Reality Show 'Joins Forces' With First Lady to Aid Veteran

By Elaine Sanchez American Forces Press Service FAYETTEVILLE, N.C., Sept. 22, 2011 - �A TV reality show recently joined forces with first lady Michelle Obama and hundreds of military and civilian volunteers here to transform the life of a Navy veteran. First Lady Michelle Obama surprises Navy veteran Barbara Marshall on the set of the ABC reality series "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" in Fayetteville, N.C., July 21, 2011. The first lady appeared on the show to promote her "Joining Forces" military support campaign and to pay tribute to Marshall, who has dedicated her time and resources to helping homeless female veterans. DOD photo by Elaine Sanchez  This weekend, the season premiere of ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" will feature a home makeover for 15-year veteran Barbara Marshall, who has devoted her life to eradicating homelessness among fellow female veterans. Viewers will see the reveal of her new 5,000-square-foot home, as well as a surprise visit from the first lady. The episode airs Sept. 25 at 7 p.m. EDT.Marshall's new home, dubbed the Steps-n-Stages Jubilee House, offers shelter, job coaching, and other services and resources to homeless female veterans from all eras of war, including Iraq and Afghanistan. Before the show, Marshall operated out of a tiny, 1,500-square-foot house in which she crowded three homeless women and their families, a resource center, volunteers, and countless other veterans who came through seeking job-hunting assistance and resources. Now, thanks to hundreds of volunteers who converged here over a week in July, in her old home's place stands a sprawling, red-shingled home with common areas and a giant resource center -- topped by a wraparound porch, decks and a perfectly manicured lawn. The first lady toured Marshall's new home just after its completion July 21 and summed up the experience with one word: "amazing." The house is "light and warm and loving," Obama told American Forces Press Service after her tour. "It feels like a home and that's what these women need in times of challenge. They need to go to a place where they can feel incredibly special and this house definitely does that." Obama lauded Marshall -- whom she called a "strong and courageous woman" -- and her mission to eradicate homelessness among female veterans. "It's a powerful story of how veterans are continuing to serve this country even when they are no longer in uniform," she said. "The fact that this woman has opened her home -- which she didn't have much -- to other women who are struggling, is just a powerful statement of the courage and the strength that our veterans show." Like Marshall, the nation must take steps to eradicate veteran homelessness, the first lady said. Service members "put their lives on the line for us, and they do it without question or hesitation," Obama added. "When they are finished with their service, they should have a level of security and stability, not just for themselves but for their families. "We as a nation," she added, "should be outraged by the reality that there are any homeless veterans in this country." It's the nation's responsibility to step up to ensure service members, veterans and their families get the support they need, and deserve, Obama said. Earlier this year, the first lady and Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, launched the Joining Forces campaign, a national initiative that calls on all sectors of society to support troops, veterans and their families. The motto of this campaign, she noted, is "everyone can do something." Military families are proud and often don't ask for much-needed help, Obama noted. "It's incumbent on all of us to look in our own spaces -- whether it's in our churches or in our schools -- to make sure we know who these families are and to ask who needs help," she said. Not everyone may live near a military base, but veterans, families and service members are in nearly every community across the nation. "Whether a business owner or multinational organization or small nonprofit or church or school or neighbor down the street," she added, "everyone can find their own strength and gift and figure out how to share that with these families. "If we all do that, we will end this challenge of having homeless veterans." The first lady cited "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" as an example of people stepping up in a "huge, magnificent way." "This show is a show that really pulls people in," she said. "It highlights not just the good of an individual, but it shows the good of the nation, of a community. They are an example, a model, to so many other shows, businesses, organizations, that can step up by doing what they do best. "It's important to me to make sure these stories get highlighted," she continued. And "this episode is an excellent way to highlight what they're doing, and also give them something back; something more than they could ever imagine because they deserve it." Obama encouraged people, military and otherwise, to watch "Extreme Makeover" this weekend. "Make sure your kids watch it," she said. "Tell them about this issue and then think about what you can do as a family. It doesn't have to be big; it doesn't have to be grand. It just has to be something." The goal, she added, "is to make sure that these families know they live in a nation that cares and values the service and sacrifice they make." With this episode wrapped up, the producers of "Extreme Makeover" once again are seeking military families to feature this season. People can submit nominations via email to Jackie Topacio, casting producer, at jax@emhe.tv, through Sept. 29. The email should include the names and ages of household members, a description of the family's challenges, an explanation of why the family is deserving of a makeover or is a positive role model in the community, photos of the family and their home, and contact numbers.

Related Sites: ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" Application ProcessRelated Articles:First Lady Joins Navy Veteran on 'Extreme Makeover' Family Matters Blog: 'Extreme Makeover' Seeks Military Families

Rehabilitation main aim to help these children

More than 250 cases of deformity correction operatedOperated children are undergoing Physiotherapy in CMC by Tanu Arora 

Since May 2010, Christian Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana has been involved in operating Children who are physically challenged under the Project Sarva Siksha Abhayan   (SSA). Dr. Santhosh Mathangi, Head of Department, Physical Medical and Rehabilitation (PMR) has successfully operated more than 250 cases of deformity correction and tendon releases.
Children with disability are coming from various parts of Punjab. Their complete assessment is done by a team of professionals which include an Orthopaedician, a Physiatrist (PMR), a Physiotherapist and a Rehab nurse. After which patients with deformities, contractures are admitted in Christian Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana for operation.
Physiatrist (PMR) helps in goal setting of disabled patients and with the help of the whole team, patients benefit better.
There are only two PMR specialists in whole of Punjab. Dr. Santhosh is leading the PMR unit in CMC and  Hospital, Ludhiana.

Operated children are undergoing Physiotherapy in Christian Medical College and Hospital by Tanu Arora (Physiotherapist) after which they are able to walk independently with or without orthosis and perform activities of daily living in order to make life better for both patients and parents.
Rehabilitation main aim is to help these children with special needs with their disabilities to be able to make them independent in life which is achieved with 6-8 weeks of rehabilitation programme and ultimately help these children to go to school. Mr. Deepak, Govt. Officer for the Surgical Correction Project, SSA, Punjab says that he is quite satisfied with the kind of services Christian Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana is providing.

A new home for Barbara Marshall, a Navy veteran

Eleanor B. Raines, a former Steps N Stages Jubilee House resident, hugs Barbara Marshall, 

Barbara Marshall is a Navy veteran who was selected to receive a new home from the "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" TV show. U.S. Army photo by Stephenie Tatum 

Alzheimer: memory loss and loss of mental ability

Exhibition on World Alzheimer's Day


Students of M.Sc. (N) 1^st year, College of Nursing, Christian  Medical College, Ludhiana, celebrated World Alzheimer’s Day on 21^st September 2011, in Medical OPD. They had displayed large number of posters which covered all information regarding disease.

Chief Guest, Dr. Kim j. Mammen, Associate Director, appreciated the efforts of the students and explained about Alzheimer’s disease and told that there is a need to conduct more such programs to spread awareness.

Prof (Mrs)Triza Jiwan introduced the theme of the day ‘Faces of Dementia’ and explained that it is a degenerative disease of the brain in which there is memory loss and loss of mental ability severe enough to interfere with normal activity. Elderly people 60 years and above are affected. She emphasized on prevention of it, mentioning about having hobbies of art and music etc.

Principal and Coordinator Prof (Mrs) Ponnamma R. singh also shared her experiences. Dr. mamta, Associate Professor of Psychiatric department highlighted on importance of routine for such patients.

Prof (Mrs) Triveni Rajappa, Nursing Superintendent also marked her presence. Dr. kamal Masih, Medical Superintendent inaugurated the exhibition and released the pamphlets on Alzheimer’s disease and its care.

The program attracted the attention of more people as students of B.Sc. (N) 3^rd year put up a role play on care of patients. Nearly 260 patients and their relative became aware of this disorder through the exhibition. =Shalu Arora and Rector Kathuria

IT IS WAR AGAINST THE PEOPLE

GOBINDPURA- SECOND PHASE OF STRUGGLE BEGINS

Last month, when the farm organisations were holding Dharnas at Mansa, Jalandhar & Amritsar on Gobindpura issue, Sh. Parkash Singh Badal CM Punjab invited them for talks. It was promised in preliminary discussion that no land shall be acquired in future for any project without the consent of its owner. The CM also promised to leave the dispute 166 acre land & Dalit houses at Gobindpura from the purview of acquisition, pay adequate compensation, ensure employment to at least one member of the families whose land has been acquired etc. But all this was empty talk. In the formal meeting held on 19th Sept, he backed out from all these commitments.

Farm organizations then decided to relaunch the struggle in the form of a march towards Gobindpura on 24 th September and started making preparations for it.

In order to prevent the march being organized by 17 organizations of farmers & Agri-labour of Punjab towards Gobindpura, a small village in Punjab, to get back the land and houses forcibly acquired by Punjab Govt for Poena Power Company's Thermal Plant, a massive deployment of police & armed forces has been done. All roads & pathways leading to this village have been heavily barricaded. Bus service to the village has been discontinued.

As per police sources 6 SPs, 17 DSPs, 13 SHOs, 10 Inspectors, 55 ASIs, 1940 Constables & Head Constables & 85 lady police officials have been deployed under the personal command of Sh. Nirmal Singh Dhillon IGP Bathinda and Surinder Singh Parmar SSP Mansa. Besides mobilizing armed Jawans from IRB, PAP, Commando Battalions, the police has also deployed Water Cannons, Round Fire Launchers, Tear gas squads etc. While hectic parleys are on amongst various functionaries of the administration, the police is holding flag march in the villages to terrorize the people.

All this is being done to crush the peoples movement and to protect the interests of Poena Power Company, a subsidiary of India Bulls.

N.K.JEET Advisor
LOK MORCHA PUNJAB

Bathinda (Mob.: 94175-07363)

Employers Reach Out to Service Members, Vets

By Terri Moon Cronk American Forces Press Service FORT MEADE, Md., Sept. 21, 2011 - As if answering President Barack Obama's call for them to hire more veterans, more than 80 employers gathered at a job fair here last week to tap into some of the top-notch qualifications the president touted. Army Sgt. Thomas Smogorzewski, a signals analyst, listens to instructions a recruiter gives him at a Sept. 14, 2011, job fair at Fort Meade, Md. Smogorzewski soon will leave the Army and is beginning his job search in the civilian sector. DOD photo by Sebastian J. Sciotti Jr.  The day-long job fair attracted 1,360 job seekers, organizers reported, many of them veterans or service members in uniform laying groundwork for civilian jobs.Obama emphasized the capabilities these veterans bring to the workplace during an Aug. 30 address to the American Legion National Convention in Minneapolis. After 10 years at war, they have acquired skills to harness new technologies on the battlefield, partner with communities and assume leadership roles for the country, he said. "They've learned the cultures and traditions and languages of the places where they served ... They've taken on the role of diplomats and mayors and development experts, negotiating with tribal sheikhs, working with village shuras, partnering with communities," Obama said. Prospective employers at last week's job fair said they hope to attract some of those talents into their workforces. "Serco hires a lot of military," said technical recruiter Karen Parker, who was looking to fill jobs in information technology, systems software programming and other technical positions. "[Veterans] are willing to learn new skills and make the transition from military to civilian life," she said, noting that veterans also bring a wealth of information and experience from all over the world. For prospective applicants, especially those still on active duty and new veterans, the job fair offered an opportunity to learn about individual companies, benefits and job requirements, and a chance to talk with recruiters directly and give them a resume. For many who joined the military right after high school, applying for a job was a first-time experience. Among them was Army Sgt. Thomas Smogorzewski, who has served five years as a signals analyst. Ideally, he wants to become a police officer, but in the meantime, he's hoping for a position similar to his Army job. "I'll use the skills I've gotten from the Army," he said. "I'd like to get an analyst position, use the GI Bill to finish my degree and try for a police officer job," he continued. "I enjoy helping people." Smogorzewski said an Army Career and Alumni Program counselor is helping him transition into the civilian world, and sends him job contacts. Army Staff Sgt. Erin Lee has a similar story. She enlisted into the Army after high school graduation, has served for 10 years and never had to apply for a civilian-sector job. She said the reception she got from prospective employers at the job fair was positive. "They engaged me in conversation and wanted me to contact them," she said. "I got a boost of confidence when they said I had [Army experience and a security clearance] going for me. I was really happy to hear that." Like Smogorzewski, Lee said she gained help from the ACAP to prepare her for interviewing, writing a resume and handling a phone interview. "That really helped me because I've never done that before," she said. Lee said she believes her military experience gave her the maturity and skills to make her a valuable employee. "Being in the military made me grow up fast," she said. "I don't think I would've gotten that as a civilian. I love the Army. It gives you a foundation to become a better person and a better leader. I'll use that as a civilian." Veteran Benjamin Peter distributed numerous resumes at the job fair. With service as a Navy officer, Peter has been unemployed since Memorial Day, and continues to apply for five to 20 jobs a week. Applying advice he got as he was transitioning from the Navy, he networks online, goes to a variety of job websites and has a couple of irons in the fire for a job. But after job hunting all summer, Peter admitted to feeling a bit of frustration. "I went from making $57,000 a year," he said, "to zero." Yet Peter said he is committed to starting a career and not simply taking a job. "I do have a job I can take," he said. "But I'd rather take a job where I know I'll enjoy being there, and might be more successful in a corporation or company." During his remarks to the American Legion, Obama said the Congress must put a jobs bill at the top of its agenda to help veterans like Peter. "For the sake of our veterans, for the sake of our economy, we need these veterans working and contributing and creating the new jobs and industries that will keep America competitive in the 21st century," he said. �

Related Sites: American Jobs Act Related Articles: Job Initiatives Focus on Vets, Family Members

PM Singh's Government sending Démarches to the U.S.

SIKHS TO HOLD "JUSTICE RALLY" DURING PM SINGH'S ADDRESS TO UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) announced that a "Justice Rally" will be held during PM Manmohan Singh's address to the UN General Assembly on September 24^th from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon. Sikhs are protesting against PM's Singh's Government's policy of impunity towards Congress (I) leaders who organized and participated in the killing of Sikhs during November 1984.

In November 1984, thousands of Sikhs were massacred, their properties looted and burnt, all across India, with the active connivance of law enforcement and on behest of leaders of Congress Party Leaders. Kamal Nath, Amitabh Bachchan, Arun Nehru, Vasant Sathe, Jagdish Tytler and Sajjan Kumar, were seen instigating and leading the killer mobs that attacked Sikhs in November 1984. Twenty Seven (27) years after the massacre, PM Singh has failed to prosecute those responsible and instead have rewarded the killers of Sikhs with seats in the parliament and positions in the Cabinet.

According to attorney Gurpatwant S. Pannun legal advisor to SFJ, PM Singh is not only protecting Kamal Nath in India but is also actively working to get him immunity from prosecution before U.S. Federal Court where he is being tried for his role in November 1984 Sikh Genocide. PM Singh's Government has been sending Démarches to the U.S. Department of State seeking immunity from prosecution for Kamal Nath added attorney Pannun. While Indian Governments claims of democracy, human rights, justice and equality grow louder, bolder and loftier; its actions of shielding the human rights abusers defy the same.

SFJ along with victims of November 1984 have filed a class action law suit against Indian National Congress (Congress I) and Kamal Nath (SFJ v. INC. & Nath SDNY (10 CV 2940)) under Alien Tort Claims Act (ATCA) for their role in the killing of Sikhs in November 1984. US Court issued summons against Kamal Nath on April 06, 2010 while summons against Congress Party were issued in March 2011.