Austin South Asian. May. 2018

Monthly Community Paper | www.austinsouthasian.com | 512-828-6709 | Vol. 11 No. 05

Mother’s Day Mother’s Day in the United States is an annual holiday celebrated on the second Sunday in May. Mother’s Day recognizes mothers, motherhood and maternal bonds

in general, as well as the positive contributions that they make to society.

Rabindranath Tagore

Rabindranath Tagore, also written Ravīndranātha Ṭhākura was a Ben-

(Continued on Page 21)

2018 Indiememe Film Festival What To Wear

By Amil Malik Photo credit: www.wwd.com

gali polymath who reshaped Bengali literature and music, as well as Indian art with Contextual Modernism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Author of Gitanjali and its “profoundly sensitive, fresh and beautiful verse”, he became in 1913 the first nonEuropean to win the Nobel Prize in Literature. (Continued On Page 24)

High School Students Participate

By Sumaiya Malik Students of sixteen high schools across Austin participated in a

The season is changing, and now you’re staring at your closet wondering what to wear. Perhaps you’re considering investing in some new clothes… even a new bag?

By Sumaiya Malik Alka Bhanot and Tripti Bhatnagar can be trusted to bring movies to

Austin that make an international social impact at their Indie Meme film festival.

(Continued On Page 25)

But wait. Before you go and spend hard earned cash on fast fads, take a moment to think, plan and be strategic in where and how you spend.

(Continued On Page 14)

school walk out and march to the State Capitol to urge lawmakers to consider tighter gun laws on National School Walkout Day. (Continued On Page 12)

inside

May 2018

Diabetes Risk May Rise.02 3 Fun, Fashionable Color Trends.........................04 How Parents Can Help..04 Internet Access In Rural America Affects............05 Shopping For A............05

June 2018

Travel Special

512-828-6709 Tips To Save You From.06 Arun’s Scribblings.........06 5 Stand-Out.................07 Unexpected Food And..07 High-Tech Wedding......08 5 Ways To Make Math..08 Playing:SummeMovie...09 Dont Forget To Clean....09 Interest Rates Are........10 Celebrating Health........11 Night Owls Die Sooner..13 Higher Salaries............14 Maliks.......02,12,14,18,25 Tips For New Parents...20 Community Calendar....21 Childrens Page...17,22,23 Seasonal Allergies........23 Entertainment.........26,27

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Austin South Asian | May 2018

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‘Diabetes Risk May Rise Due To Lack Of Vitamin D’: Study Are you deficient in Vitamin D, also known as the sunshine vitamin?

Beware, you may be at a greater risk of developing diabetes, warn researchers.

(mean age: 74) with no indications of either pre-diabetes or diabetes.

The researchers identified the

dietary supplements of 3,000 to 5,000 international units (IU) per day, less with the addition of moderate daily sun exposure with mini-

A team of researchers found that individuals with 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels below 30 ng/ml in blood plasma were at up to five times greater risk for developing diabetes than people with levels above 50 ng/ml.

“We found that participants with blood levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D that were above 30 ng/ml had one-third of the risk of diabetes and those with levels above 50 ng/ml had one-fifth of the risk of developing diabetes,” said lead author Sue K. Park from the Seoul National University College of Medicine in South Korea.

For the findings, reported in the journal PLOS One, the team examined a cohort of 903 healthy adults

The current recommended average daily amount of Vitamin D is 400 IU for children up to one year; 600 IU for ages one to 70 years (less for pregnant or breastfeeding women) and 800 IU for persons over 70, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Higher daily amounts of Vitamin D

are generally considered safe, but blood serum levels exceeding 125 ng/ml have been linked to adverse side effects, such as nausea, constipation, weight loss, heart rhythm problems and kidney damage, the researchers said.

(Courtesy: IANS)

Pakistani Abu Wins Award At Indie Meme Film Festival 2018

By Sumaiya Malik

minimum healthy level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in blood plasma to be 30 nanogrammes per millilitre (ng/ml) and found to reach this,

mal clothing (approximately 10-15 minutes per day outdoors at noon) would be required.

“WINNER of the AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD for the 3rd INDIE MEME FILM FESTIVAL - ABU Congratulations Arshad Khan!

Your film is truly fantastic and you were such a pleasure to host.”

Indie Meme wrote the message above on their Facebook Page after counting all the audience votes.

Team Indie Meme kept a close watch on the voting like every year. Pakistani/Canadian film Abu won everyone over so completely that Arshad Khan, the director, was in conversation with the audience well past the allotted time.

A thorough gentleman, Arshad Khan had everyone bowled over by his niceness and warmth, two qualities that shone through his film. Arshad Khan made Abu proud!

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Austin South Asian | May 2018

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Austin South Asian | May 2018

Trends This Summer

Whether you’re looking forward to attending a few special events or have a fun getaway planned, you’re probably wondering what key items you’ll need to add to your wardrobe for summer. The good news is that there’s no need to overhaul your entire closet.

And it’s easier than ever to incorporate ontrend pieces into your outfit of the day.

This season’s most coveted colors are bright hues, pretty pastels and metallic tones, according to Nichole Duck, women’s buyer for fashionforward retailer, O f f Broadw a y S h o e Wa r e house.

Here she shares how to wear on-trend colors for any style.

Metallics as Neutrals Metallic accessories and footwear provide a versatile option for today’s fashion. Because metallics can mesh with a broad range of color palettes and design styles, they are “the new neutral.”

Ideas to try:

• Select a classic white t-shirt, skinny jeans and a pair of metallic slides for a comfy and casual look.

• Wear a long floral dress with metallic sandals featuring rose gold or silver to make a statement.

Bold and Beautiful From berets to jumpsuits, bright hues are prevalent head to toe this season. Additionally, there’s a resurgence of on-trend apparel and accessories that have undoubtedly been inspired by somewhere over the rainbow.

In fact, rainbow-striped knit tops, athletic track pants, crewneck sweaters and more are now all the rage.

Ideas to try: • Pair a neutral open-toed sandal with a pleated maxi rainbow skirt.

• Balance casual jeans with a pair of sexy stilettos in a favorite statement color. Vibrant red, ultra violet and electric blue shades can add a charge of energy to any outfit.

Braces & Invisalign Now accepting new patients!

Call (512) 793-9325 2121 W Parmer Lane Austin, TX 78727 (Same parking lot as Anand Bazaar, Chutney & Poke-Jo’s BBQ) www.parmerlaneortho.com

Ice Cream Pastels This season, ready-to-wear fashion features a palette of ice cream pastel shades (think yellow sorbet, mint green and lilac hues). The possibilities to incorporate these colors into this season’s outfits are limitless. (StatePoint)

How Parents Can Help Boost Kids’ Financial Literacy April is Financial Literacy Month, providing the perfect opportunity to actively engage kids on the topic of money.

even purchasing movies on televisions and mobile devices. Since many consumers rarely use cash,

buying and selling items. Take turns being the cashier and the customer.

“Even young children should learn about basic money concepts, like saving for a goal and spending only what you can afford,” says Alison Summerville, business administration executive and head of Corporate Citizenship at Ally Financial.

“Building an understanding of basic money skills and good savings habits at a young age can positively impact your children by giving them a solid foundation that they can use to manage their finances at every phase of their lives.”

This month and beyond, consider the following lessons: Money Basics Conceptualizing how money works can be challenging for kids, who may see you using credit or debit cards, buying things online, and

ture spending on the things they want.

money that takes into account their needs and wants.

To maximize the benefits your child receives from saving money, you may want to consider a Uniform Transfers to Minors Act (UTMA) or custodial bank account.

Helpful Resources

For example, those offered by Ally Bank, Member FDIC, require no minimum balance to open, and offer competitive interest rates and no monthly maintenance fees.

When opening such an account, take time to discuss interest and other basic banking concepts. children may not realize when you are actually spending money.

Discuss the prices of various products and services. Explain how money can be spent only once, and that after buying something, a person needs to earn more money in order to buy something else. To teach this concept, play “grocery store” or other games that involve

Start Saving

Needs vs. Wants

An allowance can be an opportunity to teach kids how to save.

Having “give,” “save” and “spend” piggy banks is a simple but effective way to illustrate the three main uses of money and teach them about giving.

Kids can practice math skills by tracking the amount saved for fu-

Help your children learn the difference between needs and wants.

Explain how you have to pay for needs like food, shelter and heat, before buying items that you want, such as toys and electronics.

Help your children come up with a plan to save and spend their own

Turn to free resources that your family can use to help teach kids financial concepts. For example, Ally, a digital financial services company, released “Planet Zeee and the Money Tree,” a book for parents and educators that uses a fun and futuristic story line to teach kids ages 6-10 basic financial literacy.

Parents can visit allywalletwise. com to download the book and play “What’s Zeee Answer?” an interactive game where players answer questions based on the concepts covered in the book. Additional resources for all ages are also available at fdic.gov/moneysmart.

This April, take the time to plant the seeds of money mindfulness and boost your children’s financial knowledge.

(StatePoint)

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Austin South Asian | May 2018

Shopping For A Wedding Gift? What To Know Now If your fridge is filled with savethe-dates and wedding invitations, you’re inevitably facing the daunting question: what to give?

In taking a look at the couple’s reg-

items like linens and cookware, these days, you can expect to see the latest home technologies, too.

From connected doorbells and thermostats, to smart showers, these are the items that many of to-

conducted online by Harris Poll in March 2018, which investigated what smart products would top the list when it comes to millennial (ages 18-34 at the time of the survey) wedding registries, and how this tech-savvy generation appear to be reinventing the process of registering.

The survey found that 42 percent of millennials would want to include smart home products on their registry.

Millennials are bucking several age-old gifting beliefs, and while traditionalists may find these new registry customs strange, guests should consider selecting one of the high-tech items on a millennial couple’s list if they want their gift to stand out.

istry, you may have been surprised by some of the items listed.

day’s millennials would want, suggests a new study.

While in the past, you probably only found traditional household

Leading faucet manufacturer, Moen, commissioned a survey

(StatePoint)

Why Internet Access In Rural America Affects Everyone Healthy communities and a strong national economy rely on internet access for all, suggests a new study.

Indeed, in today’s economy, those in both urban and rural areas are equally dependent on online transactions, according to new report commissioned by the Foundation for Rural Service (FRS), entitled “A Cyber Economy: The Transactional Value of the Internet in Rural America.” However, rural dwellers do not always enjoy the same access to robust broadband as urbanites.

“Access to the internet is key to almost everything we do today -- connecting us to education, healthcare, job opportunities, entertainment and so much more,” says FRS executive director, Jessica Golden.

But it’s not just people who are dependent on online transactions, the national economy is too. Half of the U.S. GDP today comes from internetdriven transactions and that percentage is expected to rise over the next four years, according to the report.

Valued at $1.4 trillion and accounting for 7 percent of the U.S. nominal GDP, rural America accounts for a substantial portion of these transactions.

“These findings highlight the value of continued investment in rural broadband for the good of all Americans,” says Golden.

(StatePoint)

The Fine Art of the ‘Do-It-Together’ Move The average American has moved five times in their life so far, moving an average of 26 boxes each time, according to a recent survey conducted by Duck brand. Talk about moving mayhem!

to find what you need later in no time. Simply purchase the labels and download the free app. Place a label on a box; scan the QR code;

provided. For more information, visit DuckPackAndTrack.com.

2. Determine Your Packing Pro-

Despite this huge undertaking, surprisingly, less than 20 percent of Americans hire professional movers. Most rely on family members (58 percent), friends (55 percent) and spouses/partners (51 percent).

to the madness. Designate a go-to person for questions. Plan meals and beverages ahead of time to keep movers happy and hydrated.

3. Pack Like a Professional. More than 80 percent of Americans say they find something frustrating when packing to move. The top complaint? Worrying about items breaking.

Give helpers specific tasks in-advance or schedule them in shifts to avoid a traffic jam. And finally, always have a plan for unexpected obstacles, such as weather.

Help ensure keepsakes and other breakables arrive intact by using Bubble Wrap cushioning. For the best protection, wrap items with the bubbles facing inward -- not outward.

Here are a few tips to help you master your upcoming move.

1. Use “Smart” Supplies. In addition to the essentials like boxes, Bubble Wrap cushioning and packing tape, keep an eye out for new tech-based moving solutions, like the Duck Pack & Track appbased labeling system, which uses a smartphone app and unique labels to keep track of your boxes’ contents. For a frustration-free move, you can easily label boxes

can prevent headaches. Just don’t be like the 10 percent of Americans who don’t organize in any particular way!

and log the name, location and contents of the box by typing or using voice commands. You can even add a photo of the box contents. To find items, simply speak or type that item into the app, and the box name and location will be

cess. How do most people organize boxes? The three most popular approaches are: by room the item is in before the move (45 percent); by the room the item will go in at the new house (25 percent) and by type of item (17 percent). Any method

Once securely wrapped, seal boxes with a stronger, more durable packaging tape to ensure even the heaviest boxes arrive safely and securely.

4. Stay Calm on Moving Day. The hustle and bustle of moving day may be stressful, so have a method

5. Mind Your Manners. Show your movers how grateful you are for their help. Reward them with a special treat either on moving day or afterwards.

Hosting a special party once you’re moved in is a great way to get back together and show your appreciation.

And remember to say “please” and “thank you” throughout the entire process. Small gestures go a long way, especially if you find yourself having to move again.

(StatePoint)

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Austin South Asian | May 2018

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Scribblings By Arun Sad(ists) rap(ists)

They have the money power, they have the muscle power.

They have political power, they can do whatever; Nothing best but only the worst.

They rape the young, they rape the old, Spare not married or even child.

Those who protest are threatened, To kill any they never hesitate.

In the human form, they are, worse than any beasts.

You can file numerous suits; you can go to the highest court.

The evidence they shall dilute, with the authorities most corrupt.

Drag the cases for decades, suc-

ceed to come out unscathed.

Feelings of others they care the least; Their aim is to satisfy all kinds of their lust.

Even with gods, you succeed not, to save victims from their iron fist.

Tips To Save You From Sticky Outdoor Situations When it comes to outdoor adventures, tape is at the top of most gear lists for its wide variety of uses -- from torn tents to broken fishing poles to ripped hiking gear. No matter if you’re an avid outdoorsman or an occasional adventurer, here are a few tape tips and ideas that are sure to stick.

just any roll into your backpack, you need tape that meets the needs of extreme outdoor environments.

For that reason, Survivorman, Les Stroud, sticks with T-Rex brand, which offers all-weather protection that works longer and holds stronger. To mend gear, try using T-Rex Clear Repair Tape, which adheres

As long as public fail to take, Law into their hands for whatsoever sake, They feel secure and highly safe; none can shake their ignominious life.

5. Torn Tents and Tarps.

They have the money power, they have the muscle power They have the political power, so they tend to do the worst ever.

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

experienced angler. But if you’re prepared with strong tape, you’ll have an easy solution -- not an emergency. Depending on the location of the break, you may be able to reinforce the rod with a few layers of tape. Alternately, you could overlap the two broken sections by a few inches and tape the sections together thoroughly. Then, carry on until you limit out.

1. Perfect Packing.

On your adventure, you may need to cut weight -- especially if you’re hiking for miles. To ensure you have all the tape you’ll need while reducing the bulk in your pack, wrap a strong, all-weather tape around your trekking poles just beneath the handles. It’ll be there when you need it and it adds additional grip.

2. Ripped Waders or Rain Gear.

From fly fishers with chest waders to hikers with rain gear, outdoor adventurers choose their gear wisely to stay dry and protected. But what happens when the unforeseen rip occurs? Tape can be the difference between trip success and a soggy situation. However, don’t throw

and holds strong to wet surfaces, so that you can patch yourself up and get back into action.

3. Boot Basics.

Broken-in boots are the best to ensure comfort and no blisters, but sometimes they can wear out mid-trek. Luckily, tape can be your savior to keep soles in place or add waterproofing until you’re back to base. Additionally, adding tape around your boot top can keep laces from snagging and becoming untied when you’re trekking through brush or vines.

4. Fast Fix for Fishing Poles.

If the unexpected happens and your rod breaks, it could be the end of the fishing day for an in-

After a long day in the outdoors, shelter is important for a good night’s sleep. If an unfortunate tear occurs in your tent or your tarp, don’t let rain or insects in -- simply, patch it up with tape. A well-suited choice for the job is T-Rex Clear Repair Tape, since it sticks to both wet and dry surfaces, ensuring an easy and instant fix in any weather condition. Plus, the clear color will blend in and look seamless.

6. Quick Campsite Clothesline.

Forget your clothesline? Or, just don’t feel like carrying extra rope (which can get tangled)? Create a cord out of a single piece of tape or by braiding three strands together and string it from one tree to another. Soon, you’ll have a strong spot to hang clothes to dry -- or to tie bags of food up and off the ground away from hungry critters.

Don’t leave home without the proper supplies -- especially tape.

With this key necessity, you’ll be ready to handle a variety of situations or mishaps and enjoy your next outdoor adventure.

(StatePoint)

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Austin South Asian | May 2018

5 Stand-Out Mother’s Day Gift Ideas Need a Mother’s Day gift that truly shines? Take these fun and practical ideas into consideration.

with an LED-lit display face, a countdown timer and a 1/10th second stopwatch.

1. A clean house. Let Mom take a load off now and again. Hire a cleaning service once a month for a year, or if you’re on a budget, do it yourself.

They also feature a daily alarm,

that keeps her organized, on-time and up-to-date with appointments.

3. Some rest and relaxation. Send Mom for a spa day, where she can

From laundry to dishes -- an IOU ticket to take care of the chores she would usually handle will give Mom an opportunity to take more time for herself to read a book or go out with friends.

4. A hobby. Has Mom always wanted to learn to play piano? Consider gifting portable technology to help her achieve this dream.

One modestly priced option is Casio’s CT-X700 portable keyboard, which features a rich sound with a powerful AiX Sound Service.

Designed for casual players and beginners, it has a Lesson System that displays the proper fingering

2. A classic accessory. If you’re looking for something classic, give Mom an accessory that combines function and fashion, such as the Vintage Collection timepieces from Casio.

Offered in a range of styles that complement fashion palates from simple and classic to retro glam, each timepiece comes equipped

Or, help her to create a spa-like environment at home, with face masks, a foot spa and bath bombs for the tub.

hourly time signal and an autocalendar, making them a necessity for anyone looking for fashion flare

select the treatments and services she wants best.

and notation, helping you learn its library of 100 built-in songs, as well as a six-track recorder.

5. Time together. Spend some quality time with Mom. Take a cooking class or comedy workshop together, or look for sip and paint options, where you learn painting skills while enjoying a glass of wine or beer.

Local cafes and bars often host such events; however, you may want to check out the community center or community college for class options, too.

(StatePoint)

To Advertise In ASA 512-828-6709

Unexpected Food And Wine Pairings For Your Spring Feasts Spring is here, which means it is time to create sensational seasonal wine and food pairings to elegantly entertain family and friends.

Experts suggest Cabernet Sauvi-

“Cabernet Sauvignon is more versatile than most believe. It can be enjoyed with different cheeses, meats, vegetables and even certain types of fish,” says Molly Hill, Winemaker at Sequoia Grove Win-

the distinct flavor characteristics of its origin, the Rutherford Bench, one of Napa Valley’s most revered growing regions for Cabernet.

At your next spring dinner, try serving the Sequoia Grove 2015 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (SRP: $44.99), a full-bodied wine featuring notes of sweet vanilla and spice, followed by blackberry, strawberry, and berry pie aromas.

For a timeless pairing, try this recipe for Roasted Leg of Lamb. This dish balances well-seasoned lamb with the acid in citrus to create a delicious pairing for this elegant Cabernet Sauvignon.

Ingredients: (Serves 10-12)

gnon as a selection well suited for the transition to warmer temperatures, as the bold, bright red and black fruit flavors with hints of spice pair easily with both hearty and lighter fare.

ery.

For a classic expression, consider Sequoia Grove Winery’s Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.

This tempting red wine maximizes

• 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves • 2 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary leaves • 3 garlic cloves, minced • 1 small onion, chopped • 1/4 cup olive oil • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar • 2 tablespoons orange juice

• 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard • 1 (4 to 5 pound) boneless leg of lamb, butterflied • 1 teaspoon salt • Squeeze of lemon • Freshly ground black pepper Method: Evening Before: • In a food storage bag, combine thyme, rosemary, garlic, onion, oil, vinegar, orange juice and mustard.

Mix well.

• Add the leg of lamb; seal the bag and turn to coat. Massage the meat through the bag for a few minutes to help the marinade set in.

Put the storage bag into a large roasting pan to marinate for 24 hours in the refrigerator.

Day Of:

nade and place in shallow roasting pan. Season with the salt, pepper and squeeze of lemon.

• Roast, uncovered, basting with the remaining marinade several times while roasting, using all the marinade • Roast for 50 to 70 minutes or until an instant read meat thermometer registers 140 degrees F for medium rare, or 150 degrees F for medium. For food safety, cook to a minimum of 140 degrees F. • Remove from oven, cover with foil and let stand for 15 minutes before serving.

• Carve into slices against the grain.

Serve with the sauce that forms in the bottom of the pan and a side of mixed root vegetables.

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Pair with a glass of Sequoia Grove Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon for a delightful meal experience.

• Remove the lamb from the mari-

(StatePoint)

8

Austin South Asian | May 2018

Millennials Want To Say ‘I Do’ To High-Tech Wedding Registries Once upon a time, wedding registries were created so newlyweds would have all the basic essentials to establish their first home.

But as technology has evolved, so too has the registry. Gone are the days where registries only include dishware and candlesticks. Couples can now incorporate modern must-haves, like connected lightbulbs, voice assistants and smart showers.

Leading faucet manufacturer, Moen, commissioned a survey conducted online by Harris Poll in March 2018, which investigated what smart products would top the list when it comes to millennial (ages 18-34 at time of survey) wedding registries and how this tech-savvy generation may be reinventing the process of registering.

The Gift of Technology It may have once been a no-no to

ask for anything except traditional household goods. But young nearly-weds are modernizing registries by embracing the gift of technology:

with digital voice assistants (66 percent), such as Amazon Alexa and Google Home, topping their lists of desired smart products.

on their wedding registry would add smart lightbulbs/light switches, smart thermostats (42 percent) and a digital shower (32 percent).

“Tech is trending when it comes to wedding wish lists,” says Andrea Maher, senior marketing communications specialist, Moen.

“Our survey found that just as many millennial would-be brides would put smart home products on their registries (43 percent) as glassware (44 percent), with products like a robot vacuum cleaner (65 percent) and a hands-free faucet (39 percent) being some of the most wanted items among those who would want smart home products on their wedding registry.”

• More than two in five millennials (42 percent) would want to include smart home products on their registry if they were registering today,

• Would-be grooms in particular seem to love tech – nearly half (48 percent) of male millennials who would want smart home products

“After all, with the great gear available today, why would you limit yourself to towels and serving trays?” adds Maher.

Registry Reboot

5 Ways To Make Math Part Of Your Kids’ Daily Lives For many students, math can seem like the most challenging school subject.

student, so build something together, like a new toy box or a bench for a reading nook. These

culator which helps students learn elementary mathematics such as fractions, division with remainders

But it doesn’t have to be. Math is actually all around us. Here are five ways you can help kids draw connections between classroom math and the math that touches their daily lives.

They can also calculate what the total charge will be after the sales tax is added.

At the grocery store? Let kids weigh produce and calculate the cost.

1. Bake and Cook. Math and the kitchen go hand-in-hand. Making cookies? Double or halve the batch to learn about dividing, multiplying and fractions. Have the right recipe but the wrong measuring gear?

Convert from metric to English to practice simple formulas. Witness how fractions work firsthand by quartering ingredients like peppers and apples. For more hands-on education, let kids do the measuring, timer-setting and anything else that requires math.

2. Build Something Together. Following instructions from start to finish is important for any math

much an item will cost and the money saved any time there’s a listed discount, like 20 percent off or half off.

5. Create a Budget. A great way to teach kids how budgets work is with their own spending money.

types of projects require the use of math -- from measuring materials to calculating the area and volume that objects will occupy. Be sure to point out when and how math is being used.

3. Have Family Math Night. Play games that deal with math and the tools on hand to win them, like the Casio fx-55 PLUS, a scientific cal-

and random numbers. The True Fraction Display helps student understand the mathematics behind improper fractions, mixed fractions and simplification, providing the tools they need not to be intimidated by math concepts.

4. Go Shopping. Shopping is the perfect opportunity to practice percentages. Kids can calculate how

They will learn how to make their money last, as well as how to count it out and figure out how much change they’ll get back.

You can also loop them into your own budgeting process. For example, if you have vacation plans on the horizon, you can show them how to create a budget for transportation, accommodations, food and more.

(StatePoint)

Across the country, young couples aren’t just bending nuptial gift list rules, they’re rewriting them.

With emerging technology, it’s not just the presents that are being modernized, the registries themselves are too.

Moen’s survey found that of millennials who have ever had a registry, over two in five (43 percent) registered at online-only retailers, such as Amazon or Jet.com, while 23 percent used a honeymoon registry, which allows couples to request donations to use toward honeymoon experiences, and 18 percent used a universal registry, where newlyweds-to-be can seamlessly link gifts from multiple retailers.

Of millennials who have ever had a registry, only one in five (21 percent) registered at a brick and mortar store without an online option.

“Recent CDC research found that young people are getting married later and living with partners before tying the knot, meaning they may already have glassware, blenders and toasters,” says Maher.

“As a result, gifts like a hands-free faucet for the kitchen or money toward honeymoon excursions are what couples really want and need.”

Online tools like Zola and Honeyfund have made creating a modernized registry easy and can help ease the minds of traditionally-minded guests, as they’re able to see exactly where their money is going.

“From high-tech wedding presents to donations for snorkeling excursions, millennials are bucking many age-old gifting customs,” says Maher.

“Though traditionalists may find these new registry customs strange, couples shouldn’t be afraid to craft a list full of things they’ll be excited about receiving – even if they are a little unconventional by your grandmother’s standards.”

(StatePoint)

9

Austin South Asian | May 2018

Now Playing: Summer Movie Nights In Your Own Backyard

Looking for a way to get the most out of your summer evenings?

Make it a night at the drive-in at home! With the right equipment and planning, you can easily enjoy your favorite movies under the stars, right in your own backyard.

Here are a few simple steps for bringing your new favorite tradition to life.

mans and outdoor rugs will accommodate preferences for guests of all ages.

pathways lit for safety purposes is a sensible exception. Solar LED pathway lights are a tasteful accent

The Setup Designing your outdoor screening space is a simple process. To begin, determine where your screen should be placed. You will want your screen positioned where there is minimal light once the house lights are off and the sun has set.

There should be ample space for guest seating, and room for the projector’s image throw distance.

For optimal image quality, your projector should be elevated.

For seating, an assortment of lawn chairs, floor chairs, outdoor otto-

The Basics Select the right projector. Since outdoor settings include a number of light sources that are not always within your control, such as street lights and moonlight, choosing a projector with the right lumen level for your space is critical for clear image projection. As a rule, the more ambient light in your backyard, the higher you will want your projector’s lumen level to be.

The second component to consider is sound. No home theater system is complete without quality sound, and your outdoor screening experience is no exception. Your guests will appreciate an audio source with enough output to cut through ambient noise.

Since you will be limiting ambient light as much as possible, keeping

that will keep guests safe around tripping hazards.

For simplicity and convenience, consider an all-in-one outdoor movie theater kit, such as the one offered by Improvements, which is Wi-Fi enabled and features every-

thing your backyard home theater needs, including a 1,200 lumen projector with 800x480 DPI, Bluetooth speaker and a 90-inch screen.

The Extra Details Since you’ll most likely be waiting for the sun to set before starting the movie, get creative with activities for both kids and adults to pass the time. It’s a smart step to spray the area for bugs before guests arrive, and keep additional pest control solutions on hand.

Hosting an outdoor movie party is a fun opportunity to put a twist on movie theater snacks, especially ideas that can be prepared in advance. However, fresh popcorn is an absolute must. Creating a drivein theater in your backyard is easier than you think. With the right equipment, and some planning, the most difficult step will be picking out the movie.

(StatePoint)

Don’t Forget To Spring-Clean Your Credit Report Spring is in the air and it’s time for the annual ritual of deep cleaning, dusting, mopping, organizing -- and checking your credit report.

Experts recommend checking your credit report at each of the national credit reporting agencies (CRAs) several times annually. Why?

includes: • A bankruptcy older than 10 years.

• A late payment more than seven years old.

• Inquiries from unfamiliar companies that pulled your credit report.

curate credit reports are good for lenders and consumers, because they contribute to informed lending decisions and disputes are part of the CRA’s compliance with the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act, which promotes the accuracy and privacy of information in credit reports.

agencies, recently enhanced and simplified its online dispute process to reflect consumers’ increasing preference for conducting business online. New features include: • A mobile-optimized platform, allowing you to submit a dispute from your smartphone.

When you apply for a new credit card or car loan, for example, a lender pulls a credit report from one or all of the CRAs to check your credit history and determine if you’re a good candidate for a loan. Lenders want to extend loans or credit to people with strong credit reports, so it’s important that the information in your report is accurate.

• The ability to submit supporting documents via a smartphone by taking a photo or selecting the image from the camera roll and uploading it.

What to Look For

• The ability to dispute directly from membership accounts, when members of Experian’s free and paid products are logged in.

Besides verifying the accuracy of your personal information, check that the financial accounts listed belong to you. Also, make sure that paid-off debt shows as paid and that closed accounts are not listed as open. Other information to look for and possibly correct

• The option of receiving notification alerts that update you on the status of your dispute, including confirmation of the submission and when results are available.

How to Fix It If you feel there’s incorrect information in your credit report, you have the right to file a dispute. Ac-

Luckily for consumers, steps are being taken to make this process easier. For example, Experian, one of the national credit reporting

“We’re very excited to provide a new dispute experience that recognizes the millions of people who manage their daily activities with smart devices,” said Michelle Fe-

lice-Steele, senior director of Product Management at Experian.

“We also made several enhancements so the process is more userfriendly and keeps consumers informed about the progress of their disputes.

We believe everyone deserves access to quality credit and one of the ways to achieve that is to have an accurate credit report.”

The fastest way to submit a dispute is online through the center, but consumers can also do so with Experian via phone or mail. Experian product members can access the online dispute center from their accounts. For more information on credit reports and filing a dispute, visit experian.com/disputes.

Thanks to new technologies and consumer services, staying on top of your credit report is easier than ever. This spring cleaning season, don’t neglect to review your credit reports.

(StatePoint)

10

Interest Rates Are Rising: Should You Buy A Home Or Wait?

With heightened talk of rising interest rates, With a 7.5 percent interest rate, your monthly many prospective homebuyers are under- payment would be $1,119 with a total interest standably concerned about whether it’s the paid of $242,748. right time to purchase a home.

With an 18 percent interest rate, your monthly Indeed, you may be wondering if you waited payment skyrockets to $2,411 with a total intoo long and let the historically low inter- terest paid of $708,081. est rates pass you by or if you can still find a dream home that fits within your current If rates jump a half percentage, you’ll pay a budget. bit more each month, which isn’t ideal, but the added expense will unlikely be a dealExperts say that it’s true that rates are at their breaker. highest in almost four years and that this year has been particularly rough, however, it’s not However, if rates jump to the levels they were all bad news. Rates are still well below the in 1981 (an average of 18 percent), you can levels seen 10, 20 and 30 years ago. expect to pay a whopping $1,600 more per month, which may cause you to think twice “Rates are still low by historical standards, about taking the plunge into homeownership.

helping make mortgage payments affordable for many, but your wallet might take a hit if To find out how much you’ll pay, check out rates continue to go up,” says Freddie Mac Freddie Mac’s free Fixed-Rate Mortgage Caldeputy chief economist, Len Kiefer. culator at calculators.freddiemac.com. For other free tools and resources, visit myhome.

How big will the hit be? Assume you buy a freddiemac.com. home with a 20 percent down payment, take out a $200,000 mortgage and are getting a 30- Don’t let current rising interest rates prevent year fixed-rate mortgage. you from buying a home this year.

At a 4.5 percent interest rate, your monthly Experts suggest that while rates have risen payment would be $811 with total interest recently, historically speaking, it is still an paid over the life of the loan being $131,851. overall great time to buy.

FREE CLASSIFIED info@AustinSouthAsian.com

Austin South Asian | May 2018

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Austin South Asian | May 2018

Drug And Alcohol Abuse: A Growing Problem For Those Growing Old

Misuse and abuse of drugs and alcohol among the elderly is one of the fastest growing health problems in the U.S., according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), yet it can often be mistaken for normal aging behavior.

The statistics are alarming: according to The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc., 2.5 million older adults have an alcohol or drug problem; while a SAMHSA report shows that the use of illicit drugs, combining drugs with alcohol, and the nonmedical use of pharmaceuticals, results in an average of nearly 300 emergency room visits nationwide each day for those aged 65 and older.

children of elderly parents know very little about the drugs and alcohol their parents consume, and three-quarters say it’s possible that

haviors that could indicate one exists,” said Kevin Middleton, Psy.D., vice president, behavioral health, WellCare.

• Life Changes Can Trigger Abuse: Retirement, the death of a spouse or dear friend, the loss of a pet and other significant life events, are times when the elderly are most likely to begin misusing or abusing drugs and alcohol.

• Signs of a Potential Problem:

Despite these disturbing trends, substance abuse among the elderly often goes unrecognized and untreated.

they may not even know if their parent had a substance abuse problem, likely mistaking the signs -such as slurred speech, dozing off and confusion -- for normal behaviors of aging.

According to “The Tough Talk: Aging Parents and Substance Abuse,” a new survey commissioned by WellCare Health Plans, Inc., adult

“While family members may not feel equipped to identify an abuse problem, they are often the ones who can best spot changes in be-

“Given the serious consequences that overuse or abuse of drugs and alcohol can have on seniors, it’s important to look for those signs and also ask questions that will help determine if and what kind of help is needed.”

Dr. Middleton advises those with aging loves ones to be aware of the following.

Many older people will hide their problem out of shame, and while substance abuse can mimic symptoms of other diseases, always consider the possibility of abuse if there are any major changes in behaviors, such as loss of interest in hobbies, activities or socializing, as well as changes in appetite and sleeping habits.

Other signs to be aware of are noticeable memory loss, slurred speech and confusion.

• Asking Questions is the First Step: At times when loved ones appear sober and alert, start asking questions about their use of drugs and

alcohol and if they think they have a problem.

Speak frankly about your concerns and the risks of substance abuse, but also be sympathetic to the difficulties with which they’re dealing.

• Seek Help: If you do suspect a substance abuse problem, contact his or her health care provider and discuss the best approach to getting appropriate treatment.

For more tips and information on managing substance abuse for aging parents, visit WellCare’s blog at tinyurl.com/ycu6e7g2.

Identifying substance abuse can be challenging, particularly when it comes to the elderly. However, addressing the issue quickly is critical.

If you’ve detected signs of a problem, start by asking the right questions.

(StatePoint)

Celebrating Good Health During Older Americans Month The contributions of older Americans are celebrated each May during Older Americans’ Month.

you need, such as mammograms, cholesterol screenings and colorectal cancer screenings. Medicare

Your drugs were prescribed for a reason. It is important to adhere to your medication regime and take

• If you smoke, stop. Smoking is the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the U.S.

This year’s theme, “Engage at Every Age,” emphasizes that you are never too old to enrich your physical and emotional well-being.

It’s never too late to quit, and the benefits of doing so are almost immediate, according to the American Cancer Society.

To encourage happy, healthy and productive golden years when older adults are able to pursue their hobbies and passions, consider these tips from Cigna-HealthSpring, one of the nation’s largest providers of Medicare plans.

Keep in mind that parts of Medicare cover smoking cessation counseling and prescription medications.

• Get an annual exam. Annual visits are critical for identifying potential health issues early, as well as maintaining a relationship with your primary care physician.

During this visit, your doctor can establish a plan based on your age, gender and health status for the vaccinations and health screenings

• Get some exercise. Regular exercise can help older adults stay independent and prevent many health problems that come with age.

and Medicare Advantage cover certain types of annual exams at no extra cost. Check with your plan for details.

• Take medications as prescribed.

medications as prescribed.

Some drugs can cause harmful interactions, so make sure your doctor knows everything you take, including over-the-counter drugs.

Many Medicare Advantage plans offer exercise programs designed specifically for older adults at no extra cost.

If your plan has a program like this, make sure to take advantage of it.

• Have some fun! Be sure to make time for activities you enjoy and seek out others who also enjoy them. The social interaction is good for you.

“We are constantly inspired by stories of older adults reinventing themselves later in life in meaningful ways, from running marathons to mentoring young people to painting for the very first time,” said Brian Evanko, president of Cigna-HealthSpring.

“The key that unlocks all of this is maintaining your physical and emotional health and well-being through the years.”

(StatePoint)

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Austin South Asian | May 2018

Must-Haves For Summer Pool And Beach Parties Summer days are all about sun and fun. Here are some tips and accessories to make sure your days spent at the beach, pool or lake are picture-perfect for posting on social media.

If you love lounging in the water, get ready to take your relaxation style to a whole new level and

tally “Insta-worthy.”

fun -- larger-than-life floats.

online retailer.

Join the likes of A-list celebrities

The newest novelty floats introduced by Intex for this summer season include photo-realistic, high definition printing that looks just like the real thing, only way bigger.

Protect Your Tech

They have Potato Chip bag and French Fry container floats that will make you hungry, along with a Pizza Slice Mat, that allows everyone to float alone or join together and form one giant pizza float.

The best options will go beyond simple water-resistance to be fully waterproof, keeping phones protected even after full submersion, because you never know when you’re going swimming.

Other new designs that will help you stand out from the crowd include the Mega Unicorn and Peacock Island Floats which can measure more than 9 feet.

With options that range from pouches to full-body cases, there are models to fit every need, and these days, your case can be customized to match your style using the design of your choosing.

Say Cheese Look great in all your summer photos by rocking your squint free look. Get equipped with a pair of shades, a stylish sun hat or both.

These accessories pull double-duty, protecting you from the UV rays while keeping you camera-ready at all times.

Whatever Floats Your Boat

make the day spent with friends to-

with the hottest trend in summer

Smart Tips To Keep Your Grill Clean And Safe

Nothing beats barbecues, block parties and al fresco dining.

For your family’s safety and for the sake of your grill, here are some pointers on keeping that grill wellmaintained all season.

Visual Check Ensure your grill is still in good

come with a warranty, and you may be able to replace worn out parts without needing to buy a brand-new grill entirely.

Quick Clean-Up When it comes to the grates, experts recommend using tools that allow you to skip the brush and the

The spray, which was recently named by Real Simple Magazine as the Best Multipurpose Spray, is available at Walmart and other retailers.

Other Considerations A deep clean is important once or twice a season.

However, after each use, you can keep debris and build-up from becoming a bigger problem with a quick spot clean.

One important area you don’t want to neglect is the bottom of the grill, where ash and grease build-up is likely to occur. Scrape out this section regularly.

You can better protect your grill from the elements and guard against rusting by covering it after each use.

working order after the off-season by giving it a once-over.

elbow grease to save some time and energy.

Remember to turn off the gas and tank valves before getting started.

“Spray a concentrated multipurpose cleanser over your grill’s grates evenly, wait a few seconds to give the grease time to break down, then gently wipe the area down with a sponge,” says TV contractor, Jeff Devlin, who uses Mean Green on his grill.

Check whether all of its components are intact, including gas hoses. Also, determine whether the tank is full.

Keep in mind that many grills

Durable, fun, trendy and easy-toinflate, these are not your typical pool floats.

They all are currently available at a store near you or at your favorite

Don’t leave your phone at home or at the bottom of your bag, protect it from the hot sun, sand and water with the right case.

Wherever your summer fun takes you, don’t leave home without all the season’s essentials for good times, great posts and lasting memories. (State Point)

High School Students Participate In March To The Capitol (Continued From Page 01) This was planned on the 19th anniversary of the Columbine shooting which left 19 students dead.

The students gathered at the downtown Wooldridge Park and walked to the Capitol carrying placards and holding signs against gun laws.

Pakistani American student Fiza Baqai of Westlake High, participated in the walk.

She said, “It’s important [to attend the walk] because even though it doesn’t bring immediate change in the gun laws, it keeps the spotlight on the issue of gun control and raises awareness about it.”

She proudly held a sign, “I won’t to be another statistic,” and participated in the event with her school friends.

If possible, use the cover provided by the manufacturer, as its designed to best fit your grill.

State Representative Eddie Rodriguez and Congressman Lloyd Doggett, both Austin Democrats, spoke alongside the students and teachers on the south steps of the State Capitol Building between 1 and 3 p.m.

This season, take great care of your grill. With the right tools on hand, you can streamline your routine.

High schools included were Akins, Anderson, Ann Richards, Austin High, Austin Waldorf, Bowie, Griffin, Headwaters, Lake Travis, LASA/ LBJ, McCallum, Reagan, St. Andrews, St. Stephens and Westlake

(StatePoint)

Students of all colors and ethnicities were visible in the march. Round Rock and Pflugerville also had their marches.

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Austin South Asian | May 2018

Parasite That Killed UK Birds Seen In Mynas In Pakistan

The parasite that destroyed Britain’s greenfinch population, bringing the numbers of the much-loved

common Indian myna.

The parasite, Trichomonas galli-

It causes sores in the throats of these birds, and of birds that prey on them, making it difficult for them to feed, and resulting eventually in death.

The authors of the research screened 167 mynas captured from eight locations in Pakistan’s Faisalabad district, and found 20% of the birds to be infected. The birds that tested positive to the parasite were spread across all eight locations.

green-yellow garden birds from around 4.3 million breeding pairs in 2005 to fewer than 1.5 million in 2016, has been discovered in the

nae, causes Avian trichomonosis, a disease common among the columbid class of birds, viz., pigeons and doves, worldwide.

“The parasite is an ancient one, it has been said that it used to even infect dinosaurs,” Dr Kevin Tyler from the University of East Anglia, and a senior author of the study, told The Indian Express.

“In the UK in 2005, one strain was able to infect the UK greenfinch which is a pretty little bird found

widely there at the time.

During the last 12 years since that discovery, the disease, finch trichomonosis, has been spread amongst the greenfinches and other UK finches…,” he said.

ers in Pakistan did not, however, show symptoms, and were found not to be fatally infected. This is probably because of the particular strain of the parasite they carried.

A press release issued by the University of East Anglia quoted Dr Tyler as saying “mynas are able to roost almost anywhere in warm climates, which… could also mean they are likely to spread the disease further”.

“In this study, C4, a genotype that is less associated with such virulence characteristics than A1, is prevalent in live, asymptomatic birds, suggesting that myna has the potential to be a vector for this parasite,” says the study. The UK finches were attacked by the A1 strain.

Dr Tyler told The Indian Express that even though the research had been confined to Faisalabad in Pakistan, it was “very likely” that the infection would be found in India.

Tyler said it did not appear that the parasite, which is similar to another (Trichomonas vaginalis) that causes the common STD trichomoniasis in humans, has caused any human infections so far.

The birds studied by the research-

(Courtesy: IndianExpress.com)

Night Owls Die Sooner, Says Study Anyone who gravitates toward the nighttime knows what it’s like when some killjoy in their lives forces them to get up too early the next day. “It’s not healthy,” these evil people say, and a new study suggests they’re right: Night owls don’t live as long as day people.

But why? It’s those anti-sleepists.

The study (sorta) says that they stress us out and thus wind up shortening our lives. As co-lead author of the study neurologist Kristen Knutson says in a Northwestern University press release, “Night owls trying to live in a morning lark world may have health consequences for their bodies.” The study, published in Chronobiology International, is by Knutson at Northwestern University in the U.S and chronobiologist Malcolm von Schantz at University of Surrey in the U.K. Chronobiology examines our natural physiological rhythms and how they interact with external natural cyclic phenomena.

Being an owl or a lark is, in the chronobiological view, a matter of your chronotype.

The cost of living in darkness The research, involving 433, 268 people in the UK Biobank Study, is

the first to link being a night owl to a higher risk of mortality. Bottom line: Night people are 10% more likely to live a shorter life thank larks are. During the 6½-year

logical and physiological risk factors, many of which may be attributable to chronic misalignment between internal physiological timing and externally imposed tim-

also true that being up late can encourage life-shortening activities, from “eating at the wrong time for their body, not exercising enough, not sleeping enough, being awake at night by yourself, maybe drug or alcohol use,” says Knutson. “There are a whole variety of unhealthy behaviors related to being up late in the dark by yourself.”

Can you change your chronotype?

study sample, 50,000 of them had a higher chance of dying. Knutson suggests, “It could be that people who are up late have an internal biological clock that doesn’t match their external environment.”

If so, it’s just the way they’re wired, and they’re forced to ignore their own internal clock to operate in the 9-to-5 world. The study posits, “Mortality risk in evening types may be due to behavioral, psycho-

ing of work and social activities.”

What to do about this? von Schantz adds, “This is a public health issue that can no longer be ignored. We should discuss allowing evening types to start and finish work later, where practical.

And we need more research about how we can help evening types cope with the higher effort of keeping their body clock in synchrony with sun time.” On top of this, it’s

The authors believe that being an owl or a lark is a combination of genetics and environment, and so, “You’re not doomed,” according to Knutson. “Part of it you don’t have any control over and part of it you might.” If you want to retrain yourself into being a day person, there are a few things you can try, she says: Stick to a schedule of going to bed earlier and don’t let yourself drift to that later schedule that so calls to you.

Try to get your to-do list checked off early each day to help you get to bed on time. Expose yourself to light early in the morning but keep your environment dark when it gets late. Knutson plans more research on how night owls can shit their body clocks into sync with larks. “Then we’ll see if we get im-

provements in blood pressure and overall health,” she says.

Meeting night owls halfway Still, not everyone will want to, or be able to, become a day person, and, says Knutson, “If we can recognize these chronotypes are, in part, genetically determined and not just a character flaw, jobs and work hours could have more flexibility for owls. They shouldn’t be forced to get up for an 8 a.m. shift.”

Instead, “Make work shifts match peoples’ chronotypes. Some people may be better suited to night shifts.”

Another idea the study puts forth is that we should abolish Daylight Savings Time since switching to it in the spring is much harder on night owls. von Schwartz notes, “There are already reports of higher incidence of heart attacks following the switch to summer time. And we have to remember that even a small additional risk is multiplied by more than 1.3 billion people who experience this shift every year. I think we need to seriously consider whether the suggested benefits outweigh these risks.”

(Courtesy: BigThink.com)

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Austin South Asian | May 2018

Popping The Question? How To Select An Engagement Ring

“Will you marry me?” Be sure to pair these four little words with the perfect engagement ring. While there’s a bit of a learning curve when it comes to selecting the right diamond, the most important thing you can do is find a piece both you and your significant other will love.

• Four Cs: Of course, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so make your decision based on what looks most beautiful to you, however, knowing more about the four Cs – that is the cut, color, clarity and carat – of a diamond, can help you make a selection wisely.

ing you to compare one diamond to another, which is extremely helpful in determining whether you are getting a fair price.

The cut is what gives a diamond its brilliance and sparkle, so this is an important factor. As far as color is

That said, don’t let the business of choosing an engagement ring be a source of stress at this exciting time in your life. With a bit of knowledge, you can make the right selection with confidence. Consider the following.

• Consult with the leading authority: Be sure your diamond is Gemological Institute of America (GIA)-certified. Established in 1931, GIA is the world’s foremost authority on diamonds, colored stones and pearls. A public benefit, nonprofit institute, GIA is the leading source of knowledge, standards and education in gems and jewelry.

Clarity refers to a diamond’s relative flawlessness -- blemishes are a mark against a diamond. Lastly, carat measures the weight of the diamond.

just buying another mass-produced commodity, you’re commissioning a work of art,” says Joshua Niamehr, founder and CEO of Enchanted Diamonds.

Be sure to view the GIA grading report specifying the exact quality of an individual diamond when making a decision.

• Shop online: Gaining access to a large selection of diamonds can be difficult when shopping at a brickand-mortar store close to home.

Consider shopping online for access to a larger and better selection of diamonds, including those found in New York City’s worldrenowned diamond district.

• Design your own engagement ring with the help of an expert: An engagement ring is one of the most meaningful items you will ever purchase. So, why opt for the style everyone else is wearing?

Created by the GIA, the four Cs are the global standard for assessing the quality of diamonds, allow-

concerned, the less color the better -- tinting is indicative of a lower quality diamond.

Consider working with a jeweler that specializes in bespoke engagement rings and quality diamonds, such as Enchanted Diamonds.

With experience spanning generations, the family-owned and operated jeweler will work with you to custom create a ring for your unique specifications. “You’re not

Doing so will give you a greater opportunity to find the perfect fit for your unique needs, style and budget without ever having to leave your home.

Before getting down on one knee, do your research. There’s a perfect engagement ring for every couple.

Finding it just requires a little bit of legwork. (StatePoint)

SAIVA - South Asians’ International Volunteer Association

By Megha Uppal In April, SAIVA members had the

Dancing is often considered a recreational activity and all too often

The idea of bringing awareness and raise the voices of those who

One of the SAIVA members that participated grandchild is also taught by Naimpally and it showed how special this dance meant to her

by her words and actions.

(Continued From Page 01)

now.)

To make life easy, and simple, here are 3 ways to be on trend for less money spent.

3) Wear denim on denim — Yes, the 80’s and 90’s are back in. Pro tip: Monochromatic outfits are also slimming.

For more about SAIVA, please visit www.saiva.org.

What To Wear To Look Good, Feel Good & Score Some Compliments Along The Way

1) Wear pastels — Consider a pastel themed manicure. When picking a color think cotton candy pink, lemon yellow, light purple, baby blue & lime green. Pro tip: Lavender is the new “Millennial Pink.”

opportunity to dance along with Anu Naimpally in her project called ‘Dance for Global Goals.’

overlooked for the positive physical, mental and social health qualities.

It truly was a master piece that was so eloquently done and thought out.

The empowerment and joy it gave our senior members is indescribable.

need to be seen, heard and brought of a darkness into light.

It was so beautifully communicated. It was special to see the senior members participating in activities that they normally do not get to.

2) Invest in backless flats — Perhaps when you hear “backless flats” you’re mind goes immediately to the classic Gucci loafer trending these days.

While a great investment, fear not, for various stylish non-designer versions exist. Pro tip: Go for plain white, stripes, or flag colors (All things “Americana” are in right

And, while we’re at it, here are 3 trending pieces to avoid.

1) “Net market bags” — Best used for storing onions in the kitchen.

Really, no need for this to become a purse.

2) “Tulle” skirts — No, you’re not a ballerina.

3) Clear plastic shoes — Despite the visual appeal of Chanel’s clear plastic boots, unless you want to sweat in Austin’s heat, focus on more breathable materials.

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Austin South Asian | May 2018

Why Kids Always Have Energy: Their Muscles What To Know About Recover In The Same Way As Endurance Athletes

Ever wondered why kids run around all day and never seem to get tired? You’re probably not surprised to hear that a new study has found kids basically have the same energy levels as endurance athletes (so that’s why it’s virtually impossible to keep up!).

Researchers discovered young children are able to run around all day because their muscles resist fatigue and recover in the same way as elite endurance athletes.

The study, published in Frontiers in Physiology, asked young boys, untrained men and endurance athletes to do high intensity exercise and looked at how quickly they grew tired.

“We found the children used more of their aerobic metabolism and were therefore less tired during the high-intensity physical activities,” said Sebastien Ratel, associate professor in exercise physiology who completed this study at the Université Clermont Auvergne.

“They also recovered very quickly - even faster than the well-trained adult endurance athletes - as dem-

onstrated by their faster heart-rate recovery and ability to remove blood lactate.” Professor Ratel

added: “This may explain why children seem to have the ability to play and play and play, long after adults have become tired.”

In the study, researchers compared the energy levels of 12 boys aged between eight to 12, 12 untrained men and 13 male endurance athletes. They were asked initially to do two, seven-second sprints, followed by one minute recovery.

Next, they were asked to cycle as fast as they could for 30 seconds.

Each group was assessed for the

body’s two different ways of producing energy; 1) Aerobic - uses oxygen from the blood - and 2)

Your Drinking Water

Having clean, uncontaminated water to drink at home and on-the-go is one of the most essential components to keeping your family safe and healthy.

percent of waterborne bacteria (including E. coli and salmonella), 99.999 percent of protozoa while also reducing chlorine organic chemical matter and bad taste.

Unfortunately, safe water is not necessarily a given. A recent study, published by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, found that in 2015, nearly 21 million people relied on community water systems that violated healthbased quality standards.

Suitable for kids, the LifeStraw Play model, a 10-oz water bottle designed for everyday use, incorporates the same technology with a sturdy kid-friendly leak-proof design. LifeStraw is available online and at your local Walmart, Target and Sam’s Club.

What’s more, the risks to your tap water are heightened during special circumstances like natural disasters and other emergencies.

To help ensure you are hydrating healthfully all the time -- at home, in your community, on trips or in emergencies – consider investing in an easy-to-maintain water filtration device that can be used anywhere in order to improve water quality.

What’s great is this is also a company that gives back -- for every LifeStraw product purchased, a school child in a community in need receives safe water for an entire school year.

One example is LifeStraw, first introduced for people in developing countries without access to safe water and for victims following natural disasters.

By 2050, at least one in four people is likely to live in a country affected by chronic or recurring shortages of fresh water, according to the United Nations.

The company now makes a range of water filters and purifiers designed for uses like emergency preparedness, outdoor recreation, travel and everyday hydration.

This highlights the growing need to take precautions both at home and when you travel, and to invest in products that give back.

Anaerobic - doesn’t use oxygen and produces acidosis and lactate which may cause muscle fatigue.

The participants’ heart-rate, oxygen levels and lactate-removal rates were checked after the cycling tasks to see how quickly they recovered. In all tests, the children outperformed the untrained adults.

In recovery, they outperformed the endurance athletes.

During the cycle, the adult’s power fell by 51.8%, and athletes by 41.8%, but children’s only decreased by 35.2%. Professor of health science at the University of South Australia, Tim Olds, said the study was interesting, but said it didn’t mean kids were, in general, as fit as endurance athletes. “What it’s found is the way they recover more resembles endurance athletes, than untrained adults,” he said, according to ABC News.

(Couretsy: www. huffingtonpost. co.uk)

The refillable LifeStraw Go 2-Stage water bottle features a built-in filter, and removes 99.9999

So far, the program has supported more than one million school children. Keep in mind that access to clean water is a persistent and global issue.

To do everything you can to keep your family healthy and safe, start by taking steps to improve the water you drink.(StatePoint)

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Austin South Asian | May 2018

Ramadan Likely To Start On May 17: Kuwaiti Astronomer

A Kuwaiti astronomer has said that Ramadan is expected to start on May 17.

among Muslims, resulting in countries announcing the start and end of Ramadan on different days.

Adel Al Saadoon said that the crescent announcing the start of the month of fasting would be visible with naked eye in North African countries, but telescopes would be needed in Kuwait.

The clash is mainly between con-

with a literal interpretation of Islamic principles.

Such a view is in contrast with that held by those who call for the use

However, the strict interpretation of the visibility stipulation is increasingly becoming a source of national and social divisions, defeating the call for unity preached

by Islam during the sacred month.

“The sun will set down at 6:16 on May 16 and the crescent will be visible for around 26 minutes, and therefore May 17 will be the first day of the holy month,� he said, quoted by Kuwait News Agency (Kuna).

Throughout Ramadan, Muslims abstain from eating, drinking, smoking and engaging in sensual pleasures from sunrise to sunset and focus on their spiritual rela-

Ramadan is the ninth month of the 12-month lunar-based Islamic calendar followed by Muslims.

The sighting of Ramadan crescent has often been a point of debate

For the naked-eye sightings, varying geographical and weather conditions meant that people in different locations cannot see the appearance of the moon, resulting in Muslims around the world starting their fast on different days.

servatives who insist on seeing the moon with the naked eye, in line

of astronomical calculations to predict the start of the month.

tionship with God and on charitable deeds.

The predicted dates and schedule When is Ramadan?

On or around Tuesday 15 May to Thursday 14 June 2018 When is Eid al-Fitr?

On or around Thursday 14 June to Sunday 17 June 2018 When is Eid al-Adha?

On or around Tuesday 21 August to Friday 24 August 2018

To Advertise in ASA Call 512-828-6709

17

Austin South Asian | May 2018

Golkonda

Golkonda was originally known as Mankal. Golkonda Fort was first built by the Kakatiya dynasty as part of their western defenses along the lines of the Kondapalli Fort. The city and the fortress were built on a granite hill that is 120 meters (390 ft) high, surrounded by massive battlements. The fort was rebuilt and strengthened by Rani Rudrama Devi and her successor Prataparudra. Later, the fort came under the control of the Musunuri Nayaks, who defeated the Tughlaqi army occupying Warangal.It was ceded by the Musunuri Kapaya Naidu to the Bahmani Sultanate as part of a treaty in 1364.

Under the Bahmani Sultanate, Golkonda slowly rose to prominence.

Sultan Quli Qutb-ul-Mulk (r.

1487–1543), sent as a governor of Telangana, established it as the seat of his government around 1501.

Bahmani rule gradually weakened during this period, and Sultan Quli formally became independent in 1538, establishing the Qutb Shahi dynasty based in Golkonda. Over a period of 62 years, the mud fort was expanded by the first three Qutb Shahi sultans into the present structure, a massive fortification of granite extending around 5 km in circumference. It remained the capital of the Qutb Shahi dynasty until 1590 when the capital was shifted to Hyderabad. The Qutb Shahis expanded the fort, whose 7 km outer wall enclosed the city.

Archaeological Sites and Remains Act. Golkonda actually consists of four distinct forts with a 10 km long outer wall with 87 semicircular bastions (some still mounted with cannons), eight gateways, and four drawbridges, with a number of royal apartments and halls, temples, mosques, magazines, stables, etc. inside. The lowest of these is the outermost enclosure into which we enter by the “Fateh Darwaza” (Victory gate, called after Aurangzeb’s triumphant army marched in through this gate) studded with giant iron spikes (to prevent elephants from battering them down) near the south-eastern corner. An acoustic effect can be experienced at Fateh Darwazaan, characteristic of the engineering marvels at Golkonda. A hand clap at a certain point below the dome at the entrance reverberates and can be heard clearly at the ‘Bala Hisar’ pavilion, the highest point almost a kilometer away. This worked as a warning note to the Royals in case of an attack.

The fort finally fell into ruin in 1687, after an eight year long siege leading to its fall at the hands of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.

The whole of the Golkonda Fort complex and its surrounding spreads across 11 km of total area and discovering its every nook is an arduous task. A visit to the fort reveals the architectural beauty in many of the pavilions, gates, entrances, and domes. Divided into four district forts, the architectural valour still gleams in each of the apartments, halls, temples, mosques, and even stables. The graceful gardens of the fort may have lost their fragrance, for which they were known 400 years ago, yet a walk in these former gardens should be in your schedule when exploring the past glories of Golkonda Fort.

The Golkonda fort is listed as an archaeological treasure on the official “List of Monuments” prepared by the Archaeological Survey of India under The Ancient Monuments and

Bala Hissar Gate is the main entrance to the fort located on the eastern side. It has a pointed arch bordered by rows of scroll work.

The spandrels have yalis and dec-

orated roundels. The area above the door has peacocks with ornate tails flanking an ornamental arched niche. The granite block lintel below has sculpted yalis flanking a disc. The design of peacocks and lions is typical of Hindu architecture and underlies this fort’s Hindu origins.

Toli Masjid, situated at Karwan, about 2 km from the Golkonda fort, was built in 1671 by Mir Musa Khan Mahaldar, royal architect of Abdullah Qutb Shah. The facade consists of five arches, each with lotus medallions in the spandrels.

The central arch is slightly wider and more ornate. The mosque inside is divided into two halls, a transverse outer hall and an inner hall entered through triple arches.

Much thought went into building this gate. A few feet in front of the gate is a large wall. This prevented elephants and soldiers (during enemy attacks) from having a proper ramp to run and break the gate.

It is believed that there is a secret underground tunnel that leads from the “Durbar Hall” and ends in one of the palaces at the foot of the hill.

The fort also contains the tombs of the Qutub Shahi kings. These tombs have Islamic architecture and are located about 1 km north of the outer wall of Golkonda. They are encircled by beautiful gardens and numerous exquisitely carved stones. It is also believed that there was a secret tunnel to Charminar.

The two individual pavilions on the outer side of Golkonda are also major attractions of the fort. It is built on a point which is quite rocky.

The “Kala Mandir” is also located in the fort. It can be seen from the king’s durbar (king’s court) which was on top of the Golkonda Fort.

The other buildings found inside the fort are : Habshi Kamans (Abyssian arches), Ashlah Khana, Taramati mosque, Ramadas Bandikhana, Camel stable, private chambers (kilwat), Mortuary bath, Nagina bagh, Ramasasa’s kotha, Durbar hall, Ambar khana etc. This majestic structure has beautiful palaces and an

ingenious water supply system.

Sadly, the unique architecture of the fort is now losing its charm.

The ventilation of the fort is absolutely fabulous having exotic designs. They were so intricately designed that cool breeze could reach the interiors of the fort, providing

a respite from the heat of summer.

The Huge gates of the fort are decorated with large pointed iron spikes. These spikes prevented elephants from damaging the fort. The fort of Golkonda is encircled by an 11 km outer wall. This was built in order to fortify the fort.

Akbar And Birbal

Birbal’s Khichri (Rice)

On a cold winter day, Akbar and Birbal took a walk along the lake.

A thought came to Birbal that a man would do anything for money.

He expressed his feelings to Akbar. Akbar then put his finger into the lake and immediately removed it because he shivered with cold.

Akbar said, “I don’t think a man would spend an entire night in the cold water of this lake for money.”

Birbal replied, “I am sure I can find such a person.” Akbar then challenged Birbal into finding such a person and said that he would reward the person with a thousand gold coins.

Birbal searched far and wide until he found a poor man who was desperate enough to accept the challenge. The poor man entered the lake and Akbar had guards posted near him to make sure that he really did as promised. The next morning the guards took the poor man to Akbar. Akbar asked the poor man if he had indeed spent the night in the lake. The poor man replied that he had. Akbar then asked the poor man how he managed to spend the night in the lake.

The poor man replied that there was a street lamp nearby and he kept his attention affixed on the lamp and away from the cold. Ak-

bar then said that there would be no reward as the poor man had survived the night in the lake by the warmth of the street lamp. The poor man went to Birbal for help.

The next day, Birbal did not go to court. The king wondering where he was, sent a messenger to his home. The messenger came back saying that Birbal would come once his Khichri(Rice) was cooked. The king waited hours but Birbal did not come. Finally, the king decided to go to Birbal’s house and see what he was up to.

He found Birbal sitting on the floor near some burning twigs and

a bowl filled with Khichri(Rice) hanging five feet above the fire. The king and his attendants couldn’t help but laugh. Akbar then said to Birbal “How can the Khichri(Rice) be cooked if it so far away from the fire?” Birbal answered, “The same way the poor man received heat from a street lamp that was more than a furlong away.” The King understood his mistake and gave the poor man his reward.

Moral: A small ray of hope is enough to inspire the one who is ready to work hard to turn his dream into a reality.

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Austin South Asian | May 2018

A Conversation With Exit West Author Mohsin Hamid

By Sumaiya Malik Pakistani writer Mohsin Hamid, best selling author of Exit West sat chatting with Bret Anthony Johnson, the director of the UT Michener Center for Writers and a best selling author himself in Austin Central Library on the evening of April 11.

hoping that they would not have to move for special guests.

“Exit West is a book of fiction and

in love… ‘Saeed is devout while hijab-clad Nadia independent and open to experience towards liberation.’

Hamid was a guest of the Library Foundation and Mayors Book Club and was on a tight schedule.

Yet he was relaxed because his novel had just won the prestigious Aspen Book award, another of the series of awards that the book has collected and he knew that he knew that the audience and he were on the same page.

afraid. Their city has a civil war going on. Then they hear that mysterious doors have started appearing.

this story it also acts as a device of compression.

Hamid explains the doors. He says that people are transported into another country just by pushing themselves through the dark rectangles, “ so you would find yourself not in Austin but instead in Islamabad or in Harare or Sao Paulo.” Saeed and Nadia go through.

With all the conversations about immigration, border control and sanctuary cities, the Mayors Book Club wanted its residents to read novels that highlight stories about people who are forced to move from their city of choice because of uncontrollable circumstances and think about them as people we can relate to.

They adapt as their environment changes and land up eventually in San Francisco. Along the way they contribute to societies, and experience resistance and apprehension.

Hamid wants readers to think of the act of human migration as something everyone experiences. “We are all migrants through time,” says Hamid.

According to Hamid, the magical black rectangles are actually a take from cell phones.

“We think that we haven’t gone through the barbed wire of the USMexico border or crossed Mediterranean in a boat. So we think that is a different kind of person than us,” explains Hamid.

(Continued On Page 24)

It was a big hall in the new library and most of the 350 seats were full.

Late arrivers were looking for last minute spots that had reserve signs,

magical realism,” said Johnson.

He explained the story.The plot follows Saeed and Nadia who are

In many ways they are characters we have met in real life; engrossed in their phones… are bold and

“The iPhone [in this case rectangle doors] weaves us to the rest of the world,” Hamid clarifies. In

By Sumaiya Malik

Amazon and Kindle.

If celebrated British novelist, Jane Austen was alive, she would probably think there is a spelling mistake in the word Austin. Better still, she might have started looking for the American entrepreneur and father of Texas, Stephen F. Austin, to thank him for taking her name as his last name. If she had met him (they lived in the same time period in the 19th century), they would probably reason about the ‘i’ instead of an ‘e’ in the spelling… maybe they would have liked each other… and then maybe she would record this conversation in a novel.

AADI (Austin Arts and Drama Initiative), a platform that promotes arts, drama and now literature from

Pakistani authors published in the book and an Austin resident, for a reading, discussion and book signing. They also reached out to Professor Janine Barchas, a renowned Jane Austen scholar at UT, and Professor Carol Mackay, who co-organized the 26th Annual Conference of British Women Writers of 18th and 19th Century to initiate the discussion about how modern day women all over the world, and not just Pakistan, are still inspired by Jane Austen.

(a take from Jane Austen novels) and leather (a take from Austin), twenty-two intellectual women gathered together for discussion.

Once the clatter of service and exchange of pleasantries was over, the women had matters to discuss.

Austin, Austen and Austenistan

It was all the maybes about the style of Jane Austen and her novels that inspired Laleen Sukhera, a British Pakistani writer and media professional and the founder of the Jane Austen Society of Pakistan, to put together and edit Austenistan. Austenistan is a collection of short stories set in modern day Pakistan written by 7 writers from South Asia who were inspired by Jane Austen. It was published in late 2017 and is now available on

South Asia hosted an event called “Leather and Lace” to celebrate the book at Brentwood Social House on 1601 W Koenig Lane in Austin.

They invited Nida Elley, one of the

Sitting on a long table with three tiered platters of scones and tea sandwiches, all dressed up in lace

Nida Elley read excerpts of her story, Begum Saira Returns. The story, inspired by a lesser-known novella, revolves around a young widow who returns to social life after mourning the loss of her beloved husband. She is well aware of her attractive personality and desires to once again be in the communion of marriage.

Amid girlish laughter and some acted out coquettishness, the ladies of Austin talked about how Jane Austen characters are not just for women but also for men. “This gathering was Jane Austen’s idea of good company, namely “the company of clever, well-informed people, who have a great deal of conversation; that is what I call good company,” Professor Barchas summed it up well.

Nida Elley talked about her writing experience. She is a passionate writer and a teacher at St. Edwards University. She agreed that signing up on email lists of Book People, Barnes and Noble, Writers League of Texas or any other group that one likes is a good idea because it removes the isolation aspect of what you do and ties you up with people who have similar interests.

It also gives you fresh ideas about what you are working on.

Others suggested being a member of the Blanton Museum or even email lists at UT. Professor Carol McKay shared the CWGS newsletter from UT Austin and suggested that the group join their email list by sending an email to CWGS@ austin.utexas.edu. The professors emphasized that most talks at UT are public events and are open to the Austin community at large.

AADI is especially thankful to the South Asia Institute for supporting the Austenistan event and to the Austin Chronicle for listing the event online and in print.

19

Austin South Asian | May 2018

5 Ways Parents Can Help Kids Create Great Dental Habits That first wiggly tooth indicates a new childhood milestone -- loss of the first “baby” tooth.

While this is often a time for cute photos and a visit from the tooth fairy, it should also be an opportunity to reinforce the importance of good oral care with children so that their new permanent teeth stay healthy and last a lifetime.

to take more responsibility for their oral hygiene, but continue to supervise them until you’re comfortable with their routines,” says Dr. Mi-

leads to tooth decay -- it’s like your tooth “getting sick.” Plaque has bacteria and acids that can hurt a tooth’s outer enamel and cause tiny

Daily flossing is important too.

Since flossing may be tricky for small hands, help them until about age 10.

• Snack smart: Healthy teeth rely on smarter snacks. Fruits and vegetables can help reduce plaque buildup.

Tooth decay is one of the most common chronic diseases among children in the U.S., but it is also preventable.

This finding by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (cdc.gov/oralhealth/basics) highlights just how important it is to help kids take good care of their teeth.

• Floss:

On the other hand, sugary and sticky foods can remain on teeth for hours, providing time for bacteria and acids to begin their damage.

chael Hahn, national dental director for Cigna.

“The sooner the better when it comes to helping children understand the importance of taking care of their permanent (‘adult’) teeth.

Dr. Hahn recommends the following tips for a healthy mouth.

As children grow, encourage them

Let your child know that “plaque”

From grassy picnics to sweaty soccer games to saucy cookouts -clothes can be particularly vulnerable to all kinds of stains and odors during the warm weather months.

possible.

• Attack plaque:

holes that lead to cavities.

Brush for two minutes, twice a day. Help your child understand what two minutes actually “feels” like by playing a favorite song for that length of time, or use a kitchen timer, smartphone alarm, hourglass of sand or stopwatch.

If your children drink soda, encourage the use of a straw so less of the liquid coats their teeth.

• Visit the dentist: Regular dental checkups are essential. These visits can detect problems when they are still small and are less complex to treat.

Getting used to seeing the dentist

in childhood will help keep this important practice going as an adult.

• Reward positive behavior: Praise your child for doing a good job. You know your child best -offer that “something special” as incentive, particularly when the dentist gives a great report.

“It’s easier to teach a younger child good habits, than to break an older child of poor ones.

Encourage your kids to take good care of their teeth. You’ll put them on track for strong, healthy teeth that will last a lifetime,” says Dr. Hahn.

For additional dental tips, visit cigna.com/dental-resources.

For detailed questions or concerns about a child’s oral health, it is important to consult a dentist.

(StatePoint)

Top Summer Laundry Tips For Fresher, Cleaner Clothes

Check out these tips for doing your

• Understand the basics.

For example, milk and grass stains require enzyme cleaners, while ink or wine stains require peroxides.

Different stains require different cleaning agents, and unfortunately, there is no one single ingredient

Of course, clothes also need brighteners and detergents to come out looking their best.

Understanding these basic principles can help you treat clothes more effectively.

• Pre-treat stains.

Stained clothing should be pretreated with a tough, multi-faceted solution.

Rub in pre-treatment gently and wait three to five minutes.

Just be careful not to allow the solution to dry on the fabric. Some garments will need a longer pretreatment.

laundry in a way that keeps clothes fresh and looking new as long as

that cleans all kinds of stains well.

If so, add the solution to water and soak the soiled clothing in a bucket before washing as usual.

• Fight odor: S elect products that keep laundry fresh longer.

For example, Dryel has an Odor & Wrinkle Releaser that provides an extra boost of clean.

• Extend the life of clothes.

Pair a great detergent with a laundry booster that can tackle multiple types of stains.

For example, Biz has more stain fighters than other brands, while also brightening clothes.

Available in powder, liquid and liquid boosters, independent, third

party tests have shown that Biz works 80 percent better than detergent alone.

• Read the tags.

When in doubt, referencing tags for washing and drying directions can help you best maintain a garment’s color, brightness and shape.

More fresh laundry tips can be found at bizstainfighter.com.

No matter what sort of adventures you and your clothes get into this season, adopting better laundry habits can mean keeping your family’s garments fresh-smelling and stain-free.

(StatePoint)

READ AUSTIN SOUTH ASIAN

20

Austin South Asian | May 2018

How New Technology Is Helping Children Cope With Cancer

One of the toughest aspects of managing cancer in children is communicating with young patients, say parents and healthcare experts.

ment of a real duckling. While en-

patients as they go through their

“On average, childhood cancer treatment lasts more than 1,000 days,” says Aaron Horowitz, CEO and co-founder of Sproutel. “We thought there must be a way to help alleviate some of the burden.”

“There were many times when my daughter did not want to talk or communicate her feelings,” says Joycelynn Sanchez of now 6-yearold Jiani, who at age 3, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. “She grew tired of the pokes and the questions and would become withdrawn.”

Using the new companion technology, children can communicate their emotions by tapping colorful emoji cards to a sensor on the duck’s chest.

Fortunately, many parents and doctors are finding that new technology can help young patients like Jiani better communicate their feelings and manage their condition.

For example, My Special Aflac Duck, a creation of Aflac, an insurance industry leader, and Sproutel, a research and development workshop, is an award-winning smart companion that nuzzles, quacks and dances with the lifelike move-

their disease.

Tap an emoji with a happy expression and it responds with delighted quacking. Choose the sad face and it lowers its head and sighs.

tertaining, it’s not a toy.

It’s specifically designed to help comfort, teach and empower young

journey with cancer, reflecting the belief that children need more than medicine to cope with the stress and loneliness that often come with

Children can mirror their care routines through a compatible web-based app, including medical play and feeding and bathing their duck via augmented reality. It also dances, quacks, and nuzzles to help distract and calm them. Its exterior can even be removed, washed and sanitized. Creation of the com-

forting companion is an extension of Aflac’s 22-year, $122 million commitment to childhood cancer causes. Their goal is to provide this feathered friend free of charge to all newly diagnosed children, nearly 16,000 each year according to the National Cancer Institute.

Distribution, targeted to begin this coming winter, will be through hospitals, and the robotic duck will not be for general consumer sale.

Jiani’s treatment, which lasted three years and included various chemotherapies, as well as countless spinal taps and antibiotics, was completed in December 2017.

“There were some tough times, but through it all, she was a champion,” says Sanchez.

“Knowing tough times for other children with cancer may be made a little easier with the help of technology makes me very happy.”

(StatePoint)

Helpful Tips For New Parents: Ensure Every Diaper Change Is Easy Having a baby is one of the most exciting, yet stressful times of one’s life.

If possible, make life a bit easier by keeping a small supply of these essentials at the homes of friends and

To help your baby avoid the discomfort that comes with diaper rash, get in the routine of apply-

And one of the more daunting aspects of this experience for many new parents is changing diapers.

If your baby has diaper rash, you want a solution that works as soon as possible.

Boudreaux’s Butt Paste is pediatrician-recommended, kicks rash fast and starts relieving irritated skin on contact.

Even if you’ve changed a diaper before, you’ll now be doing this more times than you’ll care to count!

Look for hands-free options with tight-fitting lids. Metal may be a better bet over plastic, as it is less likely to be porous. And of course, be sure to take out the trash often!

• Keep things sanitary:

Here are some tips to help ensure every diaper change is an easy experience for both parents and babies.

• Be prepared: Have a lot of extra plastic bags from your grocery store trips?

Wash your hands before and after you change your baby’s diaper.

You are about to get your hands dirty again, but for your baby’s health and safety, it’s important not to skip that first step. For easy clean-up, wipe off excess diaper rash cream with a baby wipe before washing hands with water.

• Get stocked:

Stick some in your diaper bag!

They are handy for storing dirty diapers on-the-go or dirty clothes that didn’t survive a dreaded diaper blowout.

• Make it fun: Keep baby distracted with chit chat and songs. You may even want to stock your dedicated changing area with a few rattles or other washable toys.

• Reduce odor:

A few simple habits and tricks can make your diaper-changing routine easy on both you and baby.

Beyond your official changing station and your diaper bag, prepare yourself for quicker clean-ups wherever you are in the house by storing diapers, a portable changing pad and wipes in multiple rooms, as well as maintaining an emergency supply kit in your car.

Visit Grandma and Grandpa a lot?

Plus, it contains no harsh ingredients, like parabens, preservatives, dyes, phthalates and talc.

family you see the most.

• Avoid diaper rash: Many parents wait until there is a problem to kick rash and irritation.

However, diaper rash cream can be an effective preventive measure when applied correctly.

ing a cream, like Boudreaux’s Butt Paste with every diaper change, directly on baby’s skin and also right on the diaper itself.

This helps create an additional barrier between the diaper and baby’s skin.

New diaper pail designs can help reduce odors and the spread of germs.

(StatePoint)

21

Austin South Asian | May 2018

May 2018 Community Calendar We have compiled this event listing based on the information available on the web site (where ever possible) of the community/organization as of third Friday. Please check with the organizers to confirm its accuracy. We request all South Asian organizations to email us (info@austinsouthasian.com) their community calendar on or before 20th of every month, for the events happening next month. We will carry listing of all South Asian non-profit organizations in Austin. If the Name, Contact info is not correct or has changed email us (info@ austinsouthasian.com) the changes you want to see. E&OE. SCHEDULE: May 12, Saturday, 07:00 PM,

nak Abhisheki is at Round Rock Public Library, 216 E Main St, Round Rock, TX 78664. This event is organized by Kala Darpan.

Swarabhishek - Featuring Shou-

Event Details

(Continued From Page 01)

but none achieved resonance beyond the local level.

Vocal concert - Swarabhishek Featuring Pandit Shounak Abhisheki Accompanied by: Harshad Kanetkar on Tabla Uday Kulkarni on Harmonium Tickets:

$20 - Members / $25 Non-Members (Discounted up to April 30th) $25 - Members / $30 Non-Members (After April 30th) Children under 13 years - FREE.

Several years later a Mother’s Day observance on May 13, 1877 was held in Albion, Michigan over a dispute related to the temperance movement.

After observing a class of Notre Dame students sending home penny postcards to their mothers, Hering went on to be a vocal advocate for a national Mother’s Day for the next decade.

May 19, Saturday, 07:00 PM, Reshma Shrivastava Radiance Dome is at Radiance Dome, 108 Royal Way, Austin, TX 78737 .

Mother’s Day

It was established by Anna Jarvis, with the first official Mother’s Day was celebrated at St. Andrew’s Methodist Church in Grafton, West Virginia, on May 10, 1908.

Internationally there are a large variety of Mother’s Day celebrations with different origins and traditions; but most have now also been influenced by this more recent American tradition.

At the time, Protestant schools in the United States already held many celebrations and observations such as Children’s Day, Temperance Sunday, Roll Call Day, Decision Day, Missionary Day and others.

In New York City, Julia Ward Howe led a “Mother’s Day for

During the 19th century, women’s peace groups in the US tried to establish holidays and regular activities in favor of peace and against war.

From the pulpit Blakeley called on other mothers to join her.

Blakeley’s two sons, both traveling salesmen, were so moved that they vowed to return each year to pay tribute to her and embarked on a campaign to urge their business contacts to do likewise.

A common early activity was the meeting of groups of mothers whose sons had fought or died on opposite sides of the American Civil War. In 1868, Ann Jarvis, mother of Anna Jarvis, created a committee to establish a “Mother’s Friendship Day”, the purpose of which was “to reunite families that had been divided during the Civil War.” Jarvis – who had previously organized “Mother’s Day Work Clubs” to improve sanitation and health for both Union and Confederate encampments undergoing a typhoid outbreak – wanted to expand this into an annual memorial for mothers, but she died in 1905 before the celebration became popular.

Her daughter, who became almost obsessed with her, would continue her mother’s efforts.

There were several limited observances in the 1870s and the 1880s

According to local legend, Albion pioneer Juliet Calhoun Blakeley stepped up to complete the sermon of the Rev. Myron Daughterty who was distraught because an anti-temperance group had forced his son and two other temperance advocates at gunpoint to spend the night in a saloon and become publicly drunk.

Peace” anti-war observance on June 2, 1872, which was accompanied by a “Appeal to womanhood throughout the world”.

The observance continued in Boston for about 10 years under Howe’s personal sponsorship, then died out. In these celebrations, mothers all around the world would work towards world peace.

At their urging, in the early 1880s, the Methodist Episcopal Church in Albion set aside the second Sunday in May to recognize the special contributions of mothers.

Frank E. Hering, alumnus and administrator at the University of Notre Dame and President of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, made a plea for “setting aside one day in the year as a nationwide memorial to the memories of Mothers and motherhood” in 1904.

As Hering stated in a 1941 issue of Scholastic: “Throughout history the great men of the world have given their credit for their achievements to their mothers.

[The] Holy Church recognizes this, as does Notre Dame especially, and Our Lady who watches over our great institution.”

Traditions on Mother’s Day include churchgoing, the distribution of carnations, and family dinners.

Mother’s Day is the third largest holiday in the US for sending cards.

According to the greeting card industry, it is estimated that more than 50 percent of American households send greeting cards on this holiday. The holiday has been heavily commercialized by advertisers and retailers, and has been criticized by some as a Hallmark Holiday.

The commercialization of the American holiday began very early, and only nine years after the first official Mother’s Day it had become so rampant that Anna Jarvis herself became a major opponent

of what the holiday had become, spending all her inheritance and the rest of her life fighting what she saw as an abuse of the celebration.

She decried the practice of purchasing greeting cards, which she saw as a sign of being too lazy to write a personal letter. She was arrested in 1948 for disturbing the peace while protesting against the commercialization of Mother’s Day, and she finally said that she “...wished she would have never started the day because it became so out of control ...” She died later that year.

Mother’s Day is now one of the most commercially successful American occasions, having become the most popular day of the year to dine out at a restaurant in the United States and generating a significant portion of the U.S. jewelry industry’s annual revenue, from custom gifts like mother’s rings.

Americans spend approximately $2.6 billion on flowers, $1.53 billion on pampering gifts—like spa treatments—and another $68 million on greeting cards.

Commercialization has ensured that the holiday has continued, while other holidays from the same time, such as Children’s Day and Temperance Sunday, are no longer celebrated.

To Advertise In ASA 512-828-6709

22

Austin South Asian | May 2018 THEME: MOTHER’S DAY

DOWN

ACROSS

1. Practice in the ring 2. Flexible mineral 3. Opposed to 4. Expressionless 5. Harbour, alt. sp.

6. Feline line 7. Have title to 8. #6 Down, pl.

9. Loads from lodes 10. Lotto variant 11. Kind of delay 12. Belgian brew 15. Radiant 20. Hair-raising board game 22. Kind of person 24. Watercraft with skis 25. *Ashley and Wynonna’s mom 26. Gloomier 27. Social class 29. Balkan native 31. Campus military org.

32. Wavelike patterned silk 33. Part of small intestine 34. *Sent en masse 36. Snorkeling site 38. *#19 Across’ real-life mom 42. Reproduction, for short 45. Waterproof material 49. Luau souvenir 51. Compass point, pl.

54. Photo tint 56. Peer 57. Lateen-rigged sailing vessel 58. Dexterity 59. Had been phlebotomized 60. To dry ink, in the olden days 61. Pakistani language 62. Deep black 63. Chinese immigrant association 64. *Treat mom to this type of relaxing day 66. European peak

1. “____ Mouth” band 6. *Special day honoree 9. Gumbo pod 13. Santa Maria companion 14. *Ovine mom 15. “He’s ____ ____ nowhere man,” Beatles 16. SAG member 17. *Sean Lennon’s mom 18. Bottled up 19. *TV’s “Blackish” mom 21. *President who designated official Mother’s Day 23. Thou, today 24. ____ of Man 25. *Rebecca Pearson’s and Clair Huxtable’s network 28. CISC alternative 30. Kismet-related 35. Winglike 37. Audience’s rejection 39. Dinero 40. Yorkshire river 41. Tree in Roman Republic 43. Seating section 44. Poet’s concern 46. “Better Sound Through Research” company 47. Foul substance 48. Angry 50. Pharaohs’ cobras 52. German river 53. “____ in Show” 55. Wade’s opponent 57. *Carrie Fisher’s mom 60. *Gifted arrangement 64. Shelf material 65. Mate 67. Supercharger 68. Artist’s model 69. U.N. labor agency 70. Was dressed in 71. Like one showing reverence 72. Mentally quick 73. Like a backpack

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 June 2018 issue.

To Advertise In ASA Call 512-828-6709

23

What To Know About Seasonal Allergies And Your Eyes

Suffering from itchy, watery eyes?

You may have ocular allergies or you could have another issue entirely, such as chronic dry eyes.

Experts say that getting the correct diagnosis is the only way to treat symptoms properly.

“Chronic dry eye often mimics the symptoms of seasonal allergies and must be approached entirely differently,” says Arian Fartash, VSP network optometrist. “Many

over-the-counter allergy treatments can actually make dry eyes worse, so make an appointment with your eye doctor to determine the exact cause of your discomfort.”

If your itchy and watery eyes are diagnosed as ocular allergies, Dr. Fartash recommends taking the following steps.

• Limit your exposure to pollen on high pollen count days.

• Wash your face after being outside to reduce the amount of pollen on the skin.

• Use cold compresses for some added relief.

• Don’t rub your eyes, as this will increase your body’s overreaction to the irritants.

Austin South Asian | May 2018

Make A Difference – 2018 The Year Of Women

By Vidya Kumar

• Remove contact lenses, which can attract allergens that accumulate throughout the day. Consider wearing your glasses or switching to daily disposable contacts during allergy season.

• Try over-the counter eye drops.

There are a number of allergy drops that are formulated to relieve itchiness, redness, and watery eyes. But consult your optometrist to find out which are the best recommended.

• Consider prescription medications. If the symptoms won’t go away, you might need something stronger.

Something is changing all over the world and women are getting noticed.

Once every six months my husband goes to India. This ritual has been happening for almost a decade.

Go see your eye doctor to discuss if a prescription medication is right for you. You can find a doctor local to you by consulting the VSP-network at vsp.com/find-eye-doctors.

Don’t suffer this season. See your best and feel your best by getting your eye symptoms properly diagnosed and treated.

(StatePoint)

Now I need to reciprocate and do the same to my friends. I feel guilty since I did the same. I would make it a point to invite a man of the house if he is alone on weekends for breakfast or brunch and also drop off food whenever possible. But I have not done the same if the woman of the house is alone which was not correct.

And when staying alone I need to cook for just one person which is very difficult. But early this year when my husband went to India everyday someone would bring food for me.

This was unbelievable! I did not cook the entire time when he was in India. This used to happen when I went to India and my husband was alone in USA. From 2018 has been different and women are getting noticed about their situation and their circumstances. Earlier when I was alone hardly anyone would bring food but not this year. It was a pleasant feeling not to cook and yet enjoying delicious home cooked food.

I am humbled and decided that from now onwards whenever my friends are alone be it a man or woman I will treat them the same and invite them whenever possible so that they can enjoy not spending time in cooking.

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

Mr. Rajnish

Ms. Prema Raghavan

Ms. Youkyung Shin

Ms.Riya chauha

24

Austin South Asian | May 2018

Rabindranath Tagore (Continued From Page 01) A Pirali Brahmin from Calcutta with ancestral gentry roots in Jessore, Tagore wrote poetry as an eight-year-old. At the age of sixteen, he released his first substantial poems under the pseudonym Bhānusiṃha (“Sun Lion”), which were seized upon by literary authorities as long-lost classics. By 1877 he graduated to his first short stories and dramas, published under his real name.

Gitanjali (Song Offerings), Gora (Fair-Faced) and Ghare-Baire (The Home and the World) are his best-known works, and his verse, short stories, and novels were acclaimed—or panned—for their lyricism, colloquialism, naturalism, and unnatural contemplation. His compositions were chosen by two nations as national anthems: India’s Jana Gana Mana and Bangladesh’s Amar Shonar Bangla. The Sri Lankan national anthem was inspired by his work.

Early life: The youngest of thirteen surviving children, Tagore was born on 7 May 1861 in the Jorasanko mansion in Calcutta to Debendranath Tagore (1817–1905) and Sarada Devi (1830– 1875). Tagore was raised mostly by servants;

his mother had died in his early childhood and his father travelled widely. The Tagore family was at the forefront of the Bengal renaissance. They hosted the publication of literary magazines; theatre and recitals of Bengali and Western classical music featured there regularly.

Tagore’s father invited several professional Dhrupad musicians to stay in the house and teach Indian classical music to the children.

Tagore’s oldest brother Dwijendranath was a philosopher and poet. Another brother, Satyendranath, was the first Indian appointed to the elite and formerly all-European Indian Civil Service. Yet another brother, Jyotirindranath, was a musician, composer, and playwright.

His sister Swarnakumari became a novelist. Jyotirindranath’s wife Kadambari Devi, slightly older than Tagore, was a dear friend and powerful influence. Her abrupt suicide in 1884, soon after he married, left him profoundly distraught for years. Tagore largely avoided classroom schooling and preferred to roam the manor or nearby Bolpur and Panihati, which the family visited. His brother Hemendranath tutored and physically conditioned him—by having him swim the Ganges or trek through hills, by gymnastics, and by

A Conversation With Exit West Author Mohsin Hamid (Continued From Page 18)

It makes you think in an out-of-the-box way.

“When you remove that part you are left with somebody who is in a place and moves even from one house to the next and that is something that everyone does…” he goes on to explain.

You feel greater sympathy for the refugee and realized how challenging it must be to adapt suddenly and moveon to an alien environment.

Hamid migrated his entire life through USA, Pakistan, back to the US, England and finally Lahore. He is eloquent and looks at the entire life in general and where it is coming from or where it is heading. The reader identifies himself in the story and takes ownership of that wisdom.

Hamid’s concept of purity Hamid reasons that man is a hybrid, right from conception. He is a product of two human beings so the impurity is inherent. He goes through time and space with inputs that ‘mongrelize’ him or make him less pure, but in the process he becomes a better person.

Exit West was featured on PBS Newshour in March. Exit West “has a science fiction effect.

Points to remember: 1. We are all migrants.

2. There is no purity. The concept of being a pure American or pure immigrant does not exist because we are all hybrids or mongrelized human beings.

3. If a woman chooses to wear something, it means what she intends it to be. The rest of us don’t necessarily know.

4. Consider yourself a human being first.

5. It’s all science fiction out there!

Social media handles www.mohsinhamid.com https://www.facebook.com/MohsinHamidOfficialPage Twitter | @mohsin_hamid Find Mohsin Hamid on Instagram | #mohsinhamid

practising judo and wrestling.

After his upanayan (coming-of-age) rite at age eleven, Tagore and his father left Calcutta in February 1873 to tour India for several months, visiting his father’s Santiniketan estate and Amritsar before reaching the Himalayan hill station of Dalhousie. There Tagore read biographies, studied history, astronomy, modern science, and Sanskrit, and examined the classical poetry of Kālidāsa.

He wrote 6 poems relating to Sikhism and no. of articles in Bengali child magazine about Sikhism.

Tagore returned to Jorosanko and complet-

ed a set of major works by 1877, one of them a long poem in the Maithili style of Vidyapati. As a joke, he claimed that these were the lost works of (what he claimed was) a newly discovered 17th-century Vaiṣṇava poet Bhānusiṃha. Regional experts accepted them as the lost works of Bhānusiṃha.

He debuted in the short-story genre in Bengali with “Bhikharini” (“The Beggar Woman”). Published in the same year, Sandhya Sangit (1882) includes the poem “Nirjharer Swapnabhanga” (“The Rousing of the Waterfall”).

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25

Austin South Asian | May 2018

Turup And Abu Stir The Audience At 2018 Indiememe Film Festival

(Continued from page 1) April 19 through 22 marked the third annual event at the Arbor Cinema at Great Hills Trail. The festival showed intelligent films that inspired everyone and made one think of a better future.

include morality and religion, causing social and political tensions to erupt when a tournament

Against this simmering backdrop, a domestic worker with a secret hobby, a young woman in love and

This years films included those from India, Pakistan, Nepal, Tibet and the US. The festival also included a new initiative by the festival to screen short films made by young filmmakers.

Indian Turup and Canadian/Pakistani Abu stood out. The first got a standing ovation and the second had the longest q/a. Turup, a film made by Ektara Collective, shows neighbourhood, chess as a popular pass time bringing together men from different strata. Their pawns

gets underway. But the men are only the most visible players.

a former journalist struggling with married life must make their moves with care. When caste, class, reli-

gion and gender come into play, there are boundaries to be negotiated, and the very rules of the game stand challenged. http://ektaracollective.in/ ABU, directed by Canadian/Pakistani director Arshad Khan, is a journey to the center of a fragmented family while they grapple with religion, sexuality, colonialism and migration. Through a tapestry of narratives composed of family footage, observation and classic Bollywood films, gay-identifying Pakistani-Muslim filmmaker Arshad Khan takes viewers through the tense relationships between family and fate, conservatism and liberalism and modernity and familiarity. Catch more from Arshad Khan at https://www.abumovie. com/films/

Rajamani’s Flamenco India – A Combination Of Romani, Spanish, And Texan Music

By Sumaiya Malik “Flamenco India,” a cultural and historical concert marked Oliver Rajamani’s 25th year in Austin.

The performance was a musical journey that connected the Spanish roots of Gypsy Flamenco with the spirituality of Indian cultures.

It brought together a multi- disciplinary performance with an international cast, in part an effort to showcase Romani influence in Austin with music and dance choreography by artists from India and Spain, at the ZACH Topfer Theatre this April.

Rajamani arrived in Austin in 1995 to study the Romani history and start his musical career. As his career progressed and he collaborated with local musicians he developed a fan base in the homeless. “I have a fan base on the streets,” said Rajamani. “I have [even] played in slums of India to connect with people. I love sitting with people on the street.” To this day, Rajamani saves some seats in his concerts for them.

Professionally, Rajamani has worked with well established in the international world like Willie Nelson, Eric Johnson, Edie Brick-

ell, Dale Watson and Dotschy Reinhardt. But he remains grounded.

He notes that music is always influenced by the traditions carried through immigrants to new lands as seen in the traditional Gypsy Flamenco.

roots in the first Indian diaspora.”

“This is a cultural and historic event to bring recognition to the Romani Center (at UT Austin),” said Rajamani. This is the largest Romani Archives Documentation

ebrates the Indian and Romani. It includes works with Spain’s legendary Romani flamenco artists, Jeronimo Maya and Tomasa La Macanita, including India’s legends, Ustad Shujaat Khan, Ustad Aashish Khan, folk artist Chinna Ponne and Langa singers. Scholarly support and recognition comes from Dr. Ian Hancock.

A high-end custom tailored clothing line made by small business tailors in India was available at the concert. The cloth is a blend of Texas, Gypsy and Indian cultural designs. Guests will also be able to find these pieces in Austin stores later this year.

“Flamenco India” performance at the Zach Topfer Theater focused on the Flamenco. He said “Flamenco… is a Spanish dance, but its roots are from the immigrants who migrated into Europe in the 14th century… It was the Indians from South India who migrated to Spain through Europe. They called themselves Rom and speak the Romani [language]… The Romani have

Center at UT. Dr. Ian Hancock, the former UN ambassador of Romani culture spoke to the audience and also shared a documentary film about the Romani musical movement that will be shown on May 3 at the Texas Folklife.

Flamenco India, Rajamani’s ninth album was available for sale at the performance. The album cel-

Rajamani still sometimes sits with the homeless playing an acoustic instrument be it the Sarod, Oud and Cajon (multi-cultural and musical instruments), or a much Texan guitar.

You can also find him on Facebook.

Rajamani is thankful to the City of Austin, the Romani Center at UT Austin and the Texas Folklife for making his concert possible.

Rajamani can be reached at: www.oliverrajamani.com https://www.facebook.com/oliver. rajamani/

Barley Fields On the Other Side of the Mountain from Tibet left the audience quite shocked at the level of hardship faced by the locals in the mountains of Tibet. The films shows the remote mountains of Tibet where a teenage girl must choose between supporting her family after her father’s political imprisonment or joining a group of oppressed nuns on their journey to freedom.

Jaalgadi, Counterfiet Kunkoo, 5 o’clock Shadow, The Streets are Ours (about Pakistani social worker and activist Sabeen Mahmud and Hollywood film maker Fawzia Mirza), Ask the Sexpert, Chumbak, Taala Te Kunji, Dhh and many others touched the audience. Tanya Romero’s Hakla was a muchdiscussed short film. Q/A followed each film with local community partners acting as sponsors for the film.

The volunteers and the organizers were delighted to see such a large turnout. Fashion was a high point in the lobby with Sabya Saachi and Pakistani Mina Hasan topping the designer list. Sai and Ram Das who run things behind the scenes were busy throughout. Geethika Tiwari, a board member of Indie Meme managed the check-in desk along with Team Indie Meme and other board members.

Fons Media was the assigned Media company managing the Red Carpet while Seema Govil managed the South Asian part of the media turnout bringing TV Asia.

Daman and KLRU were the biggest sponsors with Austin South Asian right behind them. All film makers were guests of Indie Meme with Alka Bhanot and Tripti Bhatnagar running the show with their honesty and warmth.

All videos and images will be visible at www.austinsouthasian.com More information at: www.Indiememe.org

26

Austin South Asian | May 2018

‘Bharat Ane Nenu’ Will Be Dubbed In Hindi Avengers Infinity War’s online ticket sale is already breaking records in India As Well, Confirms Director Koratala Siva

Given the unprecedented suc-

makers are now planning to release the film’s dubbed version in Hindi as well.

Buoyed by the film’s success, Siva stated that the impact the film has had on the public has made them expand their horizon and release it in other languages.

“Seeing the impact of the film’s political message, we are now planning to dub the film in other Indian languages including Hindi.

cess of Mahesh Babu’s latest film ‘Bharat Ane Nenu’, the film’s director Koratala Siva says that the

We should’ve done this from the start. We should’ve known that the craving to see a new political awakening is pan-India.

We are taking the film to other parts of India apart from Andhra

Pradesh.

We feel the political message of the country is relevant to every Indian,” the director told a news agency.

ingly the Bollywood heartthrob Ranbir Kapoor transforms into the ‘Munna Bhai’ of Bollywood in an effortless-yet-brilliant way makes the teaser worth the wait. The film boasts of a huge star cast including Anushka Sharma, Sonam Kapoor, Dia Mirza, Manisha Koirala, Paresh Rawal and many others. At present, though the Ranbir fans are crushing over his striking similarity to Sanjay Dutt, know what made

us sit up and take notice of the ‘Sanju’ teaser… by Ruchi Kaushal The ‘Sanju’ teaser pulls attention to how brilliantly actor Ranbir Kapoor has stepped into the shoes of Sanjay Dutt and made them his own. Ranbir is hailed for his acting skills and his several transformations for one single film is worth an applause.

From copying Sanjay’s style of walking to talking, the actor has surely registered a slot with the most coveted award ceremonies.

Not only this, Ranbir also seems to have aced his different looks – from his twenties to a grown-up father of three kids in his fifties.

The actor even revealed at the trailer launch how he looked forward to filming more and more difficult

India opened ticket sales on Sunday (April 22) for much-anticipated Hollywood superhero outing Avengers: Infinity War. While many fans were not even aware of the advance bookings, those who

Avengers: Infinity War.

got to know rushed to buy tickets well on time, as the shows went houseful within minutes.

Mahesh Babu plays the role of an Andhra Pradesh chief minister in the film, which addresses several issues related to governance.

“Promise was the key to the plot in Bharat Ane Nenu.

When politicians are elected into public offices, they take an oath to serve the people but the promise is soon broken. Why? Here was my protagonist who thinks promises are sacred.

This gentleman’s word, whether given in his childhood to his mother or to Mother India in his maturity, is never to be broken.

The promise was the key to my film,” Koratala SIva added.

Ranbir Kapoor’s ‘Sanju’ Teaser: Things That Grab Your Attention After a very long wait, Rajkumar HIrani’s highly anticipated teaser of the Sanjay Dutt biopic titled ‘Sanju’ is finally out and is simply outstanding. How convinc-

As against the regular norm of opening the advance bookings on a Wednesday, cinema halls across India opened ticket sales on Sunday (April 22) for much-anticipated Hollywood superhero outing

scenes each day. Could anyone other than Ranbir have played Sanju better?

Rajkumar Hirani has written the screenplay of this Sanjay Dutt biopic and has knit together several bits and pieces of his controversial life. The ‘Sanju’ teaser throws light on his life from his initial ‘Rocky’ days which was followed by his drug-addict days to his on and off jail stay makes it all the more interesting.

Weaving around his ‘Munna Bhai’ period in his career to his several celebrity link-ups – the teaser hints at much more. While co-producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra mentioned how he was himself very surprised on discovering several unknown truths of Sanjay Dutt’s life, Rajkumar Hirani claimed that the film tells different tales of friendship, a father-son relationship and much more which are not known to his fans at all.

While many fans were not even aware of the advance bookings, those who got to know rushed to buy tickets well on time, as the shows went houseful within minutes.

Online booking site BookMyShow confirmed with indianexpress.com how the booking for Avengers: Infinity War skyrocketed soon after they opened the advance booking, ending up with the highest day 1 sales for any Marvel or superhero film till date.

This, when the advance booking was available only for the 3-day weekend, that is from April 27 (Friday) to April 29 (Sunday).

As against the regular norm of opening the advance bookings on a Wednesday, cinema halls across

Online booking site BookMyShow confirmed with indianexpress.com how the booking for Avengers: Infinity War skyrocketed soon after they opened the advance booking, ending up with the highest day 1 sales for any Marvel or superhero film till date.

This, when the advance booking was available only for the 3-day weekend, that is from April 27 (Friday) to April 29 (Sunday).

Avengers: Infinity War is the culmination of all that happened in the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the past decade, starting with Iron Man.

Austin South Asian Invites Contributions From Readers And Community

To Advertise 512-828-6709

27

Austin South Asian | May 2018

Madhuri Dixit Turns Judge For Reality Show Dance Deewane Madhuri Dixit, who has kicked off her new innings as an actor in full swing, is currently working on two Bollywood films, her Marathi production and wrapped up her recent Marathi acting debut.

Besides these, the actress who is also teaching dance on digital platform, has decided to resume her role as a judge on the small screen for a dance show. However, she will be judging a new show called Dance Deewane.

It is a known fact that Madhuri Dixit has turned judge on the small screen in the past for shows like Nach Baliye and Jhalak Dikhla Jaa. Both the shows revolved around celebrity contestants.

Now, the forthcoming show will feature common yet talented dancers of different age groups.

In fact, reports have it that the selected contestants will fall under 3 different age groups namely, under 13, under 35 and above 35.

Three contestants from each category will

eventually be selected to compete for the alongside Madhuri. The show is expected to finale. go on air from June onwards.

Reports have it that the team of Madhuri On the work front, Madhuri Dixit may have to Dixit has already started work on her new juggle between her films and her reality show. look for the forthcoming show.

While her Marathi acting debut Bucket List is expected to release by the end of May, the acIn fact, it is being said that the actress has tress is also shooting for films. already started prep for her opening performance for the show which is being planned One amidst them is Total Dhamaal, where on a major scale. Furthermore, we hear that she is shooting alongside Anil Kapoor, Ajay the actress will also be judging the audition Devgn among others. Another film in the pipewhich kicks off from May 3 onwards across line is the magnum opus Kalank. the country.

The multi-starrer will see the reunion of MadAs of now, the show officials are in search of huri Dixit and Sanjay Dutt after their last retwo other judges –a choreographer and a di- lease in 1993. rector who will be sharing the judging panel

Javed Akhtar Distributes Rs. 13 Crores Royalty To Composers And Authors

Veteran writer and lyricist Javed Akhtar, who is chairman of the Indian Performing Rights Society (IPRS), has been championing for musicians to get their dues and royalty.

companies like Saregama, Sony Music, Tips, Universal Music, Venus and Aditya Music.

Speaking to a leading daily, Javed Akhtar said that he is glad the differences have been sorted and they have reached the understanding with the IPRS members.

They are happy they have reached this place in a good way. The plan is to bury the hatchet and work together.

Javed Akhtar further clarified that this was ‘synchronization royalty’ which means that the members will get paid for their songs of the artiste are used in video, ads or other films. This was not ‘mechanical royalty’ – The day finally came for the members of used for radio and streaming platforms.

IPRS as the lyricist distributed Rs. 13 crores to them as a part of the royalty given by mu- From what it has been learned, a sum of Rs. sic companies.

13 crores has been distributed amongst IPRS members for the last six years. The members According to their official website, IPRS is- who have less than 10 songs will be given Rs. sues licenses to the users of music and col- 10, 000 for their songs. Those artistes with lect royalties from them, for and on behalf more than 10 songs will be paid Rs. 53, 000. of its Members i.e. the Authors, the Composers and the publishers of Music and dis- While many music companies have come tribute this royalty amongst them after de- forward to pay their synchronization royally, ducting its administrative costs. two of the big companies – T- Series and Yash Raj Films are yet to join Javed Akhtar in this According to the reports, around 2,800 movement. Today, while speaking to media, IPRS members will finally get paid for their the lyricist said that they are still in negotiasongs- termed as ‘synchronisation royalty’ tion with the companies. They are meeting

by Phonographic Performance Ltd (PPL). them to clarify and reach an understanding.

They will be paid on the behalf of music

28

Austin South Asian | May 2018