Indo-American News: May 24, 2024

Indo American News

CRY Gala Celebrates Supporters for Shaping Children’s Destinies

“With much sadness, I have to tell you that mama passed away at 5:47 this morning at home as we were all getting up and close by including my brother Jayant.” -- Jawahar Malhotra, Indo-American News Publisher.

Shakuntla Malhotra passed away on the morning of May 23, 2024 at the age of 96.

More details about Mrs. Malhotra’s rich legacy will be provided in the next issue of Indo-American News.

Joyalukkas Houston was inaugurated by K. P. George and Julie Mathew in the presence of Joy Alukkas. PAGE 3

CRY Gala in Houston on April 21 at the Marriott Sugar Land was an evening of

our supporters & shared our achievements. PAGE 2

CRY’s 20th Gala Celebrates Supporters for Shaping Children’s Destinies

Houston: 2024 marks CRY, Child Rights and You America’s 20th year of ensuring children’s rights to a happy, healthy & educated life. CRY America held 5 galas in April which raised over 1.5 million dollars.

Our CRY Gala in Houston on April 21 at the Marriott Sugar Land was an evening of reflection & celebration as we expressed our gratitude to our supporters & shared our achievements.

The CRY Gala was attended by 370 guests, including Bollywood Celebrity Arjun Rampal and Project Partner Dr Rolee Singh. Our honorees for the evening were longstanding CRY supporters Prakash and Juuhi Ahuja. Thanks to the generosity of our guests, the CRY Gala raised over $400,000 which will be directed towards ensuring children their basic rights to live, learn, grow & play.

The evening included a cocktail hour with hors d’oeuvres, live auction, dinner, donor appreciation, pledge session and Bollywood music and dancing. The feature entertainment of the evening was Esther Anaya with Karmagraphy and everyone enjoyed the classy performance. The live auction showcased a guitar autographed by the Rolling Stones, a Chicago Bulls jersey autographed by Michael Jordan, among others raised $30,000. Arjun Rampal said, “thanks to supporters like you over the past 20 years, CRY America has touched the hearts and lives of nearly 800,000 underprivileged children”!

Thank you to our Texas Board, CRY Gala Committee members, donors, sponsors, volunteers, project partners & CRY Staff for making children’s dreams come true. The CRY Gala 2024 was a 20-year milestone to remember & a testament to our shared commitment of shaping children’s destinies with YOU!

About CRY America:

CRY, Child Rights and You America Inc (CRY America) is a 501c3 non-profit driven by its vision of a just world in which all children have equal opportunities to develop to their full potential and realize their dreams.

Celebrity Guest Arjun Rampal with longstanding CRY supporters Juuhi and Prakash Ahuja. Photos by Murali Santhana.

New ShowroomS Set to opeN iN DallaS & atlaNta

Joyalukkas Rolls Out Mega Expansion Plans Across USA

Houston: Joyalukkas, the esteemed jewelry brand, has announced the forthcoming openings and reopening celebrations of five of its USA outlets. Led by Mr. Joy Alukkas, Chairman of Joyalukkas Group, these events mark a significant step in the brand’s expansion strategy in the USA market. The inaugurations will feature new store unveilings in Dallas and Atlanta, alongside renovations and reopening’s in Houston, Chicago, and New Jersey.

The festivities will kick off with the reopening of the renovated store in Houston on Saturday, may 18th, followed by the inauguration of the new store in Dallas on May 26th, On June 2nd, Joyalukkas will proudly unveil its new store in Atlanta, followed by the renovated outlets in Chicago on June 9th and New Jersey on June 15th, 2024.

To commemorate these special occasions, Joyalukkas is offering exclusive promotions across all its USA outlets. Customers purchasing gold jewelry worth USD 1,000 or more will receive a complimentary 0.200 gm gold coin, while those purchasing diamond and polki jewelry worth USD 2,000 or more will be gifted a free 1 gm gold coin. These enticing offers are available only during the inauguration period and underscore Joyalukkas’ commitment towards providing exceptional value to its patrons.

Mr. John Paul, Managing Director of Joyalukkas Group, who has tirelessly worked to roll-out the expansion plan, expressed his enthusiasm for the USA expansion, stating, “We are thrilled to roll-out our new and revamped outlets in the USA. With our exquisite jewelry collections and unparalleled customer service, we aim to cater to the discerning tastes of our American clientele. These inaugurations signify our dedication to growth and excellence as we continue to elevate the jewelry shopping experience for our valued customers. We are committed to serving our loyal customers in the USA with the world’s best shopping experience.”

The inauguration will be conducted by high-ranking delegates, accompanied by Mr. Joy Alukkas, the visionary founder of the brand. Joyalukkas is inviting all Jewellery lovers to visit & celebrate style, sophistication, convenience, designs at the grand inauguration ceremony of its USA outlets. You can experience the allure of fine jewelry and take advantage of Joyalukkas exclusive promotions for a limited time only.

The Joyalukkas Houston, USA outlet was inaugurated on May 18th, 2024, by Mr. K. P. George, Fort Bend County Judge, and Ms. Julie Mathew, Presiding Judge of County Court Law 3, in the presence of Mr. Joy Alukkas, Chairman of Joyalukkas Group.

Joylukkas storefront decorated for the reopening inauguration.

Display of diamond jewelley in the store.

Guests at the inauguration.

AANHPI Heritage Month & The Inflation Reduction Act

By Julia lotHrop

WasHington DC: During Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, our communities celebrate the rich cultures, heritage, and accomplishments of AANHPI people. May is also a time to recognize remaining barriers to health and health care access for these communities and renew commitments to addressing racial disparities. Our ability to get and afford health care should never depend on the color of our skin, what neighborhood we live in, or what language we speak.

As Acting Regional Director for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in Region 6, which includes the state of Texas, I am proud to be a part of the Administration’s work to implement policies that improve access, advance equity, and promote economic opportunities for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islanders.

The new lower cost prescription drug law, the Inflation Reduction Act, is making historic strides towards improving health for all communities – including the 2.1 million Medicare beneficiaries who identify as Asian. The new law is vital for people who access health care services at the HOPE Clinic – a Federally Qualified Health Center started by the Asian American Health Coalition to serve Houston’s isolated Asian communities and other underserved populations.

Asian American people with Medicare report more difficulty obtaining their prescription drugs than their white counterparts, underscoring the need for better access and affordability for needed medicines. The president’s new lower cost drug law is bringing relief to AA and NHPI Medicare enrollees who may be struggling to afford high drug costs. The Inflation Reduction Act expanded its Extra Help program for Part D beginning in January, which means

over 11 thousand AANHPI Medicare enrollees with low incomes may be eligible for $0 premiums, $0 deductibles, and generic drug copays that are no more than $4.50.

But we need your help spreading the word to your loved ones and neighbors, as 3 million people are eligible for these benefits but are not enrolled. Go to Medicare.gov/ extrahelp for more information and to see if you’re eligible. And to spread the word, go to Low-

Operators:Operators:

erDrugCosts.gov to find a toolkit that contains informational postcards.

Asian Americans are 40 percent more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes than non-Hispanic whites, so access to insulin and other diabetes medicine is essential for achieving blood sugar control and maintaining good health. One of the first benefits of the Inflation Reduction Act to go into effect – and one of the most important provisions – caps the cost

of each covered insulin product under Medicare at $35 per month. In Texas, over 114,000 people with Medicare could save $441 per year, thanks to this benefit.

The new law also makes certain recommended adult vaccines, like Shingles and RSV, available at no cost for people with Part D coverage—helping eliminate costrelated barriers to vaccination for people with Medicare. In Texas, approximately 3.5 million Medicare Part D enrollees can receive free recommended preventative vaccines. Finally, under this administration, we have begun the historic process of negotiating directly with participating drug companies for lower prescription drug prices for some of the most expensive drugs – for the first time ever.

This administration is delivering on its promise to lower prescription drug costs, make health insurance more affordable, and make the economy work for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander families. But we know our work is not done – this administration will continue to make health equity a cornerstone of our policies and work tirelessly so that all communities can access the care they need.

Julia Lothrop is the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Acting Regional Director for Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and 68 Federally Qualified Tribes. She has worked with the regional office for over 20 years.

DAV Sanskriti School Celebrates Annual Day & AYM Graduation

Houston: Sunday May 12, 2024: Students, parents, teachers and volunteers of DAV Sanskriti School (DAVSS), and members and well-wishers of Arya Samaj Greater Houston (ASGH) met to celebrate a year of learning. It was also Graduation time for Grade 12 students who completed the last four years under the denomination of Arya Yuva Mandal (AYM). These young blooming students of the DAVSS Sunday school engage in lots of activities that enable them to implement the living values of Sanatan Vedic (Hindu) Dharma in daily life. They also engage in nishkaam seva through volunteering activities that empower them with qualities such as Dhriti (patience), Karunaa (compassion), Dama (self-control), Dhee (wisdom), Dayaalu (benevolence).

The graduating students along with their parents were the Yajmaans of the day, performing Havan under the guidance of Acharya Bramdeo. It was a colorful program with a blend of spirituality and entertainment: Grade 1 and 2 kids reciting mantras and shlokas from the stage, other grades students performing Yoga, Dance, and skits; Grade 6 and 7 students engage in a discussion of Heritage and Culture; and the Graduating students describing the contribution of DAVSS in the making of their personality. AYM highschool

graduates received their Presidential Volunteer Service Awards in Gold, Silver and Bronze for the year. The PVSA is a prestigious national honor offered in recognition of volunteer commitment. Established in 2003, this award honors individuals and groups who have demonstrated a sustained commitment to volunteer service over the course of 12 months. In the commencement speech, Acharya Ji requested the students to continue nurturing their connection with their roots, sanskriti – culture by living the values and further consolidate their grounding in Sanatan Dharma. After shanti paatha, all guests joined for prasad (lunch).

DAVSS classes for 2024-25 start on Sunday August 11 next with Vedarambh Sanskar (induction to studies).

Online Registration: davss.org/ admissions

Dignitaries with AYM graduates

DAV schoolchildren performing mastras and shlokas.

Andhra-born Gopi Thotakura: First Indian as Space Tourist

el paso: India-born Gopi

Thotakura made history on Sunday evening as he became the first Indian citizen to venture into space as a tourist. He was part of the elite crew for Blue Origin’s New Shepard-25 (NS-25) mission, which took off from the company’s West Texas launch site in the US around 8:05 pm (IST), an hour late from its scheduled launch time of 9:35 am (local US time).

Born in Vijayawada (Andhra Pradesh), Gopi, an entrepreneur and a pilot, journeyed to the edge of space beyond the Earth’s atmosphere along with five others — Ed Dwight, Mason Angel, Sylvain Chiron, Kenneth L Hess and Carol Schaller. Ed Dwight (90) is now the oldest man on Earth to go to space.

Gopi has retained his Indian passport despite working in the US. Although he became the first Indian citizen to go to space as a tourist, he is officially the second astronaut from the country after Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, who flew as a professional cosmonaut to space on board Soyuz T-11 on April 3, 1984, as

part of the Soviet Interkosmos programme. Astronauts Kalpana Chawla, Sunita Williams, Raja Chari, and Sirisha Bandla were all US citizens of Indian origin who also went to space as professional astronauts. TOI had earlier reported on Gopi’s probable entry to the elite astronaut club.

on X.

Following takeoff, the NS25 vehicle reached beyond the boundary of space smoothly. The rocket and capsule then returned to Earth, with the rocket landing upright a few minutes after takeoff. The capsule successfully touched down, using two of its three parachutes, roughly 15 minutes after takeoff. It was Jeff Bezos-owned Blue Origin’s first crew launch in nearly two years. “Capsule touchdown. Welcome back, NS25 crew!” Blue Origin said in a post

Introducing the Indian space tourist, a Blue Origin statement said, “Gopi Thotakura is a lifelong pilot and aviator who learned how to fly before he could drive. He flies jets commercially, in addition to piloting bush, aerobatic, and seaplanes. Gopi is a cofounder of Preserve Life Corp, a global center for holistic wellness and applied health located near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.”

He studied for a BSc in aeronautical science at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, US. A

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puBlisHer: JaWaHar MalHotra

eDitor: praMoD KulKarni

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trained pilot, Gopi had worked in medical air evacuation services in India in the past. “A lifelong traveller, his most recent adventure took him to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro,” the statement said.

In another first, America’s first Black astronaut candidate, Ed Dwight, finally rocketed into space 60 years later. Dwight, a former Air Force captain who was selected in 1961 but never got to fly to space with NASA, finally reached the edge of space — at 90 years, 8 months, and 10 days. He thus became the oldest person to go to space, narrowly surpassing Star Trek actor William Shatner, who was almost two months younger when he launched with Blue Origin in 2021.

This flight is Blue Origin’s first tourist mission on New Shepard since August 2022. The company was forced to halt flights of the rocket after a New Shepard vehicle suffered an engine failure mid-flight during an uncrewed mission in Sep 2022. Blue Origin spent most of 2023 investigating the failure and making design corrections, and the company successfully returned to flight with another uncrewed mission in Dec.

This mission was the seventh human flight for the New Shepard programme and the 25th in its history. Earlier, Blue Origin launched six tourist missions, flying celebrities like William Shatner, Michael Strahan, and Bezos himself to space. In all, New Shepard has flown 31 humans above the internationally recognized boundary of space, the company said.

The company, seen as a future key strategic rival to Elon Musk’s SpaceX, plans to debut a much larger and more powerful New Glenn rocket later this year, capable of launching cargo to orbit. Blue Origin also aims to send humans to the moon.

MADDY TURNED HATE

AND STARTED A MOVEMENT

Maddy Park Founder, @CafeMaddyCab

Southwestern National Bank Celebrates Grand Opening of LA Branch

WasHington DC: Southwestern National Bank proudly inaugurated its new Los Angeles Regional Branch with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by luminaries including Chairwoman Jody Lee, Founder C.K. Lee, Vice-chair Hasu Patel, CEO Joanne Kim, and President Mohammed Younus, who traveled from Houston, Texas. The grand opening also saw honorable guests including Director of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles, Amino Chi, the Korean Ambassador to Los Angeles, and city councilman and former mayor of San Gabriel Tony Ting, among others. The event drew a vibrant crowd of over two hundred community and business leaders from the Chinese, Korean, Indian, and Pakistani communities, celebrating this significant milestone.

Chair of Southwestern National Bank Jody Lee remarked on the bank’s unwavering commitment to providing exceptional service and expert financial solutions over its 27-year history, gaining the trust of its customers. With a focus on serving diverse communities, the bank operates with a multicultural team to offer superior services to Chinese, Korean,

Indian, Pakistani, and Vietnamese communities. The establishment of the Los Angeles branch marks another significant chapter in the bank’s expansion across Southern California.

CEO Joanne Kim, with over 30 years of banking experience in Los Angeles and former presidencies at other banks, was planning to retire before being persuaded

by Chairman Lee to lead the California expansion. She highlighted the vibrant business opportunities in both Texas and California, asserting that the bank’s deep understanding of both markets would significantly aid businesses expanding across state lines.

President Mohammed Younus noted that with branches already in Anaheim and San Mateo in

Northern California, the opening of the Los Angeles branch solidifies the bank’s footprint in California, eagerly anticipating the next milestones for American Southern Bank.

Established in November 1997 and headquartered in Houston’s Chinatown, Southwestern National Bank has become the go-to financial institution for small to

medium-sized enterprises, consumers, company employees, families, and individuals over the past 27 years.

With ten branches across Houston, Dallas, Austin, and California, the bank is dedicated to expanding and offering a comprehensive array of professional financial services to meet diverse customer needs. Specializing in Commercial & Industrial loans, CRE, working capital lines, and SBA loans, Southwestern National Bank supports businesses at every stage of development, from acquisition to expansion. Our dedication to personalized banking solutions ensures that every customer receives the financial backing they need to succeed. Discover the difference with Southwestern National Bank, where your business success is our top priority. Join our community of satisfied clients and let us help you achieve your business goals.

The Southwestern National Bank Los Angeles Regional branch is located at 3530 Wilshire Blvd Suite 1515, Los Angeles, CA 90010, phone: 213-401-1139. The Anaheim branch is located at 2951 West Ball Road, Unit 100, Anaheim, CA 92804, phone: 714822-6101.

Group 1 Inaugurates Sterling McCall Hyundai Store in SW Houston

Houston: On Tuesday, May 7, the Houston community welcomed into the newly constructed Sterling McCall Hyundai, a Group 1 Automotive dealership, on 10301 Southwest Fwy. This facility showcases Sterling McCall’s commitment to investing in its dealerships as well as the Houston community, where parent company Group 1 is headquartered.

The celebratory event included a ribbon cutting ceremony, facilities reveal, door prizes and a $10,000 check presentation to Storm Baseball organization in Missouri City.

Group 1 Automotive CEO Daryl Kenningham, Senior VP Pete DeLongchamps, OEM partners and local elected officials were also be in attendance.

Media were invited out on Tuesday, May 7 to view the new Hyundai facility and interview dealership and company leadership.

The new location features a state-of-the-art automotive showroom and service facility. At approximately 39,414 square feet, the facility boasts cutting-edge design and amenities, including a fully air-conditioned service area, an enclosed new vehicle delivery area and multiple EV charging stations for customer convenience.

This grand opening event of the dealership’s new location was a unique opportunity to celebrate Group 1’s commitment to the local community and learn more about the exceptional services the dealership offers.

ENTERTAINMENT

‘Kartam Bhugtam’: Taut Psychological Thriller

By ronaK KoteCHa

Story: Story: NRI Dev Joshi (Shreyas Talpade) wants to consolidate his dead father’s assets and cash, but the course of his life changes when he meets a highly acclaimed astrologer.

Review: What goes around, comes around. That’s the most basic rule of life and often the fear that pushes most individuals to do the right thing. The age old adage, “As you sow, so shall you reap,” defines our karma and guides us to deal with various challenges in our life. Based on this simple yet effective concept of life, writer-director Soham P. Shah builds a realistic story of a man whose life takes a dramatic turn after he meets Anna (Vijay Raaz), a revered astrologer, whose predictions are spot on.

Sitting cross-legged inside the massive dark room in his palatial villa, reverberating with vedic chants, Anna doesn’t mince words while predicting the future of distressed people looking for solutions. He tells them what exactly is going to happen to them

and their loved ones. He also gives simple solutions to these desperate individuals, who are willing to try anything and everything that can avert the upcoming crisis in their life.

Not the one to believe in such superstitions, Dev dismisses Anna’s words when he tells him that he won’t be able to leave India easily. Dev’s only purpose is to sell off his ancestral assets and cash out so that he can go back to New Zealand and restart his life impacted by Covid. Dev wants to fulfill his father’s dream and start his own venture. But destiny has other plans and Anna’s words ring true, each time, Dev hits a roadblock in his mission.

Executed in a taut screenplay, this psychological thriller keeps the audience engaged with a consistent flow of unexpected twists in Dev’s life. The events are relatable and domestic. The kind of situations we routinely face when dealing with banks, lenders, civic authorities and in property matters. Set in a small town in India, Shah captures the essence of the place with its slow paced life and

practical problems. The strength of the narrative rests on the shoulders of two very able performers - Shreyas Talpade and Vijay Raaz, who deliver convincing performances. Madhoo is well cast as a God-fearing South Indian teacher and Anna’s docile housewife. A little more depth in the way her role is written could have made it more impactful. Aksha Pardasany lends good support as Dev’s girlfriend Jiya.

With no unnecessary songs or frills, ‘Kartam Bhugram’ flows at a consistent pace. While the loud background score could have been dialled down a bit, thankfully, the film doesn’t resort to jarring theatrics or unwanted drama. It is able to prove its point in a simplistic way. In fact, a bit too simplistic, at times. But that’s also its strength, as the story doesn’t deviate from its purpose of establishing how Karma eventually catches up with you, no matter how far you run.

All in all, ‘Kartam Bhugtam’ is an entertaining slice-of-life thriller that delivers a strong message without deviating from its core.-TNN

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