Friday, February 19, 2021 | Vol. 40, No. 08
Indo American News
February 19, 2021
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Published weekly from Houston, TX
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Special Reports Community Briefs Local Politics South Asians in the News
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Hell on Earth as Texas Freezes Over
BAPS for Ram Bhumi
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February 19, 2021
COMMUNITY
Houston’s Hell on Earth: Deep Freeze, No Power, Bursting Water Pipes
Image: KHOU
Photo: Madhavi Kavadi of icicles in their swimming pool.
Indian Americans in Houston are still suffering, along with their mainstream compatriots, from the deep freeze with associated pains of loss of electric power and burst water pipes. Relief will come next week with temperatures back in the 70 degrees F. The Indian Consulate has offered a helpline for the current storm: +1 346-2325345, enquiries@swbell.net
Srila Narayana Gosvami Maharaja’s 100th Appearance Day Celebrated Worldwide
Houston: On February 11th, the auspicious day of Mauni Amavasya, devotees around the world celebrated the 100th Appearance Day (Centennial Vyasa-puja) festival of Sri Srimad Bhaktivedanta Narayana Gosvami Maharaja (known affectionately around the world as “Srila Gurudeva”), who is recognized as a pure devotee of Lord Krishna in the line of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and as an authority on the doctrine, culture, and practices of bhakti-yoga in the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition. He took his divine birth on the Mauni amāvasyā (February 16) in 1921 in Tiwaripur, Bihar in a highly educated and respected Trivedi brahmana family. His parents were devout Vaisnavas belonging to the Sri Sampradaya and were fully conversant with all religious principles. In February 1947, he met his spiritual master, Sri Srimad Bhakti Prajnana Kesava Gosvami Maharaja, and completely dedicated himself to the mission of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. In 1952, he accepted sannyasa, the renounced order of life. For over half a century, this bold spiritual leader and firm follower of the Vedic system of self-realization (sanatana-dharma) touched the lives of millions of spiritual aspirants around the globe through his engaging public lectures and compelling published writings. Even at an advanced age, in order to benefit the souls of the world, he circled the planet more than thirty times, giving enlivening discourses to rapt and appreciative audiences in over fifty countries. In 2010, he founded the International Pure Bhakti Yoga Society, and laid the foundation of Sri Govindaji Gaudiya Math in Houston. A genuinely enlightened personality and erudite scholar, he was a prolific translator and commentator of Vedic scriptures, who authored over 100 books that have been translated into all the major languages of the world.
To commemoIn recogni- through the advancement of Godrate this special tion of this consciousness. day, the world’s special day, The devotees of Sri Govindaji first ever interthe mayor of Gaudiya Matha gathered from 5 active VyasaCity of Hous- to 9 PM on February 11, 12, and puja website, ton, Sylvester 13 to share with each other their www.srilaguTurner, issued memories of Srila Gurudeva. rudeva.com, a proclama- They spoke fondly of how their was released. It tion declaring lives were spiritually transformed contains heartFebruary 11, by his blessings and many were felt offerings 2021 as His in tears as they recounted his deep of thousands Holiness Srila love and affection for everyone of leading B.V. Narayana and his sincere desire to help each Gaudiya achaGosvami Ma- and every person on the spiritual ryas, scholars, haraja Day. In path. Hearing his transcendental disciples and May 2003, the glories enlivened the devotees and grand-disciples city of Hous- they agreed to hold a major fesfrom around the ton had also tival in the summer by when the world glorifying appointed His current pandemic would hopefully Srila Narayana Holiness as be under control. Maharaja’s unan Honorary The Centennial celebrations paralleled con- New altar for Srila Gurudeva. Citizen and will continue throughout the year tributions to the Goodwill Am- with several festivals and initiaGaudiya Vaishnava community Vyasa-asana was offered to Srila bassador in recognition of his self- tives that have been planned in and recounting how his teachings Gurudeva and an ecstatic Guru less public service for the benefit many countries around the world. have guided millions of sincere Puja was performed. A life-size and welfare of humanity. In 2003 For more information, please visit seekers on the path of pure devo- vigraha (murti) of Srila Narayana he was also declared Yuga-Acarya www.sgc2021.com. tional service to Sri Sri Radha and Maharaja will soon be installed (Acarya of the Millennium) by Sri Govindaji Gaudiya Matha on the Vyasa-asana. For the rest of the Vrajacarya Pith and the World temple is located at 16628 Kieth Krishna. Devotees from over fifty coun- the morning, the kirtans continued Religious Parliament in New Harrow Blvd, Houston, TX 77084. tries also came together to hold while the devotees decorated the Delhi, India. He was also given For more information, please visit the world’s first ever 55-hour long temple and prepared various food the World Peace Flame in 2001 our website at www.sggm.org or Zoom Bhakti Marathon where- preparations that were liked by for his selfless service to peace call (832) 464-4686. in hundreds of devotees spoke Srila Gurudeva. A special ‘Sapabout their blissful memories of o Life Insurance their beloved Srila Gurudeva and ta-panchak’ puja how he had a deep spiritual im- was performed o Long-‐Term Care Insurance pact on their lives. On this day, along with the o Variable+ and FiUed AnnuiVes a new Gaudiya kirtan app with abhishekam of o Disability Insurance* hundreds of bhajans was also re- Srila Gurudeva. leased. Devotees had also been The puja and the o Health Insurance* working on collecting, restoring, rest of the events For More InformaVon Contact Me and archiving over 10,000 lectures over the threeServices: Divyendu Singh, Ph.D. of Srila Gurudeva. This initiative day festival were • Life Insurance also reached a major milestone as presided by seFinancial Services Professional# and thousands of the restored lectures nior sannyasis • College funding Licensed Agent have been released (www.audio- including Sripad • YeVrement Planning CA Insurance License # 0M30399 Bhaktivedanta seva.com). New York Life Insurance Company • Estate Planning The devotees of Sri Govindaji Bhagavat Ma3200 Southwest Freeway, Suite 1900 Sripad Gaudiya Matha temple also ob- haraja, • Planning for Business owners Houston TX 77027 served a three-day festival to com- Bhaktivedanta #Registered Representative offering securities through NYLIFE Securities LLC Cell: 812-‐272-‐2911 (member FINRA/SIPC), A Licensed Insurance Agency and a New York Life Company. memorate Srila Gurudeva’s divine Avadhuta Maha*Product available through one or more carriers not affiliated with New York Life Insurance Office: 712-‐499-‐7638 100th Appearance Day. Despite the raja, and Sripad Company, dependent on carrier authorization and product availability in your state or locality. dsingh06NO.newyorQlife.com cold weather on February 11, sev- Bhaktivedanta +Securities products and services offered through NYLIFE Securities LLC SMRU 1759568 Mahaeral devotees attended the Mangal Shanta www.dsinghnyl.com Arati at 5:30 AM. After that, a new raja. Indo-American News • Friday, february 19, 2021 • www.indoamerican-news.com
3 BAPS Donates for the Ram Janmabhumi Mandir in Ayodhya
INDIA
February 19, 2021
By Damon Evans Ahmedabad: Inspired by HH Mahant Swami Maharaj, a special ceremonial donation assembly for the Ram Mandir was held at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Ahmedabad, in the presence of the Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shri Vijaybhai Rupani, and Shri Govinddevgiriji Maharaj, a trustee and treasurer of Ram Janmabhumi Tirthkshetra, Ayodhya on February 13, 2021. Govinddevgiriji Maharaj said, “Today, we are once again gathered at the very place from where the pujan of the Ram Shila for the mandir began at the hands of Pujya Pramukh Swami Maharaj. The sacred journey for the Ram Mandir started from Somnath Mandir and can be regarded as the Gangotri of the Ram Mandir journey and that inspiration flows from the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir. This Sanstha embodies this nation’s necessity for sincere effort, renunciation, individual commitment and service to India. People ask ‘What can sadhus do?’ But when they see the work these sadhus have done, they will be amazed. And their work of mandir-building is outstanding. Pujya Pramukh Swami Maharaj had an intense inner wish that a majestic Ram Mandir be built over his birthplace. “There are many mandirs dedi-
Pramukh Swami Maharaj performed pujan of the Ram Shila and gave his blessings. He and, now, Mahant Swami Maharaj, have continued to support and contribute to this mandir. They have created magnificent mandirs throughout the world. The Ram Mandir will benefit from their vast experience. From the beginning, Gujarat has supported the building of the Ram Mandir. The yatra, in fact, began from Somnath. Also, the Ram Rath began from Somnath. And the Ram Shila Pujan was performed at the hands of Pujya Pramukh Dignitaries on stage during the Check Giving ceremonyFrom Left to right Swami Maharaj. We all wish Shri Dilipbhai Tirivedi, Shri Govindbhai Dholakia, Pujya Brahmavihari Swami, for a speedy completion of Shri Vijaybhai Rupani, Photo of Bhagwan Swaminarayan –Gunatianand the mandir. That we are witSwami, His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, Shri Govinddevgiriji Maharaj, nesses to this is our privilege cated to Bhagwan Ram. But only and joy.” “All works that begin at the one mandir is possible over his hands of sadhus are great. Even Thereafter, a ceremonial donabirthplace. After a long struggle in other Asian countries, the spirit tion of Rs. 2,11,11,111 (Rs 2 crore its construction is under way. of Ram will be revived. We will 11 lakh 11 thousand one hundred “Bhagwan Shri Ram was the generate faith among Hindus there and eleven) was presented on embodiment of morality. He was that Ram is also yours. They will behalf of BAPS Swaminarayan a national hero. The Valmiki Ra- proudly pilgrimage to Ayodhya. Sanstha by Sadguru Pujya Ishwarmayan states that a nation without By building this mandir, Ayodhya charan Swami to Pujya Shri GovShri Ram does not exist. And we will be the cultural capital of the inddev Giriji and Chief Minister have no use for where there is no world and will awaken the senti- Shri Vijaybhai Rupani. Shri Ram. We will create a new ment of ‘Vasudhaiva kutumbakan’ Addressing the assembly, PuAyodhya wherever Ram goes. jya Ishwarcharan Swami said, “In – the world is one family. “Bhagwan Shri Ramchandraji “India is a capable nation and 1968, with Yogiji Maharaj, Prawas self-sufficient (atma-nirbhar). will use its strengths not to trouble mukh Swami Maharaj and MahHe was the embodiment of all vir- the world but to make it a better ant Swami Maharaj, we went to tues. By establishing this mandir, place.” the Ram Janmabhumi and chanted his divine qualities will pervade Chief Minister Vijaybhai Ru- the dhun before the murti of Ram the entire country. pani said, “Many years ago, HH Lalla. Thereafter, Pramukh Swami
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Maharaj pilgrimaged many times to the Ram Janmabhumi to pray. He also put in much effort for this mandir. The prayers and sacrifices of hundreds of thousands of devotees is now taking shape. With the building of this mandir, the nation’s pride and heritage will be revived and echo for countless generations to come.” The assembly was held in the presence of 150 invited guests and saints while observing all Covid-19 precautions. Special verses singing the glory of Shri Ram were recited. On stage were the Shri Ram Mandir Nidhi Samarpan Samiti, Gujarat Head, Shri Govindbhai Dholakia, and Gujarat head of Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Shri Dilipbhai Trivedi. During the assembly, videos of Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s support for the Ram Mandir and the Ram Shila pujan performed by him were shown. For the Ram Mandir Bhumipujan, Param Pujya Mahant Swami Maharaj had performed pujan of the Shri Ram Yantra on 3 August 2020 and prayed for the speedy completion of this magnificent mandir. Today, he also conveyed his blessings that the mandir be devoutly built with unity, friendship and harmony. More Details at https://www. baps.org/News/2021/BAPS-Donates-for-the-Ram-JanmabhumiMandir-19618.aspx
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INDIA
February 19, 2021
Tesla to Sell EVs for India’s Vast Auto Market Bangalore: Tesla Inc. is closing in on an agreement to make electric vehicles in India for the first time, opening up a new growth opportunity after setting up production in China. Tesla has picked Karnataka, a southern state whose capital is Bangalore, for its first plant, the state’s chief minister said over the weekend. The automaker has been negotiating with local officials for six months and is actively considering car assembly in the suburbs of Bangalore, people familiar with the matter said. The company is conducting due diligence for office real estate in the region and plans to set up an R&D facility, said the people, asking not to be named because the matter is private. Tesla has focused on Bangalore because it’s shaping up to be a hub for electric vehicles and aerospace manufacturing talent, they said. Tesla has incorporated its Indian unit and registered offices in downtown Bangalore. Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk all but confirmed Tesla would enter India in January after months of speculation. The world’s richest man on Jan. 13 tweeted “as promised” in response to a report on a Tesla-focused blog that the automaker was in talks with several Indian states to open an office, showrooms, a research and development center -- and possibly a factory. That revelation sparked euphoria from locals, such as Nikhil Chaudhary, a 20-year-old student at the University of Delhi who helped start India’s Tesla fan club
in 2019. Despite the hype, Tesla’s foray into India may well prove challenging. The country hasn’t yet rolled out the welcome mat for EVs like neighbor China, where Tesla set up its first factory outside of the U.S. and now dominates sales of premium EVs. “Considering the price of a Tesla, Elon Musk probably won’t be able to sell an EV to most of the population in emerging economies,” said Pedro Pacheco, a Munich-based
senior research director at Gartner Inc. “However, looking at the size of the population and the potential for economic growth, Tesla will probably target a fast-growing group of affluent individuals that, in absolute terms, compares quite favorably to what we see in many developed countries.” Tesla may also use any Indian factory as an export base, leveraging several markets at the same time, Pacheco said. The expensive cost of a Tesla is viewed as a sticking point by other market watchers, too. Mumbai-based Basudeb Banerjee, an analyst at Ambit Capital Pvt, noted that the “size of the luxury car market in India is minuscule with brands like BMW, Mercedes, Audi and Jaguar Land Rover accounting for just 30,000 to 50,000 sales annually.” -- Bloomberg
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COMMENTARY
February 19, 2021
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TSH Celebrates Centennial of Tagore’s Visit to Houston – Feb. 13-14, 2021
CG Aseem Mahajan with TSH board members. Photos by Indian Consulate staff.
CG Mahajan speaking.
By Partha Sarathi Chatterjee
music and recitation on February 14th. The event was headlined by renowned Tagore exponent, Shreya Guhathakurta and elocutionist Bratati Bandyopadhyay. It was a huge success, with viewers joining the concert from across the globe. Two of the greatest artists of the generation performed a fabulous duet, which left the audience spellbound. In short, the event highlighted Tagore’s message of a borderless world and mind without fear It was truly an event to remember and was a huge success, despite the inclement weather.
Houston: Tagore Society of Houston (`TSH) held 100 years commemoration of Rabindranath Tagore’s visit to Houston on February 13, 1921. On February 13, 2021, TSH organized a socially distanced event at the Tagore Grove in Ray Miller Park in west Houston. Due to Covid restrictions, City of Houston allowed only a few attendees. TSH President Gopendu Chakrabarti welcomed everyone on a bitterly cold day to the historic celebration.
Consul General of Houston, Shri Aseem Mahajan, said “It’s great to celebrate the momentous occasion of Tagore’s visit a century ago. I look forward to working together to deepen the cultural ties and people to people contacts between India and US.” He offered flowers at the foot of Tagore’s statue at the grove. Pradeep Anand, a long-time TSH supporter and adviser, gave details of Tagore’s visit to Houston, how his literary genius was embraced by the Texans and how almost 15% of the total US funds came from Houston. Surajit Das-
gupta introduced the plans for Tagore Memorial Wall around the statue. Renowned Tagore exponent, Shreya Guhathakurta presented a Tagore song accompanied by English recitation by Partha Sen. Past TSH President, Debleena Banerji, recited the famous poem “Where the mind is without fear”. Mila Sengupta, TSH VicePresident, gave a vote of thanks to the Consul General, dignitaries and office-bearers of other organizations and TSH supporters for making the event special. She also invited everyone to the online musical presentation with Tagore’s
Tagore spoke to an audience of 7,000 Houstonians on February 13, 1921. The event was free to t he public courtesy of the Theosophical Society. The appearance helpd Tagroe raise funds for the Shantiniketan university. Tagore told the audience, “Love is the ultimate meaning of everything around us. It is not a mere sentiment; it is the truth; it is the joy that is at the root of all creation. It is the white light of consciousness that emanates from Brahma.”An article about Tagore’s visit appeared in Rice Institure’s Thresher newsletter.
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February 19, 2021
Kohli on Second Test: “It was the Perfect Game for Us”
Chennai (ESPN Cricinfo): There was sharp turn, there was uneven bounce, and there were explosions of soil when the ball landed on its surface. As difficult as it was to bat on, though, Virat Kohli believes the pitch at the MA Chidambaram Stadium for the second Test was a fair one in terms of competitive balance between the teams. With plenty of help for the spinners right from day one, he felt the toss didn’t influence the result to the extent that it did in the first Test, for which the pitch began as a flat one and started crumbling from around the third day onwards. Here are excerpts from his interview at the post-match presentation after India wrapped up a series-levelling 317-run victory. On the toss factor I don’t think on this pitch it would have mattered so much, to be very honest with you, because if you looked at our second innings, on day three, we still applied ourselves, almost got 300 runs again. We believed that we could get runs on that pitch, and it wasn’t unfair if the toss went either way. Both teams had to apply themselves, and that’s what you want in Test cricket, whether you’re playing on spinning tracks or on seaming tracks which have a lot of grass on it, both teams should be in the game from the first session onwards, and that was exactly the case on this pitch.
On his secondinnings approach after being dismissed for a duck in the first innings while driving against the turn I’ve taken a lot of pride in improving myself very quickly, correcting misAshwin had a senational bat/ball achievement on his takes, which probably home ground. I haven’t done in the On India’s batting display I think our application with the past on a few occasions, I’ve been bat was outstanding in this game. rigid. But now, if I make an error I The conditions were challeng- make sure in the very next innings ing for both sides, but we showed I iron it out, because I understand more application and grit and de- that I need to be batting out there termination to battle it out, we as much as possible in the middle, didn’t panic out there, looking at and that partnership with [R] Ashthe amount of turn and bounce on win was very important for us, that pitch. We trusted our defence, almost 100 [96] runs, I think he and we got into the game, and we batted outstandingly well. I just scored 600 [615] runs total in two decided in the second [innings] innings combined, so if you put up that I’m not going to go after the that kind of a batting performance, runs too much, not get ahead of and you string up those important the game. I’m going to trust my partnerships, then we know that defence, I can bat four sessions on our bowlers are going to do the job this pitch, no problem at all, and in our home conditions, so yeah, it I’m going to trust my defence to get me out of trouble. was the perfect game for us.
On Rishabh Pant’s improved wicketkeeping He’s really worked hard in Australia. With a super-skilled batsman like him, you won’t really see the difference in batting, but when he moves with the gloves you can see that difference in his reactions and reflexes. He’s worked physically on himself a lot in Australia, he’s shed a lot of weight, and he’s become quicker on his feet, and it’s showing. The way he kept on this pitch with so much turn and bounce was a credit to him for working so hard, and we want him to keep improving as a keeper, get stronger and stronger with his skillsets, because we understand how much value he brings to the team. On Axar Patel’s performance on debut, which included a second-innings five-for It’s a special, special moment for him. Actually, he would have played the first game as well if he didn’t have that niggle, but yeah, he was very keen to step onto the field, and as a left-arm spinner, when you get that kind of a pitch where it’s turning square and he bowls so fast, he was just all smiles, he couldn’t wait to get the ball in his hands. Very very happy for him, hope he builds it up from here on, and has a very strong couple of games going forward, so he’s always in the mix to play Test cricket for India.
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CRICKET Pant: Chatterbox Chennai: Has there been a more blatant case of leaving money on the table than not offering a Rishabh Pant mic audio as alternate commentary? The India wicket-keeper is part cheerleader, part coach, all chatterbox. And where else does the classic Spider-Man theme end in a kitschy “tune churaya mere dil ka chain”? The hits from Australia are welldocumented. But give a listen to Sunday’s compilation of couplets: “Ollie Pope ko Lollipop do”, “Thoda sa aage, Milkha Singh bhaage” and “Ball ghoomega toh yeh jhoomega.” “Game me mahaul banana is very important,” says Kiran More. “It plays a huge role when someone is shouting and keeping everyone alert. There are times when there’s a big partnership. At times players feel dull or sleepy. But when Rishabh is around, he keeps everyone on their toes. He will pass a comment, will scream at the long-on, and will keep cheering from behind.” Pant is certainly not India’s first talker-in-chief behind the stumps. Mongia’s post-delivery exclamation ‘Aai ga’ comes to mind. Dhoni’s nasal tidbits to bowlers still make the rounds as ‘Thala compilations’. Pant’s chatter is a mix of the two, driven up to eleven. -- Gaurav Bhatt on ESPN Cricinfo.
INDIA
February 19, 2021
Miss India World: Manasa Varanasi
Mumbai: Femina Miss India World 2020 Manasa Varanasi made India proud as she won the title, and now she is excited and focused to represent the country at Miss World competition. About taking up opportunities in Bollywood, she says she is an explorer and loves trying new things. “I am an explorer and I have always looked for new opportunities to try something new. If there is something interesting that comes along the way, I am sure I would be interested to take it up, but right now, my focus is entirely on While Manasa Varanasi (center) was crowned VLCC Femina the next leg of my jour- Miss India World 2020, Miss India Haryana Manika Sheokand (left) was declared VLCC Femina Miss Grand India and ney, which is the Miss finalist Miss India Uttar Pradesh Manya Singh (right) was World competition. It`s crowned VLCC Femina Miss India 2020 - runner up. a huge responsibility as I would be representing to realize that I am finally here living these the country at an international platform.” moments is a great feeling.” The 23-year-old engineer and financial “I have always loved to take up challenges. information exchange analyst was born in I keep looking for new ways to push myself Hyderabad. She did her schooling from physically and mentally, and that way I think Global Indian and completed graduation Miss India was the perfect platform for me in computer science from Vasavi College not only to learn more about myself but also of Engineering. look for ways in which I can give back to About her experience on winning the society.” prestigious title, she said, “It’s been a This year VLCC Femina Miss India was magical journey because a lot of hard work held virtually owing to the coronavirus panand energy has gone into the process, and demic. -- Times of India
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ENTERTAINMENT
February 19, 2021
How Netflix’s Rom-Com “Namaste Wahala” Breaks New Ground By Bernard Dayo
Namaste Wahala has now arrived – but you might not realize how it breaks new ground. Nigeria and India have always shared interesting parallels. Both were colonised by Britain and geopolitically, they are each other’s biggest trading partner. During the ‘90s video boom in Nigeria’s Nollywood, the industry’s brush with horror borrowed serpentine motifs from iconic ‘70s Indian horror Nagin, deploying them in films like Nneka the Pretty Serpent and Sakobi the Snake Girl. Many years later, Nigerian cable companies and enterprising comedians would slant India’s Bollywood films towards local audiences by dubbing them with native languages. Yoruba, a language spoken in Nigeria’s south west, was especially popular. This precedent makes Namaste Wahala, Netflix’s first Nollywood-Bollywood movie not so surprising, but still exhilarating. Heralded by a social media buzz and its cinema release disrupted by the pandemic, the romantic comedy projects itself as the nexus of Nigeria-India relations, crosspollinating the cultural codes from both countries and examining how they interact. Shot in Nigeria, Raj (Ruslaan Mumtaz) and Didi (Ini-Dima Okojie) are jogging along the beach from opposite ends in workout clothes, when they bump into each other. The dramatic pause
between them is the typically soapy boymeets-girl origin story, from which romance quickly brews. In Namaste Wahala, their budding romance goes for the familiar staple and aesthetics of Raj’s Indian roots, winking at movies from his homeland where men and women court each other by singing and dancing. Didi blends in wearing a sari, Raj leads in a tunic. Didi is Nigerian after all, the sensibility for drama and tomfoolery intact, leading to a successful cross-cultural experiment in their minds. But culture is hardly just about two people in love, especially when marriage could be on the horizon. With the families of Didi and Raj now in the picture, culture ceases to be a unifier but a reason they should be apart. “You bring me an Indian?” Didi’s father Ernest (Richard Mofe-Damijo) blurts out when Didi introduces Raj to her parents, as if he’s just
been served the wrong order in a gilded restaurant. Ernest’s xenophobia, although sontaneous, is more about keeping his legacy around running an elite law firm ‘pure’. It’s also for this reason that Didi’s father chooses not to recognise her as a worthy successor despite her being a smart, competent lawyer, his sexism pushing her to the periphery. It is not strange to see this occur in modern Nigerian homes. Hoping to engineer a union between Didi and Somto (Ibrahim Suleiman), a well-mannered lawyer
working in her father’s firm, the movie becomes a study about the politics of gender and marriage as a site that fosters the erasure of women. Like Raj, Didi suffers the same xenophobic treatment from his mother, who makes Indian recipes for Raj to highlight Didi’s incapability in that regard. But all this is done lightheartedly, poking fun at the cultural fabric. Namaste Wahala is as much a candycolored, feel-good rom-com as it is an interrogation of domestic and sexual violence against women. Didi offers free legal services to an NGO helping women navigate these vices, which her father mildly thinks of as a transgression. Her next client would be a woman who was physically abused, but a complication arises: the abuser is the son of her father’s friend whom he’s courting to get a business deal. Not only does the Namaste Wahala address violence against
women as a serious issue, it looks at the complicity of structures and institutions that allows gendered violence to be maintained. It’s worth mentioning that Didi’s client’s case happened in Nigeria, where the justice system protects abusers and perpetrators for their immoral acts rather than aiding the victims. It also highlights the class disparity that drives how justice would be meted out. If Didi wasn’t representing the victim, chances are that a case won’t see the four walls of a court. Although it’s not peculiar to Nigeria, director Hamisha Daryani Ahuja has lived in the country long enough to observe these nuances, carefully inserting an antigendered violence message in a way that doesn’t distort the film’s principal themes. The title Namaste Wahala – which means “Hello Trouble” – is a hybrid of both Indian and Nigerian languages. But the movie hardly props up Nigerian language, except a few times where Igbo (spoken in Nigeria’s south east) is chipped in at the end of an English sentence, by Didi’s father. Didi’s mother who is Yoruba, and played by Joke Silva, doesn’t say anything in Yoruba as much as Raj’s mother communicates in Hindi. This is the movie’s shortcoming, its characters – Nigerian characters really – disproportionately speaking English in a movie that should revel in the country’s slew of languages. -- Digital Spy
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February 19, 2021
After giving an insight into the ‘arranged marriage’ set up with Indian Matchmaking, Netflix is all set to celebrate the big fat Indian wedding with The Big Day. The series will take a deep dive into the multibillion-dollar wedding industry, and gives the audience a chance to be a part of the most unique and lavish modern weddings. The trailer of the first season of The Big Day was released on Monday. The video is nothing short of a live Pinterest board on dream weddings for millennials. From lavish settings, designer clothes to some exciting themes, the series showcases it all. The show will also have couples talk about crafting their happily ever after. The makers have chosen six different stories, and each of these couples do not believe in toeing the line. From planning a truly sustainable wedding, which is the need of the hour, to a bride that does not believe in following traditions blindly, the stories would definitely touch a chord. Celebrity makeup artist Daniel Baeur, who got married to partner Tyrone Braganza in 2019, also features in this special wedding series. Produced by Conde Nast India, The Big Day will have couples navigating their way through an eye-opening list of shenanigans and soul-stirring moments that go into creating spectacular Indian weddings. There would also be a dash of family drama, unique personal struggles, triumphs and much more. The Big Day will start streaming on Netflix from February 14.
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OPINION
February 19, 2021
Citizen vs. Citizen India’s Union Home Ministry has embarked on a perilous path with a new program that invites citizen volunteers to police online content. An MHA circular on the scheme, which will be piloted in Jammu and Kashmir and Tripura, asks volunteers to flag and report child sexual abuse, rape, terrorism, “radicalisation” and “anti-national” activities. This is overreach on numerous counts. To begin with, the existing legal framework does not define what constitutes “anti-national” activity. It is imprecise and arbitrary and there’s a formidable body of evidence to show how this has been weaponised. Licensing ordinary people, without any locus standi, to decide what qualifies for that label is an invitation, even exhortation, to misuse and harassment. Second, no statutory backing exists for such a volunteer force, nor is it clear what need it might serve. Third, even if the ministry’s stated mission is to counter cyber-crime, it cannot outsource a fundamental state responsibility to a rag-tag corps of volunteers, who will wield disproportionate power to scrutinise fellow citizens on social media without any accountability whatsoever. What stops this programme from turning into a weapon of personal/political vendetta? Fourth, making citizens vulnerable to such unofficial surveillance and scrutiny is a violation of their fundamental rights to freedom of speech and expression and privacy. Fifth, by turning citizen against citizen, it risks deepening polarisation and mistrust in society. Finally, it also ignores the guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court, when it comes to criminalising online speech. The court, while striking down Section 66A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, had ruled that a distinction must be made between speech that is simply “offensive or annoying” and that which is guilty of inciting a disruption of public order, or violence. The programme is just one more example of the anxiety over social media narratives that is pushing governments to encroach steadily on free speech. From Bihar’s recent blanket gag on online criticism of the state government to Uttarakhand police’s decision to scan social media for “anti-national” posts to the now rescinded Kerala government ordinance that would have made “defamatory” social media posts punishable by a prison term, the internet appears to trigger the political class’s Big Brother reflex with disturbing frequency. It is, of course, true that nearly all high-stakes political contests today are being waged on the internet, from farmers’ protest to electoral battles. Social media is both an avenue of mobilisation as well as prone to capture by purveyors of propaganda and hate. But for the Union home ministry to midwife a proxy force to police ordinary citizens on the internet, to give the weaponisation of social media the imprimatur of government authority, is disquieting. In times when an army of vigilantes entitled to their right to be offended grows in strength and when the overzealous state slaps sedition charges against journalists and students, such a move will only go on to normalise the suspicion and persecution of citizens exercising their right to disagree, dissent or even annoy others. Without basis in law, undemocratic in spirit, this reckless initiative must be withdrawn immediately. -- Indian Express
Revival of Cold War Bogey: ‘The Foreign Hand’ By Sanjaya Baru The “foreign hand” is back. None less than the Prime Minister has said that an international conspiracy is afoot. Everything from Hindutva to Indian tea is under attack. Of course, India’s enemies will always fish in troubled waters. But to point fingers at singers and tea-drinkers and, like in McCarthy’s America of the 1950s, look for “reds under beds” makes a mockery of national interest. No one should and would pooh-pooh genuine concerns about threats to national security, to India’s unity and integrity and to the life of its leaders. The question to ask is: What have we been doing at home to energise “foreign hands”? Not long ago, an earlier Prime Minister assured the nation that the world wants India to do well. Addressing the annual India Today conclave in February 2005, PM Manmohan Singh said: “I submit to you for your consideration the idea that the global environment has never been more conducive for India’s economic development than it is today. The world wants India to do well. However, we recognise that our real challenges are at home.” What has happened since then that conspiratorial theories are being purveyed once again? The foreign hand keeps making its appearance every now and then in domestic political discourse, sometimes with good reason but often due to the travails of national leaders. It gained in reputation in the pre-Emergency 1970s. The death of President Salvador Allende of Chile in September 1973, following a military coup staged with the help of the CIA, triggered concern in New Delhi that the CIA was also preparing to oust PM Indira Gandhi. People close to Indira Gandhi have long believed that Allende’s death played its part in creating a sense of insecurity in the Prime Minister. The Soviet intelligence agency, KGB, time and again warned Indira Gandhi of attempts to depose her in the manner of Iran’s Mohammed Mossadegh, Congo’s Patrice Lumumba, Chile’s Allende
and many other world leaders regarded as inimical to American interests during the Cold War. The Soviet hand, in turn, was also meddling around the world helping friends and deposing enemies. The Cold War was like that. Organisations ranging from Ananda Marg and the RSS on the political right to the Maoists on the left were accused of being pawns in foreign hands. Even a leader like Jayaprakash Narayan was accused of being sponsored by the CIA. In the early 1980s, a senior US diplomat, Jeanne Kirkpatrick, then US ambassador to the United Nations, a political scientist and a rightwing politician close to President Ronald Reagan, was accused of plotting the “balkanisation” of unfriendly, pro-Soviet India. Rejecting such speculation, US government spokespersons accused the KGB of planting such stories in the Indian media. By 1990, author V S Naipaul turned the mirror inward and wrote about the “million mutinies” within that hobbled India’s functioning. Living through wars, droughts, poor economic performance, Naxalism, caste and communal conflict, India’s political leaders preferred to point to the foreign hand rather than domestic politics. However, it is entirely possible that well into the 1980s, through the Cold War era, foreign powers hoped to gain influence in India. Combine this with India’s own domestic challenges and it is easy to see why a powerful leader like Indira Gandhi felt so insecure. In the end, she and her elder son were killed by forces inimical to India. The Nineties changed the game. The end of the Cold War gave India some breathing space. Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao adopted an economic and foreign policy that expanded that space and infused confidence into what was then a “New India”, but one imbued with greater self-confidence and resolve. As economic growth accelerated, business opportunities expanded in an increasingly open market and India built bridges with countries ranging from the US to Germany, Japan and Singapore, the outside world was viewed more benignly.
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The information technology and software services boom created a world of opportunity for the Indian middle class. Then came the Shakti nuclear tests and India’s ability to withstand external economic sanctions. India entered the 21st century as an even more confident power. The only foreign hand it worried about was Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. But then, the whole world was with India in worrying about it. The secular rise in India’s economic growth, its embrace of globalisation and the new strategic partnership with the US injected confidence into a rising India. It was against that background, of accelerated economic growth and growing global interest in India’s rise, that PM Manmohan Singh assured us that the world wants India to do well. We are now being told that the global environment is no longer as conducive.fake news Govt’s ability to overcome international criticism depends on rebuilding national consensus on key policies But the West and most of Asia want India to do well even more today than before, given China’s rise and assertiveness. The world wants India to emerge as another engine of global growth and to be able to balance China’s power. Political leaders can still point to the “foreign hand” — Pakistan, with some evidence, and to China. There are always local causes that get external support — from Maoists to Khalistanis, Islamic radicals to Christian evangelists and, why not, Hindu extremists. But the kind of “foreign hand” that Indira Gandhi worried about is not the real threat to India’s growth and security. Yet, domestic politics needs a “foreign hand” every now and then. The problems of unemployment, poverty, inequality, caste and communal tensions and all the other challenges India faces have not gone away. A “million mutinies” are afoot. But how dare we say these are “Made in India”? Behold the foreign hand! -- Indian Express The writer is Distinguished Fellow, Institute for Defence Studies and Analysis, New Delhi.
SUDOKU/RECREATION SUDOKU/CUISINE 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.
February 19, 2021
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Mama’s Punjabi Recipes
Some Indian comfort foods are universal as they are simple, taste good and are easy to make, like kadhi. Kadhi is also a great dish to eat with plain rice on a rainy, cold winter day like we have during this time of the year. This is a repeat of a recipe but so appropriate for the Holidays ahead while watching football or movies at home.
PUNJABI BESAN DI KADHI (CHICKPEA FLOUR CURRY)
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Kadhi is a dish that is made all over India with many variations. In some parts of India, they throw minced vegetables in the curry and eat it with boiled rice. Rajasthani and Gujurati kadhi is usually thinner and has a sweet taste. Sindhi kadhi uses imbli (tamarind pulp) to give it the sour taste. The traditional Punjabi style kadhi is made with thick besan curry and has fried vegetable pakoras (fried fritters) in it with some yogurt to give it a sour taste. It is usually eaten with tandoori roti, paranthas and sometimes with rice. Besan (roasted gram flour or garbanzo flour or chickpea flour) is a flour that is commonly used all over India to make pakoras, one of the most favorite and easy to make snacks which can be found at almost every street corner halwai or cooking vendor. The flour, when mixed with a few spices, adds zest as batter for vegetables and it is just a delight to eat hot pakoras – never mind that they are fried! Pakoras are, after all, Indian comfort food. Besan is high in carbohydrates and somewhat high in protein but has no gluten, which makes it unsuitable for those trying to lose weight (especially when it is fried). Besan has many uses in cooking. You can make boondi (besan fried droplets) to put in dahi (yogurt) or to make laddus (sweet balls) – either fried dripped in syrup or those made of roasted, sweetened flour - or simply besan ki barfi (sweetened flat cake) or pooda (a flat bread) Punjabi kadhi tastes best when made with plain pakoras instead of those stuffed with vegetables in them Ingredients: • 2.5 cups besan (chickpea flour) • 1.5 cups of plain dahi (yogurt) • 3.5 cups of water • 1 tsp methi danna (funugreek seed) • A dash of amchoor (mango powder) if desired • Spices: namak (salt), mirch (red pepper), haldi (turmeric) and sukha dhania powder (dried coriDirections: 1. Mix 1.5 cups of besan, 1 cup yogurt and 3 cups of water well and keep to the side for 10 minutes. 2. Mix the rest of the ingredients separately to make the pakoras in step 3. Adjust quantities if you
ander seed powder) want more pakoras. 3. Heat the oil in a karahi (wok) and pour small portions of the mixture in lumps in order to make the pakoras. The lumps will fluff up and when the pakoras are brown, take them out and place on a paper towel to soak the oil out. 4. In a saucepan, add a tablespoon of vegetable oil and add the haldi, mirch and methi dana and stir till they are roasted. Add the mixture from step 1. Stir continuously taking care that the mixture does not bubble and spit out. If it does, then add a little cold water. Make sure the kadhi is not thin, but remember that after it cools down, the curry will thicken. 5. Add the salt to taste and bring to boil the mixture for 10 minutes and then reduce the heat to simmer. Be careful not to add too much salt because if the yogurt is a bit sour then you will not need much salt. If you like, add a little amchoor and you could almost do without the salt.
6. Add the pakoras to the curry and let them soak for at least 20 minutes. The pakoras will be softer the longer they are in the mixture. Let the mixture simmer over low heat and stir occasionally to make sure it doesn’t stick to the pan. If it starts to stick then remove from heat. 7. Serve with hot roti or paranthas or steaming rice and pickle. Shakuntla Malhotra is a skilled cook of Punjabi dishes made in the old-fashioned style that she learnt as a young woman in her ancestral home in Lyallpur, 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 early-nineties, she continues to cook daily and agreed to share her delectable Punjabi recipes for future generations.
MAMA’S TIP O F THE
WEEK FOR A SORE BAC K , U SE A HOT WATER BOT TLE WRAPPED IN In the winter mon A BAG ths, it is
not unco colds or the flu. Bu t what is even mormmon to come down with back muscles thro e common ones. The cold w ugh some exertion, sometimesis pulling the become tense – eseather makes the back muscles coeven minor pecially if you aren nt – and then a slig ’t dressed warmlyract and ht m ov enough em ent can lead to ex pain that doesn’t go cruciating back aw ay so on . Apart from using balms and analge applied to the back sic cream You can use a sim helps a lot, especially if it is dos,nea little heat in India for 60 ple rubber hot water bottle like overnight. ping bag and tierupees (or 65 cents). Wrap it in a the ones sold your list to buy th the straps so it won’t slip out. cotton shopd put it on $15 each in local em on your next trip to India, asAn they are over stores here!
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February 19, 2021
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