. We are aware of ice being
shipped from the US to India and
US merchants trading with India
and wealth generated from trade
with India financed many institu‑
tions in the US, most notably Yale
University. We are aware of the
influence of Indian philosophy on
the Thoreau, a Boston Brahmin. In
his work the ʻWaldenʼ there are
many references to the Bhagwad
Gita. And then there have been a
series of Indian cultural
Ambassadors to the US beginning
with Swami Vivekananda in 1893,
followed by Rabindranath Tagore
in the early 1900s, then Swami
Yogananda, Prabhupada, Mahesh
Yogi and many others who have
incredible impact on the American
psyche and instilled positive per‑
cept ion about India amongst
Americans. Similarly US technolog‑
ical and education prowess found
wide admiration in India.
The US was an ardent supporter
of Indiaʼs Freedom movement. The
exchanges that President Roosevelt
had with Winston Churchill on
British colonial methods and the
need to grant India independence
are famous. However, soon after
our independence the compulsions
of the Cold War generated distance
between us. It wasnʼt abrupt or
deep and there were many
INDIA-US RELATIONS TheSouthAsianTimes.info
episodes of cooperation particular‑ international architecture of tech‑ of minds and therefore room for
ly with US support to Indiaʼs food nology denial regimes such as the optimism.
security. We remember with grati‑ Nuclear Supply Group (NSG) The seeds of the dramatic turn‑
tude the contribution of US agron‑ among others specifically targeted around were laid by the dissolution
omist Dr Norman Borlaug who her‑ against India. Then came the NPT of the Soviet Union in the late
alded the green revolution in India which treated India as nuclear 1980s and India deciding to adopt
that moved India from food scarci‑ have‑not. market friendly policies in 1991.
ty to being food surplus within a Relations did not improve in the T his unleashed the economic
decade. US also supported India 80s with the Soviet intervention in potential of India and the US took
during the Chinese aggression of Afghanistan when the US took sup‑ notice as Indiaʼs rising economy
started to interest US corporates
and policy makers. However,
Pakistan continued to remain USʼ
preferred partner in South Asia.
Something was still lacking: leader‑
ship.
Then in 1998, Pokhran‑2 hap‑
pened, our second round of
nuclear tests. This created great
deal of convulsion in the relations
including imposition of sanctions.
However, from here like a phoenix
our relations were resurrected and
it really took flight. US realized
that they couldnʼt remain disen‑
gaged from nuclear India, a large
democracy as well as a big market,
and India also realized that it had
By the time Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a joint session to have the best of relations with
of US Congress on Capitol Hill in 2006, India has been designated as a the predominant world power. This
major defense partner by the United States. (Photo: PIB) unleashed a series of engagements
start ing w ith the pathfinding
Strobe Talbott‑Jaswant Singh dia‑
logue. And we had two leaders, Atal
Behari Vajpayee in India and Bill
Clinton in the US who were willing
to steward the relationship. And
since then the relations have bene‑
fitted by personal commitment at
the highest level across adminis‑
trat ions, Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh and President
George Bush and then w ith
President Obama, President Trump
and Prime Minister Narendra
Modi.
The Talbott‑Jaswant Singh diplo‑
macy laid the groundwork for the
transformational visit of President
Clinton to India in 2000 and
helped end 50 years of estrange‑
ment between the worldʼs two
India‑US relations were on the mend when President Bill Clinton and
largest democracies. And since
First Lady Hillary Clinton welcomed Prime Minister Atal Bihari
then the story is of multi‑dimen‑
Vajpayee to the White House in September 2000. (Photo : Reuters)
sional engagement.
1962 and there was cooperation port of Pakistan and India didnʼt In the late 90s, the Y2K problem
on Tibet among other episodes but criticize the Soviets. In essence, appeared. No other country had a
relations suffered particularly due during the Cold War, India was not large English speaking technically
to US and Westʼs preference for seen by the US as promoting US qualified manpower apart from
Pakistan in our neighborhood. This grand strategic goals, offered few India. So Indian engineers flocked
was amply demonstrated in the economic benefits, while posing no to the US adding a personal and
lack of appreciation in the US of threat either, therefore the rela‑ human angle to the relationship.
the Bangladesh genocide and then tions remained low key. Earlier diaspora and immigration
the war with Pakistan. India being Ambassador Dennis Kux in his flows were not significant. In the
non‑aligned also infuriated the US, 1994 book “Estranged decades of the 60s and 70s it grew
who couldnʼt figure out how a Democracies – India‑US relations by around 300 per decade whereas
demo crat ic country was not from 1941‑1991” neatly captured in the 2000s it grew by 300 a day.
expressly lined up ag ainst the essence of our t ies. So Indiaʼs stock started rising in
Communism. Matters deteriorated Nonetheless, optimistically speak‑ the US. The diaspora had become
after Indiaʼs nuclear tests in 1974 ing estrangement also means that about one and a half million and
when the US moved to put up an there was a marriage and meeting was beginning to be heard not only
in companies and in hospitals but
also on the Capitol Hill.
So the new India‑US relationship
started in the early 2000s. As for‑
mer US Ambassador to India, Rich
Verma says, the real relationship
which addresses the true potential
of both countries is only 18 years
old. Then came a most tragic event,
9/11. India had already known ter‑
rorism and its cross border dimen‑
sion but we were not able to con‑
vince the world. 9/11 changed all
that. We all became victims of ter‑
ror and we were on the same side. I
think the kind of understanding
and the bonding that this tragedy
created has been a very important
factor in bringing the two coun‑
tries together.
Since the early 2000s we havenʼt
looked back. During the course of
the decade the momentous 123
Agreement happened. The Nuclear
Deal ended Indiaʼs nuclear
apartheid but more importantly it
started the termination of the tech‑
nology denial regimes in place and
India gained access to high tech‑
nology from the West.
India is at a point when Prime
Minister Narendra Modi can stand
up in the joint address to the US
Congress as he did in 2016 and
say that the two countries have
overcome the hesitations of histo‑
ry.
"We are at a time when President
Trump can declare that the rela‑
tionship between India and US has
never been stronger, has never
been better; that we can be desig‑
nated as a major defense partner
by the United States; that we can
be actually conducting more mili‑
tary exercises with the United
States than with any other coun‑
try," he said.
We are at a time when we can be
proclaimed as the other Asia book‑
end of stability of the Indo‑Pacific.
India is now seen as a huge mar‑
ket; middle class will be half a bil‑
lion strong by 2025. India is as a
source of professionals as a source
of investment and so many other
things. And a Indian American
community which is now almost
four million strong is gett ing
stronger in political terms, besides
the economic terms.
Despite its all‑encompassing
nature, diversity and richness of
the ties, I think we are at the
moment only scratching the sur‑
face of the potential. Some chal‑
lenges are also there for good
measure. How we handle the
emerging trade issues, sanctions
on Russia and Iran will be the test
of the maturity of the relations.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info DIWALI SPECIAL November 3-9, 2018

Happy Diwali

Speak the language of togetherness

with the free Chaimojis keyboard.

www.chaimojis.com
 18 November 3-9, 2018 INDIA TheSouthAsianTimes.info

India now 77th in ease Autonomy for RBI vital:

Government
of doing business New Delhi: Facing criticism for invoking
a hitherto unused section to issue
New Delhi: India has
climbed 23 places in the instructions to the RBI, the government
World Bank's (WB) latest on Wednesday said that it respected the
Ease of Doing Business autonomy of the central bank but within
rankings in a near‑repeat of the framework of the RBI Act.
its performance last year "The autonomy for the central bank,
and now stands at 77 within the framework of the RBI Act, is
among 190 countries an essential and accepted governance
assessed by the multilateral requirement. Governments in India have
lender. nurtured and respected this," a brief
The World Bank's latest Finance Ministry statement said.
Doing Business Report The clarification comes amid reports
2019 showed that various that said the government has invoked whether the government actually used
measures undertaken by Section 7 of the RBI Act that empowers Section 7 for some of its issues with the
the government had helped Finance Minister Arun Jaitley (right) said some reforms were the government to consult the RBI central bank, Finance Minister Arun
India improve its rank in six not fully taken into account in this year's report. Governor and direct the RBI to act on Jaitley, too, refused to elaborate on the
out of the ten parameters, issues that it considers necessary in pub‑ issue later in the day during the release
he said. Jaitley added there Bank's report, India improved
helping it jump 23 places from were also some obvious its rank in six out of 10 indica‑ lic interest. of Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) rank‑
its rank of 100 in 2017. The parameters where India tors including those related to The Finance Ministry said that both the ing.
country had entered the top ranked low ‑‑ like enforcing construction permits, trading government and the Reserve Bank of "I would not say anything beyond the
100 last year with a bigger contracts where it ranked 163 across borders, starting a busi‑ India (RBI) have to be guided by public statement we gave out today. In the
jump of 30 places. interest and the requirements of the statement, it is said that there are com‑
and starting a business where ness, getting credit, getting
Finance Minister Arun it ranked 137 ‑‑ and where electricity and enforcing con‑ Indian economy, for which extensive con‑ munications between the government
Jaitley said some reforms of there was scope for improve‑ tracts. sultations take place between them. and the central bank and there are layers
the government were not fully ment. "Ranking among the top "The government never makes public of consultation. At what level, how it hap‑
However, the most dramatic
taken into account in this 50 countries is no longer out improvements were registered the subject matter of those consultations. pened and of what nature, it's never
year's report, which means of reach and if there is focused in indicators related to con‑ Only the final decisions taken are com‑ made public in history. You have the
there would be further improvement in the obvious struction permits and trading municated. right to know the decisions (when they
improvement next year. "The government, through these con‑ are taken)," he said.
areas, then there might be pos‑ across borders.
"For example, the impact of sibility to even revise the top‑ sultations, places its assessment on Former Finance Minister P.
Union Commerce Minister
the Goods and Services Tax is 50 target" set by Prime Suresh Prabhu said it was an issues and suggests possible solutions. Chidambaram said the invocation of the
not taken fully into account as Minister Narendra Mo di, excellent news not only for the The government will continue to do so," section suggests the economy was in a
they have taken the cut‑of f Jaitley told a press conference business community but for the Ministry said. bad shape and the government was try‑
date of December 31 (2017)," here. According to the World the whole nation. While the statement was silent on ing to hide it.

Isha Ambani, Anand Piramal SC wants pricing, offset partner

to wed on December 12
Mumbai: Isha Ambani and Anand
Piramal ‑‑ both scions of the
Ambani and Piramal business
families ‑‑ will get married in
Mumbai on December 12.
"We are delighted to share that
the marriage of Isha Ambani and
Anand Piramal will take place in
the residence of Mukesh Ambani
and Nita Ambani in Mumbai with
family members and close friends
on 12th December, 2018. The cer‑
emonies will be performed in
accordance with Indian traditions,
customs and culture," said a state‑
ment from the parents.
During the weekend prior to the
wedding, the Ambani and Piramal
families will host their friends and
family in Udaipur, where they are
partnering with artisans and
craftsmen to integrate local cul‑
ture and traditions into the festivi‑
ties.
Both families sought the bless‑
ings and good wishes of everyone
for Isha and Anand as they start
their journey of togetherness, said
the parents Mukesh and Nita
Ambani and Ajay and Swati
Piramal.
The twin sister of Akash Ambani
and sister of Anant, Isha is on the
Isha Ambani with
Anand Piramal.
Boards of Re liance Jio and
Re liance Retail. She holds a
Bachelor's Degree in Psychology
and South Asian Studies from Yale
University and is a master in
Business Administration program
from the Graduate School of
Business, Stanford.
Anand and Isha have been long‑
time friends and both the families
have known each other for over
four decades.
The son of corporate magnates
Ajay and Swati Piramal with var‑
ied business interests, Anand had
also launched Piramal Swasthya, a
rural healthcare initiative that
treats 40,000 patients a day.
details of Rafale deal
New Delhi: The Supreme Court has
sought more information from the
government on the Rafale jet deal,
including details of its pricing and
deemed advantages.
"The court would also like to be
apprised of the details with regard to
the pricing/cost, particularly, the
advantage thereof, if any, which
again will be submitted to the court
in a sealed cover," the bench of Chief
Justice Ranjan Gogoi, Justice Uday
Umesh Lalit and Justice K.M. Joseph
said.
While the Congress termed the
Supreme Court's move "extremely
critical", Aam Aadmi Party said it "is
a big shock" to the Modi govern‑
ment.
The court told the Center that it
should state in an affidavit the "diffi‑
Youth Congress activists stage a demonstration against alleged
culty" in sharing the information on
scam in Rafale fighter jet deal, in Bengaluru. (Photo: IANS)
pricing, after Attorney General K.K.
Venugopal said it might not be possi‑ However, the court clarified that "We also make it clear that the steps
ble to disclose the cost. details which the government may, in the decision making process that
Besides pricing, the court said, the at this stage, consider to be "strategic we would like to be apprised of
further details that could "legitimate‑ and confidential" be submitted to the would not cover the issue of pricing."
ly come in the public domain with court without sharing it with the Former Finance Minister Yashwant
regard to the induction of the Indian counsel for the petitioners. Sinha, former Minister and rebel BJP
of fset partner (if any) be also fur‑ The order asking the government leader Arun Shourie and Prashant
nished to the...counsels for the par‑ to disclose the pricing of Rafale deal Bhushan had on October 4 made a
ties, as well as the petitioners in per‑ is significant, as in its October 10 complaint seeking registration of FIR
son." order, the court had specifically said: and probe into the Rafale deal.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info DIWALI SPECIAL November 3-9, 2018
 20 November 3-9, 2018
The 'New India'
we seek
By Shashi Tharoor
T
he New India I want is a
country where you won't get
lynched for the food you eat,
marginalized for the faith you hold
dear, criminalized for the person
you love and imprisoned for making
use of fundamental rights guaran‑
teed by your own Constitution.
Instead, we must look forward to
a New India that celebrates and
welcomes pluralism, an idea vindi‑
cated by history itself. To me, this
New India must be fundamentally
rooted in the idea of India that our
founding fathers believed in. After
all, as I've asked in a different con‑
text, if you don't know where you
are coming from, then how can you
know where you are going?
This nebulous ʻIdea of India' ‑‑
though the phrase is Rabindranath
Tagore's ‑‑ is, in some form or
another, arguably as old as antiqui‑
ty itself. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru
saw our country as an ʻancient
palimpsest' on which successive
rulers and subjects had inscribed
their visions without erasing what
had been asserted previously.
We not only coexist, but thrive in
our diversity which is our strength.
Swami Vivekananda spoke of a
Hinduism that not merely tolerates
other faiths but accepts them as
they are. This acceptance of differ‑
ence has been key to our country's
survival, making ʻunity in diversity'
the most hallowed of independent
India's self‑defining slogans.
India, as I have long argued, has
always been more than the sum of
its contradictions. I write in the
introduction about the Indian idea,
which is that a nation may endure
differences of caste, creed, colour,
conviction, culture, cuisine, costume
and custom, and still rally around a
consensus. And that consensus is
around the simple idea that in a
democracy you don't really need to
agree ‑‑ except on the ground rules
of how you will disagree. It is the
idea of an ever‑ever land ‑‑ emerg‑
ing from an ancient civilization,
united by a shared history, sus‑
tained by pluralist
democracy....
For New India to succeed and
indeed thrive, it will have to
embrace this inclusive vision and
draw its inspiration from the key
tenets of the core ʻIdea of India'.
Only by maintaining a commit‑
ment towards a democratic and plu‑
ralistic ethos can New India be able
to fulfill the aspirations of all
Indians. Interestingly, the need for
our government to preside over a
harmonious plural
society springs not
just from the core
values of our coun‑
try and need
for insaniyat (or
humanity),
to use Mr
Vajpayee's phrase, to guide our
leaders' actions, but also from good
old‑fashioned economics.
An eye‑opening report, first pub‑
lished on Indiaspend.org, a public
interest NGO, pointed out that ʻif
India discards religious beliefs that
perpetrate caste and gender
inequalities it could more than dou‑
ble its per capita GDP growth of the
last sixty years in half the time.'
Did someone say, ʻsabka saath
sabka vikas'?
At the same time, we must also be
conscious that preserving our ideo‑
logical commitment to pluralism,
acceptance and the freedom provid‑
ed by our democratic systems is
only one‑half of the battle.
Providing a decent standard of liv‑
ing to the people of India, particu‑
larly those from economically vul‑
nerable groups, is the second com‑
mitment that we must undertake in
our blueprint for a New India.
Our inclusive vision of New India
must be complemented by inclusive
development as we move forward.
We can talk of a New India, and yet,
many of the battles India has been
fighting ‑‑ and must continue to
fight ‑‑ continue to centre around
our principal basic problems of roti,
kapda, makaan and now, sadak, bijli
and paani, plus no doubt broadband
(to most people in our mobile phone
age, 4G is more important than
Modi‑ji).
The prestigious Forbes magazine
list of the world's top billionaires
had to make room for 119 Indian
dollar billionaires in 2018, with a
combined net worth of $440 billion,
greater than the GDP of a majority
of member states of the United
Nations. But at the same time we
have 363 million people living
below the poverty line. And it's not
INDIA TheSouthAsianTimes.info
An extract from Congress MP Shashi Tharoor's new book.
the UN/World Bank's poverty line of our youth, who are struggling to and to aspire to work a job that will
$1 a day, now revised to $1.25, but find jobs, and by our poorest, for give them opportunities in their
the Indian poverty line, which in the whom true development would be lives to transform themselves. We
rural areas is Rs 32 a day ‑‑ in other life changing... have to tackle and end corruption.
words, a line that's been drawn just You can choose a New India that We need to conquer these chal‑
this side of the funeral pyre. This is embodies hope, or one that pro‑ lenges, real challenges which none
our reality and this is what our motes fear. You can support a New of us in India can pretend don't
blueprint for a New India must India united in striving, or an India exist. But it must take place in an
address ‑‑ creatively, quickly, and divided by hatred. open society, in a rich and diverse
securely. I believe we can look forward to a and plural civilization, one that is
New India must be built on the New India with confidence, if not open to the contention of ideas and
liberalization we embarked upon in with optimism. But we must build interests within it, unafraid of the
1991. Economic growth remains this New India on solutions to our prowess or the products of the out‑
vital to pulling people out of pover‑ major challenges. side world, wedded to the democrat‑
ty. We have to overcome our poverty. ic pluralism that is India's greatest
But the fruits of that growth ‑‑ the We have to deal with the hardware strength, and determined to liberate
revenues that come from it ‑‑ must of development, the ports, the and fulfil the creative energies of its
be shared with those who are roads, the airports, all the infra‑ people.
excluded from its benefits. The structural progress we need to We must remain faithful to our
magic of the market will not appeal make, and the software of develop‑ founding values of the twentieth
to those who cannot afford to enter ment, the human capital, the need century if we are to conquer the
the marketplace. As India navigates for the ordinary person in India to challenges of the twenty‑first and
its development, we must focus on be able to have a couple of square build the New India that we seek.
ensuring that the benefits of growth meals a day, to be able to send his Our New India will shine. But it
are shared across the nation ‑‑ by or her children to a decent school must shine for all.
Acharya Lokesh at Religionsʼ Parliament opening
Toronto: Founder of Ahimsa Vishwa Bharti,
Jain Acharya Dr. Lokesh Muni took part in
the opening of the Parliament of Worldʼs
Religion (POWR) here on Nov 1 with over
200 representatives of different faiths
including Swami Bhrameshwaranand, Bhai
Saheb Mohinder Singh, BK Binni Saren,
Swami Agnivesh and Sadhvi Bhagwati.
Muni ji will address the POWR on
ʻSpiritual Evolution of Humanity & Healing
our Mother Earth ‑ Paryushan Parvʼ, ʻGlobal
Warming and Depleting Natural Resourcesʼ,
ʻPeace & Love, Not War, Hate & Violenceʼ. Acharya Lokesh Muni (middle) at Parliament of
In the opening session, Acharya Lokesh said Worldʼs Religion in Tornbto
that some of the current challenges are a He said that it is a matter of pride for him to rep‑
threat to the entire world: from terrorism and vio‑ resent Jainism and Indian culture at the Parliament.
lence to global warming. Inter‑religious harmony is He had also addressed the inaugural function of the
necessary to solve such problems. POWR in Salt Lake City, Utah in 2015.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info DIWALI SPECIAL November 3-9, 2018
 22 November 3-9, 2018
Opposition builds up
in publishing space
After Shashi Tharoor and Kapil Sibal, many other titles, some considered ʻbook
bombsʼ, will hit the Modi dispensation before the 2019 election. (Photo : PTI)
By Saket Suman
New Delhi: T he literary space has
emerged as a major playfield in the run‑
up to the 2019 general elections as sev‑
eral books vehemently critical of the dis‑
pensation under Prime Minister
Narendra Modi have been published or
are slated for release.
In many ways, Shashi Tharoor's "Why I
Am A Hindu", and the ferocity with which
senior leaders of the RSS and BJP reacted
to it, terming the author as a "mental"
and a "bad Hindu", encouraged opposi‑
tion leaders to carve a niche in the cul‑
ture space. What emerged as a result
seems like a well‑planned strategy of the
opposition to counter Modi's popularity
through books and appeal to what many
call the "EVs" ‑‑ enlightened voters.
And then came Kapil Sibal's "Shades of
Truth", in which the Harvard law school
graduate examined the many actions of
the Modi government since 2014, con‑
cluding that it "revels in the past without
seeking to grapple with the problems of
the present and prepare for future chal‑
lenges" At Sibal's book launch, Vice
President Hamid Ansari, former Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh, and senior
opposition leaders P. Chidambaram,
Sitaram Yechury, and Sharad Yadav
together took a dig at the Modi dispensa‑
tion, claiming that the 2019 general elec‑
tions will be a "Modi vs India" affair.
These were followed by "The Sarkari
Mussalman", by Lt. General Zameer
Uddin Shah (retd), who led the Army in
quelling the 2002 Gujarat riots. In the
memoir, he claimed that there was a
delay in deployment of the Army because
of which "crucial hours", and "at least
300 lives" were lost.
When looked at in their entirety, these
books may have contributed to the
changing narrative in the country, as
pointed out by surveys like the "Lokniti‑
CSDS‑ABP Mood of the Nation", which
found the BJP and Modi losing populari‑
ty at an alarming rate.
The Modi government has quite a few
salvos coming its way as new books by
Shashi T haroor, Salman Khurshid,
Manmohan Singh, former Chief
Economic Advisor Arvind Subramanian
and former RBI governor Raghuram
Rajan are all set to release before April
2019.
INDIA TheSouthAsianTimes.info
T haroor will go personal in "T he
Paradoxical Prime Minister". "Economics
for Political Change: T he Collected
Works of Manmohan Singh" documents
the evolution of his thought over more
than half‑a‑century as an academic, poli‑
cymaker and politician.
Manish Tewari's "My Ministerial Years"
will tell the story of the struggle to string
together a narrative "as the UPA govern‑
ment in its second term faced a barrage
of criticism from an extremely belliger‑
ent media driven by corporate impera‑
tives".
"T he Idea of India" by Salman
Khurshid, is "an exhaustive account of
what India truly stands for". His "The
Indian Muslims" will also release before
the elections.
In "Of Counsel: The Challenges of the
Modi‑Jaitley Economy", Subramanian will
open up about his tenure, which saw the
controversial demonetization and the
introduction of the Goods and Services
Tax (GST).
Tharoor, with his massive fan following
on social media, will also star in a Web
Series releasing in 2019 and based on
his "Why I Am A Hindu", urging the view‑
ers to reclaim Hinduism from the
"Hindutva Wadis".
Then there are some major surprise
releases, the "book bombs" in the true
sense. Everything about them, including
the authors' names and the "explosive
subjects" of their books, leading publish‑
ers said, will be revealed just prior to
their publication.
Notably, PEN International released a
report last month titled "India: Pursuing
Truth in the Face of Intolerance" that
outlines how dissenting voices ‑‑ of jour‑
nalists, writers, academics or students ‑‑
"face intimidation, harassment, prosecu‑
tion, online abuse, and physical violence".
The report is critical of the Modi govern‑
ment and opens with a poster of the fire‑
brand journalist‑activist Gauri Lankesh
who was murdered.
PEN International President Jennifer
Clement told IANS that it is going to be
vigilant about any instance of coercion
that writers and journalists may face.
The international writers' body elected PAID FOR BY BENNO FOR CONGRESS
two dissenting voices from India, Tamil
writer Perumal Murugan and multiple
award winning Nayantara Sahgal, among
its three new Vice Presidents.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info DIWALI SPECIAL November 3-9, 2018
 24 November 3-9, 2018 INDIA NEWS TheSouthAsianTimes.info

182
meter Sardar
Vallabhbhai Patel statue

2,389
crore, cost of statue

70,000
tonne of cement

500 The 'Statue of Unity' was unveiled by

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Kevadia,
tourists at a time can
see Statue of Unity Gujarat. (Photo: IANS/BJP)

Sardar Patel statue in Gujarat, four times the size of the Statue of
Liberty in New York, is the tallest in the world.
Kevadia (Gujarat): Dedicating the
Statue of Unity to the nation,
Prime Minister Narendra Modi
on Wednesday said it is India's
reply to all those who question
her existence and asked all citi‑
zens to remain united in counter‑
ing e f forts made by divisive
forces.
Unveiling the 182‑meter Sardar
Vallabhbhai Patel statue here,
Modi also hit out at his critics for
politicising the mission for erect‑
ing the tallest monument.
"Statue of Unity is to remind all
those who question India's exis‑
tence and its integrity. This coun‑
try was, is and will always be
eternal," Modi said.
He said that the height of the
statue is to remind the youth that
the future of the country is in
their aspirations and is as huge
as this statue.
"The only mantra to fulfil these
aspirat ions are 'Ek Bharat‑
Shresth Bharat' (One India, Best
India). Statue of Unity is also
symbolic of our engineering and
technological af fordability," he
added.
Keeping the nation's unity,
diversity and sovereignty intact
is one such responsibility which
Patel has given to the country‑
men, Modi said.
"It's our responsibility to give
reply to every ef fort of dividing
the country. We will have to
remain vigilant and united as a
so ciety," he said. T he Prime
Minister also launched an attack
on those opposing his mission of
reviving contributions of histori‑
cal figures like Sardar Pate l,
Chatrapat i Shivaji Maharaj,
Bhimrao Ambedkar and others.
"I am amazed that our ef forts
are seen with political specs.
Praising great icons has also
brought us criticism. It seems
like we have committed a big
crime," he said.
Mo di said that there were
many who thought that a diverse
country like India can never
remain united after it got inde‑
pendence. But Sardar Pate l
proved them wrong and it was
his contribution that the country
now meets the world on its own
terms and is moving towards
becoming an economic and mili‑
tary superpower. "They consid‑
ered our diversity our biggest
weakness but Sardar Patel con‑
verted this into our biggest
strength. India is moving ahead
on the path shown by him," he
said.
"If today we are connected
from Rajasthan's Kutch to
Nagaland's Kohima and Jammu
and Kashmir's Kargil to Tamil
Nadu's Kanyakumari, it is
because of Patel's strong resolve
and determination. Had Sardar
Patel not done it, the country
would have needed visas for
offering prayers at Somnath and
visit ing Charminar
Hyderabad," he said recalling
Patel's effort in integrating over
550 prince ly states into the
Indian Union after the Partition
of 1947.
Unveiling the statue of the for‑
mer Deputy Prime Minister built
on Sad hu Bet Island on the
Narmada river at a cost of Rs
2,389 crore, Modi touted it to be
the world's tallest ‑‑ surpassing
China's Spring Temple Buddha
that stands at 153 metres by 29
metres and nearly double of the
93‑metre Statue of Liberty in
New York.
Three Indian Air Force planes
flew past the statue and created
the Tricolour in the sky following
the inauguration.
T he Gujarat government
expects the statue to boost
tourism, with one estimate put‑
t ing the daily numbers at
15,000.
Apart from the Patel bronze
figure, other major attractions
include a 17‑km‑long Valley of
ends questions on
India's existence: Modi
Flowers, a Tent City for tourists
near the statue and a museum
dedicated to the life and times of
Patel.
The Tent City, located around
four km from the Statue of Unity
can house more than 500
tourists at a time.
A viewing gallery at a height of
153 metres has been created
inside the statue to enable
tourists to have a view of the
1,210 metre long concrete
Sardar Sarovar Dam, 3.2 km
upstream as well as the nearby
Satpura and Vindhya mountain
in
Patel opposed communalism,
bigotry: Rahul Gandhi
New Delhi: Congress President
Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said
that Prime Minister Narendra Modi
may have unveiled the statue of
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel but his
government has been smashing his
legacy, and added that "destruction
of institutions" is "nothing short of
treason".
"Ironic that a statue of Sardar
Patel is being inaugurated, but
every institution he helped build is
being smashed. The systematic
destruction of India's institutions is
nothing short of treason," Gandhi
said in a tweet.
Gandhi's remarks came hours
after Modi unveiled the statue of
Sardar Patel, christened "Statue of
Unity" at an elaborate function in
Gujarat on Sardar Patel's birth
anniversary. The Congress party
has accused the government of cre‑
ranges.
As per a government state‑
ment, the statue has been built
using over 70,000 tonne of
cement, 18,500 tonne of rein‑
forced stee l, 6,000 tonne of
structural steel and 1,700 tonne
of bronze, which was used for the
outer cladding of the structure.
Gujarat Governor O.P. Kohli,
Mad hya Pradesh Governor
Anandiben Patel, Gujarat Chief
Minister Vijay Rupani, Deputy
Chief Minister Nitin Patel and
BJP President Amit Shah were
also present on the occasion.
Congress President
Rahul Gandhi.
ating a "credibility crisis" in the CBI
and trying to destroy autonomous
institutions like the RBI.
In an earlier tweet, Gandhi said,
"Sardar Patel was a patriot, who
fought for an independent, united
and secular India. A man with a
steely will, tempered by compas‑
sion, he was a Congressman to the
core, who had no tolerance for big‑
otry or communalism. On his birth
anniversary, I salute this great son
of India."
TheSouthAsianTimes.info DIWALI SPECIAL November 3-9, 2018
TheSouthAsianTimes.info DIWALI SPECIAL November 3-9, 2018
 Diwali special November 3-9, 2018 27

All celebrations spread joy.

Diwali has deeper significance Lights are switched on this week
of spreading hope that the light for the annual Diwali event in
of goodness and knowledge al- Leicester, England.
ways overcomes the darkness of
evil and ignorance. It has grown
to be a pan-Indian festival,
gradually also being embraced
by communities wherever Indi-
an diaspora is. That it is good
for commerce is a bonus.

Here are some select Diwali

2018 pictures.

Diwali is also an occa-

sion to spread cheer
among the less privi- Special Section pages 27-58
leged as Virat Kohli,
the most celebrated
Indian sportsperson,
celebrates Diwali with
some street kids.

Gold jewelry, not diamonds, is

an Indian woman’s best friend. Fireworks light up the New York skyline as
Here Bollywood actress Soha Ali Association of Indians in America (AIA) held
Khan is doing her Diwali shop- its annual Deepavali mela at South Street
ping -- for jewelry, of course. Seaport early in October.

T paawan tyohaar,
he name of the festival ‘Diwa-
li’ is derived from the Sanskrit
term deepavali meaning “row of
lamps.” Diwali, the king of festi-
vals, falls on November 7 this year
and is being celebrated next week
with gusto among all Indians and
their friends and well-wishers re-
siding all over the world.
Its significance spans 4 major
religions of India, namely Hindu-
ism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikh-
ism. Here is a compilation of the
events that are celebrated:
* Lord Rama’s return to Ayod-
hya from 14 years exile along with
wife Sita, brother Lakshman, and
Five days of Diwali
Diwali, the festival that spreads its luminosity across the length and breadth of India and wherever Indians have settled overseas, is celebrated with
crackling intensity. However, each of the five days of Diwali has its unique significance, drawing from different legends and traditions of the Vedic era. The
actual Diwali (Lakshmi Puja), which is celebrated on the darkest, new moon night of the Hindu calendar month of Kartik, falls on November 7 this year.
Day 1 – Nov 5:
Dhanteras
Goddess Lakshmi is worshiped
to provide prosperity and well-
being. Dhanteras is considered
very auspicious for buying gold, so
women flock jewelry shops.Dhan-
vantri, physician of the gods, is re-
membered for health and hygiene.
28 November 3-9, 2018
devout Hanuman brought immense
joy to the people who lighted lamps
to illuminate the captial city.
* Lord Vishnu as Vaman avatar
rescued Lakshmi from the prison
of King Bali who was banished to
the underworld on this day.
* The Pandavas returned to
Hastinapur after 12 years of ban-
ishment. Happy citizens lit earth-
en lamps in celebration.
* Bandi Chhorr Divas, festival of
Sikhs, celebrates the release of their
sixth guru - Guru HarGobind Singh
from the Gwalior Fort along with
52 other Hindu princes in 1619.
* Foundation stone of the Gold-
en Temple in Amritsar was laid on
the day of Diwali in 1577.
* Ashok Vijaydashmi celebrates
the conversion of emperor Ashoka to
Buddhism on this day with prayers
and decoration of the monasteries.
* Diwali in Nepal is known as
Tihar and celebrated with splendor.
* Lord Mahavir, the last of the
Day 2 – Nov 6:
Chhoti Diwali /
Naraka Chaturdashi
Naraka Chaturdasi marks the
vanquishing of the demon Naraka-
sur by Lord Krishna and his wife
Satyabhama. Narakasur and his
mother Bhudevi or Mother Earth
wished his death to be occasion for
rejoicing, rather than mourning.
F E S T I VA L FACE T S
Jain Tirthankar of the era, attained
eternal bliss of Nirvana or Moksha
on this day at Pavapuri on lunar
Chaturdashi of Kartika on 15 Octo-
ber 527 BC. According to the Kal-
pasutra by Archarya Bhadrabahu,
3rd century BC, many Gods were
present there, illuminating the
darkness with their divine light
* Diwali marks the end of
harvest season in most of India.
Farmers pray for a good harvest
for the year to come.
Hindus pray for removal of all
the darkness and poverty from ev-
eryone’s lives, and to fill all hearts
with the sparkling golden light of
peace, love, truth, and spiritual joy.
The illumination of homes
with lights, and the skies with
firecrackers, is an expression
of obeisance to the heavens for
the attainment of health, wealth,
knowledge, peace and prosperity.
Deepavali delivers us from Dark-
ness unto Light, to commit our-
Day 3 – Nov 7:
Main Deepavali /
Lakshmi Puja
Amavasya or new moon night
marks the worship of Lakshmi, the
goddess of wealth in her most be-
nevolent mood, fulfilling the wishes
of her devotees. Lord Vishnu, in his
dwarf’s incarnation, vanquished
the tyrant Bali to rescue her. Bali
was allowed to return to earth
once a year, on this day to light
millions of lamps to dispel dark-
ness and ignorance, and spread
the radiance of love and wisdom.
selves to good deeds, and thus ap-
proach divinity. There are many
more reasons and auspicious
events associated with this very
popular festival of India. Hindi
Greetings (in Roman script):
Diwali ka ye
Jeevan mein laye
khushiyan apaar,
Laxmiji viraje
aapke dwaar,
Shubhkamnayen
hamari kare sweekar,
Aapko aur aapke
pariwar ko Diwali
ki shubhkamnaye.
Day 4 – Nov 8: Day 5 – Nov 9:
Govardhan Puja / Bhai Dooj
Annakoot Yamraj, the Lord of death vis-
ited and gave his sister Yamuna a
Mount Govardhan lifted by boon that whosoever visits her on
Lord Krishna on one finger formed this day shall be liberated from
an umbrella to protect people of all sins. Traditionally, brothers
Gokul from a deluge sent by Lord visit their sisters.
Indra. Annakoot means mountain Lord Mahavir, the last Tirthan-
of food. Prayers for plentiful are kar of Jainism had attained nir-
offered with obeisance to Lord vana, or heaven. His brother
Krishna on this day. King Nandivardhan was very dis-
tressed, and was comforted by
their sister Sudarshana. Sisters
have been revered since, symbol-
ized by Bhai Dooj. In India, respect
for women is seen in every aspect
of festivals and celebrations. The
creator is shown as sublime, di-
vine, feminine force of Shakti, ven-
erated in several goddess forms
like Durga on a lioness, or Kali, the
fiery dark goddess of power.

L
akshmi Puja is the main
event on Diwali day, which
is Amavasya (no moon
night) and falls this year on
November 7. On Diwali, people
worship Lakshmi, the Goddess of
Wealth, for auspicious omens in
family and life as this puja on this
day is considered auspicious.
Since Goddess Lakshmi resides
in places which are clean and tidy,
the first step for the puja is to
make your home and puja room
neat and clean. It is equally
important for you to be neat and
clean and don fresh clothes.
Take a red color cloth and
spread it at the sanctified puja
place. On the cloth place the
deities or laminated pictures of
Lakshmi Narayan, Ganesha and
Saraswati. On the side of the cloth
spread nine small heaps of rice
and keep suparis on top of these
heaps, which stand for nine plan‑
ets or Navagraha devatas.
Kalasha Stapana: Place a pot
filled with water or rice in front of
the deities and adorn with betel
leaves. Keep a coconut on top of
the filled pot. Dress the pot with
red cloth and tie it around the
Money mantras to help
increase your prosperity
W
ho couldnʼt use a little
more money these
days? Many of us are
still finding it challenging to meet
those monthly bills and the econ‑
omy isnʼt always cooperative.
Even for those of us who are
doing pretty well, a little extra
abundance is always nice. If you
think itʼs beyond your power to
grow your wealth, think again.
Working with money mantras can
help you increase your prosperity.
It seems hard to believe that
merely repeating words can
change your thoughts and your
life, but they can. First of all,
mantras help to focus and quiet
the mind. The repetition of a
mantra also works with the Law
of Attraction. By echoing certain
words over and over you create
specific energy vibrations. These
30 November 3-9, 2018
pot. Mark ʻSwastikʼ on the pot
that represents prosperity and
purity. This pot is called Kalash or
Purna Kumbh and it represents
the Universal power or Supreme
Deity.
Decorate the Deities with flow‑
ers, fruits and turmeric‑vermillion
powder. Place Diwali thali before
the Deities. This thali should con‑
tain a few golden or silver or sim‑
ply rupee coins. These coins are
meant as representation of
Goddess Lakshmi.
Now start the puja by taking
water in the palm of your left
hand and sprinkle over the head
to purify yourself. Take sankalpa
by calling out your and your fami‑
lyʼs name. Request that this puja
please Goddess Lakshmi and
Narayana. Lit ghee lamps and
offer incense.
Ganesh Puja: Do Ganesh puja
now. Offer some flowers and
akshata (unbroken rice) to the
Ganesh idol and place supari.
Meditate on Lord Ganesh and
chant Ganesh sloka or offer
prayer to Lord Ganesh to alleviate
all hurdles in the path of devotion
to Lakshmi and Narayana.
Similarly pray to Goddess
Saraswati to give proper intelli‑
gence to worship Lordships with
attention and devotion.
Do Kalash puja by offering
akshata, sweets and fruits. Follow
the same puja procedure for
Navagrahas. Sprinkle water
vibrations will then attract what
you seek. Itʼs a case of like
attracts like. Mantras can work as
magnets to align your thoughts
and attract what you want.
Here are a couple of traditional
Indian mantras that are known to
be effective. The first one is a
mantra that calls upon the
Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth
and prosperity.
OM SHRIM MAHA
LAKSHMIYEI SWAHA
Phonetically it is pronounced:
Om shreem ma‑ha lahk‑shmee‑yay
swah‑ha
This mantra translates as hail or
greeting to she who brings every
form of abundance. Although
many invoke the Goddess
Lakshmi for assistance with mate‑
rial wealth, she is also the bringer
GODDESS WORSHIP
towards all four directions which
represent purification of 4
dishas of the Universe.
Lakshmi Puja: Now
take some flower and
rice in hands and
close the eyes and
meditate on Goddess
Lakshmi. You are now
invoking Goddess
Lakshmi. If you know
mantras, recite them.
Otherwise just simply meditate
on Goddess Lakshmi. Here is a
simple Sanskrit mantra dedicated
to Goddess Lakshmi.
Namosthesthu Maha Maye,
Shree padee, sura poojithe,
Shanka, Chakra, Gadha hasthe,
Maha Lakshmi Namosthuthe
Now sprinkle the flowers and
rice on the idol of Goddess
Lakshmi. Take out the idol of
Goddess Lakshmi and place it on
a Thaali. Clean the idol with
of spiritual wealth and abun‑
dance.
The second traditional mantra
is known as the Buddhist money
mantra.
OM VASUDHARE
SVAHA
Phonetically it is pronounced
Om Wa Su Dha Rei Swa Ha.
This mantra is basically a
prayer to the earth Goddess
Vasudhara. It is suggested that
you repeat this mantra 108 times.
Even the Buddha said that anyone
who memorizes this manta or
even listens to it would be blessed
by deities who will shower them
with abundance.
So if youʼre looking to increase
your personal prosperity, try
working with these money
mantras for a richer life!
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
water,
then with milk, curd, ghee, honey
and sugar. Then clean the idol
again with water. Place the idol
back on the Kalash. Now offer
garlands made of marigolds or
leaves of bel tree, sandalwood
paste, kumkum and other daily
puja items including lighting
incense and agarbattis.
Now make offerings of coconut,
fruits, sweets, betel nuts and betel
leaves. Next make of ferings of
Batasha sweets, puf fed rice,
coriander and cumin seeds.
Lastly, perform a silent Arati for
Goddess Lakshmi. And meditate
on Goddess Lakshmi.
Similarly perform Aarti to Lord
Narayana by reciting “Jai
Jagadeesh Hare”.
Leave the place for some time.
After that take the Aarti, panchmi‑
tra, coconut and prasad.
Take some of the ʻprasadʼ (that
will stay for long period of
time) and place it at
the place where
ornaments and
cash is usual‑
ly kept.
Business
people
also wor‑
ship the
account‑
books on this
day along with
Goddess Lakshmi.
The above is only a
guideline. You can show flexibili‑
ty in the puja process. Some of
the items needed might not be
readily available. But you can
keep the house and surrounding
clean. Finally, if you canʼt perform
the puja, wherever you are simply
mediate on Goddess Lakshmi.
After Lakshmi Puja lamps are lit
all over the house and festivities
begin.
November 3-9, 2018

Domestic
travel 'on
the cards'
in festive
season
New Delhi: Travel has
emerged as an important ele‑
ment during the festive sea‑
son, with a spiritual destina‑
tion such as Amritsar witness‑
ing a year‑on‑year increase in
flight searches by 114 per
cent, according to a trend
search.
Travel search engine Kayak
has revealed that for the wide‑
ly celebrated festival of Diwali
this year, Indians are looking
at traveling to different desti‑
nations.
Domestically, Amritsar is
topping the list of the most
trending destinations, while
amongst the top trending
international destinations,
Dubai leads the list by 83 per
cent increase in flight search‑
es being done during the festi‑
val.
Abhijit Mishra, Director of
India and Middle East, Kayak,
said: "Diwali is known to be
the festival of lights, prosperi‑
ty, happiness and new begin‑
nings all across the country. It
is the perfect opportunity for
people to connect with their
loved ones and celebrate
togetherness.
"This year during the festi‑
val, Indians are choosing to
celebrate that connect by
traveling to and with their
close ones. With travel search‑
es having increased from the
previous year around the
same time, we believe that the
love Indians have for travel‑
ling is growing."
After Amritsar in the domes‑
tic market, Chennai holds the
second spot a 70 per cent
year‑on‑year increase, fol‑
lowed by Bengaluru, Varanasi
and Bhubaneswar.
Indians are interested in not
just in destinations within the
country but are also willing to
explore international destina‑
tions. Apart from Dubai, peo‑
ple look to travel to Milan,
Cairo, Bangkok and Phuket.
32 November 3-9, 2018
Kolkata: Themes as diverse as
Steven Spielberg's 1993 block‑
buster film 'Jurassic Park' and
cancer awareness or the daily
struggle of potters, jubilant beats
of dhaks, songs invoking the
divine goddess and colorful folk
dances marked the third edition of
the West Bengal government
sponsored Durga Puja carnival
here. Seventy‑five prominent com‑
munity pujas from across the city
and adjoining districts took part
in the spectacular road show
organized on the arterial Indira
Gandhi Sarani (erstwhile Rd Road)
‑ the venue of the annual Republic
Day parade.
The three‑hour carnival, a brain
child of state chief minister
Mamata Banerjee, was held four
days after Vijayadashami that
marks the formal end of eastern
India's biggest festival.
In a bid to soak in the last bit of
festive spirit, thousands of people
including foreigners gathered on
both sides of the road while lakhs
across the globe stayed glued to
the television screens and the
webcast to watch the innovative
immersion procession
The eye‑catching spectacle saw
the puja organizers exhibiting
samples of various artistic cre‑
ations used in their puja mar‑
quees on vibrantly decorated
Kullu (Himachal Pradesh): The
centuries‑old weeklong Kullu
Dussehra celebrations, which
began on 'Vijaya Dashami' ‑‑ the
day they ended in the rest of the
country ‑‑ concluded as over 225
assembled deities started return‑
ing to their respective areas amid
beating of drums and playing of
'shehnais'.
The Kullu Dussehra celebrations
once again ended without the sac‑
rifice of animals, the practice to
appease gods that was followed
for centuries, but banned by the
High Court in 2014. Instead of
animal sacrifice, blood donation
camps were organized.
"The festival ended peacefully
and the assembled deities have
started moving back to their
respective areas after performing
the Lankadahan ceremony," a fes‑
tival organizer told IANS.
Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur
and his Cabinet colleague Govind
Thakur presided over the con‑
cluding ceremonies.
The Chief Minister announced
to increase 'nazrana' (honorari‑
um) paid to local deities partici‑
pating in Dussehra by five per
cent and the distance allowance
INDIA NEWS
Durga Puja carnival underway in central
Kolkata's iconic Red Road. (Photo: IANS)
tableaux. Banerjee and her minis‑
ters attended the event along with
a large number of celebrities from
the city and foreign delegates,
while a number of state's ruling
Trinamool Congress leaders
including state sports minister
Arup Biswas and party MLA Sujit
Bose, led the rallies of the commu‑
nity puja communities in which
they are the chief organzers.
Religious harmony and women
empowerment were the dominant
theme of the road show. Many of
the age‑old community puja
organizers came up with tableaux
aligned with current affairs topics
and various welfare schemes by
Dussehra festivity
ends in style
Women dressed up in traditional attire perform 'Nati' folk dance
during International Dussehra festival celebrations in Kullu,
Himachal Pradesh. (Photo: IANS)
by 20 per cent. The Kullu
Dussehra festivities came to an
end as the chariot of chief deity
Lord Raghunath, being pulled by
thousands of devotees, returned
to the Lord Raghunath temple
here. The festival dates back to
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
the Mamata Banerjee government.
East Kolkata's Sreebhumi
Sporting club kick‑started the
jamboree by showcasing a minia‑
ture of their marquee replicating
the famous Chittor Fort in
Rajasthan ‑ the residence of queen
Padmavati. One hundred dancers,
dressed in red Rajasthani fineries,
jived to the tunes of Sanjay Leela
Bansali's 2018 blockbuster
Padmavat.
Giving the event an internation‑
al touch, Suruchi Sangha, a major
crowd puller in south Kolkata,
brought in 26 foreign disciples of
International Society for Krishna
Consciousness (ISKON) who
the year 1637 when Raja Jagat
Singh was the ruler of Kullu. He
invited all local deities in Kullu
from various temples to perform a
ritual in honour of Lord
Raghunath during Dussehra.
Since then, the annual assembly
danced to the tune of a song com‑
posed by Banerjee to pay tribute
to the Durga Puja festivity.
Another popular south Kolkata
Puja ‑ Tridhara Sammilani,
designed by national award win‑
ning artist Gouranga Kuila, dedi‑
cated its theme of the puja as well
as the road show to mother
nature'.
Salt Lake's FD Block Puja com‑
mittee, inspired by famous 1993
Dinosaur‑film Jurassic Park,
paraded with a giant replica of
Tyrannosaurus Rex along with
their idol and replica of marquee.
Reliving the nostalgia of the
bygone days, north Kolkata's
famous Ahiritola Sarbojonin puja
committee mixed the old tele‑
phonic ringtone with the signa‑
ture tune of All India Radio or
'Akash Vani' as part of their back‑
ground score during their road
show. A number of puja organiz‑
ers including Kalighat Sanghasree,
Dumdum Park Bharatchakra dedi‑
cated their theme to women
empowerment while Behala's
Barisha club conveyed the mes‑
sage to end negligence towards
the elderly mothers.
Communal harmony and bond‑
ing was the principle theme of the
old north Kolkata Puja ‑ Swamiji
Sporting Club, with which Swami
Vivekananda was once associated.
of deities from hundreds of village
temples has become a tradition.
The administration has been
inviting the deities ever since the
rule of princely states came to an
end and giving a honorarium to
the 'kardars' (attendants to the
deity concerned) for participating
in the festival.
Unlike other places, effigies of
Ravan, Meghnad and
Kumbhakaran are not burnt in the
ceremony.
Instead of animal sacrifice, the
local administration held blood
donation camps for people during
the Dussehra celebrations to con‑
tribute to the betterment of
society.
"The idea of a blood donation
camp was to highlight the preva‑
lence of the spirit of victory of
good over evil during Dussehra,"
People for Animals Trustee Gauri
Maulekhi said in a statement.
Every year the festival attracts
scores of tourists, especially for‑
eigners, and researchers to know
more about resident 'gods' and
'goddesses' of the Kullu Valley.
During the festival, transactions
worth millions of rupees took
place.

Late Diwali
affected
our sales:
Amazon
New Delhi: Online retailer
Amazon blamed a late Diwali
after reporting a significant
slowdown in growth from its
international business, under‑
scoring the importance of
India to the e‑commerce behe‑
mothʼs global ambitions.
Amazon has pledged to
invest at least $5 billion in
India and is expected to put in
more in the country, where it
is locked in a close market
share battle with Walmart‑
backed Flipkart.
Amazonʼs international sales
grew at just 13% to $15.5 bil‑
lion, compared to 29% a year
ago.
It, however, did manage to
narrow losses from its inter‑
national business. The Seattle‑
based e‑commerce giant
reported an operating loss of
$385 million, compared to
losses of $936 million a year
ago. At a post‑earnings confer‑
ence call with investors,
Amazon said it expects inter‑
national sales to get a boost in
the December quarter.
“Thereʼs also material
change in the Diwali calendar
in India. About half of our
Diwali sales last year were in
Q3. This year theyʼll be fully
in Q4. So those are a couple of
factors that hit the interna‑
tional growth area in particu‑
lar,” said Brian T. Olsavsky,
chief financial officer.
In the first leg of the Diwali
sale, both Flipkart and
Amazon posted a robust per‑
formance, underscoring the
revival of e‑commerce in the
country. Amazon India regis‑
tered its best‑ever perform‑
ance in festive sales, which is
usually dominated by
Flipkartʼs flagship Big Billion
Days sale.
34 November 3-9, 2018
New Delhi: Expecting a highly pol‑
luted Diwali, a pollution task force
headed by the CPCB has issued
advisories to a Supreme Court‑
appointed environment body, sug‑
gesting closure of industries, con‑
struction and intensified traffic reg‑
ulation between November 1 and
10. Meteorological condition are
expected to get supportive of
breathable air in Delhi‑NCR around
Diwali, while festival traffic rush is
likely to aggravate pollution in
Delhi, Central Pollution Control
Board (CPCB) officials said.
A CPCB‑headed task force has
suggested certain restrictions and
checks across Delhi‑NCR between
November 1 and 10 to Environment
Pollution (Prevention and Control)
Authority (EPCA).
Health experts with the task force
have also recommended encourag‑
ing people to avoid prolonged expo‑
sure during the period to avoid
health issues. The task force's advi‑
sory also includes encouraging peo‑
ple to use public transport.
Pollution is expected to spike
around Diwali due to unfavorable
winds set to change around Diwali
to westerly and north‑westerly com‑
Most Delhiites say no to
firecracker this Diwali
New Delhi: While the Supreme
Court refused to impose a blan‑
ket ban on firecrackers, about 68
per cent people in Delhi said that
they will not burn fireworks this
Diwali, a survey said.
The survey conducted by
LocalCircles, a community social
media platform, covered Delhi
and the National Capital Region,
in which 75,000 people partici‑
pated.
"As many as 68 per cent citi‑
zens have said they will not be
burning crackers to make sure
that the level of pollution stays in
control and the city does not
become a gas chamber," said a
report by LocalCircles.
In 2016, PM2.5 or particles
with diameter less than 2.5mm,
levels in some areas of Delhi
increased to 1,238 on Diwali,
which was about 50 times higher
than the international standards
and 20 times the national stan‑
dards. Later in October 2017 the
Supreme Court imposed a ban on
INDIA NEWS
A New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) worker sprinkles
non‑potable water in New Delhi to lessen air pollution. (Photo: IANS)
ing from Punjab and Haryana
where stubble‑burning has been
intensified. The additional pollu‑
tants may not dissipate due to lower
morning temperature around
Diwali. Additional festival rush and
fire crackers, which this year are
not banned by the Supreme Court,
are also set to lead to a polluted
Diwali, CPCB said.
"All the construction activities
which produce dust should be
stopped across Delhi and National
Capital Region (NCR) from
Firecrackers
being tested by
West Bengal
Pollution
Control Board
officials ahead
of Diwali.
(Photo: Kuntal
Chakrabarty/IA
NS)
the sale of firecrackers in Delhi
during Diwali last year.
Following this, pollution levels
in Delhi were found to be lower
in Diwali 2017 as compared to
that during Diwali in 2016, a
Central Pollution Control Board
report found.
The Supreme Court has passed
a verdict, applicable throughout
the year, allowing the use of only
green firecrackers with reduced
emission and decibel levels dur‑
ing all religious festivals.
The court also prohibited the
manufacture, sale and use of
joined firecrackers (series crack‑
ers or 'laris') and directed police
station chiefs to be personally
responsible for ensuring the
compliance of its order.
The bench also asked the
Petroleum and Explosives Safety
Organisation (PESO) to review
the clinical composition of fire‑
works, particularly for reducing
the aluminium content and sub‑
mit its report within two weeks.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
November 1 and 10.
"Coal and biomass‑based indus‑
tries should be shut from November
4 to 10, except the waste‑to‑energy
units and thermal power plants
across NCR," Prashant Gargava,
member secretary CPCB said while
addressing the media.
The task force has also requested
the EPCA to ask the traffic depart‑
ment of Delhi and satellite cities
like Ghaziabad and Faridabad in
NCR, to intensify checks on pollut‑
ing vehicles and proper regulation
Indian diamond
merchant gifts employees
600 cars on Diwali
Surat: Indiaʼs Prime Minister
Narendra Modi has helped a dia‑
mond merchant hand over hun‑
dreds of cars as gifts to his
employees. Six hundred employ‑
ees of Hari Krishna Exporters, a
diamond trading company run by
Savji Dholakia, received cars
made by Indian manufacturer
Maruti Suzuki, while around a
thousand more staff were
offered gifts of cash deposits and
apartments in a huge outdoor
ceremony in Surat, Gujarat.
Indians often give each other
gifts in the run‑up to Diwali.
Modi addressed the prize‑giv‑
ing in his home state of Gujarat
via video link, as well as present‑
ing some of the employees with
car keys in the capital New Delhi.
Dholakia is famous across India
for giving lavish gifts to his
from November 1 to 10 to control
the pollution.
The restrictions, suggested to be
part of a Graded Response Action
Plan (GRAP) which comes in force
with abnormal air‑quality, will be
implemented by the EPCA.
The task force includes CPCB and
local state pollution control boards
of neighboring states of Delhi.
"We are reviewing the air‑quality
status on a daily basis and weather
conditions in November are not
going to be similar to what we have
present," CPCB head said, adding
the department would appreciate if
people use 'Sameer', a mobile app to
report environment violations such
as garbage dumping and open burn‑
ing. "Not much reporting is regis‑
tered on Sameer App. we would
appreciate if people report more
violations so that agencies can act,"
Gargava said.
Meanwhile T.K. Joshi, advisor
environment health to the Union
Environment Ministry has suggest‑
ed people against prolonged out‑
door exposure and exercising like
jogging or running. He said even
lighting incense sticks or mosquito
coil indoor is harmful these days.
Savji Dholakia.
employees at Diwali, including
hundreds of apartments in
2016ʼs ceremony. The gifts were
part of a program targeting staff
who have given loyal service to
the diamond trader.
“The aim of this program was
to reward employeesʼ loyalty and
dedication towards the compa‑
ny,” Dholakia said in a Facebook
post.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info DIWALI SPECIAL November 3-9, 2018

Diwali-themed family day at
Asia Society Museum on Nov 3
New York: Diwali, the Hindu festival
of lights and New Year, is a time to
celebrate good fortune, family and
friendships. Celebrate at Asia
Society Museum with performances
and arts and crafts inspired by
Diwali.
Schedule of Events:
1:00 p.m. Indian Music
with Raga Kids!
Raga Kids introduces kids of all
ages to Indian Classical Music
through interactive songs featuring
Indian folk songs, Ragas, and origi‑
nal music. Featuring sitar, guitar,
bansuri, singing and tabla in multi‑
ple languages, Raga Kids is a great
way for little ones to get familiar
with the musical instruments and
sounds of Indian music.
2:30 p.m.Bollywood and Bhangra
Dance with Bollywood Axion
Enjoy some energetic Bollywood
and Bhangra dance performances
by Bollywood Axion of New York
City and learn some fun moves from
Bollywood Choreographer Pooja
Narang.
4:15 p.m.Kathak Dance Workshop:
Krishna: Quest for Liberation
In this performance, Abha B. Roy
and the Srijan Dance Center troupe
will engage in storytelling through
dance; using the Indian classical
dance form Kathak and North
Indian classical music to tell stories
of the deity Krishna. Their perform‑
ance will include poetry and inter‑
active workshops on movement.
1:30 p.m.‑5:00 p.m.Ongoing
Activities: arts and
crafts inspired by Diwali
4 Make your own Diya: During
Diwali, people light small clay
lamps called Diyas to symbolize
the light of knowledge and
goodness. Learn how to make
your own clay Diya to put by
your window at night.
4 Temporary Tattoos: Get elabo‑
rate henna tattoos on your
hands, arms or even your feet.
4 Rangoli Making: Rangolis are
patterned floor decorations
which are thought to bring luck.
Try your hand at rangoli mak‑
ing using colored sand, beans,
and rice.
Part of the Season of India, a
series of programs held in conjunc‑
tion with the exhibition, The
Progressive Revolution: Modern Art
for a New India, on view at Asia
Society Museum through January
20, 2019.
36 November 3-9, 2018
Westbury, NY: For the fourth con‑
secutive year, Spanish All Year (SAY)
school hosted a Diwali celebration
on October 24 bringing the aware‑
ness of another culture to the com‑
munity.
SAY, under its director Maria
Isabel Martinez, at The Language
Center is a preschool that promotes
the Spanish language and culture in
the Village of Westbury.
Actress Geeta Citygirl had her
daughter Avana Grace join the nurs‑
ery program there four years ago.
What started off with Geeta sharing
a Diwali story with Avanaʼs class has
grown into a wedding‑like event
complete with Indian wardrobe for
everyone (staff and students), food
and drinks, music and more.
Studentsʼ families are invited to par‑
ticipate as well.
At the event attended by about
100 people, there was an altar set‑
up that included traditional diyas,
incense, an offering of fruits and
flowers, and over 20 children's
books on Diwali. Everyone was invit‑
ed to wear a bindi on their forehead
RANA celebrates Diwali on Nov 18
New York: The Rajasthan
Association of North America
(RANA) in New York is celebrating
Diwali on November 18 at
Huntington Hilton Hotel in
Melville, Long Island.
Padma Vibushan Sangeet
Martand Pandit Jasraj will be the
Guest of Honor at the gala.
Cocktail reception, live entertain‑
(from left) RANA honorees Prem Bhandari, Renu Jain, Dr Smita Lodha & Manisha Jhalani
Harnessing childhood memories to whip up Diwali treats
Raleigh, NC: Garland, a restaurant in
downtown Raleigh is self‑taught chef
Cheetie Kumarʼs labor of love. As a
child growing up in Chandigarh,
Cheetie Kumar knew that Diwali, the
Hindu festival of lights, was
approaching by the aromas emanat‑
ing from the kitchen. She remembers
catching the scent of whole milk sim‑
mered with freshly cracked car‑
damom and carrots in the air as she
ran outside to play.
“I cannot tell you what I was play‑
ing or whom I was playing with,”
Kumar is quoted in The New York
Times article. “But those smells are
with me to this day.”
At Garland, the restaurant she
opened with her husband, Paul Siler,
in 2013, Kumar makes Indian and
pan‑Asian food with a vibrant North
DIWALI TRISTATE
Geeta Citygirl and her daughter Avana (back row, middle) were the only
South Asians at the celebration replete with a Diwali altar.
and ring a brass bell to call upon the
energy of the light within. The fami‑
lies enjoyed following the steps of
the Garba and Dandiya Raas to a
Spanish version of the gospel hymn,
“This Little Light of Mine.” They
ment with a famous Bollywood
singer and dance and dinner are
some of the highlights of the
evening event.
At the award ceremony, four
selected distinguished people will
be honored: Prem Bhandari, Dr.
Smita Lodha, Renu Jain and
Manisha Jhalani.
Prem Bhandari is Chairman of
Cheetie Kumar
Carolina slant. A self‑taught cook,
she thrives by uniting global flavors
and erasing the geographic bound‑
aries of ingredients and techniques.
Kumar grew up on home cooked
food which her mother lovingly pre‑
pared despite a busy career. “We
went out for dinner maybe four
times a year,” Kumar said in the arti‑
cle. “Helping my mom make dinner
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
chanted Om and learned the Gayatri
Mantra. In the cooking session, they
made Gulab Jaman dessert. And in
art, created unique henna designs.
Every student went home with a
battery‑operated candle and bell, so
Jaipur Foot USA and a prominent
activist for the recognition of
Rajasthani language. Renu Jain is
well known for her multiple tal‑
ents, social service and philanthro‑
py. Dr Smita Lodha & Manisha
Jhalani are known for their dedica‑
tion in social and community serv‑
ices. RANAʼs current President is
Dr Shashi Shah, Event Chairperson:
was the chore I loved to hate.” Over
time she grew fond of preparing
family meals, but it was a worn cook‑
book anthology from the 1960s that
guided her toward cooking profes‑
sionally. “I bought that giant, dusty
cookbook for a nickel at a Bronx
library book sale,” she said. When
she realized she could make some of
the dishes, like Madhur Jaffreyʼs
mango chicken, inspiration struck: “I
devoured those recipes. I was both
intimidated and challenged. I wanted
more.”
The menu at Garland connects the
dishes she makes from childhood
memory with ingredients that speak
of the South. Her shrimp and okra
borrow a spice blend from her moth‑
er, made with cumin, coriander,
mango powder, black salt, and
they can join the celebrations of
Diwali on November 7.
Remarks Geeta, “Celebrating our
culture with respect and dignity is at
the forefront of the blending of peo‑
ple from all backgrounds.”
Haridas Kotahwala, Vice President:
Dashrath Dugar, Secretary: Rajeev
K. Pandya, Treasurer: Chandra
Sukhwal, and Joint Treasurer: Anu
Jain.
RANA is a well known associa‑
tion for the Rajasthani community
and it has held many conventions
and Holi and Diwali celebrations
in New York.
turmeric. Paired with flash‑fried
large shrimp from eastern North
Carolina, the dish straddles her past
and present. “As a family, we always
did things differently," Kumar said. “I
was taught at an early age that
everything is up for interpretation,
even how we celebrate Diwali.”
Gajak, a sesame seed‑and‑peanut
brittle, and gajar halwa, the pudding
infused with carrot and cardamom
that she recalled from her childhood,
are Kumarʼs favorites. Kumar har‑
nesses these nostalgic Indian dishes
and reimagines them to fit her locale.
For a recent dinner at the James
Beard House in New York, Kumar
served a riff on gajar halwa with
yogurt custard and carrot sherbet. “It
wasnʼt uniquely Indian,” Kumar said,
“but it was authentic to me.”
TheSouthAsianTimes.info DIWALI SPECIAL November 3-9, 2018
 38 November 3-9, 2018 NATIONAL TheSouthAsianTimes.info

participated. In his first year as

President, Barack Obama lit the cer‑
emonial diya in the East Room. In
his last year in office, the obser‑
By Surekha Vijh / vance was shifted to the Oval Office.
The South Asian Times President Trump celebrated Diwali

D
iwali is now becoming a
major festival in the US.
People gear up for it much
before its arrival.
This year a host of exhilarating
events are lined up in the Greater
Washington DC (that includes
Maryland and Virginia). Hindu tem‑
ples and Sikh gurdwaras are prepar‑
ing for the big gathering on Diwali
day, while others are getting ready
with live music, Bollywood dance
performances, entertainment shows
and much more. Washingtonians
can choose from a variety of Diwali
events, from boat parties to commu‑
nity shows, and nightclub gala to
cultural events.
As the Indian community has
come of age, so has their traditions
and culture. Their places of worship
have grown in number as well. This
is similar to when Europeans came
to the US, they started celebrating
their own festivals and religious
practices, a continent apart from
Native Americansʼ rituals and tradi‑
tions. Even the White House has
been celebrating Diwali since 2009
when the President was George W.
Bush though he never personally
in the White House with much fan‑
fare last year, thanking the Indian
American community for their sup‑
port in the election. He is expected
to do the same this Diwali too.
Besides, there are Diwali celebra‑
tions planned on Capitol Hill and in
both houses of Congress.
The DC Mayor Bowserʼs office is
planning their own big celebrations
on November 13. Virginia
Republican Party leaders are gear‑
ing up too to celebrate the festival of
lights. They have recognized the Diwali likely to be celebrated in the White House this year as well.
contributions of the Indian
American community: Fairfax deeper meaning of the festival. ʻWe all in the upcoming fiscal year. High School Auditorium, 3601
County boasts the second largest are excited as this event brings the In Washington DC, almost all Powder Mill Rd, Beltsville, MD at
number of Indians working in the IT Indian students together and others Indian Americans say they celebrate 6:00 PM.
sector after Silicon Valley. Barbara join us too,” said Neha Batra, a stu‑ Diwali, irrespective of their religion 8 Dandiya Dhoom with Falguni
Comstock, Congresswoman from the dent. This program will feature and ethnicity. Pathak is on Nov 3 at Richmond
10th district of Virginia, who wished musical performances, audio/visual Listed here are a few Diwali events: Coliseum, Richmond, VA at 8:30
the community a happy Diwali, said and lectures. They also even plan‑ 8 Bollywood show for Diwali with PM.
her district has a thriving Indian ning an Annakut display of vegan Sunidhi Chauhan and Badshah 8 A Diwali Mela is being organized
American population with a large IT and vegetarian delicacies. concert is on November 2 at The by United Hindu and Jain tem‑
community. University campuses Then there is the traditional Athem, 901 Wharf Street ples.
with students, faculty, alumni, and Chopda Pujan, performed by Hindu Southwest, Washington, DC. 8 The Dulles Expo Center in
young professionals have their own business people to sanctify the new 8 Diwali dinner and concert by Chantilly, Virginia held a Diwali
Diwali celebrations including at the accounting books as the Hindu New Bollywood singer Sunny Jadhav fair from October 7‑8.
Grand Ballroom of the Adele H Year begins a day after Diwali. The ‑ Bollywood Beats is being held 8 Science of Spirituality, a non‑
Stamp Student Union at the Vedic ceremony symbolizes humility in Laurel, MD on November 17. profit, held a Diwali function on
University of Maryland, College as devotees dedicate their work to 8 Chandan Shetty Live Concert is October 20 at their DC center,
Park, for an evening exploring the God, and pray for better fortunes for on November 3 in High Point joined in by 150 people.

Diwali Festival to Musical 'Ramaavan' headlines DIWALI EVENTS

feature food, fashion Surati's 5 day Diwali festivities Govardhan Pooja
and fireworks 56 Dishes will be offered to

A S
urora's Indian American
Community Outreach Advisory
Board will celebrate its annual
Diwali Festival from 5:30 to 9 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 3, at Waubonsie Valley
High School, 2590 Ogden Ave. in Aurora.
Attended by more than 5,000 people
annually, Aurora's Diwali festival will fea‑
ture the diversity of India's music, dance,
clothing and cuisine ‑‑ while also high‑
lighting the contributions of Indian
Americans locally and nationally. Visitors
can purchase food, clothing and jewelry
while Bollywood‑style dance groups
entertain the crowd throughout the
evening. Five high school graduates will
receive the 2018 Swami Vivekananda
Scholarship for their academic accom‑
plishments and service to the communi‑
ty: Imtiaz Ahsan (Oswego East), Debanjan
Das (Oswego East), Aayan Haq (Metea
Valley), Shaelyn Iyer (Waubonsie Valley)
and Sara Lagvankar (Metea Valley). The
festival will conclude with an outdoor
fireworks display beginning at 8:45 p.m.
The celebration is free and open to the
public. Visit www.facebook.com/iacoab/.
urati for Performing Arts' 5‑day annual Giriraj Maharaj Krishna
Diwali festivities (October 24 to October Sun, November 11
28) in partnership with Art House included from 11am ‑1pm
4 shows of Ramaavan‑ A musical by Rimli Roy, The At Radha Madhav Dham, 400,
Diwali Spectacular Party, which included musical Barsana Dham road, AUstin,
performances by renowned artists from India, Texas
Sumit Roy and Rajesh Roy and dance performances ***************
by Surati dancers. The festival concluded on Diwali Celebration
Sunday, October 28 with The Ethnic Bazaar and Co‑sponsored by the Mattoo
Street Fair. Ramaavan ‑ a musical,conceived, chore‑ Center for India Studies
Rimli Roy, Surati founder‑artistic director Friday, November 9, 2018,
ographed, produced and directed by Rimli Roy, the
with Bollywood music composer
founder and artistic director of Surati for 5:30 PM
and film maker Rajesh Roy
Performing Arts ran for 4 days in Jersey City from Wang Center Zodiac Gallery
Oct 24‑27. Two of the 4 shows were sold out and Lobby, Stony Brook University,
India Sumit Roy, had the crowd dancing to classics
attended by dignitaries, including the Indian Long Island
like Cheating Heart, Besame Mucho, I believe in
Consul General in New York, Amb. Sandeep ***************
music and many more. Rajesh Roy a renowned
Chakravorty and his wife Mrs. Taruna Chakravorty. Bollywood music director and filmmaker per‑ BJANA Diwali
CG Sandeep mentioned in his speech at the end of formed Bollywood hits and mashups. Other acts
the show that he was impressed and amazed with included a comedy show by Taral Almoula, contem‑
Celebration
BJANA is hosting its yearly
this version and interpretation of the epic which he porary dance by Imani Gaston and Bollywood
Diwali event & community get
had never seen before, the innovative elements and dance performances by Surati dancers, Imani
together on
particularly the culturally diverse cast. The Jersey Gaston, Lindsay Erin and Ashwin Kumar. The tick‑
Saturday, November 17th, 2018
City Mayor's office was represented by Kevin ets for the event included an Indian buffet spread,
from 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Williamson who praised the cast and the crew for a a cash bar, live entertainment and a special hang‑
at The Maharaja Hall of Royal
spectacular show. The audience which included out room for kids. The Ethic Bazaar was postponed
Albertʼs Palace, 1050 King
people from all ages and walks of life were left from Saturday, October 27 to Sunday, October 28
Georges Post Road, Edison,
wanting for more. The Diwali Spectacular which owing to inclement weather. Stalls sold ethnic jew‑
NJ 08837.
included performances by the Calypso King of elry, clothes and a variety of Indian delicacies.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info DIWALI SPECIAL November 3-9, 2018
TheSouthAsianTimes.info DIWALI SPECIAL November 3-9, 2018
TheSouthAsianTimes.info DIWALI SPECIAL November 3-9, 2018
TheSouthAsianTimes.info DIWALI SPECIAL November 3-9, 2018
 42 November 3-9, 2018 DIASPORA TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Trafalgar Square, London

The annual
Diwali
celebration
showcased
Indian
tradition and
culture in its
full glory.
(Photo :
itv.com,
Victoria
Jones/PA)

Sydney, Australia

Leicester, England
Crowds flocked to Leicester City in England
on Oct 28 when thousands of Diwali
lights were switched on and a parade
taken out to kick off the annual celebration.
Opera House lit up to mark Diwali for the fifth
consecutive year. Premier Gladys Berejiklian and
NSW governmentʼs gesture symbolized strong
India‑Oz relationship and recognized the
contribution of the Indian diaspora.
(Image : India in Australia/Sydney Facebook page)

Diwali in the US, a connection to India Diwali Down Memory Lane

By Sangeet Sharma
Marketing Director
& Broadcaster, Easy 96 Radio

I
t is that festive time of the year
again. Diwali always brings
immense happiness and we all
look forward to the festivities with
awe. I remember my childhood
years growing up in New Delhi,
when Diwali was always the most
Shravan K. Verma Pinkie Bajwa Lata Priyadarshini and daughter Kavita awaited and celebrated holiday in
our house, for us four kids. Mithai
By Surekha Vijh Pinkie Bajwa feels festivals like and friends celebrate together, and gifts used to pour in from fami‑
in Washington Diwali were like “life force for the besides its beautiful message. When ly and friends circle on Chhoti
Indian community,” otherwise they I came here as a student 30 years Diwali. We were not allowed to eat

A
s they say, you can take
Indians away from India, but
you cannot take India away
from them. The Diwali time proves
that more than anything else.
Shravan K. Verma, Manager,
Durga Temple in Virginia, who has
been here for 30 years, feels Indian
here are nicely preserving the cul‑
ture. “In India people take things for
granted, but here people make spe‑
cial ef forts to keep the culture
alive.” Durga temple also has a cul‑
ture center keeping Indian dance,
music, languages and festivals flour‑
ishing. People drive 50‑00 miles to
be a part of the celebrations like
Diwali here.”
Onkar Sharma, the temple priest,
agrees that the Indian community
was devoted to preserving their cul‑
ture: “Seeing a thousand people
coming to the temple for all major
festivals is quite commendable.”
will go crazy. “It preserves a part of
India within us”.
Neha Malhotra and Shruti Gupta,
who went for Karva Chauth to the
temple, said, “We used to miss India
initially but now the temple has
become our homes away from
home,” Shruti said. “We bring our
children to observe Indian culture
and religion,” Neha added.
Lata Priyadarshini felt that keep‑
ing in touch with Indian culture was
important for a sense of belonging‑
ness. Her 20‑year‑old daughter
Kavita agreed.
Kittie Surjit Kaur loved the
Indianness provided by the temple
and gurudwaras with all the festivi‑
ties,
Dr. Lalita Kaul, professor of nutri‑
tion at the Howard Medical School
in DC who lives in Maryland, said
the spirit of Diwali was happiness.
“For me it is a festival which family
ago, there were not many Indians,
so I used to miss Diwali. Now it is
becoming popular here too,” she
added. Most of the temples in
Maryland and Virginia were expect‑
ing big crowds on Diwali night on
November 7.
Many Hindus in America donʼt
take a day of f on Diwali. Vivek
Dwivedi, a NASA engineer who lives
in Maryland, said he will observe
Diwali American‑style by taking a
half‑day of f, going to temple for
prayers, decorating his house with
Christmas‑style lights and visiting
friends and family. NASA and the
federal government are good to
allow people to use earned personal
time to celebrate religious holidays.
Still, he added, it would be nice if
more Americans knew a little about
his religion and culture. To bring
more awareness about the festival
he wants Diwali promoted better.
before pooja and had to use great
restrain from opening the packets
or else get punished. How we used
to cry and make noise over that
makes us laugh now.
Deciding on a new outfit, getting
it custom tailored, buying firecrack‑
ers, ordering boxes of sweets for
near and dear ones, were always the
most exciting part. Although at
times it brought on the big rivalry
between us kids. Lighting up diyaas
was always a big attraction for us
sisters, while my brothers fought
over the big rockets and patakhas
and took turns to light them. Now
they have become beautiful fond
memories to reminisce.
Living in New York now gives us
some opportunities to celebrate on
a few weekends, but it is not at all
the same as it was while growing up
in India. The Diwali melas here
gives us the feel and puts us in the
Sangeet Sharma
mood for a few days, which I think
is some compensation for what we
have left behind in India. Christmas
here makes it all up for it, with
lights and decorations everywhere,
and I feel as if Diwali has arrived in
December for us to celebrate. Haha!
Just play a little mind game, to
enjoy both the holidays!
Diwali is always a reminder of
happiness, joy, love, family bonding
and staying connected with our
roots and history, no matter where
we live in the world. Letʼs pass on
this culture and significance of the
festival of lights to our next genera‑
tions and inculcate in them the
goodness it offers.
Wishing the readers of The South
Asian Times a very happy and aus‑
picious Diwali & festive season from
my family and on behalf of my Easy
96 Radio Station.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info DIWALI SPECIAL November 3-9, 2018

S
ome years ago, the food
quality at the Rashtrapati
Bhavan in New Delhi in
the state Banquets hosted by the
President in honor of visiting dig‑
nitaries had deteriorated.
Meanwhile, there was a change of
guard, meaning the country had a
new President (but the chefs
remained the same). The new
President ordered his chefs to
also start including one dish in
the menu, from the country of the
visiting dignitary. A food expert,
critic and a top journalist who
used to be regularly invited for
the state banquets at the presi‑
dential palace commented: “Why
not? Let the chefs at the palace
murder the cuisine of other
countries too, why only our cui‑
sine.
In many parties if I am blind‑
folded, itʼs difficult to know
46 November 3-9, 2018 FOOD
How not to murder cuisines!
Wow is the word when we saw and tasted these amazing presentations. Cuisine is being revolutionized by Aj.
whether a piece of meat is fish or en, what dish is it, Chicken mari‑
chicken or cheese and if itʼs chick‑ nara or Chicken makhani!!
Every dish needs to have a char‑
Ajay Chaudhry, acter, taste and a unique style of
culinary and presentation, says Ajay of Chand
hospitality Palace. “Food is not about sys‑
tems and kitchen efficiency, no
expert, who man‑
matter what they say in manuals,
ages Chand Palace
itʼs about chefs, about pride,
in Martinsville,
about passion.” Based on this
Bridgewater, NJ. thinking Aj is completely rein‑
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
venting the Asian cuisine on a
global scale trying to take you on
a culinary journey through the
landscape of Asia in a manner
which has never been done
before. “I tell my guests to leave
their preconceived notions and
perceptions out of the door, while
enjoying a delicious, visual senso‑
ry experience,” Aj says with pride
and confidence.
He adds that a party is of course
a mix of many elements, like the
ambience of the venue, the loca‑
tion, the surroundings, “but
believe me after few years most
of the guests will have to brush
up their memory to remember
the venue where your party hap‑
pened. But even after many years
it doesnʼt take more than a sec‑
ond to remember whether the
food they had at that party was
good or bad. And if it was unique,
tasty and presented innovatively,
they will never forget. Because
food is the most important ele‑
ment of the party and is remem‑
bered forever.” Itʼs not just cook‑
ing. It also about super innovative
presentation. Dishes piled up
while moving from the kitchen
lose their texture and presenta‑
tion. It needs a lot of effort to
train chefs, have an eye for detail
and passion. Be very careful with
such presentations as the food
loses its temperature by the time
it reaches the guestʼs plate.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info DIWALI SPECIAL November 3-9, 2018

Jewelry
trends for
festive season
New Delhi: With back‑to‑back festivals
like Navratri/Durga Puja/Dussehra,
Karva Chauth, Diwali and Chhath Puja,
women desire to dress up and look
their best for each occasion. Be in sync
with the latest jewelry
trends.
Yash Agarwal,
Creative Director and
Design Head at
Birdhichand
Ghanshyamdas Jaipur,
and Raminder Singh,
Principle
Jewellery
Designer at
BlueStone,
list some
festive jew‑
elry trends.
Multi‑lay‑ (Image : India.com)
ering necklaces: One of the biggest
trends for this festive season is multi‑
ple layering of the neckpieces. One can
accessorize a simple lehenga or an
anarkali by adorning beautifully
carved handcrafted chokers with mul‑
tiple mid‑length or long‑length neck‑
laces to create a majestic look.
Statement earrings: One can adorn
classic statement earrings to create
minimalistic yet chic looks. Kashmiri
jhumkas or chandbalis can look stun‑
ning when clubbed with striking col‑
ors.
Headgears: To give a classic look, one
can experiment the unconventional
way by wearing a beautiful maang‑tika
or mathapatti. Stacking bangles or
bracelets along with headgears cre‑
ates a playful vibe to the attire.
Traditional kamarbandh: The quin‑
tessential kamarbandh of Indian
heritage is eternally stylish and ver‑
satile. (IANS)
48 November 3-9, 2018 LIFESTYLE TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Add glow to festive
celebrations with lights
New Delhi: Be it lanterns, floor lamps or
chandeliers, lights are the perfect accessory
to enhance the look of your home and add a
positive vibe to the celebrations.
Ranbir Mehra, Director, Jaquar Lighting
67% and Dillraj L Bhatia, Founder, DBEL Studio,
tell how:
women said 'as an
4 Lanterns are a must for the festive sea‑
expression of love
son as they are a blend of design style.
25% Lanterns are extremely versatile as they can
be hung or placed on the floor for decora‑
said 'a tradition'
tion, giving a creative and vibrant look to
08% your surroundings.
said 'societal pressure.' 4 Look for unique fixtures to draw atten‑
tion and add grace to the area. If something
feels incomplete, even after you've decorat‑
ed, chances are your lighting situation is to
New Delhi: A read a statement. men were asked the same blame. Add an extra touch of luxury to elab‑
majority of When women were question, 92 percent said, orate the room with a double chandelier.
Indian women asked why they fast dur‑ 'They would want to recip‑ Floral chandeliers are a bold choice, but
in a sample ing Karwa Chauth, 67 per‑ rocate the gesture.' they can look stunning in rooms with simple
survey said cent said 'as an expression Taking a closer look at decor and furniture. Look for fixtures made
they fast of love', 25 percent said 'a the difference in views, from hand‑blown glass that feature elegant‑
during tradition' and 8 percent women were asked, 'If you ly swooping stems and delicate buds to add
Karwa said 'societal pressure.' are fasting, how would impact to a plain dining room.
4Pendant lights are the perfect addition to
Chauth as an expression When men were asked, you like your partner to
of love, and not because of why do they think their reciprocate the gesture?', any area of the home. Not only do they pro‑
tradition or societal pres‑ partners fast for them, 55 76 percent said 'Fasting vide task lighting, but they also continue the
sure. percent said 'a tradition', with me,' followed by 18 style of the space. Use stainless steel shades
The survey was conduct‑ 32 percent said 'as an percent saying 'cooking for a sleek contemporary look or colorful
ed among 7,533 respons‑ expression of love,' 13 for me' and 6 percent say‑ ones for an eclectic style. Mix old with new.
ing 'taking the day off to A vintage touch with industrial hanging
es from Indian men (42 percent said 'societal pres‑
lights, keeps the surrounding updated mak‑
percent) and women (58 sure.' spend quality time togeth‑
ing it look royal yet elegant.
percent) aged 21 to 50 The data highlights the er'.
4 Floor lamps are easy to integrate into
years, by matchmaking clear disparity that exists When men were asked,
any division, you just have to choose one
service Shaadi.com, to in the perspectives of men 'If your partner is fasting,
and see even the darkest corner of your
understand the perspec‑ and women. To further how would you like to
house glowing.
tive of men and women on understand this, women reciprocate the gesture?',
4 Turn off your main overhead lights and
the fasting ritual of Karwa were asked 'If you are 62 percent said 'taking
create warm pools of light instead.
Chauth, fasting, would you want the day off to spend quali‑
4 If you prefer clean, modern lines and
your partner to recipro‑ ty time together', followed
minimalist home decor, embellish your
MEN- cate the gesture,' 75
percent said 'Yes'
by 29 percent saying 'fast‑
ing with her' and 9 per‑
space with lots of metal hurricane lanterns
sculpted along geometric lines. When lit up
ORIENTED and 25 percent
said 'No.' When
cent saying 'Cooking for
her.' (IANS)
with fairy lights or the warmth of the can‑
dles they add festive sparkle to your home.
FASHION TIPS (IANS)
FOR FESTIVE New Delhi: The festive sea‑
son is the best time for men
we are not just talking of plain shirts here. We are talking of a shirt
with an extreme collar cutaway and contrast detailing on the collar
SEASON
to put their best fashion and the sleeves. One of the finest pieces this festive season, it sure will
foot forward. Wearing leave everyone in awe of it.
breathable and comfort‑ 4 Signature polo t‑shirt: Versatile polo t‑shirts can be paired up with
able clothes that are styl‑ casual jeans or chinos to don a classy look this festive season. Polos
ish will help you ace the with signature Poker designs are highly‑recommended in this season.
fashion game, suggest 4 Bandgala sleeveless jacket: Speaking of an evolved fusion of fash‑
experts. ionable elements with classic Italian cuts, this jacket is something that
Rai Sahib Singh will never go out of fashion.
Khurana, Founder, 4 Classic blue: Classic blue coloured shirts allow you to have a
Bigstack and Aditya wardrobe that is lightweight and is made of breathable fabrics. To top
Puri, Brand Manager, it all, they also have fine Italian detailing on the shirts like cutaway
Giovani, list some collars and neckband patches.
trends. 4 Play with lightweight fabric: Festive season demands long hours
4Shirt with a style: A with friends and family. Wearing comfortable and breathable fabric
shirt is something that allows a person to feel at ease while playing cards or spending leisure
will always form the time with loved ones. This Diwali, choose the fabric of the outfit that
foundation of their feels light in weight and is breathable.
stylish wardrobe. But, (IANS)
TheSouthAsianTimes.info DIWALI SPECIAL November 3-9, 2018

LET THERE
BE LIGHT
Diwali greetings to the whole world
By Vibhuti Jha
TV anchor ‘Frankly
Speaking with Vibhuti Jha’
E
very year we Hindus cele‑
brate the festival of
Diwali, wherever we may
be or anywhere on this planet
earth. Many world leaders
acknowledge the message of
Diwali, namely, let the light
remove darkness around us, with‑
in us and in communities we live
in. Yet todayʼs world is remark‑
ably in a phase of unending con‑
flicts, killings, mass migrations
due to war, poverty and inept
governments destroying their
own countries forcing people to
flee. Where is the light or are we
the people just about incomplete
and incompetent?
The essential principles govern‑
ing Hindu way of life is deep‑root‑
ed in Sanatan Dharm ‑ the whole
world is one or a village or a fam‑
ily. The greatest virtue of the
Hindu way of life revolves around
ACCEPTANCE ‑ a concept far
more strong, powerful and
human than TOLERANCE. We
accept and convey that message
in our greetings when we say
ʻNamastayʼ to a fellow human as
an equal creation of the creator.
If you believe in evolution, then
we have evolved as humans with
similar body parts that performs
identical functions. It doesnʼt
really matter who and what you
believe in, pray for and pray to ‑
what defines a human is in what
he does, not who he prays to. God
didnʼt create or establish religion,
50 November 3-9, 2018
Diwali is a pan-Indian festival. On the occasion, we invited some
prominent Indian Americans to reflect on the greatness and
resilience of Indian culture and civilization, which has endured
and is lighting the path of progress of our native country and
making the Indian diaspora a cynosure of all eyes.
we the people did. Thus let us
accept its imperfections, let reli‑
gions evolve coming in step with
discovery, science and technolo‑
gy.
The Hindu message of “vasud‑
haiv kutumbakam” has received
global acceptance in a new avatar
‑ “One Sun, One Grid, One Planet”
under the auspices of the newly
established International Solar
Alliance (ISA), an initiative where‑
in Prime Minister Narendra Modi
has played a stellar role. The
most interesting element is that
10 out the 15 OPEC members are
part of ISA. In Hindu philosophy
we express our gratitude to God,
the invisible, the indivisible for
giving us Sun whose “light and
energy” is one of the most potent
ways of sustaining life on earth.
Without Sun and its light and
energy we would be living in
frozen ice age! It doesnʼt matter
whether we thank God or His
manifestation as Sun, can we real‑
ly live a meaningful life without
Sun and its light? Let us as
humans pray for universal
ACCEPTANCE of all people as we
are without preconditions. The
belief or stipulation of the oft
repeated claims of the “only way”
prescription as my way or high‑
way needs to be rejected for
peace, light and a happy commu‑
nity life.
Pray to your God, as you wish.
Just make sure to understand to
let others pray to their own God,
in their own way. No oneʼs God is
right or wrong. When anyone of
us begins to believe that his or
her religion allows to maim or kill
others ‑ that sure is a sign of
being brainwashed and living in
total darkness! Let there be light
of knowledge, understanding,
appreciation and acceptance for a
fellow human and all of Godʼs cre‑
ation. “Appa deepo bhava (be a
light unto yourself)”. Let there be
light within all of us.
HERITAGE
SOMETIMES A
PANDORA'S BOX…
Other times a Matryoshka doll
By Aleya Hussain Jung
S
ometimes a Pandora's box
and other times a
Matryoshka doll, maybe a
pungent onion with unseen layers
‑ having the power to burn oneʼs
eyes while ensuring its use will
create a delectable, savory dish.
We Indians, in India or outside,
are a nation of many colors and
many contradictions. We
progress and violently regress.
My son Asad has a problem
with colonization: he feels he has
lost out on a rich culture because
we primarily speak English, think
in English, and wear western
clothes. He has a point. My reply
to him and I think he kind of got
it was, “well… we do read and
write in English, in fact our whole
existence in North America and
other parts of the western world,
our progress and success, espe‑
cially outside of India, gave us a
leg up only because we are profi‑
cient in the English language.”
Maybe this is not fair. Why
shouldnʼt a Mandarin or Spanish
speaker who could be more quali‑
fied and smarter than us English
speaking “Babus” not get where
we are? A good question, a good
answer for which I do not have. It
is the way of the world. The best I
could come up with was… well…
see, we got a common language to
communicate effectively, that it
happened through destruction
and genocide and not organically
is a pity. Even in India, I tell my
son, how would I, a northerner,
ever communicate with someone
from the south. It is impossible to
learn 22 official Indian lan‑
guages!
To some extent we may have
lost some parts of our culture but
letʼs examine it from a different
perspective and ask ourselves ‑
have we really lost it? Look at the
title of one of the more popular
Hindi films of recent times ‑
“Kabhie Khushi Kabhie Gham”.
Now is that Hindi/Urdu or
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
English? Get
my point?
I pointed out
to my son the
Diwali mela
that is organ‑
ized by our
neighborhood
Hindu temple in
Hicksville, the
local gurdwara
he visits with his
mother and par‑
takes of the “lan‑
gar”, or the big
India Day Parade
in New York City.
When he is
given the “roti”, he
may with extend‑
ed hands say
thank you in
Aleya Jung with his
English, but have we lost the cul‑
wife Reshma
ture? Language though a large
part of our culture may be wan‑ long life.
ing, but the values remain. We wear Indian clothes and
This diversity, these different enjoy some meat dishes at my
approaches to culture and festi‑ friend Rajeshʼs house and play
vals have not only existed in India “teen patti” and lose a couple of
since time immemorial, but hundred bucks and return home
thrived. Take Diwali for instance. inebriated but happy.
It is observed around the same The basic spirit of Diwali never
time every year in India and the changes though, like it should not.
diaspora differently. A Sikh may The idea is universal and can be
observe it as “Bandi Chhor Diwas” applied to any culture, any reli‑
(the release of Guru Hargobind gion. An atheist can use it or an
from a Mughal prison) while the agnostic.
Jains will celebrate Mahaviraʼs From the Upanishads:
final liberation. The Newar Asato ma sat gamaya |
Buddhists from Nepal will cele‑ Tamaso ma jyotir gamaya |
brate it by worshiping Goddess Mṛtyor ma amṛtam gamaya |
Laxmi while some will pay obei‑ And the translation in English is
sance to their tools at work as follows:
(Vishwakarma puja). There would From untruth lead us to Truth.
be “Bhai Dooj” thrown in between. From darkness lead us to Light.
In North India it is celebrated for From death lead us to
Lord Ramʼs triumphant return Immortality.
after rescuing Sita and in the
suouth, it is Lord Krishnaʼs slay‑
Aleya Jung is Home
ing of the demon Naraka.
Health Care
In our house there are diyas
that never stay lit even though we
Administrator with
use pure ghee to fire it up. My Metropolitan Jewish
wife touches my feet and I bless Health Care System;
her by saying, “Sada Suhagan and Secretary of Rotary
raho”. Club Hicksville South.
Basically I bless myself with a
TheSouthAsianTimes.info DIWALI SPECIAL November 3-9, 2018

By Ven Parameswaran
I
ndia was once the most civilized
and the richest civilization in the
world. The oldest international
Aryabhatta correctly propounded
university was in Taxila. It had
10,000 international students.
Sanskrit is the oldest language. It
took many centuries before litera‑
ture in Sanskrit was translated into
English. As a result, the Western
world failed to discover India and its
civilization. Mohenjo‑daro civiliza‑
tion of India is the oldest. Its
remains prove India was the most
civilized and modern.
Mathematics originated in India.
Aryabhatta invented zero and the
Indians formulated Algebra,
Geometry, and Trigonometry.
Pythagoras theorem was invented in Indian mind. He came to this con‑
India. The Greeks stole it, named it
Pythagoras theorem and publicized.
Alexander the Great invaded India
during Chandragupta Mauryaʼs peri‑ Arthasastra.
By Ashok Vyas
W
hat is Bharat? It is rel‑
evant to recollect the
etymology of the word
ʻBharatʼ as we get ready to cele‑
brate the festival of lights,
Deepavali. ʻBhaʼ means ʻlightʼ and
that which revels in the light of
knowledge is Bharat. What kind
of knowledge? Knowledge that
liberates. ʻSa Vidya ya
Vimuktayeʼ. Indian spirit is also
very clear about the pathway to
knowledge and the right spirit
for gaining wisdom. Be humble!
ʻVidhya Dadati Vinayamʼ, knowl‑
edge makes you humble.
52 November 3-9, 2018
INDIA INVENTED ZERO &
PYTHAGORAS THEOREM
And Kautilya wrote the first political theory book,
Arthasastra, in 3rd century BC.
that the Earth is round, revolves
around the Sun. He also made
predictions about the solar and
lunar eclipses, duration of the
day as well as the distance
between the Earth & the Moon.
od. He was very impressed with
India. After seeing so many coun‑
tries, he was fascinated with the
Indian intellect, arts, and culture.
Silently he admitted that Greece was
far behind. Though he conquered
India with his army, he said to him‑
self that nobody could conquer the
clusion after meeting and having
conversations with King Poras of
Kashmir and Kautilya, author of the
INDIAN SPIRIT: INBUILT GREATNESS
When we trace the great reser‑
voir of knowledge that is a part
of Indian tradition in the field of
astronomy and calculations of
time, it is difficult to imagine,
how they could accurately pre‑
dict sunrise and sunset as well as
planetary positions, without
advanced scientific tools that are
easily available for us. When we
think about the invention of
wheel, the gift of Zero in the field
of mathematics, we realize that
there was a deeper appreciation
of how human mind functions in
the people that walked on the
divine land of Bharat.
Unity in diversity is the core of
Indian identity. Life is celebrated
in all its totality with diverse lan‑
guages, dresses, dances and festi‑
vals. India has shared the realiza‑
tion of ʻVasudhaiv Kutumbkamʼ,
the whole world is a family.
The definition of ʻsinʼ is ʻcaus‑
HERITAGE
Without Zero, that India gave
to the world, Binary numbers, 1
and 0, the basic language in
which computer programs are
written, would not be possible.
The binary number system was
actually first described by the
Vedic scholar Pingala, in his
book Chandahśāstra.
Kautilya was Prime Minister to
King Chandragupta Maurya.
Kautilya had written a book on polit‑
ical science titled Arthasastra. Since
Alexander could not read Sanskrit,
he requested Kautilya to give him a
synopsis of Arthasastra. Alexander
was so impressed with what he had
learnt that as soon as he returned to
Greece, he conveyed it to his guru
Aristotle. Aristotle wrote his first
book ʻPoliticsʼ based on what he
grasped from Arthasastra.
ing sufferingʼ to anybody. These
days, India is focusing on cleanli‑
ness under the leadership of
Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
We have often heard, ʻCleanliness
is Godʼ. The festival of Deepavali
is also related to keeping our
house in order, getting rid of the
unwanted garbage accumulated
by ignorant living. If we surround
ourselves by things that are not
needed, we also find ourselves
drawn towards unproductive
thoughts.
The Indian spirit encourages
creativity and collective celebra‑
tions. The sense of sharing and
working with the help of each
other to attain the ultimate
objective is also enshrined in the
tale related to the appearance of
goddess of wealth, Mmother
Goddess Laxmi. The churning of
the ocean took place with collab‑
orative efforts of ʻDevasʼ and
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Aristotleʼs ʻPoliticsʼ became the
most popular book on political phio‑
losophy in the world. It is required
reading for all political science
courses. Arthasastra was translated
into English only in 1915. Indians
have read Aristotleʼs book but they
have not read Arthasastra by
Kautilya. Even Machiavelliʼs book,
The Prince/The Discourses, is based
on Kautilyaʼs Arthasastra. He dis‑
covered Arthasastra when Vasco de
Gama discovered India via South
Africa. I wrote a paper for my
Political Theory course under Prof
Alfred DeʼGrazia of Princeton
University. He was then teaching at
NYU. I compared the writings of
Kautilya, Aristotle, and Machiavelli
and concluded that Aristotle and
Machiavelli had stolen material
from Kautilya. My professor was
excited and advised me that I should
write a book. He thought that
Kautilyaʼs book was probably trans‑
lated into Arabic, Greek and Italian
but to confirm he advised that I
should travel to those countries and
investigate.
Albert Einstein acknowledged the
value of zero. Without it we could
ʻDaityasʼ. Laxmi is also referred
to as ʻShriʼ. The glow of ʻShriʼ
doesnʼt mean external opulence
alone, it is the clarity of vision
and joy of being that is also ʻShriʼ.
The Indian spirit has innate
greatness because it is clear
about the meaning of true happi‑
ness of human beings. Are we
designing our lives in the spirit
of India, which means harmony,
humility, helpful attitude and
approach to consider our guests
as God.
The reverence towards life is
reflected in behavior pattern and
creative expressions of life.
India is eagerly adopting and
assimilating the use of technolo‑
gy. The ʻdigitalʼ Indiaʼ is ready to
find its harmonious relationship
with ʻdivineʼ India.
On the spiritual plane, when we
see beyond the conflicts arising
out of complex setting with
not have developed
computers/internet/software. It is
also said that Sanskrit is the most
compatible language for computing.
After the Kalinga war waged by
Asoka the Great, India followed non‑
violence. This kept Indians from
defending against foreign invasions.
The foreigners, especially Muslims,
imposed their culture by force. In
New Delhi, you only see Muslim his‑
tory. It is a shame that the real India
is buried. Indians must rediscover
India and publicize to the world that
we are not just the Taj Mahal!
Indian Americans are the highest
educated community in USA as well
as the highest income ‑ A family of
four earns $108,000 on an average.
If India creates the same environ‑
ment as in the USA, India will thrive
with capitalism. India has been fool‑
ing around with the so‑called Mixed
Economy and Socialism, resulting in
massive corruption. China has
become the second super economic
power after it started with capital‑
ism. Indian bureaucracy is the
enemy. I hope Indians will discover
the strengths of India and create
unlimited prosperity.
Ven Parameswaran is
MBA, Columbia Business
School; Chairman, Asian
American Republican
Committee (founded
1988); former President
& CEO, First Asian
Securities
Corporation, NY.
respect to religious or political
differences, the march of young
India towards unprecedented
growth and development
appears certain. Yet, in order to
reap the benefits of innate good‑
ness and inbuilt greatness of
India, we need to move with
ʻawareness of the absoluteʼ.
Deepavali is also celebrated to
mark the ʻarrival of Ramaʼ, the
ideal. May we invoke the spirit of
Rama and move towards abun‑
dance with light of love.
Disciple of Swami Shri
Ishwarananda Giriji
Maharaj, a poet, priest
& program director with
ITVGold, Ashok Vyas
is also co‑founder of
Insight for Creativity
LLC.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info DIWALI SPECIAL November 3-9, 2018

Happy Diwali

On Way to the remains of Ravana Palace.
By Prof A.D. Amar, PhD
A s our coach started to roll out
of the Kingsbury Hotel for
the University of Colombo cam-
pus closely passing the thick yel-
lowish green palm trees, we could
clearly see Colombo’s beautiful
misty white, bright-blue Indian
Ocean west coastline. The waves
were churning up and down add-
ing energy to the otherwise calm
serenity. The scenery was like a
perfect picture postcard. I was re-
minding myself that I was indeed
on the Pearl of the Indian Ocean,
which was one of the ways I had
known Sri Lanka when growing
up in North India. And, I knew
that, in a few minutes, I was go-
ing to have a close encounter with
the University of Colombo whose
test questions we commonly at-
tempted during my high school in
India when preparing for our an-
nual university exams.
The third thing I had known
about Sri Lanka was that it was
King Ravana’s Golden Lanka be-
cause of its opulence and the sci-
54 November 3-9, 2018
At the Foot of the Ravana Falls where the Ravana
hid Sita as he returned to Lanka after abducting her.
entific and cultural advancements
during his time, which is estimated
to be something like 7th millen-
nia BCE. This period is recorded in
the Hindu scriptures as the Treta
Yuga, in which Lord Vishnu in his
7th avatar incarnated as Rama the
Crown Prince of Ayodhya—a king-
dom in north central India. Rama
came to Sri Lanka to liberate Prin-
cess Sita, his wife, who was abduct-
ed by the mighty King Ravana of
Sri Lanka. The story of Rama is the
most widely related story in India
that is covered in the epic Rama-
yana in 24,000 verses.
Sri Lanka is beautiful. While
traveling though the country, I
regularly felt the reverberations
in my ears of the dialogs from my
childhood Ramlila attendances
where the Ravana character will
describe Lanka as “soné ki Lanka”.
I did find it to be golden. Beautiful
landscapes, deep green forests,
thick nourished shrubbery, many
exotic flowers, birds and animals,
colorful fruits and vegetables
growing all over and the grow-
ers decorating them by the road-
H E R I TAG E
side made Ravana’s Lanka quite
charming. Even Colombo, in spite
of being crowded and at places
dilapidated like large cities of its
size, is beautiful.
It was March 2015 when I first
came to Sri Lanka with a team of
‘Doing Business in India’ students
from Seton Hall University in New
Jersey to understand the eco-
nomic and business opportunities
possible between the USA and the
countries of the Indian Subcon-
tinent. While our itinerary took
us to universities, businesses and
government establishments, trav-
eling through the country also re-
vealed to us several legends and
ruins that are the subject of many
stories of Ravana, Sita, Rama, Ha-
numan, and other characters of
the Ramayana that had enchanted
me when I was a teen in India.
Obviously, the visit to Sri Lan-
ka perked up my curiosity about
Rama and Ravana. I became in-
quisitive about the relics of Rama-
yana in Sri Lanka. I thought that if
Sri Lanka is having such resilient
legends and remains of the occur-
Ramayana refers to the country south of India as
‘Sone ki Lanka’. Sir Lanka is indeed beautiful.
rence of the Ramayana war that
we know Lanka lost clearly, then,
there had to be a possibility that
Rama did indeed exist and Rama-
yana did in fact occur. It fasci-
nated me. I wanted to learn more
about it.
Sri Lanka, that has had a 25 year-
old ethnic civil war, was showing
signs of an economic stagnation.
Observing the rich Ramayana her-
itage of the country, I had some
ideas about it developing a tour-
ism industry based on Rama and
Ravana to revive its economy. I ex-
pressed my ideas during a session
at the University of Colombo with
the faculty and administrators.
I suggested to them to excavate
the relics of Ramayana period
and establish their existence, as
Sri Lanka has sufficient ruins and
remains to pursue it. In response,
I was told that the Sri Lankan ar-
chaeologists, with some from the
USA and other foreign countries,
were working to excavate the
sites. However, first they wanted
to establish a reliable timeline of
Ramayana events as the current
Ravana Falls
behind which
Princess Sita
was hidden.
records dispersed these dates by
up to four millennia. Some tell the
Ramayana war to be seven millen-
nia old, other records put it at 11
millennia old.
We found some time in our
schedule during the 2015 trip to ex-
plore the Ramayana ruins for more
grounded evidence of the presence
of Sita in the Golden Lanka and of
the existence of King Ravana.
This trip gave me sufficient
curiosity to pursue the search for
Ramayana remains further in Sri
Lanka. In 2016 and 2017, I re-
turned to Sri Lanka with my stu-
dents. They also became interest-
ed in exploration and expedition
in their free time. We planned a
number of excursions.
We traveled about 80 miles
northeast of the rocky and sloping
road, with one tire of our coach
either close to the mountain or
edge of the valley, to a city at
about 1,700 feet elevation, named
Kandy. Kandy is a crowded, moun-
tainous city with steep roads. It is,
typically, a waystation for going
to other mountains near it.
 H E R I TAG E November 3-9, 2018 55

We spent the night at Mahaweli
River Reach. As the beautiful pink-
yellow-orange-ish sun rose, we en-
joyed the luscious outdoors, and
went to visit Peradeniya University
for the academic work, and then
traveled to Hakgala Botanical Gar-
dens to visit Ashok Vatika at about
5,500 feet elevation. This is where
Sita was kept captive by Ravana.
We visited the temple constructed
at the seat where she would pray
for Rama to come to liberate her
from her captivity. A mountain riv-
er churns around the temple giving
it life which otherwise would have
been so depressing to Sita during
her internment here. The location
still bears burned mountains and
rocky areas around the temple
caused by the tail of Hanuman
which was set on fire under Ra-
vana’s command. We saw the im-
prints made in stone by Hanuman’s
feet when he jumped in front of
Sita to say goodbye before return-
ing to Rama with her message for
him. He asked her for her pardon
for causing the mess around there
due to his burning tail.
On a new expedition, we want-
ed to look for the ruins that could
provide us some evidence of Rav-
ana’s existence. Given the legends
of Ravana’s power, wisdom, and
opulence, we could easily presume
that there must be some relics that
would have survived the wrath of
time. We traveled from Colombo to
Nuwara Eliya (5,500 feet from sea
level) and then down to the area
known as Horton Plains National
Park. We spent the night at a colo-
nial English resort by a tea garden.
Next morning, we went to Ella,
about 2 hours beautiful ride from
our Nuwara Eliya hotel. We climbed
to a 7,000 feet high mountain peak
from where we had beautiful views
of the valleys beneath. From there
on, the road took a nose dive. Ella
was beautiful with a magnificent,
powerful fall that they called the
Ravana Falls. Its aura and power
could definitely manifest the might
of Ravana. The rear of this fall is
where he first brought Sita and hid
her fearing that Rama or his agents
could be chasing him and would
come to free her. Only when he was
convinced that Sita was secured in
Sri Lanka that he decided to move
her to Ashok Vatika in Sita Eliya.
To be convinced that Rava-
na did indeed exist, we needed
some more evidence. The search
pointed us to Ravana Cave at the
top of a mountain in Ella that by
Sri Lankan government accounts
buries his palace and maybe some
of his remains. Due to the lack of
strength of the passage, no vehi-
cle was allowed to the foot of the
steps leading to the buried palace.
We had to reach it by trekking
about 2 km to get to the foot of
the peak. Then, we climbed 700
steps, mostly of 10” to 12” high.
Several in our group decided not
to go or went back.
At the top, we found a very
dark slanting cave with a crooked
opening leading into a seemingly
unending hole which appeared
as if it was leading down into an
extremely narrow tunnel. There
were signs of an attempt made by
some to go deeper inside it. While
my students wanted to survey the
tunnel by going deeper inside, I
ordered them to stop, take pic-
tures and come out. We decided
to return with the satisfaction
that because the government of
Sri Lanka has marked this locale
as the mountain that covered Ra-
vana’s palace with the buildup of
the time that was at least about
600 ft high, then there is an of-
ficial confirmation that there was
definitely an entity called Ravana
that lived in Sri Lanka in the past.
While I know that I, either with
a group of students or on my own,
will end up in Sri Lanka to further
explore the veracity of Rama and
Ramayana, at least for now, I came
back with my students with a sense
of satisfaction that what I had
been instilled about Rama and Ra-
mayana has some relevance. It has
special significance because that is
evidence enough to establish that
Indian civilization has existed and
endured anywhere between seven
to eleven millennia ago.
I also accepted that a life that
I lived surrounded by Lord Rama,
Ramayana, the fat book narrating
the story of Lord Rama that was
introduced to me when I barely
could read was not a myth. The
erection of a large stage every year
in the widest open space in the
town where we gathered to render
the life of Lord Rama for 10 fun-
filled nights of Ramlila entertain-
ment that ended by celebrating the
defeat of Ravana on the Dussehra
day were grounded in truth.
A copy of Ramayana in my
home, and constant counseling by
my mother to follow the model of
the life of Rama obviously have
taken a new meaning for me.

Seethamma Temple at the location

where Sita was kept captive in Lanka.

At the mouth
of the cave
at the top
of buried
Ravana
Palace.

Dr. Amar in the Pinnawala Elephant

Orphanage in Sri Lanka. He is Professor
of Management, Stillman School of
Business, Seton Hall University in New
Jersey. Contact: ad.amar@shu.edu

The author Prof AD Amar (2nd from left) with

his students at the Herbal Factory in Sri Lanka.

by Sant Rajinder
Singh Ji Maharaj
O ne of the festivals of autumn
is Diwali, which is celebrated
as ‘the festival of lights’. There is
a beautiful verse by Kabir Sahib
referring to the diya, or the lamps
lit on Diwali, which says: Like the
blind uselessly lighting a diya
when they cannot even see, the se-
cret of our true self lies within our
house, yet we are seeking outside.
Hidden within each of us is a
spark of the Divine. Breath-taking
regions of beauty, unimaginable
vistas of sights and sounds, infi-
nite wisdom, and all-embracing
love invite us within. The Light of
Divine glows continually. There
56 Nov 3-9, 2018
The Light of Divine glows continually within us. There is a flame that can empower us
with wisdom, eternal happiness, all-embracing love, freedom from fear, and immorality.
is a flame that can empower us
with wisdom, eternal happiness,
all-embracing love, freedom from
fear, and immorality. This flame il-
lumines our heart and mind with
answers to questions that have
mystified humankind for ages.
It is not a gift reserved for a few;
it is available to everyone. We have
to look within to bask in the eter-
nal sunshine. Through meditation,
we can see and hear the light and
sound current within. We sit com-
fortably in the silence of our soul
and look within to bask in the won-
ders of luminous vistas within. Like
a ray of light leads back to the sun,
the inner journey leads us to the
Source of the current of light and
sound, the abode of the Divine.
Just as we light a fire to warm
us without, we need to ignite the
spiritual fire within. Once that
spark is lit, we need to tend it to
keep it glowing. As it illumines us
within, we shine forth our eternal
S P I R I T UA L AWA R E N E S S
light with a luminosity that radi-
ates to all we meet until the entire
world is flooded with the Light of
the Divine and is bathed in eternal
love, peace, and bliss.
Kabir Sahib’s conclusion is that
we have the Light or diya within us,
but seek it outside. The soul has the
spark of God within, but seeks ful-
fillment in the outer realm. It is like
a blind person who lights a diya or
a lamp when they cannot even see
the light. This forgetfulness of God
causes the soul to seek only in the
outer world for that happiness and
bliss already within. Kabir Sahib
is saying that the situation is not
hopeless. We can escape this cycle
with knowledge of a spiritual teach-
er or Master. Masters come to this
world to remind us that our true
home is in God. They want to awak-
en us to realize we are not the body
and mind, but the soul. They come
to free us from this state of forget-
fulness to take us back to the Lord.
Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj is an in-
ternationally recognized spiritual leader
and master of Jyoti Meditation. He is
the founder of Sawan Kirpal Ruhani
Mission/Science of Spirituality with its
spiritual headquarters in New Delhi,
India. (For more visit www.sos.org)
 58 November 3-9, 2018 BOLLYWOOD TheSouthAsianTimes.info

W
hile Bollywood has been betting big
on festivals, especially Diwali, last
three years have hardly seen any
fruits, with only two movies ̶ Ae Dil Hai
Irrfan might Mushkil and Prem Ratan Dhan Payo ̶ entering
the Rs 100‑crore club.
be back Last year, two movies ̶ Aamir Khan‑starrer

in India Secret Superstar and Rohit Shetty‑directed

Golmaal Again ̶ hit the theaters on Diwali.
post-Diwali While Secret Superstar gave a staggering col‑
lection of only Rs 63 crore in India, it's collec‑
tion in China was as high as Rs 750.69 crore.
Actor This year, however, Bollywood is hoping to
Irrfan get back on track with Thugs of Hindostan fea‑
Khan. turing Aamir Khan and Amitabh Bachchan for
the second time.
The film, which also stars Katrina Kaif and
Fatima Sana Sheikh, has been directed by Vijay
Krishna Acharya and is set to release on
November 8.
The trailer of Thugs of Hindostan seems
promising, giving a glimpse of India's war of
independence, with many comparing it with
Hollywood's “Pirates of Carribean”. Actors Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Katrina Kaif and director Vijay
Actress Katrina Kaif, who will be seen dancing
Krishna Acharya at the trailer launch of ʻThugs of Hindostanʼ in Mumbai. (Photo: IANS)
on Prabhudheva's steps for the number played by Aamir. Bachchan, that for the first time in my career I
"Suraiyya" from "Thugs Of Hindostan", says the This will be the second time that Katrina will have enjoyed dancing! Had a ball," Aamir tweet‑

A
ctor Irrfan Khan, who is cur‑
rently undergoing treatment
for neuroendocrine tumour
in London, might be back in India
after Diwali. There were reports that
Irrfan will start working on "Hindi
Medium 2" as soon he is in India. His
spokesperson released a statement
denying such speculations, and shar‑
ing an update about his visit to the
country. "The story floating about
Irrfan starting 'Hindi Medium 2'
shoot in December are all based on
chorographer‑filmmaker‑actor has given life to
many songs.
"He is an extremely skilled performer and I
have immense respect for him. 'Muqabla' is my
all‑time favourite Prabhudheva song. His danc‑
ing has got life to many songs and they have
been iconic hits in Indian cinema," said Katrina.
"Suraiyya" showcases the chemistry between
superstar Aamir Khan and Katrina's character
in the film.
Katrina plays Suraiyya, a dancer, in "Thugs Of
Hindostan" and she casts her spell on Firangi,
be sharing screen space with Aamir after
"Dhoom 3".
"Suraiyya" has been composed by Ajay‑Atul
while Amitabh Bhattacharya has penned the
lyrics. Shreya Ghoshal and Vishal Dadlani have
sung the song.
Aamir said he had a great time not just shar‑
ing screen space with veteran actor Amitabh
Bachchan for the first time in "Thugs of
Hindostan", but also shaking a leg with him in
the film's song "Vashmalle".
"I was so excited to do a song with Mr.
ed. Vijay Krishna Acharya, who has directed the
film, said: "It is amazing that we could write a
suitable moment in the film that sees these two
icons of Indian cinema shake a leg with each
other and the song will stand out because of
their infectious energy and camaraderie."
The release of Thugs of Hindostan may
change this Diwali holiday for good.
According to trade analysts, holidays boost
revenues by around Rs 10‑15 crore and occu‑
pancy in theaters go as high as 80 percent or
more during the holiday season.

speculations. However there is a pos‑
sibility of him returning to India
after Diwali," Irrfan's spokesperson
said.
Back in March, Irrfan had revealed
that he has been diagnosed with rare
tumor. "The unexpected makes us
grow, which is what the past few
days have been about. Learning that
I have been diagnosed with neuroen‑
docrine tumor as of now has admit‑
tedly been difficult, but the love and
strength of those around me and
that I found within me has brought
me to a place of hope," he had
expressed.
In June, Irrfan penned a heartfelt
letter about how life‑changing the
disease has been for him, and how it
has made him realise "how you are
just a cork floating in the ocean with
unpredictable currents". A National
Award winner, Irrfan has stood out
for his performance in films like
"Paan Singh Tomar", "Talvar",
"Maqbool", "7 Khoon Maaf", "Piku"
and "Hindi Medium". In the West, he
has starred in films like "The
Namesake", "Life of Pi", "A Mighty
Heart", "Slumdog Millionaire", "The
Amazing Spider‑Man" and "Inferno".
B
ollywood is gearing up
for the big celebra‑ Kohli, Anushka
SRK,
tions and the
shower love on
first party to kick off
the celebrations is
Aamir, each other on
likely to happen at
Shah Rukh Khanʼs
Shilpa likely to Karva Chauth
bunglow Mannat on
November 3.
throw grand Fans have been swooning over
Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma
According to media
reports, Shah Rukh Khan
Diwali bash for a while now. Just when you
thought that the couple could not
and his wife Gauri have select‑ possibly get any cuter, they
ed the date as the day before the big shared the most adorable
party is the Bollywood superstarʼs birthday as he Instagram posts for each other as
turns 53. they celebrated their first Karwa
On November 2, SRK will also release the trailer of Chauth together after their
his much‑awaited film “Zero”. dreamy Italian wedding last year.
This next one in the line is the grand ʻCasino Sharing a sneak‑peek from
Diwaliʼ celebration which will be hosted by Shilpa their celebration, Anushka show‑
Shetty and Raj Kundra. It is set to take place on ered love on "my moon, my sun,
November 4 at their residence Kinara on Juhu Beach. my star, my everything". Virat,
“Please join us for Dinner, Drinks and Deals,” says meanwhile, shared another pic‑
the message sent out by the Kundras. ture and called her his "life" and
The ʻCasino Diwaliʼ party is one of the most star‑ "universe
studded events of Bollywood this festive season.
On November 7, Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao are
expected to host their Diwali party.
Ekta Kapoor is also reportedly planning a big bash
on November 6. Her parties have always been great
with A‑list Bollywood and TV stars joining the cele‑
brations. Shah Rukh Khan with Abhishek Bachchan
at an earlier Diwali bash.
 60 November 3-9, 2018
Deepika,
Ranveer to
marry in
November
B
ollywood actors Ranveer Singh
and Deepika Padukone
announced that they are set to
tie the knot on November 14‑15.
They shared a note on their Twitter
accounts. It read: "With the blessings of
our families, it gives us immense joy in
sharing that our wedding is set to take
place on November 14 and 15."
"We thank you for all the love you have
showered upon us over the years and seek
your blessings as we embark on this incredi‑
ble journey of love, loyalty, friendship and
togetherness ‑‑ Deepika and Ranveer."
A month after speculations, this is the
first time the Bollywood stars are openly
talking about their wedding.
Ranveer, 33, and Deepika, 32, have
shared screen space in films ‑‑ "Goliyon Ki
Rasleela Ram‑Leela", "Bajirao Mastani"
and "Padmaavat".
nveer
Bollywood actors Ra
ika Padu kone.
Singh and Deep
'Bazaar': Drama not
gripping enough
By Troy Ribeiro
D
irector Gauravv K. Chawla's "Bazaar"
is a film with the cut‑throat stock
market, as the backdrop.
Rizwan Ahmed (Rohan Mehra) is an edu‑
cated, bright boy from Allahabad who has
lofty dreams and wants to make it big. He
idolizes, Shakun Kothari (Saif Ali Khan), a
small town boy from Surat, who has become
the wolf of the stock trading market and is
known for his business acumen and under‑
stands "only maths".
The narrative is lazily crafted. It
REVIEW
follows a first‑person account, where
the protagonist, Rizwan recounts his
life ‑‑ his trials and tribulations in
Mumbai. A short‑cut approach, this route
tends to be a bit tedious and jarring for the
viewers, as it breaks the flow of the narra‑
tion and the seriousness of the craft.
The first half of the film drags at an even
keel without any real inciting moments,
merely establishing the characters ‑‑ throw‑
ing light on Rizwan's determination to make
it big in Mumbai, as well as, Shakun's manip‑
ulative and clever mind and his ability to
turn any situation in his favor.
Saif as the Shakun Kothari, the suave, but
scheming stock market veteran, fits the char‑
acter perfectly, but does not make any real
effort to add nuances to his performance. He
is credible, but not outstanding.
Debutant Rohan, as Rizwan Ahmed the
ULTIMATE BOLLYWOOD TheSouthAsianTimes.info
20th MAMI Film Fest started
with 'conflicted emotions'
U nder the open sky, with
the iconic Gateway Of
India on its backdrop, the
20th Jio Mumbai Academy of
Moving Image (MAMI) Mumbai
Film Festival started on October
25 on an emotional note, in soli‑
darity with the #MeTooMovement
that aims to create a much inclu‑
sive environment at the work‑
place.
Considering the fact that the
#MeTooMovement in India is
gaining momentum, calling it a
'profound collective reckoning'
festival director Anupama Chopra
said at the opening ceremony, "we
are starting the festival with con‑ Actor Aamir Khan with wife Kiran
flicted emotions, in solidarity with
Rao at the opening of Mami
film fest in Mumbai.
the #MeTooMovement. We decid‑
ed to exclude certain films from others. The festival honored the
the festival." iconic filmmaker Shyam Benegal
Hosted by actress Kalki with the Excellence In Cinema
Koechlin, the ceremony was Award. Bollywood superstar Aamir
graced by Karan Johar, Anil Khan, who along with veteran
Kapoor, Zoya Akhtar, Radhika actress Jaya Bachchan gave away
Apte, Soha Ali Khan, Diana the award to Benegal said: "Shyamji
Penty, Vishal Bhardwaj, is one of my favorite filmmakers
Radhika Apte, Tabu to inter‑ and his films created a deep impact
national filmmaker Sean on me, so I am so happy to be here.
Baker, Thom Noble, I think the film industry owes you
Lucrecia Martel among so much sir."
ʻRetirement an old‑fashioned
English conceptʼ
S
he has been a
part of the
industry for
the past 40 years,
entertaining people
through different
avatars that she has
brought alive on
screen. Actress
Surekha Sikri, who is
being loved for her
portrayal as a nagging
grandma in "Badhaai
Ho", has no plan to
slow down, and says
she has no desire to
retire either.
"Retirement? Hello, I
don't even know that
word. What does it
mean," Surekha, 73,
asked with a chuckle
Surekha Sikri was
while speaking to IANS Veteran actress
haai hoʼ.
on the phone from last seen in ʻBad
Mumbai.
ing working in films, theatre and television.
an plays a schem "That's a very old‑fashioned English con‑
Actor Saif Ali Kh m . She is credited for projects like "Tamas",
teran in the fil cept ... That you do something and then you
stock market ve "Mammo", "Sarfarosh", "Zubeidaa", "Jo Bole
retire ‑‑ and mostly it applies to government
So Nihaal" and "Humko Deewana Kar Gaye".
"boy with a small town mentality" is earnest servants. Fortunately, I am a freelancer and
Does she think there are interesting roles
and performs naturally. He lacks the charis‑ I don't have any wish or desire to retire. I
being written for senior actors?
ma of a star, but more than makes up with can just go on and on," added the veteran,
"I am sure there will be good roles. The
his impressive acting skills. He grows on you who is basking in the appreciation coming
whole thing has changed and you could
and is endearing. from all quarters for her mother‑in‑law
never think of having a full movie with
Overall, this stock market trading drama is avatar in "Badhaai Ho". Surekha made her
older characters like Amitabh Bachchan and
not exactly thrilling, but manages to stay debut in 1978 with political drama "Kissa
Rishi Kapoor in '102 Not Out'. They were
afloat owing to the credible performances. Kursi Ka", and created a name for herself by
the main characters of the film.”
TheSouthAsianTimes.info DIWALI SPECIAL November 3-9,2018

Locations in New York:

East Meadow Hicksville Poughkeepsie
Flushing Manhattan Scarsdale
Forest Hills New Hyde Park Valley Stream
 62 November 3-9, 2018
By Shivaji Sengupta
T
here is a touching ‑ and fas‑
cinating ‑ anecdote with
which Parag Khanna begins
his best‑selling book,
Connectography: he and his
daughter creating a map of the
world connecting little jigsaw‑type
puzzle‑pieces that fit into one
another provided the fit is right
when the little girl screams out her
surprise – “Greenland is so big!”
The little girl and her father had
fun connecting the countries of the
African continents with one anoth‑
er in their proper places, with their
many contrasting colors and
names of cities. The oceans were
left for the last, the father and
daughter discussing where the
oceans are deepest, where the
largest underwater mountain
ranges are, and how people survive
on remote islands.
Actually, this innocent playing
must have been an extremely joy‑
ful and successful learning experi‑
ence for both parent and child. For
me, it forms in a nutshell what Dr.
Parag Khanna is about, what his
books, lectures and blogs are
about: connections.
Connections may be a simple
enough word, but listening to this
learned manʼs lectures, reading his
books and blogs, we may realize
that this simple word is pumped
up with meaning! To Dr. Khanna,
connections means joining, of peo‑
ple and places through roads, air‑
ways, rail and seaways, through
the internet and mobile phones,
through commerce and linked
resources. As a result, his books
and articles are filled with stun‑
ning “announcements”: “Bridges to
Everywhere; Connectivity is the
new paradigm!” “Countries are
dead. So itʼs time to think differ‑
ently!” “Cities will matter more
than the states and supply chains
will be more important source of
power than militaries – whose
main purpose will be to protect
supply chains rather than bor‑
ders!”
Thus spake Parag Khanna.
Dr. Parag Khanna is Founder &
Managing Partner of FutureMap, a
data and scenario based strategic
advisory firm. He is the interna‑
tional bestselling author of six
books, has traveled to most of the
countries of the world.
I had the good fortune to inter‑
view the gentleman. Having read a
few of his books, and enough
reviews in our nationʼs august
newspapers, I realized that Khanna
is nothing if he is not controver‑
sial. But to him, the controversy is
not – cannot be – based on facts.
“Whatever I have written is based
on solid research,” he announced
to me, betraying in an otherwise
kind voice, a slight trace of disap‑
pointment at his nay‑sayers.
My first question to Dr. Khanna
was how did he get started in the
kind of research and discovery that
involves practically the whole
Asianization
of the World
Making sense of our fast changing world is
Singapore based Indian American Parag Khanna,
a leading global strategist and bestselling author
whose last book Connectography is
evocatively titled, and the upcoming one is
provocatively titled The Future is Asian.
Interviewing him across continents is our
in‐house intellectual.
world. In his response he spoke
about himself as a traveler and
migrant who was born in India, but
grew up in Abu Dhabi, and studied
in New York, Germany and in the
UK. He is based in Singapore now.
So, Dr. Khanna is a traveler, “an
itinerant” researcher of the world,
its people, its resources and
wealth. He reads the tea leaves
which were grown in India, pack‑
aged in Britain, sold in the United
States and savored in Canada.
Is he a business consultant, a
blogger, a political scientist? No,
says Parag Khanna, the answer is
GEOPOLITICS
“much more eclectic than that.”
Having spent his formative years
in three continents, he has “been
living globalization.” Thus, his
“trans‑dynamic” methodology for
studying the world is “first and
foremost personal and experien‑
tial;” data collected from direct
observation from travel; then, in
the long run, studying those data
in terms of economic and political
theories. “The blend of the two has
been the sweet spot of my career.”
He revealed in our interview that
in this blend of travel‑research‑
and‑study, he has followed his
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
adopted “guru,” Arnold Toynbee,
the eminent British historian who
traveled the world by sea before
writing his famous 12‑volume A
Study of History, from 1934‑1961.
Dr. Khanna has a Ph.D. from the
hallowed London School of
Economics, the same institution
Toynbee had taught in.
Dr. Khanna and I then talked
about Connectography ‑ Mapping
the Future of Global Civilization.
This, according to me, is his most
accomplished book, i.e., until the
next one The Future is Asian:
Commerce, Conflict, and Culture in
the 21st Century comes out next
February. According to a reviewer
in The New York Times,
Connectivity represents Khannaʼs
interest in exploring how “connec‑
tivity and geography will affect the
future of global affairs.”
When I asked him to elaborate
on connectivity and geopolitics, he
became excited. “Yes,” he said,
“Geography is a fundamental disci‑
pline; prior to economics, sociolo‑
gy, politics there was Geography.
People take it for granted.” Khanna
is a political geographer. “For over
a hundred years the importance of
geography has been political, hav‑
ing to do with political borders,
expansion of territory. However,
the world is experiencing “cross‑
border‑infrastructure: the
pipelines, the cable, internet.” Once
again, comparison with Toynbee
becomes inevitable. Arnold had
argued that civilizations are born
out of more primitive societies, not
as the result of racial or environ‑
mental factors, but as a response
to challenges, such as hard coun‑
try, new ground, blows and pres‑
sures from other civilizations, and
penalization. Khanna would
strongly agree. Says Khanna:
“Geopolitics and globalization go
together, where ʻgeoʼ is a critical
prefix.”
We ended the interview with a
“preview” of his next book, The
Future is Asian. The “Asian
Century” is huge. In its website, the
book is announced as describing
the Asian event as “far greater
than just China, the new Asian sys‑
tem taking shape is a multi‑civiliza‑
tional order spanning Saudi Arabia
to Japan, and Russia to Australia̶
linking five billion people through
trade, finance and infrastructure
networks that together represent
40 percent of global GDP. China
has taken a lead in building the
new Silk Roads across Asia, but it
will not lead it alone. Rather, Asia
is returning to the stable multipo‑
lar order that existed long before
European colonialism and
American dominance, with India
and Southeast Asia coming into
their own as economic and strate‑
gic hubs.” In one of his earlier writ‑
ings he had dramatically predicted:
If the nineteenth century featured
Europeanization of the world, and
the twentieth century its
Americanization, then the twenty‑
first century is the time for
Asianization. In our interview, he
added an interesting caveat. “Yes,
Asia is the new layer in the sedi‑
ment of the global civilization. But
it wonʼt have the ethos of old
Europeanization, not even
Americanization.” It will be differ‑
ent. According to the older mind‑
set, Khanna explained, “One
empire replaces another, one
super power conquers another. I
maintain Asianization will not be
like that. It will be additive.” By
additive, he means that Asia will
add to what America has already
contributed, not replace it. This is
not dissimilar to Americanization,
Dr. Khanna reiterated. “The
Americanization of the world was
itself an additive to
Europeanization.”
One may return once again to
1939. Toynbee wrote, "The chal‑
lenge of being called upon to cre‑
ate a political world‑order, the
framework for an economic world‑
order … now confronts our
Modern Western society."
Dr. Parag Khanna would agree;
except that he would not limit this
necessity to the Western society
only, but to the Global Village.
Shivaji Sengupta is
Professor of English and
Vice President for
Academic Affairs at
Boricua College in NYC.
He writes regularly for
The South Asian Times.

By Suchitra Srinivas
The South Asian Times
I
f you decide to drive by Divyaʼs
Kitchen in Manhattan you can‑
not escape the authentic smell of
rich herbs that will make you care
for a plate. A healthy vegetarian
experience to dining in New York is
guaranteed here.
Their recipes are based on
ayurvedic doctrines, the food
cooked is not just fresh but is
medicinal in itself, says Divya Alter
who runs the popular restaurant,
perhaps the first of its kind in the
city.
Completing two years, the restau‑
rant has instilled a new thinking
about eating for a healthy living.
And rightly, it gets mentioned as the
best health restaurant and finds
place among top 10 restaurants in
many categories.
The food we eat is not just to fill
the belly, it makes you who you are,
what you think and how you
behave. Food is medicine and what
you eat has got to be fresh and
should have the right blend of herbs
and grains cooked in the correct
manner to aid the body in its
metabolism. Food designs are based
on the geography and physical
uniqueness of an individual, and the
menu we have for winter cannot
help us in summers, explains Divya.
The unison with nature can be
brought more through the ingredi‑
ents they use in cooking and that
remains the secret at Divyaʼs
A
t Divyaʼs Kitchen,
one cannot miss
western style
Avocado Dip, Spinach
Cheese Cutlets, Spiced
Coconut Chips, made with
eating habits for good…
ginger and yummy in Indian
taste. Must also try the
Soothing Mung Soup. The
Vegetable Curry in Cashew
Sauce using Indian spices like
hing, coriander and red lentils
is made colorful using
turmeric. Khichdi using
quinoa is a special hit. The
Lasagna feels filling yet not
never heavy. With Carrot
Risotto you get the taste of an
Italian dish cooked in
ayurvedic style.
“Flours are milled fresh
daily, we have machines to
make our own flours before
baking,” claims Divya Alter.
64 November 3-9, 2018
Divya’s Kitchen is a
blissful eating experience
Kitchen.
In the initial days, when Divya
and her husband Prentiss ran a
meal subscription service, she was
not handing out menu cards to her
customers. Instead she would read
their pulse to understand
the dosha balance of the body and
would come up with a menu to suit
the individual at that particular
time. “But with the clientele increas‑
ing it is getting hard to spend such
time on each customer,” she con‑
cedes.
But even those who are exposed
to ayurvedic wellness aspects know
that when eating out you cannot
expect to have a wholesome and
healthy dinner. We end up return‑
ing with bloated tummies and both‑
ering acidity. But not any more,
when you make a choice to eat at
Divyaʼs, said its owner.
DIVYAʼS STORY
Born and brought up in Bulgaria,
Divya developed a special liking for
the yogic life. She was attracted
to learning yoga even in the
communist country where its prac‑
tice was prohibited. Yoga led to
learning the eastern philosophies,
and particularly the Bhagavad Gita.
She had opportunity to visit India
for her studies at Vrindavan
Institute for Higher Education and
she also lived in Mayapur. Her 5‑
year sojourn in India exposed her to
Ayurveda and Indian cooking.
Thanks to a brief illness, Divya
experienced the healing aspects of
The Alters alter our
FOOD
ayurvedic food and
habits. After moving
to the US, she got
more involved in
studying Ayurveda
with Vaidya R.K.
Mishra. Her love for
cooking gave her the
opportunity to start a
culinary school at the
Bhakti Center in
Manhattan.
After 10 years of
teaching, she opened
Divyaʼs Kitchen with
her American husband,
Prentiss Alter, who is the business
brain behind this novel concept.
The restaurantʼs ambience is home‑
ly and it can handle up to 200 cus‑
tomers per day. “You come and eat
home cooked food. Some customers
come twice in the same day to have
a fulfilling experience at our
kitchen,” she said.
Full meals cost just $17, 3 course
dinner is at $33 ‑‑ bargain prices in
Manhattan. Often people pack food
for home as the generous quantity
is too much to finish. Eighty per
cent of the ingredients used are
organic, Dvya claims.
“I am impressed by the people
who come: they want to be healthy.
Many yoga practitioners are regu‑
lars. It feels satisfying to cook for
people who value the food they eat,”
said Divya.
Lunch and brunch sales are pick‑
ing up. Dinner and weekends have
to be pre‑booked to ensure seats.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
With a rich
background
in yogic living
and
ayurvedic
principles,
Bulgaria‑born
Divya started
the restau‑
rant with her
American
husband
Prentiss Alter.
She has also
published a
cookbook
and teaches
Ayurvedic
cooking.
Divyaʼs Kitchen, on 1st Avenue in New York,
has a homely atmosphere. Url: divyaskitchen.com
CORRECT places as far as London, Miami,
Michigan and Virginia. “Our gradu‑
COOKING AIDS
ates are spreading the wonderful
Traditional ayurvedic spices, as ayurvedic principles of cooking
well as Divyaʼs cookbook, ʻWhat to across the globe,” Divya said, adding
Eat for How You Feelʼ, are on sale at that for them the restaurant busi‑
Divyaʼs Kitchen. ness and education go hand in
Ayurvedic principles of cooking hand.
are picking up and may end up
going mainstream. Just like yoga In her recent Facebook post,
picked up in recent years, its sister Bhaswati Bhattacharya,
science, Ayurveda, is also becoming Fulbright Specialist
popular, says Divya.
“We have received offers to
in Global Public
Health/Integrative
expand in California and open more
shops in the city as well. We want to
make sure we have the right busi‑
Medicine, wrote:
“Another excellent
ness model and do it right. We do weekend at the
not want to go big and compromise Ayurvedic Nutrition
on the quality and that is why we and Culinary Training (ANACT),
are not yet on the expansion mode,” with restaurateur, ayurvedic
says Divya. In the cooking classes chef, author and healer Divya
Divya and Prentiss have run for the Alter.
past 10 years, over 20,000 students “I am grateful to add knowl‑
have been exposed to learning the
edge of practical cooking at a
right ayurvedic doctrines in cooking
top‑10 New York restaurant like
food. “We want to teach people how
to cook these healthy foods so that Divyaʼs Kitchen to authentic
they can eat healthy every day at knowledge of Food as Medicine
home. Eating fresh meals is the as not just presentation and
key to healthy living,” they say. isolated food theory as taught
Four years ago, their non‑profit by nutritionists and MDs, but
Bhagavat Life institute also started also as sound practice of using
a professional certificate course on Food to heal the gut and
Ayurvedic Nutrition and Culinary
shift disease.”
Training. Their students come from
TheSouthAsianTimes.info DIWALI SPECIAL November 3-9,2018
 66 November 3-9, 2018 PARENTING TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Are you a lawnmower parent?

New age parenting style doing more harm
than good to children
By SATimes Team unusual to feel insecure about their present

I
and future,” she adds. Striking the right bal‑
tʼs a parental instinct to swoon in by the ance may seem more complicated than it
children if they are seen in any discom‑ has to be. Over 50 years ago, pediatrician
fort. Now that may be as frivolous as not and psychoanalyst Donald Woo ds
being able to open a packet of chips or as Winnicott introduced the concept of “good
grave as hurting himself while playing with enough parenting”. He showed that parents
his friends. But considering the competitive who were loving and provided a stimulat‑
times we live in, it isnʼt surprising to see a ing environment – but also set boundaries
doting mother all stressed up lugging the and didnʼt stress about doing enough – had
kidʼs gear bag after a sports class or a con‑ children with the best outcomes. Times
cerned father rushing to school to drop off may have changed but some principles it
the water bottle his kid had forgotten to seems need to be adhered to. (Image courtesy: mamamia.com.au)
carry along.
Meet the ʻlawnmower parentsʼ, the new
helicopter parents of 2018. Essentially
those parents, who mow down all of the
children's challenges, discomforts and
struggles. And in the process, experts say,
do more harm to their children than good
as it ruins a childʼs chance for success in
life weakening their resolve, killing their
resilience, tearing down their self‑concept,
and diminishing their desire to do anything
in life on their own.
Lawnmower parenting has made a swift
rise in the public consciousness thanks to a
viral post by a Weareteachers.com member,
an online community for teachers.
The Facebook post has been shared more
than 12,000 times ‑‑ by parents and teach‑
ers alike ‑‑ because everyone has a lawn‑
mower parent moment to share, Hannah
Hudson, WeAreTeachers.com Editorial
Director told All the Moms. "I think every‑
body has been a lawnmower parent at one
time," Hudson said. "Even teachers because
they're parents, too. It's a natural tendency
to want to help kids."
The problem is not a parent's willingness
to help a child succeed, that's admirable
and understandable. The problem comes
from a parent's repeated ef forts to elimi‑
nate any and all struggle so that children
are ill‑equipped when they grow up and life
inevitably goes sideways, Hudson said.
The situation is not any dif ferent in
Indian homes. Despite growing up in a pro‑
tected environment themselves parents end
up following the same parenting style when
it comes to their children. “We live in a
country where our children end up dealing
with a lot many issues once they step out of
their homes. Hence it becomes all the more
imperative to be there for them every inch
of the way. From questions of color to gen‑
der identity to cultural dif ferences with
their peers – Indian American kids grow up
saddling dif ferent responsibilities. And
then we want them to be successful too in
their careers, lives,” says Vaishali Desai, an
NJ based parent of two high‑schoolers.
“Werenʼt we always helicopter parents?
This probably takes it a step ahead,” says
another parent Shalini Luthra, a homebaker
from San Jose. “Label us as you wish but itʼs
challenging to raise well‑balanced kids in
these times. We all want them to be self‑
reliant, confident adults but the era in
which they are growing up is evolving so
fast technologically, socially that it is not
November 3-9, 2018
 68 November 3-9, 2018
By Brajendra Nath Singh
Macao (China): Macao is not only about
gambling, casinos and luxury entertain‑
ment. Its Portuguese past mingles with
the present to create a unique architec‑
ture, history and culture that is mesmeriz‑
ing.
Since becoming the Macau Special
Administrative Region of China in 1999,
the "Las Vegas of the East" has taken spe‑
cial care to boost tourism through new
infrastructure and resorts, besides foster‑
ing art, culture, music and film festivals.
There is also an international fireworks
display competition.
Macao is blessed with panoramic views
and rich cultural and historical sites.
The House of Dancing Water with the play of lights and water and
acrobatics is a must0‑see show in Macau.
C
hinese President Xi
Jinping last week offi‑
cially opened the
world's longest sea‑crossing
bridge that connects mainland
China with Hong Kong and
Macau, during a ceremony in
the city of Zhuhai.
The $20 billion mega‑project
includes a 55 km road bridge
that has been in the works for
almost nine years, CNN report‑
ed.
It's a key element of China's
Map of the bridge highway and the undersea tunnel
plan for a Greater Bay Area
(dotted) route of the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau
covering 56,500 sq.km of Bridge, between Hong Kong and Macau.
southern China, and encom‑
passing 11 cities, including
Hong Kong and Macau, that are home to a
combined 68 million people.
Proponents of the bridge have said that it
will significantly cut journey times
between the cities, enabling commuters
and tourists to easily move around the
region.
However, private car owners in Hong
Kong will not be able to cross the bridge
without a special permit.
Most drivers will have to park at the
TRAVEL
Walking through the city alone
can give you a feel of being in
an outdoor museum.
Macau Tower, a favorite
tourist destination, is a treat as
you go up a breathtaking 223
meters in under 60 seconds.
Here you see the skyline chang‑
ing quickly and amazing 360
degree views. You can access
the skywalk or indulge in
bungee jumping from the top.
St. Paul's is another famous Casinos or not, Macao is a place to remember
landmark. The ruins of this 16th‑
century cathedral features a spectacular
facade with intricate carvings by Japanese
monks.
In the House of Dancing Water, visitors
can experience the play of lights and
Hong Kong port, switching to a shuttle bus
or special hire cars once they are through
immigration.
Built to withstand a magnitude 8 earth‑
quake, a super typhoon and strikes by
super‑sized cargo vessels, the bridge incor‑
porates 400,000 tonnes of steel ‑‑ 4.5
times the amount in San Francisco's Golden
Gate Bridge, CNN said.
It also includes a 6.7 km submerged tun‑
nel to help it avoid the busy shipping paths
over the Pearl River Delta.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
water. The motorcycle stunts of the artists "Morpheus, the fifth hotel tower at the
is an added attraction. City of Dreams casino resort, opened in
"In one line I can say, Macao is truly June this year. The Grand Lisboa Palace is
spectacular," Irene Cheang, a visitor from scheduled to open soon and will encom‑
mainland China, said, adding that he has pass three hotels. The Palazzo Versace
never seen anything like this before. Macau, with its approximately 270 rooms,
Macao is also a culinary delight, offering will be the first Palazzo Versace in Asia,"
a variety of dishes from around the world. Arzan Khambatta, India Head, Macao
Latest figures show that Macao recorded Government Tourist Office (MGTO), told
an 18.7 per cent increase in visitors in the this visiting correspondent.
January‑August period this year compared He said iconic fashion designer Karl
to the same period in 2017, with total Lagerfeld is involved in the hotel design.
arrivals at 3.4 million. "Another hotel slated to open
The day‑trippers mostly soon is The 13, one of the
come from mainland China, most luxurious here, built
Hong Kong, Taiwan, at an estimated cost of
Republic of Korea and Japan $1.4 billion," he said.
and enjoy gambling in casi‑ With 15,000 rooms in
nos as it is illegal in main‑ Macau Tower, various phases of planning
land China. A Macao a favorite tourist and construction, the num‑
Tourism official said the destination, is a ber of available hotel
peninsula has over 100 treat as you go up rooms will go up to 50,000
hotels while 20 more are a breathtaking in the coming years. This,
under construction and 27 223 meters in for a place that is less than
are in the planning stage. under 60 seconds. 30 sq km in area.
At 34 miles, it is the longest fixed link on earth.
The tunnel runs between two artificial links to either Macau or Zhuhai, and fears
islands, each measuring 100,000 sq.metres the city will be swamped by tourists from
and situated in relatively shallow waters. mainland China, CNN said.
The bridge project has come in for fierce In 2016, Hong Kong saw 56.7 million
criticism in Hong Kong, where there was tourist arrivals, compared to 37.6 million
little public demand or appetite for greater for the UK, a much larger country.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info DIWALI SPECIAL November 3-9, 2018

The future depends on

what we do in the present.
Mahatma Ghandi

Jaspreet S. Mayall and his Partners

join in wishing
the Indian American community
a Happy Diwali and a Prosperous New Year.

certilmanbalin.com
 70 November 3-9, 2018 SUBCONTINENT TheSouthAsianTimes.info

US, UN concern as Sri Lanka Imran terms Saudi bailout

political crisis deepens package big relief
Islamabad: Pakistan Prime Minister
United Nations: A UN of fi‑ Imran Khan has described a $6 billion
cial met Sri Lanka's Saudi bailout package as a "big relief" for
Parliament Speaker Karu the country and vowed to mediate
Jayasuriya and conveyed between Riyadh and Yemen to end their
Secretary‑General Antonio ongoing conflict. Accusing the previous
Guterres's concern over the two governments of plunging the coun‑
ongoing political crisis that try into its worst financial crisis, Khan in
has g ripped the island his address to the nation after returning
nation. from Saudi Arabia, said the opposition
Hanaa Singer, the UN parties' recent plan to form an alliance
Resident Coordinator in Sri was aimed at pressing the government to
Lanka "met the Speaker of get some relief under a deal like the
National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO)
Pakistan PM Imran Khan.
Parliament, stressing the
Secretary‑General's mes‑ that was bestowed upon them by former
sage for the need to respect President Pervez Musharraf, reports
Dawn news.
China hopes
democratic values and con‑
stitutional provisions and "Keep in mind that unlike Pervez Imran's visit
process, uphold the rule of Sri Lanka's newly appointed Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. Musharraf, I will not come under any
law and ensure the safety pressure and will not give any NRO to deepens ties
and security of all Sri Lankans", Guterres's civil war during which 40,000 people were the corrupt," the Prime Minister warned Beijing: China hoped that Pakistan
spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said here on killed, according to a UN report. the opposition parties. Prime Minister Imran Khan's visit
Monday. Guterres "calls on the government to respect Expressing gratitude to the Saudi lead‑ to the country later this week will
Guterres "is following the latest develop‑ democratic values and constitutional provi‑ ership for helping Pakistan at a time of deepen bilateral ties.
ments in Sri Lanka with great concern" and sions and process, uphold the rule of law and need, Khan, who had travelled along with Beijing also said that China‑
"urges all parties to exercise restraint and ensure the safety and security of all Sri his cabinet members to Riyadh to attend Pakistan relations will not be
address the unfolding situation in a peaceful Lankans", Dujarric said. On Sunday, the US said the Future Investment Initiative affected by changes in the interna‑
manner", Dujarric said. Sri lanka's parliament should decide who Conference on a special invitation of tional and domestic situation.
Jayasuria warned on Monday that the crisis should be the Prime Minister. State King Salman bin Abdel Aziz, said: "We Khan will be on a four‑day China
should be "settled through parliament, but if Department spokesperson Heather Nauert said could go into default but the ʻtremen‑ visit from November 2, his second
we take it out to the streets, there will be a Washington was following the "developments dous' financial package from Saudi foreign trip after Saudi Arabia
huge bloodbath". in Sri Lanka with concern" and urges "all sides Arabia has relieved our burden." since coming to power in July.
On October 26, President Maithripala to refrain from intimidation and violence". "We He said Pakistan had been mulling Khan was critical of his prede‑
Sirisena fired Prime Minister Ranil call on the President, in consultation with the over decision to get a loan from the cessor Nawaz Sharif for alleged
Wickremesinghe and appointed his predeces‑ Speaker, to immediately reconvene parliament International Monetary Fund (IMF), but corruption in the China‑Pakistan
sor Mahinda Rajapaksa in his place. and allow the democratically elected represen‑ any major assistance from the lender Economic Corridor, the heart of
Rajapaksa, who was President from 2005 till tatives of the Sri Lankan people to fulfill their would have put additional burden on the Beijing's Belt and Road connectivi‑
his defeat by Sirisena in the 2015 elections, led responsibility to affirm who will lead their gov‑ nation. "Now the government won't need ty project.
the country during the 2009 brutal end to the ernment," she added. much from the IMF," he added.

BUSINESS

India, Japan commit to Cyrus Mistry launches

further boost cooperation
Tokyo: In what could be seen as
remarks hinting at China, India and
Japan have called for a "free and open"
Indo‑Pacific and agreed to hold a 2+2
dialogue of foreign and defense minis‑
ters of the two countries. A vision state‑
ment issued after the annual bilateral
summit between Prime Minister
Narendra Modi and his Japanese coun‑
terpart Shinzo Abe said the two leaders'
vision for the Indo‑Pacific is "based on
a rules‑based order that respects sover‑
eignty and territorial integrity of
nations, ensures freedom of navigation
and overflight as well as unimpeded
lawful commerce, and seeks peaceful
resolution of disputes with full respect
for legal and diplomatic processes in
accordance with the universally recog‑
nised principles of international law,
including those reflected in the UNC‑
LOS (UN Convention for the Law of the
Sea), without resorting to threat or use
of force." This assumes significance
given China's growing influence in the
Indo‑Pacific region and its belligerence
in the South China Sea.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo
Abe at the Joint Press Statement in
Tokyo. (Photo: IANS/PIB)
"Based on their shared vision, the two
Prime Ministers reiterated their unwa‑
vering commitment to working togeth‑
er towards a free and open Indo‑
Pacific," the vision statement said.
"The two leaders also affirmed that
Asean (Association of Southeast Asian
Nations) unity and centrality are at the
heart of the Indo‑Pacific concept, which
is inclusive and open to all," it stated.
"They shared willingness to expand
concrete cooperation with the US and
other partners."
The two sides also exchanged notes
for seven yen loan agreements for key
infrastructure projects in India.
India and Japan committed to further
consultations with host governments to
foster tangible cooperation focusing on
development of connectivity and other
infrastructure in the Indo‑Pacific.
"This synergy is embodied in collabo‑
rative projects between India and
Japan in the Indo‑Pacific region, includ‑
ing in Sri Lanka, Myanmar and
Bangladesh as well as in Africa," the
Vision Statement said.
It also stated that both leaders reaf‑
firmed their desire to further deepen
bilateral security and defence coopera‑
tion and institute Foreign and Defence
Ministerial 2+2 Dialogue in addition to
existing mechanisms, including the
Annual Defence Ministerial Dialogue,
Defence Policy Dialogue, the National
Security Advisers' Dialogue, Staff‑level
Dialogue of each service.
new global venture
Mumbai: Business magnate
Cyrus P. Mistry has announced
the launch of a new global
enterprise, Mistry Ventures
LLP, to provide strategic
insights and advice to busi‑
nesses, incubate new ventures
and provide seed, early stage
and growth capital to startups
in India and worldwide.
It will bring in Ashish Iyer,
Senior Partner and formerly Business magnate
Global Leader, Strategy Cyrus P. Mistry.
Practice at the Boston
Consulting Group, to head the embedded in each of the ven‑
new firm, a statement said. The tures we promote or partner
development comes exactly with." Mistry Ventures LLP is
two years after Mistry, 52 was jointly promoted by Shapoor
ousted as the Chairman of Tata Mistry and Cyrus Mistry of the
Sons on October 24, 2016 in venerable Shapoorji Pallonji
one of the most closely fol‑ Group, a globally diversified
lowed corporate wars in recent conglomerate with a history of
times. The Irish‑born Mistry over 150 years, operating in
had been appointed in 2012. engineering, construction,
Outlining his vision for the infrastructure, realty, water,
new venture, Mistry said: "The energy and financial services
intent to deliver profit with sectors with a presence in over
positive social impact will be 60 countries.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Indonesian plane with 188 ‘Suspects in Khashoggi case
on board crashes off Jakarta to be tried in Saudi Arabia’
Jakarta: A Lion Air Boeing pas‑
senger plane carrying 188 peo‑
ple on board requested air con‑
trol for return, minutes after tak‑
ing of f from here, before crash‑
ing into the sea. A rescue and
search operation is underway,
officials said.
"Several pieces of Lion Air JT
610 aircraft that crashed in the
waters of Karawang (was
found)," Head of the Indonesian
Nat ional Board for Disaster
Management Sutopo Purwo
Nugroho tweeted.
The budget airline's aircraft
was carrying 178 adult passen‑
gers, a child, two babies with two
pilots and five flight attendants,
Nugroho said, adding that the
Nat ional Search and Rescue
Agency, Basarnas, and the
Ministry of Transportation were
"handling" the situation.
"Some ships tug boats were on
location," he added.
Flight JT‑610, a Boeing 737
MAX 8 ‑‑ a brand new type of air‑
craft ‑‑ was on a scheduled flight
to Pangkal Pinang, the main city
in the Bangka Belitung Islands.
It lost contact with ground con‑
trol a few minutes after take‑off,
and was last tracked crossing the
sea, Yusuf Latif, a spokesman for
Iran denies holding Far‑right candidate Bolsonaro
talks with US wins Brazil presidential election
Tehran: The Iranian
Foreign Ministry
denied that its diplo‑
mats are holding
talks with the US on
the existing issues
between Tehran and
Washington.
The ministry's reac‑
tion came after
Iranian lawmaker
Javad Karimi
Qoddousi said that
the country's diplo‑
mats were currently
in talks with their US
partners in Oman
over the mutual
issues. "The claims
Iran's Supreme Leader
concerning Iran's
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
talks with the US in a
neighboring country are wrong
and baseless," the ministry's
website said in a statement.
"Iran's Foreign Ministry
adheres to the guidelines by the
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali
Khamenei to avoid interaction
with the US and would never dis‑ sanctions lifted under the accord
obey this principle; it was cited
as saying by Xinhua news
agency. The Iranian Supreme
INTERNATIONAL
Many of Indonesiaʼs airlines have a poor safety record.
the national search and rescue
agency said confirming the
crash. The Lion Air flight took off
from Jakarta's Soekarno‑Hatta
international airport at 6.20 a.m.
After a short flight, it was due to
arrive in Pangkal Pinang an hour
later, the BBC said. But it lost
contact at 6.33 a.m.
At 6.45 a.m. head of the nation‑
al Search and Rescue Of fice M.
Syaugi received a report from a
tugboat, AS Jaya II, that the crew
had seen the debris of a plane,
The Jakarta Post reported.
"The plane had requested the
air traf fic control to return to
base before disappearing from
radar," Transport Ministry
Leader said that Tehran will not
sit for negotiations with "cheat‑
ing" Washington.
Following US President Donald
Trump's decision to quit the his‑
toric Iran nuclear deal on May 8,
Washington vowed to reimpose
against Tehran and inflict pun‑
ishments on nations that had
business links with Iran.
Bambang Ervan told Xinhua by
phone.
A flig ht tracking we bsite
Flightradar24 said the aircraft
had only been delivered to Lion
Air in August, the BBC reported.
Indonesia, a vast archipelago, is
heavily reliant on air travel, but
many of its airlines have a poor
safety record.
In 2013, Lion Air flight 904
crashed into the sea on landing
at Bali's Ngurah Rai International
Airport. All 108 people on board
survived. In 2004, a Lion Air
flight 538 from Jakarta crashed
and broke up on landing at Solo
City, killing 25 people, the BBC
reported.
Brasilia: Far‑right congressman
Jair Bolsonaro has been declared
the winner of Brazil's presiden‑
tial election which was deemed
as one of the most polarizing and
violent political campaigns in the
country's history, amid a pro‑
longed recession, rising crime
rates and widespread corruption
scandals.
He was declared the winner by
the Supreme Electoral Tribunal
after 94 per cent of the votes
that were cast earlier in the day,
were counted, easily defeating
his leftist rival, former Sao Paulo
Mayor Fernando Haddad from
the Workers' Party that previous‑
ly governed the country for 13
years, CNN reported.
The 63‑year‑old Bolsonaro's
tenure will begin from January 1,
2019.
According to the Tribunal,
Bolsonaro led with 55.54 per
cent of the votes to Haddad's
44.46 per cent.
Bolsonaro had won the first
round of the e lect ions on
October 7 amid a field of 13 can‑
didates, but he fell short of the
50 per cent needed to win out‑
right and avoid a runoff against
November 3-9, 2018 71
Manama: Saudi Arabian Foreign
Minister Adel al‑Jubeir said that
the suspects in the murder of
dissident journalist Jamal
Khashoggi would be prosecuted
in the kingdom.
At a security conference in
Bahrain, Al‑Jubeir accused the
western media of "hysteria" in
its coverage of the case. He said
the kingdom was being blamed
even before the probe into the
case was complete, the BBC
reported.
"This issue has become fairly
Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister
hysterical. I think people have
Adel al‑Jubeir slammed the
assigned blame on Saudi Arabia
ʻhysteriaʼ surrounding
with such certainty before the
Khashoggiʼs death.
investigation is complete.
"We have made it clear that flicting accounts of what hap‑
we are going to have a full and pened to Khashoggi, the king‑
transparent investigation, the dom last week said that he was
results of which will be killed "accidentally" in a fist
released." fight at the consulate by
Al‑Jubeir remarks came a day "rogue" agents. However, it
after Turkey said it wished to denies the ruling royal family's
extradite 18 Saudi nationals involvement in the killing.
authorities say were involved in The kingdom had earlier dis‑
the murder of the Washington missed five high‑ranking offi‑
Post contributor and Saudi gov‑ cials ‑‑ including Crown Prince
ernment critic. Khashoggi was Mohammad Bin Salman's media
last seen alive entering the chief and the deputy head of
kingdom's consulate in Turkey the Saudi intelligence service ‑‑
on October 2. and arrested 18 people in the
After weeks of providing con‑ case.
Far‑right candidate Jair Bolsonaroʼs presidential tenure will begin
from Jan 2019.
Haddad. In a victory speech, Bolsonaro, who has been com‑
Bolsonaro said he was a "defend‑ pared to Trump and Philippines
er of freedom" who would run a President Rodrigo Duterte, has
government that protected citi‑ stirred controversy by making
zens who "follow their duties and misogynistic, racist and homo‑
respect the laws". phobic remarks.
He vowed to bring Brazil closer He once told a congresswoman
to the most developed countries that she did not deserve to be
and recover "internat ional raped because she was "very
respect". ugly", Brazil's TV Globo reported.
 72 November 3-9, 2018 SPORTS TheSouthAsianTimes.info

4th ODI: Clinical India outshine West Indies in style

Mumbai: India dished out a clinical perform‑
ance to outclass the West Indies by 224
runs, their biggest margin of victory against
the Caribbean side, in the fourth One‑day
International (ODI) on their return to the
Brabourne Stadium here.
The victory is India's third biggest by mar‑
gin of runs against any side. With the win,
India also took a 2‑1 lead in the five‑match
rubber with one match having been drawn.
After posting a massive 377/5, thanks to
centuries from Rohit Sharma (162) and
Ambati Rayudu (100), the home side relied
on a disciplined bowling ef fort led by the
rookie left‑arm quick Khaleel Ahmed (3/13)
and chinaman Kuleep Yadav (3/42) sharing
six wickets between them, to skittle the
tourists for a meager 153 in 36.2 overs.
Facing a daunting target, the Windies
never looked in the hunt with Khaleel rip‑
ping through the middle order, comprising
Marlon Samuels (18), Shimron Hetmyer (13)
and Rovman Powell (1) after the top three
departed with mere 20 runs on the board.
Earlier, Bhuvneshwar drew first blood for
the hosts w ith the w icket of opener
Chandrapaul Hemraj (14), before a couple of
run‑outs of Kieran Powell (4) and the in‑
form Shai Hope (0) further derailed the
Indian players celebrate after winning the fourth ODI match against West Indies,
at Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai. (Photo: Surjeet Yadav/IANS)
chase.
Skipper Jason Holder (54 not out off 70
balls; 4X1, 6X2) raged a lone battle but with
wickets falling at regular intervals, it was
only a matter of time for the Indian bowlers,
especially Kuldeep, whose figures of 3/42
was instrumental in cleaning up the tail.
Earlier, Rohit belted an explosive 137‑ball
162, laced with 20 boundaries and four
sixes, but importantly crucial from the
team's point of view, forged a 211‑run third
wicket stand with the other centurion
Rayudu (100 off 81 balls; 4X8, 6X4) to pro‑
pel the hosts to a mammoth 377/5.
Electing to bat, India raced to a brisk 71‑
run opening stand between Shikhar Dhawan
(38) and Rohit, but were jolted once again
with the second wicket of skipper Virat
Kohli (16) falling in the span of 30 runs.
A rare failure after three consecutive tons,
Kohli's early departure gave Rayudu, the
newly‑anointed No.4 the perfect platform to
not only stamp his authority but also
cement his place in the build up to the ICC
World Cup in 2019.
With Rohit in full flow, Rayudu took the
back seat playing the perfect second fiddle
and quietly watched the Mumbaikar racing
to his 21st ODI ton off 98 deliveries when
he chopped left‑arm spinner Fabian Allen
for a boundary to the point boundary.
The 33‑year‑old Rayudu steadily brought
up his half century before matching his part‑
ner shot by shot until of f‑spinner Ashley
Nurse got the back of the opener caught at
third man by Hemraj.
The Hyderabadi right‑hander continued
milking the tourists and in the company of
an of f‑colour Mahendra Singh Dhoni (23),
reached his third ODI century off 80 deliver‑
ies before eventually being run out.

Leicester City 'Worried' Ganguly writes

chairman's death sparks
outpouring of grief
Thai billionaire Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha during
a robe offering ceremony of Royal Thai Monastery
at Bodh Gaya, Bihar. (Photo: IANS)
Madrid: Sports personalities,
politicians and members of the
United Kingdom's royal family
paid tribute to the Thai billion‑
aire owner of English Leicester
City who died alongside four oth‑
ers when his helicopter crashed
just outside the club's King
Power stadium shortly after take
of f. Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha,
the 61‑year‑old owner of King
Power International Group, a
leading travel retail company in
Thailand, staff members Nursara
Suknamai and Kaveporn
Punpare, pilot Eric Swaf fer and
his partner Izabe la Roza
Lechowicz, were all killed in the
tragic accident on Saturday after
Leicester's 1‑1 draw to West
Ham, reports Efe.
"My thoughts are with those
family, friends and supporters
connected to the tragic crash out‑
side Leicester City's stadium on
Saturday night. The outpouring
of grief is a testament to how
many people's lives were touched
by those on board," UK Prime
Minister Theresa May said in a
statement shared on Twitter.
The front pages of several UK
newspapers hailed the actions of
experienced he licopter pilot
Swaf fer, who according to wit‑
ness accounts steered the
doomed chopper toward an
empty space in the parking lot to
avoid crowds of fans making
their way home after the game.
to BCCI about CoA's ways
Kolkata: Former India captain
Sourav Ganguly shot off a letter to
the BCCI raising concerns over the
manner in which the Supreme
Court‑appointed Committee of
Administrators (CoA) is running
cricket and also criticizing the han‑
dling of the sexual abuse allega‑
tions against the cricket board CEO
Rahul Johri. In the letter, the Cricket
Association of Bengal (CAB) presi‑
dent wrote that he is worried about
the reputation of the BCCI and the
state of the sport in the country. "I
write this mail to you all with the
deep sense of fear as to where
Indian cricket administration is
going. Having played the game for a
long period of time, where our lives
were ruled by winning and losing,
and the image of Indian cricket was
of paramount importance to us, we
wake up looking at how our cricket
Sania Mirza, Shoaib
blessed with son
Hyderabad: Tennis star Sania Mirza
and Pakistani cricketer Shoib Malik,
who were blessed with a son, have
named the little one Izhaan Mirza‑
Malik. The first name means God's
gift, as the parents feel that he is
truly one.
Sania de livered the baby in
Rainbow Hospital here under the
guidance of Praneeti Reddy.
Shoaib broke the news on social
media, tweeting: "Excited to
Former India captain
Sourav Ganguly.
is faring even now," the mail read.
"But with deep sense of worry, (I
used the word worry) I beg to state
that the way things have gone in
the last couple of years, the authori‑
ty of Indian cricket to the world and
the love and belief of millions of
fans is on the way down. "Indian
announce: It's a boy, and my girl is
doing great and keeping strong as
usual #Alhumdulilah. Thank you for
the wishes and Duas, we are hum‑
bled." Sania married Shoaib in a tra‑
ditional Hyderabadi Muslim wed‑
ding ceremony on April 12, 2010.
The tennis star had in an inter‑
view to IANS said she finds mother‑
hood empowering.
"It empowers who you become
and who you are," she said.
cricket with its massive following
has been built over the years of
hard work from superb administra‑
tors and greatest of cricketers who
have managed to bring thousands
of fans to the ground. I at the pres‑
ent moment, think it's in danger.
Hope people are listening," the mail
further read.
Not many days ago, CoA chief
Vinod Rai set up an independent
panel to look into the matter while
co‑member Diana Edulji wanted
Johri to be immediately removed.
Ganguly, who is also a member of
the cricket advisory committee ‑‑
comprising Sachin Tendulkar and
V.V.S.Laxman ‑‑ turned to the three
BCCI of fice‑bearers ‑ acting presi‑
dent C.K.Khanna, acting secretary
Amitabh Choudhary and treasurer
Anirudh Chaudhry for direction in
the mail.
Sania Mirza with husband
Shoaib Malik. (Photo: IANS)
TheSouthAsianTimes.info DIWALI SPECIAL November 3-9, 2018
 74 November 3-9, 2018
The migrant caravan…What will President Trump do?
By Dev Banad Viswanath, Esq.
& Michael Phulwani, Esq.
P TALK
resident Trump is not
happy about the migrant
caravan and he does not
want the migrants to enter the
United States. The migrant caravan
originated from Honduras and is
currently in Mexico. When they
had entered Mexico from
Guatemala it was extremely chaot‑
ic and many of the migrants forced
their way through barriers without
being screened or checked.
President Trump does not want
the same thing to happen if they
reach the U.S. border.
The migrant caravan started
with more than 7,000 people but
some have applied for asylum in
Mexico and others have returned
home. President Trump fears that
there may be “unknown Middle
Easterners” mixed in with the cara‑
van migrants and he does not want
them to threaten national security.
He, therefore, has threatened to
cut off aid to Guatemala,
Honduras, and El Salvador for not
stopping the migrant caravan. But
according to many news reporters
who are following the migrant car‑
avan, there is no direct evidence of
VISA
any Middle Easterners amongst
them. The caravan is currently
about one thousand miles away
from the nearest U.S. border cross‑
ing at McAllen, Texas. Mexican
President Enrique Pena Nieto has
promised to provide shelter, med‑
ical attention, schooling, and jobs
to Central American who agree to
stay in the southern Mexico states
of Chiapas or Oaxaca. Some
migrants have agreed to stay in
Mexico but most of them are deter‑
mined to the reach the US.
Many of the migrants did not
want to leave their country but
they had no choice. Honduras, El
Salvador and Guatemala all suffer
from poverty and violence con‑
nected to gangs and illegal drugs.
Honduras and El Salvador regular‑
ly top the list of nations outside of
a war zone with the highest mur‑
der rate per capita. The living con‑
ditions are extremely dangerous
especially for families with small
children. The unemployment rates
DISPLAY CLASSIFIEDS
IMMIGRATION TheSouthAsianTimes.info
in Honduras, El Salvador and
Guatemala are also very high and
it is hard for people to find work in
order to support their families.
With elections coming up next
week, President Trump has pushed
the migrant caravan to the top of
the political agenda. He is consid‑
ering closing the U.S.‑Mexico bor‑
der to all asylum seekers from
Central America. The U.S. military
is also preparing to send up to
5,000 troops to the border to pre‑
pare for the incoming migrants.
President Trump also sent out a
tweet last week stating that those
in the caravan will not be allowed
into the U.S. and should go back to
President Trump has ordered the military to send troops to the
their country and apply for citizen‑
border with Mexico to prepare for the incoming migrants and has
ship. That is a lot easier said than
pushed the issue to the top of election agenda. (Photo courtesy AP)
done. The migrants as in this cara‑
van do not have the financial
means to go through the immigra‑ Dev Banad Viswanath is the Principal Attorney of
The Banad Law Offices PC in the United States, and
tion process nor do they have the
Banad Immigration in India for which Attorney
time to wait for a green card. Many
Michael Phulwani is also affiliated as Of Counsel.
of them left their families behind
With Offices in Manhattan, Queens, Bangalore, and
in Honduras to join the caravan Mumbai, the firm is able to assist clients with all
and make their way to the U.S. All facets of the immigration process, including
they want is to work hard and Employment Visas, Consular Visa Assistance,
send money back home so that one Student Visas, Removal & Deportation, US
day their family could come here Citizenship and Green Card Applications based on
and join them. Family or Employment. Dev B. Viswanath can be
We would like to wish the read‑ reached at Dev@Banadlaw.com and 718‑361‑5999.
ers a very happy Diwali.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info DIWALI SPECIAL November 3-9, 2018
76 November 3-9, 2018 ASTROLOGY TheSouthAsianTimes.info

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

By Dr Prem Kumar Sharma
ARIES: There is a good chance of meeting
someone you have not met in
years this week. Those enjoying
love on the sly will need to take
extra pains to keep it under
wraps. Planning for a new proj‑
ect can find you busier than
usual. You will be on the right lines, as
far as making a choice is concerned.
Preparation for an overseas business trip is
likely to start now. Keep control over expendi‑
ture. Spouse may need your emotional sup‑
port.
Stars Foretell: November 3-9, 2018
TAURUS : Neglecting professional or academic
front may prove most unfavorable.
You can be ticked of f for your
extravagant ways. Commuting
to a new location will not pose
any problem. Attending a
celebrity do is indicated for some.
The one you are going steady with is likely to
spring a surprise. It will be difficult for some
to get back in shape. Forgive and forget some‑
one who has wronged you to bring happiness
back in life. Love may knock at the door for
some.
Delhi, India: +91-11- 2644 9898, 2648 9899;
psharma@premastrologer.com; www.premastrologer.com
GEMINI: A journey may prove much more excit‑
ing than you had anticipated.
Papers pertaining to property
will be handed over to you.
Seeing new locations and meet‑
ing new people are indicated. You
will get to hear some juicy gossip,
but keep it to yourself. You are likely to take
more than the allotted time for a project.
Workouts will keep you fit. Someone may be
there to give you company, when you need it
the most. Chances of getting a promotion or a
raise cannot be ruled out for some.
CANCER: You can be fed up doing the bidding of
others on the domestic front. Not
too eventful week is foreseen
which can lead to boredom. A
domestic situation can have you
in an emotional turmoil. Piled up
work may take up a lot of your time.
Be diplomatic if you are unable to help col‑
leagues due to work pressure. Ef forts for
improving your financial condition will show
positive signs. You can be harsh to lover with‑
out even realizing it. Neglecting health can lay
you up in bed.

LEO: There is someone waiting for you in the
wings at work on whom you can
totally rely, so chill. This is a good
time for going in for something
being planned for long. You will
succeed in removing an irritant at
work. Your ideas on the profession‑
al front are likely to be accepted. Domestic
issues will be sorted out amicably. An evening
out with lover is indicated for some. Shopping
with family will be fun, but it will be mostly
window shopping!
VIRGO: Impulse buying needs to be curbed
to avoid wasteful expenditure.
Some of you may need to
shake a leg to remain fit.
You will find great solace in
spirituality and may even
make changes in your lifestyle
on this account. Unfounded worries may
keep you in a serious mould, but it will be a
passing phase. Donʼt neglect health issues, if
any.
LIBRA: VTime is getting better, so rejoice. Do
not overdo something to impress a
senior at work this week. Setting
priorities and working on them
will keep you in fine fettle on the
academic front. A business trip
will prove fruitful. Budgeting
expenses will be a good idea. You will be much
in demand on the social front. Those seeking a
loan will be able to complete the paperwork.
Romantic front appears rosy, as you meet an
ideal match.
SCORPIO : Enjoying power and authority in a
new appointment is indicated on
the professional front. Completing
a challenging task successfully
will add to your professional rep‑
utation. Donʼt run away from your
domestic responsibilities. An oppor‑
tunity to meet your near and dear ones may
present itself this week. Experiment with Yoga
or reiki to calm down your mind and feel more
positive about life. Vacation plans may need to
be put at rest for a while.

SAGITTARIUS: Speculation and betting is
best left untouched, if you donʼt
want to burn your fingers. You
are likely to feel more confident
about yourself by emerging out
of the shadows. You may show
the right path to someone going
wayward. Physical appearance will
be important in regaining your self‑esteem, so
do something about it. A shift in parentsʼ or
partnerʼs attitude will be most welcome. Going
on a vacation with family will prove immense‑
ly exciting.
CAPRICORN : Confidently tackle the issues that
have been bugging you since long.
Avoid getting on the wrong side of
spouse and face the brunt!
Beware, professional front seems
turbulent this week. You are like‑
ly to be made answerable for
something you failed to execute at
work. Monetary condition is likely to improve
for some. An outing with friends and family is
in the pipeline. Expect total bliss on the roman‑
tic front. Health remains good, as you make
efforts.
AQUARIUS: This is a good time to spread your
wings on the professional front. You
may find yourself a bundle of
energy this week. You are likely
to reorganize yourself at work.
This is the time to reap the bene‑
fits of deeds done in the past.
Workplace is likely to be a fun place
this week as bonhomie prevails. Some of you
will manage to address all pending issues.
Donʼt be shy in shelling out money, where it
serves your interests. Family will be more than
responsive to your needs.
PISCES: Keep your options open on the finan‑
cial front. You are likely to find the
week favorable. Students can
receive heartening news about
their performance and are likely
to make the parents proud. You
will be able to get around your
senior to take a favor. Shopping can
give you a high and help unwind. Your weak‑
ness for junk food is likely to tell on your
health. Someone you are attracted to is likely to
make the first move. Your interfering nature is
likely to upset friends.

Annual Predictions: For those born in this week

3rd November, 2018
Traits in you: You are blessed with
positive traits like confidence and op‑
timism. You are independent as you
have high ambitions in your life. You
enjoy your dignity whatever the situa‑
tion may be. You are quite religious by
nature and you trust on God.
Health this year: Backache, stiff
neck or body pains will prove to be ob‑
stacles for you to spend a healthy life.
Finance this year: You may help
your earning improve by implement‑
ing new plans in your business. You
may start various new and profitable
ventures. You may find your specula‑
tions worthy enough to improve your
financial status you may get a chance
to travel foreign countries for business
purpose or you may plan a personal
trip with family to spend your holi‑
days.
Career this year: Being a perfection‑
ist in your profession, you will get am‑
ple recognition. However, you need to
control your emotions of being ex‑
travagant, dominating and fickle‑
minded to forward your career. You
may take frequent critical decisions in
your professional life this year.
Romance this year: Your partner
may expect you to spend more time at
home. However, this may create dis‑
turbances as you will be busy through‑
out this year.
4th November, 2018
Traits in you: You are the owner of a
responsible, disciplined, sociable, or‑
ganized and creative personality. You
hold religious beliefs and philosophy
at high esteem. You should avoid be‑
ing jealous, stubborn and self centered
at times to improve your personal
traits.
Health this year: You may undergo
stress for your parentʼs health. How‑
ever, your health will remain good.
Finance this year: You will earn a
handsome amount of money from
your previous investments. The legal
issues will be solved in your favor to
provide you with monetary benefits.
You may plan for a business trip to a
distant place to enhance the territory
of your business.
Career this year: If you are a
sportsperson or artist or writer, this
year will be fruitful for you. You would
be oozing with confidence to make
tough tasks easy.
Romance this year: You will enjoy a
blissful relationship with your partner
with ample love, care and support.
5th November, 2018
Traits in you: As you are guided by
Mercury, you are gifted with strength,
intelligence, diplomacy and practica‑
bility. You are physically and mentally
active with an intelligent business
mind.
Health this year: To attain peace of
mind, you should plan a pilgrimage
during the end months of the year.
Finance this year: You may undergo
financial crisis in the first couple of
months this year. You may get carried
away by new ventures. However, you
need to do enough research on the
market before investing. You will find
your past investments paying off in
the latter half of the year. You will be
able to solve the property related mat‑
ters during the middle months of the
year to receive extra monetary gains.
Career this year: Your effort and
commitment in your professional life
is appreciated by your peers and high‑
er authorities. Your will be criticized
hugely at times for your nature of be‑
ing extravagant and reckless.
Romance this year: Some of you may
find your new love interests and some
may tie their knots this year.
6th November, 2018
Traits in you: Being under the guid‑
ance of Venus, you are bestowed with
simplicity. You are philosophical, co‑
operative, and a talented. You are in‑
clined to literature and witty discus‑
sions. You are able to memorize lot of
things as you will be the master of a
sharp memory. However, you need to
work on your erratic and careless be‑
havior to become a better person.
Health this year: You may remain
concerned over the health of your
family members.
Finance this year: You may find new
sources to earn money. However, you
will end up spending lot of money,
which would make you unable to save
money. You may travel a lot during
this year to find new opportunities
and to enhance your business rela‑
tionships.
Career this year: You may find this
year to be a mixture of good and bad
experience as far as your professional
life is concerned. You may not get ex‑
pected credit for your hard work.
Romance this year: Your partner will
be understanding enough to support
you during your emotional break
downs. You will enjoy a mature rela‑
tionship with your partner.
7th November, 2018
Traits in you: Being under the influ‑
ence of Neptune, you are born to be re‑
sponsible, affectionate, creative, reli‑
able and highly emotional. You pos‑
sess the quality and courage to brave
any unfavorable condition to adapt
with it or win over it. You need to work
on your stubbornness to enhance the
charm in your personality.
Health this year: You may undergo
various health related issues. You have
to take enough stress regarding you
law matters as they will not be solved
easily. However, you will find peace
and happiness because of financial im‑
provements, improvement in life style,
and spiritual beliefs.
Finance this year: You may receive
cash as gifts this year from your
guests and relatives. Your financial
condition would be mediocre with not
much loss.
Career this year: You need to listen
to otherʼs opinions to get benefited
professionally. You will find new and
exciting job offers, which will prove in‑
strumental in improving your finan‑
cial position this year. You will be able
to fulfill your long cherished dreams.
You may find your subordinates diffi‑
cult to handle.
Romance this year: You will find
your life romantic enough and it
would add some extra spice to your
life style.
8th November, 2018
Traits in you: As Saturn guides you,
you have all the characteristics to be a
lively, reliable, efficient, and temper‑
ate person. You are the owner of an at‑
tractive and charismatic personality.
Health this year: you may undergo
few minor health issues. However,
your overall health should remain fine.
Finance this year: You will be able to
accumulate enough money this year
as you will be moving towards a suc‑
cessful future. You will be benefitted
from any new venture or association.
Career this year: You are appreciat‑
ed by your colleagues and ordinates
for your hard work and efficiency. You
will prove to be an excellent resource
in your professional life as you are
productive. However, you need to
work on your nervousness and lazi‑
ness at times. You may require a tech‑
nology up‑gradation or renovation to
improve your efficiency at work in the
middle months of the year.
Romance this year: You will gain lots
of love and care from your spouse or
partner. Some of you may find this
year romantic enough to be in a good
spirit. Some may tie their knots.
9th November, 2018
Traits in you: Being ruled by Mars,
you are endowed with energy. You are
energetic, dependable, and organized.
Health this year: This year you will
remain healthy. You may lose things
both personally and personally being
emotional. You may visit a distant pil‑
grimage to attend an auspicious occa‑
sion towards the end of the year to at‑
tain mental health which is contami‑
nated due to pressure and overload of
work.
Finance this year: Your financial
condition may improve this year
thanks to your previous investments.
You need to invest your life time in‑
vestment intelligently so that you need
not repent later.
Career this year: You have the abili‑
ty to make quick decisions. You are ca‑
pable enough to get rewards and ap‑
preciation for your efficiency in your
professional field.
However, you should control your
jealousy to improve your personality.
You should not try to do things beyond
your capabilities. It may land you in
difficulties.
Romance this year: Your romantic
life would be an excellent one this year
as you will be able to clarify past mis‑
understanding with your partner.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info DIWALI SPECIAL November 3-9, 2018
78 November 3-9, 2018 HUMOR
Humor with Melvin Durai
An open letter to
Indian‑American kids
BEST
RATE Dear Indian‑American Kids:
FOR I know youʼre busy with your school work
and other important stuff, but thereʼs some‑
INDIA thing important Iʼd like to say to you: Please
stop winning the National Spelling Bee!
AND Yes, you heard me right. Back away from
the unabridged dictionary, tear up the list of
PAKISTAN 10‑syllable words your mom printed out for
you, delete the soundtrack of “Akeelah and
the Bee” from your iPod.
We know youʼre good at spelling. Youʼve
New York Head Quarter already proven it. Youʼve won eleven consecu‑
422‑S Broadway tive National Spelling Bees! If the Los Angeles
Lakers merged with the Miami Heat, they
HICKSVILLE
wouldnʼt win as many titles as you. Youʼre so
NY 11801 dominant that the Las Vegas oddsmakers
have made you 2‑1 favorites to win the next
516‑827‑1010 Spelling Bee, better odds than theyʼve set for
Aishwarya Rai to get a tummy tuck.
We know youʼre dedicated and disciplined.
Youʼve already proven it. While other kids
have been going to basketball camp or soccer
camp in the summer, youʼve been going to
Laughter is the Best Medicine
By Mahendra Shah
Mahendra Shah is an architect by education, entrepreneur by profession, artist and humorist,
cartoonist and writer by hobby. He has been recording the plight of the immigrant Indians for
the past many year in his cartoons. Hailing from Gujarat, he lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
TheSouthAsianTimes.info
(Image
courtesy:
usatoday.
com)
spelling camp. While other kids are horsing
around in the showers before dinner, embar‑
rassing each other with not‑so‑polite compar‑
isons, youʼve been making comparisons that
would do your parents proud: “My word is
bigger than your word.”
We know youʼre eager to please your par‑
ents. Youʼve already proven it. You didnʼt
complain when your mom handed you that
list of 10‑syllable words or your dad shook
his head vigorously and said, “Only 10 sylla‑
bles? You need to start giving her 12‑syllable
words – sheʼs in kindergarten now.”
Yes, youʼve already proven enough, so why
not give some other kids a chance to win the
National Spelling Bee? The other kids have
also studied thousands of words, but when
they reach the final round of the spelling bee
and see you looking so confident – as though
youʼve been on ESPN hundreds of times –
they lose their cool. They say to themselves,
“Oh no, those kids are Indian‑Americans.
They must have been to spelling camp!”
Itʼs like facing Rafael Nadal in the final of
the French Open. Sure, you might win a few
games, but then you look across the net and
see the seven‑time champion pumping his fist
and think to yourself, “Well, at least I got this
far.” Even worse than that, we had to hear the
same old joke again. Several people tweeted
it, thinking they were being original: “Snigdha
Nandipati won the National Spelling Bee by
spelling her own name! LOL! Someone put me
on Comedy Central.”
But thatʼs not why I want you to stop win‑
ning the National Spelling Bee. I want you to
stop because youʼre putting too much pres‑
sure on all the Indian‑American kids who
donʼt want to spend half their weekends
studying words and the other half being test‑
ed on them. Take my 10‑year‑old daughter,
Lekha, for example. Sheʼs a good student who
loves to read books and play the piano but
isnʼt that interested in spelling. Every year,
when the National Spelling Bee is being tele‑
vised ̶ the only time my wife ever asks if we
have ESPN on our cable – Lekha has to
endure comments such as, “If they can do it,
so can you,” “Look how proud her parents
look” and “Itʼs my mistake – I should have
started spelling words to you when you were
in my womb.”
So hereʼs my request again: Please stop win‑
ning the National Spelling Bee! I know it
wonʼt be easy, but with a little effort, Iʼm sure
you can do it.
See you at Geography Camp!