Friday, March 06, 2015 • Vol. 34, No. 10
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Reviving Indian Classics Shoba Joshi with her family at the Geetanjali Radio Fundraiser & Gala on February 28, at the India House.
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Global Recognition Followed by Local Honor for Chitra Divakaruni
Photo: Bijay Dixit
BY PRAMOD KULKARNI HOUSTON: India House bestowed accolades on the the community’s own author, Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, at a reception held Wednesday, Feb. 25. In January, the Indo-American author was recognized by The Economic Times of India as one of the “20 most influential global Indian women”. As described on her website, Divakaruni’s themes include the “Indian experience, contemporary America, women, immigration, history, myth, and the joys and challenges of living in a multicul-
tural world.” Her books have been translated into 29 languages, and her works have appeared in over a hundred magazines and anthologies. Several of her novels and stories have been made into films and plays. These include the Hollywood film Mistress of Spices and a TV serial in India, based on the book Sister of My Heart. In her brief acceptance remarks, Divakarunui revealed that her latest book, One Amazing Thing, has been optioned by a Hollywood production company as the basis of an upcoming movie. Divakaruni teaches Creative Writing at the University of Hous-
ton. Several of her colleagues from the UH English department attended the India House reception. She was joined at the reception by her husband Murthy and one of her sons, Anand. The evening’s celebration began with an invocation from Trustee Nalini Mathur. This was followed by a welcome from President Jugal Malani. “Chitraji is well known around the world and is from our own community in Houston,” Malani said. “She is in the company of other well respected women leaders such as Indra Nooyi, CEO of Pepsi; actress Frieda Pinto of Slum Dog Millionaire, and film producer
Mira Nair.” Dr. Amitabh Shukla, a close friend of the Divakarunis and president of a book club in Sugar Land, introduced Chitra to the audience. “Chitraji is an astute observer. She has imbibed many experiences that come alive in her books. What is unique about her books is that not only are the central characters well sketched, but also the surrounding characters are so well defined that it make you think, ‘I know that person.” In addition to her writing and teaching, Chitra has found time to devote time to social causes such as Maitri, Daya and the Indo-
American Charity Foundation. After Dr. Virendra Mathur presented a shawl as a token of the community’s appreciation, Chitra made brief remarks of acceptance. “I am overwhelmed for this honor from India House and the Indian community,” said Chitra. “I thank God for all the writing talent and the awards that I never expected.” Chitra made special mention of the friendship and the warmth from the Indian community. “It is because of all of you that we returned to Houston after spending some years in California.” The evening concluded with dinner catered by Madras Pavilion.
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Re-living the Memories of Indian Classics with Geetanjali Radio
BY VANSHIKA VIPIN HOUSTON: Shoba Joshi, also known as Shobaji, is a popularly recognized personality in the Indian Community. She is also a well-known radio legend in Houston as she has great experience in promoting, presenting and hosting radio broadcasts for over 23 years now at the airwaves of Houston. With so much of love and passion for music one would have always wanted her to do events related to music and sooner or later it did happen. This past weekend, on February 28, Shoba Joshi happened to come up with her very first event named Geetanjali Radio Fundraiser & Gala which was held at the India House. The night was filled with raffles, appreciation, food and most importantly the highlight of the event MUSIC. One of the main intentions of organizing the event was to take the attendees on a musical ride, a musical journey down the memory lane while the event was truly setup and dedicated towards raising money for the Geetanjali Radio. Shoba Joshi, preferred calling the event as an Appreciation Annual Fundraiser Gala. Before the event took off guests were pouring-in in numbers. The number of attendees recorded happened to be over 275 members that truly served the purpose of the Gala night. While the guests were still arriving it was time for the Social Hour to begin. At sharp 7pm began the Social Hour where all the guests were served with drinks and snacks. Around 8pm all the guests settled down while it was time to kick off the event. The event was then taken further with a welcome message by Vipin Kumar, General Manger of India House. Through his speech Kumar highlighted Shoba’s signature slogan, KAL KE GEET, AAJ KE GEET, PAL PAL KE GEET, MAL MAL SE GEET. Amazingly,
all the attendees started showing some energy as they started repeating Shoba’s signature slogan with Vipin Kumar. It was truly a great sight and worth experiencing. Over 275 people chanting one slogan with same love and passion seemed amazing. Followed by this was the Diya Lighting ceremony that took place when Kiran and Ramesh Bhutada, and Raj and Jugal Malani lighted the Diya. Like always Diya Lighting Ceremony appeared very pleasing to eyes and the guests seemed to enjoy it a lot. Then came time for the muchawaited moment of the evening when Hiren Joshi and Shoba Joshi took the center stage. Continuing the tradition of Shoba’s radio program where she begins with a Bhajan, Hiren invited, Bansi Chabria, who is the older brother of Shoba on stage and he started off with a soulful Bhajan “Aye Maalik Tere Bande Hum”. After the bhajan, Hiren and Shoba began by felicitating all the event sponsors with flower bouquets for the evening that basically made everything possible. Hiren further spoke about Shoba and her musical journey. In addition, he spoke about raising funds and its importance and how it would help the cause. Followed by this was another exciting moment of the evening where a set of Bollywood Dances were performed by the young and very talented Seernani Sisters – Maya, Madhvi and Divya. After that, various sponsors were recognized namely, Sarah International, Douglas & Co (Saloon), Sunflower Enterprises and KrishaImpex who contributed towards the raffles. A beautiful looking FENDI Watch by Kohinoor Diamonds was the Grand Prize for the event. Then came time for dinner where the guests were served by one of the best caterers, Udipi Cafe owned by Satish Rao. The food was so mouthwatering and deli-
cious that none of the guests could resist complementing Satish Rao for his amazing quality and tasty food. Post dinner, the night wasn’t over yet as there were many performances still remaining. As soon as the dinnertime was over, Manisha Gandhi performed a solo song. This was followed by two more melodious songs by Suresh Shenoy, owner of Kirti Jewelers. This was not the end yet as the best was yet to be presented. Very soon Bansi Chabria Indo American News (ISSN 887-5936) is published weekly every took over the floor and left evFriday (for a subscription of $40 per year) by eryone stunned IndoAmerican News Inc., 7457 Harwin Dr., Suite 262, Houston, TX with his beautiful and pleasing voice. He went 77036., tel: 713-789-6397, on to each table fax:713-789-6399, email: indoamericannews@yahoo.com. to make sure evfelt the Periodical postage paid at Houston, Texas. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to eryone touch of his melodious voice. He Indo American News,7457 Harwin Dr., Suite 262, Houston, TX 77036
Photos: Sudhakar Roy
sang some all time hit tracks by Mohammed Rafi, Hemant Kumar, Mukesh, Manna Dey and Kishore Kumar, the biggest gems of Bollywood. He continued to amaze and enthrall the audience with his soulful melodies of Kishore Kumar and Shammi Kapoor, which forced everyone to get on the dance floor. After Bansi Chabria’s performance, Shoba Joshi took the center stage to thank various sponsors without whom the event would not have happened and also thank the guests on behalf of Rakesh & Hiren. She Also thanked all the Leaders of various organizations who supported the cause like Shree Sita Ram Foundation, Banke Bihari Parivaar, New Santan Shiv Shakti Mandir, India Culture Center, Gujrati Samaj of Houston, Sewa International, VHP, Orrisa Culture Center, Bram Kumaris,
Hindus of Greater Houston, Hindu Worship Society, Indo American Chamber of Commerce and many more. Followed by this was Special thanks to the entire team of Indo-American News and Umang Mehta from Deep Products. Because of whom, every guest was given a Bhel Box and Mango Juice. In addition, thanks to Vinod and Pragna Shah from ABC Travels. She also thanked Daughters Bridal DB Event Planners, Sudhakar Roy for photography, Darshak Thacker for providing excellent sound for the evening, and Manisha Gandhi for the TV Asia coverage. You can reach Shoba Joshi at 832-878-4338 or listen to her live on 1320 AM, Saturdays & Sundays from 2pm to 6pm or by logging on to Shobajoshi.com.
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COMMUNITY
March 06, 2015
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Local Supporters Gather to Celebrate AAP Victory
HOUSTON: On March 1, a group of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supporters gathered in a restaurant at Hillcroft Street to celebrate an unprecedented victory of common man in Delhi assembly elections held in the early February this year. AAP is a political party formed on anti-corruption plank two years
back. Stunning victory on 67 out of 70 assembly seats was a result of faith of common man in a positive development agenda of party. This would have been impossible without the overwhelming support of NRIs living in Houston as well as other parts of the world. NRIs didn’t only support by making
transparent online donations to the party but also managed ground activities during the elections. 60+, Houston AAP supporters celebrated the day with patriotic poems and songs and delicious Indian food. “We believe in the party’s ideology which is focused on transparent and clean funding for
elections, providing corruptionfree governance, idea of decentralization of power and Gandhi’s vision of Swaraj. Victory in elections is just a beginning of the process of establishing a corruption free model of governance. So far NRIs have wholeheartedly supported the party, but now we will act as pressure group to ensure that party never leaves path of truth and honesty. I invite other fellow Indians in Houston to support the cause
and criticize the party’s moves whenever party deviate from principles.” said an AAP supporter. You can contact the group at houston4aap@gmail.com
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10 March 06, 2015 BY MANU SHAH
COMMUNITY
Neeta Sane and Chitra Divakaruni Share “Life’s Lessons” at the IACCGH “Women Mean Business” Event
HOUSTON: It was a woman powered evening with celebrated novelist Chitra Divakaruni and HCC Trustee Neeta Sane keynoting the Women Mean Business (WMB) event organized by the IACCGH. Sponsored by Shell and held at the Hess Club on February 24, the event attracted more than 70 ladies. IACCGH Executive Director Jagdip Ahluwalia welcomed the gathering and invited every participant to introduce themselves. This broke the ice and helped the women bond easily with each other. IACCGH President Ashok Garg expressed his appreciation at how women were breaking the glass ceiling and proving that they mean business in every field. The Chamber, according to him, was not only about trade and economic growth but also about encouraging women entrepreneurship and leadership. The aim of events such as the WMB Series was to help women “cultivate the strategies and tools” that can empower them and enable them to meet other successful women – a resource that could be inspirational and unlock opportunities. President Elect Joya Shukla reflected that she “was amazed and
inspired at the talent and diversity in the room”. She also credited Asha Dhume for initiating this series at IACCGH and emphasized the fact that when successful women “share the journey of their lives, it allows others to take back pearls of wisdom” that could change their life for the better. Introducing Neeta Sane as “one of Houston’s top 50 Influential Women and Chitra as “an internationally renowned writer”, Joya invited them to address the gathering. When Neeta Sane took the oath of citizenship in 2005 and raised her right hand, she felt an “inner voice” that compelled her to give back to the community that had given her so much. Despite her inexperience in politics, she ran for public office in 2007 with the simple goal to make a positive dif-
Photos: Bijay Dixit
sion making and the multicultural environment was a challenge.” Through trial and error and “several sleepless nights”, she opted for a different approach which she described as “public servant leadership approach,” an approach that helped bring Neeta Sane (left) with Chitra Divakaruni opposing, contrasting ference in someone’s life and her views to find creative solutions successful run strengthened her and move forward. Neeta also belief that “passion and heart can touched on several new initiatives take you wherever you want to by HCC including an Asian Scholgo.” arship Program. In her position as one of the 9 Chitra never thought she would Trustees in the HCC Board, all be a writer but “immigration made from diverse backgrounds, she her one”. Her imagination and her realized that the “cultural aspect keen observation of the transforwas a significant factor in deci- mation that America brings about
in Indians and their relationship with each other provided the fodder for her stories. It also struck a chord with her readers making her one of the most popular Indo American writers today. Sharing some insights learnt during her writing journey and citing examples from her life that brought her to these realizations, Chitra observed that if you are passionate about something and work at it, you get better at it and if something is really important to you, you will find a way and time for it. She also highlighted the importance of having confidence in oneself and the futility of worrying about things that are beyond your control. To everyone’s delight, Chitra also read an excerpt from her latest book “Oleander Girl.”
INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, MARCH 06, 2015 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
COMMUNITY
March 06, 2015
Evening of Color, Words & Poetry in Hindi
Photos: Rishikesh Sohoni
HOUSTON: International Hindi Association Houston Chapter (IHA) partnered with India Culture Center (ICC) and Jain Vishwa Bharati Preksha Center (JVB) on March 1, Sunday and held its Annual local talent event at the JVB Center. In the serene premises and extremely pleasant weather on Sunday, IHA held its Holi ke Hindi Bol event. It was an event of Hindi poetry and was presented by 12 local poets. The theme was on Holi related poetry, incidents and story which was presented by all the poets through Veer Ras, Bhakti Ras, Vyang Ras and Shringar Ras. Over 160+ people attended this free event to enjoy for the 2nd time since it was conceptualized in 2014 by the IHA Chapter President Swapan Dhairyawan. The program started on time with the Event Coordinators and Emcees for the evening Mahesh Derashri and Saundarya Sohoni welcoming the gathering and explaining as to what to expect. Thereafter they invited Shri Swatantra and Bimla Jain to light the lamp for commencing the event. The Jain’s are avid lovers of Hindi poetry and have been very supportive to the Hindi cause. It was followed by a Hindi short poetry by kids Siya Derashri and Eesha Dhairyawan. The emcees
invited JVB Ambassador Pramod Bengani to present the mission of JVB and recent update about their activities. ICC President Charlie Patel thereafter spoke about the long standing relationship with IHA and JVB and the necessity of sharing resources. Swapan Dhairyawan spoke about the mission of IHA and its resurrection since 2008. He credited the growth of the organization and the adding of events to the strength of his core committee members. He spoke about the passion and dedication of his team members whose mother tongue though not Hindi, have come together for the passion of Raj Bhasha Hindi. He explained that these team members though Kannada, Gujarati and Marathi speaking were making efforts to write poetry in Hindi and hence it was a good idea to provide a platform for this versatility. Also the mission of language is to bring people together rather than being divisive. He thanked all the poets, supporters and coordinators for this event. The artists and presenters at this event were Manglesh Mujmer, Krishna Sharma, Dr KD & Saroj Upadhyaya, Col Vipin Kumar ( on behalf of his wife Neera Vipin), Dr Sarita Mehta, Sangeeta Pasrija, Devika Dhruv, Dr Khalid Razvi, Dr Nik Nikam, Parul Fernandes, Mahesh Derashri and Saundarya
Sohoni. The presentation skills of each and every one was incredible. Though first timers Col Vipin, Parul Fernandes and Dr Nikam, all them excelled and won immediate applause from the audience. The presentation ranged from Mathura brajbhoomi Holi to “sukh” and how that can be related to a joyous occasion. Almost 2 hours passed very swiftly and none of the audience wanted the program to end. The fillers and introductions to all the poets and their poetry was beautifully weaved in with satire by Mahesh Derashri which kept the audience involved. The program ended with presentation of token appreciation to all the artists. The honors for this was done by Ashok Garg, Manohar Gidwani and Arvind Patel. The hot refreshments and cold Thandai was a delight to all the attendees. The kitchen coordinators were Nisha Mirani, Kirti Sohoni, Ajit Patel, Rajiv Bhavsar, Pallavi Dhairyawan, Banke Bihari Parivar and Sangeeta Derashri. The entire program can be watched on You tube “ Houston Holi ke Bol 2015” courtesy and coverage by Dr Nik Nikam. The next program Hasya Kavi Sammellan is slated for May 9 Saturday at India House. International fame artists Arun Gemini, Ved Prakash Ved and Ritu Goel will be the esteemed guests. For more information/ tickets call 2813820348 or visit www.icchouston.org
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COMMUNITY
Patanjali Yogpeeth Held 3-day Yoga Workshop in Houston BY ASHWINI KASTURE. HOUSTON: The Patanjali Yogpeeth (USA) Trust organized a Self-Development and Assistant Teacher program at Arya Samaj, Houston on schiller Road. It was a three day Training program which took place on Feb. 27, 28 and Mar 1. Patanjali Yogpeeth has been founded by Yogrishi Swami Ramdevji who is instrumental in spreading the knowledge of Yoga thought the world. This session integrated Yogasanas, pranayama, meditation, mudras, bandhas & self-reflection. The renowned president of International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT), Dr. Dilip Sarkar and Houston’s Yoga-guru, Shekhar Agrawal were the teaching coordinators. More than 40 participants attended this program and were blessed by Dr. Dilip Sarkar’s divine presence. This training took place almost after 6 years and was an attempt to spread Swami Ramdevji’s message (Good Health is the Birth-right of all Human Beings) to the world. In today’s uncertain world “Yoga is the answer to human worries and miseries. Yog teaches how to live a healthy life through the medium of Asanas, Pranayama and meditation. The program taught Ast-
Yogis & Yoginis with Dr. Dilip Sarkar & Shekhar Agrawal as their teachers in the center
hang Yog practice to the disciples. Sage Patanjali’s eight principles of Yoga was the main theme and Acharya Surya Nandaji of Arya Samaj beautifully covered Patanjali’s Yog Darshan. The program also involved Ayurveda, Mudras, acupressure and the Six Cleansing Kriyas (which includes Jalneti, Sutraneti, Nasya and Vaman dhauti). The trainers are accomplished yogis who demonstrated various asanas and pranayama with ease and elegance. They emphasized on chanting of mantras and concentration of mind to achieve oneness with the universe. The participant’s also got a chance to attend the routine Havan at Arya Samaj. At the end, Shekhar Agrawal
stressed on spreading yoga to the whole world and overcome the difficulties of western world’s limited understanding of it. Dr. Sarkar said, “Yoga is not just stretching and bending, it is union of body, mind and spirit to transform Rogi (Diseased) to Yogi (Supreme human being). The session was concluded by a lecture on 7 Chakras in our body. It was fascinating to know how the ancient philosophy of chakras is connected to the understanding of today’s medical science. Dr. Sarkar also presented the valuable pictures of the babies doing yogic asanas in natural poses. He remarked about Indian yogi’s (like Charak and Sushruta) deep understanding of the mental and physical body thousands of
years ago. Some of the participants were physicians who gained the miraculous knowledge about evidence based yoga practice. Best of all, the participants were blessed by Swami Ramdevji himself as he connected by phone from Haridwar and declared all participants as Yogis and Yoginis.
He invited everyone to come to Patanjali Ashram in Haridwar for the upcoming 7-day NRI only Yoga Training Session from March 24. The Indian communities as well as the Americans are indebted to such a knowledgeable opportunity. Houstonians must thank to the organizers and Mr. Shekhar Agrawal for organizing such a valuable event. The new breed of Yoga teachers will continue to spread Swami Ramdevji’s tradition and help yoga to reach masses. Patanjali Yogpeeth (USA) is also conducting a 3-day yoga workshop from March 6 to 8, 2015 in Atlanta. For further details and classes please visit the website PYPTUSA.org. Mr. Shekhar Agrawal conducts free yoga classes on Saturday and Sunday 8am to 9:30am at Arya Samaj, Houston.
Laughing yoga
INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, MARCH 06, 2015 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
COMMUNITY
March 06, 2015
Sri Meenakshi Temple Vedic Heritage School Celebrates “VHS Day” by Students
VHS children on stage at Sri Meenakshi Temple for the Invocation at teh start of VHS Slokathon. Photos: Milind Patel
VHS Skolkathon children proudly displanying their Trophies with VHS teachers and volunteers at the back
BY MAHESH IYER PEARLAND: The two hundred plus (200+) students from Sri Meenakshi Temple’s Vedic Heritage School (VHS) woke up to a rainy and cold morning, on Sunday, March 1st, but that did not deter them from putting up their best, during a day reverberating with “Slokathon”, speech and group discussions. The younger students were grouped agewise and came prepared to recite their choice of slokams from Ramayanam and Bhagavatham, to be evaluated by veteran judges. There were also senior students who shared their understanding of Hindutva via speech contests and group discussions. The VHS program, which started in 2000, is in its fifteenth (15th) year at Sri Meenakshi Temple and run by group of volunteers is intended to teach Hindu values, heritage and culture to the younger generation. The VHS has continuously grown in the breadth and depth of its content and in the number of students enrolled which number about 200. MTS Education committee coordinator Mahesh Iyer started the day’s proceeding. The VHS coordinators, Mahalakshmi and Padmanabhan (Pat), had meticulously planned the flow of events. All the hard work put in by the upper and lower assembly teachers Partha Krishnamurthy, Kiran Partha
and Nalini Sadagopan came to fruition when the respective students confidently chanted their assigned slokams. Each of the individual class teachers had prepared their students to go on stage, and demonstrate a specific aspect that they had covered in class thus far. MTS Chairman, Dr. Vaduganathan, and Secretary Srikanth Venugopalan addressed the gathering and promised to continue inculcating Hindu values to the next generation. The student competition judges gave their time, energy and enthusiastically challenged and encouraged the children during the competition and selected top performers in each category as winners based on their pronunciation and stage presence skills. An event of such a magnitude is never complete without delicious food and lots of prizes. The event concluded with the award ceremony where MTS board members participated along with VHS coordinators and presented all the children with trophies for their outstanding performance. The temple cafeteria catered with ease and the prize winners were in fact all of those who participated in the event. For more information on Vedic Heritage School please check http://mtsvhs. blogspot.com/
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March 06, 2015
FIS Launches a Unique Project India BEE 2015 for Children
HOUSTON: Popularly known as FIS, the Foundation for India Studies is launching a new project in partnership with India House Inc, to connect the young generations of America with India through a unique quiz contest that stimulates and encourages them to learn about India. The first targeted group was the youth at universities. FIS assisted in introducing the India Studies Program at the University of Houston in 2006, which has now been taken over by the university and incorporated into its Cultural Studies program. The University awards a Minor Certificate in India Studies. It was soon realized by FIS that Houston also had an immense wealth of educated professionals who had contributed to Houston’s growth in various fields of Health Care and Medicine, Engineering, Transportation Business, Education and several other vocations. This led to launching of the “Indo-American Oral History Project “in 2011, in partnership with Houston Community College –Spring Branch and Houston Public Library. The purpose of this project is to record and archive the stories of the first generation Indians who came directly from India and settled in Houston since the 1960’s. These are stories of unsung heroes from
the Indo-American community who deserve kudos for their contribution to the economic and cultural growth of Houston. Till date, 32 interviews have been conducted. From the Youth to the Elder and now to the budding Young, FIS brings the unique INDIA BEE_2015 QUIZ contest scheduled to be held on Sunday, March 29th. This is another exceptional Project that FIS has brought out for MIDDLE SCHOOL
students, between the grades 6-8. The challenge to the budding young is “How much do you really know about India?” The purpose of the quiz contest is to encourage Indian as well as American school children of all ethnic backgrounds to learn more about India at an early age and become friends of India when they grow up. This may perhaps be the only project of its kind in the country at present. The INDIA BEE _2015 is focusing on the middle school students this year ( to be expanded later to High School students and adults as well) because from the age of 11 onwards, children have awareness and
knowledge of their Indian roots fresh in their minds. What is lacking however, is a deeper knowledge and understanding of India as a whole with regard to its geography, centuries old history and its immense cultural and religious diversity, and the country’s modern parliamentary system of democracy and of course not to forget Bollywood and Cricket. Keeping all these in mind, this contest is designed to assist the Parents to motivate their children to study about India, the land they migrated from, and encourage them to be more globally oriented and knowledgeable about incredible INDIA- whose cultures stretch for over 5,000 years. There are cash prizes for 1st place $1,000, 2nd Place $ 500 and 3rd Place $250. Our partners and sponsors are India House, and Indian Culture Center and many well-wishers. Certificates to all participating children and surprise door prizes for audience. The contest will be judged in three parts : a) A poster board presentation, b) Written test and c) A final oral test on the stage. For registration and other details, please go to: http://foundationforindiastudies.org/projects/india-bee or call Falguni Gandhi 281-844-4604 or Sai Rachakonda 281-235-6641.
The Beauty of Empowering Women
HOUSTON: Pratham’s Beauty Entrepreneurship Program enables women from rural India to become confident, self-reliant, and inspiring individuals Mulla, Sanghmitra, Baishna, Kashmiri and nearly 270 others from rural, underprivileged pockets of India have done their parents proud. They have found their calling. Apart from supporting their families, these women aided with their vocation, their confidence, and their undying spirit –have inspired so many other young girls saddled by unemployment to step forward from impoverished backgrounds and grow self-reliant. They all are heroes in their own right. Under its Vocational Skills Program, Pratham launched the Beauty Entrepreneurship Program in November 2011. The goal of this program is simple: create employment opportunities at the local level. Women often face gender-based barriers and the constraint of mobility and migration. They lack finances, schooling, and technical know-how. This is where Pratham comes in. The
Entrepreneurship Program extends assistance in terms of training, mentorship, and raw material support. They educate candidates on market information and demand patterns. Entrepreneurship at work Sanghmitra from a village, outside Chhattisgarh was losing hope after her father passed away; she and her mother were in dire need of an income that could support them. Lack of schooling, and skills made it impossible for Sanghmitra to find a job. On her mother’s insistence, she enrolled in Pratham’s Beauty Entrepreneurship Program. Shy in the beginning, Sanghmitra gradually developed skills in cosmetology and business. Pratham approved her request for a loan, and today she runs her beauty parlor from her home where she also teaches beauty training to other women in her community. The program paves the way for access to formal finance mechanisms, raw material support and capital. Mulla, from Mumbai studied till the 10th grade and was married soon after. She needed help supporting her two young children when she joined Pratham’s Basic Beauty Course and soon earned a Government Authorized Certificate in Beauty. Mulla, now successfully runs her own beau-
ty shop and plans to open another branch in the nearby market. Her goal is to hire the girls she has trained. Pratham’s Door-to-Door Entrepreneur model focuses on preparing budgets and business proposals, basic business mathematics and effective methods communication. On completion, students are provided with Joint Certification from Pratham, Godrej (knowledge partner), and the Government. So far, Pratham has supported 276 beauty entrepreneurs. More than 500 youth have been trained in beauty services by these entrepreneurs. The centers are spread across India and about 90 per cent of the investments have already been repaid by the entrepreneurs. The good news doesn’t stop here: Two women from Pratham’s Dibrugarh Beauty Center, Baishna and Kashmiri were so inspired by their new careers that they entered into the World Skill Competition, an international event with over 60 countries participating. They each won medals in local competitions and had an opportunity to compete in the National Round in India. Each of these women armed with an education and an enterprising mindset have embarked on a new journey, one that only makes them stronger, smarter, and ready to walk out of the shackles of poverty. For more information on Pratham USA, visit www.prathamusa.org . Tel: 713 774 9599
INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, MARCH 06, 2015 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
17
18 March 06, 2015 Modi: Taking Charge
Securing the release of the Catholic priest, Father Alexis Prem Kumar, from his Afghan Taliban captors should be viewed in different ways. The Jesuit priest himself said on arrival at the Delhi airport from Kabul: “It is because of our Prime Minister Narendra Modi [that] I am here. He saved me.” What Father Alexis said was an understatement. He alone, having faced possible execution, knows the wave of hope and trough of dejection as the prime minister took personal charge of the negotiations to secure his release. The priest was abducted on June 4, 2014 from Sohadat village, 25 km from the provincial capital of Herat. At the time, he was in a school, overseeing Jesuit aid and rehabilitation work among Afghan refugees. The news of his release was first broken to his anxious family, with whom the PM spoke, as well as to the public through Modi’s tweet. The PM not only spoke to the priest at Kabul airport but also ensured that the father and brother of the victim could come to New Delhi to receive him. The PM also enabled the family members to stay on in Delhi overnight. Father Alexis’s safe return home is an important development when other Islamist militant forces like the Isis almost daily threaten global powers like America, France, Japan, and even neighbouring Jordan, with displays of brutal killings of their captives from those countries. Against this backdrop, for the Indian government to have kept the backchannel negotiations under wraps for as long as nine months is a tribute to the efficiency that has been injected into the administration. The Congress-led Kerala government had publicly acknowledged the efficiency of the external affairs ministry’s backchannel diplomacy when the Kerala nurses captured by the Isis in Iraq were released. After Father Alexis’s return from captivity, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India, which was just the other day expressing its apprehensions about the safety of minorities under the Modi regime, issued a statement appreciating the PM’s personal efforts towards getting the priest released. Despite the hullabaloo over “minorities in danger”, the hallelujahs from the bishops’ body, including its reference to “sustained negotiations” by the PM, reveals that the truth about this regime has finally begun to prevail against the motivated propaganda. “A diplomatic coup”, is how the spokesman of the bishops’ body, Father Joseph Chinnayyan, described the event. Obviously, the Islamists have developed some respect for India after the new government here has proven that it means business and is prepared to walk its talk. India today has both the political will and the naval and air strength and commandos to execute what it says. In both cases, of securing the release of the Kerala nurses and that of the Jesuit priest, the PM ignored his critics who charged him with a bias against minorities and went ahead to secure his goal quietly and efficiently. Thereby, this PM is demonstrating that for his government, the proof of decisive governance is in walking the talk. Balbir Punj in Indian Express
EDITORIAL/COMMENTARY The Great Game Folio: Kashmir Gambit
BY C. RAJA MOHAN Although the comments of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, the new chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, on Pakistan’s “positive role” in the conduct of the state’s assembly elections late last year have drawn much flak, there is no denying the fact that Rawalpindi has long had leverage in the state through its support to separatism and militancy. All of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s predecessors, from Jawaharlal Nehru to Manmohan Singh, have had to deal with this external dimension to Kashmir. What is more interesting than the CM’s infelicitous comments is the agreement between the BJP and PDP on a common approach towards Pakistan. For one, it underlines the importance of engaging Pakistan. It points to the fact that “the Union government has recently initiated several steps to normalise the relationship with Pakistan. The coalition government will seek to support and strengthen the approach and initiatives taken by the government to create a reconciliatory environment and build stakes for all in the peace and development within the subcontinent”. It is probably entirely accidental that the new understanding between the PDP and BJP on talking to Pakistan came just a couple of days before foreign secretary S. Jaishankar travelled to Islamabad. But Modi’s decision to send the foreign secretary to Pakistan to explore the prospects of reviving the peace process has certainly helped bridge some of the political distance between the BJP and PDP. In juggling the internal and external dimensions of the Kashmir question, Modi is following the path cut by Atal Bihari Vajpayee during the tenure of the first NDA government and followed by Manmohan Singh. Modi, however, is in a much better position than either Vajpayee or Singh. India is a lot stronger than in the late 1990s, when Vajpayee launched the peace process under trying circumstances. Unlike Singh, Modi has the will and the capacity to make bold moves towards Pakistan. Even more impor-
J&K CM Mufti Mohammed Sayeed with PM Narendra Modi.
If the Modi government can restore the ceasefire as part of the resumption of talks with Pakistan, strengthen the existing CBMs across the LoC and unveil new ones, the external dimension to J&K could change for the better. tant, Pakistan today is probably more vulnerable to terrorism than it was a decade and a half ago. During his talks in Islamabad, Jaishankar was expected to get a sense, first hand, of what the new political possibilities for a sustained dialogue with Pakistan are. The internal and external in Kashmir come together in the form of the Hurriyat, which has long acted as Pakistan’s voice in the Valley. The joint Kashmir agenda, which saw some hard negotiations between the BJP and PDP in recent weeks, notes that “Vajpayee had initiated a dialogue process with all political groups, including the Hurriyat Conference, in the spirit of ‘insaaniyat, Kashmiriyat aur Jamhooriyat’”. Promising to seek a comprehensive peace process, the two parties say that their coalition government in Srinagar “will facilitate and help initiate a sustained and meaningful dialogue with all internal stakeholders, which will include all political groups irrespective of their ideological views and predilections.” It may be recalled that Modi broke off talks with Pakistan last August, objecting to Islamabad’s engage-
ment with the Hurriyat. Modi has made clear that negotiations on the external dimension must be strictly bilateral. There is no room for the Hurriyat there. But by agreeing to talk to the Hurriyat as an “internal stakeholder”, the Modi government has created some space for itself. New Delhi is now saying that it is ready for separate talks with Islamabad and the Hurriyat. Parallel they may be, trilateral they are not. Hardline factions of Hurriyat leaders have not sounded enthusiastic about talking to Delhi. But does it really matter what the Hurriyat thinks, if Delhi and Islamabad agree on a formula? In a meaty part of the shared vision for J&K, the BJP and PDP called for “enhancing people-to-people contact on both sides of the Line of Control (LoC), encouraging civil society exchanges, taking travel, commerce, trade and business across the LoC to the next level and opening new routes across all three regions to enhancing connectivity”. If the first cross-LoC confidence-building measures (CBMs) were initiated under Vajpayee, the UPA government significantly expanded them. But mounting military tensions along the LoC and the growing political mistrust between Delhi and Islamabad have taken away the spirit of these CBMs. The BJP-PDP programme, however, does not talk about the most important CBM that the Vajpayee government negotiated with Pakistan — the ceasefire along the LoC. With the ceasefire breaking down over the last few years, the two parties have talked about humanitarian assistance to all those affected by the intense shelling across the LoC. If the Modi government can restore the ceasefire as part of the resumption of talks with Pakistan, strengthen the existing CBMs across the LoC and unveil new ones, the external dimension to J&K could change for the better and create a conducive environment for the ambitious internal agenda for development articulated by the BJP and PDP. IE The writer is a distinguished fellow at the Observer Research Foundation and a contributing editor for ‘The Indian Express.
Indo American News FOUNDER: DR. K.L. SINDWANI PUBLISHER: JAWAHAR MALHOTRA EDITOR: PRAMOD KULKARNI BUSINESS & PRODUCTION MANAGER: VANSHIKA VIPIN GRAPHIC DESIGN: BHUMI PARMAR CORRESPONDENTS
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INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, MARCH 06, 2015 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
COMMUNITY
March 06, 2015
19
Fun Festive Flamboyant VEDIC FAIR
KATY: A Fun, Festive, Flamboyant VEDIC FAIR 4, will happen on Saturday March 14, from 3:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Seven Lakes High School, 9251 South Fry Road, Katy TX 77494. VEDIC FAIR is a complete family event to experience Indian Culture. Admission for the fair is free. Preparations for this Fair have started since November 2014 and in 1 week VEDIC FAIR promises to bring this festive entertaining cultural event to Greater Houston. Last year’s fair attended by 2500+ Houstonians was a fun as well as cultural event that wowed attendees starting from diorama Kool Kailash to Vedic Bazaar, presentations on India to Fun Workshops and from many varieties of Food to Stage Play I’m Shiva - The Mahadev. The stage play directed by event chair Geetha Ravula kept audience enthralled till the end whereshe presented human side of Lord Shiva. This year Ashirwad’s Creative Team {ACT} will present Gorgeous Goloka Diorama of Lord Krishna’s transcendental abode decorated with 1000 peacock feathers along with live ravishing Radha Krishna and Kool Blue - Ice Krishna. Sri Gopala Krishna Pooja will be conducted by renowned priest Sriman Sudarsana Venkatesa Iyengar Swamiji. Devotees who want to perform the pooja under the guidance of Swamiji are required to register by emailing at VEDICFAIR@gmail.com. Prashad from Dwaraka, Vrindavan & Tirupati in India will be shared with visitors. VEDIC FAIR 4 is bringing the story of KRISHNA – THE BLUE MAN (7:00 to 9:00 PM), a mega stage play with 50+ Houston artists. Prime time play will feature life story of Lord Krishna in fascinating Indian attire, dazzling jewelry, action, dialogue, drama and dance. Play will be in Hindi with summarized narration in English. VEDIC FAIR 4 will also feature INDIA Exhibit Presentations, one stop to know Bharath (India), Cooking Competiton, Explore 2 Enjoy “How 2 Workshops” on Yoga, Meditation, Rangoli Art, Henna Tattoos, Classical Dance, Classical Music, Dandiya Dance, Bhangra Dance, Take Selfie in Saree Styles, Dhoti, Ayurveda and Homeopathy. You can shop and dine in VEDIC BAZAAR. Prime time stage show starting with Talent Showcase at 6:00 PM will feature Ashirwad’s Sloka-League, performance by Abhinaya School of Performing Arts, Rice Bhangra & KIDS VEDIC WALK on Sri Krishna Leelas.
For updates visit facebook.com/ VedicFair or facebook event VEDIC FAIR 2015. H-Town DO NOT MISS
VEDIC FAIR 4, your one stop to relive INDIA.
Press Conference on Brownsville Federal Court Decision
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The Honorable Congress Woman Sheila Jackson Lee call upon immigration action press conference at Mickey Leland Federal Building in Houston.
HOUSTON: Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee invited various community leaders to a press conference to call for the immediate appeal and overturning of the Brownsville Federal Court decision, overturning the President’s authorized executive actions on immigration reform. At the Press Conference prominent community members Rahman
Morton President (MACC) were also invited. Morton mentioned in his speech to the community to not panic or be discouraged. America is a nation of Immigrants, also touch the subject for the community to be law biding, and keep supporting comprehensive immigration reform by President Obama.
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20 March 06, 2015
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HOUSTON: ‘OM in the Big Heart of Texas’ was the signature motto for the sixth annual Texas Yoga Conference (TYC) held February 20-22 at ISKCON Houston (Hare Krishna Temple and Cultural Center). Leading yoga teachers and speakers, along with hundreds of practitioners came together for a city retreat full of presentations, yoga classes for all levels, lectures and fun music concerts over three days. Led by Houston yoga community organizer Jenny Buergermeister of Jennyoga, with logistic support by Tracie Brace Hatton of Yoga Rasa, this year’s TYC weekend featured asana workshops and teachings, vendors and studios, wholesome vegetarian food and sharing of loving exchanges. Whatever a person’s level of experience, there was ample opportunity to deepen one’s yogic practice and understanding. Kicking off the TYC under the sacred branches of the peepal ‘Tree of Life’ on the temple grounds, the world’s most popular yoga brand Lululemon brought their local ambassadors with a brunch and live DJ. Friday also featured Yoga Gives Back, a non-profit which empowers women in India, a concert by The Juggernauts and a talk by His Holiness Jayadvaita Swami, author of “Vanity Karma - Ecclesiastes, the Bhagavad-gita,and the meaning of life.” Saturday showcased a unique yoga flow based on the ancient Hebrew Kabalah, maha-mantra kirtan in the new temple, a mala-making session and a vegetarian cooking class by ISKCON’s Shoba Kisori Devi . Performing each day in the new temple room were world-renowned kirtan artists Gaura Vani and Visvambhar Sheth (the latter a member of the Mayapuris). Together under the new banner name, the Juggernauts, they were electrifying in their ecstatic call-andresponse presentations. Fusing ancient sacred mantras and tunes with contemporary influences, they irresistibly inspired participants to dance or sing along. On Saturday at 4 p.m. and Sunday at noon, the Bhakti House Band performed a percussion-driven instrumentation with rich harmonies that enlightened the soul. Since the 2011 release of their award-winning album, ‘Nada Bhakti: The Sound of Devotion’, they have gained thousands of loyal fans in more than 50 countries. After an amazing weekend now past, we look forward to the Texas Yoga Conference Feb 19-21, 2016 again at ISKCON Houston (early registration is now available at 713839-9642).
INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, MARCH 06, 2015 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
March 06, 2015
INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, MARCH 06, 2015 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
21
22 March 06, 2015
First Ever
24 Hour
Telugu Radio in Houston
Online at www.radiohungama.net & Every Sunday 12 PM to 3 PM CST On
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Job Posting:
News Edit Internship
KTRK-TV, the ABC Owned station located in Houston, TX is accepting applications for a paid NEWS EDITING INTERNSHIP for the upcoming semester. Internships are available to currently-enrolled college students in their junior or senior year who are pursuing careers in the television/media field and must receive college credit for the internship. The internship program is designed to provide students with an on-site educational experience that complements their academic studies by using a “real world” hands-on environment. News Editing Interns will have an opportunity to observe, participate, and contribute in the daily work and operations of a major market, television station. As a News/Technical Intern you will primarily assist in editing for air-- being creative and precise, while also learning the ins and outs of working behind the scenes for live newscasts. Interns will work under the direct supervision of the Digital Media Coordinator and other staff members. Additionally, applicants must be able to work at least two days per week between the hours of 2PM and 10PM. Applicants must be currently enrolled in college and supply written verification of eligibility to receive academic credit for the internship at the start of the internship. All interested applicants must apply online at www.disneycareers.com, Job Req 253369BR. Please upload a cover letter, your resume outlining other internships, degrees earned, work experience, related clubs and organizations, current major course of study, expected graduation date and extracurricular activities. No Telephone Calls KTRK-TV is an Equal Opportunity Employer Female/Minority/Veteran/Disability
Job Posting:
News Producer Intern
KTRK-TV, the ABC Owned station located in Houston, TX is accepting applications for a paid NEWS PRODUCER INTERNSHIP for the summer semester. Internships are available to undergrads currently enrolled college students in their junior or senior year pursuing careers in the television/media field and must receive college credit for the internship. The internship program is designed to provide students with an on-site educational experience that complements their academic studies. Interns will have an opportunity to observe and participate in the daily work and operations of a major market, television station. As an intern you will gain valuable experience in all areas related to producing a television newscast – including the important relationship between our broadcast and digital platforms. Interested candidates should have a strong desire to pursue a career as a producer and willing to receive continual feedback. Will have an opportunity to attend production meetings, research news topics, and learn how to prioritize assignments. Applicants must be currently enrolled in college and supply written verification of eligibility to receive academic credit for the internship at the start of the internship. Additionally, applicants must be able to work at least one day per week and the hours may vary depending on scheduling and will include some weekend and early morning and evening hours. All interested applicants must apply online at www.disneycareers.com, Job Req 253370BR. Please upload a cover letter, your resume outlining other internships, degrees earned, work experience, related clubs and organizations, current major course of study, expected graduation date and extracurricular activities. No Telephone Calls
KTRK-TV is an Equal Opportunity Employer Female/Minority/Veteran/Disability INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, MARCH 06, 2015 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
ENTERTAINMENT ENTERTAINMENT Movie Review Dum Laga Ke Haisha
When more-than-pleasantly-plump Sandhya (Bhumi Pednekar) gets hitched to Prem (Ayushmann Khurrana), the latter cannot bring himself to look beyond his wife’s size. Her relentless attempts to win over his attention are in vain and the two end up on the brink of divorce when she
overhears him passing objectionable remarks about her to friends. Can blubber hinder love? Dum Laga Ke Haisha is an unlikely quasi-original offering from the stable that in recent past has made sincere efforts to defy the conventional notions of love. This film might further the cause of breaking away from the bastion but it reeks of predictability. Sharat Kataria pulls off a quaint-yetflawed film. Set in circa 1995 in Haridwar, he carefully refrains from creating a staple, syrupy affair. The film’s first hour sails smoothly sans hiccups, but the second half can be faulted for unspooling tediously. The movie erects a plot whose on-the-face nostalgia factor is almost jarring. Its rustic setting, bustling by-lanes and old-world charm does
an overt job of selling the VCR era. There’s even a desperately-included fight sequence where the couple aggressively play 90s songs. Such scenes might crack you up, but the crackling effect is wiped out as the film moves towards a predictable climax featuring Kumar Sanu, a steady fixture since the first scene. It’s the only thing that makes its ‘loser’ hero look good and is a contrived culmination of the romance we never find blooming. The film’s subplots are unnecessary and abrupt, like the sudden demise of a never-mentioned-before uncle which triggers the final act. The actors, however, deliver redeeming performances. For a debutante, Pednekar is surprisingly confident. Khurrana, is the best he has been since his launch venture. Sanjay Mishra and Seema Pahwa are at the top of their game. But in the end, it isn’t extraordinary, failing to rise above the idea that a fat girl needs some schmuck to complete her life. Undeniably, the smarts are visible in its original thinking but it doesn’t translate into a satiating viewing experience. -Indiatimes.com
March 06, 2015
A.R. Rahman’s Band Debuts, Performs at GiMA
MUMBAI: Music maestro A. R. Rahman’s band NAFS gave its maiden performance here at the fifth edition of Gionee Star Global Indian Music Awards (GiMA). The awards ceremony took place Tuesday in the presence of the cr’me de la cr’me of the music and film fraternity. The ceremony, hosted by singer Mika Singh and TV host-actor Manish Paul, featured stellar performances by celebrated musicians and Bollywood stars including Atif Aslam, Arijit Singh, Pritam, Shraddha Kapoor, Benny Dayal, Sonu Nigam, Ankit Tewari and Shankar Mahadevan among others. Band NAFS, which means ‘free will to make your own choice’ in Urdu and Arabic, regaled the audience with its tunes. “It has been my privilege to showcase NAFS at GiMA for the first time
ever,” Rahman, who also won awards for Best Film Album for “Highway” and Best Fusion Album in the non-film category for Coke Studio at MTV Season 3, said in a statement. “For me, to give a platform to the next generation is my mission and this is one of the first initiatives to represent India internationally. The inspiration behind was Stevie Wonder,” he added. Another highlight of the night was a performance by ‘The S7- Super 7’, an act comprising some of the most talented singers who have had hits in the past year including Armaan Malik, Shadab Faridi, Md Irfan and Hriday Gattani. “It has been an absolute honour to bring together some of the world’s finest musicians on a platform like GiMA. We’ve had the privilege of seeing greats like Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Pandit Jasraj, Usaat Zakir Hussain and A.R. Rahman on the same stage today,” said Sabbas Joseph, director, Wizcraft International Entertainment Pvt Ltd. -IndianExpress.com
Last week’s edition can be found online. Issue dated June 27,2014. inyour Small Continuing, freeSpecializing radicals are made in body as byproducts of natural processes, called Business Commercial Loans oxidative processes. In the same way that car exhaust is created when you run an engine to power the car, free radicals are formed by the oxidative processes to power your body. Although these processes are very efficient, free radical formation is inevitable in small amounts—even the most efficient engine will produce exhaust. There are many healthy roles for free radicals, though. For instance, nitric oxide is a free radical that is used by cells to communicate with other cells. In fact it is necessary for proper nervous system function and blood pressure control. Of course, this type of process is very tightly controlled. But nitric oxide is not what has made free radi-
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INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, MARCH 06, 2015 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
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SUDOKU
PUZZLES
Job Posting:
Place a Number in the empty boxes in such a way that each row across, each column down and each 9-box square contains all of the numbers from one to nine.
Assignment Desk Intern
KTRK-TV, the ABC Owned station located in Houston, TX is accepting applications for a assignment desk interns for the upcoming semester. Internships are available to undergrads currently enrolled college students in their junior or senior year pursuing careers in the television/media field and must receive college credit for the internship. The successful applicant will be responsible for assisting the assignment desk, which includes but is not limited to making beat-checks, answering phones, monitoring police and fire radios, getting information and developing stories.
Send us the correct answer before March,11 2015 to win
two complimentary tickets to Houston Museum of Natural Science. (for first three entrees only) Email us at indoamericannews@yahoo.com or mail to 7457 Harwin Drive, Suite 262, Houston, TX 77036.
The candidate should be detail-oriented and able to handle many different responsibilities at the same time. The ideal intern knows how to multi-task and set priorities. Good news judgment and strong communication skills are essential, along with strong writing skills. The candidate should have a good working knowledge with the use of social media for news gathering. Must be willing to work evenings and weekends.
Solution Next Week
All interested applicants must apply online at www.disneycareers.com, Job Req 253368BR. Please upload a cover letter, your resume outlining other internships, degrees earned, work experience, related clubs and organizations, current major course of study, expected graduation date and extracurricular activities. No Telephone Calls KTRK-TV is an Equal Opportunity Employer Female/Minority/Veteran/Disability
Job Posting:
Community Affairs Intern
KTRK-TV, the ABC Owned station located in Houston, TX is accepting applications for a paid COMMUNITY AFFAIRS INTERNSHIP for the upcoming semester. Internships are available to currently enrolled undergraduate college students in their junior or senior year pursuing careers in the television/media field and must receive college credit for the internship. The internship program is designed to provide students with an on-site educational experience that complements their academic studies. Interns will have an opportunity to observe and participate in the daily work and operations of a major market, television station. As an intern you will attend help in the production of community affairs shows, including scheduling of guests, help gathering and editing video, assist with community drives, forums and outreach. Each area requires significant planning, scheduling and execution. Applicants must be currently enrolled in college and supply written verification of eligibility to receive academic credit for the internship at the start of the internship. Additionally, applicants must be able to work at least one day per week and the hours may vary depending on scheduling and may include some weekend and early morning and evening hours. All interested applicants must apply online at www.disneycareers.com, Job Req #251775BR. Please upload a cover letter, your resume outlining other internships, degrees earned, work experience, related clubs and organizations, current major course of study, expected graduation date and extracurricular activities.
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No Telephone Calls
KTRK-TV is an Equal Opportunity Employer Female/Minority/Veteran/Disability
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The Budget, Shorn of the Hoopla BY MANAS CHAKRAVARTY Mr. Jaitley’s second budget is underwhelming on many counts. The first of them is the much tom-tommed switching of central government spending from revenue to capital expenditure. The government’s chief economic advisor has been making a pitch for more public spending because the private sector’s balance sheet is apparently too stretched. But here’s the rub. Capital expenditure is budgeted to be 1.7% of gross domestic product (GDP), which is about the same as it was in 2012-13 and 2013-14 and nobody made a song and a dance about it then. In 2011-12, the centre’s capital expenditure was 1.8% of GDP. Sure, capex is budgeted to go up by 25% in 2015-16, but that high growth comes on top of a pathetic 2.5% growth in the current fiscal. Incidentally, what was the budgeted capex growth in 2014-15? Twentyfive per cent. Second, the tax-to-GDP ratio, which almost everybody agrees is very low for India, is budgeted at a meagre 10.3%. This is gross tax revenue, before the transfers to the states. True, the revenue estimates put this yardstick at a wretched 9.9% in the current fiscal, but it was 10.4% in 2012-13. This budget has been unable to better the tax effort of three years ago when, according to the Central Statistics Office, the economy was growing at a real rate of 5.1%, while it’s expected to do better than 8% next year. That doesn’t seem very bold. Three, the entire increase in taxes has come about through regressive indirect taxes, while handing out sops to direct tax payers. Indirect taxes are budgeted to be 44.7% of gross tax
Given the constraints finance minister Arun Jaitley has been struggling against, there probably wasn’t much more he could do.
receipts, compared to 43.3% in the current fiscal and 43.6% in 2013-14. Four, it’s not only the consolidation in the fiscal deficit that is being deferred—the revenue deficit has been hardly touched at all, coming down from 2.9% of GDP in the current year to 2.8% next year. In terms of last year’s “medium-term fiscal policy statement”, it was supposed to be pruned to 2% in 2015-16. And if we take the “effective revenue deficit”, which takes into account the grants given to the states for capital expenditure, then that’s slated to go up from 1.8% of GDP this year to 2%. Keeping the fiscal deficit higher to finance capex is one thing, but keeping the revenue deficit higher is something else altogether. In short, the quality of the deficit isn’t improving. Five, while the transfer of more tax revenues to the states is good, let’s
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not forget it’s a recommendation by the 14th Finance Commission and it’s been the tradition to accept finance commission recommendations. In its road map for fiscal consolidation, the finance commission had taken the fiscal deficit for 2015-16 at 3.6% and the revenue deficit at 2.56% instead of the 3.9% and 2.8% budgeted by the finance minister. It is entirely possible that the states may spend more on infrastructure with the extra money they will receive. On the other hand, they may equally plausibly spend on social welfare instead. To take one example, the spending support under the state plans for women and child development is budgeted for 2015-16 at 45% of the current year’s budgeted amount. Who will blame the states if they seek to make it up through the tax revenues received? Six, it’s true that subsidies have been slashed. But the
entire cut has been due to the windfall of lower petroleum subsidies, a consequence of lower global crude prices. The budgeted allocations for food and fertilizer subsidies have increased. In particular, the lack of action on the fertilizer subsidy, despite abundant evidence that it is leading to soil degradation, is glaring. Seven, while all the talk of tax simplification and the removal of exemptions and the proposal to subsume education cesses in the central excise duty is exemplary, note that we still have the clean energy cess which has been increased, the Swachh Bharat cess and the road cess. The best thing about cesses, from the point of view of the centre, is that they don’t have to be shared with the states. And while the decision to get the corporate tax rate to 25% in the next few years is very
welcome, the effective tax rate of the largest companies is already well below that rate. With the pruning of exemptions, does that mean the effective tax rate will be higher for these companies in the future? And eight, consider the lack of adequate capital set aside for the public sector banks. This is likely to hobble their ability to help fuel the recovery or fund new projects. Of course, there are some good things in the budget as well. The recognition of an explicit inflation target by the Reserve Bank of India is very significant. The various proposals for providing a push to infrastructure, the talk about a bankruptcy code and the reference to “strategic disinvestment” which one hopes is a euphemism for privatization—that dreaded word we dare not utter--are all good things. But the proofs of those puddings will be in the eating. Given the constraints the finance minister has been struggling against, there probably wasn’t much more he could do. Consider the trouble the government is in over its amendments to the Land Acquisition Act or the drubbing the Bharatiya Janata Party received from an unabashedly populist party recently and it’s easy to understand the finance minister’s timorousness. In his budget speech, Mr Jaitley said India is “the fastest growing large economy in the world” and that “we have turned around the economy dramatically”. Is this the best budget such an economy can come up with? Manas Chakravarty looks at trends and issues in the financial markets. Your comments and feedback are welcome at capitalaccount@livemint.com. -livemint.com
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SPORTS
Ashwin Stars in India’s Greatest World Cup Win vs. UAE BY SIDHARTH MONGA
PERTH (ESPN Cricinfo): India 104 for 1 (Rohit 57*) beat UAE 102 (Anwar 35, Ashwin 4-25) by 9 wickets. By winning the toss and choosing to bat first, UAE put to rest all the speculation there might have been around what kind of monstrous total India might post, but they collected undesired milestones nonetheless. Playing for the first time on what is reputed to be the fastest pitch in the world, UAE struggled against the extra bounce available to the quicks and spinners alike. R Ashwin registered his best figures in an ODI, and UAE stumbled to their lowest total in ODIs and the lowest against India in a World Cup match by any side. Rohit Sharma’s half-century, and his 75-run partnership with Virat Kohli ensured there were no hiccups along the way. That it took 21 matches, and a pitch that can surprise even the best of them, for the first wipe-out of a lesser-established nation is testimony that more, and not less, is good. And UAE had given a much better account of themselves until they
R Ashwin finished with 4 for 25, his first four-for in ODIs, India v United Arab Emirates, World Cup 2015, Group B, Perth.
ran into the combination of an inform team and the WACA Ground. Here they looked off pace. The openers both fell to bouncers from India’s new-ball bowlers Umesh Yadav and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, the latter playing in the absence of the injured Mohammed Shami. Introduced at 28 for 2 in the 11th over, Ashwin proved to be a class above the UAE batsmen. With his second ball, Ashwin brought into play MS Dhoni’s
famed leg slip, with Krishna Chandran gloving one down leg. The arm-ball soon made it four down with Swapnil Patil edging it to Shikhar Dhawan at first slip. UAE’s best batsman Khurram Khan, too, felt handcuffed against Ashwin’s guile, and played a lowpercentage sweep to make it 44 for 5 in the 17th over. It was now down to how much the habitual rescuer Shaiman Anwar could put on with the tail for
company, and whether Ashwin would get a maiden five-for. Anwar couldn’t add much although his 35 took UAE past 100, and the lack of a short leg in his final over against the No. 11 batsman denied Ashwin a five-for. India began their chase with more than an hour before the supper break, but didn’t display the adventurous streak of New Zealand who have met three such opportunities with gusto and an eye at ending the match even before the break. The start was watchful with India taking only 10 off the first four overs. Shikhar Dhawan’s run of form ended with a sharp gully catch by Rohan Mustafa, but his demise only hastened the end with Rohit and Kohli batting more fluently on the day. India went into the break at 88 for 1 with Rohit unbeaten on 47, but asked for a Powerplay immediately on their return from the sheds. India missed out on beating their biggest win - with 231 balls remaining against Kenya in 2001 but with the win coming up in the 19th over, this win was their second-biggest overall and biggest in World Cups. Sidharth Monga is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo.
Ice-cool Williamson Wins New Zealand A Thriller vs. Aussies BY GEORGE BINOY AUCKLAND (ESPN Cricinfo): New Zealand 152 for 9 (McCullum 50, Williamson 45*, Starc 6-28) beat Australia 151 (Haddin
43, Boult 5-27, Southee 2-65, Vettori 2-41) by one wicket This was the match the 2015 World Cup was crying out for, a competitive contest between two major sides, and the co-hosts
played out a thriller in front of a packed and partisan Auckland crowd. The game had everything: perfect weather, a full house, a flurry of early boundaries followed by eye-popping collapses, sensational swing bowling, clever spin bowling, and perhaps the calmest batsman in the world hitting one of the fastest bowlers in the world for a straight six to seal a one-wicket victory for New Zealand. When Kane Williamson put Pat Cummins back over his head to win the match, and the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy with it, more than 40,000 stomachs unknotted at Eden Park, and even this most staid of cricketers allowed himself a fist-pump to celebrate. It shouldn’t have been that hard. Never in Australia’s history had they been dismissed in an ODI by a team using only three bowlers. It nearly happened at Eden Park,
where - backed by a relentlessly attacking captain - Daniel Vettori, Trent Boult and Tim Southee had Australia at 128 for 9 in 27 overs before Brendon McCullum turned to a fourth bowler to finish the job. Southee brought aggression - if sometimes uncontrolled - at the top, Vettori provided calm when New Zealand could have unraveled, and Boult smashed through the middle and lower order. Australia were shot out in 32.2 overs and New Zealand were going to bat before the scheduled dinner break once again. A target of 152 would have been a breeze against most teams, but not Australia. Though Williamson dragged New Zealand to victory in the most tense of finishes, there remained little to split the two hosts deservedly billed as World Cup favourites.
Shehzad, Misbah Push Pak vs UAE
AUCKLAND: Pakistan primed their fans for either startling exhilaration or further frustration by first clobbering 339 in mostly efficient style, before damning the UAE chase by the end of their mandatory Powerplay. Hopes that this Pakistan team is capable of as dramatic and irrepressible a surge as that which won the 1992 World Cup will be momentarily boosted by the 129-run victory. Another single-figure failure from Nasir Jamshed suggested more batting woe, before Pakistan adopted the blueprint that has seen other teams surpass 300 at the tournament. They survived at the start, sailed through the middle overs, then savaged the death bowling, reaping 143 from the final 12 to heap punishment on a wasteful UAE fielding effort, and an attack that was toothless after their own mandatory Powerplay. Pakistan will be pleased that their total was forged with wit and purpose by a top order pulling together for the first time in the tournament. Ahmed Shehzad’s 93 from 105 led the way and Haris Sohail also hit a fifty as the pair’s 160-run stand became the substance upon which more flamboyant innings would be built. Misbah-ul-Haq hit a 49-ball 65, and Sohaib Maqsood and Shahid Afridi launched salvos at either end of the death overs.
Shahid Afridi passed 8,000 ODI runs with a six over cover, Pakistan v UAE, World Cup 2015, Group B, Napier.
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FESTIVAL
March 06, 2015
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HOLI: FESTIVAL OF COLORS
Holi is also known as the Festival of colors in India. It is a spring festival and perhaps the happiest and most colorful religious festival of
and straws lying in streets at a place. At night they gather at that place and set fire to the huge pile of sticks and straws. They sing songs to the accom-
Holi is an important festival of the Hindus. It is a festival of joy. It gives us the message of friendship and goodwill. On this occasion we forget our old quarrels and mix with all freely. At least for one day we forget social distinctions completely. There is no difference between the rich and the poor. Holi gives us great joy. It is a happy occasion when we forget our cares and anxieties.
Holi Special Recipe: Thandai the Hindus. Holi Festival is widely celebrated in India, Nepal and other places with Hindu population. In recent times, this festival has also gained acceptance among Non-Hindus as a spring festival of love and colors. It is celebrated on the first day of Chaitra. It makes the beginning of the spring season. The beauty of nature makes this festival colorful. The lovely flowers with their dazzling colors and the sweet songs of the cuckoo provide a charming background to Holi. The Holi celebrations begin on the last day of Phalgun. People collect sticks
paniment of drums. They are mad with joy. They break up when the fire fades out. The main celebration follows the next day. People are in a happy mood. They sprinkle colored water on another. They smear their faces with colored powders. Children spray colored water on the passes-by. Even the old people are mad with Ingredients: joy.All 250 gms sweetened condensed people milk are in a jolly mood. 1 1/2 litre milk They forget so10 almonds, soaked in water and cial distinctions. peeled 6 pepper corns They mix with 4 cardamoms, crushed all freely. In our villages people move about with colored water. They sing, dance, and jump about. They beat drums and sing loudly in a chorus. In the evening they visit their friends and neighbors.
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