Friday, March 19, 2021 | Vol. 40, No. 12
Indo American News
March 19, 2021
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Published weekly from Houston, TX
www.indoamerican-news.com
Special Reports Community Briefs Local Politics South Asians in the News
NEW: 2470 Dairy Ashford, Houston, TX 77077 • 713.789.NEWS (6397) • indoamericannews@yahoo.com
50th Anniversary of Bangla Genocide
Rajinder Soni Passes
P 6-7 Masala Holi: March 28
P2 Photo Credit: Muktijuddho e-Archive, photo by Bruno Barbey
Indo-American News • Friday, march 19, 2021 • www.indoamerican-news.com
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COMMUNITY
March 19, 2021
IACCGH Webinar: “Covid-19 Vaccinations and Return to Normalcy” By Manu Shah
Houston: On March 1, Dr. Vivek Kavadi moderated a distinguished panel of doctors featuring Dr. Peter Hotez and Dr. James McDeavitt in a webinar hosted by IACCGH. The discussion focused on “COVID-19: Vaccination and Potential Return to Normacy – If and When” and tracked the outcome of the vaccine rollout across the country. India’s Consul General of Houston Aseem Mahajan participated as a special guest. Welcoming the attendees, Executive Director Jagdip Ahluwalia highlighted the chamber’s mission of providing relevant and timely information to its members and partnering organizations while President Tarush Anand spoke of the chamber’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the bridge between the medical community and mainstream business as well as between Houston and India. Describing vaccines as “one of the highest expressions of science in pursuit of humanitarian goals,” Chief Radiation Oncology Officer, US Oncology Dr. Vivek Kavadi noted that since the first dialogue with leaders from the Baylor School of Medicine in April 2020, over 28 million people had contracted the virus in the US and more than half a million Americans had tragically died. Lives and businesses had been upended but the breakthrough on the vaccine front has been one reason for cautious optimism. More than 73 million vaccines doses have been administered to date. 15% of the population has
received one dose while 7% have received both doses. Dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine Dr. Peter Hotez, whose lab is collaborating with premier Indian pharmaceutical companies on a low cost vaccine, applauded India’s tremendous vaccine making capacity and its huge contribution to the world. Tagging it as “India’s gift to the world,” he observed that the two mRNA vaccines may not impact the world’s low and middle income countries, but India’s vaccines, made in collaboration with universities such as Baylor College of Medicine and Oxford University, have “rescued the world” and its contributions must not to be underestimated. This, he stated, will be remembered “as a time when
India really stepped up in a major way as a global player.” Dr. Hotez added that he felt compelled to make this statement because “it’s a story that’s not really getting out in the world.” He also noted mounting evidence that vaccines not only “interrupt symptomatic illness and keep you out of the hospital” but halt asymptomatic transmission as well. However, a troubling development is that the vaccines work well against the UK B.1.1.7 variant now accelerating across the US but doesn’t work quite as well against the variant coming out of South Africa. It is likely that all vaccines will require a booster because the durability of protection for the vaccines is unknown and to create an added immune response
that’s targeted at the South African variant. The winter storm that hit Texas and the resulting power grid collapse unfortunately put Texas “at the bottom of the nation in terms of vaccinations.” Regarding reopening of schools, the priority, he stated, should be to get teachers and the school staff vaccinated as quickly as possible. Thanking Dr. Hotez for his unstinting tribute to India’s efforts in getting the vaccines out to the world, Consul General Aseem Mahajan observed that India was “running one of the largest vaccination drives in the world.” He expressed his pride that India is not only the biggest producer of generic drugs, has the largest number of FDA approved facilities but is the largest vaccine manufacturer in the world producing millions of doses.
HAF Portal Commemorates 1971 Bengali Hindu Genocide Washington DC: To mark the 50th anniversary of the 1971 Bengali Hindu Genocide, which began on March 25, 1971, HAF has launched a new online portal to remember the lost and celebrate survival. Not yet recognized as a genocide by the international community, the West Pakistan military’s Operation Searchlight left 2-3 million ethnic Bengalis dead, 200,000- “Bengali Refugees 1971” photographed by Raghu 400,000 women raped, Creative Commons. and more than 10 million people displaced. The over- ago in the hopes that such violence whelming majority of victims never happens again,” Kulkarni were Hindu. (Please see Page 5 added. for a descriptive article) As part of the 1971 Bengali Hin“The international community du Genocide project, HAF is colneeds to affirm the 1971 Bengali lecting stories of Bengali Hindu Hindu genocide, showing that they Genocide survivors into a digital stand against all genocidal violence archive, and seeking contributions now and in the future,” stated HAF for a commemorative art project. Director of Human Rights Deepali On Tuesday, March 23rd, from Kulkarni. “HAF’s 1971 Bengali 8-9:30pm ET, HAF will be hostHindu Genocide portal offers re- ing a virtual event: After 50 Years, sources for all people to inform Remembering the 1971 Bengali themselves about the horrendous Hindu Genocide. The event will events that began half a century feature a virtual vigil and Bengali
musical performance to honor those lost, along with remarks offered by community and government leaders. Learn about the historical context of the genocide and why its still
commemorating the genocide, something which heretofore has not been done. HAF’s 1971 Bengali Hindu Genocide project is done in partnership with: Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council USA, HRCBM, ISPaD Project, and Stories of Bengali Hindus. View this at www.hinduamerican.org
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important today, as we celebrate the survival and continued vibrancy of the Hindu community in Bangladesh. Register here for this virtual event. HAF is also encouraging supporters to urge members of Congress to make a statement
More importantly, in keeping with its “tradition of sharing with the world,” India has exported these vaccines to many countries. He also noted the upswing in the medical partnerships emerging between the US and India in this pandemic. In terms of medical devices manufacturing, India is one of the largest destinations in Asia and many American companies have expressed an interest in collaborating with India on this front. Senior Vice President and Dean of Clinical affairs at Baylor College of Medicine Dr James McDeavitt has been leading the college’s operational response to COVID-19. Certain practices, he explained, will linger such as masking for travel, shopping or the workplace during cough and cold bouts. Telehealth will also be durable as it’s more convenient and cost effective. It will work better in psychiatric disease and behavioral health issues as there’s less stigma to receiving counseling and cognitive behavioral therapy through telehealth links. It will also give rise to virtual medical tourism as one can now get a second opinion from a world expert in the comfort of their own home and for a lot less. Regarding which of the three vaccines – Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson is the least effective, he stated that they are all 100% effective in preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death and advised the attendees to get the first available vaccine. Those with multiple medical problems should continue to practice a degree of caution when getting together with those who have been vaccinated because there’s still a chance of transmission. In response to a question about air travel, Dr. McDeavitt stated that the installation of HEPA filters in airplanes have made domestic travel relatively safe but recommended double masking - a cloth mask over a surgical mask and a plastic face shield for extra precaution. He also cautioned travel to countries where the virus was still surging.
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COMMUNITY
March 19, 2021
CAIT Award for Sewa’s Kavita Tewary
Houston: The Executive Director of Sewa International’s Houston Chapter, Ms. Kavita Tewary, was honored with the “CAIT Women Entrepreneurship Award” on March 08, 2021, International Women’s Day. The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) is the apex body of the business community of India representing more than 80 million business establishments through more than 40,000 Trade Associations. CAIT, in their announcement of the award said that they sought to honor “some of the most credible women entrepreneurs who have excelled in their respective fraternity with outstanding and exceptional work”. Kavita Tewary joined the Houston chapter of Sewa International in 2012 as a volunteer, working in the refugee communities, especially the Hindu refugees from Bhutan
in the Greater Houston Area. She formally joined the Sewa team as a Program Coordinator in 2014. Kavita worked with women in the refugee community creating a sewing project to help them earn an income. She also started computer training classes and classes for tailoring training. Since 2017 she has been serving as the Executive Director of Sewa’s Houston Chapter. To support students in the refugee population, Kavita started Founder: Dr. K.L. Sindwani a new program called ASPIRE Publisher: Jawahar Malhotra tutorials (www. Editor: Pramod Kulkarni sewaaspire. Correspondent: Sanchali Basu com). This was in early 2013, ®All rights reserved. No material herein or portions thereof and the program may be published without the written consent of the publisher. has expanded Deadline for advertising and articles is 4 pm on Monday of each week. Please include self-addressed, stamped envelope for to serve three return of all unsolicited material. Published at 7457 Harwin Drive, refugee and imSuite 212, Houston, Texas 77036.Tel:713-789-6397, email: migrant resettleindoamericannews@yahoo.com, website: www.indoamericanment apartment news.com
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communities, serving over 200 students now. Her work was recognized by the Texas Association of School Board in 2020. Kavita has continued to serve in the cause of education not only in Houston but has also helped Sewa International chapters with similar programs in California, Georgia, and Ohio. Kavita was also honored with the Parents for Public Schools of Houston Award for her service. Over the years Kavita has worked in many disaster services projects. She has worked with disaster relief teams both in the US and across the world where Sewa International is active. This past year, the COVID-19 crisis has engaged much of Kavita’s time and energy, and her team of collaborators were instrumental in starting 10 helplines across the US. She also played a major role in the launching of the first website for COVID plasma registry (https:// sewausa.org/COVID-19-PlasmaRegistry). By profession, Kavita is a trained Pharmaceutical Chemist from Lucknow University, India, with experience in drug research. She has always been passionate about education and serving her community. She currently lives in Houston, Texas with her husband Ashish Tewary and her two adult children -- Kaushiki and Aatreya.
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CGI Houston Public Notice
1. Houston (March 10, 2021) Consulate General of India, Houston, will accept online applications for OCI, Renunciation, Passport and GEP servuces only through the service provider, VFS Global. Applicants would need to complete the applications on the following website of VFS Global and send duly filled applications by post to the address given: https://visa.vfsglobal.com/ usa/en/ind Address of the VFS Application Center for sending the application by post: VFS Global, 1001 Texas Avenue, Suite #550, Houston TX 77002. 2. Visas: All existing Tourist & e-visas have been suspended until further notice. Emergency entry visa and other eligible categories [Business, Employment and Medical] allowed to travel to India are requested to send the applications along with the documents to the Consulate by post following the procedure given at the link: https://cgihouston.gov.in/pages/MTk4. All visa applications need to be filled online at: https://indianvisaonline. gov.in 3. Miscellaneous Consular Services: Request for Miscellaneous Services (Attestation, Power of Attorney, Police Clearance Certificates, etc.) can be sent to the Consulate through regular Post/ Mail. These services are rendered ONLY through regular Post/ Mail. For details regarding the procedure for completing the application for Miscellaneous services, please visit: https://cgihouston.gov.in/pages/Mjk 4. It may be noted that due to the ongoing COVID pandemic, all Consular services are being rendered only through regular Post/ Mail. Applicants are requested NOT to visit the Consulate for any service. For general information regarding Consular services and details of application procedures, please visit our website: www.cgihouston.gov.in 5. Helplines: Please contact us for any query or assistance on the following helplines: Helpline number: +1-713-626-2148, Emergency helpline number: +1-713-626-2149 (for emergencies only), Email: enquiriescgi@swbell.net
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CRICKET
March 19, 2021
Buttler, Wood Deliver Another Win for England
Ahmedabad (ESPN Cricinfo): England 158 for 2 (Buttler 83*, Bairstow 40*) beat India 156 for 6 (Kohli 77*, Wood 3-31) by eight wickets It was a contest defined by fast bowling of the highest quality, in particular from Mark Wood, but it took a Duking between the two star batsmen on either side to settle the third T20I, as Jos Buttler’s 83 from 52 trumped a masterful 77 not out from 46 balls from Virat Kohli, to re-establish England’s series lead in the third T20I at Ahmedabad. Between them, the two men made 160 unbeaten runs from 98 balls, compared to 137 from 132 from the remaining nine batsmen on either side - a reflection on another tricky two-paced surface, and a ratio that might have been more comprehensive still but for Jonny Bairstow’s late flurry of boundaries, as his 40 not out helped seal England’s second eight-wicket win of the series with 10 balls remaining. The margin of England’s victory proved to be as dominant as their opening gambit, but they were made to work harder than might have been anticipated at 87 for 5 after 15 overs, with Wood’s figures of 3 for 14 in three overs confirming the extent to which he had scorched India’s toporder with speeds that touched 155kph/96mph. There hasn’t been much in the way of cat-and-mouse antics when India have been batting in the powerplay - more dog-eat-dog. And for the second time in three matches, either side of Ishan Kishan’s pyrotechnics on Sunday, it was England’s red-hot fast bowlers who made India’s top order go “woof!”
Jos Buttler’s strokeplay is no-holds barred BCCI
From 22 for 3 on Friday, India limped to 24 for 3 today - including a remarkable 25 dot-balls out of 36 - with Wood, who sustained a bruised ankle in the first game, proving his fitness beyond any doubt with a furiously up-and-atem display. Even the slowest ball of Wood’s first two-over spell was too quick for the awfully out-of-sorts KL Rahul, who played all round a pacy inducker to be bowled for a four-ball 1 - exactly the same score that he made in the opening contest, and taking his tally for the series to 2 from 14 after Sunday’s six-ball duck. In hindsight, the decision to shunt Kishan down to No. 3 was an error from India - not least because it encouraged Eoin Morgan to throw the opening over to Adil Rashid once again, who served up a diet of cautiously negotiated googlies to the right-handers and conceded five runs in a tidy agen-
da-setting over. Rohit, back in the team after a post-Test break, was never able to settle in his 17-ball 15. Jofra Archer and Wood both missed return catches in his skittish stay - the latter a significantly sharper chance than the first - but in the end, the two quicks combined in a canny piece of pace bowling, as Wood followed his quarry down the legside, and cramped his attempt at a pull for Archer to swallow the topedged chance. Kishan, meanwhile, found himself faced with a wholly more problematic scenario than he had faced on Sunday. He was made to hop from the outset as Wood greeted him with a trio of splice rattlers, before Archer in his followthrough came close to pulling off a run-out one over later. Instead it was Chris Jordan who sawed him off, banging in the bouncer for Buttler to run back for the top edge.
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BUSINESS
March 19, 2021
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Neptune Imports Grand Opening & Live Masala Holi
Houston: Neptune Imports invites all to celebrate their Grand Opening in a HOLI themed Parking Lot Party on SUN MAR 28th, 12-3 PM at 7636 Harwin Dr. Ste. 103 (Harwin @ Fondren). Neptune Imports owners Samir Bhimani, Jimmy Jasani and Ronnie Jasani wanted to celebrate their grand opening with all of Houston. Jimmy’s brother, Pervez, a thriving businessman and longtime supporter of Masala Radio, suggested to call the King of Grand Openings - Sunil Thakkar & the Masala Radio Crew. After Gov. Abbot announced that Texas is now 100% open, Sunil envisioned a huge celebration in front of Neptune Imports with a grand HOLI themed parking lot party. With the enormous size of the parking lot, attendees could still play within their circles at a safe social distance, and still enjoy the pumping Bollywood music. The Masala Team is creating a fun free event with Bollywood DJ NISH, free color / water bottles / CHAI KHANA pani puri, chai &
samosas (first come first serve), as well as NEPTUNE goodie bags for the first 100 guests. Free hand sanitizers for the first 500. Deep Foods will distribute free Britannia cookies and mango juice for the event as well. All guests will get a chance to win $1000 in raffle prizes. While not intended to replace the Holi Festival, it will be a great event to celebrate HOLI with friends and family on the actual day of HOLI. Halo Re Halo! Local City Council members and dignitaries will officiate the ribbon cutting ceremony at 12 noon. Organizers suggest coming early for optimum parking. Neptune Import owners have
been very successful for over 15 years in various businesses including restaurants, cell phone stores, c-stores and fast sign franchises across Texas. Their newest venture NEPTUNE IMPORTS – is an importer and wholesaler of Hookahs, smoke products such as Smok, Vapresso, and Voopoo, a wide range of Vape Disposables, a full line of CBD water, oils, supplements and other Novelties in a brand new building located at Harwin & Fondren. They specialize in rare, quality products from China, India and Dubai. For details visit MasalaRadio. com or Facebook/MasalaRadio 98.7FM. Reach Sam at Neptune Imports 832-548-1564.
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is now HirinG In BAy CITy Chemical Chemical Engineers: Engineers: Req. BS Chemical Engineering w/3 years specialty chemical mfg. experience Process Req. 3 yrs. Chemical batch process exp. BatchBatch Process Operators: Operators: Process Tech Certification not required. AnalyticalChemist: Chemist: Req. BS Chemistry, w/3 years basic Analytical knowledge, exp w/ analytical equip. (GC, GC/ MS, HPLC, FTIR, AA) Bench Top Top Chemist: Chemist: Req. BS Chemistry w/3 years exp. bench Bench formulations & analytical techniques w/3 yrs. specialty chemical mfg. exp. Email resume to: baycityapply@chemicalsinc.com Great pay and benefits. EOE/AAP
IS nOw HIRIng In BaYTOwn Chemical Engineers: Req. BS Chemical Engineering w/3 years specialty chemical mfg. exp. Food Chemist: Food Chemist: Req. BS Chemistry, Biology, or another related field w/3yrs exp. in flavor ingredient, as well as product development in Food Science Batch Batch Process Process Req. 3 years. Chemical batch process exp. Operators: Process Tech Cert not required. IT Desktop Support IT Desktop Support Junior knowledge of Microsoft Active DIR, Technician: Cisco IOS. exp. troubleshooting enterprise networks. Exposure to video conference suites. Buyer: Buyer: Req. 5 yrs. purchasing exp. computer aptitude, negotiating skills, QB exp. a plus Email resume to: apply@chemicalsinc.com Great pay and benefits. EOE/AAP Indo-American News • Friday, march 19, 2021 • www.indoamerican-news.com
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March 19, 2021
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March 19, 2021
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ENTERTAINMENT
March 19, 2021
“Bombay Rose”: An Extraordinary, Animated Visual Feast Case in point: background score in Bombay Rose is simply what is being played on the streets at that very moment during the scene. For instance, music from a wedding procession (barat) accompanies the moment Kamala and Salim profess, without words, their love. A sense of dreaminess pervades Bombay Rose, going beyond the visuals and sound. There is a clear homage to the city and how migrants flock to it from every corner of the country to build a new life. But Bombay Rose is also not averse to call attention towards what is not so good about the Maximum City. It perfectly captures those contradictions. It is nigh impossible to over-
By Kshitij Rawat Director: Gitanjali Rao Cast: Cyli Khare, Amit Deondi, Anurag Kashyap, Makrand Deshpande Rating: 5 Gitanjali Rao’s Bombay Rose has been around since its premiere at International Critics Week at the 2019 Venice Film Festival, but it is only recently that the film is available beyond festival circles. An extraordinary visual feast, Bombay Rose was painstakingly put together using individually painted frames. This technique –a hybrid of traditional animation and computer-aided animation — lends a unique, detailed visual language to the film. The undeniably rich and distinct art style hearkens back to classical art forms. There is an irresistible hand-drawn quality here, which it sort of is. The story evokes the ethos of old Bollywood, when it was called Bombay Cinema. And although not as impressive as its visuals, it serves the purpose. Kamala lives with her grandfather and her little sister Tara. She makes flower garlands for a living, but unbeknownst
state how gorgeous this film is. Its glowing reviews had prepared this scribe for something special, but it turned out to be even better. Not since Peter Jackson’s They Shall Not Grow Old has anything been this impressive visually. -- Indian Express Bombay Rose is streaming on Netflix.
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Consulate General of India Houston to her family, she also moonlights as a bar dancer. As a child she was forced into marriage, and her grandfather brought her and her sister to Mumbai. Salim, a young Kashmiri man who has fled the violent atmosphere of his home, is struggling to find a job. He falls in love with Kamala and she with him. He is a Muslim and she, a Hindu. But not everything is rosy in the film, pardon the pun. Like any selfrespecting Hindi movie, here too there is a menacing villain called Mike. He knows about Kamala’s real profession and promises her a life in Dubai. He also warns Salim
off Kamala. There are other characters too. A woman who used to be a film star, and till date remains obsessed with her glory days. There is a watchmaker who can fix any antique toy you throw at him. A hearingimpaired orphan, with nowhere to go, is brought home by Tara. There are also several cats for feline lovers. The lives of these characters interact in beautiful and organic ways. The characters in Bombay Rose are written with depth which complement its visuals, and lend an air of authenticity to its world. This authenticity also comes from Gitanjali’s deft direction.
NOTICE INVITING QUOTATIONS The Consulate General of India, Houston invites sealed quotations from approved and eligible contractors or experienced firms to install Two Glass Aluminum Doors at the Chancery building, 4300 Scotland Street, Houston, TX 77007 For complete details, log on to website: http://www.cgihouston.gov.in or https://eprocure.gov.in/epublish/app Last date for submission of quotations is 30th March, 2021 at 1200 hrs
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March 19, 2021
After giving an insight into the ‘arranged marriage’ set up with Indian Matchmaking, Netflix is all set to celebrate the big fat Indian wedding with The Big Day. The series will take a deep dive into the multibillion-dollar wedding industry, and gives the audience a chance to be a part of the most unique and lavish modern weddings. The trailer of the first season of The Big Day was released on Monday. The video is nothing short of a live Pinterest board on dream weddings for millennials. From lavish settings, designer clothes to some exciting themes, the series showcases it all. The show will also have couples talk about crafting their happily ever after. The makers have chosen six different stories, and each of these couples do not believe in toeing the line. From planning a truly sustainable wedding, which is the need of the hour, to a bride that does not believe in following traditions blindly, the stories would definitely touch a chord. Celebrity makeup artist Daniel Baeur, who got married to partner Tyrone Braganza in 2019, also features in this special wedding series. Produced by Conde Nast India, The Big Day will have couples navigating their way through an eye-opening list of shenanigans and soul-stirring moments that go into creating spectacular Indian weddings. There would also be a dash of family drama, unique personal struggles, triumphs and much more. The Big Day will start streaming on Netflix from February 14.
Indo-American News • Friday, march 19, 2021 • www.indoamerican-news.com
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10 March 19, 2021 COMMUNITY Dilip Mehta: Leading An Exemplary Retired Life at Age 82 By Manu Shah For the past 15 years, Dilip Mehta has been explaining concepts such as the speed of light to his students but the notion of slowing down clearly hasn’t crossed his mind. Dilip turns 82 this July, but continues to mow his lawn, clean the house, lift 40 pound mulch bags for his flower beds and teaches Physics lab twice a week at the Houston Community College. He shuns all medication, religiously practices yoga every morning and isn’t looking to retire anytime soon. Like everyone else, Dilip switched to remote teaching but misses the interaction with his students who he says, “keep him young.” It’s not the money that drives him to teach but rather his love for the subject and the business of teaching. Online reviews rate him as “the best instructor ever at HCC” and his students unfailingly give him an ovation at the end of the semester. A Houstonian since 1978, Dilip Mehta has been an active member of the Indian-American community and is the recipient of the 2017 Hindus of Greater Houston Lifetime Achievement Award. He is one of the founders of the Gujarati Samaj in Houston but disagreed with committee members when the organization began celebrating western festivals such as Christmas and Valentine’s Day at the temple premises. One of his crowning accomplishments is the formation of the highly popular Hindu Youth Camp and he is particularly proud of the fact that his daughter Nutan was Camp Director twice. On one occasion, he hosted 20 representatives of the Hindu Students Council at home for a day before the convention. His speech is marked by strong views and he isn’t the least bit shy about expressing them because he says he gets his “strength from Hindu dharma” or to be more precise - Sanatan Dharma. Dilip’s devotion for Sanatan Dharma and adherence to the scriptures began early. Raised in the town of Magrol, Gujarat, his father was a renowned doctor who “rarely charged the poor.” When Dilip was eight years old, his mother died, and the image of her last breath has yet to fade from his memory. Soon after, he was sent to his grandmother’s house where the wise lady comforted her grandson with stories from the Ramayan, Mahabharata and the Bhagwad Gita. Dilip’s love for Sanatan Dharma quickly took root here and would continue to influence his life, convictions, and decisions. By 11, Dilip had made up his mind to settle “somewhere abroad.” After majoring in Physics in Mumbai and a two year stint as a lab instructor, he fulfilled his dream by flying to New York in 1965 to study at the University of Kansas. A Christian lady, looking to convert him, referred him
His favorite verse is the necessary. At a women’s event, to churches in the area. last stanza from Chap- he urged the audience to rouse the He turned the tables on ter 18, where Sanjaya Durga in them against injustice, her when he received concludes the Gita by a statement that drew resounding “almost one invitation a stating that “when- cheers. week” to speak on SanaEvery winter break, Dilip heads ever there is Bhagwan tan Dharma from those Shri Krishna the Lord to India where he visits Hindu refvery churches. To his of yoga, and Arjuna ugee camps and donates blankets captive audience, he ex-wielder of the Gandiva and school supplies. He also raises plained that Hinduism is bow, goodness, victory, funds and donates his own money the oldest religion in the glory and unfailing to rehabilitate sexually abused world but has no founder righteousness are there, girls in Kolkata. or commandments beDilip and Kusum celebrated that is my conviction.” cause “ a commandment Dilip bristles at In- their golden jubilee anniversary has a negative connotadia’s humiliation and in 2020. They have two daughtion.” Rather, it is a way suppression at the hands ters Nutan, 46 and Sneha who is of life which invites people to aspire to be better Dilip Mehta (left) accepting the Lifetime Achievement of invaders and the 44. Both have been brought up British and denounces as strict vegetarians and are well voluntarily. He spoke Award from Dr. David Frawley in 2017. passiveness in the face versed in Hindu scriptures. Their on karma, liberation, of aggression. Citing older son in law is Manesh while and other aspects of Hinduism to was addressing. Swami Chinmaya crowds as many as 400 churchgo- also officiated at Kusum’s seventh instances of Sage Kapil and Sage Louis, the younger son in law ers, some of whom would later month ceremony before the birth Vishwamitra, who had advanced is of Mexican descent and has weaponry knowledge and did not largely adopted the Hindu way of approach him to mention that they of their older daughter Nutan. In 1982, the company relo- hesitate to use it, he says we can life. Three grandchildren – Yash, didn’t realize Hinduism is “so deep.” He also started a Hindu cated him to Houston to oversee be spiritual, but we also need to Kailash and Laharika complete club with about 50 members and the southern regions, but he was be practical and fight back when the family. led the discussions on the essence weary of the extensive travelling. A growing reluctance to miss out of dharma. Consulate General of India While at Kansas, Dilip’s green on his daughters growing up years Houston card came through. He decided also propelled him to quit his job. He started an electronic repair JOB VACANCIES to move to Northeastern University, Boston where he completed business but when the venture The Consulate General of India, Houston his Masters in Physics. He soon folded in 2006, he took up teaching which he does to this day. invites application for the posts of landed a job as a field engineer at (a) Marketing Assistant and (b) Clerk Dilip continues to speak on SanDigital Labs and was responsible from the applicants who are either US citizens or for installing spectrometers and atan Dharma at numerous events. permanent residents, residents with valid appropriate visa Using an analogy from his favortraining customers. or valid work permit. Dilip deepened his understand- ite subject, he makes the case for Interested candidates may send their application and resume ing of the scriptures when he why Hinduism became “weak.” If along with all supporting documents (for educational hosted Swami Chinmayananda the sun’s gravitational pull were to qualification/ passports/ visa/work permit etc.) weaken, he explains, the planets at his home in Boston. The assolatest by March 22, 2021: ciation led to in-depth discussions would crash or drift away. Likewise, foreign invaders weakened about many aspects of dharma and By email to: admn.houston@mea.gov.in often spilled into the wee hours Hinduism which is why it is “so By post to: Head of Chancery, Consulate General of India, of the morning. Kusum, his wife, scattered today.” He describes the Bhagwad Gita, 4300 Scotland Street, Houston, Texas 77007 would cook for Swami Chinmaya and he would drive the spiritual not as a book of spirituality, but a For further details, visit the website of Consulate: leader to different venues that he war manual by two soldiers fighthttp://www.cgihouston.gov.in ing injustice and unrighteousness.
KNOW PREDICT PREVENT
Offic e of Di s t r ict At tor n e y h a r r i s c o un t y, T X
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March 19, 2021
Sikh-American Doctor Helping Farmers’ Stir By Harmeet Kaur
New Delhi: When Dr. Swaiman Singh boarded a flight to India last December, he thought he would be there for a week, tops. Back home in New Jersey, life for the 34-year-old was “literally perfect.” His career was taking off, with just a few months left in a three-year cardiology fellowship at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and another prestigious opportunity lined up after that. He was a husband to a similarly ambitious wife and a father to a two-year-old daughter. Then, Singh got word that a close family friend from his ancestral village in Punjab, India -- someone like a grandfather to him -- had suffered a stroke at one of the sites in New Delhi where farmers had been protesting for months. Singh had been closely following these developments from back home in New Jersey. Each night, after working an 18-hour shift at the hospital, he would sit down with a cup of chai and catch up on the news in India. “I was paying attention from day one,” he says. “But I never in my wildest dreams thought I would go to India.” One day late last year, Singh was at his parents’ house when he saw an image from the ground that concerned him, his sister Kamal Randhawa recalls. Someone was attempting to administer CPR to a protester, and was doing so incorrectly. He turned to his sister and said, “I think I’m going to go.” It’s early in the morning one February day at the Tikri border, one of three main protest sites along the outskirts of Delhi, and about ten protesters are lined up at what was once a bus terminal under construction. The abandoned complex is now home to a free medical clinic set up by Singh, where farmers at the protest camp come to seek treatment for their ailments. In an adjacent room, medical
Job Posting Last Week’s Winners Sanchali Basu
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Dr. Swaiman Singh, second from right, stands with others at a protest site in New Delhi, India.
workers man a table covered with supplies, and a row of shelves stacked with boxes of medications towers behind them. In early January, Singh says a man died in his arms because of exposure to the cold weather. He couldn’t fathom how -- in the 21st century -- someone could die due to low temperatures. About 100 or so volunteers are on deck to assist with the various demands that arise each day, from accepting deliveries to operating the trolley service that carries supplies to protesters along the 27 kilometer stretch between the Tikri border and New Delhi. And from when he wakes up around 7 a.m. to when he heads to bed around 1 a.m., Singh is never far, responding to whatever prob-
lem needs addressing at any given moment. Putting his career on hold to do this work hasn’t been easy. Some colleagues have questioned Singh’s decision to abandon his cardiology fellowship in his final year. He misses his wife and worries that he’s losing out on precious moments with his young daughter. Part of what keeps him going is knowing that his daughter will be proud of him when she is old enough to understand. And when things get tough in the field, he thinks about the farmers in his family and about those protesting now who are so grateful for his expertise. He keeps his mind in “Chardi Kala,” the Sikh concept of relentless and eternal optimism. -- CNN
Consulate General of India Houston NOTICE INVITING QUOTATIONS The Consulate General of India, Houston invites quotations from approved and eligible contractors or experienced firms to carry out repair of the existing HVAC air conditioning system at the Chancery building, 4300 Scotland Street, Houston, TX 77007 For complete details, log on to website: http://www.cgihouston.gov.in or https://eprocure.gov.in/epublish/app Last date for submission of quotations is 30 March 2021 at 1200 hrs
TEMPORARY NEWS PRODUCER
KTRK-TV ABC13, the Disney Television Owned station in Houston, TX is looking for an experienced, aggressive, creative and passionate News Producer to join our team on a temporary basis. We need you to be ready to train right away and start producing. Knowledge of Dalet and desktop editing a plus. Must be a team player with a great attitude, able to work any day and any shift. You must be available as soon as possible. There is no guarantee this will lead to a permanent producer position, but this is a great opportunity to get your foot in the door of one of the best local news stations in the country. To be considered interested applicants must apply online at disneycareers.com, Ref Job# 776925BR. Please upload a cover letter, resume and list of references. KTRK-TV is an Equal Opportunity Employer Female/Minority/Veteran/Disability/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity
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March 19, 2021
Indo-American News • Friday, march 19, 2021 • www.indoamerican-news.com