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July 12th Show

In Conversation Part 1 In Conversation Part 2 Hosts Ramesh Butani and Aastha Verma have their usual (but spirited) commentary on Presidential politics, especially tax plans by the two candidates: Senator McCain and Senator Obama. They discuss their choices for VP candidates. Other stories discussed this week include: - Market research firm--Blue State--which is considered Senator Obama’s “secret weapon” is winning many corporate clients who would like to use his business model for their companies; - Craps vs. Poker: A favorite pastime of Senator McCain is game of Craps which is considered a game for showmen, Hollywood stars and basketball legends. Senators Obama enjoys Poker and is known to have raked in so many pots in his late-night games with political friends (story in Time Magazine); - Sant Chatwal (a millionaire hotelier and a close friend of the Clintons) pledges to raise $10M for Senator Obama; - Washington Post – a rare recording of speech by Mahatma Gandhi has been found – those interested in hearing Gandhi’s speeches can visit the Gandhi Memorial Center in Chevy Chase, MD; - Kids attending a new type of camp: Money-wise camp – where they learn to manage money, credits cards, rents and mortgages! - Rapper, Snoop Dogg has an “item number” in the upcoming movie, “Singh is King” (to be released in August); - With all the “gloom and doom” news that is being aired by various news channels, our host—Ramesh Butani—suggests that viewers must watch (or read) at least one happy story each day! Interview with Max Desfor Sonya Gavankar talks to Photojournalist, Max Desfor.  Max won a Pulitzer Prize in 1951 for his work in Korea but before that he was assigned to cover India from 1946 thru India’s independence from the British.  Max shot the famous picture of Jawaharlal Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi in 1946 at a meeting of the Indian Congress Party.  This iconic photograph became world famous and the Indian Government issued it in the form of a postage stamp later.  Thru his pictures Max has documented India’s history during the 1946-1947 Hindu-Muslim strife, assassination of Mahatma Gandhi and his cremation, partition of India and other important events that took place at that time.   Tribute to V. Venkateswara Rao: Dinesh Verma pays a heart-felt tribute to Venkateswara Rao who was a Counselor at the Indian Mission in Kabul, Afghanistan and was killed in a terrorist attack on July 7, 2008. While posted at the Indian Embassy in Washington, DC, Venkat was known not just for his high professional qualities, but also for the bubbly enthusiasm which endeared him to all his friends and colleagues.

July 5th Show   In Conversation Part 1 In Conversation Part 2 Hosts Ramesh Butani and Sonya Gavankar are in a “July Fourth Holiday” mood and their conversation reflects it. They have talked about stories on: - The Folk Life Festival currently being held on the Washington Mall. This year’s Festival features the country of Bhutan where the 100-year monarchy was recently replaced by democracy. Bhutan has a huge refugee problem and the US has agreed to accept 60,000 Bhutanese refugees. - The New York City spends $1 million on July 4th fireworks but China plans to spend $4 million on fireworks during the upcoming Olympic games! - Amid food scares and environmental woes, some Americans are transforming their neatly trimmed front yards into organic showcases of vegetables and fruits! Our hosts talk about the “Incredible Edible Front Lawn” – story featured in the Time magazine. - Lost Amazon Tribe is not actually lost because a plane flying low in the Amazon jungle has photographed it from the air to prove its existence. - US Congress leaves for summer vacation without passing a long-awaited rescue bill that would allow homeowners “on the edge” to get new mortgages backed by Federal Government. - The two Presidential candidates, Senator McCain and Senator Obama “face-off” on the US economy and their plans for fixing it. Fortune magazine says that Barack Obama wants rich people and big companies to pull more weight. John McCain wants to give them more incentives! - “Cinderella” weddings are becoming a thing of the past as more women are choosing small weddings to save money!   New York Life Documentary: "Making of NYL Commercials – Behind the Scenes" For the South Asian market, the New York Life Insurance Company produces the most beautiful commercials that touch-your-heart! If you have ever wondered what happens behind the scenes when these commercials are filmed, or want to learn how many people are involved and how much work goes into producing these commercials, then this documentary will surely answer your questions! You will find the Corporate Vice President (for Cultural Markets) – Ashwin Verma – travels to India to personally supervise production of these commercials. There, he also wears a director’s hat and guides young Indian actors who perform in these commercials . This is one way in which NYL “gives back” to the Indian community.     "Bhangra Bash" by Ami Patel: Our young co-host, Ami Patel, took her camera to her high school (Thomas Jefferson School for Science & Technology) to do this special piece. She tells you the story of how today’s young people have fun and at the same time raise money for a good cause. Teams from five area high schools came together to participate in a Bhangra competition. They were able to enjoy an evening of clean fun and raised $3200 for India Literacy Project. Ami has interviewed dancers Monica Ajinkia, Jacob Kohn, Abi Kapuria, Vishaka Ravishankar and TJ’s Club Sponsor- Roger Green, for this story. This piece will surely inspire other young people to come up with other ideas to have fun and - at the same time - “give back” to the community.