Austin South Asian. December. 2018

Monthly Community Paper | www.austinsouthasian.com | 512-828-6709 | Vol. 11 No. 12

Christmas New Year Resolution

Christmas is an annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, observed primarily on December 25 as a religious and cultural celebration among billions of

people around the world.

A feast central to the Christian liturgical year, it is preceded by

the season of Advent or the Nativity Fast and initiates the season of Christmastide, which historically in the West lasts twelve days and culminates on Twelfth Night; in

some traditions, Christmastide includes an octave.

(Continued On Page 18)

Diwali

By Padmasree.

The school itself is a global village,

Laurel Mountain Elementary (LME), is a wonderful public school, with students from different cultural backgrounds located in the Great Hills, as part of RRISD.

with significant number of families celebrating festival of lights, Diwali, a group of about 40 families, took this celebration a bit further to their children’s school.

(Continued On Page 11)

inside

December 2018

PlasticPollution In Ocean4 Classroom Learning......05 Arun’s Scribblings.........06 Holiday Hostess Gifts.....07 Create A Holiday..........07 3 Easy Ways To Simplify.8 Protect Your Family.......08 3 Festive Outfit Ideas...09 Make A Difference........10

Chances are, if you’re contemplating a New Year’s resolution, shedding those extra pounds is at the top of your list, according to a

Marist Poll.

But the best time to make a weight loss commitment is sooner rather than later,(Continued On Page 9)

Weight Loss

For many, weight loss is a constant struggle, full of frustration, fad diets and forgotten workout DVDs. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

New research reveals a critical element that can make all the difference

between an ongoing health struggle and successfully shedding excess weight -- and keeping it off long-term. The secret? Don’t fly solo when it comes to trying to lose weight. (Continued on page

January 2019 Tax Special 512-828-6709

Stretch Your Holiday.....10 Avoid The Naughty List Don’t Let The Holidays.11 Maliks Page....12,13,14,15 Kids Holiday Gift Ideas.15 Childrens Page....17,21,22 Make Your Empty Nest An Empowering Chapter....18 Protect Investment.......19 Take Advantage Of Scholarship Month...............19 Plastic Pollution............20 Community Calendar....21 Sruthi - Harvard Student Body President.............21 Apple Launches............23 Infosys To Open Hub In Texas And Hire.............25 Entertainment.........26,27

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Austin South Asian | December 2018

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ALL NEW 2018

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Austin South Asian | December 2018

Give the gift of Life Insurance this Holiday Season There is NO greater gift than protecting your family!

Call me today - let me help you find the right gift for your loved ones.

Annuities College Planning Travel Insurance Life Insurance Retirement Planning Critical Illness Long Term Care Disability Income

Varsha Grogan FLMI Independent Life Insurance Agent Office (512) 989-2223 Cell (512) 569-2032 Email: vgrogan@gain1776.com

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Austin South Asian | December 2018

Is Your Dinner Contributing To Plastic Pollution In The Ocean?

Did you know that the choices your local grocery store makes can have a global impact on the environment?

From the types and brands of seafood sold to the way foods are packaged and carried out of the store, oceans worldwide are affected by the operations of grocers near you.

“It’s time to put the same energy into tackling the unaddressed issues facing seafood workers and our oceans,” says Greenpeace oceans campaigner David Pinsky.

Supermarkets can use their brands, buying power and influence to do what is right for our oceans and for future generations.”

According to the report, none of the retailers profiled currently have a comprehensive policy to reduce and ultimately phase out their reliance on single-use plastics.

As a customer, you can make a difference by carrying your own tote bag on shopping trips and by asking your local supermarket what steps are being taken to reduce plastic use.

Fortunately, supermarkets across the country have made significant progress over the last 10 years when it comes to providing sustainable seafood options to customers, according to a new Greenpeace report, “Carting Away the Oceans.”

Consumers can also show their support for brands doing the right thing by shopping only for seafood that’s produced sustainably and ethically.

From advocacy and transparency initiatives to addressing illegal fishing, many major retailers nationwide are improving.

To learn more, visit greenpeace.org/usa/carting-away-the-oceans.

Overall, 90 percent of the retailers profiled in the report received passing scores, 10 years after every single retailer failed Greenpeace’s first assessment.

However, experts say that the momentum of this positive trend should be applied to other areas of sustainability, too.

and seafood supply chains are increasing.

The next time you shop for groceries, take note of both the foods you are buying and the way items are packaged.

“It’s not truly sustainable seafood if it’s produced by forced labor and then wrapped in throwaway plastic packaging.

As Greenpeace points out, the equivalent of a garbage truck of plastic enters oceans every minute, and with plastic production set to double in the next 20 years -- largely for packaging -- threats to ocean biodiversity

Experts say that when you eat seafood from ethical, sustainable producers and limit single-use plastic packaging, oceans worldwide will benefit.

(StatePoint)

5 Tips To Soothe A Fussy Baby

Braces & Invisalign

If you’ve ever gone to great lengths to sooth a fussy baby, you may feel like you’ve tried every trick in the book.

Keep in mind, some of the most effective methods to get a baby to relax, stop crying and get some sleep, are the safest and the simplest.

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A “shhh” mimics the sounds of a cozy, comfy womb, which can have a calming effect on fussy babies.

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Try this simple tip in a rocking chair.

As most new parents learn quickly, this can be one of the most challenging aspects of caring for a little one.

• Togetherness.

(Continued On Page 21)

5

How To Supplement Classroom Learning At Home

While school provides children with a wealth of knowledge, parents are often looking for ways to support a wider range of development at home.

can engage with real books, games, stories, learn-to-read activities, creative challenges, problem-solving puzzles, math mazes and more.

Consider the following ideas to engage children outside the classroom.

Most activities feature two levels of difficulty so that kids can play and learn at the right level and move up when they’re ready.

After-School Activities From soccer teams to science clubs to pottery class, enrolling your children in a range of after-school activities can help you iden-

tify where their talents and interests lie.

It’s also a great opportunity for kids to learn new things, build new skills and foster friendships in a less formal setting than the classroom.

Check your community and school listings for opportunities, and then talk to your child about trying something brand new.

Interactive Technology

A library of compatible content covers over 50 key skills and more than 400 activities.

Historical Figure Day

Combine artistic creativity with educational facts and host a historical figure day.

Invite your children and their friends to role play by creating costumes and dressing up as their favorite characters from the past.

They can each take turns sharing interesting facts about their chosen figure.

This is a great opportunity for kids to delve deeper into a subject of interest to them.

Kids love technology, so use that to your advantage to get them excited about learning.

Featuring a curriculum designed by a team of educational experts, LeapStart 3D is a device for kids that can help them explore reading, counting, problem solving, creative thinking and more through fun activities with 3D-like animations that can be played again and again.

Because the theme is so open-ended, kids will enjoy the opportunity to select what they spend time learning.

With this tool from LeapFrog, kids ages 2-7

(StatePoint)

By supplementing your child’s classroom learning at home and after school, you can make education more fun and engaging, helping your child meet important milestones.

To Advertise In ASA 512-828-6709

Austin South Asian | December 2018

6

Austin South Asian | December 2018

Eshoo, Lofgren Introduce Legislation To Protect Work Authorization For Highly Skilled Immigrants WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today Representatives Anna G. Eshoo (CA-18) and Zoe Lofgren (CA-19) introduced the H-4 Employment Protection Act, legislation prohibiting the Trump Administration from revoking an Obama-era rule that extends work authorization to the spouses of H-1B visa holders, including thousands of immigrants in Silicon Valley.

The current Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regulations allow certain H-4 dependent spouses of H-1B visa holders who are stuck in green card backlogs to obtain employment authorization, allowing them to pursue their own professional goals and contribute to the U.S. economy.

Many H-4 visa holders are highly skilled professionals, and DHS extended eligibility for employment

authorization to them in recognition of their potential economic contribution, as well as the economic hardship facing the families of many H1-B workers waiting for their green cards—particularly those who cannot live in high-cost areas on a single income.

both economic fairness and family unity,” Rep. Eshoo said. “Eliminating this benefit would create a painful choice for many immigrants to either split up their families or return to their home countries and use their talents to compete against American businesses.”

Since the rule was implemented, over 100,000 workers, mainly women, have received employment authorization, improving U.S. competitiveness lessening the economic burden on thousands of H-1B workers and their families.

“These are American citizens-inwaiting, stuck in line for their number to come up,” Rep. Lofgren said.

“The Trump Administration believes they should sit on their hands and do nothing, even though many are accomplished, qualified, and highly-skilled.

The H-4 Employment Protection Act prohibits the Trump Administration from revoking this important rule, which it is expected to do by the end of the year.

“Protecting work authorization for these H-4 visa holders is a matter of

Prohibiting H-1b dependent spouses from working is of no benefit to our country, and if allowed to move forward, many of these families that can contribute so much to our workforce will simply move to countries with a more sensible ap-

proach to immigration. This much needed bill will block the Trump Administration from needlessly harming our economy and the lives of skilled immigrant families.”

gress in writing to DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, urging her to reconsider DHS’s proposal to revoke eligibility for employment authorization to H-4 dependent spouses.

In March 2018, Reps. Eshoo and Lofgren led 13 Members of Con-

(Courtesy: gov/

https://eshoo.house.

Scribblings By Arun STILL A PUZZLE

In the vast Galaxy of stars, Placed our bright star-the burning sun, Like a grain of sand in desert.

Among the group of planets nine, Going non-stop around the sun, Our earth on which we dwell that float.

Gifted with such great creations, Let’s live and let live, be humane, Benign to preserve this intact.

Elsewhere might exist more marvels, Linger beyond our cognition, Who created? Still a puzzle! (arunsunderraj@gmail.com)

Holiday Hostess Gifts That Inspire Comfort This year, rethink that bottle of wine and instead, give the gift of getting cozy and slowing down to truly enjoy everyday moments.

guests arrive.

hostess.

Sheepskins have been bringing warmth and coziness into homes

In addition to sharing holiday cheer, guests’ personal celebrations

Tap into glowing candlelight, cozy textiles, and celebrating simple pleasures when shopping for friends and family.

In other words, give the gift of hygge. Pronounced “hoo-ga,” this Danish way of life embraces a feeling of cozy contentment.

Sip and Savor

Cozy Textiles

For example, a chunky throw adds warmth to a couch or the foot of a bed, while a Turkish hand towel is a fresh addition to any bathroom or kitchen for everyday use or when

Cannabolish comes in chic packaging that can attractively hold court in a guestroom or on the hall table for in-home odor control while guests are visiting.

Developed by OMI Industries -the world’s authority on odor control – both the spray and candles are designed to naturally eliminate the toughest household odors, including tobacco and cannabis smoke, delivering discreet confidence to those in legal cannabis markets.

Here is a collection of gift ideas that will inspire those moments during winter, a hygge-high season, and all year long.

Textiles are hygge in the way that they keep us warm, conjure up memories, and make everyday life more beautiful.

The candles give the gift of glow while clearing away any leftover party odors.

Give a set of tea, a handcrafted for generations with their soft textures and natural beauty.

can sometimes leave behind a distinct smell.

Glow and Scent

Made with essential oils and sourced from natural ingredients, consider a Cannabolish gift set that includes a candle and room sprays.

Lighting and fresh scents are key elements of hygge, and candles are the perfect gift for any holiday

mug, and a book on hygge, such as “The Year of Living Danishly,” by Helen Russell, to be read over the winter.

Share teas that can be experienced throughout the day, such as a midafternoon pause or a calming toast before bedtime.

Be Present Finally, one of the most memorable gifts to give is to turn off the electronics, slow down, and be present in the small everyday moments when spending time with family and friends over the holidays. The best part? This gift fits any budget.

(StatePoint)

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Austin South Asian | December 2018

How To Create A Holiday Atmosphere At Home

Creating festive cheer at home for the holidays is easy and fun. Here are some great ways to transform your space into a winter wonderland.

home theater experience.

Select a portable projector for the holiday season that will sense ambient light in the room and au-

are lightweight and portable, combining a laser and LED light source to create a high-brightness mercury-free projector that uses half the amount of power per unit than its

• Get cozy: During the chilly holiday season, decorate with comfort in mind.

Light the fireplace. Add throw pillows to sofas.

• Screen festive flicks:

With the right projector, you can turn any room of the house into a

One of the best ways to create a holiday atmosphere is with scent, and the aroma of baking cookies, cakes and other holiday desserts will do the trick.

If you’re worried about having all those extra sweet treats around the house just before kicking off your New Year’s resolutions, consider volunteering to bring dessert to potluck and parties you attend this season or donating the product of your labors to a holiday bake sale raising money for a charitable cause.

Turn off overhead lamps and use soft lighting instead. Consider how texture and warmth can contribute to your holiday decorating scheme.

From “It’s a Wonderful Life to “Home Alone,” keep your favorite holiday films playing all the time to create a festive holiday atmosphere, or host a special movie night and select a few classics.

out some dough.

• Make music:

tomatically adjust the projection accordingly, so you won’t need to blow out candles or unplug holiday lights.

traditional lamp-based counterparts.

Those from Casio’s SLIM Series

There’s no better time of year to roll up your sleeves and knead

• Fire up the oven:

Get the holiday cheer going in your home by making music. Now you can get the sound of a 9-foot concert grand piano with the Privia PX-160, a portable digital piano, making it easy to gather round for a sing-a-long of all your favorite seasonal tunes in any room of the house.

Its 88-key Tri-Sensor Scaled Hammer Action keyboard simulates ebony and ivory-textured keys and its speaker system opens to the front but is also ported to the back, to deliver a big projected sound to all your holiday celebrants.

• Add some flora: Holly, poinsettias, mistletoe -decking the halls with traditional holiday plants adds color and vitality to side tables, mantels, dining areas and staircases and more.

Those with pets and small children should take heed, as certain plant species are toxic -- so avoid these plants or be sure they are displayed well out of reach of curious children and animals.

Preparing your home for the holiday season takes a little thought and energy, but the end result is a cheerful and warm atmosphere to make memories while spending time with loved ones.

(StatePoint)

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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.

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Austin South Asian | December 2018

3 Easy Ways To Simplify Your Holidays

It can be easy to feel overwhelmed by the busyness of the holiday season -- from perfecting your home décor to searching for gifts for everyone on your list to creating a delicious holiday menu.

ing will capture the scents of the season. Small touches like a table runner or a floral centerpiece can also make your home feel like the perfect holiday escape during this busy season.

To help simplify the holidays, Dollar General is offering easy tips, so you can spend more time enjoying the most magical time of the year.

Holiday Meal Prep

Deck the Halls Get festive this season by creating a holiday wonderland in your home. Pick a color theme like red and green or blue and silver -whatever best fits your taste.

Carry the theme throughout your home as you decorate the tree, holiday table, mantle and gifts.

Consider adding a wreath to greet guests as soon as they arrive, as well as candles.

With varieties like salted caramel and amber spice, those from Dollar General’s private brand trueliv-

to exchange presents in celebration of the season.

treat everyone on your list without breaking the bank.

If you’re worried about finding something affordable for everyone, consider shopping at a discount retailer, like Dollar General.

Plus, they are offering an instant 25 percent savings on any qualifying toy purchase of $75 or more through December 24, 2018.

Cooking for a big crew can certainly be stressful. This year, use digital recipes to help you plan for the big event. Holiday sweets are always a favorite, so consider gifting your favorite desserts.

The holidays are the perfect time to gather with friends and loved ones

Don’t forget the giftwrap! Get creative with your gift trimmings by choosing a unique theme for each person on your list.

With so many wrapping paper, gift bag and ribbon options, you can make every gift as special as the person receiving it.

This season, keep your sights on the essentials.

If you plan to spend a lot of time prepping for a big holiday party or just a special dinner for your family, don’t forget the snacks to tide everyone over as you await the main course. For snacking you can feel great about, consider wholesome choices like roasted almonds or granola with less sugar.

Gift-Giving

cally receive a digital coupon for $1 off their first purchase of $1.01 or more.

Simplify your shopping by creating a signature theme for home décor, finding deals on gifts for everyone on your list, and baking up something easy and delicious for the whole crew.

With deals throughout the store on picture frames, books, candles, coffee mugs and more, you can

By downloading the store’s app, you can access DG Digital coupons. New customers automati-

Plan ahead this year and enjoy the extra time celebrating the season with friends and family.

(StatePoint)

This Holiday Season: Protect Your Family By Recycling Old Batteries The holiday season can be just the motivation you need to finally declutter your junk drawers, closets, attic and basement in time for friends and family to visit.

If these areas of your home contain used rechargeable batteries, you’re in good company.

One in five consumers store some or all of their used batteries from the past year, according to a recent Nielsen study conducted on behalf of Call2Recycle.

Whether it’s electronics packed away in the attic or boxed toys in the basement, old batteries are everywhere.

As part of your de-cluttering efforts this holiday season, experts say it’s worthwhile to take the time to gather used batteries and properly recycle them.

Recycling used batteries is not only good for the environment, but it also can play an important role in

keeping families safe this holiday season.

Unfortunately, even batteries that appear dead can contain a residual charge, which could lead to a spark.

“Along with the thanks we give during the holiday season comes responsibility for the gifts we send and receive,” says Carl Smith, CEO and president of Call2Recycle, Inc. “This includes safely recycling batteries found in many technology products.”

From old power tools to cordless telephones, cameras, e-readers, tablets and cellphones, many people don’t know what to do when batteries no longer hold a charge.

Indeed, more than half of individuals throwing away battery-operated electronic devices leave the battery attached. This is a dangerous act, especially if the batteries are

Lithium-based.

When hauling your holiday decorations out of storage, check to make sure that there aren’t any forgotten batteries hiding under cherished mementos.

To safely and easily recycle the batteries you find, Call2Recycle suggests the following steps: 1. Tape: Protect the ends/terminals with non-conductive electrical, duct or clear packing tape.

2. Bag: Store the taped batteries in a clear plastic bag that closes.

3. Drop: Recycle your rechargeable batteries at a convenient Call2Recycle drop-off location including retail partners Lowe’s, The Home Depot or Staples.

It’s an easy errand to complete while doing your holiday shopping.

Eighty-six percent of the U.S. population lives within 10 miles of a Call2Recycle drop-off location.

More information on battery recycling and battery safety can be found by visiting call2recycle.org.

For a safe and happy holiday season, take the step of recycling your used batteries.

It’s a simple way to prepare your home, make a positive impact on the environment and keep the people and property you love safe.

(StatePoint)

9

Austin South Asian | December 2018

3 Festive Outfit Ideas For The Holiday Party Season

Hitting the holiday party circuit is the perfect excuse to give those casual clothes and athleisure a night off and dress up in eye-catching, festive attire.

• A closed toed pump with a 3-inch heel adorned with glitter can be spectacularly paired with a high

• Combine a solid-colored sheath and shimmery pumps with elegant statement jewelry to complete the

An amazing pair of shoes can be one of the best conversation starters at an upcoming winter celebration, according to Nichole Duck, buyer for shoe retailer Off Broadway Shoe Warehouse. From glimmering and glittery shoes to footwear featuring glamorous metallic tones, she is providing the top trends that are sure to perfect your holiday party look.

Ideas to try:

“Because metallic tones accentuate a broad range of color palettes, they serve as a neutral accessory for a favorite holiday outfit,” says Duck.

• Match a little black dress with a pair of pumps in a bold shade of red. This striking color also enhances luxurious accessories made of velvet, satin or even tulle.

Ideas to try:

• Pair classic black stilettos with a red cashmere sweater and jeans for a casual, yet elegant style.

• Pair a bell-sleeve top and leather leggings with metallic heels. A hint of ruffle detail will add texture and tone to bejeweled footwear.

• A pointed pump in silver or gold combines nicely with a pencil skirt featuring a statement silhouette.

Glam it up with Glitter

Go Red

Shoes featuring glitter accents promise just the right amount of sparkle and shine.

Ideas to try:

Try Metal Tones

fashion slip dress and smoky eye.

look.

While red is traditionally safe for any holiday party, this year’s “it” color is a full-bodied and vibrant shade.

With more than 80 locations from coast to coast, Off Broadway Shoe Warehouse offers many selections of high fashion styles from top designer and name brands that can be worn for an upcoming holiday party. Visit offbroadwayshoes.com for more information.

This holiday season, look your best at celebrations. Set the tone with the right pair of shoes.

(StatePoint)

4 Reasons To Start Your New Year’s Resolution Early (Continued from page 1) according to Dr. Pamela Peeke, chair of the Jenny Craig Science Advisory Board, who is sharing four good reasons to make a preNew Year’s resolution.

Here are her insights to consider,

loss resolution.

1: You’ll Love Your Holiday Photos.

Whether work party snapshots or the chronicling of special moments spent with family and friends, the holidays are loaded with photo ops.

ing pictures taken of themselves because they weren’t happy with their weight,” says Carrie Elkins, division manager for Jenny Craig Anywhere.

By making a commitment now, you can feel healthier and more confident during the holidays -and have the photos to remember those moments.

2: You’ll Be More Proactive and Procrastinate Less. Let’s face it: If you know you want to lose weight but are waiting until January to start, you may just be delaying the inevitable.

and, if you add the help of Jenny Craig’s Rapid Results, you can lose up to 16 pounds in the first four weeks (average weight loss was 11.6 pounds for those who completed the studies), making it a great way to start an early weight

But how often have you avoided pictures because you didn’t feel good about being in front of the camera?

“A common refrain we hear from members is that they avoided hav-

Waiting can set you up for procrastination, and procrastination can actually be harmful, according to the Association for Psychological Science, causing people higher levels of stress and lower well-being.

Resolve to start losing weight now before the holiday madness begins and while you have the drive.

“Motivation is key when it comes to preparing the psyche for any important behavior change,” says

Peeke.

3. Starting Now Means a Different Resolution in January.

Beginning your weight loss journey now can give you the confidence to tackle a different resolution in January.

So, make a new New Year’s resolution!

Use the motivation gained by following through on your weight loss goal to fuel your next challenge.

4. The Time is Right.

For many Americans, the holiday season starts with Halloween.

That’s three months of potential overindulgence.

In fact, the average American starts to gain weight around Thanksgiving, with weight gain peaking around the December holidays or the New Year and it can take up to five months to lose it, according to Cornell University’s Food & Brand Lab. If you can adopt healthy habits before the holidays, you may just counteract these effects to gain less or even maintain your weight during the holidays.

So instead of waiting until 2019 to start making changes, get a head start on your resolution and your journey to better health.

(StatePoint)

Austin South Asian Invites Contributions From Readers And Community

10

Make A Difference How Not To Lose Kitchen Containers

During the holiday season celebration is the key. We exchange sweets, snacks, food and also there is always lot of pot luck lunches or dinners both we arrange or get invited to attend and so there is lot of Tupperware that is sent out with leftover food.

Have you ever wondered that all the Tupperware that is in your house may not belong to you and you have no idea from where you got it? This has been the case for me for several years.

I have containers which are missing from my home and have no idea to whom I have given.

Also I have all types of containers like Tupperware, French white and chinaware which I am sure that I did not buy but somehow mysteriously has found a place in my cabinet.

Till recently whenever I get a container I do make it a point to hide them on the top shelves after clean-

Austin South Asian | December 2018

How To Stretch Your Holiday Budget By Saving On Mobile Devices With this year’s holiday spending expected to rise over last year,

Conti, senior director of eCommerce at MyWit. “In today’s mar-

ing so that it would not be used by me and as the days go by I forget to whom I need to return and thus it stays forever in my cabinets.

Whenever my friends come over I do ask them and rarely does anyone has said it is theirs and taken it with them.

So I started thinking how do I identify and return the containers?

Then it struck me that after cleaning and drying while it is still fresh in my mind to write the name on a piece of paper and stick it in the container itself.

Now there is no way I can forget and also whenever I try to use the container the paper stares at me and thus I know that I have yet to return the box!!

Similarly, for my chinaware not to be lost in someone else’s home I have started buying take out boxes which are available in restaurant supply stores and so I rarely lose them now.

ously owned device.

If you do go this route this holiday season, be sure to stick with reputable sources where you can trust the device to be in fully functional condition and opt for the longest guarantee available, at least 90 days.

For example, those from MyWit undergo an extensive 65+ point inspection of cosmetics, functionality and connectivity to ensure optimal performance.

according to the National Retail Federation estimates, you may be planning to spend more on décor, gift-giving and travel.

If your seasonal plans also include upgrading mobile devices for yourself or for loved ones, keep in mind that you can make room in your budget for those other holiday expenditures by not paying the price for a brand-new model.

The alternative? A refurbished device. Experts say the idea that all refurbished devices were broken or had problems in a past life is a misconception.

Bombay Express Authenitic Indian Cafe 100% Vegetarian and Vegan Friendly Tuesday - Sunday 11:00 am - 9:00 pm 13000 N IH35 Building #12, Unit # 216 Austin, Texas - 78753

512-491-5055 (Take-Away is possible on all items on the menu)

“Whether you’re bargain hunting or you’re looking to go green and reduce electronic waste, you’re in luck,” says David

ket it is very easy to find affordable, high-quality refurbished devices.”

Indeed, many mobile phones, tablets and accessories that come from trade-in and upgrade programs were perfectly good devices that owners traded in for newer models.

With so many consumers out there reliably seeking the latest, such trade-ins and sales are becoming more popular, making it easier to navigate the market for a previ-

Tests verify every function that a customer can use (camera, audio, SIM, WiFi, Bluetooth, etc.) is in 100 percent working order and connectivity tests ensure wireless devices deliver a consistent quality of connection and do not drop available signals.

When it comes to mobile upgrades, replacements and tech gifts, you can make this holiday season merrier and more affordable with refurbished devices.

(StatePoint)

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Austin South Asian | December 2018

Avoid The Naughty List: Don’t Let The Holidays Ruin Your Credit

Looking for the “perfect gifts,” paired with enticing retail discounts and deals, can pressure holiday shoppers to spend more than they can afford.

As a result, consumers may max out credit card limits or miss payments, negatively affecting credit scores.

In addition, store credit cards may

new application could decrease your credit score.

Not having enough money for presents and the strain holiday shopping puts on their finances are big causes of anxiety for many consumers, according to a recent Experian survey.

However, many of these same consumers seem to be on the right

lutions, including 28 percent who want to improve their credit scores, while almost 50 percent said saving more was a New Year’s resolution.

counts that have been active for a long time reflect positively on your score, as does a healthy mix of accounts, such as having a mortgage, a few credit cards and auto loans.

But understanding how your credit score is calculated is critical. With this mind, here are some key factors:

• Staying out of hot water:

• Payment history: Accounting for roughly a third of your credit score, paying loans on time is crucial; too many late payments can decrease your score.

• Balance: You never want your credit card balance to be higher than 30 percent of your credit limit -- on a single card and across all of them.

Keep balances low to keep your score high.

offer instant discounts that are tempting at the register -- but that

track: in the survey, respondents listed several smart financial reso-

(Continued From Page 01)

nurtured in such a warm and inclusive environment.

The fact that even families with American origin took part in this, making jilebis, naans, curries etc., speaks volumes of the unity in diversity.!

This group organized Diwali lunch for their entire school staff on the November 9, 2018.

It only underlines the fact that our LME children are fortunate to be

Many people believe that financial transactions like rent, utility and telecommunications payments impact credit scores, but in fact, these are not factored in by many scoring companies.

However, if you don’t pay bills and they get turned over to a collection agency, this could affect your credit score. Severely delinquent accounts are often reported to the credit bureaus.

• Credit history:

“While it’s fun to give to others during the holidays, make sure to give yourself the gift of not getting into debt,” says Rod Griffin, director of Public Education at Experian. “Stick to a shopping budget.

Those who’ve never used credit before will likely have a low score, or no score at all, while credit ac-

Only use credit cards for an amount you can pay off and pay the bill in full on time.

You’ll lose your cheer quickly after the New Year if you face a mountain of debt.”

A positive credit profile and history of using credit smartly can open up financial opportunities, like getting a car loan or home mortgage.

There are clear benefits to building your credit file, but if you don’t build it responsibly those gains won’t be felt.

To plan for the holidays and 2019, visit experian.com/education for information about credit scores, as well as personal finance tips.

“Credit is a tool to be used wisely,” adds Griffin.

“If you check your credit score regularly and make strategic decisions on when and how much credit to use in the short-term, it will benefit you when you absolutely need credit to make a large purchase or for an emergency expense.”

(StatePoint)

Diwali

Our school also has E-slot times open for parents to teach a different language, educate children about other cultures, teach technology, etc.

Some classes also had parents teach them make rangoli patterns, colour the diyas.

Our LME is gifted with very generous parents who are willing to volunteer and be a part of it whenever the school and the PTA need them.

Research shows chil-

dren perform well at school when parents are involved in their school activities.

Our school gives parents distinct opportunities to choose and get engaged.

This also gives our children a close knitted warm society to rely upon, and makes kids look forward to going to school everyday with enthusiasm.

We have to thank our principal, Mrs Jan Richards, the entire staff, and our PTA, its president, Mrs Katie Ngo for being highly supportive on this.

Except for the restrictions on the fireworks for all the valid reasons in US, we celebrated this festival with more fervour.

FREE CLASSIFIED info@AustinSouthAsian.com

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Austin South Asian | December 2018

Pakistani Author Bilal Tanweer In Austin To Attend TBF And SAI Talk

By Sumaiya Malik

Pakistani author and translator Bilal Tanweer, known for his series of short stories titled The Scatter Here Is Too Great was in Austin this October as a guest of South Asia Institute at UT Austin to deliver a talk called “Trickster as Commando: Performance of Pakistaniyat in Urdu Pulp Fiction”.

His novel has won the Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize in India.

Lahore University of Management Sciences in Pakistan (LUMS).

He was one of Granta’s New Voic-

He graduated from LUMS; has

Besides the novel, which has been translated into many languages, Tanweer has also worked to translate Khalid Akhtar’s Love in Chakiwara and Other Misadventures and two novels by Ibn-e Safi, The House Fear (Random House India, 2010).

On October 28, in the State Capitol Building at the Texas Book Festival, Tanweer talked about the impact two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist, National Book Award winner, Denis Johnson, who is considered an incomparable force of American literature, had upon his work.

He also was a guest speaker in a panel discussion at the Texas Book Festival about Pulitzer Prize finalist author Denis Johnson, whose novel, Jesus’ Son, inspired Tanweer as he wrote The Scatter Here is Too Great.

One would think that Tanweer’s work would be defined by this collection of short stories, but the book is just one of his accomplishments.

He is considered to be one of the breakthrough voices from the subcontinent.

es for 2011 and one of the eleven recipients of the 2010 PEN Translation Fund Grant.

Bilal Tanweer is a professor at the

a Masters in Fine Arts and a Fulbright Fellowship at Columbia University in New York; and an Iowa Writers’ Workshop residency.

One of the characters in his book The Scatter Here is Too Great was inspired by a character in Johnson’s book Jesus’ Son in which “Johnson

writes about suffering of characters with clarity.”

Bilal Tanweer also spoke about Johnson’s novella, Trained Dreams.

He said, “It was something we hadn’t encountered before…”

In his talk at the South Asia Institute at UT Austin, Bilal Tanweer examined the figure of the commando in his seven-part Commando Series.

He argued that the Commando appears to be modeled on the traditional figure of the trickster in Urdu dastan literature, instead of as a modern military combatant.

This talk was more geared towards those interested in Urdu literature and its history.

Students, general public and friends of the Texas Book Festival attended both the talks.

Pakistani American Author Hena Khan In Austin To Talk About Bounce Back And Basketball

By Sumaiya Malik

his destiny.

Hena Khan is a Pakistani-American Muslim author who was born and raised in Maryland, and who enjoys sharing and writing about her culture and religion.

There are only a few small things in his way.”

She was a guest at the Texas Book Festival where she spoke about her book series Bounce Back, “an exciting new chapter book series about a scrawny fourth-grader with big dreams of basketball stardom.”.

This is the third book of the series, the first being Power Forward.

The book is about Fourth grader Zayd Saleem who “has some serious hoop dreams.

He’s not just going to be a professional basketball player.

He’s going to be a star. A legend.

The first Pakistani-American kid to make it to the NBA. He knows this deep in his soul. It’s

Hena Khan said, “Each book has a sports angle and a personal angle.”

She said.

The children’s book author added that the series is also a window into a fun way to explore culture without getting too deep into it while also enjoyed basketball in school.

Khan spoke light-heartedly about her style of writing to encourage everyone to write.

She joked, “ I wish I had a set schedule.

I write when I can… laptop, the office… several times a week at the kitchen table.”

When asked where she finds the

inspiration, she shared a bit of her home life where her son enjoys the sport and her family is passionate about it to the nth degree.

Hena Khan is well known for children’s books.

Her book, Amina’s Voice, “a universal story of self-acceptance and the acceptance of others.

A welcome addition to any middle grade collection (School Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW).”

Librarians in Austin public schools are now recommending it.

Hena Khan “also spends time writing and editing for international organizations that work to improve the health and lives of people around the world.”

The talk was open and free to the public.

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Austin South Asian | December 2018

Connecther Brings Focus To Honor Killings In Tribal Areas Of Pakistan At Their GEMs Event

By Sumaiya Malik

Around the same time as the Texas Book Festival, Connether, a crowd

change marriages, child marriage and honor killings.

At 16, Brohi was listed as Forbes

Her friend had married the person she loved instead of the one her family had approved.

Brohi’s social enterprise provides a six-month training program to women in 23 Pakistani villages, where they gain business knowledge, learn ways to monetize traditional embroidery skills, and get access to loans and markets.

Her efforts as a women’s rights advocate have been recognized in Pakistan and abroad, earning her a Women of Impact Award from the Women in the World Foundation in 2013.

To hear a young woman like Brohi when #MeToo movement is at it’s highest in the US, was an opportunity for us to see that women not just in the US but elsewhere are also raising their voice against injustices in society.

Lila Igram, the founder of Connecther and board member at Sughar, said, “ We felt it as we listened to a passionate fireside chat led by Lolis GarciaBaab featuring Khalida Brohi, who advocated for education and independent thinking while trying to make sense of senseless acts of violence.”

funding non-profit that raises funds for underprivileged women all over the world held their annual GEMs meetup at Dr. Saba Rizvi’s home.

Conversation was about honor killings in the tribal areas of Pakistan.

The organization had invited Khalida Brohi, the executive director of Sughar Foundation, which raises funds for providing socio-economic empowerment to women in tribal areas in Pakistan.

Their aim is to end backlash of ex-

top 30 most influential social entrepreneurs of 2014.

Recently, Brohi was interviewed on NPR for her recent memoir, I Should Have Honor, A Memoir of Hope and Pride in Pakistan, in which she talks about the events leading up to the formation of the foundation at after.

Brohi’s story is compelling. She started a non-profit organization to empower women in rural Pakistan at the age of 16, after witnessing an honor killing.

Violence against women cuts across every culture and socioeconomic class.

She added that Khalida’s work to redefine honor is something every human from every corner of the world can gain understanding from.

Dr. Saba Rizvi,

a member of Connecther’s family of GEMs, hosted the event.

She opened her home for the talk and book signing. Rizvi also talked about Connecther’s support for Hazara Begum in Bangladesh.

Connecther believes that investing in women is an investment in communities everywhere.

Our platform seeks to authentically represent the diverse stories of women and girls around the world as well as provide opportunities for

their advancement.

These opportunities range from mentoring child brides in Zimbabwe and survivors of sex trafficking in Austin, providing legal aid clinics for women and girls in Afghanistan to providing scholarships and education for the marginalized children of sex-workers in Bangladesh.

For more information about how to be a GEM, please visit www.connecther.com

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Austin South Asian | December 2018

Persimmons – The Friendly Fruit – For Neighbors And The Public

By Sumaiya Malik November brings an abundant crop of persimmons in our front yard on a lush green tree that remains clad with shiny almond shaped leaves the whole year hiding the fruit slowly growing behind them the whole year. Come fall, and the first freeze, the leaves fall off exposing a bright orange fruit dangling on its branches that attracts neighbors and passers by.

We have shared the fruit with all in our neighborhood who ever rang the bell or asked us, and ate as much as we could, but this year, we decided to drop off some in a food pantry that was more than happy to receive them. I don’t exactly remember when our Novembers became so overwhelmingly persimmons oriented. But I do remember when my husband, Nadeem, planted the sapling in our front yard over 20 years ago.

It was when our firstborn was one.

She would often play outside, and my husband would use the time to work on his favorite hobby — gardening. There was so much excitement in the house when he first planted the tree, though I was frankly skeptical of its future since deer ate practically every plant in our front yard.

But the tree thrived. Time went by and the tree grew, looking more robust and happy, the lush shiny leaves standing out amid the dull live oaks that thronged the neighborhood. And it bore so much fruit!

in the neighborhood, deepening our bond in our community. I remember the first crop was a happy sight! It brought many curious passers by to our front door.

The family was big on hunting and fishing and wanted to share their goodies. Our friendship with them has grown on many levels.

The tree too has grown stronger too and bears more and more fruit every year. We are unable to count… it is in abundance. We believe it comes because it belongs to everyone and not just us. We have just been assigned the lucky job of sharing it and making new friends.

Our neighbors are so generous in return! They have shared Japanese chocolate, gluten free apple pies, home grown pecans, peaches, pears, and fresh vegetables, home made soups and the best of conversations with people who love persimmons. We have made wonderful friends and continue to do so this year.

The odd looking fruit — which seems to be a cross between a tomato and mini pumpkin in looks — has attracted curious walkers and energetic children alike. As a result, our tree has developed quite a following in the neighborhood, with neighbors waiting for the fruit to ripen, eager to pick it.

Thanks to our tree, my family and I have gotten to know many people

Pravin from around the corner came knocking with his two toddlers. “I am so sorry, but could we try the fruit on your tree?” “Are they for sale?” he offered to help take down some with his kids. Instantly, Nadeem was outside with him letting them take whatever they wanted. Pravin started coming every year. He brought his wife Viveka and deer meat and freshly caught fish!

I’ve grown to love their tart like, candy sweet flavor — crisp and cool when first picked and downright custardy when at their ripest.

This year, I came across ampleharvest.org, a website that “connects gardeners with food pantries to eliminate food waste and hunger.”

All I needed to do was put in my zipcode and the website connected me to the nearby food pantries which would be happy to take my

extra fruit.

I loved the idea! It opened another world of giving. On the website is a downloadable form for a tax receipt for fair market value as well.

Most of all I loved the idea of public giving. Many homeowners are shy or unable to share the fruit for lack of time. Here was an opportunity for them to drop off their crop for the benefit of society. I called and left messages and decided to drop off some of my crop there.

My favorite ways to enjoy persimmons: One of my favorite qualities about the fruit is how versatile it is. From jams to salads to pastas to milkshakes, persimmons can fit everywhere. Below are some of my favorite ways to eat the fruit. But of course, the best is to just pick the fruit from the tree, wash them, peel away and enjoy. For added fun, let them sit on the counter for a week.

Then they’ll develop a softer texture and sweeter taste.

Persimmons Milkshake 1 persimmon peeled and cut ¾ cup 1% milk (of your choice) ½ cup ice

Using Her Paintbrush To Shift The Lines: Nadia Waheed At East Austin Studio Tour

By Sumaiya Malik

Young and full of life, Nadia Waheed is an independent thinker with an old soul whose paintings show that existing lines of independence in a society are shifting. For her, the lines have already shifted and for others, they can. Her thoughts flow in this direction in larger than life drawings of women in meditation, carefree of the norms of society.

She considers them metaphors of her own experiences whether they are about migration, culture, freedom or just living life on ones own terms.

These thoughts were visible in her work as Nadia introduced her

solo exhibit at Bolm Studio on two weekends at the East Austin Studio Tour on the weekend of the 11th and 18th of N o v e m b e r.

Her work was displayed in a modern pod structure with three walls.

Her art was only a sneak peak of a bigger show to come in January of 2019 called Year in Review at The Museum of Human Achievement in Austin, TX. Nadia is mostly an Austinite, at home here, and yet foreign because of an amalgamation of experiences

that make her who she is, confident and sure of what direction she will take. She was born in Pakistan, but her family travelled before they settled down in the US when she was in middle school. Perhaps, that is why the women in her work wear elaborate braids that are shared between figures showing either a natural flow of life or a deep connection from long ago.

Art was only natural to her. She belongs to a family of intellectuals and artists of all genres in Pakistan.

Her interest came from within as if it was in her genes. From a young age, Nadia would doodle so artistically that passers by would stand in awe. Nadia graduated from Westlake High and was accepted in University of Chicago where she was a

recipient of the Presidential Merit Scholarship. She graduated with BFA from the department of Fine Arts in 2015. Then came a new turn which she independently pursued when she travelled for new experiences to Australia where she continued to paint with Rita Mu, a well know artist, learning and teaching through action and supporting her dreams. Six months ago, she decided to return only to paint even more, her work all this time developing along with her life experiences.

For her the process of doing is more alluring than the reward of completion and when she begins her work, she has questions, which she is trying to find answers of.

She says, “Answers in life are dif-

ficult to come by and general only lead to more questions, often questions that we don’t understand or even know how to ask.” Her work makes her realize that questions might be more significant than the answer.

Such is the intellectuality of Nadia Waheed. You can spend hours looking at her work for it transports you to explore your own personal experiences and draw your own conclusions about what you see, free of any boundaries that society and culture imposes upon us, for thoughts are liberated and that is where we find utmost peace.

For more information about Nadia Waheed’s work please visit: www.nadiawaheed.com

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Austin South Asian | December 2018

Khamosh! Adalat Jari Hai By RungaMuncha After a gap of about two years, RungaMuncha has yet again brought high quality theater to Hyde Park Theater in Austin. The

intellectual crowd of theater fans who crave for literature and language of South Asia with eloquent

rendition, this one is for you.

written in 1963.

“Khamosh! Adaalat Jaari Hai” is a Hindi adaptation of playwright

The play has since been translated into 16 languages and performed in India and abroad.

It was first performed in 1967, directed by Arvind Deshpande, with Sulbha Deshpande as the main lead. It was inspired after the playwright overheard the conversation amongst the members of amateur theatre group traveling on Mumbai local train.

Vijay Tendulkar’s iconic Marathi play “Shantata! Court Chalu Aahe” (Silence! The Court Is In Session)

“A group of social workers is scheduled to stage a play in a remote village.

A cast member does not show up and a local resident is asked to replace him.

In order to acquaint him with court procedures, they decide to hold a mock trial with a made-up charge of infanticide against one of their own – Miss Benare.

This pretend play deteriorates into a verbal lynching of the accused when previously unknown details about her emerge.”

Cast: Prajakta Marathe Naravane Tanuj Potra Manoj Jain Asmita Phadke Ashish Jain Harsh Joshi Gajanan Paranjape Anuj Dixit Music and Direction: Rohan Joseph Producers: Amit Apte Richa Jain Disha Gujar Saurabh Pradhan

Great Tips For Outdoor Winter Adventure There’s no need to resign yourself to the gym all winter long. Outdoor adventures are the perfect way to stay fit and have fun, even during the chilliest months of the year.

these tips for a great season.

• Get an Early Start: Remember that winter means early sunsets.

So, get your journey started early

expect it to take and be sure your pack includes a flashlight or headlamp. In the event you are still on the trail as the sun sets, you’ll be happy you did.

always important to do a dynamic stretch workout before embarking on a workout, but it becomes especially important in cold weather.

• Stay Informed: High-quality wearable tech is crucial for today’s outdoor enthusiast. Seek out a durable watch specifically designed to help you make the most of outdoor sports. The WSD-F20AGN from Casio, boasts a variety of popular outdoors and sports apps, including ViewRanger, Hole19, Ski Tracks, and more. Additional features include water resistance up to 50 meters, a digital compass, altimeter, barometer and an activity tracker. And with Wear OS by Google technology, you can use your timepiece to learn about your surroundings and support you in

the things you want to do, for a safer, more connected journey.

• Cover Up: You may be working up heat but you’ll still want to keep your head, fingers and toes wellprotected in cold weather temperatures. These are the areas of the body most vulnerable to frost bite. Select socks, gloves and a hat specifically designed for sports that offers moisture wicking, comfort and warmth. Be aware of the signs of frostbite and take care to get indoors at the earliest sign.

This winter, don’t shy away from the great outdoors. A little preparation can help you make the most of an outdoor adventure. (StatePoint)

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All it takes to stay comfortable is the right gear and a bit of preparation. With that in mind, check out

in the morning to take advantage of the limited sunlight. Plan your hike or other outdoor adventure carefully, knowing how long you

• Stretch: Before getting started, be sure to give your muscles time to warm up. To avoid injury, it is

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Austin South Asian | December 2018

Kids’ Holiday Gift Ideas That Build Social Skills For young children, social-emotional development is one of the most valuable aspects of school readiness. This holiday season, focus on toys and gifts for preschoolers that will build children’s empathy, communication skills and the ability to resolve conflicts and navigate challenges.

Interactive Toys Those who want to help children learn important lessons might consider putting Zoonicorns at the top of their holiday gift lists. Fun and engaging animated music videos, game apps, books and online activities capture children’s imaginations while offering parents and children an opportunity to work through and overcome obstacles together.

Here are a few gift ideas that do just that.

Experiential Gifts

Kids can watch inspiring music videos like “Yes, You Can!” on YouTube and play along with the soft and cuddly plush Zoonicorns, which are a combination of a unicorn and zebra. The new Wish Me Zoonicorns by Jay@Play have four touch points where children may interact with them. When kids kiss the Zoonicorn on the nose the horn glows and kids can make a wish.

A petting zoo can be a great place for kids to learn about compassion.

A puppet show may teach important lessons about making new friends or learning how to navigate challenges. The gift of an experience will be an exciting life-long memory and a great opportunity for you to spend time together while kids hone important skills.

The animated videos stories focus on tools children can use to identify and solve problems for themselves through the comforting animal characters of the Zooniverse.

Board Games Playing age-appropriate card games and board games is a great way for kids to learn to follow rules, take turns, cooperate and be a good sport. Card games such as Uno and Go Fish make great stocking stuffers. As for board games, think classics like Candyland, checkers and Chutes and Ladders, or go for newer games designed specifically to familiarize kids with letters, shapes, numbers and colors.

This holiday season, consider how the gifts you give young children can help foster their social-emotional development.

(StatePoint)

8 Clever Gift Ideas For People Who Are Hard To Please Struggling to find gifts for picky recipients can make anyone feel like a Grinch. Avoid the holiday shopping blues this season with this list of go-to gift ideas, all of which are available on such shopping sites as Amazon.

Whether shopping for an indecisive relative or your incredibly particular best friend, you can rest easy knowing you’re covered with presents that appeal to everyone.

1. Tile Perfect for those who can never find their car keys or constantly lose track of their phones, this Bluetooth tracker, paired with Tile’s intuitive app, makes it easy to find everything.

Gift it to your niece to keep tabs on her favorite stuffed animal or to a friend who always forgets where she parked.

2. “Good Housekeeping” Cookbook Featuring 1,200 recipes, the newest edition of the “Good Housekeep-

ing Cookbook” is great for every type of cook, from serious home chefs to kitchen novices.

tered recipes on you!

This culinary bible is one food guide friends and family will actually want to use… and maybe they’ll test out their newly mas-

The holidays are the season of giving, so consider selecting something that gives back to a bigger cause, like this necklace from ME to WE.

3. ME to WE Neema Necklace

obsessed uncle, this Moen faucet is the ideal present. Its touchless activation allows users to easily turn water on and off with the wave of a hand, providing added convenience and some serious cool factor in the kitchen.

5. Instant Pot

Homemade by a woman in Kenya, your purchase gives healthcare access to a mother or child in the same community where the necklace is made, helping them live full, healthy lives.

A smart choice for everyone from foodies to busy parents, this handy device does the work of nine common kitchen appliances and can prepare almost anything, from cake to rice to yogurt.

4. Arbor pulldown kitchen faucet with MotionSense Wave

6. Nespresso Creatista Plus

Whether it’s for your friend who’s constantly baking delicious -- but messy -- brownies, or your tech-

Plus, it cooks up to 70 percent quicker than other devices and its functions make mastering one-pot meals a breeze.

A coffee lover’s dream, the Creatista Plus not only makes stellar coffee, but comes with a milk frother, too (a non-negotiable for many java addicts). It brews everything from an espresso to a mocha cappuccino with the touch of a button.

7. Amazon Echo

For the techie who dreams of a connected smart home, the Amazon Echo is a perfect place to start.

It can play music, make calls, set alarms and timers, start a digital shower and control smart home devices via voice command -- just ask Alexa.

8. Osmo Genius Kit This award-winning game system aims to turn any 5- to 12-year-old into a genius. It transforms a tablet into a hands-on learning tool to foster social intelligence and creative thinking. Those kids spend so much time on their devices anyway, they may as well learn something!

For additional inspiration, visit amazon.com/shop/GHTested.

We all have those friends or family members who are notoriously hard to shop for. With these gift ideas, you’re sure to have them wondering “How did you know?”

(StatePoint)

17

Austin South Asian | December 2018

Ajanta Caves

The Ajanta Caves are 30 (approximately) rock-cut Buddhist cave monuments which date from the 2nd century BCE to about 480 CE in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra state of India.

the first phase starting around the 2nd century BCE, while the second phase was built around 400–650 CE, according to older accounts, or in a brief period of 460–480 CE according to later scholarship.

The caves include paintings and rock-cut sculptures described as

The site is a protected monument in the care of the Archaeological

of the Buddha, pictorial tales from Aryasura’s Jatakamala, and rockcut sculptures of Buddhist deities.

Textual records suggest that these caves served as a monsoon retreat for monks, as well as a resting-site for merchants and pilgrims in ancient India.

The Ajanta Caves are located on the side of a rocky cliff that is on the north side of a U-shaped gorge on the small river Waghur, in the Deccan plateau.

tres (65 miles) from the city of Aurangabad, and 350 kilometres (220 miles) east-northeast from Mumbai.

Further round the gorge are a number of waterfalls, which, when the

It is 100 kilometres (62 miles) from the Ellora Caves, which contain Hindu, Jain and Buddhist caves,

river is high, are audible from outside the caves.

the last dating from a period similar to Ajanta.

With the Ellora Caves, Ajanta is one of the major tourist attractions of Maharashtra.

The Ajanta style is also found in the Ellora Caves and other sites such as the Elephanta Caves, Aurangabad Caves, Shivleni Caves and the cave temples of Karnataka.

While vivid colours and mural wall-painting were abundant in Indian history as evidenced by historical records, Caves 16, 17, 1 and 2 of Ajanta form the largest corpus of surviving ancient Indian wall-painting.

among the finest surviving examples of ancient Indian art, particularly expressive paintings that present emotion through gesture, pose and form.

According to UNESCO, these are masterpieces of Buddhist religious art that influenced the Indian art that followed.

The caves were built in two phases,

Survey of India, and since 1983, the Ajanta Caves have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Ajanta Caves constitute ancient monasteries and worshiphalls of different Buddhist traditions carved into a 250-feet wall of rock.

The caves also present paintings depicting the past lives and rebirths

The Ajanta Caves are mentioned in the memoirs of several medieval-era Chinese Buddhist travellers to India and by a Mughal-era official of Akbar era in the early 17th century.

They were covered by jungle until accidentally “discovered” and brought to Western attention in 1819 by a colonial British officer Captain John Smith on a tigerhunting party.

It is about 6 kilometres (3.7 miles) from Fardapur, 59 kilometres (37 miles) from the city of Jalgaon, Maharashtra, India, 104 kilome-

The Adventures Of Randy & Square Kid

Abhiveer Annoji

18

Austin South Asian | December 2018

Christmas

(Continued From Page 01)

Christmas Day is a public holiday in many of the world’s nations, is celebrated religiously by a majority of Christians, as well as culturally by many non-Christians, and forms an integral part of the holiday season centered around it. The traditional Christmas narrative, the Nativity of Jesus, delineated in the New Testament says that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, in accordance with messianic prophecies.

When Joseph and Mary arrived in the city, the inn had no room and so they were offered a stable where the Christ Child was soon born, with angels proclaiming this news to shepherds who then further disseminated the information.

Although the month and date of Jesus’ birth are unknown, by the early-to-mid fourth century the Western Christian Church had placed Christmas on December 25, a date that was later adopted in the East.

Today, most Christians celebrate on December 25 in the Gregorian calendar, which has been adopted almost universally in the civil calendars used in countries throughout the world.

However, some Eastern Christian Churches celebrate Christmas on December 25 of the older Julian calendar, which currently corresponds to January 7 in the Gregorian calendar, the day after the Western Christian Church celebrates the Epiphany. This is not a disagreement over the date of Christmas as such, but rather a preference of which calendar should be used to determine the day that is December 25.

Moreover, for Christians, the belief that God came into the world in the form of man to atone for the sins of humanity, rather than the exact birth date, is considered to be the primary purpose in celebrating Christmas. The celebratory customs associated in various coun-

tries with Christmas have a mix of pre-Christian, Christian, and secular themes and origins. Popular modern customs of the holiday include gift giving, completing an Advent calendar or Advent wreath, Christmas music and caroling, lighting a Christingle, viewing a Nativity play, an exchange of Christmas cards, church services, a special meal, pulling Christmas crackers and the display of various Christmas decorations, including Christmas trees, Christmas lights, nativity scenes, garlands, wreaths, mistletoe, and holly.

In addition, several closely related and often interchangeable figures, known as Santa Claus, Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas, and Christkind, are associated with bringing gifts to children during the Christmas season and have their own body of traditions and lore. Because gift-giving and many other aspects of the Christmas festival involve heightened economic activity, the holiday has become a

significant event and a key sales period for retailers and businesses.

The economic impact of Christmas has grown steadily over the past few centuries in many regions of the world.

The canonical gospels of Luke and Matthew both describe Jesus as being born in Bethlehem to a virgin mother. In the Luke account, Joseph and Mary travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem for the census, and Jesus is born there and laid in a manger. It says that angels proclaimed him a savior for all people, and shepherds came to adore him.

In the Matthew account, magi follow a star to Bethlehem to bring gifts to Jesus, born the king of the Jews. King Herod orders the massacre of all the boys less than two years old in Bethlehem, but the family flees to Egypt and later settles in Nazareth. The Nativity stories of Matthew and Luke are prominent in the gospels and early Christian writers suggested various

dates for the anniversary. The first recorded Christmas celebration was in Rome in 336. Christmas played a role in the Arian controversy of the fourth century. In the early Middle Ages, it was overshadowed by Epiphany. The feast regained prominence after 800, when Charlemagne was crowned emperor on Christmas Day. Associating it with drunkenness and other misbehavior, the Puritans banned Christmas in the 17th century.It was restored as a legal holiday in 1660, but remained disreputable. In the early 19th century, Christmas was revived with the start of the Oxford Movement in the Anglican Church.

Charles Dickens and other writers reinvented the holiday by emphasizing Christmas as a time for family, religion, gift-giving, and social reconciliation as opposed to the revelry that had been common historically

How To Make Your Empty Nest An Empowering New Chapter Suddenly, the kids are all grown up and ready to flee the nest. It’s the start of a new chapter -- for them, and for mom and dad, too.

While this sudden change in family dynamic is bound to bring a mix of bittersweet emotions, there are plenty of ways to embrace the shift. An empty nest certainly doesn’t mean an empty life.

Now that you have more time to do things that bring you joy, it’s time rediscover who you are -- whether that’s through traveling the world, learning a new skill or language, taking a yoga class, volunteering or simply doing more of what makes you feel good.

Stay Connected Just because the kids have left home doesn’t mean you can’t stay connected.

In fact, you may find yourself on the other end of the phone giv-

Raising a family reaps many rewards and any parent knows that family time revolves around the children’s wants and needs well into their teenage years.

Make More “Me Time”

Choose a phone plan that lets you talk, video chat or text with your kids as much as you want, when you want, such as T-Mobile ONE Unlimited 55+, which gives you two lines for just $35 per line with no surprise fees or taxes.

A super affordable option designed just for customers 55 and older, it includes unlimited talk, text and data, in-flight texting, one hour of Gogo Wi-Fi on domestic flights, and texting and data when you travel abroad in 210 destinations.

While in the thick of it, the prospect of a quiet, relaxing weekend with no parental responsibilities and the very concept of self-care can seem farfetched.

But now with the kids leaving home, it’s time to make the most of your new foot-loose and fancy-free lifestyle.

Family group text threads can replace dinner table conversations, so do make sure you stay up-todate with technology to keep the entire family connected.

And what’s more, all the money you save on your phone plan can go straight into the self-care fund The newfound time in your day is an opportunity to discover new hobbies and build a social life that is entirely your own.

ing dating advice or having more meaningful life chats than ever before.

or to finance your next “adults only” fancy vacation. Win-win.

Find a Furry Friend If you’re an animal lover, adopt a new pet, train a friend’s dog, petsit, or become a foster pet-parent.

This time, you won’t be getting a pet just for the kids. Animals have a magical ability to lift the spirit and fill the void left from caring for your little ones for so many years.

Becoming an empty nester is surprisingly empowering, and can be a period of positive growth for you.

Instill new routines and experiences in your life, stay connected to your kids, and the rest will surely follow.

(StatePoint)

READ AUSTIN SOUTH ASIAN

19

Austin South Asian | December 2018

Why To Buy A Car Now And How To Protect Your Investment

‘Tis the season for shopping, and not just for presents to put under the tree. Many people shop for new cars this time of year, and for good reason.

Car dealerships generally save their best deals for the last months

Blue Book.

One reason is that new car models arrive at dealerships in September and October, so if last year’s models are still sitting on the showroom floor, chances are buyers can snap them up at deep discounts.

prices at year-end to reduce inventory before the start of the new calendar year.

could be much less than what you paid for the car (or what you owe on your loan, for that matter).

But before taking the plunge, it’s important to make sure that shiny new ride is fully covered from an insurance standpoint.

Fortunately, new car buyers can protect themselves from this situation with what’s generally known as new car replacement coverage.

Why? Most people are familiar with that old adage that a new car drastically depreciates the minute it’s driven off the lot. According to Carfax.com, it’s true.

The vehicle history information database says a new car loses 10 percent of its value the minute it’s driven off the lot and another 10 percent by the end of the first year.

And cars with lesser brand name appeal and fewer options can depreciate even more, some by as much as 50 percent in a single year. of the year, according to Kelley

Dealers also tend to lower vehicle

That means if your new ride gets totaled, your insurance payout

For example, at Erie Insurance, this coverage comes in the form of an add-on called New Auto Security that can be tacked onto a policy for a modest cost.

If an owner has had a car for less than two years and it gets totaled, Erie Insurance would pay the cost to replace it with a car in the newest model year, minus the deductible.

And, if the new car is in a crash but is not deemed a total loss, the company would pay to repair the vehicle to brand new condition, without any deduction for depreciation. While new car

buyers would be smart to add this coverage before even driving the car off the lot, New Auto Security coverage isn’t restricted to when the car is purchased; it can be added later.

“This is a great time of year to get a good deal on a new car, but buyers should be aware of the risks associated with depreciation and take the necessary precautions to protect their investment,” says Jon Bloom, vice president of personal auto, Erie Insurance.

“We recommend that anyone buying a new car talk with their insurance agent to make sure they would be able to replace it in the event it’s totaled, or at least be able to pay off their loan.

Having the right coverage will provide peace of mind and make that new car ownership experience that much more enjoyable.”

(StatePoint)

How To Take Advantage Of National Scholarship Month Bargain hunters will spend November tracking down Black Friday deals to save on holiday shopping, but savvy higher education shoppers know November is also National Scholarship Month, a perfect time to find free money for college.

Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

the better.

reputable options.

Schools use the FAFSA to put together financial aid packages,

• Remember, not everything is a deal.

• Even small savings count.

To help students and families get the most out of scholarship season, Sallie Mae, the nation’s saving, planning, and paying for college company, is offering six tips:

• Take advantage of doorbusters.

Some scholarships awards are as easy as showing up and registering. Sallie Mae, for example, offers a $1,000 monthly sweepstakes for those who sign up for its free college planning tools.

• Get an early start.

Apply for scholarships your junior year of high school and every year in college. Approximately 50 percent of available scholarships are for students already enrolled in college. There are also many scholarships available for graduate school.

• Don’t miss out.

To qualify for $150 billion in financial aid, including scholarships, complete the Free Application for

scholarships may just be for a few hundred dollars, but these can add up and can be used for a variety of college expenses. Apply for as many as possible -- you’ll be surprised by how much you can earn.

states use it to determine eligibility for state aid, and it’s required for many scholarship applications.

Some aid is awarded on a firstcome, first-served basis, or from programs with limited funds, so the earlier families fill out the FAFSA,

Never pay for scholarships and be wary of “guaranteed” money.

Don’t be lured in by sites or organizations that charge a fee to access scholarship applications.

School counselors and school financial aid offices can recommend

To commemorate National Scholarship Month, the company is increasing the award in November to $5,000.

• Keep an eye out for unique gifts.

Scholarships are not limited to athletics and academics. There is free money for college for just about any interest, including awards for

left-handed students, skateboarders, and bakers.

To find additional tips and to register for Sallie Mae’s Scholarship Search, home to 5 million scholarships collectively worth more than $24 billion, or the recently launched Graduate School Scholarship Search, home to 850,000 graduate school scholarships worth more than $1 billion, visit www. salliemae.com.

After filling out a brief profile, students are matched with relevant scholarships, their award amounts, application requirements, and deadlines. The tool automatically sends updates when it identifies new matches.

“Scholarships are one of the most prevalent funding sources families use to help pay for college,” said Martha Holler, senior vice president, Sallie Mae. “The key is knowing where to find them, and how to apply.”

(StatePoint)

20

Austin South Asian | December 2018

Exiting A Timeshare Can Be Tricky: What To Know It’s estimated that at any given time, there are over 1 million timeshare owners looking to end their timeshare ownership. Unfortunately, exiting a timeshare is more complex than many people realize.

important to protect yourself by having a better handle on the industry. He offers the following insights to anyone who owns a timeshare:

Many resort developers see the resale market as a direct threat to their revenue stream and have accordingly rigged the system in their favor.

“Timeshare owners are never more vulnerable than when they’ve made the decision to end their ownership.

The resale market is flooded, resorts have stacked the deck and con artists are waiting to take advantage of your situation,” says Gordon Newton, president of Newton Group Transfers and author of “The Consumer’s Guide to Timeshare Exit.”

There are several personal or financial reasons you may want or need to exit your timeshare, and there are several ways to do so, be it via a sale, transfer or cancellation.

No matter how you part ways with your timeshare, Newton says it’s

valuing your timeshare while also making it harder for you to unload.

• Only sign an agreement offering you real protections in your timeshare exit. Specifically, any agent you hire should be aligned with your interests, agreeing in writing to cover all timeshare fees – or legal fees - that arise during the exit process for a flat fee.

• Research your exit company’s credentials (through the Better Business Bureau, the state’s attorney general, consumer protection agencies and a general internet search) looking for a minimum five-year track record of success.

Beware of companies that make it hard for you to research them.

• The fine print in your timeshare agreements may be the reason you can’t sell it.

For example, some resorts restrict rights and benefits for owners who purchase their timeshares on the resale market, intentionally de-

• Be wary of timeshare exit companies boasting “attorneys on staff.”

Those attorneys will be acting in the best interests of the company, not yours.

• If an exit deal sounds too good to

be true, it probably is. Be wary of phone solicitors telling you someone has a buyer, anyone advising you to stop paying your timeshare mortgage or maintenance fees, “donate your timeshare” programs, or anyone marketing a guaranteed timeframe for the exit. These are all red flags.

For more tips and insights, visit myexitguide.com to download a free copy of “The Consumer’s Guide to Timeshare Exit,” a recently updated guide created to help consumers avoid scams when ending their timeshare ownership.

Or call 888-344-9776.

If your timeshare has become more of a liability than a joy, you’re not alone.

But don’t get burned. Take steps to part ways with your timeshare efficiently, safely and with care.

(StatePoint)

Plastic Pollution: What To Know

Plastics are an increasingly widespread pollutant, according to environmental experts, harming ecosystems and wildlife as well as endangering human health.

One of the largest worldwide industries driving this crisis -- the fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector which offers such things as soft drinks, toiletries, foods and other consumables -- is not taking significant action to put the brakes on the growing production and marketing of single-use plastics, suggests a new report.

some companies actually increasing the amount of single-use plastic packaging and waste they produce.

“Unfortunately, across the board, the consumer goods industry has failed to take responsibility for

rector, John Hocevar.

“The current commitments corporations have made around plastics actually allow for increased use in the future. We need more transparency and substantive action imme-

Unfortunately, most companies know or disclose little about the amount of their packaging that is recycled and even less about the destination of their plastic waste after consumption.

Beyond personal choices, such as recycling single-use plastics and using reusable bags and bottles, Hocevar points out that individuals

The report, “A Crisis of Convenience: The corporations behind the plastics pollution pandemic,”

by Greenpeace, found that singleuse packaging is the main delivery system used by all of the companies surveyed and there is no sign of that changing.

What’s more, none of these companies have comprehensive strategies that include commitments to move away from single-use plastic, with

fact that most solutions being explored by businesses are primarily related to addressing recyclability or recycling, not reducing or creating new delivery systems.

the single-use plastics crisis they helped create,” said Greenpeace USA ocean plastics campaign di-

diately.”

Other study findings include the

can make an impact by talking to their local grocery stores, restaurants and businesses about phasing out single-use plastics as well as by writing to some of the larger companies urging them to move in a better direction.

More information about the study and plastic pollution can be found by visiting www.greenpeace.org.

“The sector urgently needs to move away from throwaway plastics for the benefit of our oceans, wildlife and communities around the world,” says Hocevar. (StatePoint)

We Welcome Articles From Readers And The Community.

Email To: Info@Austinsouthasian.Com

21

Austin South Asian | December 2018

December 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:

contact (512) 522-7672.

December 01, Saturday, 01:00 PM - 03:00 PM, Managing Stress is at Village Belle, 201 South Bell, Cedarpark , TX 78613. For more information,

December 01 - 04, Saturday, 07:30 PM, Raja Yoga Meditaton Class is at Brahma Kumaris Center at Austin, 2511 Echo Wood Place, Round

Sruthi Palaniappan, 20, whose parents migrated to the US from Chennai in 1992, was elected as president of the Harvard University Undergraduate Council.

Her running mate Julia Huesa, 20, was elected as vice president, according to an announcement by the Undergraduate Council Election Commission.

WASHINGTON: An Indian-Amer-

Ms Palaniappan said that Ms Hue-

Rock, TX 78681. The class is organized by Brahma Kumaris Austin. For more information, contact 512-592-0065. or email at austin@ bktexas.com

01:00 PM - 03:00 PM, Beginners Meditation Class is at Village Belle, 201 South Bell, Cedarpark , TX 78613. For more information, contact (512) 522-7672.

Decemer 15, Saturday,

December 31, Monday,

09:00 PM, NYE 2019 New Year’s Eve Celebration - Austin is at Red Oak Ballroom - Austin, 2525 W Anderson Ln, Austin, TX 78757. For more information, contact 512-4513700.

Indian-American Sruthi Palaniappan Elected Harvard Student Body President “I think we’re going to work on it before we even leave for break and just get off the ground running,” she told Harvard Crimson, the student newspaper of the varsity.

Ms Palaniappan was the youngest delegate at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia in July 2016.

According to the report, Ms Palaniappan and Ms Huesa garnered nearly 41.5 per cent of the votes as against their nearest opponent Nadine M Khoury and Arnav Agrawal, who received 26.6 per cent of the votes.

They ran their campaign under the slogan “Make Harvard Home”.

The duo, a long-time member of the Undergraduate Council, are scheduled to take over from the outgoing president Catherine L Zhang ‘19 and vice president Nicholas D Boucher ‘19.

Ms Palaniappan is currently the council’s education committee chair.

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

5 Tips To Soothe A Fussy Baby (Continued From Page 04) A baby carrier or wrap creates close comfort between parent and child, soothing your baby while giving you an endorphin boost.

This is a great technique when you need two hands to move about the house, or want a comfortable way to breastfeed.

ican woman has been elected as the president of the powerful student’s body of the prestigious Harvard University.

sa and her planned to work on improving the Council’s communication with the student body in their initial days in office.

Sruthi Palaniappan, 20, whose parents migrated to the US from Chennai in 1992, was elected as president of the Harvard University Undergraduate Council.

“I think from the onset, better structuring the way we communicate with students is something that we need to already set the tone and plan for,” she said.

For added convenience, check out innovative baby carriers that slip on like t-shirts, such as the Baby K’tan wrap, which has a unique, double-loop design and is available in soft, natural and breathable fabrics.

• Make some noise.

Making noise may sound counterintuitive when it comes to creating an ideal sleep environment, but the reality is that consistent background noise helps recreate the comfort of the womb.

Whether it’s white noise or soft music, find what works best for your baby.

Check out versatile baby sleep apps that feature a variety of sound settings, such as fans, chimes and car rides, or classical music and lullabies, set on loops for consistent sleep.

• Wrap up.

Celebrated for its role in fostering healthy sleep, swaddling provides a secure, soothing feeling for newborns, along with many other benefits.

Talk to your pediatrician about the safe, proper way to swaddle, and be sure to use a fabric that allows for continuous airflow to avoid overheating.

For a versatile choice, the Baby K’tan Newborn Swaddle is a good bet.

Made from a breathable stretch cotton, it can be used to swaddle now, and can be easily repurposed into a blanket or nursing cover as your baby grows.

• Stick to the program.

It will take some getting used to, but putting your baby on a consistent schedule will mean less fuss when it’s time to put your baby down for naps and at bedtime.

Whether it’s singing your baby a song or snuggling and reading, creating a parent-child routine will help signal to your baby that it’s time to sleep.

Soothing a crying baby can feel like an uphill battle. Luckily, there are plenty of natural, effective ways to calm a fussy little one, from old tricks to new tools.

(StatePoint)

22

Austin South Asian | December 2018 THEME: CARTOON CHARACTERS ACROSS 1. Middle Eastern staple 6. What I do with my little eye?

9. Cookbook abbr.

13. Potato State?

14. Romanian money 15. Sign of a saint, pl.

16. *Rabbit’s first name 17. Brow shape 18. Like Bananas Foster 19. *Scooby-Doo’s best friend 21. *Eric of “South Park” 23. *Mr. Duck, to friends 24. Hippocrates’ promise 25. TV tube in days yore 28. Vegan’s staple 30. Islamic scholars 35. Hems and ____ 37. *Tramp, e.g.

39. Mountie uniform fabric 40. A lightbulb signifies one in many comics 41. Straight ones in a drafter’s toolbox 43. Agitate 44. Wharton’s “The House of ____” 46. *What Charles Schulz did with Snoopy 47. *Flapper Betty 48. *The Sailor Man 50. Black cat, e.g.

52. Abba song 53. Front part of a ship 55. *#48 Across’ Swee’___ 57. *Pink feline 61. *The youngest Griffin 64. Musical composition 65. 2nd largest bird in world by height 67. Mends a sock 69. Beauty shop 70. Chowed down 71. Grind down 72. ____-a-whirl 73. VHS successor 74. Slow on the uptake

DOWN 1. Club on a card 2. Beware of these in March 3. Strip of wood 4. In the lead 5. “____ Your Password?”

6. Kill a dragon 7. A pop 8. New Mexico’s state flower 9. Bunch of hair 10. Hat part 11. First name in frozen desserts 12. Hammer part 15. Port in Denmark 20. *Gnomeo or Juliet 22. Cash dispenser 24. Become too mature 25. *Paul Frank’s Julius 26. AM/FM device 27. Pipsqueak 29. *He’s “hunting wabbits” 31. *Phineas’ friend 32. *Huey, Duey, Louie and Blossom, Bubbles, Buttercup, e.g.

33. *Chilly Willy’s home 34. Oozes 36. Fill beyond full 38. Do like bees 42. Hid under a rug 45.What Toulouse-Lautrec and Zeta-Jones have in common 49. “But I heard him exclaim, ____ he drove out of sight,” 51. Vital 54. Artemis’ companion 56. In the know 57. Attention grabber 58. Antioxidant-rich berry 59. He’s one behind Belichick 60. Mother Goose’ “Dame ____ and Her Cat” 61. What victim did in court 62. Fairway club 63. Book ____, pl.

66. *”Beavis and Butt-Head” channel 68. “____ Spot go”

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 January 2019 issue.

To Advertise In ASA Call 512-828-6709

23

Austin South Asian | December 2018

Want To Give An Everlasting Gift To The Child This Holiday Season?

By Sonali Amodwala

spent.

From mid-November onwards, we start seeing the ‘sale’ signs everywhere. All the stores will have big sales on the items.

What if it were possible to give the children you love a gift that will last a lifetime! A gift that will grow as they grow and help make sure they are SET FOR LIFE?

We will get bombarded with tons of emails/mails with items such as electronics, toys, clothes, shoes, accessories etc. on sale.

Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals make it irresistible for people to shop. We shop the things that we need or want and even the things we don’t need or want. With all these huge savings available often we end up stocking up the items that we might not use.

There is a gift that you can give a child you love more than toys or clothes this holiday season – the unique gift of life insurance that will last a lifetime and beyond!

The gift of life insurance offers financial security, protection and peace of mind.

Why it makes sense to give the child gift of life insurance -

Giving each other gifts is important part of Holidays Celebration.

Sometimes it gets more importance then spending quality time with the family!

• By starting a life insurance policy in child’s name, the protection is already in place when they grow up and need insurance to protect their family and loved ones.

Year after year we struggle what new gifts to give to our children, grandchildren, nephews, nieces or any loved ones in our life. What are you planning to give the children you love for this holiday season?

Clothes, toys, money? Children outgrow clothes pretty soon; the toys will break and money will be

• The premiums will be lower for the young insureds compared to adults. As the child grows older the premiums will never increase.

• There is more time to accumulate the cash value on a tax-deferred basis. The cash value in the policy continues to grow as long as the

policy is kept in force and regular premiums are paid.

•The cash value can be accessed, to help pay for major life expenses such as college, wedding, starting a business or for purchasing a new home. If planned properly, it can be accessed generally tax-free.

•Purchasing life insurance for a child locks their insurability at a younger age. The child’s ability to qualify for life insurance later in life can be affected b y changes in health, occupation, hobbies etc.

There are several great reasons to consider providing the gift of life insurance to the child.

Also, there are lot of companies and options to choose from once you have decided to give the gift of life insurance to the child.

Going with financially strong and stable company is always best. The company with good financial ratings would provide the dividends and interests in the whole life policy which will help accumulate the cash value faster.

When it comes to whole life insur-

ance, these days there are options that can be customized per your affordability and needs.

the grandchildren’s, if the RMDs are not needed for ongoing expenses by the adults.

The guaranteed preset pay periods and amounts are appealing the adults purchasing the policy.

The sooner the insurance is started, the more time the child’s policy has to accumulate cash value and lower the guaranteed premiums will be.

Depositing a lump sum into a premium are also possible into some policies.

If the grandparents or any adults who are receiving required minimum distributions (RMDs), they can consider using pat of these to pay the life insurance premiums for

So how about providing the child you love with a meaningful gift for which you may always be remembered?

The gift that is guaranteed to increase in value, and make a significant impact in their life!

Apple Launches Free Coding Education Program For Students San Francisco: Apple said Monday it will offer new resources to open thousands of free “Hour of Code” sessions at its Apple Store facilities across the world to bring coding education to students. The Cupertino, California-based company said customers can register for coding education, made available through the Everyone Can Code programme, at the Apple Store locations from Dec. 1 through Dec 14, Xinhua news agency reported.

November 2018 Sudoku Answer Mrs. Prema Raghavan

Mr. Yudhveer Bagga

For the sixth year, Apple said it will host Hour of Code daily coding sessions through Today at Apple, which will provide opportunities for people at a variety of skill levels to learn coding.

Kids Hour sessions will help children aged six to 12 explore coding with robots, while those aged 12 and above can attend sessions using Swift Playgrounds and iPad to learn coding concepts, Apple said.

The sessions are part of Apple’s several programmes being unveiled to help more people learn coding skills both inside and outside the classroom.Also on Monday, Apple encouraged teachers to attend its Computer Science Education Week, an educational campaign scheduled for early December to introduce computer science and coding to K-12 students.

Apple created a new Hour of Code Facilitator Guide to help teachers conduct in-classroom education by using Swift Playgrounds and other iPad apps. For coding education outside of the classroom, Apple’s new Swift Coding Club kit gives teachers, students and club mentors the tools they need to start their own coding clubs. The kit, designed for students aged eight years or old, will build their ability to collaborate, prototype apps and how to code an app.

24

Austin South Asian | December 2018

Cyclone Gaja

Hundreds of emergency workers have been pressed into service.

The death toll from a cyclone that battered India’s eastern coast has reached 33, a disaster official said Sunday, as authorities assessed the damage caused by the powerful storm.

Cyclone Gaja, which packed winds of up to 120 kilometres (75 miles) per hour, had barrelled into Tamil Nadu state after hitting the coast on Friday.

ment said.

India’s weather department said the cyclonic depression had moved westwards Saturday into the neighbouring Kerala state before continuing into the Arabian Sea.

Chief Minister K. Palaniswami said in Salem, some 350 km from the state capital, that 13 persons had lost their lives in the cyclone.

He said a sum of Rs10 lakh would be paid to each family of the dead. For those severely

east coast in recent weeks. Cyclone Titli battered Odisha state in October, killing at least two people.

Storms regularly hit southern India between

injured, a sum of Rs 100,000 would be paid and those who suffered minor injuries would get Rs 25,000.

Owing to strong winds an Indigo Airlines Chennai-Trichy flight was not able to land in Trichy and was sent back.

About 82,000 people living in low-lying areas have been sent to 471 relief centres, the Chief Minister said, adding the preventive

R.B. Udhyakumar, Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management, said all the trees felled by the cyclone were being removed.

Piles of felled trees blocked traffic in parts of Nagapattinam and Vedaranyum.

Several universities in Tamil Nadu have postponed their exams slated for Friday. Schools remained closed on Friday in Nagapattinam, Cuddalore, Thanjavur, Pudukottai, Thiruvarur and several other districts in Tamil Nadu and in Puducherry, including Karaikal.

“So far 20 men, 11 women, and two children have died due to the cyclone,” said an official with the state disaster management authority, who asked not to be named as he was not authorised to speak to media.

“As of now 177,500 people are housed in over 351 camps. Thousands of trees have been uprooted and livestock has also been badly affected,” he told AFP.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast scattered heavy to very heavy rain over Tiruchirapalli, Namakkal, Dindigul, Madurai, Theni, Karur, Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Nilgiris and Virudhunagar districts of Tamil Nadu.

Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami, who has announced compensation of $14,000 each to the families of victims, said most deaths were caused by flooding, house collapses and electrocution.

A Navy helicopter and two ships have joined relief efforts in the state, the local govern-

According to officials, 28 livestocks were killed in cyclone.

Gaja is the second major storm to hit India’s

Thousands of trees were felled by winds that destroyed homes and hundreds of thousands were forced to flee to shelters.

Hundreds of emergency workers have been pressed into service to restore roads and power cables, as the full scale of the disaster becomes clear.

vur, Pudukottai and Thiruvarur on Thursday itself.

According to Chief Minister Palaniswami, the Fisheries Department will estimate the damage to the fishing boats before paying compensation to the fishermen.

April and December. Last year, Cyclone Ockhi left nearly 250 people dead in Tamil Nadu and Kerala states.

measures helped keep the death toll low.

Relief centres were set up in Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Ramanathapuram, Thanja-

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to Chief Minister Palaniswami and enquired about the cyclone damage.

25

Austin South Asian | December 2018

Infosys To Open Technology And Innovation Hub In Texas And Hire 500 American Workers By 2020

Infosys (NYSE: INFY), a global leader in consulting, technology and next-generation services, today announced that it will open its next Technology and Innovation Hub in the State of Texas and hire 500 American workers in the state by 2020. The Hub will be located in Richardson, Texas and have a special focus on the telecommunications, retail and banking sectors.

and builds upon its May 2017 announce-

ment to hire 10,000 American workers by

We are grateful to our community for helping us build a well-deserved global reputation as a leader in digital innovation, and we are also deeply appreciative of the State’s support in bringing this project to fruition.”

Infosys’ investment in Texas reinforces the company’s commitment to driving digital transformation for American enterprises by leveraging local talent alongside the best global talent. These new Texas employees will include recent graduates from the state’s prestigious network of colleges, universities and community colleges who will benefit from upskilling through Infosys’ world-class training curriculum.

Earlier this week, the City of Richardson, Richardson Chamber of Commerce and Richardson Rotary Clubs selected Infosys to receive the International Business EDGE Award, given to a foreign-owned business in Richardson that has provided significant economic investments and support in the community.

Building on the strength of its existing Texas network of highly skilled professionals, the Texas Technology and Innovation Hub will facilitate greater collaboration with clients in the region.

The Texas Technology and Innovation Hub represents a key milestone in Infosys’ digital transformation campaign for the Americas

Home ‘Most Dangerous Place’ For Women, UN Study Show More than half the women who were murdered worldwide last year were killed by their partners or family members, making home “the most dangerous place for a woman,” a new UN study said Sunday.

In statistics released on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime calculated that of a total 87,000 female homicide cases worldwide in 2017, some 50,000 — or 58 percent — were committed by the victims’ intimate partners or family members.

Around 30,000, or 34 per cent, were committed by intimate partners alone. “This amounts to some six women being killed every hour by people they know,” the Vienna-based body said. The vast majority — around 80 per cent — of homicide victims worldwide were men, but “women continue to pay the highest price as a result of gender inequality, discrimination and negative stereotypes,” said UNODC chief Yury Fedotov.

“They are also the most likely to be killed by intimate partners and family… making the home the most dangerous place for a woman,” he said.

“The fact that women continue to be affected by this type of violence to a greater degree than men is indicative of an imbalance in power relations between women and men

tors, a deep pool of experienced tech talent and strong academic partners preparing the professionals of tomorrow.

inside the domestic sphere.” The UNODC calculated that the global rate of female homicide victims stood at around 1.3 victims per 100,000 female population. The study found that Africa and the Americas were the regions where women were most at risk of being killed by intimate partners or family members.

In Africa, the rate was around 3.1 victims per 100,000 female population, while the rate in the Americas was 1.6 victims, in Oceania 1.3 and in Asia 0.9. The lowest rate was found in Europe, with 0.7 victims per 100,000 female population. According to the UNODC, “no tangible progress” in combatting the scourge had been made in recent years “despite legislation and programmes developed to eradicate violence against women.”

2019. Infosys has hired over 6,200 American workers since May 2017.

“We are excited to announce the expansion of our presence in Texas, which is another important step in our continued investment in driving digital transformation for American businesses,” said Pravin Rao, COO, Infosys.

To date, Infosys has opened two Technology and Innovation Hubs, one in Indianapolis, Indiana and another in Raleigh, North Carolina. Infosys has also announced additional Technology and Innovation Hubs in Hartford, Connecticut and Phoenix, Arizona, as well as a unique Design and Innovation Hub in Providence, Rhode Island.

“Digital is rapidly changing every industry, and our Hubs will allow us to co-locate, co-innovate and co-create alongside our clients.” “Infosys’ expanded investment in Texas is fantastic news for our state and will provide Texans with the training and skills they need to compete in today’s technologydriven economy,” said Texas Governor Greg Abbott. “Every Texan should have the opportunity to advance economically, and we thank Infosys for helping even more Texans become part of the workforce for the future.”

As part of Infosys’ commitment to driving digital transformation for American enterprises and helping create the workforce of the future, Infosys Foundation USA has provided multiple grants for classroom technology and computer science training to teachers and schools.

The report’s conclusions “highlight the need for effective crime prevention and criminal justice responses to violence against women,” the UNODC said, stressing the need for measures to boost safety and empower potential victims while holding their abusers accountable.

“Texas’ world-class educational institutions are key to Infosys’ workforce development efforts,” said Ravi Kumar, President, Infosys. “Our investment in Texas will further improve our ability to serve clients by broadening the STEM talent pipeline here and provide training for the specialist skills that our clients need.”

The study also called for greater coordination between police and the justice system as well as health and social services. And the UNODC said it was also important to involve men in the solutions, including through early education.

“We are pleased to see Infosys establishing its new technology and innovation hub in Richardson,” said Richardson Mayor Paul Voelker. “Infosys will benefit tremendously from the Telecom Corridor® area’s access to leading corporations across a variety of sec-

To date, more than 4.7 million students; 13,000 teachers and 21,000 schools across America, including over 11,164 students, 256 teachers and 252 schools in Texas, have benefited from computer science training and classroom equipment funded by Infosys Foundation USA. This includes grants for professional development for teachers, hands on workshops for students, and new technology and teaching aids for classrooms, with an emphasis placed on serving underrepresented groups such as women, African-American, Latino, urban, rural and autistic groups that will gain greater access to computer science and maker education. For more information, please visit: https://www.infosys.com/americaninnovation/Pages/tx.aspx (Courtesy: https://www.infosys.com)

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Austin South Asian | December 2018

Pakistani Film Jawani Phir Nahi Ani

By Sumaiya Malik Austin Arts and Drama Initiative (AADI) arranged a public show-

ing of Pakistani hit comedy Jawani Phir Nahi Ani in Austin on Sunday November 18, at the South West Theaters on Lake Creek Pkwy.

Pulling quite a crowd on a cold and wet day, the film entertained from start to finish with the audience in splits all the way to the end.

Most sat through the credits listening to the comeback song of Arif Lohar, Tillay Wali Jooti, with wordings in Punjabi, English and some r a p style music.

Directe d b y

Nadeem Baig, the nearly threehour comedy takes place three years after the original Jawani ended. Upon his brother-in-law Rahat’s (Fahad Mustafa) insistence, Pervez (Ahmed Ali Butt) and Sheikh (Vasay Chaudhary) travel to Turkey with their wives Lubna (Uzma Khan) and Gul (Sarwat Gil-

lani).

There, the tragi-comical circumstances reunite them with their long-lost friend Sherry (Humayun Saeed) who is hell bent on suicide.

The couple will be hosting a star-

invitation and she is gearing up to attend the event.

Reportedly, Katrina has discussed this with Salman Khan and if all goes well, she will walk in to the

(Continued from page 1) The study, published in the Journal of the

American Medical Association, discovered that individuals following structured weight loss programs with support were more likely to lose weight and more likely to keep off the weight, than those who did not. The findings were drawn from the U.S. PreThe film takes us through their journey as conflicts involving ventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), which used the results of money, love and Indo-Pak politics the study to update their 2018 statement to officially recommend programs with ongoing support for adults with a body mass index arise. of 30 or higher.

The greatest strength of JPNA 2 is its fast pace. It moves like a bullet train from point A to B, never letting the audience take a breather.

For the average American struggling with lasting weight loss, the study’s findings are clear. Based on a review of 100 weight loss and weight maintenance programs, the best results came from structured programs that included regular in-person meetings, The film has grossed $6.3 million meetings that provide education and personal connection; and a world wide. This puts it on the top as the highest grossing Pakistani holistic approach. Weight loss experts also point to the benefits of comprehensive programs – such as Jenny Craig – in helping film. those seeking to lose weight learn how to keep it off for good.

AADI has steadily brought Pakistani films to Austin. Their last event was Austin Desi Limits, a live music concert with Pakistani and Indian musical performance.

“This peer-reviewed study, published in one of the most reputable medical journals, provides valuable direction for healthcare providers and consumers who are looking for scientifically-sound guidance as they strive for optimal health and weight management,” says Dr. Pamela Peeke, chair of the Jenny Craig Science For more information about their Advisory Board. “This new recommendation highlights the events please follow Austin Arts and Drama Initiative on Facebook. importance of ongoing support in weight management.”

Ranveer Singh And Deepika Padukone Wedding : Katrina Kaif To Walk With Salman Khan At reception?

Deepika and Ranveer who tied the knot in Italy on November 14 and 15, and are busy throwing grand bashes for their friends and family.

Don’t Diet Solo: Study Reveals Ongoing Support Key to Weight Loss

and Deepika have been sending personal messages to their close friends in the industry.

Reports have it that Katrina received a personal communication

Today, more than 35 percent of men and 40 percent of women in the U.S. are obese. Obesity is associated with a wide range of health problems, including increased risk for coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, various types of cancer, gallstones, physical disability and an increased risk for death, particularly among adults younger than 65. With more than 100 million U.S. adults living with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), finding effective and sustainable weight loss methods is critical for a large portion of Americans.

“Jenny Craig has understood the importance of offering support for more than 35 years; it is the cornerstone of our program,” says Jenny Craig CEO and president, Monty Sharma. “Personalized human guidance not only keeps people motivated, but also allows for a customized approach for each individual and their life situation.”

Members of the program meet weekly with their personal consultant one-on-one to discuss their progress, create customized meal plans, address challenges and plan the week ahead. Of note, the study found strongest success among those who met at least every two weeks, with those meeting more often seeing even better results.

studded Mumbai wedding reception on December 1.

party with the superstar and Ali Abbas Zafar.

Katrina Kaif has also received an

According to reports, Ranveer

from Ranveer Singh but not from Deepika Padukone.

If you are embarking on a weight loss effort, consider how ongoing support and science-driven structure can help you achieve lasting results. (StatePoint)

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Austin South Asian | December 2018

Avengers 4: Here’s Why Fans Are Calling Captain America A Hypocrite

One of the most interesting prospects of Avengers: Infinity War was to see Captain America and Iron Man coming face to face after the Civil War.

The scene was brought to the front by a Reddit user. Sharing the clip, he wrote, “Here’s Cap complain-

The two most loved superheroes had friction between them and they never hid or ran away from the situation.

Tony Stark was heartbroken when he learnt that Steve Rogers knew about his parents’ death.

Rogers had kept a huge secret from his friend Stark that Bucky Barnes was the one to kill his parents.

Now ahead of Avengers 4, a video from Captain America: Winter Solider is making rounds on the internet.

Captain America can be seen talking to Nick Fury. Steve Rogers is angry at the latter for hiding the details and his true intentions from him and the general public. Nick had brought the heroes together under a deception.

cause a similar incident had happened in the past.

ing about Nick holding back secrets, bit hypocritical considering he went on to hold back the fact Bucky killed Tony’s parents from him?”

This didn’t go well with fans be-

Later, the conflict between the two superheroes over the death of Tony’s parents became the basis of Captain America: Civil War. Meanwhile, fans are eagerly waiting for a plot twist in the upcoming

Avengers film where they can see the two superheroes reconciling their old friendship.

Earlier a fan-made trailer started making rounds on the internet where a similar sequence was detailed by the writer.

The write-up stated that the trailer will show Captain America and Iron Man reuniting.

It elaborates sequences of Battle of New York, time travel and the Quantum Realm.

Giving a glimpse of the post-apocalyptic NYC, the write-up narrates a grey-haired Tony Stark and AntMan. “We see Captain Marvel floating

with her fists on fire and her eyes lit up.

Thanos in the soul stone with young Gamora screaming at him Loki and Thor fighting off Chitauri together.

And Tony handing Steve a brand new shield in the Wakandan throne room. (Cuts back to Tony and Scott) Tony opens the orange briefcase as Scott hands him an illuminated bracelet.

Tony asks: ‘How?... Is this even possible?’

The final shot before the title reveal is an Infinity Stone disappearing from Thanos’ damaged gauntlet,” reads the post.

The 2.0 Trinity: Director Shankar, Rajinikanth, Akshay Kumar As ‘Creator, Protector, Destroyer’ Akshay Kumar just shared a priceless photo of himself with his 2.0 co-star Rajinikanth and director S Shankar and we can’t get over it.

In the photo, the 48-year-old actor can be seen posing with Rajini-

duism to describe each member in the photo.

Alluding to the three deities comprising Trimurti - Brahma the creator, Vishnu the preserver and Shiva the destroyer - Akshay Ku-

prise the roles of both Dr Vaseegaran and his creation robot Chitti.

Akshay Kumar, who referred to himself as “the destroyer”, has been cast as the antagonist.

He plays a villainous scientist

trio will bring box office destruction in three days” flooding the comments’ section. 2.0 is all set to hit screens on November 29.

However, in a recent interview with news agency PTI, the director revealed that Akshay Kumar was not the first choice to play the villain in 2.0.

The team had approached veteran Hollywood action star Arnold Schwarzenegger for the role: “We

had thought of casting Arnold.

We had talked and allotted dates also. But somehow things did not work out as the contracts of Hollywood and India are contradictory,” PTI quoted S Shankar as saying.

2.0, which is said to be made on a budget of Rs 500 crore, has reportedly recovered as much as Rs 370 crore ahead of the film’s release through satellite and digital rights.

SAVE DELTA | Cyclone Relief Campaign This fundraiser was created to reach the people affected from the GAJA CYCLONE in the major parts of TAMILNADU. LMES Foundation wanted to help people suffered in Delta Region by raising as much fund as possible from people.

You can also do a bank transfer to the below mentioned account setup for this fundraising campaign: kanth and S Shankar at what appears to be a private airport.

It was clicked ahead of a 2.0 press meet in Hyderabad, as was said by Akshay in the caption.

Akshay Kumar referred to the religious concept of Trimurti of Hin-

mar wrote: “Here’s Team 2.0 - the creator Shankar Sir, the protector Rajini Sir and the destroyer (yours truly) ahead of the press meet in Hyderabad today.”

Directed by S Shankar, 2.0 is a sequel to 2010 film Enthiran, in which Rajinikanth returns to re-

named Dr Richards in the movie, who is on a mission to destroy humanity for the better.

Shared on Monday afternoon, Akshay Kumar’s post garnered over 3,46,431 ‘likes’ in two hours with comments such as “world’s best talent in a single frame” and “this

UPI: givetolmesfoundation@yesbankltd Or Account number: 8080811054798 Account name: LMES Foundation IFSC code: YESB0CMSNOC

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Austin South Asian | December 2018