Friday, June 16, 2017 | Vol. 36, No. 24
$1
Indo American erican News
www.indoamerican-news.com Published weekly from Houston, TX
7457 Harwin Dr, Suite 262, Houston, TX 77036 713.789.NEWS (6397) • Fax: 713.789.6399 • indoamericannews@yahoo.com
Partnered & Syndicated with Times of India, Sulekha.com, Google, Yahoo & Bing
CRY America’s Annual Gala - Pledge 2017 P5
P3
Bonding over
Iftar!
Deputy Consul General Surendra Adhana (left) with Latafath Hussain at Iftar dinner hosted by the Consulate General of India, Houston, on Monday, June 12.
MITRA / CAMDEN TRAVEL Consolidators for Turkish Airlines and Asiana Airlines
We have completed 25 successful years 12375 Bissonnet, Ste. B Houston, TX 77099
We have special low fares on Emirates
WHOLESALER FOR S MAJOR AIR CARRIER • Emirates • Gulf Airways • Kingfisher • Singapore Airlines • Jet Airways • Sahara Airlines • Indian Airlines • Eva Airlines • Asiana Airlines • Qatar Airways • PIA • Air India • Royal Jordanian • China Airlines
281-530-3000, 1-888-811-LESS Emergency Contact 281-236-9475 Please call us to get these special fares
WHOLESALE CONSOLIDATOR OF QATAR & EMIRATES AIRLINES Call us for competitive and confirmed seats on all major cities in Texas to any city in India.Call us for Summer and December seats now
Last minute fares to Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi, Bangalore,
Calcutta and many more...
For Summer and December fares please call us now. www.faregurus.com/ camdentravel@aol.com
INDO-AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 2017 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
2
June 16, 2017
INDO-AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 2017 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
COMMUNITY
June 16, 2017
3
The Gourmet Iftar Feast @ The Consulate General of India, Houston
BY VANSHIKA VIPIN VARMA
HOUSTON: Iftar is one of the
religious observances of Ramadan and is often held in participation of a community, with people gathering together to break their fast. During the month of Ramadan, iftar gatherings picks up in the evening at several places across town. After the success of last year’s iftar dinner at the Consul General of India, Dr. Anupam Ray’s residence, an iftar dinner was hosted for the second year in a row this past Monday, on June 12, by the Consulate General of India, Houston. Last year’s attractive food spread was an iftar dinner to treasure. This year, the venue was moved to Consulate office located at 4300 Scotland Street. Around 120 people, including various dignitaries were
invited for this grand event. The lovely evening set in and everyone was greeted by Deputy Consul General Surendra Adhana and his wife Rajeshri Adhana. They played the perfect hosts along with their entire team at the Consulate. Dr. Anupam Ray was absent due to an emergency work at Washington DC. The much-anticipated event started at 7 pm. People greeted each other and mingled around as the time for iftar (8.22 pm) was advancing. Deputy Consul General Surendra Adhana delivered the keynote speech. He welcomed everyone and spoke highly about the importance of Muslim community in India. He also read a few lines from the speech delivered by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the occasion of Ramadan. Latafath Hussain, the founder and former president of Indian Muslims
Association of Greater Houston (IMAGH), was then invited over to speak and he welcomed and thanked everyone for attending. A special place upstairs was allocated for the namaz. The dignitaries in attendance included the City of Houston Council Member David Robinson, Consul General of Turkey Ferhat Alkan, Consul General of UAE Saeed Almheiri, Former Mayor Anise Parker, Ellen Goldberg, Murad Ajani, Malik Jamal, Nasruddin Rupani, Vijay Pallod, Hasu Patel, Col. Raj Bhalla, Dr. Maqbool Haq, Musa Dakri, Sam Merchant, and Faisal Momin apart from various other community leaders. Yasmeen Arya and Ravikanth Srigadde from the Consulate worked hard to organize the event, and ensured they leave no stone unturned to delight the guests. The chefs had
curated something special for everyone. Scrumptious iftar spread was served, relished and it surely helped calm taste buds. Prophet Muhammad is believed to have encouraged his followers to arrange iftar meals in whatever capacity possible. Thousands of Muslims have been organizing mass iftar programs worldwide since then. For many, iftar is not
INDO-AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 2017 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
only about food. It is the experience, the feeling of iftar that makes busy members of a family get together for a meal. The iftar dinner at the Consulate General of India, Houston was indeed a meal that brought together various people to enjoy the blessings of the Holy month and to thank the Al Mighty for His countless bounties.
4
June 16, 2017
INDO-AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 2017 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
COMMUNITY
June 16, 2017
5
Arjun Rampal & CRY: Safeguarding Child Rights! BY VANSHIKA VIPIN VARMA
SUGAR
LAND: CRY (Child Rights & You) America, a nonprofit organization, partners with grassroots level non-governmental organizations to uplift thousands of underprivileged Indian children denied of basic rights. CRY works across levels from direct action advocacy mobilizing public opinion to policy change. In the last two weeks, CRY America hosted its Annual Gala Dinners across Bay Area, Orange County, New York and Houston. The Houston Gala Dinner was hosted on Sunday, June 11 at the Sweetwater Country Club, Sugar Land. It was the 2nd Annual CRY Gala Dinner- Pledge 2017, and Arjun Rampal was the Celebrity Guest. Over 150 philanthropists and supporters joined in to aid this noble cause. The social hour began at 6:00 pm and while some got busy bidding at the silent auction, others had their eyes anxiously fixed on the aisle to greet their celebrity star as he would walk in. And then the handsome heartthrob Arjun Rampal walked in and made women go weak at their knees. The down to earth model, national-award winning actor and producer was generous enough to have everyone take pictures with him. As everyone proceeded towards the main hall, Emcees Rashi Vats of FOX TV and Pooja Lodhia of ABC TV kept the crowd engaged at the live auction, along with Houston Texans Cheerleaders by their side. The event kick-started with a cheery performance by Bollywood Shake dancers. The troupe rocked and twirled on songs like Om Shanti Om, Sooraj Dooba Hai and Dhanno, which were choreographed by Ruchika Dias as a tribute to Arjun Rampal. This was followed by playing the CRY song ‘Mera Bhi to Adhikar Hai’. This
Photos: Murali Santhana
wonderful song written by Javed Akhtar and composed by Aadesh Shrivastava lays importance on child rights. The heart touching song features eminent singers like Abhijeet, Sonu Nigam, Hariha-
R. SRINIVASAN AND COMPANY
15 Years of Solid and Trusted Experience Book Keeping & Tax Services Income Statements & Balance Sheets Filing of all individual Business Returns 1040, 1120, 1120S, 1065 Free Consultation
ran, Shaan, Alka Yagnik, Babul Supriyo, Shreya Ghoshal, Udit Narayan. The first speaker for the evening was Patrick Bocco, the fundraising manager of CRY America. He
BOOK KEEPING | PAYROLL | INCOME TAX Incorporations: C and S Corporations, LLC’s Sales Tax and Franchise Tax Returns Income Tax and Sales Tax Representation Payroll and Payroll Tax Returns
Cell: 832-877-9625 | Fax: 713-977-2221 | Email: acct77036@yahoo.com | web: www.asu2020.com 6666 Harwin Dr, Suite 335, Houston, TX 77036
began his presentation by sharing the video of a CRY project from Baran district in Rajasthan, India, which he himself had visited in 2016. He shared information on the work that CRY has been do-
ing in that region, and which was in line with CRY’s vision. Patrick then thanked everyone for attending this event and helping to raise awareness and funds. He did make a special mention about the sponsors and volunteers and stated, “CRY provides a holistic service model, touching all aspects of a child’s life. We are privileged to have so many donors and supporters, and in USA we have more than 25,000 donors and more than 2000 volunteers. CRY America supports more than 30 projects, some here in USA and mostly in India”. And finally, it was the moment everyone had been waiting for. Arjun Rampal took on the ‘ramp’ and urged everyone to open their hearts and wallets. He said, “It feels wonderful to be here in Houston. I was exhausted, but with the love that I am receiving from everyone here, I am fully energized”. He amused the ladies by offering them hugs and kisses, as he walked around the tables taking pictures with the donors. His act helped ensure that people donate to their hearts content, thereby making the live pledge drive successful along with Lipika Sharma (Fundraising Manager Global Operations, CRY India), and Dharam Bali (Advisory Board Member, Houston). Upon being asked ‘Why CRY?’ he mentioned, “I have two daughters and I would do anything for my kids and that is the same value that CRY has. I am happy to see people from my own country here and to see what they are doing so far away from home for the people back home”. Post this, an exclusive trailer of Arjun’s upcoming movie ‘Daddy’ was played. The movie, which releases worldwide on July 21, has Arjun playing the role of a gangster turned politician, and simultaneously donning the hat of a producer as well. Just CONTINUED ON PAGE 16
Indo American News (ISSN 887-5936) is published weekly every Friday (for a subscription of $40 per year) by IndoAmerican News Inc., 7457 Harwin Dr., Suite 262, Houston, TX 77036., tel: 713-789-6397, fax:713-789-6399, email: indoamericannews@yahoo.com. Periodical postage paid at Houston, Texas. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to Indo American News,7457 Harwin Dr., Suite 262, Houston, TX 77036
INDO-AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 2017 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
6
June 16, 2017
INDO-AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 2017 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
COMMUNITY
June 16, 2017
The Energizing Bharatnatyam & Kathak Dance Recital of Kusum Sharma’s Shri Natraj School of Dance
7
HOUSTON: On May 21, Kusum
Sharma’s Shri Natraj School of Dance presented a captivating afternoon of annual dance recital at University of Houston. The program was conceived and choreographed by school’s artistic director Kusum Sharma with the help of Shri Natraj volunteers and lead teachers Aparna Krishnan, Nithya Ram Krishnan, Runmee Barbara & Tanya Sharma. The students of Shri Natraj School of Dance performed several dance forms including Bharatnatyam, Kathak and Bollywood. The students varied in age from 4 years old to 40 years old. The audience was filled with friends and family as they watched the students perform. The show started at 3pm with a semi-classical dance as a praise to lord Ganesha. The talented dancers looked fabulous in their red and yellow costumes and they blew the audience away with their talent. Next in the line up was a classical Bharatnatyam dance on Pushpanjali, performed by beginner and intermediate girls and boys. Following this dance, the intermediate Bharatnatyam students performed gracefully on Mooshika Vahan, another tribute song to Ganesh ji. The performance was then followed by a kathak perfor-
mance by the 1st year students. They showcased their talents and what they had learned in the past year. All the students were wearing traditional attire which looked stunning. The 2nd year students then performed their piece and displayed their footwork with precision leaving the audience wanting more. They wore dazzling beautiful golden Kathak costumes with Ghungroos (foot bells). Both of the kathak performances had live tabla (by Chidanand), Harmonium (by Ram Sharma) & vocal (by Kusum Sharma & Jasoda Sharma). The next performance
was performed by the dance master Kusum Sharma herself.. She performed on two classical songs to showcase her talent in Bharatnatyam and Kathak, a unique combination that few dancers expertise in. Both performances were very much appreciated the audience who gave thundering applause on conclusion of the performances. Next the students of Shri Natraj School of Dance performed to a Bollywood medley. The medley contained various songs strung together and performed by different classes of students. Shyam Moorthy and Nithya Ram-Krishnan emceed the show and kept the audience entertained by asking questions about Ramleela among
DIVORCE
other things. Kusum Sharma is the director of the annual Ramlelela that takes place in Houston since 2005. This year Ramleela is scheduled for September 24 at VPSS Haveli. No programs can be successful without the tireless volunteers. Special thanks to Padma Ramchandani, Rashmi Narwani , Deepa Kheskhani, Dhawal Na-
Same Day Filing Capability If You Qualify
Crisis & Challenge ? Guiding Families at Crossroads Since 2002
* Child Custody ( When the best parent is the only parent) * Protective / Temporary Restraining Order * Free Consultation with Attorney * Divorce complete in 61 days
Receipt of BBB Gold Star Certificate for Outstanding Performnce
Michael G. Busby. Jr. (U.S.M.C. Veteran) Early Evening and Saturday Appointments Available Visit us at :
713-974-1151 / 800-DIVORCE ( Phones are answered 7 days a week)
www.busby-lee.com Principal Office:
2909 Hillcroft, Ste 350, Houston, Texas 77057 Harris and Surrounding Counties
INDO-AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 2017 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
shikkar, Adarsh Menon, Aparna Krishnan, Tanya Rashi Sharma, Gautam Narwani, Jigna, Virendar, Neena and Meena Bansal, Naren Narwani,Vinod Ramchandani, Aashi Sharma, Mythili Ramchandani, Pravin and Jyoti Vyas for making the recital a success and memorable program for everyone.
8
WORD SEARCH
June 16, 2017
Solve Word Search & the names of the winners will be published in our next issue
LAW OFFICES OF ZAINAB K. RIZVI DEDICATED DEPENDABLE & PERSONAL ATTENTION IMMIGRATION LAW Non Immigration and Immigrant Visa, Family & Employment Immigration. Citizenship/Naturalization, Asylum,VAWA
WILLS/TRUSTS
Power of Attorney, Estate Planning
BUSINESS FORMATION Partnerships, LLC, LLP
WE ALSO SPEAK URDU & HINDI CALL TODAY FOR FREE CONSULTATION
713-297-9131 www.zkrlaw.com
2425 WEST LOOP SOUTH SUITE 200, HOUSTON, TEXAS 77027 Principal office located in Houston, Texas
Find 8 teams of IPL 2017: • • • •
Delhi Daredevils Gujarat Lions Kolkata Knight Riders Kings XI Punjab
• • • •
Mumbai Indians Rising Pune Supergiants Sunrisers Hyderabad Royal Challengers
R���� �� W��: • Like us on Facebook, Indo-American News • Solve the Word Search puzzle • Email us the screenshot of our liked Facebook Page, and the solved puzzle at indoamericannews@yahoo.com • Email by Wednesday, June 21, 2017 • For first 3 entrees only, 1 submission per month, 1 per Household
For advertising contact: Vanshika Vipin
at 713.789.6397 INDO-AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 2017 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
COMMUNITY
June 16, 2017
9
NASA Scientist Dr. Kishen Kumar Inspires Sewa International’s Summer Interns BY AZRA FATIMA MIRZA
HOUSTON: On Saturday, June
10, the Sewa International Houston chapter welcomed its high school LEAD interns for the summer of 2017. To end the informative orientation, LEAD and GIH interns alike took part in an interesting lecture from NASA’s Dr. Kishen Kumar, who gave them valuable advice on the topic of motivation and life in general. Dr. Kumar kept the audience engaged throughout the lecture with his funny anecdotes, memorable experiences, and respected guidance. He explained thoroughly the concept of inspiration and discussed what inspires a person to be who they are and do what they do in the journey of life. He showed pictures of places he visited and mentioned concepts that related to astronomy and other scientific fields to give the audience the chance to look at issues through multiple lenses. His lecture was sprinkled with jokes and unique quotes by famous writers, scientists, and philosophers to enhance his presentation. Overall, Dr. Kumar executed a lecture that was not only extremely applicable in the everyday life of a person but provided inspiration to stay strong in whatever situation one may find himself in. Dr.Kishen Kumar Dr.Kishen
Kumar hails from Kashmir and has been associated with NASA
for the past 41 years.He has more than 17o0 publications to his credit
and has given more than 500 talks around the world.
INDO-AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 2017 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
Lead Houston is Sewa International’s Summer Internship Program for High School students. The interns participate for a min 50 hours of commitment that includes direct service in Volunteer events and Aspire tutorials and participate in lectures with Leading figures in the community. The Speakers are leaders from different fields like Business, Nonprofits, Media, Arts, Social works, etc. Lead Houston introduces socially conscious leadership to young adults. Our past speakers have been NASA scientists, Mayors, and Congressmen from the Greater Houston Area. Get Inspired Houston (GIH) is an internship program offered by Sewa International’s Houston chapter which allows young adults to explore and innovate new ideas geared towards the welfare of refugee communities. Over the past 8 years, GIH has provided a platform wherein young minds identify, create and implement projects which lead to social change in our community, all while working alongside a grass-root, non-profit organization. At the end of the eight-week internship, the Interns have a minimum of 140 hours of direct community interaction and 200 hours of experience of working with a non-profit.
10 June 16, 2017
COMMUNITY
NASA Scientist Dr. Kamlesh Lulla Honored with “Glorious India Award” by Consortium of NRI and India Businesses and Community Organization
HOUSTON: A large consortium of NRI
organizations, Indian business and commercial organizations and local Indian American communities organized a mega business and cultural show at the New Jersey Raritan Convention center on May 27-28, 2017. The consortium recognized and honored NRI achievers in various categories to highlight the contributions of IndoAmericans to various sectors of the United States economy, scientific and technical advancements and start-up companies. Dr Lulla was recognized for his lifelong contributions to space science and technologies and for promoting collaborations with research institutions.
Photo on left: Dr Lulla receiving “Glorious India Achievement Awa r d” fr om Mr. Bhagyesh Jha, IAS, former Secretary, State of Gujarat on May 27, 2017 at New Jersey convention center.
FIS Honors Judith Holt, Retiring from Houston Public Library
HOUSTON: Judith Hiott, Chief of the
Houston Area Library Automated Network (HALAN), a staunch supporter of the Foundation for India Studies (FIS), retired after 27 years of service with the City of Houston. Judith was honored at a retirement celebration at the Julia Ideson Building. FIS collaboration with HPL started way back in January 2007 in a special project called “World Languages Book Collection” then headed by Ms.Hiott. The project collected several hundred books from five Indian languages Hindi, Urdu, Bengali, Tamil and Telugu, which were procured from India. They are available at HPL’s Central Library for the public to borrow. The ties with HPL grew stronger and in March 2011 Ms. Hiott spearheaded HPL’s partnership agreement with FIS and had been HPL’s primary contact for the IndoAmerican Oral History Project which has seen completion of over 53 video interviews till now. They are digitally archived in HPL’s Houston Metropolitan Research Center. At the retirement celebration, FIS was represented by Board Member Mr. Kulwant Bhatia and Chairman, Mr. Krishna Vavilala, who spoke of Judith’s sincerity and support to FIS over the years and wished her the very best as she begins a new chapter in her life.
For Advertising in Indo-American News call:
713-789-6397 INDO-AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 2017 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
COMMUNITY
11
June 16, 2017
Huge Turnout at Greater Houston Tamil School Graduation Day 2017
Pradeep Sulhan, P.C.
Certified Public Accountant 14340 Torrey Chase Blvd. | Suite 110 | Houston, Texas 77014 (281) 583-2993 | (281) 580-8700 | Fax(281) 580-7550 www.sulhancpa.com | pradeep@sulhancpa.com
Over 25 years experience
GAURI SIDDHIVINAYAK TEMPLE For Any Ceremony Contact Pradip
Pandya 832 466 9868
Email: siddhivinayakhouston@gmail.com Website: www.siddhivinayakhouston.org
HOUSTON:
Greater Houston Tamil School (HTS) and its branches celebrated their Graduation Day on Saturday, May 27, at Pearland Junior High West School. It was indeed a memorable event with more than 900 people in attendance. HTS has grown to become the biggest Indian language school in southern United States with 450 students. HTS is run entirely by volunteers who are driven by their love and passion towards the Tamil language. HTS has six branches in the greater Houston area - Pearland, Katy, Sugar Land, West Houston, West Katy, and Woodlands. The program started with the traditional Tamil Thai Vazhthu (Tamil Prayer) and the national anthem of USA, followed by a welcome address by HTS President Karu. Manickavasakam. While pointing out that HTS was the first Tamil School to achieve accreditation, he also announced with great pleasure that the efforts put in by the volunteers and board members were helping in the growth of the school at an accelerated pace. Innovative cultural programs were presented by the students. Katy started with the Tamil epic ‘Silappathikaram’ and an agriculture related program. Woodlands and West Katy brought entertainment aspect to the celebrations with their skit about a T.V show
and a mashup of different songs, respectively. West Houston and Sugarland schools presented thought provoking plays about water conservation, agriculture, cleanliness and sustainability. Finally, Pearland came up with a nice portrayal of different speaking styles at different locations of Tamil Nadu in a hilarious way. The Annual Report was presented by HTS Secretary Sangeetha Neelagandan. She pointed out the start of the sixth branch at West Katy and also the successful accreditation of Sugar Land and West Houston branches. The Financial Report was presented by the Treasurer Dhamu Narayanan. Advisory Council member Jagan Annamalai then informed the audience about the approval of Houston ISD to award high school LOTE credits to HTS students on a case by case basis and also about HTS efforts to get Texas Education Agency to create a high school course code for Tamil language. Advisory Council member Gopal Krishnan explained the rationale behind the recent formation of Greater Houston Tamil School Sangam. Muthu Natarajan then talked about upcoming Sangam events. The chief guest of the celebration was Professor. Vasu Renganathan, Dept. of South Asia Studies, University of Pennsylvania. He
mentioned that he was thoroughly impressed by the performances of the kids. He also mentioned that the Houston Tamil community was taking the language to the next generation in a fantastic way and urged the community to continue their support. He released the HTS Malar which was received by Advisory Council member Gopal Krishnan. The chief guest was honored with a memento by our ex-Treasurer Professor. R. Radhakrishnan. The chief guest also awarded trophies to administrators, teachers and other volunteers. A video presentation by Joint Secretary Balaji Lakshmanan capturing poignant moments during the academic year got rapturous support from all the students. The much awaited student award ceremony followed. The students proudly came on to the stage and received their awards from their teachers. HTS Vice President Venkat Ponnusamy then thanked all the volunteers who worked tirelessly to make the event a grand success. The celebrations concluded with a wonderful dinner catered by Annam. The proud parents and grandparents left the venue praising the efforts of the children and the volunteers.
GAURI SIDDHIVINAYAK TEMPLE
Shri Lakshmi Puja Hindu Wedding Markand Puja Engagement Shri Ganpati Puja Simant Laghu Rudra Vastu Shanti Mundan Sanskar Navchandi Puja Shanti Havan Shri Gayatri Havan Shri Satyanarayan Puja 5645 Hillcroft Ave. Suite 701 Houston, TX 77036 | TIMINGS 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Sugar Land Ballroom g❁ Parkin mple ❁A
F Dance
o Highway 59 & 90 ❁ S loor ❁ Close t eating
Ask for special package price ! 869 Dulles Ave. Stafford, TX 77477
Capac it
y: 3 5 0
Peop le
Contact: Gopal Aggarwal
281-827-8199
Have you planned for your future? People don’t plan to Fail, They Fail to Plan
To plan your future, contact:
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
INDO-AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 2017 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
smru#1711530
12 June 16, 2017 HR Benefits Broker RFP Convention and Cultural Services, Inc. is pleased to issue this Request for Proposals (“RFP”) from experienced benefit-plan brokers capable of effectively managing benefit plan costs while simultaneously meeting the needs of its employees.
COMMUNITY
Congressman Pete Olson Presents Certificate of Congressional Recognition to Seva Clnic
RFP documents are available online at
www.houstonfirst.com/do-business Questions should be submitted by email to
bids@houstonfirst.com
Less Stress? Greater Clarity? Peace of Mind? Brain Wave Optimization
Island BrainWorks Call for our $99 Intro Special Today! 713-299-2277 | 409-599-7268
www.islandbrainworks.com | info@islandbrainworks.com Galveston, TX
Congressman Pete Olson with Mayor Reid, leaders of Memorial Hermann and members of Seva Clinic
HOUSTON:
Honorable congressman Mr. Pete Olson visited Seva Clinic in Pearland at 5.30 pm on Monday, June 5th, 2017. He presented a Certificate of Congressional Recognition to Dr. P. Vaduganathan who organized the clinic. This is the first charity clinic in Pearland. About 25 people attended the brief event, which included Hon-
orable Mayor Tom Reid, board members, doctors, nurses of the Seva Clinic and leadership team from Memorial Hermann Southeast. The clinic which was inaugurated on June 1st, 2017 is a general medical clinic and is open every Thursday between 5.30 pm and 7.30 pm for the people in need in the Pearland area. The clinic is lo-
cated in the building of Pearland Neighborhood Center, 2335 N. Texas Ave, Pearland, TX 77581. The clinic is staffed by volunteer physicians and nurses. Honorable congressman Olson commended all the medical professionals and volunteers who selflessly volunteer their time and effort to serve the community.
International Day of Yoga to be Celebrated in The Woodlands, June 24, 2017 BY BETH KULKARNI & NEETA SHUKLA
T
For Advertising in Indo-American News call:
713-789-6397
HE WOODLANDS : The Hindu Temple of The Woodlands “Education Youth and Service” (EYS) yoga group is sponsoring the International Day of Yoga (IDY) in the very beautiful Town Green Park (2099 Lake Robbins Dr., The Woodlands, TX 77780. The event will be held on Saturday, June 24, 2017. The Government of India is encouraging these IDY
events throughout the world. Due to the hot weather in Texas in July, the IDY event will be from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. It will begin with live music and chanting by the Art of Living group, followed by Raja Yoga Meditation by Mark Ram. Besides group participation in yoga, including Surya Namaskar, there will be booths with information about yoga in The Woodlands and Greater Houston area, yoga books for sale, and a free Indian-style breakfast. Many volunteers will be available to assist those attending the IDY, ranging from enthusiastic youngsters (with their parents) to committed older adults. The idea for sponsoring the International Day of Yoga in The Woodlands came last July when many members of the EYS Yoga Group attended the IDY event in Discovery Park in downtown Houston. They, including overall coordinator Dr. Neeta Shukla, knew that The Woodlands is a community that supports events promoting heath and that the EYS group of the Hindu Temple of The Woodlands had the talent and orga-
INDO-AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 2017 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
nizational skills needed for such an event. So, the first community event away from the premises of the temple will be held June 24, 2017, benefitting more than 1,000 expected attendees. The EYS Yoga Group’s mission is to promote a healthy way of life within the community, aiming for a life which is free of illness and suffering, either physical and mental. In addition to this event, the group sponsors free yoga classes with five classes a week and nearly 250 classes a year. For more information, contact yogahtw@gmail.com. To register, visit https://idy2017houston. eventbrite.com.
COMMUNITY
June 16, 2017
13
What is the Significance of the Yoga Poses in Surya Namaskar?
BY RAJ & KRISHAN GUPTA
HOUSTON:
The International Day of Yoga (Antarāshtriya Yoga Divas) is celebrated annually on June 21 since its inception in 2015. The day was declared unanimously by the United Nations General Assembly on December 11, 2014 and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his UN address, suggested June 21, as it is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and shares special significance in many parts of the world. On this day, Surya Namaskar - “Surya” means “Sun” and “Namaskar” means “to bow down” or “Salutation to the Sun”- is performed throughout the world. It is an exercise sequence, which has both the physical and the spiritual aspects. Physically, it involves a series of yogic postures, which provide the body with complete exercise in which virtually all the parts of the body, including the thoracic and abdominal organs are exercised and rejuvenated with vitality. Spiritually, Surya Namaskar is a method of propitiating the SunGod and enjoying His blessings and helps to progress meditation, a sharp intellect, sound health, and acquisition of spiritual wisdom. Surya Namaskar consists of three
important elements - body postures, breathing, and incantations or mantras - each of which needs to be carefully attended to for maximum possible benefits. The logical conclusion is that the Sun is the life or energy source for this planet and is an element in everything we eat, drink or breathe. The Earth and the Moon are significant in the way they affect life, but the Sun is the source of all energy and when one is in tune with the cycles of the Sun, physical health, well-being, vitality, and energy are all yours. Solar energy is fundamental, even within your body. Your body maintains a certain temperature and it generates heat upon this planet – whether in the form of life or in the form of inanimate material – and all of it is solar energy, finding its expression in many different ways. Surya Namaskar is therefore a process to harness this solar energy within you so that your physical cycles become in sync with the Sun’s cycles of twelveand-a-quarter years. So it is by design there are twelve different body postures in Surya Namaskar, which is best done at sunrise. It signifies the twelve signs of zodiac through which the passage of the Sun results in the formation of the twelve months of a year.
This exercise involves six postures in one direction and another six in the other, which mark the return to the original position. It is virtually equivalent to the Sun traversing six signs of the zodiac to give rise to one ‘Ayana’ of six months and returning through another six signs to give rise to another Ayana, thus constituting the Northerly course and Southerly course. The completion of a cycle of Northerly and Southerly brings the sun back to its original position from where the next solar cycle starts. Inhalation, exhalation, or retention should be natural during various postures. It requires some extra attention in the beginning to be able to synchronize the breathing with the physical posture. With practice, the sequence of posture
and breathing will get integrated and appear natural. Obviously, the best results from the practice can only be expected when the posture and the breath proceed in harmony. These postures help tone the muscles and can relax the system and meditative if done at a slower pace. If done fast, it provides a good cardiovascular workout. Regular practice of Surya Namaskar improves the functions of the heart, liver, intestine, stomach,
chest, throat, and legs – basically, the whole body. The process purifies the blood and improves blood circulation throughout the system and ensures proper functioning of the stomach, bowel, and nerve centers. Practicing Surya Namaskar daily also helps balance the three constitutions – Vata (Space & Air), Pitha (Fire & Water) and Kapha (Water & Earth) – that the body is made up of, according to Ayurvedic science.
Ranked #95 among top 100 active SBA lenders nationwide for FYE 2016. Source www.sba.gov
KATY SUGARLAND KINGWOOD
www.THEMINT.bank
Prompt, Courteous Service & Competitive Rates
THE WOODLANDS
SPECIALIZING IN BUSINESS LOANS We Understand the Financing Needs of Small Business Owners • Small Business Administration Loans (SBA Lending) • Owner Occupied Commercial / Real Estate Loans • Convenience Stores, Retail / Franchise, Working Capital Loans • Doctors, Dentists, Lawyers • Daycare Centers • Software / IT Companies
Call NISHA SMITH (281) 359 - 6468, Ext. 1141 or (281) 250 - 5311
• Distribution / Manufacturing, Equipment Financing
Nisha.Smith@themintbank.com INDO-AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 2017 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
14 June 16, 2017 BY DANIELA GINTA
Most people think of their home
as their oasis, a protected space to relax in after a long day. Yet depending on the activities we perform while at home, the air inside could be less clean than we think. Health hazards According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 4.3 million people die every year from exposure to indoor air pollution as a result of cooking with solid fuels. While that might not be a problem in Canada, air pollution—indoors and outdoors—increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and chronic respiratory problems in children and adults. There are many activities that we perform on a daily basis—and products that we own—that increase the number and concentration of indoor pollutants, such as • carbon monoxide from tobacco smoke and fireplaces • formaldehyde from new carpets and furniture • nitrogen dioxide from cooking on gas stoves • particulate matter from fireplace soot or aerosol cans • toxic metals such as lead from metal-core candle wicks • flame retardants in couches and televisions • bisphenol A (BPA) in plastics and plastic water pipes Whether we realize it or not, we
Indoor Pollution
LIFESTYLE
What causes it and how to reduce it spend most of our time indoors. Young children can spend as much as 90 percent of their time indoors, being constantly exposed to pollutants that can increase their risk of allergies and asthma. Cooking Cooking oil fumes may contain a mixture of carcinogenic compounds such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, benzene, and formaldehyde, which can cause DNA and lipid damage . These chemicals can also irritate the airway mucosa (mucous membrane). Don’t stop cooking though! Home cooking is preferable to eating out, but choose healthy options such as poaching, steaming, or eating foods raw instead of frying, sautéing, or broiling food at high temperatures. Solution Cook with your windows open or, if you use a gas stove, invest in a venting range hood. Avoid frying foods at high temperatures. Instead, steam your veggies in a pan, then drizzle with organic olive oil before serving. Add fresh herbs for a zesty taste. Burning candles They add a nice glow to the room, making it look festive or romantic, but unless candles are made of pure beeswax or soy, they
also give off benzene, toluene, and other light aromatic hydrocarbons. If using fragranced candles or perfumed air fresheners, there is an added burden of endocrinedisrupting phthalates too. Solution If you love burning candles, stick to beeswax or soy. They may be slightly more costly, but they have notable benefits: they burn clean and last longer, smell nice naturally, and are made from renewable resources. Burning wood Small particulate matter is one of the biggest health threats when it comes to indoor air, and is caused by burning wood, smoking, cooking, and sweeping which suspends dust particles in the air. Particulate matter is also generated outdoors. Think pollen, pesticide residue, and vehicle exhaust. The small size of particulate matter allows it to penetrate airways and go further into the cells, causing an inflammatory reaction and oxidative stress. Solution Open windows as often as possible. If you have pets and allergyprone family members, consider installing an air purifier with a HEPA filter and removing carpets. If you have a wood-burning stove
or fireplace, make sure your chimney is cleaned regularly and your heat source is functioning properly to reduce indoor smoke exposure. At the office At the office, new furniture and carpets come at a cost, literally and otherwise. Pressed wood furniture; paper products; office equipment including printers, photocopiers, and computers; paints and varnishes all increase the concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde, benzene, and toluene in the working space. In many newly designed buildings, windows cannot be opened, which can result in poor ventilation and a lack of fresh air. Years of research conducted at NASA showed that plants can be effective chemical removers and they seem to work best in areas where there is little open-window ventilation. Solution
INDO-AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 2017 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
Go green. Fill the space with aircleaning plants to help reduce the concentration of toxic substances, such as spider plants, bamboo palm, rubber plants, and Dracaena. When outfitting an office, look for green furniture and less polluting electronic devices, and reduce the use of plastic, a major source of off-gassing, as much as possible. Dust busters • Controlling house dust is one of the best ways to prevent and manage respiratory disease. • Clean often using a HEPA filter-equipped vacuum cleaner. • Open the windows often, especially when you cook, clean, or have TV or computers on. • Wash bedding once a week in hot water to kill dust mites. • Remove dust using a damp cloth at least once every few days. • De-clutter your home to reduce surface areas that attract dust. -Alive.com
June 16, 2017
INDO-AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 2017 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
15
16 June 16, 2017
COMMUNITY
Sanatan Dharam Mandir, Maha Sabha to Celebrate 4th Annual Indian Arrival Day
BY ARITI JANKIE
HOUSTON: Preparations are in
full swing for the fourth annual Indian Arrival Day celebration to be held on June 25th at the Sanatan Dharam Mandir from 7.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. Organized by the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha, Branch 377 and the Sanatan Dharam Mandir, the celebration brings together a dynamic second diaspora that adds
its vibrant cultural charms to the thriving cosmopolitan city life. Their ancestors left India during an Indian indenture system in which 3.5 million Indians were transported to various colonies of European powers to provide labor for the (mainly sugar) plantations. It started from the end of slavery in 1833 and continued until 1920. Dharam Vishal Chatoor, President of the SDMS, said that a compassionate culture developed
from the bondage endured by the Indians. Indian Arrival Day, he said nourished the root that kept the community mainly from the Caribbean flourishing. “Our ancestors left India emptyhanded like most of us who arrived in Texas. We moved with faith and hope like them and are no strangers to sacrifice and hard work. Our parents and grandparents were contented. They strived to provide a better life for us just as we are doing for our children,” he said. Indian Arrival Day is celebrated May 30 in Trinidad and Tobago commemorating the arrival of the first Indian Indentured laborers from India to Trinidad, in May 1845, on the ship Fatel Razack. Guyana celebrates on May 5 while in Fiji May 14 is observed as Girmit Day. In 2014, the two mandir groups got together to share in the spirit of arrival by recounting the lessons learnt from humble backgrounds. Several prominent community members were honored and cultural performers were given the opportunity to showcase their talents. Since then, the celebrations have grown with each passing year. Pundit Sais Narain, who was born in Guyana and heads the SD mandir, said that coming together to remember and share a common history has been empowering. “It gives us a moment to reflect and be thankful for all that we have received,” he said. Jasoda Sharma, a cultural icon and coordinator of the Houston Girmit festival, said that people of Indian origin remained whole through an oral tradition that continues till today. She said, “We share what we have and give all that we know to our youth for safe keeping and by so doing we continue to enrich new generation with greater community spirit and human kindness.” Bhajan singer, Shomie Ramprasad said that life in Houston fulfilled her dreams, but left her culturally starved until she found others like her whose inner strength lay in old traditions and cultural values handed down from one generation to another. “I look forward to Indian Arrival Day every year and experience a special bond with those who share CONTINUED FROM PAGE
5
as the ladies were settling down to Arjun’s charismatic aura, a live skype call was telecast with Dr. Rolee Singh, the Program Director of Dr. Shambhunath Singh Research Foundation (SRF), from Varanasi. The call agenda was to discuss their project in India. Scrumptious dinner followed next, along with a live singing session by Malika Ghei, who got everyone dancing the night away. Some of the items auctioned were a guitar autographed by all mem-
The Sanathan Dharam Mandir located off South Post Oak on Players Road
Photo from last year’s event. A skit was performed showing how the Indians were tricked into going across the waters and later, after their arrival, mistreated by British agents
a common heritage,” she said. Public Relations Officer of SDMS, Fiji-born Ram Sharma, felt that remembrance brought relief to participants as it helped them to appreciate the strides they have made. “We try to be worthy of our noble ancestors and in so doing are more humble and compassionate to the sufferings of others,” he said. This year, the National Council of Indian Culture in Trinidad has shown interest in the Houston festival and will send representation to join in the celebrations. NCIC Public Relations officer, Surujdeo Mangaroo said that his heart swells with pride to see how well the cultural traditions has been transported to take its place in new cities like Houston. “A common history binds us together as one family and I look forward to joining this dynamic group in celebration,” he said. Tassa drummers, folk singers, musicians and dancers will showcase aspects of an ancient abiding culture that kept them whole through the first and second diaspora since leaving India more
than a hundred years ago. The festival also focus on a history of food that began with bare sustenance among the indentured ancestors and developed into world class dishes compared and shared across the globe. The celebration starts at 7.00 a.m. with a short dance/walk around the mandir. Participants will take their seat in a circle to talk about the old days. This year the talk will revolve on the things that influenced them the most. The program continues with pooja by Pundit Sais, followed by an inaugural lighting of the lamp, an invocational dance by Amrita Chatterpal, followed by folk songs of the ancestors by Sharma, two dance items by students of Kusum Sharma’s Shri Natraj School of Dance, feature address by Chatoor and the presentation of awards to community workers, tassa drumming, a photographic display by Shashi Beharry and more dances and songs that shows appreciation of ancestral gifts. Both breakfast and lunch, prepared by the mandir devotees, will be served.
Arjun Rampal & CRY bers of the Rolling Stones, a photograph autographed by all the actors that played James Bond, a bat autographed by the Indian Captain Sourav Ganguly, along with a few other designer pieces. The dinner committee included Dharam Bali, Mousumi Banerjee, Tyna Pariani, Ruchika Singh Dias, Sunil Srivastava and Indira Bhavaraju. Chef Sunil Srivastava designed the palatable menu. The local event sponsors included Vantive Inc, Amir Dodhiya
INDO-AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 2017 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
of New York Life, and Volterra Energy. DJ Sage, Ray and Abiya Malhotra from Sage Productions rocked the event with their DJ & Light services. The photography was taken care of by Murali Santhana, while media support was provided by Meena Datt, Radio Dabang, Masala Radio, IndoAmerican News, Voice of Asia, TV Asia, FOX TV, and ABC TV. For more information: visit http://america.cry.org or write to support@cryamerica.org
DIASPORA
Indian student shot at in California out of danger, govt following up case with US police: Sushma Swaraj
June 16, 2017
17
12 Indian-origin MPs in House, Keith Vaz Returns for 8th Term LONDON: A record 12 Indian-
NEW DELHI: External Affairs
Minister Sushma Swaraj said on Thursday that the government is following a case with the US police about an Indian man who was shot at in California. In a series of tweets, Swaraj said she has received a report from Indian Consulate in San Francisco that an Indian man identified as Mubeen Ahmed, who was working at a gas station in California, was shot at by a gunman. “I have received the report from our Consulate in San Francisco. The victim Mubeen Ahmed works at a gas station. A gunman demanded money from Mubeen and then fired at him,” she tweeted. “He is admitted in the Eden Medical Centre CA. Fortunately Mubeen is now out of danger. We are following up the case with the police,” she said. According to reports, 26-year-old Ahmed, a native of Telangana, had
gone to the United States in February 2015, to pursue his Masters course in a university. He had completed the course two months ago and was doing a temporary job at a private store. Tweeting on a separate issue, Swaraj said the government has taken up with the Canadian High Commission the visa issue of Indian badminton players, who are scheduled to play in Canada at the Yonex Open. “We took up the matter with Canadian High Commission. I am happy you will participate in the Yonex Canada Open,” Swaraj tweeted after badminton player Sikki Reddy said the players were struggling to get a Canadian visa. “Hi Mam, this is sikki reddy badminton player. We all players have applied canada visa for the yonex canada open,” Reddy had tweeted on Wednesday. -timesofindia.com
origin MPs won seats in the House of Commons after a tense night of UK election+ in which no party won a majority. All 10 sitting Indian-origin MPs+ held on to their constituencies whilst two Indian-origin first-timers made it to the House. International development secretary Priti Patel, 45, of UgandanGujarati heritage, retained her seat in Witham, a working-class heartland, with a comfortable majority of 18,646. Agra-born Alok Sharma, 49, former minister for Asia Pacific, clung on to Reading West in a tight race against Labour, but saw his majority slashed to 2,876 from 6,650. Rishi Sunak, 37, son-in-law of Infosys co-founder N R Narayana Murthy , swept to a resounding victory in wealthy rural Richmond in Yorkshire with an increased majority of 23,108. Suella Fernandes, 37, held on to Fareham with a slightly reduced majority of 21,555 and Conservative backbencher Shailesh Vara, 56, kept his North West Cambridgeshire seat with a majority of 18,008. Labour, too, kept its five Indianorigin MPs. Britain’s longest-serving British Asian MP, Keith Vaz, 60, had no problem holding onto Leicester East with an increased majority of
22,428, fending off two Indian-origin candidates, Sujata Barot and Nitesh Dave. Vaz’s sister, 62-year-old Valerie Vaz, retained Walsall South with an increased majority of 8,892. India-born Virendra Sharma also won decisively, increasing his majority to 22,090 in Ealing Southall, home to one of the largest South Asian communities. Lisa Nandy , a 37-year-
INDO-AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 2017 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
old Bengali, was the only Asian face standing in Wigan in Greater Manchester and she got an increased majority of 16,027. Seema Malhotra, 44, won Feltham and Heston, an area popular with Punjabis, with an increased majority of 15,603, a constituency she has held since 2011. -timesofindia.com
18 June 16, 2017
South Asia Cup?
T
he ICC Champions Trophy semifinal stage is going to be a subcontinental affair with India, Bangladesh and Pakistan vying for top honours along with hosts England. It was there that the game originated, but these days all and sundry like to do an Ashis Nandy facelifting of the facts, that cricket is a South Asian game accidentally discovered by the English. Even from Cardiff to Edgbaston it’s been people of South Asian origins who have been filling the stands. The tournament of course has delivered lots of drama and surprises, with the two teams that played the 2015 ODI World Cup final (Australia and New Zealand) being the first to exit and the top-ranked ODI team (South Africa) being beaten by the lowestranked (Pakistan). Now the prospect of an Indo-Pak final has fans salivating. But really the task of predicting a winner or even the finalists remains tougher than ever due to volatile performances. Pakistani bowling looked ineffective against India but decimated South Africa. The Indian side that crushed Pakistan convincingly looked ordinary while being made to eat humble pie by Sri Lanka. Bangladesh’s spirited batting performance against New Zealand gave them a semifinal berth and they look all fired up to avenge their 2015 World Cup quarterfinal loss against the fancied Indians at Edgbaston tomorrow. It is England however which has impressed everyone by winning all their three pool matches comfortably. A diverse and multicultural England has also provided a great setting for the tournament. The good-natured joke goes that if the Brits hadn’t invaded us, the semifinal play with Indians, Pakistanis and Bangladeshis wouldn’t have happened. Champions Trophy is now truly headed for a reunion of the batch of 1947. -Times of India
EDITORIAL/COMMENTARY Engaging an Inward Looking US
BY RAJA MANDALA
As he heads to the White House
later this month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a two-fold challenge. One is to preserve the gains in the bilateral relationship with the United States over the last two decades. The other is to find ways to cope with the unprecedented turbulence in America following the election of Donald Trump as the president last November. All of the recent predecessors of Modi and Trump — from Rajiv Gandhi to Narasimha Rao and Atal Bihari Vajpayee to Manmohan Singh in Delhi and Barack Obama, George Bush and Bill Clinton in Washington — have contributed to the transformation of India-US relations. In India, Modi devoted great personal and political energies to advance the partnership with the US. Even more important, Modi had sought to end India’s long-standing ambivalence towards America by bringing a sense of self-assurance and realism to Delhi’s engagement with Washington. As he told the US Congress during his visit to Washington last summer, India’s “historic hesitations” in engaging America are now over. Having brought India out of its defensive shell, Modi now finds he must deal with an America that is retreating into one. Trump’s unexpected victory in the last presidential elections has pushed the United States onto a trajectory very different from the one that the world had got accustomed to since the middle of the 20th century. In Washington, large sections of the political elite and the permanent establishment are yet to reconcile with the surprise result of the 2016 election. Trump’s personal and political styles have also contributed to the deepening of a rare political schism in Washington. As the old policymarkers in Washington disappear, Modi must devise a new map to navigate Trump’s America. The traditional props that have framed India-US relationship over the last two decades — including those on shared democratic values and a common interest in Asian balance of power — can no longer provide an effective guidance to the
Trump era. Delhi has been wise to set a modest ambition to Modi’s visit — of building a personal rapport with Trump. But the PM’s talks with Trump will also be critical in shaping India’s long-term national strategy in the emerging multipolar world. The PM’s recent travels in Europe and Central Asia have already seen some first Indian steps in responding to Trump’s impact on Eurasia. But getting America right at a moment when it is changing at home remains India’s highest priority. The quest for a multipolar world has been one of the central themes of India’s foreign policy since the end of the Cold War. Although the rhetoric was all about multipolarity, the practice of the presumed partners in this enterprise — Beijing, Moscow and Delhi — was all about improving ties with the sole super power in Washington. Put another way, “multipolarity” was the insurance against potential problems with the “unipolar” moment. It was about creating some political leverage in their engagement with the United States. The rapid rise of China, the assertion of Russia and the broader diffusion of power in the international system in the 21st century have indeed been chipping away at the unipolar moment. But what hastened the multipolar moment is America’s internal political churn that propelled a rank outsider like Trump into the White House. Although China, Russia and India were eager to see limits on American power, none of them has been prepared for the prospect of American retrenchment. Trump’s surprise victory may have been inconsequential for Europe and
Indo American News FOUNDER: DR. K.L. SINDWANI PUBLISHER: JAWAHAR MALHOTRA EDITOR: PRAMOD KULKARNI BUSINESS & PRODUCTION MANAGER: VANSHIKA VIPIN VARMA GRAPHIC DESIGN: BHUMI PARMAR OFFICE ASSISTANT: MANSI THAKKAR CORRESPONDENTS
CHICAGO: NAND KAPOOR 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, JUNE 16, 2017 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
Asia if he had stuck to the establishment world view. But his victory was in part due to his very questioning of the cost benefit calculus of America’s expansive global role and the much vaunted Washington’s leadership of the liberal international order. Trump has challenged the value of America’s Eurasian military alliances and demands that the allies do more if they want American protection. Trump has argued that the globalist policies of the US — from promoting free trade to mitigating climate change — have come at the expense of American workers. Trump has also declared that he is pulling America out of the business of promoting universal values and intervening in the internal affairs of other nations. Ever since the Second World War, India had to deal with US internationalism. Under Trump, Delhi must learn to cope with American nationalists, who are asking “what’s in it for me?”. Since the end of the Cold War, Delhi has craved for a multipolar world. Thanks to Trump, its wish has come true. Modi’s task in Washington is to get Indian diplomacy adapt to these twin changes in America. In the seven decades since India’s independence, it was Washington that set the agenda for bilateral relationship. With Trump, Delhi must figure out what it wants from America and what it is prepared to give in return. For many in Delhi this will be an awkward strategic moment. Modi, though, might want to see it as a historic opportunity to take the initiative and shape the terms of a new relationship with America. The writer is director, Carnegie India, Delhi and contributing editor on foreign affairs for ‘The Indian Express’
THE STORY OF GANDHI
June 16, 2017
19
The Extraordinary Life and Times of Mahatma Gandhi - Part 3
T
Gandhi in South Africa
he story thus far: Gandhi, having studied well and completed his law degree in England, returns to India. He misses England but is happy to be reunited with his family. He begins practicing law in Rajkot. Upon return to India, Gandhi started to practice law in Rajkot, but he was soon deeply disgusted at the greed and dishonesty of many of his fellow professionals. After some time, he got an offer to work in South Africa from Dada Abdulla & Co who owned big business concerns there. He was to be a legal adviser to the firm that had filed a lawsuit against another company seeking damages of 400,000 dollars. They hired Gandhi for his fluency in the English language and his knowledge of English law. He was contracted for one year and was promised a substantial salary and first class passage to South Africa. The lure of seeing a different country and meeting new people piqued Gandhi’s interest. He accepted the offer, even though it was difficult to be apart from his wife and young son. In April 1893 he left Bombay for South Africa. He reached the port of Natal at the end of May 1893. In South Africa, he noticed that Indians were treated with little respect. They were called “coolies”, a derogatory term. Within a week of his arrival, he visited the court with Abdulla Seth of Dada Abdulla & Co. No sooner had he sat down that the magistrate pointed his plump finger at him and said “You must remove your turban”. Gandhi was surprised. He looked around. There were several Muslim and Parsi men wearing turbans. He could not understand why he was being singled out. “I see no reason why I should remove my turban. I refuse to do so,” said Gandhi. When the magistrate insisted that he remove his turban, Gandhi walked out of the court. Abdulla Seth ran after him and caught him by the arm. “You don’t understand,” said Seth. “These white people consider Indians inferior and address them as coolie or sami. Parsis and Muslims are allowed to wear turbans as the turban is thought to have religious significance,” added Seth. “The magistrate insulted me,” Gandhi said angrily. “Any such rule is an insult to a free man. I shall write at once to the Durban Press to protest such insulting rules.” And Gandhi did write. The letter was published and it led to unexpected debate and discussion. At the same time, some other papers described Gandhi as a troublemaker
and unwelcome visitor. After a week in Durban, he left for Pretoria to attend to the case for which he was engaged. With a first class ticket, he boarded the train. At the next stop, an Englishman got into the compartment. He was traveling to Pretoria too, in the first class compartment. He looked at Gandhi with contempt and called the conductor. “Take this coolie out and put him in a lower class!” he ordered. The conductor turned to Gandhi and said, “Hey Sami, come along with me to the next compartment.” Insulted, Gandhi refused to move saying that he had purchased a first class seat and was entitled to be there. The conductor called a policeman who pushed him off the train with his bag and baggage. The train left and Gandhi spent the night shivering in
the cold. This incident changed the whole course of his life. He decided to fight all such injustices. He sent a note of protest to the general manager of the railways, but the official only supported the rail employees. More trouble was in store for him. The next morning, he went to Charlestown by train. He had now to travel by a stagecoach to Johannesburg, but he was not allowed to sit inside the coach with white passengers. To avoid confrontation Gandhi sat outside on the coach-box behind the coachman. After some time the conductor asked him to sit on a dirty sack on the step below. Gandhi refused. The conductor began to pull him down and beat him. At this time, some of the passengers came to Gandhi’s rescue and he was allowed to sit with them. Gandhi reached Johannesburg the next night, quite shaken by the experiences on the way. He had the address of a Muslim merchant’s house, where he spent the night. The next day he bought a first class ticket and continued his train journey to Pretoria. The only other passenger in the compartment was a well-dressed Englishman. A little later, a conductor entered and Gandhi quickly showed him the ticket. “Your ticket does not matter,” growled the conductor. “Go to the third class compartment at once!” Before Gandhi could reply, the Englishman said, “Why are you harassing this gentleman? His ticket gives him a right to be here.” And then turning to Gandhi, he told him to make himself comfortable. Thanking him warmly, Gandhi settled down with a book. It was late in the evening when the train pulled into Pretoria. He stayed at a hotel that night and moved into a lodge the next day. There he began to study the Abdulla lawsuit. Even while he was working on it, he found time to call a meeting of the Indians in Pretoria. To be Continued next week...
Mahatma Gandhi Library, Inc. Coloring
CITY-WIDE CONTESTS
Poster
Speech
iTribute
Essay
The contest are open to all children in the greater Houston Area. The winners of these contests will be recognized at the 1000 Lights for Peace, a celebration of Mahatma Gandhi’s Birthday, on Sunday, October 1, 2017. For more information and registration visit www.gandhilibrary.org
“IT HAPPENS ONLY IN INDIA”
Stay tuned every Sunday,
HIREN JOSHI
to from 2.30pm to 3.30pm
832-646-2116
hjoshi7@hotmail.com
www.shobajoshi.com
SHOBA JOSHI OWNER, PROMOTER AND HOST OF
Geetanjali Radio AM 1320 Sat & Sun 2-6 PM For your business ads
Cell: 832-878-4338 Tel: 713-545-4749 shobajoshi999@gmail.com
INDO-AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 2017 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
20 June 16, 2017
FAMILY Toolkit for Families
BY BRANDIE WEIKLE
T
here’s no way to perfectly organize your life so that everything goes off without a hitch. But there are some time-tested tricks you can use to set yourself up for success and increase the odds of things running smoothly. Is there anything like the start of the school year for a sense of overall renewal? When the kids choose their outfits for the first day of class and you sit down to plan their activities for the fall, the months of a new school year stretch ahead with such promise. It’s why September first is often referred to as “the real New Year.” But if we’re not mindful about the way we design our school-year routines, our hopes for an organized family life can unravel like a fast-fashion sweater. With too much on the calendar, our weeknights become characterized by white-knuckle drives to get the kids to swimming or hockey on time, and family dinners of snack crackers and chicken nuggets in the van on the way. Time management resolutions There’s no way to perfectly organize your life so that everything goes off without a hitch. Life with kids includes a lot of unpredictable X-factors—pink eye, tantrums, and that professional development day you forgot about.
Job Posting:
But there are some basic principles and time-tested tricks you can use to set yourself up for success and increase the odds of things running smoothly. Take it easy on activities Set aside some time to really think about how much you commit to in terms of sports, lessons, and other activities for the kids. This is the single most important aspect of creating a family life that feels manageable. No system, app, or family calendar is going to make life work if it’s over capacity. Clare Kumar, a productivity coach and mom of two, says we’re trying to cram too much into our schedules. “We keep adding things without examining what we need to let go of,” she says. That’s easy enough to do, especially as your child progresses through a sport they really like— for example—and the commitment increases. The problem comes when we don’t take a sober second look at whether there’s still time for piano. “It’s easy to neglect the overall experience.” Keep yourself in the mix While you’re busy filling in your family calendar, put your own indoor soccer, yoga, running clinic, or watercolour painting class on there.
“One of the things we talk about in work-life integration is adult play—people have forgotten how to play because there hasn’t been time for it,” says Kumar. Chances are, we can remember our parents and grandparents playing cards, tennis, or golf with friends, or pursuing hobbies such as knitting or carpentry. Follow their lead and get back in touch with things you were passionate about in your youth. We need it to stay healthy and happy. It can be helpful for children to see us modelling a lifestyle that isn’t all about catering to them. So register for that spin class, establish a monthly night out with friends, and get date night on the calendar. It’s not selfish to do so. In fact, if we show our kids that we make time for ourselves despite being busy, they may be more likely to practise good self-care and make time for relationships when they’re all grown up. Make a meal plan Yes, you’ve heard it before, but there’s no surer way to reduce weekday stress than to know ahead of time what’s for dinner. None of us wants to wait in line at the express checkout in the company of a couple of cranky kids with nothing to do but
MULTI MEDIA JOURNALIST
KTRK-TV the ABC Owned station in Houston, TX is looking for a smart, savvy, passionate, high-energy, hard-working MMJ with a positive attitude. You will be researching and setting up stories every day, along with shooting, writing, and editing for TV and for digital. You also need to be very skilled and seasoned in covering live breaking news. Candidates must show examples of live shots that are creative, memorable, engaging and stand out in the crowd. You will constantly be working under tight deadlines. On most days, \you will be working independently but on some days you will be assigned a photographer, in particular for most live shots. You must have a knack for quickly cultivating contacts in the community and must know how to dig for unique, exclusive content on the big and little stories alike. We want a respected, knowledgeable, ethical station representative and promoter with a strong presence on social media. You must have at least 2 years of broadcast photography experience AND 2 years of on-air experience. Candidates must be open to working any shift on any day of the week. Background check clearance and clean driving record will be required. To be considered all interested applicants must apply online at disneycareers. com, reference job # 461249BR. Please upload a cover letter, resume and list of references. No telephone calls please. KTRK-TV is an Equal Opportunity Employer Female/Minority/Veteran/Disability/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity
stare longingly at the chocolate bars. And there’s nothing that makes life feel more out of control than a nightly scramble to feed a family. Spend a little time mapping out Monday-through-Friday dinners before you get groceries on the weekend. You’ll be glad you did—not just for the checkout lines and drivethrough lines that you’ll avoid, but for the opportunity that family dinners give us to be together. “My kids are 13 and 15 now, and most of the time we’ve had dinner together as a family. It’s a point of conversation and interaction,” says Kumar. “But I have one friend who decided that breakfast was going to be the foundation family meal. So they would do a cooked breakfast every
morning and have that connection then because the evenings with three children were too hectic.” Expect more from your kids We’ve gotten so busy ferrying our kids everywhere that many of us are forgetting to teach our kids to do basic household tasks that they need to know to function in the world— and that, in the meantime, could lighten your load at home. Take school lunches, for example. Even kindergarteners can select snacks from a low, accessible cupboard or bin, while preteens should be able to make a complete lunch. In her book Family Whispering (Atria Books, 2014), author Melinda Blau points out that kids under three can throw dirty clothes into a hamper and clean small spills, preschoolers can sort whites from colours and set the table, five- to seven-year-old children can make sandwiches and fold clothes, and tweens can chop ingredients for dinner and do their own laundry. “We need to build a team feeling to put dinner on the table, to get lunch bags and backpacks [put] away, and to get lunch prepped for the next day. Get as much involvement from a young age as possible,” says Kumar. -Alive.com
JOB OPPORTUNITY Looking for a Graphic Designer Part - Time, Flexible Hours Skills / Qualifications
• Graphic Design Skills & Layout Skills: Good knowledge of design programs such as InDesign, Photoshop. • Creative Services, Customer Focus, Creativity, Flexibility, Deadline-Oriented, Acute Vision, Handles Rejection, Team Player. • Additional qualifications: Excel, Word, Constant Contact, WordPress, Web Graphic Design. • Excellent written & verbal communication skills.
E-mail resume to : jobofficeassistant.ian2016@gmail.com
INDO-AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 2017 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
21 A Drumbeat for Help Awakens the Spirituality of Yangon
TRAVEL
June 16, 2017
BY JAWAHAR MALHOTRA
YANGON, MYANMAR: We had
just left the Jana Mon Ethnic Cuisine restaurant on Nandawon Street, a short taxi ride away north of the towering Shwedagon Pagoda site and were walking back past the residential area, a little past 9:30 at night. The restaurant, which serves ethnic Mon food, is a favorite of the local expatriate community and has been written up in the local press. It is a tiny place with six tables, a modern, hip ambiance and a snappy menu of food from the Mon state, which lies just east of Yangon, bordering the Andaman Sea.
The South Entrance hall to the Shwedagon Pagoda complex The Jana Mon Ethnic Cuisine restaurant is located just north of the Shwedagon Pagoda area
The restaurant is a walk up with a warm glow of light emanating from its perpetually open door, and is located down a small dimly lit lane that leads to six-story tall residential apartments and clusters of twostory homes surrounded by brick walls. As with most other parts of the city, the buildings have a tired, worn out look, with dark patches of weatherbeaten stains on the dull whitewashed walls and drying laundry hung off balconies. A small shop catering to basic items had a few customers, a few people sauntered by in rubber flip-flops and a group of little kids played near their parents in the light of an occasional streetlight. Some cars were parked on one side of the road, but traffic was sparse so we walked till the end of the lane to catch a cab. A woman in The gilded Shwedagon Pagoda is lit up at night and can be seen from anywhere in a long printed sathe city rong, blouse with mid-arm sleeves, an angular headwrap and flip-flops approached on the far side, a bundle tied in a long cloth slung across one shoulder, a child on her hip. She stopped in a small clear spot, let the child down to scamper, sat on her haunches, pulled out a small drum and started to play a low-tone, monotonous beat. After a punctuated silence, she beat the same notes again and repeated it as she waited. My son Jeremy, who had been living in Yangon for the past year (and had become equally comfortable in flipflops), explained that this was the way people beckoned for alms when they were destitute. The low poundShrines dot the 1,420 ft perimeter of the pagoda
ing beats traveled down the street and sure enough, a few people walked up to her and handed her some loose change or bowls of food. All across the city, the same ritual is repeated daily, but not to the point of annoyance, as poor people sit on their haunches, and beat a drum like a sign of their last resort to get by or eat. It is a practice that is rooted in the Buddhist monks way of begging for alms, of throwing themselves at the mercy of the world when all else fails. And in a deeply spiritual society, the plea is quickly responded to. On a Saturday night, remarkably cool for mid-March, the Shwedagon Pagoda complex is packed with people who throng to pay homage to their personal mini-shrine in a ritualistic slow walk around the main, central towering 99 meter (325 ft) tall gold-gilded stupa. They come by the family-loads, up the four entrances aligned to the directions of a compass, built on Singuttara Hill, 168 ft above the rest of the city. The complex is located to the west of Kandawgyi Lake, and dominates the Yangon skyline. Down the western entrance which has been outfitted with escalators for those who cannot climb the stairs, at the base, just outside the gates, on U Wisara Road, you can get a roaming taxi to whisk you off into the surrounding dimly lit city. You enter through a long, wide covered hall, each with its own distinctive name and function , walking
INDO-AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 2017 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
up flights of short stairs, past the stalls and stores selling religious artifacts and to a ticket booth where foreigners pay 10,000 kyat ($8) and are asked to dress modestly. Those with more exposed skin can buy cheap shawls for 3,000 kyat ($2.50) to drape across their arms and shorts, and there is a place to drop off your shoes, or you can carry them in a plastic bag. The marble slabs feel cool to your barefeet as you walk clockwise, starting from the eastmost shrine, around the 1,420 ft perimeter of the base of the pagoda. In one courtyard, there is a banyan tree grown from a sapling transplanted here from the original one Buddha taught under in Bodhigaya, India and people sit by its boughs to meditate. As dusk descended and the floodlights came on, the gilded stupa lit up in the brilliance and a throng of foreign tourists stand armed with their cellphones and cameras to catch the spectacle of the soaring stupa with festive streams of triangular flags strung across its lower curve and a large flag-shaped vane at the very peak. In the Eastern Devotional Hall, a group of devotees pray in lilting harmony at the shrine to the Buddha, oblivious of the people and commotion behind them. This is the echo of the spirituality that holds them to give to those who beat a drum across a city that is seeing such massive changes as it transforms.
22 June 16, 2017
SUDOKU
Place a Number in the empty boxes in such a way that each row across, each column down and each 9-box square contains all of the numbers from one to nine. Send us the correct answer before June 21, 2017. Email us at indoamericannews@yahoo.com or mail to 7457 Harwin Drive, Suite 262, Houston, TX 77036. Send us your solved Sudoku for your name to be published (for first three entrees only & 1 submission per month).
PUZZLES / RECIPES
Mama’s Punjabi Recipes Bandh Gobi Te Wadiyan (Cabbage & Spicy Dumplings)
Solution Next Week
L��� W���’� SUDOKU S�������
L��� W���’� SUDOKU W������ 1) Vicky Roy 2) Roseana Bose 3) Navya Balumuri
Job Opportunity
Capricorn Travel Requires Full Time Experienced Travel Agent. For Appointment: Please Call: 713-339-2222
This Punjabi recipe for a simple vegetable like cabbage has surprised people for how tasty it can be and many have asked the secret behind how it is made. So, by popular demand, below is a reprint of Mama’s Bandh Gobi te Wadiyan recipe. It is very different from the Gujarati style that is also widely made, though it is not normally available in most Indian restaurants. It is reprinted with some additional information and directions. Bandh gobi (cabbage) – especially the purple variety – must be one of the least desirable of all vegetables because of its drab taste and pungent odor while cooking, though it is certainly among the cheapest. In some parts of India, like the Gujarat, it is chopped and made in a semi-cooked way with mustard seeds. The Punjabi style is completely different in the softening of the cabbage and adding more flavor. Punjabis usually add other ingredients to bring more exciting flavor to the lowly cabbage taste. But the secret ingredient that brings an explosive burst of spiciness are the Punjabi wadiyan (spicy lentil dumplings), which can bring in spiciness, tanginess and a little extra texture to a cabbage dish. There is an art to knowing how to prepare the wadiyan and then how to cook them so that they enhance the food but do not crumble into tiny pieces. Punjabi wadiyan are generally made of skinless manh or urad daal (black lentils) with dhania (coriander), garam masala, lal mirch (red pepper), adrak (ginger) and hing (astafoetida powder). As with most types of cooking, timing is everything when using the wadiyan and the results speak
for themselves when the dish is devoured! This dish is usually eaten with fresh roti. Ingredients: • 1 kg bandh gobi (green cabbage) • 1 or 2 Punjabi wadiyan (lentil dumplings) – spiciness to taste • 2 tbsp tael (olive oil or vegetable oil) • ½ tsp sarson beej (mustard seeds) • ½ tsp haldi (turmeric powder) • Spices to taste: 1 tsp namak (salt), 1 tsp mirch (red pepper), 1 tsp garam masala Directions: 1. Cut the gobi into half and then chop into half inch strips, 2 inches long. Soak in water to wash and then pass through a strainer. Set it to the side. 2. Break the wadiyan into slightly
smaller ½ inch pieces and keep to the side. 3. In a kadai (wok), heat the oil over medium setting then throw in the wadiyan and stir till they are slightly brown. Add the mustard seeds, turmeric, salt and pepper and mix well. 4. Now add the cut gobi and stir till it is coated. Cover and let it cook in its own steam for 5 minutes over high heat. 5. Check if the gobi has let off enough vapor and become soft and make sure that the wadi is also tender. If there is some water, take off the cover and turn the heat to low till the water is reduced, in about 10 minutes. Stir gently to make sure it doesn’t stick and burn. 6. When the water has dried up and the gobi is tender, turn the heat off and the dish is ready. Keep covered and turn the heat down to very low for five more minutes. Sprinkle with garam masala and serve. Shakuntla Malhotra is a skilled cook of Punjabi dishes made in the oldfashioned style that she learnt as a young woman in her ancestral home in Lyallpur (since renamed Faisalabad), India 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 some of her delectable Punjabi recipes.
MAMA’S TI P OF THE W EEK HOW TO COOK TENDER P UNJABI WADIYAN
There are many typ es of Punjabi wadiy an (spicy lentil dump and each city in the lings) available state – as well as ma ny Punjabi stores in their wadiyan are the Delhi – swear that best. It all depends on the type of spice the mixture of lentils s you are used to an you use. My mothe d r, Biji, used to make at home and let the her own wadiyan small round balls dr y on a muslin cloth on a cot) in the hot sun on the rooftop! charpai (string But after the wadiy an are made, you mu st brown them with so that they don’t giv a little oil in a pan e off a uncooked do ugh taste. Break the in a dry dish or use m into smaller piece whole in a curry, bu s t stir gently so that When cooked they they do not crumble. should not stay dry and hard; but also become too mushy. do not steam till the y
Award Winning Customer Service & Best Rates in Town Proudly Serving For Best Rates to: India, Europe, Cruises & Vacation Packages South Asian Community Toll Free: 1-866-956-0758 - Tel:713-339-2222 for Past 3939 Hillcroft Ave, Suite# 110, Houston, TX 77057 30 Years
CAPRICORN TRAVEL
INDO-AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 2017 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
23
June 16, 2017
ENTERTAINMENT:REVIEWS/NEWS ENTERTAINMENT:REVIEWS/NEWS
Raabta movie: Sushant Singh Rajput, Kriti Sanon film is a rom con cause after a nice start, the film goes downhill shockingly rapidly. And stays there. For the purpose of the record, we note that the trio—both Shiv and Zak are vying for the affections of the pretty Saira — are given Budapest as a scenic playground. The city is used well, and there are enough sparks between Shiv, banker and incorrigible flirt, and Saira, baker and maker of delicious pastry, to keep us engaged. And then the film takes a backward leap into the past, and it’s all south from there on. There’s only a glancing plot-point resemblance to
SS Rajamouli’s ‘Magadheera’: the rest is all clunky computer graphics and waterfalls and growlingwarriors-spouting-pidgin and one of our best actors (Rajkummar Rao) hidden under layers of latex. Rajput has moments he makes the most of, but suavity is not one of his strengths. Sanon is a surprise, having made clear strides since we saw her last, but a little more depth in the way she was written would have been welcome. Ditto with the thinly-conceived-villainof-the-piece Sarbh, who is totally over-the-top. -indianexpress.com
Dear Maya: Manisha Koirala’s film works in fits and starts
Dear Maya is the coming-of-age
of three people whose fates are unexpectedly connected by an action: two giggly teenage girls and a woman
who has attained middle age without having grown up. The plot has promise, but the film works in fits and starts, realising its potential only partially.
Maya Devi (Manisha Koirala) is a Miss Havisham like black-robed recluse, her face as bleak as her shuttered house. For company she has two great Danes, several birds in cages, and a bad-tempered retainer. She becomes the object of fascination for two 16 year old schoolgirls, Ana (Madiha Imam) and Ira (Shreya Chaudhary). They weave tales around her, wondering about her isolation and loneliness, and one day, pull a prank which has long-lasting consequences. We get some lively exchanges between the two girls, and a sense of real friendship, all giggles and secrets, especially in the first half, which is set in scenic Shimla. First crushes, shy exchanges with boys, sort of dates, and parental ire: it’s all there. But the film unravels when the action shifts to Delhi, leaping
forward six years. The girls are no longer friends, and Maya Devi has vanished. The contrivances pile up, as do the stretched parts. We watch because of the performances. Madiha Imam, a Pakistani actress, is fine (except she also comes off far too polished in her college girl avatar: why are Bollywood’s college girls so annoyingly groomed?). Chaudhary looks the part, but gets a little stilted. But it’s good to have Manisha Koirala back. She is not scared to present an unvarnished, weathered face: there’s a lovely scene in which she tastes something for the first time, and smiles. She lights up. It is a moment. Will this lead to more, better roles for ‘senior’ actors like Koirala? I hope so, because she is, like Madhuri, Sridevi, Deepti Naval, a seasoned performer, capable of carrying a film, and adding substantively to it. Where are the filmmakers? -indianexpress.com
Ha Bi pp rth y da y
S
ome questions arise after Raabta has been seen, chief amongst which is one that comes up every time Bollywood tries, and fails, to do a cracking romance. Why is Bollywood incapable of pulling off a full-length film with a pair of lovers connecting, pulling apart, coming together? Sometimes, in the pursuit of true love, a life-time can be too little. Here we spend two and a half hours with Shiv (Sushant Singh Rajput), Saira (Kriti Sanon) and Zak (Jim Sarbh), and it seems endless, simply be-
Mithun Chakraborty June 16, 1950
Imtiaz Ali
June 16, 1971
Lisa Haydon
June 17, 1986
A.R. Rahman’s Palestinian score for Sridevi’s next
A
R Rahman, who has scored three tracks for Ravi Udyawar’s upcoming thriller drama, ‘Mom’, which features
Sridevi as a distraught mother in search of her daughter (played by Pakistani-actress Sajal Ali), has now brought on-board Palestinian singer Sana Moussa for a unique background score for the film. The Boney Kapoor production,
INDO-AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 2017 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
which also features Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Akshaye Khanna, is expected to release in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu and the soundtrack will feature in all three versions. -Timesofindia.com
24 June 16, 2017 Champions 2017: Dominant India March into Yet Another Final BY SIDHARTH MONGA
EDGBASTON (ESPN Cricinfo):
India 265 for 1 (Rohit 123*, Kohli 96*) beat Bangladesh 264 for 7 (Tamim 70, Mushfiqur 61, Jadhav 2-22, Bumrah 2-40) by 9 wickets. The best team at ICC events since 2010 marched into its fourth final in seven tournaments to set up a summit clash against Pakistan, pitting the tournament’s best bowling sides against each other. Like they did in the 2015 World Cup quarter-final, firsttime semi-finalists Bangladesh went toe to toe with India for about 30 overs - even inched ahead perhaps - but came apart against the non-turning part-time extremely slow offspin of Kedar Jadhav, going from 142 for 2 in 25 overs to posting only 264 on a fresh pitch at Edgbaston. If it was Jadhav who brought it down from the possible 320 territory to 280, Jasprit Bumrah’s final spell of 5-0-27-1 cut a further 20 off what Bangladesh
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma added an unbroken 178 for the second wicket, Bangladesh v India, Champions Trophy 2017, Edgbaston, June 15, 2017.
looked good for. In response, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan put up an exhibition, picking apart Bangladesh’s bowling with delectable stroke-play. Rohit brought up his first hundred of this tournament and
moved to No. 2 on the run-scoring charts, Dhawan reclaimed the lead from Tamim Iqbal, and Kohli - who had been scoring runs despite not looking at his best - signalled return to sublime form while becoming the fastest to 8000 ODI runs. It was an
ominous sign for their opponents in what is their third final appearance in the last four 50-over world events; in the other event they lost in the semi-final. There was a calm to how India chased down the target, the slickness of a team used to such situations. This was their sixth semi-final in ICC events in seven years. Veterans of big matches, they prefer to sit back while their oppositions work themselves into a frenzy; when they make a mistake, India swoop in. It looked like they had done that in the seventh over when Bhuvneshwar Kumar out-thought the aggressive Sabbir Rahman after he had raced away to 19 off 12. Having seen him chip down twice to clear mid-off, Bhuvneshwar started to mix bouncers and length balls. Bumrah did his bit by cramping Tamim Iqbal up at the other end. Thirteen straight dot balls brought the expected loose shot, and the wicket, to the sucker ball, reducing Bangladesh to 31 for 2.
Pakistan: Sarfraz Hopeful of Fully-fit Attack against India Sarfraz Ahmed was hopeful of hav-
ing a fully fit Pakistan bowling attack for the Champions Trophy final after an accumulation of injuries piled up before and during Wednesday’s semi-final. Mohammad Amir was ruled out of the semi-final with a back spasm while Hasan Ali and Imad Wasim picked up niggles in the field during the eight-wicket win against England. Hasan, who stands as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker with 10 scalps after his 3 for 35 in Cardiff, suffered a shin problem while Imad tweaked a calf. They followed Amir having failed a fitness test shortly before the toss after being given an injection to try and overcome the back spasm. It could have been a major blow to Pakistan, but they barely felt his
absence. Debutant Rumman Raees claimed 2 for 44 and the recalled Shadab Khan nabbed the key wicket of Joe Root as a collective display from the bowlers shackled an England batting lineup renowned for its destructive capabilities. Sarfraz did admit, though, that it would be a boost to have Amir when they face either India or Bangladesh at The Oval. Having played in the first semi-final it means he has an additional day to get healthy before Sunday’s final. On the prospect of a rematch with India in the final, Sarfraz smiled and said: “Best of luck to both of them. May the better team win.”
Photo on left: Star man: Hasan Ali enjoys the moment, England v Pakistan, Champions Trophy, 1st semi-final, Cardiff, June 14, 2017.
INDO-AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 2017 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
SPORTS
Bopanna-Drabowski Win French Mixed Doubles
Paris: There was an unsaid
promise that Rohan Bopanna left behind, as he walked off court, after losing the 2010 US Open doubles final. He had become only the fourth Indian to reach the final of a Grand Slam, but there was a spark in the rise of the late-bloomer — more was certain to come. But it took him seven years to get another chance at winning his first major. At Roland Garros in Paris, he reached the summit of the French Open mixed doubles. Now a 37-year-old veteran, he was a different caliber of player. “Whatever round you reach, you always want to go one further. The last time, I was in the final in 2010. But now there were no nerves. I had been in this situation before, at the highest level,” Bopanna said. Pairing up with 25-year-old Canadian, Gabriela Dabrowski, the duo started the final by dropping their first set of the tournament, yet came back to win 2-6, 6-2, 12-10 against Anna-Lena Groenefeld and Robert Farah. “It’s taken me seven years to get to another final. I’ve had some tough losses, but more than relief, it was just a proud moment of getting that Grand Slam,” he said. In his 14th year on the professional circuit, he followed doubles titles at Chennai and Dubai with the biggest title for the world No 22.
Gabriela Dabrowski and Rohan Bopanna hold the trophy after they defeated Anna-Lena Groenefeld and Robert Farah in the mixed doubles final of the French Open
June 16, 2017
25
ED Files First Charge Sheet against Vijay Mallya, Others
Vijay Mallya
NEW DELHI: The Enforcement
Directorate has filed its first charge sheet against embattled liquor baron Vijay Mallya and others in the IDBIKFA bank loan money laundering case. Back in March 2016, the ED
had filed a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) against Mallya for allegedly sending abroad a sum of Rs. 900 crore from his company. As reported by the Indian Express earlier today, out of the
total amount of Rs 900 crore, sources said, IDBI granted a short term loan of Rs 150 crore to the airlines in October 2009. In the second tranche, they said, the bank loaned Rs 750 crore to Kingfisher, of which Rs 200 crore was in the form of a bridge loan and the rest for other purposes. Kingfisher owes over Rs 9,000 crore to a consortium of 17 banks, including the SBI, IDBI Bank, Punjab National Bank, Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, United Bank of India, Central Bank, UCO Bank, Corporation Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, Federal Bank, Punjab and Sind Bank, andAxis Bank among others. The ED and Central Bureau of Investigation are currently probing the loan default case by Kingfisher Airlines. Quoting sources, Indian Express reported the probe has revealed that
Mallya allegedly colluded with IDBI Bank officials to secure loans without giving any valuable collateral. UK court said India hasn’t provided evidence for his extradition yet, effectively delaying the process till next year, as per reports in the Times of India. According to the media report, Aaron Watkins, who is representing India, admitted that the Crown Prosecution Service required an additional three-four weeks time to receive evidence from India for Mallya’s extradition. To this, chief magistrate at Westminster magistrates’ court Emma Arbuthnot was quoted by TOI as asking, “Are Indians normally very prompt in their responses? They have taken six months so far and we haven’t got any further forward in the past 6 weeks?” – Indian Express, Times of India.
Maruti Overtakes Infosys, ONGC for 8th Most Valued Firm MUMBAI: With a 3% surge in its share prices, auto major Maruti Suzuki India overtook ITbellwether Infosys and upstream oil company ONGC to become the eighth most valued firm in India. Over the last three years, the company’s market capitalisation — at Rs 2,25,079 crore — has jumped nearly four times from Rs 57,939 crore at the end of April 2014. Other major shifts in the market cap sweepstakes over the last three years have been the rise of HDFC Bank, which is now the third largest Indian company after TCS and Reliance Industries and the rise of consumer goods giant Hindustan Unilever from being the 14th largest company to sixth now. Even HDFC Limited and Kotak Mahindra Bank have gained 5 and 7 spots to become fifth and 13th most valued. Maruti Suzuki emerged as the biggest gainer among Sensex companies during this three-year period and has gained 12 positions since October 2014 when it
became the 20th company in India to enter the Rs 1 lakh-crore club. Experts say that this trend is a reflection of the strong consumption story over the last three years and the biggest gainers during this period
have been automobile, FMCG and consumer goods companies along with retail lenders. A look at the top 10 companies at BSE by market cap shows that over the last 10 years, four companies have been edged out
of the top 10 list — Bharti Airtel, NTPC, Wipro and ICICI Bank. In fact, ONGC which was the second largest by market cap ten years ago, has now slipped to 10th. – Indian Express
INDO-AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 2017 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
Fake Currency Detection in Banks Swells to Max in 8 Years
NEW DELHI: Counterfeit cur-
rency detection instances in the country’s banking channels have seen an all time increase in the last eight years at over 3.53 lakh instances, according to a latest government report. All banks, either public sector, private and foreign banks in the country, are mandated to report such instances to the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) under antimoney laundering law provisions. “The number of counterfeit currency reports (CCRs) increased from a mere 8,580 in 2007-08 to 35,730 in 2008-09 and 3,53,837 in 2014-15,” the report, accessed by PTI, said. However, the amount of fake currency detected has not been specified. CCR is defined as the usage of a forged or counterfeit currency note or bank note as genuine or where any forgery of a valuable security or a document has taken place during a cash transaction at a bank. A senior finance ministry official put the figures in perspective: “CCRs are meant to check the menace and extent of FICN entering the banking system which forms a very important part of the functioning of the economy. “While the figures of the eight years, since the regime of reportage of such incidents first began, have shown an increasing trend, it is good that the banks are increasingly able to detect them and report to the FIU,” the official said.
26 June 16, 2017 Maharashtra government announces complete loan waiver to Farmers
NEW DELHI: More than a week
after farmers in Maharashtra went on strike, the state government on Sunday announced complete loan waiver to the farmers in the state. Following the announcement, the farmer leaders in the state has decided to call off the protests that was scheduled for Monday. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis termed it as a historic decision to provide relief to the farmers. Shortly after the decision he tweeted, “The government agrees for the loan waiver for farmers. The conditions and detrailing will be finalised by a joint committee.” The Maharashtra government has said that it will form a committee to decide the criteria to waive off the
loans. Maharashtra Revenue Minister, C Patil, has said, “CM had announced loan waiver for small and marginal farmers, today govt has accepted it based on certain criteria.” Patil, who headed a high-powered committee set up by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, was speaking to reporters after holding discussions with farmer leaders. Farmer leader and Lok Sabha member Raju Shetti, who participated in the talks, said he was happy that their demands had been met. “Our issues have been resolved. We have decided to temporarily call off our agitation, including the dharna protests scheduled for tomorrow and day after. However, if no satisfactory
First Ever
24 Hour
Telugu Radio in Houston
Online at www.radiohungama.net & Every Sunday 12 PM to 3 PM CST On
KCHN AM 1050 Contact: Sridhar Dadi at
281-217-9736
houstonradio@yahoo.com
decision is taken (on the criterion for loan waiver) by July 25, we will restart our stir,” Shetti said. Another farmer leader, Raghunathdada Patil, said the minister had assured them that “all loans” of farmers will be waived. “The atmosphere now is like Diwali celebrations. 100 per cent of our demands have been accepted,” he said. The ministers’ group has decided to restart fresh loan disbursal to farmers from today, Raghunathdada said. “We are calling off the road and rail roko protests scheduled for tomorrow and June 13,” independent MLA Bachu Kadu said. “However, if the decision taken today is not implemented before July 24, the farmers will resume their agitation,” Kadu said. The revenue minister, asked if his announcement on farmers getting new loans from today meant that the old ones would be restructured, said, “It is a simple banking question. Till the old loan is waived, one doesn’t get new loan.”
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
Fadnavis had on Friday announced the formation of the six-member committee to look into the various demands of farmers, including the loan waiver. The panel also comprises senior minister Diwakar Raote of the Shiv Sena, Agriculture Minister Pandurang Fundkar, Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar, Cooperatives
Minister Subhash Deshmukh and Water Resources Minister Girish Mahajan. On June 1, farmers from a village in Ahmednagar district went on strike followed by many farmers groups in other parts, who tried to suspend vegetable and milk supply to Mumbai. -indianexpress.com
IIT-Delhi, IIT-Bombay, IISc among world’s top 200 universities
NEW DELHI: The Indian Institute
of Technology (IIT)-Bombay has broken into the top 200 club in the latest edition of the ‘Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings’, to join IIT-Delhi and Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, in this group. With this, India, for the first time, is home to three of the top 200 universities in the world. According to the ‘QS World University Rankings 2018’, released on Wednesday morning, IIT-Bombay improved its performance by 40 positions, from 219 rank last year to 179 this time. In another first, IIT-Delhi has replaced IISc as the best ranked Indian institution in the world. So, while IIT-Delhi has risen from 185 rank to 172 this year, IISc slipped over 30 places from 152 to 190. The rise of IIT-Delhi and IIT-Bombay is significant as Indian educational institutions had lost ground in the QS rankings last year. But IISc’s performance could be a cause for concern as the institution, which dropped out of the top 150 club in the 2017 rankings, has slipped even further instead of recovering lost ground. However, IISc is rated the sixth best institution in the world in terms of QS’s ‘citations per faculty’ metric. “This metric measures the research intensiveness and research impact of a university by dividing the number of citations that a university’s research acquires by the number of faculty members at that university. QS notes that IISc’s research papers were cited nearly 82,000 times over
the five-year period QS used for this metric,” states the QS press release. The HRD Ministry is currently working on a framework to encourage educational institutions to break into the top 100 club of any of the reputed world ranking metric. The ranking table this year has provided a list of the world’s 959 top universities, which includes 20 Indian institutions — six more than last year. Jadavpur University (ranked in the 601-650 band), University of Hyderabad (601-650), Anna University (651-700), Manipal University (701-750), Aligarh Muslim University (800-1000) and Birla Institute of Technology and Science (800-1000) are the six new entrants. Delhi University, for the first time, entered the top 500 group, moving up from the 501-550 category to the 481-490 category. IIT-Kharagpur improved its rank from 313 to 308, and IIT-Kanpur rose from 302 to 293 rank. IIT-Madras, however, lost a few places and moved from 249 to 264 rank. IIT-Guwahati moved from 481-490 band to 501-550 band.
INDO-AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 2017 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
Banaras Hindu University, Panjab University, University of Mumbai and University of Pune are all ranked in the 801-1000 band. “India is progressing in our global rankings. Five Indian universities feature among the global 100 for research indicator. However, there is still plenty of room for improvement, especially in the ‘employers reputation’ indicator, suggesting that a closer collaboration between the corporate world and the leading universities is essential. India is also less competitive than other countries in the international students and faculty indicators, which makes perfect sense given the huge internal demand for higher education,” Ben Sowter, Research Director at QS, has been quoted as saying. In the overall rankings, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) continues its run as the world’s best university for the sixth consecutive year. Stanford University and Harvard University follow as the world’s second and third best institutions. -indianexpress.com
June 16, 2017
INDO-AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 2017 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
27
28
June 16, 2017
INDO-AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 2017 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM