Indo-American News: June 5, 2020

Friday, June 5, 2020 | Vol. 39, No. 23

Indo American News

June 5, 2020

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Published weekly from Houston, TX

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Special Reports Community Briefs Local Politics South Asians in the News

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IMAGH Celebrates Id-ul-Fitr Eid Milan on Zoom

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COMMUNITY

June 5, 2020

Determined to Celebrate, IMAGH Uses a New Venue: ZOOM Gala

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By Jawahar Malhotra Houston: The Indian Muslims Association of Greater Houston was determined to celebrate Eid ul Fitr this year, but was constrained by the Corona virus lockdown.

So it turned to a technology that is rapidly being adopted across the world: Zoom, to hold a virtual Gala from everyone sitting in their homes.

Never done before in our community, the hour-long Zoom Gala on Saturday, May 30 at 7pm was a great success for bringing so many members and supporters together and included entertainment from local talent and from flutist Pravin Godkhindi (who performed live ay last year’s gala) to perform live from India. The chief guest was Indian Consul General Aseem Mahajan and there were testimonials from The Alliance CEO Dan Stoecker; Harris County Commissioner Adrian Garcia, former Houston Mayor Annise Parker; Ft Bend Judge K.P. George, former Houston Councilman Gordon Quan and others.

Message from Munir Ibrahim, President IMAGH The 11th Annual Eid Milan Gala was a Herculean effort by doing it as a Virtual Celebration.

The words that best describes the event are Incredible, Phenomenal, Wonderful, Beautiful and so many more, they all describe the program; that brought together our youngest members to our most senior members in an effort to celebrate the fabric of our Indian and Muslim traditions.

At one point there were 90 streams, many with two and three people on, so it’s estimated that between 150 and 170 people watching the broadcast at various points. That is huge considering that this was a first time effort to hold a program of this magnitude via Zoom. The program itself while not with out its hiccups cap-

Manazir Shamsi

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Afzal Shekhani - Chair of the Eid Milan Committee

Altaf Akbari

Yunus Langha, VP, IMAGH

Ali Dhanji Committee Finance

tured the essence of our Eid Milan program and held the audiences attention.

This did not happen magically, there were many, many hours spent by a group of individuals leading up to the program and we need to recognize fully their efforts in ensuring that OUR program was amazing.

As you know, we had never used Zoom before Saeed Pathan took it upon himself to learn the nuances of the program and spent countless hours to set up meetings and grapple with the technicalities of the system and then worked to make individuals comfortable on the platform, while tweaking the small things to make the program so vibrant.

Kazi Tanveer, brought us great entertainment in flutist Pravin Godkhindi to perform live from

India in the wee hours of the morning. Kazi also stayed on top of the finances and fund raising. He even prepared his son Zayan to perform the Indian National Anthem.

Yunus Langha insisted on continuing the scholarship program even if we could not fully vest it this year, his personal story and dedication to serve the young members of our community was admirable.

Rahat Sultana Kalle was in touch with every one of our community leaders, while she was recovering from her own surgery.

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Afzal Shakeni took the lead from the Exec. Committee and was on every Zoom call, worked with the finance committee, managed food for the iftar dinner, and coordinated with his daughters Sara and Arianna to provide the marvelous piano recital.

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Mohammed Khan did a masterful performance as emcee. He was well prepared, listened to all the suggestions prior to the program and than took the lead and made it his own, adeptly took control of the program when necessary.

For a collage of the event, see Page 9.

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June 5, 2020

Fort Bend County Residents Can Now Apply for Assistance Through a $19.5 Million Fund

COMMUNITY

Fort Bend County Judge K.P. George announced the details for the assistance fund.

Richmond: Fort Bend County said people who have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic can now apply for assistance because of a $19.5 million fund put together by county leaders.

Most of the money was provided by the CARES Act while the county contributed another $2 million.

The fund is designed to help eligible citizens pay their rent, mortgage and utilities from June to November. Residents can receive up to $1,500 in rent or mortgage assistance and up to $500 in utility assistance.

To qualify, a person must: • Be a Fort Bend County resident, • Have a household income less than 80% of the area’s average median income.

• Have lost a job because of COVID-19

•

Be unable to pay rent after April 1.

Have not received other rental assistance for the same period and the landlord or mortgage company must agree to participate.

The money will be allocated in three phases, starting in June. People can begin applying for Phase 1 through June 12 or when funds run out.

People are asked to go to fortbendcountytx.gov or call 281-238-CARES for information about the application process.

Officials said if the demand for funds is high, county commissioners could vote to add more money to the fund.

In a related development, on Tuesday, May 26, Fort Bend County Commissioners Court voted to authorize the County Attorney to file amicus briefs in support of litigation that argues for allowing

Republican, Democratic, & Independent voters whose health may be at risk when voting in person to vote by mail.

“The citizens of Fort Bend County must be able to exercise their right to vote without putting their lives and the lives of their loved ones at risk. During these extraordinary circumstances, we must protect our voters and election workers while we battle the highly contagious novel coronavirus,” said County Judge KP George.

“We are fighting to expand the freedom of choice for our voters to ensure they can both protect themselves and participate in the increasingly important Democratic process. We use the mail for our tax refunds, registering for the draft, and for more than 10% of Texas voters who are already eligible to vote by mail.”

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5 Virtual Setting Planned for International Day of Yoga in Texas

COMMUNITY

June 5, 2020

By Manu Shah Houston: A new twist will mark the 6th International Day of Yoga celebrations this year.

Instead of the wide open spaces, huge crowds, green lawns and blue skies that characterized the past five IDY’s, the celebrations this year will be held virtually due to the pandemic.

The Consulate General of India, Houston in collaboration with several supporting organizations, is organizing a virtual session of yoga from India House which will be live streamed on the Consulate General of India Houston Facebook page (Facebook.com/ IndiainHouston) as well as the Facebook page of India House (Facebook.com/indiahouse) The two hour Live Program from 10 am to 12 noon on June 21, 2020 will commence with a brief opening ceremony and remarks by the Consul General of India, Houston Aseem Mahajan. This will be followed by the practice of the Common Yoga Protocol with postures (asanas), breathing techniques (pranayama) and meditation led by none other than the global face of yoga: Yogrishi Swami Ramdev.

For the past three decades, Swami Ramdev has been guiding legions of people to take charge of their health with the practice of yoga. He has millions of followers and his YouTube videos on how to keep the corona virus at bay with herbal remedies and breathing

Swami Ramdev will lead with demonstrations of Yoga protocol in a virtual setting. Photo: Bijay Dixit.

techniques to strengthen the respiratory system are garnering thousands of hits. An indirect result of COVID-19 is that with more time on their hands, many people are exploring yoga’s ancient and proven practices to boost their immune system and attain peace.

Col Vipin Kumar, Executive Di-

rector India House recalled Swami Ramdev’s visit to India House, Houston on July 16th 2008 and expressed his delight that “he would again be visiting India House on June 21st, though virtually” .

Patanjali Yogpeeth USA President Shekhar Agrawal is encouraging people to join the yoga session

especially during these turbulent times. In a statement, he said “Life has dramatically changed for everyone. These techniques are a powerful tool to help people tap into their inner calm as they deal with isolation, anxiety and stress due to the pandemic.”

Event coordinator and Swayam-

sevak Sharad Amin stated that this year’s IDY will be dedicated to the Corona Warriors – our heroic front liners and first responders who put their lives on the line every day so they can save the lives of those affected by the deadly virus.

The pandemic has provided an opportunity for several cities to come together on one virtual platform to celebrate IDY. Houston will be joined by Austin, Dallas, The Woodlands and Yoga enthusiasts from Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma & Texas on June 21.

San Antonio will celebrate IDY on June 20 in a widespread and well organized all day event. iDoYoga San Antonio, in collaboration with all 10 City Council Districts and local yoga studios, is organizing an all-day YOGATHON with Free Yoga Community Classes streamed live throughout the day. The session will begin at 6 am in the morning and culminate with their flagship class at Rivercenter Mall at 6 pm the same evening. All classes will be streamed live on the IDY YouTube channel located on their website. iDoYoga San Antonio is raising $15,000 for yoga teachers impacted by the pandemic. The funds will be used to award grants of $500 to 30 local yoga teachers who make their living teaching yoga.

For more information, visit Yogadayoftexas.org or email tic. houston@mea.gov.in

‘In the Face Of Adversity, We Persevere’: Sewa is Hiring AmeriCorps Members Houston: Sewa International, a Hindu faith-based nonprofit, is hiring 18 part-time and full-time paid volunteers to work in the field of education and disaster relief.

This big renewed push is part of a new program called AmeriCorps, wherein American youth volunteer for one full year to serve the local communities. While a lot of Americorps are young graduates, this position is open to people of all ages as long as they are American citizens or green cardholders.

President Bill Clinton founded the Americorps program in 1993.

Sewa International has been operating an Americorps program for capacity building, called Americorps Vista, for almost a decade.

With increased programming and an increase in the need to expand services to serve more clients, the Sewa International Houston chapter has decided to expand the program to hiring 100 members by 2022. Americorps members get a living stipend and financial support towards a college education.

This program will be operated under a federal grant. It’s important to note here that the service term in AmeriCorps is equivalent to military service and is considered the highest level of service The education part of the Sewa International Americorps program works in partnership with Alief

On the left Mariah Powell and Alexis Angelo on the right and Ruba Alafifi and Laura Frye (AmeriCorps Members 2014-2015).

ISD; wherein Americorps members help provide capacity-building resources for students in most need at Alief ISD. This program has another component of Disaster Preparedness. Six AmeriCorps members will start working closely with Sewa International’s staff and advisors to create a disaster preparedness plan for our community.

It’s their mission to bring the best practices in disaster preparedness to the South Asian community; these members will train volunteers and community members for all future human-made and natural disasters. While the Sewa International team has bee leading the re-

sponse to COVID-19 and helping hundreds of families every week, a small group stayed focused on putting together the long term plan of with AmeriCorps.

“Sewa International program is the only AmeriCorps program in Texas that will help the community prepare for future disasters,” said president Gitesh Desai. Sewa International is actively raising funds to support this program for the year 2020-2021.

“We call upon all Indian community leaders and community organizations to collaborate on this. We want youth from our community to join the prestigious

Amerirops program and serve the local community”, said the Nikhil Jain, chapter coordinator of Sewa International Houston.

How to join Sewa Internationals Americorps program: Please reach

out to Kavita Tewary@ educationhouston@sewausa.org To know more about the AmeriCorps program, visit www.nationalservice. gov/programs/AmeriCorps

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COMMUNITY

June 5, 2020

Covid-19 Sends Indo-American Disease Detective into Outbreak Overdrive

By Elise Rambaud Marrion

Houston: With nearly 60 million passengers traveling through Houston airports, and Galveston serving as a major port for cruise ships, Houston is a prominent destination for global travel. As cases of the novel coronavirus continued to spread worldwide, local health authorities knew it was only a matter of time before COVID-19 would come to town.

Varsha Vakil, an epidemiologist with the Houston Health Department, said she expected to see an influx of travel-related cases. By late January, her predictions came true. Her first suspected case of COVID-19 had recently traveled from China to Houston.

While nurses, doctors, paramedics and other frontline workers are earning praise for caring for the sick, epidemiologists and public health professionals like Vakil and Thomas Johnson work behind the scenes as disease detectives tracking the sources and local spread of the virus.

“We are used to dealing with different outbreaks from food-borne illnesses, measles, meningitis, pertussis, to Ebola and Zika,” Vakil said. “As epidemiologists, we are already in the state of mind that we roll up our sleeves and we are ready for anything that comes our way.”

Vakil said her colleagues at the Houston Health Department had the expertise and procedures in place, but it became a question of

Varsha Vakil, an epidemiologist with the Houston Health Department,

applying those skills and experience to an unknown virus while handling a rapidly growing volume of cases.

A typical day for Vakil includes phone calls interviewing cases and investigating the root cause of the disease, tracing the person’s whereabouts and the people with whom they have been in contact. The job requires recording and analyzing data, recommending preventive measures and occasionally representing the epidemiology division at local and national conferences.

But lately, those days have become considerably more hectic.

She spends long days in the office poring over reports, juggling calls and meetings and she is frequently on call through the night and early morning hours.

“Before the pandemic, the field of epidemiology wasn’t widely known by the general public. In fact, many people struggle just to

pronounce it, but that is changing.

We are not looking for accolades or pats on the back, but it has not been easy,” Vakil said. “Epidemiology is a calling, and we are dedicated to protecting public health no matter what happens.

“Initially, when COVID-19 testing was only conducted by the CDC, we were flooded with calls even in the middle of the night.

Everyone was in a state of panic.

Doctors and hot spots like nursing homes were unprepared for when patients began to show telltale virus symptoms.”

That panic has quieted now that testing centers have become more widely available, and the public no longer needs to be pre-screened for drive-thru testing, Vakil said.

The Health Department expects to have at least 24 testing sites open by the end of May. “As we open more centers for testing, we need more people to

investigate,” she said.

Thankfully, relief is on the way.

Funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act enabled the Health Department to open 300 new temporary public health positions including contact tracers, call center representatives, community involvement coordinators, epidemiologists, nurses and other roles.

Two virtual job fairs were held on May 14, drawing participation from 2,600 potential applicants.

Thomas Johnson is a surveillance investigator and outbreak coordinator for the Health Department. When the virus began to spread locally, Johnson was initially working with the division that investigates outbreaks in long-term care facilities such as nursing homes, but his role shifted to coordinate outbreak efforts and track the spread of the virus originating from work sites like office buildings and public spaces such as grocery stores, gas stations or airports.

As a public health professional working on the front lines, Johnson said he feels a personal and professional obligation to share his knowledge and insight with friends, family and colleagues.

“There is no prophylactic treatment, so without a vaccine, you just have to follow the guidance to wear a mask, hunker down, limit your interactions and put as many barriers as you can between you and the virus.”

Johnson said he doles out both

warnings and assurances to acquaintances who are either dismissive or distressed by the virus’s severity.

“Working in public health, we can act as a filter, give peace of mind and add much-needed context to some of the convoluted information you see on the news and social media,” Johnson said.

“At the same time, I have softball friends who give me a hard time because they are eager to get back on the field. I have to tell them that I don’t want to see their names come across my desk as a positive case.”

As the pandemic wages on, both Vakil and Johnson said their sense of purpose continues to drive their enthusiasm and work ethic.

“It can be mentally draining and physically draining, but I’m still excited coming to work every day knowing that what we do matters,” Johnson said. “What we say can prevent the spread of the virus and save lives. Sadly, some of our patients have passed away, and you feel each loss personally because over the course of their illness, you developed a connection.

“But you do it all with the mindset that this is what I signed up for; this is what I loved to do. At the end of the day, what we do now can have an immediate and longterm impact on the wellbeing of our city. Our work, our methodologies could be used as a model for future pandemic response practices.” -- City Savvy

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Indo-American News • Friday, JUNE 05, 2020 • www.indoamerican-news.com

COMMUNITY

June 5, 2020

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Online Summer Camp by Sunday School of Arya Samaj Houston

if you have any questions. Our school’s Annual Video which has some memories of the year that went by, (https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=QN_iEWobyIY).

By Aditya Talwar Houston: Even before the current school year 2019-20 came to an end on Sunday 24th May, the Sunday School of Arya Samaj Houston - the DAV Sanskriti School - decided to organize its Online Summer Camp. The Sanskriti School listened to the needs of the concerned parents and went into overdrive to prepare for its first ever online offering of the summer camp. Its Director Acharya (Dr.) Kavita Vachaknavee describes the salient features as: age 5-15, Monday to Friday one hour each 4-5 pm, June 22 to July 24, each day during the week devoted to one subject each and even some options on certain days, and two age groups for certain subjects.

Keeping in mind the requests of the parents and the children, this camp will have subjects ranging from Dharma Shiksha, Bharatiya Itihas (Indian History), Yogasan, Indian Folk Art, Bhajans to Dancercise, Vedic Math etc. Our aim is to provide our children a flavor of the regular Sanskriti school along with fun extra curricular activities to keep all students actively engaged at home during the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic.

Our teachers and volunteers are extremely excited to keep our association strong even during the summer vacations.

Registrations are now open at a

29 Our

Pune, India: India generates th YE more than 25,000 tons of plasticAR waste every day, 40 per cent of which remains uncollected. In 60 major cities of India, an estimated 4,059 tons per day of plastic indoamerican-news.com waste is generated every day, data obtained from the Central Pollution Control Board states.

Serving South-Asians Sincefrom 1982 Pune Three scientists University have identified fungi which can potentially help degrade polythene and emerge as an answer to the plastic pollution th YEAR crisis.

India generates more than 25,000 tons of plastic waste every day, 40 per cent of which remains uncollected. In 60 major cities of India, an estimatedindoamerican-news.com 4,059 tons per day of plastic waste is generated every day, data obtained from Serving South-Asians Since 1982

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nominal fee of $100/student for the whole duration of the camp.

We request everyone to make the maximum use of this opportunity for their children to have fun and also stay connected to their Indian roots at the same time. More details can be obtained on our website at davss.aryasamajhouston.

org/summercamp.

Enrollment for the Online Summer Camp as well as the next year 2020-21 are now open. For details, rite to davss@aryasamajhouston. org or call 832-819-4546.

Please share this with anyone who you feel may benefit from this camp. Please call or email

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Indo-American News helps your business First and oldest South Asian weekly in Texas 29th year in publication Reach more than 22,000 readers every week More than 52,000 website hits every week Reach 3,000 eblast subscribers every Thursday

The Indo American community is the most lucrative and influential ethnic group in the of USlocal with businesses the highest Most comprehensive coverage per-capita&income eventsand ineducation Texas level.

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COMMUNITY

June 5, 2020

‘Pratyasha – We Shall Prevail’ Fundraiser for Cyclone Amphan Victims

By Sanchali Basu

Houston: Amphan, one of the strongest cyclones ever recorded in the Bay of Bengal, made landfall in Bakkhali, a coastal town 75 miles south of Kolkata West Bengal. The super cyclone (equivalent to a Category 4 Hurricane) left a trail of destruction as it pummeled villages and cities along its track with wind gusts of 100+ mph. The storm surge of 15 ft inundated coastal towns up to 9 miles from the coast forcing millions to evacuate. The storm left more than 100 dead and property damages are estimated to be north of $13 billion.

The plight of the poor laborers can hardly be fathomed, several hundreds of thousands have lost everything in the storm.

Already reeling from unemployment due to COVID-19 pandemic, they lost their meager savings and shanties they called homes. Government aid has become an ugly political issue at the face of calamity dimming hopes of a speedy recovery. Responding at the call of the hour volunteers from Ramkrishna Mission formed a Cyclone Amphan Relief Services team working directly with victims with a missionary zeal. With multiple Ramkrishna Mission centers in the area, the team is well equipped to reach out to the aid of the needy.

In an effort to help the victims of this cyclone Amphan in West Bengal, a few locals of the Houston community put together a virtual

fundraiser, the proceeds of which will go to support Amphan Cyclone relief Services, Belur Math, Ramakrishna Mission. The Belur Math team is working directly with the Amphan victims by providing temporary shelter, distributing cooked food and dry ration in the affected areas as and where necessary. While steps are also being taken to extend the relief activities further, they are under the constraint of scanty resources.

To help the Ramakrishna Mission volunteers, a fundraiser was organized by a team of Houston area volunteers, Sanchali Basu, Biplab Samadder and Joydeep Mukherjee. Connecting through

their friends in classical music and dance, they conceptualized a classical music and dance-based fundraiser concert to raise awareness of the calamity and promote fundraising to support the cause.

The performing artists graciously agreed to collaborate and put together a short classical music and dance program “Pratyasha‌ we shall prevail.â€? virtual fundraiser concert which premiered on YouTube.

The concert was hosted by Sanchali Basu. Swami Atmarupananda ji Maharaj of Vedanta Society of Greater Houston opened the program with a prayer for peace and well-being for all, urg-

ing us to come forward and help the less fortunate victims of cyclone Amphan.

Pt. Debojyoti Bose, sarod maestro from Kolkata started the virtual concert with a short sarod piece with Pt. Shubhankar Banerjee on Tabla. He shared the ground reality in the aftermath of the super cyclone. Dr. Rathna Kumar never fails to mesmerize audiences, and she came through again with her abhinaya to Maya Angelou’s poem, “Still I Rise.� Biplab’s soulful portrayal of emotions resonating through his violin strings was beyond comparison and touched everyone’s hearts. Supradipta’s graceful presentation of Moksha

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Mangalam and Durga Stuti, were heartfelt and touching, as usual.

Sri Subhendu Chakraborty and his worthy disciple Prashant Kumar then presented a short tabla concert with few kaidas from Farukhabad gharana in teen taal playing in true Guru- shishya parampara , enchanting us with their excellent display of rhythmic caliber par excellence. Then Smt. Rajnita Bandyopadhyay rendered her mellifluous voice and concluded the program with a bandish and Maa Durga bhajan, Bhawani Dayani. She was accompanied by her son Debtanu on the tabla.

Here is the link to the virtual concert: https://youtu.be/LjdK9vXe5Oo These are unprecedented times and have warranted unprecedented measures on the part of the relief services team. Please come forward and donate generously using the following links which are also provided in the description box of the YouTube presentation. The link will remain active for future donations.

Indian residents please use this link: https://donations.belurmath. org/appeal-amphan-cyclone-relief-services-98376 Foreign residents please use this link: https://donations.belurmath. org/product/donations-for-amphan-cyclone-relief-from-foreignnationals-in-usd?currency=USD Tax receipts for all donations are sent to donors.

EID MILAN 2020

June 5, 2020

9

Above: IMAGH President Munir Ibrahim (left); Chief Guest Indian Consul General Mahajan (middle); Emcee Mohammed Khan (right).

Right: Tayebiji “Kaka” Shipchamdler sang an opening number.

Saeed Pathan (above) directed the Zoom Gala while Tanveer Kazi (below) and Rahat Sultana Kalle (bottom) coordinated efforts

Indian Muslims Association of Greater Houston virtual 11th via Annual Gala Zoom

Above: Zain Ahmed (left) read the transliteration of the prayer recited by Sana Ahmed (right) in Arabic. Below: Sara Shekhani (left) sang the US Anthem and Zayan Kazi sang the Indian Anthem

Saturday, May 30, 2020

Indian flutist Pravin Godkhindi performed live from Chennai accompanied by his son Sharaj and older brother Kiran on the

Twins Sara & Arianna Shekhani played three pieces on the piano.

Indo-American News • Friday, JUNE 05, 2020 • www.indoamerican-news.com

June 5, 2020 10 EDITORIAL/COMMENTARY

Reflecting on this Difficult Week

Resetting the Civilization after Covid-19

By Kailash Satyarthi

Like many of you, I’m angry, tired, disheartened, and confused. America watched George Floyd, a Yates alumnus and Houston native, murdered on camera by a police officer, while other officers watched and bystanders begged for his life.

We grieve and protest, but we should not be shocked, because when we mourn George Floyd we also grieve and protest for Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Eric Garner and so many others whose names we don’t know because their deaths were not caught on tape and their families will never get justice.

We also protest for the countless others who were not killed, but have been brutalized and dehumanized by a broken system. We are disheartened because those who address the riots and not the racism confuse cause for effect. This is not about one bad apple or one incident but a disease that infects our entire society born of a system founded in unequal justice which persists to this day.

We know that we need more investment in our local communities. We know that we need law enforcement officers who know their communities and communities must know that the officers who police them are there to protect them, regardless of what they look like. We need body cameras on every officer, training on de-escalation, and a legal system that doesn’t disproportionately punish people based on race.

Most of all, our black and brown communities deserve to know that real meaningful change will occur. We need to know that people in positions of power will act to stop brutality and dehumanization, not look the other way or encourage it.

We have been here before, in Ferguson, in LA, in Chicago, in Detroit and in Watts. We cannot allow Minneapolis just to be the next city added to this list. Now more than ever, we need real leadership that represents all of us, not just some. We have a responsibility to act as allies, use our voices, rights, and power that we have to band together and demand real change.

It’s past time we treat the disease and not just the symptoms.

-- Sri Kulkarni is a candidate for the Congressional District TX-22.

During and in the aftermath of catastrophes, crises and wars, the collective way of the life of citizens is impacted hugely. In today’s interconnected world, Covid-19 is not just a health, an economic or a humanitarian crisis. It’s also a crisis of civilisation. Civilizations evolve as a result of a collective response to historical events and changes in human ecology, and despite differences, have some elements universal in nature. During the last few decades, globalization and unprecedented advancements in communication and technology have further increased the commonalities of human civilization.

The ongoing pandemiczhas the potential to weaken the foundation and the very fabric of our civilisation. This may alter not only the way we live and work but also deeply impact our interpersonal relationships, our core values and the nature of state and governance.

These are some indications of a crisis of civilization but there are other crucial factors at work. Collectivism is the foundation of any civilisation. Collective thoughts, experiences, actions, beliefs, perceptions and traditions contribute to building a civilization. Efforts for sustenance and survival, a quest for freedom, a pursuit of knowledge of the unknown, a search for happiness and a desire to create and innovate are also among the key propellers of a civilisation. These manifest themselves in the creation of language, art, sculpture, habitat and help define citizenry and governance The pandemic has exposed and deepened, perhaps the ever-existing emotional disparities between the makers of the infrastructure of our civilisation and its elite custodians. Further, this highlights the differences of perception and the grave cognitive dissonance.

I have a four-tier approach in mind that can help us deal with the above challenges. My thought is based on four elements — Compassion, Gratitude, Responsibility and Tolerance. I am proposing nothing new here. All these

elements are already present and are rooted as basic human values across cultures and religions. The attainment of liberty, dignity, justice, equality, sustainability and peace should be the key goal of our civilization. These are not merely ideals and principles but are achievable realities.

I keep emphasising that unless we feel others’ pain and suffering as our own and make endeavours to alleviate them, a truly civilised society cannot be created. This is Compassion. This compassion should be the backbone of our political, economic, religious and social lives. To save our planet, this compassion should be extended to animals, birds, trees, rivers, oceans, mountains and deserts too.

This is why I strongly advocate the globalisation of compassion.

Secondly, we should adopt Gratitude in interpersonal relationships, industrial management, governance and administration. It is inherent in all of us and will be uncovered if we are true to ourselves and our surroundings. From the moment we are born to using food, water, clothing, housing, education, health, entertainment, security and all other facilities; there is someone’s contribution in every wake of life.

Business leaders in their boardrooms and politicians in parliament should feel grateful for the hard work and sacrifices of many others in contributing to their wealth and power. I strongly feel that building a supply chain of gratitude is essential for cultivating mutual respect, love and harmony in all facets of life.

The third element is creation of an Internet of Responsibility.

Since, our problems and solutions are interconnected, we must practice living with shared responsibility. The spirit of globalisation has already been under attack for quite some time. The fast emergence and acceptance of neo-nationalistic politics, violent extremism and anti-immigrant and anti-refugee sentiments, monopolies of few countries and companies on advanced scientific knowledge and technology and events such as Brexit are some such indications.

Indo American News Founder: Dr. K.L. Sindwani Publisher: Jawahar Malhotra Editor: Pramod Kulkarni Correspondent: Sanchali Basu ®All rights reserved. No material herein or portions thereof may be published without the written consent of the publisher. 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 212, Houston, Texas 77036.Tel:713-789-6397, email: indoamericannews@yahoo.com, website: www. indoamerican-news.com

Indo-American News • Friday, JUNE 05, 2020 • www.indoamerican-news.com

Looking at current trends, not only WHO and other multilateral agencies, even the United Nations may face serious financial and political challenges.

If public life, the cut-throat competition in acquiring desired jobs or earning money and tearing apart the familial and societal fabric will be exacerbated in a post- Covid-19 era. Therefore, equally important is to reinvigorate the sense of mutual responsibility. If we can create an internet of things, an interconnected and inter-propelling world of invisible virtual realities, why can’t we craft an Internet of Responsibilities?

The Fourth element is creating a Universe of Tolerance. Intolerance has been the most common reason for clashes within civilisations. On the other hand, tolerance has nurtured co-existence among diversities and differences. During wars, pandemics or other catastrophes, there is a certain rise in feelings of empathy, charity, relief and help but they hardly sustain once the crisis is over. Then, the world of citizenry and states start shrinking in ever smaller circles of nationalities, colours, races and identities of religions, giving rise once again to deep-seated intolerance. The existing disrespect for other faiths, cultural and linguistic plurality, ideological differences and political dissent is likely to grow. In spite of different celestial objects exerting various electro-magnetic and other forces upon each other, our universe exists because they are able to find a state of balance and harmony. We must build a Universe of Tolerance to save our civilisation.

In Indian mythology, the creator of the world — Lord Brahma — is said to have four faces. These are symbolic of creation, protection and progress in all the four directions. We can interpret them as Globalisation of Compassion, Supply Chain of Gratitude, Internet of Responsibility and Universe of Tolerance. There is no substitute to a shared future of humankind.

How we shape it is up to us.

-- The author is a Nobel Peace Laureate. Visit indianexpress.com for the complete article.

SUDOKU/RECIPE 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 10, 2020.

Email us at indoamericannews@yahoo.com. Please send us your solved Sudoku for your name to be published

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June 5, 2020

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Mama’s Punjabi Recipes

By popular demand, here is a reprint of Mama’s Baingan Di Dip recipe, which is just the kind of tasty, snack that you need for the parties that are held during the Winter Holidays season. It goes well with crackers, pita bread or veggies. It is reprinted with some additional information and directions.

Baingan Di Dip (EGGPLANT DIP) In the middle of the Holidays, thoughts turn to ways to cool yourself down. Though there are many Indian comfort foods to do that, like gol gappe or pani puri (wafer puffs in spicy water), chaat (spicy cubed potato salad), bhalle (lentil cakes in yogurt), rooh afza (a drink of fruits and herbs), mango ice cream and cool hindwana (watermelon); there are few salty snacks like dips that will do the trick, especially as Indians don’t have things like pita chips to dip with!!

But these are summer foods though in the US, people eat them year-round. One summer food that goes well in the winter too are dips for party snacks.

Dips and chips aren’t very popular in the Punjab, as they are in the US where Indians of all types easily rush to them. Mediterranean like dips Baba Ghanoush and hummus are popular; just as salsa and guacamole are in the southern US. The closest Indians get are chutneys like pudina (mint) and imbli (tamarind) but these are condiments and not dips or raitas (yogurt sauce) which are usually eaten with rice or paranthas.

But the plump baingan (eggplant) is just the right versatile vegetable to turn into a spicy dip with an Indian twist to it. Baingans are very popular in North India where they are often cooked as baingan bhartha with lots of onions and oil. And this same vegetable can be made into a succulent dip that can be eaten with pita chips or small pieces of Italian bread.

Baingan dip is a very easy concoction of eggplant, onions and garlic with many herbs and spices.

When left to cool in the fridge and served, it is a surprisingly popular addition to the appetizer table and really a hit on hot summer days but equally well for winter holiday partiess!

Ingredients: • 1 large baingan (eggplant) • 1 medium piyaaz (onion) • 4 tbsp tael (vegetable or olive oil) • 2 cloves lassan (garlic) • Spices to taste: namak (salt), mirch (red pepper), fresh dhania (coriander)

Directions: 1. Remove the top dandal (stem) off the eggplant, peel it and then cut it lengthwise into slices. Cut the slices into smaller 1.5 inch pieces.

2. Wash the pieces in cold water and let them drain in a strainer.

It is very important to wash them otherwise the eggplant will start to turn dark.

3. Put 2 tablespoons of oil in a skillet, wok or kadai over medium heat, place the eggplant in it and mix till they are coated. Cover and let cook for 10 minutes. Check to see that the eggplant has become tender. If it has, then mash the eggplant with a large spoon.

4. Leave to cook for 2 more minutes, then take off the heat and let it cool for 30 minutes.

5. Peel the onions and garlic and then crush them in a mixer. Put 2 tablespoons of oil in a skillet over medium heat and throw them in till they are brown. Take off the heat

and let the mixture cool for 20 minutes.

6. After they are cool to touch, put the eggplant, onions and garlic in a blender and add the spices and coriander. Set to puree and run according to your taste.

7. Pour into a bowl and leave in Shakuntla Malhotra is a skilled cook of Punjabi dishes made in the old-fashioned style that she learnt as a young woman in her ancestral home in Lyallpur, India (since renamed Faisalabad) before it became part of Pakistan after the Partition in 1947.

People have often admired her cooking for its simplicity and taste that comes with each mouthful. Even in her early-nineties, she continues to cook daily and agreed to share her delectable Punjabi recipes for future generations.

MAMA’S TIP O F THE

WEEK HOW TO MAKE E GRAIN OF RICE SE ACH PARATE

Rice is a stap they make rice thleatfood for so many people, but it’ serve. Some may sticks together in lumps and th s a pity that but really, the metsay that it depends on the kind of en is hard to rice you buy hod of cooking it is the key.

Most people, espe cially those in a hu rice right out of th rry, will e pa then serve it afterw ckage into a pot, boil it oncejust throw the , sim ar ds. This only allo in the rice and m ws all the starchmer and ak e it to stay st ic k.

Although there ar cook the rice to e a few drops of leget separate kernels, a simple trother ways to before boiling. Yomon or a teaspoon of oil to th ick is to add out separately! u’ll be surprised to see how thee rice and stir grains come

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12

June 5, 2020

हमारी कम्युनिटी के लिए 2020 की जिगणिा पूरी करें। जनगणना 2020 के तहत अमेरिका में िहने वाले हि व्यक्ति की गगनती की जाएगी। आज ही जनगणना पूिी किें औि सिकाि को अगले दस वर्षों तक यह सुगनश्चित किने में मदद किें, गक अिबो डॉलि की सिकािी फ़ंडडंग सवास्य केंद्र, आपातकालीन सेवाओं औि क्िक्ा जैसे क्ेत्रों में गवतरित की जाए। जिगणिा का फ़ॉम्म ऑि​िाइि अथवा डाक द्ारा पूरा करें। फ़ॉम्म पूरा करिे की जािकारी इस वेबसाइट पर प्ाप्त करें: 2020CENSUS.GOV/hi

2020CENSUS.GOV/hi इस सेवा का भुगतान यू.एस. जनगणना बयूिो (U.S. Census Bureau) द्ािा गकया गया है।

Indo-American News • Friday, JUNE 05, 2020 • www.indoamerican-news.com