Austin South Asian. February. 2024

Monthly Community Paper | www.austinsouthasian.com | 512-828-6709 | Vol. 17 No. 02

The Political Rise Of The Indian Around The World

India’s Ayodhya Ram Mandir Temple Inaugurated By Modi

February 2024

inside

Achieve Your Goals.......02 Women Business Owner..4 Cyberattacks................05 Valentine’s Day.............05 Heat And Flavor............06 Scribblings By Arun......06 Healthy Money Mindset.07 Car’s Evolving Tech.......08 NEW DELHI, (IANS) – In September this year, Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam joined the growing list of Indianorigin leaders dominating world politics, just as Rishi Sunak script-

ed history by becoming Britain’s first desi premier in 2022.

By Rhea Mogul, Vedika Sud, Sania Farooqui, Aishwarya S Iyer and Jerome Taylor, CNN

of a new time cycle” in a speech to thousands of guests outside temple’s complex.

Before him, Leo Varadkar — born to an Indian father and Irish mother — (Continued On Page 25)

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has hailed Monday’s consecration ceremony as “the beginning

First Hindu Woman To Run For Office In Pak

Multivitamins And Memory

Yoga

“Today our Lord Ram has come.

After centuries of waiting, our Ram has arrived,” Modi said. “Our Ram idol will not stay in a tent anymore.

Our Ram idol will stay in a divine temple now.” He added: “The sun of 22 January, has brought with it a wonderful aura. 22 January 2024 is not just a date on a calendar but a beginning of a new time cycle.”

“Even a thousand years later, people will be discussing this date and time,” Modi said in his speech.

Minutes before his speech, Modi broke an 11-day religious fast that he had undertaken to prepare for the festivities. He unveiled a statue of Lord Ram, one of Hinduism’s most revered deities, in a consecration ceremony watched by millions. (Courtesy: https://edition. cnn.com/)

A new study reported that adults 60 and older who took a daily multivitamin for two years scored higher on memory and cognitive tests than those who took a placebo — a rare example of a clinical trial finding that a nutritional supplement might actually benefit healthy people.

(Continued On Page 03)

ISLAMABAD, (IANS) – Pakistani-Hindu Dr Saveera Parkash is set to be the first woman candidate from the minority community to stand in the upcoming general elections from the Buner district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

(Continued On Page 13)

Yoga is an ancient and complex practice, rooted in Indian philosophy. It began as a spiritual practice but has be- come popular as a way of pro- moting physical and mental well-being. (Continued On Page 24)

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Austin South Asian | February 2024

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Want To Achieve Your Goals? Write Them Down If you have a big idea, goal or dream about helping others, writing down your vision can help.

Studies show you’re 42% more likely to achieve your goals if you write them down.

Take it from Marcy Bursac. After reviewing thousands of handwritten entries, Pilot Pen selected her as the newest winner of the G2 Overachievers Grant, which rewards an exceptional individual who goes beyond their everyday job and responsibilities to make a difference in the lives of others.

A technical analyst at a cybersecurity firm by day, Bursac is also an author, podcaster, wife and mother.

She has used her technological expertise to develop an app for “The Forgotten Adoption Option,” her book and platform that helps facilitate adoptions for children in foster care.

As an adoptive parent herself, she made it her mission to make it eas-

ier for other families to adopt children from foster care, helping to place as many as possible in loving homes. “ S o m e types of adoption are costprohibitive for many families and can take years,” says Bursac.

“The reality is that there are thousands

of children who need a forever family today, and foster care adoption is an option that can make this dream more financially affordable for more families.”

Marcy has already helped more than 12,000 families through the foster care adoption process.

She plans to use the grant money to fund her continued efforts to unite children in foster care with their forever families.

Inspired? Write down your own goals and aspirations and include all the little details required to bring them to life.

Be sure to reach for a high-quality writing instrument like G2, the lon-

gest lasting gel ink pen.

To learn more about the G2 Overachievers Grant competition or to enter or nominate someone you know, visit G2Overachievers.com.

“We know firsthand that we are so much more likely to achieve our goals when we put pen to paper,” says Ariann Langsam, vice president of marketing for Pilot Pen. “That’s why we pride ourselves on both providing the tools that people can use to make a difference in the lives of others, and recognizing and amplifying the work of individuals who are making those efforts.”

(StatePoint)

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Austin South Asian | February 2024

What We Know About Multivitamins And Memory

(Continued From Page 01)

tion in brain aging, meaning that they theoretically tested as well as someone two years younger, Dr. Vyas said.

“It suggests that multivitamins can be a safe, affordable and accessible approach to protecting cognitive health in older adults,” said Dr. Chirag Vyas, a psychiatric epidemiologist at Mass General Brigham in Boston and a lead author of the study, published Thursday in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

But experts not involved in the trial cautioned that the benefits were small, and it was not clear that they would translate to tangible improvements in people’s lives. “I would put it in the realm of promising, but I wouldn’t go to the bank with it,” said Mary Butler, an associate professor of public health at the University of Minnesota who has published several papers evaluating interventions to prevent dementia.

The research was part of a larger trial involving more than 21,000

older adults looking at whether supplements can protect against several age-related diseases, called the COcoa Supplement and Multivitamin Outcomes Study (COSMOS). The new report included results from a subset of 573 participants — mostly white and relatively well educated — who took several cognitive tests in person.

People in both the multivitamin and placebo groups improved their cognitive scores over two years, possibly because they were already familiar with the tests. But the participants taking the multivitamin showed a slightly greater gain, with the biggest bump coming on memory assessments.

The study also pooled those findings with the results from two prior COSMOS investigations that tested the cognition of more than 5,000 people over the phone or online. Across the three studies, those who took multivitamins had a consistent improvement in their scores on tests of memory and overall cognitive ability compared with people who received a placebo, said Dr. JoAnn Manson, a professor of medicine at Harvard University and the co-principal investigator of the trial. The researchers estimated that the memory boost observed in people taking the multivitamin corresponded to a two-year reduc-

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Experts not involved in the research said that the study was well-designed: It included a large number of participants and used reputable cognitive tests. But the findings “are relatively modest,” said Dr. Hussein Yassine, an associate professor of neurology at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California.

While some people may have truly benefited from the multivitamin, he said, a majority most likely did not.

Editors’ Picks Dr. Yassine added that claiming a multivitamin could slow cognitive aging by two years “is really a stretch.” To arrive at that conclusion, the researchers compared the performance of the multivitamin group with average test scores by age. Dr. Yassine took issue with that technique, calling the interpretation “misleading.”

That calculation was also the primary concern cited by Dr. Pieter Cohen, an internist at Cambridge Health Alliance in Boston who studies supplements.

He added that it was unclear whether the subtle improvements measured in people taking multivitamins would be meaningful.

It would be far more convincing if the trial found that people who took multivitamins were less likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s by a certain age, or could live independently for longer, he said.

Dr. Manson agreed that more research on multivitamins was needed, especially in groups with more racial, ethnic and socioeconomic diversity. Follow-up studies should analyze who benefited from the supplements and why, Dr. Yassine added.

It’s possible, for example, that the gains were driven by people who weren’t previously consuming enough of certain nutrients important for brain health, such as vitamin B12, vitamin D and zinc.

“Instead of concluding that everybody should be taking a multivitamin, I think we should possibly try to understand who benefits from taking the multivitamin,” Dr. Yassine said.

Multivitamins can be useful for certain people, such as those with conditions that affect their ability to absorb nutrients, Dr. Cohen said, but most healthy people don’t need one. “I’m not going to be recommending multivitamins to improve memory based on this data,” he said.

The COSMOS study, funded by the National Institutes of Health and chocolate maker Mars Inc., was originally designed to see whether multivitamins or supplements containing cocoa flavanols would affect heart disease or cancer risk.

But the trial found little benefit of either supplement. Other studies have largely shown that multivitamins didn’t improve cognition or prevent dementia. For example, in a trial of nearly 6,000 male physicians tracked for 12 years, those who took a multivitamin performed no better on cognitive or memory tests than those who took a placebo.

Research has consistently found, however, that a healthy diet and other lifestyle interventions can benefit the brain. Puja Agarwal, a nutritional epidemiologist at the Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, called the new findings “encouraging.” But, she added, “if we can meet our nutritional requirements with dietary approaches, that should be the first priority.”

A correction was made on Jan. 18, 2024: An earlier version of this story incorrectly described the title of Dr. JoAnn Manson. She is coprincipal investigator of the COSMOS trial, not co-coordinator. A correction was made on Jan. 19, 2024: An earlier version of this story misidentified a substance being studied in the COSMOS trial.

They are cocoa flavanols, not flavonols. (Courtesy: https://www. nytimes.com/)

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Austin South Asian | February 2024

Women Business Owners Are Optimistic And Confident

Women and men who own small and midsized businesses are typically more aligned than they are different in their viewpoints about the economy. Now – more than ever – this is especially true as it relates to their optimism about running their businesses, according to PNC’s latest Economic Outlook Survey.

we’re supporting that networkbuilding through our relationships with organizations such as global nonprofit Coralus and the Women Presidents Organization,” says Marcello.

Decisions for the Economic Landscape

Survey results show that 69% of women and 73% of men are highly optimistic about their business prospects. But women appear to have the edge when it comes to confidence – 69% say they are confident about running their businesses compared to 57% of men.

PNC Women’s Business Development.

This trend is consistent with last year’s survey responses. In 2022, 8 in 10 women business owners reported feeling very confident in their business success and nearly half credited their confidence to their own hard work and drive.

Engaging in Networks According to the survey, women-owned businesses are more likely to be engaged with the Small Business Administration, chambers of commerce and other professional groups.

“It stands to reason that those sentiments, together with a few key resources – professional networks, improved access to credit and the agility to navigate the economic landscape – all contribute to a level of confidence that is driving continued optimism this year,” says Beth Marcello, director of

In fact, 83% of women business owners participate in business development organizations compared to 64% of men.

The optimism of women business owners comes through in the survey in specific areas of their enterprises, as 64% expect to see an increase in demand, 65% anticipate an increase in sales, and 56% predict an increase in profits in the next six months.

While 57% also have plans to moderately increase prices.

“These are just a few indicators of how women are thinking as they make business decisions heading into 2024,” Marcello says.

“While some of their optimism may be tested by continued high inflation and a potential recession, there is strong evidence that they are prepared.”

“Women often credit the benefits of a strong network to winning new business and finding new and better ways of doing business, and

Seeking Credit When PNC began surveying women business owners in 2014, men were more likely

to seek credit in the near term. The 2022 survey showed for the first time, women overtaking men when considering a new loan or line of credit to support business growth.

This trend continued in 2023, with 26% of women saying they are likely to seek a nearterm business loan or line of credit compared to 23% of men.

“While this data could simply reflect changes in the way women are conducting business, it’s evidence that fewer women are intimidated by the traditional process of gaining access to credit for their businesses,” Marcello says. “This is really encouraging.”

Dedicated efforts to make more resources available to women entrepreneurs are paying off, says Marcello. At PNC, for example, women can lean on the expertise of 5,000 PNC-Certified Women’s Business Advocates who have a passion for working with women financial decision makers. Through Coralus, entrepreneurs have access to a global support network and a no-interest loan program.

“Providing support to entrepreneurs and making access to credit more attainable are important steps toward their ongoing success as well as economic growth overall” says Marcello. (StatePoint)

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Austin South Asian | February 2024

Tips To Protect Yourself From Text Message Cyberattacks

Every day, cybercriminals create new methods of obtaining private financial information from unsuspecting individuals, most commonly employing tactics like emailing strangers and convincing them to either share personal information or take an action that compromises their systems and devices.

Known as “phishing,” these cybercrime attempts can also come by way of short message service (SMS) or text messaging, and when they do, it’s called “smishing.”

Scammers use smishing to prompt victims to click on internet links or send classified or personal information through texts and other messaging apps, making individuals vulnerable to identity theft and even extortion. However, understanding their methods can help you protect yourself. Here’s what to know: Attacks Are Getting More Sophisticated Cybercriminals often use a tactic called spoofing, where they impersonate a known sender or transmit messages from a legitimate number. Even if you know the sender, it’s still important to verify the message’s

smishing attempts that closely mirror conversation, making it simpler and more affordable to distribute cyberattacks successfully to a large audience.

“Whereas previous smishing and phishing messages often didn’t make sense, as generative AI advances, these messages contain fewer grammatical or spelling mistakes. As a result, users are less able to distinguish them from legitimate communications,” says Raina Kanakis, a security specialist with PNC’s Global Security Fusion Center.

Simple Precautions Can Mitigate Risk legitimacy before responding, opening an attachment, or clicking on a link that could potentially compromise your device.

Cybercriminals also share stolen credentials and personal information more readily now and work in gangs, ultimately amplifying the threat. Through social engineering of your publicly available information — often gleaned from social media — and private data procured illicitly, scammers are able to craft text messages specifically designed to

lower your defenses. This means, communication may look like it’s being sent from a known person or number, possibly making reference to shared knowledge. Fraudsters may apply a sense of urgency or other scare tactic that prompts you to react quickly instead of taking the time to scrutinize a request.

Additionally, the ever-growing capabilities of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools have made it easier for scammers to develop

Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas That Show You Really Care Valentine’s Day is the perfect opportunity to let that special someone know how you feel about them. Whether it be a spouse, a new boyfriend or girlfriend, or a best friend, let these thoughtful gift ideas show them how much you really care: 1. A perfect brew: As most tea and coffee drinkers know, the ideal temperature beverage can be a fleeting thing, especially with all of life’s distractions and demands.

That’s not the case with Nextmug, a gift that will spoil your Valentine with the perfect brew every time. This temperature-controlled, self-heating mug maintains a beverage at the user’s ideal temperature (warm at 130 degrees, hot at 140 degrees, and piping at 150 degrees) for hours using smart technology that requires no app or data-sharing. Stylish, ergonomic and simple to use, it eliminates the need to reheat a drink after getting sidetracked by workplace duties or household chores. To upgrade your gift, consider an additional docking coaster so they can enjoy a hot drink in multiple locations. To learn more, visit nextmug.com.

2. A better bath: With a bath basket, you’re not only transforming a standard household bathroom into a spa-like retreat, you’re giving the gift of self-care. Fill the basket with soothing bath oils, fragrant bath bombs, calming soaking salts and aromatic candles.

A plush robe and slippers will complete the gift and make your recipient feel pampered and cared for.

3. Tickets for two: Two tickets to a special event shows that you’re not only paying attention to your loved one’s favorite things, but that you also support their interests. Be it the opera, a basketball game or the concert

of a beloved artist, give the gift of a one-of-a-kind date night, and amazing memories.

4. Two-gifts-in-one: Did you know that cozy comfort and awesome audio can go handin-hand? A winter beanie with Bluetooth is a sleek and seamless accessory for cold weather commutes, dog walks and other outdoor activities, keeping your loved one’s head and ears warm while entertaining them with the music or podcast of their choice.

5. More time in the evening: Delivering wholesome, nutritious ingredients and recipes to doorsteps, a meal subscription service takes some of the heavy-lifting out of menu prep and grocery shopping, giving your Valentine more time to spend on personal pursuits.

From services that emphasize the use of organic ingredients and sustainable packaging to those that are tailored to particular dietary restrictions, you’ll be sure to find a service that meets your gift recipient’s needs and wishes. (StatePoint)

Vigilance is key, especially as attacks become more sophisticated. One way to verify senders’ identities is by cross-checking short codes — the five- or six-digit number used by companies to deliver text messages to your phone. Each of these unique codes is used for certain purposes — to transmit card activity alerts, for instance.

Use these additional strategies to help thwart smishing attempts: 1. If you are not expecting the message, proceed with caution.

2. Do not immediately respond.

3. Do not click on any links within a text message. Navigate to the URL using a different means to validate it.

4. If the message appears to come from a familiar company, contact them on a different channel to confirm legitimacy.

5. Getting a text and subsequent call does not increase legitimacy. Hang up and call the company or financial institution directly using a known telephone number.

6. Screenshot and send any suspicious messages appearing to come from a company to them to verify and alert.

7. To report smishing to all mobile telecom carriers, screenshot and send the message to 7726. For added protection, use the “Report Junk” feature on your mobile carrier’s system.

8. Visit the FCC website for more information on how to avoid smishing scams. (StatePoint)

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Austin South Asian | February 2024

Turn Up The Heat And Flavor For The Big Game Hosting a Big Game watch party?

By following the playbook of BBQ experts, you’ll have your friends and family cheering for your game day spread. “The trick to achieving tasty BBQ is real smoke flavor.

And, to get real smoke flavor, you need quality, natural hardwoods, with or without a pellet grill,” says Levi Strayer of Bear Mountain BBQ, “Start grilling with pellets, and everyone will immediately taste the difference—it’s a game changer.”

With that philosophy in mind, Bear Mountain BBQ ambassador Jennifer Danella is sharing two BBQ winning recipes. Both incorporate the brand’s premium pellets to bring unbeatable flavor to the table.

Sweet Heat Barbeque Wild Turkey Bites Ingredients: • 1 boneless, skinless turkey or chicken breast, approximately 2 pounds, cut into 1-inch pieces • 1 tablespoon chili powder • 1 teaspoon paprika • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper • 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper • 1 tablespoon loosely-packed light brown sugar • 1 package center-cut bacon, cut in half • Sliced green onions • Ranch dressing • Chef’s Choice or Butcher’s Blend Bear Mountain BBQ Pellets • 1/2 cup sweet barbecue sauce • 2 tablespoons buffalo sauce • 1 tablespoon minced garlic Directions: 1. Preheat grill to 400 degrees F.

While you are healthy you feel yourself as light as a feather, You feel the heaviness of your whole body while sick you are.

You feel it is as light as snow, while you are glad and happy, While you are sad you feel your heart is loaded and too heavy.

com. To bring your A-game to the Big Game, level up your hosting with mouthwatering BBQ treats.

(StatePoint)

By Seema Govil Based on historical patterns and industry insights, let’s look at some general trends and potential predictions for the franchise industry in the next five years. Remember that these are speculative and subject to change based on various factors.

Here are some potential predictions:

E-commerce Integration: Franchise businesses might increasingly incorporate e-commerce strategies to reach a wider audience and accommodate changing consumer shopping habits.

Personalization and Customer Experience: Franchises may invest in personalized customer experiences through data analytics and AIdriven technologies, tailoring products and services to individual preferences.

Innovation in Delivery Services: The demand for convenient and quick delivery services may drive innovation in the delivery models of various franchise businesses, especially in the food and retail sectors.

Diversification of Offerings: Franchises may diversify their product or service offerings to adapt to changing consumer needs and market trends, providing customers with a broader range of options.

Emphasis on Social Responsibility: Consumers increasingly value brands that demonstrate social responsibility. Franchises may engage in philanthropy, community involvement, and ethical business practices to build a positive brand image.

It’s essential to note that these predictions are based on my research on upcoming trends, and individual franchises may experience different outcomes based on their industry, location, and specific business strategies. Additionally, unforeseen events such as economic shifts, global crises, or regulatory changes can influence the trajectory of the franchise industry.

Trends In Franchising

2. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

3. Place 1-inch turkey pieces into a medium size bowl. Sprinkle chili powder, paprika, cayenne, garlic salt, black pepper and brown sugar over top. Mix well.

4. Wrap half a slice of bacon around each turkey piece. Secure with a toothpick and place them onto the parchment paper.

5. Place the baking sheet into your preheated grill and bake for 25 minutes. Meanwhile, combine the barbecue sauce, buffalo sauce and garlic in a small bowl. Brush the turkey pieces halfway through cooking. Brush another layer of sauce five minutes before the cook time is over. Cook until the turkey pieces reach 165 degrees F. 6. Garnish with sliced green onions and serve with ranch dressing for dipping.

Beer Cheese Dip Ingredients: • 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese grated • 1/2 cup gruyere cheese grated • 8 ounces cream cheese softened • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard • 1/2 of a 1-ounce Hidden Valley Ranch Packet

SCRIBBLINGS BY ARUN TO LIVE HAPPY

smoking occasions.

The collection can also be found online at Walmart.com. For recipe ideas and techniques for adding smoke flavor to your food using any grill, visit bearmountainbbq.

While you love others, they as a burden are never considered, While you hate others they are considered as a load on your head.

So to live happy you need to be healthy, glad and love all, Keeping thoughts clean and leading simple life, ensures that for all. (arunsunderraj@gmail.com)

• 2 tablespoons green onions chopped.

• 1/4 cup German lager beer • 2 tablespoons baking soda • 1 can biscuits • 1 large egg, mixed with 1 tablespoon water, for brushing biscuits • 12-inch cast iron skillet • Bear Mountain BBQ’s Chef’s Choice Blend pellets Directions: 1. Preheat pellet grill to 350 degrees F. 2. In large bowl, combine 1 cup cheddar, gruyere, cream cheese, Dijon mustard, Hidden Valley Ranch seasoning, beer and 1 tablespoon green onions. Mix evenly.

3. Cut biscuits in half. Roll each half into a ball, then slice an X across top.

4. Boil 2 cups water in medium saucepan. Once boiling, add baking soda and mix immediately.

5. Add biscuits to grill in batches and cook until puffy, approximately 1 minute. Remove and transfer to skillet, forming ring along inside edge.

6. Brush biscuits with egg wash.

Sprinkle with salt.

7. Transfer dip to center of skillet.

Sprinkle with remaining cheddar.

8. Smoke until biscuits are golden and dip is bubbly, 30-35 minutes.

9. Garnish with remaining green onions. Serve!

As you make your Game Day preparations, head to Walmart, which is carrying a new collection of Bear Mountain’s grilling and smoking pellets.

The five exclusive flavors -- Smoky Apple Whiskey, Maple Bourbon Pecan, Chef’s Choice, Butcher’s Blend and Chophouse Blend -- add unrivaled flavor to all grilling and

Technology Integration: Increased technology adoption in franchise operations, including digital ordering systems, mobile apps, and automated processes to enhance efficiency and customer experience.

Focus on Sustainability: Franchises may emphasize sustainability and environmental responsibility, responding to consumer demands for eco-friendly practices.

Health and Wellness: With a growing focus on health and wellness, franchises in the food and fitness sectors may see increased demand.

Healthy menu options and fitnessoriented services could become more prevalent.

Flexible Business Models: Franchises may adapt to more flexible business models, allowing for remote work, digital collaborations, and alternative formats to meet changing consumer preferences.

International Expansion: Established franchises may continue to explore international markets for growth opportunities driven by globalization and the desire to tap into new customer bases.

For more information on Franchising options.

Contact Seema Govil @Seema@ thefranchiseconsultingcompany. com Or Text and call at 512 762 7387

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Austin South Asian | February 2024

How To Build A Healthy Money Mindset For A Stable Financial Future Building and managing your wealth is a lifelong process that can have major implications for you, your children and other beneficiaries.

financial stability by putting you in a better position to weather unexpected financial circumstances, such as a loss of income, unplanned medical bills or property damage from a storm.

While your path to building wealth should be tailored to your circumstances, this three-pronged approach from Freddie Mac can help you plan for a stable financial future.

1. Understand your money mindset: Understanding your relationship with money can help you identify opportunities to create healthier spending and saving habits.

A positive outlook toward money can provide you with a strong base on which to build wealth and achieve goals. Conversely, a negative outlook can make you reluctant to take the steps you need to establish a strong financial history.

For example, being overly focused on displaying wealth can lead to

Creating an emergency budget can help you gauge how much you need to save, but in general, you should save up enough money to cover three to six months of your typical monthly expenses. overusing credit. Likewise, becoming preoccupied with financial success to the point of anxiety can prevent you from spending the wealth you do have on items you need and want to live comfortably.

By recognizing the factors that influence how you spend and save, you can make new choices that better support your financial goals.

2. Set and manage goals: Establishing and maintaining a set of defined financial goals is the next step

when building wealth. Think about what you would like to accomplish over the short-, medium- and longterm, and make a savings plan to help you get there. It’s also important to take actions to safeguard your accumulated savings.

This includes being mindful of inflation, guarding your information from scammers, and planning for unforeseen circumstances and emergencies.

3. Be prepared: Building an emergency fund can help you maintain

Keep this money separate from your other savings, and don’t touch it until it’s needed. Additionally, having adequate homeowners or renters insurance will help ensure that your wealth is protected in certain unexpected circumstances.

coverage so you understand what is and isn’t covered by your policy.

Want to know more about managing money and establishing wealth? Whether you’re renting a home, are on the path to homeownership or saving for the future, Freddie Mac’s CreditSmart, which is available in English and Spanish, offers free personalized financial educational resources. Visit creditsmart.freddiemac.com to learn more.

By adopting a healthy money mindset and setting tangible financial goals, you’ll be well on your way to a stable financial future for you and your loved ones. (StatePoint)

Familiarize yourself with your

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Austin South Asian | February 2024

Understanding Your Car’s Evolving Technology America, Csrc.

This Seminal Research Included Two Driving Simulator Studies At The University Of Iowa, Assessing The Understanding Of Over-The-Air Updates Without Consumer Education, And Measuring The Benefit Of Including Consumer Education. The Project Also Developed A Tool For Designers To Measure The Change In A System Following An Update.

Over-The-Air Updates, Which Are Remotely Delivered Updates To A Vehicle’s Technology, Offer Potential Benefits To Everybody On The Road And Improve The Driving Experience. Yet A New Study Reveals That In Many Cases, These Updates Should Be Accompanied By Consumer Education.

Timely Research From Toyota’s Collaborative Safety Research Center (Csrc) And The University Of Iowa Highlights That

Drivers Are Not Always Sure What New Automotive Software Entails Or How To Use It. “Our Goal Is To Support The Integration Of The Latest Automotive Tech So That Drivers Reap The Full Benefits Of These Updates.

As We Continue To Develop New Vehicle Safety Systems, Or Simply Improve The Ones We Already Have, Consumer Education May Help Build Trust, Acceptance And Use,” Says John Lenneman, Ph.D, Senior Principal Research Scientist, Toyota North

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One Of Csrc’s Primary Aims Is To Share Its Research, With The Hope That The Automotive Industry Can Benefit From The Findings Of Its Safety Advances. That’s Why The Research Team Is Excited That The Study Is Already Having An Impact On System Design And Educational Materials, Helping Designers Identify When And How Consumer Education Should Be Incorporated Into Updates.

For Example, The Research Found That For Updates That Don’t Require Interactions From The Driver, Such As Automatic Emergency Braking, Education Is Not Necessarily Needed, Whereas For Other Updates, The Driver May Need A Description Of What The System Does, Or Even An Understanding Of What Their Responsibility Is When Using The Technology.

More Information About The Work Of The Toyota Collaborative Research Center Can Be Found By Visiting Amrd.Toyota.Com. Over-The-Air Automotive Updates, When Combined With Proper Consumer Education, Have The Potential To Make Roads Safer For Everybody. (StatePoint)

Closing The Stem Skills Gap To Create New Possibilities For Kids Over the next decade, it’s projected that nearly 3.5 million manufacturing and STEM-related jobs will be available, yet 2 million are expected to go unfilled due to a skills gap, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics.

Advocates are addressing systemic educational barriers that impact student success in order to fill this skills gap and expand opportunities for young people.

That’s the idea behind Driving Possibilities, a $110 million STEM career readiness and community engagement initiative of the Toyota USA Foundation. Its unique approach brings industry and academia together, while coordinating nonprofit services that address barriers and societal disparities—all to prepare youth for successful futures.

“From machine learning and connected technologies to autonomous vehicles and electrification, the career opportunities of tomorrow will be boundless for those with STEM skills. During this time of rapid industry advancement, it’s more important than ever to give all young people an equal opportunity to access rewarding careers in high-growth industries tomorrow,” says Colleen Casey, executive director, Driving Possibilities.

With the goal of increasing student awareness, excitement and interest in STEM learning, the multi-pronged approach of Driving

Possibilities includes innovative, hands-on STEM programming from pre-K to 12th grade levels, professional and leadership development for teachers, and industry exposure and mentorship opportunities for students. The program also addresses students’ essential needs to ensure they have the food, transportation, mental health services, afterschool programming and early intervention literacy support they need to succeed.

This long-term initiative is already making a huge impact for thousands of families in such high-need locations near Toyota’s operations in Michigan, Kentucky, Indiana and Alabama. And while the program looks a little different in each location because it is based on the unique needs of each community, the mission remains the same: to level the playing field for students facing educational barriers. To learn more, visit toyotaeffect.com.

“Young people are tomorrow’s problemsolvers, makers and innovators. But they can face many roadblocks on their journey.

Listening to what students need and then working within their communities to come up with solutions, will contribute to thriving communities, stronger local economies and limitless possibilities for all,” says Casey.

(StatePoint)

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Austin South Asian | February 2024

Notice to Minority And Women’s Businesses Landmark Structures is seeking qualified disadvantaged businesses for the proposed MARSHALL RANCH WATER IMPROVEMENTS in AUSTIN, TX for subcontracting and supplier opportunities in the following areas: Elevated Tank Painting, Utility And Earthwork Contractors, Electrical Contractors, Cathodic Protection, Erosion Control, Fence Contractors, Landscape Contractors, Paving Contractors, Masonry Contractors, Deep Foundation Contractors, Mechanical/HVAC Contractors, Plumbing Contractors, Equipment Rentals, Crane Rentals, Ready Mix Concrete Supply, Precast Concrete, Aggregate Supply, Pipe And Valve Supply, Material Testing Services, Site Surveyor, Site Sanitation Services, Steel & Re-Bar Supply, Project Sign, Doors & Hardware, Overhead Coiling Door.

All interested parties should note their scope of works and contact Madeleine Richie to discuss opportunities.

Solicitation Name: MARSHALL RANCH WATER IMPROVEMENTS Solicitation Number: CLMC1011 Location of Pre-Bid Conference: 1/23/2024 at 11:00 am, at the Permitting and Development Center (PDC), 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr., Room 4001, Austin, Texas 78752 Bid date is February 15, 2024 at 2:00 pm. Please have all pricing in by February 14, 2024 at 4:00 pm.

Plans and specifications may be viewed at the following locations:  One Texas Center, 505 Barton Springs Road, 10th Floor, Suite 1045 C-Congress Room  https://financeonline.austintexas.gov/afo/account_services/solicitation/solicitations.cfm  https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1aUF_oSOjx21BTXlegT3aIHnPEABfArT3?usp=drive_link

Or by contacting Madeleine Richie of Landmark Structures Phone: (817) 391-9904 Fax: (817) 230-2070 Email: mrichie@teamlandmark.com Potential subcontractors must be able to demonstrate applicable experience.

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Austin South Asian | February 2024

Keeping Pregnant Drivers And Passengers Comfortable And Secure In Cars

Pregnant women don’t always feel they are safe and secure in cars today due to seat belts fitting differently on pregnant bodies. Researchers are posing the question, can the status quo be changed?

families that seat belts are unsafe for a fetus during a crash – and that belief is so entrenched that some expectant mothers drive unbelted.

“The common misperception that seat belts aren’t safe for pregnant women surprised me,” says Juliana Said, a body design engineer at Toyota Motor North America R&D. “ Our team had an idea: can we help show that the designs are safe, while investigating areas for further enhancement?”

Statistics however show that when worn properly, belted pregnant women are much safer in crashes than those who don’t wear them.

When Said and her colleagues started to look at the issue, they encountered unexpected challenges.

There was limited research about the effectiveness of seat belts with expectant mothers or their babies.

Additionally, there appear to be many third-party safety devices

popular among parents that are untested and unverified.

But the biggest challenge is the widespread, erroneous belief among pregnant women and their

Said and her team started to work with Toyota’s Collaborative Safety Research Center (CSRC), which contracted with the University of British Columbia (UBC) for access to a specialized magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine designed to map anatomies of all sorts of body shapes in a seated

position.

“While pregnant women properly wearing seat belts have better outcomes than no seat belts, there are opportunities through new research to further explore seat belt fit for pregnant women,” says Jason Hallman, senior research manager for CSRC. The center and its research collaborators set about the task of creating data that engineers can use to potentially come up with future designs.

“We design seat belts using standardized dummies and processes,” Hallman says. “There’s no standardized dummy, no standardized tools available specifically for assessing pregnant occupant safety.

Therefore, the industry doesn’t have a clear understanding of how

Why You Shouldn’t Brush Off The Dentist This Year When scheduling annual physicals, screenings, vaccinations and other preventive care, don’t forget about another critical part of overall health that gets neglected all too often: dental care.

A recent study from the National Library of Medicine revealed that nearly half of American adults postponed their scheduled dental visits during the pandemic. Even prior to the public health emergency, at least one-third of U.S. adults didn’t see their dentist annually.

“Now is a great time to schedule an appointment with your dentist,” says Dr. Cary Sun, chief dental officer, Cigna Healthcare. “Brushing off dental care can have serious implications for your health and wellness.

Even forgoing recommended teeth cleanings can lead to gingivitis, gum disease and cavities. This can also escalate into bigger problems, like the need for root canals or crowns, or even tooth loss.”

Even with dental insurance, extensive treatments can amount to thousands of dollars in out-ofpocket expenses, compared to little

or no out-of-pocket expense for preventive care, such as exams and cleanings.

A recent study found that high outof-pocket costs are the top reason people delay dental care – a good reason to see the dentist for an annual checkup sooner rather than later.

Studies also show that oral health has connections to overall health, including an impact on cardiovascular health. Research links gum disease to inflammation that can come before heart attacks, strokes and sudden vascular events, according to Penn Medicine.

With all this in mind, review your dental plan for available benefits.

Don’t have dental insurance? Dental plans can be purchased yearround and there are many affordable options.

If you have a comprehensive plan through your job, it may cover care such as exams and cleanings, and other necessary treatments like crowns, root canals, gum therapy, extractions and orthodontics (braces).

future seat belts could better protect pregnant women or fetuses during a crash.”

Using this data, CSRC will create a computerized, three-dimensional model of pregnant bodies of different shapes and sizes in different phases of pregnancy.

The research project could help enhance one of Toyota’s research achievements, the THUMS digital crash injury model. THUMS is like a virtual crash-test dummy, constructed from painstaking research on different kinds of human tissue and how they react to crash forces.

The UBC research team devised a method to scan people seated in an automotive seat. A smaller MRI device is moved several times to stitch together different views until there’s an entire body image. Researchers are looking at how seat belts interact with bones and internal organs, and are excited by the data’s potential.

If you are between jobs or selfemployed and are in need of a dental plan, online tools can help you comparison shop, and brokers can help you purchase an individual dental plan.

consultation, and licensed dentists can triage urgent situations such as pain, infection and swelling, and prescribe medications including antibiotics and non-narcotic pain relievers.

“We will publish this data with Toyota, and make it available to other injury biomechanics researchers, too,” says Peter Cripton, director of the Orthopedic and Injury Biomechanics Group at UBC.

You can also contact insurers directly to learn more about their options for individuals.

Cigna Dental customers can also use their smartphones to screen for potential oral health issues anytime and at no cost. Powered through its dental.com partnership, a new technology called SmartScan provides step-by-step instructions to help patients take guided photos of their teeth and mouth.

The pregnant-body research and models may shed light on another top topic among parents: whether third-party devices designed for pregnant women add a safety benefit. These include pads to put on top of seat cushions, specialized lap belts and metal shields, for example.

While not a replacement for an inperson dental examination, SmartScan analyzes the photos to identify potential issues such as plaque buildup, possible cavities or tooth damage.

“These devices may seem logical, but they’re not subject to the kind of rigorous testing used for seats, belts, airbags and car interior parts, and they may not be compatible with the way your car works,” says Said.

Finally, if you are afraid to see a dentist – which millions of Americans are – there are plenty of ways to address that, too. Many dentists accommodate fearful patients, offering headphones, sunglasses and other items to soothe anxieties.

There are also new approaches, such as teledentistry, that allow you to see a dentist at home through imaging and communication technologies. This doesn’t replace in-person care, but can help allay dental fears.

For those with dental plans through Cigna Healthcare, Cigna Dental Virtual Care is available through its partnership with dental.com, which provides a nationwide network of on-call, in-network dentists 24/7.

Using this platform, Cigna Healthcare customers can get a video

More information is available at cigna.com and cignadental.com.

“It’s a perfect time to take control of your oral health. Innovations in dental care make it easier than ever to gain peace of mind from a checkup, or to catch the little problems before they become major, painful and expensive ones,” says Dr. Sun. (StatePoint)

For more information about CSRC’s research, visit amrd.toyota. com/division/csrc/.

With better information in the future, pregnant women will be able to drive and ride in cars more comfortably and with greater confidence. (StatePoint)

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Austin South Asian | February 2024

Hot Tech Tips To Prepare For Cold Weather

As winter vibes roll in and freezing temperatures take over many parts of the country, it’s important to ensure your tech stays resilient and frost-free.

to share your itinerary, including estimated departure and arrival times, with someone you trust, and enable location sharing to help stay safe in unpredictable conditions.

Follow these tips from T-Mobile to keep your tech working so you can stay connected all winter long.

It’s also a good idea to winterize your vehicle’s emergency go bag with some seasonal essentials.

• Keep it Charged. Charging your phone, smartwatch and other devices in temperatures below 32 degrees can affect the battery by reducing its efficiency, causing slower charging rates and potentially leading to a shorter overall battery lifespan.

Before plugging in, ensure your device reaches room temperature for at least 30 minutes. This simple step preserves battery life during the chilly winter months.

Activating your phone’s batterysaving mode can also help you get the most out of your device in frosty conditions.

For iPhone and many Android users, find this option in your Control Center or Device Controls. Samsung users can access it under De-

vice Care in phone settings.

a snowman.

• Bundle Up Devices. Winter is the season for cozying up, and your device’s battery loves warmth too!

When heading outside, tuck your device inside your jacket or pants pocket.

• Winterize Your Gear. Pick up some winter accessories like a thermal pouch or case to help protect your device.

For quick calls, opt for using ear buds or headphones with Bluetooth, allowing you to keep your phone nicely nestled. This will also help keep it dry while you’re shoveling the walkway or building

While thermal cases excel at temperature protection, they may not be waterproof. If you’re expecting snow or ice, consider doubling up with waterproof protection to keep your phone dry.

• Stay Safe on the Road. When navigating icy roads, it’s important

AAA suggests cold weather tools and gear including a collapsible snow shovel, tire chains and hand warmers.

• Reducing Winter Service Interruptions. For over two years now, T-Mobile has added more back-up power at more sites through a 30% increase in network hardening investments to reduce service interruptions.

This means there are more fixed back-up generators at more towers, cell sites and other critical network locations across the country.

In 2023, T-Mobile also added 50%

more heavy-duty disaster response satellite vehicles to its ready-torespond fleet.

All of this — along with portable generators, refueling trucks, command centers, community support trucks and more — allow T-Mobile’s emergency response teams to rapidly restore critical connectivity if a local power grid is hit during a storm.

And while T-Mobile’s widespread fleet of generators helps keep hundreds of thousands of people connected when it’s most needed, having your own generator at home can bring power and comfort when you need it.

For more information on how TMobile prepares for and responds to disasters, visit T-Mobile’s Emergency Response Hub. While the winter months are often accompanied by ice, snow, storms and extreme temperatures, preparation can help ensure you stay cozy and connected. (StatePoint)

Protecting Americans’ Access To High-Quality Health Care Accepting Medicare is becoming increasingly unsustainable for physicians, which has resulted in many practices refusing to take new Medicare patients, or even to shutter their doors.

Today, physicians are the only Medicare providers who do not receive an annual inflationary update, hindering their ability to adequately pay staff, purchase new equipment and invest in their practices.

At the same time, millions of additional Americans are projected to rely on Medicare in the coming years.

With a 3.37% reduction to Medicare imposed at the start of this year, the American Medical Association (AMA) says that reforms are needed to protect millions of Americans’ access to their physicians.

“After three consecutive years of Medicare cuts, physicians and patients are at a crossroads.

Physicians have faced reductions in Medicare payments each of the past four years on top of steeply

Struggling physician practices nationwide have already been forced to make such tough choices as refusing to accept Medicare, absorbing their practices into larger companies, and even shutting down operations entirely. rising practice costs and the burdens of nearly four years of COVID-19.

Continuing down this road is unsustainable for many physicians, particularly those in smaller private practices,” says Jesse M. Ehrenfeld, MD, MPH, president of the AMA. An AMA analysis of Medicare

Trustees data finds that Medicare physician payments increased by just 0.4% a year between 2001 and 2023.

Meanwhile, the cost of running a medical practice—including office rent, employee wages and insurance premiums—went up by 47% during that same period.

As a result, some Medicare patients—like Dr. Ehrenfeld’s own parents, who recently struggled to find a new physician—will increasingly be left without access to high-quality care, with the largest burden on rural and underserved areas. New cuts will erode this access even further.

“Congress has the power to prevent these cuts and save patients’ access to their physicians,” says Dr. Ehrenfeld.

“The Preserving Seniors’ Access to Physicians Act of 2023 is a bipartisan legislative fix that will completely eliminate the cuts.

I urge everyone to visit FixMedicareNow.org and contact their member of Congress.

Tell them to pass H.R.6683, and protect Medicare patients.”

To learn more, visit FixMedicareNow.org.

Through reform, advocates say that the Medicare system will better meet the needs of patients and physicians, and safeguard access to high-quality care. (StatePoint)

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Austin South Asian | February 2024

Common Weatherization Myths—Debunked!

If you haven’t yet weatherized your home this season, you’re not alone.

viding added benefits during the warmer months.

Myth #3: It’s expensive to draftproof your home. In reality, many weatherization products retail for under $50. Considering that 76% of people have experienced an increase in their energy bill in the past five years, it’s definitely economical to weatherize. One great solution is the Duck brand Max Strength Rolled Window Insulation Kit, which helps block drafts to lower heating and cooling costs.

A new survey from Duck brand found that 80% of people that weatherize their homes notice a decrease in their energy bills – yet many homeowners and renters alike still aren’t taking advantage of these easy DIY solutions to create a more comfortable and energy efficient home. Why? Some common myths about weatherization may be to blame. Read on for the truth about the home weatherization process.

Myth #1: You need to hire a professional to properly weatherize your home. Weatherizing projects can be tackled over a weekend with a few do-it-yourself solutions. From rolled window insulation kits to weatherstrip seals, many home weatherization products are easy

to install and remove, often requiring only basic tools, like scissors and measuring tape, or sometimes needing no tools at all.

Myth #2: Weatherizing only helps in cold weather climates. While insulation kits help block cold drafts in the winter, they also can

maintain a comfortable room temperature in warm environments by keeping cool air from escaping.

Products like Duck brand HeavyDuty Weatherstrip Seals and the brand’s Double Draft Seal for under the door also are designed to provide year-round protection from wind, dust, insects and pollen, pro-

Myth #4: Only old homes require weatherization. Weatherizing can make even newer, more energyefficient homes more comfortable and less costly to heat and cool, while also protecting homes from the damaging effects of the elements throughout the year.

For example, faucet covers are essential to help prevent freezing

pipes in cold climates, while air conditioner covers can guard units from damaging rain, snow and dirt.

Myth #5: Weatherizing is only for windows and doors. Windows and doors are the two most common sources for drafts, but other large openings, like the attic and garage, and even small ones, like electric sockets, are rarely insulated and can lead to air leaks. Luckily, there are a variety of products available to create an airtight seal in these areas.

Understanding the short-term and long-term benefits of weatherizing can make all the difference in staying cozy and comfortable, saving money and increasing the longevity of your home, no matter where you live. (StatePoint)

Prioritize Your Mental Health In 2024 With These 9 Tips As the new year begins, many people make resolutions regarding their physical health, but it’s just as important to focus on mental health in the year ahead, especially for older adults, according to experts. “As people age, they may experience stressors such as serious illness, losing close friends and family members, managing life on a fixed income, and coping with concerns about their own mortality. While seniors may show resilience to these dimensions of vitality, when they’re compounded, these losses and stressors can result in a myriad of behavioral health issues, including depression, anxiety, stress, and insomnia,” says Dr. Lindsay Evans-Mitchell, board certified adult psychiatrist and behavioral health medical director for Cigna Healthcare’s Medicare Advantage business.

Dementia, which includes memory loss and language difficulties, is another issue often more pronounced with age, and in earlier stages, it can often mimic some symptoms of depression. Fortunately, Dr. Evans-Mitchell says making healthy choices can improve your qual-

ity of life, including your overall mental well-being, and potentially reduce your risk of both depression and dementia: Practice good nutrition: There is evidence that plant-based diets are associated with better health, including better emotional health.

That’s another reason to add more green, leafy vegetables to your diet.

Exercise: Regular exercise can positively affect cognitive ability.

If you have a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan offering access to a fitness program at no extra cost, then make sure to take advantage of it.

You can learn about Cigna Healthcare’s MA plans at cignamedicareinformation.com.

Hydrate: Drink plenty of water.

Dehydration can negatively affect cognitive performance. Even mild dehydration can drain energy and cause fatigue.

Enjoy some sunshine: Sunlight provides needed vitamin D. Getting sunshine may increase your serotonin and help you stave off depression caused by Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD. Also, according to the Alzheimer’s Association, exposure to vitamin D can lower dementia risk by as much as

40%. Of course, make sure to take proper precautions, such as wearing a hat, using sunscreen, and wearing eye protection that shields against UV light.

pression, which only worsened for many during the COVID-19 pandemic. Reach out to friends and family in person, via video chat, or over the telephone.

Get plenty of rest: Older adults need seven to nine hours of sleep each night, according to the National Institutes of Health. People who get six hours of sleep or less a night are at greater risk of developing dementia later, the organization says. Additionally, poor sleep could be a sign of depression and should be discussed with your doctor.

Find help if you need it: Keep your regular medical appointments, and don’t hesitate to seek additional help from your network, if you need it. This may take the form of a financial advisor, a clergy member, or a mental health professional. Medicare generally covers the cost of behavioral health services, including depression and addiction treatment, as well as talk therapy.

Virtual services are often available to those living in rural areas.

And if you’re experiencing a crisis that includes suicidal thoughts, call 988 immediately. “For some older adults, seeking help can be difficult,” says Dr. Evans-Mitchell. “But getting help is a sign of strength, not weakness. There’s no benefit to suffering in silence when help to improve your life is within reach.” (StatePoint)

Stay away from harmful substances: Dealing with behavioral health issues in unhealthy ways, such as abusing prescription or illicit drugs or alcohol, will only worsen the situation. According to the National Institutes for Health, research shows heavy alcohol use can increase the risk of both dementia and depression.

Pick up a hobby: Hobbies like gardening, cooking and solving puzzles can help improve your memory and your physical and mental health.

Be social: Isolation can lead to de-

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Austin South Asian | February 2024

Bringing A Touch Of Home To Service Members Through NFL Viewing Parties Another example of the partnership is the USO-NFL Mobile Gaming Trailer, which complements brick-and-mortar USO centers by bringing gaming stations to remote locations. Additionally, the annual Salute to Service Showdown, an EA SPORTS Madden NFL 24 tournament that began in 2021, brings military members together over a shared love of football and gaming.

Each year, the winners of the tournament score two tickets to the Super Bowl.

Service members stationed or deployed away from home often put the treasured Sunday NFL football game-watching ritual on pause because of work responsibilities, time zone differences or lack of access to the game broadcasts.

Fortunately, more service members can get this “home away from home” experience thanks to the generosity of the NFL, which donates NFL Game Pass to the USO’s overseas centers, where they can access the games through an app called DAZN. This partnership between the USO and the NFL’s Salute to Service initiative makes it possible for the people who serve to watch the game live on Sundays, and join in the shared moments that bring millions of Americans together.

Speaking of the Super Bowl, attendees will have a chance to visit the USO exhibit, get a firsthand look at a mobile gaming center, and show their support for service members.

Being stationed abroad can be isolating, making Sunday viewing parties more than just a fun weekly event. Watching the games live is also a way for service members to stay connected to attendees. family and friends back home.

They text and call during the game, sharing the moments in real time. And like much of USO’s programming, these events also provide service members with professional connections and a sense of normalcy under difficult circumstances, helping build a sense of camaraderie among

Bringing live games to those overseas is just one aspect of the USO-NFL partnership, which began over 55 years ago. Through its support of USO Center expansions, holiday programming and a variety of other events, the NFL helps deliver sports, entertainment and gaming to service members across the

world. Continuing the advancement of USO centers around the world, the NFL is supporting a new USO center aboard the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69). This center includes many of the amenities of a land-based center, such as comfortable seating, TVs, video and board games, USO program kits and snacks.

Meet This Doctor. First Hindu Woman To Run For Office In Pak testing the elections on the party’s ticket.

(Continued From Page 01) Parkash submitted her nomination papers for the general seat of PK-25 on December 23, Dawn reported. She presently serves as the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) women’s wing general secretary in the district and is hopeful of con-

General elections are due to be held in Pakistan on February 8, next year, to elect the members of the 16th National Assembly.

Parkash completed her MBBS in 2022 from Abbottabad International Medical College.

She told Dawn that “serving humanity is in my blood” due to her medical background.

She added that her dream to become an elected legislator stemmed from having experienced poor management and helplessness in govern-

ment hospitals as a doctor.

Parkash told the daily that she wanted to follow in the footsteps of her father in working for the area’s poor. Her father Oam Parkash, a recently retired doctor, had been an active member of the party for the past 35 years.

Endorsing Parkash’s candidature, social media influencer Imran Noshad Khan wrote: “Dr Saveera Parkash is the first female candidate from Buner, marking a historic moment as women have not previously been involved in electoral politics in the region”.

“I wholeheartedly support her in breaking stereotypes,” he added.

The Election Commission of Pakistan mandates at least a 5 percent representation of women candidates on general seats. (Courtesy: https://indiawest.com/)

To learn more about USO programming that strengthens the well-being of the people serving in America’s military and their families, visit uso.org.

Watching football on Sunday is something that most Americans take for granted.

Thanks to USO programming, more members of the military are able to share in the experience. (StatePoint)

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Austin South Asian | February 2024

Practical DIY Projects To Complete Over A Winter Weekend

While many home renovation projects are best tackled during the warmer months, there are specific minor repairs and tasks that are important to address in winter.

and durable hold. The easy-to-tear tape will create a strong hold that will keep your logs dry and in place throughout the cold season.

These quick projects are easy to complete in a weekend and will make for a more cozy, organized winter home.

Service the Furnace. It’s easy to get behind on regular home upkeep duties during the busy holiday season. But now that the holidays are over, it’s time to take stock of your furnace.

During winter months, dirt and debris buildup on the furnace air filter can keep your home from being heated efficiently. If you haven’t already, replace the old filter and be sure to swap in a new one ev-

Reorganize the Basement.

Before packing up all your holiday décor, head to the basement and sort through other seasonal items and clutter.

ery three to six months to ensure proper heating and cooling.

Tend to the Woodpile. If you plan to use a fireplace this season, protect your woodpile from the harsh elements, like sleet and

snow. Store the wood in an open storage area that allows the wind to pass through and cover the top of the pile with a tarp to keep the wood from getting wet. Secure the tarp with The Original Duck Tape brand Duct Tape for a long-lasting

Fix and seal broken storage bins or tree and wreath bags with Duck Max Strength brand Duct Tape.

You also can use this time to update labels to ensure belongings are properly stowed away and can be found quickly the following year.

Keep the Cold Out. Stop chilly air from seeping into your home by checking areas where drafts are most common, such as around doors and windows. To prevent the cold air from coming in and the heat from escaping, seal the gaps around windows with weatherstrip seals, and the openings under doors with a draft seal.

This simple DIY project will keep rooms warm and cozy and can even save you money on your heating bill.

Taking advantage of downtime over a winter weekend to catch up on these routine maintenance projects will ensure your home continues to run smoothly from season to season. (StatePoint)

Romance Scams On The Rise And Elderly Are Particularly Vulnerable They say, “you can’t buy love,” but scammers have figured out a way to exploit it for profit.

• Before sending money or sharing financial information, consult a friend or family member. Simply talking to someone not involved in the situation is often enough to identify red flags.

Romance scams are at an all-time high and, while victims cross all demographics, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reports that elders are increasingly targeted.

Why? Because they often have retirement savings at their disposal and may be more be isolated and less tech savvy.

“Romance scammers often manipulate emotions to gain trust,” says Mark Kwapiszeski, head of enterprise fraud for PNC. “Those who fall victim end up putting feelings above logic. This can create embarrassment and, as a result, these crimes are less likely to be reported.”

Scammers will create convincing profiles on dating and social media apps, reaching out to their target feigning familiarity or attraction.

Things move quickly, but there is always a reason they can’t meet on video or in person.

They may claim to have a reason that requires them to be overseas or out of reach. They tell their target

• Trust your gut. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.

• Beware of “love bombing,” when a person lavishes you with excessive flattery, affection and praise early in the relationship to manipulate your emotions. everything they want to hear, and the hook is set.

Suddenly, a crisis arises that they insist they need help financial help with to mitigate. Or maybe they need finances to set up a new life together. They ask for the money, but would prefer it be sent in a form like cryptocurrency or gift card where there is little chance of the victim ever recovering it.

Such scams are highly effective. In 2022 alone, romance scams resulted in $1.3 billion lost, more than double the money lost in the previous year, according to the FTC.

To add insult to injury, scammers may convince their target to send them revealing photos they will later use to extort them. They may even play the long game and build trust over time, then convince their target to invest with them, without the victim ever getting any return.

“A romance scammer can invest a long time in cultivating trust, which makes these scams particularly nefarious,” Kwapiszeski says.

To protect against potential romance scams, follow these tips:

• Be wary of strangers reaching out on social media.

• If you like someone, ask for a quick video chat. If they refuse or make up outlandish excuses, that’s a red flag.

• Stay alert to photos or biographical details that don’t match up with what someone’s told you.

• Use image and name-reverse searches to validate the identity of people you meet online.

• Never send intimate photos to strangers or invest without doing

your due diligence.

• Confide in family and friends if you grow suspicious.

Elders have lost homes, emptied out retirement accounts and risked lifetime savings for a love interest that never truly existed. Once the shock abates and the money is gone, the shame sets in and some have even resorted to self-harm instead of admitting to being defrauded in this way. If a loved one falls victim to a romance scam, it’s important to respond with empathy.

If you believe you or someone you love has been a victim of fraud, PNC Bank’s web resources, as part of its Security and Privacy Center (pnc.com), can help. After taking immediate measures to protect yourself, block the scammer on all accounts, change your passwords, and report the incident to the FTC and FBI. The best line of defense against romance scams is awareness. Understanding common tactics can help you stay protected. (StatePoint)

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Austin South Asian | February 2024

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella Highlights Impact Of AI At World Economic Forum In Davos

Davos [Switzerland], January 17 (ANI): Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has highlighted the importance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in science. Nadella said science is probably the place where they will start witnessing “real acceleration.”

Speaking in conversation with World Economic Forum Chairperson Klaus Schwab, Nadella said, “What AI will do to science is probably the most interesting thing to me because, in fact, just last week, we announced, something, I sort of felt this can be done.

I did not understand how this could be done. So we took one of our models called Matogen which is sort of a generative model to generate new molecules and material.”

“And we put it through an entire round trip where we came up with new molecules for a new material.

science is probably the place where we will start seeing real acceleration.”

Nadella noted that the digitization revolution has brought new tools to science. However, he added that it has not fundamentally accelerated science.

Went to work in collaboration with one of the national labs in the United States, the Pacific Northwest National Lab and figured out how to produce a new battery that got 70 per cent less lithium.

That’s just phenomenal to sort of when we think about the climate, the energy transition. It’s about taking 250 years of chemistry and somehow bringing it down to 25

years right? So, this is a proof point of that,” he added.

Emphasising the impact of AI in Biology, he said, “The same thing is happening in Biology. If I think about what we’re doing even with Page and what we can do with cancer detection or what we’re doing with …. again in biology and to be able to use AI to simulate the molecular behaviour. So, I think that

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Source: United Dairy Industry of Michigan (Family Features)

He further said, “But, if you can fundamentally accelerate science, cures to diseases, the energy transition, fundamental new material science. All of these I think, are going to be pretty profound.”

Satya Nadella stated that a global regulatory approach to AI is desirable as these are global challenges and require global standards. He noted, however, that there “seems to be a broad consensus, though that is emerging.”

“I think [a global regulatory approach to AI is] very desirable because I think at this point where these are global challenges and require global norms and global standards.

Otherwise, it’s going to be very tough to contain, tough to enforce, and tough to quite frankly move the needle even on some of the core research that is needed,” Satya Nadella said.

He stressed that there should be real, rigorous evaluations and safety and guardrails before the launch of anything.

ation. So, I think if we take something as simple as that as a basis to build some consensus and norms, I think we can come together,” he added.

He also said that the last thing the world needs is technology, creating a divide and added that they “need to be mindful of it.”

Nadella said, “The last thing the world needs is technologies that create more of the divide right. I mean, if anything, my hope for sure is centred on realizing what we just talked about.

Think about it. You have now a technology like something like GPT-4 that essentially can be used to create a personal tutor for every student in the world right. It’s absolutely economically feasible, even with just the government spending that’s happening even in the Global South right. So it’s not just in the UAE, but it can happen everywhere.”

Stressing that the tech industry must consider the unintended consequences of new digital technologies along with its benefits, Nadella said that “the biggest lesson learned perhaps for us is that we have to take the unintended consequences of any new technology along with all the benefits and think about them simultaneously as opposed to waiting for the unintended consequences to show up and then address them.”

“But that said, I must say, that there seems to be a broad consensus that is emerging. If I have to sort of summarise the state of play the way I think we all are talking about it is that it is clear that when it comes to large foundation models, we should have real, rigorous, evaluations and red teaming, safety and guardrails before we launch anything now and then when it comes to applications, we should have a risk-based assessment of how to deploy this technology,” he said.

He further said, “I think that the fundamental change in last 10 years. I feel like our license to operate as an industry depends on that because I don’t think the world will put up any more with any of us coming up with something that has not thought through safety, trust, equity. These are big issues for everyone in the world.” (ANI)

“If you are deploying it in healthcare, you should apply healthcare ….If you are deploying it in financial services, you should deploy it again the financial risk a consider-

(Courtesy: https://theprint.in/)

This report is auto-generated from ANI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.

16

Austin South Asian | February 2024

How Birth Defects Affect Each Stage Of Life

Birth defects, structural changes that affect one or more parts of the body, are the leading cause of infant mortality.

A baby is born with a birth defect every 4.5 minutes, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC).

Birth defects most often develop during the first three months of pregnancy, when a baby’s organs are forming.

Having someone in your family with a birth defect also increases your chances of having a baby with a birth defect.

To learn more about your genetic risk of having a baby with a birth defect, talk with a clinical geneticist or a genetic counselor.

Learn more about birth defects by following #EveryJourneyMatters and #BirthDefects on social media and visiting marchofdimes. org/birthdefects.

Not only can they affect mortality, but they can also cause problems for a baby’s overall health and how the body develops and functions. Common birth defects include congenital heart defects, cleft lip, cleft palate and spina bifida.

Genetics, behaviors and social and environmental factors can impact the risk for birth defects, and not all birth defects can be prevented.

To help improve the lives of people living with birth defects, consider this information from the experts at March of Dimes, who aim to provide knowledge about what birth defects are, how to prevent them and their impact across all stages of life.

Pregnancy Although not all birth defects can be prevented, people can increase their chances of having a healthy baby by managing health conditions and adopting healthy behaviors before becoming pregnant.

When planning a pregnancy, see a health care professional and start prenatal care as soon as possible. Talk about taking any medications you’re currently taking (or might need during the pregnancy), including vitamins.

Most doctors recommend women take 400 micrograms of folic acid every day before and during pregnancy to help prevent birth defects.

Also discuss vaccinations (including COVID-19, since pregnant women are at elevated risk for severe COVID-19 illness) and other medical concerns, such as how to manage diabetes. Avoid overheating and treat fevers and infections promptly.

Avoid alcohol, smoking cigarettes and marijuana or other drugs during pregnancy.

Infancy If your baby is diagnosed with a birth defect during pregnancy, or born with a birth defect or other health condition, he

Tips to Prevent Birth Defects Not all birth defects can be prevented, but you can help reduce the risk and increase your chances of having a healthy baby by following these steps. or she may need special care to aid growth and development. Many children with birth defects lead long and happy lives. However, birth defects remain critical conditions that can cause lifelong challenges.

Advancements such as improved newborn screening and early detection of birth defects can help pinpoint potential problems and ensure the baby begins receiving supportive care for better survival rates and quality of life.

Examples include newborn screenings for critical congenital heart defects and monitoring bladder and kidney function in infants and children with spina bifida.

Childhood Meeting the complex needs of a person with birth defects involves the whole family and can be challenging at times. Finding resources, knowing what to expect and planning for the future can help.

Early intervention services and support include special education, speech therapy and physical therapy. These can have a significant impact on a child’s ability to learn new skills, overcome challenges and increase success in school and life.

Some babies born with birth defects may also have physical and intellectual disabilities.

The exact ages of developmental milestones are different for each child.

Families, educators and health care providers can work together to set meaningful goals and create a plan to help children living with birth defects reach their full potential.

Adolescence Adolescents and young adults living with birth defects may face unique challenges as

they transition from childhood to adulthood.

They may need to navigate changes in insurance and transition from a familiar pediatric specialist to a new adult doctor.

It’s important for people with birth defects and their families to begin planning for this transition during childhood so they can lead healthy, independent lives as adults.

Other areas of focus might include medications, surgeries and other procedures; mental health; social development and relationships within and outside the family; physical activity; and independence.

Adulthood With every pregnancy, a woman starts out with a 3% chance of having a baby with a birth defect, regardless of underlying health conditions or lifestyle factors, according to the CDC. Many women with birth defects and other health conditions have healthy, uneventful pregnancies.

However, women with birth defects may be more likely to have a baby with a birth defect. People living with birth defects should talk with their health care providers before becoming pregnant about how a pregnancy might affect them and their baby.

* Get a preconception checkup before you start trying to get pregnant. * Ensure your vaccinations are up to date.

Some vaccinations protect you from infections that can cause birth defects and updating certain vaccinations may mean you need to wait before trying to become pregnant. * Take a vitamin supplement that includes 400 micrograms of folic acid every day. * Learn about your family health history. If you, your partner, your children or someone in your families has a birth defect, you may want to see a genetic counselor to learn more about your risk. * Work with your health care provider to manage chronic health conditions, such as diabetes. * Talk to your health care provider about medicines you take, including any prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, supplements and herbal products. Certain medicines may increase your baby’s risk of a birth defect. * Reach a healthy weight. Being obese can increase your baby’s chances of having birth defects like neural tube defects, heart defects and cleft palate.

Photos courtesy of Shutterstock (Family Features)

FREE CLASSIFIED info@AustinSouthAsian.com

17

Austin South Asian | February 2024

How (And Why) India Built The World’s Biggest Office Time for a quick quiz: what structure has over 7 million square feet of office space, houses nearly 70,000 workers and ranks as the largest office building in the world.

If you guessed The Pentagon, then you’re wrong.

In December 2023 the title of world’s largest office building was taken from the Potomac polygon and handed to a gigantic new development in the Indian city of Surat. The outsized office comprises thousands of offices, 10,000 square metres of restaurants and cafes, parking for 5,000 cars and 10,000 motorbikes, 131 elevators, nine courtyard gardens, retail outlets and conference halls, all across a 35 acre, high security compound.

A structure of this size is a true milestone for India’s construction industry and with a long list of specialist requirements and a pandemic to contend with, building it was no mean feat.

to architects Morphogenesis. As Founding Partner Manit Rastogi told The B1M, they began by tackling the vast numbers of people the building had to serve:

Equally as astonishing as the scale of the build was the fact that, in an age of hybrid work where office buildings around the world are sitting empty, the SDB had guaranteed full occupancy before a single rebar was placed. So who could possibly need a building this big?

Well, if you’ve ever bought a diamond, or are lucky enough to have been given one, chances are it came through Surat, where a whopping 90 percent of the world’s diamonds are cut and polished.

But as big as the industry is for the city, it has a problem: rough stones

arrive in Surat where they are processed in one of the thousands of small workshops spread around the city. Most of the finished products are then collected by merchants who travel to Mumbai over 200 kilometres away where the diamonds are traded and sent around the world. It’s not exactly efficient and it would be much better for everyone if the whole business could take place in one city. Or, for that matter, in one building.

That’s why a group of nearly five thousand of the city’s diamond businesses got together to form the

Surat Diamond Bourse, or SDB, which had very specific requirements for the type of building it needed for its headquarters.

First off it needed 4,700 offices to house the small workshops and businesses that make up the SDB. Each office would need equal access to ambient daylight – the best conditions to process diamonds in – while avoiding any harsh, direct sunlight. Not only that, but the building would also need to cope with Surat’s stifling humid heat and monsoon rain and cope with the daily flow of 67,000 workers.

That was the challenge presented

The Mice That Ate Balance Once upon a time, there lived a wealthy merchant named Jveernadhana, in a village. He ran a big business. His village was situated near a river. Once, due to heavy rains the river was flooded. One night, the whole village was submerged in neck deep water. The crop, houses and factories in the village were destroyed and hundreds of people and cattle perished in the flood.

The merchant had to suffer heavy losses in his business. He decided to shift to some other town to try his luck. His plan was to earn a lot of money and then come back to his native village to start his business again. Jveernadhana had a heavy iron balance lying with him. It belonged to his ancestors.

It was not possible for him to carry such a heavy thing along with him.

So, before starting on his journey, he decided to keep this ancestral item with his friend Janak. He met Janak and requested him, “My friend, as you know, I’m leaving for some distant place to earn money, so that I could start my business once again when I come back. I have an old iron balance with me.

Will you please keep it safe with you till I return?” Janak readily agreed to his friend’s request and said, “Don’t worry, I’ll keep it safe for you. You can take it back after you return home.” Jveernadhana thanked Janak for his helping attitude. He kept the iron balance with Janak and left for some other distant town.

A few years passed by. By this time, Jveernadhana had done good business and had earned a lot of money. He returned to his native village, and went to his friend Janak’s house to meet him. Janak showed his happiness in meeting Jveernadhana. Both the friends talked together for hours. When it was time to leave, Jveernadhana asked his friend to return his iron balance. At this, Janak looked sad and said, “Friend, I am sorry to say that I don’t have your balance with me anymore. There are a lot of mice in my house. They ate up your balance.”

Jveernadhana was surprised to hear Janak’s explanation. ‘How can mice eat iron,’ he thought to himself, but apparently he said

something different, “Don’t feel sorry, Janak. The mice have always proved a menace to everyone. Let us forget about it.” “Yes,” Janak said. “This is the only way out.”

He was happy that Jveernadhana believed his words. In fact he had expected a lot of heated arguments in this respect. While taking leave from his friend, Jveernadhana said to Janak,”I’m going to temple to make an offering of laddoos. Could you please send your son with me.

I would like to send some laddoos for you also. He would also look after my shoes outside the temple while I offer prayers inside.” Janak asked his son to go along with Jveernadhana. Then, Jveernadhana, instead, of taking Janak’s son to temple, took him to a nearby hill and tied him with a big rock and came back home.

When Janak didn’t see his son return, he asked Jveernadhana where his son was? “I’m sorry,” said Jveernadhana. “While your son was looking after my shoes outside the temple, a big vulture swooped down upon him and carried him away.” “What nonsense!” shouted Janak. “How can a vulture

carry off a young boy?” But Jveernadhana repeatedly claimed that a vulture carried away Janak’s son.

The argument reached such a point that they began quarrelling with each other, using dirty words. Ultimately the matter had to be taken to the court. The Judge listened to both the parties and ordered Jveernadhana to bring Janak’s son to the court, otherwise, he would be sent to jail.

“My Lord”, said Jveernadhana, “How can I, when a vulture has already carried away the boy.” “Shut up!” the judge reprimanded Jveernadhana. “How can a bird carry away a young boy in his talons?”

“It can, my lord,” said Jveernadhana. “If mice can eat my iron balance, why can’t a bird carry away a grown up boy.” Then he narrated the whole story to the judge. The judge then asked Janak to tell the truth. He warned him that if he didn’t tell the truth he would be sent to prison. At last, Janak admitted his guilt. The judge ordered him to return the iron balance to Jveernadhana. He asked Jveernadhana to return the boy to Janak. (https://www.kidsgen.com/)

“We’d never done anything close to this before and we were looking at this and wondering how are we going to get people in and out of a building that’s 7 million square feet? They’re all going to come in within a span of an hour in the morning and they all want to leave in a span of an hour in the evening ...” To tackle this plan, Morphogenesis set a target that any employee could reach their office within seven minutes of entering the gate. “... so we did a lot of traffic simulation of what that structure would be. And it sort of turned out to be this sort of a fish borne vertebrate kind of plan, which of course is a very efficient method found in nature.” Nine, fifteen-storey towers flank a 400-metre central spine.

As well as speeding up access, by aligning the building north to south it also solved the tricky problem of lighting.

“The heights of each of those towers and the distances between them are calculated so that the office at the bottom also gets 100 percent daylight, and doesn’t get overshadowed,” Rastogi said. The building’s spine also helps it cope with the extreme climate.

Each end flares out to the west to catch the prevailing winds which are funnelled throughout the complex which provides 50 percent of the building’s cooling needs.So that’s the design, but how do you actually build something this big?

After ground broke in December 2017 it took 6,000 people four and a half years to construct this gigantic building. The biggest challenge was faced during covid. As global supply chains dried up, the vast quantities of materials needed to continue construction had to be sourced a lot closer to home. In response to this, the team took the decision to source all the materials from within a 500-kilometre radius of the building. (Courtesy: https:// www.theb1m.com/)

18

10 Countries With The Highest IQ Scores In The World This study was conducted by a British psychologist named Richard Lynn.

According to this list, around 68 percent of most people around the world have an IQ between 85 and 115.

EMPO.CO, Jakarta - Intelligence quotient (IQ) is a measure of human intelligence. People who want to measure IQ usually take a standardized test and receive a score based on their intelligence level.

The higher a person’s IQ score, the more intelligent the person is considered.

Reporting from verywellmind, IQ is said to be low if it has a score of 70 or below.

A low score supported by other indicators indicates that a person has an intellectual disability. Meanwhile, someone is considered a genius if they have a score of more than 140.

The World Population Review compiled IQ lists based on some of the world’s most well-known and widely publicized intelligence studies.

The following is a list of 10 countries with the highest IQ scores so they are said to be the smartest people in the world according to the average IQ test score of the World Population Review 2022: 1. Japan - 106.48 2. Taiwan - 106.47 3. Singapore - 105.89 4. Hong Kong - 105.37 5. China - 104.1 6. South Korea - 102.35 7. Belarus - 101.6 8. Finland - 101.2 9. Liechtenstein - 101.07 10. Germany and the Netherlands - 100.74 The IQ score is still a measure of intellectual intelligence. IQ scores are also influenced by the quality of education and resources available in the area where a person lives.

In a 2019 study entitled The Intelligence of Nations, Lynn and collaborator David measured the average IQ of citizens in 132 countries and calculated estimated scores for 71 others. (Courtesy: https:// en.tempo.co/)

Vasundhara Varadarajan

Austin South Asian | February 2024

The Importance Of Prioritizing Mental Health

By RHONDA L. RANDALL UnitedHealthcare

or more hours a night to keep the mind healthy.

With the New Year here, and many focusing on resolutions, mental health should be top of mind. A recent study shows that in 2023, one of the highest reported New Year’s resolutions was to improve mental health (36 percent), reflecting a growing recognition of mental well-being as pivotal to our overall quality of life and highlighting a collective commitment to prioritize self-care and emotional resilience in the coming year.

Don’t be afraid to talk to a professional. Engaging with your primary care physician or a mental health professional offers a unique and confidential space to express thoughts and emotions without judgment, fostering self-awareness and understanding.

The state of mental health in America continues to decline, with a mere 31 percent of Americans describing their mental health as “excellent” – a record low. While the collective recognition of prioritizing mental health is a step in the right direction, many people setting resolutions may not stick to them, with the majority losing their resolve as early as February.

So, here are some easy ways to implement and execute your mental health resolutions in 2024: Find and establish a solid support system. A robust support system is a cornerstone of mental wellbeing, providing a crucial safety net during inevitable challenges.

When surrounded by understanding friends, family, or mentors, individuals are better equipped to navigate stressors, share burdens, and find solace in times of need.

The interconnectedness of a strong support system not only validates emotions but fosters a sense of belonging and resilience, ultimately contributing to maintaining positive mental health.

Reset your mind and body. Adequate sleep is a cornerstone of mental health, pivotal in cognitive function, emotional regulation, and stress resilience. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a third of us sleep less than seven hours a night. Insufficient sleep has been shown to negatively impact mental health, leading to impaired cognitive function, emotional regulation, and an increased vulnerability to mental health challenges. It is recommended for adults to sleep seven

A primary care physician or trained therapist both provide valuable insights, coping strategies, and evidence-based interventions tailored to individual needs, helping to navigate challenges and promote emotional well-being. Seeking professional help is a proactive step towards mental health, offering a guided journey of self-discovery and equipping individuals with the tools necessary to manage and overcome various mental health issues.

Check your health insurance coverage. You may be surprised to learn that your health insurance plan offers mental health benefits which may include digital self-help tools, in-person and virtual visits, coaching, and employee assistance programs, allowing you to access support in a variety of ways.

People with mild behavioral health needs may find digital self-help tools and virtual coaching as good places to start. If you have any questions, call the number on your insurance card for more information.

Embracing a commitment to selfcare and emotional resilience represents both a personal vow and a societal pledge toward fostering a healthier and more compassionate world. As we venture into the New Year, this shared commitment can help us to build a future where mental health is regarded with the importance it deserves. For more information about mental health resources, visit uhc.com.

Rhonda L. Randall, D.O., serves as the Chief Medical Officer at UnitedHealthcare, Employer & Individual.

(Courtesy: https://www.oakdaleleader.com/)

19

Austin South Asian | February 2024

8 Content Marketing Trends You Need To Know For 2024

What will content marketing look like in 2024? Content marketing and content creation as a business necessity, across all different industries, has continued to grow in scope over the past few years.

Consider the micro-journeys as well, within each piece of content, not just from one content piece to another. Interactivity is a big piece of this puzzle, and it’s definitely seeing a golden age. Not only is it more fun for the reader, it also keeps them engaged with your content for a longer period of time - rather than bouncing off to another site.

The importance of content shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, according to Hubspot, 90% of marketers say they invest in content marketing and plan to continue using it in the same capacity.

With that in mind, we’ve detailed 8 key content marketing trends that you should know for the coming year. Use these trends to craft your content marketing strategy and stay on the cutting edge of content.

Contents 1. Repurpose, Refresh, Repurpose 2. Real Time Engagement 3. Short Form Video 4. Humanizing the Content Experience 5. AI-driven Content 6. Augmented and Virtual Reality 7. Co-marketing 8. Expanded Social Universe What’s Not Changing in Content Marketing?

Trends in content marketing are moving fast. The sophistication of AI technology, new and changing social media platforms, and consumer expectations all mean that innovation and creative thinking are huge assets to any content marketer. There’s almost no such thing as too out there when it comes to content marketing ideas — guaranteed if you don’t someone else will.

So with that in mind, keep your skills sharp by staying up on these content marketing trends: 1. Repurpose, Refresh, Repurpose Any content marketer worth their salt knows the value of repurposing as a part of the content strategy. The skill is creating one piece of content that can serve multiple purposes and goals. For example, a blog post can be created for SEO, but then perhaps be split up into a short-form video series. This means you’re not only serving

your content marketing strategy, but your social media goals as well.

In 2024, the possibilities for repurposing content are expected to continue. Look for unique, new, cutting edge ways your content can be repackaged and re-shared, such as an interactive guide or as a video.

Also, take a moment to not only repurpose your content, but refresh old pages. This is usually a fairly quick process for big rewards. You could refresh articles that contain outdated information, or update keywords on a post that is no longer serving search intent as accurately as it could be.

2. Real Time Engagement Today’s consumers crave authenticity and real-time interaction with the companies they follow.

Give your brand a personality and engage with your followers by answering questions and sharing UGC. 2024 could also be the year of even more livestreaming. Instagram Lives, Facebook Lives, LinkedIn Lives, TikTok Lives, YouTube Lives and Pinterest Lives are excellent ways to encourage real-time participation with your followers.

You can invite special guests, do giveaways, and answer questions.

Another aspect of engagement is in customer service. More than ever consumers have an expectation that they can get their question answered or grievance addressed straight through social — not through traditional channels. Make sure your brand is set up to handle complaints and questions on social

media with templates and copy pre-written for common questions, following social customer service best practices.

3. Short Form Video It’s no secret that video posts are more engaging than static ones.

More and more content marketers are leaning into video content, with a particular emphasis on short form video, which has continued to grow stronger as a trend, rather than seeing any waning interest.

What’s great about it is there are so many platforms now offering short-form posting, marketers can really hone their skills. You could utilize Instagram Stories, Reels, TikTok, YouTube Shorts, or even Pinterest. Each of these formats offer fun effects, editing tools, stickers, and other options to bring your videos to life. Need some inspiration? Check out 50 simple video content ideas!

4. Humanizing the Content Experience The online space is crowded, no ifs, ands, or buts about it. Using content to entice potential customers is getting trickier, simply due to volume which leads to decision fatigue. So it’s never been more important to analyze your customer journey, identify drop-off points, and rethink your engagement tactics.

As the world moves more and more into the digital space, humanizing your content and taking a holistic approach are key elements to keep in mind for remaining top-of-mind.

Consider creating interactive guides or reports, with expandable sections or animations to illustrate a point. Another kind of interactive content lives on social media: quizzes and polls are extremely popular and, as a bonus, give you some quick insights into your consumers.

5. AI-driven Content Keeping up a steady stream of content has been a struggle and pain point for content managers since online content began. It’s a fact that more content means more keywords, means more pages for search engine crawlers to learn what your company is all about, means more search results, means more users clicking into your page.

AI-powered content is a significant marketing trend that will continue in 2024. This technology can improve your site content personalization, from recognizing repeat visitors and offering in-app suggestions or driving specific email campaigns based on user behavior and purchase patterns.

MGC (Machine Generated Content), and other API tools for writing content, is the way of the future for scaling crawlable content on your site. It’s true that MGC is still lagging a bit when it comes to the human voice. But it has grown in leaps and bounds over the past couple of years and is important to keep your eye on. 2024 could be the year where you get ahead of the curve and look into how AI and MGC can augment and scale, not replace, your content creation machine.

6. Augmented and Virtual Reality

One of the fastest growing content marketing trends is AR — augmented reality, and VR — virtual reality, programs that immerse people into artificial worlds, providing new ways of sampling products and purchasing, through the simple use of their phone.

This type of content is bubbling into the mainstream now, and promises to be the next stage of evolution for brand & product marketing. Keep an eye on Pinterest and Snapchat in particular — Snapchat continues to innovate in AR functionality, providing unique ways for its users to share their interests, “try on” products before purchasing, engage with friends, and create content.

Copy and content writers should definitely think about honing their micro-copy skills. AR and VR experiences require a lot of explainers and clear CTAs to encourage users to tap into AR features.

7. Co-marketing Collaborative marketing could see an uptick in 2024, given social platforms are now offering easier ways to tag other creators or brand accounts. This is a great way to increase engagement and combat declining reach. Given that influencer marketing is still a top marketing channel, collabs on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok and more will be huge opportunities for content marketers.

Another form of co-marketing, co-branded reports and guides, are nothing new but there’s a reason they remain a popular avenue for attracting new business. And they serve a similar purpose — joining forces with other top brands and companies in your industry is a win-win for everyone, propelling well-researched and inspiring thought leadership content further than something produced solo.

8. Expanded Social Universe Social media will definitely take center stage in content marketing trends in 2024. (Courtesy: https:// www.meltwater.com/)

20

Austin South Asian | February 2024

Connecting Eligible Households To The Internet The Federal Communication Commission’s Affordable Connectivity Program helps millions of households get and save on internet service

The ACP protects consumers by allowing households to choose an internet service plan that meets their family’s needs.

Consumers also cannot be denied service because of their credit score or prior debt with a provider, and households enrolled in the ACP can switch providers and plans without incurring additional fees or penalties for early termination.

(Family Features) High-speed internet service is no longer a luxury, but a necessity for everyone, everywhere.

From doing homework to using telehealth, working remotely, connecting with family and friends and more, internet is needed for everyday life.

High-speed internet has become an important part of how people live, communicate, work, learn and more, but the cost can make it hard for many to afford.

To help ensure all Americans can share in and contribute to today’s internet-based society and economy, Congress created the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) under the 2021 bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Launched Dec. 31, 2021, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) oversees the program to help eligible households gain access to affordable high-speed internet service.

“For many households, the cost of groceries, gas and rent can eat up the monthly budget, putting internet access out of reach,” FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said.

“The ACP is the nation’s largestever broadband affordability effort, supporting internet connections in millions of households. That’s progress, but we want to do more to get out the word about this powerful program and reach families that may not know about this benefit.”

How the Program Works The ACP provides eligible households a savings of $30 per month toward internet service or $75 per month for eligible households living on qualifying Tribal lands.

Taking part in the ACP could make internet service free if the savings covers the entire price of the plan.

Eligible participants will not receive additional money back if their bill is less than the discount.

Participating providers apply the monthly savings directly to internet bills for households enrolled in the ACP. Eligible households can also receive a one-time savings of up to $100 to buy a laptop, desktop computer or tablet from participating providers.

The program is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per household (a group of people who live together and share money even if they are not related).

As of June 2023, more than 18 million households have enrolled in the program and are connected to the high-speed internet services they need for work, school, health care and more.

How to Enroll There are two steps to enroll in the ACP: Step 1: Visit GetInternet.gov and submit your application or print out a mail-in application.

Households with questions about eligibility or how to apply, or need to request a paper application, can call the ACP Support Center at (877) 384-2575.

Step 2: If approved, contact your local internet provider to select a plan and have the discount applied to your monthly bill.

Use the Companies Near Me Tool

at GetInternet.gov to find participating internet service providers in your area by city and state or zip code. Consumers can select the type and level of internet service that best suits their needs.

For a full list of eligibility requirements and more information, visit GetInternet.gov.

Eligibility Requirements Ways households can qualify for the ACP include:

• Their household income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, about $60,000 a year for a family of four or $29,000 a year for an individual • Anyone in the household, including children or dependents, participates in certain government assistance programs like SNAP, Medicaid, WIC, Federal Housing Assistance or other programs • Anyone in the household already receives a Lifeline benefit A household may also qualify for the ACP through a participating provider’s existing low-income program.

Photos courtesy of Getty Images (FamilyFeatures)

Everyday Habits to Help Protect Against Illness This Season With only 8% of children and 21% of adults reporting receipt of the 2023-24 COVID-19 vaccine, less than half the population reporting receipt of a flu vaccine and just 20% of adults 60 and over reporting receipt of the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine, it’s no surprise that rates of respiratory illnesses are at elevated levels this season.

• Stay home. In addition to staying home when you are sick, try your best to keep your distance from household members to help prevent them from getting sick.

The American Lung Association is sharing everyday habits you can adopt to help avoid infection, along with information about available tools to help prevent severe illness:

• Consider wearing a mask. Wearing a mask helps provide protection against circulating viruses, and can help protect people at higher risk of serious illness. Effectiveness does vary depending on the virus and mask quality.

• Wash your hands. Regularly wash your hands with soap and water. If soap and water isn’t available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

• Cover your cough and sneeze.

Stop the spread of infection by using a tissue to cover your mouth and nose when you cough and sneeze. You can use your elbow if a tissue is not available.

• Keep your distance. Close contact with a person who is sick increases exposure to respiratory droplets containing a virus. Maintain your distance whenever possible.

• Clean and disinfect. When someone is sick at home, cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces is especially important to help prevent the spread of illness.

• Get up to date. Talk to your doctor to see if you and your family members are up to date on vaccinations. Flu vaccination is recommended for everyone 6 months of age and older. RSV vaccination is recommended for adults 60 years of age and older after having a discussion with their healthcare provider. Maternal RSV vaccination is recommended as an option to help prevent babies from developing severe RSV illness and is given during weeks 32-36 of pregnancy during September through January.

COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for everyone 6 months of

age and older.

• Learn more about monoclonal antibodies. If you have an infant or are an expectant parent, ask your healthcare provider about a monoclonal antibody injection to help provide protection against severe RSV illness. This preventative antibody is recommended for infants under 8 months of age and babies between 8-19 months at increased risk of severe RSV. • Get tested, if needed. If you do get sick, testing can help your healthcare provider determine which virus you have, and inform next steps such as treatment. Talk to your healthcare provider about testing right away if you get sick, especially if you are at increased risk for severe illness.

• Seek treatment. Antiviral medications available for flu and COVID-19 may lower your risk of severe illness, hospitalization and death if started early and within the recommended treatment window.

For more resources, visit, lung.org/ viruses. To feel your best this season, adopt healthy habits. And if you do fall ill, take steps to get the right treatment. (StatePoint)

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Austin South Asian | February 2024

Understanding The Impacts Of LDL Cholesterol

About 38% of American adults have high cholesterol, which can be caused by poor lifestyle habits or genetics, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Having a high lowdensity lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol number - considered “bad” cholesterol - can contribute to fatty buildups (plaque) and narrowing of the arteries.

LDL cholesterol is also the type of total cholesterol most closely associated with an increased risk for a heart attack or stroke.

In fact, 75% of heart attack and stroke survivors reported having high cholesterol, according to a Harris Poll survey conducted on behalf of the American Heart Association, yet less than half (49%) prioritize lowering their cholesterol.

“There’s a pervasive lack of public awareness and understanding around bad cholesterol and its impact on your cardiovascular health,” said Joseph C. Wu, MD, PHD, FAHA, American Heart Association volunteer president and director, Stanford Cardiovascular Institute and Simon H. Stertzer, MD, professor of medicine and radiology at Stanford School of Medicine.

“As bad cholesterol usually has no symptoms, we often find that many patients are walking around without knowing they’re at risk or how to mitigate it.”

To learn about LDL cholesterol, its impact on heart health and the steps you can take to maintain a healthy number, consider this information from the Lower Your LDL Cholesterol Now initiative, nationally sponsored by Amgen.

Get to Know Your LDL Number According to the survey, nearly half (47%) of heart attack and stroke survivors are unaware of their LDL numbers. While cholesterol levels can vary by race and ethnicity, with higher levels of LDL seen most often among Asian men and Hispanic women, various research studies on LDL have

quency for you.

Generally, healthy adults ages 2039 should have their cholesterol checked every 4-6 years. Adults over age 40, or those who have heart disease (including prior heart attack) or other risk factors, may need their number checked more often.

shown “lower is better.”

For healthy adults an LDL at or below 100 mg/dL is ideal for good health. If you have a history of heart attack or stroke and are already on a cholesterol-lowering medication, your doctor may aim for 70 mg/dL or lower.

In addition to race and ethnicity, family history, age, sex, tobacco use or exposure to secondhand

smoke, eating habits, lack of physical activity, heavy alcohol usage and obesity can impact LDL numbers.

Understand How Often to Check Your Numbers Because high LDL does not typically cause symptoms, it’s important to have your number checked by your health care professional.

Ask your doctor for the right fre-

Learn Risks Associated with LDL Too much LDL cholesterol can lead to a buildup of fatty deposits inside your arteries - a condition known as atherosclerosis - which can narrow arteries and reduce blood flow.

If a piece of the plaque breaks free, it might travel into the bloodstream and block a blood vessel to the heart or brain, causing a heart attack or stroke. This narrowing also elevates the risk of peripheral artery disease.

Take Steps to Manage High LDL Managing high cholesterol is not one size fits all. Talk with your

health care professional to map out the right treatment plan for you.

According to American Heart Association guidelines, lifestyle habits can help control your cholesterol, including: * Eating a healthy and balanced diet (emphasizing fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, lean protein and fish) * Staying active and aiming to get at least 150 minutes of moderate activity each week (such as brisk walking) * Managing stress * Eliminating tobacco use However, some individuals, especially heart attack and stroke survivors, should have a conversation with their doctor about cholesterollowering medications.

Talk to your doctor about getting your cholesterol tested and visit heart.org/LDL for more information.

Photos courtesy of Shutterstock Source: American Heart Association (Family Features)

How To Prevent Bugs From Bugging You At Home Colder months have us spending more time indoors. Unfortunately, insects have the same idea, as they head inside to forage for food and seek shelter from the low temperatures.

insects. Zevo Flying Insect Traps use blue and UV light to continuously attract and trap insects to an adhesive back that you never have to touch. Place the traps in the kitchen, garage and other areas where doors and windows are frequently opened, and keep them plugged in to protect your home day and night from pesky flying insects.

“Those who want a bug-free home will have to be proactive yearround. Ants, certain fly species, such as winter crane flies, and other insects, are adapted to cold temperatures and can be very active during these cooler months,” says Daniel Perry, Zevo entomologist at Procter & Gamble.

To prevent unwanted houseguests and banish bugs from your living spaces, check out these cold weather tips: • Ventilate humid areas: As the weather gets colder, hot water is more in use in places like the bathroom or basement. These closed spaces can create humid environments where insects tend to gravitate. To attract fewer bugs, keep these areas well-ventilated.

• Prime your space for plants: If you have plants that you bring inside in the winter, properly prime and debug your home beforehand to prevent potential infestations, and check all your houseplants for unwanted insects before you bring them inside and every week afterwards.

• Tidy up: Cleanliness is the most

common strategy for coping with bugxiety (fear of bugs) and there’s a good reason for it – it’s effective.

Make sure you take out your garbage regularly, especially. Be sure not to leave food (perishables especially) out for excessive periods of time as that can attract insects.

• Get round-the-clock protection: Get the peace of mind that comes with 24/7 protection against flying

• Fight back: Nip signs of a bug problem in the bud by dealing with it immediately. Spot a bug? Zevo Insect Killer Sprays kill bugs you see, targeting and shutting down biological pathways found only in bugs, not people or pets, making them effective and safe when used as directed.

“While bugxiety is very real for the majority of Americans, fortunately there are many strategies for keeping them out of the home that won’t disrupt your family,” says Perry.

(StatePoint)

22

THEME: CLASSIC TOYS ACROSS 1. Sri Lankan language 6. Something to chew on, especially for cows 9. Mascara holder 13. Muscat resident 14. “____ Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” 15. Father, colloquially 16. Jewish folklore creature 17. Debtor’s letters 18. Art class prop 19. *Barbie’s little sister 21. *____4 game 23. One less than jack 24. *____Frog educational toy 25. Nutcracker’s distinguishing feature 28. Taboo, alt. sp.

30. Cooking fat 35. Deserter’s acronym 37. President’s David 39. Shower accessory 40. Pro ____ 41. Conical dwellings 43. Prep flour 44. *Thomas or Henry, e.g.

46. Law school test acronym 47. Genealogist’s creation 48. Maurice of “Where the Wild Things Are” 50. Flying saucers 52. Make mistakes 53. Chemically-induced curls 55. Harry Potter’s Hedwig 57. *Certain Patch 61. *Not real dough 65. Normal 66. Clingy seed container 68. ____-____-la 69. Theater curtain fabric 70. Put into service 71. Female deer, pl.

72. Pub offering 73. Goo on a trunk 74. What’s in your e-wallet?

Austin South Asian | February 2024 DOWN 1. Sticking point, in alimentary tract 2. Possesses, archaic 3. *Bellini with ____ Spumante 4. Squirrel away 5. a.k.a. felt-pen 6. Competently 7. M tley Cr e’s Tommy ____ 8. Russian pancakes 9. Practice in the ring 10. As far as (2 words) 11. Distinctive flair 12. Place for a hero 15. Fluffy sweater material 20. “All My Children” vixen ____ Kane 22. 2010 Movie “____ Pray Love” 24. Toyota model 25. *Moscow Mule spirit 26. Make corrections 27. Shy 29. *____ Libre 31. Forearm bone 32. Not dead 33. Honkers 34. *Lemon or orange piece 36. South American monkey 38. Highlands hillside 42. Crossbeam 45. Religious split 49. 252-gallon wine cask 51. *Tequila+grapefruit juice+sparkling water 54. Kind of golf course 56. Razor sharpener 57. S.A.T. section 58. Balm ingredient 59. Baptism or shiva, e.g.

60. Asian weight unit 61. John Galsworthy’s “The Forsyte ____” 62. Nukes 63. Sewing case 64. Gym set 67. *____’s Knees

Sudoku

Please email your sudoku answers to info@austinsouthasian.com.

Name of the inviduvidual with correct answer will be published in March 2024 issue.

To Advertise In ASA Call 512-828-6709

23

Austin South Asian | February 2024

Managing Digital Eye-strain “Digital eye strain has two distinct sets of symptoms - dry eye and defective accommodation (binocular vision stress).”

New Delhi, Jan 13 (IANS): It is an unusual interaction. You ask the questions, and two kind people, who know Tamil, translate them for him. He answers in his native tongue, and his replies come back in English. While this delicate ballet takes place,

Digital Eye Strain There are a number of ways you can manage digital eye strain in addition to prescription computer glasses that manage refractive correction, blue light absorption and have anti-reflective coatings. These include: The 20-20-20 rule which is to take a 20-second break from the digital device every 20 minutes to look at an object 20 feet (about 6 metres) away.

To keep your computer screen about 60 to 70cm away from you Position the top edge of the screen lower than your eye level and tilt the top edge slightly away from you.

Blink regularly and completely Reduce glare from bright room

Loneliness Makes A Writer Says Perumal Murugan

lights or sunlight. Bright light can reflect off the screen and worsen symptoms. Digital eye strain encompasses a range of eye and vision-related symptoms caused by the prolonged use of digital devices such as computers, smartphones, e-readers, and tablets and is quite common.

The Digital Eyestrain Report based on a US study involving 10,000 adults found: Up to 65% of adults report symptoms of digital eyestrain; 69% for women and 60% for men on a subjective measure which is probably linked to the increased prevalence

of dry eye found in women. 37% of people over the age of 60 use computers or other digital devices for five or more hours a day. 85% of people between the ages of 20 and 25 years use two devices at the same time.

A European study reported that by the time a child is three, 68% are already using computers and more than half undertake online activities. Digital eye strain has two distinct sets of symptoms - dry eye and defective accommodation (binocular vision stress).

Dry eye symptoms include tired or burning eyes, irritation, dryness, tearing and sensitivity to bright light while defective accommodation and Binocular vision stress includes aches and headaches behind the eyes and difficulty moving focus between the distance and Mr. Yudhveer Bagga nearby objects, or vice versa. The average person blinks between 15 to 20 times a minute, but when people use digital devices this reduces to between four and seven blinks per minute, and that increases the symptoms.

(Courtesy: https:// retina.org.nz/)

January 2024 Sudoku Answer

Perumal Murugan never takes his eyes off you. Is he even blinking? It is unnerving. He is perhaps looking inside you. Long back, he had once asked you, “Isn’t life, but memories?” Maybe he will say something today too that will refuse to leave.

Murugan, who has to his credit twelve novels, six collections of short stories, six anthologies of poetry, and several non-fiction books, with ten of his novels translated into English and is a recipient of the JCB Prize for Literature among several others, starts the conversation with loneliness.

He says it is not a bad thing. For him, it has always been extremely important.

“How will writing happen if there are too many sounds? Internal isolation magnetises words. They start coming easy. The mind willingly travels lands far and wide and looks for stories. Melancholy has a strange charm. It is only when alone that you are truly yourself,” he tells IANS on the sidelines of the ongoing Kerala Literature Festival (KLF), Asia’s largest literature festival being held at Kozhikode Beach.

Currently working on a new set of short stories to be published soon, the author is working on the theme of how pets affect human lives and their affairs.

Exploring their connection with men, he adds, “I come from an agricultural family which had lots of goats, cows, and bullocks. In those times, they helped us in their work. Now, with youngsters going abroad for work, pets serve a different purpose for their parents.

They depend on them for company now... a one-way dialogue. It is tragic but see, they (animals) are in

so many ways more relevant to our lives in present times” A staunch Marxist, Murugan, despite all the failings of Indian communists politically, continues to stay true to the essence of communism. “Politics is only one aspect of Marxism. It does not matter how relevant they are in terms of vote share. Look at the contribution of the ideology to literature and the arts, how it has been instrumental in making so many of us sensitive towards everything around us.”

The author who hit international headlines post the book ‘One Part Woman’, published in 2010 and translated into English in 2013 faced a lawsuit filed against him by caste-based groups accusing him of hurting their religious sentiments, and he declared on his Facebook page: “Perumal Murugan the writer is dead. As he is no God, he is not going to resurrect himself. He also has no faith in rebirth. An ordinary teacher, he will live as P. Murugan. Leave him alone.”

However, in 2015, the Madras High Court dismissed the case against him. In an epilogue, the bench called on the author to start writing again: “Let the author be resurrected to what he is best at.

Write.”

Remembering that time, Murugan says that the judge was not just supporting him but also freedom of expression. “But there is still an invisible fear... of books being banned, of freedom of expression curtailed. Democracy must prevail, under all circumstances.”

For someone who has been translated widely, and published in English by Penguin and HarperCollins India, it is not just about the fact that the translator is proficient in both languages.

“He/she needs to understand the intricacies of the village dialects too. The metaphors of the country life can be tough to put in words in another language,” he concludes.

(Courtesy: https://www.daijiworld.com/)

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Austin South Asian | February 2024

Yoga: What You Need To Know habits, sleep, and balance.

Can yoga help with pain management?

Research has been done on yoga for several conditions that involve pain, including lowback pain, neck pain, headaches, and knee osteoarthritis.

For low-back pain, a large amount of research has been done, and the evidence suggests a slight benefit.

(Continued From Page 01) Although classical yoga also includes other elements, yoga as practiced in the United States typically emphasizes physical postures (asanas), breathing techniques (pranayama), and meditation (dyana).

There are many different yoga styles, ranging from gentle practices to physically demanding ones. Differences in the types of yoga used in research studies may affect study results. This makes it challenging to evaluate research on the health effects of yoga.

Yoga and two practices of Chinese origin— tai chi and qigong—are sometimes called “meditative movement” practices. All three practices include both meditative elements and physical ones.

What are the health benefits of yoga?

Research suggests that yoga may: Help improve general wellness by relieving stress, supporting good health habits, and improving mental/emotional health, sleep, and balance.

Relieve neck pain, migraine or tension-type headaches, and pain associated with knee osteoarthritis. It may also have a small benefit for low-back pain.

Help people with overweight or obesity lose weight.

Help people quit smoking.

Help people manage anxiety symptoms or depression.

Relieve menopause symptoms.

Be a helpful addition to treatment programs for substance use disorders.

Help people with chronic diseases manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.

What does research show about yoga for wellness?

Studies have suggested possible benefits of yoga for several aspects of wellness, including stress management, mental/emotional health, promoting healthy eating/activity

For the other conditions, the evidence looks promising, but the amount of research is relatively small.

Is practicing yoga a good way to lose weight?

There’s evidence that yoga may help people lose weight.

Can yoga help you quit smoking?

There’s evidence that yoga may help people stop smoking.

A 2019 NCCIH-funded study with 227 participants compared yoga classes with general wellness classes as additions to a conventional once-weekly counseling program. The people in the yoga group were 37 percent more likely to have quit smoking by the end of the 8-week program. However, 6 months after treatment, there was no difference between the groups in the proportion of people who were still not smoking.

A study published in 2020 showed a reduction in cigarette cravings after a single yoga session, as compared with a wellness education session. The study participants were people who were trying to cut back or stop smoking.

How does yoga affect mental health?

Yoga can be a helpful addition to treatment for depression. It may also be helpful for anxiety symptoms in a variety of populations, but there’s little evidence of a benefit for people with anxiety disorders. Yoga might have benefits for people with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Can yoga help with menopause symptoms?

Yoga seems to be at least as effective as other types of exercise in relieving menopause symptoms. A 2018 evaluation of 13 studies (more than 1,300 participants) of yoga for menopause symptoms found that yoga reduced physical symptoms such as hot flashes as well as psychological symptoms such as anxiety or depression.

Is yoga helpful for substance use disorders?

A small amount of research has looked at the possible benefits of incorporating yoga

into treatment programs for various types of substance use disorders (opioid, alcohol, or tobacco use disorders or others).

In a 2021 review of 8 studies (1,889 participants), 7 studies showed evidence of beneficial effects in terms of reduced use of the substance or reduction in symptoms such as pain, stress, or anxiety.

Is yoga helpful for people with chronic diseases?

There’s promising evidence that yoga may help people with some chronic diseases manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life. Thus, yoga could be a helpful ad-

dition to treatment programs.

What does research show about practicing yoga during pregnancy?

Physical activities such as yoga are safe and desirable for most pregnant women as long as appropriate precautions are taken. Yoga may have health benefits for pregnant women, such as decreasing stress, anxiety, and depression.

Does yoga have benefits for children?

Research suggests that yoga may have several potential benefits for children.

(Courtesy: https://www.nccih.nih.gov/)

Every Fingerprint Is Not Unique, Reveals New AI Study We have always heard that each fingerprint on a person’s hand is unique. However, this theory is currently being contested by a Columbia University study.

Recently, an artificial intelligence program was trained by a team at a US university to analyse 60,000 fingerprints in an attempt to determine which ones belonged to the same person. According to the researchers, the system can determine if fingerprints belong to a single individual with 75-90 per cent accuracy, as per a report in CNN. Gabe Gua, an undergraduate student in Columbia’s computer science programme, oversaw a research team on the topic, with University of Buffalo professor Wenyao Xu serving as one of his co-authors. Published this week in the journal Science Advances, the report seemingly upends a long-accepted fact about fingerprints. The scientists used an AI model known as a deep contrastive network, which is frequently used for tasks like face recognition, to arrive at the study’s conclusions. After giving it their spin, the researchers fed the data from the US government database in pairs, some of which came from the same individual (but on different fingers) and others from different persons.

It was then discovered that fingerprints from different fingers on the same person had significant similarities. As a result, it was able to distinguish between fingerprints belonging to the same person and those that weren’t, with a single pair’s accuracy peaking at 77 per cent, seemingly refuting the idea that

each fingerprint is distinctive.’

Mr Guo said, “We found a rigorous explanation for why this is the case: the angles and curvatures at the centre of the fingerprint.” The researchers believe that the AI tool analysed the fingerprints differently than conventional techniques, emphasising the direction of the ridges in the middle of the finger rather than minutiae-the places where individual ridges stop and split.

“They are great for fingerprint matching, but not reliable for finding correlations among fingerprints from the same person. And that’s the insight we had,” he added.

The authors acknowledged that there could be biases in the data. The study added that even while they think the AI system functions mostly the same for both racial and gender identities, more thorough research of a more comprehensive collection of fingerprints is necessary before the technology can be used in real forensics.

“The most immediate application is it can help generate new leads for cold cases, where the fingerprints left at the crime scene are from different fingers than those on file.

But on the flip side, this won’t just help catch more criminals. This will also actually help innocent people who might not have to be unnecessarily investigated anymore. And I think that’s a win for society,” he stated.

(Courtesy: https://www.ndtv.com/)

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Austin South Asian | February 2024

The Political Rise Of The Indian Around The World

(Continued From Page 01) took over the reins of Ireland in 2017 as the first Indian-origin Taoiseach, or Prime Minister, and came back for a second term again in the same role in December last year.

including two high-profile cabinet ministers — Priti Patel as Home Secretary and Rishi Sunak as the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

In New Zealand, Priyanca Radhakrishnan is the first person of Indian origin to become a Minister. Born in Chennai to Malayali parents, she is currently the Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector.

Indubitably, the new generation of emigrants from India has successfully dived into local politics with many like Sunak, Varadkar, US Vice-President Kamala Harris, and Guyanese President Mohamed Irfaan Ali reaching the uppermost echelons of their countries’ political spectrum.

And as former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley and Biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy cross swords in the Republican primary debates for the 2024 US Presidential race, it only goes on to show that there is no stopping the 30 million-plus strong Indian diaspora spread across the length and breadth of the world, now.

This is especially true of Indians in more developed countries like the UK, Canada, and the US, where their presence in electoral politics is discernibly visible.

As they gain prominence, both in terms of their sheer size and through their economic contributions, the host country finds that it must pay more attention to the Indian expatriate communities, according to the Delhibased Observer Research Foundation.

A 2021 Government Leaders list released by the US-based Indiaspora said that more than 200 Indian-origin people occupy leadership positions in as many as 15 countries.

Six countries are currently being led by men who can trace their ancestry to India, including in Britain (Prime Minister Rishi Sunak), Guyana (President Mohamed Irfaan Ali), Portugal (Prime Minister Antonio Costa), Mauritius (Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth and President Prithvirajsing Roopun), Suriname (President Chandrikapersad Santokhi) and Singapore (President Tharman Shanmugaratnam).

Besides being the heads or deputy heads of other countries, people of Indian heritage are also serving as members of a government’s cabinet and ministers, diplomats, ambassadors, and consuls general, according to the report.

A total of 55 Indian-origin people is serving as cabinet ministers in nearly a dozen countries, and another 63 people of Indian origin are members of Parliament or federal legislators.

Christine Carla Kangaloo, the Presidentelect of Trinidad and Tobago, was born into an Indo-Trinidadian family.

Singapore’s politics has many Indian-origin faces, including Vivian Balakrishnan, K. Shanmugan, S. Iswaran, Pritam Singh, and Indranee Rajah.

A total of 10 people of Indian descent serve as ambassadors of their respective countries, while another two represent their nations as consul generals.

In the US, Indians have become a potent political force, not just due to their growing numbers — around four million — but also because of their growing influence as well as affluence.

The Samosa Caucus has indeed become the “flavor of the House” with a record five Indian Americans getting elected to the House of Representatives in one of the most polarized midterm elections in the country last year.

Constituting nearly two percent of the US population, Indian Americans now represent roughly one percent of the US Congress — all of them Democrats.

In politics, 26 Indian-origin leaders have been elected as state leaders while another six have been elected as local leaders.

The political clout of these communities rests not just in their numbers but also in their ability to swing votes, especially in countries like the US and the UK. Considered to be key players in the battleground states of the US, the impact of the Indian community was evident on the ballot box as they turned up in huge numbers to vote in the tightly contested November 2020 Presidential race.

In the Canadian political landscape, Indians are among the most prominent ethnic minorities with four people of Indian origin in the current cabinet — Harjit S Sajjan, Kamal Khera, Anita Indira Anand, and Arif Virani.

A total of 17 Indo-Canadians, the majority of them Sikhs, were elected as MPs when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau clinched a third victory in the September 2021 snap elections by securing 158 seats — short of the 170 needed for a majority — in the 338-member House of Commons.

Trudeau’s minority government is backed by the NDP, which is led by Indian-origin Sikh, Jagmeet Singh, and has 25 sitting MPs in the present Parliament.

In 2019, the Canadian Parliament had 18 Sikh MPs, way ahead of the Indian Parliament with 13 MPs, and in 2015, after appointing four Sikhs to his 30-member Cabinet, Trudeau boasted of having more Sikhs in his government than Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Dadabhai Naoroji, one of the founders of the Indian National Congress in Bombay, was the first Indian to be elected to Parliament in Britain in 1892.

In 2019, the British election saw 15 Indianorigin members of Parliament take office,

Former MP Dave Sharma was officially sworn in as a Senator for New South Wales (NSW) in the Australian Parliament this month.

While Indians have a remarkable presence in Gulf nations, with most doing well in business and healthcare sectors, they could not ascend to political dominance due to the nature of polity in these countries.

According to Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, “India’s encouragement of diversity and discouragement of excess makes it easier for Indians to adapt to competitive environments.”

The former UN Under-Secretary-General adds that a cultural emphasis on education, close-knit families, and a strong work ethic also serve Indians well.

“The success of Sunak, Varadkar, and Harris suggests that Indians have passed these traits to their offspring.

Sunak seems to embody the aspirations and values of many Indians who celebrate him as a poster boy for the “New India,” Tharoor wrote. (Courtesy: https://indiawest.com/)

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Austin South Asian Invites Contributions From Readers And Community

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Austin South Asian | February 2024

2024: Treading On Tried And Tested Grounds Mumbai, Jan 14 (IANS): It’s time now to check out the prospects for the Hindi film industry in 2024, following the retrospective of 2023 in the previous two columns. One should hope for a lot from the new year, considering the figures of 2023, when, out of the 148 films released, 90 could not even collect a crore and 23 remained below the Rs 10-crore mark. That is one very distressing count.

The Hindi film industry has always had an 80:20 ratio of flops and earners. The earners accounted for those films that could manage to cover their investments and made at least some profit, and of course, those that were hits. Yet, the scene was never as bad as it was last year when 113 films failed to recover the money invested in them.

There were small films that did not get exposure through cinemas, because the multiplexes either do not give them screen time, or, if they do, they give them odd time slot

just to mark their symbolic presence.

The policy is not expected to change in the days to come. With such a year behind us, one would look with hope towards a productive year ahead. The first major big release of the year will be ‘Fighter’ on January 25, the Republic Day weekend. A Hrithik Roshan film after a longish gap of 16 months.

The promos are out; the heat is yet to be generated.

Other major box office draws such as Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, Shah Rukh Khan and Ranbir Kapoor have no films in the offing this year.

Ajay Devgn has a list of 10 films either awaiting release or in the making; his two films that are most likely to hit the screens this year are ‘Maidaan’ and ‘Singham Again’ which also stars the who’s who of the film industry.

If the film works, the credit will be hogged by its director Rohit Shetty, though it also features Ranveer Singh, who has no solo release and features only in multi-starrers.

Akshay Kumar, who is known to accommodate four films a year, conveniently has as many films listed for release, including ‘Singham Again’ (he being one of the stars crowding the screen) and ‘Welcome To Jungle’, which can definitely be called a star-studded film.

A long list of other stars will also be seen in the film. They include Sanjay Dutt, Suniel Shetty, Arshad Warsi, Paresh Rawal, Johnny Lever, Rajpal Yadav, Tusshar Kapoor, Shreyas Talpade, Krushna Abhishek, Kiku Sharda, Daler Mehndi, Mika Singh, Rahul Dev, Mukesh Tiwari, Sharib Hashmi, Inaamulhaq, Zakir Hussain, Yashpal Sharma, Raveena Tandon, Lara Dutta, Jacqueline Fernandez, Disha Patani, and child actor Vrihi

Neru OTT Release Date Confirmed OTT Building anticipation for the film, Mohanlal recently shared the release date and a series of captivating posters on his social media platforms, heightening the excitement among fans.

tion of “Neru” OTT + Satellite rights.

Mohanlal, the iconic actor of Malayalam cinema, is all set to enthrall audiences with his upcoming film, “Neru,” which intriguingly carries the tagline “Seeking Justice.”

While these developments are yet to be officially confirmed, the tantalizing prospect of major players vying for the rights has only fueled the curiosity of entertainment enthusiasts.

This project, directed

by Jeethu Joseph, promises to be a compelling courtroom suspense thriller, adding another layer of suspense to its narrative.

“Neru” marks the fifth collaboration between Mohanlal and Jeethu Joseph, a duo renowned for their successful ventures, including “Drishyam-1,” “Drishyam-2,”

According to industry insiders, Disney Plus Hotstar and Asianet are reportedly in the race to secure these rights, with substantial sums involved in the deals.

“Twelfth Man,” and the highly anticipated “Ram.” Building anticipation for the film, Mohanlal recently shared the release date and a series of captivating posters on his social media platforms, heightening the excitement among fans.

The industry is abuzz with speculations about the potential acquisi-

As fans eagerly await the release of “Neru,” the collaboration between Mohanlal and Jeethu Joseph promises to deliver another cinematic gem, blending suspense, drama, and the unparalleled acting prowess of the Malayalam superstar. Stay tuned for further updates on this highly anticipated courtroom thriller.

(Courtesy: https://www.deccanchronicle.com/)

Kodvara. Ahmed Khan directs the film for Firoz A. Nadiadwala.

So, in the absence of the big stars in 2024, which are the films that the trade can rest its hopes on and raise viewer expectations?

Before this column is published, Shriram Raghavan’s ‘Merry Christmas’ would have been released on the January 12. Though the film missed the Christmas 2023 release, it rests on Raghvan’s reputation he earned post-’Andhadhun’.

The one with huge expectations would be the Hrithik-Deepika starrer ‘Fighter’ slotted for January 25.

Siddharth Anand turns independent producer with this film and also directs the film. Akshay Kumar is expected to herald his 2024 debut in February with a yet-to- be titled remake of the 2020 biopic ‘Soorarai Pottru’.

Ajay Devgn also has a remake to retell along with R. Madhavan and Jyotika. Vikas Bahl directs this as-yet-untitled film due in March.

The film traverses the supernatural zone.

Ajay also has a list of 10 films either awaiting release or in the making; his five films that are most likely to hit the screens this year are ‘Maidaan’, ‘Raid 2’, ‘Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha’, ‘Shaitaan’ and ‘Singham Again’, which also stars the who’s who of the film industry.

‘Yodha’ with Sidharth Malhotra, Disha Patani and Raashii Khanna missed its 2023 release to avoid the crowded calendar and will hit the screens on March 15.

Akshay and Tiger Shroff will try to fit into the shoes of Amitabh Bachchan and Govinda in the newer version of ‘Bade Miyan Chhote Miyan’ (the original, also produced

by Pooja Films, was released in 1998). Directed by Ali Abbas Zafar, the film is slated to be an Eid offering around April 10-11.

John Abraham wades into his favourite genre, a geo-political thriller titled ‘Teheran’. Arun Gopalan directs the film scheduled for an

April 26 release. Neeraj Pandey is working on a musical drama this time with ‘Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha’.

Also slated for an April 26 release, the film stars Ajay Devgn, Tabu and Jimmy Shergil. Since sequels are considered safer, we have ‘Stree 2’ and ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3’.

‘Stree 2’, a horror comedy, is due on August 30; ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3’ is slated for a Diwali release.

Director Kabir Khan is readying his ‘Chandu Champion’ for producer Sajid Nadiadwala, aiming for a June 14 release. Based on the real-life story of a war hero and sportsman, the film stars Kartik Aaryan. One more biopic in the offing this year is a court drama based on the 1919 massacre of Jallianwala Bagh.

When it comes to ‘Singham’ franchise, Ajay Devgn is a given. Director Rohit Shetty, however, has not only expands but also makes it a varied star cast. Along with Ajay, the film features Akshay Kumar, Ranveer Singh, Arjun Kapoor, Tiger Shroff, along with Karina Kapoor and Deepika Padukone. A cop universe series film, it is expected to also feature a lot of cars being blown up.

Next, we have Abhishek Kapoor and Sandeep Kelwani directing ‘Sky Force’ with Akshay Kumar slated for October 2 release. It claims to be a real-life (but untold) story of India’s first air strike. Shahid Kapoor will appear as a cop in ‘Deva’, directed by the Malayalam director Roshan Andrews.

Biopics, remakes, and sequels seem to be the preferred themes that the makers are depending on for 2024. Kind of, old wine in new bottles. Sequels worked well at the box office in 2023, so why not stick to them? You might as well keep your fingers crossed since you are the ones going to spend your money to watch these movies.

(IANS Column: B-Town) (Courtesy: https://www.daijiworld. com/)

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Hanuman New Locations & XD Shows

Austin South Asian | February 2024

Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA) Joins Forces with The India Center Foundation, Unveils Anu Rangachar As Artistic Director For 2024 Edition The Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA) and The India Center Foundation (ICF) have announced a strategic merger of their assets to collaborate on projects centered around the theme of visual storytelling within the South Asian community.

In conjunction with this merger, IFFLA has revealed that its 22nd

Hanuman is shattering records across North America, already soaring to an impressive $3.5 million and claiming its spot as the top 6 Telugu grosser of all time! Brace yourselves because it’s on track to cross the phenomenal $4 million mark by the weekend.

In response to overwhelming demand, we’re expanding to more locations nationwide and amping

up the experience with XD/RPX/ PRIME shows.

Picture this: an auditorium filled with both kids and adults, all captivated by the magic of Hanuman.

The climax is nothing short of extraordinary, with the entire audience chanting “Jai Shri Ram.” Goosebumps are practically guaranteed!

Superstar Mahesh Babu’s Sankranthi outing Guntur Kaaram has successfully completed its first week run and the movie has crossed another milestone.

Producers claimed that Guntur Kaaram’s worldwide box office gross crossed the 200 Cr mark. In its first-week run, the wholesome entertainer amassed 212 Cr worldwide.

It’s an all-time record for a regional cinema. Makers released an official poster with the collections.

The actor pleased his fans in a massappealing character and his dances alongside Sreeleela are other major attractions.

Mahesh Babu who is in blockbuster form is the sole saving factor for the movie directed by Trivikram

As part of the merger, Priya Giri Desai has joined the IFFLA Board of Directors to oversee the funding provided by ICF to the combined venture over several years.

Hurry, tickets are vanishing faster than you can say “Hanuman”!

Book now and avoid the last-minute rush. Jai Hanuman! (Courtesy: https://www.gulte.com/)

Srinivas.

On the occasion of Makar Sankranti eve a few days ago, Mahesh Babu hosted a grand party to the team of Guntur Kaaram at his residence. (Courtesy: https:// www.gulte.com/)

Christina Marouda, IFFLA Board Chair, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, citing the longstanding collaboration and shared values. “I have no doubt that we can bring even greater impact together,” she stated.

Raoul Bhavnani, President and cofounder of ICF, emphasized the alignment of values and the shared commitment to supporting serious artistry. “I can’t wait to see what comes next,” he added.

Don’t miss out on this sensational experience. Here are the new locations added, along with the premium large format screenings.

Mahesh Babu’s Guntur Kaaram Crosses 200 Cr Mark

can bring much-needed resources to support the stories that need to be told in the media. Our stories,” she said.

edition will take place from June 27-30, 2024, and has welcomed Anu Rangachar as the new Artistic Director.

The collaboration between IFFLA and ICF, already established collaborators, will involve the development of an industry program to incubate and showcase the emerging talents in the South Asian diaspora to studios, funders, and media executives.

Priya Giri Desai, co-founder of ICF, expressed their vision for national-scale impact in supporting emerging creative talent.

“By joining forces with IFFLA, we

Her expertise in creating South Asian content and extensive network will contribute to the IFFLA industry development program.

The announcement also introduced Anu Rangachar as the new Artistic Director of IFFLA. With a background in international film festivals, film school education in New York City, and experience in film production and distribution, Rangachar is expected to bring valuable insights to the development of exciting programs and partnerships for IFFLA’s future.

Christina Marouda expressed excitement about welcoming Anu to the team and collaborating on meaningful initiatives. (Courtesy: https://www.highonfilms.com/)

Austin South Asian Invites Contributions From Readers And Community

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Austin South Asian | February 2024

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