Indo-American News: May 23, 2025

Friday, May 23, 2025 | Vol. 44, No. 21

May 23, 2025

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Indo American News

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Published weekly from Houston, TX

Special Reports Community Briefs Local Politics South Asians in the News

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Sewa Gala in Dallas Raises Funds, Awareness for Humanitarian Projects

P2 ARISI: Rice -- A Visual Feast

Booker Prize for Kannada Stories

CMH Geeta Chanting Competition

ARISI was an unusual blend of two cultures, Indian and Banu Mushtaq’s Heart Lamp, translated by Deepa Bhasthi, Gita Chanting Competition at Chinmaya Mission Houston Balinese, with shared stories and rituals. -- PAGE 3 has won the 2025 International Booker Prize. -- PAGE 3 resonated with divine spiritual energy. -- PAGE 8

W E D D I N G S , S P E C I A L E V E N T S , T E N T E D E V E N T S , O U T D O O R C O U R T YA R D

3 3 3 0 F M 1 4 6 3 | Ka t y, T X 7 7 4 9 4 | 8 3 2 . 8 5 5 . 5 5 2 0 | p a l m r o y a l v i l l a . c o m Indo-American News • Friday, may 23, 2025 • www.indoamerican-news.com

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COMMUNITY

May 23, 2025

Sewa Gala in Dallas Raises Funds, Awareness for Humanitarian Projects

Dallas: Sewa International, a leading Hindu faith-based, non-profit organization dedicated to humanitarian and community service, successfully held its groundbreaking fundraising gala in Dallas on May 18. The event brought together community leaders, generous donors, supporters, dedicated volunteers to raise vital funds for Sewa International’s diverse projects.

The evening commenced with Master of Ceremonies Vandana Sirotiya setting a warm and engaging tone. The auspicious lighting of the lamp was performed by the Chairman and CEO of the State Bank of Texas Chandrakant Patel, Chairman and CEO of Mago and Associates Ashok Mago, President of Sewa International DFW Chapter Gitesh Desai, and CEO of PM AM Corporation Pankaj Kumar symbolized the beginning of an evening dedicated to service and compassion.

The cultural program began with a graceful Ganesh Vandana, melodious prayer, by Swarlahari, followed by a heartfelt welcome from Desai. A moment of silence was observed in remembrance of the recent tragedy in Pahalgam and in honor of Dr. Mohini Gehani, one of the strongest supporters of Sewa International in the United States.

Throughout the evening, attendees were captivated by melodious performances at various intervals by Hemang Thakkar of the Rythm of Dreams group, adding a vibrant and celebratory atmosphere to the event. Thakkar was accompanied by a very talented flutist Anis Chandani and a female vocalist Vishruti Vyas.

Sewa DFW Chapter Board of Advisors member and a community leader, Dilip Shah took the stage to announce and explain Sewa International’s impactful Sewa Hindu Mobile Pantry project. Following this, the Chief Guest of the evening, Chandrakant Patel shared his insightful perspectives about why charity and community service are important. In his captivating speech he explained how Sewa International is different from other charities and his own firsthand experience with Sewa. He and his wife Surekha Patel were honored for their contributions

by Sewa DFW Chapter Board of Advisors member Ranna and Dr. Rajani Jani.

Chapter Co-Coordinator Mukul Saran then highlighted Sewa International’s crucial family services initiatives. Mago, the Keynote Speaker at the gala, shared his inspiring words about community service after him and his wife Monika Mago being honored by Board of Advisors member Sunil and Shalini Maini.

Dharmit Shah from UTD presented information on Sewa International’s university scholarship projects, emphasizing the organization’s commitment to education and empowering future generations. Sewa DFW Chapter Board of Advisors member Vaishali Thakkar served as the third speaker, further highlighting the collaborative spirit of Sewa International’s community services.

The evening concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks delivered by Sewa DFW Board of Advisors member Dr. Varsha Shah, expressing appreciation to esteemed guests, attendees, donors, volunteers, and supporters who made the gala a resounding success.

The funds raised at the gala will directly support Sewa International’s ongoing projects, including the Sewa Hindu Mobile Pantry, family services, university scholarships, and other vital humanitarian initiatives both locally and globally.

Indo-American News • Friday, may 23, 2025 • www.indoamerican-news

FINE ARTS

May 23, 2025

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ARISI from Samskriti: RICE -- A Unique and Delectable Visual Feast Houston: ARISI: Rice, Grains of Life, the staple food in many South Asian countries, and the ‘Master Chef’ was Aravinth Kumarasamy, Artistic Director of Apsaras Arts Foundation, Singapore.

And serving this delectable fare to Houstonians was Samskriti, the organization that had brought ARISI to the city, in celebration of its 30th Anniversary.

ARISI was an unusual blend of two cultures, Indian and Balinese, with shared stories and rituals connected with the grain. The brilliant choreographer and lead dancer, Mohanapriyan Thavarajah, who had also designed the beautiful Indian costumes in the colors of rice fields, was aided by his Balinese counterpart, the amazing Prof. I Wayan Dibia, in cleverly melding the two dance forms seamlessly, sometimes to Indian music, and sometimes to Gamelan music.

It never for a moment felt that there were any significant differences between the Indian and Balinese dances - so perfectly did

they merge. Both groups were excellent, in perfect sync, and exuding the sheer joy of dancing, with their rapid costume changes enhancing the visual effect of the

dances. The nearly 2000 strong audience was treated to a masterful presentation of a story with a most unusual theme - RICE - and the combining of Bharatanatyam

and Balinese dance resulted in a unique, very professional, crosscultural production. Houston’s dance enthusiasts and aficionados, familiar with Indian dance styles,

were fascinated by the exquisite Balinese dance forms with which they were unfamiliar.

Happiest of all were the members of the Indonesian Consulate in Houston, led by Consul Dwiyatna Widinugraha, who were thrilled to see artists from their country being seen and applauded, with a standing ovation and many loud shouts of ‘Bravo’, at the prestigious Miller Outdoor Theatre. In addition to the excellent dancing, Praveen’s background projections and Soorya’s masterful lighting definitely enhanced the production.

Samskriti deserves to be commended for bringing to Houston some of the most unusual programs with the highest artistry.

Samskriti has truly fulfilled its mission by bridging the cultures of not only the East and the West but even beyond, by presenting and promoting world dance forms to diverse audiences.

LITERATURE

Banu Mushtaq’s ‘Heart Lamp’ Wins the 2025 International Booker Prize

Author Banu Mushtaq and Deepa Bhasthi, winners of the 2025 International Booker Prize. | David Parry for the Booker Prize Foundation

London: Banu Mushtaq’s Heart Lamp, a collection of Kannada short stories translated into English by Deepa Bhasthi, has won the 2025 International Booker Prize 2022.

It is the first ever Kannada book, and the second from India as well as South Asia, to win the award, which is given to translated works of fiction published in the UK and Ireland. It is also the first collection of short stories to win. Bhasthi is the first Indian translator to win the award. In 2022, Geetanjali Shree’s Ret Samadhi, translated into English by Daisy Rockwell as Tomb of Sand, won the International Booker Prize.

The prize money of £50,000 will be shared equally between the author and the translator. The announcement was made on Tuesday night in London.

Max Porter, International Booker Prize 2025 Chair of judges, said: “‘Heart Lamp is something genuinely new for English readers. A radical translation which ruffles language, to create new textures in a plurality of Englishes. It challenges and expands our understanding of translation.

These beautiful, busy, life-affirming stories rise from Kannada, interspersed with the extraordinary socio-political richness of other languages and dialects. It speaks of women’s lives, reproductive rights, faith, caste, power and oppression. This was the book the judges really loved, right from our first reading. It’s been a joy to listen to the evolving appreciation of these stories from the different perspectives of the jury. We are thrilled to share this timely and exciting winner of the International

Booker Prize 2025 with readers around the world.”

Fiammetta Rocco, Administrator of the International Booker Prize, added: “Heart Lamp, stories written by a great advocate of women’s rights over three decades and translated with sympathy and ingenuity, should be read by men and women all over the world.

The book speaks to our times, and to the ways in which many are silenced.”

In an interview with Scroll, author Banu Mushtaq said that her writing style “is a dialogue with the masses. It is like sitting with them on a courtyard step, speaking heart-to-heart about the world’s happenings, the joys and sorrows of family life, with compassion and understanding.”

In another interview with Scroll, translator Deepa Bhasthi described

how she prepared to translate the short stories in Heart Lamp as such: “I took a great Urdu script learning class … and brushed up on the sparse Arabic I learnt some years ago. Given that it was a world so different from mine, I wanted to be extra careful, and just being in touch with these cultural forms, I believe, helped me get under the skin of Mushtaq’s characters.”

Heart Lamp has been published

by And Other Stories in the UK, Scribe in Australia and New Zealand, and Penguin Random House in India.

The shortlist, spanning five languages – French, Danish, Italian, Japanese, and Kannada – comprised the following books: A Leopard-Skin Hat, Anne Serre, translated from the French

by Mark Hutchinson, New Direc-

Indo-American News • Friday, may 23, 2025 • www.indoamerican-news.com

tions Publishing.

Heart Lamp: Selected Stories, Banu Mushtaq, translated from Kannada by Deeba Bhasthi, And Other Stories.

On the Calculation of Volume, Solvej Balle, translated from the Danish by Barbara J Haveland, Faber and Faber.

Perfection, Vincenzo Latronico, translated from the Italian by Sophie Hughes, Fitzcarraldo Editions.

Small Boat, Vincent Delecroix, translated from French by Helen Stevenson, Peepal Tress Press.

Under the Eye of the Big Bird, Hiromi Kawakami, translated from Japanese by Asa Yoneda, Granta Books. -- Scroll

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May 23, 2025

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COMMUNITY IMMIGRATION

May 23, 2025

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US Imposing Visa Curbs on Indian Travel Agencies Facilitating Illegal Immigration

By Shubhajit Roy New Delhi: The US said on Monday that it is imposing visa restrictions on owners, executives, and senior officials of travel agencies in India for knowingly facilitating “illegal immigration” to the United States.

“Mission India’s Consular Affairs and Diplomatic Security Service work every day across our Embassy and Consulates to actively identify and target those engaged in facilitating illegal immigration and human smuggling and trafficking operations,” the US State Department said in a statement.

The US Department of State is “taking steps today to impose visa restrictions on owners, executives, and senior officials of travel agencies based and operating in India for knowingly facilitating illegal immigration to the United States,” it said.

The statement added that the US will “continue to take steps to impose visa restrictions against owners, executives, and senior officials of travel agencies to cut off alien smuggling networks”.

“Our immigration policy aims not only to inform foreign nationals about the dangers of illegal immigration to the United States but also to hold accountable individuals who violate our laws, including facilitators of illegal immigration,” the State Department said, adding that enforcing US immi-

According to DHS estimates, the unauthorized Indian immigrant population increased from 28,000 in 1990 to 120,000 in 2000, and further to 270,000 in 2010. It then peaked at 560,000 in 2016 before sharply declining to 220,000 in 2022.

gration laws and policies is critical to upholding the rule of law and protecting Americans.

It said this visa restriction policy is global and even applies to individuals who otherwise qualify for the Visa Waiver Programme.

When asked about the travel agencies and people against whom visa restrictions have been enforced, a US embassy official in New Delhi said the details cannot be provided.

“We cannot provide a list of individuals or travel agencies the United States is taking steps to impose visa restrictions on due to visa record confidentiality,” the official added.

Illegal immigration has been identified by the American right as the primary reason for the poor law-and-order situation in the country.

Indian officials have told their American interlocutors that India

is ready to take back immigrants who have entered the US illegally.

This is a low-cost give for New Delhi — its priority is to ensure that the 20,000 illegal immigrants who are set to be deported as part of Trump’s mass deportation plans do not constrict any legal channels for Indians to travel to the US. In February this year, planes full of Indians who had gone to the US illegally were sent back, starting with a military plane with

200 Indians. There was criticism of Indians being in shackles and handcuffs, and the government had said that it has been a practice for the last at least 13 years.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs’ statement in the parliament in April, “issues pertaining to mobility and migration are discussed from time to time

by Governments of India and the USA, including where necessary, at the Ministerial level. Government also takes up concerns on streamlining legal mobility of students and professionals, while facilitating short-term tourist and business travel. Bilateral discussions also address illegal immigration and human trafficking through strong action against bad actors, criminal facilitators, and illegal immigration networks.”

It said that during the recent visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Washington DC in February this year, the two sides had underlined the evolution of the world into a global workplace and called for facilitating secure and mutually beneficial mobility frameworks between the two countries.

Officials said that the actions by the US are in sync with the approach so that people who are lured by the travel agencies to go overseas — by paying hefty sums of money — are not sent there. So, the actions are aimed at the agencies who facilitate such practices.

-- Indian Express

Indians Still Pray at ‘Visa Temples’ Even after the U.S. Deported Migrants in Chains

By Diaa Hadid Ahmedabad: A man gives his passport to a Hindu priest at a temple in this western Indian city. For a fee of about $2, the priest prays to the god Hanuman for the man’s visa application to the United States to be accepted. The prayer quickly ends, and another supplicant hands over his passport.

The Chamatkarik Shree Hanumanji Mandir is one of many “visa temples,” as they’re known across India, that boast of answering the prayers of Indians seeking to migrate abroad.

There are more than 5 million Indian Americans, one of the largest immigrant groups in the U.S., according to the Pew Research Center.

But not all got their visa prayers answered. The U.S. has deported more than 600 Indian nationals who entered without legal status since President Trump took office in January, according to India’s Foreign Ministry.

The migrants, along with new U.S. tariffs, have become thorny issues for India as it navigates a fast-moving second Trump administration.

A man holds an image of the beloved Hindu monkey god Hanuman, given to him by an admin-

ey, to pay traffickers to istrator at the Chamatsneak them and their two karik Shree Hanumanji children into the U.S. Mandir in the old city of Maribehn says her Ahmedabad in western daughter now works in a India, which is seen by hair salon. She isn’t sure worshippers as a place where her daughter lives, where prayers to obtain but knows she’s happy. visas to Western counBarely two weeks after tries are answered. The President Trump’s inauguman was there to pray ration in January, the U.S. his work visa to Australia began deporting more would be accepted. He than 100 Indian nationals was one tens of people on military flights, accordwho shuffled in to pray, ing to Indian news outsome paying the priest lets. They were shackled to take their passports to and chained, and footage wave before the idol of of them was shared on X the beloved Hindu monon April 4 by Michael W. key god, Hanuman. The Banks, chief of U.S. Bor“visa temples” spotlight der Patrol. the difficulties that many “If you cross illegally, Indian nationals face in you will be removed,” he traveling to the West, and warned. why some pay traffickers Deportees told local meto get to the U.S. dia when they landed that Pew estimates 725,000 they had been shackled for Indian nationals are in the the whole journey, includU.S. without legal status. ing stopovers — for about One woman in AhmedaThe Chamatkarik Shree Hanumanji Mandir in the bad, selling clay pots on old city of Ahmedabad, in western India, is seen 40 hours. the side of the road, says by worshippers as a place where prayers to obtain The deportations — of mostly men, but also her daughter is among visas to Western countries are answered. women and children — them. The woman gives “There were no jobs here,” shocked many in India. only her first name, Maribehn says.

So, her daughter “It was degrading, inhumane Maribehn, because she says she is and son-in-law sold their home and a violation of human rights,” worried about her daughter being and farmland, and borrowed mon- Sushant Singh, consulting editor identified and then deported.

Indo-American News • Friday, may 23, 2025 • www.indoamerican-news.com

at The Caravan magazine, wrote of the way the deportations happened.

Modi did not comment publicly on the deportations — not while in India, nor when he visited Trump just days after the first military flight landed in February.

But an Indian government news website cited the foreign minister as saying officials had discussed the matter during Modi’s U.S. visit. “India has strongly registered its concerns with the US authorities on the treatment meted out to deportees on the flight that landed on [Feb. 5] in Amritsar, particularly with respect to the use of shackles, especially on women,” the website said.

The Indian government did not respond to NPR’s requests for comment; nor did Modi’s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party.

Yet India’s many pro-government outlets quickly rallied to Modi’s defense, like the fiery broadcaster, Arnab Goswami, who said the deported Indian nationals deserved what they got.

“How do you want criminals to be treated?” he asked. Perhaps, he mocked, “these people must be brought back first class, with a glass of champagne in their hands.” -- NPR

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COMMUNITY

May 23, 2025

Swami Vigyananand in Houston to Promote His Latest Work, The Hindu Manifesto

By Juhi Varma

Houston: Swami Vigyananand is not your typical swami. He’s candid, refreshingly blunt, and doesn’t dismiss wealth creation as mere materialism. In fact, he argues that building a strong economic foundation is essential for any civilizational revival. His latest book, The Hindu Manifesto discusses the eight Hindu sutras-core principles meant to guide Hindus as a people and a civilization.

Published on April 26, 2025, the book has already sold thousands of copies. Swami Vigyananandji’s recent appearance at the GSH Event Center in Houston was just one stop in a series of packed events across the U.S. About 150 people gathered at the GSH Center on Monday to meet Swamiji, pick up signed copies, and join the discussion on The Hindu Manifesto.

“I met (Swami Vigyananand) one year ago, and I was very impressed by his clarity and practical advice,” said Giyarpuram Prasad, a resident of Clear Lake. “He was able to connect with people quite easily, and speak confidently and assertively about Bharat, and which is always interesting, especially for people outside.”

Interestingly, the book tour wasn’t planned. Swamiji hadn’t intended to promote the book in America, but strong interest and numerous requests led him to go ahead with it.

A call for unity The Hindu Manifesto draws on several foundational texts, including the Vedas, the Mahabharata, Valmiki’s Ramayana, Kautilya’s Arthashastra, and Shukracharya’s Sukranitisar.

India’s colonial past left a deep psychological scar, causing many to forget that Indian civilization

once produced such advanced political thought, said Houston resident Madhukar Adi at the book signing.

“As more people take interest in India’s own history and ideas, it’s no surprise that treasures like the Arthashastra are back in focus,” he said. “I heard about this, so that is the reason why I said, okay, let me check it out. I’m expecting something good out of this new book.”

The Arthashastra is an ancient treatise on statecraft, politics, and economic policy.

Swami Vigyananand serves as the joint general secretary of the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP).

He is also the visionary behind the World Hindu Congress (WHC) and the World Hindu Economic Forum (WHEF), global platforms designed to accelerate the Hindu renaissance.

Swamiji praised the Hindu organizations in Texas but stressed the need for greater unity and coordination. Upon hearing about the Texas Hindu Campsite in Columbus, he proposed that five representatives from each group attend a three-day retreat there to strengthen bonds and foster collaboration.

So, who is Swami Vigyananand?

Swamiji received his BTech from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur in 1985. For those unfamiliar, IITians are the cream of Indian academia. Gaining admission to an IIT in the 1980s meant conquering brutal entrance exams in physics,

chemistry and mathematics, beating out hundreds of thousands of other applicants. It meant a ticket to elite jobs and immigration to prosperous countries like the U.S. or U.K. It meant prestige, wealth, and often, a very favorable marriage market.

But at the age of 23, just two years after graduating, he renounced it all. He became a brahmachari and chose to walk the country with a begging bowl.

Why? He points back to his time at IIT, where he’d been troubled to meet professors who’d subtly— and sometimes not so subtly—promoted Marxism and socialism.

“It was not really allowed, but a professor would, for example, call four students to his office and ‘educate’ us about how well things were going in Russia and China,” Swamiji said. “The Russian magazines were colorful and glossy; we were very impressed. Professors would say Bharat is backward and poor because we had not followed the Marxist model. And Hindu feudalism was responsible for all of this.”

Their dismissal of Hinduism, and their push for a “secular, socialist republic” as described in Indian textbooks of the time, all pushed young Vigyananand to ask deeper questions.

“At the same time there was an anti-communist league in Calcutta,

they would send out pamphlets,” he said.

The plain pamphlets shocked those who read them, revealing that in China and the Soviet Union, farmers had no land rights, harvests were faked, and dissent was brutally crushed.

Students who challenged their professors using the information from these pamphlets were labeled “reactionary”, Swamiji recalled.

Instead of turning away from his roots, young Vigyananand immersed himself in Hindu scripture and philosophy. He read Swami Vivekananda, Tagore, and Rama Tirth, not just to find answers for himself, but to arm others against the same intellectual ambushes he had faced. That search became his life’s mission: to restore civilizational confidence in young Hindus.

A strong economy Reading the shastras, Swamiji found their wisdom deeply relevant to modern times and felt it needed to be presented clearly and systematically. The eight sutras are as follows: 1. Prosperity for all 2. Defeating enemy, defending citizens 3. Quality education for all 4. Responsible democracy 5. Highest respect for women 6. Non-discriminatory social system 7. Care for nature 8. Respect for the land “The first sutra is prosperity for all—Hindus want everyone to be prosperous, and that is our first principle,” he said, addressing the audience at the GSH Center. “For

any society to have a renaissance and resurgence, a strong economy is a must. Unfortunately, for the last 150-200 years, actually for the last 500 years, we have ignored this profound teaching of our shastras.”

Swami Vigyananand called out other spiritual leaders who denounce material pursuits as mere illusion, observing that they conveniently make this pitch in the U.S. where it boosts their funding.

He said that the refrain “sansaar maya hai” (“the world is an illusion”) has made Hindu society reluctant to acknowledge the importance of wealth creation.

“Yet while the world may be an illusion, dakshina or donations certainly are real, aren’t they?” he added, as the audience burst into applause.

The second sutra—“defeating enemy, defending citizens”— also resonated strongly with the audience.

Megha Raja and Sheetal Kohli emceed the GSH event, asking sharp questions—including one on the ongoing Operation Sindoor—during which Swamiji insisted that a proven enemy must be crushed without mercy.

“Never take pity on your enemy,” Swami Vigyananand said.

“The enemy must be identified and destroyed. We’ve forgotten this wisdom, and that is why we are suffering,” Additionally, the book states that Hindu scriptures and early Hindu society did not discriminate by varna, jati, gyati, skin color, or gender, stating that many original terms lost their true meanings and sometimes acquiring negative connotations due to mistranslations.

The Hindu Manifesto is available on Amazon.

Attorneys for Fort Bend County Judge KP George Want Felony Charge Dismissed

By Tony Kless Richmond: Facing legal troubles, Fort Bend County Judge KP George appeared for his first court hearing on felony charges. His attorneys are hoping for the charges to be dismissed, if not, they estimate a months-long legal battle.

Judge KP George and his attorneys appeared in court Monday afternoon. The judge is facing two counts of money laundering between $30,000 and $150,000. The indictment alleges it took place between Jan. 12, 2019, and April 22, 2019.

On Monday, Judge George didn’t speak after being questioned by the media. His attorney, Jared Woodfill, said this case is politically motivated.

Though the hearing was reset to a later date, Woodfill filed a motion for the judge to be recused or dismissed from the case.

“It’s not to say the judge is par-

indictment, meaning tial in any way, but if there’s they found probable a look of impropriety to the cause for wrongdopublic or that could be quesing. tions raised about it, then The court hearing it’s appropriate for another was reset to June, judge,” Woodfill said. and an administraHe suggested having a tive judge will conjudge from outside Fort Bend sider the motion County to preside over the for recusal at a later case. time. -- KHOU11 The Fort Bend County George was District Attorney’s office recharged with monsponded, saying they expect ey laundering last those motions to be filed. month. The Demo“We believe we can be Judge KP George with his attorney Jared Woodfil cratic county judge partial here and we believe candidate. for the fast-growing the courts can be partial “We believe the case they have suburban area southwest of Houshere. And there’s nowhere better to hear [the case] other than Fort in the county court at law case is ton has maintained that he loaned Bend County because that’s who’s extremely weak and flimsy at best. personal money to his campaign, invested, is the citizens,” Wes Wit- We believe the court case we’re which he later repaid, and that he tig, second assistant district attor- in front of, the district court right did not do anything illegal. now, it’s simply based on what George is also facing a charge ney, told KHOU 11 News.

Woodfill also commented on the they think they found,” Woodfill of misrepresentation of identity after allegations surfaced that ongoing misdemeanor case against said.

KHOU Legal Analyst Carmen he worked with a former staffer, his client. George is charged with misrepresentation of identity as a Roe said a grand jury returned an Taral Patel, to fake racist attacks Indo-American News • Friday, may 23, 2025 • www.indoamerican-news

against his own campaign on social media. Patel accepted a plea deal last month and agreed to cooperate with the district attorney’s investigations.

Attorneys representing George have argued that his alleged violations should have been reviewed by the Texas Ethics Commission before criminal charges were brought against him. They’ve cited a ruling in another Houston-area case that’s being reheard and could be impacted by legislation making its way through the Texas Senate.

George’s attorney, Jared Woodfill, has said the county judge has no plans to resign.

George was first elected in 2018 and later re-elected in 2022. He will be up for re-election next year.

Several local Democrats have announced their campaigns for his position, and former Texas state representative Jacey Jetton is considering a run as a Republican. -Houston Public Media

INDIA

May 23, 2025

‘No Talks, No Trade, Discussion Only on PoK’: PM Modi’s warning to Pakistan

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during a public rally in Rajasthan’s Bikaner on Thursday, delivered a strong message on national security, counterterrorism, and India’s stance on Pakistan. Referring to the recent counterterror action under Operation Sindoor in retaliation of Pakistan-sponsored terror attack in Pahalgam, he said India had given its armed forces a “free hand,” which led to a swift and decisive strike in early hours of May 7.“In response to the attacks on the 22nd, within just 22 minutes, our forces destroyed nine of the biggest terrorist bases,” PM Modi said. “The enemies of India, both within and outside, have now seen what happens when sindoor turns into gunpowder,” (jab sindoor barood ban jata hai, to kya nateeja hota hai.)Taking a firm

stance on Pakistan, he ruled out the possibility of any dialogue or trade. “There will be no talks and no trade with Pakistan. If there

are talks, they will only be about Pakistan-occupied Kashmir,” he said. Modi warned that if Pakistan continues to export terror, it will

be left begging for every drop of water, vowing to block India’s rightful share of river water from flowing into the neighbouring country.

Rejecting nuclear threats from across the border, PM Modi said, “India will not be scared of nuclear threats.”Striking an emotional chord, the Prime Minister added, “Not blood, but sindoor runs in my veins,” and said those who tried to wipe it out “have been reduced to

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dust.”

He highlighted that any future response to terrorist attacks on India will be decisive and entirely led by the armed forces, in both timing and strategy: “If there is another terrorist strike on India, our forces will choose the time and method of the reply.”The PM also reiterated his 2019 promise, saying, “Saugandh mujhe iss Desh ki mitti ki, mein desh nahi mitne dunga, mein desh nahi Jhukne dunga.”India on May 7 launched Operation Sindoor against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. Indian armed forces under its major counterterror operation destroyed 9 terror hideouts in Pakistan and PoK, which included high-value targets: Jaish-e-Mohammed headquarters in Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba’s Muridke camp. ToI

Row Erupts Over India’s Mango Exports Rejection by US Customs Inspectors Mumbai: The US rejecting mango consignments from India has led to exporters destroying the fruits resulting in big losses, and Indian authorities have alleged that America did not follow the standard procedure. After Indian authorities faced rejection of 15 mango consignments by the US due to procedural issues, they have said that US inspectors failed to adhere to the established protocol.

Various mango varieties, such as Alphonso, Kesar, Banganapalli and Himayat, have gained access to the US market. Additionally, northern Indian varieties including Raspuri, Langra, Chausa, and Dasheri are successfully undergoing irradiation treatment for export purposes.The value of Indian mango exports to the United States has shown significant growth, increasing by 130% to $10 million in FY24, compared to $4.36 million in 2022-23.

Maharashtra State Agricultural Marketing Board (MSAMB), a government organisation operat-

ing an irradiation facility in Mumbai, issued a statement on Tuesday stating: “Instead of discussing the matter with agencies or notifying the facility beforehand, they (the inspectors) directly reported the alleged issues to their senior offices in the US, resulting in the rejection of the 15 consignments.”

The statement also indicated that the losses could have been prevented if the US inspectors had raised concerns with facility officials before issuing PPQ203, which is

required for US-bound mangoes.

The state organisation confirmed that US authorities had declined 25 metric tonnes of mangoes from 10 exporters, all of which underwent irradiation on May 8 and 9.ET had reported the rejection of Indian mango shipments at several American airports, including Los Angeles, San Francisco and Atlanta.The mango shipments underwent mandatory irradiation treatment at the MSAMB facility in Navi Mumbai, where fruits

were subjected to controlled radiation doses for pest elimination.

This process was monitored by a USDA-appointed officer.Several government officials reported that the staff members on duty allegedly did not properly document the dosimeter measurements. A senior MSAMB official confirmed that an investigation had been launched to identify the issues.

Indian mango exporters currently have three facilities available for treating US-bound shipments, situated in Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, and Mumbai.A New Delhi official told the financial daily that the Mumbai facility’s irradiation operations had resumed normal functioning after the temporary interruption caused by the data recording issue.The official stated, “While the error and its cause are being examined at the senior level by the facility management, the mango irradiation process and its clearance were normalised at the impacted facility with effect from May 10, with no impact on the other two approved

facilities.”MSAMB reported that from May 11 to May 18, exports resumed their regular pace, with 53,072 boxes (185.75 metric tonnes) of mangoes shipped to the US across 39 consignments from the Mumbai facility.The export operations are conducted under a Cooperative Service Agreement between APEDA and the US Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).

The export protocol and operational guidelines are governed by the Irradiation operational work plan, jointly established by USDA-APHIS, the National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, and APEDA as the Co-operator. The process involves sourcing mangoes from registered farms, processing them at approved APEDA and NPPO packhouses, treating them with hot water fungicide, and finally irradiating them at USDA-certified facilities. -- ToI

Diageo to Cut Scotch Whisky Prices in India as UK Trade Deal Slashes Duties London: British liquor company Diageo Plc plans to reduce Scotch whisky prices in India in the higher end of single-digit percentage range as a result of the recently announced India-UK free trade agreement. The global leader in spirits anticipates that the FTA implementation will be completed in fiscal 2027, which will ultimately benefit consumers in the world’s largest whiskey market.The IndiaUK FTA is expected to be signed with the United Kingdom prime minister visits India later this year.

The UK-based spirits giant said that once the recently signed India-UK FTA is fully implemented, it will pass on the benefits of lower import duties directly to consumers, benefiting Indian drinkers.

At present, India constitutes the largest whiskey consuming market and is Diageo’s largest client

by volume and second-largest by value. Nik Jhangiani, Diageo’s chief financial officer, quoted by ET, said, “This (FTA) will take some time to embed into legislation. I think the belief right now is it will come in fiscal year 2027, but we will keep watching that, so that will start flowing through.”The impact of FTA on scotch whiskeyUnder the terms of the FTA, tariffs on UK-made whisky and gin will be slashed

from around 150% to 75% initially, which will further come down to 40% over the next decade.

This could lead to a price drop

of around 20–22% on some products, although the actual impact will depend on a range of factors including local state taxes and whethercompanies adjust their pricing strategies accordingly. Scotch whisky currently holds only 4% of India’s total whisky market, as high import duties have kept it expensive.

Sales of Scotch single malts in India slowed in 2024 as drinkers began turning to Indian-made alternatives, but Diageo hopes the FTA deal will reignite the demand. World’s biggest whis-

Indo-American News • Friday, may 23, 2025 • www.indoamerican-news.com

key producing company, which makes Johnnie Walker, Tanqueray and Smirnoff, expects a high single-digit drop in consumer prices to trigger a similar jump in volumes.At present, customs duties account for about a fifth or 20% of the final retail price of Scotch in India, with the rest coming from production costs, marketing, and hefty state taxes. Industry experts, however, have warned that while the FTA opens the door to new UK whisky brands and offers consumers greater variety, it may not lead to uniform price reductions across states.“We believe the consumer price of scotch could come down by at least 20-22% but that will largely depend on local taxes and how companies work backwards on their calculations,” ET quoted an industry expert. -- ToI

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RELIGION

May 23, 2025

Gita Chanting Competition: A Tribute to Gurudev & Gita’s Timeless Wisdom

By Oindrila Rimi Bhawal As the spring blossoms fill the air with their sweet fragrances, the recent Gita Chanting Competition (GCC) at Chinmaya Mission Houston (CMH) resonated with divine spiritual energy. CMH families gathered to honor the ageless wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita, marking a prelude to Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda’s 109th Janma Jayanti (birth anniversary) celebrations. This annual event has become a hallmark of Chinmaya tradition, expressing gratitude to Gurudev for reigniting the teachings of the Gita for seekers worldwide.

Though referred to as a “competition,” the Gita Chanting Competition is really the first step in embracing the Gita’s values in daily life. As Pujya Guruji Swami Tejomayananda explains, the “ChantStudy-Know-Live” philosophy begins with chanting, inspiring the mind to study, understand, and ultimately live the teachings of the Gita.

This year’s GCC focused on Bhagavad Gita’s Chapter 5 – Karma Sanyasa Yoga, which teaches the concept of selfless action and its role in achieving liberation while fulfilling life’s duties. Held on April 26th, 2025, at CMH’s Smriti Hall, the event saw the largest participation since its inception.

Children from CMH’s Bala Vihar curriculum, ranging from kindergarten to high school, chanted Sanskrit verses with remarkable clarity and devotion, filling the hall with serenity. The energy of the chanting was so powerful that it seemed to embody the presence of the divine, captivating the entire audience.

The quality of the chanting was matched by the depth of understanding displayed by the participants.

High school students not only chanted but also shared the essence of the verses in their own words, demonstrating how these young minds grasped the profound virtues of the Gita at such an early age.

The quality of the chanting was matched by the depth of understanding displayed by the participants. High school students not only chanted but also shared the essence of the verses in their own words, demonstrating how these young minds grasped the profound virtues of the Gita at such an early age laying a strong foundation for their lives, equipping them with practical wisdom to face life’s challenges.

Pre-K Chanters: Shagun Pattanaik, Vidith Vishnampet, Arjun Manthena, Anaya Ahir Listed below are the categories and the gold champions: Anagha (KG): Jyotsna Karthik Sudhan, Viraj Krishna Palagum-

mi Arjuna (1st,2nd grades): Srishodasakshari Svadhyay Paramatma, Iyla Raja, Prakriti Nempu Bhat, Owen Arnav Scott, Atharv Dixit, Advika Vemuru, Apoorva Muchintaya, Akshada Vemuru, Nitara Bhat, Neal Gupta, Lakshman Purushothama, Mishika S Buxani Bharata (3rd, 4th grades): Manomay Parande, Sachit Venkataraman, Saatvik Pattanaik, Pranav Manthena, Elise Leela Scott, Myra Neupane, Arjun Surati, Skanda Sharath, Antariksh Prasad Dharap, Reesha Verma, Suhas Shashikiran, Vivaan Dhaval Joshi, Yudhishthir Sriram Vadlamudi, Aarna Shah Partha (5th,6th): Anagha

Kameswari Vemuru, Ananya Rao, Samarth Raj Gupta, Adithri Salgame, Srisivamsha Paramatma Veruva, Pragati Muchintaya, Apurva Ninad Vaze, Kanishka Joshi, Srikrishnamsha Tejas Paramatma Veruva, Khushi S Buxani, Krishna Randeria, Pranay Joshi, Rishab Verma Gudakesa (7th, 8th); Vashi Banavalikar, Aanya Shah, Ahana Rao, Pravar Nempu Bhat Dhananjaya (9th to 12th grades): Prakriti Shenoy, Sahitya Gantasala, Shree Shodashi Paramatma Veruva To add to the celebration, Shlokathon trophies were awarded

by Pujya Gaurang Uncle to a select group of children who undertook

the mammoth effort of memorizing a total of 241 verses from a selection of Stotra and chapters from the Gita. Shlokathon is a special feature of CMH, envisioned

by CMH Acarya, Pujya Darshana Nanavaty, and guided by Smt. Rucha Sheth who has taught Shlokathon classes for over 30 years at CMH. This year’s winners are Naina Sheth, Samarth Srivatsan, Snigdha Mishra, Ananya Rao, Sri Sivamsha P Veruva, Sri Krishnamsha Tejas P Veruva.

As Pujya Acharya Gaurang Nanavaty “uncle” aptly remarked, the event left the judges with the difficult task of selecting winners, as every child and family that participated was already a winner in their own right. The commitment and effort required to prepare for the competition reflected their dedication to incorporating the Gita’s teachings into their families from a young age.

The GCC is a cherished annual offering to Gurudev’s lasting legacy, celebrating his mission of making the Gita and its teachings an integral part of life’s values.

We look forward to the GCC becoming a means to inspiring even more families to join this journey of spiritual awakening, continuing to embrace the light of the Bhagavad Gita in their lives. Hari Om. 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 Bharath Rao and Ashutosh Kak

THEATER

‘House of India’: A World Premiere Comedy Play Extends Run in San Diego San Diego: The acclaimed world premiere comedy play HOUSE OF INDIA now running at The Old Globe has earned rave reviews and has just had its run extended through June 8th. From San Diego playwright Deepak Kumar and directed by Drama Desk Awardnominee Zi Alikhan, the crowdpleasing play stars Supriya Ganesh, Mahira Kakkar, Deven Kolluri, and Tommy Bo in a heartwarming comedy featuring a vibrant cast of characters who work to build a restaurant, a legacy, and a new kind of American Dream.

Ananya runs House of India, a once-successful restaurant in a strip mall outside of Cleveland.

Her cook Jacob has an idea to bring in more customers: ditch the traditional dishes and embrace a trendy, fusion-forward menu (think “Indian Chipotle”). Her two grown children have their own views too. As the bills and worries pile up, Ananya must choose: hold on to her late

husband’s vision, or compromise in the name of progress.

Tickets are available at TheOldGlobe.org, by phone at (619) 23-GLOBE (234-5623), and in person at The Old Globe’s Box Office in Balboa Park (1363 Old Globe Way).

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9

10 May 23, 2025 COMMUNITY Indian Consulate Hosts Curtain Raiser for Intl Day of Yoga 2025 Houston: A curtain raiser event in the run-up to the International Day of Yoga 2025 was held last week. The event was attended by members of Yoga and Diaspora organizations that are organising events separately and also partnering with the India in USA (Consulate General of India, Houston) events to observe 11th International Day of Yoga across various cities of Southern United States.

Thanking all the attendees for their active contribution in observing the Yoga Day over the past years, Consul General Mr. D.C. Manjunath encouraged them to participate actively and make the celebration of #YogaDay2025 at various cities also a grand success.

As many as 25 events are planned including at the City Hall, Houston, India House-Houston, Pearland, Sugarland, Baytown, Fulshear, Austin, Dallas, San Antonio, Bentoville, Denver and Oklahoma City.

Indian-origin Man Guilty of Scamming Door Dash of $2.5 Million Los Angeles: A Southern California man has pleaded guilty for his role in a scheme that stole more than $2 million from San Francisco-based food delivery company DoorDash, federal prosecutors said.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California, 30-year-old Sayee Chaitanya Reddy Devagiri of Newport Beach in Orange County admitted to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud in a San Jose court. Devagiri and three others were indicted by a federal grand jury in August and were arrested in October.

Prosecutors said Devagiri, who was a DoorDash delivery driver, worked with others in the scheme in which the company paid for deliveries that never occurred. The scheme took place in 2020 and 2021.

In the scheme, Devagiri used customer accounts to place high value orders on the app. He then used an employee’s credentials to gain access to DoorDash software and manually reassigned orders to driver accounts he and others controlled.

Devagiri then used fraudulent driver accounts to report the orders were actually delivered when they were not. He also manipulated the company’s computer systems to pay the fraudulent driver accounts for non-existent deliveries.

After that, Devagiri would use DoorDash software to change the orders from “delivered” status to “in process”, manually reassigning the orders to drivers he and others controlled and restarting the process.

“This procedure usually took less than five minutes, and was repeated hundreds of times for many

of the orders,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office said in a statement.

Prosecutors said the scheme led to more than $2.5 million in fraudulent payments.

Two others connected to the scheme have already been convicted.

Co-defendant Manaswi Mandadapu pled guilty to the same charge on May 6. A third defendant, Tyler Thomas Bottenhorn of Solano County, pled guilty in 2023 after being separately charged in the case.

Devagiri faces a sentence of up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. He is scheduled to appear for a status hearing in the case on Sep. 16. -- CBS

Entrepreneur Killed “Without Provocation” on Austin Public Bus Austin: An Indian origin entrepreneur was fatally stabbed by another Indian man in a public bus in the Austin area of Texas, United States, police said. The victim, 30year-old Akshay Gupta, was seated at the back of the bus when Deepak Kandel, 31, attacked him “without provocation”, the Austin Police Department said.

Police officers and emergency medical services responded to a “Shoot/Stab” call of someone being stabbed on a bus on the evening of May 14. When officers arrived on the scene, they located Gupta with trauma to his body.

“Kandel stabbed Gupta in the neck without provocation,” according to police. Emergency re-

sponders administered life-saving measures on Gupta, but he was pronounced dead at 7:30 p.m., according to a report by the KXAN network.

Police were able to identify Kandel by reviewing CCTV footage from the bus. It was found that once the bus was stopped, Kandel

calmly exited the vehicle with the other passengers and left the scene on foot. APD patrol officers were able to locate and detain him a short time later “Kandel was found less than a mile from where the bus pulled over,” according to an arrest affidavit. He reportedly told police

Indo-American News • Friday, may 23, 2025 • www.indoamerican-news

that he stabbed Gupta because he looked like his uncle.

Kandel has been booked in Travis County Jail and charged with 1st Degree Murder. According to the KXAN report, Kandel has been arrested and released multiple times on misdemeanour charges.

There were reportedly 12 passengers on the bus during the stabbing.

Gupta was an entrepreneur in the health-tech startup space. He co-founded FootBit in Austin, a company dedicated to helping senior citizens improve mobility and balance. He also co-founded a company called ASG Research LLC in 2024.

Per his LinkedIn profile, he held a master’s degree from Penn State University and had met Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella for his groundbreaking innovation.

-- NDTV

ENTERTAINMENT

May 23, 2025

‘Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning’

11

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 May 27, 2025. Email us at indoamericannews@yahoo.com. Please send us your solved Sudoku for your name to be published.

Solution Next Week

By Dhaval Roy Story: Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) must stop a rogue AI, The Entity, from triggering a nuclear armageddon. To do so, he must retrieve its source code from a sunken submarine and a “poison pill” device held by Gabriel (Esai Morales) — its dangerous human ally. With old enemies, new allies, and impossible choices, the world’s fate depends on Ethan and the Entity.

Review: The eighth instalment of the beloved Mission: Impossible franchise and a direct sequel to Dead Reckoning Part One, sees Ethan Hunt racing to shut down a rogue AI called The Entity. He must unite its source code with a ‘poison pill’ pen drive created by his friend Luther (Ving Rhames) to prevent it from triggering a nuclear catastrophe. But it’s far from a simple plug-and-play deal — the source code lies within a wrecked submarine, while the poison pill is in the hands of the villain Gabriel, who seeks to control its power.

Mission: Impossible has earned a cult following for its larger-thanlife action, slick execution, glamour, and humour — everything a great spy film needs. However, the latest entry by director-writer Christopher McQuarrie is bogged down by a convoluted plot and un-

even storytelling. The first hour is heavy on exposition, slowing the pace with recaps and lengthy dialogues. While the plot has scale — nuclear threats, rogue agents, and chases across the globe, the execution often falls short.

There are some brilliant sequences with stunning set pieces, such as the wrecked submarine track—Ethan’s solo mission inside a gigantic submarine amid torrential currents and debris is tense and visually striking at first, but the sequence overstays its welcome and feels repetitive. That’s the case with a few other moments as well.

The runtime of 169 minutes stretches the story thin, and the narrative suffers from uneven pacing due to all the exposition. The sombre tone is a shift from the cheeky spirit of earlier instalments, which gives it a heavier feel.

The movie still has its share of edge-of-the-seat moments. Besides the submarine infiltration, the race against time to disable the Entity plays out across two parallel tracks—Ethan trying to retrieve the poison pill from Gabriel, and his team comprising Benji (Simon Pegg), Grace (Hayley Atwell), French assassin Paris (Pom Klementieff), Degas (Greg Tarzan Davis), William Donloe (Rolf Saxon), and his wife Tapee-

sa (Lucy Tulugarjuk) tackling their own challenges.

The biplane sequence between Ethan and Gabriel is the most thrilling and visually impressive — courtesy of cinematographer Fraser Taggart and Tom Cruise performing his own stunts. The film also taps into nostalgia, bringing back Rolf Saxon from the first part and referencing the iconic ceiling-drop and the knife-in-thefloor scenes. There are a few humorous moments, even during high-stakes scenes, such as when Benji, Grace, and Paris attempt to diffuse the Entity.

Tom Cruise is brilliant as Ethan Hunt and shines in every frame, performing stunts with the same finesse he’s shown over the past 30 years. Hayley Atwell and Pom Klementieff stand out as new additions, while returning team members Simon Pegg and Ving Rhames deliver strong performances.

While the film delivers on scale and spectacle, its narrative complexity and repetitive stretches slow the momentum. Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning has moments that truly soar, but as a whole, it doesn’t quite enthral.

Still, for longtime fans, it serves as a decent finale to Ethan Hunt’s world of impossible missions..-ToI

Last Week’s Solution

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12 May 23, 2025

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