ਸਿਡਨੀ 'ਚ ਪੰਜਾਬਣ ਦੀ ਲਾਸ਼ ਬਰਾਮਦ

ਸਿਡਨੀ, 8 ਅਪ੍ਰੈਲ - ਪਿਛਲੇ ਦਿਨੀਂ ਰਾਈਡਮੇਅਰ ਲਾਗਿਓਾ ਮਿਲੀ ਲੜਕੀ ਦੀ ਲਾਸ਼ ਦੀ ਪੰਜਾਬਣ ਕੁੜੀ ਵਜੋਂ ਸ਼ਨਾਖਤ ਹੋਈ ਹੈ | ਪੈਰਾਮੈਂਟਾ ਦੇ ਵਸਨੀਕ ਪ੍ਰਦੀਪ ਕੁਮਾਰ ਨੇ ਲਾਸ਼ ਦੀ ਸ਼ਨਾਖਤ ਕਰਦਿਆਂ ਕਿਹਾ ਕਿ ਇਹ ਉਸ ਦੀ ਪਤਨੀ ਅਮਨ ਦੀ ਲਾਸ਼ ਹੈ | ਪ੍ਰਦੀਪ ਨੇ ਦੱਸਿਆ ਕਿ ਅਸੀਂ ਜ਼ਿਲ੍ਹਾ ਲੁਧਿਆਣਾ ਤੋਂ ਸੰਬੰਧਿਤ ਹਾਂ ਅਤੇ ਵਿਦਿਆਰਥੀ ਵੀਜ਼ੇ 'ਤੇ ਇਥੇ ਰਹਿ ਰਹੇ ਹਾਂ | ਜਾਣਕਾਰੀ ਮੁਤਾਬਿਕ ਪ੍ਰਦੀਪ ਭਾਰਤ ਗਿਆ ਸੀ, ਜਿਸ ਦੌਰਾਨ ਉਸ ਦੀ ਪਤਨੀ ਦੀ ਮੌਤ ਹੋ ਗਈ | ਅਸਲੀ ਕਾਰਨਾਂ ਦਾ ਅਜੇ ਕੁਝ ਪਤਾ ਨਹੀਂ ਲੱਗ ਸਕਿਆ | ਪੁਲਿਸ ਇਸ ਪ੍ਰਤੀ ਹੋਰ ਤਫਤੀਸ਼ ਕਰ ਰਹੀ ਹੈ | ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਕਿਹਾ ਕਿ ਇਹ ਕਹਿਣਾ ਮੁਸ਼ਕਿਲ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਇਹ ਖੁਦਕੁਸ਼ੀ ਹੈ ਜਾਂ ਕਤਲ | ਇਸ ਮਾਮਲੇ 'ਚ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਸਹਿਯੋਗ ਦੀ ਮੰਗ ਕੀਤੀ ਹੈ |

Fiji ex-PM convicted for tax evasion

Suva, April 4

The leader of one of Fiji's main opposition parties, former Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry, was convicted on tax charges today, ruling him out of this year's election in the coup-plagued Pacific nation.

Chaudhry, who became Fiji's first ethnic Indian prime minister in 1999 but was ousted in a coup a year later, was found guilty on three counts of giving false information to tax authorities about bank accounts in Australia.

The conviction means the Fiji Labour Party leader cannot run in Fiji's general election in September, the first to be held in the country since acting prime minister Frank Bainimarama seized power in a bloodless coup in 2006. Under Fiji's constitution, anyone who has been convicted of a criminal offence in the past eight years cannot stand in the election. 

Student from Punjab critical after attack in Melbourne

Melbourne, December 30 
A student from Punjab, Manrajwinder Singh (20), suffered serious injuries in a brutal attack by a group during a night out with two of his friends here yesterday.

The attackers, including a woman, assaulted Manrajwinder on a footpath at Birrarung Marr Park, near Central Melbourne.

The victim was taken to The Alfred hospital with life threatening injuries and later transferred to the intensive care unit.

CCTV footage released by the Victoria police showed the victim standing near a footpath with his friends when he was attacked.

Detective Senior Constable Adam Foley said one of the assailants kicked Manrajwinder in the jaw after a brief conversation and knocked him to the ground. The attackers then assaulted him with a stick.

Another victim, who also belongs to Punjab, suffered swelling and abrasions to the face and was treated by paramedics at the scene. The group robbed them of their mobile phones and wallets.

The third man, a 20-year-old from Noble Park, was not assaulted and managed to run away to seek help.

“This was an opportunistic crime… They saw two vulnerable victims minding their own business and targeted them,” said Foley.

Manrajwinder has been in Australia for the past one year studying bachelor of commerce at the University of Melbourne.

At the hospital, the victim’s brother, Yadwinder Singh, said: “I can’t see my brother in this condition. I just want these culprits to be punished… my brother should get justice.”

Detectives are investigating the case and the Victoria police are on a lookout for the assailants, including eight men perceived to be of African origin and a Caucasian woman.

The Indian consulate said they were in touch with the local authorities and the victim’s family in Punjab.

Robbed of mobile phones, wallets

* Manrajwinder Singh was with two friends when he was attacked by a group of eight men and a woman near a footpath in Melbourne.

* His friend also suffered injuries; the assailants robbed them of their mobile phones and wallets.

* Manrajwinder had arrived in Australia a year ago and was studying commerce in the University of Melbourne.

China Southern airline in plan to back stake in Qantas

China Southern 

Guangzhou -THE biggest airline in Asia, state-owned China Southern, held detailed discussions last year to bankroll a group of wealthy investors - including former Qantas chief executive Geoff Dixon, adman John Singleton and retail king Gerry Harvey - to buy a cornerstone shareholding in the national carrier.

The Weekend Australian understands the powerhouse Asian carrier was introduced to the consortium by billionaire trucking magnate Lindsay Fox and that Mr Dixon held discussions with China Southern chairman Si Xianmin, encouraging the Chinese to provide financial backing for the syndicate, which had acquired a stake of about 2 per cent in Qantas.

While some sources said a draft agreement was reached under which China Southern was prepared to bankroll the consortium to take an initial stake of 19.9 per cent in Qantas, which could eventually rise to 25 per cent, others say the discussions never got to that stage.

The ginger group, which included former Qantas chief financial officer Peter Gregg and venture capitalist Mark Carnegie and was planning to agitate for strategic change at the airline, is believed to have grown impatient waiting for a firm commitment from the Chinese and quietly sold their 2 per cent stake in Qantas in January this year for an estimated $18 million profit.

Qantas signed a code-share deal this week with China Southern, which the Australian carrier believes will drive increased Chinese tourism and cement its presence in the world's second-biggest economy. While China Southern president Tan Wangeng said this week the airline had "no plan as such" to invest in Qantas, there is speculation this may change if the government repealed the Qantas Sale Act.

Under the act, foreign investment in the national carrier is capped at 49 per cent; total ownership by foreign airlines is limited to 35 per cent; and by a single foreign investor to 25 per cent.

Any such move by China Southern would present a fresh dilemma for the government after it knocked back global agribusiness giant Archer Daniels Midland's $3 billion bid for Graincorp.

Tony Abbott said yesterday he might consider allowing foreign companies to take a bigger stake in Qantas. While the Prime Minister preferred to see the company kept in majority Australian hands, he would be happy to look at changes to the Qantas Sale Act if there were no cost to taxpayers.

On Thursday, Qantas shares experienced their biggest one-day fall in 18 months after the airline announced it would lose as much as $300m in the first half of the financial year and slash 1000 jobs over the next 12 months.

Chief executive Alan Joyce revealed that the airline would also consider a radical restructure of its operations, which could include partial sales of its frequent-flyer or Jetstar budget airline operations.

Ratings agency Standard & Poor's downgraded the airline's investment-grade credit rating yesterday to junk status, a move that will increase its borrowing costs and means some institutions may not be able to hold its debt.

Qantas moved to reassure travel agents and passengers that this week's savage profit downgrade would not affect its operations.

Babbu Mann's reaction on detention in Philippines

Manila - The Philippines immigration who illegally arrested a famous Indian actor/singer with his performers while doing a charity fundraiser in Pasay city for Yolanda victims.

The famous actor/singer known as "Babbu Maan" is the equivelant of Elvis Presly in India and is followed by millions.

The 15 member Indian performers had visited Manila in a Pacific tour to promote charity for Yolanda victims, when Philippines immigration swooped in on them after the show on December 4., the performers manager had arranged all the necessary permits but immigration agents demanded money from the manager, when he refused, they arrested all the performers and took them to immigration Bicutan detention center, where they remained locked up with other Indians.

"The detention center is over capacity and we were forced to sleep on the floor like dogs. We were treated like criminals" stated Babbu Maan.

"Babbu Maan" stated that they have traveled to cities all over the world and this was the first time they have ever encountered such problems, that the bold approach of immigration agents demanding money has never happened before.

Babbu Maan said "This will be our last visit ever to the Philippines and i will make sure that India knows how Philippines immigration treats foreigners!"

India, Philippines set to upgrade ties, reinvigorate relations

 

Manila, Oct 22 (TNP) India and the Philippines have set aside years of limited contact and are going to work towards a full and comprehensive upgrade of their bilateral relations which will be manifest in the visit of Indian President Pranab Mukherjee to this country in 2014.

In what was described as an “exceptional meeting” between Indian External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid and Secretary of the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs Albert del Rosario here Monday, the two countries agreed to take their ties to a substantially higher level.

The two country have decided to upgrade their military relations and have the second meeting of the Philippines-India Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) in New Delhi as early as next month, a joint statement issued after the talks said.

The second meeting of the India-Philippines Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation had comprehensive discussions on political, defence, security, economic and cultural cooperation between the two countries. Both sides committed to increasing bilateral trade and investment and maximising the potential on offer.

According to a joint statement issued after the meeting, it was decided that the two countries would work to fully maximize the potential of the Joint Working Group on Trade and Investment. Khurshid welcomed the Philippines’ facilitation in the expansion of Indian investments in this Southeast Asian nation in different sectors, particularly textiles and garments, pharmaceuticals, agribusiness, tourism, renewable energy and automotive parts.

Given the phenomenal growth and symbiotic relationship of Indian and Philippine information technology-enabled services (ITeS) companies, both sides committed to conclude at the earliest a proposed memorandum of understanding in information and communications technology (ICT).

Regarding terrorism, both sides affirmed their condemnation of this global scourge in all its forms and manifestations and reiterated their commitment to expand and deepen cooperation in counter-terrorism. The two countries decided to convene a joint working group on counter terrorism, in New Delhi next year to discuss all issues related to terrorism and other transnational crimes.

Both sides also agreed to start negotiations on a mutual legal assistance treaty in criminal matters (MLAT) in December this year and consider a transfer of sentenced persons agreement (TSP).

Del Rosario also committed to push for the immediate ratification of a Philippines-India extradition treaty.

They also committed to increase exchanges in military training and education. The two sides agreed to step up cooperation in combating non-traditional threats through exchange of experiences and capacity building in areas like disaster management, food security and pandemics.

The Philippines side welcomed the cash support of $100,000 provided by India side for disaster relief following the recent devastating earthquake in that country.

“Secretary Del Rosario also briefed Minister Khurshid on the developments in the West Philippine Sea. Minister Khurshid expressed support for a peaceful resolution of the West Philippine Sea/South China Sea dispute consistent with freedom of navigation and the rule of law,” the statement said.

Del Rosario reiterated the invitation of the Philippines’ President Benigno S. Aquino to Indian President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to visit this country. Welcoming the invitations, Khurshid said that President Mukherjee looked forward looked forward to his visit to the Philippines in 2014.

“Given that personal equations matter in such issues, both Khurshid and Del Rosario hit it off like old friends to start a new chapter in bilateral relations,” Indian Ambassador Amit Dasgupta told IANS.

Australian court defers bail pleas of 2 Indians accused of rape

Melbourne, October 22
The bail pleas of two Indian-origin men from northern India charged of abducting, raping and blackmailing a Canberra woman was today deferred by an Australian court.

Ajitpal Singh (31) and Randhir Singh (20) appeared in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) magistrate's court on charges of rape, abduction, unlawful confinement, and committing acts of indecency and pleaded not guilty.

The duo applied for bail, but Magistrate Peter Dingwall deferred the request until the men's immigration status could be confirmed. The court heard a third man had fled the country back to India earlier this month.

The two allegedly used a dating app to lure the woman into meeting them at the Kippax shopping centre in Holt suburb, according to an ABC report.

It was said that the victim who was from Canberra was also once threatened by the accused who told her that they were aware of her son's school before driving her to an apartment where they repeatedly assaulted and raped her.

The woman told police she had no idea how the men found out her private details, but that she thought she recognised one of the men after they followed her onto a bus at an earlier date.

ACT police said the case was an example of the perils of social media applications. Both men are being held in Canberra's jail while concerns over their immigration status are resolved. The next hearing of the case will be next week. 

India defeated Australia

Jaipur, October 16
What do you do after watching a thriller like the one played out at Sawai Mansingh Stadium on Wednesday - admire India's herculean batting effort or lament the miserable bowling attack that was torn to shreds.

A difficult question to answer, considering that the performances batsmen and bowlers came up with qualify to go down as one of the best and worst in the annals of the Indian cricket.

At the end of the day,however, it's the superlative batting effort that will stay in the minds of the people for a long, long time, pushing the forgettable bowling show into oblivion. And that's how it should be as Indian batsmen scaled an almost insurmountable peak in chasing down a mammoth 359, in what is overall the second highest successful chase and India's best ever in the ODIs. The chase, in addition to the fabulous victory, also gave India its fastest centurion in this format - Virat Kohli who hammered unbeaten hundred off just 52 balls, studded with eight hits to the boundary and seven over it.

The match, before this incredible effort, looked all but lost for India after the Australians butchered Indian attack to put up a record 359 - the same total they amassed in the 2003 World Cup final against India, with all of their top five batsmen hammering half-centuries, a first in the ODIs.

With nothing short of a shot required at history for victory, it's only fair to assume that the opening pair of Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma would have had more doubts than hope swirling in their head as they walked out to the middle.

But with every passing over, as they grew in confidence and the strokes started flowing from their willows, the hope returned, and everyone sat tight in anticipation of the victory that they would retell everyone who had not been fortunate enough to witness it.

The faint glimmer of hope started flickering a little more violently when the raced to hundred with loss, and then, in no time, India had 176 runs on the board without loss. At this juncture, India lost Dhawan, missing the highly deserved hundred merely by five runs.

If one thought he had seen the best knock of the day, punctuated with rasping pulls and thumping cover drives and ferocious cuts, and Australia had got the window of opportunity they were desperately looking for, it didn't take him long to stand corrected.

Entered Virat Kohli, and the balance tilted even more rapidly in India's favour. While Rohit Sharma also played an impressive 141-run knock, it was the stunning hundred from off just 52 balls from Virat Kohli, the fastest by in Indian in the ODIs, that took away one' breath and the game from Australia. "It was just an unbelievable knock from Virat. No matter what we did, he just going…that's was pretty much the turning point of the game for me," said Australia captain George Bailey.

It was indeed an incredible assault from the Delhi boy, something impossible to describe in words. All one could say is that the harder the Australians threw the ball at him, the farther it flew into the stands. He got into the thick of things the moment he arrived on the wicket, and soon the ball was flying to all corners of the stadium.

The Australians just didn't know what and where to bowl, and soon the daunting target was overhauled just like that with plenty to spare, 6.3 overs and nine wickets. An incredible win indeed!

The Indian bowlers, too, must have taken some heart and consolation from the beating their counterparts took. Given the limitation of this particular attack, no one was expecting them to bowl the Aussies out for a modest total. 

All one would have hoped for was par performance, not letting Australians set a target that was tucked away in the realms of the impossible. Yet, that's what exactly happened. It all began with the pacers inability to pick up early wicket. Aaron Finch and Phil Hughes saw off the new ball without any damage yet again, putting on 74 run for the first wicket. With the platform laid, the following batsmen, Shane Watson (59), George Bailey (92) and Glenn Maxwell (52) tore apart the Indian attack.

While the charge from the Aussies was of course brutal, the bowlers were guilty of offering them easy pickings, bowling short of length, full tosses and over-pitched stuff with alarming regularity.

SCOREBOARD

Australia
Finch run out (Raina) 50
Hughes c Dhoni b Ashwin 83
Watson c I Sharma b Vinay 59
Bailey not out 92
Maxwell run out (Raina) 53
Voges c Kumar b Vinay 11
Haddin not out1
Extras: (lb 5, w 5) 10
Total (5 wickets; 50 overs) 359
Fall of wickets: 1-74, 2-182, 3-212, 4-308, 5-347
Bowling
B Kumar 10-0-54-0
I Sharma 9-1-70-0
Vinay 9-0-73-2
Jadeja 10-0-72-0
Ashwin 8-0-50-1
Yuvraj 4-0-35-0

India
Rohit not out 141
Dhawan c Haddin b Faulkner 95
Kohli not out 100
Extras: (lb 5, w 21) 26
Total (1 wicket; 43.3 overs) 362
Fall of wickets: 1-176
Bowling
Johnson 9-1-68-0
McKay 7-0-64-0
Watson 5-0-47-0
Doherty 10-0-70-0
Maxwell 5.3-0-48-0

Faulkner 7-0-60-1

ਮਨ ਪਰਦੇਸੀ ਜੇ ਥੀੲ

ਕਿਸੇ ਖਿੱਤੇ ਦੀ ਜ਼ਮੀਨ, ਕਿਸੇ ਚੌਗਿਰਦੇ 'ਚ ਵਗਦੀ ਹਵਾ-ਪਾਣੀ ਤੇ ਪਲਰਦੀਆਂ ਫ਼ਸਲਾਂ ਉਥੋਂ ਦੇ ਵਾਸੀਆਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਸੋਚਾਂ ਪਾਲਦੇ-ਢਾਲਦੇ ਤੇ ਉਸਾਰਦੇ ਰਹੇ ਹਨ ਪਰ ਜਦੋਂ ਜਰਬ ਤਕਸੀਮ ਹੁੰਦੇ, ਉਹੀ ਖੇਤ ਭੀੜੇ ਹੋ ਜਾਣ, ਖੜ੍ਹੀਆਂ ਫਸਲਾਂ ਸਮੇਂ ਦੀ ਮਾਰ ਨਾ ਝੱਲਦੀਆਂ ਸਿਰ ਸੁੱਟ ਜਾਣ, ਮੁਰਝਾ ਜਾਣ ਜਾਂ ਬੀਜਣ ਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਦੀ ਭੁੱਖ ਦਾ ਸਿਰ ਪਲੋਸਣ ਤੋਂ ਬੇਵੱਸ ਹੋ ਜਾਣ ਤਾਂ ਉਸ ਧਰਤੀ ਦੇ ਬਸ਼ਿੰਦੇ ਆਪਣੀਆਂ ਊਣੀਆਂ ਝੋਲੀਆਂ ਪੁਰ ਕਰਨ ਲਈ ਅੱਕੀਂ ਪਲਾਹੀਂ ਹੱਥ ਮਾਰਦੇ ਹੋਰਨਾਂ ਧਰਤੀਆਂ ਵੱਲ ਅਹੁਲਦੇ ਹਨ। ਲੋੜਾਂ ਥੋੜਾਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਖੱਡਾਂ ਮੁੰਦਦਿਆਂ ਗਰਜਾਂ ਦੇ ਮੇਚਦਾ ਹੋ ਕੇ ਖੜ੍ਹਦਿਆਂ ਜਾਂ ਸੁਪਨਿਆਂ ਦਾ ਸਿਰ ਪਲੋਸਦਿਆਂ ਲੋਕ ਇਕ ਖਿੱਤੇ ਤੋਂ ਦੂਜੇ ਵੱਲ ਸਰਕਦੇ ਹਨ। ਪਿੰਡ ਦੀਆਂ ਜੂਹਾਂ ਟੱਪਦੇ ਹਨ, ਸੁਪਨਿਆਂ ਨਾਲ ਸਜਾਏ ਸ਼ਹਿਰ ਲੰਘਦੇ ਹਨ ਤੇ ਫਿਰ ਕਦੇ ਦੇਸ਼ ਨੂੰ ਹੀ ਅਲਵਿਦਾ ਆਖਦੇ ਸਰਹੱਦਾਂ ਟੱਪ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ। ਪੰਜਾਬ ਦੀ ਧਰਤੀ ਨੂੰ ਆਖਰੀ ਸਲਾਮ ਆਖਦਿਆਂ ਹੀ ਕਈ ਮਨਾਂ ਅੰਦਰ ਸ਼ੂਕਦੇ ਦਰਿਆਵਾਂ ਵਰਗੀ ਖੁਸ਼ੀ ਇਸ ਰੀਝ ਨੂੰ ਜਨਮਦੀ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਅਸੀਂ ਤਾਰਿਆਂ ਦੀ ਧਰਤੀ ਵੱਲ ਜਾ ਰਹੇ ਹਾਂ। ਮਿੱਟੀ, ਘੱਟੇ, ਧੂੜ, ਸ਼ੋਰ-ਸ਼ਰਾਬੇ ਤੋਂ ਦੂਰ ਭੱਜਣ ਨੂੰ ਮਨ ਸੱਚ ਹੀ ਵਿਆਕੁਲ ਹੋ ਉਠਦਾ ਹੋਵੇਗਾ। ਇਥੋਂ ਤੁਰਨ ਵੇਲੇ ਇਹ ਥਾਂ ਭੀੜੀ-ਭੀੜੀ ਲਗਦੀ ਹੈ। ਸੀਨੇ ਵਿਚ ਸਰਕਦੇ ਸੁਪਨਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਮੋਕਲੀ ਥਾਂ ਲਈ ਪੈਂਦੀ ਦੱਸ ਹਾਕ ਮਾਰਦੀ ਹੈ। ਜਿਥੇ ਕਲਮਨੋਕ 'ਤੇ ਵੀ ਸੰਗੀਨਾਂ ਦੇ ਪਹਿਰੇ ਨਾ ਹੋਣ, ਜਿਥੇ ਨਿਆਂ ਵੱਲ ਝਾਕਦੀ ਕਿਸੇ ਫਰਿਆਦੀ ਦੀ ਫਾਈਲ ਊਠ ਦਾ ਬੁੱਲ੍ਹ ਡਿੱਗਣ ਵਾਲੀ ਜੂਨ ਨਾ ਭੋਗਦੀ ਹੋਵੇ। ਬਿਨਾਂ ਕਿਸੇ ਅਨੁਸ਼ਾਸਨ, ਬਿਨਾਂ ਪਾਬੰਦੀ ਅਤੇ ਲਾ-ਇਲਾਜੀ ਨਾਲ ਜੂਝਦਿਆਂ ਹਰ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਦੀ ਇਹ ਇੱਛਾ ਰਹੀ ਹੋਵੇਗੀ ਕਿ ਨਵੀਂ ਧਰਤੀ 'ਤੇ ਨਵੇਂ ਰਾਹ ਉਲੀਕਦਿਆਂ ਜ਼ਿੰਦਗੀ ਨੂੰ ਮੁੜ ਵਿਉਂਤ ਲੈਣ ਦਾ ਮੌਕਾ ਪ੍ਰਾਪਤ ਕੀਤਾ ਜਾਵੇ, ਜਿਥੇ ਇਸ ਦੇਹੀ ਦੇ ਪੂਰੀ ਤਾਣ ਨਾਲ ਦੁਨੀਆ ਭਰ ਦੀਆਂ ਖੁਸ਼ੀਆਂ ਇਕੱਤਰ ਕਰਕੇ ਮਨ ਅੰਦਰ ਪਸਰੀ ਭੁੱਖ ਨੂੰ ਤ੍ਰਿਪਤ ਕਰਨ ਦਾ ਹੀਲਾ ਜੁਟਾਇਆ ਜਾਵੇ, ਕਈ ਵਸਤਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਸੱਖਣੇ ਘਰਾਂ ਵਿਚ ਪਲਦਿਆਂ ਅੰਦਰਲੇ ਤਰਸੇਵੇਂ ਦਾ ਸਿਰ ਪਲੋਸਿਆ ਜਾਵੇ। ਉਸ ਸਮੇਂ ਪਰਾਈ ਧਰਤੀ ਵੱਲ ਤਾਂਘ ਅਤੇ ਇਹ ਤਰਸੇਵਾਂ ਏਨਾ ਮੂੰਹ ਜ਼ੋਰ ਹੋ ਖੜ੍ਹਦਾ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਗੱਲ ਲਗਭਗ ਵਿਛੜਦੇ ਸਭ ਰਿਸ਼ਤਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਅੰਦਰਲੀ ਕਾਹਲ ਲਾਹ-ਲਾਹ ਸੁੱਟ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਹੈ। ਜਿਹੜੇ ਅਜਿਹੀ ਪ੍ਰਾਪਤੀ ਤੱਕ ਨਹੀਂ ਪੁੱਜ ਸਕਦੇ, ਉਹ ਉਸ ਨਾਲ ਜਾਂ ਈਰਖਾ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ ਜਾਂ ਰਸ਼ਕ ਕਰਦੇ ਵਿਥ 'ਤੇ ਖੜ੍ਹੋ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਨੇ। ਫਿਰ ਓਪਰੀਆਂ ਧਰਤੀਆਂ ਤੋਂ ਪਰਤੇ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਮੂੰਹੋਂ ਦੱਸੀਆਂ ਪਰਚਾਰੀਆਂ ਗੱਲਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਦੂਰ ਵਸਦੀ ਧਰਤੀ ਦਾ ਕਿਆਸ ਪਲਦਾ ਹੈ। ਹਰਚੰਦ ਸਿੰਘ ਬਾਗੜੀ ਦੀਆਂ ਸਤਰਾਂ ਇਥੇ ਪੁਸ਼ਟੀ ਕਰਦੀਆਂ ਹਨ:-
ਕਰਕੇ ਸ਼ੌਪਿੰਗ ਵੀਜ਼ੇ 'ਤੇ
ਅਸੀਂ ਵਤਨੀ ਗੇੜਾ ਲਾਨੇ ਹਾਂ,
ਸਾਨੂੰ ਪੱਟਿਆ ਹੋਰਾਂ ਨੇ
ਅਸੀਂ ਹੋਰਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਪੱਟ ਜਾਨੇ ਆਂ।
ਆਪਣੇ ਪੇਟ ਨੂੰ ਦੇ ਗੰਢਾਂ
ਚੰਦ ਪੇਟ ਹੋਰਾਂ ਦਾ ਭਰਦੇ ਹਾਂ,
ਨਾ ਪੁੱਛ ਕੈਨੇਡਾ ਵਿਚ
ਯਾਰਾ ਅਸੀਂ ਕਿਵੇਂ ਗੁਜ਼ਾਰਾ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਾਂ।
ਪਰ ਗੌਲਣ ਵਾਲਾ ਨੁਕਤਾ ਇਹ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਦੋਵਾਂ ਅੰਦਰ ਹੀ ਇਕ ਖਲਾਅ ਪਲਦਾ ਹੈ। ਏਧਰਲਿਆਂ ਅੰਦਰ ਉਸ ਅਪ੍ਰਾਪਤ ਸੰਸਾਰ ਨੂੰ ਵੇਖਣ ਨੂੰ ਜੀ ਭਰਮਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ। ਉਧਰ ਵਸਦਿਆਂ ਅੰਦਰ ਇਥੋਂ ਮਨਫ਼ੀ ਹੋ ਜਾਣ ਦਾ ਖਦਸ਼ਾ, ਤੇਰ-ਮੇਰ ਵਾਲੇ ਦਾਅਵੇ ਦੇ ਹੂੰਝੇ ਜਾਣ ਦਾ ਝੋਰਾ ਸਿਰ ਚੁੱਕਦਾ ਹੈ। ਪੰਜਾਬ ਬੈਠਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਕੈਨੇਡਾ, ਅਮਰੀਕਾ, ਇੰਗਲੈਂਡ ਦੂਰ ਵਸਦਾ ਸੰਸਾਰ ਹੈ। ਪਰੀ ਕਥਾ ਵਰਗਾ, ਮੁਹੱਬਤੀ ਖਤਾਂ ਦੇ ਪੜ੍ਹਨ ਵਰਗਾ ਜਾਂ ਰੱਜ ਕੇ ਮਾਣੇ ਸਾਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਸਾਥ ਵਰਗਾ, ਜਿਸ ਨੂੰ ਵੇਖਣ ਨੂੰ, ਵਰਤਣ ਨੂੰ ਅਤੇ ਵਸਣ ਲਈ ਮਨ ਤਾਂਘਦਾ ਹੈ। ਹੋਰਨਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਕਾਤਰਾਂ ਵਿਚ ਸੁਣੀਆਂ ਜ਼ਿੰਦਗੀ ਦੀਆਂ ਸਭ ਟਾਕੀਆਂ ਸਿਉਂ ਕੇ ਬਣਾਈ ਵਧੀਆ ਜ਼ਿੰਦਗੀ, ਸੁਪਨਿਆਂ ਵਿਚ ਪੁੰਗਰਦੀ ਹੈ। ਥੋੜ੍ਹੀ ਸਮਾਈ ਕਰਕੇ ਵੇਖੀਏ ਤਾਂ ਸਮਾਜ ਦੇ ਝੱਗੇ 'ਤੇ ਲੱਗੀਆਂ ਜੇਬਾਂ ਵਰਗੇ ਬੰਦੇ ਹਰ ਥਾਂ ਹੀ ਹੁੰਦੇ ਹਨ। ਉਹ ਉਥੇ ਵੀ ਹਨ, ਇਥੇ ਵੀ ਹਨ। ਮੈਨੂੰ ਇਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਵਿੱਥਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਗੌਲਣ ਦਾ ਕਈ ਵਾਰ ਮੌਕਾ ਮਿਲਿਆ ਹੈ। ਕਹਿੰਦੇ ਹਨ ਜਿਹੜੇ ਲਾਹੌਰ ਕਮਲੇ ਸੀ, ਇਧਰ ਵੀ ਕਮਲੇ ਈ ਹਨ। ਭਲਾ ਥਾਂ ਬਦਲਣ ਨਾਲ ਮਨ, ਸੁਭਾਅ, ਆਦਤਾਂ, ਬਚਪਨ ਹੰਢਾਇਆ ਅਹਿਸਾਸ, ਸੀਨੇ ਵਿਚ ਸਮੋਈਆਂ ਯਾਦਾਂ ਥੋੜ੍ਹੋ ਤਬਦੀਲ ਹੋ ਸਕਦੀਆਂ ਹਨ। ਪਿਆਰ, ਮੋਹ-ਤ੍ਰੇਹ, ਮਮਤਾ ਭਰਿਆ ਮਨ ਉਹ ਵੀ ਰੱਖਦੇ ਹਨ, ਇਹ ਵੀ ਰੱਖਦੇ ਨੇ। ਲਾਲਸਾਵਾਂ ਦੀ ਉਂਗਲ ਫੜ ਕੇ ਉਹ ਵੀ ਰਿਸ਼ਤੇ ਮਧੋਲ ਸੁੱਟਦੇ ਨੇ, ਇਹ ਵੀ ਦਗਾ ਕਰ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਨੇ। ਫਿਰ ਦੂਰ ਖੜ੍ਹੋ ਕੇ ਤੋਹਮਤਾਂ, ਮੇਹਣੇ-ਤਾਅਨੇ ਦੇਣ ਨਾਲ ਕੁਝ ਵੀ ਹੱਥ ਨਹੀਂ ਲਗਦਾ। ਦੋਵਾਂ ਪਾਸਿਆਂ ਤੋਂ ਹੀ 'ਬੁਰੇ ਭਲੇ ਹਮ ਥਾਰੇ' ਤੱਕ ਪੁੱਜਣਾ ਪਏਗਾ। ਸੋ ਜੀਅ ਤਾਂ ਸਭ ਦਾ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ ਵੱਖ-ਵੱਖ ਥਾਂਵਾਂ 'ਤੇ ਵਸਦੇ ਸਭ ਪੰਜਾਬਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਖੁੰਗ ਕੇ ਨਾਲ ਲਾ ਜਾਈਏ ਜਾਂ ਦੋਵਾਂ ਥਾਂਵਾਂ 'ਤੇ ਵਸਦੇ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਵਟੇ-ਵਟਾ ਲਈਏ। ਪਰ ਇਹ ਹੋਣਾ ਸੰਭਵ ਨਹੀਂ। ਸੋ, ਆਪਾਂ ਦੋਵਾਂ ਥਾਂਵਾਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਵੱਖ-ਵੱਖ ਸਥਿਤੀਆਂ ਵਿਚ ਵਸਦੇ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਖਾਹਿਸ਼ਾਂ ਦਾ, ਸੁਪਨਿਆਂ ਦਾ ਜਾਂ ਸਾਂਝਾਂ ਦਾ ਤੇ ਹੋਈਆਂ-ਬੀਤੀਆਂ ਦਾ ਬਸ ਲੇਖਾ-ਜੋਖਾ ਜਿਹਾ ਹੀ ਪੇਸ਼ ਕਰ ਸਕਦੇ ਹਾਂ।
ਐਨਾ ਹੂਲਾ ਫਕ ਕੇ, ਜਾਨ ਜੋਖੋਂ ਵਿਚ ਪਾ ਕੇ, ਨਹੁੰ-ਮਾਸ ਵਰਗੇ ਰਿਸ਼ਤੇ ਵਖਰਾਅ ਕੇ ਜਦੋਂ ਬਿਗਾਨੇ ਮੁਲਕਾਂ ਦੀ ਮਸ਼ੀਨੀ ਜ਼ਿੰਦਗੀ ਦੇ ਪੁਰਜ਼ਿਆਂ ਨਾਲ ਆਪਣਾ-ਆਪ ਤਰਾਸ਼ਦੇ ਲੋਕ ਅੰਦਰੋਂ ਊਣੇ-ਊਣੇ ਫਿਰਦੇ ਦਿਸਦੇ ਨੇ ਤਾਂ ਹੈਰਾਨੀ ਹੁੰਦੀ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਖੁਸ਼ੀ ਵਿਹਾਜਣ ਗਏ, ਚੰਗੀਆਂ ਪੂਰੀਆਂ ਪਾ ਆਏ ਨੇ। ਵਸਤਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਝੋਲੀਆਂ ਭਰਦੇ ਰੂਹ ਵਿਚ ਮੋਰੀਆਂ ਕਰਵਾ ਆਏ ਨੇ। ਫਿਰ ਇਹ ਲੋਕ ਉਥੋਂ ਦੇ ਕਾਇਦੇ-ਕਾਨੂੰਨ ਨੂੰ ਨਵਾਬੀ ਜੁੱਤੀ ਦੀ ਕੈਦ ਜਾਣਦੇ ਨੇ। ਇਹ ਲੋਕ ਨੁੱਚੜੇ ਜਿਹੇ, ਉਨੀਂਦਰੇ ਜਿਹੇ, ਅਤ੍ਰਿਪਤ ਜਿਹੇ ਤੇ ਰਸਹੀਣ ਜਿਹੇ ਹੋ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਨੇ। ਵੰਨ-ਸੁਵੰਨੀਆਂ ਵਸਤਾਂ ਜਾਂ ਸਾਮਾਨ ਨਾਲ ਤੁੰਨੇ ਘਰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਤਸੱਲੀ ਦਾ ਦਮ ਨਹੀਂ ਭਰਦੇ। ਜਦੋਂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਅੰਦਰ ਇਹ ਖਲਾਅ ਪਲਦਾ ਹੈ ਤਾਂ ਵਸਤਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਸੱਖਣੇ ਪਰ ਰਿਸ਼ਤੇ ਨਾਤਿਆਂ, ਸਕੀਰੀਆਂ ਨਾਲ ਭਰੇ-ਭੁਕੰਨੇ ਘਰਾਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਯਾਦਾਂ ਸਕੂਨ ਦਿੰਦੀਆਂ ਹਨ। ਫਿਰ ਖੇਤ ਦੀ ਵੱਟ 'ਤੇ ਬੈਠ, ਹੱਥ 'ਤੇ ਧਰ ਕੇ ਰੱਖੀ ਰੋਟੀ ਤੇ ਅੰਬ ਦੇ ਆਚਾਰ ਦੀ ਫਾੜੀ ਦਾ ਮਹਿਕ ਭਰਿਆ ਸਵਾਦ ਛੱਤੀ ਪਦਾਰਥ ਚੱਖੇ ਹੋਣ ਪਿੱਛੋਂ ਵੀ ਉਘੜ ਪੈਂਦਾ ਹੈ।
ਖੁਸ਼ੀ ਵਿਹਾਜਨ ਲਈ ਚਾਰਦੀਵਾਰੀ ਅੰਦਰ ਬੰਦ ਹੋਣਾ ਨਹੀਂ, ਸਗੋਂ ਹੋਰਨਾਂ ਕੋਲ ਨਿਰ-ਸਵਾਰਥ ਸਾਥ ਲੈ ਕੇ ਜਾਣਾ ਪੈਂਦਾ ਹੈ। ਜਿਥੇ ਰੂਹ ਸ਼ਾਂਤ ਹੋ ਸਕੇ, ਜਿਥੇ ਯਾਦਾਂ ਘਰ ਦੇ ਬਨੇਰਿਆਂ ਤੇ ਖਿਲਰੀ ਧੁੱਪ ਦੇ ਸੁਪਨੇ ਪਾਲ ਸਕਣ। ਅਜਿਹੇ ਅੰਤਲੇ ਪੜਾਅ 'ਤੇ ਹਰ ਕੋਈ ਆਪਣੇ ਅੰਦਰ ਲੱਗੀ ਉੱਲੀ ਨੂੰ ਲਾਹੁਣ ਲਈ ਹੀਲੇ ਜੋੜਦਾ ਹੈ। ਕਦੇ ਗੁਰਦੁਆਰੇ ਦੀ ਸੰਗਤ, ਕਦੇ ਮੇਲੇ ਦਾ ਹਿੱਸਾ, ਕਦੇ ਕਿਤੇ ਘਰ ਵਿਚਲੀ ਰੌਣਕ ਦਾ ਟੋਟਾ ਬਣਦਾ ਖੁਸ਼ੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਪੌੜੀ ਲਾਉਣ ਦੇ ਬਹਾਨੇ ਘੜਦਾ ਹੈ। ਉਮਰਾਂ ਸਿਰੋਂ ਲੰਘੀਆਂ ਧੁੱਪਾਂ-ਛਾਵਾਂ ਸੱਜਰੀਆਂ ਹੋ ਹੋ ਖੜ੍ਹਦੀਆਂ ਨੇ, ਕੰਨ ਪਛਾਣੀਆਂ ਆਵਾਜ਼ਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਤਰਸ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ। ਰੱਬ ਨਾ ਕਰੇ ਜੇ ਇਸ ਪਹਿਰ ਤੱਕ ਪੁੱਜਦਿਆਂ ਔਲਾਦ ਦਗਾ ਦੇ ਜਾਏ ਤਾਂ ਪਛਤਾਵਾ ਹੀ ਪੱਲੇ ਰਹਿ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੋਵੇਗਾ।
ਬੀਤੀ ਜ਼ਿੰਦਗੀ ਦੇ ਵਰ੍ਹੇ ਨਾ ਡਿਲੀਟ ਹੋ ਸਕਦੇ ਨੇ ਤੇ ਨਾ ਰਿਪੀਟ ਹੋ ਸਕਦੇ ਨੇ। ਪਰ ਮਨ ਵਾਰ-ਵਾਰ ਅਜਿਹਾ ਕਰਨ ਦੀ ਲੋਚਦਾ ਹੈ। ਇਹੀ ਸਭ ਸੋਚਦਿਆਂ ਸਾਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਮੋਹਲਤ ਪੁੱਗ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਹੈ। ਪਰ ਕੁਝ ਗੱਲਾਂ ਤੈਅ ਹਨ ਕਿ ਖੁਸ਼ੀ ਖਰੀਦੀ ਨਹੀਂ ਜਾਂਦੀ। ਕਿਸੇ ਨੂੰ ਆਪ ਦੇ ਕੇ ਬੈਂਕ ਵਿਚ ਜਮ੍ਹਾ ਪੂੰਜੀ ਵਾਂਗ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਕਿਸੇ ਨੂੰ ਦੇ ਕੇ ਫੇਰ ਹੀ ਹਾਸਲ ਕੀਤੀ ਜਾ ਸਕਦੀ ਹੈ। ਵੈਨਕੂਵਰ ਦੀ ਨਿਰਮਲ ਆਖਦੀ ਹੈ, ਇੰਡੀਆ ਮੈਂ ਸੁਣਦੀ ਸੀ ਬਈ ਸਰੀਰ ਮਰ ਜਾਣ, ਆਤਮਾ ਜਿਊਂਦੀ ਰਹਿੰਦੀ ਐ। ਪਰ ਕੈਨੇਡਾ ਮੈਂ ਕਈਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਜਾਣਦੀ ਆਂ ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਆਤਮਾ ਤਾਂ ਮਰੀ ਹੋਈ ਐ ਪਰ ਬੰਦੇ ਤੁਰੇ ਫਿਰਦੇ ਨੇ। ਮੈਂ ਕੈਨੇਡਾ ਬੱਬੀ ਨੂੰ ਪੁੱਛਿਆ, ਕੀ ਫਰਕ ਹੈ ਆਪਣੇ ਤੇ ਇਸ ਮੁਲਕ ਦਾ। ਉਸ ਨੇ ਇਕ ਸਤਰ ਜਵਾਬ ਦਿੱਤਾ, ਇੰਡੀਆ ਵਿਚ ਕੋਈ ਸਿਸਟਮ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੈ, ਇਥੇ ਬਸ ਸਿਸਟਮ ਹੀ ਸਿਸਟਮ ਹੈ।
ਸੰਘਾ ਦੱਸ ਰਿਹਾ ਸੀ, ਬਈ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਵਿਚ ਸੜਕ 'ਤੇ ਤੁਰਦਾ ਆਦਮੀ ਡਰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਕਿਤੇ ਭੱਜੀ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਕਾਰ ਹੇਠ ਈ ਨਾ ਆ ਜਾਵਾਂ। ਪਰ ਕੈਨੇਡਾ ਵਿਚ ਕਾਰ ਸਵਾਰ ਡਰਦਾ ਹੈ ਕਿਤੇ ਤੁਰਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਆਦਮੀ ਕਾਰ ਹੇਠ ਨਾ ਆ ਜਾਵੇ। ਪੰਜਾਬ ਵਿਚ ਰੋਟੀ ਖਾਂਦੇ ਸੀ ਜਦੋਂ ਰੋਟੀ ਮਿਲਦੀ ਸੀ ਪਰ ਇਥੇ ਰੋਟੀ ਖਾਂਦੇ ਹਾਂ ਜਦੋਂ ਵਿਹਲ ਮਿਲਦੀ ਹੈ। ਪੰਜਾਬ ਵਿਚ ਬਿਨਾਂ ਵਿਹਲ ਮਿਲੇ ਤੋਂ ਸੌਂ ਲਈਦਾ ਸੀ ਪਰ ਇਥੇ ਸਾਰਾ ਕੈਨੇਡਾ ਅਣਸਰਦੇ ਨੂੰ ਸੌਂਦਾ ਹੈ। ਪੰਜਾਬ, ਜੇ ਅਸੀਂ ਬੇਲੀਆਂ ਨਾਲ ਰਲ ਕੇ ਖੇਡਣ ਭੱਜਦੇ ਸੀ, ਘਰ ਦੇ ਨਿੱਤ ਸਾਡੀ ਗਰਦ ਝਾੜਦੇ ਸੀ ਪਰ ਅਸੀਂ ਇਥੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਬੱਚਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਭੱਜ-ਭੱਜ ਪੈਂਦੇ ਹਾਂ ਕਿ ਕਦੇ ਤਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਦਿਆਂ ਨਾਲ ਰਲ ਕੇ ਖੇਡ ਲਵੋ। ਇਉਂ ਅਸੀਂ ਸਭ ਜੋ ਸਾਡੇ ਕੋਲ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਗੌਲਣ ਦੀ ਥਾਂ ਜੋ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਉਸ ਵੱਲ ਨੂੰ ਅਹੁਲਦੇ ਹਾਂ। ਮਰਨ ਤੋਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਰੱਜ ਕੇ ਜੀਅ ਲੈਣ ਨੂੰ ਸਭ ਦਾ ਮਨ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ। ਜਦੋਂ ਵਿਦੇਸ਼ੀ ਵਸਿਆਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਕਿਸ਼ਤਾਂ ਭਰਦਿਆਂ ਕਿਸ਼ਤਾਂ ਵਰਗੀ ਜੂਨ ਵੇਖਦੇ ਹਾਂ ਤਾਂ ਮਨ ਆਪਣੇ ਇਸ ਹਾਸਲ 'ਤੇ ਸੰਤੁਸ਼ਟ ਹੋ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ। ਲਿਖੀ ਸਤਰ ਦੀਆਂ ਖਾਲੀ ਥਾਂਵਾਂ ਭਰਨ ਜੋਗੀ ਜ਼ਿੰਦਗੀ ਜਿਊਂਦੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਲੋਕਾਂ 'ਤੇ ਤਰਸ ਆਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ। ਕਦੇ ਕਿਹਾ ਗਿਆ ਸੀ, 'ਨਾਨਕ ਦੁਖੀਆ ਸਭ ਸੰਸਾਰ' ਪਰ ਹੁਣ ਕਈ ਲੋਕ ਇਸ ਦੀ ਅਗਲੀ ਸਤਰ ਪੂਰਦੇ ਹੋਏ ਘਰ ਤੋਂ ਬਾਹਰ ਹੋਣ ਨੂੰ ਸੁਖ ਦਾ ਆਧਾਰ ਮੰਨ ਰਹੇ ਹਨ। ਪਰ ਜੇ ਮਨ ਪਰਦੇਸੀ ਹੋ ਜਾਏ ਤਾਂ ਹਰ ਥਾਂ ਹੀ ਓਪਰਾ ਹੋ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ। - ਬਲਵਿੰਦਰ ਕੌਰ ਬਰਾੜ-

Happy New Year 2013

NRI Post wishes all NRI brothers & sisters a very happy, joyful & prosperous New Year. 
May all your dreams, desires & hopes will be fulfilled in 2013 !

How to instantly lower your car windows with the key remote

A convenient feature that's been around for years, but remains unknown to many car owners, is the ability to lower the windows with the key remote. This allows you to begin cooling your car without having to get in first. Unless the car dealership told you about this trick or you happen to read manuals for fun, you may have been unaware of this ages-old trick.

The trick usually involves pressing the remote's unlock button, releasing it, then pressing it again and holding it down. In some cars, instead of using the remote, you can insert your key in the door lock and turn it clockwise, release, then turn it clockwise again and hold. Turning the key counterclockwise will usually raise the windows back up. Some cars will also include the sunroof as a window in this operation, while some convertibles with automatic tops will shut.

Based on an internal CNET poll, Reddit user comments and CNET user comments, we've confirmed that the trick works on various models from the following manufacturers:

• Acura (MDX/TL/TSX)
• Alfa Romeo (159)
• Audi (A3/A4/A6/A7)
• BMW (3 Series/5 Series/7 Series/M5/Z4)
• Chevrolet (Corvette)
• Chrysler (Sebring/Town & Country)
• Dodge (Challenger/Charger/Durango/Journey/Ram)
• Ford (C-Max/F-150/Focus/Fusion/Mondeo/S-Max/Taurus)
• Honda (Accord/Accord Crosstour/Odyssey/Pilot/Ridgeline)
• Infiniti (G25x/G35/G37/I30/I35/M35)
• Jaguar (S Type/XJ8/XK8)
• Lexus (ES300/GS350/RX300/RX350/RX400h)
• Lincoln (LS/MKX/MKZ/Zephyr)
• Mazda (6/CX-9/MX-5 Miata)
• Mercedes-Benz (B180/C240/C300/CLK350/CLS550/E350/E500/ML550)
• Mini Cooper (Clubman)
• Nissan (350Z/Altima/Maxima/Murano/Titan)
• Volkswagen (Beetle/Golf/Jetta/Passat)
• Volvo (C30/V50)

ਨਿਊਜ਼ੀਲੈਂਡ 'ਚ ਮਾਪੇ ਮੰਗਵਾਉਣ ਲਈ ਲੱਗ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ ਸੱਤ ਸਾਲ ਦਾ ਸਮਾਂ

ਆਕਲੈਂਡ, 22 ਅਗਸਤ (ਹਰਜਿੰਦਰ ਸਿੰਘ ਬਸਿਆਲਾ)-ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਬਿਹਤਰ ਭਵਿੱਖ ਅਤੇ ਫਿਰ ਵਤਨੀ ਰਹਿ ਗਏ ਆਪਣੇ ਮਾਪਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਪੱਕੇ ਤੌਰ 'ਤੇ ਨਿਊਜ਼ੀਲੈਂਡ ਬੁਲਾਉਣ ਦਾ ਸੁਪਨਾ ਹੁਣ ਘੱਟ ਆਮਦਨ ਵਾਲੇ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਨੀਂਦਾਂ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਸੱਤ ਸਾਲ ਤੱਕ ਦੇ ਲਈ ਗਾਇਬ ਰਹਿ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ, ਕਿਉਂਕਿ ਨਿਊਜ਼ੀਲੈਂਡ ਦੇ ਇਮੀਗ੍ਰੇਸ਼ਨ ਮੰਤਰਾਲੇ ਨੇ ਪਿਛਲੀ 16 ਮਈ ਤੋਂ ਦੇਸ਼ ਦੀ ਆਰਥਿਕਤਾ ਤੇ ਰਹਿਣ-ਸਹਿਣ ਦੇ ਉਚੇ ਮਾਪਦੰਢਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਮੁੱਖ ਰੱਖ ਅਮੀਰ ਅਤੇ ਗਰੀਬ ਦੀ ਵੰਡ ਕੁਝ ਇਸ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਕੀਤੀ ਕਿ ਘੱਟ ਆਮਦਨ ਵਾਲੇ ਦੀ ਅਰਜ਼ੀ ਨੂੰ ਪੱਕੇ ਹੋਣ ਦਾ ਵੀਜ਼ਾ-ਫਲ ਲੱਗਣ ਤੱਕ ਸੱਤ ਸਾਲ ਤੱਕ ਦਾ ਸਮਾਂ ਵੀ ਲੱਗ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ, ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਨੇ ਨਵੀਂ ਨੀਤੀ ਲਾਗੂ ਹੋਣ ਤੋਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਅਰਜ਼ੀ ਦਾਖਲ ਕਰ ਦਿੱਤੀ ਹੋਵੇਗੀ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਪੰਜ ਸਾਲ ਤੱਕ ਦਾ ਸਮਾਂ ਲੱਗ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ। ਅਮੀਰ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਦੀ ਗੱਲ ਕਰੀਏ ਤਾਂ ਪੰਜ ਲੱਖ ਨਿਊਜ਼ੀਲੈਂਡ ਡਾਲਰ ਲਿਆਉਣ ਵਾਲੇ ਮਾਪੇ ਜਾਂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਸਪਾਂਸਰ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਬੱਚੇ ਜੇਕਰ ਸਾਲਾਨਾ ਇਕ ਨਿਰਧਾਰਤ ਉੱਚ ਆਮਦਨ (65000 ਤੋਂ 90,000 ਡਾਲਰ ) ਰੱਖਦੇ ਹੋਣ। ਉਹ ਡੇਢ ਸਾਲ ਵਿਚ ਇਥੇ ਪਹਿਲ ਦੇ ਆਧਾਰ 'ਤੇ ਆ ਸਕਣਗੇ। ਇਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਗੱਲਾਂ ਦਾ ਪ੍ਰਗਟਾਵਾ ਇਥੋਂ ਦੇ ਰਾਸ਼ਟਰੀ ਅਖ਼ਬਾਰ ਹੈਰਲਡ ਨੇ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ। ਇਹ ਨਵੀਂ ਨੀਤੀ ਲਾਗੂ ਹੋਣ ਤੋਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਭਾਰਤ ਸਮੇਤ ਕਈ ਹੋਰ ਦੇਸ਼ਾਂ ਦੇ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਨੇ ਹਜ਼ਾਰਾਂ ਦੀ ਗਿਣਤੀ ਵਿਚ ਅਰਜ਼ੀਆਂ ਦਾਖਲ ਕਰ ਦਿੱਤੀਆਂ ਸਨ, ਜੋ ਕਿ ਪੰਜ ਸਾਲ ਤੱਕ ਦੇ ਸਮੇਂ ਵਿਚ ਵਿਚਾਰੀਆਂ ਜਾਣ ਦੀ ਆਸ ਹੈ।

Philippines rescues sea turtles from poachers' net

Philippine authorities rescued 14 protected sea turtles that were caught in a net laid down by Chinese poachers, a navy commander said Saturday.

However one sea turtle was already dead when a joint team from the navy and the environment department arrived Friday in the remote area off the western island of Palawan, said Major Ferdinand Atos.
Atos, commander of naval forces in the area, said informants had told them that Chinese poachers planted the net a week ago in the coastal district of Balabac.
"They enter the waters of Balabac, riding in a speedboat and they plant their nets, using their contacts among the locals," he told AFP.
The 200-metre (660-foot) net left by the poachers was removed and the 14 surviving sea turtles were set free, Atos said.
He said informants had told them that Chinese fishermen used their contacts to enter the area frequently and would bring their catch to Half-Moon Shoal, an outcrop in the Spratly islands claimed by both the Philippines and China.
The shoal has come under closer scrutiny after China announced that one of its naval frigates had run aground there.
Sea turtles are protected under Philippine law and catching them is punishable by at least 12 years in jail.
Chinese fishermen poaching in Philippine waters have become an issue in recent months.
In April, Philippine authorities tried to arrest Chinese fishermen taking sea turtles and other protected species from Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea.
They were blocked by Chinese government ships, triggering a continuing standoff over the area which is claimed by both countries.

No service tax to be levied on NRI remittances: FinMin

New Delhi, July 10

The Finance Ministry today clarified that no service tax would be levied on NRI remittances from overseas.

The clarification by the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC), which functions under the Finance Ministry, follows concerns over reports that there was a move to levy 12 per cent tax on money sent back home by Indians abroad under the changed service tax regime from July 1.

The CBEC said in a circular “that the matter has been examined and it is clarified that there is no service tax per se on the amount of foreign currency remitted to India from overseas”. In the negative list regime, “service” excludes transaction in money. As the amount of remittance comprises money, the activity does not comprise a “service” and is not subjected to service tax, the circular clarifies.

It further added that “in case any fee or conversion charges are levied for sending such money, they are also not liable to service tax as the person sending the money and the company conducting the remittance are located outside India. Such services are deemed to be provided outside India and thus not liable to service tax”.

It has been further clarified that even the Indian counterpart bank or financial institution which charges the foreign bank for the services provided at the receiving end, is not liable to service tax as the place of provision of such service is outside India.

The clarification will alleviate concerns of NRIs as India is one of the top recipient of remittances ($64 billion in 2011), according to the World Bank data. Given the dire need for dollar at a time when current account deficit is high and Rupee is under pressure, any move to levy service tax on NRI remittances would have been disastrous.

CMs of Punjab and Kerala, which are among the states receiving the largest remittances from NRIs, had taken up the matter with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

M Rafeeque Ahmed, president, Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), said that towards addressing the trade deficit, remittances were the single largest source of unconditional flow of foreign exchange into India, according to estimates by the World Bank. Given the slowdown and declining levels of foreign exchange, service tax could only act as a deterrent to precious incoming foreign exchange, he added.

He said the waiver of service tax on the same would ensure that this stable source of foreign exchange would continue to maintain the delicate balance of payments position of India at this moment of global crisis. 

WHY THE CLARIFICATION  Concerns were being expressed over reports that there was a move to levy 12% tax on money sent back home by Indians abroad under the changed service tax regime from July 1 THE FINAL WORD  The matter has been examined and it is clarified that there is no service tax per se on the amount of foreign currency remitted to India from overseas  As the amount of remittance comprises money, the activity does not comprise a “service” and is not subject to service tax  In case any fee or conversion charges are levied for sending such money, they are also not liable to service tax as the person sending the money and the company conducting the remittance are located outside India

Philippine Brides, Don't Be a Fool

 

What to know when considering a Philippine Bride


Filipina women make great wives. If you’re looking for an Asian wife then the Philippines is a good place to look for a wife. Filipinas are mostly Catholic, so they treat marriage much more seriously than many Thai or Chinese women do. In Thailand or China divorce is routine so women don’t always take as much care choosing a partner as they would in the Philippines.

Unfortunately Filipina dating scams are very common. Standards of living in the Philippines are very low, and much lower than a lot of neighboring Asian countries. Consequently scamming Western men on dating sites is a lucrative industry.

The Philippines is a poor country and has a reputation for relationship fraud. Of course there are plenty of good, beautiful and honest women seeking marriage with foreigners. There is also an active population of scammers, fraud schemes and old fashioned gold diggers. Some women seek financial gain and lifestyle upgrades, an escape from poverty. Others are actually seeking a loving relationship, marriage and something new and exciting. How to tell this difference is the key question.

If she asks for money, put the brakes on. Beware of family or medical "emergencies" where the woman needs cash and financial support fast. Know that sending money via Western Union is likely lost in the event that she's a scammer. Understand that the scammers are professional criminals and are very difficult to distinguish between an honest and trustworthy woman.

Educated yourself by reading about scam and fraud methods. Knowing about the different scams will help you recognize any foul play. The schemes and fraud efforts vary in strategy, but all have one thing in common, money. Money is usually requested in the form of advance fee fraud, where the criminal needs help with school, medical, rent, family, visa, etc. You can read more about the fraud types at Wikipedia's site for relationship fraud and advance fee fraud. This is a major step in prevention.

Once you understand the fraud types and warnings signs, consider a trip to the Philippines. Get to know her and her country. See for yourself who you're dealing with. This is a key step in not only preventing fraud, but also in establishing a meaningful relationship. Take time to get to know her. A Philippine woman in a hurry to marry is a major red flag.

Lastly, if all checks out, get a professional background check by a firm with a local presence in Manila and Cebu. Wymoo offers confidential investigations and has years of experience dealing with potential brides and relationships in the Philippines.

Best of luck, and do your homework!


Admin
EdmontonToday

China urges Philippines to refrain from stirring public opinion

Map showing the disputed areas in the West Philippine Sea (south China Sea), including the Spratlys Islands and Scarborough Shoal. Courtesy:AFP

MANILA, Philippines—China has urged the Philippines to refrain from making remarks that will influence public opinion about the ongoing dispute over the Scarborough Shoal.

In a statement posted on the Chinese government’s website, Hong Lei, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, disapproved of President Benigno Aquino’s statements to the press on Wednesday that a military plane would fly over the shoal once the weather cleared and he would order government vessels back there if Chinese ships were still the area.

“China hopes the Philippine side will do more to help the development of bilateral ties and refrain from stirring public opinion, so as to safeguard the recovery of bilateral ties,” the report quoted Hong as saying.

Hong claimed that “the Philippine warships’ harassment of Chinese fishermen in early April single-handedly caused the tension in the area. He added the Philippines’ tough, high-profile stance on the issue continued to heighten tensions after the incident.

But the tensions have eased recently, and the two sides are making efforts to repair bilateral relations, he said.

Sought for comment, Raul Hernandez, Department of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, said:

“We have been trying to de-escalate the tension in the area that’s why we urge our Chinese friends to refrain from making any comment that would tend to re-escalate the tension. Our goal is to deescalate the tension and be able to talk about the issue of Bajo de Masinloc in a diplomatic and peaceful manner.”

Located 220 kilometers west Zambales, Scarborough Shoal is within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone recognized under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos).

But China insists it owns nearly the entire South China Sea, which Manila calls West Philippine Sea, and claims Scarborough Shoal, which it calls Huangyan Island.

The Philippine Navy caught Chinese fishermen poaching sharks and collecting rare clams and corals inside the shoal’s lagoon on April 8. Chinese government vessels came to the poachers’ rescue, blocking Philippine vessels to prevent their arrest.

The Philippine and Chinese vessels faced off with each other at the shoal for more than two months until tensions eased last Friday after diplomats from both countries agreed to pull back.

President Aquino ordered a Philippine Coast Guard patrol vessel and a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources survey ship home last Friday night to take shelter from the approaching Typhoon “Butchoy.” China, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs, had committed to remove its vessels, too.

But this week, Philippine officials said half-a-dozen Chinese government vessels and 30 fishing boats remained at the shoal.

Hernandez said the Philippines would continue to pursue its legal track in order to resolve the territorial dispute.

“We believe the legal track is the way forward in this issue as this would enable us to resolve this in a more durable and permanent manner. We are still preparing to pursue this legal track through a dispute settlement mechanism under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos),” he told reporters.

Hernandez said they have yet to verify if China had already pulled out its vessels from the lagoon. He said an aircraft has yet to conduct a fly-by in the area to determine if there are still fishing boats inside the lagoon.

“The last count of ships at Bajo de Masinloc was on June 19. There were six government ships outside the lagoon and around 30 fishing vessels inside,” he said.

China, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs, withdrew two government vessels during the weekend.

The Chinese Ministry of Transport announced late last week that more than 20 fishing boats in the shoal’s lagoon were being called home because of bad weather.

Despite statements from China that it had no plans of leaving the shoal, the DFA had insisted that talks were going on for the withdrawal of the Chinese government vessels that were positioned outside the lagoon.

The United States on Thursday called on the Philippines and China to sit down and find a peaceful solution to their territorial dispute in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

US Ambassador Harry Tomas Jr. in a news forum said Washington “has been very clear on our commitment to support a resolution of these claims in a peaceful manner at the negotiating table.”

The DFA said Thomas’ remarks were a reiteration of the US government’s expression of support for the Philippines on the West Philippine Sea issue.

“During the 2+2 meeting in Washington, (US) Secretary (of State Hillary) Clinton expressed deep concern about what was happening in the West Philippine Sea and stated that the US has been plain and consistent in asking China to clarify its motivation and interest in the region,” Hernandez said.

Hernandez added that Clinton also urged all parties to ”subscribe to a rules-based approach in resolving competing claims in maritime areas through peaceful, collaborative, multilateral and diplomatic processes within the framework of international law, including as reflected in Unclos.”

“This is the same position that the Philippines has repeatedly conveyed to China,” Hernandez stressed.

Manpneet Kaur is crowned Miss Australia Punjaban 2012

Melbourne - Manpuneet Kaur Grewal a first year Accounting student at Melbourne's Deakin University, was crowned ‘Miss Australia Punjaban 2012’ at a well attended and appreciated event held here.  She has secured a place to compete with other contestants who will be representing other parts of the world and vying for the title of ‘Miss World Punjaban 2012’.

The main event is due to be held at Ludhiana in Punjab in November 2012.

Australian born Manpuneet Kaur, a 9’9” ‘Punjaban Mutiyar’ who resides in Melbourne and is studying commerce at Deccan University, impressed the judges with her beauty, knowledge and talent to bag the prestigious title.

Parminderjit Waraich from Brisbane finished Ist runner-up while Gagandeep Kaur from Melbourne was declared 2nd Runner-up.  

Ten beautiful Punjabans hailing from Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney took part in the show organized by Sabhayachark Sath Punjab in association with South Pacific Institute.

The different rounds showcasing talent of the contestants were of immense interest to the audience. The contestants danced to the tune of Punjabi folk songs, displayed special talents and had a question-answer round where they were asked questions related to Punjabi Heritage.

Jagpreet bagged award for Best folk Dance, Ramandeep Kaur bagged award for being declared ‘Gunwanti Panjaban, Baljit Kaur was declared ‘Sughar-Syani Punjaban’ and Rajdip Kaur was conferred with ‘Gidhian di Rani’ sub-title. Amrit Kaur, Navjot and Semris were given special prizes.

Renowned Literary Personality Dr.Satish Verma who had specially flown from India, SBS Radio Anchor Manpreet Kaur and known Bhangra Expert Varinder Saran, were the judges at the event.

Gurvinder Singh Nagra welcomed the guests and audience while Harleen Sohana and Dr. Preetinder Grewal were the anchors for the show.

Teams of ‘Folk Art’, ‘Bhangra Rockers’, ‘Bhangra Federation’ regaled the audience with their performances. Parddeep Kaur, Poonam and their team members also presented Punjabi dance items. Charnamit Singh made the audience laugh with his comedy items.

Punjabi woman Roopak Kaur Sodhi who is the first Punjaban to be recruited in Victoria Police and ‘Singh Sabha Bhangra Group’ – contestants of ‘Australia has got Talent’ were specially honoured for their contribution towards the community.  They were awarded by Harbhajan Singh Khaira and Kanwalpreet Singh Sandhu.
Ajit Singh Rahi’s book ‘Teeja Ghallughara’ was released during the show.

Chairman-Director Jasmer Singh Dhatt told ‘Yes Punjab’ that those who contributed their best to make the show a success include Amardeep Singh, Manjot Kaur Dhaliwal, Amanpreet Singh, Upkar Singh, Gurpal Singh, Jaskunwar Singh.  

Others present include Prem Singh Khaira and Ruban Sohana from Sydney, Jasmel Singh Khaira, Gurpreet Singh Sangha, Sukhdeep Deol, Imtiyaz Khan and Ravi.
The event, fourth of its kind in Australia, hosted under the direction and supervision of Chairman-Director Jasmer Singh Dhatt at Monash University’s Robert Blackwood Hall with a capacity of 1100 was well received and well attended.

Jasmer Dhatt said that ‘Miss World Punjaban 2012’ beauty pageant has taken  a start with Australia event and now the  pageant is scheduled to  travel to Europe, America, Canada, New Zealand and Pakistan where such events shall select more Punjabi beauties to take part in the finals to be held at Ludhiana.

Australian tycoon 'is world's richest woman'

Australia's richest person Gina Rinehart has eclipsed Wal-Mart heiress Christy Walton to become the world's wealthiest woman, according to an annual index by Business Review Weekly.

A preview of the respected BRW Rich 200 list, published Wednesday, put the mining tycoon's personal fortune at Aus$29.17 billion (US$28.48 billion), a figure that sees her outstrip Walton for the first time.

In March, Forbes placed Walton and her family's net worth at US$25.3 billion, while Rinehart's fortune stood at US$18 billion.

BRW rich list editor Andrew Heathcote said mining magnate Rinehart had almost tripled her wealth in 12 months as commodity prices rose and she pulled off two deals in iron ore and coal.

"The Aus$18.87 billion increase in her wealth is unparalleled. It is a product of foreign investment in new projects, increased production and a recovery in the iron ore price over the past six months," said Heathcote.

Rinehart, 58, heiress to an iron ore prospecting empire built in Australia's resources-rich west, is a controversial figure who stridently campaigned against new mining taxes and recently bought up big in the media sector.

She is also locked in a series of lawsuits, including an acrimonious row with her own children over a family trust where she has been accused of threatening to financially ruin them.

Heathcote said Rinehart was on track to overtake Mexican telecommunications tycoon Carlos Slim -- worth US$69 billion -- as the world's richest person as demand ramps up for Australia's natural resources.

"A $100 billion fortune is not out of the question for Rinehart if the resources boom continues unabated," said Heathcote.

"There is a real possibility that Rinehart will become not just the richest woman in the world but the richest person in the world."

The full BRW list of Australia's richest people, the upper rungs of which are usually dominated by mining tycoons, will be unveiled on Thursday.

Scarborough Shoal belongs to Philippines, old maps show

Manila - Old maps dating back to Spanish colonial times may hold the key to the claim of the Philippines to Scarborough Shoal.

Known as “Bajo Scarburo,” the shoal now called Panatag by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), has been part of the known world since 1734, when European cartographers began to map the world in an age of conquest.

In fact, Bajo Scarburo appeared on a map of the “Archipelago Filipino” as a constituent part of Sambalez (Zambales province) in a topographic map of the country “drawn under the direction of Ildefonso de Aragon on April 15, 1820.”

Senator Edgardo J. Angara, who has a collection of ancient maps of the country, told the Philippine Daily Inquirer on Sunday that the maps would easily disprove the territorial claim of China to the shoal and its surrounding waters, which, he said, had no historical or legal grounds under the United Nations Convention on the Laws of the Sea (Unclos).

“It’s clear that Scarborough Shoal is part of our cartography during the Spanish colonial times,” he said. “We have maps (reproduced) from the original, which was made in 1734. During that time, Scarborough is already part of the Philippines.”

The DFA has asked Beijing to resolve the dispute through arbitration in the United Nations-backed International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea, but China swiftly rejected this.

As in the dispute over the Spratly Islands involving six nations, including the Philippines and China, Beijing has always preferred bilateral, where it has a clear advantage over smaller nations, over a multilateral approach.

But the DFA is standing by its decision to seek international arbitration with or without China.

The manuscript maps can be found in full-color in the hardbound book titled, “Mapping the Philippines: The Spanish Period,” authored by Angara, Jose Ma. A. Cariño and Sonia P. Ner, and published by the Rural Empowerment Assistance and Development in September 2009.

The book contains another map, which was published in Madrid in 1875 and republished by the US Department of War in 1899, a year after the Philippines was ceded to the United States in the Treaty of Paris. It bears the description: “This is a general map of the Philippine Archipelago arising from the work of the Hydrographic Commission of the Philippines under the command of Claudio Montero y Gray.”

‘Mother of all maps’

The 1875 map was the “product of the most comprehensive mapping and charting work in the Philippines lasting more than 20 years (1849-1870).”

Angara said the original maps were deposited at Spain’s Museo Naval de Madrid.

A Jesuit scholar, Pedro Morillo y Velarde, came up with the first “complete map of the Philippines,” said the senator. This was later known as the “Morillo Map,” which delineated the Philippine territory under Spanish rule, and which became the basis for the Treaty of Paris.

Three original copies of the Morillo Map are kept in Madrid, Paris and Washington, which were parties to the treaty.

For US$20 million, the treaty gave away the Philippines to the United States following the humiliating defeat of Spain in the Spanish-American War, which ended Spain’s empire in the Americas and the Pacific and set the stage for US colonial hegemony.

“We have a historic title to it (Scarborough Shoal) as early as the 17th century. It’s already on our map. All the cartographic maps subsequent to 1734 were based on the Morillo Map. It was the mother of all maps,” Angara said.

Strong evidence

“That should be a strong evidence of our ownership of Scarborough,” he said.

He noted that Scarborough Shoal’s “extreme proximity” to Zambales, 220 kilometers, compared to 840 km from the nearest coast of China in Hainan province.

Asked whether the maps would establish beyond any doubt the Philippine sovereignty over Scarborough, Angara said: “It’s one strong evidence, and we have other pieces of evidence.”

Angara, who coauthored Senate Bill No. 2181, which defines the baseline of the Philippine archipelago, said maps had always interested him.

“This fascination extends to collecting old maps. I think I was initially attracted to them out of curiosity and because of their age and rarity. Maps define our territory and our sense of nationhood. As a student of history, I realize how maps determine the fate of both the colonized and the colonizers, and how even to this day, the matter of geographic boundaries and the desire to expand or defend them underlie most of the turmoil in the world,” he said.

Fresh tension between China and the Philippines over South China Sea

New Delhi, May 10
Amid escalating tension between China and the Philippines over the South China Sea, India today expressed concern over the emerging situation over differing territorial claims in the region and urged both nations to exercise restraint.
''We have been following with concern recent developments involving China and the Philippines in the South China Sea. Maintenance of peace and security in the region is of vital interest to the international community,'' MEA spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said in response to a question.
The spokesman said India would urge both countries to exercise restraint and resolve the issue diplomatically according to principles of international law.
The China-Philippines territorial dispute over the Scarborough Shoal, small islands in the South China Sea that both nations claim as their own, has generated intense tension between them.
A China Daily editorial echoed warnings in the state-run media that China was ready to use military might to crush the Philippines' claim over the shoal.
Since April 8, the two countries have anchored their non-military ships at the shoal as a means to assert their right and sovereignty. China claims almost the entire South China Sea as its territorial waters.
Earlier this week, China warned the Philippines not to "misjudge" its resolve over the disputed island, saying it was "fully prepared" to respond to any move by Manila to escalate the situation.
India has always maintained that territorial disputes in the South China Sea have to be resolved by the nations in the region diplomatically, though it has asserted that international shipping and navigation rights in the region should be upheld.
In recent months, India and China have also been engaged in a war of words over India's decision to undertake oil exploration in the blocks allotted to it by Vietnam in the South China Sea.

Territorial dispute

The China-Philippines territorial dispute over the Scarborough Shoal, small islands in the South China Sea that both nations claim as their own, has generated intense tension between the two countries.

Travel warning escalates China-Philippine row

China has told its citizens that they are not safe in the Philippines, in the latest development in a month-long row between the two nations over rival claims in the South China Sea.

Chinese travel agencies on Thursday said they had suspended tours to the Philippines, under government orders, while the Chinese embassy in Manila advised its nationals already in the country to stay indoors in run-up to planned protests.

"Avoid going out at all if possible, and if not, avoid going out alone. If you come across any demonstrations, leave the area, do not stay to watch," the embassy's advisory said.

A coalition of Philippine activist groups are planning to hold rallies at Chinese embassies around the world on Friday to support the Philippines in the dispute.

Organisers hope thousands of people will attend what they expect to be the biggest of the rallies, in Manila, and the Chinese embassy's safety alert was circulated chiefly to warn its nationals about that protest.

The safety alerts came as the Chinese state media reported Beijing was prepared to use military force to end the standoff over the Scarborough Shoal islands that both nations claim as their own.

"No matter how willing we are to discuss the issue, the current Philippine leadership is intent on pressing us into a corner where there is no other option left but the use of arms," the China Daily newspaper said in an editorial.

"Since ancient times, our nation has deemed war the last resort in handling state-to-state relations. But Manila is living in a fantasy world if it mistakes our forbearance for timidity."

The two nations have had non-military vessels stationed at the shoal since April 8 in an effort to assert their sovereignty to the area.

The dispute began when Philippine authorities in April detected Chinese ships fishing there. They attempted to arrest the crew, but were blocked by Chinese surveillance vessels that were quickly deployed to the area.

The shoal sits about 230km from the Philippines' main island of Luzon. The nearest major Chinese landmass is 1,200km northwest of the shoal, according to Philippine navy maps.

The Philippines insists its claims to the area are backed by international law, but China claims virtually all of the South China Sea as its territory, including waters close to the coasts of the Philippines and other Asian countries.

Taiwan, Brunei, Vietnam and Malaysia also claim parts of the sea, which is believed to sit atop vast oil and gas resources.
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