The Indian Panorama

Month: October 2014

  • Citizen’s Court Indicts Indian Prime Minister Modi

    Citizen’s Court Indicts Indian Prime Minister Modi

    NEW YORK (TIP): Hundreds of Sikhs from North America gathered at Lafayette Park , Washington, protesting against the increasing threat to religious minorities in India. Amidst the chanting of “Modi, a murderer” a citizens’ court convened by human rights group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) indicted former chief minister of the state of Gujarat for his role in 2002 genocidal attacks on Muslims.

    Quoting Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., “injustice anywhere is threat to justice everywhere, Salman Yunus, SFJ’s Director Litigation who conducted the prosecution before the Citizens’ court, urged the jury to uphold the American value of “justice for all” by indicting Modi on the charges of exterminating religious minorities in India. “Today, you are the voice of the voiceless”, added Mr. Yunus while appealing to the jury.

    A twenty three member jury comprising of individuals from different ethnicity returned a unanimous verdict holding PM Modi indictable for the offenses of genocide; murders in the first degree; rapes and sexual assaults; torture; tempering with the witnesses, victims and informants; and obstruction of criminal investigations.

    Urging the jury to indict Modi on the charges of exterminating the religious minorities, Salman Yunus, SFJ’s Director Research and Litigation who conducted the prosecution before the Citizens’ court, stated that “you are

    SFJ legal advisor Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, stated that “presenting the Hindu holy book “Gita” to Obama by PM Modi shows his mentality of Hindu religious supremacy and BJP/RSS plans to turn into a Hindu nation. Modi, who orchestrated barbaric attacks against Muslims in Gujarat is unworthy of carrying “Gita” which preaches peace and equality, added attorney Pannun.

    Presenting the case for Sikh Referendum, human rights lawyer Pannun stated that since Indian constitution does not recognize Sikhism as separate religion,, in 2020 Sikh diasporas will vote on the question of Sikhs’ right to self determination in the SFJ organized plebiscite.

    According to Amardeep Singh Purewal, SFJ Director, Sikhs from North America converged on White House for indicting Modi on the crime of 2002 Genocide, because Sikhs themselves have been subjected to genocidal attacks since 1984. There are striking similarities between 2002 and November 1984, just like Rajiv Gandhi was elected as Prime Minister of India after organizing Sikh Genocide, Modi was first re-elected as Chief Minster of Gujarat and now the Prime Minister of the country.

    The protest was organized by SFJ with the support of the American Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee (AGPC) an umbrella organization of more than 70 gurudwaras across the country.

  • Indian Consulate & Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan celebrate Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti

    Indian Consulate & Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan celebrate Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti

    Indian Americans take a cleanliness pledge to keep Bharat Swachh

    NEW YORK, NY (TIP): 145th birth anniversary of the Father of the Indian Nation, Mahatma Gandhi was celebrated, as in the past, by the Consulate General of India, New York in association with Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, New York at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Union Square Park in lower Manhattan on Thursday, October 2, 2014.

    The statue of Mahatma Gandhi was spruced up for the occasion. Consul General of India, Dnyaneshwar Mulay garlanded the statue as also a few others gathered to celebrate the occasion Gandhiji’s favourite bhajans (hymns) were sung by the students of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, New York.

    In his remarks on the occasion, Ambassador Mulay , spoke of the leadership role of Mahatma Gandhi in the country’s freedom struggle and his influence on world leaders like Nelson Mandella, John Luther King Jr. and the present President of USA Barack Obama.

    Ambassador Mulay spoke of Gandhi’s emphasis on cleanliness. He said it is appropriate, therefore, that government of India has launched a nationwide Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan (Clean India Campaign) on Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary. “In sync with the launch of Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Mr. Narendra Modi’s Swachh Bharat campaign”, the gathered Indian Americans took a cleanliness pledge.

  • DiNapoli announces lowered fees for New York State’s 529 College Savings Direct Plan

    DiNapoli announces lowered fees for New York State’s 529 College Savings Direct Plan

    ALBANY, NY (TIP): New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli announced October 3, a new reduction in management fees for the state’s 529 College Savings Program’s Direct Plan. It is the fourth fee reduction since 2009 for Direct Plan account holders across the state. New York’s Direct Plan has more than 650,000 accounts valued at more than $16 billion.

    “New York’s 529 College Savings Program has provided more than $524 million to help parents across the state pay for college this year,” said DiNapoli. “The latest reduction to the Direct Plan’s management fees means that more money will be available to help parents plan ahead for college. As the price of higher education continues to rise nationwide, every little bit helps parents make their money go further.”

    The 529 College Savings Program is an investment tool designed to help parents save for college. New York’s program began in 1997 and offers tax deductions up to $10,000 annually. DiNapoli’s office and the Higher Education Services Corporation oversee New York’s program.

    With approximately $16 billion in total assets, New York’s 529 Direct Plan is the largest direct sold 529 plan in the United States. The latest reduction, from 0.17 percent to 0.16 percent, follows previous reductions beginning in 2009 which decreased management fees from 0.55 percent to 0.17 percent.

    The Direct Plan offers a variety of investment options including three age-based portfolio options that parents can choose from based on risk tolerance and the age of their child. These options, which invest exclusively in low-cost Vanguard index funds, are designed to become more conservative portfolios over time until the child is ready for college. Additionally, the plan offers 13 individual Vanguard portfolios which enable parents to create their own investment strategy.

    New York’s Direct Plan is managed by Ascensus Broker Dealer Services, Inc. and investment management services are provided by Vanguard. The Direct Plan is available to U.S. citizens across the country, and individuals can open an account with as little $25 to begin saving for college costs including tuition, certain room-and-board expenses, books, and supplies.

  • Only 51 of City’s 468 Subway stations are in Good Repair, says DiNapoli

    Only 51 of City’s 468 Subway stations are in Good Repair, says DiNapoli

    NEW YORK (TIP): Too many New York City subway stations are in disrepair and New York City Transit’s repair program is progressing too slowly, according to a report issued by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. Only 51 of the city’s 468 stations were free of defects, and just 1-in-4 had most or all of their station components in good repair.

    “New York City Transit reports it is making progress on repairing stations but the pace is too slow and much more work needs to be done,” DiNapoli said.
    “Worn or damaged stairs and platform edges pose risks for riders, while broken tiles, lights and peeling paint leave riders with a low opinion of the transit system.”

    DiNapoli’s office examined data from New York City Transit (NYCT), a subsidiary of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which determines station conditions by surveying “structural” components -such as stairs, columns and platform edges, as well as “architectural” components – such as tile, paint and lighting. The survey rates components on a scale of 1 to 5. NYCT considers those it rated under 3 to be free of defects and in a “state of good repair.” Components rated 3 or higher are worn or damaged. The survey does not consider cleanliness, routine maintenance needs or the condition of elevators and escalators.

    According to the latest survey, more than one-quarter of all structural components had defects. At 94 stations, at least half of the structural components needed repairs. The subway stations in Brooklyn and Queens had the largest percentage of components with defects (one-third).

    Nearly half of all platform edges (43 percent), which are important to rider safety, had defects in need of repair. While 33 percent of platform edges had a moderate level of deterioration, 10 percent exhibited serious defects.

    NYCT data also showed that 27 percent of station components – such as ceilings or columns – needed to be painted. Also, the tile or other finish on one-third of all subway platform walls and floors did not meet the NYCT’s minimum standards and needed to be repaired.

    Over the past three decades, NYCT had renovated 241 stations from top-to-bottom at a cost of $4.5 billion. However, NYCT did not commit resources to maintain the newly renovated stations, which have deteriorated over time. Starting in 2010, NYCT changed the way it addresses station conditions by giving priority to the most deteriorated structural components. NYCT estimates that it needs to invest more than $5 billion over the next 20 years to bring the stations to what it considers a state of good repair.

    NYCT surveys station conditions every five years. If the survey reveals acondition that poses an imminent safety risk, NYCT reported that it immediately makes a temporary or permanent repair. DiNapoli’s report is based on NYCT’s 2012 survey, which is the latest available data on station conditions.

  • 30 Members of the U.S. Congress Stand Up for Sikh Children

    30 Members of the U.S. Congress Stand Up for Sikh Children

    NEW YORK (TIP): Drawing on research reports published by the Sikh Coalition, 30 members of the United States Congress signed letters early October urging the U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Department of Education to strengthen protections against school bullying.

    The letters were spearheaded by Rep. Mike Honda-Chairman of the Congressional Anti-Bullying Caucus-and joined by leaders of the American Sikh Congressional Caucus, including Reps. David Valadao, Judy Chu, and John Garamendi.

    According to Sikh Coalition research, a majority of Sikh American students experience school bullying. Although severe bullying is a civil rights violation, very few Sikh American families actually report it to authorities. To bridge this gap, the new Congressional letters call on federal agencies to improve data collection for bullying incidents affecting the Sikh American community.

    In addition, the new Congressional letters call upon federal agencies to communicate proactively with minority communities about resources that are available to prevent and address school bullying. For example, civil rights agencies can visit Gurdwaras more frequently to document cases of bullying and provide legal representation against problem schools when appropriate.

    The Sikh Coalition press release further said: “The Sikh Coalition counts on its supporters to amplify awareness about civil rights issues. This summer, Sikh Coalition supporters sent more than 1500 messages to their elected representatives to raise awareness about bullying against Sikh American children. We are confident that the new Congressional letters will encourage federal agencies to give increased priority to the civil rights of children who experience bullying at school”.

  • MAHATMA GANDHI’S IDEALS ARE MORE RELEVANT TODAY THAN EVER BEFORE

    MAHATMA GANDHI’S IDEALS ARE MORE RELEVANT TODAY THAN EVER BEFORE

    “If humanity is to progress, Gandhi is inescapable; we may ignore him at our own risk.”- Martin Luther King, a great follower of Gandhian method of non-violence .

    There has never been an age when people did not marvel at the pace of change as it is taking place before our eyes. More people have the means to lead a prosperous and peaceful life than ever before. However, what we witness is turbulence everywhere from Middle East to Africa and to many other parts of the world where conflicts or threat of a wider war seem to be more of a norm.

    It is ironic to note that while the Prime Minister of India at the UN calling upon the International community to put aside their differences and mount a concerted effort to combat terrorism and extremism, back in Vadodra, Gujarat, at his own constituency, sectarian strife involving Hindus and Muslims were at the full swing.

    The Christians of Iraq are considered to be one of the oldest surviving continuous Christian communities in the world. The Assyrian people adopted Christianity in the 1st century AD and Assyria became a center of Eastern Rite Christianity that has strong links to churches in Kerala for centuries. Some of the churches in Mosul, Iraq had traditions dating back fifteen hundreds years or more. However, today the radical Islamists have succeeded in decimating the entire civilization by blowing up ancient churches, beheading and crucifying people including infants and women and committing enormous barbarism and brutality.

    World has indeed seen destruction and human misery from the time immemorial. After the Second World War, the victorious powers decided to prevent another war by founding the United Nations. The primary motto of the organization was to save the succeeding generations from the scourge of war.

    What happened since then is well documented. Cold war followed the world war with proxies of cold war antagonists fighting all over the globe. The world was divided into first, second and third worlds. Finally, the Berlin wall came down and Communism was defeated and the world was ready for a peace dividend!

    Did it happen? No, during the 1990’s the pattern of the conflict has changed. Today, ninety percent of the conflicts are taking place within rather than between states. The world politics have indeed entered a new phase. Fundamental source of conflict in today’s world is not ideological or economic. The great source of conflict that is dominating today is cultural. The differences between cultures are real; they are basic. The people of different cultures have different views on the relations between god and man, individual and the group, man and woman and differing views on rights and responsibilities. These differences are the product of centuries and they will not disappear anytime soon.

    What has transpired in the former Yugoslavia is a clear example of this type conflict. Orthodox Serbians and Muslim Bosnians and Croatian Catholics seemed to enjoy distinct cultures and were unwilling to compromise on a common platform. It is obvious that the western concepts differ fundamentally from those prevalent in other cultures. Western ideas of individualism, liberalism, constitutionalism, human rights, equality, liberty, rule of law, democracy, free markets, the separation of church and state often have very little resonance in other cultures. The very notion that there could be a universal culture is a western idea that is in direct conflict with most Asian societies and their emphasis on what distinguishes one people from another.

    The late Indira Gandhi once commented, “never in the last two decades has the international outlook been so grim as it is today. This is not merely my own assessment but that of the scores of the world leaders from five continents whom I have met in the past year. I am not given to alarm or exaggeration. Yet, I must warn that at this time we simply cannot afford to be complacent or sit back hoping that matters will somehow be sorted out”.

    Dag Hammerskjold, former Secretary General of the United Nations once asserted, ‘I see no hope for a permanent world peace. We have tried hard and failed miserably. Unless there is a spiritual awakening on a worldwide scale, the civilization is doomed”.

    And one wonders why? One sees a world that is reluctant to accept remedies peace keepers want to implement, how then we could understand, explain or turn around tragedies?

    On 15 June 2007, United Nations passed a resolution to observe International Day of non-violence each year on the birth anniversary date of Mahatma Gandhi who helped lead India to its Independence and inspired movements of civil rights across the world.

    What it shows is that UN recognizes that ultimately it is not discussion and dialogue but an inner awakening of the soul which will only make a real difference from the impasse of scores of issues that are confronting the world today. Martin Luther King, a great follower of Gandhian method of non-violence once said “If humanity is to progress, Gandhi is inescapable; we may ignore him at our own risk”.

    John Dear, an internationally known voice for peace and non-violence has summarized Gandhi’s teachings the following way: Gandhi taught us to practice non-violence and that the faith pushes us to promote peace and justice; he taught us to accept suffering and even court suffering if we want personal transformation; he also taught us to pray and through daily meditation he came to believe the nearness of God; he practiced a living solidarity with the poor and oppressed; Gandhi advocated powerlessness as path to God; he taught us that each of world’s religion has a piece of truth and deserve our respect and by advocating tolerance and equality of religions, Gandhi suggested that we all share a common ground of non-violence and can live in peace with one another.

    In the end, Gandhi challenges each of us to seek God through our own active pursuit of truth and non-violence. He calls for nothing less than total transformation of the world. On this day as we celebrate Gandhi Jayanti, his philosophy is more relevant than ever before.

    By George Abraham

    (The author is Chairman, INOC, USA)

  • Significance of Modi-Netanyahu Meeting in New York

    Significance of Modi-Netanyahu Meeting in New York

    By meeting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi has recognized how important Tel Aviv is to New Delhi. Modi and Netanyahu met in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. The two countries have an old association. And as Modi pointed out, Jews, who settled here, were never persecuted. Although Israel had come to India’s aid in the past, New Delhi had close relations with the Palestine Liberation Organization, and it was only in 1992 that diplomatic contact was formally established. Thereafter, Israel has established itself as a major trade partner, providing vital defense equipment to India, as well as cooperating on other security matters.

    The BJP’s reluctance to condemn Israel in Parliament for the assault on Gaza has shown the new government’s inclination towards improving ties with Israel. During the meeting Modi sought more Israeli investments, especially of the kind that would be a part of the “Make in India” program. India is also keen to get cyber security expertise, agriculture, water management and solid waste treatment in urban areas.

    While Israel and India both seek to thwart terrorists, they have a different approach and focus. Battling with the ISIS is the main concern of both the US and Israel right now, whereas India is more focused on Pakistan-based terror groups. Such differences are natural and the two countries have their own priorities in West Asia. In fact, India has a longstanding relationship with many countries that are inimical to Israel, including Iran. Indo-Israeli relations have never been showy, but they have deepened as both counties have demonstrated mutual respect and increased cooperation. Even as the increase in economic ties is on the card, New Delhi will need to tread cautiously in the diplomatic minefield that West Asia is. South Block will need to keep a firm focus on maintaining its traditional ties with Arab nations, even as it improves newer alliances.

    (The Tribune, Chandigarh)

  • BRITAIN’S PRIME MINISTER ON SURPRISE VISIT TO AFGHANISTAN

    BRITAIN’S PRIME MINISTER ON SURPRISE VISIT TO AFGHANISTAN

    KABUL (TIP): Britain’s Prime Minister David Cameron on October 3 pledged support for Afghanistan’s newly sworn-in president and the country’s new unity government, saying during a surprise visit to Kabul that Britain is committed to helping Afghans build a more secure and prosperous future.

    Cameron was the first of world leaders to meet Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai, Afghanistan’s second elected president, since his inauguration on Monday. The two had a meeting in Kabul on Friday morning and later held a joint press conference.

    “Britain has paid a heavy price for helping to bring stability to this country,” Cameron said, paying tribute to the 453 British servicemen and women who died while serving in Afghanistan.

    “An Afghanistan free from al-Qaida is in our national interest — as well as Afghanistan’s,” he said. “And now, 13 long years later, Afghanistan can — and must — deliver its own security.”

    But, “we are not leaving this country alone,” he added. “In Britain you will always have a strong partner and a friend.”

    Cameron arrived a day after visiting British pilots in Cyprus who are taking part in air strikes on Islamic State group targets in Iraq. British warplanes have been conducting combat missions over

    Iraq since Saturday, after Britain joined the US-led coalition of nations that are launching air strikes against the militants.
    “The work of defeating Islamist extremist terror goes on elsewhere in the world,” Cameron said in Kabul. “And because this threatens us at home, we must continue to play our part.”

    Ghani Ahmadzai thanked the British for their sacrifices in Afghanistan, especially the families who lost loved ones in the war. “They stood shoulder to shoulder with us and we will remember,” he said.

    Ghani Ahmadzai’s inauguration this week marked the start of a new era for his country, with a national unity government poised to confront a resilient Taliban insurgency.

    A day after he was sworn in, his administration signed a security agreement allowing the United States to keep about 9,800 troops in the country to train and assist Afghan national security forces.

    A separate agreement was signed with Nato, outlining the parameters of 4,000 to 5,000 additional international troops— mostly from Britain, Germany, Italy and Turkey — to stay in a non-combat role after Nato’s combat mission ends on Dec. 31.

    Former President Hamid Karzai had refused to approve the deal, and the results of a June presidential runoff to replace Karzai took months to resolve, finally coming to a conclusion with Ghani Ahmadzai’s swearing in and the establishment of a national unity government.

    Ghani Ahmadzai’s former rival for the presidency, Abdullah Abdullah, was appointed the country’s new chief executive, a post akin to prime minister.

    Cameron lauded both Afghan men, saying they put national interests ahead of “personal power” when they struck a power-sharing deal. “I look forward to working with both of you in the years ahead,” he said. Ghani Ahmadzai also praised his former rival, saying the two of them “have managed a first, which is really rare in the Muslim world — a democratic transfer of authority, not power.”

  • Nepal PM Koirala free of cancer after treatment

    Nepal PM Koirala free of cancer after treatment

    KATHMANDU (TIP): Nepal’s Prime Minister Sushil Koirala, who was diagnosed with first stage lung cancer and underwent radiotherapy sessions in the US, has fully recovered from the disease, his close aide said on October 02. Koirala, 75, had undergone radiotherapy sessions for lung cancer in New York’s Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre after spots and lesions were detected in June.

    Koirala, currently in New York for the UN general assembly, visited the hospital on Monday for a follow-up, six weeks after receiving radiotherapy, Nepal News reported. “After an analysis of the blood test, Chest CT scan and PET scan reports, Koirala’s private physician Dr Karbir Nath Yogi and Dr Manjit Bains of the cancer centre declared that the Prime Minister had recuperated,” Koirala’s press co-ordinator Prakash Adhikari said in a statement. Yogi said the patch on Koirala’s chest was gone after he received treatment and his health condition was good, according to the statement.

    After his treatment in the US, Koirala had said he conquered the disease due to the prayers and good wishes of the entire Nepali community as well as foreigners, including his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi, who had personally wished him speedy recovery.

    Koirala was a habitual cigarette smoker until he was diagnosed with tongue cancer eight years ago and has been visiting the New York medical facility for annual follow-ups after undergoing surgery.

  • Bangladesh appoints Syed Muazzem Ali as new envoy to India

    Bangladesh appoints Syed Muazzem Ali as new envoy to India

    DHAKA (TIP): Bangladesh on Monday appointed veteran diplomat and former foreign secretary Syed Muazzem Ali as its new high commissioner to India.

    Ali served as the foreign secretary during the ruling Awami League’s previous 1996-2001 tenure.

    He will succeed Tariq A Karim who is Bangladesh’s envoy in India for the past five years, said a foreign ministry statement.

    A former member of the then Pakistani foreign service, Ali joined the service in 1968 while he severed his links with Islamabad during 1971 Liberation War expressing his allegiance to Bangladesh government in exile in India while he was posted in the United States.

    Ali earlier served as Bangladesh’s ambassador to Bhutan, Iran and France and served in other capacities in several other countries. He retired as the top bureaucrat in the foreign ministry in 2001.

  • Pak air strikes kill 15 militants

    Pak air strikes kill 15 militants

    ISLAMABAD (TIP): At least 15 militants were killed on October 3 in air strikes by Pakistani military in the restive northwestern tribal region, where the security forces have launched a major offensive to wipe out the Taliban.

    The attacks were launched in Jamrud and Bara sub-divisions of Khyber district where al-Qaida linked rebels have safe havens.

    Army said that 15 terrorists were killed in the attacks which also destroyed their three hideouts.

    The Taliban and other al-Qaida-linked groups, which stage attacks in both Pakistan and Afghanistan are known to have strongholds in the tribal region.

    Pakistan launched operation Zarb-i-Azb, a much-awaited military campaign, to clear insurgent bases from North Waziristan, following a bloody assault on Karachi airport ended faltering peace talks with the insurgents.

    The militant attack on the airport killed 37 people. The military claims it has killed nearly 1,000 militants and lost 82 soldiers since the start of the operation.

  • TOXIC LIQUOR KILLS 17 IN PAKISTAN

    TOXIC LIQUOR KILLS 17 IN PAKISTAN

    ISLAMABAD (TIP): At least 17 people have died in the last four days after consuming toxic liquor in Pakistan’s Sindh province, media report said on friday.

    Around 150 people have been arrested in connection with the sale and purchase of toxic liquor.

    The majority of the deaths have taken place in Hyderabad’s Katchi Abadis and nearby rural localities, Express Tribune reported.

    A police spokesman said that the regional excise director and seven SHOs have been suspended for negligence.

    Six patients are undergoing treatment for consumption of the liquor and officials say the unconfirmed number of deaths is almost double the official toll of 17.

    Police have lodged 20 FIRs and nominated 22 suspects in the case, some of whom have been named in multiple FIRs, in eight police stations.

    DIG Hyderabad Dr Sanaullah Abbasi said that he warned the SHOs that they will not only be suspended if the moonshine liquor outlets or casualties are found in their area, but will also be jailed.

    Secretary, excise Abdul Majeed Pathan said he has sacked regional director Agha Abdur Rehman from his post.

    “Our intelligence team will map out the illegal liquor sales locations and this will be followed by a province-wide crackdown,” he said.

    He added that sale and consumption of liquor is rampant in Sukkur, Badin, Thatta, Tharparkar, Sanghar and many other districts.

  • US readies 4,000 troops for Ebola mission

    US readies 4,000 troops for Ebola mission

    WASHINGTON (TIP): The US military expects to increase the number of troops deployed to Liberia to fight the Ebola outbreak to nearly 4,000, up from a planned 3,000-strong force, the Pentagon said on October 3.

    About 200 soldiers are already in Liberia setting up a headquarters for the US mission, which is aimed at training health care workers and setting up medical facilities for international aid teams.

    President Barack Obama earlier this month announced that about 3,000 troops would eventually head to West Africa to help with efforts against the deadly virus.

    But the Pentagon said officials were looking at ramping up the size of the force if necessary.

    “We project that there could be nearly 4,000 troops deployed in support of this mission, but we’re obviously assessing the requirements on a daily basis. It may not go that high,” spokesman Rear Admiral John Kirby told reporters.

    He said an additional 1,800 US Army troops, including engineers, medical and aviation specialists, received orders to deploy to Africa in coming weeks.

    This was in addition to 1,400 already headed to Monrovia this month, including the troops already on the ground.

    The deployment will bring the total number of American forces in Liberia and neighboring states to 3,200, officials said.

  • Murmurs in US: Secret Service lapses deliberate

    Murmurs in US: Secret Service lapses deliberate

    WASHINGTON (TIP): Representative Elijah Cummings of Maryland was at the grocery store the other day when he ran into an elderly black woman who expressed growing concern about President Obama’s safety. Why, she asked, wasn’t he being better protected by his Secret Service agents?

    The furore that led to this week’s resignation of the director of the Secret Service resonated deeply among blacks, outraged that those supposed to be guarding the first black president were somehow falling down on the job — and suspicious even without evidence that it may be deliberate. “It is something that is widespread in black circles,” said Representative Emanuel Cleaver II of Missouri, who like Cummings is an African-American Democrat who has been approached by voters expressing such a concern. “I’ve been hearing this for some time: ‘Well, the Secret Service, they’re trying to expose the president.’ You hear a lot of that from African-Americans in particular.”

    Both Cummings and Cleaver said that they did not believe the Secret Service lapses reported recently had anything to do with Obama’s race and that they had tried to dispel the notion among their constituents. But the profound doubts they have encountered emphasize the nation’s persistent racial divide and reflect an abiding fear for Obama’s security that has unnerved blacks still mindful of the assassinations of Malcolm X and the Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr.

    It is a longstanding fear. Colin Powell’s wife urged him not to run for president in 1996 out of fear that he might be targeted. And when Obama took office in January 2009, the Secret Service recorded an alarming surge in threats against him. The threat level since then has actually fallen back to a rate more typical of previous presidents, officials said, but potential racial animosity persists in risk calculations by the Secret Service as it seeks to protect Obama.

    The Secret Service does not discuss the nature of threats against Obama in much detail, but said the agency was fervently devoted to his security. “The Secret Service is committed to protecting the first family and the president at all costs,” said Ed Donovan, an agency spokesman. “We recognize that protecting the president is a sacred trust we have with the US public and that they place in us. It’s never mattered to the service who the president is because we recognize that trust.”

  • Indians join the wave of investors in condos and homes in US

    Indians join the wave of investors in condos and homes in US

    WASHINGTON (TIP): Arun Kumar owns three apartments in New Delhi, where he has carved out a comfortable life as part of India’s rapidly expanding middle class. Not long ago, he also became a global landlord, picking up an inexpensive three-bedroom house and a duplex nearly 8,000 miles away, in St. Louis.

    For Kumar and other affluent Indians, US real estate is a security blanket. Faced with what some have considered a bubble in real estate prices in major Indian cities and a sometimes jittery Bombay Stock Exchange, they are joining a wave of buyers from other countries who see the recovering US housing market as one of the best places to put their money these days.

    The wealthy elite from China, Latin America and elsewhere have bought pieds-a-terre in glassy towers in Manhattan, luxury condos in Miami and homes along the West Coast. Law enforcement investigations have found that some foreign investors are using US real estate holdings, at least in part, to hide cash and other assets from authorities in their home country.

    But many less-than-superrich foreign investors just want a safe place to put extra savings, and their investments tend to be much less grandiose than the trophy properties that have drawn most of the attention. And for Indians in particular, who long trusted in gold to protect their wealth, US real estate offers a “very, very attractive destination,” said Subir Gokarn, director of research at Brookings India in New Delhi.

    Jed Kolko, chief economist at Trulia, an online marketplace for residential real estate, said the most popular property searches for people from India were in and around Silicon Valley, where technology firms heavily recruit from India; in the Boston and Philadelphia areas near universities that have numerous students from India; and in suburban areas of New Jersey and in Queens, where there are established Indian-American communities.In an echo of the late 1980s, foreign investment in US real estate has taken off again. A survey from the National Association of Realtors estimates that from April 2013 to March of this year, total sales to international clients were about $92.2 billion, a 35 percent increase over the previous 12 months. The figure includes purchases by recent immigrants. Foreign buyers now make up 7 per cent of total existing-home sales of $1.2 trillion, according to the survey. Of those, Indians represent 6 per cent of the purchases, spending $5.8 billion, up from $3.9 billion over the same period a year ago and on par with buyers from Britain. Canadians have long bought US property and still do so in big numbers, with purchases centered for the most part in Arizona, Florida and more recently in Las Vegas. Canada still accounts for the largest share of buyers, but China is the fastest-growing source of clients, according to the Realtors’ group.

    And Chinese buyers are bigger spenders. Their real estate purchases in the United States nearly doubled from last April to last March, increasing to $22 billion from the previous period. They accounted for nearly a quarter of all international sales in the current period.

    “Most people who can come here, they are pretty wealthy,” said Grace Tian, a broker with Realty Mark Associates in Philadelphia who often works with Chinese clients. In contrast, buyers from India are a more eclectic group. These include parents living in India who buy apartments for students attending college, making sure the units have concierge service and an extra bedroom so they can visit for extended periods, several real estate agents said. After the students leave college, the parents often keep the apartment and rent it out.

  • MARINE IS FIRST US DEATH IN OPERATIONS AGAINST ISLAMIC STATE

    MARINE IS FIRST US DEATH IN OPERATIONS AGAINST ISLAMIC STATE

    WASHINGTON (TIP): A US Marine who went into the sea from a V-22 Osprey during a flight mishap over the northern Gulf this week was the first American killed in US military operations against the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria.

    Corporal Jordan Spears, 21, of Memphis, Indiana, was a crewman aboard a V-22 tilt-rotor aircraft flying off the USS Makin Island and went into the sea when the aircraft lost power shortly after takeoff, the Navy said on Friday.

    The V-22 descended to the surface of the ocean during the mishap on Wednesday. Spears and a second air crewmen went into the water when it appeared the tilt-rotor aircraft was about to crash, but the two pilots were able to regain control of the craft and landed it safely back on board the Makin Island.

    One air crewman was recovered and was in stable condition aboard the Makin Island. A search and rescue operation for the missing crewman was called off on Thursday and the Navy said he was presumed lost at sea.

    Rear Admiral John Kirby, the Pentagon press secretary, confirmed on Friday that the Marine’s unit had been supporting current operations in the Gulf, including the current battle against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.

    “That squadron and that ship were in the Gulf supporting Central Command operations,” Kirby said, referring to the combatant command responsible for U.S. forces in the Middle East region.

    “Some of those operations included operations in Iraq and Syria, at least tangentially,” he said. “So there’s no question that this Marine’s death is related to the operations that are going on in some form or fashion.”

    The Navy and Marine Corps are investigating the cause of the mishap.

    The V-22 takes off and lands vertically like a helicopter but the twin rotors at the end of its wings tilt after takeoff and allow it to fly like an airplane.

    The V-22 had a rocky start because of mishaps during development, but it has won kudos for performance since entering into service.

  • US to partially lift 40-year-old ban on arms sale to Vietnam

    US to partially lift 40-year-old ban on arms sale to Vietnam

    WASHINGTON (TIP): The United States is to partially lift a four-decade-old arms embargo against its former foe Vietnam, the state department said on October 2, after secretary of state John Kerry met his counterpart Pham Binh Min.

    “The secretary informed deputy prime minister and foreign minister Minh that the state department has taken steps to allow for the future transfer of maritime security-related defence articles to Vietnam,” spokeswoman Jen Psaki said.

  • Shooting threats: Report

    Shooting threats: Report

    Hundreds at US’s iconic Harvard University receive email shooting threats: Report

    CAMBRIDGE (TI): Hundreds of students and staff at Harvard University received emails on October 2 from a sender who threatened to come to the Ivy League school “tomorrow” and shoot them, according to campus police.

    The Harvard University police department said it could not verify that the threat was authentic but said it would step up security around the university’s campus, centred in Cambridge, Massachusetts, just outside Boston, over the weekend.

    Boston-area residents have been on an elevated state of alert since a pair of homemade bombs was set off at the city’s marathon in April 2013, killing three people and injuring 260.

    University police said they had alerted the Federal Bureau of Investigation and local law enforcement. Parts of the elite university were also evacuated in December when the school received a bomb threat from a person who turned out to be a student trying to get out of taking a final exam. That student was later arrested and is facing federal charges of making a hoax bomb threat.

  • Obama ‘strongly condemns’ killing of Alan Henning

    Obama ‘strongly condemns’ killing of Alan Henning

    WASHINGTON (TIP): US President Barack Obama strongly condemned on October 2 the killing of British citizen Alan Henning by Islamic State militants fighting in Iraq and Syria and said the United States would seek to bring his killers to justice.

    “The United States strongly condemns the brutal murder of United Kingdom citizen Alan Henning” by the Islamic State group, Obama said in a statement.

    “Standing together with our UK friends and allies, we will work to bring the perpetrators of Alan’s murder —as well as the murders of Jim Foley, Steven Sotloff and David Haines — to justice,” Obama said, referring to other captives killed by Islamic State militants.

  • Barack Obama expresses interest in yoga

    Barack Obama expresses interest in yoga

    WASHINGTON: Impressed by the “energy and vigour” of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his recent visit to the US despite being on fast, President Barack Obama has expressed his interest in yoga, officials have said.

    While the First Lady has been instrumental in introducing yoga inside the White House, Obama appeared to be very impressed by the energy and vigour shown by Modi when he hosted the latter over a private working dinner in the Blue Room of the White House on Monday.

    “They joked about the fact that the rest were eating and the Prime Minister (Modi) was fasting. The president expressed admiration for the energy and the vigour with which the Prime Minister was able to maintain this rigorous schedule on a diet of only warm water,” assistant secretary of state for south and central Asia, Nisha Desai Biswal told reporters on October 2.

  • Woman sues sperm bank over black donor error

    Woman sues sperm bank over black donor error

    CLEVELAND: An Ohio woman has sued a sperm bank after she became pregnant with sperm donated by a black man instead of a white man as she and her partner had intended. The woman is seeking damages and wants to ensure the sperm bank doesn’t make a similar mistake again.

    Within days of their wedding in New York, Jennifer Cramblett and Amanda Zinkon had become pregnant with the donor sperm. In April 2012, five months into her pregnancy, Cramblett, 36, called Midwest Sperm Bank LLC outside Chicago to reserve sperm from the same donor in the hope that Zinkon, 29, would someday also have a child. That’s when Cramblett learned from a sperm bank employee that she had been inseminated with sperm from the wrong donor, according to a lawsuit filed on Monday against Midwest Sperm Bank in Illinois. Cramblett said they had chosen sperm from a man known as No. 380, a white donor. The sperm used for insemination came from No. 330, a black donor, she said.The lawsuit seeks a minimum of$50,000 in damages. “They took a personal choice, a personal decision and took it on themselves to make that choice for us out of pure negligence,” Cramblett said.

    Cramblett said that she and Zinkon love their 2-year-old daughter, Payton, very much. But they are concerned about raising her in the predominantly white community where they live.

  • Patna stampede: 33 killed after Dussehra event

    Patna stampede: 33 killed after Dussehra event

    CM announces Rs 3 lakh compensation each to kin of dead

    PATNA (TIP): At least 33 people, including 20 women and 10 children, were killed and 26 others injured in a stampede that broke out this evening outside rpt outside the sprawling Gandhi Maidan filled with huge crowds here shortly after the end of the Dussehra celebrations.

    The tragedy struck at around 7 PM at the South East corner of the ground near the Exhibition road when people were returning after watching the “Ravana Vadh” (killing of demon king) event and jostled with each other to move ahead, eyewitnesses and officials said.

    Tens of thousands of people had gathered to watch the annual event at the historic Gandhi Maidan where several pockets were reportedly dimly lit when the stampede broke out.

    Patna Medical College and Hospital’a (PMCH) Deputy Superintendent Sudhanshu Singh said 32 people died in the stampede–20 women, 10 children and two men. Seven girls were among the 10 child victims, he said, adding 26 people were injured and receiving treatment.

    Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi has ordered an inquiry by Home Secretary and Additional Director General of Police (Headquarters) Gupteshwar Pandey, the CMO said.

    He has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 3 lakh each to the next of the kin of the dead.

    Condoling the loss of lives in the stampede, Prime Minister Narendra Modi sanctioned an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to the next of kin of those killed.

    Eyewitnesses said the stampede was sparked by rumours that a live high high tension wire had snapped and fallen on ground triggering panic. However, there was no official confirmation of the exact cause of the stampede.

    Slippers, shoes and footwear lay strewn on a one-km stretch at the stampede site as people tried to flee from the scene.The PMCH has been cordoned off by the security forces.

    Hundreds of people were milling around the PMCH, some of them wailing, trying to locate their near and dear ones who got separated in the event. Several ambulances were seen going inside the PMCH carrying stampede victims.

    “There was a rush towards the exit gate that several women and children were run over in the frenzy,” Patna District Magistrate Manish Kumar Verma said. The Bihar Chief Minister was present at the Gandhi Maidan where people watched an arrow setting the 60-feet tall effigy of Ravan into flames. Inspector General of Police(Patna zone) Kundan Krishnan was seen manning the entrance of the PMCH regulating the entry of people.

    Rajnath seeks report : Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh tonight spoke to Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi about the stampede in Patna which left 32 people dead after the Dussherra celebrations, sources said. Singh is understood to have sought a report from the state government on the incident.

  • PM CONNECTS WITH PEOPLE OVER RADIO WITH HIS ‘MANN KI BAAT’

    PM CONNECTS WITH PEOPLE OVER RADIO WITH HIS ‘MANN KI BAAT’

    NEW DELHI (TIP): In a new initiative to reach out to the maximum populace, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 3 connected with people over radio with his ‘mann ki baat’, giving a pep talk on shedding despondency and use of skills for the country’s betterment and prosperity.

    He impressed upon the people to generate confidence among themselves, including the specially-abled children who are a responsibility of the society, and advocated the need for use of khadi products as a homage to Mahatma Gandhi.

    He promised to make the radio broadcast a regular affair and invited ideas from the citizens while noting that he was encouraged by the number of suggestions he had received since it was announced that he would be addressing the nation over radio.

    In his 15-minute address that coincided with Dussehra, he sought to motivate people to recognise their capabilities and use them.

    “You know, our scientists have undertaken the Mars mission successfully at minimum expenses. There is nothing lacking in our capabilities. We only have forgotten our strengths. We have forgotten ourselves as if we have become despondents. My brothers and sisters, this cannot be,” he said.

    Contending that “the 125 crore Indians are blessed with immense skill and strength”, he said, “All we need to do is to understand our strengths.”

    To emphasise his point, the Prime Minister narrated a short story of Swami Vivekananda about how a lion brought up by sheep rediscovered his prowess after coming in touch with another lion.

    “If we move ahead with self-respect and right identity, we will emerge victorious,” he said.

    He also referred to Mahatma Gandhi, whose birth anniversary was celebrated yesterday, and impressed upon people to use at least one khadi product, may it be a handkerchief or even a bed sheet.

    “If you buy khadi, you light the lamp of prosperity in the house of a poor person,” he said.

  • Swachh Bharat Abhiyan: Clean India is responsibility of all , says Modi

    Swachh Bharat Abhiyan: Clean India is responsibility of all , says Modi

    Excerpt: Call it the PM effect. A police station in the heart of the capital was meticulously cleaned by a team from Sulabh International after a surprise inspection by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Oct 2. PM Modi was on his way to the Valmiki Basti, a colony that houses sanitation workers, nearby when he suddenly stopped his car and walked into the Mandir Marg police station in central Delhi. The parking lot was littered with garbage. The PM picked up a broom and tackled it for nearly 10 minutes, leaving the police officers who work at the station deeply embarrassed. The PM told them cleanliness is important. Then he left for a busy morning, crammed with events linked to the launch of the massive five-year Clean India campaignPM Modi made a surprise inspection at a police station.

    NEW DELHI (TIP): Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched his nationwide cleanliness campaign, the
    ‘Swachh Bharat Mission’ or ‘Clean India Campaign’ from the Valmiki Basti in New Delhi on October 2. Addressing the nation at the launch, Modi asked India’s 1.25 billion people to join the ‘Swachh Bharat Mission’ and promote it to everyone.

    After paying tribute at the memorials of Mahatma Gandhi and former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri on their birth anniversaries, Modi himself swept a pavement at Valmiki Basti, a colony of sanitation workers before the formal launch of the ‘Clean India’ drive at Rajpath. While launching the mission at Mandir Marg, he also made a surprise visit at the local police station to check on its cleanliness.

    Modi said, “Today is the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhiji and Lal Bahadur Shastriji. We have gained freedom under leadership of Gandhiji, but his dream of clean India is still unfulfilled.”

    He added, “Swachh Bharat Campaign logo is not just a logo, through it Gandhiji is watching us and we all should clean India. I am not claiming that the newly elected government is doing everything. Be it temples, mosques, gurudwaras or any place, we must take efforts to clean our surroundings. Cleanliness is not only the responsibility of the ‘safaai kaamgar’, it is the responsibility of 125 crore Indians. If Indians can reach Mars at a cheap cost, can we not clean our neighbourhoods?”

    Giving credit to previous governments, Modi said, “I do not make any claim that only the newly elected government has done everything. All governments have done something or the other to achieve cleanliness in the country; I greet all of them for this. Swachh Bharat mission is beyond politics. It is inspired by patriotism and not politics.”

    Thanking the media for supporting this campaign, he said, “I know people will criticise me in the next few days, but to clean India I am ready to face the criticism.”

    Stating that this campaign cannot be done by only the government or the ministers, Modi said, “The work is to be done by all Indians. This campaign is for 1.2 billion people and I repeat it 1.2 billion times. This work is not only about a ‘prachar abhiyan’. It is a big effort but we have a lot of time.”

    Mentioning that the response he is getting on the social media is heartening, Modi said, “There are thousands of organisations which have been doing the great work of cleanliness, and they should also brought into the picture.”

    Modi asked people to take pictures of areas where they saw garbage, then clean the area and take pictures of the clean area. He asked people to upload these images on social media using MyGov, a mobile application.

    He added, “I have also started a social media campaign, I have invited nine people to post pictures of them cleaning and they will invite another nine people. It includes Goa Governor Mridula Sinha, master blaster Sachin Tendulkar, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, Bollywood actor Aamir Khan, Priyanka Chopra, Salman Khan, Yoga guru Ramdev baba and a team of Tarak Mehta ka Ooltah Chashmah.”

    “I feel pained to see mothers and daughters to go in the open to relieve themselves. More than 60% people defecate in the open. Constructing more toilets is extremely important and we can at least do this to respect them. Don’t trust my government, but trust Mahatma Gandhi’s devotion to cleanliness,” he added.

    Prime Minister Modi also pledged to people saying ‘na main gandagi karoonga,na main gandagi karne doonga’ (I would not litter and won’t allow anyone to do so). He further flagged off a walkathon as part of the Swachh Bharat Campaign.

    Millions of people across the country are also joining daily the cleanliness initiatives of the government departments, NGOs and local community centers to make India completely clean by 2019.

    The Centre will spend nearly Rs 2 lakh crore in a five-year span as part of its ambitious plan to completely clean India by October 2019, coinciding with the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. While the Urban Development Ministry will allocate Rs 62,000 crore for cleaning towns across the country, the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation will spend Rs 1,34,000 crores for the programme to be launched by Modi on October 2.

  • BJP TO ROLL OUT BIG GUNS FOR ASSEMBLY POLLS

    BJP TO ROLL OUT BIG GUNS FOR ASSEMBLY POLLS

    NEW DELHI (TIP): With Dussehra over, BJP will get into campaign mode for the Haryana and Maharashtra assembly polls on a war footing.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his senior ministers will have little time for anything else, criss-crossing the two states over the next two weeks, addressing rallies. BJP plans to hold at least four big rallies a day in each state till campaign ends for the October 15 polls.

    Modi will begin his charge on Saturday morning from Karnal in Haryana and move to Maharashtra to address three rallies in Beed, Aurangabad and Mahalakshmi (Mumbai). The PM will address 8-10 rallies in Haryana and around 22 in Maharashtra.

    Two senior ministers — home minister Rajnath Singh and external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj — will be all over Haryana on Saturday, holding four rallies each in the state. Singh will be at Radaur, Kalayat, Julana and Jakholi Rai while Swaraj will address rallies in Kalka, Thanachhapar, Shahbad and Gohana. Singh will address about 15 rallies in each state.

    The party has decided to have Swaraj, who belongs to Haryana, focus on the state where BJP is contesting on its own and is aiming to replace the Congress government. Similarly, road transport minister Nitin Gadkari has been asked to concentrate on Maharashtra, his home state, where BJP is contesting without its 25-year-old partner Shiv Sena this time.

    Swaraj is scheduled to address about 22 rallies in Haryana and will be in Maharashtra only for a day on October 6, attending three rallies. She will take a break from campaigning as she is travelling abroad between October 8 and 10. Gadkari is expected to address about 36 rallies in Maharashtra.

    Party veteran L K Advani will address six rallies in Maharashtra and two in Haryana, while Murli Manohar Joshi will address two rallies in Maharashtra and one in Haryana.

    Urban development minister M Venkaiah Naidu is slated to spend four days in Maharashtra and two in Haryana. Other ministers who will address a few rallies in both states are chemical and fertilizer minister Ananth Kumar, HRD minister Smriti Irani and social justice minister Thawar Chand Gehlot. Party chief Amit Shah will address about 15 rallies in each state.

    The party has roped in all its chief ministers to ensure its good governance campaign is showcased. Goa CM Manohar Parikkar will focus on Maharashtra while Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan will spare three days for Maharashtra and one for Haryana. Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje has three days in Maharashtra and two days in Haryana, Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh and Gujarat CM Anandiben Patel will each spend two days in Maharashtra. On an average, the chief ministers will address three rallies a day, party vice-president M A Naqvi said.

    Not to forget its star power, BJP has roped in actor-turned-MPs Hema Malini, Vinod Khanna and Shatrughan Sinha to campaign in both states.