By Kapil Sharma
houSton: Constellation Field in Sugar Land shimmered with color, music, and joy as over 10,000 people gathered for the 14th International Diwali-Dussehra Festival, hosted by the Shri Sita Ram Foundation USA. The evening showcased India’s spirit - devotional, spiritual, artistic, and deeply communal - making this year’s celebration one of Houston’s most memorable yet.
The festival began on a heart-
warming note as children and youth took the stage with costume contests, dances and musical performances, their enthusiasm setting the tone for an evening of joy. Families cheered as little ones - dressed as gods, heroes, and cultural icons - filled the stage, capturing the essence and promise at the heart of Diwali.
As twilight deepened, the timeless Ram Leela brought the audience into the mythic world of Ayodhya. The moving portrayal of Lord Ram’s triumph over Ravan
A major highlight of the celebration was the grand parade around Constellation Field featuring 37 floats, music, and dance performances by local cultural organizations.
reminded everyone that the victory of good over evil is not just an ancient tale, but a message that resonates across time and culture.
The atmosphere then shifted from sacred to electric as MC YOGI took the stage. Blending Sanskrit mantras and bhakti themes with hip-hop beats, his performance bridged East and West, ancient and modern - a musical celebration that had the entire stadium swaying in unison.
During the event, Dr. Arun Varma, founder of the Shri Sita
Ram Foundation, invited dignitaries on stage and highlighted the meaning of the festival as promoting unity and humanity. More than 50 dignitaries participated, including the Consul General of India in Houston, DC Manjunath, along with representatives from other embassies, judges, and officials.
Adding an artistic crescendo, Baba Maurya mesmerized the crowd by painting a vivid image of Lord Hanuman live on stage, his brushstrokes moving in rhythm to soulful bhajans.
At its peak, the night featured a parade of over 40 floats from Houston temples and cultural organizations. With a Maha Kumbh theme and Mahamandaleshwars from Akharas present, colorful displays, chanting devotees, and artistry energized the crowd. The festival closed with Ravan Dahan and a breathtaking fireworks display, illuminating the Houston sky — a radiant reminder that light, hope, and unity continue to burn bright in every heart.
houSton: The Indo-American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston (IACCGH) Ahluethanked Dr. David L. Callender, President & CEO of Memorial Hermann Health System, and Dr. Renu Khator, Chancellor of the University of Houston System, for an insightful, forward-looking conversation that anchored the Chamber’s Silver Jubilee Gala on September 27, 2025 at Hilton Americas–Houston.
The Gala’s Chief Guest, Consul General of India in Houston, D. C. Manjunath, underscored the growing scale of U.S.–India economic ties and Houston’s pivotal role as a global hub for energy, healthcare, higher education, and space. He encouraged continued collaboration between universities, hospitals, and industry; highlighted talent mobility and research partnerships; and commended IACCGH for convening a platform where business, policy, and community leaders align around shared opportunity.
“Dr. Callender and Dr. Khator set exactly the right tone—optimistic, practical, and focused on impact,” said Malisha Patel, President, IACCGH. “Their perspectives reflect why Houston leads—and how our community can continue building bridges to drive health outcomes, discovery, and opportunity.”
Moderated as a candid fireside conversation, the dialogue spotlighted Houston’s role as a global hub for healthcare, research, and talent—and how deeper Houston–India collaboration can accelerate innovation and inclusive growth. Themes included workforce pipelines, translational research, patient-centered care, and the power of partnerships across hospitals, universities, and industry.
Founder: dr. K.l. Sindwani
puBliSher: Jawahar malhotra
editor: pramod KulKarni
CorreSpondent: SanChali BaSu
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A special thank-you to Gigi Lee, representing Mayor John Whitmire. She shared the Mayor’s message and presented an official Proclamation to Malisha Patel, IACCGH President, and Jagdip Ahluwalia, Founding Secretary & Executive Director.
“For 25 years, IACCGH has worked to connect people, ideas, and capital,” added Jagdip Ahluwalia, Founding Secretary & Executive Director, IACCGH. “We’re grateful to Dr. Callender and Dr. Khator for elevating that mission with a conversation that was both inspiring and actionable.”
Honorees Recognized at the 2025 Gala
IACCGH Business Advocate Award: Jasjit Singh, CEO, EDGE Partners; Former Executive Director, SelectUSA
IACCGH Business of the Year: Shammi & Mithu Malik, Musaafer Restaurant
IACCGH Woman of the Year: Snehee Chaplot, Founder & CEO, The Food Shop
IACCGH Global Gateway Award: Indo-American Chamber of Commerce, India (IACC India) Grand Finale: A breathtaking performance by the Houston Grand Opera closed the evening on a high note—thank you for an unforgettable finale!
Founded in 1999, the IndoAmerican Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston (IACCGH) advances trade, investment, and innovation between the Houston region and India. Through programs, delegations, and strategic partnerships, IACCGH connects business leaders, entrepreneurs, and institutions across sectors including energy, healthcare, technology, logistics, and advanced manufacturing. Learn more at iaccgh.com.
By Jawahar malhotra
houSton: You have to be impressed by his zeal and enthusiasm, even as his body slows him down. Ever chipper, Masterji (an honorific given to him by his many admirers) moves fast for a 78-yearold man, with a portly figure, cane and in a wheelchair. And his mind works faster as he thinks of many ways to re-invent himself.
Masterji Indravadan Trivedi, a former celebrated classical Indian dancer, dramatist, actor, painter, Hindu priest, movie producer and director, environmentalist, and Peace Bhagat doesn’t let the creeping years slow him down. His round face, with a full white trimmed beard, poses a striking figure but his eyes are the most expressive when he excitedly tells you about his next new idea and convinces you that his limited mobility is not an obstacle that he cannot overcome, even though he does not own a car or drive.
Born in Dahegam, Gujarat, Indravadan finished his education in Baroda, then worked at a government job that did not inspire him and instead set off on a bicycle tour of India in 1981! By 1991, he had arrived in New York City and set off on a motorcycle tour of the US, eventually settling down with his wife Avantika in Houston in 1992. He performed as a classical dancer – catching everyone’s eyes with his bare chest, piercing stare
and gold laced white dhoti – and taught dance classes, eventually retiring in 2001. He then turned to dharmic pursuits and special peace projects for the last ten years. Just two years ago, Masterji completed a trip to north and west India on a multi-city trek to spread knowledge about his “Go Green” initiative. It was an ambitious plan to “raise self-awareness of one’s place in the world and impart practical spiritual education,” explained Masterji, “distilled from years of my own experiences and knowledge.” Masterji went to India in February to celebrate Vasant Panchami at the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. He celebrated that by being the central figure in the Kumbh Mela float this past Saturday at the Sri Sita Ram Foundation’s Dusserah-Diwali Mela at Constellation Field.
Masterji’s latest project is the Tulsi Abhiyan 2047 that will share the healing powers of the Holy Basil or Sacred Basil, a type of aromatic shrub from the mint family. “I have had a fascination with the plant since childhood”, he said, “and in 2021 have started a project to donate 110,000 seeds and plants all across the world”. He next plans to visit Japan, Taiwan, Singapore and end in India, a tour partially sponsored by the Rotary Club. He is already on the agenda to present tulsi plants to the Conroe City Council during their meeting on October 13.
houSton and dallaS: India’s Consul General DC Manjunath joined the boards and other guests of the Eternal Gandhi Museum of Houston and the India Association of North Texas to pay floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi to mark his birth anniversary.
At the Dallas commemoration, the dinitaries released several doves to signify Gandhi’s dedication to peace and nonviolence.
San antonio: The Blume Foundation’s Garba 2025 drew a record 1,500 attendees on September 13, 2025, celebrating culture, devotion, and empowerment under the theme
The grounds came alive with a “Goddess Temple” and Krishna’s Vrindavan setting, complete with a swinging Jhula that created an enchanting ambience. In keeping with Blume initiatives #5, #7, and #18, female entrepreneurs were given the platform to showcase and market their businesses at no
cost—turning celebration into opportunity.
The night’s vibrancy soared with four young artists whose energy electrified the crowd, while the 1947 Cub Scouts’ Arti art bathed the evening in devotion. A modern twist came with dazzling lighted robots, sparking sheer joy across children and adults alike.
The highlight was the largerthan-life presence of Mayor Gina Jones, who declared September 13th as Garba Day with a moving proclamation. Her radiant spirit,
dedication to the community, and even a shared pani puri moment with attendees made the night unforgettable.
Founder Vaishali Dev reflected: “Circles remind us of beginnings and possibilities. Through Garba and community, we honor women as full circles—and commit to ending cycles of violence that diminish them.”
The Blume Garba 2025 was a grand success—where fun met purpose, devotion met innovation, and culture met empowerment.
houSton: Compassionate Houston, a 501c3 nonprofit, is excited to announce that its 10th annual Compassion Week takes place November 10-16, 2025 and is free to the public. Diverse partner organizations of Compassionate Houston’s network will present 20 different events of inspiration, knowledge-sharing, dialogue, and collaboration around the theme Small Acts. Big Change. Tools for Compassionate Living. Compassionate Houston is a network of organizations and individuals who support the Charter for Compassion and cooperate in growing the compassionate culture of Greater Houston through awareness, education, collaboration, and service. Founded in 2011 by Rev. Betty Adam and a nucleus of dedicated co-founders, Compassionate Houston was inspired by the Charter for Compassion’s principles of treating others with respect, encouraging appreciation
of cultural and religious diversity, and cultivating an informed empathy with the suffering of all human beings. https://compassionatehouston.org/. In 2013, because of Compassionate Houston’s efforts, Houston was designated as a Compassionate City by the Houston Mayor and City Council, the first to be so recognized in Texas. The organization is celebrating the 10th anniversary of Compassion Week, an annual occasion for network partners to share with Greater Houston tangible examples of Houston’s compassionate culture through opportunities to reflect, engage and celebrate interconnection and compassion. The occasion is scheduled each year around the week in which World Kindness Day (November 13) falls. For the complete Compassion Week schedule and registration where needed: https:// www.compassionatehouston.org/ cw2025
Contact Jagadish Biradar (jaggub@hotmail.com) for registration.
http://www.triggerscricket.com/index.php/about-tb
Story: A farmer and poet from Parsaul, Rajasthan, dies by suicide after losing his ancestral land to industrialist Haribhai Khaitan (Gajraj Rao) for an ambitious project. When his widow, Janaki Rajaram Solanki (Seema Biswas), files a case in the Delhi court, lawyers Jagdishwar Mishra (Akshay Kumar) and Jagdish Tyagi (Arshad Warsi) — both nicknamed Jolly — clash with each other, with Justice Sundar Lal Tripathi (Saurabh Shukla) presiding over the trial. What follows forms the rest of the film.
Review: The third instalment of the courtroom comedy-drama by writer-director Subhash Kapoor stays true to its predecessors’ template of tackling a serious issue through a quirky narrative. This time, the focus is on corporations usurping farmers’ land and the system’s repeated failure to protect the vulnerable. The story moves between the chaos of the court — where the two incorrigible Jollys constantly try to outwit one another, poach clients, and land each other in trouble — and
the underlying gravity of the case, which exposes systemic apathy and corruption.
While the film retains the franchise’s quirky tone, the rivalry between the two Jollys doesn’t peak the way it could have, and the narrative takes time to gain steam.
The courtroom exchanges are hilarious, with Justice Tripathi blaming both Jollys for his stress.
The second half is more engaging, especially with the entry of a high-flying, London-based lawyer Vikram (Ram Kapoor), who comes in to defend Haribhai.
There are some digressions, such as Justice Tripathi wooing inspector Chanchal Chautala (Shilpa Shukla), which do not move the story forward but still add to the film’s mirth. The main courtroom scenes are intense and thoughtprovoking, even if they are occasionally overdramatic — like a district magistrate having a change of heart and delivering his testimony from a hospital bed being rolled into the courtroom.
Akshay Kumar and Arshad Warsi shine as similarly roguish lawyers and share crackling on-screen rapport and comic timing. While
Akshay enjoys longer screen time in the climactic court battle, with a fiery argument where he highlights how subsidies for farmers are dismissed as khairaat (charity), but benefits for corporations are viewed as incentives.
Arshad balances it out in his closing statement. His sharp rebuttal questions why farmers are always expected to give up their land in the name of progress, while powerful industrialists refuse to part with their homes for similar projects.
Saurabh Shukla delivers a knockout performance once again, his typically star-struck demeanour shifting into a fiery diatribe when Khaitan insults him and the court. Gajraj Rao is outstanding as the vile industrialist, often conveying more through his expressions than his dialogues. Ram Kapoor and Seema Biswas are equally formidable, while Amrita Rao and Huma Qureshi make the most of their limited roles.
Jolly LLB 3 remains an engaging ride that keeps you entertained with its mix of courtroom drama and comic splits. -- ToI
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