November 28, 2025
Sugar Land: The Indo-American Charity Foundation (IACF) marked over 37 years of dedicated service with its spectacular Annual Gala, “Global Hearts, Local Hands,” on Sunday, November 16, at the Stafford Centre. Attended by over 500 generous guests, the evening successfully harnessed the philanthropic spirit of the IndoAmerican diaspora to support critical local needs under the motto, “We live here, We give here.”
With the generous & unwavering support of Donors, IACF successfully raised more than $300,000.00 at the gala. The funds raised will bolster IACF’s core mission: providing aid in the areas of Education, Family, General Welfare, and Healthcare throughout the metro Houston area.
On Stage: Leaders, Legends, and Legacy
The evening began with a registration and cocktail reception, followed by a ceremonial start featuring the beautiful rendition of the National Anthem of the United States by Janvi Shah and India by Dr Suma Manjunath.
Award-winning host and auctioneer Jamie McDonald served as the evening’s emcee, commencing the program with a fireside chat featuring IACF President Pankaj Rana. Mr. Rana proudly highlighted that the IACF is a 100% volunteer organization, ensuring that donor dollars are maximized: “The money goes where it will have the most impact,” he stated. He also acknowledged the founda-
tion’s recent partnership with community organizations like IDA (Indian Doctor’s Association), ASGH (Arya Samaj of Greater Houston), IMAGH (Indian Muslim Association of Greater Houston), IHA (International Hindu Association), SSJM (Shirdi Sai Jalaram Mandir), ICC (Indian Culture Center), IACT (Indo-American Conservatives of Texas), IDCC (Indian Doctors
Charitable Clinic), IACCF (IndoAmerican Chamber of Commerce Foundation) to raise funds for the West Texas natural disaster in Kerrville.
IACF’s remarkable impact was detailed, including the organization’s legacy of distributing grants to deserving local charities and awarding over a million dollars in scholarships to high school seniors
over the years.
Guest of Honor and Keynote
The glamour of the evening peaked with the introduction of legendary Bollywood actress and philanthropist, Mallika Sherawat.
Guest of Honor Ms. Sherawat joined a fireside chat to discuss her acting career and her motivations for committing her time and money to charitable causes. The atmo-
sphere was electrified when she spontaneously invited the women in the audience to join her for an impromptu song and dance.
The crucial partnership with a leading energy company was recognized when Dak Liyanearachchi, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of NRG, delivered the keynote address. He shared insights into NRG’s decade-long commitment to IACF for community impact and the spirit of giving.
Investing in the Future
A cornerstone of the IACF mission—education—was highlighted by Ms. Cherise Roberts from the Stafford School District. She focused on the IACF’s marquee scholarship program across several School Districts in the Greater Houston Area, which provides vital financial aid to hardworking and talented students pursuing careers as healthcare professionals, entrepreneurs, or engineers.
The event’s importance to the city was officially recognized when the IACF board was presented with a proclamation from the Sugarland Mayor Carol McCutcheon and Fort Bend County Commissioner for Precinct 4 Dexter L. McCoy, officially declaring November 16th as IACF Day.
The fundraising momentum built through a high-energy live auction led by Jamie McDonald, featuring exciting trips to destinations like Scotland, Burgundy and Italy—a unique and successful addition to the IACF fundraising history.
Sugar Land: The Houston chapter of Ekal Vidyalaya hosted its annual Ekal Walkathon on a beautiful Sunday morning, November 16th, 2025, beginning at 8:00 AM.
The day started with a gentle chill in the air, and as walkers gathered, the sun slowly came out, warming the trail and filling the atmosphere with energy and excitement.
Families, students, and community members walked together under glowing sunshine, united behind one goal, supporting education in rural India.
This year, the walkathon stood out for one powerful reason:Partnerships
Ekal Houston partnered with Sherpal AI, Bollywood Dancing Starz, Spenga Sugar Land and Pawdina Nonprofit to make the event more engaging and community driven. These partners helped expand participation, volunteer engagement, and awareness for the Ekal mission, creating a stronger, more collaborative model for youth-led change.
Our special guest, Judge Surendran Pattel, 240th District Court Judge of Fort Bend County, praised the youth volunteers for their leadership and community spirit.
He applauded their ability to exceed expectations and build a service mindset at a young age.
Behind the scenes, youth volunteers worked for weeks to plan the walking route, organize registration tables, arrange water stations, guide participants, and maintain a smooth schedule. Their teamwork showed maturity, confidence, and a strong sense of responsibility.
Many families said they were inspired not just by the cause but by the young leaders who made the event possible.
The walkathon supported the Ekal 500 initiative, encouraging individuals to fund a school each year in rural India. Contributions support education, digital literacy, healthcare support, and rural development across underserved villages.
President Uma Dama thanked the volunteers, sponsors, families, and participants, emphasizing that youth leadership and community partnerships are the future of Ekal Houston. She encouraged the community to continue supporting upcoming youth-led cultural programs and service activities.
Under the warm sun and community spirit, the walkathon turned into more than an event— it became a celebration of hope, leadership, and collective action.
Thank you to everyone who walked with purpose, partnered with passion, and supported Ekal’s mission.
WaShington dC: Indian-origin venture capitalist Asha Jadeja Motwani claimed she is behind President Donald Trump’s changed stance on H-1B, the visa program that allows US tech companies to hire skilled workers from foreign countries, including India.
Motwani, who is also a donor to the Republican Party, said that she spoke with both President Trump and Vice President JD Vance on the value of bringing in the top talent from India into the US.
“I have spoken to both JD Vance and President Trump about the fact that people like #RajeevMotwani and i would not have come easily into the US if the current H1B drama had been playing out in the 1980s.,” Motwani posted on X. Her husband Rajeev Motwani was an Indian-American professor of computer science at Stanford University.
Asha Motwani said the Trump-Vance administration is open to good ideas but not enough HNI (high net worth individuals) Indian-Americans are pursuing the IndianAmerican issue. “I spent the weekend in Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach and got unusual access to the president with very little effort. I wish there were more people doing this alongside me. Engaging with the current administration in Washington DC is easy and very, very doable.
“Almost one year into batting for India in Washington DC, I am truly shocked that there is not a single other HNI Indian American helping India in DC,” Motwani said adding that Indian-American billionaires are only close to the Democrats and they are not doing any lobbying in the DC.
“When I asked the usual Indian American billionaires why they are not helping our home country, most give the excuse that they know only the Democrats. This does not fly with me anymore. I have lost respect for some friends who on the pretext of “not liking Trump & Vance” are doing a diddley squat for India or US.
It is in American geopolitical and economic interest that India is in the American pocket and not with anybody else. We in the diaspora can make this happen and we must put in our effort,” Motwani wrote.
In his latest FOX interview, Trump said America needs certain types of talent as he was speaking on the H-1B issue. This sent shockwaves through the MAGA base as they claimed that Trump meant that American does not have enough good talent.
The Donald Trump administration, however, clarified that they welcome foreigners to study, train and then to eventually go back to their own countries. H-1B has emerged as the most contentious issue of the administration and now MAGA is divided with many MAGA activists like Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene accusing Trump of moving away
from his America First resolve.
Motwani is a Silicon Valley-based venture capitalist who has invested in over 200 technology startups in the Bay Area. As an entrepreneur herself, her investing philosophy is designed to ignite young entrepreneurs into becoming disruptive change makers. “Making a dent in poverty requires money. Without a strong focus on economic growth, developing countries like India will continue to be stuck in a cycle of poverty.
The need of the hour is to let technology-driven growth enable India to break out of the cycle of poverty. It is critical that we identify and remove legacy obstacles to growth as fast as possible.”
All of Asha’s venture and philanthropic initiatives in India have been designed to help the nation break free of this cycle of poverty. “Exponential growth is possible through technology-enabled entrepreneurship, lean government, world-class education, and women’s leadership.”
Gender equality, inclusive growth, lean government, and national security are core interests of MITLI (Motwani Institute for Thought Leadership in Innovation) – an unprecedented bridge between the US and India. Asha created MITLI as an advocacy platform designed to drive policy changes in India. - ToI, Money Control
By Bhupinder “Bo” Singh
On the occasion of the 350th anniversary of martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, let us remember the great sacrifice which stopped the flow that would have changed the social, religious and cultural landscape of the sub-continent. Guru Ji did not die a normal death, even his dead body defied the normal fate. Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji sacrificed his life for the protection of Hindu faith in Delhi, during the reign of Aurangzeb. Under his strict orders of forced conversions, the Hindus were forced to relinquish their faith in order to get relief from Jazia Tax and to save their lives. The poorer and lower caste Hindus had reconciled with the easier option by accepting the conversion. Now, the thrust was
on converting the higher caste Hindus-Brahmins, which will accelerate the conversion process due to the cascading effect. Alarmed Brahmins of Kashmir held their conclave and decided to seek help of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji in Anandpur. Their delegation of five hundred under the leadership of Kirpa Ram came to Anandpur and narrated their plight to Guru Ji. Guru Ji after deliberations and input from his young son Gobind Rai of 9 suggested to Kirpa Ram a message for the ruler. The message was that the Emperor Aurangzeb should stop mass persecution, and if Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji converted to Islam then they all would follow suit.
Hearing the message Aurangzeb was elated and issued orders for Guru Ji’s arrest and to be brought
to Delhi. Bewildered by the offer of Guru Ji Aurangzeb asked why he was offering himself for Hindus, whose idol worship and caste system was not practiced and preached by founding Sikh Guru Nanak Dev or any subsequent Gurus? Guru Ji replied that Hindus are being treated as sub-humans and inferior in your reign, which is not fair. Guru Ji condemned use of force for conversion to Islam, adding that everyone should have freedom to practice their belief and faith. Guru Ji was then asked to show some miracles, which he firmly refused. Finally, he was told in clear terms that another option to not accepting Islam was to be prepared for death.
First Guru Ji’s companions Bhai Mati Das, Bhai Sati Das, Bhai Dyala were tortured and killed by saw-
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ing in half, boiling in a cauldron and wrapping in cotton and being put on fire, respectively. However, all three stayed calm and steadfast in their faith, by willingly embracing death. Aurangzeb was hoping that seeing the persecution of his close associates should waiver Guru Ji’s determination, because of his concern for their welfare, and also concern of his own fate. However, when Guru Ji’s determination did not waiver, Guru Ji was beheaded on November 11, 1675, by Jalaludin at Chandni Chowk on the orders of his chief. The sacrifice touched the hearts of masses. People burst into loud shrieks, lamenting, with tears dropping from their eyes. Today, a memorial Sis Ganj Gurudwara stands there in that place honoring that unique and supreme sacrifice. In the mean-
time, the body was picked up by Bhai Lakhi Shah, who happened to be in the vicinity unloading lime from his carts at the Red fort for royal forces. He quietly lifted the body despite the raging storm on his bullock cart and moved it to Raisina, his home. Driving the cart with the body into his house, set the house on fire to cremate the body while creating an impression of accidental fire. Here, we can see a devotee and man of faith, bringing a dead body inside his house, contrary to normal traditions when everyone normally takes the body out. While the people are afraid to visit the cremation grounds in the darkness of the night, this place has become a place of reverence and is visited by thousands day and night.
By renuKa VyaVahare
Story: Set during the 1962 India–China war, 120 Bahadur recounts the extraordinary courage of Indian soldiers led by Major Shaitan Singh Bhati (Farhan Akhtar), who defended the Chushul airbase against an overwhelming Chinese force in the Battle of Rezang La. Vastly outnumbered and ill-equipped in the unforgiving heights of Ladakh, the 13th Kumaon Regiment — comprising predominantly the Ahir community and commanded by their Rajput Major — stood their ground till their last breath.
Review: Director Razneesh
“Razy” Ghai revisits a painful yet remarkable chapter of Indian military history that has rarely been explored on screen. Barring Chetan Anand’s Haqeeqat (1964), with its unforgettable anthem “Kar Chale Hum Fida”, Bollywood has curiously stayed away from this story. These unsung heroes deserved a film dedicated solely to them — and Ghai, to his credit, remains committed to that intent. The film offers glimpses into how a community largely associated with farming in the plains adapted to the brutal cold, altitude, and isolation of Rezang La. There is much to discover in 120 Bahadur, yet by the time the end credits roll, you’re left with mixed emotions — moved by the sacrifice, but not as deeply connected to the characters as you wish to be. The action stands out as the film’s strongest pillar. The desperate standoffs — snipers, close-range firefights, brawls when ammunition runs out — are gripping. But the storytelling falters in building tension and emotional stakes. The suffocating dread of an inevitable onslaught never fully takes hold, and the immense psychological strain on the soldiers doesn’t land with the impact it should. Farhan Akhtar channels a rugged intensity and even alters his vocal pitch and body language, stepping into a
dramatic zone that he’s not known for. He is effective in several moments, yet the sense that this isn’t his most natural terrain lingers.The supporting cast comprising Eijaz Khan, Vivan Bhatena, Ajinkya Deo, Raashi Khanna, Sparsh Walia, Ankit Siwach, despite its promise, is given far too little to explore. Oddly placed flashbacks and formulaic backstories interrupt the narrative flow, while choppy editing further disrupts immersion. The music too is disappointingly flat — you can’t help but recall every rousing Border track that might have elevated the drama here. Despite its flaws, 120 Bahadur avoids glorifying war. Its sincerity is both its strength and its limitation. A heartfelt tribute wrapped in a familiar template; 120 Bahadur deserved a more arresting and emotionally resonant execution. -- ToI
‘Mastii 4’: Cringe
Story: Three bored husbands— Meet (Vivek Oberoi), Prem (Aftab Shivdasani) and Amar (Riteish Deshmukh)—crave escape from their monotonous marriages. A mischievous plan offers the thrill they’ve been missing, but their quest for freedom spirals into chaos none of them ever imagined.
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 December 2, 2025. Email us at indoamericannews@yahoo.com. Please send us your solved Sudoku for your name to be published.
Kumud Athavale, Sanchali Basu, Krishna R. Vuddagiri, Prabha Barvalia, Jawahar Khandheria, Mohit Mittal, Prabha Narumanchi, Anil Bhagtaney, Arup Gupta, Yudhveer Bagga, Hanumant Todgal, Naveen Garg, Bhumija Mittal, Murthy Mudigonda, Romy Mukhi, Taranjit Singh
