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VOL 7 ISSUE 14 ● DALLAS ● APRIL 5 - 11, 2019 ● ENQUIRIES: 646-247-9458

VAISAKHI SPECIAL EDITION We will bring out a profusely illustrated

special edition on the occasion of Vaisakhi which falls on April 13.

Articles and advertisements for publication in theVaisakhi special edition may please be emailed

by April 8, 2019 to salujaindra@gmail.comFor any question, please call 646-247-9458.

Jaipur Foot gives lease of life to people,illustrates Gandhi’s message of compassion

to humanity: Ambassador Shringla NEW YORK (TIP): India's

"international brand", the Jaipur Foot hasprovided a "lease of life" to over a millionpeople, India's Ambassador to the USHarsh Vardhan Shringla saidunderscoring that the life-changingcontributions of the prosthetic limborganization illustrates Gandhi's messageof service and compassion to humanity.

Jaipur Foot USA and the ConsulateGeneral of India in New York hosted anexhibition and seminar on 'India forHumanity' Thursday, April 4, as part ofthe commemorations plannedworldwide to mark Mahatma Gandhi's150th birth anniversary this year.

Ambassador Shringla, the ChiefGuest at the event, said besides the factthat Jaipur Foot provides prostheticsto such a large number of people, "itgives a lease of life to people. Over 1.75million have been touched by it."

contd on page 10

Jaipur Foot "gives a lease of life to people. Over 1.75 million have been touched by it",said Ambassador Harsh Vardhan Shringla

Photo / Jay Mandal- On assignment

2nd European Games in Minsk, Belarus from June 21 to 30, 2019

Special Photo Presentation made at the UNHQ UNITED NATIONS (TIP): CEO of Minsk European Games

Organizing Committee (MEGOC) George Katulin, in thepresence of Deputy Foreign Minister of Belarus AndreiDapkiunas and Under Secretary General Vladimir Voronkov,opened a special photo presentation at the UN HQ , April 3 inthe run-up to the 2nd European Games , world class multi-sport event to be held in Minsk from June 21 to 30, 2019.

contd on Page 10

Attorney Ravi Batra and Diwali Stamp Foundation Chairperson RanjuBatra receiving tickets for the games at Minsk. Seen, from L to R:

Belarus Ambassador Valentin Rybakov, Ravi Batra, Belarus DeputyForeign Minister Andrei Dapkiunas, Ranju Batra, CEO Second

European Games George Katulin, Under Secretary General -Office ofCounter-Terrorism Vladimir Voronkov

Christ Church, NZ massacresuspect to face 89 charges

WELLINGTON (TIP): The man accused ofcarrying out the Christchurch mosque attacks willface 50 murder charges and 39 attempted murdercharges when he makes his second courtappearance, the New Zealand police said onThursday, April 4. contd on Page 20

Mourners pay their respects at a makeshift memorial nearthe Masjid Al Noor mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand,

Saturday, March 16, 2019.

RBI cuts key lending rate by25 basis points

The central bank, however, kept monetary policy stance'Neutral' over uncertainty over monsoon.

Trump threatens tariffs ifMexico does not help with

immigration, drugsWASHINGTON (TIP): President Donald Trump

threatened on Thursday, April 4, to put tariffs oncars coming from Mexico into the United States ifMexico does not continue to help Washington dealwith the immigration situation along the southernUS border. contd on Page 20

MUMBAI (TIP): In an attempt to propel economyahead of the General Election, the RBI on Thursdaylowered the benchmark interest rate by 25 basispoints (bps) to 6 per cent, the second cut in a row, tothe lowest level in one year on softening inflation.

contd on Page 20

2 THE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2019FEATURE

Light in a dark time: Sikhs in New Zealandexemplify courageous compassion

Their offer of space for namaz in gurdwaras is an example in creative mediation for thosemediating the Ayodhya matter

BY GOPALKRISHNA GANDHI

In the darkness of death, New Zealand's Sikhpopulation has brought this shabad to life. ForChristchurch's tourniquet of pain, balm came from"Guru Nanak's Free Kitchen, Auckland" and YoungSikh Professionals Network NZ with the speed of

light. Not just in the traditional form of opening a langarfor those arriving at the venue to help, but in another basic,immediate and most cathartic of needs. The many dead inChristchurch needed obsequies. And all at the same time.In coming forward to move the bodies to the cemetery,washing them and readying them for burial, the Sikhcommunity became to the Muslim slain, next of kin.

The community spokesperson, Daljit Singh, said: "TheSikh community stands strongly and firmly with theMuslims because this act of terrorism happened in a placeof worship, and we will spare no effort in supportingthem." Asking gurdwaras to support New Zealand'sMuslim community in the gurdwaras' respective regions,the Young Sikh Professionals proceeded to issue astatement. It is a model in phrasing for any spokespersonof government anywhere: "This kind of violence and thehate it perpetuates has no place in any country and wehave a collective responsibility to stand up and say no - thisis not us. We are reminded of the tragedies at Pittsburgh,Oak Creek and Charleston that were driven similarly byracial, religious and ethnic hatred and urge ourcommunity, and in particular our elected officials, todenounce this attack in the strongest possible terms." Theywould have filled Gandhi and Netaji with hope.

When the Sikhs of New Zealand said of theChristchurch carnage "This is not us", they wereparaphrasing their prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, whosaid the terrorist was "not us", immediately after saying ofthe slain, "They are us." She spoke not just nobly buttransformatively.

The reflexive activation of the core of their faith asenunciated by Guru Nanak in the Guru Granth Sahib hadanother feature: the offering of votive space to Muslims toundertake namaz in gurdwaras. For sheer originality andsublimity, this gesture was unique, redemptive. And thereit holds, quite unintendedly but unquestionably, a greatlesson for India locked in the mandir-masjid issue aroundAyodhya. No greater example in creative mediation can befound than in this for the three eminent gentlemen whoare now tasked with mediating in the Ayodhya matter.

But to return to Sikhs and Sikhism. Social mediaredeemed its abysmal image and reputation in the ensuingflow of tweets. One from a Sikh lady said: "The Sikhcommunity's response is moving me to tears." Anotherfrom a Sikh gentleman: "This is what it means to be aSikh." A Maharashtrian gentleman tweeted: "Salute to youand to all Sikhs!" And crowning all tweets, from a sensitivesoul by the name of Emily Cragg: "Will Sikhs civilize therest of the world? Possibly... Hugs to you all."

Reading these tweets, two images came to mind. Thefirst was of a tall Sikh, Colonel Niranjan Singh Gill of theIndian National Army, and of Colonel Jivan Singh, also ofthe INA, who volunteered with other INA soldiers to go toNoakhali, in 1946, to help quell communal riots. The Sikh-led INA group was not large but it was right there, besideGandhi, during the most intense crisis. Pyarelal writes inhis biography of Gandhi (The Last Phase, Part II): "TheI.N.A. had built up a fine tradition of bravery andpatriotism under the leadership of Netaji Subhas Bose.They had banished communalism wholly from their midstwhilst they were under colors. 'We had worked in theIndian National Army,' ran one of their manifestos, 'andwe are happy to be able to say that we had forgotten alldistinctions of caste, creed or Province. It was Jai Hind forall of us. The memory of those days still persists.' Before

their final surrender, Netaji had told them by way ofparting advice that on their return to India, they wouldhave to convert themselves into soldiers of non-violenceand take their orders from Gandhiji."

This cameo was of Sikhs at the line of fire, quelling it.The second was of Sikhs again at the line of fire butreceiving it. It comes from New Delhi, November 1, 1984and is of five Sikhs, including two famed for their heroismin war - the country's only Marshal of the Indian air force,Arjan Singh, and Lieutenant General Jagjit Singh Aurora,the hero of 1971. The other three were the writer, PatwantSingh, the distinguished diplomat, Gurbachan Singh, andBrigadier (retired) Sukhjit Singh. Shocked into disbeliefby the carnage and rapine let loose on Delhi's Sikhpopulation after the assassination of Indira Gandhi, thebenumbed but determined group first called on the thenpresident, Giani Zail Singh, who was agonized butimmobile. Then on the then home minister, P.V. NarasimhaRao. "The Army will be called this evening," the homeminister told the group. Lt Gen Aurora asked, "How will itbe deployed?" The minister said, "The Area commanderwill meet the Lt Governor for this purpose." Auroraresponded grimly, "You have called the Army 30 hours toolate." A wound of incalculable pain was inflicted on SikhIndia. Not until the former prime minister, ManmohanSingh, in an act as courageous as it was conscientious,apologized from the floor of Parliament for 1984 was thewound suffered by Sikhs in 1984 addressed. Real healingwould have come if, overcoming his personal bereavement,the just-inducted prime minister then, Rajiv Gandhi, hadstepped out, gone to Trilokpuri, Jahangirpuri and otheraffected sites, embraced and addressed the victims asJacinda Ardern did in Christchurch and, putting the fearof god in the murderers and rapists, assuaged the Sikhcommunity. He must have wanted to do that, but was heldback by political advisers.

Sikhs, in a place as far from home as Christchurch isfrom Chandigarh, have brought, with reflexive,imaginative, sublimity, the great shabad on compassion tolight and life. Becoming, in Pyarelal's memorable phrase,

'soldiers of non-violence', the Sikhs of New Zealand havecreated a history of sorts and we must salute them.

Historical veracity requires any narrative on the Sikhsto acknowledge that in the record of communal violenceduring the partitioning of India, in 1947, Sikh India is notunstained. Likewise, the world's annals of terroristviolence include acts in the 1970s and 1980s, of those Sikhswho did not scruple to assassinate political adversaries,including security forces on duty and innocents. Castediscrimination has not been purged by Sikh India.

And yet, there is that 'something' in the Sikh persona,illumined by the shabad and by its ten Gurus that, thesepainful and self-condemning transgressionsnotwithstanding, it continues to stand tall.

In a letter to Mahadev Desai written on January 4, 1936,Rabindranath Tagore said: "Sikhism has a brave messageto the people and it has a noble record. How great would beits effect, if this religion is to get out of its geographicalprovincialism, shed its exclusiveness inevitable in a smallcommunity..."

Away from all geographical provincialism, NewZealand's 20,000 Sikhs and their 13 gurdwaras would havemade Tagore proud.

But, though reported in Indian media, this example ofhumanity, of courageous steadfast compassion, has beenlost on us. Why? No deep introspection is required toanswer that question.

We are practicing the opposite of "They are us". We aregetting used to "They are they, we are we". We are gettingdrilled, slowly but steadily, into ever wanting victory,triumph. Success is seen only in the Other's defeat,accomplishment in the Other's failure. Peace is pious,victory exciting. Reconciliation is found in dead texts,revenge in living media. Three Vs drive us now:Vengeance, Vanquishing, Victory. Manava rasa guidedhuman help to victims of the massacre. But the rasa of ourtimes in India is vira rasa.

And yet, somewhere, a vein of hope keeps a feeble pulsegoing - a miracle. And for that, again, we have Guru Nanakto thank. Pulwama terror and Balakot notwithstanding,India and Pakistan have kept bilateral talks on theKartarpur corridor on track.

Lifelines can be slender. But they retrieve life fromdeath. In this Kali Yuga, the light of the shabad referred toat the head of this article, working at Christchurch andKartarpur, must do that.

Waheguru Ji ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji ki Fateh.

(Source: The Telegraph)

Guru Nanak's Free Kitchen, Auckland Photo / Facebook page of the organization

To be imbued and attuned to theshabad; to be kind and

compassionate; to sing the kirtan -these are the most worthwhile

actions in this Dark Age of Kali Yuga

3THE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2019 INDIANS ABROAD

Indian Americans Monika and NatashaSamtani to host show on Rukus Radio

WASHINGTON DC (TIP): IndianAmericans Monika Samtani andNatasha Samtani will host a showamplifying women's voices on the newSouth Asian American radio stationRukus Radio Avenue, which goes on airnext week.

Rukus Radio, promoted as the firstmainstream South Asian radio stationin North America, will be launched onApril 8. It is being launched by RukusAvenue Music Group, which was alsoNorth America's first South Asianrecord music label, in partnership withDJ Skee and Dash Radio.

The Samtanis are the co-hosts and co-founders of the platform The FemWord. The duo will bring along theirown unique creative style to the show,along with their impressivecredentials.

Monika, based in Washington, DC,was the first South Asian female TVnews anchor in the nation's capital.Natasha has to her credit an impressivebody of work in the music industry andhas advocated for artists and creators.

The mother-daughter co-hosts and co-founders created The Fem Word, aglobal platform, to amplify women'svoices. "We are excited to dive in to thereal, raw stories of women from allages and stages," they said in astatement. "The Fem Word is shifting

the feminist narrative andbroadcasting conversations that sparkpositivity and encourage womenaround the world to live their best life."

The Fem Word's new one-hour radio

show premieres on April 9 and airsevery Tuesday at 4 pm PST in NorthAmerica, and every Wednesday 12 pmGMT in the United Kingdom and 4:30pm IST in India.

Indian Americans arrested for H-1B visa fraud in California and Texas

SACRAMENTO / DALLAS

(TIP) :Three Indian Americanswere arrested last week inCalifornia and Texas for H-1B visafraud.

Businessmen KishoreDattapuram, Kumar Aswapathi andSantosh Giri, who set up aconsulting firm by the name ofNanosemantics Inc. in Santa Clara,CA, allegedly submitted fraudulentH-1B applications between May 2012

and 2015. In the indictment, the Department of Justice said that thiswas done in order to gain a competitive advantage over competingfirms. The trio, who hail from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh in India,were arrested on March 27.

Dattapuram, of Santa Clara, Aswapathi, of Austin, Texas, andSantosh Giri, of San Jose, CA, have each been charged with a count ofconspiracy to commit visa fraud and 10 counts of substantive visafraud. "The defendants were arrested yesterday in their respectivetowns of residence," a release published on the United StatesCitizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website says.Dattapuram and Aswapathi made their initial appearances in federalcourt in San Jose and Austin, respectively. Giri made his initialappearance today in federal court in San Jose. All three defendantsentered pleas of not guilty and were released on bonds. Defendants arenext scheduled to appear at 1:30 p.m. on May 13, 2019, for a statusconference before the Honorable Judge Edward J. Davila, U.S. DistrictJudge."

If convicted, the defendants face a maximum sentence of ten years,and a fine of $250,000, plus restitution if appropriate for each violationof 18 USC 1546(A) (visa fraud). The men can also face a maximumsentence of five years in prison and a fine of $250,000, plus restitutionif appropriate for the conspiracy count. (Source: DOJ)

Indian- Origin Sentenced forCall Centre Phone Fraud

ATLANTA (TIP) : The crackdown on India-basedcall center fraud continues in the US with thesentencing of yet another Indian-origin for his role ina scam that ripped off $200,000 from over 340 peoplehere.

Mehboob Mansurali Charania was sentenced to 16months in prison by Federal Judge Steve Jones inAtlanta.

This was the second sentencing of an Indian thisweek in a fraud involving the use of India-based callcenters. Earlier this week, in a separate case, afederal judge in Florida had hit Nishit Kumar Patelwith a prison term of more than eight years. Three ofhis accomplices were awaiting sentencing.

The Treasury Inspector General for TaxAdministration, J. Russell George, said: "Ourinvestigations have identified 140 scammers who, likeMr Charania, have or are, facing federal criminalproceedings."

More than 15,000 victims have suffered over $75million in losses since October 2013 to telephonescammers impersonating tax officials, he added.

Federal prosecutor Byung J. Pak said that MrCharania was part of "a sophisticated schemeorganized in India, that included a network of callcenters", which "used lies, intimidation, and fear toextort or outright steal from unsuspecting citizens".

The prosecutor's office said in a statement that thescams included impersonation of US tax officials toclaim the victim owed back taxes, soliciting upfrontpayments for fictitious grant programs andcomputer hacking that would lock out the user anddemand a ransom to free it.

Mr Charania collected the money and sent it toIndia using a hawala scheme, the statement said.

In October 2016 alone, five Indian companies and 56persons, most of them of Indian descent, werecharged with participating in similar schemes.

Indian-Americanelected as member of

top US think tank

WASHINGTON DC (TIP): ArunM Kumar, an Indian-American and aformer Obama Administrationofficial, has been elected as a memberof a top US think-tank, the Council onForeign Relations. Currentlychairman and CEO of KPMG in India,Kumar, 66, served as a top UScommercial diplomat in the ObamaAdministration.

In his role as Assistant Secretary ofCommerce for Global Markets andDirector General of the US andForeign Commercial Service, he ledthe trade and investment promotionefforts for the US Government.

"We take pride in Arun's election asa member of the Council on ForeignRelations (CFR), which has been aninfluential voice in internationalrelations not just in the US, but acrossthe globe. I am confident that with hisglobal business and diplomaticexperience, Arun will add immensevalue to the CFR," said Bill Thomas,chairman of KPMG International. "Iam honored to join the Council ofForeign Relations. The work of theCFR is more relevant than ever before,especially in Asia and the part of theworld where I now live," Kumar said. "Ilook forward to working with othermembers of the CFR to foster leadingideas and conversations around vitaland strategic foreign policy andbusiness issues in the Indo-Pacificcorridor," he said. (Source: Agencies)

Indian-Origin WomanWho Posed as Doctor

Faces Jail in UKLONDON (TIP) : AnIndian-origin

woman who posed as a doctor to dupeelderly people into engaging herservices for a fee has been convicted ofseven counts of fraud by falserepresentation and three counts ofsupplying a prescription-onlymedicinal product by a UK court.

Kamlesh Bassi , 58 years old, useddifferent aliases to pretend to be aqualified medical doctor, a nurse, anoccupational therapist, aphysiotherapist, an osteopath and achiropractor, Warwick Crown Courtwas told at a hearing last week.

She targeted elderly people andpersuaded them to hire her as amedical professional, also offeringservices as a masseuse and householdhelp.

Read full story onwww.theindianpanorama.news

Arun M Kumar has been elected as amember of a top US think-tank, the Council

on Foreign Relations

4 THE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2019US

US ‘clamouring foravocados’ after

Trump threat to shutMexico border

MEXICO CITY (TIP): US PresidentDonald Trump’s threats to shut theborder with Mexico are now affectingwhat some might argue is the softestspot in bilateral relations — avocados.

Fearing that a border lockdownwould prevent Mexico from shippingthe 80 per cent of avocados that theUnited States consumes, processorsand wholesalers have startedstockpiling the prized fruit used inguacamole or as spread on toast.

Avocado prices have jumped nearly50 percent over the last week alone as aconsequence.

Stefan Oliva, a research analyst atGro Intelligence, which collects andanalyzes agricultural data, said“procurement managers, wholesalersand processors” are “clamouring” foravocados in case the border is shutahead of the Cinco de Mayocelebration.

Cinco de Mayo commemorates the1862 Battle of Puebla in whichMexican troops defeated invadingFrench forces and is celebrated allover the United States, but in Mexicothe day is mainly celebrated inPuebla.

The United States imported nearly$2.1 billion worth in avocados fromMexico in 2018, or more than 9,00,000tonnes, he said.

That is some 10 times the value ofavocados it buys from the rest of theworld and more than 10 times what theUnited States currently produces, GroIntelligence data shows.

“Even those very, very vaguethreats are enough to scarewholesalers and processors that arerelying on consumers,” Oliva said.“If there is a border shutdown, theywill have to circumvent the borderand pay an extreme premium.”Trump has taken a step back from histhreat to close the border to fightillegal immigration, as pressuremounted from companies worriedthat a shutdown would cause chaos tosupply chains. It could disruptmillions of legal crossings andbillions of dollars in trade.

David Magana, a senior analystspecializing in food and agribusinessat Rabobank, said he had observed a 44per cent jump in the price of avocadosover the past week, and that it could gohigher still.

“If the border closes, this would beunchartered territory,” Magana said.“The prices could rise considerably.”Alejandro Saldana, chief economistat Ve Por Más, a Mexican bank thatspecializes in lending to theagricultural sector, said that a bordershutdown could impact otherproduce.

“We could see a real impact on theindustrial integration there is betweenMexico and the US,” Saldana said.“There will possibly be disruptions inmanufacturing, particularly because alot of the goods cross the border.”Reuters

Huffman, Loughlin warned aboutdiscussing US college scam with their kids

Is Donald Trump’s net worth $10 bn or $3.1 bn?

BOSTON (TIP): A federal judge onApril 3 warned parents charged in thelargest college admissions scandal in UShistory, including actresses FelicityHuffman and Lori Loughlin, to be carefuldiscussing the case with their children,who are potential witnesses.

Prosecutors had wanted US MagistrateJudge M. Page Kelley in Boston to gofurther and prohibit the 12 wealthyparents who appeared before her fromtalking about the case with theirchildren without a lawyer present.

But while Kelley told the parents toconsider seeking legal advice beforediscussing the case with their children toavoid exposing themselves toobstruction of justice charges, she saidshe did not think the prosecution’sproposed conditions on parentalcommunications could work.

“I just don’t think that’s realistic,”Kelley said. “Desperate Housewives”star Huffman and “Full House” actorLoughlin said little during the hearingother than to say that they understoodthe charges prosecutors brought againstthem. They are among 50 people,including several college athleticscoaches, charged with participating infraud and bribery schemes.

Prosecutors said the schemes involvedcheating on college entrance exams andpaying $25 million in bribes to help thewealthy parents’ children gain

admission at well-known universitiesincluding Yale and the University ofSouthern California (USC).

Some of the 33 parents charged in thescheme have begun plea negotiationswith prosecutors. On Wednesday,packaged food entrepreneur PeterSartorio became the first to reveal heplans to plead guilty. Two others saidthey were also in plea talks.

Prosecutors say the scheme wasoverseen by California collegeadmissions consultant William “Rick”Singer, who has admitted to facilitatingthe cheating scam and bribing coaches to

present the parents’ children as fakeathletic recruits.

Loughlin walked into the courthousepast a group fans yelling “Lori, we loveyou,” and left smiling. Huffman exitedthe court holding her brother’s hand.

Prosecutors allege that Loughlin andher husband, Los Angeles fashiondesigner Mossimo Giannulli, agreed topay $5,00,000 to have their two daughtersnamed as recruits to USC’s crew team,even though they did not rowcompetitively.

Huffman, who is married to the actorWilliam H. Macy, is accused of making a$15,000 contribution to Singer’sfoundation in exchange for having anassociate of Singer’s in 2017 secretlycorrect her daughter’s answers on anSAT college entrance exam at a testcenter that prosecutors say Singer“controlled.” Huffman later madearrangements to engage in the schemeagain on her younger daughter’s behalfbefore deciding not to, prosecutors said.

Sartorio, who is expected to pleadguilty later this month, similarly paid$15,000 to have his daughter’s ACT examcorrected by Singer’s associate,prosecutors said.

Prosecutors have not charged anyapplicants, and said that in some casesthe parents involved took steps to try toprevent their children from realizingthey were benefiting from fraud. Reuters

NEW YORK (TIP): How rich isDonald Trump really? If the Democratsare successful in their campaign tounearth his tax filings, it may finally beknown if his net worth is $10 billion ashe has claimed or less than a third ofthat as estimated by others.

On Wednesday, House ofRepresentatives Ways and MeansCommittee Chairman Richard Nealdemanded that the Trumpadministration turn over the boastfulbillionaire’s and his businesses’ taxreturns for the past six years.

As the head of the panel that dealswith tax matters, Neal has the authorityto see confidential the tax documents.Trump immediately refused to providethem and may go to courts to keep themsecret.

The legislators may be interested inexamining the tax filings forirregularities and possible violations,but the public would be more keen to findout how rich the billionaire real estatedeveloper really is and how much taxeshe has paid - or avoided paying them orreduced them because of business lossesor other deductions.

Trump has used his claims of wealthand business acumen as his qualificationto be president and to justify his

unconventional negotiating tactics athome and abroad.

While he is no doubt the richest USPresident in history and did not risefrom a log cabin like Abraham Lincoln,Trump’s claims of wealth have beencontroversial. During the electioncampaign, he claimed a net worth of $10billion, but Forbes magazine, whichtracks the world’s billionaires, estimatesit at $3.1 billion and ranks him the 715thrichest person, while Bloomberg says heis worth only $2.8 billion.

His former personal lawyer MichaelCohen has told a House panel thatTrump had claimed in documents a net

worth of $4.5 billion in 2012 and that ithad suddenly jumped to $8.6 billion thenext year when he sought a loan fromDeutsche Bank to buy an Americanfootball team.

While all modern presidents and mostpresidential candidates have disclosedtheir tax filings for transparency in theirfinances, Trump has refused to do so,even though the Democrats made it anelection issue. He maintains his taxfilings are still being audited and he willnot release them till the audits are over.

Meanwhile, amid stiff Republicanopposition, the House of RepresentativesJudiciary Committee voted onWednesday to authorise Chairman JerryNadler to compel Attorney GeneralWilliam Barr to turn over the full reportprepared by Special Counsel RobertMueller that had, according to asummary by Barr, absolved Trump ofcolluding with Russians in his election.

The Mueller report summary issuedlast month by Barr was a blow toDemocratic hopes that it would implicateTrump in a clandestine election dealwith Russia. But Barr’s statement thatreport neither exonerated Trump norfound him guilty of obstruction ofjustice gives Democrats hope findingsomething to go against Trump. (IANS)

5THE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2019 US

US-China tradenegotiations

progressing 'verynicely': Trump

WASHINGTON (TIP): PresidentDonald Trump said on Thursday, April4, that US-China trade talks areprogressing "very nicely" but that heinsists on all US concerns beingresolved or will not sign a deal.

"It looks like the deal is movingalong very nicely," he told reporters atthe White House, where he was due tomeet Chinese trade envoy Liu He laterin the day.

"Everything is covered, there'snothing that's not covered," Trumpsaid, referring to the scope of USdemands.

"It's got to be a great deal," he said. "Ifit's not a great deal, we're not doing it."

(Source: Agencies)

Trump threatenstariffs if Mexico does

not help withimmigration, drugsWASHINGTON (TIP): President

Donald Trump threatened onThursday to put tariffs on cars comingfrom Mexico into the United States ifMexico does not continue to helpWashington deal with the immigrationsituation along the southern USborder.

Trump told reporters at the WhiteHouse he would put tariffs on cars orclose the border, but he said he maystart with the tariffs. He also said hewould give Mexico a year to try to stopthe flow of drugs before putting tariffsin place. — Reuters

US tourist kidnappedin Uganda for

$5,00,000 ransomKAMPALA (TIP): Four armed men

kidnapped an American tourist inUganda and have demanded $5,00,000 asransom, the country’s police force hasconfirmed. The American citizen, awoman, and a Ugandan driver werekidnapped at gunpoint at QueenElizabeth National Park while on agame drive on Tuesday evening, CNNreported on April 3. “The kidnappers,using the victim’s phone have demanded$5,00,000,” the police said, adding, “Westrongly believe this ransom is thereason behind the kidnap.”

An “elite squad” was dispatchedfrom the Tourism Police to the park toactively pursue the gunmen and haveclosed all exit areas on the borderbetween Uganda and the DemocraticRepublic of Congo. “We stronglybelieve the perpetrators and victimscould still be trapped within oursearch area,” the police statementadded. Rights groups who led theprotests to the country’s parliament inKampala city, said more than 20 people,mostly women, and children, wereabducted for ransom last year andcalled on the police to make these casesa priority. — IANS

Prison for mother asson took gun to school

HARTFORD CITY (US) (TIP): AnIndiana woman whose 15-year-old sontook a handgun to school has beensentenced to four years in prison. The40-year-old was sentenced after pleadingguilty to dangerous control of a child.The charge refers to cases where aparent or guardian permits a child topossess a firearm. She acknowledged toinvestigators she was aware her son hada firearm, but never discussed thematter with him. AP

Nearly 70%Americans okay with

gay president: PollWASHINGTON (TIP): A new poll has

revealed that nearly 70 per cent ofAmericans said they would be eitherenthusiastic about or comfortable witha candidate who is gay or lesbian. TheNBC-Wall Street Journal poll, releasedearlier this week, revealed that thoseunder 35 year of age who said they wereenthusiastic or comfortable with a gaycandidate increased by 28 percentagepoints between 2006 and now, jumpingfrom 47 per cent to 75 per cent. And,while seniors were more likely to voicereservations about gay candidates, amajority (56 per cent) now said that theydid not have any objections. (IANS)

Threat of nuclear weapon beingused is higher than it has been in

generations: Top UN officialUNITED NATIONS (TIP): The threat

of a nuclear weapon being used is "higherthan it has been in generations" as thecurrent international environment isdefined by "competition overcooperation", and the "acquisition ofarms prioritised over the pursuit ofdiplomacy", a top UN official said.

Rapid technological developments willbegin to impact the international securityenvironment in many different ways,including potentially lowering barriers tothe acquisition of nuclear weapons, UNHigh Representative for DisarmamentAffairs Izumi Nakamitsu told a SecurityCouncil meeting on Tuesday.

The meeting was convened in supportof the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT),ahead of the next conference, scheduledfor 2020, to review the historic accord.

"Today we find ourselves in aninternational environment defined bycompetition over cooperation, and theacquisition of arms prioritised over thepursuit of diplomacy," Nakamitsu said.

"Regional conflicts might heightenproliferation drivers. The disarmamentand arms control framework upon whichthe gains of the post-Cold War era weremade is eroding, but we have nothing elseyet with which to replace it," she said,adding that "as a result, the prospect ofthe use of nuclear weapons is higher than

it has been in generations".The NPT, which entered into force in

1970, represents the only multilateral,binding commitment to the goal ofdisarmament by the states whichofficially stockpile nuclear weapons.

Its objective is to prevent the spread ofnuclear weapons and weaponstechnology, to promote cooperation in thepeaceful uses of nuclear energy and tofurther the goal of achieving nucleardisarmament and disarmament overall.

Nakamitsu said the use of nuclearweapons, "either intentionally, byaccident, or through miscalculation", isone of the greatest threats tointernational peace and security, and that

"the potential consequences of a nuclearwar would be global and affect allmember states".

The Treaty, she said, is widelyacknowledged as "the cornerstone of theinternational non-proliferation regimeand the essential foundation of nucleardisarmament. Its role as a pillar of ourcollective security is likewise an acceptedfact".

Describing disarmament and non-proliferation, the two pillars of the NPT,as "two sides of the same coin", thedisarmament chief said, "Backwardmovement on one will result in backwardmovement on the other". The durability ofthe NPT, which has lasted for almost halfa century, cannot be taken for granted,she said, adding there is currentlynothing to replace the disarmament andarms control framework which isfoundational to the post-Cold War era.

With the Treaty coming underincreasing stress, the upcoming ReviewConference in 2020, she said, will be a"defining moment". It could eitherhighlight divisions between states andraise questions about their willingness toseek collective security for all, or present"a golden opportunity to make thepractical gains that will ensure theTreaty's continued viability".

(PTI)

Black, gay woman electedChicago Mayor in historic vote

CHICAGO (TIP): In ahistoric first, a gay African-American woman waselected Mayor of America’sthird largest city on April 2,as Chicago voters entrusteda political novice withtackling difficult problemsof economic inequality andgun violence.

Lori Lightfoot, a 56-year-old former federalprosecutor and practicinglawyer who has neverbefore held elected office, was elected the midwestern city’s mayor in a lopsidedvictory.

She beat out Toni Preckwinkle, who is also an African American woman, by a widemargin of 74 to 26 per cent in early voting results with most ballots counted.

Lightfoot will become Chicago’s first openly gay mayor and the first AfricanAmerican woman to hold the post. Since 1837, Chicago voters have elected only oneblack mayor and one female mayor.

Preckwinkle is the chief executive of Cook County where Chicago is based, whichanalysts said worked against her during a change election as voters sought to shakeup city hall.

“People (are) hoping for something different to come along. To be the vessel forthat is overwhelming,” Lightfoot told reporters earlier after the polls opened.

Voters had left little doubt they want the next mayor to tackle major issues vexingthe city of 2.7 million people—especially economic disparities and gun violence thatclaims more lives than in other major American cities.

More than 550 people were killed in Chicago last year due to gang violence oftenfueled by the drug trade—most in economically-struggling and majority AfricanAmerican neighborhoods. — AFP

6 THE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2019 INDIA

Rajnath Singh decriesCongress plan to scrapsedition law

NEW DELHI (TIP): Union homeminister Rajnath Singh on Thursday saidhe said he was surprised by the Congress’spromise in their election manifesto to scrapthe sedition law.

“Someone threatens to destroy India, andaction will not be initiated? How is itpossible? I feel ashamed of people whospeak these things,” he said.

Singh was in his parliamentaryconstituency Lucknow where he attendedseveral events as part of the Lok Sabhaelection campaign.

Speaking at an event organised byvarious traders’ organisations at theScientific Convention Centre here, Singhsaid: “The Congress president has no planto eradicate poverty from the country. Atone point, he talks about giving Rs 12,000per month to the poor and at another pointhe assures Rs 72,000 per year.”

Singh was referring to the Congress’sproposed Nyay (Nyuntam Aay Yojna)scheme.

Continuing his attack on the Congress,Singh said: “I do not want to give anyassurances. In the past 70 years, onlyassurances have been given. Had theseassurances been implemented, the countrywould have become number one in theworld 25 years ago.”

Talking about Prime Minister NarendraModi and projects rolled out by the Centre,Rajnath Singh said: “During the tenure offormer PM Manmohan Singh, only 25 lakhPradhan Mantri houses were constructedbetween 2008- 2014.”

But in the last five years of PM Modi’sgovernance, 1.25 crore Pradhan Mantrihouses were built, Singh added.

The chowkidar will bebehind bars after polls,says Rahul Gandhi

NEW DELHI (TIP): A day after PrimeMinister (PM) Narendra Modi said inGondia that Opposition leaders will be inDelhi’s Tihar jail after the polls, Congresspresident Rahul Gandhi on Thursday saidthat all those who “claim to be chowkidarswill find themselves in jail after theelections”.

At a massive election rally in Nagpur onThursday evening, Gandhi said if theCongress and its allies come to power, aninquiry will be conducted against Modiover his alleged involvement in the Rafaledeal. “The chowkidar will be behind barsand a real chowkidar will be on guard,” hesaid, in a sharp contrast to the Congressmanifesto which largely steered clear ofRafale deal.

Renewing his allegation of corruptionand financial misdemeanour in the deal, hesaid, “Why couldn’t someone fromVidarbha get the deal?

He also gave an open challenge to Modifor a live debate on corruption,unemployment and farmers’ issue for 15minutes. “Why is he afraid of holding apress conference with the media,” heasked.

The Congress, in their manifesto, said ifvoted to power, they will deposit Rs 72,000annually in the accounts of the poor underthe Nyay scheme. “The scheme wasfinalised only after consulting experts. Itwill be a surgical strike on poverty. I am aman of commitment. Believe me and waitfor my action,” he said.

BJP never considered politicalopponents as ‘anti-national’: AdvaniNEW DELHI (TIP): BJP senior leader Lal

Krishna Advani, who has been dropped fromthe party's list of candidates for the Lok SabhaElections 2019, has finally spoken.

In a blog titled "Nation first, party next, selflast", LK Advani wrote that the party of whichhe is a founding member never called itspolitical opponents 'anti-national' and it hasbeen committed to 'freedom of choice of everycitizen'.

The blog is addressed to BJP workers and iswritten ahead of the party's Foundation Dayon April 6.

The 91-year-old Advani said that this is animportant occasion for all of us in the BJP tolook back, look ahead and look within.

"I deem it to be my duty to share myreflections with the people of India, and morespecifically with the millions of workers ofmy party, both of whom have indebted mewith their affection and respect," Advani said.

Reminding the fundamental principle ofthe democracy, LK Advani said: "Theessence of Indian democracy is respect fordiversity and freedom of expression. Rightfrom its inception, the BJP has neverregarded those who disagree with uspolitically as our 'enemies', but only as ouradversaries."

"Similarly, in our conception of Indiannationalism, we have never regarded thosewho disagree with us politically as "anti-national. The party has been committed tofreedom of choice of every citizen atpersonal as well as political level," he said.

Advani, who is the longest serving BJP

president, said that 'Nation First, PartyNext, Self Last' has been the guidingprinciple of his life and had tried to adhereto this principle in all situation of life.

Advani along with senior leaders likeMurli Manohar Joshi and BC Khandurihave been denied ticket for the upcomingLok Sabha elections 2019 after the partydecided that senior leaders aged 75 years, ormore, will not hold any public office.

Advani, who served as Union homeminister and deputy prime minister duringthe Atal Behari Vajpayee government, hadvacated the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha seat forBJP president Amit Shah. Advani had beenfighting elections from Gandhinagar since1998, a time when Shah used to be his pollmanager. He had won from Gandhinagar forthe first time in 1991, and retained the seatin 1998, 1999, 2004, 2009 and 2014.

LK Advani, who is the longest serving BJP president, said that 'Nation First, Party Next, Self Last'has been the guiding principle of his life.

Rahul sends out ‘One India’ messageFiles papers in Wayanad, says won’t target Kerala’s CPM-led govt

KALPETTA (TIP): With sister PriyankaGandhi by his side, Congress president RahulGandhi today filed his nomination papersfrom Wayanad in Kerala and said he wasfighting the Lok Sabha polls from a secondseat in the South besides the party bastionAmethi in the North to send a message ofunity and that “India is one”.

In a bid to reach out to the Left, Gandhi, 48,also said he wouldn’t say a word against thestate’s CPM-led LDF government during hiscampaign and that he would “absorb all itscriticisms with happiness”. The Left is miffedwith Gandhi’s candidature from Wayanad.

Wayanad will witness a triangular contestwith Left Front constituent CPI’s PP Suneerand BJP-backed NDA candidate ThusharVellappally also in the fray. Gandhi, who wasalso accompanied by senior Congress leadersKC Venugopal and Mukul Wasnik, submittedthe papers before district collector ARAjayakumar at Wayanad districtheadquarters in Kalpetta.

Hundreds of workers of the Congress andother allies in the party-led UDF assembledoutside the district collectorate as Gandhifiled the papers. Wayanad, a scenic hill area inthe Western Ghats, has a presence of variousethnic tribal groups. It is a Congressstronghold in South India.

After completing the procedures, Rahulalong with Priyanka and senior leaders of theCongress-led UDF in Kerala held a roadshowto greet the voters of the constituency.

Talking to reporters after filing his papers,Rahul said he was fighting the polls fromSouth to send a message that India was one.

“There is a feeling in South India that the waythe Narendra Modi government isfunctioning, their (South) culture, language,history all are being attacked.

“So I wanted to give a message that I willfight from North and South,” the Congresschief said, in response to his main opponentin Amethi, Union minister Smriti Irani, whohad alleged that his decision to fight from

Wayanad was an insult to the people ofAmethi.

Priyanka appealed to people of Wayanad totake care of her brother and assured he wouldnot let them down. “My brother, my truestfriend, and by far the most courageous man Iknow. Take care of him Wayanad, he won’t letyou down,” she tweeted after the roadshow.

Source: PTI

Congress president Rahul Gandhi files nomination papers for the Wayanad constituency withchief electoral officer A.R. Ajayakumar, who is also Wayanad district collector, at Kalpetta onThursday. AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Malappuram DCC president V.V.

Prakash are also seen.

SC agrees to hear pleaagainst release of Modibiopic on Monday

NEW DELHI (TIP): The Supreme Courthas agreed to hear a writ petition againstthe release of a biopic on Prime MinisterNarendra Modi. The top court will hear theplea on Monday.

The film follows PM Modi’s life from hishumble beginning to his rise first as theGujarat chief minister and then electoralvictory in 2014, catapulting him as theprime minister.

The Congress and the Left complained tothe Election Commission of India againstthe release of the film, saying it violatesthe Model Code of Conduct.

Arguing on the behalf of petitionersenior advocate and Congress leaderAbhishek Manu Singhvi contended in theSupreme Court that while the poll code isin place, release of the film, produced bypeople connected to ruling party, wouldaffect free and fair polls.

Congress spokesperson Aman Panwarhas filed a petition in the top court seekingstay on the release of the film on PM Modi.A bench headed by Justice SA Bobde willhear the plea on Monday. The matter hasreached the Supreme Court after threehigh courts refused to interfere with therelease of the movie starring Vivek Oberoi,who plays the character of PM Modi. Thehigh courts of Madhya Pradesh, Bombayand Delhi have disposed off similar pleasover past few days.

The high courts have stated that theElection Commission should take a call ondeferring the release of the film.

CRPF jawan killed,another injured inChhattisgarh

RAIPUR (TIP): A Central ReservePolice Force (CRPF) jawan was killed andanother injured in an encounter withNaxals in Chhattisgarh on Friday, policesaid.

The skirmish took place in the forestnear Chameda village in Dhamtari districtwhen a joint team of CRPF’s 211 battalionand District Force (DF) was out on an anti-Naxal operation, a police official told PTI.

He said the patrolling team, comprisingaround 50 personnel of the CRPF and 10 ofthe DF, had launched the operation onApril 3 in the interiors of Khallari andBorai police station areas.

On Friday morning, when securityforces were advancing through Chameda,around 150 km from Raipur, a group ofNaxals opened fire on them, leading to agunfight, the official said.

Riots inside central jailin Srinagar; inmatesburn temporary shelter

SRINAGAR (TIP): Riots broke out onThursday evening inside a high securitycentral jail here after rumours startedfloating that some inmates were beingshifted out of the Kashmir valley, officialssaid. The inmates burnt a temporaryshelter and tried to come to the outercordon of the jail located in the downtownarea of the city, they said.

Senior police officers and additionalcompanies of the CRPF were rushed to thejail to bring the situation under control,the officials added. Source: PTI

7THE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2019 INDIA

Kartarpur corridor: India says noresponse from Pak over its concerns

NEW DELHI (TIP): Pakistan is yet torespond to India's concerns over reports thatcontroversial elements have been appointedby Islamabad to a committee which is to beassociated with the Kartarpur corridor, theMinistry of External Affairs said onThursday.

Sources had last week said India hadsummoned Pakistan's deputy highcommissioner here and conveyed its concernsover the presence of a leading Khalistaniseparatist in the committee appointed by theneighbouring country on the Kartarpurcorridor project.

India had also sought clarifications onseveral issues related to the Kartarpurcorridor from Pakistan.

"We had sought clarifications from Pakistanon a number of issues...on the number ofpilgrims that can be received daily on visas.These are the clarifications which remainunaddressed by Pakistan.

"We had also shared our concerns onreports that controversial elements have beenappointed by Pakistan to a committee, whichis to be associated with the Kartarpurcorridor. We are yet to receive a response fromPakistan," MEA Spokesperson RaveeshKumar said.

India had offered to hold the technicaldiscussions to finalise other aspects of thecorridor, he added.

"As and when Pakistan responds to thatoffer, the technical-level talks will take place,"Kumar said.

Sources had said India would wait for aresponse from Pakistan on the issue and was

not going ahead with a previously agreedmeeting on the Kartarpur corridor on April 2on the Pakistani side at Wagah.

Last November, India and Pakistan hadagreed to set up the border crossing, linkingGurdwara Darbar Sahib at Kartarpur inPakistan, the final resting place of Sikh faith'sfounder Guru Nanak Dev, to the Dera BabaNanak shrine in India's Gurdaspur district.

Kartarpur Sahib is located in Pakistan'sNarowal district across the river Ravi, aboutfour km from the Dera Baba Nanak shrine.

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu andPunjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh had,on November 26 last year, laid the foundation

stone of the Kartarpur corridor in Gurdaspurdistrict.

Two days later, Pakistan's Prime MinisterImran Khan had laid the foundation stone ofthe corridor in Narowal, about 125 km fromLahore.

On the issue of efforts to get Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar listedas a global terrorist, Kumar said India hadthanked the unprecedented number ofcountries that had joined the effort.

"We are continuing with our diplomaticefforts to ensure that terrorists involved inheinous attacks on our citizens are brought tojustice," he said. Source: PTI

Darbar Sahib gurdwara in Kartarpur, Pakistan.

US findings ‘contradict’ India's claimthat it shot down Pak’s jet on Feb 27WASHINGTON (TIP): A US count

of the F-16s with Pakistan has foundthat none of them are "missing" andall the fighter planes were "presentand accounted for", according to areport in a prominent Americanmagazine.

The finding by the US on theground in Pakistan "directlycontradicts" India's claim that its airforce shot down an F-16 fighter jetduring an aerial dogfight on February27.

The Indian Air Force on February28 displayed pieces of the AMRAAM missile, fired by a Pakistani F-16, as evidence to"conclusively" prove that Pakistan deployed US-manufactured F-16 fighter jets during an aerialraid targeting Indian military installations in Kashmir.

Pakistan had categorically said that no F-16 fighter jets were used and denied that one of itsplanes had been downed by the IAF.

According to the Foreign Policy magazine, Pakistan invited the United States to physicallycount its F-16 planes after the incident as part of an end-user agreement signed when the foreignmilitary sale was finalised.

"A US count of Pakistan's F-16 fleet has found that all the jets are present and accounted for, adirect contradiction to India's claim that it shot down one of the fighter jets during a Februaryclash," Lara Seligman of the magazine reported on Thursday.

The count of the F-16 fighter planes in Pakistan has been completed, and "all aircraft werepresent and accounted for," an unnamed defence official was quoted as saying by the magazine.

The Department of Defence did not immediately respond to a question on its count of F-16fighter jets in Pakistan. “As details come out, it looks worse and worse for the Indians," MITprofessor Vipin Narang told Foreign Policy magazine.

"It looks increasingly like India failed to impose significant costs on Pakistan, but lost a planeand a helicopter of its own in the process," he said. Generally, in such agreements, the US requiresthe receiving country to allow its officials to inspect the equipment regularly to ensure it isaccounted for and protected, the news report said. Tensions between India and Pakistan escalatedafter the suicide bomber of JeM killed 40 CRPF personnel in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwamadistrict on February 14. India launched a counter-terror operation against a JeM training campin Balakot. The next day, Pakistan Air Force retaliated and downed a MiG-21 in an aerial combatand captured its pilot, who was handed over to India on March 1. Source: PTI

ED’s supplementarychargesheet mentionsone ‘Mrs Gandhi’

NEW DELHI (TIP): The EnforcementDirectorate (ED) on Thursday filed asupplementary chargesheet against Britishnational Christian Michel, the allegedmiddleman in the Rs 3,600-croreAugustaWestland VVIP chopper deal case, inwhich it has mentioned one “Mrs Gandhi”,but not named her as an accused in the case,sources said.

Sources confirmed that the names of one“Mrs Gandhi” and a few Congress leaders arementioned in the chargesheet, but not asaccused in the case.

However, it is not clear who “Mrs Gandhi”is and in which context her name wasmentioned.

It is also learnt that kickbacks were paidseparately under different agreementsbetween companies of Christian MichelJames, middleman Guido Haschke andAgustaWestland.

The agency has said that kickbacks of euro70 million were paid to Air Force official,bureaucrats and important persons of thethen ruling political party directly or throughmiddleman who helped Christian Michel andGuido Haschke in influencing the decision ofthe government.

The chargesheet has named Michel’spartner David Syms and his company GlobalServices Ltd and Global Trading Ltd asaccused in the case.

Michel had used the companies as a conduitfor receiving money. Source: IANS

AUGUSTA DEAL

8 THE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2019EDITORIAL

Terrorism is a well-recognized form of asymmetricwarfare, and has been around for centuries. Someterror strikes tend to resonate more than others, for

reasons that are inexplicable. The Munich Olympicsmassacre in 1972, the 9/11 terror attack on the Twin Towersin New York in 2001, and the November 26, 2008 terror attackon multiple targets in Mumbai are, for instance, more deeplyetched in the memories of people than many other terrorevents. It is important, however, not to take an episodic viewof terrorism, since history is relevant to a properunderstanding of the threat posed by terrorism.

SINCE THE 1980S : Radical Islamist extremism has been the dominant terrornarrative, post the 1980s. This was possibly an off-shoot of the decade-long Afghan war(1979-1989), which let loose an avalanche of 'mercenaries' who had honed their skillsduring the Afghan Jihad, and employed violence indiscriminately. Over time, terroristoutfits seemed to gain greater transnational reach, and were no longer fettered togeographical locations. New organizations, such as al-Qaeda and its acolytes, as also theIslamic State (IS), gained pre-eminence among a growing multitude of terror groups.Regional variants such as Abu Sayyaf in the Philippines, the Pakistan-sponsoredLashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) in South Asia, and the Boko Haramin Africa were no less deadly.

More recently, especially in the West, a new narrative has been unfolding. Sportingdifferent labels, extreme right-wing elements are proving to be no less violent anddangerous than jihadi terrorist groups. They appear, at present, less organized than manyoutfits, and the violence they perpetrate seems more random. Their targets, whichincluded, for instance, a Jewish synagogue (in the U.S.), political personalities such asPresident Emmanuel Macron of France and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez of Spain,members of immigrant communities and minority groups (in Europe) are, nevertheless,carefully chosen. Many do appear to be lone wolves such as the Norwegian AndersBreivik (2011) and the Australian man responsible for the March 15, 2019 Christchurchmassacre, in which 50 people were killed. Non-denominational terror, loosely described asright-wing terror, has in the process become as threatening as jihadi terror. Clearly, thetopographical anatomy of terrorism does not change, even if motivations differ.

The evolution of terrorism in the 21st century, and the constantly shifting tactics ofterror groups, does make terrorism look like an 'existential threat'. This would, however,be too far fetched. What does need to be recognized is that the terror threat is rapidlytranscending from what we see happening, to what we can imagine might happen.

NEW BREED OF TERRORISTS: Take, for instance, the year 2016 in India. Pakistaniterror outfits randomly carried out daring attacks on the Pathankot Air Force base, anArmy brigade headquarters in Uri, and an Army base in Nagrota. In February this year,the JeM carried out its most audacious attack to date, targeting a Central Reserve PoliceForce convoy, in which 40 personnel were killed, the highest casualty figure for securityforces personnel in Jammu and Kashmir. The use of a suicide bomber, driving a vehiclecontaining a few hundred kilograms of explosives to strike a high-profile target,represents a new pinnacle in terrorist violence. It is representative of the newer breed ofterrorists, as also the transmutation in the nature of terror.

Globally, spectacular jihadi attacks may be fewer, but attacks are on the increase. InJanuary this year, Abu Sayyaf in the Philippines, with links to the IS, killed 20 peopleattending a church service in Sulu province. In the U.K., on New Year's Eve (2018-19), threepeople were stabbed at a Manchester train station by an IS supporter. In March this year,explosives were found at transport hubs in and around London, and also at the Universityof Glasgow, leading to a major terror scare in the U.K. Also in March, the Netherlands

witnessed a terror attack in Utrecht, when a jihadi suspectindiscriminately shot at commuters in a city tram.

Meanwhile, terrorists are further honing their skills, andare able to strike at targets at will. Cross-pollination ofconcepts and ideas among terror groups, and in many caseseven pooling of resources, has made this possible. A decadeof violence in Iraq and Syria has produced a reservoir ofbattle-hardened fighters, who are bolstering the capabilitiesof disparate terror groups in different parts of the world. Asin the 1980s, we are seeing a majority of those who took partin the violence in Syria and Iraq currently adding to thecadres of existing terror groups in Asia, Europe and Africa.

It would, hence, be premature to celebrate the decline of terrorism, based on the so-called demise of the IS. The territory controlled by the IS Caliphate may have shrunkdramatically compared to 2014, but its obituary cannot be written just yet. The IS remainsa fount of support and inspiration for several hundreds of fighters across Asia, Africa andEurope. Many IS networks are still operating clandestinely. Many of their dispersedsupporters are ready to revive their activities once the pressure relaxes. There areunconfirmed reports already that the IS has directed several of its recruits to return totheir country of origin and strengthen the nucleus of IS groups there. The estimate is thatanything up to 20% of those who were part of the IS bandwagon in Syria and Iraq havereturned to their homelands. As the IS declines in Syria and Iraq, other IS entities suchas the Islamic State of Khorasan (which includes parts of India) will be the beneficiaries.

CALIPHATE AS AN IDEA: The Caliphate is an idea which is still relevant. TheInternet remains its main vehicle for radicalizing Muslim youth. What is most likely isthat the IS will make a shift to guerrilla warfare tactics. It is likely to strengthen its 'Emni'(intelligence and security branch) to carry out reconnaissance before launching attacks.The lone wolf syndrome will be pursued with renewed vigor. Already, there are someindications of this. In December 2018, a lone IS gunman killed five people in Strasbourg(France); in January 2019, a suicide bomber at a restaurant in Manbij (Syria) killed 19,including four Americans. More such attacks could occur.

Al-Qaeda, the other leading jihadi outfit, is separately engaged in enlarging its globalnetwork. Violence by al-Qaeda affiliates might have been overshadowed by the IS morerecently, but al-Qaeda affiliates in Africa, such as the Boko Haram, have not been farbehind. Al-Qaeda affiliates in East and South Africa, the Sahel and Yemen are the largestand most feared terrorist groups in their regions. Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent(AQIS) is said to be exploiting alleged incidents of violence against Muslims in thesubcontinent to strengthen itself. Al-Qaeda affiliate LeT (based in Pakistan) representsthe main terror threat to India, along with the JeM. The rest of Pakistan's network ofterror reads like an alphabetic soup, viz. HUJI (Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami), the (Harkat-ul-Mujahideen) and HM (Hizbul Mujahideen). Pakistan is also reportedly training outfits tocarry out underwater operations. Developments in technology, information and doctrinewill in all likelihood alter the character of 21st century terrorism. In the Pulwama attack,the suicide bomber is reported to have used a 'virtual SIM' to contact his JeM handlers inPakistan. It is difficult at this point to determine which of the disruptive technologies willturn out to be the most dangerous.

GUIDED BY CONTROLLERS: The concept of 'enabled terror' or 'remote controlterror', viz, violence conceived and guided by controllers thousands of miles away, is nolonger mere fiction. Internet-enabled terrorism, and resort to remote plotting, will growas the 21st century advances. Counter-terrorism experts will need to lay stress on multi-domain operations and information technologies, and undertake 'terror gaming' towrestle with an uncertain future that is already upon us.

(The author is a former National Security Adviser and a former Governor of West Bengal)

Apolitical party out to regain powerinvariably promises the moon tothe voters. And the Congress is no

exception. Its 2019 election manifesto,twice as long as the 2014 document, catersto almost every section of the electorate.There is special focus on farmers, thevital vote bank that helped the Congressmake a dramatic comeback in the Hindiheartland states of Rajasthan, MadhyaPradesh and Chhattisgarh late last year.

The promise of loan waiver, dulyimplemented soon after the party tookcharge in these states, had proved to bethe game-changer; in 2017, it had done thetrick in Punjab as well. Taking its pro-farmer policy to the next level, theCongress foresees a transition from 'karzmaafi' (loan waiver) to 'karz mukti'(freedom from loans) throughremunerative prices, lower input costs,and assured access to institutional credit.The innovative idea of presenting aseparate Kisan Budget every year couldgive the farm sector another reason to

support Rahul Gandhi and Co.Apparently bitten by the BJP's acronym

bug, the grand old party has come up withNYAY (Nyuntam Aay Yojana), anambitious minimum income guaranteescheme that promises Rs 72,000 per yearto the poorest 20 per cent households inIndia. The scheme, a throwback to IndiraGandhi's Garibi Hatao campaign of 1971,is likely to cost a whopping Rs 3.6 lakhcrore annually. With the tagline,'Congress will deliver' (Hum Nibhayenge),the manifesto aims to upstage the rulingBJP by offering a single 'moderate' rate of

GST, scrapping the sedition law andamending the contentious Armed Forces(Special Powers) Act.

Though there is nothing sacrosanct orlegally binding about poll manifestos, theCongress has stolen a march on the BJPby unveiling its document first, even asthe roadmap for implementation leaves alot to be desired. The saffron party, whichis busy writing off the rival's manifestoas a bundle of lies, would have to come upwith something special to make thevoters sit up and take notice

(Tribune, India).

GUESTCOMMENT

AS I SEE IT

By M.K. Narayanan

Congress manifesto: Promises galore, roadmap hazy

The many and different faces of terrorIt is premature to read the Islamic State's defeat as the start of a more peaceful phase

"Internet-enabled terrorism, and resort to remote plotting, will grow as the 21st century advances. Counter-terrorism experts will need to lay stress on multi-domain operations and information technologies,and undertake 'terror gaming' to wrestle with an uncertain future that is already upon us,"says the author.

9THE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2019 PERSPECTIVE

The world's largest exercise indemocracy looms in 2019. In thebeachside of Kerala state, the

mountain villages of the Himalayas andacross the dusty cities of the Gangeticplain, an estimated 700 million people willcast their votes in India's national electionstarting on April 11 and ending on May 19.The Indian electorate takes participatorydemocracy seriously. The 2014 electionsaw a record-high turnout of more than550 million voters, or nearly two-thirds ofeligible voters-66.4%. That is greater thanthe 61% who cast ballots in the 2016 U.S.general election.

COST OF ELECTION: EXPECTED

TO BE $10 BILLION : 2019 election willalmost be the most expensive in Indianhistory, and among the most expensive inthe world. Parties and candidates spent $5billion in 2014, according to the New Delhi-based Center for Media Studies, and someexperts have predicted that figure couldnearly double in 2019. In comparison, thecombined cost of the 2016 U.S.Presidentialand Congressional elections wasestimated at about $6.5 billion, accordingto OpenSecrets.org.

Federal security forces watch overpolling stations, a mammoth undertakingthat requires voting to be spread across afive-week period. Voting will take place on

seven different days between April 11 andMay 19, with dozens of constituenciescasting ballots each day. Votes will becounted on May 23 and the resultsannounced the same day.

MAJOR NATIONAL PARTIES: Theruling BJP, headed by Prime MinisterModi is challenged by the main oppositionparty, the Congress, that has dominatedIndian politics since independence fromthe British rule in 1947. It is led by RahulGandhi, the fourth-generation scion of apolitical dynasty that includes India's firstPrime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru,Gandhi's great-grandfather. Congress'platform is secular and pro-poor, but itsmost recent tenure leading a coalitiongovernment from 2004-2014 was marred bycorruption, scandals and slow economicgrowth. The party is banking ondissatisfaction with Modi to turn the 2019election into a close contest.

2,293 REGISTERED PARTIES:

Regional parties, including some thatcompete only in one of India's 29 statesand are caste- or language-based, wieldsignificant influence, especially whenforming coalitions. In 2014, half of allIndians voted for a party other than theBJP or Congress. But some of theregistered parties don't even fieldcandidates, leading to allegations thatthey are merely a conduit for moneylaundering, because political donationsare tax-exempt.

6.1% UNEMPLOYMENT RATE: Thelow statistic of 6.1% unemployment is notat all reliable from the Americanstandards. With rising numbers of joblessyouth, approximately 135 million,concerns about unemployment are at thetop of the political agenda. Thenationwide unemployment has risen to a45-year high and Raghuram Rajan, formergovernor of the Reserve Bank of Indiaidentifies unemployment as the majorissue in the election. I wrote on this in myarticle that was published last week.

FARM SECTOR WOES : Farmers are

India's biggest voting bloc. Modi promisedto double agrarian incomes by 2022, butthe farm sector has been hurt by bumperharvests and declining commodity prices.Farmers have staged enormous protestsacross India's biggest cities demandingloan waivers and guaranteed crop prices.Both major parties have rolled out welfaremeasures, with the BJP promising directcash transfers and the Congress proposinga guaranteed minimum income ofRs.72000 ($1000) yearly for the poorestIndians.

218 HATE CRIMES IN 2018: Criticshave accused Modi's party of tolerating-and in some cases encouraging-violenceby Hindu groups against religiousminorities. An Amnesty InternationalHATE CRIME TRACKER -using reportsfrom Hindi and English newspapers-hasdocumented 721 reported hate crimes

since September 2015, when a Muslimvillager was lynched outside New Delhifor allegedly killing a cow, ananimal thatHindus regard as sacred. India is the 2ndlargest Muslim country in the world witha population of 220 million. India hasapproximately 20 million Christians and15 million Sikhs. The total minoritypopulation of 250 million is not likely tosupport Modi's BJP.

India is bewilderingly complex. Partieshone drastically different campaignpitches for different states. But, as I said, ifany larger theme could decide Modi's fate,it is jobs. Though India's economy isgrowing faster than that of any othermajor country, it is not doing so quicklyenough to create work for the expandingpopulation. Each month for the nextseveral years, an estimated 1 millionIndians will turn 18. Unemployment hasbeen ticking upwards. India's railwaysministry said it received 20 millionapplications for 100,000 jobs in March. Thediscontent is palpable: the Pew ResearchCenter found Indians' confidence in theeconomy had fallen by 27 percentage pointsin the past year, the largest drop of anycountry it measured.

MODI IS MOST LIKELY TO WIN,

BUT NOT WITH AN ABSOLUTE

MAJORITY: Modi is still enormouslypopular, especially compared with hismost prominent challenger, RahulGandhi. That appeal should ensure he isstill Prime Minister after the election. Butanalysts predict his victory this time willbe less emphatic, and he will be reliant oncoalition partners who will demand theirspoils. "Last election, with the BJPwinning a majority of seats by itself, wasan aberration," says Prof. KatharineAdeney, from the Asia Research Instituteat the University of Nottingham, U.K.Modi is the most virulent Hindunationalist ever to occupy the PrimeMinistership. A victory would give himfive more years to reshape the very idea ofIndia from its most influential politicalvantage point. It is clear voters will beentering booths asking a more prosaicquestion: "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FORME LATELY?"

(Ven Parameswaran is a Senior Adviser toImagindia Institute, a think tank in New Delhi.

His email: vpwaren@gmail.com)

INDIA'S GENERAL ELECTIONS

By Ven Parameswaran

Modi is stillenormously popular,especially comparedwith his mostprominent challenger,Rahul Gandhi. Thatappeal should ensurehe is the Prime Ministerafter the election. Butanalysts predict hisvictory this time will beless emphatic, and hewill be reliant oncoalition partners whowill demand theirspoils.

Indians vote to elect 543 Members of Parliament in amonth-long voting, beginning April 11; Results on May 23

● 900 Eligible Voters ● 1 Million Polling Stations ● 10 Million Election Officials

Voters at an election station in 2014 general elections (File photo)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP PresidentAmit Shah- all out bid to retain the title

Principal challengers: (Clockwise)- Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav, Mayawati, Mamata Banerjee,Yadav, Dave Gowda, Biju Patnaik

10 THE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2019TURN PAGE

CONTD FROM PAGE 1He said Jaipur Foot USA is doing a lot

to support the endeavor of the JaipurFoot, citing Bhagwan Mahaveer ViklangSahayata Samiti (BMVSS) Founder andChief Patron D R Mehta, who said "this isnot charity, it is help that we arerendering to people to stand on their ownfeet." Shringla also pointed out that the"significant" technical collaborationbetween Jaipur Foot and eminentAmerican universities such as Stanford,MIT and the Chicago RehabilitationInstitute is making Jaipur Foot moreeffective and helping keep the costs as lowas possible.

In October last year, External AffairsMinister Sushma Swaraj had launchedthe 'India for Humanity' initiative underwhich the External Affairs Ministry willpartner BMVSS for holding artificiallimb fitment camps in about 12 countriesas part of Gandhi's 150th birthanniversary commemoration.

"A very important component is thesupport that the Ministry of ExternalAffairs will give to Jaipur Foot for anumber of camps the Jaipur Foot willundertake in India and different parts ofthe world in this endeavor of markingGandhi's own service to humanity and hiscompassion for humanity," Shringla said.

He recalled Gandhi's message of truth,non-violence and compassion, saying the"linkage between Gandhi's own beliefsand philosophy with the practical aspectsof what Jaipur Foot is doing to extend hisideology into the realm of doing servicefor the people, is critical."

Shringla also shared personal storiesfrom his career highlighting Jaipur Foot'scontribution in helping rehabilitatedisabled people across the world,especially those wounded in conflicts. Hesaid that at the end of the conflict in SriLanka, India sent several de-miningteams to the neighboring nation andJaipur Foot established camps in areaslike Jaffna, where a large number ofpeople had lost their limbs because oflandmines and the prolonged conflict. Alarge number of people were"rehabilitated physically, economically,socially through the endeavors of theJaipur Foot."

"The philosophy of the Jaipur Foot isthat it operates on a low cost basis, sothose people working in the organizationare doing it out of cause for humanity.There are no profit margins, it's all aboutgiving back to society," he said.

He pointed out that Jaipur Foot campshave also been organized in Bangladesh,benefiting thousands of people.Underscoring the "humanitarian aspect ofdiplomacy", Shringla said New Delhi hasworked very closely with Dhaka inproviding humanitarian assistance to theRohingya refugees in Bangladesh.

Shringla further stressed Gandhi'sfocus on environment and his messagethat man should be compatible with

nature. "Mahatma Gandhi was the firstadvocate of sustainable development. Inthe UN, there is a lot of emphasis on theUN Sustainable Development Goals butGandhi, more than a 100 years ago, wasalready expounding on the concept of theneed to stay within the environment."

He further said that leader of theAmerican civil rights movement MartinLuther King was greatly inspired byGandhi and King's movement followed theprinciples of non-violence. He recalled hismeeting with Congressman John Lewis ofGeorgia, who told him that if King "hadnot followed the principles of non-violence, America would not be thesociety it is today."

Shringla told the audience Lewis isinitiating a resolution that recognizesGandhi's 150th birth anniversary andlinks to King's 90th birth anniversary andwhich suggests that this should lead toexchange of research scholars betweenIndia and the US who are working on theconcepts of peace and development.

India's Consul General in New YorkSandeep Chakraborty described JaipurFoot as "India's international brand,"saying it is one of the most popular andfamous Indian brands across the world.

Jaipur Foot USA Founder ChairmanPrem Bhandari said that from the timeBMVSS was founded in 1975, nearly 1.75million differently abled people havebenefited through 73 camps in 30countries. He noted that Jaipur Foot USAhas zero administrative cost anddonations go directly to furthering thework of the organization. Bhandari addedthat Jaipur Foot US will organize free ofcost artificial limb fitment camps thisyear in Patna and Jamshedpur. One of thecamps will be in Agra with the help ofHouston based businessman Rajiv Daga,who donated $250,000 to Jaipur Foot US.

Paritosh Prasad, a doctor, critical caremedicine specialist and Gandhi's greatgreat grandson, who was a guest of honor,said there can be no better example ofdemonstrating the Mahatma's dedicationthan the efforts of Jaipur Foot. "It is in theactions of Jaipur Foot and the incrediblegifts they give, identifying the need andmeeting that need, choosing not to ignoreall of our fellow brothers and sisters as wewalk this life together, that is the greatestway that we can cherish what we havebeen gifted from Bapu ji and reinvigorate

contd on Page 20

Jaipur Foot gives lease of life to people, illustrates Gandhi’smessage of compassion to humanity: Ambassador Shringla

Jaipur Foot USA Team with Ambassador Shringla, Consul General Sandeep Chakraborty , guestof honor Paritosh Prasad and other invited guests Photo / Jay Mandal- On assignment

Singer, rapper, inspirational speaker Sparsh Shah being honored with a plaque by AmbassadorShringla. Consul General Sandeep Chakraborty and Jaipur Foot USA President Prem Bhandari

are also seen.

2nd European Games in Minsk, Belarus from June 21 to 30, 2019 CONTD FROM PAGE 1

Attorney Ravi Batra andDiwali Stamp FoundationChairperson Ranju Batrawere presented tickets toattend the OpeningCeremony of the Games inMinsk.

Present on the occasion,among others, were India'sPermanent Representativeto the United NationsAmbassador SyedAkbaruddin and MinisterDeepak Misra.

Ravi Batra speaking onthe occasion

A view of the gathering

11THE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2019 WORLD

China deploys newmissile destroyer,frigate in its anti-

piracy fleetBEIJING (TIP): China has

deployed its latest guided missiledestroyer and frigate in the fleet ofnaval ships participating in anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Adenand Somalian coast in the ArabianSea and the Indian Ocean, a mediareport said on April 4.

China’s 32nd convoy fleet to theGulf of Aden and Somali waters setsail from a military port in Zhoushan,east China’s Zhejiang Province onApril 4, the People’s Liberation Army(PLA) Navy official announced.

The naval fleet includes the guidedmissile destroyer Xi’an, the missilefrigate Anyang and the Gaoyanghu, acomprehensive supply ship, state-runGlobal Times reported.

It is the first time Xi’an and Anyangare participating in an escortmission, it said.

India expressed concern to SriLanka in 2015 when a Chinesesubmarine, reportedly part of theconvoy of the naval fleet that tookpart in the anti-piracy operations,docked at the Colombo port. — PTI

Ex-Nissan chiefGhosn rearrested on

new chargesTOKYO (TIP): In an extraordinary

move, Tokyo prosecutors on April 1rearrested former Nissan Motor Co.Chairman Carlos Ghosn, who hadbeen released on bail, on suspicion ofmisappropriating the company’smoney.

His fourth arrest came less than 24hours after he announced from anewly launched Twitter account thathe was "getting ready to tell the truthabout what's happening", and wouldhold a news conference in Tokyo onApril 11, reports The Japan Times.

"My arrest this morning isoutrageous and arbitrary," Ghosn saidin a statement released to mediaoutlets shortly after his re-arrest wasreported.

"It is part of another attempt bysome individuals at Nissan to silenceme by misleading the prosecutors... Iwill not be broken. I am innocent ofthe groundless charges andaccusations against me."

Ghosn was released on bail fromthe Tokyo Detention House on March6 after having spent 108 days inconfinement, as the long detentiondrew criticism from many legalexperts in other countries.

On April 4 re-arrest could reigniteinternational criticism of Japan's lawenforcement system.

The prosecutors have recently beeninvestigating Nissan's allegedpayments to a distributor in Oman.

They have alleged that some of themoney, which came from a budgetcontrolled by Ghosn, was channeledfor his own personal use. (IANS)

US tourist kidnappedin Uganda for

$5,00,000 ransomKAMPALA (TIP): Four armed men kidnapped an

American tourist in Uganda and have demanded$5,00,000 as ransom, the country’s police force hasconfirmed.

The American citizen, a woman, and a Ugandan driverwere kidnapped at gunpoint at Queen Elizabeth NationalPark while on a game drive on Tuesday evening, CNNreported on April 3.

“The kidnappers, using the victim’s phone havedemanded $5,00,000,” the police said, adding, “Westrongly believe this ransom is the reason behind thekidnap.”

An “elite squad” was dispatched from the TourismPolice to the park to actively pursue the gunmen andhave closed all exit areas on the border between Ugandaand the Democratic Republic of Congo.

“We strongly believe the perpetrators and victimscould still be trapped within our search area,” the policestatement added.

Uganda recorded a spate of kidnapping incidents lastyear, which prompted street protests amid claims thegovernment was not doing enough to address thesecurity issues.

Rights groups who led the protests to the country’sparliament in Kampala city, said more than 20 people,mostly women, and children, were abducted for ransomlast year and called on the police to make these cases apriority. — IANS

Fire disrupts one terminal at Kenya'smain airport in Nairobi

NAIROBI (TIP): Kenya has closed one departure terminal at theJomo Kenyatta Airport in Nairobi after a fire sparked by a baggagesystem malfunction forced authorities to evacuate passengers andstaff, the state-run airports operator said on April 4. JKIA, as theairport which is the main gateway into the East African nation isknown, suffered severe flight disruptions in August 2013 when itwas engulfed by another fire. "All passengers and staff at theterminal were evacuated safely and the fire contained by theairport’s fire team," it said. The KAA did not say if any flights hadbeen disrupted by the incident. Flight operations at the affectedterminal had been moved to an adjacent terminal whileauthorities worked to re-open it, it said. Apart from the nationalcarrier, Kenya Airways, which uses JKIA as its hub, the airportalso serves other airlines including Emirates, Turkish Airways,British Airways and Ethiopian Airlines. Reuters

New Zealand Prime Minister JacindaArdern helps out fellow mum

WELLINGTON (TIP): New Zealand Prime Minister JacindaArdern confirmed on April 4 she paid for a harried mother’s groceriesin a gesture sure to enhance a reputation already soaring because ofher response to the Christchurch mosque attacks. Ardern wasreluctant to discuss the incident, revealed on social media, involving amother-of-two who was ahead of the Prime Minister at a supermarketcheckout when she realised she did not have her purse. “(Ardern) paidfor my friend’s shopping in the supermarket the other day when shehad forgotten her purse and had two screaming kids in tow,” Twitteruser Helen Burness posted, adding: “Like we didn’t love her enough.”The New Zealand Herald has described her actions as a mix of “solaceand steel” after she donned the hijab while comforting devastatedfamilies and also moved swiftly to tighten gun laws. AFP

Australia targets social media firmsin new extremist footage laws

SYDNEY (TIP): Social mediaexecutives could be jailed if they fail toremove extremist material from theirplatforms quickly, under controversialAustralian laws adopted April 4, in thewake of the live-streamed mosqueshootings in Christchurch.

Lawmakers voted overwhelmingly infavour of the laws, which make it illegalnot to remove footage of “a terroristact,” murder, torture, rape andkidnapping, and spell out that internetservice, content and hosting providerswill be held culpable.

Platforms like Facebook and YouTubecould face fines approaching billions ofdollars—or 10 percent of global annualturnover—for failing to allow the“expeditious removal” of the offendingmaterial, while executives could face 3years in jail.

Technology companies, policy expertsand lawyers pilloried the legislation—which was jammed through parliamentin two days and faces an uncertainfuture beyond elections expected in May.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who isfacing a difficult reelection battle, said:“Big social media companies have aresponsibility to take every possibleaction to ensure their technologyproducts are not exploited by murderousterrorists.” The opposition Labor partyexpressed serious misgivings but votedin favour of the legislation.

Australia’s Law Council described thelegislation as “knee-jerk” and warned itcould have “serious unintendedconsequences.” President Arthur Moses

warned the laws could be used to curbwhistleblowers, and “could also lead tocensorship of the media, which would beunacceptable.” Attorney-GeneralChristian Porter said the legislationcould be used to target platforms used bythe far-right like 4Chan and 8Chan.

It will be up to a jury to decide whetherthe platforms acted with good speed totake down offending content, raisingquestions about how the law will beimplemented.

The Institute of Public Affairsdescribed the legislation as a “blatantattack on the freedom of the media.”

“Throwing media executives in jail willincrease costs to taxpayers withoutimproving community safety oraddressing concerns about violentcontent being shared on social mediaplatforms,” said researcher AndrewBushnell. “Companies and executivesmay respond to the threat of criminalpenalties by erring on the side ofcensorship.” The laws are expected to befollowed by steps toward treating socialmedia giants more like publishers,which would make them legallyresponsible for the content on theirplatforms. — AFP

KANGANA WALKS OUT OFANURAG BASU’S IMALI

NARGIS FAKHRI IS LOSING WEIGHT

Actress Nargis Fakhri, who has dealtwith body shaming in the recent past,says living life in the public eye can be

very difficult and that she is working towardsweight loss by making healthy choices.

The 39-year-old actress has opened up onbody shaming in an Instagram post in whichshe has shared two photographs of herself.

“Living life in the public eye can be difficultsometimes. As much as it is a blessing, it alsocomes with its downside. Over the last twoyears, I’ve gained weight,” she wrote.

Describing the pictures, the Rockstar actressadded, “On the left I weighed 178 lbs (80 kg) andon the right, I was 129 (58 kg). I have since lost20 lbs (9kg) through making lifestyle changes.If I can do it, so can you.” Nargis has urgedeveryone to “nurture mind, body, and soul withpositive thoughts and healthy choices”.

Afew months ago, Kangana Ranautannounced that she would beteaming up with Anurag Basu,

who launched her in Bollywood withGangster (2006), for a project. Imali, as thefilm was tentatively titled, would havebeen the actress’ third collaboration withthe filmmaker. But now, we have learntthat she has opted out of the project.

Kangana says, “Last year, when Iannounced Panga and Imali together,Anurag Basu’s film was supposed to go onfloors in November 2018. But I had todirect and reshoot Manikarnika: TheQueen Of Jhansi. So, I had to push Imali.I was also meaning to be a director for awhile, so I couldn’t have said no to this.Meanwhile, Panga had already startedand I couldn’t not do that.”

The busy schedules of her films havecaused a few shifts in her choices, too.Kangana has picked the Jayalalithaabiopic, which goes on floors this Octoberafter she wraps up work on Ashwiny IyerTiwari’s sports drama. The Queen heroineexplains, “Manikarnika has done verywell, so I want to take my directorialcareer further. I can’t not direct now. I hadsigned the Jayalalithaa biopic because it’sa strong character and in sync withwhatever I’m doing with regards towomen empowerment.”

Kangana adds that it was a “tough call”for her to make. “Anurag and I havespoken about it. I feel extremely badbecause Imali was giving me anopportunity to work with my mentoragain, but I’m on the verge of announcingmy own film in a few weeks from now.That has taken a lot of my time and I have

conveyed it to Anurag, who understoodmy situation,” she adds.

Ask her if she and Anurag will reunitefor a project soon and she replies, “We willwork together at some point. Imali is a

beautiful love story and we can do thatlater. But right now, my focus is on mynext directorial venture because I’ve justdelivered an Rs 100-crore film and it’s theright time for me,” she signs off.

12 THE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2019 BOLLYWOOD

SHWETA TIWARI’S DAUGHTER PALAK MAKES HER DEBUTShweta Tiwari’s teenaged

daughter Palak has made heracting debut, but in an

advertisement. The ad was sharedby Shweta on her Instagram pagewhere she called herself a proudmother.

Sharing it, Shweta wrote: “ME =‘Proud Mom !!! @palaktiwarii.’”The ad shows Palak having aconversation with her mother asher parents are having dinner. Shetoo is seated on the same table butwe are to presume that she iselsewhere. Soon the conversationbegins: both struggle to talk as thecall keeps dropping. Whenevervoice does travel, it takes long.Palak, playing the daughter, keepssaying “hello” repeatedly.

18-year old Palak was expected tomake her film debut oppositeTaare Zameen Pe child actorDarsheel Safari in a film calledQuickie. This was supposed to bethe first film of Darsheel as anadult. However, in June last year,Shweta had taken to Instagram torefute the news and clear the air.She had categorically stated thatPalak was in Class 12 and hereducation was of paramountimportance.

She had written: “For the past

few months I was constantlybombarded with questionsregarding Quickie, and Palak’sdebut. We really wanted quickie tobe the way to go but the processwas too protracted and Palak’s 12thgrade has now begun. Thereforewe decided it would be best if weretracted ourselves from theproject since Palak’s education isof paramount importance at thispoint in time. We wish Oddball thevery best, but sadly we had to cometo this decision. However i assureyou, Palak’s debut is soon enough.”

Palak is active on Instagram aswell and keeps posting selfies andpictures. In one such post, she hadbeen accused by some Instagramusers that she had gone under theknife. A viewer had called her outfor “botox-filled lips”, to which shehad replied, saying: “I’m only 17,and not somebody who’s asupporter of changing myselfbased on what the world May orMay not like. So no Ma’am, that’s afalse accusation, and it’s becauseof such accusations that goingunder the knife is considered atrend, and is ultimately promoted .I’m not for it ma’am. Sorry todisappoint you, have good nightand best wishes.”

AMY JACKSON ON CHILDWITH BOYFRIEND: IT WAS

TOTALLY UNPLANNED

Drew Barrymore wants to make more movieswith Adam Sandler

Hollywood star Drew Barrymore said shewants to reteam for a movie with herfrequent collaborator and good friend

Adam Sandler. "Adam Sandler, obviously, justbecause I want to make movies with him forever.We just talked on the phone the other day. Wetalk on the phone often, and we were like, it feelslike something, I don't know. We always get likea time and an instinct thing. We've done it threetimes now, so we know we have more to go,"Barrymore told when asked if she would like towork with any of her previous co-stars again.

The actor had also credited Sandler for hersuccess in her 2015 book 'Wildflower'.

"He was hot s*** and he believed in me. It's alittle bit of a love letter to him because I havegrown with this person," she had written in thebook in a chapter dedicated to Sandler, titled'Adam'.

Angelina Jolie to debut inMarvel with The Eternals?

Angelina Jolie is in negotiations tomake a foray into the MarvelCinematic Universe with The

Eternals. The actor eyeing Marvel Studio'ssuperhero team adventure feature beingdirected by award-winning indie directorChloe Zhao, according to a source toHollywood Reporter.

Though Jolie is no stranger to fantasyfilms, Maleficient being case in point, thiswould be her first stint in a superhero film.

The Oscar-winning actor has chosen theproject based on the Jack Kirby-created titleabout super-powered and near-immortalbeings known as Eternals and a moremonstrous offshoot known as the Deviantsthat were created by the cosmic beingscalled Celestials. The details about the film

are being kept under wraps but one of theinsiders has revealed one aspect to the storyinvolves the love story between Ikaris, aman fuelled by cosmic energy, and Sersi,who relishes moving amongst humans.

It is unclear what character Jolie willplay. Marvel had no comment.

Zhao, a name behind the critical hits TheRider and Songs My Brothers Taught Me,will direct from a script by Matthew andRyan Firpo.

Jolie is currently working with Marvel'sparent company Disney on two films -Maleficent sequel, Maleficent: Mistress ofEvil, which will release later this year andanimation/live-action hybrid project TheOne and Only Ivan, which she is alsoproducing.

13THE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2019 HOLLYWOOD

The Matrix producer Lorenzo diBonaventura has revealed that beforeKeanu Reeves was chosen to play Neo,

he initially wanted Sandra Bullock for therole.

Di Bonaventura, whose filmographyincludes discovering the cult classic sci-fifranchise at Warner Bros and Transformersfilm series, said there were far more than twooptions to choose from.

Several A-listers including Brad Pitt,Leonardo DiCaprio and Will Smith wereconsidered for the part.

"We went out to so many people I don't

remember. We were getting desperate. Wewent to Sandy Bullock and said 'We'll changeNeo to a girl.' (Producer) Joel Silver and Iworked with Sandy on Demolition Man andshe was and continues to be a very good friendof mine,'' said the producer.

"It was pretty simple. We sent her the scriptto see if she was interested in it. And if shewas interested in it we would try to make thechange," he told The Wrap in an interview aspart of the film's 20th anniversary year.

"It just wasn't something for her at the time.So really it didn't go anywhere," diBonaventura added.

SANDRA BULLOCK FIRST CHOICE TOPLAY NEO BEFORE KEANU REEVES

Amy Jackson and her multi-millionaire fiance GeorgePanayiotou are on cloud nine as they are expecting their firstchild in October. The couple, who got engaged in January 2019

had planned to get married in early 2020 in Mykonos Island inGreece.

Now, the couple has opened up about their pregnancy to a UKmagazine. Indian-Brit actress Amy is now 15 weeks pregnant andrevealed that it came across as a surprise. She said, "It was totallyunplanned. We had no idea."

However, the 27-year-old actress reveals that she and her fiance areready to become parents. "We're at that stage where we're definitelyready for it. I don't think you can ever plan something perfectly, butwe're in such a good place. We're happy together, we have a beautifulhome and we're excited to be a mum and dad," she exclaimed.

Amy disclosed that the pregnancy has brought her closer toboyfriend George. "We know each other pretty well - the good, thebad, the ugly and everything in between. We were inseparable before,but this is a different closeness," she explained.

The 2.0 actress also added that she is planning to balancemotherhood and work properly. She said, "It's important to have yourown career and identity, but it's nice to have this time to think aboutwhat's next. I've always gone from one film to the next so I'm usingthis as a bit of respite - for now."

In an adorable post, Amy Jackson took to social media yesterday(March 31) to announce the happy news to fans. She wrote, "I've beenwaiting to shout it from the rooftops, and today, being Mother's Day,it couldn't be a more perfect time... I already love you more thananything in this world, the purest most honest love. We can't wait tomeet you our little Libra one (sic)"

14 THE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2019WORLD

UK MPs back Brexitdelay Bill by a voteLONDON (TIP): British MPs have

narrowly approved in favour of a billseeking to delay Brexit as theyattempt to avoid a no-deal exit fromthe European Union.

In a third reading, the House ofCommons voted by 313 votes to 312late on Wednesday, forcing PrimeMinister Theresa May to seek anextension of the current Brexit dateof April 12.

The Bill, put forward by LabourParty’s Yvette Cooper, now needs to beapproved by the House of Lordsbefore it becomes law. The EuropeanUnion will also need to agree to adelay, the BBC reported.

The development came as talksbetween the government negotiatorsand Labour were set to continuethroughout Thursday after May andLabour leader Jeremy Corbyn agreeda “programme of work”.

A No 10 spokesman said bothparties showed “flexibility” and “acommitment to bring the...uncertainty to a close”. Corbyn saidthe meeting was “useful, butinconclusive”, adding there had notbeen “as much change as (he) hadexpected” in May’s position. —IANS

Ethiopian plane crewfollowed procedure,

but lost control:Probe

ADDIS ABABA (TIP): The crew ofthe Ethiopian Airlines plane thatcrashed last month killing 157persons, repeatedly followedprocedures recommended by Boeing,but were unable to regain control ofthe jet, according to the investigators’report released on April 4.

The initial report, unveiled byEthiopian Transport MinisterDagmawit Moges, cast further doubton the system controlling the Boeing737 MAX 8 model, which has beengrounded worldwide for almost amonth.

“The crew performed all theprocedures repeatedly provided bythe manufacturer, but was not able tocontrol the aircraft,: said DagmawitMoges, unveiling results of thepreliminary probe into the crash.

The report recommends “theaircraft flight control system shall bereviewed by the manufacturer,”shesaid.

“Aviation authorities shall verifythat the review of the aircraft flightcontrol system has been adequatelyaddressed by the manufacturer beforethe release of the aircraft foroperations,” she added.

The release of the report came afterthe US Federal AviationAdministration (FAA) announced areview of the certification of theautomated flight control system onthe 737 MAX.

Boeing is reviewing the report. —AFP

Group says 5Egyptians

disappeared afterbeing deported backCAIRO (TIP): An international

rights group has expressed concernabout the disappearance of fiveEgyptians who were recently deportedback to the country, saying they are atserious risk of torture.

Human Rights Watch said in a reporton Thursday that Malaysia haddeported four of the men in early Marchwhile Turkey deported the fifth inJanuary.

Three of them were sentenced inEgypt over links to Islamist groups.

Michael Page, deputy Mideast andNorth Africa director at the New York-based watchdog, says "Egypt has a direrecord of systematic torture, forcibledisappearances, and unfair trials ofdissidents."

It urged authorities "to provide fulllegal access to these deportees."

Egypt has waged heavy crackdown onIslamists and rights activists after themilitary's 2013 ouster of controversialIslamist President Mohammed Morsi.AP

Canadian couple find lost ticket to become last-minute

lottery millionairesMONTREAL (TIP): A Quebec

couple won 1 million Canadian dollar(USD7,50,000) in the lottery afterfinding a winning ticket that had beenforgotten in a book for months, theprovince’s Loto-Quebec organizationsaid on April 4.

Nicole Pedneault and RogerLarocque only realised last weekendthat they had a winning ticket from anApril 5, 2018, drawing.

While looking through a book aboutJapan to help her grandson with aschool project, Pedneault noticedsomething had fallen from the pages.

It was a lottery ticket the couple hadbought for Valentine’s Day last year.

“If my grandson hadn’t asked me togive him some things for his presentation, I wouldn’t have ever found the ticket,”Pedneault said.

“The first thing I did when I found the ticket in the book was go look at the deadlinefor claiming winnings on the Loto-Quebec website,” she said.

The ticket was still valid, but not for long—only until Friday.“It’s all just by chance that we found it at the last minute like that,” the winner said

as she claimed her check. — AFP

Roads deadlier than guns in LibyaTRIPOLI (TIP): Roads in conflict-

riddled Libya, where petrol is cheaperthan mineral water, rank among thedeadliest in the world.

Disregard for traffic rules, adilapidated infrastructure and cars thatfail to meet safety standards combine tomake road accidents in Libya morelethal than incidents involving weapons.

In Tariq al-Siqqa, a public park incentral Tripoli, hundreds of car wrecksare stacked up on top of each other astestimony of the carnage.

Some vehicles still carry blood stains,others have shreds of clothing or a shoeleft lying inside.

The interior ministry’s trafficdepartment recorded 4,115 roadaccidents across the country in 2018,killing 2,500 people and injuring morethan 3,000 others.

“Libya holds the (world) record for thenumber of deadly road accidents percapita,” said department spokesmanColonel Abdelnasser Ellafi.

Last year’s road deaths outranked thehundreds of people killed annually inclashes between rival armed groupssince Libya’s 2011 revolt that toppleddictator Moamer Kadhafi.

Speeding is the number one cause ofaccidents in Libya—a country of justover six million people and more than 4.5million vehicles, according to thedepartment. With a litre of petrol, whichis subsidised by the government, costingonly 0.15 dinars (around 10 US cents),less than the price of a litre of mineralwater, gas-guzzlers are all the rage.

Some of Libya’s dilapidated roads,however, “have not been repaired in 60years”, said traffic department headGeneral Mohamad Hadiya, making themtotally unsuitable. In Tripoli—home to

two million inhabitants—the number ofprivately-owned cars has almostquadrupled in nearly a decade, jumpingfrom 600,000 in 2010 to two million thisyear. Together with state-owned vehicles,taxis and public transport, the numberrises to three million in the capital alone.

Car salesmen have also flooded themarket with imported cheap vehicleswhich are mostly used cars and lackbasic safety measures such as seatbeltsor airbags, officials say.

In a bid to fight back, the authorities inFebruary passed a law banning theimport of cars older than 10 years.

And for the first time in years, thegovernment has set aside funds in its2019 budget to repair the country’s roads.

“The roads are systematically floodedafter rain and bridges are unusable andneed urgent maintenance work,” saidEllafi. His department has also launched

campaigns to raise awareness amongmotorists about traffic laws and deploypatrols to catch traffic violators.

But with the country thrown intoanarchy and awash with weapons since2011, the patrols keep a low profile toavoid reprisals from angry motorists.

They mostly just direct traffic on thecongested roads. “Young people have norespect for traffic cops because theyknow they won’t be punished,” saidmotorist Ahmad Rajab, as he stepped outof his 4X4 in Martyrs’ Square.

“But we should not only blamedrivers,” the 35-year-old said, pointing tothe state of the roads as well as the lackof road signs and traffic lights. “I wasdriving at night along an unlit road eastof Tripoli and I hit a pole that was lyingacross the road,” he said.“Road accidentshave become silent killers that haveclaimed many lives in Libya.” — AFP

15THE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2019 TRAVEL

Blessed with bustling, dynamic cities,rich cultural heritage, historicaltreasures, pilgrimage sites, diverse

flora and fauna, inviting beaches, andincredible topography encompassing coastalplains, plateaus and mountains, Karnataka isone of the beautiful states in southwest Indiathat offers something to satisfy everytraveler’s appetite. Here, discover the bestplaces to visit in Karnataka.

Bangalore – The Silicon Valley The first on the list has to be the capital of

Karnataka, Bangalore. With its old-Englisharchitecture and cosmopolitan vibe, this cityis a blend of traditional and modern. TheIndia’s Silicon Valley is booming with life,replete with vibrant nightlife, richbiodiversity, museums and art galleries,shopping streets and malls, amusement parks,gardens, temples, cafes and restaurants.Besides, the moniker ‘Garden City’ is befittingto Bangalore as the city is brimming withgreen spaces. The major sights to visit hereincludes Lal Bagh (botanical garden),Bannerghatta National Park, ISKCON temple,Tudor architectural style-built BangalorePalace, Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace,shopping at Commercial Street, and Wonderla(amusement park). Those who want a littlehistory and art, head to the city’s one of themany museums and art galleries.

KabiniKabini is a haven for nature lovers and

wildlife enthusiasts alike. Located on thebanks of its namesake river, this serene spotis home to one of the best wildlife sanctuariesin the state – the Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary.The sanctuary is home to a diverse ecosystemof beautiful and rare creatures, includingwild elephant, black panther, tiger, deer, andmore than 350 species of bird species.Leopards are also known to call thissanctuary home, but notoriously difficult tospot. Wildlife safaris, nature walks and boatrides on the tranquil waters of the rivercreate the perfect opportunity to marvel atthese magnificent creatures and experiencethe wilderness at its best. Besides, its varietyof plantations and lush greenery make thisspot truly special.

Mangalore – Rome of the EastThe name ‘Rome of the East’ is befitting to

Mangalore with regard to the historicalarchitecture similarities. Surrounded byWestern Ghats and the Arabian Sea,Mangalore is one of the most tranquil spots,complete with striking historicalarchitecture, pristine beaches, rich wildlife,rolling hills and coconut palms, and itsdelicious cuisine is worth making note of.Catch a glimpse of the spectacularsunrise/sunset and relax on the golden sandsof Someshwar beach, Panambur beach andTannirbhavi beach; get up-close with wildlifeand nature at Pilikula Biological Park, and

don’t miss the architectural marvels – St.Aloysius Chapel that is nestled on alighthouse hill and GokarnanatheshwaraTemple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. Plus, there’sa plethora of outdoor activities to take part in,like horse riding, boating, parasailing and jetski rides.

Coorg – ‘The Scotland of India’Coorg, otherwise known as Kodagu is

nicknamed the ‘Scotland of India’ because ofthe climatic and landscape similarities, i.e.comfortable and pleasant weather, hillyterrain and copious greenery. Far away fromthe hustle and bustle of city life, this hillstation is famous for its coffee and spices. Forthe outdoorsy, there’s plenty of things to doand see here, like walking on a hanging bridgeand soaking in the stunning vistas of theAbbey falls and Iruppu falls; indulging in

wildlife safari at the Nagarhole National Parkand getting a close-up view of the diversewildlife, including tigers, leopards, nilgirilangur, elephants and over 270 bird species.There’s also Dubare Elephant Camp that ishome to more than 150 elephants where youcan bathe and feed them, as well as enjoy acoracle ride on the Cauvery River. Be sure tovisit the Raja’s Seat that is known for itssunset point, garden of musical fountain andseasonal flowers. And don’t forget to treatyour taste buds with authentic Coorg food.

BylakuppeJust an hour drive from Coorg lies

Bylakuppe. It is the biggest TibetanSettlement in South India. A popularattraction here is the Namdroling Monasteryor Golden temple that exudes Tibetanarchitectural style. The inside of the temple is

filled with gold idols, paintings and Tibetanart.

Mysore (Mysuru)Mysore is a southern treasure, known for

its royalty and opulence. The majorattraction is the three-storey imposingMysuru Palace, complete with sprawlinghalls, shrines, pavilions, gardens and severalcourtyards. Make sure you stay at the palaceuntil the evening time – it is illuminatedwith lakh lamps and is truly a sight tobehold. Other sights worth checking outinclude Jagmohan Palace that houses a hugegallery featuring exquisite artwork andartefacts from South India; Karanji Lake,which is the state’s largest lake and home toover 147 bird species, making it abirdwatchers’ paradise; and BrindavanGardens (botanical garden).

BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN KARNATAKA

Does your spouse do something ona daily basis that annoys the heckout of you? It doesn't matter how

much you love him, how long you've beenmarried, or how good of a father he is.He can be the most generous, caringperson. But he's only human.

As his wife, you have to pick andchoose your battles. Pick one or two, ormaybe even five, of his bad habits andtry to change them. But remember, it'snot easy to teach an old, snoring Mastiffnew tricks. But you can have fun trying.ANNOYING HABIT: Chews with hismouth open even when you're eating atsomeone else's house.FIX: Buy a pot-bellied pig and sit it at thetable with you so your husband can seewhat he looks like. If you don't want topurchase the pig, secretly videotape himat the dinner table. One evening, when hethinks the two of you are going to watchsome porn, play the video montage youcreated so he can see what he looks like.ANNOYING HABIT: He snores likethere's a big giant drooling Mastiff inbed next to you.FIX: Buy him some Breathe Right strips,have him do a nightly nasal saline rinse,or send him to the ENT doctor. Maybe hehas a deviated septum. If all else fails, getearplugs.ANNOYING HABIT: Picks hisfingernails, sometimes with a folded updollar bill.FIX: Every time you see him picking,start singing, "I'm in the money." Andthen keep the money. That will start toget annoying.

ANNOYING HABIT: Mixes plaids andstripes. And thinks it makes him lookhip.FIX: Go through his closet and arrangehis clothes for him in a Garanimals-likemanner.ANNOYING HABIT: Leaves the toiletseat up. Every single time.FIX: Sorry, this annoying habit is olderthan the stars. And I don't think thatthere is anything that can be done to stopit, other than gluing down the seat.ANNOYING HABIT: Leaves his dirtyclothes on the floor next to his bed. Ornext to the hamper. Or on the floor of hiscloset.FIX: Just don't wash anything thatdoesn't make it to the dirty clotheshamper. When he runs out of clean

underwear, tell him you washedeverything that was in the hamper.ANNOYING HABIT: Leaves his dirtydishes not in the dishwasher and noteven in the sink. But right next to thesink. Every single night.FIX: Treat it like the laundry and let hisdishes pile up. Eventually, he'll get it.ANNOYING HABIT: Imitates the GeicoInsurance Guy all the time. "Couldswitching to Geico really save you 15% ormore on car insurance?" And it's noteven a good imitation.FIX: Constantly do your imitation ofFlo, the Progressive Insurance girl. Anddon't do it well. He may actually thinkthe role play is sexy and propose amerger of the two companies. Then thehabit won't be so annoying.

ANNOYING HABITS OFHUSBANDS THAT CANDRIVE A WIFE CRAZY

ITALIAN CHICKENIngredients

4 Pieces of Chicken Breast2 Eggs ½ cup Maida½ cup Chicken Stock½ cup White Wine3 Tbsp Lemon juice2 Tbsp Olive Oil2 Tbsp Unsalted Butter2 sprigs Parsley SaltPepper to taste

MethodWhisk eggs in a bowl and season it with salt andpepper and let it rest.Place the flour on a large plate and season that withsalt and pepper and set aside.In another bowl, combine together chicken stock,lemon juice and white wine.Coat the chicken breast in flour, dip it in beaten eggand shallow fry it on a sauce pan. Cook for about 3minutes till it turns golden brown. Now that the bakechicken off the pan.And add the wine and stock mixture to the pan and letit cook for a few minutes until it reduces slightly andthickens, add some butter, parsley, salt and pepper,continue to cook. Now add the chicken breast back inthe sauce and cook them together for just anotherminute. Serve it hot.

POTATO CURRY2 tablespoons vegetable oil, 1 medium yellow onion, diced4 cloves garlic, minced, 4 teaspoons curry powder1 ½ teaspoons paprika1 teaspoon cayenne2 teaspoons cumin powder½ teaspoon allspice, 2 teaspoons fresh ginger, minced½ teaspoon black pepper2 lb potato, peeled and cubed (907 g)15 oz chickpeas, 1 can, drained (425 g)1 cup vegetable broth (240 mL)1 tablespoon lemon juice14 oz diced tomato, 1 can (395 g)14 oz coconut milk, 1 can (415 mL)rice, cooked, for servingnaan bread, for servingfresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish

Method Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat untilshimmering. Add the onion and saute for about 3minutes, until translucent.Add the garlic and saute for about 2 minutes, untilfragrant.Add the curry powder, paprika, cayenne, cumin,allspice, ginger, salt, and pepper. Stir and cook forabout 2 minutes until the spices are fragrant.Add the potatoes and mix well until well-coated inspices. Add the chickpeas and stir to incorporate.Add the broth, lemon juice, and tomatoes and stir, thenpour in the coconut milk and stir to combine.Increase the heat to high and bring the mixture to asimmer. Once bubbling, reduce the heat to mediumand cook for 15-20 minutes, until the potatoes aretender and easily pierced with a fork.Serve with cooked rice and naan and garnish withfresh cilantro.

FOOD CORNER

16 THE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2019 WOMEN

Take care of your chemically-straightened hair

Maintaining chemically straightened is a tough task.You need to use a combination of the right tools andtechniques to keep it healthy and supple.

AVOID ANY HEATING PRODUCTSThe last thing you wanna do is damage your hair just after

infusing it with chemicals! Remember that hair dryers andstraightening irons exude heat. So hold off on these for as longas you can. If you absolutely must use a blow dryer, make sureyou opt for the cold setting. Note: Showering with hot water isa total no-no; use lukewarm water instead so you don’t end upstripping moisture.

CONDITION DAILY, BUT USE SHAMPOO SPARINGLYKeep that fancy shampoo on the shelf and avoid eye contact

as much as possible. Some veteran straightening divas evenswear by the ‘no shampoo philosophy.’ But if you’re too OCDfor that, then atleast make sure you cut down shampooing toevery 2-3 days. Instead you should use conditioner daily forthat shiny, straight look.

PROTECT YOUR HAIR FROM SUN AND POLLUTIONThose long afternoons at the poolside to get the perfect tan

need to be managed differently now. The harsh sun’s rays,coupled with the dusty air can really damage your chemicallytreated hair. Here’s a necessary purchase you can totallyjustify – a fancy sun hat, stylish scarf or fashionable umbrella.Who said you can’t look cool while trying to look hot.

STEP UP ON HAIRCUT FREQUENCYDid you know that Straight hair is probably the most prone

to split ends? Make sure you don’t forget to get that trim every

four to six weeks to snip off split ends and keep them lookingsharp and healthy.

FIRST COMB, THEN BRUSHEven your daily hair regime needs an upgrade if you want

to keep your newly straightened hair looking glossy. First, runa wide-toothed comb through those locks and untangle anystubborn hair. Then run a brush through gently to give it thatshine and volume.

Anew study has found thatconsuming a diet rich in omega-3fatty acids is linked to fewer

childhood asthma symptoms which aretriggered by indoor air pollution.

The study published in ‘AmericanJournal of Respiratory and Critical CareMedicine’, lays out that families andhealth care providers may be able toprotect children from harmful effects ofindoor air pollution by serving a diet richin omega-3 fatty acids while reducing foodsrich in omega-6 fatty acids such assoyabean oil and corn oil.

“Our group is working on ways toreduce the levels of indoor air pollution inBaltimore City homes,” said lead author ofthe study, Emily Brigham.

“Results are promising, but we don’twant to stop there,” Brigham added.

The study found that for each additionalgram of omega-6 intake, children had 29per cent higher odds of being in a moresevere asthma category. Conversely, witheach 0.1-gram increase in levels of omega-3 fatty acids in the diet, researchers saw 3to 4 per cent lower odds of daytime asthmasymptoms.

Indoor air pollution, from sourcesincluding cooking, cleaning activities andcigarette smoke, is a known trigger forasthma symptoms.

Omega-3 fatty acids, which are foundabundantly in fish and certain nuts andseeds, are considered healthy as they areknown to reduce inflammation. Omega-6fatty acids, primarily found in vegetableoils (including corn, soybean, safflower,and sunflower), as came out in otherstudies, have mixed effects on health, buthave the potential to promote

inflammation. The researchers, however,noted that it doesn’t prove the relationshipbetween fatty acids and asthma severity.

“Among populations known to be

disproportionately affected by asthma, wemay find that improving diet and airpollution together has the greatest impacton health,” said Brigham.

DR. SATISH AND GITANJLI ANAND DDRR.. SSAATTIISSHH AANNAANNDD

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PPAAGGEE SSPPOONNSSOORREEDD BBYY

Vitamin C doses mayshorten ICU stay

Administering vitamin C to patients in intensive careunit (ICU) can help shorten their stay, scientists say.The researchers from University of Sydney in

Australia and University of Helsinki in Finland carried out asystematic review of vitamin C for ICU patients.

They identified 18 relevant controlled trials, and 12 of themwere included in the meta-analysis on the length of stay. Onaverage, vitamin C administration shortened ICU stay by 7.8per cent.

In six trials, orally administered vitamin C with anaverage dose of 2 grams per day reduced the length of ICUstay on average by 8.6 per cent.

“Vitamin C is a safe, low-cost essential nutrient. Given theconsistent evidence from the trials published so far, vitaminC might be administered to ICU patients, although furtherstudies are needed to find out optimal protocols for itsadministration,” researchers said.

“A few common cold studies have indicated that there maybe a linear dose response for vitamin C on common coldduration for up to 6 and 8 grammes per day,” they said.

“Evidently the dose response for doses higher than 2grammes per day should also be investigated for ICUpatients,” they added. Source: PTI

JUST AN HOUR OF WEEKLYWALKING WORKS WONDERS

Just one hour a week of brisk walking staves-offdisability in older adults with arthritis pain, or achingor stiffness in a knee, hip, ankle or foot, a recent study

suggests.“This is less than 10 minutes a day for people to maintain

their independence. It’s very doable. This minimumthreshold may motivate inactive older adults to begin theirpath toward a physically active lifestyle with the wide rangeof health benefits promoted by physical activity,” saidDorothy Dunlop, lead author of the study.

An estimated 14 million older adults in the U.S. havesymptomatic knee osteoarthritis, which is the most commonform of osteoarthritis. Approximately two in five people withosteoarthritis -- most of whom have it in their lower joints -develop disability limitations. The study found an hour ofweekly moderate-to-vigorous physical activity allowed olderadults to maintain their ability to perform daily tasks likegetting dressed or cross a street before a traffic light walksignal changed.

The weekly hour of exercise reduced their risk of mobilitydisability (walking too slowly to safely cross a street or lessthan one meter per second) by 85% and their risk of activitiesof daily living disability (difficulty performing morningroutine tasks such as walking across a room, bathing anddressing) by almost 45%.

OMEGA-3 RICH DIETS LINKEDTO LOWER ASTHMA SYMPTOMS

IN CHILDREN: STUDY

‘Cheat day’ during keto diet maydamage blood vessels

Having just a plate of fries or a bottle of soda whilefollowing a ‘keto diet’ may damage your blood vessels,say scientists who warn against going for a ‘cheat day’

while following the popular weight loss regime.The ketogenic or keto diet has become very common for

weight loss or to manage diseases like type 2 diabetes.“It consists of eating foods rich in fats, moderate in protein,

but very low in carbohydrates and it causes the body to go intoa state called ketosis,” said Jonathan Little, associate professorat University of British Columbia (UBC) in Canada.

The diet can be very effective because once the body is inketosis and starved for its preferred fuel glucose, the body’schemistry changes and it begins to aggressively burn its fatstores, Little said in a statement.

This leads to weight loss and can reverse the symptoms ofdiseases like Type 2 diabetes.

The often embraced ‘cheat day’ is a common theme in manydiets. However, researchers found just one 75-gramme dose ofglucose—the equivalent a large bottle of soda or a plate offries—while on a high fat, low carbohydrate diet can lead todamaged blood vessels.

“We were interested in finding out what happens to thebody’s physiology once a dose of glucose is reintroduced,” saidCody Durrer, doctoral student at UBC.

“Since impaired glucose tolerance and spikes in blood sugarlevels are known to be associated with an increased risk incardiovascular disease, it made sense to look at what washappening in the blood vessels after a sugar hit,” said Durrer.

For their test, the researchers recruited nine healthy young

males and had them consume a 75-gramme glucose drinkbefore and after a seven-day high fat, low carbohydrate diet.

The diet consisted of 70 per cent fat, 10 per centcarbohydrates and 20 per cent protein, similar to that of amodern ketogenic diet.

“We were originally looking for things like an inflammatoryresponse or reduced tolerance to blood glucose. What we foundinstead were biomarkers in the blood suggesting that vesselwalls were being damaged by the sudden spike in glucose,”said Durrer. Source: PTI

17THE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2019 HEALTH

OMEGA-3 SUPPLEMENTSPeople who cannot meet their omega-3 dietary requirements and those whoexperience high levels of inflammation may benefit from taking omega-3supplements. There are several types of omega-3 supplement to choose from,including:

Fish oil: Fish oil is the most common omega-3 supplement, and it offers thehighest available dose. Fish oil supplements include both DHA and EPA.

Cod liver oil: Cod liver oil is rich not only in DHA and EPA omega-3s but also invitamins A and D.

Krill oil: Krill oil is another seafood oil that is rich in DHA and EPA.

Algae oil: For people following a vegetarian or vegan diet, algae oils are anexcellent source of omega-3s. However, they contain a lower dose than most fishoil supplements, so people may need to take more of them. There are also fewerbrands, and they may be more expensive. Some brands include only DHA, but abrand with both DHA and EPA will be more beneficial.

LOGICALLY LAUNCHES AIPLATFORM TO CURB FAKE NEWS

As India prepares for the first phase of voting on April11 amid fake news concerns, UK-based start-upLogically on Wednesday launched a human-centric

Artificial Intelligence (AI) platform to act as a real-time filterfor authentic information.

Powered by Extended Intelligence (EI), Machine Learning(ML) and Natural Language Processing (NLP), the newsaggregator offers in-depth analysis with fair, authentic,credible and trusted (FACT) information.

"We are delighted to launch the Logically platform that willdemocratise AI and guide people from echo chambers," LyricJain, Founder and CEO, Logically told reporters here.

"We offer a bespoke fact-checking service where the claimswe address are generated by our users," said the 22-year-oldCambridge and MIT graduate.

Logically uses text analytical, metadata and editorialinsights to determine the quality and authority of the sourcewhile monitoring network behaviour to discover suspiciouspatterns.

The app is available on Android and web. Source: IANS

Social network Google+ beginsshutting down

Pulling away efforts of competing with socialnetworking majors like Facebook and Twitter, Googlehas begun the process of shutting down its social

networking app Google+.Even though the process of completely deleting all

personal Google+ accounts would still take a few months,content deletion including photos and videos from Google+album archives have started, The Verge reported on Monday.

The search-engine giant's plans of putting an end toGoogle+ were officially announced in October 2018.

Apart from just low user engagement, the demise ofGoogle+ also came as a result of a software design flaw thatexposed some private user data to third-party developersincluding occupation, gender, age and email address.

The flaw had existed since 2015 and it could potentiallyhave affected up to five lakh Google+ accounts.

The platform was launched as Google's own socialnetworking platform in June 2011. Source: IANS

Twitter eases accountsuspension appeal for users

Twitter will now allow users, suspended for violating itsguidelines, appeal the decision directly within itsplatform.

Earlier, users whose accounts were frozen needed to fill anonline form to appeal Twitter’s decision and the responsetime varied from a few hours to over a week.

“We move quickly to enforce our rules but sometimes wedon’t have the full context and can make mistakes,” thecompany tweeted late on Tuesday.

Twitter claimed the new in-app feature will cut downresponse time by 60 %.

“We added a way for people to appeal our decision in theapp and have been able to get back to people 60 % faster thanbefore,” it said. Twitter can suspend accounts for being fake,abusive, threatening or for spamming or impersonatingsomeone. Twitter is also considering to label tweets thatviolate its rules but which should remain on the platformbecause they’re in the public interest.

In an interview with The Washington Post last week,Vijaya Gadde, Twitter’s Head of Legal, Policy and Trust, saidTwitter is working on how to label tweets that violate thecompany’s abuse terms.

18 THE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2019 SCIENCE AND TECH

WHATSAPP MAKES GROUPCHATS MORE SECURE, GIVES

USERS MORE CONTROLWhatsApp on Wednesday said it

will now allow its users todecide whether they want to

get added to groups on the instantmessaging platform.

The move assumes significance,especially ahead of elections in thecountry, as social media platforms areexpected to play a major role in politicalcampaigns to reach out to citizens inlarge numbers.

"WhatsApp groups continue toconnect family, friends, coworkers,classmates and more. As people turn togroups for important conversations,users have asked for more control overtheir experience," the Facebook-ownedcompany said in a statement.

The messaging app has added that anew privacy setting in which an invitesystem will help users decide who canadd them to groups. Previously,WhatsApp users could be added togroups without their consent.

To enable the feature, users can go to'settings' option in WhatsApp app andselect one of three options—“nobody,”“my contacts,” or “everyone.”

If they choose “nobody”, users willhave to approve joining every group towhich they are invited.

Upon choosing “my contacts” option,

users from the person's address bookwill be able to add them to groups.

In these cases, the person inviting youto a group will be prompted to send aprivate invite through an individualchat, giving the user choice of joiningthe group.

The user will be given three days toaccept the invite before it expires, thestatement said.

"With these new features, users willhave more control over the groupmessages they receive," WhatsApp said.

These new privacy settings will beginrolling out to some users startingWednesday, and will be availableworldwide in the coming weeks to thoseusing the latest version of WhatsApp, itadded.

WhatsApp, which counts India as oneof its largest markets with over 200million users, had faced flak from theIndian government after a series of mob-lynching incidents, triggered by rumourscirculating on the messaging platform,claimed lives last year. Source: PTI

Soon, strong, transparent films for shatterproof smartphone screens

Smartphone screens may soon be shatterproof, sayscientists who have created transparent polythene filmsstronger than aluminium, which could be used use in

displays and windscreens.Researchers from University of Warwick and Queen Mary

University of London in the UK showed devised a technique tocreate a lightweight transparent material with a significantstrength and resilience exceeding that of metals.

Current methods of creating high strength plastic filmssuch as hot-drawing of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) canlead to materials that can compete or even out-performtraditional engineering materials like metals.

"The microstructure of polymers before drawing very muchresembles that of a bowl of cooked spaghetti or noodles, whileafter stretching or drawing the molecules become aligned in away similar to that of uncooked spaghetti, meaning that theycan carry more load," said Yunyin Lin, a PhD student atUniversity of Warwick.

However, drawn polythene materials normally have anopaque appearance due to defects and voids introduced by thedrawing process, limiting applications where both mechanicalproperties and optical transparency are required.

Some success has recently been achieved by using highlyspecific additives in hot-drawn HDPE materials that can thenproduce 90 per cent transparency while giving high strength.

However, the research team have now developed a new post-manufacturing technique for HDPE that endows strength andresilience while preserving transparency without usingadditives.

The researchers took HDPE polythene sheets and drew outthese sheets at a range of temperatures below the meltingtemperature of HDPE. By tuning the drawing temperaturethey could achieve a transparency of 90 per cent in the visiblerange.

However, the best balance between strength andtransparency was achieved at drawing temperatures between90 and 110 degrees centigrade.

"We expect greater polymer chain mobility at these highdrawing temperatures to be responsible for creating fewer

defects in the drawn films, resulting in less light scattering bydefects and therefore a higher clarity," said Ton Peijs at theUniversity of Warwick.

"Our results showed that a wide processing window rangingfrom 90 degree Celsius to 110 degree Celsius can be used totailor the required balance between optical and mechanicalperformance.

"It is anticipated that these lightweight, low-cost, highlytransparent, high strength and high stiffness HDPE films canbe used in laminates and laminated composites, replacing orstrengthening traditional inorganic or polymeric glass forapplications in automotive glazing, buildings, windshields,visors, displays etc," said Peijs. Source: PTI

Asian Development Bank lowers India’s growth forecast

NEW DELHI (TIP): The Asian Development Bank (ADB)has cut India’s growth forecast to 7.2% for 2019-20 because ofa slower-than-expected pickup in investment demand.

ADB, which had estimated 7.6% economic growth inDecember, is the first multilateral lending agency to slashIndia’s growth estimate.

Despite this, India will remain the fastest growingeconomy, as China is projected to grow at 6.3% in 2019,according to ADB’s estimate. In February, India’s statisticsoffice revised its earlier growth forecast of 7.2% for 2018-19 to7%. With ADB’s downgrade of India’s growth estimates, theattention shifts to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and theInternational Monetary Fund (IMF), which had earlierprojected 7.4% and 7.5% growth, respectively.

The IMF will release its World Economic Outlook nextweek, which will contain India’s growth estimates as well.

“The recent pickup in investment growth is expected tocontinue, albeit at a slow pace. Growth in public investmentis likely to be modest for lack of funds. Rural income andconsumption will enjoy policy boosts from enhanced incomesupport to farmers and hikes in procurement prices forfoodgrain, while interest rate cuts and soft food and fuelprices will bolster consumption in urban areas,” ADB said inits annual Asian Development Outlook (ADO) released onWednesday.

Since inflation is expected to remain below the centralbank’s target in the first half of 2019-20, it has opened upscope for further policy rate cuts, ADB said, a day before RBIunveils its first bi-monthly monetary policy decision of thecurrent fiscal year. Source: HT

Jet Airways defers March salarypayment to its 16,000 employees

MUMBAI (TIP): Cash-starved Jet Airways Wednesdaydeferred the March salary payment to its employees, citing“complexities” involved in the finalisation of the debt-recastplan, under which the SBI-led consortium of lenders hastaken over the management control of the airline.

Earlier, the airline had been delaying the salaries of itspilots, engineers and senior staff since August who have notbeen paid since January.

The company has over 16,000 employees on its payroll.“Given the complexities of such (finalisation of the

resolution plan) processes, it has taken us longer thanexpected. However, we continue to strive and are incontinuous deliberations with the lenders and institutions tofind a solution.

“In light of the current situation, please note that salariesfor March 2019 will be deferred,” Jet Airways chief peopleofficer Rahul Taneja said in a communication to staff onWednesday.

Though the management did not give a specific date forpayment, it said the company will provide an update on theissue on April 9.

On March 25, Jet Airways board had approved a resolutionplan formulated by SBI-led domestic lenders, under whichhad agreed to infuse an emergency funding of Rs 1,500 croreinto the airline, and convert the same into equity worth 50.1percent for a notional value of just Re 1 each share.

However, the funds are yet to be disbursed due to“technical” reasons.

“In the current difficult times, the management team hasbeen working with the lenders and other institutions tofinalise a resolution plan which will help us stabilise ouroperations and build a sustainable future for the airline,” headded.

Jet Airways said it is making every “possible effort” toremit salaries at the earliest, adding, “we will provide you anupdate on the status of the pay-out by April 9 2019.”

Source: PTI

19THE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2019 BIZ AND FINANCE

INDIA ONE OF THE HIGHESTTAXING NATIONS IN WORLD,

SAYS DONALD TRUMPWASHINGTON (TIP): India is one of

the world’s “highest taxing nations”, USPresident Donald Trump has alleged ashe again criticised the country forimposing 100% tariffs on Americanproducts, including the iconic Harley-Davidson motorcycles.

Such a high tariff is not fair, Trumpsaid on Tuesday while addressing theNational Republican CongressionalCommittee Annual Spring Dinner here.

Earlier this year, at a White Houseevent to announce his support forreciprocal tax, Trump had said he wassatisfied with the Indian decision toreduce the import tariff on high-endHarley-Davidson motorcycles from 100%to 50%. “Even this is not enough, this isokay,” he said at that time.

Trump has repeatedly claimed thatIndia is a “tariff king” and imposes“tremendously high” tariffs onAmerican products.

“I got a call from Prime Minister(Narendra) Modi of India. They’re one ofthe highest taxing nations in the world.They taxed us 100%,” Trump saidreiterating his often-heard remarks onthe Indian tariff structure.

“They charge us 100% tariffs ongoods. So they send a motorcycle — and

they make a lot of them — Indian cycles.They send them to our country, wecharge them nothing. We send a Harley

Davidson to India and they charge us100%. Not fair, okay. Not reciprocal. It’snot fair,” Trump said. Source: PTI

I got a call from Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi of India. They charge us100% tariffs on goods. So they send a motorcycle — and they make a lot ofthem — Indian cycles. They send them to our country, we charge themnothing. We send a Harley Davidson to India and they charge us 100%. Notfair, okay. Not reciprocal. It’s not fair.

— Donald Trump, US President

Apple starts iPhone 7production in India

NEW DELHI (TIP): Giving an impetus to its Indiamanufacturing plans, Apple has started the assembling of iPhone7 at its supplier Wistron’s facility in Bengaluru.

Taiwanese industrial major Wistron already assembles iPhone6S in the country.

“We are proud to be producing iPhone 7 in Bengaluru for ourlocal customers furthering our long-term commitment in India,”an Apple spokesperson told IANS on Tuesday.

The assembling of iPhone 7 began last month.Wistron, which announced last-year plans to invest Rs 3,000

crore in the Narasupra industrial sector in Karnataka’s Kolardistrict, started Apple operations with assembling low-endiPhone SE and later iPhone 6S.

According to Wistron India head Gururaj A, the companywould set up an iPhone making unit in the 43 acres of landallotted to it, with employment potential of over 10,000 people.

The new Wistron facility is also set to manufacture a widerrange of Apple’s devices.

Apple is slowly but steadily strategising its plans to makedeeper inroads in a country where over 450 million people usesmartphones, and assembling iPhone 7 is another step towardsgaining more ground.

According to Tarun Pathak, Associate Director at Hong Kong-based Counterpoint Research, the Indian electronics market isgrowing fast and has gained a significant advantage on some ofthe competing countries.

Fitch affirms India’s rating at‘BBB-’ with stable outlook for13th year in row

NEW DELHI (TIP): Fitch on Thursday retained India’ssovereign rating at ‘BBB-’, the lowest investment grade, withstable outlook, saying a weak fiscal position continues toconstrain its rating. This is the 13th year in a row that globalrating agency Fitch has rated India at ‘BBB-’. It had lastupgraded India’s sovereign rating from ‘BB+’ to ‘BBB-’ witha stable outlook on August 1, 2006.

“India’s ratings balance a strong medium-term growthoutlook and relative external resilience stemming fromstrong foreign reserve buffers, against high public debt, aweak financial sector and some lagging structural factors,”Fitch said in a statement. It said a robust growth outlookcontinues to support India’s credit profile. Fitch expectsgrowth of 6.8 per cent in the current fiscal and 7.1 per centin the next, supported by accommodative monetary policy,easing of bank regulations, and government spending.

“A weak fiscal position continues to constrain India’ssovereign ratings. In this regard, the next government’smedium-term fiscal policy will be of particular importancefrom a rating perspective,” Fitch said while affirming thecountry’s long-term foreign-currency Issuer Default Rating(IDR) at ‘BBB-’ with a stable outlook.

The general elections, to be carried out from April 11 toMay 19, 2019, result in some temporary uncertainty aboutthe policy agenda, it said, adding over the past 30 years,governments of different political persuasions have beengenerally reform-minded.

20 THE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2019MISCELLANY

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conbd from page 1

RBI cuts key lending rate by25 basis points

The central bank, however, kept monetary policystance 'Neutral' over uncertainty over monsoon.

It also lowered GDP growth forecast for the 2019-20 to7.2 per cent from 7.4 per cent predicted in Februarypolicy.

In the second policy review under GovernorShaktikanta Das, the six-member Monetary PolicyCommittee voted 4:2 in favor of the rate cut.

The benchmark interest rate was cut by 0.25 per centto 6 per cent, a move which will result in lower cost ofborrowing for banks that are expected to transmit thesame to individuals and corporates.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on February 7 hadlast cut interest rate to 6.25 per cent from 6.5 per cent.

Last time repo rate stood at 6 per cent was in April2018.

The rate cut is in consonance of achieving themedium term objective of maintaining inflation at the4 per cent level while supporting growth, the RBI said inits first bi-monthly monetary policy statement for 2019-20.

"The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) notes thatthe output gap remains negative and the domesticeconomy is facing headwinds, especially on the globalfront. The need is to strengthen domestic growthimpulses by spurring private investment which hasremained sluggish," it noted.

In the monetary policy report the RBI said goingforward, alternative farm support schemes and farmloan waivers announced by some state governments,higher minimum support prices and food procurement,and lower direct tax collections could put upwardpressure on the combined fiscal deficit.

It also said that headline CPI inflation is expected tomove up from its recent lows as the favorable baseeffects dissipate but is expected to remain below thetarget of 4 per cent.

Talking about upside risk to inflation trajectory, it

said, higher crude oil prices, volatility in internationalfinancial markets, the risk of a sudden reversal in theprices of perishable food items, and fiscal slippages aresome of the challenges. (Source: PTI)

Trump threatens tariffs ifMexico does not help with

immigration, drugsTrump told reporters at the White House he would

put tariffs on cars or close the border, but he said hemay start with the tariffs. He also said he would giveMexico a year to try to stop the flow of drugs beforeputting tariffs in place.

Christ Church, NZ massacresuspect to face 89 charges

The police had earlier filed a single, representativemurder charge against 28-year-old Australian BrentonHarrison Tarrant. He is due to appear via video linkduring a brief hearing on Friday, April 5, and won't berequired to enter a plea.

Fifty persons died in the March 15 attacks on twomosques and another 50 were injured.

The police said in a brief statement that they wereconsidering filing more charges against Tarrant butcouldn't comment further as the case was before thecourt.

Tarrant's first appearance was on the day after theattacks in the Christchurch District Court. His case hasnow been moved to the High Court due to theseriousness of the charges. Tarrant has reportedly beenmoved to a high-security prison in Auckland, which iswhy he'll appear via video link.

During the scheduled court hearing, mediaphotographs won't be allowed and reporting on theproceedings will be severely restricted under NewZealand law. The intent of the law is to avoid thepossibility the reporting and images would taint theviews of potential jurors before they hear evidence incourt.

contd form page 10

Jaipur Foot gives lease of life...our responsibilities to carry that teaching and way of

life into the future," he said.Addressing the gathering of eminent diplomats and

prominent members of the Indian-American community,Consul General of Bangladesh in New York, SadiaFaizunnesa commended Jaipur Foot and its US affiliatefor their "tremendous contribution to people andhumanity" across the world, including in her country."This is really a true match about what the Mahatmawanted to say about humanity and what Jaipur Foot isdoing," she said adding that Jaipur Foot has collaboratedwith local hospitals in Dhaka and "through their amazingwork, changing lives of marginalized people at zero cost."She stressed on the close ties between India andBangladesh, expressing gratitude to India for supportingthe humanitarian action taken by Bangladesh insupporting the forcibly displaced Rohingyas fromMyanmar. "We thank India profusely for its veryproactive humanitarian role in that sector also," she said.Gandhi has "upheld the humanity of Indian subcontinentto the world. Bangladesh, its government and its peopleare very much tha2nkful to Gandhi ji for hisphilanthropic views that he has conveyed to the world,"she said as she thanked Jaipur Foot for the wonderfulwork it is doing not only in Bangladesh but also in otherparts of the world.

Malawi's Deputy Permanent Representative to the UNLot Dzonzi said while India is thousands of miles awayfrom his country "but Jaipur Foot, the arm that Indiaextended to my country last year, was able not only totouch over 500 people but was able to change the lives ofthose 500 people. "People who came crawling, leaning ona stick, on a wheelchair were able to walk back homestanding straight. Able to walk back because somebodydecided to deprive themselves of a little comfort and givea gift that has transformed lives," he said. On theoccasion, singer, rapper, inspirational speaker SparshShah, who was born with a genetic disorder that makeshis bones extremely brittle, performed Gandhi's favoritebhajan 'Vaishnav Jana to.' (With inputs from PTI)

CANBERRA (TIP): An Australiansenator was censured by his colleagueson April 3 for seeking to blame thevictims of last month’s mosqueshootings and vilify Muslims.

Sen Fraser Anning was the target ofwidespread condemnation for blamingthe attack in New Zealand onimmigration policies. He faced morecriticism later for physically striking ateenager who cracked a raw egg on hishead in a viral incident in Melbourne.

On Parliament’s second sitting daysince the March 15 attack in which 50people died, government and oppositionlawmakers moved the censure motionagainst Anning for divisive comments“seeking to attribute blame to victims ofa horrific crime and to vilify people onthe basis of religion, which do not reflect

the opinions of the Australian Senate orthe Australian people.”

“Sen. Anning’s comments were uglyand divisive. They were dangerous andunacceptable from anyone, let alone amember of this place,” GovernmentSenate Leader Mathias Cormann told theSenate.

Anning dismissed the censure motionas an attack on free speech. “It is also anexercise in left-wing virtue signalling ofthe worst kind,” he told the Senate beforethe vote.

He sits as an independent lawmakerafter defecting from the anti-Muslim OneNation party, whose two senatorsabstained from the censure vote. OneNation Sen. Peter Georgiou read a speechon behalf of party leader PaulineHanson, who was absent. Hanson said

while Anning’s comments were“untimely and therefore deemed highlyinsensitive, he still maintains a right tohis opinion”.

“If One Nation endorses your action tocensure Sen. Anning, your freedom ofspeech as elected members of thischamber will be removed,” the speechsaid. A day after the Christchurchattacks, Anning faced more criticism forphysically striking the teenager whocracked an egg on his head at aMelbourne public appearance — 17-year-old Will Connolly, who became knownaround the world as “Egg Boy”.

Anning on Wednesday criticised PrimeMinister Scott Morrison for saying at thetime that Anning should “be subject tothe full force of the law” for hisretaliation against Connolly.

Police investigated the altercation butno charges have been announced.

“It might have only been an idiot withan egg this time, but there is acontinuum that begins with this andends with a fanatic with a gun or abomb,” Anning said.

“But apparently, according to PrimeMinister Morrison, that’s okay, as long asthe victims are conservatives,” he added.

After New Zealand Prime MinisterJacinda Ardern previously calledAnning’s comments on the shootings “adisgrace”, her deputy Winston Peters onTuesday called Anning a “jingoisticmoron”. Anning came under blisteringcriticism over tweets within hours of themassacre, including one that said, “Doesanyone still dispute the link betweenMuslim immigration and violence?” AP

Australian senator censured forblaming Muslim victims

“Sen. Anning’s comments were ugly anddivisive. They were dangerous andunacceptable from anyone, let alone amember of this place,” GovernmentSenate Leader Mathias Cormann told theSenate.

The Chaitra Navaratri - a festival inwhich Goddess Durga is worshipped onall days in her nine avatars, normally

falls in the month of March/April every year.This year, it will begin April 6 and willcontinue till April 14.The nine-day puja fallsduring the Chaitra month of the Hinducalendar.This particular Navratri holdsspecial significance, since it heralds thetransition from the season of spring to that ofsummer. It is also called Vasanta Navaratri.

The Origin of Vasanta NavratriIn days long gone by, King Dhruvasindu was

killed by a lion when he went out hunting.Preparations were made to crown the princeSudarsana.

But, King Yudhajit of Ujjain, the father ofQueen Lilavati, and King Virasena of Kalinga,the father of Queen Manorama, were eachdesirous of securing the Kosala throne fortheir respective grandsons. They fought witheach other. King Virasena was killed in thebattle. Manorama fled to the forest withPrince Sudarsana and a eunuch. They tookrefuge in the hermitage of Rishi Bharadwaja.

The victor, King Yudhajit, thereuponcrowned his grandson, Satrujit, at Ayodhya,the capital of Kosala. He then went out insearch of Manorama and her son. The Rishisaid that he would not give up those who hadsought protection under him. Yudhajitbecame furious. He wanted to attack the Rishi.But, his minister told him about the truth ofthe Rishi’s statement.

Yudhajit returned to his capitalFortune smiled on Prince Sudarsana. A

hermit’s son came one day and called theeunuch by his Sanskrit name Kleeba. Theprince caught the first syllable Kli and beganto pronounce it as Kleem. This syllablehappened to be a powerful, sacred Mantra. Itis the Bija Akshara (root syllable) of theDivine Mother.

The Prince obtained peace of mind and theGrace of the Divine Mother by the repeatedutterance of this syllable. Devi appeared tohim, blessed him and granted him divineweapons and an inexhaustible quiver.

The emissaries of the king of Benares orVaranasi passed through the Ashram of theRishi and, when they saw the noble princeSudarsana, they recommended him toPrincess Sashikala, the daughter of the kingof Benares.

The ceremony at which the princess was tochoose her spouse was arranged. Sashikala atonce chose Sudarsana. They were dulywedded. King Yudhajit, who had been presentat the function, began to fight with the king ofBenares. Devi helped Sudarsana and hisfather-in-law. Yudhajit mocked Her, uponwhich Devi promptly reduced Yudhajit andhis army to ashes.

Thus Sudarsana, with his wife and hisfather-in-law, praised Devi. She was highlypleased and ordered them to perform Herworship with havan and other means duringthe Vasanta Navaratri. Then She disappeared.

Prince Sudarsana and Sashikala returnedto the Ashram of Rishi Bharadwaja. The greatRishi blessed them and crowned Sudarsana asthe king of Kosala. Sudarsana and Sashikalaand the king of Benares implicitly carried outthe commands of the Divine Mother andperformed worship in a splendid manner

during the Vasanta Navaratri.Sudarsana’s descendants, namely, Sri Rama

and Lakshmana, also performed worship ofDevi during the Vasanta Navaratri and wereblessed with Her assistance in the recovery ofSita.

Why Celebrate Vasanta Navratri?It is the duty of the devout Hindus to

worship the Devi (Mother Goddess) for bothmaterial and spiritual welfare during theVasanta Navaratri and follow the nobleexample set by Sudarsana and Sri Rama. Hecannot achieve anything without the DivineMother’s blessings. So, sing Her praise andrepeat Her Mantra and Name. Meditate onHer form. Pray and obtain Her eternal Graceand blessings. May the Divine Mother blessyou with all divine wealth!"

What's the Significance of Navratri?During Navaratri, we invoke the energy

aspect of God in the form of the universalmother, commonly referred to as "Durga,"which literally means the remover of miseriesof life. She is also referred to as "Devi"(goddess) or "Shakti" (energy or power).

It is this energy, which helps God to proceedwith the work of creation, preservation anddestruction. In other words, you can say thatGod is motionless, absolutely changeless, andthe Divine Mother Durga, does everything.Truly speaking, our worship of Shakti re-confirms the scientific theory that energy isimperishable.

It cannot be created or destroyed. It isalways there.

Why Worship the Mother Goddess?

We think this energy is only a form of theDivine Mother, who is the mother of all, andall of us are her children. "Why mother; whynot father?", you may ask. Let me just say thatwe believe that God's glory, his cosmic energy,his greatness and supremacy can best bedepicted as the motherhood aspect of God.Just as a child finds all these qualities in hisor her mother, similarly, all of us look uponGod as mother. In fact, Hinduism is the onlyreligion in the world, which gives so muchimportance to the mother aspect of Godbecause we believe that mother is the creativeaspect of the absolute.

Why Twice a Year?Every year the beginning of summer and

the beginning of winter are two veryimportant junctures of climatic change andsolar influence These two junctions have beenchosen as the sacred opportunities for theworship of the divine power because:

(1) We believe that it is the divine power thatprovides energy for the earth to move aroundthe sun, causing the changes in the outernature and that this divine power must bethanked for maintaining the correct balanceof the universe.

(2) Due to the changes in the nature, thebodies and minds of people undergo aconsiderable change, and hence, we worshipthe divine power to bestow upon all of usenough potent powers to maintain ourphysical and mental balance.

CHAITRA NAVRATRI OR VASANTA NAVRATRI

ARISH K. SAHANI SSeerrvviinngg SSiinnccee 11997722

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Arish K Sahani (Father)

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PPAAGGEE SSPPOONNSSOORREEDD BBYY

““IIff HHiinndduuss ddoonn’’tt mmaaiinnttaaiinn HHiinndduuiissmm,, wwhhoo sshhaallll ssaavvee iitt??””

““IIff IInnddiiaa’’ss oowwnn cchhiillddrreenn ddoonn''tt cclliinngg ttoo tthheeiirr ffaaiitthh,, wwhhoo sshhaallll gguuaarrdd iitt??””

““IInnddiiaannss aalloonnee ccaann ssaavvee IInnddiiaa,, aanndd IInnddiiaa aanndd HHiinndduuiissmm aarree oonnee..””

21THE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2019 SPIRITUALITY

22 THE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2019 SPORTS

CAN’T PICK WORLD CUP TEAMON IPL SHOW, SAYS ROHIT

MUMBAI (TIP): India have more or less a settled squadfor the World Cup barring one slot and vice-captain RohitSharma feels skipper Virat Kohli’s preference would mattera lot while sorting out that position.

Rohit believes that for World Cup selection, the playersshould be judged on the basis of “performance and form” inthe last four years, not on how they perform during the IPL.The World Cup begins on May 30, just 18 days after the IPLconcludes on May 12. Rohit said performances in the IPLshould not be a factor in selecting a team for the 50-overformat.

“With their inputs, the selectors will keep an eye on whatis happening with those guys in IPL although I feel IPLshould not be the criteria for team selection,” he said at thelaunch of a cricket website. “They have played enoughinternational matches to see where each individual stands.You can’t select a team for the 50-over format from a 20-overevent, it’s my personal opinion. IPL is a different ball game.It’s franchise cricket and yes, form matters a lot.”

He did acknowledge that the IPL has helped him preparefor big series. “Every time we play IPL, there is some bigevent right after happening — a big Test series or big One-day series. It does help also. 35-plus or 40 guys will probablyneed some rest. I was talking to Jasprit (Bumrah) the otherday,” Rohit said. “He needs to play a lot of matches and bowla lot to be match fit than be at home. I also, as a batter, needto play.”

RR vs RCB: Needed more runs,made too many mistakes whilefielding, says Virat Kohli

JAIPUR (TIP): The win-less streak continues forRoyal ChallengersBangalore but skipperVirat Kohli took solacefrom the fact that theydragged the game againstRajasthan Royals deep andalso hinted that they willmake changes in the side toget right combination forupcoming games.

RCB managed 158 for 4on a difficult wicket butthe hosts chased it down with one ball to spare.

Kohli said they need a few more runs on the board.“Today, we were more competitive. but we were 15-20 short

with the bat. I thought 160 was competitive, but with the dewfactor, 15 runs more would’ve been more challenging,” saidKohli.

The RCB fielders dropped a number of catches and Kohliacknowledged that such mistakes won’t win them games.

Ajinya Rahane and Steve Smith were dropped and theircontributions with the bat helped the hosts win.

“It was not easy to get the boundaries in the secondinnings but if we make that many mistakes (droppedcatches), then we will fall on the losing side. In a tournamentlike IPL, when you have no momentum, then these thingscan happen,” said Kohli.

“The team hasn’t gone off to a good start, and these thingslook really bad. But we have to keep believing that we canturn things around. We played well in Mumbai and tonight,but we need to improve. We need to take some confidencefrom tonight’s game though.” Kohli said the team may makemore changes in the side.

Sunrisers Hyderabad beatDelhi Capitals by 5 wickets

NEW DELHI (TIP): Afghanistan’sMohammad Nabi played a pivotal roleas Sunrisers Hyderabad dished out anall-round effort to record a five-wicketwin over hosts Delhi Capitals andregister their third consecutive victoryin the IPL.

Nabi took two wickets and played anunbeaten knock of 17 runs to helpSunrisers keep their winning runintact. Chasing a modest 130, openerJonny Bairstow smashed a 28-ball 48 toset the foundation but Sunrisers lostfive wickets for 48 runs to slip to 111/5by the end of the 16th over. Nabi andYusuf Pathan (9*) then held theirnerves to take Sunrisers home, scoring131/5 in 18.3 overs. The win tookSunrisers’ overall head-to-head recordagainst the Delhi team at the FerozShah Kotla Stadium to 4-1.

Earlier, Sunrisers dished out asuperb bowling effort on a slow and drywicket to restrict Delhi to 129/8. Delhiskipper Shreyas Iyer emerged as thehighest-scorer with a steady 41-ball 43.

Costly mistakeBairstow got a reprieve early on

when Axar Patel missed a caught andbowled chance in the second over.

The Englishman made Delhi pay forthe mistake, blasting a six and a fouroff Sandeep Lamichhane in the nextover.

He took Chris Morris to the cleaners,smashing three boundaries andanother hit to the fence in the next over.Kagiso Rabada too was treated withdisdain, being sent across the fence

thrice as Sunrisers once again did notlose any wicket in the Powerplay,scoring 62/0. Bairstow was finallydismissed in the seventh over with

Rahul Tewatia trapping him in front ofthe wicket. The opener asked for areview but the decision was notoverturned. Source: PTI

MS Dhoni trumps Pandya’sattempt to ‘Mankad’ him

MUMBAI (TIP): Chennai SuperKings skipper Mahendra Singh Dhonion Wednesday once again proved why heis considered to have one of the sharpestminds in the world of cricket. Even asMumbai Indians all-rounder KrunalPandya ‘probably’ looked to “Mankad’him, the former India skipperoutsmarted the bowler by keeping hisbat inside the return crease.

Bowling to Kedar Jadhav, Mumbai all-rounder Krunal Pandya stopped in hisstride and turned to walk to his bowlingrun-up. While it wasn’t clear from themove if Pandya was looking to just warnDhoni or wanted to ‘Mankad’ him, theCSK captain had already outsmartedhim by staying in the crease.

‘Mankading’ has stolen the spotlightin recent times after Kings XI Punjabskipper R Ashwin ‘Mankaded’Rajasthan Royals batsman Jos Buttlerwithout warning him during theiropening game of the season.

Former India batsman SanjayManjrekar who was in the commentarybox applauded Dhoni and said: “Rightinstincts for Dhoni. The bat was inside,the ball was in the scene. He does mostthings right, just out of instincts. WithDhoni, very rarely will you see him dosomething that is incorrect.”

Last week, Krunal warned MayankAgarwal during MI’s game againstKings XI Punjab even though he had thechance to ‘Mankad’ the batsman. Closeon the heels of the Ashwin-Butlerepisode, Krunal was praised by formerEngland captain Michael Vaughan.“Respect @krunalpandya24… that’sexactly how you deal with a Mankad…Give the Batsman a warning then it’s

open season after that…#IPL2019,”tweeted Vaughan.

The current wording of Law 41.16states: “If the non-striker is out ofhis/her ground at any time from themoment the ball comes into play untilthe instant when the bowler wouldnormally have been expected to releasethe ball, the non-striker is liable to berun out.”

23THE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2019 ASTROLOGY

W E E K LY H O R O S C O P EAPRIL 8 - APRIL 14, 2019

Aries: Ganesha says these are grand times and youmust seize every opportunity. You may beswept off your feet by a potential lover. You arenot excited by the person per se but bysomething within yourself that you areprojecting upon him or her. When you finallylearn the truth about the other person, youmay have difficulty accepting the person andyour fatal attraction. But that is how life iswith its many mysteries and surprises.

Taurus: Ganesha says these are exciting times and youmust savor each mouthful to games, partying,socializing, get-togethers. Yes, your plate is fulland overflowing. Relationships, both personaland professional, give you great pleasure andbenefit you in manifold ways. You looktowards the future with hope and optimism.You find great satisfaction at work and thisjoyful spirit adds color to your life. Ganeshahas truly blessed you.

Gemini: You live large and attract many liaisons, someof which can be dangerous. You could beattracted to an unattainable person. You maybe setting yourself up for a situation in whichyou cannot win as the person you have set yoursights on appears to be an unrealizable dream.You will be torn by several emotions. Shouldyou continue and push ahead or should youwithdraw? You attract attention with youractions and become the source of wondermentand, maybe, even envy.

Cancer: You make many new contacts and haveremarkable career growth. There could beoverseas travel and an affair with a personfrom a completely different culture. Of course,like I keep saying, nothing certain can be saiduntil I refer to the personal horoscope. Theseare all mere generalizations. Ganesha is withyou all the way. Relationships are the centraltheme of this period. You live a lot in a fantasyworld.

Leo: Ganesha says by avoiding confrontations withreal people, you also avoid a confrontationwith yourself. You do this precisely becauseyou fear that you will be the loser. Yet a realconfrontation is just what you need. If youpersist in any of these relationships, you willhave to confront both yourself and yourpartner as real individuals. That will be thereal test of the relationship. Along with allthis, there will also be growth and progress.

Virgo: You can expect sudden windfalls, great wealthor luck, and all kinds of wonderfulopportunities. You may also make investmentsin a second home and take a holiday with thefamily. Take life as it flows, says Ganesha. Therewill be many types of meetings that make youwiser and more mature and have a broaderunderstanding of the world. You will reach outconsciously and unconsciously and ask more ofthe world; along with this, you are alsoprepared to give more of yourself to the world.

Libra: This trend makes you feel either more dmanding or more giving towards others.According to the law of conservation of energyin the universe, you can transform the energiesin your life from one form to another, but youcannot create them out of nothing. Additionally,along with all this, you are also busy with loans,funds, rent, leases, legacies and inheritances.Certainly, by all accounts, Ganesha gives you amixed and sumptuous period.

Scorpio: There is travel on the cards and new ideas andpeople to flirt with. Many old flames andfriends from the past come into your life.There will be new circumstances that give youincreased freedom or an opportunity to dosomething that you have never done before.There will be opportunities for highereducation and travel. Sometimes thisinfluence also brings about financial gains.This is an excellent time to invest or expand inbusiness as long as you are very careful not tooverdo it or overextend yourself.

Sagittarius: There is stability but along with it are manynew influences. You have a strong need toexpress yourself by doing something that isdifferent from your normal routine. It is notthat you want to rebel but you definitely donot want the status quo to continue. You needto experience a new kind of freedom in yourlife and to discover dimensions of living thatyou have not known before.

Capricorn: You are keen on taking risks but just makesure that they are calculated ones. You maysearch for higher realities, for inner truth onthe metaphysical or philosophical level, oryou may just change jobs to experience a newadrenaline rush. It all depends on severalfactors including a personal horoscopereading to be more accurate. But theindications are that there will be change.These are exciting times and Ganesha is wityou all the way.

Aquarius: You are much more receptive to new ideasnow. You look for more novelty, moreoriginality, and this is a good move as you aretired of the boring and the mundane whichhas dominated most of the recent past. Youmay have got into a rut and this is the time toget out of it and make new forays into thebig, wide world. There will be newopportunities or a piece of good luck thatseems to have emerged out of the blue andtaken you by surprise.

Pisces: There will be sudden changes or an eventthat gives you a new chance in some way.There could also be a sudden windfall orpromotion or even a sudden changeencounter that works to your advantage.There are many openings and opportunitiesspread out before you, like a buffet. Make themost of it, says Ganesha. There is travel,expansion and growth. You are in the throesof success and that is most certainly a goodfeeling.

Shree Ganeshaya Namah

Bejan Daruwalla is world's most famousastrologertoday. He appears regularly onworld wide TV shows. Bejan who has been aprofessor in English, hasauthored a numberof books on astrology. India'sPrime MinisterNarendra Modi , on March 29, 2012,lunchedone of Bejan's books, '2012- End oftheWorld? Bejan contributes to a number ofjournals andnewspapers in many parts of theworld which includeBerkley Communications(London) Times of India(Delhi, Mumbai,Kolkata, Chennai) and The IndianPanorama (New York and Texas). Bejan'spredictionshave mostly been correct andpeople the world overrely on his predictions.

Bejan Daruwalla is available for astrological

consultations. He can be reached at

info@bejandaruwalla.com and on phone

011-91-8141234275www.bejandaruwalla.com

24 THE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2019ADVERTISEMENT