Austin South Asian. January. 2019

Monthly Community Paper | www.austinsouthasian.com | 512-828-6709 | Vol. 12 No. 01

Republic Day - India Republic Day honours the date on which the Constitution of India came into effect on 26 January

1950 replacing the Government of India Act (1935) as the governing document of India.

The Constitution was adopted by

the Indian Constituent Assembly on 26 November 1949, and came into effect on 26 January 1950 with

a democratic government system, completing the country’s transition towards becoming an independent republic. (Continued On Page 18)

BAPS CELEBRATES

By Ashish Patel A glittering array of twinkles filled the night as traditional candles

were lit by devotees. The ancient

tradition of lighting candles, or divos, during Diwali symbolizes the transition from darkness to light.

(Continued On Page 18)

Makara Sankranthi / Thai Pongal

ebrated from January 14 to January 17. Thai Pongal corresponds to Makara Sankranthi, the harvest festival celebrated throughout India.

Thai Pongal is one of the most important festivals celebrated by Tamil people in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, the Indian Union Territory of Puducherry, and the country of Sri Lanka, as well as Tamils worldwide, including those in Malaysia, Mauritius, South Africa, United States, Singapore, Canada and UK. (Continued On Page 04)

inside January 2019

Kiran Retirement..........04 Data Show Work Place.05 Arun’s Scribblings.........06 Learning Piano Can......07 Create A Holiday..........07 5 Ways Technology Can..8 10 Doctor.....................08 New Ways To Help.......09 Make A Difference........10

February 2019 RUPEE HIT LOW IN 2018 Legal Special

Thai Pongal is a harvest festival dedicated to the Sun God. It is a four-day festival which according to the Tamil calendar is usually cel-

MUMBAI (IANS) A rise in global protectionist measures, along with high crude oil prices, knocked out the Indian rupee in 2018, relegating it as the worst performing Asian currency of the year.

Additionally, fears over widening of the current account deficit, uncertainty due to state elections, banking sector woes and the currency contagion among emerging markets greatly weakened the Indian rupee.

However, some improvement in global risk sentiments and a sharp plunge in oil prices helped the rupee recover from its recent low levels.

The currency fell by 9.23 percent against the USD at 69.77 from its previous close of 63.87 on Dec. 31, 2017.

The Indian currency was under pressure since February 2018, due to a sharp and sudden uptick in the prices of Brent crude and other commodities.

Crude oil, which accounts for a large import bill for India, had weakened the rupee to 70 per dollar-mark and eventually led it to climb to 74.47 in October.

(Continued on page 13)

512-828-6709

Smooth Tax Season......10 4 Simple Tips For..........11 Maliks Page.................12 5 Tips To Shed.............13 Vocational Education....14 Style Statement...........15 Childrens Page....17,21,22 Tips For Holiday...........19 Tips To Embrae............19 4 Reasons To Start.......20 Lakh Of Women...........21 Imran Khan.................23 Beyond Sushi...............24 Tips To Keep Kids.........25 Entertainment.........26,27

2

Austin South Asian | January 2019

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** Claim based on 2017 RL Polk registration data.

ALL NEW 2018

3

Austin South Asian | January 2019

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4

Austin South Asian | January 2019

Upcoming Kiran Retirement Community To Meet Needs Of Growing Asian American Population

By Abha Sethi The ‘first of its kind’ study of Asian Americans indicates that Indians are the fastest growing Asian subgroup in Austin and now represent roughly one third of all Asians in Austin; this is the highest percentage in the entire country.

South Asian Americans, have enjoyed tremendous success in this country through their hard work and talents.

Building a master planned neighborhood nearby one’s family and around a community of people with similar backgrounds and interests solves these issues while creating a thriving and joyous atmosphere.

(http://www.austinasianchamber.org/asiandata) In the Greater Austin area, Asian Americans comprise nearly 10% of the population and are the fastest growing ethnic group, expected to double in population over the next several years.

Nationally, seniors are the fastest growing age demographic, expected to comprise a quarter of the US population in the next decade. Many immigrant seniors, such as

often too large or too expensive, and often leave seniors isolated during the day while the kids and grandkids are working or in school.

Kiran Retirement Community, an upcoming active adult senior neighborhood plans to meet the needs of the South Asian senior community in the Austin area.

As such, many would like to remain independent but still live close by their families and friends. Buying a home “next to” your children has become the only viable substandard option for many seniors.

These homes are not handicap accessible,

While Kiran retirement is open to people of all ethnic and religious backgrounds, the needs of several ethnic and immigrant groups that have special dietary and cultural affinities are not being met by the current establishment of retirement communities.

The potential development will consist of approximately 130 thoughtfully designed duplex and detached single family homes ranging from 1,450-2,300 sqft.

In the center of this 20+ acre neighborhood, a country club style amenity center will offer vegetarian dining, activities center, resort style swimming pool, yoga/meditation/ prayer room, media center, along with onsite home health services.

Kiran will be located near the Teravista Golf community in Round Rock close to world class healthcare facilities and abundant shopping and dining venues. Deposits to reserve home sites are currently being accepted.

For more information about Kiran Retirement Community, contact abha@kiranretirement.com 800-535-9383 www.kiranretirement.com.

Makara Sankranthi / Thai Pongal (Continued From Page 01) The day marks the start of the sun’s sixmonth-long journey northwards (the Uttaraayanam). This also corresponds to the Indic

solstice when the sun purportedly enters the 10th house of the Indian zodiac Makara or Capricorn.

Thai Pongal is mainly celebrated to convey appreciation to the Sun God for a successful harvest. Part of the celebration is the boiling of the first rice of the season consecrated to the Sun - the Surya Maangalyam.

The origins of the Thai Pongal festival may date to more than 1000 years ago. Epigraphic evidence suggests the celebration of the Puthiyeedu during the Medieval Chola empire days. Puthiyeedu is believed to represent the first harvest of the year.

Tamil people refer to Pongal as “Tamizhar

Thirunaal,” the festival of Tamizhs. Thai Pongal, also referred to as Makara Sankranti, is referred to in the classic work of Hindu astrology, the Surya Siddhanta.

Hindu temples during any part of the Temple Festival in Tamil Nadu.

Thai refers to the name of the tenth month in the Tamil calendar, Thai. Pongal usually means festivity or celebration; more specifically Pongal is translated as “boiling over” or “overflow.”

The day preceding Pongal is called Bhogi.

On this day people discard old belongings and celebrate new possessions. The disposal of worn-out items is similar to the traditions of Holika in North India.

Pongal is also the name of a sweetened dish of rice boiled with lentils that is ritually consumed on this day. Symbolically, pongal signifies the gradual heating of the earth as the Sun travels northward toward the equinox.

The people assemble at dawn in Tamil Nadu to light a bonfire in order to burn the discards. Houses are cleaned, painted and decorated to give a festive look.

This day coincides with Makara Sankranthi which is celebrated throughout India, Nepal and Bangladesh.

Bhogi

The horns of oxen and buffaloes are painted in villages. In Tamil Nadu farmers keep medicinal herb (neem, avram, sankranti) in northeast corner of each fields, to prevent crops from diseases and pests.

in Assam as Magh Bihu / Bhogali Bihu.

Thai Pongal The main event, also known as Thai Pongal, takes place on the second of the four days.

This day coincides with Makara Sankranthi, a winter harvest festival celebrated throughout India.

The day marks the start of the Uttarayana, the day of the Indic solstice when the sun purportedly enters the 10th house of the Indian zodiac i.e. Makara or Capricorn.

In the Tamil language the word Pongal means “overflowing,” signifying abundance and prosperity.

The cooking is done in a clay pot that is decorated with coloured patterns called kolam.

Pongal has two variants, one sweet and one savoury. The dish is served on banana leaves.

Money is often placed into a mixture of treats and is poured over children. The children then separate and collect the money and sweet fruits.

During the festival, milk is cooked in a vessel. When it starts to bubble and overflows out of the vessel, freshly harvested rice grains are added to the pot. At the same time other participants blow a conch called the sanggu and shout “Pongalo Pongal!” They also recite “Thai Pirandhal Vazhi Pirakkum” (“the commencement of Thai paves the way for new opportunities”). This is repeated frequently during the Pongal festival.

The Pongal is then served to everyone in the house along with savories and sweets such as vadai, murukku, paayasam.

Cooking pongal is a traditional practice at

This day is celebrated in Punjab as Lohri and

(Continued On Page 15)

Besides rice and milk the ingredients of this sweet dish include cardamom, raisins, Green gram (split), and cashew nuts. Cooking is done in sunlight, usually in a porch or courtyard, as the dish is dedicated to the Sun god, Surya.

Bhogi is also observed on the same day in Andhra Pradesh. In the ceremony called Bhogi Pallu, fruits of the harvest such as regi pallu and sugar cane are collected along with flowers of the season.

5

New Data Show Workplace Challenges Exist After A Cancer Diagnosis

The ability to manage employment after a cancer diagnosis can be complex, which means working people with cancer need support to balance work and health demands.

Despite the challenges that people with can-

cer face in the workplace, a new survey conducted by The Harris Poll and commissioned

by Cancer and Careers, a U.S. non-profit dedicated to empowering and educating people with cancer to thrive in their workplace, reveals that a majority of cancer patients and survivors (69 percent) feel that work aids in their treatment and recovery.

The survey also shows that many cancer patients and survivors agree that people living with cancer or cancer survivors want to work (74 percent) and that work gives them a sense of purpose (66 percent).

In fact, many cancer patients and survivors said that work provides a source of personal pride and accomplishment and helps them cope.

For full survey results, as well as other resources on working with cancer, visit cancerandcareers.org.

“As both a former human resources professional and cancer survivor, I know the uncertainty that occurs after a diagnosis,” says Kathy Flora, career coach for Cancer and Careers.

“Employers, HR teams and managers can be instrumental in helping employees balance work and health demands if they decide they want to stay on the job.”

(StatePoint)

Why Community Service Matters On Martin Luther King Jr. Day Martin Luther King Jr. Day will be commemorated on January 21. If you are planning how to best spend the time off from work or school, consider volunteering.

To honor the life and legacy of King, many communities offer service events that are easy to join for one day.

From serving meals to the elderly to interpreting critical health information to new immigrants, there are many ways you can devote your skills, time and energy to others in need.

A national listing of service projects can be found by visiting nationalservice.gov.

This Martin Luther King Jr. Day, consider how you can honor a great man, while helping to build a stronger community.

(SPM Wire)

Austin South Asian | January 2019

6

Austin South Asian | January 2019

How To Get The Most Out Of Your Credit Card

When it comes to purchases, Americans overwhelmingly prefer credit cards to cash or debit cards, yet few review the rewards and benefits that come with their card.

According to MarketWatch, over $16 billion worth of credit card rewards go unclaimed each year.

One reason for this is the process for redeeming rewards can be con-

al cards on the market that offer the option to earn unlimited points that never expire, such as the USAA Rewards Visa Signature Card.

Another simple way to guarantee you’re redeeming rewards regularly is to have your points automatically credited to your account each time you hit a set number. For example, changing your settings to redeem your rewards points each time you hit the 1,000-point mark will help you take full advantage of your rewards program, even if you forget an expiration date.

• Note interest rates and other fees.

This means millions of Americans may be missing out on experiences, cash back or other benefits that credit cards offer.

If you are one of the 77 percent of Americans that prefer to use credit cards, here are a few tips to make sure you are getting the most when it comes to a rewards card.

• Do your research.

“The credit card rewards program you choose should fully align with your spending habits, interests and goals,” says Russ MacKaron, general manager of Card Experiences at USAA Bank. “A one-size-fits-all card doesn’t exist, so do research upfront.”

For example, if you travel often, a card that offers airline or hotel rewards may be the best fit.

The key is to avoid a rewards program that you’re not likely to use or that requires you to meet a certain spending requirement within a set period. Instead, choose a rewards card that allows you to earn points for everyday purchases, such as dining, gas and groceries. For example, the USAA Rewards Credit Cards offer extra points on all these items with no limit on how many you can earn.

• Redeem rewards often.

fusing. What’s more, many credit cards have rewards that expire within a set timeframe. Read the fine print and redeem rewards multiple times per year to make sure you don’t lose out. There are sever-

wards program. A card with a low interest rate may seem like the most attractive option at first glance.

To learn more about reward credit cards options, visit usaa.com/creditcards.

However, according to TheBalance.com, there are three other key fees in addition to the annual membership fee you should look out for: teaser rates, balance transfer fees and late fees.

Finding the right credit card can take time and energy, but earning and redeeming rewards will make the effort worthwhile.

(StatePoint)

Scribblings By Arun FANATICS

“Earning credit card rewards can be completely counterproductive if you end up paying hidden fees that outweigh the benefits,” warns MacKaron.

Their thinking is too narrow, Words are poisonous arrow.

Abundant their confidence, Sans reasoning astuteness.

For contrary opinions, Never they have tolerance.

If you’re paying an annual fee that adds up to more than the rewards you redeem, you’re likely not making the most of your credit card re-

They cling to views of their flock, Though the clarity they lack.

Display pride where all they go, With their mind full of ego.

start on looking your best by ensuring your clothes look good before you even put them on for the day.

of your pants, from puddles and slush.

Being Like this they’re ecstatic They’re glad to be fanatics.

Their blind faith and aggression Detract them to see reason.

They’re not mantle fire of warmth They are forest fire of wroth.

Better keep away from these They’re totally disastrous. (arunsunderraj@gmail.com)

Tips to Keep Clothes Looking Their Best in Winter Winter is dirty, and unfortunately, all that slush, salt and mud coincides with the use of the delicate and expensive part of your wardrobe, from wool and cashmere sweaters and scarves to swanky party wear.

But you can keep your clothes looking their best this winter, without breaking the bank at the dry cleaners, using the following tips: • Use garment bags: Get a head

Store suits, dresses, sweaters and other delicate items in garment bags to keep them safe from dust, moths and other closet hazards at home and when traveling.

• At-home dry cleaning: Slash your dry cleaning expenditures by up to 90 percent and skip the hassle and harsh chemicals by opting for athome dry cleaning using your own dryer.

• Waterproof: On wet days, consider wearing waterproof shoe covers and tucking your pants into them to protect shoes, as well as the hems

With the right product, it will be an effective way to safely and thoroughly clean your special care clothes at home.

For no fading, shrinking or stretching of your winter weather gear like scarves, hats, sweaters and more, consider using Dryel, a quick three step process which works in the convenience of your dryer in as little as 15 minutes.

The heat of the dryer activates a cleaning solution to release a steam that removes body soils and odors from clothes, and a fabric protection bag maintains the optimal balance of cleaning agents and heat, allowing the steam to work thoroughly through the clothes, and then slowly vents the vapors out of

the bag and dryer.

• Act fast: When clothes get soiled, it’s important to act fast, particularly when dealing with salt and slush- related stains, which can be difficult to treat.

The sooner you deal with stains, the greater the likelihood you’ll be able to restore your clothing to mint condition.

• Landing area: Create a mud room. This can be just a few square feet of space by the entrance to your home and ideally located near the washer and dryer for quick transfer of clothes that need to be laundered. This is also the place to immediately remove boots and outerwear to avoid tracking mud into your home.

This winter, protect your wardrobe from seasonal elements. New tools and old tricks can help your favorite winter gear survive the season in great condition.

(StatePoint)

7

Austin South Asian | January 2019

5 Ways Learning Piano Can Boost Kids’ Confidence

Learning to play piano can boost

Practicing piano demonstrates that,

When children succeed, the positive feedback they get from parents, peers, music teachers and audiences, can go a long way towards supporting self-esteem.

under one’s belt, one will be better prepared to navigate life’s many challenges.

3. Taking Pride.

How Much Will This Season Cost Holiday Shoppers?

With achievement and the mastery of new skills comes pride. And new tools can help those skills come more quickly.

5. Friendships.

Participating in music-related programs can help children create bonds and form friendships that last a lifetime.

(StatePoint)

According to one quirky and fun annual economic indicator, the cost of holiday shopping is on the rise this year, at least according to the song “The 12 Days of Christmas.”

For example, with the Lighted Keys Keyboard from Casio, players can practice with the help of a lighted 61-key piano keyboard. children’s confidence in many ways.

over time, effort can lead to tangible improvement.

So, if your family is looking to introduce a new hobby or afterschool activity to your children, here are five reasons to consider piano.

This transformation will help give children the motivation and confidence they may need to hone their skills in other areas of life -- from organized sports to debate team to acting in the school play.

1. Practice makes perfect.

2. A round of applause.

A Voice Fingering Guide and StepUp Lesson System enables beginners to learn both music notation and correct hand positioning, while mastering favorite song, while Casio’s innovative Scoring System evaluates performance, so users can track their progress.

4. Troubleshooting.

Learning music is like learning another language, and the process requires one to problem solve and troubleshoot.

With these skills

To purchase all the gifts mentioned in the classic holiday song, it will cost 1.2 percent more than it did in 2017, according to the PNC Christmas Price Index, the 35th annual holiday economic analysis by The PNC Financial Services Group.

The 2018 price tag for all the gifts was calculated at $39,094.93, approximately $450 more than last year’s cost. For the full report, visit www.pnc. com. “True loves” everywhere take note, you’ll need a bit more money on-hand to fill the stockings on the mantle this season. (StatePoint)

Austin South Asian

Editor: Bala Kumar Marketing: Jayachitra Vijay -512-828-6709 Production: Jyothi Mariswaran Admin: Sharada Dayanidhi Publisher: Vidya Kumar Circulation: Vasooda Kumar

info@austinsouthasian.com I ©All rights reserved.

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

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

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

8

Austin South Asian | January 2019

5 Ways Technology Can Help You Achieve New Year’s Resolutions

You may have a long list of New Year’s resolutions. Luckily, these days, your efforts can be simplified with the use of technology.

Check out these high-tech ways to achieve your 2019 goals:

tion. Whether you are already an outdoor enthusiast or an aspiring one, a watch that’s also an activity tracker, compass, altimeter and more is a great tool for getting active in the New Year.

• Focusing:

For example, the WSD-F30 from

GPS log recording for up to three consecutive days.

And because it is water-resistant up to 50 meters and boasts environmental durability built to military specifications, it’s a sound choice no matter what your 2019 plans in-

An ancient practice with renewed popularity today, the benefits of meditation can’t be overstated. If you’re resolving to meditate in the New Year, you may be hard pressed to actually go about it, particularly if you haven’t meditated before.

Resolving to finally learn to play the piano? The struggle to learn a new skill can be disheartening.

Learn to make music in a way that’s intuitive and fun so that you stick with it. New models of keyboards often offer features that can help.

The CT-X700 from Casio is an affordable option that features a Step-Up lesson system that displays proper fingering and notation so you can quickly learn songs, and a six-track recorder is waiting for you when you are ready to put your new skills to the test and record your music.

Luckily, there are plenty of handy apps available that can lead you through a guided practice. From Headspace to Stop, Breathe & Think, a calmer day is at your fingertips.

• Boosting Knowledge:

• Staying Active: If staying active is a struggle for you, consider some wearable tech for that needed jolt of motiva-

• Making Music:

the PRO TREK Smart series has Bluetooth connectivity, Wi-Fi and enables the use of offline maps and

clude -- be it mountain biking, hiking or whitewater rafting.

Taking on a foreign language in the New Year is easier than ever before. Whereas in the past, you may have been inclined to buy language CDs and sit in a quiet room to study, now apps such as Duolin-

go are allowing language learners to squeeze in lessons and practice whenever they have downtime.

• Getting Organized: With tax season on the horizon, and the perennial importance of building savings and having good credit, if you resolve to organize one aspect of your life in the New Year, let it be your finances.

Use next generation tools to do so, like the HR-170RC, a printing calculator, which can help you find discrepancies, keep records and get a great start to 2019. Be sure to look for features like fast, twocolor printing, tax keys, a calendar and multicolor display.

This new year, achieve your resolutions with style and ease, using up-to-date technologies to learn new skills, get organized and more.

(StatePoint)

10 Doctor-Recommended New Year’s Resolutions With the new year upon us, you may be looking for resolutions that will help to keep you and your loved ones healthy and happy in the year ahead.

delay the onset of type 2 diabetes.

2. Be more physically active.

3. Know your blood pressure numbers. Visit LowerYourHBP.org to better understand your numbers

“This is the perfect time of year to consider your personal goals, and how you can make positive health choices in the coming year,” says American Medical Association (AMA) President Barbara L. McAneny, M.D.

4. Reduce your intake of processed foods, especially those with added sodium and sugar. Also reduce your consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and drink more water instead.

5. If your health care professional determines that you need antibiotics, take them exactly as prescribed.

“Small lifestyle changes today can have a lasting effect in improving your health.”

Antibiotic resistance is a serious public health problem and antibiotics will not make you feel better if you have a virus, such as a cold or flu.

To help you start the year off on the right foot, Dr. McAneny and the experts at the AMA are offering 10 recommendations to help you determine where you can make the most impactful, long-lasting improvements to your health.

6. If consuming alcohol, do so in moderation as defined by the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans -- up to one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men, and only by adults of legal drinking age.

1. Learn your risk for type 2 diabetes by taking the self-screening test at DoIHavePrediabetes.org. Steps you take now can help prevent or

Adults should do at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity activity, or 75 minutes a week of vigorous-intensity activity.

and take necessary steps to get your high blood pressure -- also known as hypertension -- under control. Doing so will reduce your risk of heart attack or stroke.

7. Talk with your doctor about tobacco and nicotine use and quit.

Declare your home and car smokefree to eliminate exposure to sec-

ondhand smoke.

8. Pain medication is personal. If you are taking prescription opioids, follow your doctor’s instructions, store them safely to prevent diversion or misuse, and properly dispose of any leftover medication.

9. Make sure your family is up-todate on their vaccines, including the annual influenza vaccine for everyone age six months or older.

10. Manage stress. A good diet and daily exercise are key ingredients to maintaining and improving your mental health, but don’t hesitate to ask for help from a friend or mental health professional when you need it.

The lifestyle choices you make now will have long-lasting impacts. So, this new year, prioritize your long-term health by forming great habits.

(StatePoint)

9

Austin South Asian | January 2019

New Ways To Help Protect Your Home And Family

When it comes to your home, there is unfortunately no shortage of things that can go wrong and no shortage of culprits, from wicked weather to electrical fires.

“Some of the most common situations we see might be prevented or mitigated with the use of smart home technology.”

High winds, plumbing and appliance issues, hail, leaky roofs, frozen pipes and break-ins -- these are some of the most frequent causes of property damage, according to Travelers, which analyzed eight years of its homeowners insurance claims.

activity on your property in real time.

Travelers thinks that smart home technology is a game changer when it comes to protecting homes and property, so it has teamed up with Amazon to offer integrated smart home solutions at a discount to the insurer’s eligible customers.

Customers can choose between a Smart Kit, Smart Kit Plus and Smart Kit Premier, which include an Amazon Echo Dot, security cameras, water sensors, motion detectors and a smart home hub to centrally control these devices from one app.

But experts say that there are steps you can take to help protect your home and family from situations beyond your control, particularly when it comes to some of the most common issues.

“Beyond investing in an insurance policy, integrated smart home technology can go a long way toward helping you protect your home,” says Pat Gee, senior vice president of Personal Insurance Claim at Travelers.

excess water where it doesn’t belong and take care of it before it’s too late, or, with a smart motion sensor, you’ll know about unusual

Travelers is also offering discounted kit installation, providing free Amazon Echo Dot devices to eligible customers, and has introduced new Alexa skills to help answer Gee points out that with a smart water sensor, for example, you could be alerted at the first sign of

billing questions and provide property maintenance and home safety advice to all consumers, with more skills planned for the future.

To learn more, visit the insurance industry’s first digital storefront at Amazon.com/Travelers.

“Traditional smoke alarms and home security systems are helpful, but there are new, proactive ways to monitor your home, including devices that are easier to use and more affordable than ever,” says Gee. “There has never been a better time to explore smart home solutions that can enhance your home’s security and help provide peace of mind.”

(StatePoint)

Tips To Keep Clothes Looking Their Best In Winter Winter is dirty, and unfortunately, all that slush, salt and mud coincides with the use of the delicate and expensive part of your wardrobe, from wool and cashmere sweaters and scarves to swanky party wear. But you can keep your clothes looking their best this winter, without breaking the bank at the dry cleaners, using the following tips: • Use garment bags: Get a head start on looking your best by ensuring your clothes look good before you even put them on for the day. Store suits, dresses, sweaters and other delicate items in garment bags to keep them safe from dust, moths and other closet hazards at home and when traveling.

• Waterproof: On wet days, consider wearing waterproof shoe covers and tucking your pants into them to protect shoes, as well as the hems of your pants, from puddles and slush.

• At-home dry cleaning: Slash your dry cleaning expenditures by up to 90 percent and skip the hassle and harsh chemicals by opting for at-home dry cleaning using your own dryer.

With the right product, it will be an effective way to safely and thoroughly clean your special care clothes at home.

For no fading, shrinking or stretching of your winter weather gear like scarves, hats, sweaters and more, consider using Dryel, a quick three step process which works in the convenience of your dryer in as little as 15 minutes. The heat of the dryer activates a cleaning solution to release a steam that removes body soils and odors from clothes, and a fabric protection bag maintains the optimal balance of cleaning agents and heat, allowing the steam to work thoroughly through the clothes, and then slowly vents the vapors out of the bag and dryer.

• Act fast: When clothes get soiled, it’s important to act fast, particularly when dealing with salt and slush- related stains, which can be difficult to treat. The sooner you deal with stains, the greater the likelihood you’ll be able to restore your clothing to mint condition.

• Landing area: Create a mud room. This can be just a few square feet of space by the entrance to your home and ideally located near the washer and dryer for quick transfer of clothes that need to be laundered. This is also the place to immediately remove boots and outerwear to avoid tracking mud into your home.

This winter, protect your wardrobe from seasonal elements. New tools and old tricks can help your favorite winter gear survive the season in great condition. (StatePoint)

10

Austin South Asian | January 2019

Make A Difference How To Stick To New Year’s Resolution

By Vidya Kumar Happy New Year to all our readers. I can’t imagine another year has gone by and I am welcoming 2019!!

Are you aware that only 40% of Americans make a New Year resolution and 92% of all New Year’s resolutions fail and that too in 8 to 10 weeks most resolutions dissolves?

So this year my resolution is not to have any New Year resolution so that I will not fail!

That’s smart right? Honestly, I am thinking of having a New Year resolution and how it should not fail me.

So to begin with I will have just

one resolution and no more.

As long as the goal is very specific and also it can be measured I am sure that I cannot fail.

Also in order for the goal to be achievable I need to keep it very simple and be able to do it without much difficulty.

More important the goal needs to align with my development and instead of having it for the whole year maybe it needs to be achieved by a shorter period of time and then I can build on the goal since I have achieved success.

Tips For A Smooth Tax Season Though Tax Day happens every year, it still seems to take many Americans by surprise.

This year, don’t miss the deadline or let this crucial to-do loom large over your head.

To have a smooth tax season, consider the following: • Getting Started Early: If you can, get a head start on your

with procrastination, you’ll receive your refund early -- if you’re due one -- or give yourself time to prepare to pay any owed taxes.

• Relying on Old Tricks: When it comes to tax preparation, sometimes, using old-school methods is the best way to go.

Whether you are just getting started on crunching those numbers or you’re finalizing all the informa-

Other functions include: a reprint key, a check function to scroll up to 150 steps of previous calculations, a grand total function for quick correction of mis-entries, currency exchange calculations and cost/ sell/margin calculations.

• Doing Research: The list of what is tax deductible is more extensive than you might realize, so do your research.

Keeping good records throughout the year of your expenditures can help you take advantage of these opportunities.

• Having a Refund Plan:

So I am thinking of a simple goal like just eating at least one healthy meal a day for three months and thus improve my health in the long run.

FREE CLASSIFIED info@AustinSouthAsian.com

pressive margin.

Don’t just let your checking account absorb your tax refund only to spend it on an impulse buy.

taxes. Filing early is a good tactic for anyone, but particularly those with evolving or complex financial circumstances Not only will doing so help you prevent the anxiety that comes

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tion, a printing calculator like Casio’s HR-170RC includes features that can aid in tax preparation and submission.

This model also has some newer tools, like a built-in tax feature that lets you store a frequently-used rate and pull it up at-will, slicing your calculation times by an im-

Whether you invest the money in your retirement, sock it safely away for a rainy day or put it towards the purchase of a big-ticket item, such as the down payment of a house, having a plan for your tax refund can help you make the most of the money.

This year, have a fuss-free tax season. With a little planning, you can file your taxes efficiently, without headache and at the greatest benefit to your finances.

(StatePoint)

11

Austin South Asian | January 2019

4 Simple Tips For Blending A Better-For-You Smoothie

There’s no better time than a new year to embrace healthy habits.

And it’s easier to embrace a “new me” mentality by fueling your body with the goodness it needs now.

good but are good for you.

Here are four tips for blending healthful smoothies that will help

You can incorporate more fruits and vegetables into your daily regimen with one simple snack hack: smoothies!

Cut back on the excess sugar by making them at home, where you can control what’s inside. Consider smart swaps, like no sugar added Mooala Bananamilks.

Smoothies are convenient, fast and easy to make -- all you need is a liquid base, frozen or fresh ingredients and a blender.

However, not all smoothies are made equally.

It’s easy to overlook the amount of sugar we’re sipping, which can make your “healthy” smoothie the sugar equivalent of a candy bar. Yikes!

The secret to making a better-foryou smoothie is cherry picking the right ingredients that not only taste

Smoothies made with fruit-flavored juices or sweetened with frozen yogurt might taste great, but can wreak havoc on your health, often adding up to more than an entire day’s worth of added sugar.

you reach your wellness resolutions in the New Year: 1. Sacrifice sugar, not taste.

These dairy-free milk alternatives add great-tasting flavor with sustainably-sourced bananas, roasted sunflower seeds and a touch of cinnamon and sea salt. Whether you’re making a green smoothie, something sweet and creamy or packed with tropical flavors, the Original, Chocolate

and Strawberry Bananamilk varieties are packed with real ingredients and won’t leave you with a sugar crash.

2. Turn flavor into function.

Make your smoothie as efficient as you are. Multitask with ingredients to provide your body with all it needs without adding excess calories. Blend in a scoop of collagen for better skin or a dash of turmeric to decrease inflammation. Also consider adding extra fiber, which takes longer for your body to digest, making you feel full longer and on fewer calories.

Functional foods can help fill in nutritional gaps of your diet while pairing added benefits.

3. Incorporate a dairy-free base.

Over 65 percent of the population experiences a reduced ability to digest lactose after infancy, so if you’re experiencing unexplained bloating after meals, it’s possible that dairy could be the culprit.

Daiya, the tasty brand known for creating plant-based versions of

favorite comfort foods, now offers delicious dairy-free yogurt cups in fruit flavors, like strawberry, peach and more. These yogurt cups are made with coconut cream, are low in sugar and pack in a healthy dose of B12, calcium and 6 grams of protein per serving. Plus, the coconut cream provides a satisfying creamy texture without the discomforts associated with dairy.

4. Plan ahead.

Let’s face it, busy lives require time-saving measures, and making smoothies is no exception. Prep smoothie packets the night before or, even better, for the week ahead.

It just takes a few minutes to portion out the right amount of fruits and veggies, throw them in a baggie and into the freezer.

Measuring the night before also ensures you don’t overindulge in the morning rush, plus you won’t have to add ice cubes, which lets you pack in more antioxidants while simplifying the process.

(StatePoint)

Simple Tips To Upgrade Your Next Casual Gathering From special occasions to everyday get togethers, you can upgrade any gathering without a lot of extra work by serving delicious pairings of small bites and sparkling wines.

Be advised that when it comes to great bubbly, you don’t need to spend a lot of money to get a great bottle.

meal: Getting Things Started Remember that guests often arrive hungry, so have your appetizer

to pair nicely with most tapas and light appetizers, such as Poema Cava Brut ($12.99), a sparkler boasting fresh citrus, mineral and Granny Smith apple aromas with toasted bread notes.

The Main Course Consider a wine that pairs well with different main course options, such as Poema Cava Rosé ($12.99), which features fresh notes of strawberry, raspberry and rose petals and a balanced acidity that keeps the wine light and fresh.

For a delicious, wallet-friendly option, try serving Cava, a Spanish sparkling wine made using the same traditional method as Champagne.

One Cava producer offering topquality sparkling wines is Poema, a family-owned producer that farms its grapes sustainably.

To help you plan your next gathering, check out the winery’s suggested food pairings for some of its top wines. These will have you covered for each course of the

alongside favorite light bites such as roasted potatoes, olive tapenade, jamón and Manchego cheese served with fresh crusty bread, stuffed mushrooms, shrimp fritters or even oysters and other seafood.

Whether you’re serving a casual meal of build-your-own sandwiches with cold cuts and lightly smoked fish, or you’re barbecuing lean meats, this versatile wine will work for many casual style meals. spread ready to go. Look for a sparkling wine that’s versatile enough

Before your guests sit down, start them off with this Brut-style Cava

For an added bonus, consider a picnic style theme with a checkered table cloth.

A Fizzy Sweet Finish Don’t disappoint those with a sweet tooth by neglecting the dessert course!

Whether you’re serving creamy custard, sponge cake, chocolate truffles or brownies, consider pairing with the sweeter-tasting Poema Cava Dulce ($12.99), which can be enjoyed alongside dessert, or served alone as a refreshing aperitif.

Upgrading your next gathering doesn’t have to require a lot of time or stress.

The addition of some high-quality sparkling wine will make an everyday gathering more festive and more memorable.

(StatePoint)

12

Austin South Asian | January 2019

Giving Credit To Sabeen Mahmud For My Shirt

By Sumaiya Malik

If anyone thought that Sabeen Mahmud would stop affecting lives in Pakistan after she died in 2015 in Karachi, they were so wrong.

a space in her store. Somehow I felt a common bond with the store through Sabeen.

No amount of convincing would change the mind of the management, said the cashier.

The designer shop also had a big sign on the wall behind the cash

He pointed to the sign on the wall reminding me that no exchange

Sabeen is still changing the attitude of people and shaping decisions even if they are different from norm, not just in big ways but also smaller more endearing ways that actually affect the common man directly.

On a recent trip to Karachi something happened that showed me just that. I was exchanging a brand new shirt at a store for something else in this trip to Karachi when I saw a poster of Sabeen Mahmud behind the check out register, which said, “Unsilence Pakistan.”

Sabeen’s side pose stamped in black and white caught my eye. I, a fan of her work at T2F, spent a few seconds thinking about Sabeen’s life and felt respect for the shop owner for giving Sabeen Mahmud

The tag was still on so I decided to take it back to the store of purchase for an exchange and possibly to buy more things since I was visiting from the US. This was not just any shop. The designer was well known. Block prints and mostly ethnic attire, the store oozed with culture and selfexpression… Sabeen’s poster being a perfect fit in the expressive surroundings.

register, “No refund and no exchanges.”

But I still wanted to exchange the brand new shirt I had received as a gift, for something I liked.

was the established norm.

I was not planning to give up. Especially because the shirt I wanted to exchange was of the latest line also hanging in the store.

Shalwars Go Through A Metamorphosis In Pakistani Fashion

By Sumaiya Malik

are loose and short.

On a recent trip to Karachi, Pakistan, I saw a big change in women’s traditional shalwars, a garment similar to pants and worn with a Kameez (somewhat longer shirt that varies in length but falls above or below the knees).

The shirts are cut almost like a square.

It is the shirt that usually goes through fashion changes varying in length and width, but this December it is the shalwars that are the highlight of the silhouette.

The silhouette looks carefree and almost liberated.

The big hit is the less skinny shalwar with a fitted paencha (the area where the shalwar narrows into an opening to allow for the foot).

One would wonder how the foot is passing through the tight paencha (opening), but there is a hidden zip behind each opening which the ladies are unzipping to easily wear and change the shalwars.

With this kind of shalwar, the shirts

The blue and white tie-dyed shirt with red mirror work on its neckline was quite something I had loved when my sister-in-law gifted it to me a day earlier, but when I tried it on, it did not fit me right.

The shirts are short almost six inches above the knee.

Designers like Sonia Batla and Farah Talib Aziz are going for the loose and flowy outfits, but they all come together with the zip-wali Shalwar.

“Consider Sabeen Mahmud,” I blurted out, “And all her work towards unsilencing Pakistan,” I pointed to the poster while trying to convince the employee of the store to bend the rules to allow me to exchange my shirt.

The cashier looked up. I quickly went on, “By not allowing me to exchange my shirt, you are actually silencing Pakistan and going against what you are stating through the poster… I am a big fan of Sabeen Mahmud.”

There was silence at the other end, but I could see two employees now exchange looks. Was this actually working?

I had been a fan of Sabeen Mahmud from the time she set up T2F (then called The Second Floor), a café cum open mike space affordable to all classes of people and especially a space of expression for new and struggling artists, a space where they could perform without going through extensive auditions and obstacles.

To sum it up, the space allowed expression in a country where dictatorship and martial law had affected two generations of people (one of them being mine).

When Sabeen was killed by assailants in 2015 as she drove home from T2F, the world sat up. “What a blow,” I had thought reading

about it in Austin, TX. Would this be the end of easy expression in Pakistan? Fortunately, T2F was set up like a non-profit, so the board took charge and to this day the café and space are a stage for expression.

There was quite a lot of discussion about Sabeen Mahmud in the Pakistani community too at the time of her death in Karachi.

And when a documentary about Sabeen’s work called “The Streets are Ours: Two Lives Cross Each Other” directed by Pakistani American director Fawz Mirza was shown in Austin, at the Indie Meme Film Festival in 2018, the house was full.

I didn’t realize my thoughts had wandered so far away from where I stood.

The cashier was still looking at me. Perhaps he could read my thoughts… I put the bag with the shirt down by the register saying I would be looking around and went about my browsing.

When I came back, two smiling employees told me that I could go ahead and exchange my shirt! I was ecstatic!

My immediate reaction? Thank you, Sabeen, for my shirt! But I actually need to thank Sabeen for more.

She just taught me that I can express myself in Pakistan too under a system not used to expression… she taught me how rules can be challenged in a calm and friendly way.

Maybe just maybe, someone will see sense in what you say and connect with you on some common thread and find a solution even if it not the norm.

I stepped out of the store with my exchanged shirt, another one for my daughter, and a feeling of hope and renewed love for a country I had grown up in.

13

Austin South Asian | January 2019

5 Tips To Shed Those Pounds In The New Year

Maybe you want more energy, or perhaps you want to lose weight and keep it off for good.

Whatever your goals, a new year means a fresh start to become the best version of yourself.

Here are five tips from Nutrisystem

Of course, you know not to order the regular cola with your meal, but you figure the lower-calorie diet version is an okay choice.

Not necessarily. One recent review of research found that artificial sweeteners often used in diet drinks may not be as beneficial for

for seltzer with lemon or lime.

But if you can’t stop dreaming of that diet soda, it doesn’t have to be completely off-limits. Just try to cut back. Moderation is key!

2. Drink more water:

To help slow down, take smaller bites, chew 10 to 15 times and put your fork down between each bite.

More fatigue means less physical activity.

“The super-sized meals at restaurants have given us a skewed view of proper portion size,” says registered dietitian for Nutrisystem, Courtney McCormick.

Nutrisystem experts recommend drinking at least eight, 8-ounce glasses daily.

1. Skip “diet” drinks:

weight management as intended, and that drinking them regularly may be linked to an increased body mass index.

If you want something fizzy, opt

One review of 23 studies found that fast eaters were about twice as likely to be obese, compared to slow eaters.

Every part of your body needs water to work properly. When you don’t get enough, your body can’t perform normal functions, which can drain your energy.

Plus, mild dehydration is often masked as hunger -- prompting you to grab a snack when all you really need is water.

experts to get your scale moving in the right direction and support your long-term health.

When you inhale your food, it’s much easier to eat more than your body really needs.

3. Slow down: It takes 20 minutes for the “I’m full” signals from your stomach to reach your brain.

4. Don’t eyeball portions:

Even if you’re tracking your food intake with an app or food journal, overestimating portions can sabotage progress.

ing some of the guesswork with a program, such as Nutrisystem, that offers pre-portioned, nutritionallybalanced meals.

5. Reduce stress: Stress can cause your body to burn calories more slowly, which could lead to weight gain, according to a study.

Plus, stress increases hormones that stimulate appetite, and the foods you’ll crave for comfort tend to be high in fat and sugar.

Help manage stress with deep breathing, meditation, exercise, hanging out with friends or listening to music.

More tips on jump-starting your weight loss goals can be found at nutrisystem.com.

McCormick’s solution: Measure portions -- not forever, but for a while at the start. Doing so will help you get a visual of what portions should actually look like.

With these tips for the new year, you’ll be on the road to realistic weight loss achievement and have more energy for your day-to-day life.

You may also consider eliminat-

(StatePoint)

Tips To Beat Seasonal Blues

Rupee....low

It’s easy to feel blue when daylight hours are limited and the weather is chilly. Here are a few ways to stay positive in winter:

(from page 1) Brent crude had soared to $86-a-barrel mark in early October, only to register an over over 40 per cent fall to below $50 per barrel following the U.S. decision to exempt 8 countries, including India, from the sanctions on importing oil from Iran and fears over a slowdown in global growth.

India imports about 80 percent of its crude oil requirements and a spike in global prices fans the risk of inflation, pressuring the rupee.

“INR has had a difficult year, and was the worst EM (emerging market) Asian currency in 2018 followed by IDR (Indonesian Rupiah),” said Madhavi Arora, Economist, Edelweiss Securities’ FX and Rates desk.

“Within the overall EM basket, Argentina and Turkey were the worst owing to domestic and external debt woes and political instability. This was followed by commodity currencies like Brazillian Real and South African Rand. India followed next and was the worst in EM Asia basket.”

The Indian rupee was further dented as the U.S. Federal Reserve raised interest rates four times this year which prompted foreign investors to pull out of emerging markets, including India, hurting the rupee.

The NSDL data showed that Foreign Portfolio Investors sold Rs 80,919 crore worth of equities, debt and hybrid instruments. The equity segment alone accounted for Rs 33,014 crore worth of outflows which was the highest in a decade.

The record outflow was second just to year 2008, when the financial markets across the globe plunged into deep recession.

Similarly, provisional data from the stock exchanges showed that Foreign Institutional Investors sold over Rs 73,000 crore worth of equities.

According to Anindya Banerjee, Deputy Vice President for Currency and Interest Rates with Kotak Securities, the rupee might face some intense bouts of volatility in the initial period of 2019 on account of the interim budget and the general elections. (IANS)

Physical Activity Exercise is not only great for the body, it‘s great for the soul, boosting your confidence and offering you a sense of achievement. Plus, when you exercise, your brain releases such feel-good chemicals as endorphins, serotonin, adrenaline and dopamine, making it a totally natural mood booster.

Socializing Getting motivated to leave the house and socialize can seem more challenging when you have to bundle up first, but it’s especially important to spend time with friends and family during a time of year when you are apt to feel blue.

Sunshine Sunlight may be scarce in winter, but it isn’t non-existent. Schedule a walk at lunch time; position yourself by a window when you curl up with a book; play outside with the kids --take advantage sunlight whenever you can. Just be sure to dress warmly for the weather, and wear sunscreen on exposed skin.

(SPM Wire)

14

Austin South Asian | January 2019

Why Vocational Education Is Critical For Many Young People

In this high-tech era where a college degree is positioned as a necessity for success, vocational education is often overlooked.

But experts say that a vocational education provides the right experience for many jobs that are currently vacant.

For example, over the last two decades, derelict farm equipment has provided high school-aged students with the tools they need for life through the Chevron’s Delo

the hands-on vocational experience of restoring an antique tractor with the business skills needed to detail, manage and communicate the process.

Indeed, many students learn from industry professionals and participate in internships and other unique programs that serve as a springboard to careers after they graduate.

It’s a very hands-on experience and those familiar with the program say that participants come out prepared for the real world.

“I can’t count the number of kids that have been exposed to excellent career opportunities through this program,” says Rick Elmore, career and technology education coordinator at Dubiski Career High School.

Indeed, there are 30 million jobs nationwide that don’t require a Bachelor’s Degree that pay an average of $55,000 annually, according to the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce.

Whether it’s a student that doesn’t fit the traditional high school-tocollege path or someone who is interested in mechanics, a vocational education can prepare that individual for a well-paying, real-world career right out of high school.

termination, teamwork, project management, budgeting, planning and even a little marketing.

“I have been an advisor and mentor to participants in the competition for over a decade and have seen the impact it can have on their lives.”

Tractor Restoration Competition, an annual event that is open to high school-aged tractor restorers.

The program provides a national platform for students interested in careers in agriculture or diesel mechanics on which to shine, mixing

On top of valuable experience and national exposure at industry events, the Delo Grand Champion receives a $10,000 prize.

The process of restoring an antique tractor to like-new condition involves commitment, de-

Indeed, many participants have gone on to careers in mechanics, or have used the experience to launch them into careers outside of agriculture or mechanics.

“The vocational aspects of the Delo event provided critical context that led to my study of automotive restoration at McPherson College,”

says Tabetha Salsbury Hammer, two-time competition winner (‘03 and ‘04) and the first female to win the event.

“The business skills helped prepare me for a career in the classic car industry. To say this event changed my life would be an understatement.”

For those interested in a vocational education, such programs abound, representing a number of industries and careers.

It’s only a matter of learning more about these opportunities.

So, whether you have an aptitude for mechanics or you are not sure if a traditional four-year college degree is the right path for you, visiting the career center at your school as well as looking into vocational internships, programs and competitions, can expand your horizons about what’s possible for your future.

(StatePoint)

Resolve To Boost Health With These Breakfast Tips Looking to make a change to your nutrition in the new year? Start by examining what is often referred to as the most important meal of the day; breakfast.

Here are some fast facts about breakfast from Kelly Springer, MS, RD, CDN, and president of Kelly’s Choice, a collective of registered dietitians, nutritionists and educators that offers customized nutrition coaching programs for schools, workplaces, medical facilities, athletes and individuals.

fuel to your body, your metabolism will slow down,” says Springer.

“To maintain a healthy diet, you need to eat regularly scheduled meals.

ficiencies, points out Springer.

“Breakfast provides essential nutrients that can’t be made up for later in the day,” says. “A good breakfast will provide protein, b

“Think about bonfires. If you don’t add wood to the flames, the fire will go out. Metabolism works the same way. If you don’t add food as

skip carbohydrates, but carbs are the number one source of energy for the body and brain food to boot.

But because protein can’t be stored as protein in the body, it needs to be consumed throughout the day.

Carbohydrates convert to glucose in the body -- and our brain, one of the most demanding organs in the body, cannot function without glucose.

“Be sure your first meal includes protein. You don’t have to search hard to do so. Some of your favorite breakfast items are already a great source,” says Springer.

Did you know that a bagel at Einstein Bros. Bagels has between 9 and 17 grams of protein?

• Don’t Skip It: Breakfast is not only essential to weight maintenance, it can help ensure you avoid nutritional deficiencies, so don’t avoid it.

longer and provides the building blocks for skin, hair, nails and muscle.

Breakfast is particularly important because your metabolism slows during a night of sleep.”

vitamins, fiber, calcium and iron.”

Skipping breakfast has also been proven to be linked to nutrient de-

Protein helps to maintain blood sugar levels, keeps you fuller

• Include Protein:

This is more than or as much protein as one large egg, three slices of turkey, one cup of 2 percent milk or two tablespoons of creamy peanut butter.

• Include Carbohydrates: Many new diets encourage you to

• Streamline: Habits are most successfully formed when they are easy to adopt. To that end, consider streamlining your breakfast by seeking out one location for your morning cup of joe as well as your proteinrich, meal, such as Einstein Bros.

Bagels, which offers a full breakfast menu.

A nutritious day all starts with a balanced breakfast. Start 2019 off on the right foot by giving your breakfasts a makeover.

(StatePoint)

15

Austin South Asian | January 2019

Tips To Make A Style Statement In Every Room Of Your House Want to elevate your home décor in the new year? Whether you’re going for farmhouse style or midcentury modern décor, make a statement in every room, even the most neglected spaces.

tend to be cramped and get steamy easily.

Adding a circulating element, like a ceiling fan, can remedy this woe

The Game Room

From the laundry room to the garage, to your home gym and game room, these easy and simple ideas from the design experts at Hunter Fan Company will add comfort and beauty to your home.

Game rooms are often the most aesthetically neglected rooms of the home.

Often a culmination of mismatched and hand-me-down furniture, the game room is most likely in need of some tender love and care.

Some new pillow covers for the couch and an added cowhide rug can provide a refreshing update to this room.

The Laundry Room While this space is one of the most used on a weekly basis, it’s often forgotten in terms of décor and style. Simple touches, like matching laundry bins, wall art and coordinated shelving can really change the ambiance and help organize laundry day chaos.

While this space has a ton of potential, it also comes with its share of challenges. Many laundry rooms

Smaller options like the Loki from Hunter Fan Company come in options as small as 36-inches and can seamlessly coordinate with your updated space.

and make chores more pleasant.

Consider adding an accent wall in a bold color and re-

placing those outdated band posters for a grown-up look.

The Garage For many people, the garage is the first interior space they encounter after a long day. Unfortunately, it’s also often the dumping ground for old tools, children’s toys and items with no place to call home.

Built-in storage can help with organization, and adding a layer of colored floor protectant will make your garage seem more polished and presentable.

If you use the garage as a workshop, the introduction of a cool breeze can revitalize strenuous home projects and ensure proper ventilation. Check out ceiling fan design options that can stand up to the elements, such as the Brunswick or Cedar Key from Hunter Fan Company.

The Home Gym When it comes to getting in shape, motivation is key, and having a beautiful, enjoyable space while working towards your goals can make all the difference.

Get a better workout by updating your home gym with new mats, colorful dumbbells and a brandnew sound system. Avoid overheating with the latest smart tech, such as the SIMPLEconnect Symphony, a fan that can be controlled from your mobile device or an automated virtual assistant, such as Siri, Google or Alexa, so you can be comfortable without interrupting your treadmill session.

For greater comfort, health and use of your home at the start of the new year, consider how you can incorporate beautiful and easy interior design elements into every room.

(StatePoint)

Makara Sankranthi / Thai Pongal (Continued From Page 04) Decorations

On Maatu Pongal, cattle are recognized and afforded affectionately.

Features of the day include games

Tamilians decorate their homes with banana and mango leaves and embellish the floor with decorative patterns drawn using rice flour. kolams/rangolis are drawn on doorsteps. Family elders present gifts to the young.

The Sun stands for “Pratyaksha Brahman” - the manifest God, who symbolizes the one, non-dual, selfeffulgent, glorious divinity blessing one and all tirelessly.

The Sun is the one who transcends time and also the one who rotates the proverbial wheel of time.

Maatu Pongal Maatu Pongal is celebrated the day after Thai Pongal. Tamils regard cattle as sources of wealth for providing dairy products, fertilizer, and labor for plowing and transportation.

the hope that brother-sister ties remain forever strong as they do in a crow family.

On this day celebrants bathe and decorate their cattle with garlands. Cows are decorated with manjalthanni (turmeric water) and oil. Shikakai apply kungumam (kumkum) to their foreheads, paint their horns, and feed them a mixture of venn pongal, jaggery, honey, banana and other fruits.

such as the Jallikkattu and taming bull.

Kanu Pidi is a tradition for women and young girls. During Kanu Pidi women feed birds and pray for their brothers’ well being.

As part of the “Kaka pidi, Kanu pidi” feast women and girls place a feast of colored rice, cooked vegetables, banana and sweet pongal on ginger or turmeric leaves for crows to share and enjoy. During this time women offer prayers in

unions on this day. Brothers pay special tribute to their married sisters by giving gifts as affirmation of their filial love.

Landlords present gifts of food, clothes and money to their tenants.

Villagers visit relatives and friends

In the evening people pray to Lord Ganesh. One ritual is to light a torch of coconut leaves and carry it around cattle three times and then run to the border of the village to drop it. This is believed to remove the evil influences caused by the jealousy of other people over the cattle.

Kaanum Pongal Kaanum Pongal, the fourth day of the festival, marks the end of Pongal festivities for the year. The word kaanum in this context means “to visit.” Many families hold re-

while in the cities people flock to beaches and theme parks with their families.

Celebrants chew sugar cane and again decorate their houses with kolam. Relatives and friends receive thanks for their assistance supporting the harvest.

In Andhra Pradesh, Mukkanuma, the final day of Sankranthi festival, is celebrated by worshiping cattle.

M u k kanuma is famous among non-vegetarians.

People do not eat nonvegetarian dishes during the first three days of the festival, saving them for the day of Mu

16

Austin South Asian | January 2019

How To Choose Tech Toys To Help Your Child Develop Crucial Skills Children today are growing up surrounded by technology from infancy. But even in a digital world, research has found that it’s crucial for kids to draw on classic play patterns that they have enjoyed for decades -- such as coddling a doll, kicking or throwing a ball and learning to follow the rules of a board game.

are more options -- physical toys, games, digital devices and content -- than ever before.

ties,” says David Kleeman, an ambassador with The Genius of Play, a nonprofit initiative dedicated to

• Does a doll that’s equipped with technology change the way your child can play with it? Can the doll still be carried, fed and bathed?

The world may have changed in today’s digital age, but playing in classic ways is essential for children to reach healthy physical, cognitive, social and emotional developmental milestones.

However, with so many technological toy options, it’s more challenging than ever for parents to choose playthings that kids can understand and that will help them develop critical skills they need to mature.

“In many ways, it’s a Golden Age for children and play. There

some key questions when reviewing toy options, especially those loaded with the latest technologies, say the experts at The Genius of Play. Here are some things to consider that are important for child development:

If the doll uses artificial intelligence to “communicate” with children, does this guide or restrict the conversation so much that it’s no longer spontaneous or imaginative?

But there’s a downside to more play options. Too many choices make it harder to find high-quality toys ideally suited to a specific child’s needs, interests and abili-

promoting the importance of play in children’s learning and development.

The solution is to ask yourself

• Does a ball with added technology make it difficult to roll, throw or kick? If so, is it in fact still a ball?

• Does a digital board game make all the decisions so that the players are left watching the computer

play?

• Is a screen-based construction app like a bottomless box of pieces with which the child can freely envision and create, or is building limited to a few pre-programmed models?

The benefits of play are numerous and experts urge parents to return to one main consideration when choosing a new plaything, regardless of the amount of technology it has: what is the child’s contribution versus the value that the toy adds?

More tips and advice for play ideas to help children develop can be found at www.TheGeniusofPlay. org. By choosing the right toys for your children, you can help them build confidence, creativity, critical thinking and other skills that will serve them throughout their lives.

(StatePoint)

Identifying the Root Cause of Your Child’s Seizure is Critical: What to Ask Your Doctor

By the time Jaxson O’Brien was finally diagnosed with a form of Batten disease, his family had been to three doctors, endured countless hospital visits and tried nine different medications -- all the while still having more than 100 seizures a day.

“We believed his epilepsy diagnosis was conclusive, but the seizures continued and we still had no answers as to why this was happening,” says Angella O’Brien, his mother.

“We were frustrated, but we knew that we needed to keep searching for the underlying cause of his epilepsy.”

There are many different causes of epilepsy. Some of these causes may be due to genetic changes or variations, even if no one in the family has epilepsy.

Fortunately, genetic testing is shortening the diagnostic odyssey for many families dealing with childhood seizures.

Indeed, after undergoing an epilepsy gene panel, the O’Briens finally

received a conclusive diagnosis of CLN2, a form of Batten disease

and an ultra-rare and rapidly-progressing pediatric brain disorder.

Healthcare of Atlanta at Emory University.

The first sign is typically a seizure between the ages of 2 and 4.

“Epilepsy gene panels are a type of genetic test that looks specifically at genes that could be causing your child’s seizure.

From there, the condition rapidly progresses to dementia and the loss of vision and of the ability to walk and talk.

Jaxon’s diagnosis enabled the O’Briens to end the search for an answer.

The symptomatic overlap between different disorders that trigger seizures can make diagnosis challenging.

However, today, comprehensive genetic testing can be used to efficiently diagnose some children who’ve experienced seizures.

“More than 50 percent of epilepsies have some genetic basis, and early testing may be the most direct, cost-effective and accurate diagnostic tool for childhood epilepsies,” says Dr. Sookyong Koh, pediatric neurologist at Children’s

In some cases, knowing a child’s epilepsy is related to a genetic disease could lead to better, more tailored care options for the child.”

Dr. Koh recommends that parents ask their child’s doctor about epilepsy gene panels.

Visit CanEpilepsyBeGenetic.com for more information on genetic testing and how to talk to a doctor.

“We’ve learned firsthand the importance of awareness and early screening,” says O’Brien.

“We are thankful that we were able to finally understand the root cause of his seizures and what we can expect for the future.”

(StatePoint)

17

Austin South Asian | January 2019

Neither Here Nor There

Akbar was always full of praise for Birbal’s wit and sense of humour and because of this the other courtiers had grown jealous of Birbal.

They always looked out for an opportunity to let Birbal down in the eyes of the Emperor.

Once, one of them approached Akbar and said, “Huzoor, you have found all of us worthy to being inducted in your royal court.

those things from the shopkeeper.

shop to the other.

The shopkeeper laughed loudly, “Where in the world did you come to hear about such strange things?

After a day’s long and tiring search, the courtier got completely exhausted. He was not able to walk anymore.

No such things exist in this world!”

The courtier did not give up eas-

He dragged himself to the court and reported to Emperor, “Jah-

I tried my best but failed to get the things that you had asked for. Such things do not exist in this world!

So, if Birbal can get those things for you, then all of us will accept his superiority over us.”

Akbar, then called Birbal and asked

Birbal said, “Very well, Jahanpanah!

I shall bring the things you desire by tomorrow morning.”

Next day as Birbal came in the court, Akbar asked him what he bought with those three rupees.

Birbal said, “Yes Jahanpanah, I gave the first rupee to a needy beggar.

But, we have observed that you assign most of the tasks to Raja Birbal only.

That reached God, from here to there, in another world.

This deeply hurts us. We can also do the same what Birbal can do, just give us a try.”

I spent the second rupee to buy some sweets, hence it was used here and I spent the third rupee in playing dice.

Sensing the growing resentment in the courtiers, Akbar said, “Very fine!

We can say that this rupee was neither used here nor there (the other world).”

Let me give you some work.” He thought for a while and said, “I will give you three rupees.

All courtiers were astonished to hear Birbal’s logic.

Akbar was pleased to hear Birbal’s intelligent reply and rewarded him handsomely.

You have to buy three things from one rupee each.

The first thing should be of ‘here’, the second thing should be of ‘there’, and the third thing should be of ‘neither here, nor there.’”

The jealous courtier immediately rushed to the market and asked for

Moral:

ily and kept looking for the things required by the Emperor, from one

anpanah, I am sorry to have come empty handed.

him to bring the same things.

The Adventures Of Randy & Square Kid

Even if you are faced with a seemingly unsolvable puzzle, you can apply your logic and please people!

Abhiveer Annoji

18

Austin South Asian | January 2019

Republic Day - India

(Continued From Page 01)

26 January was chosen as the Republic day because it was on this day in 1930 when Declaration of Indian Independence (Purna Swaraj) was proclaimed by the Indian National Congress as opposed to the Dominion status offered by British Regime.

15 August 1947 as a constitutional monarchy with George VI as head of state and the Earl Mountbatten as governor-general. The country, though, did not yet have a permanent constitution; instead its laws were based on the modified colonial Government of India Act 1935.

While India’s Independence Day celebrates its freedom from British Rule, the Republic Day celebrates the coming into force of its constitution.

A draft constitution was prepared by the committee and submitted to

India obtained its independence on

The Constituent Assembly became the Parliament of India under the transitional provisions of the new Constitution.This date is celebrated in India as the Republic Day.

On 28 August 1947, the Drafting Committee was appointed to draft a permanent constitution, with Dr B R Ambedkar as chairman.

the Constituent Assembly on 4 November 1947. The Assembly met, in sessions open to public, for 166 days, spread over a period of two

MRINAL SEN DEAD KOLKATA – Legendary film-

maker Mrinal Sen famous for his ability to put searching questions before the society – especially the middle class, died at his south Kolkata residence Dec. 30 following old age complications, family sources said.

Sen, 95, a widower, is survived by his only son Kunal.

Sen, who was ailing for a long time, breathed his last at his Bhowanipore home around 10 a.m. after a cardiac arrest, his family physician said.

After many deliberations and some modifications, the 308 members of the Assembly signed two handwritten copies of the document (one each in Hindi and English) on 24 January 1950.

Two days later which was on 26 January 1950, it came into effect throughout the whole nation.

On that day began Dr. Rajendra Prasad’s first term of office as President of the Indian Union.

India achieved independence from British Raj on 15 August 1947 following the Indian independence movement noted for largely peaceful non-violent resistance and civil disobedience led by Mahatma Gandhi.

The independence came through the Indian Independence Act 1947 (10 & 11 Geo 6 c 30), an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that partitioned British India into the two new independent Dominions of the British Commonwealth (later Commonwealth of Nations).

years, 11 months and 18 days before adopting the Constitution.

His demise brings the curtains down on one of the most glorious chapters of filmmaking in India, where Sen and late directors Satyajit Ray and Ritwik Ghatak are revered as the ‘trinity’ for giving birth to the parallel (or new) cinema movement in the country.

Born on May 14, 1923, at Faridpur (now in Bangladesh), Sen made his first Bengali film “Rat Bhore” (The Dawn) in 1953, but it was his second directorial effort “Neel Akasher Niche” (Under the Blue Sky) that received acclaim in the country for its lyricism and humane qualities.

Sen followed it up with “Baishey Shravan” (Wedding Day), that earned him plaudits from the critics beyond Indian shores.

In 1969, Sen worked on a small budget provided by the Central government to direct “Bhuvan Shome” (Mr. Shome) – a film regarded as an important milestone in the new cinema film movement in India.

A lifelong leftist, who, however,

never took the membership of any communist party in India, Sen has left behind a rich repertoire of 27 feature films, 14 shorts and four documentaries during a career spanning six decades.

Among his other venerated films are “Interview” (1971), “Ek Adhuri Kahani” (An Unfinished Story, 1971), “Calcutta 71” (1972), “Chorus” (1974), “Mrigayaa” (in Hindi - The Royal Hunt, 1976), “Oka Oori Katha” (in Telugu - The Outsiders, 1977), “Ek Din Pratidin” (And Quiet Rolls the Dawn, 1979), “Akaler Sandhane” (In Search of Famine, 1980), “Chalchitra” (The Kaleidoscope, 1981), “Kharij” (The Case Is Closed, 1982), “Khandhar” (The Ruins, 1983), “Genesis” (1986), “Ek Din Achanak” (Suddenly, One Day, 1989).

His last film “Aamaar Bhuvan” (This, My Land) came in 2002.

An intellectual par excellence and a great conversationalist, Sen regaled in calling himself an “iconoclast” and “By accident, a maker of films.”

The main Republic Day celebration is held in the national capital, New Delhi, at the Rajpath before the President of India. On this day, ceremonious parades take place at the Rajpath, which are performed as a tribute to India; its unity in diversity and rich cultural heritage.

Delhi Republic Day parade Delhi Republic Day parade is held in the capital, New Delhi organised by the Ministry of Defence.

Commencing from the gates of the Rashtrapati Bhavan (the President’s residence), Raisina Hill on Rajpath past the India Gate, this event is the main attraction of India’s Republic Day Celebrations lasting three days. The parade showcases India’s Defence Capability, Cultural and Social Heritage.

Nine to twelve different regiments of the Indian Army in addition to the Navy, and Air Force with their bands march past in all their finery and official decorations.

The President of India who is the Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Armed Forces, takes the salute.

Twelve contingents of various para-military forces of India and other civil forces also take part in this parade.

Beating Retreat

The Beating Retreat ceremony is held after officially denoting the end of Republic Day festivities. It is conducted on the evening of 29 January, the third day after the Republic Day. It is performed by the bands of the three wings of the military, the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force.

The venue is Raisina Hill and an adjacent square, Vijay Chowk, flanked by the North and South block of the Rashtrapati Bhavan (President’s Palace) towards the end of Rajpath.

The Chief Guest of the function is the President of India who arrives escorted by the (PBG), a cavalry unit. When the President arrives, the PBG commander asks the unit to give the National Salute, which is followed by the playing of the Indian National Anthem, Jana Gana Mana, by the Army.

The Army develops the ceremony of display by the massed bands in which Military Bands, Pipe and Drum Bands, Buglers and Trumpeters from various Army Regiments besides bands from the Navy and Air Force take part which play popular tunes like Abide With Me, Mahatma Gandhi’s favourite hymn, and Saare Jahan Se Achcha at the end.

Since 1950, India has been hosting head of state or government of another country as the state guest of honour for Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi.

During 1950–1954, Republic Day celebrations were organised at different venues (like Irwin Stadium, Kingsway, Red Fort and Ramlila Grounds). It was only starting 1955 when the parade in its present form was organised at Rajpath.

The guest country is chosen after a deliberation of strategic, economic and political interests. During 1950s–1970s, a number of NAM and Eastern Bloc countries were hosted by India. In 1968 and 1974, India played host to two countries on the same Republic Day.

19

Austin South Asian | January 2019

Savvy Tips For Your Holiday Spending

We are in the midst of the holiday season, and if you are like many people, you’ve probably already spent more than you anticipated.

leave you with financial regret afterward. Balance the benefits of reward points, zero percent APRs, or special deals, with the long-

in your wallet. Take a moment to think about how you will pay after the fun of holiday spending is over, and don’t forget to review the fine

More consumers are looking to use a credit card this season to pay for gifts, and they plan to take longer to pay it off than in previous years, according to a recent NerdWallet survey. In fact, more than 39 million Americans are still carrying some of last year’s holiday balance on their cards today.

While credit card use is common during the holidays, the key is making sure you use the right card, are aware of common fraud tactics and have a plan to pay off debt quickly. Here are some helpful tips from The United Services Automobile Association (USAA): • Pick the right card. The average American has 2-3 credit cards.

During the holidays, make sure you use those cards that won’t

term cost of borrowing money. For example, store credit cards give exciting discounts at the time of purchase but often charge higher APRs than a card you already have

print associated with making big purchases.

• Be smart and safe. If you are shopping online, make sure the

website starts with ‘https://’ to ensure it’s a credible site before making a purchase, and be sure to turn off Wi-Fi auto-connect and Bluetooth when you’re out and about this holiday season.

Connecting to public Wi-Fi is dangerous and less secure than connecting to your mobile network.

In addition, think twice before sharing your logon information over the phone or clicking on random links in emails from unknown sources, such as “track your package,” “open your holiday greeting” or “free gift card.”

Fraudsters often impersonate credible companies to get you to share your logon information or click links.

Now is also a great time to consider changing your account passwords and enrolling in multifactor authentication (MFA) where available. Using MFA, creating unique passwords, responding to fraud alerts and monitoring your

accounts are critical steps during the holiday season.

• Start planning to pay it off now.

Be sure to keep track of your spending so there are no surprises in the new year. Decide when you want to have your card paid off, and calculate the best plan of action based on your lifestyle and finances. Utilize your bank and credit card companies’ resources to create a realistic timeline that still allows for your everyday and monthly expenses. Many financial institutions, such as USAA, offer free financial tools to help.

For more tips and resources to help stay on track, spend responsibly and avoid cybercrime this holiday season, visit usaa.com.

By approaching the season responsibly, you can make the holidays fun and exciting -- not stressful.

(StatePoint)

Tips To Embrace A Keto-Friendly Diet It seems that everyone these days has a friend following a “ketofriendly” diet -- a low-carb eating plan designed to make the body burn fat more efficiently.

Developed years ago to control diabetes and then later to treat epilepsy in children, different versions of the keto diet have gained traction as effective weight loss plans, according to The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

“One thing all keto diets have in common is that they restrict carbohydrates in favor of healthy fats in an effort to achieve nutritional ketosis -- the state in which your body burns fat instead of glucose,” explains registered dietitian, Courtney McCormick.

The experts at the South Beach Diet are now taking a safe, effective approach to keto by offering a keto-friendly plan, and are providing helpful tips to get started.

1. Count net carbs:

A keto-friendly diet is based around the idea of net carbs. Limit yourself to no more than 50 grams of net carbs daily.

While this isn’t considered a strict keto diet, it follows the keto plan

for those looking for assistance with getting started.

To calculate this number, take your total grams of fiber and grams of sugar alcohols consumed and subtract that from your total grams of carbohydrates. The resulting number should be within the 40 to 50 net carb range.

2. No beans, legumes or fruits: To keep your overall daily net carbs within a certain range, even good carbs like beans, legumes and those in most fruits are off-limits except for occasional indulgences.

Stick to non-starchy veggies only, like leafy greens, cauliflower, broccoli, mushrooms and zuc-

chini.

3. Water is essential: Your fiber intake is reduced on a keto-friendly diet with the elimination of whole grains, beans and legumes. For digestive health and to ward off constipation, it’s important that you drink sufficient amounts of water.

“We recommend drinking at least 64 ounces per day on the South Beach Diet Keto-Friendly plan,” says McCormick. “Plus, water keeps you fuller longer, prevents overeating before meals and may boost metabolism if it’s ice cold.”

4. Variety is key: Following a keto diet could put you at risk for deficiencies in micronutrients, including selenium, magnesium, phosphorus and vitamins B and C. To compensate, take a multivitamin and stay away from eating the exact same thing each day. Mix it

up with an array of lean proteins, healthy fats and a daily serving of non-starchy veggies. Pay attention to changes in your health like hair loss, vision changes, aches, pains or weakness. Simple blood tests can reveal levels of vitamins and minerals.

5. Plan special occasions: Carbs are king at special meals and holidays. Communicating your needs with family and friends beforehand can help you avoid peer pressure and garner support for your efforts. Offer to bring a ketofriendly dish so you’ll be sure to have something to eat.

When following a keto or ketofriendly eating plan, do so in the safest, healthiest way possible.

Consult your doctor and consider following a plan supported by trusted weight loss and healthy lifestyle experts.

(StatePoint)

20

Austin South Asian | January 2019

4 Reasons To Start Your New Year’s Resolution Early 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, according to Dr. Pamela Peeke, chair of the Jenny Craig Science Advisory Board, who is sharing four good reasons to make a pre-New Year’s resolution.

spent with family and friends, the holidays are loaded with photo ops.

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-

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

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

Here are her insights to consider, 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 loss resolution.

1: You’ll Love Your Holiday Photos.

Whether work party snapshots or the chronicling of special moments

January to start, you may just be delaying the inevitable. 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.

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

Procrastinate Less.

Let’s face it: If you know you want to lose weight but are waiting until

So, make a new New Year’s resolution! Use the motivation gained by following through on your weight loss goal to fuel your next chal-

lenge.

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)

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Celebrates The Hindu Festival Of Diwali In Austin, Texas (Continued From Page 01) While the divos lit on Diwali erase physical darkness, the festival’s rich traditions and rituals go deeper – inviting individuals to make efforts in removing darkness in the forms of anger, envy, greed, arrogance, and resentment. Diwali presents a time to reflect and introspect.

The five days of Diwali (including the Hindu new year) are rich in cultural traditions and rituals that symbolize new beginnings and a renewed commitment to family.

The bright colors of Rangoli (intricate designs made of colored powder), the lighting of divos, and the elaborate variety of vegetarian foods offered to God (in a display called an Annakut), all mark a renewal of the good within and the goodwill towards everything around us. Diwali presents Hindus with an opportunity to connect with and celebrate the traditions of their roots with great fanfare.

Offering his prayers to Bhagwan

Swaminarayan, His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, guru and President of BAPS, prayed for devotees around the world for continued personal, and professional growth in this new year. Mahant Swami Maharaj took the occasion of Diwali to remind individuals and families about the importance of leading spiritually-centric lives, grounded in strong values and increased attachment to God. This year, BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandirs across North America marked the auspicious festival of Diwali and its associated five days of celebrations with an elaborate Annakut, lighted divos, fireworks, and even a special children’s Diwali celebration. “This program was a great way to expose children to Indian culture and having them experience what Diwali would be like in India. It also helps them develop global acumen in dealing with a diverse set of personalities, and perspective.

They also learn to be problem solvers and creative. I was impressed

with volunteer spirit and with the organization of the whole Diwali celebrations program” said Dr. Sital Patel who attended the celebrations with her family. The celebrations were open to all. Visitors participated in celebration activities, offered prayers for new beginnings and had the opportunity to taste in the delicious offerings of the Annakut.

About BAPS The BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) is a worldwide spiritual and humanitarian organization that is dedicated to community service, peace, and harmony. Motivated by Hindu principles, BAPS strives to care for the world by caring for societies, families, and individuals. Through various spiritual and humanitarian activities, BAPS endeavors to develop better citizens of tomorrow with high esteem for their roots and culture.

Its 3,300 international centers support these character-building activities. Under the guidance and

leadership of His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, BAPS aspires to build a community that is free of addictions as well as morally, ethically and spiritually pure. For more details, please visit www.baps.org.

About Mahant Swami Maharaj His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj is the sixth and current spiritual successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. He was ordained a swami

by Yogiji Maharaj in 1961 and named Sadhu Keshavjivandas. As he was appointed the head (Mahant) of the Mandir in Mumbai, he became known as Mahant Swami.

His devout, humble and service-focused life earned him the innermost blessings of Yogiji Maharaj and Pramukh Swami Maharaj. Mahant Swami Maharaj travels throughout the world inspiring people through his insightful spiritual discourses and disciplined conduct. His virtuous lifestyle and profound devotion to Bhagwan Swaminarayan and gurus are ideals toward which devotees strive. Mahant Swami Maharaj became the guru and

President of BAPS upon Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s passing in 2016.

About Pramukh Swami Maharaj Pramukh Swami Maharaj was the fifth spiritual successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. Under his leadership, BAPS grew into an international spiritual and humanitarian organization with over 3,300 centers worldwide. He dedicated his life to the well-being of others, traveling throughout the world to foster love, peace, harmony, righteousness, faith in God, and service to humanity. With genuine care and compassion, he reached out to all members of society irrespective of class, color, or age. Recognized and respected as one of India’s greatest spiritual teachers, he lived by and promoted the principle: “In the joy of others, lies our own.”

CONTACT: BAPS North American Headquarters Phone: 732-777-1414 Email: media@na.baps.org SOURCE: BAPS

21

Austin South Asian | January 2019

Lakhs Of Women To Form 620 KM Long ‘Women’s Wall’ In Kerala

Health minister K K Shylaja will lead the chain at Kasargod and CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat will be the last person at the end of the chain in Thiruvananthapuram Wall will be formed from Kasar-

taking a pledge to uphold gender equality and renaissance values.

The proposed wall was suggested at a meeting called by the Kerala government in the backdrop of frenzied protests by right-wing

The pledge for the wall, released by the Chief Ministers office on Sunday, calls for upholding gender equality and renaissance values.

It also bats for secularism and to oppose the move to turn the state

into a ‘lunatic asylum.’

While senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala has described the initiative as a ‘wall of contradiction’, UDF lawmaker M K Muneer had has termed it as a ‘communal’ wall for inviting participation only from ‘progressive Hindu organisations’.

The event is organised by the ruling CPI(M), along with over 176 other socio-political organisa-

tions, including the CPI, Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam (SNDP) and Kerala Pulayar Maha Sabha (KPMS).

The Nair Service Society (NSS), a prominent caste-based organization, RSS and the right-wing groups have opposed this move.

The Kudambashree Mission had earlier informed that it alone will field over 1.25 lakh women on January 1.

We Welcome Articles From Readers And The Community.

Email To: Info@Austinsouthasian.Com god in northern Kerala to the southernmost district of Thiruvananthapuram.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Lakhs of women from across Kerala are expected to form a 620 km state sponsored ‘Women’s Wall today to uphold gender equality and renaissance values, in the backdrop of frenzied protests in Sabarimala after the ruling LDF decided to implement the Supreme Court verdict, allowing all women to pray at the Ayyappa shrine.

The women will form the wall from Kasargod in northern Kerala to the southernmost district of Thiruvananthapuram.

Health minister K K Shylaja will lead the chain at Kasargod and CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat will be the last person at the end of the chain in Thiruvananthapuram.

The participants will gather at the designated centers today at 3 PM, where a rehearsal will be held.

The Wall will be formed between 4 and 4.15 PM, with participants

parties and a section of devotees over the state’s decision to implement the September 28 top court order, allowing women of all ages to Sabarimala.

“Finding a solution to the issues faced by women is seen as part of the class struggle,” Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Monday, adding that ensuring gender equality was part of class struggle.

In Marxist ideology, class struggle is the conflict of interests between workers and the ruling class in a capitalist society.

“The protests by communal forces against women’s entry in Sabarimala prompted the government and other progressive organisations to build Women’s Wall in the state,” Mr Vijayan had said, adding that all women, cutting across castes and religions, would join the wall “to save Kerala from the being dragged back into the era of darkness.”

The Universal Records Forum, the team which records amazing feats across the globe, is also in the state.

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.

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 | January 2019 THEME: AMERICAN AUTHORS ACROSS 1. ____bat or ____phobe 5. *Old Man’s turf 8. Old-fashioned “over” 11. Group of countries 12. Bayonet action 13. Sailing vessel with two masts 15. *”Up the Down Stair____” by Kaufman 16. Philosopher Marx 17. Poetic although 18. *Whaling writer 20. Soak some ink 21. Golf course 22. Hawaiian dish 23. *”Slouching Towards Bethlehem” essayist 26. Tax break 30. Singer Yoko 31. Bodily fluids 34. Three-ply snack 35. Parkinson’s disease drug 37. Debt acknowledgement 38. Special way of doing something 39. EU money 40. Chevy Chase’s 1985 comedy 42. One little piggie?

43. Plunder 45. Bias crime perpetrators 47. Pied Piper’s follower 48. Feed the fire 50. Rare bills 52. *Female Nobel winner 55. Olden day calculators 56. Home-grown healer 57. H.S. math class 59. Azaria and Aaron 60. Known for its cabs 61. Sports award 62. ‘re 63. “But I heard him exclaim, ____ he drove out of sight, Merry Christmas to all...”

64. Wander about

DOWN 1. *”Dr. Seuss’s ____” alphabet book 2. Chowder protein 3. “A ____ is a ____ is a ____...”

4. Plural of ocellus 5. Corn holder 6. British peers 7. Having the means 8. Doctor Octopus’ first name 9. Not counterfeit 10. Greek R 12. Fit for some jeans 13. Shish ____ 14. *”Invisible Man” author 19. Actress Davis 22. Product of inflammation 23. Dished out 24. Empower 25. Morrison’s “The ____” 26. “Open and ____” case 27. About to explode 28. Joanna Gaines’ concern 29. Ox connectors 32. Grain grinder 33. *Master of the macabre 36. *”American Authors” genre 38. Shade of Dockers 40. In good shape 41. Movement disorder 44. Desert mirage 46. SAT administrator 48. Type of renewable energy 49. Figure of speech 50. Type of ski lift 51. Do like the moon 52. Lion’s do 53. Guesstimate phrase 54. Australian palm 55. Norwegian band 58. Sweaty spot

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 February 2019 issue.

To Advertise In ASA Call 512-828-6709

23

Austin South Asian | January 2019

Prime Minister Imran Khan – The Inspiring Journey From Cricket To Politics And His Personal Life!

What if you actually succeed in doing that? And now, the whole world knows who you are, and considers you the epitome of righteousness?

That is the story of Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Imran Khan Niazi.

A man who turned his fate with the help of none but himself.

and West Indies. Considered as one of the pioneers of reverse swing, by 1982, Imran Khan was one of the best bowlers in the world.

They often say, “it takes years to build respect, but only a second for it to vanish forever” – and it is rightly said so. Humans struggle all their lives, every single day, to be able to make a name for themselves, for people to remember them in the best possible words.

Imran Khan, the 22nd and incumbent Prime Minister of Pakistan, has lived a life of glory, victory, struggle, and patriotism. Born on October 5, 1952, in Lahore, Pakistan, Khan was always destined for greatness. His parents, Ikramullah Niazi and Shaukat Khanum Bibi, were average citizens of the country as his father was a civil engineer and mother a housewife.

In 1976, Imran Khan returned to Pakistan and secured a permanent spot for himself in the national cricket team, which was followed by spectacular performances against New Zealand, Australia

This was around the time when Imran Khan was made the captain of Pakistan. Bringing Pakistan its international cricketing glory, Imran Khan was now considered one of the best all-rounders in cricket.

10 years later, he successfully captained Pakistan to the biggest triumph in the country’s history, winning the 1992 Cricket World Cup. After hanging his boots and gloves, retiring from cricket, Khan started works of philanthropy and this was also the beginning of his political ideology. Working for the UNICEF and a UK-based charity organization, Imran Khan developed the

love for people – especially the poor. This philanthropist nature of his was the reason he decided to step into the world of politics as well.

F i n a l l y, o n c e General Musharaff ’s game was over in Pakistan, Imran Khan took center-stage as the People’s Choice. He talked about the poor, the oppressed, against VIP culture and most of all, changing Pakistan from a thirdworld country to something unprecedented.

Imran Khan and his team, from 2011 onwards, introduced their slogan of change. On 23rd March 2013, Imran Khan famously announced the ‘Naya Pakistan Resolution’, which would change Pakistan forever. The slogan of ‘Tadeeli’ ran rampant across Pakistan and Imran Khan started to make headlines. While the Pakistan Muslim League – N under Nawaz Sharif

was running Pakistan, Khan campaigned against them and promised to make the current opposition party cry.

Extremely impressed by Allama Iqbal and his words, Imran Khan developed immense nationalist and populism in himself. In 1996, Imran Khan formed the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf, a political party which has finally come into power 22 years after Khan’s mission began. In the elections of 2002, after facing many failures, Khan was finally elected from Mianwali, his native town.

Finally, once General Musharaff’s game was over in Pakistan, Imran Khan took center-stage as the People’s Choice. He talked about the poor, the oppressed, against VIP culture and most of all, changing Pakistan from a third-world country to something unprecedented.

Imran Khan and his team, from 2011 onwards, introduced their slogan of change. On 23rd March 2013, Imran Khan famously announced the ‘Naya Pakistan Resolution’, which would change Pakistan forever. The slogan of ‘Tadeeli’ ran rampant across Pakistan and Imran Khan started to make headlines. While the Pakistan Muslim

December 2018 Sudoku Answer Mrs. Prema Raghavan

Mr. Yudhveer Bagga

League – N under Nawaz Sharif was running Pakistan, Khan campaigned against them and promised to make the current opposition party cry. However, that really didn’t work out well for Reham Khan, as a couple of years later, in 2018, Imran Khan married a famous spiritual guide in Pakistan, Bushra Maneka, who the country also refers to as Bushra Bibi and/or Pinki Peerni (due to her spiritual nature).

Ever since Bushra Maneka and Imran Khan tied the knot, it has been smooth sailing for Khan.

Bushra’s marriage to Khan proved miraculous for him as finally, Imran Khan’s 22-year-old dream came true, and he was elected in as the country’s 22nd Prime Minister.

While the whole country and rest of the world were shocked, Imran Khan knew he had done nothing wrong, as any Muslim can marry 4 women, according to Islam and Sunnah.

Currently, Prime Minister Imran Khan has laid down a massive crackdown against the two famous political parties of Pakistan, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (N). Their leaders are being taken into custody with the help of the National Accountability Bureau and the Anti-Corruption Department.

For years, these leaders have looted us, hurt our economy, paid no heed to the decisions they’ve taken and finally, a man has come who won’t let them go scot-free. This is why Khan is the most trusted politician in Pakistan and one that the whole world now respects. From cricketer to playboy, from philanthropist to politician and now, the Prime Minister of Pakistan.

This journey of Imran Khan shows that with the right mindset, will, determination and concentration, one can achieve the biggest goals possible in life. Imran Khan took control of his life and talent, from being an absolute nobody to now the most famous person in Pakistan. Imran’s journey shows us that no matter what, dreams can always come true if you have a clean heart.

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Austin South Asian | January 2019

Beyond Sushi: How To Enjoy Sake At Home

Sake, made from fermented rice, is an upand-comer in the world of wine and spirits, and Americans consume about 35 percent of all sake exported from Japan, according to John Gauntner’s Sake World.

tive, flavors will show differently based on slight changes in degrees. To understand these differences, try a rich and lively sake, such as Joto Junmai “The Green One,” (SRP:

3. It’s Only Available in Japanese Restaurants. False! You can find now find sake in restaurants serving Western cuisine, at specialty shops, and wine and liquor stores. Pick

Often remembered as that simple, warm drink consumed exclusively at sushi bars and Japanese restaurants, it’s sometimes notorious for its associations with sake-bombinduced debauchery. To gain a better understanding of this complex beverage, here are five common sake myths -- debunked!

1. Sake is Too Strong. False! The association of sake with strong alcoholic drinks may be more connected to an attitude of yake-zake, the Japanese term for “drinking to become inebriated,” than to the actual ABV, which typically hovers between 15 and 20 percent, making it a great choice to enjoy on its own or pair with food. Sake is also an excellent cocktail ingredient.

2. Sake is Served Hot. False! Sake was originally served warm in order to mask certain off-putting flavors present prior to the rise of premium sakes. More recently, the trend of high-quality sakes has shifted the popular serving temperature from warm to “slightly chilled.” But sake shouldn’t only be enjoyed cold. Because it’s very temperature-sensi-

4. Sake is Simple. False! Just as for wine, there are sake sommeliers who devote themselves to the study of sake’s intricacies.

Integrally connected to Japanese culture and history, sake is the product of complex production methods yielding an array of flavors, from fragrant to aged and mature and from rich to light and smooth. Take, for instance Joto Daiginjo “The One with the Clocks,” (SRP: 44.99) produced by the Nakao Brewery with a proprietary apple yeast. Made with milled rice, its delicate and clean with hints of green apple.

5. It Demands Special Glassware. False!

While sake serving sets can certainly add a sense of ceremony to the experience, today, glass has been deemed acceptable by sake professionals, and any wineglass will do the trick. To observe what an unfiltered sake looks like, try Joto Junmai Nigori “The Blue One” (SRP: $22.99) in a wineglass and pair with spicy Asian take-out.

$22.99) both chilled and warm. As a general rule of thumb, dry sakes and Junami sakes are better suited to heat. To warm sake at home, place a mug directly in a pan of boiling water. Pour sake into the mug, testing the temperature with your finger as it heats.

up a bottle to try at home. Today, many chefs and beverage enthusiasts are pointing to pairing possibilities that extend far beyond Japanese food. Its relatively low acidity and no tannins make it extremely food-friendly.

painful foot and ankle conditions.”

of growing older, so don’t resign yourself to aching and suffering. You likely have a treatable condition. For a proper diagnosis and intervention, be sure to pay attention to your feet and see a foot and ankle surgeon if and when you experience pain.

Whether you’re mixing up cocktails or searching for a dinner pairing, consider sake.

An understanding of its complexities can help you make the right selection.

(StatePoint)

Seniors: How Healthy Feet Can Reduce Your Risk of Falling

Among older Americans, falls are the number one cause of injuries and death from injury, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Not only are seniors more at risk for falls, when they do so, it poses a greater risk for injuries, hospitalization and complications.

For a ground-up approach to fall prevention, seniors should start by examining the health of their feet.

“Painful foot conditions, such as osteoarthritis, corns, bunions, hammertoes and diabetes complications, can make it difficult for seniors to maintain balance and coordination when walking or standing,” says Michael Ambroziak, DPM, FACFAS, a board-certified foot and ankle surgeon and Fellow Member of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgery (ACFAS).

“Compounding the issue is that the very exercises intended to correct risk factors for falls, such as lower-body weakness, as well as gait and balance problems, are made difficult to perform when one is suffering from

While the factors causing falls are numerous, experts say that seniors, and everybody for that matter, can take steps to reduce their

• Examine your feet: You are the gatekeeper of your own health, making regular at-home foot examinations critical. At the sign of bumps, lumps or other changes in your feet, make an appointment with your foot and ankle surgeon.

• Exercise:

risk by minimizing or even eliminating foot pain. Doing so will improve balance, coordination and stability when walking or standing. Foot and ankle surgeons recommend the following ways to help keep feet and ankles healthy:

Simple stretching exercises can help you maintain strength and mobility in your feet and ankles, as well as provide pain relief.

Talk to your physician about appropriate exercises for you.

• Don’t ignore pain:

• Protect:

Foot pain is not just a normal consequence

Use padding, insoles or whatever special

footwear you are prescribed. Be sure to wear these, along with comfortable, sensible shoes, every day.

• Be flexible: Know that at times, surgery is the most appropriate treatment for a given condition.

Fortunately, many simple surgical techniques allow foot surgery to be performed on an outpatient basis.

For more ways for to keep feet and ankles healthy, prevent falls or to find a foot and ankle surgeon near you, visit FootHealthFacts.org, the patient education website for ACFAS. Foot and ankle surgeons are experts in providing both conservative care as well as surgical approaches to foot and ankle healthcare.

Remember, just one fall can permanently rob seniors of their independence and dramatically reduce their quality of life. Taking good care of feet and ankles however can reduce the risk of a life-altering slip, trip or fall.

(StatePoint)

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Austin South Asian | January 2019

Tips To Keep Kids’ Minds And Bodies Active If you’re like many parents, you want to ensure that your little ones’ playtime gives them a chance to exercise both body and mind. Here are some fun ways to incorporate both into the equation.

• Outdoor fun:

For young children, music class is a great way to connect mind and body, as kids are introduced to simple rhythms, dancing, singing and percussion instruments. If music class doesn’t fit into your family’s schedule, you can always get the jams going at home,

Outdoor fun can be had nearly any time of year. Carve out time each week for trips to the local playground or park and for short walks and scooter rides. The change of scenery will activate young minds naturally to explore the world around them.

• Movement through discovery: Seek out toys that inspire movement through the act of discovery. For example, Chase Me Casey, a monkey that skates, spins and wobbles across the floor, encourages children to dance and crawl after him.

From floor play to first steps, look for toys that will assist your child with this crucial transition. For example, the VTech Stroll & Discover Activity Walker, which grows with your child, is nicely suited for floor play as its removable activity panel is packed with features like lightup piano keys, spinning gears and shape sorter pieces to help develop fine motor skills. When kids are ready, you can attach the panel to an adjustable two-speed walker, so they can learn and discover while on-the-move.

• Imaginative play:

When your child gets close, Casey reacts with playful sounds and encouraging phrases. Five colorful shape buttons on the monkey’s shirt introduce letters, numbers, body parts, music and more.

introducing your child to an array of musical styles.

• Music class:

• Toys to grow with:

Let kids create their own adventures using their imagination as a guide. Toys such as Starshine the Bright Lights Unicorn can add whimsy and adventure to active playtime. Place the seven charms on any of the three magic hearts to see the horn light up and hear colors, objects and phrases in English or Spanish.

Use the charms to answer quiz questions or add sound effects to create your own special song. Squeeze the unicorn’s tail to see her wings flap and hear phrases and sound effects. Starshine’s majestic hooves feature wheels so kids can push her as they head off on their next adventure.

• Simon Says: “Simon Says” is a fun game to get kids moving while reinforcing vocabulary, from learning the names of different body parts to distinguishing sounds, such as “Simon Says cluck like a chicken.”

This is a game that can progress with your child’s development. Start with the basics like, “Simon Says touch your nose.” As kids get more coordinated, try stuff like “Simon Says hop on one leg.”

Keeping kids active and engaged adds meaning to playtime and makes things more fun.

With toys and activities, you can foster discovery and imagination while introducing movement to children.

(StatePoint)

Opioids Aren’t Always The Answer For Chronic Pain Patients Decorated veteran Justin Minyard struggled for years with chronic back pain. And though his prescribed opioids provided only minimal relief, he developed a dependency on them. Unfortunately, such circumstances are common, as a growing number of patients are struggling with a choice between addictive pills or the thought of living with debilitating pain.

The American Chronic Pain Association found that one in three Americans suffers from chronic pain, pain that persists for months and sometimes years. As the number one cause of disability in adults in the U.S., chronic pain costs as much as $635 billion yearly, more than the cost of cancer, heart disease or diabetes. What’s more, chronic pain is often treated with opioid pain pills, which are highly addictive and result in 115 overdose deaths in the U.S. per day.

Minyard initially sustained back injuries while serving as a 9/11 first responder, and injuries during two tours of service in Afghanistan and Iraq further damaged his spine, rupturing multiple discs.

“When I returned home, I needed a wheel-

chair and I developed an opioid addiction from my treatment, which severely impacted

surgically implanted medical device that has helped patients manage their chronic pain without addictive pain pills for over 40 years. Most commonly used to treat low back and lower extremity pain, SCS sends electrical pulses that stimulate the spinal cord, masking the pain message traveling to the brain.

other forms of pain management cannot,” says Dr. Louis Raso, a pain specialist at The Pain Center in Jupiter, Florida, who recommended a trial of the Spectra WaveWriter SCS system to Minyard. “When patients take real-time control of their therapy, they can better manage their pain across multiple areas of the body.”

Minyard, who has been off opioid pain medication since his first SCS system implant over eight-and-a-half years ago, has noticed a significant improvement in managing his pain with the latest technology and is encouraging all chronic pain patients to talk to their doctors about therapeutic alternatives to addictive painkillers.

my life and the lives of my entire family,” says Minyard. “While surgery got me out of a wheelchair, the pain persisted until I found an alternative treatment option called spinal cord stimulation.”

Recent technology advances have allowed SCS systems to offer more precise and personalized treatment that better targets individual pain. In particular, the Spectra WaveWriter SCS System from Boston Scientific is the first and only system to simultaneously provide pain relief with a light tingling sensation (paresthesia-based therapy) or without that sensation (sub-perception therapy). Patients like Minyard can choose to combine both therapies to target one specific area of pain or use each as needed to best manage multiple areas of pain. Using a remote control, patients provide real-time feedback for personalized, targeted pain management.

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS), an FDAapproved, drug-free treatment option, is a

“The flexibility in this treatment has the ability to offer patients successful therapy that

To learn more about SCS and chronic pain, visit controlyourpain.com, a resource from Boston Scientific, who sponsored this message.

At a time when opioid abuse has reached epidemic proportions, having a greater understanding of alternative treatment options for chronic pain is critical for doctors, patients and their families.

(StatePoint)

26

Austin South Asian | January 2019

2018 BELONGS TO THE KHILADI KUMAR MEGASTAR AKSHAY KUMAR CLEARLY RULED THE BOX OFFICE THIS YEAR From playing diverse roles in movies like Pad Man that gives out a social message to break the taboo

The megastar has truly brought out the diversity in his roles. Padman instilled the change in the mind-

it was a delight for the fans to see Akshay Kumar and Rajinikanth together.

behind menstrual hygiene to playing a Bengali, Olympic-winning hockey team manager ‘Tapan Das’ in the pre-Independence era, Gold, which showed India’s emergence from the shadow of the British Empire to playing a villain in the highly acclaimed 2.0 which is the sequel to the movie Robot.

sets among the Indians and broke the consistent taboo attached with menstrual hygiene, whereas the movie Gold highlighted how India won its first Gold medal post-independence .

Apart from breaking the stereotype with his acting roles, the Gold actor has given his fans major fitness goals in 2018.

The highly acclaimed 2.0 has broken several box-office records and

The film explores the dynamics

Based on the controversial book of the same name, penned by political analyst Sanjaya Baru, the film features Anupam Kher taking on the role of singh while Akshaye Khanna stars as Baru.

their pesona’s unique quirks, delivered through their stunning performances. But it was not just the duo that captured the audience.

The trailer also displays polished performances by German actress Suzanne Bernert, Aahana Kumra and Arjun Mathur, who play Sonia, Priyanka and Rahul Gandhi respectively.

Apart from their smooth transformation, the set of the film does not fail to take one back to the intended politically charged period.

between Manmohan Singh and former Congress president Sonia Gandhi along with drabbling on the former Prime Minister’s alleged conflicts with his party counterparts.

The trailer gives viewers a glimpse of what they can expect from the politically charged film.

The biographical film has paid attention to the finer details, with Anupam and Akshaye perfecting

Shubhangi Atre, popularly known as Angoori Bhabhi from the show Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain, paid tribute to the late Sridevi on & TV’s New Year Special, Shaam Shaandar with a performance on songs like “Morni Baga Ma” (Lamhe), “Kate Nahi Katate” (Mr India), and “Mere Haathon Mein” (Chandni).

The actor has indulged in training, martial arts and believes in eating right.

Anupam Kher, Akshaye Khanna Stun Fans With Powerful Performances The wait has finally come to an end as the trailer of the mucch anticipated film The accidental Prime Minister has been revealed.

Remembering Sridevi

“It is overwhelming to be able to perform and pay tribute to the most iconic and legendary actress in Hindi cinema. I have grown up admiring her work as she is the epitome of not just beauty, but also an actor and performer. I hope the viewers and my fans will enjoy my performance,” the actress said.

Hilarious Bollywood Memes That Took Over The Internet In 2018 Celebrities are always in the public eye. Everywhere they go, they’re followed.

And all it takes is a funny twitch, a badly-timed picture or even an iconic movie dialogue and they

Netizens have come up with the funniest scenarios for this dialogue and these memes are sure to crack you up till you drop.

Directed by Vijay Gutte, the Accidental Prime Minister provides an intimate look of the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his functioning during his tenure.

The film which is set to release on January 11, features Anupam Kher, Akshaye Khanna, German Actress Suzanne Bernert, Aahana Kumra and Arjun Mathur in lead roles.

To Advertise Call 512-828-6709

In one of the scenes of his latest release ‘Simmba’, Ranveer Singh is seen telling Sonu Sood, ‘Tell me something I don’t know.’ And within no time, this dialogue became the new favourite meme on the internet.

instantly become memes on the internet!

Priyanka Chopra’s christian wedding to singer Nick Jonas was a grand affair. She wore a beautiful embellished gown designed by Ralph Lauren.

Today, we have a run-down of the funniest Bollywood celebrity memes of 2018 which will definitely have you laughing way too hard. Ranveer Singh maybe versatile, talented and extremely suave, but this time around, he has caught our eyes for a different reason.

While everyone loved her look, the exceptionally long 75-feet tulle veil triggered many memes on social media. From comparing the veil to a mosquito net to it being long enough to cover a cricket pitch, netizens had a field trip on PeeCee’s expense.

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Austin South Asian | January 2019

Simmba Scores Rs 75 Crore In 3 Days, Bollywood’s Fifth Highest Weekend Opener In 2018

By Joginder Tuteja Simmba has turned out to be a major success story for all involved.

In just three days, the film has picked huge momentum to ensure that it is set to be a huge winner in days to come.

The Rohit Shetty entertainer opened quite well on Friday to bring in Rs 20.72 crore. On Saturday it grew further to register Rs 23.33 crore.

Thugs of Hindostan - Rs 101.75 crore (first three days, since the film released on Thursday)

150.50 crore.

Though Simmba won’t be able to

So far, he has already hit seven centuries, namely Golmaal 3, Golmaal Again, Singham, Singham

Padmaavat - Rs 78 crore (first three days, since the film released on Thursday) Simmba - Rs 75.12 crore While Race 3 and Thugs of Hindostan were festive releases (owing to Eid and Diwali respectively), none could sustain eventually.

films only three other flicks have gone past the Rs 50 crore mark.

While Shah Rukh Khan’s Zero was an underperformer at Rs 59.07 crore, Rajinikanth and Akshay Kumar’s 2.0 (Hindi) had done well to register Rs 63.25 crore in its first three days (it had seen a Thursday release).

Tiger Shroff’s Baaghi 2 had thrown a pleasant surprise though with Rs 73.10 crore coming in its weekend.

However, it was the jump on Sunday that took it to a different level altogether.

On the other hand, Padmaavat arrived during Republic Day weekend.

With Rs 31.06 crore more coming in, the film has now accumulated Rs 75.11 crore which is a very huge number.

Sanju was the only regular weekend release and now Simmba again is in the same zone with no holiday support and still collecting huge.

cover such huge distance, rest assured it would comfortably go past the Rs 100 crore mark by Tuesday itself.

Returns, Bol Bachchan, Chennai Express and Dilwale.

The collections are among the best, as can be seen in the top-5 opening weekends that Bollywood has seen in 2018:

Incidentally, Ranveer Singh led the show in Padmaavat too and now his Simmba is just a little behind that film.

Sanju - Rs 120.06 crore Race 3 - Rs 106.47 crore

Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s film had stayed on to be quite huge right through its first week to collect Rs

Once that happens, it would turn out to be Ranveer Singh’s fourth century (after Ram Leela, Bajirao Mastani, Padmaavat) while Rohit Shetty would continue to lead from the front as the director with maximum Rs 100 crore successes.

Anil Kapoor Wants Daughter Sonam To Play The Female Lead In His Directorial Debut

Suriya’s Film with KV Anand Titled ‘Kaappaan’ It is known that Suriya plays a NSG commando in his film with K.V Anand.

Now, the team has titled the film

paan (saviour), Meetpaan (rescuer), and Uyirkaa (saviour of lives).

over 50% of them picked Uyirkaa, while Kaappaan got 30%.

On Christmas, we we had asked fans to pick their favourite title

But when we discussed the titles with our crew members, producer, distributors and industry friends, they all felt that Kaappaan sounded better.

It also has a futuristic note - ‘He will save’, which is how the film is going to end. So, we decided to go with this one,” elaborates Anand.

The director reveals that they have finished 70 per cent of this multistarrer, which also has Mohanlal, Arya, Sayyeshaa, Boman Irani and Samuthirakani.

Kaappaan to reflect the lead character.

among the three through a Twitter poll.

“We had registered the titles Kaap-

We got over 51,000 votes and

“Since Suriya is now shooting . for Selvaraghavan’s NGK, we are on a break. We will resume shoot from January 17,” he informs.

As for the best weekends of 2018, other than the aforementioned

MUMBAI—Evergreen actor Anil Kapoor, who turned 63 on Dec. 24, says if he will ever become a director then, he wants to direct his daughter actress Sonam Kapoor as a female lead in his directorial debut film.

Anil Kapoor was interacting with media when he unveiled first look of his forthcoming film “Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga” along with his co-actors Sonam Kapoor, Juhi Chawla, Rajkummar Rao and producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra on Monday in Mumbai.

Father-daughter duo Anil Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor are going to share screen space for the first time in “Ek Ladki...” where they are playing role of father and daughter.

When asked about his experience working with his daughter for the first time, he said, “It has been wonderful. She always surprises me as an actor.

When I see her on the set and when I see her onscreen, every time I feel that she has completely different kind of presence on both sides.

However, Simmba had gone past that number, hence turning out to be the biggest opener in the ‘masala’ zone.

Joginder Tuteja is a trade expert and film critic, and loves to talk and write about anything that is related to films. Views are personal.

I think that’s a sign of true artiste.

In the year 2018, Anil Kapoor featured in “Race 3” and “Fanney Khan.” He also produced a web-series called ‘Selection Day’ in collaboration with Netflix, and he even dubbed for Netflix film ‘Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle’ for the character of Baloo.

“I think this year has been beautiful and I feel year 2019 will be even better,” he said.

Sonam Kapoor has featured in many female-centric films in her film career like “Neerja,” “Aisha,” “Khoobsurat” and “Veere Di Wedding.” “I never made a conscious decision that I want to do films which are in that space. If I like the script and if my role in the film is good then, I will certainly like to do it.”

“Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga” is a romantic comedy film directed by Shelly Chopra Dhar.

It stars Anil Kapoor, Juhi Chawla, Sonam Kapoor and Rajkummar Rao in the lead roles.

It is slated for release on Feb. 1.

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Austin South Asian | January 2019