Friday, August 28, 2026 | Vol. 45, No. 35
August 28, 2026
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Indo American News
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RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat to Address Hindu Americans in New York City’s Madison Square Garden
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ISKCON-HGH Janmashtami Celebration
2026 HGH Youth Awards Gala
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2 August 28, 2026 COMMUNITY RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat to Address Hindu Americans in NYC New York: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat will address a gathering of Hindu Americans in New York City on August 29, marking a rare public appearance by him in the United States. The Universal Oneness Celebrations will bring together Hindu cultural, spiritual, service and community organizations from across the country, according to a statement issued by the organizers. The gathering will coincide with Raksha Bandhan and focus on unity, civic responsibility, social harmony and interfaith understanding. The event is being organized by American Hindus for Engagement and Dialogue (AHEAD Forum) in partnership with hundreds of participating organizations. The organizers described it as one of the largest and most diverse Hindu community gatherings to be held in the United States. Bhagwat, who has led the RSS since 2009, is expected to deliver the principal address. The organizers said his appearance was likely to attract national and international interest because he rarely speaks at large public events in the United States. The program will also feature faith-based speakers and cultural performances aligned with the theme of universal unity. Details
RSS Sarsanghsanchalak Dr. Mohan Bhagwat greeted with an aarti by the Universal Oneness Sanchalak team.
about other speakers, the venue and timing have not yet been announced. The gathering will highlight the growing role of Hindu Americans in public life and their contributions to education, healthcare, business, public service, philanthropy and civic engagement, the organizers said.
Raksha Bandhan traditionally honors the bond between siblings and the responsibility to protect and care for one another. The New York program will extend that theme to relations among communities, nations, humanity and nature, according to the statement. (IANS). Several prominent Houstonians
have welcomed Mr. Bhagwat’s visit: “The visit of Shri Mohan Bhagwat ji to the United States holds special significance for the Indian diaspora community. It offers an opportunity to come together, reflect on our shared cultural heritage, and reaffirm our collective commitment to the values of
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service, unity, and community that have long connected Indians abroad to their roots. We welcome this visit as a moment to strengthen the bonds within our community and honor the traditions that continue to guide us, wherever we make our home.” -- Jugal Malani. “Universal Hindu message of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam reminds us that the whole world is one family. Today, this timeless wisdom is more relevant than ever. I whole heartedly support the Universal Oneness Celebration Program and am delighted to welcome Dr. Mohan Bhagwat Ji to New York as a distinguished speaker. -- Dev Mahajan “We are so happy that Pujya Sarsanghchalak Mohan ji Bhagvat is visiting USA and going to address Universal Oneness program. It is a Hindu tradition to reach out to all for peaceful existence on the earth. Our Rishis had reached out to different countries of the world in the past. We welcome him with Joy.” -- Ramesh shah “Respected Mohan ji,welcome to New York. In the auspicious month of Shravan your visit and bringing the message of Universal Oneness is incredible. Dialog, selfless service and dedication for humanity which Sangh demonstrates through its 100 years of history. Warmly welcoming you and wishing the best for the NYC celebrations. -- Swapan Dhairyawan
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4 August 28, 2026 COMMUNITY ISKCON and HGH to Host Community-wide Janmashtami Houston: ISKCON of Houston and Hindus of Greater Houston will host a community-wide celebration of Janmashtami, the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna, on Friday, September 4, from 6 p.m. until after midnight. The free festival will take place at the ISKCON of Houston temple, 1320 West 34th Street. The celebration will feature religious ceremonies, live kirtan music, cultural programming, a children’s costume contest and a special 250drone light and sound show. Janmashtami is one of the most important observances in the Hindu tradition. The Houston celebration will be held on the evening traditionally associated with Lord Krishna’s appearance and will welcome people of all faiths and backgrounds. This year’s festival is especially significant as ISKCON of Houston marks its 40th anniversary. The event is also part of Kirtan Fest Houston, a four-day celebration running from September 4 through September 7. The temple will be decorated with fresh flowers, while the temple deities will be presented in elaborate floral and fruit arrangements. Attendees may participate in live kirtan, view the deities during darshan and attend three arati worship ceremonies scheduled for 7 p.m., 9 p.m. and midnight. A dis-
nity to experience Hindu culture, devotion and joy. The children’s costume contest will be a special highlight, showcasing young participants dressed as divine characters.” A complimentary vegetarian dinner will be served. Guests may also dine at Govinda’s Vegetarian Cuisine, the temple’s restaurant located on the property. Parking and Shuttle Information There will be no parking available at the temple beginning at 4 p.m. All attendees should park at Houston’s First Baptist Church, 7401 Katy Freeway, Houston, Texas 77024. Free shuttle service will operate from 5:30 p.m., with the final shuttle departing the temple at 1 a.m. Organizers encourage attendees to plan ahead and use the designated parking and shuttle service.
course on the significance of Janmashtami will also be presented. The midnight arati is expected to draw hundreds of devotees, who traditionally welcome Lord Krishna through devotional chanting and dancing. A children’s costume contest,
sponsored by Hindus of Greater Houston, will be open to children ages newborn through 12. Participants are encouraged to dress as Krishna or other figures from Hindu tradition. Registration information is available through the event organizers.
“We are bringing together the best of decades of Janmashtami celebrations by Hindus of Greater Houston and ISKCON of Houston,” said Rachana Shah, president of Hindus of Greater Houston. “This year’s celebration will offer a memorable way for the commu-
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6 August 28, 2026 COMMUNITY HGH Honors Young Leaders, Community Pillars at Annual Gala By Juhi Varma Houston: Hindus of Greater Houston celebrated the community’s young achievers while honoring two longtime contributors at its 13th Hindu Annual Youth Awards and Gala on Aug. 22. About 450 guests packed the VPSS Haveli for the colorful evening. Longtime Houston Hindu community leader Sharad Amin received a Lifetime Achievement Award and educator Sangita Bhutada was given a special award for her contribution to the arts. Houston entrepreneur and owner of Bumblebee Logistics Maneesh Mehra served as keynote speaker. “I would like to thank the HGH Board and Advisory committee on behalf of all who have inspired and motivated me to serve the community in Houston and wherever I have done in the US,” said Sharad Amin. Sharad ji, a past president of Hindus of Greater Houston, has spent decades strengthen Hindu institutions and youth programs in the Houston area. Sangita Bhutada’s rangoli artwork has been selected for the U.S. Postal Service’s 2026 Diwali Forever stamp, to be issued this fall. She credited her husband, Bhagwan Bhutada and sons Hriday and Mayuresh, for their unwavering support in her artistic journey. “Rangoli has survived throughout the generations because people continue to teach and practice it,”
Youth award winners with HGH board members.
she said. “We must keep this tradition alive.” But much of the evening belonged to the next generation. Eight young people — Anshi Bhalla, Ariya Shah, Anuj Kurella, Ruchi Patel, Pooja Shah, Anagha Patwari, Sakhi Ganjoo and Parth Dargan — received Hindu Youth Awards. HGH President Rachana Shah described the recipients as young people demonstrating excellence in academics, leadership, service and devotion. “A community can grow only as high as its roots are deep,” she added. “We must continue investing in our youth, and we must continue standing together as one united Hindu family.” Founded in 1989, the goal of Hindus of Greater Houston is to bring together a Hindu community that has grown considerably larger and more diverse over the ensuing
decades. “Uniting a diverse community is never an easy task, yet HGH has done so with dedication, vision and a spirit of service,” said Dev Mahajan, founding chairman of HGH. He now serves on the HGH advisory council. Today, more than 35 temples operate throughout Greater Houston, alongside numerous cultural and community organizations. HGH seeks to provide a common platform through education, advocacy, service and outreach, while organizing community celebrations including Holi, Janmashtami and Diwali. Its youth initiatives include the Hindu Heritage Youth Camp and Young Hindus of Greater Houston. Rachana ji said preserving Hindu traditions requires more than simply inheriting them. “Dharma is not just something
we inherit; it is something we must actively carry forward,” she said. ‘This is the key to keeping Hindu kids Hindus’ Keynote speaker Maneesh Mehra focused his remarks on making Hindu and Vedic traditions relevant to the everyday lives of younger generations. He pointed to the widespread adoption of yoga and growing interest in Ayurveda as evidence that ancient Indian traditions continue to have contemporary value. But simply knowing those traditions, he argued, is different from learning how to apply them. “Our Vedic principles are knowledge, but we must learn to apply them and develop them into wisdom, so that we can transform our lives,” Mehra said. He used an unlikely analogy to make the point: building Lego sets. Instructions provide all the nec-
essary information, he said, but experience teaches someone how to recognize a mistake, understand why something went wrong and fix it. In much the same way, he argued, knowledge accumulated through Hindu traditions becomes more valuable when people learn how to apply it to their lives. “But we must also pick Vedic concepts that we can incorporate into our daily lives,” Mehra said. “This is the key to keeping Hindu kids Hindus.” Mehra also spoke from personal experience about what can happen when established community leaders entrust young people with responsibility. When he was 19 and the Hindu Heritage Youth Camp was still relatively new, community leaders including Suresh Patel, Dinesh Shah and Sharad Amin gave him an opportunity to become the camp’s first youth director. “They nurtured me into a leadership role,” he said. “Not only do we stand on the shoulders of our parents, we actually stand on the shoulders of the community members who came before us.” He asked the community to do the same for today’s young people by creating opportunities for them to practice their heritage and take leadership roles. Mehra ended on another message directed toward the next generation: Hindu philosophy, he said, teaches that destiny is shaped through one’s own thoughts and actions.
Arya Samaj Greater Houston Celebrates India’s Independence Day
Houston: Arya Samaj Greater Houston (ASGH) celebrated India’s Independence Day on Sunday, August 16, with a special program during its weekly Sunday Satsang, bringing together students, parents, volunteers, members and well-wishers. DAV Sanskriti School (DAVSS) students, along with their families and members of the Arya Samaj community, participated enthusiastically, reflecting a shared commitment to India’s cultural heritage and patriotic spirit. The program began with Havan, followed by Pravachan by Acharya Surya Nanda Ji and Bhajans by Ms. Smriti Ji. A highlight was a colorful mosaic program featuring DAVSS
students, volunteers, and young and senior members of ASGH. Curated by Ms. Pallavi, a DAVSS parent and volunteer, the presentation was warmly appreciated by the audience. A solemn Indian flag ceremony followed, with veterans of both the Indian and U.S. armed forces standing together in salute to the Indian Tricolor, reflecting the community’s ties to both nations. The program concluded with Atri Bhajan and Shanti Path, followed by Prasad (lunch). The gathering brought together generations of Houston’s IndianAmerican community while helping pass on the values of patriotism, service and cultural heritage to the younger generation.
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8 August 28, 2026 COMMUNITY Gujarat CM Bhupendrabhai Patel Visits BAPS Akshardham in NJ Robbinsville, New Jersey: The Honorable Bhupendrabhai Patel, Chief Minister of Gujarat, India, visited BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham in Robbinsville, New Jersey, on Saturday, August 22, 2026. During his visit, he expressed deep appreciation for Akshardham’s inspiring presentation of India’s spiritual and cultural heritage, its commitment to community service, and the extraordinary dedication of its volunteers. Upon his arrival, Chief Minister Patel was warmly welcomed and garlanded by Pujya Brahmaviharidas Swami and Pujya Nilkanthsevadas Swami. He was accompanied by a delegation of senior Gujarat government officials, including the Additional Chief Secretary of the Finance Department; Dr. Sanjeev Kumar, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister; and Vikrant Pandey, Secretary to the Chief Minister. Already familiar with BAPS and its deep roots in Gujarat, the Chief Minister reflected on how Akshardham carries India’s timeless values of service, spirituality, and excellence to communities around the world. He emphasized the importance of preserving cultural values among the Indian diaspora and expressed his appreciation for the way Akshardham nurtures and celebrates India’s cultural heritage in the United States.
Pujya Brahmaviharidas Swami welcomes Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Patel in the assembly
Chief Minister Patel also received a special tour of the Akshardham Museum, currently under construction, and will be one of the first Hindu American museums dedicated to showcasing India’s rich heritage and culture. The museum will feature 12 architectural replicas, 40 multimedia shows, 85 immersive dioramas, and 200 lifelike statues. He described the museum as a landmark in itself, offering visitors of every age and background an opportunity to connect with universal ideals of faith, harmony, compassion, family values, and selfless service. He noted that these enduring prin-
ciples continue to guide Gujarat’s progress and strengthen India’s cultural identity while remaining relevant to people and cultures around the world. “It was a privilege to have Gujarat’s Honorable Chief Minister, Bhupendrabhai Patel, visit BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham in Robbinsville today,” said Pujya Brahmaviharidas Swami, a senior swami of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha. “Not only was he overwhelmed and fascinated by the beautiful carvings and the sheer size and scale of the Mandir, but he was deeply touched by its serene and spiritual environment.
While touring the museum, the Chief Minister remarked, ‘You brought India’s ancient culture back to life.” A highlight of the visit was Chief Minister Patel’s interaction with the volunteers who serve throughout Akshardham. He commended their discipline, humility, hospitality, and spirit of seva (selfless service), recognizing how their collective contributions help create a welcoming and meaningful experience for visitors from around the world. “From my heart, I thank all the BAPS volunteers for their contributions to the construction of
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Akshardham, which will inspire many generations to come,” Chief Minister Patel said. “Everyone who comes here from across the world will find peace, wherever he or she is from.” Chief Minister Patel is visiting the United States in connection with the Vibrant Gujarat initiative, marking the first visit by a Chief Minister of Gujarat to the United States in nearly 30 years. Reflecting on his experience at Akshardham, he noted that while his visit focused on Vibrant Gujarat, he remarked that India’s culture is vibrant at BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham. More than a place of worship, he observed, Akshardham is a celebration of culture, art, spirituality, and enduring values. Delegates and community leaders from across the United States gathered to welcome the Chief Minister and mark the occasion. The visit further highlighted the important role BAPS has played in preserving and sharing India’s rich spiritual and cultural heritage around the world. Through mandirs, educational programs, humanitarian relief initiatives, healthcare services, environmental awareness, youth development, and cultural activities, BAPS has contributed significantly to the well-being of communities in Gujarat, throughout India, and across the globe.
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Indo American News Founder: Dr. K.L. Sindwani Publisher: Jawahar Malhotra Editor: Pramod Kulkarni Correspondent: Sanchali Basu ®All rights reserved. No material herein or portions thereof may be published without the written consent of the publisher. Deadline for advertising and articles is 4 pm on Monday of each week. Please include self-addressed, stamped envelope for return of all unsolicited material. Published at 2470 S. Dairy Ashford #175, Houston, Texas 77077. Tel:713-789-6397, email: indoamericannews@
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ENTERTAINMENT
‘Awarapan 2’: Emraan Hashmi’s Return after 20 Years By Archika Khurana Story: After losing the love of his life in the prequel, Shivam Pandit (Emraan Hashmi), still battling grief, is pulled back into a brutal criminal world, where dangerous enemies, old demons and his violent past force him to confront his deepest wounds. Review: There is something oddly comforting about seeing Emraan Hashmi return as Shivam Pandit. Almost two decades after Awarapan (2007), the character returns carrying the same pain, anger, and emotional baggage, but with more scars and a renewed purpose. Nitin Kakkar’s Awarapan 2 clearly knows that its biggest strength is nostalgia. It doesn’t try too hard to reinvent the franchise; instead, it leans into the old-school romance, melodrama, soulful music and massy action that made the original memorable. The story picks up with Shivam still haunted by the death of Aaliyah (Shriya Saran), the woman whose loss changed him forever. Older, lonelier and emotionally damaged, he continues to live with the ghosts of his past. His life takes another turn when he finds an abandoned girl, whom he names Aaliyah, and ensures that she is placed in a safe environment. When she is adopted by a family that is secretly involved in child trafficking, Shivam realises that he may be losing Aaliyah all over again. An Interpol officer, Samarth Singh (Atul Kumar), brings Shivam into the larger mission of dismantling the trafficking racket. His search takes him to Bangkok, where he goes after the kingpin while battling his own unresolved grief. For Shivam, this is not just another mission. It is personal, and his determination to protect the child becomes a chance at redemption. The plot is fairly
predictable and follows familiar action-drama territory, although a few twists add some momentum. What keeps the film moving is its unabashedly massy treatment. Awarapan 2 belongs to an older Bollywood school where heroes brood, villains make grand entrances, dialogues are designed to be cheered and every emotional beat comes with a background score. In an era of increasingly restrained storytelling, there is something almost refreshing about its lack of subtlety. However, the sequel doesn’t always justify its own existence, and its cliffhanger ending feels more like a setup for another instalment. And then there is Emraan Hashmi. He is easily the heart and soul of the film. Hashmi understands Shivam’s silences as much as his anger, giving the character a weary intensity that makes even the familiar portions watchable. Dialogues such as “Maut, mera usse ek purana rishta hai, ek karz hai” underline how deeply Shivam remains connected to death and loss. His warning, “Ek-ek karke maroge ya sab saath mein?” brings out the ruthless side of a man who has very little left to fear. The supporting cast, however, does not always get enough material.
Disha Patani as Zara has her moments, but her chemistry with Hashmi feels somewhat forced, and her character lacks the emotional weight required to match Shivam. Shabana Azmi makes an impression as Nafisa Nawab, the antagonist, particularly in her early confrontation with Shivam, but the film frustratingly underuses her. Suvinder Vicky and Vijayant Kohli play fairly stereotypical gang members, while Puran Gabbi’s Zorawar brings impulsiveness and a few unexpected turns. Anirudh Rawal is promising as Sikandar, Zorawar and Zara’s brother, bringing a different shade to the otherwise conventional gangster world. Visually, the Bangkok setting gives the film a glossy international texture, while the action is stylish without being overly larger-than-life. Hashmi gets plenty of opportunities to unleash his physical side, and the film clearly understands that its audience has come for the action as much as the emotion. The music, naturally, is another major attraction. The reprised Toh Phir Aao instantly taps into the nostalgia of the first film, while Tera Mera Rishta, composed by Mithoon and sung by Saaj Bhatt and Subodhh Sharma, carries a melodic quality that stays with you after the screening. Awarapan 2 is far from perfect. The writing can be predictable, several supporting characters deserve more depth and the romance does not always land. But the film has a certain old-world sincerity that is difficult to dislike. It is dramatic, unapologetically commercial and emotionally loud — and it wears all of these qualities proudly. -- ToI
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