The Indian Panorama

Year: 2015

  • Obama is the right man at the right time and the right place, God bless him!

    Obama is the right man at the right time and the right place, God bless him!

    President Obama will go down in the history as the wisdom president who believed and practiced in inclusive and cohesive societies. He is the right man at the right time for the right job and has pulled the country out of the mess his predecessor left, he is righting every wrong done before him from job creation to reducing budget deficits, restoring respect (not the bully respect but respect for respect) among community of nations and a solid infrastructure of road and bridges for years to come.

    He has laid the foundation for a strong secure America from both external and internal (health care) enemies. He is a catalyst in acceptance of GLBT as a new norm of the society with same sex marriages, and above all giving the full meaning to our immortal declaration that all men are equal.

    Don’t get me wrong, I have severely criticized some of his policies on drones, not recognizing the State of Palestine that would have given relief to the Jewish people, and not giving ultimatum to the ISIS and prioritizing the sequence of the affordable care act.

    Shame on the Democrats! They should have trumpeted his extraordinary contributions to the betterment of our nation. He gave hope and uplifted America and brought a positive change to the world. They failed to beat up the Republicans on his record during the mid term elections and lost the Senate.

    Shame on the Republicans! They should have the guts to acknowledge that he is the best thing that has happened to America. A few Neanderthalic racist Republican fringes will continue to discount his work, and we have to accept them as a bad part of the equation that every society has to live with.

    Ever since I knew Obama through his speech in 2006 at the Chicago Senate, I knew he would be my mentor in Pluralism. I have written over 75 pieces about him and hope to continue to write about him – his failures and mostly successes.

    By the way, since 2008, I claim and here is the record that his speeches have 40-50% of the material, thoughts, ideas and words in my writings, usually published a week or two before his speech, and many a times same sequence of words. I am looking to pay to students to put together these identicalities and hope to present to the President.

    His speech yesterday has got solid statements that reflect my writings.

    “No religion is responsible for terrorism -people are responsible for violence and terrorism,” Obama told delegates at the White House Summit on Countering Violent Extremism. This is actually my father’s quote that I have been writing for the last 12 years.

    On Wednesday he sought to explain his wording, declaring al Qaeda and ISIS “desperate for legitimacy.” “They try to portray themselves as religious leaders, holy warriors in defense of Islam,” he said. “We must never accept the premise that they put forward because it is a lie. Nor should we grant these terrorists the religious legitimacy that they seek. They are not religious leaders. They are terrorists.”

    “We are not at war with Islam. We are at war with people who have perverted Islam,” Obama said during his remarks, adding later that Muslim leaders “need to do more to discredit the notion that our nations are determined to suppress Islam.”

    Groups like the Islamic State and al-Qaeda “try to portray themselves as religious leaders, holy warriors in defense of Islam,” Obama said, but “we must never accept the premise that they put forward, because it is a lie.”

    “Of course, the terrorists do not speak for a billion Muslims who reject their ideology,” Obama said. “They no more represent Islam than any madman who kills innocents in the name of God, represents Christianity or Judaism or Buddhism or Hinduism.”

    In fighting extremism, Obama said the United States and allies must also address the economic and political “grievances” that often fuel violent ideology. Governments must work to help provide economic opportunity, education, democracy, and the rule of law to their citizens, he said.

    That said, Obama warned that “engagement with communities can’t be a cover for surveillance,” and governments should deal with vulnerable people “through the prism of law enforcement.”

  • MADURAI – ATHENS OF THE EAST – Travel

    MADURAI – ATHENS OF THE EAST – Travel

    Madurai is Known as Athens of the East. It is a place of great historical and cultural importance. It is the oldest city in Tamil Nadu and Madurai lies on the banks of the River Vaigai. Madurai is one of the liveliest cities in South India it was originally known as Kadambavanam or the “forest of Kadamba” or the Nauclea kadamba.

    Legend says that Lord Shiva appeared in the dream on the king, Kulasekhara Pandya. The king was amazed to see drops of nectar or madhu falling down of earth from Lord Shiva’s matted hair. The “madhu” was so sweet that the place where it fell came to be known as Madhurapuri, which in course of time became “Madurai.”

    Tamil and Greek documents record its existence from the 4th century B.C. Being in the heart of Tamil Nadu, Madurai has fostered an essentially Dravidian and Tamil culture. Famous for its cultural and scholarly pursuits, the city had an academy consisting of critics, poets and savants highly esteemed both by kings and commoners. It was in Madurai that three successful conferences of Tamil scholars called sangams flourished under benevolent royal support. Madurai is famous for housing one of the five traditional dance halls where Lord Siva, in his form as the Silver Hall or the Velli Ambalam. It is situated within the Meenakshi Temple.

    Madurai was the capital of the dynasty. The Meenakshi-Sundareswarar Shrine is its central glory. The Muslims invaded Madurai in the 14th Century. Later it came under the rule of the Nayaks, and the rule of Thirumalai Nayak, who is remembered as the maker of modern Madurai, was an eventful one.

    Madurai was known to be the centre of learning and pilgrimage for centuries. Today, Madurai is a modern commercial and industrial city, with a vast University campus and is renowned for its weaving mills and dyeing industry. The chungadi cotton sarees are the speciality of this city with its colourful tie and dye motifs. Handicrafts, brassware, bronze items and the famous wooden toys of Madurai are some of the notable artefacts.Madurai is 450 kms from Chennai.

    Gandhi Museum

    Gandhi museum is a great master piece in Southern India and it has great historical background and mythology in its background. There are several Gandhi museums across the nation and the Gandhi museum of the southen India is basically a Tamukkam bungalow which means summer house in Tamil, which is the local language of the place.

    The museum is square in share and created at the height of 5 metres from the ground level and it has a wonderful dome in the centre which is about 7 metres diagonally. It was constructed by Nayak Queen Rani in the earlier 1700 AD. Great cost was incurred in establishing the museum and it was all invested by the government of India, in memory of Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation.

    MADURAI - ATHENS OF THE EAST - Travel
    MADURAI – ATHENS OF THE EAST – Travel

    Thirumalai Nayak Mahal

    Thirumalai Nayak Mahal was constructed way back in the 17th century. Several buildings and temples had been constructed by him in the region and they have been splendid piece of construction. It was constructed by kings of muslim dynasty which covered several regions of coimbatore, Madurai districts and other few places in southern Tamil Nadu. It is a great piece of art and all of the sculptures are encarved in the Madurai style.

    Several old temples too have been renovated in this new style and the whole city seems to have the construction of the similar make, which is a good feature of the place.

    Vaigai Dam

    Vaigai dam is a giant dam constructed on the river Vaigai and is situated near Andipatti in southern India. The dam has been the life line of the agricultural lands in the neighbourhood and because of it the areas have flourished in leaps and bounds. It provides clean and fresh drinking water to whole of the region of Madurai and Andipatti. Agricultural research institution too has been developed near the dam so as to research on a wide variety of crops including cereals and pulses.

    Several issues about the water supply in the dry seasons have been curbed down after the construction of the dam and it has provided life to the region of southern India.

    Alagar Koil

    Alagar Koil is a beautiful temple situated in the north east of Madurai. The temple is the abode of Lord Vishnu and is the sacred place for several followers of Lord Vishnu in the region. It is situated in the Alagar hills and is also known as Azhagarkovil. The statue of the lord is made of stone and is a great masterpiece created from kallalgar. Several different statues in different postures of the Lord are all kept in the temple under the same roof and is the best form of distinct temples in southern India. The people of the region consider Lord Vishnu to be a wonderful king or ruler of the earth and offer holy prayers from the bottom of the heart. The temple has wonderful halls and other facilities to perform different rituals with sacred mantras in the holy environment.

  • Battle of the unpredictables in must-win game

    Battle of the unpredictables in must-win game

    CHRISTCHURCH (TIP): Two teams that need to win to stay alive in the 2015 ICC World Cup will meet at Hagley Oval on Saturday, but that is not the only similarity between them. Both are missing influential players, both are creaking from instability and both are coming off dramatic losses. Welcome then, to West Indies versus Pakistan in game ten of the tournament. Not an ordinary fixture by any regards.

    In one corner, the cornered tigers -Pakistan. Led by Misbah-ul-Haq, 40, and in his final World Cup. In the other – West Indies, led by Jason Holder, 23, in his first World Cup. Holder is only 27 ODIs old – having led in six – with questions being asked as to why he was saddled with the responsibility of leading an unstable side. Misbah is in New Zealand just months after his batting form and a series of losses prompted calls for his removal. Two men at opposite ends of their careers, but with the task of leading two of the most frustrating teams in world cricket.

    Pakistan occupy bottom place in Pool B, with West Indies on level higher owing to a better net run-rate. Both must win, and both captains had their own views on what it will take to outdo the other.

    “To stop teams to under 300, you need to back your field placements and take wickets,” said Misbah on Friday. “Defending 300 or hoping to keep teams to under 300, you must take wickets in the middle overs and up front. Regular breakthroughs are the key. If six or seven batsmen bat well, 300 can easily be made and chased. Our focus will be wickets.”

    Considering West Indies’ struggles against spin – the Irish trio of Andy McBrine (10-1-26-0), George Dockrell (10- 0-50-3) and Paul Stirling (6-0-33-0) played important roles at Nelson – Misbah was asked if he would pack his side with another spinner, but his reply was a ready one: “We don’t have four spinners. Let’s see the final look of the pitch and decide.”

    Two possible changes to Pakistan’s XI could be shifting veteran Younis Khan, who was oddly promoted to open against India despite having not batted in that role since 2009, back to No 4 and playing Sarfraz Ahmed as wicketkeeper instead of Umar Akmal.

    Younis had only twice opened in and ODI in his 262-match career – in 2004 and 2009, making 0 and 4 – before the India opener where he made 6. But a closer inspection of his numbers since he was recalled to the team in late 2014 show the apart from one century against New Zealand in the UAE, he has scores of 4, 6, 35, 12, 9, 11 and 6. Not the kind of form to put forward when your place in the team is on the line, no matter your experience. Should Younis be dropped, it is foreseeable that Nasir Jamshed slots back into the team at the top.

    Asked about Younis and Umar Akmal’s roles in the side, Misbah presented a straight bat. “You can’t say after one game. We’re not panicking. We’re looking into all matters very closely and want to go with a composition that can win us the next game and all those to follow,” he said.

    As far as West Indies are concerned, they will need to be far better in the field. To make 304 for 7 from the depths of 87 for 5 and then lose to Ireland with 25 deliveries left in the match would rankle, no doubt. They will hope that left-arm spinner Suleiman Benn is back to fitness – he bowled a fair deal during training yesterday and today – in order to attack a team that has its problems against spin. Benn looks good to return, meaning that Kemar Roach, who was expensive against Ireland, could miss out.”Pakistan lost their first match against India, we’ve both started the campaign with a loss. It’s important that we take this game very seriously, as we did in the first couple of games we had, said Holder. “Got to execute our plans. What is clear for us is that if we do that, and do what we want to, then we can be very successful. It’s about being consistent.

    These two teams last met for ODIs in the Caribbean in July 2013, a series that Pakistan, under Misbah, won 3-1. Then, Misbah top-scored in the series with 260 runs at 65, with four fifties in five innings. An encore would put Pakistan in a good spot, with some help from his talented team-mates.

  • Southee sends England packing; McCullum pounds them into the ground

    WELLINGTON  (TIP): A packed, and largely boisterous, crowd at Westpac Stadium in Wellington was treated to an exhibition in swing bowling as Tim Southee sent England plummeting down with a stunning seven-wicket haul before Brendon McCullum tore into the England attack with a record-breaking fifty to hand New Zealand a massive win, their third on the trot this ICC World Cup. The right-armer finished with figures of seven for 33 to help the hosts bowl out an already beleaguered England side for a lowly score of 123. If folding for a low score wasn’t embarrassing enough, England’s bowling performance would’ve definitely ticked the box. Brendon McCullum came out all guns blazing, smashing a fifty off just 18 deliveries – the third fastest of all time, to help the hosts win by 8 wickets and complete their second highest win in ODIs.

    On a pitch that had something in it for everyone, Southee dominated proceedings with a stunning display of bowling. He achieved his best ever bowling figures in an ODI, besting his five for 33 against Pakistan in 2011 at the same venue. He ended up with the best ever figures for a New Zealand player, bettering Shane Bond’s six for 19 against India. He was well supported by Trent Boult (one for 32), Daniel Vettori (one for 19) and Adam Milne (one for 25), while New Zealand’s stupendous fielding also helped in keeping the run flow in check and the pressure always high.

    New Zealand were left facing the prospect of chasing a low total for the second time in as many game. But unlike the game against Scotland, during which they lost a string of wickets trying to chase down 143 quickly, New Zealand made a terrific start. Brendon McCullum, in particular, was in the mood for carnage as he slammed the fastest ever fifty in World Cups to put the hosts on course for a thumping win. He got to the landmark off just 18 deliveries, also recording the third fastest fifty of all time.

    The NZ captain showed no sighs of stopping, celebrating his getting to a remarkable fifty by smashing Steven Finn for three consecutive sixes. New Zealand notched up their hundred in just the 7th over of the match. McCullum was out in the next over, but he had already walloped 77 off just 25 deliveries.

    England finally got a break they were desperate for, but it did not come in the form they would have hoped for. With New Zealand just 12 runs short of a crushing win, the players were taken off the field for lunch. Martin Guptill was out in the first over after lunch, but Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor hit the remaining runs to extend New Zealand’s unbeaten streak against England in World Cups to 32 years.

    Having been asked to bowl first, with England captain Eoin Morgan reckoning that the wicket will be batting friendly, New Zealand started off aggressively with captain Brendon McCullum operating with as many as four slips. After a tight first couple of overs, England’s openers Moeen Ali and Ian Bell found gaps on either side of the wicket to register their first boundaries.

    Southee gave New Zealand their first breakthrough in the fifth over of the innings, beating Ian Bell with pace and late away movement and hitting the off-stump.

  • India need to fix chinks in their armour

    India need to fix chinks in their armour

    MELBOURNE (TIP): There are chinks in India’s armour that need to be fixed before they take on South Africa in their second World Cup match at the MCG on Sunday. The Men in Blue have been found wanting more often than not in the first 10 overs of Powerplay , while batting or bowling. That is a crucial phase in the game where a team can either stamp its authority or allow the other to run away with the match.

    Losing too many wickets or conceding too many runs in those first 10 overs can set the team back, forcing it to play catch-up. Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been vocal about this problem, especially on the bowling front. India’s new ball bowlers have often been guilty of giving away too many loose deliveries, leading to a spate of boundaries when there are just two fielders outside the circle.

    Umesh Yadav and Mohammed Shami have the tendency to bowl either too short or too full for the opening batsmen to take advantage. During his interaction with the media in Adelaide, Dhoni had said that this is one area where the team needs to improve. “Our bowlers tend to give away too many boundary balls in the bowling Powerplay . They need to hit the right line and length to put the rival batsmen under pressure. Let them come to you rather than giving them loose balls.That is the only to force the batsmen to make an error,” Dhoni had then said.

    In the opening match against Pakistan, Shami bowled an excellent short delivery to get rid of Younis Khan and push the rivals on the back-foot. But at the other end, Yadav bowled too short too often and was taken apart, which forced Dhoni to change his plans and bring in third seamer Mohit Sharma early into the attack. “I had to take Umesh off early as he was giving away runs. It was only when I brought him back in the middle overs that he maintained a good line at a decent pace to keep the batsmen in check,” Dhoni later pointed out.

  • ANIL KUMBLE TO BE INDUCTED INTO ICC CRICKET HALL OF FAME

    ANIL KUMBLE TO BE INDUCTED INTO ICC CRICKET HALL OF FAME

    NEW DELHI (TIP): Anil Kumble, India’s leading wicket-taker in Tests and ODIs, will be inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame. Kumble will become only the fourth Indian after Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev and Bishan Singh Bedi to bag this honour.

    Kumble’s induction will take place at Melbourne on Sunday, where India take on South Africa in their World Cup encounter. As part of the induction, Kumble will receive a commemorative cap during the innings break of the match.

    Speaking about it, Kumble said, “It’s an honour to be inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame. Indeed, it will be a great moment of pride to receive it during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. I deem it as a great privilege to join the list of great cricketing luminaries.”

    ICC Chief Executive David Richardson congratulated Kumble on his induction. “Anil was an outstanding international cricketer, a very well-respected opponent, a great statesman for his country and a role model for millions of aspiring cricketers. He played hard but within the spirit of the game. His performance and record speak volumes for his tenacity, commitment, endurance and service to the game.”

    Along with Kumble, Betty Wilson, one of the greatest women’s cricketers of all-time, will also be given the honour posthumously.

    Betty Wilson, a former Australia player, featured in 11 Tests between 1947 and 1958 in which she scored 862 runs at average of 57.4 and took 68 wickets at 11.8 per wicket. Wilson passed away on 22 January 2010, aged 88.

    Kumble and Wilson will be the 77th and 78th inductees into the Hall of Fame.

    “The process for the selection of players into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame started last year when the ICC Chairman invited all the living ICC Cricket Hall of Famers to send their nominations. The ICC Nominations Committee reduced the long-list to 10 men’s and three women’s cricketers. The short-list was then sent to the Voting Academy, which included representatives of all the 10 Full Members, media representatives from all the 10 Full Members, Associate & Affiliate Member, women’s cricket and FICA representatives as well as living ICC Hall of Famers. The ICC collated the nominations and forwarded the ballot papers to the auditors who provided the final results,” said an ICC media release.

  • Messi had ‘problems on and off the pitch’ last season

    Messi had ‘problems on and off the pitch’ last season

    BARCELONA (TIP): Lionel Messi says both he and his Barcelona teammates have learned from mistakes that left them without a major title for the first time in six seasons last year. Messi admitted on Thursday that he had “many problems on and off the pitch” last season. He did not elaborate.

    “Last year wasn’t a good year for me,” Messi said. “And I want to reverse that situation. I want to keep in the same shape I am today so I can keep being useful to the team and helping them as much as I am able.”

    Messi fought off injuries throughout 2013 and has spent the past year being investigated for allegedly failing to pay all his taxes. He also came one victory short of winning the World Cup with Argentina losing in last summer’s final to Germany.

    But this season Messi has recovered the same outstanding form that gave him four straight world player of the year awards. He has scored 37 goals in 33 games this campaign, including 14 to fuel an 11-game winning streak since Barcelona lost at Real Sociedad early January.

    “The change in the team’s attitude is very noticeable. We are in a very good dynamic nowadays, displaying a very good level,” Messi said. “But we are also aware that so far we haven’t achieved anything. That these months are key in order to win any title. We hope we can maintain this level so we can achieve the goals we have set upon us.”

    The forward said that the entire team is working to redeem itself after a disappointing 2013-14 season.

    “We are Barcelona and hence we are obliged to fight for all titles,” Messi said. “Sometimes you can achieve it and sometimes you can’t. Last season we didn’t win any title. We don’t want to repeat the same situation this season.”

  • Saina Nehwal beats Carolina Marin to retain Syed Modi Grand Prix title

    Saina Nehwal beats Carolina Marin to retain Syed Modi Grand Prix title

    LUCKNOW (TIP): Saina Nehwal staged a scintillating comeback to defeat reigning world champion Carolina Marin and retain the women’s singles title, while Parupalli Kashyap beat K Srikanth in an all-India final to win men’s singles crown of the Syed Modi Grand Prix Gold badminton tournament on Sunday.

    World number three Saina scraped past the seventh-ranked Spaniard 19-21, 25-23, 21-16 in a see-saw battle lasting an hour and 19 minutes to bag the title.

    With the gruelling win, Saina maintained her 100 per cent win record against Carolina in three career meetings.

    Third seeded Kashyap, meanwhile, stunned world number five Srikanth 23-21, 23-21 to clinch the men’s singles title after a gruelling 52-minute contest.

    Saina showed steely resolve after losing the first game from a 16-12 cushion. The match could have been easier for the Hyderabadi had she not allowed Carolina to come back after gaining a healthy lead on more than one occasion.

    Saina was surging ahead in the second game as well with a 10-6 lead before the 21-year-old Spaniard fought back to go 15- 12 up. It was a neck and neck battle from thereon with the Indian saving a couple of match points. She eventually managed to level the match on her third game point.

    The Hyderabadi did not repeat the mistakes of the first two games in the deciding third game, taking a 9-4 lead before wrapping up the match on her third match point.

    The men’s singles final match turned out to be a closely fought affair with both players refusing to give an inch.

    In the opening game, Kashyap managed to take a lead on a couple of occasions but every time top seed Srikanth levelled the scores at some stage.It was a hard-fought game from 16-16 to 21-21 before Kashyap reeled off two quick points when it mattered the most, to run away with the first game.

    Second game also went on similar lines till 13-13 before world number 15 Kashyap won four points on a trot to open up a 17-13 lead and then further extended it to 19-15.

    But not the one to give it up without a fight, Srikanth picked up four successive points to make it 19-19.

    Tied once more on 21-21, Kashyap yet again kept his cool to earn the two most crucial points and seal the issue in his favour.In mixed doubles, Indian pair of Manu Attri and K Maneesha went down to top seeded Indonesian combo of Riky Widianto and Puspita Richi Dili 17-21, 17-21 to finish runners-up.

  • Rafael Nadal battles into Rio Open quarters

    RIO DE JANEIRO (TIP): Clay king and world number three Rafael Nadal thwarted a determined challenge on February 19 from fellow Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta to reach the quarterfinals of the ATP Rio Open.

    Top seed Nadal, determined to kick-start his season on clay as he targets a 10th French Open crown at Roland Garros, won 7-5, 6-3 against 55th-ranked Carreno to advance to a Friday meeting with Uruguayan Pablo Cuevas, ranked 23.

    Cuevas saw off Spaniard Albert Montanes 6-2, 6-2. Fourteen-time Grand Slam champion Nadal missed three set points in the opener and had to dig deep as his rival fought tigerishly to keep pace with his decorated rival, who is bidding to retain the title he won in Rio 12 months ago.

    “It was pretty humid and he is a tough young cookie. I am very happy to be through to the quarters,” said Nadal, 28.

    “It was a tough match. I was glad to get the break back when he got to 3-2. At 5-4 I made a couple of mistakes. Then in the second set I was a bit tired from the first to begin with and sought to bring my serve through.

    “At 3-2 I tried to get the break and it didn’t come off but the next one did. For me every win is important — and especially on clay.” 

    In the host city for next year’s Olympics, 2008 Beijing Olympic gold medal winner Nadal improved his record to 16-0 on Brazilian soil, having won titles at Costa do Sauipe in 2005, Sao Paulo in 2013 and Rio last year.

    The left-hander has made a tentative start to this year after a slew of injury problems last season.

    He lost in the first round in Doha and then at the Australian Open made a surprise exit against Tomas Berdych.

    Carreno has trained with Nadal in Mallorca and the 23-year-old had clearly learned something along the way as he produced a gutsy showing in hot conditions at the Jockey Club in downtown Rio, where total prize money of $1.5 million is on offer.

    Argentine Federico Delbonis saw off eighth seed Martin Klizan in straight sets to book a contest with Italian Fabio Fognini, seeded four, after the latter eased past Spaniard Pablo Andujar 6-3, 6-2. Brazilian fans cheered a success in the women’s event when Beatriz Haddad Maia emphatically ousted Slovenian seventh seed Polona Hercog 6-1, 6-2 to reach the quarters.

  • Indian workers win $14 million in US labor trafficking case

    Indian workers win $14 million in US labor trafficking case

    NEW ORLEANS (TIP): A New Orleans jury on February 18 awarded$14 million to five Indian men who were lured to the United States and forced to work under inhumane conditions after Hurricane Katrina by a US ship repair firm and its codefendants.

    After a four-week trial, the US district court jury ruled that Alabama-based Signal International was guilty of labor trafficking, fraud, racketeering and discrimination and ordered it to pay $12 million. Its co-defendants, a New Orleans lawyer and an India-based recruiter, were also found guilty and ordered to pay an additional $915,000 each.

    The trial was the first in more than a dozen related lawsuits with over 200 plaintiffs that together comprise one of the largest labor trafficking cases in US history.

    Signal recruited about 500 Indian men as guest workers to repair oil rigs and facilities damaged by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, according to plaintiffs.

    The workers paid $10,000 apiece to recruiters and were promised good jobs and permanent U.S. residency for their families, according to the suit. When the men arrived at Signal shipyards in Pascagoula, Mississippi, they discovered that they would not receive promised residency documents.

    Signal also charged the men $1,050 per month to live in guarded labor camps where up to 24 men lived in single 1,800-square-foot (167-square-metre) units, according to the suit.

    An economist who reviewed Signal’s records for the plaintiffs estimated the company saved more than $8 million by hiring the Indian workers.

    “The defendants exploited our clients, put their own profits over the lives of these honorable workers, and tried to deny them their day in court,” plaintiffs’ attorney and Southern Poverty Law Center board chairman Alan Howard said in a statement.

    The center identified plaintiffs as Jacob Joseph Kadakkarappally, Hemant Khuttan, Andrews Issac Padaveettiyl, Sony Vasudevan Sulekha and Palanyandi Thangamani. Most of them are from Kerala.

    Signal said in a statement that it is weighing an appeal.

    “Signal strongly disagrees with rulings from the court in the case which impacted its ability to present defenses and is disappointed with the verdict,” the company said.

  • PEP UP LONG DISTANCE RELATIONSHIP

    PEP UP LONG DISTANCE RELATIONSHIP

    A s someone once said, when you’re truly in love, each day is a day to celebrate. But keeping the magic alive becomes a tad difficult when you and your beloved are living miles apart.

    That is when all your special moments — anniversaries, birthdays, etc become even more special. It becomes that perfect opportunity to reaffirm your love and reduce the geographical distance between hearts. But how do you do that? Here are some suggestions that can help melt the miles away.

    Early morning call

    Start your special day with a romantic call. It maybe daily ritual, but make this one special by making it early in the morning.

    A classic handwritten letter

    Yes, handwritten letters haven’t lost their charm in this age of texting. Pen down your feelings, spray the letter with your signature perfume and wait for the response.

    Go on an e-date

    Order your favourite food, uncork a bottle of wine, light some candles, start an online video call, and voila!You are on a rocking date!

    Gift salon coupons

    Gift a surprise pampering session at a parlour in your beloved’s city. Who wouldn’t enjoy a day at a parlour, especially one that’s free!

    Phone top up

    If you are perpetually at loggerheads because they can’t call you owing to low balance, gift an anonymous top up and wait for that happy call.

    Event tickets

    Buy tickets to an event they have been longing to go to, but couldn’t afford. It will also give the message that they have their space; you are not insecure.

  • HOME REMEDIES TO GET RID OF LARGE PORES

    HOME REMEDIES TO GET RID OF LARGE PORES

    Open pores are one of the most disturbing skin problems ever. If left untreated and neglected, it aggravates and leads to blemishes and breakout. Here are a few simple ways to treat large and open pores at home:

    Squeeze the juice of one lemon and mix it with honey. Apply the mixture on your skin and leave it for 20 minutes. Wash off with warm water and pat dry. The natural enzymes present in honey and the acidic nature of lemon juice helps in shrinking the pores and tightens the skin.

    Mash a few pieces of ripe papaya and apply it on a clean face. Known for its excellent exfoliation properties, papaya cleans the open pores and removes blackheads.

    Ice works miraculously in tightening and shrinking open pores. Clean your face with a mild face wash and rub ice on your face. This cold treatment is also beneficial in removing dirt from the pores.

    Whip three tablespoons of yogurt in a bowl and apply it directly to your face. Leave it on for 15 minutes and wash off with cold water. The lactic acid in yogurt helps in reducing the size of the pores.

    Use a pack of fuller’s earth mixed with rose water to tighten and shrink the pores. It helps in making skin healthy and removes sun tan. You can use this pack twice a week for best results.

  • Harjinder Singh Duggal is no more

    Harjinder Singh Duggal is no more

    NEW YORK (TIP): A prominent community leader and a Democratic party  worker who was nominated to the kitchen cabinet of President Obama, Harjinder Singh Duggal died of lung infection last Friday, February 13.

    Mr. Duggal’s cremation on February 19 was well attended by relations, friends and the community. The antim ardas for the departed soul will be held at Gurdwara Sikh Cultural Society, Richmond Hill on February 20 from 3 to 5 PM.

    Mr. Duggal leaves behind a son , a daughter and a son in law.

  • Fukrey Actor Ashraful Haque Passes Away

    Fukrey Actor Ashraful Haque Passes Away

    It’s sad and a loss to the Bollywood industry, 44year old actor Ashraful Haque died of a prolonged illness in Mumbai on February 17. The actor was well known for his performance in films like Delhi Belly and Fukrey.

    The actor was admitted to a hospital in Andheri as he was in a critical condition, suffering from bone marrow cancer. He survived with his wife and a 9-year-old son in Mumbai. Bollywood celebrities took down on twitter to express their condolences to their family.

    Ashraful Haque has contributed very powerful roles and performances to the Indian cinema. The actor was graduated from the National School Of Drama, played many important character roles in films like Company, Jungle, Satrangee Parachute, Ravan, Deewar, Black Friday, Fukrey and many others.

    Anurag Kashap said, “He was one of my closest friends and we knew each other since our struggling days. From my TV show to short-films to features, I worked with him quite often, as he was a terrific actor. I was aware of his illness and we knew that his health was fast deteriorating. We were all there for him and it’s truly tragic that he had to depart so soon. Our priority now is to take care of his 9-year old son.”

    Director Anurag Kashyap said that Ashraful Haque was his closest friend and has also worked with him in many of his films. He also said that his priority is now to take care of Ashraful’s 9-year-old son.

  • HARJUS SINGH IS DETERMINED TO MAKE AMERICAN SIKHS MORE PROMINENT IN HOLLYWOOD

    HARJUS SINGH IS DETERMINED TO MAKE AMERICAN SIKHS MORE PROMINENT IN HOLLYWOOD

    HARJUS SINGH IS A GRADUATE STUDENT AT CHAPMAN UNIVERSITY WHO HAS AN ADMIRABLE CALLING: TO HELP HIS FELLOW SIKHS GAIN MORE ACCEPTANCE IN AMERICAN CULTURE.

    Harjus Singh hopes to grant more Sikhs roles in the films he plans on directing and producing in the future. All of his hopes stem from the desire to do something that will have a lasting impact on his culture. With a recent appearance in the Rose Parade, Singh believes that he is on a path that will allow him to fulfill his goals.

     

     

    FROM DOCTOR TO DIRECTOR

    Harjus Singh was not always going to be a director. Prior to enrolling at Chapman University’s Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, he was poised to become a neuro-oncologist. He put this career to the side when he realized that he had a unique opportunity to give American Sikhs more positive exposure as a director. He realized that there were plenty of other students who could step into his place as a doctor, but that he had a unique desire and gift for directing.

    Now, Harjus Singh wants to cast Sikh actors in his films, telling stories that are both for the Sikhs but not necessarily about their religion. More than anything, he says that he just wants others to look at Sikhs as people, not just at their turbans and beards.

    THE 2015 ROSE PARADE

    In Pasadena, Singh had the opportunity to appear in the Rose Parade with the first-ever float dedicated to Sikh Americans. His goal was to raise awareness about Sikhs living in America. Parading in front of some of the most prestigious people in New York City, Singh certainly achieved national recognition. This comes as a sharp contrast to his youth, when he felt as though he was completely unable to fit in with those around him. He believes that part of this feeling of isolation could be explained by the fact that he could not lose himself in television like others could. After all, there were no people on television or in films that could relate to him as a Sikh.

    Now, Harjus Singh is looking to change that. With his newfound direction to make sikhs relevant in the United States, it appears as though he is off to a good start. With his thesis project underway, Singh looks to explore how Sikhs have been relevant throughout American history, and many people are looking forward to his films and hoping for his success.

    RESOURCES

     

  • MAN INDICTED ON HATE CRIME CHARGES FOR HITTING A SIKH MAN WITH TRUCK IN 2014

    MAN INDICTED ON HATE CRIME CHARGES FOR HITTING A SIKH MAN WITH TRUCK IN 2014

    NEW YORK (TIP): A Long Island man was indicted on hate crime charges Wednesday, February 18, for allegedly calling a Sikh man “Osama” in Queens and running him over with his truck.

    Joseph Caleca, 55, of Setauket, is charged last summer with attempted murder and felony assault, both as hate crimes, in connection with the July 30, 2014 incident. A Queens County grand jury returned an indictment against Caleca on Wednesday, according to the Queens District Attorney’s office.

    “The defendant is accused of an unprovoked attack that allegedly began with the defendant driving by the victim and his friends and calling him a terrorist and ordering him to leave the country,” Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown said in a news release. “After an exchange of words, the defendant allegedly struck the victim intentionally with his vehicle and dragged him along the street.”

    Caleca was arraigned Wednesday, February 18, on the nine-count indictment. He was remanded on continuing bail afterward, and is next due in court April 22, prosecutors said.

    Caleca could be sentenced to up to 25 years in prison if convicted.

    Caleca was behind the wheel of his pickup truck at 99th Street and 101st Avenue in Ozone Park, Queens, when he got into a verbal argument with 29-year-old Sandeep Singh because Singh’s car door was blocking the street, police said.

    Police said Caleca allegedly got out of his vehicle to confront Singh and his friends.

    Singh told police that Caleca called him a terrorist and shouted “bin Laden, go back to your country” before mowing him down, 1010 WINS’ Mona Rivera reported.

    Caleca dragged Singh several feet before fleeing the scene, police said.

    “A man in a truck had called him a terrorist and told him to go back to his country,” the victim’s wife, Prabhurpreet Kaur, said earlier this month. “When Sandeep protested, the man ran him over, dragged him 30 feet under the truck and left him to die.”

    Singh was treated at Jamaica Hospital Center for abdominal and back injuries following the attack.

  • Developing Story: Ex-reporter held in petroleum ministry document leakage case

    Developing Story: Ex-reporter held in petroleum ministry document leakage case

    New Delhi (TIP): A former journalist along with a corporate employee have been arrested in connection with the petroleum ministry document leakage case, police said on Feb 20, adding that some more people would be arrested soon.

    Santanu Saikia, who runs a web portal and covered crime stories for several years, was arrested early Friday for his alleged role in providing secret documents of the petroleum ministry to corporate houses.

    Prayas Jain, an energy consultant, was also arrested on Friday.

    Delhi Police on Thursday had arrested two employees of the petroleum ministry and three others for stealing official documents and leaking them to corporate houses.

    Rakesh Kumar, 30, Lalta Prasad, 36, both brothers and residents of Delhi, and Raj Kumar Chaubey, 39, a resident of Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh, were held red-handed with the photocopy of some secret documents at Shastri Bhawan on February 17 night.

    On information provided by them, government employees -Asharam, 58, and Ishwar Singh, 56 – were also arrested. They were were part of multi-tasking staff (MTS) at Shastri Bhawan.

    Police on Thursday said that Kumar and Prasad were former MTS employees, while Chaubey was their associate who never worked at Shastri Bhawan.

    The theft of the secret documents had been taking place in the office of the ministry located in high-security Shastri Bhawan near the parliament house.

    Previous Update (below) – Two officials of the Petroleum Ministry were arrested today

    Two Petroleum Ministry employees are among five persons arrested for allegedly leaking

    confidential government documents to private companies, Delhi Police said today.

     Sources said a clerical staff and a peon of the Petroleum Ministry were apprehended by the police.

    They said provisions of Official Secrets Act may be slapped on them.

    The sources said the two Petroleum Ministry employees used to provide confidential information to private companies in return for money.

    Petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan told Times Nowthat the government will probe the matter as the leakage of information is a very serious issue. “We will provide assistance to Delhi police and law will take its course,” Pradhan was quoted as saying by Times Now.

    “Earlier, it was common for papers to be leaked, now strict measures are  in place. Cameras  have been installed everywhere and we have increased our surveillance,” Pradhan added. He also said that the the current govrnment will not allow  the kind of leakages that the UPA Government had allowed.

    BJP spokesperson GVL Narasimha also reiterated that those involved the ‘murky affairs’ will have to face the consequences of law.

    With inputs from Agencies

  • Moscow’s Reacts plays hardball to EU’s ‘India Should Persuade Russia’ Comment

    Moscow’s Reacts plays hardball to EU’s ‘India Should Persuade Russia’ Comment

    Russia reacted to EU’s comments that India should “persuade” Moscow over events in Ukraine, saying it is “sly distortion” of the core reasons which led to the intra-Ukrainian conflict and alleged that with tacit support of the US and EU a violent coup took place in Kiev in February 2014.

    “The reported call of the European Union’s envoy to India to ‘persuade’ Russia over events in Eastern regions of the Ukraine is a case of sheer duplicity and sly distortion of the core reasons which led to the intra-Ukrainian conflict,” Russian embassy here said in a strongly-worded statement.

    “The EU should retrospect on its own policy of appeasement instead of trying to seek India’s services in persuading Russia to do something. Such kind of ‘persuasion’ is alien to Russia-India relations.

    “Our special and privileged strategic partnership has no relation to the West’s blunders in their policies towards the Ukraine and Kiev’s self-induced crisis. We highly value India’s balanced and independent approach to this issue,” it further added.

    It alleged that “With tacit support of the US and EU a violent coup d’état took place in Kiev in February 2014.”

    Taking a dig at the EU, Russia said it should better think how to pay that country’s bills for natural gas and bail out its economy from falling into the abyss.

    “And, lastly, a piece of friendly advice – do not try to meddle in Russia-India relations. They are immune to such kind of unsolicited and impolite interventions from outside,” the statement said.

    Russia’s strong reaction came a day after EU Ambassador Joao Cravinho said, “India’s privileged relations with Russia and longstanding relationship with it should build the basis for promotion of a greater understanding (on the issue). We hope that India, in its interactions with Russia, should express concerns with regard to territorial integrity (of Ukraine), with regard to maintenance of ceasefire agreements that was agreed upon.”

    The necessity of an inclusive Ukrainian dialogue, peaceful resolution of the conflict, through talks, and non-acceptance of the notorious and counterproductive sanctions -are not these components of India’s position consonant with the stand taken by Russia, and, partly, by the EU itself?, the Russian embassy statement said.

     

  • Connecticut based Indian-American dentist charged with homicide due to negligence

    Connecticut based Indian-American dentist charged with homicide due to negligence

    An Indian-American dentist has been charged with homicide a year after the death of a patient who became unresponsive while having 20 teeth pulled and several implants installed, according to a media report.

    Connecticut dentist Rashmi Patel, who turned himself in to Enfield police Tuesday, a year to the day that Judith Gan died in his office, was charged with criminally negligent homicide and tampering with evidence, according to New York Daily News.

    Patel’s assistants begged him to stop the marathon procedure — which included yanking 20 of Gan’s teeth — when her oxygen levels slipped, but the 64-year-old lost consciousness, it said citing investigators.

    The assistants finally called 911, but Gan had already flatlined, said the Department of Public Health said.

    She was pronounced dead at the Bay State Medical Centre in Springfield, Massachusetts.

    Gan had an extensive medical history, which included heart problems.

    Patel’s licence, which was issued in 2003, was suspended in April. In December, the board banned him from treating patients under sedation.

    Patel posted $25,000 bail after his Tuesday arrest. He is due back in court in a few weeks, the News said citing the Hartford Courant.

    He was sued for malpractice in 2009 for “shoddy” dental work. The victim, Doreen Jasonis, won $500,000 from a jury before Patel appealed and settled out of court.

    In December 2013, a 55-year-old patient was rushed to the hospital after he stopped breathing while Patel performed dental work, court records showed, the News said.

    The man spent six days in the hospital after suffering heart and lung damage.

  • Pervez Musharraf claims “I brought ‘real’ democracy to Pakistan”

    Pervez Musharraf claims “I brought ‘real’ democracy to Pakistan”

    Musharraf the Ex. Pakistan Army chief and the Ex. President of Pakistan (Musharraf become president after a military coup in Pakistan) said in an exclusive interview with Indian media channel Zee News “People assume that just because there are elections, there is a democratic set-up in place,” 

    The former president said that India should start treating Pakistan as a sovereign state. “India should not ask us to submit to them, only then will it clear tensions between the two countries. And we will move forward through bilateral relations.”

    Musharraf said that he would not have attended Indian president Narendra Modi’s oath-taking ceremony – unlike Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif did.

    “I would certainly not visit India for Modi’s oath ceremony,” Musharraf said. Instead, the former dictator – who is currently facing several cases such as being tried for treason, and for the murders of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto and Nawab Akbar Bughti – said he would visit Modi separately after the ceremony was done with.

    “I would come separately, but only to discuss substantive issues,” he stated.

    Speaking about relations with former Indian prime minster Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Musharraf narrated a conversation he had with him.

    “I said to him, prime minster sahib, there appears to be somebody above both of us who has veto power on our decisions,” he said. He spoke of how he told Vajpayee that they were “both being humiliated”.

    Additionally, with the cricket World Cup in our midst, it was no surprise that the sport and its role in the relations between Pakistan and India would be a matter of discussion.

    “Cricket diplomacy can be done in a positive and negative sense,” he said. “We should use the sport to foster better ties,” Musharraf said.

  • Russell Peters is in India on his Almost Famous world tour

    Russell Peters is in India on his Almost Famous world tour

    The funnyman Russell Peters is in India on his Almost Famous world tour as part of Only Much Louder’s Stage42 festival.

    Best known for his dad’s line, “Somebody gonna get a hurt real bad,” his material always focusses on his life and what he is going through. “It’s about me and being 44 years old and struggling with technology and with being a father and divorcee. It’s an interesting place to be in my life. And it’s funny. I think that’s important. Audiences really seem to like it,” he says.

    For Those who dont know him Russell Dominic Peters is a Canadian comedian and actor. He began performing in Toronto in 1989 and won a Gemini Award in 2008. Wikipedia

    Russell Peters is back with all new materialwith his Almost Famous World Tour.
     
    The next leg of the tour will take him to Sri Lanka and later to Australia. “I will be in Los Angeles for a couple of weeks. My daughter gets mad at me for being away so much. She gives me attitude, and when I spend time with her, she doesn’t want to talk to me. She’s almost like a real girl.”
     
    Upcoming Events 
    Bangalore Feb 21
    Mumbai Feb 22
    Mumbai Feb 23
     
    Completed Events this season
    Delhi NCR Feb 14
    Hyderabad Feb 17
    Chennai Feb 19
     
     
  • Russian bombers spotted near UK airspace again – UK RAF scrambles jets again

    Russian bombers spotted near UK airspace again – UK RAF scrambles jets again

    Two Russian Bear bombers were again sighted off the coast of Cornwall in another manoeuvring close to the British Air Space.

    British RAF fighters were scrambled to escort the unwelcome guests away by RAF Typhoon class fighters. Ministry of Defence spokeswoman stated: “RAF quick reaction alert Typhoon fighter aircraft were launched yesterday after Russian aircraft were identified flying close to UK air space. The Russian planes were escorted by the RAF until they were out of the UK area of interest. At no time did the Russian military aircraft cross into UK sovereign air space.”

    Tensions are high between the UK and Russia and such incidents have now become once a month routine for the Russians. Last month as well a flight by two Russian bombers over the Channel had triggered a summon for Moscow’s ambassador by the British Foreign Office. UK foreign office said flights pose a potential danger to civilian flights.

    Russian warships too have passed through the English channel on a number of occasions in recent months. On Tuesday, the Yaroslav Mudry was tracked by the Royal Navy as it sailed back to Russia after a deployment in the Mediterranean with its accompanying tanker, the Kola. British warships were deployed and used their Lynx helicopter and sensors to locate and monitor the movement of the Russian ships off the coast of France and through the English Channel.

    Flights close to other Nato members’ air space have also become more frequent as tensions have increased between Moscow and the west.

    Nato said it flew 400 intercepts last year, four times more than in 2013.

     
  • FIRST-EVER DALLAS/FORT WORTH SOUTH ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL

    FIRST-EVER DALLAS/FORT WORTH SOUTH ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL

    DFW South Asian Film Festival(Dallas, TX – Feb. 18, 2015) Fourteen films, exploring the unique circumstances and complex stories of South Asians living in America, India, Nepal, Australia and Singapore, make their Texas, U.S. and world premieres at the FIRST-EVERDallas/Fort Worth South Asian Film Festival (DFW SAFF) from Friday, February 27 to Sunday, March 1, 2015, at the Angelika Film Center in Plano.

    Produced by JINGO Media, a Dallas and NYC-based PR and events management boutique firm, Etihad Airways & Jet Airways, now offering non-stop flights from DFW to Abu Dhabi, Cambria Hotels & Suites, a brand new hotel property at the Shops at Legacy, and Crow Collection of Asian Art, unveiling its brand new collection of South Asian art, DFW SAFF will bring together directors, actors, producers, community organizations, corporate brands and South Asian cinephiles, over a three-day period. Here are the films that have been consciously-curated for the festival:
     

    Community sponsors & partners of DFW SAFF include: The Container Store, Patrick O’Hara Salon, VelvetCase.com, Living Dreams Foundation, Parish Episcopal School, Milaap, Shraman South Asian Museum and Learning Center Foundation, Forever Rakhi, Indie Meme, Arya Dance Company and New Friends New Life.
     
    Our media partners include: Selig Polyscope Company, Radio Azad, Saavn.com, Radio Hot Pepper, Radio Adda and Desiplaza TV.
     
    “We are so proud and humbled that 30 different community organizations and brands are coming together to support our first-time festival,” said DFW SAFF Festival Director and Principal/CEO of JINGO Media, Jitin Hingorani. “We are certain that North Texas audiences will embrace this festival by giving all our international guests a warm Texas welcome and, hopefully, a few standing ovations.” In addition to film screenings, the festival boasts an opening night red carpet, post-screening Q&As with filmmakers in attendance, after parties and plenty of networking opportunities. For more information and to purchase ticket, please visit www.dfwsaff.com

    Media Contact: Dev Shapiro, Selig Polyscope Company @ 972.965.0899 or Dev@SeligPolyscope.com
     

  • Indian-American Ravi Patel announces Congressional bid from Iowa

    Indian-American Ravi Patel announces Congressional bid from Iowa

    2nd generation Indian-American Ravi Patel announces to run for the House of Representatives from Iowa, becoming the second Democrat to enter the race from 1st Congressional District in the State for the 2016 elections.

    “I am not a politician. I am a pro-growth progressive,”  Ravi said earlier this week as he announced his decision to run for Congress. “Our country is facing many complex challenges, and the solutions to those challenges include all of us. We need a fresh perspective and new leadership. We need a Congressman who is an innovative thinker; who is genuinely interested in serving our country and seeing it succeed,” Patel said.

    Ravi Patel was born in Mena, Arkansas and graduated from University of Iowa. He currently is the President and Principal of the family business Hawkeye Hotels. 

    Patel’s grandparents were farmers in India, and his parents worked multiple jobs when they first immigrated to the United States. His family purchased a small roadside motel in Mena, Arkansas after immigrating to United Sates and then moved to burlington, Iowa as they constantly grew the family business

    The seat is currently held by Republican Rod Blum. If elected, 29-year-old Patel would be the fourth Indian-American to be elected to the House of Representatives.

     

  • The Paki boat – Terror Issue! was it? – India’s Coast Guard ordered to blow Pakistani boat

    The Paki boat – Terror Issue! was it? – India’s Coast Guard ordered to blow Pakistani boat

    In contradicting statements, a Deputy Inspector General of the Coast Guard said Monday that it was the Coast Guard which blew up the Pakistani boat on the night of December 31, 2014 and to top up the woes for the Modi administration that it was he who ordered: “Blow the boat off…We don’t want to serve them biryani…” (Watch video above posted by The Indian Express)

    This is the first time that the Coast Guard — in remarks that were recorded — has admitted that it destroyed the suspect boat which, the government claimed, had blown itself up under suspicious circumstances. Coast Guard DIG B K Loshali, chief of staff (northwest region), on Tuesday negated Indian government’s claim that the crew of the intruding Pakistani boat had set it ablaze.

    Defence minister Manohar Parrikar, however, stood his ground. Statements and remarks by the MoD, Defence Minister and the Coast Guard had said the boat’s crew had set it on fire or were responsible for the explosion that destroyed the boat 365 miles off Porbandar after an hour-long chase by a Coast Guard ship on New Year’s Eve.

    The Indian Express had reported that intelligence and naval sources had said that evidence suggested “use of disproportionate force” by the Coast Guard. The sources also said the videotape of the burning boat did not appear to show that explosives were on board. (Watch video above posted by The Indian Express)

    The Investigations and our coverage on this case are on and we will keep the case updated for our readers.