Indo-American News: November 11, 2022

Thousands Celebrate Masala Radio’s Houston Diwali Mela

Houston: Thousands celebrated Diwali @ Masala Radio’s

HOUS

TON DIWALI MELA last Sat urday. In a freak coincidence, it turned into a double celebration as midway through the event the Houston Astros won the World Se ries! Traffic stowed along Highway 6 to admire the 4 story Giant Fer ris Wheel, and stopped completely when the Grand Finale Fireworks went off to the crazy beats of popu lar Bollywood music.

Masala Radio 98.7 FM celebrat ed Diwali with its extremely strong following with this FREE event at the West Oaks Mall Grounds on SAT NOV 5th, 6-11PM…and what a Mela it was! More than 12,000 people attended this Diwali mela and enjoyed the celebration in the amazing cool weather.

Madhvi Kumar who reached the venue at 9pm said “the entre parking was full and I had to park across the street. I have been to most Diwali events in Houston and I’ve never seen so many different things going on and so many people. It was spectacular. It felt like a big Bollywood festival.” Vijay Pallod said “When I reached the event, I was surprised to see such a large crowd and the giant LED screens. My favorite part was seeing Amitabh Bachchan dancing with President Biden.” Neha Sanghvi said “I just moved this year from Los Angeles, and I have to say Houston has one of the most dynamic Indian communities. I’ve never been to an event like this. Music, dances, fireworks, and the riskshaw rides. It was magical. It felt like a mini Coachella with the giant ferris wheel.”

Sandhya Thakkar said “We want to thank the West Oaks Management for letting us host the event here! The support we received from our community was amazing.” Sunil Thakkar added “This last year was good for some but challenging for many people. That is why we with our sponsors’ support decided: no ticket nor parking fees. Seeing the love and happiness that families enjoyed together was priceless! I want to thank all attendees, performers, sponsors, volunteers, vendors, our Masala team, and above all Goddess Lax mi for blessing us with beautiful weather.”

The heartbeat of the festival was the non-stop en tertainment on stage featuring the most talented local singers, dance schools, fashion show and even a hi larious comedy skit featuring Amitabh Bachchan and President Joe “Bhaiden.” Dance Schools included (in alphabetical order): Any1 Can Dance, Bollywood Dancing Stars, Desi Beats, Funtastic Bollywood Dance & Yoga, Infused Performing Arts, Katak Nritya Kala Kendra, Rhythm India, and Roarin Raas. Infused also performed the breathtaking Pushpa musical. Shots of singers kept the variety between dances, starting with Sunil Mishra singing a Kishore Medley, Nabeel Lakhani shot a live music video of his hit “Tum“, Shayan had the ladies swooning with Arijit numbers, and the finale Joe Paras singing popular Punjabi dance hits. Fashion Show by Zakia featured outfits by Venu Gaba highlighting the latest Flare Pants & Cholis, One-Shoulder, Capes, Kaftans, and Gold Embroidered Men’s short sherwanis. Every ten minutes the scene changed on stage, if you blinked you missed something really cool! 2 LED Robots led the crowd in dancing for the Ramji Rave with DJ Nish mixing bollywood & EDM music.

A big thanks to all the major sponsors Houston Di wali for making this a free event - Discount Power, Amir Dodhiya, Arshad Ramji, Nitya Capital, Jindal Saw, Royal Basmati, Deep Foods, Theramedic Rehab, Texans Minerals, Perez Jasani, Bob’s Lounge, Aziz Panjwani, Arabian Night, Javed Meghani, Taj Momin, Shabana Motors, Dr Freemu Varghese, Travel Guzs, George Willy, and Hindus of Greater Houston, in addi tion to over 50 individual & corporate sponsors. Food Booths were serving amazing Indian street foods nonstop - Mirch Masala, Honest Rest, Bawarchi, Gayatri Bhavan, and Ghanshyam Caterers. Dharmik Brah

mbhatt of Honest said “from 8pm – 10:30pm, the rush was so crazy that we couldn’t even look up. This was our first festival and it was a huge hit for us. ” Indeed the long lines at Honest proved that word about their famous pav bhaji got around fast! This year was a record-breaking Diwali Bazaar mostly filled with women entrepreneurs selling fashions, jewelry, home décor and event decor. The lights from the stage reached deep into the clouds. It was a magical mysti cal evening full of love, excitement, and celebration. Masala Radio rocked with its biggest Diwali celebration in Hous ton.

Special thanks to the entire Crazy Masala Crew!! Office: Rinku, Priya, Rishi, Chaitali, Aahil. Radio Jockeys: Preanka, Rajoo, Dilip, Priya Pyari P, Ina, Pankti, Swati, Amit, Anees, Shivangi, Rishi, Vyoma, Jigzz. Event: Ruchir, Ninad, Bhavisha, Alisha, Suji, Mrugesh, Dinesh, Sohail, Sangeeta, Haroon,, Yumna, Josh, Sahil, Vinay, Josh & DJ Nish. Photos & Videos by Gaurav Hariyani Studios & Dario. Pictures on FB / IG masalaradio98.7FM or www.masalaradio.com.

Indo-Americans Achieve Success in Mid-Terms

Houston: Democrat incumbent KP George will serve another term as Fort Bend County judge with a narrow victory over Republi can challenger Trever Nehls. Fi nal unofficial voting results show George received 51.6% of the vote, or 126,828, to Nehls’ 48.4%, or 119,082, with all 82 Fort Bend County polling locations report ing. The first two Muslim lawmak ers in the Texas House are Sal man Bhojani, who won election to House District 92 in Tarrant

County, and Suleman Lalani, who won election to House District 76 in Fort Bend County. Lalani (D) received 28,240 votes (57%) vs. Dan Mathews.

Both men are also immigrants. Bhojani, whose family is origi nally from Pakistan, moved to the United States as a teenager. Lalani came to the country in the 1990s to begin his career as a doctor.

Surendran Pattel (D) was in a tight race with just a handful of votes in the lead 121,448 against Edward Krenek 212,412 for the

race for 240th Judicial District Judge.

Robin Elackatt won the race for Missouri City Mayor with 13,685 votes (54%).

Manpreet Monica Singh became the first Sikh female judge in the US after winning the race for Har ris County Civil Court at Law No. 4 In Fort Bend County, Juli Mathew was re-elected as County Court at Law Judge No. 3.

Another winner was Sonia Rash, Fort Bend Justice of the Peace for Precinct 3.

Attend the Largest Franchise Expo: Nov. 12-13

Conroe: The Franchise Expo to be held Novem ber 12 and 13 at the Lone Star Convention Center in Conroe offers an excel lent opportunity for busi ness hopefuls to learn the intricacies of the franchise world. It is a chance to learn about the latest and greatest franchise business mod els.

The Expo will offer complete ly free educational seminars all weekend long, allowing attendees to learn about a range of topics that can help in making the busi ness a success.

These topics will include: how to scale your business; how to under stand and diversify; marketing se crets; how to franchise your busi ness; finance - funding options for your business; franchise law; how to evaluate franchise opportunities and much more to educate our selves to move to the next level.

Kapil Manocha, the representa tive for the South Asian commu nity, will be available to answer questions in person at the event. He

can be reached at Kapil@thefran chiseconsultingcomoany.com or at (216) 538-3661, Expo coordinator

Seema Govil can be reached at Seema@thefranchisecon sultingcompany.com

To register for a free ticket for the event, scan the QR code on the flyer or visit the link below for more info. https://www.franexpousa. com/attend-houston-fran chise-expo-trade-show-no vember-2022?cons=SGovil

Indo American News

Founder: dr. K.L. sindwani

PubLisHer: JawaHar MaLHotra editor: PraMod KuLKarni CorresPondent: sanCHaLi basu

Visit of Shri Guruji to Teach Pranayama

by ViJay Karna

Houston: Houstonians were delighted to see a Siddhayogi (Shri Guruji) visit and personally teach the secret internal pranayama from Bhagavad Gita between October 14 and October 30. He breaks the common misconception that pranayama is concerned with external oxygen through nostrils and teaches the scientific pranaya ma that heals from ailments and help one attain salvation. This was once in a lifetime opportunity to learn this vidya directly from him. The teachings and blessings are for all genders; Male and Female, young above 10 years, and old any age.

Shri Guruji’s Discourses and Upadesams were organized in different parts of the USA between September and October and will continue in December 12 in Chicago IL, Columbus IN, Lafayette LA, Dallas TX, Orlando FL, Atlanta GA, and many places in New Jersey Tristate along with the Houston area. In Houston, particularly, he arrived on October 13, and participated in the inaugural and parade sessions of Dussehra Diwali of Shri Sitaram founda tion at skeeters stadium. A float carried under the banner Shri Swamy Ramananda

Gyan Ashram was a beautiful depiction of the theme Guruji propagated.

Yoga has arrived in western world in dif ferent forms. Yet, to see yogam teaching by a physician turned yogi is unique and divine. Yogam is quite different from physical yoga. Yogam is an internal pranayama. Sri Guruji teaches the true Brahma vidya according to Sri Krishna in Bhagavad Gita. As he was in the Greater Houston area from October 13th through October 30th, serious seekers took advantage of his blessings and teachings.

He is a son, disciple, husband, father, grandfather most of all a loving Siddha Guru guiding his disciples, setting himself as an example.

It was in the early stages of his journey as a doctor in 1978, he was first acquainted with his Gurudev Sri Swami Ramananda Para mahamsa, whose teachings and philosophy changed Dr. Vandana Venkateswara Rao’s (now known as Dr. Swamy Antarmukhanan da) life forever. Onsetting his journey to en rich humanity, he teaches the true Siddha Vidya in purest form as it was taught by Sri Krishna to Arjuna.

Being declared “Tvameva Aham” - “You are I” by his Guru, this purna yogi is now Continued on Page 7

Indo-American Charity Foundation’s ‘Bollywood Night’ Gala :

Houston: The Indo-American Charity Foundation (IACF) will hold its annual gala on Friday, December 2nd 2022, at Knanaya Community Center in Missouri City. The theme for this year’s gala is “Bollywood Night”. The event will showcase IACF’s supporting charities, individuals and organiza tions that share its mission to serve communities in the Greater Hous ton area.

The evening will highlight new collaborations and initiatives ac companied with great food, drinks, and dancing.

To incorporate the Bollywood Night, IACF has introduced vari ous sponsorship levels.

The non-profit organization is excited to involve the local com munity and will have Angels of Charity fashion show with local celebrities walking the ramp.

Active volunteers and support ers of IACF will be spotlighted as Friends of Charity during the eve ning.

Guests will also have the oppor tunity to participate in a silent auc tion featuring artwork from local talent.

For over 30 years IACF has raised funds to help support local organizations that are new and/ or in need of aid to provide ser vices to thousands of Houstonians.

IACF invites you to come support their mission of “We live here. We give here.”

Funds raised during the 2022 Gala will support IACF’s pro grams and services and will sup port thousands of Houstonians. Our major sponsors wll be joined by other supporters in recognizing individuals and groups as “Angles of Charity’ and “Friends of Char ity” on the occasion.

For more information about IACF and to purchase tickets for the gala, visit www.iacfhouston. com. To partner with IACF as a sponsor for the Gala, please con tact Rajesh Dikonda, President Elect at 832-483-5194.

ABOUT IACF: The Indo-Amer ican Charity Foundation (IACF) is a non-profit charitable organization that helps the underprivileged and needy with monetary contributions and volunteer work through estab lished and emerging organizations in the Greater Houston Area. IACF was founded in 1988 by a group of Houstonians of Indian origin (Indo- American) compelled by an altruistic desire to give back to their local community. Their mission to help the underprivileged, and has now developed into a multi-facet ed philanthropic endeavor to help those in need of health, education and human services in the Greater Houston Area.

Visit of Shri Guruji RELIGION

‘peetadhipathi’ of Sri Swamy Ramananda Siddhay oga Gnana Ashramam, Kamannavalasa, AP, India. Tirelessly, he initiates the common man at large to the path of “Brahmavidya”. Sri Guruji, irrespec tive of the great heights he reached, teaches us the humbleness and humility. He guides his disciples to live a joyful yogic life amidst their duties and re sponsibilities.

In recent times, when the Covid-19 hit the world, Swami Antarmukhananda and his disciples helped thousands of covid patients to health. He himself taught covid-19 patients this internal pranayama online and achieved great results for the ones who practiced religiously. Under his guidance, no patient required oxygen therapy and no fatalities have been reported till date. Even after complete recovery, many have adopted this Vidya as their lifestyle and have uplifted the quality of their lives.

In Houston metro, his discourses were arranged in October by Shisyas and coordinators Usha Ka vart, Mridula Karna, Usha Rangaraj at Jalram Baba Mandir at West Belfort Avenue, Sugar Land and other locations in Sugar Land, and Pearland. In these discourses, a few people also Initiated {sic} to learn, instill, and propagate yogam and hence healing to the misery of human beings.

If anybody likes to meet Siddhayogiji or learn this Siddha internal pranayama, they can meet him again in December in Houston area, and contact Usha Ka vart (director of Kalabharati School of music and arts) at whatsapp 713-540-6310,). For further in formation on any topic, please visit website www. antarmukhananda.org or contact Ms. Kavart on Whatsapp.

Scam Artist Sentenced 5 Years

Houston: Waseem Maknojiya, a 38 year-old In dian national, has been sentenced to five years in prison by a Texas court for committing mail fraud and duping customers via Indian call centres.

Maknojiya, who was illegally residing in Hous ton, had pleaded guilty on September 13, 2021, a press statement by the US Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of Texas said.

On Tuesday, US District Judge Lynn N. Hughes ordered Maknojiya to serve 60 months in federal prison.

Not an American citizen, he is expected to face removal proceedings following his imprisonment.

Between April and October 2019, Maknojiya was involved in a telemarketing scheme via Indian call centres to extort money from victims in the US.

He acted as a runner in these schemes, using aliases and fake identification documents to pick up more than 70 parcels containing cash the scheme’s victims had mailed, the press release stated.

One common script used in the scheme involved coercing victims into believing federal agents were investigating them.

The “agent” on the phone would convince the vic tim the only way to clear his or her name from inves tigation was to send cash in a parcel shipped through FedEx to a name and address they provided.

Runners in the US like Maknojiya would then pick up the parcels.

At the time of his plea, he agreed to pay restitution to the scheme’s identified victims.

He will remain in custody pending transfer to a US Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future. (IANS)

by ranJana narasiMHan

Houston: It is very rare that traditional purists of Carnatic music and seekers of contemporary aes thetics in Carnatic music see eye to eye on the merits of any concert. However the versatile and in imitable Sikkil Gu rucharan has indeed succeeded in bridg ing the gaps between these opposing camps, holding all his listeners captive under the spell of his extra ordinary music - noted for both both its cerebral excellence and musical charm. It is no wonder that India’s national magazine “In dia Today” featured Gurucharan among the “Game Changers Un der (the age of) 35 in India” , a list of young achievers from different walks of life. American pop rock singer/songwriter Jon McLaughlin describes Sikkil Gurucharan’s mu sical experiment with pianist Anil Srinivasan as follows: “creator of devastatingly beautiful music that pleases Carnatic purists and the aesthetics seekers in music” Coming from a musical pedigree on the paternal and maternal side,

Gurucharan was encouraged by his grandmother and aunt-once-re moved (the flautists Sikkil sisters) and was trained initially by his mother Mythili Chandrasekharan as the musical family saw great potential in young Gurucharan. In Chennai, he was trained by Vaigai Shri S. Gnanaskandan, disciple of Dandapani Desikar and Semman gudi Srinivasa Iyer.

Academically too, Gurucharan stood out: At his High School, Vidyamandir, Chennai, he won the Best outgoing all-rounder stu dent award. He was also a gold medalist at Vivekananda college, which is when he started to sing in the music season with the instiga tion of supportive professors. His other academic accomplishment

at Loyola college was a masters in financial management.

He showed versatility in his mu sical journey as well: RJ WORLD SPACE RADIO, Program Curator, Artists’ Inter views, Voice over for shruti chan nel, Piano-Carnatic experimenter with pianist Anil Srinivasan.

His very popular “Jannal Oram” youtube episodes are well re searched and articulated explor ing many genres, many themes, and many landscapes within the framework of music, particularly Carnatic music…. themes from patriotism to “resilience”, bringing new audiences to Carnatic music. His topical and motivational ideas (mirroring Bharathiyaar’s ideas) are very well received by young

audiences.

His music has thus become contextual and therefore full of emotion (bhava) that our human minds can resonate with. He takes the lyrics to the level of what the creator meant for them to express, thereby giving equal importance to the lyrics and the music.

The theme of our concert is “Theynisai Thamizh” -” Honeysweet music in Thamizh”. We expect it to be a beautiful, well-re searched and ordered presentation with V. Sanjeev on the violin and

Delhi Sairam on the mridangam. Please buy your tickets and avail yourselves of special donor offers and early bird discounts through Eventbrite or online through our website: classicalartshouston.org

Classical Arts is also exploring the possibility of a live “Jannal Oram’ episode (a musical “fireside chat”) in Houston, a day prior to the concert itself. If there is suf ficient interest, this will happen, and announcements will be made on classicalartshouston.org and through emails to patrons.

Assam Team at Texas India Fest in San Antonio

san antonio: Diwali cel ebrations are held all across the globe with great pomp and cheer.In San Antonio, Texas, the Indian communi ty continues to celebrate and bring all diverse groups to gether to celebrate Diwali. India Association of San Antonio (IASA) is very pas sionate about the growing Indian community and en gages in organizing cultural events to bring everyone together. This was the 39th annual India Fest and it got rebranded for the first time as Texas India Fest. Mayor Ron Nirenberg graced the event with an insightful speech. Repre sentatives from ten states, dressed up in their respective traditional outfits, participated in a parade.

The event was held at an open ground in the Rolling oaks mall.

The President of IASA, Mr. San tanu Das and his team organized this event with great enthusiasm to showcase the multi-cultural spirit of India. The event started with a high energy of dhol beats and a state parade which later formed a human flag of Indian tricolors. Each state got an opportunity to set up their own booth. It was a de lightful sight and surprise for ev eryone present there with a musi cal background of Vande Mataram raising a patriotic feeling in every Indian’s heart. The event contin ued with Sikh Martial Arts show called Gatka presented by almost 30 kids that left the crowd mes merized with their stunts. There

were Indian food vendors, Henna painting, saree draping booth, In dian bazaar with all desi decoration items, clothes, bags and a memo rable tricolor balloon photobooth to capture colorful moments from the event.

Members of Assam Association of San Antonio were actively in volved and displayed some tradi tional symbolic items of Assamese culture that included xorai and ban bati(traditional bell metal prod ucts), japi(conical bamboo hat), gamusa(hand woven cloth), rhino, kopou phool(foxtail orchid), Assam tea, hand woven assam silk items, dhul (drum)& pepa(hornpipe mu sical instrument). A map of Assam and a trifold was also presented with a collage of different tribes and dances of Assam.

Dr. Lopita Nath(Professor&Chair of History at University of the In carnate Word) has been coordinat ing and representing Assam for many years in cultural events in San

Antonio. Besides the booth and pa rade, Dr Nath, along with her dance team also performed a semi classi cal kathak piece. It was a special performance named Ganga Behti ho kyu – a tribute to humanity by Dr. Bhupen Hazarika. The song is a reference to the suffering of people on both sides of the rivers Brahma putra and the Ganga; Yet both riv ers keep silently flowing ignoring the pains of the people. The dance was choreographed by Indian kath ak exponent Guru Marami Medhi. There was a mixed crowd where everyone got a little taste of Indian culture. The show ended on a mu sical note with some high energy ethnic fashion show and foot tap ping DJ battle, similar to fusion of Indian and western music that left the crowd elevated and wanting for more dance moves. The event was a great success filled with the sights, sounds and aroma of local Indian food.