Issuu

Friday, January 24, 2020 | Vol. 39, No. 04

Indo American News

January 24, 2020

Published weekly from Houston, TX

www.indoamerican-news.com

Special Reports Community Briefs Local Politics South Asians in the News

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Sikh is First Texas Deputy Constable

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Candle Light Vigil for Exodus of Kashmiri Pandits Page 3

Indo-American News • Friday, JANUARY 24, 2020 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com

January 24, 2020

Indo-American News • Friday, JANUARY 24, 2020 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com

3 Candlelight Vigil and Proclamation of Kashmiri Pandit Exodus

COMMUNITY

January 24, 2020

Vigil attendees (left) gather together to show their support for the Kashmiri Hindu Pandit community. Congressman Pete Olson looks on as County Judge K.P. George (right) presents a proclamation to vigil speakers Sunita Ticku and Anjali Raina. Photo credit: Satish Narayan.

Houston: Close to 250 people gathered this evening at the steps of City Hall in Sugar Land, TX to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Kashmiri Hindu Pandit community’s exodus from their homeland in Kashmir, India. This tragic event was recognized by a candlelight vigil jointly organized by the Hindu American Foundation, Indo-American Kashmir Forum, and the Hindus of Greater Houston, as part of a series of vigils done around the U.S. to mark the infamous day. Also joining were Congressman Pete Olson (RTX) and Fort Bend County Judge K.P. George (D), who heard from members of the Kashmiri Pandit community tell the stories of what happened on Jan. 19, 1990. After the program started with a prayer, emcee Dr. Neel Bhan, a second generation Kashmiri

Pandit, introduced Suraj Pandit, a third generation Kashmiri Pandit and local high school junior, who told the assembled crowd the history of what happened to the Kashmiri Pandit community. Suraj stated that on January 19, 1990, “terrorist-driven violence, rape, torture, and murder led to the forced exodus of my relatives and 350,000 other Hindu Pandits from our homeland in our former ‘Paradise on Earth’.” The next two speakers, Anjali Raina and Sunita Ticku, lived through the events of that fateful day, and told their stories. Anjali bravely recounted “the tortuous death of my father at the hands of terrorists” and the severe effect his passing had on her family. Sunita Ticku told the story of how terrorists barged into her family’s house, looking for her father, a govern-

ment official, and ended up “shooting everybody they could find in the house.” Her grandmother survived that assault after being shot three times in the abdomen - Sunita and her siblings survived only because they had been sent away earlier in response to constant threats by terrorists inciting the “infidels” to “convert, die, or flee”. Congressman Olson then came up to speak. He gave an impassioned speech about the Kashmiri Pandits and the horrors that happened to them, and validated the government of India’s revocation of the oppressive Article 370. He noted that the “amount of people that fled their homes due to radical terrorists was equal to three Sugar Land, Texases.” Olson concluded by saying that the community should “never stop fighting” to go back home. County Judge K.P. George recounted how

he heard of the events of January 1990 as an American of Indian descent. He himself had not realized the depths of what had happened, and said he was grateful for this vigil to be organized, so that he and others could learn what had happened. He also presented a proclamation recognizing January 19th, 2020 as “Kashmiri Pandit Exodus Recognition Day” in Fort Bend County. After the speeches, the assembled crowd held their candles up high in the air as they heard a traditional Kashmiri bhajan (devotional song). Neel thanked all in attendance for coming and said “it means the world for the community to be recognized after so many years of struggle and invalidation.” He concluded by thanking the Houston community and asking everyone to support

the Kashmir Pandit community in their struggle to keep their identity alive and “garner a presence back in the Valley of our homeland.” Rishi Bhutada, HAF Houston Chapter coordinator, said, “I was proud to see so many people come out on a cold Houston evening to participate in the vigil and hear these first-person stories of suffering. We will continue with our advocacy, because this is history that must not be ignored by the world at large.” Rahul Pandit, past president of Indo-American Kashmir Forum, said, ““We truly appreciate the support from the large group of attendees and elected officials in recognizing this day and somber anniversary of our community’s exile from our homeland. We feel the world is finally listening to our story.”

Indo-American News • Friday, JANUARY 24, 2020 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com

COMMUNITY

January 24, 2020

First Sikh Sworn in as Texas Deputy Constable

Houston: Depposition, and his uty Constable willingness to Amrit Singh was serve his comsworn-in today munity. The as the first Sikh work SALDEF Deputy Condoes is only stable in Harmade possible ris County, TX. by our volunConstable Alan teers like ReRosen oversaw gional Director the swearingBobby Singh. in and pinning His over 20 ceremony that years of dedicatook place at the tion to growing Harris County Sikh American Precinct 1 Conunderstanding stable’s Office. and presence In this pioneerin law enforceing achievement, ment can be Deputy Singh, SALDEF Regional Director Bobby Singh, Deputy Constable Amrit seen with sucwill be receiv- Singh, Constable Phil Sandlin, and Constable Alan Rosen. cesses like that ing full religious of Deputy Amaccommodation ranks of law enforcement,” said rit Singh.” due to the policies Harris County Mr. Bobby Singh. The legacy of fallen officer Dephas in place through the work of SALDEF would like to con- uty Sandeep Singh Dhaliwal lives SALDEF Regional Director Bob- gratulate Deputy Constable Singh on through through officers like by Singh. for this landmark achievement Deputy Constable Amrit Singh Bobby Singh has been work- and thank both Constable Alan and all the trailblazers for which ing with Constable Alan Rosen, Rosen for his leadership and focus Deputy Dhaliwal paved the way. the Houston Police Department on inclusion, and SALDEF Re- SALDEF will continue to advo(HPD) and the Harris County gional Director Bobby Singh for cate for uniform accommodation Sheriff’s office for over 20 years. his dedication and service to the policies nationwide and also Sikh His work has reached over 12,500 Sikh American Community in the Awareness trainings for law enmembers of law enforcement in Greater Houston area. forcement through our Law Enthe capacity of religious accom“Constable Rosen and Mr. forcement Partnership Program to modations and cultural awareness Bobby Singh have shown what ensure that all who want to serve trainings. “After years of working law enforcement and community are able to do so with both dignity to develop the religious accommo- partnership efforts can yield when and respect for their culture and dation policy in partnership with they are done consistently and in religion. Understanding and acHarris County and Constable Alan good faith,” said SALDEF Execu- cessibility is key to growing Sikh Rosen I am thrilled to see it imple- tive Director Kiran Kaur Gill. “We American presence in Law Enmented and even more proud to would like to congratulate Deputy forcement. see a Sikh American rise in the Constable Amrit Singh on his new

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COMMUNITY

January 24, 2020

Festive Celebrations of Makar Sankranti and Lohri at Arya Samaj

Clockwise from left: Shri Dev Mahajan Ji and DAV Sanskriti school children offering Aahuti of rewri, peanut into the fire, children learning to fly a kite, children performing the Bhangra.

DAV Sanskriti School, the Sunday School of Arya Samaj Houston celebrated Makar Sankranti & Lohri last Sunday, 12th January in traditional ways. It began with the customary sermon by Acharyaji, highlighting the astronomical feature of the event that the festival coincides with the sun’s journey southward. It is a joyous occasion for one and all to bid adieu to the harsh winter. The sunlight is mild and so enthusing that children can fly kites for the entire day, picking Vitamin D to their plenty. It is nature’s design that the body can store Vitamin D for its full year’s requirement. As children return home, their moth-

ers are ready with special preparations from sesame seed, rich in calcium for their bones. Arya Samaj views the Mother Nature as manifestation of God’s design. All natural events are perfectly designed for the good of all beings. Their precise timing points to the absolute authority God has on matter. Fire of the Havan is an agent that vaporizes wholesome substances and let everyone inhale them with greater efficiency. The first Aahuti was offered by Dev Mahajan, followed by the school children, their parents and the attendees of the Sunday Satsang of Arya Samaj, taking turn to offer mix of peanuts, rewari, corn, etc.

into the fire. The sweet melody of the Gayatri mantra played in the background. They also received a packet for their mouthful consumption as they exited from the Yajnya Vatika that provided the perfect setting for the event under the sun. Discipline was in plenty to be seen. Soon after the Havan offerings, a mere turning around the head brought the non-stop spectacle of dance performances. The Sanskriti School children, age 4 to 14 played the Bhangra in perfect harmony followed by their parents and teachers’ Gidda. There were two duets with male and female dancers entering into hilarious poetic conversation giv-

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ing rise to bursts of laughter from the audience, particularly those fluent with Punjabi rural dialect. The perfect sunny weather added to the gaiety mood. The larger than the expected crowd was in tune to the dances. No sooner the last duet ended, the entire crowd rushed to the open-air zone that functioned as the stage and began dancing to the tune of live Dhol. The Sanskriti School director Dr. Kavita Vachaknavee was the emcee. The largest number of dances ever present in such an event were creations of the dance teacher Ms. Dolly Goyal with assistance from Ms. Shilpa Thacker. Noteworthy was the fact that the training

was imparted in the last couple of Sundays. The food committee reciprocated perfectly by providing Sarson da Saag and Makki di Roti, topped with Til Laddoo. As people began to enjoy food, several children began kite flying, made available at the site. It’s amazing the Sanskrit School children can play one event after another, the next is World Hindi Day on 19th, to be attended by the Indian consulate officials. If you too are amazed with the speed young children learn about our ancient culture in mere two hours a week then visit the website www.davss.aryasamajhouston.org. Enrollment for the spring term is open.

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Indo-American News • Friday, JANUARY 24, 2020 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com

COMMUNITY

January 24, 2020

48th Chevron Houston Marathon Features Indo-American Finishers By Sesh Bala

Houston: The 48th Chevron Houston Marathon and 18th Aramco Houston Half Marathon held on Jan 19 again lived up to their reputation for being flat and fast, a qualifier for the 2020 U.S. Olympic Trials. A sellout, a total of 13,500 were registered for each of the full marathon (26.2 miles) and the half marathon (13.1 miles). At start the temperature was 45 degrees with a windchill of 41 degrees. It got better and Photo of an Indo American group wearing their finisher medals at the moved up to 51 degrees 2020 Houston Half Marathon. Left to Right – Vinita Arora, Vinod Arora, by 11 AM. Fortunately Askale Merachi, both of Ethiopia, rals based on running ability. They there was no rain. A determined group of Indo Americans finished at 2:08:36 and 2:23:29 to announced staggered start times to were out in open space, running take the men’s and women’s races, line up in the corrals, so the outand walking, and making their respectively. Jemal Yimer Mekon- side wait time is minimized. The presence felt at the 2020 Chevron nen of Ethiopia won the men’s cheering squads at the hoopla stahalf-marathon title at 59:25, and tions along the route were enterHouston Marathon. The Marathon is the largest Hitomi Niiya of Japan finished at taining as usual. The finish line at sporting event in Houston and ac- 1:06:38 to win the women’s half- the Convention Center is always commodates runners with a broad marathon. The Marathon is also a handled extremely well with specrange of abilities. The Marathon charitable event; the runners and tators cheering you on as you finstarts and ends at the George R. the organization raised money for ish. Security precautions were very visible. The organizers deBrown Convention Center in many area charities. The route has been essentially serve much praise for the managedowntown. The prize money for the Full Marathon first place was the same since 2017. The flow ment of such a large race. A casual scanning and obser$45,000 and for the Half Marathon of some 27,000 runners through a common start gate can be chalvation suggested that the Indian $20,000. It is the same amount for lenging. It can take up to an hour American community participamen and women. The following are the 2020 winners and their run- for the last person waiting to cross tion is steadily growing yearly; ning times. Kelkile Gezahegn and the start line! The organizers had there is room for greater presence assigned the runners into four cor- as runners, walkers, volunteers

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and spectators. The Houston Marathon has been a sell-out each year for many years. The next Houston Marathon is on Jan 17, 2021. There is also a 5K race the previous day. The registration is already open! The details are at the site chevronhoustonmarathon.com. Organizations like HoustonFit, Fort Bend Fit and KatyFit can help with training. A high achiever is Shantanu Swadi with the Cypress Running Club, who has participated in the Houston Marathon in the 13.1 half marathon continuously for 18 years!

Another finisher is Kanchan Kabad. Kanchan told Indo-American News, “I ran the Full marathon. Houston Chevron Marathon. 26.2 miles. This is my 6th full marathon. At age 63 being a grandmother I enjoy running. I finished it in 6 hrs and 2 mts. Everyone who runs a marathon run for a reason. Mine is cancer. I dedicate each of my runs to a cancer patient or a survivor and that inspires me and gives me strength to run.”

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COMMUNITY

January 24, 2020

Grand Celebration of Andal Kalyanam and Pongal at Meenakshi Temple By Bhargavi Golla

Andal Kalyanam: Sri Meenakshi Temple Society celebrated the sacred wedding of Andal/Goda with Lord Sri Krishna in the form of Lord Ranganatha on Tuesday, Jan 14th, 2020. Aandal is an 8th century Tamil saint and one of the twelve Alwars (saints) and the only woman Alwar of Vaishnavism. She composed the Thiruppavai, 30 songs in praise of Lord Narayana. Andal, after observing the Paavai Nombu (vows) during the Dhanur month (December 15th to January 15th), merged with Lord Ranganatha in Srirangam. This union is celebrated as Andal kalyanam. Priests decorated Utsava Murthis of Lord Ranganatha and Andal beautifully and placed in the center of the main temple. Devotees gathered at the main temple to witness the holy occasion of Andal Kalyanam and to receive the celestial blessings. Priests Pavan Kumar Sri Bhashyam, Sriman Narayana and Sridharan Raghavan performed the authentic divine wedding ceremony after the initial rituals including Sankalpam, Vishwaksena Aradhana (Obstacle removal) and Punyahavachanam (purification). Priests along with devotees recited Sri Andal’s Thiruppavai and Thiruppaan Alwar’s ten Pasurams. The principal purport in Thiruppaan Alwar’s Pasurams is

Grand celebrations of Andal Kalyanam (left) and Pongal at Sri Meenakshi Temple.

“Perumal is the principal supreme entity and our aims and aspirations should be to attain Him through total surrender to him signified by our placing all of ourselves at his lotus feet.” As part of kalyanam, the priests performed homam while devotees recited Varanamayiram, Andal’s narration of her dream and experiences with her friends on the way to getting married to Lord. Then it concluded with exchange of coconuts, Upachara puja, Neeranjanam

and prasada distribution. We thank the event coordinators (Prema Prasad and Dr. Kas Saranathan), many volunteer devotees who brought prasadams, staff, silpis and priests. Pongal Celebration: It was a full house with enthusiastic and energetic devotees participating in outdoor Pongal celebrations at Sri Meenakshi Temple on January 18th, 2020. More than 120 families, some from out of town, came to prepare pongal

in the Raja veedhi, in front of the main temple. Pongal is a popular harvest festival of south India that marks the return of the sun to the northern hemisphere. It’s celebrated to reaffirm and appreciate the many significant sacrifices of our ancestors, quite like Thanksgiving in America. Pongal is the only festival of Hindus that follows a solar calendar. Though the day started out with rain, Sri Meenakshi graced us with

clear skies for the entire event from 10am till 12:30pm in spite of all the ominous forecasts. All the devotees had the most enjoyable and great Pongal festival. Pongal was cooked by each family in beautifully decorated brass pots on stove made with clay and wood used as fuel. Rice and milk are boiled in a pot till the pot starts overflowing. The overflowing pot symbolizes fulfillment. When milk started to boil over, everyone shouted out “pongalo pongal”. With Surya namaskaram on one side of the Raja Veedhi and folk dance on the other side and the smoke from wood burning stoves created an ambience like a village in south India. Priests collected a spoon of Pongal from every pot and offered the delicious Pongal prasadam to all the deities inside the main Temple: Siva, Meenakshi, Venkateswara and Padmavathi with a special aarathi. Bhargavi Golla, Vinod Reddy Kaila and M.K. Sriram were the coordinators of the Pongal celebration. We thank silpis for the hard work in setting up the stoves and beautiful decorations, which was a visual treat. Thanks to our priests, staff, board members & volunteers without whose help this would have not been possible. A short video of the Pongal celebration can be found at https://youtu.be/ AhfYjKUJSzg

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SOUTH ASIA

January 24, 2020

Citizenship before Trump Shuts Doors Washington DC: Uncertainty over the Donald Trump administration’s immigration policies, coupled with a desire to vote in the upcoming elections this year, have led many immigrants residing in the US to opt for citizenship. In fiscal year 2019 (12-month period ended September 30, 2019), 8.34 lakh immigrants were conferred American citizenship, an eleven-year high, and a rise of 9.5% over the previous year. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), in a press release, added that 5.77 lakh individuals were granted lawful permanent residence in the form of green cards—which, compared with fiscal 2018, shows a sharp fall of 47.4%. At 52,194, India-born individuals were the second largest group to be granted US citizenship in fiscal 2018, according to another report released by the US Department of Homeland Security which provides country-of-birth data. They constituted 6.9% of the total number of new citizens and reflected a rise of 2.7% over the previous year. The largest group continued to be from Mexico—just over 1.3 lakh—with 39,600 Chinese at third spot. In an ostensible attempt to quell criticism over the slowdown in processing, the USCIS release pointed out that the number of applications pending for green cards and citizenship had come down by 14% and 12%, respectively. Only green card holders can opt for naturalisation (the process which confers US

citizenship upon foreign nationals); they can do so after being a permanent resident for five years. For spouses of US citizens, the period is reduced to three years. Immigrant experts view the rise in citizenship as owing to two key factors – uncertainty on the immigration policy front, which even renders green card holders vulnerable, and the desire to vote in the forthcoming elections. However, on green cards, Indian-born people occupied fourth slot with 59,281 green cards being allotted to them (or 5.45% of the total) – behind Mexico, Cuba and China in that order. Further, comparison of statistical growth shows a negative figure for most countries, except Cuba. Increased vetting of green card applications contributed to the negative growth, say immigration experts. According to data collated by CATO, a US based think-tank, as of April 2018, 13.1lakh Mexicans (or 28% of the total backlog) were caught up in the green card backlog in both family and employment categories. Indians followed, with 9.2 lakh (or 19% of the total backlog). -- Times of India

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Indo-American News • Friday, JANUARY 24, 2020 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com

COMMUNITY

January 24, 2020

Chicago’s Mandir Celebrates Lohri Traditional North Indian Style

C hicago : Unprecedented Weddings etc. and spreads the joy crowds thronged the Hari Om of the upcoming bright season. After Mandir, Medinah, IL on Sunday, enjoying a sumptuous dinner, people January 12th to celebrate the vibrant gathered in the Congregation Hall Festival of Lohri! This Festival has to sing and dance on this auspicious always been celebrated in Hari Om occasion. Mona & Deepak Sharma Mandir in the Traditional North took the lead, and several others: Usha Indian Style, with the favorite foods, Verma, Shama Sharma, Veerpal, clothing, songs, customs etc. of Pooja, Parveen, Nidhi etc. joined to Punjab. Although the festival fell sing wonderful Punjabi Folk Songs on Monday - January 13, 2020 but and entertained the people. A Group the Mandir Management decided to of young Girls led by Neha Sobti celebrate on Sunday. Over the years, performed the traditional Fold Dance this Special Program of Hari Om of Punjab – “Giddha”. The energetic Mandir has gained much popularity, Performance was highly appreciated and people come to join from far & by one and all. This was followed wide. This year too, despite the rainy/ by the “Jaggo” – another traditional snowy weather, the Event turned out ritual of Punjab –All the Ladies of our to be a grand success. very own HOM devotees, carrying The Temple Management, with colorful Pots with lighted Diyas, on the help of volunteers and donors, their heads, entered the Hall amidst had made adequate arrangements huge clapping & cheering!!! In no to serve the Special Meal of the time, Men & Women ALL joined in Season – Makki Ki Roti, Saag, to dance and the whole atmosphere Lassi and Gur Wale Chawal. Along was charged with energy!!! with this, the traditional items House of Spices partnered with like Bhugga, Popcorn, Rewari, Hari Om Mandir this year. They set Moongphali, Khajoor and Chirvara up a stall in the Mandir Basement were distributed as Prasad. The Food to distribute Free Goodies to all the was relished by one and all! People A Group of young Girls led by Neha Sobti performed the traditional Fold Dance of Punjab – “Giddha” visitors. They were very generous were raving about the delicious food, to donate bags full of Snacks items and truly appreciated the immense Foods) cooked the Gur Wale Chawal, harvest crop, Manjis, Pirhis…some entire visual! and Frozen Food items to the public, of the commonly seen items in the Lohri is a celebration of Prosperity, besides donating $1000/- and Makki efforts put in by the Ladies…Special which is a rare treat. Another star attraction was a streets of a Punjab Village, were New Beginnings, New Births, Ka Atta to the Mandir. Events Incharge, Mrs. Pooja Sharma and several other Volunteers helped Beautiful Village of Punjab, (Pind all displayed in this HOM village. in the kitchen to make about 500 in Punjabi), set up to depict the true Men with Dhols and women in their HELP WANTED Makki ki Rotis. Om Prakash, the Chef culture & ambience of this Festival. Giddha spirit were also shown on Chemical Co. in Baytown hiring an Accountant min 3 yrs. exp. from India House, a local Restaurant, A Charkha, a Chakki, a Dahi these streets. Random cows, dogs by in A/P, A/R & P/R ulizing QuickBooks. Send resume to tmg@ cooked 10 Trays of Saag in the Mandir Matki, a Hand Cart full of Peanuts, the Well, a Chullah with popping corn chemicalsinc.com. Great pay w/ bene’ts. EOE/AAP kitchen. Mrs. Prem Salwan (Star Rickshaws, A Cart laden with the and a kettle of hot tea, completed the

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COMMUNITY BUSINESS

January 24, 2020

With the New Year, ASIE Inducts New Directors, Unveils New Website

The ASIE 2020 Board of Directors & Advisory Council Bottom Row (from left): Archana Recognizing the outgoing 2019 President Showri Nandagiri are from left, Srini Punukula, Sharma, Showri Nandagiri, Chaitanya Kasturi, Vishakha Kaushik, and Manasa Vemuri; Nandagiri, Judge Natalia Oakes (who administered the oath of office), Ramesh Gunda middle row (from left): Aravind Marella, Apoorv Kumar, Aravind Nimma and Naresh Kolli, and Hasmukh Doshi Raghu Nednur; top row (from left): Raghu Veturi, Raj Tanwani and Chad Patel. Varenya Mehta is not pictured.

By Jawahar Malhotra New Delhi: With the holidays behind us and a new year dawning, the American Society of Indian Engineers and Architects announced its new slate of Directors this past week, on Thursday, January 16 at a gathering of its members at India House. Appetizers and dinner was catered in by Hyderabad House of The Woodlands. Outgoing president Showri

Nandagiri reflected back on the events that ASIE hosted in the past year, notably the 25th anniversary Silver Jubilee gala held in September which was attended by a record 400 people at the Omni Houston Hotel on Riverway. He was encouraged by the progress the organization has made on its road to being an important vehicle for Indian engineers and architects, mostly in the construction field.

In a further nod to the emphasis on mentoring and developing a younger generation of professionals, and with particular attention to women in the professions, the ASIE announced that the top position of president would be held by Chaitanya Kasturi who works at Huitt-Zollars engineers. The others on the board are Vice President Archana Sharma; Treasurer Apoorv Kumar; Secretary Raghu Veturi and board direc-

tors Vishakha Kaushik, Varenya Mehta, Maanasa Vemuri, Aravind Marella and Aravind Nimma. In addition, the Advisory Council for 2020 is composed of Naresh Kolli, Raj Tanwani, Chad Patel, Showri Nandagiri and Raghu Nednur. In a simple ceremony, Judge Natalia Oakes (Democrat) of the Texas 313rd District Court administered the oath of office to the new Board members. In her acceptance speech, Kas-

turi expressed her appreciation at the confidence the ASIE members had placed in her and already unveiled the newly improved website for the organization, which will go live at the end of the month. She also pledged to continue to organize monthly events and vowed to bring back the annual picnic, which had been a source of fun in years gone by but has been dormant since.

Consulate General of India Houston

REPUBLIC DAY FLAG HOISTING Flag hoisting ceremony on the occasion of India’s 71st Republic Day will be held on Sunday, January 26, 2020 at 09:30 AM at the Consulate General of India (4300 Scotland St, Houston Texas, 77007). This will be followed by singing of the National Anthem, reading the address of the President of India, and light refreshments. Indian nationals, members of the Indian American community, friends of India and their families, including children, are cordially invited to the function. Participants are requested to assemble at the Consulate General of India. Kindly bring your photo ID. Indo-American News • Friday, JANUARY 24, 2020 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com

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January 24, 2020

Mama’s Punjabi Recipes

Badam Wala Dudh (Hot Almond Milk Tonic) Directions: 1. Cover the almonds with a muslin cloth and smash them with a pallet. You can also crush them in a blender, but make sure not to powder them. 2. In a small saucepan, heat the ghee over medium setting, then throw in the crushed almonds and roast them till slightly brown but no more than a minute.

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ith the advent of cold weather, it is the season for sweets, nuts, hot drinks to warm you up and wonderful aromas. Below is a reprint of Mama’s Badam Wala Dudh recipe, which is a filling night time drink that helps you stay warm and sleep soundly during the winter months. It is reprinted with some additional information and directions. This recipe can’t really be called a dish as it is more of a remedy that can cure flu and cold symptoms. But, it was a drink that my children, nieces and nephews liked so much that they would ask for it during the cold months like a hot sweetened milkshake. It is considered a tonic to help those who have to study hard or do work requiring mental concentration. But the truth is that this was the tumbler of hot, sweetened milk that we would drink during the frigidly cold months of winter in the western Punjab plains while sitting around the warmth of the chulla (clay hearth) and exchanging gossip about the day’s happenings with the extended family. We grew up by the banks of the River Chenab in the small town of Jhang, Sargodha Division, close to our lands which were farmed by leaseholders. In the winters, our storage rooms would be full of the produce of grains and nuts from the harvests. This Badam Wala Dudh (hot almond milk) drink has its origins in the farms of West Punjab but was influenced by the far Northwest Frontier provinces where the winters are even harsher and longer. The whole area was – and still is - known for its trade in dried fruits. Our nani (maternal grandmother) would make this hot milk drink with cracked whole almonds roasted in gheyo (clarified butter). Nani would tell us the hot almond

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milk would melt the frozen portions of our sinus passages, unclog our heads and free up our lungs by giving us a boost of energy. She would quote a Punjabi folk saying: Dudh peetheyan budh vadde (Drinking milk increases the brain), Teh ghee khaade khopadri (and eating ghee the head); Maas khaade maas vadde (Eating meat expands the fleshy body), Teh gyuon khadde ohjadri (and eating flour increases the stomach). These days, people may say it is high in calories due to the gheyo, so you should drink it sparingly in the winters. But it is a great warmerupper for those really cold winter nights! Ingredients: • 2 tbsp ghee (clarified butter) • 15 badam (almonds), unpeeled • 1 cup doodh (milk, preferably whole fat) • 1 tsp chinni (sugar) to taste

3. Pour in the milk and as the mixture comes to a boil, throw in the sugar and mix. 4. Turn off the heat, pour into a tall cup and sip. You may need a spoon to get the almonds, and also later to scoop them out and eat them. Shakuntla Malhotra is a skilled cook of Punjabi dishes made in the oldfashioned style that she learnt as a young woman in her ancestral homeinLyallpur, India (since renamed Faisalabad) before it became part of Pakistan after the Partition in 1947. People have often admired her cooking for its simplicity and taste that comes with each mouthful. Even in her late-eighties, she continues to cook daily and agreed to share her delectable Punjabi vegetarian recipes for future generations.

MAMA’S TIP O F THE

WEEK

FOR NATURALLY SWEETENED DE SSERT, TRY A FEW KHA JOORS (DATES) Afte

r a meal – and temptation to finish especially if it is a satisfying one – th it off with somethin g sweet. Most desser ere is the are very high in su ts or cookies gar or other sweeten ers like high fructo and pack a lot of ca se corn syrup lo you, especially if yo ries. Pastries and chocolates are equa lly bad for u are middle-aged. A better option is ea ting two or three da carbohydrates, have tes which are natura a natural sweetener lly rich in that is not as detrim and the sugar is qu ental for you ickly metabolized. One of the most po the Medjool variety pular dates are which contains 66 calories (or 16 gms many other vitamin of sugar) and s. Dates also relieve poor digestion, cons metabolism, poor vi tipation, low sion and osteoporo sis.

HELP WANTED Chemical co. in Baytown seeking another person for its IT dept. Computer Science degree req. w/ 2 yrs. exp. Position is responsible for all IT related hardware, software and process related control systems. Great pay w/ benefits. Send resume to apply@chemicalsinc.com. EOE / AAP

Indo-American News • Friday, JANUARY 24, 2020 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com

January 24, 2020

Editorial Slow and Slower

In its latest World Economic Outlook, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has presented a sobering assessment of the state of the Indian economy. The Fund has not only lowered its expectations of the country’s economic prospects for this year, but has also drastically cut its forecast for growth over the next two years. The IMF now expects India to grow at 4.8 per cent this fiscal year, marginally lower than the 5 per cent projected by the National Statistical Office. And while the Fund expects growth to pick up to 5.8 per cent next year, it is still 1.2 percentage points lower than its assessment in its October outlook. Some in India have argued that the country’s current economic slowdown is largely due to sluggish global growth and trade. But, the IMF notes, rightly so, that the downward revision in India’s growth prospects is more due to domestic issues — domestic demand has slowed down more sharply than expected amid stress in the non-banking financial sector, a decline in credit growth and poor growth in rural incomes. This downward revision in India’s growth prospects has pulled down global growth prospects more than the other way around. To be sure, global trade growth has been subdued. As per the IMF, growth of world trade volume (goods and services) slowed to a mere 1 per cent in 2019, down from 3.7 per cent the year before. Yet, even as India’s exports have remained almost stagnant over the last five years or so, Bangladesh’s garment exports have surged during this period, as have those of other south-east Asian countries. And while India’s economy has slowed down sharply, neighbouring Bangladesh is likely to have grown at around 8 per cent. This is not to deny that global risks to growth exist. Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East could lead to higher crude oil prices resulting in macro-economic instability. Yet, at this moment, India’s challenges are largely domestic. Almost six years ago, the BJP under Narendra Modi came to power on the promise of returning the country to a highgrowth trajectory. That promise has bumped up against enormous challenges. Going by the IMF’s projections, at this rate, growth is likely to average only around 5.7 per cent in the first three years of this government’s tenure. The upcoming Union budget is an opportune moment for the government to review and course correct. With constrained space for a meaningful fiscal stimulus, and with the limits of monetary easing being tested, the government should clearly articulate how it plans to support the economy during this difficult period. At the current juncture, the urgency of focusing on deeper reforms to return to a highgrowth trajectory cannot be overstated. -- Indian Express

EDITORIAL/COMMENTARY

Warren Hastings is Relevant to Trump’s Trial Donald Trump’s impeachment trial started in the US Senate on Tuesday (January 21). In December, Trump became the third US President to be impeached in the country’s history. After a vote, the House of Representatives sent two articles of impeachment to the Senate. Before the trial, Trump’s lawyers have made the argument that even if he did abuse his powers in the Ukraine affair, it would not matter, as the House of Representatives did not accuse him of committing an ‘indictable offence’. Legal commentators are now urging Senate leaders to not take this argument seriously. They remind that for centuries, officials have been impeached in the British Parliament, even before the American Revolution (1765-1783), for abusing power or “high crimes and misdemeanors”, despite these not being categorised as indictable offences. The principle was also echoed by makers of the US Constitution, they posit. A precedent being discussed is that of the Warren Hastings case — the famous failed attempt by the British Parliament to impeach India’s first governor-general. What is the Warren Hastings impeachment case? Warren Hastings, the first governor-general of Bengal (and the first de facto Governor-General of India), is considered among the most significant colonial administrators to have ruled the country. First as the governor of Bengal (1772-1774) and then as Governor-General (1774-1785), Hastings strengthened British rule in the country, and made profound changes in administration. His role in shaping English interests in India notwithstanding, Hastings’s conduct while in office was called into question after he returned to Britain in 1785, most prominently by Edmund Burke, the noted British parliamentarian and philosopher. In 1786, impeachment proceedings were initiated against Hastings, probing his alleged mismanagement, mistreatment of natives, and personal corruption while in

President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial has a precedent in the impeachment of colonial Indian Governor General Warren Hastings in the British Parliament.

India. William Pitt, the then British Prime Minister, first defended Hastings, but then joined the chorus against him. The impeachment trial began in 1788, with Burke leading the prosecution by the House of Commons before the House of Lords. During the trial, Burke rejected Hastings’s argument that ‘Western’ standards of legality could not be applied in the East. Burke insisted that under the Law of Nature, people in India were entitled to the same protection as those in Britain. In 1795, however, the House of Lords acquitted Hastings, and the impeachment failed. Burke warned that such a verdict would

live in “perpetual infamy”, and the trial gave rise to a wider debate on the role of the East India Company in India. The 1989 work ‘The Impeachment of Warren Hastings: Papers from a Bicentenary Commemoration’ by G Carnall and C Nicholson says, “The impeachment was all about accountability, and both Pitt and Burke claimed that the power to call Hastings to a trial was essential to the well being of the British Constitution.” Burke’s attempt to get Hastings impeached, despite the latter’s actions being non-indictable, is now being discussed again as the Trump trial unfolds. -- Indian Express

India Alert to Virus from China India is upping the level of alert at its airports in the wake of the coronavirus epidemic in China. Authorities have already told airlines operating direct flights from China and Hong Kong to start making in-flight announcements asking flyers with history of fever or cough to inform about their health status. Thermal screening of passengers arriving from China has been expanded to seven airports — Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Cochin, Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata. The Wuhan coronavirus has infected 291 people in China and six people have died. Four cases have also been confirmed over-

seas among Chinese travellers in South Korea, Japan and Thailand. A Taiwanese businesswoman too has tested positive for the virus. China has confirmed that the virus has reached the stage of humanto-human transmission, increasing its potency to spread quickly. All of this reminds one of the SARS epidemic in 2002-03 that spread to more than a dozen countries and killed nearly 800 people. In fact, the Wuhan coronavirus and the SARS virus are from the same family. And with the Chinese New Year around the corner which will see 3 billion trips being made by Chinese people travelling, navirus infections could spike alarmingly.

Indo American News Founder: Dr. K.L. Sindwani

Publisher: Jawahar Malhotra Editor: Pramod Kulkarni Correspondent: Sanchali Basu ®All rights reserved. No material herein or portions thereof may be published without the written consent of the publisher. Deadline for advertising and articles is 4 pm on Monday of each week. Please include self-addressed, stamped envelope for return of all unsolicited material. Published at 7457 Harwin Drive, Suite 212, Houston, Texas 77036.Tel:713-789-6397, email: indoamericannews@yahoo.com, website: www. indoamerican-news.com

Indo-American News • Friday, JANUARY 24, 2020 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com

SPORTS

January 24, 2020

‘The Last Six or Eight Months have been a Revelation’: Virat Kohli By Shashank Kishore Bengaluru: (ESPN Cricinfo): Intensity, body language, and learning to take tosses out of the equation have been key to India’s roaring start to 2020. This was Virat Kohli’s assessment as he drew satisfaction from two hard-fought wins that helped India take the Australia series 2-1 after a tenwicket pounding in Mumbai to start with. On Sunday, India showed a great mix of intent and caution in their chase after restricting Australia to 286. India were a frontline batsman short after Shikhar Dhawan didn’t open the batting to nurse a left-shoulder bruise sustained while fielding in the fifth over of the match, but Kohli and Rohit Sharma toyed with the bowling, alternating between taking the lead role and anchor in a 137-run second-wicket stand that took the game away from Australia. Sharma brought up his century, Kohli missed his by 11 runs, and Shreyas Iyer blitzed the fast bowlers, particularly Mitchell Starc, before Manish Pandey hit the winning runs. All of this, Kohli thought, amounted to something special. “Our partnership was a little different from what we’ve done in the past,” Kohli said. “We were a batsman short, and already we had to take a call about who bats where. I think experienced guys have to step up in games like these. We knew that the plan Australia would have is to get one of us out early so that they could put us under pressure, because Shikhar was in no condition of striking the ball as he should. From that point of view,

Virat Kohli dives to his right to stop a Steven Smith drive.

it was one of the most calculated partnerships we’ve had. “We’ve had many flamboyant partnerships as well, where both of us are just going from each end, but today I had to play second fiddle. Rohit was settled in, he knew the pace of the wicket. In between, I gained momentum, so he started playing the anchor role. Then later, Shreyas took pressure off me. So it’s satisfying that we had three good partnerships back-to-back, and it just put things in our favour. We knew Australia is going to come hard at us with the ball. They put enough pressure, but we were up to the mark, we played in the most professional manner that we could.” Kohli was particularly delighted at the series win because it came against an “even better side to the one that came last year and won”. He was most pleased about the character they showed in bouncing back after receiving a battering in Mumbai. He then elaborated on how the team has consciously worked towards developing a ruth-

U19 India’s Kind Gesture to Japan Bloemfontein, South Africa: Defending champions India beat debutants Japan by 10 wickets in their second match of the ICC U-19 World Cup in Bloemfontein on Tuesday. Invited to bat first, Japan were bowled out for just 41 runs as they seemed helpless against a potent Indian attack. However, after the match, in a rare and heartwarming gesture India u19 skipper Priyam Garg called the Japanese captain and the rest of his side for a photo op. India’s touching gesture was a sign of the wonderful spirit of sportsmanship and it did not go unnoticed, win-

ning hearts online. In this game, there is a cliched saying called the ‘spirit of cricket’ which goes beyond the on-field rivalries. Winning matches is important but sometimes when hearts are won, it tends to leave a more ever-lasting memory. There have been some heartwarming moments on the field of cricket which commands a different sort of admiration altogether, even if it did not end in winning causes. There are some moments that stay with you long after the trophy is lifted.

less mindset by taking tosses out of the equation, and sustaining their aggressive body language when pushed to a corner. This, he said, was discussed soon after their World Cup semifinal exit against New Zealand. “You can’t always look for situations that go your way at the toss,” he started. “If we like chasing as a team, it doesn’t mean we press

the panic button if we lose the toss. We’ve to stay composed enough to put in strong performances, which we’ve done. “We’ve literally taken the toss out of context, and we’re as prepared as possible to do something the opposition asks us to do. That’s been the difference. Even if we lose the toss, we have the belief that we can play expressive cricket to get results our way. The last six or eight months have been a revelation and the younger guys stepping up is a very good sign for Indian cricket.” Kohli admitted to being complacent last year, when India conceded the ODI series to Australia despite being 2-0 up. It was something they were desperate to shake off, especially against a full-strength Australia side this time. “Last year after 2-0 up, we thought we’re definitely going to win one of the three at home, but they showed us that they understand these conditions very well

now, having played here a lot in the IPL and so many tours over the years,” Kohli said. “So today, although they had a stronger side than last time, we thought if we play good enough, we can beat this team. “The only thing we needed to be wary of was our body language and intent because that’s Australia’s strongest point. All the teams in the world are skilled but these guys play with the intent of making things happen every over you play against them. So you can’t take your foot off the pedal at all, that’s what we’ve done in the last two games. “The partnerships that I mentioned today, even the singles were with intent. We didn’t want to give them a feeling of we don’t know what’s going on. There was surety, body language, intent and once we get a strong partnership in, we’re going to take the game away. That is the message [we sent out].”

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TRAVEL

January 24, 2020

India Off the Beaten Track: Sundarban -- Dark and Distant Forest By Shashishekhar Gavai Straddling two countries, India and Bangladesh, lying across the delta formed by three mighty rivers emptying into the Bay of Bengal and spread over a massive 10,000 square km, it is a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1987. Welcome to the Sundarban, the world’s largest mangrove forest. Its hundreds of islands are in a constant state of flux—some dying, new ones taking birth. The sea in and around it, devouring its land, and then regurgitating it. Nothing perhaps symbolises the impermanence of everything in such a grand manner as Sundarban. Sundarban is nature’s child and it’s gift to man. Yet neither nature nor man has been kind to it. A cyclone in 2007 is estimated to have decimated forty percent of Sundarban. And man’s depredations here follow the same pattern as elsewhere—proposed coal-fired power station in Bangladesh is expected to further harm this unique heritage. I reached the Godkhali jetty on a wet September afternoon at the end of a three-hour drive from Kolkata through rural Bengal. The road terminates here and travel onwards to the islands of Sundarban is only by boat. After some negotiation, I boarded the boat which would take me to my hotel on Gosaba island after giving me a flavour of the jungle. The owner had described the vessel as a ‘houseboat’. It was more appropriately a floating hulk of wood with very rudimentary facilities. Climbing precariously with the support of an old tyre dangling from the side of the boat, I stepped gingerly onto the ‘lower deck’. This served the dual purpose of a bedroom and the engine room. The ‘beds’ were crude wooden platforms along the hull with none too clean mattresses dumped in a corner. I suspected they were also smelly, but did not venture to verify. The engine was a ‘jugaad’—a concoction of spare parts which somehow worked. On the upper deck, a few plastic chairs lay scattered and the latrine at one end was literally a hole in the floor. But what impressed me was

The expanse of the backwaters fascinates the Kolkata group

the young ‘Captain’, who deftly steered his boat with his foot and accelerated with a piece of string. The boat traversed the backwaters at a leisurely pace, almost hugging the edges of the forest. A group of five young people from Kolkata was also on the boat and they were already imbibing from a bottle of whisky which was offered to me politely ... and which was declined equally politely as the afternoon hour was somewhat ungodly. The authorities had denied them permission to stay on board for the night and they were disappointed. I thought they were lucky given the condition of the sleeping quarters and the latrine. Forests in India and elsewhere enchant and even embrace you. They invite you to enter them, touch them, and connect with them. But Sundarban is not similarly tactile. There is something forbidding, sinister about it. The monotony of the mangroves and the nets that cordon them off from the backwaters only add to the feeling. I spotted a lonely deer, diverting the Kolkata group momentarily from its bacchanalian preoccupation. On quizzing the loquacious but helpful ‘First Officer’ about the nets, he explained that they stretched for several kilometres along the forest facing inhabited islands to prevent the tigers from

swimming across and attacking livestock and even humans because the Sundarban tiger is not the gentleman or the lady tiger that you encounter in other forest reserves.It is apparently larger and kills humans proactively, even climbing on to boats in the night. Hence the famous rear -facing masks worn by villagers who venture into the forest for their livelihood. I wondered how effective the masks would really be in discouraging a ferocious and intelligent predator. Contemplating the moving silhouettes of the forest and wondering about its pitiless denizen, I am reminded of Amitav Ghosh’s book Hungry Tide, where he so masterfully recreates the mystery, the menace and the unpredictability of Sundarban. After a three-hour ride, I find myself at the hotel jetty on Gosaba island. An unpleasant surprise awaits me. The sleepy old man at the reception says there is no booking, My producing documentary evidence is of no avail – it appears the hotel has terminated its arrangement with the online booking site. I offer to pay cash or cashless and sort out the matter later with the booking site. Another surprise—the hotel does not welcome solo travellers. I had heard of hotels denying accomodation to couples without a marriage licence. But a harmless se-

nior citizen travelling on his own? I demand to speak to the manager. But he is equally adamant. I ask him why solo travellers were not welcome. After some humming and hawing, he comes out with it. Hotels in Sundarban are reluctant to accept lone customers because a few have committed suicide in their rooms. Rather ghoulishly I thought this added yet another dark and mysterious aura to Sundarban. I denied most vehemently that I had any plans to do Hara Kiri. For good measure, I added that I was a retired senior government officer, implying that such luminaries did not do themselves in. The flawed logic of my argument somehow appealed to the Manager Mr Kashi and he checked me in. He perhaps understood Babus better than I did despite my long years as a civil servant. He must have figured out that a bureaucrat becomes so adept at saving his own skin that he would scarcely be tempted to take his own life. It was off season and I was the only guest in the 36 room hotel. Manager Kashi was outside my door as I poured myself a drink. The man was quite cordial after having convinced himself that I would not bring infamy to his hotel by hanging myself from the ceiling fan. I offered him a drink which he declined saying that he had high cholesterol. He asked me what I

was drinking. On being told it was Scotch whisky, he changed his mind and asked me to pour him some. Obviously the ambrosia from Scotland was good for cholesterol—Scotch Whisky Association should take note for their future promotional campaigns. Kashi told me that he had visited the forest interiors over 400 times, but had sighted a tiger only on 14 occasions—a success rate of about 1 in 30. No wonder I had not seen any. But this was hardly surprising considering that there are just about 200 tigers in an area the size of a a fairly large Indian district.Furthermore, tourists are restricted to a small area around Sajnakheli in the huge national park. Thus, unlike other tiger reserves in India, the chances of sighting the animal are fairly remote. On the other hand, according to Kashi,you would encounter large numbers of illegal immigrants in areas around Sundarban. They had seeped in though the delta over the years and continued to do so. The Indian Border Security Force is too thinly spread over land and water to prevent the incursions in any effective fashion. But the economy in Bangladesh is doing well and this may well be a more effective deterrent than fences and policing. It was a Bengali meal that evening.The dal, bhaat, aloo poshto and begun bhaja was embellished with delicious fried Rui fish, fresh from the hotel’s very own ‘ pukur’—pond in plain english.Kashi also tempted me with a “fantastic” fish curry if I stayed for lunch the following day. Regrettably, I had to return in the morning after breakfast. The ferry from Gosaba island to Godkhali, where my driver awaited me, cost two rupees.Now what do you get for that princely sum these days? Not even a trip to Sulabh shauchalaya! A retired Indian Foreign Service Officer, Shashishekhar Gavai’s career has included serving as the Consul General of India in Houston and India’s High Commissioner for Canada. For a full version of this and other travelogs, visit indiaoffthebeatentrack. home.blog.

Indo-American News • Friday, JANUARY 24, 2020 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com

ENTERTAINMENT

January 24, 2020

Street Dancer 3D: An Elaborate Celebration of Dance

By Pallabi Dey Purkayastha STORY: Arch rivals Inayat (Shraddha Kapoor) and Sahej (Varun Dhawan) are the captains of two powerhouse dance teams – Rule Breakers and Street Dancers, respectively. In order to prove their supremacy over one another, both the gangs lock horns in a top-notch dance competition. But, their individual outlook towards life undergoes a drastic change as they tread along. REVIEW: Adorably pompous by nature, Inayat knows she’s got them both – killer looks and magnetising dance moves to ‘kuch alag karne ka’ – and has no qualms about using these innate weapons to rub her age-old foe up the wrong way; the ultimate softie and cutthroat competitor Sahej. Although they have a respectable fan-base on the streets of London, the duo, notso-secretly, has always wanted to beat each other in the art-form they are truly passionate about – dancing. What starts off as a harmless tiff between two opponents, takes the form of something bigger than themselves, as the story progresses towards one of the biggest talent hunts in the world. Essentially a dance flick, ‘Street Dancer 3D’ also encapsulates the moral growth of a pack of skilled dancers – both on stage and the bigger theatrics, that is life. The opulent and equally im-

pressive entries of the lead pair – Shraddha Kapoor and Varun Dhawan – has Remo D’Souza’s signature style imprinted all over it. In his third dance-based film, the choreographer-turned-writerdirector has upped his game in terms of the presentation of various dance forms – Jazz, Contem-

porary, Afro, Krump, Locking and Popping, Animation Tutting, Urban and Slow Mo. – and has even aptly managed to rope in some very polished performers from the world over. In fact, with her top knot, big hair, profusion of sass and impeccable dancing, Nora Fatehi as Mia turns out to be quite

Indian

the revelation and reveals the charm of a glam diva. Other than Shradhha and Varun’s personable representation of desi-at-heart NRIs, the duo has worked relentlessly hard on their postures and overall dance movements, and it shows on screen despite them being surrounded a surplus of supremely talented of professional dancers. Shraddha’s borderline arrogant Inayat complements Varun’s sentimental Sahej. The VFX, too, proves to be an added advantage as Remo has used the power of technology to keep things visually exciting for the audience at all times. Dancers-turned-actors Dharmesh Yelande, Punit Pathak, Salman Yusuff Khan and Raghav Juyal have played their respective parts competently and Prabhudeva’s act as this silent former performer-restauranteur is a surprise package. The revamped version of ‘Muqabla’ stirs old memories and it is a moment to watch out for.

However, what doesn’t favour the narrative is its length; it should have been trimmed down by a good 20 minutes. Yes, dance rightly takes the centre stage in ‘Street Dancer 3D’ but it is almost impossible to overlook the haphazard writing; for one, the film starts with one underlying theme and wraps up with completely another, thus, leaving the viewers perplexed in the first half and disappointed in the second. Yes, it is a dance film but if a huge number of songs, dance sequences and battlefield banters are thrown in after every five to seven minutes, then it could get distracting. ‘Street Dancer 3D’ does have a strong message to send across to its audience – that of love in the face of adversity, compassion towards those we know and those we don’t, and stresses upon the importance of friendship over personal gains – but fails to stitch it together with an organised cinematic fabric. If not for the story, watch it for the dance moves. And, get ready to groove and move! -Times of India

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January 24, 2020

Indo-American News • Friday, JANUARY 24, 2020 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com