Saathee Raleigh February 2026 by Shukla Entertainment

Hello Readers

We have many interesting articles gathered for you in this issue. They range from upcoming movies, a story about India’s Urban Forests to the NC Ferry System. Don’t forget our famous AstroScope, giving you predictions for the month. Stay warm as winter completes its grip.

We welcome comments and suggestions for our upcoming issues of Saathee. Just drop us a note at one of our emails.

Remember that when you call or visit one of our advertisers, be sure to mention that you saw their ad in Saathee Magazine, Saathee.com or the weekly e-Newsletter. We can’t bring this resource to you without their continuing support. Visit Saathee.com for regularly updated content.

Some highlights in this issue:

♦ Find all the winter Upcoming Movies in our section on page 34 and Film Clips on page 36.

♦ Read about "The Growth Mistakes South-Asian Founders Make — and How to Avoid Them" in the article on page 42.

♦ The latest Classiﬁeds are on page 108.

We would be happy to add anyone in the Carolinas to the Saathee Magazine mailing list at no charge, visit saathee.com/subscription and also sign up for our free weekly e-newsletter.

“Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive.”

- Dalai Lama

Cover:

Murudeshwara Temple, Karnataka

Murudeshwara Temple is located in Karnataka, on the coast of the Arabian Sea. It is dedicated to Shiva and a 20-story Raja Gopura was constructed at the temple in 2008.

Adobe Stock

“Bridging America and the Indian Subcontinent.”

February 2026 Issue # 333

Editor Samir Shukla (Samir@Saathee.com)

Publisher & Advertising

Divakar Shukla 704-527-7570 or saatheemag@hotmail.com

Digital Media & Marketing

Jennifer W. Allen

Ad Design / Layout

DSJ Graphics, Cooper’s Hive and Manimaran

Contributors for this issue: Taige Shukla, Kirsten Moon, Preethi Sriram, Dipika Kohli, Rishi P. Oza, Shyama Parui, Girish Modi, Haripriya Srinivasan, Hiren Deliwala, Ananya Sinha Payal Nanjiani, Anuj Kasera, and Jalendu Vaidya.

Mission: Our goal is to be a valuable source of information for the South Asian community and to be a vital advertising tool for businesses.

Saathee (USPS 021-116) (ISSN: 1543-8147) is published monthly by: Shukla Entertainment Inc.

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Opinions expressed herein are those of the writers and advertisers and not necessarily of the publisher or editor. Please contact us prior to submitting articles or photographs. Saathee is published monthly. Deadlines for advertisement, submissions and events information is 15th of the month.

Photo:

Editor’s Desk Editor’s Desk

by Samir Shukla

Turn Signals

There it was, again. The red Honda. The car had clearly been through a few fender benders. The rear fender was dangling a bit and one of the windows was cracked. There were visible dents on the car. The driver zipped by once again, almost scraping the passenger’s side of my car along with the one ahead of me. He was zigzagging through traffic, speeding, getting ahead of others, and then falling behind because of the heavy traffic. Most people were navigating at cautious speeds required during rush hour. This guy was not and, unless he had some type of emergency, there was no reason to play a racing game in this heavy traffic.

These types of drivers are sadly a little too common on the roads. These include the racers, impatient lane changers, along with those who are distracted via various means.

The slow moving traﬃc wasn’t letting up on this major thoroughfare on the southern edge of town. I drove on, scanning the perimeter. Just as I thought he was gone, the red Honda reappeared, restless and looking for any small space in front of cars, so he could squeeze in and get ahead of others. His presence on the highway created many chances for an accident. Other irate drivers let him know of his recklessness through loud lingering horns, but to no avail.

Eventually he took an exit and disappeared. During all the zigzagging, he never used his turn signals.

When on the road, why is such an easy task ignored by some? The very easy task of using turn signals. The little blinking lights give other drivers a bit of warning and likely can help avoid some accidents. Most people have learned to use their signals instinctively.

Unfortunately, after over 45 years of driving, I’ve noticed an increase in restless, impatient, and distracted drivers in recent years. These are signs of our times.

This seemingly minor thing, using turn signals or not using them, has parallels in our daily existence. I don’t mean just when we are driving, I’m talking about the invisible, psychological signals, buried deep in our psyches and emotions.

Editor’s Desk continued on page 110

Upcoming Events

A Conversation with Kamala Harris: Carolinas & Georgia

(February 3 - 11, 2026)

Kamala Harris, former presidential candidate and Vice President, is on a speaking tour for her book and experiences as a candidate. The tour stops on February 3 - 11, 2026 at diﬀerent locations in the Carolinas and Georgia. Visit Ticketmaster.com for dates and tickets.

Triangle Wine and Food Experience: Raleigh, NC (February 5 – 7, 2026)

Dog Days of Winter: Charlotte, NC (February 7, 2026)

Celebrate winter with your furry friends on Saturday, February 7, 2026, featuring a variety of activities ranging from a 5K trail race, adoption events, clinics, ice rink access, doggy vendors and more. Admission is free. Details: Whitewater.org.

Hot Chocolate Run: Charlotte, NC (February 14, 2026)

The Triangle Wine & Food Experience has grown to become one of the leading charity wine auctions in the nation with all proceeds beneﬁting the Frankie Lemmon School & Development Center. Held annually, this year is on February 5 – 7, 2026, chefs, restaurants, wineries, and spirit brands from all over the world come together to participate in this three-day aﬀair. Dinners and tastings all culminate in an auction. Info: Frankielemmonfoundation.org/twfe.

North Carolina Jazz Festival: Wilmington, NC (February 5 – 7, 2026)

Enjoy one of the largest traditional jazz festivals in the Southeast from February 5 - 7, 2026. This musical weekend presents four-hour concerts featuring 15 sets with six or seven musicians per set (each with a diﬀerent leader). Come experience some fantastic musicians from around the globe. Learn more details at Ncjazzfestival.org.

Carolina Chocolate Festival: Morehead City, NC (February 6 – 7, 2026) The festival will take place between February 6 & 7, 2026 at the Crystal Coast Civic Center in Morehead City. Packed with activities from tastings, demonstrations and Pro/Am and bake-oﬀs. Info: Carolinachocolatefestival.com.

America’s sweetest run is back with another Sketchers Hot Chocolate Run in Charlotte on February 14, 2026. With 5K, 10K, and 15K distances and a post-run party with a chocolate celebration. It will take place at First Ward Park as the ﬁrst race starts at 7:30am with gear checks 60 minutes before each race. Enjoy in one of Charlotte’s newest urban parks with music, vendors, and a Chocoholic ﬁnisher’s mug full of fondue, dippables, and hot chocolate. Learn more at Hotchocolate15k.com/city/charlotte.

Beaufort International Film Festival: (February 17 – 22, 2026)

The 20th annual Beaufort International Film Festival, coupled with fun and thought-provoking films, events and series, is committed to serving the community via entertainment, outreach, and education through film. For more details and a list of films being screened, visit Beaufortfilmfestival.com.

Zarna Garg Live: Charlotte, NC (February 20, 2026)

Stand-up comedian and screenwriter Zarna Garg will perform live at the Fillmore, 820 Hamilton St., Charlotte on Friday, February 20, 2026, beginning at 7pm. For details call 980-266-6460 or visit Ticketmaster.com.

Wilmington Marathon: (February 28, 2026)

Tagged as Beach to Boardwalk, the annual event is a fast-paced race where participants run by the beach and through historic Wilmington, NC downtown. For more details on this scenic run, visit Wilmingtonncmarathon.com.

Harish Raghavendra Live: Raleigh, NC (February 28, 2026)

Harish Raghavendra will perform live on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at 6pm, at Imaginx, 3000 Wakeﬁeld Crossing Dr., Raleigh, NC. For details, call 609-238-1773 or write to haikueventz@gmail.com.

Charleston Wine + Food: (March 4 – 8, 2026)

Charleston Wine + Food infuses homegrown ﬂavor with top chefs, winemakers, authors, storytellers, artisans, experts, and food enthusiasts from around the globe for an event that spans the weekend of March 4-8, 2026. For more information, visit Chswf.org.

SHIVA DANCE CENTER

● KATHAK DANCE CLASSES for all age groups (females only).

● TABLA CLASSES from age 5 years and above, male and female. Students must have own tabla.

● SEMI-CLASSICAL DANCE classes for females of age 9 and above.

● ON-LINE CLASSES for Atlanta area students only.

• Owned and operated by Neena Jha who has been teaching the authentic form of Classical Kathak dance since 1982.

• Neena's discipline & devotion to this art form is to preserve the authenticity of Classical Kathak.

• Deciple of Guru Natraj Shri Shanker Dev Jha, she is proficient in the Jaipur & Lucknow Gharana of this art form.

Individual and Group Classes begin Feb 2026 Registration open for ages 4 & over Contact Neena for details

choreography

All Students must come in white outfits comfortable for dance. Group classes on Friday and Saturdays.

Upcoming Events

Queen City Holi: Charlotte, NC (March 7, 2026)

Celebrate the festival of colors with Queen City Holi on Saturday, March 7, 2026. The event features Bollywood and Bhangra DJs, live dhol, organic colors, food and drinks. It will take place at Victoria Yards, Charlotte, NC. For more details, visit Qcdesi.com.

Green River Revival: Charlotte, NC (March 14, 2026)

Kick-oﬀ springtime festivities with Green River Revival. Watch as the Whitewater Center’s resident leprechaun transforms the river green for St Patrick’s Day. Start the day with the Color Me Green 5K Trail run beginning at 9am before rafting down the river, doing yoga, and listening to live music. Info: Whitewater.org.

NuvYug India Fest: Raleigh, NC (March 21, 2026)

The annual NuvYug India Fest takes place on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at Jim Graham Building at State Fairgrounds, 4285 Trinity Rd., Raleigh, NC. Enjoy performances, exhibits, food, vendors, kids’ activities and more. Admission is free. For more details, visit Nuvyug.org.

Kumar Sanu & Sadhana Sargam Live in Concert:

Charlotte, NC (March 21, 2026)

Legendary singers Kumar Sanu and Sadhana Sargam will perform their many favorites with a live band on Saturday, March 21, 2026, 7:30pm at Ovens Auditorium, Charlotte, NC. Enjoy nonstop hits from ﬁlms spanning decades. For tickets, visit Ticketmaster.com

All Things AI Conference:

Durham, NC (March 22 – 24, 2026)

All Things AI is a conference focused on emerging tech tools, processes, and the people that make open source possible. Geared towards an audience of designers, developers, decision-makers, and entrepreneurs of all skill levels with plenty of networking opportunities. This year the conference will take place at the Carolina Theatre and Durham Convention Center. Info: Durhamconventioncenter.com.

Hilton Head Wine & Food Festival (March 22 – 28, 2026)

Come experience the Hilton Head Wine and Food Festival during the week of March 22 - 28, 2026. The festival will celebrate its 41st year with local chef showcases, wine education sessions, live entertainment and of course the famed Grand and Public Tastings, all located in and around the iconic Harbour Town in Sea Pines Resort. Details available at Hiltonheadwineandfood.com.

Charlotte Area Chamber Business Expo: (March 25, 2026)

This event brings together local and regional business leaders for a day of networking, collaboration, and innovation. Showcase your business, elevate your brand, and connect with a highly engaged audience of potential partners, clients, and investors. Propel your growth and seize

new opportunities at this premier gathering of industry professionals! Free to attend but requires registration. It will take place on Wednesday, March 25, 2024, 10 am – 4pm at The Park Expo & Conference Center. For more details, visit: Charlotteareachamber.com.

Reedy

Reels Film Festival: Greenville, SC (March 27 – 29, 2026)

The Reedy Reels Film Festival promotes the appreciation of the art of filmmaking while generating support for independent filmmakers, especially in the Upstate. The festival engages the community and creates exposure for local filmmaking while building inspiration and new opportunities for local artists. The 11th annual festival will take place from March 27-29, 2026, at various venues in Greenville, SC. Find out more by visiting Reedyreels.com.

Chitraveena Concert: Charlotte, NC (March 29, 2026)

The Classical Music Association of Charlotte (CMAC) presents a Chitraveena performance by Vishaal Sapuram and party on Sunday, March 29, 2026, at 4 pm in Gandhi Bhavan, Hindu Center. For more details, visit Onlinecmac.org.

Keep up with all the events happening in our region with Saathee Magazine. The best way to find them is in these pages or online at our regularly updated events section: Saathee.com/events

Cybotz Robotics: Building Beyond Bots

Community Focus

by Ananya Sinha

In a makerspace in Charlotte, North Carolina, a group of South-Asian American students build, code, and laugh over the same ﬁeld where college-bound seniors and middle-school rookies bond over their passion for innovation.

This is Cybotz, an FTC robotics team that also operates as a registered nonproﬁt. What started as a passion in 2021 has become a nationally recognized machine for hands-on STEM education.

What sets Cybotz apart, however, is the way they stitch together technical excellence and community impact. Beyond being ranked as one of the top teams in North Carolina, Cybotz has cultivated a culture that treats technology as a responsibility to serve the community.

In 2024, the team launched its Fix-It Filament Initiative, recycling 22 kilograms of ﬁlament, recommissioning 26 broken 3D printers, and building two high-speed, custom CoreXY printers to accelerate prototyping in its beginning year. Distributed to local teams, the organization provided students who wouldn’t have ever fathomed working with advanced 3D print the opportunity to do so.

While Cybotz’s rapid-prototyping improvements fuel competitive success, the team measures its impact in wider terms, such as pages of code taught to learners of all ages, global webinars hosted, and countless students mentored.

One standout initiative is Quiz Clash, an AIpowered, completely free platform that gamiﬁes the current FTC DECODE season. With over 1,000 rulebook questions, adaptive diﬃculty, and both individual and team play modes, Quiz Clash

Cybotz continued on page 96

Global Power Struggles Over the Ocean’s Finite Resources Call for Creative Diplomacy

Global Power Struggles Over the Ocean’s Finite Resources Call for Creative

Diplomacy

By Jonas Gamso

Oceans shape everyday life in powerful ways. They cover 70% of the planet, carry 90% of global trade, and support millions of jobs and the diets of billions of people. As global competition intensiﬁes and climate change accelerates, the world’s oceans are also becoming the front line of 21st-century geopolitics.

How policymakers handle these challenges will aﬀect food supplies, the price of goods and national security.

Right now, international cooperation is under strain, but there are many ways to help keep the peace. The tools of diplomacy range from formal international agreements, like the High Seas Treaty for protecting marine life, which went into eﬀect on Jan. 17, 2026, to deals between countries, to eﬀorts led by companies, scientists and issue-focused organizations.

Examples of each can be found in how the world is dealing with rising tensions over Arctic shipping, seafloor mining and overfishing. As researchers in international trade and diplomacy at Arizona State University in the Thunderbird School of Global Management’s Ocean Diplomacy Lab, we work with groups affected by ocean pressures like these to identify diplomatic tools – both inside and outside government – that can help avoid conflict.

Arctic shipping: New sea lanes, new risks

As the Arctic Ocean’s sea ice cover diminishes, shipping routes that were once impassable most of the year are opening up.

For companies, these routes – such as the Northern Sea Route along Russia’s coast and the Northwest Passage through Canada’s Arctic Archipelago – promise shorter transit times, lower fuel costs and fewer choke points than traditional passages.

However, Arctic shipping also raises complex challenges.

The U.S., Russia, China and several European countries have each taken steps to establish an economic and military presence in the Arctic Ocean, often with overlapping claims and competing strategic aims. For example, Russia closed oﬀ access to much of the Barents Sea while it conducted missile tests near Norway in 2025. NATO has also been patrolling the same sea.

Geopolitical tensions compound the practical dangers in Arctic waters that are poorly charted, where emergency response capacity is limited and where extreme weather is common.

As more commercial vessels move through these waters, a serious incident – whether triggered by a political confrontation or weather – could be diﬃcult to contain and costly for marine ecosystems and global supply chains.

Oceans continued on page 93

A Love Lost is Not a Tragedy, But a Triumph A Love Lost is Not a Tragedy, But a Triumph

Mirror, Mirror

by Jennifer Allen

“If you cannot hold me in your arms, then hold my memory in high regard. And if I cannot be in your life, then at least let me live in your heart.”

~ Ranata Suzuki

When you settle down with the intention to watch, read, or listen to a work of fiction labeled as “romance,” you’re pretty confident on how the story will end because of it. Obviously there will be a journey through which two people meet, grow attracted to one another, eventually admit their feelings, and finally culminate in a beautiful kiss in each other’s arms as the camera either pans in or out on that final, gratifyingly tender moment.

The typical draw of these tales often entails an assorted sequence of events that said two people experience in order to eventually fall for one another.

The sheer number of methods employed to reach this result are far and wide, and some work better than others. Fundamentally, we as an audience want the story arc’s structure to be satisfying enough to earn that “happily ever after” ending.

For better or worse, many of us thrive on a good romance… to the point a grandiose scale of South Asian cinema still tends to lean in that direction. When given the chance to observe a character’s progression to ﬁnd love, we conceivably tap into every situation they encounter and in doing so, experience similar emotions along the way.

I freely admit to being an admirer of these types of stories, as I feel love is a fundamental part of what makes you who you are as a person. I have a small collection of “feel good” romance tales I revisit once in a while to savor those moments… those emotions… and achieve contentment upon their conclusions. To me, these romances are like a warm, soft blanket one can snuggle into whenever needed.

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All the People Surprises

Kismuth and the Way

by Dipika Kohli

Have you ever encountered someone who is kind of, for lack of a better word, insist-y? Who tend to run at high temperatures and pop easily if you oﬀend them? I have. Too many.

I’m not jaded or a cynic, I promise. But I want to write this in case someone reading is in denial, as I had been once when a kind acquaintance, who works in healthcare, told me after reading a piece I wrote, ‘The opposite is also true.’ I had made excuses for poor behavior of people I felt obligated to give attention to. Her note was frank caution: Not everyone who says they have your back really will.

I’ve been thinking about this a lot. Someone I knew in Durham said when you run a crowdfunding campaign, you will ﬁnd out really fast who your friends are. I think she meant the way it felt to be told you ought not to be doing that. I guess that it’s not easy for some people to like it when other people are trying things in earnest that they want to try in this society we have. But she also said it was good learning about how to ﬁlter. Do you lose that much, really, if you say no to people who dismiss you, or aren’t curious, or outright insult you?

‘Human contacts are dangerous [because] they matter so much, and no one knows how much they matter. Even the most trivial meeting makes a difference, slight or lasting, to one or both,’ said George Vickers, who was profiled in a book on systems thinking. ‘Intimate contacts make heaven and hell, they can heal and tear, kill and raise from the dead. These contacts are the fields in which we succeed or fail. I believe they matter far more than anything else in life. What we are is written on the people whom we have met and known, touched, loved, hated and passed by. It is the lives of others that testify for or against us, not our own.’ (Systems Thinkers. Sprinter: Rampage, Shipp, London, 2009)

But how do you know which contacts make heaven, and which ones make hell? Who heals, and who tears? Even the most trivial meeting makes a diﬀerence. Discernment matters, here. A lot. Whether work or personal relationships, you have a choice. To stay or go. To try or not try. To give, or to keep yourself occupied with other things that grow you. That choice is yours.

Kismuth continued on page 80

Next Gen Leo Club: Teens with Heart, Making Waves

Community

Focus by

Haripriya Srinivasan

At the Next Gen Leo Club, teens gain Leadership, Experience, and Opportunity (LEO) while turning ideas into action, building skills, and serving with compassion. Founded in July 2025 and sponsored by the Waxhaw Lions Club, the club empowers teens ages 12–18 to make a meaningful diﬀerence in their communities. Next Gen Leo Club operates as a nonproﬁt organization.

In a world that often underestimates young people, the Next Gen Leo Club proves that age is no barrier to making a real diﬀerence. By turning ideas into action, members gain conﬁdence, leadership skills, and a lifelong commitment to service, learning that serving others is not just an activity, but a way of life.

Rooted in the cultural value of seva—selﬂess service— the club reﬂects the lessons many teens learn at home: giving back, helping others, and strengthening the community.

A Club That Grows with Its Members

The Next Gen Leo Club champions eight global causes— Vision, Hunger, Diabetes, Childhood Cancer, Environment, Disaster Relief, Humanitarian Eﬀorts, and Youth—and will expand its mission by adding Mental Health & Well-Being.

From an interest meeting of just 8 members in July 2025, the club grew to 39 members by November 2025. This milestone was celebrated at a formal Installation Ceremony, where District Governor Juanita Brown presented the Charter Certiﬁcate to Leo President Mahathi Mani and CoChair Monique Nicolson.

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India’s Urban Forests Can Help Cool Cities

If Planners Understand What Nature and People Need

By Dhanapal Govindarajulu

For many years, I lived in the Indian city of Chennai where the summer temperatures can reach up to 44°C (111°F). With a population of 4.5 million, this coastal city is humid and hot.

Its suburbs are home to 600 Hindu temples and there’s a wildlife reserve called Guindy national park in the heart of the city. Trees line some of the streets, but green parks are few and far between – as is the shade.

As urbanization accelerates across India and the rest of the developing world, urban forests become more vital. These clusters of trees in parks, gardens, public spaces and along roads and rivers in urban areas have multiple beneﬁts – from cooling the surrounding air to providing homes for wildlife and creating space for people to enjoy nature. Yet they are often overlooked by city developers.

My research shows that, in Chennai, there are 26 square miles of trees and other vegetation cover, mainly accounted for by formal green spaces such as Guindy wildlife reserve. On the outskirts of this city, an area of nine square miles of unused land is ideally suited to creating more urban forest. Similarly, there is more potential space for urban forests in other fast urbanizing Indian cities like Coimbatore and Tiruchirapalli.

Global urban planning guidelines recommend having at least 30% tree cover in urban areas. The World Health Organization suggests that cities should allow for nine square meters of urban tree cover per person. Most Indian cities don’t meet this requirement.

Improving urban forests in India has been a challenge for many years due to high land prices, lack of urban planning and little public participation in tree-planting initiatives.

Policies introduced by the Indian government to “green” urban areas often equate tree planting with Urban Forests continued on page 90

Upcoming Movie Releases

February 6

Vadh 2 (Director: Jaspal Singh Sandhu)

Cast: Sanjay Mishra and Neena Gupta

The Third Parent (Director: David Michaels)

Cast: Rob Lowe, Roselyn Sánchez, and Crispin Glover

Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain: Fun on The Run (Director: Shashank Bali)

Cast: Aasif Sheikh, Shubhangi Atre Poorey, and Vidisha Srivastav

Solo Mio (Directors: Chuck Kinnane & Dan Kinnane)

Cast: Kevin James, Alyson Hannigan, and Kim Coates

Haunted 3D: Ghosts of The Past

(Director: Vikram Bhatt)

Cast: Mahaakshay Chakraborty and Chetna Pande

Euphoria (Director: Gunasekhar)

Cast: Bhumika Chawla, Sara Arjun, Rohith, and Vignesh Gavireddy

February 13

Wuthering Heights (Director: Emerald Fennell)

Cast: Margot Robbie, Jacob Elordi, and Shazad Latif

Crime 101 (Director: Bart Layton)

Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruﬀalo, Nick Nolte, and Halle Berry

Tu Yaa Main (Director: Bejoy Nambiar)

Cast: Adarsh Gourav and Shanaya Kapoor

Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die (Director: Gore Verbinski)

Cast: Sam Rockwell, Haley Lu Richardson, and Asim Chaudhry

O’ Romeo (Director: Bejoy Nambiar)

Cast: Shahid Kapoor, Nana Patekar, Triptii Dimri, and Avinash Tiwary

Cold Storage (Director: Jonny Campbell)

Cast: Georgina Campbell, Joe Keery, Liam Neeson, and Vanessa Redgrave

Funky (Director: K V Anudeep)

Cast: Vishwak Sen and Kayadu Lohar

By Design (Director: Amanda Kramer)

Cast: Juliette Lewis, Mamoudou Athie, and Melanie Griﬃth

Swayambhu (Director: Bharat Krishnamachari)

Cast: Nikhil Siddhartha, Samyuktha, and Nabha Natesh

February 20

Protector (Director: Adrian Grünberg)

Cast: Milla Jovovich, D B Sweeney, and Matthew Modine

Do Deewane Seher Mein (Director: Ravi Udyawar)

Cast: Siddhant Chaturvedi and Mrunal Thakur

I Can Only Imagine 2

(Director: Andrew Erwin & Brent McCorkle)

Cast: John Michael Finley, Sophie Skelton, and Dennis Quaid

Veer Murarbaji: The Battle of Purandar (Director: Ajay–Anirudh)

Cast: Ankit Mohan, Sourabh Raaj Jain, and Dipika Chikhlia

February 27

Scream 7 (Director: Kevin Williamson)

Cast: Neve Campbell, Isabel May, Mark Consuelos, and Courteney Cox

In the Blink of an Eye (Director: Andrew Stanton)

Cast: Kate McKinnon, Rashida Jones, and Daveed Diggs

Dreams (Director: Michel Franco)

Cast: Jessica Chastain, Isaac Hernández, and Rupert Friend

Saathee.com/movies has the latest info on where the movies are showing or streaming. All dates subject to change.

Euphoria

In a time of rising youth crime and fading values, society confronts hard questions about raising children and seeking justice, as a new generation struggles with ambition and moral choices. The Telugu ﬁlm is directed by Gunasekhar and stars Bhumika Chawla, Sara Arjun, Rohith, and Vignesh Gavireddy. February 6, 2026.

The President’s Cake

The acclaimed story is about the 9-year-old Lamia struggling through war and food shortages to prepare a mandatory cake for her school in 1990’s Iraq. Baneen Ahmed Nayyef stars and leads an ensemble cast directed by Hasan Hadi. February 6, 2026.

Crime 101

When a thief whose highstakes heists unfold along the iconic 101 freeway in LA eyes the score of a lifetime, his path collides with an insurance broker who is facing her own crossroads, forcing the two to collaborate. A detective closes in on the operation. Bart Layton directs Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruﬀalo, Nick Nolte, and Halle Berry. February 13, 2026.

Jimpa

Hannah and her teenager Frances visit her gay grandfather in Amsterdam. Frances expresses a desire to stay with their grandfather for a year, challenging Hannah’s parenting beliefs and forcing her to confront the past. Directed by Sophie Hyde and starring John Lithgow and Olivia Colman. February 13, 2026.

O’Romeo

Director Vishal Bhardwaj tells the tale of a romance inspired by true events. Set against the backdrop of unrequited love, O’Romeo stars Shahid Kapoor and Triptii Dimri in a deeply emotional and turbulent narrative that explores passion, pain, and the irreversible consequences of love denied. February 13, 2026.

The Bluﬀ

Directed by Frank E. Flowers and starring Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Karl Urban, the action thriller ﬁlm takes viewers on pirate adventure of love and revenge. Filmed in the Cayman Islands. February 25, 2026.

The Bride!

In 1930s Chicago, Frankenstein asks Dr. Euphronius to help create a companion. They give life to a murdered woman as The Bride, sparking romance, police interest, and radical social change. Maggie Gyllenhaal directs Christian Bale, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Jessie Buckley. March 6, 2026.

Naushad’s Emotional Symphony of Love and Despair

My Voice by Girish Modi

In the golden age of Hindi cinema, a rare mix of talent gave rise to songs that didn’t just entertain but endured. Three legends stood at the heart of this emotional legacy: Lata Mangeshkar, Shakeel Badayuni and Naushad. Together, they crafted melodies that were not mere compositions but emotional rollercoasters of longing, love, betrayal and rebellion. While Badayuni’s poetry gave voice to women caught between desire and social norms, Naushad’s music sculpted their emotional terrain and Lata’s haunting voice turned these stories into living memory.

Let’s compare some of these songs one by one. In the song “Mere Jeevan Saathi Kali Thi Main to Pyasi” (Saathi, 1968), the heroine confesses emotional barrenness before love. Badayuni’s metaphors bloom with contradictions, while Naushad’s score glows with tenderness, and Lata’s voice radiates warmth. “Lagan More Man Ki” (Babul, 1950) similarly captures modesty and tradition. Naushad’s composition mirrors the heroine’s restraint, while Lata’s voice softly expresses her desire.

In “Ghoonghat Nahin Kholoongi Saiyan Tore Aage” (Mother India, 1957), the heroine chooses modesty over emotions. Yet, the classic song “Pyar Kiya to Darna Kya” (Mughal-e-Azam, 1960) is a melodic rebellion. The protagonist Anarkali declares love in the face of royal wrath.

Naushad continued on page 80

A still from the film Mughal-e-Azam, music composed by Naushad

The Endless Quest for Equality

Namaskar, Y’all by Shyama Parui

In mid-January as Buddhist monks passed through the Carolinas on their “Walk for Peace”, I was amazed to see the overwhelmingly positive posts about them featured in social media. Bhikkhu Paññākāra, the spiritual leader of this pilgrimage explains, “We walk not to protest, but to awaken the peace that already lives within each of us.”

The Walk for Peace is a simple yet meaningful reminder that unity and kindness begin within each of us and can radiate outward to families, communities, and society as a whole.

In a world where we are constantly bombarded with disturbing news and are surrounded by negativity, this beautiful message is just as powerful as it is profound. It ignites hope for a better future where perhaps equality is fundamental.

In the words of Martin Luther King Jr., “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Yet, one comes across examples of unfairness daily. One could surmise that 99% of people believe in equality but I doubt that more than 1% will agree on any given deﬁnition of equality.

Personally, I believe that equality (i.e. equal rights and respect for all) either exists or it does not, but others may not think of it as an absolute concept. For example, men may mistakenly think that they support gender equality because they “permit” their wives and daughters to pursue a career and that is suﬃcient even though it is far from complete.

In an entertaining scenario, actor Farhan Akhtar’s character in the Hindi movie, Dil Dhadakne Do, explains how this idea simply offers a small token of equality and a man’s self-imposed authority to “allow” what a woman can do, implies that the male head of the family is in a superior position. Let’s take another example. Made in Heaven, where a drama series about wedding planners in Delhi delicately weaves social issues related to marriage. In an episode that tackled castebased prejudice, a traditional upper caste male character fumes, “equality ki bhi hadh hoti hai” which translates to, “there is a limit to equality.” These realistic, albeit fictitious situations reflect the reluctance of individuals to fully accept other humans as equals.

History has borne witness to the lack of parity across time and cultures. Even today, there are some states that sanction unfair practices to weaken certain groups based on gender, socio economic status or religion. Even in stable, democratic countries which

The Growth Mistakes South-Asian Founders Make — and How to Avoid Them The Growth Mistakes South-Asian Founders Make — and How to Avoid Them

Executive & Career Coach

by Payal Nanjiani

Mohit wanted to leave his job and start his own medical clinic. He had spent 13 years as a general physician at a well-known hospital in Michigan. Since moving from India to the U.S., he had always dreamed of opening his own clinic. Now, with enough savings and conﬁdence, he was ready to do it.

Mohit left his hospital job and opened his own clinic. He hired a good team and advertised in a few places to spread the word. The clinic made a profit in its first year, and patients kept coming, mostly through word of mouth. But after five years, growth stalled.

Mohit put in more eﬀort. He increased his advertising and hired more staﬀ.

Still, nothing improved.

He had hit the founder-led growth ceiling, a point many South Asian founders reach without knowing why.

When Hard Work Isn’t Enough

Like many Indian and South Asian entrepreneurs in the U.S., Mohit believed that being good at his work would naturally lead to growth. He thought that if he just kept trying, things would get better.

But growth doesn’t slow down because people aren’t working hard enough. It slows down because of problems with strategy, positioning, and understanding the market.

Coach continued on page 72

Still Aﬂoat: NC Ferry System Gets Boost but Challenges Remain Still Aﬂoat: NC Ferry System Gets Boost but Challenges Remain

Lawmakers approved an extra $7 million, but the ferry division still needs tens of millions of dollars more to cover rising maintenance and other long-term costs.

By Jacob Biba

North Carolina’s ferry system transports passengers to the hard-to-reach areas and islands in the eastern portion of the state, including Ocracoke. It also plays a critical role in evacuating locals and visitors during hurricanes or other strong storms that often threaten the coast.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation oversees the ferry system, which operates seven year-round routes plus one seasonal route.

The system has more than 20 ships in its ﬂeet, not including support vessels. It transported more than 1.5 million passengers in 2024.

North Carolina’s ferry system has been in operation for more than 75 years and is the second largest state-run operation in the nation behind Washington state. It’s the only form of public transportation for some Outer Banks residents.

What funding challenges does the ferry system face?

The ferry system’s annual operating budget totals more than $70 million. Of that, labor and fuel costs make up about 70%. Maintenance, equipment, supplies and other costs round out the remainder.

Earlier this year, the budget stalemate between state lawmakers in the House and Senate put ferry service in North Carolina at risk. At issue was $7 million needed to fund ferry operations and external shipyard work, including repairs for Sea Level, a ship that runs between Ocracoke and the mainland.

Lawmakers ultimately approved the funding measure in October 2025.

“That’s going to go a long ways in ensuring that we have the boats we need for next summer,” Jed Dixon, the ferry division’s director, told lawmakers during a November meeting of the Joint Legislative Transportation Oversight Committee. “And it also will help with our overall reliability.”

Still, the ferry system faces several funding challenges.

At the same meeting, Dixon said the ferry system’s shipyard is “in dire need of infrastructure improvements” and has limited space for work.

Maintenance costs are another challenge because of the system’s aging ﬂeet of vessels — 16 of 23 passenger vessels are more than 20 years old, Dixon said — plus, inﬂation is making repairs more expensive.

“The parts that we need to keep the ferries going are getting more expensive every year and we’re not seeing any decline from that,” Dixon said.

At the meeting, Dorene Creech, deputy director of business administration for the ferry division, said the

As Health Insurance Prices Rise, Families Puzzle Over Options

By Lynn Arditi

New York-based performer Cynthia Freeman, 61, has been trying to ﬁgure out how to keep the Aﬀordable Care Act health plan that she and her husband depend on.

“If we didn’t have health issues, I’d just go back to where I was in my 40s and not have health insurance,” she said, “but we’re not in that position now.”

Freeman and her husband, Brad Lawrence, are freelancers who work in storytelling and podcasting.

In October, Lawrence, 52, got very sick, very fast.

“I knew I was in trouble,” he said. “I went into the emergency room, and I walked over to the desk, and I said, ‘Hi, I’ve gained 25 pounds in ﬁve days and I’m having trouble breathing and my chest hurts.’ And they stopped blinking.”

Doctors diagnosed him with kidney disease, and he was hospitalized for four days.

Now Lawrence has to take medication with an average cost without insurance of $760 a month.

In January, the cost of the couple’s current “silver” plan rose nearly 75%, to $801 a month.

To bring in extra cash, Freeman has picked up a parttime bartending gig.

Millions of middle-class Americans who have ACA health plans are facing soaring premium payments in 2026, without help from the enhanced subsidies that Congress failed to renew. Some are contemplating big life changes to deal with new rates that kicked in on January 1, 2026.

It often falls to women to ﬁgure out a family’s insurance puzzle.

Women generally use more health care than men, in part because of their need for reproductive services, according to Elizabeth Tobin-Tyler, a professor at Brown University’s School of Public Health.

Women also tend to be the medical decision-makers for the family, she said, especially for the children.

“There’s a disproportionate role that women play in families around what we think of as the mental load,” said Tobin-Tyler, and that includes “making decisions around health insurance.”

Before the holidays, Congress considered a few forms of relief for the premium hikes, but nothing has materialized, and signiﬁcant deadlines have already passed.

Going Uninsured?

As the clock ticked down on 2025, B. agonized over her family’s insurance options. She was looking for a fulltime job with beneﬁts, because the premium prices she was seeing for 2026 ACA plans were alarming.

In the meantime, she decided that she and her husband would drop coverage and insure only the kids. But it would be risky.

“My husband works with major tools all day,” she said, “so it feels like rolling the dice.”

KFF Health News is identifying B. by her middle initial because she believes her insurance needs could aﬀect her ongoing search for a job with health beneﬁts.

The family lives in Providence, Rhode Island. Her husband is a self-employed woodworker, and she worked full-time as a nonproﬁt manager before she lost her job last spring.

After she lost her job, she turned to the ACA marketplace. The family’s “gold” plan cost them nearly $2,000 a month in premiums.

It was a lot, and they dug into retirement savings to pay for it while B. kept looking for a new position.

Because Congress failed to extend enhanced subsidies for ACA plans, despite ongoing political battles and a lengthy government shutdown over the issue, B.’s family plan would have cost even more in 2026 — almost $3,000 a month.

“I don’t have an additional $900 lying around in my family budget to pay for this,” she said.

B. had already pulled $12,000 out of retirement funds to pay her family’s 2025 rates.

Unless she ﬁnds a new job soon, the family’s projected income for 2026 will be less than 266% of the federal poverty level. That means the children qualify for free coverage through Medicaid.

The Meditation of the Rasika (Audience)

We live in times where we have instant gratiﬁcation within our hands. We have cell phones that can fulﬁll many of our material desires like a KalpaVriksha tree.

That tree now seems to be online. Just sign up for Amazon and look up what you would like; check out your items and a package will be at your door in a few days. We have instant access to news and stories at our ﬁngertips. We can see what people are thinking about in other parts of the world in the lovely comments section.

We can respond to even random strangers instantaneously through the power of social media and showcase our hidden forms of trolls in our online “avatars.” Of course there is nothing wrong with new technologies, and it brings about many beneﬁts and reaches many new audiences as it provides wider accessibility to many people.

All tools can be powerful and be used in beneﬁcial ways, but are we losing a certain concentration that we have heard about in the prior generations? We literally can’t stop our hands from moving. We need to check our emails/check our social media, check our messages, check who to troll back to, check again if we got mail, and so on.

I include myself in this. Guilty.

Are our hands busy or are they idle with the newer technology? This then comes to the timeless question of how to focus.

Sages who have performed tapas in stories in Sanatana Dharma seem to be another type of human. Their Dhyanam is otherworldly. Do we have that power in us to have that Dhyanam?

The answer is multiple, but the best way to answer it … Maybe. Each person is an individual and we all have individual skills. But here is a suggestion: to increase one’s level of focus and concentration, attend an Indian Classical Dance program. Choose a show that may be local to your area. There is a lot of local talent within our area. Set aside a few hours to sit back and be part of an experience.

Watching a dance show can be analogous to meditation. For instance, in the beginning of meditation, one’s thoughts may wander, or one may question why they are there. You may start squirming around your chair and then go back to your phone to check for super important updates.

But then the songs start, and you see dancers in their beautiful costumes moving in rhythmic ways.

You may not know the words or the language, but if you have been exposed to Indian stories like Puranas, or Mahabharata, or Ramayana, try to determine which story is being portrayed if it is not dictated by the emcee. Or you may not even know the language, and you may be completely new to this experience and are simply trying to guess what is going on.

What are the performers doing? What is the dance piece about? Does it look like they are doing some sort of tug of war? They look like they are doing this tug of war for a long time. Or is it churning? Looks exhausting. Is there a tug of war story somewhere you know of from your bedtime stories? Life is like a tug of war. So many pushes and pulls in many directions. What are the gains to this constant game? Who wins/Who loses?

Sigh. How is it that sometimes the “other” side seems to win? Actions keep continuing and the story continues. There is a quick break between the dances. Did a quick sneak peek

Adult Dance Student continued on page 88

Adult Dance Student by Preethi Sriram

Homeowner Insurance Coverage Explained

by Anuj Kasera

In the previous article, we introduced homeowner insurance, which is designed to protect one of your most important assets: your home. In this expanded section, we will explain the various coverages provided by a standard homeowner policy, helping you understand what is and is not included. Note that individual policies may be diﬀerent.

What Does Your Homeowner Insurance Cover?

Homeowner insurance is intended to safeguard your home, which is likely your most valuable assets. The following outlines the key coverage provided by a standard homeowner policy, allowing you to make informed decisions about protection. The coverages are divided into two major categories – your property damage (Actual home and personal belongings) and Liability (loss caused to others).

Dwelling Coverage: Dwelling coverage serves as the foundation of your homeowner policy. It pays for repairing or rebuilding your home if it is damaged by covered perils such as fire, windstorm, or vandalism. Most mortgage companies require you to carry “full replacement coverage,” meaning your policy should be sufficient to cover the cost of completely rebuilding your home, which might differ from its market value. Insurance carriers use their own formulas

to determine this replacement value, so it is important to review the amount carefully. If you think their figure is significantly different from your own estimate, consult your insurance agent for clarification.

If you own a condo or townhome, your Homeowners Association (HOA) may have a master insurance policy that covers the exterior of your building. However, you are typically responsible for insuring the interior portions of your unit, including appliances, ﬁxtures, and equipment.

One of the most important factors to consider in homeowner insurance is balancing risk and cost. Setting the replacement value too low may reduce your premiums but could leave you with insuﬃcient funds to rebuild your home. Conversely, purchasing coverage above the actual replacement value increases your premiums, but the insurance company will only pay up to the actual replacement cost, which could mean you are paying for unnecessary coverage.

Other Structure Coverage: Most homeowner policies also cover detached structures on your property, such as garages, in-ground swimming pools, sheds, and gazebos, up to a speciﬁed limit.

Personal Property Coverage: This part of your policy protects your belongings, including furniture, clothing, sports equipment, and other personal items—typically covering 50–70% of the dwelling coverage. Conducting a home inventory survey can help ensure you have enough

By Stephen Acabado

Indigenous communities have lived with changes to the climate for centuries. Their adaptations over those many years are based on their close observation of weather, water, soils and seasonal change, and they have been reﬁned through generations of learning.

That knowledge, though developed deep in the past, is increasingly useful in the modern world. As global temperatures rise, climate pressures are intensifying, with longer dry spells, stronger storms and more erratic rainfall. Terrace systems reflect Indigenous peoples’ long experience of living with environmental uncertainty in specific places and historical contexts. They offer ways of thinking about risk and long-term land use based on observation and intergenerational learning.

My research focuses on one particular strategy for adapting to a changing climate: terrace agriculture. It’s found in mountainous regions worldwide, where people have reshaped steep slopes into level steps that slow runoﬀ and allow water to inﬁltrate the soil.

By slowing water without blocking its ﬂow, terraces reduce erosion, keeping soil where crops can grow and preserving the moisture they need. They require constant maintenance, which leaves traces in the landscape, such as accumulated repair layers and sediment deposits associated

How Mountain Terraces Have Helped Indigenous Peoples Live with Climate Uncertainty

with crops. I study those traces to learn how communities responded to environmental stress over time. The walls and soils are not only fertile agricultural land but also archives of adaptation, documenting past decisions about water, labor and crops.

Ifugao terraces and adaptation to wet and dry years

I have worked as an anthropological archaeologist in the Ifugao rice terraces of the northern Philippines for nearly two decades. These landscapes are often described as ancient and unchanging, but archaeological and historical research shows that most were constructed around the 17th century, during a period of political and economic pressure linked to Spanish colonial expansion. Highland communities modiﬁed their landscapes, expanded settlement and shifted rice farming to higher elevations, reconﬁguring their societies to protect themselves.

Rainfall in the Cordillera, the region where the terraces are located, varies widely. In some valleys, more than 6 feet (2 meters) of rain fall per year, while higher elevations commonly receive closer to 13 feet (4 meters). In both settings, rain comes down in short, intense downpours. Without intervention, water ﬂows oﬀ the steep slopes in torrents, rapidly stripping away soil.

Mountain Terraces

Spot the Differences

See if you can spot the 15 diﬀerences between original photo on left and modiﬁed on right. (Solution on page 104)

Assuming a Little Positive Intent

Mindful Masala by Hiren Deliwala

The world often feels like a suspicious place.

We walk through life in a heightened state of alertness, especially when traveling or when navigating unfamiliar spaces. When travelling to India or other countries from the US, it can feel like everyone is out to get us (even though a lot of us have grown up in India). Someone is trying to cheat us. Someone is watching us. Someone has an angle. And that mindset doesn’t stay limited to travel. It follows us home.

In everyday life, we often assume people are “out to get me.” Someone makes a joke that touches a nerve. Whatever they may have meant, we assume it was about us, that they were trying to get under our skin. Words hurt, and that hurt could feel real. There are people who intentionally try to hurt others. But not everyone is one of them.

I work in a large corporation. Like most jobs today, success depends on many teams and many people, all with diﬀerent priorities. When things don’t move as fast as we want, it’s easy to assume the worst: they’re lazy, uncooperative, not helpful, political, incompetent. We assign motives without ever conﬁrming them. Eventually, that way of thinking becomes automatic.

But here’s a quieter truth that’s harder to accept: the world isn’t out to get us. The universe doesn’t need us. It doesn’t care about us—positively or negatively. It simply is. Oddly enough, that realization can actually be freeing.

Now, let me be clear; this thinking doesn’t apply everywhere. Nations, politics, Wall Street bankers? Diﬀerent rules apply. Blind trust there would be naive. History has taught us that. The 2009 housing or stock market crash (or 1998 or 1929) didn’t happen by accident. Too many people assumed positive intent. Bernie Madoﬀ didn’t just “miscommunicate.” Judgment matters.

But in day-to-day human interactions, whether with colleagues, neighbors, family, or friends, it may be healthier to start from a place of positive intent.

So why is that so hard? I think a lot of it comes from conditioning. Where I grew up, leaving things outside was risky. Going out at night was risky. Buying things could mean getting counterfeit goods.

Mindful Masala continued on page

U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor Presents Credentials

Sergio Gor, the new United States Ambassador to India, presented his credentials to Indian President Droupadi Murmu during an oﬃcial ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan on January 14, 2026. At the ceremony, Ambassador Gor became the 27th United States Ambassador to India.

Gor said, “It is an honor to present my credentials to Indian President Murmu and to serve in India at a time of such promise and opportunity in the U.S.-India relationship. I look forward to working closely with the Government of India and the Indian people to advance our shared priorities in defense, trade, technology, and critical minerals, and to further strengthen the partnership between our two great democracies.”

Prior to assuming his duties in New Delhi, Gor was Assistant to the President and Director of Presidential Personnel in White House.

French President Emmanuel Macron to visit India in February for AI Impact Summit

According to news reports, French President Emmanuel Macron will visit India in February 2026. This visit follows the AI Summit held in Paris. India will host the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi from February 19 – 20, 2026.

President Macron and Prime Minister Modi co-chaired the Paris summit. Their collaboration is crucial for global politics.

“Let’s ﬁnally look at what we have managed to achieve together, the successes of French diplomacy last year- the Artiﬁcial Intelligence summit. The whole world came to Paris. We made progress on this and we co-chaired it with Prime Minister Modi and next month, I’ll be in India to follow up,” said Macron in a press release.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with the Chancellor of Germany, Friedrich Merz, who participated in the International Kite Festival at Sabarmati Ashram at Amdavad, in Gujarat while on a visit on January 12, 2026.

The AI Summit will be the ﬁrst-ever global artiﬁcial intelligence meet hosted in the Global South, giving India an opportunity to help shape the future AI agenda for developing economies.

Biopic on Neeb Karori Baba Set for Release

A biopic on renowned spiritual Guru Neeb Karori Baba is set to hit the silver screen. The life and teachings of the revered Indian saint and spiritual guru, Neeb Karori Baba, are set to be immortalized on the big screen. The upcoming biopic, titled Shri Neeb Karori Baba, is gearing up and promising to take audiences on a spiritual journey beyond mere miracles.

Directed by Sharad Singh Thakur, the ﬁlm aims to highlight the saint’s philosophy, thoughts, and his lasting impact on society. Veteran actor Subodh Bhave portrays the titular role of Neeb Karori Baba, bringing the spiritual icon’s persona to life. Actor Mohit Gupta will also be seen depicting signiﬁcant phases of Baba’s life.

The ﬁlm also boasts an ensemble cast featuring wellknown names from the industry, including Hiten Tejwani, Smita Tambe, Rajesh Sharma, Milind Gunaji, Aniruddh Dave, and Hemant Pandey.

According to the filmmakers, the biopic steers away from solely focusing on supernatural events. Instead, it centers on the human values of love, compassion, humility, and service that Neeb Karori Baba championed. The film is designed to offer moments of self-reflection and spiritual realization for both devotees and general cinema lovers. The film’s cinematography is helmed by Kartik Mallur, with musical score and lyrics by Asif Ali Chidwani. The film is expected to be released in cinemas soon.

Bharat Electricity Summit 2026

Bharat Electricity Summit 2026, a global conference and exhibition for the power and electricity sector, will be held from March 19 – 22, 2026 at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi. A formal announcement to this eﬀect was made in January by Manohar Lal, Union Minister of Power and Housing & Urban Aﬀairs at New Delhi. The Minister also unveiled Brochure and Teaser Film for the Summit.

The theme of the four-day Summit is “Electrifying Growth. Empowering Sustainability. Connecting Globally.” It will showcase India’s leadership in the global energy

transition while addressing challenges and opportunities in the power sector. The Summit will bring together domestic and international stakeholders from government, industry, academia, and civil society to deliberate on the future of electricity and sustainable energy systems, facilitate crosssector dialogue and strengthen global cooperation, fostering strategic partnerships.

The event will feature more than 50 high-level conference sessions, a series of expert-led panel discussions, thematic pavilions and technology showcases representing the full spectrum of the electricity and clean energy value chain. The event will host over 500 exhibitors, welcome 25,000+ attendees and attract 1,000+ delegates and 300 speakers from India and around the world.

This will be a platform to convene global policymakers, CEOs, government leaders, electricity experts, investors, regulators, innovators, suppliers, and solution providers. Through stakeholder engagement and networking, the Summit shall enable discussions that impact progress across the entire electricity value chain—from generation and transmission to distribution, storage, and smart consumption.

The event will offer an opportunity to different players in the Electricity Sector to exhibit their technologies, systems and solutions at the Summit. These include manufacturers, suppliers, contactors, innovators, and solution providers in Power Generation, Power Transmission, Distribution, Energy Storage and Battery tech, Energy Efficiency, Energy Transition, Startups and other areas.

For more information about Bharat Electricity Summit 2026, visit: Bharatelectricitysummit.com.

Erasing Borders Dance Festival 2026 Call for Submissions

The Indo-American Arts Council’s Erasing Borders Dance Festival is seeking dance submissions for their upcoming program. The dance festival will be held in late September in New York City. It will include live performances including applicant dancers from around US and groups from India who already have visas to perform within the U.S.

Choreographers and dance groups can submit dance works of 8-12 minutes in length that showcase craft and creativity. Also submit a 100-150-word description of how you understand and see your creative work.

IAAC seeks original works in multiple or new vocabularies and forms deriving from or relating to the traditions of Indian dance. Works that are challenging or critically thinking on their own terms that can be related to the theme.

There is a non-refundable application fee of $15. IAAC is dedicated to promoting, showcasing, and building an awareness of the arts and artists whose heritage lies in India in the performing arts, visual arts, literary arts and folk arts. Applications are due by March 15, 2026.

For more information, visit Iaac.us.

Next to Sangam Mart

Indiaspora Forum 2026

Indiaspora, and organization whose goal is “To inspire and position the 35 million strong global diaspora to be a force for good and to build bridges with leaders in India” will convene its annual global forum from March 22 – 24, 2026, at the JW Marriott Prestige Golfshire on the outskirts of Bangalore, with the Nandi Hills, Global Forum promises an inspiring setting for impactful conversations and meaningful connections. The convening will bring together global leaders and changemakers to engage on critical issues including Artiﬁcial Intelligence, Climate and Sustainability, Philanthropy and Social Impact, the Global Indian Diaspora, Geopolitics and Trade, and the celebration of India’s cultural and literary heritage. The Forum will open with a welcome dinner on March 22, followed by two days of conference sessions, curated networking, and cultural experiences.

For details, visit Indiaspora.org.

India’s Agriculture Minister: The Country has Surpassed China in Rice Production

Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, in January month released 184 new varieties of 25 crops with improved traits developed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research at New Delhi. It includes 60 rice varieties, 50 maize and 13 oilseeds.

Addressing the event, he said that India has ensured its food security, and the nation’s rice production exceeded over 150 million tons in 2025, which led to surpassing China to become the leading rice-exporting nation in the world. India has developed over three thousand new varieties of seeds in the past 10 years.

The Minister said that the government is working to ensure that various schemes launched should reach farmers across the country within three years.

India Giving Day 2026

The India Philanthropy Alliance (IPA), a U.S.-based network of nonproﬁt, philanthropic, and charitable organizations focused on India, is preparing for the 4th annual India Giving Day, which will be held on March 13, 2026. The campaign will focus on the theme #PowerOfUs and the capacity of the Indian American diaspora to play a pivotal role in achieving India’s strategic development agenda, based on the 17 Strategic Development Goals that were adopted by the United Nations in 2015.

India Giving Day, which was launched in the spring of 2023, is modeled after highly successful community giving days that are happening in a growing number of U.S. cities. India Giving Day is unique in that it is a nationwide campaign to support nonproﬁt organizations working in a country outside of the U.S., while most giving days are

community or regionally based. The India Philanthropy Alliance has been working to foster a more robust and better recognized culture of giving among Indian Americans since its inception in 2019.

“We are excited to take India Giving Day to the next level this year. The new report by Dalberg tells us that Indian American philanthropy has grown signiﬁcantly over the last 6 years, and India Giving Day has been one of the sources fueling that growth,” says Alex Counts, Executive Director of the India Philanthropy Alliance. “Now we must build on and accelerate that momentum to help more people and ecosystems thrive in India through supporting the best nonproﬁts in India, and arguably in the world.”

The success of India Giving Day has grown from 1,031 donors giving $1.3 million in its inaugural year to 2,691 donors giving $8.8 million in 2025, its third year. Much of this has been made possible through volunteer fundraisers who are hosting events, vocal on social media, and encouraging their networks to join in the initiative.

As it has in the past, India Giving Day will host dozens of carefully vetted organizations working in the ﬁelds of education, health care, livelihood development, women and children’s programs, programs for the elderly, environmental sustainability, and more.

For details, visit Indiaphilanthropyalliance.org.

NASA, Department of Energy to Develop Lunar Surface Reactor by 2030

NASA, along with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), announced in January a renewed commitment to their partnership to support the research and development of a ﬁssion surface power system for use on the Moon under the Artemis campaign and future NASA missions to Mars.

A recently signed memorandum of understanding between the agencies solidiﬁes this collaboration and plans to deploy nuclear reactors on the Moon and in orbit, including the development of a lunar surface reactor by 2030. This eﬀort ensures the United States leads the world in space exploration and commerce.

“America is committed to returning to the Moon, building the infrastructure to stay, and making the investments required for the next giant leap to Mars and beyond,” said NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman. “Achieving this future requires harnessing nuclear power. This agreement enables closer collaboration between NASA and the Department of Energy to deliver the capabilities necessary to usher in the Golden Age of space exploration and discovery.”

NASA and DOE anticipate deploying a ﬁssion surface power system capable of producing safe, eﬃcient, and plentiful electrical power.

For more about NASA’s Moon to Mars exploration plans, visit: Nasa.gov/moontomarsarchitecture.

USCIS Announces Drastic Changes to H-1B CAP Lottery Selection Process

Immigration Matters

by Rishi P. Oza

On December 23, 2025, the Trump Administration announced the codiﬁcation of its sweeping changes to the H-1B CAP lottery selection process. Initially outlined as a potential policy change in late September 2025, the update to the Federal Register amounts to a titanic shift in the way in which potential H-1B applicants will be selected in the FY 2027 H-1B CAP lottery.

The issuance of the H-1B visa, the standard work visa for professionals in the United States, is regulated by a lottery system, which has been in place for almost two decades. Congress has capped the number of newly available H-1B visas at 85,000 annually, with 20,000 reserved for individuals graduating from U.S. colleges or universities with a master’s degree or higher and the remaining 65,000 available to everyone else worldwide.

The visa is reserved for only those individuals that will be assuming a “specialty occupation” commonly considered a job position that requires a bachelor’s degree as a minimum requirement for qualiﬁcation. Because the demand for H-1Bs has exceeded the number available visas, USCIS has to date instituted a lottery system with each potential applicant receiving a lottery number and having an equal chance at being selected when the lottery is conducted annually in April.

This new regulatory change, which will go into eﬀect prior to the onset of the 2027 lottery season this coming April, will give a higher priority or weight to individuals that are higher paid and more highly skilled. When applying for the H-1B visa, an employer is required to classify a worker as a Level I, II, III or IV worker, with each level considered as follows:

Level I (Entry-Level)

Level II (Junior-Level)

Level III (Mid-Level)

Level IV (Senior-Level)

Tied to these classiﬁcation levels are the necessary wages that need to be paid to a worker based upon their given level of expertise – obviously, Level I entry-level workers are paid at a lower rate compared to their Level IV counterparts.

The new regulatory changes will now give workers at each wage level weighted entries into the H-1B system. For example, a Level IV Software Developer will be entered into the H-1B lottery four times compared to a Level I Software Developer, who will only receive one entry. As such, the Immigration continued on page 92

3 Key Factors to Consider Before Enrolling in a Special Master’s Program

College Admissions Insider

by Kristen Moon

Undoubtedly, most premed students recognize that applying to medical school is a competitive and sometimes daunting task. For some premed students, the path to medical school isn’t always linear, presenting unique obstacles and challenges along the way to becoming a doctor.

As students weigh their routes to the profession, special master’s programs have emerged as a popular option. These programs, often one or two years long, blend a rigorous science curriculum with direct exposure to medical school coursework and experiential opportunities commonly taken alongside current ﬁrst-year medical students.

Designed with strong emphasis on applicants seeking to strengthen their academic record to increase competitiveness for med school admission, special master’s programs provide robust resources for advising, research and clinical engagement. In addition, some programs oﬀer conditional acceptance to a linked medical school or preferential consideration for interviews at aﬃliated institutions.

While there are many elements to consider before selecting this pathway into medicine, there are three key factors to consider before selecting and applying to special master’s programs.

Program Outcomes

Student success metrics are among the clearest indicators of a special master’s program’s eﬀectiveness. Applicants should review:

● Medical school acceptance rates among program graduates, speciﬁcally how these compare to national and historical averages for matriculation.

● The percentage of students admitted to the linked or aﬃliated medical schools under conditional or preferential admissions agreements.

● Program alumni performance in medical school. Consideration should be given to med school grades, USMLE or COMLEX pass rates and residency placements to determine if the program is actually increasing student readiness for medical training.

● Quality of student support and resources for applicants applying to medical school. Strong programs often provide one-on-one coaching on MCAT preparation – if not required prior to program matriculation – application strategy, supplemental writing support and interview preparation. Many medical school admissions committees review student performance in a special master’s program as a determining factor of preparedness and ﬁt within their school. In many cases, strong performance can oﬀset prior MCAT or GPA challenges.

Curricular Alignment

The academic preparation gained through special master’s program coursework is their main objective. When evaluating and selecting programs, applicants should:

● Strongly consider programs in which the coursework required meets or exceeds the requirements set forth by medical schools for admissions. If the selected med school requires additional elements, including labs or research experiences, these should also be evaluated before enrollment.

College continued on page 95

Even though Mohit was a skilled doctor and worked hard to build his practice, he wasn’t getting noticed. His problem wasn’t his ability. It was that he wasn’t adapting to his environment.

Many South-Asian founders need to face the below reality early on:

• Success in your local area doesn’t always lead to wider growth.

• Hard work can’t replace having a good strategy.

• Being good at your work doesn’t always make you stand out in the market.

In the U.S. market, it’s less about how hard you work and more about how clearly you deﬁne your place in the market. Growth slows down when founders keep doing what worked before, instead of changing the business for its next stage.

What I Often See with South Asian Founders

1. Networking and Marketing within the community: South Asian entrepreneurs in the U.S. often build networks within their own communities, missing opportunities for broader professional growth and market integration. While community support is valuable initially, remaining within it limits scalability. Growth in the U.S. market relies on diverse relationships. Engaging with a wider network is essential for reaching more customers, investors, and mainstream opportunities. Additionally, limited interaction can slow innovation, as cross-pollination of ideas is necessary to avoid groupthink and maintain a competitive edge.

2. No growth blueprint: Founders care deeply about their product or service but forget how important it is to have a clear business model and growth plan. They get so busy with daily tasks that they lose sight of the main goal— growing the company. They spend their days solving problems and helping customers, but don’t make time to plan for growth.

3. Underestimating Cultural Diﬀerences: Many founders do not realize that Americans often value personal goals, self-reliance, and directness, making it common to question superiors. In contrast, other cultures may prioritize group harmony, respect for hierarchy, and indirect communication.

These diﬀerences can lead to misunderstandings. In the U.S., direct communication is respected for its clarity and conﬁdence. As a result, Americans may appear arrogant or rude, while international founders may seem evasive or unclear, even if that is not the case. Successful founders in the U.S. learn to adapt their communication style without compromising their values.

4. Continuing old patterns of working and ideas: Many entrepreneurs think that what worked before will help them reach the next level. So they keep working harder at the same things. But this leads to a plateau, because the business has outgrown the founder’s old way of working. Growth needs new systems, new ideas, and stronger leadership.

6. Poor local talent use: South Asians often feel more comfortable hiring people from their own background. But if you only hire people like you, it hurts your business. You miss out on local market knowledge—how customers think, buy, and make decisions. After the ﬁrst growth phase, your business will struggle to build trust outside your own community. The fastest-growing founders hire people who know what they don’t, and that is how the local market talks, negotiates, sees value, and builds trust.

7. Poor branding of self and business. Most founders get so caught up in daily work that they ignore branding. Branding isn’t just a marketing extra, it’s a key to growth. If the founder isn’t visible, the business isn’t either. If the founder isn’t clear, the market isn’t conﬁdent. Strong founders know this: when you are known, your business is known. Reputation comes before revenue.

8. Trying to do everything alone. I’ve coached many founders and noticed they like to handle everything themselves. In the early days, this makes sense because it saves money and time. But as the business grows, this mindset quietly becomes the biggest barrier to growth. Many hesitate to get help from consultants because they think it’s a waste of money. We try to solve everything ourselves. Founders who do this limit their team’s abilities. Founders who grow learn to trust others with results, not just tasks.

9. Execution over strategy. Many founders focus excessively on planning rather than action. Meetings are held, but follow-through is lacking. Strategy is only eﬀective when it leads to action. Without clear ownership, deadlines, and follow-up, strategy remains theoretical. Teams may leave meetings confused, with unclear priorities and no accountability. Great founders understand that execution is the true strategy.

They translate ideas into key actions, assign clear ownership, and closely monitor results. If your team is always planning but rarely delivering, the challenge is not strategy but leadership discipline.

Growth isn’t about doing more. It’s about thinking better, positioning smarter, and reaching bigger markets. That’s how businesses scale. That’s how founders break through barriers.

Payal Nanjiani

is an Indian-American executive coach, leadership expert and author. She is a trusted partner and advisor to leaders and organizations globally.

Info: Payalnanjiani.com.

by Taige Shukla

IG: @whatsthe_chai

Paneer Palmiers with Tomato Coriander Chutney

What is February without heart shaped foods in honor of Valentine’s Day? A palmier is a French pastry that resembles the shape of butterfly wings or a heart. These French pastries are typically enjoyed as a sweet dessert around the world and became my favorite treat while I was living in Spain! I first attempted making palmiers as a Valentine’s Day treat last year, so this year I was inspired to give a savory version a try, and it did not disappoint. You can also give the sweet version a try by filling it with cinnamon and sugar in place of the paneer and chutney. If you want the full details for the sweet palmiers, visit my Instagram page @whatsthe_chai! The savory version is in the recipe here. These flaky pastries filled with Indian flavors are the perfect Valentine’s or Galentine’s Day treat. Serve them as an app before a romantic Valentine’s meal or at a potluck with your gal (and guy) pals, or really anytime! Happy Valentine’s Day Saathee Fam, enjoy!

Ingredients Directions

Puff Pastry (1 pack)

For ChutneyTomatoes (2)

Garlic, minced (2 cloves)

Fresh coriander (cilantro, a handful)

Ginger, minced (½ inch)

Lemon juice (½ teaspoon)

Cumin (¼ teaspoon)

Garam masala (¼ teaspoon)

Sugar (a loving pinch)

Salt and pepper (to taste)

For more heat- add a deseeded green chili

For Paneer-(you can also use ready made paneer)

Quart of Whole Milk

1/8 cup lemon juice

Spices to taste- Cumin, coriander, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, salt & pepper

Servings: About 15

Prep Time: 1 hour / Cooking Time: 20 - 25 minutes

Thaw 1 puff pastry sheet for at least 40 mins. In the meantime, prepare the paneer. In a medium-sized pot, bring the milk to a slow-boil on medium-high heat until the surface of the milk begins to foam. Reduce the heat and stir in the lemon juice until the milk is completely curdled. Once the curds and whey are completely separated, strain the curds through a clean cheese cloth. Hold it under running water for about a minute then squeeze out as much of the water as possible. Press the curds (while still in the cheese cloth) into a square shape and place it under something heavy for about 15-20 mins to ensure all the excess water is drained.

Then, using your hands, crumble the prepped paneer and toss in spices to taste. Also prepare the chutney by adding the ingredients listed to a blender and blending until well combined.

Once the pastry sheet has thawed, roll it out into a 12x10 inch rectangle and top with a drizzle of olive oil. Next, spread on a thick layer of chutney, followed by a layer of the paneer crumbles, and topped with more chutney and cilantro.

Assemble the palmiers. Start by folding the bottom of the sheet up about 2 inches and fold it over one more time. Repeat this from the top of the sheet. Once they meet in the middle fold on half over the other. Place the rolled sheet in the freezer for 30 mins.

Remove the rolled pastry sheet and cut it into ½ inch slices. Each slice should look like a thin heart shape. Lay the slices flat on a prepped baking sheet and bake at 390°F for 20-25 mins, flipping the palmiers halfway through. Bake until puffed, golden and flaky!

Our Commitment

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North Carolina’s Community Land Trusts Seek Higher Proﬁle as Affordable Housing Option North Carolina’s Community Land Trusts Seek Higher Proﬁle as Affordable Housing Option

By Greg Childress

North Carolina’s community land trusts are working to raise the proﬁle of their housing preservation model, which its members see as a vital tool in the struggle for aﬀordable housing in a rapidly growing state.

Community land trusts keep housing permanently aﬀordable by maintaining ownership of the land and selling the homes or buildings sitting on it to individuals or groups. The model removes the land cost from the purchase price, and the land trust controls resale values to ensure homes remain aﬀordable to future generations.

Several of the state’s trusts have launched the North Carolina Community Land Trust Coalition to share best practices and resources to shape housing policy, and “increase government and philanthropic support” for the programs by educating lawmakers and the public.

Today, more than 300 Community Land Trusts operate across the country, including a dozen or more in North Carolina. Funding comes primarily through competitive processes for grants, loans and other sources at the federal, state and local levels.

“The hardest thing to do is to ﬁnd operational funding, especially for newer land trusts that are starting to be created,” said Kimberly Sanchez, executive director of the Community Home Trust in Chapel Hill. “You have to acquire land, which is not cheap and you have to hold it forever, so you have to have some level of consistent operational funding just to make sure you can keep the inventory that you have forever for the community.”

Sanchez has led the Chapel Hill-based Community Home Trust for six years. The nonproﬁt has been around for more than 30 years and is one of the oldest community land trusts in the state. It followed the Durham Community Land Trustees, Inc., which became the ﬁrst in the state in 1987.

Collectively, the state’s community land trusts have created 394 homeownership units, 398 aﬀordable rental units and have supported households with an average of 63% of area median income, the coalition reported.

Sanchez’s group and the Durham Community Land Trustees control hundreds of those properties, while newer community land trusts control just a few or sometimes a single property. The coalition expects 12 to 14 members, but noted that some are new and still forming and will be added to the coalition’s new website at a later date.

Sherry Taylor, executive director of the Durham Community Land Trustees, said the coalition’s rise is timely, given the growing interest in community land trusts in North Carolina.

“We actually started meeting last year to come together and make sure that permanently aﬀordable housing is at the top of mind, not just for individual areas of the state that we cover, but as a statewide initiative,” Taylor said.

Taylor noted the state law allows property tax exemptions for certain aﬀordable housing when they’re controlled by qualifying nonproﬁts.

But, she added, there’s more to be done.

“We realized that attainable housing, especially home ownership, is something that is a growing need all across the state,” Taylor said. “We wanted to ﬁrst inform lawmakers that this is a model that has worked all over the country and has worked in North Carolina and is still working to create attainable homeownership.”

Finding new ways for community land trusts to increase production of aﬀordable housing would be the next step in the process, Taylor said.

“I’m not gonna list out all the ways that they [lawmakers] can possibly help this group, but I do think thinking through those things and getting in front of them will be the primary goals of our coalition,” Taylor said.

Last year, a study commissioned by NC REALTORS, the NC Chamber and the NC Home Builders Association highlighted the extent of the housing crisis in the state. Researchers found North Carolina will need more than 764,000 rental and for-sale units over the next ﬁve years to meet demand across all 100 counties.

The NC Housing Coalition has found that 48% of state renters are cost burdened by rent payments and 19% of homeowners have trouble paying their mortgages. A family is considered cost-burdened if it spends more than 30% of income on housing.

Diverse models

North Carolina’s community land trusts operate diﬀerently from each other even though they share the same model, said Sanchez with the Community Home Trust in Chapel Hill. She says the model’s ﬂexibility allows responsiveness to local needs.

“We focus on different things, the way that we’re funded is different, the way we interact with our community is different,” Sanchez said. “Durham and Chapel Hill are 10 minutes away from each other, but even just culturally, they’re totally different.”

A notable diﬀerence, Sanchez said, is that Durham focused on rentals early on while her organization focused on homeownership. Now, Durham has a growing stock of owner-occupied homes and Sanchez’s organization has entered the rental market.

Sanchez’s organization has nearly 300 properties in its portfolio. Many were acquired through Chapel Hill’s inclusionary housing policy. Under the policy, housing developers are “encouraged” to sell a few housing units to the community land trust.

“It’s that political will that has given us the opportunity to have almost 300 homes,” Sanchez said.

A startup in Watauga County

Over the summer, the relatively new Watauga Community Housing Trust celebrated the completion of its ﬁrst home, a refurbished, one-bedroom house near downtown Boone that it sold to an adult with disabilities.

The volunteer-run and member-led nonproﬁt was created in response to skyrocketing housing costs in one of the state’s more expensive zip codes. Boone is a major tourist destination and home to Appalachian State University, both of which put pressure on housing costs.

Ben Loomis, a Watauga land trust member, said the previous owner of the house contacted the then-startup about selling a lot and a rundown house at a good price.

“It was just sort of an opportunity that was too big to pass up, even though we at the time, we had really just gotten started,” Loomis said. “That was like early 2023 and we had no money in the bank.”

Loomis said the organization spent the next summer fundraising and raised enough money to purchase the property. Over the next two years, he said, the group took out a construction loan, continued to fundraise and “basically rebuilt it from the ground up, everything from the foundation to the roof.”

Affordable housing has become an even bigger issue in region in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene and the historic flooding that ensued, Loomis said. Thousands of homes were destroyed or damaged in Western North Carolina, including 140 housing units that were condemned in Boone due to flooding.

“That exacerbated all of the issues that we were focused on when Helene hit,” Loomis said.

The new coalition is an opportunity for established community land trusts and new ones like his to share expertise to advocate for greater good, he said.

“We see the goal as to be able to provide resources to other new community land trusts as they start up, but also to work on a higher level and do lobbying and large-scale partnerships for material donations with building companies and universities that each individual and trust may not be able to do on its own,” Loomis said.

Article courtesy of Ncnewsline.com

Naushad continued from page 38

In opposite end of the spectrum “Jo Main Jaanti Bisrat Hai Saiyan” (Shabab, 1954), the heroine laments hesitation that climaxes in lines “Ghoonghat mein aag laga deti.” It is rebellion ﬁlled with sorrow and sadness. “Na Shikwa Hai Koi” (Amar, 1954) is heartbreak without grievance. While Badayuni paints pain with restraint, Naushad lets silence speak and Lata’s voice hauntingly expresses emotional surrender.

“Dooba Tara ummidon ka sahara tut gaya” (Uran Khatola, 1955) is another heartbreak song where the woman is submerged in painful memory. “Khamosh Hai Khevanhaar Mera” (Amar) is ﬁlled with despair. The heroine compares herself to a drifting boat with no helmsman. Naushad’s orchestral composition in the end turns sorrow into emotional grandeur.

Naushad’s genius lay in his ability to give music into an emotional spectacle. Across some 65 ﬁlms, he transformed sorrow into sculpture, yearning into cadence, and despair into immortal echo. His compositions were not just songs — they were spiritual invocations.

In “Aye Dil Tujhe Kasam Hai” (Dulari, 1949), the heroine consoles herself, urging her spirit not to surrender. In “Mohabbat Ki Jhoothi Kahani Pe Roye” (Mughal-e-Azam), Anarkali’s despair is imperial. “Khabar kya thi hoton ko seena padega” says the cost of silence is unbearable. Naushad’s music ties sadness into grandeur.

In these poetic lines, “Na Dekha Na Samjha”, the heroine turns philosophical, confronting betrayal and the collapse of hope.

In “Do Hanso Ka Joda Bichhad Gaya” (Ganga Jamuna, 1961), the heartbreak is spiritual. In lines “Gajab kiya Rama julm kiya tune” the heroine questions divine justice. Songs like “Naa Ro Ae Dil” and “Haale Dil Mein Kya Kahun” (Uran Khatola, 1955), and “Jaane Wale Se Mulaqat Na Hone Payee” (Amar, 1954) oﬀer resignation as solace, accepting emotional ruin.

What made these songs immortal was the indivisible fusion of three forces: Shakeel Badayuni’s poetry that captured every shade of love and emotions. Naushad’s masterful compositions gave emotion its sonic landscape, from folk music to orchestral compositions.

And of course, these songs would have been ordinary if not for Lata Mangeshkar’s celestial voice bringing them to life for eternity.

Together, Naushad, Shakeel and Lata formed a trinity where melody, word, and voice became one. Their songs are not just musical artifacts, but they are emotional testaments. They haunt and connect generations, making them timeless. And in their symphony of feelings, the visuals, the sighs and the silence between lines become immortal songs.

Girish Modi

is an 85-year-old retired engineer who is passionate about Indian music and classical dances. He donates money to various Indian organizations and provides free photo service. Contact: girish39@yahoo.com.

Kismuth continued from page 28

The road has so many great teachers. I got some distance from old ties. As I met more and more people in more variations of cultures, I could perceive others better, become changed, even, and question my own belief systems. A lot of shifting from place to place all the time has had these positives. I wasn’t aware of them at those times, but stuff like knowing who is what to you, and knowing what you like, are valuable tools in today’s world where you have to be careful with these relationships. These contacts are the fields in which we succeed or fail. I can say with some confidence, now that as I’ve had a good deal of quiet time to reflect, I see better.

Thanks to reading systems thinkers, and other experiences, I have learned. We have to be careful with people who pretend to care, but just want to manipulate. They can seriously hurt us, long-term. All the people we meet will in some way influence us, for better or worse, and we will change as we go. But kindness is so nice to find. Did you notice that? I feel like things have changed a whole lot since even just five years ago.

Aging changes us, too. There’s such a variance in how people are when they pass 50, 60, 70, 80. Some stay warm. (A few, anyway.) I’ve seen people change as they ﬁnd out what they have isn’t what they want, after all this time. Or the whole waiting til retirement to do things, those are the people on their world tours here in Southeast Asia. But some of them don’t get to grow from having done things like come see the world. They are just here, passing judgments on what falls into their paths. It feels like a missed opportunity, every time I see this.

Sure, no one’s perfect, and that’s okay. But seeing with fresh eyes is valuable. So is exiting. You don’t have to put up with things that make you feel miserable. We learn from fails; we build and grow. (If we want to, that is.) On to the next place, to make more zines. Also, more surprises ahead to look forward to.

Dipika Kohli

is an author who is based in Phnom Penh. Discover her books at kismuth.com and ther projects at dipikakohli.com.

Hello Saathees

If you have a passion for writing, cooking or baking, we are looking for fresh voices. Send a query to our Editor Samir Shukla at Samir@Saathee.com with article or recipe ideas. We will consider them for possible publication in Saathee.

Mountain Terraces continued from page 54

Terraces help avoid erosion by capturing rainfall on each level and allowing it to infiltrate gradually. Measurements contrasting terraced fields with nearby nonterraced soils find the terraces retain significantly more moisture – often 15% to 30% higher, and in some cases substantially more –than sloping fields.

This increased moisture availability helps crops endure short dry spells between storms.

Crop choice is another example of adaptation. Ifugao farmers maintain multiple rice varieties suited to diﬀerent microenvironments.

One locally recognized group of traditional rice varieties, collectively referred to as Tinawon, is widely cultivated. The diﬀerent farmer-selected tinawon varieties are adapted to varying elevations, temperatures and moisture conditions. Some perform better in cooler and wetter areas, while others tolerate shallow soils or brief dry periods.

By planting different, locally selected rice varieties on different terraces matched to specific conditions, farmers spread risk rather than relying on a single harvest strategy.

Farmers also read subtle environmental signals. When we talk with farmers, they describe year-to-year changes, such as springs ﬂowing more slowly than usual in late winter and increased earthworm activity before the rains.

These observations guide decisions about when to adjust terrace features – such as reinforcing walls, clearing canals or modifying water gates – or when to shift planting dates in response to delayed rains or shorter wet seasons. Over generations, these adaptations have allowed farmers to continue to grow crops despite diﬃcult periods of ﬂooding or drought.

Today, climate stress interacts with economic pressure. Major typhoons in 2018 and 2022 brought intense rainfall that damaged terraces across the Cordillera.

In the past, farmers responded to storm damage by adjusting water flow within irrigation canals and field-tofield outlet channels, and by staggering planting dates so that shared irrigation systems were not stressed all at once.

Today, fewer workers and a modernizing economy mean that government support has become increasingly important to sustain these systems, particularly funding for terrace and irrigation repair and programs that support farmer participation.

Even so, these systems continue to show how coordinated water management and crop diversity can reduce risk under variable climates.

Climate history written into Moroccan terraces

New research in Morocco, which I’m working on with the Université Internationale de Rabat, focuses on terrace systems in the Anti-Atlas Mountains, where intermittent heavy rains and recurring droughts motivated people to build terraces to slow runoﬀ and keep water in the soil.

Many of these terraces remained active from their construction in the late 16th to 17th centuries until the 20th century, when out-migration reduced the local labor force needed for routine maintenance.

Even partially abandoned terraces record past responses to climate changes. Stone walls and leveled platforms demonstrate how people slowed runoﬀ and retained moisture in dry environments. Collapsed edges and eroded channels mark episodes of heavy rainfall. Channel layouts and their alignment with terrace walls and natural terrain indicate how scarce water was directed toward priority ﬁelds.

These physical traces correspond with well-documented drought cycles in Morocco, including multiyear dry periods in recent decades that have reduced reservoir levels and lowered groundwater tables. Former terraced landscapes show how earlier communities coped with similar pressures.

Crop selection was central to adaptation throughout the period when terraces were actively maintained, and it continues to shape farming decisions today. Farmers in Morocco relied heavily on drought-tolerant barley, which can germinate with limited moisture and mature before peak summer heat.

Research on barley varieties from North Africa and similar arid environments shows that these traditional variants can still produce a majority of their usual yields during severe droughts, while high-yield modern varieties, bred for irrigated or well-watered conditions and shorter growing cycles, often experience sharp yield declines or crop failure under the same conditions.

In oral histories and interviews, elders in these regions recalled collective maintenance practices, including annual cleaning of channels and coordinated planting after the ﬁrst dependable rains. Communities adapted to the changing climate together, coordinating eﬀorts and activities.

Lessons across continents

Although the Philippines and Morocco have diﬀerent climates and histories, their terrace systems demonstrate common principles. In both regions, people focused on capturing water and minimizing the risk of soil loss or crop failure.

Where terraces remain intact, studies show they tend to retain more soil and moisture and produce more consistent harvests than nearby unmodiﬁed slopes.

At the same time, terraces show limits. As labor availability declines because younger generations leave rural areas for cities or overseas work, and economic priorities shift toward wage labor and other nonagricultural livelihoods, even basic maintenance becomes diﬃcult.

These cases show that Indigenous strategies for living with climate uncertainty are often shaped by long-term observation and cooperation.

They do not provide simple solutions or universal models, but they do demonstrate the value of designing systems that spread risk and prioritize durability over shortterm eﬃciency.

Article courtesy of theconversation.com.

Stephen Acabado is Professor of Anthropology, University of California, Los Angeles

We Welcome You to Become a Part of This Loving Spiritual

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 (The Holy Bible)

Regular Activities

Sunday Worship Service: 9 AM (Dynamic Praise Time)

Children’s Sunday School & Adult Bible Study: Sundays at Noon

Sunday Love Meal: 11 AM

Wednesday Intercessory Prayer Fellowship: 7 PM

We welcome you to our new facility come and receive a blessing through this evangelical, Christ-centered,

legislate fairness, and their social norms reﬂect inclusivity, subtle forms of prejudice reveal the ugliness hiding behind the façade of open mindedness. The controversy surrounding the casting of the live action version of Disney’s The Little Mermaid illustrates this point. Members of minority groups who may not have faced blatant discrimination can still share at least one anecdote about how they were at the receiving end of a bigot’s meanness.

It appears that once humans enjoy privilege, they neither wish to share it nor do they want to sacriﬁce it. Why is it so? Could it be that oppressors have tricked themselves into believing that they are right? Accepting that they are wrong would indicate that they are “bad” and as humans we have a strong need to be thought of as “good”. So, an employer who is paying his relative more than better performers at his company may try to identify minor ﬂaws in the other employees to justify the nepotism.

Progress toward a just society is often damaged by unnecessary fears and misconceptions. A myth that has plagued patriarchal societies is that the institution of family will break down if women work outside the home. The truth is that women in traditional civilizations worked outside the home too. For instance, in agricultural communities, the women, men and older children worked shoulder to shoulder on their farms. Self-awareness and empathy are skills that take years to learn and therefore it is not surprising that people in general fail to recognize how their behavior is discriminatory or oﬀensive. Learning how to avoid that can be humbling as well as admirable. From my personal experience I can share that there were many advantages I enjoyed as a Hindu in India that I did not even realize.

When I moved to the USA, I sensed what it is like to be a minority. Little observations contributed to my understanding of how easy it is to overlook the needs of a smaller, weaker or quieter group. Changing attitudes through introspection may not suddenly lead us into a utopian world, but minor actions can lead to major improvements.

Pursuing the goal of equality will require the collective strength and effort of our entire species. At the very least, we can start by examining our own beliefs and biases. Developing a healthy skepticism about social media feeds that highlight inflammatory views about certain populations can be the next step. One can seek practical solutions to even the playing field instead of simply criticizing others.

Identifying biases in seemingly objective sources such as medical research is also important so that professionals can have a better understanding of the health of the overall population and not just certain groups. I could go on and on but let me end now on a positive note, with a wish that we do not surrender and move forward to attain equality one step at a time.

Shyama Parui

is a long time North Carolina resident and an ardent writer. You can reach her at: shyamashree_parui@hotmail.com.

Next Gen Leo Club continued from page 30

Members describe the club as “a place where everyone can shine.” Whether leading projects, volunteering handson, or contributing ideas behind the scenes, every teen finds a role. Leadership positions are filled through elections, giving members firsthand experience in campaigning, voting, and shaping the club’s vision—an engaging lesson in teamwork, responsibility, and democracy.

Service in Action: Youth Leading the Way Youth Empowering Youth: Back-to-School Project.

Impact: $436 raised + school supplies donated Members kicked off the season with a door-to-door campaign, raising funds and collecting school supplies for underprivileged students. This initiative highlighted the club’s core belief: youth empowering youth. Dozens of students started the year ready to learn, thanks to the dedication of their teen peers. “Seeing the smiles on their faces made all the effort worthwhile—it’s incredible to know we helped kids start school with confidence.” – Club Member

Turning Pages, Inspiring Minds: Book Drive.

Members assembled thoughtful kits for caregivers at Levine Children’s Hospital, including mugs, candles, chocolates, ﬂowers, and handwritten cards. These kits reﬂected gratitude, creativity, and heartfelt appreciation for frontline healthcare workers.

Joy for the Holidays: Toy Drive. Impact: $450+ worth of toys collected

During the holiday season, members led a toy drive for families at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Charlotte. Delivering gifts and joy, teens reminded families that they are valued and supported, even during challenging times.

Small Gestures, Big Smiles & Symphonies for Seniors

Teens created handmade cards and posters for residents at White Oak Senior Living Center and performed live music at Brookdale Senior Living Center, bridging generations and spreading smiles. “Music brings people together. Playing for the seniors reminded me why service matters—it’s about connection.” – Leo Musician

Impact: 700+ books delivered + $65 raised Through the Booktober Book Drive, in partnership with Promising Pages, members collected, cleaned, and distributed books to children in book deserts, areas where reading materials are scarce. This project fostered imagination, curiosity, and a lifelong love of reading.

Compassion in Action: Stock the Snack Cart. Impact:

700+ individually packed snacks delivered

Teens delivered snacks to pediatric cancer patients and their families at Levine Children’s Hospital, oﬀering comfort and encouragement during long treatment days and demonstrating how small acts of kindness can bring meaningful support during diﬃcult times.

Appreciating Our Caregivers: Healthcare Worker Kits. Impact: 60 kits assembled + $315 raised

Raising Awareness: Microplastics in Blood

Beyond hands-on service, teens launched an awareness campaign on microplastics in blood, combining education with advocacy and highlighting how service can extend to protecting the planet and public health.

Shaping Leaders, One Smile at a Time

The Next Gen Leo Club is more than a youth organization, it is a community where energy, creativity, and kindness collide. From book drives to music outreach, every act of service carries a lesson: leadership is about caring, inspiring, and stepping up. Through each project, card, or smile, members are leading with heart, leaving a lasting impact, and planting seeds for a future where giving back is second nature.

Haripriya Srinivasan is Advisor, Next Gen Leo Club of Waxhaw

For more details, contact: nextgenleosclub1@gmail.com or visit Waxhawlionsclub.org/nextgen. Instagram: @nextgenleoclub

scroll on the phone to check for those super important updates: now the music starts up again: another dance piece.

A dancer looks like half their face is a woman and half their face is a man. What does this represent? Some of the movements of the dancer is strong and powerful, while some of the movements look gentle and graceful. The dancer is depicting both these contrasting ideas, and the music and rhythms guide the dancer. Interesting, as this seems to apply to daily life.

Maybe there are times when we feel powerful. Sometimes we may feel graceful. Maybe there are times where we feel both. And then, maybe there are times when we feel neither of those terms and something else applies. There may be times when we feel beyond those constrictive terms.

Language is a form, and while a tool, can also be limiting if we don’t apply it properly and don’t realize its limitations. All of this seems so contradictory. Somewhat confusing. Are we getting into the concept of the Buddhist Koans? Science shows that there are contradictory statements.

Light is a particle and a wave. An electron becomes measured when we measure it. Finally, through all these musings, and after what seemed like a long time, and somehow not so long, the show comes to an end. Maybe the new viewer did not understand everything that occurred. Maybe they got lost from some of the dance pieces. But with the attendance, the budding Rasika started to become exposed to certain concepts and ideas that they may not have thought about before or may not have seen presented in an artistic form. Maybe they will go home and look up more on the internet about this dance and music style.

Where did this all come from? Who created this art form? It seems to have many origins. It seems to come from our Earthly realm from our world ancestors, and from many great gurus.

It is from Divine Parvathi - Who teaches graceful dance steps and is the Shakthi of the universe. And from Lord Nataraja, the King of Dance, always forgiving- who is surrounded by various beings like ghosts and goblins who we may ﬁnd scary, but he ﬁnds them loveable.

Lord Nataraja was beseeched to help people learn concepts and to try to get us to still for a while, so we can stop ﬁghting and calm our minds. When our minds are calm, it gives us a chance to look at the beautiful adornments of the dancers and listen to the meditative bhols and sollakatus

With this calmness we then become transported to a timeless place of storytelling to learn about the worlds, each other, and ourselves.

This series of articles is about the journey and unique insights of an adult dance student learning classical Indian dance and the experiences and perspective of taking classical Indian dance as both an American and an Indian.

Preethi Sriram

is a classical dance enthusiast and lifelong learner of dance. Contact: SriramPreethi@hotmail.com.

protection, particularly for valuable items. High-value possessions such as jewelry and collectibles are included, but there are often limits on theft coverage for these items. To insure them for their full value, you may need to purchase an endorsement and have them appraised. With rising prices, standard jewelry coverage is often insuﬃcient.

Liability Protection: Liability protection covers you against lawsuits for bodily injury or property damage that you cause to others. For example, if your child accidentally breaks your neighbor’s expensive TV, your policy will cover the loss. However, damage to your own property is not included.

The liability portion of your policy pays for both legal defense costs and any court awards, up to the limit stated in your policy documents. If you have signiﬁcant assets, you might consider purchasing an umbrella or excess liability policy for broader and higher liability protection. If there is a liability claim, the attorney will try to get much as possible from you. Even if the ruling is in your favor, legal fees will mount up quickly.

Your homeowner policy also includes no-fault medical coverage. If a visitor is injured in your home, they can submit medical bills directly to your insurance company without ﬁling a liability claim against you.

An interesting anecdote about a recent event: A client had some overnight guests. The shower faucet in the guest bathroom was incorrectly set where the hot and cold settings were switched. The guest ended up burning himself with the hot water causing severe burns, medical bills and ﬁnancial loss due to cancellation of vacation plans. Fortunately, the guest did not pursue claims but if an attorney were involved, this could have been a huge liability claim. My client has signiﬁcant assets, and we were able to get him a relatively inexpensive umbrella policy which would have covered liability up to $5 million over the standard homeowner protection. He had initially declined that coverage but after this incident, he realized the importance of risk mitigation and got himself covered.

Additional Living Expenses: Additional Living Expenses coverage pays for extra costs incurred if you must live away from your home due to damage from a covered disaster. This includes hotel bills, meals, and other expenses that exceed your normal living costs while your home is being rebuilt.

Exclusions: A standard homeowner insurance policy does not cover certain types of loss, including damage caused by ﬂoods, earthquakes, or routine wear and tear. If you need protection for these events, you will need to purchase separate endorsements or policies.

Owning your home is a wonderful blessing. Make sure that you protect your assets by mitigating the risks involved not only in terms of property coverage but also liability exposures.

Anuj Kasera

is a long term resident of Charlotte, NC and owns an insurance agency, focusing mostly on home, auto and business insurance. He can be reached at anujkasera@gmail.com.

Adult Dance Student

cooling cities and building climate resilience. But it’s not that simple. The success of urban forests depends on factors such as rainfall, understanding interactions with local wildlife and people’s needs.

A recent study warns that in hot, dry cities with limited water availability like Chennai, trees slow the cooling process by water evaporation from leaves and instead contribute to urban heat. Urban heat comes from the reﬂection and absorption of sunlight by buildings and land surfaces. This is particularly high in growing smaller Indian cities with populations of 1 to 5 million.

Planting trees with the sole aim of cooling cities could negatively affect wildlife too. Not all birds, bugs and mammals depend on trees for food or shelter. A study from researchers in Bengaluru, India, shows that non-native tree species contribute little to bird richness. Meanwhile, urban grasslands and marshlands that are often misclassified as “waste land” support wildlife and help regulate flooding.

In India, cities and villages have open “common” land where people graze their cattle or harvest fuelwood from trees that grow naturally there – tree-planting initiatives in these open land areas can displace poorer communities of people who rely on open lands for grazing and fuel wood collection.

Design with nature

Urban forests can be planned to meet the needs of people, birds and other wildlife.

In 1969, Ian McHarg, the late Scottish landscape architect and urban planner came up with the concept of “design with nature”, where development has a minimal negative eﬀect on the environment. His idea was to preserve existing natural forests by proposing site suitability assessments. By analyzing factors such as rivers and streams, soil type, slope and drainage, McHarg’s approach still helps planners to identify which areas suit development and which are best preserved for nature.

This approach has advanced with new technology. Now, geographic information systems and satellite imagery help planners integrate environmental data and identify suitable areas for planting new trees or conserving urban forests.

Using the principles of landscape ecology, urban planners can design forest patches in a way that enhances the connectivity of green spaces in a city, rather than uniformly planting trees across all open spaces. By designing these “ecological corridors”, trees along roads or canals, for example, can help link fragmented green spaces.

Planting native tree species suited to dry and droughtprone environments is also crucial, as is assessing the local community’s needs for native fruit-bearing trees that provide food.

Growing urban forests

By 2030, one-third of India’s electricity demand is expected to come from cooling equipment such as air conditioning. Increasing urban forests could help reduce this need for more energy.

National-level policies could support urban forest

expansion across India. In 2014, the government of India released its urban greenery guidelines and ﬂagship urban renewal programs such as the Smart Cities Mission have tried to increase tree cover. But guidelines often overlook critical considerations like ecological connectivity, native species and local community needs.

In 2020, the government of India launched Nagar Van Yojana (a scheme to improve tree cover in cities) with a budget of around US$94 million. It aims to create urban forests through active participation of citizens, government agencies and private companies. But there is little evidence that urban forest covers have improved.

Urbanization reduced tree cover in most Indian cities, and much of it was rather unplanned. But by protecting and planting more trees, citizens can live in greener, cooler cities. By shifting urban forest policy from counting trees to designing landscapes, plans that enhance climate resilience, nature conservation and social equity can be put into practice.

Article courtesy of Theconversation.com

Dhanapal Govindarajulu is Postgraduate Researcher, Climate Adaptation, University of Manchester.

Health Insurance

continued from page 48

So B. decided to buy a plan on the ACA marketplace for herself and her husband, paying premiums of $1,200 a month.

“The bottom line is none of this is aﬀordable,” she said, “so we’re going to be dipping into savings to pay for this.”

Postponing a Wedding

The prospect of soaring insurance premiums put a pause on Nicole Benisch’s plans to get married.

Benisch, 45, owns a holistic wellness business in Providence. She paid $108 a month for a zero-deductible “silver” plan on Rhode Island’s insurance exchange.

But the cost in 2026 more than doubled, to $220 a month. She and her ﬁancé had planned to marry in December. “And then,” she said, “we realized how drastically that was going to change the cost of my premium.”

As a married couple, their combined income would exceed 400% of the federal poverty level and make Benisch ineligible for ﬁnancial help. Her current plan’s monthly premium payments would triple, costing her more than $700 a month.

Benisch considered a less expensive “bronze” plan, but it wouldn’t cover vocal therapy, which she needs to treat muscle tension dysphonia, a condition that can make her voice strain or give out.

If they get married, there’s another option: Switch to her ﬁancé’s health plan in Massachusetts. But that would mean losing all her Rhode Island doctors, who would be out-ofnetwork.

“We have some tough decisions to make,” she said, “and none of the options are really great for us.”

Article courtesy of Kaiser Heath News: kffhealthnews.org.

NC Ferry System continued from page 46

system has identiﬁed $23.5 million in recurring annual needs — $13.5 million for operations and maintenance and $10 million for vessel replacement.

“This funding supports critical areas like overtime and temp staﬃng to keep service consistent; routine facility and marine maintenance to prevent costly breakdowns; ramp rehabilitations; and Coast Guard compliance work at external shipyards,” Creech said.

“It also provides steady funding for replacing aging vessels, which improves reliability and reduces long-term costs. These are not new initiatives. They’re the core needs required to keep the system running safely and sustainably.”

The division, she said, has also identiﬁed about $69 million in unfunded, non-recurring critical needs, like replacing its shipyard’s aging air and electrical systems, dredging and shoreline and other infrastructure maintenance.

It’s unclear whether lawmakers will provide the funds the ferry system’s leaders say it needs when a budget agreement is ultimately reached. North Carolina is the only state in the nation without a new budget.

What is the ferry system’s impact on the state economy?

North Carolina’s ferry system helps generate more than $735 million in revenue each year, according to a study of the ferry system published in 2020.

Some of the routes help transport workers to their jobs, students to school and military personnel to the Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point in southeastern Craven County.

According to the study, the ferry system also helps generate:

—- $32.5 million in state and local taxes

—- $217.3 million in employee earnings

——5,860 jobs

——$40.3 million in passenger beneﬁts like safety, and vehicle cost and travel time savings

Article courtesy of NClocal.org.

Immigration continued from page 68

selection process will generally favor the allocation of CAPsubject H-1B visas to higher-paid workers compared to their lower-paid counterparts. According to the press release issued by USCIS:

“The existing random selection process of H-1B registrations was exploited and abused by U.S. employers who were primarily seeking to import foreign workers at lower wages than they would pay American workers. The new weighted selection will [incentivize] American employers to petition for higher-paid, higher-skilled foreign workers.”

The impact of this change will invariably impact new workers entering the workforce, as college graduates are undeniably lower income earners compared to those more tenured in the particular ﬁeld and will likely lead to new CAP-subject H-1B being skewed towards older and more established workers.

Much like many other policy changes sought by the Trump Administration, the new weighted selection process will likely be met with litigation seeking to block its implementation, as the impact of this change only 10 weeks before the start of the H-1B registration period gives employers little time to plan and employees even less in terms of prospective options on how to adapt.

The use of the weighted selection system is the second signiﬁcant regulatory change to the issuance of H-1B visas. The former was the implementation of the $100,000 application fee to those employers seeking to obtain H-1B visas for workers that were not seeking to change status in the United States.

The $100,000 fee has only been applicable to a small fraction of applications, as most H-1B applications involve employees changing from one employer to another, a change that does not require the payment of the $100,000 fee.

The fee is only applicable to employers seeking to obtain H-1B visas for individuals not physically in the United States that would be looking to obtain a visa abroad.

The application of this fee has already faced significant court challenge brought by multiple states, as well as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Global Nurse Force asserting that the fee jump well-exceeded the President’s authority, failed to provide any public notice as is required under federal law and makes certain positions (i.e. nurses, researchers or scholars) almost entirely unfillable particularly for public and nonprofit agencies.

Most litigation eﬀorts remain in their early stages without any decisive court rulings to date.

Rishi P. Oza

is Partner at Brown Immigration Law, a firm that focuses solely on immigration law; he practices in Durham. roza@rbrownllc.com.

The Arctic Council is the region’s primary oﬃcial forum for the Arctic countries to work together, but it is explicitly barred from addressing military and security issues – the very pressures now reshaping Arctic shipping.

The council went dormant for over a year starting in 2022 after Russia, then the Arctic Council president, invaded Ukraine. While meetings and projects involving the remaining countries have since resumed, the council’s inﬂuence has been undercut by unilateral moves by the Trump administration and Russia, and bilateral arrangements between countries, including Russia and China, often involving access to oil, gas and critical mineral deposits.

In this context, Arctic countries can strengthen cooperation through other channels. An important one is science.

For decades, scientists from the U.S., Europe, Russia and other countries collaborated on research related to public safety and the environment, but Russia’s invasion of Ukraine disrupted those research networks.

Going forward, countries could share more data on ice thaw, extreme weather and emergency response to help prevent accidents in a rapidly opening shipping corridor.

Critical

minerals: Control over the seabed

The global transition to clean energy is driving demand for critical minerals, such as nickel, cobalt, manganese and rare earth elements, that are essential for everything from smartphones and batteries to fighter jets. Some of the world’s largest untapped deposits lie deep below the ocean’s surface, in places like the Clarion-Clipperton Zone near Hawaii in the Pacific. This has sparked interest from governments and corporations in sea floor mining.

Harvesting critical minerals from the seabed could help meet demand at a time when China controls much of the global critical mineral supply. But deep-sea ecosystems are poorly understood, and disruptions from mining would have unknown consequences for ocean health. Forty countries now support either a ban or a pause on deep sea mining until the risks are better understood.

These concerns sit alongside geopolitical tensions: Most deep-sea minerals lie in international waters, where competition over access and proﬁts could become another front in global rivalry.

The International Seabed Authority was created under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea to manage seabed resources, but its eﬀorts to establish binding mining rules have stalled. The U.S. never ratiﬁed the convention, and the Trump administration is now trying to fast-track its own permits to circumvent the international process and accelerate deep-sea mining in areas that are outside national jurisdictions.

Against this backdrop, a loose coalition of issue-focused groups and companies have joined national governments in calling for a pause on deep-sea mining. At the same time, some insurers have declined to insure deep-sea mining projects.

Pressure from outside groups will not eliminate competition over seabed resources, but it can shape behavior by raising the costs of moving too quickly without carefully evaluating the risks. For example, Norway recently paused deep-sea mining licenses until 2029, while BMW, Volvo and Google have pledged not to purchase metals produced from deep-sea mines until environmental risks are better understood.

Overﬁshing: When competition outruns cooperation

Fishing fleets have been ranging farther and fishing longer in recent decades, leading to overfishing in many areas. For coastal communities, the result can crash fish stocks, threatening jobs in fishing and processing and degrading marine ecosystems, which makes coastal areas less attractive for tourism and recreation. When stocks decline, seafood prices also rise.

Unlike deep-sea mining or Arctic shipping, overﬁshing is prompting cooperation on many levels.

In 2025, a critical mass of countries ratiﬁed the High Seas Treaty, which sets out a legal framework for creating marine protected areas in international waters that could give species a chance to recover. Meanwhile, several countries have arrangements with their neighbors to manage ﬁshing together.

For example, the European Union and U.K. are finalizing an agreement to set quotas for fleets operating in waters where fish stocks are shared. Likewise, Norway and Russia have established annual quotas for the Barents Sea to try to limit overfishing. These government-led efforts are reinforced by other forms of diplomacy that operate outside government.

Market-based initiatives like the Marine Stewardship Council certification set common sustainability standards for fishing companies to meet. Many major retailers look for that certification when making purchases. Websites like Global Fishing Watch monitor fishing activity in near real time, giving governments and advocacy groups data for action.

Collectively, these eﬀorts make it harder for illegal ﬁshing to hide.

How well countries are able to work together to update quotas, share data and enforce rules as warming oceans shift where ﬁsh stocks are found and demand continues to grow will determine whether overﬁshing can be stopped.

Looking Ahead

At a time when international cooperation is under strain, agreements between countries and pressure from companies, insurers and issue-focused groups are essential for ensuring a healthy ocean for the future.

Article courtesy of theconversation.com

Jonas Gamso is Associate Professor and Deputy Dean of Knowledge Enterprise for the Thunderbird School of Global Management, Arizona State University

Hossain Ahmed Tauﬁq is Postdoctoral Fellow of Ocean Diplomacy and Leadership, Arizona State University

Mindful Masala

Driving was risky because of careless auto wallas. Slowly, without realizing it, I learned to see the world through suspicion instead of trust. That mindset stuck.

I’ve tried to reform myself. Sometimes successfully. Sometimes not. I try to look at the positive side of things, but it’s easy to get pulled back into the vortex of what will go wrong, when it may go wrong, how people will eventually turn on me. Don’t trust others. Assume they won’t be nice to you. That voice is familiar.

Corporate life reinforces this. I’ve heard it said often: they won’t let brown people succeed. Brown managers are the worst. I’ve believed those stories at times—not objectively, but emotionally—treating someone else’s opinion as Gita instead of just that: an opinion.

And yet, being realistic doesn’t mean being cynical. Yes, trusting blindly can hurt us. Yes, people betray us. Yes, caution has value. But there’s a diﬀerence between exercising judgment and pre-judging everyone before they’ve even acted.

Assuming positive intent doesn’t mean ignoring red ﬂags. It means not inventing them. It means leaving room for curiosity. Why did they say that? What else might be going on in their life? Is this really about me or am I making it so?

“Bhagwan sab ka bhala karo (God make everyone nice)” is a beautiful thought. But equally important is remembering that Bhagwan isn’t trying to ruin my life either. Most people are busy dealing with their own challenges. Their words or actions may land poorly, but that doesn’t automatically mean malice.

This matters most with the people closest to us. A call from mom starts with: “Why haven’t you called?” I automatically think she’s scolding me or guilt-trapping me. It could just be that she is missing me. With a spouse, a casual “You’re working late again?” or “I asked you to do that earlier” can get replayed, dissected, analyzed— repeatedly—until it becomes something negative. We scrutinize every word, every tone. Depending on our mindset, we make it mean something hurtful instead of something human. Ironically, we often extend the least grace to the people who care about us the most.

Why assume positive intent at all? Because life becomes lighter. Because relationships improve. Because our mental and physical health beneﬁts. Because not every interaction needs to be a battle.

The world doesn’t need us. It isn’t conspiring against us either. It simply exists, and within it, most people are just trying to get through their own day.

Assuming positive intent doesn’t make us weak. It makes us calmer, clearer, and more human.

Hiren Deliwala

is a Charlotte-based overthinker, closet philosopher, and avid board gamer. He writes about everyday life, Indian upbringing, and finding humor in the chaos. When not philosophizing over chai, he’s usually losing arguments to his wife and, shockingly, learning from them. Contact: hcdeliwala@gmail.com

As with all things, it can be detrimental to lean excessively into the idealism of ﬁnding “the one” similar to these types of stories. Unfortunately, love in real life doesn’t regularly resolve with an adoring kiss of acknowledgment in the middle of a public place. It’s inescapably messy with a jumbled composite of good and bad moments strewn throughout.

Yet many of us still seek out that dream. We still wish to discover that perfect love just like the protagonist in those cherished stories.

When we do start a new relationship, it almost feels immaculate in its execution. Every smile. Every laugh. Finding out the two of you have similar interests. Even the way the other person does a particular nervous tick can seem endearing. The rose-colored glasses of young love is the ideal, but often time changes that color to black… or even destroys the lenses entirely.

As the two of you gradually drift apart, one or both think less about how they fell in love but instead begin diagnosing where it all went wrong. Maybe you said the wrong thing one time. It could be that your similarities were not as deep as originally thought. Perhaps one of their habits just… irks you in some way that is irreconcilable.

Whether one can handle the rejection or not depends on the mindset of each individual. You go through the 5 stages of grief at light speed, repeatedly until enough time has passed and you’re ﬁnally able to move forward with your life. You remember to love yourself without the need for someone else’s validation. Heck, you may even conclude that you will never fall in love again.

However, if you instead choose to take a moment and genuinely reﬂect on your experiences, while it may not have been as perfect as you imagined, even doomed loved shouldn’t be taken in vain. Both of you grew from your time together. While there may be no “happily ever after” as a couple, you both walked away from the relationship as changed people.

Our interactions with others – whether strangers, colleagues, family, or lovers – will almost always leave an indelible mark on our psyche. We’re all just paddling around in this giant ocean of life, yet even the briefest of touches, words, or glances as we swim past each other can keep oneself from sinking too far to the bottom.

Sometimes… it’s better to appreciate the fact these brief experiences helped plant seeds of gratitude that will blossom later and help shape you into the person you are now.

Not every relationship you have will be as glamourous as those portrayed in ﬁction, and that’s perfectly okay. Not everyone gets to have a perfectly structured love story arc, but never underestimate those warm, soft blanket moments when they do occur.

Jennifer Allen works at Saathee and is also a Podcaster, Blogger, Photographer, Graphic Artist, Gamer, Martial Arts Practitioner, and an all around Pop Culture Geek. You can reach her at Saathee@Saathee.com.

● Seek programs that provide comprehensive support for MCAT preparation, integrated research and clinical exposure. Learning and testing support that aligns with MCAT content strengthens program readiness, while outof-class experiences add depth and breadth to the prospective student’s application.

Medical schools closely evaluate the student’s GPA and coursework completed as a measure of readiness for medical training. A special master’s program that reﬂects the rigor of and alignment with medical school can often make the transition to the M.D. or D.O. program less challenging.

Program Fit

Fit goes beyond ﬁnancial consideration and should also consider what is given in return, which allows the student to become a stronger medical school applicant. Applicants should:

● Evaluate program value by examining what opportunities, in addition to the academic curriculum, are aﬀorded to matriculants. This can include mentoring, research, clinical exposure, MCAT support and interview preparation. Often, the beneﬁts beyond the cost value have the greatest impact on a student’s special master’s program and eventual medical school success.

● Review cost and aﬀordability. Need-based aid and merit scholarships can help oﬀset program costs. However, applicants should also consider factors such as location and cost of living when determining the overall program price tag.

Special master’s programs are significant time and monetary investments on the path to medical school, so it’s critical to evaluate the costs and benefits of such experiences. Prior to applying, applicants should critically evaluate potential programs by checking official admissions office data for metric outcomes and speaking with current students and/or alumni to gauge the quality of their experiences.

Completing a special master’s program depends on student needs and priorities.

Applicants who desire to maximize their chances of medical school admission should focus on programs that have demonstrated strong outcomes, while those seeking a deeper understanding of science content before matriculation should consider programs that reﬂect or parallel medical school curriculums.

Individualized guidance from premed advisers and informational sessions with special master’s program faculty and administrators are designed to help prospective students determine which options may be their best ﬁt.

Kristen Moon

is the founder of Moon Prep, an education consultancy brand with a focus on U.S. Medical programs. Contact: kristen@moonprep.com.

transforms rule memorization into an enjoyable learning experience. In its ﬁrst season alone, the platform engaged more than 100 teams, 300 active players, and over 1,000 interactions worldwide.

Cybotz’s work extends far beyond software and hardware. The team maintains an online resource library of computer-aided design (CAD) and 3D printing tutorials on YouTube, garnering thousands of views, and regularly hosting engineering webinars of students at all experience levels.

They also produce a social media interview series highlighting alumni from the FIRST community as they navigate successful careers in engineering, healthcare, media, and beyond. Complemented by newsletters, part technical treasure trove, part social inspiration, Cybotz’s content has become an incredible curriculum for rookies and veterans alike.

One of the most impactful chapters in Cybotz’s story is its mentorship beyond borders. The team has traveled to India to mentor more than 300 underserved students across grades K–12, while also running sessions at local libraries and museums in the United States. Through partnerships with various institutions, Cybotz’s outreach and presentations have reached over 25,000 people.

It may be an unconventional role for a student group yet it matches with Cybotz’s belief that lacking civic sense is an incomplete education despite technical skill.

The team has also turned a virtual classroom into an epicenter of hope during diﬃcult times across the globe. The team ran sessions with underserved European students, teaching FTC coding basics while troubleshooting over imperfect connections. Beyond live lessons, Cybotz shared its Quiz Clash practice tools so partner classrooms could practice their newfound STEM skills from the comfort of their homes. For students learning amid upheaval, Cybotz’s presence oﬀered stability, demonstrating that compassion isn’t limited by geography.

These audiences have participated in lectures, hands-on workshops, one-on-one mentorships, and volunteer-supported events. These small connections, like FIRST Robotics interest clinics at libraries, museum demonstrations, or Sunday workshops with rookie FTC teams, are what forge a lifelong interest in STEM.

The team’s ethos of engineering for the community is reﬂected in individual achievements as well. One Cybotz member developed a modular, hurricane-resistant housing design for North Carolina’s Outer Banks, earning coverage in Forbes with over 150,000 views, exemplifying the realworld impact the team strives to foster.

This is just one example of the tenacity that flows through Cybotz every day. “Here at Cybotz, we believe student innovation can have tangible impact,” says Cybotz head coach. “They don’t just aim to make a robot that suffices for the game. They test and refine relentlessly, ensuring their work serves the community for the greater good.”

That philosophy underpins everything Cybotz does.

Cybotz also shows up where the rules are written. Team members have advocated regarding technology access and successfully pushed for edits that prioritize equity within emerging curricula.

What makes Cybotz’s story especially resonant is its core: a thirteen-person team with strong South Asian American representation, composed of young people who carry diasporic dreams. Their presence disrupts stereotypes about what a kid does after school. Instead of being boxed into a classroom alone, these students debug robots at the crack of dawn, teach CAD to elementary schoolers by day, and mentor young minds in Chennai via livestream by night, all out of sheer passion and ambition.

This work is shaped by the traditional values of the South Asian American community and continues to serve as a beacon for future generations. Families who once viewed engineering as a distant ladder now see role models who look like their children: students who balance academic rigor with the joy of making, and who give back to their home country not for appearances, but through meaningful relationships that spark questions on global access to STEM.

For South Asian youth across the United States, Cybotz’s message is simple: You can pursue technical excellence while devoting yourself to the community. For readers of Saathee who care about representation and change, Cybotz’s story is a South Asian story about a force stronger than grit and generosity.

These thirteen students are engineering futures not only for themselves, but for their peers and for the next generation of children who will one day stand and say, “I can build too.”

Ananya Sinha

is an eighth-grade student and South Asian-American STEM advocate engaged in expanding access to STEM through youth-led outreach and community initiatives that promote equitable access to education.

Contact: anaunicorn1611@gmail.com.

•

CarToon Corner

Tune Your Brain

Solve these brain teasers - Solutions on Page 110

PUZZLES

Magic Maze

Puzzles 4 Kids Answers on page 110

Key Word Search

Fill in blanks of these clues, then take the ﬁrst letter of each word and unscramble them to ﬁnd this month’s Key Word.

Seoul is the capital of _____.

Thursday, _____, Saturday.

This day is the middle of the work week _____.

Cairo is capital of _____.

Toronto is on the shore of Lake _____.

Moscow is capital of _____.

New Orleans is in state of _____.

on page 104

Chess Puzzles

Game reference: Arnason vs Vidarsson 1988

Directions: White to move and checkmate in 2.

Difficulty:

Game reference: Arizmendi Martinez vs Gonzalez,1996

Directions: White to move, checkmate in 3.

Difficulty:

Game reference: Artemiev vs Badmatsyrenov 2018

Directions: White to move, win material

Answer:

Festivals & Holidays Puzzle Solutions

February 2026

Feb. 1 - Magha Purnima (Full Moon)

Feb. 1 - Guru Ravidas Jayanti

Feb. 2 - Groundhog Day / Imbolc

Feb. 3 - Lailat al Barat

Feb. 4 - World Cancer Day

Feb. 6 - National Wear Red Day

Feb. 12 - Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati Jayanti

Feb. 12 - Vijaya Ekadashi / Kumbha Sankranti

Feb. 14 - St. Valentine’s Day

Feb. 15 - Maha Shivaratri

Feb. 15 - Nirvana Day

Feb. 16 - Presidents Day

Feb. 17 - Darsh Amas (No Moon)

Feb. 17 - Mardi Gras

Feb. 17 - Lunar New Year (Year of the Horse)

Feb. 17 - Random Acts of Kindness Day

Feb. 18 - Ash Wednesday

Feb. 18 - Ramadan Begins

Feb. 19 - Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti

Feb. 19 - Ramakrishna Jayanti

Feb. 20 - National Leadership Day

Feb. 22 - World Yoga Day

Feb. 27 - Amalaki Ekadashi

Key Word Search Answers from page 103

South Korea Friday Wednesday Egypt Ontario Russia Louisiana

Key Word of the Month: FLOWERS

Boat color change

Astroscope FEBRUARY 2026

Aries

(March 21 – April 19)

The month can start with in ﬂow of money in your account, but it may not last very long. Don’t try to make easy money, as you may create problems for yourself. You should consider spending some money on either social or religious events. Plan to buy an investment property. You may enjoy happy love life during second half of the month. Be careful in taking your medications, or you may end up in a minor but long-term health issue.

Taurus

(April 20 – May 20)

You will come across numerous opportunities to earn money. It is going to be a very busy period. Students and young generation should make brave and positive decisions. An accident is possible this month, so drive carefully. Ups and downs in love life may lead to an unnecessary serious dispute with spouse. Unexpected rise in income may delight you in the last week of the month.

Gemini

(May 21 – June 20)

This month may lead you toward a major change in life. After a good start, you may face multiple issues in social life, hence confusion may surround you. Watch your health seriously. You will be busy in your career and will earn good this month. It is recommended to meditate for peace of mind. It will help you in building conﬁdence, too. Enjoy limited help from your kids.

Cancer

(June 21 – July 22)

Success and opportunities are on the way for you this month. Any overconﬁdence may lead you toward unnecessary expenses, hence avoid them. Be prepared to focus on work, as the returns could be more than your expectations. Enjoy spiritual power and religious thoughts. They may bring mental happiness to you. Take risks and adopt changes in life. Your enemies won’t be able to harm you this month.

Leo

(July 23 – August 22)

Destiny will favor you this month. You may go for speculations or bold business decisions. Your superior may force you to cheat at place of work, but don’t compromise with your morals completely. Avoid family disputes as it may destroy your peace of mind. Financial risks must also be avoided. You will enjoy good health this month. Your friends or coworkers may also lead you to wrongdoing, so keep some distance.

Virgo

(August 23 – September 22)

Try to pass the month peacefully. Any egoistic comment may harm you this month. Hence stay away from parties or meetings. Just focus on your routine work and live with morals. Minor blood-related health issues may create problems for you. Support from your family, particularly your spouse, may make you feel comfortable. Focus on savings as a major investment opportunity is on the way.

Libra (September 23 – October 22)

You will feel delighted and happy as you will get positive responses from your loved ones. Your conﬁdence will be at par, and you will start planning a new dream project. Avoid family disputes and work on your future projects. A rewarding trip is possible, although it may not be comfortable. You may end up paying for your spouse’s mistake. Make quick decisions and move forward in life, as a great opportunity is waiting for you.

Scorpio (October 23 – November 21)

It is time to listen to your spouse and work as a team. It will bring ﬁnancial gain along with delightful activities. Also share your success with people around you, as it will open new opportunities for you. Don’t hesitate to take risks and spend money on luxury items. It will end up rewarding. Watch your health, as too many activities may lead to minor health problems.

Sagittarius

(November 22 – December 21)

A tiring and hectic work schedule this month should lead you towards going for a change in your career. You may earn enough for survival only this month. You may need to open your eyes and start working on new opportunities. You may have to go to school to explore opportunity. Don’t compromise on your morals to make easy money. Avoid disputes with enemies by compromising with them. Enjoy good health this month.

Capricorn

(December 22 – January 19)

Increase in bank balance and active schedule will help you in building conﬁdence. Try to control your expenses to avoid unnecessary ﬁnancial stress. Your good relationship with your superiors will help you with your next projects. Unwanted health issue may slow you down during second half of the month. Enjoy business-related travel as it will bring major success for you. Your extended family members will help you solve some unexpected issues.

Aquarius

(January 20 – February 18)

You will enjoy a very happy family life this month. A pleasant work environment also should make you feel comfortable. You will be able to make right decisions. Time is perfect to start new ventures. It may take time, but a major change is on the way. Avoid unnecessary travel and parties. It is time to make bold decisions. Ignore fear and build faith in your capabilities.

Pisces

(February 19 – March 20)

A closed issue may reopen in your favor during second half of month. A para-psychic experience may bring changes in the thinking in approach towards life. The time is very good for making any kind of move in job, business, relations, and general activities. An increase in income is indicated. Your reputation and your social circle is going to widen.

CLASSIFIEDS

Nice Club for Sale

In Denmark, SC. Still in running condition. Priced for quick sale! Call 904-307-4770 for details.

Beauty Parlour Booth Rentals Available

For personal service professionals in Cary, NC. For details, call 919-649-1228.

Established Indian Store in RTP area For Sale

$150k plus inventory and around $50k sales per month. Serious inquires only. Limited option of lease / partnership / owner finance available. Contact by text: Hari 919-2252518 or Billy 919-605-4924.

Hotel for Sale

105-Rooms in Mobile, AL. Price reduced. Call broker at 843-302-1999.

C-store with Property for Sale / Lease in Denmark, SC along with displays for fresh produce & frozen items. Gross income $40k / Lotto $25k per month. Daily income not included. Priced for quick sale! Call for full details 904-307-4770.

Independent Financial / Insurance & Agent Development Opportunities

Work from home in the financial insurance industry with excellent income potential! Call / text 908-590-4210 to schedule an appointment.

Businesses for Sale

Dry cleaner plant at good location & new equipment. Neighborhood Convenient Store/Gas Station at good location with low rent. Contact Rose Mun at 704-649-0021 or rosemunrealty@gmail.com.

Front Desk Manager & Housekeeping Couple Wanted for franchise hotel in Columbia, SC. Accommodations provided. Fluent English required. Text / Call 704-701-9975.

Gas Station / C-store Help Needed

For stores near Huntersville & Northlake areas. Must speak English. Family friendly oriented people. Call 704-402-4661.

Seeking Help for Elderly Couple with vegetarian cooking or delivering food 2-3 times a week in Concord, NC. Own transportation preferred. For details call or Text 704-968-3955.

Business Opportunity

Looking for licensed / unlicensed financial professionals for one of the fastest growing companies in North America. Maximize your income with Highest compensation plan, Ownership & Legacy. Guaranteed support & professional training. Contact Bhavesh Patel 704-390-4747 or bpatel@experiorfinancial.com.

Hotel Help Wanted

Front Desk / Manager, Night Auditor & Housekeeper (Single/Couple) for franchise hotels in Charlotte (Airport Area) & Winston-Salem (Near Hanes Mall). Accommodations provided. Call 704-626-4849 between 4-8pm.

Gas Station/C-Store Help Needed in Greensboro, NC. Must have previous experience and legal status. Great salary with benefits. Call 336-509-4054.

Hotel Help Wanted

Front Desk, Night Auditor & Housekeeper (Single / Couple) for a franchise hotel in Raleigh, NC. Perform duties according to franchise brand standards. Accommodations provided. Please call/WhatsApp at 919-3487950 (10am – 4pm).

Seeking Furniture Salesperson to join a Hospitality supplier company team in High Point, NC. This B2B sales role focuses on developing new business opportunities, nurturing client relationships, & offering tailored furniture solutions to meet the needs of hotel environments. The ideal candidate must be self-motivated & goal-oriented with exceptional organizational skills. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite required. Some understanding of commercial space planning and design principles preferred. Competitive base salary plus commission. Mon to Fri in High Point, NC (not remote). Email resume to rajm@amerifabintl.com.

Sales Associates Wanted for Mall Perfume Stores in Charlotte, NC, Pineville, NC, Hickory, NC, Memphis, TN & Knoxville, TN. Full-Time and Part-Time shifts available. Call Veer Singh: 415-265-8686.

Hotel Help Wanted

Front Desk / Manager, Night Auditor & Housekeeper (Single / Couple) for franchise hotels in Charlotte, Gastonia, High Point, NC & Columbia, SC. Accommodations provided. Call 704460-0379 between 6-9pm.

Housekeeping Couple Needed for franchise motel in Charleston, SC. Accommodations provided. Call 843-425-2840.

Convenient Store Help Wanted

Looking for cashier to work at convenience store in Kannapolis, NC. Attractive salary. Call or text 704-957-7777.

Front Desk Help Needed for Franchise Hotel Accommodations provided. Concord, NC. Call 704-772-5554.

Full-Time Cashier Required for Gas Station / Subway Shop in Charlotte and Matthews area. Contact 704-241-4499

For Immediate Hire

Gas Station Seeking Help

Single or couple. in Rock Hill, SC seeking help. Good pay for an experienced person! No accommodations. Call 803-659-3330.

Live-in Help Needed

Vegetarian Household in South Charlotte looking for live-in help with daily household tasks, including light cooking, cleaning, and assisting with childcare when needed. Please call 336-416-0729.

Need a Professional Main Chef for New Indian Restaurant in Spartanburg, SC. Please Call / Text 704-267-6272.

Immediate Opening for Experienced Manager at independent motel in Charlotte, NC. Communication skills and legal status required. Complimentary accommodations provided. Excellent salary w/ bonus program. Please send resume to wmalone683@gmail.com.

Multi-Unit Hotel Management Co. looking for: Corporate IT/Business Analyst; Accounts Payable Assistant; Hilton/Marriott/IHG Hotel Certified General Managers. Front desk positions available. Prior experience Required. Competitive pay with benefits. Contact By Text only: 704-649-6833 or Email: abcone@abcinns.com.

Manager / Front Desk Needed for Franchise Hotel in Rock Hill, SC. With Accommodations. Please call 803-517-4662.

Help Wanted for Indian grocery store in RTP. Please contact by text 919-225-2518 or by call 919489-9084 or email harig81us@gmail.com.

Seeking Sales Manager to lead sales team of Hospitality supplier company in High Point, NC. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in hospitality sales, outside sales, & account management, with a proven ability to analyze market trends & develop effective strategies to attract & retain clients by influencing stakeholders at all levels. Proficiency in Salesforce or similar CRM software for account management and sales tracking is preferred. Monday to Friday in High Point, NC (not remote). Email resume to rajm@amerifabintl.com.

Elder Care Needed in Charlotte

Family needs assistance with daily activities for 86-year-old man with alzheimer's. Parttime or full-time. Prefer male care giver. Good pay. Please call or text 704-661-5315.

Seeking Bride

Uncle seeking suitable match for Nephew (Agarwal). PhD, Professor of Electrical Engineering in Charleston, SC. Handsome, 32, 5'7", H-1 Visa and well settled. Caste no-bar. Text details to 864-915-0619.

43 year-old groom looking for Bride. Physical Therapist. Contact 919-437-1202 or dharmessh57@gmail.com.

US citizen, Hindu, business graduate, 33 currently working in a federal position in Raleigh, NC. Looking for educated bride. Contact 336-683-7631, +91 96246 87260, or cstore1947@yahoo.com.

41 year-old groom looking for Bride. Medical Doctor. US Citizen in North Carolina. Contact 919-437-1202 or bpraja1985@gmail.com.

US born, 26 year-old, 5’6”, working as a pharmacist, is seeking a well-educated Hindu bride. Please contact with biodata and photo at 336-501-3566 or 336-587-7426.

Saathee Classified ads:

Looking for a life partner? Saathee can help you reach hundreds of potential matches. Cost is only $15 per month. Includes matrimonial classified in Saathee Magazine print edition and on-line at Saathee.com. For details, email saathee@saathee.com or call 704-527-7570

Tax & Accounting Services

Vishant Mehta, CPA (USA), CA (India). Individual tax returns starting at $200. Business returns starting at $700. Contact 919-887-6321 | vishant@caltaxglobal.com

Neeta's Beauty Parlor Full service. Near Hindu Center of Charlotte. For details on our services or to make an appointment please call 704-968-0270.

Affordable Wedding Photography

22 years of experience in Indian wedding photography. Specializing in film & digital photos. Engagement, Wedding, and Receptions. Contact Vivek: email: vivekweddingmemories@gmail.com or call 347-321-4746.

Travel Passion

International & Domestic Air tickets. We process India Visa, OCI, Indian Passport Renewal, Hotel bookings & Tour packages. Call 509-550-9076 or 509-550-9034 or email travelpassion24@gmail.com.

Priest Available for Shree Satya narayan katha, Shanti hawan, Vastu shanty, Weddings, Baby shower, Bhumi pujan, Mata ki chowki pujan, Funeral, all types of karmakand. Please call Viral Bhatt 704-438-6334.

Jia Photography Charlotte

Weddings, engagements, baby showers, maternity, newborn, family portraits, seniors/graduations, headshots, corporate events, real estate, product, branding. Timeless style, fast delivery. Available to travel. Call/text 803-504-0663.

Pari Beauty in Matthews

Threading, Waxing, Facials, Postnatal & Newborn Massage, Home Cooking for Elderly & other services. 37 years of experience & great Service! Call 704-846-7912. Cashier Wanted for Convenience Store near Kannapolis, North Carolina. Very attractive salary! Accommodations provided. Text or Call 704-701-9482.

Looking for Bride for 47 year-old Gujarati man (never married, vegetarian, nonsmoker/drinker, but open-minded, single, and highly educated). Over 19 years of experience in the IT industry, currently working as an Application/Solution Architect at well-known U.S. bank in Charlotte, NC. Call 980-406-0666.

Well-educated 4th year Medical Student (25 year-old, never married, and goodlooking, Vegetarian, Spiritual, Gujarati, only child, US Citizen) looking for girl, preferably Medical professional but will accept any higher education. Text Shailesh 260-602-3354.

These signals are hardwired in us. Human interactions are rerouted via these signals. In this era of instant communications, deluge of information, isolation due to social media, these invisible signals have exploded.

We use them daily, while working, in social settings, and large gatherings. Most of the time we may not even be aware of using them. Often, people use these emotional signals knowingly. Other times, a ﬂippant remark, misguided anger or frustration, condescending down talking, and myriad other conﬂict inducing signals are strewn about without thought or concern where they may land.

It’s sort of like drivers who don’t use their turn signals while driving, thinking they own the roads and somehow control the lanes, something that could lead to visible physical impacts. The lack of thoughtful use of emotional signals during interactions also often can have negative and invisible impacts.

These invisible signals become parameters with which others judge each other or make assumptions about each other. The worst of these emerge during heated debates, heavy emotional traﬃc if you will, where harsh words are exchanged. When these emotional signals ﬂy about and zigzag each other with intemperate words, where any type of restraint is washed out by the heat of the moment, the damage is often immediate and likely gets baked into that relationship in the long run.

Our current political and social landscapes are potholed with these signals; many are used with an intent to illicit reactions while others are subtle, disguised and sent out to manipulate large numbers of people. Divisions created for political or even economic gains.

In the fragile threads of human connections, invisible turn signals can either enhance or disturb relationships, and this can happen knowingly or without self-awareness. Distances are created rather than the warmth of close connections. One could save the day with more mindful use of these signals.

We continually plow forward into new social terrains and technological advances that are creating disjointed paths. Being cognizant of these signals in our lives can soften the noise. Life is ﬁlled with many unknown paths where it’s a good idea to use signals with forethought.

Turn signals are of course especially useful in heavy traffic. Mindfulness while using invisible signals can be useful in avoiding many conflicts in our social traffic. Folks know where those turn signals are located in their cars and use them for mutual safety on the road, to reach their destinations. The tougher task is in becoming instinctive about using thoughtful emotional signals, where mutual trust should be the common final destination.

A note to the driver of the red Honda. Turn signals, invisible or visible, their use or the lack of use, have consequences.

Samir Shukla

is the Editor of Saathee Magazine

Contact: Samir@Saathee.com

X: @ShuklaWrites

Newsletter: ShuklaWrites.Substack.com

Magic Maze & Puzzles4Kids answers pgs 102 -103

Advertisers

Index for Charlotte, South Carolina & Atlanta Region

AmeriFab International.......................................81

Anand, Versha (Real Estate) .................................69

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (Charlotte).......16

Bashyam Global LLP - Immigration Law..............44

Bhindi Jewelers ...................................................2

Blooming Buds.................................................107

British International School of Charlotte................9

Brown Immigration Law (Rishi Oza, Partner)......114

Carolina Law Group ...........................................99

Carolinas Aesthetics ............................................33

Charlotte Chess Center ........................................37

Charlotte Eye Ear Nose & Throat .........................89

Chiro-Carolina ...............................................71

Color Master Collision Center..............................25

Concha, David (Immigration Attorney)...............101

Concord Children's Clinic ..................................25

Copper Restaurant (Charlotte).............................59

Countywide Commercial (Pavement Solutions)......47

Desai & Desai LLP (CPA & Financial Services)....107

Desai & Mehta CPAs PLLC .................................75

Dhira Hapani (Realtor) .......................................31

DJ Lalit (Lalit Hemnani).....................................41

Eesha Realty, LLC.............................................113

Elite Motors.......................................................17

Geological Resources, Inc.....................................45

Glo Dentistry (Ankit M. Amin, DMD)..................33

Global Mall / Legacy Jewels ...............................115

H2 Laser & Skin..................................................31

Health Markets (Medicare, Health, Life, Supplemental)105

Hindu Center of Charlotte (Events)................ 76-79

Hitch Hiker's Guide to College.............................31

i Care Med Clinic (Pineville).................................49

Insurance - Tushar Barot, Supreme Insurance Serv...39

Insurance Shopping (Sonal Patel - Independent Agent).47

JVC Realty (Balaji Tatineni Realtor / Broker).........27

KB Zaveree (Atlanta)...........................................21

Khanna & Sons Jewelers.......................................11

Krunal Joshi (Life Insurance Advisor)....................43

Kumar Sanu & Sadhan Sargam (Concert - Charlotte)3

Lead Designs LLC...............................................81

Malak Jewelers....................................................35

Malani Jewelers.................................................116

Malaya Kitchen...................................................13

Malleswar Varikuti Realtor (Realty One Group).....33

Master Sakthi (Astrologer & Psychic Spritual Healer)107

Mathur, Gitanjali (Howard Hanna Allen Tate)........19

Maxim Tours.......................................................51

Mehta & McConnell, PLLC (Injury Lawyers).......111

Mint MedSpa & Laser Studio...............................67

Mystic Spice Restaurant (Charlotte)........................6

NC Dermatology Associates..................................87

Neeta's Beauty Parlor..........................................13

New York Life Insurance (Rasheed Ulhaq).............13

North American Bancard ....................................15

NRS PAY Credit Card Processing.........................53

NSD Tax & Accounting Services............................39

One 2 Entertainment...........................................75

Patel & Samatova, Law........................................43

Patel, Mrugesh (Law Offices)................................97

Patel, Tony (Real Estate)......................................97

Pramukh Mandapam...........................................45

Prime Value Financials (Beena & Rahul Parmar)....49

Queen City Smiles (Dr. Kanupriya Tewari).............29

Raja Reslan - Financial Advisor (Edward Jones).....69

Raz Gandhi (NC Realtors)...................................13

Regal Oaks Dental & First In Smiles Dentistry.......73

Ruby Realty LLC (Neil Pathak)..............................4

Rug & Home.........................................................5

Ryan Shah (The Sidd Ensemble Bhajan Band)........75 Saathee.com........................................................83

Sacra Corporate Stays...........................................7

Saffron Restaurant and Catering...........................29

Satya Realty & SAT Prep.....................................63

SFC CPA PLLC (Saad Chaudhary, CPA)...............47

Shah & Associates, CPA, PLLC...........................101

Shah & Trivedi CPA, PLLC..................................51

Shah, Anish (Real Estate)....................................65

Shankar Realtor (Shankar Sandir - Ram Realty)....29

Sona Realty (Venkat Suryadevara)........................91

Swadhyay Pariwar..............................................10

Taaza Fresh Indian Bistro.....................................39

Taige Media........................................................85

Technone LLC (Securtiy Systems).........................41

The Blue Taj........................................................59

TMSA (Public Charter Schools)...........................23

Travel Passion.....................................................47

Union Family Eye Associates (Dr. Keshav Bhat)......19

Uniworld Travel..................................................43

VAS Mortgage (Sunita Dalal)...............................41

VAS Realty LLC (Ashwani Dalal).........................55

Vema Mortgage LLC (Chirag Rachhadia)......19 & 71

Vimal Realty (Vimal Patel Realtor / Broker in Charge) 60

Worldwide Travels...............................................49

Index for Raleigh (Triangle), Greensboro (Triad) & Virginia

AmeriFab International.......................................81

Anjappar (Now Open in Durham)........................29

Apna Bazar (Morrisville).....................................69

Aura Skin & Laser (Dipan Patel)..........................19

Bashyam Global LLP - Immigration Law..............44

Bhindi Jewelers ...................................................2

Blooming Buds.................................................107

Bombay Central (Grocery & Take Out Food)..........77

Brown Immigration Law (Rishi Oza, Partner)......114

Carolina Law Group ...........................................99

Cary Internal Medicine & Diabetes Center, PA........31

Cary Medical Clinic.............................................67

Chandni's Beauty Salon .......................................31

Charlotte Chess Center.........................................37

Concha, David (Immigration Attorney)...............101

Countywide Commercial (Pavement Solutions)......47

Crescent Dental (Dr. Kavita Ghai)........................71

Darji, Iyer, Joshi & Patel (Accounting & Tax Services).25

Desai & Desai LLP (CPA & Financial Services)....107

Desai & Mehta CPAs PLLC .................................75

DJ Lalit (Lalit Hemnani).....................................41

Eesha Realty, LLC.............................................113

Euroclassics LTD (Auto Sales & Service)..................9

GCAP (Events)...................................................27

Geological Resources, Inc.....................................45

Global Mall / Legacy Jewels ...............................115

Health Markets (Medicare, Health, Life, Supplemental)105

Huntington Learning Center.................................6

i Care Med Clinic (Pineville).................................49

Inchin's Bamboo Garden......................................33

Insurance - Tushar Barot, Supreme Insurance Serv...39

Insurance Shopping (Sonal Patel - Independent Agent)..47

International Community Church.........................83

KB Zaveree (Atlanta)...........................................21

Khanna & Sons Jewelers.......................................11

Krunal Joshi (Life Insurance Advisor)....................43

Kumar Sanu & Sadhan Sargam (Charlotte)..............3

Lead Designs LLC...............................................81

Madan Khatri (Vema Mortgage)..........................71

Malak Jewelers....................................................35

Malani Jewelers.................................................116

Mansi Gowin (Real Estate Advisor).........................9

Marriott Raleigh Crabtree Valley..........................73

Master Sakthi (Astrologer & Psychic Spritual Healer)107 Maxim Tours.......................................................51

Mehta & McConnell, PLLC (Injury Lawyers).......111

Morgan & Allen Insurance (Hitesh Patel)...............25

Myriad Enterprises (Nitika Prajapati)...................13

& Samatova, Law........................................43

Patel Brothers (Cary)...........................................89

Patel, Mrugesh (Law Offices)................................97

Patel, Tony (Real Estate)......................................97 Pramukh Mandapam...........................................45

PreJuve Medspa & Wellness (Neelu Agarwal MD)...67

Prime Value Financials (Beena & Rahul Parmar)....49

Rajeev Devgon, CPA ...........................................33

RB Realty Group (Ravi Bheemarao).....................59

Real Triangle Properties (Joe Mathews).................83

Rug & Home.........................................................5

Ryan Shah (The Sidd Ensemble Bhajan Band)........75

Saathee.com........................................................63

Sacra Corporate Stays...........................................7

SFC CPA PLLC (Saad Chaudhary, CPA)...............47

Shah & Associates, CPA, PLLC...........................101

Shah & Trivedi CPA, PLLC..................................51

Shiva Dance (Neena Jha)......................................19

Singh, Manny (Real Estate)..................................17

Sona Realty (Venkat Suryadevara)........................91

Spectrum Family Medicine (Sujatha Sajeevan, MD)27 Spices Hut .........................................................79

St. George's Anglican Church...............................13

Stylish Me..........................................................17

Swadhyay Pariwar..............................................10

Taaza Fresh Indian Bistro.....................................39

Taige Media........................................................85

Teamwork Health................................................13

Technone LLC (Securtiy Systems).........................41

TMSA (Public Charter Schools)...........................23

Travel Passion.....................................................47

Tutoring (Nirmala Koripella - A+ Tutoring)..........16

Uniworld Travel..................................................43

VAS Mortgage (Sunita Dalal)...............................41

VAS Realty LLC (Ashwani Dalal).........................55

Vema Mortgage LLC (Vipul Hapani)............27 & 65

Vimal Realty (Vimal Patel Realtor / Broker in Charge).60

Wake Spine & Pain..............................................65

West Cary Medicine (Dr. Kareem M.D.).................65

Worldwide Travels...............................................49