Year: 2017

Wells Fargo adds Axis Bank to Express Send remittance network in India

NEW YORK (TIP): Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) recently announced that it has added more than 2,500 Axis Bank locations to its ExpressSend® remittance payout network in India, bringing the total number of locations in that country to more than 8,300, in addition to nearly 35,000 ATMs. Wells Fargo also announced that beginning April 8, 2017, it will offer a $0 transfer fee for all ExpressSend transactions sent to India, extending pricing that was previously available for transactions larger than$500.

“We know that our Express Send customers have a choice of remittance providers, and they choose our service because it is economical, dependable, and convenient for both the customer and their family and friends back home,” said Daniel Ayala, executive vice president and head of Wells Fargo’s Global Remittance Services. “By adding Axis Bank to our network in India, this expansion will make it even more convenient for beneficiaries in India to receive their money, and give our customers another reason to feel good about sending money back home.”

ExpressSend customers can send up to $5,000 per day to a beneficiary in India receiving the funds to their account. Beginning April 8, 2017, all transactions sent to any ExpressSend location in India from an eligible account pay no transfer fee (previously, customers sending up to $500 paid a transaction fee of $5). In addition to Axis Bank, beneficiaries in India may receive remittances at more than 5,700 locations and more than 22,000 ATMs operated by ICICI Bank and HDFC Bank.

“Wells Fargo’s integration of Axis Bank into its ExpressSend network provides a valuable opportunity to Indian transnational families,” said Manuel Orozco, Senior Director at Inter-American Dialogue. “This initiative will enhance financial asset building opportunities for the more than 2 million households – representing the third largest migrant community in the U.S. – that send funds from the U.S. to India. This expansion will also financially empower millions of women-headed households in India.”

According to the World Bank Group, remittance volume from the U.S. to India totaled $11.5 billion in 2015, making India the third largest recipient of U.S. remittances. Additionally, according to a 2016 WealthInsight report, more than 133,000 non-resident Indian (NRI) millionaires live in the United States, representing more than half of all NRI millionaires worldwide.

ExpressSend transactions can be initiated by calling Wells Fargo Global Remittance Services at 1-800-556-0605, going online at wellsfargo.com, or visiting a Wells Fargo banking branch, making Wells Fargo the only U.S. commercial bank to offer all three channels for remitting funds. The first remittance sent under each ExpressSend Service Agreement must be initiated in person at a Wells Fargo branch. Customers with an existing checking or savings account may be able to initiate their first remittance by calling the Wells Fargo Phone BankSM.

Apr 9, 2017 – 10:10 am EDT
SHAURYA CHAKRA AWARDED TO HEROES OF SURGICAL STRIKE

NEW DELHI (TIP): President Pranab Mukherjee on April 6 awarded Shaurya Chakra to the officers who took part in the surgical strike across the Line of Control (LoC) last year.

He also awarded the Shaurya Chakra posthumously to Lt Col Niranjan Ek, who died while recovering IED from the bodies of Pathankot terrorists in January 2016.

As per the citation against Shaurya Chakra awardees, Major Rajat Chandra killed two terrorists during the surgical strike, while Captain Ashutosh Kumar eliminated four terrorists. Both belong to 4 Para Special Forces, which took part in the surgical strike in September last year.

Major Deepak Upadhyay and Paratrooper Abdul Qayum, both of 9 Para Special Forces, were also awarded with Shaurya Chakra for their role in the surgical strike.

Nineteen soldiers of the 4 and 9 Para — units of the special forces —,who undertook the cross-border surgical strike across the LoC, were awarded with gallantry medals, including a Kirti Chakra, on January 25, while their commanding officers have been given Yudh Sewa Medal.

Shaurya Chakra was also posthumously awarded to Sanjewan Singh, head constable with the J&K Police, Naib Subedhar Kankara V Subba Reddy, Naik Pandurang Gawande, and Kirti Chakra to Lance Havildar Prem Bahadur Resmi Magar of the Gorkha Rifles. All laid their lives fighting terrorists. Family members of Singh, Reddy, Gawande and Magar received the honour by the President.

Lt Gen PM Hariz, one of the two senior most officers superseded by Chief of Army Staff Gen Bin Rawat, was awarded Param Vishisht Seva Medal. Hariz is the Commander-in-Chief of the Southern Command.

Shaurya Chakra was also awarded to Atu Zumvu, Sub-Divisional Police Officer with the Nagaland Police, who shot down three National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) outfit members, responsible for killing 81 people.

Captain Elisen Y Jami of the 12th Battalion Parachute Regiment; Kukudapu Srinivasulu, police constable with the Telangana Police; Lt Col D Vinay Reddy of the Madras Regiment and Havildar Hanuman Ram Saran of the Rajputana Rifles were also awarded with Shaurya Chakra.

Apr 7, 2017 – 9:10 am EDT
India, Israel ink defence deals worth over $2 bn

NEW DELHI (TIP): India and Israel on Thursday inked mega defence deals worth over $2 billion for advanced surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems, which are designed to destroy hostile aircraft, missiles and drones at a range of 70-km, to further tighten the bilateral strategic partnership ahead of PM Narendra Modi’s impending visit to Tel Aviv in July.

Defence sources said the major deal was for the joint project between the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) for the Barak-8 medium-range SAM systems to initially include one regiment of 16 launchers and 560 missiles for the Indian Army.

The second deal to be inked was for a similar SAM system to be fitted on board the 40,000-tonne indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant being built at the Cochin Shipyard.

The Modi-led Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) in February had cleared the MR-SAM project for the Army at an overall cost of Rs 16,830 crore, which will now include a first instalment of Rs 1,500 crore.

This project follows the two similar DRDO-IAI programmes already underway for the next-generation SAMs for Indian warships at an initial cost of Rs 2,606 crore and nine air defence squadrons for the IAF for Rs 10,076 crore.

These Barak-8 systems, with their MF-STARs (multi-function surveillance and threat alert radars) as well as weapon control systems with data links, can detect and track hostile aerial threats at a range of 100-km and destroy them at 70-km. Consequently, they will help in plugging the existing holes in India’s air defence coverage.

But questions have been raised about these SAM systems, which are to be produced in bulk by defence PSU Bharat Dynamics, both in terms of their exorbitant costs as well as long delays in their delivery schedules.

The naval SAM project, for instance, was sanctioned by the CCS in December 2005, while the IAF one for nine squadrons was cleared in February 2009. As per the latest revised timeline, the naval project’s completion date is now slated for December 2017 instead of the original May 2011 deadline.

The naval SAM system, tested for the first time in November 2014, meanwhile, has been fitted on the three new Kolkata-class destroyers. Each new SAM system is projected to cost around Rs 1,200 crore for the 12 under-construction warships in Indian shipyards, including NS Vikrant, four guided-missile destroyers and seven stealth frigates.

Though the expansive bilateral defence ties are kept largely under wraps due to international and domestic political sensitivities, Israel is among the top three defence suppliers to India.

Having already inked deals and projects worth around $10 billion over the last 15 years, Israel has bagged seven Indian arms contracts in the last two years.

There are also several more big-ticket deals in the pipeline. These include two more Israeli Phalcon AWACS (airborne warning and control systems), which are to be mounted on Russian IL-76 military aircraft, and four more Aerostat radars at a cost upwards of $1.5 billion.

Moreover, India is set to soon acquire 10 Heron-TP armed drones for around$400 million. While the Indian armed forces have inducted over 100 Israeli unmanned aerial vehicles, which include the surveillance Searcher and Heron as well as the kamikaze Harop drones, this will be the first time it will acquire missile-armed drones capable of undertaking bombing missions like fighter jets.

Apr 7, 2017 – 9:06 am EDT
4 GST bills passed after Rajya Sabha makes no changes

NEW DELHI (TIP): Parliament on April 6 passed four GST-related bills, paving the way for the new indirect tax to be implemented nationwide.

Parliament passed four GST-related bills on April 6 with the Rajya Sabha’s support, bringing the new tax reform closer to being implemented nationwide in July

The bills were supported by the Rajya Sabha without any amendments, and follows after the Lower House passed them last week. They will now be presented before the President for his consent, following which, states will pass another legislation, readying the country for a uniform Goods and Services Tax (GST).

The four bills are the Central Goods and Services Tax Bill (CGST), the Integrated Goods and Services Tax Bill (IGST) the Goods and Services Tax (Compensation to States) Bill and the Union Territory Goods and Services Tax Bill (UTGST).

The CGST will give powers to the Centre to charge a tax after levies of excise, service tax and additional customs duty is subsumed. The IGST will be a tax to be levied by the Centre on inter-state movement of goods and services. Besides, GST compensation law allows for imposition of cess on certain luxury goods like tobacco, high-end cars and aerated drinks to create a fund for compensating states for any loss of revenue in the first five years after implementing the new indirect tax.

The UTGST is for UTs like Chandigarh and Daman and Diu which do not have assemblies.

The State GST or SGST law that will allow them to levy sales tax after levies like VAT are subsumed.

“The broad approach of every member has been to support the legislation. Even the Constitutional Amendment Bill was supported overwhelmingly,” finance minister Arun Jaitley said while summing up the debate at the Upper House.

“Not only did both the Houses of Parliament support the GST bills, all the states have arrived at a consensus,” he added. In the backdrop of a reconciliatory mood, Rajya Sabha members showed consensus that the new indirect tax is the biggest reform since Independence and is the need of the hour. But still, concerns were raised about the sweeping powers of the GST council, the GST network and the GST rates. Allegations were also levelled against BJP trying to steal all credit of implementing this landmark tax reform.

CPI-M’s Sitaram Yechury was among the many MPs who raised the issue of the overarching power that the GST council. “The proposals before GST council should also come before the Parliament,” he said. In the new tax regime, this council will be the highest decision making body; this led to many Opposition members claiming that this provision takes away from the Parliament’s authority. Highlighting the federal structure of the Council, Jaitley said 32 representatives from the Centre and states are finalising the GST rules.

“We have had 14 meetings at the GST Council…and arrived at a consensus on all issues,” he said, adding there has been no voting on any issue.

“Mr Jaitley is only giving final touches to a reform that was set rolling many years ago by his predecessors,” said Congress MP Jairam Ramesh.

Congress’ Kapil Sibal and CPI’s D Raja raised concerns about data privacy under a private company in-charge of the IT backbone of GST or the GST-N.

Apr 7, 2017 – 9:04 am EDT
Manmohan Singh lends support to GST bills

NEW DELHI (TIP): Former PM Manmohan Singh lent his strong backing to the goods and services tax (GST) bills on Thursday. As amendments to the bills were being taken up in Rajya Sabha by deputy chairman PJ Kurien, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh said he was not moving them. “Former PM Manmohan Singh has taken this approach in the spirit of consensus and in respect of the federal structure,” he said.

As soon as the four bills were cleared, finance minister Arun Jaitley walked up to Singh and shook his hands. Singh congratulated the BJP member on passage of the bills.

Manmohan Singh termed the move a game changer. “It could be a game changer but can’t assume there will be no difficulties on the way,” the former PM said after the bills were passed.

Apr 7, 2017 – 9:02 am EDT
BABRI MASJID CASE SC FROWNS ON 25-YR DELAY, MAY ORDER TIME-BOUND TRIAL

NEW DELHI (TIP): The Supreme Court indicated that it could order a timebound trial in the Babri Masjid demolition case, including of BJP veterans LK Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and Uma Bharati, after the CBI told the court that they were part of a larger “conspiracy” to bring down the structure and should be tried along with the ‘kar sevaks’ responsible for the act.

A bench comprising Justices Pinaki Chandra Ghose and RF Nariman on Thursday reserved its order on the CBI’s argument and on holding the trial on two cases related to the 1992 demolition — currently being held in Lucknow and Rae Bareilly — in one location, Lucknow.

Trial would have to be completed in two years with day-to-day hearings, the bench said as it was told of judges retiring and frequent adjournments during the trial, both at Rae Bareilly and Lucknow.

“Why should they (the accused) carry the burden of the case for over 17 years,” Justice Ghose asked. Justice Nariman dubbed it a case of “evasion” of justice, insisting that the court cannot allow a technical defect to stand in the way of justice. “Some of the accused have died. Others will also die,” Justice Nariman said.

The case being heard in Rae Bareilly is against eight BJP and VHP leaders, including Advani and Joshi, while the one in Lucknow has ‘kar sevaks’ as the accused. While the ordinary workers are facing charges of criminal conspiracy, the leaders are not — they are currently charged with instigating the workers through their speeches.

he CBI now wants the charge of criminal conspiracy revived against Advani and others, after the Allahabad High Court had given a quietus to the charges.

“During the course of investigations, the CBI came across evidence of conspiracy … of concerted action in tandem,” the CBI counsel, additional solicitor general Neeraj Kishan Kaul, told the bench. Senior advocate KK Venugopal, who appeared for Advani and Joshi, resisted any bid to transfer the Rae Bareilly case to Lucknow.

Instead, he suggested that in view of Advani’s advanced age, the charge of criminal conspiracy be added to the Rae Bareilly charge sheet, which the court said was not permissible in law. The top court eventually reserved orders for judgement on this after hearing all sides. In the meantime, parties could submit fresh written submissions till Tuesday.

Apr 7, 2017 – 9:01 am EDT
Pak welcomes US offer to de-escalate tensions after India rejects it

ISLAMABAD (TIP): Pakistan has welcomed the US offer to help de-escalate tensions with India, saying “any positive role” America plays to bring peace and stability in South Asia can serve the region well, according to a media report on April 7.

Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, Pakistan’s envoy to Washington, termed US ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley’s remarks on Monday that the US would try and “find its place” in efforts to de-escalate tensions between India and Pakistan as positive.

READ ALSO: India rejects US offer to mediate with Pakistan on Kashmir issue

“Any positive role that the US plays to bring peace and stability in South Asia can serve the region well,” Chaudhry was quoted as saying in a report by Dawn from Washington.

Chaudhry said Pakistan is interested in such efforts because it “wants good neighbourly relations with India”.

Pakistan’s support for a third-party mediation comes after India rejected yesterday any role for the US in Indo-Pak issues. India said its position for bilateral redressal of all India-Pakistan issues “in an environment free of terror and violence hasn’t changed”.

Haley, a senior Indian-American member of the Trump Cabinet, made the remarks after the US assumed the presidency of the United Nations Security Council for the month of April.

She hinted that the Trump administration would participate in the talks aimed at resolving differences between India and Pakistan. It was the first time Haley, as a member of the Trump Cabinet, has addressed tensions between India and Pakistan.

A State Department spokesperson, when contacted by the newspaper, explained the US position on facilitating talks between the two countries.

“We believe India and Pakistan stand to benefit from practical cooperation. We encourage India and Pakistan to engage in direct dialogue aimed at reducing tensions,” the spokesperson said. The US official also explained why Washington wanted to promote good Indo-Pak ties. “The normalisation of relations between Pakistan and India is vital to both countries and the region. Steps that initiate closer regional economic ties can also create jobs, lower inflation and increase energy supply,” the official said.

The last sentence of the statement, however, stressed the stated US policy, which is close to India’s stance on this issue, that all differences between India and Pakistan should be resolved bilaterally.

“We have and continue to encourage India and Pakistan to work together to resolve any differences,” the US official said.

India has consistently ruled out third-party mediation, including by the United Nations or the US, and maintained that Kashmir was a bilateral issue. Pakistan, however, welcomes international mediation and regularly raises the Kashmir issue at various UN fora.

Yesterday, India’s external affairs ministry spokesperson Gopal Baglay snubbed Haley for hinting that the US was ready to mediate. He asked the international community to instead persuade Pakistan to stop cross-border terrorist attacks. (PTI)

Apr 7, 2017 – 8:56 am EDT
Student writes ‘BlackLivesMatter’ 100 times, gets into Stanford University

NEW YORK (TIP): An 18-year-old Bangladeshi-American Muslim student has won a place at the prestigious Stanford University after writing ‘#BlackLivesMatter’ a 100 times in the essay section of his application.

Ziad Ahmed said he was “stunned” when his innovative approach to the application process, which he described as “unapologetic activism”, paid off.

On his Stanford University application, Ahmed was posed the question, “What matters to you, and why?”

The activist from Princeton, New Jersey, decided to use the opportunity to write “#BlackLivesMatter” a 100 times.

To his surprise, the answer caught the attention of the California school’s admissions office and Ahmed received his acceptance letter on Friday.

He proudly tweeted his answer and his acceptance letter to the prestigious American university, which boasts 20 applications per place.

“I was actually stunned when I opened the update and saw that I was admitted,” Ahmed told Mic.

“I didn’t think I would get admitted to Stanford at all, but it’s quite refreshing to see that they view my unapologetic activism as an asset rather than a liability,” he said.

Ahmed said as an ally of the black community, he felt it was his duty to make a statement and speak up against the injustices he witnesses. “As an ally of the black community though, it is my duty to speak up in regards to the injustice, and while this was not a form of ‘activism’ as it was simply an answer in a college application. I wanted to make a statement,” he said. (PTI)

Apr 7, 2017 – 8:49 am EDT
Amid China’s stand on Masood Azhar ban, US says ‘Veto will not prevent us from acting’

UNITED NATIONS (TIP): The US said on Tuesday that countries using veto to scuttle sanctioning of terrorists will not “preclude” it from taking actions.

The US remarks come amid continued Chinese opposition+ to efforts to get Pakistan-based JeM chief Masood Azhar banned by the UN.

“The administration very much is looking at all of these avenues and some of the things we have talked about is sanctions and who is on the list and how we have managed that,” US’ envoy to the UN Nikki Haley told reporters here.

“And that is part of what we are going to try and find our place with is that we do want to make sure that we are calling out those that we need to call out,” she said.

Haley made the remarks while addressing a press conference after assuming role of President of the Security Council for the month of April.

She was asked about efforts to get terrorists, particularly those in the South Asian region, sanctioned under UNSC’s sanctions list and how another permanent member scuttles these efforts+ by using its veto power, a veiled reference to China blocking moves to ban Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar+ . “Are we going to have people that veto certain issues? Yes. But that doesn’t preclude the US from acting and it certainly does not preclude us from trying to see if we can change that as well,” Haley said. “Our goal is to get more done together than we do separately. If we cannot get it done separately then we just move in another direction to still get the same things done,” she said.

The US wants to make sure that it is leading towards a “result” and “not sitting back” and allowing things to happen. “I think you are obviously seeing a very aggressive administration because we feel like in order to lead we need to act and in order to act we need to make sure we have those conversations with the National Security Council and we are having those conversations with the National Security Council,” she said.

Haley noted that a lot has happened in the last two months of her assuming the UN ambassador’s role under the Trump administration and a lot will continue to happen “but it is all about how we can make sure we are moving the ball”.

Haley also described Syrian President Bashar al-Assad as a “war criminal”, saying what he has done to the people of his country is disgusting.

Asked about US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s remarks in Ankara where he said that Assad’s status would be decided by the Syrian people, she said, “It’s that we don’t think the people want Assad anymore; we don’t think that he is going to be someone that the people want to have.”

“We have no love for Assad. We’ve made that very clear. We think that he has been a hindrance to peace for a long time. He’s a war criminal. What he’s done to his people is nothing more than disgusting,” she said.

Haley said that the goal of the Trump administration is to do what needs to be done to defeat ISIS.

“I don’t know that our goal is to talk to Assad in doing that…Now that could change and the administration could think otherwise, but right now Assad is not our No.1 person to talk to,” said Haley. (PTI)

Apr 7, 2017 – 8:44 am EDT
Donald Trump removes Steve Bannon from National Security Council

WASHINGTON (TIP): President Donald Trump has removed chief strategist Steve Bannon from the National Security Council, reversing an earlier, controversial decision to give Bannon access to the high-level meetings.

A new memorandum about the council’s composition was published Wednesday in the Federal Register. The memo no longer lists the chief strategist as a member of the Principals Committee, a group of high-ranking officials who meet to discuss pressing national security priorities.

Tom Bossert, the assistant to the president for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism, also had his role downgraded as part of the changes.

A senior White House official said Wednesday that Bannon was initially placed on the national security council after Trump’s inauguration as a measure to ensure implementation of the president’s vision, including efforts to downsize and streamline operations at the NSC.

Trump’s first national security adviser, Michael Flynn, was at the helm of the NSC at the time, but the official says Bannon’s role on the committee had nothing to do with the troubles facing Flynn, who was later asked to resign for misleading the administration about his communication with Russian officials.

The senior White House official was not authorized to discuss changes that have not been formally announced and spoke on condition of anonymity.

The new memo also restores the director of national intelligence and the Joint Chiefs chairman to the principals committee.

Bannon’s addition to the NSC sparked concerns from Trump critics, who said it was inappropriate for the political adviser to play a role in national security matters. (AP)

Apr 7, 2017 – 8:41 am EDT
Trump signs bill blocking online privacy regulation

WASHINGTON (TIP): After his press secretary blasted it as an example of rampant government overreach, President Donald Trump has signed a bill into law that could eventually allow internet providers to sell information about their customers’ browsing habits.

The bill scraps a Federal Communications Commission online privacy regulation issued in October to give consumers more control over how companies like Comcast, AT&T and Verizon share that information.

Critics have argued that the rule would stifle innovation and pick winners and losers among internet companies.

The regulation was scheduled to take effect later this year, but Congress used its authority under the obscure Congressional Review Act to wipe it from the books.

With a Republican president in the White House, the GOP-controlled Congress has turned to the 20-year-old law to scrap numerous regulations that Republicans say are costly, burdensome or excessive, many of which were finalized in the closing months of Democrat Barack Obama’s presidency.

Internet companies like Google don’t have to ask their users for permission before tracking what sites they visit, a discrepancy that Republicans and industry group have blasted as both unfair to companies and confusing to consumers. White House press secretary Sean Spicer said last week that the president’s support for the bill was part of a larger effort “to fight Washington red tape that stifles American innovation, job creation and economic growth.” “The president pledged to reverse this type of federal overreach in which bureaucrats in Washington take the interest of one group of companies over the interest of others,” picking the winners and losers, he said.

Supporters of the privacy measure argued that the company that sells an internet connection can see even more about consumers, such as every website they visit and whom they exchange emails with, information that would be particularly useful for advertisers and marketers.

Undoing the regulation leaves people’s online information in a murky area. Experts say federal law still requires broadband providers to protect customer information but it doesn’t spell out how or what companies must do, which is what the online privacy rule aimed to do. The absence of clear privacy rules means companies that supply internet service, and who can monitor how consumers use it, can continue to mine that information for use in their own advertising businesses. Consumer advocates also worry that the companies will be a rich target for hackers.

Ajit Pai, the agency chairman appointed by Trump, has said he wanted to roll back the broadband privacy rules. Pai and other Republicans want a different federal agency, the Federal Trade Commission, to police privacy for both broadband companies like AT&T and internet companies like Google.

Broadband providers don’t fall under the trade commission’s jurisdiction, and advocates say that agency historically has been weaker than the communications commission.

Trump signed three other bills yesterday, including one that eliminates a rule that prohibited the use of tactics like baiting and shooting bears from the air on the National Wildlife Refuges in Alaska (AP)

Apr 7, 2017 – 8:35 am EDT
Black teen wins essay contest on topic of white privilege

WESTPORT (TIP):A black teenager who wrote about the “unavoidable” racial issues he faces growing up in an affluent, predominantly white Connecticut town has won an essay contest on the topic of white privilege.

Chet Ellis, a 15-year-old sophomore at Staples High School in Westport, described a discussion on getting into college one day during track practice. He wrote that a white friend said he would have no problem because he’s black.

“I was stunned,” he wrote, “and mumbled something instead of firing back, `Your parents are third-generation Princeton and your father runs a hedge fund and yet you think my ride is free?”‘

The annual essay contest, put on by the town’s diversity council and the Westport Library, aims to prompt discussion of multicultural issues in the shoreline community that is 93 percent white. This year’s topic stirred some controversy by encouraging high schoolers to describe how they have been touched by white privilege, a term used mainly by liberals that refers to unseen advantages conferred to whites, and not racial minorities.

Chet was awarded the $1,000 top prize at a ceremony Monday night.

Living in a place where almost everyone is white, he writes, he wonders how his race affects how he’s treated. He writes about being followed around by a manager inside a store and how it felt when a classmate said a racial slur out loud to describe an offensive sign. And he notes the knowing nods a track teammate receives when he explains a loss by telling others, “I mean I was running against two giant black guys.” “As a black teen in Westport, race issues in and outside the classroom are unavoidable,” he wrote. (AP)

Apr 7, 2017 – 8:35 am EDT
At long last, Bob Dylan accepts the 2016 Nobel Prize in Literature

STOCKHOLM (TIP): After months of uncertainty and controversy, Bob Dylan finally accepted the 2016 Nobel Prize for Literature at a secret meeting on Saturday with the Swedish Academy, local media reported. Asked by Swedish public broadcaster SVT if Dylan had received his Nobel diploma and medal on Saturday afternoon, Academy member Horace Engdahl said: “Yes”, without making any further comments.

The Swedish Academy, which awards the prize, had been tight-lipped about the prospective meeting and declined to comment on the report. The first songwriter to receive the prestigious award, Dylan joins a celebrated group of laureates including Thomas Mann, Samuel Beckett, Gabriel Garcia Marquez and Doris Lessing.

The meeting took place at a secret location ahead of Dylan’s first concert in Stockholm, the first stop on a long-planned European tour for his latest album of cover songs, “Triplicate”. His second concert is on due Sunday.

Apr 7, 2017 – 8:32 am EDT
Chicago police arrest 14 year-old in Facebook rape case

CHICAGO (TIP): Police in Chicago arrested a 14-year-old boy in connection with the alleged gang rape of a teenage girl that was broadcast on Facebook Live, police and local news reported.

“CPD arrested 1st of several juvenile offenders in Facebook sexual assault incident,” police department spokesman Anthony Gugliemi wrote on Twitter late Saturday.

The boy, who is 14, faces at least three juvenile felony charges, The Chicago Tribune newspaper reported, citing city police. The victim was a 15-year-old girl who went missing on March 19 in the crime-plagued midwestern US city. She was found two days later and taken to a children’s hospital for treatment.

Gugliemi promised more details at an 11 am (1600 GMT) Sunday press conference.

City police got involved when the girl’s mother approached police with graphic photos taken from a Facebook Live video showing several young men assaulting the teen.

It was the latest in a series of troubling incidents in which violent acts have been streamed live on Facebook, including two fatal shootings and the kidnapping and torture of a disabled 18-year-old.

The social networking site said in a statement after the incident that it took seriously its “responsibility to keep people safe on Facebook.”

The live online video of the alleged gang rape attracted as many as 40 viewers at one time, but no one contacted police, according to reports. The video was later taken down.

Chicago has been grappling with a surge in violent crime. Last year, the city endured its highest number of shootings and murders in nearly two decades.

Much of the violence is concentrated in a few impoverished areas, including the one where the teenage girl lives.

Apr 7, 2017 – 8:32 am EDT
RBI wants to circulate new Rs 200 notes through banks

NEW DELHI (TIP): The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is likely to decide against circulating proposed new Rs 200 banknotes through ATMs to avoid another chaotic recalibration process similar to the one that followed the recall of high-value currency last November.

The central bank wants to circulate the new banknotes only through bank branches, similar to the way Rs 50 and Rs 10 notes are circulated. The RBI board in March cleared a proposal to introduce Rs 200 notes to plug the paucity of lower denominations. The mints are likely to start printing the new notes from June.

A senior banking official – who refused to be quoted because he isn’t authorised to talk to media – said dispensing new currency notes through ATMs would mean recalibrating India’s 220,000 machines, an exercise that will take more than a month.

These ATMs were just reprogrammed to dispense the Rs 2000 notes introduced on November 9, a period that saw snaking queues outside machines and millions of people unable to withdraw cash immediately. “The idea is not to disturb the system once again, there has been disruption for more than four weeks between November and December and it is advisable to circulate these notes through the bank branches, though at present these are just proposals,” the official told Hindustan Times.

The proposal to introduce Rs 200 notes is part of a larger focus by the government and RBI on circulating lower denomination currency notes of Rs 100 and Rs 500.

Apr 7, 2017 – 8:29 am EDT
TRAI FORCES RELIANCE JIO TO WITHDRAW SUMMER SURPRISE OFFER

NEW DELHI (TIP): Reliance Jio on April 6 decided to withdraw its ‘Jio Summer Surprise’ offer after the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) advised the Mukesh Ambani-led firm to withdraw the three-month ‘complimentary’ offer.

On March 31, Reliance Jio, which was expected to charge for its services from April 1, 2017, extended the deadline for buying Jio’s Rs. 303 plan until April 15, 2017. Subscribers who bought the Rs. 99 Prime membership till April 15, 2017, with a plan of Rs. 303 or higher, were eligible for the ‘Jio Summer Surprise’ offer and its subscribers were entitled to get free services for three months, starting April 15.

“Jio is in the process of fully complying with the regulator’s advice, and will be withdrawing the three months’ complimentary benefits of Jio Summer Surprise as soon as operationally feasible, over the next few days,” according to a company statement. Customers who have subscribed to the offer prior to its discontinuation will remain eligible for the offer.

Jaideep Ghosh, partner telecom at KPMG said: “While the regulators’ rationale to urge Jio is understandable, I believe that the telecom tariff must be left to market forces.”

Jio, through its free offers since September 5, 2016, has notched up more than 100 million subscribers, of which 72 million were willing to pay for Jio services as of March 31, as they become ‘Prime’ customers.

After the extension, existing players such as Bharti Airtel and Idea Cellular moved the telecom tribunal against TRAI for letting Jio continue the free promotional offer beyond the stipulated 90 days.

The operators criticised the regulator for being a “mute spectator” to the alleged violations. On January 31, TRAI had held that Jio’s free voice calling and data plan were not in violation of the regulatory guidelines.

The arrival of Reliance Jio was followed by a consolidation in the industry, even as it spurred a fall in profits for incumbent operators. In March, Idea Cellular merged with the Indian unit of Vodafone Plc, making the entity India’s largest mobile telephony and data service provider.

Earlier, in February, Bharti Airtel bought the assets of Telenor ASA’s India unit while in September last year Anil Ambani-led Reliance Communications decided to merge with Aircel.

Apr 7, 2017 – 8:25 am EDT
Samsung tips best quarterly profit in over three years as chips soar

SEOUL (TIP): Samsung Electronics Co Ltd forecast on Friday its best quarterly profit in more than three years in the January-March period, beating expectations and putting it on track for record annual earnings on the back of a memory chip super-cycle.

The Apple Inc rival has rapidly recovered from last year’s costly failure of its fire-prone Galaxy Note 7 device, despite a political scandal involving Vice Chairman Jay Y. Lee who appeared in a Seoul court on Friday facing charges including bribing ousted president Park Geun-hye.

The global memory chip leader said first-quarter operating profit was likely 9.9 trillion won ($8.8 billion), compared with an average forecast of 9.4 trillion won from a survey of 18 analysts. Revenue rose 0.4 percent to 50 trillion won, just ahead of analysts’ forecasts.

“The semiconductor business was likely the main driver for earnings,” said Heungkuk Securities analyst Lee Min-hee, adding that sales of mid-to-low tier smartphones also helped the mobile business remain profitable.

Samsung shares touched a record high of 2.134 million won in late March on expectations of record annual profit in 2017, as the South Korean tech giant bounced back from the embarrassing withdrawal of its Note 7 devices due to combustible batteries. Source: Reuters

Apr 7, 2017 – 8:21 am EDT
MahaVastu tips for an auspicious griha pravesh

Mahavastu is an upgraded, tested and bug-free understanding of vastu shastra that I have distilled from more than 12,000 case studies in the last 25 years. A rational understating helps to maintain equilibrium with nature; with simple yet powerful remedies without demolishing buildings. MahaVastu propagates that five elements are present in directions in our living spaces and the imbalance in these elements leads to the sickness of mind and body. It basically balances all these 5 elements for harmony in life.

Before buying a home or an office one must check the location of entrance, e.g., an east or a north – east entrance is very auspicious, it brings in money, profits and success. On the contrary, an east entrance of a house leads to fire, accidents and unexpected losses for the inhabitants. According to MahaVastu, south or south – east entrance brings immense prosperity whereas entrance from south creates negative effects on the kids specially the boys of the family.

In general, houses and buildings facing north-east, south and the west are considered good for the residence.

Toilet

Toilets in the north-east direction should be avoided completely.

Kitchen

The fire place / kitchen should ideally be located in south east zone of the house. An underground Water tank should ideally be placed towards the north, north – east, east and west zones of the house.

Bedroom

Bedroom should ideally be located in the south zone; however, for a newly wedded couple the north or north – west is the ideal direction.

Kid’s room should ideally be in the east, north – east, west or south – west directions.

Office

An ideal location of entrance(s) is north, north – east or north -west zones. This would bring good luck and positive energy. The main door of the entrance should be facing the north or the east. The reception should always be in the east or the north – east.

Location of toilets should ideally be in the south or south -west vastu zone of disposal. The toilet seats should ideally be placed in either south to north or west to east direction.

Location of Pantry ideally should be in the southeast corner or zone of the building

If a house is not built according to vastu , what should they do?

Simple remedies can help you to correct vastu flaws. Mahavastu has some very simple yet effective remedies like changing the colour of the main entrance, painting a particular portion in a colour to balance the five elements, e.g., the elemental strip technique proves instrumental when it comes to removing the bad effects of entrance locations and toilets. Hanging green sceneries towards north attracts growth and new opportunities. Mahavastu believes in giving you proven vastu formulae for instant results without any demolitions and reconstruction.

Apr 7, 2017 – 8:20 am EDT
DID LORD SHIVA REALLY TAKE AVATAR IN DWAPAR YUGA?

As mentioned in Linga Puran, once Lord Brahma asked Lord Shiva as to why he never reincarnated in a human form that involved him living among human relations, like Lord Vishnu? Lord Shiva in all his calmness replied, “Not once, but many a time I have taken the required avatar for the advantage of humankind.”

Even though, there’s no significant evidence to prove these claims, but it is believed that Lord Shiva did appear not once but under 28 dwapars. Following are the excerpts from Linga Purana, where Lord Shiva explains all his avatars.

“I shall incarnate as Shwet-Mahamuni during first Dwapar Yuga of Vaivaswat manvantar. My abode shell is at Chhogal peak of Himalaya mountain. I shall have four disciples who will be proficient in the Vedas.”

“I will incarnate as Sutar during second dwapar. At that time, Saddyojat Prajapati will be holding he post of Vyasa.I will have four sons- Dundubhi, Shataroopa, Richika and Keluma.”

“During third dwapar and at the time when Sage Bhargav will be acting as a Vyasa, I will take incarnation as Daman. I will have four sons- Vikrosh, Vikesh, Vipash and Papnashak.”

“During fourth dwapar and at the time when Sage Angira will be acting as a Vyasa, I will take incarnation as Suhotra. I will have four sons- Sumukh, Durmukh, Durdhar and Duratikram.”

“I will take incarnation as Kank during fifth dwapar and at the time when Sage Savita will be fulfilling the obligations of Vyasa; I will have four sons- Sanak, Sanandan, Sanatan and Sanatkumar.”

“During Sixth dwapar, I will take incarnation as Laugakshi. At that time Sage Mrityu will be holding the post of Vyasa. My sons will be Sudhama, Viraja, Shankh and Padraj.”

“Sage Shataritu will act as Vyasa during Seventh dwapar. I will have four sons- Saraswat, Megh, Meghvah and Suvahan.”

“Sage Vashishtha will be the Vyasa during eighth dwapar. I will take incarnation as Dadhivahan. My sons will be- Kapila, Asuri, Panch, Shikhomuni and Vashkal.”

“Sage Saraswat will act as Vyasa during nineth dwapar. I will take incarnation as Rishabh. I will have four sons-Parashar, Garg, Bhargav and Angiras.”

“The 10th dwapar will see Tripad fulfilling the duties of Vyasa. I will incarnate as Bhavita Muni. I will have four sons-Bala, Bandhu, Niramitra and Ketu.”

“Sage Trivat will be the Vyasa during 11th dwapar. I will take incarnation as Ugra. My sons will be- Lambodar, Lambaksha and Lambakesh.”

“Sage Shatateja will perform the duties of Vyasa during 12th dwapar. I will have four sons- Sarvagya, Sambuddhi, Sadhya and Sarva.”

“Dharma will be the Vyasa during 13th dwapar. I will take incarnation as Bali and live at the hermitage of the Balkhilya. I will have four sons- Sudhama, Kashyapa, Vashishtha and Viraja.”

“In the 14th dwapar, I will be born as sage Gautama and the responsibilities of Vyasa would be fulfilled by Sage Tarakashu. In this avatar I will have four sons- Atri, Devarudra, Shravana & Srivishthak.”

“Sage Traiyyaruni will obligate the duties of Vyasa and I will re-incarnate as Vedshira in the 15th dwapar. My sons would be named- Kuni, Kunibahu, Kusharir & Kunetrak.”

“Sage Deva will perform the duties of Vyasa during 16th dwapar. And, I will be Gokarn and would have four sons-Kashyao, Shukracharya, Chyavn & Brihaspati.”

“The 17th dwapar will see Kritanjay fulfilling the duties of Vyasa. I will incarnate as Guhavasi. I will have four sons-Utathya, Vamadev, Mahayoga & Mahabal.”

“During 18th dwapar and at the time when Sage Ritanjay will be acting as a Vyasa, I will take incarnation as Shikhani. I will have four sons- Vachashrava, Richik, Shyavasva & Yatishwar.”

“I will take incarnation as Jatamali during 19h dwapar and at the time when Sage Bhardwaj will be fulfilling the obligations of Vyasa; I will have four sons- Hiranyabh, Kaushal, Laungaksi & Kuthumi.”

“Sage Gautam will perform the duties of Vyasa during 20th dwapar, and I will re-incarnate as Attahas. I will have four sons- Sumantu, Varvari, Kavand & Kushi Kandar.”

“During the 21st dwapar, where I will incarnate as Daruko, sage Vachashrava will disembark on the journey of fulfilling the duties of Vyasa. My four sons would be- Ramapksoda, Bhayani, Ketuman & Gautam.”

“During 22nd dwapar and at the time when Sage Shushmayan will be acting as a Vyasa, I will take incarnation as Langli Bheem. I will have four sons- Dharmik, Mahayotri, Bhallavi, Madhupinga,Shwetu, Ketu & Kush.”

“Trinabindu will be the Vyasa during 23rd dwapar. I will take incarnation as Kalanjar. I will have four sons- Ushik, Vrihadashva, Deval & Kavirevach.”

“When 24th dwapar would begin, I will re-incarnate as Shooli, while Vyasa’s duties would be fulfilled by Riksha. I will have four sons- Salihotra, Agnivesh, Unasva & Sharadvasu.”

“I will incarnate as Dandi-Mundishvar during the 25th dwapar. At that time, Shakti will be holding he post of Vyasa. I will have four sons- Chhagal, Kundak, Kumbhand & Prawahaj.”

Apr 7, 2017 – 8:17 am EDT
Border Security operations destabilize Texas Budget

AUSTIN, TEXAS (TIP): As a budget shortfall in Texas threatens cuts to colleges and Medicaid, a costly border security operation is proving largely untouchable despite President Donald Trump’s promises to build a wall and the plunging number of people caught illegally entering the U.S., says an AP report.

The report points out that a prolonged oil slump has left lawmakers about $6 billion short of the money needed to keep the status quo in Texas, which attracts about a million new residents every two years. But border security is one area where Republicans – who control state government – have all but refused to search for savings.

During a key budget vote on Thursday, April 6, House Democrats proposed taking dollars earmarked for hundreds of state troopers on the Texas-Mexico border and National Guard patrols, and putting that money instead toward other programs they say are underfunded. One even proposed tacking onto a $218 billion spending bill a prohibition against using state funds on Trump’s border wall.

But the proposals to scale back Texas’ $800 million border operation appeared largely symbolic during a marathon debate in the GOP-controlled Legislature.

Illegal border crossings have plummeted in recent months. In March, authorities caught 12,193 people at the southern border – the lowest monthly figure in at least 17 years, and the second straight month that border arrests sharply dropped. Still, Republican officials from Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on down embrace Trump’s plans to build a wall, and the state is committing more money to border security efforts.

“At the federal level, the money hasn’t been turned loose to apply the new resources that are needed to do what President Trump has said needs to be done, and what I agree needs to be done,” said Republican Rep. Matt Schaefer, a U.S. Navy reserve lieutenant from East Texas who is among the most far-right lawmakers in the Texas House. “This is going to take time. I don’t believe that we can stand down while the federal government steps up. And that’s going to be awhile.”

The state is set to pass a new budget by June, and just about every part of Texas government is in line to take hit: Public universities are fighting a proposed $300 million cut, and one of Abbott’s biggest initiatives – bolstering pre-kindergarten – is also getting short shrift. More than $2 billion in proposed cost cuts to Medicaid is also on the table, and many state agencies are under a hiring freeze.

The Senate spared border security from any cuts, and the House plan would also keep funding 50-hour workweeks on the border for nearly two dozen Texas Rangers and 250 troopers. The House only stopped short of purchasing new big-ticket defense items, such as more spy planes or armored boats to patrol the Rio Grande.

State officials have defended the price tag by with data that include drug seizures and arrests, though critics question the numbers. Last year, an Associated Press review found that child support evaders and low-level felony drug arrests were among thousands of arrests being categorized as “high-threat criminals” along the border.

Some think the real “Trump effect” was pushing fearful people to get to the U.S. before Trump took office. Border arrests in October, November and December increased by about a third compared to the same period in 2015, before falling this year.

“A lot of Republican members want to be able to say they voted for money on the border to stop this perceived immigration problem,” said Rep. Chris Turner, who leads the House Democratic Caucus. “The data doesn’t support their arguments. A lot of us hoped there would be a lot less money would be put into border security. But politics is driving that decision.”

(Source: AP)

Apr 7, 2017 – 8:06 am EDT
“No regrets” in job, says Ambassador Haley

NEW YORK(TIP): Asserting that she has “no regrets” in her job, US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley said her Indian parents raised her to give her best to whatever job she does.

“No, there is no regrets,” Haley said at a session at the Women In The World summit when asked if she has any regrets in her job.

“I am the daughter of Indian parents where my mom always said, ‘whatever you do, be great at it and make sure people remember you for it’ and so my focus is just to try and do the jobs as best as I can,” she said here.

Haley was speaking yesterday at the ‘Women In The World’ summit, a premier annual gathering of influential women leaders, politicians and activists organized by media personality Tina Brown in association with the New York Times.

Haley speaks proudly about her Indian heritage, often bringing it up during her speeches and interactions. Earlier this week, while addressing reporters at the UN headquarters, Haley brought up her Indian heritage when she asked about her qualities of being able to speak freely and openly.

“Every position that I have ever had, people have assumed that I’m looking towards something bigger when in reality I’m the daughter of Indian parents who said to me ‘whatever you do be great at it and make sure people remember you for it’. That is all I am trying to do. That is all I have ever known how to be is to try and just do my job to the best of my ability and if that comes out blunt and if that comes out strong – I’m one of two brothers and a sister – my parents raised us all to be strong,” she said.

When asked at the women summit if she liked her new job as Washington’s envoy to the world body, she said she does.

“I do like the job because you can move the ball. It’s not just about talking, you can actually negotiate, you can actually change things,” she said.

Haley said she has a “lot of” interaction with President Donald Trump, “I talked to him this morning” adding that she visits Washington at least once a week for the National Security Council meetings.

Apr 7, 2017 – 8:01 am EDT
Pratham Graduate from India to Share Success Story in NYC

NEW YORK (TIP): Sanjana Das, a 22-year-old graduate of Pratham’s Vocational Training Program in India, will speak at the next Pratham NYC Young Professionals event on Tuesday, April 11th from 6 p.m. onwards at Stitch Bar & Lounge @ 247 W 37th Street in midtown Manhattan about her inspiring life journey so far.

After an early life of poverty, Das is defying the odds. She grew up in the small village of Kusasthali in the state of Odisha and was forced to leave school after her father passed away from a prolonged illness. Despite these challenges, Das persevered, and with the support of her mother, she completed Pratham’s vocational training program and earned a certificate in hospitality. Today, the diligent 22-year-old is employed in the front office at the three-star Lords Plaza Hotel in Jaipur and has realized her dream of financial independence.

“It is so empowering for us to hear the real-life testimonials of people who have benefitted from Pratham’s incredible work on the ground in India to educate and empower the youth,” said Meeta Manglani, co-chair of the New York chapter of Pratham Young Professionals. “Very rarely do we, the supporters of Pratham around the world, have an opportunity to see where our dollars, our energy and our time is going, unless we travel to India and witness it first-hand. Sharing Sanjana’s story is the responsible way for us to engage the next generation of Pratham supporters.”

Pratham’s Vocational Training Program promotes economic self-sufficiency for young adults through training and job placement. Last year, Pratham equipped 22,000 youth with skills and supported 300 entrepreneurs all over India.

Apr 7, 2017 – 8:00 am EDT
IAA Women Achievers Awards make a powerful statement

NEW JERSEY (TIP): With all eyes on a beautifully decorated stage, almost 300 guests from New York and New Jersey in audience, the expectations were running high to know the names of 15 women “Honorees” who have left an indelible impression on society in USA. An event which has been the talk of the town since it was announced three weeks ago by Brain Storm Entertainment in association with Renascent Enterprise, IAA Women Achiever Awards held at newly built MARIGOLD in New Jersey offered everything that raised expectations.

Manish Malhotra Fashion Show

Fifteen women to be selected through a process audited by Ernst and Young, a fund raiser with Chief Guest Shabana Azmi and a fashion show by superstar of fashion industry, Manish Malhotra for Mijwan Welfare Society (NGO run by Shabana Azmi) at a venue that has created a name for its grandeur in such a short time, it was an evening to watch.

Tanvi Prenita Chandra, local promoter of the show

Guests started arriving early at 5 pm and crowded the reception to ensure they got best seats after a formal photo-op. The bar was filled soon with hundreds and an air with best fragrance and some of outfits that would have surprised celebrity designer Manish Malhotra. Many wanted to know the names of the winners since such events have rarely presented surprise. But Tanvi Prenita Chandra, promoter and Vandana Krishna, brain behind the event lived upto her promise, and nobody including “Honorees” knew about the surprise about to unfold. Some wanted to have a glimpse of Manish Malhotra who was busy with models and wanted to make his maiden presentation the best ever in East coast. Photographers ensured they clicked the pics of the most notable guests from Tri-State which would fill the Facebook after the event. Selfie stars were busy too, almost competing with each other in putting maximum in one frame.

Cineyug promoter Aly Morani was quietly checking the finishing of the grand room for stage and settings, first of its kind where the evening was to unfold. Side panels with white fabric were used as screens with a state of the art projectors and backdrop lit to make the setting most serene. A totally new concept of a fashion show with top models were to walk on the floor with a ramp-style setting between front three rows, thus, giving the audience a closer view of beautiful dresses of Mijwan collection by celebrity Manish Malhotra.

A warm welcome from Vandana Krishna

Vandana Krishna introduced the evening and awards event to a hall filled with 300 plus guests. She shared the overview of upcoming Indian Academy Awards to be held in California in July. Vandana Krishna and Saurabh Pandey, two veterans from the entertainment industry are launching their awards event in SFO with Bollywood, Tollywood and Hollywood stars as guests and performers when the winners will be announced once again through a popular selection process audited by Ernst and Young. The grand 2-day event is expected to host 50,000 in audience. The event was announced in Mumbai in last week of December by RAEES Bollywood Badshah Shahrukh Khan and launched at a media conference by superstar Madhuri Dixit in Santa Clara in January.

Vandana said, “As an initiative of the Indian Academy Awards we want to share the success stories of real women with the world, to encourage all the Non Residents of India. True stories of women entrepreneurs are an inspiration to change the world. Today’s women are making the difference with their innovative ideas, seeking solutions and reclaiming their status as equals. We want to create a platform to honor these women and to share their success with the world.”

One could see smiling Tanvi Prenita Chandra of Renascent Media who was the local promoter for hosting the show. “Women empowerment …this cause is very close to my heart and I feel fortunate to get this opportunity to host this history making event with most respected Bollywood icon Shabana Azmi ji and world famous designer Manish Malhotra. A big thank you to the sponsors Nirvani restaurant, Morgan Stanley, Laxmi (House of Spices), Mphasis Corporation, Hometowne rx, Pro Beauty Academy, KTC Edibles Ltd, The Marigold and Corporate Limousine Services for the support of this great cause. I have done my best to present a different type of show with celebrities from Mumbai and feel happy it has all come together in flying colors witnessed by elite crowd in such a short span of three weeks” said Tanvi.

Host Nisha Mathur, herself a celebrity, opened the evening and in her inimitable style announced the winners one-by-one. The honorees graced the stage and accepted the honors to an applaud by audience which marked the recognition by all. Fifteen honorees who had travelled from all over just like other guests to attend the event and were caught by surprise when their names were announced. Ms Shabana Azmi presented the awards to each honoree as Nisha invited them after a brief introduction.

The winners were selected via a nomination process managed by EY. The final jury members comprising of Bollywood actresses Manjari Phadnis and Chitrashi Rawat, Wellness and grooming expert Avni Gandhi Varma will made the final selection.

The next segment included the introduction of Mijwan Welfare Society by none other than Ms Shabana Azmi who shared the details of her father, Kaifi Azmi’s dream for the small village in U.P. which has been converted by funds raised by the NGO to support women.

Shabana Azmi and Manish Malhotra

Ms Azmi’s humility and happiness was visible as she fondly recalled the time she spent with her father who was a great poet and supported for equality of women. She expressed her gratitude for Manish Malhotra and generous audience as well as every donor till date who have supported the Society.

Actors & Activist Shabana Azmi was the guest of honor for the final event.

Mijwan today is not only a story of the progress of a small village in India, but it’s also the story of women journeying on, past the patriarchal conforms of their society. It’s the hope for a better tomorrow, beating in the hearts of rural women who have taken charge of their own destinies

The finale was the fashion show as colorful lights came up and beautiful modelsdisplayed the dresses. One could see the audience was dazzled with the exquisite hand embroidery called Chikankari by Mijwan Women. The ‘Mijwan Summer Couture 2017’ was clearly the highlight of the evening. The grace with which each model walked and carried the dress, almost everyone in audience captured the view with eyes while top photographers and cameraman from television channels captured through their lens. Music enhanced the walk on the ramp between the aisles and many females almost touched the dresses with their cell phones cameras to decide on their choices. About thirty minutes of mesmerizing presentation before Manish Malhotra came to the stage himselfin his customary style to accept the honors.

Manish Malhotra has pulled women out of oblivion and brought their craft to the doorsteps of Bollywood by creating glamorous outfits in his signature style. By giving women gainful employment, he has given the women to negotiate more space for themselves within the family structure.

The show epitomized the continuous realization of Kaifi Saab’s vision and the wonderful legacy of hope for his village, Mijwan. (www.mijwan.org)

Evening closed with the fund raiser and Ms Azmi assisted by her US associate Ketki Parikh collected the checks with humble thanks that will help spread the word for the Mijwan Society all over US in times ahead.

A landmark is created by Brainstorm Entertainment in association with Renascent Media in East coast as West coast now waits for the mega event in July when superstars will land in Silicon Valley. (Press Release)

Apr 7, 2017 – 6:10 am EDT
Reining in the Rogue Regime of North Korea

“Pyongyang’s missile program has progressed over the last few decades from tactical rockets in the 1970s, to short, medium-range ballistic missiles in the 1980s and 1990s. Systems capable of even greater range are under research and development.”

A defiant North Korea has fired yet another missile. It fired four ballistic missiles into Japanese waters in February. The missiles were fired towards the Sea of Japan. After flying an estimated 1000 km, the missiles fell into Japan’s exclusive economic zone – a 200-nautical mile area off Japan’s coast. These launches defy UN resolutions that ban North Korea from any use of ballistic missile technology whatsoever. North Korea has violated these resolutions many times in the past. Launching four missiles in rapid succession shows remarkable operational skill – a matter of grave concern for the international community.

The estimated range of the missile that North Korea is inching ever so close to now could put parts of the US, among other countries, within its firing range. What is petrifying is that North Korea does not shy away from the fact that it has an active nuclear-weapons program. It has carried out several nuclear tests. The most recent nuclear test was conducted in September 2016.

The missile launch has been met with heavy condemnation throughout the world. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told the Japanese parliament that the launch clearly shows North Korea has entered a new stage of threat. He called a meeting of the country’s National Security Council.

China, on the other hand, has “proposed” that North Korea suspend its tests of missile and nuclear technology to “defuse a looming crisis”. China has been known to supply nuclear knowhow and material to North Korea in the past. So much so that the North-Korean launch vehicles are all made in China. North Korea is often called China’s spoilt brat. Unfortunately, the fact remains that China supports and feeds the rogue nation to use it as a pawn in the game of international relations. History has shown us time and again that nurturing a serpent is always treacherous. The serpent is bound to show its fangs and inevitably bite the possessor at some point in time. Understandably, this region is of special importance to America. The ASEAN (Association of South-East Asian Nations) includes Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam. These countries have a collective gross domestic product (GDP) of approximately $1.3 trillion. These countries are also the most trade-dependent formal grouping of nations in the world, with trade accounting for just less than 100 percent of their aggregate GDP. The largest market of ASEAN is the US, with a huge investment of roughly $153 billion, as compared to $45 billion in China and $16 billion in India. These figures are exclusive of the US investment in the oil and gas sector in this region, which could mean twice the total US investment.

The Chinese economy has overtaken the economy of Japan, becoming the second largest in the world. This has changed the power landscape in the region. China’s growth has troubled America even in the past. A growing China indeed means that the US stronghold in the region is on the decline. Not only that, the US power might also be challenged in the region by an imminent yet growing China. China is trying to persuade the world, in particular its neighbors and the United States, that its development under the “peaceful-rise” policy does not pose a threat to the international order. China argues that countries will gain from its rise due to the economic benefits of expanding trade and investment. China also lays stress on the fact that with soft power, the maintenance of positive relations with its neighbors enhances its own security. China’s desire to alter the balance of power in the region makes it a strategic competitor to the United States. North Korea has, on several previous occasions threatened an all-out war, stating it will hit the US, Japan and South Korea with nuclear weapons. Pyongyang has often raised the rhetoric and has wielded its nuclear capability in the past. The warnings and threats might not be taken extremely seriously by the world at this point in time. North Korea is desperate and might go to any extent to be taken seriously in the world. It has remained reckless in its actions. How many nuclear nations do you know that are ruled by a 30-year-old despot?North Korea would go to any extent to be seen as a power in the region and this is a frightening thought. It poses a grave threat to world peace. The biggest security concern is the one that comes from its arsenal of mid-range missiles that have the capability to hit parts of Japan and South Korea. An attack on these strong economies would not only cause a great loss of human life but also damage the global economy.

North Korea is a serious threat to the East-Asian security. A stable, economically, militarily growing China might have grand designs for the foreseeable future, but remains somewhat compliant as of now. North Korea remains an apparent, imminent and a potent threat in the region – ready to indulge in nuclear warfare at any time.

The country’s missile technology and nuclear programs threaten international stability. The White house has used stern language but it remains to be seen how the Trump administration will tackle the situation. Several peace-loving nations should come together to challenge China’s might in the region. North Korea is a rogue regime and the United States should deal with it resolutely, but on the basis of deterrence. An enemy who has nothing to lose is indeed a dangerous enemy.

Sartaj Chaudhary

(The author, Sartaj Chaudhary, is an alumnus of Kent University Law School and an expert in international law)

Apr 7, 2017 – 6:10 am EDT
America Launches Missile Attack at Syrian Base after Chemical Weapons Attack kills 100
Piqued by Syria’s use of banned chemical weapons that killed at least 100 people, the U.S. military launched dozens of cruise missiles Thursday, April 6 night at a Syrian airfield

Two U.S. warships in the Mediterranean Sea, the USS Ross and the USS Porter, fired 59 Tomahawk missiles intended for a single target -Shayrat Airfield in Homs province in western Syria, the Defense Department said. That’s the airfield from which the United States believes the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad fired the banned weapons.

The Pentagon said people were not targeted, and there was no immediate word on casualties. U.S. officials told NBC News that aircraft and infrastructure at the site were hit, including the runway and gas fuel pumps.

“Assad choked out the lives of helpless men, women and children,” President Donald Trump said in remarks from Mar-a-Lago, his family compound in Palm Beach, Florida.

“It is in this vital national security interest of the United States to prevent and deter the spread and use of deadly chemical weapons,” said Trump, who called on other countries to end the bloodshed in Syria.

NBC news reported that a White House official said that more than two dozen members of Congress were briefed by administration officials on the missile strike. Vice President Mike Pence returned to the White House after having gone home for dinner Thursday evening and monitored the events from the Situation Room, officials said.

“We feel that the strike itself was proportional, because it was targeted at the facility that delivered this most recent chemical weapons attack,” Tillerson told reporters on Thursday night.

“There was a thorough examination of a wide range of options, and I think the president made the correct choice and made the correct decision,” Tillerson said.

Syrian television characterized the missile strike “as American aggression” Friday morning. But Ahrar Al Sham, the largest Syrian armed rebel group, told NBC News it “welcomes any U.S. intervention through surgical strikes that would deter the Assad regime capabilities to kill civilians and shorten the suffering of our people.”

Navy Capt. Jeff Davis, a spokesman for the Defense Department, said initial assessments showed that the airfield was severely damaged, reducing Syria’s capability to deliver chemical weapons.

Tillerson and Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, have bluntly blamed Syria for the chemical weapons attack, whose victims included at least 25 children.

“We have a very high level of confidence that the attacks were carried out by aircraft under the direction of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, and we also have very high confidence that the attacks involved the use of sarin nerve gas,” Tillerson said Thursday night.

In a combative speech at the U.N. Security Council on Wednesday, Haley warned: “When the United Nations consistently fails in its duty to act collectively, there are times in the life of states that we are compelled to take our own action.”

There was no immediate reaction to the missile strike from Russia, which Tillerson and Haley have accused of having turned a blind eye to Syria’s transgressions.

Tillerson said there were no executive-level communications with Russian President Vladimir Putin before the missile strike. But he confirmed that U.S. officials had “multiple conversations” with the Russian government in accord with U.S.-Russian military “deconfliction” agreements.

“We sought no approval from Moscow or at any other level within the Russian infrastructure,” Tillerson said. “This was simply following rules that we have put in place in agreement with the Russian military to deconflict. Because our target in this attack was not Russia.”

Noting the 2013 U.N. arrangement under which Syria agreed to surrender its chemical weapons under the supervision of Russia, Tillerson said Thursday night: “Clearly, Russia has failed in its responsibility to deliver on that commitment from 2013. So, either Russia has been complicit or simply incompetent in its ability to deliver on that agreement.”

McMaster said the missile strike wouldn’t have wiped out Assad’s “capacity to commit mass murder with chemical weapons.” But he said: “This was not a small strike. I mean, it was not a small strike. And I think what it does communicate is a big shift in Assad’s calculus – it should be, anyway.”
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(Source: NBC News)
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About the Missile Attack on Syria:

* Fifty-nine Tomahawk missiles were fired from American destroyers in the eastern Mediterranean at Al Shayrat airfield in Syria, where officials said Mr. Assad’s chemical weapons attack this week originated.

* Mr. Trump ordered the strike after two days of intense deliberations that involved two meetings of his top national security advisers, including one that Mr. Trump conducted from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.

* In announcing the strikes on Thursday evening, Mr. Trump called the chemical attack “very barbaric” and said his decision would “prevent and deter the spread and use of deadly chemical weapons.”

* Administration officials described the missile strikes as a message to the world about Mr. Trump’s resolve and his commitment that the United States will no longer “turn away, turn a blind eye.”

* The Russian military, which is active in Syria, was notified of the strikes in advance, though American officials did not personally inform President Vladimir V. Putin. In a briefing, Secretary of State Rex W. Tillerson criticized Moscow for failing to live up to its promise in 2013 to destroy all of Syria’s chemical weapons, calling Russia either “complicit” or “incompetent.”
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Source - NYT 
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Apr 7, 2017 – 6:10 am EDT

Year: 2017

About the Missile Attack on Syria:

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