Issuu

Friday, July 17, 2026 | Vol. 45, No. 29

July 17, 2026

Indo American News

Published weekly from Houston, TX

www.indoamerican-news.com

Special Reports Community Briefs Local Politics South Asians in the News

“Voted #2 of Top 100 Houston Podcasts”

2470 Dairy Ashford, Houston, TX 77077 • 713.789.NEWS (6397) • indoamericannews@yahoo.com

BAPS Celebrates America 250 through Unity, Service, and Community

BAPS mandir in Los Angeles

America 250 Celebration at Arya Samaj

India Women Win at Lord’s

Swami Mukundananda in Houston

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

3 3 3 0 F M 1 4 6 3 | Ka t y, T X 7 7 4 9 4 | 8 3 2 . 8 5 5 . 5 5 2 0 | p a l m r o y a l v i l l a . c o m Indo-American News • Friday, july 17. 2026, 2026 • www.indoamerican-news

2 July 17, 2026

COMMUNITY

BAPS Celebrates America 250 through Unity, Service & Community

USA: As the United States commemorated the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha joined in the America 250 celebration through events centered on faith, service, gratitude, civic pride, and unity across the nation. BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha was proud to partner with America250.org, the national, nonpartisan initiative leading the commemoration of America’s Semiquincentennial. Through this partnership, BAPS joined a nationwide effort to engage Americans in one of the most inclusive anniversary celebrations in the nation’s history. For South Asian Americans, America250 offered a meaningful opportunity to honor the freedoms, opportunities, and shared values that have enabled generations of families to preserve their heritage while supporting the American story. From early immigrants seeking new beginnings to the millions of South Asian Americans who today serve in medicine, education, business, public service, technology, the arts, and civic life, their journey expresses a broader

American experience shaped via resilience, service, opportunity, and belonging. BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, a Hindu organization that has served communities in the United States for more than 50 years, marked this national milestone through mandir-based celebrations, open houses, interfaith gatherings, service initiatives, and community events. Since beginning its activities in the United States in the early 1970s, BAPS has expanded alongside the nation, establishing mandirs, promoting civic engagement, and welcoming people of all backgrounds. Across the country, BAPS Swaminarayan Mandirs commemorated America250 with civic gratitude and community enthusiasm. Mandirs were illuminated in red, white, and blue, families participated in patriotic activities, and community members gathered to reflect on the values that unite Americans across backgrounds and beliefs. In Robbinsville, New Jersey, BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham hosted a flag-hoisting ceremony with veterans and community members, where devotees and

families waved American flags in a demonstration of gratitude and unity. In Los Angeles, the BAPS mandir held a flag-raising ceremony with local veterans and opened its doors to the larger community to share culture, values, and service. In Houston, four local mayors from Sugar Land, Missouri City, Pearland, and Stafford joined the celebration as the mandir was illuminated in red, white, and blue, and the National Anthem was played. Many celebrations highlighted religious freedom, pluralism, and service. Through interfaith discussions, community open houses, volunteer efforts, and family-centered activities, participants reflected on how America’s founding ideals have allowed diverse communities to practice their faith, raise families, serve neighbors, and contribute substantially to society. One of its most treasured artifacts is a special letter from His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, offering prayers for America on its 250th anniversary. In the letter, he reminds us that the freedoms and opportunities of this nation have allowed our community to become

part of the American story—and that with those blessings comes a shared responsibility to serve, strengthen, and uplift our country. The events brought together community members, local leaders, veterans, faith representatives, nonprofit partners, and residents to celebrate the shared values that still shape the nation. For many families, America250 was a moment of gratitude for the freedoms and opportunities that have enabled generations to pursue education, build careers, practice their faith, raise families, and serve their communities while maintaining their cultural heritage. BAPS Charities also incorporated America250 themes into its annual Walk-Run events, bringing together tens of thousands of participants across North America in support of local charitable causes. These events have supported hundreds of organizations working in health, education, humanitarian relief, environmental protection, and social well-being. This celebration provides a meaningful opportunity to reflect on the founding ideals and lasting values which shaped the United States of America.” — State Rep-

Indo-American News • Friday, july 17, 2026 • www.indoamerican-news

resentative Brian Lorenz in Los Angeles. America250 also served as an opportunity to reflect on the role immigrant communities have played in strengthening the nation. Across the years, Americans of diverse backgrounds have preserved their traditions while adopting a shared civic identity grounded in service, respect, responsibility, and community. Guided by the teachings of His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, BAPS devotees strive to live with humility, compassion, and respect for all. These values inspire volunteerism, outreach, and efforts to foster harmony among people of different backgrounds and beliefs. As America celebrates this historic milestone, BAPS devotees remain committed to serving society, building connections of understanding, and strengthening the communities they call home. Through service, civic engagement, and local partnership, BAPS joins millions of Americans in honoring the shared values that have formed the nation for 250 years. This celebration shows a lasting dedication to faith, service, and unity.

COMMUNITY

July 17, 2026

America 250 : Arya Samaj Celebrates U.S. Independence Day

Eager customers at Keemat Grocers Hillcroft line up for a taste of three varieties of Indian mangoes.

Houston: Arya Samaj Greater Houston observed U.S. Independence Day during its regular Sunday Satsang with special prayers for the peace, prosperity, and welfare of the nation. Members and well-wishers participated in a program inspired by Yajurveda Mantra 22.22, the Vedic Rashtriya Prarthanaa, a universal prayer for the well-being of every nation. The celebration began with a Vedic Havan conducted by Acharya

Bramdeo Mokoonlall, followed by devotional bhajans. In his discourse, “Freedom: The Vedic and American Perspective,” Acharya Ji highlighted that true freedom is inseparable from truth, self-discipline, ethical conduct, and responsibility. Drawing upon the Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Arya Samaj Principles, he emphasized that while individuals possess free will, they are accountable for the

consequences of their actions. Freedom, he noted, flourishes only when balanced with virtue, respect for law, and social responsibility. The discourse also reflected on the ideals of America’s Founding Fathers—John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, and Abraham Lincoln—underscoring the enduring relevance of their vision. Quoting Harris Jaffa’s How to Think About the American Revolution

Choir (left), Child speakers Aadya Bali and Zafar

(1976), Acharya Ji reminded the audience that preserving human freedom depends on understanding and remaining committed to its founding principles. He concluded by inviting reflection on two questions: Can liberty endure without virtue? Are Dharma and constitutional law opposing ideas, or do they complement one another? Students from DAV Sanskriti School also participated in the celebration. Zafar recited a poem on the American flag, while Aadya

Indo-American News • Friday, july 17. 2026, 2026 • www.indoamerican-news

Bali spoke on U.S. Independence Day, connecting the school’s emphasis on values and character with responsible citizenship and nation-building. The program concluded with the audience singing the U.S. National Anthem and a Hindi patriotic song, accompanied by Smriti Ji on harmonium and Raja Ji Banga on tabla, followed by prasad (lunch). The full program is available on YouTube: https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=asing5BYkok

4 July 17, 2026 COMMUNITY IACCGH Small Business Luncheon Hosts Dr. Jennifer Holmes By Somdatta Basu Houston: In June 2026, IACCGH had the privilege of showcasing one of Houston’s leading voices in entrepreneurial growth through two impactful engagements featuring Dr. Jennifer Kellough Holmes, Executive Director of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program at Houston City College. Within the span of three days, Dr. Holmes first joined the IACCGH Business Hour on Open Forum radio on June 27 before returning as the featured speaker for the IACCGH Small Business Series luncheon on June 30 in Sugar Land. While the audiences differed, the message was unmistakably clear: Stop working in your business and start working on your business. During her radio appearance, Dr. Holmes explained how the nationally recognized Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses initiative helps entrepreneurs move beyond daily operations and build scalable, sustainable companies. Her description quickly became the defining quote of the program: “We help you put your business on steroids. We really position you for growth.” The program, launched in Houston in 2011, has now graduated more than 1,200 local businesses and has helped create thousands

Dr. Holmes (third from left) with IACCGH leadership

of jobs throughout the region. Nationally, the initiative has supported more than 20,000 entrepreneurs across all fifty states. Three days later, speaking to entrepreneurs at the IACCGH Small Business Series luncheon, Dr. Holmes opened with a simple question: “How many of you started your business because you wanted freedom?”

Nearly every hand in the room went up. Then came the follow-up: “Keep your hands up if somewhere along the journey you discovered you were working more hours than ever.” The room erupted in laughter as nearly every hand remained raised. That moment perfectly captured the challenge faced by small busi-

ness owners everywhere — becoming so consumed by operating the business that there is little time left to strategically grow it. Dr. Holmes shared compelling examples of businesses transformed through the program, including veteran-owned companies expanding across multiple states, healthcare practices securing major financing for growth, and entrepreneurs leveraging the pro-

gram’s powerful alumni network to create new opportunities and partnerships. The Houston program’s impact speaks for itself: • More than 1,200 Houston businesses graduated since 2011. • Over $2 billion in annual revenue generated by participating businesses. • More than 21,000 jobs created in the Houston region. • A national alumni network spanning all 50 states. IACCGH Executive Director Jagdip Ahluwalia noted that several Chamber members have already benefited significantly from the program, making it an easy decision to bring Dr. Holmes back for a dedicated session focused entirely on growth and scale. By featuring Dr. Holmes on both Open Forum and the IACCGH Small Business Series, the Chamber reinforced its commitment to connecting entrepreneurs with transformational opportunities, practical resources, and strategic relationships that drive business success. As Dr. Holmes reminded both audiences: “Every successful business began with someone willing to believe that tomorrow can be better than today.” For Houston’s entrepreneurs, it was more than a presentationIt was a roadmap for growth.

After Son’s Suicide, Parents Seek Damages, Legislation from Texas Tech By Jawahar Malhotra Lubbock: In a suicide note to his parents before he took his own life, Vaibhav Duggal wrote “… I simply cannot bear the shame.” His heightened sense of anxiety had already been exacerbated by the email he received at 11:36pm on July 28, 2025 as he lay in bed with his girlfriend, unable to sleep. The email was from Associate Dean of Medical Education Dr. Charlaine Martins informing him he was facing possible dismissal along with other potential disciplinary actions. Duggal was to present a plan to the Committee of Student Grading and Promotion (GPC) in 18 days and couldn’t attend clinical rotations until then. As a third-year student, almost every day required clinical rotations and not attending them would leave Duggal far behind in his training at Texas Tech University Medical Center at El Paso and effectively end his life-long dream of becoming a doctor. Hours earlier, on July 28, Martins had called Duggal into her office to tell him a patient in Duggal’s OBGYN clinical rotation on July 23 had filed a complaint with an administrative assistant four hours after the examination, saying Duggal asked strange questions and tried to follow her on Instagram. The patient asked not to interact

with him again. The dean told Duggal “at least eight times” that he was not to have any patient contact until his GPC presentation and he was swiftly removed from his clinical duties pending an investigation. Duggal insisted the questions were part of the pap smear and STD screening that the patient came to the doctor’s office for. The clinical protocol required Duggal to ask numerous intimately personal questions, including about sexual history and whether or not the patient engages in sexual activity with more than one partner. She appeared to be nervous and said she had a jealous boyfriend. She requested that a nurse practitioner conduct the exam but permitted Duggal to remain in the room. As she was leaving, she voluntarily exchanged Instagram handles with Duggal inviting him to follow her on Instagram, since she was a nurse and they might run into each other again. Duggal realized it was a breach of professionalism and blocked the patient shortly after following her. Deeply disturbed by the Dean’s

Vaibhav Duggal

charges, Duggal spent the next few hours researching ways to end his life. At 10:27am on July 29, Duggal purchased a gun and by 2pm, he crossed state lines, put on his white coat, and took his own life. His body was discovered after his frantic girlfriend raised the alarm when he failed to show for a

scheduled clinic. Duggal’s parents, Vivek and Neeru were shocked and stunned. They were slowly able to piece together the pieces of the story that led to their son’s suicide and are convinced that his death was entirely preventable. They contacted their State Rep Cody Vasut who represents Dist. 25 and also works as an attorney. They have filed a $30 million lawsuit for $30 million as well as ‘expunction of any and all wrongful accusations and unlawful disciplinary action’ against their son, against the Texas Tech System, which has filed a motion for sovereign immunity. The Duggal family said they are concerned that TTU Health El Paso has a “guilty until proven innocent” culture, and that emails show a decision about their son had been made before an investigation occurred. The lawsuit claims that an evaluation form filled out by the nurse who was present for the appointment indicated that Duggal, ‘exceeded expectations for all eight

Indo-American News • Friday, july 17, 2026 • www.indoamerican-news

categories evaluated, including professionalism’ during his time at the clinic. ‘We just do not want this to happen to any other family. We have got to stop this toxic bullying culture, this has to stop,’ Neeru said. The Duggals are seeking to establish a law in Texas, similar to that in California named for Katie Meyer a former star soccer goalkeeper and two-time team captain who led Stanford University to the 2019 NCAA women’s soccer championship. Tragically, she died by suicide in March 2022 at age 22, just months before her graduation. Her death sparked major legislative and institutional reforms. Championed by her parents, the 2024 California law mandates that any state-funded college or university allows students facing disciplinary proceedings to have a trained adviser present, addressing the severe isolation that Meyer felt during her own pending university disciplinary action. The Duggals are planning a gathering at the Sikh National Center Gurdwara on the Beltway 8 North on Saturday, July 25 at10am, followed by langar, to celebrate Vaidhav’s 25th birthday and explain their case to the community. Those wishing to attend can contact the Duggals at 713-826-6876. Credit: The Daily Mail, EverythingLubbock.com

5 Carnegie Foundation’s 2026 Great Immigrants: Five of Indian Origin

COMMUNITY

New York: The Andrew Carnegie Foundation has announced the 2026 Class of Great Immigrants, Great Americans, recognizing 25 distinguished naturalized citizens whose contributions have strengthened America. The tribute, launched by the foundation more than 20 years ago, is celebrated every Fourth of July. Of these, five people of Indian origin include: Sunil Amrith, Professor of History, Yale University, Born in Kenya Sunil Amrith was born in Nairobi, Kenya, to Indian parents. He spent his childhood in Singapore and later earned a PhD in history from the University of Cambridge. In 2015, Amrith moved to the United States to become a professor of South Asian studies at Harvard University. Amrith is now the Renu and Anand Dhawan Professor of History at Yale University, where he also serves as the Henry R. Luce Director of the Whitney and Betty MacMillan Center for International and Area Studies and as vice provost for international affairs. His work explores migration in South and Southeast Asia, including its role in shaping contemporary social and cultural dynamics and its relationship to environmental change. “My personal experience of the region has, in a sense, come from observing the constant connectedness between India and Southeast Asia. But when I began studying Indian history at university, I found an absolute disconnect — there was no mention of Southeast Asia,” he told Pacific Standard. “I was struck immediately by how profoundly national and colonial borders have shaped the way professional historians do their work.” Amrith is the author of several books, including The Burning Earth, a finalist for the 2025 PEN/E.O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award, and Crossing the Bay of Bengal, which received the American Historical Association’s John F. Richards Prize. His honors include a MacArthur Fellowship, the Toynbee Prize, the Fukuoka Academic Prize, and the Dr. A. H. Heineken Prize for History. In 2024, he was elected an International Fellow of the British Academy. Nikesh Arora, Chairman and CEO, Palo Alto Networks, Born in India Nikesh Arora was born in Ghaziabad, India. His father was an officer in the Indian Air Force, and Arora regularly changed schools as the family moved. After completing his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology at Banaras Hindu University, Arora came to the United States for graduate studies. He earned an MS in finance from Boston College and an MBA in business administration from Northeastern University.

July 17, 2026

Sunil Amrith

Mahzarin Banaji

“Growing up, we kind of moved around every few years. That brings a degree of adaptability to your life,” he told the Financial Express. Arora is now the chairman and chief executive officer of Palo Alto Networks, the world’s leading cybersecurity company. Since joining the company in 2018, he has led its expansion into AI, with the company’s share price seeing an almost 800 percent increase as it serves enterprise organizations and governments around the world. Before Palo Alto Networks, Arora spent a decade at Google in various senior executive roles and served as president and chief operating officer of SoftBank Group. Recognized as one of the most influential business leaders in technology, Arora has received numerous honors, including the John J. McCloy Award, the CED Distinguished Leadership Award, and The Economic Times’ Global Indian Award, and he has been recognized among CRN’s Top 100 Executives and Comparably’s Best CEOs for Women. Under his leadership, Palo Alto Networks has also been recognized in Newsweek’s 100 Most Loved Workplaces and as one of Human Rights Campaign’s Best Places to Work for LGBTQ+ Equality. Mahzarin R. Banaji, Professor of Psychology, Harvard University, Born in India Mahzarin R. Banaji was born and raised in Secunderabad, India, to a Parsi family, an ethno-religious minority group in the country. In her 20s, she moved to the United States to pursue graduate studies

Nikesh Arora

Sanjiv Chopra

in psychology, later earning a PhD at Ohio State University. “I packed up my bags at age 24 — with 80 dollars in my pocket — and said, ‘I’m going to America.’ Humans have always been on the move. And we’re constantly fighting against others and fearing others… but also collaborating with them,” she told El País. Banaji, now a Harvard professor and experimental psychologist, has helped reshape our understanding of implicit bias, showing how unconscious attitudes can influence perceptions and decisionmaking. This interest in how prejudice forms was sparked in part by her cross-cultural upbringing. In 1998, she codeveloped the Implicit Association Test (IAT) with Anthony Greenwald to measure such biases. Since then, implicit bias has become a widely recognized concept, with more than 40 million people globally taking the IAT to explore associations related to race, gender, class, and more. Together with Greenwald, Banaji also coauthored the bestselling book Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People, and her work has informed training across hospitals, courts, government agencies, universities, and corporations. She also helped launch Outsmarting Human Minds, a free online resource, and a Harvard course exploring hidden bias and how the human mind shapes decisions. Banaji’s vast contributions to social justice and public education have been recognized with the BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award and the American Psychological Association’s Award for Distinguished Scien-

Reshma Kewalramani

tific Contributions, among other honors. Sanjiv Chopra, Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Born in India Sanjiv Chopra was born in India. Influenced by his physician father and a life-changing experience at age 12 — when he feared he had gone blind, only to recover with the help of his father’s medical expertise — he pursued medicine at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi. His older brother, spiritual leader and author Deepak Chopra, also became a doctor. Following Deepak, who relocated in 1970, Sanjiv moved to the United States in 1972 for medical residency and fellowship training, first to New Jersey and then Boston. Chopra is now a professor of medicine and former faculty dean for continuing medical education at Harvard Medical School, where he has been on faculty for more than four decades. Chopra also serves as a Marshall Wolf Distinguished Clinician Educator at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the James Tullis Firm Chief of the Department of Medicine at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. “Immigrants grab on to the ladder of success at different rungs,” the Chopra brothers wrote in USA Today, reflecting on their immigration journey and the need for better pathways for legal immigration. “Immigration is economically, culturally and spiritually enriching for America.” Chopra is a highly regarded inspirational speaker and the author

Indo-American News • Friday, july 17. 2026, 2026 • www.indoamerican-news

of numerous books on health and longevity, as well as coauthor of a memoir with his brother, Brotherhood: Dharma, Destiny and the American Dream. Chopra has received many honors, including the 2012 Ellis Island Medal of Honor, and was elected a Master of the American College of Physicians in 2009. He is also an elected Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians. Reshma Kewalramani, President and CEO, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Born in India Reshma Kewalramani was born in Mumbai, India. At age 11, she moved with her family to the United States, settling in Long Island, New York. Her father ran a garment and electronics shop in Manhattan, where she often helped behind the counter, but her family held academic excellence in high esteem and had big dreams for their daughter. Entering college, she enrolled in an intense accelerated program at Boston University that allowed her to earn an undergraduate and medical degree in seven years. Kewalramani later worked as a transplant nephrologist, studying kidney disease and working in clinical development. Inspired by the impact of new medicines on patients, she realized, as she told TIME magazine, “What I wanted to do was make medicines for patients.” She switched to the biopharmaceutical industry in 2004. Since then, Kewalramani has dedicated her career to discovering and developing innovative treatments. In 2017, Kewalramani joined Vertex Pharmaceuticals, a Fortune 500 company based in Boston. Three years later, she became its chief executive officer and president, making her the first woman to lead a large, public biotechnology company. Under her leadership, Vertex has reached major scientific and commercial milestones. This includes the development of breakthrough drugs for cystic fibrosis, the first CRISPRbased gene-editing treatment for sickle cell disease, and a new class of FDA-approved nonopioid pain medication. “I am a physician, executive, immigrant, wife, and mother,” she told Women Who Win. “All of these roles — the experiences I’ve had and the people I’ve met along the way — have helped shape the person and leader I am today.” For her leadership and contributions to medicine, Kewalramani was named to the 2025 TIME 100 Most Influential People in the World and the TIME100 Health lists. She was also recognized as one of Fortune’s 100 Most Powerful People in Business and a CNBC Changemaker, among other honors.

6 July 17, 2026

“Voted #2 of Top 100 Houston Podcasts” -- Feedspot.com

Indo-American News • Friday, july 17, 2026 • www.indoamerican-news

7 India Women Script Historic Test Win at Lord’s against England

SPORTS

By S. Sudarshan London (ESPN Cricinfo): It was a picture-perfect offspinner’s delivery that brought about a historic result for India - Sneh Rana tossing the red ball up, getting it to dip and spin past Sophie Ecclestone’s inside edge to bowl her. India thumped England by 270 runs in the first-ever women’s Test at Lord’s. It was a mammoth achievement, but not a surprising result by any means. Recent history favoured India. They had played a Test match in March, while England’s last redball match was in January 2025. Moreover, the turnaround for England from the T20 World Cup final last Sunday at the same venue was very short. They had only two training sessions to switch formats and acclimatise to the red Dukes ball. On the other hand, the leaguestage exit for a second successive T20 World Cup afforded India the time to get a few more training sessions under their belt. They practiced at the Wormsley Cricket Club ground for a few days before coming to St. John’s Wood. However, the driving force behind India’s Test success has been the red-ball competition in their domestic circuit. India’s women had a multi-day tournament as part of the domestic season until 201718, when it was discontinued. The paucity of women’s Tests in the calendar meant that the BCCI replaced the red-ball competition with additional white-ball and agegroup domestic tournaments. With India regularly playing Test cricket since returning to the format in June 2021, a feeder system was needed in the domestic circuit. The Senior Women’s Inter-Zonal Multi-Day Trophy was added to the domestic calendar from 202324, which allowed players to hone their red-ball skills. That meant at least eight in India’s XI at Lord’s - and 12 from the entire squad in-

cluding Pratika Rawal who was ruled out with injury - had played at least one red-ball game in the last couple of years. Both Rawal, and her replacement for the Test, Priya Punia, had scored a century in the inter-zonal red-ball tournament in March. Yastika Bhatia, who became the first women’s Test centurion at Lord’s, may have played only four Test matches so far. But her redball experience is much greater, thanks to the 13 first-class matches she has played. Smriti Mandhana is India’s second-leading run-scorer with 788 runs in nine Tests. She has 15 first-class appearances. All of it counted towards India keeping England in check for large parts of the Test match. To give it more perspective, England’s most-capped player in this Test, Heather Knight, also played 15 first-class matches. But all of those red-ball games came in high-pressure Tests. It is no surprise that Knight, who retired from international cricket after the Lord’s game, called for some domestic red-ball matches for England’s women. “I’d love to see some domestic red-ball cricket,” she said. “I think it will be like a massive development tool as well. When we play Test matches, we learn so much. And when we do have a proper build-up, you learn about the game. You learn about how to repeat, how to sustain concentration and the mental side of it for long periods of time. I don’t know how it fits in or where it fits in. That’s for the people above me to decide that. “But yeah, I would certainly love a little bit of domestic red-ball cricket, even if it is like a couple of games that involve the best cricketers. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a full part of the calendar, but I do think it would help us develop as better white-ball cricketers as well. I think it gives you the ba-

July 17, 2026

sis and the fundamental skills you need in white-ball cricket as well. Whether there’s a world where that happens, I don’t really know. “India had a little bit more time to prepare, and I thought they played brilliantly. I thought they were outstanding. The way they repeated under pressure, the way they were able to read the game was very impressive. So credit to them. “It’s really hard for us as well. But when I was a kid, it was hammered into me to value your wicket, value wicket, value wicket. The girls coming in have grown up on T20, and I think even

50-over stuff. I think a lot of our younger cricketers coming through are a lot better at T20 than they are [at the] 50-over [format]. From a batting point of view, being able to build an innings, or shape a spell with the bowling side. I do think it is really hard.” India have among the most experienced red-ball players at present in women’s cricket. None of the other nations have a fullfledged red-ball competition apart from India. Before her Test debut at Perth in March, Sayali Satghare had already played five first-class matches. Australia is the only other

country that hosts a domestic redball game for women - a one-off fixture between CA Green and CA Gold that began in 2024. Statistically, India haven’t lost a women’s Test in England. Their last defeat to England came in 1995 in Jamshedpur. In each of their last two Tests against England, India registered their biggest and second-biggest wins in the format. Given the dearth of women’s Tests and the chasm in domestic red-ball infrastructure, the magnitude of India’s achievement is not as striking as it ought to be.

Axar, Gill Deliver India Men First Win vs. England By Vithushan Ehantharajah Edgbaston: India 262 for 4 (Gill 80, Patel 57*, Sundar 52*, Tongue 1-50) beat England 258 (Root 76*, Dawson 68, Axar 4-62, Prasidh 2-50) by six wickets It has taken the better part of three weeks. But a tour of the UK and Ireland that began 19 days ago in Belfast has finally seen India victorious, in Birmingham. A captain’s innings of 80 not out from Shubman Gill took the tourists to a comfortable six-wicket win over England in the first ODI at Edgbaston. Boasting a far more experienced line-up than the one that lost a T20I series 4-0, and had been bested by Ireland 2-0 , this was a show of nous and dominance, chasing down a lackluster target of 259 with 4.4 overs to spare. Gill would have undoubtedly been there at the end had he not retired hurt due to cramps. He said on BBC’s Test Match Special that he expects to be fit for the second ODI on Thursday. Axar Patel’s unbeaten 57 - accompanying 4 for 62 in the first innings - alongside Washington Sundar’s 52* polished off the final 102 runs with

Shubman Gill scored 80 before retiring due to cramps.

such ease that Gill could at least relax with his feet up, and hammy on ice. The defeat was England’s 13th in 19 ODIs since the start of 2025, this one coming as they were dismissed for a subpar 258 in the 48th over, with Joe Root’s 76 not out a real saving grace after the hosts were reduced to 107 for 6. And even then, they were lucky given Root should have been dismissed for seven.

Indo-American News • Friday, july 17. 2026, 2026 • www.indoamerican-news

It was the eighth time out of 12 they have been bowled out after batting first in that same period. A period which began with Brendon McCullum assuming whiteball coaching duties alongside his Test commitments. After being removed from the red-ball role on Sunday, he can at least narrow his focus to remedy a galling run of form ahead of next year’s 50-over World Cup. Provided he is still around for it, of course.

8 July 17, 2026

Indo-American News • Friday, july 17, 2026 • www.indoamerican-news

CULTURE

July 17, 2026

Life Transformation Program Series: July 18-29 Houston: Swami Mukundananda ji, a worldrenowned teacher of Spirituality, Yoga & Meditation, will conduct two different program series in Houston from July 18th to July 29th. In the first weeklong Life Transformation program (LTP), Swamiji will delve into the topic of Mindsets for Happiness and Fulfilment at Sri Sharadamba Temple, from July 18th to 24th. In the second program, Swamiji diverges to a different topic of Inspiring Stories from The Saints at India House from July 25th to July 29th. Swamiji will also have a meet and greet session each day from 6:45 pm to 7:15 pm followed by the lecture from 7:15 pm to 9 pm. Admission to program is Free. Dinner Prasad served after program. Swami Mukundananda received his degrees in Engineering and Management from two world famous institutes in India- Indian Institute of Technology (IIT Delhi) and Indian Institute of Management (IIM, Kolkata) respectively. However, the call of God was so strong that after a short while on a successful corporate executive career path, he renounced his professional career to take Sanyas at age 23. Swamiji is a senior disciple of Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj and the founder of JKYog - a non-profit organization dedicated to the spiritual, mental, and physical wellness of followers worldwide. During the first week-long Pro-

gram from July 18 to July 24, Swamiji will be presenting a lecture series on Mindsets for Happiness and Fulfilment. Swami Mukundananda teaches that lasting happiness and fulfillment come from transforming the way we think rather than merely changing external circumstances. He will several tools for this. During the second week, Swamiji will be lecturing on Inspiring Stories from the Saints. This discourse series is a remarkable collection of true stories from the lives of great saints. Each story is a captivating account of life lessons where Swamiji offers the audience practical guidance for leading a purposeful and spiritually enriched life. Swami Mukundananda’s enlightening discourses clarify the deepest concepts of the Vedic scriptures with wit and perfect logic. For the last four decades he has been sharing his vast knowledge through his books and discourses. His lectures on social me-

David Courtney Releases Book on Tabla

dia platforms are followed by millions. Swamiji has been invited to speak at various Fortune 500 companies like Google, Oracle, Yahoo, Amazon and for the youth, Swamiji has conducted programs at prestigious universities like Princeton, Stanford, Kellogg, MIT, and Duke. He has deeply affected the lives of millions of people who have been drawn by his profound integrity, charismatic personality, and his passion to serve. Swamiji divides his time between India and the USA. Swami Mukundananda’s program from July 18 through July 29, 2026, from 6:45pm to 9pm. See Details below:

Sri Sharadamba Temple, 10315 Clodine Road, Richmond, TX on Saturday, July 18th, Monday, July 20th through Friday, July 24th Vadtal Dham, 10825 Clodine Road, Richmond, TX on Sunday, July 19th India House, 8888 West Bellfort Avenue, Houston, TX from Saturday, July 25th through Wednesday,29th. All Programs are free & dinner prasad is served daily. For FREE Registration visit JKYog.org/Houston For more details text or phone 281-630-5982 or 281780-4877.

Tabla exponent and scholar David Courtney with his 13th book.

Houston: At a small function at Rice University, David Courtney released his latest book on the Indian Tabla. This book is entitled “One Thousand Tabla Compositions: A Taxonomic Survey of Non-Kaida Material”. It is the fifth volume in the series entitled “The Complete Reference for Tabla”, and is his 13th book to date. The book addresses the problems associated with the classification of tabla material. Compositions from a variety of sources are used to clarify the definitions of

Indo-American News • Friday, july 17. 2026, 2026 • www.indoamerican-news

terms such as “paran”, “gat”, “tukada” etc. Presently, there is much disagreement as to their precise definitions. The conflicting nature of the various definitions is addressed by means of a hierarchical taxonomy. The book is massive. It contains over 1000 compositions which are useful for both advance students, teachers, and scholars, spread through nearly 500 pages. It is available in both paperback and hardbound in Amazons around the world.

10 July 17, 2026

COMMUNITY

Overseas BJP Hosts MP from Medak

Medak MP Raghunandan Rao (second from left) with Overseas Friends of BJP representatives.

Houston: The Overseas Friends of BJPUSA (OFBJP-USA) hosted a well-attended community event in Houston in honor of Hon. Raghunandan Rao, Member of Parliament from Medak, drawing over 200 members of the local Indian diaspora. The program opened with the playing of the national anthems of the United States and India, followed by a traditional lamplighting ceremony to formally inaugurate the event. In his address to the gathering, MP Raghunandan Rao presented a detailed overview of the current political landscape in India. He also spoke at length on key legislative developments, offering the audience finer insights into significant bills under discussion, including the “One Nation, One Election” initiative. He further shared how the Hon. Prime Minister of India is working tirelessly, leaving no stone unturned for the progress and development of the country. Following his remarks, the MP took part in an interactive question-and-answer session, fielding queries from attendees on a wide range of subjects — from legal and political matters to cultural and personal topics — reflecting the community’s deep engagement with both his visit and the broader issues he addressed. The event also featured remarks from local community leaders, who shared their perspectives and welcomed MP Raghunandan Rao Garu to Houst Sanjay Singhal, Sugar Land City Council Member, shared his remarks with the gathering, speaking about his ongoing efforts to support and uplift the local Indian-American community through his role in local government. Jithender Reddy, Convener of TCA, drew on his vast wealth of experience to address

the audience, reflecting on the rapid growth and transformation he has witnessed in India in recent years. Digamber Eslampure provided a brief overview of the various community events organized by the local Indian community in Houston, highlighting the vibrancy and active engagement of the diaspora. V. Prakash shared his personal experiences working alongside MP Raghunandan Rao on various Telangana-related issues, reflecting on the friendship they have built over the years. He also expressed his admiration for Prime Minister Modi’s efforts toward rapid economic growth and the tremendous expansion of public infrastructure across India during his tenure. Sridhar Gade felicitated Hon. MP Shri Raghunandan Rao with a shawl and bouquet. Venkat Garlapati delivered the vote of thanks on behalf of the community, the volunteer team, and India House for their support in organizing the event. PV Patel presented a token of appreciation from the Federation of Gujarati Associations (FOGA) to MP Raghunandan Rao. The event was graced by the presence of several prominent members of the Houston Indian-American community including Prof. Jagtap (University of Houston), Asha Reddi (Attorney), Dr. Venkat, Vijay Pallod, Ramesh Cherivirala, Amit Raina, Sangeeta Dua, Arun Mundra, Dr. Madan luthra Dr Adapa Prasad - President of OFBJPUSA & Dr. Vasudev Patel - Origination Secretary provided the guidance for the event !! More than 200 members of the local Indian diaspora participated in the event, underscoring the strong turnout and community interest in the visiting dignitary’s insights on Indian governance and policy.

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@

yahoo.com, website: www.indoamerican-news.com

For advertising in Indo-American News, call Jawahar Malhotra at

(713) 789 6397

Indo-American News • Friday, july 17, 2026 • www.indoamerican-news

ENTERTAINMENT

July 17, 2026

‘Dhamal 4’: Exhausting Treasure Hunt, Few Laughs By Ronak Kotecha Story: Once again, a century-old hidden treasure becomes the driving force for a bunch of greedy individuals willing to risk everything they have, only to land themselves in precarious situations that test not just their resolve but also their interpersonal relationships. Review: Ever since Dhamaal became a hit in 2007, the makers have continued to cash in on its popularity by churning out one instalment after another. Each film has revolved around the familiar themes of chaos, greed, mistaken identities and ensemble madness. But while the scale, budgets and star cast of the franchise have kept growing, the quality of the films has steadily declined. Director Indra Kumar returns with Dhamaal 4, following the exact same trajectory. Unfortunately, what made the first two instalments work so well, namely pure slapstick comedy, memorable oneliners and the crackling chemistry among the lead characters, is sorely missing in this latest outing. The film opens with an AI-generated Jackie Shroff narrating the story of Shaitaan Singh’s hidden treasure. We are then introduced to the present day, where the goofy sea pirate Adhoora (Ravi Kishan) is torturing Prithvi (Upendra Limaye) for a map leading to the treasure. Prithvi is rescued by his friend Guddu (Ajay Devgn), who makes a swashbuckling entry on a speedboat, only for it to end with an underwhelming thud. Elsewhere, the greedy Lallan (Riteish Deshmukh) dreams of living an ‘extra large’ life by marrying a rich woman but instead ends up with Paaro (Anjali Anand), whose weight becomes the butt of countless jokes throughout the film, one of many regressive ideas passed off as humour. Meanwhile,

Guddu, accompanied by his loyal sidekick Johnny (Sanjay Mishra), struggles to win the approval of his girlfriend Aaliya’s (Esha Gupta) children as the new man in their lives. At the same time, Adi (Arshad Warsi) and his dimwitted brother Manav (Jaaved Jaaferi) are trying to win back Adi’s newlywed wife Rosy (Sanjeeda Shaikh), who walked out because of the constant chaos created by Manav’s dangerous antics. Somehow, this motley bunch is brought together in pursuit of the hidden treasure, leading them into a series of dangerous adventures. While no one walks into a Dhamaal film expecting a layered storyline, the screenplay by Paritosh Painter, Vedd Prakash and Bunty Rathore is a flimsy mess. Slapstick comedy can be enormously entertaining when written well, but the complete lack of logic, coherence and genuinely funny situations ensures that Dhamaal 4 never really takes off. Barely a joke or two lands, and the dialogues miss countless opportunities to deliver memorable punchlines. Even within its intentionally nonsensical world, the premise had the potential to be laugh-out-loud

funny. Instead, Dhamaal 4 is all noise and very little laughter. Much of that can also be attributed to Amar Mohile’s blaring background score, which rarely knows when to tone itself down. The soundtrack, composed by multiple music directors, was once one of the franchise’s strengths but is entirely forgettable here. Constant callbacks and references to previous instalments do little to enhance the experience and instead remind you how much better those films were. One aspect that genuinely deserves praise is the film’s CGI. The visual effects are surprisingly convincing and make even the most outrageous action and adventure sequences look believable.Among the cast, Ajay Devgn is dependable as Guddu, but the writing gives him little opportunity to elevate the character beyond what we’ve already seen. Sanjay Mishra, an actor capable of impeccable comic timing, is reduced to an irritating sidekick whose personality revolves around saying “bro” in almost every sentence. Even the usually electric chemistry between Arshad Warsi and Jaaved Jaaferi fails to spark, largely because the writing gives them so little to work with. Riteish Deshmukh throws himself wholeheartedly into the role of the loud, greedy tapori desperately chasing a shortcut to the good life. Newcomer Anjali Anand leaves a positive impression as Paaro despite the problematic way her character is written, while Esha Gupta is given almost nothing to do. Ravi Kishan, too, falls victim to the film’s painfully mediocre writing.With such little genuinely funny material on offer, Dhamaal 4 may have a better chance of recovering its investment through the film’s blatant in-film branding of unhealthy snacks than the laughs it promises to deliver..-- ToI

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 July 21, 2026. Email us at indoamericannews@yahoo.com. Please send us your solved Sudoku for your name to be published.

Solution Next Week

Last Week’s Solution

Recent Winners

Sanchali Basu, Kumud Athavale, Krishna R. Vuddagiri, Prabha Barvalia, Jawahar Khandheria, Prabha Narumanchi, Yudhveer Bagga, Naveen Garg, Nihira Ghanta, Srikanth Madhavan, Harsh Malkan, Soumya Srikanth, Rajesh Pradbhu, Priya Pathak, Mohit Mittal, Ayush Khaple, Rekha Trivedi, Arup Gupta

Indo-American News • Friday, july 17. 2026, 2026 • www.indoamerican-news

12 July 17, 2026

Indo-American News • Friday, july 17, 2026 • www.indoamerican-news