Indo-American News: June 25, 2021

Friday, June 25, 2021 | Vol. 40, No. 26

Indo American News

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June 25, 2021

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Published weekly from Houston, TX

Special Reports Community Briefs Local Politics South Asians in the News

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International Day of Yoga 2021 at Buffalo Bayou Park

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2 June 25, 2021 IDY 2021 Houston’s Yoga Community Marks International Yoga Day

By Pooja Salhotra Houston: Neither rain showers nor Houston heat could stop Houston yoga aficionados from unrolling their yoga mats at Buffalo Bayou Park for the seventh annual International Yoga Day. Just moments before the event was scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. on Sunday, June 20, attendees were caught in a torrential downpour. They hastily rolled up their mats and huddled under the covered stage for shelter. But within minutes, the rain subsided and was replaced with sunshine and a light breeze. Participants, who ranged from teenagers to retirees, returned to their grass and sat on their mats to watch the program, which began with a communal howl at the moon – a vocalization of attendees’ intention for the evening – and concluded with a protocol led by a rotation of Houston’s most established yoga and meditation teachers including Robert Boustany, Kim Taurins, Vishvarupa Nanjundappa, Saumil Manek, Shekhar Agarwal and Mark Ram. Houston’s Consul General of India, Aseem Mahajan, welcomed attendees, highlighting the important role that yoga can play in promoting health and wellness, which aligned with this year’s theme, “Yoga for well-being.”

Representatives of participating organizations on stage at Buffalo Bayou Park.

“The global Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for healthier lifestyle choices and for fostering practices which promote good health,” said Mahajan. “Yoga helps us in boosting our immunity and strengthening our respiratory system through the various breathing exercises.”

International Yoga Day (IYD) was first proposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a General Assembly address in 2014, and it was recognized by a United Nation resolution cosponsored by 177 nations. This year, as in last year, celebrations for IYD were scaled down because of the Covid-19 pandemic. In India, Modi addressed the nation virtually, calling yoga a “ray of hope,” and virtual and limited live events

took place worldwide.

In Houston, after months of isolation and angst, attendees were grateful for the opportunity to safely practice in person, made possible by several organizations as well as individual volunteers from Sewa International.

“This event is really all about community,” said Jordan DunnRidgill, who has taught yoga for four years and also hosts yoga events. “It’s about making connections, whether it’s new friends and people who are just starting yoga or people in the yoga community who you already know.”

Dunn-Ridgill is one of four Black yoga teachers who received a grant from Hindus of Greater Houston this year to complete a yoga teacher training program.

The grant, which totaled about $8,000, was created in response to calls for racial justice across the country.

Dunn-Ridgill, who completed his training at Pralaya Yoga, was one of six teachers who demonstrated complicated yoga asanas such as handstands and other inversions at Sunday’s event. That performance was followed by two Acro Yoga performances, one of which featured a fire performance.

Despite the demonstrations of physical agility, yoga teachers emphasized at the event that the practice is about much more than physical postures. “People should think of yoga not just as exercise, but as mind control and peace within yourself,” said Ramesh Shah, founder of non-profit orga-

Indo-American News • Friday, June 25, 2021 • www.indoamerican-news.com

nization Ekal Vidalya. “When you look inward you get a lot of energy and clarity.” Shah said he practices yoga and meditation daily.

“It’s more of your body and mind finding peace through breathing techniques and meditation as well,” said Nikita Veludandi, a 17-year-old yoga instructor affiliated with Hindu Temple of the Woodlands.

According to Robert Boustany, owner of Pralaya Yoga Studio and a veteran yoga teacher, one of the main benefits of yoga is that it allows one to develop greater compassion for others.

“As you clear your body of whatever you are carrying, you can feel what goes on in other people much more,” he said. “Then, Namaste really means something because whenever you look at any human being you recognize at least some of what they went through.”

After teachers led attendees through the yoga protocol — designed for all levels of practitioners, including first-timers — Saumil Manek and Jazmin Porter led a relaxation session, using wind chimes and singing bowls to create an atmosphere for mindfulness.

The event, which was the result of significant effort from individual yoga teachers, organizations as well as volunteers, concluded with a meditation session and prayer.

June 25, 2021

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June 25, 2021

Ten Indo-Americans Running for NYC Council

COMMUNITY

By Ishani Duttagupta New York: New York City Council, the important legislative body that introduces and passes various laws relating to NYC and also approves its budget, may soon have some Indian faces and voices.

The primary elections for members of the NYC council, which will be held tomorrow (June 22), has 10 Indian American candidates in the running. The general elections will be held on November 2, 2021.

Indian-Americans Jaslin Kaur, Sanjeev Jindal, Harpreet Singh Toor and Mandeep Sahi are running to represent district 23; Suraj Jaswal, Shekar Krishnan and Rajesh Ranot for district 25; Amit Bagga for district 26; Japneet Singh for district 28; and Felicia Singh for district 32.

Significantly, New York City, despite being home to a large and vibrant Indian American community, has not ever elected a city council member of South Asian origin. But that could change this year. Most of the candidates are young, first or second-generation immigrants.

“My campaign is a multi-racial, multi-ethnic and inter-generational coalition from 15-year-olds to 85-year-olds working to build a more just and better city that works for all of us. I would be proud to serve as New York City’s District 23’s first-ever city council woman and the first elected South Asian.

I hope that more immigrants and young people run for office and bring their energy, enthusiasm and vision for the future,” Jaslin Kaur, a Democrat contesting from the district she was born and raised in, told Timesofindia.com.

New York City Council candidates Shekar Krishnan and Jaslin Kaur.

Her Sikh parents immigrated to the US from Punjab in the mid-90s and her father drives a yellow taxi cab in New York while her mother works at a grocery store.

Kaur, a graduate of Nassau Community College and CUNY Hunter College, will, if elected, be the first woman and person of colour to represent her district.

“My dad did everything from loading freight ships, to farming, to auto repair, before finally striking gold on a taxi medallion (a transferable permit). Growing up, I’d hear him start the car at 3 or 4 in the morning and know I wouldn’t see him until 5 or 6 that evening.

And he’s still driving, after almost 30 years,” she said.

Kaur strongly believes that too often, economic crashes have devastated NYC neighbourhoods, and a tiny group of billionaires has reaped windfall profits.

“I’m running for city council because it doesn’t have to be this way. We can classify gig workers as employees and guarantee them

fair wages and benefits. We can establish debt relief and retirement funds for taxi drivers harmed by the medallion market crash. We can lower property taxes for working-class families while making big-time landlords pay their fair share,” she said.

Kaur remembers the taxi medallion crash in 2014 when many taxi drivers and their families in the Queens neighbourhood where she grew up and which she now hopes to represent, got locked into a punishing cycle of debt and default.

“Too many couldn’t put food on the table, and too many lost their homes, or even took their own lives,” she recollects.

Shekar Krishnan, a second-generation icommunity activist and civil rights lawyer, too, hopes to become the first ever South Asian New York City Council member. He has, in fact, received the endorsement of Ravi Bhalla, the mayor of Hoboken, New Jersey, who was the first Sikh to be elected mayor in the US. -- ToI

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COMMUNITY

June 25, 2021

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Orissa Culture Center Center Opens its Doors to Public on July 3, 2021

By Debananda Pati President OCC Houston: Orissa Culture Center (OCC), Houston is a registered non-profit US corporation with a tax exempt organization status of 501 (C)(3) with Internal Revenue Service (IRS) since 2009. Orissa, (now renamed to pre-British period era, Odisha), is famous for its cultural heritage. Many of its architectural sites are in the UN World Heritage catalogue. Although the state is a little unknown in the world arena, it still serves as beacon of peace, universal brotherhood and friendship through one of its annual flagship events called Ratha Yatra, better known as Chariot or Car festival at Puri.

The event draws more than a million people every year from all over the world of all races, religions, castes and creeds. Similarly, one of the greatest classical dance forms that India has to offer to the world, Odishi, has its origin in this state. According to Natya Shastra of Bharat Muni, the earliest treatise on the ancient dance forms that originated from India, Odishi that evolved around the temple rituals of Lord Jagannatha. Similarly, Odia, the language spoken by the 47 million people in Odisha is one of the handful of classical Indian languages with origin from Sanskrit. While the language and the cultural art forms of Odisha have crossed its natural geographical boundaries, very little is known about the state itself. That has led the Odia community from the greater Houston area to form OCC to spread the message of peace and

universal brotherhood through a medium that is considered an asset for the state – the art and culture. Hence, the mission of OCC has been to showcase Orissan art, its traditions and create a space for community events, multi-cultural exchange, interfaith dialogue, and universal brotherhood.

To promote multi-cultural exchange, interfaith dialog, and universal brotherhood, since 2008, OCC has been celebrating its flagship event , the Houston Chariot Festival, a daylong celebration, during the summer holidays and

typically on a Saturday or Sunday in late June or July to attract many out of town attendees and tourists to Houston area. 2021 festival is scheduled for Sunday, July 11 and will be held for the first time at the newly built temple at premises of OCC at 3101 Fuqua st, in the heart of the city to attract people from all walks of life. This event celebrates universal brotherhood, love and tolerance by showcasing culture from different parts of the world. This is the 14th Annual Houston Chariot Festival, which demonstrates our long track record

of organizing and implementing this event.

OCC just completed the construction of a building dedicated to Odia culture and arts in Houston, the largest city in the state of Texas and the fourth largest city in the US. This has been a long and arduous effort by the Houston Odia community of about 75 families to establish this center to promote Odia culture, tradition, and its rich heritage. Situated on a sprawling ten and half acres land with a quintessential Texas ranch-like setting at 3101 Fuqua st., about 15 minutes’ drive from downtown Houston, the Center is going to serve as a venue for integration of culture, literature, religion and spirituality. The master plan for OCC includes 1) a Multipurpose Hall (already built) to serve as a space for community events, multi-cultural exchange, interfaith dialogue, and universal brotherhood; 2) a Museum and Library showcasing Odia history, arts, language, literature and to document immigration of Odias to North America and other countries, 3) an Amphitheater to perform classical dance forms from all over the world including Odishi, Chhau and tribal folk dances; 4) Cottages for out of town guests particularly patients coming for treatment at the world renowned Texas Medical Center and MD Anderson Cancer Center. At the Centre of the property there will be a life size replica of the Jagannatha Temple in Puri as a monument dedicated to the Lord of the Universe and the ethos of universal brotherhood, peace and tolerance, as a symbol

that unifies all of us.

The first phase construction of this center with a 6000 sq ft multipurpose hall and a large outdoor pavilion has been completed. The inauguration of the Center and installation of the deities of Lord Jagannatha, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra and Sudarshan is scheduled to take place in a fourday ceremony starting from June 30th2021 which will be followed by the Center’s first ever public event, the 52nd Annual Convention of the Odisha Society of Americas (OSA), the oldest ethnic Indian community organization in the USA. Prana-pratistha of Deities (Lord Balabhadra, Ma Subhadra, Shri Jagannatha & Shri Sudarshana) and the Annual Ratha Jatra will take place as per the schedule below.Ankuraropana-Adhibasa karma & Commence the Mahostav Pratistha Homa-yagnya with Community Cultural Event Nyasa-Prana Pratistha, Installation of the Deities in the Temple & Poornahuti Houston Annual Ratha Jatra (Chariot Festival) *Mahaprasad Seva available to devotees during all the days of Celebration.

The Opening Ceremony of Center is scheduled for July 3, 2021 between 9-10 AM, at 3101 Fuqua St. where Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, Fort Bend County Judge KP George, Governor Abbott’s emissary, Community Relation Specialist Betty Russo, and Head of the Vedanta Society of New York, Swami Sarvapriyananda have been invited to grace this occasion.

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June 25, 2021

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INDIA

June 25, 2021

Sewa Donates Concentrators, Ventilators Mumbai: Within eight weeks of starting its ‘Help India Defeat COVID-19’ campaign, Sewa International has distributed over 5,996 oxygen concentrators and 177 ventilators to 566 hospitals and COVID-19 Care Centers across India, covering 26 of 28 Indian states.

Sewa International, India has received over 7,900 oxygen concentrators so far from Sewa units around the globe and 6,850 of them from USA. Sewa International USA has procured and shipped over 10,000 oxygen concentrators to India so far and some of them are still in transit. As COVID-19 situation is improving in India, Sewa is keeping some concentrators in reserve for future use.

Overcoming numerous challenges, starting from transporting odd sized pallets, housing oxygen concentrators from the airport to the warehouse to supplying lifesaving equipment to hard-to-reach corners of India, volunteers from Sewa and its partner organizations have successfully tackled a huge logistical challenge in the middle of a raging pandemic.

Sleeping less than optimal hours a day and braving the pandemic while many of the Sewa volunteers tested positive with the virus, the team arranged 60+ trucks for transporting the essential medical equipment, have already distributed medicine and food kits to 1,25,000+ households, and juggled between priorities while working under constant pressure to pick the right hospitals and NGOs from among a long list.

Working with a well-tested hub-and-spokes model, Sewa volunteers worked from the primary hub in New Delhi, where they received the supplies sent from the US and other countries. They later transported the oxygen concentrators and other supplies to 44 secondary hubs in the country, and then to nearby 410+ locations by trucks and couriers, supported by partner NGOs.

Kumar Subham, Chief Operating Officer, Sewa International, India is coordinating the distribution of oxygen concentrators.

He said that over 1,000 Sewa volunteers and more than 10,000 volunteers from Sewa’s partner organizations are involved in the distribution: “Yes, the work has been demanding and the team has been working round the clock. But it is not tiring at all. It’s like working for our families. In this case it is the extended family, the whole of India, as we say, Vasudhaiv Kutumbkam, so none of us mind the hours we put in” he said.

Sewa distributed equipment in seven phases and prioritized their delivery based on the severity of cases and population density. Maharashtra which reported the highest number of cases in India, got 725 concentrators. Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, West Bengal, Assam, and Tamil Nadu received 485, 400, 301, 300, 300 and 235 concentrators respectively and occupied the top seven spots.

“In the last 50+ days, we doubled our partnerships in India to 240+ partners, and Indian Diaspora from 35+ countries have supported us. So much was possible due to the collective strength of Global Indians and the non-profit ecosystem in India. Thanks to the spirit of Sewa in the Indian ethos”.,” Shyam Parande, the Global Coordinator of Sewa International said.

“In Sewa, we say, Together We Server Better. All the work that has been done in the past two months by Sewa International teams in the USA, in India, and many other countries across the world amply reflect the essence of this statement. We are glad that we have been able to serve India in its direst hour of need,” said Arun Kankani, Sewa International’s President.

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COMMUNITY

June 25, 2021

Pandemic & Crisis Fighter Syed Rizwan Mohiuddin: Man behind UMMC

By Nabiya Aftab “A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure despite overwhelming obstacles.” – Christopher Reeve Houston: Every crisis has its heroes, every disaster its displays of selflessness and sacrifice. Firefighters race into burning buildings. Police officers place themselves in the line of fire. Soldiers march into war.

A hero is a person distinguished by exceptional courage, nobility and strength. He is a person you have a special admiration for, a person who protects you, cares about you and potentially saves your life.

Houston’s frontline health heroes are currently dealing with “disasters within the disaster,” a term used by Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, as the unprecedented freezing weather in February was compounded by power and water shutoffs. With little power and no clean water, private dialysis clinics across the county were forced to shut down. Patients facing kidney failure on strict dialysis schedules were left with one option: head to the nearest hospital. Emergency centers across the area were flooded with dialysis patients, creating days-long wait times for the lifesaving treatment.

With America’s healthcare system’s ever-changing environment,

identifying healthcare providers and facilities that prioritize patient safety and satisfaction is becoming increasingly difficult. In Houston, Texas, one hospital stands out, going so far as to only requiring a valid stateissued photo ID for covid-19 testing. United Memorial Medical Center (UMMC) has gone above and beyond to ensure that patients receive the best possible care, regardless of their insurance or ability to pay.

Before entering the healthcare sector, UMMC President Syed Rizwan Mohiuddin was a successful businessman and entrepreneur.

“My mother’s illness for four years inspired me to pursue a career in healthcare,” Mohiuddin said. “I heard about the challenges patients and their families face when they have little or no access to healthcare, I wanted to make sure the uninsured and underinsured were being served adequately. While

Dr. Syed Rizwan Mohiuddin power has been restored for many, water remains a problem. Dialy-

sis requires access to clean water to prepare concentrates and dialysate and to reprocess the machines for the next patient.

Mohiuddin displayed his heroism yet again when he purchased water tanks from out-oftown producers to facilitate dialysis treatment for many patients, saving countless lives.

Mohiuddin instructs his staff to prioritize patient treatment and satisfaction above all else, ensuring that no one is turned away because of their gender, race, economic status, or insurance status.

Their goal is to treat everyone with dignity and provide highquality care to every patient. The UMMC team has stayed true to these values during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We became the first hospital in Houston to provide free testing to the general public, with just a photo ID as a re-

quirement. And now, amid the coronavirus pandemic, our healthcare workers, doctors, nurses, EMTs and support staff — who risk infecting themselves and their own families — are making extraordinary sacrifices to care for the rest of us. They do so, most infuriatingly, even as they have been put at greater risk than necessary by the avoidable shortages of masks, face shields and other personal protective equipment (PPE).”

With the vaccination effort underway, Mohiuddin continues to provide a high level of care by providing COVID-19 vaccines to thousands of Houston residents.

UMMC has joined hands with the Texas Legislature and health agencies in Harris County, Fort Bend County, the City of Houston, Houston Independent School District, the Islamic Society of Greater Houston, and others. They are planning on helping President Joe Biden achieve his goal to get everyone vaccinated by June.

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, the CDC and the State of Texas have all played a massive role in helping to provide the vaccine to Texas residents, said Mohiuddin.

Mohiuddin, his family, and his team at UMMC have been invaluable assets to the Houston community, especially during the unprecedented global pandemic. We’d like to thank him and his team for his service to this country.

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ENTERTAINMENT

June 25, 2021

‘Jurassic World Dominion’: Visual Extravaganza

The makers of Jurassic World 3, officially titled Jurassic World: Dominion, have teased fans of the franchise with the first look of the film. But, the five-minute preview of the movie can only be watched during the IMAX screenings of F9, the ninth Fast and Furious movie.

The clip gives a sneak peek into the new species of dinosaurs which will be introduced in the film which is set 65 million years ago.

It also gives a brief glimpse into a clash between a T-rex and the Giganotosaurus, a new addition to the franchise. From the short clip which is being called the extended look tease, Jurassic World 3 seems to be a visual extravaganza.

The Colin Trevorrow directorial will pick up from the events of Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom that concluded with dinosaurs escaping into the world after being freed. Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard will reprise their roles of Owen Grady and Claire Dear-

ing, respectively. The others who have joined the film’s cast include Jake Johnson, Omar Sy, Daniella Pineda, Justice Smith, Isabella Sermon, Mamoudou Athie, DeWanda Wise, Dichen Lachman, and Scott Haze.

Last year, Chris Pratt had called the film’s script ‘unbelievable’ on Ellen DeGeneres’ show. “It’s got everybody. It’s got pretty much everybody in it. Maybe I just blew it, but I don’t care. All of the cast from the original Jurassic Park is coming back, so it’s going to feel very much like how Endgame brought everything together at Marvel,” the actor said.

Even though Jurassic Park is undoubtedly the greatest movie about dinosaurs ever made, there are some details that have become dated as scientists have learned new things about the prehistoric creatures. Perhaps the biggest discovery since the original Jurassic Park was made is that some di-

nosaurs have feathers, solidifying Dr. Alan Grant’s theory about why they might have behaved like giant birds when they roamed the Earth, eventually evolving into the winged creatures we know today.

The IMAX extended preview for Jurassic World: Dominion is, unsurprisingly, chock-full of dinosaurs. Director Colin Trevorrow worked with Industrial Light and Magic to create a sequence that shows seven new species of dinosaurs in their natural habitat circa 65 million years ago. Those dinosaurs go by pretty quickly — it’s a short piece of footage, after all — and for dinosaur enthusiasts who, like avid birders, want to chronicle each sighting, I’ve put together a dino-spotting checklist.

Jurassic World addressed the idea that completing the gaps in the DNA sequence of prehistoric dinosaur blood resulted in creatures that looked quite different from their real-life counterparts from millions of years ago. But the franchise will give some dinosaurs a scientifically accurate look in Jurassic World: Dominion by giving them details like feathers.

One of the first images released from Jurassic World: Dominion features a feathered velociraptor. However, these aren’t dinosaurs from the Jurassic Park or Jurassic World theme parks.

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Tributes to the Late ‘Flying Sikh’ Milkha Singh (20 November 1929 – 18 June 2021), also known as The Flying Sikh, was an Indian track and field sprinter who was introduced to the sport while serving in the Indian Army.

He is the only athlete to win gold at 400 metres at the Asian Games as we ll as the Commonwealth Games. He also won gold medals in the 1958 and 1962 Asian Games.

Kudos to a Special Yoga Teacher

By Naman Ramchandran Yoga is an ancient Indian tradition which has gone global It is trending activity, a suitable way to balance hectic new age life style I was pondering over it and by chance I was introduced to this lady named Unna Ramanathan from Houston, who was named among the top 5 volunteers in lithe local paper Star, who teaches stretch and tone classes on line but with a unique flavor. She has added weights and holding the poses to her teaching I joined her class and decided to ask her about her journey. Here is the exchange Yoga is the new buzz word now.

How were you inspired to learn Yoga and does she remember her first session?

She told me she took different exercise classes tried Yoga in 2094 with Mary McDermott overseas.

She was instrumental in inspiring her interest her brother is also an Art of living Yoga teacher But when she returned to USA, she took formal training in 2012 in Austin Texas with living Yoga program I asked her what is the special brilliance about Yoga and what did she gain out of it Her reply was that Yoga does benefit all aspects of life physical mental and spiritual For her personally she has become more flexible and has a sense of balance She remembers the calmness she felt after her sessions in the beginning One may not able to to say touch

Yoga teacher Unna Ramanathan

one toes to start with but was told by her teacher to do one best not be in competition.

I asked her what would she tell a beginner and what is the benefit and why they should they take it up.

For those who do take it up depending on how sincere and desclipined in their practice, they will reap the benefits.

It will build your stamina, increase flexibility, and improve breathing She has incorporated and added weights to poses and she holds poses. That is just the tip of iceberg I told her when the class is over it feels as if the whole days stress has melted. It is not a acrobatic performance but truely give one sense of calmness Just like her personality. Kudos to her.

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CRICKET

June 25, 2021

WTC Final: Defeat Puts Batting in Spotlight

By Nagraj Gollapudi

Southhampton (ESPN CricinAs the sun set on a glorious summer’s day at the Ageas Bowl, India, who finished second at the World Test Championship final, were still at the ground. While Virat Kohli’s team ruminated on the events over the course of this rain-truncated six-day Test at the on-site team hotel, at the opposite end Kane Williamson’s team was toasting to the victory along with food in the dressing room. The pandemic had created this surreal moment where the defeated could hear the celebrations of the winner. You don’t need to play sport to understand how much that hurts.

With pursed lips, Kohli shook hands with his team-mates first.

Then with the rest of the India squad and the coaching staff followed by the New Zealand team.

A proud man, who would never show defeat in his body language, Kohli climbed the two-tier staircase towards the Indian dressing room with his head bowed. In the adjacent Shane Warne stand Indian fans tried to cheer him up, but that had no effect.

Later he would walk back alone dejected towards the team hotel with his India blazer in one hand, holding a bag of sweaty gear in plastic bag in the other hand, fo):

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Captain Virat Kohli (left) with pacers Mohammed Shami and Ishant Sharma.

Rishabh Pant scored an agressive 44 in the second inning in the losing cause.

wondering what might have happened.

This was for third global tournament where Kohli’s India had failed to win the title: the 2017 Champions Trophy, the 2019 World Cup and now in the WTC final. All three defeats have come in England. All three times the reason has been the same: batting failure.

Unlike New Zealand, who entered the final on the back of a two-Test series against England, Kohli’s men had not played any cricket since early May during the IPL and then landed in Southampton where they played a three-day intra-squad match which was in sunny weather. Then last Saturday they were put into bat in the most difficult conditions - dark, gloomy

overcast skies. None of the India batters got a 50 as Kyle Jamieson troubled them with his high release point. He would do the same once again in the second innings as the batters crumbled under pressure.

Kohli summarised the defeat saying India had allowed New Zealand bowlers to dominate because they did not look to score. But is that really the case? This Test was played on a pitch made for fast bowlers. However, even the bowlers themselves had to work hard and find the right lengths to make the batter play and draw the false stroke. Only Jamieson succeeded in both innings without breaking much sweat. The rest of them had to work hard to succeed and even then some like Jasprit Bumrah struggled.

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Send us the correct answer before June 30, 2021.

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Last Week’s Winners Sanchali Basu, Ramana Vadrevu Last Week’s Winners Sanchali Basu

June 25, 2021

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Orissa Culture Center Center to Open July 3 Continued from Page 5

Without any prejudice, access to this facility and services will be provided to all regardless of faith, race, caste, creed or nationality, and the culture, customs, rights, dignity and worth of each person will be respected.

Establishing such a Center and carrying it forward with growth in mind is a herculean task. The estimated total cost of this project is in the upwards of 12 million dollars and may take many years to complete. Our small Odia community has been very generous in purchasing and improving the land ($500,000) which has been completely paid off. The total cost for the first phase of construction of the multipurpose Hall so far is $1.2 million dollar. We have brought it to a stage where we feel we can appeal to our Odia brothers and sisters here in North America and globally to help us out to sustain and grow this unique Center in carrying forward the rich cultural legacy of Odisha.

Our efforts of setting up this Center has recently attracted national and international attention with philanthropic supports.

We just received a large donation from Dr. Sita Kantha Dash of Minneapolis, MN, founder of UAS Laboratories Inc, an innovator, entrepreneur, community leader, philanthropist, Chairman Minnesota Hindu Temple, and ardent seeker of Lord Jagannatha to establish “Dr. SK Dash Center for Odia Culture”. OCC needs more generous donations like Dr. Dash’s in supporting Orissa Culture Center and its mission to promote and preserve Odisha Culture and Heritage for our future generations.

Orissa Culture Center (OCC), Houston is the first of its kind by Odias outside of Odisha, both nationally and internationally.

According to news reports, the Govt. of Odisha wants to open an Odisha Culture Center in New Delhi to promote Odisha culture and the Chief Minister Mr. Pattanaik has requested the Central Govt. to provide land for such purpose. However, Odias in Houston thought of such an endeavor in 2008 and after

Daru Brahma Jagannatha (right) with elder brother Lord Balabhadra (left) and sister Devi Subhadra will be installed in the Temple. These idols are carved from the part of the same log of neem/margosa wood from where the current Idols in the Puri Jagannatha Temple in Odisha are made of.

Dr. Sita Kantha Dash (right) and Dr. Pati (left).

twelve long years their dream is now a reality!

More information on OCC can be obtained at https://orissaculturecenter.org/

Dr. Pati is a professor of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and Molecular Cellular Biology at the Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital.

30th June, 2021 5pm-9pm

1st July, 2021, 9am -9pm

2nd July, 2021 9am -3 pm

11th July, 2021 9am -9pm

AnkuraropanaAdhibasa karma & Commence the Mahostav

Pratistha Homa-yagnya with Community Cultural Event

Nyasa-Prana Pratistha, Installation of the Deities in the Temple & Poornahuti

Houston Annual Ratha Jatra (Chariot Festival)

*Mahaprasad Seva available to devotees during all the days of Celebration.

Indo-American News • Friday, june 25, 2021 • www.indoamerican-news.com

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June 25, 2021

Indo-American News • Friday, June 25, 2021 • www.indoamerican-news.com