Indo-American News: July 31, 2026

Houston Honors Sitara-e-Khidmat Recipient Muhammad Saeed Sheikh

Houston: More than 400 distinguished guests gathered at the Hilton Houston Post Oak for the National Civilian Honor Celebration honoring Muhammad Saeed Sheikh, recipient of the Sitara-e-Khidmat (Star of Service), one of Pakistan’s prestigious civilian honors, awarded by the President of Pakistan in recognition of his more than 45 years of humanitarian, civic, and community service.

The prestigious celebration was jointly hosted by the Consulate General of Pakistan in Houston, Sister Cities of Houston, the Host Committee led by Chief Host Syed Javaid Anwar, and the Organizing Committee. Among the attendees were Houston Mayor John Whitmire, State Representative Dr. Suleman Lalani, members of the Consular Corps, elected officials, business leaders, faith leaders, community organizations, media representatives, and distinguished guests from across the United States.

The program opened with a welcome address by Consul General of Pakistan Muhammad Aftab Chaudhry, who congratulated Muhammad Saeed Sheikh on receiving the Sitara-e-Khidmat from the President of Pakistan. He praised Sheikh’s lifelong dedication to humanitarian service, community leadership, and strengthening the bonds between Pakistan and the United States, stating that the national honor reflects Pakistan’s appreciation for his decades of outstanding public service.

James Post, President of Sister Cities of Houston, highlighted Muhammad Saeed Sheikh’s significant contributions to strengthening the relationship between Houston and Karachi through cultural exchange, community engagement, and people-to-people diplomacy. He commended Sheikh’s commitment to building bridges between diverse communities and promoting international friendship.

Chief Host Syed Javaid Anwar introduced Houston Mayor John Whitmire and spoke warmly about Muhammad Saeed Sheikh, describing him as a man of integrity, humility, and tireless dedication. Reflecting on a friendship spanning more than two decades, Anwar said he had always admired Sheikh’s unwavering commitment to both Pakistan and the United States and his passion for serving humanity. He praised the Government of Pakistan and the President of Pakistan for recognizing Sheikh’s extraordinary

contributions through the award of the Sitara-e-Khidmat. Anwar also acknowledged the invaluable contributions of the Host Committee, Organizing Committee, the Consulate General of Pakistan, Sister Cities of Houston, sponsors, volunteers, and community members whose collective efforts made the historic celebration possible.

In his keynote address, Mayor John Whitmire described Muhammad Saeed Sheikh as “a true star of the City of Houston,” recognizing

his 45 years of humanitarian and community leadership. He thanked the President of Pakistan for honoring Sheikh with one of the nation’s prestigious civilian awards and praised his remarkable contributions to Houston through numerous civic and charitable initiatives, including the annual Houston Iftar, disaster relief efforts, community development, and interfaith outreach. Mayor Whitmire then presented an official City of Houston Proclamation declaring July 21 as “Muhammad

Saeed Sheikh Day” in recognition of Sheikh’s decades of distinguished service to humanity and the community. The Mayor also announced his desire to visit Pakistan with Muhammad Saeed Sheikh during his next term in office to further strengthen the friendship and partnership between Houston and Pakistan.

Muhammad Saeed Sheikh was introduced by his son, Muhammad Samee Sheikh, who reflected on his father’s lifelong commitment to public service, compassion, and

leadership. Following the introduction, guests viewed a documentary highlighting Sheikh’s remarkable humanitarian journey, community leadership, and decades of volunteer service both in the United States and internationally.

In his acceptance remarks, Muhammad Saeed Sheikh expressed profound gratitude to the President of Pakistan for the Sitara-e-Khidmat and reflected on how the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Creed, “Service to Humanity is the Best Work of Life,” became the guiding principle of his life. He shared his journey of service through organizations including Pakistan Jaycees, the Pakistan Chamber of Commerce USA, the Houston-Karachi Sister City Association, Alliance for Disaster Relief, Houston Iftar, and numerous humanitarian initiatives that have served communities locally and around the world.

Sheikh emphasized that the Sitarae-Khidmat is not a personal achievement but a shared honor belonging to the thousands of volunteers, community leaders, donors, and nonprofit organizations with whom he has worked over the past four and a half decades. He dedicated the award to all those who quietly devote their lives to serving humanity, stating that their selfless contributions represent the true spirit of public service.

Concluding his remarks, Sheikh thanked the President of Pakistan, the Government of Pakistan, the Consulate General of Pakistan in Houston, Mayor John Whitmire, Chief Host Syed Javaid Anwar, the Host Committee, the Organizing Committee, Sister Cities of Houston, members of the Consular Corps, elected officials, sponsors, media representatives, volunteers, and the entire Pakistani-American community for their unwavering support and partnership throughout his journey of service.

The evening concluded with a standing ovation as dignitaries and guests congratulated Muhammad Saeed Sheikh on receiving the Sitara-e-Khidmat and celebrated a lifetime dedicated to humanitarian service. The National Civilian Honor Celebration was widely recognized as a landmark event for the Pakistani-American community, highlighting the enduring friendship between Pakistan and the United States and reaffirming the universal value of service to humanity. The program was beautifully moderated by Dr. Aisha Khattak.

Cockroach Party’s Moment of Triumph Raises Question: Can It Go National?

By AvinAsH GAvAi

MuMBAi: The Cockroach Janata Party’s future in India looks a lot more serious now that its pressure campaign helped force the resignation of the education minister, which is not exactly the kind of thing people expect from what started as a Gen Z memewith-teeth. Over the past month, it has gone from online satire to a movement that actually extracted a political scalp, and that kind of momentum changes the conversation fast.

Strengths

Its biggest strength is still attention, but now attention has consequences. A movement that can help topple a minister has already proven it can move beyond internet clout and into real political leverage. It also speaks the language

of young, angry, digitally fluent Indians better than the usual polished party machinery ever will. That gives it cultural reach and emotional authenticity, which are hard to manufacture.

Weaknesses

Here’s the catch: India is not won on Instagram, and the Cockroach Party still looks far stronger in digital urban spaces than in the rural, booth-by-booth terrain that decides broader electoral outcomes. Reporting on the movement repeatedly notes that online popularity has not yet been matched by the kind of physical grassroots infrastructure needed for sustained political power. If it cannot move beyond city youth, campus networks, and protest circles, it risks becoming a metropolitan mood rather than a national force. In plain English: great at going viral,

less great at getting village-level traction.

Let’s also bear in mind that a protest victory is not the same thing as a governing model. The movement still risks being more effective at disruption than at building durable institutions, which is a fancy way of saying it knows how to break a system before it has shown it can run one. If it stays too loose or too dependent on outrage cycles, the hype could evaporate once the next scandal or meme comes along. Winning a resignation is impressive; building a party that can survive the boring middle is harder.

Opportunities

The last two weeks have created a window for it to turn outrage into structure. If it can channel the energy around education, unemployment, and corruption into local

organizing and a clearer platform, it could become a real youth force instead of just a very viral protest brand. That would let it pressure mainstream parties, recruit serious activists, and keep the issue agenda focused on young people’s grievances. In the best case, it becomes a permanent nuisance to the political class, which is sometimes how real change starts.

Threats

Success also makes it a target. The more it proves it can embarrass the establishment, the more likely it is to face co-option, suppression, or just bureaucratic sandblasting until the shine wears off. There is also the classic movement problem of overreach: once a protest group starts tasting wins, it may confuse momentum with permanence. And if it cannot translate the minister’s resignation

into a broader program, the establishment will happily frame it as a one-off freak event rather than the beginning of a new political era.

Likely trajectory

The most likely path is that it remains a powerful youth movement, at least in the short to medium-term, with periodic bursts of influence rather than becoming a conventional party overnight. But the resignation changed the stakes: now it is not just a joke with followers, it is a force that can force concessions. That means the real test over the next few months is whether it can convert shock value into staying power. If it does, Indian politics, particularly in the urban dimension, may have to get used to a new kind of chaos. -Avinash Gavai is Indo-American News Correspondent in Mumbai.

RELIGION

Houston Maharashtra Mandal Celebrates Vitthal Rukmini Aashadi Wari

By vivAAn Kotnis

Houston: The Aashadi Wari, organized by Houston Maharashtra Mandal’s Vitthal Rukmini Mandir, celebrated its third successful year with immense enthusiasm and devotion. What began as a humble initiative has now become a cherished annual tradition for not just the Maharashtrian community but also all Vitthal devotees in the Greater Houston area, bringing together everyone irrespective of age to experience the timeless spiritual heritage of the Warkari Sampradaya.

The wari commenced at 6:30 a.m. on July 25 in Rosenberg, Texas, USA. with over 400 devotees dressed in traditional attire, who walked the 6.5 mile stretch singing devotional songs and sacred chants of Vitthal. Despite the warm and humid Texas weather, the warkaris completed the wari in 3 hours which was a display of faith, endurance and community spirit.

The warkaris included young children as young as eight years walking alongside senior citizens well into their eighties, demonstrating that devotion knows neither age nor physical limitations. Every step became an offering of each and everyone’s love for Vitthal and the devotion they had for Him, and every chant strengthened the sense of unity among the warkaris.

The Mandir and Sewa International volunteers played a vital role in ensuring the comfort of the warkaris throughout the 6.5 mile walk. Designated rest stops pro-

vided water and bananas to help warkaris to recharge and continue walking. Their dedicated and selfless service reflected the true spirit of seva which is an essential aspect of the Warkari tradition.

A highlight of the procession was the presence of the sacred Palkhis (palanquins) of Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj, Sant Tukaram Maharaj and Sant Gajanan Maharaj. Beautifully decorated, these sacred Palkhis served as powerful reminders of the saints whose teachings continue to inspire millions of devotees. Colorful saffron flags, ceremonial staffs, tulsi vrindavans, and other traditional symbols enhanced the spiritual grandeur of the procession. The warkaris walked together in per-

fect harmony, taking turns carrying the sacred emblems, singing devotional songs and encouraging one another throughout the journey.

As the procession approached the Vitthal Rukmini Temple, the atmosphere became even more vibrant. Temple volunteers and waiting devotees warmly welcomed the arriving Warkaris where many additional devotees joined. The palkhis walked creating a traditional Ringan around the Houston Maharashtra Mandal’s Mourya Dhol Tasha pathak. The powerful rhythms of the dhol and tasha, combined with the ecstatic chanting of 0Vitthal’s name, created an electrifying yet deeply devotional atmosphere. The Ringan became a

beautiful expression of collective faith, joy and spiritual celebration that left a lasting impression on everyone present.

The culmination of the wari was the Maha-aarti at the temple. For many, the moment marked not merely the conclusion of a physical journey but the fulfillment of a deeply personal spiritual pilgrimage.

Following the Maha-aarti, devotees gathered to enjoy a delicious faral (traditional fasting refreshments) served as prasad. The meal was lovingly prepared and generously offered by the Kharkar family which included cooking khichadi close to 900 people by Prafull, Shivani and Akshata in the mandir premises. Their thought-

ful hospitality and spirit of service exactly defines the devotion of the Warkari tradition.

The success of the Ashadhi Wari was made possible through the tireless efforts of numerous volunteers who dedicated countless hours to planning and organizing the event. From coordinating logistics and ensuring participant safety to managing refreshments, traffic, registration and devotional activities, every volunteer contributed wholeheartedly to creating a seamless and spiritually enriching experience. The enthusiastic participation of every Warkari transformed the event into a true celebration of faith and unity. Each and every person present in the mandir premises went home with renewed faith, deeper spiritual fulfillment, a stronger sense of belonging to a community united by devotion to Lord Vitthal and memories to last a lifetime.

With the successful completion of this year’s Ashadhi Wari, devotees are already looking forward eagerly to the mandirs next event. They await another opportunity to come together to celebrate the next festival Ganapati which will start from September 13th. As the Mandal proudly celebrates its 50th year journey, this year’s Ganapati celebrations promise to be more grander and magnificent than ever before. The Houston Maharashtra Mandal’s Vitthal Rukmini Temple continues preserving all sacred traditions for future generations in the land they now call home.

Southwestern Bank’s 21st Annual Scholarship Awards to Outstanding Students

Houston: Southwestern Bank held its 21st Annual Scholarship Awards Ceremony on Thursday, July 23, at it’s headquarters, recognizing four exceptional high school graduates and one Outstanding Student Award recipient for their academic achievements, community involvement, and future aspirations.

This year’s celebration also marks an important milestone in the bank’s history. In a lavish ceremony in May, Southwestern National Bank officially rebranded to Southwestern Bank along with a new corporate logo. The refreshed brand identity reflects the bank’s commitment to expanding and enhancing diverse financial services while continuing its long-term growth and community-focused mission.

Each recipient was awarded a $1,000 scholarship after a competitive selection process. Applicants were evaluated based on academic performance, extracurricular involvement, community service, leadership potential, and financial need. The scholarship program exemplifies Southwestern Bank’s more than two decades of dedication to supporting well-rounded students and encouraging them to pursue their educational and ca-

reer goals.

The 2026 scholarship program was open to graduating high school seniors from the Houston, Austin, and Dallas areas, underscoring the bank’s commitment to investing in future generations and giving back to the communities it serves.

The 2026 Southwestern Bank

Scholarship recipients are: Christian Gamboa of YES Prep Public Schools; Daniel Kim of Memorial High School; Youngeun Noh of Katy High School and Sahnan Isha of Oak Ridge High School Academy in Conroe. The Outstanding Student Award went to Rachel Ma of Memorial High School.

The awards ceremony was was attended by Southwestern Bank Chair Jody Lee, members of the Board of Directors, the recipients and their families and friends. It was followed by a catered lunch in the main conference room and a chance for the students to mingle.

“As we celebrate the 21st anni-

versary of the Southwestern Bank Scholarship Program, we remain committed to creating opportunities for young people to grow and succeed,” said Jody Lee, Chair of Southwestern Bank. “We are proud to support students in their academic pursuits, leadership development, and personal growth, and we look forward to helping future generations achieve their dreams.”

As this longstanding tradition continues, Southwestern Bank remains dedicated to supporting educational advancement and investing in the next generation of leaders. Through its scholarship program, the bank looks forward to providing continued encouragement and financial assistance to outstanding students for years to come.

About Southwestern Bank Founded in 1997 and headquartered in Houston, Texas, Southwestern Bank is committed to providing comprehensive financial services to individuals and businesses. The bank actively supports educational initiatives, community development, and charitable programs, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to giving back to the communities it serves.(Member FDIC)

Lufthansa Catering to Indian Market

MunicH: With India emerging as one of its strongest growth markets, the German National Tourist Office (GNTO) has unveiled its four campaign themes for this year and Germany’s national carrier Lufthansa confirmed a €3 billion investment to lift its India-bound fleet, including doubling the capacity in its MumbaiMunich route by upgrading it with an Airbus A380.

The Lufthansa group is also expanding its India network through Swiss International Air Lines, which will begin flying Zurich to Bangalore, its newest India route.

These announcements came alongside GNTO’s unveiling of four campaign themes for 2026 — culture, city life, cuisine and nature — even as Lufthansa, marking its 100th year of operations.

Confirming its €3 billion investment to upgrade its India-bound fleet with new-generation seating and cabin technology; Kevin Markette, Senior Director, Sales, South Asia, Lufthansa Group, said the airline’s immediate focus was on stabilising its newest aircraft in the market, including upgrading the MumbaiMunich route to an Airbus A380, “effectively

doubling the capacity”, with the aircraft seating 571 passengers.

Speaking at a press briefing, he said “one of the clearest demonstrations of Lufthansa’s commitment to India is that we are bringing our newest technology and product to the market.” Fuel efficiency remained a priority as sustainability concerns shape airline investment decisions industry-wide, Mr. Markette added.

Overnight stays by Indian travellers in Germany rose to 350,488 in the JanuaryMay 2026 period, up marginally from a year earlier, according to GNTO India, which also said 61% of Indian travellers named Germany as a destination they are likely to visit in the future.

The briefing also highlighted a policy shift with significant commercial implications. Germany has scrapped its transit visa requirement, a move officials said could strengthen the country’s appeal not only as a destination but also as a key transfer hub for Indian travellers connecting to the rest of Europe.

Postal Worker Collapses in Heatwave

dALLAs: A 58-year-old man who was delivering mail in Little Elm, Texas, collapsed during his shift and died on July 20. Umeshkumar Thakkar was found unresponsive in his truck and was pronounced dead. The death triggered an investigation by the Occupational Safety.

It is not yet confirmed whether Thakkar’s death was due to the heat. Triple-digit temperatures were recorded across DFW on that day. Surveillance footage near the corner of Thornhill Lane and Graystone Drive in Little Elm showed Thakkar’s USPS truck at around 12.20 pm. Around 2 p.m., Little Elm Fire received a 911 call about Thakkar, who had passed out in his truck and was unresponsive. Officials administered CPR, but Thakkar was pronounced dead.

Thakkar has been working part-time with the USPS as a rural carrier since 2022. “On behalf of NRLCA’s 130,000 members nationwide, we extend our deepest condolences to Umeshkumar’s family, friends, and coworkers during this difficult time, “ the National Rural Letter Carriers Association said. President Kimetra Lewis said the association advocates for better conditions for all postal workers. “If this doesn’t alert the Postal Service, it alerts the public, and they will rally together in our defense.”

In 2023, USPS was fined after 66-year-old Eugene Gates collapsed during his Dallas postal route and later died at the hospital. In 2025, USPS union members testified in front of Congress about heat concerns after 51 year old Jacob Taylor died after collapsing on his Dallas postal route, Fox News reported.

OSHA may examine workplace conditions, review injury and illness records and privately interview employees. If investigators identify safety violations or serious hazards, the agency may issue citations and proposed fines.

It remains unclear whether heat contributed to his death. A heat advisory was in effect Monday in North Texas, with temperatures reaching about 100 degrees and heat index values climbing even higher.

The Little Elm Fire Department responded about 2 p.m. to the 1600 block of Thornhill Lane. First responders administered CPR, but Thakkar did not survive. Officials have not released Thakkar’s cause or manner of

death.

“The Postal Service is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of a postal family member on July 20,” the U.S. Postal Service said in a statement.

USPS said it is providing counseling services to employees at the Little Elm Main Post Office while the OSHA investigation continues.

The rural carriers’ association described Thakkar’s death as a “painful reminder” of the conditions letter carriers face while serving the public.

NRLCA President Don Maston urged rural letter carriers to follow heat-safety protocols, stay hydrated, recognize the symptoms of heat-related illness and look out for one another.

Thakkar’s death is just over a year after the June 2025 death of Dallas letter carrier Jacob Taylor, 51, a 28-year Postal Service employee who collapsed while filling in on a route in the Dallas Medical District. Temperatures reached the mid-90s that day.

Days later, National Association of Letter Carriers President Brian Renfroe cited Taylor’s death during congressional testimony calling for stronger protections for postal workers. The union later invoked the case while pressing for a national heat-safety standard and faster deployment of modern postal vehicles with air conditioning.

Two years before Taylor’s death, Dallas letter carrier Eugene Gates Jr., 66, collapsed while delivering mail on a day when the heat index reached 113 degrees. An autopsy determined Gates died from heat exposure and heart disease.

OSHA later cited the Postal Service and proposed a $15,625 fine, alleging it failed to adequately protect employees from high heat, humidity and direct sunlight. The Postal Service contested the citation.

A 2024 report by the Postal Service’s Office of Inspector General also identified shortcomings in the agency’s heat-safety program.

The Postal Service has said its Heat Illness Prevention Program includes mandatory training, hydration guidance and instructions for employees to call 911 if they experience symptoms of heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

-- Dallas Morning News

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ENTERTAINMENT

‘Max, Min & Meowzaki’: A Warm, Wise Tale

Story: While breaking up with Min (Medha Shankr), Max (Siddharth Menon) gets to keep her cat, Meowzaki. As he nurses a broken heart, he embarks on a journey of healing and maturing alongside his grandfather and father, who also happen to be single at the same time.

Review: “Our lives are like the wind. Or sounds. We come into being, resonate with each other, then fade away.” Mahesh Mahadevan, aka Max, quotes from his and Min’s favourite Japanese animator and filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki’s film while consoling his cat sitter, Carol (Vidhatri Bandi).

While the quote sums up what the romantic drama is about, writer-director Padmakumar Narasimhamurthy’s narrative goes much beyond. The movie is a profound story of healing, maturing, love, friendship, and relationships.The film opens with Max and Min (short for Minara Hussain) dividing their belongings as the latter moves out to be with an older man. Who will keep the cat, Meowzaki (named after Miyazaki)?

The title may suggest that this will be a comedy-drama about the

cat’s custody or how it will bring the two together, but that’s misleading. The story is about three generations of the Mahadevans— grandpa Sridhar (Nassar), father Ramesh (Adil Hussain), and Max—healing, learning the true meaning of relationships, and accepting their loved ones despite their differences. While voiceover artist and rock band member Max finds friendship in cat sitter Carol Sequeira (Vidhatri Bandi), businessman Ramesh’s healing journey includes his therapist Dhaara (Mandira Bedi), and for legendary Carnatic singer Sridhar, it’s Carol’s grandmother Jennifer (Nafisa Ali), his friend at the assisted living facility.

Narasimhamurthy proves to be an assured writer as the narrative gradually reveals many truths about the three men. But the beauty lies in the characterisations and their arcs. They are flawed, yet so relatable that we have seen, or even been, these men at some point. The takeaway here is that healing happens with self-awareness, self-acceptance, and change. And despite its deep themes, including patriarchy and intergenerational trauma, the film sidesteps melodrama and loud dialogues. Sagacity is the film’s strength. It offers insights into why men may behave the way they do, including

the roots of Ramesh’s misogynistic outlook. The dignity accorded to each character, despite their flaws, is winsome and reminds us that they are, after all, human

Although the film keeps you interested, the pace and narrative often feel plodding. A couple of tracks, such as Max’s Tinder date, could have been shorter. The story’s emotional depth is perfectly conveyed through its performances. Max, heartbroken and grieving his mother’s recent passing, is vulnerable at first but matures over the course of the story. Siddharth Menon portrays both sides of the character, as well as his growth, beautifully. Adil Hussain is outstanding as the super-conservative father, especially for the sincerity with which he brings out his imperfections. Nassar is exceptionally charming and grounded. Mandira Bedi pulls off her role as a therapist and later a friend with ease and elan. Nafisa Ali, Medha Shankr, Vidhatri Bandi, and Gitanjali Rao as Max’s mother, Vasudha, are equally effective.

Max, Min & Meowzaki remains a warm and thoughtful film about people learning to understand themselves and those they love, making for a rewarding watch.-ToI

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