The Indian Panorama

Year: 2013

  • Kochi Beckons

    Kochi Beckons

    Formerly known as Cochin, Kochi is a major sea port on the west coast of India, in the state of Kerala. The city’s coastal location resulted in it becoming an important spice trading centre and by the 14th century Kochi was known as the ‘Queen of the Arabian Sea’. The city was occupied by the Portuguese in 1503 and remained the capital of Portuguese India until 1530 when Goa was selected instead. Kochi’s strategic location has welcomed many visitors of differing nationalities over the past six centuries, and this diversity is evident in everything from cuisine and nightlife, to architecture and even religion. Although primarily a commercial hub, modern-day Kochi – as with much of Kerala – is also a tourist hot spot and the city’s population of over one million swells significantly with foreign visitors who flock to the state’s beaches and tourist attractions. Also known as the Gateway to South India, Kochi provides a convenient starting point for further Indian travel.

    Attractions

    There are numerous sights and attractions in and around Kochi, but most visitors flock straight to Fort Kochi. This ‘tourist enclave’ is on a peninsula, southwest of mainland Kochi, and often referred to as Old Kochi. On Fort Kochi beach you’ll find the photogenic Chinese Fishing Nets (Cheena Vala); huge cantilevered contraptions which are operated from the shore by a team of up to six fishermen and were believed to have been first introduced by Chinese traders in the 14th century.

    Other landmarks in Fort Kochi include St Francis Church, a national monument which was once the burial place of Vasco da Gama; the Portuguese explorer who founded Portuguese India. Nearby is Santa Cruz Basilica, a 16th century gothic-style Portuguese church which was destroyed by the British in 1795 before being rebuilt in 1887. Visit Princess Street for a lovely walk; the narrow stone alleys are lined with Portuguese, Dutch and British colonial architecture. Fort Kochi is also home to Kochi’s version of Wall Street – the International Pepper Exchange in Jewtown – where you can learn ancient spice trading practices

    Inland from Kochi are the backwaters which separate Ernakulam on the mainland from Fort Kochi. The backwaters are dotted with many islands and boat ride is an unforgettable experience. Bolgatty Island’s Dutch Palace is now instead a five-star hotel complete with golf course, marina and panoramic views, while Vypin Island is known for its fishing villages and coconut palm-lined Cherai Beach..

    Dining and Nightlife

    Kochi has welcomed Arabs, Chinese, Portuguese, French, English, Dutch, Russians and Japanese over the centuries and this diversity has manifested itself in the cuisine. Streetside Arabic restaurants are popular and serve shawarma and roasted chicken, while Americanized fast food chains are also present across Kochi. As a coastal city, seafood is the local specialty. A typically Kochiite experience is to buy fresh fish caught from the Chinese Fishing Nets at Fort Kochi beach, and take it straight to one of the nearby food stalls where you can have it cooked in front of you. The choice is yours but Fish Molly (coconut milk curry), Alleppey Fish Curry (curry with tomato sauce and fish tamarind) and Fish Peera (chunks of fish toasted with grated coconuts with fish tamarind sauce) are recommended. Kochi’s expansive backwaters also ensure that freshwater fish is widely available, and one of Kochi’s most well-known dishes is Meen Molagitta Curry (smoked freshwater fish with chilli and coconut milk).

    Nightlife in Kochi is excellent and the city is dotted with bars with the most high-end ones to be found around Fort Kochi. As per Kerala laws, all bars and pubs will be closed on the first and second day of every month – known as ‘dry days’. Curiously this does not apply to nightclubs which are a recent phenomenon in Kochi. Ask around and consult current guidebooks for suggestions.

    Beyond Kochi Alapuzha (Alleppey)

    Seventy kilometers south of Kochi is Alappuzha, also known as Alleppey. The very heart of Kochi’s backwaters, Alappuzha is an incredible maze of natural lagoons, rivers and canals and is known locally as the Venice of the East. Enjoy a houseboat cruise along the channels, and relax as you watch the world and its wildlife go by. Every year the villagers hold Snake Boat Race in which traditional snake boats, each manned by over a hundred people, compete for the Nehru Trophy. The race is extremely popular with locals and makes for a fascinating excursion.

    Aluva

    An important commercial and pilgrim center. The Udyogmandal, Ambulamugal, Kalamaserry and Periyar rivers runs through Aluva. The Shivarathri Festival is celebrated on the banks of the Periyar every March/April. At other times, this river bank proves to be an excellent picnic and bathing spot.Aluva is considered the outskirts of Kochi and is connected by road and rail.Angamali (10 km on NH 47)The fastest growing town in Kerala Angamali is the gateway to many places of tourist and religious interest like Kaladi, Malayattur etc. The Little Flower Hospital, the largest eye hospital in South India, is located here

    Angamali

    It is connected to Kochi by road and rail.Cheruthuruthi (110 km) Home of Kerala Kalamandalam, a famed arts academy. Training in various dance forms, but especially in Kathakali, is imparted here The nearest railhead and bus terminus is at Shoranur, 3 km away.

    Guruvayur

    This temple town is a pilgrim center famed for its Lord Krishna temple. Guruvayur is connected with Kochi by road and rail.

    Kaladi

    This important pilgrimage centre, is on the banks of the River Periyar. It was here the Bhakti Saint Sri Sankaracharya was born. The Sri Ramakrishna Adwaitha Ashram is located here. Kaladi is connected to Kochi by road.

    Kodungallur (Cranganore)

    A famous port before nature destroyed it and formed Kochi harbor. St. Thomas the Apostle landed here. The Kodungallur Bagwat Temple is very famous for its ‘special payers’. Kodungallur also has the first mosque in India, a shrine built in the form of a Hindu temple. Kodungallur is connected to Kochi by road and water.

    Kottyam

    An important commercial area, it is the gateway to the famed rubber and tea plantations of Kerala. The Mahatma Gandhi University is located here. It is the home of Malayalam Journalism. Kottayam is connected with Kochi by road and rail.

    Munnar

    A hill resort famous for its lush green tea and cardamom plantations. An ideal holiday spot, it has a cool and stimulating climate. The Mist Valley Resorts, overlooking Munnar town is a ideal place to spend the hot summer months. The rare species of Nilgiri Tahr can be seen in the Ernakulam game Sanctuary not far from here. Anaimudi, the highest peak in South India, is in these hills. The Munnar – Kodaikkanal Road is the steepest road in South East Asia.

    Thrissur

    An important cultural and commercial centre. Thrissur, the largest town in Kerala is called the cultural capital of Kerala. The famous Pooram festival is celebrated here every April / May. The Museums, and the Vaddakkuntham Temple are all worth visiting. After Kochi, Thrissur is the most important commercial town in Kerala.Thrissur is connected with Kochi by road and rail. The Peechi Dam, 26 km from Thrissur, is a good picnic spot and is ideal for a holiday

  • Pravasi Bhartiya Divas: Organizing Committee office inaugurated

    Pravasi Bhartiya Divas: Organizing Committee office inaugurated

    KOCHI (TIP): Prof. K.V. Thomas, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Govt. of India inaugurated the organizing committee office of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2013 to be held in Kochi from 7 to 9 January , in the presence of Vayalar Ravi, Minister for Overseas Affairs. K.C. Joseph, Minister for NORKA, Govt. of Kerala, Hibi Eden MLA and Kochi Mayor Tony Chammany were also present at the function held at the office of the Protector of Immigrants, Kochi.

    On the occasion, Vayalar Ravi told the media that Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh will inaugurate the PBD on 8th and President of India Pranab Mukherjee will deliver the valedictory address on 9th and confer the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards. Mauritius President Rajkeswur Purryag will be the chief guest at the inaugural session.

    The theme of the Convention is ‘Engaging Diaspora: The Indian Growth Story’. There will be pre-PBD seminars on 7th, related to developmental issues such as skill development, pure sciences, tourism, youth and the issues faced by NRIs in the Gulf.. Vayalar Ravi said that more than 1500 delegates from all over the world will attend the session and considering the overwhelming response, the number may rise to 2000.

    PBD 2013 is being conducted in partnership with the Government of Kerala. Kerala has been chosen as the host for the Convention since Keralites constitute one of the largest expatriate communities of India. Since the Country is celebrating the centenary of the Gadar Movement in 2013, the PBD Oration this time will be on the Gadar Movement. There will also be an exhibition on the Gadar Movement.

    The purpose of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is to have a meaningful interaction with overseas Indians that would address their issues and concerns. Overseas Indians have emerged as important constituents of their adopted countries. They have contributed to transforming the economies, participating in political process and added value to thought and innovation of their destination countries. They also serve to build bridges between their present homeland and the land of their ancestors.

  • Chargesheet seeks death for 5 accused, leaves out minor

    Chargesheet seeks death for 5 accused, leaves out minor

    NEW DELHI (TIP): Seeking the maximum of death penalty for five of the Nirbhaya gang rape accused, police on December 3 charged them under various IPC sections, including murder and gang rape.

    In their bid to speed up the trial, police took the unusual step of filing the chargesheet without incorporating the victim’s postmorterm report —the most crucial evidence in the case—as it is still to be received from Singapore’s Mount Elizabeth Hospital, where the 23-year-old paramedic had died.

    In the chargesheet filed before duty metropolitan magistrate Surya Malik Grover at 5.40pm, police named the accused as Ram Singh, Mukesh, Vinay Sharma, Pawan Gupta and Akshay Thakur. They have also asked for the trial to be held in-camera to protect the identity of the girl.

    The sixth accused, a juvenile, was not named as his case is being heard by the Juvenile Justice Board. The 33-page chargesheet has annexures running into over 1,000 pages.

    The accused have also been charged with section 377 (unnatural sex), 201 (destruction of evidence), 307 (attempt to murder), 365 (kidnapping or abduction with intent to secretly or wrongfully confine a person), 394 (voluntarily causing hurt in committing robbery), 395 (dacoity), 396 (dacoity with murder), 34 (common intention) and 120B (criminal conspiracy).

    Sources said criminal conspiracy has been added in the chargsheet as investigations have revealed that the crime was committed in a “pre-planned manner”. In its 33-page chargesheet, with annexures running over 1,000 pages, police gave the statement of the victim, her male friend, their parents, police officers, CFSL officers, DNA reports and the statement of doctors at Safdarjung Hospital, where the girl was initially admitted. The postmorterm report will be filed later in a supplementary chargesheet. “We have not received the report from Singapore,” Commissioner of Police Neeraj Kumar told TOI. Sources said the supplementary chargesheet will be filed within 10 days.

    With 50 prosecution witnesses listed in the chargesheet, police have given a detailed account of the crime committed by the six, the victim’s treatment at Safdarjung followed by her journey to Singapore and her subsequent death on December 29. The chargesheet was filed by special public prosecutor Rajiv Mohan along with SHO (Vasant Vihar) Anil Sharma, who moved an application before the court urging it to keep the document in a sealed cover to protect the identity of the victim and asked for the proceedings to be held incamera. Rajiv Mohan, who appears in all the terror related cases for Delhi Police, will appear along with Special Public Prosecutor Dayan Krishnan during the trial. The court has posted the matter for hearing on January 5 before the area magistrate, who is expected to commit it to the sessions court for trial. During the hearing, Mohan said that the police will file an e-challan in a couple of days with the other remaining documents. Among the important evidence, the chargesheet has statements of both victims recorded under section 164 of CrPC. It also has the statement of their parents, five doctors of Safdarjung Hospital and two doctors at Mount Elizabeth Hospital (recorded by the investigating officer on December 29).

    The CCTV footage of Hotel Delhi 37, which shows bus (DL1PB-0149) on the move on December 16, is also part of the chargesheet. Other documents include statement of bus owner Dinesh Yadav, papers showing recovery of mobile phones of the victims from the accused, their ATM cards, the iron rod used to hit the victims and other forensic evidence. Mohan later told reporters that the DNA report had established the involvement of all the accused in the crime.

    Having filed the chargesheet within 18 days of the incident, Neeraj Kumar said he was happy with the outcome. “We are more than satisfied. We have a very strong case. Our chargesheet spells out the efforts made by the investigation team and arrests made in the case,” he said. According to sources, the chargesheet says the five accused “were on a joyride, which started in the evening itself and they were in a mood to harm people on December 16, 2012”.

    “Being a Sunday, main accused Ram Singh and his helper, Akshay Thakur alias Bihari, had a small party along with the former’s younger brother Mukesh (a drivercum- helper). They decided to go for a joyride and have fun while picking some extra bucks from giving lift to people so that more drinks could be bought. The helper Akshay then took out the vehicle and Vinay, Pawan and a juvenile joined them for the bus ride. They left with Mukesh driving the bus,” said a source quoting from the document.

    “At the Munirka bus stand, they called out to collect passengers and the couple boarded it. The accused charged them Rs 20 (Rs 10 each) as fare. They passed comments on the girl, to which her male friend objected. They (accused) picked up a fight and the boy was hit on his head with an iron rod. The girl also fought with them to save her friend but was hit,” says the chargesheet, according to sources.

    “They (accused) were enraged and dragged the girl to a backseat where they sexually assaulted her, while two of them caught hold of the male friend near the driver’s seat,” it adds. The chargesheet, sources said, states that the girl was assaulted for more than 30 minutes before both victims were dumped around 10.15pm at NH-8, near the Mahipalpur flyover.

  • President calls upon scientific fraternity to work towards getting Nobel Prize in a time bound manner

    President calls upon scientific fraternity to work towards getting Nobel Prize in a time bound manner

    KOLKATA (TIP): In the inaugural address of the 100th Session of Indian Science Congress at Kolkata January 3 President of India Pranab Mukherjee called upon the scientific community to work for the promotion of a scientific culture for shaping India’s future in which prosperity and peace, excellence and equity, oriental values and occidental methods of science converge and co-exist.

    President said India is expected to emerge as a major economic power by 2035. India should also emerge as a major knowledge power with high human and societal values. He mentioned that it has been 83 long years since CV Raman won the Nobel Prize for Physics. Another Nobel Prize in the sciences is long overdue for India. He called upon scientific fraternity gathered at the Congress to rise to the challenge and work towards this goal in a time bound manner

    Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh released the Science, Technology and Innovation Policy 2013 and presented its first copy to the President, on the occasion.

  • Tulsi Gabbard becomes first Hindu ever to become member of the US House of Representatives

    Tulsi Gabbard becomes first Hindu ever to become member of the US House of Representatives

    WASHINGTON (TIP): Tulsi Gabbard from Hawaii has created history by not only becoming the first Hindu ever to be sworn in as a member of the US House of Representatives, but also being the first ever US lawmaker to have taken oath of office on the sacred Bhagavad Gita. Tulsi, 31, was administered the oath of office by the John Boehner, Speaker of the House of Representatives. “I chose to take the oath of office with my personal copy of the Bhagavad-Gita because its teachings have inspired me to strive to be a servant-leader, dedicating my life in the service of others and to my country,” Gabbard said after the swearing in ceremony.

    “My Gita has been a tremendous source of inner peace and strength through many tough challenges in life, including being in the midst of death and turmoil while serving our country in the Middle East,” she said explaining the reasons for taking the oath of office on Gita. “I was raised in a multi-racial, multi-cultural, multi-faith family. My mother is Hindu; my father is a Catholic lector in his church who also practices mantra meditation. I began to grapple with questions of spirituality as a teenager,” Gabbard said.

    “Over time, I came to believe that, at its essence, religion gives us a deeper purpose in life than just living for ourselves. Since I was a teenager, I have embraced this spiritual journey through the teachings of the Bhagavad-Gita. “..In so doing, have been blessed with the motivation and strength to dedicate my life in service others in a variety of ways,” she said. Proud of her Hindu religion, she is not Indian or of Indian heritage. Her father Mike Gabbard, is currently Hawaii State Senator and mother Carol Porter Gabbard is an educator and business owner. At 21, she became the youngest person elected to the Hawaii Legislature. At 23, she was the state’s first elected official to voluntarily resign to go to war. At 28, she was the first woman to be presented with an award by the Kuwait Army National Guard.

  • Dr. Nori Gives Spiritual Touch To Professional Excellence

    Dr. Nori Gives Spiritual Touch To Professional Excellence

    Man does not liveby bread alone.What else doesone need depends on thethinking of the person. ToDr. Dattatreyudu Nori, it isa touch of spirituality thatlends strength to him as amedical professional. Aderivative of thespirituality that hepossesses and practices isthe desire to serve and helpthe less fortunate in society.In Dr. Nori one sees aglorious combination ofmaterial success andspiritual excellence.Dr. Dattatreyudu NoriM.D., FACR, FACRO, isProfessor and ExecutiveVice Chairman of theRadiation OncologyDepartment at TheNewYork-PresbyterianHospital/Weill CornellMedical College in NewYork City.

    In addition, Dr.Nori is Chairman ofRadiation Oncology at TheNew York Hospital MedicalCenter of Queens. He isalso the Director of theCancer Center at the NewYork Hospital Queens, inwhich capacity he headsthat organization’s cancerprogram. Dr. Noricompleted hisundergraduate training atKurnool Medical Collegeand received hispostgraduate medicaldegree from OsmaniaUniversity in India. Hethen joined the staff ofMemorial Sloan-KetteringCancer Center in New YorkCity, where he becameChief of the BrachytherapyService before acceptingthe current position asChairman of RadiationOncology at Cornell.Dr. Nori has aninternational reputation asa pioneer and authority inradiation oncology andbrachytherapy. He wasinstrumental inintroducing the currenttechniques and clinicalconcepts of High Dose RateBrachytherapy forgynecological,genitourinary, thoracic andhead and neck tumors.

    His research also included efforts to improve the outcome forpatients with prostate cancer,lung cancer, pancreas, breast andother cancers. Dr. Nori has servedas principal investigator fornumerous clinical trailssponsored by the National CancerInstitute and has received severalnational and internationalawards for his contributions tocancer research, including theDistinguished Alumnus Award ofthe Memorial Sloan-KetteringCancer Center Alumni Society. Hehas been called “a recognizedleader in his specialty” by theprestigious New England Journalof Medicine.Dr. Nori served in theAmerican Cancer Society invarious positions includingChairmanship of the ProfessionalEducation Committee. TheAmerican Cancer Societyhonored him with their highestprestigious award “Tribute toLife” for his accomplishments incancer research.

    Dr. Nori has trained more than150 residents and fellows, some ofwhom have become Chairman ofacademic departments in the U.S.Dr. Nori is a Fellow in theAmerican College of Radiology,Fellow in the American College ofRadiation Oncology, pastPresident of the AmericanBrachytherapy Society, and acurrent member of severalnational and internationaloncology societies. He is also anAssociate Editor of threeoncology journals as well as aVisiting Professor to manyuniversities in the U.S. andabroad. He has published threebooks and more than 200scientific articles. He has givenseveral prestigious lectureshipssuch as the Probstein Oncologylecture at Washington Universityin St. Louis.

    He received a GoldMedal from the Indian MedicalAssociation for his contributionsto cancer research and trainingIndian physicians in the U.S. Healso received the Excelsior Awardfrom the Network of IndianProfessionals in the United Statesand many Indian Organizationsin the U.S., such as the NargisDutt Cancer Foundation and theFederation of Indian Associationshave honored him for hiscontributions to cancer research.Dr. Nori has provided technicaland scientific help to manycancer centers in India, SouthAmerica and Israel, and he is alsothe Founding Member of theIndo-American Cancer Institutefor Women and Children, a stateof-the art 250 bed cancer andresearch institute located inHyderabad, A.P. which wasinaugurated by the PrimeMinister of India in 2001.

    In addition, Dr. Nori is a Consultantto the United NationsInternational Atomic EnergyAgency, advising on theformulation of guidelines for thetreatment of cancer in developingcountries. In a recent surveyconducted by the reputable CastleConnolly Medical Ltd andpublished in America’s TopDoctors, Dr. Nori has beenselected as one of the top doctorsin America. In this survey, morethan 250,000 leading doctors wereasked to name the nation’s bestphysicians in various specialties -those “to whom you would sendmembers of your family”. Themost important criterion forphysician selection wasexcellence in patient care,education, residency, boardcertification, fellowships,professional reputation, research,hospital affiliation, academicstature and medical schoolfaculty appointment andexperience.

    In a more recentsurvey done by the most popularwoman’s magazine in the U.S.,The Ladies’ Home Journal, Dr.Nori has also been named as oneof the top doctors in America forthe treatment of cancers inwomen. Dr. Nori was alsohonored by Senator Jon Corgine,Chairman of the DemocraticSenatorial Committee and byCouncil Speaker Gifford Milllerfor his contributions to cancerresearch.Dr. Nori continues to be activeas clinician, teacher, researcherand administrator of two largeRadiation Oncology Departmentsand the Cancer Center at NewYork Hospital Queens.As I write his profile here inNew York Dr. Nori is away toIndia where he is addressing aGlobal Health Summit in Kochifrom January 2 to 5. Dr. Nori isthere to talk about prevention ofCervical cancer in India.

    He isthere to give out the message thatit can be prevented in India justas well as it is prevented in USA.Dr. Nori is a visiting professor tomany universities across theglobe and is frequently traveling.In India, which is his countryof origin, he has helped set up anumber of hospitals. One suchhospital – Indo American CancerHospital with 500 beds is state ofthe art cancer hospital inHyderabad. It was founded in2002 and was inaugurated by thethen Prime Minister of India Mr.Atal Behari Vajpayee.Dr. Nori lives with his wifeSubhadra in Scarsdale, New York.His wife is a physician,academician and chairperson ofthe Department of Rehabilitationat Jacobi Medical Centeraffiliated with Albert EinsteinCollege of Medicine in New York.His son, Sateesh and daughterin-law Joy, are both attorneysand his daughter, Priya and sonin-law Himanshu, are bothphysicians.

  • Dr. Sukhvinder Ranu Nostalgic about India, Tradition, Values

    Dr. Sukhvinder Ranu Nostalgic about India, Tradition, Values

    Dr. Sukhvinder Ranu is among those successful professionals who fully enjoyed the love and affection of a joint family. A son of High School teacher, Sardar Gurnam Singh, Dr. Ranu grew up in a family that valued higher education. Inspired by family traditions and equally influenced by his elder brother, Dr. Amrik Singh Ranu who worked as a medical doctor, he not only chose the medical profession for himself but also excelled in it. Today he is settled in Garden City Park, Long Island, New York with his wife and two young children while maintaining a close contact with his 84 year old father who lives in Vancouver, Canada with Dr. Ranu’s sister and mother.

    Born in village Sarhala Ranuan in the famous Banga Tehsil of district Nawan Shahr in Punjab, Ranu completed his medical degree from Government Medical College at Patiala, Punjab and gave a helping hand to his elder brother in his private clinic. After a brief stint of working in a government hospital at Soondh in Nawanshahr district, Dr. Ranu moved to Canada in 1990 to join his parents where he soon realized that a better career awaited him in the USA. He moved to New York in 1995 to do his residency as a Pediatrician. He joined the State University Health Science Center in Brooklyn, NY. Dr. Ranu emerged as a respectable name in the field of Neonatology. Serving in the Department of Pediatrics at Kings County Hospital Center in Brooklyn, NY, he is helping the community as a specialist who takes care of the new born and the prematurely born babies. As a neonatologist, he evaluates, stabilizes, and treats infants who require medical intervention, including premature babies, babies who need help to breathe at birth, and babies born with lifethreatening medical conditions.

    Content with his professional life, Dr. Ranu is involved in a number of social and professional organizations. In recent years Dr. Ranu got increasingly involved in community service. He regularly participates in social and cultural celebrations organized by various organizations. Earlier this year he was elected as the president of India Association of Long Island, the premier organizations of Indian American population in Long Island area with a membership of 1600. The association is the largest group of Indian American population in New York Metro region

    representing people with roots in India irrespective of their religious or political affiliations .He is also a board member of American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin, Queens and Long Island, which is a professional organization supported by more than two thousand physicians from Queens and Long Island. A cheerful family man Dr. Ranu attributes his successful medical career to his family. He likes to spend time with his wife Darshan, a housewife and sons Ashvinder who is doing major in Psychology and Business Administration at Stonybrook University, preparing to be a lawyer and Akaashdeep who is in High School and plans to go in to medical profession.

    Speaking about his wife, Darshan, Dr. Ranu said his wife enjoyed the role of a housewife. To her tending her husband and two young sons is a pleasure she loves to indulge in. However, she has diverse interests. As the First Lady of the India Association of Long Island, Darshan has been working closely with IALI’s Women’s Forum that aims at educating and updating women members on various important issues, including family’s health. Because of her leadership role, the participation of women in the Forum activities tripled. An achievement, in deed. The Ranu family is fond of traveling and seeing places. They have been to most parts of the US, Canada and Mexico. Dr. Ranu has a passion for nature photography and has a rich collection of photos on various moods of nature.

    Q. How do you describe yourself?

    DR. RANU: I am a physician specializing in Neonatology-looking after ailments of premature and newborn babies. I work hard to ensure that the society is blessed with healthy new citizens who could meet the expectations of the future. I am a family man who is blessed with two school going children. I am fortunate to be receiving the love and affection of my mother and father who live in Vancouver, Canada.

    Q. How do you define success?

    ANS: I think I am a successful professional working as an Assistant Professor in medical field. I enjoy my job teaching young physicians in New York. I have a happy family who make me feel very content with life.

    Q: What was your family’s contribution in shaping your life?

    ANS: I learned from my father that education is very important for succeeding in life. He retired as a principal of a High School and inspired me to do well in my school and college. I was a bright student who had not much difficulty pursuing the medical career. I also followed my elder brother, who owned his medical practice, and helped him for a few years in his clinic.

    Q: How did you arrive in America? What challenges you faced here?

    ANS: In the Eighties I graduated from medical school and got employment in a government hospital in Punjab. Meanwhile my father immigrated to Canada to live with my sister. He wished me to live with him. In order to get my father and mother’s affection and with a desire to stay close to them I decided to move to Canada. Afterwards I moved to New York to pursue higher studies in Pediatrics and specialize in Neonatology.

    Q: What is your future plan?

    ANS: I would like to continue working in the hospital but also would like to work towards setting up my own practice. I am also interested in social and community service. I want to spend more time in community organizations. As a leader in the India Association of Long Island I will continue play a role in mobilizing our people for good cause and hold meaningful activities.

    Q: Is there something you miss in your life?

    ANS: Our community is known for successful professionals. Indian American doctors and professionals are highly respected in this country.We are dedicated to our family values and keep our unique culture alive in this country. Though we are very successful in our professions we are deprived of the social warmth that is easily available back home in India. People of my generation clearly view the changing values in this country with a lot of concern. In spite of our commitment to Indian values I feel that the younger generation of Indians,who are born and raised in this country, are not fully aware of our traditions and care little about concerns and feelings of their ageing parents. This situation bothers me a lot.

    Q: What is your message for the younger generation?

    ANS: I would like to advise the younger generation to be sensitive about their family values and traditions. They shouldn’t deviate from the culture of their parents and grand parents. I would be very happy if the younger generation would continue our tradition to look after their elders without sending them away in long term care facility. Our elders deserve a lot of love and care because they had sacrificed a lot to ensure good future for their offspring.

  • An Overhaul Man Gobind Munjal

    An Overhaul Man Gobind Munjal

    Gobind Munjal, a successful Chartered Accountant and CPA by profession has worked as a Senior Vice President of Finance and Mergers & Acquisitions and served on the Board of Directors of the International Division of Tata Group of Hotels in the USA, totaling 30 years of professional services with the renowned Tata Group in various senior leadership positions. During his services with the Tata Group he saved millions of dollars for the company by way of efficient tax structuring of the deals and was recognized for his excellence in the Hospitality Merger & Acquisition field. In 2006 he started his own advisory and consultancy services. His involvement in community affairs and activities started since more than a decade ago when he joined what was then one of the fastest and largest growing not for profit Organizations on Long Island representing Indians in America, known as the India Association of Long Island (IALI).

    This Organization was about 20 years old then with a growing membership of Suffolk and Nassau County residents, which today numbers 1,600 strong. The aim of the Organization was primarily to promote the culture and heritage of India so that bridges may be crossed between Indians living in America and the local Americans to promote a better understanding of the two cultures. Mr. Munjal served on the Executive Board of IALI for seven of the fifteen years of his continuing membership, in various capacities climbing steadily to the very top :- 2006 – Member-at-Large; 2007 – Membership Chair; 2008-2009 – Secretary; 2010 – Treasurer; 2011 – President. He worked very hard in each of the positions that he held taking each position very seriously and elevating its standards to a much higher level. He brought ethics, professionalism and transparency in producing Minutes of Meetings and raised the standards of Financial Reporting and its presentation to a level that almost everybody in the Executive Council and Past Presidents expressed their overwhelming praise for his work and dedication.

    As President he did much to improve and raise the standards of IALI by bringing transparency, accountability and professionalism to the Association. As President of IALI Mr. Gobind Munjal’s goal and objectives was to bring back Unity, Harmony and Team Work within the Organization; bring back “INDIAFEST” IALI’s hallmark event which truly promotes and showcases India’s culture and traditions in mainstream America; build “INDIA CENTER” for the Indian community, a long cherished dream come true for the India Association of Long Island; encourage stronger participation of the youth and Seniors Group; involve more with the local American community; provide educational support to needy Indian students; build closer ties with local Senior Groups and National Indo-American Association for Senior Citizens (NIAASC); and increase participation and support for the Annual Food Drive to take it to a higher level.

    Growth of membership of IALI during Mr. Munjal’s presidency of one year has been exponential, with around a hundred new members added. A remarkable feat. Many of these objectives were remarkably achieved with the IALI having all successful, well attended month to month women, seniors and youth programs and major events for the year 2011. INDIAFEST turned out to be a BLOCKBUSTER of an event well received and well attended by many dignitaries, community leaders and scores of Americans who thoroughly enjoyed the high end Floor Shows with its sophisticated Fashion Show, a page out of Broadway, a wealth of scintillating performances and dances, mindblowing variety of delicious Indian cuisine and showcasing of the wide variety of arts and crafts and ethnic designer ware of India. Not giving up on the dream of having the INDIA CENTER a place India Association of Long Island has long wanted to call their very own Mr. Munjal has still persisted and today chairs the Ad Hoc Special Committee in IALI with a committed team set up for 2012 so that this dream become a reality.

    Mr. Gobind Munjal’s vision for the future of the Indian community is to see realize INDIA COMMUNITY CENTER and at the same time he also holds true his dream of some form of Housing and Assisted Living Facility for the Seniors. His involvement with India Home providing services for seniors of Indian origin, is testament to his commitment towards improving lives of seniors. He is relentlessly working towards achieving his goal of providing medical, social, and spiritual services for the aging Indian Seniors in Queens and Long Island. When his term as President of IALI concluded at the close of the year 2011, in spite of his tremendous popularity he did not seek reelection, rather made himself available upon invitation to give his services for others. His dedication and passion for community service did not diminish. This has resulted in his joining Indian American Forum (IAF) as Co-Chair of Indian American Night and Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) Long Island Chapter as Secretary. He has been invited to join the National Federation of Indian Americans (NFIA) and has twice participated in the Congressional Hearings and White House briefings in Washington DC.

    He is also a life member of Association of Indians in America (AIA) and Nargis Dutt Memorial Foundation (NDMF) and participates in their activities. He has received numerous Citations and Awards in his year as President of IALI, among them being the Certificate of Recognition from Hon. Kate Murray, Supervisor, Town of Hempstead and has been honored with a Citation by Nassau County Executive Hon. Ed. Mangano and NYS Comptroller Thomas Di Napoli together with Indian Consul General at New York Hon. Prabhu Dayal. During his professional career, he received Outstanding Professional Award from the America’s Registry of Outstanding Professionals. IALI events gained not only popularity but commanded a certain amount of respect among the community and administration. As a result, whereas community loved to associate itself with IALI events, lawmakers and administration officials looked upon these events as opportunities to gain support of the community. Mr. Munjal assiduously built bridges of understanding and cooperation between the Indian American community and the mainstream Americans.

    He took the IALI to the next stage of growth which is getting recognition for the community at the political level, a step in the right direction of empowering the community. The dignitaries that graced various IALI events included Ambassador Prabhu Dayal, Congresswoman Goosby, New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, New York State Senator Tony Avella, Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano, Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Jon Kaiman, Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray and Mayor of Laurel Hollow Harry Anand and many more. Mr. Munjal’s work for the community is far from complete. On August 11th, 2012 he stood tall and proud with 5 other founder conveners of India Day Parade USA who put together Long Island’s First India Day Parade for Long Islanders in Hicksville, an event never before attempted, but successfully concluded. His involvement in India Day Parade USA started with bringing together of all Indian Organizations onto a single platform to participate in the first ever Parade in Hicksville, Long Island. This was concluded as more than 100 Indian Organizations came together as one for the very first time to participate and march in the India Day Parade USA in Hicksville Long Island.

    However, it is not just work all the time for Gobind. He and wife Suman who is in to Real Estate business and is often busy make it a point to take time off their work to travel and enjoy their vacation. The family has been to Europe, Far East, UAE, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand and seen much of North America. The latest has been a visit to China which has impressed Munjals much. They are all praise for China. They said they were impressed with the infrastructure there. The cleanliness that they witnessed was in total contrast with what they had been made to believe about China. And, above the human effort to give an impressive look to the country is the power of Nature which one sees in her abundant beauty and glory in the most populated country of the world. . Gobind Munjal lives happily in the Whitestone/Malba area with his wife Suman who is a professional in real estate with Prudential Douglas Elliman. He has two sons Gaurav and Kevin and daughter in law Iona with two cute grand-sons Sajin and Neilan, 4 years and 2 years respectively.

  • Dr. Surendra Kaushik Pravasi Bharatiya Samman winner greets Delegates to PBD 2013

    Dr. Surendra Kaushik Pravasi Bharatiya Samman winner greets Delegates to PBD 2013

    Dear Fellow Pravasi Friends, It is a great honor to Congratulate the Government of India, The Honorable President, The Hon’ble Prime Minister, the Hon’ble Minister Shri Vayalar Ravi Ji , Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs officers and staff, the partner state of Kerala and the Hon’ble Chief Minister Chandy for organizing the 11th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas conventions in honor of Pravasis. Congratulations and welcome to fellow Pravasis for engaging in India in the spirit of Mahatma Gandhi Ji and Pt. Nehru Ji who dreamed of a free India as Pravasis and achieved it as returned Indians. Bapu Gandhi Ji and Chacha Nehru Ji also dreamed of a better economic life for all Indians. A lot has been achieved in the sixty-six years since 1947 but much remains to be accomplished. We Pravasis can do a lot in that process and we must to our best in business, education, governance, technology, environment, and social life generally. We have been fortunate to engage in India since 1999 when the Mrs. Helena Kaushik Women’s College was established from America in a small village in the Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan. Information about the College is available on www.helenakaushiuk.org It is honor and privilege to extend an invitation to all fellow delegates to look up the college, visit and get involved in any manner you wish to do so.

  • India On The Path Of Reforms

    India On The Path Of Reforms

    SC CANCELS 2G LICENCES/A RAJA GETS BAIL In a major decision that brought spilling implication on the corporate sector, the Supreme Court cancelled 122 2G spectrum licences granted by former telecom minister A Raja on the ground that they were issued in a “totally arbitrary and unconstitutional” manner. The licences were given by Raja for over Rs 9,000 crore, while 3G auctions for a smaller number of licences had fetched the government a sum of Rs 69,000 crores. The apex court left it to the trial court to decide on the demand for investigation of the alleged role of Chidambaram into the 2G spectrum allocation scam but refused to give direction to CBI on the issue. The main accused in the spectrum scam A Raja, was granted bail by a special CBI court after spending nearly 15 months in the Jail. Raja is the last of the 12 accused to get bail.

    AIR INDIA PILOTS` STRIKE Air India pilots’ strike, which saw a large section of pilots unwilling to cooperate with airlines’ management, is termed as the longest running pilots` strike in the last 40 years. The Indian Pilots Guild (IPG) pilots went on an indefinite strike from May 5 onwards to protest against airline management’s decision to allow colleagues from the former Indian Airlines to be trained on Boeing 787 Dreamliners. The union of the AI pilots, Indian Pilots` Guild, was de-recognised by the airline when they went on strike. After much negotiations and talks between the two parties, the pilots called off their 58-day long strike after the court asked the pilots to stop protesting and the management to sympathetically consider reinstating the 101 sacked pilots. It had directed that the report of conciliation proceedings be submitted to it by July. Reinstated IPG said all 434 of their colleagues’ submitted affidavits to the court and its copies to Air India that they were willing and ready to resume duty, as directed by the court. The estimated loss due to the strike has exceeded Rs 750 crore.

    MARUTI MAYHEM Maruti`s Manesar plant violence has been one of the worst company violence in the country and the company’s worst-ever since it began operations in India in 1983. Workers rioted at the Maruti Suzuki factory in Manesar and started a fire that killed company`s General Manager of Human Resources and injured 100 managers, including two Japanese expatriates in June. The wreckage was a fallout between management and workers over salary and allowances issue. A special investigation team (SIT) probing the violence at Maruti`s Manesar plant chargesheeted 145 workers, while 149 were arrested. The company also laid off 547 blacklisted workers. The company lost tens of millions of dollars following a one-month shutdown post the deadly riot. The Maruti Mayhem has rattled corporate India and shone a light on outdated and rigid labour laws in a country where cheap labour drives manufacturing and draws foreign investment.

  • Gurudev Singh Realizing American Dream

    Gurudev Singh Realizing American Dream

    Gurdev Singh’s passion for entrepreneurship and zest for taking on new ventures is apparent in his success in the highly competitive fashion business. He is the President, CEO and founder of Meetu Magic Inc., an importer and wholesaler of women’s apparel, as well as many other brands and companies. Rightly has he been recognized as a business entrepreneur for the year 2012 by the Nargis Dutt Memorial Cancer Foundation in New York. What is, however, less known is that Mr. Singh also focuses his energy towards the Indian community in Long Island. He actively participates in local charities and contributes generously to his Sikh community.

    Being in the garment field is nothing new to Delhi born Gurdev Singh, nicknamed DP. His passion for this industry dates back to watching his grandfather, Sardar Khazan Singh, a dyer and printer of raw fabric. His late grandfather, Sardar Khazan Singh who had migrated from Rawalpindi, now in Pakistan, in the wake of tensions leading to partition of India, was one of the very first people to open up shop in Chandni Chowk under the name Datt Dyers and Printers, he says. Later DP’s father, the late Sardar Jeet Singh, expanded in this line of work by becoming an exporter of readymade garments. “The family on my mother’s side ran the famous Ajit Dyers and Pagree Store in Karol Bagh, a must-go-to place for Sikhs,” Gurdev Singh states. It was the this business background that inspired him to launch his import and wholesale business in the United States.

    However, DP’s beginnings in America were very humble. His journey began at the age of 22 when he left New Delhi in 1987. He came to the US along with his wife, Hardeep Kaur, with nothing but high hopes and dreams. Yet the couple proved to be a leading example of starting small and making it big. Not wanting to work for someone else, both husband and wife began with setting up shop at local flea markets. After years of hard work, DP opened his first wholesale store on Broadway & 29th Street in Manhattan in 1994. Deciding to wholesale his own label, he went to India to set up a garment factory of his own there. Twenty years later, he has undeniably made his place in the fashion business.

    Besides Meetu Magic Inc., the flagship company, Mr. Singh also founded The African Scene, Magic, Mint Green, and Petite Magic. Today his labels are sold to America’s largest department and chain stores- T.J. Maxx, Marshall’s, Ross Stores, and Burlington Coat Factory – and in many specialty retail stores such as Rainbow, Joyce Leslie, A&E Stores and Charlotte Rousse. The garments are mainly imported from the Far East and South Asia. Gurdev Singh’s next project on the drawing board may turn out to be in a different field altogether. He is developing a premium location for social events and parties. But for now he does not want to give out any more information on the project.

    As for his charity work, he has been doing it quietly. “We have been doing ‘seva’ for the Glen Cove Gurdwara for some time”, he says in all humility. For the past 4years he has donated the Raffle Draw top prize, a car, at the annual Baisakhi Mela organized by the Gurdwara. This has helped raise funds for the Gurdwara projects. He also actively participated in the NY based Nargis Dutt Memorial Foundation (NDMF)’s fundraiser on September 30, 2012. Attendees cheered his generosity when he paid $20,000 for a cricket bat autographed by Team India. This generous donation to NDMF is devoted to improving cancer care in India, the primary objective of 30 year old Nargis Dutt Memorial Foundation.

    Gurdev Singh is also active in the Indian National Overseas Congress (I), aligned with the ruling Congress Party in India. He is the Vice President of its Delhi Chapter. The Chapter President Daljinder Singh, popularly known as Zinda Singh, is all praise for Gurdev Singh whom he describes as the finest person he has come across. He says DP is the main bulwark of Delhi Chapter and has given him the best cooperation in organizing various activities.

    It may be a platitude to say that behind every successful man there is a woman. But it is widely believed to hold the truth. DP is lucky to have Hardeep Kaur as his wife, companion and business associate. Hardeep actively associates herself in the business, handling the all important finances and supervises the accounts section. Not to be left behind, , t heir daughter Daman, who only earlier in 2012 got married to Navnit Singh, who runs a high-end limousine service for embassies, added her energetic effort to take the business to the next higher level. She is the fourth generation in this line of business. Their son, Chintan, 15, is in high school and an outgoing boy taking active part in debates and student affairs. The family lives in Old Westbury where they moved five years ago from New Jersey. Mr. Singh and his family live by the motto :Nobody can do everything, but everyone can do something. The best of the family is yet to come.

  • The World Is Not The Same Without Them

    The World Is Not The Same Without Them

    With legendary musicians- Mehdi Hassan, Pandit RaviShankar, actors- Rajesh Khanna, Dara Singh, AK Hangal,Joy Mukerjee, filmmaker Yash Chopra and ace comedianJaspal Bhatti transcending to heaven, the world of artsand entertainment was left bereaved. Hindi Cinema lostits first superstar Rajesh Khanna and actor-wrestler DaraSingh to prolonged illness, while Hangal succumbed to oldage. Yash Chopra breathed his last after contractingdengue, a few days after celebrating his 80th birthday.

    BAL THACKERAY: THE TIGER IS DEAD
    Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray passed away onNovember 17. Lakhs of mourners joined the Shiv Senafounder’s grieving family to bid him a tearful farewell. Asevident during several times in his life, the Thackerayphenomenon was in evidence once again in death as hebrought Mumbai to a complete halt.

    VILASRAO DESHMUKH: MASS LEADERDIES
    A mass leader, Union minister Vilarao Deshmukh wasgiven a tearful adieu by tens of thousands of grievingpeople at his native village from where he began hispolitical journey as an obscure sarpanch four decadesago.

    IK GUJRAL PASSES AWAY
    Former Prime Minister Inder Kumar Gujral passedaway on November 30. He was 92. Gujral, who wasadmitted to the hospital on November 19 with a lunginfection, had been on dialysis for over a year. The PrimeMinister of the country for the year between 1997 and1998, he is best known for his ‘Gujral Doctrine’ thatproposed closer ties with India and her neighbours.

    PONTY CHADHA MURDERED
    Ponty Chadha was shot dead on November 17 in acontroversial shootout with brother Hardeep. The moversand shakers of politics, business and tinsel town paidtheir last respects to the liquor baron – It was the finalvalidation of Ponty’s massive clout and the larger-thanlifepersona he created single-handedly.

    YASH CHOPRA: KING OF ROMANCE NO MORE
    Noted director, screenwriter and producer YashChopra passed away at the age of 80. In a career spanningfive decades,Indian cinema’s ‘king of romance’ neverfailed to amaze the audience with his movies. His deathhas left a void in the industry which will never be filled.Chopra is also remembered for making the careers ofmany Bollywood actors, including Amitabh Bachchanand Shah Rukh Khan

    PANDIT RAVI SHANKAR: SITARMAESTRO DIESLegendary musician Pandit Ravi Shankar passed awayon December 12 at the age of 92. The sitar maestroenjoyed worldwide popularity and was known for his indepthunderstanding of various styles and schools of music.

    JASPAL BHATTI DIES IN ROAD ACCIDENT
    Noted comedian and filmmaker Jaspal Bhatti, 57, diedin a road accident near Shahkot in the early hours onOctober 25, 2012. Bhatti along with his son Jasraj whowas on the wheel, and two others was coming toJalandhar from Bathinda for the promotion of his newfilm ‘Power Cut’ when the car hit a tree on the roadside.

    RAJESH KHANNA: A SUPERSTARPASSES AWAY
    Actor Rajesh Khanna passed away after a prolonged illness in Mumbai on July 18. The first superstar ofIndian film industry, he gave many memorable hits likeAnand, Kati Patang, Aradhana, Amar Prem, Safar,Bawarchi etc.

    THE WORLD IS NOT THESAME WITHOUT THEMDR VERGHESE KURIEN: INDIA’SMILKMAN NO MORE
    Dr Verghese Kurien did not like drinking milk, but asfather of the White Revolution, he made India into anation of milk drinkers . Often called India’s best knownmilkman, Kurien passed away on September 9. In the sixdecades he spent in Anand, he ensured India istransformed from a milk-deficient country into one ofthe world’s biggest milk producers.DARA SINGHThe original action hero of Indian cinema, Dara Singhpassed away on July 12, 2012. He was keeping unwell for along time. His most popular role was of Hanuman in theepic TV series Ramayan.

    MEHDI HASSAN
    The popular Pakistani singer and Ghazal maestroMehdi Hassan passed away on June 13, 2012. Thecelebrated singer had also lent his voice to many songs inIndian films.

    JOY MUKHEJEE
    Yesteryear actor Joy Mukhejee known for his romanticroles in films like Love in Tokyo, Shagird, Ek BarMuskurado and Phir Wahi Dil Laaya Hoon passed awayon March 9, 2012. Mukherjee’s neice Kajol attended hisfuneral.

    ACHALA SACHDEV
    Senior actress Achala Sachdev, popularly known as the’Zohra Jabeen’ of Bollywood (after her popular song ‘AeMeri Zohra Jabeen’ in Waqt) passed away on April 30,2012.Former Union Minister K C Pant, an eminent publicfigure and an able administrator, passed away at the ageof 81. He had served under late Prime Ministers IndiraGandhi and Rajiv Gandhi and switched to BJP in the late1990s. The son of Govind Ballabh Pant, a former UttarPradesh Chief Minister and Union Minister under latePrime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, Pant held theportfolios of Defence, Finance, Energy and Steel amongothers. Pant also played the role of negotiator during theseparate Telangana agitation in the 1970s and wasinstrumental in reaching of an agreement called `MulkiRules` that gave prominence to recruitment of locals andended the agitation.

  • Ambassador Prabhu Dayal A Job Well Accomplished

    Ambassador Prabhu Dayal A Job Well Accomplished

    It is not easy to describe a man who has so many attributes of near perfection. A brilliant student, an accomplished sportsman, a forceful debater, a successful career diplomat, a loving husband, a doting father and a friend of friends. That, to some extent, describes Mr. Prabhu Dayal. Ambassador Prabhu Dayal has been heading the Indian Consulate in New York since September 2008. The New York Consulate is one of the most important and prestigious Diplomatic Missions of the Government of India and its jurisdiction covers Connecticut, Maine,

    Vermont, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, ,Puerto Rico, ,Rhode Island and Virgin Islands. Says Ambassador Dayal about his posting in New York, ‘This assignment gives me the opportunity to interact with the creme de la creme of New York — including people from the world of business, finance, media, culture, politics etc. Iam delighted that so many Americans of Indian origin have done so well in the United States and made their countrymen back home proud of their achievements:’ India has always chosen a senior and experienced diplomat to head the New York Consulate. Prabhu Dayal joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1976 and has served in a number of high-ranking positions including as Ambassador to Morocco (2004- 2008),Ambassador to Kuwait (1998- 2001) and Consul General in Dubai (1994-1998). His other postings have been to Egypt, Pakistan,, India’s Permanent Mission in Geneva and Iran. He is of the rank of Secretary to the Government of India ,and is one of the senior-most Foreign Service officers of India.

    During his tenure in New York, ,he has tactfully handled some of the ticklish issues that arose concerning NRIs (Non-Resident Indians) and PIOs (People of Indian Origin) such as the requirement of cancellation of Indian passport requirement for OCI/PIO cards and hike of surrender fee and its revocation. He oversaw the outsourcing of some of the consular functions to improve efficiency and convenience of people seeking consular services. And, of course, he is the gracious host to frequent visits of Indian ministers and dignitaries, particularly in September/ October when the United Nations General Assembly is in session. Dayal has a refreshing style of functioning and reaching out to the community. He is accessible and obliges as and when possible when invited to grace community events as a guest or honor or to address conferences and conventions. But what Indians in Tri-State area are grateful to Ambassador Dayal for is introducing a number of cultural events and holding of Indian festivals besides the mandatory celebration of Republic Day and Independence Day.

    In his own words, “,India has a rich culture, and not only Indian Americans but other friends of India here like to avail of opportunities to attend cultural events”. “We have been inviting a number of prominent artistes to perform at the Consulate from time to time under the “Jewels of India” series. Prominent artistes who have performed under the series include Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Anup Jalota, Sivamani and Sujata Mahapatra. We also celebrate various Indian festivals such as Diwali, Dussehra, Eid, Baisakhi, Hanukkah and Christmas. These events reflect the cultural diversity of India and provide members of Indian community and friends of India, regardless of religion, an opportunity to take part in them. The idea is to promote unity in diversity”, says Dayal Ambassador Dayal is all praise for the Indian American community. Indian Americans have served as a bridge of friendship between India and the US. .They have become patriotic Americans while remaining proud Indians at the same time. They have left Indian shores but have retained their Indianness. It has been correctly said that ‘you can take an Indian out of India, but you cannot take India out of an Indian’. “My message to the community is that they should continue to do the wonderful work which they have been doing to bring India and America closer.” Born in 1953, Dayal holds a Masters Degree in Political Science from Allahabad University where he was amongst the toppers. He taught for a while before joining t the Indian Foreign Servicein1976. He is married to Mrs. Chandini Dayal and the two have a son, Akshay Dayal and a daughter, Akansha Dayal. Post superannuation, Dayal plans to play golf and bridge, relax and write a book detailing his experiences as a diplomat.

  • A Dismal Picture For Cash-Strapped Railways

    A Dismal Picture For Cash-Strapped Railways

    NEW DELHI (TIP): It was a tumultuous year for the railways as a cash-strapped ministry saw four ministers in quick succession resulting in indecision and delay in policy making process. While Railway Ministry came to the Congress fold after a gap of about a decade and half after the withdrawal of support by Trinamool from the government, the issue of passenger fare hike seem imminent. Railways witnessed a widening gap between operational cost and passenger earnings while freight revenue also fell below the target in 2012. Railways earned Rs 67,879.95 crore till October as against the target of Rs 70,147.74 crore, 3.23 per cent less than the budgeted provision. In view of this shortfall, the plan outlay for the current fiscal has been downgraded from Rs 60,100 crore to Rs 55,881 crore. Currently railways has 347 ongoing projects under new lines, gauge conversions and doubling having as throw forward of about Rs 1.47 lakh crore.

    The shortage of funds has forced railways to curtail allocations for majority of projects. The year witnessed commissioning of the much delayed Rae Bareli coach factory. Besides the factory, railways also announced setting up of a wheel factory at Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s constituency. The year began with Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi proposing a fare hike of about 15 per cent passenger fare in the Rail Budget. However, it was rolled back as Trivedi drew wrath of Trinamool supremo Mamata Banerjee. Trivedi was aiming to mop up about Rs 4,000 crores from the passenger fare hike. He was, however, replaced by Mamata loyalist Mukul Roy, who continued to remain mostly absent from the ministry and run the key infrastructure department for nearly seven months from Kolkata. Though many West Bengal-centric projects including Kanchrapara rail factory, beautification of stations, opening of passenger reservation centres in the state were initiated during Roy’s regime, the much-needed move to hike passenger tariff gained dust. After the withdrawal of Trinamool from the UPA government in September, Congress’ C P Joshi was given additional charge of Railway Ministry for about a month. However, his brief tenure saw the revival of the proposal for setting up of Rail Tariff Authority (RTA) to suggest tariff hike in passenger and freight. Pawan Kumar Bansal, who became the fourth minister in a year to occupy the Rail Bhavan, has been giving ample hints of raising the fares realizing the dire financial needs of railways. “If passenger fares will be hiked then it will not be for the sake of raising fares, it will be done to improve passenger amenities,” he had said after taking over in October. Both ministers of State for Railways – Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and K J Suryaparakash Reddy – advocated strongly for raising passenger fares to generate funds.

    Reviewing the performance, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has asked the Railways to expedite the process of setting up Rail Tariff Authority. Singh has also asked the national transporter to finalise bidding documents for two big ticket projects – locomotive factories at Madhepura and Marhora in Bihar. Though seven routes have been identified for undertaking feasibility survey for running bullet trains at 300 km per hour speed, the Mumbai-Ahmedabad route is to be taken up by railways as a priority. As far as green initiative of Railways is concerned, the year saw steps for equipping about 2,000 coaches with biotoilets. The ministry also firmed up plans to equip 200 remote stations with solar power system. As many as 15,934 people were killed on rail tracks and unmanned level crossings.

    The number of consequential accidents including mishaps at manned level crossings and incidents of trespassing by road users at unmanned crossings till November were 80. In order to prevent accidents, railways decided to introduce Train Collision Avoidance System, an indigenous system based upon the experience gained from anti-collision device and train protection warning system. As a step to weed out touts in ticketing business, railways made ID proof compulsory for passengers traveling in reserved class in trains. Earlier it was must for AC class but this year sleeper class was also included in the ID exercise to facilitate genuine passengers. There are vacancies of about two lakh posts in railways including safety and operational posts. Alarmed over repeated fire incidents, railways decided to install fire alarm system in coaches. To begin with all new double decker coaches will have the system to alert passengers about the danger. A sleeper coach of Tamil Nadu Express was gutted, killing 30 passengers on July 30. Six other trains also caught fire during the year though there was no casualty.

  • 2012-The Year That Was

    2012-The Year That Was

    THE RISE OF ARVIND KEJRIWAL
    Activist-turned-politician Arvind Kejriwal launchedhis party ‘Aam Aadmi Party’ this December. AAP’sdeclared manifesto to provide – for the first time in 65years of independence – a totally graft-free government.Crucially, none of the party’s agenda spells out howreforms, essential to a middle class seeking jobs andgrowth, can be harnessed for the best possible socioeconomicdevelopment.

    ANNA HAZARE-ARVIND KEJRIWAL PARTWAYS; AAP LAUNCHED
    While Gandhian Anna Hazare captured theimagination of the nation in 2011 by taking on thegovernment over the Jan Lokpal Bill issue bill,Team Anna hogged the limelight in 2012 due to itsbreakup. Anna and his key members, ArvindKejriwal, Kiran Bedi, Prashant Bhushan and otherscame back one last time in August this year toprotest at Jantar Mantar. However, the responseboth by the general public and the government wastepid.Subsequently, Team Anna promised to provide a’political alternative’ to the nation but soon after thisthe veteran social activist announced that his teamwas being disbanded. Whereas Anna was of theopinion that they should remain outside the systemto fight the system, ex-IRS officer Kejriwal felt that tochange the system one had to embark on the politicalcourse. With diametrically opposite views, a split wasinevitable.Finally on November 26, Arvind Kejriwal and his teamformed the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the presence ofthousands of supporters. Kejriwal was appointed thenational convener, Pankaj Gupta the national secretaryand Krishna Kanth the national treasurer.

    CABINET RESHUFFLE
    Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s “last reshuffle” ofhis ministerial team on October 28, before the 2014general elections, carried the first unmistakable stamp ofRahul Gandhi’s ascendancy in the Congress party. Thechanges appeared to mark the beginning of anothergenerational shift in the 127-year-old party. The reshuffleis also an effort to put the party in battle mode for the2014 polls.

    COALGATE
    At Rs 1.86 lakh crore, the coal mining scam is beingbilled as the ‘mother of all scams’. The scandalconcerning the government’s allocation of the nation’scoal deposits to public sector entities (PSEs) and privatecompanies led to repeated disruptions in Parliament withthe opposition even gunning for Prime MinisterManmohan Singh’s resignation. Meanwhile, the UPA’smanagers have hit out at the CAG and rebutted hischarges.

    PRANAB MUKHERJEE DONSPRESIDENT’S HAT
    The ‘Chanakya’ of Indian politics, Pranab Mukherjee,took over as the 13th President of India on July 25, 2012.Mukherjee wasn’t in the race initially to succeed PratibhaPatil at Raisina Hill. However, on June 15 this year his namewas announced as UPA’s Presidential candidate. VicePresident Hamid Ansari was among the other candidatesthe Congress mulled. However, the coming together of thetwo ‘M’s Mulayam Singh Yadav and Mamata Banerjee andtheir decision to name Prime Minister Manmohan Singh,former president APJ Abdul Kalam and former Lok Sabhaspeaker Somnath Chhatterjee as their Presidential choicesupset Congress’ plan. Mulayam Singh later broke ranks withMamata Banerjee and decided to go with the UPA candidateamid voices growing in favour of Pranab Mukherjee. TheBSP and several other parties also lent their support toPranabda, including JD(U) and Shiv Sena of the oppositionNational Democratic Alliance. Later, Mamata swallowed hersense of humiliation and decided to back the UPA candidatelater. Later in the year, the Supreme Court dismissed thepetition of PA Sangma, the Presidential candidate of theNDA, who had challenged Pranab’s election as presidentclaiming the former finance minister held an office of profit(chairman of the Indian statistical institute) on the day hefiled the nomination papers for the Presidential Elections.Mukherjee had rejected the allegations.

    BHARTIYA JANATA PARTY’S CUP OFWOES
    While the Congress-led UPA government at the Centrewas bogged down by issues of price rise, inflation andcoalgate, the main Opposition, the BJP had its owntroubles to deal with. The party saw its nationalpresident Nitin Gadkari embroiled in a major scandalwhich has almost rendered his second term as the party’schief untenable. After dubious funding was suspected inGadkari’s Purti Power and Sugar Ltd, the governmentdecided to probe the allegations.Gadkari faced more trouble after its Rajya Sabha MPRam Jethmalani took everyone by surprise by demandinghis resignation over the slew of allegations of corruptionagainst him. This after the maverick lawyer had openlypitched for Narendra Modi as BJP’s prime ministerialcandidate. BJP’s parliamentary board subsequentlysuspended Jethmalani from party’s primary membershipbut not before the damage was done.The BJP found its southern bastion breached afterformer chief minister BS Yeddyurappa launched theKarnataka Janata Party (KJP).

    TROUBLESOME YEAR FOR UPAGOVERNMENT
    The year 2012 would be remembered as one of the mostdifficult years for the Congress-led UPA government (in fact,the entire tenure of the UPA-2 has been mired incontroversies over corruption scams, policy paralysis etc).After keeping it in cold storage for long, the UPAgovernment re-launched a bid to bring in 51% foreign directinvestment (FDI) in multi-brand retail, amid accusations ofpolicy paralysis in the government. Though the governmentthis time modified the policy and allowed the states to taketheir decision on allowing FDI in multi-brand retail,Mamata Banerjee quit anyway. She has been one of the mostvocal voices against FDI in retail, saying the decision willhurt farmers and small retailers. The decision also led tomajor uproar in Parliament’s Winter Session and had to beput to vote. The UPA triumphed in both the Houses, thanksto direct and indirect support from the BSP and SP.However, the two allies who support the UPA from outsidegot involved in a fierce battle in the Rajya Sabha over theQuota in Promotions Bill. While BSP chief Mayawati forcedthe government to table the Bill in the Upper House, the SPwarned it would not let the House function if the Bill wastabled.During the year, the tussle between the Comptroller andAuditor General (CAG) of India and the UPA governmentcontinued, mainly over the report on the coal blocksallocation. After pegging the 2G scam presumptive loss at amassive Rs 1.76 lakh crore, the coal blocks allocation scam,which came to be popularly known as Coalgate, waspresumed to have caused a loss of Rs 1.86 lakh crore by theCAG. Since the coal blocks were mainly allotted during theperiod when PM Manmohan Singh held the coal portfolio,he too came under the direct attack of the Opposition. Whilethe government denied any scam and refuted the loss figure,an inter-ministerial panel which reviewed the allocationsdid recommend scrapping of several allotments both toprivate players and PSUs, over various reasons includingfavouritism and delay in execution of projects. PMManmohan Singh also came under attack from theinternational media, after the prestigious TIME magazinedubbed him as an underachiever over the policy paralysisthat was bogging his government. The major pro-economicreforms that the UPA government initiated in the later partof the year were seen as a move to rebut those allegations.In the middle of the year, the northeastern state of Assam,mainly Kokrajhar, witnessed fierce clashes between theethnic Bodos and the immigrant Bengali-speaking Muslims.The clashes started on the issue of land encroachment andled to nearly 100 deaths. Nearly five lakh people weredisplaced in the violence that raged during July-Septemberperiod.While the clashes were quelled following deploymentof the Army and Central paramilitary forces, Novemberalso reported fresh violence and deaths.

  • Foreign Tornados

    Foreign Tornados

    The world’s high-risk tornado corridors are in the United States, Bangladesh, and Eastern India, but tornadoes can pop up almost anywhere, if the conditions are right. Other sites where tornadoes also appear include southern Canada, Europe, Asia, and Australia. In 2012, confirmed fatalities worldwide occurred in Poland, Japan, Indonesia, and Turkey. On February 24, a strong tornado struck South Sulawesi province in Indonesia, killing five people and damaging 98 structures. On April 9, a tornado struck a construction site in Elazƒ±ƒü Province, Turkey, killing at least six people and injuring seven others. Several homes were destroyed along the tornado’s seven-mile-long track. On July 14, a group of tornadoes hit the northern region of Pomerania in Poland, killing a 60-year old man in Wycinki and injuring at least 10 other people.

  • England Claim The Final Frontier

    England Claim The Final Frontier

    England came to India amid hype that the Indians were in a destructive mood to hand them a similar treatment they received a year back in 2011. The series was widely publicised as the ‘revenge’ for the 0-4 drubbing handed to India when they last toured England. India won the first Test at Ahmedabad by nine wickets after forcing England to follow-on. For the hosts, everything seemed to be going according to the script but a rude shock awaited them in Mumbai where they were defeated after being trapped in a spin web that they had created for their guests. Monty Panesar took 11 wickets in the match while Kevin Pietersen slammed a century in the first innings. England took the game by 10 wickets, drawing the series level. Jolted by the blow, the Indian team management went into an overdrive to produce a pitch that will suit them to the hilt. India skipper MS Dhoni’s demands were met with a stubborn and resolved pitch curator who refused to budge. Alastair Cook played a captain’s knock to lead his team to another win to take a surprise 2-1 lead in the series as Indian camp went into a tizzy. The focus shifted to the fourth and final Test in Nagpur which ended into a tame draw as England completed a series win in India for the first time in 28 years

  • Michael Phelps: The Greatest Olympian

    Michael Phelps: The Greatest Olympian

    American Michael Phelps retired from competitive swimming after securing an Olympic gold medal in men`s 4×100-meter medley relay in August 2012. With that medal, he became the most prolific Olympian ever to have graced the event with 22 medals – 18 gold, two silver and two bronze – in his kitty. The champion swimmer, who created a storm by winning gold medals in all the eight events he participated during the Beijing Games in 2004, couldn’t repeat the feat but nevertheless returned home with memories that he will cherish forever. Phelps took part in seven events and his first event was a disappointment as he failed to finish in the top three, thereby returning without a medal with his fierce rival and countryman Ryan Lochte winning the gold. In the second race (4X100 freestyle relay), despite his second leg performance that gave US a strong lead, they ended up winning the silver. However, for Phelps this was a positive result considering it was his first medal of the game. In the 200m butterfly event, Phelps equalled the record for the most Olympic medals by winning silver but his disappointment for blowing up the race in the end. He was out touched by Chad le Clos of South Africa for gold. Phelps finally got to bite the gold when the US won the 4X200m freestyle event that also meant he had broken the record for most Olympic medals with his 19th overall. He also won individual gold in 200m medley and 100m butterfly. After his final race, the international swimming federation honoured him with an award for becoming the most decorated Olympian of all time

  • Ricky Ponting Retires

    Ricky Ponting Retires

    One of the finest batsmen of the modern era and former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting decided to end his international career in 2012. Ponting, who led Australia to two World Cup triumphs in 2003 and 2007, pulled a curtain on his illustrious international career at the end of the Perth Test against South Africa. Ponting, who made his debut in 1996, played 168 Test matches and 375 ODIs in his international career spanning 17 years. Ponting, most probably the greatest batsman after redoubtable Don Bradman, made a staggering 13378 runs at an average of 51.85 in Tests and amassed 13704 runs in ODIs at 42.03. He is the only player in the world who has been a member of over 100 Test matches that his country won over the years. Though nobody questions his greatness as a batsman, his leadership skill came under a lot of criticism towards the end of his tenure. With the retirement of great players like Matthew Hayden, Justin Langer, Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne, Ponting’s handling of new resources was uninspiring. After an indifferent 2011 and 2012 seasons, when he was sacked from the ODI team, pressure started mounting on him to retire from the Test arena. He though responded with a brilliant double hundred against India at Adelaide and a century at Sydney, his failure with the bat against the touring South African side prompted him to end his career at the age of 37.

  • Colorado Wildfires

    Colorado Wildfires

    From early June through July, at least 200,000 acres ofColorado were swept by wildfire. The record drought andheat wave created the ideal conditions for wildfires, whichwere sparked by both lightning and human activities. Morethan 600 homes were destroyed and 5 lives were lost duringthis month of fires.

  • Lance Armstrong`S Fall From Grace

    Lance Armstrong`S Fall From Grace

    By the time Lance Armstrong won his seventh Tour de France title, he was already a living legend. Besides being a champion athlete, Armstrong fought a battle with cancer and his successful return to one of the most gruelling sports became a source of inspiration to millions across the globe. His book “It’s not about the Bike: My Journey Back to life” was a bestseller – a further proof of his popularity among the masses. However, in 2004 a book by David Walsh and Pierre Ballester accused Armstrong, who was then aiming at his sixth Tour de France title, of doping. Two years later a French daily published report claiming Armstrong of being tested positive for banned substance during 1999 Tour. The cyclist vehemently denied the charges.

    Later on, one after another, his teammates admitted to have been taking performance enhancing drugs together. In June 2012, the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) said that it was conducting an investigation into allegations of doping against the cyclist. Later on, the agency officially charged him with doping and trafficking of drugs following which Armstrong filed a lawsuit against the agency. This was dismissed on the grounds of being polemic. On August 23, Armstrong said that he won’t be contesting charges levelled against him by USADA. Following this, Travis Tygart, the chief of the agency announced that the disgraced cyclist will be stripped of all his titles and banned from cycling for life. His reputation tainted, Armstrong had to later step down from the chairmanship of his charity organisation `Livestrong`. The International Cycling Union (UCI) confirmed the ban imposed by USADA after receiving the evidences implicating Armstrong of cheating. “Lance Armstrong has no place in cycling and he deserves to be forgotten in cycling,” Pat McQuaid, the president of UCI, had said announcing the decision. Armstrong still denies any wrongdoing.

  • Western Wildfires

    Western Wildfires

    Starting in early August, a series of Oklahoma wildfires burned some 52,000 acres, destroying at least 121 homes and businesses. A fire near Luther, Oklahoma, destroyed about 50 homes and buildings before it was contained on August 4. Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin declared a state of emergency due to the drought and the wildfires. Thankfully, no fatalities were reported from this disaster. A month later, wildfires broke out from lightning strikes on the dry eastern side of Cascade Range, primarily in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. These fires burned at least 157,000 acres during September and October in Washington State.

  • Sebastian Vettel- Triple World Champion

    Sebastian Vettel- Triple World Champion

    At a time when Formula one legend Michael Schumacher is finally calling it day, his fellow German Sebastian Vetter, has become his worthy successor by becoming Formula One’s youngest triple World champion at the age of 25 by winning the 2012 F1 season. Red Bull’s Vettel also won the title in 2010 and 2011 which earned him a lot of praise from the critics. People started to compare him with Schumacher, who has seven world titles to his name. Vettel is also the first to achieve three straight titles since Schumacher won five consecutive from 2000-04. The only other driver to win at least three straight titles was Juan Manuel Fangio from 1954-57.

  • North American Heat Wave

    North American Heat Wave

    The summer heat wave in North America led to morethan 82 heat-related deaths across the United States andCanada. The intense three-week-long spell began aroundJune 20, when a high pressure system centered over BajaCalifornia moved into the plains, creating temperaturesnear or exceeding 110 degrees. The heat spread east fromthe Rocky Mountains, causing high temperatures in thecentral states rivaling records from 80 years ago. On June25, Denver tied its all-time high with a temperature of 105degrees. Hill City, Kansas, was the warmest spot in theUnited States on June 26, reaching 115 degrees. All of thisheat was probably the engine for the June Derecho, whichformed in the Midwest and tore through the Mid-Atlantic.The heat wave even reached New England, as Hartford,Connecticut, hit 100 degrees on July 18.

  • Global Flooding

    Global Flooding

    In July at least 37 people were killed by flood waters inand around the city of Beijing, China. In the rural andsuburban areas outside Beijing, many more people died inas a result of flooding, which was said to be the region’sworst in 60 years.Floods occurred in southwest Russia inearly July, mainly in Krasnodar Krai, near the coast of theBlack Sea. Five months‚Äô worth of rain fell overnight insome southern parts of the country, leaving 144 people deadand damaging the homes of nearly 13,000 people. Othermassive flooding events occurred in Asia’s BrahmaputraRiver, Great Britain, Ireland, Loreto, Nigeria, North Korea,the Philippines, Romania, Fiji, Nepal, and Pakistan.