Indo-American News March 16, 2021

Friday, April 16, 2021 | Vol. 40, No. 16

Indo American News

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April 16, 2021

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Apology for Apu

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COMMUNITY

April 16, 2021

Hank Azaria Wants to Apologize to “Every Indian” for Apu on Simpsons

White actor Hank Azaria (left) was the voice of Apu (right) on the animated series Simsons with Bart Simpson (far right) as the lead character.

By Chris Murphy Los Angeles: Hank Azaria would like to issue a blanket apology to every Indian person. The actor dropped by the Armchair Expert podcast hosted by Dax Shepard and Monica Padman to apologize for voicing the character of Apu on one of television’s longest-running shows, The Simpsons, and contributing to “structural racism for 30-odd years.”.

“I’ve had a date with destiny with this thing for about 31 years,” Azaria said. “Part of me feels like I need to go around to every single Indian person in this country and personally apologize, and some-

times I do when it comes up.”

The white actor’s portrayal of the animated Indian American Kwik-E-Mart owner has received criticism over the years, most notably in Hari Kondabolu’s 2017 documentary, The Problem With Apu—which Azaria credits with helping him decide to step away from voicing the character in 2020.

“I got canceled, however you want to put it,” he recalled on the podcast, “and really intensely.”

He also mentioned an experience at his son’s school that helped open his eyes to the racially problematic nature of his voicing of Apu. “I was talking to the Indian kids there because I wanted to get their input,”

Azaria said. “A 17-year-old…he’s never even seen The Simpsons but knows what Apu means. It’s practically a slur at this point. All he knows is that is how his people are thought of and represented to many people in this country.”

Azaria had been voicing Apu and a number of other animated characters, including bar owner Moe Szyslak and the African American Carl Carlson, on The Simpsons since the series, developed

by James L. Brooks, Matt Groening, and Sam Simon, premiered in 1989. On the podcast Azaria said that he believes Apu was created with the best of

intentions. “We tried to do a funny, thoughtful character,” he said. “[But] just because there were good intentions doesn’t mean there weren’t real negative consequences that I am accountable for.” Not too long after stepping down from voicing Apu, Azaria was replaced as the voice of Carl by Black actor Alex Désert. The show has not yet announced whether it will recast the role of Apu as well.

While on the podcast, Azaria personally apologized to host Monica Padman, who is Indian American, for voicing Apu. “I know you

weren’t asking for that, but it’s important,” he said to Padman.

“I apologize for my part in creating that and participating in that.”

Azaria is now a vocal advocate for more diverse representation across the animated-television landscape.

“If it’s an Indian character or a Latinx character or a Black character, please let’s have that person voice the character,” he said. “It’s more authentic, they’ll bring their experience to it, and let’s not take jobs away from people who don’t have enough.” -- Vanity Fair

OCI Card Renewal Clarifications from Consulate

Fort Bend Interfaith Council Holds Prayer Vigil

Sugar Land: The Fort Bend Interfaith Council sponsored a Love Your Neighbor Prayer Vigil Sunday evening in the Sugar Land Town Square to promote love over hate. Leaders from 12 different faith communities spoke

about their faith’s call for love and kindness towards all people of the world. Speakers were (left to right): Kaemerz Dotiwalla of the Zoroastrian Community, Sue Levin of HGI Counseling, Imam Ahmed of the Maryam Islamic Center, Ghasem Bayat of the Baha’is of Sugar Land, HC Change of the OrganizaFounder: Dr. K.L. Sindwani tion of Chinese Publisher: Jawahar Malhotra Americans, Bo Editor: Pramod Kulkarni Singh with the Correspondent: Sanchali Basu Sikh Community, Rev. Michelle ®All rights reserved. No material herein or portions thereof Holl of Christ may be published without the written consent of the publisher.

Church Sugar Deadline for advertising and articles is 4 pm on Monday of each Land, Valerie week. Please include self-addressed, stamped envelope for return of all unsolicited material. Published at 7457 Harwin Drive, Tolman from the Suite 212, Houston, Texas 77036.Tel:713-789-6397, email: Interfaith Counindoamericannews@yahoo.com, website: www.indoamericancil board, Johannews.com

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na de Young of Thoreau Unitarian Universalist Campus, Thara Narasimhan with the Hindus of Greater Houston, Pastor David Sincere with Fort Bend Transformation Church, Deacon Tom Ruck with St. Laurence Catholic Church, Irfan Ali of the Ismaili Jamatkhana and Center, and Pastor Will Starkweather of St. Martins Lutheran Church.

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INDIA

April 16, 2021

Huge Gathering for Kumbh Mela Despite Covid

Haridwar: Tens of thousands of Hindu devotees gathered by the Ganges River for special prayers Monday, many of them flouting social distancing practices as the coronavirus spreads in India with record speed.

The Kumbh Mela, or pitcher festival, is one of the most sacred pilgrimages in Hinduism. The faithful congregate in the northern city of Haridwar and take a dip in the waters of the Ganges, which they believe will absolve them of their sins and deliver them from the cycle of birth and death.

The Kumbh Mela, which runs through April, comes during India’s worst surge in new infections since the pandemic began, with a seven-day rolling average of more than 130,000 new cases per day. Hospitals are becoming overwhelmed with patients, and experts worry the worst is yet to

come.

Critics of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party say the festival has been allowed at a time when infections are skyrocketing because the government isn’t willing to anger Hindus, who are the party’s biggest supporters.

With the surge showing no sign of slowing, India’s confirmed infections since the pandemic began surpassed Brazil’s total on Monday to make it the second-worst hit country in the world.

The current surge has hit hardest in Maharashtra state. The state has accounted for nearly half of the country’s new infections in the past two weeks.

Amid concerns the Kumbh Mela festival could turn into a superspreader event, Uttarakhand state’s chief minister, Tirath Singh Rawat, last week said “the faith in

God will overcome the fear of the virus.”

Health experts had appealed for the festival to be canceled, but the government went ahead saying safety rules would be followed.

There are concerns that pilgrims could get infected and then take the virus back to their cities and villages in other parts of the country.

Authorities in Haridwar said the length of the festival has been shortened from previous years, but it has been extremely difficult to implement social distancing measures. Coronavirus tests are mandatory for those entering the area.

“We are continuously appealing to people to follow COVID-19 appropriate behavior. But due to the huge crowd, it is practically not possible,” senior police officer Sanjay Gunjyal said. -- ABC News

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COMMUNITY

April 16, 2021

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JVB Preksha Camp: “Discover Self through Anekant & Preksha Dhyan”

By Shashank Jain Houston: JVB Preksha Meditation Center, Houston conducted its 20th Annual Family Camp, using a technological & virtual setup on Easter weekend - from April 2 through 4, 2021, under the spiritual guidance of Samani Punya Pragyaji & Samani Jigyasa Pragyaji, disciples of Acharya Mahashraman.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic & its virtual platform on Zoom & YouTube, the camp had record participation, having attracted participants from the far corners of the globe with over 400 registrations.

Each year, the camp aims to foster spiritual, intellectual, and physical well-being of participants.

JVB Houston President, Mr. Ashok Jain inaugurated the event on the evening of Friday, April 2nd. Thereafter, Board Member Sh. Alok Jain, the mastermind behind the event, who painstakingly put the event & speakers together over the past few months gave a hearty welcome to participants.

This set the stage for the first of many powerful speakers - Dr. Dipak C. Jain, whose talk on “Humanity & Wisdom” was interspersed with his lifetime memories of his journey from a small village in Assam, India to becoming the Dean of Kellogg’s School of Business. Dr. Jain is currently the President of CEIBS and is on the board of multiple large corporations.

The day ended with Anand Bha-

vana by Samanijis.

On the following two days, much justice was done towards the theme - “Discover Self Through Anekant & Preksha Dhyan.” Both mornings commenced with Bhaktamar prayer recitation by Samanijis, and Yoga led by well-known Preksha Trainer – Ms. Anju Ji Bafna.

Past president Mr. Shashank Jain coordinated the Saturday morning session, wherein Samaniji Punya Pragya Ji’s lecture titled “Concept

of Anekant & Syadvad” forced thinking on how energy within us can lead to much greater things, which was followed by a powerful lecture on “Holistic view of Self-Development” by Dr. K.C. Jain, Director of Delhi’s – Adhyatma Sadhna Kendra. The afternoon featured a Relaxation session led by Samani Jigyasa Pragya Ji, auguring the practical applications of the morning lectures.

The Saturday evening session was coordinated by another past president, Ms. Seema Jain, who led us through two informative & practical sessions on “Mudra Vigyan” by Sh. Parasmal Ji Dugar from Mumbai, India. He was followed by Sh. Ranjit Ji Dugar who led us through an exhaustive Preksha Meditation session aptly titled – “Essence of Preksha.”

Sunday morning session included two passionate and informative

speakers - Sh. Rajendra Ji Modi who brought his in-depth knowledge on “Peace through Wisdom” to the audience, followed by the persuasive Dr. Dilip Ji Saraogi who summarized the entire event by his amazing talk on “Journey from Consciousness to Super Consciousness”.

Sunday’s session was masterfully led by Mr. Nikhil Jain, also a past president, who then transferred the baton to JVB VP, Mr. Gaurav Jhaveri, for the vote of thanks and an interactive feedback session with two of the speakers and Samanijis.

The virtual camp received tremendous feedback, which is evident from the measures of over 2,200 unique views across Zoom & YouTube platforms.

All attendees were left asking for more with many audience members sharing life changing experiences. For repeat viewing of the entire program please point to: https://youtube.com/ playlist?list=PLVC5QRcHi7Dd_ vug29eaqu82_MxyEn7w3 JVB Preksha Meditation Center is home to a specially designed Preksha Dhyan ‘Pyramid’ Meditation Hall and is located at 14102 Schiller Rd, Houston, TX 77082.

For more information, please visit www.JVBHouston.org.

You can reach Samanijis at 281.596.9642.

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BUSINESS

April 16, 2021

Houston’ Central Bank Welcomes Mohammed Tariq

Hartford, CT: Central Bank is pleased to announce the recent addition of Mohammad Tariq to the company’s executive team.

A longtime financial professional who has called Houston home for 35 years, Tariq joined Feb. 1 as executive vice president of commercial lending. In his new role, he helps to oversee commercial lending practices and general operations, and will play a key role in Central Bank’s expansion into local niche markets.

Tariq has spent much of his career focused on financial services within Asian and Indian/Pakistani communities, making him uniquely positioned to further Central Bank’s efforts to reach customers in yet untapped areas.

His past work includes time as chief lending officer of MetroBank, N.A., now East West Bank, the nation’s largest minority depository financial institution.

He went on to become executive vice president and chief loan officer at Golden Bank, N.A. Prior to joining Central Bank, Tariq served as regional president and regional chief banking officer for Hanmi Bank. There, he headed up nationwide initiatives covering nine states and focused on aiding the company’s expansion into niche markets — particularly

ship, Tariq said, growth into new markets hinges on forming connections, getting to know the other individual and determining how your strengths can help them achieve their goals.

“At the end of the day, it’s all about providing great customer service,” he said, noting he still keeps in touch with some customers he worked with 20 years ago.

As Houston’s longestserving independent bank, Central Bank is constantly on a mission to provide enhanced service to existing clients, and to reach new customers as well, President and CEO Robert Mohammad Tariq joined Houston’s Central Mrlik said.

In recent years, the Bank in February as executive vice bank expanded its onpresident, commercial lending. line and mobile offerSoutheast Asian communities and ings to meet customers’ high-tech subcommunities. needs, for instance, increased fraud Tariq earned his graduate bank- prevention efforts and moved into ing education from the University new Houston neighborhoods to of Pennsylvania Stonier Graduate better serve area businesses. In School of Banking and also holds January, the company opened Cena leadership certification from the tral Bank – Lower Heights, in the Wharton School of Business.

Lower Heights District mixed-use As with any working relation- development.

The personalized touch Tariq describes is a cornerstone of how Central Bank does business, Mrlik said.

“Even in a city as large as Houston, we work hard to offer a friendly, small-town feel,” he said.

“Our primary focus will always be on what we offer our clients, and on what we give back to the community. Tariq holds strong to those same ideals, and we know he is a wonderful addition to the team.”

The timing, Tariq added, couldn’t have been better. At the same time he was looking to step back from substantial travel with his past work, Central Bank was ready to expand into a market with which he had vast experience.

He said he is ready to set down roots with Central Bank, and to begin down that path toward growth.

Much of that will boil down to time-honored ways folks have been building businesses for years — reaching out to his connections and getting word out about all the bank offers.

“Central Bank isn’t just about the window dressing,” he explained. “We’re good, and we offer things that aren’t available through most other community banks. I want people to know who we are and what we can bring to the table.”Houston

Indo-American News • Friday, APRIL 16, 2021 • www.indoamerican-news.com

HPD’s Yasir Bashir is Promoted to Asst. Chief

Houston: Houston Police Department’s newly appoiunted Chief Troy Finner has promoted Pakistani-American Yasir Bashir to the rank of Assistant Chief.

Bashir joined the HPD Academy in 2000 and was previously captain of the Midwest Division based in the BHP office at Harwin Drive and Regency Square.

Award for Amarillo’s Babji Yalamanchali Amarillo: NAACP’s Amarillo Branch has presented an award to Babji Yalamachali in recognition of his “vigilant efforts to keep ‘Amarillo Clean’ by organizing citiwide events and coordinating strategies to move citizens from a midset of being reactive to proactive in the environmental and aesthetic maintenance of the city.”

COMMUNITY

Nepali-American Killed in Austin Austin: Ramesh Thapa, 39, who is of Nepalese descent, was fatally shot earlier this week in the parking lot of a Southeast Austin apartment complex, according to Austin police.

Friends of Ramesh Thapa say the 39-year-old Nepalese national was a gentle soul who was working hard to bring his wife and child to the United States.

Thapa was fatally shot early Tuesday in the parking lot of his Southeast Austin apartment complex near the intersection of Tranquilo Trail and Bluff Springs Road, according to Austin police.

Bhoj Raj Bhatta, president of the Greater Austin Nepali Society, told the AmericanStatesman that Thapa had emigrated from Pokhara, Nepal, and moved to Austin about 11 years ago. He said Thapa was a member of the the Nepalese organization, and worked at a convenience store in the city.

Bhatta said many in the local Nepalese community, which he estimates to be about 10,000 to 15,000 people, are struggling to cope with the news of Thapa’s death.

“This is a really unfortunate event. He was a really hard-working person and unfortunately this happened after he got off work around midnight and went home,” Bhatta said. “We are really shocked. Our communi-

ty is in shock right now.”

The organization has started a GoFundMe page to help with funeral expenses, Bhatta said. He added that the funds will also help with any travel expenses needed to accommodate funeral arrangements.

According to the GoFundMe page, Thapa lived with his brother, who moved to the city about three years ago.

“We strongly condemn this kind of crime,” Bhatta added.

Police said they got a 911 call about the shooting around 12:26 a.m. Tuesday, and despite efforts by Austin-Travis County EMS medics to save Thapa, he was pronounced dead around 12:49 a.m., according to authorities.

A Travis County medical examiner has determined Thapa’s death was from a gunshot wound and has been ruled a homicide.

The man accused of the shooting, Francois O’Neal, 23, was arrested Wednesday evening, according to authorities. O’Neal was in possession of a gun that authorities believe was used during the fatal shooting on Tuesday, police said.

Court documents related to the Monday shooting stated that a witness in that investigation suggested that O’Neal may have been experiencing mental health issues.

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SPORTS

April 16, 2021

Sanjana Ramesh: Sign of Hope for Indian-born Players in NCAA

By Sreyas Laddha

In Bangalore, India, a barefoot 12-year-old girl spent an hour cleaning dirt and grime off a basketball court. The air was musty from the mud and cow manure surrounding it — that’s how Sanjana Ramesh remembers 2014. She practiced with an orange ball that hardly resembled a real basketball, perfecting her dribble-drive and famous crossover that had boys her age falling to the ground, holding their ankles.

Her feet were riddled with blisters and her knees were bloody from diving after basketballs on the hard concrete — but she didn’t care. That court, and her determination, helped her become what she is today: the crown jewel of Indian women’s basketball.

Fast forward to 2021, Sanjana is over 9,000 miles away in Flagstaff, Arizona. She is a 6-foot-tall, gangly 19-year-old sophomore at North Arizona University and a member of the women’s basketball team. Sanjana is a scholarship player who doesn’t even do her own laundry anymore. She has an affinity for Cane’s chicken and craves the “Caniac Combo” whenever she can get her hands on it.

She’s come a long way since she was a barefoot girl playing basketball on a dirty court.

Sanjana is an anomaly — she is just the second Indian-born woman to play Division I basketball and represents the changing of the guard between the new generation

and the old, where the idea that academics aren’t the only avenue to success for Indians.

Sanjana follows Kavita Akula, a recent graduate of Grand Canyon University, who was the first Indian-born women’s basketball player to receive a scholarship.

“I am a little nervous… because people look up to me and see what journey I am taking and how I am performing in tournaments and games,” Sanjana said.

Sanjana said she first started playing basketball against her older brothers — never giving them an inch to score a basket, even at 12 years old. Throughout the years, she played games with reckless abandonment, diving after loose balls, hounding the opposing players on defense, and being a thorn on every offensive player’s side.

Her favorite memory? Her primary school team was trailing 20-2 when she entered the game off the bench. Her play injected a much-needed shot of dopamine into her lifeless team. She never glanced at the scoreboard and when she missed a layup in the closing seconds, she collapsed to the ground in disgust. Her teammates ran to her side in celebration and a confused Sanjana looked up to see that her team had won by 12 points.

“I was like a mad dog out on the court that day,” Sanjana said.

She credits her coach, Mohan Kumar, for pushing her to be great.

He would send three players to

guard her, forcing her to use every offensive weapon in her arsenal to get a shot off. The practice paid off and she became the youngest player on her state’s 18 and under team and in 2016, she accepted an invitation to the NBA India Academy, a training facility in Delhi for top men’s and women’s prospects to hone their skills and get exposure to scouts.

Sanjana found herself in uncharted waters and wanted to demand attention from American universities. She had read about Kavita’s path to college hoops and hoped to be next. “I knew the process, I knew I had to do my SATs and

make a highlight video, but I had no idea how to get into contact with coaches or what colleges to look for,” Sanjana said.

After a few months at the camp in 2018, Sanjana gave her highlight video to Coach Blair Hardiek, who sent it to American colleges. “I started getting Instagram DMs from colleges, I felt like a celebrity,” Sanjana said.

When it seemed like Sanjana could do no wrong, disaster struck. In the Asian Games, she tore her ACL. Multiple schools pulled their offers.

“I was really devastated… when you think you are on the highest

point in your career and this happens, it’s just the worst feeling,” she admitted. “People in India didn’t understand the surgery. It was hard to get through all that pressure and people watching you expecting to be perfect.”

However, one college, Northern Arizona University, stood by her, undeterred by the injury that typically requires a yearlong process of healing and painstaking physical therapy. That’s one of the main reasons she signed with the university at 17 — they believed in her when others moved on.

Sanjana’s first two playing years have been a learning curve on and off the court. She spent her first year trying to recover from her injury while learning the team’s playbook and on-court schemes.

Her playing time has been sparse and she says it’s been a grind between studying and focusing on basketball during the coronavirus pandemic. The next big step for her playing career is putting on strength so she can play power forward, Payne said. “’It’s tough to be a post player and not be quite as developed strength-wise and fitness-wise,” Payne said. “She continues to try to get better and she works hard in the weight room and she’s definitely dedicated in that way to make herself better.”

As Sanjana continues adapting to the college game, scores of girls message her for advice on how to take their own game to the next level.-- CBS News

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Send us the correct answer before April 21, 2021. Email us at indoamericannews@yahoo.com and send us your solved Sudoku for your name to be published.

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Last Week’s Solution

April 16, 2021 Pandemic and Crisis Fighter

9

Syed Rizwan Mohiuddin: Man behind UMMC nurses, EMTs and support staff — Houston: Every crisis has its who risk infecting themselves and heroes, every disaster its displays their own families — are making of selflessness and sacrifice. Fireextraordinary sacrifices to care for fighters race into burning buildthe rest of us. They do so, most ings. Police officers place theminfuriatingly, even as they have selves in the line of fire. Soldiers been put at greater risk than necmarch into war. essary by the avoidable shortages A hero is a person distinguished of masks, face shields and other by exceptional courage, nobility personal protective equipment and strength. He is a person you (PPE).” have a special admiration for, a With the vaccination effort unperson who protects you, cares derway, Mohiuddin continues to about you and potentially saves pare concentrates and dialysate provide a high level of care by your life.

Houston’s frontline health he- and to reprocess the machines for providing COVID-19 vaccines to thousands of Houston residents. roes are currently dealing with “di- the next patient.

Mohiuddin displayed his heroUMMC has joined hands with sasters within the disaster,” a term used by Harris County Judge Lina ism yet again when he purchased the Texas Legislature and health Hidalgo, as the unprecedented water tanks from out-of-town pro- agencies in Harris County, Fort freezing weather in February was ducers to facilitate dialysis treat- Bend County, the City of Houscompounded by power and water ment for many patients, saving ton, Houston Independent School District, the Islamic Society of shutoffs. With little power and no countless lives.

Mohiuddin instructs his staff to Greater Houston, and others. They clean water, private dialysis clinics across the county were forced to prioritize patient treatment and sat- are planning on helping President shut down. Patients facing kidney isfaction above all else, ensuring Joe Biden achieve his goal to get failure on strict dialysis schedules that no one is turned away because everyone vaccinated by June.

Congresswoman Sheila Jackwere left with one option: head to of their gender, race, economic the nearest hospital. Emergency status, or insurance status. Their son Lee, the CDC and the State of centers across the area were flood- goal is to treat everyone with dig- Texas have all played a massive ed with dialysis patients, creating nity and provide high-quality care role in helping to provide the vacdays-long wait times for the life- to every patient. The UMMC team cine to Texas residents, said Mohas stayed true to these values dur- hiuddin. saving treatment.

Mohiuddin, his family, and his With America’s healthcare sys- ing the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We became the first hospital in team at UMMC have been invalutem’s ever-changing environment, identifying healthcare providers Houston to provide free testing to able assets to the Houston commuand facilities that prioritize patient the general public, with just a pho- nity, especially during the unprecsafety and satisfaction is becoming to ID as a requirement. And now, edented global pandemic. We’d increasingly difficult. In Houston, amid the coronavirus pandemic, like to thank him and his team for Texas, one hospital stands out, go- our healthcare workers, doctors, his service to this country. ing so far as to only requiring a valid state-issued photo ID for covid-19 testing. United Memorial Medical Center (UMMC) has gone above and beyond to ensure that patients receive the best possible care, regardless of their insurance or ability to pay.

Before entering the healthcare sector, UMMC President Syed Rizwan Mohiuddin was a successful businessman and entrepreneur. “My mother’s illness for four years inspired me to pursue a career in healthcare,” Mohiuddin said. “I heard about the challenges patients and their families face when they have little or no access to healthcare, I wanted to make sure the uninsured and underinsured Bay Area Regional Kingwood were being served adequately. While Medical Center Medical Center power has been re200 Blossom St. 22999 US-59 stored for many, Webster Tx 77598 Kingwood, TX 77339 water remains a problem. Dialysis requires access to Fax: 713-850-7343 • E-mail: neonat@aol.com clean water to pre-

Our heartfelt thanks to all the healthcare workers for their service during this COVID-19 pandemic.

May the spirit of Vaisakhi guide you.

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VAISAKHI SPECIAL

April 16, 2021

Sikhs Mark Toned-down Vaisakhi in US amid Covid Concerns

New York: Sikhs across the United States are holding toneddown Vaisakhi celebrations this week, joining people of other faiths in observing major holidays cautiously this spring as Covid-19 keeps an uneven hold on the country.

Vaisakhi, which falls April 13 or 14 depending on which of two dueling calendars one follows, marks the day in 1699 when Sikhism took its current form. Communities typically celebrate by gathering at gurdwaras, or places of worship, for prayer and the reading of hymns, and there are often processions, parades, other activities and food.

While the ongoing pandemic has many people celebrating remotely this year just as in 2020, some, especially in the United States, are joining in masked, socially distant Vaisakhi gatherings.

“Sikh community members, especially those who faced hardships and loss during the pandemic, view Vaisakhi as a fresh start and a sign of hope that things will be better once again,” said Sahej Preet Singh, community development manager at the Sikh Coalition, a national organization based

in New York. “The Sikh worldview embraces resilience and Chardi Kala (relentless optimism).”

For the second year in a row, outdoor festivities at the Midwest Sikh Gurdwara and the traditional parade in the city of Shawnee, a suburb of Kansas City, Missouri, have been canceled. But in an improvement over 2020, some events will be held at the temple and via social media.

Komalpreet Kaur, a 16-year-old high school student in nearby Olathe, Kansas, said the parade is “the one big event of the year where everyone gets together, and we welcome other members of the community to participate. ... This is like our Christmas, and it’s something we look forward to so much.”

“But we are going to find alternatives this year to celebrate,” she added. Kaur has been lobby-

ing officials in several area cities trying to get them to declare April Sikh Awareness and Appreciation Month, so far winning one such proclamation from Lenexa, Kansas. Kaur, who was raised in New York City before moving with her family to Kansas in 2017, said she wants to make others more familiar with her faith.

“Increasing awareness can combat the negativity and hate,” she said.

In California’s San Joaquin Valley, the Stockton Gurdwara Sahib organized a Tuesday evening service of prayers, readings from the Guru Granth Sahib scripture and music, held in-person while following health guidelines, said Tejpaul Singh Bainwal, a temple member and student of early Sikh American history. A more involved celebration including a vaccination clinic will be held this weekend, also under masking and social distancing rules.

In a normal year there would be a parade that attracts thousands, but it has been called off this year.

Bainwal expects attendance at the events to be much lower as people

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focus instead on selfless service.

“People are practicing their faith in a different way since Covid,” he said.

At Guru Nanak Darbar of Long Island, in Hicksville, New York, normally there’s a giant tent set up in the parking lot to accommodate crowds of up to 2,000 people at a time coming for festivities and treats. This year the celebrations were marked by temperature monitors, social distancing and bagged meals to take home. Temple members set a more restrictive attendance level than required, allowing about 150 into prayer services that can normally accommodate 600.

“In a normal year we have a lot of stalls, a lot of food,” said Harcharan Singh Gulati, the general secretary. “But this year we don’t want to take any risk. We want people to take it home.”

After all Vaisakhi celebrations were shut down in 2020, this year people were allowed inside the gurdwara in small groups for prayer, readings and religious songs. “It’s not like two or three years ago,” Gulati said, “but it is better than what we had last year.”

VAISAKHI SPECIAL

April 16, 2021

Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji - A Life of Legacy

By Bhupinder “Bo” Singh Remembering Ninth Nanak, the nine treasures will flow in life.

The above translation of the line from the Sikh Prayer is evocative of blessings that we can receive in remembrance of Guru Tegh Bahadur. The genesis of the creation of Khalsa is intimately tied to the supreme sacrifice of Guru Tegh Bahadur. It was Sunday, the 1st of April 1621, when in the house of Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, the great soul was born. The child of Mata Nanaki was born in the early hours of fragrant dawn. The new born child was the sixth child and named Tegh Bahadur. Guru Ji saw the brave and heroic spirit of his own late father Guru Arjan Dev Ji in him. Guru Hargobind Sahib blessed the new born child with these words, “May the Immortal Lord bestow on you all the divine blessings.”

When the child Tegh Bahadur was 4-1/2 years, Guru Hargobind personally took him to Bhai Buddha and requested him to accept the child as the pupil and impart education to him. Baba Buddha Ji, who had spent time with all the six Gurus, from Guru Nanak Dev

Ji to Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, shared historical anecdotes from Guru’s lives with him.

Additionally Tegh Bahadur also learned poetry, philosophy and history from Bhai Gurdas Ji, horse riding cum swordsmanship from Bhai Bidhi Chand and warfare skills from Jati Mal. But, the most important source of inspiration to him was from the life of his own father Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji. Tegh Bahadur as a child would spend long hours in deep meditation, and his poetic outpourings offered glimpses of a budding poet. When Tegh Bahadur’s older brother by 2-1/2 years, 9 years old Baba Atal passed away at a very young age, it made a lasting impression of him regarding significance of abiding by the Will of God. In quick successions he witnessed deaths of his teachers Baba Buddha, Bhai Gurdas, and Bhai Jati Das who had made a lasting impression on his tender mind.

In 1634 at the age of 14, Baba Tegh Bahadur got permission from his father Guru Har Gobind Ji to join the battle in Kartarpur.

The fifty thousand men of Mughal army were led by Kale Khan, the brother of Mukhlis Khan, who had died in the first battle. Here the young Baba Tegh Bahadur displayed exemplary courage and heroism. It was for this display of exquisite swordsmanship that Tegh Bahadur became talk of the town. Guru Hargobind Ji had retired to Keeratpur after the Kartarpur battle and spent last ten years

of his life there with family.

He breathed his last on March 3, 1644 and before he had annointed Guru Har Rai, his grandson as his successor.

Soon about a month later Baba Tegh Bahadur left Keeratpur with his mother, wife, and brother-in-law Kirpal for Bakala. He did not renounce the world but only the worldliness.

It was time for him to prepare for the next phase of his life, where even Mata Gujri, followed his foot-steps. It was midnight of 30th March 1664; when the call came to him to carry the ‘Torch of Light’ of Guru Nanak Dev Ji to spread its light all across and to save the Dharma and uphold righteousness in the formidable times ahead.

Guru Ji purchased land seven miles away from Keeratpur and laid the foundation of city of Anandpur in June 1665. Shortly afterwards in November 1665 he started on his long journey of the east, visiting the places visited by Guru Nanak Dev Ji in his first Udassi. Towards the end of May 1666 Guru Ji reached Patna, stayed there till August. Stopping on the way at various places Guru Ji reached Dacca in October

1666. At the time of birth of Guru Gobind Singh Ji on 26th December 1666 in Patna, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji was in Dacca. From there Guru Ji proceeded to Dhubri, Kamrup in February 1668, at the request of Raja Ram Singh son of Mirza Raja Jai Singh. From here after monsoon of 1670, Guru Ji returned to Dacca and then visited Jagannath Puri before returning to Patna in May 1671. It was on return only that Guru Ji first saw his son Gobind Rai. Guru Tegh Bahadur and family reached Anandpur after leaving Patna in February 1672.

Pandit Kirpa Ram, head of Sanskrit Institution in Matan, Kashmir, came as leader of delegation of 500 Kashmiri Pandits visited Anandpur and shared their deep plight of forced conversion with Guru Ji. Guru Ji advised Kirpa Ram to tell Governor that if Tegh Bahadur accepted conversion we all will follow. Guru Ji laid down his life for the protection of Hindu faith in the afternoon of November 11, 1675 in Chandi Chowk, Delhi. There is no historical parallel in the world where someone gave his own life to protect right of freedom of faith, not for his own faith but for others.

Best Vaisakhi wishes to the Houston Sikh Sangat Licensed Agent

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VAISAKHI SPECIAL

April 16, 2021

Happy Gurpurab!

Best Wishes to the entire Houston Sikh Community.

During this COVID pandemic, Stay Safe & have a Happy

Vaisakhi Hardeepak & Preet Munday

As we tackle the Coronavirus Pandemic, remember to have a

Prithvipal Singh & Manmeet Kaur Likhari Indo-American News • Friday, APRIL 16, 2021 • www.indoamerican-news.com

VAISAKHI SPECIAL

April 16, 2021

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vwhu vwhu goibMd isMG Awpy guru cylw

Best Wishes for a Happy Vaisakhi!

Stay Safe During this COVID period!

May Waheguru bless you and your family with joy, peace & happiness!

Bikram Singh & family

Bhupinder Singh & family

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VAISAKHI SPECIAL

April 16, 2021

Stay safe and sheltered during this COVID-19 crisis.

Better days are ahead!

On this ....

Vaisakhi ... the Sikh community of Houston thanks all the healthcare workers fighting the Coronavirus Gurmeet S. Bhatia & family Indo-American News • Friday, APRIL 16, 2021 • www.indoamerican-news.com

VAISAKHI SPECIAL

April 16, 2021

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Even as we pass trough this difficult time of COVID-19, remember it is also the time of rebirth!

Jain & Jain CPAs

Happy Gurpurab!

Happy Gurpurab!

As we tackle the Coronairus Pandemic, remember the rites of

Vaisakhi and the guidance Guru Gobind’s gave to overcome hurdles!

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