Friday, August 14, 2026 | Vol. 45, No. 33
August 14, 2026
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Indo American News
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Britain Honors Indian Soldiers Who Fought in WW I
P2 HGH to Award Youth, Volunteers at Gala Honor for Bhadreshdas Swami 1st Anniversary for Tirupati Grocery
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W E D D I N G S , S P E C I A L E V E N T S , T E N T E D E V E N T S , O U T D O O R C O U R T YA R D
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2 August 14, 2026 COMMUNITY Britain Honors Indian Soldiers Forgotten Since World War I London: Twelve Indian soldiers who lost their lives during World War One have finally been remembered with a plaque at the site of a former military hospital. The community in Bournemouth came together in the town gardens for the unveiling of the plaque which honoured Indian soldiers who volunteered to serve the British Army and fought bravely on the Western Front. About 100 soldiers from the British Indian Army first arrived in Bournemouth to be cared for at the Mont Dore Hotel, now the Bournemouth Civic Centre. Former councillor Harmeet Singh Brar said: “It is the story of a country that opened its doors and welcomed people with a shared mission to fight for freedom.” The 12 soldiers who tragically died from their injuries were buried in Bournemouth cemeteries. The soldiers honoured were: Daffadar Imam Ali Khan, Driver Budha, Lance Naick Lakhman Singh, Daffadar Bishan Singh, Riflemen Har Singh Negi, Gajle Pun, Himan Singh Gurung and Dilmani Thapa, as well as infantry Munsha Singh, Sant Ram, Meher Khan and Kesar Sing. Singh Brar said the gathering was “a very emotional and special tribute, full of happy emotions”. He explained that this project had taken five years to come together and he is proud that the 12 Indian soldiers “finally have officially been recognized for their service and sac-
deaths. The discovery is the result of a yearslong effort by historians and the British authorities to address racial inequities in how the country has commemorated its war dead. The push comes amid a wider reckoning among British institutions with the legacies of the empire. For the descendants of Kesar Singh, his recognition corrects an omission in the historical record. “I feel a bit more complete,” said his great-grandson Dr. Inder Singh Palahey, a dentist from Leicester, England, who researched his ancestor’s fate for years without finding answers.
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rifice”. He said: “It was such a shame that these men and their stories had been forgotten. It is important to know their names, who they were and remember them for what they did for us and this country. “Now their stories have come to life and they are getting the acknowledgement that they deserve.” BCP Councillor Andy Martin said: “It has been a pleasure and a privilege for the council team to work with our Indian community to ensure there is a permanent memorial. Nearly 10,000 Punjabi soldiers who died in World War I have been added to casualty records for the first time. A young soldier died fighting for Britain, yet for over a century he did not appear on the country’s official list of war dead. According to his family, Kesar Singh left his village in India — a British colony at the time — to fight in what is now Iraq during World War I. He never returned, and few details of his life and military service were known beyond the memories of his wife and two young sons. That changed recently, when Mr. Singh became one of 10,000 Punjabi soldiers identified as having died for Britain in that war without being recognized for it by the authorities — the result of bureaucratic failings that historians say reflected the views of colonial administrators toward non-British troops from its empire. -- BBC, NYT
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4 August 14, 2026 COMMUNITY HGH to Host 13th Hindu Youth Awards and Gala on August 22 Houston: Hindus of Greater Houston will host 13th Hindu Annual Youth Awards and Gala on August 22, 2026 from 5 p.m at the VPSS Haveli, 11715 Bellfort Village Drive, Houston, TX 77031. Raj Syal saw the need to bring Hindus in Houston together in establishing HGH in 1989. Over the last 37 years, the Hindu community in Houston has grown and now there are over 35 temples currently in the Greater Houston area. With growth Hindu community has become more diverse in terms of temples, festivals, traditions and community organizations. The role and mission of HGH is more important than ever before. The keynote speaker will be Mr. Maneesh Mehra, himself a previous Hindu Youth Awardee.. Mr. Sharad Amin, a respected Hindu community leader in Houston and past President of HGH, will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award. Ms. Sangeeta Bhutada, a well known Houston based artist will receive a Special Award for her Exemplary Contribution in Arts for her “Diwali Forever” 2026 USA Postal Stamp Rangoli Art. HGH’s mission is to build harmony within the community and provide outreach services to all Hindu Organizations. It organizes Hindu Leaders Meet of all temples and organizations. It oversees and
Houston, TX 77079. Keynote speaker Maneesh Mehra is a long-time Houstonian married to Dr. Niharika Mehra and they have two teenage children. The family has multiple businesses. The family supports several charitable causes, including Sewa, Texas Hindu campsite, and Hindu American Foundation.
Sharad Amin
guides the Hindu Heritage Youth Camp and supports the group, Young Hindus of Greater Houston. Ms. Anjali Aggarwal, Co-President of Young Hindus of Greater Houston said, “Dharma is not something we simply inherit. It is something we are responsible for carrying forward through our actions, our leadership, and our seva. The strength of the Hindu community depends on a generation of young Hindus who are rooted in their identity, unafraid to lead, and committed to serving something greater than themselves. Through the Hindu Youth Awards, we are
Sangeeta Bhutada
not only honoring what our youth have accomplished; we are declaring that the future of our community is here and is ready to lead” Ms. Rachana Shah, President of Hindus of Greater Houston, said, “The future of our community lies in nurturing and empowering the next generation. Hindus of Greater Houston is committed to creating opportunities for youth leadership and meaningful engagement. By nurturing pride in our heritage and encouraging active participation, we ensure a strong and vibrant future for Hindu Americans in Houston. Youth Awards is a recognition of their effort and glimpse of fu-
ture leaders.” Donations can be made to Hindus of Greater Houston by via Zelle to hghacct@gmail.com and via www.hindusofhouston. com; Mail checks to Hindus of Greater Houston, Attn: Mr. Tupil Narasimhan, 310 Sandy Bluff,
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Keynote speaker Maneesh Mehra
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RELIGION
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Central Sanskrit University Confers Prestigious Title On Dr. Bhadreshdas New Delhi: On August 9, 2026, Central Sanskrit University, New Delhi, conferred the nation’s highly distinguished title of “Vedantavidya-Vishwaguru” upon Mahamahopadhyaya Dr. Bhadreshdas Swami. This honor was awarded in recognition of Swamiji’s extraordinary contributions to the study, research, and global promotion of Vedanta, Sanskrit literature, and the Indian knowledge tradition. Central Sanskrit University is a premier institution dedicated to the promotion, preservation, and advancement of Sanskrit language, literature, and traditional knowledge systems in India. It operates under the Ministry of Education, Government of India. The honor ceremony took place at BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham, New Delhi. The event was attended by Param Pujya Sri Sri Vishwaprasanna Theertha Swamiji of the Pejavara Adhokshaja Matha in Udupi; Prof. Srinivasa Varkhedi, Vice-Chancellor of Central Sanskrit University; Prof. Sukanta HH Mahant Swami Maharaj Blessing Dr. Bhadreshdas Swami. Kumar Senapati, Vice-Chancellor of Shree Somnath Sanskrit University; Prof. V. Narayanan; Prof. Omnath Bimli; Prof. Muralikrishna; Prof. Ganesh T. Pandit; and other distinguished scholars. On this occasion, Param Pujya Sri Sri Vishwaprasanna Theertha Swami Maharaj, a revered saint of the Madhvacharya tradition, heartfeltly praised Dr. Bhadreshdas Swami’s philosophical brilliance and highlighted the true significance of the award. Prof. Srinivasa Varkhedi, Vice-Chancellor of Central Sanskrit University, elaborated on the reason for conferring this honor, stating that Mahamahopadhyaya Bhadreshdas Swami’s contribution in firmly establishing the classical framework of AksharPurushottam Darshan within the Sanskrit Prasthantrayi tradition is particularly remarkable. Expressing his sentiments, Prof. Sukanta Kumar Senapati, Vice-Chancellor of Shree Somnath Sanskrit University, shared that Dr. Bhadreshdas Swami has become a globally renowned scholar today owing to the grace and blessings of his gurus, Pramukh Swami Maharaj and Mahant Swami Maharaj. Prof. V. Narayanan read the official citation (sanman-patra), which was received with warm applause from those in attendance. Dr. Bhadreshdas Swami dedicated the honor to Bhagwan Swaminarayan and to his gurus, His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj and His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj. Mahamahopadhyaya Dr. Bhadreshdas Swami is an internationally respected, renowned Sanskrit scholar and philosopher. He holds multiple academic distinctions, including an M.A., Ph.D., D.Litt., and an honorary Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) from IIT Kharagpur. Inspired by His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, Dr. Bhadreshdas Swami authored the Swaminarayan Bhashyam, classical Sanskrit commentaries (bhashyas) on the entire Prasthanatrayi, comprising the Upanishads, Brahmasutras, and Bhagavad Gita, establishing him as a living bhashyakara (commentator) of the modern era. He also authored the Swaminarayana Siddhanta Sudha, a Sanskrit treatise that systematically presents the Akshar-Purushottam Darshan, the Vedantic philosophy revealed by Bhagwan Swaminarayan. A world-renowned philosopher and Sanskrit scholar, he serves as Head of the BAPS Swaminarayan Research Institute in New Delhi, Distinguished Professor at IIT Kharagpur, and Distinguished Visiting Professor at IIT Roorkee. Today, under the guidance of His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, he continues to advance the study and propagation of Sanskrit, Sanatana scriptures, and Indian philosophical traditions in India and around the world. Over the years, he has been honored with numerous awards, including the Sahitya Akademi Award from the Government of India, the Saraswati Samman from the KK Birla Foundation, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Indian Council of Philosophical Research (ICPR), the Vedant Martand Sanman from Silpakorn University, Thailand, and the Mahamahopadhyaya title from Kavikulguru Kalidas Sanskrit University. He has also received the Acharya Pravar title from the Uttar Pradesh State Government and was recognized for Excellence in Philosophy by Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow. Additional accolades include the Darshan Kesari Award and the Prof. G. Marula Siddaiah Memorial Award from the University of Mysore, as well as the Vedant Prakash Award and Abhinav Bhashyakar Award from Shree Somnath Sanskrit University. Notably, the Shri Kashi Vidvat Parishad formally acknowledged him as an acharya in the lineage of classical Sanskrit commentators. The honor was warmly welcomed by scholars and members of Sanskrit and Vedanta communities around the world. Indo-American News • Friday, august 14, 2026, 2026 • www.indoamerican-news
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NEWS
NRI Admissions at Anna University Up by 20% Chennai: Student visa restrictions by US and European countries, conflict in West Asia and low fees have resulted in more admissions under NonResident Indians (NRIs) and Children of Indian Workers in Gulf Countries (CWGIC) quotas at Anna University. As many as 160 students were enrolled in these two categories for the 2026-27 academic year against 136 students last year. These students are from countries such as Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Singapore, UK, Korea, Japan, Canada, Angola, Azerbaijan, Australia and Germany. “The cost of education is affordable at Anna University,” said V Kumaresan, registrar (in charge) of Anna University. “The campuses also provide high-quality engineering education.” The university charges USD 7,500 from those joining courses such as computer science engineering, IT and electronics and communication engineering. For other courses, the fee is USD 3,750. “Visa restrictions by European countries and US are also another reason. The impact of the US-Iran war did not have much impact on the NRI admissions,” he said.
NRI students have joined UG courses such as biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, industrial engineering, electronics engineering (VLSI), mining, robotics, production engineering and geoinformatics. “Due to the impact of AI, students are expecting a demand for domain experts and interdisciplinary courses in future. Our twinning programmes with foreign universities are another attraction for NRIs,” said R Baskaran, director of centre for international relations, Anna University. The university enrols about 10% of students under NRI, CWGIC and foreign nationals quota every year. Last year, about 202 students were enrolled in different programmes. “The foreign national admissions are still going on and
we will enrol about the same as last year,” he said. The university has received more applications through Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) for the 2026-27 academic year. The four campuses of Anna University currently host 600 NRIs and foreign nationals from around 50 countries. For Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and Overseas Citizens of India (OCI), securing a seat in a top Indian college can be challenging due to high competition. However, NRI Quota Admission in India provides a pathway for such students to study in premier institutions. In this blog, we will explore the top Indian colleges offering NRI quota admissions. Many medical, engineering, and management colleges in India reserve a certain percentage of seats for NRI students. These admissions are generally based on merit, entrance examinations like NEET (for medical colleges), or direct admission under the management quota.
First Anniversary for Tirupati Balaji Grocers in Katy
Kaushal Patel and his wife Priyanka are celebrating the first anniversary of their store, Tirupati Balaji Grocers, in Katy.
Katy: Kaushal Patel has been in the desi grocery business for many years and has developed a keen sense of what items the public wants, how to display them and price them competitively. So when he took over the old store on Mason Road, he changed its name to Tirupati Balaji, gave it a facelift, added a mini-kitchen for hot-to-go snacks and stocked it with a huge variety of items … and the formula worked! Kaushal is from Baroda, Gujarat and was the manager of the Desi Brothers grocery store in far south Highway 6 until the store changed
hands and he went to Chicago in 2024 to manage another store. But his heart was in Houston and the warm weather brought him back. Now celebrating the store’s first anniversary, Kaushal and his wife Priyanka are planning for the Holiday season and a year-end Diwali sale with unique items “not found elsewhere,” grins Kaushal. To that, add the smiling service and getting to know your customer, one at a time, the old fashioned-way that keeps them coming back! Tirupati Balaji Grocers is located at 949 S. Mason Rd, Katy, TX 77450. 281-578-7812
Indian-origin Teenagers Become 2026 British Chess Champions Coventry, UK: Indian-origin teenagers Bodhana Sivanandan and Shreyas Royal have made a major mark on British chess after winning the women’s and open titles at the 2026 British Chess Championships in Coventry. Bodhana, just 11, became the youngest-ever British women’s champion after beating 14-year-old Ireland-based talent Trisha Kanyamarala in a tense rapidchess playoff. Her performance drew huge praise, with Grandmaster Danny Gormally saying: “Unreal! Bodhana has won. She is unbelievable, a generational talent,” during his commentary for the English Chess Federation. Bodhana’s chess journey began during the COVID-19 lockdown, when a family friend gave her a chess board while returning to India. “I was interested
Bodhana Sivanandan and Shreyas Royal
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in the pieces, so I started playing,” she said at the time. Since then, the north-west London schoolgirl has collected major honours, including the UK Open Women’s Blitz title and a share of the British Women’s Rapid crown. Seventeen-year-old Shreyas Royal won the Open British Championship after finishing half a point ahead of England’s experienced grandmasters following nine rounds. It is his first British title and another major step in his rise as a top young chess player. Royal, who moved from Bangalore to the UK with his family at the age of three, became England’s youngest grandmaster at 15. The 2026 championships featured more than 1,750 entries and a record £34,000 prize fund for the open event. -- ToI
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ENTERTAINMENT
‘Ohh My Dog’: Engaging Dog-Human Drama
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. Send us the correct answer before August 18, 2026. Email us at indoamericannews@yahoo.com. Please send us your solved Sudoku for your name to be published.
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By Renuka Vyavahare Story:Despite the resemblance in title, Ohh My Dog isn’t a sequel to the OMG franchise, even though Amit Rai also directed OMG 2, starring Pankaj Tripathi. This is a standalone film that celebrates the bond between humans and dogs, championing compassion and kindness towards voiceless beings as the truest form of religion. Metaphorically, it even presents dogs as a manifestation of God—selfless protectors who love unconditionally.Amit Rai’s son Maahi and the family’s indie pet dog Oscar play the sharp-witted Apu and Momo, two inseparable siblings living a happy life in Assam until Momo is kidnapped. Convinced that dog meat smugglers are behind the disappearance, Apu sets out to uncover the truth while the authorities remain largely indifferent.Meanwhile, in Bhopal, Prince, an underage labourer, shares an unlikely bond with a stray dog named Bruno. When Prince goes missing, Bruno becomes the film’s true hero, relentlessly searching for his companion, convinced that something sinister has happened.An investigative crime drama powered by a
dog’s unconditional love and unwavering loyalty forms the heart of the film. Bruno is treated like a full-fledged action hero, complete with slow-motion entries, gravitydefying jumps, elaborate chase sequences and enough sprinting to give Tom Cruise competition. His desperate pursuit of Prince’s abductors, fuelled entirely by instinct and devotion, keeps you invested and even moves you in parts.The problem is that the story eventually begins to chase its own tail. Much of it feels monotonous and could have benefited from a tighter edit. When a film constantly asks you to admire its intentions over its execution, something hasn’t quite landed. Noble ideas alone aren’t enough; they demand equally compelling storytelling. Unlike the OMG films, known for their sharp writing, humour and thought-provoking debates on faith and society, Ohh My Doglacks that spark.While the canine performances are flawless, the writing, direction and several of the human performances repeatedly tell you what to feel instead of trusting the audience to arrive there organically. That awareness of emotional manipulation keeps you at arm’s length. Rather than allowing emotion to emerge
naturally, the film leans heavily on tragedy, making the experience feel more manufactured than earned.A premise this unique had the potential to be more endearing, quirky and mystery-driven, something closer in spirit to The Sheep Detectives. It keeps you invested in solving the mystery, but never quite delivers the emotional payoff it promises. While indie dog Bruno is the film’s biggest attraction, Pankaj Tripathi as Masterji and Maahi Rai as Apu lend the story its human touch. Hats off to the cinematography team for capturing Bruno so beautifully, and to Amit Rai and the dog trainers for extracting such a remarkable performance from him. It couldn’t have been easy. You don’t need to be a dog parent or even a pet lover to empathise with animals. Compassion and kindness are universal. That’s what makes Ohh My Dog a film made for everyone, even if it doesn’t fully realise the potential of its heartfelt premise. The film’s biggest flaw is its length. At two and a half hours, the film overstays its welcome, taking some of the fun out of an otherwise engaging watch and prompting the inevitable question: why so serious?. -- ToI
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Sanchali Basu, Kumud Athavale, Krishna R. Vuddagiri, Prabha Barvalia, Jawahar Khandheria, Prabha Narumanchi, Yudhveer Bagga, Naveen Garg, Nihira Ghanta, Harsh Malkan, Soumya Srikanth, Rajesh Pradbhu, Priya Pathak, Mohit Mittal, Ayush Khaple, Rekha Trivedi, Arup Gupta, Pravina Kadakia
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