Saathee Raleigh March 2026 by Shukla Entertainment

IN THIS ISSUE

Holi Events: pg 18

Micronutrients: pg 30

Classifieds: pg 108

Hello Readers

Spring is in the air. The Carolinas are a colorful blast of renewal during this time of year. Enjoy.

In this issue, we have articles ranging from micronutrients to tributes to women. Simply peruse through the pages for lots of varied writing. We welcome comments and suggestions for our upcoming issues of Saathee as well as our website. 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:

♦ Check out the Holi events as well as other events happening in our area beginning on page 18.

♦ Read about "How Young Diaspora Donors are Reshaping Giving to India" in the article on page 22.

♦ 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.

"Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm."

- Winston Churchill

A woman artist painting colorful terracotta pots, works of handicraft, for sale during Handicraft Fair in Kolkata.

Saathee

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“Bridging America and the Indian Subcontinent.”

March 2026 Issue # 334

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: Shikha Singh, Kirsten Moon, Balaji Prasad, Dipika Kohli, Rishi P. Oza, Ketu Desai, Dr. Maha Gingrich, Anuj Chakrapani, Hiren Deliwala, Lavanya Kethamukkala, Dhruv Pathak, 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.

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.

Cover: Kolkata

Photo by mitrarudra, Adobe Stock

Editor’s Desk Editor’s Desk

by Samir Shukla

Life Valley

I know you have had that feeling. Everyone has at one time or another. A feeling of being small. This realization hits when we think about our place in the greater cosmos. This happens when you place yourself in the unfathomable vastness of nature.

Think of those moments hiking in an old growth forest filled with huge trees or sitting by the seaside where half of the planet seems filled with water, it could happen while perched on a hilltop looking down on an endless valley, or maybe lying in a large field gazing up at a clear, twinkling sky. These are some moments where we feel our smallness.

Humans think themselves to be the masters of this planet, but we are like all life forms when seen and taken as individuals in the greater environment, which is basically we are miniscule.

The grand vistas of nature often have the power of making humans feel insigniﬁcant, but at the same time, for those who widen their thinking and being, an aura of spirituality, interconnectedness, and aliveness can bloom. You are a part of this grand thing.

The vastness of nature and the cosmos make sure to keep us humble. Well, ok, most of us.

This thought, of being tiny, happened again on a recent trip, when we were sauntering about in Death Valley National Park. During the hikes and the strolls through this vastness, I imagined being one of the grains of sand in the dunes that could be blown away any moment at the slightest breeze.

Editor’s Desk continued on page 110

Photo by Samir Shukla

Upcoming Events

Holi Events: North Carolina (March 7 – 14, 2026)

Charlotte:

Dhuleti: Hindu Center presents annual celebration of Holi colors on Sunday, March 8, 2026, beginning at 12:30pm. Enjoy colors, food, music and more. 7400 City View Dr., Charlotte. Details: 704-535-3440.

Rang De Charlotte: Tamasha Charlotte presents Rang De Charlotte on Sunday, March 8, 2026, noon – 6pm, at The Music Yard at Southbound. All ages. Enjoy water, colors, food, and music. Info: 917-749-0150.

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

Morrisville:

TGA Holi: Triangle Gujarati Association presents a cultural program featuring food, music, and dance on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at 5pm. HSNC Main Hall, 309 Aviation Pkwy, Morrisville, NC. Details: Nctga.org.

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

Watch as the Whitewater Center’s festival 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.

Spring Festival & Basant Mela: Charlotte, NC (March 14 – 15, 2026)

A celebration of Gudi Padava, Vaisakhi, Vishu and Cheti Chand with music, dances and food. March 14 – 15, 2026, 11am – 7:30pm, Vihar Hall, Hindu Center, 7400 City View Dr., Charlotte, NC. Details: 704-535-3440 or visit Hcclt.org.

Rohan Rajeev Foundation CPR Training: Charlotte & Triangle, NC (March 14 - April 14, 2026)

The Rohan Rajeev Foundation has dates for free bystander CPR sessions. In less than an hour you’ll walk away knowing exactly what to do in those ﬁrst critical minutes when life hangs in the balance. The next session in the Charlotte area will be held on Saturday, March 14, 2026, beginning at 10am at 4425 Wilkinson Blvd. The next session in the Triangle will be held on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, beginning at 6:30pm at HSNC’s Learning Center. For both sessions visit Zeﬀy.com and search for the foundation.

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.

Yogathon:

Morrisville, NC (March 21, 2026)

HSNC presents 108 Surya Namaskar Yogathon on Saturday, March 21, 2026, 7am – noon. It will take place at HSNC Main Hall, 309 Aviation Parkway, Morrisville, NC. Bring yoga mat. Light lunch will be provided. Register online at Hsnctemple.org. More info, 919-455-3231.

Sit Down

Ashish: Garner, NC (March 21, 2026)

Enjoy stand-up comedy and storytelling with Ashish Vidharthi on Saturday, March 21, 2026, beginning at 7pm, at Garner Performing Arts Center, 742 W Garner Rd, Garner, NC. Presented by RTP Entertainment. For more details, visit Theticketworld.com/AV.

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

Upcoming Events

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. Info: Charlotteareachamber.com.

ARA Trade Show: Atlanta (March

25, 2026)

The Atlanta Retailers Association presents their Trade Show for Convenience store owners and investors on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at Gas South Convention Center, Atlanta. There will be vendors, discounts, samples and networking. For details, visit Aratradeshows.com.

Reedy Reels Film Festival:

Greenville, SC (March 27 – 29, 2026)

interactive exhibits, and an open-air market featuring authentic Indian food and souvenirs. Admission is free and ample parking is available. Explore the colors, ﬂavors, and traditions of India in downtown Matthews. Info: Indiafestival.net.

Full Frame Documentary Film Festival: Durham, NC (April 16 – 19, 2026)

The annual festival is dedicated to the theatrical exhibition of nonfiction cinema. Full Frame welcomes filmmakers and film lovers from around the world to historic downtown Durham, North Carolina, for a four-day, morning-to-midnight array of more than 60 films, as well as discussions, panels, and Southern hospitality. Set within a few city blocks, the intimate festival landscape fosters community and conversation among filmmakers, film professionals, and the public. Info: Fullframefest.org.

TreeFest: Charlotte, NC (April 25, 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 for local artists. The 11th annual festival will take place from March 27-29, 2026, at various venues. Info: 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 (Mridangam, kanjira, and violin) on Sunday, March 29, 2026, at 4 pm in Gandhi Bhavan, Hindu center. For more details, visit Onlinecmac.org.

Charlotte SHOUT!: (April 3 – 19, 2026)

Charlotte SHOUT! is an annual celebration of the city’s art, culture, and community. Built on the pillars of art, music, food, and ideas, the event is an inclusive and inspirational sensory feast for all ages, with more than 200 events and attractions taking place over 17 days in Uptown, Charlotte. Info: Charlotteshout.com.

Regional Festival of India: Matthews, NC (April 11, 2026)

After four years of partnership with the Town of Matthews on artistic and cultural diversity initiatives, the India Association of Charlotte presents a special Themed “The Folk Fest 2026”, the 5th Regional Festival of India @ Matthews on Saturday, April 11, 2026, from 12–6 pm, at Stumptown Park (120 S. Trade St., Matthews, NC 28105). This family-friendly festival celebrates the richness of Indian culture with dance, music, folk and folk-inﬂuenced Bollywood entertainment, turban and saree tying, henna art designs,

Trees Charlotte presents the 4th Annual TreeFest on Saturday, April 25, 2026. This family-friendly event will bring hundreds of tree enthusiasts to NoDa Brewing Company for an afternoon of live music, free tree seedlings, arts & crafts, and arboriculture activities. There will also be an ecomarket for local vendors and dedicated space for environmentally focused nonproﬁts. Details: Treescharlotte.org.

Shankar, Ehsaan, Loy in Concert: Raleigh, NC (May 3, 2026)

Bollywood musical trio Shankar, Ehsaan, and Loy will present “Dil Chahta Hai” concert on Sunday, May 3, 2026, beginning at 5:15pm, at Raleigh Memorial Auditorium, Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts. For more details call 347-2057276 or for tickets, visit Ticketmaster.com.

Dances of India:

Charlotte, NC (May 31, 2026)

Maha Gingrich presents the 22nd anniversary performances of Dances of India on Sunday, May 31, 2026 at Matthews Community Center. For more details, visit Mahasdancesoﬁndia.com.

GCAP was established to preserve Gujarati cultural heritages and traditions, educate the youth, celebrate Indian festivals and create networking amongst individuals within our community. Established in 1992, GCAP is

non-profit, charitable and educational organization. Our mission is to create an innovative, inclusive and ideal Gujarati Samaj to implement our vision and activities. We believe we must nurture the youth of our community to become leaders of tomorrow while nourishing our senior citizens to provide opportunities for inter-generational exchange of ideas and knowledge. The Piedmont region of NC includes Greensboro,

Next to Sangam Mart

How Young Diaspora Donors are Reshaping Giving to India

By Alex Counts and Maya Rajani

Back in the early days of the India Philanthropy Alliance, we began having annual retreats after having established a high level of trust among the leaders of organizations that had previously viewed each other as competitors. Tantalizing opportunities and unnerving threats to our community were discussed openly.

One of the ominous trends we explored was the aging of our donors in the United States. We receive around $125 million from thousands of individuals each year, most of whom are older than 50; many are in their 70s and 80s. We acknowledged that the nonprofits sitting around the table had failed to effectively engage younger donors and volunteers. This reality was part of a larger problem: according to an influential study by Dalberg titled “Putting Our Money Where Our Hearts Are” that was published in 2018, the Indian American diaspora contributed roughly one-third as much as the American public did on average, after adjusting for income.

India-focused charities responded to this ﬁnding by upgrading their fundraising eﬀorts. As a result, giving overall among the diaspora has increased dramatically over the last six years. According to a follow-up survey by Dalberg titled “From Closing the Gap to Setting the Standard,” Indian American donations grew from $1 billion to $4-5 billion between 2018 and 2024, a remarkable achievement.

Young Diaspora continued on page 96

EPA Removal of Vehicle Emissions Limits

This won’t stop the shift to electric vehicles, but will make it harder, slower and more expensive

By Alan Jenn

The U.S. government is in full retreat from its eﬀorts to make vehicles more fuel-eﬃcient, which it had been prioritizing, along with state governments, since the 1970s.

The latest move came on February 12, 2026, when President Trump and the Environmental Protection Agency issued a new rule rescinding the landmark “endangerment finding,” and reversing various emissions limits on cars and trucks. The 2009 finding stated that greenhouse gases pose a threat to public health and welfare. If the new rule stands up in court and is not overruled by Congress, it would undo a key part of the long-standing effort to limit greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles.

As a scholar of how vehicle emissions contribute to climate change, I know that the science behind the endangerment finding hasn’t changed. If anything, the evidence has grown that greenhouse gas emissions are warming the planet and threatening people’s health and safety. Heat waves, flooding, sealevel rise and wildfires have only worsened in the decade and a half since the EPA’s ruling.

Regulations over the years have cut emissions from power generation, leaving transportation as the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S.

The scientiﬁc community agrees that vehicle emissions are harmful and should be regulated. The public also agrees and has indicated strong

preferences for cars that pollute less, including both more eﬃcient gas-burning vehicles and electric-powered ones. Consumers have also been drawn to electric vehicles thanks to other beneﬁts such as performance, operation cost and innovative technologies.

That is why I believe the EPA’s move will not stop the public and commercial transition to electric vehicles, but it will make that shift harder, slower and more expensive for everyone.

Putting car makers in a bind

The most recent EPA rule about vehicle emissions was ﬁnalized in 2024. It set emissions limits that can realistically only be met by a large-scale shift to electric vehicles.

Over the past decade and a half, automakers have been building up their capability to produce electric vehicles to meet these ﬂeet requirements, and a combination of regulations such as California’s zero-emission-vehicle requirements have worked together to ensure customers can get their hands on EVs. The zero-emission-vehicle rules require automakers to produce EVs for the California market, which in turn make it easier for the companies to meet their eﬃciency and emissions targets from the federal government. These collectively pressure automakers to provide a steady supply of electric vehicles to consumers.

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• Depression, Anxiety, ADHD

• Asthma and lung diseases

• Women’s health issues, menopause

• Minor procedures done at ofﬁce like mole and cyst removal, wart treatment, suturing and laceration repair.

by Dhruv Pathak

To My Mom For My Wife

Who would we be without the women who see us more clearly than we see ourselves?

I call my mom Maaji. I call my wife Baby. And both— separated by generation, by the decades between mother and wife—see the same thing when they look at me. Not the person I show the world. Not the personality hire who talks a good game in interviews. They see potential I have spent my entire life running from.

Maaji raised three children. My brother, my sister, and I. She’ll tell you I caught on fastest—not because I earned the best grades or followed the straightest path, but because I grasped ideas quickly. I had patience. My teachers saw it too. I cared about understanding more than outcomes. People more than proﬁt. In another mother’s eyes, these would have been ﬂaws to correct. In hers, they were something else entirely.

She saw someone who could do remarkable things, if only he believed in himself.

I didn’t.

The day I dropped out of university, I didn’t call her. I couldn’t. Instead, I avoided her calls for weeks, posting on

Facebook as if nothing had changed. When we ﬁnally did speak, she didn’t cry on the phone with me. Maaji isn’t the type. But my brother told me later what my silence had cost her, that each missed call had landed like a small betrayal. That my disappearance hurt worse than any failure ever could.

While some mothers, faced with a son who drops out, avoids calls, and wastes his potential, would have given up. Or gotten angry. Or demanded he become someone else, more practical, more focused, more like everyone else.

Maaji did none of those things.

She waited. She believed. And when I ﬁnally came back, ashamed and certain I had burned every bridge, she simply said: “Welcome home. Are you ready now?”

I didn’t understand then that her belief wasn’t conditional on my success. It wasn’t something I had to

My Voice

Leading annual medical missions to remote areas of Kenya and India.

We Welcome You to Become a Part of This Loving Spiritual Family

“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 Pastor: Joseph B. Jesudason

Zakar Bible Club: Character development of children through memorization of God’s powerful and redemptive word. Please send your child and receive guaranteed life lasting blessing.

We welcome you to our new facility come and receive a blessing through this evangelical, Christ-centered, Bible-based, non-denominational, loving, caring, mission-minded spiritual family church.

Church: 1402 E. Williams St., Apex, NC 27539

Pastor’s Cell: 919-233-2900

Left Turns

Kismuth and the Way by

Dipika Kohli

You take enough left turns, and naturally, you’ll ﬁnd you’ve made a loop. Full circle.

This is me, today: I’m writing from a creaking laptop (any day now it will refuse to turn on but I am loyal to it until then), at one of my usual spots, a little bakery with great coﬀee that’s quite inexpensive in comparison with some of the hipster places. The owners had these babies when I discovered it around 2018 or so, as we lived not far then, too. I’d stopped coming because the kids were too loud. But the babies became toddlers, and the toddlers grew to school age, and now, here I am again, while they’re not. Nice and quiet.

It’s better later, though, when the regulars who come for their phone-cally workdays go. (I think they’re about to.) Before, I brought my bicycle. I came up two hills from Sansam Kosal, joyfully making the big turn around the roundabout, waiting at the turn where the light is so, so long. I’d park with great anticipation for some uninterrupted writing time. I’d take it. I’d cycle home. But these days I just walk over, as the new place is two streets away, and I’m far more leisurely than I’d been then, too. A school is across from us. A lot of teachers come here to get away from it, I’m told by one, and the students used to come in groups but now they go to the cooler, hipper place next door. I have not been inside.

I have a relationship with the people next door to that, too, who run a photocopy shop. They know what I’m up to when I come in. Double sided A4 sheets they’ll not even ask me anymore, just simply print them oﬀ for me, and photocopy a set of one or ﬁve. I’ll cut and sew and sell then. Zines. I’m making zines in Phnom Penh, these days with a few others who are part of my internet community, Cojournal, gathering to ‘talk’ from around the world. This happens in fourperson telegram groups. We are talking and writing and sharing and I’m editing and publishing and printing. Isn’t it nice? We are having a good time

While I sit here, the regulars are not leaving. They are getting into a ﬁght. Oof. But I can understand the feeling both sides are having.

In a few days, we’ll be moving, yet again. I’ll not be at this place this much, after that, I’m sure.

Kismuth continued on page 82

Unveiling the Hidden Heroes:

Micronutrients’ Crucial Role in Inflammation

Unveiling the Hidden Heroes: Micronutrients’ Crucial Role in Inflammation

Nutrition for Life by

Lavanya Kethamukkala

Inﬂammation is a double-edged sword in the body’s defense mechanism. It is an essential response to harmful stimuli like pathogens, damaged cells, or irritants, designed to eliminate threats and initiate healing.

When inﬂammation becomes chronic, it can lead to serious health issues such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, arthritis, and even cancer.

When it comes to maintaining a healthy body, micronutrients—vitamins, minerals, and nonnutrients—are the unsung heroes. These tiny but mighty compounds play crucial roles in everything from energy production to immune health, brain function, and ﬁghting inﬂammation. While macronutrients like carbohydrates, proteins, and fats steal the spotlight, micronutrients quietly work behind the scenes to keep your body functioning smoothly.

This guide will explore the essential roles of micronutrients, highlight food sources, and provide a sample meal plan to help you meet your daily needs.

What Are Micronutrients and Why Are They Important?

Micronutrients are vitamins and minerals required in small amounts but are vital for overall health. They support cellular processes, help ﬁght disease, and promote longevity. Beyond vitamins and minerals, non-nutrients like Omega-3 fatty acids, Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), inositol, Lcarnitine, and alpha-lipoic acid further enhance the body’s ability to stay healthy and energized.

Key Micronutrients and Food Sources

(Emphasis on Plant-Based)

Fat-Soluble Vitamins

Vitamin A: Supports vision, immune health, and skin repair. Sources: Sweet potatoes, carrots, kale, spinach, red bell peppers.

Take the Over on Growth

Eye on the Markets

by Ketu Desai

We are in the middle of a major regime change. Post-GFC, we’ve had low growth, low productivity, and a low inflation regime with the Fed driving asset prices. Growth and productivity will increase along with a more volatile inflation of fiscal policy and the Treasury driving asset prices.

The Atlanta Fed GDPNow estimates that this growth is running at 4.2%.

Fiscal stimulus moves from a 1% point of GDP tightening to 1-1.5% of GDP easing in 2026. The stimulative impact of the “One Big Beautiful Bill” will hit in the coming months. Consumer spending is running at 3.5% and household net worth is at an all-time high. JPM’s latest credit card spending data shows that spending growth accelerated to 4.7% in January 2026.

This is before consumers see an increase of $100bn in tax refunds, no tax on tips and overtime, a higher SALT deduction, and higher take home pay. The average 2025 tax refund is expected to be 20% higher. Leading indicators such as copper, semiconductors, transport, and consumer discretionary are also all up nicely so far this year, outpacing the broader market.

There have been $5.1 trillion dollars in investment commitments to bring manufacturing back. While not all of

it will come through, immediate CapEx expenses from the OBBB will serve as an incentive this year. Business investment is expected to increase by 5.5%. An increased cap tech spend on AI will be the largest portion at an estimated half a trillion.

Total AI spend across the economy will total nearly $2 trillion this year. The ﬁscal boost estimates don’t include a potential 50% increase to $1.5 trillion in defense spending announced in January. Nor did it mention Fannie and Freddie buying $200bn in MBS, and the potential multiplier eﬀect it will have on the housing market.

Kevin Warsh will be the new Fed Chair, and it’s very likely he will cut rates. The Fed just started buying $40bn of Treasuries per month. The administration will soon begin a deregulatory agenda centered around banks.

This will likely drive loan growth which will further drive GDP growth. There will be many other stimulative eﬀorts ahead of the mid-term election. Economists are expecting growth in the low/mid-2% range for the year. The combination of ﬁscal, monetary, and credit policies, along with deregulation will be highly stimulative this year.

Upcoming Movie Releases

March 6

Charak: Fair of Faith (Director: Shieladitya Moulik)

Cast: Anjali Patil, Subrat Dutta, and Shounak Shyamal

Hoppers (Director: Daniel Chong)

Cast: Jon Hamm, Meryl Streep, Dave Franco, and Aparna Nancherla

The Bride! (Director: Maggie Gyllenhaal)

Cast: Jessie Buckley, Christian Bale, Jake Gyllenhaal, Penélope Cruz, and Annette Bening

Storm Rider: Legend of Hammerhead (Directors: Zoran Lisinac & Domagoj Mazuran)

Cast: James Cosmo, Caroline Goodall, and Billy Barratt

Starstruck (Director: Michelle Danner)

Cast: Billy Zane, Lauren Tom, and David DeLuise

War Machine (Director: Patrick Hughes)

Cast: Alan Ritchson, Jai Courtney, Esai Morales, and Dennis Quaid

March 13

Gabru (Director: Shashank Udapurkar)

Cast: Sunny Deol, Simran Bagga, and Prit Kamani

Reminders of Him (Director: Vanessa Caswill)

Cast: Maika Monroe, and Bradley Whitford

Slanted (Director: Amy Wang)

Cast: Shirley Chen, Mckenna Grace, and Maitreyi Ramakrishnan

March 20

Project Hail Mary

(Directors: Phil Lord & Christopher Miller)

Cast: Ryan Gosling, Lionel Boyce, and Sandra Hüller

The Pout-Pout Fish (Directors: Ricard Cussó & Rio Harrington)

Cast: Nick Oﬀerman, Nina Oyama, Jordin Sparks, and Amy Sedaris

Vampires of the Velvet Lounge (Director: Adam Sherman)

Cast: Mena Suvari, Tyrese Gibson, and Stephen Dorﬀ

Dhurandhar: The Revenge (Director: Aditya Dhar)

Cast: Ranveer Singh, Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna, Arjun Rampal, a nd Sara Arjun

Tow (Director: Stephanie Laing)

Cast: Rose Byrne, Demi Lovato, and Corbin Bernsen

March 27

Ready or Not 2: Here I Come

(Directors: Matt Bettinelli-Olpin & Tyler Gillett)

Cast: Samara Weaving, Sarah Michelle Gellar, and Elijah Wood

They Will Kill You (Director: Kirill Sokolov)

Cast: Zazie Beetz, Myha’la, Heather Graham, and Patricia Arquette

Ustaad Bhagat Singh (Director: Harish Shankar)

Cast: Pawan Kalyan, Sreeleela, and Raashii Khanna

Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice (Director: BenDavid Grabinski)

Cast: Vince Vaughn, James Marsden, and Arturo Castro

Pretty Lethal (Director: Vicky Jewson)

Cast: Lana Condor, Millicent Simmonds, Avantika, and Uma Thurman

April 1-3

Raakaasaa (Director: Manasa Sharma)

Cast: Sangeeth Sobhan and Nayan Sarika

The Drama (Director: Kristoﬀer Borgli)

Cast: Zendaya, Mamoudou Athie, Alana Haim, and Robert Pattinson

Biker (Director: Abhilash Reddy)

Cast: Sharwanand, Rajasekhar, and Malvika Nair

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

F i l m C l i p s

Subedaar

Subedaar, directed by Suresh Triveni, is a gritty actiondrama. The ﬁlm stars the legendary Anil Kapoor, Radhikka Madan and Saurabh Shukla. A retired soldier struggling to ﬁnd peace in a changing world where the values he once lived by are increasingly challenged. March 5, 2026.

Ustaad Bhagat Singh

After his family’s murder by former foes, an IPS oﬃcer and his daughter fake their deaths. Trouble ensues when the enemies discover their survival, prompting the oﬃcer to confront them to safeguard his child. The cast, Pawan Kalyan, Sreeleela, and Raashii Khanna, is directed by Harish Shankar. March 26, 2026.

Toxic

Set in a bygone era, this gripping tale unfolds in the coastal paradise of Goa, where a powerful drug cartel pulls the strings behind a facade of sun-soaked beaches and vibrant culture. Directed by Geethu Mohandas and starring Yash, Nayanthara, and Kiara Advani. March 19, 2026.

Protector

Former war hero Nikki’s peaceful life is shattered when her daughter is kidnapped. Thrust into the criminal underworld while hunted by cops and military, she must ﬁght to rescue her child. The ﬁlm is directed by Adrian Grunberg and stars Milla Jovovich, D. B. Sweeney, and Matthew Modine. March 6, 2026.

Biker

Project Hail Mary

Science teacher Ryland Grace wakes up alone on a spaceship that is light years from Earth. As his memory returns, he uncovers a mission to stop a mysterious substance killing the sun and save Earth. An unexpected friendship may be the key. Directed by Phil Lord & Christopher Miller, ﬁlm stars Ryan Gosling and Lionel Boyce. March 20, 2026.

A motocross racing drama follows competitors as they navigate dangerous competitions and face intense challenges on their bikes. Sharwanand, Atul Kulkarni, and Malvika Nair star in the ﬁlm directed by Abhilash Reddy Kankara. April 2, 2026.

Jai Somnath

Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Ketan Mehta will tell the tale from India’s spiritual history. Jai Somnath traces back to 1025–1026 CE, when Mahmud of Ghazni attacked and plundered the Somnath Temple in Gujarat, a deﬁning chapter in Indian history. The ﬁlm is slated for release in 2027.

Carousel of water sampling bottles ready to be lowered into a hole in the icy Weddell Sea. The ice made deep seawater sampling challenging. Photo NASA/Marc Neveu

NASA Samples Antarctic Water to Inform Search for Life on Icy Worlds

By Caela Barry

Researchers Mariam Naseem and Marc Neveu of the University of Maryland and NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, welcomed the new year from a ship at the very tip of the Antarctic Peninsula. Their goal? Collect samples of seawater most closely comparable to that in oceans beyond Earth.

Many icy worlds in our solar system — such as Jupiter’s moon Europa or the dwarf planet Pluto — are believed to contain vast oceans of liquid water beneath thick layers of ice. Some of these “ocean worlds” contain key ingredients for life, including carbon, nitrogen, and chemical energy, leading scientists to ask a fundamental question: could these hidden oceans support microorganisms? On Saturn’s moon Enceladus, subsurface water can erupt into space through a process called “cryovolcanism.” Cryovolcanism oﬀers unique opportunities for robotic spacecraft to sample ocean material without drilling through miles of ice.

On the ﬂip side, the journey from ocean to space could modify signs of life. For example, organic molecules like amino acids could be lost or altered as liquid water rapidly freezes or vaporizes upon encountering the vacuum of space. To study these eﬀects, Naseem and Neveu use a custom lab setup, the Simulator of Ocean World Cryovolcanism, which injects liquid water into a vacuum chamber that mimics the conditions of space.

Since 2022, Naseem, Neveu, and their colleagues have studied how solutions of organic compounds and salts change when injected into vacuum. Building upon this initial knowledge, they set out to understand the behavior

Cryovolcanism on Saturn’s icy moon Enceladus ejects material from its subsurface ocean into plumes of water vapor and ice grains.

Photo NASA/JPL/Space Science Institute

Researcher Mariam Naseem injects a liquid solution into the Simulator of Ocean World Cryovolcanism at the University of Maryland, College Park. Photo NASA/Marc Neveu

Light Enlightens ‘n’ Lightens

Thinking About Thinking by

Balaji Prasad

“The night in which all cows are black.” ~ Hegel

How well do we see in the dark? Even more importantly, do we know when we are in the dark, and when we are not? For, if it is night but feels day, then all that we say will be miles away.

Enlightenment

If years and years have instilled fears … Can we be seers? Or have all these tears just left arrears in a mind that veers? Might a light that clears transcend these ears, so reality steers?

To see or not to see?

It is not so obvious, but when you really want to see something, you will see it. And when you really do not want to see something, you will not.

Free will exists. First, it is free; and secondly, whatever you will will be. For better or for worse.

This is not hard to see if one looks around. When someone, for example, is driven by an intense dislike of a particular person, they will “ﬁnd” things that someone who is not driven by the same passion will never see. Or the opposite too. Someone, for example, who dotes over a favorite child may ﬁnd the “logic” to explain or reframe the child’s behavior, however egregious it may appear to an unbiased observer.

So, we have the ability to will things into existence whether such things exist or not, and whether they even have the potential to exist at all.

And therein lies the tragedy of sight: sight with the wrong light.

The universe’s lights

The universe shines bright. It is inﬁnitely large. One only needs to look heavenward on a dark, starry night to see what appears to be an incredibly beautiful ceiling studded with brilliantly lustrous objects that could be conceived to have been designed by some divine artist of inﬁnite skill.

Why Doing Excellent Work Doesn’t Guarantee Growth

by Payal Nanjiani

Last month, Rehana, a Director at a well-known IT company in San Jose, started coaching with me. She had been in her role for three years. Even though she was smart and always delivered results early, she wasn’t getting the important projects and responsibilities she deserved. The reason? Rehana did the work, but it wasn’t visible to the right people.

Yesterday, I spoke with Rohit, a senior marketing professional from Mumbai, India, who lost his job during a company downsizing. Four months have passed, and he’s still looking for work. He’s sent his resume to

recruiters and attended a few interviews, but he hasn’t heard back. Why is it so hard for someone as talented as Rohit to ﬁnd a job? Because no one in the market knows him.

Many professionals I coach have faced this problem. They often work harder than their American colleagues, but their eﬀorts go unnoticed. When it’s time for promotions or important projects, many South Asians are passed over. This leads to frustration, and people start blaming the company, the boss, or the culture. Some decide to switch jobs, but that’s usually a mistake. If your behavior doesn’t change, you’ll likely be passed over for promotion at the next job too.

South Asians often work hard but don’t promote themselves enough. I work with CEOs around the world, and I’ve noticed that leaders see things

Coach continued on page 72

Executive & Career Coach

NCIAP Annual Gala Community Focus

More than 500 community members, executives, business leaders, and physicians gathered at the Sheraton RTP in Raleigh, NC on February 7, 2026 to celebrate the 15th Annual Gala of NCIAP People’s Medical Care, reaﬃrming a shared commitment to expanding aﬀordable healthcare access across North Carolina.

The annual event serves as both a celebration of impact and a critical fundraising initiative. Generous contributions ranging from $300 individual passes to major sponsorships and corporate gifts of up to $50,000 help bridge the ﬁnancial gap that allows NCIAP to provide care to more than 5,000 uninsured and underinsured adults each year.

NCIAP was founded in 2011 to address the growing need for accessible healthcare among individuals without insurance or those unable to aﬀord traditional medical systems.

The nonproﬁt operates undar a transparent directpay model, which enables the organization to oﬀer high quality primary and specialty care, with most visits starting at just $55.

This milestone gala brought together a diverse crosssection of the community, including major corporations, ﬁnancial institutions, medical establishments, and civic leaders committed to advancing health equity and community reinvestment.

Services include chronic disease management, women’s health, preventive screenings, respiratory and gastrointestinal care, musculoskeletal treatment, and onsite laboratory services.

Over the past 15 years, NCIAP has served more than 60,000 patient visits through its Raleigh clinic, helping reduce reliance on emergency rooms and urgent care facilities while delivering consistent, compassionate care.

The organization represents their only reliable access to healthcare for many patients.

Sponsorship opportunities, ranging from Silver to Platinum levels, allowed businesses to align with measurable social impact; every $500 donated enables NCIAP to serve 10 additional patients.

The evening also included recognition of long-serving volunteers and supporters, including volunteer physician and board mentor Dr. Bal Krishan Agarwal, Human Resources Director Sangeeta Saxena, and longtime community partner Anita Punj for her years of childcare support during gala events.

As NCIAP looks ahead, members assert that their mission remains unchanged: to ensure that lack of insurance never becomes a barrier to receiving medical care. The strong turnout and generous support at this year’s gala signal continued community commitment to sustaining and expanding access to aﬀordable healthcare across North Carolina.

For details on NCIAP and to contribute, visit nciap.org.

NCIAP Board members in attendance: Sitting R to L: Dr Vinod Jindal, Anu Mehra, Dr Bal Krishan Agarwal, Dr Deepak Pasi Standing R to L Sunny Surana, Nishant Munjal, Gurjit Sawhney, Samudra Vijay, Malay Jindal

Photos courtesy of: Anay Gupta, Suresh Jayaraman and Rajat Chauhan

NCIAP Marks 15 Years of Service at Landmark Gala Supporting Healthcare Access

Your Gut Microbes Can be Anti-aging Scientists are Uncovering How to Keep Your Microbiome Youthful

By Bill Sullivan

People have long given up on the search for the Fountain of Youth, a mythical spring that could reverse aging. But for some scientists, the hunt has not ended – it’s just moved to a diﬀerent place. These modern-day Ponce de Leóns are investigating whether gut microbes hold the secret to aging well.

The gut microbiome refers to the vast collection of microscopic organisms – bacteria, fungi and viruses – that largely inhabit the colon. These microbes aid in digestion and produce molecules that aﬀect your physiology and psychology. The composition of the microbiome is inﬂuenced by a combination of factors, including genetics, diet, the environment, medications and age.

I’m a microbiology professor and author of “Pleased to Meet Me: Genes, Germs and the Curious Forces That Make Us Who We Are,” which describes how the gut microbiome contributes to physical and mental health. The discovery that the gut microbiome changes with age has ignited studies to determine whether the Fountain of Youth might be right under your nose, down inside your gut.

You’re only as old as your gut microbes

People are most familiar with outward signs of aging, such as wrinkles and graying hair, but there are also microscopic changes taking place deep inside. The gut microbes of older people tend to be less diverse, with more bacteria that promote inﬂammation and other hallmarks of aging. Changes to the microbiome across age are so consistent that algorithms can reliably predict a person’s age based on their microbiome composition.

There are exceptions to this rule. Older adults and supercentenarians who age well have a gut microbiome that looks more like those of younger people. These ﬁndings support the idea that maintaining a youthful microbiome fosters healthy aging and longevity.

To confirm that the microbes of youth influence aging, scientists use a technique called fecal microbiota transplantation. This procedure involves obliterating a person’s current gut microbiome and replacing it with microbes harvested from a donor’s feces. Transplanting microbiota from a young mouse into an elderly mouse reverses age-associated inflammation in the gut, brain and eyes. Conversely, transplanting microbiota from an old mouse into a young one accelerates these aging parameters. Other studies suggest that microbiota from young mice alter metabolism in ways that reduce inflammation that accelerates aging.

The evidence that aging is linked with the microbiome is compelling. However, fecal transplantation is not without risk and is approved only as a last resort to treat severe C. diﬃcile infections. These shortcomings have prompted researchers to search for safer and more reﬁned ways to cultivate an age-friendly microbiome.

Diet and exercise may slow aging

Proper diet and exercise have long been tied to better aging and longevity. One way these lifestyle habits may be beneficial is through their influence on gut microbes. What people eat – or fail to eat – has a demonstrable effect on their gut microbiomes. The standard American diet, enriched with ultraprocessed foods that are high in sugar, fat and salt and low in nutrients and fiber, depletes microbiome diversity within days. Moving from a non-Western country to the U.S. is also associated with loss of gut microbiome diversity, partly due to dietary changes.

Lack of fiber is a major reason the microbiome adopts a configuration associated with poor aging. Studies in roundworms, mice and rats found that fiber supplements improved overall health and extended lifespan by 20% to 35%. A 2025 study showed that increasing the amount of fiber in your diet is linked to as much as a 37% greater likelihood of healthy aging in women.

Success of Dances of India Productions

Dances of India

by Dr. Maha Gingrich

My dance academy will be celebrating the 22nd anniversary of Dances of India production on Sunday, May 31, 2026, at Matthews Community Center, in Matthews, NC. We are now taking our show to many parts of our region. Our show has been receiving wonderful support from the local and international community of the Carolinas from its inception.

Audience members have travelled from as far away as Raleigh-Durham, South Carolina, Georgia, New York, Michigan and many other states to see this show. Each year we continue to showcase classical dances and storytelling through folk traditions.

I want to thank everyone who contributed to the continued success of this show.

The main reason for writing this article is that people ask me as to why I am sticking with only traditional dance styles and not open to incorporating Bollywood in my show. In my opinion, everything has its own place. It all depends on individual teacher’s own vision and passion.

My passion is the traditional dance styles that include classical dances and traditional folk dances.

I love to research and learn about the inﬂuences of Indian dances on world cultures. I want to show people visually our similarities and diﬀerences. Our signature dance, “Unity in Diversity” has been acclaimed by many for its uniqueness and the beauty of inclusion. I believe when you know where you come from, it is easier to understand where you are going.

Since the age of 5, I have had a strong desire to dance. My father nourished my wishes. I discovered that dancing was not predicated upon the movements of legs and arms, but that it grew from an inner urge for prayer in motion. I see many of my students in the same light. Either the parents are fulﬁlling their own unmet dreams through their children, or the students want to experience the energy of dancing.

My students’ enthusiasm, motivation, energy and happiness while dancing is totally contagious. Their hard work and my creativity is a ﬁne blend of success.

Irrespective of the general opinion, there are lifelong beneﬁts of classical dances. These dances not only teach discipline, but also stories from Hindu religion, long term commitment to an art form that is very diﬃcult to learn, a perfect balance of right and left brains, balance of body and mind, just to mention a few.

Dances of India continued on page 88

Photo Courtesy of Dances of India

Insurance Shopping

Is Cheapest Insurance the Best?

by Anuj Kasera

Imagine you’re caught in a sudden downpour. Months ago, you bought the cheapest umbrella on Amazon, thinking you’d rarely need it. It’s been sitting in your car, untouched, until today. As the rain intensiﬁes, you reach for your umbrella, only to discover it barely covers you, leaks at the seams, and threatens to collapse in the wind. The money you saved feels insigniﬁcant compared to the discomfort and inconvenience you now face.

This scenario is a perfect analogy for insurance. Like an umbrella, insurance is a tool you hope you’ll rarely need, but when you do, its quality and reliability become paramount. The temptation to choose the cheapest option is understandable—after all, who wants to pay more for something they might never use? But as with umbrellas, the true value of insurance is revealed only when the storm hits.

I had an interesting discussion on the same topic with a new client and wanted to highlight some of the points through this article. I like to have a conversation with my clients and know them better so that I can make sure that their needs are met – Understandably, reduction in

premium cost is the topmost reason for the switch. My stand has been that cheapest insurance may not be bad if you understand the coverages and the risk associated with that level of coverage.

One of my clients lost his job and was looking to reduce costs. He had some savings and wasn’t planning to drive that much while he was exploring his options. We ultimately decided on increasing his deductible instead of reducing his coverage. Note that he can easily pay that deductible, if needed. On the other hand, reducing or removing his collision coverage would have been disastrous as he currently cannot aﬀord a new car. As soon as he gets another job, we are going to review his policy and reduce his deductible. This is an example of planning and taking calculated risks.

Insurance is often viewed as a necessary expense, a box to check for compliance or peace of mind. But, it’s not just a cost, it is a crucial risk management tool. The cheapest policy may seem attractive, but it can leave you exposed to risks that could devastate your ﬁnances or well-being.

The lowest-priced insurance policies often come with limited coverage, high deductibles, or exclusions that aren’t obvious until you need to ﬁle a claim. Just as a ﬂimsy umbrella fails to protect you in a heavy storm, inadequate

- Read Watch Listen -

by Anuj Chakrapani

Film Review

Kaantha

As a movie, Kaantha gets many of its ingredients right — the plot, the setting, and the staging. The story is centered around a film being shot, and its principal characters are movie stars themselves. The filmmakers’ fascination with cinema oozes through every frame, as the mechanics of how scenes are conceived and executed are captured in elaborate detail. Set in the 1950s — the post-independence period widely considered the golden era of Indian cinema — the film may evoke nostalgia, while offering others a revealing peek into a glorious chapter of filmmaking history. At its core, Kaantha is an unconventional triangle: an ageing director in the twilight of his career, a successful actor at the peak of his stardom, and a young actress who happens to be the director’s protege.

The three leads come together for the making of Kaantha — the same name as the film we are watching. Actor T K Mahadevan, or TKM (Dulquer Salmaan), was once director Ayya’s (Samuthirakani) protege before a bitter fallout. Since then, TKM has risen to the zenith of his career, while Ayya has slid into relative obscurity, now operating at a producer’s mercy. TKM commands such clout that he can change the film’s title and even attempt to alter its script midway. Standing between the two is Kumari (Bhagyashree Borse), a young actress at the start of her career, as Ayya promises to make her a star — just as he once did for TKM. The film subtly explores shifting power equations in cinema, where loyalty, ego, and ambition constantly collide.

Sparks fly as Ayya and TKM face off before the crew, and director Selvamani Selvaraj captures these confrontations in beautifully staged sequences. The palpable tension between the two is heightened by the film’s striking visual design. The clever use of lighting and slow-motion shots underscores the simmering clash of egos. The screenplay moves fluidly back and forth in time, while alternating teasingly between the “reel” Kaantha and the “real” Kaantha. The result is a fascinating build-up leading to a powerful interval block.

Bhagyashree Borse is terriﬁc as Kumari. Acting alongside seasoned performers like Dulquer Salmaan and Samuthirakani, she holds her own. She portrays a character whose loyalties remain intriguingly ambiguous — leaving us to wonder whether she is strategically playing both sides or genuinely attempting to mediate the growing rift.

However, the ﬁlm falters when the investigation into a crime begins in the second half. Enter Rana Daggubati, who plays investigator Devaraj, also known as Phoenix. The ﬁnely

layered build-up of the first half begins to lose momentum as the narrative shifts gears. The investigative portions feel tonally inconsistent with the psychological depth established earlier. Whether due to writing choices or performance exaggeration, the character veers close to caricature, diluting the tension. For a while, the film seems to abandon its nuanced character study in favor of a more conventional whodunnit. Thankfully, the slowly composed reveal in the final act redeems much of the preceding unevenness. As the truth unfolds, the emotional weight returns, reminding us of the layered storytelling that defined the first half.

Despite a meandering second half, Kaantha remains an admirable thriller — one that explores ego, ambition, and the fragile power structures within cinema, even if it does not sustain its brilliance throughout.

Film Review Dude

Debutant director Keerthisrawan’s recent Tamil movie Dude opens with an incredibly funny sequence set in a wedding hall, where a man walks uninvited into the reception of his ex-girlfriend and demands an answer for why she dumped him. Things take a dramatic and absurd turn when he accidentally rips her mangalsutra and runs around the hall — even hanging from the ceiling — while the entire gathering, including the police, waits to pounce on him. The scene is staged like controlled chaos, quickly establishing the ﬁlm’s irreverent tone towards the institution of marriage. In another scene soon after, we see the same man pull a prank on a couple, stopping the husband and quizzing him about his anniversary in front of his wife — subtly exposing how fragile public displays of marital perfection can be. Moments later, a surprise wedding proposal featuring the lead characters unfolds in a crowded train. If there were any doubts about what the movie is centered around, they are laid to rest within the ﬁrst twenty minutes. Dude is about marriage — not in a solemn way, but through an outrageously absurd yet entertaining lens.

The “dude” in the movie is Agam, played by Dhanushlookalike Pradeep Ranganathan, who pulls pranks on people and captures candid-camera-like moments. His profession is not incidental; it mirrors the ﬁlm’s larger commentary on performance — both in relationships and in society. Things take a dramatic turn when Agam’s own life takes an unexpectedly prankish twist the day before his wedding. How he overcomes this to save his closest relationship forms the core of Dude — a ﬁlm that is best experienced without prior knowledge of its mid-movie twist. The narrative cleverly places the prankster in a situation where he must

Spot the Differences

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

Choice is Overrated

Mindful Masala by Hiren Deliwala

We like to think we live in the golden age of freedom. There are dozens of cereals, ﬂights at every hour, and what feels like 173 shades of beige. Choice, we’re told, is progress. And yet not long ago I spent nearly an hour comparing two almost identical Airbnbs, switching back and forth as though one extra star in the reviews might determine our long-term happiness.

In his book The Paradox of Choice, Barry Schwartz writes, “Learning to choose is hard. Learning to choose well is harder. And learning to choose well in a world of unlimited possibilities is still harder.” I remember underlining that line, nodding in agreement—and then opening three more tabs.

I believe in choice. It gives dignity and agency. No choice is also a choice, and rarely a pleasant one. After all, we come from a country where for decades you took what was available (the only car you could get was an Ambassador and the only TV channel you could watch was Doordarshan), not what was optimal. But I’ve come to suspect that beyond a certain point, choice becomes less a gift and more a burden.

I learned this the hard way when we decided to redo our ﬂooring and repaint our home. What sounded simple turned into a full-scale investigation into beige. Every store

had its own universe: warm beige, cool beige, greige, sand, almond, linen… Each option promising to complement our “existing furniture vibe,” whatever that means. We brought home samples and painted test patches, examining them in morning light, afternoon light, evening light, and under artiﬁcial bulbs, as if the paint might reveal its true personality after sunset.

My brain, clearly overwhelmed, brieﬂy fantasized about renting an apartment instead of ﬁnishing the job. It also sparked one of our more unnecessary but contentious disagreements. I tried strengthening my argument by quoting Schwartz: “The opportunity costs of any decision increase as the number of alternatives rises.” Translation: this beige is as good as this other beige. Let’s just pick one! Quoting the book did not win the debate. Exhaustion did.

Travel planning brings out the same pattern. I tell myself I’m being responsible by comparing hotels across price, comfort, location, reviews, and convenience. I have picked hotels that looked beautiful online but were inconveniently located. I have chosen a group tour that read like a magical European vacation in the brochure but felt ﬂat in reality. When that happens, I replay the decision in my mind: I should have researched more. Read more reviews. Compared one more option.

Sometimes, if I’m honest, all that research is just avoidance. If I keep searching, I don’t have to commit. I move from blog to blog to YouTube shorts, telling myself the next link will reveal the perfect answer.

Mindful Masala continued on page 94

Immigration Matters

by Rishi P. Oza

The Reckoning Over DHS

In an ominous coincidence to any fan of 1980s horror movies, funding for the US Department of Homeland Security lapsed on Friday, February 13, 2026. DHS now faces its second shutdown of President Trump’s second term of oﬃce. The shutdown stems largely from outrage over DHS’ perceived heavy-handedness in fulﬁlling the President’s deportation agenda. The impact of DHS’ operations, which recently came to a head in Minneapolis and the shootings of multiple US citizens, has resulted in Democratic unwillingness to pass funding for DHS in recent budget negotiations.

Despite Democratic focused complaints over the operations of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), this shutdown will leave those agencies, as well as the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), largely unaﬀected. ICE and CBP operations were largely funded by the 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill, which leaves both agencies unaﬀected by the current shutdown.

USCIS, on the other hand, is funded by ﬁling fees submitted by visa applicants and employers, and not reliant on government funding through the appropriations process. Therefore, despite Democratic intransigence and objections to the deportation machine deployed by the President Trump, the shutdown will likely have little impact on the operations of these agencies. Moreover, despite the recent pullback from Minneapolis, the President does not appear to be making any radical changes to his most important policy agenda item.

What will be impacted are two agencies upon which Americans rely heavily: the Transportation and Security

Administration (TSA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Both agencies rely entirely on governmental appropriations but are also considered “essential”, meaning that workers must report to work but are unpaid until the budget impasse is resolved. How long this could last is anyone’s guess, as Democrats are outraged by what is seen as an outrageous abuse of federal power that has resulted in multiple shootings of American citizens, changing narratives issued by government oﬃcials and an overall souring of the public mood.

Polling shows President Trump’s approval rating well under 50% with more Americans opposed to his approach on immigration as those in favor, a dramatic turnabout from this time last year. Against all of the political posturing is the backdrop of the upcoming November midterms, which will likely be a barometer on the President’s overall agenda of which immigration has taken an outsized role.

All shutdowns are different, but parties inevitably begin negotiating in earnest when everyday Americans are impacted. Chaos at the airports or an unforeseen natural disaster will often focus political minds. Neither party is interested in defending long security lines or unpaid federal workers, but February has historically been a slow travel month and fits between seasonal hurricanes and wildfires. With Democrats needing to prove to voters that they have the mettle to stand up to Trump and the Republicans fearing a whitewashing in November, Democrats may be able to win concessions, such as the use of body cameras and demasking of federal agents in granting funding. Otherwise, this may prove to be a long and drawn-out process with the American public as the ones suffering the costs of our elected leaders’ often lamentable decisions.

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

Chandnis Chandnis

BAPS Sets Guinness World Record for the Largest Simultaneous Hindu Text Recital

The celebration of His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj’s birthday, the spiritual leader of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, took place on February 2, 2026, drawing more than 200,000 devotees from around the world. The event became the setting for a global achievement as BAPS set a Guinness World Record for the largest simultaneous Hindu text recital by children.

The record was set when 12,723 children gathered to recite the Satsang Diksha, a sacred Sanskrit scripture composed by Mahant Swami Maharaj. The recitation was oﬃcially recognized by Guinness World Records as the highest number of children simultaneously reciting Sanskrit verses. A Certiﬁcate of Recognition was formally presented during the celebration.

Inspired by Mahant Swami Maharaj’s guidance and encouragement, a total of 15,666 children between the ages of 3 and 13 completed the full memorization and recitation of the Satsang

Diksha within one year. Out of these, 12,723 children participated in the live recitation at Vadodara, fulﬁlling the criteria set by Guinness World Records.

The Satsang Diksha consists of 315 Sanskrit shlokas and oﬀers practical guidance for spiritual growth, moral conduct, social harmony, and disciplined living. Children participating in the record included hundreds from the United States and Canada, reﬂecting the global reach of BAPS and the growing interest among Indian American families in traditional learning.

Guinness World Records officials traveled from England to personally verify and confirm the achievement. Although the event took place in India, its impact resonated strongly with Indian American communities. Parents described the experience as a meaningful alternative to screenheavy routines common in modern education. In contrast to classrooms where students often shift between devices and notifications, the Sanskrit recitation required focus, memorization, discipline, and sustained effort over several months.

Sanskrit, one of the world’s oldest recorded languages, is known for its precise grammar and deep philosophical tradition. Scholars continue to study it for its linguistic structure, while families value its role in character-building and classical education. Organizers selected participants based on their accuracy, commitment, and sincerity, ensuring the recital’s quality and authenticity.

BAPS is a spiritual, volunteer-driven fellowship dedicated to improving society through individual growth, by fostering values of faith, service, and global harmony.

More details, Baps.org.

AAHOA Conference 2026

The Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) will hold its annual conference in Philadelphia from April 8 – 10, 2026. Attendees will gather to honor the freedom to lead, the pursuit of opportunity, and the legacy of those who built an industry from the ground up in the city where independence was declared. AAHOACON26 marks a milestone of its own - a tribute to generations of hoteliers and a call to the next to carry the torch forward. The conference brings together owners, vendors, and industry professionals.

Info: Aahoacon.com.

Photos courtesy of BAPS

MoU Exchanged to Establish Krishnamurthy Tandon School of Artiﬁcial Intelligence at IIM Ahmedabad

The Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) exchanged a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Chandrika Krishnamurthy Tandon and Ranjan Tandon in late January 2026 for the establishment of the Krishnamurthy Tandon School of Artiﬁcial Intelligence at IIMA.

The school will be established through a generous endowment of ₹100 crore by Chandrika Krishnamurthy Tandon, an alumna of IIMA’s PGP Class of 1975, and Ranjan Tandon.

The Krishnamurthy Tandon School of Artificial Intelligence will work towards boosting India’s AI capabilities, democratizing AI, creating jobs from India for the global AI economy, harnessing AI for creating a global impact in improving lives and advancing social good, as envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. As a pioneering School of Artificial Intelligence housed within a management institute in India, the Krishnamurthy Tandon School of Artificial Intelligence will operate at the intersection of technology, management, and public impact. With a strong global outlook, the school will focus on addressing India’s unique and complex challenges through the responsible and effective application of AI.

Anchored in IIMA’s long-standing legacy of leadership, governance, and institution-building, the school aims to shape how artiﬁcial intelligence is developed, deployed, and governed to create enduring business and societal value. It will serve as a natural extension of IIMA’s mission to advance the future of management education in an increasingly AI-driven world.

Envisioned as a hub for business-focused and translational AI, the School will bring together world-class faculty, industry leaders, policymakers, and global partners to redeﬁne the frontiers of AI research and application. Its research agenda will be application-led and case-based, rooted in real-world managerial, institutional, and societal challenges. The school will focus on translating cutting-edge AI research into deployable solutions, tools, frameworks, and scalable systems that enhance decision-making, improve productivity, and address complex challenges across industry, government, and society.

IIMA is a global management Institute that is at the forefront of promoting excellence in the ﬁeld of management education. In more than six decades, the Institute has been acknowledged for its exemplary contributions to scholarship, practice, and policy through its distinctive teaching, high-quality research, nurturing future leaders, supporting industry, government, social enterprise, and creating a progressive impact on society.

For more details about the Institute, visit: Iima.ac.in.

Hopkins India Conference 2026

Registration is now open for the 2026 Hopkins India Conference, co-hosted by the Gupta-Klinsky India Institute at Johns Hopkins University and Indiaspora. Taking place on April 1 and 2, 2026 at the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg Center in Washington, DC, the second annual conference will convene leaders and changemakers from across the United States and India for two days of dialogue and collaboration.

The Hopkins India Conference advances international dialogue and collaboration across research, education, business, and policy. It brings together leaders from government, academia, industry, and civil society to exchange ideas and drive actionable outcomes.

Day 1 (April 1, 2026) consists of keynotes and panels convened by global experts discussing India in the international stage. Day 2 (April 2, 2026) of the conference will feature curated invite only, closed-door roundtables designed to enable deeper dialogue, peer learning, and collaboration across critical India–U.S. priority areas.

Info: Indiainstitute.jhu.edu.

Carnegie Hall Announces Inaugural Indian Music Festival Set to Debut in 2027

Carnegie Hall has announced the creation of a landmark annual Indian Music Festival set to debut as part of the Hall’s 2026-2027 season. The three-day festival— scheduled to take place from May 21-23, 2027—will bring together world-class musicians from India, oﬀering New York audiences a deep, immersive exploration of India’s classical music traditions and its vibrant contemporary voices.

This new milestone initiative is made possible by a $10 million gift by Ila & Dinesh Paliwal and their family foundation dedicated to supporting the festival’s performances, the Hall’s ongoing programming as well as educational and community initiatives designed to celebrate and explore Indian musical heritage. As part of the festival, select Indian artists will also be recognized with the Carnegie Hall Fellow Award with their work highlighted through the Hall’s programming.

Paliwal—a New York–based, award-winning vocalist, composer, songwriter, producer, and philanthropist—chairs the Ila & Dinesh Paliwal Foundation and champions charitable causes across education, arts & culture, environmental stewardship, and climate action. She also serves as a trustee of the Central Park Conservancy and sits on the board of Pratham USA.

“I am delighted to see plans for Carnegie Hall’s new Indian Music Festival coming to life and am deeply honored and looking forward to joining the board,” said Ila Paliwal. “Carnegie Hall has long stood for artistic excellence, education, and cultural exchange, and I look forward to contributing to its mission and the communities it serves.”

“Carnegie Hall thrives because of trustees who bring global perspective and a deep commitment to the arts,” said Robert F. Smith, Chairman of Carnegie Hall’s Board of Trustees. “We are thrilled to work with Ila as part of the Hall’s family as we develop and advance our institution’s mission.”

The inaugural Indian Music Festival—planned in consultation with Ila Paliwal—will include a performance in Carnegie Hall’s Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage featuring renowned artists from India, including crossgenerational musical collaborations. Two evenings in Zankel Hall will spotlight instrumental and vocal recitals, rising artists, and contemporary compositions that honor tradition while embracing innovation.

Educational programming and community initiatives will complement festival concerts, deepening public appreciation for Indian classical music. Additional festival details and a full schedule of events will be announced later this year.

Info: Carnegiehall.org.

U.S.-India NISAR Satellite Images Mississippi River Delta Region

The NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) Earthobserving satellite’s L-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) instrument captured this image of the Mississippi River Delta region in southeastern Louisiana on Nov. 29, 2025.

The colors in the image represent varying types of cover, which tend to reflect microwaves from the radar differently. Portions of New Orleans appear green, a sign that the radar’s signals may be scattering from buildings that are oriented at different angles relative to the satellite’s orbit. Parts of the city appear magenta where streets that run parallel to the satellite’s flight track cause the signals to bounce strongly and brightly off buildings and back to the instrument.

The resolution of the image is ﬁne enough to make clear, right of center, the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway — twin bridges that, at nearly 24 miles (39 kilometers) in length, make up the world’s longest continuous bridge over water.

The bright green areas to the west of the Mississippi River, which snakes from Baton Rouge in the upper left to New Orleans in the lower right, are healthy forests. There, tree canopies and other vegetation are causing NISAR’s microwaves to bounce in numerous directions before returning to the satellite. Meanwhile, the yellow-andmagenta-speckled hues of Maurepas Swamp, directly west of Lake Pontchartrain and the smaller Lake Maurepas, indicate that the tree populations in that wetland forest ecosystem have thinned.

On either bank of the Mississippi, the image shows parcels of varying shapes, sizes, and cover. Darker areas suggest fallow farm plots, while bright magenta indicates that tall plants, such as crops, may be present.

The L-band system uses a 9-inch (24-centimeter) wavelength that enables its signal to penetrate forest canopies and measure soil moisture as well as motion of ice surfaces and land down to fractions of an inch — the latter information being key to understanding how the land surface moves before, during, and after earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and landslides.

The S-band radar, provided by the Indian Space Research Organisation’s Space Applications Centre, uses a 4-inch (10-centimeter) microwave signal that’s more sensitive to small vegetation, which makes it eﬀective at monitoring certain types of agriculture and grassland ecosystems.

Launched in July 2025, NISAR is collecting data that will beneﬁt humanity by helping researchers around the world better understand changes in our planet’s surface, including its ice sheets, glaciers, and sea ice. It also will capture changes in forest and wetland ecosystems and track movement and deformation of our planet’s crust by phenomena such as earthquakes, landslides, and volcanic activity.

The global and rapid coverage from NISAR will provide unprecedented support for disaster response, producing data to assist in mitigating and assessing damage, with observations before and after catastrophic events available in short time frames.

Find more information about NISAR here: Science.nasa.gov/mission/nisar

What Happens

College Admissions Insider

by Kristen Moon

Waitlist Vs. Deferral

What Happens Next?

As college decisions are released, many students ﬁnd themselves navigating a wide range of outcomes. While some celebrate acceptances and others process denials, a signiﬁcant number face a more ambiguous result: being waitlisted or deferred. These decisions can feel confusing and emotionally charged, but they are not dead ends—and they call for thoughtful, informed next steps.

A waitlist indicates that a college remains interested in a student but does not currently have space in the incoming class. Waitlist policies vary widely by institution. Some schools admit only a small number of students from their waitlists, while others see more movement depending on enrollment trends. Decisions may be released in waves throughout the spring and summer, requiring patience and ﬂexibility from students who choose to remain under consideration.

A deferral, while similar in uncertainty, is distinct from a waitlist. Deferred students—most often those who applied early—are neither accepted nor rejected outright. Instead, their applications are reconsidered during the regular decision cycle. Like waitlisted students, those who are deferred should remain proactive rather than waiting passively for an outcome.

What Comes Next

In both scenarios, students are encouraged to reassess their current options and determine whether the waitlisted or deferred school is still a top choice. For those who decide to stay in the process, it’s important to gather meaningful updates that strengthen their application. This may include mid-year transcripts, new leadership roles, recent achievements, awards, or signiﬁcant changes in personal circumstances. Deferred

One key step for many students is writing a letter of continued interest. Some colleges provide clear guidance on this process, while others leave it to students to take initiative by contacting their regional admissions counselor. A strong letter clearly reaﬃrms interest in the school, provides relevant updates, and maintains a professional tone. At the same time, students should avoid common pitfalls such as excessive communication, asking about acceptance odds, or submitting redundant materials without new information.

Understanding boundaries is just as important as taking action. Repeated emails or calls, unsolicited outreach from additional references, and reliance on online rumors or speculation can all work against a student’s case. Admissions oﬃces value maturity, judgment, and respect for their process.

National Decision Day

As National Decision Day on May 1 approaches, one rule is non-negotiable: students must submit a deposit to at least one college by the deadline to secure a spot, even if they remain on a waitlist or deferred list elsewhere. Some ﬁnal waitlist decisions may not be made until after May 1, making it essential to move forward with a conﬁrmed plan.

While the waiting can be diﬃcult, students are encouraged to stay grounded and optimistic. Committing to a school means beginning to envision the next chapter— planning housing, preparing for orientation, and taking steps toward a successful transition. Open conversations with family, friends, and counselors can provide reassurance and perspective during this time.

Ultimately, a waitlist or deferral does not deﬁne a student’s future. With clarity, patience, and preparation, students can move forward conﬁdently, ready to thrive wherever their college journey leads.

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

diﬀerently. At the top, decisions about promotions and bigger responsibilities depend on three main factors.

* Who is saying good things about you when you’re not there?

* Do decision-makers clearly understand the impact you make?

* How conﬁdent are you in your judgment, presence, and big-picture thinking?

You might be wondering, ‘Payal, what about my talent and skills?’ Here’s the truth: talent is everywhere and cheaper than table salt these days. Skills can be learned, and everyone is working on theirs.

When you’re moving into a mid-management role, skills matter most. But once you’re there, everything changes. At that level, it’s more about who you are and how well others know your work.

Most people avoid talking about their work. They think that if they work hard and stay with the company for years, management and colleagues will notice. Unfortunately, that’s not how the business world works.

Every day, I coach leaders from around the world. I see many of them feel stuck and frustrated when someone else gets a project or promotion, even though they’ve worked hard. They feel invisible because their eﬀorts aren’t shared with upper management.

Gone are the days when you could work heads-down at the company and your work would speak for you. That doesn’t mean hard work is optional — visibility without substance backﬁres.

Being visible at work, in your company, and in the market is essential. You need to make sure people know about your work and talk about it clearly, without sounding boastful.

My friend, it takes more than doing your job correctly and working hard to get a promotion or bigger, better projects. Doing your job well is essential—but it is no longer suﬃcient. High performers are often seen as reliable assets rather than future leaders.

Management thinks:

When you are good at your job and work hard, the people in a position to promote you think, “He/she is a great asset; we are so lucky to have such a good employee.” They don’t think, “We should move him/her to the next level.”

Performance and recognition are not the same. Doing good work is necessary, but it’s not enough to be seen, heard, or remembered. You might relate to this if:

1. You’ve been in the same role for a few years without clear growth.

2. Others with less experience seem to be advancing faster. 3. You feel like your potential is larger than your current canvas.

If this sounds like you, you’re not stuck. You just need to ﬁnd a way out. Visibility takes intention.

Here are some ways to start:

Use 1:1s to explain how outcomes were achieved—not just what was delivered.

Understand internal dynamics and decision-making ﬂows. Develop comfort speaking about impact without apology. Volunteer for cross-functional or enterprise initiatives

Speak selectively—but meaningfully—in senior forums. Ask for stretch assignments instead of waiting to be noticed. Explore the internal blocks (imposter syndrome, fear of selfpromotion) that stop you from speaking up.

Be explicit about the kind of work and responsibility you want next.

In a large company, being visible takes intentional, proactive eﬀort so leaders notice your work and achievements. Don’t count on luck for your growth. Luck can only help you if people know who you are.

As you head to work today, think about these questions: Questions to ask:

“Who needs to know about the impact you’re having—and doesn’t?”

“Where are you showing up, but staying invisible?”

“What do you want to be known for?”

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.

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Curry Croissant Casserole

Hi Saathee family! I’m so excited to share this Curry Croissant Casserole with you! Flaky, buttery croissants meet warm, aromatic curry spice in this irresistibly cozy recipe. It’s the kind of dish that feels special but comes together with minimal effort, perfect for a laid-back weekend with the family or when you need an easy, crowdpleasing potluck brunch recipe.

Ingredients Directions

1 jalapeño thinly sliced

2 tbsp minced garlic

1 egg for egg wash

Servings: About 15

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

1: Lay croissant pieces in an 8x8 baking dish which has been brushed with oil or sprayed with Pam.

2: Beat eggs with salt, curry powder, and heavy cream.

3: Pour the egg mixture on the croissant pieces. Try to pour over all the pieces.

4: Add cheese, jalapeño slices and minced garlic all around the croissant pieces.

5: Cover with foil and let it sit in the fridge from 2 hours to up to 24 hours.

6: Preheat oven to 350° Fahrenheit and brush egg wash on the croissant pieces. Cover the dish with foil. Bake for 30 mins. Uncover the dish and let it bake for another 10-15 mins until the egg is fully cooked.

Garnish with chives or cilantro and enjoy!

NASA continued from page 38

of natural samples. In nature, interactions between molecules, minerals, and particles are more complex than in “oceans-in-a-tube” made in the lab, and natural samples are likely closer to erupted samples on ocean worlds.

No sunshine reaches the oceans inside icy worlds, limiting how much life can grow. On Earth, we can ﬁnd dark, isolated water masses in Antarctica, for example, in the permanently ice-covered Weddell Sea east of the Antarctic Peninsula and the deep Circumpolar Current that constantly circles the white continent. A rare chance to access these remote environments came in mid-2024, as the Explorers Club, an independent society of researchers, organized a selection of projects to be undertaken aboard an icebreaker cruise ship equipped with research equipment and facilities operated by the company Ponant.

The journey from selection to preparation, to sample collection was arduous. Even before boarding the ship in mid-December, the two-person team stood on the shoulders of about 50 people who played key roles, such as ensuring safety, enabling transport of frozen samples back to Maryland, and having the tools for their analysis ready to go.

On ﬁve occasions, the team stepped onto sea ice, cored it out partway, and collected water that was either trapped within the ice or ﬂowed through its pores, as it does on ocean worlds during eruptions.

Sampling seawater thousands of feet deep, equivalent to

depths of 3 to 60 miles on lower-gravity ocean worlds, involved lowering a rack of sampling bottles from the back of the ship. On Dec. 30, the team deployed the rack through a ship-wide opening in the 50-foot thick ice that blankets the Weddell Sea. Pressure from the surrounding ice kept closing the opening, so the ship’s crew had to pivot engine pods to steer blocks of ice away, while moving to stay aligned with the sampling rack as its cable was pulled away by deep currents. Killer whales also surfaced in the pool, making the operation even more dynamic!

The next day, New Year’s Eve, the team was in a perfect spot to sample the deep Circumpolar Current. Through careful coordination with the crew, who shepherded the ship in synchrony with the deep current, sampling succeeded at 3,675 feet (1,120 meters), a depth record for the ship. Another reason to celebrate as 2026 rolled in!

The precious samples are now in Maryland. Along the way, the team found creative ways to keep them frozen despite three unplanned changes of ﬂights from Ushuaia, Argentina, to Washington, D.C. In the lab, the samples will be thawed and split into two. One half will be injected into the simulator, while the other half will be analyzed directly. Both samples will be analyzed using specialized chromatography techniques to track changes in salts, amino acids, and fatty acids. By comparing original and simulatorinjected samples, Naseem and Neveu will determine how eruption into space alters ocean material, and how those changes might aﬀect the search for life beyond Earth.

Article courtesy of Science.Nasa.Gov.

Fiber functions as a prebiotic, a nondigestible food component that nourishes the microbiome. Gut bacteria process ﬁber into compounds such as short-chain fatty acids that promote better aging by improving metabolic, brain and immune function while reducing chronic inﬂammation. Good sources of prebiotics include most fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds.

Certain foods, such as yogurt and kefir, or dietary supplements contain probiotics – living microbes that may benefit the gut microbiome. Research on probiotic foods and supplements is mixed, complicated by the variation in bacterial species and dosage in these products. The health benefits that different types of probiotics may confer is still under study.

Physical activity is also linked to a youthful microbiome. Regular exercise can reshape the microbiome of older adults to resemble those seen in younger adults. One study showed that when people ages 50 to 75 underwent 24 weeks of cardiovascular and resistance exercise, their microbiomes became populated by healthier bacteria and their blood had elevated levels of aging-friendly, short-chain fatty acids.

Treatments to manipulate the microbiome

Making healthy lifestyle changes is a noninvasive way to cultivate a youthful microbiome that may slow aging. Scientists are also exploring treatments to tailor the gut microbiome for better health outcomes.

One option may be postbiotics, nonliving but active compounds that probiotic microbes produce. For example, mouse studies have found that short-chain fatty acid supplements can improve age-related heart and lung problems. Similarly, elderly mice given heat-killed bacteria from a human infant saw reduced metabolic dysfunction and inﬂammation, as well as improved cognitive function.

The microbiome can also be modiﬁed with drugs, particularly antibiotics. A low-dose oral antibiotic can trigger gut bacteria to release factors that may promote good health and aging by, for example, strengthening the intestinal barrier or reducing inﬂammation. One such antibiotic, cephaloridine, extends the lifespan of roundworms and mice by triggering gut bacteria to make colanic acid, an anti-aging compound.

Bacteriophages, or phages, oﬀer yet another potential way to manipulate the microbiome for health. Phages are highly selective viruses that infect and kill speciﬁc species of bacteria. Phages have been used to treat severe infections from bacteria resistant to antibiotics. Given that phages can alter the gut microbiome of mice, researchers are studying whether they could be used to eliminate gut bacteria associated with unhealthy aging.

Aging is a natural process that can bring many rewards. Cultivating a healthy microbiome could help people enjoy their golden years more fully.

Article courtesy of theconversation.com

Bill Sullivan

Professor of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University

Kismuth continued from page 28

But I can let go of the usual and regularness. That’s okay. I can ﬁnd a new place or three to go, to write in, and meet new people to connect with, either ambiently or really engage with. From next week, I predict as I walk around, I will be in a phase of wanting to discover again. I don’t have to move to a diﬀerent town or country. I really like this feeling. Of new things. Anticipating new possibilities is kind of my thing. Change for the sake of change used to seem frivolous, because people liked to tell me it was. Why don’t you settle down? Why do you wander so much? But I know now that I had to do what I had to do.

Movement is part of my whole entire way of being, because discovery and co-discovery is what I love. Arriving full circle is a way to verify all that. It was right. To go, to move. It is right to look around and keep looking around. I do what I know to do. What I love to do, what others see that I can oﬀer. I write. I talk to new people. I invite them to join ateliers, and meet each other, and we co-create, on the spots. We make zines.

I found this out last summer in Sapporo, to ‘get away and think about the big picture scheme of things’ after coming to terms with accepting that going to the United States (to visit, to repatriate to) could not be possible for... a while. In Sapporo, ‘Small Joys’ and ‘Speaking in the Spaces’ were the zines.

It was a great deal of excitement for me to get to do something I like doing, on the road. It works well for me, this template. Go and discover. Invite and connect. Co-create. Publish, repeat. It’s a nice way to keep doing my lo-ﬁ publishing projects going.

Even in Japan. Even in Singapore, last month. I just got back and am processing it all. It’s been a little bit of a trip. Little India in Singapore... it called up a lot of emotions for me. There was one story that I have to tell you, for sure, about dusty chappals.

For now, let me ﬁnish packing. We move tomorrow.

Dipika Kohli is an author who is based in Phnom Penh. Discover her books at kismuth.com and her 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.

Nutrition for Life continued from page 30

Vitamin D: Regulates immune function and promotes calcium absorption. Sources: Fortiﬁed milk, fortiﬁed cereals, and sunlight exposure.

Vitamin E: Acts as an antioxidant, protecting cells from damage. Sources: Almonds, sunﬂower seeds, avocado, and wheat germ.

Vitamin K: Aids in blood clotting and bone health. Sources: Kale, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and parsley.

Water-Soluble Vitamins

Vitamin C: Boosts the immune system and promotes collagen production. Sources: Oranges, strawberries, kiwi, bell peppers, and tomatoes.

B-Complex Vitamins

B1 (Thiamine), B2 (Riboﬂavin), B3 (Niacin): Support energy metabolism and reduce oxidative stress. Sources: Whole grains, nuts, seeds, legumes.

B6 (Pyridoxine): Helps regulate mood and reduce inﬂammation. Sources: Bananas, chickpeas, potatoes.

Sources: Citrus fruits, beans, nuts, whole grains.

L-Carnitine: Supports energy production and fat metabolism. Sources: Limited plant sources; consider supplementation if needed.

Alpha-Lipoic Acid: Acts as a powerful antioxidant and supports glucose metabolism. Sources: Spinach, broccoli, tomatoes, Brussels sprouts.

Sample Plant-Based Meal Plan for Micronutrient Boost

Breakfast

Smoothie with spinach (magnesium, folate), chia seeds (omega-3s), banana (vitamin B6), and fortiﬁed almond milk (vitamins D and B12).

Mid-Morning Snack

A handful of almonds or other nuts of your choice (vitamin E, magnesium) with an orange (vitamin C, inositol).

B9 (Folate): Essential for DNA repair and heart health. Sources: Leafy greens, asparagus, avocados.

B12: Vital for nerve function and red blood cell production (plant sources include fortiﬁed foods). Sources: Nutritional yeast, fortiﬁed cereals, plant-based milk.

Key Minerals

Zinc: Strengthens immunity and aids in wound healing. Sources: Pumpkin seeds, chickpeas, cashews.

Magnesium: Supports muscle function and reduces stress. Sources: Spinach, black beans, dark chocolate, almonds.

Iron: Vital for oxygen transport and energy production. Sources: Lentils, tofu, fortiﬁed cereals.

Selenium: Fights oxidative stress and boosts immunity. Sources: Brazil nuts, sunﬂower seeds, mushrooms.

Non-Nutrients for Optimal Health

Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Reduce inﬂammation and support brain health. Sources: Flaxseeds, chia seeds, hemp seeds, walnuts.

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10): Protects cells from damage and supports heart health. Sources: Nuts, seeds, whole grains. Inositol: Improves insulin sensitivity and hormonal balance.

Dinner

Lunch

Kale and quinoa salad topped with chickpeas (zinc, iron), avocado (vitamin E, folate), and sunﬂower seeds (selenium).

Afternoon Snack

Dark chocolate (magnesium) and a small handful of walnuts (omega-3s, CoQ10).

Lentil stew (iron, B vitamins) with steamed broccoli (vitamin C, alpha-lipoic acid) and sweet potatoes (vitamin A).

Dessert

Strawberries with a drizzle of almond butter (vitamin E).

Conclusion

Micronutrients, including fat-soluble and water-soluble vitamins, essential minerals, and non-nutrient compounds like omega-3s and CoQ10, are vital for a healthy body. They work synergistically to support immunity, energy, brain function, and inﬂammation control.

Incorporating a Whole-Food-Plant-Based Diet (WHPB) daily ensures you’re getting these vital nutrients. For a more tailored approach to meet your unique needs, consider consulting a registered dietitian.

Empower your body with the right nutrients and enjoy the beneﬁts of a healthier, more vibrant life!

Lavanya Kethamukkala

RDN, CLT, LDN, is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and the founder of Nourishing Expert, LLC, a private practice based in Apex, NC. With nearly 20 years of clinical experience across inpatient, outpatient, and long-term care settings, she provides evidence-based, personalized nutrition care. Contact: Lavanyard@gmail.com.

The stories told through dances are not known even to some of the new generation of Indians coming to the USA.

Many of my students have been admitted into prestigious colleges due to their long-term commitment to these classical dance forms and training. When these students commit to learning traditional dance forms for 7 to 10 years, their commitment to achieve their life goals is apparent. Many continue to dance during their college years and beyond.

Several people also ask me about the language barrier these second-generation Indians face in this country. They wonder how these students are able to express the stories told through dancing so beautifully. This language barrier is not unique to the second generation. As India has so many spoken languages, it is almost impossible to learn them all. As a teacher/guru, I explain the stories to the students to bring out the inner emotions of storytelling using dance as a medium.

Growing here in the beautiful USA and making it my home, I have a great opportunity to spread these seeds of Indian culture through dance. Many of the Indian dance teachers in the U.S.A. teach these dances to support themselves ﬁnancially.

Some teachers like me may want more out of it, such as reintroducing our culture to our own Indian community, introducing the culture to the non-Indian community and building recognition, appreciation, interest and respect for our culture. As we are learning Western culture, we should also teach Indian culture in exchange. We all must learn to grow.

Traditional dances have already gained popularity in the US. Thanks to many pioneers who contributed to this popularity. Each person’s contribution to these arts becomes an integral part of the overall vision to share these beautiful dance forms with the world.

In my opinion, where instant gratiﬁcation is the way of life, the need and search for authentic exposition is pressing and dance shows of this dimension and character is indeed the need of the hour.

Indian art is a Science, a discipline, an art and an exposition at the same time. With the co-operation, philanthropy and good will of the art lovers of America, I am conﬁdent of promoting and fostering an appreciable understanding of the ancient cultural heritage of India among the aesthetic public.

Arts are not to be restrained from sharing with others. They are suitable for all cultures. Dances of India production gives me this opportunity to share with pride my Indian heritage. We are looking forward to seeing you at the show.

Dr. Maha Gingrich

For questions or comments, contact via email at GingrichMaha@gmail.com

Website: Mahasdancesofindia.com.

Insurance continued from page 52

insurance can leave you vulnerable when disaster strikes. It’s essential to understand what your policy covers, what it excludes, and how much you’ll need to pay out of pocket if something goes wrong.

When shopping for insurance, don’t just compare prices. Ask questions about coverage limits, deductibles, exclusions, and claims processes. There are no wrong questions, only wrong answers.

Many people discover too late that their policy’s deductible is higher than they can aﬀord, or that certain risks aren’t covered at all. Choosing the cheapest insurance can be a false economy. If your policy doesn’t adequately protect you, a single incident can wipe out your savings or leave you facing ﬁnancial ruin.

A robust insurance policy provides peace of mind. You know that if the worst happens, you’re protected. Like a sturdy umbrella in a storm, good insurance shields you from ﬁnancial hardship and stress.

The cheapest policy may not oﬀer this reassurance, leaving you anxious about what might happen if you need to make a claim.

There are situations where the cheapest insurance might suﬃce—if you have minimal assets, low risk, or can aﬀord to self-insure. But for most people, especially homeowners, drivers, or those with dependents, adequate coverage is essential.

The cheapest policy is rarely the best choice if it doesn’t meet your needs.

Insurance should be tailored to your circumstances. Consider your assets, liabilities, risk tolerance, and financial goals. Work with an agent or advisor who can help you understand your options and choose a policy that balances cost and coverage. Remember, the goal is not to find the cheapest policy, but one that offers the best protection for your situation.

Conclusion: Invest in Protection

The umbrella analogy reminds us that the value of insurance is revealed in moments of crisis. The cheapest option may save you money upfront, but it can cost you dearly when you need it most.

Insurance is not just a cost—it’s an investment in your security and peace of mind.

When shopping for insurance, focus on coverage, reliability, and risk management. Ask questions, understand your policy, and don’t be swayed by price alone. Like choosing a sturdy umbrella for a rainy day, investing in quality insurance ensures you’re truly protected when the storm arrives.

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.

Faced with such inﬁnity, is it possible to not feel at least some sense of wonder and, if warranted, a modicum of humility that could temper a self-styled “intellect” that may grasp far less than it presumes to?

If one could grasp even a small part of all this with some semblance of integrity, that would be something approaching true sight.

Seeing the universe’s lights needs the right kind of light, though: one that is rarely shone, though. But why?

Blinded by the “light” … of words

The words are unlovely, dark and deep. And they have no promises to keep. [Taking some liberty here with Robert Frost’s expression of awe at nature]. When reality is seen through the warp of words, it ceases to be what it actually is.

It is even worse than that. The ideas and the words not only alter the sight that is presented, but also almost irrevocably alter the seer as well every time the seer sees something other than what there is to see. These vaporous ideas form a habit of sight, drive a habit of mind, and warp the ridges of the mind that is the very light that endows the seer with sight.

Each time you shine the gift of light – your mind – on some part of the human-manufactured parallel universe, there is a tremendous opportunity cost. You fail to see the real universe. You fail to see the real you, and to hone your ability to see based on what you see about this most important part of the universe that you call “me”.

When you see the two universes, the one of the gods and the one of the humans, and when you see the agent of the universe that is you, and the parts of you that often get in your own way, that is the beginning of light … and the beginning of sight.

It is the beginning of enlightenment, the beginning of a unity, a harmony, an epiphany.

The world will never be the same again. And you may ﬁnd that you have gained sight, but at the expense of being able to communicate in the human universe, where words are the currency, a currency that you get increasingly bankrupt of. You will hear others, but they won’t hear you. You will see things that they cannot see, and they will see things that you would rather not see because seeing these will impede your ability to see with the universe rather than against it.

And when, as a consequence of freeing your light, you step back and allow the universe to do its magic to you, and through you, you will do much much less and will carry a much smaller load than what the human universe imposes on you. You become lightened.

Balaji Prasad

is an IIT/IIM graduate, a published author, SAT/ACT Online and in-person Coach, and K-12 Math Tutor at NewCranium. balaji.prasad@newcranium.com.

Emissions continued from page 24

The new EPA move would undo the 2024 EPA vehicleemissions rule and other federal regulations that also limit emissions from vehicles, such as the heavy-duty vehicle emissions rule.

The possibility of a regulatory reversal puts automakers into a state of uncertainty. Legal challenges to the EPA’s shift are all but guaranteed, and the court process could take years.

For companies making decade-long investment decisions, regulatory stability matters more than short-term politics. Disrupting that stability undermines business planning, erodes investor conﬁdence and sends conﬂicting signals to consumers and suppliers alike.

A slower roll

The Trump administration has taken other steps to make electric vehicles less attractive to carmakers and consumers.

The White House has already suspended key provisions of the Inﬂation Reduction Act that provided tax credits for purchasing EVs and halted a US$5 billion investment in a nationwide network of charging stations. And Congress has retracted the federal waiver that allowed California to set its own, stricter emissions limits. In combination, these policies make it hard to buy and drive electric vehicles: Fewer, or no, ﬁnancial incentives for consumers make the purchases more expensive, and fewer charging stations make travel planning more challenging.

Overturning the EPA’s 2009 endangerment ﬁnding would remove the legal basis for regulating climate pollution from vehicles altogether.

But U.S. consumer interest in electric vehicles has been growing, and automakers have already made massive investments to produce electric vehicles and their associated components in the U.S. – such as Hyundai’s EV factory in Georgia and Volkswagen’s Battery Engineering Lab in Tennessee.

Global markets, especially in Europe and China, are also moving decisively toward electrifying large proportions of the vehicles on the road. This move is helped in no small part due to aggressive regulation by their respective governments. The results speak for themselves: Sales of EVs in both the European Union and China have been growing rapidly.

But the pace of change matters. A slower rollout of clean vehicles means more cumulative emissions, more climate damage and more harm to public health.

The EPA’s move seeks to slow the shift to electric vehicles, removing incentives and raising costs – even though the market has shown that cleaner vehicles are viable, the public has shown interest, and the science has never been clearer. But even such a major policy change can’t stop the momentum of those trends.

Article courtesy of theconversation.com

Alan Jenn is Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Davis

One of the benefits of running the economy hot is that it allows us to grow past our deficit. The risk is that it could lead to an inflationary burden. Large contributors of inflation are either falling or moderating oil prices, housing, and wages.

For this strategy to work in the long term, it will take a signiﬁcant increase in productivity. The latest productivity reading came in at 4.9%, while unit labor costs declined by 1.9%. Productivity per worker is at an all-time high. Twothirds of S&P companies are discussing how to implement AI to further drive productivity. Various academic studies estimate that the productivity impact from AI ranges from 1 to 12%.

With a new macro comes a new investment regime. Since the GFC, the market has been driven by growth stocks, namely large cap tech and software companies. With real GDP now running over 4% and nominal growth running in the high-single digits, many more companies can provide high growth.

The market will look for the cheapest companies to accomplish this growth; a counteract of the value stocks, small caps, old-economy stocks, cyclicals, banks and ﬁnancials, metals and mining, industrials, certain healthcare and biotech companies. Basically, systems that have done very little over the past 15 years, while the market was held up by a few stocks.

This will favor equal-weight, active, and more diverse strategies, as opposed to large-cap, passive, and market-cap weighted. Earnings growth from non-large cap tech parts of the market is expected to accelerate. Goldman estimates 67% earnings growth for small caps. Not only will many of these companies beneﬁt from higher top-line growth from higher GDP, but they will also likely see margin expansion over time from AI & technological advances. Every 1% labor cost savings translates to about a 2% boost in EPS for the S&P, but over a 6% boost for small caps.

As margins grow, their multiple will get re-rated higher. Lower rates will favor many of these businesses, as they are often more levered.

Many of these areas of the market have low positioning, and are smaller in market cap, which means it doesn’t take much reallocation for big returns. Technically, we are seeing breadth thrusts and breakouts of large, long bases. Equalweight S&P is the same price as it was prior to COVID. Banks trade at 12.6x and healthcare is at its lowest relative valuation in history.

The spread between value and growth is wider than the dot-com bubble. A combination of rate cuts, earnings acceleration, margin expansion, positioning, reasonable valuations and technicals is a nice backdrop for mean reversion.

Looking forward, the market will continue to focus on the latest from Washington, earnings, and geopolitics.

Ketu Desai

is the principal of i-squared Wealth Management Inc. (www.isquaredwealth.com), an investment management firm based in New Jersey. ketu@isquaredwealth.com

confront emotional consequences instead of merely orchestrating them.

There is rarely a dull moment in Dude. When events escalate during the customary drive to the airport towards the climax, they are handled with a mix of maturity, humor, and practicality. Even in heightened situations, the film attempts to ground its characters in emotional logic. The fight sequence has unbelievable moments, yet the energy and pacing make them easy to overlook. A few sentimental moments in favor of Agam are generously thrown in, but they are never overly effusive, preventing the film from slipping entirely into melodrama. The movie briefly touches upon the practice of honor killing — a serious social issue — yet chooses not to dwell on it. Importantly, the film even calls out its own “cringeworthy” moments in a scene that is both self-aware and funny, reinforcing its understanding of contemporary romantic clichés.

Actor Sarath Kumar, who plays Athiyamaan, a minister and political bigwig, is terriﬁc, balancing menace and humor with ease. His presence adds weight to the proceedings, ensuring that the stakes feel credible even when the situations border on absurdity.

Mamitha Baiju plays Kural, Agam’s cousin and the most important person in his life. Confident from the get-go, Mamitha matches Pradeep Ranganathan toe-to-toe and is never overshadowed by the lead actor. Her performance brings emotional steadiness to a film that thrives on chaos. Whether in emotional or comedic moments, she is terrific and, at times, steals the show. Towards the end of the movie, the way she snaps her fingers during a heated argument with Agam becomes a small but striking assertion of agency — stylish, yes, but also symbolic of her character’s clarity.

But the movie ultimately belongs to Ranganathan, whose histrionics form a major part of his performance. Whether it is the way he grabs his phone to take a selfie, snaps his fingers when he has an idea, or even opens a candy wrapper, his physicality defines the character. Depending on which side of the fence you are on, you will either enjoy this exaggerated style or grow tired of it. Yet it is undeniably deliberate. In his last movie, Dragon, he played a character who cheats his way to the top and ultimately destroys his career. In Dude, his character nearly destroys his relationships. Once again, he embraces a flawed protagonist — a choice that reflects a willingness to experiment within commercial cinema. He does not mind kissing a dog, even if he struggles to land one on the love of his life. Nor does he fully understand why his ex-flame dumped him. These contradictions make Agam both immature and oddly endearing. Ranganathan may well be one of the more daring mainstream heroes in Tamil cinema today.

Despite its stretches and slightly overlong climax, Dude oﬀers solid entertainment — a wild ride about marriage that mixes satire, sentiment, and spectacle in mostly satisfying proportions.

Anuj Chakrapani

loves music and cinema among all art forms. He believes their beauty lies in their interpretation, and that the parts is more than the sum. Contact: anuj.chakrapani@gmail.com

Even AI tools that summarize and recommend only reduce eﬀort; they don’t reduce abundance. The irony is that in life there are very few true “one-way door” decisions. Most choices are reversible. But in my mind, almost everything feels permanent, and so I hesitate.

Schwartz distinguishes between “maximizers,” who seek the absolute best, and “satisficers,” who look for something good enough and move on. Research suggests maximizers often end up less satisfied, even when they objectively choose better options. I recognize myself uncomfortably in that description. Even after booking a flight, I check prices again. Even after buying something, I scan reviews to see what I missed.

The dissatisfaction doesn’t come from disaster; it comes from the suspicion that something better existed (or a wellmeaning friend reminds you about it). That suspicion is exhausting. And yet I know that fewer choices can mean fewer opportunities. I would not want a world without options. Some decisions—your spouse, your home, major commitments—deserve time and reﬂection.

But most of life isn’t spouse-level serious. It’s cereal-level serious. It is “which brand of atta or what brand of pasta sauce?” serious.

Maybe that’s why I enjoy shopping at Aldi or Lidl. The selection is limited by design. You don’t stand frozen before twenty nearly identical versions of the same product. You pick from a handful and move on.

There is something calming about that constraint. Lately, I’ve been experimenting in small ways: simplifying my morning routine so mornings require fewer micro-decisions, setting informal time limits when booking travel, deciding that once an option meets key criteria, it is enough and letting my wife make all decisions and then complain after. Are some of these choices suboptimal? Probably. But they are made. And made decisions bring relief that endless possibility never does.

Choice is a remarkable privilege. I wouldn’t give it up. But I have learned, albeit slowly and imperfectly, that I sometimes use choice to escape responsibility. If I keep researching, I don’t have to own the outcome. If I don’t decide, I can’t be wrong.

The problem is that not choosing is also a choice, and usually the most draining one. So, while I still believe in freedom and agency, I’m beginning to suspect that choice, at least in everyday life, is overrated. Sometimes the best decision is not the optimal one. It’s simply the one that lets you close the extra tabs, get back to your chai and move forward.

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

Mindful

Mom and Wife continued from page 26

earn through achievement or prove through external markers. She saw who I was underneath the anxiety, the procrastination, the self-sabotage. And she refused to look away.

But that belief came at a cost to her.

Not sleepless nights. Maaji can fall asleep anywhere, anytime, a superpower I’ve never inherited. But she absorbed the cultural pressure from family and community: What is your son doing? Why isn’t he settled? When will he be serious? She carried the weight of watching your child struggle, knowing that the only thing stopping him was himself.

She carried all of that. And she never once made me feel like I owed her a house or a car.

What she wanted was simpler and inﬁnitely harder: for me to believe in myself the way she believed in me.

For years, I thought staying away when I struggled protected her. I was wrong. The protection she needed wasn’t from my failures; it was from my silence. From my refusal to let her love me when I felt unlovable.

For years, I thought the problem was discipline. Focus. The ability to follow through. But the real problem wasn’t eﬀort. It was a belief.

do things that make me more uncomfortable than I ever realized I needed to be.

She teaches me more than I could ever repay her for. And that’s exactly why I do everything I can for her.

I’m not religious. I don’t believe in fate or divine intervention. But there’s something almost spiritual in the way these two women found me, or perhaps, refused to let me stay lost. Maaji and Caity share the same characteristics, the same unwavering belief, the same refusal to let me hide. They are separated by generation and circumstance, yet somehow enmeshed in their vision of who I could be.

Without them, my belief fades. And when I stop believing in myself, I stop becoming anything at all.

With them, I have something rarer: a mirror I can’t look away from. Two women who see the same person across time and context. And who refuse to stop believing until I ﬁnally start to see it too.

Men turn our mothers’ belief into a transaction—their faith in our success. We think we repay them through material achievement: the degree, the job, the house, the Instagram post on Mother’s Day saying I did this for you, Ma. When we fail, we assume we’ve broken the contract. So we hide.

Our mothers don’t love the version of us that succeeds. They love the version that’s still learning to try. By avoiding them when we struggle, we deny them the only thing they actually want: to know us, to carry our weight, to believe in us when we can’t believe in ourselves.

Women seem to instinctively know something men rarely appreciate, that belief precedes achievement, not the other way around.

You don’t wait for someone to become worthy before you love them. You love them ﬁrst, and that love becomes the ground they learn to stand on.

Maaji knew this. She’d always known it.

I just wasn’t ready to receive it yet.

Then I met my wife.

She saw what Maaji did, plus something else: the pain I’d carried for years. The weight of being the son of someone who never learned to set boundaries with family. The anxiety that came from always caring too much, people pleasing, disappearing into my own head.

Caity is the best version of everything my mom taught me to value from a very young age. Someone who uses her intellect not for status, but to help as many people as possible. Someone who sees potential as responsibility, not performance.

But where Maaji’s love was patient and waiting, Caity’s is active and insistent. She encourages me, no, pushes me to

Maaji taught me what unconditional love looks like. For Caity, I’m learning to believe I deserve it.

I promise to stop hiding when I struggle. When anxiety tells me to disappear, to avoid the calls, to pretend everything is ﬁne, I’ll stay. I’ll let you carry the weight with me instead of protecting you from my unworthiness.

I promise to allow you to push me into discomfort, understanding that my selfreﬂection is not stagnation but preparation. The person you trust isn’t merely a concept, he’s simply scared.

I promise to stop treating your love like something I need to earn. Maaji spent decades waiting for me to understand this. You shouldn’t have to wait that long.

I promise that when I doubt myself—and I will doubt myself—I’ll act as if your vision is true. Not perfectly. Not without failure. But consistently. The true way to honor the women who believe in us is to show up every day as someone worthy of that belief.

I used to think honoring my mother meant buying her a house one day. Now I understand it means becoming the man she always knew I was.

And proving to my wife that her belief wasn’t misplaced.

Men oﬀer encouragement, which is often loud, performative, conditional on results. We post on Mother’s Day. We dedicate our wins. We promise to make them proud someday.

The women in my life oﬀer something rarer: quiet conﬁdence that can never be disavowed. They don’t cheer for the version of me that succeeds. They believe in the version that’s still learning to try.

This Women’s History Month, I’m not celebrating what I’ve done for them. I’m honoring what they’ve done for me. They held up a mirror until I ﬁnally started to look.

To my mom: Thank you for waiting.

For my wife: I’m ready now.

Dhruv Pathak

is a salesman and aspiring writer based in St. Louis, originally from Charlotte, NC. He writes to better understand people and contribute to our shared humanity. Contact: pathak.d@icloud.com.

But might this growth simply be the last gasp of generosity from our aging donor pool? We hope not. In order to ensure that this windfall is sustained, we have been engaged in a crash course to learn how best to engage younger donors. As a result, their attitudes, aspirations, and preferences have been inﬂuencing our organizations and the wider philanthropic landscape in profound ways.

We have learned that young donors have diﬀerent expectations of nonproﬁts than earlier generations, which include:

Voice and Representation. Traditionally, many nonproﬁts have expected younger donors and volunteers to be “seen but not heard.” Few have been asked to give input on organizational priorities. Fewer still have been invited onto governing bodies, such as boards of directors. IPA has encouraged the establishment of young professionals’ chapters, such as those that American India Foundation, Children’s Hope India, and Pratham USA have pioneered. We have gone one step further and determined that organizations involved with IPA have a member of the board of directors under 35 years of age. Many have already complied.

Direct Contact. The next generation, many of whom were born in the United States, wants and deserves opportunities to see and engage in the work of charities they support. For a direct service organization in their community, this is often easy to arrange. But in the case of organizations that do their life-changing work in India, it is more challenging. As a result, we believe that a renewed emphasis on organizing internships, fellowships, as well as in-person and techenabled virtual field trips is essential. It is also effective if those who do site visits—as well as longer service learning efforts—are given platforms to report to their peers about what they have seen and done.

Modern Styles. The self-congratulatory aspects of many diaspora-oriented fundraising events strike many younger donors as oﬀ-putting. So is the tendency to force attendees to sit through long speeches delivered by those who write the biggest checks.

Those under 50, and especially supporters in Gen Z who are under 30, expect tech-savvy convenings characterized by spontaneity, unpredictability, audience engagement, mission-centered activity, entertainment, and above all, fun. Nonprofits that tweak their offerings to reflect these sensibilities are benefitting.

Holistic approaches. Younger donors don’t tend to think in silos. They expect an organization working on an issue such as early childhood education to do its work in ways that, for example, beneﬁt artisans and the environment through choices related to procurement. In other words, they value not just what a nonproﬁt does, but how it does it. They want the organizations they support to address the interrelated problems confronting society as best they can.

Collaboration over isolation. We have realized that younger supporters often prefer to give and raise money in social ways, such as by holding small events with cultural elements, convening giving circles, and organizing peer-topeer fundraising campaigns. We have adjusted our approaches accordingly.

The priorities of the next generation were aptly summarized by Alia Sani, a young professional who has continued a family tradition of donating to Children’s Hope India since she was a child: “For my generation, giving feels most meaningful when we can see its tangible impact — understanding where resources go, who they reach, and how lives actually change. We desire proximity and accountability.”

Over the next twenty-ﬁve years, there will be generational transfer of wealth in the United States of around $120 trillion. A disproportionate amount of that will be received by third and fourth-generation Indian Americans. In addition, it is hardly an exaggeration to say that rarely does a week go by when an under-40 Indian American doesn’t sell a company in Silicon Valley for tens of millions of dollars.

Considering these demographic trends, the case for nonproﬁts meeting younger professionals and entrepreneurs where they are and involving them meaningfully in their work is clear. In fact, Millennials, Gen Z, and Gen Alpha are the key to ensuring the sustainability of leading nonproﬁts. Those who actively engage them, rather than expect them to “wait their turn,” will thrive in the years ahead.

The stakes are higher than ever. Poverty rates and climate risks are rising again in many parts of the world. The fourth India Giving Day campaign (Indiagivingday.org), which culminates on March 13, 2026, is an excellent opportunity to put these ideas into action and to further embed them in organizations seeking to thrive in the twenty-ﬁrst century.

For more details, visit Indiaphilanthropyalliance.org.

About the Authors:

Alex Counts is the executive director of the India Philanthropy Alliance, which announced its formation publicly for the ﬁrst time in the Stanford Social Innovation Review; the author of four books (including his acclaimed midlife memoir Changing the World Without Losing Your Mind); and an adjunct professor at the Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies. He is also the founder of Grameen Foundation and AMC Consulting.

Maya Rajani, a former management consultant, serves as Treasurer and a member of the executive board of Children’s Hope India. She brings to the CHI board expertise in strategic planning, corporate development, ﬁnance and marketing. Prior to CHI, Maya served as the Vice Chair and Treasurer on the Board of the Long Island Alzheimer’s Foundation for many years and on the Board of Buckley Country Day School.

CarToon Corner

Tune Your Brain

Solve these brain teasers - Solutions on Page 110

PUZZLES

Puzzles 4 Kids Answers on page 110

Answers on page 110 Answers on page 104

Magic Maze

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.

Moscow is in this country _____.

August, _____, October, November… _____ _____, also known as Table Tennis. Kathmandu is in this country _____.

Spotted African animal with a long neck _____. Opposite of outside, ____.

Chess Puzzles

Difficulty:

Game reference: Bachmann vs Galakhov, 2003

Directions: White to move and checkmate in 2.

Difficulty:

Game reference: Assaubayeva vs Osmak, 2020

Directions: White to move, checkmate in 3.

Difficulty:

Game reference: Bacrot vs Lammers, 2015

Directions: White to move, checkmate in 4

Festivals & Holidays Puzzle Solutions

March 2026

Mar. 2 - Phalguna Purnima (Full Moon)

Mar. 3 - Purim

Mar. 4 - Holi / Hola Mohalla Begins

Mar. 6 - Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti

Mar. 8 - Daylight Saving Time Begins

Mar. 8 - International Women’s Day

Mar. 10 - Sheetala Ashtami

Mar. 14 - Meena Sankranti

Mar. 14 - Papmochini Ekadashi

Mar. 16 - Lailat al-Qadr

Mar. 17 - Saint Patrick’s Day

Mar. 18 - Darsha Amas (No Moon)

Mar. 19 - Ramadan Ends

Mar. 19 - Ugadi

Mar. 19 - Gudi Padwa

Mar. 20 - Spring Equinox / Ostara

Mar. 20 - Parsi New Year

Mar. 20 - Jhulelal Jayanti

Mar. 20 - Jamat Ul-Vida

Mar. 20 - Eid al-Fitr

Mar. 23 - Shaheed Diwas

Mar. 26 - Swaminarayan Jayanti

Mar. 27 - Rama Navami

Mar. 29 - Palm Sunday

Mar. 31 - Mahavir Swami Jayanti

Word Search Answers from page 103

Solutions from page 102

Word of the Month: SPRING

Figure! answers from page 103

Astroscope

Aries

(March 21 – April 19)

After a comfortable start, you will feel lost during the second half of the month. You could make bad decisions and not take them seriously, which will lead to extremely negative consequences. Career-related issues and ﬁnancial loss are possible. A major dispute with your partner can add to these problems. However, your family may come forward to aid you. Be sure to watch your health, as well.

Taurus

(April 20 – May 20)

A sudden positive change could occur this month. You may see an opportunity to achieve your dream, but due to thoughtless acts, you could face serious health trouble. Try to remain humble to counteract this. You should be able to maintain a normal ﬂow of income, so use it to grab an important investment opportunity. Your associates will grant full support. Your father’s deteriorating health could also worry you.

Gemini (May 21 – June 20)

Overthinking can lead you to make mistakes. Avoid using your knowledge to solve any problems and instead follow your instincts. A very important family decision may deteriorate relations. Co-operative support from your partner and kids can help ease this burden. Wait until the last week of the month to publish any creative writing projects you may have.

Cancer (June 21 – July 22)

You may begin a long journey to fulfill your dreams. It’s advisable for now to accept and follow-through with somebody else’s decisions, but it’s also very important to take the time to plan before executing them. Be sure to listen to your parents. You may have to work hard to regain confidence but overall try to remain positive as a sudden benefit during the third week will delight you.

Leo (July 23 – August 22)

It’s time to slow down and focus inwards. Concentrate on earning extra money to counteract unexpected expenses. Your child or sibling could provide beneﬁcial support this month. Communicate with old friends and avoid any major decisions for now. Don’t dispute with your partner. The second half of the month is more critical as your health may deteriorate.

Virgo (August 23 – September 22)

You should experience many positive changes this month. A promotion or new job offer can bring in increased income. You may even spend some of it on your kids but be sure it’s used for an appropriate cause. Try to be friendly with everyone. Don’t wait ‘til last week for any major decision and avoid the stock market. Keep a close eye on your health.

Libra

(September 23 – October 22)

Try to control your feelings and listen to elder siblings. Else, your expenses could exceed their limits. This is also not a good time for artists or celebrities. Medical professionals may achieve excellent goals this month. This period will accelerate due to an array of new events but try to maintain a relatively regular pace. This is a good time to enjoy celebrations or travel.

Scorpio

(October 23 – November 21)

Expenses will be out of control for sentimental reasons. Don’t follow advice from your friends or partner, instead listen to your parents for the best results. If possible, postpone any major decision to next month. Try to avoid speculation in the stock market. Unexpected travel is also possible this month. Minor health ailments could be there.

Sagittarius

(November 22 – December 21)

Be prepared to enjoy good news involving your family. A slight ideology shift will provide excellent rewards. Try to be more cheerful and active. Long-distance travel can also be fruitful. If involved in a family business, try to avoid any misunderstandings. Your partner can also beneﬁt from a bit of good luck. Move quickly and make positive decisions to take full advantage of this period.

Capricorn

(December 22 – January 19)

Avoid any major change or deal this month and instead focus on current activities to intensify your money ﬂow. During the last week, you will experience mental relief thanks to outside encouragement. Your work will decrease and help you feel relaxed. This is also a good time to enjoy with friends. A minor dispute with your partner is possible this month.

Aquarius

(January 20 – February 18)

Substantial ﬁnancial loss related to your partner or health is possible this month. Try to focus on your career and perform well at work, though your income could increase but savings won’t. Try to remain self-conﬁdent and avoid compromise. You may enjoy unexpected favors from your mother or daughter. Traveling can prove relaxing but expensive. Overall, be sure to slow down this month.

Pisces

(February 19 – March 20)

A long cherished dream may be fulﬁlled this month as destiny can play a very important role. A close friend could delight you with good news at the beginning of the month. An enemy may invoke their revenge and attain considerable success. Also, a family member’s attitude could fuel a dispute, so avoid travel with family at this time. However, listen to your mother, as she may bring good luck.

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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.

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.

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

For Immediate Hire

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.

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.

Looking for Manager/Associate/Help for Indian grocery store in RTP. Please contact by text 919-225-2518, call 919-4899084 or email harig81us@gmail.com.

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).

Convenience Store Help Wanted in Charlotte, NC. Single or Couple. Salary w/ incentives. Store hours 6am to 11pm. Call Vipul 704-431-8310.

Now Hiring Hotel Help

Front Desk / Manager, Night Auditor & Housekeeper (single or couple) for immediate employment at franchise hotels located in Greensboro, NC & Winston Salem, NC. Accommodations provided. Competitive opportunity. Call 336-255-5250.

Elder Care Needed in Charlotte

Family needs assistance with daily activities for 86-year-old man in our home. Part-time. Good pay. Please call 704-661-5315.

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.

Seeking Bride

Looking for well-educated bride for 32 yearold Gujarat groom, completed MS in Regulatory Science, currently working in a pharma company in NJ. Call 980-729-1097 or 857-397-7115 or chintansathiya33@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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Seeking Groom

56-year-old female, 5’4”, Ahmedabad-born, never married, US citizen with income to support herself & spouse. Hindu, vegetarian, fluent in Gujarati, Hindi & English. Enjoys movies, music, singing & walks. Please contact 919-619-8705.

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Email: DesiGoldNC@gmail.com

Services

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.

Indian Psychic and Spiritual Healer Master Mahindra can help with problems in business, love, family, divorce, marriage, and other issues. Call 704-622-3391.

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.

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.

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.

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.

You realize that you may even be one of those distant shimmering mirages that appear and disappear in the desert heat. At ﬁrst sight the park seems like a barren desert, a dead wasteland, ah, but look deeper and it is full of life. So many types of plants and animals live here.

Death Valley is alive.

We visited the park, tucked away in the southeast corner of California, in November, even then the temperature was toasty in this one of the hottest places on Earth.

Summertime temperatures in Death Valley can approach 130˚ Fahrenheit. That is a deadly level of heat not for the faint of heart. A local told us that people visit the park in the summer for a day just to experience the heat.

There are many unique segments or ecosystems in the park – sand dunes, salt flats, hills, even snow dusted high elevations. There are also resorts and lodgings inside the park. The park’s basin is below sea level. Rain is rare, but when it comes, locals tell tales of fields of wildflowers coming to life. I can imagine splotches of colors in the desert canvas. There are also what may be called oases that offer refuge to wildlife. Moisture, what little there is, lurks in unexpected places.

The point is that it is a lot less desolate and stark than the name denotes. The park’s name may create dark imagery, but the story is rather ﬁlled with light and life. Fallen desert trees lay almost in the same condition for years as there is little moisture to initiate decay. Desert creatures ﬁnd ways to use this shelter.

When there are no other people around, stillness and quiet envelopes you.

What I thought when we ﬁnished our trip there was that the park was misnamed. This place should be renamed Life Valley National Park. There is plenty of wildlife there, while the varied geometries of the vistas along with the stillness and solitude ignite a reaﬃrmation of life, no matter how miniscule we may seem.

I had this feeling of being utterly alive and connected with the surroundings in the sizzling afternoon sun and in the cool evenings. It wasn’t just about being in this stark wildness, visiting, hiking, taking pictures, and then moving on. I wanted to linger for a longer period. Walk in the cool sand in the evenings while the air is heavy and as night falls, gaze at a clear sky ﬁlled with the distant shining gems of the visible universe.

No photograph can mimic the in-person experience and views of this place.

All national parks we have visited evoke these feelings of being a part of something awesome. They are the treasures of our country, open to all.

Death Valley National Park is yet another. Standing in the midst of such a dry, desolate place, life is a better word that comes to mind.

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

360insureall.com (Maqsood Khan)......................80

AmeriFab International.......................................59

Anand, Versha (Real Estate) .................................31

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (Charlotte) 16 & 17

Bashyam Global LLP - Immigration Law............105

Bhavesh Patel (Excel Empire)...............................25

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

Blooming Buds...................................................55

Brijal Shah (Keller Williams - Real Estate).............93

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

Brown Immigration Law (Rishi Oza, Partner).......44

Carolina Law Group .........................................111

Carolina Medical Partners...................................89

Carolinas Aesthetics ............................................71

Charlotte Chess Center ........................................10

Charlotte Eye Ear Nose & Throat .........................81

Chiro-Carolina ...............................................73

CMAC - Vishaal Sapuram Concert (Charlotte).......21

Color Master Collision Center..............................87

Concha, David (Immigration Attorney).................72

Concord Children's Clinic ..................................29

Copper Restaurant (Charlotte).............................27

Countywide Commercial (Pavement Solutions)....107

Desai & Desai LLP (CPA & Financial Services)......47

Desai & Mehta CPAs PLLC .................................33

Dhira Hapani (Realtor) .......................................29

DJ Lalit (Lalit Hemnani).....................................99

Eesha Realty, LLC...............................................39

Elite Motors.......................................................15

Festival of India - Regional at Matthews ...............11

Geological Resources, Inc...................................101

Glo Dentistry (Ankit M. Amin, DMD)..................61

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

H2 Laser & Skin..................................................65

Health Markets (Medicare, Health, Life, Supplemental).85

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

Hitch Hiker's Guide to College.............................33

i Care Med Clinic (Pineville).................................43

Insurance - Tushar Barot, Supreme Insurance Serv...99

Insurance Shopping (Sonal Patel - Independent Agent).51

JVC Realty (Balaji Tatineni Realtor / Broker).........67

KB Zaveree (Atlanta)...........................................19

Khanna & Sons Jewelers.......................................13

Krunal Joshi (Life Insurance Advisor)....................41

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

Kumar, Kokila (Real Estate - Allen Tate)................61

Lead Designs LLC...............................................59

Life Mission USA (Summer Youth Camp)..............53

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

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

Malaya Kitchen...................................................31

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

Master Mahindra (Psychic & Spiritual Healer).....107

Master Sakthi (Astrologer & Psychic Spritual Healer).41

Mathur, Gitanjali (Howard Hanna Allen Tate)........21

Maxim Tours.......................................................37

Mehta & McConnell, PLLC (Injury Lawyers).........91

Mint MedSpa & Laser Studio...............................89

Mystic Spice Restaurant (Charlotte)......................23

Neeta's Beauty Parlor..........................................33

New York Life Insurance (Rasheed Ulhaq).............55

North American Bancard ......................................7

NRS PAY Credit Card Processing.......................113

NSD Tax & Accounting Services............................37

One 2 Entertainment...........................................47

Partner Business LLC (Immigration Advice)..........55

Patel & Samatova, Law........................................99

Patel, Mrugesh (Law Offices)................................93

Patel, Tony (Real Estate)......................................73

PKT Tours USA..................................................51

Pramukh Mandapam...........................................49

Prime Value Financials (Beena & Rahul Parmar)....43

Queen City Smiles (Dr. Kanupriya Tewari).............31

Raja Reslan - Financial Advisor (Edward Jones).....65

Ruby Realty LLC (Neil Pathak)............................75

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

Ryan Shah (The Sidd Ensemble Bhajan Band)......107

Saffron Restaurant and Catering...........................87

Satya Realty & SAT Prep.....................................83

Shah & Associates, CPA, PLLC.............................51

Shah & Trivedi CPA, PLLC..................................41

Shah, Anish (Real Estate)....................................63

Shankar Ehsaan Loy (Live in Raleigh).....................6

Sona Realty (Venkat Suryadevara)........................97

SP Orthodontics (Matthews)................................71

Swadhyay Pariwar..............................................45

Taaza Fresh Indian Bistro...................................101

Technone LLC (Securtiy Systems).........................37

The Blue Taj........................................................27

TMSA (Public Charter Schools).............................4

Travel Passion.....................................................55

Union Family Eye Associates (Dr. Keshav Bhat)......61

Uniworld Travel..................................................47

VAS Mortgage (Sunita Dalal)...............................49

VAS Realty LLC (Ashwani Dalal).......................114

Vema Mortgage LLC (Chirag Rachhadia)..... 29 & 71

Vimal Realty (Vimal Patel Realtor / Broker in Charge).68

Worldwide Travels...............................................43

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

360insureall.com (Maqsood Khan)......................80

AmeriFab International.......................................59

Anjappar (Now Open in Durham)........................71

Apna Bazar (Morrisville).....................................73

Aura Skin & Laser (Dipan Patel)..........................25

Bashyam Global LLP - Immigration Law............105

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

Blooming Buds...................................................55

Bombay Central (Grocery & Take Out Food)..........81

Brown Immigration Law (Rishi Oza, Partner).......44

Cary Internal Medicine & Diabetes Center, PA........67

Cary Medical Clinic.............................................75

Chandni's Beauty Salon .......................................61

Charlotte Chess Center ........................................76

Crescent Dental (Dr. Kavita Ghai)........................33

Darji, Iyer, Joshi & Patel (Accounting & Tax Services)..79

Desai & Desai LLP (CPA & Financial Services)......47

DJ Lalit (Lalit Hemnani).....................................99

Eesha Realty, LLC...............................................39

Euroclassics LTD (Auto Sales & Service)................27

GCAP (Events)...................................................21

Geological Resources, Inc...................................101

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

Health Bloom (Anoon Sheth, MD, MMCI)............68

Health Markets (Medicare, Health, Life, Supplemental)85

Huntington Learning Center...............................16

i Care Med Clinic (Pineville).................................43

Inchin's Bamboo Garden......................................17

Insurance - Tushar Barot, Supreme Insurance Serv...99

Insurance Shopping (Sonal Patel - Independent Agent).51

International Community Church.........................27

KB Zaveree (Atlanta)...........................................19

Khanna & Sons Jewelers.......................................13

Kiran.................................................................11

Krunal Joshi (Life Insurance Advisor)....................41

Kumar Sanu & Sadhan Sargam (Charlotte)..............6

Lead Designs LLC...............................................59

Life Mission USA (Summer Youth Camp)..............53

Madan Khatri (Vema Mortgage)..........................61

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

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

Mansi Gowin (Real Estate Advisor).......................17

Marriott Raleigh Crabtree Valley............................4

Master Mahindra (Psychic & Spiritual Healer).....107

Master Sakthi (Astrologer & Psychic Spritual Healer).41

Maxim Tours.......................................................37

Mehta & McConnell, PLLC (Injury Lawyers).........91 Morgan & Allen Insurance (Hitesh Patel)...............23

Patel, Mrugesh (Law Offices)................................93

PKT Tours USA..................................................51

Pramukh Mandapam...........................................49

PreJuve Medspa & Wellness (Neelu Agarwal MD)...75

Prime Value Financials (Beena & Rahul Parmar)....43

Rajeev Devgon, CPA ...........................................31

Raz Gandhi (NC Realtors)...................................23

RB Realty Group (Ravi Bheemarao).....................65

Real Triangle Properties (Joe Mathews).................33

RTP Entertainment (Ashish Vidyarthi - Comedy).....9

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

Ryan Shah (The Sidd Ensemble Bhajan Band)......107

Shah & Associates, CPA, PLLC.............................51

Shah & Trivedi CPA, PLLC..................................41

Shankar Ehsaan Loy (Live in Raleigh).....................3

Singh, Manny (Real Estate)..................................29

Sona Realty (Venkat Suryadevara)........................97

Spectrum Family Medicine (Sujatha Sajeevan, MD)25

Spices Hut .........................................................63

St. George's Anglican Church...............................21

Stylish Me..........................................................31

Swadhyay Pariwar..............................................45

Taaza Fresh Indian Bistro...................................101

Teamwork Health................................................79

Technone LLC (Securtiy Systems).........................37

Third Eye Momo Grill (Cary)...............................11

TMSA (Public Charter Schools)...........................15

Travel Passion.....................................................55

Tutoring (Nirmala Koripella - A+ Tutoring)............77

Uniworld Travel....................................................47

VAS Mortgage (Sunita Dalal)................................49

VAS Realty LLC (Ashwani Dalal).........................114

Vema Mortgage LLC (Vipul Hapani)..............25 & 67

Wake Spine & Pain................................................29

West Cary Medicine (Dr. Kareem M.D.)...................21

Worldwide Travels.................................................43