The Indian Panorama

Month: February 2013

  • Landmine Kills Four Malian Troops As France Mulls Exit

    Landmine Kills Four Malian Troops As France Mulls Exit

    GAO, MALI (TIP): Four Maliantroops were killed by a landmine interritory reclaimed from Islamistrebels, police said on Feb 8 as Francemulled handing over its four-week-oldintervention to UN peacekeepers.The deadly explosion Wednesdaybetween the northern towns ofDouentza and Gao came six days aftera similar blast in the same area killedtwo Malian soldiers, underlining thedanger the Islamist fighters still posedespite fleeing the towns under theircontrol.

    “A Malian army vehicle was blownup by a mine placed by the Islamistcriminals,” a paramilitary policeofficer said.The Movement for Oneness andJihad in West Africa (MUJAO), one ofthe Islamist groups that seized controlof northern Mali for 10 months, said ithad “created a new combat zone” andclaimed two recent attacks on the roadto Gao, the largest city in the north.”MUJAO is behind the explosion oftwo Malian army cars,” the group’sspokesman Abu Walid Sahraoui saidin a text message sent to a newsagency.He called on Malians to stay awayfrom main roads, which he said hadbeen heavily mined.”We urge infinite jihad and astruggle against infidel regimes andthe establishment of God’s sharia andfor Muslims to be freed,” he added.

    Nearly a month after it sent in thefirst fighter jets and attackhelicopters, France’s intervention haslargely driven the al-Qaida-linkedrebels into the remote mountains ofthe far northeast, stopping theirthreatened advance on the capital,Bamako.But French-led forces continue tocome under attack in reclaimedterritory, including rocket firedirected against them Feb 6 in Gao.With fears of a prolongedinsurgency, Paris is keen to hand overthe military burden of an operationthe defence ministry said has alreadycost France 70 million euros ($95million), with the figure rising by 2.7million euros per day.

    French defence minister Jean-YvesLe Drian said patrols in reclaimedtowns had encountered “residualjihadist groups who are still fighting”.In Gao, French-led forces havebeefed up security to prevent rebelsinfiltrating the city, according to aMalian army source. An AFPjournalist reported large patrols byFrench, Malian and Nigerien troops.French helicopters have beenpatrolling the road between Gao andDouentza, 400 kilometres (250 miles) tothe southwest.The area is littered with landminesand improvised explosive devices,according to security sources.After announcing plans to startwithdrawing its 4,000 troops from Maliin March, France called Wednesdayfor a United Nations peacekeepingforce to take over.Foreign Minister Laurent Fabiussaid a peacekeeping force could bein place by April, incorporatingtroops being deployed under thebanner of a West Africanintervention force, AFISMA, into aUN mission.

    The Economic Community of WestAfrican States (ECOWAS) is slowlydeploying some 6,000 troops in Mali,joined by another 2,000 from Chad.France’s ambassador to the UN,Gerard Araud, said it would take”several weeks” to make anassessment on deploying peacekeepersbut that the Security Council had “noobjections” to the plan.France now has as many soldiers inMali as it had at the peak of itsdeployment in Afghanistan in 2010.French fighter jets continue topound the area around the Adrar desIfoghas massif in the far northeast, acraggy mountain landscapehoneycombed with caves where theinsurgents are believed to have fledwith seven French hostages.France’s UN ambassador said apeacekeeping mission would also betasked with helping Mali, whose bowtie-shaped map circumscribes a vastsprawl of terrain and peoples, “reacha new national pact”.

    Mali’s descent into chaos beganwith a new rebellion launched inJanuary 2012 among the Tuareg, atraditionally nomadic northern peoplewho have long felt marginalised by thesouthern government.Le Drian said Tuesday the Frenchledoperation had so far killed “severalhundred” al-Qaida-linked militants.France’s sole fatality so far has beena helicopter pilot killed at the start ofthe operation. Mali said 11 of itstroops were killed and 60 wounded inearly fighting but has not sincereleased a new death toll.

  • Five Dead As 8.0 Quake Off Solomons Sparks Pacific Tsunami

    Five Dead As 8.0 Quake Off Solomons Sparks Pacific Tsunami

    HONIARA (TIP): A major 8.0magnitude earthquake jolted theSolomon Islands on feb 6 with smalltsunami waves buffeting Pacificcoastlines, leaving at least five peopledead and dozens of homes damagedor destroyed.A quake-generated wave of justunder one metre (three feet) reachedparts of the Solomons, and Vanuatuand New Caledonia also reportedrising sea levels, before a region-widetsunami alert was lifted.Sirens were heard in Fiji, localssaid. “Chaos in the streets of Suva aseveryone tries to avoid the tsunami!!”tweeted Ratu Nemani Tebana fromthe Fiji capital.Quake-prone Japan, which was hitby a huge tsunami in March 2011 thatkilled more than 19,000 people, wasalso on edge with the nationalweather agency warning that a smalltsunami could still come ashore.

    The Pacific Tsunami WarningCenter cancelled its regional alert forPacific-island nations at 0350 GMT,about two and a half hours after thepowerful quake struck at 0112 GMTnear the Santa Cruz Islands in theSolomons.”We can report five dead and threeinjured. One of the dead was a malechild, three were elderly women andone an elderly man,” Chris Rogers, anurse at Lata Hospital in the SantaCruz Islands, told AFP.Solomons Prime Minister GordonDarcy Lilo’s office said four villageson the Santa Cruz Islands had beenhit.”Latest reports suggest thatbetween 60 to 70 homes have beendamaged by waves crashing into atleast four villages on Santa CruzIslands,” Lilo’s spokesman GeorgeHerming told AFP.”At this stage, authorities are stilltrying to establish the exact numberand extent of damage.Communication to (the) Santa CruzIslands is difficult due to theremoteness of the islands.

    “It was not immediately apparentwhether the victims died in the quakeor tsunami.Solomon Islands Red Crosssecretary general Joanne Zolevekesaid she too had been told at leastthree villages were hit, with houseswashed away.”In the Solomon Islands when wetalk about villages there can beanything from 10 to 30 houses,” shesaid.The US Geological Survey said thequake struck the Santa Cruz Islands,which have been rocked by a series ofstrong tremors over the past week, ata depth of 28.7 kilometres (18 miles).The USGS first gave the depth at 5.8kilometres.Several powerful aftershocks werealso recorded.

    “Sea level readings indicate atsunami was generated,” the HawaiibasedPacific centre said after the 8.0quake, before lifting its tsunami alertfor several island nations.Australia’s earthquake monitoringagency and the Pacific centre said atsunami wave was measured at 91centimetres, at Lata, on the mainSanta Cruz island of Ndende.Locals in the Solomons capitalHoniara, 580 kilometres (360 miles)from the epicentre, said the quakewas not felt there.Lata Hospital director of nursingAugustine Bilve said some patientswere evacuated to higher ground toprepare for any injured from thevillages along the coast.

    “There was continuous shaking inLata but no damaged buildings here,”he said.”We were told that after theshaking, waves came to the villages.”In 2007 a tsunami following an 8.0-magnitude earthquake killed at least52 people in the Solomons and leftthousands homeless. The quake wasso powerful that it lifted an island andpushed out its shoreline by dozens ofmetres.The Solomons are part of the “Ringof Fire”, a zone of tectonic activityaround the Pacific Ocean that issubject to earthquakes and volcaniceruptions.Before it was lifted, the tsunamiwarning was in effect for the SolomonIslands, Vanuatu, Nauru, Papua NewGuinea, Tuvalu, New Caledonia,Kosrae, Fiji, Kiribati, and Wallis andFutuna.

  • Kerr Gets Half-Naked For Bridal Lingerie Shoot

    Kerr Gets Half-Naked For Bridal Lingerie Shoot

    Miranda Kerr stripped down to her undies as she posed for the new Victoria’s Secret bridal lingerie campaign. The mother-of-one poses in a variety of sheer, frilly and generally sexy underwear, showing of her lovely lean figure in the process, the Mirror reported.

    The Victoria’s Secret styling team worked all the usual wedding essentials into the shoot, with the supermodel’s accessories including a veil, tiara, bouquet of flowers and a garter. The snaps come hot on the heels of more shots of her wearing not very much, after she tweeted pictures of herself in a black bikini whilst on holiday in Mexico.

  • War Crimes: Bangla Jails Islamist For Life

    War Crimes: Bangla Jails Islamist For Life

    DHAKA (TIP): A top leader of Bangladesh’sfundamentalist Jamaat-e-Islami was on Feb 5 sentencedto life by a special tribunal here for “crime againsthumanity” committed during the 1971 independence waragainst Pakistan, sparking riots that claimed at leastone life.”He ( Abdul Kader Mollah) will serve life term,” saidchairman of the three-member International CrimesTribunal Justice Obaidul Hassan.

    Mollah, assistantsecretary general of the right-wing Jamaat-e-Islami, wasproduced before the court under heavy security escort.The tribunal said five of the six charges against himwere proved during the trial. Court officials said thatunder the Bangladeshi law 65-year-old Mollah wouldneed to serve 30 years in jail. Mollah jumped to his feetas soon as the verdict was pronounced and shoutedclaiming innocence. “This verdict is fabricated and I willfile a case (appeal) against it for sure,” he screamed asthe police took him away.

  • Blizzard Threatens Northeastern US, More Than 2,600 Flights Cancelled

    Blizzard Threatens Northeastern US, More Than 2,600 Flights Cancelled

    BOSTON (TIP): A blizzard ofpotentially historic proportionsthreatened to strike the northeastwith a vengeance on Friday, with up to2 feet (0.6 meters) of snow forecastalong the densely populated corridorfrom the New York City area to Bostonand beyond.Halfway through what was lookinglike a merciful winter, people stockedup on food and other storm supplies,and road crews along the East Coastreadied salt and sand ahead of whatforecasters warned could be one forthe record books.Boston and Providence, RhodeIsland, called off school on Friday, andairlines cancelled more than 2,600flights and counting, with thedisruptions certain to ripple acrossthe US.

    “Everybody’s going to get plasteredwith snow,” said Massachusetts-basedNational Weather Servicemeteorologist Alan Dunham.The snow is expected to start Fridaymorning, with the heaviest amountsfalling at night and into Saturday.Wind gusts could reach 65 mph (105kph). Widespread power failures werefeared, along with flooding in coastalareas still recovering fromSuperstorm Sandy in October.New York City was expecting up to14 inches (355 millimeters) of snow.Mayor Michael Bloomberg said plowsand 250,000 tons of salt were being puton standby.

    “We hope forecasts are exaggeratingthe amount of snow, but you never cantell,” he said.Blizzard warnings were posted forparts of New Jersey and New York’sLong Island, as well as portions of theNew England region, includingMassachusetts, Rhode Island andConnecticut. The warnings extendedinto New Hampshire and Maine.In New England, it could prove to beamong the top 10 snowstorms inhistory, and perhaps even breakBoston’s record of 27.6 inches (700millimeters), set in 2003, forecasterssaid. The storm is arriving just afterthe 35th anniversary of the blizzard of1978, which paralyzed New Englandwith more than 2 feet (0.6 meters) ofsnow and hurricane-force winds fromFeb. 5-7.

    The last major snowfall insouthern New England was well over ayear ago – the Halloween storm of 2011.In New Hampshire, DartmouthCollege student Evan Diamond andother members of the ski team weregetting ready for races at the IvyLeague school’s winter carnival.”We’re pretty excited about itbecause this has been an unusualwinter for us,” he said. “We’ve beengoing back and forth between havingreally solid cold snaps and then therain washing everything away.”

  • Park’s National Security Chief To Face Tough Test With N. Korea

    Park’s National Security Chief To Face Tough Test With N. Korea

    SEOUL (TIP): Kim Jang-soo, the national securityoffice chief for incoming President Park Geun-hye, isexpected to face tough strategic challenges in copingwith North Korea as the belligerent neighbor threatensto stage a nuclear test despite repeated internationalwarnings.Kim, 65, the former defense minister under the RohMoo-hyun administration from 2004 to 2006, wasappointed to the major post in the top office afterleading the foreign policy and defense committee forPark’s transition team after the December election.

    He won conservative acclaim after he was shownstanding upright without bowing as he shook handswith then North Korean leader Kim Jong-il during the2007 inter-Korean summit. Since then the hardliner wasdubbed “Gen. Upright.”After stepping down from the defense chief post, Kimentered into politics on the proportional representationticket for the then ruling conservative Grand NationalParty, now known as the Saenuri Party, in the previousparliamentary session.Park, who replaces President Lee Myung-bak on Feb.25, campaigned on mending ties with Pyongyang inreturn for dismantling its nuclear program.

    Ahead of awidely expected third nuclear test, however, she hasrepeatedly urged the North to drop the plan and warnedthe test would further isolate the impoverished nation,which is already under heavy international sanctions.Under the Park administration, Kim is expected to takea greater role in overseeing foreign affairs, nationaldefense and inter-Korean affairs, as well as nationalcrisis management, which will be a newly added team tothe presidential office as part of Park’s governmentreorganization plan.

    The expanded national security team for the top officewas seen as underlining Park’s commitment to strongnational defense.Born in Gwangju in 1948, Kim graduated from theKorea Military Academy in 1971 and earned a master’sdegree in government administration from Seoul’sYonsei University in 1989. He served as deputycommander of the South Korea-U.S. combined forcescommand and Army chief.

  • Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari’s Pvt Villa Is Blast-Proof, Has Runway

    Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari’s Pvt Villa Is Blast-Proof, Has Runway

    LAHORE (TIP): A sprawling highsecurityprivate residence for PakistaniPresident Asif Ali Zardari, complete withbomb-proof structures and a landing stripfor small jets and helicopters, is nearingcompletion here.The compound in Bahria town, spreadover some 25 acres, is named Bilawal Houseafter Zardari’s son Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.According to a Pakistan Peoples Partyofficial from Punjab the residence has beengifted by property tycoon Malik RiazHussain.

    The bomb-proof home is surrounded bylawns that can accommodate up to 10,000people and has a runway for private jetsand helicopters. The compound issurrounded by 30-inch high walls fittedwith security gadgets. Once completed, theresidence will have a three-tier securitysystem.Zardari, who is due to arrive in Lahoreon Sunday, is expected to visit BilawalHouse with his son, the sources said.

    Theresidence in Lahore will serve as the mainbase in Punjab province for Bilawal duringcampaigning for the upcoming generalelection.Hussain, believed to be close to Zardari,was at the centre of a controversy last yearafter he alleged that he funded threeforeign trips by Arsalan Iftikhar, the son ofsupreme court chief justice IftikharChaudhry.

  • Kareena Keeping Tabs On Saif’s Movie

    Kareena Keeping Tabs On Saif’s Movie

    Kareena Kapoor Khan has added one more wifely duty to her list. She is now keeping tabs of her husband Saif Ali Khan’s movie collections.

    One heard that all through the last weekend, Bebo was asking friends and trade pundits what the exact box office figures of Saif’s last film were. Saifeena reportedly just got back from Goa from one of their brief breaks before Saif plunges headlong into the schedule of his next movie in Lucknow.

  • Mahatma Gandhi’s Punya Tithi Observed

    Mahatma Gandhi’s Punya Tithi Observed

    NEW YORK (TIP): The ConsulateGeneral of India, New York, inassociation with Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan,USA observed the 65th Punya Tithi ofMahatma Gandhi on January 30, 2013.About 50 guests including teachers,students, journalists and office bearers ofthe Bhavan attended the event.

    Speaking on the occasion, ConsulGeneral of India, Prabhu Dayal, touchedupon various aspects of MahatmaGandhi’s philosophy and its continuingrelevance in the contemporary world.Floral tributes were paid to MahatmaGandhi by the Consul General, BharatiyaVidya Bhavan functionaries and a fewguests.Mrs. Sanjukta Sen and students of theBharatiya Vidya Bhavan sang Gandhiji’sfavorite Bhajans.

  • U.S. And States Prepare To Sue S&P Over Mortgage Ratings

    U.S. And States Prepare To Sue S&P Over Mortgage Ratings

    NEW YORK (TIP): The Justice Department, along withstate prosecutors, plans to file civil charges againstStandard & Poor’s Ratings Service, accusing the firm offraudulently rating mortgage bonds that led to thefinancial crisis, people briefed on the plan said February 4.A suit against S.&P. – expected to filed this week -would be the first the government has brought againstthe credit ratings agencies related to the financial crisis,despite continued questions about the agencies’ conflictsof interest and role in creating a housing bubble.

    Several state prosecutors are expected to join thefederal suit. The New York State attorney general isconducting a separate investigation, an official in thatoffice said. The official declined to say whether NewYork State’s action involved other ratings agenciesbesides Standard & Poor’s.Up until last week, the Justice Department had beenin settlement talks with S.&P., these people said.

    But thenegotiations broke down after the Justice Departmentsaid it would seek a settlement in excess of “10 figures,”or at least $1 billion, these people said. Such an amountwould wipe out the profits of S.&P.’s parent, theMcGraw-Hill Company, for an entire year. McGraw-Hillearned $911 million last year.During settlement negotiations, the JusticeDepartment held out the threat of a criminal caseagainst S.&P., the people said. Ultimately, thegovernment plans to bring a civil suit, which has alower burden of proof than a criminal case.The case is expected to be brought in California, thesepeople said.

    The state suffered disproportionatelyduring the housing bubble, and the government ishoping the venue will yield more sympathetic jurors.The case is focusing on about 30 collateralized debtobligations, an exotic type of mortgage security.According to S&P, the mortgage securities were createdin 2007 at the height of the housing boom.Prosecutors, according to the people, have uncoveredtroves emails by S&P, employees, which the governmentconsiders damaging. Portions of those emails are likelyto be disclosed in the government’s complaint againstS&P, these people said.

    In a statement on Monday, S.&P. said it had receivednotice from the Justice Department over a pendinglawsuit. The ratings agency argued any such legalaction would be baseless, since it downgraded plenty ofmortgage-backed investments, including in the twoyears leading up to the financial crisis. It also contendedthat other observers of the debt markets, includinggovernment officials, believed at the time that anyproblems within the housing sector could be contained.

    “A D.O.J. lawsuit would be entirely without factual orlegal merit,” the agency said in its statement. “With20/20 hindsight, these strong actions proved insufficient- but they demonstrate that the D.O.J. would be wrong incontending that S.&P. ratings were motivated bycommercial considerations and not issued in goodfaith.”Shares of McGraw-Hill closed down nearly 14 percenton February 4, at $50.30.

  • Us Postal Service Will End Saturday Mail Delivery?

    Us Postal Service Will End Saturday Mail Delivery?

    NEW YORK (TIP): To cut costs, the US Postal Service has announced that it will endSaturday delivery of first-class mail beginning in August. It will continue to deliverpackages, and post offices that are open now will remain open and mail will bedelivered to PO boxes.

  • When Deepika Borrowed Srk’s Lungi And Shirt

    When Deepika Borrowed Srk’s Lungi And Shirt

    It’s rare when an actress borrows from her co-actor’s wardrobe. One such rare example is Deepika Padukone, who, we’re told, borrowed from Shah Rukh Khan’s wardrobe for a photo-shoot of their next movie together.

    Seems the actress and her stylist were figuring the different looks she should wear when the latter learnt of an entire range of outfits sourced for SRK. After getting the superstar’s nod, the designer and the actress not only had a dekko of his clothes, but also picked a red lungi and a matching blue shirt for one of her changes for the shoot. “Deepika was keen to do something that hasn’t attempted before.”

  • Moily Inaugurates Karnataka Chapter Of Inoc (I)

    Moily Inaugurates Karnataka Chapter Of Inoc (I)

    NEW YORK (TIP): India will be selfsufficient in Petroleum Production by2030. This was stated by VeerappanMoily, Union Minister of Petroleumon the occasion of the inauguration ofthe Karnataka Chapter of the IndianNational Overseas Congress (I).Present on the occasion wereexecutive members of INOC(I) ,chapter heads and other dignitariesand guests from Karnataka. Thechapter is headed by former AAPIPresident and philanthropistDr.Dayan Naik who runs severalmedical schools in Aruba and otherparts of the world.

    The Inaugural event started with aclassical dance performance by Arpitaand was followed by a brilliant powerpoint presentation on Karnataka andits legends and their contribution tothe growth of India. The Karnatakakoota performed an ethnic folk songbefore the formal start of the event.Speaking on the occasion, Moilysaid that the backbone of India wasits pluralistic society and itssecularism and the inborn talent andwillingness to succeed. He spoke onhow he got the idea to build a SiliconValley in Karnataka after a visit to theSilicon Valley in US and theinitiatives that he took at ChiefMinister of Karnataka in building theSilicon Valley in the state and helpingnurture entrepreneurs like NarayanMurthy (Infosys founder) and others.

    The Petroleum Minister said that hehas a plan in place to make Indian selfsufficient in Petroleum by 2030 andthat he would have a phased mannerto achieve this objective/ vision. Hesaid that the Indian Economy isresilient with strong basics andchecks and has withstood two majoreconomic down turns that the worldwitnessed in 2008 and 2012.He said that young people in Indianeeds to unleash positive energy toconvert India into a super power and thiscan be done as India’s turn is around thecorner due to its young age of itsdemographic population. He said thatIndia is on the threshold of greateconomic opportunities and that NRI’sshould avail the opportunities and benefitfrom the growth of Indian Economy.

  • Indian-Americans’ Interest In Lobbying For Indo-Us Ties On The Wane

    Indian-Americans’ Interest In Lobbying For Indo-Us Ties On The Wane

    NEW YORK (TIP): A sharp drop inmembership to the Congressional Caucuson India is sadly indicative of the waninginterest of the Indian-Americancommunity to lobby for closer bilateralties between India and the US.The Congressional Caucus on India andIndian-Americans, which was establishedin 1994 when the ties between the twocountries were still in a nascent phase,had grown to a record 186 members of theUS House of Representatives.For more than a decade theCongressional Caucus was considered tobe a driver of India-US bilateralrelationship, and played a key role in thepassage of the historic civilian nucleardeal.

    However, latest figures reveal thisnumber has dropped to about 110Congressmen, which is mainly becausethere has been no fresh drive from theIndian-American community asking theirrepresentatives to join the CongressionalCaucus on India and Indian-Americans.In the last 112th Congress there were 135members. The numbers have mainlydropped either of retirement or defeat ofprevious members.”It is not lack of interest on part oflawmakers. It is the lack of interest on thepart of the Indian-Americans.

    Lawmakersneed to be reminded. If asked most of thelawmakers are always willing to obligetheir active constituents,” Ashok Mago, aDallas-based prominent community leader,said.Sampat Shivangi, president of the bipartisanIndian- American Forum forPolitical Education (IAFPE) agreed withthe view as well.”India centric issue like civil US-Indianuclear treaty galvanized the Indian-American community, government ofIndia and Indian Embassy which shot upthe India Congressional Caucus numberaround 185 with united efforts of all thesegroups,” Shivangi said.

    “Now there is no burning issue and theenthusiasm has weaned in this process,”he said.In November IAFPE had held aCongressional reception at the Capitol Hillduring which at least three Congressmenannounced their decision to join thecaucus.But in the absence of follow-up fromlocal Indian- American leaders, they areyet to formally join the India Caucus.Shivangi said that there is a need to findother galvanizing issues so that Indian-Americans are motivated to work for thebilateral relationship.

    India’s permanent membership to theUN Security Council could be one, henoted.”This just cause if taken seriouslywould galvanize above said groups to uniteand move forward,” he said.The office of Congressman Joe Crowley,one of the founding members of thecaucus and its current co-chair from theDemocratic Party said that he wasworking on increasing the membership ofthe caucus.”There has been a lot of turnover in thepast few years in Congress (such asretirements), and since there are asignificant number of new members in the113th Congress, Congressman Crowleybelieves this is the perfect time to shareinformation about the caucus with hiscolleagues and encourage them to learnmore about the US-India relationship,”Courtney Gidner, Congressman Crowley’sspokesperson said.

    “He is definitely focused working atgetting a lot more members to join, and isexcited to make it happen,” Gidner said.In the new Congress, Dr Ami Bera, theonly Indian- American lawmaker in thecurrent Congress, and Tulsi Gabbard, theonly Hindu ever elected to the US Congresshave announced their decision to join theCongressional Caucus for India andIndian-Americans.A fresh drive for new membership isexpected to be launched in March, butMago argued it cannot be successful unlessIndian-Americans from across the nationcome out and support it and ask theirrepresentatives to join the caucus.

    Refraining from giving reasons for thissharp drop in the caucus membership,Indian Ambassador to the US NirupamaRao listed out the immense contributionthat India caucus has made instrengthening India US bilateralrelationship.”Over the years, the India Caucuses inboth Houses of Congress have beenincreasingly engaged in pushing forward asubstantive agenda of India-USpartnership, taking up specific issues ofcooperation and common interest fromtime to time, and providing strength andsubstance to the relationship between ourtwo countries,” Rao said.

  • Orange, Honey For Healthy Skin

    Orange, Honey For Healthy Skin

    Who doesn’t like to have a clear complexion? Skin problems are nightmares for people of all ages. Everybody likes flawless skin. But with the cosmetic industry growing and with it producing numerous beauty products, it’s but natural to get confused on what’s the best.

    When you are spoilt for choice, then it’s even more dangerous as some products might not suit your skin type. The best solution under such circumstances is to play safe and opt for tried and tested home remedies.

    This also helps should you have a sensitive skin.
    Here are a few tips to aid your skin health
    1)It’s cliched, the most popular and common advice that you get from people. Yet, drinking lots of water is perhaps the most workable way to keep skin healthy and glowing.

    2)Squeeze half a lemon and add to warm water with honey. Consume this on an empty stomach everyday. Besides other benefits, this also purifies the blood.

    3)If you have oily skin, apply a pack of multani mitti mixed with rose water. This not just cleanses the skin but also absorbs excess oil and keeps your skin neat.

    4)To remove blemishes/scars on your skin make a pack of tomato pulp, haldi, curd and besan. This acts as a natural scrub.

    5)For a natural bleach, rub lemon peel with honey on the skin and wash off after few minutes.

    6)Dry orange peel, grind and make a powder. Apply this with water on the face for a glowing skin.

    7)A pack of corn flour and curd applied everyday helps keep the skin clean.

    8)If you are going out in the sun, make sure you use an umbrella to shield yourself from the harmful effects of the sun rays.

    9)If you have a dry skin, massage your face with almond or vitamin e oil to keep your skin nourished All it needs is a few minutes from your busy schedule to keep your skin healthy and glowing.

  • Barack Obama Nominates Tavenner To Lead Medicare And Medicaid

    Barack Obama Nominates Tavenner To Lead Medicare And Medicaid

    WASHINGTON (TIP): PresidentBarack Obama on Feb 6 renominatedone of his top healthcare advisers tolead the federal agency responsible foroverseeing Medicare, Medicaid andthe implementation of his healthcarereform law.If confirmed by the Senate, MarilynTavenner would become the firstofficial head of the US Centers forMedicare and Medicaid Services(CMS) since 2006.

    She currently leadsthe same agency as actingadministrator.As part of the US department ofhealth and human services, CMS runsthe Medicare and Medicaid healthcareprograms that serve about 100 millionelderly, disabled and low-incomepeople at a cost estimated at $885billion for this year. Both programsare at the center of a looming debatein Congress over how to reduce thefederal deficit.If confirmed as agency chief,Tavenner would also exercise officialauthority over the biggest expansionof healthcare coverage in more than ageneration under Obama’s PatientProtection and Affordable Care Act,which is expected to extend coverageto 38 million people over the next 10years.

    CMS has been a target ofRepublican opposition to Obama’shealthcare policies since early in hispresidency. Tavenner, a nurse andformer hospital executive, becameacting administrator in late 2011 andwas nominated to lead the agency. Butthe Senate never acted on hernomination. Her predecessor,healthcare reform expert DonaldBerwick, had assumed the job througha temporary appointment in July 2010but left after less than 18 months whenSenate Republicans made it clear thatthey would not allow his nomination.

    Tavenner has won praise from someRepublicans, including HouseMajority Leader Eric Cantor, andenjoys strong support amonghealthcare industry groups andconsumer advocates.

  • Indian-American Receives Business Award

    Indian-American Receives Business Award

    DALLAS (TIP): AnIndian-Americanbusinessman, AshokMago, has been selectedfor a corporate awardgiven by a US journal.Based out of Dallasin Texas, Ashok Mago,the chairman ofUSINDIA Forum, wasfelicitated with the’Minority BusinessLeader Award’ by theDallas Business JournalFebruary 7 for hisaccomplishments in thefield of business.

    “I guess you canimagine that if I’ve beenliving here for more than38 years that I love this city,” Mago, a recipient of the2010 Pravasi Bharatiya Samman, said after receiving theaward at a function here.The other Indian-Americans who had been selectedfor the award earlier are Pete K Patel, Shaji K Daniel,Krishnakant Dave.The journal, in a statement, said this year’s recipientswere a mixture of corporate executives, businessowners and community leaders.

  • Horrible Things Couples Do After Sex

    Horrible Things Couples Do After Sex

    Picture this: You are enjoying a steamy sex session with your partner. As your passion reaches its climax, an ultimate sexual joy is felt like never before. The moment both of you get over with this night of passion, your partner head towards your study and starts reading or turns over and falls into a dead slumber.

    What a turn-off indeed! It’s just one of those mistakes that couples often commit soon after enjoying an intimate session with their partner. They might have made all the necessary efforts to satisfy their partner in bed, but just one little mistake can spoil all the fun! The nature of these after-sex mistakes hints that you were just waiting for sex to get over so you could indulge in some other nonsexual activity. Or in some cases, it shows that you had something else running through your mind while having sex.

    Though these are absolutely unintentional acts that partners get caught up in, these are often the terrible goof-ups that kill the sexual mood. Also, couples fail to understand that switching off from the sexual state of mind can leave the other partner highly irked. Dr. Pushkar Gupta, a Chandigarhbased sex therapist opines, “It is very likely that partners who right away indulge in something else after having sex, might have performed sex as a duty and not an act of enjoyment.

    While there are several ways to keep up the mood even after the actual sex is over, some partners look for ways to remain busy and thus they end up committing lesser known ‘after-sex’ mistakes.” Dr. Amita Mishra, sex and relationship expert states, “After enjoying the sexual act, if a partner tries to get involved in something not related to sex, it surely makes the other partner feel disowned. While there should be an effort to linger on with the sexual feel even after the actual act is over, couples who deviate from this mood are certainly affecting their sexual relationship.” We list some recurring ‘after-sex’ mistakes that couples indulge in. So the next time you get intimate, make sure you do not switch into something else just after finishing the act. Let the mood linger on for enhanced pleasure

    Falling asleep at once
     Most couples come across this problem where either one of the partners or both would fall asleep soon after having sex. It certainly is a big goof-up that can kill the charm of sex. Sleeping at once would not allow you to cherish your performance and neither let you enjoy the mood with which you enjoyed that night of passion.

    Making way for washroom
     Enjoying a hot shower together can be a great foreplay act, but rushing to the washroom right after a hot romp is definitely not! While couples won’t mind getting messy in their sexual acts, but as soon as it’s over, they make way to the washroom to clean-up. It might sound okay, but they forget that the other partner might still be enjoying that mood and want to have more of it. Heading straight to the washroom makes the other partner feel that there’s been something unpleasing about the act, which can mar your sexual bliss.

    Calling a friend
    This is another common mistake that couples face after a steamy session. While it’s obvious that none would call a friend at odd hours to discuss official matters, so why can’t a petty talk wait till the morning? When it’s time to enjoy sex, it’s indeed a gaffe to keep your eyes and ears stuck onto your mobile phone waiting for a message or keeping an eye on your missed calls. It makes the other partner feel as if you’re just not interested and thus ruins all the fun.

    Heading towards study or work
    What couples think of during sex remains an unanswered question. Those who head towards studyroom right after a romp may just give the answer. Thinking books and reading is indeed a sex blunder! Like sexual moments, it’s equally important to enjoy the after-sex pleasure. If you rather descend towards your study, leaving behind your partner, it won’t bring any good to your sexual relationship. If you prefer reading a book instead of cuddling and snuggling, you are indeed inviting trouble into your sex paradise.

    Sleeping separately
    You might have a habit of sleeping separately in guest bedroom or on the terrace, but on a particular night when you’ve een intimate with your partner, exceptions are allowed. After a lovemaking session, it’s not a good idea to abandon your partner and pack your sheets and pillow to move to another room for a sound sleep. It will not only kill the passion on that night, but would also tarnish your sexual relations for several nights to follow.

    Bringing kids to sleep along
    Letting anyone invade your sexual privacy is bound to mar your sexual pleasure and kids are no exception. Many mothers have a tendency to bring kids to sleep alongside on the same bed and if that happens after having sex, it can’t get worse. Well, such a gesture has all the reasons to annoy the other partner, who might have planned something more sensual to be enjoyed after a steamy romp.

    Eating another meal
    Eating an aphrodisiacal meal together with your beloved can be a great start before a lovemaking act. But moving to the kitchen right after having sex looking for something to eat is equally disgusting. It ruins the entire passion and would make your partner feel that you didn’t enjoy sex just because you were hungry

  • Indian-American Jailed For 17 Years For Healthcare Fraud

    Indian-American Jailed For 17 Years For Healthcare Fraud

    MICHIGAN (TIP): Yet anotherIndian-American, a pharmacist, hasbeen sentenced to 17 years in prison bya US court for a healthcare fraudworth millions.Babubhai (Bob) Patel, 50, whoowned and operated 26 pharmaciesacross metro Detroit, was sentenced ina Michigan court, five months after ajury convicted him of billing thegovernment for more than USD 57million for painkillers that weremedically unnecessary or neverprovided.The government said he paiddoctors to write the orders and hadrecruiters offer cash to poor people inexchange for their Medicare orMedicaid number.

    He was arrested on August 2, 2011.In addition to 17 years ofimprisonment, the court also orderedPatel to pay restitution to the Medicaidand Medicare programs in the amountof USD 17.3 million, and restitution toBlue Cross Blue Shield in the amountof USD 1.5 million.In sentencing the defendant, thecourt told the defendant that “whatyou have done is reprehensible.”The criminal conduct engaged in byother health care fraud violatorssentenced by the court was “smallscale compared to this.”According to evidence presentedduring a six-week jury trial concluding in August 2012, Patelbetween 2006 and 2011, billed Medicareand Medicaid more than USD 57million.

    At least 25 per cent of those billingswere for drugs that were eithermedically unnecessary neverdispensed.Additional amounts werefraudulently billed to private insurerssuch as Blue Cross Blue Shield ofMichigan.The pharmacies operated on abusiness model that paid kickbacks tophysicians in exchange for writingprescriptions for expensivemedications, the Justice Departmentsaid.The affiliated doctors would alsowrite prescriptions for controlledsubstances, without regard to medicalnecessity, which would be filled at thepharmacies and distributed to paid”patients” and patient recruiters.The expensive non-controlledmedications would be billed but notdispensed.Earlier this week, the US courtsentenced an Indian Canadian (BrijeshRawal) and two Indian nationals -Ashwini Sharma and Lokesh Tayal –to 68 months of imprisonment fortheir participation as pharmacists inthese criminal offenses.They will be deported to theircountry of citizenship uponcompletion of their sentences.

  • President Obama Presents National Science & Technology Awards

    President Obama Presents National Science & Technology Awards

    WASHINGTON (TIP): PresidentBarack Obama, presented theprestigious National Medal ofTechnology and Innovation to eminentIndian American RangaswamySrinivasan for his groundbreakingwork with laser.Rangaswamy received the awardalong with Samuel Blum and JamesWynne, for the pioneering discovery ofexcimer laser ablativephotodecomposition of human andanimal tissue, laying the foundationfor PRK and LASIK laser refractivesurgical techniques, that haverevolutionized vision enhancement.

    At a glittering function heldFebruary 1 at the White House, Obamapresented National Medal of Scienceto 12 eminent scientists while 11extraordinary inventors receivedNational Medal of Technology andInnovation, the highest honorsbestowed by the United StatesGovernment upon scientists,engineers, and inventors.Established by statute in 1980, theNational Medal of Technology andInnovation was first awarded in 1985and is administered for the WhiteHouse by the US Department ofCommerce’s Patent and TrademarkOffice.

    Congratulating scientists andinventors Obama said if there is oneidea that sets this country apart, oneidea that makes it different from everyother nation on Earth, it’s that here inAmerica, success does not depend onwhere one is born or what his / herlast name is.”Success depends on the ideas thatyou can dream up, the possibilitiesthat you envision, and the hard work,the blood, sweat and tears you’rewilling to put in to make them real,”he said.”We have a map of the humangenome and new ways to producerenewable energy. We’re learning togrow organs in the lab and betterunderstand what’s happening in ourdeepest oceans.

    And if that’s not enough, the peopleon this stage are also going to beresponsible for devising a formula totame frizzy hair as well as inspiringthe game Tetris,” Obama said amidstlaughter.”It is a huge honor to receive thisaward for our research more thanthirty years after its initial discovery.This achievement is a reflection ofIBM’s culture of innovation, to thinkfar into the future, and a result ofenabling different disciplines to cometogether to tackle real-world challengeswith a broad domain of expertise,” saidDr Wynne of IBM Research.

    In 1981, Srinivasan discovered thatan ultraviolet excimer laser could etchliving tissue in a precise manner withno thermal damage to the surroundingarea. He named the phenomenonAblative Photodecomposition (APD),which later revolutionized eye surgery.Inducted into the US “Inventor Hallof Fame” in 2002, Srinivasan has spent30 years at IBM’s T J Watson ResearchCenter. He received both bachelor’sand master’s degrees in science fromthe University of Madras, in 1949 and1950. He earned doctorate in physicalchemistry at the University ofSouthern California in 1956. Hecurrently holds 21 US patents.

    The 12 winners of the NationalMedal of Science are:

  • Dr. Allen Bard, University ofTexas at Austin, Texaso
  • Dr. Sallie Chisholm,Massachusetts Institute ofTechnology, Massachusettso
  • Dr. Sidney Drell, StanfordUniversity, Californiao
  • Dr. Sandra Faber, University ofCalifornia, Santa Cruz,Californiao
  • Dr. Sylvester James Gates,University of Maryland,Marylando
  • Dr. Solomon Golomb, Universityof Southern California,Californiao
  • Dr. John Goodenough, Universityof Texas at Austin, Texaso
  • Dr. M. Frederick Hawthorne,University of Missouri, Missourio
  • Dr. Leroy Hood, Institute forSystems Biology, Washingtono
  • Dr. Barry Mazur, HarvardUniversity, Massachusettso
  • Dr. Lucy Shapiro, StanfordUniversity School of Medicine,Californiao
  • Dr. Anne Treisman, PrincetonUniversity, New Jersey

    • The 11 winners of the National Medal of Technology and Innovation are:

  • Dr. Frances Arnold, California Institute of Technology,California
  • Dr. George Carruthers, US Naval Research Lab, Washington, DC
  • Dr. Robert Langer, Massachusetts Institute of Technology,Massachusetts
  • Dr. Norman McCombs, AirSep Corporation, New York
  • Dr. Gholam Peyman, Arizona Retinal Specialists, Arizona
  • Dr. Art Rosenfeld, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, California
  • Dr. Jan Vilcek,NYU Langone Medical Center, New York
  • The team of Dr. Samuel Blum,
  • Dr. Rangaswamy Srinivasan Dr. James Wynne, IBM Corporation, New York
  • The company of Raytheon BBN Technologies, Massachusetts,represented by CEO Edward Campbell.
  • Sunlight May Prevent Arthritis In Women

    Sunlight May Prevent Arthritis In Women

    Regular exposure to sunlight— specifically ultraviolet B (UVB)—may lower a woman’s risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis, according to a new study. But the effect of UVB exposure was only evident among older women, possibly because younger women are more aware of the hazards of sunlight and so cover up with sun block, suggest the authors.

    They base their findings on participants in two phases of the US Nurses” Health Study (NHS), the first of which has tracked the health of more than 120,000 nurses since 1976, when they were aged between 30 and 55, until 2008. The second (NHSII) has tracked the health of a further 115,500 nurses since 1989, when they were aged between 25 and 42, until 2009. Rather than simply relying on geography to quantify likely levels of UVB exposure, the researchers used a more sensitive assessment, known as UV-B flux, which is a composite measure of UVB radiation, based on latitude, altitude, and cloud cover.

    It is measured in R-B units: a count of 440 R-B units over 30 minutes, for example, is sufficient to produce slight redness in untanned white skin. Exposure was then estimated according to the US state of residence, and ranged from an annual average of 93 in Alaska and Oregon to 196 in Hawaii and Arizona.

    Likely estimates of UV exposure at birth and by the age of 15 were also included. Over the study period, 1314 women developed rheumatoid arthritis.

    Among nurses in the first NHS cohort, higher cumulative exposure to UVB was associated with a reduced risk of developing the disease.

    Those with the highest levels of exposure were 21 percent less likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis than those with the least, the analysis showed. This backs up the findings of other studies, showing a link between geography and the risk of rheumatoid arthritis as well as other autoimmune conditions, including type 1 diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, and multiple sclerosis, say the authors. “Our study adds to the growing evidence that exposure to UV-B light is associated with decreased risk of rheumatoid arthritis. The mechanisms are not yet understood, but could be mediated by the cutaneous production of vitamin D and attenuated by use of sunscreen or sun avoidant behaviour,” they conclude.

  • 10 Glasses Of Water A Day Cuts Flab

    10 Glasses Of Water A Day Cuts Flab

    We have all heard this advice innumerable times. Drink eight to 10 glass of water a day. Experts say that if you are overweight or tend to get most of your calories from processed and salty food, eight to 10 glass of water could actually help you reduce your weight. Water could lower your BMI. If you drink eight to 10 glass of water everyday you will end up eating less and also drink fewer calorie-laden beverages.

    Drinking about 500 ml of water before meal can cut the calories and help in losing weight and as a result lower body mass index (BMI). Water helps in burning fat. You can burn about 50 per cent more fat after drinking water compared with a higher calorie beverage. Water helps you play your sports better.

    Sweating away just two per cent of your body’s water content affects the performance of a sportsperson to a great extent. Drinking enough water can improve your game and save you from the risk of dehydration. Water can fight hangovers. Being adequately hydrated is the best way not to feel lousy and grouchy after a late night party. Drink a couple of glasses of water hours before the event. Even when you are flying a long distance flight, staying hydrated helps you fight hangover.

  • Skilled Immigrants Would Boost Up US Economy: Indian-Americans

    Skilled Immigrants Would Boost Up US Economy: Indian-Americans

    WASHINGTON (TIP):The US must find waysincluding granting moreH-1B visas to attractskilled immigrants toboost its ailing economy,top Indian-Americanexperts have toldlawmakers.

    “If you look at all thedata, every single studythat’s been done, it showsthat when you bringskilled immigrants in theycreate jobs. Right now,we’re in an innovationeconomy. Skilledimmigrants are moreimportant than ever, notonly to create jobs, but tomake us innovative and help us solve major problems,”said Vivek Wadhwa, Director of Research, Pratt School ofEngineering, Duke University.

    “So bring the right people in and you will make the piebigger for everyone, and we can bring in more unskilledas well because we will have a bigger economy. We needthem.

    “The population of America will decline unless we, youknow, keep immigration going, at least at the pace that itis,” Wadhwa told US lawmakers during a Congressionalhearing on immigration convened by the House JudiciaryCommittee.Puneet Arora, vice president, Immigration Voice, saidit’s important to protect American workers and at thesame time have a robust immigration system whereskilled immigrants can come in and fill real needs.”One of the problems that we have today is that we’verestricted the mobility of the skilled workers that comeinto the country.

    They are trapped in jobs for long periodswhere promotions can be denied, where they have no wayof going to another employer that’s willing to offer amarket wage or advancement based on the experiencethat they’ve gained over a period of time and towards theskills that are really required where the demand for jobsis,” Dr Arora said.Prominent among measures pushed by these Indian-American experts included substantial jump in H-1Bvisas, removing country specific caps for legal permanentresidency, automatic green card to those earning mastersand doctorate in science, technology, engineering andmathematics (STEM).

    Arora said the benefits of removing per-country limitswill accrue to only one nation in this world — the US.”Ultimately, we do not care how you fix the system. Wejust want it fixed. Not in five years, not in ten years. Now,this year,” he argued.”We’re extremely encouraged by the introduction of theImmigration Innovation Act of 2013 in the Senate and wereally hope that a similar bipartisan bill will beintroduced in the House. This innovation economy isglobal and the ripe export markets and the foreignprofessionals in America creating products for thesemarkets will not wait forever,” Arora said.

    Responding to a question, Wadhwa argued that the USwas not in a position to lose time on the skills because itseconomy is in a slump. “We’re in the middle of a majorreinvention. Our competitors are rising. Immigrants arefleeing. We have to fix the immediate problem of skilledimmigrants, the million skilled immigrants legally herewaiting for green cards. We don’t talk about them. Weneed to fix that ASAP, and we need to do the other thingsyou’re talking about, without doubt. But we can’t wait onthe million, because they’re leaving. And America isbleeding talent right now,” he said.

  • Coffee As Effective As Other Drugs

    Coffee As Effective As Other Drugs

    A cup of coffee can be as effective as some commonly used performance enhancing drugs, a new study has revealed. Victoria University researchers Simon Outram and Bob Stewart examined existing research on the risks and benefits of stimulants being used by both sportsmen and people who wanted to boost their mental capabilities.

    They found caffeine appeared to be as effective if not more effective than other drugs such as Ritalin, which is increasingly associated with students who “pop pills” to aid study, the Herald Sun reported. Dr Outram said there was some overlap between substances being used for sporting performance enhancement and cognitive performance enhancement and the findings were useful when considering the regulation of these substances.

    The study took in methylphenidate, marketed as attention deficit disorder treatment Ritalin, amphetamines, such as Adderall which is mixedamphetamine stimulant, ephedrine, commonly found in Chinese remedies prescribed to alleviate asthma, and caffeine. Dr Outram said that there’s no strong evidence to suggest that these three substances are going to help you over and above what you might get from caffeine. “This would be particularly the case if you’re already training so that your body is at peak ability or your mind is at peak ability,” he said. He emphasised that the findings were based only on existing evidence, but said humans had a long association with stimulants.

  • Marco Rubio Becomes First Hispanic To Give GOP Response To State Of The Union

    Marco Rubio Becomes First Hispanic To Give GOP Response To State Of The Union

    WASHINGTON (TIP): Sen. MarcoRubio, R-Florida, will make history onFebruary 12 when he will give his party’srebuttal to President Barack Obama’sState of the Union address. He’ll becomethe first Hispanic to ever give the GOPresponse to the State of the Union andhe’ll do it in both English and Spanish –also a first.The Republican party has had anIndian-American — Louisiana Gov. BobbyJindal, in 2010 –and an African-American,former Congressman J.C. Watts, in 1997 togive the party’s response.In 2004, then Gov.

    Bill Richardsonbecame the first to provide a secondaryrebuttal in Spanish.U.S. House Speaker John Boehner, ROhio,and Senate Republican leader MitchMcConnell, R-Ky., announced theselection of Rubio on February 5, callinghim a strong advocate of conservativeprinciples.Rubio will speak after Obama’s primetimeaddress before Congress, offering acounterweight to the president’s agenda.

    The high-profile speech gives Rubio abroad national audience for a party thatlacks a true standard-bearer afterObama’s re-election.The 41-year-old Cuban-Americanlawmaker will provide a direct message toa growing Hispanic electorate thatshunned the GOP in last year’s election.Rubio was given a prominent speakingrole at last year’s Republican NationalConvention and traveled extensively onbehalf of Republican presidentialcandidate Mitt Romney. He has beentouted as a potential presidentialcandidate in 2016 for a party that faredpoorly among Latino voters last year.Boehner called Rubio “one of ourparty’s most dynamic and inspiringleaders. He carries our party’s banner offreedom, opportunity and prosperity in away few others can.

    “McConnell said his Senate colleaguewould “contrast the Republican approachto the challenges we face with PresidentObama’s vision of an ever-biggergovernment and the higher taxes thatwould be needed to pay for it.”Rubio has played a leading role amongRepublicans in seeking changes onimmigration, one of the top legislativepriorities of the year for both parties. Hehas been part of a bipartisan group ofsenators who have proposed a plan thatwould allow illegal immigrants to pursuecitizenship after a number of steps aretaken to secure the border with Mexico.

    The issue is expected to be among themost highly-watched measures inCongress this year.On the economy, Rubio has said taxincreases will not bring down the nation’s$16 trillion debt and urged policies topromote economic growth and changes toentitlement programs.Rubio said he would discuss “howlimited government and free enterprisehave helped make my family’s dreamscome true in America.” He said thespeech would help lay out “the Republicancase of how our ideas can help peopleclose the gap between their dreams andthe opportunities to realize them.”Rubio, a former state house speakerfrom Miami, became a popular figureamong tea party activists during hisimprobable rise during his 2010 Senatecampaign.

    He defeated Florida Gov.Charlie Crist, who switched to run as anindependent when it became clear hewould lose the Republican primary toRubio.Rubio becomes the first Hispanic toever provide the opposition response tothe president’s State of the Union sincethe practice of an opposition response tothe State of the Union address began in1966.