Austin South Asian. March 2018

Monthly Community Paper | www.austinsouthasian.com | 512-828-6709 | Vol. 11 No. 03

Beyond Bollywood Red Carpet Gala

By Seema Govil Picture credit - Jay Jayasuria

The Best and Brightest Indian Americans Come to Austin Austin, February 10, 2018 – An

exclusive, inspiring Red Carpet Gala celebrated the Smithsonian Traveling Exh i b i t ’s visit to Austin, bringing together a unique panel of celebrities and accomplished IndianAmericans to our beloved city!

The 54-year-old actress, known simply as Sridevi, drowned in her hotel apartment’s bathtub follow-

By Sumaiya Malik March news starts with SXSW. For those who don’t know, SXSW is an annual conglomerate of film, inter-

ing loss of consciousness, it says.

It had earlier been reported that she died of cardiac arrest on Sat-

urday while at a family wedding in Dubai.

(Continued On Page 18)

2018 is a big year for South Asians.

Previously, they were mostly focusing on music, but this is the year of every genre, be it Interactive, Film or Music.

inside

Simple Tips For.............02 Doctor’s Tips To Stay....04 AAJC...........................05 5 Weight Loss Tips.......06 Arun’s Scribblings.........06 5 Healthy Habits..........07 What To Ask Your.........07 active media, and music festivals and conferences that take place in mid-March in Austin, Texas, United States.

The dates for this year are March 9 through March 15. This is SXSW’s 31st year.

(Continued From Page 05)

Bollywood Actor Sridevi Veteran Bollywood actor and Padma Shri awardee Sridevi, who had an illustrious career spanning over four decades, passed away.

South Asians In SXSW 2018!

March 2018

While the badges are expensive ($1325), each category has free shows as well.

Also, most music and film venues allow locals for a small fee after the badge holders have gone in.

(Continued On Page 16)

April 2018

Real Estate Special

FIVE Sadiq Khan Mayor 512-828-6709 WEIGHT Of London@SXSW LOSS TIPS

By Sumaiya Malik Picture credit: The Drum

Sometimes the best advice comes from someone who’s been there, done that. So, if you’re working towards losing weight, why not consider the wisdom of someone who faced this challenge, and did so with great success? Morgan Root, an Army veteran, found that after the birth of her second child, the scale kept going up instead of down. Determined to make a change, Morgan committed to losing weight and shed an inspiring 128 pounds. Here are her tips to help you lose weight: (Continued on page

March 12 – 2 p.m. – Convention Center

Sadiq Khan is the Mayor of London will be a keynote speaker at SXSW. (Continued On Page 11)

Tips To Protect Birds....08 Digital Technologies.....09 Spend Your Money.......09 Mini Tumors Ccreated...10 Select The Right Wood.10 Malik’s Page........11,16,18 Appeal To House..........12 Guide To Reduccing......12 Students And Teachers.13 3 Home Projects..........13 3 Major Home..............14 Children’s Page...17,22,23 Presence Of Water........19 Jupiter’s Moon Europa..20 Community Calendar....21 AI Helps Doctors.....23,24 Recipe Of The Month....25 Entertainment.........26,27

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Austin South Asian | March 2018

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Simple Tips For Managing Everyday Pain Many people suffer from lowgrade aches and pains stemming from common activities such as housework, yardwork or even sitting too long.

Excess weight puts undue stress on joints. Try a diet that promotes joint and tissue heath. Eat foods high in Omega-3 fatty acids, such

to lower the risk of arthritis.

• Vital Supplements: Omega-3, an essential fatty acid, is also avail-

Too often, minor pain affects a person’s quality of life. Physically, it can cause fatigue and sluggishness, making it more difficult to accomplish daily tasks. Emotionally, this slowdown can lead to stress, frustration, depression, impatience and feelings of being out of control or overwhelmed.

Those from Boiron include an Arnicare Gel and Arnicare Cream, which are both free of fragrances, dyes and parabens. Arnica homeopathic medicines won’t mask symptoms of a more serious condition. Boiron’s line, which comes recommended by many doctors and athletes, includes a tablet and arthritis pain formula. To learn more, visit Arnicare.com.

To ease minor pain without the use of conventional pain relievers, consider the following lifestyle tips offered by Lawrence Rosen, MD, a pediatrician, author and certified trainer of yoga teachers.

While the items he mentions in his tips have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration, most have a long history and are relatively inexpensive.

• Curative Foods and Beverages:

• Homeopathic Medicine: Try an Arnica-based gel or cream, which doesn’t have the traditional strong medicine smell of menthol and camphor ingredients. Arnica montana (Latin for mountain daisy), should be used at the first sign of muscle pain, stiffness, swelling from injuries and bruising.

as salmon. For a healthy dose of anti-inflammatory zest, add a dash of flaxseeds, rosemary, mustard seed, fresh ginger, turmeric or cayenne pepper to meals. Green tea, rich in antioxidants, is also thought

able as a supplement, which is an easy way to get your recommended daily intake. Calcium, taken during youth, can help prevent arthritis and osteoporosis in older age.

• Indispensable Oils: Eucalyptus or lavender in the form of essential oils can be added to a bath to ease minor muscle injuries. Both are often included in packages of Epsom salt for baths. Lavender oil, known also to promote relaxation and sleep, is also often used during

massages to help soothe aching tissue and muscles.

• Mind-Body Therapies: Massage, acupuncture, meditation and “mindfulness” are all particularly good therapies for reducing pain.

“Yoga and other mindfulness tools have clearly demonstrated benefits for those struggling with chronic pain. These therapies are incredibly safe and effective when compared with conventional pharmaceutical options,” says Dr. Rosen, who works with the nonprofit Kula for Karma to bring free meditation and yoga classes to children through hospitals and schools. (To learn how to get involved or donate to the Dr. Larry Rosen Children’s Fund, visit KulaForKarma.org.)

Pain can take its toll on one’s physical and mental well-being.

So, don’t resign yourself to needless suffering. Consider alternative ways to feel better.

(StatePoint)

3

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Austin South Asian | March 2018

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Austin South Asian | March 2018

A Doctor’s Tips To Stay Healthy While Traveling

Travel can sometimes feel more daunting than relaxing, between flight delays and bumper-to-bumper traffic. What’s more, it has potential health impacts, including leg swelling and increased risk for cold and flu.

The American Sleep Association estimates that nearly 93 percent of travelers experience jet lag and it can be severe enough to interfere with vacation plans. “Sleep distur-

(Pic-noj-en-all), reduces jet lag symptoms by nearly 50 percent.

“Pycnogenol, a natural botanical extract from the bark of the French maritime pine tree, is a traveler’s

“Air travel, long drives, less sleep and added stress can weaken your immune system at a time when you’re around more people and susceptible to illness,” says nationally renowned natural health physician and best-selling author, Dr. Fred Pescatore. Dr. Pescatore is sharing a few tips to help boost health while traveling.

Fend off Fatigue

“Drink plenty of water, use a supplement for a beneficial boost and remember to enjoy yourself. Yes, even the travel to and from your destination can be fun,” says Dr. Pescatore. On your next vacation, ensure better health by taking simple steps. (StatePoint)

By Vidya Kumar At my age to motivate oneself to learn is hard task. For me it is a herculean effort and procrastination comes very easily.

I have been trying to learn Sanskrit for a long time and not graduated beyond ‘Aham Likhaami.’ On the other hand my husband if he makes up his mind can learn anything within a short span of time. bances make you feel tired, nauseous and irritable -- not a good combination with a packed travel itinerary,” says Dr. Pescatore.

best friend. You can spend less time feeling fatigued and more quality time enjoying your destination,” says Dr. Pescatore.

A peer-reviewed study shows that daily supplementation with the super-antioxidant, Pycnogenol

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Pycnogenol is one of the most researched ingredients on the market with decades of studies showing its benefits for a variety of health applications. It’s available in more than 700 dietary supplements, multi-vitamins and health products

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Make A Difference - Learn Something New

Feed Your Immune System Being around so many people in tight spaces means you may be more at risk of catching a bug.

“Take precautions before boarding your flight -- wash your hands frequently, bring hand sanitizer with you and snack on antioxidantpacked vegetables like broccoli, carrots and sweet potatoes to keep your immune system strong,” says Dr. Pescatore.

ing and discomfort during longdistance travel. Again, it’s a good supplement for travel,” he says.

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Dr. Pescatore recommends taking shorts breaks to move around on road trips and to stand up and stretch during long flights to keep blood circulating and reduce swelling. “Pycnogenol is also shown to promote circulation and studies show its benefits for reducing swell-

Research shows that as long as we are learning something new the brain is very active and thus it delays the aging process of the brain.

So as I am getting old I want to be a lifetime learner so that it will keep me enthusiastic and acquiring knowledge always makes one enthusiastic and very active.

My husband without any help learnt from online and a book to use the key board and he has become very good at it so he is very popular in our community and he is in great demand.

So naturally being very competitive I decided to learn key board from him. Imagine he being a guru – who is unconventional trying to teach me!! He is not allowing me to mark the keys and without marking I am not able to identify each key.

So my learning for the past two weeks has come to a standstill and I need to pursue it diligently which I am unable in the current situation.

I am hoping that I will not give up and will make an effort to learn in the immediate future. Don’t give up is my new resolution.

CHILDREN ARTICLES Children Email Us Your Articles To See It In Print info@Austin SouthAsian.com

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Austin South Asian | March 2018

Beyond Bollywood Red Carpet Gala

(Continued From Page 01) Austinites enjoyed a night of many firsts - laughing, learning, contemplating, hearing from speakers from a range of backgrounds, who all break the mold in different areas of American life.

Mayor • Comedian Hari Kondabolu - has performed on John Oliver, Jimmy Fallon & The View • Award-winning writer Chitra Ba-

• Hema Mullur - First South Asian woman in primetime Austin News • Monica Patel - CNN Hero • Councilwoman Alison Alter • Sean Hassan - Elected Official

City of Austin, the Asian American Resource Center and the nonprofit South Asian Austin Moms (SAAM), have worked hard and long to bring this wonderful collection of history & heritage to Austin, that illustrates the role Indian Americans have played in shaping America.

Among the revered guests and attendees at the Red Carpet Gala, were: • Ravi Bhalla, recently elected in Hoboken, N.J., as the country’s first Sikh mayor • Juspratap Singh - three time Golf Gold Medalist • Balwinder Kaur - the first Sikh woman in the Olympics for Field Hockey • Lesley Varghese - the first South Asian Chief of Staff to an Austin

nerjee Divakaruni • Honorable Ravi K. Sandill Texas’s first district court judge of South Asian descent and the first to run for Texas Supreme Court • Judge George Thomas - First South Asian Judge in Travis County • Murali Krishnamurthy - Founder of Sankara Eye Foundation

• Chetan Panda - Running for Congress District 25 • Ketan Kharod - Elected Official • 14 Recognized Local awardees from Austin: Indian-Americans who are changing the face of their industries • Member of the Asian American Quality of Life City Council Commission including Shubhada Sax-

ena and Pooja Sethi • Members of the non-profit South Asian Austin Moms The event also showcased performances by acclaimed singer Oliver Rajamani, a Tribute Dance to Indian Jazz Singer Asha Puthli led by Anu Naimpally, and moving dance choreographies showcasing the rich Indian cultural heritage performed by Navrus School of Performing Arts (www.navrusdance. com) Recognizing and honoring those who have contributed to the South Asian landscape’s success in Austin, fourteen ‘transformation agents’ from different industries – Media, Education, Healthcare, Technology, Politics - and their achievements, are part of the Exhibit Wall at the Asian American Resource Center. Local awardees and honorable attendees- Seema Govil, Divya Srinivasan, Dr. E C George Sudarshan, Kalpana Sutaria, Shanti Jayakumar, Murali Krishnanurthy.

The Smithsonian Traveling Exhibit

AAJC And Advancing Justice Immigration Agency Attempts Rewriting History U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) made changes to its mission statement yesterday, taking out the phrases “secures America’s promise as a nation of immigrants” and “promoting an awareness and understanding of citizenship,” and adding the words “protecting Americans, securing the homeland.”

The word “customer” was also removed from the statement. USCIS Director Cissna explained the change, saying, “Use of the term leads to the erroneous belief that applicants and petitioners, rather than the American people, are whom we ultimately serve.”

He also stated that the agency’s priorities include “protecting American workers [and] safeguarding the

homeland.”

Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC and Asian Americans Advancing Justice | LA, released the following statement in response: “As U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services’ name clearly states, its purpose is to serve citizens and immigrants, not function as law enforcement.

This change is just one of a daily onslaught of attacks on immigrant communities that is rooted in nativism and fear-mongering about immigrants.

Director Cissna can change the words on a website but he cannot change our nation’s core values as a nation of immigrants.

Advancing Justice will continue

to closely monitor USCIS’s policy changes and actions, and fight for the right of all Americans, including immigrant Americans, to sponsor close family members and to become U.S. citizens.

The “petitioners” that Director Cissna refers to are actually American people and the “applicants” are future Americans (immigrants).

There are more than 20 million naturalized citizens, with immigrants from Asia being the largest group of naturalized citizens.

As of 2014, 8.9 million lawful permanent residents were eligible to naturalize.

We will work even harder to assist Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, and other immigrants to naturalize, both to protect themselves from this administration and to ful-

ly participate in our democracy.”

Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC has a mission to advance the civil and human rights for Asian Americans and to build and promote a fair and equitable society for all.

Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Los Angeles is the nation’s largest legal and civil rights organization for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (NHPI).

Through direct services, impact litigation, policy advocacy, leadership development, and capacity building, Advancing Justice-LA focuses on the most vulnerable members of Asian American and NHPI communities while also building a strong voice for civil rights and social justice.

is visiting Austin, from Jan 29 – April 8, 2018. It explores the History of Indian Americans, through a vibrant collection of arts, artifacts, photographs and interactive learning solutions. Titled “Beyond Bollywood: Indian Americans Shape the Nation”, it features migration experiences, working lives, political struggles, and cultural and religious contributions.

Complementing the exhibit, SAAM is hosting eight docent and educational programming days.

February 3rd, 11am A Tapestry of South Asian Readings February 4th, 10am The Origins of Yoga and Meditation: From India to the West March 10th, 11am Movers and Shakers of Austin March 18th, 2pm Indian American Children’s Literature March 24, 6pm A Night at the Museum: Exhibit Tour and Newton Film Screening presented by Indie Meme.Org. March 25, 2pm Dance Through India April 8, 2pm Jewels of India, Centuries of Opulence For a sneak preview of “Beyond Bollywood” visit the Smithsonian Institution’s digital portal here: http://smithsonianapa.org/beyondbollywood About South Asian Austin Moms: South Asian Austin Moms (SAAM) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, whose mission is to raise awareness about the South Asian community in Austin, Texas.

SAAM is committed to hosting fun and educational cultural events for South Asian families, to experience and teach the next generation about South Asian history & culture. For more information, visit southasianaustinmoms.com

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Austin South Asian | March 2018

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Scribblings By Arun SEARCHING

A friend, philosopher and guide, Always to be by my side.

A lover, helper and a house keeper, A discipliner-just with a stare.

A cook, a maid and a nurse, Producer and mother of my kids, To whom I am happy to empty

My fortune and my purse.

An all in one she in my life, Proud to be called as my wife.

But where is that romantic girl, A glamorous doll?

Striving to search in her, That I fervently dreamt as a bachelor

FREE CLASSIFIED

info@AustinSouthAsian.com

Austin South Asian Editor: Bala Kumar Marketing: Jayachitra Vijay -512-828-6709 Production: Jyothi Mariswaran Admin: Sharada Dayanidhi Publisher: Vidya Kumar Circulation: Vasooda Kumar info@austinsouthasian.com I ©All rights reserved.

No material herein or portions thereof be published without the wirtten consent of the publisher.

The deadline for advertisement and article is 20th of every month.

512-828-670I info@austinsouthasian.com www.austinsouthasian.com

5 Weight Loss Tips From A Woman Who Lost 128 Pounds ( Continued from page 1) • Make your excuse your motivation. When you flip your excuses into your motivation, it’s amazing how much you can accomplish. Always remind yourself of why you started and what your motivation is when things get tough. “For me, my kids used to be my excuse for why I couldn’t work out or make myself a priority, but now they’re my motivation,” says Root.

• Find a weight loss plan that works for you. Finding a plan that works for you is so important to fuel your weight loss goals and create sustainable success. “Being in the army, I was used to structure. As a result, I turned to Nutrisystem, which provided the framework I needed to help me lose the weight,” says Root, who is also a busy mom.

“Having portion-controlled meals delivered to my home made it easier.

My favorite food is the Margherita Pizza. I could eat pizza when my kids had pizza and didn’t have to think about counting, measuring or weighing anything. It was a winwin!”

• Increase your water intake. Water is so important to your overall health, so invest in a new water bottle and drink up! A study found that when people drink six cups (48 ounces) of cold water, they

increase their resting calorie burn by up to 50 calories per day. Water also helps you feel full and potentially eat less. Sometimes when you think you are hungry, you are actually just thirsty. Aim for 64 ounces per day.

• Change your rewards and comforts. When something good happens in life, we often reward ourselves with food, and when something bad happens we comfort ourselves with the same. Find other ways to reward yourself, like buying something new. Comfort

sessions daily.

yourself by taking a bath or long shower. Chances are, you’ll forget about wanting that food.

• Get moving. Being active not only benefits your weight loss journey, it can also clear your head and will help you feel better overall.

Aim for three 10-minute exercise

ney, visit leaf.nutrisystem.com. A weight loss journey is never easy, no matter how much you have to lose, but it’s absolutely worth it. “I have found myself again. I am stronger, healthier, confident, driven and determined more than ever,” says Root. (StatePoint)

Do a quick workout video before work in the morning, take a conference call on-the-go at lunch and take your dog for an extra walk around the neighborhood when you get home.

No matter what, always aim to be active for at least 30 minutes a day. By the end of the week, you’ll have burned as many as 200 extra calories per day.For more tips to help you on your weight loss jour-

7

Austin South Asian | March 2018

5 ‘Healthy’ Habits Worth Giving Up While most weight loss proclamations are well-intentioned, sometimes they look better on paper than in practice, actually doing more harm than good. Here are five so-called “healthy” habits worth giving up on, as well as better solutions.

Habit 1: I’m going to take up permanent residence in the gym.

Working out is an important piece of the weight loss puzzle, but moderation is key. Studies suggest that too much exercise can lead to a number of issues like hormonal imbalance, fatigue, insomnia and even depression. Many people also report experiencing a drastic increase in appetite after extreme bouts of physical activity, which can lead to overeating and negate the weight-related benefits. Plus, if you exercise so intensely that you’re injured or sore for days, it will be difficult to sustain this otherwise healthy habit.

Habit 2: I’m saying goodbye to fats

completely. Fatty foods have gotten a bad rap. The reality is there are good fats and bad fats. In humans, fat helps support normal growth and development, provides energy,

allows for proper cellular function, provides protective cushioning for organs, and helps with absorption of certain vitamins.

Bad fats are found in foods like meat, butter, lard, cream and trans fats (found in baked goods, fried foods and margarine) and can increase the risk of cardiovascular

disease. Aim to replace these with good fats, which are associated with a decreased risk of chronic disease. Good fats include plant-

based oils like olive and canola, avocados, nuts, seeds, and dairy, since these also offer the nutrition your body needs.

Habit 3: I’m going to skip breakfast to cut calories. According to The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, if you’re skipping breakfast, you’re doing something wrong.

Research shows breakfast helps support brain function, energy and mood. And research suggests that people who eat breakfast consume fewer calories throughout the day, weigh less and have fewer risk factors for heart disease. Just a few reasons to load up in the a.m.

Habit 4: I’ll just crash diet to lose the weight. Crash diets don’t work and many people who do them end up just gaining the weight back.

“Sustainable weight loss should not involve hunger or deprivation,” says Mandi Knowles, dietitian for South Beach Diet. “Your weight loss efforts should include sensible changes that are easy to follow.”

Find a weight loss plan that’s convenient and lets you know with confidence that you are losing weight the healthy way. Plans like South Beach Diet teach portion control through a low-carb, highprotein approach with meals delivered to your door.

Habit 5: I’m going to stop snacking. Snacks can account for more than a quarter of one’s daily calories. But if you munch on nutrientdense foods (high in vitamins, minerals and fiber and low in calories), you’re more likely to maintain a healthy weight, according to the “National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.” So, snack wisely.

For more weight loss tips, visit palm.southbeachdiet.com.

To lose weight the right way, ditch extreme diets and exercise schemes. You’ll find more success with sustainable health and wellness habits. (StatePoint)

What To Ask Your Doctor About Parkinson’s Disease Talking to your doctor about any health concern can be tough, particularly when symptoms catch you by surprise or cause concern.

Fortunately, these symptoms often can be addressed.” says Neal Hermanowicz, MD, director of the Parkinson’s Disease & Movement

Hermanowicz says to consider the following statements, and if they apply to you, to tell your doctor at your next appointment.

And when it comes to Parkinson’s disease (PD), experts say there are many symptoms that often go unreported at doctor’s appointments, making them difficult to diagnose and treat.

• These experiences have affected our daily life.

• I have beliefs or fears that a loved one (perhaps a spouse, caregiver or friend) is stealing from me or being unfaithful (delusions).

Learn more about hallucinations and delusions associated with Parkinson’s and download resources that will help initiate these critical conversations at MoretoParkinsons.com.

Dr. Hermanowicz also suggests that caregivers prepare for the next appointment by considering the following statements and speaking to their loved one’s PD specialist if any of them apply.

For example, many people are aware of visible symptoms associated with PD, like resting tremors and loss of balance.

• I have observed my loved one interacting with things, seeing things or sensing things that are not there (hallucinations).

However, more than half of people living with Parkinson’s also experience a lesser known aspect of the disease -- hallucinations and delusions.

“Over time, these symptoms may increase in frequency or become bothersome, as a person with Parkinson’s becomes less able to distinguish between what is real and what’s not.

people, animals or objects) are not actually there (hallucinations).

Disorders Program at the University of California, Irvine.

• I sometimes feel out of touch with reality.

To help you prepare for your appointment with a PD specialist, Dr.

• Others tell me that what I am hearing, seeing or sensing (e.g.,

• My loved one has had false beliefs toward me or others, such as believing someone is stealing from them or being unfaithful (delusions).

If you or someone you care for is experiencing these symptoms, you are not alone and you may be able to get help.

Talk to a PD specialist to learn more about available treatment options.

Be prepared for your next appointment by ensuring the conversation first starts at home.

(StatePoint)

For AD’s Call 512-828-6709

8

Austin South Asian | March 2018

Tips To Protect Birds In Your Yard And Garden

One of the best parts of backyard living in the warmer months is all the potential for bird watching that comes with it.

You may have even installed a birdfeeder in your garden in an attempt to attract more birds to your property.

windows visible to birds in a way that won’t obstruct your own view.

Doing so can be a simple home project completed in just an afternoon.

sliding glass doors.

will look very visible to a bird.

Those from WindowAlert, for example, have been proven to effectively alter the flight path of birds to prevent window strikes.

As UV reflectivity may fade over time, it’s important to replace the decals and liquid every four months.

Application techniques can be found by visiting WindowAlert. com.

But did you know, your home poses dangerous risks to the birds that visit your yard and garden?

“Turning your home into a refuge for birds is a simple way to save lives and protect the creatures that beautify your yard and, in the case of hummingbirds, pollinate your

Window strikes are common among many species of migrating birds, and millions of wild birds are killed annually flying into windows.

Schock also recommends planting trees, shrubs and flowers that provide birds with nourishment and shelter, as well as paying attention to pet cats when they are outdoors, to ensure they don’t hunt the birds that visit.

This season, be a better friend to birds by taking a few simple measures in your home and garden.

(StatePoint)

CHILDREN ARTICLES

Children Email Us Your Articles To See It In Print

Whether you are an avid amateur ornithologist or just a casual observer of feathered friends in flight, by taking precautions your home need not be part of the problem.

Take advantage of the fact that birds can see certain light frequencies that humans cannot to make

garden,” says Spencer Schock, founder of WindowAlert.

Try applying UV decals and UV liquid to your home’s windows and

While the coating will look like etched glass to the human eye, it

info@austinsouthasian.com

Is Sugar The Cause Of Your Weight Gain? Tips To Cut Back February is American Heart Month and a great opportunity to focus on your cardiovascular health. According to the American Heart Association, cardiovascular disease accounts for about one of every three deaths.

Taking care of your heart starts with your diet and making healthy changes. Cutting down on sugar, which experts say most Americans consume far too much of on a daily basis, is the perfect place to start.

Processed sugars add empty calories to your diet and can disrupt your metabolism, making weight loss or maintenance difficult and posing serious health risks.

Americans on average get about 16 percent of their daily calories from added sugars, according to an Food and Drug Administration report, but the USDA’s dietary guidelines recommend less than one-third of that amount. And it’s not just the usual suspects like candy, cookies and cake that can cause the sugar surplus.

“Foods like white bread and bagels break down the same as added sugar, so, it’s about the types of carbs you’re eating, too.

In fact, I would say fats aren’t making us fat, sugar is.” says Dr. Arthur Agatston, founder of the South Beach Diet. To avoid extra sugar in your diet and get on a path to greater health, consider these simple strategies.

• Shop the Perimeter. Sticking to the perimeter of the grocery store is a good rule of thumb, as this tends to be where you’ll find the least processed foods, such as vegetables, fruit, dairy, meat and seafood, most of which are free of added sugar.

• Read Food Labels. Seek out foods containing little to no sugar, being careful to read labels. You

may have to look hard though, as sugar is ubiquitous in American foods. Bear in mind that ingredient listings on packaged foods are in order of volume.

• Learn Sugar’s Other Names.

“Pretty much anything ending in ‘ose’ is a sugar. And whether it’s fructose, dextrose or sucrose, it will end up as a sugar in your body,” says Mandi Knowles, Registered Dietitian at South Beach Diet. Avoid them if you want to eat less sugar.

• Buy Unsweetened Foods. Look for food labels that say the food is unsweetened. Not “naturally sweetened.” Unsweetened. That means there won’t be anything lurking in there that could throw you off.

• Make Sugar Swaps. Simple swaps can help you save on sugar.

Swap soda for unsweetened iced tea and save 31 grams of sugar.

Swap non-fat flavored yogurt for Greek yogurt with fresh strawberries and save 19 grams of sugar.

Swap your favorite vanilla latte for black coffee with a splash of cream and save 35 grams of sugar.

• Try Something New. Consider a diet plan that focuses on good carbs, good fats, healthy protein and high fiber, such as the South Beach Diet, which is proven to have a positive impact on heart health, weight loss and belly fat.

Delivering on average just 1 percent of calories from added sugars, it was the first plan to propose dieters focus less on cutting out fats and carbs and focus more on considering the quality of the fats and carbs they’re eating.

A healthy diet and lifestyle are among your best defenses to help fight cardiovascular disease.

This American Heart Month, you can help improve your heart health and overall health by reducing sugar in your diet.

(StatePoint)

9

Austin South Asian | March 2018

5 Ways Digital Technology Is Helping Students Learn

As classrooms are getting modern makeovers across the country, here are five ways new digital technology is helping students to better absorb the curriculum.

These features enable students to learn built-in songs, phase-byphase, at their own pace. Additionally, the LCD display facilitates learning of both music notation

formance, so users can track their progress. Another asset for students is the free compatible Chordana Play app, which automatically plays 50 songs, from pop to

1. Tablets. Tablets in the classroom give students instant and portable access to research and resources, as well as educational games and videos -- all right at their fingertips.

3. Virtual reality. Now students can go all over the world without a permission slip.

Virtual field trips in classrooms using smartphone-based Virtual Reality (VR) technology can expose students to places they wouldn’t be able to see otherwise.

4. Calculators. Updated digital technology integrated into calculators enables students to learn math in a whole new way.

These devices can be used as collaborative tools, and can also accommodate all different types of learners, helping teachers address the needs of all their students.

2. Keyboards. Musicians who are just getting started can get an educational boost with new tech tools, such as Casio’s LK-265 keyboards, which are outfitted with a Voice Fingering Guide and Stepup Lesson System.

downloaded from the internet.

For example, Casio’s addition to its PRIZM line, the fx-CG50, offers an improved catalog function so that teachers can use commands more easily and quickly, offering support to students. and correct hand positioning, while its Scoring System evaluates per-

classical and more, and is expandable through MIDI files that can be

Expanded features include the ability to easily draw 3D graphs such as planes, cylinders and spheres,

and view them from various angles to better analyze their shapes.

These features help ensure students are getting the most out of the educational tools in the classroom while enhancing their understanding of mathematics.

5. Projectors. These days, new projector models are giving educators a greater ability to project images, video and lessons wirelessly from their mobile devices and laptops.

For example, Casio’s Core Series LampFree Projector, which features a mercury-free laser and LED hybrid light, minimizes classroom downtime by reaching maximum brightness in as fast as five seconds.

This technology can enhance lessons by enabling collaborative learning and communication.

(StatePoint)

How To Spend Your Money With Companies That Share Your Values From small one-time purchases to monthly service fees, you may not think much about what happens to your money after spending it.

But beyond the typical considerations, such as price and product features, many savvy shoppers are starting to pick their brands and services based on new criteria like ethics.

leader in social and environmental responsibility efforts in the fashion industry, the company is fair-trade certified for all its sewing production and is dedicated to transparency. Consider shopping here if you

“The World’s Most Ethical Companies” list, released annually by the Ethisphere Institute.

It offers a quantitative assessment of a company’s performance in

at ease.

For the 10th year in a row, that list includes T-Mobile, which, among other initiatives, committed to move to 100 percent renewable energy by 2021, the only major wireless provider to do so.

An ethical company treats both its employees and customers fairly and practices environmental sustainability.

As one of only five honorees in the telecommunications industry to receive recognition from the Ethisphere Institute in 2018, they also landed on Best Place to Work lists for parents, diversity, the LGBTQ community and more.

Luckily, there is some guidance out there for those consumers who want to spend their money with companies that share their values.

T-Mobile was also given a perfect score of 100 percent on the Corporate Equality Index by the Human Rights Campaign.

Your Wardrobe

For the full list of the 2018 World’s Most Ethical Companies, visit worldsmostethicalcompanies.com.

Patagonia’s mission statement is to “build the best product, cause no unnecessary harm, use business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis.” A

want to look good and feel good.

Your Wireless Provider One good resource to check out is

corporate governance, risk, sustainability compliance and ethics, and knowing a company or brand has scored high on this particular assessment can help set your mind

Your Glass of Wine Red or white? The next time you

imbibe, consider going beyond the wine’s flavor and potential pairings, seeking a bottle from a company that you know treats its employees well.

Included in Glassdoor’s 2018 Best Places to Work Employees’ Choice list was E. & J. Gallo Winery, a family-owned company with a strong internal program to foster diversity and career development among underrepresented communities.

Whether you’re shopping online, hitting the mall or choosing services that help you connect with friends, family and the world around you, consider doing a bit of research before making your next consumer decision to ensure you’re comfortable with where your money is headed.

(StatePoint)

10

How To Select The Right Wood For Your Stove, Insert Or Fireplace An EPA-certified wood stove, insert or fireplace can offer your home greater comfort and efficiency and add a rustic look and natural ambiance to any room.

Keep in mind that the type of wood you select to burn does matter, and understanding what your priorities are can be helpful in selecting wood varieties for your stove.

For example, ash and sugar maple are both great choices if you want hotter heat, whereas cherry and oak may be lower maintenance, as they provide a slower burn.

For more guidance on EPA-certified wood stoves, inserts or fireplaces visit quadrafire.com.

Before firing up your wood stove, take a look at your options and select the right fuel for your needs.

(StatePoint)

‘Mini-Tumours’ Created To Battle Cancer LONDON: Scientists have successfully grown mini versions of patients’ tumours in a lab and tested them against dozens of drugs to find the best possible treatment.

In the study published in the journal Science, researchers treated the lab-grown ‘mini tumours’ with a range of drugs.

They then looked to see how this compared to how successful treatment was in those patients.

The approach found a drug that had a chance of shrinking a patient’s tumour in almost nine in 10 cases.

Drugs that did not work in patients also had no effect on the mini tumours. This suggests they could help predict when drugs would not work, researchers said.

The study, led by scientists at The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) in the UK, was carried out in bowel and stomach cancers, and other cancers of the digestive system.

Drugs that did not work in patients also had no effect on the mini tumours. This suggests they could help predict when drugs would not work, researchers said.

The study, led by scientists at The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) in the UK, was carried out in bowel and stomach cancers, and other cancers of the digestive system.

The results of the study did not change how patients were treated. However, the approach could be used in the future to help choose treatment.

According to Nicola Valeri, who led the study, the technique needed to be tested in large clinical trials, but that it “has the potential to help deliver truly personalised treatment.”

(Continued On Page 21)

Austin South Asian | March 2018

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Austin South Asian | March 2018

MOHSIN HAMID FINDS A ‘DOOR’ TO AUSTIN THROUGH EXIT WEST

By Sumaiya Malik On April 11, the Mayors Book Club will host Pakistani American writer Mohsin Hamid and his new novel, Exit West, at Austin Central Library on 710 W Cesar Chavez St. The book reading will be followed by a conversation with Mohsin Hamid. Exit West has been under literary discussion and in the news for creating a new genre of reality based fiction shaded with a hint of an almost magical and unreal fact that anchors the plot. Exit West touches immigration, refugees, adaptation of humans, and the evolution of migration of people. Hamid believes that no land is pure and movement of people brings together new nations, which begin to coexist.

In Exit West, Saeed and Nadia, fall in love in a fictional city, which is curiously close in description to Lahore, Pakistan, where the author was born and where he lives now.

Saeed and Nadia escape from the

tions at new places. They even-

The Mayor’s Book Club is an annu-

value to the entire community.

Each year, they select a book (or books), and invite all of Austin to read with us and join us for a series of programs that explore the book’s themes, questions, and foundations. This year’s theme is refugees and migration, a subject close to home in a city which has been bomarded by new comers of all ethnicities. The Library Foundation funds the book club.

city during civil war leaving behind family and friends. They pass through ‘doors’ (the magical fact), which take them to other lands where they are reluctantly welcome and sometimes face hostile conditions. They try to settle and then move again for better condi-

tually land in San Francisco. By then, they have changed in many ways. They hear of more ‘doors’ opening and people moving. Hamid philosophizes, “when we migrate, we murder from our lives those we leave behind.”

al citywide reading campaign that provides a community experience through reading and discussion of shared books. The program’s goal is to deepen our collective appreciation of literature, to increase the visibility of the Austin Public Library, and to promote the Library’s

Mohsin Hamid is the author of the international best-sellers Exit West and The Reluctant Fundamentalists, both finalists for the Man Booker Prize. He is also the author of Moth Smoke and How to Get Filthy Rich in Rising Asia, and the essay collection Discontent and Its Civilizations. Hamid was born in Lahore, Pakistan, and has spent half his life there and much of the rest in London, New York, and California.

Sadiq Khan Mayor Of London @SXSW 2018 (Continued From Page 01) When Sadiq Khan, a British-born Muslim of Pakistani descent, was elected with the largest personal mandate in the history of British politics, the world spotlight turned on him.

According to NDTV website, Sadiq Khan “smashed one of the biggest glass ceilings in the country” by becoming the first Muslim mayor of a major western capital.

His election sent out the message that people are ready to converge ideas and unite regardless of race or religion.

This is a positive message in the light of the polarization that has divided people.

It also made clear that the world would follow whom they want regardless of the political boundaries that separate countries.

Sadiq Khan (@sadiqkhan) has a huge US following because of his critical tweets about Donald Trump.

Sadiq Khan stands unafraid to say the word of the people he stands for and for that he is admired all over the world.

In January 2018, President Donald Trump cancelled his trip to London.

While Trump blamed the cancellation on Obama, Sadiq Khan wrote on his twitter account, “It appears that President Trump got the message from the many Londoners who admire America and Americans but find his policies and actions the polar opposite of our city’s values of inclusion, diversity, and tolerance,” Khan wrote.

Before becoming the Mayor of London, Sadiq had a distinguished Parliamentary career as the Mem-

ber of Parliament for Tooting, a constituency in south London.

He served as a Minister in both the Department for Communities and Local Government and the Department for Transport under Prime Minister Gordon Brown, becoming the first Muslim to attend Cabinet.

He later served as the Shadow Secretary of State for Justice and the Shadow Minister for London.

Sadiq was born and raised in London. He is of Pakistani decent. He is passionate about.

According to NDTV London Mayor Sadiq Khan, son of a bus driver from Pakistan, is the most influential Asian in the UK, according to a list featuring Britain’s 101 prominent Asians, including Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai, the Hinduja brothers, Laxmi Mittal and musician Zayn Malik.

12

Austin South Asian | March 2018

Your Guide To Reducing The Prom Price Tag

Prom is a time-honored tradition and a rite of passage for teens.

Originally inspired by graduation celebrations and debutante balls, prom today is now an extravagant, defining moment in a teen’s life, bearing little resemblance to promenades of the past -- especially when it comes to cost.

often public -- ways to ask someone to prom.

pastries, creating giant duct tape posters, decorating lockers and bedrooms, and popping the question on the jumbotron at a sporting event.

Fashion First

All of this indulgence unfortunately comes with a price tag, and prom expenses can put a large dent in your wallet.

When proms first became common, teens were encouraged to wear their “Sunday best” -- implying a nice dress or suit they already owned.

Teens are spending nearly $640 on prom hair and makeup, outfits, tickets and rides, according to Yahoo Style’s “2017 Prom Across America” survey -- and that doesn’t take into consideration any pre-prom expenses, such as the promposal, which, according to Visa’s annual prom spending survey, adds another $324!

The Promposal In recent years, teens have upped the ante, finding elaborate -- and

What are some popular promposal tactics? Spelling “prom” with

From smart thermostats to remotely controlled showers, connected homes are all the rage for today’s homeowners and those looking to make a purchase, providing easy opportunities to boost your profit when you sell.

stat, which learns your temperature preferences, and can save energy by turning heating and cooling on and off, based on the weather outside, your home’s energy profile and more. Potential homebuyers will love the energy savings, as well as the ability to control the thermostat from anywhere with their devices.

Not so anymore.

For girls, prom is all about the dress, and finding the perfect one at the right price is no easy task.

“Seventeen Magazine” reported that girls spend $231 on average for a dress, $45 on shoes, $23 on a handbag, $32 on jewelry and $118 on hair, nails and makeup.

While guys typically spend less on prom clothing and accessories, they’re still shelling out for a tuxedo, corsage and other accessories.

Cut Costs, Save for College The steep prom price tag is leading teens to look at alternatives, such as ditching typical outfits and making their own. One example is Duck Tape formal wear.

Over the last 17 years, the Duck brand Stuck at Prom Scholarship Contest has attracted more than 7,000 entrants and awarded more than half a million dollars in scholarships to teens who crafted their Duck Tape prom attire.

helping teens save on prom and by awarding creative makers for their unique promwear designs, offering two individual $10,000 Grand Prizes: one in the Dress Category and one in the Tux Category, totaling $20,000. For more information, visit stuckatprom.com.

Other ways to cut the prom price tag? Hair, makeup and other accessories can cost more than $200, so skip the salon and opt for online tutorials for hair and makeup inspiration.

Also, DIYing accessories, such as jewelry, a clutch or flowers (i.e.

Duck Tape roses), can add a personal touch, and keep money in your wallet.

Setting a budget and looking for opportunities to save money can help ensure prom is an amazing night that doesn’t break the bank.

Now in its 18th year, the contest will once again help offset the skyrocketing costs of college by

(StatePoint)

grade to attract house hunters of all ages -- and easy on the wallet, with options available for under $300.

An updated bathroom is a huge selling point for potential buyers.

If you’re planning a renovation, enhancing your space with a digital shower can make a big difference for your family now and for future homebuyers. To provide the ultimate in personalization, select a system such as U by Moen, the first Wi-Fi/cloud-based digital shower on the market, which allows users to precisely set shower temperature and flow with an in-shower digital controller, or from the smartphone app. Plus, it can be voice activated with products like Amazon Alexa, for a connected home experience.

Appeal To House Hunters With Smart Home Upgrades

Over half of Millennials (57 percent) believe that smart home technology is a good investment in their home, according to a recent survey by “Better Homes and Gardens.” Upgrading to include connected items can make your home more appealing to this “next generation” of homebuyers in particular. If you’re looking to sell, here are some of the latest and greatest smart home upgrades to have on your radar.

A Hands-Free Faucet

ing a kitchen faucet turn water on or off, without a touch. Faucets with hands-free technology, such as Moen’s MotionSense Wave single-sensor models, allow users to easily activate the faucet with the wave of a hand. Great for when your hands are too full or messy to turn on the faucet, the technology also minimizes the spread of dirt and germs, since there’s no need to touch the faucet to start the flow of

Climate Control Your thermostat is responsible for half your energy bill -- more than appliances and electronics -- so make sure to choose one wisely.

Consider installing a smart thermo-

Imagine the convenience of hav-

water. It’s just the type of smart up-

Bright Lighting Smart lighting dimmer and sensor systems allow you to turn lights on and off remotely with a smartphone, and can be customized to perform certain actions, such as slowly growing brighter as you wake up or turning off automatically when you leave your home – providing added convenience and customization for prospective buyers. These systems are especially useful when you’re traveling– allowing you to turn your lights on and off remotely, so your home doesn’t look empty while you’re away. Picture showing potential buyers how they can control all of the lights in the home with one device, or turn off the lights after they’re snuggled up in bed – and get ready for the offers to roll in.

A Digital Shower

By swapping just one or two items -- like your thermostat or a builder-grade kitchen faucet – you can achieve a sleeker, smarter home.

And while the return on investment varies for each product, they’re all sure to appeal to tech-loving homebuyers whenever you choose to sell.

(StatePoint)

13

Austin South Asian | March 2018

Students And Teachers: Tips For Beating The Mid-Year Slump Whether you’re a teacher or a student, staying motivated for the rest of the school year can be a challenge.

and you may just discover previously untapped skills and passions.

Get New Tech Gear

If you’re in a numbers slump, consider revolutionizing math class and test prep with a new graphing calculator that features additional

But, what happens in the classroom counts long after the school year is new.

Here are some great ways to make the grade, all year long.

Its natural textbook display and icon-based menu are easy to use, and its three-dimensional graph drawing and improved catalog functions allow for greater engagement and real-life application.

During the mid-year slump, teachers can create an enthusiastic learning environment with new technology, such as the XJ-F210WN LampFree projector from Casio, which combines a laser and LED light source to create a high-brightness, mercury-free tool that uses half the amount of power per unit than other lamp-based projectors.

Try New Things Stepping outside your comfort zone can make school seem like a less humdrum place. Consider signing up for after school activities you hadn’t previously considered.

Whether it’s the school play, yearbook or intramural soccer, challenging yourself in new ways can have an overall motivational effect that can translate to the classroom,

students may find it easier to grasp complex math concepts.

Teachers and students alike can give their school year a boost by gearing up with new technology that aids their educational efforts.

capabilities. For example, with the advanced features of a next-generation graphing calculator, such as the fx-CG50 PRIZM from Casio,

This makes it a safer and more affordable choice for schools looking to go green and save money.

Because it reaches full brightness in as fast as five seconds from the

time it is powered on, it reduces dull down time for students, carving out more time for engaging lessons.

Find Some Pals Make studying a more cooperative venture by forming a study group where everyone stands to benefit.

Those who grasped the material fullest can explain it to others, thereby reinforcing the concepts for themselves, too.

Make sessions fun by rotating who hosts and providing healthy snacks.

Afterwards, treat yourselves to a fun activity like a movie.

With new gear, ambitions and study habits, you can make the rest of the year count.

(StatePoint)

3 Home Projects That Offer A Great Return On Investment The warmer months present an excellent opportunity to get outdoors and spruce up your home’s exterior.

But if you have limited time and resources, it’s important to prioritize the focus of your efforts.

Newer offerings relying on smart home technology can synch with your mobile device to offer conveniences like voice control and notifications when you’ve left the garage door open.

Manufactured Stone Veneer

to add visual interest to your home exterior (or an interior room, for that matter).

Be sure to select products that mimic the texture and color of natural stone, such as the choices from ProVia, which are molded and cast

For guidance, consider Remodeling Magazine’s 2018 Cost vs. Value Report, which shows that not all remodeling projects are equal.

The manufacturer offers resources that help make it easy to select and install the best choice for your home or get the look you’ve always wanted.

Their visualizer tool, found at ProVia.com, allows you to upload a photo of your home to see how the stone will look on your exterior.

Entry Door Replacement

new steel door as the third highest cost recouped.

However, steel or fiberglass are both good choices for materials when it comes to functionality, durability, energy efficiency, security and versatility in style.

For more home renovation ideas and resources, visit ProVia.com.

Here are three spring renovation ideas that will give your property not only a facelift, but offer a great return on investment to boot.

Your home’s entry door is one of the first things prospective home buyers will notice, so it’s no surprise that upgrading yours could be a wise investment.

When giving your home a facelift, make it count. Consider those upgrades and renovations that don’t just look good, but also are proven to increase the resale value of your home.

Garage Door

The Cost vs. Value report named a

(StatePoint)

To Advertise

National data from the 2018 Cost vs. Value Report shows that the project that delivers the highest return on investment is a new upscale garage door.

This is a good choice for those looking for better noise control, greater security, curb appeal and convenience.

In the number two slot for sound renovation investments, according to the same report, is manufactured stone veneer, which is a great way

to look like stone harvested from various U.S. geographic regions and are offered in a variety of style and color palettes.

In ASA 512-828-6709

14

Austin South Asian | March 2018

3 Major Home Renovations That Are Worth The Effort

Building a new home? Overhauling an existing one? Here are three renovation ideas that will add beauty and value.

some cost of the investment.

For example, turning your base-

Want to reduce time and money on your commute? Your basement may just make an ideal home of-

Expand Your Living Space

A fireplace, for example, adds ambiance and comfort while also creating a natural gathering space.

Don’t let that basement sit unfinished and unused. Substantially expand your home’s livable areas by turning your attention to the bottom floor.

What’s more, new models pair the charm of a traditional open-front fireplace with the design flexibility of gas models.

Finishing a basement is an involved project, potentially requiring electrical and plumbing work, insulation, drywall and more -- but the end result is worth the effort and expense.

The Phoenix TrueView from Heat & Glo offers the convenience of gas without the glass, giving homeowners an unobscured view of the flames against the traditional brick or fade-resistant reflective black glass liner.

What’s more, some of the less technical aspects of this renovation could even be DIY-ed.

Before getting started, consider what type of space would most benefit your household long-term.

You may even be able to recoup

Is your interior design in need of a little something? The right eyecatching elements can make a room pop while adding vitality to your living spaces.

ment into an at-home fitness center means ditching the costly gym membership.

fice.

Add a Focal Point

An optional Bluetooth speaker system allows one to hear the fire as well as see it -- making it a focal point for the ears as well as the eyes.

Boost the Backyard If you find that your household spends very little time in the backyard, figure out why. Is there a lack of shade? Are there not enough places to sit? Take a poll so you can diagnose the problem and take steps to correct it.

Consider also how to make this space usable for a larger portion of the year, such as adding a fire pit or an enclosed, heated patio. Lastly, consider aesthetics.

A bit of landscaping can make your backyard as visually appealing as your home’s interiors.

This season, consider the renovations that will go furthest to boost your home’s livability, beauty and value.

(StatePoint)

Mix And Match: Update Your Home With 2018 Design Trends

Are you planning to refresh your home but aren’t sure where to start?

Some of today’s most popular design trends encourage mixing and matching favorite home accents within the same space.

• Mix Monochromatic Accents: Tone-on-tone designs are very popular in kitchens, bathrooms, entryways and living areas.

Countertops, cabinets and home

gold, brass or brushed nickel finishes.

• Design with Dual Tones: Mixed metals or dual tones are on-trend and very popular in home design

• Pendant Groupings: Pendant groupings are commonly used in a foyer, over a kitchen island or above a dining room table.

There is no need to feel limited by fixtures or finishes, according to design expert, Colleen Visage, who is Progress Lighting’s vice president of Product Management.

These versatile fixtures can be mixed and matched to create a custom cluster design for a statementmaking look.

“Homeowners today are not content to have the same look, the same finishes or the same collections throughout the house,” says Visage. “They really want to personalize their spaces.”

“I like to design areas that are so inviting, people don’t want to leave,” says Susan Wilson, designer and

Coordinating complementary pieces creates a cohesive feel to the home.

It can also reinforce a unique style because the ultimate outcome is a custom design. Here are a few ways to master the mix and match trend.

offers fixtures that feature finishes with contrasting accents, such as antique bronze and brass, antique bronze and natural brass or polished nickel with silver ridge -adding visual interest.

accents in varying shades of grays and creams can create a sophisticated statement.

today. This look can be achieved through mixing fixtures with different, but complementary finishes.

These tones pair perfectly with

For example, Progress Lighting

founder of Susan Wilson Interiors.

“When a home features accents and lighting that work together seamlessly, it makes the spaces throughout memorable and relatable.”

Searching for more design inspiration? Visit progresslighting.com to view images, collections and project ideas for every budget, style and space.

Take your design vision to the next level and personalize your home’s living spaces by mastering the art of the mix and match trend.

(StatePoint)

Children Email Us Your Articles info@AustinSouthAsian.com

15

Austin South Asian | March 2018

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Austin South Asian | March 2018

South Asians In SXSW 2018!

(Continued From Page 01) It’s your luck if you get in, but it is surely worth trying.

If you don’t get in, you will still benefit by going and enjoying the scene. Map for the festival is available at https://www.sxsw.com/ Ask the company you work for if they have allowance for SXSW.

talk about his experience in social peace through business.

He has been involved in official presidential visits to Azerbaijan, Belgium, China, Germany, India, Iran, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and the United States as part of the

share their experiences in building robust Muslim-Jewish partnerships.

The panelists will illustrate new models of self-critical pluralism, remarkably different from traditional interfaith approaches.

Samar Kaukab, Exec Dir, Univer-

Sangat

Below is a list of music/movies/ interactive/edu events that have the South Asian element plugged in.

March 15 - Russia House Sangat is a music group comprised of people from several regions of Pakistan (Sindh, Punjab, former Indian territories), the US and Taiwan as well as religious affiliations (Sunni Islam, Shi’a Islam, Mystical Sufi Islam, Christian, Buddhist, Jewish and spiritual secularists.

The appearance of Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, as the keynote speaker about convergence has been discussed elsewhere in the paper.

Covering Islam as a Muslim in Trump’s America

Sangat! has acquired an enthusiastic Pakistani following and national media attention for both their original sound and the significance of collaboration between people from diverse backgrounds and genders.

Mar 10 – JW Marriott - 12:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Discussions about Islam in Western popular media were devoid of actual Muslims.

Now, Muslim voices are (a bit) more present, but they’re tasked with representing the most misunderstood religion in the world.

administration’s strategy for geopolitical and economic integration.

Ayesha A. Siddiqi, a PakistaniAmerican writer and television developer and Dena Takruri (@ Dena), Senior Presenter at AJ+ and one of the channel’s founding members will take part in the discussion along with Slate and Huff post.

Mar 11 at 6:15 pm. and Mar 15 at 5:46 p.m. – Alamo Lamar

Hamdullah Mohib Mar 10 – Hilton Downtown – 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Hamdullah Mohib, the ambassador of Afghanistan in the US will

In 2009, he founded The Nizami School of Sufi Music in Austin Texas.

He will present a vast array of styles including Classical Indian, Ghazal, Geet, and Qawwali,

Many purchase tickets for employees if they are interested. No harm asking!

Takruri’s videos have gone viral, earning millions of views on Facebook and hundreds of thousands of shares on YouTube and Twitter.

Ustad Ghulam Farid Nizami, a 17th-generation musician and a descendant of Mian Tan Sen, court.

Ustad Nizami is a Fulbright Scholar who came to teach music at the University of Texas.

SOLO

Narrative feature from India, the inspiration for the theme of the title sequence for “Solo” (2017) comes from the film itself.

Dulquer Salmaan plays 4 characters from different walks of life.

The characters were also named according to the 4 prevalent avatars of the Hindu deity, Lord Shiva.

How Muslim and Jewish Dialog changes the world Mar 12 – 11 a.m. – Westin Downtown This interactive talk has two Muslim and two Jewish speakers who

sity-Natl Lab Research Collaborations at the University of Chicago will be a part of this panel.

Everyday ways to fight oppression Mar 12 – Westin Downtown – 11 a.m.

Maria Toorpakai Wazir is a professional Pakistani squash player and an advocate for women’s rights.

She will talk about how a girl in Pakistan defied the Taliban by playing squash.

During this panel, moderated by the Human Rights Foundation, these women will show how anybody can make an impact and bring about social change.

Ustad Ghulam Farid Nizami Mar 13 – Russia House

This is Sangat’s first performance at SXSW. Accoridng to Ahsan Shabbir, a key band member, SXSW will give Sangat an opportunity to collaborate with other musicians.

The group will also have the opportunity to collaborate with likeminded musicians.

Secondly an opportunity to connect with distributors, producers and booking agents who might want to produce, distribute or book us for more shows.” http://www.sangatmusic.com/ www.ahsanbabamusic.com Oliver Rajamani Mar 15 – Russia House Flamenco India, a combination of redefined Romani or Indian gypsy music with Texas traditions, is Oliver Rajamani’s forte.

The 2014 nominee of the prestigious German world, Rajamani’s compositions are drawn from the historic ‘Romani trail’ and the lone star state of Texas.

Subhi Mar 16 - Elephant Room Subhi is a singer songwriter based in Chicago.

With lyrics in Hindi & Urdu, her debut album ‘Shaitaan Dil’ showcases a blend of her Indian roots and the prominent Jazz culture of Chicago.

It was during her travels back and forth between Mumbai & Chicago that the songs were written to highlight her journey as an artist.

Dr. Kamran Ali and the South Asia Institute at UT Austin, deserve the credit for encouraging South Asian culture and injecting it programs and festivals of the city.

We Welcome Articles From Readers And The Community.

Email To: Info@Austinsouthasian.Com

17

Sri Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple)

Sri Harmandir Sahib, also known as Darbar Sahib, informally referred to as the Golden Temple, is a Gurdwara located in the city of Amritsar, Punjab, India. It is one of the most revered spiritual sites of Sikhism.

Amritsar (literally, the tank of nectar of immortality) was founded in

the openness of the Sikhs towards all people and religions.

Over 100,000 people visit the shrine daily for worship, and also partake jointly in the free community kitchen and meal (Langar) regardless of any distinctions, a tradition that is a hallmark of all Sikh Gurdwaras.

with the help of Baba Buddha (not to be confused with the Buddha of Buddhism). Guru Ram Das built his new official centre and home next to it.

He invited merchants and artisans from other parts of India to settle into the new town with him.

Ramdaspur town expanded during the time of Guru Arjan financed by donations and constructed by voluntary work.

The town grew to become the city of Amritsar, and the pool area grew into the Golden Temple complex.

The construction activity between 1574 and 1604 is described in Mahima Prakash Vartak, a semi-historical Sikh hagiography text likely composed in 1741, and the earliest known document dealing with the lives of all the ten Gurus.Guru

1577 by the fourth Sikh guru, Guru Ram Das. The fifth Sikh Guru, Guru Arjan, designed Harmandir Sahib to be built in the center of this tank, and upon its construction, installed the Adi Granth, the holy scripture of Sikhism, inside Harmandir Sahib.

The Harmandir Sahib complex is also home to the Akal Takht (the throne of the timeless one, constituted by the Sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind).

While the Harmandir Sahib is regarded as the abode of God’s spiritual attribute, the Akal Takht is the seat of God’s temporal authority.

The construction of Harmandir Sahib was intended to build a place of worship for men and women from all walks of life and all religions to worship God equally.

Accordingly, Guru Arjan had specially invited a Muslim Sufi saint, Hazrat Mian Mir to lay the foundation stone of the Harmandir Sahib.

The four entrances (representing the four directions) to get into the Harmandir Sahib also symbolise

The present-day gurdwara was renovated in 1764 by Jassa Singh Ahluwalia with the help of other Sikh Misls.

In the early nineteenth century, Maharaja Ranjit Singh secured the Punjab region from outside attack and covered the upper floors of the gurdwara with 750kg of gold, which gives it its distinctive appearance and its English name.

According to the Sikh historical records, the land that became Amritsar and houses the Harimandar Sahib was chosen by Guru Amar Das – the third Guru of the Sikh tradition.

It was then called Guru Da Chakk, after he had asked his disciple Ram Das to find land to start a new town with a man made pool as its central point.

After Ram Das succeeded Guru Amar Das in 1574, and given the hostile opposition he faced from the sons of Guru Amar Das, Guru Ram Das founded the town that came to be known as “Ramdaspur”.

He started by completing the pool

Arjan installed the scripture of Sikhism inside the new temple in 1604.

Continuing the efforts of Guru Ram Das, Guru Arjan established Amritsar as a primary Sikh pilgrimage destination.

He wrote a voluminous amount of Sikh scripture including the popular Sukhmani Sahib.

One of the most important festivals is Vaisakhi, which is celebrated in the second week of April (usually the 13th).

Sikhs celebrate the founding of the Khalsa on this day and it is celebrated with fervour in the Harmandir Sahib.

Other important Sikh religious days such as the birth of Guru Ram Das, martyrdom day of Guru Teg Bahadur, the birthday of the Sikh founder Guru Nanak, etc., are also celebrated with religious piety.

Similarly Diwali is one of the festivals which sees the Harmandir Sahib beautifully illuminated with Diyas (lamps); lights and fireworks are discharged.

Austin South Asian | March 2018

Akbar And Birbal

Birbal Goes To Heaven

Emperor Akbar was very fond of Birbal and favoured him. This made the other courtiers at Akbar’s court jealous of Birbal. They, and many other people in the kingdom, continuously plotted for Birbal’s downfall, but were never able to succeed in their plans.

The Emperor’s barber was also very jealous of Birbal. One day, he hatched a vicious plan against Birbal. He went to trim the Emperor’s beard and said, “Sir, last night I dreamt about your father.”

The Emperor got interested, so he asked, “Really? What did he say to you?”

The shrewd barber replied, “Sir, he said that he was extremely happy in the paradise, but sometimes he feels a great absence of a quick witted man who can amuse him.” He further added, “Jahanpanah, you must do something about it. You must send someone with a good sense of humour for his recreation.

I am sure your father will be very happy with you then and shower you with his choicest blessings.”

On seeing the Emperor caught in a dilemma as to whom to send, he suggested Birbal’s name. Akbar also whole heartedly agreed with the barber.

Next day, the Emperor summoned Birbal and said, “Birbal, I firmly believe that you are extremely loyal to me and can sacrifice anything for me. Am I right? ” Birbal instantly replied, “Yes Jahanpanah!

That is absolutely right.”

“Then Birbal, please go to the heaven to give company to my dear father,” said the Emperor. Birbal did not take time to understand that this was another diabolical plan of somebody to get him killed.

He politely said, “I will do so, but I need a few days to prepare myself to go to the heaven.” The Emperor said, “Yes, sure! I grant you one week to prepare yourself to go to the heaven.” Birbal went back to his home and started to think of a suitable plan to save his life and then, a nice idea struck him. He

dug a ditch near his house which would serve as his grave, and thorough that ditch, dug a tunnel that opened in one of the rooms of his house.

Once everything was done, he reported back to the court and said, ” I am ready, His Majesty, but there two conditions.” The Emperor said, “Yes Birbal, it would be my pleasure to fulfill your last wishes.

Tell me, what are your conditions?

Birbal said, “His majesty, I wish to be buried near my house. And I want to be buried alive so that I can reach heaven alive to amuse your dear father.” Akbar readily agreed upon Birbal’s conditions. All the jealous courtiers and the barber were elated to know that soon they will get rid of Birbal.

So, a date was chosen and Birbal was buried alive near his house.

After the burial, Birbal made his way to his house and lived there in confinement for six months.

Meanwhile, he also came to know that the Emperor’s barber had masterminded the plan of getting him killed. After six months, he came out of hiding with a grown beard and shabby hair and presented himself before the Emperor.

Akbar was overjoyed to see Birbal once again. He asked him excitedly, “Birbal, you are back! How is my father? Did he send you back or is there something else?”

Birbal said, “Your Majesty, all is well in the heaven. I was there with your dear father. He was so happy with my services that he gave me special permission to return to earth to entertain his favourite son.” Akbar was very happy to hear this and wanted to know more about his father. He asked Birbal, “Did he send any message for me?”

Birbal said, “Yes Your Majesty, there is not even a single barber in the heaven. You can easily make this out by looking at my grown beard and shabby hair. So, he has asked to send your own barber to him immediately.” Akbar understood everything. He handsomely rewarded Birbal and sentenced his barber to life imprisonment.

18

Austin South Asian | March 2018

Pakistani American Receives Lifetime Achievement Award

By Sumaiya Malik

Pakistani American Austinite Moh-

sin Lari receives Lifetime Achieve-

ment Award from Islamic Society

of North America (ISNA) on February 17, 2018 at at the MSA Deen Incentive at UT Austin Mohsin Lari, founding member of Muslim Community Support Services, has worked to set up a foundation of services that will impact future generations in a good way.

Azhar Azeez, the President of ISNA, presented the Award.

Wajahat Ali, a writer, attorney and consultant and contributing Op-Ed writer at NY Times was the keynote speaker at the event.

Legendary Bollywood Actor Sridevi Passes Away In Dubai, She Was 54 (Continued From Page 01) Bollywood stars, sporting giants and leading politicians have reacted with shock to her death.

process, ending her family’s twoday wait for bringing the body home for cremation.

had given a statement to the Dubai Police on the circumstances surrounding his wife’s death.

The Dubai Prosecution Service has

Kapoor reportedly discovered Sridevi unconscious in the bathtub filled with water in the hotel.

She was taken to a hospital where she was declared brought dead.

A versatile actor, Sridevi made her Bollywood debut in 1978 with “Solva Sawan”.

But it was only after five years with Jeetendra-starrer “Himmatwala” that she gained commercial success.

Her beguiling eyes, scintillating screen presence and acting prowess soon made her one of the most sought-after artistes in the Hindi

She was in Dubai while some of the other family members came back to India.

While some of her family members returned from Dubai after the wedding, Sridevi, Boney and her younger daughter Khushi stayed back.

Her elder daughter Janhvi did not accompany the family due to her shooting schedule.

The Dubai Police have cleared the release of Bollywood icon Sridevi’s body for the embalming

also closed the investigation into the actor’s death.

Apart from Sridevi’s husband Boney Kapoor, her stepson Arjun Kapoor is also in Dubai to oversee the formalities.

Sridevi’s death was announced early on Sunday but the funeral, which will take place in Mumbai, has been delayed for two days pending paper work in Dubai where the actor had gone to attend a family wedding.

Sridevi’s husband Boney Kapoor

film industry.

While films like “Mawaali” (1983), “Tohfa” (1984), “Mr India” (1987) and “Chandni” (1989) kept her at the top in the box-office game, her outings like “Sadma” (1983), “ChaalBaaz” (1989), “Lamhe” (1991), and “Gumrah” (1993) earned her critical acclaim.

She went on a hiatus for 15 years after starring in home production -- “Judaai” -- co-starring her brother-in-law Anil Kapoor and Urmila Matondkar.

It was director Gauri Shinde’s “English Vinglish” in 2012 that marked Sridevi’s comeback.

Her nuanced performance as a middle-class woman, learning to speak English to feel accepted by

her family, won accolades, and the film was also a commercial success.

Last year, she was seen in revenge-drama -- “Mom” -- opposite Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Akshaye Khanna.

She shot for a special appearance in superstar Shah Rukh Khan’s upcoming film -- “Zero” -- which releases in December.

But by the time she made her entry into Bollywood, the actor was a known face in South Indian films.

She made her debut in Tamil films as a child artiste with “Thunaivan” in 1969.

As an adult, she debuted in Tamil cinema in late 70s. She also worked in Malayalam, Telugu and Kannada films.

Besides Boney and Khushi, she is survived by older daughter Janhvi Kapoor, who is currently working towards making her entry into the Hindi cinema.

Sridevi was step-mother to actor Arjun Kapoor and his sister Anshula, who Boney had from late first wife Mona.

Condolences started pouring in on social media as the news of the actor’s death spread.

19

Austin South Asian | March 2018

NCERT Syllabus Will Be Study Reveals Wide Presence Of Water Across Moon’s Surface Cut By Half From 2019 Session: Javadekar

NEW DELHI: In what could come as a relief to school students and free up their time for activities other than academics, HRD minister Prakash Javadekar said on Saturday that the current NCERT school syllabus will be halved from the 2019 session.

In an interview to the state-run Rajya Sabha TV, he said that the workload needs trimming as it is at present more than the undergraduate syllabus for arts and commerce streams.

The reduction in syllabus will be applicable from class I-XII, according to sources.

“At the stage of development of cognitive skills, students need to be given full freedom,” he said.

‘Detention in class will be reintro-

duced’

Examinations and detentions in class will soon be reintroduced and a bill in this regard will be considered in Parliament in the next part of the Budget Session, HRD minister Prakash Javadekar said on Saturday. “Without examination, there is no competition and no target. There must be an element of competition for better outcomes,” he said.

Javadekar also expressed concern over the poor quality of teachers, which he said was resulting in poor learning outcomes. Regarding the New Education Policy, he informed that a report in this regard will be submitted by the end of next month and it would be unveiled soon thereafter after necessary approvals.

The Moon’s water is widely distributed across the surface and is not confined to a particular region or type of terrain, say scientists who studied data from a NASA probe aboard India’s Chandrayaan-1 orbiter.

The water appears to be present day and night, though it is not necessarily easily accessible, they said.

The findings may help understand the origin of the Moon’s water and how easy it would be to use as a resource.

If the Moon has enough water, and if it is reasonably convenient to access, future explorers might be able to use it as drinking water or to convert it into hydrogen and oxygen for rocket fuel or oxygen to breathe.

“We find that it doesn’t matter what time of day or which latitude we look at, the signal indicating water always seems to be present,” said

Andhra Studying Feasibility Of Hyperloop Transportation Facility India’s first Hyperloop transportation facility is likely to be introduced in Andhra Pradesh, connecting Vijayawada with upcoming state capital Amaravati.

The state government is currently studying the feasibility of the project and if introduced, the 40 km distance between the two cities can be covered in just six minutes.

Hyperloop Transportation Technologies chairman and co-founder, Bibop Gresta, told reporters on the sidelines of the ongoing CII Partnership Summit here that the technology has the potential to transform the mass transportation system in the country.

Hyperloop, an idea originally floated by Tesla CEO and SpaceX Founder Elon Musk, involves a futuristic and technology-intensive transportation system that propels a pod-like vehicle through a near-

vacuum tube at nearly 1,100 km per hour.

The Los Angeles-based company “Hyperloop One” announced a proposal in March last year to evaluate construction of five Hyperloop lines in India.

The five proposed lines include Bengaluru to Chennai, Mumbai to Chennai via Bengaluru, Bengaluru to Thiruvananthapuram, Mumbai to Delhi and Mumbai to Kolkata.

If the Hyperloop line is completed, people can travel from Bengaluru to Chennai in 20 minutes. The 1,102 km Mumbai to Chennai via Bengaluru line will cover the distance in 50 minutes.

Gresta claims that their technology is radically different from the existing ones. “Our system uses a combination of renewable energy to generate more electricity than it

consumes.

This ensures affordable cost of construction and maintenance.

The capsule can move at a very high speed consuming very little energy, making the system highly efficient,” he said.

Last year, the AP Economic Development Board (AP-EDB) and USbased Hyperloop Transportation Technologies (HTT) had signed an Mo). The government had announced that it will study the feasibility of the project.

“Once that is done and if the Chief Minister gives us the go-ahead, we will be ready to roll out the project,” Gresta said.He is confident that they can complete the project in four to five years. He believes that Amaravati is the best place to launch the project as it is located on river front and has unique environment. (Courtesy: ANS)

Joshua Bandfield, a senior research scientist with the Space Science Institute in the US. “The presence of water doesn’t appear to depend on the composition of the surface, and the water sticks around,” said Bandfield, lead author of the study published in the journal Nature Geoscience.

The results contradict some earlier studies, which had suggested that more water was detected at the Moon’s polar latitudes and that the strength of the water signal waxes and wanes according to the lunar day (29.5 Earth days).

Some researchers proposed that water molecules can “hop” across the lunar surface until they enter cold traps in the dark reaches of craters near the north and south poles.

In planetary science, a cold trap is a region that’s so cold, the water vapour and other volatiles which come into contact with the surface will remain stable for an extended period of time, perhaps up to several billion years.

The debates continue because of the subtleties of how the detection has been achieved so far.

The main evidence has come from remote-sensing instruments that measured the strength of sunlight reflected off the lunar surface.

When water is present, instruments like these pick up a spectral fingerprint at wavelengths near three micrometres, which lies beyond visible light and in the realm of infrared radiation.

However, the surface of the Moon also can get hot enough to “glow,” or emit its own light, in the infrared region of the spectrum.

information, creating a detailed model from measurements made by the Diviner instrument on NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO).

The team applied this temperature model to data gathered earlier by the Moon Mineralogy Mapper, a visible and infrared spectrometer that NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, provided for the Chandrayaan-1 orbiter.

The finding of widespread and relatively immobile water suggests that it may be present primarily as OH, a more reactive relative of water that is made of one oxygen atom and one hydrogen atom.

OH, also called hydroxyl, doesn’t stay on its own for long, preferring to attack molecules or attach itself chemically to them.

Hydroxyl would therefore have to be extracted from minerals in order to be used.

The research also suggests that any water present on the Moon isn’t loosely attached to the surface.

“By putting some limits on how mobile the water or the OH on the surface is, we can help constrain how much water could reach the cold traps in the polar regions,” said Michael Poston of the Southwest Research Institute in the US. Sorting out what happens on the Moon could also help researchers understand the sources of water and its long-term storage on other rocky bodies throughout the solar system.

The researchers are still discussing what the findings tell them about the source of the Moon’s water.

The challenge is to disentangle this mixture of reflected and emitted light. To tease the two apart, researchers need to have very accurate temperature information.

“Some of these scientific problems are very, very difficult, and it’s only by drawing on multiple resources from different missions that are we able to hone in on an answer,” said LRO project scientist John Keller of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in the US.

Researchers came up with a new way to incorporate temperature

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

20

Austin South Asian | March 2018

Jupiter’s Moon Europa May Host Life Jupiter’s icy moon Europa may host life in an ocean of liquid water hidden under its 10 kilometre-deep ice crust, scientists say.

National Synchrotron Light Laboratory (LNLS).

In the Mponeng gold mine near Johannesburg, South Africa, at a

Researchers from the University of Sao Paulo (USP) in Brazil conducted a theoretical research to evaluate microbial habitability of Europa using data collected from similar environments on the Earth.

“We studied the possible effects of a biologically usable energy source on Europa based on information obtained from an analogous environment on Earth,” said Douglas Galante, a researcher at Brazil’s

depth of 2.8 km, researchers not only found traces of major changes

linked to history of life on Earth, but also a terrestrial context similar to Europa.

It was recently discovered that the bacterium Candidatus Desulforudis audaxviator survives inside the mine without sunlight by means of water radiolysis, the dissociation of water

If Aliens Exist, Here’s What They Most Likely Look Like Movies, TV shows, and video games have helped humanity paint a mental picture of what aliens might look like if we ever run into

them, but most of the time those fictional depictions have little or no scientific backing whatsoever.

Researchers searching for extraterrestrial life don’t necessarily know exactly what they’re looking for, but based on what we’ve learned about humanity’s rise there’s a handful of things nature tells us are required for advancement of a civilization. In the book “The Future of Humanity,” author Michio Kaku attempts to answer the incredibly difficult question of what aliens might look like, and this time it’s not just a guess.

Kaku consulted with exobiology experts and theorists who specialize in hypothetical alien life forms which have developed on far-off

worlds much different from Earth.

Using that accumulated knowledge, Kaku came up with a very basic list of criteria that any intel-

ligence alien race would need to have in order to reach a level similar to humanity. As the New York Post reports, the requirements that Kaku has dreamt up are essentially the same capabilities that scientists believe have allowed humans to progress in the way that we have: Stereo vision – Two eyes capable of focusing on a single object are something we typically associate with predators here on Earth.

Prey animals often have one eye on either side of their head which allows them to spot threats and escape quickly, but that type of ocular setup is poor when it comes to hunting. Kaku suggests that most if not all “intelligent” alien races would have originated as hunters,

rather than the hunted.

Thumbs – Scientists have long believed that evolution which led to opposable thumbs was a huge factor in the rise of primates. A method of grasping objects allows for the making of tools which, it is thought, is one of the very earliest signs of intelligence as we know it.

It makes sense that aliens would have followed a similar path.

Language – This one is a bit tricky because it’s incredibly non-specific. The key here isn’t just the ability to communicate with each other in the moment — many animals have species-wide methods of vocal communication that could be considered language — but also to relay information and pass it down between generations. This allows the accumulation of knowledge over long periods of time and gives new members of a species the chance to expand and “stand on the shoulders” of those who came before them.

These features obviously sound a lot like what we’re all born with, which makes perfect sense. However, within this very basic outline there’s plenty of room for variation. If aliens only need two eyes, a gripping appendage, and some kind of language in order to have caught up with humans, there’s really no telling what form their bodies have actually taken, especially on planets with chemical makeup far different from Earth.

molecules by ionising radiation.

“This very deep subterranean mine has water leaking through cracks that contain radioactive uranium.

The uranium breaks down the water molecules to produce free radicals,” Galante said.

The free radicals attack the surrounding rocks producing sulphate.

The bacteria use the sulphate to synthesise and store energy. This is the first time ecosystem has been found to survive directly on the basis of nuclear energy, Galante said.

According to the researchers, the environment colonised by bacteria in the Mponeng mine is an excellent analogue of the environment assumed to exist at the bottom of Europa’s ocean.

Although the temperature in Europa’s surface is next to absolute zero, there is an enormous amount of thermal energy in its core. Jupiter’s powerful gravitational attraction causes the Europa’s orbit to be extremely elliptical, meaning the latter finds itself either to close or too far from the gas giant.

This makes the icy moon suffer geometrical deformation as it moves at the mercy of Jupiter’s immense tidal force.

The energy released by the alternating states of elongation and relaxation makes Europa’s subsurface capable of hosting an ocean of liquid water. “However, it’s not enough for there to be heated liquid water,” said Galante.

The basis for all biological activity known to Earth are the differences in concentrations of molecules, ions or electrons in distinct regions which produce a flow in a certain direction, allowing the occurrence of cellular respiration, photosynthesis, energy storage and other processes common to living beings.

Researchers evaluated how chemical imbalance in Europa could be initiated through the emanation of water leading to chain reactions between water and chemical elements found in Europa’s crust.

However, a total lack of empirical data prevents scientists from unequivocally presuming any of these events. “That’s why we looked for a more universal physical effect that was highly likely to occur.

That effect was precisely the action of radioactivity,” Galante said.

Celestial bodies in the solar system with rocky cores share the same radioactive materials, ejected in space by the Supernova explosion that originated the Sun and the planets.

Uranium, thorium and potassium are the radioactive elements considered by the research, which estimated the concentrations for these materials in Europa, based on the quantities already observed and measured on Earth, in meteorites and in Mars.

“From these amounts, we were able to estimate the energy released, how this energy interacts with the surrounding water, and the efficiency of the water radiolysis resulting from this interaction in generating free radicals,” Galante said.

According to the study published in the journal Scientific Reports, pyrite is a crucial ingredient whose presence is indispensable for life in Europa. “Traces of pyrite should be looked for as part of any assessment of the habitability of a celestial body,” said Galante.

Chances for finding pyrite in a hypothetical mission to Europa are good, since sulphur (S) and iron (Fe) are elements found in abundance across the solar system.

“The ocean bed on Europa appears to offer very similar conditions to those that existed on primitive Earth during its first billion years.

So studying Europa today is to some extent like looking back at our own planet in the past,” Galante said.

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

21

Austin South Asian | March 2018

March 2018 Community Calendar We have compiled this event listing based on the information available on the web site (where ever possible) of the community/organization as of third Friday. Please check with the organizers to confirm its accuracy. We request all South Asian organizations to email us (info@austinsouthasian.com) their community calendar on or before 20th of every month, for the events happening next month. We will carry listing of all South Asian non-profit organizations in Austin. If the Name, Contact info is not correct or has changed email us (info@ austinsouthasian.com) the changes you want to see. E&OE.

SCHEDULE:

06:30 PM,

March 03, Saturday, 01:00 PM - 08:0 PM,

Isha Foundation organizes Inner Engineering (Yoga & Meditation Workshop) at Holiday Inn Austin Airport, 6711 East Ben White Boulevard, Austin, TX 78744. For more information, contact 512655-9589.

Holi Celebrations 2018 in Austin is at Radha Madhav Dham Temple, 400 Barsana Rd, Austin, TX 78737.

For more information, contact Radha Madhav Dham at 512-2887180.

March 08, Thursday,

March 10. Saturday, 08:00 AM

SURAM Fashions organizes Beyond Bollywood - Movers and Shakers of Austin at Asian American Resource Center - City of Austin. 8401 Cameron Rd Texas Austin, TX 78754.

March 10, Saturday, 07:00 PM, 09:00 PM CST, IAsia House during SXSW is at Austin Central Library, Special Event Center, 710 W. César

World’s Biggest? Railways Starts Hiring 90,000 Workers NEW DELHI: In what is being touted as the world’s biggest recruitment exercise, the railways has kickstarted the process to hire 89,500 employees, including assistant loco pilots, technicians, gang-

by a series of derailments.

The plan to fill entry level vacancies by massive hiring, coupled with trimming of the railway board by half, seems to be Goyal’s strat-

The additional hiring is likely to cost Rs 4,000 crore a year.

Staff expenses have grown from Rs 69,713.22 crore in 2016-17 to Rs 72,705.57 crore in 2017-18. Staff expenditure is pegged at around Rs 76,451.89 crore in 2018-19.

Justifying the move, an official said the recruitment was long overdue as around 40,000-45,000 employees retired every year and the railways could not compromise with safety.

However, the fresh exercise attracted controversy over minimum qualifications and age criteria.

men, switchmen, trackmen, cabinmen, welders, helpers and porters.

egy to “right-size” the railways which is “top-heavy”.

The state-run transporter’s move to provide jobs to around one lakh youth from high school pass students to engineers seems to be aimed at blunting the opposition’s criticism that enough jobs were not being created under the NDA government.

The railways has issued notifications for hiring of around 63,000 jobs in group D category that includes gangmen, trackmen and another for hiring 26,500 personnel as loco pilots and assistant loco pilots.

The decision to fill vacancies in safety-related category is also in sync with railway minister Piyush Goyal’s plan to strengthen safety in train operations which was dented

Around 1.2 lakh positions related to safety are lying vacant and the railways is trying to build its safety infrastructure by hiring more ground-level workforce.

The railways had to relax the minimum qualification for its 62,907 vacancies of trackmen, helpers etc by dropping the requirement of an Industrial Training Institute (ITI) or equivalent certificate.

Chávez St, Austin, TX, 78701. For more information, contact Arisa Mitsunaga at amitsunaga@austinasianchamber.org Last day to RSVP is Friday, March 9 Fees/Admission: $25 per person March 10, Saturday, 08:00 PM, Rockragaanamasti organises Madhosh - Pankaj Udhas Live Music Concert in - Austin, TX at Riverbend Center, 4214 N Capital of Hwy, Austin, TX 78746.

Ticket range:$35 - $150 March 20, Tuesday, 07:30 PM, Free Raja Yoga Meditation Course is at 2511 Echo Wood Place, Round Rock, TX 78681. For more infor-

mation, Contact at 512-592-0065 or austin@bktexas.com. Tis event is sponsored by Brahma Kumaris.

March 24, Saturday, 03:00 PM, Trends USA presents Rang Barse Holi Rain Dance 2018 at Elizabeth Milburn Park & Pool, 1901 Sun Chase Blvd, Cedar Park, TX 78613. For more information, contact 214-394-2381.

Marcch 27, Tuesday, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM CDT, BBasics on Hiring and Terminating is at Asian American Resource Center, Conference Room, 8401 Cameron Road, Austin, TX 78754.

For more information, contact Jean Zou at at jzou@austinasianchamber.org This is a free event and need to register to attend the event.

‘Mini-Tumours’ Created To Battle Cancer

(Continued From Page 10) Mini tumours, also called organoids, are tiny balls of cancer cells grown in the lab.

They can be grown from a tissue sample (biopsy). Scientists take cells from a tumour and place them inside a gel, where they are free to grow as a 3D ball.

Researchers believe that growing the cancer cells in this way can more closely mirror how they behave inside the body.

Now, anyone with a minimum Class X certificate can apply.

They grew mini tumours from biopsies taken from 71 patients with advanced bowel, stomach or bile duct cancer that had spread to other parts of the body.

The railways had also relaxed the age criteria by extending it by two years across all categories.

The researchers tested 55 cancer drugs on the mini tumours, allowing them to compare the results to how each patient’s cancer responded to the treatment they were given.

Mini tumours were more effective at predicting when drugs would be effective than looking for gene faults (mutations) in the cancer cells’ DNA. The study focused on stomach and bowel cancer, but Valeri said that “the technique could be applied to a wide variety of cancer types”.

Organoids have already been grown from a variety of different cancers, including liver, pancreatic and oesophageal.

22

Austin South Asian | March 2018 THEME: MARCH MADNESS

DOWN

ACROSS

1. *Non-profit org.

2. Eon, alternative spelling 3. Queen of Hearts’ pastry 4. Brooke or John Jacob, of New York 5. Tilted 6. Head of family 7. U.N. workers’ grp.

8. Chip dip 9. Shakespeare, e.g.

10. A in A=ab 11. Like a tatting product 12. Banned insecticide 15. Tiny fox with large ears 20. Like utopia 22. Web address 24. Subjects of wills 25. *____ Four 26. Make amends 27. Indiana Jones’ find, e.g.

29. *Team with most titles 31. Samoan money 32. Phantom’s favorite genre?

33. Physically weak 34. *____ Four 36. Illegal kind of lab 38. Urban haze 42. Affair in Paris 45. Dee of “Twisted Sister” 49. Percy Bysshe Shelley’s poem 51. Book storage at a library 54. Furnish with a fund 56. “Bravo! Bravo!”

57. Lush 58. *Top seeds in each NCAA basketball region 59. Type of molding 60. *Advancing action 61. Caffeine tree 62. “Happily ____ after” 63. Multiple choice challenge 64. Recipe amt.

66. ____ Bucket Challenge

1. Nerds 1. Birth-related 6. Post-U.S.S.R. acronym 9. Like white-headed eagle 13. ____ and desist 14. In the manner of, French 15. F, unit of electrical capacity 16. Blood line 17. Neighbor of Ger. 18. Upright 19. *San ____, 2018 Final Four spot 21. *NCAA’s selection day 23. Color of Scare 24. Bring home the bacon 25. ____ cry 28. ____ ex machina 30. ____ ____ the hook 35. Big-ticket ____ 37. Play parts 39. Gulf of Naples resort 40. Flick part 41. Peruvian beast of burden 43. Nonfatty meat, e.g.

44. States of agitated irritation 46. Nucleus plus electrons 47. Montgomery of “Pretty Little Liars” 48. House music 50. Between ids and super-egos 52. 100% 53. Beware of these in March 55. Shoshonean 57. *Winningest NCAA basketball coach 60. *Game tracker 64. Slight amount 65. One of a set of dice 67. Garlic unit 68. Curl one’s lip 69. South American edible tuber 70. Curly-leaf and Plain-leaf ____ 71. Mannequin Challenge state 72. Kind of nurse 73. *Jump ball, e.g.

SUDOKU

Sudoku

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

Name and photo of the inviduvidual with first correct answer will be published in March 2018 issue.

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23

Austin South Asian | March 2018

How Artificial Intelligence Can Help Doctors Automation through Artificial Intelligence (AI) has made the healthcare industry more efficient and sustainable.

Not only it improves the recovery time with no post operative complications in patients but also eases off the work of a surgeon.

AI always has been a boon to the surgeon that helps them with high precision and accuracy which helps in optimizing their performance in no time.

The following are the few latest technologies that have proved to help the doctors: 1. 3D Printing According to CA (Dr) Ruchi Gupta, Founder and CEO, 3hcare.in, an online health portal - “Application of 3D printing has seen a swift rise in the field of medical interventions and diagnosis and the artificial intelligence is transforming the

industry.

The technology helps the surgeon to exactly figure out the anatomy of the organ making it easy for better diagnostics and understanding.

3D objects of any imaginable shape can be printed with very high precision that helps the doctors to analyse even the most complex anatomical models with ease.”

Size of a heart valve varies from person to person which makes it difficult for a surgeon to identify the exact sizing.

In case of pediatric cardiology, where complex heart diseases require accurate anatomical description for better interpretation and correct intervention, this technology helps in producing the exact replica of the heart which is the most complex part to observe otherwise.

Traditional methods may require

re-intervention in some cases, where this model eliminates them and provides shorter cardiopulmonary bypass time, circulatory arrest time and fewer residual lesions.

An operating room with such improvements transforms a quicker recovery and shorter post-operative stay.

Apart from planning and carrying out complex interventions in congenital heart disease, coronary artery disease, and surgical and catheter-based structural disease, this has numerous applications in various fields of medical science.

Usually this method is popular in planning of heart operation, spine and other orthopedic procedure.

Any organ or tissue can be made in nearly any imaginable geometry through the translation of x-ray, MRI, or CT scans.

2. Robotic O-Arm

Dr Vipul Gupta, Director, Agrim Institute of Neurosciences, Artemis Hospital, said, “The O-Arm is a progressive and an innovative surgical imaging system to allow the surgeons to perform minimally invasive spine surgeries with greater precision, accuracy and most importantly safety.

This resembles an imaging system that acts just like a GPS to help the surgeon guide his way during the surgery for accuracy and precision.

‘O’-Arm also known as 360 degree Robotic arm is the latest technological advancement which is revolutionizing in the field of neurosurgery.”

The imaging system is linked to a computer navigation allowing the surgeons to visualize the complete spinal structure in real time.

O - Arm is a boon for the surgeons to plan, implement and confirm the success of the surgery as soon as

the patient even leaves the operating room.

The robotic system has the potential to eliminate tissue and muscle disruption, blood loss during the surgery and post operative deformities that makes it safer for the patients with better outcome and recovery.

Moreover the setup being completely mobile can be moved to any desired location within no time, making it useful for parallel interventions as well.

A surgeon’s access to the patient is increased with optimal positioning and workflow. Also the high power magnification helps in capturing the most complex anatomy of the spinal bones and nerves for better visualization and intervention which is essential for safe and effective performance of a surgeon.”

(Continued On Page 24)

Austin South Asian Invites Contributions From Readers And Community February 2018 Sudoku Answer Mr. Yudhveer Bagga

Ms. Prema Raghavan

Ms.Riya chauha

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Austin South Asian | March 2018

How Artificial Intelligence Can Help Doctors

(Continued From Page 23) 3. CyberKnife

vance, thereby leaving the radiation oncologist with enough time to design and finalize a customized treatment plan.”

Dr Aditya Gupta, who is aneurosurgeon, cyberknife at Artemis Hospital said, “CyberKnife radiation surgery is one of the most advanced & non invasive therapy available for treating benign as well as malignant tumours with the use of precise beams of high-dose radiation.

4. Neuronavigation -GPS in Brain

It is a painless day-care treatment where the patients are discharged soon after the session gets over and hence eliminating the need for hospitalisation.

There is no need to shave the head bald and only a small incision need to be made to remove the tumour. Post surgical disfigurement is also avoided.

The treatment uses a sophisticated image guidance system to beam high doses of radia-

It helps create an accurate image of the brain, in order to remove brain tumour and other

According to Dr Sumit Singh, Director - Neurology, Artemis-Agrim institute of Neurosciences, “Neuronavigation technology’ acts like a GPS inside the brain to locate tumour accurately.

gery and precisely track the location of their surgical instruments in relation to the anatomy - even accommodating for the brain shift that occurs during surgery.

Using technologies during procedures like tumour resections, surgeons can navigate more precisely, perform less-invasive procedures, and help improve clinical outcomes.

Neuronavigation is recognized as the next evolutionary step of stereotactic surgery.

scribing a proposed coordinate system for the space within a closed structure, e.g., the skull.

This “fiducial spatial coordinate system” uses fiducial markers as a reference to describe with high accuracy the position of specific structures within this arbitrarily defined space.

The surgeon then refers to that data to target particular structures within the brain.

In its infancy the purpose of this technology was to create a mathematical model de-

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tion directly to your tumour.

It is most useful in cases which are hard to access especially in the brain or lungs.”

M6 Cyberknife is highly precise equipment that not only diagnoses but also treats any kind of tumour in no time.

It further prevents the cancerous cells from multiplying. The main aim of the therapy is to preserve the healthy cells and at the same time to only target the harmful ones.

CyberKnife is a non-invasive, real-time motion tracking technology for accurate delivery of high-dose radiation therapy.

abnormalities directly, safely, and effectively during the surgery.

It reduces the need for the patient to undergo a second surgery and also reduces the risk of surgical complication.”

When this technology is used in combination with neuro-navigation system, that navigate the brain during the surgery, without damaging the vital areas of the brain.

This technology is similar to GPS and tracks and shows the exact area of tumour that helps the surgeons to make the exact cut, and eliminating the need to completely shave the head.

Instead of a bulky head frame, CyberKnife patients are provided with a soft, mesh mask during the treatment.

Neuronavigation has become an omnipresent tool in the surgical management of brain tumours.

Moreover, treatment with CyberKnife is flexible; imaging is performed few days in ad-

These systems enable surgeons to visualize the anatomy of a patient’s brain during sur-

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Austin South Asian | March 2018

RECIPE OF THE MONTH Stuffed Eggplants

By Bharathi Bande

Ingredients:

Small eggplants 6 to 8 1 onion chopped lengthwise 2-3 garlic pods Marble sized Tamarind Few curry leaves 1 teaspoon mustard seeds 1 teaspoon jeera

leaves for farnish 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder

Wash dry and split eggplants crosswise.

Method:

Don’t cut the eggplants completely (Retain step side.

For stuffing: 4 tablespoons coarsely ground peanut powder 1 tablespoon shredded coconut 2 tablespoon finely chopped onion Chillipowder to taste Salt to taste 1 teaspoon Garamond masala Few coriander(cilantro)

Allow it to splutter add curry leaves, onions, chopped garlic and turmeric.

Fry for 2 to 3 minutes.

Leave the slices attached). Soak and extract the juice from the tamarind.

Add stuffed eggplants and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes.

Add leftover stuffing, cilantro and one cup water to the pan (Adjust water level as needed for more gravy).

Mix all the ingredients under stuffing and fill the eggplants.

Cover pan and cook until the eggplants are soft, adjust salt chilli powder as per your taste.

Heat oil in a pan add mustard seeds and jeera.

Enjoy with Rice/Jawar/Bajra rotti or rice or chapati

Garnish with cilantro.

Stem Cells May Help To Stay Strong In Old Age The mutations occur during natural cell division, and the regions that

function declines. So, according to the researchers, this discovery may

are protected are those that are important for the function or survival of the cells.

result in new medication to build stronger muscles even when in old age.

Nonetheless, the researchers were able to identify that this protection declines with age.

For the study, published in the journal Nature Communications, researchers investigated the number of mutations that accumulate in the muscle’s stem cells (satellite cells).

Researchers have found how an unexpectedly high number of mutations in the stem cells of muscles impair cell regeneration.

As we grow older, our muscular

“What is most surprising is the high number of mutations. We have seen how a healthy 70-year-

old has accumulated more than 1,000 mutations in each stem cell in the muscle, and that these mutations are not random but there are certain regions that are better protected,” said co-author Maria Eriksson, professor at Sweden’s Karolinska Institutet.

The mutations occur during natural cell division, and the regions that are protected are those that are important for the function or survival of the cells.

Nonetheless, the researchers were able to identify that this protection declines with age.

“We can demonstrate that this protection diminishes the older you become, indicating an impairment in the cell’s capacity to repair their DNA. And this is something we should be able to influence with new drugs,” said Eriksson.

The study was performed using single stem cells cultivated to provide sufficient DNA for whole genome sequencing.

“We achieved this in the skeletal muscle tissue, which is absolutely unique.

We have also found that there is very little overlap of mutations, despite the cells being located close to each other, representing an extremely complex mutational burden,” the researcher noted.

(Courtesy: http://indianexpress. com)

CHILDREN ARTICLES

Children Email Us Your Articles info@Austin SouthAsian.com

26

Austin South Asian | March 2018

Don’t Think Padmaavat Is The End Of Protests, It Is Just The Beginning

Padmaavat has crossed Rs 270 crore at the Indian box office and director Sanjay Leela Bhansali, who has turned a year older today, feels more vindicated than elated.

maker.

Sure enough, there are protests

(Gujarat and Rajasthan) where the film is not showing, decide to release our film. My films have al-

“What better gift can I expect than this wholehearted acceptance of my film?

There were threats and risks of violence and yet families all across the country went to see Padmaavat.

It gives me feeling of tremendous gratitude.”

What are the takeaways for the director from the experience of making Padmaavat?

Today, when I see the swelling crowds for ‘Padmaavat’ my heart swells in pride.

“That making cinema that you believe in is becoming increasingly difficult.

Yes, it has been a tough journey.

But finally (it was) all worth it,” he said.

Children Email Us Your Articles To See It In Print

It is baffling why the situation was allowed to get out of hand in the first place.

“I don’t think ‘Padmaavat’ is the end of it (the protests). This is just the beginning,” added the film-

That these difficulties only make me more determined to do exactly what I want to do, no matter what the price.

CHILDREN ARTICLES

“I’ve been through so much during the past year, I am numbed.

I can only thank the audience for going to see my film in spite of the threats,” said Bhansali, whose one big fear is that the fringe elements will target other films.

which honours a community, would be attacked by members of the same community?” wondered Bhansali.

brewing against another historical drama, Manikarnika, in another part of India, while Padmaavat remains banned in three states — Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. “We’re very happy with the film’s success.

We’d be happier if the two states

ways had a tremendous response in these two states.

I feel helpless and sad about the film being held back in Gujarat and Rajasthan.

“It’s all destiny, I suppose. Who would’ve thought that my film,

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Austin South Asian | March 2018

Aamir Khan On Secret Superstar Success In China: Indian Stories Touch Their Hearts

Aamir Khan hosted the Secret Superstar success bash night in Mumbai.

Along with Aamir, Kiran Rao, Zaira Wasim,

The Zaira Wasim starrer hit the right chord and viewers all over the world received the film warmly.

Fatima Sana Sheikh, Sanya Malhotra, Advait Chandan and other members of the film’s crew were in attendance.

Commenti n g on the massive success of the film not o n l y in India but also in China, Aamir Khan said, “Some of my films have released in China and I have realised their emotional ‘surr’ (tone) is very similar to ours. Indian stories touch their

hearts.

sThe film will be completed in March end. My look is still kept under wraps. Of course, I am Because our cultures are similar, I feel when wearing the earrings and the nose ring, but my we watch their films too, we will like them.” hair is quite long in the film and that will be out with the poster.”

At the success bash of Secret Superstar, Aamir also spilled the beans on his upcom- Thugs of Hindostan is an upcoming actioning film Thugs Of Hindostan, and his look adventure film and stars Amitabh Bachchan, in the film.

Katrina Kaif and Fatima Sana Sheikh along He said, “I am going abroad for a few days. with Aamir Khan. The film is scheduled to reWe will resume shooting once I am back. lease on November 7, 2018.

Our climax will be shot in Rajasthan.

(Courtesy: Indianexpress.com)

Makers Of Rs 500 Crore Ramayana Film Sign MoU With UP Government One of the producers of a planned Rs 500 film on the Ramayana, Madhu Mantena, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Uttar Pradesh government’s cinema arm Film Bandhu.

inspired to make the film by the life and work of Anand Pai of Amar Chitra Katha.

Pai popularised mythological stories through his Amar Chitra Katha stories.

The MoU was sealed at the UP Investors Summit 2018, today, according to a statement by the producer Madhu Mantena.

Mantena, who has produced Ghajini, India’s first 100 cr film, said the new project is an effort to retell Indian mythology to all generations in all its audio visual glory with the help of the latest technology and visual effects.

Billed as India’s most expensive film, the project is also backed by Allu Aravind and Namit Malhotra besides Mantena. Awanish Kumar Awasthi, principle secretary (information department) and chairman of Film Bandhu, announced that they will fully support the efforts of making Ramayana in Uttar Pradesh, the statement said.

Speaking at the event, Mantena said he was

The film will be shot in 3D and will be released as a three part series.

The film which will be shot in Uttar Pradesh will release in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu.

(Courtesy: http://indianexpress.com)

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Austin South Asian | March 2018