Indo-American News: March 17, 2023

Representatives of the Embrace Relief Foundation accept BAPS donation during a special prayer assembly in New Jersey.

BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir Donates $25K for Turkey Quake Relief

Robbinsville, new JeRsey: In response to the devastating earthquakes in Türkiye, the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Robbinsville, New Jersey organized a special prayer assembly on February 25, 2023, for those affected by the humanitarian crisis.

The community members at BAPS offered support for the people of Türkiye through prayer and a generous donation of $25,000 through its humanitarian relief arm, BAPS Charities, to the Embrace Relief Foundation.

As hundreds of thousands are fleeing the disaster zones and being displaced from their homes, Embrace Relief Foundation has been continuously responding to the essential needs of those affected.

The donation will aid relief efforts in three key areas: food distribution, housing assistance, and emergency supply distribution. At the core of Embrace Relief’s mission is delivering sustainable solutions to achieve immediate and lasting improvements in situations of humanitarian emergency.

The CEO of Embrace Relief Foundation, Osman Dulgeroglu, expressed gratitude towards BAPS for organizing the event and for their generous donation. “I am truly overwhelmed by your generosity and cannot express how I feel about your unwavering support during this difficult time. Thank you for your support. It will bring hope and comfort to many who have lost everything.” Members from Turkish Cultural Center, New Jersey, and Central Jersey Community Center were also present to take part in the event.

The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Robbinsville, New Jer-

sey, is a community dedicated to supporting those in need. Through various charitable programs, the organization strives to improve the lives of people around the world.

In 2022, volunteers from the community were also involved in aiding in the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.

To learn more about the charitable and spiritual programs and initiatives of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan in Robbinsville, please visit their website at www.baps. org/robbinsville

An update email from the CEO of Embrace Relief Foundation, Osman Dulgeroglu on Feb 27, 2023 mentioned the following: “We have started to distribute food packages today for the earthquake victims in Hatay.”

We have delivered 30 Lb food packages to 250 families. Each Package has; 2 kg Rice, 2 kgWheat Grains, 1 kg Lentil, 1 kg Beans, 1 kg Sugar, 630 gr. Tomato Paste, 500 g Black Olives, 1.5 Kg Pasta, 380 gr. Jam, 750 gr. Salt, 1 lt, Olive Oil, 1 kg Instant Soup, 500 gr. Black Tea, 1 kg fruit juice, Biscuits and Chocolates.”

BAPS relief supplies distributed in Turkey.

Job Posting

Job Description:

Job ID 10043874

The photojournalist will have daily responsibilities to work in the field to shoot and edit news stories that has been assigned to them by newsroom management. Once video is shot they edit the video working collaboratively with reporters to create news stories for linear and digital broadcasts.

Responsibilities

• Shoot and edit news stories and breaking news in a fast paced, deadlinedriven environment

• Work as a team or independently to portray compelling stories from concept to completion

Basic Qualifications

• Demonstrate good news judgement

• Proficient in lighting, audio and non-linear editing for television news

• Experience operating a live truck

• Team player with exceptional work ethic

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of three years television news experience

• Clean Driving Record

• The ability to work under deadline, multi-task and prioritize assignments

• Must be able to lift and carry minimum of 50 pounds of equipment

• May require standing for long periods of time

• Flexibility to work any shift/any day including weekends and holidays and business dictates

Preferred Qualifications

• Ideal candidate would be comfortable on-camera if needed

Required Education

• High School Diploma

Interested candidates apply via Disneycareers.com, Req. ID: 10043874

About ABC Owned TV Stations: Comprised of the Company’s international business units and various direct-to-consumer streaming services, Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution (DMED) aligns technology, media distribution and advertising sales into a single business segment to create and deliver personalized entertainment experiences to consumers around the world.

About The Walt Disney Company:

The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise with the following business segments: media networks, parks and resorts, studio entertainment, consumer products and interactive media. From humble beginnings as a cartoon studio in the 1920s to its preeminent name in the entertainment industry today, Disney proudly continues its legacy of creating world-class stories and experiences for every member of the family. Disney’s stories, characters and experiences reach consumers and guests from every corner of the globe. With operations in more than 40 countries, our employees and cast members work together to create entertainment experiences that are both universally and locally cherished.

This position is with KTRK Television, Inc, which is part of a business we call ABC Owned TV Stations.

KTRK Television, Inc is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. Disney fosters a business culture where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a rapidly changing world.

Job Posting

Job ID 10040520

KTRK-TV, the Disney-owned television station in Houston, is looking for an innovative, creative, hard-working, and fiercely competitive reporter and fill-in anchor. The ideal candidate is looking for stories that can lead our flagship evening newscasts and knows how to command investigations and exclusive news-gathering when all the PIOs have gone home. The candidate should also have experience on the anchor desk.

Responsibilities:

• Candidates must be master storytellers who can identify, develop, shoot, write, edit, produce and report high-quality, enterprising stories for multiple platforms.

• Our ideal candidate also knows how to tell high-impact stories utilizing data and other research tools and is willing to experiment with new technology.

• Must have a desire to serve the community and a knack for quickly cultivating contacts and exclusive story ideas.

• Fill-in anchor on linear and streaming as needed

Basic Qualifications:

Must be a team player with an exceptional work ethic, the ability to work under deadline, multi-task, prioritize assignments, and have the flexibility to work any shift required. We want a respected, knowledgeable, ethical station representative and team player with a strong presence on social media.

Required Qualifications:

• Qualified candidates must have a minimum 2 years major market television news experience with excellent editorial, writing, shooting, editing and on-air presentation skills, including live reporting & ad lib expertise.

• Background check clearance and clean driving record will be required.

Required Education: High School Diploma

Preferred Education: Journalism Degree

Interested candidates apply via Disneycareers.com, Req 10040520

About ABC Owned TV Stations:

Comprised of the Company’s international business units and various direct-to-consumer streaming services, Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution (DMED) aligns technology, media distribution and advertising sales into a single business segment to create and deliver personalized entertainment experiences to consumers around the world.

About The Walt Disney Company:

The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise with the following business segments: media networks, parks and resorts, studio entertainment, consumer products and interactive media. From humble beginnings as a cartoon studio in the 1920s to its preeminent name in the entertainment industry today, Disney proudly continues its legacy of creating world-class stories and experiences for every member of the family. Disney’s stories, characters and experiences reach consumers and guests from every corner of the globe. With operations in more than 40 countries, our employees and cast members work together to create entertainment experiences that are both universally and locally cherished.

This position is with KTRK Television, Inc, which is part of a business we call ABC Owned TV Stations.

KTRK Television, Inc is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. Disney fosters a business culture where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a rapidly changing world.

‘Waking Up Free: India’s Journey’ at Miller Theater

Houston: ‘Waking Up Free: India’s Journey’ premieres at the Miller Outdoor Theater on March 31, 2023, at 8 pm, as part of Miller’s 100th season and in the 75th year of India’s Independence.

A brand new recipient of National Endowment for the Arts funding, Silambam Houston is proud to present this 90-minute thematic presentation in Bharatanatyam that tells the stories of India’s freedom struggle, and celebrates her heroes, through the dynamic kaleidoscope of dance and the emotive range of classical Indian music.

This original production takes the audience on India’s journey to freedom and beyond: from the oppression of the British Raj, to the remarkable stories of the nonviolent resistance, led by the heroes of India’s freedom struggle, and carried through with patriotic fervor by the people of the country, to the hope and optimism of present-day India.

Conceptualized and directed by Lavanya Rajagopalan, the production features choreography by award-winning dancer/ choreographer Priya Murle (from Chennai India). The stirring original music score is composed and directed by Nandini Anand, and performed by senior dancers from the Silambam Houston Dance Company and Shri Silam-

bam Academy (Chennai).

This performance is made possible by a grant from the Miller Theater Advisory Board. Silambam Houston programming is supported by funding from the

National Endowment for the Arts, the Texas Commission on the Arts, the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance, the BIPOC Arts Network and Fund, and Dance Source Houston

Humanitarian and motHer to all

100th Birthday of Beloved Guru and Mother

Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, Founder of Sahaja Yoga Meditation

Early life Shri Mataji was born at noon on the Spring Equinox of March 21, 1923 in Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh, the center of India. She was raised in a Christian family by two well-educated, loving parents, who actively advocated and fought for India’s independence. Her family and those she encountered could sense her depth and spiritual inclination, even as a young child. So much so that in 1930, at the age of seven, Shri Mataji gave a speech at Mahatma Gandhi’s Sabarmati ashram in India. In the 1940’s Shri Mataji attended the Christian Medical College in Lahore, India (now Pakistan) to study medicine. In 1947, Shri Mataji married Chandrika Prasad Srivastava. Shri Mataji and Mr. Srivastava had two daughters, first, Kalpana, later followed by the birth of their second daughter, Sadhana, in 1950. Shri Mataji was a dedicated wife and mother and poured herself into her family for the next two decades.

An awakening On May 5, 1970, while meditating on the problems of humanity on the shores of Nargol, India, Shri Mataji awakened mankind’s collective energy center of the Sahastrara and developed the meditation technique of Sahaja Yoga. She believed enlightenment and spirituality was a human right, not to be made into a business, and that it was what humanity was seeking and needing. After developing this technique, she spent the rest of her life giving self-realization (the awakening of one’s own subtle system) using her own resources. She traveled throughout Europe, Australia and North America, South America,

Africa, Asia and the Pacific region.

The followers of Shri Mataji and her technique prepare to honor her, as what would have been her 100th birthday approaches. One of the practitioners of this meditation, also known as a “sahaja yogi”, shared that, “Shri Mataji did more for humanity than we could ever repay her for. Her love, guidance, and her great efforts to give humanity this gift of Sahaja Yoga, has changed hundreds of thousands of lives for the better.

Shri Mataji gave each of us the opportunity to truly know thyself and have our true rebirth, or “baptism”. To celebrate her life we will share her message and will give seekers their self-realization.”

Sahaja Yoga Today Sahaja Yoga Meditation is practiced across the world in over one-hundred countries with roots in Houston dating back to the early eighties. Shri Mataji visited the city to share her technique and help seekers establish their meditation on several occasions. The Sahaja Yoga Houston meditation center opened its doors in West Houston in 2018 where the volunteers began to host free classes and seminars for the community. Before opening their own center they held these classes in libraries and community centers across the city, in which they still do today. For a list of weekly classes you can visit their website at www.houston-meditation.org

Once one gets their self-realization, to receive the most benefit, it is to be nurtured through meditation, also referred to as thoughtless awareness.

Shri Mataji’s words on

thoughtless awareness.

“You are aware, but you are thoughtless. That is the place where you are in the present and you are peaceful. That is the state where

you grow spiritually.

Thoughtless awareness is the first beautiful state you have to achieve. It will give you peace and a witness state to enjoy the drama of life, to enjoy the different varieties of people while you are growing within yourself.

You enjoy whatever is created beautifully. You do not think about it. You do not react. The reaction is that there is joy. What a beauty it is. You do not think who has made it, how much it will cost – nothing. You become thoughtless. And thoughtless awareness is nothing but such a pouring sense of joy –joy which is neither happiness or unhappiness, but singular.

You cannot describe it in words, but you can really feel it inside yourself, that joy of being the Self. When you become thoughtless, then you can see and feel reality.”

To get your self-realization and learn how to meditate, join Sahaja Yoga practitioners at the meditation center in West Houston at, 4510 C Hwy 6 North, Houston, TX 77084.

Contact: houstonsy@outlook. com

Job Opening: Purchasing Assistant

Seeking bright, enthusiastic, individual responsible for cultivating existing relationships with multinational distributors as well as building new relationships with potential new purchasing distributors. Candidate must exhibit exceptional interpersonal abilities, proficiency in basic office programs. Candidate must be a result driven, purchasing professional, who is a self-starter and who understands how to purchase through the purchasing channels.

Responsibilities:

• Monitoring stock levels and identifying purchasing needs

Issue purchase orders to suppliers, distributors, and manufacturers

• Tracking orders and ensuring timely delivery

• Communicate with suppliers related to procurement, shipment schedule,

• quality claims (RTV#’S) and product development

Maintains purchasing documents, files, and records for the purpose

• of ensuring the availability of documentation and compliance with established policies and regulatory guidelines

• Work closely with India office on Back-order report, promised dates

Responds to inquiries of staff and administration regarding inventory

• report

Requirements:

• Tables, Charts, Macros etc.

Proficient in Excel - Must be able to Run and create functions, Pivot

Required Skills and Experience:

• 1 - 3 years Inventory experience is a plus

Required -- High school Diploma; Preferred – Associates degree

• Good reasoning abilities,

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills,

• Strong interpersonal skills

• Knowledge of Word, and PowerPoint

• Able to multi-task efficiently in a fast-paced environment

• Able to work Independently

• Please note:

All offers are contingent upon the successful results of a pre-employment drug screen and a criminal background check.

Location:

Sugar Land, TX

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: To be discussed with selected candidate

Please Email: info@sppsigma.com if interested

Website: www.sppsigma.com

March 21, 1923-February 23, 2011

IHA Hosts “Holi ke Hindi Bol” Poetry Recital at JVB Preksha Center

Houston: On the afternoon of Sunday March 12th, the JVB Preksha (JVB) Meditation Center was alive with the sound of laughter and poetic musings as the International Hindi Association (IHA) Houston Chapter hosted their event "Holi Ke Hindi Bol". The program was designed to bring together Hindispeaking individuals and celebrate the cultural and linguistic heritage of Hindi. The event coordinator was Pramod Bengani, a long time ICC- IHA- JVB Director and a Hindi enthusiast.

At the onset of the program, two youth graduates, Vani and Shivani Jain from JVB Gyanshala, recited a melodious Bhajan on Bhagwan Rama.

IHA Houston President Rajiv Bhavsar welcomed everyone on behalf of IHA, expressing his gratitude for the community's support of the organization's mission to promote the Hindi language and culture. He praised the talent and creativity of the participating poets, who represented a diverse range of professions and backgrounds.

JVB Board member, Nikhil Jain, welcomed everyone to the gorgeous pyramid hall that provided a

Reliance Jewels Previewed at Lakmé Fashion Week

perfect setting for such an artistic program. He acknowledged the importance of Hindi as a language of unity and pride. India Culture Center (ICC) President Malla Mekala provided an update on upcoming events for the of ICC including the 50th anniversary Gala celebrations in June.

Swapan Dhairyawan, an IHA Chapter & National President,

then gave an overview of upcoming IHA activities, including the upcoming 20th Biennial Convention in Indiana in July and the Hasya Kavi Sammelan on August 11. He emphasized the importance of promoting Hindi literature and poetry as a means of preserving and celebrating the cultural identity of Hindi-speaking communities and enhancing the wider outreach.

The program was moderated by Pramod Bengani, a poet, writer, and humorist, who did an excellent job of keeping the program together and sharing many of his personal creations throughout the event. Bengani's witty four-liners on each poet were awe-inspiring and kept the audience engaged throughout the program.

Seven poets – Dr Sarita Mehta,

Fateh Chatur, Shaila Munshaw, Meera Jain, Dr Suresh Moonat, Vijay Nagar, Anant Desai - and two surprise guest poets: Kiran Gupta and Khalid Razvi, all from varied fields of teaching engineering, medicine, and drama direction, recited their fun creations. The poets' readings were both humorous and poignant, covering a wide range of themes, including love, humor, and social commentary.

The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Chapter Jt Secretary Nisha Mirani, who expressed her gratitude to the poets, the organizers, the sponsors and the audience for making the event a success. Overall, the program was an enjoyable and entertaining session that brought together a diverse group of people to celebrate the festival of Holi and the Hindi language. It was an excellent opportunity for the community to come together and enjoy the fun-filled creations of the talented poets.

Attendees were then treated to a tasty spread of food, thandai, and tea, and many stayed to socialize and enjoy the festive atmosphere.

MuMbai: Reliance Jewels, one of India’s leading Jewellery brands, brought Tamil Nadu’s Thanjavur region’s rich heritage to life with the preview of their Akshaya Tritya Collection “THANJAVUR,” exclusively at Lakmé Fashion Week in partnership with FDCI and in collaboration with renowned designer Monisha Jaising. The showcase featured Monisha Jaising’s signature styles of ‘Luxury pret’ and “Couture’, which were beautifully complemented by the opulence of intricately handcrafted fine jewellery by Reliance Jewels on 11th March, 2023, 8:30 p.m. at the Jio World Garden, Mumbai. Inspired by a tropical island wedding, Monisha’s showcase promises to take the audience on a journey through tropical sunsets, wedding wows, imagination, and reflection, where resort wear meets jewels and couture effortlessly. The collection featured a range of designs that seamlessly blend couture and jewellery, creating a perfect fusion of elegance and luxury.

‘Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar’: So Boring Despite Stars

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 March 21, 2023. Email us at indoamericannews@yahoo.com. Please send us your solved Sudoku for your name to be published.

Solution Next Week

by sHubHRa Gupta

Luv Ranjan’s latest ‘Tu Jhooti Main Makkaar’ is basically every Luv Ranjan film till now: the guys, they’re the best, the gals, well, they gotta learn their lesson. That, and the one thing no Luv Ranjan movie can do without: the monologue.

The plot, basically an excuse to hang this one-line philosophy of his movies, is as loose and harebrained as they come. Mickey (Ranbir Kapoor) is, among other things, a break-up artist. That is, he does this as a ‘dhanda’ wherein he grabs a fat fee from those who wish to get out of a relationship without breaking any hearts, dumping their bfs/gfs lightly. All this is taking place amongst a certain set in Delhi/NCR, who hang out in Cyber Hub, live in flats which are meant to be in Vasant Kunj but look like they are Gurugram high-rises, and clearly have this extremely useful service on their speed dial.

Go on, roll your eyes. It’s Luv Ranjan’s universe, in which the expert couple-buster Mickey falls hard for Tinny (Shraddha Kapoor), who, you know, just wants to have fun. Ouch. A Casanova-type developing real feelings for a girl who couldn’t care less, or at least that’s the character trait she’s given in the beginning, is a great rom com premise, but the writers of TJMM clearly didn’t get the memo on brevity being the soul of wit: the film drags on for two hours before it comes to the last twenty minutes, which is when the pace picks up, a familiar-yet-fun trope– the dashto-the-airport-to-get-the-girl-kicks in– and the film finally get some laughs in.

Up until then, we get Ranbir Kapoor trying to be Kartik Aaryan, and only coming into his own when he goes back to being Ranbir Kapoor, he who can carry a scene, and execute a mean ‘thumka’. Kapoor has had a lot of experience playing the man-child in his most popular outings (Wake Up Sid, Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani) but this is the Ranjan maleverse, where young men’s brahmastra is refusing to grow up: imagine being able to be Mumma’s boys all

life long, live in the family nest, and have all the women in the family revolve around you? This is a male fantasy to beat all fantasies, and Luv Ranjan has excelled at creating versions of it, right from ‘Pyaar Ka Panchnama’. But what felt fresh when PKP came out, is now just tired and jaded.

Mickey’s best pal is played by popular stand-up comic Anubhav Singh Bassi, who has to live with the best punch-lines being handed out to the hero. Shraddha Kapoor tries to make the best of the sort of thankless roles women have in Luv Ranjan’s movies. Her attempt at trying to be her own person, and striking out for independence is firmly scotched by the film’s decisive pivot to conservative family values: remember we told you right up front that she will learn the error of her ways?

Not content with one monologue, we get several: has anyone heard of jokes getting worn out?

Misogynistic, sexist lines, a Luv Ranjan film staple, keep popping up: what’s a maleverse without dashes of sexism and misogyny? A little girl is handed out some deeply problematic lines, and placed in even more problematic situations. And the gracious Dimple Kapadia, as Mickey’s loving mommy, is turned into a harridan, and made to slap her ‘puttar’ more than once. How long, dear Bollywood, will slaps be played for laughs?

I suppose if TJMM was silly and fun, it would still have been fine. I’m always in the market for silly. But this kind of movie has no business being so boring, and that’s its biggest sin.

I love you, says the teary-eyed guy to the teary-eyed gal, but I love my family more, and you come after Dadiji, Mummyji, Daddyji, Sisterji, Nieceji. If there was a family pet, I guess the latter would have been on that list too.

-- Indian Express

Last Week’s Solution

were also notable for the win for “Elephant Whisperers” documentary and nomination for “All That Breathes” and Deepika Padukone on stage annuouncing the “Naatu, Naatu” song.

Recent Winners

Kumud Athavale, Ramana Vadrevu, Krishna R. Vuddagiri, Sanchali Basu, Yudhveer Singh Bagga, Taranjit Singh, Kanubhai Patel, Prabhu Narumanchi, Prabha Barvalia, Saeed Pathan, Raju Kale

TANDOORI HUT

RRR Wins Oscar for Naatu, Naatu & SWEETS

Lunch

los anGeles: RRR song “Naatu Naatu” has won the Oscar for Best Original Song at the 95th Academy Awards. Composed by MM Keeravani, with lyrics by Chandrabose and vocals by Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava,Oscars