Indo-American News: May 7, 2021

Friday, May 7, 2021 | Vol. 40, No. 19

Indo American News

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May 7, 2021

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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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Covid Aid Underway

P 2, P6 HGH Sri Ram Navami

ICC History Remembered, Fondly P 3

Indo-American News • Friday, may 7, 2021 • www.indoamerican-news.com

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COVID RELIEF

May 7, 2021

AAPI Joins Sewa, UNICEF for India’s Covid Victims

Atlanta: India has seen a cataclysmic coronavirus surge over the past week, reporting nearly 350,000 new coronavirus cases per day, with the real figure probably much higher. The spike in infections has led to deadly shortages of oxygen, ambulances and hospital beds.

“Thanks to you, the generous and compassionate members, and others as well, AAPI has been able and continues to make progress in its efforts to deal with an unfolding and out of control COVID 19 crises in India,” said Dr. Sudhakar Jonnalagadda, President, AAPI here. “As we pledged, we are able to very quickly secure the much needed and in demand O2 concentrators through our reliable and committed partner (SEWA International). We have shipped by air freight, the first batch of 1,000 of the O2 Concentrators on 4/29/21.”

Stating that AAPI in collaboration with its partners on ground in India “have identified destinations based on urgency and acute need for the medical equipment to be able to serve and save as many lives as quickly, and to prevent avoidable catastrophe for the simple lack of O2,” Dr. Jonnalagadda said, “We have no doubt, this is just the beginning of a long road ahead. We are assessing the situation on the ground constantly and coordinating with various local

task forces and teams.”

As India’s health-care system buckles under pressure, American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI), representing the over 80,000 strong Indian American physician community in the US, has risen to the occasion and is leading several efforts to support, coordinate and reach the much needed help in this hour of need. Some of the leading international media, including the Washington Post, The New York Times and CNN have recognized AAPI and have urged AAPI among some of the major resource groups to reach help to the communities across India as they are impacted

by Covid as never been in human history.

AAPI is in constant touch with Indian Embassy, Indian Health

Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan to see how best “we can help our motherland during this horrific pandemic.

AAPI has written to a letter Prime Minister of India, Shri. Narendra Modi to lock down the country to contain the spread of the virus, and to ramp up the vaccinations.”

“AAPI has been in the forefront to help India to combat the pandemic,” said Dr. Satheesh Kathula, Treasurer of India. “Thousands of people, both members of AAPI and non-members have come forward to donate money by putting trust in AAPI. We will try our best to be transparent and make sure that your donations will make some impact. I really want to thank all the donors who supported us unconditionally.”

In its efforts to serve as a physician on humanitarian grounds to help patients in India, AAPI has identified and facilitates the following platforms/links to those who want the Telehealth established platforms: http://Mdtok. com/dr/Covid and www.eGobalDoctors.com AAPI is facilitating interaction between US and Indian doctors to advise them about the evidence based protocols to treat COVID-19 patients. They evaluated three HIPPA compliant telehealth platforms to treat patients in India.

AAPI is also working on relaxing the restrictions on US physicians to treat patients in India.

Indian Doctors Association Starts “Go Fund Me” for Covid Relief Houston: The Indian Doctors Association of Houston has been working to secure oxygen concentrators, cylinders, ventilators/ BIPAP, and other supplies to be shipped to various regions in In-

dia. We will continually update you on the progress and impact of your contribution. We need your help!

IDA Houston Is A Non-Profit, Networking Forum For Physicians

of Indian Origin To Provide Mentorship In Academic Excellence, Patient Care & Promote Health Education For The Greater Houston Community. For more information, visit idahouston.org

Austin’s HC4A Creates ‘Hindus Charities for Oxygen’ with Navya Austin: The despair and frustrations of the pandemic explosion there are felt deeply in the emotional lives of all Indian Americans. We commend the heroic efforts of various community networks in the US that are pooling money to buy medical supplies.

We have partnered with Navya, a stellar organization that has worked on a cost-efficient and ex-

pedient way to supply high-quality oxygen concentrators to India.

A few reasons why our team feels this is one of the best ways to give: • Quality: High-quality, state-ofthe-art, INOGEN GEN 5 oxygen concentrators.

• Speed: Regular Air India flights and FedEx shipments from the US carrying supplies to ensure timely

help. Navya is working with Tata Memorial Centre and its partner hospitals across the country. This will ensure smooth distribution once the supplies reach India.

• Maximize donation dollars: The concentrators are subsidized to 50% of the price. Transporting supplies is at no-cost agreements with the carriers. Your donations are tax-exempt in the US.

IACF Joins Hands with Sewa International Houston: For over three decades, Indo-American Charity Foundation (IACF) has appealed to the philanthropic spirit of the Indo-American community in Houston to target four key areas; education, family welfare, general giving and healthcare. IACF’s motto is “We Live Here, We Give Here”, and its mission is to bridge the Indo-American community and the mainstream causes. IACF is a 100% volunteer organization, run by a dedicated group of board members and volunteers. This helps the organization to keep its expenses to a minimum and maximize the funding.

Sewa International is registered 501(c)(3) Nonprofit established in 2003 with a mission to serve humanity in distress, especially during natural disasters, aiding local communities and supporting development and outreach work.

Sewa serves humanity irrespective of race, color, religion, gender, or sexual orientation. Sewa International has for the past four years continuously scored the topmost 4-star rating from Charity Navigator. In addition, Sewa International has earned perfect scores in Financial Health, Accountability, and Transparency categories – One of the 11 organizations in the international category of over 23,000 organizations. Sewa International has also been recognized

by Charity Navigator- the premier non-profit rating agency – as the number five among the “10 Highly Rated Charities Relying on Private Contributions”.

Sewa International has started ‘Help India Defeat COVID-19’

A Joint PanIIT-Wheels Global Covid Appeal Houston: In response to the urgent and dire COVID situation in India, the PanIIT USA Board has approved funds - $100,000.00 for providing Oxygen concentrators as per the direct request from the Indian consulates/ Embassy.

In addition to this, PanIIT USA has received numerous requests from its alumni as to how they can help.

To answer this question : PanIIT is partnering and work-

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Campaign and is seeking support to raise $10 Million to urgently send medical equipment. Sewa International is sending lifesaving medical equipment like Ventilators and Oxygen Concentrators by air shipment immediately to India by partnering with UPS Charter and AIR INDIA. Currently Oxygen Concentrators and equipment of $1.5 million headed to India.

The Indo-American Charity Foundation (IACF) will heighten its effort to support the India COVID Relief needs as this Pandemic issue is not only affects India but also affects our many supporters locally who are US Indian Americans and their families abroad. We are dedicating the month of May 2021 to partner with Sewa International in the above initiative and will run campaigns to help raise the funds needed.

We will channel a portion of the funds raised with our signature Walk-a-Thon: “I Walk- I Care” at Lost Creek Park in Sugar Land on May 8th at 8:00 a.m. benefiting Indian Doctor’s Charity Clinic (IDCC). Joining IACF are the Indian Doctor’s Association (IDA) and the Indian Nurses Association of Greater Houston (IANAGH) in a combined effort to raise health awareness and funds to support the IDCC which provides free medical services to the uninsured and underprivileged communities in Houston and benefits the numerous other charities that IACF supports.

IACF has also set aside funds to match donations from our many supporters locally for this great cause.

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COMMUNITY

May 7, 2021

India Culture Center (ICC) Houston History Remembered, Fondly

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Participants gathered for a group photo (left). Entertainment included a classical dance performance.

By Jawahar Malhotra Houston: Like a ship that has weathered many a storm and sailed across even, placid waters, the India Culture Center has been a constant on the horizon for the burgeoning Indian community in South Texas over its 48-year history.

Created a dozen years after the first Indians arrived here – to go to the universities in the area – the ICC (as it has become commonly known) has made it a mission to keep Indian values and culture alive for the community to remem-

ber and appreciate and stay reconnected with the Motherland.

After a few years of mulling it over, and some half-hearted efforts in souvenirs published at one of the ICC’s two signature events – Indian Republic Day and Independence Day – a committee was formed to produce a history book.

Its members, all previous Board Directors or Presidents – Lachhmann Das, Dr. Raj Bhalla, Swapan Dhairyawan, Nisha Mirani and Santosh Verma – gave a huge push to produce the book, and with a little help from friends and unsung heroes, it came to pass.

The 6”x9”, 146-page book, “History of India Culture Center, 1973-2000” contains a short history of how the ICC was formed, and descriptions of the work done over the years by each of the 44 presidents.

It also contains many pictures from the events that were held, and ends with a picture gallery – many from the archives of this paper, Indo American News, This past Saturday, May 1, despite the COVID distancing and masked mandate, the ICC held a book launch party at India House with about 130 people in atten-

dance. It was one of the first large events of its kind in the main banquet hall in over a year and everyone was eager to meet long unseen friends.

Current ICC President Jasmeeta Singh, a firebrand of determination and very savvy of fashion sense and décor, made sure to make the event worth memorable.

With many, if not most, of the ICC previous presidents in the audience, Directors and other invited guests from other associated organizations, the much heralded book was opened from a wrapped box by chief guest Indian Consul

Indo-American News • Friday, may 7, 2021 • www.indoamerican-news.com

General Aseem Mahajan as bursting confetti and music built up the excitement.

A social hour from 5 to 6pm allowed guests to partake of the appetizers and beverages served by roving waiters. Food was catered in from Hot Breads and leftover snacks were boxed up for people to pick up and take along.

At the event, tables were set up for the “History of India Culture Center, 1973-2000” for purchase for $15 each along with ICC mugs, even as other items were handed out. The book will also be available at www.amazon.com.

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INDIA

May 7, 2021

Dr. Peter Hotez’s Vaccine Under Test in India

By Lisa Gray

Houston: A Houston-developed vaccine is being tested in India.

It is low-cost, easily produced in. enormous quantities, and easy to distribute. If the testing proves it effective, it could play an important role in the global fight against COVID — particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

Biological E is preparing to make more than 1 billion doses of the vaccine, at least some of which would be deployed in India. At present, only 9% of Indians have received a first dose of the India-created Covaxin vaccine; Covishield (the Indian version of AstraZeneca); or Sputnik V. The vaccines currently available can’t be manufactured fast enough to meet that demand, said Peter Hotez, who co-directs the Texas Children’s Hospital lab that developed the vaccine. “Most people don’t understand the scale and magnitude of India. Think what it means for a country to have more than a billion people. To interrupt transmission, you need to vaccinate 80 percent of people. That means 800 million people. And since most vaccines require two doses, we could be talking about 1.6 billion doses.”

Unlike the vaccines currently in use in the U.S., which are based on new technologies, the Texas Children’s Hospital/Biological E vaccine calls for traditional techniques and manufacturing processes.

Like the widely used hepatitis B vaccine, it uses yeast to produce proteins that the virus contains.

Once injected, those proteins train the human immune system to recognize the target virus and swing into action.

“Vaccines have been made this

way for 50 years or more,” said Maria Elena Bottazzi, who codirects the Houston vaccine lab.

That, she explains, means that both manufacturers and distribution sites already have the experience and equipment needed. The Houston lab’s vaccine is one of a dozen that’s received support from CEPI, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, a global foundation that finances vaccine research.

“That it only requires regular refrigeration is huge,” said Natsios.

“Not many places can handle -70 degrees.”

The vaccine’s projected cost — around $1.50 per dose, meaning $3 for both a first shot and a booster — is significantly cheaper than the prices that other vaccines currently command. (Moderna, for instance, has said it will charge between $27 and $37 per dose.)

The vaccine requires a second dose, administered roughly 28 days after the first. “It would be better if it didn’t require the second dose,” said Natsios.

The vaccine could have been developed more quickly, Hotez

noted. The first missed opportunity came in 2016. The Texas Children’s Hospital lab was ready to begin human testing on a vaccine for SARS-1, a coronavirus closely related to the one that causes COVID-19. But that was 10 years after the SARS-1 outbreak in China, and by then, neither federal funders nor investors were willing to support the testing needed to prepare the vaccine. So untested, that vaccine went into a freezer.

The second delay came at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Federal funding went mainly to newer vaccine technologies, which promised to move through testing and begin manufacturing more quickly.

But those newer technologies came with new problems. Few of the world’s vaccine factories could make the newer vaccines, and existing distribution systems often can’t handle new requirements such as super-cold storage.

“They never thought we’d need so many doses,” Hotez said. “Once the virus was out of control, those newer technologies couldn’t scale up.”

Without much federal funding, the lab’s work was delayed. Hotez dedicated much of his time during the pandemic’s early months to raising money. Texas donors — including Tito’s Vodka and the Kleburg Foundation — made the research possible.

“Texas does science in a different way,” Hotez said. “We support science locally. That’s why we moved our lab here: We’re supported by Texas Children’s Hospital, Baylor and philanthropists. If we’d had to rely on the National Institute of Health for everything, it would have been hard.” -- Houston Chronicle.

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INDIA

May 7, 2021

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West Bengal Elections: How Didi Win Personality Battle vs. PM Modi?

Kolkota: For the BJP, May 2 was to be a crowning moment, when they would win West Bengal. An election campaign that lasted for over a month saw the presence of a battery of central ministers, including Home Minister Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. But on Sunday afternoon, without a wheelchair for the first time in a few weeks, it was Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee who spoke to the people of the state as the victor. What are the factors that led to the result?

Three years after a huge win in the 2016 elections, the 2019 Lok Sabha elections were a wake-up call for the Trinamool Congress.

The BJP won 18 of 40 seats, and over 40% of the vote. It was then that the Trinamool doubled down on its already extensive welfare web for the poor, bringing in Duare Sarkaar, and Didi ke Bolo, a campaign where complaints could be made to a centralised phone number. Over the last one decade, the Trinamool had instituted several schemes such as Rupashree, Kanyashree, and Sabooj Saathi that saw monetary benefits for the underprivileged. The BJP framed these schemes as centres of corruption by Trinamool leaders.

On the ground, two things were evident. First, the Trinamool had focused on making the schemes more accessible to people, with Duare Sarkaar and Didi Ke Bolo

also giving the party information on where they were going wrong.

For instance, Triinamool leaders said one of the most common complaints was the lack of SC certificates in some areas, which were then freely distributed. Second, the central focus of many of these schemes were women, a constituency that has stayed loyal to Mamata Banerjee. Across districts, even if men of a household were voting for the BJP, many women of the same household were staying with Mamata.

As the campaign progressed, the elections devolved into a battle of personalities, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee versus Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and to an extent Home Minister Amit Shah.

This ended up suiting the Tri-

namool. For, it is clear that while there was anger on the ground against local-level violence and petty corruption, this was against the Trinamool and not against Mamata herself; she retained her popularity as Bengal’s matriarch, with people blaming the local party cadres for their troubles. The party then designed its campaign around the personality of Mamata Banerjee, the streetfighter, wheelchairbound but still fighting. The BJP too made her the centrepiece of its attack, with the Prime Minister’s “Didi, o Didi” remark becoming a leitmotif in the elections. But this was no 2019, and people on the ground were aware that Modi was not on the ballot for Chief Minister of West Bengal. On the ground, while Modi was not unpopular,

he was not at the forefront of conversations and would only be talked about when a question about him was asked.

And the taunt, or the focused criticism of Mamata, was not received well.

Religious polarisation was at the centre of the campaign all through.

While the BJP accused the Trinamool of “Muslim appeasement”, and used the slogan “Jai Shri Ram” almost as a political slogan, Mamata and the Trinamool had to walk a tightrope, even reciting the Chandipath during the campaign. Eventually, the polarisation seemed to work for one side better than the other.

Faced with the prospect of the BJP coming to power, the Muslim community, even in strongholds of the Congress and the Left, chose to side with the Trinamool. On the other hand, the BJP set itself an Everest-like target of winning Bengal without the close to 30% Muslim vote. This required an extremely high level of polarisation among Hindus, which did not happen. Mamata’s outreach, and her decision not to overtly fall into

the religious binary, paid off, with the Trinamool increasing its vote share from 2019, and widening the gap with the BJP whose share fell.

The BJP campaign fundamentally hinged on two factors, antiincumbency and alleged Muslim appeasement, and therefore religious polarisation. Wherever the conversation in constituencies turned local, to MLAs, to organisation, to the identification of the Chief Minister, or the alternatives the BJP was providing, the BJP lost the argument.

While the BJP had a manifesto, not one promise of the manifesto was invested in as part of a sustained campaign pitch, as an alternative to the Trinamool’s welfare schemes. With the central leadership taking ownership of the campaign, and no clarity on which of the lieutenants, Suvendu Adhikari, or Mukul Roy or Dilip Ghosh or anyone else would be chief ministerial candidate, there was no answer to the question of who else but Mamata.

Despite its publicity and rally blitzkrieg, the BJP was not able to convince voters that it would win. So even in places where Trinamool candidate or the party itself was unpopular, with people even fearful of local hooliganism, the safer choice was to stay with the Trinamool. The party’s organisation stood intact.

-- Indian Express

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INDIA

May 7, 2021

BAPS Charities Providing Oxygen, Diagnostic Technologies to Help Covid Victims

Vadodara: The COVID-19 pandemic continues to wreak havoc on communities across the globe. India faces an unparalleled COVID-19 crisis with daily new cases reaching over 400,000. The healthcare infrastructure in India, including hospitals, medical clinics, and medical equipment are all being pushed to the brink— with many sick people unable to receive treatment and care.

BAPS Charities, a non-profit organization, through its network of affiliated hospitals and newly created temporary medical facilities, is working to accommodate the surge of patients unable to receive medical care. Through providing ventilators, oxygen supplies, concentrators, medicines, medical therapies, and other diagnostic services, BAPS Charities is endeavoring to save as many lives as possible. The organization is providing PPE and other necessary supplies to healthcare providers and those displaced by the pandemic. In addition to the physical support, volunteers are supporting the silent victims of the pandemic, the families of the afflicted, by providing hot meals and more importantly comfort and emotional support.

Around the world, BAPS Charities is mobilizing its resources to help combat the surge of case in India. Starting on May 1, 2021

COVID patients receive treatment at newly created temporary medical facilities in Vadodara.

BAPS Charities aid to India includes diagnostic medical tools.

the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi arranged for the supply of 44 metrics tons of liquid oxygen to be delivered to the people of India and is working towards supplying a total of 440 metric tons which is

the equivalent of 60,000 oxygen cylinders. In the U.K, local volunteers organized a 48-hour non-stop static relay cycle fundraiser, covering the distance from London to Delhi. Among those partaking in

the fundraiser was London Mayor Sadiq Khan.

If you wish to help BAPS Charities continue its on-the-ground efforts in India battling this dire second wave of the COVID-19

Indo-American News • Friday, May 7, 2021 • www.indoamerican-news.com

pandemic, go to www.bapscharities.org/covid-19 to see how you can help. All funds collected will be used to directly support efforts in India, including preparing shipments of oxygen concentrators, paying for the costs of treatment and medical supplies.

BAPS Charities has always been committed to humanitarian and disaster relief across the globe. From the onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic, BAPS Charities mobilized volunteers globally to deliver any PPE and hot meals to first responders, frontline workers and the vulnerable. Additionally, BAPS Charities has provided direct financial assistance to numerous hospitals, medical centers, and various community support organizations. In USA, BAPS Charities provided over 175,000 pieces of personal protective equipment, donated $190,000 in financial assistance and prepared and delivered over 90,000 meals, food and care packages to those battling the Coronavirus. More information can be found at the following links. ● USA: https://bapscharities. org/covid-19 ● Canada: https://www.bapscharities.org/covid19-canada/ ● Global Relief Work: https:// www.baps.org/covid19 ● Video: https://youtu.be/5GYi76sS24 -- Lenin Joshi, BAPS

COMMUNITY

May 7, 2021

Baytown Doctor to Go to Jail for Federal Fraud

Baytown: Dr. Ghyasuddin Syed, who runs a pain management clinic in Baytown, is scheduled to report to prison in July after pleading guilty to “conspiracy to defraud the federal government.”

Syed told KPRC 2 Investigates said he is a good person and a charitable doctor during an interview with Joel Eisenbaum.

However, after the original story aired, two people, KPRC 2 verified as former Syed patients, came forward about their experiences with the doctor.

One of the women claimed in testimony to the Texas Medical Board, she was sexually assaulted by Syed in 2018 during an exam.

We are not revealing her name here, but that patient does not believe the Texas Medical Board has not done enough to protect other patients.

“You told your story, you told the truth, you did everything you’re supposed to do and for some reason, it failed,” the woman said.

The Texas Medical Board issued a finding that Syed exhibited “inappropriate behavior” with three female patients and ordered him to take a professional standards course. He is also barred from seeing female patients without a chaperone.

Syed said the incidents never happened and

said he had not been treated fairly by the Texas Medical Board or the justice system.

Baytown police investigated at least one claim of sexual assault involving Syed, but a Harris County grand jury “no-billed” the case, declining to indict the doctor on any criminal charge related to the alleged incident.

Syed’s physician’s license remains “active” as he prepares to head to prison. His practice was closed Friday, but it is not clear if it is still open for business in any capacity.

The doctor had said in a previous interview he was making plans to retire, but even the process of voluntarily surrendering a medical license, is not immediate, a Texas Medical Board spokesperson wrote Friday.

“If someone does surrender their license in lieu of disciplinary proceedings, there would still need to be an order signed by the respondent, which is then ratified at a Board meeting. So that would not be effective unless and until that occurred. The order would then be public and published on the online profile and board meeting release like all disciplinary orders,” wrote via email TMB Communications Officer Jarrett Schneider.

As of Friday, Syed’s license was listed as ‘active’ on TMB’s website. -- KPRC Click 2 Houston

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COMMUNITY

May 7, 2021

HGH Presents Shri Ram Navami Awards & Youth Speech Contest

By Kesava B. Chakka

Houston: On Sunday, April 25th, 2021, Consul General of India Aseem Mahajan felicitated an enthusiastic group of Hindu youth that participated in the speech contest hosted by Hindus of Greater Houston (HGH) at Arya Samaj, Houston. On the auspicious occasion of Shri Ramanavami, HGH invited Hindu Youth nominations to participate in a speech contest from all Hindu Temples and Organizations. The topic chosen was” “Ramo Vigrahavaan Dharmah”“Relevance of Lord Ram in Today’s world.”

HGH received nominations from eight students from different organizations who registered for the event. The contest was held on Zoom call in the presence of 3 distinguished Judges, Dr.Bala Aiyer, Brij Kathuria and Vivek Menon.

All of the participants excelled in their speeches and presented bright ideas on Lord Rama’s life and glorified Ram as “Maryada Purushottam, personified as a model of the perfect human being.

It was difficult for the judges to grade points, as all of them were good. All came out as top contestant. All were declared as winners.

The following day the Awards ceremony was held at Arya Samaj of Greater Houston on Sunday, April 25th,2021. Gopal Aggarwal, Board member of HGH commenced the proceedings with a prayer. Sanjay Jain President of

Riya Shah, Krupa Rathi, Anusha Sathyanarayana, Anjali Aggarwal, Consul General Shri Aseem Mahajan, Stawya Agarwal, Krithika Dwarakanath, Vipashchit Nanda, Shiv Shah.

Shri Ram Vandana” by students of Kalaangan, Odissi Dance school Artistic Director Supradipta Datta. L to R: Suparna Sarkar Banerjee (Hanuman), Sanchali Basu (Lakshman), Kaushiki Tewary (Bhagwan Ram), Rima Bhattacharjee (Sita mata). Photos: Bijay Dixit..

Arya Samaj welcomed all and recognized Hon’ble CGI, Shri Aseem Mahajan ji along with founders of Arya Samaj, Shri. Dev Mahajan and Smt. Sushma Mahajan. Sanjay Jain introduced the Youth Emcees Anusha Sathyanarayana and Anjali Aggarwal.

The Invocation prayer dance was delightfully presented by students of Supradipta Datta of “Kalaangan Odissi Dance School”. The music

was well chosen, the most popular Bhajan, “Shri Ramachandra Kripalu Bhajamana”, beautifully composed by Sant Goswami Tulsidas. The group’s perfect unison of rhythmic and delicate body movements, Abhinaya (expressions) and Mudras (hand gestures) were perfectly matched. Dancers included Suparna Sarkar Banerjee (Hanuman), Sanchali Basu (Lakshman,) Kaushiki Tewary (Bhag-

wan Ram), Rima Bhattacharjee (Sita Mata).

Soon after the dance the Youth awardees were invited to present their captivating speeches about Lord Ram illuminating every quality of Lord Ram in detail. It was refreshing to listen to the youth display great knowledge of Lord Rama’s character and everything he stood for.

Anusha Satyanarayana proclaimed that the Shri Ram “lived a life to express not impress” while ultimately proving that the truth always prevails. Riya Shah followed with an equally impressive speech indicating Lord Ram proved how to “live a perfect life in an imperfect world, without passing up on morals and ideals.

Stawya Agarwal, the youngest of all the speakers, highlighted the life of Rama as a prince and his journey to earn the title of “Maryada Purushotham”, a supreme human being with honor and righteousness. Shiv Shah spoke about Lord Ram’s role in spreading the dharma of soul which is distinctly different form dharma of body.

Anjali Aggarwal professed that Lord Shriram is an “undisputed standard of ideal” that lived the life according to Sanathan dharma which is said to be millions of years old.

Kritika Dwarakanath highlighted the qualities of Lord Ram as a leader in aptly following dharma while inspiring his followers. She quoted examples of how Rama

dealt with Sugreeva and Vibheeshan as examples of a leader with empathy. Krupa Rathi touched upon the aspects of support system portrayed in Lord Rama’s life – either it be support he received from his brother Lakshmana or adulation he received from Lord Hanuman. Vipashchit Nanda in speech noted Lord Ram never deviated from the ideal path either in his thoughts or action, epitomizing him as “Maryada Purushotham”, a supreme soul.

Speaker after speaker, displayed a great understanding of Lord Rama’s life and everything he stood for..

Manisha Gandhi, Board of Director, HGH introduced and invited Honorable CGI to address the youth and to present awards to the winners.

CGI congratulated the youth who participated in the contest and inspired him to be present at the event on a Sunday afternoon. He highlighted the importance of the youth in establishing connection between two vibrant democracies.

In his speech, he also brought up the work being done in celebrating upcoming 75th Independence Day of India, “Ajadi-ka-Amrit Mahotsav” .

Thara Narasimhan, President of HGH closed out the event with a vote of thanks. She thanked Arya Samaj, Judges, CGI, other BOD of HGH. She expressed utmost gratitude to the youth who participated in the speech contest

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ENTERTAINMENT

‘Hum Bhi Akele, Tum Bhi Akele’: Love beyond Gender Binaries

“You can be criminal but you can’t be gay,” a character put the hard truth in perspective in Hum Bhi Akele, Tum Bhi Akele as he reveals how homosexuality is worse than crime in his father’s eyes. He would hardly be alone.

India may have decriminalised homosexuality but the society largely finds it hard to accept it, starting from our homes.

Hum Bhi Akele, Tum Bhi Akele is the story of a gay man and a lesbian woman who are on a road trip together from Delhi to Himachal Pradesh’s Mcleodganj. The journey goes beyond physical as they find some home truths about each other and how relationships can be formed beyond the binaries of sexuality and gender. Anshuman Jha and Zareen Khan play leads in the film.

Anshuman has said in a statement, “This is my most challenging role thus far and I am grateful to Harish sir for considering me for Veer.” Echoing his thoughts, Zareen added, “Just like Veer and Mansi’s lives change after their road trip, Hum Bhi Akele, Tum Bhi Akele has been a life-changing experience for me and I do hope the film is able to relay the

message that love is love – to even more people as it releases.”

The film has been directed by Harish Vyas who earlier made Angrezi Mein Kehte Hai with Sanjay Mishra, Anshuman, and Pankaj Tripathi.

The film won the Audience Choice Award at the HBO South Asian Film Festival in New York

as well as the ‘Best Actor’ jury prize for Anshuman Jha at the Rajasthan International Film Festival. It was also shown at Kashish, India’s biggest LGBTQ film festival Kashish.

The Harish Vyas directorial will land on Disney+ Hotstar on May 9. -- Indian Express

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INDIA

May 7, 2021

As Travel Ban Kicks In, Families are Split Up, Study Plans Disrupted

Washington DC:: Pankaj Patil lost his father, a retired government official in Nashik, to Covid-19 on April 2. He rushed home from US, where he works as an IT professional on an H1B visa, to be with his mother. With his wife Kavita expecting their second child at their home in Connecticut, Pankaj, with all his work and travel papers in order, hoped to take his mother back with him to help navigate what doctors have said would be a high-risk pregnancy because of high sugar and thyroid fluctuation.

On April 30, just before Pankaj was to travel back to his wife and six-year old daughter Aarushi, the Biden administration announced restrictions on travel from India to contain Covid-19 variants from entering the US. As the travel ban kicked in at midnight on May 4, the family and professional life of thousands like Pankaj Patil have been sundered and disrupted. Husbands and wives, mothers and fathers separated from each other and from their children; jobs, careers, and mortgages jeopardized, and schooling thrown out of whack.

“Many of us traveled to India for family emergencies in light of the pandemic, some to say their final goodbyes to parents, grandparents, and loved ones. Our visa appointments got cancelled without much notice, some even on the day off with no support or preference on rescheduling of those appointments. We are now stuck in India indefinitely, separated from spouses, children, families and community,” they pleaded in a petition to President Biden, signed by Patil and more than 4,000 affected people, seeking a travel ban exemption for non-immigrant (H1B/H4/ L1/L2) visa holders, with similar provisions that have been extended to international students, Green Card holders, and US Citizens traveling from India: a negative RT-PCR test, 14-day quarantine, and vaccination proof.

Indeed, many immigration advocates and lawyers back their pleas, pointing out the fallacy of banning non-immigrant professionals from India who may be vaccinated and have tested negative for the virus while allowing students, green card holders and citizens from across the world who could be carrying the virus.

Payal Raj and her daughter came to India from Tennessee on April 6 to see their family, hoping also to revalidate their visas during their stay after her husband joined them on April 16. Two days after Payal landed in Patna, her parents, brother, and sister developed Covid symptoms, forcing her to check into a hotel with her daughter. Already vaccinated in the US, the family flew to Delhi for a scheduled Dropbox appointment at the US embassy on April 20, armed with negative Covid results. The visa officer accepted the passport of her husband (on a H1B visa)

and her daughter, but Payal, who is on an H4 dependent visa, was left behind.

“I wake up in the middle of the night in sweats thinking when and if ever I will be able to go back,” says Payal, adding that her husband is having give melatonin to their anxious nine-year old daughter so she can get some sleep as they navigate their separation and the stress it has brought on them.

The travel restriction has also disrupted the plans of many senior citizens. Mumbai’s Prakash

Nanavati and his wife had planned to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with their son in the Bay Area, while also attending their grand daughter’s graduation ceremony. Vaccinated and armed with negative test results, and with a ten-year visa on hand, they had booked their tickets for May 16, but the travel ban has scuppered their plans.

Also on tenterhooks are thousands of students from India.

While the US Embassy in New Delhi reiterated on Tuesday that

student visa holders would be able to enter the United States if their classes start on or after August 1, 2021, it urged those whose start date is before August 1, some of whom have graduated and have lined up internships, to “contact your respective educational institutions to discuss options.”

“I am a part of critical infrastructure sector (Pharmaceuticals) which is eligible for NIE (National Interest Exemption) as per presidential proclamation. I am working and assisting directly in

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development & manufacturing of oncology & neuroscience drugs.

My NIE was refused because I am on F1 visa, stem OPT,” wrote back one student.

Scores of professionals, students, and interns are writing to the US missions urging travel exemptions for those who are vaccinated, pointing out that they have living arrangements in the US that involve paying for leases and mortgages. Their pleas are lost in the din of a greater tragedy unfolding across India. -- ToI

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