Friday, February 28, 2020 • Vol. 39, No. 09February 28, 2020
Indo American News
1
READ US ONLINE at www.indoamerican-news.com | Published weekly from Houston, Texas. USA
7457 Harwin Dr, Suite 212, Houston, TX 77036 • PH: 713 789 6397 • Fax: 713 789 6399 • indoamericannews@yahoo.com
As Your Voice in Washington, Bangar Reddy Will Work to Audit, Review, and Reform: Border Security & Immigration
Secure Proper Funding Introduce Innovative Technology Streamline Immigration Processing
Fiscal Responsibility #1 on the Fort Bend County Ballot #8 on the Brazoria County Ballot #11 on the Harris County Ballot
Transparency in Spending Respect the Budget 5% Cut GOAL in 2021-2022 Budget
Infrastructure
Quality Contractual Standards Technology & Physical Improvements Multi-Regional Flood Mitigation
EARLY VOTING: FEB. 18 - 28 | ELECTION DAY: MAR. 3 ABOUT BANGAR REDDY
Sample Ballot (Republican Primary Election)
Bangar Reddy is a husband, father, and conservative Texan. As a passionate American who loves the Constitution, as well as a successful entrepreneur and tech-savvy grassroots leader, Reddy is uniquely qualified to take on border security, immigration, the national debt, infrastructure, and socialism.
Instruction Text: Please use a black or blue pen to mark your ballot. To vote for your choice in each contest, completely fill in the box provided to the left of your choice.
March 3, 2020
He believes in politics for pure public service. Bangar Reddy will champion limited government, address multi-regional flood mitigation and its impact on commerce and our homes, as well as promote a climate favorable to economic prosperity.
REPUBLICAN PARTY PRIMARY ELECTION “I am a Republican and I understand that I am ineligible to vote or participate in another political party’s primary election or convention during this voting year.”
Join Bangar Reddy’s “I Love my America” Movement at www.reddy4congress.com Request a Republican Ballot and Vote for Bangar Reddy
COMMUNITY & BUSINESS LEADER
Faith
Liberty
Inclusivity
/reddy4congress reddy4congress.com Pol. Ad. Paid for by Bangar Reddy for Congress 3536 HIGHWAY 6, SUITE 109, Sugar Land, TX 77478
Bangar Reddy Douglas Haggard Howard Steele Dan Mathews Troy Nehls Pierce Bush Kathaleen Wall Matt Hinton Brandon T. Penko Diana Miller Shandon Phan Greg Hill Joe Walz Aaron Hermes Jon Camarillo
IMMIGRANT & CONSERVATIVE TEXAN
VOTE FOR
REDDY!
Indo-American News • Friday, February 28, 2020 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com
2
February 28, 2020
Indo-American News • Friday, FEBRUARY 28, 2020 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com
Friday, February 28, 2020 | Vol. 39, No. 09
Indo American News
February 28, 2020
$1
3
Published weekly from Houston, TX
www.indoamerican-news.com
Special Reports Community Briefs Local Politics South Asians in the News
7457 Harwin Dr, Suite 212, Houston, TX 77036 • 713.789.NEWS (6397) • indoamericannews@yahoo.com
‘Thappad’ Review Over 100,000 people attended the “Namaste Trump” rally in Ahmedabad’s Motera cricket stadium staged by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
P10 Putcha Endowment
P5
P15 ASGH Health Fair
P18
Indo-American News • Friday, February 28, 2020 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com
4
COMMUNITY
February 28, 2020
IACCGH Hosts Its 10th Annual Tax Outreach Seminar at India House
Moderator Swapan Dhairyawan with panelists Tupil Narasimhan, Imtiaz Munshi, Mahesh Desai Kershaw Khumbatta. Photo credit: Bijay Dixit.
Bhavna Kalyan (left), Jagdip Ahluwalia, Tarush Anand, Swapan Dhairyawan, Tupil Narasimhan, Imtiaz Munshi, Mahesh Desai, Kershaw Khumbatta. Photo credit: Bijay Dixit
Washington DC: The Indo American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston (IACCGH) hosted its 10th Annual IACCGH Tax Seminar. The Outreach Program was first launched during the term of leading CPA and IACCGH Past President Ajit Thakur for the benefit of the community at large. Immediate Past President Swapan Dhairyawan, a well-known CPA himself, continued to organize and moderate the event with the support of local CPAs and Tax Consultants over the last decade at India House. Initially, the focus was on American Tax Laws as they affected Indo Americans with overseas assets but over time, the event evolved in scope covering changes in US Tax laws and how they affect Ameri-
can Tax payers and residents. On Sunday 23rd February, 2020, four renowned CPAs shared the dais to present changes in tax laws through Power Point presentations. Imtiaz Munshi covered Tax Law Changes and Ownership of Shares abroad and Filing Requirement, Mahesh Desai also dealt with Tax Law Changes and Overseas A/C Reporting and Compliance, Kershaw Khumbatta simplified the SECURE Act and outlined Retirement Plans while Tupil Narasimhan went over Qualified Opportunity Zones and FATCA Compliance. These Power Point presentations will soon be available on the Chamber website. (www.iaccgh.com). The seminar concluded with a Q & A session and a one-on-one consultation
with a CPA as required. Earlier in the event, Executive Director Jagdip Ahluwalia opened the session while President Tarush Anand welcomed the over 120 attendees. The panelists were presented with special 10th anniversary mementoes. The event was sponsored by Ramesh Cherivirala of New York Life. Refreshments were generously donated by Mahesh Shah of Indian Summer. Disclaimer: The seminar is for information purposes only and is not intended as tax advice. For information on other upcoming events hosted by the IACCGH, visit iaccgh.com. The next event is the Shell IACCGH Distinguished Lecture on March 30th featuring the new Consul General of India to Houston – Hon. Aseem Mahajan.
IMMIGRATION ATT ORNEYS
Willy, Nanayakkara & Associates
INTEGRITY
ATTORNEYS AND COUNSELORS AT LAW ATTORNEYS
CHIRANJAYA “ CHIRO” NANAYAKKARA
JAMES W. PARKER
Managing Attorney
Associate Attorney
DIGNITY
COMPETENCE
SPECIAL ADVISORS
STEPHANIE STUBBE Associate Attorney
THOMAS P. FISCHER
Former District Director of Immigration
GEORGE R. WILLY
THOMAS R. HUTSON Former Consul General
OF COUNSEL
ROGER PIPER
Former District Director of Immigration
JIMMIE BENTON
Former Immigration Judge
Principal Attorney
Deportation
Employment Based
Naturalization
Family Based
Investment Visas
EB1 / EB2 / EB5
Professional Visas
Skilled Worker Visas
We’ve Moved To
14141 Southwest Fwy, Suite 110 Sugar Land, TX 77478
GRWPC.COM
Canadian Immigration
Masala Radio @ AM 1110 Every Thursday: 4:00 to 4:30 pm
......
30 MIN FREE CONSULTATION
Geetanjali Radio @ AM 1320 2nd and 3rd Saturday: 3:00 to 3:30 pm
Andhra Mirchi @ AM 1050 Every 2nd Saturday: 1:00 to 1:30 pm
•Over 30 years of practice in Immigration Law. •Member of the American Immigration Lawyer’s Association since 1989. •Providing representation for Canadian Immigration through our associates in Canada. •Over 16 Languages spoken by the Firm’s staff.
HOUSTON • ATLANTA • CANADA • MUMBAI - INDIA
HOUSTON: EVERY THURSDAY | (281) 265-2522 | (888) 529-5990 | IMMIGRATION@GRWPC.COM ATLANTA: EVERY 1ST & 3RD MONDAY | (404) 937-6868 | (888) 529-5990 | ATLANTAIMMIGRATION@GRWPC.COM Indo-American News • Friday, FEBRUARY 28, 2020 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com
PAULINE APPELBAUM
Former Immigration Regional Counsel USCIS
5 President Trump’s India Visit Prioritizes Pageantry over Policy
COMMUNITY
February 28, 2020
By Associated Press Ahmedabad: Prioritizing pageantry over policy, President Donald Trump basked in India’s welcoming embrace on a day that featured a mega-rally with cheering crowds, a mutual admiration show with his counterpart and a sunset tour of the famed Taj Mahal. Trump used Day One of his whirlwind 36-hour visit to India to reaffirm close ties with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and tease progress on a trade deal down the road. But the day was largely devoted to a trio of enviable photo-ops: the largest rally of Trump’s presidency sandwiched between visits to a former home of independence leader Mohandas Gandhi and the Taj Mahal. In his first hours on the subcontinent, Trump received the adulatory reception that has eluded him on many foreign trips. More than 100,000 people packed the world’s largest cricket stadium, nearly all of then wearing white caps with the name of the event, “Namaste, Trump.” But miles away in the capital of New Delhi, police used tear gas and smoke grenades to disperse a crowd of clashing protesters hours before Trump was due to arrive, as violence broke out over a new citizenship law that excludes Muslims. Anti-Trump street demonstrations also erupted in Kolkata, Hyderabad and Gauhati. Trump opened his rally speech in Ahmedabad on Monday by declaring that he had traveled 8,000 miles to deliver the message that “America
loves India, America respects India and America will always be faithful and loyal friends to the Indian people.” He praised India as a place where different faiths “worship side by side in harmony”. The sun-baked city bustled around him, its streets teeming with people eager to catch a glimpse of the American president. The president’s motorcade traveled newly cleaned roads planted with flowers and featuring hundreds of billboards showing the president and first lady Melania Trump. Tens of thousands lined the route, well short of the over-the-top prediction of up to 10 million that Trump had speculated
would be on hand. His first stop was Gandhi’s home, where Trump donned a prayer shawl and removed his shoes to walk through the humble ashram. He inspected the spinning wheel used by the famed pacifist and saw a statue of monkeys representing Gandhi’s mantra of “See no evil, Hear no evil, Speak no evil.” Then it was on to a far more boisterous setting: the mega-rally at the world’s largest cricket stadium. A battery of carefully chosen Modi loyalists and workers from his Bharatiya Janata Party lined the road to accord the president a grand welcome. Tens of thousands of police officers were on hand to keep security
tight and a new wall was erected in front of a slum, apparently to hide it from presidential passersby. On the way to the stadium, Trump’s motorcade crossed a river where a barge was emblazoned with “Trump” and onlookers chanted “Modi!” Modi, a noted hugger, figuratively and literally embraced Trump at the start of the “Namaste Trump” rally that was, in a way, the back half of home-and-away events for the two men., Both had attended a “Howdy Modi” rally in Houston last year that drew 50,000 people. Trump lavished praise on both Modi and the democracy he leads, highlighting an effort to lift residents out of extreme poverty and saying “India gives hope
to all of humanity.” The stadium was packed with revelers, many of whom wore Trump and Modi masks as they sat in 80-degree heat. Scores of attendees, particularly those sitting in the sun, streamed out before Trump had finished his 27-minute speech. The boisterous scene featured musicians on camels and a medley of Bollywood hits and songs from Trump’s campaign rally playlist such as Elton John numbers that seemed to puzzle some in the colorful crowd. Trump, whose foreign visits typically are light on sightseeing, told reporters traveling with him that the stadium event was “fantastic.” He later delighted in his first visit to the Taj Mahal, the immense white marble 17th century mausoleum in the city of Agra. As daylight began to fade, Trump and his wife posed for photos, including some in front of the bench where Princess Diana sat alone in 1992 in what became an enduring image. ”Really incredible, an incredible place,” Trump said. Foreign trips offer powerful political imagery for presidents facing reelection: They can be feted on the world stage while their rivals in the opposing party slog through diners in early-voting states and clash in debates. This trip, in particular, reflects a Trump campaign strategy to showcase him in his presidential role and provide counterprogramming to the Democrats’ primary contest. It is producing the kinds of visuals his campaign can use in future ads.
Indo-American News • Friday, February 28, 2020 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com
6
February 28, 2020
COMMUNITY US: “Deeply Troubled by Violence”
New Delhi: The US House Foreign Affairs Committee on Wednesday said it was “deeply troubled” over the deaths in connection with the communal violence that ravaged parts of northeast Delhi. Committee chairman Eliot Engel tweeted, “Deeply troubled by the deaths from the communal violence in India over the past couple of days. The right to protest is a key aspect of democracy, but they must remain peaceful and police must ensure the safety of all.” Earlier in the day, addressing the Delhi Assembly, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal stated that it is the miscreants from outside Delhi who are engaged in rioting and added that it seems necessary that the Army should be called in to restore normalcy in the national capital. Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court expressed displeasure over delay in registration of FIR against the BJP leaders, who allegedly gave provocative speeches leading to mob attacks in North East Delhi and asks police commissioner to take a conscious decision on it and convey on Thursday. The court also said that the situation was “very unpleasant”,
and that “we cannot allow another 1984 riot”. It added that the highest functionaries of the state have to be “very alert.” The death toll in the violence in northeast Delhi rose to 27 Wednesday, with at least 250 people being injured, many of them grievously. For three days starting Sunday, the national capital witnessed violence with groups of men roaming parts of northeast Delhi. The Delhi Police mostly remained mute spectators. US embassy has issued a security advisory: “U.S. citizens in India should exercise caution in light of violent demonstrations in Northeast Delhi and avoid all areas with demonstrations”. In an effort to diffuse the simmering tensions in parts of northeast Delhi marred by violent clashes, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval Thursday reached out to locals and assured them the situation is under control. “Situation is totally under control. People are satisfied. I have confidence in law enforcement agencies. Police are doing its work,” Doval said after visiting the area.
SONY KOHLI YOUR REAL ESTATE AGENT 832-766-6662
Indo-American News • Friday, FEBRUARY 28, 2020 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com
COMMUNITY
February 28, 2020
Pt. Shantilal Shahs’s Students Wow During “Laya Taal Sadhna”
7
By Sunil Pangarkar Houston Under the direction of Pandit Shantilal Shah, the Indian Music Society of Houston showcased the talent, abilities and progress of their tabla students in the Stafford Civic Center on February 9. The concert had the hallmarks of a truly great event, and the audience was not left disappointed. Each performance was unique and featured the staples of Pt. Shah’s teaching -- highly synchronized playing of complex rhythmic patterns. Having attended 8 of the 9 Laya Taal Sadhana (LTS) programs so far, none of this came as a surprise to me. IMS president Shri Govind Shetty welcomed the audience and introduced the board members of IMS. Among the audience were music Gurus and key supporters of classical music. Mr. BN Murali managed sound arrangement marvelously. Longtime supporters and music connoisseurs Dr. Virendra and Mrs Nalini Mathur closed the program with a heartfelt speech about the performance. Before the performances started, Smt. Aparna Shah made a soulful invocation to Lord Krishna. Shri Mandar Phadke, who supported on Harmonium, and Pt. Shantilal Shah, came on to the stage to begin the program. Mandar-ji’s role is especially worth mentioning because in a concert like this he plays an essential role in keeping the rhythm or Laya. Providing the melody for each ensemble, he did a great job with a very difficult task!
Musically speaking, the performances were all very impressive in their own way. The beginner students, with as many as 11 performing at once, played precisely in rhythm. Each of the groups recited one of their more complicated paltas for the audience, receiving applause and admiration. In the second half, senior students took the event to a new level. Some highlights include transitions between Dugun, Tigun, and Char-gun, and two beautiful compositions in the 10 beat cycle - Jhaptaal. Each LTS concert has new students, a similar format but different musical matter. Each person is going through his/her own journey and for the student, it is a new ex-
perience that builds his/her abilities, confidence and desire to take it to new levels. I was reminded of what Pt. Suresh Talwalkar has famously said, that a Guru’s job is to give “Urja” (Energy) to the Shishya. While I was observing the participants, I could not but imagine how difficult that task is – particularly in the USA. Before the selfsustaining drive (which is the implicit meaning of Urja) is achieved, it is the Guru’s job to develop the Shishya’s interest, ability, stamina and finally musicality, to make the activity Urja-worthy. I have seen Shantilal-ji use so many techniques to achieve that result in young kids, new shishyas, and older shishyas. His energy
Pradeep Sulhan, P.C.
Certified Public Accountant 14340 Torrey Chase Blvd. | Suite 110 | Houston, Texas 77014
281-583-2993 | 281-580-8700
office@pspccpa.com| pradeep@pspccpa.com
Call Sid or Pradeep Over 25 years of experience
to teach has remained undiminished despite the effort needed to achieve this remarkable level of performance. As Dr Mathur suggested, he is keeping the cultural
lamp burning bright in Houston, so much so that in this Global Energy city, I would say that he is a true Energy - Guru!
chemical co. in Baytown Seeks
AccountAnt
Min 3 yrs. experience in A/P, A/R & P/R utilizing QuickBooks Great pay w/ benefits. EOE/AAP Send resume to tmg@chemicalsinc.com
Property Management Employment Hiring individuals, with or without experience, who are interested in upper management positions in the industry of Apartment Complexes. Our company trains all of employees, and needs people seeking full-time positions (40 hours a week). Individuals must have computer skills in: Microsoft Excel & Word and typing skills. Please contact our office at 832-390-1713 Monday- Friday, 9 am - 5 pm to set up an interview. Come and join our family
Indo-American News • Friday, February 28, 2020 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com
8
COMMUNITY
February 28, 2020
Houston Priming Up to Welcome the Most Prominent Face of Yoga By Manu Shah
Under the leadership of Mallik Putcha, an IITM alumnus, a meet and greet event with Sri Preston Kulkarni was organized on February 9 at Indian Summer (Madras Pavilion) in Sugar Land. Objective of the event was to discuss how alumni like us from IITs can support the campaign of democratic candidate Sri Kulkarni for Congressional district 22. It may be useful to recall what Houston Chronicle wrote while endorsing Sri “Overall, Olson has come to represent all the worst instincts of U.S. politics while Kulkarni represents our politics at its best”. Some of us felt that there is some sinister design behind the con-test of an Indian origin candidate in Republican primary to pull potential votes from Sri Kulkarni. This was all the more shocking when that candidate had wholeheartedly supported Sri in his 2018 election. In 2019, Sri had visited India and IITM was one of the academic institutions where he spent a day interacting with students and research group. He returned with fond memories of stunning natural beauty of IITM campus. Inspired by the great sacrifice of Sri resigning from much coveted US foreign service to serve his mother land, many are volunteering in his campaign. Discussion with Sri covered several topics where his in-depth knowledge with statistics completely bowled us. Sri did not hesitate to respond to an inconvenient question about his view on CAA, NPR, NRC or human rights issue in Kashmir. He was forthright in telling us that he does not know much about these things, and he needs to spend time on things which affect his voters. When he had experience and expertise from his work and stud-ied the issues, he discussed his views on complex situations af-fecting US foreign policy in countries like Yemen, Israel, Ukraine, Russia, Iraq etc. He narrated his experience of getting criticism while attending some community events. For example, he was criticized by some for attending “Howdy Modi” event. His response was that he also attended an event where Imran Khan was speaking via satellite and had attended several such events. Attending an event does not amount to supporting or endorsing any view. It was easy to appreciate the delicate balance some one like Sri has to make all the time. When there seems to be a groundswell of support for Trump es-pecially after the failed attempt to impeach him, how can a Democrat like him attract votes not only from Republicans but also from Independents? When the tribalism seems to be the driving force to choose a candidate, how will even burning is-
sues like health care (difficulty in securing insurance for those with pre existing health problems, reduction in medicaid and medicare funding), climate change, gun control, education, etc influence them? But we were con-vinced that Sri has sound policies to influence his voters. During our discussion it became clear that Sri has thought deeply about these issues and has a winning game plan. After all during the last election he lost just by 4.9% against six terms incumbent Pete Olson who had won his previous election by a whopping 19% margin. His “relational organization” of volunteers who can speak 16 languages succeeded in energizing different communities who never participated in large numbers to vote in earlier elections. With that experience and having identified local issues of flood control, improving traffic flow, education, etc he is in a far better position to attract even more voters this time. We saw the decadence in the long held US values when all Re-publican senators with one exception voted to drop charges against Trump purely driven by “tribalism”. They ignored the wise words of Robert Kennedy, ““Every time we turn our heads the other way when we see the law flouted, when we tolerate what we know to be wrong, when we close our eyes and ears to the corrupt, because we are too busy or frightened, when we fail to speak up and speak out, we strike a blow against freedom, de-cency and justice”. During the event it was refreshing to hear Sri emphasizing the US values by telling us how he is inspired by the above quote of Robert Kennedy. He feels strongly to balance different view points since neither extremes of left and right can of-
fer the opti-mum solution. They result in “absolutism” as has been experi-enced during Trump era.
The Texas-22 congressional district is fortunate that they have an outstanding candidate to choose in
Sri. and IIT alumni made the timely decision to organize the event.
Indo-American News • Friday, FEBRUARY 28, 2020 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com
COMMUNITY
February 28, 2020
Supremely Divine Mahasivaratri at Meenakshi Temple Society By M.K. Sriram
Pearland: It was a supremely divine Maha Sivarathiri Day celebration at Sri Meenakshi Temple on Friday, Februaru 21st. The whole ambience turned into a Deva Loka (heaven) with the nonstop chanting of Om Nama Shivaya. More than a thousand ardent devotees worshipped at the temple on this most auspicious day, with well over a hundred staying up all through the cool and clear night. Devotees started streaming in soon after the doors opened in the morning and swelled to a large gathering when the puja started at twilight. The decorations were stunningly beautiful, especially the heavenly display “Kailas Darshan of Lord Sundareswara and Goddess Meenakshi on the Rishaba Vahanam” that was conceptualized and created by Priest Manicka Bhattar with the help of the very talented temple artisans. The puja started with the traditional Ganesh puja, followed by Punyahavachanam (purification), invocation of the 108 conches, then by a Homam (offering to Agni) to the chant of the most divine vedic mantra Sri Rudram, followed by the offering of Purnahuti. Next was Abhishekam, when Lord Sundareswara in the form of the sacred Siva Linga was bathed in milk, honey, fruit juices, yogurt, vibhuthi, sandal, rose water, coco-
nut water and many other ingredients, and finally with the sanctified water from the 108 conches. The Lord then was spectacularly adorned with Alankaram and when the sanctum doors opened, there was a spontaneous and collective cry by the devotees - “Om Nama Shivaya”. A special Archana was performed with gold Bilva leaves when everybody followed and repeated after the priests, the sacred mantras. The evening puja concluded with the Maha Arathi. This was followed by the most awaited Athma Linga puja, where hundreds of devotees lined up, waited for their turn patiently, to perform
their own milk abhishekam. This abhishekam performed to the Siva Linga invoked in one’s own heart and and soul is cherished as a moment when the devotee is closest to God. A wonderful cultural program was coordinated by Secretary Parthasarathy where many talented dancers performed. More ardent devotees stayed up all night constantly chanting the Sivanama for Chatur Kala Pujas (Abhishekam & puja with vedic chantings and bhajans) at mid night, 1:30AM, 3:00AM and 4:30AM. Priests Balaji Sethuraman and Kalyanasundaram performed the ab-
International Banking Wire Transfer & Trade Finance
Commercial & Industrial Lending Commercial Real Estate Lending Owner Occupied Building Lending
Small Business Loans
Online Banking Cash Management Various Deposits Money Market and Many others
Main Office: 9315 Bellaire Blvd., Houston, TX 77036
hishekams and pujas with utmost sincerity and dedication, and this definitely filled the entire temple with bhakti and spirituality. Overall, it was a very blissful Sivara-
9
thri at MTS. The temple provided light refreshments coordinated by Susheela Denduluri with a team of volunteers, which was supplemented by prasadams from devotees. People from far and wide make it a point to worship at the temple because this temple is very unique and most authentic, following all the traditions from India. Chairman Dhani Kannan thanked priests, silpis, staff, board and advisory council. M.K. Sriram, Dr. Alagappan and Dr. Chitra Kumar were the coordinators of this event along with RAC chair Vinod Kaila. Above all, the temple runs on the great spirit of volunteerism. This was exemplified by all the volunteers who worked very hard to make garlands, make and serve food and helped with the puja. The fulfillment that fills the hearts of the devotees is the ultimate blessing of Lord Shiva. Short video of the event can be found at https:// youtu.be/Fl8Y3nh-hCA
Chemical Co. in Baytown Hiring
Purchasing Clerk
QuickBooks experience & good computer skills required Great pay w/ benefits. EOE/AAP Send resume to apply@chemicalsinc.com
Tel: 713-777-3838
©2019 GoldenBank www.goldenbank-na.com ©2019 Focusing Design Studio 713-876-6666
Indo-American News • Friday, February 28, 2020 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com
10 February 28, 2020 ENTERTAINMENT ‘Thappad’: An Important, Crucial Film from Anubhav Sinha By Shubhra Gupta Anubhav Sinha’s Thappad has a one-point agenda: you cannot slap a woman, and expect her to ignore it, and move on. You Can Not. That it has taken us until 2020 to say this out loud in a movie says a lot about our society, which sanctions all kinds of evil under the guise of our ‘sabhyata’, ‘maryada’: if you are an ‘adarsh bahu’, as Amrita (Pannu) is, it is your job to check your elderly mother-inlaw’s blood sugar levels, supervise the kitchen, escort your husband (Gulati) to the car, and hand over his wallet, and packed lunch, as he busily moves off to earn a living. All without demur, all with a
smile, and good grace, every single day. There is a niggling regret for what might have been. Amrita could have been a dancer, professional even, just like her loving father (Mishra) wanted her to be. She has left those dreams behind, just like a dutiful wife and daughter-in-law ought, being content with creating
a morning slot of her own–a cup of black tea infused with herbs, and a deep breath at the morning outside– before the day is upon her, with all its demands. Thappad resonates, as it is meant to. Because the director shows, without mincing any words (sometimes too many), just how patriarchy is handed down from one generation to another, and women are equally complicit. After that fateful slap, in full view of family and guests, Amrita responds by selfsoothing, and when that doesn’t work, by expecting her own family, including a mother (Shah) and brother and his beloved plus the father, to be supportive. No surprise, that it is her mother who talks about
the importance of rishtey nibhana, and ‘wohi tumhara ghar hai’. Those are the most effective parts of the film, in which we are shown just how women are always being told how to feel, how to keep their feelings in check, how not to give into them. It’s not just Amrita who is dealing with ‘sirf ek thappad
hi toh tha’, and how the husband who slaps her is ‘only’ taking out his workplace frustration on her. It is also her lawyer (Sarao), and her mother, mother-in-law who have dealt with their own disappointments, and the maid (Ohlyan) who is routinely beaten by her drunken husband.
Chemical Co. in Baytown Looking for
Chemical Engineer
Candidates should have an engineering degree and some chemical plant experience Great pay w/ benefits. EOE/AAP Send resume to apply@chemicalsinc.com
COMMUNITY
Ethnic Media Services Hosts Discussion on 2020 Census in Houston By Sanchali Basu Houston: The next count will take place April 1, 2020. The decennial census is the nation’s largest peacetime effort in American history. As the 2nd largest state in the union, we must make sure Texas counts! This was the topic of discussion at “The High Stakes for Houston in the 2020 Census”, held at the Houston Health Department on February 21. It was organized by Ethnic Media Services (EMS), Houston in Action (HIA), and the Leadership Conference Education Fund (LCEF). Sandy Close, who has been with EMS for 23 years welcomed the audience and outlined the purpose of the meeting. Ana MacNaught of HIA stressed the importance of a complete count of the undercounted. Dr. Richard Murray of UH explained that Houston had added 2 million people in Houston since the last census in 2010, out of which 7000 were in Harris County itself, due to international immigration. Unfortunately, the state of Texas has not invested money to get a correct count. If a correct count is obtained, Texas would be close to getting an additional congressional seat in Texas, and it
may come to Houston. Katie Lightfoot of Center for Budget and Policy, from Austin, discussed the impact of the census on state politics (representation in Congress, electoral college votes, redistricting) and policies. She mentioned that $300 million can be lost if Texas was undercounted by 1%. That would affect healthcare, education, hunger programs, affordable housing etc. 25% of Texans live in “Hard to count (HTC)” counties and Harris county has the highest number of HTC people in Texas. There are 1.1 million people who are HTC who fall in the categories of children under the age of 5 95% undercounted), immigrants, African American
communities etc. The challenges face are online questionnaire, fear of deportation due to immigration status, cyber security, fighting misinformation, lack of state support etc. People do not realize that the information shared on the census questionnaire does not leave the census bureau and there is a huge penalty if information is leaked. Juliet Stipeche of the Mayor’s Office of Education highlighted that a correct count could bring in huge resources to the 17 ISDs in Houston to enable support for children with special needs, underfunded programs for babies, and kids in college. Ray Shackelford of the Houston Urban league shared how the black
community mistrusts the Government and if 6 people are living in an apartment which was approved for only 2 residents, would not disclose it in the census for fear of eviction. Nabila Mansoor of Empowering Communities Initiative expressed concern of the Asian/Native American/Pacific Islander (AAPI) category in the census that deters people from answering due to language barriers/immigration/citizenship status. A. J. Durrani of Emgage, USA, brought out the concerns of Trump’s discriminatory attitude towards the Muslim community and the need for engaging Muslims in the community. Elizabeth Bille of NALEO,
Ebony Fleming of Baker Ripley and Angelica Razo of Mi Familia Vota all agreed that the Citizenship question on the census has already done a lot of damage and its removal from the questionnaire now needs to be educated to the general public. Immigrants/Latino community need to feel safe and must be empowered and made to aspire high. Debbie (Hungmei) Lee of the Census Bureau pointed out that the Asian box on the census does not discriminate between Chinese/ Taiwanese/Indians etc. and should be more specific. There was also participation from the Korean, Nepalese, Filipino, Boat People, etc. at the meeting who all concurred how important it is to come up with ways to reach everyone because one can advocate only if one is visible and bring in more resources for the betterment of the community.
Room Available in West Houston For responsible female student or young professional. Beautiful, furnished room with own refrig. Access to kitchen, tv room, washer dryer, free wifi, own parking, utilities included. Asking $500/mo. Immediate availability
Call or text 713-962-5555
Indo-American News • Friday, FEBRUARY 28, 2020 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com
February 28, 2020
Indo-American News • Friday, February 28, 2020 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com
11
12
BUSINESS
February 28, 2020
SUDOKU
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.
Dinesh Singhal for Justice of the 1st Court of Appeals, Place 3
Send us the correct answer before before February 26, 2020. Email us at indoamericannews@yahoo.com or mail to 7457 Harwin Drive, Suite 212, Houston, TX 77036. Please send us your solved Sudoku for your name to be published
Solution Next Week
Last Week’s SUDOKU Solution
Last Week’s SUDOKU Winners
Kumud Athavale Mamatha Kumar Venkataramana Vadrevu
Houston attorney Dinesh Singhal is the first Indian American to run for Justice of the 1st Court of Appeals, Place 3. Dinesh has practiced law for 27 years and is licensed to practice law in Texas, New York, California, and New Delhi. Dinesh has received several endorsements, including from the Houston Chronicle, who chose Dinesh over two of his primary opponents stating, “We recommend Dinesh Singhal, 52, who has tried more than 25 cases and handled 19 appeals. He is board-certified in civil trial law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He has a reputation for being intelligent and experienced.” Dinesh has received endorsements from distinguished human rights champions Sissy Farenthold, Muffie Moroney, Sherrie Matula, Ray & Bobbie Cohen, as well as from democratic & progressive organizations Houston Lawyers Association, Area 5 Democrats, Texas Democrats with Disabilities, Our Revolution, Bay Area New Democrats, and Greater Heights Democratic Club. Dinesh has been an active volunteer for Indian causes, including serving as a co-chair of India Studies program at the University of Houston, and as director of the International Hindi Association. Dinesh has promoted the Hindi language in Houston, including serving as an emcee for Kavi sammelans. Dinesh and his family have been attending Chinmaya Mission for years, and Dinesh has been a team leader of the Chinmaya cooking team. What also distinguishes Dinesh’s candidacy from his primary opponents is his 20+ years of civil rights work in promoting democratic
values. He has worked for the American Civil Liberties Union as a UHLC Dean Public Interest Fellow. He has served on the boards of Houston’s Iconic interfaith institution, Rothko Chapel, and on the board of Americans United for Separation of Church and State. He is currently serving on the advisory board of Rice University’s Center for Studies on Women, Gender, & Sexuality. At Rice University, Dinesh sponsored Balkishan Award for the last five years, an annual award given to a student for exploring religion’s impact on Women and social justice issues. Dinesh has been a pro-bono counsel for Houston Interfaith Worker Justice Center assisting undocumented workers to recover wages from unscrupulous employers. Dinesh has also served as the fund chair for Houston’s Voices Breaking Boundaries. The 2020 March primaries present Texas voters with decisions that may be just as important at the state and local level as the election of the President: the nomination of state judicial candidates. Our state judges make critical decisions that directly impact life and liberty. The First Court of Appeals reviews orders and judgments from all trial courts from ten counties (Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Colorado, Fort Bend, Galveston, Grimes, Harris, Waller, and Washington). As a Justice on the First Court of Appeals, Dinesh has promised never to allow injustice to evade his pen “I will review trial court judgments to ensure that the state civil, criminal, and family courts protect your rights and afford due process to all. Our courts exist to guarantee fair and impartial Justice for everyone, regardless of
means or influence.” Dinesh has held several leadership positions within the legal profession, including serving as the President of the Harris County Democratic Lawyers’ Association and as the director of the State Bar of Texas and Texas Association of Civil Trial & Appellate Specialists. Dinesh came alone to America as an international student with $500 in his pocket. As a solo/ small firm attorney for the past 20 years, he knows firsthand what it means to work hard for success. It took him 22 years to become a naturalized citizen. Dinesh has done everything possible to become a model immigrant, solid citizen, and a competent attorney to earn our support. Dinesh supports restrictions on political campaign monies from litigants or law firms who have cases in a particular court. Dinesh also supports higher qualification standards for judges and will support performance review as a basis for reelection. To achieve these goals, Dinesh has pledged that he will: • Refuse to accept campaign funds from litigants, attorneys, or law firms who are involved in any matter on my docket. • Not seek a judicial office again if the Houston Bar Association lawyers’ overall “Excellent” and “Very good” rating for me does not exceed an average of 70%. For further information or to inquire about the campaign, address inquiries to Dinesh@Singhallaw. com or call Dinesh Singhal at 713222-8500.
For Advertising in Indo-American News call:
Jawahar Malhotra
713-789-6397 Indo-American News • Friday, FEBRUARY 28, 2020 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com
SPORTS
February 28, 2020
13
India-W in Semifinals with Last-ball Win after Amelia Kerr’s Scare By Daniel Brettig Melbourne: (ESPN Cricinfo): India 8 for 133 (Verma 46, Kerr 2-21, Mair 2-27) beat New Zealand 6 for 129 (Kerr 34*) by four runs India squeezed past an errorprone New Zealand into the Twenty20 World Cup semi-finals and probable tournament favouritism, after Shafali Verma added to her tournament highlight reel and and then Harmanpreet Kaur marshalled her bowlers to suffocating effect at the Junction Oval in Melbourne. Sent in to bat by Sophie Devine, India benefited from another whip-crack start thanks to Verma, who cashed in on two dropped chances on her way to 46 off 34, after scores of 29 and 39 against Australia and Bangladesh. While the innings faded at its back end, the bowlers had been given more than enough to defend on a sluggish surface that rewarded canny slow bowling against a New Zealand side eager to get to grips with the turning ball. After Shikha Pandey struck first, Suzie Bates and Devine perished to deliveries they needed to wait just a fraction longer before hitting, and from that early loss of three wickets it was always going to be a game of catch-up. Amelia Kerr threatened when she took 18 off Poonam Yadav in the 19th
Shikha Pandey celebrates Rachel Priest’s wicket Getty Images
over, but Pandey kept her nerve to send India through as New Zealand scored 29 off the last two overs when they needed 34. There was absolutely nothing dull about Verma’s latest appearance, although it was at times on the scrappier side as both sides adjusted from the pace of Perth to the slower Junction Oval surface. A few early plays and misses gave way to boundaries, and then the sign that Verma was really in when she deposited successive deliveries from Anna Peterson over the straight boundary for sixes, when an obliging half volley was followed by an even more generous full toss. All was not well at the other end, however, after Smriti Mandhana dragged Lea Tahuhu
onto the stumps and then Taniya Bhatia’s sound supporting innings was ended with a square cut off Rosemary Mair that arrowed straight to Kerr. Verma’s innings was also to grow more ragged, as she was twice put down by New Zealand at long-on and then midwicket. Further wickets, as Jemimah Rodrigues front edged a full toss and then Kaur offered the tamest of return catches to Leigh Kasperek, contributed to a sense of claustrophobia, and Verma’s stay was to end with a catch to long-off. Spectacular as some of her shots had been, the innings was petering out. Despite a greenish tinge on the pitch, New Zealand loaded up on spin after the early overs, as
Devine called upon no fewer than seven bowlers in her efforts to slow down India. Best of the bunch was Kerr, not surprisingly, who twirled her legbreaks and variations with typical skill and was rewarded with the wickets of Verma and Veda Krishnamurthy lbw on the sweep after New Zealand opted for the recourse of the DRS. Having been 1 for 68, India declined as far as 7 for 111 before Pandey and Radha Yadav scrounged some vital runs at the death, including the only six of the innings not fired off by Verma. New Zealand were left feeling mixed about proceedings: they would probably have taken a target as low as 134 at the start of the match, but their profligacy in missing numerous chances - a
trend for several teams in the tournament so far - left a sour sense of opportunity spurned. Patience is a virtue when facing India’s spinners, not only in terms of waiting for the bad ball but also in terms of waiting for each individual ball to actually arrive. For New Zealand’s top order, this wait proved too much under World Cup pressure, as Bates and Devine played too presumptuously and too soon at balls whirring slowly down at them. Pandey’s mediums gained the first breakthrough as Priest, having already found the boundary, aimed for midwicket and could only offer a skier to be caught inside the fielding circle after it swirled tantalisingly in the breeze.
PRIVATE ROOM FOR RENT
Private room for rent in Houston / Sugarl Land call 713 373 7706.
Chemical Co. in Baytown seeking another person for its IT Dept
Position is responsible for all IT related hardware, software and process related control systems Computer Science degree required w/2 yrs. experience
Great pay w/ benefits. EOE/AAP Send resume to apply@chemicalsinc.com
Arya Samaj Greater Houston Foundation Day & 4th Annual Health Fair Saturday - Sunday April 4th – 5th 2020
$30 Online Registration Open: www.aryasamajhouston.org/healthfair Register Early for Limited Slots - EKG, Vision, Dental
BLOOD TESTING
(FASTING REQUIRED) (LIGHT BREAKFAST PROVIDED)
Sat, March 14th 8:30 – 10:30 am
CBC, CMP, Lipid Panel, TSH, Hem A1c etc.
Results Available For Health Fair Doctor Visit Registration Open Pay Online by Credit Card www.aryasamajhouston.org/healthfair
HEALTH FAIR
STHAPANA DIVAS
Saturday, April 4th, 7:00 – 1:00 pm
Sunday, April 5th, 8:00 – 1:00 pm
On-site Registration
6:30 - 8:00 am
Yoga for Obesity
8:00 – 9:30 am
Walk for Peace by Lake (B/fast provided)
7:00 am
OM Flag Hoisting
9:45 am
Yoga for Health
8:00 - 9:15
Health Awareness Lectures
9:30 - 11:15
EKG Testing with Cardiologist (Pre-registration only)
9:00 - 11:30
Yajna Yajyaroop Pravachan DAV Schools Cultural Items ASGH Presentation
10:00 am 10:35 am 10:40 am 11:10 am 11:50 am
Blood Donation Bone Marrow/ Organ Donation Ask the Doctor Many Specialists - Limited Slots (Please Prioritize and Register)
9:00 - 12:00
Aarti, Shantipath
12:05 pm
Lunch
12:15 pm
Lunch
12:00 - 1:00
11:00-12:30
14375 Schiller Road, Houston, TX 77082 (281) 752-0100 healthfair@aryasamajhouston.org
Indo-American News • Friday, February 28, 2020 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com
14
February 28, 2020
HINDU WORSHIP SOCIETY
invites devotees to attend
PATRONS
Susheela & Durga Agarwal Family Shakun Parti family Aarti Soni Rita & Bal Sareen Family Diana & Narin Sehgal Family
SPONSORS
Kirti & Devki Agarwal Family Vanita & Vijay Bhagi Family Aruna & Ravi Goel Family Sudesh & Bhisham Gupta Family Radha & Ram Gupta Family Balwant Khurana Family Surita & Satish Malhotra Family Manju & Madan Mangal Family Indu Puri Family Vijay & Suresh Sachdev Family Dipi & Raj Sethi Family Jaya & Prabhat Sharma Family Neelu & Ashok Sharma Family Meera & Rajinder Soni Family For General Information or to be a PATRON/SPONSOR contact: BAL SAREEN 337-540-6001 RAVI GOEL 713-690-3335 RAJINDER SONI 281-565-5952 For Puja information, contact Pandit Bhawani Shankar Shastri ji 832-278-0100 For Prasad or Food help, contact: ASHIMA PATEL 832-563-6689 ARUNA GOEL 281-589-9748 INDU PURI 832-520-3547 SANDHYA SINGH 832-512-6393 Diana & Narin Sehgal of Bombay Brasserie have very kindly agreed to provide the dinner prasad for all the attendees TEMPLE: 281-957-4608 www.hwstemple.org; hws.temple@gmail.com; Facebook: @hwstemple Indo-American News • Friday, FEBRUARY 28, 2020 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com
1 15 In Gratitude, Putcha Family Establishes a Sixth Endowment, the First at Rice University, in the Parents Names
COMMUNITY By Jawahar Malhotra
HOUSTON: Perhaps the greatest
tribute one can give to a family member or to a professor is to establish an Endowment in their name so that they can be remembered in perpetuity in eternal gratitude. Last year, on October 2, 2019, Mallik Putcha’s family signed an agreement with Rice University to establish an Endowment in the names of Mallik’s parents - Lakshmi Narasimham and Rama Lakshmi Putcha - in Computational Applied Mathematics to honor the his father who was a self-made mathematician. Dr. Sidney Burrus guided Mallik in this initiative, ever they got acquainted on September 28, 2010, the day IIT-Madras and Rice signed the MOU forAcademic and Research Collaboration. Mallik’s paternal grandfather passed away in 1891 when Mallik’s father Lakshmi Narasimham was about 5 years-old and had just been admitted to an elementary school in Bhimunipatnam, near Visakhapatnam,Andhra Pradesh. His 22-year-old grandmother became a single mother who, with the support from her brother, helped to raise Lakshmi Narasimham through his difficult formative years and till he became a self-made mathematician later in life. After completing his bachelor’s degree in mathematics and teacher’s training, Lakshmi Narasimham started his career around 1915 in British India in the government’s Educational Department as a mathematics teacher. He later became an Inspector of schools, and retired as the Training High School Headmaster in Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh. He and his wife, Rama Lakshmi and his mother, Lakshmi Narasamma, raised a family of 10 children five sons (who all became distinguished engineers in their professional careers) and five daughters - with Mallik being the youngest. In a similar vein, in July 2016, Mallik Putcha had established an Endowment in the School of Pharmacy at the University of Houston in the name of his beloved departed wife, Dr. Lakshmi Putcha who had been the Chief Pharmacologist at NASA-Johnson Space Center and Technical Manager of the Pharmacotherapeutics Laboratories. She had earned her master’s and doctorate degrees in Pharmacy from the University of Houston. Mallik Putcha had also established endowments in the names of four of his professors: IIT Madras Professor S. Sampath in December2016andinJanuary 2017 for UH professors who made a profound impact on
February 28, 2020
Left: The Putcha family photo collage. Counter clockwise from top left: eldest brother, P. P. V. Subrahmanya Sastry, B.E. (Hons), Guindy 1937-41, Gold Medalist, University First and Family Genius passed away in August 1941 soon afrer graduation; Prof. P. H. N. B. Sarma and Lakshmi (Eswara); Prof. V. V. L. Rao and Adi Lakshmi (Putcha); Sri. V. L. N. Sastry and Naga Lakshmi (Putcha); Prof. P. V. V. S. Sastry and Subba Lakshmi (Eswara); Sri. K. Chalapathi Rao and Savithri (Putcha); Dr. Somayajulu Durvasula and Lakshmi (Eswara); Sri. C. V. N. Murthy and Meenakshi (Putcha); Prof. K. K. Malavya and Santha (Putcha), and Mallik and Dr. Lakshmi (Ambatipudi) Putcha.
Mr. Putcha Lakshmi Narasimham & Mrs. Ramalakshmi & Family
him, Dr. Herb Hayre (EE) and Dr. Ben Ostrofsky (IE/Business Admn), and UH Clear Lake City professor, Dr. Charles McKay in Software Engineering. “These six Endowments represent Small Steps in Gratitude by a family towards their family members and professors’” said Putcha about his philanthropy, “but I hope can lead to Giant Strides in Education with the help of similar contributions by the other alumni of these institutions.” Separately, with the help of UH Electrical Engineering Chair, Dr. Badri Roysam, Mallik has arranged Dr. Herb Hayre Distinguished Lecture on March 13, 2020 by Dr. Joy Thomas, a Senior Data Scientist at Google working on Data Analytics. In the spring of this year, Putcha also plans to host other Distinguished Lectures in the names of Dr. Lakshmi Putcha, Dr. Ben Ostrofsky and Dr. Charles McKay.
Above left: At the endowment event on October 2, 2019. Sitting: Dr. Keith Cooper, Chair, CAM; Mallik Putcha, and family: Rama Lakshmi (Putcha) Pillalamarri, Ramani (Putcha) Vishnubhotla, Suneetha (Koutha) Duvvury, Kanth Duvvury, Rammurthy Pillalamarri, and Pria Pillalamarri. Standing: Sara Rice, Director, Development Office, and Erin McDowell, Director, Constituent Relations, who were instrumental to help us with the paperwork. Not pictured is Dr. Sidney Burrus. .
Above: Mallik with Elbby Antony, Director, UHCL to host a similar one along with Chris McKay in the name of Dr. Charles McKay in Software Engineering. Left: UH Pharmacy Dean, Dr. Lamar Prichard, Mallik Putcha, Dr. Diana Chow and Beth Brock, Development Officer.
Indo-AmerIcAn News news • • Friday, FrIdAy, February FebruAry 28, 28, 2020 2020 • • Online Online Edition: editiOn: www.indoamerican-news.com www.indOamerican-news.cOm Indo-American
16
February 28, 2020
Indo-American News • Friday, FEBRUARY 28, 2020 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com
February 28, 2020
India House Houston
17
Gala Anup Jalota 17 Annual Concert 29 28 th
SATURDAY MARCH
6:00 pm onwards
Sugar Land Marriott Town Square, 16090 City Walk, Sugar Land, TX 77479
CHIEF GUEST
ANUP JALOTA Padma Shri Award Winner
SPONSORSHIP LEVELS
GRAND BENEFACTOR : $100,000 •Gala Underwriter •2 Prominent Tables of 10 •Board membership •Recognition in Social & Print media, Gala Brochure •Elite & VIP Anup Jalota Concert Tickets BENEFACTOR : $50,000 •Gala Underwriter •1 Prominent Table of 10 •Board membership •Recognition in Social & Print media, Gala Brochure •Elite & VIP Anup Jalota Concert Tickets GRAND PATRON : $25,000 •1 Prominent Table of 10 •Board membership •Recognition in Social & Print media, Gala Brochure •Elite & VIP Anup Jalota Concert Tickets
SUNDAY MARCH
6:00 - 8:00 pm
India House 8888 West Bellfort Avenue, Houston, TX 77031
An Evening of Unforgettable Geet, Ghazals, & Bhajans TICKETS: $25 $35 $75 (VIP) Elite: By invitation only BUY TICKETS AT: www.indiahouseinc.org/anupjalotaconcert
PATRON: $10,000 •1 Table of 10 •Council membership •Recognition in Social & Print media, Gala Brochure •VIP Anup Jalota Concert Tickets SPONSOR: $5,000 •1 Table of 10 •Council membership •Recognition in Social media, Gala Brochure •VIP Anup Jalota Concert Tickets FRIENDS OF INDIA HOUSE: $2,500 •1 Table of 10 •Council membership •Recognition in Gala Brochure •VIP Anup Jalota Concert Tickets INDIVIDUAL TICKET: $175 ($150 before March 6) •Anup Jalota Concert Ticket COUPLE TICKET: $300 ( $250 before March 6) •Anup Jalota Concert Tickets
BUY TICKETS AT: www.indiahouseinc.org/gala2020
FOR SPONSORSHIP / TICKETS / INQUIRIES vipin@indiahouseinc.org | 713-929-1900 | www.indiahouseinc.org Indo-American News • Friday, February 28, 2020 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com
18 February 28, 2020 Health Fair at Arya Samaj Houston The Sixth Principle of Arya Samaj states: The prime object of Arya Samaj is to do good to the entire world, particularly physical, spiritual and social progress. The well-known shloka equates happiness with good health: Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah, Sarve Santu Niramaya. Both statements mean the same: any lasting happiness must be preceded by good health. Indeed, Maharshi Kapila in his treatise on Saamkhya uses the term Svastha (healthy) in a literal sense – Sva (Self) + Stha (positioned). That is, one who is capable of established in his own self after deep meditation is truly a successful person. This requires one to be healthy in both physical and mental domains. Thus, Arya Samaj Greater Houston educates people in meditation practices to smoothen an agitated and stressful mind – every Sunday 10 am. Yoga exercises are held every Saturday & Sunday, 8:00-9:30 am. True to its objective of holistic development of the community, Arya Samaj Houston has organized a comprehensive health fair coinciding with its Foundation Day on Sunday, 5th April. For the first time, the Health Fair has two components: blood test on Saturday 14th March, 8:30-10:30 am, followed by consultation with specialist doctors on Saturday 4th April, 9:30 am - 12:30 pm. The idea behind the gap between the two components is to ensure that the blood test results are available for consultation with doctors. The number of specialist doctors will be much larger than that were on the previous occasions. The opportunity is available for highly subsidized cost of $30, by registration at www.aryasamajhouston.org/healthfair. Fasting is recommended for Blood tests on 14th March morning. Light healthy breakfast will be provided afterwards. The second component on 4th April has been planned in a very elaborate manner to include morning walk, Yoga exercises, specialist doctors’ talks and oneto-one consultations. The program outline is: Walk by Lake 7:00 am, Yoga for Health 8:00 - 9:15, breakfast followed by Health Awareness Lectures, EKG Testing with Cardiologist review and very popular Ask the Doctor segment followed by Lunch at 12:00. There will be an opportunity for blood donation & bone marrow registration too. The Foundation Day of Arya Samaj Houston will be celebrated Sunday, 5th April as: Yoga for Obesity 8:00 – 9:30 am, OM Flag Hoisting 9:45 am, Yajnya 10:00 am, Pravachan 10:40 am, DAV Schools Cultural Items, Aarti & Shantipath concluding with Lunch. Arya Samaj Houston is located at 14375 Schiller Road, Houston, TX 77082. For more information, call (281) 752-0100, or write to: healthfair@aryasamajhouston. org.
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, FEBRUARY 28, 2020 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com
February 28, 2020
Indo-American News • Friday, February 28, 2020 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com
1008_2020_Deposit_Compaign_Indo_American News_10x13_Eng.indd 1
19
2/21/20 1:57 PM
20
February 28, 2020
Indo-American News • Friday, FEBRUARY 28, 2020 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com