The Indian Panorama

Month: March 2014

  • University of Texas, San Antonio wins Bhangra competition

    University of Texas, San Antonio wins Bhangra competition

    DALLAS (TIP): As in the past, competitions in Bhangra- the folk dance of Punjab- and Garba- the folk dance of Gujarat- were held at Southern Methodist University of Dallas. It was a kind of a record breaking event in which a large number of organizations participated and a very large number of audiences turned up.

    The event was jointly managed by Indian Punjabi Students’ Association and Punjabi Cultural Association of Dallas. 7 Bhangra teams and 6 Garba teams vied for honors. It is worth mentioning that spectators were thrilled to watch the Bhangra performances in which the local youth participated who presented the folk dance of Punjab in different styles.

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    The performances were so good that the three judges had a great difficulty in deciding their order of merit. However, the three judges unanimously decided that University of Texas, San Antonio Bhangra team was the best performer. The second position went to the Massachusetts team.

    In a joint statement, the PCANT group members Gurinder Daula, Manjit Johal, chairman Kuldip Dhillon and president Jasmel Sandhu, said that the quality of performances was excellent and that the young participants must be encouraged in every way. The ceremonies were conducted by Parminder Singh Deo, Javin Malli, Osama Siddiqui and Nimesh Patel. The organizers had a special word of appreciation and gratitude for Radio Wasda Rahe Punjab and Fun Asia.

  • Malaysia Airlines loses contact with jet carrying 239 people

    Malaysia Airlines loses contact with jet carrying 239 people

    KUALA LUMPUR (TIP) — A Malaysia Airlines flight carrying 239 people from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing disappeared Saturday after losing contact with air traffic controllers, the airline said.

    “At the moment we have no idea where this aircraft is right now,” Malaysia Airlines Vice President of Operations Control Fuad Sharuji said on CNN’s “AC360.” Subang Air Traffic Control lost contact with Flight MH370 at about 2:40 a.m. local time (1:40 p.m. ET Friday), Sharuji said. “We tried to call this aircraft through various means,” he said.

    The airline checked reports that the jet had landed in several places, but determined that none of the reports was true, he said. The Boeing 777-200 departed Kuala Lumpur International Airport at 12:41 a.m. and was expected to land in Beijing at 6:30 a.m., a 2,300-mile (3,700 kilometer) trip. It was carrying 227 passengers, two of them infants, and 12 crew members, the airline said. At the time of its disappearance, the plane was carrying about 7.5 hours of fuel, Sharuji said.

    The passengers are of 13 nationalities, the airline said. They were from China and Taiwan (154), Malaysia (38), Indonesia (12), Australia (7), France (3), United States (4), New Zealand (2), Ukraine (2), Canada (2), Russia (1), Italy (1), Netherlands (1), Austria (1). One infant from the United States and another from China were included in the tally. By CNN’s math, that adds up to 228 passengers, one more than the total cited by the airline.

    There was no immediate explanation offered. “Malaysia Airlines is currently working with the authorities who have activated their Search and Rescue team to locate the aircraft,” the statement said. The public can call +603 7884 1234 for further information. Efforts to contact the plane were fruitless. “We deeply regret that we have lost all contacts” with the jet, said CEO Ahmad Juahari Yahya in a statement. The airline’s website said the flight was piloted by Cap.

    Zaharie Ahmad Shah, 53, a Malaysian. He has 18,365 total flying hours and joined Malaysia Airlines in 1981, the website said. The first officer is Fariq Ab.Hamid, 27, a Malaysian with a total of 2,763 flying hours. He joined Malaysia Airlines in 2007. The airline said in a statement that its representatives were contacting the relatives of those aboard. “Focus of the airline is to work with the emergency responders and authorities and mobilize its full support,” it said.

  • AHMEDABAD

    AHMEDABAD

    There are many places of interest in Ahmedabad especially the mosques that are excellent examples of inspired workmanship, the Jain temples, and other historical buildings with unique stone step and ornately carved wooden balconies and more. Ahmedabad has a number of architectural monuments and edifices of historical importance which has become common places of interest in Ahmedabad.

    PLACES TO SEE
    Religious Places
    Ahmedabad is a prosperous city where you can find a fine blend of the history, art and culture, rich architecture and imposing monuments. The metropolis of Ahmedabad presents a rich and different religious backdrop. Ahmedabad is the home to people following many religions. Consequently a number of religious places in Ahmedabad are noticed which are beautiful and worth visiting. Hinduism is the main religion followed by the people of Ahmedabad. Some of the Religious destinations of Ahmedabad are :

    Ahmed Shah’s Mosque
    Ahmed Shah’s Mosque is a very attractive mosque of Ahmedabad that is located in the south-west end of the famous Bhadra fort. Ahmed Shah’s Mosque is a very ancient mosque, built in 1414 AD by the founder of the city, Ahmed Shah. Ahmed Shah’s Mosque in Ahmedabad is an exclusive mosque of the period built only for the nobles and the royals place of worship. Ahmed Shah’s Mosque in Ahmedabad is one of the ancient religious places of worship that is worth visiting.

    Bhadrakali Temple
    Bhadrakali Temple of Ahmedabad is situated inside the famous Bhadra Fort. The Bhadrakali Temple of Ahmedabad was constructed during the rule of Aazam Khan. The Bhadrakali Temple in Ahmedabad was believed to be built by the Marathas in the medieval India.


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    Rani Sipri’s Mosque
    The Rani Sipri’s Mosque is yet another example where we find a fine blend of Hindu and Islamic styles of architecture. The Rani Sipri’s Mosque is a small mosque located in the south-eastern part of the city. The Rani Sipri’s Mosque of Ahmedabad was built in 1514 AD by Rani Sipri, wife of Mehmud Begada who executed their son for a misdemeanor.

    Sidi Sayed Jhali
    Sidi Sayed Jhali of Ahmedabad is an important mosque of Ahmedabad. The Sidi Sayed Jhali is located near the famous Lal Darwaja near Ahmedabad. Sidi Sayed Jhali of Ahmedabad is well known for its splendid stone tracery. The Jali screen of the the mosque of Sidi Sayed is framed in ten semicircular windows.

    Akshardham Temple
    The well known Akshardham Temple is located at Gandhi Nagar that witnesses more than 2 million of visitors every year. The Akshardham Temple is an architectural masterpiece where you will witness the hoarded wealth of Gujarati architecture. The Akshardham Temple is dedicated to Lord Swaminarayan, the father of Swaminarayan Faith. You will find a big idol of Lord Swaminarayan inside this grand temple.

    Swaminarayan Temple
    Swaminarayan Temple is the world renowned temple situated at Kalupur in Ahmedabad. Swaminarayan Temple was built in the 19th Century. The Swaminarayan Temple of Ahmedabad, is an important tourist destination. The Swaminarayan Temple of Ahmedabad witnesses thousands of devout and tourists visiting the temple to pay homage to the deity. The offshoots Swaminarayan Temple can be traced in all the major cities of the world.

    The Hatheesing Jain Temple
    The Hatheesing Jain Temple came into existence in the year of 1850. It was the inspiration of an extremely wealthy business person engaged in retail trade named Sheth Hatheesing. This shrine is devoted to the worship of the 15th ‘Jain Tirthankar’ or Jain apostle renowned as Dharamnath.

    GARDENS IN AHMEDABAD
    The Victoria Garden
    The Victoria Garden is placed at the southern verge of the majestic Bhadra Fort sited in Ahmedabad. The Victoria Garden is in true spirit a holiday-maker’s delight, aptly loaded with all sorts of recreational amenities and an unparalleled exotic back drop which will beyond a shadow of a doubt free you from all your vexations. More…

    The Law Garden
    The Law Garden is sited at the ever-sopopular hub of the city entitled Ahmedabad. The Law Garden represents a center in Ahmedabad that is renowned for the exquisite handicrafts and a mind-boggling assemblage of Gujrati outfits which is reminiscent of the rich and coveted Gujrati tradition. These tempting amenities are provided by a host of local hawkers who present you with a lavishing opportunity to bargain to your heart’s content. More…

    Bal Vatika
    The Bal Vatika as the name suggests is distinguished as a venue where your children can spend a few leisurely moments far away from the ever-so-busy schedule of their schools and the train of worries associated with the exams. The Bal Vatika of Ahmedabad was set up on the banks of the emerald blue waters of the Kankari Lake. The Bal Vatika is an island that will surely hold you spellbound at its soul-stirring scenic grandeur.

    Amusement Parks
    There is an entire brigade of amusement parks in Ahmedabad that function together to satiate the needs related to entertainment, put forward by the masses. Like the majority of cities in this country, Ahmedabad is also approaching a point where it will be able to entertain big mobs of fun-hungry people.

    Shanku’s Water Park
    Shanku’s Water Park :- Being regarded as the largest and earliest Water Park ever built in Eurasia, it is undoubtedly the most famous water park amongst the amusement parks in Ahmedabad. It is set up at Mehsana Highway which is about 60 kilometers away from Ahmedabad.

    LAKES IN AHMEDABAD
    Lakes in Ahmedabad have their own charm. They are indeed a spectacle to watch out for. Flocks of tourists from all over the globe gather here to witness the splendor that is presented before their eyes by mother nature. The clear blue waters of the lakes have an enchanting and mesmerizing effect on the holiday-makes which is why they always return to cherish the scenic grandeur of the lakes in Ahmedabad one more time.

    Chandola Lake
    Chandola Lake Situated on the Dani Dalmi Road, it serves as a significant reservoir of Ahmedabad. This is also an artificial lake that was the inspiration and dream of an imperial Sultan belonging to the Mughal dynasty, Tajn Khan Nari Ali’s better half.

  • THE BHAGAVAD GITA

    THE BHAGAVAD GITA

    CONTINUED FROM Vol 2 ISSUE 8
    How three modes of material nature bind the spirit soul to the body
    Sattv or goodness, Rajas or passion, activity; and Tamas or ignorance, inertia — these three modes (Ropes, Gunas) of material Nature (Prakriti) fetter the eternal individual soul (Jeev) to the body, O Arjun. (14.05) Of these, the mode of goodness (Sattv) is illuminating and good, because it is pure. Sattv fetters the living entity (Jeev) by attachment to happiness and knowledge, O sinless Arjun. (14.06)

    Arjun, know that the mode of passion (Rajas) is characterized by intense craving and is the source of desire and attachment. Rajas binds the living entity (Jeev) by attachment to (the fruits of) work. (14.07) Know, O Arjun, that the mode of ignorance (Tamas) — deluder of the living entity (Jeev)— is born of inertia. Tamas binds Jeev by carelessness, laziness, and excessive sleep. (14.08) O Arjun, the mode of goodness attaches one to happiness (of learning and knowing the Eternal Being); the mode of passion attaches to action; and the mode of ignorance attaches to negligence by covering Self-knowledge. (14.09)

    Characteristics of three modes of nature
    Goodness prevails by suppressing passion and ignorance; passion prevails by suppressing goodness and ignorance; and ignorance prevails by suppressing goodness and passion, O Arjun. (14.10) When the light of Self-knowledge illuminates all the senses (or gates) in the body, then it should be known that goodness is predominant. (14.11) O Arjun, when passion is predominant; greed, activity, undertaking of selfish works, restlessness, excitement, etc. arise. (14.12) O Arjun, when inertia is predominant; ignorance, inactivity, carelessness, delusion, etc. arise. (14.13)

    Three modes are also the vehicles of transmigration for the individual soul
    One who dies when goodness dominates goes to heaven — the pure world of knowers of the Supreme. (14.14) One who dies when passion dominates is reborn attached to action (or the utilitarian type). One who dies in ignorance is reborn as a lower creature. (14.15) The fruit of good action is said to be beneficial and pure; the fruit of passionate action is pain; and the fruit of ignorant action is laziness. (14.16) Self-knowledge arises from the mode of goodness; greed arises from the mode of passion; and negligence, delusion, and slowness of mind arise from the mode of ignorance. (14.17) They who are established in goodness go to heaven; passionate persons are reborn in the mortal world; and the ignorant, abiding in the lowest mode of ignorance (Tamo Guna), go to lower planets or hell (or take birth as lower creatures). (14.18)

    Attain Nirvan after transcending three modes of material nature
    When visionaries perceive no doer other than the powers of Eternal Being — the modes (Gunas) of material Nature; and know That which is above and beyond these Gunas, then they attain salvation (Mukti). (See also 3.27, 5.09, and 13.29) (14.19) When one transcends (or rises above) the three modes of material Nature that create (and/or originate in) the body, one attains immortality or salvation (Mukti) and is freed from the pains of birth, old age, and death. (14.20)

    The process of rising above the three modes
    Arjun said: What are the marks of those who have transcended the three modes of material Nature, and what is their conduct? How does one transcend these three modes of material Nature, O Lord Krishn? (14.21) The Supreme Lord said: One transcends the mode of material Nature who neither hates the presence of enlightenment, activity, and delusion; nor desires for them when they are absent; who remains like a witness without being affected by the modes (Gunas) of material Nature (Prakriti); who stays firmly attached to the Lord without wavering — thinking that only the modes of material Nature (Gunas of Prakriti) are operating. (14.22-23) And one who depends on the Lord and is indifferent to pain and pleasure; to whom a clod, a stone, and gold are alike; to whom the dear and the unfriendly are alike; who is of firm mind; who is calm in censure and in praise, and indifferent to honor and disgrace; who is impartial to friend and foe; and who has renounced the sense of doership. (14.24-25)

    Bonds of three modes can be cut by devotional love
    One who offers service to Me with love and unswerving devotion transcends the three modes of material Nature and becomes fit for BrahmNirvan (See also 7.14 and 15.19) (14.26), because I am the basis of the immortal Eternal Being (Brahm), of everlasting order (Dharm), and of the absolute bliss (Aanand). (14.27)

    THE SUPREME PERSON
    Creation is like a tree created by the powers of Maya
    The Supreme Lord said: They speak of the eternal banyan tree that has its origin above in the Supreme Being (ParBrahm) and its branches below in the cosmos, and whose leaves are the Vedic hymns. One who understands this tree is a knower of the Vedas. (See also 10.08) (15.01) The branches of this cosmic tree of Maya (Illusion) spread all over the cosmos. The tree is nourished by three modes (Gunas) of material Nature (Prakriti); sense pleasures are its sprouts; and its roots of ego and desires stretch below in the human world, causing Karmic bondage. (15.02)

    How to cut the tree of attachment and attain salvation by taking refuge in God
    The real form of this tree is not perceptible here on earth, nor is its beginning, end, or existence. Having cut the firm roots — the desires — of this tree by the mighty ax of Self-knowledge and detachment; thus thinking: “I take refuse in that very primal person from which this primal manifestation comes forth”, seek that supreme abode from where one does not come back (to the mortal world) again. (15.03-04) The wise reach that eternal goal, who are free from pride and delusion, who have conquered the evil of attachment, who constantly dwell in the Supreme Self with all lust (Kaam) completely stilled, and who are free from dualities of pleasure and pain. (15.05) The sun does not illumine there, nor the moon, nor the fire. That is My supreme abode. Having reached there people do not come back (to the temporal world). (See also 13.17 and 15.12) (15.06)

    The embodied soul is the enjoyer
    The eternal individual soul (Jeevaatma) in the body of living beings is, indeed, My integral part. It associates with the six sensory faculties of perception — including the mind — and activates them. (15.07) Just as the air takes aroma away from the flower; similarly, the individual soul (Jeevaatma) takes the six sensory faculties from the physical body it casts off during death to the new physical body it acquires in reincarnation (by the power of Karm). (See also 2.13) (15.08) The living entity (Jeev) enjoys sense pleasures using six sensory faculties of hearing, touch, sight, taste, smell, and mind. The ignorant cannot perceive Jeev departing from the body, nor staying in the body and enjoying sense pleasures by associating with the modes of material Nature. But those who have the eye of Selfknowledge can see it. (15.09-10) The yogis, striving for perfection, behold the living entity (Jeev) abiding in their inner psyche (as consciousness), but the ignorant and those whose inner psyche is not pure; even though striving, do not perceive Him. (15.11)

    Spirit is the essence of everything
    Know the light energy to be Mine that comes from the sun and illumines the whole world, and is in the moon and in fire. (See also 13.17 and 15.06) (15.12) Entering the earth, I support all beings with My energy. Becoming the sap-giving moon, I nourish all the plants. (15.13) Becoming the digestive fire, I remain in the body of all living beings. Uniting with vital life forces (Praan and Apaan), I digest all types of food. (15.14) And I am seated in the inner psyche of all beings. Memory, Self-knowledge, and removal of doubts and wrong notions (about the Eternal Being by reasoning, or in trance (Samaadhi)) come from Me. I am, in truth, that which is to be known by the study of all the Vedas. I am, indeed, the author of the Vedant and the knower of the Vedas. (See also 6.39) (15.15)

    What are the supreme spirit, spirit and the individual soul?
    There are two entities (Purushas) in the cosmos: The changeable or temporal Divine Beings (Kshar Purush), and the unchangeable Eternal Being (Brahm, Akshar Purush). All created beings are subject to change, but the Eternal Being does not change. (15.16) There is another Supreme Personality of the Godhead (beyond both the temporal and the eternal) called the Absolute Reality or Paramaatma, who sustains both the temporal and the eternal (Kshar and Akshar) by pervading all three planetary spheres (Lokas) as the eternal Lord (Ishvar). (15.17)

    Because I am beyond both the temporal (Kshar) and the eternal (Akshar); therefore, I am known in this world and in the Veda as the Supreme Being (ParBrahm, Paramaatma, Purushottam, the Absolute, Truth, Sat, Supersoul, etc.). (15.18) The wise, who truly understand Me as the Supreme Being (Purushottam), know everything and worship Me wholeheartedly, O Arjun. (See also 7.14, 14.26, and 18.66) (15.19) Thus, I have explained this most secret science of Self-knowledge (Taaratamya-vidyaa, Brahm-vidyaa) , O sinless Arjun. Having understood this, one becomes enlightened, and one’s all duties are accomplished, O Arjun. (15.20)

  • Indian woman accused of killing husband in US faces life term

    Indian woman accused of killing husband in US faces life term

    DALLAS (TIP): US prosecutors have rested their case against a 27-yearold Indian-origin woman, who faces life sentence for allegedly killing her husband by setting him afire two years ago.

    Shriya Patel’s trial began on March 4 in Austin,Texas, with prosecutors accusing her of luring her husband into the bathtub for a massage, dousing him with gasoline and then setting him ablaze before shutting him in the bathroom. Bimal Patel, 29, died at the burn centre of the San Antonio Military Medical Center, nearly five months after the April 17, 2012, incident.

    Judge David Crain told jurors the defense will begin making its case today. In testimony yesterday, the state presented evidence from DNA experts who said Shriya Patel’s fingerprints were found on a 10-gallon white bucket that contained gasoline and plastic bags that witnesses have said were used to cover the sprinklers in the couple’s North Austin apartment. Testing results on prints found on a red gas can could not be matched to her, witnesses said.

    She faces a life sentence in prison without parole if convicted, the Austin American- Statesman reported. Under cross-examination, the crime scene specialists testified that they were not asked to test the materials in the apartment until last month, nearly two years after the incident. The defense received the DNA evidence on Monday, they said. The evidence came during a heated cross-examination of an arson investigator in the capital murder trial for Shriya Patel.

    Her lawyers are arguing that her husband killed himself and forced her to help. In opening statement, assistant district attorney Jim Young said Bimal Patel, who had been born in India, “grew up basically an American kid” in Amarillo. He went to Texas Tech and moved to Austin, where he became involved in business, but his father was a traditionalist and had pushed him to seek a partner through an arranged marriage service in India, the prosecutor said.

    Through this service, he submitted a resume and met Shriya Patel, Young said. The two married, but it took about a year for her to get her passport to come to the US, and she had only been in the country a week when she decided to kill her husband, the prosecutor said.

  • Mother searching for missing Texas teen last seen on Butler campus

    Mother searching for missing Texas teen last seen on Butler campus

    INDIANAPOLIS (TIP) – A 15-year-old boy more then eight hundred miles away from home is missing in Indianapolis. Stephen Colbert is in town from Wylie, Texas, which is close to the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

    He’s here to take part in a large band festival called the Music For All National Festival. School administrators said there are about 60 students and chaperones in their specific delegation.According to IMPD, the last time anyone saw the 15-year-old was Thursday night at Clowes Hall on the campus of Butler University.Friday night the teen’s mother came to Indianapolis on a frantic search for answers.

    She’s talking to police and desperate to find her son. Kristen Colbert said her son Stephen wouldn’t simply disappear. “I just need more answers. I feel like I’m in the dark,” she told FOX 59 moments after arriving in Indianapolis. She hopped on a plane Friday afternoon from Dallas to Indianapolis. Colbert said her son, a clarinet player, is a good student, a model big-brother, and responsible young man.

    “The last text message was at two o’clock yesterday. He told me he’d arrived safely here in Indianapolis and that was the last contact I had with him,” said Colbert.Colbert tells us Stephen left the JW Marriott on Thursday and went to performances at Butler’s campus with his school group that night. He promised he’d call and keep her in the loop. But Stephen never checked back into his hotel room Thursday night.

    IMPD said there’s surveillance video showing he never got back off the bus at the hotel.“I’m glad I’m here. I need to search for him and try and find him and bring him home,” said Kristen Colbert.IMPD and Butler Police searched the area around campus Friday with no luck. Police said right now, this isn’t being investigated as an abduction case, so talking to Colbert’s parents is crucial.His mother brought the student’s laptop for police to analyze.

    While Kristen Colbert is in Indianapolis, her husband is in Texas, with plans to come to the city soon.“He’s not the type of kid who would run away. He’s pretty serious-minded,” said Erick Colbert, in an interview with our Dallas-Fort Worth FOX affiliate.Both parents are hoping someone in Indianapolis can help them find Stephen. Administrators with the Wylie ISD in Wylie, Texas are on the way to Indianapolis. The superintendent and others were to have arrived by plane Friday night.

  • Fundraising dinner with Cricketer Robin Singh

    Fundraising dinner with Cricketer Robin Singh

    DALLAS (TIP): NTCA (North Texas Cricket Association) Youth Program, in collaboration with Texas Cricket Academy founded by former international Cricket player T. Kumaran, have cordially invited all for a fundraising dinner with Mr. Robin Singh, former India player, USA National Cricket Team Coach and IPL Mumbai Indians Assistant Coach.

    Mr. Robin Singh is in Dallas to conduct an Elite Youth Cricket Coaching Camp, organized by the NTCA Youth Program and the Texas Cricket Academy. NTCA Youth program has more than 50 players from the ages of 7 to 15 playing at various levels of competitive Cricket.

    The USACA Central West Regional Under 15 team is captained by NTCA Youth Program member Karthik S, and had 5 other players from the program in the team. The team was Runners Up at the Regional Tournament held in Los Angeles, CA, and will play Nationals in San Francisco in June, 2014.

    This event will allow the attendees to meet and greet Robin Singh, take pictures and autographs, and also contribute towards setting up a strong foundation for Youth Cricket in DFW, and USA. The fundraising dinner is scheduled for Sunday, March 9th, 2014 at 7 PM at Ruchi Palace, 3128 E Trinity Mills Rd, Carrollton, TX 75006 (Tel: (972) 818-9588).

    The price is $25/person. Children 5 & under attend free. Live musical entertainment. All proceeds from this event will go towards supporting the Elite Youth Cricket Camp and other initiatives under NTCA Youth Program. For further information and tickets, please email to NTCAYouth@RuchiPalace.Com or call Ruchi Palace at (972) 818-9588 and make reservations.

  • Texas City working to turn sewer water into tap water

    Texas City working to turn sewer water into tap water

    NORTH TEXAS (TIP): Drastic times call for drastic measures. But what would it take for you to drink tap water that had been recycled straight from the sewer? The concept sounds crazy but it could happen soon in one North Texas city.

    Wichita Falls is two hours outside of Dallas. Three years ago 88-percent of Texas was under exceptional drought conditions – that’s the worst classification of drought. Today there are just two small areas that still have that designation and the city of Wichita Falls is in one of them. You need drive no further than nearby Lake Arrowhead to see how bad the drought is.

    The lake is one of the main water sources for the town, but it’s only at about 27-percent capacity. Boat docks stand 10 to 15 feet above dry land and the nearest water is hundreds of feet away. The lake bed is littered with dead fish and shells. When the wind blows you’re reminded of a dustbowl. Every time the water in the lake drops, officials in Wichita Falls consider enacting more severe water restrictions.

    Through conservation efforts, city water usage dropped from between 45 and 50 million gallons of water each day before the drought, to 12 million gallons a day now. But the water savings still aren’t enough. “This reuse system will put five million gallons [of water] back in the distribution system a day,” explained Mayor Glenn Barham. “So, it saves us taking five million gallons out of the lake.” The city, no stranger to droughts, started planning for the water to run out about two years ago.

    A plan which had years earlier been previously suggested, and dropped, was now back on the table: take water straight from the waste treatment facility and send it to the water treatment plant for extra cleaning, and then distribution into the water system. Now there’s a big black pipe that snakes through town connecting the city’s waste water facility to the water treatment plant. Currently the city is in the process of completing 45 days of testing.

    They send the results to the state environmental quality department. Once there the department will take 30 days to decide whether the water is safe enough to put directly into the tap. The program could go online as early as April. As far as the testing is concerned – folks there say so far, so good.Public utilities operations manager Daniel Nix said, “We evaluated the waste-water first to see what kind of quality we would be dealing with.

    The wastewater quality coming out of that plant was very high, so we didn’t have a lot of things to deal with.” The quality test results meant the city didn’t have to do much to turn the water from effluent to something in a glass you might want to drink. But will residents want to drink it? Many we talked to already use bottled or filtered water. No one has gone unscathed in the drought. They all understand the city is in a serious situation.

  • 13 tons of pot sends 19 people, including lawyer, to prison

    13 tons of pot sends 19 people, including lawyer, to prison

    McALLEN, TX (TIP): Nineteen men and women, including a South Texas lawyer and his father, have been sentenced for participating in a drug trafficking ring involving 13½ tons of marijuana.

    Lawyer Jose Luis Palacios Jr. of Mission drew a 12-year prison sentence, while U.S. District Judge Randy Crane sentenced Jose Luis Palacios Sr. of Edinburg to a 5-year prison term.

    All 19 were sentenced for their parts in smuggling marijuana from Mexico into the United States near the Rio Grande Valley border town of La Casita, 30 miles west of McAllen. Court documents show they smuggled about 13½ tons of marijuana into the country last spring.

  • AT&T is bringing its super fast broadband service to Dallas

    AT&T is bringing its super fast broadband service to Dallas

    AT&T Inc. plans to soon offer its ultrahigh-speed fiber service to customers in North Texas. “We are going to launch this service in Dallas this summer,” CEO Randall Stephenson said at atechnology conference today in California.

    As the launch gets closer, the company plans to offer more details. Last December, AT&T introduced the service – which it calls U-verse with GigaPower – in Austin, in competition there with Google. At the time, Stephenson said his company was likely to offer the service in other cities. “The economics of fiber deployment are really starting to look good,” he said.

    In Austin, AT&T said its fiber Internet broadband network would deliver speeds up to 1 gigabit per second. Along with faster Internet access, the fiber connection will also deliver advanced TV services. In a statement today, March 6, the company said that sales of U-verse with GigaPower in Austin have surpassed expectations and are the reason the company is expanding service to twice as many Austin households this year.

  • Feds and Dallas police bust 10 massage parlors, arrest 21 foreign nationals

    Feds and Dallas police bust 10 massage parlors, arrest 21 foreign nationals

    DALLAS (TIP): A local police task force has raided 10 Dallas massage parlors suspected of prostitution and arrested 21 foreign nationals on immigration charges, federal authorities said. The North Texas Trafficking Task Force served search warrants Wednesday at businesses located in the 11300 block of Emerald Street and the 2100 block of North Northwest Highway.

    The businesses also are suspected of harboring illegal immigrants, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations division and Dallas police took part in the bust, in which 18 women from Thailand were arrested for immigration violations along with three from South Korea.

    One of the women was also charged with possessing methamphetamine. The Dallas County District Attorney’s Office will decide whether to bring additional charges related to running an illegal sex-oriented business. Search warrants also were served at the Irving home of a business owner.

    Federal agents seized about $640,000 in cash, along with computers, cell phones and documents. Authorities are cracking down on the sex industry to rescue victims of human trafficking and arrest those responsible, said David M. Marwell, special agent in charge of HSI Dallas. “However, the best way of attacking human trafficking is by increasing public awareness of this crime,” he said. Dallas police vice officers have made numerous prostitution cases during the investigation, ICE said.

    Investigators want to know whether women were forced into working at the massage parlors. The investigation “revealed a revolving door of owners and female workers” in the 10 massage parlors, which have different owners, ICE said. “The employees are often rotated throughout the United States to work in other massage parlors and prostitution establishments,” ICE said. The owners only visited the massage parlors to pick up money and make bank deposits, according to ICE. The task force is made up of 17 law enforcement agencies whose mission is to prosecute human traffickers and rescue their victims.

  • US court allows SFJ to summon Manmohan Singh

    US court allows SFJ to summon Manmohan Singh

    NEW YORK (TIP): A US federal judge in Washington has granted SFJ’s plea to serve summons on Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in a case of alleged violation of human rights during his tenure.

    The 1965 Hague Service Convention allows the process of judicial documents from one signatory state to another without the use of consular and diplomatic channels. A Washington federal court had issued summons against Manmohan Singh during his September 2013 visit to Washington on a plea by a Sikhs’ rights group, Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), accusing him of “funding crimes against humanity perpetrated upon the Sikh community in India”.

    In response to SFJ’s plea for extension of time to serve summons on Manmohan Singh in India, Judge James E Boasberg on Friday, February 28 ordered that “plaintiffs shall by April 14, 2014, either file proof of service or file a status report updating the court on their progress in effecting service”. The SFJ had filed a motion with the court requesting extension of time. In support of its motion, the SFJ submitted a copy of the engagement letter retaining Process Forwarding Internationala (PFI), a Washington-based firm to serve summons on Manmohan Singh in India under the Hague Service Convention.

    Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, legal adviser to the SFJ cited the US State Department’s recent Human Rights Report in support of SFJ allegations of “widespread torture, extrajudicial killings and security force abuses” during Manmohan Singh’s tenure. Under Alien Tort Claims Act (ATCA) and Torture Victim Protection Act (TVPA). US federal courts have jurisdiction over cases of human rights violations even if they have occurred on foreign soils as in this case, Pannun said.

  • Nine days, five weeks

    Nine days, five weeks

    India votes between April 7 and May 12

    NEW DELHI, MARCH 5: The process of constituting the 16th Lok Sabha got underway on March 5 with the Election Commission announcing the poll schedule. Polling to elect 543 members to the Lok Sabha will be spread over nine days, between April 7 and May 12. Simultaneously, elections will also be held for three State Assemblies: Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Sikkim.

    With the announcement of poll dates, the model code of conduct, which prohibits the Government from taking any policy decisions that can influence the decision of a voter, comes into effect. The counting of votes for both the Lok Sabha and Assemblies will take place on May 16 and all the results are expected to be announced on the same day, Chief Election Commissioner V Sampath told newspersons here on Wednesday.

    Nine-day affair
    The Lok Sabha election process is spread over nine days and not over nine phases, Sampath said and added that 814 million electors will be eligible to cast their vote, an increase of about 10 crore voters from the last General Elections, in 2009. The 21 States that will complete the election process in a day include Tamil Nadu (April 24), Karnataka (April 17), Delhi and Kerala (April 10). In five States, including Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Rajasthan, elections will be spread over two days while Uttar Pradesh and Bihar will complete the process over six poll days.

    Young voters
    Over 23 million voters in the 18-19 years age group have been added to the electoral rolls, constituting 2.88 per cent of the electorate, up from 0.75 per cent in the last elections. There will also be a 12 per cent increase in the number of polling stations across the country with 930,000 polling stations to be set up, compared to 830,000 during the last elections, Sampath said. Electronic voting machines will be used at all polling stations.

    In order to ensure that the maximum number of people exercise their franchise, the Election Commission has directed that a special camp be organised on March 9 during which people can view the electoral rolls. Those whose names are missing can fill up application forms and get their voter cards. The poll schedule has been drawn keeping in mind the weather conditions in various parts of the country and the examination schedule, as educational institutions and personnel are deployed for poll duty, and also to ensure that the elections are peaceful, Election Commission officials said.

    Sampath added that adequate steps had been taken to prevent the use of black money. On the issue of elections in Andhra Pradesh, Sampath said: “We conduct elections according to the law, whether they are for Assembly or Parliamentary constituencies, as per description of the State today. When the new State comes into being, as per law, elected representatives will automatically become MPs and MLAs of the newly created State from the appointed day. It is seamless.” The total cost of the elections is estimated at ?4,000 crore, officials said.

    Poll dates
    ● April 7 polling will cover six constituencies in two states.
    ● April 9 will cover seven constituencies in five states.
    ● April 10 to cover 92 constituencies in 14 states.
    ● April 12 to cover three States and five constituencies.
    ● April 17, the largest chunk of 122 Lok Sabha seats will go to polls in 13 states.
    ● April 24 will cover 117 constituencies in 12 States.
    ● April 30 in 89 constituencies in nine states.
    ● May 7 will be held in seven States covering 64 constituencies.
    ● May 12 will cover three States and 41 constituencies.

  • Modi’s popularity dips but NDA still leading: Survey

    Modi’s popularity dips but NDA still leading: Survey

    New Delhi (TIP):
    The NDA is likely to get between 212 and 232 seats if the Lok Sabha elections were held today, with BJP alone winning between 193 and 213, according to an opinion poll done for a TV channel. The poll, based on a survey of six states, puts the UPA a distant second with 119 to 139 seats, of which Congress was projected to win between 94 and 110. The CNN-IBN poll, conducted by CSDS and Lokniti, made these projections based on surveys in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Delhi. While the seat figures are more or less the same as the projections done by the same pollsters in January, the popularity rating of Narendra Modi has dipped significantly. In January, 36% of respondents to the survey had chosen Modi as their preferred PM.

    That figure is now down to 31%. In contrast, there has been an uptick of one percentage point each in those picking Rahul Gandhi (now 13%), Sonia Gandhi, Mayawati, Mulayam Singh and Manmohan Singh. The poll also shows BJP’s projected vote share down marginally from the January estimate and the Congress vote share too down marginally. The saffron party continues to enjoy a significant lead with 33% compared to Congress’ 26%. Apart from the NDA and UPA, the Trinamool Congress is likely to be the biggest party winning between 20 and 28 seats, according to the survey.

    The Left with 15-23, AIADMK with 14-20, YSR Congress and SP with 11-17 seats each, BJD, TDP and DMK with 10-16 each and BSP with 8-14 could be the other significant players in the 16th Lok Sabha, it projected. If these projections turn out right, it would almost certainly mean that the next government in New Delhi would be headed by Modi and would be cobbled together by the existing NDA joining hands with smaller regional parties. Neither Congress nor the ill-defined Third Front/Federal Front would really be in a position to take a meaningful shot at forming a government in such a scenario.

  • Christine Persaud brings Bollywood to Queens

    Christine Persaud brings Bollywood to Queens

    NEW YORK (TIP): Christine Persaud, President of Christine Institute of Vocational Training, Inc. and Georgetown Adult Social Daycare Center, located on Liberty Avenue in Richmond Hill in Queens, an accomplished businesswoman, is bringing together a host of Bollywood stars to entertain on the special occasion of Holi.

    The show named Bollywood- Live with the Stars- will be presented on March 14, 2014 from 8 P.M. at Resorts World Casino, located at 110.00 Rockaway Boulevard, Jamaica, NY 11420 The galaxy of stars include Abha ( ZEE TV Soap Opera Star from Yahan Ghar Kheli), Arjune and Purvi (ZEE TV Soap Opera Stars from Pavitra Rishta), Radhika (ZEE TV Soap Opera Star from Chhoti Bahu), Anil Bheem and the Bheemer Band, Madhu Motie, Seeta Panday, Caribean Vibezz, Alana Man, Annushka, Apache Wahia, Shahara Dancers, Tina Basdeo, Deon Persaud, Christine Persaud and Tassa Group. For further information, please contact Christine Persaud at 917-592-8686 (Email: christinenyfl@aol.com)

  • SUPREME COURT AGREES TO CONSIDER SAHARA’S REFUND PROPOSAL

    SUPREME COURT AGREES TO CONSIDER SAHARA’S REFUND PROPOSAL

    NEW DELHI (TIP):
    The Supreme Court on March 7 agreed to consider Sahara group’s refund proposal and asked it to brief the market regulator Sebi about it. Sahara also assured the SC that it will deposit a “substantial amount” out of Rs 20,000 crore of investors’ money this month and the rest later. Sahara’s lawyers also sought police custody for Subrata Roy and two others on ground that there were problems in getting access to them in judicial custody. t present, Sahara chief Subrata Roy is lodged in Tihar jail. On March 4, Roy was ordered to remain in custody for a week in Delhi by the Supreme Court which was unhappy that no concrete proposal on the refund of investors’ money was put forward by the company.

    Sebi finds large-scale mismatch in Sahara papers

    Sebi has come across serious anomalies and a huge number of possibly fictitious investors after analysing truck loads of documents submitted by Sahara to substantiate its claim of over Rs 20,000 crore refunds. To locate genuine investors who may have deposited money with Sahara, the regulator also wants to issue public notices in regional language newspapers and through other avenues, especially in northern and eastern states of the country. Sahara group, whose chief Subrata Roy was on March 4 sent into judicial custody, had deposited Rs 5,120 crore with Sebi after court orders.

    It claims to have already refunded all but Rs 2,000 crore in cash directly to investors. The court had ordered refund of over Rs 24,000 crore in August 2012. Sebi has contested Sahara’s direct refund claims. However, Sebi’s analysis of documents submitted by Saharas has thrown up large-scale mismatch – in dates on application forms and redemption vouchers, addresses, names, bond details, among others – in these papers, sources said.

    There are numerous instances of one person having hundreds of accounts, one account having multiple beneficiaries, one person with multiple address and one address having tens of individuals. There are some people whose claimed dues spread over multiple accounts run into crores of rupees. Besides, there are thousands of cases where addresses are untraceable, as also cases having innocuous addresses like national highways, and just names of villages, towns or roads, sources said on condition of anonymity.

    A large chunk of these details have also been presented before the Supreme Court through written and oral submissions, they said, while adding that there are also cases of payment dates being shown earlier than the voucher dates. The months-long analysis, which was conducted with the help of hundreds of scanners, computers and a robotic system installed at a huge warehouse in suburbs of Mumbai by hundreds of people, began early last year soon after Saharas delivered more than 100 trucks full of cartons containing documents.

  • Consul General announces Media India 2014-15 Lecture Series

    Consul General announces Media India 2014-15 Lecture Series

    NEW YORK (TIP): Consul General of India in New York, Ambassador Dnyaneshwar Mulay, announced holding of a lecture series through the year 2014-15 with a view to enhancing the image of India.

    Mr. Mulay made the announcement at a meeting he held with media persons at the Consulate on March 6. Speaking about the objective of organizing one lecture a month by eminent scholars, Mr. Mulay said it will serve to portray India rightly to the mainstream Americans and the second generation of Indian Americans.

    He said it was necessary to emphasize upon our identity, contribution, achievements and the role India is playing on the world scene. It is of utmost importance to also understand how the world perceives us and how we perceive the world. Ambassador Mulay referred to the coming general elections and said here was an exciting democratic exercise being undertaken in which 814 million people will be voting.

    About 23 million eligible voters have been enrolled in the 18 to 19 age group, nearly 3 percent of India’s voters. Around 930,000 polling stations will be set up for the month-long election using electronic voting machines, first introduced in 2004. He said this exciting story needed to be told. Decrying the tendency to carry only the negative stories of rape and crime, Ambassador Mulay said a positive picture of India should be presented before the world.

    He added that the proposed lecture series will attempt to present a fair picture of India to the mainstream Americans and the second generation of Indian Americans. The first lecture in the series is scheduled for March 21st at 5 P.M. at the Consulate. Mr. Suketu Mehta, author and thinker, will speak on India & US: Traffic of Ideas.

    Other eminent scholars to deliver lectures include Bobby Ghosh, Editor-inchief, Time International; Prof. Ashutosh Varshney, Professor of Political Science at Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island; Mr. Marshall M. Bouton, President Emeritus, The Chicago Council on Global Affairs; Prof. Jagdish Bhagwati, Columbia University; Mr. Benoy K. Behl, Art Historian and Critic, New Delhi and Prof. Devesh Kapur, Director, Center for Advanced Study of India, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.

  • Six from Muzaffarnagar arrested with 11 pistols near Pakistan border

    Six from Muzaffarnagar arrested with 11 pistols near Pakistan border

    ATTARI (TIP):
    Six people including two women were arrested and eleven pistols seized from their possession on their return from Pakistan on the Samjhauta Express at the Attari Railway station on March 6. During customs checking at Attari station, eleven pistols were found concealed in a meat cutter machine along with twenty two magazines, a customs official said. All the six, hail from Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh and had returned after visiting their relatives in Pakistan. Although they have been arrested, their identities are yet to be revealed, the official said.

  • Left to go it alone in Tamil Nadu after Jayalalithaa’s snub

    Left to go it alone in Tamil Nadu after Jayalalithaa’s snub

    NEW DELHI (TIP):
    Smarting under Jayalalithaa’s snub over the request for two seats each to CPI and CPM, the top Left leaders on Thursday attributed it to the Tamil Nadu chief minister’s confidence that the AIADMK would sweep the polls in a four-cornered contest. “All along, Tamil Nadu had twocornered fight between DMK and AIADMK. But for the first time there is a possibility of DMK, AIADMK, Congress and BJP fighting as separate groups. She has done her calculation and is confident that opposition votes will split very badly. Tamil Nadu has never witnessed election like this,” said a top left leader who didn’t want to be named. He said indication that the alliance will fall apart had come few days back when she decided to offer one seat each to CPM and CPI.

    “We would have settled for two seats each but she was unwilling,” he said. He though dismissed speculation that by dumping the Left, Jayalalithaa has opened window for BJP. “BJP’s alliance with Vijayakanth’s party is almost certain. She wants the opposition vote to get as fragmented as possible,” said a senior CPI leader said adding that the post-poll scenario couldn’t be predicted now. Jayalalithaa’s reported order to the party cadre to keep the attack confined to Congress and go soft on BJP during the campaign had dropped hints about her plans to change tack after having shared the stage with the Left and other leaders for a Third Front. The Left now says it will not be part of any alliance but rather become the fifth political formation in Tamil Nadu.

    “After having campaigned so much against DMK’s corruption, we cannot join them or any other alliance,” said the Left leader. CPM and CPI leaders have now decided to contest at least 10 to 12 seats in the state. Both the parties won one seat each in Tamil Nadu in 2009. While CPM won Coimbatore, CPI got Tenkasi. Without alliance with either of the big two – DMK and AIADMK – it is unlikely that Left will repeat its 2009 performance. The Left has roughly 6-7% vote with few areas of dominance.

  • Himachal MP in cash-on-camera case

    Himachal MP in cash-on-camera case

    SHIMLA (TIP):
    The Himachal Pradesh Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau on March 6 booked sitting BJP MP Virender Kashyap, who was allegedly caught accepting cash on camera. The case against the MP was registered under Section 9 of the Prevention of Corruption Act in Shimla. The party has retained the one-time MP from the Shimla (reserved) seat.

    “The case was registered after the authenticity of the video CD was proved by the Central Forensic Science Laboratory of Chandigarh,” said the investigating official. In November, the Himachal Pradesh high court had issued a notice to Kashyap on a petition for quashing a police inquiry report giving a clean chit to him after he was allegedly caught accepting cash.

  • Ready to contest polls: VK Singh

    Ready to contest polls: VK Singh

    NEW DELHI (TIP):
    Former Army chief General V K Singh, who joined the BJP recently, said he was ready to fight the coming Lok Sabha elections, even as he came down heavily on the UPA government, especially the Congress, for allegedly neglecting the military. “Let me make a statement, so far as the armed forces are concerned, Congress party has not been a good party. It has not been a good party because a lot of things which the forces wanted, whether it was the commissions, whether it was the way the equipment should have been done, whether it was the protocols, Congress party has always tried to be against the forces if I can say so,” Gen Singh told a TV channel.

    In an unprecedented move, Gen Singh, when he was the Army chief, dragged the UPA government to Supreme Court claiming that he was born in 1951 and not in 1950 as the official records showed. The former chief withdrew the petition, amid a noticeable breakdown in his relations with the political establishment. Justifying his decision to join BJP, Gen Singh said, “See, if you look at the wide range of issues I started on right after retirement, some things appear as being close to BJP because they were pointing out faults with the existing system.” He said he joined the BJP not because of any assurance. “I am in the party because I was convinced by myself that I should join a political platform,” he said.

  • Michelle Obama felicitates Indian acid attack victim Laxmi

    Michelle Obama felicitates Indian acid attack victim Laxmi

    WASHINGTON (TIP): US First Lady Michelle Obama has felicitated Indian acid attack victim Laxmi after she won the International Women of Courage Award for successfully leading the campaign against acid attacks on women in India.

    Michelle Obama and the large crowd at the US State Department auditorium was moved and touched when Laxmi, a standard-bearer of the movement to end acid attacks, recited a poem recounting her experience on the occasion on march 4. “You haven’t thrown acid on my face; you threw it on my dreams.

    You didn’t have love in your heart; you had acid in it,” Laxmi recited soon after receiving the prestigious award along with several other women from different parts of the world including Afghanistan and Fiji. The original poem was in Hindi. Laxmi was 16 when an acquaintance threw acid on her face while she waited at a bus stop in New Delhi’s busy Khan Market in 2005, disfiguring her permanently.

    Her attacker, a friend’s 32-year-old brother, threw the acid to destroy Laxmi’s face after she refused to respond to his romantic advances. Recognition for her effort through this award, is a great encouragement and motivation for the girls and women of India, many of whom still are not able to speak out against the atrocities inflicted upon them, Laxmi said soon after receiving the award. “After this award, girls of India would think, if Laxmi can do this, I can also raise my voice against injustice,” Laxmi told in an interview.

    Last year, Nirbhaya, the courageous 23-year-old girl whose brutal gang rape and murder on a moving bus in Delhi in December 2012 triggered widespread protests, was honoured with the award. Ruing that acid is still being sold without following the recent Supreme Court order in this regard; Laxmi demanded the creation of a high level committee at the national level to prevent acid attacks against women.

    “Victims of acid attacks not only be given compensation, but also the entire medical expense be meted by the government. The victim should be given a government job and given justice through fast track courts,” Laxmi said and urged the political parties to incorporate this in their election manifesto for the forthcoming elections. “There was never any love in your eyes. They burn me with caustic glance. I am sad that your corrosive name will always be the part of my identity that I carry with this face. Time will not come to my rescue.

    Every Thursday will remind me of you,” Laxmi said reciting her poem with the First Lady and other top US officials on the dais. “When we see these women raise their voices and move their feet and empower others to create change, we need to realize that each of us has that same power and that same obligation,” the First Lady said in her speech. “And as I learned about this year?s honorees and I thought about how we could support their work, I realized that for most of these women, there is a common foundation for their efforts. It’s a foundation of education,” she said.

    Observing that she always walks away feeling inspired by these women, determined to reflect their courage in her own life, Obama said she is not alone in that feeling because every day with every life they touch and every spirit they raise, these women are creating ripples that stretch across the globe. “Last year on this stage, we honoured the memory of a tremendous young Indian woman known simply as Nirbhaya. This tragedy sparked outrage and inspired people all over the world to come together to say no more looking the other way when genderbased violence happens, no more stigma against victim or survivors,” said Deputy Secretary of State, Heather A Higginbottom.

    “That is also the message of Laxmi from India. Acid attacks are committed almost exclusively on women, particularly on young women,” she said. “Many of the victims feel they have no choice but to withdraw from society or even commit suicide, and they’re more common than you might realise, in part because it’s such an easy weapon to get your hands on. Until recently, anyone could walk into a store and buy a litre of acid as cheaply and as easily as a bottle of window cleaner,” she said.

    “But after her attack, Laxmi became a tireless campaigner against acid attacks. Thanks to her hard work and tremendous diligence, Laxmi was successful in petitioning the Supreme Court to order the Indian government to regulate the sale of acid and to make prosecutions of acid attacks easier to pursue. And she continues to push for progress still today,” she said. “For fearless advocacy on behalf of victims of acid attacks and for bringing hope to survivors of gender-based violence and disfigurement, we name Laxmi a Woman of Courage,” Higginbottom said.

  • Cabinet clears Jat reservation, drops Rahul’s anti-graft ordinances

    Cabinet clears Jat reservation, drops Rahul’s anti-graft ordinances

    NEW DELHI (TIP):
    The Union Cabinet cleared the ordinance for Jat reservation in government jobs. The anti-graft ordinances, which were pushed by Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, were not passed after President Pranab Mukherjee reportedly expressed reluctance to support government’s ordinance route. Ahead of Lok Sabha polls, the government decided to include the Jat community in the central list of OBCs in nine states, a move that is expected to benefit about nine crore people from the community. The decision would pave the way for the community members to avail benefits of reservation in central government jobs and central education institutions as per the existing norms.

    The Central list of OBCs for the states of Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttarrakhand, Uttar Pradesh and the National capital territory of Delhi will include the Jat community. On the other hand, after President Pranab Mukherjee’s reluctance over the seven anti-graft bills, the government decided not to bring ordinances. Earlier, Senior Congress leaders had met the President just before the crucial meeting. On the Telangana front, the Cabinet decided to direct Planning Commission to implement grant of special category status to Seemandhra for 5 years. The Cabinet also decided to make amendments in Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill to facilitate smooth and full resettlement and rehabilitation as part of Polavaram project. Polvarum project will be executed by Central Government.

    Both the submerged area and the area where the people will be relocated, will be transferred to Seemandhra. The Union Cabinet also tried to address the concerns regarding electricity supply in the states. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh informed that the power from central generating stations will be allocated on the basis of consumption of last 5 years. He said the Telangana Bill says that only 15 per cent of unallocated power will be allocated on the basis of power consumption trends.

    The rest will be allocated on the basis of population. The Cabinet also approved transfer of 123 properties in Delhi under DDA and Land and Development Department to Wakf Board. Defending the ordinance recourse to pass the pending bills, information and broadcasting minister Manish Tiwari blamed the Opposition for disrupting Parliament. “We believe probity is public life. UPA endeavoured during various sessions bills are passed but disruptions by opposition did not allow them to be deliberated in Parliament or enacted as laws. There was a marked difference between what Opposition said and did on the issue,” he said.

  • Obama unveils election year ‘growth and jobs’ budget

    Obama unveils election year ‘growth and jobs’ budget

    WASHINGTON (TIP): President Barack Obama proposed a budget on Tuesday for the coming fiscal year that has less to do with managing US finances than with stemming his party’s losses in congressional elections.

    The mildly expansionary $3.9-trillion plan has little chance of passing Congress but Obama will use it as a platform to underline his populist voter-friendly narrative ahead of the polls in November.

    Obama’s Democrats have almost no chance of winning back the House of Representatives and are in grave peril of losing the Senate — a scenario that would guarantee a miserable last two years in office for the president. A Washington Post/ABC News poll on Tuesday revealed the challenge, showing that of 34 states with Senate races, 50 percent of voters favor Republicans and 42 percent favor Democrats.

    Obama, however, sought to stay positive and reiterated the vision that saw him reelected in 2012, telling supporters in a speech at a Washington elementary school, that the budget was about “choices” and “values”. “As a country, we have to make a decision, if we are going to protect tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans, or create jobs, grow our economy, and expand opportunity for every American,” he said.

    Senior White House officials admit the budget document is largely aspirational, given that the president’s top priorities are routinely blocked by Republicans in Congress. Broad spending levels have also already been set by a two year budget agreement reached by top Democratic and Republican negotiators in Congress in December. But Obama used the budget to showcase ideas he thinks will give him, and his beleaguered supporters in Congress, the edge, despite his 41 percent approval rating which is heavily attributed to an unpopular health care law.

    The president’s budget director Sylvia Matthews Burwell, hailed the document as a “fiscal road map for accelerating economic growth, expanding opportunity and ensuring fiscal responsibility.” “It includes fully paid for investments in infrastructure, job training, preschool and pro-work tax cuts,” she said. “At the same time it reduces deficits and strengthens our long-term fiscal outlook through additional health care reforms, tax reform and by fixing our broken immigration system.”

    Obama proposed an extra $56-billion in spending above agreed budget levels, to be financed by closing tax loopholes which benefit the rich and in mandatory spending reform. The budget foresees the American economy growing by 3.1 percent this year and by 3.4 per cent the next, with inflation remaining under control, rising to only 2.0 per cent in 2015. It also predicts growing revenue, so that the government can reach a primary surplus — spending excluding debt service — by 2018. It suggests the country’s budget deficit, which boomed after the 2008 crisis, can be brought down to $564-billion, or 3.1 per cent of GDP, in the fiscal year beginning October 1, and to 2.2 per cent by 2020.

    While the absolute level of US debt — now $17.3 trillion — will continue to grow, its ratio to the overall size of the economy will fall, from nearly 75 perc ent this year to 69 per cent by 2024. The White House said the budget would expand the Earned Income Tax credit, which would cut taxes for 13.5 million working Americans and expand tax cuts to finance child care and college education. And the plan would close a loophole that allows wealthy people to treat investment income as capital gains, and thus avoid the 40 per cent top federal tax rate on this income.

    Obama is also pinning his hopes for November’s poll, in which a third of the Senate and all of the House of Representatives is up for grabs, on a rise to the federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $10.10. The proposal is popular with voters but opposed by Republicans, who say it would squeeze small businesses and cost jobs. The spending blueprint effectively rescinds an offer from Obama to Republicans to recalculate inflation in a way that would gradually reduce benefits to senior citizens from social programs.

    The offer — known as chained CPI — was included in the budget last year as Obama held out hope of concluding a “grand bargain” on taxes, spending and the deficit with Republicans on Capitol Hill. But negotiations have collapsed, and senior Obama aides say they have omitted the concession. In effect, the move means that there is now little chance of a lasting fiscal agreement between Obama and his Republican foes for the rest of his presidency, which ends in January 2017.

  • Kiran Reddy moves SC on Telangana issue

    Kiran Reddy moves SC on Telangana issue

    NEW DELHI (TIP):
    Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Kiran Reddy approached the Supreme Court against the Centre’s decision to create Telangana by bifurcating the State. A bench headed by Chief Justice P Sathasivam, before whom the matter was mentioned, agreed to list his plea along with other petitions which will be taken up tomorrow for hearing. A batch of petitions is listed for hearing tomorrow against the bifurcation of the State.

    The apex court had earlier on February 7 and 17 respectively refused to entertain petitions challenging the division of Andhra Pradesh on the ground that they were “premature” as the Bill was not cleared by Parliament at that time. Parliament gave its approval on February 20 for the creation of Telangana by bifurcating Andhra Pradesh. The court had on February 7 refused to stay the tabling of Telangana Bill and on February 17, it had dismissed two petitions challenging the division of Andhra Pradesh.

    The apex court had said it cannot take a different stand and different view from what it had taken on February 7 while terming the plea against Telangana as “premature”. The court had declined to accept the contention that it can now go into the issue of Telangana as the Bill was before Parliament.