Indo-American News: March 15, 2024

NASA engineer Anima Patil-Sabale (center in uniform) speaking to an HMM audience on the occasion of International Women’s Day. Story on PAGE 2.

The late Prem Bhatia was a tireless, selfless volunteer. PAGE 4

Young Adrit Rao harnesses

healthcare. PAGE 8

Empowering Women: A Vibrant Tribute by Houston Maharashtra Mandal

Houston: In commemoration of International Women’s Day, Houston Maharashtra Mandal orchestrated a dynamic and uplifting gathering named ‘Maitreyi,’ a Bruhan Maharashtra Mandal initiative. This event drew together an assorted group of exceptional women, converging to honor the resilience and determination that define their journeys.

At the heart of the event stood Anima Patil-Sable, whose captivating narrative resonated deeply with all attendees. With a background in Aerospace Engineering, she shared her story of unwavering perseverance, navigating the complexities of pursuing a master’s degree while balancing the responsibilities of motherhood and a demanding career. Her tale served as a guiding light, inspiring others to pursue their dreams with unwavering determination.

‘Maitreyi’ buzzed with an atmo-

sphere of encouragement and camaraderie as women shared anecdotes, laughter, and words of wisdom. Discussions spanned from achieving a harmonious work-life balance to overcoming personal obstacles, highlighting the strength found in unity.

The event also showcased engaging activities such as poetry recitations by Priya Deosthale and Varsha Halbe, stand-up comedy by Gayatri Dhekane, and a delightful culinary spread courtesy of entrepreneur Shubhangi Musale from Mahesh’s Kitchen.

Neetal Adkar, President of the Houston Maharashtra Mandal, expressed heartfelt gratitude to all participants and speakers, emphasizing the importance of collective celebration

International Women’s Day

Houston: March 8 was celebrated throughout the world as International Women’s Day. Here in Houston, the Indian Consulate highlighted the theme of #InspireInclusion. The event included an engaging panel discussion comprising of the accomplished Indian & Indian American women.

From colorful sarees to delicious food, the Houston Consular League

members immersed in the rich tapestry of Indian culture. Rich tribute were paid to the achievements of Indian women.

Guests indulged in a culinary journey through regional delicacies, adorned themselves in traditional attire, and also tried steps to the beats of Bollywood.

and acknowledgment of women’s achievements.

As attendees bid adieu to ‘Maitreyi,’ they left with a renewed sense of empowerment and determination to pursue their aspirations with unwavering fervor. The event served as a poignant reminder that with support and solidarity, women can overcome any obstacle.

Poets and speakers at the event.

In summary, the Maitreyi event organized by the Houston Maharashtra Mandal emerged as a triumphant celebration of empowerment and solidarity

on International Women’s Day. Let us continue to inspire and empower women to reach new heights and make a lasting impact on the world. Happy International Women’s Day!

Audience of Marathi women celebrated International Women’s Day at Mahesh’s Kitchen.

Some of the guests at the Indian Consulate celebration gathered for a group photo.

Participants at the Houston City Hall celebration.

Imroz Niwas: A Journey of Cultural Revival and Sustainable Elegance

new DelHi: In the bustling streets of New Delhi, amidst the vibrant tapestry of Indian culture, Tannya Singh’s journey began. Born into a family that straddled two worlds, she found herself drawn to the rich tapestry of her Indian heritage, even as she embraced the opportunities of her American upbringing. From a young age, Tannya was captivated by the exquisite craftsmanship of India’s bygone golden era, where every handmade creation told a story of tradition, elegance, and artistry.

Her passion for preserving this legacy was ignited during her frequent visits to India, where she immersed herself in the bustling artisanal markets, engaging with craftsmen and learning about their time-honored techniques. Yet, amid the beauty and splendor, she discovered a sobering truth: many artisans were struggling to find apprentices to carry forward their craft, and the age-old traditions were at risk of fading away.

It was during an unexpected and transformative year-long stay in Delhi, brought about by Covid travel restrictions, that Tannya’s vision took shape. Witnessing the plight of artisans stranded in the city, unable to return to their homes or sell their wares, she and her mother, Sharmila, saw an opportunity to make a difference. They decided to commission designs from these artisans, providing them with employment and a

means to support their families during challenging times.

What began as a small gesture of solidarity soon blossomed into something far greater. The designs flourished, and the team of artisans grew, fueled by a shared passion for preserving India’s rich artistic heritage. Thus, Imroz Niwas was born—a testament to the spirit of resilience, creativity, and community that defines India’s artisanal tradition.

The name “Imroz Niwas” speaks

to the ethos of the brand: “Imroz,” meaning “Today” in Sanskrit, encapsulates the essence of living in the present moment, while “Niwas,” meaning “Home,” signifies a sanctuary where tradition and modernity converge. Imroz Niwas is not just a brand; it is an invitation to experience the timeless beauty of Indian craftsmanship through a contemporary lens.

In February of 2024, Imroz Niwas took its vision global with the launch of its international web-

Upakar Foundation Scholarships Available

Upakar Foundation is dedicated to helping US nationals of Indian descent attend college by providing tuition scholarships based on academic excellence and financial need. Upakar opened its application window for 2024 Upakar Scholarships on March 1, 2024. Applicants wishing to apply for a scholarship must submit their applications no later than April 30, 2024. General application criteria are below. Full application criteria can be found on the Upakar website, https://upakar.org.

Upakar Scholarships are $2,000 per year for Scholars attending a 4-year undergraduate program, and $500 per year for Scholars attending a community college program. The applicant must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident. Financial need is determined by the family’s adjusted gross income. Scholars must have attained a raw high school GPA above 3.6. As long as a scholar’s GPA exceeds

3.3 in college, Upakar will renew the $2,000 annual scholarship for up to four years. Upakar Community College Scholarships provide $500 per year for up to two years; and if the Scholar transfers to a 4-year program, Upakar will increase its commitment to $2,000 annually until the Scholar

site, offering discerning customers around the world a curated selection of handcrafted treasures imbued with cultural richness and authenticity. At the heart of Imroz Niwas lies an ardent commitment to sustainability, ensuring that every piece and packaging is ethically sourced and environmentally conscious.

At Imroz Niwas, we also specialize in corporate gifting, offering fully customized solutions tailored to fit the unique needs

has received a total of four years of scholarship support. Upakar Textbook Scholarships are one-time awards of $250.

Upakar has 21 Scholars attending their respective colleges in the 2023-2024 academic year, at various stages in their undergraduate degree programs.

Upakar was founded in 1997 in the Washington DC metropolitan area to provide highly qualified college-bound Indian-American students with need-based tuition assistance so that they could graduate without a crushing burden of college debt.

Upakar has awarded 130 scholarships for more than $800,000 to students who meet the criteria of being born in India or who have at least one Indian-born parent.

For more information and to learn how you can help support Upakar, please visit www.upakar. org.

of your company and recipients. Whether it’s for a special occasion, a particular style preference, or a specific budget, we work closely with you every step of the way to ensure that your gifts are a perfect reflection of your brand.

With our extensive range of handcrafted products, we can create one-of-a-kind pieces that stand out from the crowd while upholding our commitment to sustainability and ethical sourcing. Choose Imroz Niwas for your corporate gifting needs and experience the pride of giving meaningful, memorable gifts that make a positive impact.

From the moment an artisan’s hands shape the raw materials to the final packaging, every step of the process is infused with care and mindfulness. Imroz Niwas is more than a destination for exquisite products; it is a movement—a celebration of culture, heritage, and the enduring beauty of handmade craftsmanship.

In choosing Imroz Niwas, customers become part of a journey—a journey that honors the past, embraces the present, and paves the way for a sustainable future. Each purchase is a statement of support for India’s artisans, a testament to the enduring legacy of craftsmanship, and a step towards a more conscious and connected world.

Welcome to Imroz Niwas—where tradition meets modernity, and every piece tells a story of timeless elegance and cultural pride.

Arya Samaj Pays Tribute to Prem Bhatia, An Exuberant Person

By AcHAryA BrAmDeo

Oṁ vāyur-anilam amṛtam athedaṁ bhasmāntaṁ śarīram |

Oṁ krato smara, klibe smara, kṛtaṁ smara || (YajurVeda 40.15 || Ātmā, the soul is the doer. It is not made of physical matter. It is immortal. It is that which keeps the body alive. The body dies when the soul leaves the body. Cremation returns the body to matter. Upon death, God gives the soul a new body depending on its karma. This mantra reminds us to always remember Almighty Eeshvar (God) as the eternal witness of our past, present and future actions; to remember our true nature as souls, to gain strength; and to do deeds that enables us to progress on the path of perfection till moksha- attainment of eternal blissful state.

March 9, 2024: Relatives, friends of the Bhatia family, and members, well-wishers of Arya Samaj Greater Houston (ASGH) joined to celebrate the life of late Shri Prem Bhatia. A longstanding tireless, selfless volunteer, Prem Ji always worked behind the scenes contributing to the progress and success of ASGH. We give below excerpts from the tributes by Smt. Sushma and Shri Dev Mahajan, Shri Bhushan Verma and children Manu and Priya Bhatia after the Shanti/Shraddhanjali Yajna officiated by Acharya Surya Nanda Ji.

Prem ji lived life on his own terms till the end. His strong willpower and disciplined lifestyle were allowed him to lead a near normal life for over a quarter century after serious heart illness that left his heart functioning at

about 40%. He valiantly fought pancreatic cancer with the help of his dear wife Madhu. He decided to take half the dose during chemotherapy, likely not to lose control of his life and independence. During his last days he undertook his own personal care activities moving around with the help of a walker.

Prem ji’s journey with Arya Samaj Greater Houston. He was a very dedicated volunteer in all the activities of this Samaj and its two schools since 1995. Madhu and Prem ji compiled a havan prayer book with Sanskrit mantras in both Devanāgarī and English scripts, and translations in Hindi and English. Therein he included Vedic bhajans. He also compiled a small Havan book for our school children.

Other initiatives included: The

makeover of the January 1st, New Year Yajna (havan) into an opportunity for all present to participate by offering ahutis; The English translation of mantras around the ceiling of the Mandir; Record-

keeping of the history of major events of ASGH; Volunteered as consultant for our website as the major and critical source of information, thus moved ASGH to the digital world; Managing our library and book. His demise is a call upon new volunteers to emerge as torchbearers. Prem Ji inspired all as a sincere, determined, dedicated nishkaama sevak at ASGH. An Arya in action, he embodied the essence of a noble person. He also completed the English translation of a version of Geeta emphasizing on living the message of the Geeta in daily life. Holder of a PhD in Aeronautical & Aerospace Engineering, he moved to the oil and gas industry

creating offshore structures, indeed a breakthrough in offshore technology. Serene, gentle, smiling and also funny, he was often seen joining others in meetings and over prasad (lunch) after Satsangs with a list of jokes that would bring smiles to all. He enjoyed Indian classical Sufi music and ghazals.

Premji will be remembered as a loving husband, father, and grandfather within the family circle, and a rocket scientist, coworker, chef, dog walker, mentor, nerd, friend, guide, giver, carer and selfless volunteer. Let’s remember Prem Ji more for what he was to us, and what he brought to our life and to the community at large.

Om Sadgati. We pray to Almighty Eeshvar (God) to grant a peaceful and progressive onwards journey on the path of perfection till Moksha- the Eternal Blissful state.

Oṁ Shāntiḥ Shāntiḥ Shāntiḥ!

Dev Mahajan paying trubute to the late Prem Bhatia.

A Great Opportunity for NRIs to Participate in India’s Development

By BHAmy V. sHenoy

I want to share a great opportunity but simple way to get involved in fighting corruption and poverty in India, a cherished goal of all of us. You can achieve this from the comforts of the house. This is based on my experience of working with two NGOs - one in Delhi and the other in Mysuru.

I have been associated with a Delhi based NGO, Consumer Voice (https://consumer-voice. org). Additionally I have been involved in Consumer Movement in Mysuru where I had founded Mysuru Grahakara Parishat in 1989. CV has the right vaccination to fight the corruption virus. But they need your help to administer it.

More than likely, you might already be involved in helping several worthy causes in India. I implore those of you who have a better appreciation of what a vibrant consumer movement can do, may be interested to help Consumer Voice to establish a world class “CONSUMER EDUCATION AND RESEARCH INSTITUTE” in Delhi. We all know what a vibrant consumer movement started by Ralph Nader achieved in the US.

Funds needed are just one million dollars for the construction and launching of the CV facility. The following para briefly gives

you an idea of what CV has been doing. To learn more, please visit their web site. I am sure you will all be impressed and wonder how you have not heard of such a fine institution.

As a first and immediate first step, please subscribe to their monthly magazine which gives useful information to buy the right product. Subscription Cost is just Rs. 150 ( less than per year and

the details to subscribe are on the website.

VOICE is an acronym for Voluntary Organization in Interest of Consumer Education which has pioneered the protection of consumers in India. Based in New Delhi, the organization has championed consumer education in the country since 1983. Former Justices of Supreme Court, P N Bhagwati and V M Tarkunde were some of the founders of CV.

Over the years, VOICE has been representing consumers and protecting their interests with policymakers, the judiciary and statutory regulatory bodies. From 1991 onwards, VOICE has been spearheading an independent and nonpartisan program on “comparative testing of products” with the technical support of Stiftung Warentest of Germany.

VOICE activities have been supported by the government of India’s Ministry of Consumer Affairs besides other ministries and departments.

VOICE provides independent and unbiased reviews of food products, consumer durables, financial and banking services and much more. It also runs a legal helpdesk for consumers.

Let me end my request with an example of Mysuru Grahakara Parishat, a consumer protection NGO. It played some role in prac-

tically eliminating corruption in Public Distribution of Kerosene and residential LPG by exposing the quantum of corruption and ways of reducing it since its inception.

Distribution of these two products used to generate as much as Rs. 50,000 crores of black money ( about six billion dollars) per year. This was really the mother of all corruption. Thanks to the application of direct benefit transfer to the banks by the current government, this kind of corruption is practically eliminated today. Since Consumer Voice is helping the government to shape policies affecting consumer interests, it can play similar role in bringing about systemic changes resulting in reduction in corruption.

It is worth recalling the words of Swami Vivekananda “So long as the millions live in hunger and ignorance, I hold every man a traitor who, having been educated at their expense, pays not the least heed to them.”

Bhamy V. Shenoy can be contacted at bhamysuman@gmail.com, phone: 346-812-2783. Bhamy lived in Houston for several decades in 1980-90s before returning to India to live in Mysuru, Karnataka. In Houston, Bhamy was active in organizations such as the India Culture Center.

March 15,

16-year-old Indo-American Adrit Rao Harnesses AI to Transform Healthcare EDUCATION

By Bijin jose and online resources.

PAlo Alto: At just 16, Adrit Rao is already a coding prodigy and AI enthusiast trying to leave a mark in the world of app development and digital health innovation. The teenager has already won accolades from Apple, published a handful of apps, and is currently working on cutting-edge research at Stanford University to harness AI for transforming healthcare.

“Apps are so engaging and exciting because you can write code and see your inventions come to life right in front of you,” Rao told indianexpress.com.

“My journey into coding started when I was 8 years old. I was introduced to simple block programming, which is putting blocks together to program. That was my first introduction to computer science. I found it very engaging and interesting,” he added.

Rao got deeper into computer science and began exploring traditional programming languages. “I didn’t have the same level of interest because I couldn’t see my code come to life. During the COVID19 pandemic, I had a lot of free time and wanted to explore coding, but in a more fun and exciting way that could have an impact on people. That’s when I thought of apps on the App Store,” said Rao who also revealed that he selflearned app development during the pandemic through YouTube

At 12, Rao won Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference Swift Student Challenge. The event also earned him the rare opportunity to meet Apple CEO Tim Cook.

Rao has a range of innovative apps, with four available on the App Store, to his credit. Among them is MoTV, which helps users in finding movies and TV shows. ShopQuik, a crowd-sourced app for tracking local grocery store wait times during the pandemic (it was removed by Apple due to its obsolescence).

Another creation, Get Involved Service Hours, is a collaboration between Rao’s company, Arètech Inc., and the Get Involved Foundation, facilitating volunteer work. Signer, an AI-powered app, translates sign language gestures into speech via iPhone camera input.

“First I researched statistics on how many people are deaf worldwide and the communication gap between deaf and non-deaf communities, which motivated me. Then I had the idea to convert gestures from the iPhone camera to speech. Around that time,

Apple had just introduced hand pose tracking and classification at WWDC using their machine learning models. So I could train my own AI algorithm on that new technology to enable the signto-speech conversion,” said Rao about the process behind the creation of Signer.

In his pursuit to apply AI to solve healthcare problems, Rao embarked on a research internship at Stanford University when he was 13. Over the past three years, he has been dedicated to building accessible apps that leverage AI to diagnose vascular diseases. His standout innovation, AutoABI, is an iPhone app that can detect peripheral arterial disease by listening to arterial sounds. The groundbreaking technology is currently in clinical trials and patent process. Rao has also contributed to detecting aneurysms in CT scans using AI and published over

10 scientific research papers, showcasing his prowess in digital health solutions that could revolutionise patient care delivery.

Adrit has been interning with Dr Oliver Aalami and Dr Paul Schmiedmayer. Dr Aalami is a Clinical Professor of Vascular Surgery, while Dr Schmiedmayer is the Assistant Director of Digital Health.

We’re currently working towards a patent for it. So that app is one of my passion projects, for sure. Because it showed me that I was able to apply my app development and AI knowledge to actually build a medical solution, which was able to be put into clinics and tested and now has the ability to reach so many people,” he said while talking about AutoABI.

Beyond AutoABI, Rao continues to push the boundaries with an AI system for detecting aneurysms in CT scans, as well as contributions to Stanford’s Spezi ecosystem for empowering modular digital health app development. His work on the LLMOnFIRE application exemplifies generative AI’s game-

changing possibilities in improving health literacy.

“This app specifically is a chat interface where a patient can go in and chat with their health records.,” Rao explained.

Rao’s interest in Artificial Intelligence was piqued after he came across an article when he was 13. According to him, it was his interest in the boundless potential of AI to transform patient care that paved the way for the prestigious research internship at Stanford University.

While most of his work focuses on AI applications in Silicon Valley, Rao recognises the urgency of driving equitable healthcare access worldwide through scalable technologies. “I don’t think AI should replace doctors. But I know that it can help doctors, especially in areas where there’s a shortage”.

Beyond his coding wizardry, Rao has founded the non-profit Aretech Inc to teach virtual app development through boot camps for aspiring young innovators.

When asked what he would like to tell young Indian aspirants, he said, “I would just say, age is not a barrier and anyone can make a really big difference if they just put the time into it. And if they’re really passionate about it”.

“Having a passion, along with the ability to learn from resources online, can really set up anyone no matter how old they are, to make a huge impact.” -- Indian Express

ENTERTAINMENT

‘Shaitaan’: Sinister with Stellar Performances

By DHAVAl roy

Story: When a family lets a stranger into their farmhouse, the man mysteriously controls the teenage daughter. She does every bizarre and life-threatening thing he commands her to. What dark secret does the stranger possess, and can this desperate family escape his twisted game?

Review: A good supernatural thriller typically relies on elements of horror and suspense to keep the viewer hooked. Even if it skimps on jump scares but provides an unsettling experience, it’s a job well done. In that sense, director Vikas Bahl has got it right with Shaitaan.

The movie introduces one to Kabir’s (Ajay Devgn) happy family, which includes his wife Jyoti (Jyotika), teenage daughter Jahnavi (Janki Bodiwala), and nerdy son Dhruv (Anngad Raaj). The film quickly builds a sense of unease, as a stranger, Vanraj Kashyap (R Madhavan), enters their lives. He mysteriously gains complete control of Jahnavi, so much so that she obeys every command he gives. Unease soon turns to dread as Vanraj’s orders become increasingly awful and dangerous to Jahnavi herself and her family members. The rest of the story unravels the mystery behind what makes

Vanraj powerful, his motive, and if the family will escape his torment.

Shaitaan’s appeal lies in the atmosphere it creates, especially without the use of CGI. It mostly hinges on the antagonist’s sinister intentions and games, which leave you with an unsettling feeling.

Written by Aamir Keeyan Khan and Krishnadev Yagnik, the film sidesteps usual horror tropes. But it does touch upon the ageold supernatural versus science debate and human crudity that makes the species as basic as malevolent forces.

The narrative maintains a good pace and the treatment makes the movie gripping for the most part, although things gets a tad monotonous in the second half. Albeit not too suspenseful, the buildup is unnerving. The story has some unconvincing elements, and one scene gives away a pivotal plot point, which makes the climax predictable. Cinematographer Sudhakar Reddy Yakkanti excels in creating an atmosphere of dread and darkness, further enhanced by Amit Trivedi’s music.

Madhavan is outstanding as the malevolent figure and pulls off every sinister deed perfectly.

Ajay Devgn delivers a powerful performance as a helpless but determined father. Jyotika stands

her might, too. Janki Bodiwala deserves to be lauded for her pitchperfect performance as the young girl under a devious spell. She laughs, cries, dances, and attacks on cue in immediate succession perfectly. Anngad Raaj as the son performs well, too.

Even though Shaitaan’s narrative stumbles at times, the masterful use of atmosphere and top-notch acting elevate it into an unsettling experience worth having. -- Times of India

‘Ab Tera Kya Hoga’

Story: After facing rejection for four years, a dark-skinned Haryanvi girl is finally set to marry after her father promises the boy’s family double the dowry. When the truck with the dowry items is robbed, a cop who once turned her down helps her find it. Will they get the stuff back so that she can marry?

Review: What price must a dark-skinned girl and her family pay to get her married? A lot of humiliation and double the dowry, as Lovely (Ileana D’Cruz) and her folks do in this social comedy. The movie deals with Indians’ obsession with fair skin and how a girl suffers, although she’s a principled and bright Ph.D. student of Anthropology. -- ToI