Friday, September 14, 2018 • Vol. 37, No. 36
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Wrap-2 September 14, 2018
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Friday, September 14, 2018 | Vol. 37, No. 36
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Empowering Mind & Body P5
IACAN Board Members with the Gala Emcee and Gala Chair at the biennial gala on Saturday, September 8, at the Red Oak Ballroom-City Centre. From left: Anasuya Kabad (emcee), Monalisa Chandra, Raju Nandagiri, Arlene Thomas (IACAN President), Vibhuti Shah, Sarvesh Bhavaraju, Kanchan Kabad (Gala Chair), Dipika Varia, Ashma Moosa, and Dr. Jagan Sastry.
Janmasthami
2nd World Hindu Congress
P8
@ ISKCON of Houston
P9 RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat (left), Acharya Lokesh Muni, Swami Swaroopananda, Swami Purnatmananda, Chair SP Kothari, VP of Suriname Ashwin Adhin, and Satguru Dalip Singh lighting the lamp.
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September 14, 2018
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COMMUNITY
September 14, 2018
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Club 24 Members Experience “Dining in the Dark” at the Lighthouse BY PRAMOD KULKARNI
HOUSTON: Those of us with
full use of our limbs and organs often take these blessings for granted. Club 24 members had the unique opportunity to experience the disability that visually handicapped individuals have to endure on a permanent basis. Club 24 hosted a “Dining in the Dark” experience at The Lighthouse facility on Friday, September 7. This experience involves blindfolding the participants while they try to eat their dinner with only touch and feel. Club 24 has had an extended relationship of over 20 years with The Lighthouse. Club 24 leaders such as Pradeep Gupta, Asha Dhume and Elsie Rao have served on The Lighthouse board of directors. The Lighthouse has also provided internships for YLDP students to work closely with the visually handicapped. Club 24 Event Chair Elsie Rao is a Special Ed educator, who has extensive experience in teaching the visually handicapped in the local school districts as well as at the Lighthouse. Event Co-chair Mary Grace and Mike Landrum assisted Elsie in staging the Sept. 7 event with the Lighthouse staff. Venu Rao was responsible for the elegantly designed event program. At specially arranged activity tables, Club 24 members and their guests had the opportunity to examine a Braile typewriter and several Children’s and adult books in
Club 24 members try to eat dinner blindfolded to experience what visually handicapped people have to endure everyday of their lives.
Club 24 Event Chair Elsie Rao (left) with President Manisha Gandhi, Keynote Speaker Sandhya Rao, Event Co-chair Mary Grace Landrum and Venu Rao.
Braile, including a Playboy magazine!
“This event is very meaningful to myself and Club 24,” ex-
plained Club 24 President Manisha Gandhi. Thanking the Lighthouse for helping the visually handicapped achieve independence, Manisha recited before the audience Hellen Keller’s quote, “I would rather walk with a friend in the dark, than alone in the light.” Gibson DeTerroil, President of the Lighthouse for the past 40 years, explained the organization’s history and the extensive range of services the Lighthouse provides for the visually handicapped. Established in 1939, The Lighthouse of Houston is a private, nonprofit education and service center dedicated to assisting blind and visually impaired people to live independently. Each year, The Lighthouse serves approximately 7,000 people and is a member of the United Way of Greater Houston. “We began by helping our students gain financial independence by making mops and brooms,” explained “Gib” DuTerroil. “Our students now provide highly skilled services, including medical transcription and telephone answering services for major hospital systems and corporations. Gib also mentioned an insighful story about how a Lighthouse volunteer had helped a blind person for several decades. After the
volunteer himself became visually handicapped in his senior years, it was the blind person, who served as the volunteer aide. After dinner, Sandhya Rao gave a moving keynote address about how she overcame visual impairment and a disease of brittle bones since birth to attend Rice University as an undergraduate and Stanford University law school. Since 1995, Sandhya has been serving as a staff attorney for the US District Court of the Southern District of Texas, where she conducts research and writes briefs for two judges. “On Memorial weekend of 2014, I fell and broke both legs and my right arm in two places,” Sandhya explained to the Club 24 audience. “The recovery was agonizingly painful for both me and my family. During that excruciating period of immobility, I realized that there was so much I wanted to do for myself, my family and for society, and I vowed to make the most of every moment going forward.” Sandhya serves on The Lighthouse board and speaks on behalf of the organization in front of community groups. She is also participating with iBUG, an app for Apple iDevices to modernize technologies for the blind, including optical character recognition, GPS navigation, talking reading machines, etc. The emotionally draining event concluded with a tour of The Lighthouse facilities.
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September 14, 2018
INDO-AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2018 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
COMMUNITY HOUSTON: The Indian Ameri-
can Cancer Network (IACAN) celebrated its biennial gala with the theme of “Empowering Mind and Body” on Saturday, September 8, at the Red Oak Ballroom-City Centre. The gala was attended by over 375 guests who praised the event as well organized, inspiring, and fun. The evening began with a social hour while guests mingled with one another, browsed balloon pop prizes, and enjoyed appetizers. After the guests were ushered into their seats in the ballroom, the program began with the auspicious lighting of the lamp ceremony followed by Mani Sastry’s melodious invocation song that transformed the ambiance into one of peace and tranquility. The emcee, Anasuya Kabad, eloquently set the stage for a beautiful evening. The program began with remarks from the Gala Chair, Kanchan Kabad about her personal connection to IACAN’s mission. Arlene Thomas, President of IACAN, highlighted the accomplishments for the past two years in conducting community outreach programs, survivor activities, and bone marrow registration drives. She also reported on IACAN’s past and forthcoming collaborative health studies, and closed with a request to stay engaged with IACAN and its community service activities. The audience was inspired by IACAN’s work in providing mammograms to uninsured and underinsured South Asian women. The evening continued with reflections from Vibhuti Shah as a cancer survivor and currently serving as a Board Member of IACAN. This was followed by Raji
September 14, 2018
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IACAN Gala 2018: Inspiring & Fun
The Keynote Address by Dr. Patrick Hwu
Kalaangan School of Odissi presented Raktabeeja Badh, an Indian classical dance drama.
Sabhapathy’s narration of her experience as a caregiver, which was heartwarming. The Keynote Address by Dr. Patrick Hwu, Head of the Division of Cancer Medicine at MD Anderson Cancer Center, was an informative talk explaining in simple terms how immunotherapy, the most recent revolution in cancer care is being used by him and oth-
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ers in the clinic. He explained how patients own T cells, a major architects of the immune system, are trained and used to destroy cancer cells. Because each patient‘s cancer is unique, empowering his or her own cells to eliminate cancer cells is the novelty and superiority for personalized cancer care. Kalaangan School of Odissi presented Raktabeeja Badh, an Indian classical dance drama. The unique composition represented the daily struggle of cancer patients and their caregivers, through the story of the demon Raktabeeja. The dance drew a parallel between the evil of cancer and the character of Raktabeeja, and stressed on management strategies through the portrayal of the collaboration of the two goddesses, Durga and
Bone marrow donors were recognized, Ayesha Khan, Zain Kassam, and Fouzia Mohammad. The awards were presented by Gaytri Kapoor (left), Advisory Board Member of IACAN.
Chaplain Stephen M. Findley facilitated a laughing yoga session. Photos: Bijay Dixit
Kali, who annihilated the demon through strategic coalition. The team of dancers that included Supradipta Datta, Madhuri Vasudevan, Diksha Rath, Trisha Chatterjee, Maumita Sadhukhan, Anushri Gupta and Krisha Rath mesmerized the audience with their presentation. The next part of the evening showcased the honorees of the evening. Dr. Jagan Sastry, Board Member of IACAN, introduced and highlighted the work of the Lifetime of Service awardees, Dr. James Allison, who pioneered the cancer immunotherapy approach, and Dr. Sewa Legha, a longtime member of the IACAN’s medical advisory board, who provides constant and unwavering support. IACAN also recognized three
bone marrow donors, Ayesha Khan, Zain Kassam, and Fouzia Mohammad. The awards were presented by Gaytri Kapoor, Advisory Board Member of IACAN, who is actively involved in the recruitment of bone marrow donors. Fouzia Mohammad spoke about her experience as a donor. The evening’s program ended with a big laugh! Chaplain Stephen M. Findley facilitated a laughing yoga session that had the guests filled with laughter and joy. IACAN is grateful for the support of its volunteers, donors, and the community. For more information about IACAN, please visit www.iacannetwork.org
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COMMUNITY
September 14, 2018
This Eid, A New Houston Tradition is Born for IMAGH BY JAWAHAR MALHOTRA
HOUSTON: Coming up on the
heels of a successful Eid ul Fitr Milan program this past June, the Board of the Indo American Muslim Association of Greater Houston decided to take a risk and hold a program to commemorate the second Eid (al Adha) on a lesser grand scale, but celebratory nonetheless. Held at the Savoy Banquet Hall on Wilcrest and West Bellfort, the event took no less effort to call countless people, but in the end, over 250 people attended the function this past Sunday, September 9. Everyone had been forewarned that dinner would be served exactly at 7:30 so as to allow those who wanted to attend the evening Maghrib prayers at the nearby masjid and still allow those who didn’t to start off with the buffet dinner. The main idea was to start the musical program right afterwards and keep the set of songs flowing right through 10:30. Rahat Sultana Kalle, the VPof Club 65 and Joint Secretary of IMAGH welcomed the audience (which kept getting bigger) and explained that this was an experiment to bring all the three branches of the organization – IMAGH, Club 65 (for seniors) and SAYA (for youth) – together for one celebration. “With this event tonight, we are committed to holding an Eid Al Adha program every year,” said Latafath Hussain, one of
the visionaries behind the formation of the IMAGH and undoubtedly its chief advocate and promoter during its formative years, a feat for which he is often referred to as “The Godfather of IMAGH”. K a l l e introduced Dr. FatimaSayeed,a retired physician to explain the significance of Eid Al Adha in Urdu and right afterwards, Dr. Manazir Shamsi explained in English the traditions associated with the festival: embracing, visiting those who have lost someone, sharing and donating and giving gifts. Once again, 89-year-old Taiyab Shipchandler, affectionately known as ‘kaka” (Uncle), rose to entertain with a ghazal by the 19th century Urdu poet Galib in response to a request at last month’s C65 meeting by IMAGH’s oldest life member 90year-old Shakuntla Malhotra (known affectionately as mama), who was in the audience and acknowledged by
Board members of IMAGH, Club 65 and SAYA pose with other volunteers at the Eid Al Adha celebration at Savoy Banquet Hall last Sunday, September 9
The entertainers (from left), Imtiaz Munshi, Azim Khan, Uma Mantravadi and Kamal Hajji did a 75 minute set of songs.
Kalle. Kaka sang another number from the movie “Shah Jehan”. The highlight of the program was Democartic candidate for Congressional District 22 Sri Preston a long set of songs – oldies and other Kulkarni made a brief appearance and posed with IMAGH directors popular Bollywood songs – by a and co-founder Latafath Hussain (third from left) polished group of local performers who can mesmerize an audience all on keyboard. One hopes that this after a long flight back from a meeting on their own: Uma Mantravadi on foursome will put out a CD of their in California. He met with interested supporters on the side and discussed vocals (boy, can she ever hit and hold own one day. Democartic candidate for his campaign which is within one those high-pitched notes!); Imtiaz Munshi on keyboard and vocals; Congressional District 22 Sri percent point of his opponent Pete Azim Khan versatile on electric Preston Kulkarni made a brief and Olson according to some polls. violin and guitar and Kamal Hajji impromptu appearance at the event
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September 14, 2018
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COMMUNITY ISKCON of Houston Celebrates Janmasthami September 14, 2018
HOUSTON:
This year, ISKCON of Houston, celebrated the auspicious occasion – Janmasthami (Lord Krishna’s Appearance Day) in a huge way, with midnight aarti (worship), inspiring kirtan, enlivening dancing and mesmerizing performances by Viva Kultura, a traveling theatre group from Poland. The annual festival – Kirtan Fest Houston, that started on Saturday had devotees and visiting guests immersed in spirituality before Monday’s Janmasthami festival and continued on through Tuesday, when Srila Prabhupada’s Appearance Day festival was celebrated. This year’s Kirtan Fest included numerous famous Kirtan singers from ISKCON, such as Indradyumna Swami and Bhakti Bhringa Govinda Swami. Devotees also heard and danced to the melodious tunes from Bada Haridas, Akincana Krishna Dasa (formerly of Glassjaw band), Krishna Kishore Dasa (of Mayapuris) and Havi Dasa (a Latin Grammy Award winner).
Janmasthami is celebrated worldwide by the devotees of Krishna as the most important festival in the vaishnava calendar. Janmashtami is observed by fasts and feasts, sacred chants and personal prayers and above all, the glorification of his holy name in the form of musical mantra meditation, kirtan. Over 5000 people attended the events with the devotee community to celebrate the biggest birthday party for the year. They all experienced a cultural revolution of the heart as they milled about the various tents, met our beautiful calves – that came specially to visit from the Bhakti Urban Farm and heard talks from Srimad Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam by visiting saints like Their Holiness Indradyumna Swami, Bhakti Bhringa Govinda Swami, Giriraj Swami, Bhakti Sundar Goswami and so many more exalted Vaisnavas. With fresh flowers decorating their Lordships, Sri Sri Radha Nilamadhava, devotees got to have
Srila Prabhupada Appearance Day
a very special viewing, or darshan, of the deities. On Sunday and Monday, a colorful costume contest was taking place followed by various music concerts and traditional dance performances by students of several Texas’ premiere arts schools. As Monday midnight drew closer, devotees were roused to their feet by the soul stirring and ecstatic kirtan of Indradyumna Swami, causing several to shed tears of happiness when the curtains opened to reveal Their Lordships in all Their beauty and splendor. How could a festival that celebrates the embodiment of love not be filled with love itself? We hope to see you at our future celebrations so that you too could experience the joy and wonder that was felt that night.
Deities at Midnight
Jhulan- Swing Booth
Please visit us at www.iskconhouston.org and like and follow us on Facebook (ISKCON of Houston), to keep up to date on all the awesome festivals that occur right here in the heart of Houston.
Costume Contest
Temple Crowd
INDO-AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2018 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
COMMUNITY
September 14, 2018
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Hindus Urged to Become More Visible As Positive Change Makers BY MANU SHAH
C
HICAGO: It was a time for connecting and reflection for the 2500 Hindu delegates who had gathered at Hotel Westin in Chicago for the 2nd World Hindu Congress from 7-9 September. The mega initiative, a brainchild of IITian Swami Vigyananand, assessed ways to raise the visibility of Hindus on the world stage and work on challenges facing the community globally. Hindus from 60 countries were present with sizable delegations from Bharat and the US. There were 60 delegates from Houston including Star Pipes CEO Ramesh Bhutada, Acharya Gaurang Nanavaty, Col. Raj Bhalla, IACCGH President Swapan Dhairyawan, Joseph and Christina Emmett, Sunanda Vashisht and Adit Kapadia. The event had a historical significance as it commemorated the 125th anniversary of Swami Vivekananda’s iconic address at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago. Against the backdrop of a life like statue of Swami Vivekananda, RSS Chief Dr. Mohan Bhagwat and keynote at the inaugural event addressed the congress on the core theme drawn from the Mahabharat, “Think collectively, Act Valiantly.” He highlighted the need for Hin-
Swami Vigyananand with Vice President of India Venkaiah Naidu. Photo: Vijay Pallod.
Actor Anupam Kher addressing the gathering. Photos: Jay Mandal/On assignment
dus to work together and said “We have stopped our descent and are contemplating how to ascend. Our universal values, now called Hindu values, lead to the welfare of the individual, the society, nature and the environment. It is the duty of Hindus to remind the world, the Standing: Col. Raj Bhalla (left), Ramesh Bhutada, Rajiv Bhavsar, Charlie Patel, Venkat Subramaniam, Kavita Tewary, Hemansi Gupta, Priti Sheth, Richa Dixit, and universal values from Nisha Mirani. Sitting: Vijay Pallod (left), Karuna Kankani, Ajit Patel, Dinesh Shah, time to time.” Stressing the need Lakshmi Kurella, Kaushiki Tewary, Manisha Shukla, and Swapan Dhairyawan.
for unity, Bhagwat said if a lion is alone, wild dogs can invade and destroy the lion. We must not forget that.” “We want to make the world better. We have no aspiration of dominance. Our influence is not a result of conquest or colonization,” he noted. Chair SP Kothari, said he and many speakers attending the conference received calls and petitions from organizations and individuals to withdraw from the Congress on the ground WHC or some of its organizers are “socially and religiously divisive.” “I urge them to listen to my talk and reflect on whether it is tainted with hate. I have chosen to disregard those petitions as originating from a lack of complete understanding of the World Hindu Congress.” Coordinator Dr. Abhaya Asthana stated that WHC is not an event, it is a community movement. It seeks to encourage Hindus around the world to ascend to the highest levels of excellence. This Congress was important so we “may graduate from individual success to collective success.” Award winning actor Anupam Kher said “Hinduism is a way of life and one becomes a Hindu by living like one. Tolerance was the centerpiece of Vivekananda’s
INDO-AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2018 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
CONTINUED ON PAGE 16
10 September 14, 2018 Suneja Nominated as Global Goodwill Ambassador on LinkedIn BY JAWAHAR MALHOTRA
K
ATY, TX: As if a stressful cardiology practice, being certified in five different medical boards, and taking care of thousands of patients over the 23 years of practice aren’t enough demands on your time, Dr. Randeep Suneja has always found the time to juggle other aspects of his personality. He is also a devoted father, devout Hindu and eager philanthropist who has donated to many causes. While others may scratch their heads over how he finds the time, Suneja carries forward with the zeal of a man on a mis-
COMMUNITY
sion, and moves so fast in the corridors at his practice that it sometimes seems like he is on roller skates and his staff can’t keep up! But he is deeply devoted to his patients and spends much time with them to assess their condition. So when the news came on September 4 that he was being nominated as the Global Goodwill Ambassador on LinkedIn he was pleasantly surprised and he took it in stride. “I am humbled by the nomination, “said Suneja on learning the news. “There are approximately 5,000 Ambassadors from 148 countries in the program which is based on the 500 million LinkedIn network!” He was nominated by Richard DiPilla, founder and Lisa Jones, Executive President and COO of GGA, a five yearold organization that recognizes people for humanitarian work, and confirmed by the Board. “Currently Ambassadors are represented from the full spectrum of people from doctors, engineers, entrepreneurs, CEOs and social workers,” explained Suneja. “The US has about 350 Ambassadors and the selection process by the Board is based on a person’s history of involvement in the non-profit world.” Richard DiPilla, an expert in strategy, communication and social media, created the Global Goodwill Ambassadors initiative (on the LinkedIn social media forum) with a simple mission: to recognize people from every nation, race, color, and socio-economic caste, who do goodwill toward others. GGA looks at the volunteering, charitable, or humanitarian works of any individual. Suneja is no stranger to volunteering as the list of his activities is indeed very long: Katy ISD PACE Program Mentor since 2000; American Heart Association Katy Chapter President 2000-2002 and then Chairman 2002-2004; India House, former Joint Secretary and Board Member since 2005; MAMCO AANA: former President 2014-2015 and current Board Member; Pratham (Houston Chapter) Vice President 2017-2019; voted Citizen of Year 2006 by AHA; voted Citizen of the Year 2015: Katy Chamber of Commerce; selected in Top Doctors of Houston and Katy numerous times and serving rural Texas with a monthly Cardiology Clinic in Sealy for the past 20 years. And he has raised funds for many other groups too: for Katy ISD Foundation since 2015; run marathons to raise money, including the upcoming Houston Half Marathon on January 20, 2019 to raise $26,000 for Pratham; participated in Health Fairs in Houston with Methodist West Hospital, the Arya Samaj of Greater Houston and BAPS Swami Narayan Temple and took part in medical missions in rural India. As if that wasn’t enough, Suneja gleefully disclosed another activity he is doubly proud. “Today I became part of Watch DOGS (Dads of Great Students) for our 10-year-old twins at Hayes Elementary in Katy ISD! It is a national organization where Dads spend one day of the year in the school.”
INDO-AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2018 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
COMMUNITY
September 14, 2018
Sacred Indic Art Available at Nonprofit Auction
HOUSTON: Houston residents
have the rare opportunity to experience an enchanting evening of art and culture offered by the Guidestar Gold and top-rated Nonprofit, Self Enquiry Life Fellowship. The annual benefit auction, known by its Sanskrit name Sattwadharman, takes place on September 29th and features a limited release of 36 rare meditative vintage photographs and antique altar paintings from the Nonprofit’s archive collection. This special event makes it possible for historians, art connoisseurs, and Indic Studies specialists as well as spiritual seekers to access sacred art prints not easily available elsewhere. The Nonprofit’s archive features photographers from the 19th century who captured the nuances of Indic philosophical roots and
the spiritual depth of architectural and natural wonders. A thematic portfolio of eight photographs focusing on work as worship is included in the auction. All the artworks are analyzed alongside Sanskrit literature by the Nonprofit’s Vedic monks who rely on their meditative understanding to select a particular portfolio. This process honors what the photographers would have seen, creates a coherent storyline, and connects the art to Sanskrit lore. Releases are preceded by meticulous remastering which allows for a beautiful reproduction that aptly represents the original mystique. Each antique photo is digitized, cleaned and toneadjusted; rare painting relics are repainted, corrected according to ancient texts, and digitally reproduced as fine art prints.
These rare artworks take on the form of living altars in our homes, emitting an aura of divinity and uncovering the rich lore of sacred times and spaces. Art historian and appraiser Elizabeth Stewart notes, “These photographs are living symbols of the capacity of living illumination....They offer us the light of time and history, the light of intelligence and wisdom and craft, and the light of inner conception.” The benefit dinner and silent auction features sublime Sanskrit chanting by His Holiness Swami Vidyadhishananda, spiritual founder of the Nonprofit, who will also deliver the keynote address. The evening includes rare video footage of traditional whole-brain accelerated schooling in India recorded at the Nonprofit’s sister institution. A healing vegetarian dinner will be served. Sattwadharman takes place on Saturday, 29th September at 4pm at the VPSS Vallabh Hall in Houston. Proceeds from this benefit event support Self Enquiry Life Fellowship’s heritage projects on the revival of indigenous knowledge, accelerated learning curricula, and value-based educational publications. For more information visit hansavedas.org/benefit For more information about Self Enquiry Life Fellowship’s vintage photography and sacred painting projects visit the “Projects” tab at hansavedas.org
Sewa International Prepares to Offer Carolina Residents Help As Hurricane Florence Threatens The Mid-Atlantic States
ATLANTA
(GA): As Hurricane Florence approaches the East Coast of the United States, the governors of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia have issued mandatory evacuation orders affecting more than one million residents in the coastal areas. The Carolinas have not seen a category 3 hurricane in 22 years. The three affected states have a large Indian-American population, some of whom would be facing their first major hurricane ever. Sewa International’s Director of Disaster Relief, Swadesh Katoch says, “Stores have already run out of essential supplies like water, bread, and bananas. Generators, storm radios, and sand bags are also difficult to find. Most gas stations in the coastal areas are running out of gas, and those who still have gas are jacking up the price.” Katoch says last year’s response to Hurricanes Harvey and
Maria taught his team how to better respond to future events. He is rolling out the full disaster preparedness plan – including a remote operations center, teams on the ground in all major cities, and lining up logistics to haul in supplies after the storm, if needed. Kiran Krishna, the chapter President of Sewa Raleigh, and Venugopal Reddy, the chapter President of Sewa Charlotte are networking with government officials to keep the Indian community informed and prepared. Sewa International has set up a hot line -- 413-648-SEWA (7392) -- for use by Indian Americans in particular, and US residents in general. Anyone can call the hot line and ask for help. Sewa International has been using social media to post regular alerts and updates about the hurricane. Local Sewa teams in the Carolinas, Virginia, and Maryland are working with local temples and Indian organizations to keep the community together and be prepared to help each other. Sewa Teams in Atlanta and Boston are organizing to host evacuees. “We are especially concerned
about the vulnerable population such as people who are home bound, sick, or have very young children. We are circulating WhatsApp messages with helpful information on how to prepare and tide over Hurricane Florence and its aftermath. While our hotline number is available all the time, the best way to stay updated with us is to like our Facebook page - Sewa International,” said Prof. Sreenath, President of Sewa International. “We are urging people in the optional evacuation areas to not wait for the last minute. If you think you may have to evacuate, leave now,” said Kiran CONTINUED ON PAGE 14
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Jesal Patel ARPC, CLTC, LUTCF Financial Adviser*: Eagle Strategies LLC Life Member MDRT Ph: 281-221-5061/713-499-7670 Fax: 832-201-5394 Website: www.jesalzpatel.com *Financial Adviser offering investment advisory services though Eagle Strategies LLC, A Registered Investment Adviser. Registered Representative offering securities through NYLIFE Securities LLC-Member FINRA/SIPC, A Licensed insurance Agency. Agent with New York Life Insurance Company. 3200 Southwest Freeway, Suite 1900, Houston, TX 77027 (713) 9614545 California Insurance License # 0F53803
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September 14, 2018
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September 14, 2018
Russell Peters’ Brand New Deported World Tour in Houston, September 25 HOUSTON: Global comedy superstar Russell Peters is thrilled to announce his return to his home and native land as part of his brand new Deported World Tour this fall. The Emmy, Gemini and Peabody award winning comic will perform a limited eleven market arena tour bringing his unique and sometimes controversial brand of humor home once again. Peters’ new show features all new material including plenty of Russell’s signature audience interactions. Russell Peters returns to live touring after taking time off to film his smash hit CTV/Netflix series The Indian Detective. The Indian Detective also stars Anupam Kher (The Big Sick, Silver Linings Playbook), William Shatner (Star Trek), Christina Cole (Suits, Casino Royale) and Mishqah Parthiephal (Keeping Up with the Kandasamys). Peters can also be seen in the films, The Clapper with Ed Helms, Amanda Seyfried and Tracy Morgan as well as Supercon with Ryan Kwanten and John Malkovich, and Adventures in Public School with Judy Greer. The Deported World Tour kicked off in Australia and New Zealand in February 2018 and has already travelled to over 29 cities in 20 countries and been seen by over 100,00 fans worldwide. The tour will continue well into 2019 and
Voice of Sanatan Hinduism, 25 Years of Broadcast
HOUSTON:
Peters will then take an extended break from live touring to focus on other ventures and spend more time at home with his daughter. Listed on the Forbes List as one of the top ten Highest Earning Comics in the U.S. since 2009, Peters has spent the last 29 years building a career to become one of the biggest comics in the world. Thanks to YouTube and his global following, Peters has sold-out arenas from Madison Square Garden to the Sydney Opera House. Peters has also performed for the troops in Afghanistan, Iraq and on the USS Eisenhower and the HMCS Winnipeg, and appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Lopez Tonight, Jimmy Kimmel Live, The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson and on HBO, CNN, MTV, BBC, Showtime and Comedy Central. Peters 2010 memoir, Call Me Russell, was a Globe and Mail number one bestseller in Canada. Peters is an active philanthropist
having donated more than a million dollars over the past several years to various charities from the Brampton Civic Hospital, Gilda’s Club, the MS Society of Canada and a scholarship at his old highschool; The Russell Peters North Peel Scholarship, which sends a deserving student to college. The scholarship is now in its ninth year. www.russellpeters.com / Twitter @therealrussellp Facebook: RussellPeters / Instagram: russellpeters / YouTube: RussellPeters Date:TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2018 AT 8:00 PM Location: REVENTION MUSIC CENTER Sales Locations: REVENTION MUSIC CENTER BOX OFFICE & WWW.TICKETMASTER.COM
Divine Life Mission, Kolkata, India. This Event is free for all and invite all our listeners and well wishers of the radio program to
Voice of Sanatan Hinduism is on its 25th year of broadcast, the first of its kind radio program in Houston and the USA. Padmakant Khambhati started the radio program to showcase the doctrines of Hinduism by sharing Vedic knowledge and broadcast it on public media. The radio program emphasizes many aspects of Sanatan Dharma and its core principles. It highlights human values that are embedded in our scriptures notably the Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana and the Mahabharata. On Sunday September 15, at Anjali center of Performing Arts from 5-00pm to 7-30pm. Sanatan Hindu Center will bring the 3 aspects of Yoga with Music, Dance and talk by Shri. Shuddhananda Brahmachari of Baba Lokenath
join us. Sponsors, donors and the lovers of Vedic Philosophy and Sanatan Dharma support our radio show. Individual donations are welcome and Tax deductible. Payment can be made online on website www. sanatanhinducenter.org. Please contact via email: mailto:hinduismradio@gmail. com Donations can also be sent to Sanatan Hindu Center, 603 Doscher Lane, Sugarland, Texas 77479. Tune in every Sunday from 12 noon to 2PM on Houston Radio dial 1110 AM or 96.1 FM station. You can listen live online www.sanatanhinducenter.org. Our podcasts of our previous recordings can also be found on our website.
Sewa International
rescue nearly 700 people, and have served thousands of affected families since then. Sewa raised $2 Million for Harvey recovery, including a grant of $400,000 from the Houston Mayor’s fund, and a $500,000 grant from American Red Cross. Sewa continues to rebuild houses and provide case management to affected families more than one year after Hurricane Harvey struck Texas.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11
Krishna, President of the Raleigh Chapter of Sewa International. Sewa International, the leading Indian American nonprofit has extensive experience in disaster rescue, and relief and rehabilitation, having served in 23 disasters in the US and abroad. Last year during Hurricane Harvey they helped
INDO-AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2018 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
COMMUNITY
September 14, 2018
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Padma Bhushan A.R. Rahman, The Musical Genius Live In Concert in Houston!
HOUSTON:
A.R. Rahman, a Grammy and Academy Award winning music composer, singersongwriter, music producer, musician, multi-instrumentalist and philanthropist is coming to Houston to perform live with a stunning entourage of talented artists like Udit Narayan, Mano, Ranjit Barot, Neeti Mohan, Javed Ali, Jonita Gandhi and many others! Described as one of the world’s most prominent and creative music composer, Rahman’s compositions are best known for syner-
gizing the best of the East and the West; integrating Indian classical music with western music sounds, world music genres and traditional orchestral arrangements. Rahman’s musical interests stem from his love of experimentation. He is skilled in Carnatic music, Western classical, Hindustani music and the Qawwali style of Nusrat Fateh Ali and combines these diverse genres beautifully in his multi-faceted compositions! Working in India’s various film industries, international cinema
and theatre, Rahman is one of the world’s all-time top selling recording artists. In a notable career spanning two decades, Rahman has garnered particular acclaim for redefining contemporary Indian film music and thus contributing to the success of several films. Some of his most notable Hindi films include Rangeela, Bombay, Guru, Taal, Dil Se and Lagaan. A.R. Rahman has been awarded the Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian award, in 2010 by the Government of India and was included on the Time 100 list of the world’s most influential people in2009. He has won two Academy Awards, two Grammy Awards, a BAFTA Award, a Golden Globe, four National Film Awards, fifteen Filmfare Awards and thirteen Filmfare Awards South in addition to numerous other awards and nominations. Rahman is currently one of the highest paid composers of the motion picture industry. He is a notable humanitarian and philanthropist, donating and raising money for beneficial causes and supporting charities. After five successful sold out shows across USA, Rahman will
be performing with his highly accomplished entourage on Saturday, September 15, at the Smart Financial Center, Sugar Land at 8.00 p.m. The concert is presented by
Rajender Singh of Star Promotion. For VIP tickets call Rajender Singh at 281-975-7469 or 281222-4500. Tickets also available at www.ticketmaster.com
INDIA HOUSE/SOS CONTINUES THE LIFE AFTER SEMINAR SERIES:
Demystifying Probate, Wills, Trusts & Other Planning Instruments
HOUSTON:
India House and Share Our Secrets Organization (SOS.ORG), plan to conduct a free seminar on one of the most vexing issues faced by the retired and elderly. The seminar is scheduled to be held on Sunday, October 7, 2018 from 3 – 5.30 PM at the India House, 8888 Belfort Avenue, Houston, Texas. During the two seminars conducted in 4th Quarter 2017 and 3rd Quarter 2018, on the topic of “Loss of a Spouse”, the attendees identified several topics of foremost concern and interest to our senior community. As a result of the feedback, SOS and India House are pleased to offer the next educational seminar on the broad topic of Estate Planning, including some specific issues raised by our seniors. Two attorneys, well versed in this area, will present and participate in a panel discussion along with Mr. Biki Mohindra, who will cover legacy aspects relating to properties owned outside USA,
particularly in India. Experts will discuss importance of probate, how the process works, how to streamline this process by having clear and purpose-oriented wills, and other related documents. Inheritance and beneficiary aspects of probate and non-probate assets will be discussed with the background of community property state such as Texas. Common types of wills and trusts will be briefly covered. The talks will also cover the need for Power of Attorney and Medical Directives to minimize family crisis when the need arises. As in our past seminars, the event will conclude with a panel discussion allowing the attendees to raise questions. We encourage both spouses to attend the seminar and come prepared to gain maximum benefit from the seminar. Our overall objective is to provide the attendees with a basic understanding of the benefits of estate planning, and the consequences to the family by a failure
to plan, as well as a general idea of how Wills, Trusts, and related planning instruments work during life, disability, and beyond. The information presented is for educational and informational purposes only. The information presented should enable the individuals to review their respective situation with their family and develop the most suitable set of documents with the aid of a professional or other resources that may be available. Share Our Secrets (SOS) is an educational organization, which conducts a gamut of programs for educated young people and teaches them skills that are not taught in college curriculums, and enabling them to succeed in their careers. SOS also conducts various community outreach events, on topics of interest to Houstonians, and specifically for seniors that could benefit them in their retired lives. India House is a community center which provides a myriad of services & activities, either free or at a highly discounted price, including Charity Clinic, Sareen Clinic, Yoga, Meditation, After School, Technology Classes for Seniors, Vedanta Study, Hindi Language, Sanskrit Language, Legal Consultations, Dance Classes, Cricket and informative/ educational seminars. For further information, please contact one of the following: SOS: sosoutreachteam@gmail. com, India House: vipin@indiahouseinc.og 713- 929-1900. To Register: https://www.indiahouseinc.org/life-after-session-3/
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September 14, 2018
Poll Shows Sri Kulkarni in Virtual Tie with Incumbent Olson BY JAWAHAR MALHOTRA
H
OUSTON: It was a feat that many in the so far staunchly conservative district which has always sent a white candidate to Congress felt could not be done. Yet, this past May, despite infighting among a field of candidates, Sri Preston Kulkarni rallied his supporters to win the Democratic primary garnering 62.1% of the votes cast. And in doing so, Kulkarni tapped
into the imagination of Fort Bend County’s population, often called the most diverse county in the nation with near equal number of Asian, Hispanic, black and white residents among the 881,000 people who live there. Even in the gerrymandered 22nd Congressional District which meanders around like a twisting intestine from Pearland to south of Katy, the diversity of residents - 20 percent Asians, 25 percent Hispanic, 14 percent black and 41 percent white - is the greatest of any district
Congressional Dist. 22 Democratic challenger Sri Preston Kulkarni at the recent Janamashtami celebration at the GRB Center with Sri Ravula dressed as Krishna.
in Texas. Kulkarni, 39, himself is the product of a Marathi father and a white mother, as are his three other siblings. He is a former State Department diplomat who has served in Iraq, Israel, Russia, Taiwan and Jamaica and speaks Hindi, Spanish, Mandarin, Hebrew and Russian. This mixed background and his ability to relate to people of
many cultures has endeared him in the minds of people of District 22 and Fort Bend, 25 percent of whom are foreign-born themselves. And it has also captivated the increasingly suave and cosmopolitan professionals of all races who live there. Many have said that they are tired of the folksy and unsophisticated style of the man who Kulkarni will face in the November 6 midterm election, Republican Congressman Pete Olson, 55, who has been in office since 2009. A Navy pilot for nine years, Olson worked for former Texas Senator Phil Graham, then became Senator John Cornyn’s chief of staff before running for the seat in Congress. He has won by landslides with an average margin of 31 points. Although Olson has wooed the South Asian community in the past 9 years, many are frustrated that he has not been able to deliver to them any significant seats at the table of governing councils nor championed any of their causes. They feel that Olson has but a superficial familiarity with the perspectives and values that permeate the diverse elements of their community. Far too many Asians has complained that they are tired of having to educate their elected officials in the ways of their cultures and the tide is moving to vote in those who understand their
needs better. Their sentiment seems to be that although politicians tout the region’s diversity, they have not delivered any tangible benefits to the different communities here. Kulkarni seems to innately understand that need and points to data that exemplifies just that. In the primary election Asian voter participation jumped to 28 percent from only 6 percent four years earlier. Also, a recent poll by Change Research commissioned by his campaign showed that when people learnt about his background and his message, the margin of victory against Olson decreased to 1 percent. “That makes it virtually neck-toneck,” exclaimed Kulkarni recently at an Eid-Al-Adha celebration this past weekend. “We have to make sure that we get our message out to everyone.” The phone banks at Kulkarni’s campaign headquarters in Sugar Land reflect the diverse community he hopes to lead after the election and their enthusiasm for his race is palpable as they spread his message. Kulkarni recently returned from a visit to the Bay Area where he shared his experience in garnering the hopes and aspirations of a multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multi-cultural base. If it works, it’ll be a recipe for victory that many other minority candidates will be sure to emulate.
Hindus Urged to Become More Visible As Positive Change Makers CONTINUED FROM PAGE 09 message. My roots are steeped in Hinduism… As a Hindu, it pains me deeply to see how ignorance and half knowledge are trying to destroy one of the oldest, world’s most peaceful religion.” India’s Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, keynote for the concluding session, renewed Swami Vivekananda’s message and elaborated on some of the essential elements of Hinduism namely the breadth of its vision in treating the world as one family, tolerance and acceptance of plurality, and unity in diversity. True nationalism is in the preservation of India’s invaluable heritage, he said. Swami Poornatmananda of Bharat Seva Ashram, Chinmaya Mission Spiritual Head Swami Swaroopananda, Swami Paramatmananda, secretary general of Hindu Dharma Acharya Sabha, Satguru Dalip Singh of Namdari, Madhu Pandit Dasa, chairperson of Akshaya Patra Foundation, ISKCON, Bangalore were some of the spiritual leaders who spoke at the event. Messages by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, his Holiness the Dalai Lama and Art of Living Guru Sri Sri Ravi Shanker, BAPS Spiritual Guru Mahant Swami Maharaj were played via video. Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, (D-IL) said “Some of my friends and constituents were very concerned about my presence here today…I decided I had
to be here because I wanted to reaffirm the highest and only form of Hinduism that I’ve ever known and been taught…namely one that welcomes all people, embraces all people, accepts all people regardless of their faith including all my constituents.” Lt. Governor of Illinois Evelyn Sanguinetti, Congressman Bill Foster, Congressman Bruce Fraser were also present. Other eminent dignitaries who spoke were Vice-president of the Republic of Suriname Ashwin Adhin, entrepreneur and Grammy nominated artist Chandrika Tandon, renowned classical dancer Sonal Mansingh, author Amish Tripathi of the Shiva Trilogy and Mohandas Pai chairperson of Board of Manipal Global. Four organizations were recognized for their outstanding contributions to spreading Hindu philosophy. BAPS was honored for their architecturally beautiful temples, Chinmaya Mission for explaining the essence of the Gita, Geeta Press, Gorakhpur for making sacred Hindu literature accessible, and ISKCON for spreading the message of Gita. Seven conferences and three plenary sessions over the course of three days highlighted issues facing Hindus. The Political Conference suggested the need for a permanent secretariat in the US or UK for the cause of Hindu rights around the globe, asserting a strong political voice especially in
countries like the Caribbean, Fiji and the African countries, and developing young political leaders. Other parallel sessions were on youth, media, economy, women, education, and Hindu organizations. To create awareness about atrocities committed against Hindus around the world, speak out against biased portrayals of Hindus, freeing temples from government control, making writing contemporary and relevant to the present generation, finding new ways to open trade, skill development, an Angel Investor group for women entrepreneurs and a global Hindu Women Business directory, a strategy for developing scholarship in religious studies were some of the recommendations of the conferences. Prominent Houstonian, Col. Raj Bhalla said “Being a Sikh, 87 years old, I always had a personal belief that Sikhs are part of Hindus. The World Hindu Congress further enlightened me and strengthened my conviction. My earnest desire is, in India, Sanskrit should be taught to children at a very young age so they learn about Vedic, Spiritual and Scientific knowledge that Hindus gave to the world 5000 years ago - a rightful matter of pride.” The third World Hindu Conference will be held in Bangkok, Thailand, from Nov. 4 to 6, 2022. The theme will be “Victory of dharma, not adharma.”
INDO-AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2018 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
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160 Days of Cricket on Hotstar Kicks Off with the Unimoni Asia Cup
EW YORK: 160 Days of Cricket on Hotstar starts with the Unimoni Asia Cup, which will feature some of the most prominent cricketing nations in the world. The tournament will begin with Bangladesh taking on Sri Lanka in Dubai on September 15. Confirmed participants include perennial powerhouses India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, with one remaining spot still up for grabs among UAE, Singapore, Oman, Nepal, Malaysia and Hong Kong. Defending champion India will face arch rival Pakistan on September 19 in the marquee matchup of group play. India and Pakistan will be joined by Hong Kong in Group A, while Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan compete in Group B. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the Super 4 and the tournament final will follow on September 28 in Dubai. Hotstar, the exclusive and official digital streaming partner for Unimoni Asia Cup, will live stream all the matches for the duration of the tournament. To keep the momentum going,
The best of cricket and Indian entertainment at $99.99 a year Asia Cup Highlight: India Versus Pakistan Match on September 19
Hotstar has 160 days of cricket over the next year. Tournaments to look forward to include the Paytm India vs. West Indies Series in October, followed by the ICC Women’s World T20 in November, the Paytm India vs. Australia Series in February 2019, the VIVO IPL in April 2019, and finally, the ICC Cricket World Cup in May 2019.
“Hotstar has just completed its first year in the United States, and the response from the Diaspora has been phenomenal,” said Ipsita Dasgupta, President of Hotstar International and Strategy at Star India. “As we embark on our second year, we have a comprehensive cricket calendar for fans and enthusiasts in the US who have come to expect
this level of engaging and premium programming from our platform.” To supplement its cricket calendar, Hotstar has introduced an attractive, annual subscription for $99.99, which will give consumers complete access to the cricket calendar and entertainment library throughout the year. For monthly subscribers,
an entertainment pack is now $9.99 a month, and a sports + entertainment pack is $19.99 a month. About Hotstar: Hotstar, India’s largest premium streaming platform for Indian TV shows, movies and live sports, is now also available in the U.S. and Canada. A subsidiary of Star India and 21st Century Fox, Hotstar was launched in India in 2015 and became the fastest app to reach a million downloads. The platform offers a bouquet of rich and diverse content encompassing the latest movies, popular TV shows, documentaries and live sports. By delivering premium, on-demand content across devices and in multiple languages, Hotstar ensures South Asians across the world are never too far from their favorite entertainment. Hotstar can be accessed through us.hotstar.com; ca.hotstar.com or via iOS AppStore, Google Playstore, Roku, Chromecast, Amazon Fire, and Android TV.
INDO-AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2018 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
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September 14, 2018 Avoidable Suspense on FPIs
Foreign investors in the Indian market are used to unexpected twists in the regulatory landscape, but they seldom talk tough in the public domain. So it was unusual for a group of foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) to openly appeal to the Prime Minister for an urgent intervention last Monday. The Asset Managers Roundtable of India (AMRI) warned that India’s booming stock markets will be in for a tight bearhug and the embattled rupee could face even greater pressure if an April 10 diktat from the Securities and Exchange Board of India is not scrapped. The SEBI circular, they argued, disqualifies about $75 billion of portfolio investments into India made by FPIs backed by domestic institutions, NRIs, Persons of Indian Origin and Overseas Citizen of India card-holders. The total portfolio investments in India’s financial markets are estimated at $450 billion. The circular, issued to enhance the Know Your Client norms for FPIs, ended up imposing a blanket ban on certain types of investments where NRIs, PIOs or OCIs were investors (beyond a threshold) or even served as senior managing officials of these funds. The circular delegates the task of identifying high-risk jurisdictions, with tighter KYC norms, on custodian banks. Last week, SEBI called AMRI’s warning as “preposterous and highly irresponsible”. Yet, by the weekend the H.R. Khan Committee set up by SEBI recommended changes that may be made to the regulator’s directive, addressing most of the concerns raised by the FPIs. The panel’s report clarified that NRIs, OCI card-holders and resident Indians can manage the investments of any FPI registered with SEBI and, more importantly, hold up to 50% of an FPI’s assets under management. This has removed any ambiguity and provided relief to foreign investors who were left guessing how the term ‘majority’ — as stated in the April circular — would be determined by SEBI while applying the beneficial ownership test. The committee said the deadline for complying with the circular, which was already extended from August 31 to December 31, must be extended further, and funds with investments breaching the final thresholds that the regulator decides upon should be granted 180 days to unwind positions. SEBI has now announced public consultations before it finalises these norms, and in the process created some breathing space for such funds to remain invested on Dalal Street. No one should have a grouse with attempts to curb round-tripping of illegal domestic wealth into the Indian market through the foreign investments route. But treating all FPIs with Indian-origin managers as potential conduits of illicit money is unwise. SEBI could have managed all of this as an independent regulator had it held a timely dialogue with stakeholders before framing these norms, as it usually does. Such policy uncertainty and sharp about-turns will do little to enhance India’s credibility among global investors. -- The Hindu
EDITORIAL/COMMENTARY “The Documents Must Know”
BY DEEPTIMAN TIWARY A few years after I moved to DelhiNCR in 1998 as a student, I attempted to get an election ID card. I was asked to get my ration card for it. At the ration office, I was asked for my election ID card. Since then, the fear of red tape has prevented me from attempting to get a government document — other than Aadhaar — certifying my identity or address in Delhi. In March, I was forced to face my fears after my brother, 43, hanged himself in his apartment in NCR’s Noida Extension, following a year of struggle with depression. I was saddled with the job of handling the paperwork — chief among which was to get his death certificate. In May, directed by the police and officials at the Sector 94 crematorium in Noida — where my brother was cremated — I went to the office of the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Noida to get that certificate made. There, I was told that I did not have all the required documents. I was told that apart from my brother’s postmortem report, I required a panchnama—both attested by an officer at the police station concerned. Since I had failed to get the certificate made within 21 days of his death, I needed a special permission from the Deputy CMO. I also had to pay a fine of Rs 60 through a deposit in the government treasury at the State Bank of India. And, I needed an affidavit certifying that I was my brother’s brother. However, I was at the wrong office. Since my brother lived in Noida Extension, which is Greater Noida West, I should have gone to the Greater Noida office of the health department of UP — and not the office of the CMO, Noida — I was told. I then wrote an application to the Deputy CMO. But this official was not in her office. “Pata nahi kahan chali gayin. Subah aayin, fir bag rakh kar kahin chali gayin (God knows where she is. She came in the morning, kept her bag in the office and went out),” an attendant said. After waiting for an hour, I went looking for her. I found her in a room at the office. She promptly signed my application and said, “Since you will be going back to my office, tell the people waiting there that I am sitting here.” For the
sake of the other people waiting for the Deputy CMO, I complied. I then took a cab to the Bisrakh police station, about 20 km away, for the panchnama and to get the postmortem attested. “How can we attest the postmortem? We did not conduct it. You will have to get it signed by the doctor who conducted it,” said the policeman at the help desk. “But you have made it a part of your case file. So you believe in its authenticity. Please help me. Where will I go looking for the doctor now,” I pleaded. I contacted the station house officer who said there was no need to give a panchnama to the health department since a postmortem cannot be conducted without a panchnama. “If the CMO insists, ask him to talk to me,” he said. Since I had neither the energy nor the inclination to moderate a debate between the health and police departments, I proceeded to the Greater Noida office, another 20 km away, hoping for the best. Once I reached there, the officer incharge looked at the documents and said, “How do we ascertain that this death certificate should be made here? None of the documents you have given mentions Greater Noida. Even the crematorium document mentions Noida. We don’t know if this death happened in Noida or Greater Noida. You get a letter from the housing society saying your brother committed suicide there.” “Sir, my brother’s residence is 20 km from here. That will waste an entire day. And then the postmortem report mentions the entire address, including the name of the building, housing society, street, even the police station and state. How does it matter that it does not state Greater Noida specifically? Everyone knows this address is in Greater Noida West. You can Google it. And where is Thana Bisrakh after all?” I asked him. “You don’t know. Some areas in Noida also come under Thana Bisrakh,” he said. “You seem to know pretty well which areas come under Thana Bisrakh. So you would know that my brother’s residence falls in Greater Noida West,” I retorted in irritation. “Sirji, this is something I know and you know. But the documents you have given me do not know.
The documents must know,” he said calmly. Exasperated, I got my colleague to call the district magistrate’s office. While she was at it, I went to the SBI branch nearby to pay the Rs 60 fine only to be told that has to be done at the branch near the collectorate. Meanwhile, an official from the DM’s office called: “Yes Tiwaryji, how can I help you.” I explained the situation. “Okay, so the officer is asking for a letter. Then go and get it,” he advised nonchalantly. I realised that the only man who could help me was the officer seeking the “Greater Noida document”. I went back to him. “Do one thing. Ask your sister-in-law to WhatsApp your brother’s property papers. They would have his full address along with Greater Noida written on it,” he advised. I got that done immediately, took printouts from a nearby market and delivered them to him. “Good, now your work will get done. Just get the affidavit from the market in the next colony. Come back after three-four days and I will keep the certificate ready. I will also be lenient and let you get the Rs 60 challan the day you come to collect the certificate,” he said kindly. About a week later, I went back to Greater Noida; first to the SBI branch at the collectorate to get the Rs 60 challan. The branch did not have the form and I was asked to get it from a nearby photocopy shop. I filled the form, taking help from a tout — the bank staff had no clue on how to fill the form — and got into a long queue under an open sky and scorching sun. After an hour of fretting over why people should be forced to go through this ordeal for a fine of Rs 60 in an age of online payments, I got my turn. I took the challan and went back to the health department officer where the officer was ready with 16 copies of the certificate. “Ek extra print ho gaya. Le jaiye kaam aaega. Maine kaha tha aap nishchint rahiye, aapka kaam ho jaaega (One extra certificate has got printed. Keep it, it will come in handy. I told you not to worry, your work will get done),” he said with a smile. Ironically, every officer I had met during during this ordeal had told me something similar: “Look, I am only trying to help you. -- Times of India
Indo American News FOUNDER: DR. K.L. SINDWANI PUBLISHER: JAWAHAR MALHOTRA EDITOR: PRAMOD KULKARNI BUSINESS & PRODUCTION MANAGER: VANSHIKA VIPIN VARMA GRAPHICS: PIYAL SEN GUPTA WEB & SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER: NEHA PATEL CORRESPONDENTS
INDIA: ASEEM KULKARNI ®All rights reserved. No material herein or portions thereof may be published without the written consent of the publisher. The deadline for advertising and articles is 4 pm on Monday of each week. Please include self-addressed, stamped envelope for return of all unsolicited material. Published at 7457 Harwin Drive, Suite 262, Houston, Texas 77036. Tel: 713-789-6397 email: indoamericannews@yahoo.com, website: www.indoamerican-news.com
INDO-AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2018 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
LIFE OF MAHATMA GANDHI
September 14, 2018
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Gandhi’s Arrest Creates Sensation Worldwide - Part 14
T
he story thus far…Newspaper reporters from all over the world were there to report the progress of the Gandhi’s satyagraha. The march ended on April 5 at Dandi village. Gandhi and his selected followers went to the sea shore and broke the salt law by picking up salt left on the shore by the sea. Gandhi then gave a signal to all Indians to break the salt law and prepare to resist the police action in a nonviolent manner. Heeding Gandhi’s word, all over India people swarmed to the nearest sea coast to break the salt law. Great excitement was created everywhere. Only a few people knew how to make salt, but the people soon found their own ways of making it. All that mattered was the breaking of the salt law. Gandhi and other leaders had made arrangements for the continuation of the agitation if they were arrested. A chain of leaders had been chosen, so that as each leader was arrested another would be ready to take his place. The government waited for some time before taking any action, and then at last retaliation began. Gandhi was left at liberty, but many other leaders were taken into custody. Jawaharlal, Mahadev Desai, and Gandhi’s son Devadas were the first to pick up salt to break the law and be sent to jail. In dealing with the breakers of the salt law, the police resorted to their usual brutal methods. The Indian National Congress was declared illegal. Some newspapers, threatened with censorship, suspended publication. The people held hartaals (strikes) and demonstrations, and mass arrests were made. Soon the jails were overflowing. The people remained nonviolent, lest Gandhi should call off the movement. Gandhi then informed the Viceroy that he was going to raid the government salt works at Dharasana. Lord Irwin decided to act. Two English officers, with pistols, accompanied by many Indian policemen armed with rifles, arrived at Gandhi’s camp in the middle of the night. They woke Gandhi and said, “You are under arrest.” Gandhi was taken to Yeravda Central Jail and was thus absent for the raid on the Dharasana salt deposits. The salt deposits were surrounded by barbed-wire fencing and protected by four hundred Indian policemen armed with steel-toed canes. A few British officers were in command of them. Gandhi’s volunteers halted some
distance away from the fence. Then a select group of them advanced towards the fence. Police officials ordered the volunteers to disperse but they ignored the warning. Suddenly the police rushed at them and rained blow after blow on the defenseless men. Not one of the volunteers even raised an arm to stop the blows. They fell down, some with broken skulls, some with broken shoulders, arms, or legs. When the entire first batch had been knocked down and carried off on stretchers, another batch advanced to meet the same fate. The campaign went on for hours. Finally, as the heat of the day increased, the volunteers stopped their activities for that day. Among the volunteers two had died and 320 were injured. Gandhi’s arrest had created a great sensation in India and abroad. Representations were sent from all parts of the world to the British Prime Minister asking the government to release Gandhi and make peace with India. Even those who were cooperating with the British demanded the release of Gandhi. Gandhi proved to be more dangerous inside the jail than outside. While he sat quietly in Yeravda Jail, countrywide outbreaks of civil disobedience were greatly taxing the British. The jails were full. The government was in distress and finally, in 1931, had to release Gandhi, Nehru, and other leaders. As soon as Gandhi was out of prison he asked for an interview with the Viceroy, Lord Irwin. The interview was immediately given. Gandhi and Irwin met, but the two men seemed to have come from two different worlds. Gandhi did not go to seek any favors. He wanted to negotiate on terms of equality. The meeting went on for many days and finally the talks culminated in a treaty, the GandhiIrwin Pact. It embodied compromises
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made by both sides. Irwin agreed to release all the political prisoners, and Gandhi promised to suspend civil disobedience and send a Congress representative to the Round Table Conference. At the time, in London, the British government was holding a Round Table Conference on the future of India. The Gandhi-Irwin Pact was a victory for nonviolent resistance. But some of Gandhi’s Congress followers thought that he had not gained much as a result of the pact. Gandhi was designated as the sole representative of the Congress to the Round Table Conference. In August 1931 he sailed for London with a small party. Gandhi went to England with the object of reaching an agreement with the British on a fair Constitution for India and also of winning the hearts of the British people. In his first object he failed, and in the second he met with great success. Gandhi spent 84 days in England and most of the time he was meeting and talking to people. Prime Minister Winston Churchill refused to see him but Gandhi captivated the hearts of many. He had tea with the King and Queen. When a reporter asked him if he thought he had been dressed well enough for such an august tea party, Gandhi replied, “The King had on enough for both of us.” At the Round Table Conference nothing was conceded to India. The Conference played up the differences between Hindus and Muslims, and this only served to worsen communal tension in India. Gandhi returned with nothing except warm goodwill for India from the hearts of many English people. At home, Gandhi found that the government had returned to the policy of repression. There were widespread arrests and seizure of property and bank accounts of people and organizations who were hostile to British interests. Early in 1932 Gandhi wanted to meet the new Viceroy, Lord Willlingdon, but the Viceroy made it clear that the days of negotiations were over. Gandhi informed the authorities that he was again starting a civil disobedience movement. The Viceroy thought it was a threat and had Gandhi arrested and lodged in Yeravada Central Jail. Several other leaders and many followers of Gandhi were also arrested and jailed. — To be continued next week
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PUZZLES / RECIPES Mama’s Punjabi Recipes Nothing beats the morning brunch than a plate of hot puris (fried puffed bread) and either channe (chickpeas) or turri aloo (curried smashed potatoes)! So here is a reprint of Mama’s Puri recipe which is a favorite of kids and grown-ups alike. It is reprinted with some additional information and directions
Puri (Deep Fried Puff Bread) There is one type of fried bread that elicits great excitement because it is a cross between an appetizer and a meal, but can be eaten as either. You could call it a snack, but puris (deep fried puff bread) can be eaten for breakfast (with aloo sabzi), lunch (with kale channe), dinner (with different sabzis) and even dessert (with halva). Puris are those wonderfully light, golden brown puffed, usually fourinch round pieces of fried bread that, if you aren’t careful, you can eat a dozen of in one sitting when they come hot off the frying kadai (wok). The word puri derives from the Sanskrit word purika from pur or filled. Puris are usually made of atta (wheat flour finely milled), but some make them using maida (refined and bleached white flour) and atta mix. The dough is a little harder than the one made for regular rotis (flat bread). While frying puris, the moisture in the dough expands in all directions so that it puffs up like a round ball. A punctured puri does not puff because the steam escapes as it cooks. Some people put a little oil in the dough as they believe it will make the puri crispy but that in fact, it makes the puris hard after they have cooled down. Punjabi usually eat puris with kale chole (black chickpeas), but these are not to be confused with the larger and softer bhature (deep fried soft bread) which is similar but bigger and also eaten the same way. Most often puris are eaten for breakfast or as a part of a ceremonial religious ritual. Uneaten puris can be kept wrapped in aluminum foil for 4 or 5 days and they will not go bad. If they are hard then warm them up in the microwave, and they become soft again. Ingredients: • 250 gm atta (wheat flour) • 1 measure of pani (water) to make the dough soft • Vegetable oil to fry in Directions: 1. Slowly add water to the flour and knead the dough till it has is semisoft. 2. Put the dough in a bowl, cover it
with a light cloth and place it aside for 30 minutes to let it ferment a little. 3. Grease your palms with some oil so that the dough won’t stick and then break the dough into several 1-inch pieces. Roll them into balls and set aside. 4. In a kadai (deep skillet or wok), heat the oil up till it is very hot. 5. Roll the dough with a valan (rolling pin) till you form a 4-inch round patty. Roll all the patties out and keep to the side for frying. 6. Carefully slide the patty into the hot oil and then see if the patty starts to puff up and then turn slightly brown. 7. Repeat the steps and cook all the dough. As the puris come out, place them on paper towels on an inclined
plate to soak up and drain the excess oil. Keep the heat on high until you are done with cooking. 8. Serve hot with the chole, aalo sabzi or halva with your favorite garnishes Shakuntla Malhotra is a skilled cook of Punjabi dishes made in the old-fashioned style that she learnt as a young woman in her ancestral home in Lyallpur, India (since renamed Faisalabad) before it became part of Pakistan after the Partition in 1947. People have often admired her cooking for its simplicity and taste that comes with each mouthful. Even in her late-eighties, she continues to cook daily and agreed to share her delectable Punjabi recipes for future generations.
MAMA’S TIP O F THE
WEEK HOW TO CHOOSE F R ESH VEGETABLES Shopping
for fresh vegetables can often be a conf are not experienced using task if you in picking the right ones, especially if the seed variety. If thes you seeds then you will happen to select the ones that have to e are waste a lot of the ve o getable since the rip many will have to be rem oved. e seeds For kerelas (bitter gourd), bhindi (okr a), gh (cucumbers) and baingan (eggplant), ia (bottle squash), kheera france bean (green choose pieces that ar e not too fat (which means too many seed beans) but preferably long s in and bage) and mooli (dai firm. For shalgam (turnips), band go side), bi kon radishes), large pieces are not the be (cabwill be too ripe and st as they hard; choose mediu m sized pieces inste ad.
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ENTERTAINMENT:REVIEWS/NEWS ENTERTAINMENT:REVIEWS/NEWS
Paltan All Sound & Fury Signifying Nothing
No, Paltan is not a film about the
bloody Nathu La ambush of Indian soldiers by the Chinese in 1965. And it’s not about the war in 1962, much as it might underline the link to it. It’s actually about the series of minor skirmishes, and one major clash, on that border that got India some tactical advantage in 1967. So, while the film doesn’t allow Dutta his usual blood and gore and glory of war — rather some sabrerattling by men who behave more like boys scrapping in the schoolyard — no patriotic deed is likely to go unrewarded or unnoticed in times of celebration of ‘Surgical Strikes Day’. With that in mind, no barbs are spared at the “Cheeni”, who are painted as the devious souls who would spare no chance to “dig an axe into the chest of Bharat Mata” (that is said in Hindi, in reaction to the Chinese making trenches on this side of the border). There is more where that come from, as the Indian Army, from officers down, swears revenge against the enemy who defeated them twice over. Once
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
this is by two of our officers who are at the time exercising bare-chested in the snow, and rubbing some of it on their bodies for good measure. The Chinese, who don’t even get a second pair of clothing (while the Indian Army dons and discards fur jackets per season), must settle for a giant Mao poster on the border as compensation. That should give the actors standing in for the other side some reason to wake up in the morning, given that their commander, a Commissar, is as Winnie the Pooh as they come (Is Xi Jinping listening?). And while Paltan is not likely to set off any storm on China’s expanding horizon, or settle the Sino-India border debate, Beijing may take delight in one thing. The Indian battalion at Nathu La has all of one person who can speak Chinese, as others struggle with the various regional accents they are ascribed. The Chinese side has several who know Hindi, including the Commissar, who keeps mourning for “Mao ki pavitra dharti”, and saying India has done “ullanghan of antarrashtriya seema”. -- Indian Express
Mahima Chaudhry Sep 13, 1973
Ayushmann Khurrana Sep 14, 1984
Gali Guleiyan Watch it for Manoj Bajpayee and Om Singh
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Many films have been made about Old Delhi by those looking in. In this film, Old Delhi looks out, through the eyes of a man who lives in its
many labyrinthine lanes, cheek by jowl with others, in midst of ruins, in times of old, in gullis that go nowhere, amidst terraces with no gaps, only catching once the glimpse of a sliver of a sky. Here past is present, present is past. Decades may pass and nothing might change. Decades more will go, and nothing will. So, is it a wonder then that Khuddoos (Bajpayee) is losing himself within it? Who is it that he hears speaking through the walls? Whom is it that he spies on through his cameras? What does he hope to hear? Whom does he want to see? What does he want to escape? Why is he so interested in the boy, Iddu (Om Singh), he believes is as lonely, as need of help, as him? That sense of loneliness is profound in Gali Guleiyan, especially when Khuddoos’ brother meets him
Mahesh Bhatt Sep 20, 1948
after 23 years and says he never came looking as he didn’t know he was still there in the old neighbourhood. Only friend Ganeshi (Shorey) keeps track, dropping by with food and company when Khuddoos goes days without being seen. Bajpayee is good as always in portraying the increasing loss of self, but it is Om Singh as Iddu who really stills your heart with his blank eyes, that stare back from a face bathed in a film of sweat. Kabi and Goswami play his parents, both weighed down by their circumstances. The film, however, runs aground quite early on, trying to stretch its premise of a psychological thriller too thin. The slow pace, when you may have caught on what is happening, can seem an exasperating indulgence then. ~Indian Express
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SPORTS
September 14, 2018
England Take Series 4-1 as Anderson Goes Past McGrath BY ALAGAPPAN MUTHU THE OVAL (ESPN Crickinfo): England 332 (Buttler 89, Cook 71, Moeen 50, Jadeja 4-79) and 423 for 8 dec (Cook 147, Root 125, Vihari 3-37) beat India 292 (Jadeja 86*, Vihari 56, Moeen 2-50) and 345 (Rahul 149, Pant 114, Anderson 3-45) by 118 runs England got everything they wanted on the final day at the Oval - victory by 118 runs, a last stirring send-off for the retiring Alastair Cook, and a record-breaking 564th Test wicket for James Anderson. But they were made to wait. And fret. The day lasted far longer than they might have liked, and there was a scary rhythm to it. Eerie quiet followed by a CRACK. The sound of mouths hitting the floor. Another CRACK. The beating of hearts against chests. CRACK. CRACK. CRACK. India came to the ground as the team that needed to survive 90 overs. But by tea, they were taking a proper stab at a target of 464. Nothing in the vicinity had ever been chased in the history of Test cricket. The equation read 166 off 33 overs, and there were two centurions at the crease. KL Rahul got there abandoning most of his caution. It had served him poorly in England, leading him to average 16 until the start of this Test. Attacking the ball, on the other hand, brought him 149 runs. Rishabh Pant might have come to the same conclusion after recording a 29-ball duck in Southampton. He reached his maiden Test hundred off only 117 deliveries, with a six over deep midwicket. India started to believe. Madness doesn’t begin to cover what they did in the 44.3 overs they were together, just as madness doesn’t begin to cover the ball that broke that 204-run partnership. Adil Rashid - for long the forgotten asset - ran in from around the wicket at the right-handed Rahul, and pitched the ball in the rough some three feet away from the line of the stumps. The batsman cleared his front leg and prepared to flick the ball away, except it spun. It spun viciously, ridiculously, and unbelievably to tip the bail down from the off stump. England were effectively a bowler short - Stuart Broad was on the field with strapping on his left side, a
Rishabh Pant brings up his maiden Test hundred with a six
souvenir from taking Jasprit Bumrah bouncer on the ribs - and it almost seemed like they were content to wait for the second new ball to make a play. Their two most prolific wicket-takers bowled only nine of the first 49 overs. The others resorted to bouncers - a strange tactic on a slow pitch. There were even times when Rahul batted without a slip. India had no pressure to deal with as they ransacked 131 runs at 4.37 per over in the middle session. But there was just too much time on the clock. And too many runs to go after. It all ended - in rather slapstick fashion with No. 10 farming the strike from No. 11, and two balls later getting his middle stump knocked back. Anderson roared in triumph - he had just deposed Glenn McGrath as the most prolific fast bowler in Test cricket - and ran into the arms of his team-mates. They asked him to lead them off the field, but he insisted that Cook should get that honour, and then choked up during an interview when asked if he would miss his mate. There was - realistically - only one winner possible after Cook and Joe Root had struck fairytale hundreds. But it was fun as Rahul and Pant made everyone think about what if. They got together at 121 for 5 with more than two sessions left to play. But both men took the match situation and smuggled it out of sight. Nobody who watched their partnership would
have realised that they were playing for the team that was behind in the match, and the series. Rahul launched fast bowlers over the top. The lack of pace in the pitch assisted him in fixing a problem against the inswinger, as did his adjusting his front foot stride, taking it down the pitch instead of across, and slowing down his bat-speed, at least while defending. But whenever there was width, he did not hold back. There was a six off Ben Stokes that was downright majestic, standing tall on the back foot and cutting the ball to smithereens. Pant looked special when he flayed spin along the ground, and weird when he hit in the air. He just puts so much into the swing that he literally falls over, meaning even his lofted drives over cover end up looking like skewed sweep shots. A much more proper rendition of it, over midwicket, crowned him the first Indian wicketkeeper to hit a century in England. These two were India’s top-scorers in the 2018 IPL. A few months on, they put on India’s highest partnership in a Test series in England. But the lower order could do only so much to mask a scorecard that once read 2 for 3. India’s biggest problem in this series - especially when it was alive - was a lack of runs from their top order. Rahul’s century comes as hope for the future, but it won’t quite wash over the fact that this team has once
Tough Lessons in Defeat Will Harden India: Kohli THE OVAL: India captain Virat Kohli has admitted that until and unless his team starts “capitalising” on important moments in matches where they have created pressure, and sustain it, they will not win Test series overseas. And the only way to create pressure, Kohli emphasised, was by starting a series well and not “warming up”, as India did after losing the winning advantage at Edgbaston on the fifth morning of the first Test, which they lost by 31 runs. “We need to start series well, we can’t warm up in to a series because the first Test is always crucial, and we need to make sure we are in the right frame of mind to be able to do all the things right to strike first,” Kohli said in the wake of his team’s 4-1 series defeat at The Oval. India, the No. 1-ranked Test team, had arrived with many pundits predicting their best showing in England in a decade, and with Kohli himself saying that his squad had the right balance compared to the previous touring teams lead by MS Dhoni, in 2011 and 2014, when India lost the series by 4-0 and 3-1 margins. Yet, India managed to win one Test this time too, the third in Nottingham, where a collective effort enabled them to stay in the series after consecutive defeats.
Shuttlers Advance to Japan Second Round
TOKYO: Ace Indian shuttler PV Sindhu had to toil hard even as Kidambi Srikanth and HS Prannoy scored easy victories to progress to the second round of their respective events at the Japan Open, on Tuesday. Third seed Sindhu had to sweat it out for 53 minutes before prevailing 2117 7-21 21-13 over unseeded local girl Sayaka Takahashi in her women’s singles opening round. Sindhu will next play Chinese Fangjie Gao, who defeated the other Indian in fray Jakka Vaishnavi Reddy 21-10 21-8. Having finished second-best yet again with a historic silver in the Asian Games, Olympic medallist Sindhu would be desperate to break the final jinx here. Sindhu has been outstanding with silver medals in all the major events this year — the Commonwealth Games, the World Championship and the Asian Games but the gold has been eluding the Indian for a while now. In men’s singles, Prannoy defeated current Asian Games gold medallist Jonathan Christie of Indonesia 21-18 21-17 while Srikanth got the better of Chinese Yuxiang Huang 21-13 21-15 in another first round match. While Prannoy will be up against Anthony Sinisuka Ginting of Indonesia in the second round, Srikanth will take on Vincent Wong Wing Ki of Hong Kong. Both Srikanth and Prannoy had suffered shock defeats in the second round of the Asian Games and the duo would be desperate to make amends. However, it was curtains for another Indian, Sameer Verma, who fought hard before going down 18-21 22-20 10-21 in another men’s singles opening round encounter. Meanwhile, it was a mixed outing for the Indian mixed doubles pairs as Satwiksairak Rankireddy and Ashwini Ponappa crashed out in the opening round even as the combination of Pranaav Jerry Chopra and N Sikki Reddy sailed into the next round. Ranikireddy and Ponappa were shown the door by second seeds Yilyu Wang and Dongping Huang of China 13-21 17-21, while Chopra and Reddy stormed into the second round with a 21-9 21-6 victory over Malaysian duo of Mathew Fogarty and Isabel Zhong.
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September 14, 2018
War for India Dominance to Spur More Billion-dollar Tech Deals NEW DELHI: India’s technology industry will see more billion-dollar acquisitions as the next big battleground for foreign Internet companies, according to boutique advisory firm Raine Group LLC. The e-commerce, financial technology and emerging media sectors will see strong deal activity, said Gaurav Mehta, the Mumbai-based country head at Raine, which advised on India’s two biggest tech deals this year. Companies have also started to see the logic of consolidation even in high-growth markets like India, Mehta said in an interview last month. Walmart Inc. agreed in May to buy control of Flipkart Online Services Pvt for $16 billion in the world’s biggest e-commerce takeover this year. Last month, billionaire Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc. agreed to invest in the owner of Indian digital payments leader Paytm. “The largest companies in the world are playing a very active role
in how the sector landscape evolves in India,” Mehta said. “M&A driven by more strategic, long-term factors is seeing record activity.” New York-based Raine — which focuses on tech, media and telecom deals — ranks fourth among advisers on takeovers involving Indian companies this year, the data show. Its investment arm, which runs private
equity and venture capital funds in addition to a hedge fund, has more than $2.5 billion of assets under management, according to its website. The boutique advisory firm, which opened its Mumbai office last year, advised one of Flipkart’s backers on the internet retailer’s sale to Walmart, data compiled by Bloomberg show. It also worked with an Indus Towers
Ltd. investor on the company’s merger with Bharti Infratel Ltd., which will create a $14.6 billion wireless infrastructure operator in the secondbiggest Indian tech deal this year. Global technology companies are being drawn to do deals in India as mobile internet penetration increases and digital payments boost consumer spending, Mehta said. “For a number of years, global strategics sat on the sidelines,” he said. The “realization is setting in that India is too strategic a market to be underweight.” The combination of a new bankruptcy law, a race for dominance in e-commerce and a record war chest at Asia-focused private equity funds has created unprecedented opportunity for dealmaking in the world’s fastest-growing major economy. The burst of activity is not only good news for investment bankers, it’s also helping to rid the Indian financial system of bad debt and modernize a retail sector that serves 1.3 billion people.
Bengaluru’s Ather Energy Begins Delivery of its Electric Scooters BENGALURU: After five years of being in existence, Bengalurubased startup Ather Energy Pvt. Ltd today delivered the first batch of its electric scooters from its Whitefield assembly plant to a select few customers in the city. Though the company launched the Ather 340 before the Ather 450, about 96% of the pre-orders was for the latter model—prompting deliveries of the Ather 450 first. Ather Energy expects to have by June 2019 6,000-8,000 bookings for its electric scooters from Bengaluru city alone. That’s higher than the 5,000 scooters it had originally planned to sell in the first 12 months after deliveries began. It had opened bookings in early June this year and has already sold out inventory for the rest of 2018-19. The company also plans to open its first experience store in Chennai by the second quarter of 2019 and is looking to expand to Hyderabad,
Pune and the National Capital Region (NCR) centred on Delhi by the end of 2019-20. Ather Energy had until now followed a strategy of focusing only on its home market and had planned to invest roughly $1 million to set up adequate charging infrastructure in
the city before it began deliveries. It has stressed over the years that the target is not to rapidly expand to every corner of the country, but rather develop the product well, lay down proper infrastructure and get the right audience for the Ather 450. Ather Energy—backed by India’s
largest two-wheeler maker Hero MotoCorp Ltd and US-based hedge fund Tiger Global Management— had raised seed funding from Flipkart co-founders Sachin Bansal and Binny Bansal in 2014. “As far as production goes, the low-hanging fruit right now is just to optimise and streamline the entire process,” said Tarun Mehta, founder and chief executive officer of Ather Energy. “Over the next six months that’s what we are going after. Post that if we need to add additional capacity, then we will take a different call. But right now, we are investing in supply chain, improving quality, and opening new service centres,” he added. To make it more convenient for people in the city to adopt EVs, the Bengaluru-based start-up also launched charging infrastructure under the name Ather Grid two weeks ago with an investment of around $1 million.
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Mahindra Faces US Probe After Chrysler Complaint NEW DELHI: A US regulator said on Tuesday it would launch an investigation into an off-road utility vehicle produced by Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd following a complaint by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV that it infringed upon the intellectual property rights of its Jeep design. The US International Trade Commission (ITC) said in a statement that it was launching a patent-related investigation into the India automaker’s ROXOR vehicle. The ITC said the complaint was related to the import and sale in the United States of certain motorized vehicles and components that Fiat Chrysler had alleged infringed on its trademarks. The agency said it would aim to complete its probe within 45 days. Representatives of Mahindra and Fiat Chrysler could not immediately be reached for comment. Last month, Mahindra said that Fiat Chrysler had filed a patent violation complaint with the ITC against the company and called the complaint without merit. Mahindra said that it and its North American unit had filed a public interest statement with the ITC and had begun proceedings in a Michigan court to enforce a design agreement that it had executed with Fiat Chrysler in 2009. Mahindra was seeking an injunction against Fiat Chrysler from proceeding with the complaint, it added. Fiat Chrysler had not made a monetary claim in the complaint but was seeking to block Mahindra Automotive from importing any parts or components into the United States that infringe upon Fiat Chrysler’s intellectual property rights, it said.
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INDO-AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2018 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
September 14, 2018 Wrap-3
INDO-AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2018 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
September 14, 2018
INDO-AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2018 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM