Austin South Asian - October 2018

Monthly Community Paper | www.austinsouthasian.com | 512-828-6709 | Vol. 11 No. 10

HC4A To Host 4th Annual Gala Compiled by Aashi Morales, Photos by Ashok’s Photography Music, dancing, food, and fun— and all for a good cause—will fill

the Crowne Plaza in Austin on Oc-

ASHA’s SOH 2018

By Sowmya Suryanarayanan

tober 20, 2018, when Hindu Charities for America hosts its 4th Annual Gala.

(Contnued On Page 21)

Navaratri is a nine nights (and ten days) Hindu festival, celebrated in the autumn every year. It is ob-

parts of the Indian subcontinent.

Theoretically, there are four seasonal Navratri.

(Continued On Page 11)

Historic AustinPune International Hackathon Held

By APSCI A historic International Hackathon took place simultaneously at UT Blackstone Launchpad in Austin, Texas, and at the Pune Institute of

Asha-Austin, the Austin chapter of Asha for Education, is launching its Strides of Hope 2018, an endurance long-distance running program, with the upcoming session from Oct 2018 - Feb 2019 for both beginner and experienced runners.

Navratri

School Lunch Hacks......05 An Evening Of Fashion And Splendor...............06 Arun’s Scribblings.........06 Enough Savings For Planned And Unplanned.7 National Preparedness..07 Forget Calorie Counting..8 WIFI Dead Zones.........08

served for different reasons and celebrated differently in various

An Evening Of Fashion And Splendor Austin, Texas — Fashion X Austin today announced the line-up of designers for its first ever Moda X South Asia.

Computer Technology (PICT) in Pune, Maharashtra, in early September 2018.

(Continued On Page 04)

inside October 2018

(Continued On Page 06)

(Continued On Page 09)

AISD

SCHOOL MODERNIZING

Austin ISD Trustees approved Sánchez Elementary School as the site of a $25 million Austin ISD 2017 Bond program investment, modernizing the campus in East Austin and creating a 21st-century

learning space. Trustees made the decision at the Sept. 24 Regular Board Meeting. The modernization of Sánchez will provide students with collaborative spaces, learning neighborhoods, integrated technology and outdoor learning spaces as part of the Bond investment.

November 2018 - Food

& Restaurant Special

512-828-6709 Vibha’s Nritya Sandhya.09 Raise Drug Free Child...11 Maliks Page........13,14,15 SWNB CEO..................16 Childrens Page....17,21,22 Job Offer......................18 Home Design Trend......20 Community Calendar....21 Mid-Size Companies.....23 Better Care From.........24 Four Organisations Honored At WHC................24 Entertainment.........26,27

LOWEST PRICES OF THE YEAR!

2

Austin South Asian | October 2018

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Austin South Asian | October 2018

Happy Fall Y'all!

Whether you're celebrating Navratri or Halloween make sure the ones you love are protected.

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4

Austin South Asian | October 2018

Historic Austin-Pune International Hackathon Held

(Continued From Page 01)

The hackathon began at 8:00 a.m. Austin time on Saturday, September 8 (6:30 p.m., Pune time), and ended Sunday, September 9, at 8:00 a.m., Austin time (6:30 p.m., Pune time).

The winning team was comprised of Pavan Agrawal of Houston, Texas, and Ashwin Tantri and Karan Agrawal of Pune.

Pavan, a sixteen-year-old high school stu-

ternational Hackathon.

He was praised by the judges for his presentation on behalf of his winning team and for his promising future as a future tech leader and innovator.

Teams of Austin and Pune members collaborated virtually on smart city solutions.

They were aided by mentors in both cities and evaluated by a bi-national panel of distinguished judges.

Mentors in Austin were Dr. Radha Mahle of Baylor, Scott, & White in Pflugerville; Hema Raja of Samspra Academy; and Tommi Ferguson of Capitol City Village. Pune mentors were Shirish Padalkar and Karun AB of ThoughtWorks, Abhijit Bhirud, and Professor B.M. Patil.

Austin judges were Dr. Sandeepkumar Singh of Emergency Medical Physicians, Glenn E. Robinson of UT’s IC2, Dr. Sriram Vishwanath of UT’s Computer and Electrical Engineering Department, and Britt Talbert of International Accelerator. Pune judges were Col. Anand Kumar of CME Group, Amnol Guhane of Robolab Technologies Pvt Ltd, Aniket Kolee of Tata Consultancy Services, and Akshay Dhavale of ThoughtWorks.

This first-of-its-kind event was initiated by the Austin Pune Sister City Initiative (APSCI) in collaboration with the City of Austin Economic Development Department GBE Division, the University of Texas at Austin, and PICT. Other organizing partners were the Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce, Pune Fashion Week, and ThoughtWorks.

First place was awarded for data management solution “Utilities Rapid Response.”

of Austin, and Sourabh Joshi, Ashish Joshi, Pranit Jadhav, and Milind Sonawane of Pune, for “Disaster Management.”

International industry leader ARM was the Diamond Event Sponsor. dent, traveled by bus to the Austin Pune In-

Second place was given to a project titled, “Senior Rideshare,” in the Health/Mobility areas.

UT students Rahul Das, Alexander Wlezien, and Saavan Nanavati, were joined by Pune members Chinmay Ingle and Kunwar Chopra.

Braces & Invisalign

The third prize was won by a healthcare project titled “Clinical Research Database”

by Dr. Vani Vallabhaneni, M.D. from Austin and Amol Jadhav, Mehul Mehta, and Govardhan Veer of Pune.

Now accepting new patients!

Honorable mention went to Sanjit Tamhane

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

First prize ($750), second prize ($500), and third prize ($250), were funded by Gold Sponsor Aspire to Age, Silver Sponsor Austin Bollywood Cultural Association, and Bronze Sponsor Hunt, Pennington, Kumar & Dula, PLLC., respectively.

At the awards ceremony, Laskshmi Mandyam, Vice-President of the Automotive Division, ARM, gave a short speech to the gathering, and a new short documentary by Rama Tiru, “Eminent Austinites of Indian Origin,” was premiered.

This project was supported in part by the Global Business Expansion Division of the City of Austin Development Department.

CHILDREN ARTICLES Children Email Us Your

Articles

info@AustinSouth Asian.com

5

School Lunch Hacks For Busy Families

Busy families are always looking for efficient ways to pack healthy, satisfying school lunches.

A classic kids’ favorite, today’s applesauce is often healthier and more versatile than it once was.

Keep kids on their “A” game this year with the following tips.

Free of added sugar and artificial colors, sweeteners and flavors, Mott’s Unsweetened Applesauce, for example, comes in flavors like granny smith, strawberry and blueberry, and can be used in lunchtime recipes such as Applesauce Energy Bars or Golden Apple Raisin Squares to boost flavor and nutrition.

Get the Kids Involved Getting your kids involved in packing their lunches is not only a great way to teach responsibility, it’s also an opportunity to discuss the fundamentals of healthy eating – plus with helpers afoot, it may just save you some time and energy.

Kids will enjoy feeling like they have some control over what goes into their lunches.

Keep them focused by providing them with structured choices, such as -- turkey and swiss sandwich or cheddar and apple? Carrot sticks or sugar snap peas?

Include Fruit Fruit is an important part of a child’s nutritious diet, so be sure that lunches include healthy fruit servings.

Juice labels can be especially confusing, however, sticking to options made from 100 percent juice is a good rule of thumb.

For example, Mott’s Sensibles, available in three flavors in convenient 6-ounce pouches, contain 30 percent less sugar compared to 100 percent apple juices, and contain no artificial flavors, colors or sweeteners.

Another way to include some fruit at lunch?

Applesauce.

Pick the Right Pack Make your life easy and promote wellness with great lunch gear.

Check labels; dishwasher-safe containers

will streamline your routine and non-toxic materials will help keep kids healthy and safe.

If you plan to include both hot and cold food items, look into ice packs, sturdy leak-proof thermoses and lunch bags or boxes that feature compartments.

Consistently creating great midday meals may sound like a tall order, but with a few go-to essentials and some smart packing strategies, you can help keep kids fueled for more focused learning.

(StatePoint)

Austin South Asian | October 2018

6

Austin South Asian | October 2018

An Evening Of Fashion And Splendor

(Continued From Page 01)

This not-to-be-missed event will feature beautiful hand embroidered and hand beaded gowns with amazing craftsmanship from India and Pakistan.

The event will be held October 10 at 7:00 p.m. at LZR, formerly known as La Zona Rosa.

The seven designers who will showcase their looks are Varun Bahl, Silk Threads by Rubi Bhandari, Bridal Motif, Maryam Kizer, Rana Noman, Nava and Erum Khan.

According to Matt Swinney, “This will be the first time some of these designers have shown their looks on a United States runway, while others showing already have a global reputation and clientele for their stunning looks.”

Four designers will be traveling to Texas from Pakistan. Two of them, Rana Noman and Erum Khan, are

both established designers in Lahore with flagship stores.

One, Maryam Khizer, just finished her thesis with the Pakistan Institute of Fashion and Design and was chosen for her outstanding work in sustainability — her mini collection will feature looks made primarily from Ostrich feathers.

Nava will be debuting her very first collection that is currently going through sample construction in Lahore.

The first time anyone in the world gets to see it will be during the Fashion X shows.

In addition, Jaya Shukla from Austin, Ruby Bhandari from Dallas, and Varun Bhal from Mumbai will be representing the Indian community with a shows featuring brand new looks.

On the heels of the highly successful Moda X Mexico in 2017, Fashion X Austin is visually transport-

ing the audience to South Asia.

This cultural hotbed is one of the most underrated fashion regions of the world.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to embrace the cultural heritage and jaw-dropping textiles from this highly unique region.

Attendees will get to see over-thetop, colorful bridal gowns only seen in pictures alongside modern, contemporary looks made for a more western audience.

Tickets are $35-$150. http://austin.fashionx.co/schedule/moda-xsouth-asia/ The host committee is: Sujata Ajmera | Aida Dieck | Seema Govil | Farooq Husain | Jiaa Jabbar | Nahid & Ali Khataw | Katie Kime | Andra Liemandt | Andrea McWilliams | Anila & Ahmed Moledina | Hema Mullur | Pooja Sethi | Jaya Shukla | Venus Strawn | Natasa Valocchi

For more information on each event and tickets, please visit: austin.fashionx.co About Fashion Week Austin

With a heavy emphasis on emerging designers, Austin Fashion Week aims to connect these designers direct to consumers and boutique buyers.

Now in its 10th year, Austin Fashion Week is the premier fashion week in the South and the fourth largest fashion week in the United States.

Austin Fashion Week is owned by Fashion X, the producers behind Fashion X Dallas and Fashion X Houston, now in their fifth and third years, respectively.

Scribblings By Arun HELPLESS POLICE AND HAPLESS VICTIM

Catching the culprit in heinous crimes, A mountainous job for the police.

To succeed they labour a great deal, with scant resource at their disposal.

seeking evidence more viable.

In addition they need to struggle, To satisfy the system legal, that more often than not, let them fail,

Unless justice is pronounced in time.

Curse in despair, the hapless victim.

The disgusting long legal battle, lets culprit succeed to go on bail, that boost the criminals, sans any fear to go on with crimes.

7

Austin South Asian | October 2018

Do You Have Enough Savings For Planned And Unplanned Expenses?

Nearly half of consumers have encountered an emergency expense in the past year, but when it comes to financially preparing for the unexpected, many fall short, accord-

ing to CIT Bank’s new Summer Savings Survey conducted by The Harris Poll.

What’s more, the survey also found

that many consumers don’t have the savings to afford the planned expense of the vacations they take.

“More than one in four consumers

don’t save anything for unexpected events such as a home repair or health expense,” says Ravi Kumar, head of Internet Banking for CIT Bank.

“Over another quarter report saving less than 5 percent of their monthly household income for emergencies.”

“Americans can do more to ensure their lifestyles and savings priorities are aligned,” says Kumar. “But saving wisely is key.”

How are consumers making ends meet? Family and credit cards top the list of resources Americans rely on for financial support during emergencies.

To plan the monthly amount that you’ll need to save for peace of mind, utilize free resources, such as CIT Bank’s online calculators at bankoncit.com/calculators.

As for the planned expense of a vacation, approximately one in three (29 percent) report taking extreme actions to pay their way, including taking out a bank loan, going into debt, cleaning out a savings account, borrowing money or maxing out a credit card.

Then, consider looking for an account that will make your savings work harder and offer some flexibility.

For example, with a Money Market Account from CIT Bank, consumers can earn interest on their savings while maintaining the option

to make withdrawals at any time.

With no monthly maintenance fees, a minimum account balance requirement, and transaction capabilities, consumers can save without sacrificing their earnings throughout the process.

Do you have enough savings for planned and unplanned expenses?

When it comes to happy occasions, like vacations, as well as the unexpected, being prepared can safeguard you against zeroing out your account or going into debt.

(StatePoint)

National Preparedness Month: Keep Your Family Safe In An Emergency September is National Preparedness Month, and with wildfires, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes and hurricanes occurring around the world, having access to safe drinking water in the event of an emergency should be top of mind no matter where you live.

Natural disasters can contaminate and disrupt water supplies, making it difficult to access safe drinking water at home.

Emergencies also force families out of their homes, making it necessary to hydrate from natural water resources where harmful contaminants like bacteria, chemicals, microplastics and heavy metals may be present.

“The everyday public health con-

cern of water contamination is elevated during emergencies, when water can be unreliable for drink-

that incorporates a two-stage filter removing bacteria, chemicals, microplastics and bad taste from drinking water.

Another good option for personal use is LifeStraw Flex, a multi-use filter that removes heavy metals including lead as well as bacteria and parasites.

ing,” says Alison Hill, managing director of LifeStraw, a manufacturer of water filtration systems that is often involved in disaster relief both in the U.S, and around the globe.

“If an emergency has your family on the move, being able to hydrate safely from any fresh water source -- fountains, streams, rivers and ponds is key,” points out Hill.

When building your emergency supply kit, be sure to include a portable filter to help eliminate harmful contaminants from your drinking source.

LifeStraw makes it easy to hydrate safely at home and outdoors.

LifeStraw Go is a refillable bottle

Finally, those traveling in groups may find it more efficient to use a filter specifically designed for a crowd, such as the brand’s Mission model, a high-volume gravitypowered purifier that also filters viruses, available in a 12-liter compact roll bag.

Being prepared for any situation will help keep your family safe and healthy, for whatever comes your way.

This National Preparedness Month, gain the confidence of knowing that you will have access to safe water for days, weeks and even months should your water supply be compromised by a natural disaster or other emergency.

(StatePoint)

8

Austin South Asian | October 2018

Forget Calorie Counting: New Guidelines For Losing Weight

For years, the general wisdom was that the only scientifically proven way to shed pounds and inches was to consume fewer calories than one burned each day. Unfortunately, that formula doesn’t work for everybody.

shouldn’t be to lose pounds but rather to increase your lean body mass.

Healthy weight loss is all about burning energy, and the leaner your body mass, the more energy you

response, during which the body produces adrenaline that mobilizes stored fuel so you can run away or pick up a stick and fight.

That fuel is stolen from muscles and organs, tearing down lean body

Why? Experts say that this is because successful weight loss is associated with a wider range of factors.

it. Before going to bed, try relaxation techniques such as breathing exercises.

Take a walk or do jumping jacks; find a way to discharge the nervous energy pumped into your bloodstream, so it won’t be stored as fat while you sleep.

• Sleep well.

Jealously guard sleep time and don’t let anything interfere with it.

“Gaining control of your weight is more complex than the ‘calories in/ calories out’ approach that so many dieters subscribe to,” says Margie Adelman, president of Simplipur, a maker of dietary supplements.

The deep sleep states are when anabolic processes take over to build lean body mass, so high-quality, undisturbed sleep is essential.

“Now research shows that powerful factors regulate weight, and that understanding those factors can help you reach your goals.”

Your bedroom should be cool, dark and quiet. If you need white noise, make sure that it’s constant and not irritating.

According to Adelman, these are clinically proven actions that promote fat loss, which every dieter should know about:

• Get exercise and make it fun. can burn. It’s by “building lean” that you will lose fat.

• Rethink your goals.

• De-stress.

In dieting, your number one goal

Stress triggers a “fight or flight”

mass, as well as leaving energy in the bloodstream that the body converts to fat if it’s not used.

To bust stress, first recognize its source and takes steps to manage

Exercise builds lean body mass, so get plenty of it. But make sure it’s something fun so you’ll enjoy it and keep up the habit.

• Eat right.

Low carb diets like the Paleo Diet, which feature a wide variety of protein sources, fruits, veggies and healthy fats, have the best profile for losing body fat while building lean body tissue and are much healthier than low-calorie diets.

Remember that lean body tissue is made from protein, so if you want to “build the lean” eat plenty of protein.

You may also want to consider incorporating a dietary supplement into your routine, such as Lean 2.0 Weight Management, which supports fat loss and helps you increase lean body mass by working directly with your metabolism.

For more information, visit www. getlean2now.com or call (800) 809-8351 for more information.

To get serious about weight loss and reduce body fat, move beyond the old way of thinking.

For best results, incorporate dieting principles based on new scientific research.

5 Tips To Bring Your Home’s Wi-Fi ‘Dead Zones’ To Life Whether it’s to stream a movie from the bedroom or lock the front door using smart home technology, you’ve likely come to expect WiFi to reach every corner of your house.

So, given today’s basement-to-attic demand for Wi-Fi access, what is the most economical and effec-

The reality is that there are certain locations in many homes where Internet-connected devices and smartphones are unable to receive a steady Wi-Fi signal (or any signal at all) from the router. These sad places are called “dead zones.”

“Dead zones typically include bathrooms, second and third story bedrooms, attics, basements, garages and back patios -- and they can drive everyone in the house absolutely crazy,” says Jeff Parker, the “Wi-Fi Guru,” and editor of the Milo Wi-Fi Blog, a source for practical advice, new products, and leading-edge technology dedicated to enhancing the Wi-Fi experience.

rative furniture, filing cabinets, even fish tanks!) have the potential to impair your network’s signal strength. If possible, move such items and your router apart.

2. Switch to a less crowded frequency.

1. Keep your router away from metal.

In living spaces like apartment buildings, too many broadcasting networks can interfere with each other and impact Wi-Fi quality. Because routers broadcast across two wireless frequency bands, 2.4 and 5 GHz, when one is too crowded it acts like a highway packed with cars.

Objects such as mirrors, televisions, appliances or anything large made primarily of metal (i.e. deco-

The good news is you can usually switch frequencies within your mobile device settings to use the

tive strategy for winning the battle against dead zones in your home?

Parker offers five no-cost/low-cost suggestions:

less crowded channel.

3. Reboot regularly.

Routers asked to complete many requests, such as handing out multiple IP addresses to different devices and handling large downloads, can end up slowing down because of the heavy workload.

You can think of rebooting your router as basically refreshing it and clearing any memory or stalled tasks.

4. Get the latest hardware.

If you’re still using that dinosaur router from the early 2000s, it’s probably time for an upgrade.

Outfitting your home with a smarter and more advanced router could be the solution to your Wi-Fi woes, especially if your existing router is a very old model with limited capabilities.

Internet service providers often provide router upgrades by request for no charge.

5. Consider a distributed mesh WiFi system.

For Wi-Fi that reaches farther, consider a mesh Wi-Fi system, which consists of a main router connected to a modem and a series of satellite Wi-Fi distribution modules placed throughout the house.

Those from Milo provide a strong uninterrupted signal to every WiFi device in the home, from attic to basement. To learn more, visit milowifi.com or call 1-877-4266456.

Don’t just live with the dead zones in your home. By taking a few simple steps, you can enjoy a more satisfying Wi-Fi experience.

(StatePoint)

9

Austin South Asian | October 2018

VIBHA’S NRITYA SANDHYA DANCE FUNDRAISER FOR OCTOBER 6

Article by Priya Balachandran, Action Center Coordinator – Vibha Chicago CHICAGO, IL (Sep 13, 2018) – Vibha organizes Nritya Sandhya Dance Fundraiser on Saturday, October 6, 2018 beginning at 7:00 PM CDT at Community Christian Church located at Naperville Yellow Box.

The funds raised will be added to Vibha’s project funding source that in turn will go towards supporting 37 child welfare projects in India and USA, ensuring a scalable cure to solve a systemic problem in the life of the underprivileged child.

The focus areas being Education, Vocational training, Care for physically and/or mentally challenged children and Rescue and rehabilitation of children in vulnerable conditions.

Nritya Sandhya is aimed at providing an exposure to Indian classical dances that known for intricate movements, extensive footwork, delicate expressions, beautiful hand gestures, rich costumes and captivating music, and much more.

Madhura Sane, the Chicago based Kathak dancer/actor/choreographer and founder director of Nrityaniketan, is going to perform live for Vibha, along with Divya Khandekar, a versatile vocalist trained in Hindustani classical and light music.

music in Divya’s voice and feelings with Madhura’s expressions.

The performance is guaranteed to bring emotions, joy to the audience, all while supporting the good cause of supporting Vibha’s mission of benefitting underprivileged children.

The ticket price is $25 for general admission and ranges from $35-75 for different donor levels.

Tickets are available through Eventbrite as well as at the door.

The program will start with a brief Intro performance by Srishti Sahu who is a trained Odissi Dancer (also a Vibha Chicago Volunteer) and has performed at many International dance festivals.

Apart from raising fund, the event is also designed to provide a great experience for attendees; raise awareness about child welfare; forge new partnerships; and recruit new volunteers.

The evening will witness some beautiful classical compositions, revival of some melodious thumris with some semi-classical and light

Vibha really appreciates the support of all the sponsors including Silver level sponsors - Professional Mortgage Solutions and RR In-

their creativity. Eco-friendly clay was provided for making the murtis.

could connect back to their roots through these workshops.

ternational; Bronze level sponsor - Ranili as well as other sponsors - Beautiful Ideas and Eye Level South.

Half the children do not get enough food every day and are chronically or acutely undernourished (UNICEF India).

About Vibha

Ron victor, President and cofounder of Vibha, once mentioned ‘I see Vibha as a movement.

Vibha is a 501(c)(3) organization, registered in USA that empowers individuals to make a difference and aims to ensure that every underprivileged child attains his or her right to education, health and opportunity.

India, by one count, has 18 million street children and over 22 million child laborers (http://www.indianngos.com).

Nearly 20% of the children 6-14 years old have no access to primary education.

Less than 45% receive the immunization required to protect them from deadly illnesses.

A movement in every city, town and village where like-minded people have come together to solve a problem that most people think is unsolvable’.

Yes, now Vibha has a volunteer network of 2200 volunteers spread across 18 Action Centers across the US and India, and Chicago action center is just one among them.

For more information about Nritya Sandhya Dance Fundraiser, please visit www.ac.vibha.org/chicago or Vibha Chicago facebook page.

Make-A-Ganesha Workshops Navratri

Conducted by Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) Austin On the auspicious festival of Ganesh Chathurti, Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) Austin chap-

The kids were taught to decorate the murtis with a crown made of

Around 300 participants took part in 7 events in communities across Austin, and 200 Ganesh murtis

(Continued From Page 01)

However, in practice, it is the post-monsoon autumn festival called Sharada Navratri that is the most observed in the honor of the divine feminine Devi (Durga). The festival is celebrated in the bright half of the Hindu calendar month Ashvin, which typically falls in the Gregorian months of September and October.

In the eastern and northeastern states of India, the Durga Puja is synonymous with Navratri, wherein goddess Durga battles and emerges victorious over the buffalo demon to help restore Dharma. In the northern and western states, the festival is synonymous with “Rama Lila” and Dussehra that celebrates the battle and victory of god Rama over the demon king Ravana.

In southern states, the victory of different goddesses, of Rama or Saraswati is celebrated. In all cases, the common theme is the battle and victory of Good over Evil based on a regionally famous epic or legend such as the Ramayana or the Devi Mahatmya.

ter conducted Make-A-Ganesha workshops in the local communities around Austin.

clay, and make Ganesha’s favorite food modaks and laddus using clay.

The hands-on workshops gave the kids an opportunity to create a murti of their beloved Lord Ganesha, and at the same time express

The workshops kindled fond childhood memories in the adults.

Parents were happy that the kids

were made.

HSS Austin conducts weekly Balagokulam sessions for the entire family.

For further details, contact HSSAustin89@gmail.com

Celebrations include stage decorations, recital of the legend, enacting of the story, and chanting of the scriptures of Hinduism. The nine days are also a major crop season cultural event, such as competitive design and staging of pandals, a family visit to these pandals and the public celebration of classical and folk dances of Hindu culture.

On the final day, called the Vijayadashami or Dussehra, the statues are either immersed in a water body such as river and ocean, or alternatively the statue symbolizing the evil is burnt with fireworks marking evil’s destruction. The festival also starts the preparation for one of the most important and widely celebrated holidays, Diwali, the festival of lights, which is celebrated twenty days after the Vijayadashami or Dussehra.

10

Austin South Asian | October 2018

Asian Americans Advancing Justice Outraged At New Proposal Attacking Immigrant Families

WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, the Trump Administration released new proposed rules that would punish immigrants seeking vital healthcare and other services.

Immigrants are already currently barred from utilizing most federal programs during their first five years living in the United States.

The proposed regulation greatly expands the federal government’s ability to reject applications for lawful permanent residency, attacking our family-based immigration system through backdoor methods.

More than 1.5 million Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) immigrants are in families that use public benefits to feed and sustain their families.

Health and nutrition programs support and lift up families in the U.S., including immigrant and U.S. citizen family members -- they are fundamental human rights.

The proposed rules will force individuals into the impossible decision of keeping their families

of politicians from 1882, the same year as the discriminatory Chinese Exclusion Act. Families are the cornerstone of any community and one of the most important institutions in our society.

The government should be supporting families and helping them thrive during times of need instead of instilling fear.

We urge everyone to submit public comments expressing opposition to

This proposed rule could discourage families from accessing the basic assistance they need in order to survive in our communities.

Jessica Jinn, (213) 241-8817, jjinn@advancingjustice-la.org Michelle Boykins, (202) 296-2300 x0144, mboykins@advancingjustice-aajc.org Christina So, (415) 848-7728, christinaso@advancingjustice-alc. org Brandon Lee, (773) 271-0899 x200, blee@advancingjustice-chicago.org James

Woo,

(404)

585-8446,

jwoo@advancingjustice-atlanta. org Asian Americans Advancing Justice is a national affiliation of five leading organizations advocating for the civil and human rights of Asian Americans and other underserved communities to promote a fair and equitable society for all.

The affiliation’s members are: Advancing Justice | AAJC (Washington, D.C.), Advancing Justice - Asian Law Caucus (San Francisco), Advancing Justice - Los Angeles, Advancing Justice - Atlanta, and Advancing Justice - Chicago.

Austin South Asian

Asian Americans Advancing Justice, an affiliation of five civil rights organizations, issues the following statement: “This is a wide-reaching and incredibly depraved attack from the Trump Administration on our families.

Advancing Justice Contacts:

together or accessing the benefits they need to survive.

this rule before the comment period closes.

The proposed rules are cruel and lack human decency.

We will continue to demand that this administration value our families.

The original public charge provision is rooted in the racist actions

We will not stand for the Trump Administration’s white nativist policies that seek to keep immigrants of color out of this country and scare them away from accessing programs for which they are entitled.”

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

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

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

11

Austin South Asian | October 2018

Dancing Stars And Scholarships: HC4A To Host 4th Annual Gala

(Continued From Page 01) In what is becoming a much-anticipated fall event, attendees at the gala will be treated to a sumptuous Indian meal and a cash bar, will have the opportunity to bid on silent auction items and participate

of the gala’s “stars”—local business and community leaders who have trained for weeks with local dance instructors who have generously donated their time to get the stars ready for their performances.

Speaking at the gala will be Dr.

lege and Austin Mayor Steve Adler will also be present.

her platform, “Beauty with a Purpose.”

This year’s dancing stars are Anita Dodia, Ashok Kumar, Jyoti Mistry, Nagavalli, Nupur Sharma, Sharmila Mehta, Smita Parikh, Vijay Mohan, and Malin Pathak.

“I love the marriage of commu-

The event has grown exponentially and last year close to 500 guests attended, raising almost $70,000 for scholarships.

Their training is being overseen by stars of the local dance community: Shruti Anand of Monsoon Dance, Prakash Mohandas of Agni Dance, Mansi Muchhala of Sargam Dance School, and Varsha Jawadekar of NritryaVarsha Dance Academy.

Dancing star Smita Parikh, who danced kathak as a child, is loving the experience of dancing again.

Although the dance style is different from her early training, she is “enjoying the journey.”

in raffles by local sponsors, and will be entertained by the dancing

Richard Rhodes, President and CEO of Austin Community Col-

By the time teens graduate from high school, about 45 percent will have tried marijuana, according the

The drug epidemic is an expansive and very real public health crisis and families are on the front line

Another HC4A dancing star, Nupar Sharma, Mrs. Bollywood Austin 2017, feels that the celebrity dancing opportunity fits right in with

nity service and social purpose,” she explained. Harish Kotecha, founder of HC4A, along with a committed HC4A Executive Board and Foundation Board and countless volunteers, began the gala four years ago to raise funds for vocational scholarships for local disadvantaged students.

This year, HC4A hopes to exceed that total and raise even more for scholarships.

whom they’re prescribed. If those drugs are prescribed to your child, monitor use of the medication, and keep it stored in your bathroom rather than your child’s.

Strategize with your children on how to say “no” when pressured to use drugs, while also reinforcing the “why.” Reasons to say “no” can be anything from not wanting to harm one’s grades, health or athletic potential, or even just the fact that you implement home drug testing.

For more information about tickets, or to support this cause, visit www.hc4a.org/hc4agala or visit HC4A on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HinduCharities.

3 Tips To Raise A Drug-Free Child The best line of defense is an open relationship with your children that encourages a healthy dialogue about the dangers of drug use in terms they can understand.

Paired with consequences that will resonate, like the taking away of freedoms and valued items, discussions should include talking openly about the effects of drugs like marijuana, heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine on a user’s health and wellness.

Be available and willing to listen to whatever your children have to say without interrupting or losing your composure, ensuring a healthy conversation where they feel their voices are being heard.

National Institute on Drug Abuse.

And while marijuana is one of the most used substances among teenagers, it is not the only one of concern today.

when it comes to getting prevention and recovery efforts underway.

Here are three steps parents can take to help keep their kids safe.

1. Communicate.

2. Have a Plan and Offer Privileges and Incentives.

In the home, prescription drugs such as opioids and stimulants should be locked away safely, accessible only to the person to

Parents who suspect their child may be facing peer pressure or abusing drugs should consider using a home drug test.

Sold at major retailers in the pharmacy section, First Check Home Drug Tests are a quick and accessible resource for parents concerned about their children’s health. Over 99 percent accurate, these kits deliver results in five minutes, testing for the presence of up to 14 commonly abused drugs.

Your drug prevention plan may also include a system of rewards for passing home drug tests, including car privileges and other tangible incentives.

3. Strategize Saying “No.”

To that end, consider home drug testing as a way to take the pressure off your children, giving them an easy out in social situations where drugs are introduced, while saving face with peers. You can even give them a line to use on their friends, such as, “I can’t, my parents are crazy and they drug test me!”

More tips to help raise drug-free kids can be found at notmykid.org.

Drug use is a challenging issue to navigate, but with a few preventative actions and an open discourse, you can foster a healthy, drug-free environment for your family.

(StatePoint)

12

Austin South Asian | October 2018

Texas Book Festival Brings South Asian Literature And Authors To Austin On Oct 27 & 28 Weekend Courtesy TBF - By Sumaiya Malik This year, the Texas Book Festival (TBF) will be held around the State Capital building grounds on the weekend of Saturday October 27 to Sunday October 28.

their relationship, Rebecca finds herself confronting, for the first time, the blind spots of her own privilege.

elsewhere.

city itself.

The Scatter Here is too Great by Bilal Tanweer

She feels profoundly connected to

A vivid and intricate novel-instories, T h e Scatter Here Is Too Great e x plores t h e comp l i cated lives of ordinary people whose fates unexpectedly converge after a deadly bomb blast at the Karachi train station: an old communist poet; h i s

Bilal Tanweer was born and raised in Karachi, Pakistan. His fiction, poetry, and translations have appeared in various international journals, including Granta, Vallum, He lives in Lahore, Pakistan.

There will be present 250+ nationally and critically recognized adult and children’s authors, 20+ venues including the State Capitol, 100+ exhibitors, local food trucks, family activities, and countless opportunities to meet authors and fellow book lovers.

TBF began with a simple purpose: to bring authors and readers together in a celebration of literature and literacy.

Founded in 1995 by Laura Bush (a former librarian and then First Lady of Texas), Mary Margaret Farabee, and a dedicated group of volunteers, the TBF set out to honor Texas authors, promote the joys of reading, and benefit the state’s public libraries.

Like every year, this year also has a list of authors of South Asian origin.

That Kind of Mother by Rumaan Alam Written with the warmth and psychological acuity that defined his debut, Rumaan Alam has crafted a remarkable novel about the lives we choose, and the lives that are chosen for us.

Like many first-time mothers, Rebecca Stone finds herself both deeply in love with her newborn son and deeply overwhelmed.

Struggling to juggle the demands of motherhood with her own aspirastion, she reaches out to the only person at the hospital who offers her any real help—Priscilla Johnson—and begs her to come home with them as her son’s nanny.

Priscilla’s presence quickly does as much to shake up Rebecca’s perception of the world as it does to stabilize her life. Rebecca is white, and Priscilla is black, and through

the woman who essentially taught her what it means to be a mother.

When Priscilla dies unexpectedly in childbirth, Rebecca steps forward to adopt the baby. But she is unprepared for what it means to be a white mother with a black son.

As she soon learns, navigating motherhood for her is a matter of learning how to raise two children whom she loves with equal ferocity, but whom the world is determined to treat differently.

Rumaan Alam is the author of Rich and Pretty. His writing has appeared in The New York Times, Elle, New York Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, Buzzfeed, and

wealthy, middle-aged son; a young man caught in an unpleasant, deadend job; a girl who spins engaging tales to conceal her heartbreak; and a grief-stricken writer, who struggles to make sense of this devastating tragedy.

Bilal Tanweer reveals the pain, loneliness, and longing of these characters and celebrates the power of the written word to heal lives and communities plagued by violence.

Elegantly weaving together different voices into a striking portrait of a city and its people, The Scatter Here Is Too Great is a tale as vibrant and varied in its characters, passions, and idiosyncrasies as the

People like Us by Sayu Bhojwani This is an inspiring story of political newcomers (sometimes also newcomers to America) who are knocking down built-in barriers to creating better government.

In People Like Us, political scientist Sayu Bhojwani shares the stories of a diverse and persevering range of local and state politicians from across the country who are challenging the status quo, winning against all odds, and leaving a path for others to follow in their wake.

In Anaheim, California, a previously undocumented Mexican American challenges the high-powered interests of the Disney Corporation to win a city council seat.

In accessible prose, Bhojwani shines a light on the political, systemic, and cultural roadblocks that prevent government from effectively representing a rapidly changing America, and offers forward-thinking solutions on how to get rid of them.

People Like Us serves as a road map for the burgeoning democracy that has been a long time in the making: inclusive, multiracial, and unstoppable.

Sayu Bhojwani is the founder and president of New American Leaders, the only national organization focused on preparing immigrant leaders to run for public office.

She served as New York City’s first commissioner of immigrant affairs and lives in New York.

Girls Burn Brighter by Shobha Rao Longlisted for the 2018 Center for Fiction First Novel Prize This is an electrifying debut novel

about the extraordinary bond between two girls driven apart by circumstance but relentless in their search for one another. Poornima and Savitha have three strikes against them: they are poor, ambitious, and they are girls.

After her mother’s death, Poornima has very little kindness in her life. She is left to care for her siblings until her father can find her a suitable match. So when Savitha enters their household, the joyful, independent-minded girl intrigues Poornima.

Suddenly their Indian village doesn’t feel quite so claustrophobic, and Poornima begins to imagine a life beyond arranged marriage.

But when a devastating act of cruelty drives Savitha away, Poornima leaves behind everything she has ever known to find her friend.

Her journey takes her into the darkest corners of India’s underworld, on a harrowing cross-continental journey, and eventually to an apartment complex in Seattle.

Alternating between the girls’ perspectives as they face ruthless obstacles, Shobha Rao’s Girls Burn Brighter introduces two heroines who never lose the hope that burns within.

SHOBHA RAO moved to the U.S. from India at the age of seven. She is the winner of the 2014 Katherine Anne Porter Prize in Fiction, awarded by Nimrod International Journal.

Capital Metro and the Austin Public Library invite you to GET DOWN! Park for free at six (6) different branch library locations and ride for free with a Transit Day Pass -- so you can spend more time at the festivals and less time circling downtown for parking.

The schedule is not up yet, but for more information go to www.TexasBookFestival.org

13

Austin South Asian | October 2018

Julie Oliver (For Congress Dist 25) Talks To The South Asian Community At The Baqai House

By Sumaiya Malik Julie Oliver (running for Congress District 25) was a guest of the Baqai family on September 8.

They had invited her to meet the South Asian community to familiarize the community with Oliver’s campaign and to help Oliver learn about the community’s concerns.

“Something is magnificently shifting in Texas,” Oliver beamed.

lington for under graduate studies and then to UT Austin Law School.

efits she said was through taxation of campaign reforms.

Oliver stood in the Baqais living room and proudly announced that her 28-year-old daughter is now a PhD candidate and she has three more children and a loving husband.

She supports taxation of these funds to make available funds for Medicare.

She graduated debt free because of government offered programs that

Immigration is on her mind too.

“Immigrants make our economy strong,” said Oliver who believes that DACA recipients should be

Her friendly demeanor and ability to communicate added the humanto-human connection that everyone craves for in the current political scenario.

She has driven 40,000 miles in her car to reach every corner of Texas and even to the most Republican places she can find to convince Texans that she has a plan that will help them because she herself has been through the toughest of times.

But her life started out on a completely different path.

When Oliver was in high school, she dropped and ran away from home.

Three months out she got pregnant and decided to come back home feeling quite defeated.

Her single mother embraced her only child, and Oliver went back to school.

She became a mom in the senior year and graduated to go to UT Ar-

Oliver said that her campaign has repeatedly tried to contact the incumbent’s office, but Williams is not willing to even answer their calls for a live debate.

A c cording to Oliver s h e needs 90,000 people

Her story is compelling.

Oliver is a healthcare advocate, lawyer, accountant and working mom with 20 years of experience in healthcare and taxation.

When asked if there would be a live debate with the incumbent Roger Williams.

Oliver thinks her opponent knows that he will be unable to face her.

If Julie Oliver could talk to everyone in all 13 counties of Texas before the upcoming November midterm elections, she would.

It meanders through a life of utter defeat to resolute success all because she had sheer determination and the backing of a loving mother.

She asked everyone present to bring at least 3 people to vote with him or her.

are now under threat of being cancelled under the Trump administration.

Her concerns were more for healthcare finance where she has worked for the past fifteen years.

She said that she did not ever envision running for office, but “I made a decision to run so that I could protect my son”.

Oliver talked about her son being born with health challenges.

Once she decided to run, she came across Ben, a child who got hit by a car and is now in dire need to special medical attention every day of his life.

Oliver talked about managed Medicaid and the dwindling benefits that are a daily issue for everyone.

One way to pay for dwindling ben-

allowed dency.

resi-

She added, “Texas does not need a wall.”

It would be a waste of 30 billion dollars.

“Think of Ben, my son, rural hospitals at risk of closing, failing nursing homes…

This is the most important election.

We need democrats to sweep the senate [and congress].”

to turn out in Travis county to win this election.

It is entirely possible, she said, as things are on a big shift and the discontentment of people is obvious.

“I’m running for Congress because it’s time for honest, decent working Texans like us to end the status quo and to take our country back from the extremist minority.”

She gives credit to Senator Lloyd Doggett for setting the pace of communication with the constituents.

She said he always makes it a point to talk to his people to hear feedback and work through any issues they may face.

Oliver was available to answer questions.

The Baqais raised money for her campaign.

No amount is too little, they said.

For more information, please visit https://oliver2018.com/

14

Austin South Asian | October 2018

ADVICE To Attend ACL Festival In Austin

By Sumaiya Malik The Austin City Limits Music Festival is an annual music festival held in Zilker Park in Austin, Texas on two consecutive three-day weekends.

This year the dates are October 5 to 7 and October 12 to 14.

ing, shuttles, Ridesharing, pedicabs or to park at friends, homes nearby.

Dress up to the occasion Take out your floppy hats, cute sundresses, flower crowns and adorable sunglasses. And, wear comfortable shoes already tried

pockets are prohibited.

Hydration packs are allowed but must be emptied of all liquid and have no more than two pockets in addition to the one holding the water reservoir.

Just have your ID and wristband,

Austinites are lucky to be in a city, which became the launching pad and host of the ACL Festival.

Hands down, the No. 1 most challenging aspect of ACL is just getting there.

Remember what we said about bringing a bottle for water? Use it!

Drink lots and lots of water.

This year, there also will be a full body pat-down and a metal detector at security, worth considering when you accessorize.

ACL is an annual tradition for the past 15 years.

Be Transported

Hydrate yourself

You might even want to abstain from too much day drinking if you don’t want to end up passed out in the sun.

And there is every reason why Austin is called the live music capital of the world!

For those unaccustomed with the (now) two-weekend music festival, we’re here to help you plan for your visit.

Sure, it’ll make it more challenging to bounce around to see the different stages, but it’ll make hanging out with your buds way easier.

Austin Kiddie Limits and tested.

Pack It In – Bag specifics!

Bags will be restricted to small purses, totes and drawstring bags only.

There is absolutely no parking at the festival, so you’ll definitely need to plan ahead.

Bag size may not exceed 14” x 11” x 5” (35cm x 28cm x 12cm), or 30 linear inches (75cm) in total, and must have no more than one singular pocket or opening.

Your best options are cars2go, bik-

Backpacks and bags with multiple

sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, empty water bottle, small blanket, some cash and maybe an extra pair of shoes. Pack a poncho just in case it rains.

ACL Festival invites music fans of all ages, including kids! Austin Kiddie Limits runs parallel to ACL Festival in its own securely designated area at Zilker Park.

Mark a spot It can be impossible to find your friends during the fest. Seriously, your cell phone will become insanely useless.

Austin Kiddie Limits opens at 11 AM and closes at 7 PM each day of the festival, and creates an environment for parents and children to enjoy family-friendly music on the Austin Kiddie Limits stage.

We recommend picking a spot and parking it all day.

While you’re listening, feel free to make some arts & crafts to remem-

ber sharing these memories with your kids!

Tag-a-kid Stop by the Tag-a-Kid kiosk at the Family Friendly Entrance or at an Info Tent, where parents can register their kids with the festival and receive an RFID wristband.

In the event that a child is separated from their parent, we have a reliable and fast way to reunite them.

Children 10 years-old and younger will be admitted free of charge with a ticket-holding adult. Limit 2 children per ticketed adult.

Make a plan Look at the lineup and download the ACL app on your cell phone for updates about the shows on your list.

Enjoy Austin Eats Look at the list of food stalls available. For the past two years, halal options are also easy to find.

Big buzz in the South Asian community: Paul McCartney is coming!

For more information please visit www.ACLFestival.com

AADI’s Austin Desi Limits A Smash Hit!

By Sumaiya Malik

Friday, August 31, marked the

launch of Austin Desi Limits, a

music concert with three acts by Austin Arts and Drama Initiative, a local non-profit supporting the arts in the South Asian community in Austin.

A venue like Dougherty Arts Center on Barton Springs Road and a house filled to capacity of 150, with seasoned performers from Pakistani and Indian origin lead to a smash hit concert enjoyed by all.

Dhwani returned to the stage with their popular sound, Dr Fida Khan, who has belted out two world releases since we last saw him perform, Asif Hasan whose voice has been popularized by TV drama theme songs and jingles, and accomplished guitarist Imran Baqai entertained the audience with their

music and vocals!

Guests were dressed up for the red carpet and enjoyed socializing and posing with the AADI and Austin Desi Limits banner.

Sponsors included Soal Technologies, Sattar Investments, Texas Digestive Disease Consultants and Fair Trade Safaris.

AADI hopes to make Austin Desi Limits an annual event and planning is already underway for next year.

15

Austin South Asian | October 2018

IACT Hosts Civic Leadership Forum At AARC With Mayor Adler In Attendance – Part 2

By Sumaiya Malik On Saturday, August 25, a Civic Leadership Forum was held at Asian American Resource Center to introduce the Asian community to all the candidates standing in the upcoming November 2018 Elections.

Last week we discussed the candidates standing for the mayor, and districts 1, 3, 5, 8 and 9.

the Austin community on issues ranging from the South Texas Nuclear Power Plant to the Save Our Springs Initiative as well as many other community infrastructure needs.

Highland campus advisory committee.

For more than 25 years, she has been politically active.

She lives in North Austin and is a former member of the city’s construction advisory commission and of an ACC task force on construc-

Dr. Barbara Mink (Place 7) Board

Stephanie Gharakhanian (Place 8) is a lawyer for the nonprofit Workers Defense Project.

District Clerk Velva Price - Travis County’s District Clerk, Velva L. Price arrived in Travis County, Texas in 1983 to attend the University of Texas School of Law. After graduating in 1986, she represented clients that ranged from individuals, governmental entities and corporations throughout Texas.

She is currently serving as Travis County District Clerk and will be up for reelection in November this year.

County Commissioner Precinct 2 Brigid Shae _ From fighting for affordability, ethics reform, stretching our water supply and reducing taxes, to holding the toll road authority accountable and increasing our community preparedness for floods and wildfires, Shae has worked on all these issues.

Commissioner Precinct 4 Margaret Gomez - She has labored for

Paul serves as a member of the Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on Business & Industry.

He also serves by appointment on The Energy Council, which helps facilitate the development of national energy policy matters among the Southwestern states.

Gina Hinojosa (Dist 49) is an American lawyer and politician.

She is a Democratic member of the Texas House of Representatives, representing the 49th District.

Discussion of Travis County Candidates: District Clerk Velva Price, Commissioner Precinct 2 Brigid Shae, Commissioner Precinct 4 Margaret Gomez and those from ACC Dr. Barbara Mink (Place 7), Mitch Fuller (7), Douglas Gibbins (8), and Stephanie Gharakhanian) and AISD board (Arati Singh) are discussed here.

This will also include the discussion about the Texas State House of Representatives Sheryl Cole (Dis.t 46), Vikki Goodwin (Dist.

47), Paul Workman (Dist. 47) and Gina Hinojosa (Dist. 49). Discussion of Texas Senate Dist. 25 Steve Kling is below that.

Representatives since 2011.

Hinojosa was sworn into the Texas House on January 10, 2017, after winning the November 2016 general election.

of Trustees Chair ACC - Dr. Barbara P. Mink was first elected to the Austin Community College District Board of Trustees in 2000, and was re-elected in 2006 and 2012.

Dr. Mink was elected Chair of the Board in 2017.

Mitch Fuller (Place 7) is standing against Barbara Mink. He is a business development consultant from Cedar Park.

Fuller, who ran unsuccessfully for ACC’s board in 2016, is a Texas Army National Guard veteran who previously served on the Cedar Park City Council.

He is a member of the Leander school district’s bond oversight advisory committee, the Leander Chamber of Commerce board and the KLRU community advisory board.

Douglas Gibbins (Place 8) is a commercial real estate broker who lives in Austin’s Brentwood neighborhood. Gibbins, 51, ran unsuccessfully for ACC’s board in 2016.

He serves as chairman of ACC’s

tion standards.

Arati Singh (AISD Board) Arati Singh will seek a spot in District 9 of the Austin ISD Board of Trustees, making her the first candidate to file for the seat vacated by former board president Kendall Pace, who stepped down in May. She stresses ‘good governance.’

Sheryl Cole (Dist 46) Sheryl Cole has been a champion for civil rights and greater economic opportunity for all from her days as PTA President to Austin’s Mayor Pro Tem. Vikki Goodwin (Dist 47) is a Texas Democrat who is campaigning to represent Texas House District 47, where she is deeply familiar with the people and issues.

She believes we must serve all children’s educational needs through a strongly supported public education system. She is a candidate from Lakeway.

Paul Workman (Dist 47) is State Representative for southern and western Travis County, serving District 47 in the Texas House of

Texas Senate Dist 25 Steve Kling an IT consultant firm principal from Dripping Springs, isn’t shy about dubbing himself a progressive and taking sharp aim at Republican leadership.

A U.S. Army veteran, Kling completed tours in Iraq and Afghani-

stan and helped protect refugees during wartime, earning himself a handful of awards including the Bronze Star. iACT is especially thankful to its sponsors: Indian American Coalition of Texas, Asian and Pacific Islander American Public Affairs, Network of Asian American Organizations, Civic Leadership USA, Austin Chinese American Network, Korean American Association of Greater Austin, Cambodian Foundation, Light and salt services, REAL International, Austin South Asian, Texas capitol news Ashwin Ghatalia also thanked the volunteers who made this event possible by name: Alice Yi, Gopal Guthikonda, Richard Jung Moderator, Zain Khataw, Schiller Liao, Jyotsna Paul, Farida Vendal, Sung Kang, Savy Buoy, Sumit DasGupta, and student interns.

The candidate forum was organized by non-profit, non-partisan organizations for community awareness and familiarization.

Halloween Day

Halloween or Hallowe’en also known as Allhalloween, All Hallows’ Eve, or All Saints’ Eve, is a celebration observed in a number of countries on 31 October, the eve of the Western Christian feast of All Hallows’ Day. It begins the three-day observance of Allhallowtide, the time in the liturgical year dedicated to remembering the dead, including saints (hallows), martyrs, and all the faithful departed.

It is widely believed that many Halloween traditions originated from ancient Celtic harvest festivals, particularly the Gaelic festival Samhain & Brythonic festival Calan Gaeaf: that such festivals may have had pagan roots; and that Samhain & Calan Gaeaf were themselves Christianized as Halloween by the early Church.Some believe, however, that Halloween began solely as a Christian holiday, separate from ancient festivals like Samhain.

Halloween activities include trick-or-treating (or the related guising), attending Halloween costume parties, carving pumpkins into jack-o’-lanterns, lighting bonfires, apple bobbing, divination games, playing pranks, visiting haunted attractions, telling scary stories, and watching horror films. In many parts of the world, the Christian religious observances of All Hallows’ Eve, including attending church services and lighting candles on the graves of the dead, remain popular, although elsewhere it is a more commercial and secular celebration. Some Christians historically abstained from meat on All Hallows’ Eve, a tradition reflected in the eating of certain vegetarian foods on this vigil day, including apples, potato pancakes, and soul cakes.

16

Austin South Asian | October 2018

Southwestern National Bank - New CEO

By Ling Chuang ling.chuang@swnbk.com The Board of Directors of Southwestern National Bank, a bank

subsidiary of SWNB Bancorp, Inc., today announced that Mr. George Lee as Chief Executive Officer and Mr. Mohammed Younus as President effective September 10, 2018.

Lee also will serve as the President and CEO of the Bank’s holding company.

“On behalf of the Board of Directors, we are pleased to have Mr. Lee as the new CEO of Southwestern National Bank,” stated Chairman C.K. Lee.

“I have always respected and admired SWNB over the years as a fellow banker...stable and well operated under its board and management team...

I was honored when I was invited to join the team,” said Mr. Lee. “Given the fact that I have been very familiar with the community and the common base of clients I could sense that the opportunity for growth for SWNB is immense.

As Metro Bank was about 4x the size of SWNB in terms of assets, we believe that with the solid organization base already in place, with some tweaking and additions our upside opportunity is optimistic.”

“He brings an array of skills and experience that will be a vital asset to the overall growth and success of our bank.

Mr. Lee added, “In addition to that, during the past four years my understanding and network with the main stream market has also expanded.

We look forward to seeing him play a major role not only in the bank, but in the community as well.”

Over time, we will develop strategies to take advantage of some segments of the market.

Prior to his vast business executive experience at mainstream U.S. companies, Mr. Lee served as the Chief Executive Officer and President of MetroCorp Bancshares Inc. since July 26, 2004 and has been its Co-chairman since February 2013.

In short, without elaborating anymore, I am excited!”

He served as a Senior Advisor of East West Bancorp, Inc. since January 2014.

Mr. Lee holds a Bachelors of Science in Econometrics from the University of Wisconsin and MBA in Finance from University of Minnesota.

Chairman C.K. Lee continued, “Today, we are also pleased to announce that Mr. Younus has been appointed the President of Southwestern National Bank.

“Mr. Younus has been a valuable asset to Southwestern National Bank.

He will take on the added role of leading the Bank and work closely with Mr. Lee to make SWNB one of the best banks in Texas.”

Mr. Younus has been in banking for 32 years of which about 25 years in the U.S. Prior to joining the SWNB team,

he was with two other Asian banks.

He has held positions of Chief Lending officer, Vice Chairman of the board, CEO and Regional President.

Mr. Younus came to US at the age of 17 and earned his Masters of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Dallas.

In addition he used to hold positions with non-profit organizations serving the Asian communities.

He was the Chair of DFW Asian American Chamber of Commerce 2008.

He was also elected as President of Pakistan Society of North Texas in 2007.

He is married and have two children and a beautiful granddaughter; son 29 and Daughter 22.

Chairman C.K. Lee addressed to the press, “As you are aware, on May 18, 2018, SWNB entered into a business combination transaction with Hanmi Financial Corporation which contemplated SWNB merging with and into Hanmi if certain conditions set forth in the Agreement and Plan of Merger were met.

One of those conditions is the approval of the Transaction Agreement by SWNB stockholders.

Because the proposal failed to receive the requisite affirmative votes for approval, the proposal was not approved.

serving the Asian communities in Houston, Sugar Land, Austin, Plano, Richardson and Southern California since 1997.

As a result, the Merger with Hanmi will not take place, SWNB and its wholly-owned s u b s i d i a r y, Southwestern National Bank, will remain independent and each of you will remain as stockholders of SWNB.

Bank employees are fluent in many languages including Chinese, Taiwanese and Cantonese as well as English.

Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Southwestern National Bank, a bank subsidiary of SWNB Bancorp, Inc. has been

For information, contact Ling Chuang (713) 272-5045. (Member FDIC)

The Bank strives to say in touch with the local Asian community by participating in charity events and events that celebrate the cultural heritage of the area.

Southwestern National Bank also provides monthly seminars to the community, free of charge, on a variety of valuable information.

We Welcome Articles From Readers And The Community.

Email To: Info@Austinsouthasian.Com Stand With Kerala Kerala Flood Relief Kerala is in the midst of an unprecedented flood havoc. The calamity has caused immeasurable misery and devastation. Many lives were lost. Hundreds of homes were totally destroyed and many more were damaged.

For the first time in history, 27 dams in the State had to be opened. Never before had the State witnessed a calamity of this scale. In the fight against the flood, we have braved the odds.

Now it is our duty to help the affected rebuild their lives. The path to recovery can be long & arduous, but you can make a difference by joining the rebuilding efforts. Contribute generously to the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund.

For Donation, Please visit https://donation.cmdrf.kerala.gov.in/

17

Austin South Asian | October 2018

Jaisalmer Fort

Jaisalmer Fort is situated in the city of Jaisalmer, in the Indian state of Rajasthan.

and stood at the crossroads of important trade routes (including the ancient Silk road).

It is believed to be one of the very few (perhaps the only) “living

The fort’s massive yellow sandstone walls are a tawny lion colour during the day, fading to honey-gold as the sun sets, thereby camouflaging the fort in the yellow desert.

For this reason it is also known as the Sonar Quila or Golden Fort.

forts” in the world, as nearly one fourth of the old city’s population still resides within the fort.

The fort stands amidst the sandy expanse of the great Thar Desert on Trikuta Hill.

For the better part of its 800-year history, the fort was the city of Jaisalmer.

It is today located along the southern edge of the city that bears its name; its dominant hilltop location making the sprawling towers of its fortifications visible for many miles around.

The first settlements outside the fort walls, to accommodate the growing population of Jaisalmer, are said to have come up in the 17th century.

Jaisalmer Fort is the second oldest fort in Rajasthan, built in 1156 AD by the Rajput Rawal (ruler) Jaisal from whom it derives its name,

In 2013, at the 37th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Jaisalmer Fort, along with 5 other forts of Rajasthan, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the

Trying To Make Potato Kid Sick

group Hill Forts of Rajasthan.

Legend has it that the fort was built

by Rawal Jaisal, a Bhati Rajput, in 1156 CE. The story says that it superseded an earlier construction at Lodhruva, with which Jaisal was dissatisfied.

Thus, a new capital was established when Jaisal founded the city of Jaisalmer.

Around 1293-94 CE, Rawal Jethsi faced an eight to nine year siege by Sultan Alauddin Khalji of Delhi, who is said to have been provoked by a Bhati raid on his treasure caravan.

By the end of the siege, facing certain defeat, the Bhati Rajput women committed ‘jauhar’, and the male warriors met their fatal end in battle with the Sultan’s forces.

For a few years after the successful siege, the fort remained abandoned, before being eventually reoccupied by some surviving Bhatis.

During Rawal Lunakaran’s reign, around 1530 - 1551 CE, the fort was attacked by an Afghan chief Amir Ali. When it seemed to the Rawal that he was fighting a losing battle, he slaughtered his womenfolk as there was insufficient time to arrange a

jauhar.

Tragically, reinforcements arrived immediately after the deed was done and the army of Jaisalmer became victorious in its defence of the fort.

In 1541 CE, Rawal Lunakaran also fought Mughal emperor Humayun when the latter attacked the fort on his way to Ajmer.

He also offered his daughter in marriage to Akbar. Mughals controlled the fort till 1762.

The fort remained under the control of Mughals until 1762 when Maharawal Mulraj took control of the fort. Due to its isolated location, the fort escaped the ravages of the Marathas.

The treaty between the East India Company and Mulraj on 12 December 1818 allowed the Mulraj to retain control of the fort and provided for protection from invasion.

After the death of Mulraj in 1820, his grandson Gaj Singh inherited control of the fort.

With the advent of British rule, the emergence of maritime trade and the growth of the port of Bombay led to the gradual economic decline of Jaisalmer.

After independence and the Partition of India, the ancient trade

Abhiveer Annoji

route was totally closed, thus permanently removing the city from its former role of importance in international commerce.

Nonetheless, the continued strategic importance of Jaisalmer was demonstrated during the 1965 and 1971 wars between India and Pakistan. Even though the town of Jaisalmer no longer serves as an important trading city, or as a major military post, the town is still able to earn revenues as a major tourist destination.

Initially the entire population of Jaisalmer lived within the fort, and today the old fort still retains a resident population of about 4,000 people who are largely descended from the Brahmin and Rajput communities.

These two communities once served as the work force for the fort’s one time Bhati rulers, which service then entitled the workers to reside on the hilltop and within the walls of the fort.

With the slow increase in the area’s population, many of the town’s residents gradually relocated to the foot of the Trikuta Hill.

From there the town’s population has since largely spread out well beyond the old walls of the fort, and into the adjacent valley below.

18

Austin South Asian | October 2018

What Everyone With Disabilities Should Ask Before Accepting A Job Offer

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month and a good time to focus on the issue of inclusion in the workplace.

With historically low unemployment rates among the general population, those with disabilities may enjoy expanded opportunities, particularly as more employers discover the power of a diverse workforce.

This includes having a dedicated team of diverse multi-disciplinary professionals with expertise in occupational health and psychiatric nursing, vocational rehabilitation,

When looking for a job, Martinez says that those with disabilities should ensure the company offers a supportive environment and will view an individual’s experience as

To get the conversation started, Martinez recommends asking about the following: • Accommodations management office. Is there a dedicated staffer or team working to ensure that employees have the tools and resources they need to be successful?

Will this team be available quickly to address issues as they arise?

But finding the right job fit is important, say experts.

• Accessibility. Is the physical workspace accessible to you? Will technologies or equipment you need to perform your job be usable?

“When those of us with disabilities have a real seat at the table, the innovations we introduce are beneficial to everyone,” says Kathy Martinez, head of Disability & Accessibility Strategy at Wells Fargo.

Wells Fargo is an example of a company that is committed to attracting, hiring and supporting team members with diverse abilities.

nez. “This is an easy way to get a feel for the company culture.”

behavioral/mental health, ergonomics, disability management, human resources, employee relations, benefits and leave administration.

an asset to the organization.

“Before accepting an offer, ask the hiring manager or human resources contact what benefits and programming are offered,” suggests Marti-

• Employee resource group (ERG).

ERGs, such as The Diverse Abilities Team Member Network at Wells Fargo, can provide resources, opportunities and camaraderie to employees.

Find out if the company has such

a group for those with disabilities.

• Leadership program/opportunity for growth. Will the job offer opportunities for promotions and raises?

Are there resources, such as leadership programming and professional development courses, for employees looking to grow? Discover what your future at this company could look like.

• Diversity. Is this a company that values diverse abilities? Will the employer value your personal contribution?

Remember that finding the right job is as much about you selecting the right employer as the right employer selecting you.

Hold out for a position that will offer you the resources that will bring out your full potential.

(StatePoint)

How To Foster Your Child’s Creativity Through Play Playtime is the perfect time to foster your children’s self-expression and creativity.

Here are a few fun ideas to try at home.

specifically for kids that’s packed with engaging content.

For example, the new VTech Kidi Star Karaoke Machine features games, sound effects and voice ef-

kids to turn down the main vocal track so they can be the star, and works with MP3 files, streaming music services and karaoke videos, so there’s no limit to their inspiration.

Build a Fort Kids get to be builders and architects when they construct the perfect fort from pillows, blankets and other materials found at home.

Host a music theme night, birthday party or put on a special concert.

With a disco light that twists 180 degrees for colorful light effects, and audience sounds such as applause, cheering and laughter, kids can truly feel like they’re on stage.

Want to take the show on the road?

Consider something portable, such as Kidi Star Music Magic Microphone, which connects to MP3 players and mobile devices and is packed with games and voice effects.

Whether it’s a castle that’s guarding a secret treasure, or an igloo in the North Pole, once built, kids can let their imaginations run wild.

For more information, visit vtechkids.com/kidistar.

A childhood staple, fort-building is a classic way to get creative at home through role play.

Go Exploring With simple tools such as a cam-

Karaoke!

Karaoke is not only a blast, it lets kids take center stage and pretend to be their favorite stars.

fects for creative musical expression.

Consider a karaoke machine built

Its Music Magic feature allows

A recording feature with fun voicechanging effects gives kids an opportunity to hear their performance.

era, binoculars, magnifying glasses and a compass, kids can become daring explorers, making important discoveries in the backyard or a nearby park.

With a notepad or digital diary, they can record their observations, create maps, take journal notes and more.

At the end of the day, let them present their findings to you.

Creative role play can help boost imagination and self-expression.

Be sure playtime at your household includes plenty of opportunities for kids to shine.

(StatePoint)

READ AUSTIN SOUTH ASIAN

19

Austin South Asian | October 2018

Parents: How To Build Empathy And Prevent Bullying Sixty-two percent of 9 to 11-yearolds say they have been bullied at least “once or twice,” according to a recent national survey.

The survey, commissioned by the

• Values matter: The values kids are taught really do matter. Those who consider “caring about others” to be “very” important (74 percent) are far

into new PSAs, including one featuring Beastboy from “Teen Titans GO!” in a similar situation speaking up, saying “That’s Not Ok.” Additional PSAs from Cartoon Network and Committee for Children showcasing more stories told by children about their personal experiences being bullied can be found at cartoonnetwork. com/stop-bullying/video.html.

• Resources on kindness and empathy: Cartoon Network and 826 National partnered on the Inclusion Storytelling Project to provide tools and encouragement for kids to share their own stories.

Cartoon Network and designed by VJR Consulting in consultation with the Making Caring Common project (MCC) at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education, found that the vast majority of young children in this country have experienced bullying and that they look to adults to set an example about how to treat others.

October is National Bullying Prevention Month, and an excellent time to focus on creating more inclusion in your school and community by re-enforcing kindness and empathy.

more likely to do kind things for other kids, and far less likely to be bullies.

• Help kids speak up: Over half of kids who have seen someone getting picked on or being left out say one of the reasons they don’t help is they don’t know what to do or say.

But there are resources which can help kids learn how to handle these tough situations. For example, Cartoon Network animated children’s stories from their survey

Easy-to-use digital resources for educators and parents offer tips to help kids speak up against bullying and develop greater caring and empathy skills. More information can be found at 826digital.com.

• Be engaged: Communication is key to learning what is really going on in your child’s life.

The vast majority of 9-to-11-yearolds (83 percent) said it would help kids their age be kinder to one another if every kid had someone

who really cared about and listened to them.

Check in with kids often to make sure they’re safe and happy at school, on the playground and online.

Everyone can set a good example, and help prevent bullying in the process, by leading with compassion and encouraging kindness.

(StatePoint)

Not Just For The Dogs: Pet Parents Love Their Dog Walkers Americans don’t just love their dogs – they also love their dog walkers, with a whopping 85 percent of pet parents affording their dog walkers equal importance to their nanny or childcare provider, according to a recent survey

by Wag!, the inventor of on-demand mobile dog walking.

And pet parents show appreciation to their dog walkers, with four out of five dog owners who have hired a walker also having given them a gift, according to the survey of 2,000 pet parents, which was released on National Dog Walker Appreciation Day, celebrated by dog owners on September 13th.

But gifts aren’t the only perk of this side hustle. Since its 2015 launch, the dog walkers at Wag!, available at www.wagwalking.com, have taken more than 10 trillion steps and burned 719 million calories, and the dogs on those walks have taken more than four million potty breaks on Wag!’s watch.

(StatePoint)

Black And White: A Reemerging Home Design Trend Black and white always has been a classic color pairing, and this neutral palette has resurged as one of today’s hottest design trends.

Whether your look is modern or traditional, knowing how to properly use black and white can provide balance and boldness to a home.

Here are some tips to help integrate this trend into your space.

• Create a Luxurious Living Room.

They say the darker the wall color, the smaller the space feels -- but

that’s not entirely true when black walls are paired with the right light accents.

In the right instances, black and white go together like yin and yang, transforming living rooms into picture-perfect spaces.

“You can either go heavy on the black, with black painted walls or wallpaper, or make it the accent color and opt for white walls,” says Danielle DeBoe Harper, interior designer and senior creative content manager at Moen, a leading manufacturer of kitchen and bath fixtures.

“In a white-heavy room, include touches like artwork in black frames, a black fireplace or a black painted floor and ceiling moldings.

In a black-heavy area, use white trim and rugs to offset dark walls for a contemporary look, or organic wood accents to create a unique boho feel.”

In modern homes, DeBoe Harper recommends incorporating a pair of bold buffalo check chairs or large scale black and white photos.

For a more traditional approach, she suggests using silk black and

white striped curtains, or painting the ceiling in a black and white herringbone design.

• Turn up the Heat in Your Kitchen.

Also known as entertaining central, your kitchen is the perfect location for some wow factor.

The boldness of black and white will seriously impress your guests.

“A lot of homeowners want the clean kitchen look, so they’re afraid to bring in a dark, dramatic color,” says DeBoe Harper.

“In reality, incorporating black cabinets or fixtures into an all-white kitchen can give it an upscale, current feel that’s still streamlined -and doesn’t require cluttering your countertops with accent pieces.”

Consider combining a matte black faucet, such as Moen’s Sleek kitchen faucet, with a white backsplash and counters, or mixing black bentwood café chairs around a modern white tulip table for a more eclectic approach.

(Continued On Page 20)

20

Austin South Asian | October 2018

Permanent Secretariat Proposed For Hindus Worldwide

Hindu worldwide should become more visible as positive change makers in their respective countries they call home, wherever they may be today, is the main consensus emerging from World Hindu Congress 2018, Dr. Abhaya Asthana, convener of the conference said at the concluding session in Sunday.

The Hindu Political Conference, a subset of the World Hindu Congress 2018, held in Chicago from Sept. 7 to 9, has suggested the need for a permanent secretariat in the US or UK for the cause of Hindu rights around the globe.

To accomplish this task, a group of eminent persons will be recruited.

The political conference highlighted the importance of asserting a strong political voice especially

in countries like the Caribbean, Fiji and the African countries, and developing young political leaders.

The conference has decided to establish at least 20 internships for youth who aspire to enter politics.

for young entrepreneurs were the recommendations of the economic conference.

A dynamic digital database of all political leaders by country is to be developed.

Freeing temples from the control of the government and an operational mechanism to reach out to unreached areas as well as how Hindu activism in the US can be replicated elsewhere were the outcomes of the Hindu organizational conference.

Entrepreneur and Grammy nominated artist Chandrika Tandon shared her insights at the women’s conference.

The media conference called for activist media entrepreneurs who are not profit driven and making writing contemporary and relevant to the present generation and make it “cool”

Long term goals were an Angel Investor group for women entrepreneurs and a global Hindu Women Business directory.

The congress hosted five other parallel sessions, on youth, media, economy, women, education, and Hindu organizations.

To create awareness about atrocities committed against Hindus around the world, Hindu youth should leverage their social media skills, speak out against biased portrayals of Hindus, educate emerging politicians on the effective use of media and identifying the key roadblock to Hindu youth in embracing their Hindu identity proudly were key points.

Finding new ways to open trade, further regulatory reforms in India, skill development, building ecosystems providing capital to startups and mentoring programs

Black and White: A Reemerging Home Design Trend (Continued From Page 20)

in a geometric print.

ditional houndstooth.

For a seriously eye-catching shower, install black and white striped tile.

Keep the bathroom’s walls white, so the tiles really pop, expanding the stripes to the ceiling to emphasize the height of your bathroom walls and make it feel bigger -- the thinner the stripes, the bigger the statement.

“Integrating black and white makes your space feel sophisticated, yet playful and on trend,” adds DeBoe Harper.

• Shower Your Bathroom with Style.

Black and white can give your bathroom a clean, crisp look.

Infuse black accents through a matte black faucet and coordinating accessories, like those from Moen’s Genta bathroom suite, or through black and white floor tiles

Towels also provide an opportunity to add texture and visual interest, whether it’s a modern floral or tra-

“Use these tips to achieve the ideal balance in your home.”

(StatePoint)

A short term goal was to conduct value based workshops, seminars and symposiums for young girls.

A strategy for developing scholarship in religious studies and a strong international network of Hindu scholars were the outcomes of the Education conference.

Fifty six posters on inspirational stories and community service projects were on display.

is said to have said that the concept came to him from the Upanishads.

Renowned classical dancer Sonal Mansingh spoke about “Kala, Sanskriti and Vidya” and how one is always seeking eternal life in this ephemeral life.

This can be achieved by Nritya, which not just dance.

Every breath you take is a dance, the blood flowing in your veins is a dance, the heart beat is taal.

Even the word Bharath has music in it – as Bha means love, Ra means raga and ta means taal.

India’s economy is $2.6 trillion said Mohandas Pai chairperson of Board of Manipal Global, and is third largest economy in the world, following China and the US. India will become a $10 trillion economy by 2030.

The poster on Sewa International’s “Toilet and hygiene project for the Girl Child,” “Pakistani-Hindu - A genocide forgotten,” and a poster

by Gurukula.com were chosen as three best posters.

Everyone should have the basic necessities of life like food, shelter, electricity, water and healthcare.

Mohandas Pai, Sonal Mansingh, and Nagaswamy shared the dais for the third plenary session on Hindu Society:

We need to invest in education, fund political parties through checks and demand honesty from our politicians, he said.

Glory of the Past, Pain of Present and Dream for Future. Prof. Subhash Kak moderated the session.

R. Nagaswamy, historian and archeologist from Tamil Nadu, spoke about Manu Dharma which is derived from the Vedas.

“We have a lot to be proud of,” said Subhash Kak and highlighted the many inventions and scientific theories of today that have already been written about in ancient literary works such as the significance of the number 108.

The true father of computer science should be Panini for his 4000 rules of Sanskrit language, he said, and the inventor of quantum mechanics

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These problems will be solved by 2030.

This was the first constitution and law code established 3500 years ago, he said.

Manu Dharma describes how a child should be raised, how a king should rule, crime and punishment, among other things.

These “laws” or Manu Dharma should be established by great, learned people, who must be honest and have no hatred, enmity or greed, he said.

These laws inscribed on copper plates have been found in ancient kingdoms across the Indian subcontinent.

21

Austin South Asian | October 2018

October 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: October 05, Friday, 08:00 PM, SEF Dandia Dhamaka 2018 is at Roundrock Sports center, 2400, Chisholm Trail, Round Rock TX.

Tickets: $15 (5 & under free) Dandiya sticks: $3 October 07, Sunday, 05:00 PM, Double Trouble - Tamil Comedy Ride by Azar and TSK is at Hindu

Temple of San Antonio - Mahalakshmi Hall, 18518 Bandera Road, Helotes, TX 78023.

October 14, Sunday, 02:00 PM - 04:00 PM, Beginners Meditation Class is at

Learn to meditate, 201 South Bell.

Suite 104, Cedar Park, TX 78612.

Attendance is free.For information, contact ‭(512) 522-7672‬.

Austin-Alex in Wonderland(Standup Comedy) is at Austin Scottish Rite Theater, 207 West 18th Street, Austin, TX 78701.

October 19, Friday, 07:00 PM,

Tickets: $25 - $40

Team Asha’s Strides Of Hope 2018 - Get Fit. Run, So They Can Read (Continued From Page 01) The session targets two half-marathon race events and one full-marathon event.

The experienced coaches offer personalized coaching enabling both beginner and experienced runners cross the finish line.

Team Asha also provides a mentorship program to work closely with the runners to help them keep up with their training schedule and also help in their fund-raising to meet their commitments, over the entire session.

100% of the funds raised directly go to support education related projects for underprivileged children in India.

Since 2005, over 200 beginner and experienced runners have successfully trained with Team Asha Austin to achieve their fitness goals while raising over $400,000 to support Asha for Education projects.

Our main objective is to help you cross the finish line as you take on this challenging personal quest towards completing your first half/ full-marathon.

Asha-Austin, currently supports four projects and a fellowship, with an annual disbursement of around $50,000.

The GSK Girirajpura School in Rajasthan, is a new school set up in 2014, which focuses on alternative education.

Asha-Austin currently supports

teacher salaries and program costs for the school.

program at a location/date convenient for you.

Classroom, 601 N Lamar Blvd, Austin 78703.

Mathru foundation, is a home based in Bangalore for the physically challenged.

Strides of Hope - Info Sessions (free admission)

Sunday, Sep 30th 2018, 3:00 – 5:00 pm,

Murchison Middle School tracks (3700 North Hills Drive, Austin, TX 78731)

Saturday, Sep 23rd 2018, 3:00 – 5:00 pm,

REI Gateway, Outdoor Sports Classroom, 9901 N Capital of Texas Hwy, Austin 78759.

Begin your journey. Come join Team Asha’s Strides of Hope today.

Have you thought about running a half or full marathon but don’t know where to start? Come join us for an easy run and we’ll show you how.

Train with the best for a great cause!

Asha-Austin has been supporting the education, food and medical treatment costs of the children since 2015.

Khushboo Welfare Society, a project since 2016, is a holistic center for children with mental disabilities, in Gurgaon.

Asha-Austin supports salaries of teachers imparting yoga, dance, music, and computer education and therapists conducting occupational therapy, physiotherapy and speech therapy Its latest project, from 2018, is Nethra Vidyalaya, a residential school in Vishakapatnam, providing education, boarding and lodging for visually impaired children.

Community Meeting Room, 4th floor Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Texas 1315 Barbara Jordan Blvd, Austin 78723.

Saturday, Sep 29th 2018, 3:00 – 5:00 pm, REI Downtown, Outdoor Sports

WHEN: Saturday, October 6th at 7:00am

For more details: contact austin. marathon@ashanet.org or visit http://austin.ashanet.org/soh or call 1-408-499-5395

Quick Tips To Beat Smelly Feet It’s an issue that can affect anyone, but one that not everyone likes to talk about: smelly feet. Caused when sweat accumulates on the

warriors on the hiking trail to gym rats. But you don’t have to live with feet stink. Consider these tips for fresher smelling feet:

Asha-Austin supports salaries of teachers of Nethra. Siddamma, an Asha-Fellow, supported by Asha-Austin, since 2015 works on freeing bonded Irula laborers, education of their children, and empowering communities.

This year, Asha-Austin plans to start the Support a Child initiative for GSK and Khushboo.

With an annual sponsorship, you can give the gift of education to an underprivileged child in India for as little as $20/month.

Attend a free info session on Strides of Hope marathon training

WHERE:

skin and fuels the growth of odorcausing bacteria, it’s an embarrassing situation that can afflict anyone, from professionals who spend all day in dress socks to weekend

• Wash and Dry: Don’t neglect to scrub your feet in the shower. Get between toes with a good antibacterial soap. After showering, apply

the same between-the-toes treatment with a towel, being sure that feet are completely dry before putting on socks and shoes.

• Air Out: After a long active day or workout, a lot of people have the habit of keeping their shoes and socks on, taking care of things around the house. Take your shoes and socks off as soon as possible to give your feet and toes a chance to air out and breathe.

• Improve Your Sock Game: Look beyond the “odor-resistant” label on socks, as many manufacturers simply use a liquid application on the socks, which works only until it bleeds out of the fibers, which happens when socks are worn for periods of time.

(Continued On Page 23)

22

Austin South Asian | October 2018 THEME: TALK SHOWS

DOWN

ACROSS

1. Derive pleasure 2. Forearm bone 3. Malicious look 4. Cabbage 5. Chris Hemsworth’s movie “12 ____” 6. Ore deposit 7. Perpendicular to St. in NYC 8. Ann Patchett’s novel “Bel ____” 9. Hindu wrap 10. H.S. math class 11. Write on tombstone, e.g.

12. Animal protein 15. Population count 20. Gold unit 22. Omega of electrical resistance 24. Perform a surgery 25. *Talker and Oscar, Grammy and Emmy host 26. Muralist Rivera 27. “_____ County” with Streep 29. Mosque V.I.P. 31. Cambodian money 32. *Kelly’s ex 33. Convex molding 34. Adam and Mae 36. Ragtime turkey dance 38. *Jon Stewart’s successor 42. Fresh Prince: “____ ya later!”

45. In a pleasant manner 49. *Where some James Corden segments are set 51. *Former “Weekend Update” host 54. *Appliance on Rachael Ray’ Show set 56. “____ ____ me, then who?”

57. Pointy part of a tooth 58. Nobel Peace Prize capital 59. Hula feast 60. Quilter’s stuffing 61. German Mrs. 62. Not in use 63. Edible fat 64. Hitler’s Deputy 67. Go for the bull’s eye

1. Tulip precursors 6. “Le ____ des cygnes” 9. Education-related acronym 13. Heads-up 14. Fertility clinic stock 15. A la ____ 16. Curl one’s lip 17. Cub’s home 18. “The Goldbergs” sibling 19. *Carpool ____ with James Corden 21. *Fallon is on when?

23. Crime scene evidence 24. Sounds of amazement 25. Tokyo, once 28. Strong hold 30. *Host of “Good night, and good luck” fame 35. Roll call document 37. End of prayer 39. Bowl unsuitable for water 40. Shakespeare’s king 41. Cocoyam, pl.

43. What egoist and egotist have in common, pl.

44. Encourage 46. Madam, to a cowboy 47. Pleasant gentle accent 48. Intellectual 50. Not us 52. Lusitania’s last call 53. Sherlock Holmes’ assignment 55. Waikiki garland 57. *Letterman’s successor 61. Do like in “A River Runs Through It” 65. To a bartender: “The ____” 66. Argonaut’s propeller 68. Empower 69. Of a particular gray shade 70. By way of 71. Theatrical characters 72. Displeasure display 73. Australian runner 74. Editor’s “Let it stand” marks

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 November 2018 issue.

To Advertise In ASA Call 512-828-6709

23

Austin South Asian | October 2018

Mid-Size Companies Foresee Growth

Growth is in the future for America’s mid-sized businesses, suggests new research, and experts say that this indicates positive things for job seekers and the economy atlarge. A recent survey of middle market executives found that they are more positive about the health of their businesses and more optimistic about their prospects for future growth than at any time in the last three years.

company is better off today than a year ago (70 percent), and that their company has experienced increases in sales (77 percent), product demand (76 percent), and customers (73 percent) over the past

over the next 12 months through geographic expansion within the U.S., product diversification, growing the scope of their products and services, and expanding into adjacent markets.

The majority of executives at middle market companies surveyed say the health of their company is strong (84 percent), that their

vey results indicating an optimistic middle market is good news for your business and career goals.

(StatePoint)

Quick Tips To Beat Smelly Feet (Continued From Page 21) Check out innovations in sock design, which are making it easier to beat smelly feet long-term. For example, ScentLok Socks are odor destroying socks, manufactured using silver particles that are permanently embedded into the sock fibers to help control bacterial growth and odor for the life of the sock. More information is available at www.scentloksocks. com.

The survey was conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of CIT Group Inc., a leading provider of financing to the middle market, in an effort to stay in close touch with trends affecting these businesses.

“Middle market companies are important contributors to a healthy economy,” says Jim Hudak, president of CIT’s Commercial Finance division. “We are encouraged by survey results showing that a large majority of its leadership expect their companies will grow and invest in the year ahead.”

also remains an issue, though less so than in 2016. Whether you are in the market for a new job, or you want to grow your business, sur-

year. As a group, these executives are pleased with the current state of the economy, and their perceptions on all three economic fronts -- local, national and global -- have grown increasingly more positive since 2015.

Middle market executives also foresee a brighter future, with a large majority expecting growth

What’s more, 81 percent expect to hire additional employees over the next 12 months, and 93 percent plan to invest in their business in 2018. Despite their general optimism, middle market leaders do worry about such matters as data security, inflation and the challenges of hiring and retaining talent.

Lingering economic uncertainty

• Rotate and Clean Shoes: Don’t wear the same pair of shoes for more than a couple of days in a row. If possible, alternate pairs daily and store them in a cool, dry place, allowing them to air out before putting them in a box or a bag. Handwashing shoes and insoles with cool water is also a good way to keep them fresh, and you can even add some disinfectant to the water to keep them smelling their best.

“Shoes and boots create an extremely harsh environment for our feet.

There’s no air moving around; it’s dark, moist and warm -- a perfect breeding ground for bacteria, fungi, and a wide range of noxious smells,” says Nick Andrews, resident sock tester for ScentLok Socks and vice president of marketing for the company.

Luckily there are some easy ways to avoid feet stink -- from odor destroying socks to better foot care to proper shoe rotation.

September 2018 Sudoku Answer Mrs. Prema Raghavan

Mr. Guas Ibrahim Sindgi

Mr.Rajnish

Ms. Samreen Azharuddin

Mr. Yudhveer Bagga

24

Austin South Asian | October 2018

How To Get Better Care From Your Doctor

Have you ever wanted to ask your doctor a question but didn’t because you felt uncomfortable?

Experts say that an impersonal relationship with your doctor could be preventing you from receiving the best care possible.

“Your doctors should feel like valued members of your family -- and you a part of theirs.

Doctor.”

Whether you have a new doctor or you’ve been at the same practice for years, your patient-doctor bond may be on faulty ground.

But it doesn’t have to be, suggests Dr. Redcross.

He believes that by establishing these four essential qualities in your patient-doctor relationships, you’ll pave the way to receiving better care: • Trust.

Trust is essential in any relationship, including the one with your doctor.

That’s how I operate in my practice and what I aim to foster in my patients,” says Dr. Ken Redcross, who brings nearly 20 years of experience to his new book dealing with this subject, “Bond: The 4 Cornerstones of a Lasting and Caring Relationship with Your

sides, but developing healthy communication habits takes practice, effort and willingness.

• Respect.

Respect is treating others with common courtesy, good social manners and appreciating each other’s humanity. This means respecting each other’s experience, knowledge and time.

• Empathy.

Empathy is the ability to sense another person’s emotions and to be able to place yourself in his or her shoes, which is a valuable quality in a doctor.

However, many physicians strive for a state of “concerned detachment,” which is the opposite of empathy.

There is no sharing without trust, and sharing is crucial when it comes to receiv-

At the same time, patients can be more empathic, too, taking the time to consider everything their doctors may be dealing with on the day of their visit.

• Communication.

Building a great relationship with your doctor leads to practical benefits, says Dr. Redcross.

No relationship can be sustained without open and honest communication on both

In dealings with his own patients, he finds that great communication paves the way for

ing the best possible care.

better treatment.

“Recently, a patient of mine was dealing with muscle pain and we had a long conversation about different options.

Initially, I recommended that she take traditional pain reliever with naproxen sodium every morning.

However, by talking through all the options and what best fit her situation, including her overall medical history, preferences and more, we settled on using Arnica montana, a lower-risk plant-based pain reliever instead,” says Dr. Redcross.

“Feeling comfortable enough with your doctor to challenge a suggestion and have a long and complete conversation is key.

Unfortunately, such discussions between patients and doctors are rare.”

To learn more about the book, as well as about building better relationships with your doctors, visit, BondByDrRedcross.com.

At a time when doctor’s visits seem more routine and formulaic than ever before, experts say that receiving individualized care is possible, and it all starts with building strong relationships with your health care providers. (StatePoint)

Is Your Child’s School Promoting Healthy Habits Or Junk Food?

Fast food coupons used as prizes, candy sale fundraisers, vending machine exteriors -these are just a few examples of the kinds of junk food marketing that regularly takes place in U.S. schools, and such advertising is taking a toll on children’s health, say experts.

school hosting a fundraiser? Get involved and help organize fundraising efforts that don’t involve the sale of junk food. Instead,

“Fortunately, significant progress has been made nationwide to provide nutritious meals and snacks in cafeterias, vending machines and school stores. However, continued marketing of junk food at school can undermine these improvements. Over time, those messages being marketed shape children’s food preferences, purchase requests, diets and overall health,” says Cheryl Anderson, PhD, nutrition chair, American Heart Association.

To help make the schools in your community a place where children can thrive, consider these suggestions from The Voices for Healthy Kids Action Center, a project of the American Heart Association.

• Healthier Fundraising: Is your child’s

focus on selling fruit, plants, jewelry or gift items. You could even help organize an event like a walk-a-thon or dance-a-thon that raises money while getting the community mov-

ing.

• Learning Life Skills: Some schools have classroom units on nutrition and critical thinking.

Talk to your school’s administration about implementing educational programming to help students identify junk food marketing in their own school and community and discuss how it impacts them.

• Advertising Audit: Despite its prevalence, commercial advertising is usually not a

substantial source of revenue for schools.

Ninety percent of school officials note that school programs and activities would not be reduced if advertisements of unhealthy food ceased, according to Voices for Healthy Kids. Find out if the junk food marketing taking place in your school district directly contributes to educational programming. If so, ask for healthier food and beverage products to be marketed instead.

• Speaking Out: Get involved by calling school board members and school administrators, or by organizing other members of your community. Tips, resources and information for getting started can be found at voicesforhealthykids.org.

“Often companies that sell junk food spend millions of dollars marketing to children because it works. Children are likely to ask for things that are advertised to them,” says Dr. Anderson. “Be an advocate for school environments that help the next generation lead healthy lives.”

(StatePoint)

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Austin South Asian | October 2018

Four Organizations Honored At WHC

By Manu Shah

The World Hindu Congress held from Sept.

7-9, 2018 in Chicago reaffirmed Swami’s Vivekananda’s message of universal love, peace, acceptance and service to humanity.

In this context, it recognized and honored the substantial contributions of four organizations whose selfless volunteers have dedicated their lives in spreading these teachings of Hindu Dharma and preserving its unparalleled culture around the world.

The four organizations that were honored were ISKCON, BAPS Swaminarayan, Geeta Press, Gorakhpur and Chinmaya Mission.

ISKCON

to stimulate curiosity and interest in Hindu architecture and through it Hindu Dharma among people of different cultural and religious backgrounds.

They also serve as seats for learning Hindu values and provide an environment for people of all ages to connect with their Hindu identity.

The award was accepted by Alak Parmar, a BAPS volunteer.

Parmar drew attention to the countless selfless volunteers who are passionate about serving others because they believe in Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s motto - in the joy of others lies our own, in the progress of

Geeta Press, Gorakhpur

evating” literature.

The credit for making India’s rich literature accessible and affordable and in turn sustain India’s ancient civilization and historical identity goes to Geeta Press, Gorakhpur.

Operating on a purely non-profit basis, the organization which was established in 1923, has published 72 million copies of Bhagvad Geeta and over 70 million copies of Shri Ramcharitmanas to date.

Thanking WHC for this “extreme honor”, Ishwar Prasad Patwari, a trustee of Geeta Press, Gorakhpur accepted the award and revealed that till March 2018, 664 million copies of “character building” books like the Gita, Ramcharitamanas, Ramayan Mahabharat and other sacred Hindu texts have been published in most major Indian languages.

The main object, he stated, is to spread spirituality for God realization which is the aim

ISKCON was honored for its work in spreading the philosophy of the Bhagvad Geeta to the remotest corners of the world and sparking an interest in Hindu traditions.

Today ISKCON has a strong presence in Europe, the Americas, Africa and Australia and runs over 850 temples, community centers, schools, restaurants (including feeding the needy) and charitable institutions across the world to serve humanity.

BAPS Swaminarayan It’s easy to be awed by the architecturally magnificent BAPS Swaminarayan mandirs around the world with their intricate marble carvings and sprawling spotless surroundings.

These visually appealing temples served

The Mission has conducted more than 75,000 Geeta Gyan Yagnas globally over the last several decades and through this has successfully brought the knowledge of Hindu shastras to the public.

He also emphasized the importance of making the world recognize the true glory of Hindu religion and culture.

Chinmaya Mission is known for its expertise in disseminating the wisdom of Hindu dharma through stories.

International Director of Communications Anuttama Das attributed ISKCON’s success to the profound knowledge with which “we all have been blessed.”

It is about teaching the world that we are all spiritual beings, that real peace and success lies in understanding our divinity and our relationship to the Supreme Divine.

Chinmaya Mission’s most significant contribution has been the spread of the knowledge and understanding of Gita amongst the multitudes through the methodology of Gyan Yagna.

Spiritual head of Chinmaya Mission – Swami Swaroopananda, while accepting the award, stated that the mission of Chinmaya was to lead people to knowledge, devotion, service, cooperation and take the glory of our spiritual knowledge, traditions and culture to people around the world in every stage, role and development of their life.

Its translations of this sacred text into 70 languages has resulted in diverse ethnicities embracing its message and timeless teachings and incorporating it in everyday life.

He also stated that had Srila Prabhupada, Founder of ISKCON, been with us today, he would have been proud of these substantial achievements but would remind us that Hindu culture is not about achievements in this temporal world but about seeking the eternal world and eternal values.

Chinmaya Mission

The Mission has produced prolific books, magazines, pamphlets, and other media content and made this material universally available. others lies our own and in the good of others lies our own.

BAPS Swaminarayan focuses on families and nurturing the younger generation.

Parmar highlighted the contributions of thousands of mothers who are helping “raise peace loving Hindus.”

BAPS believes in ahimsa (non-violence), and most importantly encourages peace and harmony.

Not a day goes by, she stated, when Mahant Swami Maharaj doesn’t talk about unity and harmony – “harmony in the family, harmony in our community and harmony across the world.”

of human life.

The founder Jay Dayal Goyandka used to say that “when every child will utter the Gita when taking birth…then we have achieved our goal to some extent.”

Ishwar Patwari encouraged the gathering to spare a few minutes daily to read “soul el-

This has helped the global Hindu, particularly youth, to understand the enduring Hindu values and truths in the contemporary context.

The organization runs numerous schools, colleges, and other institutions to provide contemporary quality education anchored in Dharma.

Austin South Asian Invites Contributions From Readers And Community

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Sarkar Song Simtaangaran: Vijay And Keerthy Suresh Feature In A Fun Folk Number

A song from Tamil actor Vijay’s upcoming film Sarkar was released on Monday.

a fun folk number composed by Oscar-winning music director AR Rahman.

The song titled Simtaangaran is

The stills in the lyrical video show

that the song is set against a beach backdrop with Vijay and Keerthy Suresh dancing in sync with the folk beats.

While Bamba Bakiya, Vipin Aneja and Aparna Narayanan have sung Simtaangaran, the lyrics of the song have been written by Vivek.

Rahman had last year delivered a super hit music album for Vijay’s blockbuster Mersal.

Sarkar is the composer’s second consecutive film with Vijay.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan Is All Set To Walk The Ramp For Manish Malhotra’s Debut Fashion Show In Doha

Before getting into the film industry, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was Miss World and even before that she was into modeling.

There’s a buzz in th the tinsel town that she will be soon going back to her roots as she is all set to rule the ramp for India’s leading designer Manish Malhotra.

The fashion show will be held in Doha, Qatar.

the show.

Talking about having Aishwarya as his showstopper, Manish reportedly said that he is thrilled to showcase his first fashion show in Doha.

His collection is going to be festive, fun and vibrant, keeping in mind the upcoming season.

His showstopper is his muse and dear friend, Aishwarya, who is a

Austin South Asian | October 2018

Aamir Khan’s Thugs Of Hindostan Look Reviewed By Twitter Those who were waiting to scrutinise Aamir Khan’s look from Thugs Of Hindostan is making ‘Firangi’ trend on Twitter - that’s the character Aamir plays in the movie.

A quick glance at Aamir’s ‘thug’ life has reminded Twitter of yet another seafarer - it’s none other than Johnny Depp’s Jack Sparrow from Pirates Of The Caribbean.

Khan,” reads one while another says Aamir is “Gareebon ka Jack Sparrow.”

Meanwhile, a fan tweeted: “Meet our very own Jack sparrow. Aamir Khan as Firangi.” However, not everybody did let the matter rest after pointing out the similarities.

A section of Twitter was clearly not impressed with how Firangi resembles Jack Sparrow. “A child can see

It also marks director AR Murugadoss’ third outing with the actor after Thuppakki (2012) and Kaththi (2014).

The upcoming film also stars Papri Ghosh, Prem Kumar, Yogi Babu and Radha Ravi among others in important roles.

Sarkar, reportedly, features Vijay in the role of a vigilante.

“Vijay’s role in Sarkar is like the fictional character Zorro.

Like Zorro, Vijay will be a representative of the people in Sarkar,” actor Radha Ravi had earlier revealed to the media while discussing the film.

Twitter has now assigned Firangi from Thugs Of Hindostan the title of “desi Jack Sparrow”, as is mentioned in a few tweets: “There comes desi Jack Sparrow Aamir

similarity between Aamir Khan’s character in Thugs Of Hindostan and Jack Sparrow. Excitement gone kaboom. Another copy or as they say ‘inspired’,” wrote a user.

2018 Is A Moneyspinner Year For Indian Cinema The list of profitable films in 2018 is getting longer. “It has been a great year so far,” says Nitin Tej Ahuja, publisher of the trade magazine Box Office India..After a miserable two years of flopping films and stagnant revenues, what has changed for the Rs 156 billion film industry?

Meghna Gulzar’s Raazi, one of the most profitable films of the year, has Alia Bhatt in the lead. She is not a star the trade would have bet on for a film that rests largely on her shoulders. However, the (real) story of an Indian girl who married a Pakistani army officer to spy on him during the 1971 war is an outstanding film.

Aishwarya will be the part of the Inaugural Fashion International so she is gearing up to add a high note of elegance and glamour to

timeless icon of beauty and effortless style.

Audiences loved it and spent close to Rs 2 billion (in India and overseas) buying tickets to watch it. That is true for many of the top 50 films. What’s changed is the frequency with which such films, called ‘content films’, are doing well. In industry parlance, ‘content films’ are those without a star while ‘commercial’ or ‘masala’ films have big names. “In the last few years, audience’s tastes are changing and that change is now entering into the top 10 charts. Raazi, Sonu... it is not just about big actors not being there, it is about content.

(Continued On Page 27)

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Austin South Asian | October 2018

How Padmaavat, October And Raazi Lost The Oscar Race To Village Rockstars

Shoojit Sircar’s October nearly made it as India’s official entry to the Oscars and Sanjay

Leela Bhansali‘s Padmaavat “didn’t stand a chance in hell” reveals an insider.

Spilling the beans on the creative processes that underlined the Oscar selection, the insider reveals that the four finalists shortlisted for the honour were Meghna Gulzar’s Raazi, Sanjay Leela Bhansali‘s Padmaavat, Shoojit Sircar’s October and Rima Das’ Assamese independent film Village Rockstars.

According to the insider here is why Village Rockstars beat the other 3 films in the Oscar race: “Rima Das’ film was the one which was the most original fresh and moving.

October came closest to Village Rockstars in making it to the Oscars.

But the script has been charged with plagiarism and the Oscars committee did not want a replay of last year’s tamaasha”.

Last year, the Rajkummar Rao starrer Newton made it to the Oscars but plagiarism allegations had surfaced thereafter.

Raazi seemed somewhat pro-Pakistan by some jury members.

Newton did not make it into the coveted Oscars nomination for Best Foreign Film. And it is unlikely that Village Rockstars would make it into the Oscars shortlist.

As for Padmaavat it was a fatally flawed script and some more of the same period costume dramas Bhansali has been doing ad nauseam.

Like the Newton team, the Village Rockstars team has no financial resources for the heavy two month lobbying required for Oscar nomination in Los Angeles.

2018 Is A Moneyspinner Year For Indian Cinema (Continued From Page 26)

points about it.

Earlier people used to watch big stars even if content was ok, now there is a drop in that,” says Kumar Ahuja, president, business development, Eros International Media.

One, unlike earlier turnarounds this one seems to be coming from increased ticket sales and not just

been falling/stagnant for about four years. That is what data from Ormax Media shows for four key genres -- Hindi, English, Tamil and Telugu.

“In general, content films or more meaningful films are the norm rather than the exception,” adds Ajit Andhare, CEO, Viacom18 Motion Pictures.

In older multiplexes, the same people are watching more films.

“In the last six months, a lot of films have done a business of Rs 1 billion, Raazi, Raid, Veere Di Wedding,” points out Bhushan Kumar, chairman and managing director, Super Cassettes Industries (T-Series).

What can an unpredictable industry learn from this revival? To start with, it could note the two key

Shailesh Kapoor, CEO of Ormax Media, cautions that better numbers indicate the same people are watching more films.

Kamal Gianchandani, CEO, PVR Pictures, reckons unique users are increasing in under-penetrated markets -- say a Vellore where new multiplexes or screens are coming up and audiences are walking back into theatres after years.

Not only are such films these being made but these are pulling in revenues.

“Compared to previous years, the first six months of 2018 have been a high earning one,” says a happy Apoorva Mehta, chief executive officer, Dharma Productions, which co-produced Raazi with Junglee Pictures.

At Inox Leisure, it remained stagnant while trends from other chains are not available.

Ticket sales is a tough area to monitor, but overall film viewing on every other media has increased.

higher ticket prices.

About two-thirds of the Indian film industry’s Rs 156 billion in revenues comes from the sale of tickets.

Roughly 1.3 billion tickets were sold in 2017, a figure that has

This year “people have started going to the theatres,” says Kumar.

For example, ticket sales at PVR Cinemas, the largest multiplex chain in India, went from about 21 million in the first quarter of 20172018 to 22.7 million in the same period in 2018-2019.

On TV it rose from 21 per cent (in 2015) to about 24 per cent (2018) of all TV watched, according to BARC data.

Then there is the rise in streaming services, many of which are driven by movies.

And that brings us to the second point about this revival -- OTT (over-the-top) has been a catalyst for some of this change.

More than 35 streaming services have exposed Indians, 412 million of them on broadband, to a rich diversity of content.

As a result, “film-makers have cleaned up their act,” says Nitin Tej Ahuja.

“The whole theory has been that OTT will kill theatres. But the year in which OTTs have shown maximum growth is also the year in which theatres are doing well,” says Gianchandani.

Kapoor, however, remains circumspect. “It has been good, but too much is being read... Usually the second half beings in 60 to 70 per cent of the collections for Hindi films because all the big releases come during the festival season,” says he.

But the second half of 2018 looks good too. There is Stree, Manmarziyaan, Sui Dhaaga and Badhaai Ho. And of course some of the biggest releases of the year -- Thugs of Hindostan, Zero, 2.0 -- are yet to come.

It looks like a really happy new year for India’s film business.

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Austin South Asian | October 2018