The Indian Panorama

Year: 2015

  • Panthic bodies asked to avoid terming Nov 10 congregation as Sarbat Khalsa

    AMRITSAR (TIP): A group of Sikh historians, intellectuals, teachers, religious leaders and veteran Akali leaders has appealed to all Panthic organisations to show “due respect to Sikh tenets and traditions” before terming the November 10 congregation, proposed to be held at Chabba village in the district, as Sarbat Khalsa.

    “We must understand the Panthic rules and conventions that govern Sarbat Khalsa which, like the Akal Takht, is a very important institution of Sikhism. So, kindly do not refer to every gathering of Sikhs as Sarbat Khalsa,” former jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib Giani Kewal Singh said at a meeting. The meeting was called by Giani Kewal Singh in his capacity as head of the Panthic Talmel Sangathan, a group that holds seminars and talks on Sikhism and has been protesting against the recent incidents of sacrilege.

    Former SGPC secretary Manjit Singh Calcutta, too, observed that the term ‘Sarbat Khalsa’ should not be used for the November 10 event. “The institution of Sarbat Khalsa has a history attached to it and it is governed by a set of rules, principles and traditions that have evolved over the years,” he added.

    HT

  • Now, YOU’VE GOT A SAY IN JUDGES’ APPOINTMENT

    NEW DELHI (TIP): The Supreme Court of India on November 5 decided to seek the views of the general public, academicians and lawyers across the country on how to reform the ‘opaque’ judges-selecting-judges collegium system, which it had revived after quashing the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC).

    Fathoming strong undercurrents in the court room with unsung advocates stealing a march over the luminaries who till now held centrestage in arguing against the NJAC, a five-judge bench headed by Justice J S Khehar said it would be better to seek suggestions from all concerned citizens.

    “The issue is so seminally important to the judiciary that we cannot limit the suggestions only to lawyers of this court,” the bench, also comprising Justices J Chelameswar, Madan B Lokur, Kurian Joseph and Adarsh K Goel, said.

    The apex court had wrested the constitutional power to select judges from the executive through two judgments in 1993 and 1998. In its 1998 judgment, the SC had evolved the collegium system without inviting views from the public. This will be the first occasion when the SC is involving the general public in its affairs, especially in a critically important issue like selection of judges.

    Bar Council of India chairman Manan Kumar Mishra turned the tide in favour of adjourning the case to get response from as many lawyers as possible and from all high courts. Many advocates said the real stakeholders of judiciary were the public and not a coterie of senior lawyers, who alone were being heard by the court.

    The bench, which had earlier wanted to complete the hearing on Thursday itself on the ground that the collegium’s work had been stalled awaiting reforms, decided to go public to receive suggestions.

    “Bar Council of India is a very important stakeholder. It has office-bearers in all high court bar associations and it wants to consult as many lawyers as possible before making suggestions to the court. It will be a good idea to allow them to do the consultation process and formulate suggestions. It is a very important matter,” the bench said.

    It appreciated attorney general Mukul Rohatgi volunteering to upload the broad parameters of reforms – transparency, eligibility criteria for persons to be considered for appointment as a judge, mechanism to handle complaints against persons in the zone of consideration and a permanent secretariat for the collegium – on the website of the ministry of law and justice.

  • Afghan asylum seekers overtake Syrians on Arctic route to Europe

    OSLO (TIP): Afghans have overtaken Syrians as the biggest group of asylum seekers crossing Norway’s remote Arctic frontier from Russia, even though many risk being sent back to Kabul, Norway’s top immigration official said on Nov 5.

    Many other European nations have also seen a surge in arrivals from Afghanistan, adding to Europe’s biggest migrant crisis since World War Two. On Tuesday, Austria’s cabinet proposed a tough new bill to deter Afghans.

    “It worries us that there are so many from Afghanistan … They should think twice,” Frode Forfang, head of the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration, told reporters.

    “In the summer it was primarily Syrians seeking asylum in the north, with about three quarters of all those crossing the border. Now 60 percent of the daily arrivals are from Afghanistan,” he said.

    Forfang said many Afghans wrongly believed they could automatically get work or study permits.

    He said many risked being flown back to Kabul, a city Norway considers relatively safe even though much of Afghanistan remains chronically unstable amid continued fighting between the Western-backed government and Taliban militants.

    A record 196 asylum seekers, from all nations, crossed the Arctic border from Russia on Monday after a steady rise during the year, said Forfang. In 2014, only about 10 asylum seekers in the whole year crossed the remote border post.

    Bicycles

    Some Syrians fleeing civil war fly to the Russian Arctic port of Murmansk via Moscow and then take taxis to the border. They often buy bicycles for the final stretch because Russian law bars travel on foot in the region and Norway fines people driving migrants to the frontier under laws barring human trafficking.

    Forfang said Afghans had started to take the same route, also using bicycles to cross the border. Some of them seem to be residents of Russia or have visas, he said, adding that it was unclear exactly where the majority of them had come from.

    Norway, one of the world’s richest countries, is a member of Europe’s passport-free ‘Schengen zone’, even though it is not part of the European Union.

    Oslo is considering using boats to help house migrants in the sparsely populated north, according to Norway’s deputy justice minister Joeran Kallmyr of the Progress Party, a junior partner in government and the least welcoming to migrants.

    “There are not enough houses. It is winter up there now, but on the boats they will get shelter in a warm and safe place, but not much more than that,” he told Reuters.

    Temperatures in the border area were around freezing on Nov 5.

    So far this year almost 22,000 people have sought asylum at all of Norway’s frontiers, including 7,858 from Syria and 4,079 from Afghanistan. The total could reach 30,000 or even 40,000 by the end of the year, Forfang said.

  • Pak concerned over ‘extremism’ in India

    ISLAMABAD (TIP) : Pakistan on Friday said that it was concerned over “rise of extremism” in India and targeting of prominent Pakistani personalities and artists in the country.

    “Pakistan is concerned at the recent rise in extremism in India. We expect the international community to take note of it,” Foreign Office spokesman Qazi Khalilullah said at a media briefing here.

    “We have also expressed concern on disruption of functions of prominent Pakistani personalities and artists, scheduled in India, by Indian extremist organisations,” he said. (Source: PTI)

  • Threat to India from Intolerance

    Threat to India from Intolerance

    As we prepare to celebrate the festival of lights which signifies victory of good over evil, my thoughts go to India and our people there. I have seen the good times and the bad times that India has passed through during the last 50 years or so. I have been a witness to communal clashes, and the worst which I was a witness to, was the anti-Sikh riots in the wake of Indira Gandhi’s murder.

    I have also seen how Punjab and Punjabis suffered during the period of militancy in the 80’s. I have myself experienced some of the miseries that common man is subjected to in a police state. The memory is still crowded with many unpleasant experiences. They were fearsome and worrisome. I would not like to have another experience like the ones I had on several occasions. And, thank God, many years have passed since the last unpleasant one.

    But the recent incidents of intolerance- religious, communal, political- has me as also many Indians worrying. Protest is a democratic way of expressing one’s disagreement over an issue. But when the protest becomes violent or challenges the fundamental rights of others, it has to be viewed seriously.

    Ever since the BJP led government came in to power, one has witnessed polarization on many fronts. While political polarization is a part of politics and does not harm common people, nor challenges their fundamental rights, the religious intolerance is of the worst kind, since it is based on the principle of hatred. We have seen its manifestation in religiocommunal clashes and individual lynching and murders. We have seen how intolerance of other people’s faith and practices causes damage to the nation’s social fabric. The fundamentalist elements are always on the look out to foment trouble. Whoever they may be, they are not friends and well wishers of the nation.

    There can be no denying the fact that over the last two years or so India has become a playground for the fundamentalist elements. The fringe elements of political parties lose no opportunity to spit venom and create an atmosphere of distrust among communities.

    Instead of disciplining them, the bosses clog their ears, shut their eyes, and, worse, keep their mouths sealed. And the President of the Republic has to speak the mind of the people. Foreign agencies have to draw the attention of the Prime Minister to the growing threat to nation from these elements and the PM chooses to remain silent.

    India has certainly fallen on bad days. There can be no happy Diwali when the dark devil of intolerance stalks fearlessly and the guards choose not to challenge it.

  • Elderly man dies of burns in a Bronx house fire

    NEW YORK (TIP): An elderly man suffered burns and died soon after being pulled from a Bronx house fire Thursday, November 5 night, cops said.

    Paramedics frantically tried to revive the man after rescuing him from the first floor of a flaming three-story house on Weeks Ave. near E. 175th St. in Mount Hope, officials and witnesses said.

    The blaze broke out at 8 p.m in the first-floor living room, Fire Department officials said.

    When he was taken from the burning building, the man’s heart had stopped and he was not breathing on his own, said FDNY Deputy Chief Anthony Montera.

    The badly burned senior was pronounced dead at 9 p.m at Bronx Lebanon Hospital, police said.

    Witnesses said first responders had performed CPR on the elderly man for more than 30 minutes.

    He was shirtless and had burns on both arms and his feet, said neighbor Hubert Baker.

    They brought out a body and tried to revive them,” said Baker. “He was almost naked. He had shorts on, that’s it.”

    Another man, who witnesses described as younger, was also taken to the hospital in stable condition, officials said.

    The 60 firefighters at the scene had the flames under control by 8:52 p.m.

    The cause of the fire was under investigation.

  • Cricketing Legends descend on USA to Sell Cricket

    Cricketing Legends descend on USA to Sell Cricket

    NEW YORK CITY (TIP): Big future. Big money. Who doesn’t want it? And, so, we have a battery of cricketing legends descending on New York to kick off All Stars League Matches.

    Sachin Tandulkar and Shane Warne teams with the All Stars Cricket Cup at a press Conference on November 5, 2015 in New York City. The Series kicks off with a match to be played in New York on November 7. Photo/ Mohammed Jaffer-SnapsIndia
    Sachin Tandulkar and Shane Warne teams with the All Stars Cricket Cup at a press Conference on November 5, 2015 in New York City. The Series kicks off with a match to be played in New York on November 7. Photo/ Mohammed Jaffer-SnapsIndia

    They are from Australia to West Indies, with all cricketing nations in between-India, Pakistan and  Sri Lanka .

    The inaugural Cricket All-Stars league match between two teams-Sachin Tendulkar’s
    “Sachin’s Blasters” and former Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne’s “Warne’s Warriors”-will kick off on November 7 at the 48,000 capacity Citi Field in New York. In fact, the All Stars league matches is the brainchild of Sachin Tendulkar and Shane Warne.

    In a random draw conducted Thursday, November 5, in Times Square, both Sachin Tendulkar and Shane Warne (Warne’s Warriors) bid for 30 of the world’s finest players to sell cricket to America. While other players were selected by drawing names from the trophy (to be given to the winning team at the end of the series), Akhtar was picked by tossing the coin.

    “Thank god I am not playing against Tendulkar, he is a brutal force,” said Akhtar after the drawing ceremony.

    Rawalpindi Express Shoaib Akhtar and Indian batting great Sachin Tendulkar have had many legendary face-offs in the days of yore, but the two are set to play together as part of the “Sachin’s Blasters” squad for Cricket All-Stars series.

    “Thank god I was the last player and toss mein faisla hua (and it was decided through toss.) He (Tendulkar) is an amazing person but I haven’t seen him as captain. So it will be interesting to see what kind of strategy he would like to give to me and he will get to know a little bit of me,” said Akhtar.

    “I am done bowling against him. He is a greatest player history has ever seen. I didn’t want it to be India Pakistan thing once again. I know people want to see me ball Sachin but thank god that we are in the same team,” he added.

    When I asked Ricky Ponting about his strategy against Tendulkar, he said “I have played against him most of my life so nothing really changes now but I am excited. There will be more chance today and tomorrow to start working with our respective teams and I know when its game time we will all try to win.”

    In the batting order Tendulkar drew Brian Lara, Mahela Jayawardene, Carl Hooper, Moin Khan and his former Indian teammates VVS Laxman, Sourav Ganguly and Virender Sehwag. Whereas Warne picked Mathew Hayden, Michael Vaughan, Ricky Ponting, Jonty Rhodes, Jacques Kallis Andrew Symonds and Kumar Sangakara.

    In the bowling group, Tendulkar picked Akhtar, Australian pacer Glenn McGrath for his side that also includes fast bowlers Curtly Ambrose, Shaun Pollock, Lance Klusener, spinner Graeme Swann, and off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan. Warne, on the other hand picked, spinners Saqlain Mushtaq, Daniel Vettori and fast bowlers Courtney Walsh, Wasim Akram, Allan Donald and Ajit Agarkar.

    The series is the brainchild of Tendulkar and Warne. At the Thursday press conference, Tendulkar and Warne shared how they came up with the idea of T20 all stars match.

    “It was incredible co-incidence, both of us (Warne) did not think it will kick off, Shane said we can play three T20 games which will feature the best players of the game, and I thought the same thing. We are to popularize cricket, never thought this would happen, but we are happy and excited now. Everybody is talking about Cricket in Olympics, I think this is the beginning of that,” said Tendulkar.

    Australian legendry leg-spinner Warne added, “It’s the second most popular sport behind soccer, we want to make it global. We got 30 superstars who made cricket proud. We love being together, we want to bring joy to the people, the people can watch their heroes and idols close this time, I thank all the people who supported us.”

    In a press conference held on Monday, November 2 for select media, both Warne and Tendulkar shared their vision behind playing the exhibition matches, which is “to inspire the younger generation,” “engage non-cricket lovers,” and also globalize the game.

    “We are trying to get youngsters in America excited about the game,” Tendulkar said, echoing Warne. “There will be thousands of youngsters at the stands during the matches, and they will definitely get inspired by watching world-class cricketers play in front of them.” Warne, Tendulkar and their two teams will hold net sessions for schoolchildren before the games in a bid to spark interest at the grass roots level.

    To help promote the game, the Cricket All-Stars announced that the first thousand cricket players at the school, university or club level, who apply will be entitled to a complimentary ticket to any of the three games being played. The tickets will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis by emailing Cricket All Stars team.

    When asked what their expectations are from the league matches, Tendulkar said, “The dream is to bring cricket to America, and if we come back next year and see just one American kid with a cricket bat in his hands, we’ll think it has been a success,” Tendulkar said at the launch of the tour in New York on Thursday.

    “David Beckham came here and soccer started to grow – we’re trying to do something similar with cricket,” Warne added.

    When asked what gives them confidence for cricket to take off in a baseball and football loving nation like the U.S. Tendulkar said, “I have friends from India who came here in 90’s to study medicine and become big doctors and businessmen. They had no idea about baseball or basketball, but their American friends took them to the stadium and taught them. What I am asking my friends to do is reciprocate that-take Americans to baseball stadiums where cricket will be played, teach them about cricket.”

    By no means are we here to compete with other sports like baseball or basketball, but we want to introduce one more sport in America, which is a sports-loving nation,” he added.

    Responding to the criticisms lashed out by former Australian Captain Ian Chappell on retired cricketers playing in exhibition matches, Tendulkar in the earlier press conference said, “People will always have opinions-it doesn’t mean it’s the right opinion.”

    “The reason for stopping cricket is because you cannot be competitive at that level but that doesn’t mean you stop enjoying playing cricket, and this is what we are doing, we are enjoying cricket,” Tendulkar added. “Once you retire, doesn’t mean you never pick up a cricket bat. You are picking up that bat for fun, and in doing so, if you can inspire thousands, I think there is nothing wrong in it.”

    The other two league matches will be played at Minute Maid Park in Houston on November 11 and Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on November 14. These matches will be complete entertainment package with galas, meet-and-greets, community clinics, and fireworks in Houston during Diwali-the perfect crossover festive celebration for cricket fans.

    Here  you meet  some of the legends who were present at the press conference in New York on  Novemmber5, 2015. – Photos / Mohammed Jaffer-SnapsIndia

    Sachin Tandulker All Stars Cricket Cup team  at a press Conference on November 5, 2015 in New York City. The Series kicks off with a match to be played  in New York on November 7.
    Sachin Tandulkar and Shane Warne teams with the All Stars Cricket Cup at a press Conference on November 5, 2015 in New York City. The Series kicks off with a match to be played in New York on November 7. Photo/ Mohammed Jaffer-SnapsIndia
    Sachin Tandulkar and Shane Warne teams with the All Stars Cricket Cup at a press Conference on November 5, 2015 in New York City. The Series kicks off with a match to be played in New York on November 7. Photo/ Mohammed Jaffer-SnapsIndia
    Shane Warne  All Stars Cricket Cup Team

    All Stars Cricket2
     

    Pakastani Cricketer Moin Khan and  Sachin Tandulkar

    All Stars Cricket3

    West Indies Cricketer Carl Hooper and Sachin Tendulkar

    All Stars Cricket7

    Australian Cricketer Shane Warne  and Sachin Tandulkar during the  draws  for the All Star Cricket Match in New York

    All Stars Cricket4

    West Indies Cricketer : Brian  Lara and Sachin Tendulkar

    All Stars Cricket5

    Pakastani Cricketer Shoib Akthar and Sachin Tandulker  having lighter time during the Teams’ draws for the All Star Cricket match in NY

    All Stars Cricket6

  • Madeline Singas wins Nassau County DA Seat

    Madeline Singas wins Nassau County DA Seat

    NEW YORK (TIP): Notwithstanding a Newsday/News 12/Siena College poll showing the race nearly tied going into Election Day, Democratic Acting District Attorney Madeline Singas won a full term in office Tuesday, November 3 night, winning nearly 58 percent of the vote (113,110 votes) to Republican Kate Murray’s 42 percent (82,028 votes). Singas beat former Hempstead Town Supervisor Murray by a 15-percent margin, trashing the latter’s record of never losing.

    Singas was though humble in her resounding victory, saying “This victory transcends Republican or Democrat. This victory means the voters put aside their partisan issues. The voters overwhelmingly said we’re going to put our community first.”

    Speaking to fellow Republicans in Westbury, Murray said she had “never been prouder” of any campaign she had run.

    “When you’re in a tight race, you see who your friends are, and my goodness, I never knew I had so many friends,” she said.

    The swing in favor of Singas is possibly because of the strong position she had taken on corruption in the County. The South Asian community, in particular, feels strongly about the issue. When we carried on the front page on October 30th the story “Madeline Singas favors review of town contracting practices”, we were told by many that Singas was the right person to be in the job. Well, the voters have done their job. It is for Singas now to deliver on her promise.

    The Indian Panorama will in particular like to remind Singas that catching a Harendra Singh should not be the end of the story. There are others in the gang who need to be identified and brought to book. We hope Singas will keep her promise to the voters, and we wish her well.

  • BJP Leaders call Shah Rukh Khan ‘anti-national’, like Hafiz Saeed

    BJP Leaders call Shah Rukh Khan ‘anti-national’, like Hafiz Saeed

    Celebrating his 50th birthday, Shah Rukh commented on the growing intolerance & returning of awards in an interview to NDTV & India Today.

    “There is intolerance, there is extreme intolerance… there is I think… there is growing intolerance,” said Shah Rukh Khan. “It is stupid… It is stupid to be intolerant and this is our biggest issue not just an issue…Religious intolerance and not being secular in this country is the worst kind of crime that you can do as a patriot,” he added.

    “If there is intolerance to creativity, intolerance through religion, we are taking away every step that the nation is taking forward,” he added.

    When asked to Shah Rukh Khan about his take on “Go back to Pakistan” comments in the past, he replied “nobody has more right to live in this country than me, and I am not going to leave,” he said.

    His comments saw him being targeted by BJP & VHP politicians in the most outrageous manner. Some of the bizarre comments have been ridiculed by the masses, who took to the social media to express their disgust, thereby supporting SRK.

    Senior BJP leader, Kailash Vijayvargiya, tweeted “Shah Rukh Khan lives in India, but his heart is in Pakistan. His films make crores here but he finds India intolerant.”

    “If this is not anti-nationalist, then what is it? India is making a bid to become a permanent member of the United Nations and all the anti-Indian forces including Pakistan are creating a conspiracy,” he said. The BJP leader alleged that the attempt to create an “environment of intolerance” in the country is part of the conspiracy.

    “Today when the entire world is respecting India, talking about increase in intolerance makes the country weak in front of the world” & “Shahrukh’s comment about intolerance points that he is matching the tunes with Pakistan and anti-Indian forces,” Vijayvargiya added.

    Severe criticism- including from within BJP – forced Vijayvargiya to retract his tweets.

    After Kailash Vijayvargiya, BJP MP Yogi Adityanath compared SRK’s ‘language’ with that of the 26/11 plotter Hafiz Saeed.

    ‘Under the garb of secularism, some writers and artists of leftist mindset have joined anti-national elements. The voices are not anti-BJP but anti-national. Unfortunately, Shah Rukh Khan has also joined the bogey,” he said.

    “They (writers & artists) are speaking the language of terror. I think, there is no difference in the language of Shah Rukh Khan and Hafiz Saeed,” Adityanath said.

    BJP lawmaker Meenakshi Lekhi claimed the Bollywood star had aired such views following an “Enforcement Directorate notice” even as her party distanced itself from similar comments by another lawmaker, Yogi Adityanath.

    “I want the world to know that he (Shah Rukh) received an ED notice on October 26 and India became intolerant on the 1st or 2nd of November,” she said on the sidelines of an event.

    The BJP lawmaker also said, “And, when it comes to intolerance, then probably they are those illiterate people who do not know what the history of the country had been under Congress rule.”

    VHP leader Sadhvi Prachi triggered another controversy by calling actor Shah Rukh Khan a “Pakistani agent” for his remarks on “intolerance” on Monday.

    “By talking about returning the awards (including Padma Shri) he has committed treason. He should be punished for this. Not only Shah Rukh Khan, but all those who have returned their awards should be tried for treason,” said Sadhvi Prachi.

    She also slammed the actor for saying that religious intolerance in the country won’t let it  become a superpower. She said that for his statement, SRK should be charged with sedition and sent to Pakistan.

     

  • Subramanian Swamy’s Book Promotes Communal Hatred, BJP Government Tells Supreme Court

    Subramanian Swamy’s Book Promotes Communal Hatred, BJP Government Tells Supreme Court

    NEW DELHI:  In a shocker, the Modi government has told the Supreme Court that a book on terrorism authored by Bharatya Janata Party’s firebrand leader Subramanian Swamy “promotes hatred between Hindus and Muslims in India.”

    In its strongly-worded affidavit, the home ministry said that Swamy’s book – Terrorism in India: A Strategy of Deterrence for India’s National Security – violates Section 153A.

    In June, the BJP leader had challenged the laws on hate speech, saying they violate the fundamental right to freedom of speech. Even now, he asserted that he would continue to challenge it in the apex court. The affidavit was filed in response to Swamy’s petition challenging the constitutional validity of the Indian Penal Code Section 153A on the grounds that it violates free speech.

    In the book, Mr Swamy “has made hate speech against the community of India…its theme, language, its innuendoes, the similes it employs ….it falls within the provision of hate speech.”

    “That the petitioner has written a book named Terrorism in India wherein he made hate speech against the community of India. The book—it’s theme, it’s language, it’s innuendos, the similes it employs and the moral of the story, if any—in order to ascertain whether the offending passages read in the context of the book as a whole fall within the mischief of section 153A,” reads the affidavit.

    “The book to be considered in all its aspects as it contains matter which ‘promotes feeling of enmity and hatred between Hindus and Muslims in India.’ Therefore, the petitioner has violated sections of IPC,” reads the affidavit.
    Mr Swamy, a strong defender of the Modi government, said he would go to the Prime Minister and also speak to Home Minister Rajnath Singh.

    “I am surprised. Even the UPA government didn’t say anything about my book. It seems there is a conspiracy against me because of my popularity,” he told NDTV.

    Mr Swamy alleged that “someone from the party” might have got hold of an under-secretary to file the affidavit.

    The home ministry’s affidavit opposed that petition and asked the Supreme Court to dismiss it.

    This is not the first time the government has opposed Mr Swamy in the Supreme Court. Earlier, it asked the court to dismiss Mr Swamy’s petition challenging defamation laws.

  • Chipotle may have been hit with E. coli outbreak

    Chipotle may have been hit with E. coli outbreak

    Chipotle Mexican Grill’s confirmed on Sunday, Nov 01, it had closed all its restaurants in Washington state and Oregon due to a reported outbreak of E. coli bacteria. The issue is being investigated by the company and health authorities. Meanwhile, scared diners are keeping away from the popular burrito chain.

    “After being notified by health department officials in the Seattle (Wash.) and Portland, Ore. areas that they were investigating approximately 20 cases of E. coli, including people who ate at six of our restaurants in those areas, we immediately closed all of our restaurants in the area out of an abundance of caution” Chipotle said in a earlier statement.

    Health officials are trying to identify the cause of the E. coli food poisoning that has now sickened over 35 people who ate at eight Chipotle restaurants in the greater Seattle and Portland areas.

    The company said the vast majority of its stores in the area had reported no problems. “We offer our deepest sympathies to those that have been affected by this situation.”

    It is the third outbreak of food contamination at Chipotle restaurants since August. Those earlier cases involved salmonella and the highly infectious virus norovirus.

    “Even after the company sounds the ‘all-clear,’ we believe that it will take some time for traffic to return,” Maxim Group restaurant analyst Stephen Anderson said in a research note. He estimated that the same-restaurant sales hit could be as much as 75 basis points this quarter and 25 basis points in the first quarter of next year.

    The 1,700-outlet chain has grown quickly since it opened in 1993 with a single location, distinguishing itself from typical fast-food restaurants by touting its use of healthy and high-quality fresh ingredients in its menu of burritos, tacos and salads.

    There is a growing trend among restaurants, as with Chipotle, to use more fresh, unprocessed food. While that may be good for nutrition, experts say it raises the risk of foodborne illness because cooking kills pathogens that cause illness.

    ​​”Health officials want people who have eaten at a Chipotle between October 14 and 23, and become ill with vomiting and bloody diarrhea, to see their health care provider and mention this outbreak,” the agency said in a notice on its website.

    E. coli is among a vast array of bacteria that live in the human gut and which cause no problems. But some strains can cause serious symptoms and even be life-threatening, and are spread by oral contact with fecal matter.

    Shares in Chipotle, which has had two other food safety lapses this year, were down 0.3 per cent at US$621.36 ($944.13) in midday trading on Wednesday. The stock closed at just over US$750 on October 13.

  • Volume 9 Issue 44 | New York Edition | NOV 06 | Newspaper E-Edition

    Volume 9 Issue 44 | New York Edition | NOV 06 | Newspaper E-Edition

    A New Way to Read This Week’s Print Edition

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    Volume 9 Issue 44 | New York Edition | NOV 06 | Newspaper E-Edition
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  • Moody’s to PM Modi: Rein in party members or risk losing global credibility

    Moody’s to PM Modi: Rein in party members or risk losing global credibility

    Rising religious intolerance in India got the world’s attention with Moody’s Analytics’s report — a division of Moody’s Corporation — as it called for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to keep his party members “in check or risk losing domestic and global credibility.”

    In a report titled India Outlook: Searching for Potential, Moody’s Analytics said for the country to reach its growth potential it has to deliver the promised reforms.

    BJP does not have a majority in the Rajya Sabha and such incidents may very well derail its economic agenda in the upper house where it needs support of other parties to pass legislation.

    “While Modi has largely distanced himself from the nationalist gibes, the belligerent provocation of various Indian minorities has raised ethnic tensions. Along with a possible increase in violence, the government will face stiffer opposition in the Upper House as debate turns away from economic policy. Modi must keep his members in check or risk losing domestic and global credibility,” said Moody’s Analytics.

    “Overall, it’s unclear whether India can deliver the promised reforms and hit its growth potential. Undoubtedly, numerous political outcomes will dictate the extent of success,” said the report.

    Bihar Elections : Stating that the ruling coalition does not have a majority in the upper house to pass crucial reforms, the report also pointed out the importance of the ongoing elections in Bihar where BJP is not the incumbent and a victory there for the party will help secure a majority in the upper house which is critical for passing important legislation. “The state election in Bihar—one of India’s largest and poorest states—could prove pivotal to Modi’s leadership. The BJP is not the incumbent, so a win here would help secure an upper house majority,” said the report adding that better political outcomes could help India achieve reforms.
    Since 2004, Moody’s has rated India at ‘Baa3’ which is the lowest investment grade.

    Here are several other instances where Moody’s pointed out downgradation of Indian economy.

    1. Hitting out at Modi government:  In June, Moody’s lashed out at Modi government by flagging subdued rural economy as a ‘credit negative’ for India’s sovereign rating.

    The agency said there are growing concerns about risk of policy stagnation and ‘some diappointment’ was pointed out over the pace of reforms under the Modi government.

    2. Banking system: Moody’s had said earlier that the weak asset quality of banking system poses sovereign credit because of the banking sector’s role in financial growth. It said, “In the absence of any improvement in banking-system metrics over the coming months, India’s sovereign credit profile will remain constrained.”

    3. Moody’s downgraded India’s GDP growth projection: Citing a ‘drier than average monsoon’ Moody’s revised its GDP growth projection to 7% from 7.5% in August.

    The agency had maintained India’s growth forecast of 7.5% for the year 2016 which was revised later.

    “Our polling results pointed to some disappointment amongst the audience with regard to the pace of reform under the administration of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and increasing concerns about the risk of policy stagnation,” Moody’s had said in June in a report titled ‘Inside India’.

    4. Moody’s downgraded banks: In other instances, Moody’s has also downgraded banks like Bank of India, Canara Bank, to ba3 from ba2 on account of rise in NPA. It downgraded ratings for Central Bank of India and Indian Overseas Bank’s local and foreign currency deposits from ‘Baa3’ to ‘Ba1’. The reason being differentiating between public sector banks when distributing capital.

    The government indicated further that efficient banks will receive capital from the government of India.

    Moody’s has also downgraded local currency bank deposit ratings of major banks such as HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank and Axis Bank.

    “The downgrade is driven by the change in Moody’s view that the capacity for government support is limited to a government’s bond rating, rather than Moody’s previous expectation that banks in India could benefit from additional support through other policy tools,” it said in a note.

    5. When Moody’s thought India would give an indecisive mandate: The agency has pointed out that political and policy uncertainty ahead of 2014 general elections has been the cause of macro-economic imbalance between 2011 and 2013.

    However, Moody’s said, “We rank India’s institutional strength as moderate (-) relative to all other countries in the Moody’s-rated universe.”

    (With Agencies)

  • Bizarre: Father-son couple seek legal right to marry

    Bizarre: Father-son couple seek legal right to marry

    An American couple seeking a same-sex marriage have faced complications after legally becoming father and son three years ago.

    The Supreme Court made same-sex marriage legal in all 50 US states this year, however prior to this, many gay couples in the country used adoption as a means to gain legal family ties.

    Nino Esposito, a retired teacher, and his partner Roland “Drew” Bosee, a former technical writer, undertook an adoption in 2012 after 40 years of being together. The couple now wish to annul the adoption in order to get married. However, a state court judge has rejected the request saying adoption annulments are usually limited to cases of fraud.

    “We thought never in our lifetime same-sex marriage would happen,” 68-year-old Bosee said, adding, “[The adoption] gave us the most legitimate thing available to us.”

    The ACLU of Pennsylvania, a civil liberties union supporting the couple, said it was not uncommon for couples across the states to take annul advantage of adoption laws as a way to legally become a family.

  • 4 stabbed, attacker killed at California University

    4 stabbed, attacker killed at California University

    A male student armed with a hunting knife stabbed four people on Wednesday, Nov 05, before he was shot dead by campus police at the University of California, Merced, in the heart of the state’s Central Valley, law enforcement and school officials said.

    The attack occured at outside the university’s Classroom and Office Building.

    The attacker burst into a morning class to kill his intended victim, and may have, had it not been for the heroic intervention of a construction worker who ran into the room to break up the attack.

    The construction worker and three others were injured, but all are expected to survive. The alleged assailant, described as a college student in his 20s, was shot and killed by campus police as he fled the scene at the University of California, Merced.

    All those attacked at the University of California, Merced, were conscious when paramedics reached them, Assistant Vice Chancellor Patti Waid said.

    Two victims were airlifted to a local hospital while three were treated at the scene. Niether the suspect or victims have been identified.

    Police said the assailant was a student but had not confirmed his identity or provided a motive for the attack. Officials said they were still working out a timeline of events leading up to the stabbings, and it wasn’t clear how the attack played out.

    The stabbings come about a month after a gunman killed nine people and himself at a college in Oregon, in the deadliest of dozens of U.S. mass shootings over the past two years.

     

  • US-China Confrontation in South China Seas

    US-China Confrontation in South China Seas

    China Reacts to US Ships in South China Seas

    The USS Fort Worth conducts patrols in international waters of the South China Sea
    The USS Fort Worth conducts patrols in international waters of the South China Sea

    Tuesday Oct 27: China reacted more harshly than expected to the passage last week of the warship USS Lassen that skirted within 12 miles of one of Beijing’s newly-created and increasingly militarized South China Sea islands.

    Chinese foreign ministry summoned US ambassador over the incident and lodged a strong protest.

    Addressing journalists in Beijing on Tuesday, Oct 27, afternoon, Lu Kang, a foreign ministry spokesman, said China was strongly dissatisfied with America’s actions, which he described as a threat to China’s sovereignty.

    But he refused to be drawn on whether China would consider a military response. “I will not answer hypothetical questions,” Lu said. “We hope that the US side will not take actions that will backfire.”

    Lu warned that further “provocative actions” might lead to accelerated Chinese construction in the South China Sea: “It would be a pity for us to realise that we have to strengthen and speed up relevant construction activities.”

    The Chinese embassy in Washington said the concept of “freedom of navigation” should not be used as an excuse for muscle-flexing and the US should “refrain from saying or doing anything provocative and act responsibly in maintaining regional peace and stability”.

    China claims most of the South China Sea on the basis of a segmented line that first appeared on Chinese maps in the 1940s. More than $5 trillion of world trade transits every year through the South China Seas. Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, the Philippines and Taiwan all have rival claims.

    US Counters by planning more patrols

    The US military will continue to operate "wherever" international law allows, US admiral Harry Harris said, a week after America infuriated China by sailing close to artificial islands it is building in the South China Sea
    The US military will continue to operate “wherever” international law allows, US admiral Harry Harris said, a week after America infuriated China by sailing close to artificial islands it is building in the South China Sea

    BEIJING Nov 03: “International seas and airspace belong to everyone and are not the dominion of any single nation,” admiral Harry Harris said, according to prepared remarks for a speech at the Stanford Center at Peking University while dismissing China’s claim as “ambiguous” and based on “the so-called 9-dash line”.

    “Our military will continue to fly, sail, and operate whenever and wherever international law allows. The South China Sea is not — and will not — be an exception,” he added.

    Harris is the commander of the US Pacific Command and his public declaration in the Chinese capital is a mark of US resolve over the strategically vital waterway, where Beijing has built up rocks and reefs into artificial islands with facilities for military use.

    The US Navy plans to conduct patrols within 12 nautical miles of artificial islands in the South China Sea about twice a quarter to remind China and other countries about US rights under international law, a US defence official said on Monday.

    The US military will continue to operate “wherever” international law allows, a top US admiral said in Beijing on Tuesday, a week after America infuriated China by sailing close to artificial islands it is building in the South China Sea.

    US Vice Admiral John Aquilino, deputy chief of naval operations for operations, plans and strategies, declined to comment about when the next patrols would take place.

    “We do operations like that all the time around the world. That will continue for us,” he told Reuters after his remarks at the same conference. “We’ll just keep going.”

    US Defense Secretary Ash Carter takes a swipe at China

    Defense Secretary Ash Carter listens to a question during a news conference after the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Defense Ministers' Meeting Plus in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2015.
    Defense Secretary Ash Carter listens to a question during a news conference after the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Defense Ministers’ Meeting Plus in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2015.

    ABOARD THE USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (AP) — In a symbolic swipe at China’s muscular moves in the South China Sea, U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter visited an American aircraft carrier in the disputed waterway.

    Carter, who was in Malaysia for two days of talks with Asian defense ministers, used the visit to the USS Theodore Roosevelt to amplify the U.S. view that China is making excessive claims that nearly all of the South China Sea as its territory.

    Carter also signaled that the U.S. will keep a strong naval presence in the region in support of nations seeking to preserve stability. He flew aboard the carrier in a V-22 Osprey from a base in the east Malaysian state of Sabah, which is situated on the northern portion of Borneo.

    In announcing his visit Wednesday, Carter called it a “symbol of our commitment” to focusing more on U.S. interests in the Asia-Pacific following more than a decade of wars in the Middle East.

    Malaysian Defense Minister Hishammuddin Hussein accompanied Carter to the carrier, highlighting U.S. efforts to strengthen defense partnerships in the Asia-Pacific. Malaysia is among several countries that claim a portion of the South China Sea and disagree with China’s building of artificial islands.

    The Pentagon also is interested in making arrangements with Malaysia for more regular access to the naval base at Sabah for U.S. aircraft carriers.

  • Ghulam Ali Cancels All his Concerts in India

    Ghulam Ali Cancels All his Concerts in India

    New Delhi Nov 5: Pakistani ghazal singer Ghulam Ali, whose concert in Mumbai was called off after resistance from the Shiv Sena, canceled all his future performances in India, saying he won’t return to India until “things settle down.”

    Ali expressed his disappointment over recent incidents, but asserted that Indian fans have always welcomed him and his music with open arms.

    “I have cancelled all my future concerts in India, will never come back to India. I will not perform until things settle down. I’m hurt by recent incidents in India.

    As of now I have decided not to come to India. Indian fans have been very supportive. I’m a singer, I will talk about music, not politics,” the singer told CNN-IBN news channel.

    All his scheduled concerts, including the one in Delhi on Nov. 8, and another in Lucknow, have been scrapped.

    According to a report in ibnlive.com, Ghulam Ali, who made an entry into Indian cinema with his popular song “Chupke chupke raat din” for B.R. Chopra’s “Nikaah“, is “hurt by the politics being played over his concerts in India” and “how political points were trying to score brownie points by not letting him perform in India”.

  • Four Sikhs sworn in as cabinet ministers in Canada

    Four Sikhs sworn in as cabinet ministers in Canada

    OTTAWA Nov 4: The Punjabi community in Canada made history when two turbaned Sikhs, among four Indo-Canadians, were sworn in as cabinet ministers, as 42-year-old Justin Trudeau took oath as the country’s 23rd prime minister at a grand public ceremony here.

    The World Sikh Organization (WSO) in a statement said: “Today was a historic day for Canada.  Prime Minister Trudeau’s cabinet for the first time includes an equal number of men and women, and is the most diverse and inclusive group in recent history.”

    “The appointment of ministers Judy-Wilson Raybould and Hunter Tootoo has sent a strong message that this government is serious about ensuring that cabinet reflects the strengths, talents, and diversity of Canadians,” said Dr. Amritpal Singh Shergill, WSO President.

    The ministers:

    * Navdeep Bains: Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development.

    * Harjit Sajjan: Minister of Defence.

    * Amarjeet Sohi: Minister of Infrastructure and Communities.

    * Bardish Chagger: Minister of Small Business and Tourism.

    NAVDEEP Singh Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and MP for Mississauga-Malton (Ontario), played a key role in Trudeau’s leadership bid in 2013.

    He was a distinguished visiting professor at Ryerson University’s Ted Rogers School of Management and holds an MBA with a specialization in finance. As a Certified Management Accountant, he has worked several years in accounting and financial analysis for the Ford Motor Company of Canada.

    HARJIT Singh Sajjan, Minister of Defence and MP for Vancouver South, is a retired Lieutenant-Colonel in the Canadian Armed Forces and a combat veteran. He was deployed to Bosnia-Herzegovina and served three separate deployments to Kandahar, Afghanistan. Sajjan has received numerous recognitions for his service, including the Meritorious Service Medal for reducing the Taliban’s influence in Kandahar Province. He is also a recipient of the Order of Military Merit, one of the military’s highest recognitions. Sajjan also served as an Aide-de-Camp to the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia.

    Sajjan was a police officer with the Vancouver Police Department for 11 years. He completed his last assignment as a Detective-Constable with the Gang Crime Unit specializing in organized crime. He proudly tackled gang violence and drug crimes in Vancouver. Sajjan is also a human security specialist, and has lectured to a wide audience in both Canada and the United States.

    AMARJEET Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities and MP for Edmonton Mill Woods in Alberta, was elected three times as an Edmonton City Councillor.

    Dedicated to improving Edmonton’s infrastructure and livability, Sohi represented the city on the Canadian Urban Transit Association, and has been a strong advocate for light rail transit. Sohi also advocated municipal interests to other levels of government through his delegation to the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association. He has been a prominent leader on municipal and provincial issues, volunteering with Public Interest Alberta, the Centre for International Alternatives, and the Canadian Labour Congress.

    BARDISH Chagger, Minister of Small Business and Tourism and MP for Waterloo (Ontario), is a natural leader and organizer and is devoted to inclusion and community building. From assisting with recreational sports for kids to volunteering with seniors, Chagger is committed to strengthening the bonds of the Waterloo community.

    In her role with the Kitchener-Waterloo Multicultural Centre, Chagger has worked to foster diversity within the community providing opportunities for social and economic engagement. As the former executive assistant to former Member of Parliament Andrew Telegdi, Chagger has a deep understanding of the issues that are important to residents of Waterloo, including manufacturing, technology and innovation.
    Justin Trudeau, the 42-year-old son of charismatic former prime minister Pierre Trudeau who is credited with opening Canada to new immigrants in the 1970s, led the Liberal Party to win 184 seats in the 338-member House of Commons.

    Trudeau is the second youngest prime minister of Canada.

  • Indian grandfather, Sureshbhai Patel’s Assault Case, a Second Mistrial as Jury Can’t Decide

    Indian grandfather, Sureshbhai Patel’s Assault Case, a Second Mistrial as Jury Can’t Decide

    An Indian grandfather, Sureshbhai Patel, who was visiting his son in Alabama to meet his newly born grandson, was slammed to ground and left paralysed in 101 seconds after encountering the police early this year.

    The second trial of police officer Eric Parker, accused of violently assaulting the 58-year-old also resulted in a mistrial as the Jury was not able to reach an unanimous decision. The first trial also ended with a hung jury in favour of acquittal.

     Juries in criminal cases are generally, as a rule, required to reach a unanimous verdict, while juries in civil cases typically have to reach a majority on some level. A hung jury does not imply either the defendant’s guilt or innocence.

    The prosecutors may retry the case for the third time, however, it may not happen and Parker could walk free.

    Parker is charged with violating the civil rights of Patel following an encounter in a Madison neighbourhood off County Line Road on February 6.

    The Indian grandfather slammed to the ground by an Alabama police officer last February told him “no English” five times and said “India” three times, according to US prosecutors.

    Backdrop: The assault of Sureshbhai Patel occurred on February 6, 2015. Patel, a 57-year-old Indian national who was visiting his son in Madison, Alabama, U.S., was seriously injured after being detained by three police officers in a residential neighborhood. Patel had police called on him by a neighborhood resident for alleged suspicious behavior in the neighborhood and did not know how to speak English. There is video footage of the officer slamming Patel to the ground. He had to be hospitalized and is partially paralyzed as a result of the injuries. The incident lead to many accusations by citizens of police brutality and prompted a response from the Indian government. The incident was recorded on film by two police car dashboard cameras.

    dvdvuuFormer police officer Eric Parker, who is accused of injuring Patel, was fired from the Madison Police Department and charged with third-degree assault. In March 2015, Parker was charged by the FBI with felony civil rights abuse.

  • Sania on top, pairs with Hingis to win WTA finals

    Sania on top, pairs with Hingis to win WTA finals

    ‘When you start off as a child playing tennis, you dream of being No. 1 in the world. I feel honored to be No. 1… she (Hingis) really helped me get there.” — Sania Mirza

    NEW YORK: Swiss veteran Martina Hingis and India’s Sania Mirza crowned a stunning year for their partnership on Sunday by winning their ninth title at the WTA Finals in Singapore.

    The top seeds beat Spain’s eighth seeds Garbine Muguruza and Carla Suarez Navarro 6-0, 6-3 in 66 minutes a spectacular season finale and completely outclassed their Spanish counterparts. The Indo-Swiss pair have not lost as a single match since joining forces in March.

    Before this, Sania and Martina had won eight titles, with two Grand Slam titles (Wimbledon, US Open), five WTA Premier titles (BNP Paribas Open – Indian Wells, Miami Open, Family Circle Cup – Charleston, Dongfeng Motor Wuhan Open, China Open – Beijing), and one WTA International title (Guangzhou International Women’s Open). They have now stretched their unbeaten streak to 22 matches.

    “I feel like it was a perfect day,” Hingis said. “Sania just played out of her mind – she was everywhere today, getting everything back and playing incredible tennis.”

     

     

  • SC to hear plea to ban websites with jokes on Sikhs

    SC to hear plea to ban websites with jokes on Sikhs

    New Delhi, October 30: The Supreme Court will look into a plea for a ban on websites carrying jokes on Sikhs, as a lawyer-petitioner told the apex court on Friday the community was projected as people of low intellect, stupid and foolish with such jokes.

    As petitioner Harvinder Chowdhary urged for directions to ban webites spreading jokes on Sikhs, an apex court bench of Justice T.S. Thakur and Justice V. Gopala Gowda asked her why she wanted such a ban as “this (Sikh) community is known for a great sense of humour and they also enjoy such jokes”.

    “This is only an amusement. Why you want it to be stopped,” Justice Thakur said while seeking to understand the rationale behind the ban plea.

    “All jokes relating to the Sikh community should be stopped. My children are humiliated and feel embarrassed and they don’t want to suffix Singh with their name,” she argued.

    Chowdhary said whenever she travelled in public transport, including Delhi metro, she came across instances where even on trivial issues people were ridiculed while citing jokes relating of the Sikh community.

    Referring to a recent comment by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during electioneering in Bihar that Bihar residents were the most intelligent people, the petitioner said it reflected as if other communities were not intelligent.

    As Justice Thakur responded that the prime minister would say the same thing about Sikhs if he went to Chandigarh, Chowdhary said the prime minister would not say so because the BJP was in rift with its ally, Shiromani Akali Dal.

    Urging the court to direct the government to clamp down on the more than 5,000 websites like www.jokes duniya.com/category/sardar-jokes.htm, the petitioner said, “They are criticising one community and it should stop.” Naming a number of websites carrying Sikh-centric jokes, Chowdhary sought directions to the Telecom Ministry to install filters to weed out jokes relating to the community.

    She said these websites created public nuisance under Section 268 of Indian Penal Code and it was a crime under the cyber laws.

    The court directed for further hearing of the matter on November 16 as she wanted to file some more documents in support of her plea.

    The Santa Banta jokes stay for now.

  • Organized burglary gang arrested in Houston | Indian-American homes targeted

    Organized burglary gang arrested in Houston | Indian-American homes targeted

    HOUSTON:  Four men of South American origin have been arrested in the US state of Texas for a string of lunchtime burglaries, including of jewellery worth over USD 1 million, in the houses of people of Indian and Asian descent.

    College Station city police arrested the four persons of South American origin for committing robberies in the area.

    The victims were of Indian and Asian descent, police said.

    Police believe the crimes are organised, KBTX.com news website reported.

    Since September, residents in the Edelweiss Estates community had been targeted, and the burglars had been taking jewelry, that over time has amounted to more than $1 Million.

    “We had been doing a lot of analytical work, to try and build a pattern of when they were gonna hit, when its most likely and what neighborhoods were most targeted,” explained Asst. Chief of Police Billy Couch.

    Oct 30 morning, officers spotted two vehicles suspected in the string of burglaries that have hit the neighborhood. One car was parked on Chantal Circle, where a burglary had happened just that morning.

    “We were able to stop one vehicle with three suspects inside, a second vehicle fled from the police officer and ultimately crashed into a another vehicle,” said Couch.

    Carols Cordoba, Helmer Bellaga, Harold Murillo and Alex Castillo-Valencia were all taken into custody and are being held on $250,000 bonds.

    “We have an ongoing investigation trying to link them to other crimes that occurred that have a similar M-O and similar victims,” said Couch.

    While those four suspects are behind bars, this isn’t the first time police have had to deal with a crime of this nature, and it’s possible it won’t be the last.

    “We did have a similar spree of offenses back in 2013. We arrested suspects in that case, they were from the South American community,” explained Couch. The suspects in this case were also from the South American community. We do believe its organized crime so there are potential for other actors to be in our communities.”

  • Indo-Canadian Sikh Lawmaker Navdeep Bains Likely to Get Ministerial Berth

    Indo-Canadian Sikh Lawmaker Navdeep Bains Likely to Get Ministerial Berth

    TORONTO:  Navdeep Bains, 38-year-old Indian-origin Canadian Sikh MP who played a key role in prime minister-designate Justin Trudeau’s leadership bid in 2013, is likely to get a ministerial berth, Toronto Star reports. The Prime Minister-elect Justin Trudeau has chosen his cabinet and the members-to-be have been sworn to secrecy until the swearing-in on November 4.

    Speculation is rife that Mr Bains, a Liberal Member of Parliament (MP) from Mississauga city, may end up getting a ministry as Trudeau has already chosen ministers for his upcoming cabinet, according to The Star newspaper.

    Mr Bains, who played a key role in Mr Trudeau’s leadership bid in 2013, is presently a distinguished visiting professor at Ryerson University – Ted Rogers School of Management and holds an MBA with a specialization in Finance.

    As an MP for Mississauga-Brampton South from 2004 to 2011, Mr Bains also served as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister in 2005.

    The Liberals won a majority government and 184 seats in the October 19 election.

    According to The Star factors to select members for the cabinet included “the size of the cabinet, gender equality, ethnic diversity, regional distribution and a balance of new and veteran MPs, but leaning to young and new versus old and experienced.”

    The cabinet is expected to have 28 members.

    In contrast, Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s cabinet had 39 ministers, including 26 senior ministers and 12 junior ministers of state.

    The Star suggests the cabinet will have 10 members from Ontario, six from Quebec, five from Atlantic Canada, three from B.C. and one each from Manitoba, Alberta and Saskatchewan and one representing the three northern territories.

    According to The Star:

    * Ralph Goodale is expected to be announced as deputy prime minister and House leader.

    * Scott Brison is expected to become finance minister.

    * Stéphane Dion, former Liberal party leader, is expected be named environment minister.

    * Chrystia Freeland (Toronto) could be foreign affairs or international trade minister. Marc Garneau could also be chosen foreign affairs minister.
    Mr Trudeau’s first big international test will come at the UN climate change conference in Paris from November 30 to December 11.

  • Sikhism – Core Values & Beliefs

    Sikhism – Core Values & Beliefs

    It is the duty of every Sikh to practice Naam Simran (meditation on God’s name) daily and engage in Seva (selfless service) whenever there is a possibility- in Gurdwara; in community centre; old people’s homes; care centres; major world disasters, etc. Guru Nanak formalised these three aspects of Sikhism: Naam Japna – to engage in a daily practice of meditation and Nitnem by reciting and chanting of God’s Name. Kirat Karni – to live honestly and earn by ones physical and mental effort while accepting God’s gifts and blessings.

    A Sikh has to live as a householder carrying out his or her duties and responsibilities to the fullest. Vand Chakna – to share their wealth within the community and outside by giving Dasvand and practising charity (Daan), to “share and consume together.” The Sikh Gurus tell us that our mind and spirit are constantly being attacked by the Five Evils (or Five Thieves); Kam (Lust), Krodh (Rage), Lobh (Greed), Moh (Attachment) and Ahankar (Ego). A Sikh needs to constantly attack and overcome these five vices.

    The Sikh Gurus taught the Sikhs to develop and harness the Five Virtues which lead the soul closer to God and away from evil. These are Sat (Truth), Daya (Compassion), Santokh (Contentment), Nimrata (Humility) and Pyare (Love).

    Message for the World

    For the Gurus promoted all human beings as one and the same, and they are all above discrimination. The Gurus showed real love for all of humanity. Muslims were equally dear to them as Hindus, or any others. It is well known that Bhai Mardana a Muslim, spent his whole adult life with Guru Nanak, accompanying Guru with his Rabab as a musician and the Guru’s closest companion everywhere that the Guru went.

    The foundation of Harimandir Sahib in Amritsar – the premier Sikh shrine, was laid by a Muslim saint Hazrat Mian Mir. Guru Arjun Dev incorporated in Guru Granth Sahib – the Sikh Holy Book, hymns of God-oriented saints – both Hindus as well as  Muslims. Hymns of any saint that found a place in this Holy Book, are honoured like those of the Gurus, and every Sikh bows equally in reverence to all of them.

    The Sikh faith is the faith of preaching; of dialogue; and not of conversions. It is a truly interfaith approach to universal brotherhood of humanity undertaken when the word ‘interfaith’ did not exist.

    Principles

    One Source

    One God: Sikhi is a monotheistic and a revealed religion. In Sikhi, God—termed Vahiguru—is shapeless, timeless, and sightless (i.e., unable to be seen with the physical eye): nira?kar, akaal, and alakh. The beginning of the first composition of Sikh scripture is the figure “1”—signifying the universality of God

    Equality
    1. People of all religions and races are welcome in Sikh Gurdwaras
    2. Women have equal status with men in religious services and ceremonies

    Human Life Precious Above Other Life
    1. The human life is supreme and it is through this life that we can achieve oneness with God’s will.
    2. Finding God in this life and living by his commands helps us to attain God’s mercy.

    These can be summed up in the Mool Mantar:
    1. One Universal Creator God
    2. The Supreme Unchangeable Truth
    3. The Creative Being
    4. Without Fear
    5. Without Hate
    6. Timeless whose spirit is throughout the universe
    7. Beyond the cycle of death and rebirth
    8. Self-existent
    9. By the grace of the guru
    10. God is made known to humanity.
    11. Chant and meditate on His name
    12. True in the beginning, true now, and says Nanak, will be true forever

    The Five Ks
    The 5 Ks date from the creation of the Khalsa Panth by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699.

    The Guru introduced them for several reasons:
    Adopting these common symbols would identify members of the Khalsa Because all members of the Khalsa wear the 5 Ks the members of the community are more strongly bound together Each K has a particular significance

    Five Articles of Faith
    Sikhs have five articles of faith natively known as Kakaars or Five K’s. The articles include Kesh (uncut hair), Kanga (comb), Kara (Bracelet), Kirpan (sword) and Kachehra (a special type of shorts). A baptized Sikh is to wear all five articles of faith. These articles are not merely symbols, they not only represent or identify a Sikh but also have deep meanings. Guru Gobind Singh Ji created a lifestyle to keep a Sikh focused life. Guru’s lifestyle does not let one dwindle or get side tracked.

    Kesh 
    Hair is not just a symbol, it is the gift from God. Guru Nanak Dev Ji started the practice of keeping the hair unshorn. The keeping of hair in its natural state is regarded as living in harmony with the will of God. It is also a symbol of Khalsa brotherhood and the Sikh faith. Hair is an integral part of the human body created by God and Sikhism call for its preservation. Sikhs live the way God made humans and never cut their hair. Guru Gobind Singh Ji instructed Sikh to wear Turban in order to protect their hair. Turban has many purposes and one is to keep a Sikh focused in his beliefs.

    Kanga 
    The comb is necessary to keep the hair clean and tidy. A Sikh must comb his hair twice a day and tie his turban neatly. The Gurus wore turbans and instructed the Sikhs to wear turbans for the protection of hair, promotion of social identity and cohesion. It has thus become an essential part of the Sikh dress.

    Kara 
    The bracelet symbolizes restrain from evil deeds. It is worn on the right wrist and reminds the Sikh of the vows taken by him. Sikh as a servant of the Guru, should not do anything which may bring shame or disgrace. When he looks at the Kara, he is made to think twice before doing anything evil with his hands.

    Kirpan 
    The sword is the emblem of courage and self-defense. It symbolizes dignity, self-reliance, capacity and readiness to always defend the weak and the oppressed. It helps sustain one’s martial spirit and the determination to sacrifice oneself in order to defend truth, fight against oppression and fight to preserve Sikh moral values. The rule is never to do injustice and never let anyone perform injustice. A Sikh is a devotee first and to protect his devotion, a Sikh is a warrior as well. A real Sikh will never let weapons take the precedence over his spiritual values and devotion. A real Sikh will always help the one in need and fight for him/her regardless of the person’s caste, color or religion. When all other means of self-protection fail, the Sikh can use his sword to protect himself and others. A Sikh is never to use his sword to attack anyone.

    Kachehra 
    Kachehra, under shorts, symbolizes to live a faithful life. It reminds the Sikh of the need for self-restrain over passions, lust and desires. Apart from its moral significance, it ensures briskness during action and freedom of movement at all times. During today’s dark world filled with lust, if a Sikh ever gets carried away in the moment of lust, the Kachehra refrains one from making wrong moves and reminds him of his duties. The Five K’s are not supposed to foster exclusiveness or superiority. They are meant to keep the Sikhs united in the pursuit of ideal life. The articles of faith enable Sikhs to keep their vows made at the time of baptism. Wearing the symbols of faith keeps one close to being a Sikh and being a Sikh brings one closer to God.

    Each and every one of Gurus’ teachings have a purpose and meaning because it was told to them by God Himself. God has created a religion, a path, a faith, which brings one closer to God and helps one to Unite with Him. In order to meet God, one has to live an honest life and meditate on God. Sikh Gurus themselves lived an honest life and showed everyone how it can be done while living a family life. If one is not a Sikh, it is harder to live truly. One Sikh writes his experience about his turban as follows: “My turban has saved me so many times that I cannot even begin to explain. Like most, I am also filled with greed. I even thought about cheating my way to make money. But everytime I think about it, I think about my turban.

    A thought comes in my mind that how will my Guru feel if I do such a thing. I am a Sikh and a Sikh must walk on the path of humility and respect and live happily with whatever God has given me. If I have not had a turban on my head, I probably would have become a master-mind at stealing money. My turban saves me.” The Sikh symbols keeps a Sikh focused. It saves a Sikh from bad company and keeps a Sikh close to God. Guru created a lifestyle which helps one to be close to God and less likely to detour. Nowadays, rare are Sikhs that walk in the path shown by the Guru. Rare are the ones that do not cut their hair and live an honest life like a Sikh is suppose to. To the ones that follow the path shown by God, Guru Nanak says, he is willing to sacrifice himself for them.

     

    Core values

    There is one God

    1. One God:- of all the Universe – The fundamental belief of Sikhism is that God exists, not merely as an idea or concept, but as a Real Entity, indescribable yet knowable and perceivable to anyone who is prepare to dedicate the time and energy to become perceptive to His persona. The Gurus never spoke about proofs of the existence of God: For them He is too real and obvious to need any logical proof.

    Equal rights for the Woman

     

    2. Gender equality:- From about 1499, woman has always been regarded as equal with man and has all the rights and privileges enjoyed by a man. She is considered to have the same soul as man and has equal right to grow spiritually. The Sikh woman is allowed to lead religious congregations, to take part in Akhand Path (the continuous recitation of the Holy Scriptures), to perform Kirtan, to work as Granthi (priest) or a preacher and to participate freely in all religious, cultural, social, political and secular activities.

    Equality of all Mankind

     

    3. Race equality:- The Sikh Gurus have emphasised the concept of the equality of mankind in the sacred verses found in the Sikh holy scripture, Guru Granth Sahib. Guru Nanak says in Japji Sahib: “Accept all humans as your equals, and let them be your only sect” (Japji 28).

    And Guru Gobind Singh in his compositions tells the world: “manas ki jat sabhe eke paihcanbo – recognise all of mankind as a single caste of humanity”. Therefore, Sikhs believe that all human beings are equal. “We are all sons and daughters of Waheguru, the Almighty Lord” is the message promoted by the Sikh Gurus.

    Focus on & Remember God

     

    4. Remember God:- This part of the three pillars of Sikhism; the remembrance of God by repeating and focussing the mind on His name and His blessings. The names given to God primarily refer to the attributes of the Almighty and His various qualities. The guideline in the Sikh scriptures demands that the Sikh engages in Naam Simran as part of his or her everyday routine.

    Work hard in life

     

    5. Honest work:- To work and earn by the “sweat of the brow”, to live a family way of life, and practice truthfulness and honesty in all dealings is a fundamental part of Sikhi. The term mean to carry out good deeds and earn a honest, pure and upright livelihood by exercising ones God given skills, abilities, talents and hard labour for the benefit and improvement of the individual, their family and society at large.

    Share with others

     

    6. Share with others:- to share ones wealth with others in the community, to give to charity, to distribute in Langar (free Kitchen) and to generally help others in the community who need help. A Sikh is expected to contribute at least 10% of their wealth/income called Dasvandh to the needy people of the world or to a worthy cause.

    Help others

     

    7. Do Sewa:- is a word used to refer to “selfless service”, performed without any thought of reward or personal benefit. All Sikhs are encouraged by their Guru, Guru Granth Sahib to perform selfless voluntary service for the community. This is not only good for community relations but also is good for the moral uplifting of the person. Sikhs should engage in in free service in Gurdwaras washing dishes, cleaning the floors, serving food; in community centres; in hospitals, etc

    Protect the rights of others

     

    8. Respect for rights of others:- In this regard, the ninth Nanak, Guru Tegh Bahadur provides a very valuable lesson for the Sikhs and for the other concerned peoples of the world relating to the security and protection of all human beings within our society. It is very common for communities to protect their own members. The evidence for this, is well documented in the history of mankind.

    In protecting or seeking to spread their own religious beliefs or their own traditions or culture, they sometime decimate or destroy the beliefs and ways of others; when one becomes self-centred on ones “own people” or ones “own religion”, or ones “own community”; this can become the beginning of serious problems and many major conflicts have started in this way. The Guru showed the world how one should care for their neighbour and protect their rights; He stood by the Kashmiri Hindus to protect their way of life.

    Be ever ready to sacrifice for others

     

    9. Right to defend:- Guru Gobind Singh has very clearly set the mission for the Sikhs to tread the unique path of Akal Purakh ki Fauj – the ‘Army of Lord’ to protect and serve all the peoples of the World – only then can it be rightly called “Akal Purakh ki Fauj”. When the Khalsa starts serving the needs of a few, or starts being concerned only with itself, it will fail in its duties as set out by the tenth Guru.

    Be fearless

     

    10. Fear none but God:- It is known that fear is an emotional response to threats and danger. Although fear is different from anxiety, which typically occurs without any external threat, the two bring much pain and misery to the person who is suffering from these two emotions. Fear is related to the specific behaviours of escape and avoidance, while anxiety is the result of threats that are perceived to be uncontrollable or unavoidable.

    The Guru Granth Sahib offers guidance on how one should become fearless in their life. The trials and tribulation of modern life means that both these ailments are on the increase in the world; many suffer from anxiety and fear due to losing one’s identity and/or security; from constant and sustained financial, health and emotional pressures; from humiliation, oppression, victimization, feelings of inferiority, persecution of one’s group, and other kinds of discrimination, etc. These external agents are relentless and become such a strain that many suffer constantly in pain.

    Care for all humanity

     

    11. Sewa and support for the weak:- Sikhism is founded on the principles of Sarbat da bhalla – working towards the “common good of all”. For Sikhs, this means reaching out to serve and uplift all of humanity as an expression or devotion to the Creator. Many other Sikh institutes, such as Guru-ka-Langar, Kirtan, Paath, etc., depend on the performance of Seva by many in the congregation. So the principles of Seva underpin many Sikh values – such is the importance given to Seva in Sikhism.

    Seva or Karseva also shortened to ‘Sewa’ is a word used to refer to “selfless service” or “free-voluntary service”, performed without any thought of reward or personal benefit. Doing ‘Seva’ is a central Sikh tenet; all Sikhs are encouraged by their Guru (Guru Granth Sahib) to perform Seva or Selfless Service within the community. Not only is this good for community relations but it is also good and moral uplifting of the person performing the voluntary service.

    Live to the highest spiritual level

     

    12. Live to the highest spiritual level:- O Lord, give me this boon. May I never ever shirk from doing good deeds. Never may I fear when I go to fight the enemy. With surety, victory will be mine Be bold and positive in your life; do not shirk away from doing good despite obstacles; pursue good missions to the end.

    Be gentle, act with humility

     

    13. Don’t use force:- Kabeer, to use force is tyranny, even if you call it legal. When your account is called for in the Court of the Lord, what will your condition be then? ॥187॥

  • Extinct Antelope Species identified in India | Rice University Anthropologist

    Extinct Antelope Species identified in India | Rice University Anthropologist

    A Rice anthropologist has identified a new species of extinct antelope that once roamed what is present-day India during the late ice age 10,000 to 100,000 years ago, reports Rice News

    August Costa, adjunct lecturer in anthropology and principal investigator of the study, and his colleagues at Yale University and the American Museum of Natural History discovered Sivacobus sankaliai, a member of an extinct family of Asian antelopes related to modern waterbucks. The finding was published in the June issue of the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology.

    The researchers found that antelope — whose fossils have never been unearthed in the area before — persisted for more than a million years than previously thought and were of an Asiatic variety, unlike waterbucks, which today are found only in Africa.

    “The fossil postdates the last known waterbuck-like antelope in Asia by nearly a million years and demonstrates how little is known of late ice-age animal community in southern Asia,” Costa said.

    The antelope fossil was discovered by Costa’s team after a large piece of boulder broke free from a cliff above Gopnath Beach and fell to the beach. A horn was protruding from the cement-like sediment, and Costa was struck by the uniqueness of such a find. This was unlike anything they had come across in the area.

    “New species are often identified when various characteristics observed in a specimen are judged as unique,” Costa said. “In this case, the anatomy of the skull we found was different from what had been found in much older fossils in northern India.”

    Time and space also play an inherent role in many species determinations within the field of paleontology, Costa said. “In this case, the skull was similar enough to be grouped within the known Indian genus Sivacobus, but different enough to designate a new species,” he said.

    While the discovery of a new species is exciting in its own right, the new fossils recovered at the seaside Gopnath site could also help reshape scientists’ understanding on how humans first colonized South Asia.

    “For a very long time, researchers have had one idea of how early modern humans dispersed, and this challenges that,” Costa said. “This helps support the theory that ancient peoples used the coastline as a highway to move rapidly across southern Asia.”

    Artifacts found at the site, including various animal bones, fossils and stone tools, help paint a very different picture of what the environment looked like thousands of years ago. Land that ancient people and animals would have traversed is now underwater, and the excavation area is now a desert region bordering the Gulf of Khambhat.

    “The fossil comes from a unique site setting representing a lost world, now a mostly submerged landscape,” Costa said. “It is correlated with stone artifacts, indicating human presence nearby.”

    Costa said this is significant because the fossil site has a high potential to yield early human remains, which would put him one step closer to his ultimate goal.

    “This work will hopefully illuminate the origins of modern people in a nation, which constitutes a geographical missing link to the story of human evolution,” he said. “If confirmed, this research would show that early humans settled India tens of thousands of years before their arrival in Europe and help support an emerging picture of the earliest settlement of Eurasia.”

    The research was supported by a Fulbright Scholar Program, the National Science Foundation and the Leakey Foundation.