Friday, October 9, 2026 | Vol. 45, No. 41
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October 9, 2026
Indo American News
Published weekly from Houston, TX
www.indoamerican-news.com
Special Reports Community Briefs Local Politics South Asians in the News
2470 Dairy Ashford, Houston, TX 77077 • 713.789.NEWS (6397) • indoamericannews@yahoo.com
Houston Supports Akshaya Patra’s Mission to End Classroom Hunger
P2 Anuradha Subramanian’s 80th Birthday Celebration
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Connoisseurs Club Marvels at Andean Odyssey
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COMMUNITY
Houston Supports Akshaya Patra’s Mission to End Classroom Hunger ‘Hearts for Hunger‘ Gala highlights Houston’s role in advancing one of the world’s largest school meal programs.
Houston: Every school day, millions of children face a significant obstacle to learning: hunger. Without reliable access to nutritious meals, educational opportunity is often out of reach. On Sept. 26, nearly 400 business leaders, philanthropists, community advocates, and volunteers gathered at the Royal Sonesta Houston Galleria for the Akshaya Patra USA Houston Chapter’s Hearts for Hunger Gala 2026, demonstrating how local generosity can help expand access to education for children across India. More than a fundraising event, the gala reflected a shared commitment to helping children arrive at school nourished, ready to learn, and prepared to build brighter futures. Turning Nutrition into Opportunity For millions of children, a dependable school meal can mean the difference between attending school and missing out on an education. That belief drives The Akshaya Patra Foundation, which combines technology, operational excellence, and community partnerships to deliver impact at extraordinary scale. Today, the organization provides approximately 2.35 million lunches and nearly 1 million breakfasts every school day, reaching more than 24,000 schools across 16 states and three union territories in India. Since its founding, Akshaya Patra has served more than 5 billion meals, helping millions of children remain engaged in learning. The organization aims to reach 3 million children every school day by 2030, expanding a proven model that removes hunger as a barrier to education. Houston’s Leadership in Global Philanthropy The Hearts for Hunger Gala showcased Houston’s growing role in supporting solutions with global impact. By bringing together corporate leaders, entrepreneurs, volunteers, and donors around a shared mission, the Houston Chapter continues to demonstrate how local communities can create meaningful change for children worldwide.
Akshaya Patra dignitaries with special guests Vijay Amritraj (left) and Bhagyashree (right).
Each contribution helps sustain the infrastructure necessary to provide nutritious meals to millions of children every school day. Leadership United Around a Shared Mission Event Chair Nidhi Turakhia welcomed guests and highlighted Houston’s commitment to creating measurable impact through philanthropy. Shridhar Venkat, CEO of The Akshaya Patra Foundation, shared the organization’s vision for expanding its reach while maintaining the operational excellence that has made it one of the
world’s largest NGO-run school meal programs. The evening also featured remarks from Vijay Amritraj, Bhagyashree Patwardhan, and Siva Shivram, each reinforcing the connection between nutrition, education, and opportunity. The program was emceed by Dr. Ekta Sagar. Executive Perspectives “Every child deserves the opportunity to learn without hunger standing in the way. A nutritious school meal does more than fill a plate. It opens the door to education, confidence, and possibility.
Houston continues to demonstrate that when a community unites around a clear purpose, its generosity can create lasting impact far beyond its own borders.” — Nidhi Turakhia, Event Chair “Our mission is to remove hunger as a barrier to education for millions of children. Communities like Houston play an essential role in helping us reach more children while maintaining the quality and scale that define our work.” — Shridhar Venkat, CEO, The Akshaya Patra Foundation
Indo-American News • Friday, october 9, 2026 • www.indoamerican-news
Community Generosity Driving Sustainable Impact The evening generated significant community support for Akshaya Patra’s school meal programs, helping expand access to nutritious meals that enable children to attend school and succeed. The gala’s success also reflected the dedication of more than 30 Houston Chapter board members, volunteers, and community partners. Houston Chapter board member Mahesh Shah, president of Daawat Catering, generously provided appetizers and dinner for the evening. The Hearts for Hunger Gala was made possible through the generosity of corporate partners, community organizations, donors, and volunteers who share Akshaya Patra’s commitment to ensuring that no child is denied an education because of hunger. Building the Next Chapter As Akshaya Patra celebrates serving more than 5 billion meals, the organization remains focused on reaching 3 million children every school day by 2030. Houston’s continued partnership will play an important role in helping achieve that vision. Join the Movement Ending classroom hunger requires communities willing to invest in children’s futures. Individuals, families, corporations, and foundations can help by donating, sponsoring meals, volunteering, or becoming a mission partner with Akshaya Patra USA. Together, we can help create a future where no child is forced to choose between hunger and education. About the Akshaya Patra Foundation USA The Akshaya Patra Foundation is the world’s largest non-governmental organization (NGO) providing school lunches to children. By combining innovative technology, supply chain efficiency, and community partnerships, Akshaya Patra delivers nutritious meals to over 2.35 million children daily across India, addressing classroom hunger and facilitating education. Akshaya Patra USA Houston Chapter Website: apusa.org, Email: info@apusa.org
COMMUNITY
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ARTS & CULTURE
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Anuradha Subramanian Marks Her 80th Birthday with a Dance Extravaganza
Anuradha danced a tribute to Lord Krishna with Meera Krishna.
Dancing with son Prem
Houston: Our city’s cultural Diva--Anuradha Subramanian-observed her 80th birthday on Saturday, September 26, 2026 evening with a dance celebration that delighted more than 600 of her friends and wellwishers at the GSH Event Center. Close friend Pradeep Anand served as the emcee. Anuradha’s extraordinary life took her from her native South India to cultural landmarks throughout the world from Canada and the United States to Colombia, and Australia via her huband Kohur’s (Mani’s) career as an oil and gas industry executive As explained by Stephanie Jefferis Subramanian, Anuradha’s daughter-in-law, in the program brochure, Anuradha took inspiration from Lord Krishna to take advantage of every opportunity that came her way. She stretched her wings from a young age, stepping out in a wider world as she embraced the glory of dance in emulation of Lord Krishna. Led by the love of Carnatic music, she followed the example of her beloved mother Savitri, to reach out, and to learn from other artists in a rapidly widening musical field. Performing her arangetram in Bharatanatyam at the age of 10, Anuradha added her rangapravesham in Kuchipudi at the even astounding age of 60, earning herself a place in the Guiness Book of World Records. Along the way, she added tribal fusion, the Texas two-step, polka, line dancing, salsa, merengue, cumbia, lambada, and waltz to her arsenal of Terpsichorean achievements. Marriage at the age of 19 to Mani opened more of the world to her. His studies and employment took them to many places -- London, Philadelphia, Montreal, Toronto,
Anuradha performing Egyptian Raqs Sharki Egyptian dance with Katherine Coever
Solo with husband Mani
Performing the salsa with Colombian friend Antonio Salazar
Anuradha peforming the waltz with younger son Anand. Indo-American News • Friday, october 9, 2026, 2026 • www.indoamerican-news
New Jersey, Houston, Bogota, and finally, retirement in Houston. Her dedication to the rigorous teaching of dance and music was welcomed wherever she lived. Life in Canada allowed Anuradha to embrace a new chapter in her life -- motherhood, and raising her two sons, Prem and Anand. Throughout her life, Anuradha’s unbridled joy allowed her to learn new things and to accomplish many tasks, both large and small. Why sit still when you can add to your attainements ... languages, dance, music, sewing, bowling, tennis, golf, cooking, flower arrangement, horseback riding, weaving, and even stock market investing? Why sit on the sidelines when you can do hospital volunteer work, assist an Ambassador at diplomatic receptions, serve on charitable boards, and share your pride in Indian culture with friends, family, and nations? Now at the age of 80, Anuradha is continuing her grand adventure. She has been blessed with friends, admirers and adopted family members in an ever-growing web that spans the globe, in an integrated network of love at this present moment and a joyous future.
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7 Connoisseurs Club Marvels at Andean Odyssey to Machu Picchu
TRAVEL
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Ratan & Nimmo Bhagat shared a travelogue of their Machu Picchu ruins against the backdrop of the Andean Club founder Atul Vir with members Manisha Gandhi (left) and mountains. journey to Lima and Machu Picchu. Parul Fernandes
Houston: It was a special gathering of old college friends in their expedition across the coastal expanse of Lima, deep Andean folds of the Sacred Valley, and legendary heights of Machu Picchu. Curated with four-star hotels, private guides, their journey balanced deep historical discovery with warm camaraderie. So unfolded the tale by Ratan Bhagat and his wife Nimmo last Friday night, October 2 at the very soft opening of the new location of Nirvana restaurant on Memorial and Kirkwood. They shared pictures and insights from tracing Inca footsteps from the Sacred Val-
ley to the Citadel at a semi-annual meeting of the Connoisseurs Club, a social group dedicated to sharing the passages of life while also partaking from the unusual liquors that each of the members bring. Their adventure began with a descent across the semi-arid western slopes of the Andes toward Cusco and the Sacred Valley. They explored the monumental stone gates and living Inca town of Ollantaytambo (altitude 2,886 meters), standing in awe before the colossal pink granite monoliths of the Templo del Sol. At Maras, they gazed down at over 3,000 active, pre-Inca salt
evaporation ponds cascading down the hillside, and marveled at the concentric terraced bowls of the Moray agricultural laboratory, where ancient engineering created microclimates varying by up to 15°C. Strolling through local Andean villages, browsing vibrant handicraft markets, and stopping at charming local cafés added warmth and color to the highlands. The crown jewel of the journey arrived on boarding the panoramic Vistadome train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, cutting through thick river valley foliage and cloud gaps. After reach-
ing the sanctuary, the guided tour of the UNESCO World Heritage citadel of Machu Picchu left them spellbound. Walking among the agricultural terraces, the Urban Sector, the Main Temple (Templo Principal), and the Sacred Rock under the golden afternoon glow revealed the incredible stonework and sacred geography of the Inca Empire. Returning to Cusco, they explored the massive 15th-century fortress of Saqsaywaman - built with limestone blocks weighing up to 125 tons that absorb seismic shocks through their brilliant zigzag design. Strolling through the
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Plaza de Armas, they admired Andean-Catholic syncretism in local art, including Cusco School paintings and ornate gilded altars. They even discovered a unique painting of a “Black Jesus” and Jesus in the arms of Father Joseph. After returning to Lima they took in the wonderful views of the Pacific Ocean from the clifftops, visited the Cathedral of Lima where Francisco Pizarro is interred, and walked around the around the Government Palace and the Central Plaza. Their last night ended with classic Peruvian cuisine - fresh ceviche and a classic Pisco Sour.
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Indo American News Founder: Dr. K.L. Sindwani Publisher: Jawahar Malhotra Editor: Pramod Kulkarni Correspondent: Sanchali Basu
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ENTERTAINMENT
October 9, 2026
‘Drishyam: The Conclusion’ -- Crowd-pleasing Thrills
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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 October 13, 2026. Email us at indoamericannews@yahoo.com. Please send us your solved Sudoku for your name to be published.
Solution Next Week By Renuka Vyavahare Story: Drishyam 3 walks a dangerous line. How many times can you revisit the same crime, the same family and the same cat-and-mouse game before the formula begins to show? The film doesn’t reinvent the franchise, but it does just enough to keep you invested. Review: A new police officer, Rajveer Tomar (Jaideep Ahlawat), arrives with one mission, to do what everyone before him failed to — bring Vijay Salgaonkar (Ajay Devgn) to his knees. Rajveer is convinced he has fresh evidence that can finally crack Vijay’s carefully constructed defence. His philosophy is simple: “System ka darr bana rehna chahiye.” And unlike the cops before him, he believes he has the ammunition to make Vijay pay. But Vijay has survived this game before. As he puts it, “Agar hero jail mein gaya, toh audience ko accha lagega?” It’s a line that perfectly captures the franchise’s biggest trick: making you root for a man whose actions are, at best, morally debatable.Written by Aamil Keeyan Khan, Abhishek Pathak and Parveez Shaikh, the film plays safe. It gives you the familiar twists, revelations and reversals rather than attempting anything radically new. Some of the surprises are clever; others feel a little too conveniently placed. Yet, the screenplay keeps you guessing, which is exactly what a Drishyam film needs to do.The film is at its most interesting when it looks beyond Vijay the mastermind. Is he genuinely empathetic and community-driven, or does he instinctively build relationships knowing they could come in handy someday? A sequence involving religion is particularly effective and emerges as one of the film’s high points. Ajay Devgn does what he does best — says little and lets his eyes do the talking. He spends much of the film brooding quietly while Jaideep Ahlawat gets the dialogue-heavy role. It takes a secure actor to allow another performer this much
room and still retain control of the screen.Ahlawat, however, is almost too eager to dominate. Rajveer comes armed with narcissistic one-liners, permanent cigarette and enough swagger. Ahlawat is terrific, as always, but the character could have done with more layers and less dialoguebaazi. His confrontation with Devgn is nevertheless one of the film’s most gripping stretches. Tabu and Rajat Kapoor bring the restraint needed to ground the
proceedings. They don’t overplay their parts and quietly add to the tension. Shriya Saran, however, feels oddly disconnected from the emotional upheaval of several scenes, with her dialogue delivery often working against the moment. Kamlesh Sawant’s Gaitonde remains the franchise’s dependable constant and gets some of the film’s best lines. Ultimately, it is Ajay Devgn who
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