Indo-American News: March 27, 2026

Hindu Matrimonial USA Hosts Successful Matchmaking Event

Houston: On Feb 28, 2026

Hindu Matrimonial USA held a successful matchmaking event at the GSH event center. This was the first Hindu Matrimonial USA event in Houston and the tenth one conducted overall. Previous events have taken place in Tampa, FL, San Jose, Ca and Frankfurt Germany.

This event brought together over 130 Hindu, Sikhs and Jains aged 25-45 of which 42 percent were from outside Houston. The event allowed participants from around the country to meet during speed dating events, team building and getting to know each other activities ending with an evening party.

The all-day event started at 8:30 am and lasted until 10 pm.

Participant feedback, “Thankyou for hosting this event. I’ve been to many many events by different organizers throughout the country, and this one was by far my favorite and most productive event. I was very satisfied.”

Local and national volunteers dedicated significant amounts of time planning and executing this event and are looking forward to planning the event for next year.

Hindu Matrimonial USA will be having more events in 2026 check out the website at hindumatrimonial.org for more information. Speed dating underway.

Sahitya Academy Award for Dr. Bhadreshdas Swami

new delHi: In a landmark recognition of Sanskrit scholarship and Hindu philosophy, Mahamahopadhyaya Dr. Bhadreshdas Swami, of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, has been conferred the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award for the year 2025 by the Government of India in the field of literature for his work “Prasthanachatushtaye Brahmaghosha.”

Selected as the finest Sanskrit work in India, this text provides a comprehensive exposition of the Brahma principle based on the primary scriptures of Hinduism—the Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, and Brahma Sutras—alongside the Vachanamrut delivered by Bhagwan Swaminarayan.

Composed in a poetic style using aphorisms (sutras), scholars view this work as a piece of philosophical poetry. Considering its literary characteristics and philosophical depth, the selection committee of scholars chose it as the best Sanskrit work of 2025.

The text presents the philosophy propounded by Bhagwan Swaminarayan in a literary style. Published in 2018, the author composed this work under the guidance and instructions of the spiritual leader of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj.

The announcement has sparked widespread celebration across India’s academic and literary circles.

Scholars have lauded the Sahitya Akademi’s decision, noting that this recognition underscores the continued vitality of Sanskrit as a

medium for both intellectual rigor and creative expression.

Swami Bhadreshdasji, a renowned scholar who has previously authored extensive commentaries on the Prasthanatrayi, adds this national honor to a long list of accolades for his contributions to Indian philosophy.

Mahamahopadhyaya Dr. Bhadreshdas Swami is an internationally respected, renowned Sanskrit scholar and thought leader in Indian philosophy. He holds multiple academic distinctions, including an M.A., Ph.D., D.Litt., and an honorary Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) from IIT Kharagpur. Currently serving as the Head of the BAPS Swaminarayan Research Institute, he has dedicated his life to advancing Sanskrit scholarship and Vedic philosophy.

Dr. Bhadreshdas Swami is also the author of Swaminarayana Siddhanta Sudha, published in 2022, a profound Sanskrit treatise that systematically presents the Akshar-Purushottam Darshan, the philosophical doctrine revealed by Bhagwan Swaminarayan.

He is also the author of the Swaminarayan Bhashyam, a five-volume Sanskrit commentary on the Prasthanatrayi (Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, and Brahmasutras), which reaffirms the Akshar-Purushottam Darshan as an independent Vedantic tradition. His contributions have been widely recognized both in India and abroad.

Over the years, he has been honored with numerous awards, including the Lifetime Achievement

Award from the Indian Council of Philosophical Research (ICPR), the Vedant Martand Sanman from Silpakorn University, Thailand, and the Mahamahopadhyaya title from Kavikulguru Kalidas Sanskrit University.

He has also received the Acharya Pravar title from the Uttar Pradesh State Government, and was recognized for Excellence in Philosophy by Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow. Notably, the Shri Kashi Vidvat Parishad formally acknowledged him as an acharya.

Expressing his gratitude, Dr. Bhadreshdas Swami dedicated the honor to Bhagwan Swaminarayan, whose teachings inspired the Akshar-Purushottam Darshan, and to his gurus—Pramukh Swami Maharaj and Mahant Swami Maharaj—for their guidance and blessings.

Jury Convicts Judge KP George

By Claire Goodman

Houston: Fort Bend County Judge KP George was convicted Friday of felony mnoey laundering after jurors found he funneled campaign funds into personal accounts and used the money to cover his personal expenses.

The verdict came after several hours of deliberations that began around 2 p.m Thursday.

At trial, prosecutors laid out a series of transactions they said showed George shifting money out of campaign accounts, routing it through personal bank accounts and spending it on a down payment on a house and other expenses. They pointed to roughly $46,500 in withdrawals, arguing the repeated movement of money was intentional, not a bookkeeping issue.

“This man lied repeatedly,” prosecutor Katie Peterson told jurors.

“Crimes have consequences. Lies have consequences.”

George’s defense centered on the claim that the money was his to begin with and that the transac-

tions were transfers between his own accounts.

Testimony also focused on a January 2019 campaign finance report and whether it accurately reflected George’s financial activity during the final stretch of his 2018 campaign. Jurors ultimately found George’s handling of the funds violated the law.

George faces two to 10 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. A judge will determine his sentence. George will remain in office until he is formally sentenced, according to the district attorney’s office.

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Zoroastrian Association of Houston (ZAH)—Ringing in the Nowruz

By ZuBin r mory

Houston: The Zoroastrian Association of Houston (zah.org) is home to the Zoroastrians in Houston. It serves as a cultural and religious epicenter to the Parsi diaspora from India, Pakistan, and Zoroastrians from Iran and North America. Nowruz celebrates the arrival of spring among regions and people of Persian culture. Parsis of India and Pakistan (and the diaspora) celebrate it with gusto in their unique way and call it “Jamshedi Nowruz,” to distinguish it from “Parsi New Year,” which they celebrate in August.

The UN marks March 21 as “International Nowruz Day” and describes it as “an ancient celebration of life, rebirth, and the triumph of light over darkness, with roots extending back over 3,000 years to the era of Zoroastrianism.” The Nowruz table is called Haft-Sin Table and is a central part of the festival. It features seven symbolic items starting with the Persian letter ‘S,’ representing renewal, health, and prosperity.

ZAH members celebrated Nowruz with pomp, splendor, music and food at its Center on West Airport Blvd with 250+ gracefully dressed guests, on 3-21-2026. The evening started at Bhandara Atash Kadeh (Fire Temple) with a short community prayer which fulfilled spiritual needs. And then, off to

the festivities!

The guests were welcomed in our decorated center in true Parsi fashion, with Bollywood music by DJ Masti and appetizers from Karahi Boys. A grateful shout-out to the ZAH Entertainment Committee for the decorations and creating a festive and joyful environment. No Parsi function would be complete without “apro Scotch Daru and Parsi pegs” being poured. But the highlight of the evening was a spectacular, colorful show full of pomp and pageantry conceived and presented by our members. The extravaganza was the vision and direction of Vehishta Kaikobad in conjunction with tens of our budding performers, danc-

ers, and future Broadway stars. The show had enthusiastic community participation and included all age groups, from kids to individuals in their 70s. This group has to be commended for their dedication and months of effort put in to rehearse their parts, learn and choreograph their dances, and set up the audio-visuals, props, and stage. The show, “Along the Silk Road,” walked the crowd through ancient Persian history, culture, and rituals using a kaleidoscope of colors, costumes, music, and dance. It transported the audience into a colorful bazar with a cacophony of music in ancient Samarkand or Tashkent. There were Persian and other nobles,

merchants, kings, queens, and the young lead dancer, whose performance and costume enthralled the audience and tied the narration together. An encore performance is scheduled at the Asia Society Texas (asiasociety.org/texas on March 28, 026.

Once this performance ended, the community pivoted from the past to the future. Parsis are synonymous with education, charity, and professional excellence in India, and we take great pride in our philanthropic pursuits.

ZAH and its various subcommittees have set up educational scholarships to recognize and reward children who excel in school and college. About $29,000 were

awarded by scholarship committees to a dozen students, encouraging kids to excel. Thanks to all those gracious people.

ZAH felicitated Lourdes Remond, Community Engagement at MFAH (mfah.org) for her commitment to strengthen the relationship with the Zoroastrian community. Done through meaningful collaboration, open dialogue and deep respect for shared heritage. All good things come to an end, as did that evening. A super dinner was served, and gluttony ruled. Later, everyone danced the night away with the DJ providing awesome dance music. We look forward to a great year, good luck to all, and another super party in 2027! Nowruz Mubarak!

COMMUNITY

Bihar Diwas 2026 : A Grand Showcase of Heritage and Youth in Houston

Houston: Building on the incredible momentum of last year’s celebration in Dallas, the Consulate General of India, Houston, in association with Bihar Foundation, BANA (Bihar Association of North America), BAANA (Bhojpuri Awadhi Association of North America) AMBUJ (American Mahasangh of Bihar-UP & Jharkhand) hosted a grand commemoration of Bihar Diwas 2026 on March 22nd. Held at India House, the event was a testament to the vibrant spirit and cultural depth of the Bihari diaspora in Texas!

The highlight of the afternoon was the mesmerizing cultural performances by the younger generation. Children from the community brought the stage to life, demonstrating the extraordinary richness and diversity of Bihar’s culture. Through traditional folk dances and music, these young cultural ambassadors showcased that the roots of Bihar are being nurtured with pride and passion abroa

Complementing the performances were informative presentations that took the audience on a journey through Bihar’s history, its contributions to ancient civilization, and its modern-day resurgence.

Consul General Mr. D.C. Manjunath lauded the diaspora leaders for their active role in promoting

and preserving the Culture of Bihar and Bharat abroad. This program is part of the Consulate’s ongoing outreach series, dedicated to Engaging directly with the community and Collaborating with grassroots organizations to celebrate our shared identity. A Consular and Tourism Information Desk add-ed value to the event.

The event featured a special video address by Mr. Kundan Kumar (Secretary, Dept. of Industries, Bihar & CEO, Bihar Foundation). He expressed his heartfelt joy at the gathering and reinforced the state’s global vision through the three pillars of Bonding, Branding & Business.

Thanks to Bihar Foundation, BANA, BAANA, AMBUJ. A special thanks to India House Houston and other partners for supp Together, we keep the traditions of Bharat thriving across the globe.

Arundhati Memoir for Women’s Prize

The shortlist for the Women’s Prize for Fiction has been announced, with Arundhati Roy and Ece Temelkuran among the six writers in the running.

Founded in 2023 to help redress the historic gender imbalance in nonfiction prizes, after a study found that only 35.5% of the winners across major UK nonfiction awards over the previous decade were women, the award celebrates excellence, originality and accessibility in narrative non-fiction.

The 2026 longlist featured 16 authors, which were whittled down to six names for the shortlist announced on Wednesday (25

March).

The most prominent name on the list is former Booker Prize winner Roy, best known for her 1997 novel The God of Small Things Indian author Roy is nominated for her memoir Mother Mary Comes To Me, branded “funny, wise, candid and perceptive” by The Independent critic Martin Chilton.

Also on the list are The Finest Hotel in Kabul: A People’s History of Afghanistan by Canadian journalist Lyse Doucet and Hotel Exile: Paris in the Shadow of War by British writer Jane Rogoyska. -- Photo by Chiara Goia for The New York Times

March 27, 2026

Children’s Museum Houston Celebrates Holi with Hindus of Greater Houston COMMUNITY

Houston: Hindus of Greater Houston (HGH) welcomed the Spring season and brought the joy of Holi celebration to the broader community by hosting events at Children’s Museum Houston (CMH) and Fort Bend Children’s Discovery Center (FBCDC) in Sugar Land. The events were held on Sunday, March 8th and Sunday, March 15th.

This is the fourth year of HGH’s partnership with CMH to conceive and design Holi celebrations which are age appropriate for children from 3 to 16 years of age. The event has grown in popularity and a whole city block on Ewing Street was blocked off for the outdoor Holi playing. Children were delighted to play and throw colored Gulaal on each other while Bollywood Holi songs played. Parents danced to the music as the children enjoyed the freedom and joy to color each other with abandon.

Children were given the option to wear a poncho and protective goggles, so that they can continue to visit rest of the museum. Inside the museum, HGH distributed pamphlets which explained what Holi is, how it is celebrated, the stories behind it and its place and influence on popular culture, mu-

sic and art. Parents were delighted to have the information which they can read to kids at home. HGH also gave away Gulaal in different colors for kids and parents to take home.

Many learnt about Holi for the first time and some had heard of it before but never had the opportunity to experience the joy of colors themselves. The event was very well received and feedback from the parents and kids was effusive. Stephanie Weisinger, Gallery Programs Coordinator of CMH said, “We partnered with HGH four years ago and now it has become a regular part of our Spring Break programming, ” She added that, “We have expanded to accommodate more children and this year we held the outdoor portion to the Fort Bend location as well”. HGH Board member Chetan Davé, who founded the partnership with CMH said, “We are delighted with our growing partnership with CMH to make Hindu holidays more accessible to the broader community. I meet people who have never been to India or know much about it and they love Holi as much as those of us who grew up with it.”

EDUCATION

45% Drop in Indians at US Universities over Visa Uncertainty, High Cost

mumBai: A 45% decline in Indian student enrolments at US universities in August 2025, alongside a 25% rise in international applications to Indian graduate management programmes, points to a clear realignment in global management education, according to Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC)’s latest white paper. The data, exclusively accessed by TOI, indicates the long-dominant North American study corridor is losing ground to Asia and continental Europe, shaped by visa policies, currency pressures and affordability concerns.

GMAC’s 2025 Application Trends Survey shows international applications increased in Europe (excluding the UK) and Asia, while declining across Canada, the UK and the US, with the drop in international demand outweighing growth in domestic applications.

A pulse survey of 361 business schools found 54% of programmes in the Asia-Pacific region reported higher international enrolment in fall 2025 compared with the previous year, while two-thirds of programmes in the Americas recorded declines.

Visa uncertainty is also affecting outcomes after admission. Nearly 90% of programmes in the Americas cited India among the top countries from where students paid deposits but ultimately failed to matriculate, largely because of visa delays, denials or multiple deposits.

GMAC’s Prospective Students Survey shows that non-US candidates’ preference for studying in the US fell to 42% in 2025 from 57% in 2019, while Western Europe held steady at 63%. Application plans for Asia and Eastern Europe increased steadily through 2025, indicating diversification in destination choices.

Among Central and South Asian

applications to programmes in their home region and East and Southeast Asia rose, while preference for Western Europe increased by six percentage points year-on-year.

India continues to occupy a dual position in global mobility. More than two in five Indian business school programmes still reported the US as their top source of international students, underlining India’s role as a major sender of global management talent. The 25% rise in international applications to Indian programmes suggests that the country is emerging as a destination in its own right.

Schools in Canada, the US and the UK most frequently pointed to changes in visa policy and geopolitical conditions as the main reasons for falling applications.

Canada’s 2024 cap on international study permits led to sharp declines in applications and approvals, leaving enrolments well below permitted levels. In the US, the broader higher education sector recorded a 19% fall in new international enrolments, compounded by visa interview suspensions and immigration curbing proposals.

In the UK, restrictions on depen-

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dents and a shortened post-study work period contributed to a 12% drop in proces-sed student visas in 2024, while Australia’s National Planning Level led to a 16% fall in enrolments in the first half of 2025.

GMAC finds that financial considerations now outweigh institutional reputation in decisionmaking. The Indian rupee’s fall to record lows against major currencies in Sept 2025 reduced its purchasing power, pushing aspirants to weigh costs more carefull

Looking ahead to 2026, the white paper concludes that global management talent flows will hinge less on rankings and more on visa clarity, post-study work opportunities and affordability. -- ToI

ENTERTAINMENT

‘Dhurandhar 2’ : Relentless Action, Excessive

By renuKa VyaVaHare

Story: After the death of Rehman Dakait, Hamza Ali Mazari (Ranveer Singh), formerly Jaskirat Singh Rangi from Punjab, India’s undercover agent, rises to the helm of Pakistan’s underworld and political scene but his ambitions reach far beyond this fleeting power.

Review: The year’s most anticipated sequel, Dhurandhar: The Revenge, with a massive runtime of 3 hours and 49 minutes (15 minutes longer than the prequel), kicks off in sync with its predecessor. The film opens with a jaw-dropping action sequence that spirals into a brutal bloodbath. Struck by a personal tragedy, Jaskirat (Ranveer Singh), an Indian army trainee, is forced to embrace his new identity.

The first half is riveting and fastpaced. It wastes no time, seamlessly shifting from past to present as Hamza rises to rule Lyari and takes the fight straight to the terrorists’ stronghold.Dhurandhar (first part) revolutionised Indian filmmaking with its distinctive storytelling style. Each character was given equal significance, which is rare in Bollywood. It wasn’t a oneman show.

Shashwat Sachdev’s pulsating score, sharply contrasted with the protagonist’s quiet resolve, fuelled the narrative. The Karachi-set mafia drama stood out for its immersive world-building and unabashed

action set pieces, using barbaric violence as a cinematic language. The mafia drama had an element of mystery and exuded a relaxed yet striking sense of style and swagger, whether it was Akshaye Khanna’s slow-mo walk as Rehman Dakait, dressed in all black or Ranveer Singh’s banger entry into Lyari set to the powerful beats of “Aandhi ban ke aaya hoon… Mera hausla bhi aiyash hai, na toh karvaan ki talaash hai.”

Moments like these became iconic.Elevating a sequel with the same story and the same resources is a tall order, and the film struggles under the weight. It is gripping but overstuffed, thrilling yet undeniably overstretched and repetitive.

The first half captivates so immensely that you won’t even blink but the latter half drifts aimlessly, sapping your energy.Unlike its predecessor, which explored understated power and restraint to build a riveting world of gang wars and patriotism, the sequel is one-dimensional and wears its intentions on its sleeve.

Masks come off, and the film leans towards jingoism and overt political bias, justifying measures like demonetisation. Subtle manipulation in storytelling is a given, but here it becomes conspicuous, too convenient, gradually turning the film into an ambitious mouthpiece for those in power. It delivers spectacle more than nuance.

The action sequences are wellchoreographed but the sound design feels slightly off in some scenes, arriving a beat before the action.The absence of Akshaye Khanna leaves the sequel without a formidable nemesis, diluting its impact. The story misses the tension and unpredictability that the powerful parallel leads once provided.

Ranveer Singh steps into the spotlight solo this time as the stoic, lethal force once again sporting a hippy leather jacket, sunglasses, and voluminous hair (despite the stress). He is remarkable both as a ruthless killing machine and a broken man, yet it is in his quieter, introspective moments that he truly shines, particularly in an emotional scene with Sara Arjun, who delivers a convincing performance herself. Sanjay Dutt and Arjun Rampal are in top form once again, and Rakesh Bedi captivates in his fascinating role, relishing every shade of his character’s disloyalty. Danish Pandor as Uzair deserved more screen space.

Dhurandhar 2 cranks up the volume, violence, and ambition. It’s a well-crafted, engaging saga that, unfortunately, doesn’t know when to stop. Gripping yet overstuffed, it’s a relentless action extravaganza teetering on excess, best enjoyed as unrestrained work of fiction.‘Dhurandhar: The Revenge’ Soars with $1.44 Million Opening in North America -- 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 March 31, 2026. Email us at indoamericannews@yahoo.com. Please send us your solved Sudoku for your name to be published.

Solution Next Week

Sanchali Basu, Kumud Athavale, Krishna R. Vuddagiri, Prabha Barvalia, Jawahar Khandheria, Mohit Mittal, Prabha Narumanchi, Arup Gupta, Yudhveer Bagga, Naveen Garg, Bhumija Mittal, Taranjit Singh, Debomitra Bose, Nihira Ghanta, Srikanth Madhavan, Harsh Malkan, Soumya Srikanth, Rajesh Pradbhu