Houston: On September 13, 2025, the city of Houston came alive with color, rhythm, and festive energy as T2 Dance Company hosted the first-ever HTx Diwali celebration at POST Houston in the heart of downtown. Drawing over 5,500 attendees, the free event showcased the spirit of DiwaliIndia’s festival of lights - through dance, music, wellness, food, and, above all, community.
Founded in 2020 by Anisha Gupta and Sonali Patel, T2 Dance Company was created to spread the joy of movement, wellness, and culture through the vibrant energy of Bollywood dance. Teaching students ages 3 to 70+, T2 makes dance accessible to all, focusing on expression, empowerment, and joy. Alongside associate directors Ritu Patel and Dhea Patel, the cofounders have built T2 into a group where women connect, uplift one another, and help those in need by giving back through monthly charitable donations.
The HTx Diwali celebration reflected this vision. The day was filled with classes that welcomed all ages and backgrounds. Black Swan Yoga opened with a calming mindfulness session, Houston Bhangra Academy energized the crowd with Punjabi moves, and T2 Dance Company led Bollywood and Garba classes, bringing India’s most beloved dance styles to Houstonians.
POST’s X Atrium transformed into an authentic Indian market, buzzing with over 25 vendors of-
fering handmade crafts, jewelry, outfits and Diwali decor. Guests explored a Creative Crafting station with Omnaments, a Medical Mela, a vibrant Kids’ Korner, henna artists, and a Desi Dhaba serving up mouthwatering cuisine from Mirch Masala and Tandoori
Hut. The aromas of festive food added warmth and flavor to the already lively atmosphere.
In the afternoon, the Diwali Baraat - hosted by T2 Dance Company - featured a festive rickshaw, live dhol player, and an energetic flash mob that had the crowd on
its feet, dancing and cheering together. Soon after, the excitement shifted to a dazzling fashion show presented by Dakshin Fashion, taking the audience on a colorful “tour of India” through traditional and contemporary styles.
As evening set in, the celebration moved to POST’s rooftop, where Houston skyline provided the backdrop for a spectacular Diwali show. High-energy performances by T2 Dance Company, Naach Houston, ParDesi Pulse, Houston Bhangra Academy, and Doonya lit up the night, in addition to a song where Aarav Chauhan’s soulful vocals were paired with the mesmerizing flute melodies of
Rayansh Pande. Together, the performers showcased Houston’s immense South Asian talent, unified by the joy of sharing culture and positivity. The night concluded with a Bollywood rooftop dance party led by DJ Sandeep Sulhan. Under the stars, families and friends of all ages came together, dancing against the sparkling skyline and creating unforgettable memories.
HTx Diwali 2025 highlighted Houston’s cultural richness and the growing demand for inclusive celebrations. More than a festival, it was a platform where culture, connection, creativity, and community came together - embodying Diwali’s timeless message of light triumphing over darkness. With T2 Dance Company’s dedication to joy and giving back, HTx Diwali has established itself as one of Houston’s most anticipated cultural events where everyone can come together to Shine Their Light over Houston.
H ouston :
Ishu Wadhwani, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on 11th September 2025 at home, surrounded by her family.
Born in Calcutta, India, and settled in Houston, Texas since 1980, she lived an extraordinary life marked by resilience, love, and generosity. Together with her husband she ran two successful businesses, A.I.W Inc. and Applied Field Data Systems Inc. specializing in geospatial systems integration and data management services for nearly 40 years.
Ishu was a strong believer in education and real-life application. Subsequently, they provided an endowment to the Global Information System (GIS) Program at Lone Star College-Cyfair to provide scholarships for students in need.
She traveled the world, visiting every continent and creating treasured memories. To her, travel was about learning others personal stories, broadening her perspective, and the joy of shared adventure with family and friends.
Her grandchildren will especially remember her booming laughter, and her lessons on strength, integrity, and kindness.
She lived her life with deep faith and embodied Chardikala — a Sikh principle to live life optimistically and positively even in hardships.
She is survived by her husband Ashok; her son, Sanjeev & his wife Shuchi and their children, Ishan and Rohan and her daughter, Sabina and her husband Amit.
Nanak Naam Chardi Kala, teraa bhane sarbat da bhala
Founder: dr. K.L. sindwani
PubLisHer: JawaHar MaLHotra
editor: PraMod KuLKarni
CorresPondent: sanCHaLi basu
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daLLas: For the first time, the family of Chandra Nagamallaiah is speaking publicly after his murder and beheading outside a Dallas motel last week — offering a portrait of who he was, even as police continue their investigation and the case gains national attention.
Chandra, 50, was born and raised in Bangalore, India. His family said his drive to work hard and build something meaningful began at a young age. He started with a small retail store selling baby and children’s supplies, later running two restaurants before moving to the United States in 2020 at the encouragement of his sister.
“He always dreamed of being in the hospitality business,” the family wrote. “And his passion was so strong that it inspired his son, Gaurav, to want the same future.”
Nagamallaiah first worked at a motel in San Antonio, then moved to Dallas in 2021, where he began working at the hotel where he was later killed.
His family said he cherished his work, his walks in nature, and time spent with children and relatives.
“But beyond his work, Chandra was known for the kind of person he was,” the family’s statement continued. “He had a smile that could light up a room, a heart that always put others before himself, and a spirit that encouraged young people to dream bigger.”
The family added, “We want the community to remember Chandra for the way he lived, not the way he was taken from us. He should be remembered as the man who worked tirelessly, who always had a kind word and a smile, and who never hesitated to help others in need.”
A GoFundMe campaign to sup-
port the family has raised more than $350,000 as of this week, reflecting the broad outpouring of support.
Still, the family says the hardest part is “learning to live with the emptiness.”
“He may not be here physically, but his presence is still felt every day — in the memories, in the lessons he taught, and in the love he gave so freely,” they wrote.
“We’re trying to pick up the pieces and move forward, but it’s not easy. What gives us strength is knowing how much he meant to people and how deeply he’ll always be remembered.”
Nagamallaiah often spoke of building something lasting in the hospitality industry — even hoping to own a hotel one day and create a foundation his son could continue.
“That dream didn’t leave with him — it lives on in Gaurav,” his family said. “Gaurav has said he wants to honor his father’s memory by following in his footsteps, building a career in hospitality, and working hard to achieve the success his dad envisioned. His hope is to make his father proud by carrying that torch forward.”
Police have charged 37-year-old Yordanis Cobos-Martinez with capital murder in Nagamallaiah’s
death. According to a probable cause affidavit, the two argued after Chandra told him and another employee not to use a broken washing machine at the motel. Investigators say Cobos-Martinez grew angry when Chandra asked a female coworker to translate his instructions.
The brutal killing has drawn attention beyond Dallas. President Donald Trump weighed in on the case Sunday, adding a national spotlight to a tragedy that has left Chandra’s family struggling to cope. He underscored how CobosMartinez wasn’t a U.S. citizen and that he would be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Cobos-Martinez is being held without bond on an ICE hold at the Dallas County Jail. -- WFAA ABC News
by uJwaLa bHat
Houston: On September 7, 2025, Chinmaya Mission Houston commenced a new year of Vedantic learning for the Bala Vihar children, and enthusiastic families gathered at Chinmaya Prabha to honor the enduring legacy of a spiritual movement founded 75 years ago by Pujya Swami Chinmayananda.
The Chinmaya Movement began in 1951 when Pujya Swami Chinmayananda gave lectures on the Upanishads at a Ganesha temple in Pune, India, to a small gathering. Over the decades, it has evolved into a global spiritual movement encompassing more than 350 centers worldwide.
On the auspicious opening day of Bala Vihar at Chinmaya Mission Houston (CMH), a beautifully decorated Saraswati Nilayam Hall came alive to welcome a new year of spiritual learning. Children, seated together with their teachers by grade, filled the hall with eager smiles and exuberant energy as they reunited with friends and immersed themselves in the sacred atmosphere. Pujya Acarya Gaurang Uncle then addressed the children and encouraged them to learn and live the values taught in Bala Vihar. His words set the positive and motivational tone for the year ahead.
Guided by their Bala Vihar teachers, the children then performed the Chinmaya Namavali puja with sincere devotion. In the adjoining Smriti Hall, adults watched the children perform the puja with quiet reverence as it was broadcast on the big screen. At the heart of the celebration was the
theme Chinmaya Amrit Mahotsav with the highlight—a recitation of the Ashtotthara Shatanamavali, invoking Pujya Gurudev’s 108 divine names—evoked a deep sense of connection, drawing the audience into the chanting. This was followed by Chinmaya Mission pledge and the Vedic Aarti con-
cluding the puja.
Following that important opening day celebration of Bala Vihar, there was another special ceremony in Chinmaya Prabha on September 14, 2025. In honor of Acarya Darshana Nanavaty who nurtured the outstanding Bala Vihar program in Houston since 1982 and created the teachers’ handbooks for the global Bala Vihar curriculum, Acarya Gaurang Nanavaty unveiled the new name, “Acharya Darshana Nanavaty Chinmaya Amruta Balamandir” for the building where Acarya Darshana Aunty had dedicated her entire life to the children of CMH. The large Chinmaya family felt blessed and grateful during the ceremony. It was a fitting tribute to the creative vision and tireless seva of Pujya Darshana aunty who
empowered thousands of Bala Vihar children with scriptural values until her last breath in 2024. Following the guidance of Pujya Darshana Aunty, CMH remains dedicated to ensuring that future generations have direct access to the timeless teachings of its founder, Pujya Swami Chinmayananda. What makes CMH a sought-after destination for spiritual education among Indo-American families is its unwavering commitment to quality education in spirituality and exemplary discipline. Both Bala Vihar sessions are at full capacity, with a growing waitlist of parents eager to enrol their children.
In addition to Bala Vihar, Chinmaya Mission Houston offers immersive Vedantic learning through study groups, Jnana Yajnas, and spiritual camps. Adults and householders engage in Satsangs and discussion circles that provide deep insights into Vedantic texts, fostering both personal growth and vibrant community gatherings. For more information about Chinmaya Mission Houston, Sri Saumyakasi Sivalaya, and its activities please visit www.chinmayahouston.org, www.saumyakasi. org or call temple 281 568 1690 or Jay Deshmukh 832 541 0059 or Bharati Sutaria 281-933-0233.
Photos by Bharat Rao and Ashutosh Kak
Houston: Good news can feel scarce these days. Assassinations, terrorists and tariffs dominate the news, making violence and division seem like the defining themes of our time. Stories of kindness rarely carry the same weight.
But a recent visit to the Zoroastrian Center in Houston was a reminder that, while compassion rarely makes headlines, it is still very much alive in the world.
More than 100 representatives from local faith communities came together for the annual Interfaith Dinner and Dialogue, sponsored by the Fort Bend Interfaith Council.
The spacious hall was set with 12 tables, each holding eight or nine chairs.
“In a time when the world is often shaken by religious conflict, this gathering served as a powerful reminder of the importance of dialogue,” said Geetha Ravula, founder of non-profit organization Ashirwad A Blessing Temple.
It felt like a workshop or a breakout session. We went around the table, answering questions and noticing the common ground we shared. On paper, it might sound contrived, but in the room, the experience was unexpectedly moving.
“When we meet and have a dialogue with openness and sincerity, our differences become pathways
More than 100 people came together for the annual Interfaith Dinner and Dialogue, hosted this year by Zoroastrian Center in Houston and sponsored by the Fort Bend Interfaith Council. The evening gave people of all faiths a chance to break bread and learn from one another.
to connection rather than division,” Geetha ji said. Pastor David Sincere served as the master of ceremonies
On each table lay a sheet of paper with a list of questions: What does service look like in your religion?
Share something you admire about another faith. For this story, I’ll focus on just the first question we answered. One question is enough to illustrate the larger point. What is your favorite festival from your faith?
Nazi Khadivian (Bahai Community): My favorite one is Nowruz on 21 March. It means ‘new day’. We celebrate the beginning of the spring. Everything grows new. We have great parties—huge halls,
thousands of people. We share our calendar (partially) with Zoroastrians, because this is a Zoroastrian festival we adopted.
Lisa Lauve (St. Laurence Catholic Church): Always, as a child, being Catholic, Easter was important. But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve really come to appreciate the death and resurrection more deeply. It’s not just a church service anymore. We all go through times when we don’t know what’s happening, when everything feels uncertain. And then, somehow, there’s resurrection. I think age shifts your focus—you begin to see that cycle more clearly.
Juhi Varma (your reporter): We celebrate a lot of festivals—Di-
wali and Holi are big ones— but my favorite is Ganesh Chaturthi, especially in my state, Maharashtra. For ten days, families bring an idol of Ganesh into their homes, decorate an altar, and everyone comes to visit. On the last day, we take the idol to the sea and immerse it. It’s a way of saying goodbye until next year.
Yasmin Engineer (Zoroastrian Association of Houston): There is a Parsi tradition called the HaftSin table, associated with Nowruz where seven items starting with the “S” sound/letter are placed on a table, all symbolizing different things. Sabzi which means greens symbolize rebirth and renewal. Samanu, a pudding for fertility. Sib, apple, for beauty. Seer, garlic, for medicine. And more.
John Barzilla (St. Mark’s Episcopal Church): Mine would have to be Christmas. All the Sicilian families come together, and the women make fig cookies and all
sorts of dishes. You meet relatives you didn’t even know you had— because if you’re Sicilian, you’re related to just about everyone.
Davis Tolman (Thoreau Unitarian Universalist Congregation) We have the water ceremony in late August when people come back after summer. We all bring water from a meaningful personal source to church, it’s poured into a little hole, mixed together. It’s a symbolic homecoming.
Jessica Leavitt (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints): For me, it’s General Conference. All the members around the world participate at the same time. If you’re in Salt Lake, you can go in person, but most people watch the broadcast. Our Prophet and some of the apostles speak to us. Since we believe in living prophets, it’s meaningful—we get to hear their words directly.
Festivals and traditions take many forms, but they all share common threads: a sense of community, reflection, renewal, and connection.
“Each faith carries profound wisdom that elevates our spirit, and together, we weave a vibrant tapestry that reflects the one Divine Source from which we all originate,” Geetha ji said. Geetha Ravula has been a representative of Hindus of Greater Houston for many years.
Houston: STYX produced a commanding display in the professional T10 final for Divn II teams against Masters, winning by 42 runs to seal the championship. After winning the toss and electing to bat, STYX posted 113 for 6 in their 10 overs, powered by a blistering 38 from Varun Jaswal and 29 from Debloke Maitra, with vital support from Aveg Kadian, Yash Patel and Debasish Das.
Masters faltered in the chase as STYX’s bowlers turned on the pressure. Dharmesh Patel, Aarnav Patel, and Naveen Kumar Reddy each claimed two wickets, while Ramesh, Vinay Kumar Pillai, Aveg Kadian, and Vinay Padala applied tight control. A highlight in the field came when Aveg Kadian pulled off a superb catch to dismiss Milin Patel, swinging momentum firmly in STYX’s favor. Masters were restricted to 71 for 9, handing STYX a comprehensive victory and the championship title.
The tournament showcased STYX’s all-round strength, depth and dominance across the series.
Varun Jaswal was named Player of the Match, Debloke Maitra earned Player of the Series honors, and Debasish Das was recognized as Best Wicketkeeper of the Series.
Strong performances across the campaign from Aarnav, Vinay Padala, Naveen, Ramesh, Yash Patel, Vinay Kumar Pillai, Dharmesh, Aveg, and Tarakaram highlighted the team’s balance, while contributions from Sudhir, Sanjiv, Vinay Patel, Adi, and Devjit in the league stages proved crucial in the road to the final. STYX’s triumph was a true team effort, underpinned by fearless batting, clinical bowling, and sharp fielding.
The victory was followed by a vibrant presentation ceremony, organized by Jagadish, the organizers. Captain Debasish Das and VC Vinay Kumar Pillai received the Winners’ Trophy for STYX, while the Runners-up Trophy was collected by Masters captain Arun Anthony. Dinesh, the co organizer was thanked for his volunteering activity in scheduling of the tournament.
Varun from STYX was the MOM for the final for a match winning 38 runs. Debloke from STYX was named MVP of the tournament for his exceptional performance. Tournament award winners were. Narsimhareddy from Telge Tigers CM got best batsman with 135 runs, Hashan from SLL got best bowler with 13 wickets. Debashish from STYX got the best wicketkeeper with 18 dismissals. Sandeep from Telge Tigers CM got Best All Rounder with 112 runs and 6 wickets. Hashan from SLL and Santhi Vardhan from Rodeo CC received special awards for Hat trick.
From the STYX team: “We would like to congratulate and thank Masters team for the excellent competition and also take this opportunity to thank Jagdish, Dinesh and the organizers for the most well-managed and competitive taped ball tournament in Houston”.
Cric clubs score card is https:// cricclubs.com/viewScorecard.
Houston: Sewa International’s annual charity golf tournament was held on September 7th in honor of 9/11, marking its fifth successful year at the picturesque Wildcat Golf Club in Houston.
Anup Bhasin, Joint Coordinator of Sewa International’s Houston Chapter, warmly welcomed the players and guests. The ceremonial tee-off was led by Judge Christian Becerra, presiding judge of the 434th District Court in Fort Bend County, who has been a steadfast supporter of Sewa for over five years. He encouraged everyone to continue backing the organization’s impactful work.
tailed planning and tireless effort by the organizing team led by Anup Bhasin and Vijay Ramu. Looking ahead, they aim to grow the tournament’s reach and impact even further.
The tournament followed a fourperson scramble format and drew 19 competitive teams from across Houston. Among the standout participants were an all-women’s team, a team from the Pearland Police Department, a group of high school girls, and a team featuring Raveesh Malhotra, backup astronaut for India’s first space mission. Sewa once again partnered with Backswing Golf Events to host the fan-favorite “Beat the Pro” challenge.
Competition was fierce, with teams vying for top honors. The award ceremony began with remarks from Madanji Luthra, Vice President of the Sewa Houston Chapter, who recounted Sewa’s rapid and coordinated response to the recent Texas floods. Within just ten days, over 100 volunteers from
the Houston, Austin, Dallas, and San Antonio chapters mobilized to provide aid—managing centers, clearing debris, and directly assisting underserved families. Sewa teams worked hand-in-hand with the Texas Division of Emergency Management, VOAD, and local partners to deliver food, water, hygiene supplies, and medical care to displaced residents.
Sewa LEAD youth members Anoushka Bhasin and Mahathy Chintalapati served as emcees for the ceremony, where awards were presented by event sponsors Leena Bhasin, owner of the Law Office of Leena Bhasin—a prominent firm specializing in immigration and family law—and Mahesh Jadhav, Co-founder and Partner at Navigature.
The entire event was thoughtfully planned and executed by a dedicated team of Sewa volunteers, with high school students playing a key role. On a beautiful late summer day, they came together to support a meaningful
cause. Proceeds from the tournament will benefit Sewa’s ongoing service projects in Houston, including flood relief efforts focused
on underserved communities.
This year’s event, which saw a record number of participants, was the result of months of de-
Sewa International extends heartfelt gratitude to Judge Becerra, sponsors Navigature, Law Office of Leena Bhasin, Deep Foods, Diyendu Singh, and Qoros; supporting organizations Manabadi, Sansar Catering, and LTSFA; all participating players; and the many committed volunteers who made this event a resounding success.
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 September 23, 2025. Email us at indoamericannews@yahoo.com. Please send us your solved Sudoku for your name to be published.
Kumud Athavale, Krishna R. Vuddagiri, Prabha Barvalia, Jawahar Khandheria, Mohit Mittal, Tina Arora, Ramesh Ratneshvar, Pooja Bhavsar, Jimmy Bhavsar, Prabha Narumanchi, Nirmala Devi Rajesh, Sangeeta Guttikonda, Anil Bhagtaney
