Indo-American News: May 29, 2026

DAVMES School Annual Day : Celebrating 25 Years of Excellence

Houston: DAV Montessori and Elementary School (DAVMES) celebrated its 25th anniversary with a vibrant Annual Day program that brought together students, parents, teachers, alumni, Arya Samaj Greater Houston members, and distinguished guests for an evening of reflection, performances, and exciting announcements about the school’s future.

In her keynote address, School Director Arti Ji Khanna highlighted the school’s mission of nurturing confident, compassionate, and curious learners through a balanced approach that combines Montessori foundations, academic excellence, leadership development, and Indian cultural values. She emphasized that DAVMES classrooms foster creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, and hands-on learning experiences that go far beyond traditional textbooks.

The event recognized the dedication of teachers, staff, volunteers, and parents whose partnership continues to strengthen the school community. Special appreciation was extended to the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) for launching initiatives focused on long-term school growth and community engagement.

Among the school’s notable achievements this year was the PSIA team earning second place at the state level, marking the fifth trophy victory in five years. DAVMES also reported strong enrollment growth for the upcoming school year, supported in part through Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA), along with expanded transportation services across the greater Houston area.

Looking ahead, school leadership announced plans to expand STEM education, project-based learning, social-emotional development, athletics, makerspaces, music programs, and advanced science labs. The school is also pursuing Cognia accreditation and exploring the launch of middle school grades beginning with a proposed sixth-grade class in Fall 2027.

One of the evening’s highlights was the unveiling of the school’s refreshed identity, including a new name, logo, website, and updated tagline: “Foundational Montessori & International School.”

A heartfelt parent address by Nidhi Kundalia reflected on the importance of cultural grounding and individualized learning at DAVMES, describing the school as “more than education, it gave our child roots.”

The celebration started with Havan officiated by Acharya Surya Nanda Ji, featured performances by students from preschool through Grade 5 curated by the school teachers, and concluded with blessings and Shaanti Paatha by Acharya Bramdeo Mokoonlall Ji.

Houston to Host Landmark Gathering on ‘Dharma in

By Dr. MaDan LutHra

The Dharma Civilization Foundation’s DDA Conference convenes June 5–7 at the University of Houston, bringing together scholars, technologists, and visionaries to explore ancient wisdom in the modern world.

Houston: Houston, long celebrated as one of America’s most diverse and culturally vibrant cities, is set to take center stage in a conversation of profound global significance this June. The Dharma Civilization Foundation (DCF USA) will convene its highly anticipated DDA — Dharma in the Digital Age — conference from June 5 through 7, 2026, on the campus of the University of Houston, welcoming an exceptional gathering of scholars, technologists, community leaders, and spiritual thinkers from across the United States and beyond.

For the first time, the Bayou City serves as host of this prestigious multi-day convening, which has drawn significant scholarly and public attention for its bold ambition: to examine whether the ancient principles embedded in the Dharmic tradition — encompassing Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, and Sikh frameworks — can and should inform how humanity navigates the unprecedented challenges of the digital era.

A Conference at the Crossroads of Civilization

The central question animating

DDA 2026 is at once timely and timeless: Is technology culturespecific, or does it transcend cultural boundaries seamlessly? The conference seeks to foster rigorous dialogue on integrating technology with Dharmic principles, focusing on ontological, epistemological, and axiological dimensions — asking what we know, how we know it, and what we value in an age increasingly governed by algorithms, artificial intelligence, and digital interconnection.

DDA 2026 is organized around six thematic pillars, each addressing a dimension of modern life where Dharmic thought has urgent relevance. Sustainability: From Exploitation to Equilibrium ex-

amines ecological crises through a lens of restraint, reciprocity, and intergenerational responsibility. Aligning Technology with Dharma explores how artificial intelligence, algorithmic governance, and biotechnology can be developed with accountability and human dignity at their core. Health Beyond Medicine reimagines wellbeing as a multidimensional condition shaped by physical, mental, and social factors — not merely the absence of disease. Education: Learning Beyond Data challenges standardized, data-driven models of schooling and argues for the cultivation of wisdom, agency, and civic virtue. Spirituality in the Age of Algorithms asks how individu-

als can maintain inner stillness and moral agency in an attention economy engineered for conformity, and conversations Across Generations invite deep dialogue between parents and children, elders and youth, about the values and practices most worth preserving and transmitting.

The conference will feature presentations from researchers and practitioners, panel discussions, and community dialogues. The DDA conference is no newcomer to the national stage. Last year’s edition — held June 13–15, 2025 at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta — drew hundreds of participants from across the country and established itself as

one of the most intellectually serious gatherings at the intersection of Indic civilization and contemporary technology. The 2025 conference assembled a distinguished lineup of over two dozen speakers, including professors from IIM & IIT, economists affiliated with NITI Aayog, Padma Bhushan Dr. Jagdish Sheth, Amish Tripathi, Rajiv Malhotra, Ami Ganatra, and many prominent authors, AI researchers, and spiritual leaders — all converging on Georgia Tech’s campus for three days of keynotes, panel discussions, paper presentations, and cultural events.

Full details are available at dcfusa.org/dda. Registration is open at dcfusa.org/dda26. Request to the community to seize this rare opportunity to engage with some of the finest minds thinking about the future of Dharmic civilization — right here, in our own backyard. General registration is $101; student registration is available at $75.

At a Glance: DDA 2026

Event: Dharma in the Digital • Age Conference Dates: June 5–7, 2026 •

Venue: University of Hous- • ton, Houston, TX

Organizer: Dharma Civiliza- • tion Foundation (DCF USA) Website: dcfusa.org/dda • Registration: $101 General | • $75 Student

30+ speakers including pro- • fessors and 3 Padma Shri awardees confirmed among speakers

COMMUNITY

First Indian-American Elected to Rusk, Texas City Council

rusk, texas: Yash Asarsa arrived in the United States more than two decades ago, carrying $950. On May 14, 2026, he was sworn in as a member of the Rusk City Council, becoming the first person from India to hold elected office in the small East Texas city.

Asarsa, owner of Truckerz gas station in Rusk, won the District 3 seat unopposed in the May 2, 2026 election. His victory marks a milestone in a community of roughly 5,000 residents in Cherokee County, about 130 miles southeast of Dallas.

Born in India, Asarsa said he was drawn to Texas by its Western culture and cowboy imagery. What kept him in Rusk, he said, was its people. After more than 15 years of operating and growing his business, he became a familiar face behind the counter at Truckerz, interacting daily with residents from all walks of life.

“This community embraced me,” Asarsa told CBS19. “This community made me who I am, so I feel like I owe a lot to this community.” He decided to run for office after observing divisions in the community. “I believe that God has given us two ears and one mouth, so listen twice and speak once,” Asarsa said. “I’m a good

listener, and that’s what makes me different. I can understand people’s problems.”

His experience in retail, he believes, prepared him well for public service. “You see people from all walks of life, and you learn how to understand people better,” he said As a new council member, Asarsa has outlined several priorities: fixing roads, hiring a police chief, addressing the city’s budget deficit, and revitalizing downtown Rusk. Above all, he wants residents to feel heard. He also views his role through a broader lens. “I feel like I’m a representative of India — an ambassador of India,” Asarsa said. The election of an In-

dian-origin man to a city council in Texas comes as the state is up in arms over the Indian takeover. Dallas and Frisco have become hotbeds of anti-Indian sentiments. But Asarsa is not bothered. “If you work hard and you have passion within you,” Asarsa said, “all dreams are

Doc Caught in Birth Tourism Racket

san Jose: A California-based obstetrician of Indian origin who graduated from Hyderabad’s Gandhi Medical College has found herself swept into America’s increasingly heated battle over immigration, birthright citizenship, and what MAGA nationalists call the “birth tourism industry.”

Dr. Athiya Javid, who runs an OB-GYN practice in San Jose, is among four maternity-related businesses that received probe letters this week from the powerful House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform led by Republican chairman James Comer and Texas Congressman Brandon Gill, who heads the panel’s Task Force on Defending Constitutional Rights and Exposing Institutional Abuses.

The congressional inquiry targets what lawmakers describe as businesses “engaged in and profit from birth tourism” — the practice

of foreign nationals traveling to the U.S on temporary visas specifically to give birth so their children automatically receive American citizenship under the 14th Amendment.

“Birth tourism should never be big business in the United States,” Comer and Gill wrote in a statement accompanying the probe, adding, “This tactic exploits U.S. immigration law, and those who willfully misrepresent their intentions to temporarily come to the U.S. are breaking the law.” Besides Dr. Javid’s clinic, the letters were sent to Doctores Para Ti, Have My Baby in Miami and International Maternity Services.

The lawmakers claimed most foreign nationals using such services are from China and Russia, raising what they called “national security concerns.” Gill struck an even sharper tone, saying it should “appall every American” that a

“thriving birth tourism economy” exists in the country.

The letter to Dr. Javid accuses her practice of explicitly marketing services to “international patients seeking maternity care” and offering assistance that allegedly goes beyond medical treatment, including “logistics support, temporary housing assistance, and legal consultations.” -- ToI

possible in this amazing country.”

Asarsa ran unopposed for the seat and will serve alongside other council members as the city navigates local challenges. His swearing-in took place at Rusk City Hall. In a town where he started as an immigrant business owner, Asarsa’s election reflects the community that took him in more than 15 years earlier. From a gas station counter to the council chamber, his story remains rooted in service to the same people who embraced him. -- ToI

IACCGH Hosts Leadership Roundtable for Community Leaders

Houston: The Indo-American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston (IACCGH) convened a Leadership Roundtable on Wednesday at the Ballroom at Tanglewood, bringing together a diverse coalition of business, civic, and chamber leaders from across the Greater Houston region.

The roundtable featured Harris County Commissioner Lesley Briones, alongside Tiko Reynolds-Hausman PCED , Executive Director of the Harris County Department of Economic Equity & Opportunity (DEEO), and Kimberly Williams JD, Harris County Purchasing Agent. Together, they engaged participants in a forwardlooking dialogue on supplier diversity, inclusive procurement pathways, and expanding economic opportunity for small and minority-owned businesses.

“Harris County is a place where the American Dream is still alive and well, and the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce of Greater

Houston is helping entrepreneurs across the region achieve that dream,” said Commissioner Briones. “We unite, build relationships across communities, and create opportunities to collaborate. I am committed to making it easier to do business here because every resident deserves a fair shot at success.” The roundtable provided IACCGH partners with a valuable opportunity to engage directly with county leadership on strategies to strengthen supplier diversity and expand access to contracting opportunities.

Commissioner Briones and Tiko Reynolds-Hausman led a forwardlooking discussion focused on enhancing inclusive procurement pathways, expanding economic opportunity, and building stronger public-private partnerships with chambers and community organizations. Representatives from the Harris County Purchasing Office also shared insights into the county’s procurement processes and

highlighted opportunities available to small and minority-owned businesses.

In her remarks, Tiko ReynoldsHausman noted: “Houston’s economic relationship with India is accelerating at a remarkable pace. Houston–India trade has more than quadrupled over the past decade, reaching $15.5 billion in 2025, and our customs district stands as the second-busiest gateway for U.S.–India trade in the nation. At Port Houston, both imports and exports from India have more than tripled in value since 2016 — a clear signal that this partnership is delivering real results for Houston businesses. This roundtable reflects that momentum, and the opportunity ahead is even greater.”

The session fostered an open and collaborative exchange, enabling participants to share perspectives and identify actionable strategies to support business growth, workforce development, and equitable access to opportunity.

The Leadership Roundtable was followed by a luncheon in the Texas Ballroom and a presentation by the DEEO to more than 70 small business owners and community leaders as part of the IACCGH Small Business Series, co-sponsored by Wallis Bank and the CenterPoint Energy Foundation.

Participating Leaders

The roundtable brought together a distinguished group of leaders representing chambers, business organizations, and community institutions across the region:

Kevin McAdam – Asian Chamber of Commerce

Dr. Asheli S. Atkins – Greater Houston Black Chamber

Dr. Noemi Frias & Loloy Reyes – Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston

Posso Ganame & Francine Ndjabuka – Texas Africa Chamber of Commerce (TXACC)

Orhan K. Osman – American Turkic Business Council

Joe Mendoza & Ryan Wilson –

Greater Houston LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce

Bruce Hillegeist – Greater Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce

Milton Thibodeaux – Greater Houston Business Procurement Forum

Col. Vipin Kumar – India House

Anchal Jatale – IIT Alumni of Greater Houston (IITAGH)

Karthik Balasubramanian –American Society of Indian Engineers and Architects (ASIE)

Reggie Martin – Houston Hospitality Alliance

Willy Verbrugghe – World Chamber of Commerce

Hasu Patel – SIMA (Small Independent Motel Association)

Manisha Gandhi – TV Asia

Drucilla Rovito – SATOP / BAHEP

Keely Jones – Rotary Club Memorial Spring Branch

Jagdip Ahluwalia – IACCGH

Ashok Garg – IACCGH

Sanjay Ramabhadran – IACCGH / Former METRO Chair

Houston: Veena Bhagia (originally Gopi Hingorani) passed away peacefully on May 19, 2026, in Houston, Texas, surrounded by the love of her family and dear friends. She was 80 years old. Born in Jacobabad, Sindh (now in Pakistan) in 1946, Veena’s life was shaped by resilience and grace. Following the Partition of India in 1947, her family relocated to Bombay. She later married Dr. Vasdev Bhagia, a respected pediatrician and moved to New Delhi. Together, they built a life rooted in love, compassion, family, and community before eventually making Houston their home.

Veena was a devoted wife, loving mother, proud grandmother, and cherished friend. She is survived by her husband, Dr. Vasdev Bhagia; son, Dr. Vijay Bhagia (Orthodontist), daughter, Dr. Vinita Bhagia Jethani (Endocrinologist), daughter-in-law, Preity Bhagia; and son-in-law, Haresh Jethani; and her four beloved grandchil-

Veena Bhagia 1946-2026

dren: Shaan, Ashna, Zoya, and Arjun- who brought immense joy and pride to her life. Her extended Bhagia and Hingorani family and many friends, who she cared for dearly, also share in their grief.

Known for her warmth, elegance, and vibrant spirit, Veena was deeply connected to Houston’s Indian community and remained actively involved in many social and cultural organizations over the years. She had a rare ability to make everyone feel welcomed, valued, and loved, earning her a large circle of lifelong friends.

Above all, Veena will be remembered for the extraordinary love she gave so freely, the strength with which she faced life’s challenges, and the joy she brought into every room she entered. She will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and forever carried in the hearts of all whose lives she touched.

The funeral and memorial service held on Friday, May 22 at

Cricket, Anyone?

Join Wednesday afternoons at Stafford Park for low-stress practice sessions. Recently retired players are welcome. Contact Andy at (281) 8519602 or andyb@infodatinc.com for more information.

Winford funeral home was attended by many family and friends. A sukmani path and langar in her memory will be hosted at the Gurudwara Sahib of Southwest Houston this Saturday, May 30th, at lunch.

May her soul rest in eternal peace. Hari Om!

Indo American News

FounDer: Dr. k.L. sinDwani

PuBLisHer: JawaHar MaLHotra

eDitor: PraMoD kuLkarni

CorresPonDent: sanCHaLi Basu

ENTERTAINMENT

‘System’: Real Meaning of Justice & Morality

By arCHika kHurana

Story: Privileged prosecutor Neha Rajvansh and humble courtroom stenographer Sarika Rawat find their lives intertwined within a flawed justice system, where power dictates truth and both women are forced to confront the real meaning of justice and morality.

Review: In a country where courtroom dramas often rely on exaggerated theatrics and conveniently timed revelations, System takes a more grounded route. Directed by Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari — known for films like Bareilly Ki Barfi and Nil Battey Sannata — the film explores how justice is rarely black and white in a society where influence, privilege, and power frequently shape outcomes. While the premise carries immense potential and occasionally falters in fully realising the emotional depth of its courtroom conflicts, System still emerges as an engaging and thought-provoking legal drama elevated by strong performances from Sonakshi Sinha and Jyothika.

tensity and complexity needed to make Neha’s victories feel truly earned. For a film so heavily rooted in legal confrontations, the arguments and investigations sometimes feel simplified, preventing the drama from reaching its full emotional and intellectual impact. Thankfully, the final act redeems much of this weakness with a stronger case and a few well-executed twists that deliver a satisfying conclusion.

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 June 2, 2026. Email us at indoamericannews@yahoo.com. Please send us your solved Sudoku for your name to be published.

Solution Next Week

The film wastes little time in establishing its central conflict.

Neha Rajvansh (Sonakshi Sinha), an ambitious public prosecutor from an influential legal family, is eager to prove herself worthy of joining her father Ravi Rajvansh’s (Ashutosh Gowariker) prestigious law firm. However, her dream can only come true if she fulfils the condition set by her father — winning ten cases consecutively without a single defeat.

Just when Neha believes she is about to achieve her goal with her tenth courtroom victory, circumstances take an unexpected turn and force her to stand against her own father in court. What follows exposes the uncomfortable truth about a system where influence often shapes outcomes more than

facts. As Neha navigates increasingly high-profile cases to earn her father’s approval, she finds an unlikely ally in Sarika Rawat (Jyotika), a humble courtroom stenographer whose life stands in stark contrast to Neha’s privileged upbringing. Through their growing partnership, the film attempts to highlight the gap between privilege and survival, ambition and morality, ultimately questioning whether justice truly exists equally for everyone.

Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari, who cowrites the film alongside Harman Baweja, Arun Sukumar, and Tasneem Lokhandwala, keeps the narrative largely crisp and accessible.

The writing succeeds in presenting the emotional and ethical dilemmas faced by Neha without turning the story excessively preachy.

The idea of a woman fighting not just legal battles but also the burden of family legacy gives the film an emotional anchor.

Neha’s struggle to establish her own identity despite being born into privilege is one of the film’s more compelling aspects. However, the screenplay occasionally undercuts its own ambitions. Several courtroom cases lack the in-

Performance-wise, Sonakshi Sinha delivers one of her more restrained and convincing performances in recent years. She captures Neha’s internal conflict effectively, balancing vulnerability with determination. Her confrontational scenes with Ashutosh Gowariker carry emotional weight, particularly when professional ambition collides with personal relationships. Jyotika, meanwhile, is the emotional backbone of the film. As Sarika Rawat, she brings warmth, dignity, and quiet strength to the narrative, making her character instantly relatable.

Ashutosh Gowariker leaves a strong impression despite limited screen time, embodying authority and moral ambiguity with ease. Overall, System may not be a flawless courtroom drama, but it succeeds in presenting a socially relevant story with sincerity and strong performances. By examining how truth is often shaped by privilege and influence, the film leaves audiences reflecting on the fragile balance between law and justice. Anchored by the compelling partnership between Sonakshi Sinha and Jyothika, System remains an engaging watch that manages to entertain while raising important questions about the realities of the legal system.-- ToI

Last Week’s Solution

Recent Winners

Sanchali Basu, Kumud Athavale, Krishna R. Vuddagiri, Prabha Barvalia, Jawahar Khandheria, Prabha Narumanchi, Yudhveer Bagga, Naveen Garg, TNihira Ghanta, Srikanth Madhavan, Harsh Malkan, Soumya Srikanth, Rajesh Pradbhu, Santosh Patil, Priya Pathakta, Naveen Garg, Mohit Mittal, Ayush Khaple