PATNA: There's an apocryphal story about Bihar, a sprawling state on the Gangetic plains of India that for decades held the dubious honour of being the most violent, poverty-stricken and corrupt in the land.

A Japanese minister visiting in the 1990s, shocked at the decrepit buildings, the darkness at night even in the centre of town and the crumbling roads, declared that it was all solvable.

"Give me three years," he told a state leader, "and I can turn Bihar into Japan."

"That's nothing," came the laconic reply from his host. "Give me three days and I will turn Japan into Bihar."

Written by: By Henry Foy MUMBAI (Reuters) - Foreign direct investment in India is set to swell in coming years as investors stomach a lack of transparency, poor infrastructure and policy paralysis in their search for growth, professional services firm Ernst & Young (E&Y) said in a report. Overseas investment in Asia's third-largest economy rose for the first time in three years in 2011, the report noted, as global investors put their faith in rising salaries, an expanding middle-class and a large and cheap labour force.

"The fundamentals that make India attractive to investors remain intact," Farokh T. Balsara, head of markets at Ernst & Young India, wrote in the report released on Sunday.

Sleaze still plagues India. But one place is fighting back- Bihar

A recent article on Bihar by Sudip Mazumdar in www.foreignpolicy.com provides an interesting insight into the status of corruption in Bihar; comparing it to the corruption rate around the country. Bihar is fighting it back with success. Economists Bibek Debroy and Laveesh Bhandari in their book "Corruption in India" have concluded that with the power of "political will" Bihar is now the least corrupt state in India. A very promising outlook for a state once tainted with lawlessness and with a corrupt reputation.

Recognition for Detroit- it's at #9 in the list of top 10 American Downtowns!

It’s no secret that the city of Detroit has fallen on tough times. Its downtown core has fared much better than the surrounding neighborhoods, but still has its share of vacant buildings and a frequent dearth of foot traffic. Nonetheless, Detroit’s downtown is one of the most architecturally impressive in the country, largely because the city began to decline before others began urban renewal efforts. These efforts would ultimately scar the cores of those cities. Detroit’s downtown, then, is a remarkable architectural testament to pre-World War II styles of construction. It also remains a center of employment in the greater metro areas, and it has revitalized in recent years with the addition of restaurants and sports facilities. And you can’t forget the legendary automobile manufacturing meccas of Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler, the original symbols of 20th century American innovation.
Here is the list:

Going Viral on You Tube-

Two Months old Baby Jackson gets startled by the sound of his dad's snoring. Watch his smile change to a wide eyed shock every time he hears his dad's loud snore.Too cute to miss!

Uploaded on 28th December, 2011 this video currently has close to a 100,000 hits!

Bihar turns 100 and runs for development!
February 26th, 2012 in Patna
The state of Bihar is rising again to show its real potential and re-assert the status as “heart, mind & soul” of India. Patna Marathon seeks to announce this to the world and show case the unlimited opportunities in this great historical place. The marathon would unleash a human energy that will send potent vibrations to the entire world about the arrival of Bihar and Biharis on unlimited growth path. It will invite all to become stakeholders in the making of history in Bihar.
To participate and register to run: http://patnamarathon.com/register

2011 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Rally & March to Call for Jobs, Peace & Justice
This year will mark the eighth annual MLK Day Rally & March in downtown Detroit. The event will honor the peace and social justice legacy of the martyred civil rights leader who would have been 82 years old. The theme for 20101is: "Join the Struggle for Jobs, Peace and Economic Justice" and will enjoy the participation of many activists from throughout the metropolitan area.
The Central United Methodist Church
23 E Adams Ave, Detroit, MI 48226-1648 At 12 PM
We look forward to seeing you at the event! Sincerely, in Peace & Solidarity, The Detroit MLK Day Committee
For information, call 313-405-2185

You have to grow from the inside out.
None can teach you, none can make you spiritual.
There is no other teacher but your own soul.
Happy Vivekananda Jayanti!
Swami Vivekananda Jayanti celebrates the birthday of Swami Vivekananda. Swami Vivekananda's birthday falls on the Paush Krishna Saptami, the 7th day after the full moon day in the Hindu month of Paush. Therefore the date varies from year to year. In 2012, the date of the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda is on January 15 as per traditional Hindu calendar. According to the English calendar or the generally used Indian Calendar, Swami Vivekananda was born on January 12, 1863.Today is Swami Vivekananda's 150th birth anniversary!

This year's DC Immigrant Achievement Awards will be held March 29, 2012 at the Hyatt Regenacy Capitol Hill. The American Immigration Council is seeking nominations for the Immigrant Youth Achievement Award. All nominations must be received by February 1, 2012. The Immigrant Youth Achievement Award recognizes a young immigrant in the United States whose accomplishments are the embodiment of the immigrant spirit and show a commitment to making a positive impact. In a media fueled environment where the label “immigrant” has taken on such negative and hateful qualities, the American Immigration Council works to combat these stereotypes by holding up exemplary youth in our communities as examples of the positive contributions young immigrants are making in our country everyday. The Immigrant Youth Achievement Award recognizes a young immigrant in the United States whose accomplishments are the embodiment of the immigrant spirit and show a commitment to making a positive impact in their community or the world around them.

A local Destination Imagination team composed of students from Canton are staging a benefit concert on Saturday, January 14, 6:30-8:30 PM in the library's Community Room, with proceeds being donated to the Canton Public Library. The concert will feature performances by local youth and concessions will be available.

Consider supporting these students and the library. Tickets are available at the Reception Desk for $8 and, when you buy one ticket at the full price, you can get a second ticket half off.
Location:Canton Public Library 1200 S. Canton Center Road. Canton, MI 48188
Phone Number:734-397-0999

Volkswagen, Europe’s largest passenger car manufacturer had launched its Think Blue. campaign in India in March last year. Keeping in line with this pledge, Volkswagen has undertaken many initiatives to keep Indian cities clean and green following the introduction of this campaign.

The biggest step so far comes now with the association with the Ministry of Tourism’s ‘Clean India’ campaign. Volkswagen will be supporting the government in its initiative to keep India cleaner and greener.

The inauguration of this campaign will be held at India Gate, New Delhi today on January 10th.

Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar is currently on tour to India. Trinidad and Tobago PM Kamla Persad Bissessar, who was the first to be awarded with the 'Pravasi' medallion and a citation by the President, made hundreds of NRIs and PIOs remember their traditional roots as she bent down to touch the feet of Patil who immediately held her by her shoulders and hugged her in a gesture of blessing.
JAIPUR: They may have been away for generations and grown up thousands of miles away, but it appears that the emotions attached to the country of forefathers gets passed down through the genes and is kept alive through the culture. This was more than evident during Trinidad and Tobago PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar's visit to India this week. From a family which had migrated from Bihar, she rose to become the first woman head of the Caribbean nation.

TROY (WWJ) – Troy has been ranked safest city in Michigan. The ranking, from CQ Press, looks at six crime categories including murder, rape and robbery. Talking to WWJ Newsradio 950, Police Chief Gary Mayer explains why Troy has such a low crime rate.

“The people who make up the community are in an income bracket that they’re not inclined to get involved with a lot of the crimes that you may see in other communities,” said Mayer. “It is a residential bedroom community.”

Bajaj Auto unveiled India's latest ultra-low-cost car on Tuesday, a 200cc four-seater that looks set to compete with the Tata Nano for the title of the world's cheapest auto. The group gave no price for the low-emission vehicle which will have a top speed of 70 kilometres an hour (43 miles an hour), but the build quality indicated it was pitched firmly at the bottom of the market. The "RE60" is the first foray into the passenger car market by Bajaj, a motorbike and rickshaw specialist which entered into an ultimately aborted alliance with Nissan and Renault in 2009 to develop the vehicle. Group managing director Rajiv Bajaj said the core market for the RE60 would be owners of three-wheeled motorised rickshaws who wanted to upgrade to four wheels, but it was also for anyone who "wanted to take it home."