Fascinating mystery with a touch of magic realism give this whodunit an edge.-- PAGE 11
Former ICC President Lachman Das celebrated his 9th birthday with family and friends. - PAGE 6
Eternal Gandhi Museum welcomed Nobel Laureate Kailash Satyarthi and Grammy winner Ricki Kej -- PAGE 6
The vigil, organized by the Fort Bend County Republican Party and the Indo-American Conservatives of Texas (I-ACT) at the Sugar Land Town Center, drew a large and diverse crowd of elected officials, young activists, and community members. Photos by Bijoy Dixit
Shri Sita Ram Foundation Hosts 14th International Diwali-Dussehra Festival
By Kapil Sharma
houSton: The Shri Sita Ram Foundation, USA invites the Houston community to celebrate the 14th International DiwaliDussehra Festival on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at Constellation Field in Sugar Land, Texas. This year’s celebration promises a vibrant blend of cultural entertainment, food, parades, performances, and spectacular fireworks.
Diwali, the “Festival of Lights,” is one of the most cherished festivals of India, symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance. It is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists — more than a billion people worldwide.
“Diwali is more than a festival for us,” said Dr. Arun Varma, founder of the Shri Sita Ram Foundation. “It represents good triumphing over evil and the idea that the world is one family. We encourage everyone to celebrate together, regardless of background or belief.”
Highlights of the 14th International Diwali-Dussehra Festival 2025
International Guest Performance: This year’s festival will feature a special appearance by MC YOGI, the internationally acclaimed hip-hop artist and yoga teacher known for blending modern beats with stories of
Indian culture, yoga philosophy, and ancient wisdom. His dynamic performances have captivated audiences worldwide, making his Houston debut a unique cultural experience.
Grand Parade: More than 40 floats showcasing dance, music, and artistry. This year’s theme is the Maha Kumbh, celebrated earlier this year, featuring a stage play, a Shiva Tandav dance, and a float on the role of the akhadas.
Family Fun: Children can enjoy a dedicated play area, games, and a costume contest (ages up to 14), along with youth performances in singing, dancing, and music.
Cultural & Religious Traditions: Chanting of the Sundarkand, a traditional Ram Leela play, and the Maha Aarti (prayers to Lord Ram).
Vibrant Marketplace & Food: Local vendors will offer handicrafts, art, and authentic, mouth-watering Indian cuisine.
Grand Finale: The festival concludes with fireworks and Ravan Dahan — the only largescale burning of Ravan’s effigy in Texas.
The Shri Sita Ram Foundation welcomes Houstonians of all backgrounds to experience this unique celebration of light, culture, and community.
Indo-American Conservatives Join 1,500 in Sugar Land to Honor Charlie Kirk
By Juhi Varma
Sugar land: Justin Willard drove from Meadows Place to Sugar Land Town Square on Thursday evening, determined to stand with others at Charlie Kirk’s candlelight vigil. He said he wanted to make sure Kirk was remembered and supported. Willard need not have worried, because an estimated 1,500 people had had the same idea.
The vigil, organized by the Fort Bend County Republican Party and the Indo-American Conservatives of Texas (I-ACT), drew elected officials, young activists, and community members. Many arrived well before the program began, carrying flags and signs honoring Kirk, who was assassinated Sept. 10 during a speaking engagement at Utah Valley University.
Radio personality Sam Malone served as master of ceremonies.
Malone told the crowd he had interviewed countless celebrities over the years — from Aerosmith and Barry Manilow to Beyoncé and Kevin Costner. But one guest stood out.
“There was the day when Charlie came, when I was on AM 1070 with Salem over at 59 and Hillcroft,” Malone said. “Everyone has an entourage, and everyone had yes men or yes women and makeup people. Charlie was different — he was the most downto-earth person.”
Malone recalled that Kirk, 31, wasn’t the kind of influencer chasing fame online, but an “IBD — influencer by discussion.”
“He’d sit on a bar stool, lean into the microphone, and just talk,” Malone said. “A college student might say, ‘I believe there are 89
genders,’ and instead of shutting them down, Charlie would ask, ‘why do you think that?’ And all of a sudden, a discussion started.”
And often, by the end, that student would pause and rethink things. That was Kirk’s gift — influencing through honest discussion, Malone said.
“In his absence, Charlie’s voice has become louder and more powerful than ever before,” said Bijay Dixit, president of I-ACT. “Look at the picture over there, a beautiful family torn apart by lunatic ideology…instead of getting angry, let’s channel that energy to expand the conservative movement. Instead of being angry, get fired up to help conservative candidates win.”
The evening featured prayers led by Deacon John Placette from Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Richmond and Yadagiri Swami, the priest at Sri Ashtalakshmi Temple in Sugar Land, as well as music and tributes from several young speakers.
“Charlie encouraged young
Indo American News
Founder: dr. K.l. Sindwani
puBliSher: Jawahar malhotra
editor: pramod KulKarni
CorreSpondent: SanChali BaSu
®All rights reserved. No material herein or portions thereof may be published without the written consent of the publisher. Deadline for advertising and articles is 4 pm on Monday of each week. Please include self-addressed, stamped envelope for return of all unsolicited material. Published at 7457 Harwin Drive, Suite 212, Houston, Texas 77036.Tel:713-789-6397, email: indoamericannews@yahoo.com, website: www.indoamerican-news.com
people to never to be ashamed of standing firm in their faith, their values and their love of country,” said Deacon Placette.
Kirk’s unwavering Christian faith was central to his identity. Yet, in a striking display of solidarity, the vigil also drew many Hindus—particularly conservative Hindu Republicans—who strongly resonated with his message. Many expressed deep sorrow at the loss, remembering him as a good man whose words and values had touched their community.
After Deacon Placette’s prayers, Yadagiri Swami offered a Hindu funeral prayer for Kirk’s soul. IAct treasurer Swapan Dhairyawan translated it— “In Hinduism, we believe the soul is eternal—it doesn’t die when it separates from the physical body. We believe he will reincarnate into this world, again with more vigor and power.”
Kirk was best known for his outreach to college students through campus speaking events and as the
founder of Turning Point USA, a conservative youth organization that grew into a national political force. His message resonated with many young people, several of whom spoke at the vigil about how Kirk had inspired their political engagement.
Kaleb Holmes, the 17-year-old chairman of Texas High School Republicans said-
“Charlie Kirk wouldn’t want us to mourn him for long but turn the passion that I know we are all feeling in our hearts right now into action… Charlie Kirk wanted one Charlie Kirk to turn into ten to a hundred to a thousand 1000 Charlie Kirks.”
“(Kirk) encouraged countless young Americans like me to think critically, to engage in meaningful debate and to step into the public square with confidence,” Pratik Mirani, I-ACT youth chairman.
“What set Charlie apart was not just what he said, but the opportunities he created for others. He built movements that reminded
young people that they are not powerless, that their energy and ideals can help shape the future of this nation…He became a mentor to a generation hungry for purpose.”
Richard Olatunji, 26, a member of the Fort Bend County Young Republicans commended attendees for showing up when many others might not have, calling their presence an act of duty, honor, and patriotism. He urged the crowd to honor Kirk’s legacy while also reflecting on its impact locally in Fort Bend County.
“In a matter of four years, all Generation Z will be old enough to vote and take the reins of governmental affairs and politics in this country,” he said. “Tonight, I would implore you, please, please and please, get involved. There’s so much we can do. There’s so much we have to do.”
Julie Pickering of the Texas Board of Education, a longtime friend of the Kirks, recalled first meeting Charlie Kirk in 2017 and witnessing the early vision for Turning Point USA.
Yashraj Baviskar, I-ACT volunteer said, “Men often fantasize about being champions of the world, taking on fights against the odds, standing alone, outnumbered and still winning, but it is so rare to bring that dream to life. Charlie did just that. God gives us one of these men, too few in our lifetime, and I’m thankful to have seen his light.”The evening combined moments of solemn remembrance with fiery calls to continue Kirk’s work. Many in attendance described the gathering as both a memorial and a rallying point for young conservatives to carry forward his legacy.
The vigil featured prayers and a call to transform grief into political action. Sugar Land Mayor Carol McCutcheon opened the formal program. (From left) Deacon John Placette, Ramesh Cherivirala, Sam Malone, Nathan Bigelow, Bobby Eberle, Bijay Dixit, Carol McCutcheon, Pratik Mirani, Kaleb Holmes, Yashraj Baviskar, Swapan Dhairyawan, Sanjay Singhal, Richard Olatunji.
IDCC Adds Three Prominent Physicians to Board of Directors
By K.C. mehta
houSton: The Indian Doctors Charity Clinic (IDCC) is entering into its 25 years of community services. We provide medical primary care, specialty care & eye care services.
Our primary care is every Saturday from 8;30 am till 1 pm and our eye care is available every 1st Saturday from 8:30 am till 1:00pm.on even months.
We welcome walk-ins patients, Patients can also schedule their appointments on our website: http://www.idccharityclinic.org
Under the leadership of our Medical Director Dr. Anil Sheth, who joined the clinic since last two years, we have streamline clink operation, added specialty services, added trained medical, non-medical volunteers.
We also provide various medical tests free of charge & our services are also free.
Due to recent increase in patients load we have expanded our facilities by adding two more exam rooms.
I am very pleased announce the addition of three very experience medical professionals to IDCC Board of Directors: Dr. Swati Joglekar, Dr. Pankaj Satija and Dr. Neal Shah
Dr. Pankaj Satija
Dr. Pankaj Satija is a boardcertified neurologist and interventional pain specialist based in Houston, Texas. He serves as the
at
and Headache,Centers of Texas, where he leads clinical and procedural care for patients with complex chronic pain and headache disorders. With over two decades of experience spanning academic medicine, clinical research, and leadership, Dr. Satija has held key roles at institutions including the Methodist Neurological Institute and Baylor College of Medicine. He holds multiple subspecialty certifications in neurology, pain management, headache medicine, and brain injury medicine, and has been a principal investigator in numerous clinical trials. A frequent invited speaker and published author, Dr. Satija contributes to several editorial boards and advisory panels for leading research institutions. His commitment to underserved communities and global health is reflected in his volunteer work and leadership in disaster relief and medical education.
Dr. Neal Shah
Neel L. Shah, MD, is a board-
certified and fellowship-trained endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism specialist.
He’s also an associate professor in the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston. He has a strong interest in medical education, both at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. He currently serves as the associate program director for the endocrine fellowship program. He has won multi-
Swai Joglekar
ple Dean’s Excellence in Teaching Awards.
Education
2005 Medical School Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
2009 Residency The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
2011 Fellowship The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Board Certifications
American Board of Internal
Medicine
Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
Dr. Swati Joglekar
Swati Joglekar is a dynamic and dedicated board-certified health care professional with over 20 years of experience in health care entrepreneurship, academic teaching and delivering innovative health care solutions.
Dr. Joglekar is adept at leveraging extensive industry knowledge to foster learning and drive business growth.
She is the founder of startup focused on hospitalist-based practice, established partnerships with hospitals, clinics, and health care providers to implement focused care on patient providing the full continuum of care and improve patient outcomes, now providing care in several hospitals and postacute care facilities, growing with 30 hospitalist and 20 nurse practitioners with 50+ employees
Medical Director
the Pain
Pankaj Satija Neal Shah
IDCC waiting area can accommodate 25-30 patients
EGMH Hosts “Gandhi: Mantras of Compassion” Celebration
houSton: Eternal Gandhi Museum Houston (EGMH), the first museum in the Americas devoted to the life and legacy of Mahatma Gandhi, held a memorable evening on September 20 titled Gandhi: Mantras of Compassion. The event brought together museum supporters, dignitaries, and community leaders to celebrate Gandhi’s message of nonviolence and peace.
Eternal Gandhi Museum Houston was honored to welcome Nobel Peace Laureate Kailash Satyarthi, whose lifelong work rescuing children from trafficking and exploitation has spanned over three decades. Over the course of his career, Mr. Satyarthi has liberated tens of thousands of children while advocating for their rights on the global stage.
Satyarthi delivered a powerful and stirring keynote address that resonated deeply with the audience, earning repeated applause. With heartfelt conviction, he reminded everyone that Gandhi’s teachings are far from being relics of the past; they are urgent calls to action in our time. “Compassion is not charity,” he asserted, “it is justice in action.” He went on to redefine compassion, not merely as empathy, but as a dynamic, selfdriven force for change. Compassion, he explained, is a profound connection to the suffering of oth-
ers that compels us to act — not just to feel, but to actively work toward alleviating that suffering.
Music then took center stage as three-time Grammy® Award winner Ricky Kej introduced and launched his newest album, Gandhi: Mantras of Compassion, created in collaboration with Mr. Satyarthi. With soaring melodies and meditative rhythms, the album pays tribute to Gandhi’s values of peace, empathy, and harmony. The album includes contributions from more than 200 artists across 40 countries, with Mr. Satyarthi narrating. The two describe each other as brothers in their shared mission of compassion and justice.
In recognition of Satyarthi’s extraordinary contributions, EGMH unveiled their newest panel in the
Our Journey section of the museum. This panel joins the other exhibits featuring Nobel Peace Prize laureates and global advocates of nonviolence, including Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela and Betty Williams.
Adding to the sense of history, U.S. Congressman Al Green presented the Eternal Gandhi Museum Houston with a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition, honoring its role as a cultural and educational beacon for peace and nonviolence in Houston and beyond. The announcement was met with enthusiastic applause, underscoring the pride the community feels in the museum’s mission. The program included remarks by special guest Mr. D.C. Manjunath,
Consul General of India in Houston, emphasizing the importance of programs such as Mantras of Compassion in advancing the museum’s mission.
Special thanks are extended to Mrs. Sumathy Ram, a Houstonbased award-winning filmmaker and poet, for initiating the program and for her co-production of the Mantras of Compassion CD.
The event was organized under the leadership of Board Trustee GV Krishnan, whose dedication to bringing the museum’s mission to life ensured that the evening was a success. Dr. Manish Wani, Co-founder and Trustee, acting as the MC, guided the program with eloquence and warmth. Indian Summer, renowned for its authentic and flavorful Indian cuisine,
served as the event caterer, offering guests a delightful culinary experience that highlighted the rich traditions of India. The success of the event would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of the dedicated staff, volunteers and board members whose passion and commitment helped bring the evening to life.
The evening was filled with moving moments leaving a lasting impression of the Eternal Gandhi Museum Houston’s role in promoting Gandhi’s ideals and inspiring the community to embrace nonviolence and compassion. Guests departed inspired, some describing the evening as “a reminder of what we can achieve when compassion leads the way.”
Former ICC President Lachhman Das Turns 90 with His Best Friends!
By Jawahar malhotra
Clear laKe: He has been a fixture of the Indian community in one way or the other for the past 50 years, working mostly with the India Culture Center and a few more, like the Hindu Worship Society and the Punjabi Culture Club. And even though Lachhman Das
continues to live in Clear Lake, he and his late wife Lalita were in southwest Houston on many weekends attending events that they enjoyed and supported. From 2002 to 2003, he was the President of the India Culture Center. Das was born in Hajipur, a small village near Dera Ismail Khan in the NW Province, in pre-Parti-
tioned India. After the Partition, his family was in a refugee camp in Karnal. He attended Punjab Engineering College, Chandīgarh to get his electrical engineering degree and came to the US in August 1964 to get a Masters in Industrial Engineering from the University of California in Berkley. He worked as an electrical engi-
neer in San Francisco for 4 years, then for Pan Am in New York for 5 years and later at NASA for 23 years. He then worked for the City of Houston Engineering Department for 20 years from where he retired in his mid-80s. His wife, Lalita opened a travel agency, Worldwide Travels, in 1976 on Kirby Drive which Das helped to
run till they closed it in 1999. Lalita passed away in July 2023. Many of Das’ close friends including Govind Baloor, Michael Lobo and Raj Chhikara organizedthe birthday party on Saturday, September 20 at Bay Oaks Country Club in Clear Lake. It was attended by about 100 people and catered by Bombay Brasserie.
Lachhman Das at his 90th birthday party on Saturday, September 20 at Bay Oaks Country Club in Clear Lake. With him, to the left are his younger son Dr. Tony Sanjiv Das, a cardiologist, with his wife Bernice and on the right, older son Mickey Naveen Das, an attorney, with wife Andrea
Lachhman Das surrounded by his friends from the India Culture Center.
Nobel Peace Laureate Kailash Satyarthi
Three-time Grammy Award winner
Ramesh P. Patel Lived an Illustrious Life
Sugar land: Ramesh Purushottam Patel (December 4, 1942 - September 20, 2025) was born in Ranoli, Gujarat, India on December 4, 1942 where his father Purushottam Mangaldas owned a paper business that sold writing paper for notebooks, ledgers and retail wrapping paper. He studied at New Era High school. He finished his BSc, Chemistry at K.C. College, Mumbai and came to America in August 1963, where he did his Bachelors in Chemical Engineering at the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, graduating in January 1966.
Ramesh moved to Boston to work at Dresser Industries and later worked at Dresser Industries Compressors as an Application Engineer where he became one of the top sales engineers and later managed the Sales and Engineering group in Industrial Compressors. He was transferred to New Orleans in 1968 and lived there for a year. He moved to Houston in 1969 and worked at DresserRand Industries for 35 years till he retired. He loved to travel to cities all over the world with his friends. He loved to play cards, board games, and attend birthday parties of all his family members and friends. He loved watching football, Western Classics, golf, and baseball games, in that order, and watched tennis occasionally. He also loved listen-
ing to Hindi Film songs from the 60s and 70s.
Ramesh suffered a stroke on November 27, 2011 and had been wheelchair bound since then, with partial use of his left side which also left his speech impaired. But he still loved to go visit family friends in Houston, visit his daughter Neha and her family in Austin, and even be driven to Dallas to visit friends and his younger brother Naresh Patel. He was bright-eyed and ready at a moment’s notice to dine out and for all traveling adventures. In early 2025, he contracted pneumonia and his health declined steadily over the next 7 months until he died peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, September 20 at 12:30am.
Ramesh Patel lived 83 full years of glorious life, filled with fun,
love, life and laughter, with a loving family by his side: Vidula Patel, a dutiful and loyal wife, and daughters Namita and Neha and their husbands, Jacob David and Ketan Bhakta, respectively who took care of him during the years he was disabled.
He is survived by his daughter Namita (Jacob David) of Houston, daughter Neha (Ketan Bhakta) of Austin and their sons Kalen and Nevin; sister Pushpa Patel and family of London; sister Ranjan Vakil and family of Mumbai; younger brother Deepak (Hansa) of Mumbai and younger brother Naresh (Helene) of Dallas and numerous nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind so many loving friends who became very close to him, like brothers and sisters.
ENTERTAINMENT
‘Jugnuma’: Fascinating Mystery & Magic
By
Story: Set in the late 1980s, Dev (Manoj Bajpayee), an orchard owner, lives with his family in a picturesque house nestled in the Himalayas. Each morning, he steps into his workshop, straps on a massive pair of handcrafted wings, and casually heads to a nearby cliff—where he takes flight like a bird.
Review: This surreal ritual is surprisingly normalized in the household. His wife (Priyanka Bose), and children— a teenage daughter (Hiral Sidhu), and a younger son (Awan Pookot) —accept his flying routine without much fuss. They even discuss the wings with curiosity, as if they were just another part of life in the mountains. While Dev soars above the orchards during his frequent flights, he entrusts the day-to-day operations of the lush estate to his trusted manager (Deepak Dobriyal), who oversees the workers and assigns tasks. With no phones, television, or internet, the family of four embraces a slower, more intimate rhythm of life. Their evenings are spent hosting friends for intimate dinners, singing classical songs, lying un-
der the open sky to stargaze, chasing fireflies, and listening to the whispers of the wind and mountains around them.
As you get lost in the bewitching charm of this idyllic life, the orchard mysteriously catches fire. Dev suspects a foul play and holds his staff accountable. Villager also doubt the nomads-monks with horses who are seen in the region. Who wants Dev out? At its heart, Raam Reddy’s fantasy-fuelled mystery is a tender love letter to the mountains and the unhurried life — the one we traded for ambition long ago. Unlike many indie films, Reddy’s storytelling doesn’t succumb to self indulgence or obscurity. Though open to interpretation, the narrative never glorifies the abstract or slips into aimless nothingness. It’s a slow burn, yes, but never stagnant — you remain hooked as Dev navigates the complexities of an orchard in crisis, and the meaning of ownership.
The film is technically sound. Sunil Borkar’s cinematography is pure magic, capturing the beauty and mystery of the hills. The sound design and VFX are equally accomplished — and remarkably, the flying never feels absurd or out
of place, which is a rare feat. The story does not digress either. Performances are equally competent with Manoj Bajpayee bringing in a certain warmth even to his hostility and doubt. Deepak Dobriyal, Priyanka Bose, Hiral Sidhu and Tillotama Shome light up the screen with their presence, too. . Don’t let its fantasy or experimental nature deceive you. Fascinating mystery with a touch of magic realism give this whodunit an edge. Watch it for its mesmerising storytelling and scenic beauty. Reminiscent of a soothing and suspenseful bedtime story, you are bound to remember this film for a long time.. -- ToI
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 30, 2025. Email us at indoamericannews@yahoo.com. Please send us your solved Sudoku for your name to be published.
Solution Next Week
Last Week’s Solution
Recent Winners
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
