HOLI 2025
Celebrating Holi at Chinmaya Mission Houston
By Minakshi JuneJa
The Significance of Holi
Holi, often called the Festival of Colors, holds deep spiritual significance in Hindu tradition. It marks the arrival of spring, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil, as well as the joy of life’s renewal. The festival is rooted in several mythological stories, one of the most popular being the story of Bhakta Prahlad and the demoness Holika. This tale celebrates the victory of devotion and righteousness over the forces of darkness and evil.
Beyond its cultural meaning, Holi reminds us to embrace our true nature, letting go of any past grudges or negativity. It encourages a fresh start, inviting us to cleanse our hearts and minds, much like how the colors during the festival represent the vibrancy and purity of life.
Chinmaya Mission Houston’s Holi Celebration
Each year, Chinmaya Mission Houston (CMH) hosts a special celebration that blends traditional rituals, spiritual teachings, and the joyful, colorful spirit of Holi. At CMH, Holi is more than just a vibrant festival of colors; it is a celebration of love and unity. Whether you are a recent or a longtime devotee, this event promises a day
filled with color, spirituality, and community bonding, engaging in the fun and excitement that Holi brings, all while staying connected to the deeper spiritual meaning of the festival.
Program Highlights
Satsang and Devotional Music: The day began on the bright Sunday of March 16 with a beautiful satsanga led by Acarya Gaurang Nanavaty focusing on the significance of Holi from a spiritual perspective. The attendees participated in bhajans, Gita chanting, and Pujya Gaurang Uncle’s spiritual discourse set the tone for the day.
Holi Prayers and Rituals: A special puja (prayer ceremony) in the courtyard was performed, seeking the blessings of the Divine to fill the hearts of all with love, compassion, and joy. The bonfire that was lit in the Sivalaya courtyard also emphasized the importance of letting go of negative emotions and embracing harmony and peace.
Community Feast: After the prayers, a community feast featuring traditional Holi sweets like Kaju Katli and drinks such as thandai were served, allowing everyone to come together in fellowship and enjoy the festive spirit.
Colorful Celebration: Following the community feast, the highlight of the day was the celebration of colors outdoors at Chinmaya Prab-
ha. Volunteers ensured that the celebration remained safe and joyful, with eco-friendly colors and a spirit of inclusivity. Friends and devotees of all ages played games, danced, and celebrated the vibrant spring that was in the air.
A Message of Unity
At Chinmaya Mission Houston, the essence of Holi was not just about playing with colors but about embracing unity while celebrating the arrival of Spring. It was a reminder that, despite our differences, we are all part of the same divine creation. The colors of Holi represent the diverse experiences of life, and when shared in harmony, they create a beautiful and meaningful mosaic of joy.
The celebration of Holi reminded us of the importance of compassion, forgiveness, and joy in our daily lives. The colorful festivities encouraged us to bond as a community, forgetting differences celebrating the boundless love that connects all.
For more information about Chinmaya Mission Houston, Sri Saumyakasi Sivalaya and its activities please visit www.chinmayahouston.org, www.saumyakasi. org or call temple 281 568 1690 or Jay Deshmukh 832 541 0059 or Bharati Sutaria 281-933-0233.
Photos By Bharat rao and raJesh thatte
Telfair Holi Celebration Ignites in a Spectacular Rainbow of Joy
sugar Land: Imagine stepping into a kaleidoscope of colors—red, yellow, pink, and orange—where faces and outfits blend in perfect harmony. This wasn’t just any party; it was the electrifying celebration of Holi, the Indian festival of colors, right in the heart of Telfair, Sugarland, organized by Telfair Indo-American Cultural Association (TELICA), a 501.c.3 non-profit.
Beyond the traditional color-filled fun that unites people across ages and backgrounds, the event was a non-stop thrill ride. The Houston Bhangra Academy brought the house down with their high-energy performance, while Telica’s own Nitu Jiwnani choreographed a jawdropping flash mob. And what a treat to have a special cameo by our very own Dhol Maestro Avichal Agarwal! The reverberating Bollywood hits, combined with the infectious energy of MC Satya Narendrula, kept the attendees dancing to the vibrant Holi beats. There were plenty of fun games to keep everyone entertained. And, of course, con-
gratulations to Pritish & Manisha and Amit & Ketki on snagging the coveted Sari award!
Jaspreet Desai, co-leader of the event, beamed with pride: “Putting this together with Srujana Byru, my co-lead, and our fantastic TELICA volunteers was an absolute blast!
Seeing those happy faces and getting such positive feedback from
the community made all the hard work totally worth it.”
The TELICA Holi event attracted over 400 residents to this colorful extravaganza. Notable attendees included Ping Zhou President, Sanjay Singal, and Srujana Byru from Telfair Community Association. Mayoral candidates Michelle Mikeska, Naushad Karmally, Wil-
liam Ferguson, and Carol McCutcheon also joined in the fun. Community leaders like Judge Sonia Rash (Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3), Judge Julie Matthew (Presiding Judge of County Court at Law 3), Judge Surendran Pattel (Judge of the 240th District Court), Ibrahim Khwaja (First Assistant District Attorney of Fort
Bend County), and Captain Manojkumar Pooparayil, (Precinct 3 Constable of the Police) added to the celebration’s excitement.
Deepak Kanwar, President of TELICA, summed it up perfectly: “This Holi bash was truly a testament to the power of community and color! Based on the excitement and feedback, we’re thrilled to make this an annual Telfair tradition!”
A heartfelt thank you to all the incredible TELICA volunteers who made this happen: Jaspreet Desai (Colead), Srujana Byru (Colead), Avichal Agarwal, Hemant Kanwar, Janak Desai, Khyatee Ranjan, Nitu Jiwnani, Paresh Darira, Pratiksha Dalwale, Rani Narendrula, Ravi Ranjan, Ruchi Contractor, Saideep Narendrula, Sejal Gadhia, Sapna Kanwar, Satya Narendrula, Simi Agrawal Samuel, Vanita Ranjan, and many, many high school volunteers. Your dedication and enthusiasm are what make our community shine!
Telfair, get ready to be dazzled again! Mark your calendars for TELICA’s 2026 Holi celebration, promising to be even bigger and brighter!
Each year, Chinmaya Mission Houston (CMH) hosts a special celebration that blends traditional rituals, spiritual teachings, and the joyful, colorful spirit of Holi.
India House Launches Citizenship Center for Green Card Holders
houston: India House Houston proudly announces the launch of its Citizenship Center, a new free program designed to assist eligible Legal Permanent Residents (LPRs) on their path to U.S. citizenship. The center will provide citizenship classes, legal consultations, application assistance, and community resources to help LPRs navigate the naturalization process with confidence.
The official launch event took place on March 19 at 6:30 PM at India House. Attendees included India House Executive Committee members: Dr. Manish Rungta, Trustee & Immediate Past President, Pankaj Malani, President, Ashok Bhambhani, Vice President & Col. Vipin Kumar, Executive Director. Col. Vipin Kumar welcomed
guests and highlighted India House’s ongoing commitment to serving the community through various free programs.
“Our community is constantly evolving, and we want to ensure that people integrate into American society in the right way,” said Pankaj Malani, President of India
House. “We extend our deepest gratitude to Houston Endowment for its generous $400,000 grant, which enables us to support immigrants through the complex naturalization process and help them become engaged U.S. citizens.”
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Houston Endowment, spoke about their organization’s commitment to citizenship initiatives and their partnership with India House.
Following this, Shruti Mohanty, Citizenship Coordinator at India House, outlined the roadmap for the Citizenship Center. She then introduced the evening’s guest
speakers:
Adrian Izzaguirre, Interim Director of Civic Engagement, NALEO Education Fund, Guadalupe Tello, Senior Manager of Immigration and Citizenship, BakerRipley, Uma Mantravadi, Founding Attorney, Mantra Law Firm
Their insightful speeches covered key aspects of citizenship efforts, followed by an engaging Q&A session, where they addressed audience queries.
The event was well attended, including representatives from various nonprofit organizations, and received overwhelmingly positive feedback from the community.
For more information on India House programs and services, visit www.indiahouseinc.org or contact vipin@indiahouseinc.org / 713929-1900.
India House officials with volunteers who will be associated with the new Citizanship Center initiative.
Disha USA Hosts 2025 Fort Bend ISD Candidate Forum
By Juhi VarMa
houston: DISHA USA proudly hosted the 2025 FBISD Candidate Forum to a full house, reinforcing our commitment to civic engagement and community involvement. The event provided a valuable platform for candidates to share their perspectives and for the public to engage with those seeking to shape the future of our school district.
We extend our sincere gratitude to all six candidates for their dedication to public service and for taking the time to participate in this important discussion. Their willingness to engage with the community highlights the importance of informed decision-making in local elections.
A special thank you goes to our esteemed moderators, Jigisha Doshi and Dr. Nik Nikam, whose extensive preparation and dedication ensured a well-structured and engaging dialogue. Their efforts helped facilitate a meaningful conversation that addressed key concerns and priorities within the district.
The forum featured a wealth of insightful and thought-provoking questions submitted by the audience. While time constraints prevented all questions from being addressed during the event, we have compiled a list of the remaining questions and invite the candidates to provide their responses.
At DISHA USA, we remain committed to fostering informed civic participation by organizing events
that empower the community to engage with candidates and stay informed on critical issues.
We encourage everyone to take part in the electoral process. Early voting will be held from April 22 through April 29, and Election Day is on May 3. Make your voice heard—go vote!
Facebook link to our post that includes pictures and videos from the forum. https://bit.ly/FBISD25Facebook DISHA USA proudly hosted the 2025 FBISD Candidate Forum to a full house, reinforcing our commitment to civic engagement and community involvement. The event provided a valuable platform for candidates to share their perspectives and for the public to engage with those seeking to shape the future of our
school district.
We extend our sincere gratitude to all six candidates for their dedication to public service and for taking the time to participate in this important discussion. Their willingness to engage with the community highlights the importance of informed decision-making in local elections.
A special thank you goes to our esteemed moderators, Jigisha Doshi and Dr. Nik Nikam, whose extensive preparation and dedication ensured a well-structured and engaging dialogue. Their efforts helped facilitate a meaningful conversation that addressed key concerns and priorities within the district.
The forum featured a wealth of insightful and thought-provoking
questions submitted by the audience. While time constraints prevented all questions from being addressed during the event, we have compiled a list of the remaining questions and invite the candidates to provide their responses.
At DISHA USA, we remain committed to fostering informed civic participation by organizing events that empower the community to engage with candidates and stay informed on critical issues. We encourage everyone to take part in the electoral process. Early voting will be held from April 22 through April 29, and Election Day is on May 3. Make your voice heard—go vote!
Facebook link to our post that includes pictures and videos from the forum. https://bit.ly/FBISD25Facebook
new york: A hitherto largely unknown Husain was sold for $13.8 million (more than Rs 118 crore) at a Christie’s auction in New York on March 19, becoming the most expensive Indian artwork to be auctioned, and the first to cross the Rs 100-crore mark.
‘Untitled (Gram Yatra)’, a monumental oil-on-canvas measuring nearly 14 feet x 3 feet, comprises 13 vignettes that appear as a celebration of rural life in India.
It had remained in the collection of Oslo University Hospital, Oslo for several decades, largely away from the public eye. How did the painting travel to Norway; what is the story of its ‘rediscovery’ and sale?
Husain painted the work in 1954, and displayed it that same year at an exhibition titled ‘M F Husain and Krishen Khanna’ at the All India Fine Arts & Crafts Society (AIFACS) in Delhi.
In the city at the time was Leon Elias Volodarsky (1894-1962), a Ukrainian-born surgeon based in Norway. Dr Volodarsky was the head of a World Health Organisation (WHO) team that was helping to establish a thoracic surgery training centre in the capital of the newly independent nation.
An avid art collector, Volodarsky would often visit museums and art galleries in India. He reportedly bought the painting from Husain for his home in Oslo.
In 1964, Dr Volodarsky’s estate donated the painting to the collection of Oslo University Hospital, where it was exhibited in a private corridor, mostly hidden from public view.
Some 13 years ago, the existence of the painting was brought to the attention of Nishad Avari, Head of the Department, Indian Art, at Christie’s.
Avari told The Indian Express that this was the most significant Indian artwork that he had brought
to auction. “The last few years have seen very sustained growth patterns for prices of Indian art. As stronger works come out in the market, there is room for this trend to expand further,” he said.
The painting garnered almost four times its high estimate of $3.5 million. Prior to last week’s sale, the most expensive work of Indian art to be sold at an auction was Amrita Sher-Gil’s 1937 ‘The Story Teller’ that fetched $7.4 million (Rs 61.8 crore) at a Saffronart auction in India in 2023.
The canvas belongs to a critical period for Indian art and in the career of M F Husain.
The first decade after Independence was a time of intense artistic development in the country. Young Indian artists were striving to establish a modern artistic idiom.
The Progressive Artists’ Group, which led the way in the creation of an Indian avant garde, was established in Mumbai in 1947. Husain (1915-2011) was a founding member, along with S H Raza (1922-2016), F N Souza (1924-2002), K H Ara (1914-85), H A Gade (1917-2001), and the sculptor S K Bakre (1920-2007). -- IE
Save Smart, Prosper Strong Year of the Snake Special CD rates!
new deLhi: The weakening rupee has started impacting Indian corporates that have gone for foreign currency borrowings, compounding concerns at a time when trade wars and economic slowdown are casting a shadow over global growth prospects. The five per cent depreciation in the rupee since April 2024 has directly increased the rupee equivalent of debt repayment for companies relying on external commercial borrowings (ECBs) by the same percentage, pinching the corporate sector.
ENTERTAINMENT
‘Aachari Baa’: Heartfelt Moments but Predictable
By aBhishek sriVastaVa
Story: Jaishnavi, 65, visits her son’s Mumbai home after years but is left to care for their pet while the family goes to Darjeeling. During her stay, she bonds with the dog and the apartment’s residents.
Review: ‘Aachari Baa’ is a simple film that touches on themes like women’s emancipation, parental neglect, and the loneliness of an elderly widow. While these issues are relevant, the predictable plot and screenplay fail to engage. The film follows familiar tropes—a son calls his rural-dwelling mother to his urban home, where she struggles to adjust. This drama works only in parts but feels too sanitized to offer anything fresh. Despite its emotional core, it lacks the depth needed to leave an impact.
The story follows Jaishnavi (Neena Gupta), a 65-year-old woman who earns her livelihood by making pickles in a small Gujarat town. She shares a strong bond with her co-workers, who are like family to her. It’s been over a decade since she last saw her son, Ketan (Vatsal Seth), now settled in Mumbai. So, when he invites her to stay at his home, she is both surprised and overjoyed. However, upon arriving, she is taken aback to learn that the family is leaving for a vacation to Darjeel-
ing, leaving her in charge of their pet dog, Jenny. Initially struggling, she gradually forms a bond with Jenny, and the apartment residents. When she accidentally feeds the dog pickles and chocolate, society secretary Brijesh Malhotra (Kabir Bedi) steps in to help find a vet. As the community discovers her pickle-making talent, they come together to support her, forging new friendships along the way.
Neena Gupta anchors this misguided tale about loneliness, ageing, and lost family connections, bringing some sincerity to a story with the right intentions but flawed execution.
This film treads familiar ground, offering nothing we haven’t seen before. It features an independent elderly woman with a strained, almost non-existent relationship with her son. It also highlights how, in small towns, bonds between neighbours often feel stronger than family ties. Director Hardik Gajjar takes on the triple role of storyteller, screenwriter, and director, but the weight of these responsibilities seems to have affected the film. The script occasionally dips into excessive sweetness, and the forced use of Gen Z slang feels out of place. The absence of strong confrontation scenes weakens key turning points in the story. Vatsal Seth, as the son, is relegated to little
more than typing on a keyboard. Had the film explored the reasons behind the mother-son disconnect, it could have added much-needed depth to the narrative.
Neena Gupta delivers a spirited and natural performance as Aachari Baa, but she is constrained by a one-dimensional script that leaves little room for surprises. Vatsal Seth, as her son Ketan, has an inconsequential role with little to contribute. Kabir Bedi, as society secretary Brijesh Malhotra, gives an earnest performance, though his character barely connects with the main plot.
The film shines while set in Rapar, a small Gujarat town, where Baa’s camaraderie with the women who help her make pickles and the ever-loyal Kanu Bhai feels warm and authentic. Their relationships are portrayed with genuine, earthy charm. However, the narrative loses momentum once it shifts to Mumbai, leaning on clichés and predictable storytelling. The songs, with their blend of folk, add some entertainment value. In the end, the film feels too sanitized to make an impression.
The film was directed by Hardik Gajjar and produced by Jyoti Deshpande. The story and screenplay have been crafted by Back Bencher Pictures, while dialogues by Shreyas Lowlekar.-- ToI
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