The Indian Panorama

Month: January 2014

  • Flu Battle, Vaccinations Continue Across North Texas

    Flu Battle, Vaccinations Continue Across North Texas

    As the flu epidemic continues to hit North Texas, health leaders are hammering the message: It’s still not too late to get vaccinated. Some clinics have quickly run out of the shots, but several DFW-area Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club stores say they’re stocked up.

    At the Wal-Mart store off Northwest Highway and Skillman in Dallas, NBC 5 found there wasn’t a line at the pharmacy and they had plenty of flu shots in supply. “We got a heads up on the issues that were going on with the flu shots, so we were giving the incentive and directions to order enough supply to have some in stock.

    We have plenty of supply and figure my other Wal-Mart pharmacies, as far as I know, Wal-Mart is not experiencing a shortage as some other retailers are,” said Dallas Wal-Mart Pharmacist Emelda Azu-Irondi. She said even though her store has plenty of doses of the flu shot, there’s still not the demand. She’s only been giving out a dozen shots a day. That was good news for Elizabeth Bula, she tried a CVS Store first a couple of weeks ago.

    “The pharmacy I went to was out of stock, so I’ve just kind of been putting it off until now,” said Bula. The 25-year-old said this is the first year she’s rolling up her sleeve to get a shot. “I know the age range I’m [in] and it’s almost like we’re being targeted this season. It’s interesting to hear how many people have gotten sick, and some people have passed away, which is so sad. Hearing that, realizing I should’ve gotten a shot, I’m out here and getting it done,” said Bula. Lucy Neal’s sister is a nurse in the intensive care unit. She heard the warning from her: don’t wait any longer.

  • West Texas in line for solar farm

    West Texas in line for solar farm

    TEXAS (TIP)For years Texas has watched as solar developers flock to greener pastures in California and Arizona where state subsidies and high power prices have created a solar boom.

    The announcement Wednesday that First Solar, one of the world’s largest solar companies, was building a sprawling 22 megawatt farm in West Texas represented a rare piece of good news for the state’s nascent solar industry. Tim Rebhorn, First Solar’s senior vice president for project development in North and South America, said his company was betting on the conditions for solar improving in Texas.

    “When energy prices are as low as they are in Texas, it makes it very difficult to come in and build,” he said. “But we’re seeing constraints on capacity. And we think on the merchant side there’s going to be a price effect.” The project, named Barilla, is being built on a 200-acre site about 30 miles west of Fort Stockton. Rebhorn said the site is large enough the facility could ultimately expand to 150 megawatts of capacity, which would make it the largest solar farm in Texas.

  • 116 North Texas schools identified as low performing

    116 North Texas schools identified as low performing

    DALLAS (TIP): The parents of thousands of North Texas students will get a letter soon telling them their school does not make the grade.

    The Texas Education Agency has compiled its annual list of low performing schools based on poor test scores or unacceptable ratings from the state’s Public Education Grant program. This year the number of campuses across the state on the list nearly doubled to 892.

    Locally, Dallas and Fort Worth have the most campuses on the list, but many suburban districts are on it as well. Students in low performing schools are allowed to transfer to another school or district, but Dallas Independent School District spokesman Jon Dahlander said few do because transportation is not provided. DISD will host a public meeting Thursday evening for parents with questions. It will begin at 5:45 p.m. at the Ada L. Williams Auditorium, which is located at 3700 Ross Avenue in Dallas.

  • Supreme Court hears Texas man’s appeal in child pornography case

    Supreme Court hears Texas man’s appeal in child pornography case

    WASHINGTON (TIP): The Supreme Court wrestled on January 22 with how much a Texas man who possessed child pornography must pay one of the victims. Doyle Paroline, who is from East Texas, was arrested in 2008 with 280 images of child pornography and spent 22 months in jail.

    Two photographs detailed the abuse of Amy, who was eight years old at the time she was raped and photographed by her uncle. Amy’s lawyers said Paroline should pay Amy for her suffering. They said she needs $3.4 million, mostly to cover lost future income and counseling fees. They also say he should be able to sue other offenders to help contribute to that sum.

    Paroline’s lawyers disagree. Because a district court ruled that the government could not directly calculate his contribution to her losses, they argue he should not be held responsible In court Wednesday, several justices agreed that Amy, a pseudonym used to protect the true victim’s identity, was harmed by all of those involved in the distribution and consumption of her images. But they remained skeptical that Paroline should be liable for her entire losses, as he played a relatively small part in her saga.

  • Ex-Texas Longhorns quarterback Vince Young files for bankruptcy protection

    Ex-Texas Longhorns quarterback Vince Young files for bankruptcy protection

    HOUSTON (TIP): Former NFL and University of Texas quarterback Vince Young has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The petition was filed last week in a Houston federal bankruptcy court, listing Young with estimated assets between $500,001 and $1 million and liabilities between $1,001,000 and $10 million.

    The Houston Chronicle reports (http://bit.ly/1edNPn8 ) no specific details on Young’s assets and liabilities were immediately available. The 30-year-old Young is fighting a pair of lawsuits stemming from a $1.8 million loan obtained in his name during the 2011 NFL lockout. A court has granted a judgment against Young to Pro Player Funding, a New York company that made the loan. Pro Player Funding has made several efforts in a Harris County state district court to enforce collection of the judgment, but those efforts remain pending.

  • Akkineni Nageswara Rao is dead: Condolences pour in from across the world

    Akkineni Nageswara Rao is dead: Condolences pour in from across the world

    HYDERABAD (TIP): Legendary Telugu actor and film producer Akkineni Nageswara Rao, also known as ANR, died January 22 in Hyderabad at the age of 90. Dada Saheb Phalke Award winner ANR, who is the father of famous Telugu actor Nagarjuna, had been battling cancer for several months.

    He had in October last year told media that he was diagnosed with cancer and that he would fight it till the end. Nageswara Rao, who recently underwent a surgery for intestinal cancer, is survived by three daughters and two sons. His funeral on January 23 was attended by thousands of grieving admirers.

    The Telugu film industry wants a monument to be constructed for Akkineni Nageswara Rao on the premises of Annapurna Studios which he founded. Paying respect to ANR, Movie Artistes Association (MAA) president M Murali Mohan said it would be appropriate to have a monument near ANR’s museum where his awards are located. “We have made a suggestion to the family about it,” he said. Meanwhile, as a mark of respect, the film industry cancelled all shootings for two days.


    6
    Thousands of grieving admirers of Akkineni Nageswara Rao joined the funeral procession on January 23, 2014

    Mohan said an appeal has also been made to theatre owners to stop screenings and cancel shows on Thursday, January 23. Throughout the day, condolences and praises flooded in for the late actor from his Tollywood and Bollywood colleagues and politicians. Dadasaheb Phalke award winner D Rama Naidu said ANR had always adopted a discipline towards his work and life. “It used to be a pleasure working with him,” he said.

    Union minister for tourism Chiranjeevi said he had met ANR only a couple of weeks ago and spent nearly an hour with him. “I want to hit a century with the best wishes of the people,” ANR reportedly told him. “It is sad that he is no more,” Chiranjeevi said. He also recalled how his mother was a big fan of ANR and how when she was pregnant she wanted to watch a film. “My father was concerned. However, she did go to watch the movie in which ANR had acted,” he said, adding that his mother gave birth to a boy a few days later. “That boy was me,” he reminisced.

    Filmmaker S S Rajamouli said he was “saddened by the news of the legendary Nageswararao garu.” “He stood as a towering father figure for the Telugu film industry. Irreparable loss,” he said. Tributes also poured in from other parts of the country. Veteran actor Amitabh Bachchan tweeted: “Another great iconic legend of cinema passes away this morning: Nageshwar Rao, of Telugu cinema, a most affable considerate human!” Actor Anupam Kher described ANR as “an actor, a gentleman and a cinematic phenomenon”. “Have learnt a lot from him,” he . “He was not just a great artist but a wonderful human being.

    I had the opportunity to meet him four years ago… I had received an award from him. May god bless his soul and I pray for his family,” 84-year-old singer Lata Mangeshkar tweeted. Several political leaders also joined in paying tributes. Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi described ANR as “one of Indian cinema’s stalwarts who will be remembered for his rich contribution. Saddened by his demise. RIP.” Union minister of state for information and broadcasting Manish Tewari recalled that he had met Nageshwar Rao in Hyderabad last January, describing it as an “inspirational experience”.

    BJP leader Rajnath Singh said Nageshwar Rao’s contribution to Indian cinema would always be cherished. TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu also said he was grieved beyond words at the demise of ‘legend’ ANR. “An era comes to an end. Great actor & a great human being,” he said on a social networking site. Naidu also visited Annapurna Studios to pay tributes to actor. In New York, Rao Anumolu, President, CEO & Founder at ASR International Corporation, a close friend of late ANR, said he was deeply saddened to hear of ANR’s death and that whereas in his death, Telugus had lost a great actor and a fine human being, for him it was the loss of a close friend and end of an era.

  • Emergency declaration allows Texas to help ease propane shortage

    Emergency declaration allows Texas to help ease propane shortage

    AUSTIN (TIP): Gov. Rick Perry signed an emergency declaration late Wednesday, January 22, easing licensing restrictions that will allow other states facing a propane shortage to tap into Texas’ abundant supply of the home-heating fuel.

    Due to severe cold this season, propane supplies are extremely low in more than 20 states across the Midwest and Northeast. States as far away as Maine have requested help from the Lone Star State, which produces two-thirds of nation’s propane supply and houses the world’s largest propane storage facility, said Bill Van Hoy, executive director of the Texas Propane Gas Association which sent a letter to Perry last week requesting the emergency declaration.

    “Texas has the fuel, but motor carriers from other states could not get supplies from Texas because they were not licensed and certified to enter our state,” Van Hoy said Thursday, January 23. The declaration of emergency will help address the shortage by temporarily waiving licensing requirements and rules prohibiting other states from trucking propane from Texas, Van Hoy said.

    The Texas Department of Public safety is also waiving limits on hours of service in Texas to fuel carriers providing emergency relief, he said. Propane is used to heat more than 7 million homes across the United States, he said. A confluence of events, including extreme winter weather and a sharp increase in propane exports, has led to the shortage. Also reducing the supply was a record fall corn harvest when large quantities of propane were used to dry out crops.

    Prices in the Midwest are the highest since at least 1990, according to the Energy Information Administration. The propane supply has fallen from 34 days on Nov. 29 to 24 days on Jan. 10, according to the administration. The supply stood at 42.1 days a year ago. Some out-of-state suppliers have already sent truckers to Mont Belview near Houston, where propane is stored in an enormous salt cavern, Van Hoy said. “This won’t just help those states, it will be good for business in Texas,” he said.

  • Pope Francis says the Internet is a ‘gift from God’

    Pope Francis says the Internet is a ‘gift from God’

    VATICAN (TIP): It may sometimes be a breeding ground for pornographers, bullies and hateful extremists, but the Internet received an official blessing Thursday, January 23 from Pope Francis, who called it a “gift from God.”

    “The digital world can be an environment rich in humanity, a network not of wires but of people,” said Francis, adding: “The Internet, in particular, offers immense possibilities for encounter and solidarity. This is something truly good, a gift from God.”

    However, in a speech marking the Roman Catholic Church’s World Communications Day, the pope warned the Internet also had the power to “isolate” people from their neighbors. The Vatican has entered the world of social media with gusto, launching a Facebook page and an online news portal that can be downloaded as an app.

    The papal Twitter account, begun by Francis’ predecessor, Benedict XVI, now boasts more than 3.5 million followers. Last year, the Vatican even offered indulgences — which cut time from the period Catholics believe they will spend in purgatory after they have confessed and been absolved of their sins — to those who followed the Catholic World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro via Twitter. But on Thursday, January 23, Francis warned the Internet was also fraught with dangers.

    “The speed with which information is communicated exceeds our capacity for reflection and judgment, and this does not make for more balanced and proper forms of self-expression,” he said. Too much time spent surfing the web, he added, “can help us either to expand our knowledge or to lose our bearings.” The desire to be online, he said, “can have the effect of isolating us from our neighbors, from those closest to us.” The solution is to slow down.

    “We need, for example, to recover a certain sense of deliberateness and calm,” Francis said. “This calls for time and the ability to be silent and to listen.” Draining some of the venom and hostility that can be found on the web would also help bring about real understanding of the world, he said. “If we are genuinely attentive in listening to others, we will learn to look at the world with different eyes and come to appreciate the richness of human experience as manifested in different cultures and traditions.”

    He also called the Internet a good place to talk about God. “As I have frequently observed, if a choice has to be made between a bruised church which goes out to the streets and a church suffering from self-absorption, I certainly prefer the first,” he said. The “digital highway” is just another “street teeming with people who are often hurting, men and women looking for salvation or hope.”

  • Opinion poll predicts gains for BJP, losses for UPA

    Opinion poll predicts gains for BJP, losses for UPA

    NEW DELHI (TIP): Despite an apparent wave of Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) till recently, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) would have won 200- odd seats if the general elections were held in January 2014, the findings of the latest India Today Group’s Mood of the Nation opinion poll suggest.

    The opinion poll gives the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) only around 100 seats, down by over 150 seats in the current Lok Sabha. It also underlines the significance of a possible Third Front in the forthcoming Lok Sabha election as the non- UPA, non-NDA parties and Independents are expected to win 220-odd seats.

    The NDA thus crosses the 200-mark for the first time since 2010. Both, the NDA and the likely Third Front, gains substantially in numbers and vote share. The opinion poll suggests that the NDA’s vote share of 34 per cent will be significantly more than the UPA’s 23. However, the others will have the maximum vote share of 43 per cent. Under the leadership of Narendra Modi as its prime ministerial candidate, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) looks all set to become the single largest party as it is also likely to emerge the biggest gainer in the Lok Sabha polls.

    Its 2009 tally of 116 is expected to rise to 188 in 2014, an increase of more than 60 per cent. Congress, under the leadership of its vice-president Rahul Gandhi, might win just 91 seats, as compared to its current tally of 206, a drop of about 55 per cent. The Congress ploy of propping AAP to counter Modi at the national level seems to have a limited impact, as Kejriwal’s gains are restricted to areas around Delhi and a few metro cities only.

    Modi consolidates his position
    Modi, who emerged as the strongest leader within his party after the BJP’s hat-trick in Gujarat in December 2012, cemented his position further through strong campaigning across the country. As the party’s lead campaigner in the recently held assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Delhi he consolidated his position further. In the latest India Today Mood of the Nation opinion poll, as many as 47 per cent people voted him as the best prime ministerial candidate against his previous best of 42 per cent polled in August 2013.

    The Gandhi scion was way behind Modi with just 15 per cent votes, followed by Kejriwal with 9 per cent votes and 6 per cent votes each to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi. During these five months Modi was also able to improve his image from being a communal leader to being pro-development. To a question “what does Modi represent”, the option “communalism” saw a drop of 11 per cent from 18 per cent in August 2013, while “economic development” increased by 6 per cent to 30 per cent. The number of people thinking Modi should apologize for the 2002 Gujarat riots also fell drastically during this period to 39 per cent from the previous figure of 51 per cent.

    Modi as a role model
    The Gujarat chief minister emerged as a role model for the highest 17 per cent respondents, a gain of as much percentage as nobody earlier saw him as one among the overall personalities of India. Modi was followed by Kejriwal with 14 per cent votes, up from 2 per cent. Bollywood superstar Salman Khan too saw a big jump in his popularity as 10 per cent people saw him as a role model, up from the previous 1 per cent, followed by legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar’s 9 per cent against 2 per cent in the earlier opinion poll.Veteran anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare’s position as a role model remained unchanged with 7 per cent votes.

  • Mayor de Blasio Picks Indian American Ram Raju as Commissioner of Health & Hospitals

    Mayor de Blasio Picks Indian American Ram Raju as Commissioner of Health & Hospitals

    NEW YORK, NY (TIP): Mayor Bill de Blasio named January 21, the new heads of the Department of Small Business Services and the Health and Hospitals Corporation, pledging to deepen each agency’s connections to neighborhoods across the five boroughs.

    Mayor de Blasio appointed Maria Torres-Springer as Commissioner of the Department of Small Business Services and Dr. Ramanathan Raju as Commissioner of Health and Hospitals Corporation. As public servants with deep expertise at their respective agencies, both Torres-Springer and Raju are poised to aggressively implement progressive, community-based reforms.

    “We sought out progressive, proven leaders who are committed to serving diverse communities across this city. And in Maria and Raju, we found them. Whether it’s deepening our outreach to immigrant entrepreneurs long overlooked by City Hall, or bringing new community health care clinics to low-income neighborhoods, our approach will be the same:We will lift up every community. This will be one city, where everyone rises together,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio.

    A former Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff at the New York City Economic Development Corporation, Maria Torres-Springer was a key leader in project teams that helped launch the Applied Sciences Initiative and the redevelopment of Coney Island. As Commissioner of Small Business Services, she will establish a new revolving loan fund to help local businesses grow, expand outreach to immigrant-owned businesses, and help launch new economic development hubs in underserved communities.

    “As the child of immigrants, I understand our city is strongest when every New Yorker has access to quality economic opportunities and good middle class jobs,” said Torres-Springer. “As Commissioner at the Department of Small Business Services, I look forward to ensuring that every small business owner-no matter where they are from, where they live, or what they look like-has access to the resources they need to succeed.”

    Currently CEO of the Chicago’s Cook County Health and Hospital System, Dr. Ramanathan Raju is a respected physician who has led some of the nation’s largest and most complex health care systems. As President of the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation-the nation’s largest public hospital system-he will work to raise standards of care at HHC hospitals and deepen the agency’s approach to providing primary and preventative care at the neighborhood level.

    Dr. Ramanathan Raju’s appointment must be ratified by the HHC board. “I am excited to return to the Health and Hospitals Corporation,” said incoming HHC President Ramanathan Raju. “Under my leadership, the HHC will continue its mission of ensuring New Yorkers have access to quality health care optionsfrom major hospitals to neighborhood clinics-no matter where they live.” Dr. Ramanathan Raju brings more than 30 years of experience in public and not-for-profit hospital systems.

    Dr. Raju began his medical career at Lutheran Medical Center in Brooklyn, where he ascended to the positions of Director of Surgery, Director of Medical Education, and Senior Vice President. He went on to serve as the COO and Chief Medical Officer at Coney Island Hospital, and then as Chief Medical Officer, Corporate COO and Executive Vice President at the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation. Most recently, he has served as CEO of Cook County Health and Hospitals System, the third largest health system in the US.

    He is credited with improving CCHHS’s quality of care, increasing revenues, and cutting costs by leveraging federal resources, restructuring the system’s operation, and utilizing technology to increase efficiency and make the health care system more accessible to patients. A native of Madras (now Chennai), India, Dr. Raju received his medical degree from the Madras Medical College and was a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of England in the United Kingdom. He received his Masters in Business Administration from the University of Tennessee.

  • HSI returns stolen antiquities to the Indian Consulate

    HSI returns stolen antiquities to the Indian Consulate

    NEW YORK (TIP): India and the US firm ties again after Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) returned three stolen sculptures at the Indian Consulate in New York City on Tuesday, January 14, during a repatriation ceremony. The event marks the first attempt made by both countries at solving the dispute after senior diplomat Devyani Khobragade’s arrest and eventual eviction from the US. The three stolen sculptures, one which was listed in INTERPOL’s top ten most wanted stolen works of art, are valued at more than $1.5 million. Two of the three sculptures were reported stolen by the Archaeological Survey of India from Gadgach Temple in Rajasthan.

    Two sandstone sculptures of Vishnu and Lakshmi and Vishnu and Parvati date back to the 11th or 12th century. The third artifact from the same era is a black sandstone sculpture depicting Bodhisattva, a popular subject in Buddhist art. Indian Consul General Dnyaneshwar M. Mulay, Director of Interpol (Washington) Shawn A. Bray and Executive Associate Director, HSI James Dinkins, preceded the official transfer of the items. The three valuable sculptures were on display at the Consulate. “The excellent international cooperation between the United States and India led to the recovery and return of these priceless antiquities. These items represent history and culture of India and we are happy to have recovered them and return them to be enjoyed by the people of India,” said Dinkins.

    Shawn Bray also commended on the excellent working relation of both countries. “This signifies what is possible when two countries come together despite cultural, linguistic and legal barriers,” he added. Although the sculptures were recovered by 2011, the delay in returning and assigning the transfer dates was due to certain ‘legal process that can take long’. On being asked if this was a feeble attempt at making amends after the diplomat’s arrest, the panel unanimously pointed it as a mere coincidence.

    “I have had this event marked on my calendar for a while now and having it on this day is purely coincidental,” said Dinkins. “The relation between India and the US is multi-dimensional and multi-faceted. Our relation spans to culture, education, finance, nuclear and other divisions. We all have issues that can be sorted if we keep the spirit of friendship in mind,” added Mr. Mulay. HSI confirms that so far no arrests have been made over the case of stolen sculptures and the case if not over unless all the culprits are bought to justice.

  • Committee Co-Chairs

    Committee Co-Chairs

    Vijay has been involved with the India Association of Long Island for about 25 years and has served the organization in several capacities. He has been a member at large for several years and a Treasurer for two years. Besides IALI he is actively involved with a number of different organizations on Long Island. He is on the committee of Indian American Forum and runs their senior program. He also runs a senior program for ASLI. He is currently a treasurer for Arya Samaj of Long Island. He is also on the IDPUSA committee. He has been president of Arya Samaj of NY. He has two masters’ degrees and has worked in administrative positions in the health care industry. Currently , he is retired and devotes most of his time to community service.


    25Jaya Bahadkar – Socio-Cultural Co- Chair
    Jaya is a Registered Nurse. She likes to involve herself in social and cultural activities. She is an Executive Member of India Home, a Board Member of National Indo- American Association for Senior Citizens, Cultural Co-Chair and former Vice President (2012) of Indian Association of Long Island And Cultural Chair of Indian American Forum

  • No PM Candidate: Rahul to lead Election Campaign

    No PM Candidate: Rahul to lead Election Campaign

    NEW DELHI (TIP): Despite a majority of leaders at the Congress Working Committee meet pushing for Rahul Gandhi to be made the party’s prime ministerial candidate, the party demurred from the decision and instead decided to appoint him the poll campaign chief. “We had one major resolution that has to be passed tomorrow and all the issues in it were discusses…The Congress President and Vice President placed their views on the resolution,” Congress spokesperson Janardan Dwivedi told reporters, refusing to disclose all its contents.

    “Many of the members in the CWC wanted that he (Rahul) should be made the Prime ministerial candidate but after some debate Congress president Sonia Gandhi intervened,” he said. “She said that there was no such tradition in the Congress. If someone declares their PM candidate it doesn’t mean that we have to do the same,” Dwivedi said. He said that Sonia had endorsed making Rahul Gandhi the head of the party’s campaign in the upcoming elections. “The resolution in today’s meeting says: ‘This meeting of the AICC declares that the campaign of the elections will be headed by Rahul Gandhi’,” he said. Rahul Gandhi said that he would do everything to strengthen the party and that he would do anything that the party sought of him, Dwivedi said.

    “Rahulji said the decision on other matters will be taken at the appropriate time,” he said. Sources said that Rahul had himself said that he didn’t want to be the party’s prime ministerial candidate and was backed by the top brass of the party on his decision, including by Sonia Gandhi. The Congress leader is to be appointed the party’s poll committee chief at the AICC meet tomorrow, thus making him the face of the party’s campaign, but not pitting him in a direct race against the BJP’s Narendra Modi. In a recent interview, Rahul had said that he was willing to accept any responsibility for the party which had been interpreted by some as saying he was set to be the party’s prime ministerial candidate.

  • Congress passes USD 1.1 trillion spending bill

    Congress passes USD 1.1 trillion spending bill

    WASHINGTON (TIP): The US Senate has passed the USD 1.1 trillion omnibus spending bill that eliminates the threat of another government shutdown at least until October and puts conditions on Pakistan for continuation of aid. Passed by the House of Representatives a day earlier, the bill now goes to the White House for President Barack Obama to sign it into law, thus preventing another shutdown. While the Senate passed the massive bill by 72-26 votes yesterday, the House approved it by 359-67 votes on Wednesday. All Senate Democrats supported the spending package and also 17 Republicans voted in its favour.

    Obama has pledged to sign the 1500-page bill, which among others puts conditions on Pakistan with regard to continuation of civilian and military aid. As in the previous year, the Congress requires a certification from the Secretary of State and the Defense Secretary to release the civil and military aid to Pakistan. The officials require to certify that Pakistan is co-operating with the US in counter-terrorism efforts…And taking steps to end support for terrorist groups and prevent them from basing and operating in Pakistan and carrying out cross border attacks into neighboring countries The Secretary of State also requires to certify the Congress that Pakistan is not supporting terrorist activities against US or coalition forces in Afghanistan, and Pakistan’s military and intelligence agencies are not intervening extra- judicially into political and judicial processes.

    It also seeks certification that Pakistan is dismantling improvised explosive device, networks and interdicting precursor chemicals used in the manufacture of IEDs; preventing the proliferation of nuclearrelated material and expertise; and implementing policies to protect judicial independence and due process of law. However, in the national security interest, these provisions are waived off. Further, the Congress has also withheld USD 33 million assistance until Pakistan releases Dr Shakil Afridi, who helped the US in locating Osama bin Laden, from prison. It also seeks from the Obama Administration a spending plan including achievable and sustainable goals, benchmarks for measuring progress, and expected results regarding combating poverty and furthering development in Pakistan, countering extremism, and establishing conditions conducive to the rule of law and transparent and accountable governance.

    The Secretary of State is authorised to suspend assistance if Pakistan fails to make measurable progress in meeting such goals or benchmarks, the bill says. The White House supported the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014 describing it as a positive step forward for the Nation and the economy. “This bipartisan legislation provides funding for investments in areas like education, infrastructure and innovation ? investments that will help grow our economy, create jobs, and strengthen the middle class,” said Sylvia Mathews Burwell, Director of the Office of Management and Budget.

  • Other Committee Chairs

    Other Committee Chairs

    An Attorney by profession. Aruna has been an active member of India Association of Long Island. She has held many positions in the last 10 years .Over the last 13 years she has been actively involved with IALI’s Diwali Food Drive .Last year she was the Chairperson for the Food Drive &r aised 41 thousand dollars ,the most successful food drive in 18 years. The money was donated to INN.(Interfaith Nutrition Network ).


    21Jai Prakash Enjapuri -Sports Chair
    Jai Prakash owns a software development company called “JPINFOTECH, INC”. He is a Masters in Computer Applications, MISCA, Adv. Software Engineering (Columbia). He is an Executive Member of TLCA (Telugu Literary and Cultural Association) and a Gen. Secretary of Rotary Club Of Hicksville South


    22Flora Parekh – IT & Communications Chai
    Flora has been in the IT industry for more than 20 years now. She is an MBA. Her past IALI involvement includes serving as the Vendor Chair at the recent India Fest. “I am very excited and honored to be a part of such a wonderful team”, says Flora. Her most recent community involvements include participation in the Long Island Parade, Chairing the Mr. & Ms. Vegetarian Vision Pageant, assisting on the Executive committee for a few organizations namely South Asian for Democrats / de Blasio, Vegetarian Vision and Friends of ARCH.


    23Amita Karwal – Young Parents Forum Chair
    Amita Karwal is a compassionate and caring individual who has been a resident of Long Island for over a decade. She has outstanding organizational skills and loves to plan events whilst handling every minute detail to perfection. Being a peoples person, Amita contributes to make the world a better place by helping just about anyone. She is very family oriented> Married to Ankush, she has two beautiful children, Eesha and Vihaan

  • Standing Committees

    Standing Committees

    Prasad is Finance Chair for the year 2014. He was President in 2006 and 2007 and is a current BOT Member of TLCA.

    18Lalit Aery -Membership Chair
    Lalit Aery is resident of Long Island for the past 27 years. He has managing his own Insurance Business. He has been involved in community service for many years. He has ,served as Treasurer in 2011 & as co-chairperson in membership committee in 2012 in IALI


    19Beena Kothari -Socio-Cultural Chair
    Beena Kothari has been associated with IALI for over a decade. She has been with JP Morgan Chase and IBM as a global IT Team Manager and is presently working in the Real Estate industry. She has been part of and served on many Indian organizations throughout the tri-state area. Her vision includes empowerment of young generation as well as a broader visibility of our great Indian social-cultural values.” Let us continue our journey together and become a role model for the Indian American community”, says Beena.

  • Members-at-Large

    Members-at-Large

    Ajay Batra is an Engineer by profession. He works in Aerospace Industry. He is owner of IVS TV Channel. He also owns Educational Training Centers. Happily married, his wife is an Education Director with YMCA. The couple have two talented.


    9Nishi Behl – Senior Forum – Suffolk County Chair
    Nishi Behl holds a Master’s degree in literature. She has published PHD thesis. She is a member of school PTA board. She has volunteered for Girl Scout and Boy Scout. She plays Soccer and baseball. She has taught after school art and craft classes and has been involved as a volunteer for blood drive, soup kitchen of Inter Nutritionist Network, IALI. She has been Women’s Chair for 3 years, Senior Forum chair for 5 years , and a Member at Large for 4 years. She has organized socio/religious trips for the community at large. She Graduated in 2013 from Huntington Flagship Leadership Program, a program by the town of Huntington to develop future leaders for the community.


    11Vimal Goyal
    Vimal K. Goyal hails from New Delhi. He owns Self Storage and other Commercial Real Estate properties in NY and NJ. He lives with my wife Divya and two children Nikhil 18 and Nikita 15 in Woodbury.


    10Damayanti Goklani -Senior Forum – Nassau County Chair
    Damayanti Goklani is a retired social worker. She has worked for almost 20 years in hospitals which include Metropolitan, Elmhurst and Nassau County Medical Center.


    12Jyoti Gupta -Sangeet Forum Chair
    Jyoti Gupta has lot of passion for music and loves to sing for any cause, any where.L She loves to help people with her knowledge. She is a proud mother and loves her family. She is a Past President of Adabi Sangam, runs The Karaoke Club, Mehfil e Sangeet and Daati and is a member of Rana and AIA.


    13Rakesh ‘Pinki’ Jaggi -Women’s Forum Chair
    Pinki, as she is popularly known, is the Women’s Forum chairperson for India Association Long Island (IALI). She is hardworking and is committed to help others in the community. She has been a member of IALI for seven years and has organized many community events..


    15
    Sushil Khanna

    Sushi Khanna owns a business that caters to International airlines. He is married to Manju and the two have a daughter. “I am very excited and proud to be a part of the newly elected team”, said Khanna.


    16Mohinder Singh Miglani

    Mohinder Singh Miglani is member at large in IALI and takes part in all activities of IALI . He owns a cellphone business which is 15 years old and also owns Aeroworld Travel Agency. He is family oriented and a very caring person.

  • Meet the new leadership of India Association of Long Island

    Meet the new leadership of India Association of Long Island

    Satnam Singh Parhar has been involved with the I.A.L.I. for almost two decades. He has been an Executive Member since 2008 and a Member-at-Large for four years. He was Vice President prior to his election as President. A resident of Long Island for the past 38 years, Parhar is an established businessman in the Development and Construction Industry. Parhar has made significant contribution in the socio-cultural arena. He is the Founder of Sant Baba Nidhan Singh Ji Cultural Society and Founder and Chairman of the Rajput Cultural Society. He is an Executive Committee Member of Gurdwara Sant Sagar, Bellerose and an Executive Member of the Sikh Cultural Society, Richmond Hill. He has been active in spreading awareness about the Sikh religion and identity and has visited various airports, schools and police stations to educate the community about Turban and the Sikh community at large.

    A lover of sports and a fitness buff, Parhar is a sportsman himself. Recently, he participated with Dr. Avtar Singh Tinna in the New York City Marathon and ran all the way. At his inauguration on January 12, he listed his priorities in the year 2014. They include celebration of festivals (Holi, Vaisakhi, and Diwali amongst other festivals as per demand), musical evenings organized by IALI Sangeet Forum, annual picnic, soccer and cricket tournaments, health fair, leadership and business seminars, essay competition, a walk for breast cancer awareness, activities of Women’s Forum, Seniors Forum and Sangeet Forum, Youth Forum and Men’s Forum. Also included are walks and a runs in which all- young adults, older adults, seniors, children, men, women of any age will participate. “We continue to raise funds for Interfaith Nutrition Network and Rotacare. I would like to support other charitable causes also”, said Satnam.

    Vice President: Bina Sabapathy


    4
    Bina Sabapathy- Vice President

    Born and brought up in Udupi, Southern part of India, Bina graduated from SPP College with a double major in History & Economics and minor in Sociology. She speaks Hindi, Kannada, Tulu, Konkani &Tamil, and understands Telugu, Marathi and Gujarathi. Back home she was very active in many organizations; to name a few: Jaycees, Lions Club, Bantara Yane Nadavara Sangha, an active volunteer of Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Jana Sangha and Swayam Sevaka Dala. After coming to America, her interest for community services got her involved with IALI. She worked behind the scenes for many years. During Dr. Anila Midha’s term, she became a member-at-large. She was a member-atlarge for 4 years, and then became a Treasurer for 2 consecutive years, and now serves as the Vice President.

    She says, ” I gained a lot of knowledge and learnt about the ins and outs of the organization. I have also been well recognized for my involvement in other organizations such as: AWB Food Bank, IAF, IDP, SAPAC, Arya Samaj, the Hindu Center, and the Vedic Heritage. As a Fund Raising Director of the Vedic Heritage, I have been honored by Her Holiness Prathama Parvathyacharya Guru Maa Jyothishyanand Saraswathi with the ” Uttam Sewa” award.” She is married to Mr. V.K. Sabapathy, a Mechanical Engineer and has lived in the neighborhood of Plainview-Old Bethpage for more than 27 years. She has 3 children, Kalpana (Lawyer), Karthik (Medical Student), and Karunya (aspiring Veterinarian).

    Secretary: Rekha Valliappan


    6
    Rekha Valliappan – Secretary

    Rekha Valliappan says she has been “looking forward enthusiastically to her second successful term as Secretary of the India Association of Long Island (IALI)”. Her community service and involvement with IALI for many years now has been at a variety of different levels – as Member-at-Large, on Senior Forum and Women’s Forum Committees and as Editor and Co-Editor for the IALI Newsletter and Annual Journals. With a Master’s Degree in English Language and Literature and an LL.B. London (Honors) Degree in Law she has been able to successfully put her learning and copious copy-writing skills to good uses to help many other individuals and Organizations.

    Her publications in local newspapers are several. She hails from Bombay, is widely traveled and comes from a community-service driven family with strong ties to Rotary, Lions and Jaycees International to name a few. In her student days she was known for her natural flare in a wide range of extra-curricular activities which she retains at her core. Two of her three beautiful children are third generation Rotarians dexterously following in the footsteps of their parents and grand-parents. Her passion is poetry, arts, drama, reading and writing. She writes short stories, articles and blogs. She also loves music and dance – Indian, western, contemporary and classical.

    Treasurer: Gunjan Rastogi


    7
    Gunjan Rastogi – Treasurer

    Gunjan has been affiliated with IALI for several years and has served in various capacities with the organization including Membership Co-Chair, Member-atlarge and Cultural Co-Chair. In addition, she has served in leadership roles with many other organizations. An entrepreneur, Gunjan has successfully conceived and executed a business/financial plan to own her businesses in senior care for the last 12 years. Prior to that, she spent 10 years as a Technical Programmer /Analyst for many of Wall Street’s leading firms. With a passion for the arts, Gunjan is an accomplished dancer who has won numerous awards for dance performances and choreography. In her spare time, she enjoys karaoke with friends. “I thank the IALI members for electing me as Treasurer. I’m very excited for this opportunity and look forward to a very successful 2014”, said Gunjan.

  • Old Order Changeath Yielding Place to New: IALI New Leadership Takes Over

    Old Order Changeath Yielding Place to New: IALI New Leadership Takes Over

    NEW YORK (TIP): India Association of Long Island (IALI) one of the largest organizations serving the Indian community on Long Island held the inauguration of office-bearers for the year 2014 on January 12. The inauguration held at the Nassau County Legislature on Long Island was attended by over 300 people comprising of IALI members, past presidents, dignitaries and community leaders The Oath of office was administered by Nassau County Legislature Presiding Officer Norma Gonzalez to the four ranking officers of the Association – President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.

    Mike Venditto, Nassau County legislator swore in Members-at-Large, Standing Committees, Chairs and Co-Chairs. It was the 26th Installation function. The 2000 member strong India Association of Long Island is more than 30 years old. It had a humble beginning when the idea occurred to a small band of pioneering individuals who had made Long Island their home more than 30 years ago to forge a bond whereby the extrinsic beauty, culture, history, festivals, food and arts & crafts of India aptly showcased could “foster a better understanding of the diversity and the rich culture of the Indian subcontinent to Indians and the larger community of Long Island”, as IALI’s mission statement expresses. There were bridges to be built and crossed and the need to assimilate as new immigrants in the new homeland which was America.

    This then became the creed and mission statement of the newly formed not-for-profit India Association of Long Island. It was the 1970s and Indians back then had mostly just started to trickle in and arrive on Long Island shores. They were a mix of different languages and varied geographical locations, India being the vast sub-continent that it is, and in some ways impossible to define. There was a need to be met for unity and of a broad-based organization uniting Indians from all regions – east, west, north, south and central – however dissimilar their origins, customs, languages and practices. The dedication and commitment of those few paid off. A foundation was laid which was carried through. decades. Membership grew. A fledgling Association weathering daunting obstacles and hurdles took shape and became much more sizeable and visible in the fluidity of its expanding reach and scope. The rest as they say is history.

    Today IALI has many year-long signature events outstandingly and energetically showcased – Indiafest, Family Picnic, Valentine’s Dinner & Dance / Holi Festival, Health Camps, Diwali, Annual Fund-Raising Dinner and more – besides its regular monthly programs for Women, Seniors and Youth. All of these are looking to expand. Music, song and dance have found a voice. Sports has been added to the mix so that tennis and particularly the ever popular game of cricket may be loudly encouraged and kept alive among the youth. IALI’s collaborative efforts of teaming up with Nassau and Suffolk Counties through local universities or at Eisenhower Park to celebrate cultural diversity at Asian Summer Festivals is widely received. IALI’s on-going relationships with many other organizations such as National Indo-American Association for Senior Citizens (NIAASC), Association of Indians in America (AIA), Federation of Indians in America (FIA), Indian American Forum (IAF), India Day Parade (IDPUSA) and many others is active.

    Many of IALI’s well known members and leaders have gone on to staying in the forefront in other noteworthy organizations such as American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) and Nargis Dutt Memorial Foundation (NDMF) besides political organizations. IALI’s Annual Food Drive and donations to Interfaith Nutrition Network (INN) which supports soup kitchens and provides shelters for the homeless on Long Island and to Rotacare is in its 18th year of continued promise receiving robust support from the community at large to be able to give back to the community.

    The development of an India Center where the richness of our Indian heritage may be maintained and displayed and relegated for posterity is on the table and one of the main projects awaiting fruition for this current year 2014. The Indian community on Long Island has certainly come a long way. With the India Association of Long Island (IALI) this journey has taken exciting strides and could go much further. It is a journey which once embarked upon continues to this day. “Accomplishments have been met through commitment, hard work, endeavors of the many and diligence on the part of its multitude of members and of the leadership. However, the journey is never at an end till goals are met, challenges overcome and ports of call are reached. The journey endures”, says Rekha Valliappan, the dynamic General Secretary of IALI.

  • HSI returns stolen antiquities to the Indian Consulate

    HSI returns stolen antiquities to the Indian Consulate

    NEW YORK (TIP): India and the US firm ties again after Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) returned three stolen sculptures at the Indian Consulate in New York City on Tuesday, January 14, during a repatriation ceremony. The event marks the first attempt made by both countries at solving the dispute after senior diplomat Devyani Khobragade’s arrest and eventual eviction from the US. The three stolen sculptures, one which was listed in INTERPOL’s top ten most wanted stolen works of art, are valued at more than $1.5 million. Two of the three sculptures were reported stolen by the Archaeological Survey of India from Gadgach Temple in Rajasthan. Two sandstone sculptures of Vishnu and Lakshmi and Vishnu and Parvati date back to the 11th or 12th century. The third artifact from the same era is a black sandstone sculpture depicting Bodhisattva, a popular subject in Buddhist art.

    Indian Consul General Dnyaneshwar M. Mulay, Director of Interpol (Washington) Shawn A. Bray and Executive Associate Director, HSI James Dinkins, preceded the official transfer of the items. The three valuable sculptures were on display at the Consulate. “The excellent international cooperation between the United States and India led to the recovery and return of these priceless antiquities. These items represent history and culture of India and we are happy to have recovered them and return them to be enjoyed by the people of India,” said Dinkins. Shawn Bray also commended on the excellent working relation of both countries. “This signifies what is possible when two countries come together despite cultural, linguistic and legal barriers,” he added.

    Although the sculptures were recovered by 2011, the delay in returning and assigning the transfer dates was due to certain ‘legal process that can take long’. On being asked if this was a feeble attempt at making amends after the diplomat’s arrest, the panel unanimously pointed it as a mere coincidence. “I have had this event marked on my calendar for a while now and having it on this day is purely coincidental,” said Dinkins. “The relation between India and the US is multi-dimensional and multi-faceted. Our relation spans to culture, education, finance, nuclear and other divisions. We all have issues that can be sorted if we keep the spirit of friendship in mind,” added Mr. Mulay. HSI confirms that so far no arrests have been made over the case of stolen sculptures and the case if not over unless all the culprits are bought to justice.

  • No PM Candidate: Rahul to lead Election Campaign

    No PM Candidate: Rahul to lead Election Campaign

    NEW DELHI (TIP): Despite a majority of leaders at the Congress Working Committee meet pushing for Rahul Gandhi to be made the party’s prime ministerial candidate, the party demurred from the decision and instead decided to appoint him the poll campaign chief. “We had one major resolution that has to be passed tomorrow and all the issues in it were discusses…The Congress President and Vice President placed their views on the resolution,” Congress spokesperson Janardan Dwivedi told reporters, refusing to disclose all its contents. “Many of the members in the CWC wanted that he (Rahul) should be made the Prime ministerial candidate but after some debate Congress president Sonia Gandhi intervened,” he said.

    “She said that there was no such tradition in the Congress. If someone declares their PM candidate it doesn’t mean that we have to do the same,” Dwivedi said. He said that Sonia had endorsed making Rahul Gandhi the head of the party’s campaign in the upcoming elections. “The resolution in today’s meeting says: ‘This meeting of the AICC declares that the campaign of the elections will be headed by Rahul Gandhi’,” he said. Rahul Gandhi said that he would do everything to strengthen the party and that he would do anything that the party sought of him, Dwivedi said. “Rahulji said the decision on other matters will be taken at the appropriate time,” he said.

    Sources said that Rahul had himself said that he didn’t want to be the party’s prime ministerial candidate and was backed by the top brass of the party on his decision, including by Sonia Gandhi. The Congress leader is to be appointed the party’s poll committee chief at the AICC meet tomorrow, thus making him the face of the party’s campaign, but not pitting him in a direct race against the BJP’s Narendra Modi. In a recent interview, Rahul had said that he was willing to accept any responsibility for the party which had been interpreted by some as saying he was set to be the party’s prime ministerial candidate.

  • Mayor de Blasio vows to try bringing Pope to New York

    Mayor de Blasio vows to try bringing Pope to New York

    NEW YORK, NY (TIP): Upon meeting Cardinal Dolan, newly elected Mayor Bill de Blasio vows to try and bring the Pope to New York. “We have a common passion and a common wish,” de Blasio said after meeting with Dolan at the cardinal’s residence, their first get-together since the Mayor took office. “We hope that someday Pope Francis will visit our city, which will be an extraordinary blessing for the people of New York.

    The two may have long-standing differences about a few policies but Cardinal Dolan said that the topic of faith never came up in the meeting. The discussion primarily centered on ‘bridging the gap between the haves and the have-nots.’ Additionally, the Mayor has come off looking excellent in recent polls where New Yorkers have voted in favor of the new Mayor. Two thirds of New York City voters expect good things from de Blasio, who took over on January 1 after the exit of three-term mayor Michael Bloomberg.

  • DALLAS WILL DECIDE ON PLASTIC-BAG BAN IN MARCH

    DALLAS WILL DECIDE ON PLASTIC-BAG BAN IN MARCH

    DALLAS (TIP): Dallas City Council will finally decide in March, whether or not to ban single-use plastic (and paper) bags.For the first hour of the meeting at City Hall, January 14, it looked as though the issue would stagnate as council members retread the same tired ground they’ve been covering for the past 10 months: Caraway said the bags are an eyesore and environmental nuisance that have to go; Sheffie Kadane countered that businesses and consumers should be allowed to determine the best course; Scott Griggs chimed in with things like “we have a system in place where our externalities are not internalized.” But then, Mayor Mike Rawlings took charge.

    “We need to get something on paper, and we need to take action on it. We’ve talked about this enough,” he said. The discussion, he added, has been fueled by each council member’s philosophical beliefs, which none of them seems willing to change. He turned to Caraway. “Work with legal try to find something creative,” Rawlings said. “Whatever we find, put it on a piece of paper, put it in an ordinance, take it in [the council chambers], and vote it up or down.” So maybe it won’t be a ban. Maybe it’ll be a requirement that stores charge for bags. Maybe a mandate that groceries be carried in pockets. We’ll see. Whatever the specifics, there will be a vote. After a brief consultation with City Attorney Warren Ernst, Caraway announced it will be in March.

  • Facebook sued over alleged private message ‘scanning’

    Facebook sued over alleged private message ‘scanning’

    MENLO PARK, CA (TIP): Facebook is facing a class action lawsuit over allegations that it monitors users’ private messages. The lawsuit claims that when users share a link to another website via a private message, Facebook scans it to profile the sender’s web activity. It alleges that Facebook systematically intercepts messages to mine user data and profits by sharing it with data aggregators, advertisers and marketers. Facebook said the allegations were “without merit”. “We will defend ourselves vigorously,” the world’s biggest social networking site added.

    The lawsuit is claiming the greater of either $100 (£61) a day for each day of alleged violations or $10,000, for each user. “Start Quote The lawsuit, filed earlier this week, cites independent research that, it claims, found Facebook reviews the contents of its users’ private messages “for purposes unrelated to the facilitation of message transmission”. “Representing to users that the content of Facebook messages is “private” creates an especially profitable opportunity for Facebook,” it says. It says this is “because users who believe they are communicating on a service free from surveillance are likely to reveal facts about themselves that they would not reveal had they known the content was being monitored.

    “Thus, Facebook has positioned itself to acquire pieces of the users’ profiles that are likely unavailable to other data aggregators.” However, others have come forward to defend Facebook. Writing on his blog, security expert Graham Cluley said that if the site was not examining links shared privately, Facebook would be failing a “duty of care” to its users. “If you didn’t properly scan and check links there’s a very real risk that spam, scams, phishing attacks, and malicious URLs designed to infect recipients’ computers with malware could run rife,” he argued.

    Criticism
    Facebook has come under attack over its privacy policies in the past. In September last year, it faced criticism over a proposed change to its privacy policy which would have allowed ads to be created using the names and profile pictures of Facebook users. The firm had claimed that its proposal merely clarified the language of its privacy policy, rather than making any material changes to it. Facebook undertook to change the wording in the wake of a legal action launched in 2011 which saw it pay $20m to compensate users who claimed it had used their data without explicit permission.

  • Congress passes USD 1.1 trillion spending bill

    Congress passes USD 1.1 trillion spending bill

    WASHINGTON (TIP): The US Senate has passed the USD 1.1 trillion omnibus spending bill that eliminates the threat of another government shutdown at least until October and puts conditions on Pakistan for continuation of aid. Passed by the House of Representatives a day earlier, the bill now goes to the White House for President Barack Obama to sign it into law, thus preventing another shutdown. While the Senate passed the massive bill by 72-26 votes yesterday, the House approved it by 359-67 votes on Wednesday. All Senate Democrats supported the spending package and also 17 Republicans voted in its favour.

    Obama has pledged to sign the 1500-page bill, which among others puts conditions on Pakistan with regard to continuation of civilian and military aid. As in the previous year, the Congress requires a certification from the Secretary of State and the Defense Secretary to release the civil and military aid to Pakistan. The officials require to certify that Pakistan is co-operating with the US in counter-terrorism efforts…And taking steps to end support for terrorist groups and prevent them from basing and operating in Pakistan and carrying out cross border attacks into neighboring countries.

    The Secretary of State also requires to certify the Congress that Pakistan is not supporting terrorist activities against US or coalition forces in Afghanistan, and Pakistan’s military and intelligence agencies are not intervening extra- judicially into political and judicial processes. It also seeks certification that Pakistan is dismantling improvised explosive device, networks and interdicting precursor chemicals used in the manufacture of IEDs; preventing the proliferation of nuclearrelated material and expertise; and implementing policies to protect judicial independence and due process of law.

    However, in the national security interest, these provisions are waived off. Further, the Congress has also withheld USD 33 million assistance until Pakistan releases Dr Shakil Afridi, who helped the US in locating Osama bin Laden, from prison. It also seeks from the Obama Administration a spending plan including achievable and sustainable goals, benchmarks for measuring progress, and expected results regarding combating poverty and furthering development in Pakistan, countering extremism, and establishing conditions conducive to the rule of law and transparent and accountable governance.

    The Secretary of State is authorised to suspend assistance if Pakistan fails to make measurable progress in meeting such goals or benchmarks, the bill says. The White House supported the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014 describing it as a positive step forward for the Nation and the economy. “This bipartisan legislation provides funding for investments in areas like education, infrastructure and innovation ? investments that will help grow our economy, create jobs, and strengthen the middle class,” said Sylvia Mathews Burwell, Director of the Office of Management and Budget.